GoKimberley Magazine - Issue 37 by THE TRENCH MAGAZINE

WINTER 16/17

FREE

NO. 37

Catch a ride downtown to explore the many dining and shopping opportunities that Kimberley has to offer. The Peak to Platzl Downtown Shuttle is a free transportation service between the Kimberley Alpine Resort base area, on-mountain accommodations, and the downtown shops, pubs, and restaurants. Beginning Tuesday, December 27, 2016, the Shuttle will operate every day (except statutory holidays). On New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve, the shuttle will operate on the Friday schedule, offering extended hours. The last day of service is Sunday, April 2, 2017. The shuttle is jointly funded by the participating businesses, the City of Kimberley, Tourism Kimberley, the Kimberley Alpine Resort, BC Transit, and the Province of BC Resort Municipality Initiative. The Resort Municipality Initiative is intended to assist small, tourism-based municipalities to support and increase visitation. Please visit www.kimberley.ca or www.tourismkimberley.com for more information on fun things to do in the City this winter. Find your adventure here. **No Service on Holidays

Northstar Mountain Resort to Downtown

Ski Hill Base Area

Purcell & Rocky Mountain Condos

Looking for a little aprĂ¨s-ski adventure?

Dogwood Drive/ Chicamon Springs

Free Downtown Shuttle!

Downtown: Platzl at Howard Street

Kimberley Transit

Downtown: Shopper's Drug Mart

Monday - Thursday

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Please allow 5-10 minutes leeway

** No Service on Holidays

Kimberley Transit Info 250.427.7400 | www.bctransit.com

Please visit http://kimberley.ca/community/transportation-getting-here for more information on getting around this winter. Kimberley, BC, Canada | Kimberley.ca

fully equipped gym, trx, kettlebells, disco spin, spin & ski, yoga, athletic stretch & a variety of circuit classes.

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FOR ADVERTISING, DISTRIBUTION, OR GENERAL INQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT US AT: grady@gokimberley.com 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 Kimberley 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.

CONTENTS

Go Kimberley Magazine is published four times per year and is printed in Canada.

26 | Turkey Run-Off

Go Kimberley is published by:

32 | Inspiring Success: Randy McLeod

Kootenay Media Ltd. Layout design by: Lucas Roach | Big Magic Design & Communication www.bigmagicdesign.com

34 | What’s in a Name 36 | Simon Haiduk 40 | Pickleball 44 | Wild Writing

MANAGING EDITOR Karen Vold

SALES/DISTRIBUTION Grady Pasiechnyk

CONTRIBUTORS Britt Bates Heather Bourchier Jill Christie Gerry Feehan Steve Hainsworth Monica Karaba Huibers Jeff Pew Jim Webster Sarah Yancey

46 | The Giving Tree 50 | Dreadnaught

WINTER 16/17

Contents Photo: Luke Stewart

Cover Photo: David Couse

WINTER 16/17

W: Sarah Yancey P: Brett St. Clair, Patti Oakley Gerry Feehan, Luke Stewart Mark and I met as rookie ski patrollers during the El Nino winter of 1997-1998. Soon thereafter we bought and renovated a cabin at the base of a ski hill. We worked off-season careers as a custom home builder and trail builder respectively. We married, trained an avalanche dog, and had a baby.

After more than ten years of learning the business and building infrastructure, we feel that we are on the cusp of expanding our impact. Raising our family and managing the business has taken and given us much. We now feel grateful to be cresting a wave. This current ride will certainly end and begin anew, but in the meantime we will hang ten, then position ourselves for the next surge.

Mark thrived on the snow, advanced as an avalanche forecaster and as such took his Avalanche Operations Level 1 at the Boulder Hut in 2005. As expected, he returned from the course with new knowledge. Unexpected was his excitement at discovering the opportunity to buy a backcountry lodge in remote British Columbia. Against much good, solid advice we said, “Why not?” and the choice to follow a dream and not good advice has defined our lives ever since.

The opportunity to create a lasting impact not only on our guests but through them to have an even larger sphere of influence is no doubt a lofty goal. All around us, though, are and were incredible people who have done just that. Not the least of whom are our business’s legendary founders, Margie Jamieson and Art Twomey.

So began our Boulder Hut Adventure. Now as the parents of a twelve-year-old daughter and a nine-year-old son, our life as a family has been wild because of this auspicious decision. Owning and operating a backcountry lodge, and further, becoming stewards of a long-standing tradition of wilderness pursuit, didn’t necessarily fall neatly into place with paying off the mortgage and other presumed adult milestones. As a family, we spend the winter operating the lodge and our summers working other jobs to make ends meet. We homeschool our children. We cut many cords of wood. We make lots of lists. We negotiate with lawyers, banks and helicopter companies. All for the opportunity to make a living on our skis in a beautiful place and to live a life on our terms.

The communities of Kimberley, the Columbia Basin and British Columbia at large are made up of conservationists, educators, artists, entrepreneurs and visionaries with a forward-thinking spirit. We are humbled by their examples and don’t claim to take a seat at their table quite yet. We would like, however, to work toward that end. Given its rugged isolation and pristine setting, the Boulder Hut provides a refuge. It is a fueling station where its inhabitants (our family, our guests and our staff) join together to eat, play, laugh, dream, cry and peel life back to its rustic essentials. As we grow and open our doors to more people, we are hopeful that we can leverage what we have for the greater good. We will strive to be a sanctuary in support of a society exposed to steadily increasing demands. We continue to dream and build our business while we also endeavor to dream and build a life worth living for ourselves and future generations.

www.boulderhutadventures.com

GIVEN ITS RUGGED ISOLATION, THE BOULDER HUT PROVIDES A REFUGE .

WINTER 16/17

SOUND LIKE A MISERABLE EXPERIENCE? I HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE. UNTRACKED ADVENTURE F U L L - W E E K & H A L F - W E E K P A C K A G E S AVA I L A B L E

MY BOULDER HUT ADVENTURE

W: Gerry Feehan P: Brett St. Clair, Patti Oakley Gerry Feehan, Luke Stewart

PHOTOS: BOM BSNOW T V

EARN YOUR TURNS

HELICOPTER ACCESSE D •GUIDED • C AT E R E D • L O D G E R E N TA L

Over the years I’ve acquired all the accoutrements for ski touring. Occasionally I’ve skinned up the ski hill. So I was curious when a helicopter touched down right here at Kimberley Alpine Resort on a sunny morning in January. A keen group, ski paraphernalia in tow, prepared to board. I was determined to be on that chopper before the season ended. And so it happened that in mid-March, I found myself soaring through the rugged peaks of the Purcell Mountains to the Boulder Hut, twelve minutes west over Northstar Mountain. We quickly glided over Boulder Pass and descended into a broad forested valley, landing at a cozy set of log buildings, our home away from home for the next few days. After a welcoming lunch and safety briefing, we strapped on skins and started our first ascent through the forest of old-growth spruce that provides Boulder Hut’s gorgeous backdrop. The conditions were fabulous. A storm had just blown through. Fresh powder and sunny, bluebird conditions greeted us. The 15,000-acre Boulder Hut Adventures’ skiing tenure offers challenging terrain for every skier, including chutes, high alpine bowls, glades and treed powder skiing. Guests choose their challenge comfort level when climbing couloirs, skiing the steeps and alpine bowls, or cruising the glades for the day. At the Boulder Hut, safety is paramount. Mark and ACMG-certified guides constantly check conditions while leading the way. Guests feel safe and comfortable. With any hint of risk, the guides dig a snow profile to check for stability. Management at this remote backcountry lodge consists of owners Mark and Sarah Yancey, whose infectious love of this place is evident from the moment they greet you on the snow-packed helipad. Boulder Hut is remote, quaint and rustic. Guests share an open sleeping cabin. In the evening, they are responsible for stoking the wood-burning stove. As the only rookie, I was utterly exhausted at the end of each day and slept like a baby (with an assist from earplugs and a little blue friend).

