Where is Kula Wellness Centre’s yoga studio?

7714 Guthrie Road. 4 km down the Meadows.

How many people come?

It varies between 2 and 20. All levels, all ages, both men and women.

What classes do you offer?

Yoga is on Mondays at 5:30pm, Tuesdays at 7pm, Wednesdays at 5:30pm, and Thursday 5:15pm and 7pm.  We are offering a Yin class on Wed at 7pm starting March 7 and Restorative class at 5pm on Sundays starting March 4th.

What prompted you to start doing this? Your life is busy enough, isn’t it? As a massage therapist, mom, gardener, athlete…

When I finished my teacher training 2 years ago, one thing my teacher Kristin Campbell said was to start teaching right away. It came to me: Why can’t I start teaching in the garage that we just re-did? It has huge picture windows, a high ceiling, it was a beautiful space meant for the kids to play in, but it turned out to be perfect for a yoga studio.

How long have you been practicing yoga?

I did my first yoga class, a hatha class with a lovely lovely old lady, over 20 years ago. I have been seriously practicing since I moved to Pemberton –  about 12 years. I have an almost-daily practice.

What drove you towards it?

In the beginning, I was drawn to the physical aspect of it. I think most people are. It developed into a realization that I could bring attention and awareness onto my mat. You have to really be present when you are practicing yoga, because you have to focus on your breath. It was an opportunity to not only be in my body but also to be present in my awareness.

What I love about yoga is when I get into the physical postures, it becomes a moving meditation for me.

I think it has helped me so much in the rest of my life. That’s where I’ve noticed the most profound effects of my practice. Being a mom, a massage therapist – I have become way more intuitive as a practitioner, as far as what the client needs. I’ve become more in tune with my own body, when I’m out of alignment, I’m able to align myself when I’m on my mat. The challenge is taking that amazing optimal blueprint into my daily life. It helps me respond and react to daily life and all that gets thrown at you. There’s discipline in the practice. It’s a physical challenge, and a challenge to stay focussed and not let your mind wander. Having a strong physical practice can be a gateway to awareness.

How did you transition from practicing yoga yourself, to teaching it?

For several years, I wanted to do the teacher training course, just to further my training and study the poses, the philosophy, sanskrit etc. To be honest, standing in front of people and telling them what to do is not something I wanted to do. I find it challenging to lead a group of people. It’s really huge. As a teacher you always have to be present, there, fully authentic for your students. I don’t know everything about yoga, never will. It’s not that I wanted super badly to teach yoga. But when I started I realized that I could rise to the challenge and it would strengthen me. It’s empowering to do something difficult, and to grow and have fun with it. I really want people to feel changes happening in the body. I stress alignment. My background in anatomy and physiology give me an understanding of how the body works. My goal is to teach smart yoga, in a way that people aren’t going to hurt themselves, and so people can start to understand how their body works, how their body moves, how their body heals. Maybe it will help people heal, and learn about their emotions and how those emotions tie into the body.

How does your training and work as a massage therapist inform your teaching practice?

My anusara training, which focuses on precise body alignment has really helped me as a massage therapist. It had a profound effect in that, I felt like I had a renewed understanding of how the body works. The principles of alignment really work. Not only in a physical way — the goal is to bring the body into an optimal “blueprint” of steadiness, without suffering, hardening, etc. Then you can expand from that point, balance, steadiness, which can then make room for light, spaciousness. Sometimes, you find a point in a yoga pose, where there is an effortlessness, and you feel a lightness, and expanding energy, and it just feels good. Some people call it going beyond the physical, connecting the physical/emotional/mental body. Some people just know that it feels good, and it makes them feel great afterwards. That’s my goal. That people leave feeling spaciousness and lightness. Feeling good after.

There is a beautiful quote by Iyengar:

“Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and to endure what cannot be cured.”

