Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine July 2021 issue by Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine

Beyond the food bank. p · 16. From farm to table. p · 20.

Meals on wheels. p · 26. Patio summer 2021. p · 30.

JULY/��1

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2021 Food & Drink issue

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

COVER PHOTO: To highlight the coming patio summer that will be like no other for Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine, photographer Christine Love-Hewitt captured pretty much every patio in town for our 2021 outdoor dining feature, including our cover shot of Main Street Cafe, and someone enjoying a flight and dinner at Mt. Begbie Brewing Co.'s patio overlooking Mt. Begbie. Cover photo and above: Christine Love-Hewitt/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine

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 Bryce Borlick, Noelle Bovon, Amaris Bourdeau, Heather Hood, Louise Stanway, Laura Stovel

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS Christine Love-Hewitt, Zoya Lynch

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS Benji Lowclass, Meghan Porath

Summer 2021 Food & Drink issue Revelstoke punches way above its population weight with its diverse and growing food and beverage scene. The hallmark of Revelstoke's portfolio of restaurants, cafes and bars is its independent nature. In a world increasingly dominated by large corporate restaurants, Revelstoke provides an array of unique experiences that reflect the diverse nature of our community. We've got a food scene, a community of passionate individuals who care about the food and experiences they offer. Support them. The hospitality sector has been hammered by the pandemic and they need your support this summer. Vote with your wallet by getting out and enjoy the many fresh air offerings available.

Please check out our patios feature in this issue for inspiration. If you're looking for takeout, almost all restaurants in town have fine-tuned their websites and menus and are ready to deliver hot food to your door. Please consider the option. This issue is dedicated to all the people who create the stoke at our local establishments, grinding away in hot kitchens through the summer months. Don’t forget a generous tip for them! See you on the patio this summer! —Aaron Orlando, BA, MJ; Creative Director, Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine, revelstokemountaineer.com

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CONTENTS 8

NEWS BRIEFS Our July news briefs covering local news.

CALENDAR: JULY EVENTS Don't forget to get your event included in our print calendar by adding it online at revelstokemountaineer.com.

BEYOND THE FOOD BANK The number of people accessing food bank services has increased dramatically, highlighting the systemic unsustainability of our economic model. We look at solutions, but they will require political courage.

RESILIENCE IN THE RESTAUR ANT SECTOR A quick portrait of challenges and successes in Revelstoke's food and beverage providers.

FARM TO TABLE We profile food producers and vendors who bring local products to your plate.

COCKTAIL SUMMER 2021 We reached out to local bars and restaurants for their candidate for the summer cocktail of 2021. Check out their recipes here.

MEALS ON WHEELS Revelstoke's food truck scene is growing each year. Learn about new, expanding, and revamped mobile vendors in this food truck roundup.

FINANCE In her latest personal finance column, Laura Wierzbicki breaks down the risks of chasing big returns, and suggests more sustainable alternatives.

PATIO SUMMER 2021 Check out our Summer 2021 patio guide, connecting you with all of the outdoor dining options available in Revy.

PATIO MAP! With so many new patios opened since 2020, we rounded up all local patios into one convenient map.

ILLUSTR ATION Our latest illustration from illustrator Meghan Porath pays homage to local food producers.

SPOKIN' WORD Feeling gassed too fast? In our first Spokin' Word column for the summer, MTB columnist Bryce Borlick explores ways to stay fit and have the energy for the climbs.

SHORT-TERM RENTALS The city is exploring options to overhaul short-term rentals policy and bylaws. Our update untangles the confusing process so far.

The REDress exhibit Community groups came together to create an arresting exhibit in the forest for National Indigenous Peoples Day. Learn more about the REDress project and its creators here.

MAGGIE 'MAY' DAVIS Revelstoke singer songwriter Maggie 'May' Davis releases a new album that pays homage to the vintage railway ethos.

GUERRILLA GIGS The popular outdoor music series hosted by Arts Revelstoke is back with an extended lineup this year. Find out who's playing here.

Cheers to 25 years

Kootenanny Party Pack $1 from every 12-pack will be donated to help protect fresh water for all Canadians.

TASTING ROOM

THU-SUN

12PM-8PM

mt-begbie.com

NEWS BRIEFS

The stretch of Fourth Street near Southside Market has received criticism over it's lack of traffic controls. Photo: Bailey Gingras-Hamilton.

Walking on, with pride. Revelstoke's first rainbow crosswalk is revealed on Mackenzie Avenue and Third St. E. Photo: Bailey Gingras-Hamilton.

Temporary measures discussed after Fourth Street East safety petition

Downtown Revelstoke introduces the town's first rainbow crosswalk

WHILE CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSED RESIDENT CONCERNS OVER TRAFFIC SAFETY ISSUES IN SOUTHSIDE ALONG FOURTH STREET EAST, NO PERMANENT SOLUTIONS HAVE BEEN PROPOSED

By Bailey Gingras-Hamilton.

Although Revelstoke city council addressed the Fourth Street East petition during its June 8 meeting, no permanent fixes have been suggested. Instead, council is focusing on temporary solutions ahead of the September 2021 transportation master plan. Money has been set aside for a pilot project to address the traffic safety issues. Possible temporary solutions include curb outs to improve pedestrian visibility and increased signage in the area. While these measures do meet two of the petition requests, a number of demands have gone unfulfilled. This includes lowered speed limits for residential areas and high-traffic pedestrian areas. “We are very aware of the issue here on Fourth Street. We are looking at opportunities to address some of the concerns,” said Director of Engineering Steve Black. “As much as I’d like to be able to go, ‘Yes, we are gonna go do something right away,’ I’m uncomfortable in pursuing a solution in that matter.” With 162 petition signatures, Revelstoke residents have expressed their concern for traffic in the area. “I think that it’s taken for granted that this is a residential area,” said Stef Kellock-Tickner, who started the 4 St. E. traffic calming petition. “Going back to when I started the petition, it was because I recognized that this was so incredibly busy and we’re in a lockdown right now and don’t have the tourists here. I’m holding my breath for when the tourists arrive because I just don’t I don’t think that they’ve really considered how substantially busier it is.” According to Black, council is aware of the issues, especially surrounding the upcoming construction season. Long-term solutions include road width modifications, pedestrian access, and parking improvements near Southside Market. He emphasized that changes are coming, but the city would rather fix the issues once, instead of through multiple projects.

STRETCHING ACROSS THE INTERSECTION OF MACKENZIE AVENUE AND THIRD ST. E., THE COLOURFUL INSTALLATION CELEBRATES THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY

By Bailey Gingras-Hamilton.

On June 17, painting crews assembled a more colourful palette than usual for a city crosswalk. As painting tape came off, rainbow stripes adorned the intersection of Third St. E. and Mackenzie Avenue. The rainbow crosswalk is a symbol of LGBTQ+ inclusion and acceptance. With June being Pride Month, timing comes into play with the reveal. Although Revelstoke has seen a few LGBTQ+ events around Pride Month, the crosswalk is the biggest display this year. As workers finished up, a group of locals walked by to take photos of the bright spectacle. "I like our town more and more every day. It's really nice to showcase that we are an inclusive community," said passerby Jana Thompson. City council has previously discussed implementing a rainbow crosswalk. However, they made no formal announcement of the project, aside from an Instagram post the morning of. “From my perspective, it’s more about inclusivity for everyone. No matter what their race, religion, or sexuality orientation,” said Revelstoke Mayor Gary Sulz during the June 18 Mayor’s Report. According to Sulz, a council member originally proposed the rainbow crosswalk last fall. Revelstoke now joins its neighbours Nelson and Nakusp as municipalities with a proudly displayed rainbow crosswalk. However, these symbols of inclusivity have also received negative attention in the past year. The rainbow crosswalk in Kal Beach near Vernon, B.C. was vandalized again this past March. But, also in the June 18 Mayor’s Report, Sulz mentioned that city workers received an influx of positive comments while painting the crosswalk. The LGBTQ+ community is receiving more representation in town lately. Community Connections announced a new drop-in program for the LGBTQ+ community on June 18. The Revelstoke Rainbow Drop-In runs weekly meetup runs every Monday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Community Connections Outreach Building.

Visit Works of Art: Cherished Memories of Father's Career by Alice Macredie at the Revelstoke Railway Museum. Photo: Contributed

A new roundabout and road alignment is planned for Nichol Road as part of golf course construction at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Image: City of Revelstoke meeting agenda.

New Revelstoke Railway Museum exhibit blends art, history, and memories

New roundabout for Nichol Road

“WORKS OF ART: CHERISHED MEMORIES OF A FATHER'S CAREER" OFFERS AN ARTISTIC INTERPRETATION OF RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION IN WESTERN CANADA.

A new roundabout is planned for Nichol Road at the Mackenzie Village development entrance as part of a road realignment that will allow for the construction of a planned new golf course near Williamson's Lake. The project, estimated to cost $1.9 million, will be the third roundabout created in the city in the past decade, part of efforts to deal with increased traffic due to resort development. In June, the city agreed to a cost-sharing agreement that will see Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR) pay $1.1 million, Mackenzie Village pay $570,ooo and the city pay $190,000 for the construction. The roundabout will divert traffic on a new roadway that cuts the current corner of Nichol and Camozzi Roads, creating a shortcut that will connect the two through the golf course. Construction of the golf course is planned over part of the roadway on Camozzi south of Nichol Road. According to the cost sharing agreement contract, Revelstoke Mountain Resort assumes all responsibility for design, construction and installation of the roundabout, which is to be completed by August 1, 2022. The City of Revelstoke will be responsible for maintaining the roundabout, including snow removal, and the new roundabout is expected to increase costs. Currently, the new golf course is under early development stages, and is scheduled to open in 2024. In a June update to city council, RMR president Dave Brownlee said the resort is also working on development plans for a new heli-hotel at the location and that it is slated for completion around 2024. The resort is also building a 2.3-megalitre reservoir at the resort this year, and has repeated promises to develop staff accommodation, although a development permit has not yet been presented for the staff accommodation with 90 twoperson rooms. However, the timeline of the staff accommodation has not yet been finalized.

