Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine December 2021 issue by Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine

Community profile: Revelstoke Hospice. p · 14. Revelstoke tech: Chronometer. p · 16.

Wolverine Snow Products. p · 18. Revelstoke Winter Clubs feature. p · 26.

DECEMBER/��1

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COVER PHOTO: Revelstoke photographer Olly Hogan captured this photo of rider Andrew Jackson "above the dam" for the Cross Eye Photo Showdown competition in March of this year. Jackson is a veteran of the snowboard scene and charging hard, as you can see. The finalists exhibition for the Cross Eye Photo Showdown happened after press time. Photo: Olly Hogan.

Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine is a free monthly publication featuring the best of Revelstoke outdoor life, food, style, visitor experiences, lifestyles, entertainment, home style and healthy living. We are an independent, locally owned publication dedicated to showcasing our amazing mountain town and the great people who create the stoke. Each issue we distribute over 3,000 free copies to over 200 public venues across Revelstoke, including hotel rooms, shops, restaurants, cafes, community centres — everywhere people meet. For all inquiries, please contact us at info@revelstokemountaineer.com For Revelstoke daily news online, please see our sister publication www.revelstokemountaineer.com · 250 814 8710 info@revelstokemountaineer.com 606 Railway Avenue. Revelstoke, B.C. P.O. BOX 112 · V0E 2S0

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Aaron Orlando aaron@revelstokemountaineer.com

EDITOR Aaron Orlando aaron@revelstokemountaineer.com

STAFF JOURNALISTS Bailey Gingras-Hamilton bailey@revelstokemountaineer.com

EDITORIAL DESIGN/ADVERTISING DESIGN Sonia García sonia@revelstokemountaineer.com

WEBSITE Chris Payne chris@revelstokemountaineer.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Heather Hood, Laura Stovel, Meghan Porath

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS Olly Hogan, Bailey Gingras-Hamilton, Laura Szanto, Bruno Long, Robert Hurowitz, Megan Harvey, Cory Peck, July Wilkey, Mike Thomas, Rob Sidjak, Rob Alford, Frank Desrosiers

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS Benji Lowclass

In the club Our main feature this month showcases some of Revelstoke's many winter clubs, some of which, like the Revelstoke Curling Club, have been keeping the stoke alive since the late 1800s. All of this I learned from a The History of Curling Revelstoke display on the wall at the Revelstoke Curling Club: Back on Nov. 18, 1899, the Revelstoke Curlers got together at the old Union Hotel to hatch a plan to build a curling and skating rink. A week later, they'd already raised $2,400 using stakeholders's contribution and a subscription system that sold shares for $5. They found a piece of land nearby the Columbia River and acquired it. Just two weeks after their inaugural meeting, they were talking plans for construction of the main skating rink sized 60x150 feet with curling rinks on each side measuring 20x150 feet. Three weeks after the inagural meeting,, on Dec. 9, J. Kernaghan won the contract to build it for an approximate cost of $5,000. Construction soon started. Trusses were used to build the wooden building to avoid the use of poles. It featured a pointed roof with rounded sides. The roof featured a two-storey high advertisement for Old Chum Pipe Tobacco at one point. The construction was going OK until Dec. 23, 1899, when a windstorm kicked up. A sudden gust whipped across the construction site, pushing over some of the trusses, bringing them down and sending construction workers running. One carpenter, Frank Craig, narrowly escaped.

Some of the falling trusses crashed onto a neighbouring house, which was very close to the new rink based on a picture. (I guess the zoning was different then, and if they went from a dream to swinging hammers in three weeks, a faster process.) The incident left the neighhbours, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Manning, "badly frightened." Despite the setback, the curlers perservered, and the Revelstoke Curling Club was born. Curling is alive today in Revelstoke, although you can't pack your pipe with Old Chum and smoke inside the rink anymore. The world's seen a lot in the past century and a quarter, yet these organizations that form strands of the fabric of our community have endured, blossomed and evolved. During our contemporary era, we're constantly reassessing our institutions and often finding deep faults with them, often rightly so. It can be an unsettling experience. However, during the conversation, we can overlook the institutions that unite us and do much to create our community and identity, like our Revelstoke winter clubs, for example. As we head into the snow season, I ask you to take a moment to reflect on why the clubs have endured and what we can learn from their positive community contributions. :) —Aaron Orlando, BA, MJ; Creative Director, Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine, revelstokemountaineer.com

Small Groups. Big experiences.

Outdoor Discovery Program Outdoor-play based holistic learning Monday to Saturday 9-3 Half & full day programs offered

After School Wilderness Skills Monday to Thursday 3-5 pm $20

Holiday camps Outdoor Art & Adventure: Dec 20-23 Winter Sports: Dec 27-30 9-2 pm $75 *All programs for ages 4-6 & 7-10 Based out of Revelstoke Campground www.flexpeditions.com/ 1-866-939-3539 for booking & details

Small Groups. Big experiences.

Snowshoe Rentals & Tours Follow our guides or blaze your own trail

Wilderness First Aid Courses January & April dates for NUEC3, WAFA, WFR, bridge & recert courses

Outdoor Wellness Retreats Customized all-inclusive nature and sport experiences

Based out of Revelstoke Campground www.flexpeditions.com/ 1-866-939-3539 for details & booking

CONTENTS 8

DECEMBER NEWS BRIEFS Our December News Briefs summarize notable events from November.

CALENDAR: DECEMBER 2021 EVENTS A look ahead at events happening in Revelstoke in December. Don't forget to submit your public events for free inclusion in upcoming issues online at revelstokemountaineer.com.

HOSPICE: COMFORT AND CARE AT END OF LIFE Writer Laura Stovel checks in with Revelstoke Hospice for a profile on a community group that does challenging work behind the scenes to support the community.

CHRONOMETER Revelstoke tech startup Chronometer is a pioneer in the local tech scene, building a growing company in a mountain town. We checked in with owner Aaron Davidson to find out about the challenges and opportunities in a growing economic sector for the community.

WOLVERINE SNOW PRODUCTS New Revelstoke splitboard and ski pole manufacturer Wolverine Snow Products creates products designed and tailor made for the backcountry.

COMMON IN VESTING MISTAKES Sponsored: Laura Wiersbicki runs down five common investing mistakes to avoid.

BC MUNICIPAL PUSH FOR SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGULATION The Union of British Columbia Municipalities wants the provincial government to take regulatory steps.

REVELSTOKE WINTER CLUBS Reveltoke has a thriving winter club scene with something to offer no matter how you slide, glide or shralp. Our December issue feature checks in with the winter clubs to find out what's happening with this important community and cultural sector.

ARTS BRIEFS Our regular Arts Briefs section checks in on the trends and news in the Revelstoke arts and culture scene.

R GEAR Sponsored: Check out the latest in snow style in this feature from Revelstoke retailer R Gear.

TOURISM TALKS

How to become a Revelstoke local. It’s that time of year again—the snow is creeping down towards the valley, and Revy Rentals is replete with people in search of seasonal accommodation. If you’re just arriving in Revelstoke, you’ll find that Revelstoke is a great place to visit and an even better place to live. Many of our residents are people who visited on a ski holiday, stayed for the season, and then ended up staying even longer. Get ready to commit to moving here for the long term. There’s something about this place that you just can’t shake. 1. Participate in the Revelstoke Ambassador Program. If you’re working in the service industry, participate in the Revelstoke Ambassador Program. We want to ensure that visitors to our town feel welcome and have a positive experience. This program will help you be informed on all of the visitor services we have to offer and get you access to discounts around town, including on your ski pass! 2. Learn a little more about what Revelstoke has to offer. Head to the Revelstoke Visitor Information Centre and chat with the staff. They’ve got maps, brochures, Revy swag, and tons of ideas for things to do in Revelstoke. 3. Learn about our local history and culture. We are home to some great local museums and arts organizations. Make sure to take in an art opening at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, snag tickets to REVY. Live, and visit our museums. 4. Check out our local restaurants and watering holes. Take the opportunity to check out our local restaurants (before the busy winter season if you can!). We’ve got a ton of great food options, most of which are very affordable. We’re also home to two breweries and two distilleries!

The best way to become a Revelstoke local is to get involved with our community.

5. Try a new sport. There’s got to be something you haven’t tried. Have you ever fat biked? Snowshoed? Nordic skied? Snowmobiled? Fly fished? Rentals are available from various providers and we have no shortage of experienced guides. 6. Get involved in our community. Volunteer for something. One of the things that makes Revelstoke special is our residents’ commitment to the community. There are some amazing non-profit organizations to match your interests. Find something you’re passionate about and reach out to volunteer. To read previous Tourism Talks columns, check out seerevelstoke.com/about-tourism-revelstoke/

NEWS BRIEFS

Volunteers and workers stock fridges, shelves and tables at the new Community Connections Food Bank market facility in November, 2021. Photo: Bailey Gingras-Hamilton.

Grizzly Plaza decked out for a Christmas movie shoot in March of 2017. The official light up ceremony happened after our print deadline. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine.