B O U L D E R H U T A D V E N T U R E S , LT D

P O B O X 1 1 , K I M B E R L E Y, B C , V 1 A 2 Y 5

BOULDER HUT ADVENTURES.COM

Clean up after a day of strenuous backcountry skiing involves soaping up in a wood-fired sauna, then dumping a bucket of water over one’s head. To my surprise, a fellow guest, fit and female, offered to do the pouring. I reluctantly acquiesced. Thereafter, the absence of a proper shower seemed trivial and I decided to forego my complaint to management. Drinking water is drawn directly from a pristine spring that flows year-round. The same source supplies power via a small hydroelectric plant. Boulder Hut has no laundry facilities. By the fourth night my ski socks, hanging over the bunk to dry, had taken on a crisp, flavourful bouquet…or so my fellow guests observed, I was obliviously comatose. Boulder Hut’s bathrooms are located al fresco. Open Aframes offer a panoramic view of the Purcell Mountains whilst engaging in one’s morning constitutional. A sign planted in the snow announces whether the privy is occupied or open. At the hut guests enjoy no cellphone coverage or internet access. And guests are (gasp) expected to help with dishes after dinner. I’ve been to five-star ski lodges where a cat whisks skiers to the top of the mountain for each run. At Boulder Hut every turn is earned. Mark calculated that we climbed 14,000 feet (4,300 meters) during our stay. Sound like a miserable experience? Just the opposite. I had the time of my life. Mark, Sarah, their kids Grace and Alden, mascot Rosey the Great Pyrenees and my seven fascinating fellow guests made for a fabulous, unique adventure. I’m going back to Boulder Hut this winter – and taking along a few buddies, all rookies.

WINTER 16/17

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W & P: Jeff Pew Joe Daprocida sits on a bar stool in a local restaurant, sips 7 Up, and talks to me with the comfort of an old friend. He’s got a thick Italian accent. Old country. I focus on his words, study the movement of his lips. With a permanent grin, he says, “You should see my ah-lee-vas.” A few seconds later I recognize he’s talking about his olive tree. He gestures with his hands, explaining how he grows 70 tomato plants, and how his wife prepares pasta sauce all winter. He tells me about his backyard orchard: pear, apple, peach and plum trees. At one point, I lean in and ask Joe to repeat himself: “Ah, but the feegas, so full of vitamins. So delicious.” Joe’s talking about a Mediterranean fig tree he started growing 34 years ago in Kimberley, BC, the highest city in Canada, a place that would confuse most semitropical trees. Joe pats me on the back. “You should come up and see it,” he says. “It’s beautiful.” I’ve never met Joe Daprocida, but already, he feels like an old friend. A week later, I’m in Joe’s backyard touring his terraced garden. It’s fall and everything’s harvested, leaves and stems composted in the corner. We enter a structure built onto the side of his house. It appears as if it’s been modified every few years, a roof extension, a new set of windows. Joe climbs a ladder and disappears into the thick foliage. He descends a moment later, his pockets stuffed with figs. He passes me a handful. I bite into one and close my eyes. It’s the most exquisite thing I’ve tasted: sweet, tender, the crunch of tiny seeds. I savour it, chewing slowly. Joe says, “Everybody loves figs: my kids, my grandkids. So rich in vitamins.” Joe counts the vitamins with his fingers, “Vitamin A. Vitamin B. Vitamin C.” It’s obvious how much Joe loves his fig tree, like someone who’s nurtured something for years. Fed it. Watered it. Protected it against things that could harm it. I ask Joe if he’s named it. He looks at me like I’m crazy. “No,” he says. “It’s just a fig tree.” We sit on a cement ledge under the fig’s green shade. A heater and fan trim the edge off fall. There’s a tropical earthly scent, the place of butterflies and the distant echo of parrots, parakeets, and finches. Joe is restless and tidies stray leaves and power cords. He reminisces about coming to Canada in 1957 from Reggio Calabria, the “toe” of southwest Italy. He was 21 and sponsored by his uncle, Tony Sgro, a well-known Kimberley resident. Eroina, his fiancé, followed two years later, and they had a snowy winter wedding. Joe worked several construction jobs, but

I ASK JOE IF HE’S NAMED IT. HE LOOKS AT ME LIKE I’M CRAZY. “NO,” HE SAYS. “IT’S JUST A FIG TREE.”

found his true calling working with cement. Years later, he became a master stucco and plaster tradesman. Before long, Joe and Eroina were raising a family of four kids, and eventually, a fig tree. When I ask Joe what he did for fun, he shakes his head. “Fun? No,” he says, and wags his finger at me. “Work. Just work.” I ask Joe how all this started. How does someone defy nature and grow something where it shouldn’t be growing? In the fall of 1982, a friend gave Joe a spindly fig plant, only a foot high. For a few years, it grew inside the house before Eroina suggested, “Why don’t you put it outside?” Joe transplanted the fig under the backyard porch stairs, a few feet from the house. Neither expected it to survive. That spring, Joe checked on the tree, and discovered its tiny green shoots budding with life. Soon, he recognized he’d either have to transfer the fig to a new location or remove the stairs the tree was growing into. That summer he relocated the stairs and built a small structure above the tree. A year later, the fig tree started producing fruit, and Joe expanded the cold frame, rerouting his furnace ducts to heat the area. Five years later, Joe raised the roof and installed windows. The fig tree grew.

Today, Joe’s fig tree stands 20 feet tall and produces 300 to 400 figs per year. “The beautiful thing about the fig tree,” Joe says, “is that it doesn’t produce all the fruit at once. Every day, two or three figs will be ripe.” He pats his stomach and smiles. “I eat them for breakfast and I’m full until lunch.” I ask Joe if he plans to expand his greenhouse, which hosts a black and white fig tree, an olive tree, and other plants that he brings outside in warm weather. “No. No,” Joe says. “I just cut it back. No more additions.” Joe and I become silent and bite into a fig. He closes his eyes and nods his head, savouring it, like it was the first time he’s tasted the fruit. He smiles, gets up, and steps onto the ladder. In a few seconds, Joe’s disappeared into the green abyss of a fig tree. I hear a muffled voice. “Come on,” he says. “Let’s get some figs for your wife. She’ll love them.” I step onto the ladder and follow Joe. There are figs everywhere. A waterfall. The distant sound of ocean. An old folk song on a lira. Someone is clapping, laughing, singing something familiar about passion and how cool the earth is when our hands are in it.

And grew.