By Bailey Gingras-Hamilton.

A new exhibit opened at the Revelstoke Railway Museum on July 24. It is the first major exhibit in the mezzanine since the museum renovated the area. “Works of Art: Cherished Memories of a Father's Career” centers on 12 paintings by Alice Macredie of her father's contributions to railway construction across Western Canada. Macredie’s father, James Macredie, was a CPR District Engineer whose career highlights included construction of the Lethbridge Viaduct, the Connaught Tunnel in Rogers Pass, the Bassano Dam and the South Saskatchewan River Bridge in Edmonton. “These paintings are really unique. They surpass the hard cement and steel of what were, for their time, major engineering and construction achievements. They also portray the human and natural aspects of these projects in ways that photographs rarely do,” said Laura VanZant, curator of the Revelstoke Railway Museum. “Major projects are often documented in photographs, but artistic depictions and interpretations of them are rare.” These 1970s paintings showcase Macredie's talents and memories. The images detail the hard work invested in Canada’s railway, and the landscapes traversed to complete feats of engineering. This project was created by ExpoRail in Montreal and is funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage, Museum Assistance Program, and the Province of British Columbia’s Resort Municipality Funding Program. “Construction and expansion of Canada’s railways were some of our country’s earliest mega-projects. We take them for granted because they are now part of our landscape, yet we live in an age where major infrastructure projects are a regular news topic,” said Jim Cullen, executive director of the Revelstoke Heritage Railway Society. The exhibit will be displayed in the museum’s mezzanine level until Dec. 31, 2021. As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, the Revelstoke Railway museum is planning a donor appreciation event for the Accessibility Project's walkway and elevator installations. For more information about the Revelstoke Railway Museum, visit their official website.

ROUNDABOUT AND ROAD REALIGNMENT PLANNED AS PART OF GOLF COURSE CONSTRUCTION

By Aaron Orlando.

CALENDAR JULY 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.

TAKE OUT FAMILY CRAFT DAY

@ Okanagan Library Revelstoke Branch · 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Drop by the library the first Saturday of every month to pick up everything you need for a family crafting afternoon.

(F)REE (ART) (S)ESSIONS

TUESDAY

@ Okanagan Library Revelstoke Branch · 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. On the first and third Saturday of the month drop by the library for some inspirational, imaginative, zero waste, creative fun.

REVELSTOKE READS - FAMILY STORY TIME

TAKE AND MAKE SUPER STEAM SATURDAY

WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY

FREE MEDITATION

INTRODUCTION TO FLAME WORKING 101: GLASS BEADS

@ 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.

@ 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.

SATURDAY REVELSTOKE FARMERS MARKETS

@ Centennial Park and near Nomad Restaurant · 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. The weekly Farmers Markets in Revelstoke are still happening, just at a new location to allow for physical distancing. The Revelstoke Farm & Craft Market can be found in the empty lot near the Nomad Restaurant. You’ll find the Revelstoke Local Food Initiative Market in Centennial Park.

Shred Kelly performs at a 2020 Guerrilla Gig at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Photo: M. Ehrler/Arts Revelstoke.

@ Okanagan Library Revelstoke Branch · 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Drop by the library on the second Saturday of every month to pick up everything you need for a fun afternoon of family STEAM exploration.

@ 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.

JULY EVENTS JULY 2 - 30 JULY’S OFFERINGS – RVAC

@ Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre · 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. With a fresh exhibition every month the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre provides constant culture throughout the year. This July RVAC will feature three brand new artists as well as a collaborative team. Open from Wednesday to Saturday.

The Alpine Club of Canada is hosting a series of youth climbing sessions this month. Photo: Jessica Campbell.

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

Jared Wayne & Nik Winnitowy perform at a 2020 Guerrilla Gig. Photo: M. Ehrler/Arts Revelstoke

SATURDAY, JULY 3 PARTIAL TO PIE - GUERRILLA GIG

@ Location TBA · 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Arts Revelstoke presents Guerrilla Gigs, an intimate outdoor concerts series in iconic Revelstoke locations. Partial to Pie is a local band, and they are kicking off the series. Tickets will be released on July 1 at 9 a.m. on the Arts Revelstoke website.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 7 ALPINE CLUB OF CANADA YOUTH SPORT CLIMBING SESSION

@ Begbie Bluffs · Ages 6-10: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Ages 11-15: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Free rock-climbing sessions for youths aged 6-15. Led by Todd Anthony Malone from the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides.

SHOESTRING NECKTIE GUERRILLA GIG

@ Location TBA · 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Arts Revelstoke presents Guerrilla Gigs, an intimate outdoor concerts series in iconic Revelstoke locations. Shoestring Necktie is a newly formed Revelstoke band with a sound described as “Roots Rock / Folk / Country / Americana.” Tickets will be released on July 5 at 9 a.m. on the Arts Revelstoke website.

SATURDAY, JULY 10 BREWS WITH A VIEW

@ Revelstoke Mountain Resort · 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. RMR is hosting a mini beerfest at Revelation Lodge, featuring multiple breweries including Stanley Park, Mt. Begbie, Fernie Brewing Co. and more. There are two sessions for this event. 19+, no minors, no exceptions.

Calendar

Pharis and Jason are a sentimental anchoring, and the perfect antidote to this sped-up life. Some scratchy old records and a custom banjo led to their meeting in 2007, and they quickly knew they were in for the long haul. They've since released six records, toured all over, won two Juno awards and multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards, and performed on A Prairie Home Companion and CBC's The Vinyl Cafe. Photo: Arts Revelstoke/Laureen Carruthers.

SCENIC ROUTE TO ALASKA GUERRILLA GIG

@ Location TBA · 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Arts Revelstoke presents Guerrilla Gigs, an intimate outdoor concerts series in iconic Revelstoke locations. Scenic Route to Alaska is a pop-indie trio from Edmonton, Alta. Tickets will be released on July 8 at 9 a.m. on the Arts Revelstoke website.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 14 MYRA MORRISON & DENIS SEVERINO - GUERRILLA GIG

@ Location TBA · 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Arts Revelstoke presents Guerrilla Gigs, an intimate outdoor concerts series in iconic Revelstoke locations. Myra Morrison & Denis Severino are a Juno award-winning duo with an Appalachianinspired sound. Tickets will be released on July 12 at 9 a.m. on the Arts Revelstoke website.

SATURDAY, JULY 17 MAY DAVIS - GUERRILLA GIG

@ Location TBA · 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Arts Revelstoke presents Guerrilla Gigs, an intimate outdoor concerts series in iconic Revelstoke locations. This gig is also an album release party for May Davis, a singer songwriter infused with bluesy undertones and raspy soul. Tickets will be released on July 15 at 9 a.m. on the Arts Revelstoke website.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 21 ALPINE CLUB OF CANADA YOUTH SPORT CLIMBING SESSION

PHARIS & JASON ROMERO GUERRILLA GIG

@ Location TBA · 6 p.m. - 8 p.m Arts Revelstoke presents Guerrilla Gigs, an intimate outdoor concerts series in iconic Revelstoke locations. Pharis & Jason Romero are a folk duo who have won multiple awards. Tickets will be released on July 19 at 9 a.m. on the Arts Revelstoke website.

SATURDAY, JULY 24 SHRED KELLY - GUERRILLA GIG

@ Location TBA · 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Arts Revelstoke presents Guerrilla Gigs, an intimate outdoor concerts series in iconic Revelstoke locations. Shred Kelly is a five-piece alternative folk-rock band, emerging from the heart of the Canadian Rockies in 2009. Tickets will be released on July 22 at 9 a.m. on the Arts Revelstoke website.

Calendar

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28 WYATT C. LOUIS GUERRILLA GIG

@ Location TBA · 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Arts Revelstoke presents Guerrilla Gigs, an intimate outdoor concerts series in iconic Revelstoke locations. Wyatt C. Louis’ music is built from soaring melodies, railroad-like finger picking and quiet, haunting vocals and lyrical phrasing. Tickets will be released on July 26 at 9 a.m. on the Arts Revelstoke website.

SATURDAY, JULY 31

TOURISM TALKS This summer, Tourism Revelstoke is launching a campaign to help support trail maintenance and construction in Revelstoke. For every visitor who comes to Revelstoke to mountain bike and stays two or more nights in one of our partner accommodations, Tourism Revelstoke will donate $10 to the Revelstoke Cycling Association. The idea of the campaign is threefold: to drive longer stays and direct bookings, to ensure that the work of the RCA, a non-profit that relies on donations and fundraising, is benefiting from the increased ridership in Revelstoke, and to educate visitors about the origins of our trails and to encourage them to donate to local trail associations wherever they ride.

