Back when Ledgeview Golf and Country Club was still dubbed the “Goat Ranch” and yours truly was a fresh-off-the-Prairie-bus sports scribbler, I received an intriguing call from an insistent woman.
“Hey, sports guy, there are at least 100 beautiful ladies who want to meet you right now – and bring your camera!”
What Diane Davies neglected to mention during that brief exchange was the “ladies” were weekend golf warriors, and her Highwayman Pub was the sponsor looking for in-depth coverage usually only afforded to men’s tournaments at the time.
When I arrived at the clubhouse that afternoon, some of the “ladies” were already in full party mode. One of the winners, still composed and patting “Lady Di” on the back with compliments between sips of celebratory concoctions, didn’t appear worried about having to be in Victoria the next morning for work.
“She’s [Davies] the reason we all come here. Look at the [prize] table. The men are actually jealous of that booty.”
It seems just two years earlier the women were competing for socks, golf balls and meal vouchers, while the men hauled home microwaves and fancy TVs. Anyone knowing Davies figured that inequity would change. It did, quickly.
She started “trailblazing” 37 years ago when, while working for the RCMP, sought to establish the Highwayman Pub. It took five tough years, endless door knocking and plenty of politics to finally open the place in 1977 – on Canada Day of all days.
Davies still recalls the “fights and games” to license a pub in mostly-Mennonite Matsqui, back when the Bible Belt wasn’t known for gangsters, Sunday shopping and liquor outlets.
“We had a rule. If you fought or caused problems, you were barred from the Highwayman for life. We couldn’t chance the negative publicity,” said Davies who, not surprisingly, has a new “pet project” these days.
At the rear of her West Abbotsford pub and liquor store – an addition made 15 years ago which took three years to obtain an licence – are huge kennels so that while patrons drink and eat, their animals can do the same.
Her passion for animals comes from the pleasure of owning six dogs and the heartbreak of losing each one. Her energies are now spent promoting a shelter.
She has attended numerous council meetings, has met with the mayor, has played e-mail tag with councillors and has “hounded” bureaucrats to get creative with the books. She has waited for a commitment. Her so-so patience is running out.
“Our politicians found money for Plan A. They found money for a Friendship Garden. They found money to accommodate a pro hockey team – why not spend $2 million more and set up an animal shelter that helps everyone?”
Davies admitted her timing may not be perfect given the recession, a growing homeless problem and pressure to spend less at City Hall, but she has witnessed the city’s “cupboard is bare” argument go AWOL in a heartbeat before.
“Create a plan [for the shelter]. Show us the land, affix a cost. There are enough dog lovers here who will make it happen. Doing nothing is irresponsible.”
If you’ve ever had an animal you’ll know why they bring cheer to sick kids at hospitals, why they can make a lonely senior smile from ear-to-ear in a care home and why it really bites not having a shelter, especially when so many folks are now forced to give up pets because they can’t afford the food, the vet bills or other costs.
For a city that likes to compare itself to the “big leagues,” it’s sad, really, that the closest animal shelter is in Aldergrove – and it doesn’t accept cats. To me, that’s actually a Pity in the Country.
We should find a clever way to support Lady Di’s dream – and bring your camera (wink, wink).
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