Sometimes we ask ourselves that same question, especially after a very good weekend. Here are just some of the hard-working individuals behind TAKE 5.
Marina Sacht – Editor/Publisher
Don’t let that title fool you because our fearless leader is as approachable as an ice cream cone on a hot summer day. Armed with a diploma in journalism from Langara, and years of writing, she landed on Vancouver Island. The dream job she wanted didn’t exist so she created one.
Prior to TAKE 5, Marina was editor of North Shore Magazine and co-publisher of Pacific Horse Journal. Email Marina editor [at] take5 [dot] ca
Loyola van Rooyen Buck – Advertising Manager
You want results? Go see Loyola. Her understanding of the local market is based on years of experience right here at home. Remember in the late 80′s and early 90′s the Parachute Shop? That was the successful brain child of her and her sister. Sales have always been her passion and her belief is “the only way to do her job is to provide customers the right service for their individual needs.” That means it’s a new experience every time.
So what you waiting for…go see Loyola.
Tricia Pinkerton – Art Director, Graphic Designer
You can send Tricia our graphic artist your puzzle - and she can build or fix anything. Eleven years at Take 5 and rocking on. Tricia lives in a cartoon world and it’s great. Email her at design [at] take5 [dot] ca with your ideas.
Cindy Damphousse – ‘Vacation Guide’ coordinator, Special Projects
This made up title suites me just fine, as I do very little for Take 5. Aside from having my face plastered on the cover of the last three Ladysmith Vacation Guides I sit back and let the rest of the team do the work. If you have a special project that you think we would be interested in let us know and I will do my best to put it on my very busy calendar.
Prior to Take 5, Cindy worked at the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center. Email Cindy at projects [at] take5 [dot] ca
Angie Haslam – Graphic Designer
More effervescent than sparkly and more gothic than modern. Angie survived Malaspina graphic design boot camp to take on local freelance. A thoughtful and engaging design collaborator with her creative counterpart Trish. Walks the line between bustling motherhood and burgeoning visual communicator. Passionate gardener, chicken-whisperer, photographer and lecturer (well, to her husband)! Looking forward to continuing to work with the gals at the office, and watching my children grow in beautiful Ladysmith!
Rob Johnson – photographer/writer
Sometimes called “Mr. Ladysmith” Rob Johnson is a long time resident of Ladysmith with roots going back to 1900. (Some say his roots go so deep that he has root rot.)
Rob cares deeply about the town and its history. He has shared his stories about the town and area for years doing harbour boat and walking tours for visitors. Rob served on the Town of Ladysmith’s council as well as Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce, Ladysmith & District Historical Society and many community groups.
You’ll see him with his camera in hand so watch out or you’ll can be added to his rogues gallery.
Jill Collins – ‘On the Beaten Path’ columnist
Active outdoor adventure mom / writer
Born and raised in Alberta, Jill and her family moved to Vancouver Island in 2007. In Alberta they enjoyed exploring the foothills of the Rocky Mountains from their rustic cabin. After many adventurous years they had explored almost every mountain, trail and creek in the area. It was a chance family vacation to Tofino in 2006 when they realized the endless outdoor activites the island had to offer. Moving to Vancouver Island became a perfect fit and not just with outdoor adventures. Jill took on a whole new challenge and began writing about their outdoor experiences as a young family with two small children. A challenge that has rewarded her in so many ways.
Prior to TAKE 5, Jill was an accountant for a casino in Edmonton. Today she crunches letters rather than numbers and is working on writing her first book.
Laurie Gourlay – ‘Another Beautiful Day’ columnist
Born in the land o’ Scots, kilted and stubborn at times, I now find myself on an organic farm, married to one heck of a beauty, with four collies and two cats sharing house – and three sheep and a couple of horsies in the barn …wondering how I got so lucky?
A well-travelled multi-continental hitchhiker in my youth, a couple of decades working with MPs on Parliament Hill, as well as BC MLA’s …and never short of community projects since we aspiring local defenders formed MISSI – the Mid Island Sustainability & Stewardship Initiative. Oh yeah, and the shingle at the top of the lane says I’m a consultant too. Life’s sweet, and so’s my tooth!
Delbert Horrocks – ‘Slightly Corked’ columnist
For twenty-five years Delbert was co proprietor of the Mahle House restaurant where they cut his shifts over too many incidents of spilt soup. There he learned not to take life too seriously but to always obey his wife. He is currently writing a book about the restaurant business and one day hopes to, if not be the editor of a magazine, then to at least be a co publisher of a horse journal if they’re willing to lower their standards.
Delbert put together award wining wine lists.
Rob Pinkerton – ‘Wild File’ columnist
Having very little writing experience, I was amazed that Marina agreed to let me do a wild bird column. I started off with sea birds as I knew the least about them and figured it was a good way for me to learn. I have progressed to everything to do with critters. I am not a “birder” by definition but write what I see around me and hope that I can inspire others to enjoy their encounters with beasts. I try to see the humour in our relationships with birds and animals and if I make you laugh, I consider my work a success.
Before his retirement, Rob was a captain with B.C. Ferries.
Jeff Virtanen – ‘Other Side’ columnist
Jeff is our tongue in cheek humorist/columnist who writes about anything that moves him…which is lots. We don’t know much about Jeff but we know he likes to pick on the Maple Leafs and governments. He is currently working on a screenplay.
Kit Willmot
Having served in the (British) Royal Artillery, mostly in two regiments of soldiers from Madras (South India), Kit then made Gordon’s gin, but had to leave as the profits were showing a sharp decline. After 25 years of making cement, Kit went to Thames (England) Water Co., immersing myself in their sewage section, organizing a mechanical and electrical maintenance scheme for their many works.
Kit and his wife Molly (with their three dogs) came to Canada to be with family. Kit was cajoled by our worthy editor to write an article (he’d never written one before), and is now a regular contributor.
You’ll see Kit driving around town with his Canucks flag out the window. When he isn’t watching a high school theatre production or basketball game, he’ll be at the Ladysmith Food Bank (which he helped launch). He served as Mayor in Waterloo, England, and on a number of boards locally.
Kit’s contributions to his community where recognized when he was chosen Citizen of The Year.
Dennis Damphousse, Distribution Manager
Man about town, that’s Distribution Dennis, from South Nanaimo to Chemainus. If you have a spare space Dennis will fill it with the latest issue of Take 5!
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