With yoga, we are not only strengthening, but lengthening muscles. We do a lot of work with our breath, this helps to release tension and possibly pain if muscles are sore. It can improve the digestive process through twists. It has an effect on the nervous system by relaxing the body. It can give you the ability to recognize where you hold stress (jaw, hips, lower back). It can improve circulation.

How has teaching yoga added to or changed your own practice of yoga?

It has made me realize how important it is to have a regular practice. I need a regular practice to keep grounded in what I am teaching. In order to teach something you need to be able to do it as well.

How much appetite for yoga do you think there is in Pemberton?

I think its huge. It’s really big and popular in Whistler, Vancouver… People here love to do yoga. We are so physically active, I think there’s a natural draw to yoga for most people, so that they can keep doing those sports they love. I think if you practice yoga regularly you will notice a difference in how you ride your bike, how you ski, how you run etc. Yoga allows us to tap into our creative energy. We realize that there is something more, deeper, a connection to self and therefore to each other.

What do you like about teaching and working and living in Pemberton?

I feel like I’m part of this community. I meet people from all walks of life. It is a gift for me to be part of the community and to give something back to the community.

What’s your vision for this? Where are you headed with it?

I would love to teach classes every single day out of Kula Wellness. When the demand increases I hope to add more classes to the schedule. Yoga, massage, and also specializing in one-on-one yoga therapy, and applying yoga therapy in the classes. Because my classes are quite intimate, I can help each person with their individual physical needs.

There’s something about Pemberton that appeals to the aesthetically-sensitive and visually-oriented. That must be the explanation for the high proportion of professional photographers living here. One local wedding and portrait photographer has also been busy capturing community events, like the Library Wine and Cheese fundraiser in the fall. We talked to Jonathan Kirby to find out what inspires him and why he is so dedicated to making wall art that matters.

How long have you been living in Pemberton?

I moved to Pemberton in the spring of 2008 after a nice five year stint in Whistler.

What brought you here?

I moved here when I decided I had spent enough time sharing quarters in Whistler. At that time the rental market was crazy in Whistler and I had found a cute little apartment near the highschool. I had tried living in Squamish for a bit, but it wasn’t for me so I figured I would try going North.

Tell us about your business?

I call my business a full service “boutique” studio. The business’ primary goal is to help families fill some of those empty spaces on their walls with family photographs that are meaningful to them. I aim to create heirloom pieces they are really going to love and hopefully will be passed down through their family. I enjoy spending time and getting to know my clients, finding out what exactly is important to them about their photographs and really going above and beyond in both the photographs I create with them and the service they get.

What/who do you most enjoy photographing?

Right now I most enjoy photographing my wife. She’s a great model! Aside from her, I am really enjoying creating photographs for all of my clients. It might sound cliche but I really do. I photographed professional snowboarders for 4 years and at the end I found the images didn’t really have much meaning or purpose to me. They were irrelevant in one year and most snowboarders are in front of a professional photographer every day in the winter.

For most families it’s a big deal to schedule a photographer and a big investment. It is so rewarding to create photographs for families that are so meaningful to them and they are going to hold on to so preciously.

Where have your photos appeared?

Peoples’ walls, computers, wallets, Christmas cards and photo albums.

I’ve also had photographs published in Snowboard Canada, Snowboard Mag, Frequency, Transworld Snowboarding, KingSnow, and one I’m quite proud of is having my photos included in Redbull’s Illume contest photo book. Out of 25,000 or so photographs submitted, I had 2  selected into the top 250.

If you were a gazillionaire and didn’t have to worry about earning money through your photography, what would you be shooting?

Landscapes and maybe fly fishing.

Do you wear other hats? What are they? What other work have you/do you do?

4 months of the year I plow snow on the highways. I also recently taught beginner photography classes at the community centre.

Where are Pembertonians most likely to run into you?

Most likely on a river or a lake. Birkenhead River or lake, the Squamish River, Lillooet Lake, anywhere there are fish!

Where’s your favourite place?

