Invermere Valley Echo, December 30, 2015

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The Invermere Valley Echo’s annual tradition of a Year in Review is back.

This entire issue is dedicated to wrapping up 2015 with 14 an overview of the most RNIE RAVEN memorable stories reported in The EchoBECH1-throughout the past year.

RIS RAVEN 866-598-7415 Vo l .

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ual Winter at the third ann , Deh a snowman ada on Sunday kes a pose wit ser vancy of Can Max Kelly stri Con a on the ure Are Nat ion ser vat d by the that Celebration hel Marion Creek Benchlands Con ing the re on this gather tree . page 2 for mo cember 13th at Christmas umbia Lake. See vest their own O har OT to west side of Col PH nce NCC a cha gives the public

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LOCAL N Creek and Fairmont, Dutch er systems merge Ogilvy Wills wat CHT STEVE HUBRE revalleyecho.com

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will soon Columbia Valley munities in the lth standards tem of three com e Interior Hea hav now The water sys will t all end result tha merge, with the unanird of directors king water. ay (RDEK) boa compliant drin e Commut of East Kooten tric Dis ting to approv al ion The Reg ember 4th mee Ltd.: Dec ity ay, Util Frid ings ir at the mont Hot Spr mously decided the private Fair nity across ds grants for ls (the commu nity Works Fun s to Ogilvy Wil erside Riv vice the ser of its th ng ndi ort and nor $39,000 for exte Hot Springs Res to Dutch Creek, from Fairmont ng its ser vices Highway 93/95 5,000 for extendi ment program. elopment), $14 er source develop golf course dev wat und gro ilvy Wills, Dutch the utility’s communities (Og K and $555,000 for ll have all three pliant water,” RDE solution as we’ lth standards) com “This is a good its Hea r erio (Int problems with t) drinking Wills had long had Creek and Fairmon problems with o, adding Ogilvy Ech had The has ek told ch Cre chair Rob Gay shallow, and Dut its course. its wells are so tends to change water because See A3 k it draws from because the cree its water intake

Cinefest Pynelogs

ntion the resident rete tion contract for y comparded to Calgar ia plan was awa Med sh Spla ght and nies MDB Insi a Resiviously created Group, who pre for Plan the ion in s ent line Ret ion dec t Attraction and nicAs local populat closure den helped that mu s Canal Flats mill on Arm, which ic to wake of Canfor’ adding its Salm from being stat the village is ity’s growth go ipal in November, Att iden per cent. valley-wide Res easing by nine arose presence to the y Com- incr retention plan ention Advisor The resident Valley traction and Ret residents. unct Columbia new -def e now som k the see mittee to of the RDEK. m; we from gra tee pro mit ide Com ey-w Funds “This is a vall Coun. Directed is finished, the that table,” said the committee e the should be at ointed Though ve to increas has been app ey-wide initiati vall been Paul Marcil, who tive nta population has alternate represe ion’s full-time as Canal Flats’ r money from Juras has reg ove Ute left or with May far tee. rs in - funded so on the commit aye rep n taxp mai g s’ nin as Canal Flat committee, mea areas been appointed al Flats the ties and rural Village of Can valley municipali t resentative. The it. tha for k ugh tho hoo residents, cially off the Retencurrently has 715 ed as are finan Attraction and ly already decreas The Resident number has like tee will meet ure in Noisor y Commit Canfor mill clos Adv tion t di st a result of the men the mo local govern 2006 census — e more under vember. (The ed over to the of the pop- onc measurement , before it is turn tion rec tin con recent official cial to offi s community Flats — puts the valley’s busines ulation of Canal people.) the project. ue apopulation at 700 ent lem a $50,000 imp In November, GREG AMOS Valley Echo Special to The

Kinsmen Beach in Invermere came alive with the inaugural Whiteway Winter Festival on Saturday, January 3rd, which was also the official start to the Columbia Valley’s @ new Winter in Motion festival that spanned the months of January and February.

Photo by Nicole Trigg

Babies 2015 of

Did you welcome a new addition to your family in 2015? Show off your little bundle of joy in the January 22nd edition of The Columbia Valley Pioneer! Simply submit a high resolution photo of your baby (or grandbaby, niece, nephew...) along with the child’s full name, date of birth, weight at birth, parents’ names and a fun fact about the child.

The cost is $35+tax, deadline for submissions is Friday, January 15th.

For more information or to book your space, contact Amanda at 250-341-6299 or advertising@invermerevalleyecho.com.

N E W S PA P E R

Greg Amos at does ART Special to The ValleyWhEcho mean to you?

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our leyarts.com for Visit columbiaval

Happy BirtHd

Sunday Decemb at 2 pm & 7 pm

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current events cale

January Incinerator shutdown causes odour An overheated incinerator at Tembec’s Skookumchuck pulp mill resulted in an unpleasant odour pervading the Upper Columbia Valley in early January. An incinerator at the mill that burns non-condensable gases shut down automatically — as it’s supposed to — when the temperature of the gases it burns crept above 300 F (148 C), resulting in the venting of the gases (a standard safety measure) for 11 minutes on the night of Thursday, January 8th before the incinerator was restarted. A wind blowing from the southeast at the time meant the gases left a lingering smell in Canal Flats, Invermere, Panorama and other parts of the valley on the morning of Friday, January 9th.

“We do apologize for the odour; it’s really difficult to avoid at times,” said Tembec acting technical manager Roger Puar.

The high temperature triggered an alarm that shut down the incinerator at 10:12 p.m. on Thursday night. The machine was relit and running again by 10:23 p.m.

Looser liquor laws welcomed Fewer restrictions on consumers of alcohol in British Columbia were announced.

seasons greetings & Happy new year

What does ART mean to you? From the Columbia Valley arts Council

Visit columbiavalleyarts.com for our current events calendar, or call 250-342-4423.

ay to pynelo

s Celebrating 100 year

Bryan Gerrie jigged his rod during the Kinsmen Club’s annual fishing derby on Lake Windermere on Saturday, January 31st, trying to catch the biggest fish. A Banff resident, Bryan has been coming to the Kinsmen Ice Fishing Derby since it started 15 years ago.

Photo by Dan Walton Two changes came as of April 1st: certain grocery stores in the province were able to sell wine produced 100 per cent in B.C., and rural and private liquor stores could have

Happy BirtHday to pynelogs!

1914 - 2014

Celebrating 100 years

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access to the same warehouse pricing as those oper- the zoning of the property for their proposed The ated by the government.

Trails at Windermere development, which is in over the past several years.

