A Newcomer’s Perspective

“So, what brings you to Creston?” My family fields this question again and again, as we meet our new neighbours, local shopkeepers and Crestonites in general. It’s a fair question and I’d likely ask the same one. Yet, I find my answer changing and evolving as Kootenay fever progresses through my bloodstream.

If I told folks that we’d just left Swift Current or Cold Lake, I’m sure they would immediately understand. But we moved from the Victoria area, arguably one of the most desirable locales in this great country of ours. The winters are mild, the sushi is fresh and there is 100 good things to do on a Saturday night. My work as a home renovator was booming as anyone with a pulse and a hammer can find work in the trades on the island these days. My martial arts school was well established and a source of pride as I watched my first students become teachers in their own right.

When it came time to buy a home for my family our banker granted us the privilege of going deeply into debt for the rest of our adult lives. That’s when Lotus land lost a bit of its shine. We began our real estate search with the excitement of first-time buyers, which soon fizzled out. We discovering that the maximum mortgage granted us the possibility of buying a knockdown bungalow nestled between a crack house and an auto body shop. It was at this point that our search for a new home broadened.

Wishing to stay within a couple days drive of our extended family on the coast, this past summer we set out for a combined family vacation/home prospecting adventure. I had considered venturing as far as Saskatchewan, where homes are suspiciously affordable, but the memories of my internment in Regina during high school years still haunted me. While we enjoyed our exploration of southern Alberta, it wasn’t until we stopped in Creston, that we found a locale, which made us pause.

Sure, the scenery is drop-dead gorgeous and the housing market accessible, but that wasn’t what hooked us. It was a stop at Park Studio Gallery. Here we found some really cool art cards and stumbled across a group of teenage boys playing War Hammer. This role-playing game develops imagination and teamwork for the players and a potentially endless expense for the parents. The teens, though obviously engrossed in their game, invited my son to join in and patiently showed him the workings of the game. Johanna, the gallery owner, explained that she had set aside a section of her shop so that the local youth have access to an open venue for their play.

That impressed us. It is this sort expression of interest and kindness in our young peoples’ lives, though logical, is in my experience, all too rare. The seed of that experience lead us to a second visit weeks later. This time with my checkbook in hand we secured the rental of a house that will act as a base camp as we search for property.

The September night that we pulled the U-Haul into the driveway, our neighbours came by with apple pie and a warm welcome to Creston. The local Kung Fu Sifu, Neil Ripski, who I’d briefly met once showed up with a welcome card and tea. But most appreciated, Ripski brought the willing manpower in the form of his students, to help unload the truck. Within two days I’d met, and knew by name, all my visible neighbours. For those of you born and raised here this kindness seldom happens in the cities.

As I walk the streets almost everyone makes eye contact and offers a greeting. The few people that I’ve met have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome and salute my good sense in relocating to the Kootenays. Norman Rockwell must have been staying in Creston when he drew his classic paintings of youth and family life. What a precious spirit this community has cultivated. What brought us to Creston? We’re coming home.

Daniel Kempling has trouble explaining what he does for a living. He makes ugly houses beautiful, teaches Aikido, Kenjutsu, Pilates and strength training. Kempling also produces instructional DVD’s and facilitates workshops in the self-development community.

Check out his website at: www.mindfulmovement.org

...remember to pick up your copy of the I Love Creston magazine, available for free at most retailers in Creston!