By the Bradner Community Club

The Bradner Community Club strives to support local students in their educational endeavors, and each year awards up to four bursaries in the amount of $500.00 each. Submit application letters to the Bradner Community Club by mail to 5305 Bradner Road Abbotsford, BC V4X 2P1. Applications must be received by May 15th, 2015.

POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL BURSARY REQUIREMENTS

Recipients are chosen from the considerations listed below:

• Resident of, or connected to the community of Bradner
• Service to community
• Involvement within the community of Bradner
• First consideration will be given to members (or children of members) of the Bradner Community Club
• High academic standing, although not mandatory, may be taken into consideration

If you are awarded, you will be invited to attend the Bradner Community Club's first meeting after the summer break, which will take place on September 21st, 2015 @ 7:30 pm.  Where successful recipients must provide proof of enrollment in a minimum of three courses at an accredited post-secondary institution and a valid student number.  If you are unable to attend,  proof must be provided by December 31st, 2015 either in person or mail or your award will be forfeited. 

We are pleased to invest in the success of post-secondary students within the community of Bradner. The Bradner Community Club appreciates receiving a follow-up report letter once recipients have settled into their studies.

Sincerely,
The Bradner Community Club
5305 Bradner Rd
Abbotsford, BC  V4X 2P1
604-856-8441

By the Mount Lehman Garden Club

Long before the use of chemical fertilizers, farmers and gardeners found that by planting certain plants close to each other  damage from certain insect pests was lessened. Marigolds (not the ornamental French marigolds, but Calendula Officionalis the old fashioned pot marigold) are wonderful companions in the vegetable garden. They repel Asparagus beetle, cabbage moth, corn borer, cucumber beetle, various nematodes, potato beetle and whitefly. Nasturtiums are another great companion plant. They repel aphids, cabbage moth, cucmber beetle, potato beetle and whitefly. Even if they are not totally effective they will certainly help, and have pretty flowers all summer.

The allium family (onions, leeks, garlic and chives) are also very useful, and if we can cut down on insect predation by changing which plants are grown close to each other, why not? They are said to be good against cutworms, mites, potato beetle, whitefly and slugs and snails. Chives are sometimes planted in rose gardens to repel aphids.

The mechanism by which they work is not fully understood, but it is probably no accident that most of the companion plants have aromatic foliage. Perhaps the strong scents confuse the insects looking for their host plant.

Some plants do not do well planted close to each other. The roots may give off substances the are toxic to certain plants.  The classic example is the Black Walnut. The roots give off Juglin, which is toxic to almost every other plant. Other plants will sort of grow within the drip line of the tree, but they do not do well. 

The following is a brief list of planting combinations that work and ones to avoid:

• Beans are good with celery and cucumbers. Avoid onions and fennel
  
• Beets like bush beans, lettuce, onions and most members of the cabbage family. Avoid pole beans
  
• Cabbage, celery, dill, onions and tomatoes like each other, but dislike strawberries, tomatoes and pole beans
  
• Carrots, lettuce, radish, onions and tomatoes are friends, but keep away from dill
  
• Corn plants prefer to be near pumpkins, peas, beans, cucumbers and potatoes, but keep tomatoes away
  
• Cucumbers like corn, peas, radishes, beans and sunflowers, but keep aromatic herbs and potatoes at a distance
  
• Lettuce grows well with onions, but also likes strawberries, carrots, radishes and cucumbers
  
• Onions can be planted near lettuce, beetroot strawberries, carrots, radishes and cucumbers
  
• Tomatoes, carrots, onions and parsley are good companions. Basil is said to improve the flavour, but keep cabbage and cauliflower away from them
  

Another way to use plants to improve the health of what you are growing is to make up a spray. Shred some plant leaves and steep them in hot water for an hour. Strain into a jar and add a few drops of detergent as a wetting agent. Use it as a spray twice, two days apart. Used in this way garlic is a good all around spray against insect and fungal problems. We may have found a use for the dreaded horsetail – used like this it is supposed to be good against slugs. Two for the price of one! Another useful spray is coriander for aphids and spider mites. Rhubarb is thought to be useful against black spot, but be careful, as the leaves contain oxalic acid, a poison.