HARRY MANX GUERRILLA GIG

@ Location TBA · 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Arts Revelstoke presents Guerrilla Gigs, an intimate outdoor concerts series in iconic Revelstoke locations. “Mysticssippi” blues man Harry Manx creates musical short stories that wed the tradition of the Blues with the depth of classical Indian ragas music. Tickets will be released on July 29 at 9 a.m. on the Arts Revelstoke website.

Mountain biking is exploding in popularity, particularly with the growth in outdoor activity throughout the pandemic. It is wonderful to see so many people getting out and exploring the great outdoors; however, the increased ridership has strained the capacity of our trails. Unlike nordic skiing or other activities that require a trail pass, many mountain bikers see riding as an essentially free activity. Once they have made the investment in a bike, the trails are there to be accessed at will. Tourism Revelstoke wants to educate mountain bikers about the importance of supporting local cycling clubs who carry the burden of doing essential maintenance on trails. The RCA has explored the idea of a trail pass system, but with so many points at which riders can access the trails and limited funds for enforcement, the honours system model is currently the most practical option.

This is a reminder to Revelstoke residents as well as visitors - whether you’re riding, running, or hiking, support our local club, the Revelstoke Cycling Association, by buying a membership. When you visit other communities to ride, buy a membership or make a donation. Your contribution is an invaluable investment in the future of our trails. To read previous Tourism Talks columns, check out seerevelstoke.com/about-tourism-revelstoke/

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MADE HERE FOOD

DISCUSSING FOOD INSECURITY AND POVERTY IN REVELSTOKE Story and photos by Bailey Gingras-Hamilton.

BEYOND THE FOOD BANK walking downtown on a friday afternoon, people stream into cafes and restaurants with packed patios and full tables. Nearby, the sound of items scanning echoes through a grocery store. Further down Second Street, just outside the busy core of Revelstoke, a line-up forms at the Community Connections outreach building. A team of dedicated volunteers prepare the food bank for the next two hours of distribution. Bread, milk, produce, canned goods; all are counted and ready to go. For those facing food insecurity, this team is a lifeline. Data collected by Community Connections reveals that the food bank saw three times as many visitors in April 2020 compared to March 2020. From May to October of 2020, the food bank averaged 1,833 visits per month. Fast forward to May 2021, the food bank had 1,108 visits, with 162 households registered for the program. Although the numbers have decreased since last year, they are still above pre-pandemic numbers. This reflects an influx of poverty in Revelstoke, both systemic and situational.

The widening divide between the rich and the poor As explained by Erin Maclachlan, Community Outreach and Development co-director at Community Connections, situational poverty is different from systemic and generational poverty. “When you think of generational poverty or systemic poverty, those are scenarios that are long lasting and really difficult to break out of. Situational poverty often comes around major changes in your life or events that happen that are beyond your control,” Maclachlan explains. As predicted by the definition, the pandemic has driven rates of situational poverty upwards. Maclachlan notices a blend of situational and systemic poverty in Revelstoke, with overall poverty rates increasing. “A lot of people talk about how it doesn't seem like there's a lot of homeless people or people struggling in our community, but that's not the case,” says Hannah Whitney, Community Connections Food and Outreach coordinator. In a story that echoes across Canada, the pandemic has widened the gap between rich and poor. Statistics Canada reports that 46 per cent of Canadians with incomes under $40,000 said their income had worsened between the onset of the pandemic and October 2020, compared to 27 per cent of those with incomes over $40,000. “The pandemic has really pushed on a lot of cracks,” Maclachlan observes. “I see that in Revelstoke, there's a huge group of people that have a lot of money and buy lots of fancy houses and ski. And then there's a demographic that we serve that are really struggling and have nothing.”

Right: Community Outreach and Development co-director Melissa Hemphill keeps spirits high amongst staff and volunteers. Top left: Thanks to partnerships with local farmers and markets, Community Connections ensures that good food does not go to waste. Bottom left: Food and Outreach coordinator Bailey Kublick carefully tends to a plant donation.

Going hungry amid a housing crisis When financial strain hits, the difference between negotiable and non-negotiable expenses arises. Rent and utilities are examples of non-negotiable expenses, which are typically prioritized. Food, however, is negotiable. “There's levels to food insecurity,” says Melissa Hemphill, who works alongside Maclachlan as a codirector. Ranging from mild to severe, the spectrum encompasses forced dietary changes, prioritizing who eats first in a household, and not being able to eat at all. Community Connections helps anyone within the food insecurity spectrum. This number is growing as the cost of living increases in Revelstoke. Low vacancy rates, paired with increasing demand, has driven housing prices to historic highs. This past year alone, the average real estate sale increased 7.6 per cent to $734,000. As a non-negotiable expense, housing prices directly affect someone’s ability to feed themselves. Reducing food budgets has dangerous consequences that can perpetuate cycles of poverty as well. Community Connections works alongside doctors to understand the social determinants of health. Income and social status, employment and working conditions, access to services, and physical environment all affect physical health. “If you're not able to feed yourself well, then you're more likely to suffer illness and not be able to work. Whether that's an occasional shift, or you're getting into chronic illness, which is then going to make you more food insecure. It’s self-perpetuating,” explains Hemphill.

Food

OUTDOORS

“What we're seeing in our stats is that some of our food bank clients own their home and are employed and they're still struggling to make ends meet.” — Melissa Hemphill, co-director of Community Outreach and Development at Community Connections.

Consequences of a ski town economy While Revelstoke’s wealth of recreational activities brings many benefits to the town, it also has consequences. Hemphill and Maclachlan note the many homes that sit empty months of the year, while people struggle to find a place to live. In general, tourism pushes the price of many things up. Hemphill believes that Revelstoke, as a community, needs to start holding people accountable for how their actions affect others. “I don't understand what's wrong with staying in a hotel for your holiday, and why you need to buy a home in the community where you sometimes holiday. It sounds lovely for those who can afford that, but what's not being considered in that decision is what impact does this have on the community,” Hemphill emphasizes. She points out that tourism has an almost ironic effect on the overall economy. “It has a massive impact. It is decreasing the housing stock, which is pushing the price of everything available up, including rent; therefore, leaving the options very slim for that lower income bracket. Yet the services that folks would like to see when they come here are going to be provided by those people who now can't afford those rents.” Rent is not the only thing holding people back from living comfortably. According to Hemphill, Community Connections statistics indicate that even homeowners with stable employment are facing food insecurity. “That, to me, reflects community accountability and what we're doing as a community to make homeownership or home stability and employment able to meet people's needs for wellbeing,” says Hemphill. “Seeing people struggle, even though they are employed and in good housing, it makes us question, ‘Okay, what's going on here?’”

Finding solutions in Revelstoke and beyond

Top: Working behind the scenes of the busy distribution centre is Erin Maclachlan, co-director of Community Outreach and Development. Bottom: Fresh produce loaded with vitamins can help combat some of the social determinants of health.

Addressing the rising costs of living can seem like a daunting, even impossible, task. Especially when this story is being told across British Columbia, and the rest of Canada. However, the stakes are too high to let the problem go unaddressed. By attending community plan focus groups, Hemphill has seen firsthand the desire to settle down and raise families in Revelstoke. She has also seen how difficult it is to do that. “It's going to take guts to do what we have to do. But I think there is a great amount of community will to do it,” says Hemphill. “People want to see solutions. They want to see bold moves. They want to see a government that isn't afraid to do what its citizens want them to do.” There are success stories that Revelstoke can look to. Whistler, another booming resort municipality, is an example. Administered by the Whistler Housing Authority, properties sit on land owned by the municipality, and are approximately half the price of an average house in the area. They are only sold to people living and working full-time in Whistler, and buyers cannot own any other property. Investor taxes, stricter controls on vacation homes, and investments into affordable housing are also ideas that Hemphill and Maclachlan pitched. However, there is a larger picture to consider. As mentioned earlier, even people with stable housing and income can struggle to put food on the table. “We don't live in a food desert. There's lots of opportunities. It's really a financial issue. And so while we can work on food security and the food system as a whole, and that helps support those who are food insecure, food insecurity is an income issue and needs income based solutions,” explains Hemphill. These income-based solutions have worked. When the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) began, food bank visitations dropped. One positive takeaway from this pandemic is the expanded understanding that situational poverty can happen to anyone. Looking at larger income-based solutions can be daunting, especially if provided by provincial and federal governments. That is why Hemphill emphasizes the importance of on-the-ground, municipal policy. “As a local government, I hope that we can develop tools to incentivize people to ensure that the community is sustainable. And by community I mean all demographics,” says Hemphill. She stresses that bold action is required, otherwise we could lose one of the most important parts of this town. “No matter who you ask in Revelstoke about why they love Revelstoke, the very top of their list, if not number two, is the community. That's people. It feels for those who live here that this community is for sale in terms of who can be here, but people are not for sale.”

Food

DINING ON IN A POST-PANDEMIC WORLD REFLECTING ON LESSONS LEARNED IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY OVER THE PAST YEAR By Bailey Gingras-Hamilton.

Photo by Christine-Hewitt.

