I would like to thank Mike and Ani Hepher for organizing the Old Timey Dance, held Feb. 6 at the Elks Hall. This dance was a fundraiser for the Fernie and area hospice.
Mike, Anie and the members of Kootenay Stringbenders volunteered their time, energy and talents to make the evening a success. They brought in caller Leslie Bauman Gotfrit from Calgary to teach and call the dances to those present. The audience ranged in age from toddlers to seniors. It was a real community get-together.
This spring, David and I will celebrate having lived in Fernie for 40 years. As a young couple new to Fernie, we joined and volunteered for various organizations to get to know people. We have continued to do a variety of volunteer work to this day.
Throughout our years in Fernie we have seen many changes in the dynamics of this community. For many years we could walk down the street or go to an event and we would know almost everyone there, however, over time, friends moved on and new people came to Fernie. We have noticed in the last few years that as we walk down the street or go to events, the people we know in the sea of faces are fewer. That is why this dance was so wonderful. The square dances, round dances and reels were all mixers. We met and danced with many people new to us.
We are heartened by the fact that you, this new generation of people, are willing to step up and volunteer for organizations in Fernie. By volunteering your time, energy and talents, you help sustain the important work of the organizations in this community. It is through your support, care and love for the people of Fernie that you make this a wonderful community in which we live.
Our thanks go to all who were part of this evening. Hopefully there will be many more occasions for community dances where we can all kick up our heels and have fun.
Lynda and David Bird
Fernie, B.C.