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Smith, who was born here in Invermere, has “We’ve raised many issues (regarding alcohol poli- south Windermere. urch homeowner 14 y been an Association of Canadian Mountain Guides “Generally the flavour of (the publicdigCh hearing) was cy) on behalf of constituents,” said Columbia Rivertor s into local his r d annual Winte and a professional memRevelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald. “We’ve been told that there was some concern with the proposed at the thir RAVEN (ACMG) certified ski guide stri , Deh a snowman BERNIE develada on Sunday kes a pose wit ser vancy of Can the Max Kelly N on Con a VE ure Are Nat RA ion by the Association ser vat the RIS Terps- ber of the CanadianCelAvalanche Jean to wait for reform packages and this is it after all opment,” said RDEK planning technicianCH s Confor ebration held ek Benchland hering that the Marion Cre more on this gat icious 1-866-598-7415 cember 13th at istmas tree . e. See page 2 for Wake up to a del t their own Chr of Columbia Lak e ves ast past five years. ma, adding about 25 people attended the hearing. these years.”

A sid akf har st N.C to bre we y VE nce NCC PHOTO a cha 22 holida TEAMRA gives the public a, Offices in Panoram t “For me it’s such a special place we have here in our “One of my main concerns is that amendment changThese and other planned policy changes — such as mon Fair Invermere & allowing minors to dine with their families in pubs, le- es the zoning from P2 (public parks and open space) backyard, and guiding is a way of sharingtithat lan grows ten on pexperire t en id n es R resident retentio ence with others and seeing the enjoyment they theget gions, and membership clubs — reflected a report of to R5, which is the maximum density for residential tion contract for y compaOCAL NEWS rded to Calgar GREG AMOS ia plan was awa L Med sh o Spla Ech ght and and to The Valley experience,” said 73 recommendations put forward by Parliamentary zoning,” Windermere resident and public hearing out iSpecialSmith. nies MDB Insi Creek chthat sly created a Res utof up, who previou rmont, DSmith Plan for s in the Gro and Retention ulation decline action Hot pop Attr ge t l er den first skied on the slopes of Fairmont participant Erin Reid later told The Echo. “ItFai seems Secretary for Liquor Reform John Yap. loca nicm mu As t closure helped tha s Canal Flats mill on Arm, which water systems wake of Canfor’ static to adding its Salm go from being gilvy Wills Springs the village is ipality’s growth in November, Mountain Resort and Panorama Resort.

After acres.”

“I don’t see any problems with it,” said District of like an incredible amount of density on 17 O per cent. ide Resident Ate nin ey-w T by vall CH ing the arose - increas presence to STEVE HUBRE Com plan y n isor ntio Adv rete ho.com ention The resident rmerevalleyec Valley traction and Ret graduating fromeyDavid Thompson School,t Columof bia Herding dogs to help bighorn sheep migrate steve@inve Invermere mayor Gerry Taft said. residents. some newSecondary the now-defunc n mittee to seek the RDEK. m; we from Vall will soo gra tee bia pro mit um ide Com Col ey-w in the Directed Funds dards “This is a vall e communities nished, the said Coun. rior Hea table,” Heliski committee is fi tookhavae Inte job aslthastandishwasher at and Herding sheep and policing priorities were “B.C. liquor laws were outdated and this has been a er system of thre he that RK ugh thesoon The watamong Tho e the t all will now should be at n appointed ve to increas end result tha ey-wide initiati cil, who has bee nimerge, with the vall Mar una l rs Pau has been tive cto nta ion dire er. rese rd of te repworks -time populat EK) boa nt drinking wat began ski touring.

Smith currently for Canameeting long time coming,” said Doug Clovechok, president of the topics of discussion at the regular council ay (RD ion’s full al Flats’ alterna complia as Can r money from Juras has reg approve Commu t of East Kooten ove to Ute tric left or Dis ting al with May mee ion far tee. .: ded so The Reg December 4th on the commit taxpayers in ings Utility Ltd main rep- fun at their Friday, tee, meaning mont Hot Spr as Canal Flats’ oss mously decided dian Mountain Holidays (CMH) the local Liberal Riding Association, s the commitas a and rural areas the private Fair been appointed nity acr ties ds grants for age of Canal Flat ls (the commu nity Works Fun valley municipali s to Ogilvy Wil erside ntative. The Vill t Riv vice rese tha the ser for it. k of ugh its th tho hoo ng ndi ort and nor 715 residents, financially off the $39,000 for exte Retench Creek, Hot Springs Res currently has runs his own who hopes to take the Columbia Rivers to Dutguide, reased as are guiding Attraction and from Fairmont ady decprivate ng its ser viceski The Resident Highway 93/95 ber has likely alre m. gra 5,000 for extendi num Nowill meet pro $14 in t t), tee ure men mit men clos elop isor y Com Canfor mill Adv the er source develop ch of golf course dev wat lt tion Dut t di s, und resu st a men gro ern ilvy Will the utility’s sus — the mo in the business for Revelstoke MLA seat for the BC Liber6 cenhikers under local gov communities (Og 200 e moresumK (mainly and $555,000 for ll have all three vember. (The ed over to the pliant water,” RDE of the pop- onc solution as we’ measurement , before it is turn lth standards) com cial tion “This is a good its offi Hea rec r tin nt with s erio con rece cial to (Int offi problem t) drinking s community long had Flats — puts the courses mer), avalanche and als in the 2017 provincial election.

Creek and Fairmon with valley’s busines Ogilvy Wills had s teaches ulation of Canal The Echo, adding ) has had problem the project. and Dutch Creek ion at 700 people. , chair Rob Gay told ue ulat llow rse. apop sha cou ent so its lem nge its wells are tends to chadoes er, a $50,000 imp A3 water because industrial safety work Bus stranded for two days See k it draws from In Novembmountain because the cree its water intake for oil and gas exploration companies An empty greyhound bus was stuck around on the side of Highway 93/95 just @ the world. outside of Windermere for a couple gs ay to pynelo Happy BirtHd 1914 - 2014 s of days in mid-January. year 100 ing er 27 Celebrat Sunday Decemb & 7 pm “It had a mechanical failure on What does ART u?