For well over the year, the restaurant industry has been in a volatile state. It has arguably been one of the hardest-hit industries in the pandemic, and the statistics are there to prove it. Statistics Canada reports that in 2020, over 85 per cent of the restaurant industry reported a decrease in revenue in 2020, compared to 60 per cent of all businesses. In a town like Revelstoke, these losses came with a double whammy: major hits to the tourism industry, especially during the winter seasons. However, there is a light that shone through these trying times. When looking back on the past year and a half, Revelstoke restaurateur Mike Brown reflects on the lessons learned by the industry. “I've seen a lot of ingenuity and a lot of staff and business owners finding ways to make things work in challenging environments, and that's been pretty inspiring,” says Brown. “There's been a lot of innovation. Going into COVID, I don't know if there was anywhere you could order online in town. And now that’s pretty much everywhere.” As restrictions tightened, businesses pivoted. Take-out accelerated, ordering moved online, and all these changes happened under major financial constraint. Now, the industry is in a state of rebuilding. The pool of international workers that usually waters the hospitality industry has dried up. This is posing a new

set of challenges for restaurants to overcome, particularly as we head into the hectic summer months. “It's going to be a rocky summer for sure, because we're all predicting tons of pent-up demand on the visitor side. But most of us have had reduced staff in the winter and even more so in the spring. We're all scrambling to get ready,” explains Brown. Even though loosening restrictions mean a much-needed financial boost, the sudden influx of tourism could be a shock for some. For Brown, the pandemic has emphasized the importance of cherishing your staff. As a business owner, he realizes that people are his greatest asset. They can make or break any restaurant. “There's no doubt that your people are your greatest resource and you've got to really nurture that, and create the best possible work conditions that you can for them. You can have all the business in the world, but if you don't have good staff to meet the demand then you're not getting anywhere,” Brown says. “I've always known that, but I think this past year has really reinforced that.” Beyond staff members, locals have also stepped up in supporting the small businesses that make Revelstoke so unique. Ordering take-out and delivery became a habit for many residents, and alongside government programs these actions provided a lifeline for restaurants. These places proved to be about more than food and drinks: they offer connection, and community. Restaurants are a common ground for many people. One report from Statistics Canada found that at least 22 per cent of Canadians worked in the restaurant industry for their first job. For those who have never worked in the industry, it is difficult to imagine the stress of a busy and understaffed night. The heat, pressure, and unsavoury customers can make restaurant jobs sound like a nightmare. This is the reality for many hardworking Revelstokians. Ahead of a busy summer, Brown has a reminder for tourists and locals alike: “Restaurants are really operating with severely reduced staff right now, probably more than the public is aware of,” he says. “It will ultimately affect the service quality that people receive this summer just because we're stretched thin.” While money flows back into town, restaurants still need our support. This time, in the form of patience and understanding. It will be a stressful time for servers, bartenders, cooks and managers. So, to put it bluntly: be nice to staff, and don’t forget to tip.

Food

Saying that the Revelstoke Local Food Initiative (LFI) Farmers Market happens rain or shine is an understatement. As wind rips through the field at Centennial Park, vendors secure their tents with weights and sandbags in a nonchalant fashion. No one bats an eye at the windstorm that reminded this southern Albertan of home. After all, it is just another day at the LFI Farmers Market.

Food

FROM FARM TO TABLE

SPENDING A DAY AT THE REVELSTOKE LOCAL FOOD INITIATIVE FARMERS MARKET Story and photos by Bailey Gingras-Hamilton.

Every Saturday, while most of us are still asleep, vendors wake up early to prepare their stand. They carefully place each item under the safety of their tent, protecting their hard work from the unpredictable Revelstoke weather. Whether it is fresh produce, baked goods, handcrafted accessories, or premade meals, everything is created locally with love. The air fills with chatter, coffee, and a hint of herbs. People browse the market, filling their reusable tote bags as they go. However, this event is more than an opportunity to restock your fridge. A chorus of excited greetings rings through the air. Dogs eagerly sniff every new friend that walks by. Even if you are not buying anything, you feel welcome. The LFI Farmers Market is a place for connection in a COVID-conscious environment. If you are curious about vending at the LFI Farmers Market, a new program is making the market more accessible to new sellers. Hatch and Hype is a new program launching in mid-July. According to Isabel Kessi, the LFI Market Manager, Hatch and Hype will provide new vendors with a tent, stall, and marketing tools. To stay updated on program announcements, check out the Revelstoke Local Food Initiative’s official website. Q&A with our featured vendors at the LFI Farmers Market:

First Light Farms Q: How long have you been vending in Revelstoke for? A: One year. Q: What is the best part of vending at the farmers market? A: How many locals go out of their way to make a small purchase from each grower! Q: What are some challenges that are unique to vending at the farmers market? A: We as vendors are all at the mercy of the weather, and our profits are directly influenced. Q: Do you do something else in the winter? A: Yes, we both work in the ski industry in the winter. Q: If you could only recommend one product of yours to a customer, what would it be? A: Our Monashee mustard greens.

Stonehouse Farm Q: How long have you been vending in Revelstoke for? A: Two years. Q: What is the best part of vending at the farmers market? A: It is cool to see farmers expanding to meet the needs of the community, and creating new products. Q: What are some challenges that are unique to vending at the farmers market? A: We are very exposed to the elements at the present location. It is a challenge. Q: Do you do something else in the winter? A: I used to manage a Heliski Lodge in the winter. Now, I am raising two young boys. Q: If you could only recommend one product of yours to a customer, what would it be? A: Flowers!

Summit City Artisanal Foods

Bird Tree Urban Farm Q: How long have you been vending in Revelstoke for? A: Since 2015, so about seven years. Q: What is the best part of vending at the farmers market? A: In general, all the people there are super interesting! Q: What are some challenges that are unique to vending at the farmers market? A: Variable weather is one. Meeting the demand, consistently and with high quality every week, is also challenging. Q: Do you do something else in the winter? A: I work in the winter as well, but ski guiding instead. Q: If you could only recommend one product of yours to a customer, what would it be? A: The market bouquet!

Tum Tum Farms

Q: How long have you been vending in Revelstoke for? A: Two years.

Q: How long have you been vending in Revelstoke for? A: This is our first year at the market, but our third year farming.

Q: What is the best part of vending at the farmers market? A: We love seeing the community celebrating the local growers and makers! Plus, all the dogs are a perk.

Q: What is the best part of vending at the farmers market? A: I've found and fallen in love with the gluten free bakery Alkeme. They have delicious sourdough!

Q: What are some challenges that are unique to vending at the farmers market? A: At Centennial Park, the setting will blow you away. Sometimes more literally. The wind is a pain!

Q: What are some challenges that are unique to vending at the farmers market? A: Moving freezers and hundreds of pounds of frozen meat every week is about as much fun as it sounds.

Q: Do you do something else in the winter? A: We only sell at markets during the summer. We both work other full-time jobs year round.

Q: How do you maintain a sustainable business model year-round? Do you do something else in the winter? A: Like all modern-day farmers, one of us has an off-farm job that pays the bills year round.

Q: If you could only recommend one product of yours to a customer, what would it be? A: Canales de Monashee! You will not find anything like them anywhere else.

Q: If you could only recommend one product of yours to a customer, what would it be? A: Anything pork. It is delicious.

Made Here Food

COCKTAIL SUMMER 2021

We reached out to Revelstoke drinking establishments for their candidate for the best cocktail for the summer of 2021. Enjoy these scrumptious recipes at on your fave patio, or try your hand at home with these cocktail receipes.

By Aaron Orlando.

Ocha Sour Josh Mclafferty, Monashee Spirits ingredients

· O’Teas Earl Grey Infused Vodka · O’Teas Black Tea Caramel Reduction · Chambord Raspberries Liqueur · Fresh squeezed lemon juice · House aromatic Cocktail Bitters Saline Solution (salt water tincture) · Egg white or Vegan Foamer

directions

Build in shaker tin, dry shake, add ice, shake for 10-15 seconds, double strain to chilled coupe glass. Garnish with edible wafer paper.

what makes this drink the perfect cocktail for summer 2021?

The Ocha Sour incorporates O’Teas, a local Revelstoke business into it, bright raspberry tastes and the lemon juice make it easy sipping.

Limoncello Collins Jaime Sneddon + Melissa Kennedy, Mountain Guides Lounge at Coast Hillcrest Hotel ingredients

· ¾ oz. Simple syrup · ½ oz. Limoncello · 1 oz. Gin · ¾ oz. Lemon juice · Club soda, ice, 2 mint leaves lemon for garnish

directions

In a Collins glass muddle mint with 3/4oz. simple syrup. Fill with ice. Add 1/2 oz. limoncello, 1 oz. gin, 3/4 oz. lemon juice. Top with club soda and garnish with a lemon twist.

what makes this drink the perfect cocktail for summer 2021?

On those long and hot summer days when lemonade isn’t quite strong enough, try our Limoncello Collins. But don’t let the simplicity of this cocktail fool you, the Limoncello Collins walks a fine line between sweet and tart, with the perfect pop of mint. This sweet and refreshing twist on a classic, is just what we need to welcome the longawaited summer of 2021.

Food

Old Fashioned Grapefruit Margarita Adam Smallwood, Kingfisher at Halcyon Hot Spring

Sparkling Pink Margarita Hunter Haig, Big Eddy Glass Works ingredients

ingredients

· 1.5 oz. Anejo Tequila · 0.5 oz. Cointreau · 3 oz. Pink grapefruit juice · ½ Fresh squeezed lime · 2 Spoonfuls raw sugar · 1 Freshly-cracked egg white · Splash of water · Splash of bar lime · Lime wedge · Rosemary sprig

directions

Rim a glass with salt. Put all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake well. Fill glass with ice, strain shaker into glass. Garnish.

what makes this drink the perfect cocktail for summer 2021?