Community Connections reveals Illuminate Revelstoke Society adds expanded food distribution centre some sparkle to downtown core By Bailey Gingras-Hamilton. Community Connections revealed its expanded food distribution facility in November, offering a bright open space with a cozy market atmosphere. Located in the same building as the Community Connections Outreach Centre on Second St. West., the food bank opened its doors on Nov. 15. The soft opening marked a new chapter for Community Connections, concluding construction that has been underway since fall 2020. “There are quite a few opportunities now that we’re in this space, and this is just phase one of a lot of things that are to come,” says Hannah Whitney, food and outreach coordinator at Community Connections. Volunteers fill shelves and stock fridges. Non-perishables are neatly presented in rows and produce fills colourful bins. As volunteers bustle around tables, shelves and fridges, the atmosphere is comparable to visiting a small neighborhood grocer. The space is bright, and most importantly, it is welcoming. “There’s such a stigma around using programs like this,” explains Whitney. “Food is like the outstretched hand to bring people into more supports as well.” The opening of the new food bank came at perfect timing; as flooding stresses supply chains and panic-buyers strip shelves, many are feeling the pinch of food insecurity. Beyond the distribution centre, the new food bank boasts kitchen equipment for processing donations. This is a major opportunity for Community Connections, explains Whitney. “This just allows our capacity to take advantage of food recovery that we maybe couldn’t have in the past,” she elaborates. By freezing, canning, and prepping their raw donations, Community Connections can accept more food without worrying about waste. “We recognize that December is a harder time of year for a lot of people for many reasons, and we want to help people out with that,” says Whitney. There are three ways to participate in the Christmas program, said Whitney. In addition to accepting monetary donations, Community Connections will be posting a “Christmas wishlist” of in-demand holiday items. They will also set up stockings at various local businesses to accept gift card donations.

THE GROUP - AN OFFSHOOT OF THE CHRISTMAS EVENTS COMMITTEE - STARTED THEIR PROJECT WITH TREES IN GRIZZLY PLAZA BUT PLAN TO EXPAND THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY WITH YEAR-ROUND LIGHTS.

By Cara Smith. Downtown Revelstoke is about to be a lot brighter as a new community group, Illuminate Revelstoke Society, continues to add sparkle to the town’s core. The Illuminate Revelstoke Society is operating as an offshoot of another committee responsible for holiday events around town, like the town Christmas tree and pictures with Santa. This separate group was established to take on the year-round lighting of trees around Revelstoke. The idea, according to society spokesperson Mark McKee, is not only to brighten things up for the holidays, but provide a more welcoming atmosphere the rest of the year as well. The lights will also serve wayfinding purposes, lighting up the entrances to downtown. The project’s first phase rolled out on November 26, when trees in Grizzly Plaza were lit up with warm white, low-voltage LED lights that will remain in place even after the holiday season. McKee says that while they’re starting with Grizzly Plaza, the society plans to expand throughout the town’s core through cooperation with both the community and city hall. McKee says they’ve taken inspiration from a number of other communities where year-round lights on trees have proven to be a welcome and useful addition. “You travel anywhere in the world, the downtown core - and especially places like Grizzly Plaza - are lit up and they're attractive and people are drawn to them,” McKee explains. “Firstly, we want to create a good experience for the locals and if it's a good experience for the locals, it'll be a good experience for our visitors. The group is encouraging feedback from the community about what they think of the plan so far and how they’d like to see future phases rolled out. “It's important not only for us to hear what the reaction is, but it's important for the city of Revelstoke to hear that as well.”

Glass Blowing in Revelstoke Shop our studio Watch us blow glass Check out our workshops 1-250-837-9696 1741 Celgar Rd www.bigeddyglassworks.ca

Open Every Day from 11am - 6pm

Stock photo.

A couple strolls in a residential neighbourhood in downtown Revelstoke. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine.

Revelstoke council puts brakes on short-term rentals policy By Aaron Orlando. Revelstoke city council put the brakes on the city’s short-term rental policy bylaw and will revisit a list of questions and concerns with staff at a Dec. 9 committee meeting. At its Nov. 9 meeting, council rescinded its second reading of the bylaw and scheduled more discussion for its December committee of the whole meeting. At that meeting, council will hash over the issues. During an Oct. 27 public hearing, residents expressed a list of concerns about the proposed new bylaw, including criticisms of most of its main points. There was considerable written and verbal response, with many people expressing specific concerns. The feedback at the public hearing was focused around those with interest in existing unlicensed rentals. They complained about a 120-day rental limit, threeroom rental maximum, a restriction to secondary suites only, requirements that a permanent-resident lives on the property, among other complaints. In essence, they felt the new rules left their existing vacation rental with no path forward. The policy’s impact on the housing crisis was a major concern for some who provided feedback. Will permitting 300 new short-term rentals in secondary suites cannibalize existing long-term rentals, exacerbating the housing crisis and labour availability crisis in Revelstoke? At the meeting, councillors expressed a potpourri of concerns and angst about the proposed bylaw, including concerns about short-term rentals being allowed in all neighbourhoods, the secondary suite requirement, the proposed 300 cap on vacation rentals, the 120-day limit, and more. At the meeting, development staff noted the department has been working on the new bylaw for two years. This spring, council sent a draft proposal back to staff for revision, setting the timeline back already. Council will discuss the short-term rental issue at a December committee meeting. The feedback from council raised issues with most core policies in the proposed bylaw, which means the entire short-term rental policy direction discussion is still in play with developments coming in December.

BC Coroners Service releases overdose data, revealing three deaths in Revelstoke By Bailey Gingras-Hamilton. BC Coroners Service released updated illicit drug poisoning statistics on Nov. 9, revealing three fatalities this year in Revelstoke. The Nov. 9 report released by BC Coroners Service summarizes all unintentional illicit drug toxicity from January to September 2021 in the province. According to the report, 333 people died in August and September alone. This brings the provincial death toll to 1,534, the highest recorded in the first nine months of a calendar year. Regional data included in the report shows three overdose fatalities in Revelstoke from January to August 2021. BC Coroners Service, a judicially independent entity of the provincial government, does not specify when these deaths occurred. The BC Coroners Services report highlights several alarming trends. Data reveal that illicit drug fatalities are up 24 per cent for the first nine months of 2021, compared to the same time-period in 2020. “It’s heartbreaking to see so many lives lost in August and September due to the drug-poisoning crisis. My thoughts and sympathies go out to all the families who have lost a loved one,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions in a statement. Malcolmson later announced the “historic expansion of substance-use treatment and recovery services,” including 10 new specialized addictiontreatment beds in Surrey. The announcement did not mention any expanded services in the Interior Health region. According to BC Coroners Service, no deaths have been reported at supervised consumption or drug overdose prevention sites. Also in November, the B.C. government is applying for a federal exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, decriminalizing personal amounts of illicit substances. On Nov. 1, the provincial government announced the finalized application. If approved, B.C. will be the first province to remove criminal penalties for people who possess small amounts of illicit drugs. According to BC Coroners Service, over 7,000 British Columbians have died of illicit substance poisoning since declaring a public health emergency in 2016. Over 1,200 of those deaths occurred in the first six months of 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic led to a spike in overdose deaths.

CALENDAR DECEMBER 2021 WEEKLY EVENTS MONDAY REVELSTOKE RAINBOW DROP-IN

@ Community Connections · 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. This meet-up is a safe space for LBTQIA2S+ to connect, discuss support in the community, share information, or just chat and hang out. Call 250-837-2920 to register for this free event.

TUESDAY REVELSTOKE READS - FAMILY STORY TIME

@ Online · 10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Join Vanessa, Sasha and Stacy on Zoom for super fun stories, songs and rhymes. Register once to get Zoom invitation for all sessions. Visit the events page at orl.bc.ca/revelstoke for more information.

COMMON THREADS NEEDLECRAFT CLUB

@ Okanagan Library Revelstoke Branch · 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Enjoy a relaxed evening connecting to other crafters while sharing skills, patterns, projects and ideas. All skill levels welcome - please bring your own supplies.

WEDNESDAY FREE MEDITATION

@ Balu Yoga · 7:30 a.m. - 8 a.m. Free meditation every Wednesday morning at Balu Yoga. No experience needed. To view the in-studio COVID protocol visit baluyoga.com.

WOMEN’S COLLECTIVE

@ Community Connections · 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Enjoy coffee, light snacks and conversation about everything woman. Call 250-837-2920 for more information.

THURSDAY RAINBOWS & ALLIES LGBTQIA2S+ YOUTH SPACE

@ Community Connections · 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. On the last Thursday of every month, come to a safe space for queer youth for conversation, food and fun. This event is hosted in partnership with Stoke Youth Network.

SATURDAY REVELSTOKE WINTER MARKET

@ Revelstoke Community Centre · 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Every second Saturday, the Winter Market brings together farm and craft vendors from Revelstoke and beyond.

TAKE OUT LEGO SURPRISE

@ Okanagan Library Revelstoke Branch · 10 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Get everything you need for a fun, creative afternoon of Lego exploration. On the fourth Saturday of every month, drop by the library and get a bagged kit with a selection of Lego pieces, and Lego challenge cards.

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY INTRODUCTION TO FLAME WORKING 101: GLASS BEADS

@ Big Eddy Glass Works · 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. In this beginners class you will work on the torches to create your very own glass beads (approx. 4 - 6 beads.) This workshop will teach you the introductory steps to flame working. Sign up at bigeddyglassworks.ca.

DECEMBER EVENTS DECEMBER 2 – DECEMBER 23 WINTER ART AND GIFTS MARKET @ Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre

Fans celebrate a Revelstoke Grizzlies Goal at the Revelstoke Forum. . Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine.

VISIT REVELSTOKEMOUNTAINEER.COM/CALENDAR TO SUBMIT YOUR EVENT FOR FREE. WE INCLUDE A SELECTION OF THOSE EVENTS HERE IN OUR MONTHLY PRINT CALENDAR.

This December, the gallery will transform into a Winter Art Market. The entire gallery will be filled with a huge range of local handmade gifts that can be taken home right away.

