The Jasper Local December 15, 2020

ALTERNATIVE +

LOCAL + INDEPENDENT

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020 // ISSUE 179

Jasper’s Roman Skrabal, @romanoskrabalo finds open space high above Bow Lake along the Icefields Parkway.

Backcountry riding is growing in popularity this year. // @LADA D PHOTOGRAPHY

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The Jasper Local // ISSUE 178 // TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020

EDITORIAL //

Local Vocal Jasper’s vulnerability is on full display in the height of the COVID pandemic’s second wave.

Local officials are taking pains to protect our community’s health and safety while trying not to upset the applecart that is our economic viability.

It’s a delicate dance, particularly because our municipality does’t have the backing of our most important partner, namely, Parks Canada.

In April, asking visitors to stay home was relatively easy because all across Canada, national parks were closed.

This time around, that’s not the case.

There’s also the fact that the province has allowed ski hills, including our beloved Marmot Basin, to remain open. Hotels, too, are allowed to operate. That makes it tough for officials to ask folks to stay home.

Most of us should be able to relate. Who isn’t torn between doing the right thing for keeping infections at bay and wanting to enjoy what’s only human: spending time with our friends and family? But before you proclaim how you think our biggest economic anchors should be doing business, don’t get too high on your soapbox. If you’ve been having strong feelings towards Marmot Basin and local hoteliers for facilitating visitation, that energy should be directed instead to the provincial government.

Because operators are going to do what operators do: in this case, work within the measures imposed by the province. In that sense, it’s pretty black and white.

Local officials, however, are working in shades of grey. In Mayor Richard Ireland’s December 11 video message to visitors, he reminded viewers of the restrictions, thanked the premier for recognizing Jasper’s dependency on tourism, while noting that our hospital is at capacity. Lots to intuit in there.

Moreover, he ends the update by noting that Jasper isn’t going anywhere, should you decide to postpone your trip. Hint, hint.

Of course local businesses can’t be certain that they aren’t going anywhere. It’s tough enough for restaurants and retailers to make it through the winter in this town. Without a Christmas season push, it’s a gloomy forecast indeed. And it’s clear Mayor Ireland recognizes this, which is why his and other officials’ jobs are so demanding right now.

Amid all of this uncertainty, amid our feelings of being torn this way and that, there is something that we can do, something that we can feel good about: We can continue to support our local businesses as best we can.

Right now, our town needs us to think before we make a purchase. If we don’t search out an item locally before automatically heading to Amazon, Costco, or Home Depot, we’re dooming our local businesses.

Sure, things can be found cheaper online. Sure, it’s often more convenient to order something over our computer or phone. But instead of the dollars you save by clicking, consider the larger cost. Remember: those online retailers aren’t paying local taxes when our town needs infrastructure upgrades. Those big box giants aren’t employing your neighbours and kids. Those corporations aren’t donating to

local charities, supporting local events and generally investing in your community.

Every time we choose online over local, we make it harder for our local businesses to survive.

Conversely, every time we seek out what we need within our community, we help support the future of the people we share this special place with.

Jasper’s vulnerability is on full display during the COVID-19 pandemic. But we still have choices. This Christmas, choose local.

BOB COVEY // bob@thejasperlocal.com

The Jasper Local //

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// LOCAL GOVERNMENT

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020 // ISSUE 178 // The Jasper Local // PAGE A3

While the provincial government shuts down businesses to slow the outbreak of COVID 19, the backcountry community is growing noticeably. These skiers are on Destiny Ridge, along the Icefields Parkway// B Covey

Stuck in the middle: Jasper reminding visitors of provincial restrictions Jasper officials are negotiating a delicate balance of receiving visitors while ensuring the community’s health and safety is not at risk.

Mayor Richard Ireland took to social media on December 11, reminding visitors of mandatory, province-wide restrictions to combat the increase of cases of COVID-19.

The measures will be in place until at least January 12, according to the province.

“All social gatherings have been banned. That includes in hotel rooms and in parking lots,” Ireland said. “All out of town travel is discouraged.”

