By Monika Smutny
Snow filled streets, driveways and sidewalks were the backdrop on Thursday, Jan. 20 in the New Denver and Silverton area. Over the course of two days, locals shoveled, blowed and plowed their way around.
In true Kootenay spirit, a crowd ventured out to the Annual Lucerne School Writing Class coffee house. Held at the Silverton Gallery, Terry Taylor-Lucerne Teacher and Guidance Counsellor opened the evening with captivating words. She introduced the writers which included Tamara Beavin, Nateasha Bostic-Stolarchuck, Sadye Butler, Carolynne Carruthers, Cypress Hunder, Ivan & Tara Nicholson, Ben Reitmeier, Maddy Walters, Eilish Bobicki, Ashley Bernof, Erin Burkholder, Ryan Caron-Valentine, Kayla Dreidger, Joseph Hodsall, Marlowe Nicholsen-Chodat, Jessica Pownall, Kyla Smutny and Tayari Skey.
Dynamic, thoughtful, humourous, and insightful works of poetry and short stories caught the audience, sometimes in awe. Special, artful podcast selections from some of the students were exceptionally moving as they meshed together poetry, music and eclectic tricks of sound.
The writing group travelled to Banff this past fall to participate in the Annual Banff Wordfest, a highlight and inspiring event for writers of all ages.
David Everett and Kootenay Co-op radio recorded the event to be included in a monthly radio broadcast from the New Denver/Silverton area. Look for upcoming dates for these shows in the near future.