Islander

NANAIMO — A fisheries deadline is nearing for the removal of a 60-tonne derelict sailboat from its watery grave off Protection Island. The 40-year-old Valkyrian II hasn’t moved from where she sank near the Dingy Dock pub in October.

UCLUELET — Families packed Ucluelet’s Big Beach Park on a recent morning to experience the Wild Pacific Trail society’s new children-focused interactive displays.

It was 33 years ago when I last saw Glenn Lewis. As word reached me that he had arrived as senior artist-in-residence at Camosun College for the month of January, I went right over. Lewis is unchanged, except for lots of greying hair.

How a young nurse left Victoria for the Island's wild west coast

COWICHAN VALLEY — Adding extra ferry surcharges is only pouring fuel on the fire for irate Vancouver Island residents, according to Keith Rush, chairman of the Thetis and Penelakut Island ferry advisory committee.

When he signed on with the naval reserve as a fuzzy-faced 16-year-old, Chris Preston had no idea he’d still be in the fold 44 years later.

COURTENAY — An outdoor synthetic ice rink that will be one of the big draws of the upcoming Winter Bites Festival has been constructed at Simms Park in Courtenay.

PORT ALBERNI — Silent and still, a pair of feline eyes peer out from under a thorn bush at the edge of a large wooded area on Argyle Way in Port Alberni.

GABRIOLA — Gabriola Island residents say there could be severe economic fallout if ferry service reductions go ahead as planned.

DUNCAN — Former Duncan mayor Jim Quaife died at Cowichan District Hospital on the morning of Jan. 9 after a battle with cancer.