STRANGE FIG FACT: Figs aren’t technically a fruit; they’re an inverted flower. Since a fig’s flower is hidden inside itself, its pollinator, the fig wasp, needs to crawl inside the fig to bring the pollen directly to the flower. The wasp burrows inside the fig through a narrow opening called an ostiole. If she arrives in a male fig, she lays her eggs and then dies. Her male eggs hatch, blind and flightless, and they mate with the females. The male wasps then burrow a tunnel out of the fig, and the females fly out, full of fertilized eggs and carrying pollen, starting the cycle anew. If a female burrows into a female fig, she can’t lay her eggs and dies of starvation. However, she does bring pollen into the internal flowers of the fig, pollinating it. After that, the figs quickly ripens, and the wasp is digested by the fig.

WINTER 16/17

Think. Do. Become. More than 40 programs offered in class or online. • Adult Upgrading • Business • Child, Youth and Family Studies • Fire Services • Office Administration • Tourism • Trades • University Arts and Sciences • Continuing Education

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KIMBERLEY Heritage Museum

No experience required. Drop-ins welcome Monday – Friday 12pm – 10pm Saturday and Sunday 10am–10pm 250-427-7200 Kimberley , BC spiritrockclimbing.com

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250) 427-7510 // 105 Spokane St. West end of the Platzl, above the Library kdhs@shawbiz.ca // kimberleyheritagemuseum.blogspot.ca

One local youth is making an enormous impact not only on the ski racing world, but in the everyday lives of those in need.

THAT SAME FIERCE DETERMINATION, BLENDED WITH THE INHERENT EMPATHY THAT RADIATES WARMLY FROM HER, LAID THE STONES IN MOLLY’S PATH TO INCREDIBLE HUMANITARIAN WORK. W: Britt Bates P: Kim Miller Molly Miller is not your average fifteen-year-old. At times, she comes across as one: sipping coffee with her notebook in hand, going for a run in the sunshine, or daydreaming of future travel plans. But on second glance, it’s easy to see that Molly is far from average. Not only has she successfully implemented ambitious fundraising projects both across the globe and right here in Kimberley, she is also a successful cross-country ski racer. And success is no understatement: Molly skis for Team BC, and at one point was their youngest athlete. At the BC Games, she took home two golds; at the Canada Winter Games, a silver. She raced in Germany and Switzerland in the Junior B World Championships, and attended the Canadian National Championships three years in a row. The first year, she took home one gold medal and two bronzes; at the next, two golds and two silvers; and at the most recent, Molly was on the podium again for two gold medals. At all three Canadian Nationals, Molly won the Sophie Manarin Award for highest overall aggregate points. If she were to win the award again this coming winter, she would be the first athlete ever to do so four consecutive times. Needless to say, Molly Miller knows how to achieve her goals, and how to raise the bar while doing so. That same fierce determination, blended with the inherent empathy that radiates warmly from her, laid the stones in Molly’s path to incredible humanitarian work. When I meet Molly, I am put instantly at ease by her humble and kind demeanour. She is down to earth, self-effacing, and doesn’t stop smiling. It’s no surprise that she has a natural affinity for offering comfort and support to others. Motivated by a feeling of gratitude for the privilege and opportunity she has, along with the desire to actively help alleviate the suffering of others, she jumped aboard a host of volunteer projects. She is deeply involved in Selkirk’s Free The Children organization, which built a school in Haiti, and last year created a mobile health clinic in India. This year, they are building a water well in Africa. She also works with the Kimberley Refugee Society and helped fundraise to buy a house for a recently resettled family from Syria. As it turns out, these ambitious projects are only a jumping-off point for Molly.

not-for-profit event saw many locals, mostly kids, walk one mile together either barefoot or in homemade shoes, such as a pair constructed from old pop bottles. The goal was to raise awareness and gain perspective around the plight of not having proper footwear, a struggle that millions of people worldwide are facing. Kids collected pledges for their walk, and all money raised stayed in Kimberley to help local families access proper footwear, especially during the winter. In addition, footwear companies such as Bogs, Keen, and Native generously offered their sponsorship and donated five hundred pairs of shoes to underprivileged children in Haiti and India. Molly has also established an ongoing shoe drive in Kimberley, with a bin located in each school for gently-used footwear to be donated and distributed to a family in need. Molly sees lack of footwear as a critically important issue that needs more attention, because it can often have devastating impacts, such as serious disease and the inability to access education. Molly is determined to bring more awareness to this widespread problem and its far-reaching effects. Even though Molly throws herself whole-heartedly into her humanitarian work, she somehow still creates time and energy to devote to her racing career, which continues to expand to new heights. She has her sights set on some inspiring goals this year: to secure her place on the Canadian National Team and qualify for the World Junior Championships, where she hopes to place in the Top 30. She also hopes to score a “perfect 400” at Nationals – jargon in the racing world for a gold medal in every single race in which one competes. No small feat, but the sparkle of determination in Molly’s eyes hints that it is certainly within her reach. And through it all, the very busy Molly Miller still finds time to wind down and relax, whether that means chatting to her teammates over dinner, or creating time to, as she calls it, “be a tourist” when travelling abroad for races or training. For a brief moment, if you aren’t looking too carefully, Molly might just blend into the crowd as a normal teenager, when in fact she is an inspiring and kind-hearted role model.

This past year, Molly organized a fundraising event in Kimberley, called Walk A Mile In Someone’s Shoes, along with the support of Talaria Footwear in the Platzl. The completely

WINTER 16/17

W: Steve Hainsworth P: David Couse From visitors arriving in search of cold Kootenay powder to Kimberley’s resident adventurers, snow unites a mountain town during the winter season. In addition to unifying, snow also mystifies us with its nearly magical persona. “Where did this snow come from?” and “What’s it doing here?” are questions you might ask while removing snow from your long johns after a powder-day wipeout. However, if you’re cozying up to this article with a warm beverage and frost-free undergarments, you might ask these same questions a little more critically. Although an untracked line through Kimberley’s glades may seem magical, the truth is snow’s existence isn’t mystical, it’s purely scientific. To understand snow’s origins, you’ve got to look up, way up. Snow originates in sub-zero clouds when water vapor in the atmosphere transitions directly into ice without going through a liquid stage. Once an ice crystal has formed, it absorbs and freezes additional water vapor from the surrounding air, growing larger and falling to Earth. As the frozen snow crystal descends, it continues to attract more water vapor and begins to form the characteristic six-armed crystalline pattern we recognize as a snowflake. Because of its solid and homogeneous makeup, inorganic formation, and ordered atomic arrangement, snow is scientifically classified as a mineral. This seems a fitting modern legacy for a town like Kimberley, already rich with mining history. Snow continues to stump and surprise us even after it has fallen to earth. Bing Crosby actually got it wrong in his 1942 song “White Christmas.” Because of the pure and uniform composition of frozen water, ice particles like snowflakes are, in reality, clear. But if snow is made up of clear particles, why does it look white on the slopes? When light strikes snow’s crystalline surface, it changes direction slightly. This may cause the light to strike another ice crystal and then another until it is eventually reflected out of the snow. Although the light has been “bounced around,” nearly all of the frequencies of the visible spectrum that entered into the snowpack are reflected out. When our eyes view an equal combination

of the visible spectrum, we interpret the colour as white. If, however, on one of those deep powder days you’ve lost a submerged ski, you may have noticed that the deeper you dig into a snow pack the colour of the snow seemingly changes to a shade of blue. Again, this has to do with the way light particles move through snow. Deeper within the snow, the preferential absorption of red light particles becomes noticeable. With more red being absorbed, compared to blue, the deep snow is interpreted by our eyes as blue. Even the word itself, snow, conjures up many differing definitions. As a result, mountain towns use specific terms like “flurries” or “dump” to describe the accumulation and duration of snow fall. (Don’t worry, “dumping” is good.) On snowy mornings, each lift line may have its own hyper-localized dialect using snow-defining words like “untracked” or “mowed out” to describe the quantity of fresh snow, and “powder” or “heavy” to describe the quality of the snow in a particular area of the mountain. Kimberley’s gladed terrain can stash away some untracked powder turns days after the last dump. So, if you find yourself in Kimberley’s powdered alpine recalling your journey to these snowy slopes, take a moment to reflect on the snow’s journey to you. Both you and the snow have arrived here by clearly explainable means. The snow arrived through meteorological science. You arrived by some form of conveyance, most likely, by chairlift. Yet the interaction between mountain rider and snow produces a nearly magical experience – a world where innumerable uniquelydesigned, six-sided clear crystal minerals exist purely for fun and whimsy. And, if you do have to dig a few of those frosty flakes from out of your thermals every once in a while, consider them souvenirs courtesy of Kimberley’s winter.

