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December 9, 2015
Song lifts the pain for teen
Inside
KEVIN PARNELL
Ag Min Letnick releases strategic growth plan for B.C. agriculture. ..............................
Bill Bennett 1932-2015
3
Former premier dies
Lake Country pets get their day in the spotlight . ...............................
3
INSIDE
2 Citizen nominations..2 Heritage Tour.............
Flyers ■ Coopers ■ Hometown ■ Jysk ■ Safeway ■ Shoppers Drug Mart ■ Smartsource ■ Staples
Former B.C. premier Bill Bennet died Friday, Dec. 4, at age 83. Bennett, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, was B.C.’s premier from 1975 to 1986. He followed his father, former premier W.A.C. Bennett as leader of the B.C. Social Credit Party in 1973 and was elected premier in 1975. He went on to win re-election in 1979 and 1983, retiring undefeated in 1986. “This loss is huge for the province and for our city, and I’d like to extend my condolences to his family,” said Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran. Although Bennett was premier before Basran was born, Basran believes the impact of Bennett’s political tenure is still seen today in the Okanagan in business entrepreneurship.
Even before Lake Country teenager Elise Boisvert was born, her mother Louise began singing a lullaby to her. A singer and dancer herself, Louise likely thought her daughter would be musical in some way, but had no way of knowing just how important song would become for her child. About to turn 14 next week, Elise still hears that same song every night as Louise softly sings Like An Angel Passing Through My Room to sooth her daughter’s pain. Elise was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at the age of four, after first displaying symptoms at age two. A debilitating auto-immune disease, it affects approximately three in 1,000 children, attacking joints with chronic pain, swelling and stiffness. Elise is in constant pain and she can never get away from. Except
when it comes time for her to sing. “She says when she sings, the pain disappears,” said Louise in an interview with the Lake Country Calendar. “She doesn’t forget, it actually goes away, so something happens for her that is pretty powerful with music. It’s too bad we can’t invent a pill that does the same thing music does for her in a minute and 30 seconds.” While there is no pill that can do what music does, Louise’s connection to the music industry and artists prompted her to organize what has become an annual event that is growing each and every year in the Angel Awards, a talent competition for kids and young people between the ages of 10 and 25. The event also features several musical performances including one by Elise herself. And it is when Elise sings Warrior—which has become the theme song for the Angel
CONTRIBUTED
OKANAGAN ANGEL AWARD founder Louise Boisvert (above right) and her
daughter Elise make the best of their time while dealing with Elise’s juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Below: The first time Elise was in hospital to have fluid removed from her knee. Louise bought matching socks to make the tough procedure more fun.
Awards—when her pain is lifted, if just for a brief few minutes. Next year will be the 4th Annual Angel Awards and the event is gaining momentum to the point where artists and musicians have started to reach out to Louise to perform as opposed to the other way around.
Lake Country council continues to discuss how to fund the $30-million Transportation For Tomorrow Plan. Council met last week but couldn’t come to a consensus on how to finance the plan after looking at several options put forward by municipal staff. Staff had recommended council go ahead with a $100 parcel tax in 2016, followed by
Lawyer & Notary
three subsequent years of tax hikes between 2.25 and 2.35 per cent. With several other options on the table, council was not able to come to a decision and tabled the issue last week. The Transportation For Tomorrow Plan meeting went so long council had to delay discussion on the preliminary 2016 budget and went right into its regular council meet-
BUSINESS LAW ESTATE ADMINISTRATION
SEE ANGEL A3
ing. The preliminary budget proposes a tax increase this year of 2.85 per cent. Councillors held another meeting Tuesday night to go over the budget and the transportation plan. Results were unavailable at Lake Country Calendar press deadline, however check lakecountrycalendar. com for updates.
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dance. As opposed to regular competition shows, the scene backstage at the
How to fund transportation is still elusive
Leah McKenzie-Brown
WILLS & TRUSTS
During the event the top 10 talent acts will compete for prizes which include studio time while performers also wow the crowds with song and
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Winfield Professional Building # 102 - 3121 Hill Road, Lake Country, BC 778.480.6229 | leah@mckenziebrownlaw.ca