-
Easy as PiE
Sweet or savory, there are plenty of ways to fill pastry
EtErnal FlamECeltic Fire Designs
captures memories in glass
north thomPson ParadisE Amaranth
Farm - a study in homesteading
homE on the rangEslowing down at trophy mountain
Buffalo ranch near Wells gray
$325
h o m E s | g a r d E n s | F o o d | a r t s | P E o P l E | a
n d m o r E !
K a m l o o p S September/OctOber 2011
-
Quality value products and advice you know you can trust.
BENJAMIN MOORE
#105805 Notre Dame Dr.
250.828.1800
Kamloops #1 Flooring Store
UNITED FLOORS
#107805 Notre Dame Dr.
250.374.1223
-
I first heard about the Trophy Mountain Buffalo Ranch in
February, after owners Jamie and Joe Fischer opted to partici-pate
in the Daily News annual Vision special section.
I spoke to Jamie at length about the ranch. Long after I had all
the information I needed for the short write up in Vision, I kept
asking questions.
When I hung up the phone and got back to work my mind continued
to wander back to the ranch a place Id never been and when Jamie
sent me pictures of the ranch, I knew Id have to go. Thats exactly
what I did for this issue, and thats exactly why I love my job.
Since taking over the reigns of Currents one of my goals has
been to reawaken Kamloops residents, not only to the cool things
going on within the city, but also to the interesting people and
amazing places that are just down the road.
The buffalo ranch is just one of those places. During the
123-kilometre drive to the ranch, I passed dozens more stories just
waiting to be written if only I had the time and the pages.
It becomes clich to write in every issue that this issue has
been a joy to put together, but its true. Each issue of Currents is
more fun than the last, and this one is fun for a different reason
altogether.
In this issue were introducing a few new writers to the roster.
Regular contributor Amber Yake is back once more, this time writing
about one of my favourite topics des-sert in her feature Easy as
Pie. We always like to include recipes with the food articles, but
were forced to borrow a pastry recipe from allrecipes.com, simply
because local pie makers were unwilling to divulge their
secrets.
New to Currents is master gardener Elaine Sedgman, who, after
mild persuasion, agreed to become a regular contributor to the
magazine, and for that Im tremen-dously pleased.
Also new is Meghan Low, who wrote Eternal Flame, a story
showcasing the unique work of artist Cherie Rens-ing of Celtic Fire
Designs. Rensing took personal tragedy and channeled that into her
artwork, which is now com-missioned worldwide.
Jody Spark contributes for this issue. Ive worked with Jody in
the past on other projects and love the work she does, so when I
heard she had moved back to the area I was keen to work with her
again, and love the story she found in Bob and Cheryl Hearns
Amaranth Farm.
Finally, Chad Graham is featured in this issues Gal-lery. Chad
is new to the area, and I know him because he sits in front of me
each day. He moved to the area from Prince Rupert to work as an
advertising sales rep for the Daily News. Whenever Chads not
selling ad space, hes got his camera in hand, and I thought, what
better way to welcome him to Kamloops than with a two-page spread
in Currents? Danna
On Buffalo and Pie
EDitorS MESSAgE
Quality value products and advice you know you can trust.
BENJAMIN MOORE
#105805 Notre Dame Dr.
250.828.1800
Kamloops #1 Flooring Store
UNITED FLOORS
#107805 Notre Dame Dr.
250.374.1223
Excellence In Stone '*
GM MARBLE & GRANITE LTD.
3-1139 12th Street, Kamloops, BC
P: 250.554.5469 F: 250.554.5049
E: [email protected]
www.marbleworkscanada.com
BUY LOCAL ~ BUY SMART
EXCELLENCE IN STONEFABRICATION & INSTALLATIONS
september/october 2011 Currents 3
-
INSIDE:
7 Eternal FlameCeltic Fire Designs captures memories in glass10
Cover Story: Where the Buffalo RoamTrophy Mountain Buffalo Ranch is
so close, but seems so far away16 The Gallery: Chad
GrahamPhotographer new to Kamloops, but an old hand behind the
lens19 Easy as PieSweet or savory, there are plenty of ways to fill
pastry22 North Thompson ParadiseAmaranth Farm a study in
homesteading27 The Secret Life of BeesIntroducing Elaine Sedgmans
new gardening column29 Riverside Parks Checkered PastDowntown
greenspace long known as 'People's Park'30 Q&A: Whimsical &
ProvocativeAmber Yake interviews members of the Kamloops
Burlesque
S e p t e m b e r / O c t O b e r 2 0 1 1 | v O l u m e 4 | N u
m b e r 6
CatCh Currentsto catch currents on the Kamloops Daily News
website, go to www.kamloopsnews.ca and click on the Special
publications box. We welcome your story ideas for future issues of
currents. Drop us a line at [email protected].
Currents Magazine is published six times a year by the Special
publications Division of the Kamloops Daily News, 393 Seymour St.,
Kamloops, bc v2c 6p6. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine
may be reproduced without the publishers written permission.
unsolicited material will not be returned and the publisher assumes
no responsibility for unsolicited material.
Phone: (250) 372-2331
Currents ContributorsWriterS: Amber Yake, Jody Spark, elaine
Sedgeman, meghan low, Sherry bennettphOtOgrApherS: murray mitchell,
Keith Anderson
publiSher tim ShoultsSuperviSiNg eDitOr mel rothenburgereDitOr
Danna bach, [email protected] DirectOr Shelley
AckermanADvertiSiNg DirectOr John morashSpeciAl publicAtiONS
ADvertiSiNg mANAger Kevin DergezADvertiSiNg SAleS Keshav Sharma,
[email protected] Daily News is a member of the Canadian
Media Circulation Audit, Canadian Newspaper Association, B.C.
Community Newspapers Association, and the B.C. Press Council.
Published daily except Sundays and most holidays.A division of
Glacier Ventures International Corp. Publications Mail Registration
No. 0681
ON thE COvEr:Tristan Fischer shares a tender moment with one of
the trail-riding horses at Trophy Mountain Buffalo Ranch. Tristan
lives at the ranch with his mom Jamie, dad Joe, and sisters Kate
and Kylie. Photo by Danna Bach.
A sampling of happenings in the Kamloops region
Northhills Mall Flea MarketTo Oct. 2Every Sunday until October.
8 a.m. to noon.
Kamloops Regional Farmers' Market - Wednesdays and SaturdaysTo
Oct. 29Saturday Markets are held in the 200 block of St. Paul St.
Wednesday Markets are held in the 400 block of Victoria St. (in
front of the library).
North Shore Farmers Market @ Spirit SquareTo Oct. 7Every Friday
evening from 4 p.m. - dusk at the Spirit Square on Mackenzie Avenue
and Yew Street.
North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo in BarriereSept. 3 - 5Events
include Pony Chariot and Chuckwagon Racing, Parades, 4H Shows,
Heavy Horse Pulls and much more!
Childrens Art Festival @ Riverside ParkSept. 17Organized by the
Kamloops Art Council for the past 10 years, the annual Childrens
Art Festival is a fun-filled, creative day of artistic, musical and
theatrical activities for the children of Kamloops.
10th Annual VW Turtle River Race @ Pioneer ParkSept. 18The
proceeds from this year's VW Turtle River Race will benefit Western
Canada Theatre Company. Races start at the Yacht Club and finish at
Pioneer Park.
Western Canada Theatre presents Betrayal @ The Pavilion
TheatreSept. 22 - Oct. 8By Harold Pinter. One of the finest dramas
of the past century, written by one of the most important
playwrights in modern theatre.
CIBC Run for the Cure @ Riverside ParkOct. 2The Run for the Cure
is Canadas largest single day, volunteer-led fundraising event
dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer research, and
education and awareness programs.
Western Canada Theatre presents Letters from Wingfield Farm @
The Sagebrush TheatreOct. 13 22A captain of industry trades his
pinstripe suit for overalls and retreats to a hundred acre farm
with only a broken down racehorse and a single furrow plough.