WINTER 16/17

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THE TRUCK LEFT THE GROUND, ALL FOUR WHEELS IN THE AIR, AND LANDED WITH A CRACK AND A CRUNCH. W: Jill Christie P: Karen Vold One of my first memorable stories about Kimberley includes the railway track that runs across the Kootenay River, at the bottom of TaTa Creek on highway 95a, as you come into Wasa. I feel very confident that most local people know what I am talking about. This summer I was driving out to the mountains for a hike with my good friend. We were approaching “the track” at a very slow speed when I noticed an oncoming white truck. I could tell instantly that the driver was not a local as his/her speed dictated that he/she didn’t know what was coming (the track). I yelled to Becky, “Here comes a newbie,” and sure enough the driver hit that track way too fast and jumped the line! Holy did we laugh! This, of course, brought forth a story by me and a story by her. It made us ponder how many other hilarious stories there might be, attached to said track. I imagine the stories are better in earlier years since the track has seen three “adjustments” since I have lived here. So here is my story and if you want to share yours, please send it in to Go Kimberley. Andy and I were moving from Squamish and just recovering from a full-blown marital meltdown, the kind that unfolds slowly, day by day, with the stress of moving to a new location. At the time, we were living in a 300 square foot timber frame cabin that Andy had built out of panels so that it could be taken down and relocated. We had rented a U-Haul (17 footer), not because we had any furniture or possessions, but because my husband wasn’t leaving any of his lumber/burls/ timbers behind to rot on the coast. So basically, we were moving into our first house with indoor plumbing with almost no possessions, yet we were going to dress it up with lumber. Hmmmm. The U-Haul took the low road (#3) and thankfully never met “the track.” It was the second trip from Squamish to Kimberley which posed as a more eventful occurrence because we took the

high road leading us from Golden south on the 95a. The last of our possessions were loaded into our small red Toyota pick-up truck. In the box of the truck, we had all of our potted house plants, breakable items, and in the cab our big black dog, Take-Out. Andy, at the wheel, was cruising along feeling pretty grateful that the end of the moving journey was just around the corner. He passed by the turn off to Wasa and approached the track innocently, unknowingly. Speed was on his side when the front wheels of the little red truck made contact with the mighty metal of the rails. The truck left the ground, all four wheels in the air, and landed with a crack and a crunch. The dog was launched from one side of the truck onto Andy, who then struggled to come to a stop on the other side of the tracks. It’s not cool being trapped in a very small cab with an 85-pound dog who is about to come unleashed. Take-Out panted and frothed and paced from side-to-side, treading over our thighs, nails gripping. Finally, we collected ourselves and got out to inspect the damage. All potted plants were cracked and broken upon impact and the leaf springs on both sides were damaged. We limped the red truck and our mentally-bruised hound to our new home in Meadowbrook. The truck had to have both leaf springs replaced and all the plants required new dirt in new pots (luckily, the survival rate was pretty decent). At the time we were shocked and amazed at the lack of signage and the angle at which the track was built, but now it makes us laugh. I can safely say that neither Andy nor I have ever sped over that track since (nor have we moved). We have full respect for the potential that lay within the metal rails on that section of “the track!” I also have to mention, in Andy’s defence, that our house did end up dressed up in all the lumber that we hauled from the coast (not that I like to admit being wrong...).

WINTER 16/17

W & P: Jim Webster “Cat: Where are you going? Alice: Which way should I go? Cat: That depends on where you are going. Alice: I don’t know. Cat: Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland That about sums up how I was feeling at the start of the Turkey Run-Off Snowshoe Race. Back again for it’s 6th year, this annual celebration of fun in the snow returns to the Lois Creek Trails on Saturday, December 31st, 2016. With trail map in hand, all the participants will have 90 minutes to locate as many control points, marked on the map, as they can. Some of us will be running solo, hoping to find all 15 spots, as we strategize what might be the most optimal route around the course. Others, many families, will be taking a more leisurely approach as they are out to enjoy the day while still finding a few controls as they walk the snowy trails of Lois Creek.

Depending on the snow conditions, some will be wearing snowshoes, while others might have chosen snow boots and even a few will be in their trail runners and yak tracks. Regardless of footwear and whether you are competitive or just out for a hike with a bit of a navigational challenge, everyone is rewarded with the post-event wiener roast including bonfire and hot drinks. The Turkey Run-off is a perfect way to burn off a few of your turkey-infused calories that you may have accumulated over the holiday. More details and on-line registration can be found at kootenayorienteering.com. On-site check-in and late registration takes place day of at 10 am at the Trail Street entrance to the Lois Creek Trails; race begins at 11 am. Come join us at Kimberley’s largest and longest running snowshoe event.

520 ARCHIBALD STREET, KIMBERLEY, BC PH: 250.427.2983 E-MAIL: kacinfo@kimberley.ca

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Kimberley’s Real Estate L Information Deemed Reliable But Cannot Be Guaranteed

TRICKLE CREEK PROPERTIES Unit 308 204 209 106 302 201 407 411

Beds 3 3 SOLD 3 SOLD 3 3 SOLD

Bath 2 2 SOLD 2 SOLD 2 2 SOLD

SQFT 1230 1304 SOLD 1304 SOLD 1304 1304 SOLD

Price $282,500 $279,900 $282,000 $285,000 $290,000 $294,900 $329,900 $319,000

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Beds 4 SOLD 3 3 3

Bath 3 SOLD 2 3 3

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Unit F5 L2-A M4-B J2-D O2-D B4 N2AB J4-B D2B H1 B C2 E2-A P1-D F4-C D5-C Q4-D

Share Beds Bath SQFT SOLD 3 3 2052 ¼ 3 3 1707 ¼ 3 3 1519 ¼ 3 3 1819 ¼ 3 3 1722 Whole 2 2 1012 2/16 3 3 1719 ¼ 3 3 1645 ¼ 2 2 1109 ¼ 3 3 1446 Whole 2 2 1045 ¼ 2 2 1109 ¼ 3 3 1719 ¼ 2 2 1109 ¼ 3 3 1934 ¼ 3 3 1400

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Beds 3 SOLD 3 3

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Price $649,900 $489,000 $299,000 $699,000 $469,000

