The misty origins of the Undercurrent

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This column will take a peek into the past to look at the misty origins of the Undercurrent. The Undercurrent was created in March of 1975 by islander Pat Weaver, who felt that the six hundred or so permanent residents and the thousand or more seasonal residents deserved a community forum which would document current happenings, announce events and provide a place for individual opinions through an active letters column. Islanders responded with enthusiasm. Even though the community was small, people wanted to know what was going on and, of course, the letters column was an immediate hit. The first issues were mimeographed on a Gestetner Mimeograph machine. The paper templates for the mimeograph were cut by Pat on a manual typewriter. The paper was ‘run off’ page-by-page, collated and stapled by hand. It was a daunting task to produce the biweekly but the price was right – 15 cents.

• Pat produced regular issues for nearly a year, and then asked Larry Reid to ‘paper sit’ while she left for a brief vacation in the Maritimes. Larry never saw Pat again and found himself the publisher and editor of the Undercurrent. Larry found the work fascinating. As a former English teacher, with a marvelous, flamboyant style, he had the skills to write and edit the paper. In his hands, it became a wonderfully idiosyncratic, personal island newssheet and community bellwether. The letters column continued to flourish. The eighties on Bowen were fervid and community members found much to be intense about.

• By 1981, Bowen’s population was 1,000. In the next ten years, it doubled. The island’s seasonal population reduced slowly but didn’t fall below 800. Both these portions of Bowen’s community looked to the Undercurrent as the best way to keep up with what was going on.  When Larry realized the newspaper couldn’t continue to be produced by one or two people, he began building a team to help. Among the fields covered by his columnists were Bowen’s horse world, fishing, cooking, legal problems, gardening, a children’s page and more. These enriched what was clearly Larry’s paper. He was a man of strong opinions and he wasn’t loath to express them. H took very vigorous positions on proposed island developments and the decisions of local GVRD and Island Trust politicians. He attended community meetings and tracked the work of such bodies as the Advisory Planning Commission. Larry’s sister Dorothy Moon, a Mission resident, spent many hours working on the paper with Larry. The two of them loved to travel and Larry provided full coverage of their trips in marvelously personal, opinionated and descriptive accounts. The Undercurrent in the eighties was noted for its letters. They poured out from islanders on all subjects and from all points of view. At times they were vitriolic, at others hilariously funny. Sometimes they were obscure and pointless but mostly they were well targeted and cogent. They aroused anger and glee. They came with flourished signatures and cloaking pseudonyms. Everyone read them and either felt good or began to fume. Many changes were on the horizon for the feisty little paper but that’ll be another story

• Ten Years Ago: in the Undercurrent of February 1, Council was concerned about the power to protect crown land on Bowen. New legislation changes the way that applications for lease tenures are processed. Bowen has more than 40 per cent in crown land. It seems that all non-permitted uses would have to be specified in the OCP (Official Community Plan) This was just one of the items   on the council agenda. • Evan Wansbrough masterminded a three-band concert at the Teen Centre. Bands were Manual Remote, Fastrack and Bad Choice. After the scheduled performance, teen musicians moved into a jam session enjoyed by the turnout: 80-90 teens from Bowen and West Van. •The February 8 Undercurrent welcomed the new Tuscany café just opened by the lively Sarah Allen: her pizzeria was the culmination of ideas bubbling for a long time. Sarah’s Breakfast Café continues its weekend service.

• Bowen Heritage (Bowen Island Heritage Preservation Association) was unveiling the outstanding display panels in the Davies Orchard: the display was coordinated by Daphne Shaw and Allie Drake.

• The Chamber of Commerce AGM was saluting two successful young businessmen, Adam Reid and Riley Sparks. Adam’s Red Wagon Service was a year-round service, which coordinated and delivered Chinese food from the mainland to Snug Cove. Adam’s friend, Riley Sparks, had built a glowing reputation as a pie maker. His marvelous pies were available for the past two summers at the Sunday Market.

• Birthdays on February 11: Bowen’s old friend, Don Leigh and Robin Matheson. On February 12, Joan Tennant and Jesse Karr. February 13, Samantha Fincham. Valentine’s Day- February 14, Brian McCaig and Jack Prosalendis. On February 16, Kathy Gagner. February 17, Venice Elise Epp, new mum Kari Wheeler, Martin Greyell, Aidan Holland, and Marcella Moorcroft. On February 18, Ayla Lepine, Calder Stewart, Leanne Laudrum, Serena Brind-Boronkay. February 20, former marriage commissioner Carole Clement. On February 21 Michel Pare and Elaine Loree’s sister, Nena Nauss. February 22, Boris Mann, Sigurd Sabathil, Markita Ivankovic. Brad Ovenell-Carter. Lastly, on February 25, Keshia Crampton.

• The Last Word- additions and corrections to the birthday listings are always welcome.