y BB CASTLEGAR NEWS, May 19, 1982 a VANCOUVER (CP) — For a considerable number of B.C.; drinkers the recession has ‘altered their drinking habits — some have even taking to making their own wine and beer. Stan Anderson, founder of Wine-Art Stores Ltd., says he has never had it so good. Anderson said in a recent six-week périod he sold 500 home winemaking kits at $27.95 each through his 10 Wine-Art stores in Western Canada. “About last D. Recession alters drinking habits patterns,” he said. That translated Into a 45- per-cent increase in wine kit sales at Wine-Art outlets in the Vancouver area over the same period a year ago. (He estimates a further 10 to 15-per-cent increase in the past year in sales of beer- making ingredients.) In 1981, Wine-Art Ltd. sold 25,000, of those kits, each capable of producing 80 bot- tles of wine. MADE OF CONCENTRATE The wine kit contains an maybe November I started to notice a change in buying wine that produces a white, red or rose table wine within 28 . gineer,. who wanted a more creative - days. They wore: developed and marketed: by, Wine-Art three years ayo, Only -re- cently, have sales improved, notes Anderson, ‘When he founded the first Wine:Art store. in 1959 in Vancouver a typical custoni- er “was a 41-year-old en- conservative,’ and hobby.” : “Next in line were doctors and dentists,” he said. “This limited our clientele to .a small percentage of the pop- ‘ulation.” ° t “ But these days, the av- erage customer is a 26-yéar- old.clerk who juat: got mar. ried, is worried about the fu- ture and is on a budget, ‘but who still wants to entertain at home or continue to buy wine, * “And hoe doesn't want a hobby; he's got a full life,” said Anderson. “He's feeling the economic pinch.” What about ofher drinking patterns across B.C.? The figures in, .the B.C, Liquor Distribution Branch quarterly market review for March show that drinkers in the province: are drinking Jess than usual as the econ: omy nosedives, .The figures; show: that 26,101,945 Itres‘of domestic liquor, (with Canadian whis- key, vodka and rum account- Ing for‘over 80 per cent of sales) were consumed in B.C... in the 1980-81’ fiscal year, In the following fiscat‘year, the total was 24,104,487 litres. __A total of 5,272,687 litres of imported «liquor (blended scotch and liqueurs nt- drinking less. B And while interest. rate: stayed high, sales of domestic wines didn’t.’ Consumers drank 24,880,198 litres of do- mestic’ wine in 1980-81, and 23,868,963 litres in 1981-82. : The only increase, and it is. a-slight one,. is in con- sumption of imported wine. _In_ 1980-81, 18,205,802 litres to ed-for about.70. per cent af sales) was consumed in the 1980-81 fiscal year compared to 5,234,601 litres in the next . fiscal year. i : So as unemployment. clim- bed B.C... residents were. were P 0 18,594,849 litres in 1981-82. Beer sales also went flat. Michael Egan, marketing director for Labatt Brew- eries-of B.C., said total beer industry, sales in March, 1981, totalled, 17,800,000 Jit. res, In: March, -1982, con- sumption’ was -17,260,000. li- tres. oe Ee RN It’s difficult to say ff people are drinking less when they ‘dine at restaurants. * .Don Bellamy of the Res- tauant Association of B.C. says restaurant business is _ down 20 per cént this year over ‘all the province. “You can't tell if a person coming in a restaurant. is spending less on liquor or not,” said Bellamy. “The fact is, we're not getting as man; People coming in.” “| ..- 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Wildlife Program .: 5:00 p.m. Crown & Anchor... 5:00 p.m. Midway Opens, . 7:00 p.m. Beard Growing C Citizen of the Year... 7:00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies. 7:30 p.m. Queen's Pageant . 9:30 p.m. Queen’s Ball.... 10:30 p.m. C rt, fi ing “Sweet C fort Band 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Wildlife Program 9:00 a.m. Reception (Invitation Only). . 11:00 a.m. Grand Parade 1:00 p.m. Arts & Crafts .... 1:00 p.m. Flea Market 1:00 p.m. Midway Opens... 