qathet Regional District staff will look into the potential installation of what is known as a Telephone of the Wind at the Powell River Regional Cemetery.
At the June 26 committee of the whole meeting, Sheila Peters appeared as a delegation, advocating for the installation of a Telephone of the Wind. Peters outlined that in 2010 Itaru Sasaki, a Japanese resident, placed an old phone booth in his garden, installed a rotary phone, and called a close friend who had died of cancer.
“He proceeded to have many conversations,” said Peters.
The next year, Sasaki moved his phone to make it available to people who had lost someone in the tsunami of 2011.
“There are now hundreds of phones around the world,” said Peters.
She said the Telephone of the Wind is a way to facilitate restorative communication, especially for those who have lost someone suddenly.
“It is also a way for our community to create something tangible to demonstrate the love and sympathy we share with those who are grieving,” said Peters.
She said when she broached the idea with the Four Tides Hospice Society, they were really interested and offered support through a letter. Many locations were discussed and the cemetery in Cranberry seemed like a really good spot, according to Peters.
“Basically, it’s safe, protected, and there are spots that are private,” said Peters. “People could come and use the phone and wouldn’t be interrupted.”
Peters said she went up and talked with regional district staff member Jordan Lundgren and a couple of potential sites were identified. She said that local artists / carpenters Harvey Chometsky and Roger Langmaid would work on the project, and volunteers would provide material, labour, signage and maintenance.
“Obviously, we would work with the staff there to make sure everything fits okay,” said Peters. “It would be no cost to the regional district.
“We are hoping to install the phone by November of this year as part of the community’s Memento Mori events. We are hoping the committee of the whole will agree to give us permission to do so.”
Electoral Area C director and board chair Clay Brander said he had known about these phones for years. He said a popular National Public Radio program in the United States featured the Telephone of the Wind in Japan.
“These stories are heartbreaking but uplifting,” said Brander. “It’s a great idea.”
City of Powell River director Cindy Elliott made a motion that the committee recommend to the regional board that the Telephone of the Wind request be referred to staff for a report to be presented at a future committee of the whole meeting.
City director George Doubt said he worked for about 40 years in the telephone industry. He said years ago he went around replacing crank telephone systems, where callers had to pick up the phone and tell the operator where to direct calls.
“If you’re looking for a phone to use, talk to me,” said Doubt.
Directors unanimously carried the motion for the staff report on the potential installation of a Telephone of the Wind at the Powell River Regional Cemetery.
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