For more events and information, visit
www.kamloops.ca/events/
CurrENtS EvENtS
FSC LOGO
QUALITY TOOLSAFFORDABLE PRICESKNOWLEDGEABLE SERVICEThe only
locally owned tool store in Kamloops.
Come see us for all your tool needs.
250-374-7300 1-888-KMS-TOOL (567-8665) 1780 Versatile Drive,
Kamloops
Off Trans-Canada Hwy, Next to Costco
4 Currents september/october 2011
K a m l o o p S
-
QUALITY TOOLSAFFORDABLE PRICESKNOWLEDGEABLE SERVICEThe only
locally owned tool store in Kamloops.
Come see us for all your tool needs.
250-374-7300 1-888-KMS-TOOL (567-8665) 1780 Versatile Drive,
Kamloops
Off Trans-Canada Hwy, Next to Costco
-
35202)3).',9!&&/2$!",%
4HEBESTTHINGSINLIFEARE
9OULLBESURPRISEDATHOWAFFORDABLECAREFREERETIREMENTLIVINGISAT"ERWICKONTHE0ARK/URWELLEQUIPPEDANDCOMFORTABLESUITESSUPERBAMENITIESSTUNNING
SURROUNDINGS AND FRIENDLY ATTENTIVE STAFF LET YOU
LIVELARGEATAMODESTPRICE"ERWICKONTHE0ARKISAPROUDRECIPIENTOFTHE"#3ENIORS,IVING!SSOCIATION3EALOF!PPROVAL
3UITESAREAVAILABLENOWSOCALL"EV'RAHAMTODAYFORAPERSONALTOUR
BCOWNEDMANAGED#ALLUSTODAYATORVISITUSATBERWICKRCCOM
6 Currents september/october 2011
-
Eternal Flame
Jewellery can represent many things marital status, faith,
heritage. Knowing this, local artist Cherie Rensing has taken the
purpose and meaning of wearing jewelery to a whole new level with
her one of a kind memorial beads.
Memorial beads are more than just beautiful pieces of glass
melted to-gether. Within that glass, Rensing deposits cremains
ashes of deceased loved ones and creates stunning pendants.
She started Celtic Fire Designs six years ago, making pieces of
glasswork and playing with the medium as hobby. But four years ago
trag-edy struck, turning not only Rensings personal life around,
but her professional life as well. Four years ago, she lost her
husband Ken in a car accident. Then, within a year, she lost her
mother, father and brother. Instead of drowning in it, she took her
grief and turned her hobby into a profession, helping not only her
own family heal, but many others in the process.
From it (the loss of her husband), and from my desire to make
myself and my daughter something very special out of some of his
ash-es, the memorial beads started and (demand) grew. When I found
the peace and comfort and serenity the beads brought me, I knew I
had something others would enjoy as well.
Through her grief she realized the beads
STORY BY meghan loW, PHOTOS BY KeITh anDeRSon
Celtic Fire Designs captures memories in glass
ArtiSANS
september/october 2011 Currents 7
-
were much more than just works of art and glass. Loss is such a
personal and difficult thing to
deal with, whether it is the loss of an animal or whether it is
the loss of a friend or loved one, Rensing says. Friends around you
dont know what to do to help you they feel helpless. Sug-gesting (a
memorial bead) makes the friends feel really good, and its a
positive thing to do.
The reaction to memorial beads is rarely neu-tral, Rensing
admits.
There are two reactions. People will either take two steps
closer and ask to see them, or take three steps back, form a cross
and shriek while saying to keep it away from them.
Shes quick to point out the horrified reaction is usually from
people who find the idea ghoulish or morbid.
But, she states matter of factly, the reality is in this western
culture we dont teach about death, we dont prepare people. Its
going to hap-pen to everybody, so its really unfortunate that we
arent given that opportunity to honour death as part of the life
cycle.
A lot of Rensings first commissions were from friends, and then
spread by word of mouth. Mazy Matuscewski, a friend of Rensing's,
has not only had pieces made for herself, but has recommend-ed
Celtic Fire Designs to others. Matuscewski had the ashes of her
three deceased pets made into a pendant, and sees nothing morbid
about it.
It gives you a content feeling. There is a posi-tive. (After)
you deal with the ashes, its nice that a part is still with
you.
To make the beads, Rensing starts with rods of glass that she
then melts through a dual fuel (propane-oxygen) fire. Liquid
ceramic and glass get wound around the memorial base so the beads
and the ashes are completely encased.
The bead is formed with a small amount of cremains, but the
physical characteristics of the
individual beads are what Rensing says people are comforted
by.
One of the neat things with the glass is youll hold it. If youre
wearing a pendant youll be grabbing it. It lies against your skin
if you have a bracelet or ring. I have charms I will hold in my
hand during really stressful times, because that makes the spirit
feel closer to me. Also it warms the glass so theres an energy
there.
The process of making memorial beads is some-thing Rensing takes
seri-ously. It usually involves meeting with the clients to see
what they want, and learning about the loved one. Part of what
makes the process so personal is
that she gets involved on so many different levels. Its really
important I have pictures and stories
(and) the music that they loved. I like to play that music when
making their beads.
Her commitment is part of the reason clients trust her work. I
like to know the spirits Im work-ing with. I want to honour the
spirit. It takes a lot of trust for people to hand over these
ashes.
While Rensing knows her work helps families say goodbye, it also
takes a toll on her, psychologically.
To my knowledge when I started this there was one person in the
(United) States who was making them, but they could not handle the
emotion. Its emotionally heavy work. Its not something I can do
every day. It takes time for me to talk with my clients and learn
about them. And it takes time for me to sit down and think about
the design.
Despite all this the emotional toll creating some of the beads
takes on her, as well as the limit to her business success Rensing
knows she is on the right path, and she knows she owes all that to
her late husband.
Im so blessed to be able to do this. I couldnt have done it
without him.
Rensings artwork can be found at The Art We Are, and she can be
contacted through her web-site www.celticfiredesigns.com, as well
as through her Facebook page.
[email protected]
KSC Window Coverings
Choosing window coverings for a new home or renovation is an
important decision and KSC Window Coverings can help. Sixteen years
ago, Lawrence Gamracy, decided he wanted a change of careers. After
spending 20 years in the legal and construction survey industry, he
became an entrepreneur and opened Kamloops Sonic Cleaners. This was
the fi rst ultrasonic blind cleaning business in Kamloops. People
in Kamloops and the surrounding areas no longer had to clean their
blinds in their bath tubs an incredibly hard and messy job.
Ultrasonic Blind Cleaning consists of submerging the blinds in a
large water tank with ultra sonic sound waves creating billions of
bubbles that dislodge the dirt and everyday dust. Kamloops Sonic
picks up the dirty blinds in the morning and has clean blinds back
to the customers the same day.
The business soon evolved into window covering sales as Lawrence
could see there was a need to
upgrade many of the blinds he was cleaning. He quickly signed on
with several blind manufacturers and KSC Window Coverings was
started.
There are so many window covering options available to the
consumer for their homes today, Lawrence says.
Many people in Kamloops and area build their homes with huge
windows to enjoy the fantastic views of this region. They need
window coverings that allow them to enjoy the view yet protect
their fi ne wood fl oors and furniture, our job is to propose a
solution that meets both objectives.
The choices in window coverings today are many. Cellular shades,
Sun shades, Wood and Faux wood blinds, and Shutters are all options
that can really enhance the beauty of a room. In the past year
automated technology has become popular which allows for the ease
of raising and lowering the blinds using a remote control. KSC
Window Coverings will bring sample books to the customers home,
measure the windows and provide a quote on the product the customer
selects.
KSC has supplied window coverings to many of the new large homes
and countless renovation projects in this region, but residential
homes are not the only customers KSC Window Coverings serves. Many
of the commercial buildings in Kamloops have blinds installed by
KSC. Recently, Lawrence and his crew installed all the blinds in
the River Bend Senior Complex in North Kamloops.
