Sailing down Kootenay Lake, on a Sunday afternoon...

This past weekend's weather was simply spectacular, and illustrative of why we live in the North Kootenay Lakes area of BC. The weather was at its finest, and the SS Moyie/Visitor's Centre folks held a Family Day.

It was a thank you to the people of our village, the visitors, and the very special times generated aboard the Moyie once again through this winding down summer season. As it slowly ends, the Moyie statistics year-to-date, seem to defy some of the national travel trends, and confirm others.

Specifically on Sunday, 56 guests paid their admissions prior to 1pm. 112 were admitted free after 1, and as was said to me by the 'purser' of the day in an email (sorry, Pam, couldn't resist), “even though the garlic festival in New Denver had thousands in attendance, we had a very successful day”.

Pamela Griffin, senior staffer (purser during the event Sunday) says visits are about the same as last year, but the home locations of visitors have shifted. There are fewer Americans, “probably due to the passport thing”, Pam speculated to me, “but we're seeing more people from our own back yard...Creston, Nakusp, Rossland”. Curious too, are European visitor figures for June through now. June was a boom month, July and August dropped right away – maybe it was the value of the EURO, she theorizes – but now, European visits are “back up there. Revenue is generally in line with last year”, positive considering the economics of the last number of months. Final note: half of the people who seek information at the Visitor's Centre tour the Moyie. The majority of them stay at least one night in Kalso.

There are hundreds of comments in the visitor book, but none sums it up better than “a great restoration and a real ASSET to the town and Canada's history”.

In my simple view of things, we locals take this grand Kaslo icon far too much for granted. I've scribbled about the clean and green tourist industry before. I believe I've made my point and will continue to do so. In the meantime, more family fun is on the schedule this weekend.

Another Fall fair up the lake...

...happens this weekend in Argenta, known rather as the Autumnal Solstice Event (hmm, Fall fair is easier, I think).

Anyway, the bulk honey people will be there, as well as many other vendors and more are welcome, just show up; you'll find food and music, and rain or shine it runs from 'noon until night'. Been there and done that, it's a great family time. (See ad in Pennywise regarding fiction book culling from the Argenta library, also at the Argenta 'sort-of-a fall fair...nice, Gary, well said, smiled the old scribe.) Take Hwy. 31, then cross the bridge at Cooper Creek, and follow the signs to Argenta. Watch for the community hall/post office and a pile of cars. Speaking of autumnal things... Summer, Fall, then ice time!

Boy, you know the seasons are changing when the hard working minor hockey people pull out their ice schedule for another season. The Dads are beginning to size up the season potential in the coffee shops. Kaslo Minor Hockey is already starting to line up referees for the new season, and a ref's clinic is set for Oct. 18th.You have to register at BCHOCKEY.NET or talk to Ian at (250) 353-7720.

Of course, there are many other things for which minor hockey in Kaslo/Area 'D' needs volunteers. I haven't yet connected with DeeDee about various things they need done, but you can give her a ring at (250) 353-2947.

(Alarm clock rings...tired parent rolls out of the sack, drives to rink..)

Sidewalk Funny of the Week

I suppose it's one of those “you had to be there to appreciate the humor”, but this is worth sharing. I took Monday morning completely off because the weather was so fine, and went for a ride up the lake to Argenta with a certain personage who drives the Nelson-Kaslo-Cooper & Meadow Creeks-Howser-Argenta route on a regular basis. (He will be the local morning road reporter again this winter at the Treehouse Restaurant.)

As we entered Argenta, I remarked on the uniqueness of the “Turtle Crossing” sign, to which my compatriot remarked “Now if I was a turtle, I'd be on a log in THAT part of the swamp”, as he observed there were no turtles beside this particular stretch of the road. And I thought to myself, turtles probably don't drive anyway. It just struck me funny, because I can hardly imagine a TURTLE driving a delivery van into Argenta. But then, stranger things have happened in Argenta. It was a gorgeous trip, so take in the fair this weekend.

Interesting comment about the location of the turtles though, and I shall make a call or two to see if they've relocated to another area near the road. I know a certain lady who is plugged into the turtle scene.

Culinary Delight

I had a 'foodie' conversation with Andy LeCouffe at the Kaslo Hotel Sunday. He tells me their gala gourmet reception/dinner on the 19th, sold out in short order (pardon the play on the words 'short order', get it?). Now, a second one is planned for October 24th, Teresa's Sandwiches downtown, 400 Front St., all outrageously good with home made bread, soups, sweets, ice cream, open early Mon-Sat. 'lit 5:30pm (catering is also available) (250) 353-2115 but is limited to eighteen couples, for whom the event is geared. Here's a small sample from the 10-course menu: prawn bisque, Thai crab salad wrapped in phillo pastry, broccoli wrapped in sole, with much much more to enjoy, all created by Chef Thomas.