Awesome cross between traditional margarita and a paloma. Best enjoyed on a beautiful patio with a view.

Spicy Pineapple Cilantro Margarita Signature cocktail, The Taco Club ingredients

· 3 oz. Blanco tequila (or to taste) · 3 oz. Cointreau · 4 oz. Chilled simple syrup · 8 oz. Fresh lime juice · 1 750 ml. Pink Elephant traditional sparkling wine · Coarse salt to rim glasses · Lime wedges for garnish

· 4 Cilantro Sprigs · 2 Jalapeno slices · 1.5 oz. Espolon Resposado · 0.5 oz. Lime mix · 3 oz. Pineapple juice · 2 Scoops ice

directions

Muddle jalapeno and cilantro with tequila in cocktail shaker Add one scoop of ice, lime mix and pineapple juice. Shake hard and then strain into 12 oz margarita glass over 1 scoop of ice Garnish with lime wedge, jalapeno slice and cilantro spring.

Rim glasses with salt. Then combine tequila, Cointreau, simple syrup, and fresh lime juice in a carafe. Add ice to prepared glasses and divide your margarita mixture into the glasses. Top with sparkling wine, and stir. Finish with a squeeze of lime and a fresh wedge for garnish.

what makes this drink the perfect cocktail for summer 2021?

Well, we could argue the best thing about this cocktail is the handmade glassware that we drank it out of. This cocktail is all about celebrating. We are celebrating local, with handmade glasses, and a locally produced sparkling wine. We made it in a big batch, because one is rarely enough. The Sparkling Pink Margarita is light, sweet, bubbly, and a little sour all at once. Even though we don't serve Margaritas in the glass shop, you can mix cocktails with us every Friday at 4:30 on Instagram!

directions

what makes this drink the perfect cocktail for summer 2021?

A little bit sweet and a little bit spicy. Sitting in the sunshine with this perfectly balanced cocktail in one hand and a delicious taco in the other? Summer patio perfection.

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201 Mackenzie Avenue | Downtown Revelstoke 250 814 2575

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Food

MEALS ON WHEELS

Far East Bistro

Killa B’s Grilla Cheese

Introducing foreign foods to small communities can be risky. Luckily for Yu Sasaki, Revelstoke has embraced the Japanese flavours of Far East Bistro with open arms and rumbling stomachs. Located next to the typically bustling Grizzly Plaza, Sasaki brings Japanese street food to the heart of the city. “Sometimes it's very, very tricky. In Japan it is very popular, but in Canada, North America, people don’t know about it. So that's kind of my job,” explains Sasaki about introducing new dishes to the community. Although it may have been difficult, Sasaki succeeded. Far East Bistro’s most popular item is the Karaage bowl, a type of Japanese fried chicken. When they first opened, people were thrown off by the unique colour of the dish. Now, it is a fan favourite. By keeping things simple with chicken, rice, noodles, and fresh vegetables, he has won over the hearts and bellies of the town. Sasaki is no stranger to running a food truck. As a professional skier, it is the perfect job to hustle through summer and shred all winter. This is his seventh summer doing exactly that. Before moving to Revelstoke three years ago, he worked out of Whistler and Squamish. Now, Sasaki plans on sticking around long-term. Before the pandemic, he dreamed of opening his own restaurant. However, with the skyrocketing demand for takeout, he redirected his energy towards opening a second food truck. This time, he will introduce Okonomiyaki to town. Described as a “Japanese quiche," Sasaki is sure it will be a good fit for the foodies of Revelstoke

Gooey yet crispy, simple yet satisfying. Grilled cheese is a staple comfort food, and for good reason. The idea behind Killa B’s Grilla Cheese came to Brandon Pollard after a late-night campfire with friends. “I made grilled cheese for everybody and it was like, ‘We should somehow sell this thing,’” Pollard reminisces. However, the story behind the food truck is deeper than a late-night snack. Grilled cheese is his mom’s favourite food. Served with tomato soup, the taste brings Pollard back home. Alongside his wife Ashton Pollard, who he describes as the “brains of the operation,” Brandon opened Killa B’s last August. With their short time in operation, they have already established a loyal fanbase. As we chat outside the food truck, a couple of regulars show up. Brandon greets them by name and knows what they are about to order. A massive amount of gluten and dairy goes into running a grilled cheese business, and Pollard takes his ingredients seriously. During the busy summer season, Killa B’s goes through about 200 slices of cheese and 12 to 15 loaves of bread daily. Southside Market provides them with all their cheeses and meats, as Pollard is a major believer in supporting local business. “One thing that I really cannot get enough of is the local love that we get here,” says Pollard. “The vibe is super awesome, the stoke is there.” With hip-hop blaring from the speakers, one might assume that the name Killa B’s Grilla Cheese is a Wu-Tang Clan reference. The real origin is more literal. Pollard is deathly allergic to bees. However, he states that if any members of the Wu-Tang Clan ever come to Revelstoke, they can expect a sandwich on the house.

Food

3 REVELSTOKE’S FOOD TRUCK RENAISSANCE By Bailey Gingras-Hamilton.

The Wandering Root Opening a food truck has been a longtime dream for Rebecca Roth. Meeting new people and travelling to new places is initially what drew her into the industry. For the past three years, Roth has been working towards opening The Wandering Root. This past November, her hard work came to fruition. Roth describes their dishes as eclectic comfort food with a gourmet flair. A lot of her inspiration comes from the time she’s spent travelling. By bringing a worldly twist to her meals, Roth hopes to introduce people to ingredients they typically would not buy in a grocery store. The Wandering Root’s winterized vehicle sets them apart from other food trucks. With the help of a space heater during the occasional cold snap, Roth can keep her business running yearround. She rotates her menu to reflect each season. This past winter, their soups and loaded potatoes brought warmth into hearts and bellies. As the weather heats up, Roth is focused on creating wraps with fresh ingredients, and frozen treats. As we took a moment to chat on a rainy afternoon, Roth’s parents took over the kitchen. By encouraging Roth to follow her dreams, and giving her a space to brainstorm, they played a major role in the opening of this truck. “They're supposed to be retired, but I kind of pulled them back out of retirement,” Roth jokes. “I think starting a business with one person is really, really hard. So I've just been so thankful for them.” If Roth could recommend one dish from The Wandering Root to anyone, it would be the Hipster wrap. Filled with arugula, cucumber, lettuce, walnuts, goat cheese and marinated quinoa, it encapsulates the unique yet comforting flavours that this food truck serves.

Empanadas! by The Taco Club Since 2012, The Taco Club food truck has travelled the streets of Revelstoke and beyond. Mike Brown, co-owner of The Taco Club, feels nostalgic when he reminisces about the food truck days. In 2015, The Taco Club transitioned to a full restaurant space. However, they kept the food truck running every summer. It has great sentimental value for Brown. Simply put, working on a food truck is fun. “Everyone feels like you're at the same level and it's really chatty and you really learn where people are coming from. You get a quick instant feedback on the food you can really see, like as you're cooking, if people are into it because they're eating right outside the truck,” says Brown. There was uncertainty surrounding what The Taco Club would do with their food truck this summer. For the past couple of years, the truck has mainly parked at events for catering purposes. Selling the vehicle, however, was not an option. When looking at repurposing options, the idea of empanadas came up. A popular street food across South and Central America, empanadas are a savoury treat that pair fresh dough with flavourful meats and fillings. The Taco Club already has an empanada on their menu that is popular amongst guests, so it made sense to expand on a dish that is already well loved. However, Brown emphasizes that the empanadas served from the truck will be more traditional and meat-based, as opposed to cheesy. The decision to focus on empanadas also has an element of staff initiative. One of The Taco Club sous-chefs is Colombian, and spent a few years working in Argentina as well. Juan Sebastian Acosta has first-hand experience with the popular street food, and will be running the revamped food truck this summer.

Food

The Lucky Pup - coming soon to Revelstoke Banh Mi is an iconic Vietnamese dish. A popular street food in Vietnam, the sandwich pairs a crunchy baguette with crisp pickled vegetables, juicy meats, and a kick of jalapenos. However, Charlotte Sit is not strictly following the classic recipe. Her new food truck, The Lucky Pup, takes flavours from various Asian cuisines and gently places them alongside the Banh Mi staples. “With Vietnamese and Chinese and Korean and Japanese, there's actually a lot of overlap between those food cultures. They share similar histories. So I just think it's fun to create these modern mashups of those similarities,” Sit explains. The Lucky Pup is expected to open mid-August near Big Eddy Glass Works. Growing up in Calgary, Sit experienced flavour profiles from around the world. As a Chinese-Canadian, her family bonded over homestyle traditional Chinese meals at the dinner table. Her culture influences the food that she creates. “I really want to bring in certain elements of that into my food and introduce people to new flavors they may not have experienced before,” Sit elaborates. With three years of catering and eight years of working as a backcountry lodge chef, Sit has an extensive background in the culinary industry. The idea of opening a food truck came as a solution to rental issues. “I was having a lot of trouble taking on certain types of catering work because there's no commercial kitchen space in town to rent. It’s not easy to find a space to do that kind of long term permanently,” Sit says. With local bylaws, and residents, opening up to food trucks, the timing is right to start a new business. “I actually hear from a lot of people that they wish there was more diversity of food here. I think this is going to fulfill that need.”

1 Far East Bistro: Yu Sasaki takes a well-earned break in between lunch and dinner rushes. Photo: Bailey Gingras-Hamilton.

