For Bowen Heritage, 2012 was a satisfying year. We hosted the best-attended Applefest ever, including a Bowen Agricultural Alliance's farmers market. We produced new Davies Heritage Orchard signage (thanks to Coral Louie of the Sign Studio) and an apple identification booklet (thanks to Douglas College Professional Writing). Bowen got the great news from Metro Vancouver Parks that Seaside Cottage would be restored, providing accommodation for a resident caretaker for Crippen Park. Our membership numbers topped 110, with parks manager Gaetan Royer becoming our 100th member at the 2012 AGM. We co-sponsored a very successful Light Up Bowen, in partnership with other community organizations, companies, and the Bowen Island Chamber of Commerce.
We're looking forward to building on these strengths in 2013. Five goals in particular stand out.
1. Early in the year, we'll finish up a business plan for the heritage precinct. We're delighted to be working within the context of Metro Vancouver Parks' renewed interest in heritage conservation on Bowen.
2. We're keen to further develop a series of workshops for the demonstration garden behind Cottage 20. The series is already underway, with association member Brent Carline at the helm.
3. With chamber manager and Steamship Days co-organizer Maria Steernberg now on our board, we're happy to participate more fully in Steamship Days 2013 (July 1014).
4. We're hoping to continue to partner with other community organizations for events during Heritage Week (February 18 to 24) and for Applefest 2013 (Thanksgiving Sunday, October 13).
5. We want to continue to grow our membership. We're looking for volunteers to help with events, maintenance, and planning, and we welcome candidates for the 2013 board of directors.
Please visit our website at bowenheritage.org. You'll find our membership information, events calendar, and a taste of the history of Bowen Island. And if you'd like to become involved, please email [email protected].
MAUREEN NICHOLSON
Bowen Heritage