Diemm will be performing at Fable Book Parlour for their Special Holiday Soirée on Dec. 18. Photo: Diemm.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3 REVELSTOKE GRIZZLIES VS. 100 MILE HOUSE

@ Revelstoke Forum · 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. The Revelstoke Grizzlies are a Junior “B” Ice Hockey team and members of the Doug Birks Division of the Okanagan/Shuswap Conference of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. Tickets are only sold at the door or at Revy Outdoors. Pre-purchased tickets do not guarantee entry if you are not at the game when the doors open. Capacity will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4 REVELSTOKE GRIZZLIES VS. KAMLOOPS

@ Revelstoke Forum · 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. The Revelstoke Grizzlies are a Junior “B” Ice Hockey team and members of the Doug Birks Division of the Okanagan/Shuswap Conference of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. Tickets are only sold at the door or at Revy Outdoors. Pre-purchased tickets do not guarantee entry if you are not at the game when the doors open. Capacity will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9 REVELSTOKE COMMUNITY GROWTH DISCUSSION

@ Revelstoke Community Centre · 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Revelstoke is growing, and one of the biggest challenges it faces, is housing. Based on analysis of various housing scenarios, the project team would like to share the results with the community and discuss the recommended scenario. Registration is required. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., for more information visit talkrevelstoke.ca.

Glass globes at Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre's 2020 Christmas Market. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine.

KRISTA STOVEL

REGISTERED CLINICAL COUNSELLOR PROFESSIONAL ART THERAPIST

778 252 HELP (4357)

cedarandbirchcounselling@outlook.com cedarandbirchcounselling.com

Calendar

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10 GOD IS A SCOTTISH DRAG QUEEN: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL @ Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre · 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. God, dressed in an all-new holiday power suit, returns to set the record straight on everything from the beginnings of Christmas with Yule, Saturnalia and Winter Solstice to holiday foods, the true story of the Nativity, and more. Tickets are available at artsrevelstoke.com.

BIG EDDY HOLIDAY MARKET

@ Big Eddy Glassworks · 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. DJ Spanda and DollaHillz will be playing this outdoor, all-ages event. There will be live glass blowing demos, and over 40 local makers serving up beer, food, and everything from ceramics to hot sauce.

REVELSTOKE GRIZZLIES VS. CHASE

PARLOUR TALK: FIRESIDE CHAT WITH AMBASSADORS OF POW Mike Delamont will be taking the stage, in drag, for God is a Scottish Drag Queen on Dec. 10 at the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre. Photo: Derek Ford Photography.

@ Fable Book Parlour · 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Join us for an intimate evening with POW Ambassadors Greg Hill, Nat Segal, Kim Vinet, and Rogers Pass guidebook author, Doug Sproul for an evening of shared stories and experiences. Live music to be announced. Tickets are available for $15 at Fable Book Parlour.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12 STORY TIME WITH SANTA

@ Fable Book Parlour · 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Join us for a special holiday storytime and sneak a preChristmas photo with the big guy himself. The tea and coffee bar will be open while you browse books and enjoy a holiday story.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18 PARLOUR SESSIONS: SPECIAL HOLIDAY SOIRÉE @ Fable Book Parlour · 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Join the Fable Family for a special intimate Holiday Soirée black tie event, featuring the beautiful music of Diemm. Tickets are $20, visit fablebookparlour.com/events for more information.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22 ALPINE CLUB OF CANADA YOUTH SKI TOURING SESSION @ Location TBA · 8:30 a.m - 3 p.m. Groups of four youth will be accompanied by an Alpine Club of Canada guide and amateur leader. Ski touring adapters and skins provided. Location will be determined based on avalanche conditions and group abilities.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31 REVELSTOKE GRIZZLIES VS. KELOWNA

The 2021-22 Revelstoke Grizzlies listen to Ryan Parent during a time out at the Revelstoke Forum in November. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine.

The Revelstoke Grizzlies are a Junior “B” Ice Hockey team and members of the Doug Birks Division of the Okanagan/Shuswap Conference of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. Tickets are only sold at the door or at Revy Outdoors. Pre-purchased tickets do not guarantee entry if you are not at the game when the doors open. Capacity will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

BOOTFITTING FIX YOUR FOOT PAIN FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS DROP INTOCRITICAL PART.S If you’ve got boot issues, we’ve got solutions. Our qualified bootfitters specialize in custom footbeds and can shape, punch and grind your boot shell for the perfect fit to keep you shredding from first to last chair. Book a bootfitting appointment online or call 1.250.814.5020

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FEATURE LIFE

HOSPICE: COMFORT AND CARE AT THE END OF LIFE THE REVELSTOKE HOSPICE SOCIETY. By Laura Stovel.

Photo: Frank Desrosiers.

Theresa Hamilton makes a socially distanced visit at a local care home. Photo: Frank Desrosiers.

Chelsey and Jason Adler and girls with their dog Bri Bri visit at Mt. Cartier Court during the lockdown. Photo contributed.

"Revelstoke Hospice Society staff and volunteers support community members of all ages, not just at the time of death, but often well before"

as our life journey approaches its end, many of us will reflect on the things that matter most: love, relationships, the good that we did, regrets, and what we leave behind. Some may be supported by family or friends; others, for whatever reason, may be alone. In our culture, few people spend much time thinking and preparing for death or the death of loved ones. Because of our relative privilege and good access to medical care, we are rarely faced with the deaths of young and middle-aged people. We often push away the thought of our own death as something that will happen, and will be dealt with, later. And when the time comes, we may be unprepared. Some people in Revelstoke, however, have thought deeply about death, dying and grief, and are prepared to support community members who are reaching the end of their lives or who want to plan ahead. For them, thinking and talking about death well ahead of time makes life more purposeful and meaningful. Revelstoke Hospice Society staff and volunteers support community members of all ages, not just at the time of death, but often well before. The society, formed in 1994 by health care workers who saw a need for palliative care and bereavement groups in town, has branched out to support isolated seniors in the Pals program and facilitate conversations about the end of life in Death Cafés. Theresa Hamilton, executive director of the Revelstoke Hospice Society, has made death caring her life’s work. She completed a degree thanatology (the study of death and dying) at King’s University College at the University of Western Ontario then studied death midwifery through BEyond Yonder Virtual School of Death Midwifery. (A midwife for the dying does the whole pan-death experience: “the before, the doula work, the moment of death, and then the grief and bereavement. It’s a whole spectrum, she explained.”) “I found the study of death and life losses and I just went directly into the deep end. I loved every second of it and I just thought it made so much sense. Why doesn’t everybody want to talk about this?” she said. When Hamilton moved to Revelstoke in 2016 and started volunteering, Hospice was a perfect fit. Three years ago, she was hired as executive director and has brought her energy, creativity and passion to the role. The Revelstoke Hospice Society is well known for its welltrained volunteers who “sit vigil, help the family grieve, or just generally provide respite,” Hamilton said. Around 2010, Hospice added the Pals program that connects volunteers with isolated seniors who live in their homes or in long-term care. “The Pals program provides companionship for those whose families are unable to visit for whatever reason,” Hamilton said. It’s just nice to develop a special connection to them and then, as they transition into palliative care, we know a bit about them. We’ve already had that trust developed. I think it serves that individual a lot better

knowing a bit about them, rather than meeting them in the last couple of weeks.” Showing how meaningful the Pals relationships can be, one volunteer wrote: “I have written down a lot of the stories that my Pal told me over time and have shared these with the family. I would often remind my Pal of different things she had told me, and she would say, ‘You have such a good memory- no one else knows or remembers these stories. Thank you.’ I brought in three clippings from the Revelstoke Review from 1951 detailing my Pal’s wedding shower, wedding and the return from her honeymoon. The daughter had never seen this, so was delighted to have these precious details.” Another wrote: “My Pal could be a lot of work to get along with. We had coffee dates and I would join them at functions and trips to the library. Often, they were abrasive and salty and I would have to lighten the mood. When it came time for their death, it was the opposite and they became very beautiful. All the things we never said to each other we said in the final visit. We shared how much we loved each other, despite the age difference, we were best friends, and I was able to thank them for their impact in my life. I was honoured to be that person for them in the end.” Before the Covid epidemic hit, Pals volunteers visited their Pals in person and helped with the walking program at Mount Cartier Court, Revelstoke’s long-term care facility. Volunteers and staff took residents out in their wheelchairs to walk around the neighbourhood, “rain or shine, Hamilton said. “Some of the ladies put on hats and lipstick. It created quite a parade around the subdivision.” The Covid epidemic made connections with seniors more challenging, but the volunteers persevered. “We focused on providing window visits for residents at Mt. Cartier Court,” talking on the phone while looking at each other and sometimes writing funny messages on the windows, or communicating by Zoom or Skype. Somebody even dressed their dog up for St. Patrick’s Day and Kim Floyd’s grade four and five students exchanged letters with residents at Mt. Cartier Court, she said. During the peak of Covid, however, most efforts involved helping vulnerable people individually. Working with Revy Helps, which delivered food, ran errands and shovelled snow where needed, Hospice volunteers provided social care by checking in on isolated seniors, Hamilton said. Now that seniors and volunteers have been vaccinated, inperson meetings have resumed with some restrictions, a big relief to those craving that friendly close contact. Hospice has an office in town but the main emphasis is on visits. “Hospice is a philosophy, not a place,” Hamilton said. “It provides comfort and care at the end of life so that everybody dies with dignity. It’s comfort, not a cure.” For more information, please visit the Revelstoke Hospice Society Facebook page or website at revelstokehospicesociety.ca.

MADE HERE

TRACKING TECH DISCUSSING GROWING PAINS AND DIVERSIFICATION WITH AARON DAVIDSON, FOUNDER OF REVELSTOKE-BASED NUTRITION APP CRONOMETER. By Bailey Gingras-Hamilton.