Killa B’s Grilla Cheese: Brandon and Ashton Pollard strike a pose before resuming their grilled cheese flipping. Photo: Bailey Gingras-Hamilton.

3 The Wandering Root: Rebecca Roth shows

off the food truck that she put three years of preparation into. Photo: Bailey Gingras-Hamilton.

Empanada Truck: This sample design of Empanadas! by Taco Club shows what people should look for this summer. Photo provided by Mike Brown/The Taco Club.

Lucky Pup: Charlotte Sit’s new food truck, Lucky Pup, is currently under construction and expects to open this summer. Lucky Pup will fuse Asian cuisines and gently place them alongside the Banh Mi staples.

Food

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Food

Revelstoke

Big Eddy Pub

Revelstoke Golf Club

Woolsey Creek Bistro

The Big Eddy Pub stands between Revelstoke and local mountain biking trails, making it a first stop for parched palates. A brand-new timber-frame front patio complements the wide-open back patio area at this traditional, no pretentions, come-as-you-are western pub/Big Eddy community centre.

No membership required to dine on the open patio next to the greens, cooled off by the nearby Columbia River. Drop your preconceptions of what a golf club is like because this is Revelstoke and everyone is welcome here.

Woolsey Creek Bistro is known as one of Revelstoke’s few longstanding Frenchinfluenced fine dining restaurants, and for its amazing garden patio set back from the roadway, surrounded by heritage-treeshaded green fields. If you’re looking for quiet, refined and pleasant with a wine menu, Woolsey Creek’s your pick.

Old School Bistro

La Baguette

Coast Hillcrest Hotel

Old School — named after the heritage brick school it’s located in — is a new offering on the Revelstoke scene, serving unique Southern and international fusion creations, all backed up by a full artisan bar. Their new patio at the footsteps of the school overlooks the Columbia River and is a place to see and be seen.

Revelstoke’s French-influenced restaurant, café, and deli is a perennial hit across a broad spectrum of locals. Their individual pizzas, pastas, and sandwiches have a great range with lots of options for those with food sensitivities. La Baguette is surprisingly affordable and is great for families. Oh, and their gelato is amazing.

Tucked up the hill and at the edge of town, the Coast Hillcrest is popular with locals for spa getaway days and for family gatherings. Their full-service kitchen and bar is classy, and the view overlooking the patio overlooking Mt. Begbie is second to none.

Mt. Begbie Brewing Co. Local success story Mt. Begbie Brewing won Canadian brewery of the year in 2017, about the same time they opened their new brewery, brew-pub and restaurant on the side of Mount Revelstoke near the highway. Their kitchen offers classics with a hip twist on a patio with a boastful mountain view shaded by evergreens.

Food

patio summer 2021 OUR GUIDE TO THE MANY NEW AND EXPANDED PATIO OPTIONS IN REVY Story by Aaron Orlando. Photos by Christine Love-Hewitt

Relaxed provincial and local patio rules has led to a proliferation of outdoor dining options in Revelstoke, perfect timing for a hot summer after a challenging winter season for restauranteurs, their employees, and pretty much everyone in town. In our Patio Summer 2021 guide, we rounded up photos of almost all the patios in town, showcasing new patio options, hidden treasures, and the tried-and-true standards.

There’s no doubt that the restaurant scene in Revelstoke, heavy on local, independent options, is something we treasure about this community. This summer, show your support for the local scene by getting out there and enjoying the amazing options on our doorstep. Our patios map and visual patios guide is our way of showing support for a sector beset by challenges. We hope it serves as a visual reminder of the great places, people and amazing dining options in Revy.

Chubby Funsters

Dose Café

Grizz Hotel

Flex on the front patio in Grizzly Plaza or hide away in the secluded vine and trellis-shaded back patio at this downtown restaurant. Chubby Funsters offers a full bar and unique, hardy dishes. Fun fact: Revelstoke Mountaineer paparazzied Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he dined at Chubby’s while here on a ski trip.

Revelstoke’s hip downtown coffee shop is popular with the Gen Z set, drawn by its curated selection of fine coffees, desserts, and contemporary café breakfast and lunch offerings. There’s a huge new patio this summer located across from city hall. This is the spot for daytime people watching.

The Last Drop Pub’s summer patio is a downtown hideaway featuring live performances from local artists. If you’ve got a big group looking for drinks, this is a great option.

Main Street Café Revelstoke’s classic downtown eatery is the spot for Sunday lunches in the morning sun casts a glow over the heritage home district. The diner serves breakfast classics with a contemporary twist, with a professional barista on site. Breakfast at the Main Street is a must on the Revelstoke bucket list.

Monashee Spirits Craft Distillery If you’re burning carbs and on a budget, Nico’s is a perfect option. Their downtown patio is great for family groups and in a convenient location. Oh, and remember when pizza had personality? Nico’s is a local creation with unique French influences and no pretentions.

Nico’s Pizzeria If you’re burning carbs and on a budget, Nico’s is a perfect option. Their downtown patio is great for family groups and in a convenient location. Oh, and remember when pizza had personality? Nico’s is a local creation with unique French influences and no pretentions.

Food

Rumpus Beer Company Ltd.

The Modern Bakeshop & Café

Rumpus is the new brewpub in town, with a nice fenced patio out front. A unique creation run by locals, Rumpus has been a hit and popular with the locals. They brew on site and have cans and growlers available. They had just opened when things got shut down last year, so show some love and grab one to go.

This is the one you saw on the postcard. Right downtown, right next to city hall, Revelstoke’s landmark, the Modern, has been delighting customers for over a decade. The bakery and café serves breakfast and lunch dishes and boasts a high-profile patio in the heart of Revelstoke.

The Nomad Food Co.

The Taco Club

The Village Idiot

The Nomad features affordable fusion options inspired by travels around the world, and has a big ice cream selection. This restaurant and patio is popular with motoring visitors looking for an authentic, fast and convenient meal.

This local hit that started as a food truck serving tacos and morphed into a Central and South American flavours showcase with the largest tequila selection in town. It’s popular with the young crowd and can get lively. They’re bringing back their signature pink food truck this year, this time incarnated as an empanada truck!

Their big patio gets packed with riders returning from the hills at sundown, and is definitely one of the livelier settings downtown. Pizza, burgers, salads, and Asianinfluenced foods on the menu, a full bar serving the drinks list.

Emo’s Pizza & Steak House

Paramjit’s Kitchen

Kawakubo Revelstoke

We love Revelstoke’s restaurant scene because of it’s unique array of family-owned establishments. Revelstoke’s Indian and German themed restaurant is one of our super-unique options, where butter chicken and bratwurst co-exist. Pam’s kitchen is unique and please go.

Revelstoke’s most famous Japanese restaurant doesn’t pull punches, crafting classic dishes into chef Shinji Kawakubo’s unique, stylized creations. They’re consistently atop Revelstoke restaurant rankings for a reason, with each dish refined to perfection, no cutting corners.

Regent Inn The Regent Inn features the upscale 112 Restaurant, and also the popular River City Pub, which has patios out front and back. The pub has pub food absolutely dialed and they never miss. It’s a busy place in the evenings and weekend afternoons a definitely an option if you’re looking to get the party started.

Emo’s Greek and Italian dishes have been popular with locals for decades, and this family-style restaurant serves a loyal clientele. If you’re looking for traditional foods and a full menu, check out Emo’s, where the pizzas cut themselves. (Ha!)

Food

Craft Bierhaus Craft Bierhaus has an unmatched selection of Pacific Northwest brews on tap, their digital displays showing off the daily offerings. They’ve got a unique menu including endless takes on mac ‘n’ cheese and more. If you like the sidewalk patio, wait until you see the secluded garden patio out back.

Zala’s Pizza & Steakhouse This traditional steakhouse features pizza and Greek dishes in a sit-down format. It’s popular with families and visitors, especially the snowmobiling crowd in winters. If you’re looking for solid and consistent offerings, check out Zala’s in the highway district.

Mackenzie Outpost

Rockford Bar & Grill

Located at the top of the gondola at RMR, Mackenzie Outpost has a stellar view. This lodge serves skiers in the winter and bikers in summer. Their burgers are amazing, drinks are on tap and the prices are really reasonable for a mountain-top restaurant.

The Rockford boasts an expansive patio with tons of room to move. This newer, contemporary restaurant and bar is big and accommodating. It’s great for a romantic brunch, a family milestone, or sucking back suds in your muddy bike gear.

Quartermaster Eatery

Terra Firma’s Kitchen

The latest entrant to the fine but casual dining category, Quartermaster Eatery is located downtown in the newly renovated Explorer’s Society Hotel. With tasteful, contemporary design, an inspired menu, and refined service, this is a great option if you’re looking to impress.

One of Revelstoke’s newest, this farm-totable kitchen serves locally sourced meats and produce served in contemporary, healthfocused recipes. The proprietors have created successful restaurants here before and the reception has been amazing.

La Petite Baguette La Baguette’s offering at Revelstoke Mountain Resort features much of the same great menu and a small grocery selection. This is an after-laps meetup spot for mountain bikers at the resort.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort RMR hosts several restaurants, including the Rockford Bar & Grill, Mackenzie Outpost and La Petite Baguette. They’re located nearby the climbing facility, the Pipe Mountain Coaster, MTB trailheads, and a host of other day activities at the base.