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423 mean to yo 2-4 -34 ndar, or call 250 Tuesday evening, at which time we our current leyarts.com for Visit columbiaval called a tow truck to remove the Density averaging debated coach,” said Greyhound senior comAt its Monday, February 23rd meetmunications specialist Lanesha Giping, Canal Flats council debated, but son. The tow truck arrived on the ultimately decided not to support, a morning of Wednesday, January 7th, regional district bylaw (No. 2593) that but was unable to haul the coach. A sought to close a loophole for rural desecond tow truck was called and the velopment of bare land strata properbus was finally removed on Thursties. In response to a Ministry of Transday afternoon. portation and Infrastructure approval There were two passengers aboard that permitted the development of a 25Two young boys made the most of mild weather on Saturday, February 14th by playing the bus at the time it broke down. lot subdivision at Whitetail Lake, about ball hockey at the outdoor rink in Radium as part of the village’s annual Winterfest.

Both passengers and the driver were 28 kilometres west of Canal Flats, the

Photo by Kristin McCauley taxied to Cranbrook by Greyhound Regional District of East Kootenay was immediately after the mechanical failure occurred, in the Village of Radium Hot Springs on Wednesday, pursuing a bylaw to regulate density averaging on which allowed the passengers to continue their trip on January 28th. The Columbia Basin Trust approved a such properties, as a means to ensure the approval schedule from Cranbrook on another Greyhound bus. grant to aid the migration of the local bighorn sheep process stays with local government.

“Because we are a ground transportation compa- herd. In working with a biologist from Parks Canada, Canal Flats council’s response to the regional disny; road failures occasionally occur. I don’t have an herding dogs will be used to entice the sheep to mi- trict was that “approval is not recommended due to exact figure for how often it happens. However, we grate into Kootenay National Park, rather than set- reasons outlined below: decreased flexibility to acdo pre- and post-trip inspections of our coaches to tling in the urban setting. The practice is supposed to commodate site-specific circumstances.” try to avoid these types of issues the best we can,” take place before the sheep begin lambing.

Filtration at Paddy Ryan reservoir costly said Gipson.

“Once that happens, they get too habituated,” RaInstalling water filtration in the Paddy Ryan ReserFaster Internet service supported dium Hot Springs mayor Clara Reinhardt said. voir would come with a price tag running into the milAt a meeting on January 9th, the Regional District of Fate of Canal Flats village discussed lions of dollars, it was revealed.

East Kootenay agreed to green light a Columbia Basin At a February Canal Flats council meeting at the CoDuring discussion in a District of Invermere counTrust offer to support up to 17.5 per cent of the cost lumbia Discovery Centre on Tuesday, February 10th, cil meeting, chief administrative officer Chris Prosser of any potential project to bring high-speed Internet a presentation was given by Canfor on the inherent brought up the cost in response to points raised by to rural parts of the Columbia Valley. FlexiNET and reasons for recent layoffs, mainly attributed to a Invermere councillor Paul Denchuk, who had sugWink Wireless had shown interest in projects that shortage of timber. gested (before learning of the costs) that installing could affect Edgewater, Brisco, Spillimacheen and “They assured us that they will do everything they filtration at Paddy Ryan would be more effective than Canal Flats. Those areas would qualify for a federal can to absorb all of the affected employees in one offering rebates for filter installation in individual government grant that would foot 50 per cent of the of their other operations in B.C.,” Mayor Ute Juras homes in Invermere that have water problems. bill of bringing them an Internet “backbone.” told The Echo. “There was a lot of discussion. As you A 2011 report put the cost of water filtration for the can imagine, there are a lot of questions and a lot of Paddy Ryan Reservoir somewhere in the neighbouruncertainty.” hood of $15 million to $18 million, rising to more than “This will potentially force some of our residents to $20 million dollars by 2023. relocate at a time when the Village is trying to retain Parks Canada restoring region near Radium and attract residents to help our economy and keep At a regular Radium Hot Springs council meeting Windermere development worries residents on Wednesday, February 25th, Jed Cochrane, Parks A proposed zoning bylaw amendment for a new de- the doors of our school open,” she added.

Local mountain guide featured Canada fire and plant ecologist for Kootenay, Yoho, velopment in the Windermere area created concern The Echo ran a feature story on backcountry guide and Lake Louise National Parks, discussed what he among nearby residents.

Developers Jeb Ferster and Ed Goertzen had ap- Brodie Smith, known by many valley outdoor enthu- and his team were doing to reduce the potential for plied for a bylaw amendment what would change siasts who have brushed up on their backcountry severe forest fires and to restore the native habitat,

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ber particularly in the areas closest to Radium.

Decem 15 Jumbo oCP gets first reading 0 2 Cochrane said that in Radium, Parks is foThe Mountain Resort Municipality of JumVo l . cusing on restoring two specific areas near bo Glacier gave first reading to its official ner Radium — the Redstreak Benches and SinChurch homeow y 14 community plan (OCP) bylaw, after making tor his digs into local nter clair Canyon — where controlled burnings a few changes to the first draft ofanthe bylaw, third annual Wi , Desnowm at the BERNIE RAVENN a pose with a ada on Sunday vancy of Canfamily x Kelly strikes of a sersingle the Maremoval on Con a VE ure would be taking place.

Are including the few Nat RA ion ser vat d by the CHRIS 7415 that Celebration hel Marion Creek Benchlands Con this gathering delicious e 2 for more on ber 13th at the tree .

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Wake up to a lots.

Chr Lak n Possible boundary expansion eyed would guide future developir ow umbia vest the A 22 holiday breakfast The OCP west side of Col NCC PHOTO a chance to har TEAMRAVEN.C gives the public a, Offices in Panoram The idea of Invermere expanding its mument of the community, which currently t mon Fair Invermere & nicipal boundaries in the future garnered has no residents. (A public hearing pon theg rows n t retention tla en id ntion es some attention during the Tuesday, March OCP was held in June.)

