magazine / jf01
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January/February 2001 issue |
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Reverberations
Farewell to Kemano
The closing of Kemano (CG Nov/Dec 2000) is of special
significance to me, somewhat akin to erasing a personal
achievement.
In June 1957, I was assigned as construction manager of the
first stage of the permanent Kemano townsite, which included
26 houses. My family and I moved to the Wachwas Creek area and
lived there until the project was completed in1958. This was
my first construction management project and occupies a
special place in my memories.
After reading your article, I got out my old photos, showing
the housing units in various stages of construction.
I feel a sense of loss as the result of my work disappears. I
guess it is an example of the fleeting impact of man's endeavours
and of our insignificance in the overall scheme of things.
Bryan Quinlan, Vancouver
Thank you for a thoughtful tribute to a great town and its people.
Many fond memories - and a few tears - came flooding back
as I remembered the day the closing announcement was made. Although
it was sad, I am thankful that my husband and children and I
had the opportunity to live in such a beautiful location - a
little piece of heaven on Earth. Kemano will always hold a special
place in my heart, and your article will be a wonderful keepsake
to treasure.
Melanie Emde,
Kitimat, B.C.
More moose
I enjoyed the article on Newfoundland moose ("Too many moose?"
CG Nov/Dec 2000) and wondered why the obvious topic of
wolf reintroduction wasn't mentioned. Wolves were native, they
kill moose, and can likely spare the island some overbrowsing.
Dick DeBraaf, Belchertown,
Mass.
[Editor's note: According to Terra Nova National Park
ecologist Renee Wissink, there is little public support for wolf
reintroduction in Newfoundland, since wolves are competition
for a booming legal hunt for both moose and woodland caribou.
The fear is that wolves could thrive with two large prey on which
to feed, ultimately driving down the numbers of moose and caribou
available for hunting.]
Climb with the Cup
Winning the Stanley Cup twice is a significant achievement
that most hockey players only dream of, but using a helicopter
to fly it to the top of Fisher Peak is rather insignificant
(Discovery, CG Nov/Dec 2000). I climbed Fisher Peak last
summer and met a man in his mid-70s who had climbed it the previous
year. Now that is an achievement! To match the glory of winning
the Stanley Cup, Mr. Niedermayer should have strapped the Cup
to his back and made the arduous climb to the summit.
KStu Barland, Chetwynd, B.C.
Alert experience
I was most interested in your article "On Alert" (CG
Nov/Dec 2000), since I worked as a summer student for the Magnetic
Division of the Dominion Observatory in 1962
and spent three weeks at Alert.
At that time, East-West tensions were rather high. It was not
long after the Berlin Wall went up and shortly before the Cuban
Missile Crisis. Every day, B-52 bombers came up from the south,
did a lazy circle, then headed back toward the Thule Air Force
Base. At Alert, about 100 Canadian army personnel were armed
with machine guns, ready for the Red Army if it came over the
pole.
Some things clearly have changed over the past 38 years. The
parkas are more colourful than the drab government issue of the
day, and communication with the outside world is much better.
On the other hand, the photo showing the passengers in the Hercules
transport plane could well have been taken in 1962.
VDave Hutcheon, Vancouver
Wile E. critters
I enjoyed your article about coyotes (Curious by nature, CG Nov/Dec
2000). I live on a rural property surrounded by cornfields,
which naturally attract raccoons. They are normally not a problem
but have, unfortunately, found my attic a nice winter home. When
the corn has not yet been harvested, we hear raccoons at night
tearing ripe cobs off the stalks. This provides an easy meal
for the coyotes, which celebrate their kill by howling and yelping.
I would miss this chorus if someone, in fear of these incredible
animals, were to eliminate them. Coyotes are a natural pest control,
feasting on mice, squirrels and other overabundant animals. Thank
you for spreading the message that coyotes are an important part
of our community.
Sharon Campbell, Richmond Hill,
Ont.
[Editor's note: In
the story "Northern shortcut" (CG Nov/Dec 2000), we
noted that the current Law of the Sea Convention was defined
in 1962. It should have read: "... the current 1982 Convention."]
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* Letters may be edited for length, accuracy and liability.
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