In a town dominated by retail, real estate, forestry and tourism, an unassuming white office building is easy to miss amongst flashy storefronts. Inside the Cronometer headquarters, computer screens fill with vivid green text. These rows of code are foreign to the untrained eye, and they form an app with five million users. “Honestly, I don't know how much the majority of Revelstoke even knows we exist,” chuckles Aaron Davidson, founder of Cronometer. “That's going to change.”

The dream of building a small company in a mountain community was Davidson’s ‘North Star,’ leading him to Revelstoke where Cronometer blossomed in 2017. Cronometer is a mobile health app that extends beyond tracking calories, accounting for specific nutrition data and exercise. Competitors in this space include MyFitnessPal, and tech supergiants like Google Fit and Apple Fitness. Launching a tech startup in a small mountain town built on blue-collar industries (notably the forestry and rail sectors) might seem counterintuitive, but Davidson’s timing was perfect. “I kind of just waltzed in,” he reflects. Through tech meetups at the Mountain CoLab, and initiatives like StartUp Revelstoke and the Revelstoke Technology Strategy, his network grew. “It was a really good scene, so I felt very well supported. It was a very different atmosphere than Canmore [where Davidson moved from], where there was nothing. No strategy and no support, no real tech community.” Beyond the growing tech community, Revelstoke’s remote location became a hiring perk. Davidson attracted like-minded people who wanted to continue their career, but preferred mountain skylines over skyscrapers. Although

Aaron Davidson has built a successful and growing local tech company, Chronometer. Photo: Bailey Gingras-Hamilton.

Cronometer had a few remote employees when Davidson arrived, he focused on hiring locals to build a base in Revelstoke. “I was able to hire a lot of very talented people that were living in town just for the season. They put their professional careers on hold to ski bum a bit, and suddenly they had a reason they could stay and keep their career going. It was kind of a fairly compelling offer at the time,” he says. “It was rare, and it was a unique opportunity for people.” This market has changed over the past four years.

The staff bulletin board at Chronometer hosts an eclectic collection of doodles. Photo Bailey Gingras-Hamilton.

Balancing the benefits of diversification with the effects of remote work When the pandemic made remote work mainstream, Davidson lost one of his major hiring advantages. The increasing popularity of remote work affects more than business, recent trends in rural migration indicate. As more high-paid remote workers move away from city offices and into scenic rural life, a troubling housing shortage is emerging. A 2021 report from the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) found that buyers outnumbered sellers two-to-one during the height of the real estate spike in the Okanagan region, where Revelstoke data is located. This is a more acute imbalance than hot markets in the Kootenays, according to BCREA findings. That same report attributes remote work opportunities as a factor for demand. While Davidson acknowledges the effect that high-paid remote workers, like many in the technology sector, have on Revelstoke’s housing crisis, he highlights the economic benefits of introducing new industries to small towns. “It's a mixed bag, right,” Davidson carefully elaborates. "It’s good for diversification, for bankrolling people in town away from one or two industries.” Recent events highlight the necessity of a diverse economy. Two of Revelstoke’s biggest industries, tourism and forestry, have taken massive hits since 2020. While tourism is recovering from pandemic losses, the forestry industry is now facing the impact of logging deferrals. It’s a story that echoes across many resourceextracting communities. As pressure increases to address accelerated climate change, workers in sectors like forestry and energy are facing job losses. Without growth in new industries, this economic transition is more difficult. As Davidson explains, opportunities within the tech industry exist for a variety of skill sets and backgrounds. “That's another thing I think people don't realize intuitively about a business like ours, [a] tech business. I have 35 staff. Twelve of them are software engineers. So, who are all the other people? They're customer service, they're doing software testing, and they’re all trained on the job,” he says. “There's a wide spectrum of roles that come along besides very specific, highly skilled engineering roles.”

The hometown advantage When balancing the pros and cons of a growing tech sector in Revelstoke, Davidson notes that a locally based business like Cronometer will bring different benefits than remote tech workers. “Our culture and our philosophy is like, ‘Hey, we want to be here in town,’” he explains. Beyond the office, Cronometer is getting more involved in the community through sponsorships, working with organizations including the Revelstoke Cycling Association, the Revelstoke Grizzlies and the Ascent Mentorships program. Looking at Cronometer’s competitors demonstrates the company's growth potential. However, they face the same challenges as many Revelstoke businesses. “We're 35 people, and we're still just getting started. The bigger competitors in the space have hundreds of employees. So, the scale we could grow to is quite a bit bigger,” Davidson explains. Even with a new office expansion planned down the street from their current location, Davidson worries about finding the space to accommodate such growth. This has not discouraged Davidson from building his company, and promoting the tech community as a whole: the same community that encouraged Davidson to pursue his “North Star.” When asked about supporting the growing tech industry, passion ignites Davidson’s voice. He recalls the enthusiasm, networking, and brainstorming that happens at events like Revy Tech Meetups, one of which he hosted on Oct. 29. These environments foster the creation of new start-ups, he says. “It's really hard to recruit a tech company that already exists to start-up an office,” Davidson explains. “The best thing I can do with Cronometer is use it as an example of what's possible. Maybe then I can inspire some people to be like ‘hey, you can do that here.’ It’s totally feasible.”

Made Here

Top photo: Joey Vosburgh with a set of Selkirk Sticks by Wolverine Snow Products. Photo: Robert Hurowitz Below: Wolvering Snow Products co-founders Joey Vosburgh (left) and Chris Payne. Photo: Aaron Orlando/RMM

WOLVERINE SNOW PRODUCTS NEW MICRO BACKCOUNTRY EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER SETS NEW TRACKS WITH LOCAL SKI POLE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING. By Aaron Orlando.

A fun part of doing local stories in Revelstoke is connecting with the enthusiasm of entrepreneurs with new enterprises. I was chatting with Chris Payne on the phone in the fall and asked him what was new. He told me he'd been working with his old friend, Joey Vosburgh, and they were starting a company focusing first on making splitboard poles. Friends from the backcountry and since they were younger, Payne and Vosburgh got to talking this summer and decided to partner up. Joey Vosburgh is well-known in Revelstoke and splitboard communities as a splitboarding pioneer. He's an ACMG split guide, works as a guide, and has been sponsored by big backcountry equipment companies for years, including board, hardboot setup and gear sponsors. He's been known for using and championing hardboot setups for efficiency and the mountaineering aspects of backcountry splitboarding. Chris Payne works as a graphic designer and web designer, among other work at the intersection of graphics, web design and e-commerce. (Disclosure: Payne has handled the website duties for revelstokemountaineer.com since we started.) Together, they split lots of duties from a small workshop headquarters, with one wall lined with climbing ropes, harnesses, ice axes and helmets, the other with boxes of supplies, and the far wall with the manufacturing space. Back to hardboots. Of course, softboots are the norm for snowboarding and most splitboarding, and Vosburgh feels "stigma" can still limit better ways of thinking about moving through the backcountry, including harder terrain. The same thinking goes for the poles too, he says. Vosburgh says he keeps his handy, just tucking them into his pack or sometimes just holding them in his back hand when he descends. The Selkirk Sticks's main design feature is its long and flat foam grip that allows you multiple grips and is low profile. A ‘grab anywhere grip.’ Vosburgh emphasizes the quick transition from extended to collapsed poles into a firmly clippedtogether and slim package with firmly nested baskets. With some dramatic flair, he quickly tucks the poles between his back and his pack, then whips them out and repeats it again.

“It’s all based on my guiding experience," Vosburgh says. “This is a far more efficient pole.” They slip in and out of tuckable spots on your pack easily because the grip is smooth, flat-profile and long. He feels there’s opportunity for splitboarders to use poles more as tool for mobility in the backcountry not limited to when you have your skins on. As an example, he gives pushing with poles while strapped into your board on flat spots to preserve momentum, which reduces time and energy spent coming to stops, making you faster and more efficient. The design is based on years of field experience. Vosburgh shows me a frankenpole he had rigged up in his quest to develop the perfect design. Selkirk Sticks are aluminum for better durability on rocks and a one-piece pole to the tip for strength. They have a special Perfect Paw basket that is larger than average at 100mm. The baskets firmly click together when paired and nested. They both said the reception from Revelstoke and beyond has been amazing so far, with great feedback. They thought they'd see the good reception and it's been a positive experience. They've sold them to some people who were really enthusiastic about them. In ski and snowboard focused Revelstoke, people are always excited when a great new local option pops up. “They want to support two guys in town,” Payne said, adding there aren’t any supply chain issues when you place your order. “Sometimes within an hour we have them on our bikes” ready for delivery, Payne said. In our chat, they talked about The Selkirk Sticks sell for $150CAD and the first batch sold out, but they are building more. The company is new, so it can be hard to anticipate demand to come. It was an honour to drop by and find out more about a new Revelstoke backcountry equipment enterprise. Good stuff. If you're looking for the tech specs and ordering, head over to the Wolverine Snow Products website. They have creative videos and lots more details wolverinesnowproducts.com.

Made Here

REVELSTOKE VISUAL ARTS CENTRE

WINTER ART MARKET IN THE GALLERY Every December the entire gallery transforms into Revelstoke's only month long market! This is the perfect place to find local handmade gifts for your loved ones this holiday season.

DECEMBER 2ND - 23RD WWW.REVELSTOKEARTGALLERY.CA

320 WILSON STREET | 250 814 0261

Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre gratefully acknowledges the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia and Columbia Basin Trust.

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5 COMMON INVESTING MISTAKES By Laura Wierzbicki.

