by Phillip Tiicham Muir –
OUR LOCAL FARMS
Lost in the Husk of It
Pendray’s Corn Maze is the largest on Vancouver Island, and open for its fourth year! They offer three separate mazes (one specifically for children), a Children’s Barrel Train Ride, Corn Cannons and a walking trail if you’d prefer not to get lost. Admission is $12 for ages 13+, $5 for three to 12, and children two and under are free. The maze is open Thursdays and Fridays from 2 to 9 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. until October 29. Visit www.pendrayfarms.ca for more information.
A Celebrity in Our Midst
Garrett Schack, host of CHEK TV’s Cooking on the Coast, is the new Executive Chef for The Roost Farm Bakery and Vineyard Bistro. Expect to see Garrett’s influence starting this month, everywhere from the bakery to new menu items and amazing wine pairings. He aims to focus on locally grown ingredients, using as much from their own farm as possible. Garrett’s experience speaks for itself, not only as the host of a local cooking show, but also from his time at Chateau Victoria, Canoe Brewpub, Temple Restaurant and Truffles Catering.
PHILANTHROPY
A Broader Mission in Healthcare
Since it was founded in 1985, the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation has raised over $50 million for equipment, facilities and programs at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital. With increasing doctor shortages and excessive emergency room waits in our community though, SPHF has decided to broaden their mission. They will continue to support services and facilities at the hospital, but will also look outside the hospital walls at healthcare across the community. To encompass their new efforts, they have changed their name to The Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation.
Fundraising with Flapjacks
On August 31 Hughesman Morris CPA’s raised over $3,000 at their ninth annual Pancake Breakfast to help equip students of Sidney Elementary with school supplies. The event has been in support of Sidney Elementary students for two years now. This year it took place at the school itself, where there was more than enough space, and a place for kids to play. The results were extremely positive. They had their best attendance yet, and raised enough money to ensure every student has the school supplies needed for success in the classroom.
NEW TO THE LOCATION
Sidney is Rising High
Despite mixed council and public opinions, The Town of Sidney has passed a development proposal for the old Sidney Fire Hall location. Plans are for a $9.9-million, six-storey development, which will contain 22,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space, 82 condos, and an additional three-storey office building. The proposal also includes 20 Modo car share memberships.
A New Home for Sally
The old Brentwood Bay Pharmasave location (vacant since their September 2017 relocation), will become a new home to The Salvation Army. The “Sally Ann” was previously located next door to its new site at 7177 West Saanich Road. Although the new space is approximately the same size, it is a single-level unit. The old unit had a ramp to a lower level, which took up valuable floor space. They now have all new fixtures, flooring and improved heating and air conditioning, which make for a much nicer shopping experience. The thrift shop aims to have its new doors open by the time you read this.