At the same time, Ireland acknowledged that, as Alberta Premier Jason Kenny said in the December 8 update, ski hills and hotels are permitted to remain open.

“We appreciate the recognition extended to the tourism industry and to

the importance of outdoor recreation,” Ireland said.

Tourism Jasper’s President and CEO, James Jackson, said he understands the difficulty of creating appropriate messaging.

“The balance is tricky,” Jackson said. “On one hand you’re dealing with the health of an isolated, small town with limited resources. On the other hand you’re talking about the economic viability a community reliant on visitors.”

However, even though difficult conversations have been taking place, Jackson stressed that “there aren’t two conflicting sides.”

“This is a story about people working towards the same thing: a healthy, prosperous community,” he said.

Tourism Jasper has altered its messaging, too. The Destination Marketing

Organization (DMO) is telling potential visitors that Jasper’s wide open spaces will be here “when you’re ready.”

“Tourism Jasper is not aggressively marketing for people to come to Jasper,” Jackson said.

However, the DMO is under no illusions that people aren’t visiting.

“We’re actively promoting what to expect in the community,” he said.

In that vein, Ireland said right now Jasper simply cannot welcome visitors or care for them as we normally would, noting that the hospital is currently unable to admit non-COVID patients.

“If you consider postponing your visit until a safer time, I assure you Jasper will still be here, ready and much more able to welcome you and care for you.”

BOB COVEY // thejasperlocal@gmail.com

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The Jasper Local // ISSUE 179 // TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

LOCAL COMMUNITY

The Jasper Fire Brigade has jumped on board with the Jasper Skatepark. The brigade will match future donations to the project up to $50,000. // B COVEY

Jasper firefighters rescuing skatepark from stalling out The Jasper Volunteer Fire Brigade has seen the plans for the Jasper Skatepark project and now they want to Shove-it forward.

At a recent meeting, the men and women of the JVFB decided they would match new community donations up to $50,000 “It seems like the project has been stalled,” JVFB member Sean Fitzgerald said. “It’s our hope we can kickstart it again.” $50 K is a big number, but Fitzgerald said the project is going to make a big difference in the community.

“A skatepark is such a good community investment,” he said. “The cost to the user is low, there’s a low barrier for entry and it gets people moving.”

It also captures users from a wide spectrum.

Skateparks’ best asset are their inclusivity, he said.

The Jasper Fire Brigade is an organization dependent on volunteers. Even though the Municipality of Jasper budgets a stipend for the

group, if that money isn’t used on training or equipment, it gets socked away. Over the past decade, even after spending $127,000 on the Fireman’s Park in the 200 block of Bonhomme Street, the JVFB still had enough in the kitty to want to chip into the skatepark.

“This aligns with our mandate of giving back to the community,” Fitzgerald said. “We’re all here for community work.”

Same goes with Darrell Savage, the lead organizer of the Jasper Skatepark Committee. When Savage heard that the fire brigade wanted to help the cause he’s been championing for the last five years, he was overjoyed.

“This is a pivotal donation,” Savage said. “This feels like a turning point.”

Donations have been trickling in, and recently Savage presented to Jasper municipal council, who wanted to get a sense of what budget they might allocate future skatepark committee funding, but having the clear support of the fire brigade gives the

committee leverage for other grants and funding opportunities. Plus it signals community buy-in, which should motivate other potential donors, Savage said.

“Having the fire department see this as a good opportunity to support Jasper’s youth will have a domino effect, I think,” he said.

Fitzgerald said that is exactly how the brigade sees the project.

“It’s for all ages, this is something for all the kids in our community,” Fitzgerald said.

The JVFB has unleashed a firehose of goodwill on the community lately. Along with the commitment to the skatepark, they recently cut cheques to the Jasper Food Bank ($10,000) and the Jasper Gymnastics Club ($2,000).

“Jasper spends a lot of money on infrastructure that caters to visitors,” Fitzgerald said. “These projects are for the people in our community.”

BOB COVEY

// thejasperlocal@gmail.com

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020 // ISSUE 179 // The Jasper Local // PAGE B2

LOCAL YOUTH REC

Jasper freestyle skier bringing his determination to reality television When Gage LeBlanc tries something new, the 15-year-old goes big.

