Go Cranbrook - Issue #4

SPRING 17 NO. 04

EVAN BUECKERT | BUDDHA BOWL | WYCLIFFE REGIONAL PARK SYMPHONY OF THE KOOTENAYS | THE BUTTE | PLEIN AIR | WOMEN WHO MUSH

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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 authors.

GO Cranbrook Magazine is published four times per year and is printed in Canada.

GO Cranbrook is published by: Kootenay Media Ltd. Layout design by: Big Magic Design & Communication www.bigmagicdesign.com

MANAGING EDITOR Karen Vold

SALES/DISTRIBUTION Grady Pasiechnyk

CONTRIBUTORS Danielle Cardozo Jill Christie Monica Karaba Huibers Jeff Pew Dave Quinn Karen Vold

CONTENTS

08 | When the Air Vibrates: The Perfect Pitch of Evan Bueckert 12 | The Art of the Buddha Bowl 14| Wycliffe Regional Park: Hiding in Plain Sight 18 | The Mountains Are Alive with the Sounds of Symphony of the Kootenays 22 | The Butte: How to Combat Chaos 26 | Plein Air: Shawn Dergousoff’s Sweet Ride 30 | Women and Girls Who Mush

CONTENTS PHOTO: LYLE GRISEDALE

BACK PHOTO: LYLE GRISEDALE

COVER PHOTO: KATA SCHAEFFER

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W: Jeff Pew P: Julian Bueckert

Evan Bueckert sits at a Heid Out bistro table, a frothy pint of IPA in his hand. We toast our first drink since meeting over ten years ago. I tell Evan I’m sitting with the most-loved man in Cranbrook. He laughs shyly. “This is a bit out of my comfort zone,” he says, as we discuss the interview. Buechert, who in 2003 revolutionized the Mount Baker Secondary School (MBSS) music scene, is a humble man not concerned with praise. He’s unsure why the interview is focused on him. I share a few of the quotes that ex-students provided — how he changed their lives, gave them more than simply an education.

He smiles. “Oh, that’s nice,” he says with the sincerity of someone who thinks before he speaks.

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And to put Bueckert’s success in perspective, consider this: Fourteen years ago, he arrived to MBSS’s empty band room, a broken Baldwin piano, a few kettle drums, some music stands, and a class list of eight students. Today, things look remarkably different; almost one-third of MBSS students are involved in the music program. He single-handedly conducts an after-school choir of 110 kids, runs a recording studio class whose technology is unparalleled in Canada at anything below the college level, and tours students on trips to Vienna, Prague, New Orleans, and New York City. After workshopping Bueckert’s students, the director of the Whistler International Music Festival asked him how big a district he draws from to generate such a quality ensemble. When Bueckert responded, the director looked puzzled, “You mean 250,000 students?”

“No,” Bueckert answered. “Twenty-five thousand.”

His principal, Viveka Johnson, claims, “Evan doesn’t just teach music, he is the embodiment of it.” Sven Heyde, Bueckert’s counterpart in Kimberley says, “Evan’s ability to connect with students is inspiring. He’s been a mentor and role model to me throughout my own career.”

“I’LL SAY, ‘YES. WE’RE MAKING THIS HAPPEN. TOGETHER, WE’RE A ROARING FLAME.’ FOR THE FIRST TIME, THEY SEE BEYOND THEMSELVES.” Bueckert reflects on his first year at MBSS: “I simply said, ‘We’re open,’ and since then, kids have flooded to the band room to make music. They were so ready.”

Bueckert’s infectious when he talks about his work. He discusses the spine-chilling frissons he gets when students hit a harmonic in practise: “I get a physical thrill out of watching kids light up the audience. Sometimes, in rehearsal, we’ll be practising a super-complicated score. Then, in this one instant, a harmony occurs. The air vibrates. Everyone’s eyes just pop. Some kids have never experienced this feeling. They learn this is much bigger than anything they can do on their own. I’ll say, ‘Yes. We’re making this happen. Together, we’re a roaring flame.’ For the first time, they see beyond themselves.”

I’m stunned by the number of extracurricular hours Bueckert puts into his music program.

He can’t slow down. “What about your health concerns?” I ask. “Doesn’t that force you to ease up?” I’m referring to the leukemia diagnosis Bueckert received in 2012, after being medevaced to the Foothills Hospital.

He was told he wouldn’t live to see the summer.

Five years later, after cutting-edge medical protocols — requiring him to take a daily dose of a chemotherapy for the rest of his life — Bueckert is virtually cancer free. “A little weight gain and a bit of hair loss, but other than that, I’m pretty healthy,” he says, then chuckles.

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Of all accomplishments born from Bueckert’s band room — the concerts, the sold-out musicals, the thriving musical careers of ex-students, his very own 2008 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence — perhaps none have been more locally and nationally recognized than the skyrocketing success of the Good Ol’ Goats, the band that formed in 2011 as part of a final project for Bueckert’s Musical Composition class. The Goats, who came second during CBC’s nationwide Searchlight Contest, are effusive when they discuss Buerckert’s role in their personal and musical lives.