Having beautiful clean window coverings for your home or offi ce
is easy with the professional services of KSC Window Coverings and
Kamloops Sonic Cleaners. Great service and great pricing is
available from this local company serving Kamloops and region since
1995.
Call for your consultation today!
[email protected]
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Many Manyarea area One Stop Window Solutions!
Meghan Low is a Kamloops writer and this is her first time
contributing to Currents Magazine. She graduated from Thompson
Rivers University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Journalism Degree.
Since then shes worked in variety of capacities from a technical
support representative to her current career as an employment
co-ordinator. She is an avid freelance writer and copy editor. In
her spare time Meghan can be found snowboarding, hiking and
cheering for the Canucks at a few local haunts.
Previous page, Celtic Fire Designs creator Cherie Rensing heats
up glass for moulding custom made jewelery. Above left, memory
beads, containing the cremains of Rensing's mother, Marg Butler,
and braclet created in memory of Rensing's late husband Ken. Right,
wearing her custom-made ring, Rensing holds beads created in memory
of her dad, Bill Butler.
8 Currents september/october 2011
-
[email protected]
KSC Window Coverings
Choosing window coverings for a new home or renovation is an
important decision and KSC Window Coverings can help. Sixteen years
ago, Lawrence Gamracy, decided he wanted a change of careers. After
spending 20 years in the legal and construction survey industry, he
became an entrepreneur and opened Kamloops Sonic Cleaners. This was
the fi rst ultrasonic blind cleaning business in Kamloops. People
in Kamloops and the surrounding areas no longer had to clean their
blinds in their bath tubs an incredibly hard and messy job.
Ultrasonic Blind Cleaning consists of submerging the blinds in a
large water tank with ultra sonic sound waves creating billions of
bubbles that dislodge the dirt and everyday dust. Kamloops Sonic
picks up the dirty blinds in the morning and has clean blinds back
to the customers the same day.
The business soon evolved into window covering sales as Lawrence
could see there was a need to
upgrade many of the blinds he was cleaning. He quickly signed on
with several blind manufacturers and KSC Window Coverings was
started.
There are so many window covering options available to the
consumer for their homes today, Lawrence says.
Many people in Kamloops and area build their homes with huge
windows to enjoy the fantastic views of this region. They need
window coverings that allow them to enjoy the view yet protect
their fi ne wood fl oors and furniture, our job is to propose a
solution that meets both objectives.
The choices in window coverings today are many. Cellular shades,
Sun shades, Wood and Faux wood blinds, and Shutters are all options
that can really enhance the beauty of a room. In the past year
automated technology has become popular which allows for the ease
of raising and lowering the blinds using a remote control. KSC
Window Coverings will bring sample books to the customers home,
measure the windows and provide a quote on the product the customer
selects.
KSC has supplied window coverings to many of the new large homes
and countless renovation projects in this region, but residential
homes are not the only customers KSC Window Coverings serves. Many
of the commercial buildings in Kamloops have blinds installed by
KSC. Recently, Lawrence and his crew installed all the blinds in
the River Bend Senior Complex in North Kamloops.
Having beautiful clean window coverings for your home or offi ce
is easy with the professional services of KSC Window Coverings and
Kamloops Sonic Cleaners. Great service and great pricing is
available from this local company serving Kamloops and region since
1995.
Call for your consultation today!
[email protected]
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Many Manyarea area One Stop Window Solutions!
-
CovEr Story
Where the Buffalo Roam
Trophy Mountain Buffalo Ranch is so close, yet seems so far
away.
-
STORY AnD PHOTOS BY DAnnA BACH
So often when we jump in the car were going somewhere the
grocery store, the bank, the doctors office.
While we rush from place to place, rarely slowing down to notice
whats in front of us let alone the view up ahead, its easy to
forget that just up the road sits one of the most stunning pieces
of wilderness in the province some might say the country.
Wells Gray Park feels off the beaten track. The drive from
Kamloops to the parks entrance in Clearwater makes you feel youre
leaving the confines of a busy city and traveling back in time to a
day and age where people survived with-out Costco and Wal-Mart and
HBO.
Of course none of this is true. Despite the idyllic na-ture of
the landscape, the people who live near where Im headed have high
speed Internet, they have Costco mem-berships and they settle down
on Sunday nights to watch HBO just like the rest of us.
But its fun to imagine otherwise, and its not difficult.Where
were headed, my husband and I, is the Trophy
Mountain Buffalo Ranch. When we check in were greeted by Jamie
Fischer, who
moved to the ranch in 1996 after marrying Joe, who bought the 58
acres at the edge of Wells Gray Park in 1989. Through Jamie we book
our three-hour trail ride for the following morning.
She hands us our key yes, key, not fob or card to the grizzly
room, which is on the top floor, right across the hall from the
cougar room, and down the hall a bit from the
Where the Buffalo Roam
september/october 2011 Currents 11
-
wolf room. The key makes us laugh. The chain is as large as
those handed out to travelers at roadside gas stations. Fitting it
into the pocket of even a loose pair of pants is impossible.
We traipse up the stairs of the guesthouse, step out on a small
balcony complete with bench and find our way to the room to stow
our gear before exploring the ranch.
The grizzly room isnt as big as it sounds. A homemade quilt is
spread out on the bed, which isnt your standard hotel-issue. The
frame is made of knotty pine and fits in perfectly with the bare
log walls. Theres a bathroom with a shower and for that were
grateful but theres no cell reception.
When asked about cell reception, Jamie laughs. Occasion-ally,
she says, there are hot spots.
Instead of marching through the campground waving our phones
like divining rods, we turn them off and relax. Its an odd though
not altogether unpleasant sensation being unreachable and
unconnected.
Our first venture outdoors takes us to the bison. There are over
a dozen of them, and theyre plodding over to a trough near the
fence. We follow their progress, laughing as the calves run and
kick, in stark contrast to the giant lumbering bull, T-Bone.
Joe has had bison on the property since the early 90s be-cause
beef sounded so boring.
Compared to these massive beasts, beef is boring. Watch-
ing their enormous prehistoric-looking heads bob up and down at
the trough is mesmerizing.
When the animals move on, so do we, walking over to the two
draft horses, Mitsy and June, who are segregated from the herd of
18 trail riding horses because, says Joe, theyre fat. Theyre on a
diet.
Work horses though they are, Mitsy and June take much of the
summer off, earning their keep in the winter by pulling a sleigh
for those interested in seeing the countryside, Santa-style.
After patting a nose and sneaking in a handful of grass, we take
our leave from the girls and work our way toward the stable to
watch as a youth group from Quebec gets ready to take off on a
trail ride through Wells Gray the same ride we expect to do in the
morning.
Theyre fitted out with helmets and given basic instructions by
Tiffany, who guides the rides when shes not working as a farrier.
Tiffany and Jamie have known each other since they worked together
at the Big Bar Guest Ranch in Clinton.
Once the trail ride departs, I catch up to Jamie and Joe and
pick their brains to find out more about the ranch, the guest-house
and how they ended up here.
Born and raised in Switzerland, Joe first immigrated to South
Africa, decided it wasnt to his liking, then sought op-portunities
elsewhere.
A millwright by trade, he was encouraged to come to
Above left, Joe Fischer guides his horse back to the stable
after a three-hour trail ride through Wells Gray. Top right, a peek
inside the Grizzly Bear room. Bottom right, one of the bunk houses
available for rent at Trophy Mountain Buffalo Ranch.
