What’s your professional uniform? 

I have a private personal training studio, where I train up to 4 clients at a time. Through bananamayBODYWORKS, I offer running clinics and an outdoor bootcamp style class called Early Risers. I also teach a variety of group fitness classes at the community centre, everything from circuit to spin to kickboxing and step! Nine times out of 10, I’m wearing stretchy clothes, no make-up and my hair is pulled back! Kinda goes with the territory.

Tell me about your summer-long Early Risers Boot Camps? How many people take part?

I  teach Early Risers year round. We are outside from April-October, then head indoors over the cold winter months. The classes are awesome, each day is different from the last and our group ranges in size from 12-20 people.

Why is working out, outdoors, more fun?

The outdoor Early Risers classes are super popular, in part because it just feels good to be outside breathing fresh air, watching the sun come up, and seeing the odd bear! We do “field trips” some mornings where we are running up the trail to Nairn Falls or Happy Trail. It’s fun.

I hate mornings. Why is the morning a good time for a workout?

Most people don’t love it either, but exercising in the morning before all your other responsiblilities present distractions is convenient and practical. It ensures you do it.

How did you come to be a personal trainer? Were you always a sporty  girl? 

I have a BA in Anthropology and was planning to go into land claims law, but I met a boy, fell in love and realized Pemberton would continue to be my home, so I searched for a niche market. Yes, I’ve always been sporty and active, and it’s what I like to do for fun. There was niche, so I pounced. It took two years to complete my certifications and put together a business plan . . . seven years later, I’m still loving it.

How do you motivate people? Is boot camp about yelling and screaming? Is it about the reward of a post-workout guilt-free latte and muffin?

I encourage people to believe in themselves. We are all capable of more than we think . . . It’s about changing the voice in your head so that when a challenge presents itself, you hear “yes I can do this, I want to do this, I will do this, I can’t believe I’m doing this, I’m proud of myself for doing it.” I always tell clients that they are responsible for all the hard work, they can take the credit for all their success, not me . . . I’m just bossy!

What is the importance of goal-setting?

Goal setting is critical. Without it, you are just floating! Goals don’t have to be huge & flashy, it’s not about impressing the people around you. Goals need to be personal and realistic, little things that when accumulated become life change. Eating broccoli, drinking more water, walking to the store, getting more sleep, setting boundaries, reading a book, etc. My perspective on wellness is very holisitic. We need to nourish and prioritize not just our physical health, but our emotional, mental and spiritual health too.

What are the most important milestones for someone who wants to transform themselves physically?

Getting started. Without that, you continue to be a spectator in life.

What makes you so good at what you do?

I love what I do, and I care about my clients. You can’t fake that.

What is your favourite running loop?

This is crazy, but when I’m training I love to run long distances on the highway. Each hill is a mini challenge and I attack! It’s like ticking things off your to do list, it feels good. I also love running up around Mosquito Lake!

What are the biggest fitness challenges we face at different ages in our life?

I don’t think it ever changes . . . The challenge is to stay active. Sometimes we are busy, sometimes we are tired, there is always something to use as an excuse. There is no secret to being fit and healthy at any age. The challenge is just to do it!

After working for the past few years as a Seniors Supported Living Coordinator in Pemberton, how would you feel about growing old in  Pemberton? Would you rather be old in Pemberton or young in Pemberton?

Pemberton is an amazing place to be regardless of how old you are! I hope to grow old in Pemberton.

You said that you “get to hang out with the wisest people in our community and learn from them.” What are some of the best things  you’ve learned from local seniors?

Live each day like it’s your last, one day that will be true! Seriously though, to be kind and patient and genuine. They’ve taught me to be a better listener and why that’s important.

What’s the best age for someone to take up a new sport, hobby or skill?

Age is relative. There is no good age or bad age. It’s simply what is. If you want to try something, do it!

This week, we hear more from Veronica Woodruff, Dawn Johnson and Jocelyn Sereda on why making an effort matters, and why you probably don’t want to give your salmon a name.

Soon after the Nature Centre opened last June, it won recognition provincially, for Small Community Leadership and Innovation. What is it that makes the Centre so special?

VW: It is a partnership initiative across all government levels including Lil’wat Nation and non-profit organizations.

It is a small building representing in a big landscape.

One Mile Lake Nature Centre was an ambitious undertaking, with limited budget, short timelines, challenging construction setting, no-power, limited access, ridiculous snowfall.  Is there a parallel between achieving this construction project and confronting the bigger challenges we face environmentally? 

JS: The more environmentally sustainable route often seems to be the more expensive, time consuming one. But if you persevere, it is always more than worth it. It’s a great feeling to switch the lights on and know the power is generated by the sun. The personal satisfaction is huge – lnowing you are making a positive contribution to your environment and not a negative one. Plus, we learned that  the environmentally friendly way of doing things is not always more expensive. For the Centre, being far from the grid, the less expensive option was actually the environmental one. As a bonus, the rainwater catchment, solar power and composting toilets all serve as great public education tools.

I hope people will come in, use the composting toilets, see how awesome they are, and be inspired to do the same in their own home.

