FALL 2016
No. 02
THE BEQUEST OF SHOTGUN WILLIES MIKE DELAMONT ON & OFF THE MAT THE BIG RIDE A CLIMBER’S PASSION ENDING SUMMER IN A PICKLE FORT STEELE: NEW KTUNAXA EXHIBIT MORE THAN JUST TRAINS CRANBROOK TO WARDNER DESTINATION TRAIL
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MANAGING EDITOR Karen Vold
CONTRIBUTORS For article submissions contact: karen@gokimberley.com 250.427.0808 Reproduction, in whole, or in part, is strictly prohibited. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved on entire contents. GO Cranbrook Magazine makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, it is not responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions. The opinions expressed in the articles are those of the author.
Karen Vold Monica Huibers Danielle Cardozo Jody Jacobs Dave Quinn Chelsea McCormack Maurice Frits
GO Cranbrook Magazine is published four times per year and is printed in Canada. Layout design by: Lucas Roach | Big Magic Design & Communication
BACK PHOTO: GLENN DOBIE
Kootenay Media Ltd.
COVER PHOTO: MAURICE FRITS
GO Cranbrook is published by:
FALL 2016
www.bigmagicdesign.com
CONTENTS 6 | The Bequest of Shotgun Willies 9 | Mike Delamont 12 | On & Off the Mat 17 | The Big Ride: 4th Annual Gran Fondo 20| Gord McArthur: A Climber’s Passion 26 | Ending Summer in a Pickle 28| Cranbrook to Wardner Destination Trail 30 | A More Complete History of the Peoples of the East Kootenays 32 | Cranbrook History Centre: More Than Just Trains 34 | Events & Entertainment
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THE BEQUEST OF THE SHOTGUN WILLY’S DANCE FLOOR W: Jody Jacobs P: Maurice Frits
I admit it. I have a complicated and rich history with the dance floor at Shotgun Willy’s. I have lit it up many, many nights – sometimes surrounded by a thick crowd, and on occasion, all by myself. Literally. By myself. Like a boss. I’ve fist-pumped, grinded, bounced, leg-kicked, two-stepped, and head-banged on that dance floor. Every so often, on a particularly crazy night, I would pull out my always-a-good-idea-in-theory-butnever-in-reality, face-down tushie-up dance move (often busted out to Easy E’s Gimme that Nutt). My point is, whether I was out on the town for ladies night, game night, fight night or comedy night, at some point during the night you could bet your left gimme-that-nutt I’d end up at Shotgun Willy’s, flipping my hair and laughing breathlessly with my sweaty, sexy girlfriends on the dance floor. It was awesome. And even though I lived in the Okanagan during most of my Roaring Twenties, I returned home to Cranbrook often. Dancing at Shotguns was just one of those things that somehow found itself into my life on a quarterly basis. My job changed; my goals changed. I grew as a person. I stumbled my way from girl to woman. But the call of the Shotgun Willy’s dance floor continued to faithfully seduce me, throughout it all. Then, out of the blue, something big happened. One night, not so long ago, I wiggled my way off a Kelowna dance floor right into some guy’s arms. Some guy became my guy. My guy became my love. My love became my life. My life returned my love. And then we had a baby. And life and love was totally redefined. I moved my family to Cranbrook. It called to us. There’s nothing like moving back to your hometown to make you realize how many things have actually changed. Without ever consciously realizing it, and despite a blurry decade-long passionate affair, the Shotgun Willy’s dance floor and I had broken up. It was an amicable separation, and we remain polite friends, crossing paths once in a blue moon, where
I offer a quick booty shake for old time’s sake. However, our relationship has never been the same. But that doesn’t mean I don’t still dance. I dance more now than I ever have before. I dance around the house with my two sons, ages 3 and 4. I wiggle in the kitchen while cooking dinner. I ‘shake what momma gave me’ during the Saturday family dance parties, sending dust particles swirling in the early-morning sunlight. I sway to music, in the comfort of my husband’s arms, in the glow of a Kootenay campfire. And on special occasions, when I feel really silly, I’ll attempt the face-down tushie-up move, just to make sure I still got it. Yeh, I still got it.
But with all this sporadic dancing taking place in my life…I don’t have time to put on eyeliner and find a dance floor. Knowing this, and being perfectly content at the thought, I bequeath the Shotgun Willy’s dance floor to all the fun and flirty 20-something year-olds with gyrating hips and plumped up lips. Have fun ladies. Don’t sprain an ankle, don’t wear flip flops, and may the power of the Shotgun Willy’s dance floor be with you. Wiggle-wiggle-wiggle-wiggle-wiggle, yehhhhh…..
