Page 4 June 1988 Cassiar Courier RALF VOSS CENTRE OPENS Cassiar’s centre for the performing and visual arts is now officially opened. At a celebration and dedica- tion held on May 6th, over sixty citizens eae to lend their support to the Ralf Voss Centre. In a brief speech honouring the memory of Ralf Voss and his spirit of dedicated volunteerism to Cassiar Garry Periard captured the essence of the Centre and the hope of the future. Ralf's sister, Margaret Voss, then cut the official ribbon to the popping of a cere- monial bottle of champagne. Margaret Voss and Lorraine Lanteigne enjoy conversa- tion after the cutting of the ribbon. Dinner followed with a menu planned by Chris Tates, who donated his services and escargot. John Lanteigne donated his Caesar salad and Tim Walters and Derek Walker with the assistance of Gord Parton catered the main course. Shish kebab (Nesting Dragon) on rice with oriental vegetables was followed by their ice cream dream aptly called White Raven. During the dinner ~ as “a sandbox buddy.” local artist and life long friend of Ralf Voss, Walter Comper, stood and toasted the Centre, remembering Ralf B.C. Author — Kevin Roberts B.C. author Kevin Roberts had just finished marking term papers at Malaspina College. That was the last thing on his mind as he drove Highway 37 south to Cassiar. After the bomb scare at Vancouver Inter- national Airport the drive seemed Edenic. Kevin Roberts grew up in Adelaide, South Austra- lia and arrived in B.C. in 1966. He has a background of poetry that has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies such as SKOOKUM WAWA: ANLOGY- OF THE NORTHWEST, NEW WEST COAST, B.C.: A CELEBRATION and others. Included in his writing career are a number of books of poetry, short fiction and plays. It’s a far cry from Lantzville (on Vancouver Island) to Cassiar yet Mr. Roberts willingly agreed to tour our district with readings in Cassiar, Dease Lake -and Telegraph Creek. Funding from the National Book Festival made it possible. For five consecutive years Cassiar has hosted an author at the Secondary School Atter dinner entertainment was supplied by performing artists Marc Poulin, Chuck Malloy, Garry Periard, David Kenny, Lorraine Lanteigne, Eric Glyn- Jones and Cassiar’s local band, Bad Attitude. During the week previous to Fridays gala event visual art displays by Cassiar’s artists were presented to the public for viewing. Walter Comper, Kathy Propp, Christine Normand, Beth Minty, Sandy Sandvik, Warren Cocking, M. Rudkowsky, Malcolm Studd and Boyd Louie participated with their various art forms, to the praise of all who attended. ‘C.B.C. host Peter Novak travelled from White- horse to attend the event. He broadcast his “Home Run” show live from the centre on Friday May 6th. It covered interviews and performances by Cassiar’s artists. Throughout the evening the guests enjoyed the atmosphere of the Centre and all agreed that to have an Arts Centre in Cassiar would serve a need in the Com- munity. At the close of evening volunteer Culture Co- ordinater Lorraine Lanteigne said, “We have dedicated this centre to a man who volunteered his time for his community. This centre’s life depends on that same spirit of volunteer’s. May Ralf’s memory live on.” Walter Comper's “Peg” was a major conversation piece! Written by W. Cocking To date the list of visiting authors includes: Gladys Hindmarch, Francis Duncan, Brian Fawcett, George Ryga (who passed away fast fall) and most re- cently, Kevin Roberts. Mr. Roberts read from a Sais of wniks to all. our English classes while at our school. One of his works, SNOW ANGELS, published in the. December 1985 issue of CANADIAN LIVING is a piece of com- mercial fishing. The story takes place at’ Malaspina Bay on the B.C. Coast at Christmas. An Australian family that has never seen snow before is fortunate to share a white Christmas. ‘ He also read a number of poems and a short story about a Aes attack which takes pias in are lia. We worked Mr. Roberts haid net he was elad to have Tuesday afternoon off to wander to Dease Lake on his own time where he read to both the students and the community. Thanks go out to the National Book Bestival for funding this event and to Mr. Roberts for driving those extra miles to include Dease Lake and Telegraph 7’ MUSIC ww TO MY EARS by Leslie Johnston Three recent musical presentations have brought questions to my mind. What have