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TREAD YOUR OWN WAY Just over a year ago, Talaria Footwear and Adornment opened its doors for the first time. This beautiful new boutique offers footwear and accessories for both fashion and the mountain lifestyle – two needs that many Kimberley locals were looking to have filled. W: Britt Bates P: Bailey Repp

The store, a bright and open space, is located right in the heart of the Platzl. It’s warm, inviting, and a full experience that satisfies all the senses. There is the soft smell of leather and infusing essential oils; great music playing; luxurious things to touch; and the gorgeously arranged displays are a feast for the eyes, replete with old books and vintage wares. The staff are outgoing and happily engage in friendly conversation. This affable crew offers personalized service, which is a big part of what makes Talaria such a welcoming space. When you try on a pair of shoes, you will never just be handed a box; on occasion, you may even have your laces tied for you, or have a surprise oiling of your Blundstones. This is reminiscent of the shoe shops of a previous generation. Talaria fills a niche in Kimberley, offering something distinctly different. To the relief of many locals, it’s finally possible to find high-quality footwear locally. The shop stands behind mostly Canadian and European brands that create shoes with dependable quality. People browsing the displays often comment that they feel like they’re in a shop in a big city; yet despite the sto store’s sophisticated feel, it is a perfect fit in Kimberley’s unique and vibrant community. Being a part of and actively contributing to this close-knit community is at the top of Talaria’s priority list. The store has been involved with fundraising efforts, all completely not for profit, with local athlete and humanitarian, Molly Miller, as well as with Kimberley schools and other organiza tions, to raise money for footwear for local families in need. Talaria also works with sponsor companies to donate new shoes to underprivileged children abroad. Besides shoes, you might find some other surprises in the shop as well, such as soft leather purses, wallets, cozy scarves, mittens, gloves, and chic clothing items, including some made by local seamstress, Chloe Smith, also known as Lily of the Mountains. The store has a thoughtfully-curated collection of beautiful me merchandise, with something for every unique style and taste, the goal from which Talaria’s motto blossomed: Tread your own way. This is the message the staff believe in as they help people find something that taps into their own individuality, something that suits them perfectly, and makes them feel great. Often, that item they walk out with is the last thing they sta encourages customers to step expected: the staff outside of their comfort zone and try on something they love but have always hesitated to step into. This comes from the hope that someone might discover a new and inspired expression of their self. Sometimes, a great pair of shoes is exactly what you need to help you confidently tread your own way.

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ROUND THE MOUNTAIN 7th Annual Community Trails Festival June 25th, 2017

1 big day - 7 challenges: choose from the 700m Kiddie Extreme to the gruelling 40km Duo (MTB/Run) Live music, beer garden, food, silent auction, free shuttle bus

Registration opens Boxing Day with Early Bird Pricing roundthemountain.ca

All proceeds from the event go back to Kimberley's trail and recreation community through the work of Kimberley Trails Society, Kootenay Freewheelers and Kootenay Orienteering Club.

Ope Breakfastn for & Lunch

7 da�s �

week!

W: Heather Bourchier P: Karen Vold

I met Randy McLeod two years ago when he and his wife, Cyndy Moore, joined our Ski Conditioning program at Tanglefoot Training Centre. Originally hailing from Guelph Ontario, the couple moved to Kimberley from Regina, SK, in the spring of 2014. They had come to visit the previous summer, and like so many others, fell in love with the place. “We found the pace and quality of life right up our alley.” Randy, now 64 years old, has always been active, enjoying sports and outdoor pursuits, so it was shocking news, when in the fall of 2015, he was diagnosed with significant blockages around his heart and found himself scheduled for a quadruple by-pass surgery. He had no symptoms leading up to this news and was told by the surgeon that his condition was referred to as the “widow maker” because it can cause fatal heart attacks in active men who are unaware of their condition. What triggered Randy was a hike in the Kimberley Nature Park, where on the return trip from Myrtle Mountain, he found himself struggling to make it up Higgins Hill. “I was totally out of breath, my chest was sore and my lower right leg had no energy. Basically, I was done.” He ultimately made it home, but it took a long time, and he wisely followed up with a visit to his doctor. “I was diagnosed on December 8th with 13 blockages around my heart, ranging from 40%-100% blocked (70% of the blockages were higher than 70%).” He was told to stop all strenuous exercise and that heart surgery was the only option, and that it would take place in a month’s time. “I was shocked and crushed to be told no exercise, no skiing (this hurt, as I had been training for the upcoming season), no basketball officiating, nothing more than a very slow, relaxing walk.” Following two stressful delays, his surgery was finally completed January 13, 2016. It took longer than expected - seven hours - to replace his blocked arteries with healthy ones from his chest and lower leg. The recovery process was slow at first and exhausting. He slept in a recliner chair and after a few days was able to try taking a few steps. “My first day I made it about 20 steps, then slept for about three hours.” Every walk after that was a little bit farther and always followed with hours of recovery. After a week, he was released from the hospital, and after two months, he was given the clear-

ance from his surgeon to gradually start exercising again. “My daily regimen was to walk, walk and walk, trying to do about 3000-5000 steps a day on fairly level ground. I could lift nothing heavier than a pound, so daily activities were hard, even getting dressed was a chore.” He may have started slowly, but his positive outlook and diligence to his daily exercise and diet have helped him make remarkable progress. Only ten months after his surgery, he’s now 35–40 lbs lighter and is back to participating in ski conditioning and spin workouts. He looks great and feels great, and while he continues to check in with his doctor and nurse, he’s been told he’s had one of the fastest recoveries ever seen by his medical team. I asked Randy what made it possible for him to achieve such amazing progress, and he said “A huge positive attitude and desire, both before and after surgery, to get back to doing things that I love. It takes time to heal, so you can’t rush it, even though you want to. You have to listen to your body and progress as you can. I also have to thank the fabulous staff of Foothills Medical Centre; the incredible surgeon; the local support; a family friend, Michael Chu; and most of all, my incredible wife.” So congratulations, Randy, on coming through this experience with flying colours. Your inspiring and courageous story illustrates how the right attitude and willingness to accept and work through whatever life throws at you are key to success. “Embrace what has happened and move forward. My eating habits have changed, and I have a renewed appreciation/belief in exercise as truly necessary for a healthy body and mind. I have a new outlook and appreciation for life.”

WINTER 16/17

W & P: Britt Bates

As any local knows, nicknames are an inherent part of Kimberley’s culture. Some nicknames originate from given names, like my dad, Hugo, whose middle name is Hugh; or Beats and Boots, whose last names are Beatty and Boudreau respectively; or Liver, whose last name is Pate. Other nicknames are based in ridicule and are meant to poke a bit of fun at the name’s owner. For example, there’s Pencil, named so because he’s skinny, and his brother, Moose, who is not so skinny; or Weird Beard, Fat Jack, and Barnsmell, all of which are self-explanatory. Some nicknames are purely affectionate and give a nod to endearing stories from the past. There’s Hometown, who once while on vacation ran into somebody else from Kimberley who couldn’t remember his name, so they just called him Hometown and it stuck. Or there’s Calvin, who took the name of his favourite professional hockey player when he played road hockey as a kid, and most likely until now only his mother, and maybe his brothers, knew that his real name was Ronnie. Certain nicknames reference stories of shenanigans. For example, Sh*t on a Stick, who crashed into a fence on the ski hill, had his leg amputated and replaced with a wooden peg, and then, of course, became a local legend. Many more nicknames are based on familiarity. Hound Dog, who was renowned in the Kimberley baseball world of the 1960’s, was named so because he resembled Huckleberry Hound more than Huckleberry Hound did, and by extension, there’s Hound Dog’s son, Houndy. There’s also Bugsy, because he has buck teeth like Bugs Bunny, and AKA Festus, the self-proclaimed “biggest bull-****er in Kimberley,” who got his nick-