Frontman and lead singer, Nolan Ackert, states, “Evan Bueckert made school cool. The skills he taught me are some of the only things I remember learning throughout high school.”

Danica Martin, another Goat (piano, trumpet, and vocals) studies music and voice at the University of Lethbridge.

She describes Buerckert’s influence in his students’ lives: “He genuinely cares about his students apart from the classroom. Evan taught me the importance of continually working towards a better version of myself and doing it with a humble attitude. Most importantly, he taught me to be myself because everyone has something special to bring to the table.”

“On my first day in Music Composition,” Theo Moore, The Goats’ bass player reflects, “it was immediately apparent why this class is always full. He has so much passion for what he does. Evan Bueckert is one of the musical gems in Cranbrook that makes everyone around him shine.”

As a teacher, I’m curious what motivates Bueckert to leave such a stamp on kids’ lives. He considers his experience in school as a significant influence. “I was a terrible student,” he says. “I was up late at night playing piano in Invermere restaurants. I struggled to the point of getting kicked out. I couldn’t concentrate unless I really enjoyed something. I think about that today. I really want my kids to enjoy what they’re doing. And how can they enjoy it, if I’m not enjoying it?” He adds, “I want these kids to look back and go, ‘That was cool.’”

Bueckert reflects on how his cancer diagnosis impacted his outlook on life: “At one point, I wondered if I’d see my children graduate. Since then, every single day is a celebration. I’ve learned to do less but with a much higher quality.”

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At what appears to be the height of a career, I ask Bueckert what’s next. Where to from here? “I’m never comfortable where I am. ” he says. “I’m never able to sit still. I’d like to work with some exceptional producers to really learn how to give even more to my students.”

As we’re about to wrap up, I comment that I’ve never met someone who’s so passionate about their work. “I’d go crazy if I worked less,” he says. “I love it so much. I’m a lucky man. It’s good to have something to do that makes you feel better about life.” With that, Evan Bueckert finishes his beer and laughs. “I hope I didn’t ramble on aimlessly,” he says.

I smile. I think, what lucky kids. What a lucky town. Only 25,000 I hear.

EVAN BUECKERT’S CURRENT MUSIC PROJECTS Bueckert is the piano player in “Little Jazz Orchestra,” a funk/groove/jazz quintet. They’re the house band for The Heid Out, playing the first Thursday every month. As well, they play Okanagan wineries in the summer.

Bueckert composes his own music, engineers and produces other bands, and is the technical director/stage manager for the Symphony of the Kootenays, where he has also been the guest conductor.

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W: Danielle Cardozo P: Soulfood

Buddha bowl, hippie bowl, soul bowl, superfood bowl, nutrient bowl. It doesn’t matter what you call them; they’re a fun food that is hardly a fad. The concept has existed for thousands of years. Some call it a trendy salad, but they’re truly an ode to whole foods. Processed ingredients need not apply. Packed full of goodness, they’re easy to make and a great way to plan ahead as you focus on staying healthy in 2017!

What exactly is a Buddha Bowl, you ask? It’s a food bowl made of nutrient-dense whole foods, that will help you find the energy you need to get through a hard day of work or a long day of adventure. While typically made up of vegetarian-friendly ingredients, there really isn’t a set recipe for a Buddha Bowl. Only a few rules. Okay, they’re more like guidelines!

1. The bowl should consist of whole foods only. The Buddha Bowl is all about getting away from processed foods. Think fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, and nuts.

By keeping foods whole, you maintain its nutritional integrity. Are you a meat eater? Feel free to throw in some raw tuna or beef, but please make sure you are using butcher-fresh ingredients and eating them right away!

2. The ingredients should vary in colour. Think orange yams, purple cabbage, green avocado, and golden beets. The term “Eat a Rainbow” recognizes that each colour typically represents the presence of specific vitamins in each coloured food. Red fruits and vegetables are typically high in lycopene, while green fruits and vegetables are typically high in calcium and folate. Not to mention, every chef will tell you that beautiful food always tastes better. Eating should be an experience after all.

3. They should be simple! Buddha Bowls are all about easy access to nutrition. No complicated cooking needed! While some Buddha Bowls might include 15 ingredients, a bowl with just a few ingredients are absolutely acceptable.

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We asked a few locals to share a couple of their favourite healthy food combinations and why they love them. Here’s what they said!

Krista Birch, Glow Yoga “I was first introduced to them when I became a vegetarian, and even though I eat meat now, they are a super easy and filling dinner. They’re great for meatless Mondays! My favourite is the Sweet Potato Chickpea Buddha Bowl recipe by the Minimalist Baker. I replace the sweet potato with butternut squash and add cinnamon to the sauce. I also love adding flax seed and sesame seeds to them!”