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MIKE DELAMONT W: Tessa Rokosh
After moving to Victoria, BC at the age of 13, Mike continued performing and discovered his new forte: comedy. In 2011, at 27 years old, he took a drastic step toward achieving his comedic goals and moved to Toronto. He thought he was going to be the next big sketch comedian. He wasn’t. He thought he was going to meet the love of his life. He didn’t. He thought this was going to be the start. And, somehow, it actually was. Fed up waiting for the phone to ring, Mike decided to take control of his own future. He had a friend who convinced him to try stand-up, and he started writing his own stand-up show. God is a Scottish Drag Queen was born out of a cold, lonely time in a cold, lonely city, and he had no idea it would take him
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anywhere or be anything. He moved back to Victoria where he met his future wife, worked steadily in standup, and promoted his new act. His one-man, stand-up show premiered in Manitoba at The Fringe Festival in 2012. He sold 5500 tickets that first year and by 2014 he was selling 50,000 tickets per year in cities across Canada and the US. Mike had no idea that the things he thought were funny would be funny to anyone else, let alone to hundreds of thousands of people. Who knew one of the most famous deities would come down to earth dressed in a floral power suit to skewer everything from Justin Bieber to the pope? That is God is a Scottish Drag Queen. Over the years, it has become a four-part show for ages 14 and up (due to some coarse language). The average audience members range from 45-65 years old, and after all of his shows, he keeps getting the same reviews: WE WANT MORE. Giving the people what they want, Mike and his team combined part I and II of the show into one incredible evening of entertainment. This one-man show has received such acclaim as Critics Choice Best Comedy at the Orlando Fringe Festival, Pick of the Fringe in Victoria, Vancouver,
Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Orlando, and nominees for Best English Production at the Centaur Theatre and Best Comedy at Just for Laughs in Montreal. He had no idea as an Oompa Loompa that he would ever get to where he is today. If you asked him about his success, Mike would answer modestly explaining that he’s very aware that he is a nobody. His family begs to differ. We are very aware that he is a somebody. God is a Scottish Drag Queen will be in Cranbrook for one night only on September 24th at 7:30pm. Tickets are available from Key City Theatre, but be sure to get them early because this show is likely to sell out. For tickets or more information about the show visit http://www. keycitytheatre.com.
Photo from Left to Right: Tessa, Cousin Janet, Santa, Mike, and Cousin Paul, 1991
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“IT WOULD BE A SIN TO MISS THIS SHOW!” Winnipeg Free Press
“I LAUGHED SO HARD ...... I CRIED!” Edmonton Journal
September 24, 2016 at 7:30 pm
OUR 25th ANNIVERSARY SEASON God is a Scottish Drag Queen - September 24 Tri-Continental - September 28 Ballets Jazz Du Montreal - October 12 Sharon & Bram - October 22 Alcan String Quartet - November 5 Six Guitars: Chase Padgett - November 8 Everything Fitz - November 15 Montreal Guitar Trio - November 17 Campground: Lucas Myers - January 14 Captain Future: Lucas Myers - January 15 Joelle Rabu: Tonight Piaf - January 18 Canadian Guitar Quartet - February 6 Swan Lake: Ballet Jorgen - February 21 Ring of Fire: Project Johnny Cash - March 8 Midsummer Night’s Dream for Kids - March 11 Bobby Bazini - March 22 Pharis & Jason Romero - April 5 Remy Bolduc: Tribute to Dave Brubeck - May 18
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ON AND OFF THE MAT W & P: Chelsea McCormack
We are more the same than we are different. Star dust connects us. This ruggedly beautiful rocky mountain land that we stand -- where we live, love and play -- connects us. There are two places I go to discover and rediscover this connection: one is the mountains and the other is my yoga mat. I was a yogi far before I knew the teachings of yoga. I have experienced connection in the most intimate of ways. Most of those who value the brilliance of our natural surroundings, the stillness of our mountains and the unique beauty offered by each season, has felt this connection between land and soul. There is a peace I experience when I am outside, in the Kootenay wild. In those moments I feel both tiny and completely interconnected with every other living thing. For me, yoga fosters this same thing. The stillness I find through yoga is completely synonymous with the connection I feel to the world, whether I am deep in the isolated backcountry or wandering Cranbrook’s quiet community forest path. Some of the lessons nature offers us are subtle and some are clear. My time on windy mountain
ridges has taught me to stand with a strong foundation. This lesson greatly enhances my yoga practice, reminding me of the roots I grow from. When the winds of life swirl up, I know if I stay grounded within myself I can safely make my way through any storm. Like the sequence of our natural world, yoga emphasizes that everything in life is constantly changing and moving; that everything has a season and a cycle. Our community, our geography, our environment allows us to delight in all four seasons. Acknowledging each season’s presence helps me appreciate all things have a beginning, middle, and an end. The more I am present, the more life seems to offer me. Each moment I spend in Cranbrook’s outdoor playground is a blessing. No matter what life throws my way, nature always offers a soulful gift or, at the very least, a new and exciting place to explore, appreciate and connect. For that, I have gratitude.
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WE ARE THE WATER PEOPLE W: Monica Huibers P: Maurice Frits Al the Water Guy, a longtime resident and business owner in Cranbrook, has had strong affinity for water since childhood. His family always lived near water, be it on a small island along the West Coast or the park-like acreage of his childhood home in Fraser Valley. There a young Al decided to undertake an experiment one day and made a small dam that in turn created a small lake on his family’s land. Al’s dad, noting his son’s curiosity and ability to direct water, recognized the potential and put him to work. Soon Al was learning how to build proper dams
and gravity-fed water systems and helping with his father’s aquaculture projects for raising trout. The family ponds were a source of work but also provided plenty of good old-fashioned fun for the family and their local community. They became popular swimming holes in the summer, were fished in year-round, and served as the neighborhood skating rinks in winter.
It was a natural choice that Al continued to work with water, making it his main business as a young adult. When Al’s parents retired to Cranbrook in the mid-80s, he came
to visit and helped them build on their property, including installation of their creek feed system. He fell in love with the valley and eventually moved here from the Okanagan. With endless beautiful terrain and an abundance of lakes, rivers, creeks, and falls to explore, Al felt this area would be a nice place to raise his own family. Today Al’s family still harbors a deep desire to be near flowing water. Their current property has five ponds, three creeks, a well, and a surface spring. As Al says, “I never left the pond.”