R the resident rete tion contrac for EWS y comparded to Calgar GREG AMOS ia plan was awa LOCAL N Med sh o Spla Ech 10th council meeting. A group of citizens Agreement benefi ey local fishers Vallts ght and d Special to The nies MDB Insi a Resiviously created Dutch Creek an t, on Group, who pre for rm Plan ai the F ion in s ent line Ret and upset at changes proposed in a draft OCP A new provincial starting April ulation dec action l popinitiative municure dent Attr ch helped that al Flats mill clos er systems merge wakAs eloca Salmon Arm, whi of Canfor’s Can g static to is adding its wth go from bein Ogilvy Wills wat T 1st dictated all bylaw debated the pros and cons of bounder, the village from revenue B.C. fi shing ity’s gro ipal in Novemb Att t. iden by nine per cen valley-wide Res CH arose - increasing presence to the STEVE HUBRE t retention plan ion Advisory Com Retent revalleyecho.com The residen ary expansion with councillors, but the licenses would goand to the Freshwater FishValley traction steve@inverme residents. unct Columbia new -def e now som k the see n mittee to of the RDEK. m; we from Valley will soo gra tee bia pro mit um ide Com Col ds is a valley-w munities in the eries “This B.C., ed, the n. Directed Fungood standards lth discussion also touched on where such exSociety of which Couspelled tem of three com mittee is finish have Interior Hea that table,” said The water sys Though the com e the t all will now should be at n appointed ve to increas end result tha ey-wide initiati cil, who has bee nimerge, with the vall Mar una l been rs Pau has tive cto nta ion dire er. rd of pansion might occur. populat news for all the Columbia Valley lakes king wat alternate represe ay (RDEK) boa ion’s full-time compliant drin as Canal Flats’ r money from Juras has reg approve Commu t of East Kooten ove to Ute tric left or Dis ting al with May mee ion far The Reg committee. ember 4th Ltd.: funded so rs in the Dec ity on aye ay, Util rep n taxp Frid ings mai g ir s’ at the Hot Spr al Flat CanThe montstocked “Why not expand east (to the opposite by thebeesociety. change mittee, meanin mously decided n appointed as areas s the commeant the private Fair nity across ties and rural ds grants for age of Canal Flat ls (the commu nity Works Fun valley municipali s to Ogilvy Wil erside ntative. The Vill t Riv vice rese it. tha the ser for k of ugh its th tho hoo ng ndi dents, off the ort and ciallythe side of Lake Windermere) where there is a annoradditional $3 for $39,000 for exte tly has 715 resi in revenue RetenHot Springs Res currenmillion ed as are finan to Dutch Creek, Attraction and from Fairmont ng its ser vices ly already decreas The Resident Highway 93/95 m.

5,000 for extendi number has like tee will meet ure in Noelopment progra elopment), $14 isor y Commit Canfor mill clos Adv the er source dev ch of golf course dev wat lt di tion Dut s, und resu st a men tax base,” asked councillor Paul Denchuk. gro Will groupilvyeach year.

Local2006lakes stocked by thelocal govern t the mo the utility’s census — the communities (Og e more under K and $555,000 for ll have all three vember. (The ed over to pliant water,” RDE of the pop- onc solution as we’ measurement , before it is turn lth standards) com cial tion “This is a good its offi Hea rec r tin nt with s erio con rece cial to (Int offi An increased tax base, which would give society (with Eastern brook t) drinking s community long had probleminclude Bear s — puts the had Flat Creek and Fairmon valley’s busines ing Ogilvy Wills ulation of Canal problems with o, addThursThe Ech CBC Daybreak South host Chris Walker was in the Columbia Valley on people.) ch Creek has had chair Rob Gay told ue the project. population at 700 shallow, and Dut course. lementa- in ,000 imp its wells are so s to change itsAlces the district an increased budget, was one e trout), and Whitetail lakes the Ca$50 tend aus a bec er, from er ws emb A3 wat See k it dra In Nov day, March 12th, hosting a live broadcast from The Invermere Bakery as part because the cree its water intake reason councillors had put forward as a of an East Kootenay tour.

Photo by Nicole Trigg nal Flats area; Cartwright, Dogsleg and Lilreason for expanding. lian lakes in the Invermere area; Dorothy @ “We need to be realistic about expanding to the east side of the lake,” said Inver- Lake in Invermere proper; Brady Lake in Fairmont; and Munn and Enid lakes in pynelogs ay to Happy BirtHd mere mayor Gerry Taft at the meeting. “Do the residents there want it? No. Would the Wilmer region (all with Rainbow trout).

1914 - 2014 s year 100 ing Celebrat cember 27 Sunday Derealized the regional district director for the area want it? No. Would their taxes go up? Yes.” What does ART u?Garden at 2 pm & 7 pm strixproject A .

423 mean to yo 2-4 -34 r, or call 250 Hot Springs consisting of Although Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Area F director Wendy The Rotary Gardens, a community garden inndaRadium rent events cale our cur leyarts.com for Visit columbiaval Booth — whose jurisdiction includes in the east side of the lake — was not at the 42 raised garden beds surrounded by a wildlife fence, was nearing completion meeting, she later told The Echo that “anything is possible for boundary expan- after efforts from volunteers and Sunrise Rotary Club members. The garden was sion at some point in the future.” built behind the Parks Canada building (formerly an elementary school) in RaAt the council meeting, Invermere resident Dale Wilker suggested expanding to dium Hot Springs. Prior to becoming a garden, the space was often used as an Wilmer “where there’s a tax base already set to go.” informal soccer field or dog-walking space. Including in-kind contributions and Local cross section featured on CBC radio volunteer help, the total cost of the project was between $60,000 and $65,000, CBC Radio morning show, Daybreak South from Kelowna, hosted three live said project organizer Dale Shudra. broadcasts in the East Kootenay, including one from The Invermere Bakery.

Job fair cancelled for Canfor employees The local broadcast happened on Thursday, March 12th. Producers arranged to With more than 80 employees facing mass layoffs at the Canal Flats Canfor mill have many of the valley’s top-of-mind subjects discussed, from the controversy on May 4th, a job fair that was scheduled to be held for the employees on April surrounding Jumbo Glacier Resort to the successes of local entrepreneurs.

16th was cancelled, due to a general lack of interest.

“The idea of speaking to a broad media like CBC that has a broad reach in order “The Canfor transition team felt they just wouldn’t get attendance,” said Coto get some fair and correct information out is an opportunity you always want lumbia Valley Chamber of Commerce executive director Susan Clovechok. “I was to take,” said Grant Costello, senior vice president of Jumbo Glacier Resort. He really disappointed it didn’t go ahead, but I understand why it was cancelled. It’s later claimed that CBC has always taken a negative approach towards the devel- hard for prospective employers who were to be at the fair to spend the time and opment of Jumbo Glacier Resort. resources if it doesn’t seem they’ll be talking to many potential employees.”

“They consistently ask the same five questions from what I call the Wildsight Grant sought for new community centre playbook,” he said.

The District of Invermere put in a request to the Union of B.C. Municipalities Amid the low oil prices and relatively low Canadian dollar, Invermere mayor Strategic Priority Fund for $6 million to put towards the new multi-use communiGerry Taft and Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce executive director Susan ty centre and other projects, including $1.8 million for 13th Avenue revitalization Clovechok were asked about how the valley is maintaining its tourism-driven economy.

