Those who have lived on the Sunshine Coast for any length of time know that the rain signals the impending arrival of our wet coastal winter. As Joni Mitchell expresses in her song The Urge for Going, “I’ll ply the fire with kindling now, I’ll pull the blankets up to my chin.” She also laments that she wishes summer could stay for another month or so. Don’t we all?!
Joni has been spending quite a bit of time on the Sunshine Coast recently. Pictures of her endearing smile as she greets residents are all over social media. My friend Rae Armour had just finished her song set at Run with Soup when Joni walked in. I golfed with Rae the next day and asked her about her experience. She was thoroughly delighted and proudly showed me the beautiful photograph she had taken with our local legend, which is now a treasured memento. I also saw Joni that day! I was so shy, but I decided to say hello and she said hello back. I ran into Ann-Lynn Flowers & Gifts shop where my friend Kathy Jobb works and exclaimed “I just said hello to Joni” and she said, “me too!” and we were both very starstruck. (Chloe, the store’s resident Chow, however, was unfazed!)
Tickets are still available for the musical tribute Covering Joni – the reprise at the Raven’s Cry Theatre on Oct. 14 and 15. It features an “outstanding cast of vocalists and musicians,” a drum corps, and the Sunshine Coast Childrens’ Choir. Keely Megan, a musician helping to promote the event, wrote on Facebook “Knowing Joni has been on the Coast lately deepens our extensive appreciation of her vast and varied song writing and musicianship.” I’ve got my ticket! Maybe Joni will attend…wouldn’t that be something?!
I took a refreshing stroll around the Botanical Gardens on Sunday – I knew with this wind and rain heading our way that I’d better get out there before all the leaves are blown off the trees. I wasn’t disappointed. The rustling of the quaking aspens, the giant maples, and the buzzing bees in the SC Beekeepers Association area were welcome sounds amongst the fall colours.
Speaking of fall flora, the Halfmoon Bay Nursery is having a plant sale, 20 to 40 per cent off until Oct. 13. Michelle also says that autumn is a great time to plant trees, perennials, shrubs, ground covers, ornamental grasses and bulbs. Kym’s Plants (on Fawn Road in Welcome Woods) is also having a plant sale, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
Next week’s column will feature the many end of the month fall and Halloween events coming to Halfmoon Bay and the Sunshine Coast. As well, I’ll highlight a few of this area’s artists participating in the upcoming and always highly anticipated Art Crawl, Oct. 20 to 23.
If you have a community event or a story you would like to share, please send an email to [email protected].
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