name because he resembled Festus from the 60’s TV show Gunsmoke. There’s even my own Uncle Lou, also known as King Luigi, who was given his nickname because he’s a bricklayer. Of course, there are many nicknames that I don’t know the story behind, like Isky and his brother, Hooker; Burger and his kids, the Baby Burgers; Apple, and his wife, Crab Apple; or Charlie Breakfast, Dexter, Rocky, Crash, and Wolf. And while most of the names I’ve mentioned are a part of Kimberley’s older generation, there is a new era of appellations continuing in my generation, too, which includes Stewey, Swanny, and Weasel. Mostly meant to be endearing terms, even if made in jest, nicknaming is a part of Kimberley’s heritage. And although the driving force behind our culture of monikers remains a mystery to me, I do know that asking, “What’s in a name?” is worthy of some funny and memorable stories.

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W: Monica Karaba Huibers P: Simon Haiduk The very first thing I bought when I moved to Kimberley was a mesmerizing art print called “Spirit Bear” by visionary artist and musician, Simon Haiduk. The image was of a giant whitebeige bear, the spirit bear, known only to exist in BC, making its way contentedly through a magical-looking forest with eye-catching fractal rainbow patterns radiating out around it. I couldn’t stop staring at it. This image evoked something deep within me, perhaps my yearning to reconnect with the wonder and awe of nature and even existence itself and my hopes for how that could more easily happen in a place like Kimberley with so much jaw-dropping wilderness around me.

music albums including the latest called Quartz Lake, and he recently began evolving his art into a multi-media form incorporating both animation and sound, which gives his work even more dimensionality. A self-taught artist, Simon began drawing at an early age and always had art supplies around. The most formal training he got was grade school art classes and the occasional workshop. He went on to attend the Vancouver Film School for Digital Design which included learning a broad range of digital applications such as film, audio, motion graphics, web, and print design. Music went hand-in-hand with his love for creating visual art. He started playing guitar at age eleven and eventually learned bass, drums, cello, and in later years how to incorporate digital sound and synthesizing equipment. What makes his creations stand out is his innate ability to translate both visual and audio elements through either form. Thus, in his still images, he can visually depict the movement of energy

It wasn’t long before I noticed Simon’s amazing nature and animal scenes decorating other people’s walls, and as luck would have it, he also happened to be showing his work at the first gallery show I attended at Centre 64. As I soon learned, Simon has many fans following him from all over the world and has been invited to exhibit in numerous art galleries and shows; comic conventions; arts and music festivals, including hosting the visionary arts gallery at Shambhala; consciousness and metaphysical conferences; and other unique events over the last several years. Simon’s art is not confined to visual imagery, however. He has also self-produced four

and evoke a soundscape, while in his audio tracks, he can often paint pictures with sound in the imagination of the listener. Simon’s family lives in Kimberley and many may know his father, Dr. Michael Haiduk; his mother, Jurate, a nurse; his twin sister, Tasha, also a doctor; or his brother, Jonas, a teacher. A tight-knit family in a tight-knit community, Simon’s parents instilled in their children a great appreciation and respect for nature while allowing them the freedom to explore and develop their own connections and aspirations. The family didn’t watch much TV and spent most of their free time being active outdoors. Simon’s parents also encouraged environmental awareness and stewardship and were involved with the East Kootenay Environmental Society which later evolved into Wildsight. Taught to reduce, re-use, and recycle from a young age, Simon remembers fashioning bags out of re-usable scraps of cloth and other similar projects.

WINTER 16/17

WE, AS HUMANS, ARE OFTEN SO DISCONNECTED FROM NATURE THAT ANIMALS CAN HELP AWAKEN THAT PART OF US THAT INNATELY KNOWS WE ARE NOT SEPARATE FROM BUT TRULY PART OF THE NATURAL WORLD.

Besides growing up in Kimberley, Simon’s many travels over the years, particularly to Central and South America, greatly shaped his worldview and broadened his understanding of the interconnection of all life. Spending time immersed in other cultures and getting to experience the different ways people lived and interacted with their environments increased his empathy and compassion. He noticed the diversity but also the similarities expressed in various art forms - often characterized by bright colors and intricate patterns - that came from peoples who lived closer to the land and maintained a deep, abiding connection to the natural world. Similarly, Simon would develop an ability to translate how the Canadian Rockies and alpine wilderness he grew up in permeated his own being and perceptions. Besides his vibrant landscape wonderlands, animals are also central to much of Simon’s work. Whether it’s a lone buffalo, mighty stag, or meditative owl, each embodies a certain type of freedom and interrelationship with its environment that we don’t have. Simon explains, “We, as humans, are often so disconnected from nature that animals can help awaken that part of us that innately knows we are not separate from but truly part of the natural world.” As a full-time artist, Simon has many projects in the works, including a new band in formation, and he also enjoys gardening and growing his own

food. He has a meditative practice of sketching with charcoal pencils for at least a half-hour almost every morning. He will later scan some of the images into his computer to complete with digital painting and animation. He alternates deeply contemplative and creative periods with times where he focuses more on the business and marketing aspects of his career. Although Simon currently resides in Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast outside of Vancouver, he cherishes his upbringing in Kimberley and frequently visits. He says, “Kimberley is a kind, welcoming place. It often feels like being part of one big family where people really appreciate where they live. There is a sense of support and community here that is special.” Judging by the universal appeal of his art and his ability to remind us of all the purity, beauty, and love that exists within this world, it is easy to believe that Simon Haiduk would find himself at home anywhere, even in a gallery, far, far away. To experience or purchase some of Simon’s visual and audio magic, visit his website at SimonHaiduk. com or follow him on Facebook or Instagram at Simon Haiduk Art. A selection of his prints, cards, and tapestries are also available at Handz on Evolution in the Platzl.

CARRIE FISHER AND HER DOG, GARY, ARE FANS!

WINTER 16/17

W: Monica Karaba Huibers P: Karen Vold Kimberley is a place for participants and not so much for spectators. If you want to be a couch potato here, good luck. If you meet any locals, you will inevitably be invited to participate in an event, do something active, or go beyond your comfort zone in some unexpected way. Even if you are the mere reporter assigned to write about a certain sport that people do here, say pickleball, watch out. This unique community of hearty and vivacious souls has a way of making sure you don’t stay on the sidelines. So it happened as I was connecting with Suzanne McAllister to arrange meeting up with her and the local pickleballers for their Friday-night matches at McKim Middle School. I thought I would spend a leisurely evening taking notes from a chair while I watched the mostly over-55 crowd play this sport that was like tennis, ping pong, and badminton all mashed together. But as I was hanging up the phone, Suz said, “Oh, be sure to bring your runners. You’ll be joining us.” Gulp! Maybe you have seen the posters around Kimberley or heard someone mention this strange-sounding sport, which happens to be among the fastest growing sports in North America. What is pickleball? It was originally created as a diversion by two desperate dads dealing with bored kids, limited equipment, and a ball-fetching cocker spaniel named Pickles. One fateful summer in 1965 in Washington State over an afternoon of trial and error, the fathers pieced together a game on an asphalt badminton court, making do with a wiffle-type ball when they couldn’t find the shuttlecock (i.e., the birdie). When the kids found it difficult to hit the ball with the badminton racket, the dads crafted wooden rackets that resembled ping pong paddles. The game was an instant hit with the kids and also with Pickles, the dog, who would fetch the ball and take it out of play as often as he could.