In the fall I’d have to say the Squamish River is my favourite place. I’m a self-admitted fishing addict now. I just started fly fishing this spring and keep on diving deeper and deeper into it. Squamish has some great salmon fishing in the fall.  As we get into winter and I fire up my snowmobile, then I’d have to say the Pemberton Ice Cap. It’s size and vastness is so amazing. And then in the spring the trout fishing will pick up in the lakes around here so it will be Birkenhead, Lillooet and Green Lake. I guess my favourite place is very seasonal.

Do you have recurring themes or obessesions in your work?

Using leading lines or objects in the photograph to frame my subjects. I love leading lines. I get all giddy when I find something using interesting lines in my compositions.

What do you love about what you do?

I really love making people happy. It’s amazing how moved and in love people can be with photographs of their family. I recently photographed two “generational” families which includes grandparents-parents-children and it was so amazing to see the love these grandparents have for their families and how proud they are of each of the children and grandchildren. I recently received this email after a client received her photographs and is a testament to what I love about my work.

Hi Jonathan,
I came home this afternoon and found the two packages at my door. What a surprise. Everything arrived safely. I broke out in a sweat opening everything. I must say I was nervous about the 20 x 30 of the grandchildren. It is spectacular! I can hardly wait until it is framed above the dresser. These photographs are the best present I could have given myself. And especially thanks for the extra gifts from you. I look forward to sharing them with the rest of the family…and others as well. Thanks heaps, Marilyn

What is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?

My wife. Without a doubt. No need to explain.

What kind of temperament and skillset makes for a good photographer? Does that describe you?

I think a desire to master your craft is important. You don’t have to be the equipment geek, but thoroughly understanding how everything on your camera works together and in relation with each other is very important. Also, an acceptance of making mistakes and lots of them. I can’t count how many I’ve made but they truly are the best learning experiences.

Where else could people find more about you? Website? Facebook?

www.whistlerportraits.com is a good start. facebook.com/JFKfineart.

But a fully equipped rescue truck is no joke if you’ve ever been in a motor vehicle accident and needed the expertise and rapid response of the Fire Rescue team. That’s one reason the Pemberton Fire Department’s newest purchase is good news for the community. The other is that, by identifying the need to Council in advance, the Village of Pemberton was able to set aside reserves and make the purchase with cash.

We chatted to Fire Chief Mack early this month as he was preparing for the Winterfest weekend, to find out if a new truck is truly the way to a firefighter’s heart.

 Tell me about the new fire truck?

It’s a rescue truck. It’s the first new rescue truck the department has ever owned. All the others have been ‘home-made’, so to speak. We’d acquire a used cab and chassis from TELUS or BC Hydro. This truck is complete custom built rescue truck, outfitted with extraction equipment, first aid, air packs. It will respond to all calls, but it will be the truck that goes out to respond to first aid or motor vehicle calls, which represent probably 50% of our calls. It will respond to pretty much everything, all the fire calls too, beause it’s got all the equipment you need for rescue, for fires, plus it gets the manpower there.

How much was it?

It was $150,000. We had budgeted $200,000. It worked out really well with our supplier. We paid about $12,000 in taxes and we get about 80% of that back, so it probably will cost $142,000 in the end. And the extra money will be good to go forward for the new truck.

Why was it needed?

Three years ago we started talking about it because the truck, a donated BC Hydro cab and chassis was a 1993 model, so it was coming up to 20 years old, and those vehicles get a lot of miles on them, they respond to a lot of calls.  They’re hardworking machines. So we identified three years ago that we would need to replace it. I brought it up with Council and they were very supportive. And we’d started give years ago putting reserves aside, and in earnest three years ago, specifically for buying new equipment. And that’s a great thing, because we paid cash for it. So the taxpayers won’t end up paying double by the time it’s paid off.

In 2015, we will need a new pumper truck, because they’re only rated by the insurance company for 20 years. So we can start building reserves for that now.

