ms. epitome

BC Magazine

ms. epitome

Karen Heidebrecht Thiessen - Carmen and Monika Eggens Sophia Antoniuk - Cara Grimshaw - Mary Murphy Elaine Davidoff - Gerri Willms - Cathy Eggens - Claire Pelton

T r e a s u r e s o f t h e He a r t

Edition one

Copyright Š ms. epitome BC Magazine All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission from the editor. editor@msepitome.ca Publication designed and published by Marla Louell Design Team Cover Photography: Dan Brock Models: Sophia Antoniuk, Rachelle Antoniuk 2

Dear Friends;

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he magazine MS. EPITOME is about that special something within each one of us. The craft that has captivated your attention. The treasure that has been embedded in your soul. The quality you portray. I personally loved to sew as a child, spending hours in a cute little sewing room, which my dad had designed for his family of girls. Pretty, lime green cupboards built with just enough room to squeeze behind the sewing machine, to possibly make a dress with just that perfect pleat or a detailed white shirt with a crisp finish.

Most importantly, through my interests, I have had the privilege of spending time with many wonderful individuals.

Meeting women from all walks of life I found an interesting common thread.

They all had some very particular qualities that were unique and often, quite inspiring. As I enjoyed the arts, I met women who were also pursuing their interests in different ways. Sometimes it was part of their career but not always.

Sometimes it was a side interest that would light up their entire being when it came up in conversation. After much deliberation I began to envision a place that their endeavours could be recognized, and a magazine called....

My interest in the creative arts continued into adulthood where I sewed outerwear, began a Coffee Shop Knitting group and briefly helped a local clothing company with their production.

At the age of 19, I also began my career as a hairstylist. A profession that I have loved for the past thirty years.

.. MS. EPITOME came to life in my heart.

A magazine that I could feature the women in our community and the special something that makes them unique.

Allowing that special quality that she is a great example of, to be presented.

I have somehow managed to weave my interests together, never leaving one or the other too far behind. Both offering me a creative outlet yet quite distinct in their expression.

The fiber arts world has always captivated me with all of its color pathways and texture, such as found in specialty yarns and fabrics. Mulling over a complex knitting or sewing pattern would be my idea of a fun evening. Eventually I began to design my own product, be it a knitted hat or sewn jacket.

This is the first edition, with ten women humbly sharing a part of themselves.

Their interests include photography, sports, painting, community, drawing, music and vintage collectibles. Behind each interest, there are glimpses of treasures, often missed at first glance, but if one takes an extra second to notice.... glimpses of determination, perseverance, loyalty, passion begin to also shine through.

Marla Chernoff

In the world of hair design, the craft has reached higher levels of respect in these last decades, allowing stylists, as myself, to work in some great salons throughout our communities. Fashion runway hair is now at our doorstep with many customers wanting to experiment with ombre techniques or have that perfect soft updo. It has been very rewarding when a client is preparing to attend a special event, and you become a part of it as their stylist.

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Table of Contents Photography Page 60

Choral Page 56

Community Page 72

Sport Page 42

Art Page 6

Music Page 34

Sport Page 48

Vintage Collections/Art Page 16

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Claire Pelton Pencil Crayon Artist

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The range of colors available for a Pencil Crayon Artist.

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“When I was eleven years old I began drawing with pencil crayon. I wanted to work with as many colors as possible and pencil crayon gave me that opportunity.”

“I see multiple colors in an image.”

Claire Pelton

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From a distance, the observer may not notice how many colors are used in Claire’s artwork, but when you take a closer look, you can see the details.

Portrait Model: Cynthia Roselynd Chernoff Image drawn entirely in pencil crayon by Claire Pelton, inspired from a photograph taken by Sam Chua 14

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Sophia Antoniuk Collector of Vintage Fire- King Dishes Wildlife Painter

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Treasures of the Heart

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Fire-King Peach Lustre One of my most cherished childhood memories is time spent with my grandmother or “Baba� as I called her.

I was always excited to visit my Baba because we would discuss our Russian Doukhobor heritage and also the important issues of the heart. I would pour out my feelings to Baba, for I knew God blessed her with wisdom and encouraging words which she generously shared with me. My so called issues were quickly resolved with her soothing words and rosehip tea served in her Fire-King peach lustre mugs. Many stories were shared and as the years passed, so did my Baba.

