British Columbia Anthology
In honour of British Columbia's 150th birthday on August 4, 2008 we invited people from our email list to share their best B.C. story for inclusion on this special tribute page. Nothing lengthy or ponderous, just a personal experience or reminiscence that captures life where we live; a facet that when joined with others shows what a jewel our province is. If you would like to contribute, send your message to newsletter@myaromatica.com.
B.C.'s motto is: "Splendor sine occasu" (Splendor without Sunset (Dimishment)"). What a splendid sentiment! More than merely a motto, let's make it the standard for our personal conduct and aspirations. Happy Birthday, B.C.!
We were pleasantly surprised that the very first response was from the office of the Premier. Thank you Mr. Campbell!
1) "... a time to reflect..."
"As Premier of the Province of British Columbia, I have had the good fortune of traveling through the province and I have seen first hand how our rich history, new ideas and new perspectives have transformed us into this great province we all call home. Ours is a land of diversity that has captured the imaginations of people from every continent.
This 150th anniversary is a time to reflect and to look forward. Our history is what has brought us to this point. Our future is brimming with optimism and confidence.
I am proud to be British Columbian. I have grown to realize that every region of our province is special and every community has its own special sense of pride; collectively, we achieve greater understanding and a renewed appreciation for what we can achieve together." -- Gordon Campbell, Premier
2) Sherlock Holmes and Marmalade:
"Having grown up in south Louisiana, I arrived in Port Coquitlam, B.C. in April, 1976. Though I was dazzled by the Lower Mainland's exotic blend of cultures, my first friends were all immigrants from Britain. I was charmed by many of the phrases they used. One afternoon I heard a fellow admonish his young son to, "Stop casting stones." In south Louisiana we would have scolded, "Stop chunking those rocks." Another time I was kidding a fellow about something and he asked me, "Are you taking the piss?" Well, I had no idea what that meant, but it sounded like it could lead to violence, so I just let it lay.
For three weeks I tried to decipher my new English friends rhapsodizing over Guiness, and scones, and Penguins, and some game they mistakenly called football (not at all the game I had played in Louisiana, and I hadn't the heart to inform them they were actually describing a game known as soccer.). At last I decided that if I was ever to fit in I would have to immerse myself in British culture. So, one rainy weekend I locked myself indoors and read the entire catalog of Sherlock Holmes stories. What more comprehensive cultural precis could one find, right? Sounds dopey now, of course, but I was 24 years old at the time and felt a long way from New Orleans in more ways than just distance. If you've ever read Sherlock Holmes, you know that Conan Doyle was great at describing breakfast scenes. One result of my Baker Street marathon was that I spent my first year in B.C. addicted to marmalade, toast and tea. I drank so much tea trying to fit in with my new friends that I actually collected the full sets of both the Wizard of Oz and the Farm Animals procelain figurines Red Rose used to include in their packets.
In time, of course, I began to discover the real B.C. Hiking the backside of Stawamus Chief outside Squamish, tackling the long hike at Golden Ears Provincial park and crossing the waterfall at the top, hunting in the Kootenays, sailing among the Gulf Islands, the wine tour through the interior, discovering those knee weakening butter tarts in the Dutch Bakery in Lougheed Centre, Dim Sum at the Pink Pearl, and - glory of glories- the Christmas display windows at Woodwards on West Cordova Street off Gastown in Vancouver during the 70's and 80's.
Best of all, British Columbia is the place I met and married the love of my life, herself a transplant from Toronto. Thank you B.C. Happy Birthday." -- Kim S.
3) "...priceless memories..."
"Any day in the great outdoors is a great day for me and results in priceless memories. As BC's Minister of Environment, I'm incredibly proud of our beautiful province and I encourage others to check out some of the almost 1,000 provincial parks and protected areas. It's a great way to get some fresh air, exercise and some new memories that will last a lifetime!" -- Barry Penner, BC Minister of Environment
4. Tale of the Loon
"It was some years ago, and only those who remember the comic characters Bob and Doug McKenzie will really appreciate this story. We were camping at Sproat Lake Provincial Park and had spent a glorious day waterskiing, tubing and swimming. We returend to our campsite, had a quick dinner and then headed back to the beach for a last swim and to watch the sun go down. The sunset was beautiful. The lake was calm and reflected the jewel colours of the sunset. Dusk settled in and a mist rose on the water. Following a fit of unexplained giggles, my dad chortled the infamous "Canadian" call: KuRuKuKu - KuRuKuKuuu. Across the lake from all directions came a series of erie echos: KuRuKuKu - KuRuKuKUUUU. Apparently Bob and Doug had many fans watching the sunset. And they all knew the call of the wild." - Andrew C.
5. "...Christmas parade..."
"My favourite BC moment is every Christmas parade in Victoria!" - Emil T.
6. "...how fortunate I am to be living in BC..."
"I think my BC moment is sitting in my quiet garden with a cup of tea (Aromatica of course!) and thinking how fortunate I am to be living in BC - the mountains, the forests and all the animals, our green valley, clean water to drink - and my hope for the future is that we will all work hard to perserve it." - Maria V.
7. "Supernatural BC or Quantum Physics?"
"A few years ago we took a drive up to Squamish. I had heard about 'climbing the Chief' and we took a little stroll around the base to check it out. Two weeks later we returned with proper gear and snacks for the trail and started up the trail head. After about twenty minutes we stopped and rested on a rock with the icy spring runoff rushing by. I laid back on the warm rock to enjoy the peace and solitue, and to watch the clouds. Suddenly I realized I could feel the huge boulder vibrate with the force of the stream. It was sobering to feel the power of the water rumbling through the core of such a mammoth stone. If you've ever wondered about the concept of matter being solid, head up Stawamish Chief, find a place to be very still, and you may feel the monolith move." - KC