my story

[amy]

I have to say my piece after reading the entire forum on the mogul smoker from start to finish. It is now almost 8:00 and the music just got started. I was approached by my neighbours Mark and Jen about their desire to host the mogul smoker. I have known them for a few years and knew it would not be the mogul smoker we all knew and loved, but it would be a great party. I was not pleased about having a huge party next door, not only for the noise but for my dogs. I also knew that no matter how I felt the party would go on so I am trying to stay positive but I would be lying if I said I was happy about it.

Mark and Jen have put a lot of time and engergy into this party (notice my inability to call it a Mogul Smoker) and a great party I am sure it will be, and yes I will go over and have a drink or two and enjoy myself as well but as it has been said over and over it is not a mogul smoker. A new name should be christenend and a new Fernie tradition should be started with this party. I think Fernie needs more parties, more festivals and more special events and fun things to do but I also think the history and old traditions should be honored as well. Old traditions fell by the wayside when Charlie and RCR came to town and I must admit I don’t ski much anymore on the hill and I became a volunteer ski patroler in order to help yes but also to avoid having to pay the odd day I decide to ski. I started my own business, dogsledding so I am forward thinking and I do realize how the town has changed, and that we must move forward. Fernie is a town fortunate enough to attract many nationalities but to call it multicultural is a bit of a stretch. I have not met anyone here in Fernie that can teach me about another culture, we are mostly caucasian, and all the places of worship in this community celebrate Christianity. I haven’t seen any Mosks, or Synagogues, or Islamic temples here and when my Sikh friend came to visit every head on the street turned to look. I know where Jen comes from, I am from almost the same place and my in my highschool of 2000, we had over 40 religions and had students from over 55 countries. THat is multicultural, and to be honest I don’t know what multiculturalism has to do with a party.

I am not a local although I hope after 7 years I am on my way. Lots of people know me because of my work, I am involved in this community and volunteer all year long. I love Fernie, I love the small town values and I love the fact that people are arguing over a party for the principal behind it’s name. I was fortunate to be able to ski here when it was snow valley and I miss that place, I would love to have a real mogul smoker again but I don’t have the time to throw one myself and I would support anyone who does. I think it is great that Mark and Jen are having this party and they are trying something new, but that’s just it, it is something new and should have a new name, and take on a life of it’s own. It has been said before that since RCR came about and the old mogul smoker died out the Griz has been angry and our snow has not come. Let’s keep the griz happy!!

I thank all of you for standing up for small town traditions , for realizing that there are locals here and that this town is about more than seasonal residence and tourists even though it is these people that allow many of us to earn a living, myself included.

Thank you to Spicky and Ducky for standing up for my dogs even though I don’t know who you are. It is appreciated because us and our dogs will all be up all night with a party next door and I had to take time off of work to make sure my dogs are safe tonight. We also had to turn down a booking tomorrow on account that the dogs will be tired and stressed come morning.

I wish Mark and Jen success with their party but wish that newcomers like them (and myself) would continue to honor local traditions while starting our own.