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There’s a buzz around Chemainus at many community events

Wounded Warriors receive a royal reception at the Chemainus Legion
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The Wounded Warriors, above, upon their arrival at the Chemainus Legion. Below, Ms. Boss event organizer Bonnie Leverette, left, with Angela Price, owner of Spa Sanctuary Crofton, and Koren Palmer, owner of Out Source it. Bottom left, Verla Blogg conducting the band. (Photos by Brittany Pickard-Brown)

Wow, what a buzzing month it has been in the Chemainus area.

Calling all Musical Folk, ever thought of joining a community band or dusting off your musical instrument you once played in high school? Please let me proudly introduce you to the Chemainus Community Band conducted by the ever so popular Verla Blogg or Blogg and she so graciously does it all for free.

You may have seen Verla around town as the local band teacher at Chemainus Secondary School or an active volunteer with the Chemainus Legion. Verla retired in 2014 after 35 years of teaching music. What an accomplishment that is. She has some special skills in the patience department.

How lucky are we to be given the opportunity to learn with someone who has over 35 years’ experience. Oh, shh, don’t tell her I told you but she even taught my mother music in high school. Every Wednesday at 7 p.m. band goers of all skill levels and ages come together at the Chemainus Legion to practice for events around the community such as Remembrance Day, Chemainus Elementary Carnival, Seniors Centre and much more.

Spectators are gladly welcome on Wednesdays to enjoy the musical works of Grease, Pirates of the Caribbean, Beauty and the Beast and other classic arrangements of music. I myself am blessed to be taught by Verla in high school on the importance of music for the soul, therefore I myself will be joining the band, and so my last question to you is, are you coming with me? I look forward to seeing you there on Wednesday.

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On Feb. 24, the Wounded Warriors Run of B.C. was enthusiastically greeted with open arms and a special RCMP/ambulance escort to the Chemainus Legion.

The Wounded Warriors Run of B.C. is a relay style run in which seven individuals from all walks of life, mainly military, and civilians run the entire length of Vancouver Island in seven days. The program helps create awareness and financial support to Wounded Warriors of Canada.

What an honour it was to welcome the runners and congratulate them on all their hard work and dedication. After all the excitement of their arrival came the moment everyone was eagerly awaiting. The big reveal of the fundraising efforts of the Legion and community members.

“A drumroll please,” in just one month the community fundraised more than $1,355.50. The room lit up with joy and gratitude, knowing this donation will go directly to helping and supporting someone in need.

Afterwards the Legion members served and donated a bee-auitful meal to the WWR volunteers and sent them on their way with full bellies and well wishes for their final journey to Victoria. What a buzzing event to say the least!

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An amazing event was held Feb. 28 at Stillhead Distillery in Duncan called Ms. Boss which promotes strong women bonding together to inspire and learn from one another. It was empowering and an exciting way to meet local motivated entrepreneurs of all ages in the Cowichan Valley.

I am someone who is a young entrepreneur in our community and meeting 70 other women with buzzing ideas, great laughs and professional ambitions was inspiring. In the near future, I believe our little community that does would benefit with such an event. The event was a great way to meet new women in the community and create long-lasting friendships.

Looks like this buzzing bee has some work ahead of her, stay tuned.

Brittany Pickard-Brown is a Chemainus resident and a realtor with Re/Max Ocean Pointe.

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Ms. Boss Event Organizer Bonnie Leverette, left, with Angela Price, owner of Spa Sanctuary Crofton, and Koren Palmer, owner of Out Source it. (Photo by Brittany Pickard-Brown)