1:00 p.m: Western Corral 1:00 p.m. Central K 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Hardball over the Line. 1:00 p.m. Town Reception (Invitation Only). Saturday, May 22 Schedule of Events Friday, May 21 Creston Valley Wildlife . Interpretation Centre . . Recreation Centre . Recreation Centre Recreation Centre «Recreation Centre . Recreation Centre ... Recreation Centre * . .. Recreation Centre .. Creston Valley Wildlite 1:30 p.m. Fiddlers Contest 1:30 p.m. Crown & Anchor 3:00 p.m. Official Airport Opening 6:00 p.m. Fiddlers Finals .... 9:30 p.m. Fiddlers Dance. . 9:30 p.m. Rock ’n’ Roll Cabaret 8:00 a.m. Legion Pancake Breakfast .. 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Wildlife Program . 9:00 a.m. 10 Km Blossom Run 9:00 a.m. Horseshoe Registration . 10:00 a.m. Flea Market Opens. 10:00 a.m. Tennis Tournament 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Arts & Crafts . 12:00 Noon Outhouse Races ... 12:00 Noon Seniors Luncheon. . 12:00 Noon Midway Opens .. 1:00 p.m. Horseshoe Pitch. . Battle of the Bands Chariot, Gymkhana 5:30 Demolition Derby .... 7:30 p.m. A Capella Singers. 1:00 p.m. Cowboy Corral .......... 1:00 p.m. Canyon Events: Chuckwagon, 1:30 p.m. Canyon Chuck Wagon, Chariot Races, Gymkhan Sunday, May 23 ." Interpretation Centre ... Recreation Centre Recreation Centre ...Recreation Centre . Husky Station Recreation Centre . . Canyon Park Recreation Centre . Creston Valley Airport . Recreation Centre Recreation Centre Recreation Centre . .Recreation Centre Recreation Centre .. Creston Valley Wildlife 1:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. Original Tak Toyota International Interpretation Centre Skyway Service . Recreation Centre Husky Station Kinsmen Park . Recreation Centre . Recreation Centre . Recreation Centre .. Recreation Centre .. Recreation Centre ..Recreation Centre _Canyon Park United Church 10:00 a.m. Hardball over the Line: Finals .. 10:00 a.m. Midway Opens ... : 10:00 a.m. Arts & Crafts 10:00 a.m. Crown & Anchor Monday, May 24 - 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Wildlife Program .. Creston Valley Wildlife Interpretation Centre 10:00 a.m. Register S 11:00 a.m. Kids Parade .. 1:00 a.m. Kids Games . A "1:00 p.m.-4:00 Cowboy Corral 1:00 p.m. S Recreation Centre .. Recreation Centre . Recreation Centre .. Recreation Centre .. Recreation Centre Downtown Recreation Centre . Recreation Centre ..Recreation Centre Mercam The Marine Sales Phone 428-7460 Outfitters Phone 428-4604 Kootenay : Photo Supplies Phone 428-5611 Ponderosa ‘Motel : Phone 429-4009 Cresteramics 921 Railway Blvd. Phone 428-7412 ’ Meats Phone 428-5613 This message Brought to You by the Following Community-Minded Creston Businesses: Triple D Kootenay’ Wood Stoves Phone 428-5962 Littlejohn Sherwood Campgrounds 5% km, East of Creston — Phone 428-2954 . Cabin Craft .. | Ceramics Between Bridges, Hwy. 21 Honey Truscot ep Phone 428-4983 - Farm Lee Magic Circle = oe Phone 428-4604 .. , Phone 428-9965 Stores. 1 mi. E. of Creston, 428-4143 Kozy Tent & Trailer Park Morris Flowers, Big 0 . Tires ..sHacienda Inn Creston Esso Service Phone 428-4403 a Paradise . Motel Phone 428-4664 “In the Creston — _ Valley Mail” i : Kozy Heating ‘Plumbing and | Sheet Metal Siesta Motel 320 - 20th Ave. S. Phone 428-2640. Canyon Phone 428-4759 Store ‘Green Acres Erickson — 428-4266 Motel ‘o - Ly yn THE COLUMBIA BREWING COMPANY. - ATRADITION IN THE KOOTENAYS FOROVER 100 YEARS. er: : Sheep to Shawl ee ., Aday of fun-was had by a crowd of nearly 300 as they thronged: the old Parrys School house’at the Sheep to Shawl contest Saturday.’ : Excitement was apparent ‘as feam members raised to. shear their sheep, card the -wool,: spin and weave it into beautiful 30'inch to 65 inch shawls. Taking part .were the Yarn Twisters of Creston, Selkirk Weavers. of Castlegar, Wednesday Weavers of-Nelson and the host team, Slocan Valley Threads Guild.. = , The Selkirk Weavers were selected as the winning team by judges Peppi Bos of Nelson, Sharron Schepkowski of Slocan and Lutz Budde of Kaslo, basing their decision on quality and speed. Side attractions for the day were the outdoor Sheer Delight Cafe, the fleece sellers test and display of handwoven garments. Photos by. JACK LLOYD RSP TARE = DISPLAY came to us five summers ago as Maria Emelia Lopez — a pretty, slightly apprehensive 15-year-old Rotary exchange atudent from Mexico City. Very