Don Bodger

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A Feb. 29 birthday is about as rare as a perfect 29 hand in cribbage. He’s never had one of those perfect hands, but does get a real birthday on Thursday during leap year. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Time to grow up? B.C. 60-year-old celebrates 15th birthday

Vancouver Island man aborn Feb. 29, 1964

A Feb. 29 birthday is about as rare as a perfect 29 hand in cribbage. He’s never had one of those perfect hands, but does get a real birthday on Thursday during leap year. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Frank Ludwig with his Canadian Music Hall of Fame statuette at the piano. (Photo by Frank Ludwig)

Walk of Fame induction invitation invisible for Trooper’s elite

Chemainus’ Ludwig among the rock group’s hit-makers snubbed for Toronto event

Frank Ludwig with his Canadian Music Hall of Fame statuette at the piano. (Photo by Frank Ludwig)
SFU’s George Agnes and Dorothy Christian, along with Cecelia Elliott. (Photo by Don Bodger)

B.C. PhD with terminal cancer presented degree in groundbreaking house call

Penelakut woman Valerie Bob can’t travel so Simon Fraser University staff members come to her home

SFU’s George Agnes and Dorothy Christian, along with Cecelia Elliott. (Photo by Don Bodger)
The happy couple, Meghan Russell and Doug Groenendijk, during the Season 1 finale of Farming For Love. (Photo courtesy of CTV)

B.C.’s Farmer Doug chooses his mate for budding relationship from reality TV series

Farming life connects Chemainus’ Groenendijk and Ontario woman

The happy couple, Meghan Russell and Doug Groenendijk, during the Season 1 finale of Farming For Love. (Photo courtesy of CTV)
Kristina Tkachuk, Derek Descoteau’s aunt, left, and Derek’s mom Brenda Smith have victim impact statements prepared that they’re hoping will be read during Colin John’s review board hearing. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Moms say ‘sugar-coated’ statements fall short in wake of devastating B.C. knife attack

Families leery as board decides future of man not criminally responsible for stabbing man to death

Kristina Tkachuk, Derek Descoteau’s aunt, left, and Derek’s mom Brenda Smith have victim impact statements prepared that they’re hoping will be read during Colin John’s review board hearing. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Trevor Meyer pops a wheelie in 49th Parallel Grocery while doing his grocery shopping in a scene from his winning BC Bike Race video. (Photo by Nick Clarke)

VIDEO: Clever training formula lands rider top prize in BC Bike Race video contest

Eat, ride, sleep and repeat brings humorous connotations

Trevor Meyer pops a wheelie in 49th Parallel Grocery while doing his grocery shopping in a scene from his winning BC Bike Race video. (Photo by Nick Clarke)
Farm fresh eggs from a vending machine? Who would have thought? And, yet, Doug Groenendijk has made it a reality. (Photo by Don Bodger)

B.C. farmer comes out of his shell to sell vending machine eggs

Vancouver Islands’ Doug Groenendijk says timing right to get cracking with a new venture

Farm fresh eggs from a vending machine? Who would have thought? And, yet, Doug Groenendijk has made it a reality. (Photo by Don Bodger)
A sombre group after the Colin John decision in the murder of Derek Descoteau. From left: Paula Phillips, Kristina Tkachuk, Brenda Smith, Janelle Guyatt and Leah Guyatt outside the Duncan courthouse. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Anger grips B.C. courtroom after man found not responsible in 2016 slashing death

Judge rules Colin John not criminally responsible in Chemainus knifing of Derek Descoteau

A sombre group after the Colin John decision in the murder of Derek Descoteau. From left: Paula Phillips, Kristina Tkachuk, Brenda Smith, Janelle Guyatt and Leah Guyatt outside the Duncan courthouse. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Kevin Smith is calling attention to a significant theft at his Highway Antique Barn business on the Trans-Canada Highway. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Thieves pillage B.C. business of $100,000 worth of gold and silver

Owner calls for more awareness, security measures to combat crime in Chemainus area

Kevin Smith is calling attention to a significant theft at his Highway Antique Barn business on the Trans-Canada Highway. (Photo by Don Bodger)
B.C. Premier David Eby at the Crofton mill announcement, backed by Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Brenda Bailey. (Photo by Don Bodger)