So, what is the Fire Department’s current fleet?

We have five pieces of equipment, plus the rescue boat, the Zodiac. We have 2 pumper trucks, a compressed air foam truck (that goes out to motor vehicle accidents and is a quick attack truck for structural fires), a ladder truck and the rescue truck.

How many people currently serve in the Fire Department?

The crew is made up of 29 guys and girls, and they’re all volunteers. I’d say we have a really dedicated core of 12-14.  We have a bunch of applications we’re going through and shortlisting right now, and we’ll do so me interviews and towards the middle or end of February, we’ll start a new training program for new recruits, once a week for three months.

Why do people get involved?

Oh, I think it’s to be part of an organistion, to give something back to the community and the excitement of being involved.

What’s the core business of the Pemberton Fire Department?

Our mandate is to respond to local emergencies. Motor vehicle accidents, medical assists to EHS and fire calls is pretty much our core business.

The rescue truck serves all of Pemberton and Area C.

The fire district is the area approved by council and the regional district that gets fire protection – the regional district contracts services from the Village to provide fire protection.

Apart from responding to fires, what do the Fire Department members do? 

We’re involved in pretty much anything we’re asked to be involved with. The taxpayers provide the money for the department to exist, so if we can help out, we do. We help out with the July 1 Canada Day parade, Remembrance Day, Winterfest. We do the BBQ at the Council’s AGM, and BBQ and hot chocolate and host the PAWS’ Santa Claus doggy event… Anyway we can, we do.

What is the connection between the Pemberton Fire Department and BBQs? You guys are always cooking up the meat for Canada Day or the AGM or Polar Bear Plunge?

Yeah, it’s all about fire.

Is there an ingredient that you feel represents Whistler?

Pemberton [farm] vegetables, I even use them in the winter. Like carrots, potatoes and beets. I actually phoned them the other day to get some crosnes (Chinese artichokes) and they told me that I could come and dig them out of the snow. [Laughs]. We have tons of snow, so I didn’t take them up on the invite.

We checked in with Winterfest Committee Chair, Stephanie Nicoll, to find out what to expect.

It’s projected to hit -20 deg C this week. It’s dark at 4:30pm. I haven’t been able to feel my toes in weeks. Remind me why I’m celebrating Winter? Because we love Pemberton even more in the winter. Bundle up this weekend.

How has Winterfest evolved over the years since it began? (Is this year 5? Did it start in 2008, as part of the build up to the Games?) Year 7. Winterfest was evolved under the Spirit Committee as part of the Province of BC initiative for 5 years, leading up to the Games. Many BC communities no longer operate Winterfest in their community as the Province no longer financially supports the Spirit Committee. With the success of our sponsors, Pemberton Winterfest is still succeeding! Thank you to our financial sponsors: BC Hydro, SLRD, VoP, Innergex & Superior Propane.

What’s the single best change between then and now? (It looks like it’s set to be the coldest Winterfest ever.) Increased participation! J

What is YOUR personal favourite event? Polar Bear Plunge, those brave swimmers! I love the large amount of community participation, swimmers & spectators. But after this year, it just may be the curling event.

What is the not-to-be-missed, can’t-call-yourself-a-Pembertonian-if-you-do event of this year’s Winterfest line-up? Curling at One Mile, of course.

What is special about winter in Pemberton? The keenness to skate on One Mile Lake, the WINTER skip in everyone’s step and of course, Winterfest. J

What’s NEW this year? Changing the event dates from February to January so that we can enjoy the Pemberton winter, at its finest. Curling, Public Skating & Shinny Hockey.

What are the most important things a person should bring with them to a Winterfest event, in order to make the most of it? Family & friends, hand/feet warmers, camera & enthusiasm. Don’t forgot a toonie for the maple syrup taffy at the Polar Bear Plunge.