The first time LeBlanc tried freestyle skiing, for example, he wasn’t content with just skiing the bumps.

He had to hit the biggest jump on the training course.

Luckily there was an air bag.

“I’d never caught that big of air before,” he said.

A few months later, having gotten the hang of basic aerials, LeBlanc was on the water ramps practice facility, in Grande Prairie. He was staring down the ramp, preparing for his first ever inverted air.

Again, dude went huge. But...

“I landed flat on my stomach, wearing a lifejacket,” he said. “It hurt for a while.”

Next, LeBlanc took his inverted airs to snow. But before they can try them in competition, freestyle skiers have to qualify their tricks—they have to prove, to a certified CFSA coach, they can do it safely.

It took him 177 times , but eventually LeBlanc qualified to do a backflip. (p.s. now he can do cork 1080s).

If you read the August 15, 2014 Jasper Local, you would know that Gage’s dad, Chris LeBlanc, completed the 125 km Death Race, in Grande Cache, after literally zero experience running races more than 10 km long.

That movie never got made, but the younger, (taller) LeBlanc’s dogged determination will soon be on display for audiences across Canada. On January 6, LeBlanc will be one of 10 young athletes vying for the title of All-Round Champion, a reality competition series being aired on TVOntario.

“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Gage said.

Part of the challenge was being away from home. The series took 10 weeks to film, pulling LeBlanc away from Jasper and his freestyle skiing training.

But he had plenty of distractions, not least of which was getting to know his fellow competitors and housemates. The participants were housed in a pretty sweet Thanks, coaches! // SUPPLIED

BRING ON THE BUMPS // Gage LeBlanc stars in the upcoming All-Round Champion, a Reality TV series premiering on TVOntario. The Jasper athlete spent 10 weeks filming the show. Catch the series starting on January 6. // BOB COVEY

Toronto mansion, out of which they’d travel to film long days in the field. The format of the show has the diverse group of athletes competing not in their own sports, but each other’s.

“Their athleticism will be put to the ultimate test,” the trailer for All-Round Champion teases.

While LeBlanc had to be mum on the details of the competition before it goes to air, he could share that the most difficult sport for him to learn was figure skating.

“It was the hardest, most awkward sport I’ve ever done,” he said.

It’s not like LeBlanc can’t skate. He was in Minor Hockey as a youngster.

In fact, it was a tough decision for him to give up hockey to focus on skiing. But figure skating was next level, he said. The skates themselves were hard to get used to­—the blades aren’t rounded like hockey skates and more than once he toe-picked, going axle over teakettle.

“You’re not wearing pads, it’s just straight to the ice,” he said.

But true to his nature, LeBlanc stuck it out. Spoiler alert, he even learned to waltz!

Nearly as hard as learning his competitors’ sports—which also included cross-country skiing, luge and curling—was having enough energy to film. All-Round Champion is a reality-TV series, but the crew would often require multiple takes of certain scenes. To LeBlanc, who remember did 177 backflips, it was exhausting.

“By the end of the 10 weeks I was so tired,” he laughed.

Viewers probably won’t notice.

But they will find out if, by the end of the 11 episode series, LeBlanc will take the crown of All-Round Champion. Regardless of how he places, he says he owes a huge thanks to his family, his coaches and his managers at Jasper Source For Sports.

“All my friends and family, and my parents’ friends, have been awesome,” he (and not his mom), said.

All-Round Champion debuts on TVO on January 6. bob@thejasperlocal.com

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The Jasper Local // ISSUE 179 // TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

FEATURE // GVT: THE MAN THE MYTH THE LEGEND // STORY BY BOB COVEY

In 1979, when Greg Van Tighem showed up in Jasper for the first time, he was like any other wide-eyed 19-year-old getting off the bus in the middle of a snowstorm.

He was stoked.

“I remember getting off the Greyhound and there was two feet of snow on the ground,” he said. “I thought ‘Wow, I’m in paradise!”

With a modicum of a plan to ski his brains out, crash at his brother Kevin’s Cavell apartment and find a job when the money he’d saved ran out, for a while, Van Tighem lived the ski bum’s dream.