POPULAR WATER MISCONCEPTIONS MYTH / If it comes bubbling out of the side of a mountain, it must be great spring water. FACT / Not necessarily true. We have tested many of the popular surface springs and though many had some great properties, almost none of them passed even a simple bacteria test. MYTH / If there is calcium, bicarbonate, iron, sodium, magnesium, and other minerals in my water, I must be getting water that is really good for me. FACT / Just because minerals abound in water doesn’t mean that they are in the right form for your body to absorb or readily use. While plants can make use of the common minerals and metals dissolved in water, humans need to ingest most in another form for their bodies to absorb and process optimally.
KEEP THE COOLER, DITCH THE BOTTLES There is no longer a need for large plastic bottles and delivery services. The Water Guy can install a bottle-less water cooler with built-in filtration to supply all of your home or business’ drinking water needs for less than a penny per gallon.
A LOCAL BUSINESS THAT GETS YOU FROM SOURCE TO TAP Al’s business evolved as he continued building water systems for people all over the Kootenays. Today, The Water Guy ~ Echo Water & Well Service is deeply committed to serving the community. Al has developed an intimate knowledge of the majority of the known and not-so-known water sources throughout the region and has assisted thousands of clients with being able to access and use all types. The Water Guy stocks the largest supply of filters and treatment equipment to be found in the region. Through direct relationships with manufacturers, The Water Guy is able to offer the best selection and pricing. And if you’re not in Cranbrook, no problem, there is an online store for remote and international customers.
CRANBROOK’S CHANGING WATER SUPPLY If your water comes from the City of Cranbrook, you may have noticed that your water is getting harder. Due to droughts and an increase in overall water demand, the city has started to utilize its deep well reserves to supplement the reservoir. This has resulted in some residents experiencing over a 300% increase in the total dissolved minerals in their tap water, most of which are the hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium. How hard is your water? This will vary depending on where you live. For example, if you came here from Saskatchewan, you might consider Cranbrook’s water to be a bit hard, but for those coming from somewhere like Vancouver, you may find Cranbrook water to be the hardest thing you’ve ever experienced.
HEALTHY WATER IS KEY TO A HEALTHY LIFE The word “Kootenay” is derived from the Ktunaxa First Nation people’s language meaning “water people” and also serves as the name of one of our largest rivers, the Kootenay River.
IS HARD WATER COSTING YOU? 1. Skin / Do you have dry, itchy skin or other conditions that don’t heal easily? 2. Laundry / Do your clothes seem to dull and fade quickly? 3. Bathroom Fixtures / Do you see brown rings and drip stains no matter how often you clean? 4. Coffee pots, kettles, irons, hot water tanks / Do you need to fix and replace things often?
IS YOUR WATER SAFE?
Besides surface water, more than one third of the population relies on groundwater wells from underground aquifers. Though not well understood, a recent study led by a Canadian research team has determined that contrary to popular belief our water supply is not infinite, easily renewable, or simply refilled by the rain, and that groundwater, which tends to be found within a few hundred meters from the surface, is mostly non-renewable. Of the few aquifers that are affected by rain, most have a 50-year or longer replenishment rate.
Depending on if you’re on city or country water, you may want to remove these commonly found contaminants from your drinking water: bacteria (e.g., E. coli, coliform), cysts/giardia/cryptosporidium, chlorine, fluoride (Cranbrook is one of the last Canadian municipalities that still fluoridates its water), hardness (i.e., calcium, iron), herbicides/pesticides, manganese, lead, pharmaceuticals, and sediment.
We are blessed by the beautiful and bountiful waters in the Kootenays, and perhaps we should remind ourselves more often of the wisdom of those who came before who honored and valued so much the life blood that makes all of us “water people.” Protecting our water is key for a thriving community. And thankfully, we have Al The Water Guy to support us.
COME SEE US OR GIVE US A CALL Learn more about your water, in our Cranbrook showroom or contact us via: service@thewaterguy.ca or (250) 489-4000 You can also visit us at thewaterguy.ca
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THE BIG RIDE
THE 4TH ANNUAL KOOTENAY ROCKIES GRAN FONDO CELEBRATES CYCLING & COMMUNITY W: Monica Huibers P: Glenn Dobie
While it’s tempting to keep word of our jaw-dropping scenery and glorious NorthStar Rails to Trails, Kimberley to Cranbrook trail network, a local secret, sharing our blessings with others may have an even greater effect. Such was the wisdom held by two Rotarians, Glenn Dobie (Event Chairperson) and Frank Vandenbroek (Ride Day Chairperson for the first three events), who felt such gratitude for the companionship and beauty they shared on so many bike adventures here that they one day challenged themselves with a vision – how to invite more people to discover the scenic majesty and camaraderie that they had found cycling in the East Kootenays in a way that could also serve the greater community.