“Generally, the outlook is cautiously optimistic,” Taft said. “Theoretically, with a lower price at the pump and stronger U.S. dollar, people might be taking trips closer to home, and it’s becoming easier for Americans to travel north.”

Other local guests on the Invermere segment of the popular morning show included artist Chloe Marson, Invermere Bakery owner Peter Banga, local artisan baker Andi Schoni, Valley Echo/Pioneer editor Nicole Trigg, the entire cast of The Visionary and The Ghost of Pynelogs, and District of Invermere event co-ordinator Theresa Wood.

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April Water testing launched The District of Invermere laid plans to test local water throughout the summer to determine the cause of taste and odour issues identified by residents and visitors. Urban Systems unveiled a six-to-eight month plan to determine whether the taste arises from the water source (the Paddy Ryan Lakes near Westside Road) or from the water distribution system. Mayor Taft noted the problem seemed to be specific to certain neighbourhoods, and added that if heavy duty water filtration was required to fix the taste, it could mean capital costs in the tens of millions of dollars to fix.

A volunteer work day on Saturday, April 11th at the new Rotary Gardens in Radium Hot Springs (spearheaded by the Radium Sunrise Rotary Club) drew a great turnout of 25 volunteers eager to get the new community garden project up and running.

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b Mayor resident attraction plan Decem proposes 15 0 2 Invermere mayor Gerry Taft proposed a major projV l. ect to his ocolleagues during a Columbia Valley Comner Church homeow y 14 munity Directed Funds Committee Meeting on May tor his digs into local ual Winter 22nd — the development of a Permanent Resident Reat the third ann IE , Deh a snowman BERN RAVENN ada on Sunday kes a pose wit ser vancy of Can Max Kelly stri Con a on the VE ure Are Nat RA ion Actiond byPlan for the Columbia the ser vat CHRIS 7415 tention and Attraction that Celebration hel Marion Creek Benchlands Con ing this gather the us 2 for more on tree .

1-866-598cember 13th at up to a delicio e. See page chair Wake The Lak own Christmas Valley. idea was supported by board t theirWendy of Columbia e ves ast A sid O akf har st N.C OT to bre we y PH VE nce NCC a cha 22 holida TEAMRA gives the public a, Offices in Panoram Booth, who put forward a motion to fund phase one of t mon Fair Invermere & the action plan with $50,000. ws ntion plan gdenro te re t en id ntion es rete t R “One of the biggest challenges to businesses in the the resi tion contract for EWS y comparded to Calgar GREG AMOS ia plan was awa LOCAL N Med sh o Spla Ech and ey d valleychisCstaying areghtnot cial to The Vallwhen there Spestable nies MDB Insi reek anfinancially a Resiviously created Dut Group, who pre for Plan the Fairmont,as ion in s ent line Ret ion dec whose many people er around,” Attraction and ge As locasaid tproposal l populatTaft, that municclosure den , which helped s Canal Flats mill water systems m ic to its Salmon Arm wake of Canfor’ from being stat village is adding Ogilvy Willswas er, thea ity’s growth go of t. embdo ipal toCHhire a consultant to literature review in Nov Att iden T by nine per cen valley-wide Res arose - increasing presence to the STEVE HUBRE Com plan y n isor ntio Adv rete ention yecho.com resident The number Valley traction and nvermerevalle in other communities toRetsom increase their steve@iefforts unct Columbia e new residents.

K. from the now-def soon mittee to seek bia Valley will program; we mittee of the RDE es in the Colum cted Funds Com ds is a valley-wide niti Dire is dar mu “Th ed, n. stan com e lth nish Cou fi rior Hea residents,shoundertake independent in-tee is increase the tem of thre of permanent t table,” said now have Inte ugh the commit The water sys the uld be at tha lt that all will appointed Tho to resu n ve end bee iati the has init ide merge, with Paul Marcil, who has been ntative valley-w directors unaniking water. terviews board ofcommunity Invermere council wary of Interior Health -time population with members toreseestablish EK) alternate rep compliant drin region’s fullopinfrom t Kootenay (RD e Commuas Canal Flats’ leftover money or Ute Juras has District of Eas ting to approv The Regional committee. May ember 4th mee Ltd.: funded so far with the Dec ity on ayers in ay, Util rep n taxp Frid ings mai g ir s’ at the al Flat nt Hot Spr a plan as Can mittee, meanin Fairmocreate comvalley Asked at a council meeting to partner with Interior ions, and to advertise the oss for mously decided as the private n appointed beehow and rural are community acr Canal Flats grants for the of ties (the ds age ls pali Fun Vill Wil nici rks mu nity Wo s to Ogilvy resentative. The that valley for it. of the Riverside nding its ser vice ly off the hook residents, though ort and north cial 715 Res nan has fi ings ek, $39,000 for exte tly are enSpr Cre ren Ret Health on their Healthy Community Initiative, Inverch toHotprospective residents. cur ed as to Dut Attraction and from Fairmont ng its ser vices ly already decreas The Resident Highway 93/95 meet 5,000 for extendi number has like Noment program.

Committee will elopment), $14 mill closure in source develop ch golf course dev lt of the Canfor tion Advisor y t di undwater a resu Wills, Dut most attracting mere council expressed skepticism that the partnerTaft said that the focus needs to be (Ogilvy — theon local governmen the utility’s gro ities sus er for cen mun 0 6 und com 5,00 re 200 e e mo $55 and - once er,” RDEK r to the ll have all thre vember. (Th pop wat we’ ove nt as the ed plia of tion turn nt com is solu measureme , before it lth standards) cial tion “This is a good its offi Hea rec r tin nt with s erio con rece cial to (Int t) drinking puts the offi ship could translate into a downloading of responsibilis community long had problem “nomadic entrepreneurs,” which Flat hes —defined as people Creek and Fairmon valley’s busines Ogilvy Wills had s with ulation of Canal The Echo, adding ) has had problem the project. and Dutch Creek ion at 700 people. , chair Rob Gay told ue ulat llow rse. apop sha cou ent so its implem to change a location-specific its wells arewho do tends have a $50,000 ties from Interior Health onto the district in the future. not job and who live water because See A3 k it draws from In November, because the cree its water intake The Healthy Community Initiative is a program that in a place to enjoy the offered lifestyle. promotes healthy living options, in an effort to pre“People have to@ be able to bring their own employvent people from needing to use more traditional ment and be self-sufficient,” Taft said. gs ay to pynelo Happy BirtHd health services.