Where can people find a more detailed program, so they can plan their Winterfest Siege? www.pembertonwinterfest.com

Who are the bright lights behind this event? How does it come to be?  Winterfest committee members, James Linklater (Rotary), Rob Meilleur (Lions Club), Paul Vacirca & Courtenay Foxgord (Chamber of Commerce), Lesley Clark (Royal Canadian Legion), Shirley Henry, Chamber of Commerce & myself, Chair. Also supporting event, staff of the Pemberton Youth Centre, Pemberton Public Library & the Pemberton Community Centre

Why do you put your time into this event? Seeing the smile on the participants’ faces, enjoying seeing the success of the events that the committee has worked so hard to organize, working collectively, with a great team, to bring new events to Winterfest.

What motivates you to do that? Knowing that the community can Winterfest in Winter & of course, volunteering with the passionate committee members of Winterfest.

As you have been planning events and entertainment, who do you have in mind as your audience? The young and the young at heart & of course, the families of Pembie. Who is Winterfest, at its heart, for? The entire community and our neighbouring communities.

And finally, is it true? Two days of free BBQ? If a free sausage sizzle can’t bring a town together, then there’s just no hope… FREE BBQ (thanks for the Pemberton Fire Department & the Pemberton Valley Supermarket) for the plungers of the Polar Bear Plunge (plus a free toque for their wet head). Free hot chocolate to all spectators & plunger of the Plunge, thank you to Innergex. The Lions Club is hosting a BBQ at the Shinny Hockey event, for a nominal fee.

And now, thanks to an initiative of the Friends of the Library, Pemberton also has a mini-cinema to host a monthly Film Club.

The Pemberton + District Public Library has partnered with Film Movement Canada, who supply the film every  month, (after the screening, the film becomes part of the library’s collection), and the Friends of the Library, who supply the tea and cookies and who also purchased the Library’s new screen.

Says Valerie Megeney for the Friends, “We hope to develop a loyal following so that we have the base to create something quite unique in Pemberton. We are also hoping to arrange a simple pre-show dinner at various restaurants at a set price so that, if you decide to partake, you will not eat alone.”

The screening of award-winning movies every third Thursday of the month, from 7pm to 9pm, kicks off this Thursday with King of Devil’s Island. Megeney describes it as a riveting Norwegian thriller (14+), a true story about a correctional school for boys on a remote island set in 1915. The photography is exceptional.

(It also stars Stellan Skarsgaard, the legendary actor whose, ahem, swoon-worthy son, Alexander Skarsgaard plays the vampire Eric Northman in True Blood… which is reason enough for me to check it out. And justification for the inclusion of an otherwise random photo…)

Film Club. It’s so much more fun than a Fight Club. Winter doesn’t have to mean hibernation or isolation. Make a regular date of it.

As Valerie Megeney says, “Few things in life are free, but this evening is.”

We thought this was cutting edge enough that we fired off some questions to the busy and talented PAC Co-Chairs, Betsy Linnell and Sheena Fraser. (Like they say, if you want to get something done, ask a busy person. Case in point, Check out the PAC Executive: Betsy Linnell, Sheena Fraser, Joanne Molinaro, Danielle Arsenault, Victoria Downes, and Patricia Westerholm.)

Geek out on science night this Thursday… when Science World brings its Night of Family Science to Signal Hill, a free family evening, open to the public. Jan 12. It will be even better than the circus coming to town. (Because you don’t usually end up wanting to become an engineer or an inventor after the circus has been…)From 6pm. At the Gymnasium. Free. For all ages.

Give us the lowdown about Signal Hill Elementary? How many students are there?
Signal Hill Elementary is the largest school in the district with 450 students in grades K – 7.

What does a PAC do?
Parent Advisory Councils (PAC’s) serve as the parent voice at the school level. Under the School Act, PAC’s have an advisory role in schools and the district and serve to promote parent involvement in the school, to support communication between home and school, to provide parent education, a forum for discussion on educational issues and advocating as required on behalf of students and families. In addition to this, PAC’s play an increasingly important role with respect to fundraising and supporting activities and events.

