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Best of Pemberton 2007

The secrets are out
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Trying to define a town is always a tricky business. Is it the physical setting and the built environment that make the town? Or is it the people who determine the community’s character? To some people, it’s what the town isn’t that helps give it its identity.

We’re no closer to defining Pemberton than we’ve ever been, but with Pique Newsmagazine’s first Best of Pemberton awards we have a better understanding of some of the things that Pembertonians cherish. The online polling took place this summer and brought in dozens and dozens of suggestions about what makes Pemberton Pemberton. And some of the secrets are now out there for the rest of the world.

Quintessential Pemberton

Best Neighbourhood

Two areas garnered the majority of votes for best ’hood in Pemberton, Creekside and Vinyl Village. VV, of course, has undergone a little re-branding and is now known as The Glen — a point that one voter wrote, “takes away a considerable amount of the charm, not to mention the alliteration.” It doesn’t matter what you call it, however, as Vinyl Village came second to Creekside in the voting for Pemberton’s best neighbourhhood.

Best Party 2006

There wasn’t much doubt about this category. There were a handful of votes for things like Canada Day, the library’s wine and cheese party and the Winterfest concert with the Hairfarmers, but the runaway winner was a true expression of Pemberton, the barn dance. Getting to and from the barn dance can be problematic, but there’s no question that once there, Pembertonians know how to party.

Best Pemberton Trend

With more than 20 different trends identified by voters, this category was wide open — and diverse. Entries ranged from “making babies” to “looking at how to leverage the 2010 Winter Games”. But a few themes emerged: dogs, coffee and the Pony Espresso. All three could be combined to form a uniquely Pemberton trend — dogs drinking coffee at the Pony Espresso — but after careful scrutiny of ballots and hanging chads the judges have ruled that partnering up with man’s best friend is the best trend in Pemberton.

Worst Pemberton Trend

The same introduction for the Best Pemberton Trend category could be used in the Worst Pemberton Trend category: there were lots of ideas but a couple of themes were clear. One of the themes was Whistler, with entries that included “going to Whistler but not admitting it”, “trying to be like Whistler” and “Whining about Whistler.” But the other themes had to do with shoes and what’s left behind by man’s best friend that may end up on your shoe. Dog poo and not cleaning up dog poo was the worst Pemberton trend, but the plastic Crocs shoes were a close second.

Best Use of Money

The voting in this category was split between those thinking of themselves (and voting for beer) and those thinking about the community (and voting for the community centre). There was a handful of votes for “trails”, the Pemberton Arts Council and the farmer’s market, but the community centre is the winner here…

Worst Use of Money

…until voters got to thinking about the worst use of money, and then the community centre, or as one voter wrote, “the gym-less” community centre, got serious consideration. Interestingly, “beer” was also nominated for worst use of money.

But the common theme in determining the worst use of money may be impatience. Airport studies, Tourism Pemberton studies and “less planning, more doing” all garnered votes, so the dubious title goes to government studies.

Least Like Pemberton

They’ve served billions and billions, and probably hundreds and hundreds of Pembertonians, but McDonald’s topped the list in this category.

Best New Business

The Mount Currie Coffee Company was voted best new business, although Small Potatoes, Solstice Organics and the Twisted Whisker all gave the coffee company a run for its money.

Place for People Watching

No contest in this category: The Pony Espresso and its patio, which provides patrons the opportunity to scrutinize everyone entering or leaving downtown, is the best place in Pemberton for people watching.

Best Way to get an Aerial View

Interesting that the two most popular choices in this category did not employ any mechanized means of transport. The second best way to get an aerial view of Pemberton was to hike Mount Currie. The top vote getter was seeing the valley from a glider, preferably one from the Pemberton Soaring Centre. Of course it does take a regular airplane burning fossil fuels to get the glider up in the air, but once there the view and the experience are amazing.

Best Reason to Own a 4X4

This category was best summed up by the voter who wrote: “You need a reason?” Apparently not. But the reasons listed were as diverse as 4X4 owners, whose interests range from hidden fishing holes to skiing powder to mud. Getting to all these things, and to Whistler for work, are the reason(s) to own a 4X4.

Best Way to Traverse the Hurley

On this question 4X4 owners found some agreement, but only enough for second place. The best way to traverse the Hurley, according to voters, is on a snowmobile.

Special mention goes to the people who voted for “blindfolded” and “with an airsick bag on your knee”. Enjoy the ride.

Best Day Trip Destination

Another category that shows the tremendous opportunities that come with living in Pemberton. All the surrounding communities and special places got a mention but the top two places (in a tie vote) are Joffre Lakes and Strawberry Point.

