Before arriving at my destination, I passed by Frank and the interpretive centre for the Frank Slide. According to the Web site for Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture, it was early morning of April 29, 1903 when 82 million tonnes (or 30 million cubic metres) of limestone fell on the town, killing about 70 of the town's estimated 600 people.
The Pass Powderkeg Skill Hill, located in Blairmore, in the municipal district of Crowsnest Pass, is not one of the big resort destinations of the Rockies. My first clue was when I came to realise there is no highway directional signage along route 3, the Crowsnest Pass, to guide those of us "from away" on how to get there. It was nearing my scheduled time of arrival when I spotted a Tim Horton's in Blairmore. Priorities in mind; I dropped in to get tea and directions. That was a very good thing because I had intended to continue further west along route 3, with the expectation this hill would magically appear. Instead, I was advised it was just a few blocks away right there in Blairmore.
While Powderkeg turned out to be something different than expected, it was a great place to meet locals, because this is where they go. Like everything else, the locals always know a good thing and here they had this awe inspiring scenery to ski at great value. The warm sun of the day and the setting made you feel like Julie Andrews would appear at any moment to sing about the mountain and their inspiration.
I met Matt Boulton who made it possible for Porchlight to introduce the Crowsnest portion of the Alberta campaign at Powderkeg Hill. It wasn't long before I was telling everyone about the benefits of CFL bulbs and our campaign when Alana and Matt signed up to deliver bulbs to their neighbours.
Kathie from Lethbridge took a break from an amazing 7 degree, warm, sunny day of skiing and took the opportunity to learn about Project Porchlight. Kathie thinks this is a great idea, so she will be delivering in her neighbourhood back in Lethbridge. I was fortunate to be introduced to her beautiful German Sheppard.
The youth were really excited about getting pins, wrist bands. There was a draw for a Porchlight toque. This is a good time to remind potential volunteers who didn't win the toque that you actually get one for signing up to deliver in your neighbourhood.
Logan, Cale, and Shawn took some time out from their Saturday of skiing and were interested to know more about Project Porchlight. They wondered just what is so special about the light bulbs we are handing out on the campaign. They appreciated the dazzling statistics of energy and money saving, the longevity of the CFL, and the fact it uses 75% less energy. They all agreed to let their teachers know about Porchlight on Monday by referring to our Web site address on the numerous pins they were sporting. They will be looking for their pics online, but they advised this will not be their moment of fame, as they already have ski videos on Youtube. After all that cerebral information about bulbs it was time for the trio to enjoy a good snowball fight.
Bryan Passifiume, a reporter from the Crowsnest Pass Promoter showed up and took a pic of Matt and me and asked about our campaign.
I got a couple of posters up at Sobeys to let more folks know about Project Porchlight and the volunteer opportunities for Crowsnest Pass.
Ken - ski repair guy - pointed to an incandescent in the ceiling and suggested that it needed to be changed. I told him that we could do that, but not without a photo op. I have a pic of Ken changing the bulb, so Ken is now famous and legendary in the Crowsnest Pass for the ceremonial and real "one change" for Project Porchlight.
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