What made you sign on for that volunteer commitment? 
Besty: I joined the PAC when my oldest son Jack entered Kindergarten – he’s now in Grade 3. I knew that I wanted to play an active role in his education and felt that joining the PAC was a great way to do this.  Being involved in the school and bringing events like A Night of Family Science is just part of it. We’ve been able to assist with programs that help to enrich learning for all the students through funding for field trips and extra curricular activities. We were also instrumental in the introduction of Late French Immersion at Signal Hill Elementary this year. This is a program that many parents wanted, so acting on their behalf, we represented this desire at the board level.

Sheena: I joined PAC when my oldest entered Kindergarten as well and she too is now in Grade 3. I wanted to be involved and know what was going on not only in the school but in education overall. I think one of the greatest accomplishments to date of the PAC over the past several years is the implementation of the Pizza and Sushi hot lunch days (thanks to Heather Prohaska), the milk program, the fruit and veggie program, the Father Daughter Dance and of course the PAC’s involvement in bringing the Late French Immersion Program to our school.

How does the Night of Family Science fit into the PAC’s activities?
Living in Pemberton, access to all the great extra curricular opportunities that are available to support our children’s learning can be a challenge. For many families, trips to Vancouver to visit places like the Vancouver Art Gallery, Science World, Aquarium are few and far between. Typically, PAC provides funding through the administration of BC Gaming Grant funds to cover bussing and other costs associated with field trips. This year, with teacher job action in play, field trips that normally provide students the opportunity for such experiences, are not happening. So, to have Science World come to us is a HUGE WIN!

Also as part of their visit, Science World is going to host a show during the day for all students called “Extra Sensory Science”.

What can people expect from the Night of Family Science?
The folks from Science World will be will be presenting some of their spectacular demonstration shows and providing fun make-and-take activities that people can build and experiment with. There are also one-on-one activities for people to try and a paper airplane contest to let visitors explore their engineering skills. The event is FREE so we encourage all families to attend.

What are the benefits to raising a family here?
The benefits of raising a family in Pemberton greatly outweigh the challenges! What an awesome place to grow up in! Pemberton is a tight-knit community with all the benefits of a small town, and residents that come from all over the world with a very global view. Beyond the industries that you see here and in the rest of Sea to Sky, we have a huge entrepreneurial population base who work in / on business in all sectors of the economy. It is my hope that with the increasing use of technology that our kids will realize that they can do / be anything that they want and that they have access to the resources they need to get there. That our kids have all of this, and the ability to ride their bikes and play outside in relative safety is a great thing. I hope they develop an appreciation for the environment as a result too.

Why get the PAC on facebook and blogging? 
One of our greatest challenges is communication. We can write and distribute newsletters – BUT kids don’t always bring them home as they should! So, in an effort to increase levels of parent participation, we set a goal to increase communication with parents. We wanted to avoid throwing more paper at the problem so we turned to technology in the form of e-mail and social media – tools that many parents are already using. We also were able to complete a long standing project to install a marquee sign in front of the school, so that the broader community would be informed about what was going on at the school.

How can people get a peek at what goes on at Signal Hill?
To stay on top of our goings-on, check out our website / blog at www.SignalHillPAC.com where we post information about what is going on both at the school level and about education in general. By signing up for updates, new posts will automatically be sent to your in-box. We are also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SignalHillPAC. We hold regular meetings through the school year that are open to anyone to attend. Our next meeting is February 14th at 3:30pm in the Library.

If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.

Featured on the “Shelves of Desire” (just try to resist) at the Mount Currie Coffee Co, Gallup’s stoneware combines both beauty and usefulness. Inspired by Chris Ankeny’s portraits of Meg at work this summer, we checked in with the potter to find out why stoneware should be functional and what it takes to become a master.

You define your work as ‘functional stoneware’? Why the emphasis on function?