Working together to achieve a common goal was an important aspect of the center.  So many volunteer hours went into it, along with some big donations of material and money.  You can see what can result from amazing collaboration every time you walk by the Nature Center!

DJ:  We have many serious crises that are sparking a need for solutions. Amazing things happen out of these times of environmental adversity – changes to greener energy sources, growing your own food, or sourcing it locally. If you can dream it, you can do it.

When will the demonstration hatchery get up and running? Will you name the mamma and papa fish?

>VW: The hatchery will be in operation starting in November. Since the parent salmon put all their life energy into producing young (in nature or at the hatchery) and don’t live beyond that event, it’s probably not a good idea to get too personal with them.

When will the salmon be released?

VW: We currently have about 200 fish living in school tanks and releases will start in early May.

Will it actually be those very salmon who swim back home to spawn, several years from now? 

VW: Yes, that is what make salmon so awe inspiring. We have access to great maps showing where our chinook venture through Alaska.

What else does Stewardship Pemberton do? 

VW: The Community Garden operates through SPS. We have done four of the interpretive signs at One Mile. We have partnered with Pemberton Secondary Outdoor Recreation class to run a six week enviro twist to their regular programming. We are working with the Provinical Recovery Team and the red-listed sharp-tail snake.

DJ: We also hope in the future to incorporate some hands-on habitat restoration projects that the community can become involved with. Our Board of Directors also have some great initiatives incubating, from car-pooling to workshops and a speaker series.

Why the focus on kids?

VW: We really want to strengthen their relationship to the amazing things in our own backyard.

DJ: They are our future leaders. If we teach our children about the natural world in which they live,  then they’ll love it, and want to protect it.  Participatory learning is really great at strengthening intergenerational relationships within our community.

Our youth programming is very strong but it is a goal to offer post secondary credit education, alternative learning program with the secondary school and non-formal adult education programs.

What should we all being doing more of, in Pemberton, to steward our habitat?

JS: The most important thing is to be aware.  Keeping the environment around us healthy will in turn keep us healthy. When I take kids on nature walks, and we see garbage in the water, I ask them if they would like that garbage thrown into their house.  They always shout a huge NO and then I tell them that lake is the house for lots of fish, amphibians and bugs.  It really makes them think and most times, along the rest of the walk, the kids will start picking up garbage along the path at their own accord.  It’s so amazing to see.  Once someone is aware its really hard to turn a blind eye.

Also, find something you are passionate about, and focus on that.  Once you start learning about environmental stewardship, it can be really overwhelming, there is just so much to do!  So find something that ignites your passion and follow it.  If each one of us did that, imagine what a world this would be!

DJ: Stay open to new ides and conversations. We all need to work together and take a look at the bigger picture , making sure that it makes sense from many angles: environmentally, economically, socially, even politically and spiritually.

+++

So, if you own a pair of rubberboots, wonder about bird calls, stop and marvel at sunsets, the salmon run or skunk cabbage, or have ever picked up a piece of litter, then you are hereby declared a Steward of Pemberton. Go like Stewardship Pemberton’s One Mile Lake Nature Centre page on facebook. Because they like you.  To find out more, connect with Veronica (veronicarobin@yahoo.com) or Joceyln (jocelyn.sereda@gmail.com.) (And if you haven’t yet, then rest assured, it’s never too late to start.)

What’s the history of this event? 

It was originally held in the old Pemberton Community Hall (AG Foods current site). In the 70′s, the WI held a Mothers Day Sale and brought in plants to make baskets to sell. Then they started digging plants from their gardens to add to it. The seed potato sales started around that time as well.  In the mid 80′s other groups started selling plants the same weekend so the WI moved to the first Saturday in May.  Back then, there weren’t enough customers to support two events on the same day.  The Community Hall burned down in December 1980 so the Legion became the new venue.

Why do you do this every year?

We have a wonderful community who comes out to buy our plants and baking.  We also feel it is extremely important to make seed potatoes available to the public.  We get such a great response from our community that makes it such a fun event.

Why is it important for people to source their potato seed here?

This is a protected area called a Seed Potato Control Area. It is against the law to bring potatoes into our valley to grow in your garden.  Potatoes can contract many viruses and diseases which seriously compromise the crop.  Our valley is naturally devoid of such diseases and because of that the local farmers can earn a living by selling seed potatoes to other areas in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California, Alberta and other areas such as Manitoba, Richmond and Delta.  The local Seed Potato Growers make sure there are plenty of stock available for the home gardener by donating sacks of potatoes to us for our sale and then also to the Pemberton Valley Nursery for people who miss our sale.

Have the prices changed very much over the event’s history? It seems like the most ridiculously amazing value.)

The prices haven’t varied by much over the years.

Has the popularity of the event changed over the years? Pemberton seems to have more and more people who want to learn to grow their own food, or can some of their produce, or just enjoy a closer relationship with what they consume, and they’re trying to reacquire that knowledge.

Yes, I feel that more and more people just want to grow a garden and are learning how.  I feel the community gardens play a terrific role in towns and cities where people don’t otherwise have access to a patch of dirt.  A lot of people have moved here from larger areas so didn’t have the opportunity to grow up in an area like here learning from their parents while helping out.