$68.8M to retool B.C. mill to produce wood-based single-use plastic replacements

Government, Paper Excellence investments putting 100 workers back to work in Crofton

B.C. Premier David Eby at the Crofton mill announcement, backed by Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Brenda Bailey. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Kathi Diewert of Chemainus captures many interesting nature shots around the Island. No matter what it looks like outside, there’s no sense in creating any false sadness on so-called Blue Monday and beyond. (Photo by Kathi Diewert)

BODGER: Blue Monday is bogus, stop looking for reasons to be sad

There’s no evidence one day should be the saddest compared to any other

Kathi Diewert of Chemainus captures many interesting nature shots around the Island. No matter what it looks like outside, there’s no sense in creating any false sadness on so-called Blue Monday and beyond. (Photo by Kathi Diewert)
Around the world in many, many days being spent in this van by Marianne and Chris Fisher. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Around the world in 80…months? Touring YouTube sensation reaches B.C.

COVID lockdown kept English couple in Turkey 18 months on their world tour

Around the world in many, many days being spent in this van by Marianne and Chris Fisher. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Two images of Deedee Brown with different hair colours. Her killer or killers still have not been brought to justice. (Photos submitted)

Seven years have passed since B.C. teen’s murder, still no answers

Body of Deedee Brown found floating off Vancouver Island three weeks after her disappearance in 2015

Two images of Deedee Brown with different hair colours. Her killer or killers still have not been brought to justice. (Photos submitted)
Penelakut Tribe elder August Sylvester and his daughter Marya Luby perform a ceremonial cleansing of the MV Island Responder to rid it of evil, accompanied by captains Chris Mullin and Bob Mollet. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Official ceremony launches Island Responder into a new era

Commemoration of marine ambulance in B.C. community features Penelakut blessing

Penelakut Tribe elder August Sylvester and his daughter Marya Luby perform a ceremonial cleansing of the MV Island Responder to rid it of evil, accompanied by captains Chris Mullin and Bob Mollet. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Maynard Johnny Jr. looks over the Salish Heron at BC Ferries Fleet Maintenance Unit in Richmond. (Photo by BC Ferries)

Scope of Salish Heron ferry design captivates artist

Seeing the final product for the first time inspiring

Maynard Johnny Jr. looks over the Salish Heron at BC Ferries Fleet Maintenance Unit in Richmond. (Photo by BC Ferries)
Happy days are here again for mom Selina and daughter Sophia Taylor after Sophia’s quick recovery from a horrible ordeal. (Photo by Don Bodger)

‘Chasing deer and making friends: B.C. girl running around again after scary fall’

3-year-old Sophia back to being a kid again after 20-foot park fall on to concrete

Happy days are here again for mom Selina and daughter Sophia Taylor after Sophia’s quick recovery from a horrible ordeal. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Brian Francoeur, left, and Harman Bootsma inside the Island Responder. (Photo by Don Bodger)

First purpose-built marine ambulance in B.C. waters a valuable commodity

Island Responder operating off Chemainus for island residents features an on/off ramp for stretchers

Brian Francoeur, left, and Harman Bootsma inside the Island Responder. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Sophia Taylor suffered major brain injuries and a fractured skull after falling nearly 20 feet at Transfer Beach Park in Ladysmith on Feb. 12. (Go Fund Me photo)

Family needs help after toddler falls 20 feet onto concrete in B.C. park

Taylor family grateful for community support after tragic accident

Sophia Taylor suffered major brain injuries and a fractured skull after falling nearly 20 feet at Transfer Beach Park in Ladysmith on Feb. 12. (Go Fund Me photo)
Justin James Dodd appeared in a Duncan courtroom via video conference for the first time Tuesday morning on two counts of second degree murder. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Accused vows to represent himself in double murder of B.C. father and son

Justin James Dodd makes first court appearance on charges via video conference in Duncan

Justin James Dodd appeared in a Duncan courtroom via video conference for the first time Tuesday morning on two counts of second degree murder. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Tommy Johnson with daughter Chelsea Lloy and son Brad Johnson. (Facebook photo)

‘They both had such big hearts’: Father and son identified as victims in Island killings

Tom and Brad Johnson known for their big hearts and willingness to help out anyone

Tommy Johnson with daughter Chelsea Lloy and son Brad Johnson. (Facebook photo)