We have being working hard here at the Lodge.   Rooms 1, 2 and 3, have been totally redone: making 2 rooms out of 3. The rooms have been  soundproofed and now have soaker tubs and heated floors in the bathrooms - very posh!  Alert Bay Lodge may have been "rustic" in the past, but things are changing!  We are in the process of redoing the kitchen, installing a gas cooktop, double wall ovens and soon: a walk in cooler.

Scott and I are really looking forward to coming up to Alert Bay for Easter. I love having breakfast with the Easter Bunny and meeting all the locals. Last year my mum and I also attended a service at the historic Anglican Church, and later we were invited by the locals for tea and cookies. By the end of the day we felt like one of the gang. People really do make the place! We have told so many people about our wonderful time last year I think we'll have a few more people coming up with us this year. Especially with the new renovations - heated floors and soaker tubs!

Cheers

Nina

Cheers,
Eric Gregory, Alert Bay 360,
Chairman

Hi Marv and Kathie - Here's a sunset from the lodge sundeck. Many thanks. Will definetly be up again. Dave and Tobi.

Kathleen and Marvin:  thank you for your hospitality during my fantastic stay here in Alert Bay and for arranging my memorable whale watching and grizzly bear watching trips.  Many people asked me “why Alert Bay”? I could only respond that it had a certain charming appeal, a good location by Vancouver Island and well, you have a good website!

Getting to see upteen orca whales, a black bear, seals, porpoises and bald eagles on my first day here – in the sun no less- was amazing.  My pictures on Facebook have already drawn interest from curious and admiring friends!

Then today, seeing my first grizzlies in the wild was truly special and watching two young cubs frolic around with curiosity and amusement was a memory – and a picture, literally, that I’ll take home to London with me!

Emily, London UK

In the true spirit of the potlatch, exhibits from the U'mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay have been sent to Germany in exchange for items from the Dresden State Art Collection.

The exhibition of princely gifts and decorative objects from the Saxon Sovereign Court in Dresden, dating from about 1560 to 1760, opened Thursday in Alert Bay and runs until Aug. 28.

In Dresden, the exhibition of Kwakwaka-wakw potlatch gifts, spanning potlatches over the centuries, will go on display May 6.

It is the first time most of the potlatch collection has been displayed outside Canada.

"Exchanging of gifts is an important part of the potlatch tradition," said Chief Bill Cranmer of 'Namgis First Nation and chairman of U'mista board of directors.

"We are pleased to be able to extend that tradition with the German people and exchange with them cherished items from our collection, while welcoming the gifts exchanged by their people hundreds of years ago."

Artist Corrine Hunt, who designed the exhibit in Dresden, said there appears to be a great interest in Germany in the First Nations masks and artwork, which includes items such as a feast dish and drum log used by singers.

Potlatches were banned in Canada from 1885 to 1951 and many of the pieces to be displayed in Germany were seized after an illegal potlatch in 1921, but later repatriated to Alert Bay.

The exhibition also includes modern pieces.

"It shows the continuation of the potlatch and how it survived and thrived despite the ban," Hunt said.

Outside the gallery there will be two stainless steel raven heads on poles.

The exhibits which have come to U'mista are equally exciting, Hunt said.

They include ceremonial weapons, tournament pieces, vessels and figurines showing the court festivities and royal hunts of the Saxon rulers.

"It's amazing. I hope everyone on the Island has a chance to see these. It's a treasure," Hunt said.

jlavoie@timescolonist.com

© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist

Sincerely, Norine Smith, Manager, Alert Bay Visitor Centre

And - our resident orcas have now arrived in full force in Johnstone Strait! Whale sightings are occurring daily. At dawn this morning, a pod splashed by Alert Bay Lodge.

Summer is here!

Most of the tourists have left Cormorant Island - they too migrate away after the wildlife departs. The lodge is quiet, we have a couple from France here who have the lodge essentially to themselves. We are waiting for a stretch of windy weather in the hope that a good log will blow up on the beach and sacrifice itself for our firewood supply.