Perhaps TSS might consider a guest 'foodie' column sometime...just as long as it includes hamburgers appropriately dressed with blue cheese dressing (thank you Pauline) or apple/cheddar muffins (thank you Teresa).

Oh dear, it's the Dog Catcher

I often run into the dog catcher, although I don't have one (a dog nor a catcher) myself. Joyce is of course, contracted by the village of Kaslo to do the dastardly deed of impounding errant dogs, of which I have observed, there ARE some in the village. (Oh?) She reminded me she is also an agent of the SPCA and whilst upon her rounds (translation: having coffee) the other day, offered a few thoughts.

First, if you have a dog issue, phone the village office at (250) 353-2311; or next, phone Joyce directly at 353-9654.

Couple of tips: a phone number on the back of the dog license/tag is most helpful, or on the inside of the animal's collar. “A collar”, says the catcher, “means the dog is owned, and not a transient”.

Dogs are nothing to chuckle about if they're a problem...but the thought of a 'transient dog' makes me L-O-L! I forgot to inquire about whether or not the dog van comes equipped with one of those old fashioned catcher net things. Now THAT would be a picture! I am still laughing out loud.

Thanks for the tips, catcherperson.

Irritations and Priviledge

Some months ago, the village circulated a simple computer-generated document to merchants, which referred to the two-hour parking limit in the downtown core. It also made reference to employees of downtown merchants as well as the merchants themselves, taking up valuable core parking spaces. Last weekend was the final Saturday Market. I observed then, it annoyed me then and annoys me now, a pickup belonging to one of the vendors, parked smack in front of the market, not for one or two hours, but many, as in the entire duration of the market.

So, the old fella with the hat mused, parking is at a premium downtown, is it? Folks come to town to shop, both at the market and at various local retail outlets. Most downtown merchants park well off Front Street. Hotel staff are parked on Water Street, as are some of the Coldwell Banker people, staff at Figment's, Dave and Teresa, and the good people at Kootenay Lake Computers, mentioning just a few public spirited business people on the north side of the street.

Heck, the mayor doesn't even park in front of Village Hall but rather, on the side street. What's THIS all about? Someone should know better.

Little thought from the man in the hat

I seem to have had a lot of feedback this past week on the content of The Sidewalk Superintendent, and how this little thing is evolving. I annoyed one or two with my comments about Jazz Fest which is fine, that's part of my mission, to make people think, not agree with me. On the other hand, I ran into several people (some of whom love my aging hat) who are plainly delighted with LOCAL coverage of things, even if it's subjective. I also had an email from an old radio man, who suggested I'd better lighten up a little, and not be so political.

Ah well, you can please all of the people some of the time, and some of the people...etc.

Dunno, what do YOU think? The email address is on the masthead. I'm open for comments.

One final Moyie memory

This last picture from the Moyie Sunday event, conjures up memories of another time on another ship, the SS Minto, sister ship to the Moyie, which plied the Arrow Lakes into the late 1950's from Nakusp to my boyhood hometown of Arrowhead.

Different times most certainly, there was card playing, smoking (see above) and sometimes little guys would get to see what Kootenay Lake looked like from the wheelhouse. Nonetheless for me, they are quite lovely memories of both the Moyie and the Minto, from a time when I was (ahem...) much younger.

An enjoyable afternoon upon the Moyie, and I thank you, Pamela, for the photo op. And by the way, the people I ran into aboard, just loved their visit. The last couple I spoke with came from Boston. They were in town for three nights. I rest my case.

Marketing to a captive audience – how to!

Some of the coffee shop folk I run into on a fairly regular basis will know that I too, am in the middle of a (committed) attempt to dump the dreaded weed (no, people, the legal variety) to which I have paid far too much attention for the last forty-plus years. Those who know the drill can appreciate and laugh like the dickens to this one.

The other day after making my way to the Kaslo Primary Health facility for some follow up discussions about smoking, blood pressure, heart issues, I was invited to stretch out upon the 'chaise lounge' adjoining the nurse's quarters, which I did, nearly in repose.

Tamara engaged an audio tape of very pleasant and soothing music, designed to return my raging blood pressure to a normal level. She departed. TSS gazed upon the ceiling, concentrating on relaxing, enjoying one of those infrequent fully quiet moments. Suddenly, my journalistic eyes rested upon a small post-it-note, stuck to the ceiling, extolling the virtues of 'cigarette cessation'.

Captive audience, I said to myself, and I add now, “slick marketing idea” during a restful time.

Message received, GH, and I thank you for the laugh.