Ronny Belkin, Soulfood

A Buddha Bowl dressing inspired by Krista’s twist on her favourite Minimalist Baker recipe! ¼ cup tahini 1 tbsp of maple syrup ½ lemon, juiced 1 pinch toasted cinnamon 2-4 tbsp hot water Whisk first four ingredients together. Add water to thin until it is your preferred consistency for your Buddha Bowl!

1115 Baker St.

“My favourite bowl is one with brown rice, black beans, corn, red onion, diced tomato, cilantro, and avocado. It’s great with homemade salsa and sour cream. I love tacos, and it’s the closest to a taco that I have had!”

Cassidy Shankowsky, Cranbrook Photo “Being vegetarian, they’re a regular go to for me, as I can mix together most of my favourite things to create a perfect meal. Generally, I start with brown rice and some greens. Then I add avocado, peppers, and sautéed Portobello mushrooms; or whatever else I have on hand, and top it off with nuts. I finish with a splash of Braggs soy sauce alternative, hummus, or salad dressing.”

Livia Lara, The Cranbrook Farmers’ Market “Being from Brazil, my favourite would be with Brazilian “peixada” on it. Fresh white fish with salt, black pepper, and lemon. Peppers (green, yellow, and red), red tomatoes, lots of onions, coconut milk, olive oil, and cilantro. Brown rice would be the base for this bowl!”

778.517.5339 / info@eatsoulfood.ca 7:30-4:00 Mon-Fri & 9:00-4:00 Sat / 10-2 Sun Brunch

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Soulfood is beautiful, vibrant, healing food; mindfully prepared (with love!); served in a happy, peaceful & welcoming space.

www.eatsoulfood.ca

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W & P: Dave Quinn

It is fascinating how even the largest treasures can sometimes hide right out in plain sight. The RDEK’s 164-hectare Wycliffe Regional Park is like that. Situated on a series of ancient river benches off Perry Creek Road, the park is completely visible even from Highway 95A between Kimberley and Cranbrook, yet many residents do not even know it exists.

Like many locals, I first visited the park on school field trips and for a few random family events throughout my childhood. But it was not until I started leading my own Classroom with Outdoors field trips through Wildsight that I began to fully appreciate how incredibly diverse and beautiful this park is. Originally run as a forestry center by the Provincial Government, visionary RDEK directors purchased what would become the largest regional park in the area for $1 in the early 1970’s.

Now in his 12th season as Parks Foreman, Chris Kessler works hard to maintain and improve the facilities and experience at Wycliffe to provide community groups, families, school groups, hikers, and nature lovers the chance to enjoy “green time” instead of “screen time.”

“Wycliffe Park is the destination where visitors can reconnect for free with Mother Nature,” explains Kessler.

“With annual visitation increasing steadily for the past 11 years, we know we are on the right track.”

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Open for day use only from mid-April to mid-October, the park contains nine beautifully maintained sites on four distinct levels of ancient river banks. The upper level, situated on rare open forest and native bunchgrass grasslands, contains an open sports field, ball diamonds, bocce and fire pits, picnic shelter, and horseshoe pits. The second level has another picnic shelter and an open field, alongside more fire pits. The third drops over the bank into the timber, where a picnic shelter, fire pits, more bocce and horseshoe pits, and another open playing field await. The lowest level contains two large sites along Perry Creek. Fire pits, another smaller picnic shelter, and river access are the highlights of these forested sites.

Linking all these sites and tying the park together is the meandering, 3.6-km Wycliffe Discovery Trail, a well-maintained walking loop that leads visitors through grassland, forest, and creekside ecosystems, all of which shine brightly depending on the time of year.

In May, when the park first opens, the rare open forest and endangered grasslands of the upper bench are full of native blooms and ground-nesting birds. Be sure to keep to the trails to avoid disturbing nests or the fragile soils of this rare ecosystem. The park has done an incredible job removing many trees to try to restore this area to a more natural, open-forest state. Foxes, coyotes, and badgers are all regular visitors to this area, as are many elk who enjoy the security of the park and the food offered by the open fields.

When the dog days of summer arrive and the thermometer rises, head for the lowest levels of the park and soak your toes in Perry Creek, below the hoodoos across the valley. The grasslands and dry forests above give way to spruce, cottonwood, and horsetail here, and the cool valley is a relief on a hot summer day.

Come September the park gets its most anticipated visitors with the return of spawning kokanee to Perry Creek from the Kookanusa Reservoir.

Be sure to keep the dogs out of the creek at this time to avoid disturbing the spawning red fish. The colour of these landlocked salmon is almost too vivid to be real, and the entire creek seems like it is on crimson fire at the peak of the kokanee spawning season. Bears and eagles move up and down the creek channel searching for fishy meals.

This day-use only park can accommodate up to 700 people, but with all the wild space it still feels like your own little private piece of paradise even on its busiest days.

When the days begin to warm up, the forested, shady lower levels of the park beckon. The Wycliffe Discovery Trail drops steeply down through old larch and fir forests.

Look for signs of bear, deer, woodpecker, and owls as you walk this delightful trail.

