Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine May 2024 issue

Revelstoke Visual Arts Society celebrates 20 years p · 14.

Revy Re-Fest returns for second year, p · 15.

Making porches from railroad ties, p · 16. Brushy’s magic touch, p · 18.

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 2,000 copies to 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 more local news visit www.revelstokemountaineer.com

250 571 9525 info@revelstokemountaineer.com Discourse Community Publishing 213-1130 Sun Peaks Rd, Sun Peaks,B.C. V0E 5N0, Canada

PUBLISHER

Brandi Schier info@revelstokemountaineer.com

EDITOR

Hollie Ferguson info@revelstokemountaineer.com

REPORTERS

Lys Morton lys@revelstokemountaineer.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Claire Levrat

EDITORIAL DESIGN/ADVERTISING DESIGN/ WEBSITE

Chris Payne chris@revelstokemountaineer.com

Introduction

May is going to be filled with bittersweet goodbyes and warm welcomes!

In this issue, we say farewell to Jim Cullen as he passes on the Revelstoke Railway Museum executive director role to Scott Marsden, and we’re sending Brushy off to retirement as Revelstoke Secondary School’s favourite facility dog wraps up 10 years of working with students and staff.

Even as we say goodbye to the 2023-2024 winter season, Revelstoke Mountain Resort is gearing up for mountain bike season and patios have sprung up all over the place. Plus, more spring favourites are coming back, like Revy Re-Fest and the outdoor farm and craft market. We’re also saying hello to our newest grocery store, Puso Pinoy and there is a new child care facility, Ray of Sunshine coming to the neighborhood.

So once again goodbye winter – you’ll be missed. Now welcome to spring Revelstoke!

- Lys Morton, community journalist

COVER AND INSET PHOTO:

People gather at the 2023 Revy Re-Fest.

Photo by Revy Re-Fest

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8 EVENTS CALENDAR

Find out what’s happening in and around Revelstoke this month in the events calendar. Don’t forget to add your community event online at revelstokemountaineer.com.

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THIS MONTH AT COUNCIL Revelstoke City Council covers infrastructure updates, recreation, housing and more.

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PUSO PINOY MARKET OPENS UP NEW GROCERY OPTIONS FOR REVELSTOKE

Puso Punoy grocery and convenience store specializes in hard-to-find staples for the community.

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RAY OF SUNSHINE CHILDCARE CENTRE READIES FOR OPENING

Ray of Sunshine hopes to provide drop-in spots and date night hours.

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REVELSTOKE VISUAL ARTS SOCIETY CELEBRATES 20 YEARS

To kick off the anniversary celebrations, Revelstoke Visual Arts Society launches two new shows.

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REVY RE-FEST RETURNS FOR SECOND YEAR

Revy Re-Fest focuses on reusing and restoring items diverted from the Revelstoke landfill.

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MAKING PORCHES FROM RAILROAD TIES

Jim Cullen reflects on his time as the executive director of the Revelstoke Railway Museum.

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BRUSHY’S MAGIC TOUCH

After working with students for nearly 10 years, Revelstoke Secondary’s favourite staff member is ready for retirement.

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B.C. WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS PREPARE FOR ANOTHER EARLY WILDFIRE SEASON

As British Columbia braces for another early wildfire season, the Mountaineer takes a closer look at the training of wildland firefighters.

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PUZZLES

Try your hand at May’s puzzles and check your answers for last month!

$500 Upto rebate *conditions apply

MAY 2024 CALENDAR

MAY EVENTS

SATURDAY, MAY 4

REVELSTOKE FARM & CRAFT MARKET OPENING DAY

Grizzly Plaza, 111 MacKenzie Ave., 8 a.m.

Revelstoke Farm & Craft market is back for another summer with your favorite local and homemade goodies. Whether you’re looking for Revelstoke Local Food Initiative products, baked treats or local business wares, there’s something for everyone.

SATURDAY, MAY 4

ROLLER DISCO

Revelstoke Forum, 1100 Vernon Ave., 6 p.m.

Revelstoke Roller Derby is ready to welcome you to another season of Roller Discos. Head to the Revelstoke Forum for an evening of disco jams, skate games and more in this family-friendly event supporting Revelstoke Roller Derby. Limited rentals are available on site, snacks available.

SUNDAY, MAY 5

RCU FAMILY FUN RUN AND ROAD RACES

Queen Elizabeth Park, Robson Ave., 9:30

a.m.

Come cheer on racers for the 2 kilometer, 5 kilometer and 10 kilometer races at this family-friendly event. Enjoy outdoor activities, complimentary snacks and community spirit.

SUNDAY, MAY 5

HIKE FOR HOSPICE

Revelstoke cemetery, 103-203 Nakusp Mica Creek Hwy., 1 p.m.

Join the Revelstoke Hospice Society for a tour through the Revelstoke cemetery in a fundraiser event supporting the Revelstoke Hospice Society. Revelstoke Museum and Archives’ Cathy English will be leading the walk with information on those who called Revelstoke home. Light snacks and refreshments provided.

FRIDAY, MAY 10

SCREENING OF PEOPLE LIKE US

Revelstoke Community Centre, 600 Campbell Ave., 6:45 p.m.

Join Parks Canada for Creating Community Through Joy - A Revelstoke Pride Celebration for a screening of local filmmaker Ryan Collins’ documentary, People Like Us. Cast and crew will lead a panel discussion about the film and local 2SLGBTQ+ community after the film. Admission is free.

SATURDAY, MAY 11

SUNNYSIDE DIG DAY

Six Mile parking lot, Airport Way, 9 a.m.

It’s time to freshen up the Sunnyside bike trail with Revelstoke Cycling Association and Cycle Logic. Meet up at the Six Mile parking lot for a day of trail work, a break for lunch and maybe some biking time on the spruced up trail.

SATURDAY, MAY 11

CREATING COMMUNITY THROUGH JOY - A REVELSTOKE PRIDE CELEBRATION

Snowforest Campground, Meadows in the Sky Pkwy., 12 p.m.

Join Parks Canada for Creating Community Through Joy - A Revelstoke Pride Celebration at Snowforest Campground. All ages welcome to this family event with music, games, Queer and outdoor themed Jeopardy, ecological guided walks and more.

SUNDAY, MAY 12

JUNIOR GOLF CLINIC

Revelstoke Golf Club, 171 Columbia Park Dr., 2 p.m.