As time went on, the fathers refined their game and shared it with friends and family. The net was lowered and official rules were created. There were some unique twists involving serving, a double-bounce rule, and a no-volley zone. The sport could be played indoors as well as outdoors. Its appeal was that it could be learned easily, played by all ages and athletic levels, and required minimal equipment. Flash forward 50 years later to Kimberley, British Columbia, home to some of the most adventurous and active baby boomers ever to exist on planet Earth. A couple of such Kimberlyites, Suzanne McAllister and Ron Corcoran, separately encountered and became enamored with pickleball during cross-border travels, one to St. George, Utah and one to Palm Springs, California. Both found pickleball because, well, what else do you do when you’re not golfing? It was love at first match for both Suz and Ron. Suz approached City Council in 2015 and procured two grants, one from the Kimberley and District Community Foundation and one from the BC 55+ Games, which enabled Kimberley to get going with two sets of nets and equipment. At a bridge class in Cranbrook, Suz happened to meet that other passionate player, Ron Corcoran, who also held the vision of establishing a pickleball community before the BC 55+ Games come to Kimberley/Cranbrook in 2018. Ron and Suz tag teamed and soon enrolled many more newcomers to the sport as well as secured other venues where they could play besides Centennial Hall, namely McKim Middle School and Selkirk High School. I showed up early to McKim with my runners on as directed and soon met Suz; her partner, Lorna Locke; and Ron. I felt their enthusiasm immediately. They shared why pickleball is

so much fun and great for anyone, especially folks who want a good workout, like a bit of friendly competition and socializing, but might have some physical limitations. Ron explained, “Pickleball is easier to play than other racket sports. It makes use of a smaller court so there is less running. Also, the ball we use travels at one-third the speed of a tennis ball so it is easier to hit, and even if you miss and get hit by it, it doesn’t hurt. You don’t have to be gifted to play but as you gain experience it gets more interesting and you can be continually challenged.” Lorna said she loves pickleball because unlike tennis which she had to give up due to knee issues, pickleball doesn’t require as much changing direction, which can be hard on the joints. One of the main reasons this sport is becoming so popular is because it fills a gap and has enabled many senior athletes to come out of retirement and literally get back into the swing of things. Before long, the McKim gym has filled with over 20 other coed pickleballers taking off their winter gear and helping to set up the three nets. Ron gives me a rundown of the rules and how they set up play. He explains that there aren’t any set teams, although you may have a preferred partner for your pair. Everyone has a chance to play with everyone else thanks to an ingenious system of placing your paddle in a rotating line of paddles in a box divided into two sides – Winners and Almost Winners. Stronger and weaker players all play together. Ron emphasized, “Everyone is welcome. The only requirement is a positive attitude.” I also want to mention that Ron prefers mixed (i.e., co-ed) teams. (Single ladies, you can thank me later.) I can vouch for Ron’s positive attitude and patience as he showed me how to hold the racket and made me practice serving and volleying the funny green ball against a wall before my first match. I winced in embarrassment the first few swings as my hand-eye coordination showed me it had been quite a long time since I had experienced any quick-moving objects whizzing towards my body. I checked my racket several times to convince myself it did not have a hole in it. I didn’t have much time to observe the other teams and matches like I originally intended as I was quickly thrust into center court with Ron as partner and coach. We were matched against another co-ed pair who to my chagrin were exceptionally coordinated and nimble, especially a lean, mean serving machine named Toni. It was clear they were

taking it easy on me, and they generously let me repeat my serves as most of the time, I either missed the ball completely or else sent it into the neighboring courts on either side of us. I was sweating and trying to keep the hair out of my eyes as I tried to keep up with my superhuman senior court mates. This was not how I had envisioned my evening. I sort of got the hang of it by the end of the match but not before I pulled an unknown muscle connecting my neck and shoulder. I was quite relieved for our match to be over and the pressure to be off after that first humiliating round. I didn’t even mind that I had to return my paddle to the Almost Winners side of the box. When I finally got a chance to sit down and really watch, I saw how much fun people were having. There was a lot of friendly banter going around, smiles, and to be honest, some really amazing plays. Once again, I found myself amazed at how fit the 55 and older crowd are here in the Kootenays. These people just seem to get better with age. Kimberley pickleball has grown from zero to 50 players in four months. Ron feels that the turnout would be even better, however, if there were an opportunity to play outdoors. Last summer, Cranbrook created four outdoor permanent purpose-built pickleball courts, which has helped grow numbers and raised skill levels there exponentially. Ron and friends are setting their sights on how to add outdoors facilities now in Kimberley as well as establish more places and times to play indoors. As the evening concluded, I thanked Suz and especially Ron for my thorough introduction to pickleball. I really enjoyed it despite learning how out of shape I was. Ron let me know that Kimberley pickleball is open to anyone who is interested regardless of age and that they would be happy to have me back again. Suz offered that I could also join the Thursdayafternoon crowd at Centennial Hall where they spend more time going over the basics and take things a bit slower. For more information about pickleball in Kimberley, please contact Ron Corcoran at ron.cor456@gmail.com or Suz McAllister at suz938@shaw.ca. Drop-ins are welcome for a $1 fee at Centennial Hall on Thursdays from 1 PM to 3 PM and on Friday nights at McKim Middle School from 5 PM to 8 PM.

WINTER 16/17

JANUARY 2017 Tattoo Art Exhibition Ongoing Gallery Exhibition January 3–28, by donation Exhibition Opening Reception Tattoo Art Exhibition January 7, 2-4 pm Art Movie Night Ai Weiwei - Never Sorry (Chinese dissident artist and political activist) January 20, 7:30 pm, Studio 64, by donation Home Grown Coffee House January 21, 8 pm sharp, Centre 64 Theatre, $8 Tickets available at Centre 64 and Snowdrift Café Have Camera Will Travel | “France” by Dave White Travelogue January 24, 7:30 pm Centre 64 Theatre, by donation “Artrageous” Adjudicated Exhibition Ongoing Gallery Exhibition January 31 – February 25, by donation

Gallery Exhibition by Natalie Callwood Ongoing Gallery Exhibition February 28 – March 25, by donation Have Camera Will Travel | “Biking Eastern Canada” by Chris Ferguson Travelogue February 28, 7:30 pm, Centre 64 Theatre, by donation

MARCH 2017 Gallery Exhibition by Natalie Callwood Ongoing Gallery Exhibition February 28 – March 25, by donation Lilith Revisited Ladies-only night out featuring singers, musicians, dancers and other local talents March 1-4, 7p m, Centre 64 Theatre Exhibition Opening Reception Gallery Exhibition by Natalie Callwood March 4, 2-4 pm AGM + Arts & Culture Awards Gala March 9, 7-9 pm

FEBRUARY 2017

Home Grown Coffee House March 11, 8 pm sharp, Centre 64 Theatre, $8 Tickets available at Centre 64 and Snowdrift Café