soon, however, she became “Maru” or “other dayghter.” The purpose of the Student Exchange Program is to increase international understanding and peace through international exchange of students between Rotary families. The initial visit was rich in experience and mutual a long-standing itch to see the remains of the great pre-Hispanic civilizations of which Mexico is a rich inheritor. The opportunity to scratch the itch however, did. not come until this spring when a planned Easter visit:to Nova Scotia artist friend Brent Homans, who spends his winters painting the bayous and boats near New Orleans, provided a jumping-off place for not-tgo-distant Mexico City. ‘The initial plan involved a week in New Orleans and four days in. Mexico. Following vigorous protests from the Lopez family and thanks to the patience of Marge Culley at the Maple Leaf Travel, the plan was gradually increased to a four-day visit to the great ruins in the Yucatan and 10 days in Mexico City. It was an jing away. pes and richly textured and cultured land and forcing me to realize that I now knew virtually nothing of our southern neighbor. It also opened vast, undreamed-of ‘horizons of history and culture almost at my doorstep, more varied than those half a world away. z : My last day in Mexico City was a kind of bh ‘ and _exhil x ars about this - “All experience is an arch where thro’ gleams that untravelled world whose margin fades forever and forever when I move” — ‘Ulysses’ by Tennyson. = It was all Maru’'s fault, or at least it began with her. She fast,” is the current small joke — a bit of a problem when all in the family speak English. Signora Tonete (p: d “Tonetta"), a attractive and very talented lady appears on the wide, red-tiled verandah with a cup of fresh-brewed tea from the leaves of one of the trees in the garden. The customary “buenas dias” and kisses on the cheek are and JOHN CHARTERS’ Reflections & Recollections open room, an old woman and a young woman prepare tortillas (pancakes) by hand, as well as other “goodies” for the street trade. “OK for us,” grins Sam, “but a trip to the hospital for you — if you're lucky.” Nine a.m. now and we go to the bank — not fancy, and while I sip the fragrant, pale green brew, Tonete translates i d, as are many here. A parks the 4:45 p.m. — a brief siesta, then out “for a little walk.” Mexico City, like so many mega-cities, is growing 80 rapidly that it is steadily engulfing surrounding towns and villages. Thus, in quick succession, we pass wide busy thoroughfares and narrow cobbled lanes, high modern apartments and office buildings and old abode buildings, it and i car— (he'll receive a tip later) and we go in.. The floors are the leading news items form the very morning paper. Soon the girls appear, looking very smart and feminine and are greeted in like manner. They arc hack in classes now after a semester break, a considerable part of which was devoted to guiding me about the city — much to the obvious envy of numerous young caballeros. Maria gets into her Volkswagen “Marupilla,” known to all Mexicans as the “bellybutton” (“everybody has one") and backs out through the opened gates into the growing traffic and leaves for her d- tech) ity classes y y at the private university. * Silvia, Tonete and I climb into Tonete's car and start for Silvia's first-year Hotelliers classes at another university, while Ufey, the longtime servant, closes and locks the gates. Tonete slips expertly into the almost unbroken stream of traffic, manoeuvers nonchalently across to the other side, down a side street and in no time, we-are a of the vast flow of vehicles (almost half of them: ‘bellybuttons) heading across the town. .. The streets are already filled with ‘secondary school students, most of them in the uniforms of their schools or in white gym togs; while numerous joggers head for the many extensive public parks. In 15 minutes we have arrived at the university — a tall brick building jammed amongst other —asummation — of the previous 12. I would, therefore, like to.give my impressions, diary style, of that last day, for the ys sake of mutual understanding — my readers’ and mine — of our complex, richly d,° much. dictory, paradox of a shh