these experiences given to Cassiar? Have they inspired untapped talent or simply provided a gift of appreciation? Or does it matter? Where do we go from here? E A recent phone conversation with Roni Wagner, a member of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, te- kindled the magic of an artistic performance — The Wizard Of Oz. Speaking with her, quickly revived the pleasure and enjoyment felt by each member of my ‘family. Our conversation evoked memories of their instruments. coming alive and taking us down the Yellow Brick Road. It also caused me to recall the Cassenti Players who charmed audiences throughout the Stikine. They shared a musical experience as they masterfully played each piece of music after an interesting explanation of each instruments history. In another instance eight young people partici- pated in a piano recital with Mrs. Betty Studd. This marvelous opportunity allowed these children to explore their talents. Though many of these students have no piano at home, their accomplishments showed intense dedication. 2 I heartily thank those people who made these performances and learning opportunities available to our community. Our Arts & Cultural Centre is now anticipating many uses, including musical presentations. Accom- ~ plished musicians may, in fact, open doors to our young. A choral group practicing at the Centre may become a reality. Perhaps our Centre, together with any devoted local musicians could create an ongoing gift of music An opportunity to explore new talent or bring deeper appreciation of music to our community matters to me. I pledge my support. My hope’s been renewed. LETTER TO CASSIAR- This letter was addressed to the Mayor of Cassiar. We feel it should be shared with the Pominunley: eae Dear Si, Tonight, on He news, I witnessed a most moving i experience — the “getting together” of two groups of se people with a Sea need — each one bestowing.on the other, a beautiful feeling of satisfaction. The Vancouver Symphony gave of its talent ie for the pure love of music. The townsfolk of Cassiar rose to the occasion with a turnout that did them proud. We understand some of them had never seen a symphony or a “live” play and their pleasure and pride in the pro- duction of “The Wizard of Oz” was an enlightement - to us all, To the people of Cassiar, I would say, “You ‘made us realize we have lost something in the more sophisticated centres of B.C. — we have the abundance oe, but YOU have the heart!” Bravo! May the rainbow keep on shining! Yours very truly, _ Marjory 5 bi Davidson Eee r ‘ Te pet - VETO. 2 Ike FC 2% ' 50R9 Cassiar Courier June 1988 Page 5 ~ LIONS CAR WASH A SU Canadien Partner EFFECTIVE MAY I, 1988 TIME AIR WILL OPERATE SCHEDULED FLIGHTS FROM WATSON LAKE TO VANCOUVER EDMONTON, MONDAY TO FRIDAY, 5 FLIGHTS PER WEEK (All times are local time) Vancouver, B.C. DEPARTURES Depart Watson Lake Arrive Fort St. John 7:00 pm Depart Fort St. John 7: 25 pm. Arrive Edmonton Municipal 9: 40 pm Depart Fort St. John 7:30 pm_ Arrwe Vancouver | 8:55 pm or the public library. Creek. OH—TOBEA. GRAND TURKEY by Lorraine Lanteigne » ARRIVALS Depart Vancouver 1:00 pm Arrive Fort St. John 2:25 pm. Depart Edmonton International 1:30 pm Arrive Fort St. John 2:20 pm Depart Fort St. John 2:50 pm Arrive Watson Lake 4:40 pm 5:10 pm In the Sunday Province, dated February 7, 1988, . freelance writer Ainslie Manson tells of her trip to the Turk Islands in the Caribbean. They are now a Crown Colony and would like to become Canada’s 11th pro- vince! Oh joy, could this be real? Imagine fellow citizens of “nine months of win- ter” having a province that exhibits everything that hot, romantic, enjoyable vacations are made of! We could not only vacation there, but we could move there. We would — be fellow Canadians, living the Life! What better province to host a variety of Canadian conferences. Imagine being the premier of the Province of Turk, I certainly can. Somehow adding this tropical paradise to our country seems the perfect thing to do in the Age of Aquarius. You wouldn’t need to be a hippy, yuppy, a dippy, whoopie or any other boring thing - you could be a GRAND Turkey! Ah, wonderful, and you would have a tan all year round. This is the stuff dreams are made of! FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL AGENT OR CALL TOLL FREE 1-403-536-7455 - “Pm worried about Jason. “His horse came back with- out him.”