Got a little putter on your hands? Bring them down to Revelstoke Golf Club every Sunday (not available May long

weekend) for a free junior golf clinic. Three time slots available, depending on age, max ten kids per slot. 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., 5 to 8 year olds. 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. or 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., 8 years old and older.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

BROWN BAG HISTORY: SHOOTING AT GALENA BAY IN 1894

Revelstoke Museum & Archives, 315 First St. West, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Join Revelstoke Museum & Archives for a lunchtime history lesson on the events in and around Revelstoke that shaped the town. Bring your own lunch and enjoy the coffee, tea and cookies provided. NOTE: The May 15 Brown Bag Lunch will be talking about the killing of Sinixt man, Cultis Jim while he was asserting Sinixt seasonal usage of the area.

Revelstoke Cycle Association Dig Days. Photo provided by Revelstoke Cycle Association

RCU Family Fun Run and Road Race 2023. Photo provided by Revelstoke Credit Union

SATURDAY, MAY 25 TO SUNDAY, MAY 26

REVY RE-FEST

103 2 St. W. and Revelstoke Community Centre, 600 Campbell Ave., 8 a.m.

Revelstoke Re-Fest invites you to come out for a range of activities empowering folks to reduce, reuse and recycle. Find a new-to-you set of wheels and reading material at the bike and book swaps. Join the Repair Cafe to get the scoop on fixing clothes, sports gear and household appliances. Check out the Re-Craft market and so much more.

SATURDAY, MAY 25

2024 TRASHION SHOW

Outside Sugar Shack, 103 2 St. West, 6:30 p.m.

Revelstoke Re-Fest is here to bring the fashion event of the season with the Trashion Show. Marvel at the creativity of outfits repurposed and remade. Enjoy live music, a family friendly fashion show and the screening of Patagonia film, Shittropocene.

FRIDAY, MAY 31

PIPE MOUNTAIN

COASTER OPENING

Revelstoke Mountain Resort, 2950

Camozzi Rd., 9:30 a.m.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s Pipe Mountain Coaster is back for another season, ready to bring you the drops, stops and hair-pin turns sure to get the heart racing.

FRIDAY, MAY 31

BIKE PARK OPENING DAY

Revelstoke Mountain Resort, 2950

Camozzi Rd., 10 a.m.

Get the tires inflated and brakes fine-tuned, mountain bike season is officially open at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Come on out and enjoy trails new and old throughout the Revelstoke Mountain Resort area.

Disco Skate Night at the Revelstoke Forum. Photo provided by Revelstoke Roller Derby

Revy Re-Fest Trashion Show. Photo by Aaron Orlando

RMR mountain coaster opens May 31.

Photo by Tom Poole/Revelstoke Mountain Resort

THIS MONTH AT COUNCIL

REVELSTOKE CITY COUNCIL COVERS INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATES, RECREATION, HOUSING AND MORE.

By Lys Morton

Spring cleaning and summer projects

Road crews will be working to remove gravel from Revelstoke roads, marking the end of winter. Additional contractors will soon be brought in to aid with the process, speeding along the work and creating safer road conditions for bikes. Steve Black, director of engineering and public works noted that the community recently brought to his attention how few bike lanes had been cleared and that they would become a priority in the coming days.

Water and sewer infrastructure along 1st Street will soon be updated. Summer on-street usage in the area, including patios, events and parking could be affected during updates. Local traffic and pedestrians are expected to have access to the area throughout the project.

Canadian Mountain Holidays provides update on business impact to Revelstoke

Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH) Revelstoke staff Dave Butler, vice president of sustainability updated council on CMH’s impact in the Revelstoke region, including their partnership with the Regent Hotel, Mount Begbie Brewery and Stoke Roasted Coffee.

CMH works with other local HeliSkiing operations to provide public snow and avalanche data using their helicopters. CMH also provides fuel access for wildfire fighting efforts throughout the region.

Community complaints about helicopter noise in and around the area have been brought to staff and council attention, Coun. Tim Palmer noted. He asked what thoughts Butler had on the community complaints and impact the HeliSkiing industry has on the Revelstoke area. CMH works to follow flight paths and refrains from flying over residential areas, Butler explained.

“Some people don’t like them,” Butler agreed. “But the fact that they are here in the valley allows these amazing businesses in the region to hire people and those kinds of things, and also provide an amazing experience for folks from around the world.”

Council awards Gibraltar Holdings Ltd. with Revelstoke Museum and Archives access lift project

Revelstoke Museum and Archives (RMA) access project took another step forward at the recent council meeting, with the construction project awarded to Burnaby’s Gibraltar Holdings Ltd. for the contract price of $583,879.

Gibraltar expects the project to take 16 weeks for completion. Through grant funding and community donations, RMA has secured $717,200 for the access lift, redevelopment of the second floor bathroom and other construction costs for the updates.

Council approves funding requests for local recreational resources

Four non-profit recreation groups were highlighted to access the $100,00 in Economic Opportunity Funds (EOF), with $30,000 proposed for the Revelstoke Cycling Association for on-going trail maintenance and cycle amenities, $30,000 proposed for the Alpine Club of Canada Columbia Mountains Division to maintain local hiking trails, $30,000 proposed for the Climber's Access Society to maintain local climbing routes and $10,000 proposed for the Paddlesport Association for future use.

The EOF was created as a means to compensate communities economically affected by BC Hydro dams and reservoirs due to loss of land usage.

Revelstoke staff noted in a report that funds would help support Revelstoke’s continued growth as a year-round recreation and tourism destination.

Staff noted that acceptance of EOF funds for these organizations and projects would allow municipal tax resources to be leveraged for other projects.

The proposal also recommended an allocation of $30,000 to expand Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce’s Ambassador Program.

B.C. Minister of housing provides update on Bill 16

Minister of housing Ravi Kahlon provided information in a letter for recently introduced Bill 16, which focuses on zoning allowances within municipalities to increase density and also tenant protection bylaws. It’s part of a proactive zoning move the province is focusing on in response to housing and rental crises in B.C.

It’s the latest bill that on paper looks to be helping municipalities but instead could be doing the opposite, Coun. Tim Palmer noted in response to the letter.

“The provincial government has gone into overdrive on changes to legislation, with good intent on affordable housing,” Coun. Palmer said. “But they have gone fast, hard, broad and haven’t adequately considered unintended consequences.”