“Artrageous” Adjudicated Exhibition Ongoing Gallery Exhibition January 31 – February 25, by donation

Art Movie Night Ansel Adams (Photographer and Environmentalist) March 17, 7:30 pm, Studio 64, by donation

Exhibition Opening Reception “Artrageous” Adjudicated Exhibition February 4, 2-4 pm

Live@Studio64 - Spring Concert Series Concert #2: Silver Screen Scoundrels / Music, Laughs, and Silent Film March 18, 8 pm, Centre 64 Theatre, $22-$26 Tickets available at Centre 64 or eastkootenay.snapd. com (check calendar)

2-day Multimedia Workshop with Creston Artist, Win Dinn February 4-5, 9 am-4 pm, Studio 64, $150-$165 + tax, minimum of 8 participants Live@Studio64 - Spring Concert Series Concert #1: Don Alder / Acoustic Guitarist February 11, 8 pm, $22-$26 Tickets available at Centre 64 or eastkootenay.snapd. com (check calendar) Art Movie Night Emily Carr - Winds of Heaven (Canada’s iconic modernist artist) February 17, 7:30 pm, Studio 64, by donation

Have Camera Will Travel | “Iceland” by Janice Strong Travelogue March 28, 7:30 pm, Centre 64 Theatre, by donation Gallery Exhibition by Shannon Fraser Ongoing Gallery Exhibition March 28 – April 22, by donation

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W: Britt Bates P: Jeff Pew

Kimberley’s Jeff Pew released his first collection of poetry with NeoPoesis Press, and it proves to be a powerful book, bearing witness to the stark beauty and subtle darkness that hide in our day-to-day lives. In One Foot In, his book of poems, Kimberley local Jeff Pew investigates some of life’s mysteries, such as joy, fear, and deep contentment, through the intimate minutiae of daily experiences. A lover’s note left in the kitchen, crackers and cheese silently handed over on a blanket spread out on the grass – the secret murmurs of small but charged moments like these are explored through language that is trim and muscular. Pew, a high-school counsellor and creative writing teacher, holds death – his father’s, and a brush or two with his own – up to the light for close examination, right from the title to the very last poem in the book, which is a direct address to death itself. In it, the cloak is lifted off of many of death’s inconspicuous forms: a tangled log jam, a plucked nose hair, the overpriced plumber.

One FootIn

Throughout this careful, and at times dark, observation, a sweet obituary to youth rivers its way through the book. Pew reveres the innocently mischievous antics of childhood, that sweet time before the inevitable and heavy truths of adulthood arrive – such as the strange pain and tender longing that reside even in the most exalted romantic love. One Foot In is Pew’s second publication; in his first, Radiant Danse Uv Being, he curated and edited a collection of works in homage to his friend and source of inspiration, Canadian poet, bill bissett. In One Foot In, available at Arrow & Axe in the Platzl and Lotus Books in Cranbrook, Jeff Pew proves to be an inspiration in his own right, reminding us to laugh at the mundane, and to celebrate what is wild in us.

Jeff Pew

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W: Julie St. Jean P: Bailey Repp Our Italian prune plum tree consistently provides our family with 85 lbs of fruit. So much fruit that I had to come up with some new ideas about how to use it; other than just giving it away. My first thought was wine. Now that is something I could make good use of! But I certainly don’t need more work, so I turned to a simple recipe that could be mixed quickly, that used a lot of fruit, and if I may say so, tastes wonderful. With a few adaptations I came up with a plum liqueur that wasn’t too sweet and that I could give away at Christmas because I still love to share. Over the years I have enjoyed giving other homemade gifts. Some earlier experiments included brewing up fabulous Christmas presents that needed to be enjoyed responsibly. It’s a good thing I gave them away ‘cause I don’t remember being that responsible in my early twenties! So, here I will share with you some Christmas cheer to brighten your eve and anyone else who you choose to share with. Happy Holidays!

M O U N TA I N P L U M L I Q U E U R

C H O C O L AT E G I N G E R F R U I T C A K E

I’ve been stopped on the streets and asked many times for this recipe. Red plums work, too. I use very ripe and sweet prune plums. If you don’t have really ripe plums, you may need a bit more sugar.

Definitely not gramma’s Christmas Cake!

5-6 lbs pitted prune plums 2 cups cane sugar 1.75 l vodka, approximately Vanilla bean or crystallized ginger In a clean large gallon jar, mix plums with sugar, one split vanilla bean or a bit of crystallized ginger, and fill to the brim with vodka. Stir a bit to dissolve the sugar. Set aside for at least two months, stirring occasionally. The sugar that settles on the bottom will dissolve after a week or so as it sits. Strain into clean gift-giving jars. Strain through a cheesecloth if you don’t want extra sediment.

PEPERE’S IRISH CREAM This recipe can be multiplied easily.

1-2/3 cup Irish whiskey 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk 2 tbsp (30 ml) chocolate syrup (1 tbsp cocoa dissolved in 1 tbsp water) 1 cup (250 ml) whipping cream 1 tsp (5 ml) coconut extract Blend at high speed for one minute. Bottle and refrigerate for up to two months. Shake well before serving.

COFFEE LIQUEUR This can also be made with instant coffee.

2 cups (500 ml) fresh brewed coffee 3 cups 750 ml) cane sugar 2 cups (500 ml) vodka 1 vanilla bean 1 tbsp (15 ml) cocoa nibs, optional 1 cinnamon stick, optional Add sugar to hot coffee. Stir to dissolve. Add vodka, vanilla, cocoa and cinnamon to cooled coffee. Refrigerate for two to three weeks before sharing.

2 kg (4.4 lb/72 oz) favourite mixed dried fruits (Cranberries, figs, apricots, pears, sultanas, cherries, orange peel, crystalized ginger) 4 cups (1 l) Jack Daniels or Bourbon 8oz (2 cups/500 ml) slivered almond or pecans, toasted 1/2 cup (125 ml) unsalted butter 2 cups (500 ml) sugar 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) each, ground cinnamon and nutmeg 1/4 tsp ground cloves 4 oz dark chocolate, grated 6 eggs beaten 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) baking soda 3/4 cup (180 ml) cognac or dark rum In a large stainless steel or glass bowl, combine dried fruits. Stir in the bourbon. Cover and set aside in a cool place for one week, stirring every other day. Drain the fruits, press firmly to remove any liquid. Add nuts. Beat butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar and beat for one minute. Add the spices, chocolate and eggs and beat until well blended. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour and baking soda. Set 1/2 cup aside. Fold flour into the butter mixture to form a thick batter. Toss fruits with the remaining 1/2 cup of flour. Mix fruits into chocolate batter until well combined. Divide batter into three standard loaf pans, lined with parchment. They should be 3/4 full. Bake at 275°F for 3-4 hours or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean (1 1/2-2 hours for small loaf pans). Cool cakes in the pan. Poke with toothpick every two inches. Brush generously with cognac or rum. Wrap in cheesecloth. Allow cakes to mellow for one week before serving.

CARAMEL RUM SAUCE 100 g (1/2 cup) sugar 100 ml 35% whipping cream 2 tbsp (30 ml) rum 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, caramelise sugar with just enough water to dissolve. Cook until dark golden. Remove from heat. Whisk in cream. Add rum and butter. Serve warm with fruitcake.

WINTER 16/17

RECYCLING Kimberley Bottle Depot