Jasper's Independent Newspaper

ISSUE: MAY 16, 2013

With numb hands, a tanned face and stiff muscles, fire chief Greg Van Tighem rolled into Jasper Wednesday afternoon, followed by about 40 other bikers and a few emergency vehicles.

Van Tighem was returning from his 23-day, 2,700-km solo bike ride to raise funds and awareness for multiple sclerosis. He started his journey in Wickenburg, Ariz. at the far end of Highway 93 and finished at home in Jasper.

When he arrived at 4 p.m.—right on schedule—he was escorted into town by Jasperites on bikes and motorcycles and he was cheered on by community members who lined the streets.

“I didn't expect this,” he said as he pedalled down Connaught Drive with his entourage. “I knew they'd do something, but I didn't expect this.”

Nor did he expect to pass the Jasper Brewing Company without stopping for a pint of the special Mile Zero IPA, brewed just for his return. “I'm thirsty,” he said while swerving toward the pub with a grin on his face.

But despite the call to quench his thirst, the chief kept on riding, following his escort vehicle to the Mile Zero rock at the corner of Connaught Drive and Hazel Avenue, where he was greeted by about 200 cheering fans.

After many hugs and a few speeches, Van Tighem was off to the pub, where he had his fair share of IPA.

“It's the best IPA on 93. Hands down,” he said.

For a full recap of his trip, including the ups and the downs, pick up the May 23 issue of the Fitzhugh.

Daughter lived, shared Curly Phillips’ legacy

SARAH MAKOWSKY, REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER
May 16, 2013
Thelma Joy Maley was only nine when her dad, iconic Jasperite Donald “Curly” Phillips died, but she spent the remainder of her own life exploring his history and passing on his love of Jasper and the mountains to her family. “Jasper meant so much to my mom,” said her daughter, Lorri Anne Maley-Bell. Maley, 83, passed away in Edmonton on April 21.
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Off with the roof

NICOLE VEERMAN, EDITOR
May 16, 2013
Mechanical issues revealed in report The air seal on the library roof is inadequate, as are the materials used, so the cedar shakes and shingles that have been installed must be removed in order for a new air barrier to be applied. That’s one of many issues a third-party consultant identified with the building in a report that was prepared for the municipality.
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National Park News May 16

PARKS CANADA
May 16, 2013
Wild Jasper’s next presentation is tonight! Parks Canada is working with the Interpretive Guides Association to present an information session on Mount Edith Cavell. Parks Canada’s Visitor Experience Manager Pam Clark and Visitor Safety Specialist Rupert Wedgewood will share information about the Ghost Glacier fall of Aug, 10, 2012, including some findings, safety tips, and what to expect next.
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Avoid angry mamas

NICOLE VEERMAN, EDITOR
May 16, 2013
Tis the season for aggressive, protective mothers, out to bash in the heads of anyone who messes with their young. Of course, these are four-legged mothers of the cow variety, not the ladies you see walking around with their chariots—although it’s not recommended that you mess with their young either.
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Bedroom theatre

NICOLE VEERMAN, EDITOR
May 16, 2013
Dysfunctional, quirky, cringe-worthy couples aired their dirty laundry in front of the community last weekend. The display that had the audience doubled over in laughter was the Jasper Theatre Company’s production of Bedrooms, five racy comedies covering everything from over-protective dads to awkward, shame-filled threesomes.
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Caribou receive temporary helping hand

NICOLE VEERMAN, EDITOR
May 16, 2013
The sale of mineral rights in the Little Smoky and A La Peche caribou ranges, northeast of Jasper National Park, have been temporarily suspended by the province until caribou recovery plans are completed sometime in 2014. The suspensions, which came from Alberta Energy, are of particular importance to the park because the A La Peche herd moves seasonally between JNP and the Willmore Wilderness Park.
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IN BRIEF - May 16, 2013

FITZHUGH STAFF
May 16, 2013
Stand up against homophobia Under the newly raised pride flag waving over town to celebrate International Day Against Homophobia, OUT Jasper is hosting its fifth annual barbecue on May 17. Pedal happy cyclists at auction Patrons pedaled away happy after the Lions Club’s 39th annual bike auction on Saturday, May 11. Stark to scale Great Wall marathon Local runner Kim Stark will climb 5,164 steps into history this weekend when she competes in China’s Great Wall marathon. A triumphant return Greg Van Tighem was scheduled to arrive home from his 2,700 km solo bike ride yesterday, May 15.
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Court news

SARAH MAKOWSKY, REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER
May 16, 2013
Jail time for disqualified driving Doulton Nachtegaele received a 30-day jail sentence and a $3,450 fine for driving while disqualified. The Edmonton resident was stopped outside the Athabasca Hotel on March 14. He did not have a driver’s license and failed a roadside screening device test. Nachtegaele is also prohibited from driving in Canada for three years. The 23-year-old has two previous driving convictions, including one in 2012 for dangerous operation of a vehicle in North Battleford, Sask.
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Man, I feel like a woman

SARAH MAKOWSKY, REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER
May 16, 2013
With help from local beauty salons, four straight Jasper men will uncover their inner drag queen. “It’s a battle of the hair salons to bring out the best diva,” said Mychol Ormandy, OUT Jasper’s program coordinator. “If you can turn a straight man into a diva, you’ve got some real talent.”
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Teaching youth: it could happen to you

NICOLE VEERMAN, EDITOR
May 16, 2013
There was a car crash. The driver was drunk. The passenger was severely injured and the person in the backseat was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver was arrested. The passenger later died in the hospital.
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Experiential tourism connects visitors to Jasper

SARAH MAKOWSKY, REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER
May 16, 2013
There are opportunities for Jasper to further engage visitors and put them at the heart of tourism, according to two experts who presented an experiential tourism workshop in Jasper last week. Putting the customer at the heart of tourism guarantees them an authentic experience and positions your business for success, said Nancy Arsenault, who spoke from her Victoria home via video conference.
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