To book your free visit to Wycliffe Park, call Parks Foreman Chris Kessler at 250-426-5065.

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“WYCLIFFE PARK IS THE DESTINATION WHERE VISITORS CAN RECONNECT FOR FREE WITH MOTHER NATURE.”

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W: Monica Karaba Huibers P: Lyle Grisedale

It takes a special caliber of people to live in the mountains – adventurous, adaptable, persevering, and unique. And those traits may be even more necessary if you are also a classical musician or music lover who wants to have a symphony along with your mountains.

So it goes with the long-standing treasure of an orchestra we have here, the Symphony of the Kootenays (SOTK), which consists of members and aficionados spanning the East and West Kootenays, sometimes farther, and which also gives Cranbrook the honor of being the smallest community in Can-

ada to host a professional symphony orchestra.

Since its humble inception as The Kootenay Chamber Orchestra in 1975, with five founding members and headed by a Kimberley violist and music teacher named Zdenec Kris, the orchestra has expanded and evolved into the talented ensemble we have today.

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“I ALWAYS WENT TO THE SYMPHONY EACH WINTER, AND I COULDN’T IMAGINE BEING WITHOUT IT. I THINK IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT TO KEEP IT GOING.” With four concerts a year and no full-time staff, a lot of behind-the-scenes coordination has to happen to bring all required elements together for each quarter’s singular performance. Almost all of the musicians have full-time professions. There are music teachers, doctors, financial advisors, navy officers, and even a bassoonplaying veterinarian. The musicians have faced many unique challenges over the years as they put on concerts all over the Kootenays – lost music, blizzards, broken-down vehicles, poor lighting, and no equipment. And for the first time ever, they had to cancel a show during this year’s snowmageddon. They have also bonded and shared in some epic, once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as taking a chairlift to perform on top of Northstar Mountain in Kimberley and playing at St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino (the Old Mission) for First Nations Day. With audiences once as small as 12 at a concert in Nakusp, SOTK performs primarily at Key City Theatre (now in its 25th year), which can seat up to 600 patrons. There are also periodic run-outs to other venues in the greater region such as Nelson, Trail, and Creston. Over its 40-plus years, SOTK has employed over 5,500 musicians playing more than 600 pieces in over 225 concerts to entertain more than 80,000 audience members. While the repertoire is sure to include much classical music, the Symphony also likes to showcase Canadian composers and local Kootenay talent such as the Cranbrook/Kimberley community choir, and young student musicians from local high schools such as Mount Baker and Selkirk. And to entice music lovers of all ages

and tastes, SOTK also experiments with innovative programs such as a recent Grinch-themed holiday performance; or mixing in Celtic, folk, and other influences such as acclaimed film scores.

SOTK is a non-profit organization that relies on grants and sponsorships along with ticket sales to continue each season. And unlike many other symphonies, its musicians do not have food and lodging covered for them when they travel; however, most of them would tell you that the camaraderie, interaction, and outstanding friendships they form plus their passion for performing live music are well worth the effort and extra expense on their part.

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While the passionate people supporting SOTK have never wavered in their commitment to bring live classical music to the Kootenays, there have been a couple of precarious seasons throughout the Symphony’s history where it seemed the organization might not be able to surmount financial challenges.

The greater Kootenays community has always rallied to provide needed support, thanks in large part to some unspoken heroes and heroines that form the hard-working, hands-on SOTK Board of Directors.

Shirley Hansen, a long-time symphony subscriber, now wears several hats as a board member who

joined during one of those pivotal times in 2012.

“I always went to the Symphony each winter, and I couldn’t imagine being without it. I think it’s really important to keep it going. I had the time, and I wanted to do something to give back to the community.”

Similarly, Ian Adams, a wildlife biologist by trade, also committed to helping SOTK continue and today is the board’s president. Having grown up appreciating classical music and playing the cello in school orchestra, Ian also believes in supporting SOTK because it contributes to the “community’s cultural diversity and passion.”

HOW TO SOAR WITH THE SYMPHONY 1. Attend the concerts or subscribe to season tickets! Note: Saturday afternoon rehearsals before each concert are free.

2. Donate your time, skills, or money.

3. Become a symphony or board member.

4. Sponsor or advertise your business with SOTK.

ADOPT A MUSICIAN SOTK is always looking for billet families to host musicians each quarter.

Many long-lasting friendships have developed through the connection.

Please contact (250) 489-4932 if interested.

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If you haven’t experienced the uplifting, soul-affirming evening that a night with the Symphony of the Kootenays provides, you have one more chance this season.

You may recognize some familiar faces and also enjoy some of the newer ones, too.

SOTK Music/Artistic Director, Jeff Faragher, brings a youthful passion and energy to the orchestra and is an accomplished cellist who recently released his first CD, Voices Within, a remarkable recording of layered cellos. In April 2016, SOTK’s longtime Concertmaster, Wendy Herbison, retired, and Cvetozar Vutev, former Concertmaster of the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra, joined SOTK, adding his own blend of passion and vision. Long-time violinist, Jeremy Van Diemen, has also been appointed as Associate Concertmaster.

