Festival time from Bowen to Brazil

Welcome to Island Neighbours - stories of Island history, people, activities and events.

February seems like a purple month. Its flower is the violet and its stone is amethyst. Its sign is Aquarius: that's January 21 to February 19. Some of the famous people born under this sign include Robbie Burns, Lord Byron, Lewis Carroll, Oprah Winfrey, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Betty Friedan, Charles Dickens, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Abe Lincoln, Thomas Edison and Susan B. Anthony. It's the month containing Groundhog Day, Valentines Day and National Heritage Week - February 21 -27 too. And more! It's festival time in many places. There's Mexico's Dia de la Candelaria, Brazil's Carnival, Chinese New Year, Germany's Fasching and the unusual Shrovetide Pancake Race which has been run ever since 1445 in Buckinghamshire, England and nowadays is mirrored by the race in Liberal, Kansas. And we must add Black History Month.

• Valentine's Day is just around the corner and life will be full of valentines made by children of all ages and valentine gifts exchanged between loving twosomes. Chocolates and flowers will appear in many places and the story of Valentine will be retold. But, this is also a good time to think about family and friends who are no longer with us.

• It's also a time to be grateful for happy memories of shared lives with people who loved us and whom we loved. . . people who we'll never forget. Most islanders of recent years are also remembered in our Community Archives which has been keeping records of islanders since 1976. At first, the records were just a simple listing but for some time now, full obituaries have been kept. Each year, volunteers look at the names of those who have died, feel regret that they are gone but smile when their personalities are recalled and remember how much they enriched island and family life. In many years, the island has lost nearly 30 friends. In 2010, the number was 19. Some were oldtimers, some were new, some were active volunteers, others helped us in some other way but all were loved and are sorely missed.

• Here are those we will remember on Valentine's Day and always: Aileen Baker, long-time Eagle Cliff family; Evelyn Brousson, a widow since 1992; Lorne Bueckert, loved and respected island physician; Margaret Fougberg, esteemed community historian; Patricia Grohne, painter of colourful visions; Janey Gudewill, married at Fairweather; Allan Hepburn; Jane Kibblewhite, Eagle Cliff summer friend; Joan Knight, a lifetime community participant; Jan Koster; Bowen's painting contractor James Malkin, part of a pioneer Cowan family; Margie Malkin, a woman of elegance; Ken Miller, Polar Bear swim devotee; Rosalee Parish, a dedicated CAWES supporter; Harry Pryke, summers on Bowen and winters in Hawaii; Jeanne Robinson, Spider's creative partner; Olga Ruskin, a lively Deep Bay activist; Rhona Vance, always a friendly face; and George Welsh, beloved family man.

• Ten Years Ago in the Undercurrents of February 2 and February 9: A Youth Forum was scheduled for February 3 to respond the needs expressed by the 200 teens who had completed a recent survey. • The Abbyfield team was scheduled to meet with council to see how this important project could be fast-tracked to be operative by the end of the year. "Every thing is in place," said vice chair, Patricia Grohne. "We just need to acquire the land."• Developing a Cultural Master Plan was the subject of a February 10 community workshop at BICS. • The Mardi Gras celebration planned for February 24 was to start at Artisan Square at 2 p.m. Music and food was to be followed by stops at Village Square and the Davies Orchard before ending up at the Old General Store for refreshments, prizes for costumes and music. Proceeds were to go to the library's building fund. • A front page story centered on the provincial Crown land policies. Mayor Barrett said that the provincial government was in the process of assessing Crown lands for their potential use. A spokesperson from the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs said that before any new use could happen, a document called the Crown Lands Activities and Aboriginal Rights Policy Framework would have to be followed.

• Birthdays from February 13 through February 26: February 13 is Sam Fincham's birthday while Brian McCaig and Jack Prosalendis are the only Valentine stars. Next up is Kathy Gagner with a February 16 birthday but on February 17, the celebrants are

Venice Epp, Kari Feeback, Martin Greyell, Marcella Moorcroft, Aidan Holland, Bonita Schaly, Jeffrey Checkel and Zaira Greenlaw ( where ever she is.) Come February 18, Ayla Lepine and Calder Stewart will celebrate and next day, on February 19, Leanne Laudrum and Selena Brind-Boronkay have birthdays.. Then we move to February 21, the birthday of Michel Pare and Nena Nauss, far away in Nova Scotia. February 22 is celebration time for Brad Ovenell-Carter, Boris Mann, Sigurd Sabathil and Markita Ivankovic. Last birthday is on February 28 and that goes to Keshia Crampton.

• You're invited to share an item - just telephone 947-2440 or e-mail to lbmcarter@shaw.ca