Oneach day of my stay with my wonderful Mexico City - Rotarian hosts, Sam and Marie Antoinette (“Tonete”) Lopez, Maru and sister Silvia, I was taken on an extended tour within and without the city. This final Thursday is both a typical and summary experience. Thursday — 5:30 a.m.: Got up to shower, shave, dress and go out into the courtyard to free the room so that the girls can use their dressing tables. The house is large, white flat-roofed and earthquake-proof, but has only two bedrooms, and I have been given the girls’ room. A considerable number of Mexico City's 18 million people are already stirring so that beyond the high brick: wall, and double iron’ gates the streets- weeper's twig broom and dull roar of traffic on the one-way street are distinctly audible; but here in the shelter of the high, blank wall of the Zeiss Optical Works next door it is early-morning quiet. . > “Moussa,” the black cat, stalks a mouse in the dewy grass; the roses and flowering shrubs and climbing plants scent the cool air and I pace up and down the flagstones, past the three family cara, attempting to increase my almost intinitisimal. Spanish vocabulary. “No Spanish, no break- q’ ced brick Silva, looking very chic in powder blue jacked and grey skirt, joins similarly uniformed classmates enroute to class. It is 6:58 a.m. -On the way home, instead of stopping for the usual’ stroll in the parks, we pull in at a huge bakery where, with the manager's permission, we go behind the scenes. Here, with flying hands, the bakers are turning out scores of different kinds of breads, rolls and sweet breads, which the lines of customers out front are picking up with tongs and’ taking to the checkout, After a few smiling “buenas dias” and “gracias,” a bag of fresh-baked rolls is selected and we start home, while the streets fill with elementary school children — also in uniform. Sam is up now, and breakfast, prepared by Ufey, is ready. Two tall glasses of freshly-squeezed orange juice (live it up, Charters), a fresh, delicious papaya, fresh rolls, eggs Mexican style, tea and de” (Jam or disappear without a murmur. Almost eight o'clock now, and Tonete is off to the wholesaler to replenish her dress supply before she opens her boutique for the day's business. Today, Sam Lopez — businessman, amateur auto-racer, . amateur bullfighter, music enthusiast and history buff with an encyclopedic knowledge of the history of North America . — is on holidays, and is my guide. First to the gas station and a piece of fine jockeying to get to the pumps. Mexico is a major producer of petroleum, but the gas stations are always crowded and gas is expensive — naturally (?). Across the street in a hole-in-wall ‘ted, leather. } chairs and coffee tables are scattered through the area and the staff neatly dressed and pleasant. It is quiet and comfortable. On the streets parents and other adults convoy kindergarten and primary school children to‘nine-o'clock classes through the business. traffic. We then pay a visit to a government controlled store — ne We stop at ‘Iglesia Santo Domingo y Capella del Rayo’ — a beautiful old Spanish church and convent set in the midst of extensive lawns. It is dated 1595 and there are thousands of other equally beautiful examples across the land, many with priceless paintings by the Mexican masters. 6:30 p.m. — Across the street a group of Grade 7 children (first year high school) all dressed in neat gym togs are taking tumbling training to the accompaniment of an excellent place to shop — and I made a last-mit purchase of a pumpkin — dried, painted and intricately inseribed'— an ancient, beautiful folk art. Never for a moment can one forget that this is a nation which takes an intense pride in its artistic blend of the pre-Hispanic and Spanish cultures. Sculptures and ancient relics (or copies) are everywhere. The Chapultapec Castle atop Grasshopper Hill is an excellent example of.this blend, so we drive to the park where it stands and an old man with a badge finds us a parking place. There are no parking meters here, but a parking fee is charged and this, plus a small tip, will ensure the security of the car, for as the old man says with a grin: “The money is not good but it makes miracles.” ‘The hill dnd name is Aztec. The richly furnished palace, which is truly magnificent, was once the royal home:of the ill-fated Emperor Maximillian and later of the liberator- dictator Diaz and is now a museum. It is a strong reminder of Lord Acton’s statement that “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. On the curving roadway up the hillis a monument to the military cadets who died defending it against the Americans on Sept, 13, 1847. In the museum-of-the-revolution part, of the palace, there is a shrine which holds their flag. It is guarded constantly by a soldier standing at attention. 