While SOTK will continue to honor the classics and great western composers, it also strives to offer variety and new and compelling works. The final performance of the 2016-17 season will be A Vimy Ridge Memorial as the concert occurs on the centenary of the historic Battle of Vimy Ridge, a seminal event for Canada. The contemplative program will feature the SOTK choir; Cranbrook’s own, tenor William Grossman; and as part of a continuing journey through Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, the summer section will be performed.

Performing and musical arts are a vital part of creating a healthy, vibrant, and rich cultural heritage so please join your fellow Kootenay denizens in supporting the Symphony of the Kootenays and expand your musical horizons.

WIN A DINNER FOR EIGHT As part of a special fundraiser this year, SOTK is doing a raffle for a special dinner for one lucky winner plus seven of his or her invited guests, to be prepared by SOTK’s Board of Directors. Only 200 tickets will be sold at $20 each. The winning ticket will be drawn at the last performance of the season on April 8th.

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W: Jill Christie P: Diane Manson & Jim Webster

My first date with the Butte I went solo. It was during a time of utter chaos: two young boys under two, no regular sleep to speak of, a house in despicable disarray, desperate huskies needing exercise, and constant food production followed by cleanup. I was looking for a portal to something calmer, quieter, and with any luck, rejuvenating.

Hiking feeds my soul and my friend Anna suggested the Butte as an easy-to-get-to, beautiful spot to walk. Her description didn’t leave me with a grandiose impression, but I got some childcare lined up, grabbed my loyal, desperate dogs and went on the hunt for something new.

Realistically, without specific road names and directions, I would have driven right past The Butte. But, it was spring. As I approached the sloping hill it became very obvious where I was headed. Right into the middle of a full-blown, golden-petal party. The knoll was coated in glorious balsam arrow roots donning their silvery green shirts, tilting their shining faces towards the sun. It was a fantastic site; lush green slopes bursting with wildflowers and screaming, “Spring is here!” I parked my car in someone’s driveway (or so it felt), crossed the fenceline stating the land’s relationship with the Conservancy, and started to walk. I shed the intensity of my life at that fence, the quiet enveloped me, and my senses awakened!

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“THE ENERGY AT THE TOP OF THE BUTTE FELT EERILY SPIRITUAL. IT FELT ANCIENT, LIKE IT HAD BEEN USED BY GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE, YET THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF THIS.”

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The day was perfect: a gentle breeze strong enough to ruffle hair, a blue sky worthy of drinking in, t-shirt temperatures, and the heat of the sun warming my shoulders. The trail cut its way up the dry south-facing slope and curved onto the backside where the ecosystem made a distinct and instantaneous shift from grassland to ponderosa pine forest.

By the time I reached the top I was elated as the breeze picked up into a wind. A flash of independence, a hopeful spring day, and the birds were intoxicated with love!

There were bluebirds, red-tailed hawks, sparrows, and meadow larches all singing their springtime praises for each other. I sat silently, motionless, on the rocky outcrop overlooking the land below, smelling the scents, soaking up the sun, and loving the wind. The energy at the top of the Butte felt eerily spiritual. It felt ancient, like it had been used by generations of people, yet there were no signs of this. I got the sense that it was sacred, as though ceremonies from times past still lingered in the air I was breathing. I sat forever, tranced by a sensory overload, by myself, with the Butte, and filled up the very empty vessel called me. I was so inspired I created a poetic song for my kids on the way down which we sang for years afterwards.

This amazing experience has led to countless adventures on the Butte. As a family we have seen a blood moon, a full moon, and thunder storms brewing over the Rockies. We celebrated a 5th-birthday party on the top with 15 kids that threw balsam arrow root seeds into the air while making wishes. Our dogs’ first walk was up the Butte. I have watched the moon go down and the sun come up, while the solar entities shared the sky at 5 am.

I have sang harmonious jubilations on the outcrop with my close friends. Personally, I have spent hours on the top watching over the world that carries on below. Every spring since, my boots break ground with the first snowfree dirt, on a walk up the Butte in ceremonial recognition of the shift in season. I always come back feeling the same way - peaceful!

From the bottom it views as a mere grassy lump. From up top something different goes on. It is as if one enters into another realm which lifts a person (and their spirit) higher than one feels one ought to go. I have effectively rebooted, renewed, and rejuvenated my innermost self, each time I have visited the rocky knoll. It certainly helps to combat chaos!

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TOP 100 CANADA’S TOP GOLF COURSES

TOP 59 BEST PUBLIC COURSES

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“IT’S FUN, AND LIFE IS SHORT, SO YOU BETTER ENJOY IT.”

W: Karen Vold P: Kata Schaeffer

I’ve always had a soft spot for nonconformists. So when I first spotted Shawn Dergousoff cruising down 14th Avenue in the middle of January on what looked like a motorcycle directly from WW2, complete with a large red dog wearing pink goggles riding shotgun in the side car, I knew I had to catch up to him and learn more.