Laura’s advice comes with 10 years’ experience in financial services. She offers comprehensive, fully customizable financial strategies and solutions, working one-on-one with business owners, retirees, families, and individuals focused on building their net worth. Don’t hesitate to reach out for a holistic approach to financial planning, investment solutions, and insurance planning. Laura Wierzbicki BBA RRC Investment Consultant Email: laura.wierzbicki@ig.ca Phone: 250-878-4174

The investment world is often a very confusing and difficult maze for the average consumer to sort through. With countless different investment options, it’s no wonder that many find themselves unsure of who to trust or what to do. While you likely won’t become an expert in all aspects of the investment world, identifying and watching out for these major pitfalls can help keep your portfolio protected and your retirement on track.

1 – Being overly greedy After years of impressive stock market returns like we’ve recently seen, it is easy to allow greed to take over and consider putting all of your money into the higher risk parts of your portfolio that have earned the highest returns. Instead of allowing this basic human emotion to take control of your decision making, you should maintain realistic return expectations and keep a well balanced and diversified portfolio through good times and bad to smooth out the inevitable market volatility.

2 – Buying into bubbles While this should be common sense, it’s a sin that is committed again and again during each market cycle. The “tech bubble” of 2000 would be a classic example as sound reasoning and rationale were thrown out the window as people kept buying these assets long after the valuations had gone through the roof.

3 – Allowing your pride or ego to get in the way Do you think investing is easy? Are you confident that you’re smarter than everyone on Bay Street and Wall Street?

Even the most seasoned investment managers know that they will never understand every aspect of the marketplace and that they will be wrong some of the time. Check your ego at the door, ask for advice when necessary and ensure that your portfolio can withstand the hit if you make a bad choice.

4 – Trying to time the market There is nobody who knows for sure what direction the stock markets will go all the time. So trying to base your decisions of when to put money in or take it out on market timing is a near impossible task and the costs of being wrong are huge. Instead of trying to time the market fluctuations, consider putting money in on a regular basis (dollar cost averaging) and taking money out in a similar fashion (such as taking regularly monthly RRIF payments). Likewise, the ideas of moving everything to cash for a period of time can be equally costly and if you have a wellbalanced portfolio that fits your risk comfort levels, you should have no reason to mess around with it. It’s time in the market, not timing the market, which will lead to long-term growth.

5 – Choosing the wrong advisor With most Canadians relying on advisors to help guide them through this complex world, the largest mistake you can make is picking the wrong person for that job. While by no means exhaustive, the above list gives you an overview of the largest and most common mistakes that many Canadians make in managing their investments. Regularly review your own investment plan to ensure that you’re not committing any of these deadly mistakes.

Investment Planning | Retirement Planning | Tax & Estate Planning | Insurance Trademarks, including IG Wealth Management and IG Private Wealth Management, are owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to subsidiary corporations. Investors Group Trust Co. Ltd. is a federally regulated trust company and the mortgagee. Mortgages are offered through I.G. Investment Management, Ltd. Inquiries will be referred to a Mortgage Planning (Agent) Specialist. This column, written and published by Investors Group Financial Services Inc. (in Québec – a Financial Services Firm), and Investors Group Securities Inc. (in Québec, a firm in Financial Planning) presents general information only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any investments. Contact your own advisor for specific advice about your circumstances. For more information on this topic please contact Laura Wierzbicki | Consultant | IG Wealth Management

NEWS

PUSH FOR PROVINCIAL SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGULATION UNION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA MUNICIPALITIES CALLS FOR PROVINCIAL REGULATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTAL INDUSTRY. By Revelstoke Mountaineer staff.

Short-term rentals remain an issue of constant concern here in Revelstoke, where long-term housing is difficult to come by and affordable housing nearly impossible. The local bylaw regulating short-term rentals is currently in the process of being revamped and is up for further council consideration at its Nov. 9 meeting, following a recent public hearing. And Revelstoke isn’t the only community in the province grappling with the effects and logistics of the issue. The Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) has made requests to the province to establish a regulatory framework for the short-term accommodations industry, similar to those in place for ride-hailing and other regulated industries.

File photo: A Revelstoke heritage home covered in snow during the winter of 2019-20. The house isn't related to the story, we just liked all the snow. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine.

Snap shots

A glimpse into the remarkable stories of people and places in the Columbia Basin.

“Revelstoke is renowned for

epic

outdoor adventure, but our community has a vibrant arts and cultural sector as well. Columbia Basin Trust has been such an

artists

integral part of us being able to operate and showcase the incredible in our community.”

MEGHAN PORATH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, REVELSTOKE VISUAL ARTS CENTRE

While local governments in B.C. have tools to regulate shortterm rentals for vacationers and others, most lack the capacity to enforce them. This has been the issue in Revelstoke as well, where many vacation rentals are not regulated and are only enforced on a complaints basis. Part of the discussions around illegal short-term housing in Revelstoke has been the issue of enforcement. City staff have proposed making changes to the ticketing system in Revelstoke, including increasing fines for illegal rentals to $1,000 per day. The city will need to make the case that its new system will work since the number of illegal rentals has only continued to grow. It’s estimated that there are 328 short-term rentals in single-family residences in the town alone, including legal and illegal ones. Revelstoke’s lack of regulation and enforcement of short-term rentals has contributed to housing price inflation in Revelstoke, a community where middle-class home ownership dreams have all but evaporated for the younger generations. In a release, the UBCM details that the ever-expanding online accommodation bookings industry has reduced long-term rental housing capacity at a time when housing availability and costs are already under pressure. At the same time, a property’s earning potential from short-term rental use leads to higher prices in the market than local incomes can support. They go on to point out as well that local governments are unable to obtain complete and accurate data needed to understand exactly what is happening with short-term rentals in their own community. At the province’s request, a Joint UBCM-Province Advisory Group conducted an analysis and asked local governments to make recommendations for the province’s consideration. Requests for action included: Introducing a provincial regulatory framework, similar to those in place for ride-sharing and other regulated industries, for platform accountability and information validation for online accommodation platforms and short-term rental hosts. Requiring all online accommodation platforms to make data available through a provincial interface from which local governments can pull information on property listings, hosts, bookings, and complaints in their community. Requiring online accommodation platforms to publish business license or permit information with local governments directly on the platform to prevent false information in listings. Introducing legislation to make tax collection of PST and the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) at the point of booking a requirement for online accommodation platforms. Investigating changes to the MRDT to increase consistency across the province and expand the use of that tax revenue to offset impacts to housing and neighbourhoods. If these changes are eventually implemented by the province, it could improve the housing situation for residents of Revelstoke and similar communities around B.C.

Full story at

Basin Stories ourtrust.org/stories

Heating up a historic arts space The Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre is increasing its economic sustainability with help from the Energy Sustainability Grants program. Building upgrades include replacing the boiler and hot water tank, upgrading exterior doors and getting new windows. From 2018 to 2021, the Trust’s Energy Sustainability Grants program helped fund 59 projects to improve community-purpose buildings—from town halls to seniors’ centres—so they could increase energy efficiency and sustainability and reduce energy costs. By addressing energy efficiency in a building broadly used by community members, the project helps promote climate resiliency and enhance community well-being.

FEATURE

REVELSTOKE WINTER CLUBS Revelstoke's winter clubs are pillars of the community. No matter how you choose to slip, slide or shred on the snow and ice, there's a group of volunteers and enthusiasts ready to welcome you in. The pandemic put a damper on many club activities in the 2020-21 winter season, but also provided clubs with a chance to reflect and plan. This issue, for our Revelstoke Winter Clubs feature, we invited local winter sports activity clubs and club-like organizations to share an update on their activities, tell us about what they have planned this season, and let potential new members know how to get involved. Here's what they had to share. Curated by Aaron Orlando.

Revelstoke Curling Club facebook.com/RevelstokeCurling-Club-134836169083

Club members painting the ice for a new season. Photo: Deborah Munroe/Revelstoke Curling Club.

Year: 1899 Members: 93

What are the main activities of the Revelstoke Curling Club? The club (in some form or other) has been around since Nov 18, 1899! The main activity of the club is league play four nights a week during the winter. Up to eight teams compete on a set night each week for bragging rights at the end of the season. League nights usually begin in October and end in March (with a break for Christmas). They are friendly but competitive, with some teams having been together for many years. We also rent the facility (both the ice sheets and bar area) to local businesses/organizations for private events. We usually host a Grade 7 school program introducing students to the game of curling at a young age … in the hopes they will still be curling for years to come. The club is predominantly active during the winter months, but maintenance to the ice and bar areas is often needed during the summer, and the board of directors continue to meet year-round for planning purposes. We also provide use of the facility free of charge for Community Connections for their Special Olympics program and work with other none profits in the community for access to the curling club. The Revelstoke Curling Club provides all the equipment needed for groups to use the facility and instruction as needed.

What is new with the Revelstoke Curling Club over the past year? This past year (including last winter) has been a challenge for everyone. We only managed three

Bill Pollock and Lynne Anderson stick curling at the Revelstoke Curling Club. Photo: Deborah Munroe/ Revelstoke Curling Club.

weeks of curling last winter before the second Covid-19 wave brought most things to an abrupt halt. This year we are more hopeful for a full league season. This year we are introducing a new league on Tuesday nights. This is stick curling and has two people per team. There is no sweeping and the rock is pushed down the ice using a stick, similar to shuffle board. For people that would like to participate in curling but aren’t able to deliver a rock in the traditional manner this is for them (because let’s face it, knee and hip issues shouldn’t stop you getting out on the ice!). For more information on stick curling contact Gary Resvick at 250-837-2959.