Best View of Mount Currie

We may require more specifics and perhaps some evidence before determining the winner in this category next year. The best view of Mount Currie is from “my porch” or “my patio” or “our deck” etc. No doubt it is a great view from “your deck”, but next year, if you really want to convince the judges, you’ll have to invite them over to experience the view from “your patio”.

Most Desired Big City Amenity

A few wise voters (ex-Whistler residents perhaps?) cast ballots for “none” and “nothing” but the majority of voters want a rink or a pool. Some want both but the demand for either is strong. Voting ended in a tie.

Number One Reason We’re Not Like Whistler

There are so many, trying to settle on the number one reason was difficult. No umpires at ball games was an interesting distinction; sunshine was another. “Rich people are still a novelty ’round these parts” was another view, countered by the voter who wrote “NO JOBS”. But it came down to two main themes: people and prices, with friendly people being the top vote getter.

Most Dubious Decision Made by Council

It’s probably easy to be cynical at the mid-point in a council’s term, at least it was for some voters. Entries ranged from “we have a council?” to “oooh, I’m not going there”. More serious consideration was given to the canceling of fire service to the SLRD, waiving the DCCs for the daycare and committing to reduce plastic bag use by 80 per cent before considering an implementation plan. But the “winner” in this category was the decision to go ahead with the new community centre.

Best Place to Witness a Pack of Stroller-Joggers

The clear winner was the Urdal Loop, or Urdal Road. Whether there’s enough demand to build bleachers to watch the stroller-joggers is another matter.

Best Way to Keep Cool at 40C

No surprise here: beer was a strong contender for top spot. But it wasn’t number one. Immersing oneself in a body of water is the clear number one, with Mosquito Lake the best place of all.

Best Example of Wild West Attitude

The annual barn dance was a popular choice, but for real Wild West attitude it has to involve horses. Some voters sited horse droppings, others mentioned horses “all over the road”. But the best example of Pemberton’s Wild West Attitude is the horse hitching posts around town.

Favourite Agricultural Product

No surprise that the favourite agricultural product in Spud Valley is the potato. What was, perhaps, surprising was how well strawberries did in this poll, finishing a strong second.

Favourite Potato Variety

A tight race among Yukon Golds, baby potatoes and new potatoes, but the Yukons win this gold rush.

Best Potato Recipe

Scalloped potatoes is the top choice, with mashed and potato salad rounding out the top three.

Restaurants

Best Restaurant Overall

The Pony Espresso is more than just a place to grab a bite to eat. With both great food and the perfect laid-back atmosphere, the place has become a landmark of Pemberton dining. Perhaps that is why, then, most voters agree that the Pony Espresso is the best overall restaurant in town.

The Pony draws from over 13 years of experience to deliver some of the finest eating in the Pemberton restaurant scene. Meals are made from organic, local ingredients, and foods are inspired by a wide range of influences, including from as far away as Mexico, India, and Thailand. The Pony’s coffee has gained a reputation as the perfect caffeinated zap to complement any snowy morning, and the baked goods are guaranteed to leave you salivating for more.

Coming in second place this year for the best overall restaurant, the Wild Wood Bistro and Bar packs a punch with its varied menu and great location. Since opening up in 2004, the restaurant continues to be busy with hearty breakfasts, satisfying lunches and tasty, affordable dinners.

Coolest Staff

The Pony Espresso comes out on the top of this category. And there is no denying that this place is full of cool people and cool stuff. Owners Tanya and Mike Richman set the tone for the staff. And the wood walls are lined with memorabilia from the early days of the Pony, including pictures of the owners and a painting of the old Pony. And a cool papier-Mache fish dangles from the restaurant’s ceiling in good ol’ fashioned funky fun.

In second place for this category is the Wild Wood Bistro and Bar, which mixes classic restaurant décor with a slight edge of funk, and classically funky staff.

Value

Pembertonians know a good deal when they see one. The Pony Espresso got the vote this year as the place with the best value. The restaurant offers both reasonable prices and hearty meals that make patrons know they got a whole lotta bang-for-their-buck. Plus, with several cheap nights, like Thursday’s pizza and beer night, there is no wonder that local’s consider the Pony a great place to find a good deal.

Coming in a close second is Wild Wood Bistro and Bar, with its scrumptious recipes at more-than-affordable prices. For example, their eggs benedicts dishes are considered a steal at less than $10 for a generous serving packed full of refined ingredients like crab and smoked salmon.

New Restaurant

Pemberton Valley Vineyard Restaurant takes the top spot in this category by a landslide. And it is no wonder. The restaurant filled a niche in the Pemberton dining scene when it opened its doors this past May. It defies the valley’s traditional restaurant experience by offering country fine dining to both tourists and locals alike.

