Pre-teen Kathaumixw guest finds a second home in Powell River BY JOYCE CARLSON
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irst-time International Choral Kathaumixw billet family, Lola and Gary Amundsen, have ended up with a chosen extended family member. Lola said they had never hosted billets before 2016 and didn’t really know what to do. “Talking to people about it, we heard good comments so we signed up,” she added, and they welcomed four young singers into their Townsite home. “It was the best thing we ever did. I love those girls like my own.” The couple has a grown son and daughter in their 30s. Lara Bertl, now 13, was one of those four girls who came from Graz, Austria Kinder and Jungendsinakademie, winner of the 2016 Children’s Choir competition. Once Lara returned to Austria, she continued to call her billets every Sunday night. As a birthday present when she turned 12, Lara was given plane tickets and spent 10 days visiting during spring break. “I was so in love with Powell River” Lara said she had always thought about doing an exchange to France or Great Britain, but felt her French needed more work and she did not know anybody in England. “I asked my mom if I could go back to Powell River and she said sure. She knew I would eventually go on an exchange but she didn’t know it would be Canada. France and England are only a few hours away by plane.”
Lara spoke with her school principal and was given permission for the exchange. She then called Lola who immediately agreed to have her come for five months. Lola made an appointment with Shan-
YOUR HOME COULD BE A HOSTEL Kathaumixw runs from July 3 to 7, 2018. If you wish to help by providing accommodation for a choir member(s) and perhaps have a similar experience to Lola and Gary Amundsen, go to kathaumixw.org for more information.
non Behan, School District 47 principal of international programs, about Lara attending Brooks. “She is so inspiring, and professional. And she was happy to have a connection to Austria for possible future exchanges. Shannon was very helpful in making things happen smoothly.” All Graz choir members, including her four billets, go to a school where students must maintain a straight-A average, Lola noted. “Everyone in the choir was very disciplined and I noticed that one word from their conductor brought them all to attention.” At the end of January, Lara returned to Canada, where she will remain until mid-July. “We met her in Vancouver and did all the touristy things we could with her,” Lola explained. Lara speaks five languages, “includ-
A PET AND A PARENT AWAY FROM HOME: Lola Amundsen has an additional beloved family member, Lara Bertl, who recently brought Leo, the Balinese kitten into their home. The International Choral Kathaumixw 2016 choir participant from Austria is living with the Powell River family for five months. WILDFIRE COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS DAY
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POWELL RIVER LIVING • may 2018 •
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