12 Currents september/october 2011
-
Cell 250-318-5100250-374-3331 REAL ESTATE(KAMLOOPS)
email: [email protected] www.lesleary.com
I WORK FOR YOU...Attention to Detail and Desire to Succeed
In Today's market it takes two things to make it happen
keepin' u in the Loops
1. Honesty with each other2. Team work & knowing what is
required of each other in order to achieve our one common goal
ZZZUOUEFFRP
/DYDO&UHVFHQW.DPORRSV
.RKOHU *URKH 'XUDYLW %ODQFR
9LVLWRXU.DPORRSVVKRZURRPWRVHHEDWKDQGNLWFKHQSURGXFWVIURPOHDGLQJVXSSOLHUVLQFOXGLQJ
:KHWKHU\RXUSODQQLQJ\RXUVSULQJUHQRYDWLRQSURMHFWRUEXLOGLQJQHZFRPHLQWR5RELQVRQ%DWK&HQWUHLQ.DPORRSV6HHRXUGLVSOD\VDQGVSHDNZLWKRXUH[SHULHQFHGVWDII:HFDUU\WKHQHVWOLQHVRISOXPELQJDQGOLJKWLQJSURGXFWVDQGRXUNQRZOHGJHDEOHVWDIIFDQDVVLVWZLWK\RXUSODQVIURPVWDUWWRQLVK
Whether your planning your springs renovation project or
building new, come in to Robinson Bath Centre in Kamloops. See our
Displays and speak with our experienced staff. We carry the fi nest
lines of plumbing our knowledgeable staff can assist with your
plans from start to fi nish.
september/october 2011 Currents 13
-
Canada, touching down in Hamilton, Ont. before traipsing his way
west until he arrived at Wells Gray.
I brought tourists through for two-week-long hiking trips and
canoeing trips, he says. Eventually that busi-ness dried up; in the
day and age of iPhones and constant connected-ness, nobody can
afford to unplug for two weeks at time.
As a result, he was forced to come up with a different plan,
provided he wanted to stay in the area he loved so much.
Thats when he bought up the 58 acres and began imposing his
vision upon it.
It can be said that every house has a story, but the home that
now sits on the property has a few more chapters than most.
For starters, while its old (origi-nally built sometime between
1910 and 1920), its relatively new in its current location at the
high point of the ranch.
Not long after buying the acreage, Joes friend began logging
property in Blue River on which this old homestead sat. Joe made
the friend an offer and took the homestead apart piece by piece,
carting it away to his ranch where he reassembled it over the
course of three years.
When asked why he didnt just build a new home on the property,
Joe shakes his head, and shrugs.
Wheres the story in that?These are three-sided, hand-axed logs,
he says, gesturing
to the home, which is bathed in the glow of a long July sunset.
You cant even buy these anymore. Some of the logs are
60 feet long, and theyre 11 and 12 inches square.As he rebuilt
the home, he began learning more and
more about it. He met the woman who grew up in it, whose father
originally built it. He knows that living quarters were upstairs
while there was a machine shop on the main floor. Hes also certain
that prospectors used the home for a while, as there were soil
samples arranged on the upper floor.
Today, the home operates year-round as a guesthouse. The
campsite is routinely busy. It truly is a family-run opera-tion,
with the couples three children, Kate, Tristan and Kylie, calling
the Trophy Mountain Buffalo Ranch home. In 2007, they added the
restaurant in which we currently sit, and as the conversation draws
on, more and more guests file in.
The dinner rush begins; Joe and Jamie get to work.I collect my
husband and we park ourselves on the patio,
cool drinks in hand as we look out toward Trophy Mountain and
await our meals bison steak, of course.
Conversations are taking place all around us. Theres a couple
from England holding hands across the table, prob-ably on
honeymoon, and another family mom, dad and grown daughter, drinking
beer and speaking Dutch.
The food arrives and its good, but made great by the atmosphere.
We watch the youth group come in from their trail ride all are
accounted for, and all are giggling and speaking rapid French as
they walk the path to the campsite.
We dawdle over our meal and our drinks, and then climb the
steps, looking forward to the adventures of the following day.
By 10 a.m. were perched in saddles. My horse for the next
three hours is called Nearly Naked, and I suppose thats mostly
true. Hes third in line after our guide, Kim, and my husband, who
rides Geronimo.
Theres a family from England joining us on the ride, as well as
Joe.
The trail takes us through the park, over a rocky path easily
navigated by the horses. We get to know our trail guide a bit
better. Like most of the employees on the ranch, she is from
abroad. She came to Canada from Switzerland to see the country, get
some work experience, and perfect her English. The irony is, she
says, that many of the guests are coming from Switzerland and
Germany, so shes not getting nearly as much English-language
training as expected.
Along the route we pass a large deer, which moves out of the way
of the horses as we approach, but stands beside the trail, calmly
eat-ing and staring back at us.
Eventually, we come to a clearing where we park our horses,
stretch our legs, have a drink of water, and begin the walk to Moul
Falls.
Theres a staircase leading to the falls, and with each step you
take the humidity and the volume increases.
Moul Falls are spectacular especially now, when the water is
still so high.
Photos taken, we begin the long hike back up to the hors-es,
mount, and then continue along a path that winds ever so close to a
cliff overlooking the swollen Clearwater River. The view from here
is breathtaking, and I would have taken a picture, but I couldnt
bear to pry my hands away from the saddle for fear of plummeting to
my death.
Soon, were back in the forest, the horses picking their way
along the rocky trail when all of a sudden Kim leans over and
announces, Look, theres a bear!
There it is, lounging in a patch of sunlight, about 50 feet away
stripping huckleberries from a bush and watching us with mild
disinterest. Cameras come out, and we jostle for position. Before
the first photo is taken, however, several cows arrive on scene
thats right, cows eyeing up the bear and looking as hostile as Ive
ever seen cows look.
Before you can shout Yee-Haw! one of the cows charges the bear,
which is rousted from his berry-induced reverie and bolts straight
toward us.
Sensing the turn of events, Nearly Naked launches for-ward,
nudging Geronimo out of the way, clearly intent on tearing for
home. Its only through a shear force of will and the fact the bear
changed course and clambered up a tree, that keeps the horse from
taking off.
As the adrenaline boost subsides and we gather our com-posure
(both horses and humans) we begin the homeward stretch, taking a
moment to glance back at the bear and watch as it cautiously
shimmies down the tree.
Little more than three hours after we began, were filing into
the stable, where we hop down, brush ourselves off, give our horses
one last scratch before sauntering thats right, sauntering over to
the parking lot to begin the all-too-short trip home.
Yellow CabsPROUDLY SERVING KAMLOOPS FOR 65 YEARS
with you, for you, always...
BESTTRANSPORTATION
LARGEST FLEET
COMPUTERIZED DISPATCH
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Pre-Bookings, School Run Packages, Free
Wake-up Calls, Delivery Service, 10% Seniors
Discount, City Tours
ReliableCourteous
Safe
OUT OF TOWN/CALL NO CHARGE 1-877-894-TAXI (8294) OR
1-877-870-0003
24 HOUR SERVICE
AIRPORT SERVICEBUS DEPOT
VIA RAIL
Wheelchair Cabs Available
374-3333250 374-3333250
Moul Falls in Wells Gray Park.
14 Currents september/october 2011
-
Yellow CabsPROUDLY SERVING KAMLOOPS FOR 65 YEARS
with you, for you, always...
BESTTRANSPORTATION
LARGEST FLEET
COMPUTERIZED DISPATCH
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Pre-Bookings, School Run Packages, Free
Wake-up Calls, Delivery Service, 10% Seniors
Discount, City Tours
ReliableCourteous
Safe
OUT OF TOWN/CALL NO CHARGE 1-877-894-TAXI (8294) OR
1-877-870-0003
24 HOUR SERVICE
AIRPORT SERVICEBUS DEPOT
VIA RAIL
Wheelchair Cabs Available
374-3333250 374-3333250
-
thE gAllEry
Although new to the Kamloops area Chad Graham isnt new to
photography. He got his start taking pictures in the early nineties
and was first published on the front cover of the Olds Albertan.
The picture was of a neigh-bourhood house fire.