Permaculture students drawn to Invermere 1914 - 2014 s year 100 ing Celebrat ay December 27 Asked by councillor Justin Atterbury if a formal part- On May 23rd, Al Ostrander, the first-ever resident Roughly does ART pm & 7 pm travelled from across Canada Whatat ix30Suat nd2students Co. an to you? A s tr 423 me 2-4 -34 calendar, or call nership would be of any benefit to help with reduction lumbia Garden Village, and Marjorie Stringer, who cel-valleyand the United to250participate in the complecurrent eventsStates arts.com for our Visit columbia in health services, such as the loss of Invermere’s di- ebrated her 101st birthday on May 23rd, helped cut the tion of the 72-hour Permaculture Design Certificate alysis unit two years ago, the community health facili- cake for festivities marking a decade of Columbia Gar- between May 15th and May 28th with experts Rob tator responded this would be outside her role with den Village since its opening. Photo by Breanne Massey and Michelle Avis from Verge Permaculture and Health Community Initiatives program.

Adaptive Habitat, hosted by the Groundswell NetEast Kootenay highway maintenance petition makes it to Victoria work Society in Invermere.

A Facebook-based petition with nearly 1,000 signatures demanding better main“Groundswell is really pleased to be collaborating with Verge Permaculture of tenance on highways in the East Kootenay was brought to the B.C. legislature by Calgary,” said Groundswell Network executive director Bill Swan. “The principals, Columbia River Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald. One of the founders of the Rob and Michelle, are western Canada’s leading practitioners. Their expertise is Facebook group (Taking Back East Kootenay Highways) that spawned the peti- known worldwide and these courses generally are in high demand.” tion was a former snowplow driver for Mainroad Group who said the company The program offered up a healthy dose of theory and hands-on learning about was unable to make the highways safe (particularly in the winter) due to govern- energy-efficient gardening and water management systems. ment restrictions. Highway 93/95 is a Class B highway in B.C., meaning it is given Ktunaxa lawsuit appeal against Jumbo reaches court the second highest priority for plowing after a snowfall.

Lawyers representing the Ktunaxa Nation appeared in the B.C. Court of ApMP aims for addictions recovery week peal in Vancouver in late May to present their case against the Jumbo Glacier Former Kootenay-Columbia MP David Wilks introduced a private member’s bill Resort development. The Nation argued the Canadian Charter of Rights and in the House of Commons seeking to declare the fourth Saturday of September as Freedoms protects their religious freedoms, which would be infringed upon by the start of Addictions Recovery Week. Mr. Wilks, who overcame years of alcohol- the planned Jumbo resort. It was expected the decision on the appeal would ism early on in his career as an RCMP officer, hoped the week would help those take three to six months. overcoming their demons be proud of what they had become instead of reflecting on who they’d been.

“I had come to the point in my life where alcohol was ruling my day-to-day activities,” said Mr. Wilks, who last drank 26 years ago and considers himself to be in a state of “long-term recovery.”

DTSS comes up short in Fraser Institute rankings Directed funds committee winds down David Thompson Secondary School (DTSS) earned an overall rating of 5.2 out The Columbia Valley Directed Funds Committee — a sub-committee of the Re- of 10 in the Fraser Institute’s annual ranking of B.C. high schools. That was down gional District of East Kootenay — held its second to last meeting in May. The significantly from 2014’s ranking of 6.0. DTSS is now barely hanging on to a yelgroup, aimed at empowering communities between Spillimacheen and Canal low classification from the Fraser Institute, given to schools that earn an overall Flats to fund projects of specific importance to the Columbia Valley, was slated rating of between 7.4 and 5.0. The yellow classification is considered the mark of to return under the control of Columbia Basin Trust after lasting three years. a good school, according to the Fraser Institute, which has in the past routinely The Columbia Basin Trust took over final decision-making on the allocation of ranked private schools higher than public schools, leading some to accuse the the funds.

Institute of a bias favouring privatized education.

See A7

work and $65,000 to develop an Infrastructure Priorities Replacement Plan. Invermere chief administrative officer Chris Prosser noted council would be lucky to receive $2 million of the requested amount.

Columbia Lake development proceeds The Regional District of East Kootenay gave first and second reading to a zoning bylaw that would allow for a 17 single-family lot developments on the north end of Columbia Lake. The view lots would have lake access but no lake frontage, and would look across to Lot 48.

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Wednesday, December 30, 2015 The Valley Echo

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The two sides of Boxing Day

ADMINISTRATION

What’s not to like about the Christmas holiday season? Whether one is religious or not, the appeal of the end of December is practically universal across North America and much of the Western world.

Brightly decorated homes and Christmas trees, sparkling lights and glittering gifts, familiar carols and nostalgic traditions, festive gatherings, rapturous feasts and, above all, time off. No other time of year is marked by two statutory holidays in a row. However, while most are familiar with the real meaning behind Christmas Day, how many actually have an inkling as to what Boxing Day is all about?

In Canada, as well as the U.K., Australia and New Zealand, Boxing Day is known as a shopping holiday. Newscasts on December 26th are generally about the record-breaking lineups outside stores with slashed prices and discounts so low that many will sacrifice a relaxing holiday morning for the competitive environment of getting to their prized item first in order to walk away with it for less money than what they would pay on any other day of the year.

But before the big sales, and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, what was this day all about? According to Wikipedia, there are competing theories as to how the name came about, but the one the Oxford Dictionary stands by is rooted

in England in the early 1800s when servants, errand boys and postmen would receive a “Christmas box” the day after Christmas as payment for good services rendered throughout the previous year.

While generally considered a secular holiday, there may be a historical nonsecular meaning related to the Alms Box placed in areas of worship to collect donations for the poor.

It’s great that workers today are given Boxing Day off — a tip of the hat to the past “Christmas box” charitable appreciation of work well done. But how ironic that alongside this tradition, Boxing Day has also evolved into the biggest temptation across the Commonwealth for emptying one’s bank account.

LIFESTYLES Theresa Kains

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Renice Oaks

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NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT: Reproduction of any or all editorial and advertising materials in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without the written consent of the publisher. It is agreed by the advertiser requesting space that the liability of The Valley Echo, owned by Black Press Ltd. in the event of failure to publish an advertisement or in the event of an error appearing in the advertisement as published, shall be limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for only the one incorrect insertion for the portion of the advertising space occupied by the incorrect or omitted items only and that there shall be no liability in any event greater than the amount paid for such advertising.