To bring in cash for rent and lift tickets, he got a job at the Husky gas station, where he eventually would apprentice as a mechanic. At night, if he wasn’t working the door or the DJ booth at the Athabasca Hotel, Van Tighem was playing rec hockey with the Bongs (of all teams). Later, he was recruited to play junior hockey with the Jasper Mountaineers.

“Don Lonsberry bought me my first pair of new skates,” he recalled.

PROMOTIONAL

Today, this rather stereotypical start in a tourism town seems a long way removed from the critical community roles Jasper has gotten used to Van Tighem occupying.

As the long-term fire chief, protective services director, incident command system leader and vice chair of the Jasper Victims Services Unit, Van Tighem has carved out a legacy that will serve the community for decades to come.

As a champion fundraiser, marathon solo cyclist and tireless volunteer, his ongoing, off-the-beaten-path adventures have earned him accolades across the continent, including a Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal in 2016. And just like during community crises such as the 2010 Pyramid Riding Stables explosion

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and the 2015 Excelsior Wildfire, Van Tighem’s leadership has been called upon to help sail the current storm of the 2020 pandemic.

Technical knowhow and expertise aside, however, it’s been Van Tighem’s soft skills which have captured the hearts of his colleagues, friends and fellow firefighters.

To have been given the gift of empathy, or to have felt supported in a time of uncertainty, or to have been shown that one’s plight matters, is, time and time again, what resonates most with others.

“I want to be the guy that helps others get there,” Van Tighem said. “I get satisfaction from that.”

As such, in 1992, similar to organizing a rugby tournament or a Ducks Unlimited raffle, getting involved with the volunteer fire department was a way for Van Tighem to chip into his community.

health. Another, who l depression and chroni mauled by a grizzly be journey as a survivor i book The Bear’s Embra sibling, along with wo counsellor, coached tr Olympic level.

“I think my parents in community mind-set, “We all understood we something back.”

GOING THE EXTRA MIL

Tighem just a few click

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End MS ride along Hwy winter. The next day,

back on call. // BOB CO

“I didn’t join the fire department to rescue people or run into burning buildings,” he said. “I joined with the purpose of joining an organization that contributes something positive to the community.”

Twenty eight years, one new firehall, millions of dollars worth of training and equipment, countless responses to accidents, incidents and emergencies, dozens of prescribed forest management burns, hundreds of educational seminars and more charity hotdogs than you can shake a stick at-later, that sense of duty continues to guide him.

“I didn’t plan this path but I have no regrets,” Van Tighem said.

Jasperite Kelly Derksen remembers Van Tighem coming onto the force. Back then, Jasper’s fire department was run by Parks Canada out of the (Heritage) Fire Hall.

“He was always a go-getter,” Derksen said.

“He always wanted to go the extra mile.”

Van Tighem came by that ambition honestly. His father was superintendent of the Calgary Catholic School Board, while his mother raised 10 children, five of whom were under six-years-old for a time. One brother became Van Tighem was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal from Alberta’s Governor the mayor of General in 2016. He was once again Yellowknife Albert’s leading MS fundraiser in 2020. for four terms.

Another is a former Parks superintendent and well-known author and conservationist.

One of his sisters started a women’s shelter in Cochrane, AB, and has worked on the front lines of addictions

One of Van Tighem’ contributions to the at large has been his ad mental health, and spe development of a cultu addressing the psycho that is often part-andan emergency respond paramedics, health care workers and rescue technicians are often asked to perform their duties at accident scenes “that no one should have to see,” Van Tighem said. But up until fairly recently, there were no consistent protocols in place to ensure first responders were receiv

“The old way of thinki have a couple of beers Tighem said.

