Movers & shakers: Fernie’s finest

Here are just a few of Fernie’s visionaries and supporters who deserve recognition and a round of applause

by Marie Milner — February 24, 2016

Krista Turcasso and Vanessa Croome are co-founders of Fernie Fix magazine in Fernie, B.C., and supporters of many community initiatives and organizations. — 6:8 Photography photo; www.68photography.com

Without people who go beyond the necessary, a community may struggle to just survive. Fernie, B.C., is fortunate to have many motivated, deeply committed citizens who, through their paid work and volunteer efforts, ensure that their community thrives.

Here are just a few of Fernie’s visionaries and supporters who deserve recognition and applause:

Vanessa Croome and Krista Turcasso are co-founders of Fernie Fix magazine, a monthly publication that showcases the best aspects of Fernie and its people. Croome and Turcasso happily work with the Roll & Sole Trails Festival, Wednesday Summer Concert Series, Fernie Tears and Gears Summer Duathlon and Winter Wheezer, Out of the Box: Dumpster Art Project, Emily Brydon Youth Foundation and a remarkable number of boards and committees that support the economic development and social well-being of the community.
Mike McPhee, sales and marketing manager for Island Lake Lodge Cat Skiing, has served on the board of Tourism Fernie and on the provincial marketing committee for Destination BC. He is a past director for the Fernie Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the board of Elk Valley Gymnastics, and is part of the advisory working group for the Resort Municipality Initiative for the City of Fernie. His professional photographs have been published worldwide, along with many of his articles and one book. You can follow McPhee on Instagram: @mcphoto99.
Rick Ganter volunteers with the Lions Club, the Legion, the Fernie Curling Club and seniors’ golf. Through the Lions Club he is instrumental in bringing the annual demolition derby to Fernie, attracting thousands of tourists to the area. Ganter was recognized as Fernie’s 2015 Citizen of the Year.
Volunteer of the Year, Kevin McIsaac, is co-founder of Wapiti Music Festival, an event that brings a significant economic boost to Fernie every summer. He also volunteered for 10 years organizing the Taste of Fernie and his current membership in the Rotary Club keeps him busy with a variety of events in the community.
Todd Fyfe (Personal Real Estate Corporation) of Fernie Real Estate Company Ltd. has helped build the community in his own quiet way. He is a busy Realtor who has exercised his expertise in real estate and in sales and marketing on the boards of the Fernie Nordic Society, Fernie Heritage Library, Fernie Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Fernie. As well, he has been part of the advisory committee for the Fernie Hospital Foundation and the Resorts Municipality Initiatives Fund.
Mary Giuliano was instrumental in bringing the kidney dialysis unit to the Elk Valley and she helped to organize several demonstrations to keep the operating room open at the Fernie hospital. She helped stop evictions of people from an apartment block; she had a volunteer TV program on Shaw and online for 12 years, showcasing all kinds of topics including politics, entertainment and business. She initiated the hanging flower baskets downtown, co-ordinated the mining exhibit in front of city hall and put together a society to save Fernie’s iconic oil derrick.
Jim and Alice Booth turned Fernie's Senior Citizens Drop In Centre from a crumbling organization and building into a thriving social centre for seniors. They secured grants, had repairs done, remodelled the interior and now have staff who prepare and serve lunches to seniors and others.
Heiko and Linda Socher are the previous owners of the Fernie ski hill. Their vision and foresight helped to create the hill as it is today. Heiko built trails and currently is involved with a group that wants to build a gondola linking the town with the mountain and another ski and family resort. Linda opened Fernie’s first ski school and ski shop. Heiko is also responsible for Fernie’s iconic Griz mascot.
Frank Lento, school trustee and board chair, is a retired teacher who was involved with the Olympic executive for decades. Among other community initiatives, Lento is responsible for the funding and construction of playgrounds at a number of Elk Valley schools.
Mary Menduk, teacher, artist and writer, has been active in the arts community for many years. She was co-founder of the health coalition that supported keeping the operating room at the Fernie hospital and she helped organize many demonstrations against the reduction of health services.