For more information on these and many other subjects, join a garden club. The Mount Lehman Garden Club usually meets @ 7pm on the 3rd Thursday of the month at the Mount Lehman Community Hall, 6418 Mount Lehman Road.  

For more information call Yvonne at 604-856-0313.

By Lynda Richard & Pauline Isherwood

Bradner’s 87th Flower Show was deemed a success. Despite some questionable weather, attendance was similar to last year’s show. Even though many varieties of daffodils had already bloomed and gone, the later varieties, were in full bloom, offering a unique show. Many of the varieties had never before been displayed. 

We’d like to take the time to thank all those who came to the show to look and be entertained. There was lots to see and do, from making your own garden sculptures, to live music, great food and of course, gardening experts. This year’s theme, “The Good, The Bad & The Bug-ily” proved to be a big success and we are already working on a theme for next year!

This event could never take place without the help of many, many volunteers, and bouquets of thanks go out to each and every person that gave of their precious time to make the show successful. Although we can’t name every person, we are truly grateful for the help of each and every volunteer. 

Thanks again, and we hope to see you next year!
Lynda Richard & Pauline Isherwood

Special thanks to the following:

Our Opening Guest: Mr. Jim Matteoni

Committee Heads: Diana & Geoff Birnie, Pam Secord, Jim Langton, Russ Massier, John McKenzie, Gord & Dawn Beebe, Marion Brown, Denise & Len Smit, Helen & Dale Rushka, Lise Price, Harry Ruschenski, Murray Brown, Ruby Jaggernath, Lars Poulsen and Pauline Isherwood

Decorating: Nicky Arpotz, Karolina Remple, Todd Radcliffe, Bradner’s Growing Concern, Kato’s Nursery Supplies, Brady Landscaping, Brodeur’s Bistro, Abbotsford VW and United Flower Growers Import & Supply Departments

Flower Sales: Smit Nurseries, Flora Farms, Variety Flowers Ltd. and CY Grower Supplies

Daffodil Growers: Matt & Cherry Graoves, Bryan & Agnes Warmerdam, Fatkin Farms and the McMath Family

Presenters: Chris Bodnar, Glen Valley Organic Farm Co-Op; Andrew Etsell, Singletree Winery; Chef Pamela E. Scott, Chef’s Pantry & Catering; Joe Sadowski; Bert Pulles, Bert the Mole Man; Tim Brown, Surlie Brewing; Chef Angie Quaale, Well Seasoned and Phyllis Sabean, An Eye Full Creations

Thanks Also To: Ryan McAllister, Ms. Val Duma, the Staff & students of Bradner Elementary, Bradner PAC, Jubilee Hall Community Association, Tad Kuzinski, Circle of Friends Band, Glenn & Lori Friskie and Tracy Hueppelsheuser

- This Poem is displayed at the Bradner Community Hall and was reproduced word-for-word on The Bradner Barker -


THIS POEM WAS WRITTEN TO REMIND US OF BRADNER'S
PART IN THE CELEBRATING MATSQUI'S ONE HUNDRED YEARS
in 1992

By Heather Lemieux, Editor

New vibrant window coverings were donated just in time for this year's Bradner Flower Show. The Bradner Community Club extends a special thanks to Nikki Annecchini for organizing the project and Abstract Alloy Manufacturing Ltd. for designing, donating and installing the beautiful steel covers.

The Bradner Community Club has experienced recent and past window vandalism on the Hall windows and opted to cover them. These attractive steel covers, pictured below adorn all the previous windows on the Hall and are a much appreciated addition.