It strikes me that that makes the Women’s Institute an incredible precious community “asset”  - a group of people who have that knowledge and can facilitate that reconnection…

I feel that it is a part of who our group is.

What is the Women’s Institute?

A huge group of women worldwide who strive to improve the lives of women and their familes.  For the most part, Women’s Institutes were formed when women wanted to help other women locally and abroad.  It was a time for socializing and joining forces to lobby the governments for better services.  For example, our local ladies wrote letters until they succeeded in getting hydro and then telephones into our valley.  I am sure it would have happened eventually but they may have just got the job done a little quicker.  These days, there are Social Services in place so we have become more of a fundraiser group and can help out monetarily.  There are still lots of WI groups around the province who do a lot of lobbying for various issues in their areas such as the Site C dam and the proposed pipeline and I am sure if we had something like that in our backyard, we would become more active in such matters.

It’s the longest running association in Pemberton, starting in 1940. Do you think it’s still a relevant organisation?

I feel it is very relevant.  We have made a name for ourselves in our community and are able to help many local organizations as a result of our fundraising. We have never turned down any group who has asked us for help.

Where do the plants for sale come from?

The plants we sell mostly come from our gardens or seeds we start.  Often our local nursery donates a couple of trays for us to sell and we have a member with a friend at Van Dusen gardens who came with some plants last year and will again this year.

What kind of plants might we expect? 

We mostly have perennial flowers and ground covers as well as some annuals seedlings, trees, shrubs, herbs, raspberry canes, tomatoes. We accept any plants anyone would like to donate.  Some of us have friends with gardens who bring things to us when they are dividing plants that are getting to large for their spot.

Why is it better to buy a Pemberton-started tried and true plant, than to pick a load of stuff up at the Home Depot in Squamish?

One good reason is that if a plant has been growing here, you can be fairly certain it is hardy enough for our area whereas you may inadvertantly buy a plant less hardy from Squamish or Vancouver.  If you are talking annuals, then it doesn’t matter because the first frost will get them anyhow.

What zone is Pemberton in?

Mostly zone 4 which will get you down to about -30 but we can get away with a lot of zone 5 and just know that we may lose them one year.  In recent years, our winters have not been as harsh as they used to be.

How does a person work out what grows well in Pemberton?

Trial and error.

Watch for zones which are usually on the tag at a nursery and if not, then ask in the store.  Here, our Nursery is excellent in bringing in stock that is suited to our area.  Of course, there is a huge variation in our area as well.  People can grow peaches down Lillooet Lake and in D’Arcy as well as apricots and other items that haven’t a hope of surviving a winter in the upper valley.  So, you will find plants in our local nursery that are not totally suited to the entire area.  The staff there are extremely knowledgeable.

When can people start planting by?

Some seeds can go in when the soil dries up enough to get on the garden and work it up, such as peas, radishes, beets, potatoes,spinach, carrots, lettuce, swiss chard. The soil needs to be warm for things like beans, squash and corn.  Seedlings of the cabbage family are fairly hardy but tomatoes, melons, cucumbers, and peppers or anything the least bit tender have to wait until that last frost which is typically 24th of May weekend.  Some years, we don’t get a late frost but it is always a gamble to plant tender things out sooner.

Who are the beneficiaries of the sale?

Pearl’s Safe House, Pemberton Food Bank, Pemberton Secondary School bursary program, BC Children’s Hospital, Pemberton Health Care Foundation, BC Women’s Hospital, Covenant House, Salvation Army, Pemberton Library, Pemberton Museum, Pemberton Legion  are some of our annual recipients and others who have approached us have been the local school lunch programs, Grizzlies Football Team, Dragonboat Team, Firefighters, Pemberton Seniors, High School Basketball Team, Brownies and Guides, 4-H Club have all been helped over the years.. We are very appreciative of  the people who come out to support our endeavours.   It makes all the effort worth while and then we can give back to the community we live in.

If people wanted more information or were curious about joining the WI, where should they go? 

We are always looking for new members.  We have about 20 members but most are very busy in their own lives as they have jobs and or families and get spread pretty thin. I am very reachable by phone and we hold meetings in the basement of St. Davids United Church up on the hill overlooking town. The third Monday of every month from September to June at 7:30 pm.  Anyone is welcome.

Stewardship Pemberton, founded officially in 2007, is a community group dedicated to education and the protection and restoration of the natural environment. Having completed the One Mile Nature Centre, a project 7 years in the making, they’re embarking on a 5 year strategic planning exercise and surveyingthe community about what kind of programming you’d like to see at the Nature Centre.

We talked with Board members Veronica Woodruff (who we last spoke with when ground was breaking on the Centre in August 2010), Dawn Johnson and Jocelyn Sereda to find out what it means to be a steward.

What makes a steward and how do you know if you are one?

VW: Have you ever heard a bird call and wondered, ‘What is that? I hear it all the time?’Or have you thought, someone should really pick up that litter’, and then gone back and picked it up yourself?

Basically, if you care, you are a steward.