Chef Ryan Leitch has made a reputation for himself by drawing on the valley’s culinary artisans and farmers to produce food that is unique. Most meals are produced from all local ingredients. And if you order any dishes involving basil, oregano, or rosemary, be assured that the herbs will come straight from the Vineyard’s own personal herb garden.

Wine list

Wining and dining naturally go hand in hand. And with a choice of over 50 wines to satisfy even the most refined palette, Wild Wood Bistro and Bar is the place to enjoy a fine glass of red or white.

Wild Wood’s wine list is varied, with a slew of varietals and blends available from around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, California, and Washington. And of course, no Pemberton wine list would be complete without several British Columbia labels. The house wine of choice, obviously, being the restaurant’s very own “Wild Wood” Chardonnay 2004 from the Okanagan Valley’s Wild Horse Canyon. And Wild Wood also has the bubbly-stuff covered, with champagne and sparkling wines hailing from France, Spain, and British Columbia on the menu.

Second place in this category is the newly opened Pemberton Valley Vineyard Restaurant, which produces wine from its namesake vineyard. The vineyard grows three types of grapes — Foch, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris — and is the first of its kind in the Valley.

Dessert

Pony Espresso takes the cake this year as the place to indulge in a little dessert. With an ever changing menu and a hoard of fresh ingredients, even the strong-willed are sure to cave when faced with they Pony Espresso dessert list.

The Pony’s array of drool-worthy treats can be attributed to the creativity of the restaurant’s bakers. Butter tarts, brownies, and pies are always available, but according to co-owner Tanya Richman, it is completely up to the baker of the morning to decide what type of cake will be served for the rest of the day.

Wild Wood Bistro and Bar comes in second in this category, where they offer sinfully delicious warm Belgium chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream and raspberry coulis, along with many other mouth-watering recipes.

Atmosphere

As if there is any question where the best atmosphere in town is. Local, funky, and sassy, Pony Espresso won this category by an overwhelming majority.

Such a landslide result is probably a combination of the restaurant’s unbelievably down-to-earth staff, creative menu names, and laid-back décor. All these elements come together in perfect harmony to create an environment that is absolutely ideal for grabbing a bite and hanging out with friends.

And as if that wasn’t enough, two patios, an inside restaurant area, and a big bar allow diners at the Pony to really choose their eating environment. Whether you want to feel the sun on your skin or enjoy a drink with your meal, the Pony’s atmosphere is versatile enough to appeal to everyone.

Pizza

Thursday pizza and beer nights at the Pony Espresso are legendary. Where else to meet up with friends and catch up on the latest gossip? Whether it is the dynamite $15 deal or the exotic recipes, most people agree that the Pony is the best place to grab a slice.

The Pony boasts a menu of 14 different types of pizza pies, all made from local ingredients. One favourite is the Lover’s Pie, made with sliced pears, caramelized onions, pancetta, goat cheese, and balsamic drizzle. Another popular choice is Debbie So Hot, named after the restaurant’s famed waitress. This speciality comes with grilled zucchini, asparagus, sun dried tomatoes, roasted shallot, spinach, and goat cheese.

Each pizza is large enough to satisfy even the heartiest of appetites — or large enough to have a little leftover for lunch the next day.

Steak

It’s a tie this year! Two restaurants took the top spot in this category. Wild Wood Bistro and Bar and the Pony Espresso were both voted great places to order a steak meal in Pemberton.

Wild Wood serves five classic steak entrees, including a 8 oz New York Steak with green peppercorn demi glace and a 7 oz charbroiled bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin. And the Pony Espresso steaks are awesome too, with their juicy tenderloin steaks guaranteed to melt in your mouth.

Whether you like ’em cooked rare, medium, or well-done, this town has got steak lovers covered with two great joints that ensure a great meal any day of the week.

Burger

Ask any Pembertonian “Where’s the beef?” and they’ll tell you it is at the Wild Wood Bistro and Bar. The restaurant takes the title for 2007 as the best place in the valley to devour a tasty burger.

Wild Wood offers a choice of four mouth-watering patties to satisfy all sorts of different tastes, including the classic house beef burger, the grilled chicken burger, the exotic California chicken burger, and the veggie lentil burger. A li’l burger is available for the young ones as well, with the Wild Wood house burger coming in a kid-sized helping. Good value, expert cooking, and generous helpings all add up to a delicious, heavenly burger feast.

Take out

Not all of us have time to sit down and enjoy a meal. With hectic schedules that never seem to end, sometimes you just need to get food to go. And for people in hurry, Centennial Café is by far the best place in town to order take out, with the restaurant winning this category by a landslide.

