New exhibits worth a look at Silver Star museum
Two new summer exhibits at the Silver Star Mountain Museum are attracting rave reviews from visitors.
“The Star Women exhibit shows the diverse and continuing roles women have played on the mountain in recreation, competition and management as volunteers and as employees. Women who have lived and worked on Silver Star over the years are invited to view the exhibit and add their stories to the collection so more women can be included in the ever-growing exhibit,” said Patti Shales Lefkos, the museum’s public relations chair.
Also new this summer is the story of the Pontiac Cup, the brainchild of Olympic ski champion Nancy Greene-Raine, which launched in 1968. Greene approached General Motors with the concept of creating a strong domestic series for up-and-coming Canadian alpine racers. “The top Canadian junior racers will get the tough competition needed to develop into World Cup and Olympic athletes,” explained Greene.
“The Pontiac Cup ran until 2011 at ski resorts in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. GM sponsored the Pontiac Cup from 1969 to 1981 and again from 1998 to 2010. GM was also a major sponsor of Alpine Canada and athletes who competed at an international level,” said Shales Lefkos.
Some of Canada’s best alpine racers: Laurie Graham, Gerry Sorensen, Kathy Kreiner, Karen Percy and the Crazy Canucks — Ken Read, Dave Murray, Dave Irwin and Steve Podborski — came out of this series.
“There were 16 races in four provinces each year providing $50,000 in prize money so the competition was fierce,” said Shales Lefkos.
Every year, the national team booked time in the wind tunnel at General Motors to test the athletes and equipment, she added. “This would enable them to test for wind drag and aerodynamics. GM provided vehicles for one year to every athlete that ranked in the top 10 at the end of the season or was a World Cup, World Champion or Olympic medal winner.”
In 1978, Silver Star hosted the 10th anniversary of the Pontiac Cup. Arthur Poggemiller was the Pontiac GMC dealer in Vernon at the time.
“The showroom was full of promotional material, posters and a Pontiac Special Edition Pontiac Lemans,” Poggemiller recalled.
His son, Dave, was on hand to present medals and cheques to the athletes. “It was an honour to represent the dealership,” said Dave Poggemiller.
In addition to exhibits, the museum offers guided walks and learning opportunities.
Upcoming events include: Trees of Silver Star with Greg O’Neill on Sunday (Aug. 11) and Nature Art with Ginny Hall on Aug. 18.
The Silver Star Mountain Museum is a volunteer, community-run museum, a satellite of the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives. Located in the Silver Star Village, it opened on June 29 and will remain open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every day until Sept. 1.