BC PRESS COUNCIL – The Valley Echo is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province's newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent within 45 days to B.C. Press Council, PO Box 1356, Ladysmith,B.C. V9G 1A9. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org

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2009 2009 WINNER

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Reflection and renewal: preparing for 2016

his year, our inspiration circumstances, you are more Grow Your REATNESS grew as we nurtured open to receiving all things our Greatness Seeds, which that will ignite you into feelincluded courage, possiing better. bility, health, time, appreIs it tough at times when ciation, calmness, releasing, “life” throws you a curve giving and receiving. ball, when sickness, misforAs you reflect on 2015, tune and disease knock at there will be many memothe door? Absolutely!

LIZABETH ries of happy times, fulfilling Even during those times, experiences, challenging opthere are gifts, though they portunities and possibly a can be hard to see. few things you wish you could have done In 2015, there were many opportunibetter. Only you know how well you con- ties when this gracious community came tributed to your own sense of wellness; together, poured their love and support to your friends, family, community; and into the hearts of those in need, and suphow you held up your part to be a good ported so many into feeling better. The steward of our Earth. members of this valley are incredible.

Here’s the thing: life is about feeling bet- We know that great and wonderful things ter and better about everything. When happen when we come together to uplift, your heart is expanding with love and support and celebrate each other. gratitude for what is, regardless of the Now it’s time for the holidays and the

G

E SHOPLAND

welcoming of a new year. Are you excited about it? What will be different for you this New Year?

Some of you will go with the flow, some of you will make and go after specific goals and some of you will do both.

I personally am ramping up my approach to my own wellness and to being a better steward for the Earth in 2016. As I finish this last column for 2015 from my nature-inspired living office, I would like to invite you to join me in 2016 for a new series entitled “Go & Grow Greener.”

We will explore ways to be and do even better at taking care of ourselves, each other and this beautiful place we call home.

Elizabeth Shopland is a personal growth and development coach, a certified horticulturist, and the co-owner of Shopland Grow & Bloom. She can be reached at eshopland@telus.net and 250-342-1124.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015 The Valley Echo

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TREET

What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2016?

“To have more time off work.”

Christina MacDonald

”I hope to do more crosscountry skiing this year.”

“I don’t really have any.”

Jesse Kendall

Joanne Irvine (pictured with Susan Rodewalt, right)

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ALLE Y CHO Year in Review 2015 o

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23 ber several major projects in the region.”

Decem of 5 1 20 The report suggests that four main conVo l .

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The average provincial exam mark achieved by B.C. students in Grade 10 to Grade 12 was 69.5 per cent. At DTSS, students averaged 67.8 per cent on provincial exams. rV resort concerns arise About 70 community members came to a public hearing for a proposed rezoning to create a seasonal RV resort in the Village of Canal Flats, speaking mainly against the proposal. A petition signed by more than 400 community members (in a community of about 700 people) was presented to council. Some spoke against the influx of visitors in the 151-lot resort making local streets more dangerous. Richard Haworth, The McToogle’s Trio rocked the 4th Annual the agent for proponent Benny Boyz Edgewater on Saturday, July 25th.

Ventures, countered this point by reminding attendees the resort will target upscale clientele, who will possibly become invested in Canal Flats through long-term leases.

“The quality of the clientele you get is based on the cost of the lease in some ways,” Mr. Haworth said. “We can’t control who leases, but we will have strong rules on the site, which must be followed.” employment dips in the Kootenays Employment fell by 11.8 per cent in the Kootenays in 2014, according to a report released by the Chartered Professional Accountants of BC (CPABC) in June. The region had been experiencing a steady rise in jobs for three consecutive years, but the losses from 2014 exceed the 8,400 jobs created between 2011-2013. The report blames much of the decline on the weakened construction industry.

“In particular, the construction industry lost about four-tenths of its workforce,” Mike Calder, a chartered professional accountant said. “This is partly due to the completion

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The Invermer e

struction projects, including the $900-million Jumbo Glacier Resort, should boost 14 employment for the rest of 2015.the third annual Winter snowman at Sunday, DeBERNIE RAVENN a pose with a of Canada on ly strikes ser vancy the Max Kel Jumbo not substantially started VE the Nature Con vation Area on by d hel CHRIS RA74 n chlands Conser ebratio Ben Cel ek hering that Cre gat n rio us more on this h at the Ma icio for 13t del 2 a e. e ber to tre 1-866-598- 15 pag cem as up ke GlacierweResorts Limited’s environmenLake. See bia own Christm ast A 22 Wa st side of Colum lic a chance to har vest their NCC PHOTO holiday breakf TEAMRAVEN.C gives the pub a, tal assessment certificate expired on Offices in Panoram t Invermere & Fairmon June 18th, after B.C. Environment Minplan grows t retentionthat en id ister Mary Polak determined the ntion es R the resident rete tion contract for EWS gar y compaawarded to Cal GREG AMOS was ia plan LOCAL N Resort wasghtnot o and Splash Med Valley Echproject and Glacier Special to The nies MDB Insi CreekJumbo ated a Resich ut D previously cre t, who on up, Gro for rm Fai lines in the Retention Plan substantially t Attraction and l population dec erge As locastarted. municclosure den ch helped that s Canal Flats mill er systems m Salmon Arm, whi ic to wake of Canfor’ from being stat ge is adding its go villa “I have not had any discussions with my wth the gro Ogilvy Wills wat T er, in Novemb t At- ipality’s t. iden cen Res per ide e valley-w CH ing by nin eas se incr aro presence to the STEVE HUBRE isory Com retention plan ention Adv resident any colleagues tracabout decision, revalleyecho.com Thewith ey tion and Retmy steve@inverme t Columbia Vall residents. the now-defunc seek some new n to K. from soo tee RDE will mit we the ey of m; Vall progra Committee Funds in the Columbiaof them, is a valley-wide Directed iswould I not be able to come communities lth standards so“Th nished, the Coun. fi thre is Hea said of tee rior le,” tem mit Inte tab sys e ugh the com The water be at that will now hav Tho the uld all e t ed sho eas tha oint lt incr n app ve to end resu ey-wide initiati cil, who has bee n merge, with the Paul Marreaction,” ntative vall directors una ment onni- their said Mrs. Polak ulation has bee king water.

EK) board of alternate represe ’s full-time pop compliant drin t Kootenay (RD as Canal Flats’ ney from s has region rove CommuDistrict of Eas with leftover mo Mayor Ute Jura meeting to app far tee.