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Four years later, our region’s next Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo (KRGF) non-profit cycling event, which will be held on September 10th, is growing in attendance and anticipation by seasoned and novice cyclists of all ages. Long popular in countries like Italy and France, Gran Fondo events are gaining popularity worldwide including in North America. Meaning “big ride” in Italian, this event takes on a different flavor in each location it is held, and our own BC Rocky Mountain version is receiving rave reviews as one of the most friendly, fun, and social bike events people have ridden. Rather than being a race, the Gran Fondos are non-competitive riding events, which encourage recreational cyclists to come out and enjoy a long-distance cycling challenge of their choosing in a supportive and social atmosphere. Besides the drop-dead gorgeous scenery along our well-maintained Rails to Trails course, what often surprises and endears our event to those who come from near and far is the warm “Kootenay welcome” they receive. Perhaps that “great vibe” that so many participants describe feeling at the Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo comes from the palpable community spirit of all the dedicated volunteers who rally together to support the event’s main organizer, the Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club, in pulling off a world-class riding event. Civic groups, businesses, and individuals representing both Cranbrook and Kimberley enthusiastically collaborate on all the details that go into this signature event, which include great signage, a first aid station staffed by the Kimberley ski patrol, food and water stations well placed along the course, mobile mechanical assistance for those who need it, the thrill for participants of getting to hear their names called out as they ride through a cheering crowd at the Kimberley Platzl, and a post-ride buffet. Funds raised from the event are shared across five local service clubs - the Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club, Kimberley Rotary Club, Cranbrook Rotary Club, Mark Creek Lions, and Wasa Lions who are then able to support other great community projects throughout the year such as enhancing and maintaining the NorthStar Rails to Trails system, supporting expansion of the successful iRide
FALL 2016 |
bike program in both Cranbrook and Kimberley schools, and the new Kimberley Splash Park. The Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo, which starts and ends at the stunning St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino, offers three lengths of challenge along a 58 km (Piccolo), 102 km (Medio) or 152 km (Gran) course, which cyclists can ride at their own pace. Nearly 400 people have already registered for this year’s event, with the final registration date of September 2nd just around the corner. Registration will be capped at 500 to ensure that riders have an intimate yet fun experience while taking their scenic ride. Past years have seen a rider as young as 13 and as old as mid-80s. This year there will even be two riders coming from England and another from Texas with many repeat participants from all across Canada. The event has even spawned a growing kids’ Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo, which is now held every spring. The organizers are so excited that their love of cycling in this region is inspiring more people to seek healthier lifestyles and
adventures such as this. They would also like to thank all the local businesses without whose financial and logistics support this dream would never have come to fruition, in particular, title sponsor Taylor Adams Chartered Professional Accountants, who really stand out as a partner committed to giving back to the community. More details about the 4th annual Kootenay Rockies Gran Fondo to be held on September 10, 2016 and online registration can be found at the event website: www.krgf.ca. For those who want to come out and add their energy to the Kootenay welcoming committee, the best place to watch the KRGF is from the start and finish line at St. Eugene’s Resort & Casino or near the first aid station located in the Kimberley Platzl where participants will begin passing through from about 9:30 am to noon.
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GORD McARTHUR
A CLIMBER’S PASSION W: Danielle Cardozo P: Gord McArthur
“In this modern age, very little remains that is real. Night has been banished, so have the cold, the wind, and the stars. They have all been neutralized: the rhythm of life itself is obscured…. What a strange encounter then is that between man and the high places of his planet! Up there he is surrounded by the silence of forgetfulness.” These are the words of Gaston Rébuffat. An international climber who not only gained the reputation of the first man to climb all six of the great north faces of the Alps, but recognition for his ability to convey in the written word, the dangers of mountaineering and the pure exaltation of the climb. He is the man who is the namesake to the commonly used climbing term
to ‘gaston’, a term coined in the 1950s; a legacy left by Rébuffat. While Rébuffat’s climbing life lives on in legacy, the ability to share the exaltation of the climb lives on through climbers like Cranbrook’s own Gordon McArthur. To most, the Bull River Canyon is known quite simply as one of the most scenic points in the Kootenays- a naturalist and sport enthusiast’s heaven. To McArthur, it is the landmark of the most frightening climbing experiences of his career. What started as a winter climb in preparation for a demonstration at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, quickly turned into a climber’s nightmare when the Bull River began to surge, flooding the ice shelf where he and his climbing partner were banking their lives.
Gordon describes climbing as an experience in which there is no mind. It is clear of thought and focused on every skeletal and muscular movement. No room for hesitation or mistake. Your mind in a state of invincibility. When the ice shelf began to flood, every thought in Gordon’s mind became neutralized by the necessity of removing himself from the rapid waters. The next five minutes would determine if he would climb again, or if his body would be swept into the raging river.
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McArthur escaped the wrath of the Bull River that day. An exhilarating experience that he says can only be matched by his accomplishments in climbing. He has been crowned #1 in North America; and is the only North American to reach #4 in the entire world. He went on from training in the Canyon, to demonstrating to the world that ice climbing truly is an Olympic worthy sport at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. On his journey, which has included climbing the hardest route in Europe and establishing the hardest route in the world, McArthur has attracted a plethora of support. He is sponsored by big industry names such as Petzl, Scarpa, Outdoor Research, Cliff Bar, and Red Bull. He is also sponsored and supported by multiple local businesses in Cranbrook. Most importantly, he has the undying support of his beautiful family: his wife Becky, and two daughters Kayla and Malayah. The support from his family appears to be a key element in his career in climbing. Climbing is a sport that competes on an international stage. It requires McArthur to travel around the world. While McArthur credits his passion for providing his family with an opportunity to explore the world; he also acknowledges that he is thankful to live in the digital age, which makes video conferencing his wife and daughters easy when he is away from home. When he is able to be home, he shares his passion for climbing with his family at their impressive backyard
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climbing center. He has also created an opportunity for his family to play a major part in one of his life dreams. While McArthur’s ultimate dream is to become the #1 climber in the world, he also has a goal of igniting a passion for climbing in the locals. For the past seven years, McArthur has embarked on what he describes as a roller coaster that he now gets to call ARQ Mountain Centre. Cranbrook’s first dedicated climbing facility is a partnership between McArthur and Dr. Fraser Bowden. Now open the facility includes multiple levels of climbing for all experience levels, a kid’s zone, a fitness area, a yoga studio, cafe and retail space. It’s easy to imagine ARQ becoming a year round mecca for local climbers. McArthur credits the support and involvement of his friends and family for making ARQ come to fruition. His daughters have had a hand in inspiring the facility to be kid friendly. His wife has even sold her own successful business in Cranbrook, and is now providing full support to ARQ. It is a true family business, where McArthur says his family really come together and work as a team. A team that GO Cranbrook looks forward to spending more time with! More on ARQ Mountain Centre can be found at Arqmountaincentre.com
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ENDING SUMMER IN A PICKLE W: Danielle Cardozo
Grandmother. Grandma. Grammy. Nana. Nona. No matter what you called her, there is a chance you share a common loving memory of her as a young child. The moment when you sat quietly excited at her dining table- made of natural wood or a metal table with a mustard surface and orange flowers. Patiently waiting for her to bring you a slice of warm toast and her ever loving homemade strawberry jam. Yes, once upon a time there was a time when canned foods were synonymous with the loving white haired woman that your parents took you to visit each Sunday. Back then canned foods served the purpose of reducing waste and saving money. As time has passed- like many good traditions- canned goods have continued to be served in grandmothers’ kitchens everywhere. In 2016, preserves are now being showcased at some of the greatest restaurants in the world. They have gone from tradition to trendy. Yet they continue to serve the purpose of reducing food waste and increasing financial savings. As restaurants increasingly choose to shop local, they sadly face increased food costs. In order to stay true to their moral food values, restauranteurs and chefs have brought the art of preservation into their kitchens to reduce waste and therefore food costs. It has also inspired them to creatively move to in house pickles, kimchi, and even barbecue sauces. There are many methods of canning, each of which has a different purpose. Basic food preservation canning is a way of preventing the growth of bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and the oxidization of fats; to avoid rancidity in foods. Its main purpose is storage meant to extend the life of a product. Preservation is also intended to protect the visual appearance of foods, when discoloration can be a concern; such as when apples or potatoes turn brown after cutting. It is not a process that is intended to change the flavor or texture of a food.
