It is an enchanting place to walk, and as time passed the trees seemed to me to be alive in an other-worldly sort of way.  As a lark, I created a dozen ceramic faces and surreptitiously hung them in the trees, hoping to cause a laugh or two among other walkers who might discover the trail.  The compulsion was on me and the dozen eventually became over thirty.

At the turn around point of the trail, there is a circle of trees, a sort of committee of spirits.  I made a dozen ceramic faces of women from different places and circumstances and I call them the “Goddesses”.  They are meant to evoke the quiet but monumental strength of women from all over the world.  Most have their eyes closed to impart a quiet, meditative feeling to the spot.  The whole endeavor grew of it’s own accord, without a plan or even a particular goal in mind.  The first masks were put in the trees over three years ago, and apart from knowledge of its whereabouts by the Geo-caching community (People who use GPS units to find stuff) and a brief mention in British Columbia Magazine, little effort has been made to publicize their existence.  Instead, it has been a kind of “Guerilla art”, meant to be a surprise and mildly subversive.

photo compliments of Sandra Weins

The Artist: Ernie became involved in the ceramic arts soon after his retirement as a high school shop and theatre teacher four years ago.  He has a small studio in his garage in which he throws pots (sometimes against the wall), sculpts and tries to figure out how to glaze stuff.

Although tulips are often associated with the Netherlands, commercial cultivation of the flower began in the Ottoman Empire,and are indigenous to mountainous areas with temperate climates and need a period of cool dormancy.  Holland is the world’s main producer of commercially sold tulip plants, producing as many as 3 billion bulbs annually, the majority for export.

It is believed the first tulips in North America were introduced in 1847 in Salem, Massachusetts. By a wealthy landowner who imported many different trees and plants from all parts of the world to landscape his property.

The word tulip has a rather odd origin.  When the tulip was introduced to Europe, many gardeners saw a resemblance between the flower’s shape and Turkish headwear, and they dubbed the flower “tulipan”, from “tuilbend”, a Turkish word for “turban”.  From “tulipan” came the French word “tulipe” and the English word tulip.  There is, as you can see, only a whimsical connection between tulips and two lips.

The Tulips popularity was cemented in Canada from a gift of thanks given five decades ago.  In the fall of 1945, Princess Juliana of the Netherlands presented Ottawa with 100,000 tulip bulbs.  The gift was given in appreciation of the safe haven which Holland’s exiled royal family received during the Second World War and in recognition of the role which Canadian troops played in liberating the Netherlands.  Tulips have become an important symbol of international friendship and the beauty of spring.

“Tiptoe Through the Tulips” is a popular song originally published and hit the top of the charts for 10 weeks in 1929. The song was revived in 1968 by Tiny Tim.Most currently, the song was featured in the horror film Insidious in 2011 a number of times throughout, and in the thriller film Wrecked as a radiotune. The song was also mentioned in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone on page 34. Vernon Dursley was humming the song while he boarded up small cracks around the front and back doors.

Tiptoe through the window
By the window, that is where I’ll be
Come tiptoe through the tulips with me

Oh, tiptoe from the garden
By the garden of the willow tree
And tiptoe through the tulips with me

Knee deep in flowers we’ll stray
We’ll keep the showers away
And if I kiss you in the garden, in the moonlight
Will you pardon me?
And tiptoe through the tulips with me

To celebrate the natural spectacle of thousands of bald eagles congregating on the Harrison River the Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival was established in 1995.  While some bald eagles are present on the Harrison River year round, the great congregation runs from October to February peaking in mid November when the Festival takes place.

Harrison Hot Springs celebrates this spectacle with a variety of events.

Graham Osborned. Photograpy Workshop & Seminar

World renowned photographer Graham Osborne is hosting two talks as well as a day out on the river where he will hold a workshop to teach you the art of outdoor photography.  This is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with the Eagles and learn some great photography techniques.

When: November 18,19 2011, Friday eve 7-9pm, Saturday 9am-9pm

Where: Harrison Hot Springs Resort, British Columbia, Canada

Cost: $239 + tax [includes 2 seminars, 2 hour Eagle Float and evening talk]

For more information visit Harrison Eco Tours.

Photography Exhibition – Nature Exposed.

The Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa is hosting a wildlife photography exposition entitled “Nature Exposed” on the weekend of the Bald Eagle Festival:

Friday Nov 19  – 5 to 9 PM

Saturday Nov 20 – 10 to 5 PM

Sunday Nov 21 – 10 to 2 PM

For more information visit www.harrisonresort.com

The  best way to experience the incredible wonder of this event is out on the river.  Harrison Hot Springs has two companies that will take you there.  For more informaiton visit:

Harriosn Eco Tours

Shoreline Tours

Saturday September 3rd the first annual Bands on the Beach took place and was a great success.  This inaugural concert was also the grand opening of the new Beach entertainment Venue and the day could not have been better with sun, sand and great tunes making for a perfect day.  Mayor Ken Becotte and Chamber Director Sonja Reyerse did the official opening of the new facility and then handed the microphone over to Curtis Pope “the Pope” of Country 107.1 the events official MC.   With four great groups on hand “the Pope” had a busy afternoon but luckily was assisted by his enthusiastic young son.

With the sun shining down and not a cloud in the sky it was the pefect day to lay back on the grass and enjoy the sights and sounds of Harrison Hot Springs.  While “Bands on the Beach” was only put together at the last minute the Harrison business community rallied behind the event.  Sponsors included:  The Village of Harrison Hot Springs, Tourism Harrison, The Harrison Agassiz Chamber of Commerce, Savvy Fashions, The Springs RV Resort, Crazy Fish Bistro, The Glencoe Motel & RV, Harrison Heritage House, BC Sportfishing Group, Muddy Waters, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Old Settler Pub, 3A Network Group, and Harrison Lake Retreats.

Bands on the Beach 2011 – Lineup

First up on the days festivities was Roger Schmidt who entertained the crowd with a variety of songs that had something for everyone.

Next up was the Murray Band.  Three great musicians that entertained the crowd with some great lyrics and awesome harmony.

The Brent Lee Band provided incredible entertainment and some pretty funny lyrics.  They had the crowd clapping and laughing at the same time with Brent started singing about his ex wife and ugly kids!

Last up was local favourite Todd Richard.  Well known and loved in the Harrison Hot Springs area Todd has thrown his heart and soul into his musical career.  He played songs from his new album and had the crowd dancing in no time.  As the event organizer Todd made the  2011 Labour day weekend one to remember.  Thanks Todd!

Harrison Hot Springs surrounded by incredible natural beauty offers the perfect location for a car-free vacation.   Once you park your car in Harrison there is no need to use it again.  All the shops, cafe’s and hotels are within walking distance.  Many of the local hikes are accessible from the Village.  Bring your bike with you to Harrison Hot Springs and you can access the back road farm country and do the Circle Farm Tour.  Turn you cell phone off, shut your blackberry down, leave your car keys in your room and explore the earth by foot or bike.  Want to explore the water, go for a guided kayak tour down the Harrison River, listen to the river as the steady current carries you along.  Depending on the season you will find Herons, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Seals, Otter and other wildlife along the way.  This is life at a pace that allows you to enjoy your life.   Come enjoy a few days of your life in Harrison Hot Springs.

The beautiful interior of the new Layback Lounge

The much anticipated Layback Lounge is now open for business and fully operational Wednesday to Sunday 8pm (ish) to late (ish).  Fridays and Saturdays feature live music (jam sessions are welcome as well!) and Sundays are Salsa night!  Want to be in the lope on whose playing and what’s happening – ‘like’ the Layback’s facebook page and while you’re there check out their before, during and after renovation pictures.  You can also lend them a hand in convincing Hawaiian ukulele player Taimane Gardner to play their killer new venue.

The Pie stop at Blackberry Lane

This years event saw in excess of 800 participants not including the cows, chickens, sheep, goats and horses.  While all the stops are great there was real enthusiasm at Blackberry Lane Pies.

The blueberry custard was awesome!   The entire ride is 25 kilometers but with the stops spaced out over the course, the time and distance flew by.  There were food samples, demo’s, special tours, and even music.  An authentic cheese raclette lunch at Farmhouse Cheese was delicious.  The Backporch offered some fine music from Cellist Ken Nachtigal and Limbert Mountain Farm was a favourite for herb lovers.

Cellist Ken Nachtigal at the Back Porch

While this years tour is over the self guided Circle Farm Tour goes all summer long.  So come out for a weekend and take advantage of this great bike ride and at the same time enjoy  great accommodations and romantic getaways in the area.

Limbert Mountain Farm

The evening concerts kept the days youthful spirit alive with Kunaka performing on the beach stage and Ireland’s Beoga in the Memorial Hall.  Kunaka was an impressive display of young artists – the audience simply could not resist the urge to get up and move to the infectious rhythms rippling from their marimbas.  Beoga’s playful energy was a delight to experience and their musicianship was superb as well as their accompanying Irish dance troupe.