In 2006 Grahams wife Amber bought him his first DSLR camera and
theres been no looking back. His Flickr site
(www.flickr.com/zpaperboyz) has a seemingly overwhelm-ing 5,000
images on it. On that site, he says, theres a little something for
everyone.
He started his photography business while working for a camera
shop in Prince Rupert in 2008 and has seen tre-mendous growth since
then. In Prince Rupert he was one of only a handful of commercial
photographers so he became versatile quickly, shooting everything
from family and pet portraits to sports and events.
Graham has been shooting as a stock photographer for Getty
Images for about two years, and has seen his work picked up around
the world for various ad campaigns and magazines.
When not taking pictures, Graham can be found at The Daily News,
where he works as an advertising representative.
C h a d g r a h a m
16 Currents september/october 2011
-
Previous page, Bubblenet Feeding: Humpback whales feed off the
Pacific coast near Prince Rupert. This page, clockwise from top:
Wolf Approaching: A grey wolf walks along the edge of the highway
in Prince Rupert. Glowing Trees: The backlit hoar frost formed off
the Skeena River lights up the trees. night Sky: The moon rises
over Prud-dome Lake near Prince Rupert. Eagle Landing: Bald eagle
arrives for the salmon run. Wise Ones: Two Great Grey owlettes sit
on a fencepost east of Kamloops.
september/october 2011 Currents 17
-
BESTGREEK
RESTAURANT
Kamloops #1 Greek RestaurantCelebrate our 30th anniversary!
Dinner 4pm closing
greek ribs & jumbo prawns(Sunday - Thursday)
k ib & j bSantorini combo $1795
262 Tranquille Road 250-376-2010
Come and meet George & his staff at the old location and
George promises to spoil you with good food and hospitality just
like old times!
George is Back home!
With Back to School Special
FamilyRestaurant
51 Years Same Valleyview LocationSame Great FoodSame Great
LocationSame Great Value
(250) 372-21351771 East Trans Canada Highway
BESTFAMILY
RESTAURANT
Treat yourself to the unique and savory fl avors of Mongolian
Cuisine. Fresh, natural food grilled to perfection every time.
Healthy + Fresh + UniqueBuffet Lunch & Dinner Daily
Meats Seafood VegetablesNoodles Sauces
Celebrate your birthdayHoja Style!
Bring friend(s), bring ID,get your meal free!
Book your reservation today.
256 Victoria Street 2503723166
www.hojamongoliangrill.com
18 Currents september/october 2011
-
Easy as PiE
Its the main dessert at Christmas dinner, Thanksgiving dinner
and on occasional Sunday nights. Its sweet, its savory its sweet
and savory it is the chameleon of food. It is pie.
Pie is like an envelope for your food. Its a great way to use
things up, says Robyn Haley, co-owner of Kamloops Erwins Bakery. I
think thats what
housewives did 80, 90, 100 years ago. They would use all their
leftover foods from the week in pies. Pie is a very
North American food.
Haley and her husband Shawn purchased Er-
wins from the original owners three years ago. Erwins has been
providing the community with pies and other
baked goods for the past 40 years.We sell approximately
six to 10 pies a day and during the
holiday season well sell any-
where from 300 to 400 pies, Ha-ley says. Blue-berry and apple
are our most
popular pie flavours. As soon as spring hits, strawberry-rhubarb
is very popular and we only seem to sell pump-kin between
Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Jennifer Marshall of Jenns Baking sells pies at the Farmers
Market downtown every Wednesday and Saturday and every Sunday at
Sun Peaks. She sells a minimum of 35 pies every market day and on
Saturdays will often sell up to 50 pies.
Its something people will grab on the go because they are having
friends for dinner that night, Marshall says. We have a core of
seven or eight pies that we do every week. We do several
apple-blend pies including apple-blueberry, apple-strawberry and
apple-raspberry.
Pie is one of those go-to recipes. When you think of pie you
think of your grandparents. Pie has always been an everyday
dessert, she adds.
Its also a food that can easily be adapted to differ-ent dietary
needs, which is something both Haley and Marshall do.
Many of our pies have no added sugar so they are
diabetic-friendly. My husband and I feel that most of our pies are
sweet enough without the added sugar, Marshall says.
We do special order for wheat-free, vegetarian, vegan or
diabetic-friendly pies, says Haley. Wheat-free pies are difficult
to do a top crust pie with because it cracks over the top a bit. It
doesnt taste bad, its just different and not what people are used
to.
With a very short list of ingredients pie crust shouldnt be
difficult, yet its often what people struggle with the most.
You cant muck around with it too much. Baking is
FooD & DriNk
Sweet or savory, there are plenty of ways to fill pastry
STORY BY AMBER YAKE PHOTOS BY MuRRAY MiTCHELL
september/october 2011 Currents 19
-
more of a science then an art and there is a reason ingre-dients
are in the quantity they are, Haley says. When you add the water to
the pie crust thats where the art comes in. You add four to seven
tablespoons of cold water and you have to be able to feel when its
done.
Marshall explains it in simple terms: You have to work the
Tenderflake in with the flour. Once you cut the Tenderflake in, add
the rest of your ingredients and literally just work it enough so
that you have a ball. Then stop and walk away!
Haley warns that the weather can also have an effect on pie
crusts, so beware.
On a dry day you could make a beautiful pie crust and then a few
days later when its raining and humid youll find the crust is too
sticky, she says.
Fall is the time of year when many of our favourite fruits come
into season. Apples, pears and peaches are all avail-able at the
Farmers Market and by fall, freezers are full of summer cherries
and berries.
The cooler temperatures make baking possible again. Haley
recommends the Harvest Cheddar Streusel Pie for
fall baking because of the in-season fruits it uses. I love the
combination of the three fruits, she says.
Thats the one brief period when theyre all available, fresh and
yummy!
Its all about having fun with it. Pies dont have to be what
youre used to seeing at the grocery store. If people start making
their own pie or buying them at a bakery the flavour will blow them
away, Haley says.
Silhouette window shadings
Celebrate in style. Celebrate theSeason
EX TRAORD INARY W INDOW FASH I ONS
Manufacturers
RebateLimited Time Offer!
Visit this participating Hunter Douglas dealer from Sept. 1st to
Dec. 16th, 2011 to nd out how you can receive a Manufacturers
Rebate on select Hunter Douglas Products
Lucilles Interiors & Window FashionsLucille Tash975A Notre
Dame DriveKamloops, BC V2C 5P8Ph. 250-374-0077
aMBeR YaKe has a Bachelor of Journalism from TRU. She spends her
days working in marketing and communications and her nights
writing, blogging and enjoying the occasional glass of red wine.
Shes been writing professionally for newspapers, magazines and
websites since 2008. In her spare time, amber loves to run and
train for races. To date she has completed one full marathon and a
handful of half-marathons.
She is a self-proclaimed social media addict and can be found on
Twitter at @amberYake.
Previous page, Robyn Haley works on apple and blueberry pies at
Erwin's Fine Baking and Delicatessan. Above, Jennifer Marshall
holds her sleeping son while selling pies at the Farmer's
Market.
20 Currents september/october 2011
-
BASiC PiE CRuST RECiPE Via AllRecipes.com
ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon white sugar
teaspoon salt1 teaspoon baking powder1 cup lard (or shortening or
Tenderflake)1/3 cup cold water1 egg1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon
distilled white vinegar
Directions:In a medium bowl mix
together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in lard (or
shortening or tender-flake) until mixture resem-bles coarse
meal.
In a separate bowl whisk together water, egg yolk, vanilla
extract and vinegar. Stir into flour mixture and knead dough
briefly, just un-til smooth. Allow to rest 15 minutes before
rolling out as pastry is easier to work with when chilled.
CARAMEL APPLE CRuMBLE PiEVia Jenns Baking
Apple Mixture: 5-6 peeled and thinly sliced apples cup sugar 3
tbsp flour 1 tsp cinnamon2 tbsp butter 20 caramels set aside
taffy Mixture: cup brown sugar cup melted butter1/3 cup
flour
Crumble topping: 1 cup flour1 cup oatmeal1 cup brown sugar cup
margarine 1 tsp cinnamon
Directions: Mix together the apple
mixture (not the caramels) and put half of it into the crust.