Chinese food has always been a standard take out item. And as the only Chinese restaurant in town, it is no wonder that locals choose Centennial Café as the place for food to go. The menu consists of classic Chinese dishes, including sweet and sour pork, chow mein, and fried rice, in a multitude of satisfying combinations. Just remember to say “xie xie (thank you)” to the cook as you grab chopsticks and make off with your meal.

Local Hangout

Lo and behold, after almost 13 years of providing food and drink to the patrons of Pemberton, the Pony Espresso was named the fave local hangout.

Owner Mike Richman was delighted to hear his establishment was chosen as the ultimate local’s hangout.

“That’s the whole idea behind this… even in the old space, we were sort of the hub of our little community here. If you’re looking for any bullshit or gossip, this is the place to find it!”

Richman said part of the appeal of the Pony is that people can come enjoy a quality meal in the comfort of their “Pemberton dinner jacket” (a.k.a. an insulated shirt).

“I’d put my food up against anybody in Whistler, if I had to, and yet it’s casual. So you can come in here and have a really good dinner and… still be your casual self.”

They also offer theme nights, like burger, beer and rock and roll and Mexican night, so even local patrons will have a bit of variety when they come to dine.

Breakfast

Winning this category by a landslide is the Wild Wood Bistro and Bar.

Traditional breakfast specialties are served from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, and their menu features a wide variety of options, ranging from the modest “classic” to the ambitious “Super Sampler Benedict” (FOUR poached eggs perched atop an English muffin, covered in hollandaise sauce).

And if that’s not enough to sate your appetite, add salmon or crab filling.

Runner up in this category is the local’s favorite, the Pony Espresso. Owner Mike Richman said their Logger’s Scramble is probably the most popular breakfast option.

“It’s basically our take on a farmer’s scramble, so it’s got capicoli mushrooms, peppers and cheese on scrambled eggs with a bagel.”

Their café opens at 6:30 a.m., and late-risers are in luck: they serve breakfast until 4:30 p.m.

Beer Selection

The Pony Espresso is also the beer connoisseur’s delight, chosen as the prime place in Pemberton to grab a pint. Owner Mike Richman says the Pony has loyal after-work and evening crowds who regularly come in to sample their selection.

They offer drafts supplied by Granville Island and Russell breweries, as well as a variety of domestic and imported brews, like Kilkenny and Guinness to Pacifico and Stella.

One of their most unusual brews is Russell’s lemon wheat ale. Wheat-based ales are usually served with a lemon wedge, but the brewers decided to build the lemon taste right into this beauty.

Latte

Latte-lovers of Pemberton were divided on where to grab their favorite hot coffee treat, with the coveted title ultimately being shared by the Local’s Living Room and the Pony Espresso.

Manager of the Local’s Living Room, Garth Riess, was glad to hear their café had ranked so highly.

Riess said their latte is probably the most popular specialty coffee choice amongst customers. Their secret? They make each and every latte with love.

Nachos

Some of the diners in Pemberton appear to be a bit confused: the Wild Wood also garnered the most votes for best nachos — which is kind of odd, because the manager says they aren’t even on the menu.

So, the award for best nachos goes to the runner-up, Beef’s Grill, in the Pemberton Hotel. Owner Steve Brennan said their “fully loaded” nachos are definitely a popular choice amongst patrons — they come topped with four different kinds of cheese, lots of veggies, and a choice of spicy beef or chicken.

Service

The Pony Espresso comes out on top, once again. This time, they receive the highest marks for excellent customer service.

Owner Mike Richman says the secret to their success is that staff relates well with the local clientele, so the Pony has a comfortable, cozy atmosphere, where no one is rushed.

“The old spot, where we were for almost 12 years, was quite small and it was not your average dining room, so it was very, very casual. When we stepped it up here a little bit, the idea was to have that casual atmosphere… but give proper service, too.”

Chef

Voters decided that Lenny Horwat of the Wild Wood Bistro and Bar should take home top honours for his talent in the kitchen. According to one voter, he cooks up a mean risotto .

But Mike Richman, owner of the Pony Espresso, came in a close second for the delicious creations he cooks up.

Waiter

Pony Espresso’s Debbie Christianson was chosen as the best waitress around, and according to her boss, it’s little wonder: she’s been with the restaurant since 1997 — almost 10 years now.

“You don’t get any more awesome or dedicated than Debbie.”

Pubs & Bars

Bartender

If you’re looking for the best martini-slinger around, look no further than the Pony Espresso . Readers say Trisa Brandt is the go-to-gal for alcoholic beverages.

Owner of the Pony, Mike Richman, said Brandt has been with the Pony for about a year now, and wasn’t surprised that she was chosen as the local favorite.

“She knows all her patrons and she’s just very sweet. Besides being efficient on my side of things, what people are obviously picking up from her is that she’s really a very cool chick.”