The comments follow similar concerns Palmer had in previous council meetings regarding municipal and provincial approval frequently bypassing public hearings in an effort to clear the way for developments. He also voiced frustration with the province’s claim to continue working and seeking input from municipalities regarding legislation.

“Legislation gets passed and there hasn’t been any collaboration.”

Revelstoke city hall. Photo by Lys Morton

PUSO PINOY MARKET OPENS UP NEW GROCERY OPTIONS FOR REVELSTOKE

PUSO PUNOY GROCERY AND CONVENIENCE STORE SPECIALIZES IN HARD-TO-FIND GROCERY STAPLES FOR THE COMMUNITY.

By Lys Morton

Mary and Randy Puso are bringing Asian flavours and Filipino charm to Revelstoke’s downtown with their newly-opened market and convenience store, Puso Pinoy.

“Puso means heart in Cebuano, that’s our family name,” Randy explained to the Revelstoke Mountaineer. “And Pinoy is a term for the people of the Philippines.”

Mary and Randy are hoping to bring Filipino hospitality to a community eager to welcome their new shop to the downtown scene. Recently opening in the old site of the beloved New Mannings, the support was instantaneous.

“It’s overwhelming, all the community support for us in Revelstoke,” Randy said. “Our thanks to the entire Revelstoke community who have come by since we opened. Everyone has been so excited for us.”

Having lived in Revelstoke for the last five years, the couple and their family have struggled to find staple ingredients for their favourite meals and the unique flavors of Filipino cuisine. They plan for Puso Pinoy to provide beloved foods for Revelstoke’s Asian community and introduce other residents to new tastes and products.

“A lot of these foods we travel to Kelowna or Calgary just to have,” Mary said. “It would be nice for so many to have it here.”

Mary is already eager for what comes next for Puso Pinoy, with plans to offer site-made sandwiches and meals for quick community lunches.

“We’re already certified FoodSafe,” she said. “Once we have that Interior Health approval we can start making sandwiches down the road. Things folks can come in and quickly grab.”

Expanding options to include things such as Korean staples is also on Randy’s radar, but he wants community input to know what Revelstoke needs.

“Come tell us if there is something in particular you are looking for, you go out of town a lot for. We want to see what the community wants and we can maybe supply.”

Puso Pinoy could also be the next late night meal spot for those returning from the hill, another outdoor adventure or even making a nighttime drive through Rogers Pass. Store hours Sunday to Thursday are 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Check out Puso Pinoy Market for fresh produce, frozen seafood, Asian snacks, a selection of canned goods, spices, rice, beans and more.

The market carries hard-to-find Asian grocery staples. Photo by Lys Morton

Puso Pinoy owners Mary and Randy Puso. Photo by Lys Morton

RAY OF SUNSHINE CHILDCARE CENTRE READIES FOR OPENING

RAY OF SUNSHINE HOPES TO PROVIDE DROP-IN SPOTS AND DATE NIGHT HOURS.

By Lys Morton

Jo Gawler invisions Ray of Sunshine Childcare and drop-in centre as the community resource local and visiting families in Revelstoke need.

The drop-in care and date night resources will offer parents an hour or two of free time to run errands or reconnect Gawler, owner and operator of Ray of Sunshine explained to the Revelstoke Mountaineer.

Ray of Sunshine is the latest project Gawler has tackled in an effort to help fix the lagging childcare resources in Revelstoke, including the Revelstoke After School Society. In a Nov. 14 city council meeting, Gawler explained how Revelstoke could be classified as a childcare desert, alongside various communities throughout B.C.’s Interior and across Canada.

“I had a lady just send me a registration yesterday, she gave birth two months ago,” Gawler said. “She’s asking, ‘can I please be on your waitlist?’ In our town, in a lot of towns it's getting scary trying to find space for your kids.”

Ray of Sunshine will in no way fix Revelstoke childcare needs Gawler explained, but it’s one more step for a town growing with families.

“There were over 100 kids born in Revelstoke last year. For somewhere like Calgary, that’s a drop in the bucket. For Revelstoke, that’s roughly 100 job

vacancies and 100 more kids looking for a childcare spot in town.”

The long wait for space

Getting Ray of Sunshine prepared for opening hasn’t been a simple exercise, even with community support, Gawler said. In early April, Gawler was working with contractors to reinstall parts of the facility washroom, communicating with Revelstoke licensing officers and building architects about final details and recently received final approval from fire inspection.

“Every time I look up I feel like there’s something left to do,” Gawler laughed. In an effort to be ready the moment the green light is given, learning centres around Ray of Sunshine were prepared seemingly for kids to walk in then and there.

“It’s helping us see what longer term is going to be our reality,” Gawler said. “This is just a small moment in the overall time of Ray of Sunshine.”

What shape Ray of Sunshine’s physical space could take in the future has already been in discussion. Part of her presentation at the Nov. 14 city council meeting, Gawler spoke in favour of allowing increased footprint sizes for retail rental spaces in the Mackenzie Village development. The

ability to expand the space could be a key growth opportunity for Ray of Sunshine.

As challenging as the early childhood education industry might be at the moment, Gawler is certain staffing Ray of Sunshine and future childcare resources in Revelstoke won’t be the larger issue. She’s been contacted by infant and toddler educators and early childhood educators who are looking for work in the region, and she’s eager to provide job opportunities with Ray of Sunshine and future projects.

While the staff resources might be there, space remains a key hurdle for early childhood care in Revelstoke.

“So many of our spaces, our resources for parents are seasonal in this town. That’s the hurdle I’m jumping every time.”

Providing space inside and outside

Construction of a future playground zone is still in the works at Mackenzie Village, but that won’t stop the Ray of Sunshine team from providing outdoor resources for kids.

“My background is in nature space learning,” Sawyer Ellingboe, Ray of Sunshine’s lead early childhood education facilitator explained. “I’m going to be taking advantage of not just the green spaces around us but throughout town.”

Ellingboe is already planning outdoor excursions to Moose park, located close to Ray of Sunshine, summer trips to Williamson Lake and walks along the Camozzi trail once construction completes.

“The kids coming here, they’re going to be growing up in a town that really values our outdoors,” Ellingboe said. “I’m excited to help foster that and bring those forest learning principles to Ray of Sunshine.”

Nature opportunities will also be brought into the centre, with sensory tables already staged with a bugs unit for opening day. All of it is centered around the idea of giving kids autonomy and resources within their spaces and their learning.

