With the fate of Carleton school hanging in the balance (see “Carleton School: The fight has not been won,” Renfrew-Collingwood Community News, January 2021 issue), I thought it would be good to look back at a few unknown highlights in its long history.
HRH Prince of Wales speaking on the grounds of Sir Guy Carleton Elementary School on September 23, 1919. Photo from the Vancouver Archives
The Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VIII and who abdicated in December 1936, took a two-month tour of Canada in 1919. He ended with a visit to Vancouver in September 1919, before heading to Victoria.
He loved the West and bought a ranch in Alberta, which he kept until 1962. On his visit here, which included a dinner and dance downtown on September 22, a visit to Hastings Mill and Stanley Park, and a trip to New Westminster, he stopped at Carleton School, where thousands of people thronged the huge school yard which fronts Kingsway to hear him.
A large crowd gathered to hear HRH Prince of Wales fills Carleton’s school grounds. Photo from Vancouver Archives
Prince Edward was extremely popular, and he loved the crowds so much, his right hand was nearly shaken off. His doctor advised him to desist from hand shaking on his second day here in order to avoid injury.
Why the Prince wound up making a speech at Carleton and what he spoke about is a mystery. I’ve searched the Vancouver library archives and read about his visit at Newspapers.com online, but didn’t discover anything further.
Loretta Houben enjoys solving puzzling mysteries in the Collingwood area, where she has lived for 55 years.
2525 Kingsway, Vancouver 778-858-5070 Hours: Open daily from 12 pm or until the day’s fresh batch sells out
Chefhyve’s fish and chips is always made from fresh wild lingcod. Photo by Julie Cheng
Greetings food fans. Let’s talk about the new food place that everyone is buzzing about: Chefhyve (pronounced chef-hive).
The team explained to me what Chefhyve is all about. “It’s a food hall where you can watch local chefs prepare an endless variety of cuisines from all over the world.”
Our Renfrew-Collingwood location features a Mediterranean food bar, artisan salads, gourmet fish and chips and a variety of desserts including a full waffle bar.
“Everything at Chefhyve is locally sourced and fresh. The only thing in the freezer here is ice cream.”
After a delightful conversation, I decided upon the falafal salad, which includes handmade falafel, spinach, chopped iceberg, hummus, seasonal hummus (carrot), seasonal pickles, spicy olives, tomato onion, cucumber, pita crisps, tahina dressing ($16.75).
Chefhyve’s falafal salad is amazing. Photo by Paul Reid
Also that day, for the ol’ accomplice, I ordered the lingcod fish and chips: fresh wild lingcod served with fresh-cut chips and homemade tartar sauce ($14.95).
For dessert, a slice of raspberry white chocolate cheesecake ($8.95).
Everything was out-of-this-world amazingly good, especially my falafal salad.
I highly recommend that you investigate Chefhyve, where fresh, local and gourmet all come together.
You can read more on the Chefhyve.ca website, phone for pick-up, or get their goodness delivered by Skipthedishes, Ubereats or Doordash. Bon appetit.
It’s a breathtaking view from Hollyburn’s Powerline trail to Vancouver Island. Photos by Julie Cheng
Feeling cooped up with the provincial COVID restrictions and the non-stop Vancouver rain? When I used to be cooped up all day with my young kids, I’d hand them off to my husband at 6 pm and escape by myself for a night ski at Hollyburn Ridge on Cypress Mountain. Often when it was raining down here, it’d be snowing up there.
I don’t mean downhill skiing or snowboarding, but the immersion-with-nature experience of cross-country skiing.
Each winter more than 2.7 million Canadians and 240,000 Vancouverites take to cross-country trails, according to the Canadian Ski Council (Facts + Stats 2017–18).
A winter workout
Cross-country skiing is a great way to stay energized and keep fit while enjoying the outdoors.
It’s a whole-body winter sport that improves circulation, strengthens the immune system, detoxifies the body and relieves stress. I find the combination of exercise and fresh air gives me a good night’s sleep. Best of all, cross-country skiing is easy on the knees and joints.
Sport for all ages
Cross-country skiing is an easy way for beginners to enjoy snow sports.
The whole family can enjoy cross-country skiing.
My youngest was three when she started. We’d head to Hollyburn Lodge for a hot chocolate and vegetarian chili to warm up. Just remember to bundle up with layers and keep everyone’s hands and feet warm and dry.
Enthusiasts pull their toddlers in a special sled and get a great workout at the same time. Many older skiers who fly by me are in terrific shape for their age.
It’s easy to start learning with classic cross-country skis – just think walking/gliding on skis in groomed tracks. Once you become more advanced, you may want try skate skiing, which can be an even better cardio workout.
Nature’s magic
The quiet swish of skis over snow is one of the great joys of winter. It’s peaceful and rejuvenating to wind along mountain trails and breathe in the fresh forest air. The scenery can be breathtaking.
I always end my ski on Cypress by going down the Powerline trail where, on a clear day, you can see all the way to Vancouver Island.
One afternoon, the clouds lifted and the sun peaked out, revealing Nanaimo in the distance. The sun glowed red then disappeared over the horizon. It was magical.
As I drove down the mountain, I slipped below the clouds and back into the dreary city. But I wasn’t feeling cooped up anymore.
Local cross-country ski trails are found on Hollyburn Ridge’s nordic area on Cypress Mountain – a 40-minute drive from Vancouver. There are 19 kilometres of trails for beginner to expert skiiers, including 7.5 km of trails lit for night skiing. If you want to get away from the crowds, especially during these COVID times, ski to the top. The initial uphill burn on your lungs and legs will be worth the effort when you catch all the trails going downhill the rest of the way.These days you need to purchase tickets and ski rentals online and wear a mask on site. Visit cypressmountain.com/cross-country-skiing.
Renfrew-Collingwood Community News 