In the Thursday, March 15 edition of the PQB News, readers will find some fun in the form of “Survivor - Ballenas Island,” on Page A18. It’s a spoof of the popular television series featuring eight contestants from District 69, who have a good sense of humour, a favorite charity and who often volunteer their own time for the community and various charity projects.
All reader voting takes place online at PQBNews.com/Contests/ over eight weeks.
Each week readers will cast their votes to vote a “castaway” off the island. The last castaway will win $500 for the charity of their choice and one reader who cast a ballot will have their name entered in a draw to win one a $250 Grocery Card.
The eight castaways are divided into two teams, The North Enders, the Laule’a Clan (Happiness) are made up of: George Lenz, Carpenter and Deep Bay Fire Department Fire Chief; Sheena McCorquodale, Qualicum Bay Artist and Bow Horne Fair Volunteer; David James, a member of the Qualicum Beach Streamkeepers; and Michele Genereaux, longtime volunteer for Fire & Ice and Kiwanis Village, Qualicum Beach.
The South Enders, the ’Ohana Clan (Family) are: Bob Cummings, Investment Advisor and long time Parksville Rotarian; Wendy Sears, event producer who works with Parksville Beachfest, Filberg Festival and others; Rob Jonas, retiree and current president of the Parksville Golden Oldies Sports Association (PGOSA); and Cara MacDonald Gray, a landscape architect and Rotarian.
As in the TV version of Survivor, each week the castaways will be required to complete a number of tasks, which requires answering questions. Those who are familiar with both “Gilligan’s Island” and “Survivor” will recognize the references.
Readers check the answers each week to see how their favourite castaway is doing, and then vote someone off the island in order to keep their favorite in play. Readers may vote once per day. All decisions will be made by the “Tribal Council” at the PQB News and will be final.
This is the second time the Survivor Game has been staged by the Parksville Qualicum Beach News. In 2017, Betsey Poel of Bowser was the winner of Survivor - Lasqueti Island, snagging $500 for her favorite charity, Arrowsmith Search and Rescue.
— NEWS staff