One day my husband, Leonard and I stopped at a garage sale and my eye spotted a Fire-King peach luster batter bowl. I was immediately flooded with the warm memories of Baba serving me tea in her Fire-King mugs. I purchased the bowl for $1.00 and my collection was born. Each piece I found became a treasure that stirred my memory and my heart.

My Fire-King collection expanded to an assortment of beautiful colors like turquoise blue, jade-ite, and pink. My husband Leonard and children, Daniel and Rachelle were actively a part of my treasure hunt. It was always a thrill to find a new and unique piece.

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Jade-ite Collectibles

One of my most thrilling finds was a jade-ite rolling pin. My daughter Rachelle and I discovered it at a local antique store. The story behind the rolling pin was that it was actually owned and used by an elderly local woman from Nelson, BC. At one end was a removable silver top, that was in a form of a sifter. Upon unscrewing it, you were able to fill the inside of the rolling pin with flour, therefore making it handy to sift out flour as one rolled the dough.

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“My advice is to collect what is affordable, available and makes you feel good.�

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“ I like my collection so much that I find ways to use it everyday.”

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Pretty Combinations

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Rare Finds

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Pink Fire-King dishes are more difficult to find, and when a collector does discover one at an estate sale or antique store, the shade of pink is known to vary.

Fire-King had a difficult time producing the same pink tones in every dish, therefore abandoned making them. Finding a pink Fire-King dish is quite a treasure.

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Lace and Crystal

The turquoise Fire-King is the most elegant of my collection with its soft color tone and gold embellishments. The dishes present themselves very gracefully next to crystal and lace.

They also bring back a special memory of my mother serving from them on special occasions.

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I eventually opened and operated an antique shop along the beautiful Slocan River.

It was a delight to watch my customers discover a treasure and start their own collection or add to an existing one. My antique shop had extra space so I enthusiastically, opened a bed and breakfast. My desire was for my customers to retreat to a place that offered them beauty and peace. Set along the pristine Slocan River with abundant wildlife, my bed and breakfast was a joy to operate. My family helped me with the day to day tasks. There were rooms to clean, guests to entertain and an antique shop to manage.

Continued on page 78...

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Mary Murphy Cellist

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Never Too Late to Learn

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I grew up in southwestern Ontario in the fifties. At the age of five, Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, was my first introduction to orchestral music. During my preschool years, my momwould put this album on for me and I would sing, conduct and dance to it for hours.

In grade seven, I was handed the violin. I only vaguely remember playing it, but I do have vivid memories of my long walks from school. Carrying my portable metal stand and violin, sweatered in a cloth case made by my mother, five blocks seemed like a mile in the cold.

In high school, I managed to get into a recognized high school concert band by agreeing to play the double bass (bass string). The bass is the largest of the classic string instruments and the only string instrument that is allowed in the concert band. Unfortunately, formal music lessons were not an option, but I did my best to figure out how to play during the early morning band sessions.

By the end of high school I knew enough to hold my own, but the truth was I faked the harder sections of the music pieces, and played with a bare minimum of skill. Our high school band toured Europe, had an audience with Pope Paul, cut and album and travelled to the USA and Barbados.

It was this musical experience that solidified my

love for classical music, so during my University years and well into adulthood, I would dream myself into music, transported into a setting where I played exquisitely in a famous orchestra.

When I turned 30, I realized I wanted more than a daydream and to confront my singular regret on not learning how to play a string instrument.

I arranged to take cello lessons. The cello has such a deep, rich, haunting and beautiful sound, and musical compositions that offer more melodical opportunities than the base lines.

I took lessons on and off over the next few years, but could not progress. I was just too impatient, and expected unrealistic results, so frustrated and disillusioned I let the cello collect dust.

Twenty years later, one evening in 2005 I was at a colleague’s house and there in the corner of the room was a beautiful cello. Right at that moment I vowed to try again. I found a great instructor through the Western Conservatory of Music in Langley, BC, John Doerksen, a talented cellist in the Vancouver Opera. I met John weekly for an hour, for 7 years. He brought me to a place with the cello that I truly did not believe I could attain. Even though many, many times I would announce that I could not play the designated study or music section, he would carry on with the lesson, insisting that I keep up. In our final year together, John inspired me to take the gigantic leap and join a community orchestra. He died of cancer in 2012, and though I miss him terribly, he gave me the skills and the confidence to keep getting better.

I have found another great teacher, Jan Kim, a concert cellist and continue to gain skills and experience through her guidance and encouragement.