Pickling is the process of preserving by immersion in vinegar. Pickling is intended to create a new product from the original product being immersed in vinegar. Pickling can greatly alter both the flavor and texture of a food, as is seen when a cucumber is pickled into a pickle or an egg into a pickled egg. The end product has significantly different properties, and therefore different uses, than the beginning product. Fermentation is a specific type of pickling where the acidic medium is created through lactic acid fermentation. In this process, the starches and sugars in the food are converted into lactic acid by the bacteria lactobacilli. This preservation technique is used to create canned sour foods such as kimchi and sauerkraut. At GO Cranbrook, we gathered a couple of our favourite recipes that will help you decide what to do with the vegetables from your gardens and fruits from your trees!
FALL 2016 |
PICKLED CHERRIES* ••¾ cup cider vinegar ••¾ cup water ••½ cup berry sugar ••2 tsp coriander seed (whole, not ground) ••1 tsp chili flakes (mild Korean chili flakes are best) ••6 cups stoned (pit removed) cherries ••1L Jar or smaller jar sizes of your choice Combine all ingredients, except for cherries, in a small sauce pan. Simmer for five minutes until sugar has dissolved. Tightly pack the cherries into jar, pouring liquid into each jar. Seal the jar and allow pickling for two weeks before opening. Keep in a cold dry room for one year. Great for fruity martinis or for snacking!
SWEET & SASSY CABBAGE* (SAUERKRAUT’S EASY COUSIN) ••4 cups grated fresh red cabbage ••4 cups grated fresh raw beetroot ••1 medium red onion finely sliced ••4 medium granny smith apples grated ••¾ cup caster sugar ••½ cup cider vinegar ••1 cup apple juice ••1L Jar or smaller jar sizes of your choice Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan. Simmer over a low heat, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes until cooked down but still crunchy. Cool to room temperature. Pack tightly into jars. Seal the jar and allow pickling for two weeks before opening. Keep in a cold dry room for one year. Great for a side dish to all your meals, or to pair with GO Cranbrook’s Pork Carnitas (found in GO Cranbrook’s May to July 2016 issue). *All recipes require that you treat jars before and after, following your canning method.
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PEOPLE WHO MOVE MOUNTAINS OR AT LEAST BUILD TRAILS TO CONNECT THEM:
THE CRANBROOK TO WARDNER DESTINATION TRAIL W: Monica Huibers
Chances are if you live in or move to this region, you develop quite a list of gear to participate with all the outdoor goodness. For over 15 years, this corridor has become known for its extensive hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, and skating trail system. Among them, the NorthStar Rails to Trails system, stretching over 28 kilometers to link the cities of Kimberley and Cranbrook, has been one of our crowning gems, especially for cyclists. Well, that gem is about to get polished and another one added to the crown. For over three years, a dedicated crew from Trails BC has held fast to a vision that has expanded into an even bigger dream come true. Now with its third phase of funding secured, the scenic 42+ kilometer Cranbrook to Wardner Destination Trail, which will also serve as the longest greenways section of the Trans Canada Trail in the Kootenays, is on schedule to be finished by July 1, 2017 in time for Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation. What is so noteworthy is that this is one of the biggest trail projects ever created by a non-profit group, Trails BC, a small but passionate team of folks who knew the potential that could be realized. Together they persisted and obtained an important partnership with Trans Canada Trail, who matched funds contributed by other local organizations and donations for the approximately $1.35 M project. What first started out as an idea to link a few segments of unused rail trail across the area has blossomed into an incredibly diverse and complete trail system with something for everyone, from novice to athlete.