It turns out that Shawn is not only an incredibly nice guy who rides around Cranbrook to the beat of his own drum, exposed to the elements, he also has a family and an office job (which he commutes to daily on his motorbike year-round). He explained that when he first started looking for a bike, his original motivation was to find something he could take his Dad out for rides on. Shawn lost his father to cancer before he got his hands on his bike but decided it was exactly what he needed to help him through a difficult time. “It’s fun, and life is short, so you better enjoy it,” he told me.

In honor of his father, Shawn named his eye-catching ride, Pyotr, which is Russian for Peter. The bike is a 2010 Ural, built in Russia. The design has not changed much since its inception in 1930. Not a lot of Urals are sold in Canada. I wondered why with Russia and Canada sharing similar climates. Maybe it’s just that the Russians are a bit hardier than most of us, with the exception of Shawn and Wilma, that is. Wilma is the Redbone Hound who loves to ride around with Shawn anytime she is invited.

Shawn purchased his bike in October last year. Ideal for exploring back-country roads, he was able to take it out on a few adventures before too much snow fell. In late fall he and Wilma got to the top of the power line cut, up from Gold creek. While Shawn has enjoyed the challenge of February’s ‘snowmeggedon,’ he is looking forward to spring when he thinks he can convince his family to join him on backroad adventures. Wilma, on the other hand, isn’t looking forward to sharing her front-row seat.

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W: Monica Karaba Huibers P: Kata Schaeffer

I was beside myself with excitement when I was given the opportunity to write about our local Kootenay dog sledders. Although I had heard of the famous Iditarod, a 1,000-mile race where teams of 12-16 dogs pull riders on sleds across vast snowy expanses in remote Alaska, my closest personal experience to “mushing� was doing the Urban Iditarod when I lived in San Francisco. This event consisted of people, some dressed like dogs and most fueled by alcohol, running and pushing shopping carts through crowded city streets, whooping it up and waving at confused tourists.

So I had no idea what to expect when I pulled up to meet Brenda and John Birrell, long-time Wycliffe residents, who host regular gatherings for the local mushing community. This adventure-loving couple both had careers teaching and coaching in the ski industry, while Brenda also taught snowboarding and took up sky diving and bungee jumping as side hobbies. While Brenda was working for Mike Wiegele Heliskiing, a musher with 30 dogs was brought in to give the guests dog sled rides. Brenda was intrigued and asked the musher a ton of questions. Before long, she started volunteering for a kennel of sled dogs in Sparwood and then started

acquiring, training, and breeding her own team. Brenda bought one dog that had completed the Iditarod as well a couple of experienced dogs from other renowned kennels. Her breed of choice was the Alaskan Husky, which is an unregistered hybridized dog with some blend of Siberian Husky, Border Collie, German Shepherd, and German Shorthaired Pointer (hound) in its makeup. These dogs are generally leaner, have a lighter coat, and are built for speed and warmer temperatures versus purebred Siberian Huskies which have thicker coats and are bred for longer distances and colder temperatures.

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Brenda’s passion eventually led to her competing in four or five races every year across Western Canada and the U.S. for the last 14 years. She won the 2015 Flathead Classic held in Montana and also placed 7th out of 30 teams in the West Yellowstone Sleddog Race the same year. Currently she is phasing out of racing and not replacing her dogs as they retire. However, she still mentors other mushers and runs most of her happy kennel a few times a week. As I got to know Brenda a bit more, I came to appreciate that perhaps the bigger contribution she makes is how generous and welcoming she is, often introducing newbies such as myself to dog sledding, or else mentoring a myriad of other folks of all ages and skill levels, up and down the Kootenays.

Not only does she assist would-be mushers, she also coaches skijorers and loves to organize and share other adventures with fellow outdoor sports enthusiasts and wilderness explorers.

Brenda stood on her porch waving warmly as Mica, a bright-eyed, friendly lead dog came up to greet us. I then noticed all the other tail-wagging, barking dogs around – some were in outdoor kennels, a couple were on the porch, and inside the Birrell’s house there was another brown and black dog curled up cozily on a couch.

Brenda explained that as her dogs aged, she let them decide whether they wanted to be inside or outside for their final years. It was easy to see how bonded the Birrells were to their four-legged extended family, most having been raised and trained by the couple as puppies. Brenda shared an incredible story of how she once spent 37 days in the backcountry tracking down one of her dogs who had run away. She camped out in the rain and set meat traps in the hope of catching her dog, which she eventually did, even though a lost dog can become feral after just three days alone in the wilderness. It took some time for the dog to readjust once home, but Brenda’s patience and care finally won out.