“We want to help them have ownership of their community,” Gawler said.

A reading nook with shelves of books pressed against the wall at one end of the facility is coupled with a quiet activity area, staged with smaller lego that can be switched out with duplo blocks for younger children. The centre of Ray of Sunshine is sectioned into two main imaginary play spaces, with costumes lined up beside a village shop scene and buckets of dinosaur, animal and community figurines.

A resource for parents and for the community

Current plans for Ray of Sunshine include fullday childcare for ages 3 to 5 years old from Monday to Thursday with operating hours of 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Daytime drop-in childcare for children 18 months to 9 years old will run Friday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and an evening childcare option will be available for ages 6 to 11 years old on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“I just want there to be options for parents and caregivers,” Gawler explained. “For earlier job starts, for those nights with friends and some wine, for those last minute needs.”

Ray of Sunshine could also be a resource for those working in Revelstoke’s childcare ecosystem, Ellingboe invisions.

“Once a night we have a sort of meet up time here, let people who work with kids come and connect. There are so many nannies, respite workers who don’t have community resources and are maybe looking for new activities and outdoor trails around that others can tell them about.”

Ray of Sunshine team Sawyer Ellingboe and Jo Gawler at the LEGO play space.

Photo by Lys Morton

MAY 2024 REAL ESTATE UPDATE

TOURISM TALKS BIKE TO WIN

Have you heard of GoByBike BC? They’re a non-profit organization on a mission to inspire everyone to GoByBike Each year they run a series of events to encourage people to ride bikes, be it for work, play, well-being, or the planet

Did you know that Revelstoke often has the highest number of GoByBike riders across the province? Last year nearly 16% of our community registered Help us break our record this year by signing up today!

Do you, a family member, colleague, or neighbour need some real estate advice, or want to know what houses in your neighbourhood are selling for? This is my invitation for you to call or pass along my details. I look forward to connecting with our great community!

Participation is simple, create an account and log your rides during the week of June 3-9 You’ll be entered for a chance to win great prizes whenever you log a ride there are some larger provincial prizes, as well as local prizes up for grabs!

By logging your rides, you demonstrate that biking is an activity you participate in, which helps justify the development of future bikerelated infrastructure, such as bike lanes, trail connectivity, and bike racks.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on biking in Revelstoke, so if you have a spare 5 minutes, please scan the QR code and complete our Active Transportation survey today!

Photo | Kyra Sklar @kyrasklar

REVELSTOKE VISUAL ARTS SOCIETY CELEBRATES 20 YEARS

TO KICK OFF THE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS, REVELSTOKE VISUAL ARTS SOCIETY LAUNCHES TWO NEW SHOWS.

By Lys Morton

Revelstoke Visual Arts Society (RVAS) is celebrating 20 years in town with two new shows at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre.

“People are coming through the doors, shocked at us celebrating 20 years, telling us, ‘how can you only be celebrating 20 years?’ We’ve been doing art for so much longer,” Meghan Porath, RVAS’ executive director and curator told the Revelstoke Mountaineer.

The Member’s Show will run alongside the Golden Girls Show until May 26 before welcoming new artists to the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre gallery in June. All in all, it will be a chance to celebrate everyone who has made RVAS possible over the years Porath said.

“There have been so many people in my role over the years, who have left a mark on the society and on the centre. We really are standing on their shoulders…all that work is really starting to pay off, I think. I’m starting to hear more and more from outside of the community that Revelstoke is an arts town.”

A history 50 years in the making

RVAS grew out of the Revelstoke Art Group, founded in 1949 by Sophia Atkinson and a group of fellow painters who wanted to find space and support in their artistic endeavors. The group met regularly in living rooms, public spaces and other areas around town before settling in the upper offices of the Revelstoke Post Office, years before the building would become the home of Revelstoke Museum & Archives (RMA). The space allowed for the Revelstoke Art Group to host art shows, visiting artists, community teas and a long list of lessons for all ages.

“We started from zero,” Atkinson said in a past interview now found at the RMA.

Humble beginnings aside, a passion for the beauty found within the Kootenay region, and a drive to make art as accessible as possible, led to the success of the Revelstoke Art Group.

When they were momentarily without a space during RMA’s expansion into the upper level of the museum building in the mid 1990s, the group survived until they were able to find a new home at the former Revelstoke RCMP building. Soon after settling into the new centre, the Revelstoke Art Group founded RVAS to oversee the operations of the facility and shepherd it into the future.

“When I first moved here I didn’t necessarily see it as an arts town,” Porath admitted. “But we’re so very fortunate for the work Sophia and that whole initial group put into the arts here in Revelstoke.”

Throughout the entire evolution of Revelstoke Art Group to RVAS, Porath said two core values have led the way: “Creating space for play and for sanctuary.”

“I’ve talked to people who have been working in the building for many, many years,” Porath said. “People who have connections to those original art meetups in living rooms, and it always comes back to somehow creating a space for folks to play with all the different styles of art and just have a safe place.”

For artists young and old, near and far

One of the exhibitions opening during the 20th anniversary celebration will be from the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre’s Golden Girls art group, a collection of senior artists who cherish the centre not just for the physical space to create art, but for the community it has created.

“Almost every time they’re here they tell me they’re here to do art,” Porath laughed. “They make lovely pieces, absolutely, but it’s also a lot of chatting and drinking coffee.”

The Golden Girls’ weekly Wednesday meet-ups are part of a range of classes, clubs and drop-ins RVAS provides, including the recently-launched creative writing courses, the wait-listed pottery classes and the tiny art swaps

“People tell us how beautiful it is that as an adult or as a kid they have space to just to play and explore and challenge your thinking and just have fun.”

That theme of play means an ever evolving collection of courses and resources at the centre.

“We used to have a fully functioning dark room, a leftover from when this was the RCMP building,” Porath said. “When film photography waned we cleared out that space, but now film is having another comeback and folks are asking if we’ve ever considered having a dark room.”

The winter art drop-ins, a late night activity welcoming participants to bring whatever art project in the works and a favourite tea to the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, have wrapped for the season, but Porath sees the potential for a summer return.

“How many folks are living in studio apartments,” Porath wondered. “Renting a bedroom in a house, they don’t have a space dedicated to art. This was a way to give folks that space and get them out of the house for a bit.”