Starting at the visitor center at the Cranbook Chamber of Commerce, designated as Mile 0, the completed Cranbrook to Wardner Destination Trail will add over 20 kilometers of developed rail trail while linking existing trails to reach Wardner Provincial Park going eastwards and NorthStar Rails to Trails westwards. As a sustainable gift to current and existing generations, this trail system offers a different category of trail to complement Rails to Trails. Visitors will encounter bubbling brooks, forested trails, and lakeside views as they traverse a hybrid trail – half of it rehabilitated rail trail and the other half mostly enhanced single-track gravel about 1.3 meters width. Additionally, explorers of the Cranbrook to Wardner Trail will gain an expanded awareness of Canada’s history, culture, and natural heritage through a series of kiosks along the trails, some with interpretative components. Continued use and support of our recreation trail system also ensures preservation of more green spaces and promotes conservation. Furthermore, our vast trail network, soon to connect with the great Trans Canada Trail will offer an economic boost to our region, stimulating more recreational tourism and encouraging visitors to stay longer once here.
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Trails BC director and trail project team lead Al Skucas says, “It is not often that one can see such a huge endeavor fulfilled in one’s lifetime. We knew we had the opportunity to create a high-quality, world-class recreational asset in this region, and we look forward to being able to celebrate its completion next year. It is amazing what can be achieved when a small group of like-minded people show up and work together for the good of all.” Some of the many other community members who are assisting in bringing this incredible project to life include Neil Shuttleworth, project manager, who adds tremendous expertise through his background as a former recreational officer in provincial parks throughout the Rockies; Al Freeze, who serves as field supervisor as well as tackled the extensive work involved in coming up with the trail layout; and Lee Andreasen, the project accountant who manages the books. Another bonus of the Cranbrook to Wardner Destination Trail is the link it will provide to some of the area’s existing favorite trails such as the legacy Rotary Way as well as some other must-visit outdoor hot spots. For example, the trail will provide additional loop opportunities through Cranbrook Community Forest, just off the Isadore Canyon trail, which locals may tell you is a great place for novice mountain biking. Or for another fun jaunt, you can take the trail out to Wardner Provincial Park, which is located on a river bank. The trail will also go by the Ramparts rest area along Highway 3 and connect with Ha Ha Creek Road. Another interesting route to try is the scenic section of 17 km of switchbacks in
Mayook. And with just a few exceptions, most of the trail has a less than five percent grade, making it doable for all levels of rider. So start your training now to get those bike legs in shape for some extra-long rides. Imagine in less than a year, you, too can ride all the way from Kimberley to Wardner or vice versa with your family and friends, or if you’re really ambitious, you can keep on traveling out of the East Kootenays to explore even more of Canada’s majesty.
To keep up with the progress and updates on the Cranbrook to Wardner Destination Trail, including segments ready to be experienced now, or to find out how you can volunteer on a work crew or make a donation, please visit the interactive Cranbrook to Wardner Destination Trail on Facebook or the Trails BC website at http://www.trailsbc.ca/tct/east-kootenay/cranbrook-wardner.
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Spin. Sweat. Beats.
#KTNYlifecycle Opening in Western Financial Place September 2016 www.kootenaylifecycle.com
3.75 x 4.88”
Maritime Travel Presents… Join our very own Carla Nelson, Maritime Travel Manager, on either, or both, of the following escorted tours! Royal India • Feb. 15 - Mar. 1/17 Experience north and west India, from Old and New Delhi, to the wondrous Taj Mahal, sacred lakeside temples & much more. To learn more, join us:
WED. Sept. 14th • 7:00 PM Key City Theatre Lobby ‐ Cranbrook
Active Discovery on the Danube • Aug. 12 - 23/17 12 day river cruise with Hike, Bike & Canoe options! This active vacation introduces you to people and places along the Danube from Budapest to Munich.
To learn more, join us: TUES. Sept. 27 • 7:00 PM Key City Theatre Lobby ‐ Cranbrook
www.maritimetravel.ca
To RSVP, contact Carla at: 1001 Baker Street (250) 489-4788 cnelson@maritimetravel.ca
C O N T A C T
karen@gokimberley.com grady@gokimberley.com WWW.GOKIMBERLEY.COM
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A MORE COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE PEOPLES OF THE EAST KOOTENAYS NEW KTUNAXA EXHIBITS ADDED TO FORT STEELE HERITAGE TOWN
W: Monica Huibers P: Maurice Frits
With over 80,000 visitors each year, Fort Steele Heritage Town is one of the most important attractions of its kind in British Columbia, located just 16 km Northeast of Cranbrook and nestled against the spectacular backdrop of the Rocky and Purcell Mountains. With over 60 restored buildings and structures, the town is a living history site that allows you to go back in time and experience some of the sights and sounds of life in a turn-of-the-century settlement that rose and fell in conjunction with the gold rush and subsequent mining boom at the end of the 1800s. While much work has been done to preserve and share a large part of our regional East Kootenays history at Fort Steele, up until recently, there hasn’t been as much portrayed about the history of this area prior to European settlement. As many know, this entire region’s heritage has been intimately linked with the Ktunaxa Nation, thus, it is fitting that more of the rich history and culture of these longtime residents also be shared in conjunction with the newer settlers’ stories. In late 2015, the Curatorial and Education Department of Fort Steele met with representatives from the Ktunaxa Nation council to inquire about how the native council would like to see how more of their nation’s history depicted and to collaborate on the execution of a new exhibition and future programs. In early 2016, the museum located in the Wasa Hotel was reorganized to create space and add the new Ktunaxa exhibits, artifacts, and interpretative panels showcasing more details of this first nation’s history during the time period of Fort Steele’s establishment and heyday.