Coolest Staff

Well, the definition of “cool” varies widely, depending on who you ask, but it seems that the majority of Pembertonians think the Pony Espresso has the ultimate employees.

Owner Mike Richman said he looks for friendly staff who are able to connect with clients.

“If you want to bill yourself as the local hangout, that’s essential.”

The Pony’s staff also has great chemistry, working together to keep the Pony operating like a well-oiled machine. Richman said customers pick up on this vibe.

“I’ve worked in a lot of restaurants before on my own, and there’s often either division between the floor or the dining room, or cattiness between the waitresses, or whatever it is.”

Patio

Apparently, the Pony Espresso is the place to be on a sunny summer day. When they traded in their old digs about 15 months ago, they upgraded to a new location with a spacious, sunny deck that seats 48.

Customers who enjoy crisp fall weather can also enjoy the Pony’s patio after the warm summer months have passed.

“You can sit out here in the fall sun in November, no problem.”

Owner Mike Richman said part of the appeal of their patio is that it’s the prime place in town for people-watching.

“We’re right in the centre of town, so just like we want to be the hub, when you sit on the patio, you can see the whole town go by.”

Media, Arts & Culture

Artist

Artist Karen Love’s haystacks under a farmland-lined sky paints the heart and soul of the Pemberton Valley — so it’s no surprise the same valley-loving fans voted the Pemberton Arts Council director number one artist. Love credits the valley, as well as teaching her children how to paint, as the fuel behind her paintbrush. The valley girl has assumed many roles: artist, teacher, graphic designer, photographer, muralist, decorative painter and silversmith over the years. She also attended the Art Sake Inc. (a school reputed for experimental painting), the Sheridan College School of Craft and Design, BCIT, Emily Carr Design Institute and Capilano College. Now she spends her time schooling herself in the beauty of the valley, letting each field, pond, forest and garden lead her on a new artist adventure.

Lisa Komuro, who is as famous for her multi-media canvas work as she is for her trendy, screen-printed LU Print tees, tied for second with Vanessa Stark. Stark’s bold acrylics that shapeshift bodies and animals with the elements have shown at numerous exhibits, most recently at the Pemberton Valley Vineyard opening gala and If Ullr Was a Girl showcase at the World Ski and Snowboard Festival.

Musician

There is nothing acoustic about a Papa Josh show. In a music scene saturated with folk acoustic strumming, Papa Josh’s high-energy dance show performed live and looped on his magic disco machine is a groovy breath of fresh air, and earns him the title of Pemberton’s favourite musician. Josh’s soulful voice and blistering guitar licks are heard regularly on Saturday nights at the Pony. The restaurant transforms into an evening hangout with Josh rolling out classics from James Brown, Bootsy Collins, Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana to his own original compositions. Choice covers, originals and spontaneous jams keep music revelers’ ears plugged in and their feet moving. The high school band Transmission Party tied with Pierre Eddy for second, with Still Smokin’, led by Sue Stearns, coming in third.

Event

Canada Day and Slow Food Cycle Sunday were close runners up, but the Barn Dance still rules Pemberton’s calendar as the biggest event of the year. In a town where parking lots have hitching posts, this party drags out even the most recluse of Pembertonians to pull out their cowboy boots and hats and saddle up to one yeehaw of a time at the Root House on Pemberton Meadows Road. Live bands, barbecue, and country and bluegrass rock out the fundraiser for the Pemberton Chamber of Commerce, Pemberton Lions, Pemberton Legion and Pemberton Rotary.

Slow Food Cycle Sunday took second place. The August graze and pedal event attracted more than 1,200 riders this year, who pedaled around the Pemberton Valley to explore farms, sample chefs’ delights and support Pemberton’s breadbasket.

Photographer

Toshi Kawono is snapping up quite the photo portfolio as of late, including Best of Pemberton’s top shutter bug. Readers will soon be flipping through Kawono’s images in the coffee table book called Top of the Pass: Whistler and Sea-to-Sky Country , released in October. The Harbour-published book includes Kawono’s images and words by Stephen Vogler. Copies will be available at Armchair Books.

Kawano has wracked up a long list of magazine covers as well, including SBC Media, Storm Mountain, Transworld Media, Futabasya, Jitsugyo No nihon-sha, Ski Journal and Yama-Keit. Advertising clients include Adidas, Carrera, Dynastar, K2, Kombi and Quicksilver, just to name a few. He also shoots for Cannon, Tourism British Columbia, Whistler-Blackcomb and Tourism Whistler.

Chris Ankeny placed second. He is respected as one of the top freeriders in the snowboard world, but he is now gaining recognition for his mountain life imagery as well. His work has been published extensively in ski and snowboard editorials. He also features his fine-art photography at The Old Main Gallery in downtown Bozeman.