A great deal of natural and human resources have been brought to the production of the materials with which I work. Its important to me that I carry that effort forward through my process to render pieces that people can use. I want to bring beauty, design and colour to those necessary items we need to use everyday in our homes.

What are your favourite pieces from your range?

Bowls have been my favorite form for many years and now, serving bowls specifically. They are the most basic primitive vessel and the most welcoming and transformative on today’s table. Recently I’m having fun with one of a kind vases and covered jars with curious handles and texture; still usable function.

What do you have the most demand for?

My one of a kind tall-big-handled mugs are extremely popular as are the larger unique bowls and vases now.

What is your signature? How can someone identify a Meg Gallup?

All my work is signed on the bottom with Gallup, upper case, many pieces also have Pemberton, BC Canada. Yes, very proud to be here.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Inspiration comes first from the medium itself: clay, glazes and most important the art of firing a kiln without gages. The gas kiln is my most important tool with just a gas valve and pyrometric cones, (little fingers of earth materials that bend with heat) viewed through a peep hole. The effects rendered in the firing continues to draw me onward. My palette and designs have changed over the years but I have been mostly informed and guided by nature. More recently my imagination has turned to the spectacle in outer space and it is these images which influence some of my direction now.

When does a person become a master at their craft? How do you keep learning? Are you still experimenting?

A master can control, manipulate and render the materials to the mind’s eye of design. When this level of mastery happens depends on passion, curiosity, training and time to explore, experiment and practice. I’m a curious life time student who is merely scratching the surface of what these materials can do. It still intrigues and delights me, both the process and the results. Yes, experimenting, leaning, playing with ideas are still a part of my pottery endeavor.

How does living in Pemberton inform your work? Are there locally sourced ingredients?

Living in Pemberton has allowed me to develop as an artisan with freedom. Working on my own without the influence of others, surrounded by this beautiful geography for so many years has allowed my own imagination the freedom to play and create. There are no locally sourced ingredients, only locally inspired ideas.

Tell me about your new kiln? How is that changing or impacting your work?

My dear little 10 cubic ft. updraft gas fired kiln has been with me since 1976. Its been moved seven times since leaving the store up and down the Sea to Sky corridor and shows the wear of hundreds of firings. It takes a while for us to get in sync and settle into an understanding after each move but I’m still pleased with its endurance.

How long have you been in Pemberton? What brought you here?

I first came to Pemberton in 1979 looking for an affordable home (go ahead and laugh) after three years in Whistler living the ski life. Before that, I’d spent three years in Vancouver learning my craft post University of Calgary, BA. Living in the West End was fun but I was a mountain girl. l still love this area and what it offers us all.

What makes Pemberton a good place to base your business?

Pemberton has grown enormously with many cultural shifts; now a cross roads for tourism and healthy lifestyles, organic farming and adventure. Pemberton works for this business because the people who are drawn here for living or travel like the local organic feel that is reflected in hand crafted pottery.

Where is your stoneware available?

Presently the Mt. Currie Coffee Co. displays my mugs and ‘sleeves’. A wider variety of work can be seen in the Pemberton Museum Gift Shop between May & Sept. or by contacting me : megallup@shaw.ca, 604-905-9311 . Local Pemberton Fairs and Arts Council Events help keep my production accessible.

All photographs by Chris Ankeny Photography.

The Pemberton Food Bank is one 87 food banks across the province feeding 70,000 people a month. It’s rare that invaluable services are this easy to support. Why not make it a monthly mission with your kids during the family grocery shop, to choose something non-perishable from the shelves to donate to the Food Bank box.

We checked in with Louise Stacey-Deegan, the manager of the Pemberton Food Bank, to find out why it’s worth keeping the Food Bank top of mind even as Christmas fades from our memories, and take the time to drop a few extra non-perishable items in the boxes at the grocery store, the library, or the Food Bank office, over the coming year.

How long have you been in Pemberton? What do you like about living here?