The new displays include several stunning artifacts such as a hide drum; colorful, embroidered historic beaded vests; a Sturgeon Nose Canoe (the traditional canoe of the Ktunaxa); and a reproduction scale model of a tipi. These artifacts complement the existing Ktunaxa displays which include a ceremonial headdress, traditional clothing, and beadwork. The new interpretive panels focus on the history of the Ktunaxa and their traditional territory, the Ktunaxa language, creation story, and ways of life for the Ktunaxa. What is so striking is how colorful and ornate much of the Ktunaxa attire is compared to the newer arrivals’ more sedate and industrial clothing. The exquisite detailing of flowers, stars, and other Ktunaxa symbology invites a sense of wonder and a curiosity to learn even more about the longstanding heritage of the Ktunaxa, how they lived, communicated, and all that inspired their traditions and way of life. It is clear they were in tune with the natural landscape and its elements and wildlife. With a grant from the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA) for the new interpretive panels and a canvas tipi that the Fort Steele Education Department will use for future school programs starting spring 2017, there will be continued future developments to further weave and communicate a more complete history of all the peoples and cultures that intermingled to create the rich and varied tapestry of our region’s history. If you haven’t been to Fort Steele in some time or maybe not ever, you might want to visit now and explore the new Ktunaxa exhibits to expand your own understanding of the history of Fort Steele and the East Kootenays.
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For more information, please visit http://www.fortsteele.ca.
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CRANBROOK HISTORY CENTRE:
MORE THAN JUST TRAINS W & P: Dave Quinn
Springing from its iron roots as the Cranbrook Museum of Rail Travel into the future of heritage tourism, the Cranbrook History Center is much more than just a railway museum these days. Sure, it still has an unrivalled collection of professionally restored luxurious passenger rail cars built in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s (cars that carried the likes of Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth, and the Kennedys). The Royal Alexandra Hall still stops visitors dead in their tracks with its jaw-dropping recreation of CPR excess, polished back to life from the original Baronial ornamentation of the 1906 grand café of Winnipeg’s Royal Alexandra Hotel. However these days everyone is talking about the Centre’s new, free displays on everything from regional fossils and geology to native wildlife and local Ktunaxa First Nations culture. A walk through their downstairs hallway brings you face-to-face with teeth and skulls from Cranbrook’s wilder neighbours, as well as fossilized remains from the ancient seafloor ecosystem that became the rocky essence of the Mountains around town. It also offers a brief but gripping glimpse into the complex and intriguing human history of the Cranbrook area, from over 10,000 years of the local Ktunaxa First Nations Culture, to European contact and early modern settlement and industrial activities that laid to foundations for Cranbrook as it exists today. But the coolest new exhibit by far is the 11-metre long ’O’ gauge scale model of both the Kettle and Fraser Valley Railways, alongside the ‘HO’ scale model railway of the old Cranbrook CPR station. Visitors can fire up the engines and watch them up crawl
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up steep grades, traverse old wooden trestles, and disappear into spiral tunnels. A dedicated team of 18 volunteers has been working tirelessly to build the model, which includes over 3000 lifelike trees, a spiral tunnel, and even an overhead loop track to return the trains to their origin. The Cranbrook History Centre has ditched the recorded tours, and if you are still interested in experiencing a piece of Canadian rail history, a live tour guide can still help you enjoy the Centre’s 28 antique rail cars, 17 of which are open for public viewing. You will never look at the discomfort of modern air travel again in the same light after you experience the early 1900’s opulence of the smoking car, the dining car, or the ornate sleeper cars once used by the likes of King Edward the 8th and Queen Elizabeth before her coronation. Photo caption: Tumelo Quinn takes his imagination on a journey by rail at the Cranbrook History Centre’s new HO scale model railway.
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EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT AUGUST 27 | Fisher Peak Performing Artist | Summer Sounds & Dancing In The Park | Rotary Park | 5pm
OCTOBER 1 | 1st Saturday Kimberley | Platzl | All Day 1 | Cranbrook Farmers Market | Rotary Park | 9-1:00pm
27 | Cranbrook Farmers Market | Rotary Park | 9am -1:00pm
1 | Realm Theatre Produation | Key City Theatre | 7:30pm
28 | 2016 BC Cup Downhill Mtb Race Series - Final
2 | Oktoberfest Fernie Half Marathon | Annex Park | Noon
| Fernie Alpine Resort | All Day
8 | Cranbrook Farmers Market | Rotary Park | 9-1:00pm 9 | Poutine Palooza | Invermere | All Day
SEPTEMBER 1 | Kimberley Farmers Market | Howard Street | 5-7:30pm 3 | 1st Saturday Kimberley | Platzl | All Day 3 | Cranbrook Farmers Market | Rotary Park | 9-1:00pm 3 | Invermere Farmers Market | Downtown Invermere | 9-1:00pm 3 | Baynes Lake Farmers Market | Baynes Lake Community Hall | 9-12:30pm
9 | Thanksgiving Celebrations | Fort Steele | 10-4:00pm 9 | Elko Pancake Breakfast | Elko Community Hall | 9-11am 12 | Ballets Jazz Du Montreal | Key City Theatre | 7:30pm 13 | Lion Bear Fox With Dawson Rutledge | Key City Theatre | 7:30pm 15 | Soggy Otter Race | Jim Smith Lake Park | 8:00am 16 | Symphony Of The Kootenays - Virtuosity | Key City Theatre | 3pm 17 | Class of ‘59 | Key City Theatre | 7:30pm 22 | Sharon & Bram | Key City Theatre | 7:30pm 29 | Halloween Spooktacular | Fort Steele | 4-9:30pm