Quote

Rain jacket one minute, sunglasses the next, the best quote for Pemberton?

“Don’t like the weather, wait five seconds.”

Really Pemberton shouldn’t complain, with the valley being an outdoor playground free from commercialism where people from all corners of the globe come to play — and play is usually only a 10-minute drive away.

“It’s tough living in paradise.”

A sense of humour is always needed when living in spud valley.

“I have a dog. I love my dog. My wife sleeps with the dog more than me,” said a Pemberton councilor, allegedly at a Pemberton Town Hall meeting in June.

Top Local News Story

The Top Local News Story began as one of tragedy, but later as one of hope in the human condition’s ability to survive great odds.

Pemberton resident Joni Ross severed her arm in a car accident after her car slid into a ditch on Feb. 22 in Pemberton this year. The young girl was knocked unconscious, but managed to push open the passenger door and climb up the embankment holding her severed arm. She walked half a block to a neighbour’s home, and after finding no one there, she stood by the road.

Only a few minutes later, an off-duty volunteer firefighter, Andrew Gilmour, found her and called 911. She was taken by ambulance to the Pemberton Medical Clinic where doctors completely removed the arm and packed it in ice. She was then sent by air to Vancouver General Hospital.

Thanks to what doctor’s called “tremendous resolve” of Ross as well as the quick-thinking and skilled action of a Pemberton volunteer firefighter and Pemberton Medical Clinic staff, Ross’s tale concluded with a happy ending: her arm was reattached. The emotional story also demonstrated the strong sense of community found in Pemberton.

Other memorable news stories sited included the flood, The Pony re-opening and the Pemberton Golf Course closing, and what one voter called “Pemberton Valley going broke”.

Best Writer

Cindy Filipenko was the number one scribe on Pembertonians’ list — and also the number one misspelled name. But no matter how you spell it, Filipenko has a loyal following in Pemberton — as well as across the country. A former magazine editor and a contributor to Pique Newsmagazine, she’s worked in television for the last decade. Her animation writing credits include the award-winning The Christmas Orange and The Mr. Dink Show. She’s currently in pre-production of My Life Me, an original animated property for Teletoon, and is also working on a CBC radio comedy series, called Co-opted, and a live-action sitcom titled Straight & Narrow.

Whistler Writer’s Group member Lisa Richardson took second with Ski Canada’s newest columnist and fashion editor, and Question staffer, Kim Thompson placing third.

Sports & Recreation

Best Bike Trail

According to the Pemberton Valley Trails Association, there are more than 100 trails in the area to explore, with the heaviest concentration in the Mosquito Lake area and the Mackenzie area.

It’s also the scene of a contentious discussion between farmers and recreationalists, with farmers attempting to restrict public access on a dyke that is used to get to countless other trails. That’s why, when asked to name their favourite Pemberton Bike Trail, a lot of Pembertonians stuck by the Valley Loop Trail — ranked second in the voting — which includes the section of dyke in question.

First place went to Happy Trail, a buff climb created to access more than a dozen other bike trails in the Mackenzie area, including Gravitron, Overnight Sensation, Pyschopath and Cop Killer.

PHD (Pretty Hairy Downhill) also got a few nods, as well as the Mosquito Lake area in general.

Favourite Pemberton Athlete

This category turned up a six-way tie between big mountain ski legend Eric Pehota; former Olympic gold medalist and current dragon boat coach Hugh Fisher; paraglider Jim Orava; junior triathlete Kai Reis; two-time Olympian and snowboard visionary Mike Michalchuk; and up and coming Nordic skier Sydney VanLoon.

Considering the number of pro skiers and snowboarders that are calling Pemberton home these days, it’s a distinguished list to be on.

Favourite Golf Course

Pemberton Valley Golf Course ran away with this title, even as its financial woes piled up and its future became more uncertain. Last week the course was placed into receivership, which basically means it belongs to the bank until they can find a buyer. The course will remain open for another few weeks until a decision can be made what to do with the property — sell it to a buyer, sell off the land and assets, or assign someone to run the course on behalf of the creditors. It’s an unfortunate turn of events for a course that has always been there for locals with reasonable green fees, good food, and some of the best views in the valley.

Favourite Hiking Trail

Lumpy’s Epic Trail ran away with this title, and for good reason. While it can be a tough hike at times, with swaths of slickrock and jagged stones, the payoff is a spectacular view of the Green River, Mount Currie looming in the background. It’s also easily accessed from One Mile Lake, and on the right day you can get in a rigorous 10 km walk, followed by a refreshing swim.

Tenquille Lake and Joffre Lakes also got mentions, as well as the Snob Hill (a.k.a. Pemberton Plateau) area.