My cello is handcrafted by Peter Grohme, a talented luthier, from my own Maple Ridge community. It is based

on the design by the 17th century luthier Jacob Stainer. It has a gorgeous sound and crafted from beautiful wood. I am thrilled to be an amateur cellist and I play in community orchestras in the Lower Mainland.

Mary Murphy

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Quotes of Encouragement Why are you learning to play the cello if you are not going to share your music with others?

Why not go out on a limb - isn’t that where the fruit is?

Do you think that all members in an orchestra play every note? They don’t, perfection isn’t important, remember it is the journey there that counts.

John Doerksen, former Cellist of the Vancouver Opera and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

I am encouraging you to start with the orchestra - you are ready and you will learn so much more that way.

Jane Kim Cello Instructor

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Cathy Eggens Gerri W illms Waterpolo Players

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Cathy Eggens and her sister Gerri Willms are participants of Hyack Master’s Swimming program and Pacific Storm. Two amazing women who are recently retiring from their careers, have found time to train and compete in a watersport that is fairly uncommon to women. Training through the year, they have recently won a Silver Medal at the Fina World Aquatic Championship.

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Both Cathy’s daughters are also dedicated athletes modelling after their mom and aunt. A family of waterpolo players, inspiring both young and those in their middle years, to continue to be active and participate in a sport that they love.

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Silver Medalists at the Fina 2014 World Masters Aquatic Championships

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Car men Eggens Waterpolo Player

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M o n i k a Eggens Waterpolo Player

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When did you first start playing waterpolo?

Monika: Around the age of 6 Carmen: 8 years old What inspired you to make it a priority in your life?

Monika: Watching Carmen play with Pacific Storm and starting to make National team, as well as watching the women compete at the Olympic Games in Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. I knew I wanted to do that as well.

Carmen: After nationals each year there would be an identification camp that I would stay for, so when I started making the Youth Team and then the Junior Team. I decided that I wanted to pursue only waterpolo, so I stopped playing the other sports I was doing. I enjoyed playing waterpolo the most, so it wasn’t a hard decision for me.

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What is your average training hours per week?

We train about 30+ hours a week, this includes: Swimming, waterpolo training, weights (and other cross training such as running/stairs) meetings and video.

What are some of the countries you have visited with waterpolo?

Monika: USA, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Hungary, Australia, New Zealand, China, Russia, Serbia.

Carmen: USA, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Hungary, Australia, New Zealand, China, Russia, France, El Salvador

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How does the sport of waterpolo challenge you mentally and physically?

Being a team sport, can you describe a moment when you felt everything came together, maybe during a particular tournament or game?

Monika: Waterpolo is a very challenging sport, you always have to be aware and able to preform under pressure. Training and competing with the national team is challenging both mentally and physically. Training is very demanding in and out of the pool. Although the training is very tough, it is equally rewarding. It is a great feeling to finally put into play all the things that we have worked so hard on. One of the moments I felt like everything really came together was when I started playing with the University of Hawaii. My first year in Hawaii I learned so much and grew a lot as a player and it really prepared me for the next step with the National Team. Another time I felt like everything came together was playing with the National Team leading up to the World Championships.

It was amazing to feel things working before heading into a high pressure tournament.

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Carmen: Being a part of the National Team has been the most challenging thing that I have done or been a part of. Training is both challenging mentally and physically, and sometimes emotionallly as well. You are constantly pushed to your limits in and out of the water, all in order to be a better athlete and a better team. Even though it is tough, it is also incredibly rewarding to see your hard work pay off at tournaments.

There have been a few times when during a game everything seems to fall into place, every pass is on the hand, and every ball goes into the back of the net. It is a really awesome feeling to feel like you are flying through the game and its effortless. Those moments are what every athlete lives for and tries to repeat in every performance, which is hard to do sometimes. The two games where it felt like that for me, that stand out, were against Hungary, and the other was against Russia.

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Elaine Davidoff Choir Director

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Surrounded by Melody

Stesha Davidoff models a Traditional Doukhobor outfit often worn by the Vision of Peace Choir for performances.

Quotes “Don’t hold your voice back, take the risk and let your voice go!”

“You are going to have many groups of friends, but this is a place where we can celebrate our belief in Love and Peace and our desire to share it with the world through song.”

Elaine Davidoff 58

How can one be so surrounded by as much song as I was? Only if you were part of a family of singers. In our home you woke up hearing song and went to bed after a song.