4 | Fernie Mountain Market | Rotary Park | 10-2:00pm 8 | Kimberley Farmers Market | Howard Street | 5-7:30pm 9 | Kootenay Rockies Grand Fondo | Start St Eugene | All Day 10 | Tears And Gears | Fernie | 10:00am
NOVEMBER
10 | FPPA - Summer Sounds And Dancing In Rotary Park | 5:00pm
5 | Alcan String Quartet | Key City Theatre | 7:30pm
10 | Cranbrook Farmers Market | Rotary Park | Ends Sept. 1st
5 | Barney Bentall And The Cariboo Express | Key City Theatre | 7:30pm
11 | Kootenay Country Fair | Fort Steele | 9-4:00pm
5 | Wine Festival | Fairmont Hot Springs Resort | Noon
15 | River View Farmers Market | River View Park - Elkford | Noon
8 | Six Guitars - Chase Padget | Key City Theatre | 7:30pm
15 | CFAC Farm To Fork Dinner | Cranbrook
8th - 13th | Pinty’s Grand Slam Of Curling |
Public Produce Garden | 6:30pm
Western Financial Place | All Day
15 | Tillers Folly | Key City Theatre | 7:30pm
19 | Fernie Lantern Festival | Art’s Station | 2pm
16 | Sparwood Farmers Market | Big Green Truck | 4-7:00pm
27 | 45th Annual Santa Claus Parade | Downtown Cranbrook | 7pm
17 | Radium Car Show | The Springs Gold Course | Noon 17 | Six In The Sticks | Cranbrook Community Forest | Noon 17 | FPPA - Summer Sounds & Dancing In Rotary Park | 5:00pm 17 | Cranbrook Farmers Market | Rotary Park | 9-1:00pm 18 | Terry Fox Run | Kimberley Centennial Hall | Noon Start 18 | Windermere Fall Fair & Scarecrow Festival | Windermere Community Hall | 10-4:00pm 24 | Cranbrook Farmers Market | Rotary Park | 9-1:00pm 28 | Tri-Continental | Key City Theatre | 7:30pm 30 | The King- A Tribute To Elvis | Key City Theatre | 7:30pm
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SOAR SOGGY OTTER ADVENTURE RACE
The Soggy Otter Adventure Race (SOAR) is a new event being brought to the Cranbrook area by a group of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts and is proudly by presented by The Heid Out Restaurant & Brewhouse. The event features three great outdoor sports: kayaking or SUP’ing (stand up paddle boarding,) trail running, and mountain biking – all with some fun surprises thrown in! The race is designed to be challenging yet fun for all ages and skill levels. Participants will be paddling around the lake, biking for 7km, and running for 5km (not necessarily in that order!) The event can be done relay style on teams of three, or the more serious athletes out there can do it alone. SOAR is a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society, which strongly advocates a healthy lifestyle as the best way to reduce an individual’s risk of cancer. The Society’s mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the lives of those living with the disease. Dollars raised through this event will assist them with funding cutting edge research, continuing to lead the way in advocacy and cancer prevention, and funding practical and emotional support programs that assist cancer patients and their families right here in our own community.
SOAR is a unique event, having the three race components happening in and around Jim Smith Lake, you can chose to do the route once or see how many times you can complete the entire circuit during the allotted time. The event will take place on Saturday October 15th at Jimsmith Lake Provincial Park. Registration begins at 8 AM with the race commencing at 9 AM and continue until 1 PM or until you finish with prizes and announcements at 1:30 PM. A BBQ will be on site to purchase food and beverages. Further information can be found on facebook by searching ‘SOAR- Cranbrook.’
Thank you, The Soggy Otter Team!
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196 Spokane St. Kimberley BC
OPEN DAILY :
Located in the Platzl
11 - 6:30pm
MSR // GSI // Outdoor Research // KAVU // Bridgedale // TASC // Black Diamond Klean Kanteen // One Tooth // Buff // Marmot // Thermarest // Deuter
WANT TO SEE YOUR BUSINESS ADVERTISED HERE? C O N T A C T
karen@gokimberley.com | grady@gokimberley.com WWW.GOKIMBERLEY.COM
Brook Centre bosses & businesses include:
Women with offices in Brook Centre are single. Or married. They have children. Or don’t. They wear what they want, how they want it, when they want to. Some of the women shake what their momma gave them, while others don’t let their milkshakes bring any boys to the yard. The Brook Centre is a place of collaboration and creativity. A place that encourages women to support one another, and celebrate each other’s success. It’s where ambitious women go to get business done. Like a boss. The women come from all walks of life, and have different skills,
In order to support the needs of working moms, Brook Centre features a room where children can entertain themselves for an hour or two, if necessary. The “Wild Child” space is filled with toys and books, bean bag chairs, and a TV with movies. Because when you’re a women in business and a mother, you know it’s only a matter of time before the two priorities collide, and the juggling begins. There is also a work-out space to support women’s mental and physical health. And what would a female power work space be if it didn’t include a place to unwind, decompress, breath and re-focus? Brook Centre has that. The room may or may not be stocked with red wine and chocolate. That’s for Brook Centre bosses to know, and you -- if you’re lucky -- to find out. Brook Centre is located at 19 9th Ave. S., Cranbrook, B.C., and is the creative brainchild of Brook PR.
#WomenInBusiness #Girlboss #Hustlehard #hustleharder #menarecooltoo #boysallowed
Danielle Cardozo & Jody Jacob, Brook PR | Livia Lara, Cranbrook Farmer’s Market | Allissa Keane, Fruition Wellness
Danielle Cardozo and Jody Jacob, co-owners of Brook PR, are thrilled to announce the opening of Brook Centre, a collaborative co-working environment acknowledging the unique challenges women face in the workplace, and finding creative and empowering solutions to them.
talents and passions, but share a powerful commonality: they are women in business, who love to work, and work hard.
Kya Dubois, Soul of the Boreal Tattoos & Art Studio | Donna Hartt, The Mountain Medium
Cranbrook is now home to a creative and dynamic work space specifically designed to support and celebrate women in business, working mothers, and female entrepreneurs.
KOOTENAY MEDIA