Conversations Coffee House Conversations serves traditional café foods, including a broad selection of hot lunches, and many special dishes with Korean and Asian flare. Their downtown patio is high visibility and right in the centre of Revelstoke’s busy heritage downtown.

Food

Revelstoke patio map 1.

Big Eddy Pub

2108 Big Eddy Road

bigeddypub.com

Revelstoke Golf Club

171 Columbia Park Drive

golfrevelstoke.com

Woolsey Creek Bistro

604 Second Street West

woolseycreekbistro.ca

Old School Eatery

616 Third Street West

oldschooleatery.ca

La Baguette

607 Victoria Road

facebook.com/labaguetterevelstoke

Coast Hillcrest Resort

2100 Oak Drive

coasthotels.com/coast-hillcrest-hotel

Mt. Begbie Brewing Co.

2155 Oak Drive

mt-begbie.com

Chubby Funsters

114 Mackenzie Avenue

chubbyfunsters.com

Dose Coffee

101 Second Street East

dosecoffee.ca

10.

Grizz Hotel

200 Third Street West

grizzhotel.com

11.

Main Street Cafe

317 Mackenzie Avenue

mainstcaferevy.com

12.

Monashee Spirits Craft Distillery

307 Mackenzie Avenue

monasheespirits.com

13.

Nico's Pizzeria

112 First Street West

mt-begbie.com

14.

Regent Inn

112 First Street East

regenthotel.ca

Food

15.

Rumpus Beer Company Ltd.

208 First Street East

rumpusbeerco.com

16.

The Modern Bakeshop & Cafe Ltd.

212 Mackenzie Avenue

themodernbakeshopandcafe.com

17.

The Nomad Food Co

1601 Victoria Road

thenomad.ca

18.

The Taco Club

206 Mackenzie Avenue

thetacoclub.ca

19.

The Village Idiot

306 Mackenzie Avenue

thevillageidiot.ca

20.

Emo's Pizza & Steak House

418 First Street West

emosrestaurant.ca

21.

Paramjit's Kitchen

116 First Street West

paramjitskitchen.com

22.

Kawakubo Revelstoke

109 First Street East

kawakubo-revelstoke.com

23.

Craft Bierhaus

107 Second Street East

craftbierhaus.com

24.

Zala's Pizza & Steakhouse

1605 Victoria Road

zalasrestaurant.ca

25.

La Petite Baguette

2950 Camozzi Road

revelstokemountainresort.com/resort/restaurants

26.

Mackenzie Outpost

2950 Camozzi Road

revelstokemountainresort.com/resort/restaurants

27.

Rockford Bar & Grill

2950 Camozzi Road

rockfordgrill.com

28.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort

2950 Camozzi Road

revelstokemountainresort.com

29.

Quartermaster Eatery

109 First Street West

explorers-society.com/eat-drink

30.

Terra Firma's Kitchen

405 Victoria Roard

terrafirmaskitchen.ca

31.

Conversations Coffee House

205 Mackenzie Avenue

facebook.com/ConversationsCoffeeHouse

By Meghan Porath.

LIFE

FAT, TIRED BIKING? THREE SIMPLE TIPS FOR GETTING LEANER AND MEANER FOR BIKE SEASON By Bryce Borlick. The mountains are alive once again with the buzz of freewheels! Every bike season brings new challenges — climbs to conquer, descents to master, and epic rides to go down in the books. Or at least that’s the bright and shiny image of mountain biking that marketeers paint for us. For many people though, the first challenge is just simply to get out there and get back in shape. Coming back from some ski season injuries, I fit this latter category like a round peg in a round hole. I wasn’t just out of shape, I was a whole new shape. So this spring I took a more focused approach to fitness that, really, could benefit a broad spectrum of riders. No pain, no gain, right? That’s the simplistic approach I’ve taken in the past. Grind those hills and slog out the kilometres. But this year I not only had the double whammy of weaker legs and poor cardio, I had put on some weight and had yet another year of middle age under my bulging belt. A quadruple whammy. In addition, I was running a daily calorie deficit to burn fat — in other words, eating less — and that left me poorly fueled and feeling lethargic on rides. Another whammy. If you ever want sap all the fun out of biking, this is a perfect recipe. Chronometer was the first resource I turned to, partly because I didn’t have to get off the couch, but mostly because their platform provides accurate tracking of daily caloric intake and output. You select foods you’ve eaten from their surprisingly extensive database, then add in the exercise or activity you’ve done, and it calculates your calorie deficit. So yeah, it’s nerdy. But it works — my theoretical 500-calorie daily deficit translated into a real world weight loss of almost a pound per week. Instead of guessing, or just going by my gut, I could use data to make more informed food choices. Is that slice of chocolate cake really a good idea? Not when I can have three beers instead! Of course,

a real athlete could use Chronometer to fine tune their diet for maximum performance and that’s, you know, probably who it was intended for. I wanted to make biking great again and I needed better fuel for my rides. When you’re not eating much food, it’s harder to keep muscle glycogen topped up and you lack the explosive energy that’s needed in mountain biking to aggressively tackle varying terrain. So how do you burn off fat and still have plenty of energy? I posed my dilemma to a sports physiologist friend who suggested eating a small pre-ride snack with easily digestible carbs, followed by a hearty meal 30 to 60 minutes after the ride. This replaces glycogen when your muscles are most receptive to it and, in my case, it worked like a charm. Even though I was still losing weight every day with my stomach growling like a rabid dog, I could power through a two-hour ride feeling surprisingly good. So if you get that not-so-fresh feeling on rides, give it a try. Speaking of not-so-fresh, gyms are one place I’ve seldom visited. But you can’t dispute the benefits of weight training; it builds strength quickly and it boosts your metabolism, burning calories for hours, and even days, after the workout. Taking the advice of a friend, I ponied up for a membership at a local hotel where the gym sees little use. After figuring out how to use the various medieval torture machines, I came up with a simple routine that, in just a few weeks, built strength that cycling alone wouldn’t have. In that time, I also discovered the breakfast buffet — does your gym include that with membership? Neither does mine but you can’t put out waffles and expect me to just walk by. After two months, the results are in: I’m stronger, my cardio is solid, I’m about ten pounds lighter, and I’m really enjoying biking again. If I can make easy gains like this, you can too.

Photo by Aaron Orlando.

NEWS Significant tweaks by council to proposed direction on short-term rentals policy makes implications challenging to assess at this point. A promised upcoming engagement process will allow everyday residents an opportunity to weigh in on a process that has so far been dominated by vacation-rental and traditional accommodation industry representatives. By Aaron Orlando.

REVELSTOKE SHORT-TERM RENTAL POLICY HEADS TO RESIDENT FEEDBACK Revelstoke’s delayed short-term rentals policy review, which has been an open question since 2016 when the city stopped processing new applications under its spot-zoning system, is back in motion after several months of delay. Currently, there are some vacation rentals legally zoned under the now-discontinued spot-zoning bylaw, which capped to total number of units at 125. Most short-term rentals in single-family homes are not legally zoned, and the solution to the issue has vexed the city for over a decade. At two city meetings February, staff unveiled proposed policy changes that included allowing short-term rentals in every single-family home, with requirements for an operator on-site or on call. Staff indicated its plan to proceed to public input shortly thereafter, but after a cool reception from some council members, and requests for changes in February, there came a long pause. Then at the June 10 council meeting, staff presented an 11-page summary report, which detailed the complex history of the short-term rental bylaw situation, including a thicket of council resolutions dating back over five years. At the meeting, staff asked council for direction on a list of open-ended questions. In essence, after the initial feedback from council in February, staff said they didn’t have good direction from council on what direction to take with the short-term rentals policy. The discussion that focused on single-family homes and not commercially zoned short-term rentals — which staff said will be dealt with later — resulted in two significant resolutions from council. One was to cap the number of short-term rentals at 300 units (not including short-term rentals in commercial or strata zones), which, according to a June 8 staff report, would make available an additional 260 new short-term rental business licences available once existing legal short-term rentals are subtracted. Staff estimated the 300-unit cap would represent about 13% of the total of 2009 single-family dwellings in Revelstoke. A second resolution limited short-term rentals to secondary suites only, something that staff recommended against. The change would disqualify

many existing illegal vacation rentals, including whole-home rentals, from participating in the scheme. Staff noted in a June 8 report that the provincial taxation system does not yet account for short-term rentals in residential zones, saying that until that is changed, they are charged residential taxation. There was discussion of business fees, but the details haven’t been finalized. The next step is for staff to complete bylaw changes and present them to council for consideration of first reading, followed by a public engagement process likely on the city’s ‘talkrevelstoke’ website, likely in the coming month or two.