It could be caring about trees, animals, streams, air or even your food. And if you care, and are inspired to share your caring with others, than that makes you a purveyor of stewardship.

If you cared enough to participate in the Earth Day garbage clean-up, or if you care enough to tell your friend ‘I found out that bird making that call is a varied thrush, isn’t it beautiful!” then you are engaging in stewardship.

What is the nature of the Pemberton eco-system? Can you give us a run-down as to what bio-geo-climactic zones we’re in, and how that affects the wildlife that lives and travels through here?

VW: As far as biogeoclimatic zones, if you stood at the top of Mt. Currie you could see six if you consider all four valleys – south to Whistler, west to Meager volcanic complex, east to Lillooet-Harrison Lakes and north to Birkenhead/Anderson Lake.

Within these four valleys you will encounter six BEC zones including Coastal Western Hemlock, Interior Douglas Fir, Mountain Hemlock, Englemann Spruce-Subalpine Fir, Alpine Tundra and non-tidal wetlands.

That is what makes Pemberton unique, we are in a transitional zone both upwards and outwards, and it is these transitional zones that you find the greatest diversity.

This is true at this landscape scale and also the local level. The areas that border our lakes and wetlands, upland into the forest have the highest biodiversity which is why it is important to maintain this local connectivity.

What’s the difference between Stewardship Pemberton (SPS) and the Pemberton Wildlife Association (PWA), given that both have an interest in monitoring local wildlife?

VW: The PWA is primarily fish and wildlife focused, which incorporates hunting and fishing. SPS doesn’t have a focus on harvesting animals, though we are not against this practice. In fact, PWA is a strong partner in most of our intiatives. We also don’t have an advocacy role the way the group is currently set up. SPS is solely a stewardship group.

Is the One Mile Lake Nature Centre essentially the physical heart and HQ for Stewardship Pemberton?

VW: Yes and no. One Mile Lake Nature Centre was a massive accomplishment and it’s our headquarters, however our interest is really the 602,000 hectares of the Lillooet River Watershed.

How important is the One Mile Nature Centre to Stewardship Pemberton’s success? 

VW: The Centre puts a face on our mission. It gives us a home base for our programming, but also  a location for local people to come with questions. And it creates an opportunity to capture and inspire the passerby with a tiny tidbit of information that may blossom into a life changing attitude. (Yeah, we dream big, but it’s what happened to me).

We are experiencing a demand for the space but we have had a couple of set backs this winter with our infrastructure. Our solar power system didn’t function as anticipated and has required significant tweaking. Without power, we have no bathroom and with no bathroom, sadly, there is no rental.

Happily, we seem to be over the hump. Once we have all the kinks ironed out, the building will be available for rental.

What else goes on there?

VW: One Mile is amazing through the spring and summer. The lampreys should be spawning any minute in the channel, the beavers have been known to slap a tail at you in the evenings, the osprey have just returned to their nest on Lumpy’s and are actively feeding at the lake and the coho and sockeye will return in September through December.

You can always stop by the centre and borrow a pair of binoculars and a bird book. We are not open regular hours but anticipate hiring a student for part-time hours through the summer. Also, we are availabe to guide private groups. We have already had one group like this through. We have hosted a number of school groups for half day events. We have had parent tot walks. Our displays have included a salt water tank, Lil’wat Nation Traditional Territory model, local fauna exihibit.

The building will be available for functions and parties. What’s more Pemberton than an eco-birthday party?

+++

So, if you own a pair of rubberboots, wonder about bird calls, stop and marvel at sunsets, the salmon run or skunk cabbage, or have ever picked up a piece of litter, then you are hereby declared a Steward of Pemberton. Go like Stewardship Pemberton’s One Mile Lake Nature Centre page on facebook. Because they like you.

We touched base to find out what to expect.

Who and what is RAC?

It’s basically an Advisory Group to PVUS that has been around for the last two and half years, as an alternative to the previous Recreation Commission. We are all volunteers. We have zero authority or budget, but we look at recreation as it is provided, or not provided, in our area, and provide feedback and suggestions to the Pemberton Valley Utility Services joint committee, representing VoP and SLRD. Our Committee is made up of nine dedicated volunteers from Pemberton and Area which includes; Anne Crowley (Co-Chair), Bill Sirota, Jessica Turner, Kathy Jenkins, Michelle Klaui, Niki Vankerk, Pat Archer, Rebecca Barley (Area C School Trustee) and me, as Cochair.

We’ve advised on the Gates Lake facility, the Water Park, we advocated to hire a Recreation Manager, and our newest initiative, is really our first actual project, the Recreation Trade Show.

What is the Recreation Trade Show?

It’s designed to give recreation groups in our area some exposure, because the most common thing we hear in Pemberton is, “Oh? I didn’t know about that…”

At the moment, I’m putting together a database of clubs, recreation groups and activities… whether it be a knitting group, drop in badminton, a book club… anything people can be involved in is “recreation”. It’s not just about sports. And hopefully they’ll all get on board and set up tables at the Trade Show.

The Trade Show is also for the people who live here to get out, see what we have to offer, get involved, try something new, and see all the amazing things that are available in the area that make Pemberton such an amazing place.

