Community

From the Demo Derby to the Emily Brydon Golf Tournament to the Soap Box Derby, September is full of events that involve "driving" in one form or another.

Bears generally avoid humans, however, a hungry bear will enter a backyard if lured by smell.

I can’t help but agree with these artists that The Fernie Arts Station is a home, not only to the arts community, but to anyone interested in art and culture in Fernie.

Unsung Heroes, as we’re constantly reminded, are located in every nook and cranny of Fernie. each with a story to tell, a secret to share and an achievement that generally goes unnoticed. And Augusts’ Unsung Hero is no different. Invariably she is located at Fernie Alpine Resort (FAR) - in fact invariable is putting it mildly, as she is there far beyond hours of operation.

THIS AUGUST 7 the Fernie Museum is launching a biking exhibit alongside the TransRockies celebrations and Fernie Mountain Bike Guide book launch. Here is a sneak peak of some of the intriguing gear, individuals and races Fernie has celebrated over the years.

A couple of Saturdays ago, Leeroy Stagger and the Wildflowers played The Art Station as the last stop on their national tour. I dragged out a friend who’s been housebound for several months with the promise of great music. Leeroy did not disappoint and the small crowd kept him going for a good half an hour, maybe 45 minutes after his ‘last song’.

The first really warm Saturday in a blatant attempt at putting off writing this piece, I wandered down Victoria Ave. A true amble. No purpose but walking down to the end and back. I ended up finding people sitting at tables in the sun and taking the same walk that I hadn’t seen since fall.

I’m looking for something new to try for the summer. I’ve walked or cycled past the Disc Golf Course in James White Park many times and thought I should try it out, so that seems like a good place to start.

People criticize small towns for a few things: a lack of privacy and opportunity being high among them. I can imagine that at a certain stage of your life, Fernie could feel pretty small. However, as many people will also attest, Fernie is a special place. And when you are at the raising-kids stage, it really shines.

Time was tight and dollars short this December as the Historical Society worked towards finishing the new museum space. “Our prayers were answered when this young, energetic girl approached us for her internship,” says Laura Nelson. Vanessa Raber had finished University in Germany and when her boyfriend, whom had heard a lot of great things about Fernie, decided to move here for the season she decided she would come along and complete an internship for her Sociology Degree.

Janet Kuijt is one of Fernie’s first transients, arriving in 1991 alongside the first Australian ski bums to grace our slopes. Like so many that visit this valley, she came for the winter, enjoyed it so much decided to experience one summer…and never left. She worked for the Fernie Snow Valley Ski School, and has taught various courses through the College of the Rockies over the years (tourism, computer courses, Spanish), originally intending on training to be an interpreter for the United Nations.