Analysis: With short-term rentals policy, details matter With short-term rentals policy, the devil, as they say, is in the details. One small tweak to the policy, such as restricting short-term rentals to secondary suites only, can change the practical reality of the policy dramatically. To date, staff has presented suggested tweaks and changes to the existing patchwork of policies that govern short-term rentals, some of which have met with resistance from council. However, so far, the new short-term rental policy hasn’t been compiled into a digestible package that residents can assess. The next step in the process is to compile the changes into a proposed package of bylaw amendments, then put that out for a public engagement process on the city’s new engagement website. There are many open-ended questions about the policy. Staff has proposed making changes to the ticketing system, including increasing fines for illegal rentals to $1,000 per day, but, following a decade of inaction on hundreds of illegal vacation rentals in town, the city will need to make the case that its new system will work. After all, in

September 2016, council requested staff actively enforce illegal vacation rentals (as opposed to complaints-based enforcement) but that hasn’t really happened and the number of illegal rentals has only grown — currently staff estimate there are 328 short-term rentals in single-family residences alone, including legal and illegal ones. Also of note is recent staff reports suggesting it will allow carriage and secondary buildings on all single-family properties, but indicating their policy direction is that short-term rentals not be allowed in the secondary dwellings. Will both be clarified before council makes a decision? Changes, such as only allowing short-term rentals only in secondary suites, would disqualify many of the existing illegal whole-home rentals, meaning it could dramatically shift the location of vacation rentals — if you don’t have one on your block, you just might soon. The city has struggled to get engagement through its talkrevelstoke.ca engagement website, getting only 66 mostly short, one-off comments on the latest stage of the Official Community Plan consultation, despite budgeting tens of thousands of dollars and dedicating contractors to drum up interest in an ongoing attempt to meet consultation targets required by provincial authorities when re-doing an official community plan. Since the city’s focus groups have been dominated by accommodation interests, including short-term rental providers and organizers, the effectiveness of the engagement with all residents on the proposed plan will be a litmus test of the city’s desire and ability to engage with residents. The short-term rental issue intermingles with critical issues for Revelstoke including housing availability and affordability, rental availability, labour availability, neighbourhood character, taxation fairness, quality of life, and the character of the community now and in the future. It seems pretty certain that those in the accommodation industry set to gain or lose from the changes – hoteliers or AirBNBers — will comment, but will everyday residents be aware of their opportunity to weigh in?

The city is revising its short-term rentals policy, which has broad implications for housing availability and affordability. Public consultations are expected to start in the next month or so. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine

Life

ARTS & CULTURE

RIVERSIDE TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE TOUR OBSERVES NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY IN REVELSTOKE The Riverside Traditional Knowledge Tour opened for National Indigenous Peoples Day and features an arresting display of red dresses suspended from the trees. The exhibit and tour are a collaboration between several community groups, including the Revelstoke Aboriginal Friendship Society, Arts Revelstoke, School District No. 19 and the B.C. Interior Forestry Museum, other organizations, and many volunteers. It featured art and cultural exhibits at the Revelstoke Riverside Forest Walk near the forestry museum on Highway 23 North. A mossy forest floor shaded by the branches of the forest canopy overhead served as the backdrop for a series of exhibits along the riverside pathway. Lisa Moore, an Indigenous education worker with School District. No. 19, coordinated the event with students, local artists, organizations and volunteers. “We wanted to provide some education around National Indigenous Peoples Day, and also be outside, because everything should be connected to the land,” Moore said. The exhibits included a traditional Sturgeon-nosed canoe model, a reflection-inducing installation of red dresses, and an exhibit bringing focus to the humanity of individual missing or murdered Indigenous women. Artists’ statements and audio recordings add to the tour through the trees. Moore said many students were in involved in the exhibit creation process. They wrote the script, created exhibits, installed them with the help of local artists, and hosted the tours. The central exhibit, The REDress Project, features an installation of red dresses hanging from the trees in the forest. It was created by students Ella Hardy and Sophia Laurence. In a statement, Hardy said the installation was inspired by similar installations across North America inspired by the creation of artist Jamie Black to draw attention to the violent, gendered, and racially motivated crimes against Indigenous women. “Walking through the forest installation, you will find that to start, there are not many dresses. Some are hidden and backlit to symbolize the 'sweeping under the rug' approach that was take towards these kidnappings,” Hardy stated. “As you continue to walk through, the number of dresses increase and become more obvious, things come into focus. Looking back, you will see an overwhelming number of red dresses that you did not realize were hidden. The forest is filled with red.” Laurence, who plans to study fine arts at university next year, said as a white female with Indigenous heritage, she wants to be an ally. “I recognize my privilege within this social location and want to do my part to be an ally to Indigenous peoples,” she wrote in her statement on The REDress Project. “This stark visual representation of the MMIW movement is meant to help

Life

REVELSTOKE COMMUNITY GROUPS COLLABORATE ON INDIGENOUS ART, CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL EXHIBITS OBSERVING NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY WITH THE RIVERSIDE TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE TOUR

From top to bottom:

By Aaron Orlando.

THE

others to also connect to this issue and create action and change.” Revelstoke Grade 11 student Kelly Cassity was the host for our tour, stopping to interpret the exhibits and share knowledge about things such as individual plants, passing on advice about the importance of picking only in a sustainable way. As for the exhibit, Cassity was eager for it to connect with visitors. “I think learning is a very impactful thing. I think people who are learning and more resilient … more understanding to the culture, to the people, to the land, they are less likely to disrupt it, to harm it, to hurt it,” Cassity said. “So, I think a big part of this whole

exhibit, in an of itself, is the ability to learn about it, the ability to have that privilege to be here, and to respect the land that we are on.” In an interview alongside Moore, Cassity shared an anecdote that highlights the complexity and diversity of growing up Indigenous in Canada in 2021. Cassity said each sister presents as visibly Indigenous to different degrees; the sisters share their experiences with each other, noting that in their experience, the sisters who present as more white don’t experience the same level of racist experiences as her more visibly Indigenous sisters. The Revelstoke Traditional Knowledge Tour ran from June 21–26.

1. A dress from The REDress Project. The backdrop is the Riverside Forest Walk nearby the B.C. Interior Forestry Museum. The Riverside Traditional Knowledge Tour opened for National Indigenous Peoples Day and featured The REDress Project, an arresting display of red dresses suspended from the trees. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine 2. Visitors view a Sturgeon-nosed canoe exhibit. The birch-bark canoe’s design is unique to the area and was used by Sinixt and Ktunaxa peoples. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine 3. RSS Aboriginal education worker Lisa Moore with student artists Sophia Laurence and Ella Hardy. Photo: Rob Buchanan/Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine

JULY EXHIBITION JULY 2ND - 30TH 2021

' MAIN GALLERY: Michelle Austen 'Wildly Captivating' GALLERY 1: Member's Show 'Wildflowers' GALLERY 2: Member's Show 'Wildflowers' GALLERY 3: Member's Show 'Wildflowers'

Want to participate in our Member's Show exhibitions? Become a member of the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre for $25 annually

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 the Columbia Basin Trust.

Arts & Culture

STEPPING BACK THROUGH SONG MAGGIE ‘MAY’ DAVIS CHANNELS THE WESTERN RAILWAY ENERGY OF 1940S REVELSTOKE INTO HER NEWEST ALBUM By Bailey Gingras-Hamilton.

There is a deeper significance to the Western Americana vibe that Maggie Davis (also known as May Davis) is pursuing with her new album. For Davis, this pandemic project is more than music: it is a connection to her family, past and present. Full of raw emotion with a vintage twist, One Way Ticket tells a story of growth and becoming. History has always intrigued Davis, particularly the 1940s. It makes sense that a railway town like Revelstoke drew her in. The title track from her album is inspired by this “train of thought,” a pun used by Davis during our conversation. From the cover art to the music video, One Way Ticket seeps vintage railway culture. Although this town inspired the title track and ensuing album, railroad enthusiasm also runs in Davis’ blood. “My grandfather’s a big train enthusiast and he passed away a couple of years ago. So, this was kind of a neat way for me to connect with him and keep the spirit of my grandfather alive,” Davis explains. A photo of her grandfather, who also served in the Second World War, can be spotted in her upcoming music video. Underneath the tracks of this song is the story of a woman learning to trust herself, gain confidence, and take risks. That woman is Davis. “Honestly, the song came very organically, one of the fastest songs I've ever written. One of the verses says, ‘I'm not a true romantic, not one to take the leap,’” Davis elaborates. “I am a romantic, but I have a hard time. I think everyone has a hard time putting their hearts out there.” Sometimes putting yourself out there can have a massive reward. In the case of this album, Davis applied for a grant from CreativeBC, and received $10,000 to fund this project. Through this contribution, Davis was able to channel the uncertainty and insanity of the past year into something positive. This avenue of creative expression also provides connection. Growing up in a family of musicians, Davis has always used the art form to share with her loved ones. With most of her family living in Ontario and on the East Coast, this connection became increasingly important. As Davis explains, “it's kind of been a lifeline for us during this time because we can't go home.” Usually described as a folk singer-songwriter, this album is different from Davis’ previous projects. Ironically enough, she did not plan creating such a Western-influenced piece. “When I left the studio, I thought to myself, wow, we just made some cool magic. My neighbour let me listen to it on his really good speakers before I gave them [record producers] the go ahead for the masters. And he's like, ‘This is a vintage Western album,’” Davis remembers. “I'm just like, ‘Damn, it is.’ It wasn't the intention, but I'm really thrilled with the outcome.” Although Davis’ new album will be available online, people will also have the opportunity to hear it in person. That is right, live music is returning this summer, and Davis has a busy few months ahead of her. In collaboration with Arts Revelstoke, Davis is hosting an album release concert on July 17, the same day that the One Way Ticket music video comes out. Since it is a Guerrilla Gig, the location remains a secret until tickets go on sale. No matter where the concert happens, Davis is thrilled to play shows again. “Deep down, I think people are really, really craving live music and that energy that comes from someone baring their soul through song.”

Photos by Zoya Lynch Photography.

Arts & Culture

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

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Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine July 2021 issue

Articles inside

Meals on wheels. p

Beyond the food bank. p