More than 100 community members assembled on the beach at Mission Point on Jan. 1 for a Sunshine Coast tradition now more than two decades old: the Lighting of the Memories. The event, organized by the Sunshine Coast Hospice Society, is the culmination of its annual Lights of Life outreach campaign.
Participants commemorated the memory of loved ones by placing cards inscribed with names in a cedar-fuelled bonfire.
“I will be your standing stone / I will stand by you,” sang the Threshold Choir. The group of vocalists regularly sings at the bedside of patients in hospice care.
“This ceremony is always a really important part of our year,” said Tess Huntley, executive director of the Hospice Society. “This year is going to be a year of growth not just of our services, but also another way, as we embark on the project of building a new residential hospice on the Coast. We’re really excited to be partnered with Vancouver Coastal Health on that project, and also part of leaving a legacy of compassionate care on the Coast for people who are dying and those who are with them as they are.”
Hospice volunteer Annie Rodgers shared a poem, Epitaph, by Merritt Malloy. “Look for me in the people I’ve known or loved,” she read in a strong voice, “and if you cannot give me away, / at least let me live in your eyes and not your mind.”
As participants broke from solemn reflection on vital transitions, a sea otter surfaced, flopped across a sandbar, and re-submerged in the ebbing tide.
Persian culture sparkles in exultant drama
The Sunshine Coast Film Society will present The Persian Version, a vibrant, quirky, comedy/drama screening at Gibsons Heritage Playhouse on Monday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. and at the Ravens Cry Theatre in Sechelt on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m.
The semi-autobiographical film — full of personality, humour and heart — is directed by Maryam Keshavarz and provides an inside look at American/Iranian culture.
Winner of the Audience and Screenwriting awards at the Sundance Film Festival, the 2023 release follows the struggles and sometimes hilarious foibles of a young gay woman (Leila) who is often at odds with her family, particularly her mother, Shireen (the impressive Niousha Noor).
At a family reunion of Leila’s large family (she has eight brothers), a secret is uncovered that catapults the estranged mother and daughter into an exploration of the past.
According to Art Beat correspondents from the Film Society, “The Persian Version is a portrait of a daughter through her mother’s history and a mighty salute to not just Keshavarz’s own mother, but mothers and women all over the world, fighting for a better future and a better life. The film is a lot of fun, and it’s banned in Iran!”
Society membership is required to attend. Memberships (18+) and tickets are available to purchase with cash at the door and online at www.scfs.ca.
Punk Rock philanthropy
An upcoming art show at the Roberts Creek Legion will pay tribute to a life cut short by the opioid and fentanyl crisis in B.C.
The Mental Health and Addiction Benefit Show features works by an artist known as Hog, who also goes by the stage name Usually Trespassing. He lost his brother Marcel in 2017. “He was in a severe car accident and got used to the painkillers while he was healing. He just sort of continued on with it afterward,” he explained. “We know he didn’t intend to take anything with fentanyl in it, his supply was laced. He was poisoned.”
Hog has decided to do the only thing he can do about it: help raise awareness, try to help prevent further harm, and raise funds to support mental health services in the community he now lives in.
The Mental Health and Addiction Benefit Show will take place on Jan. 10 at 8 p.m., featuring punk rock bands Modern Terror, SLOFX (the acoustic NOFX Tribute band), Usually Trespassing (Hog himself), and Trenchraid. Tickets are $20 at the door, and all proceeds will go to Sechelt Hospital Foundation to support mental health. Free naloxone, test strips and naloxone training will be provided on-site.
“My hope is to get the naloxone and testing strips into the community to prevent this from happening to other people, other families,” said Hog. “I want all proceeds to go to addictions and mental health services at Sechelt Hospital to hopefully help others who are trying to recover and need some help. If this helps even one person, for me, it’s a success.”
Members of the community who are looking to make a difference and support a particular health-related cause, can raise funds through independent community events.
“We are honoured to help Hog and his circle of friends see his vision through and support the event. He initiated and organized the artists and venue on his own, which is no small task,” said Jane Macdonald, Executive Director of Sechelt Hospital Foundation. “Philanthropy comes in many creative forms. We sincerely appreciate his desire to help improve awareness and support for mental health services access.”
If you or anyone you know is in crisis, go to the closest hospital emergency department or call 9-8-8 (Suicide Help line), 1-866-661-3311 (Crisis Help line), or dial 9-1-1 for Police, Fire or Ambulance.