Favourite Indoor Sport

The most votes went to Foosball, and Thursday night games at the Legion Hall, followed by basketball, and indoor soccer. The Village of Pemberton and Squamish-Lillooet Regional District are in the process of building a recreation centre to serve the residents of the area. There is also a campaign underway to build a hockey arena in town.

Favourite Outdoor Sport

There was a four-way tie for first in this category between golf, mountain biking, slo-pitch softball and soccer — three completely different and completely unrelated activities. Other sports getting votes include dragon boating, dog walking, running, fishing, cross-country skiing, hiking, snowboarding, ski touring and snowshoeing.

Favourite Snowmobile Trail

Aside from communities in the Arctic Circle, we would guess that few towns have as many snowmobiles per capita as Pemberton. It makes sense — thousands of hectares of fields, wide-open drainages, the largest glacier complex in the entire south coast, and its own shop at Vision Motorsports.

The Pemberton Ice Cap, via the Rutherford drainage, won this category easily, with the deep snow cruising of the Hurley placing second.

Best Fishing Spot

While most people keep their best fishing holes to themselves, several readers were kind enough to give vague answers. Anderson Lake topped the list, but Birkenhead Lake and Birkenhead River combined tied for first. The legendary runs of sockeye salmon that make their way up from the Fraser River and through Harrison Lake make the fishing great. There are also plentiful trout, kokanee salmon, and other fighting fish.

Third place was Mosquito Lake, followed by the meat department at the Pemberton Valley Supermarket.

Best Place to Skateboard

The new-ish Pemberton Skatepark at the community centre is the undisputed winner in this category. The Pemberton park was made possible with money from the Village of Pemberton, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, and a donation from the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, and will only get bigger and better as time goes on.

Best Place to Ride Your Horse

Obviously it’s a smaller list of readers that could answer this question, but the most votes went to Owl Creek and the upper valley mountain trail and dykes. Other riding spots getting nods include Portage Avenue, the middle of Highway 99 — not recommended — and the Lazy Crow Ranch in Poole.

Best Horse to Ride

Obvious a few owners were partial to their own horses, so good on you Ben and Trigger. I doubt Josh is really a horse’s name, but then who are we to judge?

Best Place to ATV

The four-by-four rally grounds at Birken won for the best ATV spot, which could also win awards for “best mudbogging spot”, and “best place to see mullets and chops”. Other places to get nods are the Hurley, the Highline, and Owl Lake. There were also suggestions to “park it” and “at least 3 km from my house, thanks” — obviously not motorized recreation fans.

Best Place to Dirt Bike

The Green River Motocross Track has come a long way in the five years since the Green River Riding Club was formed, to the point where Pemberton now hosts four semi-professional races a year, and can afford to buy its own machines and irrigation system to keep the track in competition shape. Other dirt bike locales mentioned include Mosquito Lake, Owl Lake, and upper valley trails.

Best Place to Camp

For Pembertonians that just need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the village, the area is surrounded by primo camping spots. Anderson Lake, with its camping spots at D’Arcy and Seton Portage, finished on top of the list, with Nairn Falls, Owl Creek and Birkenhead tying for second place. Other spots to get mentions include Driftwood Bay, Lizzie Bay, all the sites along Lillooet Lake Road, Spetch Creek, and Whispering Falls.

No mention of the Pemberton Barn Dance, the night locals are most likely to sleep under the stars.

Best Lake for Swimming

It gets hot in Pemberton. Hope-we-don’t-bake-the-potatoes-in-the-ground hot. Luckily there’s relief in the neighbourhood. Mosquito Lake got the most votes for best place to swim, despite all the mosquitoes this year. It was followed closely by Gates Lake, which was followed by Anderson Lake, which was followed by Birkenhead Lake, which was followed by One Mile Lake.

Best Lake for Motorsports

Anderson Lake is one of the few lakes in the region where you can wake board or water ski without a wetsuit, which explains all the cottages. It was the undisputed winner in this category, receiving twice as many votes as the Birkenhead.

Best Park

Pioneer Park and Zurcher Park tied in this category, followed by the docks and green space at One Mile Lake. Garibaldi Provincial Park, for which Pemberton is a gateway community, also ranked, along with Nairn Fall, and Bikenhead.

People

Best Farmer

In a place known for its delicious fresh food, the title of best farmer is a special badge of honour. In the Pique’s best of Pemberton, the honour is shared equally by two well-known salt of the earth farmers — Al McEwan and Anna Helmer. See for yourself if they deserve the title of best farmer. It could be as simple as tasting a delicious strawberry picked fresh from the vine at McEwan’s Farm. Or sampling some organic produce from the Helmers’ farm. But toiling of the land aside, these two farmers are also dedicated community people who give their time generously to make Pemberton a better place to live.

