Join Frank Ritcey on Saturday, Nov. 10, for a viewing of More than Just Waterfalls – a documentary film that he, Loyd Bishop and Peter Miller are developing. At the core of this film is footage shot in Wells Gray in the 1950s by legendary Clearwater resident Bob Miller. Anybody who ever knew Bob and Hettie Miller will be deeply moved by this flashback to their days of doing research in the park.
More than Just Waterfalls takes us back to a time when the world was young and outdoor research was part of everyday life - at least in the Clearwater Valley. It's about wildlife research and the antics of biologists half a century ago as they pieced together the stories we tell today about Wells Gray's moose, caribou, bears, birds and the like. One highlight is some uproarious footage documenting Wells Gray's first and only "moose rodeo"!
Meet Frank at 2 p.m. at the Upper Clearwater Community Hall (25 km north of Clearwater on the road to Wells Gray). The event opens with a short "walk on the wild side" during which Frank will give us some tips on reading animal sign. He'll also do his best vocal impersonation of a cow moose in rut. Works every time!
The film will roll at 3 p.m. sharp. Afterwards, Frank will present a short talk on Wells Gray as an outdoor laboratory for science and research. Although not a trained scientist himself, Frank will make the case for citizen science, describing how Wells Gray Park provides an opportunity for all of us to make real contributions to our understanding of the natural world.
"Instead of relying on a wealth of information and boring stuff like facts, figures and the truth, I plan to entertain with stories gathered over my 55 year association with Wells Gray Park," says Frank. "Nature walk, talk, film, tea and cookies are five compelling reasons to come out this Saturday, 10 November, for a fun-filled afternoon".
Frank Ritcey is a Kamloops writer, blogger, and raconteur in many mediums, and is well known for his quick wit and dry sense of humor. Frank's father is Ralph Ritcey, whose name is synonymous with wildlife studies in Wells Gray Park.
See you at the Upper Clearwater Community Hall at 2 p.m. for the walk and 3 p.m. for all the rest. Mercifully, this event will be over by about 4:30 p.m.
This will be the fifth event in Wells Gray World Heritage Year: a series of no-cost tours, hikes, field courses, lectures, and children's events hosted by Thompson Rivers University and Edgewood Blue. Wells Gray World Heritage Year celebrates the Wells Gray TRU Wilderness Centre, which will open its doors in 2013 for learning and research in Wells Gray Provincial Park. WGWHY runs from September 2012 through October 2013.