Top with half of the taffy mixture and half of the caramels. Repeat
with the remaining ingredients.
Cover with crumble top-ping.
Cover the pie with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 20 min, then
uncover and bake for another 20- 25 min.
PuMPKin CRAnBERRY PiEVia Jenns Baking
Pie Filling ingredients:3 large eggs2 cups pumpkin puree cup
heavy whipping cream cup brown sugar cup cranberries 1 tsp
cinnamon1 tsp ground ginger1 tsp ground cloves tsp salt
Directions:Mix all of the pie filling
ingredients together and put in crust.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 55 minutes or until the filling has
set.
HARVEST CHEDDAR STREuSEL PiE Via Erwins Bakery
Pie Filling: 1/3 cup sugar2 tbsp cornstarch1 tbsp lemon rind 2
tbsp lemon juice tsp nutmeg2 cups peeled, cored, sliced apples2
cups peeled, cored, sliced pears 2 cups peeled, cored, sliced
peaches
Streusel topping: cup cold butter, cubed cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar1/3 cup shredded old cheddar cheesePinch
of nutmeg
Directions: Mix the dry ingredients
and gently toss in the fruit. Fill a 9 prepared, unbaked pie
shell.
Now make the streusel topping. Cut the butter into the flour
then stir in the brown sugar, cheese and nutmeg. Sprinkle evenly
over the pie filling.
Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 375 and
bake for an addi-tional 45 minutes, or until topping is golden
brown. Cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.
september/october 2011 Currents 21
-
hoMEShoMES
North Thompson
Paradise
-
STORY AnD PHOTOS BY JODY SPARK
It all started with a plan written on the back of a napkin.
Sitting at a table at the Highlander Restau-rant on Victoria
Street, Bob and Cheryl Hearn sketched plans for the L-shaped log
home that would fulfill their dream of living close to the
land.
The year was 1970. The couple had decided to homestead land
adjacent to the ranches owned by Cheryls grandfather, Albert
McGowan. They would build a house from scratch using materials
gleaned from the land, sup-plies reclaimed from other homes and
their bare hands.
We were young idealistic kids, and still are, I think. Were just
not young anymore. How did that happen, Bob asks, laughing.
The pair didnt have any building experience, but you might say
they had the inspiration of the era and a little help from their
friends. Cheryls brother built log homes and Bobs dad was a general
contractor.
Though they were a little out of their element Cheryl studied
biochemistry and education while Bob studied history and political
science they had what it took to pull it off.
The Hearns were among a number of Interior back-to-the-landers.
They were do-it-yourselfers before DIY became trendy, and recyclers
before it became fashionable. They were creating cottage chic
before it became kitschy, country cozy before it became cool.
They insist, however, theirs is just one example of sev-eral
families in the area at that time.
I thought it would protect us from the trends and the
commercialism ... you cant lose touch with the natural world, says
Cheryl.
Forty years later, its hard to believe there was nary a tree and
only bare land to behold around the actual
Amaranth Farm old fashioned homesteading with modern charm
september/october 2011 Currents 23
-
home site of their 130-acre property. More than 1,000 trees
planted, many hand-built outbuildings, a trout pond, raised garden
beds, and a greenhouse later, Amaranth Farm has matured into a gem
nestled on the North Thompson River in McLure. The landscaping has
become more enchanting with thousands of perennials, repurposed
antiques, as well as pots and artifacts spilling over with
flowers.
The property provides a perfect frame for the 1,700 sq. ft.
two-storey log home.
Stepping onto the wrap-around porch that extends nearly the
whole house, its difficult to distinguish where the outside ends
and where the inside begins. Its possible to get to the porch
along hosta-lined paths, under draping vines without noticing an
abrupt transition. Every-thing is cohesive. A collection of birds
nests, comfortable benches and unique gnarly branch-es greet
visitors at one entrance. An outdoor, screened bedroom on the back
porch allows the couple to fall asleep to the sounds of the
river.
Bringing the outdoors in and having the exte-rior as an
extension of the living space really is the essence of what the
Hearns were hoping to capture.
The logs used to build the house were taken from their land as
well as from a forestry sale at Walloper Lake, and the stones for
the great fireplace were taken from the river and from ditches.
They took these ma-terials and, with help from friends and family,
incorporated them into the home.
We look at those logs and remember all the sweat that was put
into it, says Bob.
Each log was peeled by hand. Cheryls younger brother, disabled
with cerebral palsy, peeled almost all the logs that are visible in
the ceiling rafters. Despite difficulty, he per-sisted with
vigour.
My dad was amazing at rigging things up so (her brother) could
participate. He peeled all the components on the garage, says
Cheryl. It was so much better than make-work projects.
She looks up at the rafters with tears welling up and
remembers him. What a tremendous sense of accomplish-ment he
had, she says. He contributed to something lasting and meaningful,
not something just designed keep him busy.
So much of the house is filled with memories of loved ones
helping and the evidence of family and friends.
Friend Gary VanElslander remembers installing cedar shake
roofing on the Hearn house and how in those days, the cedar was
good quality, and hand-split. He also helped
install the knotty-pine plank floors, which were produced
locally at the Darfield Mill.
Now a Winnipeg-based building contractor with a business of his
own, VanElslander consid-ers the early building years at the Hearn
home-stead formative. He cant believe he hauled an overloaded truck
of plywood to the Hearns from a used building supply store through
the winding valleys on the highway a mere six months after
receiving his drivers license.
Everyone worked so hard, and had the time of their lives doing
it.
You think of those times. You know Kamloops its so heavy, so hot
but Id do it all again in a heartbeat, he recounts.
Jan Moore, Bobs business partner at Simpcwet-kwe River and
Adventure Company and profes-
sional tree faller, was handy with a power saw and would cut out
a window or door here, hammer a nail there.
In fact, every window and door put in at the beginning was
recovered from another well-loved home. And since then, the Hearns
have put in another window each Dec. 24 as a gift to one another.
Now, except for some beautiful antique leaded as well as stained
glass windows found in Londons Portobello Road, most of the
single-pane windows have been replaced with double-panes. These,
plus in-floor heating installed last year, are examples of how the
home has evolved with a few more modern additions.
Undoubtedly, the decor contributes to the soul of the home. The
whole house is an eclectic collection of an-tiques passed down from
family and conversation pieces picked up at home and abroad. Each
piece is placed
From left, Cheryl Hearn tends to the plants in one of Amaranth's
greenhouses. The master bedroom. The quaint, country-style
bathroom. An armoire in the living room.
(To us) theres
no such thing
as a finished
house, says
Cheryl. The
rest of our lives
arent finished.
24 Currents september/october 2011
-
effortlessly and thoughtfully, but doesnt appear the least bit
contrived.
The working antique wood stove sits smartly in the kitchen
opposite modern appliances; the claw-foot bathtub typifies the
old-meets-new mix.
Though so much is as they imagined it would be, some things have
changed.
There has been some checking over the years, says Cheryl. The
logs have shrunk, dried and warped slightly. Log home building has
come a long way in 40 years. All things consid-ered, however, the
house is sound, comfortable and reminis-cent of the vision they had
so long ago and sketched out on a napkin.
Like any home, theres always something unfinished, thats why
chairs positioned in and around the homesite are for certain views
and not others, Bob jokes. Even the so-called works-in-progress
give the place charm, and are part of Amaranth Farms undeniable
appeal.
(To us) theres no such thing as a finished house, says Cheryl.
The rest of our lives arent finished.
Theres always something to do, a plan to alter, and an effort to
improve usually with sweat and sometimes with tears. This constant
change may bother some, but not the Hearns. It has kept them young,
their minds sharp and their spirits tender.
The joy has been in the journey.
