The Last Shoes of Professor Marvellian

A true Hornby production was presented to us this past weekend.  A play titled "The Last Shoes of Professor Marvellian" was performed by an all age cast. 

Spearheaded by Andrea Kaback with many, many fellow workers, this play was truely magical. Starring Richard Laskin, Zsofin Sheehy, Lorne Sutherland and a very large group of amazing youth.

Thank you for bringing this enchanting and literally magical performance for our enjoyment.

Christmas Market - (Hornby's Mall)

The weather was delightful (not frightful) for our annual Christmas Market in the Ringside.

A very good turnout for our Christmas Market in the Ringside.  Late night shopping and visiting with neightbours while we were graced by the voices of one of Hornby's delightful choirs.

It was a magical setting, lit by a new moon, Christmas lights, tea lights and a fire.  Thank you to Chef Bens, Lix, Fibers, 32 Books & Coast Realty for their generous gifts for the draws.

November Snow

Even though they talk about us being in a rain shadow (less rain than mainland or Vancouver Island), Hornby also had a few days of this very early snowfall. Our small island is such a wonderful place to be even on wintery days like this. 

Hornby Island Community Hall

I couldn't resist putting in a picture of a couple of our horses happily munching away.

Hornby Fall Faire 2010 at Olsen's Farm

If you have not ever been to the Hornby Fall Faire, you are missing the event of the year.On the third Sunday in September, we gather to enjoy an old fashioned fall faire.  Local music, auctions, and skits on the stage for entertainment.  Kids races and games plus more.  This year's theme was "Bees". 

The  Faire begins with a wonderful parade.

Many groups set up displays and tents as well as the farmer's market vendors also sell and display their wares.  Fabulous pies, corn on the cob, soups and more are available from some of the non profit groups.

Of course we have also have local animals on display, chickens, goats, sheep, horses, donkey (see Dovie below) and there is the friendly competition to see who has the nicest tomatoes, jams, flowers etc...

Hornby Island Clinic

The new Medical Clinic for Hornby Island is well under construction.  This project has been completely funded through many generous contributions both financially and services.

The new clinic will have many great features including:
-more space - 2052 sqft compared to 1000 sqft in the present location
-better privacy and security for physicians and patients

-an amulance entrance

-more waiting room capacity

-green design

-earthquake resistant

-space for dental bus

Today was an "open house" to show the community how the construction has been progressing.  Here we have Bonita & Doris Savoie.

Fiddlers in the Ringside

Once again, it was the grand finale of the annual fiddle camp, and the students, accomopanied by their instructers, took the stage of the ringside market to busk for icecream.  Islanders, and tourists alike crammed in to the market side, trying to glimpse the many fiddle players this years camp had to offer.

Fiddles and Fun is a summer camp open to children aged 8-13 who have been playing the fiddle for at least one year. The camp combines music, dancing, and outdoor activities at the Tribune Bay Outdoor Education Center situated along beautiful Tribune Bay.

Jeffery Rubinoff Sculpture Park & Concert

This afternoon a beautiful concert by the string quartet, Borealis was provided to the community by Jeffery Rubinoff in his magnificent sculpture park on Hornby's west side. 

The 50 hectare Jeffrey Rubinoff Sculpture Park is home to over 95 of Jeffrey Rubinoff's sculptures.

Next opening to the Public is on August 8, 2010.  The Sculpture Park will be open for viewing 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Park admittance is free of charge. Throughout the summer, artist led sculpture tours can be pre-arranged. Call 250-335-2124 to book.

Walk Around Hornby

Come and have fun with the Hornby Island Recreation Committee by joining in the "Walk around Hornby" series.  Here is your chance to be active and learn more about life past and present on Hornby.  Everyone is welcome!  To find out more about other walks or to pick up your walk around Hornby card from Bonita Wexler, the Hornby's Recreation Coordinator call 250 335-0540.

Here we have John Tayless, a noted Marine Biologist that met the group at the leg that started at Phipps Point to talk about life in the inter-tidal zone.  This walk started at Phipps Point and ended at Savoie Road (Fossil Beach).