What are some of the recreation opportunities that exist in Pemberton?
Volunteering, women’s soccer, youth soccer, the Writers Group, basketball, softball, baseball, the Women’s Institute, football, wool spinning, Scrabble, karate, mountain biking, Film Club, paragliding, walking, ATVing, the Wildlife Association, the 4H club, Winds of Change, the Canoe Club, MotoX, Stock car racing, cross country skiing, Chess Club, drop in badminton… There’s so much going on, it’s crazy.

There’s so many ways you could get involved in this community. Really, the idea is to highlight, not only the opportunity for people to be active, but also to volunteer.

As a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, why do you think that’s important?

My personal philosophy, that I run my business by, is that there are four facets to health and wellness. Physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. And if we only focus on being healthy in one context, we’re missing out on the chance to live to our full potential and live our greatest life. Wellness is not just about losing five pounds but about creating balance and happiness in all facets of life.

In a nutshell, being active and engaged in your community is critical to your health and critical to the health of your community.

The more connected we are as people, the more we care about each other. I think when we isolate ourselves, we tend to forget that other people matter, that people have feelings.

In your professional opinion, how “healthy” is our community?
I think there are a lot of people who are really active in our community, in a physical sense, but more can be done, which is why we’re organizing this trade show, to bring us closer together as a community. Partly, that has to do with the phenomenal growth our community has seen, so we end up living in pockets, rather than with an overall sense of connection.

In all communities there are demographics within the community that need more encouragement and more opportunities to be involved, and I think, in all aspects of life, when we encourage people to be involved, we build stronger community.

It feels like you’re talking about building community resilience, so that in the face of crisis or an emergency or sudden rapid change, we are well positioned to cope.

Definitely. In moments of crisis, this town comes together. It’s incredible what can be done when it’srequired. The most recent example of that was the fundraiser at the Legion for the Senior Boys and Girls Basketball teams that raised almost $15,000 to help those kids represent our community. Given the opportunity to be involved, pepople step up, with real excitement. It makes them feel good to be able to.

We often see that, under unfortunate circumstances, we get together, and we find ourselves saying, wow, this was nice, we should do this more often, under better circumstances. Creating opportunities for that to happen is really important as a community, and it’s important for government to support that. It’s something we can always be better at.

What is your dream outcome for this Recreation Trade Show?

I would like to see, firstly, people walking away going, “Wow, Pemberton is awesome.” I’d like it to affirm for people why they choose to be part of this amazing community, and to affirm that they are part of what makes it amazing.

And secondly, I’d like people to get more involved and to feel welcome. In small towns, sometimes things feel a bit cliquey, so if the trade show can help overcome some of those fears we all have about trying new things or approaching a new group, that would be a great outcome.

What prompted this event? 
This is coming from a positive place and about moving us in a positive direction. It’s no reflection on what has or hasn’t been done in the past.

In my experience, that’s one of the things I love about Pemberton. If you have an idea, and you’re willing to get off the sidelines and roll up your sleeves, you can make what you want to happen, happen.

I would encourage people if they have an idea to roll with it. Bring it the RAC. The Recreation Advisory Committee represents the people of Pemberton.

We meet the 4th Tuesday of every month. Our meetings are completely open to the public. We don’t just welcome, we get very excited, if people come.

Our mission is to truly represent the people in the community, and to do that we really need their feedback. So if you don’t have time to commit to a meeting, then send any of us an email with your thoughts, ideas or comments.

Why would people go to RAC, rather than share their feedback or concerns directly with staff at the Community Centre, with the Village of Pemberton, or with their local government rep? 

Either avenue is fine. But the idea of having it come to the RAC is that we’re a group of volunteers who are very very passionate about recreation. Not that government official or staff aren’t. But with all the things that sit on Jordan or Susie’s plate, for example, recreation is just one tiny part of that. For the RAC, if you bring an idea to us, then we have nine people adding to your voice, saying, “hey! listen to this.” So it allows people’s voices to be heard a little louder or stronger.

For more information about the RAC, to register for the Trade Show, or to provide feedback about recreation in Pemberton, connect with Lindsay via 604-905-9347 or lindsay.may@vch.ca.

You can’t be what you can’t see. Write your stories, girls. And cast them with smart, feisty asskicking heroines. Just like you.

Pemberton Library hosts a free screening of the film ‘Miss Representation‘ on Thursday, April 26 at 7pm, with conversation afterwards facilitated by Mo Douglas.

When Miss Representation came to Squamish in February, I had hoped to make the trip south to check it out. Especially after watching the trailer.

Alas, I didn’t get the chance. Luckily, three local parents, who just happen to be some of my favourite thinkers/sources of good conversation/Potato Nation twitter buddies, were in the same boat, and decided to do something about it.

Chief librarian Shannon Ellis, Pemberton Secondary teacher Angela Stott and Pemberton Fellowship pastor Paul Cumin collaborated to bring the film Miss Representation to town for a local screening.

I checked in with Angela Stott for the story behind the screening.

What do you, Shannon and Paul have in common?

