It's that time of year when it's easy — dare we say encouraged — to put away the squabbles of the winter, to embrace your neighbour and our visitors.
The important issues remain, but the sun and sand and countless fun, fulfilling events are happening throughout the region for the next two or three months.
It's time to show our best side, to volunteer, to enjoy the place we live and the people who live here.
The debate over Parksville's official community plan, or the suitability of a five-storey condo complex in the heart of Qualicum Beach village centre — these will not and cannot just go away.
It's our hope, however, the warm weather and great events in front of us will force us all to park any nastiness, to take some time to smell the roses — or a freshly-caught salmon.
Is this a naive, utopian attitude? Perhaps, but we ask our readers to grant us some leeway today because we're feeling positive and pumped about the present and future of Parksville Qualicum Beach.
The Zombie Walk in downtown Parksville weirded us out a bit this past weekend, but at least it was an oddly positive, fun-based gathering. Far be it for us to suggest these people need a hobby (oops, perhaps we just did).
The Show and Shine coming up this weekend in Qualicum Beach will have that beautiful village humming with activity and positive energy. It would be difficult to find a community that does a better job than Parksville celebrating Canada Day. And Beach Fest isn't far away.
Yes, residents of Parksville Qualicum Beach, it's our time to shine.
All of the great events staged in our region usually need volunteers. If you aren't committed already, consider lending a helping hand.
Wouldn't it be neat to be working side-by-side with a neighbour, a person you absolutely disagree with in relation to development or politics, and enjoying the experience?
We are a family, in a sense. We can work things out in-house, sometimes in a heated manner, but when company comes, we put our best face forward in a united manner, eager to help those in need or support local business and show the world the charm of our people matches the beauty of our surroundings.
— Editorial by John Harding