What activities or events does Revelstoke Curling Club have planned for the 2021-22 winter season? Sadly, the pandemic has put a temporary stop to our very popular Friday night drop-in curling, which was always busy with people visiting in the winter. We do hope to resume this in future years. For this

year, we are planning our annual Open Bonspiel at the beginning of March. Teams from both Revelstoke and out of town compete over a weekend – firstly in a round robin style, and then in a knockout competition to determine the winners. Games are often very close with the last rock sometimes deciding the outcome!

How can potential new members get involved with your club? New members may get involved with the club by joining any of our four evening leagues. There is no need to join as part of a team – we can usually find a spot on an existing team for you. All equipment needed to curl is supplied by the club so cost is minimal. We are always happy to have volunteers to help with duties around the club. Anyone interested in finding out more can see our contact information on Facebook or email the club at revcurler@gmail. com. If you are looking to rent the facility for an event please contact Steven Hui at 250-837-4294.

Revelstoke Winter Clubs

FEATURE

Alpine Club of Canada Columbia Mountains Section acccolumbiamountains.com Beginner Ski Touring Trip, Rogers Pass. Photo by Megan Harvey.

Year: 2018 Members: 462

What are the main activities of Alpine Club of Canada Columbia Mountains Section? During the winter season the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) Columbia Mountains Section (CMS) offers a combination of volunteer-led trips and professionally guided courses for our members. We typically offer volunteer-led beginner and intermediate ski touring and splitboard specific days both at Revelstoke Mountain Resort slackcountry and Rogers Pass. This is a great opportunity for newcomers to the backcountry scene to get out with experienced trip leaders. We offer a good selection of winter backcountry courses taught by certified ACMG ski guides. To attend any of these trips and courses participants must purchase an ACC membership and CMS Section affiliation through the National Alpine Club of Canada website. Total

cost of annual membership is $53 for an adult and $30 for a youth. This membership will also give you discounts when booking spots in one of the many ACC Huts.

What is new with Alpine Club of Canada Columbia Mountains Section over the past year? Our Section membership just keeps growing! Despite the many challenges faced with trying to organize and plan around COVID-19, we have increased membership from 300 to over 450 in the past year. Though we were not able to coordinate courses and trips last season for our out-of-town members due to non-essential travel restrictions, we were able to successfully run over a dozen avalanche and backcountry courses here in Revelstoke for our local members. Many great powder days were had throughout the winter. We had some great days out with volunteer trip leaders in the slack country of Revelstoke Mountain Resort and Rogers Pass. Highlights included a volunteer led overnight traverse of the Three Passes route, a guided trip of the Bonney Traverse and two spring helicopter fly-in base camp trips.

What activities or events does Alpine Club of Canada Columbia Mountains Section have planned for the 2021-22 winter season? Just as we did last winter, we will be offering professionally instructed courses by our local ACMG ski guides. As a non-profit, we can offer these courses at a very competitive price. Volunteers coordinate the courses, which also brings down the overall cost. We are offering Avalanche Skill Training (AST) AST 1, AST 2, Glacier Travel, Crevasse Rescue and Whiteout Navigation Courses. In addition to the courses, we will again offer volunteer-led ski touring and split boarding trips. These are a great opportunity to get to know some of our trip leaders as well as other participants that are looking for ski touring buddies. Again, for this season we are also offering youth ski touring sessions. We have five dates planned throughout the winter to get your kids introduced to the backcountry. These sessions are led by professional ski guides with amateur trip leaders at the back of the group to ensure the youth learn in a supportive and safe environment. Check out our website and Facebook pages for dates and course prices.

How can potential new members get involved with your club? The best way to get involved with our Section is to first have a look at our website and FB pages. Then go to the National ACC website and sign up for an annual membership. This membership will put you on the monthly newsletter email list. When you see a trip or course that you would like to join contact the coordinator via email for more details and to sign up. The coordinator will be able to answer any questions you may have. If you would like to get more involved in helping run the Section we are always looking for volunteers. If you are good with social media, organizing social events, or an experienced trip leader we would love to hear from you. Contact email address are listed on our website. Helicopter fly-in Base Camp Trip, Selkirk Mountains. Photo by July Wilkey.

Revelstoke Minor Hockey Association revmha.com Revelstoke U11 Grizzlies take the win at their 2021 "Spooktacular" home tournament over Halloween weekend in October. Photo: Cory Peck/Revelstoke Minor Hockey Association.

Members: 108 kids enrolled and over 25 parent coaches, volunteers and board members

What are the main activities of Revelstoke Minor Hockey Association? We provide an opportunity for local kids to play hockey in Revelstoke. Starting as young as 3 years old and extending up to 18 years old, we support players to join age-specific teams to practice and compete in exhibition, league and tournament play throughout the B.C. Interior. We have a female-specific team called the Stoked Cubs that offer female players of all ages the chance to come out and experience the fun of hockey and develop their skills. We also have co-ed teams for Tykes (3-5), U7, U9, U11 & U13. We also have U15 and U18 players from town that have gone on from our association to play high level AA and AAA level hockey in the B.C. Interior. Our programs aim to promote teamwork, respect in sport, inclusivity, personal growth and most of all, fun!

What is new with Revelstoke Minor Hockey Association over the past year? After a tough year of limited game play, no spectators and gallons of hand sanitizer, we are so happy to be back to "normal" at the rink. We have been thrilled to be working alongside the Revelstoke Grizzlies Junior "B" team to offer our players extra coaching and skills sessions on top of their regular practices and games this year. The Grizzlies head coach, Jiri Novak, brings a wealth of experience to our players. He holds a master’s degree in coaching and has played professionally in Europe. The kids also get the added excitement of having the players from the local Grizzlies team come to the skill sessions as well, which adds to the overall experience and Revelstoke U13 team travelled to Nelson, BC last month and took home gold in the nelson invitational tournament. Photo: Cory Peck/Revelstoke Minor Hockey Association.

creates more of a community atmosphere between all the players. These sessions, coupled with the fantastic coaching from our numerous volunteer coaches, managers and on-ice helpers, have seen all of our players improve immensely since the start of the season and it’s safe to say that the hockey "stoke" is super high in Revelstoke minor hockey right now. Our female program, "The Stoked Cubs" is in its second year and has grown by almost 50% over last season. This program, started by Stephanie Miller, has introduced the game we love to many local female athletes. They practice every Friday afternoon and get together for a fun dryland training session at "The Studio" on Saturday afternoons.

What activities or events does Revelstoke Minor Hockey Association have planned for the 2021-22 winter season? Our U13 and U11 teams both compete in the Okanagan Minor Hockey League and have approximately 20 games during the season, plus playoffs. All our teams from U9 to U13 hosted a home tournament between Halloween and the end of November. Revelstoke has become well known in the minor hockey world for hosting some of the most fun and well-organized tourneys in B.C. The kids had a blast. The female "Stoked Cubs" took part in World

Women's Hockey Day in October, playing inter-squad games and having a pizza party to celebrate. They are hoping to travel to Salmon Arm for a girls hockey jamboree in February. Our younger U7 and tykes teams are also hoping to get some exhibition games in with neighboring towns in the coming months.

How can potential new members get involved with your club? We are always excited to have new players and volunteers join our association. We have a variety of programs that offer something for all skill levels and time commitment. Whether you are a player, parent, coach, referee or just hockey fan, we would love to hear from you. If you are interested in signing up for minor hockey, or just want to get some information, please don't hesitate to contact us at admin@revmha. We would like to also thank our wonderful community sponsors that have helped so much this year. Cronometer and Downie Mills for their generous contributions towards our new Stoked Cubs Jerseys. Skookum Ski & Bike, Eagle Pass Heli-skiing and Kozak Mill for their help with our new young-referee gear and The Revelstoke Credit Union, Jake-Jay Construction and countless other wonderful local businesses for their ongoing support.

Revelstoke Winter Clubs

FEATURE

Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club revelstokenordic.org

RNSC goes back to the ‘80s for Team Scream club event. Photo: Mike Thomas.

Year: 1891 Members: We are a growing club. In the 2020-21 season we had 1,228 members

What are the main activities of the Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club? RNSC is all about cross-country skiing! This sport is also referred to as Nordic skiing and consists of two distinct types of skiing. Both types are done on narrow skis with no edges and the heel is not locked into the binding. The most common type of the two, and the one recommended for beginners, is classic skiing. Classic skis are longer than skate ones but the accompanying poles are shorter. The motion is to push your foot forward one at a time. At recreation facilities classic skiing is done in the "tracks" - two indented lines (one for each ski). The tracks allow the skier to push forward and have their skis not slide off in odd directions. The second type of cross-country skiing is called skate skiing. These skis are shorter, the binding piece a bit stiffer and the poles are longer. The motion of skate skiing is more dynamic and involves the skis going out

to the sides rather than straight. As our recreation area is a multi-sport one we facilitate snowshoeing as well by renting equipment. We also work with the backcountry users so they can safely access the Fingers area through our trail network.

What is new with the Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club over the past year? RNSC has been growing and growing. This is most obvious in our membership which is now the second largest in town! It has been fantastic seeing so many new and old faces out on the trails. To accommodate all this growth our volunteer board had the foresight to build a lodge around 10 years ago that allows people to warm up and socialize. It is particularly great for families with young children. We are looking forward to re-opening this fully to the public once the pandemic has subsided more. We have also built some new trails, such as Glen's Glide, a new favourite due to its nice, easy gradient and long trail length. It’s a perfect place for beginners and those keen to get into skate skiing. Our goal as a not-for-profit is to get people enjoying our sport for life; therefore, we aim to keep our membership costs as low as possible and are proud to have not raised fees in many years. We also do free rentals for youth from our expanded rental fleet and keep our day fees affordable. We are excited about the pilot public bus service from town and encourage all to use it!