Mortgage fi nancing. Simple and convenient.
A wide selection of nancing options Competitive rates Flexible
payment options
For convenient mortgage service, contact:
BEV WASSEN-HUNTERMobile Mortgage SpecialistTel:
250-828-8870Cell: [email protected]
SUE MAITLANDMobile Mortgage SpecialistTel: 250-828-8841Cell:
[email protected]
Mortgage Expertise at Your Doorstep 24/7
TM/Trade-marks/registeredtrade-marksofBankofMontreal.
BILL SUTHERLAND RHI Registered Home Inspector - BC Lic # 47343
Certified Commercial Building Inspector Wood Burning Appliance
Certification (WETT) E-mail: [email protected]
DIGNARD RHI Reg. Home Insp. BC Lic # 47149 18 years experience in
all aspects of construction and renovations Journeyman carpenter
with interprovincial ticket Water damage restoration certification
5 years experience as a home & property inspectorE-mail:
[email protected]: (250) 371-0742 Toll Free:
1-877-755-3682 Fax:(250) 573-3459
For the Best Services in Home Inspection
Advantage Home Inspections Ltd. is a locally owned experienced
home inspection company that provides the detailed examination of
your future home before you buy it.
after graduating from journalism school, JoDY SPaRK worked as a
reporter and freelance writer garnering awards for busi-ness
writing and news photography. now a stay-at-home mom to four
children, she steps out of retirement every once in a while when a
story captures her eye, like the one she wrote for this issue. You
can find her doing a little homesteading in the north Thompson,
learning to produce food and
teaching her children to do the same.
Bob and Cheryl Hearn are still finding things to love on their
home-stead near McLure.
september/october 2011 Currents 25
-
DOWNTOWN ~ 227 VICTORIA STREET ~ 250-372-7771FOUR POINTS HOTEL,
ABERDEEN ~ 250-377-3113
Rics Mediterranean Grill and Rics Grill is a classy and refi ned
choice. We provide the best pasta, steak, chicken, ribs and
fresh
fi sh dishes Kamloops has to offer.
Customer Toolbox
Big Box Store Prices
Quality Products You Need
Staff you can actually see with professional advice
660 Kingston Avenue 250.376.5781
We're the largest ALLAN BLOCK Dealer in BC!
26 Currents september/october 2011
-
gArDENiNg with ElAiNE
What youre seeing are not wasps but native bees in the genera
Halictus commonly called sweat bees (they are attracted to human
sweat). They certainly do look like wasps, but you can tell that
they are bees because of their appear-ance and habits: They are
often covered with hair and they forage on flower nectar and
pollen. Wasps are not usually hairy like our fuzzy bees and rarely
collect pollen. If you look closely you might see that the sweat
bees legs are covered in
pollen. Wasps never carry pollen. Adding to the confusion, sweat
bees, like wasps, make their nests in flat sandy soil. But dont be
afraid! These native bees are not aggressive.
Native bees are very important for pollination. This past summer
I noticed that there were few honey-bees in my Sahali garden. They
were flying in the spring pollinating the ornamental crabapple
street trees but seemed to disappear early in the summer. Thank
goodness for
the many native bumblebees in my garden or I would have had to
hand pollinate my squash and melons. And my crop of beans, peas and
cu-cumbers would have been negligible.
Unfortunately, not much is known about native bees by the
ordinary gardener. There are well over 400 species of native bees
in B.C. of which 70 per cent are ground nesters. Others live in
cavities of dead wood or pithy stems. They are mostly solitary,
meaning that after mating, they prepare and provision
the secret life of BeesBY ELAinE SEDGMAn
Question:why are there wasps on my daylilies?Answer:
september/october 2011 Currents 27
-
4HRLH+PMMLYLUJL
3VJH[PVU! =PJ[VYPH:[YLL[2HTSVVWZ)*
6MMPJL/V\YZ!;\LZKH`-YPKH ` HTWT7OVUL!
,THPS!PUMV'RHTSVVWZMV\UKH[PVUJVT>LIZP[L!^^
^RHTSVVWZMV\UKH[PVUJVT
-HTPS`3P[LYHJ`+H`.YHU[9LJPWPLU[
their nests without cooperation from other bees. They have a
short life span (often only 2-3 weeks) and a short forag-ing range
of only 100-200 metres from their nesting sites. Bumblebees are the
only truly social group of native bees, and they are the only
native bee that make honey. Solitary bees make balls of a
dough-like substance from pollen and nectar that their larvae feed
upon.
We are extraordinarily lucky in Kamloops to have such large
urban wilderness parks within our city limits such as Kenna
Cartright and Peterson Creek, as well as all the surround-ing
grasslands outside of city limits. Undisturbed areas provide
habitat, nest-building materials and forage for native bees from
early spring with buttercups and balsam root, summer cacti,
penstemons and blanketflow-ers to fall rabbitbrush and goldenrods.
However, these areas are also under threat by humans: mining,
agricultural and housing development, off road ATVs, mountain
bikers, cattle grazing and global warming all contribute to the
loss of habitat. Few studies have been conducted on the bee fauna
of B.C., however, those studies that have been conducted shown that
there are
hundreds of species and many new ones yet to be named.
Gardeners can help our native bees. Its simple really! Native
bees and other pollinators need only three requirements: flowers
rich in nectar and pollen that have successive bloom throughout the
season, a pesticidefree environment and a place to lay their eggs.
We can add one other require-ment for hibernating bumblebee queens:
provide an over wintering site
for the fertilized queens. The Thompson Shuswap Master
Gardeners Association has developed a pamphlet called Gardening
for Pollina-tors. It lists a number of flowers that provide
excellent forage and ideas for enhancing pollinator habitat. Look
for it in your local gardening centre. You can also download the
information from the BC Master Gardeners website: www.mgabc.org
look under the chap-ters resources page.
eLaIne SeDgMan grew up in Victoria, B.C. She lived in new
Zealand with her husband, David, for three years, owned and managed
a bookstore in Salmon arm for a number of years while raising two
children, then moved to a property on the grasslands south of
Kamloops. She and her husband now live in a Sahali home that they
are slowly renovating inside and out. her front yard has edibles
integrated within the ornamental plantings a plea to the public to
expose their veggies!
elaine completed a Ba in english and sociology (University of
Victoria) in 1983 and completed a BFa in visual arts from Thomp-son
Rivers University in 2004. as an artist, she has exhibited in
western Canada, the United States and in Uji, Japan.
Previous page, Halictus bee foraging on a daylily. Often
mistaken for wasps, Halictus bees are not aggressive. Above,
Andrena (mining bee) nesting site in Peterson Creek Park.
28 Currents september/october 2011
-
rivErsidE Parks ChECkErEd Past
From a frog pond surround-ing the Shuswap Milling Companys
lumber and flourmill, to a coveted gem of Kamloops, Riverside Park
has earned its unofficial
moniker as the peoples park. When the mills owner, James
McIn-
tosh, died in 1901, his widow sold a large parcel of the
property to the city for a park.
Funded by city grants, subscriptions and weekly dances in the
park, the majority of improvements levelling, tree planting,
grandstand construction and the laying out of an athletic field and
a bowling green were carried out between 1910 and 1929.
While there has never been a year where Riverside Parks tranquil
setting and recreational opportunities did not act as a magnet to
residents, it appears as though all city roads led directly to the
park during the roaring twenties and dirty thirties.
It wasnt uncommon in the early 1920s to see almost half the
citys 5,000 residents cram into the park on a Sun-
day afternoon to enjoy popular tunes as rendered by the 172nd
Rocky Mountain Rangers Band; or belt out old melodies in a
1,000-voice community sing-along led by the RMRs bandmaster.
Or perform the Charles-ton under the moonlight to the peppy
tunes of the Blue-bird Orchestra at one of the Brotherhood of
Trainmen, or the Aint We Got Fun Social Clubs thrice-weekly
dances.