My beautiful mom had an angelic birdlike voice that could soften any heart and my dad harmonized his voice perfectly with hers. At times my dad would take a strong lead and she would softly follow or they would blend their voices together in a natural vocal register. Myself from a very young age would join in freely with little inhibition. My ear naturally training to hear various tones and melodies.

We sang about peace, love, nature and faith. There was harmony in my parents singing and harmony also in our home.

The Kootenay/Boundary area was sometimes referred to as the, singing community There were always opportunities to sing collectively, en masse. Often hundreds of people singing together whether it was at a wedding, prayer meeting or funeral. If there were those going through a difficult time, singing would ease the pain and collective singing would help the burdens of the heart. Each voice helped to carry the burden up to a higher power.

and her peers the same opportunities as I had in my youth, the community also felt that is was important to somehow preserve the Doukhobor Traditional A Cappella singing.

Along with the help of parents, grandparents, community members and even the local school district, the Vision of Peace Choir was not only formed but widely suppported. The youth now have the option of using their participation as an external credit towards their high school graduation.

All youth are invited to participate.

Singing was such a part of who I was, it seemed a natural fit for me to volunteer as a choir director. Numerous hours would be spent picking out songs and analyzing different vocal arrangements.

Traditional Doukhobor singing is different that the more widely known A Cappella singing. Rather than singing within a structured musical composition, with each voice having a definite place, Doukhobor singing begins with a center core. It begins with the melody or as we call it, singing in lead, and then the voices branch out from this point using one’s natural voice.

Singing has so many known benefits. It fosters bonding by bringing people together, is uplifting and energizing, helps develop confidence by practising one’s presentation skills, promotes our understanding towards other cultures, boosts our immune systems, and is fun. All these wonderful attributes; helping the youth launch to their next stages of life. The melodies placed in my heart are being carried forward.

During my teenage years, various choirs were fairly common throughout my area.

Men’s choirs, youth choirs, and many community choirs. Youth choirs were often an opportunity to connect with friends. We had many social gatherings on the weekends which would often end with a singsong around a bonfire. Romances would also bloom from these gathering. I met my husband-to-be at choir.

Marriage and raising a family took my attention for a time. As my daughter, began to approach her teenage years, it began to concern me that the youth choirs seemed to have dissipated altogether. Not only did I feel a tug in my soul to give my daughter 59

It has been thirteen years for me as a director of the Vision of Peace Choir. I thank Greg and Naomi Popoff for being assistant directors and all the parent helpers who have come to practices over the years.

Cara Grimshaw Sports Photographer

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a long 600mm zoom lens to practice with, I was hooked.

Being in a studio with models, make up artists, stylists, and lighting gear just wasn’t for me. I tried; don’t get me wrong there are some really great people doing great things with it. It just didn’t excite me.

I’ve volunteered for the Lifesaving Society for many years as a photographer for their local lifeguard competition events. I look forward to it every year as it’s a side of photography that mixes up action with the small details that could (in real life) save someone’s life.

What drives your passion?

The work involved and the satisfaction of getting a great picture. It can take 6 months planning to get just one shot that can be the best one you take all year. Having a supportive family, spouse and friends is a big driving factor too. When you reach an obstacle, they help you get over it and move forward.

It took me some time to discover sports photography. If you had asked me 4 years ago that I would end up shooting sports, I would have laughed at you.

Attending the London Olympics as a photography technician I was in the media room for the opening ceremony. I loved being behind the scenes, in the middle of all the action and meeting a lot of people. 100’s of people running around with camera gear, all under deadlines and pressure to get those unique shots. I loved feeling part of the excitement. I enjoy planning events (required when you have to travel a lot for events) and being a sports photographer seems to just be the perfect job for me. I then decided, I wanted to travel and take pictures for a living.

I took various photography classes at Langara and was exposed to all different areas of photography. Portraits, weddings, food, product, studio, photo journalism and sports.

While I am comfortable in many areas of photography it was catching the action that appealed to me. I was introduced to the real fun of sports photography through my college classes and the more I practiced, the more I enjoyed it. The first time I was given

I’ve gravitated towards equestrian photography in the last year. This is an ‘ah-ha!’ moment for me, as for years I’ve been practicing all the other sports but never really got anywhere with it. The moment I started photographing horses everything just seemed to start falling into place. I grew up on a horse and I’m studying for an equine Science Diploma so it only seems natural that I like to take pictures of horses.