Skiing Main Loop trail overlooking the beaver ponds on a crisp winter day. Photo: Jeff Wilson.

What activities or events does Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club have planned for the 2021-22 winter season? As with most clubs we are cautiously optimistic about events in the upcoming season. We sadly missed not being able to bring our Nordic community together last season beyond saying ‘hello’ on the trails. Events and socializing are as much a part of our sport as the skiing! This season, pending any opposing BC Health guidelines in place, we are bringing back our New Year's Day Lantern Ski, the Poker Ski, Team Scream and will host a race in January. These are all events for any age and involve a lot of fun and sometimes costumes. We are also hoping to bring back some smaller group activities such as the Senior Ski and Tea, the parent group, and other social groups. These smaller groups are to bring like-minded folks together to come out and enjoy skiing. Very exciting this season we are hosting a Masters weekly training session for the first time. This is for people who are looking to improve technique and fitness in a social atmosphere. All of our programs and events will be posted on our website and through our social media so be sure to check the calendar often!

How can potential new members get involved with your club? RNSC is a community rather than an athletic facility. We are always open to seeing new faces in our programming and out on the trails. Think you might be interested? Check our website for how to become a member or call/e-mail us with your questions. As a not-for-profit we are founded on a strong base of volunteers to keep us going. There are many ways for you to get involved. Good at labour or have a trade skill? You can work with our Ops Manager in getting the trails ready and kept in good condition. Why not become a volunteer coach? We fund training and support learning and skill growth. Outgoing and friendly? Our ambassador program welcomes people as they arrive and on busy days. Good at organizing? We always need extra people to help with events. Come find some new friends by letting us know you are interested!

Revelstoke Ski Club revelstokeskiclub.ca

Madelyn Skerry speeds down a race course at RMR. Rob Sidjak photo.

Year: 1891 Members: 140 youth skiers and their parents, 24 coaches

What are the main activities of Revelstoke Ski Club? The Revelstoke Ski Club provides alpine ski programming for youth aged six to 17 and a fun social community for parents and volunteers. Working with guidance from Alpine Canada and BC Alpine, our qualified coaches instill a lifelong love of skiing, while developing fundamental skills and eventually progressing to competitive racing and freeride skills, depending on the child's program choice. We teach mountain safety, teamwork, and respect. Our skiers come back year after year because they feel a strong sense of achievement from improving their skills and developing confidence on the mountain, and they feel connected to their teammates and coaches. Our entry-level program, Carvers, runs every Sunday from January through March, and is for kids aged six to nine. Once skiers are eight years old, they can opt into our two-day U10 Extended team, where they ski all weekend, plus a half day midweek, from December into early April. At 10 years old, skiers choose to join the Race or Freeride team. Some members dabble in both! As skiers get older, they participate in our off-season dryland training programs, and they also travel more for competitions, starting fairly locally and then competing all across B.C. and Alberta. Keen racers can progress to our regional Okanagan Zone team as early as 16 years old, and eventually to the BC and Canadian Ski Teams.

this winter. We had to adjust to restrictions and couldn't hold our two main fundraisers last year — Ski Swap and the Snowflake Wine Fest — but ran a very successful online auction, thanks to many very generous local donors. The auction is going ahead again this year, and we were able to host the Ski Swap again this fall. Our club couldn't operate without our amazing volunteers! This year we have our first full-fledged U18 team. We're really excited about the prospect of having our athletes compete through the end of their time in high school. This year the U18 team is entirely focused on Freeride, with veteran coach Mike Turnbull at the helm. We hope to soon have full U18 teams in both our Freeride and Race streams. The Revelstoke Ski Club received a Community Initiatives Programs grant from Columbia Basin Trust to undergo a gender equity review this year. We are working through this review to better understand how we can achieve gender equity in the near future - we want more girls and women in ski racing and freeride!

What activities or events does Revelstoke Ski Club have planned for the 2021-22 winter season? In addition to our regular programming, we are hosting two races for the Okanagan Zone this winter. There will be a Nancy Greene Ski League

Race on January 30 — a dual slalom for skiers 11 years old and younger. We'll also be hosting the Okanagan Zone Finals on April 2-3 — this will include both a Slalom and a Giant Slalom for skiers aged 10 to 17. Many of our skiers will be participating in the Junior Freeride Competition at RMR from March 10–13. We are slated to host the under-14 Provincial Championships in March of 2023 and are very excited to bring the best young skiers from across B.C. to Revelstoke!

How can potential new members get involved with your club? We welcome new members and volunteers! Check out our website for all the information about our youth programs and volunteer opportunities. Typically, families register their children for our Carvers program at age six or seven, then they progress from there. It's also possible to register older children, as long as they've had some prior experience in a ski program and are a good fit within their age group. We welcome volunteers who don't have kids in the program, especially to help out with our races. It's a really fun social environment for adults and no experience is required. All the relevant email addresses are on the "contact" page of our website - we welcome any questions or inquiries!

What is new with Revelstoke Ski Club over the past year? Although we weren't able to compete last winter, we had a great season of focused development at home and saw huge improvements among our athletes. We're thrilled that it looks like we'll be back to racing and freeride competitions

A group of U10 skiers on a beautiful day at RMR. Jas Clancy photo.

Revelstoke Winter Clubs

FEATURE

Revelstoke Snowmobile Club sledrevelstoke.com

A ride in the mountains showcases Revelstoke's world-class terrain and huge snowfalls. Photo: Rob Alford/Revelstoke Snowmobile Club

Year: Established in 1968 Members: 800+

What are the main activities of the Revelstoke Snowmobile Club? The Revelstoke Snowmobile Club holds a trail management agreement with the British Columbia Provincial Government to maintain 150 kilometres of trails, two staging areas, and emergency shelters on Boulder Mountain and Frisby Ridge. While incredible terrain and huge snowfalls make for amazing conditions, the club’s dedication to advocating for backcountry access, environmental conservation, and rider safety are their top priorities. With Snowmobile tourism bringing in $31.2 million to Revelstoke annually, the Revelstoke Snowmobile Club plans to become the global leader in sustainable snowmobile tourism and continue showcasing Revelstoke as a world-class snowmobiling destination.

What is new with Revelstoke Snowmobile Club over the past year? The off-season provides time for staff to complete critical maintenance and undergo planning for seasons to come. Here are some of the activities the Revelstoke Snowmobile Club has managed to complete in preparation for the 21/22 season. Trail maintenance and brush removal on the Boulder Mountain trail, electricity added to the West Boulder ticket booth, electricity and Wi-Fi added to Boulder Mountain main ticket booth, hazardous trees cleared from around Frisby Ridge and Boulder Mountain cabins and painting the cabin interiors. On top of maintenance, the club was in the position to add to the winter trail maintenance and operations equipment by adding a new trail groomer, sideby-side ATV for summer maintenance and winter parking assistance, and a Skid-Steer Bobcat for crucial equipment and grounds maintenance. The summer period also provides time to continue progressive discussions with Recreation Sites and Trails British Columbia to ensure the club is operating in accordance with the agreement to respect the local mountain caribou and ensure operations are sustainable for the environment.

A day sledding at the Revelstoke Snowmobile Club which includes great memories with friends. Photo: Rob Alford/Revelstoke Snowmobile Club

What activities or events does Revelstoke Snowmobile Club have planned for the 2021-22 winter season? Revelstoke Snowmobile Club will hold two events this season, and everyone is invited to attend. The first is an Annual Club Day which combines the fun of sledding with important mountain education. There will be avalanche safety training, information about the tools you should carry in the backcountry and provide you with the best mountain knowledge from the most experienced locals. While this is happening, there will also be competitions, raffles, games, food, and drinks for you and your young sledders. The second event gives attendees the opportunity to shine up those old sleds and bring them for a cruise up to the Boulder Cabin for the Vintage Ride Day. As well as a poker run on the way up, at the cabin there will be a freshly groomed trail, an oval track, and a drag strip in the meadows for those that want to test their sled’s horsepower. The Annual Club Day will take place on Saturday, February 19, 2022, and the Vintage Ride Day on Saturday, March 5, 2022. Anyone with a passion for snowmobiling is encouraged to follow Revelstoke Snowmobile Club on social media as there are many contests and fun giveaways that happen throughout the season.

How can potential new members get involved with your club? Revelstoke Snowmobile Club is one of the oldest and largest snowmobile clubs in British Columbia that has been built by members for members. Everyone is invited to join, as a member you are invited to attend monthly meetings to present fresh ideas, volunteer for activities and events, or participate in the strategic direction of the Club as a Director. New to snowmobiling and want to experience what Revelstoke has to offer before becoming a member? Not a problem. All the information you need is in one place. From sled rentals to detailed information about Revelstoke’s riding areas, the website will be able to answer your questions. Visit sledrevelstoke.com and follow Revelstoke Snowmobile Club on Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok and YouTube.

Open Mountains Project openmountains.com @openmountainsproject

2021 Winter Youth Semester exploring Revelstoke Mountain Resort backcountry. Photo: Bruno Long.

Year: 2016

What are the main activities of Open Mountains Project? Open Mountains Project is a non-profit society in Revelstoke, B.C. dedicated to fostering inclusive mountain culture. We offer backcountry programs including ski touring, splitboarding, climbing and mountaineering. Our vision is that Revelstoke is a place where everyone can feel and be safe to enjoy all the mountains have to offer in all seasons.