Warmer weather and longer days could see the program take advantage of the green space in and around the gallery, the long term plan for the drop-in nights would partially depend on volunteers willing to help facilitate, same as many future plans.

“We’re always open to folks providing different art classes, different opportunities for our community. What ways can we keep giving Revelstoke opportunities for that play, for that safe space to explore,” Porath said.

The centres gift shop provides opportunities for local and regional artists as well, giving priority to Revelstoke artists and products. There are also four different exhibit spaces at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, the main gallery hall and three smaller rooms, all linked with doorways that provide a sense of separation while keeping the flow of the overall space. It gives RVAS an opportunity to feature artists from across Canada and even internationally visiting while always keeping at least one space for Revelstoke and Kootenay artists.

“What's great about that is that people visiting our community can see the wonderful breadth of art and local artists that we have.”

The main gallery, showcasing Karen Tamminga-Paton's show Ventilate.

Photo by Lys Morton

REVY RE-FEST RETURNS FOR SECOND YEAR

REVY RE-FEST FOCUSES ON REUSING AND RESTORING ITEMS DIVERTED FROM THE REVELSTOKE LANDFILL.

By Lys Morton

Revy Re-Fest founder Leah Evans is ready to help residents new and old find ways to repurpose, reuse and recycle items otherwise destined for the town landfill and recycling centre. Revy Re-Fest will run May 25 and 26 with familyfriendly crafts, fashion shows and workshops focused on learning how to keep waste out of the land.

“We’re a town that loves our outdoors,” Evans, professional skier and Patagonia ski ambassador told Revelstoke Mountaineer. “I think this event fits perfectly with goals everyone has when they move here or grow up here.”

Revy Re-Fest has been a long time coming, with Evans mulling over the idea for some years before pinning down the initial plans and approaching Patagonia. The outdoor clothing and gear business was eager to support the new event, and Revy Re-Fest was born.

“I’ve lived here for 13 years,” Evans said. “I’ve met so many cool people who know how to fix things, repair things and get a couple more years out of their gear. I want to connect folks to them.”

While Evans doesn’t think there was a particular lightning-in-the-bottle moment that sparked the idea for Revy ReFest, her aim to divert usable items away from the landfill was an easy partner to her love of creating spaces for the community.

“It’s really cool to help people spread those wings and just really learn some cool skills.”

Re-Fest attendees will have a chance to learn how to repair a range of household appliances at the Repair Cafes running both days of the festival, where knowledgeable volunteers will be on hand to lend their skills or their knowledge. No gas-powered appliances are allowed, but Evans is sure a wide range of items will still find a second life at the Repair Cafe.

Outdoor gear repair and clothing mending will also be available at the Repair Cafes. If items truly have seen their final days, a clothing swap and shop will be running alongside a book swap, bike swap and trunk sale on Sunday. Saturday will be highlighted with local salon Birch & Lace’s beloved Trashion Show, a long-running event that jumped at the opportunity to partner with Revy ReFest.

“They reached out to partner with us this year, and it was a great match.”

After the Trashion Show, Revy Re-Fest attendees can catch the premiere of Patagonia film, Shitthropocene, focusing on the effects of fast fashion and the general clothing industry.

Along with vendors selling crafts made with repurposed items, Sugar Shack providing ice cream with fruit picked from local sources and a Printing with Plants workshop, attendees will also get to explore hands-on crafts for the whole family.

“Even if you’re not entirely sure what it’s all about, just come and cruise through,” Evans encouraged. “You might get sucked into something and find another skill to use. I hope people really embrace it and it becomes a part of the community.

Revy Re-Fest takes place Saturday, May 25 outside the Sugar Shack and Sunday, May 26 at the Revelstoke Community Centre. Some events require registration online at www.re-fest.com. Interested in volunteering? Volunteers will help set up, facilitate and tear down events. Those with specific repair skills can sign up to aid in the Repair Cafes. Those interested in general volunteer positions can sign up on the Revy Re-Fest website. Those able to help with the Repair Cafe can email revyrefest@gmail.com.

SPECIALS SPRING

MONDAY - $12 OUTPOST BURGER + FRIES

TUESDAY - WING NIGHT (BUY 1 GET 1 FREE)

WEDNESDAY - 50% OFF FLATBREADS

THURSDAY - $20 STEAK FRITES

FRIDAY - 50% OFF BOTTLES OF WINE & DESSERTS

SATURDAY - 50% OFF APPIES

SUNDAY - $22 CHICKEN & RIBS

OPEN DAILY 3-9 PM

RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED

People browse booths at the 2023 Revy Re-Fest.

Photo by Revy Re-Fest

People gather at the 2023 Revy Re-Fest.

Photo by Revy Re-Fest

MAKING PORCHES FROM RAILROAD TIES

JIM CULLEN REFLECTS ON HIS TIME AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE REVELSTOKE RAILWAY MUSEUM.

By Lys Morton

Jim Cullen, Revelstoke Railway Museum’s (RRM) executive director, pointed to the business class train car that greets guests entering the main exhibit room of the RRM.

“I won’t have a business car much longer,” he said, when asked where to hold an interview discussing the news that he will be retiring from the executive director position April 30. “I always wanted one, since I was a kid.”

The business car was lined with glass tables and two chairs each. At first glance the place seems immaculate.

“There’s always something to do working at a museum,” Cullen chuckled, adjusting a table cloth and attending to a light that needed the deft hand of someone who knows exactly how to wrangle it back in place while showing the care a relic of history requires.

That initial love of trains which led Cullen to Revelstoke was fueled in part by a model train that showed up under the Christmas tree when he was six during a holiday spent at his grandparents house in another rail town, Kindersley, Saskatchewan.

“You become keenly attuned that everything is connected with trains.”

Four years of creating spaces

Similarly, Revelstoke offers a unique spirit of connection Cullen saw from the moment he moved here.

He started his position right as the pandemic shuttered most of town. Still, he was determined to pull whatever advantages he could from the situation. Plus, Revelstoke’s community spirit stepped in, and Cullen knew then things were going to be okay.

“All these lovely community organizations were saying ‘we're here for you, we want to help,’” he recalled.

Local businesses offered to pay for equipment for provincial health requirements, asking where they could assist the museum and taking a moment to welcome him to town. But it was the dedication of museum volunteers that really highlighted the community Cullen was stepping into.

“The day before we reopened to the public in June, one of our volunteers showed up at the door. I was in the office working away on stuff when he showed up, and I said, ‘what are you doing here’? He said, ‘we're opening tomorrow. I thought you might need some help’.”