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Not only did I get my first taste of real dog sledding when I got to drive a wooden sled driven by four well-trained dogs, who followed loyally behind Brenda as she led a team in front of us, I was invited to come back and hang out during one of Brenda’s mushers’ meet-ups. That second trip out, I met several enthusiastic dog sledders, almost all of whom were women. It was a bit of mayhem at first as we were quite outnumbered by all the exuberant canines clamoring for their turn on the course, and I gave up trying to meet and learn every dog’s name as there were close to 40 in total. I observed and admired this tightknit group as they spent a glorious snow-filled day together, running their teams along the winding, tree-lined trails throughout the Birrell’s beautiful acreage, complete with incredible views of the Rockies. I managed to catch up with a few of these ladies after their runs to learn more.

Margie Leopold, Cranbrook resident and owner of Pretty Pooch, a favourite local dog grooming business, has taken her lifelong love of dogs to an entirely new level recently. While Margie has been breeding and showing purebred Siberian Huskies for over ten years, which is quite demanding and time consuming on its own, she has now added competitive mushing to the mix with her first race coming up this month.

Her new puppy, Yura, is developing quite a fan club online and around town, and almost every other dog in Margie’s kennel of 12 are American Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel Club champions or else well on their way. I am not biased in stating that these are some of the most stunning dogs I have ever seen, and if I could have gotten away with it, I would have taken Yura’s sweet grandpa, Nash, home with me.

Five of Margie’s dogs even became TV stars last year when they were featured in a gorgeously-filmed cinematic commercial for Land Rover’s Discovery Sport SUV, which you can watch online on YouTube.

Margie’s daughter, Sam Friesen, shares in her mom’s passion and has also started running her own dog sled team, giving her mother even more to be proud of with all that she has already achieved. Margie will soon be joining some other Kootenay mushers at the Flathead Classic in Olney, Montana, where she will race a four-dog team.

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Kim Stanley, another Cranbrook resident, acquired a Siberian Husky about six years ago and quickly discovered how much her dog loved to run. She met Brenda who invited Kim to bring her dog out to run with Brenda’s kennel. When Kim saw how much her dog loved running with the others, she decided to get more dogs, too. “It’s really true. These dogs are born to run. They get so excited about it. And even though it can be really noisy and crazy when all the teams are lined up and raring to go, that is part of the fun, too.” Kim’s interest in mushing started out as simply fun and recreational, but through Brenda’s encouragement, she took on the challenge of racing and even taught her young daughter who entered a

kid’s race with a two-dog team. Kim has now been mushing for over five years and has a kennel of eight consisting of six Siberian Huskies, one Alaskan Husky, and a Lab. During the spring and fall, she trains her dogs using a quad. At her next race, which is also the Flathead at the end of February, she plans to run with four of her females making it an all-female squad. When asked why she likes mushing so much, Kim responded, “Well, it’s always a challenge. I am always learning something every time I do it. And it’s so beautiful and actually really quiet once you are out there, just you and your dogs, whipping through the snow on a sunny day. I love it!”

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The youngest musher I met, and possibly the youngest musher in the Kootenays, is Grace Koshure, a beaming five-year-old with so much confidence and well, grace, who was such a natural out there even though the hand bar she was gripping was almost completely over her head. Apparently Grace already has three years of mushing under her belt having been introduced (courtesy of Brenda) to dog sledding at the tender age of two. Later in the day, I admired two other local teenagers, Laurel Buch and Nylee Weinkle, as they tag teamed on a run, with Laurel driving her beloved team of Siberians that she had proudly introduced to me earlier, while Nylee enjoyed the ride kneeling at the front of the sled.

Legend has it that the Iditarod was actually the brainchild of an Alaskan woman named Dorothy Page. And although the sport of dog sledding was initially dominated by males, the number of female mushers has steadily risen over the years. It was obvious how empowering and enlivening mushing was for everyone I met. Kim noted that women mushers provide huge support for each other and often form deep friendships. They also proved something that I had long suspected - that dogs are not only a man’s best friend.

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SPRING 2017 |

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COMING EVENTS SPRING 2017 MARCH 1st | Rockies Film Festival: Landfill Harmonic & Opening Reception | Key City Theatre | 6:30pm 2nd-4th | Rockies Film Festival | Key City Theatre | All Day 3rd | Griz Days | Fernie | All Day 4th | Slopes for Hope | Kimberley Alpine Resort | All Day 4th | Cranbrook Indoor Farmers Market | Ktunaxa Nation Gym | 10am – 1pm 8th | Ring of Fire: Project Johnny Cash | Key City Theatre | 7:30pm 9th | Seniors Meeting Seniors | Cranbrook Seniors Hall | 10:30am – 12:30pm 10th | East Kootenay Science Fair | College of the Rockies | All Day 10th | Red Deer Rebels at Kootenay Ice | Western Financial Place | 7pm 11th | Midsummer Night’s Dream for Kids | Key City Theatre | 2pm 12th | Edmonton Oil Kings at Kootenay Ice | Western Financial Place | 7pm 15th | Fisher Peak Winter Ale Series: 100 Mile House w/ Tom Bungay | Gallery Stage| Key City Theatre| 7:30pm 18th | Northstar Ski-Mo Race | Kimberley Alpine Resort | 10:30am 18th | Cranbrook Farmers Indoor Market | Ktunaxa Nation Gym | 10am – 1pm 22nd | Bobby Bazini | Key City Theatre | 7:30pm 25th | Dirtbag Festival | Kimberley Conference Centre | 6pm - 9:30pm 26th | PIGS: Canada’s Most Authentic Pink Floyd Tribute | Key City Theatre | 7:30pm