Twitter!

Why would you guys band together to bring this film to Pemberton?

I posted the Squamish screening on twitter and talked about going with the Pemberton Interact group but we decided the winter drive might be too much and we could buy the school a copy of the film for about the same price as all going down.  Meanwhile, Paul tweeted me about going to Squamish with a group.  When he found out Pemberton had a copy, and Marilyn Marinus told me that the Public Library was also getting a copy we thought “shop local, stay local” and the three of us got together to plan an event in Pemberton!

How did it come up on your radar?

Cathy Goddard’s promotion of the Squamish screening on Twitter.

What’s the story of the film, in brief?

Short version: The misrepresentation of women in media, hence the title: MissRepresentation!

Why do you think it’s important to expose people to that information/message?

I always think of the Virginia Slims ads I would see in magazines when I was a kid: “you’ve come a long way baby”.  We need to see this because “we” (as in ALL of us – not only women) may have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go. The way in which women are portrayed in and treated by media needs some critical assessment.

If you could tell people one thing, that you took away from this film, what would it be?

I watched this with a group of people ranging in age from 10 to 45.  The film makes people feel uncomfortable because it is not funny and it is real. And, it is the world in which our children (both boys and girls) are growing up in. Makes me ask how we can enact change.

On what level did this film affect you the most? As a parent? As a teacher? Or as a woman?

This is a BIG question. Parent, for sure.  I watched this with my son.  He says it was the movie he hated the most. Morbid fascination mixed with understanding a really uncomfortable message.  Scary.  As a teacher it is important to be aware of what is going on in the world your students are influenced and Miss Representation puts it right in anyone’s face!  It is definitely a film that reaffirms what I already knew as a woman; the film provides something to focus on and then discuss with anyone.  The film should have an impact on men.

Popcorn? No popcorn?

We hope for popcorn.  The high school has a machine and I have a connection to the high school!

Does advocating for girls and women mean a person hates men? Does empowering girls and women mean disempowering boys and men?

There is always a balance in empowerment.  However, advocating for girls and women definitely DOES NOT mean that a person hates men.  Quite the opposite for me.  I believe that we have to work collaboratively to create a world that represents people well and fairly.  Air brushing does nothing to improve the way women are perceived nor how they feel toward each other.

+++

As a parting thought. I’m secretly hoping the screening ends with a push-up contest. Okay, better start training:

I asked Anna “just the facts” Helmer, to elaborate. After all, there’s a high likelihood that this weekend will see inordinate chocolate bingeing… Just the right time to commit to a trail run, Pemby-style.

Questions, then:

What/who sets the date? 
Mom and I set the date (usually sitting at the same kitchen table at which Slow Food Cycle Sunday was concocted). It is always roughly the same week in April.

What is the deal with the Mosquito Lake run? Give me the lowdown. Who’s in charge?
Well. Well, I think everyone involved except for mom would say she is in charge (sure sign of a benevolent dictator). The Wolf Pack usually is in charge of route marking, and PSAR (Pemberton Search and Rescue) runs the finish line, route spotting during the race, and sweep. It is a pretty hilly course, with some downright heartbreakers scattered throughout. Nice fast finish, though so no-one comes in looking too shattered. And we all feel very safe with PSAR watching out for us.

Everyone starts arriving at 9:30am and registration goes til 10, at which point we start (after a quick talk to describe route). $15 for each runner/walker and all proceeds to PSAR. I always try to get mom to take money out for all the coffee and treats she purchases, but she never does.

When a runner finishes, they check their name off a list and after everyone seems to have come in, PSAR goes in and searches for and rescues whoever has not checked off their name. We always find everyone.

And that’s it. Home by noon. With sore legs and dirty shoes.

I haven’t gone for a run in 6 months. My shoes still have November mud caked on them. Should I still enter?
I would. I do. Usually. Sometimes I chicken out. Walking is totally acceptable. In fact I have never yet actually run the entire route.

How many people turn out? Who’s going to be there (assuming I’m coming more for the social than the competitive component…)
20-40 participants.

Lindsay May’s half marathon group will probably be there. We get some hot runners from Whistler. Usually 3-4 seed potato farmers who lead the walking set. Dr Lindley always rocks it. Lisa Komuro, although she is expecting, but that might not hold her back. We’ll see. John Davies, the resident Pemberton speedster.

We have some that have been at every run for years. A few newbys. The local freelance writer….?????

Assuming I’m coming to kick some ass, what’s on the line? Prizes? Money? Glory? Fame?
Mostly glory – Dave Steers will probably take your picture and you’ll end up on the cover of the Question. For prizes, you can expect eggs (if the chickens laid that week), seed potatoes, marigold starts…vintage SFCS shirts….

Is it a set course? Or is it set according to the course-setters whim?
Set course, unless there is a washout the night before. But you have to keep your head up and look for the next ribbon ’cause it can get confusing up there.

Is this one of an informal series of social Pemberton runs? What connects them? What and when are the others?
Mom is the local race promoter. In recent years, she has yielded control of the empire to Delores Los, who now organizes the fall Lumpy’s Epic at One Mile. Mom has retained the flag ship Canada Day run and this spring issue.