Thank you for inviting me to share my story!

Why have you picked sports photography over other types?

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The moment I started producing some strong equestrian work, clients started coming out of nowhere, I was signed up for an image agency and I’ve travelled to Europe to photograph the worlds best riders. All within 6 months. It’s been a challenge trying to keep up physically and financially. I still have to cover all my own costs (I’m into the thousands now for 2014) as I am not established enough yet to be paid for travel costs by my agency.

I am currently only paid if my images sell.

Needing to get paid also drives working hard to get more experience!

What is your sweet spot moment at an event?

After months of planning, getting that one shot that tells the story of the event, catches the action and is technically perfect. Sports photography, while is mainly about the action, it’s also about telling the story of the events, such as the coach reacting, the equipment, the horse listening to the riders leg commands, the rider remembering to breath. I need to work more on getting these shots but they will come in time. I just need to practice more.

What are your most favourite events and why?

Anything with horses.

Most recently at the FEI World Cup (Dressage and Jumping) in France I was finally able to finally stand in the photographer huddle right in front of one of my horse riding idols, Charlotte Dujardin on Valegro as she accepted her prize for winning the event. Ever since the Olympics, I had set myself a goal to be part of the photographer huddle, and to be hearing the British National anthem was a moment that brought a lump to my throat (I’m a tad patriotic). I felt like I had FINALLY

made it somewhere. I got to feel the vibrations of Velegro’s heavy canter through my feet and feel the rush of air as he flew by me while doing her victory lap. Thinking about it gives me the tingles.

Another moment I recall often and use as my motivation was being asked by my teacher at the Olympics to come up to the top of the Olympic stadium with him, right up by the roof and shoot pictures for him of the track events. Keep in mind, only 4 years earlier I didn’t know the first thing about photography and he was my first teacher who had pushed me hard. I will never forget that moment. Earlier that day I had been standing on the finish line where Usain Bolt was to later break records to help teacher set up his remote cameras. It was quite the day!

Can you relate to the training that goes into preparing for an event?

100%! When I was first starting out I tried hard to get into local level papers, I wanted to be published more than anything. When I wasn’t getting anywhere and was rejected by the editors I decided to re-evaluate my plans. I had to stop looking at the end goal of simply getting into a local paper for the sake of being printed. It wasn’t a healthy way to develop as a photographer. I knew deep down I wanted more, I wanted to be a higher level photographer.

Once I rejigged my plans and started working on getting to higher quality events, that’s when things started going my way. I take a lot of time to build relationships with people in the industry, build trust, practice my skills and work at the journey rather than the end goal. Sure I have my goals such as to be published but I know it will happen as part of the journey to other achievements. One of my biggest goals is to be a photographer at the Olympics. This will take a LOT of time and practice photography wise. The thrill of all the travelling going smoothly after months of planning is a real satisfaction and I’m getting 63 better at it.

My next big trip to Europe is in September.

Aside from trying to spend some time with my aging grandparents and best friend who is getting married in England, I’m shooting the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France. Then the Blenheim International Horse Trials in UK and then Back to France for the Rescue France event (an international Lifeguard Competition) in the South of France for a week! I also get to spend a few days back in Toronto with my parents, meet with my accountant and set up some photography meetings. I’m travelling for a solid month and I’ve had to plan my ‘to do’ list much like an athletes training program.

It includes everything from sourcing accreditation (paper work!), booking flights, trains, buses, accommodation, renting camera gear, researching the events and planning shots, contacting media editors to let them know I am going, packing my own items and trying to find sponsorship to help with costs. This particular trip will be interesting as I may have to camp at one of the events as I don’t have the budget for a hotel (and the event is in the middle of nowhere) and no car. In amongst all the travelling I have to edit my pictures and file them to my editors. I will find a way! It’s a real challenge but with the help of a spreadsheet and knowing your budget, it can be done!

By the time I come back, I’m exhausted and need a week to recover!

What resistance have you felt as a sports photographer?

I’ve been incredibly fortunate and haven’t had much resistance trying to gain experience. The photography industry is a small place and most other photographers are more than happy to help or answer questions as long as you show some initiative and don’t expect everything handed to you on a silver platter.