That spirit of Revelstoke has been in the foreground of every project Cullen has overseen. Projects like restoring the REVELSTOKE. train

station sign that now hangs on the mezzanine, a sign Cullen said was seen by everyone who traveled via train, whether British royalty visiting the region or residents looking for a sign to know they were back home.

He also worked with Indigenous student advocate Lisa Moore from Revelstoke Secondary School in the marathon process of decolonizing the museum and the rail history in Revelstoke.

“Decolonizing and railway museum do not rhyme at all,” Cullen admitted. “That's a long journey of relationship and trust building with Indigenous educators in our community.”

It’s one of various projects Cullen will hand off to the next executive director, a move he refers to as passing on the baton in a relay race. Museum directors should not expect to see the first and the last day of the museum while they’re leading, which means accepting that not all the projects one starts will be completed Cullen explained.

One of those projects in the works is the sheltering and restoration of Engine 5500. Part of the SD-40 locomotive line, Engine 5500 and its descendants were key diesel locomotives in rail service for the Revelstoke region. Steep terrain and harsh winters make the area a prime spot to test the latest locomotive technology. Engine 5500 now calls Revelstoke home, but the local elements have not been kind to the engine and the museum is in a race to erect a pavilion that will allow complete restoration of the machine to its glory days.

A key part in that project was an anonymous community donor stepping forward to fully fund the building of the pavilion. Now RRM is working to raise the funds needed for the restoration of Engine 5500, including the iconic red paint. A project this large will take a while to complete, and Cullen said it was in his mind as he announced his retirement.

“It is weird to leave before it's done, but it is very satisfying to put the steps into place.”

Jim Cullen inside one of the Revelstoke Railway Museum engines.

Photo by Lys Morton

Jim Cullen stands in fron of engine 5468 at the Revelstoke Railway Museum. Photo by the Revelstoke Railway Museum

The engine restoration project is just the latest Cullen said puts RRM on the radar for other museums across North America.

“We kind of punch above our weight,” Cullen said. “We're a small but mighty museum in a small but mighty city.”

RRM’s role in the community

The core of Revelstoke is travel and trade Cullen said, always keeping this in mind throughout his time as the museum’s director.

“For thousands of years this place has been a hub,” Cullen explained. “The first nations of this region traveled here to meet and trade, using these water systems. We became a major railway hub when the rails were built in 1885, and now the Trans-Canada highway makes us a hub spot.”

He sees RRM as vital in keeping that part of Revelstoke’s identity alive and accessible to all. Not just for the tourists that make RRM one of the top visited locations in town, but for the families whose roots lay in Revelstoke’s rail line history.

“We get to provide a place for those stories, let them see their connection to this town’s heritage,” Cullen said when asked how the museum has been built into the community. “For the newcomers in town, and there’s a lot of them, we can show them what Revelstoke is about. We can be one of the ways they learn about this town’s history and then that makes them more engaged.”

Community engagement is a core part of the goals Cullen set out with when taking on RRM’s director position in April, 2020. These goals were all connected to one core endeavor of making RRM one of the front porches of Revelstoke.

“Everyone’s welcome to the front porch,” Cullen explained. “It’s intergenerational, a comfortable place, come as you are.”

He wanted to see RRM as a corner of the community where folks would feel welcome the first time they entered and also come back for more than just the latest exhibit. Cullen saw the museum as a key Third Space in Revelstoke, a way to give back to the communities that built RRM.

“We are a creature of our communities,” Cullen said. “Our communities built us as a grassroots effort. A few really civic-minded gutsy, Revelstokeian's built this museum.”

That goal may have been hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 health restrictions that saw the museum, along with much of the town, shuttered. But recent programs spearheaded by Rachael Lewis, RRM’s manager of visitor experience and retail are helping get things back on track. RRM

is open Thursdays for Throwback Thursday with $5 general admission. The museum stays open late that day to host a board games club open to all levels of gamers.

“We can make the museum a place where people can just meet and hang out,” Cullen said.

LUNA Rail, Holiday Trackside Party and Family Day are some of the other ways RRM provides space for the community to connect and enjoy the space. RRM also provides space for organizations to book for holiday dinners, team building and more.

As for any advice he might have for the next executive director and anyone connected to the museum world?

“You've got to be a radical optimist to be a museum director.”

Revelstoke Railway Museum staff at the announcement of funding for pavilion.

Photo by Josh Piercey

BRUSHY’S MAGIC TOUCH

AFTER WORKING WITH STUDENTS FOR NEARLY 10 YEARS, REVELSTOKE SECONDARY’S FAVOURITE STAFF MEMBER IS READY FOR RETIREMENT.

By Melissa Jameson

For almost a decade, one very special yellow lab made a lasting impact, supporting hundreds of students in Revelstoke.

If you’ve ever visited Revelstoke Secondary School (RSS) in the morning, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Brushy making his rounds, greeting staff and students with his wagging tail and friendly head boops. You may have thought he’s just looking for a few pets or hoping for a bite or two of a banana, his favourite snack. You wouldn’t be entirely wrong, but it may surprise you to discover Brushy has an entirely different agenda during his morning rounds.

How it all began

In 2013, Brushy’s handler Dana Reaume moved to Revelstoke where she began working as a learning support teacher at RSS.

“I had always known that dogs in schools were important, but I had never had the opportunity to know that I was going to be in a [school] district for a long time,” she said.

Soon after moving to Revelstoke, Reaume realized this was her place. She was staying for the long haul, so she began investigating what it would look like to have a dog in school. During her research, she came across PADS Caber and PADS Macbeth online, two dogs trained by The Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS), a volunteer-based organization with a mission to support “people with disabilities and

community care providers by partnering them with certified assistance dogs.”

The organization raises and trains accredited service dogs, PTSD service dogs, hearing dogs and facility dogs. Macbeth was the organization's first accredited facility dog. Caber was Canada’s first Justice Facility Dog, working with handler Kim Gramlich, Coordinator at Delta Police Victim Services from 2010 to 2019 to help support victims of crime and trauma.

Upon discovering Macbeth and Caber, Reaume knew the kids she worked with, students with nonverbal autism and a variety of cognitive and physical disabilities, would benefit from an accredited facility dog in the classroom.