I’ve lived in Pemberton for 14 years. I like the small community feeling. Coming from a large city in England, it’s nice to know most faces in town.

Who runs the Pemberton Food Bank? 

The Pemberton Food Bank is a service run and funded by Sea to Sky Community Services. It is open every other Monday from 12:30pm to 2:30pm at 1366 Aster Street

You’ve been in your new location, in the former Sears outlet, at unit 6, 1366 Aster Street, for a little over a year now. How has that made a difference to the service you can provide?

We relocated as the numbers increased so much we needed space. Previously, as a volunteer-run service, the Food Bank was supporting 20-24 people a month on an emergency basis. This year, from August to November, we served 1900 people and it’s increasing as the colder months are rolling in.

Do you have a sense of the trends or economic need that is going on in Pemberton, because of your work? What are some of the challenges that you’d like council or businesses or decision makers to keep in mind?

We need to look at the other eight communities that surround Pemberton. Work, housing & transport are also an issue for them.

What do people receive when they get food bank support?  How does it work?

They receive non-perishable food, bread, eggs, fresh fruit/veggies & extras, if available. They just need ID, it’s as easy as that.

What kind of contributions do you rely on?

We always rely on donations of non-perishable items.

Why is the community garden and farmer contributions important? How important is good fresh food to people? How do you manage the loss of that through the winter?

Fresh food is very important in everyone’s diet, especially those on low incomes. Fresh is usually expensive, so it’s not purchased. We buy all our produce & non-perishable items from Pemberton Valley Supermarket. Without them, we would not be able to offer the food that we do to so many people.

Ice-skating, cross country skiing, arts and crafts, gingerbread decorating, the Story of Christmas, local choirs, a market featuring local vendors and artisans for some last minute Christmas shopping, as well as pictures with Santa allow your family’s elflings to get completely juiced on festive spirit. And for that, you can thank a couple of local movin’-and-shakin’ moms who created Christmas at Big Sky three years ago. The community festival is going strong, with the 4th round returning to Big Sky December 17th-18th, from 10am to 6pm daily.

We pulled organiser Erin McCardle Stiel away from event preparations to ask her a few questions.

Whose idea was this whole community festival? What inspired it?

The event was inspired by the beauty of the valley while eating lunch at Big Sky with GM Chris Wallace and the vision of sleigh-rides and children skating over the Christmas holidays with majestic Mt Currie as a back drop.

How much effort goes into coordinating it?

It seemed like a huge effort the first year… I was 8 months pregnant! But together with a few other Pembertonians – Katrina Ahern, Michelle Lewon, Wendy Brookbank, Tanya Pasenow, and the staff at Big Sky – we pulled it off. Heather Prohaska has been a huge help organising all of the music over the past years, and this year will be contributing with Young Life. For the past two years we have offered this event as a FREE community festival, it is not for profit.

How many people attend each year?

During the two days we see any where from 200-300 people.

After the first one, how did you know you could declare it a success? What motivated you to keep doing it each year?

The festival is now recognized as a annual event. You know it’s a success when the children ask: “When is Christmas at Big Sky?”

What are your favourite parts of Christmas at Big Sky?

Santa arrives each year with gifts for the children. There is also a craft center where the kids can go and create memorable gifts to take home.  This year we will be doing gingerbread decorating as well, giving the parents an opportunity to visit the vendors section that feature some of Pemberton’s local artisans.  Choirs and instrumental groupings will perform throughout the two days. Full kitchen menu and drinks are also available. At Christmas at Big Sky we focus on making wonderful memories in Pemberton for children and adults alike. This festival has something for everyone.

What shout-outs would you like to give to supporters and  helpers?

This year’s event is sponsored by the VOP, SLRD and of course the generous Pemberton
Valley Grocery Store. We have had so much support in the past with local business contributing. Christmas at Big Sky is made possible by Chris Wallace at Big Sky – I really think that the venue is so spectacular.