Best Doctor

Being a doctor in a small town can be a busy occupation. There are new babies to see, senior citizens to help out and everyone else in between. Several doctors were nominated in this category but it was a runaway win for Pemberton’s Dr. Rebecca Lindley.

Best Dentist

Who likes going to the dentist? Not many. As one reader so eloquently put it: “yuck!” But going to Dr. Anne Crowley in Pemberton puts a smile on people’s faces in more ways than one. Dr. Crowley has been making smiles whiter and brighter in Pemberton and for her efforts she takes the best dentist category by a landslide. If you’ve been putting off getting those teeth cleaned, procrastinate no further. Pemberton says you’re in good hands, gentle hands, with Dr. Anne Crowley.

Best Vet

Like Whistlerites, Pembertonians love their animals too. But there appears to be some confusion over this category. Though there was at one time a veterinary clinic in Pemberton, it shut down earlier this year. If animals in Pemberton need to see the vet, they need to come to Whistler. Both Dr. Lane and Dr. Hoff tied for votes in this category but the typical response was: “don’t have one here anymore.”

Best Politician

Some would say it’s a thankless job. Hours and hours of reading reports, public meetings, public hearings, closed-door meetings, difficult decisions, and still, it’s hard to please everyone. But readers weren’t shy about voting for their favourite politicians. First-time councillor Jennie Helmer and third-term council Mark Blundell tied for first place in this category.

Best Realtor

Pemberton’s real estate is ramping up again and nobody knows that better than Lisa Ames. Ames, who was chosen as the best realtor, is one of four realtors in the Pemberton office of the Whistler Real Estate Company. She has been a full time resident of the Whistler and Pemberton area for almost 20 years. She knows the area like the back of her hand and can help newcomers and locals make the tough decisions that come along with buying a place to call your own. “It’s a privilege to welcome people to Pemberton and show off what we offer,” said Ames, who was excited about her win. “Pemberton’s an amazing community to live and work in.”

Best Lawyer

Readers did not mince their words when it came to speaking out about lawyers. One response summed it up best with: “Best lawyer is an oxymoron.” The only lawyer mentioned by name in this category was Sholto Shaw who works for the Whistler-based Race & Company.

Best Tour Guide

Well any local can do the trick. They can point you in the direction of the Pony or the Hurley or Mount Currie. And more often than not they’ll do it with a friendly smile. A few locals in particular got a special mention as the best local tour guide — Brad Knowles from Spud Valley, former mayor Elinor Warner, glider pilot Rudy Rozsypalek and the president and founder of Coast Range Heliskiing Tyler Freed.

Shops and Wares

Best Financial Institution

The North Shore Credit Union banked the top spot by a landslide. The company’s mandate of being responsible for both the financial wellness of its members as well as for the communities it serves makes this financial institution a local favourite. Service is professional and personable, right down to the dog biscuits kept behind the counter for their four-legged clients. Scotia Bank billed second and the TD Bank (although situated in Whistler) third.

Best Grocery Store

The Pemberton Valley Supermarket took first by a landslide. Friendly customer service, product selection and active involvement in the community all contributed to the blue ribbon finish.

“It’s a meeting and gathering place,” said Mark Blundell, storeowner. “We believe in our community… We support a lot of local functions and organizations and we feel good about it… The staff take pride in what they are doing and they do it well.”

There’s more than just your basic food groups at the Pemberton Valley Supermarket; everything from organics to home baked goods are available — and the chocolate croissants are just one more reason to shop locally.

“We are always upgrading our store (to make it) as modern as possible in a small community,” Blundell said. “Most stores this size have maybe 6,000 items and we have twice as many. We try our best to service the whole community even though we are in a small town.”

Video Store

With only one movie rental shop in town, the Video Gallery won by default. However, a few voters noted there is another video rental service in town. The second place finisher for Best Video Store is the Pemberton Library.

Best Women’s/Men’s Clothing

The Pemberton General Store came out on top for both women’s and men’s fashion. While BCBG heels and Prada bags may not be on many ordering lists, everything from Levis jeans to Columbia footwear and clothing are.

“We know the customers by name here,” said owner Brent Pipe, who remembers when the store used to be his home. “It’s an old valley.”

For 51 years, the general store has serviced the community. Purses, wallets, rain gear, Point Zero clothing, Cat work wear, authentic native blankets, Sorel snow boots, hats and even funky patterned gumboots are always in stock — and the store even boasts a music corner with guitars and bongos for sale. As the name implies, stock is general and the service full of small-town hospitality.

The Lily Pad Thrift Store garnered second place and Small Potatoes Bazaar took third.