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The Sunshine Coast: From Gibsons to Powell River (Harbour $29.95)
Everybody knows the former liquor store in Gibsons was transformed into Molly's Reach cafe and became a national landmark for the The Beachcombers. But when CBC ended the series in 1992, the town wasn't eager to capitalize on its tourism value.
"Any other town in the universe,"; writes Howard White in The Sunshine Coast: From Gibsons to Powell River (Harbour $29.95), "would have bronzed the Persephone, the beachcombing tug operated by series hero Nick Adonidas (played by the late Bruno Gerussi) and mounted it in Pioneer Square, surrounded by fibreglass replicas of the entire Beachcombers cast, but Gibsons shrugs and goes about its life, glad the traffic stoppages caused by outdoor shooting are finally over.";
The Sunshine Coast became a surprise bestseller over Christmas partly because it includes little known local lore - such as the time a hefty Norwegian boatbuilder named Sandvold was assaulted by Harry Roberts (of Roberts Creek fame) after the diminutive Roberts had discovered his wife 'entertaining' Sandvold at Ballet Bay. The judge dropped the assault charges because Roberts was smaller than Sandvold.
Other legendary figures such as George Gibsons and author Bertrand Sinclair are introduced, along with living legends such as Peter Trower, Edith Iglauer and the colourful Solberg sisters. Bergliot and Minnie Solberg grew up in the bush around Sechelt Inlet, sometimes working as loggers, and have worked as trappers and hunters into their 70s.
Project photographer for the 100 mile stretch from Gibsons to Powell River was Keith A. E. Thirkell, assisted by Ken Bell, Mary Cain, Tim Poole, Tim Turner, Dean vant Schip and others.
[BCBW 1997]
"Any other town in the universe,"; writes Howard White in The Sunshine Coast: From Gibsons to Powell River (Harbour $29.95), "would have bronzed the Persephone, the beachcombing tug operated by series hero Nick Adonidas (played by the late Bruno Gerussi) and mounted it in Pioneer Square, surrounded by fibreglass replicas of the entire Beachcombers cast, but Gibsons shrugs and goes about its life, glad the traffic stoppages caused by outdoor shooting are finally over.";
The Sunshine Coast became a surprise bestseller over Christmas partly because it includes little known local lore - such as the time a hefty Norwegian boatbuilder named Sandvold was assaulted by Harry Roberts (of Roberts Creek fame) after the diminutive Roberts had discovered his wife 'entertaining' Sandvold at Ballet Bay. The judge dropped the assault charges because Roberts was smaller than Sandvold.
Other legendary figures such as George Gibsons and author Bertrand Sinclair are introduced, along with living legends such as Peter Trower, Edith Iglauer and the colourful Solberg sisters. Bergliot and Minnie Solberg grew up in the bush around Sechelt Inlet, sometimes working as loggers, and have worked as trappers and hunters into their 70s.
Project photographer for the 100 mile stretch from Gibsons to Powell River was Keith A. E. Thirkell, assisted by Ken Bell, Mary Cain, Tim Poole, Tim Turner, Dean vant Schip and others.
[BCBW 1997]
Submitted on August 15, 2003 in By David.