The next step was approaching RSS principal Greg Kenyon and then vice-principal Andy Pfeiffer. Both were immediately on board. So was Mike Hooker, the district’s superintendent at the time. Even the district’s parent advisory council was supportive, recognizing the broader impact having a facility dog would have on all the students in the school.

Reaume began the application process with PADS, and officially became Brushy’s primary handler and caregiver on Oct. 2, 2014.

“The reason they put it like that is because it takes so much time and effort to breed, raise and train dogs to be able to go out into the world to work with professionals,” said Reaume, explaining it takes nearly three years of training before a PADS dog is fully trained. It’s also costly, between $30,000 and $50,000. “I don’t own Brushy, PADS

owns him. They have the legal responsibility over him.”

Unlike service dogs, who are precision matched with a person who has a cognitive, physical or trauma-based disability, accredited facility dogs (AFD) are matched with community professionals who work with vulnerable populations. In Brushy’s case, he works with Reaume to support students who have trauma backgrounds, socialemotional learning support needs, or who may be experiencing poverty and other equity-based discrepancies.

“AFD support more than just one human, and they’re tasked to do that kind of support in all different situations,” said Reaume.

Brushy and his primary caregiver, Dana Reaume.

Photo by Dana Reaume

Brushy wears a blue vest while on the job supporting students at Revelstoke Secondary School.

Photo by Dana Reaume

Brushy’s magic

Often, Reaume says she is at a loss for words when someone asks her what Brushy does.

“I don’t know how to explain the magic that’s in there,” she said. “I think it’s about relationships and how he helps me as a learning support teacher, as a clinical counsellor, to build relationships in a non-confrontational way. He’s like a bridge of loving fluffy yellow relationship. He's such a calm and loving presence, it’s exactly what’s needed sometimes. It doesn’t often need words or somebody trying to fix it, it can just be let’s pet a dog. Slow down and breathe and pet a dog.”

In the mornings, when Brushy makes his off-leash rounds, Reaume will sit back and watch. He’ll wander around, greeting his people, but then he’ll find a student sitting by themselves. He’ll wander over to the student, maybe stick his head on their lap, lean into them or sit on their feet. That’s when the magic happens, and the bridge begins to take shape.

These moments are an in for Reaume to be able to ask the student how they’re doing. And ifthe students, who Reaume affectionately refers to as mediumsized humans, are overcome with waves of emotion when they’re having a bad morning or have something going on in their lives, they’ve got Brushy to support them.

“When I’m upset I come pet Brushy,” grade 12 student Ze Ogilvie said. “Brushy is always able to put a smile on my face unless he’s licking me. I’m going to miss him.”

“Written words cannot express the magnitude of Brushy’s contributions and how much a part of our lives he encompasses, making us happier every day,” said another student, Kaleb Perrault in grade 11.

Ready for retirement

Over the years, Brushy has logged around 8,000 hours at RSS. He’s watched about 700 students graduate and eaten 4,800 cups of kibble (and probably the same number of bananas). He’s received pets and love from more than 60 staff members, visited 70 classrooms and all four schools in Revelstoke.

His affinity for seeking out those in need of a dog’s love, and his penchant for fake snoring while pretending to sleep, has had an inexplicable impact on many students, staff and even parents.

It isn’t easy work though, and each year Brushy and Dana must pass the public access test, a requirement for Brushy to keep his blue working vest, which allows him access to public spaces.

When PADS dogs are no longer able to meet the requirements, including tasks like walking through a grocery store without sniffing anything and maintaining a down-stay in a busy restaurant for 45-minutes, they are retired and taken out of service.

While Brushy passed his most recent public access test, Reaume said she and the PADS coordinator both agreed he’s getting tired.

“He’s 12. He’s worked for nine years supporting some of our most vulnerable humans. He’s giving me signs. He’s telling us that he’s ready to not do this anymore.”

So come this June when the school year ends, Brushy will take off his working vest for good and become a pet, and Reaume and her family will officially adopt him.

And in case you’re wondering, Reaume is already on the waitlist for another PADS dog ready to work their magic.

Brushy and his primary caregiver, Dana Reaume.

Photo by Dana Reaume

B.C. WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS PREPARE FOR ANOTHER EARLY WILDFIRE SEASON

AS BRITISH COLUMBIA BRACES FOR AN EARLY WILDFIRE SEASON, THE MOUNTAINEER TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT THE TRAINING OF WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS.

By Claire Levrat

The devastating effects of climate change are becoming more evident each year, and with wildfires occurring earlier and becoming more extreme, the summer of 2023 took an emotional toll on B.C. wildland firefighter crews and the communities impacted. This year seems to be no different, as the unseasonably dry spring has already led to 116 active wildfires in the province, two of which were out of control near Quesnel and Dawson Creek, according to the latest updates of the BC Wildfire Dashboard on April 25.

Understanding the job behind the uniform

When it comes to wildfire management, the province can count on a team of highly skilled individuals trained to handle a range of situations. In British Columbia, there are three official types of wildland firefighters, each with a crucial role to play. At the highest level of training are the Type 1 firefighters, exclusively employed by the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS). They are certified and trained to tackle the most dangerous and high-risk incidents. Type 2 and Type 3 are hired by contract companies and are trained for lower-risk incidents.

On the field, they operate in distinct crews. The initial attack crews are quickresponse teams of three to four people that can control up to 94 per cent of new

wildfires. They act as the first line of defence. Unit crews are larger in size and more specialized in sustained attack operations like installing hose and pump lines, performing burn operations and removing fuel using chainsaws. Specific crews like Rapattack and Paratack operate from the air and can be deployed to tackle wildfires in inaccessible areas or where the terrain is too challenging for ground crews.

As rewarding and inspirational as it might be, becoming a wildland firefighter is no walk in the park. It requires not only resilience, strength and unwavering determination, but to pass a rigorous hiring and training process that tests the mental and physical aptitudes of recruits.

Dive into the BC Wildfire Service training program

BCWS training is divided into several modules, each designed to equip recruits with specific skills and knowledge required for the job. It covers everything from fire behaviour and safety to equipment operation and emergency response procedures. The recruits are also put through strict physical and mental tests to ensure they are up to the firefighting task.

Lisa Takkinen, a former local initial attack firefighter for three years - two in Revelstoke - explained that training typically begins with a "soft start" in February or March, depending on winter activity. While new hires officially start in May, employees use this time to get organized, refresh their minds with gear and exercise.