APRIL 1st | Cranbrook Indoor Farmers Market | Ktunaxa Nation Gym | 10am – 1pm 4th | Aspire Dance Academy: Solo Showcase | Key City Theatre | 5:30pm 5th | Pharis & Jason Romero w/ Lonesome Ace Stringband & Redgirl | Royal Alexandra Hall | 7:30pm 8th | Symphony Of the Kootenays - A Vimy Ridge Memorial | Key City Theatre | 7:30pm 8th-9th | Spring Splash | Kimberley Alpine Resort | All Day 12th | Fisher Peak Winter Ale Series: Brian Brons & Band of Brothers w/ Heather Gemmell | Gallery Stage| Key City Theatre | 7:30pm 14th | City and Colour {solo}| Key City Theatre | 8pm 16th | Great Easter Egg Hunt | Fort Steele | 10am – 3pm

MAY 2nd | Frank Mills In Concert | Key City Theatre | 7pm 6th | The Louisiana Hayride Show | Key City Theatre | 7:30pm 10th | Fisher Peak Winter Series: Jenny Allen w/ Dave Prinn | Gallery Stage| Key City Theatre | 7:30pm 13th | Cranbrook Farmers Indoor Market | Ktunaxa Nation Gym | 10am – 1pm 18th | Remy Bolduc: Tribute to Dave Brubeck | Key City Theatre | 7:30pm 19th-22nd | 2nd Annual Kimberley Artists Gathering | Kimberley, various locations | All Weekend 27th | Cranbrook Farmers Indoor Market | Ktunaxa Nation Gym | 10am – 1pm

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W & P: Sioban Staplin & Barry Coulter

The Kootenays love their bluegrass!

Nothing gets your toes tapping and hands clapping like good old-time tunes and brilliant harmonies. By definition bluegrass music is a form of North American roots music, and a related genre of country music. Influenced by the music of Appalachia, bluegrass has mixed roots in Irish, Scottish, and English traditional music and was also later influenced by the music of African-Americans through the incorporation of jazz elements.

What started out as planning for a stand-alone performance by the Horsefly BC duo Pharis and Jason Romero at the beautiful Royal Alexandra Hall this April 5th, is taking on a life of its own, as things often do in the Kootenays.

The upcoming Cranbrook concert will be part of the first tour that the Romeros have taken since their very eventful “year off.” What was going to be time spent with their young family and catching up on Jason’s growing waiting list of banjo orders, took a tragic turn when their studio/workshop burned to the ground last June.

Enter the Lonesome Ace Stringband. This Toronto-based trio brings grit, skill, and abandon to old-time, Appalachian folk songs and fiddle/banjo tunes. These are songs and tunes for life and all of its occasions - festivals, dances, wars, parties, and funerals. The music comes from a tradition that has inspired and brought together generations of people. It’s themes - love, loss, hard work and hardship, faith, and everyday life - speak to everyone. The members are Chris Coole on banjo, John Showman on fiddle, and Max Heineman on bass. Together they bring a deep respect for the roots of the music, a keen sense of innovation to the performance and material, and a passion for the sound that transcends both.

This is old-time music for today’s old soul.

Word quickly spread that something special was afoot and Fernie’s favourite duo leapt at the chance to join in the fun.

Redgirl is a light shade of bluegrass with some visible folk roots showing. Fronted by the clear and fearless vocals of Anie Hepher, Redgirl’s music is built around her pure and unfettered voice, clawhammer banjo, guitar, and occasionally, a sassy ukulele. Michael Hepher (married to the girl) on lead guitar, mandolin and backing vocals, brings a balance in harmony, humour, and musical creativity to the songs and stories of the band.

The term “barn burner” may have been coined for musical moments just like this. Thanks to Key City Theatre, the Kootenays are in for an unforgettable kitchen-party evening that will feed the soul and celebrate community.

Pharis and Jason Romero were just coming off a breakout moment in their recording and performing career as singer-songwriters in the folk music tradition, with stellar mentions in national press and rave reviews in the U.K and U.S. Their most recent album, A Wanderer I’ll Stay, won the Juno Award for best traditional album.

The Romeros’ music reflects their deep immersion in folk, music, bluegrass, blues, and early 20th-century American.

Their original songs capture the spirit of these traditions, with a capital T, while their covers and interpretations give new electricity to old forms. And yet, their music becomes something that is uniquely theirs. Their vocal harmonies are matchless.

The pickin’ and grinnin’ set are a close-knit community.

Musicians and vocalists mix and mingle like your favourite trail mix and are always looking for opportunities to share their craft.

www.keycitytheatre.com

SPRING 2017 |

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