WHAT’S IN THERE? pg.2.... - Write This Way - What Matters - Artist in Profile
pg.3.... - Music Notes - Heritage Moments - Health & You - Revelbush
pg.4.... - Sleeps n’ Eats - What’s your Biz’ness? - Sponsor Thanks
www.reved.net
SPRING 2008
REVED! Revelstoke’s Quarterly Arts
and Culture Publication
afford the rent. But who got kicked out for that? A family? An elderly woman? Steve Lemon writes an optimistic article in What Matters on page two, detailing some of the considerations the city and other committees are taking to lessen the blow.
Hello!
I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but we have a new ski hill in our midst! No really, it’s right up there on the hill and I have to say…I am like a child again when I get up there. I can’t seem to stop the giddiness that comes when I make huge sweeping turns on the (excellently) groomed runs, or find the perfect line down a set of moguls where I just barely turn in time before I’m out of control. I’m addicted. My ski-touring gear sulks in the corner when I leave with my downhill attire and I feel guilty only for a moment when I realize I’ve succumbed to the ease of resort skiing. But just this year! Aaaand, maybe next. But after that…I don’t want to assume anything, but I think people might start noticing this place. Soon enough, those lift lines will get a busier and tickets certainly won’t be $30 for a local, half-day for much longer. I’m reveling in what we have for the moment. I hope you are, too! But it’s not all smiles and giggles. If you are looking for a place to live in Revelstoke, or have been elbow-nudged out of your abode by exorbitant rent increase, then you may have some disdain for the new resort. Some of the housing problems could be alleviated by staff accommodation provided by major employers. Landlords are seeing the benefits of raising rent because they know seasonal workers will endure living with seven others in a house, thus helping
Heritage Moments
FREE!
Artist in Profile:
by Heather Lea
Andrew Stacey
Emerging
This is the 12th issue of REVED, which was first published in June, 2005. The first issue took me nine weeks to do; I had no idea what I was doing. There were ads to sell and articles to write and a design program that brought me to tears and when I converted what was left after printing, shipping and distribution costs, into an hourly wage, I was sort of worried. But I loved the end result and the feedback REVED received propelled it forward. Of course, each issue got easier as I learned the in’s-and-out’s and I now make $100/ hr. OK, that’s not true. What is true is that REVED exists solely through the undying support of local businesses and sponsors who recognize its value in the community. And in no small way are the many writers and contributors an important part of REVED, as well. This newspaper will often print anything you send or suggest because you’ve made the effort. Its mission is to promote the creative and talented minds of Revelstoke and help inspire those in the closet, (whoa, we’re still talking creativity here…), so send stuff!
A
nd to those who have contributed in any way, shape and form to this publication, my sincerest thank you’s! Heather Lea - Publisher by Abby Pond
Isabel Coursier is a legend in Revelstoke, best known for her ski-jumping abilities during the 1920’s. Born in 1906 during a time when women did not necessarily pursue sports - especially risky sports - Isabel was a novelty from the start. She was 16 years old when she broke a world record, jumping 84 ft here at what is now known as the Nels Nelson Historic Ski Jump on Mnt. Revelstoke. From that day forward, Isabel was celebrated as being the first female world champion ski-jumper.
Many of us were Girl Guides as children. The traditional picture of cookie selling, uniform-wearing, good-deed doing girls might come to mind. I returned to the program as an adult leader, partly because I remembered all the fun times I had. I wanted to share that with the girls here in town.
In a ski tournament held in Washington on the 4th of July, 1923, young Isabel marveled her audience once again, jumping on the icy slopes of Mount Rainier. For this exhibition, she received a special medal and an ovation from the distinguished audience, which included then-president, Warren Harding.
It’s a common trend in the organization. Once a girl reaches the age of 12 or 13, she’s got a lot of demands on her time – school, friends, maybe sports and creative pursuits. The Guiding movement was losing a lot of members at this stage, and started asking girls why.
A member of the Revelstoke Ski Club, Isabel confidently jumped alongside her male contemporaries, such as Nels Nelsen, an immigrant from Norway to Revelstoke, who also held a world record for his jump of 240ft. Isabel was the first woman to jump unsupported by a male partner. Up until then, all females jumped holding the hand of a man.
Turns out that the girls enjoyed the active, outdoor components of the program, but not the badge work and regular meetings. They wanted to be challenged and have fun outside, but with more freedom than a traditional group would have. In response, Girl Guides of Canada started the Extraordinary Options program. These units, for girls ages 12 to 18 (or older!) are specially designed to meet these demands.
When Isabel was eight years old, a trapper friend of the family’s, Bob Blackmore, made her a set of skis – this was all she needed to get well on her way. Ms. Coursier stated in an interview in 1968 that she was appalled by the commercialism probing parents and tempting kids to buy the best equipment and spend more money yet on training. She had had no formal coaching. “None of us ever did, to my knowledge. I never saw anybody coaching anyone,” Ms. Coursier remarked in another interview, “That’s why (we all) had the different styles.” A headstrong woman, Isabel would declare that riding lifts was “the lazy person’s approach”, saying that the need for ski lifts and tows was largely to blame for many ski injuries and accidents. Muscles did not have the chance to condition properly when the skier rode a lift and just glided down in what she deemed ‘a monotonous cycle.’ Isabel Coursier was world champion from 1922-29. She traveled often back and forth between Montreal, BC and the UK for formal education and then eventually through her career as a Phys-Ed teacher. She retired in 1967, moved back to Canada and settled in Parksville on Vancouver Island where she is presumed to have lived until she passed away in October 16, 1980 at the age of 74.
Trex- an Extraordinary Option for Girls
In the fall of 2007, after two years as a Guide unit leader, I opened a Trex unit here in Revelstoke. The response was overwhelming! Thirteen girls signed up to take part, and I’ve got younger girls who can’t wait to join. Why are they excited? There is no set program to follow. The premise of Trex is to enjoy healthy, active activities and to get outside and get camping. That’s it. The girls decide the rest. They plan their trips from start to finish, learning valuable skills in doing so. They also gain confidence, leadership skills, and concrete life skills. So far this year, because of time constraints, we’ve managed to fit in a fun afternoon of curling and a swim day at the pool. The girls are busily plotting a first aid course and a mountain biking trip for spring, when the snow melts. They are also planning one or two long range camps (and are currently arguing over what they want to do!). Possibilities include rock climbing, spelunking, hiking, and a canoe trip. Like any volunteer organization, Girl Guides of Canada is chronically short of volunteers. This severely limits what we are able to do. As a co-leader of three units, I can attest to that fact! However, I donate my time to this program because I see the worthwhile difference it makes. If you have a skill you think we may need, or if you want to learn some new ones yourself, then come and join us! If you are interested in learning more about Trex, or if you’d like to join us, please contact me at taxisriver@hotmail.com. We welcome girls and women of any age!