The next schedule walk is on Sunday, June 27th at 12:30 starting at the end  of Savoie Road (Fossil Beach).  One of Hornby's fossil specialists, Kurt Morrison will meet the group at the beach to talk about fossil finds.  This is a great opportunity to Discover Hornby's Beaches.

Hornby Island Co-op Gas Bar Opening

Hornby
Co-op's beautiful new gas bar is
finished and
officially open for business.  

The gas bar opened with a celebration of music played by the Hornby Youth Marimba Band, a delicious chocolate cake created by Helene of the Cardboard House Bakery and helium balloons for the kids from Coast Realty.

Happy 1st of May

Hornby Island, another amazing day in paradise.  I love having my office located in the Ringside Market.  Here we have Marc Atchinson preforming some of his magic on the guitar.

Summer is in the air!

Friends and families enjoying time on LIX's deck.

And best of all kids playing in and around "the tree"

Our very own "Peter Cottontail"

The Hornby Island Annual Easter Egg Hunt hosted by the Hornby Island Resident's and Ratepayers Association was held again this year at "the Copse" (farmer's market) .  The kids all wait behind the ribbon and with the help of Ron Sitter, HIRRA Chair and Chief Marshaller they start calling for Peter Cottontail.

Hearing his name being called by the many children, Hornby's own Peter Cottontail   came bounding from the forest to assist in the distribution of the goodies.

Good fun was had by all.  A big thank you to the many volunteers that make this happen!

Arts in the Afternoon

Every year the Hornby Island Community School works with Hornby artisans and professionals who volunteer their time to enhance the school experience for both the students and the community. 

Today the students opened their art show and in addition performed a magical musical show. In this session the students worked with architects, builders, potters, painters, film producers and puppet makers to create a diverse and wonderful display of art.

It was such a pleasure to see the students speak and perform in front of the community with such poise and skill. What an amazing environment to grow in!

Round Room Cafe

Great food and company can be found at the Hornby Community Hall, Round Room Cafe. The Cafe is open at 8 a.m. for coffee and light breakfasts and for wonderul lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday to Friday

Chef Ben with his team of Leisha, Tyler & Sandy put together an ever changing menu of fresh and tasty foods.  It is a great place to gather and enjoy the company of friends and neighbours.

Up Goes the Gas Bar

Hornby Island Co-op Gas Bar

After a number of years of planning, the gas bar is coming together. 

Here we have Allan Fletcher.  Allan is on the Hornby Island Co-op Board and without him we might have eventually got a new gas bar but not one like this. 

Allan has overseen the planning, budgeting and the construction stages of this project.  I don't think even Allan knows how many hundreds and hundreds of hours he has volunteered.

Here we have Michael McNamara, Blue Sky Design and Tor Nawrot, the onsite manager. 

This is another Hornby success story with volunteers coming from all corners of the community. 

            

Morning Play on Tribune

This morning, I took a little extra time with our dog and headed off to the beach at Tribune Bay.

 

We met up with a number of other dogs with their owners also out enjoying this spectacular weather.  The dogs were great, they had so much fun together none of them even looked at all of the gulls. 

This second pictures has Riley (our Labradoodle), Charlie (Giff's Lab) & Arthur (Kurt's Collie).  As for the herring spawn, the beach is covered with herring roe on and off kelp and lots of birds are still lingering.

Herring Season

If you have never witnessed the resurgence of life with the return of the herring it is something you should consider.

These photos were taken this afternoon on Tribune Bay showing some of the thousands of seabirds that congregate to feast on the herring roe.

Besides the multitude of seabirds including large numbers of eagles, throngs of seals and sea lions descend upon the area to gorge on herring. It is not uncommon to see them asleep in the water after eating their fills. When sleeping, they typically lay on their backs with fins sticking out of the water. This is fairly common sight during the spawn.

Spring Blossoms

Spring Blossoms!

Hornby is such an amazing place to be. In this time of digital cameras and the ease of photo and information sharing I thought it would be fun to share some of Hornby's happenings with you. It is my plan to have my camera by my side and to update this site regularly.

This is shot of the Coast Realty Hornby office with the plum tree in flower. If you have spent much time in the Ringside Market, you will know this tree as being very popular with the young crowd for climbing.