Content about Community

07.30.10

A Recollection of the Fernie Arts Station by Karla Germaine

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.

07.30.10

Feature Visitor - Mark Kaltenbac

Yes, this is a three day stage race set for July 1-3, 2011 and it’s in Fernie! I was ecstatic to say the least and immediately got in touch with the race organizer, Mark Kaltenbac. Who is this guy and why did he choose Fernie?

07.30.10

Guest Services at FAR

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.

07.30.10

Sow's Ears and Silk Purses

Rehabilitating Old Bones into New Charm by V. Croome
The older houses carry a charm and a character not found in our newer construction. Before World War II, builders commonly built with a care and attention to little details that today are glossed over in search of the faster, more ‘economical’ modes of building.

07.30.10

Spoke-Lore, The Evolution of Biking in Fernie by Laura Nelson

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.

06.28.10

Bear Aware

Having lived in Britain for most of my life, where the most dangerous thing you’ll encounter in the wild is a badger, I have to admit that the prospect of having a bear wander into my Fernie garden was a bit alarming!

06.28.10

It's Now What You Do, But How You Play

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’.

06.28.10

Resident Profile - Kurt Adams

Kurt Adams is a name you probably know if you’re a keen biker in Fernie. He’s been involved in the Fernie Mountain Bike club over the years and has been el presidente for the last two to three. While you may realize this, you may not realize the amount of time and effort Kurt and others involved dedicate to the mountain bike community.

06.01.10

Coming Out

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.

06.01.10

Fernie's Street Cleaners

If you’re a fan of the mornings, you may have spotted our currently solo Beautification Attendant from afar – orange tabard, large smile, quietly maneuvering his cart round the streets of Fernie. And whilst he’s doing his thing, he has one desire on his mind – “To make Fernie as beautiful as I can.” I for one thinks he’s hit the nail on the head.

06.01.10

June Featured Events

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.

06.01.10

Resident Profile – Melissa Fleischacker

While Melissa was in treatment she had heard that the previous chair for the Elk Valley Relay for Life was stepping down, and put a proposal together for the contract. She coordinated the Relay in 2008 and 2009, running a column in the spring Fernie Fix issues sharing the stories of people in the community affected by cancer. The first story she shared was her own, touching the hearts of our readers, giving hope to many, and creating momentum for the yearly Elk Valley Relay for Life.

04.29.10

A Dad’s Perspective by Scott Dressler

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.

04.28.10

Fernie Search and Rescue

With the seasons changing on a daily basis this spring it’s a sharp reminder to be prepared for anything when venturing into the Fernie outdoors. Whether it’s consideration about the animals I might encounter on the trails, the weather that might change or the terrain I might cross, I can never be certain it will actually be just a stroll in the woods.

04.28.10

Vanessa Raber

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.

04.28.10

Your Liveability Index by Amanda Ridgway

Quality of life. What does that mean exactly? And how do you measure it to ensure that you keep it, or better still, improve it over time.

04.01.10

Featured Community Events - April

Cross Country Ski Lunch, April 3 Before you put your cross country skis away for the year there is still one more even that you don't want to miss. On Saturday, April 3 the end of year fun race and lunch is happening at Island Lake Lodge. This event will include a ride up and down in a snowcat, a relay race around the lodges for kids, a race around the lake for adults, and a delicious lunch provided by Island Lake Lodge. Plus there will be prizes! The Schedule is as follows: 10:00 am snowcats leave from the parking lot to bring people up to the lodge 11:00 am kids race starts

04.01.10

Fernie Bottle Depot

Recycling is high on the priority list in my household. I have the ‘Blue Bag’ system for the recyclables that the City collects from our doorstep every other week. I have a compost bin in the garden and the wine, beer and milk containers collect in the garage until I do a run to the Fernie Bottle Depot.

04.01.10

Janet Kuijt

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.

02.28.10

Women's Hockey

Who are the Hustlers? The Fernie Hustlers are the dedicated, energetic and talented group of women that make up Fernie’s competitive women’s hockey team. This skilled and versatile team consists of moms, artists, professionals, tradeswomen, successful entrepreneurs, and many avid skiers! This team was originally started by a group of FAR women staff members for the purposes of intermission entertainment for the classic men's Fernie vs. Kimberley hockey match. Since then the team has grown into a talented, cohesive, fun-loving group of friends.

02.27.10

FAR Lifties

Every time I ski down to the Haul Back I always pause to consider the job of the FAR lifties. And my first thought is usually, “Poor guys!” Whether it’s a powder day or -20 on the hill, I am enjoying myself and relying on these guys to get me up the mountain so I can squeeze another run in.

02.27.10

Featured Community Events - March

Full Day Kindergarten at IDES by Dawn Voysey
Isabella Dicken Elementary School is now accepting registrations for their 100% funded full day Kindergarten classes, which are supported by the BC Ministry of Education and begin in September 2010. The all day Kindergarten program, which in the past was parent funded and offered as an option, will be completely paid for by the Education Ministry.

02.27.10

FSS Alumni Project

Frank Lento, a remarkable Fernie citizen always working behind the scenes. We have tried in the past to feature this man and it wasn’t until this project came up that he agreed to meet – but we could only talk about the project. Throughout the conversation snippets of past projects and achievements drifted into the conversation, swiftly followed with, “Don’t publish that.” All right, to the project which will have the town buzzing and proud within minutes of viewing.

02.27.10

The Griz

According to legend, Fernie has not always been graced with the fine snow conditions we now enjoy on a regular basis. According to the legend, a baby boy was born mid winter in 1879 in a grizzly bear's cave high in the mountains. Sometime later the resident bear awoke ravenously hungry. A terrible battle occurred between the boy and the grizzly - one fighting for his life, the other for his dinner.

01.30.10

Clearing the Streets of Fernie

I’m lying in bed and it’s pitch black outside. I’ve been woken up by my Fernie winter alarm, which puts a smile on my face. That sweet sound of a bomb blast rattling the windows, which means it snowed last night and the patrollers are bombing the hill.