1:80 p.m. now and we're off to visit the once-home- now-museum of the world famous artist Diego Rivera. His frescoes of proletarian scenes are found everywhere and are executed on a gigantic scale. His house is an a like scale—a great, fortress of a place built of black volcanic rock and filled with a priceless collection of Indian artifacts and sculptures as well as many examples of his own work. It even has an Aztec ‘ball-court’ complete with vertical hoop. In the basement of the castle in a kind of well is a large ceramic frog. The frog is an ancient symbol of good luck but this one is also a kind of “in” joke. Rivera took pride in the fact that he looked like a frog and in this case he is at the bottom of the whole thing. Task Sam how an artist could possibly afford such a place. “No problem,” says he, “Rivera was a good Communist and therefore had lots of money.” 8:30 p.m. now and time for lunch — the big meal of the day. Ufey and daughter Lupe have prepared another Mexican specialty, checken chicken and achiote. Every day something special and every day I over eat —only half regretting. laughter and A small plaque on an old abode building nearby indicates that this was once the house of a former president of the republic. It and many others like it will be protected from the wreckers. Another old street, with a high, blank pink wall crowds the narrow sidewalk and a small sign says “American University.” But where? Around the corner and Sam leads the way through an ancient, weathered nail-studded gate into what was once a mission or wealthy hacienda. Brick buildings, arches, wide steps and lawns spread before one. Students are strolling about or sitting in groups talking in the gathering dusk, or taking notes in an open-doored classroom. The contrast of the peace within and the roar and stink of traffic without is amost physical. “A quite expensive private university,” Sam says. A fast dash across the highway and into a tangle of open-front shops with chairs and tables covering the entire sidewalk. One place advertises friend octopus. On the basis of smell alone, I'd prefer my chances with a live one. We thread our way past one of the flower markets — banks of flowers, roses, carnations, lillies — and very cheap.. Some of these shops stay open all night. “Very handy,” Tonete tells me “for husbands who stay out too late.” A quick stop at a community art centre, once a wealthy home, with open central court and stairs leading to the second floor gallery; back past the local supermarket — underground parking at least an acre in area, and we return home through the lamplit streets. It is 9 p.m. Just time for a glass of tequilla with salt and lemon. Then Tonete arrives. She has had a busy day and has been scolded by her customers for closing her shop yesterday so that she and Sam could take me to see the largest pyramid in the world at Chalula, as well as a beautiful baroque Indian church shortly after, and tour the ancient city of Puebla. Maru arrives home from the university, shortly after, Silvia leaves her homework and we all sit down to a light dinner — a late meal in Mexico. Final preparations for leaving tomorrow for New Orleans and then to bed. It has been a good day — the summary of an altogether too-brief two-week, very rich experience. I am still looking, however, for that little Mexican with the big sombrero sitting with his back against the wall, sleeping in the sun, Of temples, pyramids, people and lost civilizations — more later. To the Lopez family my sincere thanks for a better look through the arch of the present.