Phil McIntyre-Paul
Phil has lived in the Shuswap for 23 years and loves the natural landscape, lakes, forests, mountains, vibrant arts scene, culture, agricultural and outdoor community and Shuswap trails. As head of the Shuswap Trail Alliance he enjoys his relationships with so many people through the region and has especially enjoyed understanding our place here within Secwepemc Nation Territory. Phil has been very involved at Larch Hills as a skier, snow shoer, hiker, biker, environmental conservationist, Jackrabbit leader as well as a being involved in the planning, designing, building and maintenance of trails.
Phil agreed to take part in this fund raiser to support the Larch Hills Nordic Society and Shuswap Hospice and as his wife Kathy said, “to get in shape”. Phil loves all dance styles, but admits a secret attraction/envy to the Latin groove. During his first semester at the University of Alberta, Phil joined the Varsity Dance Club with a group of friends, but found that he would rather be dancing than studying. He came to his senses, however, and completed his studies. He has a little stage experience as many years ago he collaborated with friends to stage several Twelfth Night fundraising variety evenings. He remembers that these evenings included a little song, a little theatrics and even a little not-very good dance – all affected by – rumor has it, the mulled wine.
We’re glad that Phil has accepted the challenge of learning something new, even with the potential that includes, as he says, “humiliation in front of everyone”. We’re sure that performing the Bachata with Ingalise will be an exhilarating experience for both of them.
Instructor Ingalise Abbott
Ingalise has lived in salmon arm for 14 years and works full time as an RN at Shuswap Lake hospital in Salmon Arm.
She took her first dance lesson at Arthur Murray in Vancouver in 1989, but didn’t start to seriously learn and practice ballroom and latin dancing until 12 years ago.
She became involved with City Dance 3 years ago, taking lessons, and then eventually assisting with lessons and teaching some group and private lessons.
Ingalise started cross country skiing 5 years ago at Larch Hills. She feels that it is a great facility that is amazingly run entirely by volunteers and that we are very blessed to have the Larch Hills ski club in our community.
Ingalise had personal experience with Hospice several years ago when a loved one was dying from Cancer. Hospice provided vital support to Ingalise and her family in the form of home support, respite care and grief counseling. She is so glad that we have this organization in our community as all of us have to deal with death and dying at some points in our lives.