What is new with Open Mountains Project over the past year? After four years of offering youth programming, we are shifting focus slightly at Open Mountains

to partner with grassroots organizers in the 2SLGBTQ+ youth and adult community after harmful words were shared in a debate about the rainbow crosswalk on Revelstoke's social media pages. Our shift in focus is in response, to show up in solidarity with Revelstoke’s queer community and to work for an inclusive mountain culture here in Revelstoke where all are welcome and respected.

What activities or events does Open Mountains Project have planned for the 2021-22 winter season? This winter we will be offering a free backcountry ski and snowboard educational program, including an AST 1 certification for adult and youth (+16) participants who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. Queer, allies and curious are welcome to apply, priority will be given to who hold intersectional identities and can commit to all program dates.

How can potential new members get involved with your club? Registration for the winter program opened on November 17 on www.openmountains.com. We'll be running a meet and greet and prep evening on December 15 open to queer, allies and curious. Other events and more information can be found on our website or on our IG page @openmountainsproject.

Open Mountains 2021 Winter Semester youth program supported by mountain guide Jeff Mitchell (Revelstoke Mountain School) and Executive Director Rachel Reimer. Photo: Bruno Long.

ARTS & CULTURE

Tyler Turner is a skydiver and all-around adventure sports athlete whose life was dramatically altered after what was meant to be a routine jump. He is the subject of the film '60 Seconds.' Photo: handout

Kootenay historians Greg Nesteroff and Eric Brighton have compiled Lost Kootenays using select historical photos from the region. Photo: Lost Kootenays cover image

Revelstoke filmmaker Lara Shea premieres directorial debut 'Sixty-Seconds'

“Lost Kootenays: A History in Pictures” book depicts life in Kootenays from 1860’s to 1950’s

THE FILM CENTERS AROUND THE STORY OF TYLER TURNER, A SKYDIVER WHOSE LIFE WAS DRAMATICALLY ALTERED AFTER WHAT WAS MEANT TO BE A ROUTINE JUMP.

GREG NESTEROFF AND ERIC BRIGHTON HAVE COMPILED A BOOK OF 130 PHOTOGRAPHS, GIVING A GLIMPSE INTO NEARLY 100 YEARS OF LIFE IN THE KOOTENAYS.

By Cara Smith.

Revelstoke-based Lara Shea has officially made her directorial debut after her first foray into directing was premiered at the Roxy Theatre on November 22. Sixty-Seconds follows Turner as he navigates not only the physical impacts of the accident, but the journey with his body, mind, and his perception of self. On September 4, 2017, Turner’s life was split into two separate segments: life prior to and after the sixty seconds during which the accident took place. In his journey to recovery, Turner seeks the help of a psychologist in the hopes of coping and reconnecting to the sports that filled his life before the accident. A community of friends, family, and healthcare professionals provide the love and support that eventually leads to a shift in Turner’s mental state. The film carefully documents the rollercoaster of Turner’s emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. The subject is one that hits close to home for Shea “We were friends, co-workers and shared a common mountain community. In the early stages of his recovery, I witnessed him unravel,” Shea explained in a statement. “His identity began to slip away. It was hard to watch a friend suffer each day, with very little positive outlook for the future; there was simply too much uncertainty, too many unknowns.” Despite Turner’s adversity, he’s gone on to win a World Cup Snowboardcross gold medal, become the first bilateral amputee to pilot a wingsuit, and is now training to qualify for the 2022 Paralympic games. The film’s premiere at the Roxy Theatre featured two guest speakers: Ken Bibby and John Coleman. Bibby is an experienced helicopter ski guide, avalanche educator, and fly fishing guide. He also works as a project manager and has played various roles in the production of social and adventure documentary films. Coleman is a wellness and high performance coach specializing in opening pathways to personal evolution. He was Turner’s psychologist throughout the filming of Sixty-Seconds. The film is Lara Shea’s directorial debut, but she is an accomplished photographer and artist who is currently transitioning into documentary work and narrative filmmaking. Her previous work includes commercials and promotional films. She says she’s now working on another short documentary in a similar vein.

A Facebook page sharing historical photos of life in the Kootenays has now made the group’s moderators, Greg Nesteroff and Eric Brighton, into published coauthors. Their book, Lost Kootenays: A History in Pictures, documents life in the Kootenays through a collection of more than 130 photographs spanning from the 1860s to the 1950s. The book is described as a definitive photographic account of the Kootenays, providing a window into the past and exploring themes from the region’s First Nations communities to its mining, forestry, fruit farming, railroading and steamboating industries. The original Facebook page has grown to over 54,000 followers since it started in 2013 and was initially geared to more contemporary photos of the Kootenays from the 1950s onward, serving as a kind of nostalgic collection until it expanded to cover a wider range of the region’s history. Eventually, the page caught the attention of Nova Scotia-based MacIntyre Purcell Publishing, who reached out to Nesteroff and Brighton early this year with the request to compile a book of photos. The publisher has now published several books based on popular Facebook pages, particularly ones focused on local history. Nesteroff and Brighton gathered photos for the book from several sources, scouring the City of Vancouver archives, their own personal collections, and the BC archives. The book’s cover photo is an image of the Arlington Hotel in Slocan City in its declining years. The authors describe the image as evoking a ghost town vibe like few other pictures do. The book has found success so far, hitting Amazon’s main Top 100 chart in October and making the Facebook group an even more popular spot for history buffs interested in a glimpse into historic Kootenay life. Lost Kootenays: A History in Pictures hit shelves on September 30 and is currently available at local retailers in the Kootenays, Amazon, as well as Chapters, Indigo and Coles book stores. Check out the Lost Kootenay’s Facebook page for more information about the book and where to buy it. (facebook.com/LostKootenays)

The Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre's annual Winter Market features arts and crafts by local creators that you can take home. Photo: Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre

The Fable Book Parlour team, Allie Bruni-Riendeau, Stacy Batchelor, Kristin Olsen, have opened Revelstoke's newest book store and performance space downtown. Photo: Bailey Gingras-Hamilton.

RVAC Winter Market features the best of local arts and crafts

Fable Book Parlour features books, music and performance space

SUPPORT LOCAL ARTS AND CULTURE BY BUYING LOCAL THIS WINTER.

By Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre.

Every December at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre (RVAC) the entire gallery transforms into Revelstokes' only month-long market. The Revelstoke Visual Art Centre’s Winter Market is the perfect place to get local handmade gifts for your loved ones this holiday season. Last year the top sellers included wood burned earrings, handmade pottery, upcycled stockings, original works of art, cards, stickers, blown glass, illustrated books and more. This market spans the entire month of December (Dec. 2–23) with goodies getting refilled as things are sold. There’s sure to be something extra special for the loved ones in your life. Plus! As things get colder outside RVAC understands the need to get cozy and crafty inside. This winter the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre is introducing even more workshops for all ages, including an increase in youth & teen programming. In the past local instructors have taught everything from lino carving, encaustic, watercolour, pottery, sip and paint nights, kids camps, and more. Become a member, follow us on social media and visit our website to find out about classes as they’re released. The November 2021 exhibition was a huge success with local artists Hayley Stewart, Rob Sim, and Mem U drawing in a record-breaking crowd for the opening event. This vibrant exhibition brought a splash of tropical warmth to our chilly winter days and some much-needed colour into our dreary year. For those that missed this stunning show it’s not too late. All our past exhibitions can be viewed virtually on our website and a few of the original pieces are still available for purchase -- send us a message to find out more! Finally, a huge thank you to all our volunteers, sponsors and granting organizations who help make these exhibitions possible. Just like any nonprofit we depend greatly on the support of our volunteers and sponsors to help with exhibitions, opening events, programming, and the grounds and gardens. We really appreciate everything you do to help bring art to the Revelstoke community.

AFTER RETIRING THE FABLE BOOKMOBILE FOR THE SUMMER, FABLE BOOK PARLOUR IS WELCOMING READERS, WRITERS, AND MUSICIANS ALIKE TO ITS NEW LOCATION, COMPLETE WITH A STAGE FOR LIVE PERFORMANCES.

By Bailey Gingras-Hamilton.

“What’s a town without a bookstore?” That is the question behind Revelstoke’s newest retail addition, according to co-owner Allie Bruni-Riendeau. Fable Book Parlour opened its brick-and-mortar location on Sept. 25, shortly after closing the Fable Bookmobile for the summer. Located at 311 First Street West, the bookstore also sells music equipment, records, and CDs. Additionally, the space boasts a stage for live music and spoken word performances. This points to Fable’s overall mission: fostering an environment for inspiration and connection. Behind the bookstore are co-owners Allie Bruni-Riendeau, Stacy Batchelor and Kristin Olsen. As explained by Bruni-Riendeau, there is more to Revelstoke than the town’s reputation as a haven for sports and the outdoors. “There is so much creativity and so many talented artists, so much more than just sports,” says Bruni-Riendeau, while acknowledging that many athletes also dip into creative endeavors. “We want to foster the creative spirit, be it reading, writing, or art, [by] carrying books that inspire people to be creative.” Although pandemic restrictions mean smaller, mask-clad audiences, Fable Book Parlour is continuing to host live shows. Written work, like spoken word poetry, is also encouraged. “There hasn’t been much of an opportunity in Revelstoke to really promote poetry and readings and spoken word,” Bruni-Riedeau adds. “We’re really hoping that is something that people are drawn to and want to donate their words to.” By providing a space for like-minded individuals to connect, whether through books or music, Bruni-Riedeau hopes to heal some of the tension over the past year. “What these walls provide is a safe space to come in and talk to us about books or music. Let us inspire you,” she explains. “Whatever side you’re on, we’ve all been through a lot together.”

Feature

Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine December 2021 issue

Articles inside

Wolverine Snow Products. p

Community profile: Revelstoke Hospice. p

Revelstoke tech: Chronometer. p