During the depression years preceding the Second World War,
Riverside Park became a particularly im-portant communal space to
escape the grim realities of catastrophic unemployment and soup
kitchens.
Despite severely cur-tailed public spending during the early
1930s, city administrators felt confident that the $25 it would
cost to construct a large, outdoor checker-board would be a sound
investment for its citizens.
With that in mind, on July 29, 1932, dozens gathered in the
shade just west of the lawn bowling green near the Second Avenue
park entrance to wit-ness the installation of the citys first
of
two open-air checkerboards. Proceeding speeches from
dignitaries predicting how the board would become a draw for
decades to come, Aldermen Shaw and Brown engaged in a friendly game
of draughts; a game quickly conceded by Brown due to his inability
to orient the large board.
Following the 1933 con-struction of a Rotary-spon-sored wading
pool, happy cries from kiddies served as background music to the
knots of elderly gents who
gathered around the checkerboard from dawn until dusk.
Information in this article obtained from Inland Sentinel
articles and the essay Riv-erside Park by Ken Favrholdt.
hiStory
BY Sherry Bennett
It wasnt uncommon in the early 1920s to see almost half the
citys
5,000 resi-dents cram
into the park on a Sunday
afternoon
look
new H[KLELWV
arch
ives
childrensMUSEUMMOVIEnights visit historicalCULTUREour
heritage
3$67 boldantiquityFUN
informativecuriousamuse
origins
research
learn
P.O.V.photographsLECTURES
explore .$0/2236250-828-3576
kamloops.ca/museum
Seymour Street207
Photo circa 1939 For almost four decades, from May through
October, residents congregated at Riverside Park to play checkers
on a large scale. Competition was keen as enthusiasts of the game
hoisted concrete men and crowns around the boards 64 red and white
checked divisions.
september/october 2011 Currents 29
-
Since it began seven months ago Kamloops Burlesque club has
taken the city by storm with a packed house almost every month and
lines up
and down Victoria Street. Currents contributor AMBER YAKE
sat down with some of the main per-formers, Jenna Huxley
(Calamity Jane) Alicia Denison (Miss Dlish), Melanie Bilodeau (Ruby
Esq.) and Lill Scott (Lilly Danger), and asked about the success of
Kamloops Burlesque, Burlesque as an art form and how they prepare
for their monthly show.
How would you describe Burlesque in five words or less?
All Girls: Tongue and cheek adult variety show.
What is Burlesque? Calamity Jane: It grew out of the
vaudeville slideshow act. Its been hap-pening since the turn of
the century and is a circus-y act out of the 20s.
Miss Dlish: Its more popular now that the whole vintage thing is
really making a comeback. Burlesque is part of that.
How has the Kamloops market responded?
Calamity Jane: We sold out the first couple of shows. Then there
was a bit of a lull as people got used to it, but we have a good
core audience.
Ruby Esq.: A lot of people have heard about us and want to come
out and perform or see the show.
What does it take to become a bur-lesque performer?
Miss Dlish: Charisma.Ruby Esq.: Guts.Calamity Jane: There are
different
types of performers. Its a talent show so you need to have
something. You definitely need a lot of charisma. We have some who
dance, soloists, group performers, troops, magicians, and
comedians. We showcase the talent in Kamloops.
What kinds of common misconcep-tions/stigmas do people have
about burlesque?
Ruby Esq.: When they come they experience it and see that its
not like a strip show.
Calamity Jane: Our moms and part-ners come to the show.
Miss Dlish: If you havent experienced burlesque before you
wouldnt know that its very different from stripping.
Ruby Esq.: It focuses more on the tease. It also celebrates
different bod-ies. In traditional striptease someone my size
wouldnt be as encouraged.
So your families come to watch? Calamity Jane: Yup, my husband
and
parents come to the shows. Theres a difference between my
persona on the stage and my personal life.
Ruby Esq.: Our stage characters are alter egos from
ourselves.
Whats involved in putting on a show?
Calamity Jane: We put out a call for performers about a month
ahead of time and then promote it through posters, flyers and
word-of-mouth. I put in approximately 30-40 hours of work per
show.
Miss Dlish: I put in a couple of full days each month preparing
for the show sewing and rehearsing.
Ruby Esq.: We spend hours and hours rehearsing.
Do you consider Burlesque to be a visual art? How so or why
not?
Ruby Esq.: Its a spectacle for sure. Miss Dlish: Even if some
dancers are
lacking (training), the overall perfor-mance quality is really
high. A lot of us do have classical dance training.
Ruby Esq.: Its a way for women to celebrate sexuality in a
structured way.
Along that same line, what do you think about being viewed as
empow-
ered subjects of the art form, or the more common view that
youre just objects of titillation?
Miss Dlish: One distinction I make between strippers and
burlesque is we do it solely for fun and theatrics. It is not just
about having men ogle you.
Lilly Danger: Strippers do it for a liv-ing. Burlesque is all
about empowering women.
Ruby Esq.: It transfers into your per-sonal life too and makes
you feel sexy and gorgeous. One of the biggest acts of feminism is
to wear a skirt. I live by that.
Are there any men who do it? What role do they play?
Calamity Jane: This month we are missing our male flavour but we
do have a drummer and MC that are both male.
Miss Dlish: There is such a thing as boylesque but we dont have
anyone.
Lilly Danger: Not that we wouldnt want one!
What kind of audience comes out to see you?
Miss Dlish: Its a cross-section. Ruby Esq.: Youll get TRU
students. Miss Dlish: And then older people
like retired teachers. Ruby Esq.: All different economic
backgrounds come out. We have a wide variety of people in the
audience.
Calamity Jane: This is why Im very committed to the $5 cover
charge. Its accessible. What else can you do for $5?
Describe the Kamloops Burlesque Club in one word each.
Miss Dlish: Community Ruby Esq.: SpectacleLilly Danger:
Empowering Calamity Jane: Fun!
Whimsical & Provocative
Q&A
With kamlooPs BurlEsquE
Visit Our SHOWROOM!
1216A BATTLE STREET 250.374.7144
bridgeportfl oors.com
HARDWOOD LAMINATE TILE CARPET VINYL
Hardwood, laminate, special order exotics, marble, slate, glass
mosaics, linoleum, cork and much more!
1216B BATTLE STREET 250.372.5045Right beside Bridgeport Floors
& Arctic Spas
TheLampostLIGHTING SPECIALISTS
come and visit Kamloops' largest lighting showroomwith the most
extensive selection to choose from.
[email protected] 1140 Victoria St., Kamloops
250-372-0811
THE STYLES YOU WANT. THE SERVICE YOU DESERVE.
FURNITURE & HOME DECOR ACCESSORIES
House Home&
Miss Vain Calamity Jane, left, and Miss Dlish.
MU
RR
AY M
ITC
HEL
L/TH
E D
AIL
Y N
EWS
30 Currents september/october 2011
-
Visit Our SHOWROOM!
1216A BATTLE STREET 250.374.7144
bridgeportfl oors.com
HARDWOOD LAMINATE TILE CARPET VINYL
Hardwood, laminate, special order exotics, marble, slate, glass
mosaics, linoleum, cork and much more!
1216B BATTLE STREET 250.372.5045Right beside Bridgeport Floors
& Arctic Spas
TheLampostLIGHTING SPECIALISTS
come and visit Kamloops' largest lighting showroomwith the most
extensive selection to choose from.
[email protected] 1140 Victoria St., Kamloops
250-372-0811
THE STYLES YOU WANT. THE SERVICE YOU DESERVE.
FURNITURE & HOME DECOR ACCESSORIES
House Home&
-
The perfect blend of radiant and convective heat
provides effi cient, steady warmth for the largest
of spaces. Spectacular fl ames accompany clean,
simple design elements that await your interior
design inspirations.
1200 BATTLE STREET, KAMLOOPS | T. 250-372-3424 | TF.
1-800-882-1202www.fi replacecentre.com
WARMTH BEAUTY STYLE
WBEST