By Lynda Richard

Richard Harwood Fatkin, or Richie as we all knew him, was born June 25th, 1925 at his family farm on Myrtle Ave., right here in Bradner. His father Fenwick, had visited the area in the early 1900’s after settling in Vancouver from England. Fenwick noticed how well daffodils grew in Bradner and so he moved his family to the area in 1914. By 1928, he had the area's daffodil growers displaying their blooms in what was the first Bradner Flower Show. Little did he know what an incredible daffodil dynasty he had started.

The Fatkin family, including young Richie all participated in the work on the farm. He worked right from childhood (as did most young boys) even while attending Bradner Elementary School. No one had the equipment that we see today in the fields; the work was manual and hard. In November of 1947 the family business received a heavy blow via a devastating fire, but they carried on and it wasn’t long before they were up and running again.

Richie was a very handsome man. He met his lovely wife Audrey at a dance in Matsqui and they were married in 1949, celebrating nearly 66 years together. They lived in the Pinegrove (Fraser Hwy / Mt. Lehman Rd.) area and later on in Bradner where they raised their four children, Barry, Brenda, Kevin & Pauline. One of the things that always struck me was the incredible respect Richie and Audrey had for one another. Just watching the way they interacted was a great example for any young couple to follow. 

Richie had many talents besides becoming an expert on daffodils. He was a top-notch athlete, playing for many years with the Bradner Redshirts where he was well known for his deadly blast kicks and goal scoring. Richie was the produce manager at the Super Valu in Aldergrove and was even involved in the thwarting of a hapless thief who tried to enter the store via the much too narrow chimney. He loved Bradner and was an extremely community minded man. Whether it was helping out at the Bradner Community Hall, riding the community float as 'Dr. Liverwarts' or as we at the Bradner Barker came to know him 'The Old Thymer'.

He had an incredible sense of humour, and was well known as a talented writer and poet. Even though he was a formidable match for any writer with his sly sense of humour, there was an unmistakable gentleness to his writing, a kindness that endeared him to all who knew him. He loved nature, the farm; gardening and could be found outside puttering even in the winter. Richie always had a joke, a positive comment or words of encouragement. He never had a bad word to say about anyone – except maybe some of our politicians – and even that was done in a flippant way, without any meanness attached. He was well known for lending a helping hand to anyone who was in need.

By Pam Secord

Thanks again for another wonderful Flower Show, to everyone who volunteered in any way to make this show such a huge success. I would love to list everyone but fear I may miss someone. It's a pleasure to spend this weekend with all of you. Some we see all the time and some we haven't seen since the last Flower Show. Seeing the younger generations stepping up to learn the ropes is also a special treat. There's a lot of memories tied in with this show that will never be forgotten. I'm so proud to be a part of such a great community. See you all next spring!

Submitted by the Bradner PAC 

As the 96th Annual May Day approaches, the Bradner PAC is seeking people to volunteer with various aspects of the event. We hope that all parents, students, family and friends know that they are welcome and encouraged to help. No task is too small. Every bit of help counts towards making the day successful for all.

We are calling on volunteers to help set up in the morning, during the day,  taking down and clean up afterwards. The following is a list of areas where help is needed:

• Ticket takers at various games, rides and booths
• Servers, cooks and food prep at the concession
• The cupcake walk game
• Henna tattoo artists
• Set up of stage, tables, chairs, tents, and other equipment
• Take down of stage, tables, chairs, tents, equipment and garbage clean-up
• Posting signage on roads, as well as in public places to advertise the event
• May Day Dancers Float is needed
• Hay Ride driver, with tractor

Contact Bradner PAC President, Dawn Lewis @ dawnnlewis@hotmail.com 778.549.1636

The Bradner PAC is also seeking donations for the Silent Auction, Raffle and Sponsors to help with the cost associated with organizing this event. 

To donate to the Raffle or Silent Auction contact Conny Corcoran @ 604.556.0041

Sponsors please contact Chrissie Bouchard @ 604.897.5922