How many years has it been running?
12 years? Don’t quote me. We get confused.

How did it get started? What was the impetus?.
Mom wanted people to experience the trails up there. She used to spend hours and hours up there in the spring, exploring the trails. That area loses the snow so much earlier than the farm that it is like a taste of spring even though it might still be winter down below. Plus, I think she was really inspired by the Wolfes, who she would see running for miles and miles over hill and dale.

What makes this a quintessentially Pemberton kind of event?
Great views of Mt Currie, gnarly course, lots of socializing.

Who do we have to thank for this particular event?
Jeanette Helmer, the Wolf Pack, Pemberton Search and Rescue

And what are YOUR 3 favourite things about spring in Pemberton?
Biking to work, reading outside, fresh greens from the greenhouse

(All photos by Dave Steers.)

Liz Scroggins from the Pemberton Rotary Club filled us in on all the ways you can spruce up your life and your town this weekend.  (PLUS, research has shown that volunteering gives people the same kind of rush they get from getting high.)

For Earth Hour, people are meant to turn off all power for an hour. How does an Earth Day challenge work?
Earth Day is April 22nd every year. Rotary has done annual Earth Day cleanups for years. It’s not really a challenge, although there may be a challenge taking place between businesses. I think we should do something to help the environment every Earth Day!

What does Earth Day involve?
An annual clean up around Pemberton, and we have included a few new things this year. We are asking volunteers to help clean up several areas of town. We thought it would be great to offer the chance to get rid of electronic waste. We are working with the new owner of the Bottle Depot. Encorp now collects E-waste so we joined forces with him. There will be a bin at the Community Centre for you to drop off your items. We also are working with SLRD to collect used household batteries and cell phones – we must keep these items out of the landfill! We thought it would be great to allow people to get rid of their jars of pennies since they will no longer be a usable coin. We are collecting the coins as a Pennies for Polio campaign. We will roll the money up and send it to Rotary. I also wanted to start a collection of used “fat tire” bikes for Bicycles for Humanity in Whistler. If we find any bikes (there is one in Arn Canal) or if people clear them out of their garage, we will take them to Whistler for their program – they are shipping bikes to Uganda.

How many people do you anticipate?
We would love over 100 people to take part.

Who made that skookum awesome poster?
My step daughter Tegan Turcotte. She’s a grad of Whistler High School and the Art Institute in Vancouver.

Why should people go out and pick up garbage around town? Don’t we hire muni staff to do that?
Yes, there are muni staff but they don’t walk every trail or street in town – the staff typically empty the garbage cans. Picking up garbage around town is just the right thing to do.

What is it that is motivating you to take part? What do you think people will get out of it? Apart from the free BBQ!
People like to help and feel good about helping. We have a generous donation of food from the Pemberton Valley grocery store so we can thank the volunteers!

Can kids help?
Absolutely. We encourage youth to participate. It can be an eye-opener when they see the volume of waste around the town. Also it’s great for youth to be exposed to volunteer work at an early age.

Should people wear anything in particular?
Be prepared for the weather. Wear sturdy shoes. We will supply gloves and bags.

What if people can’t commit the entire 4 hours?
We are happy if people can get out even for a short time. You don’t have to commit to 4 hours.

Some years, Earth Day has been a big thing in Pemberton. In 2010, the Village and Stewardship Pemberton got on board and it was a huge party… but it has consistently been an event that the Pemberton Rotary Club has run since 2002. Why?

We are a hands-on club and we like to get our hands dirty.

It has become one of the things we do.

What other events and projects does the Pemberton Rotary Club work on?
Rotary just had a wheelchair accessible picnic table installed along One Mile lake trail. We are working to complete the kitchen at the Community Centre in partnership with Friends of the Library, the Seniors Society, and the SLRD/PVUS. Our annual golf tournament is on June 22. We sell flower baskets every year for town businesses and residents. We are just completing a review of new projects and fundraisers – we’ll have more to share in a few weeks!

Finally, what is it that you love about Pemberton?
Great community spirit and a high rate of volunteerism.

It’s a very giving community.

The town really rallies around good causes, people are very generous, and the place is beautiful!

Where can people go to find out more about the Earth Day event?
On our facebook page, or email me at scrogg@telus.net

And where can they go to find out more about Pemberton Rotary?
www.rotarypemberton.ca or Liz scrogg@telus.net

This month, the Friends of the Library will forego their penchant for subtitles, and screen Prairie Love on the brand new big screen at the Pemberton and District Public Library, for the Pemberton Film Club, April 19th at 7:00 pm.

A US drama and love story, Prairie Love opens with a mysterious high plains drifter travelling the wintry North Dakota prairie, a land where cold takes on a whole new meaning. When the drifter stumbles on an unconscious man lying in the middle of the road, he stops to lend a hand, and then decides to steal the man’s identity, in order to steal the girlfriend the man was on his way to meet for the first time.

Prairie Love was dubbed one of the 10 must see movies from the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. Quirky, perceptive, starkly humorous and unnervingly romantic.

Bundle up. It’s lonely out there.