When I first started out, I was lacking experience, which meant I couldn’t get access to the events I wanted to shoot. I couldn’t get the experience without shooting. It was

a hard cycle to have to go through. Many of my fellow students are also in the same situation. It’s almost like a race as to who can break free first! Some friendly competition never hurt anyone. Once I was able to break free from that hamster wheel and have some of the industry’s best behind me, I have been able to advance quite quickly. I like being able to stand on my own two feet now with some international event experience under my belt.

One of the other areas for resistance is the finances. I still work a full time job to pay the bills but I still have to come up with the capital somehow to travel and cover my costs of equipment etc. Without the money, I can’t upgrade my camera that is so desperately needed. I make it happen, somehow! I just recently started my own business to help offset some of the costs but $6k for another camera doesn’t come out of thin air. I’m working to try and get some sponsorship from the local community to help, before my trusty Nikon dies from overuse.

Why photography?

Photography is fun! The moment is stops becoming fun, I told myself I would give up.

People will always need visuals, art for their walls and stories to be told. I find photography to be a source of therapy sometimes, to help me explain myself better than words can.

Was there someone in your family; grandmother, great grandmother that you relate to and why?

My dad. We’ve always been stubborn and a little head strong towards each other. I think we had a hard time understanding each other and it took some time to persuade him that my photography isn’t just a hobby, but something that I can’t live without. I didn’t want to have a job where I am stuck at a desk 9-5 for someone else’s profit (although 64 I’ve had to, to pay the bills). He had a hard-

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er time accepting.....my mum being on the softer side, understood that it fed my soul and made me happy. She was stuck in the middle!

How would you like to expand your craft?

Last year, my dad started his own business, after being laid off from a large company that shut down. He’s now running a great small business, doing really well and loving being his own boss. Doing this, helped him to understand my cause a little more.

Become more creative in my shots. Right now I am technically capable but I find myself bored with my shots. I need to work on that, a lot. I’d love to travel to Asia to photograph some horse events! My biggest goal is to give up my office job to be a photographer full time.

Since then, he’s helped me develop a strong sense of responsibility for my actions as a businesswoman. I take care of the creative and relationship building aspects and he helps me with the practical business side of things, such as the accounting. When I realized, he accepted photography was my career choice, it was a momentous occasion.

It was a sense of validation and realizing I was not longer a kid taking pictures of everything.

Who do you look up to as a photographer and why?

I’ve always looked up to my mentors and teachers, they are successful for a reason and I learn from them every chance I can. They are always there to answer my questions and give me a good hard kick in the rear when I mess up.

In terms of my ‘idols’ in the photography world, I adore Tim Flach’s horse work. His equestrian art is mind blowing! I can only say, check it out as words can’t describe it.

Do you have the support of your family and friends?

Endless amounts! My boyfriend Sam is also a photographer (fashion, portraits) and so without him pushing me to take photography classes I wouldn’t be where I am today. He takes care of our awesome dog when I’m on the road and he knows the days I have a long shoot or a migraine from shooting to make some dinner or pick me up etc. I couldn’t do it without him. He’s my technical go to guy, he knows everything there is to know about camera gear (I don’t). A bonus is that I can borrow his camera gear from time to time.

I can’t thank my family, friends and those people who have helped me; be it with wise words, listening to me ramble on, let me practice photography on them or take care of the dog. I wish I had all the money in the world to thank them with lovely gifts.

My teachers and mentors have also been a HUGE part of my life for the last 6 years.

I thank them by going out and doing what they’ve taught me and doing it well. I buy them the odd beer too, which never hurts.

Christopher Wahl. His portraits are simple yet brilliant. His photojournalism work is different with a splash of humor. He’s one of the funniest and nicest guys I’ve met. I adore his sense of individuality.

A given is David Burnett. He uses a film 4.x5 large format camera, for sports. To put it lightly, this is impossible, yet, he does it incredibly well and proves himself to be a legend. I was star struck at the Olympics to go and say hi to him, but I did get to stand behind him while he was shooting. Wow! I have a long list of other photographers that I admire but that’s for another time!

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Does BC have a lot of dedicated athletes?

I’m guessing there are, I’m not really submerged in the sports of BC, as I’ve been concentrating on the international equestrian side of things. In the local equestrian arena – there are a lot of young riders who are showing potential! I was a young rider once so can relate to them and feel their joy when they manage to jump half a foot higher than last time! I am just becoming immersed in the Canadian show circuit and so will continue to learn about more riders and horses as time goes on.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

Cara Grimshaw

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Sept 6, 2014 Marathon Driving. Dressage.

World Equestrian Games. Frances Vogel (FRA) tackles one of the water obstacles.