In 2001, Van Tighem m to change that and, alt took years to impleme

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HAIL TO THE CHIEF JASPER’S DIRECTOR OF PROTECTIVE SERVICES, GREG VAN TIGHEM, has notified the Municipality of Jasper of his impending retirement. The Jasper Local caught up with the Fire Chief to reflect on a career dedicated to serving others. By Bob Covey

lost her battle to ic pain after being ear, wrote about her in the well-known ace. And another orking as a guidance rack and field at the

nstilled in us a ,” Van Tighem said. e needed to give

of a critical incident provincial network, led by mental health professionals, now ensures emergency responders get the help they need and that no one falls through the cracks. That’s particularly significant for Van Tighem, whose younger brother is off work due to Post Traumatic Stress engendered by his fire fighting career and whose aforementioned sister died by suicide as a result of her PTSD. “It’s in my family, I don’t want to see it in the brotherhood,” Van Tighem said.

LE // Van

What he is looking forward to seeing, however, are new ideas and energy when he finally hangs up the badge in February.

Emergency management has changed a lot in his tenure and a fresh outlook from a professional with a different background than his own can only be good for the department, he said.

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“The world’s changing,” he said. “The position needs someone with a

That’s certainly what Van Tighem brought three decades ago. A large part of why Jasper’s fire department has been able to transition from a small group of volunteers who responded to the odd fire in Jasper (the highways fell under the jurisdiction of the Warden Service), to today’s highlytrained force which is relied upon to attend “I didn’t join the fire emergencies of all kinds, department to rescue is because Van Tighem people or run into himself absorbed any education and training burning building. I he could access. Not joined to contribute only was he taking something positive to time away to attend the community.” courses at the Lakeland College Emergency Training Centre in t Vermilion, AB, but in between checking ving adequate care.

Jasper’s smoke detectors and enforcing ing was suck it up, fire code regulations, Van Tighem also and carry on,” Van completed his Bachelor of Emergency Services Management (with a 4.0 GPA no made it his mission less). That education helped him to create though the policies a five-year plan for Jasper’s emergency ent, the formation

services, ultimately building the case for a new firehall and equipment upgrades which would become the foundation of the protective services department he oversees today. In 2001, when Jasper became a specialized municipality, it was Van Tighem’s legwork that helped the mayor and council of the day negotiate the transfer of the fire services from Parks Canada in a way that would set the new governing body up for success.

“He put everything together,” another long-time JVFB member, Hjalmar Tiesenhausen, said. “He knew how the town should go. We were pretty well on ground zero. He brought the fire department up to the standard of the day.”

Not that his dedication didn’t come with sacrifice. Before the department was able to hire a deputy fire chief in 2005, Van Tighem was on call 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year. That had a cost. Van Tighem’s personal life bore the brunt, as did, at times, his health.

“Being on call all the time, going at 3 o’clock in the morning to a call that turns out to be nothing, then trying to get back to sleep, then you have meetings at 9 o’clock in the morning…it takes its toll,” Tiesenhausen said.

Which is why, perhaps, Van Tighem is so aware of the toll emergency services work can have on brigade members. Twentyyear member Gord Hutton suggests that Van Tighem’s institutional knowledge, his ability to form strong relationships with collaborating agencies and his big picture vision are some of the qualities that will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to replace. However, it’s Van Tighem’s intuition for the well-being of his fellow men and women which will likely be the most sorely missed.

“You always have the sense with Greg that he’s got your back,” Hutton said. “That’s reassuring.”

For his part, Van Tighem is reassured that he’s leaving the brigade in capable hands.

He’s excited to spend more time at his cabin. To relax. To turn the pager off.

But he’s also got big plans. He has a “Battlefield” bike tour of Europe high on his bucket list. He has bikepacking routes around Alberta swirling through his brain. He wants to go back up north.

And his services are in demand: as a marriage commissioner, for one, but also as a hunting guide.

“I’m not retiring, I’m rewiring,” Van Tighem said.

He’s not 19 and getting off the Greyhound again, but make no mistake: he’s stoked.

BOB COVEY

// thejasperlocal@gmail.com

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The Jasper Local // ISSUE 179 // TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

LOCAL ARTS

Social media luminary giving pottery a modern update Three minutes.

That’s how long it took Celina Frisson, otherwise known as @thecreativetraveller, to sell out her latest stock of hand-painted ceramic mugs.