Gather beforehand at Mile One Eating House for a $10 Film Club special burger plus fries or salad, and linger afterwards for discussion.

Prairie Love Trailer – Writer, Director, Editor from Dusty Bias on Vimeo.

The Powell River based author has planted about 1.5 million trees in her lifetime, and is now reaping a different kind of harvest from the experience, thanks to the success of her new book, Eating Dirt: Deep Forests, Big Timber and Life with the Tree-Planting Tribe, which won the BC National Award for Canadian Non-Fiction and is still sitting at #1 on the Vancouver Sun best-seller’s list, as well as being iTunes’ #1 Non-Fiction Book of the Year.

Word-lovers, tree-huggers, dirt-eaters and book-fiends alike will be stoked to know that Charlotte Gill will be at the Pemberton Library on April 17 at 7pm for a free author reading and chat.

The Pemberton Library has brought lots of sexynerdy authors to town, but Charlotte Gill’s might be the first twitter-brokered visit.

We asked her a few questions to get to know her, before she rocks up to the Library on Tuesday, at 7pm…

How has social media changed the life of writers?

With my last book, which was published in 2005, social media was just a fledgling notion. We had blogs but nothing like Facebook and Twitter campaigns. Now writers do much of their own marketing themselves, from home. There’s a level of direct contact between author and readers now that was hard to imagine even five years ago. If someone wants to send me a message, they don’t have to write a letter to the publisher that gets passed on months later. They can reach me almost instantly.

How has winning the BC National Award of Canadian Nonfiction changed the life of this particular writer?

An unexpected windfall is nice for anybody, especially when it comes at a point when you could really use it. That’s what happened to this writer. Prizes are wonderful boosts. They reaffirm the validity of a book, which is sometime easy to forget through all the ups and downs of the publishing process. But for me it’s important to come back down to earth, to return to the simple life, which mostly involves teaching, reading books, and writing in my pyjamas. As Zadie Smith says, it’s easy to confuse honours with achievement, but that’s a temptation worth resisting.

Has there been a singularly great moment arising from the publication of Eating Dirt that speaks to the experience?

My favourite part has giving talks, meeting readers. Getting email from tree planters, current and former. They tell me what it was like to read the book. They tell me their own stories–where they planted and for how long.

People feel really deeply about planting trees. About trees in general. I knew it was true for me, but wasn’t sure how the rest of the world felt.

Our town is full of former and current treeplanters. Is that unusual? Or is that just quintessentially Canadian?

Some places are meccas for tree planters in Canada. The Kootenays, the Comox Valley, the Squamish-Pemberton corridor. The places with mountains and forests, I’d say. Tree planters love to play outside. A local brewery helps, too.

Are you surprised how well this book has resonated with people?

I thought tree planters would want to read the book perhaps. But I wasn’t counting on tree planters’ moms! They’ve been huge supporters of the book. After Christmas I got dozens of emails from tree planters who’d received the book in their stockings.

Do people need to have read your book to enjoy your visit/reading?

No. I aim to give a taste of what the book is like. I read a bit from the book, and I also give a slideshow when I can. There’s nothing like tree planting photos to show what that life is like. It’s a little something extra for those who’ve already read it.

Will your book be available for purchase at the library event?

Yes, I’ll have books for sale. $30.

Are you making any other stops en route to Pemby?

I’m coming straight to Pemberton from my home in Powell River. It takes awhile to travel between these two points with the ferries and everything. People around here sometimes joke that it’d be faster just to walk to Whistler. We’re less than 100 miles away as the crow flies.

What’s the best thing about your life right now?

Home.

How long did it take you to write Eating Dirt? How many trees did you have to plant, by way of research? Even though your book is available for download (and is iTunes’ #1 Non Fiction Book of the Year), do you figure that buys you a certain number of tomes of paper to be spread around the world with your words printed on them?

I’m a slow writer. Eating Dirt took about five years. In my lifetime I’ve planted something like 1.5 million trees. Sometimes people ask me if I feel bad that books are printed on tree fibres. (Mine is made from recycled paper.) The book explores that topic in detail, since planting trees is subject, as an occupation, to that same irony. Many people believe that planting trees is a wholly virtuous environmental activity, but tree planters feel an ambivalence every day. We get our paycheques from the same industry that harvests the wood in the first place. We’re planting the timber supply of tomorrow. Tree planters can’t avoid knowing it’s a complicated affair. Tree products are all around us. We use them every day. That’s one of the incredible things I learned in the course of doing research for the book. It’s in our hardwood floors and paper napkins, obviously. But it’s also in our clothes, our nail polish. It’s even in our food sometimes.

Do you ever miss treeplanting? If so, what is it that you miss?

I miss tree planting a lot. It’s probably obvious from the tone of the book that I have a great affection for the profession. I miss being outside every day. I miss the wildness, the spontaneous adventures, and the freedom. And of course I miss the people.

What’s harder? Treeplanting? Or book writing?

That’s a tough one. I’d have to say planting trees.

What other day jobs keep you honest these days?

I teach writing at UBC. Next fall I’ll be doing the same at the Banff Centre.