Photography Cara Grimshaw

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Karen Heidebrecht Thiessen Lead Pastor

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The Professors at the Canadian Mennonite University of Winnipeg saw a heart that was ready and willing to serve her community. At nineteen, Karen Heidebrecht Thiessen made a committment, that fear would not come between her and what she felt was a calling.

After achieving a Master’s Degree in Divinity, she became the first woman to hold the post of lead pastor in a Mennonite Brethren Church, this included in all of North America. She accepted this position at the young age of 25 years old, with the mentorship of her university professors.

When one hears Karen speak, you cannot help but be moved by her message of accountability, love and hope. The world is a better place because of her contributions.

What would her advice be for young girls that are looking to make a decision on what to pursue with their lives. “A job and a calling are not necessarily the same, but they may overlap. A divine calling is something everyone is born to live out. If you feel a calling for the atypical, don’t assume it can’t be. Trust in the journey and you will be given opportunities in whatever setting you find yourself in.”

Her passion became to tell people that God loves them.

Her message...”I believe God wants to tell a love story through your life!”

“God has created you with a destiny!”

After a ten year tenure (from 1990-2000) at River East MB Church in Winnipeg, Karen with her husband and their family moved to British Columbia. Here she leads in the community of Abbotsford, at the Level Ground Mennonite Church. When asked how she viewed her position as lead pastor, she commented, “It’s very natural. I don’t consider it a job but a calling. The doors opened, I didn’t have to push them open. It was very natural.

Level Ground Church is known for its ministry to those with a history of substance abuse.

In a society where the pain of addiction does not discriminate or have boundaries in social status, Karen believes that the ground is level below the cross. There is hope of recovery.

“All people can have the same joy, the same love, whether you are a single mom, a business owner, on city counsel or just been released from prison.” She sees the image of God not only in the successful but also in the broken.

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Hair by Stephanie Geary

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Quote: “If you feel a calling for the atypical, don’t assume it can’t be. Trust in the journey and you will be given opportunities in whatever setting you find yourself in.”

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Treasures of the Heart continued .....with Sophia Antoniuk

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As the seasons came and went, I turned to my other interest - real estate. My husband encouraged me to become a licensed realtor and within a short time period I was fully immersed in the real estate world. This was a very busy and exhilarating time in my life. I experienced great satisfaction in meeting my clients’ needs in helping them fulfill their real estate dreams.

Currently I am pursuing my passion as a wildlife artist.

My chosen medium is acrylic and my inspiration comes from the precious wildlife that arrives daily at the river’s edge in my backyard. Each season brings an abundance of beautiful creatures such as orphaned baby squirrels, raccoons, deer, elk, bear, ospreys, eagles, blue herons, chatty chipmunks and many more treasures. The wildlife is a spectacular display of the Lord’s creation and I am so blessed to experience their presence.

My greatest treasures in life are my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, family and friends, my Doukhobor community where I now volunteer my time and capturing the wildlife on canvas. I believe a woman is God’s masterpiece created for His purpose and a treasure to be unearthed. Every woman is uniquely and wonderfully made full of gifts and talents. We are the beautiful work of art created to display the glory of God. Sophia Antoniuk

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Paintings by Sophia Antoniuk

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The Art of Hair Design

Photography: Dan Brock

Photography: Sam Chua Hair Inspiration: Patrick G. Nadeau

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Photography: Dan Brock

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Acknowledgements:

Thank you to all the women who volunteered their time to share their stories.

Editor and Graphic Design: Marla Chernoff

Creative Editors: Nathan Chernoff Cynthia Chernoff

Photography Credits:

Treasures of the Heart Portrait and Dishes: Dan Brock Dishes: Marla Chernoff Waterpolo Family Action Shots: Diane Bekhazi Portrait: Sam Chua Pencil Crayon Artist Sam Chua Never Too Late to Learn Sam Chua Surrounded by Melody Portrait: Marla Chernoff Stesha Davidoff Portrait: Geoffrey Lane Cara Grimshaw Portrait: Christopher Morris Equestrian: Cara Grimshaw Lead Pastor Sam Chua The Art of Hair Design Portrait: Sam Chua Portrait: Dan Brock Hair: Marla Chernoff

Contacts: www.caragrimshaw.com edavidoff@shaw.ca 84

Thanks for visiting.

See you next time!

Marla Chernoff

Photography: Sam Chua

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