| ; By JOANE BELLINGER - Kootenays has distinctions: ~ it. ° . platzl for: a main street. | = ‘This rather drab, old, : mining: ‘town. -was - : tran- - $formed in 1972 to-a: colorful ; . Bavarian village and is today a refreshing - and colorful a ‘delight. ‘High in ‘the: sky at 3, 662 feet, -or 1,099. metres, the : setting is perfect. — a ce The ‘transformation o project | was: “without the ‘town’ s full support, ; grew with the results. — ‘The - town's” " merchants oe pitched ‘in to construct the 7 ; platzl,: ‘or mall, ~— the main shopping: area. - ° Within months, a “block- 7 “long brook bubbled beneath — ‘the attractive foot. ‘bridges - school’s: “home-economics © ‘while - alpine huts, © country trees, and - bright a flower boxes highlighted the | : sparkling : fountains and the “wishing well, . : iimberiey “a cwas,. born: when | launched. . season. ‘but-- enthusiasm . ‘the = . fabulously-rich . Sullivan. mine. was. discovered | in the 1680s. ra lead and zinc. mine. . were Kimberley became just another town: : “Then ‘came the dream, followed by a commitment . and then -- action. The business men brightened their buildings with tiny balconies, steep- pitched and overhanging roofs, gables and shutters. “HAPPY HANS" Reds, oranges and greens. now predominate. Window boxes are filled with bright geraniums. : - By 1950 it was the home sot BEER GARDE ENS the world’s largest. silver, Lo ds: old, pine. Canada’s highest city, oo | e and it has a Bavarian — alpine look. The Super Valu - German 2 Utilities and other services | with sober. buildings also got. _ Kimberley ‘in the. _ into the act. The federal Post. oe office. “was: “covered =| with | ‘two oe wood, stained to. ‘look like. -shutters The .. RCMP. complex: was given an: - store had its logo” written: in ‘German script. “Home-owners ” beautified — '. their. homes, and. Cominco, | the renovated i its offices. - mine : compa ny. ‘Cominco’ Ss “gardens, strengthened _ by the com-. pany’s own brand: of. ‘fer- ae - tilizer, > profusion of - ‘flowers. today -offers a -Marigolds, lupins, phiox. and . _~petunias — blaze : “here™ The gardens. are: open to . the public. - “Happy Hans has” been. adopted as the appropriate -mascot: for. the town. He -lends ‘his .fat little: figure to. | the Kampground named for, With” ‘the: ‘help “of ‘the consulate, | a an class,’ the “costumes. displayed around the town : are as authentic as possible. 5 named See “South ‘Africa’s. diamond city. everywhere. ‘And. strolling . swaying. with their accordians,. help fill the. ae: “ Ledethosen. ‘are- seen. - musicians, © air wiih i happy music, -_ and visitors to enjoy. Designer Frames -look good see well our twice annual seasonal clearance - allows you to save up ver 50 % orri 4 ‘ OFFER aoop TIL NOV..4 eprescription sunglasses. *gun-sensitive sunglasses | “sunglasses make great gifts! : . \ Sharon Card op West Vancouver PORE PER ile ‘ 1369 Marine Drive teeioed?d te ttitdd, Meetdhe | ‘weekend. - ms sausages to fill the need, | local North Star Mountain. ve , here.” ‘the platzl is turned: into a. . _» seulpture | “North. ‘America —-is in true a. “north of. Cranbrook. ‘in the 4 x _; Kootenays. o ee . As if alll ¢ of this. were not. enough, Kimberley. has two - - ‘Though its surroundings . ‘special festivals for. residents. simply beautiful, | “he would hardly believe it! | THE PLATZL, Kimberley’s downtown Bavarian mall word mh Julyfest i is: held i in ‘the third : in, July, while : “pancake. become ‘in’ ‘the — | » plata, wine tasting; parades, . othe: fi oa 6 | ‘Soccer ; ; tournaments. bring: out. the © ‘population, as.do the beer ©: " gardens, where. some 4,000 and. “ poftball: | people | sing, dance,’ eat and a drink. os “Local restaurants” “aisaye ‘ensure that:they carry:a good. ‘supply. of. cheese and: eae The Winterfest celebrates. the exciting skiing- at the There is no ack of snow wo AS part of the festivities, : ‘gallery. elephants, » rabbits, | ‘and ; snowmen, ‘made of snow.and: ice, are quickly shaped | ‘by: » the enthusiasts. . "Even | “the ‘condominium : | “hotel at the ski‘hill — the § _ . longest hill for night skiing i in Bavarian style. - | Al “these: “charms” are. . : available at this rejuvenated town, on Highway 954, ° Tf