“Our training scenarios include simulating fake fires to troubleshooting under pressure, like purposely breaking something and having to figure it out alone,” Takkinen explained. ”We also test water pumps and prepare trucks for deployment between our crew.”

Firefighting is a physically demanding job, often requiring long hours in harsh conditions. Therefore, fitness is expected to be maintained at a high level. Takkinen shared that most wildland firefighters try to maintain a good fitness routine during winter, so it is easier to get back into training come spring.

Aspiring firefighters in B.C. are gearing up for a critical time this spring. After the interview phase in April, potential new recruits undergo the WFX-FIT test, a pre-employment fitness standard completed as a timed circuit. Top-scoring applicants are invited to a series of online courses followed by the New Recruit Boot Camp (NRBC), based on the crew member vacancy.

"At NRBC, we prioritize educating recruits about the risks and hazards inherent in the job, both physically and mentally,” Southeast Fire Centre’s Information Officer Kim Wright explained. “Multiple boot camps are offered in Merritt and Prince George; they range from six to eight days and run from midApril to mid-May.”

NRBC provides a sneak peek into firefighters' daily lives, preparing for what lies ahead. After this boot camp, successful candidates will be offered a position

The Columbia Fire Zone, located within the Southeast Fire Centre. Map by BC Wildfire Service

Joshua Day during a burn-off at the Penticton Twin Lakes fire, Aug. 2023.

Photo by Joshua Day

on one of the fire crews in the province. Wright explained that a first-year wildland firefighter can expect to work until the end of October, with the chance of being offered an extension depending on fire conditions and activity.

After moving to their base, newly hired recruits take a strict fitness test to ensure they are ready for the job's physical demands.

When asked if changes have been implemented in response to the challenging 2023 season, Wright told the Mountaineer that BCWS has introduced a Danger Tree Awareness course to the NRBC.

"Throughout the week, we emphasize a culture of safety, which includes empowering recruits to refuse unsafe work, speak up if they're uncertain and focus on building trust and teamwork."

Ongoing support for recruits and employees is also provided through proactive mental health programs like Resilient Minds and the Occupational Awareness Program.

“We foster a culture of peer support and encourage open discussions about mental health, creating a safe space for vulnerability rather than promoting a stoic approach," she added. "We also offer mental health support services to all BCWS employees and their families, including a confidential 24/7 mental health support line."

This year, the province received the highest number of applicants in the past 10 years for the position of wildland firefighters, with over 2,000 applicants.

"It is double the number of applicants received ahead of the 2023 wildfire season. On average, there are about 500 – 800 applicants each year," Wright said.

Insights from a contract wildland firefighter

In addition to its own crew, the BC Wildfire Service relies on the help of thousands of contract wildland firefighters each year. Two of them, Samuel Coeuret and Joshua Day, both 26 years old, were new to the job last summer. They worked as Type 3 wildland firefighters without any prior experience. The role of a Type 3 firefighter is to assist in mop-up and patrol operations once wildfires have been contained.

Coeuret and Day worked on the St. Mary's River wildfire near Cranbrook, employed by a contractor based in Nelson. Day was also deployed by local contract company Nakimu Ventures to Twin Lake’s wildfire in Penticton and the McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna. Despite receiving only one day of learning in a classroom and one day of practical training, the two young firefighters were eager to help, undeterred by the short training session.

"It may seem light, but I had no clue what to expect at the time," Day shared. "On the field, I was never alone; we were doing the buddy system, and when we encountered uncommon situations, we were given instructions.”

Once on the field, Coeuret and Day's primary focus was identifying and eliminating hot spots that could cause the fire to reignite. Their crew leader gave them daily briefings, outlining the day's objectives. Coeuret emphasized the importance of open communication.

"We need to think as a team, but it is equally important to feel comfortable to speak up when necessary,” Coeuret said.

Despite the job not being guaranteed, Coeuret and Day both assured they loved the experience. They met caring, trustworthy people who shared the same interests and enjoyed the daily routine of sleeping outdoors and feeling useful every single day. Like many others this season, they hope to be involved again.

Joshua Day doing a mop-up of the Cranbrook St Mary’s River wildfire.

Photo by Joshua Day

Royal Highness

1 Cartoon skunk Pepe 6 Hallucinogenic drugs, briefly

Daniel ___ Kim of "Lost"

22 Toddler's train, when doubled 23 Puts the squeeze on, in a way 25 Fire station bosses

27 Won all the awards, with "up" 29 Carnivore's buys

30 Stir, as suspicion

31 Facebook blurb

32 Vernal equinox season: Abbr.

35 Lenient, as on crime

36 Light festival city in France

38 Prefix meaning "vision"

39 Rock blaster

40 Late quizmaster Trebek

41 Like some last words

43 It may be picked up, then kicked

45 Actress Alley of "Cheers"

46 Leave in the lurch, slangily 48 Salmon fishing inlet off Vancouver Island

49 Opposite of sans 50 Reacts to a bad pun

52 ___ Maria

55 Had a coup 57 ___ rod (golden flower) 59 Gretzky's moniker, with "the" 60 Be deceptive with

UFO pilots 62 Dr.'s hospital checks: Abbr.

Yellowhead town west of Edmonton

1 "___-a-Lympics" (Hanna-Barbera cartoon) 2 Ireland, poetically 3 Costner's "Robin Hood" subtitle

Gofers and grunts 7 Dear, to Domingo

by Barbara Olson

Cameron Diaz's "Shrek" role 9 Coppertone bottle letters

Puréed spuds baked golden brown

"The ___ Aquarius"

Like Manhattan clam chowder

High, to Henri

Aid on a bad hair day

___ iron skillet

Scientology founder ___ Hubbard

Back-to-the-grind day: Abbr.

Word with chicken or small

Spitting sound, in comics

French season in the sun 5 Chinese soup dumplings

Prepared to sing "O Canada"

"Nonetheless, ..."

38 Russian port city

Blood-typing letters 42 Gallery clearance event 44 Maker of Reynolds Wrap 45 Tenter's stopover in the U.S.

46 Intrude rudely, with "in"

47 Turn away, as one's eyes 48 Bumps on a log 51 Rip to bits

53 Big on

Chacun ___ goût (each to his own)

56 8 1/2" x 11" paper size: Abbr.

58 Free from, with "of"

*Operating dates and hours of operation are subject to change based on weather and trail conditions.

P: Hywel Williams