Gabriola Sounder

Edeltraud Hammond gets her shot at the first on-gabriola immunization clinic, administered by Gabriolan Sarah Gibson, with the Nanaimo Public Health Unit. The clinic took place on March 23 at the Community Hall. While there were some technical delays getting things started, over 300 residents of Area B (Gabriola, Mudge, Decourcy) who were eligible were given their first shot of COVID-19 vaccine. Brenda Fowler from PHC said only residents of Area B were immunized. The team of volunteers included Garden Club, GaLLT, Lions Club, and PHC, GERTIE, and the Community Hall. Lessons learned was that this is a very different kind of event logistically. It is a full-on constant eight hours of activity, with people coming and going, and a constant flow of traffic. The team will be beefing up all aspects ahead of the multi-day clinic which will be held sometime after April 12 to immunize all adults in Area B which have not yet been immunized. Sarah Holmes photo

Anonymouse Canada (Mouseiola Branch) has created a mouse-sized library which has been placed on a shelf at the Gabriola Public Library. The secret group says that citizens should be on the watch for other mouse-sized scenes to pop up unexpectedly in public places on the island over the next few months. The group’s objective is to promote wonder and joy during these challenging times. Photo courtesy Jeff Strain, Vancouver Island Regional Library, Gabriola Branch

a new day dawns over Gabriola as the Quinsam approaches Nanaimo Harbour on March 10, 2021. The next day marked the one-year anniversary of when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 pandemic. See pages 3 and 6 for more COVID coverage.