On December 5 at 3 p.m., Frisson opened her online shop. By 3:03 p.m., 50 or so pieces of pottery had been scooped up.

Frisson, a painter and graphic designer by trade, is hitting a particularly sweet spot of artistic and entrepreneurial appeal. Her pottery—mostly mugs, but also planters, vases and lamps—combines a modern, environment-inspired process with a 20,000-year-old medium. And just like the Eurasian hut dwellers of the Neolithic period simply had to have the latest vessels to adorn their earthenware furniture (probably), for today’s denizens of social media, Frisson’s pottery is absolutely popping off.

“People don’t want to buy things from Amazon,” the Langley, B.C. native said recently. “They want something hand-built, hand-formed.”

Frisson wasn’t always hand-throwing the internet’s most sought-after swag. Before becoming a designer, she was a contract-based painter, having gone to art school on a scholarship and getting work through commissions. But those gigs, while instructive, didn’t allow her to develop her own style, she said. Then she discovered pottery.

“I thought ‘this is something I can have.’”

Like a novice potter’s lathe, Frisson’s life was spinning pretty fast at that point. She had recently fallen in love with Jasper National Park after being enamoured by the scenery around Talbot Lake. When she saw Tourism Jasper was hiring, she took it as a sign.

“It might sound cliché but it truly felt like fate,” she said.

She got the job.

Having landed on her feet, Frisson soon found a space at Jasper Habitat for the Arts where she could now use her hands. Pottery seemed to scratch the creative itch she was feeling.

“I needed a balance between screen time and working with something tactile,” she said.

She didn’t take a single class, instead turning to the world’s most universal teacher: YouTube.

Potter Celina Frisson blends modern design with an ancient artform and lights up Instagram in the meantime. // B COVEY

“Typical millennial,” she laughed.

Indeed The Creative Traveller’s ceramics are well-travelled.

“People don’t want to buy As her forms got better, she was soon Along with her Canadian fans, things from Amazon. They applying her designer-trained eye for Frisson now has customers in perspective, composition and colour want something hand-built, India, Australia and the U.S.. schemes. Incorporating her painterly hand-formed.”

When asked to reflect on her skills was only natural, and eventually rapid journey from hobby potter she had an entire cafeteria’s worth to selling out her stock with each of funky and functional mountainpop-up sale or online shop update, she could only inspired mugs. shake her head in disbelief.

“I like the idea of amalgamating something rustic and “It’s crazy,” she said. modern,” she said.

But the online affection is not a one-way street.

So do her 7,000 Instagram followers, apparently.

To give back to the local artisan community, Frisson has keyed into the successful tactics of social Frisson and a colleague have started an online art media stars around the world: she’s consistent, her directory, MountainMakers. Through the platform, brand is front and centre, she engages her audience and MountainMakers is helping promote other creative she responds to feedback. Her online presence seems minds, celebrating what they call “slow culture,” and effortless, but make no mistake, it’s a lot of work. giving Jasperites plenty of reasons to shop local.

“You’ve got to set your own goals,” she said. “A lot goes “Pause to appreciate life’s little riches,” the website on behind the scenes.” suggests.

But if one is strategic, digital marketing can open doors.

But don’t pause too long. If you do, you might miss The “Instagram is very much the pretty part of operating a Creative Traveller’s next online pottery release. business,” she says. “But it’s also very powerful in how BOB COVEY // thejasperlocal@gmail.com you can reach a lot of people quite quickly.”

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LOCAL WILDLIFE

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020 // ISSUE 179 // The Jasper Local // PAGE B6

If you saw Simone Heinrich’s photos last edition and wondered why we called a juvenille bald eagle an osprey, you will be happy to know that the editor was lambasted for his mistake by scrupulous birders everywhere. Wildlife photographer Heinrich was not at fault, and to cement the difference between raptors into said editor’s brain, Heinrich has detailed the following helpful hints: “Bald eagles don’t get their white head until they are four or five years old,” she says. “Each year they get closer to the bald head.” Sounds familiar! This issue, enjoy also the friendship of magpie and a sheep, plus a yawning coyote.

Simone is selling calendars! Check her instagram!// SIMONE HEINRICH