Years ago I recall Laurie Prentice arriving to school in a sleek black car, when the doors opened her dad Bill Prentice, would carefully take her in his arms and gently carry her up the steps inside.

Laurie had both legs in casts due to an accident so couldn’t walk. This ritual went on for some time and each time it never stopped to impress as Bill Prentice was high profile, well known and highly respected as the top manager of the mines and mills in the area and one of the original founders of the ski hill.

In the early sixties Fernie was mainly a mining and forestry town and Mr. Prentice was at the very top of the hierarchy of the social elite as was his family.

Laurie went on to finish high school, went away for post-secondary studies, married and then resided here for a few years and although both parents passed away Laurie and her own family always came back to Fernie for regular visits.

Fast forward to a call I received last month to meet with Lance Edwards, Corien Sieders and Rebecca Hall of Tourism Fernie regarding an event being planned for Fernie.

As I listened to the young man’s ideas I wondered if he could be related to the Prentices from Fernie. It turned out that Lance is Laurie’s son.

Lance says he has lived in the USA and travelled to many places but that the years he spent in Fernie as a child forever left an indelible mark, so much so that whenever he was asked where he came from the answer was always Fernie.

I lived here for nine years he says but still this is the place I always considered home and that’s the reason I came back and opened a business.

You may have noticed Elevation Industries Inc. on Second Avenue offering exclusive sports clothing. Lance is also planning events and one of them is coming up on March 22 at 4 pm at the High School soccer fields close to where Prentice Park, named after his grandfather sits.

Lance says, “I have access to professional athletes who participate in skydiving. Kavu is one of the suppliers whose products we import and distribute across Canada. They have a team of professional skydivers, (the GoPro Bomb Squad) on salary to do events and promote their brand. These talented “Pro”rated jumpers have recently been hired to parachute into NASCAR events, NFL football stadiums, and more so why not bring them to Fernie and put on an amazing show? The current plan is to have the jumpers exit from a helicopter above 2nd Avenue and fly across town in wingsuits and land at the highs school. We plan on having the skydivers exit a helicopter and safely parachute down and land in a secure landing zone on the soccer fields in front of all the spectators.”

Weather permitting these plans will provide spectators with an absolute thrill as this is something that hasn’t been displayed in Fernie although I recall years ago seeing the familiar sight of local resident and thrill seeker Joey Waswick hang-gliding over the skyline of Fernie several times a week.

I can’t help but appreciate the circle of continuation represented by Lance and others like him who have roots in Fernie and come back to call it home. Having lived in Fernie for so many decades I can clearly recall people that have long passed or moved away and often feel regretful and nostalgic that those names are no longer observable in our town. Perhaps this is why I’m so happy to see descendants of families returning home even if it is only for a visit. I especially appreciate those that are continuing the family tradition by staying. So to Lance I say welcome home.