4th so mit er .: ded The Regional com emb in Ltd fun rs Dec on the Utility Flats’ main rep question at their Friday, iningsresponse to The Echo’s ofning taxpayeare mont Hot Spr as Canal committee, mea mously decided as the private Fair been appointed nity across al Flats the ties and rural ds grants for ls (the commu Village of Can ey municipali ide nity Works Fun s to Ogilvy Wil resentative. The k for it. ugh that vall th of the Rivers her tho hoo ng its ser vice nor ts, the ndi den and off exte ly resi ort for whether decision would be met with cial $39,000 rently has 715 RetenHot Springs Res in vices to Dutch Creek, as are finan cur nt ed and mo on reas Fair dec acti Steamboat Mountain Music Festival Attr from ng its ser ly already The Resident Highway 93/95 5,000 for extendi number has like tee will meet ure in Noment program. elopment), $14 isor y Commit Canfor mill clos the st BC source developopposition ch golf course dev Liberal tion Adv result of thewithin afrom groundwaterTrigg government di(Ogilvy Wills, Dut utility’s — the mo Phototheby Nicole re under local e communities e 2006 census mo thre e K (Th all and $555,000 for onc e RDE ber. hav er,” ll vem ed over to the solution as we’ ement of the pop ds) compliant wat , before it is turn “This is a good its rectionEnergy r Health standar nt official measur MLA rece party.

East Kootenay (and nity to contin problems with the official t) drinking (Interio business commu al Flats — puts Wills had long had Can ey’s lvy of Creek and Fairmon with vall Ogi s ion ing ulat blem add The Echo, ) ek has had pro the project. ion at 700 people. , and Dutch Cre chair Rob Gay told ulat a- ueresort. pop shallow course. entski so its lem are nge ls Minister) Bill Bennett has been a long-time supporter of the proposed imp cha wel to ,000 its s tend a $50 water because See A3 k it draws from In November, because the cree its water intake “There is no question that Mary Polak has made a decision that is going to have colleagues angry at her, but it is the right decision,” said Columbia River-Revel@ stoke MLA Norm Macdonald. gs! ay to pynelo Happy BirtHd Jumbo Glacier Resort Mayor Greg Deck said he was disappointed in the 4 - 2014 191decis Celebrating 100 year mber 27 Sunday De sion, and questioned what would happen tocethe $1 million that had been alloWhat does ART u? at 2 pm & 7 pm ix tr s A yo to . mean cated to his council over a five-year term. calendar, or call 250-342-4423 our current events leyarts.com for Visit columbiaval “We exist to provide a municipal underpinning to the agreement between the province and Jumbo Glacier Resort, and if those necessary agreements are not in place, then our funding will be in question,” Mr. Deck said.

Affordable housing gets closer The Family Resource Centre was given a $9,500 Columbia Basin Trust grant See A9 ner Church homeow y histor digs into local

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QUESTION OF THE WEEK

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Are you among the number of Canadian borrowers for whom rising household debt is an increasing problem?

Yes

25%

NEXT WEEK’S QUESTION:

Do you believe that making New Year’s resolutions is an effective way of accomplishing your personal goals?

INVERMEREVALLEYECHO.com

No

75%

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Wednesday, December 30, 2015 The Valley Echo

THE

WEEKLY Beat Have an event you’d like listed? Email it to: production@ invermerevalleyecho. com

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 30TH • 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Library on shortened hours Dec. 30, 31 and Jan. 2.

• 7 p.m.: Texas Hold ‘em Tournament moved to Wednesday 30th at Invermere Legion. $35 buy in.

THURSDAY, DEC. 31ST • 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Invermere Library on shortened hours Dec. 31 and Jan. 2 • 11:15 a.m.: Invermere Library Preschool Storytime drop in for stories and a craft.

• 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.: Invermere Library Lego Club. Drop in to build something great.

• 3 p.m.: Village of Radium’s 25th Birthday Celebration and New Year’s Eve Party at Brent’s Shack, Legends Field and Radium Hot Springs Seniors Hall. Hot chocolate, hot dogs, chili and birthday cake. Visit www. radiumhotsprings.com for details.

• 6:30 p.m.: Radium Hot Springs New Year’s Eve Fireworks at • 10 p.m.: Fairmont New Year’s Eve Springs Driving Range. Visit www. Fireworks at the Historic Indian Baths. radiumhotsprings.com for details.

• 11 p.m.: Family Neon Nye Party at • 7 - 10 p.m.: Fairmont Hot Springs Panorama Mountain Resort. Prizes for Best Neon Costume, Best glowing lip Summer pool party.

• 7:30 p.m.: New Year’s Eve Dinner at sync artist, and best neon guitarist.

Panorama Great Hall, Dinner pricing is Free handouts, like kids pop, glow $54.95 for those 15+ years old, $19.95 sticks and glow jewelry, appy bites for those 5-14 years old, children 4 and jello shots (non-alcoholic) and and under free. Gratuity included GST Full bar open for Adults. extra. Reservations recommended call 1-800-663-2929. Visit www. panoramaresort.com/events/ for menu details.

• 9 p.m.: Bear’s Paw Bar & Grill at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. No cover charge. A New Years Eve Glow Party with festive drink specials, champagne at midnight, music by DJ Wild Bill and a selfie booth in the lobby. For more information email ptolchard@fhsr.com or call 250-345-6063.

• 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.: Edgewater Recreation Society presents a New Year’s Eve event with Jaydee Hypnotist. Tickets $20 in advance includes New Year’s bling, midnight hors d’oeuvres and champagne, sold at Brisco Store, Pip’s Store, Simple Pleasures and Little Treasures, Home Hardware and the Trading Post.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9TH

• 9 p.m.: Bear’s Paw Bar & Grill at INVERMERE LIBRARY Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Join us for live music by Smokin’ Ray & The • Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m • Wednesday: 10 a.m - 8 p.m.

Detectors. Blues, R’s n B and more.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12TH

• 6:30 p.m.: Westside Legacy Trail Open House at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, Pine Room. Come FRIDAY JANUARY 1ST and experience what the WLT is, • 7 - 10 p.m.: Fresh Fridays Open Mic how it will impact the valley, and at Pynelogs. Showcasing young talent show your support. Snacks and from the valley. All ages, licensed bar. refreshments will be served.

First Friday of every month.

,

SATURDAY, JANUARY 2ND

HOURS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15TH

• Thurs – Saturday: 10 a.m - 5p.m.

RADIUM LIBRARY

• Tuesday: 6 - 8 p.m.

• Wed - Thursday: 1 - 4 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. - 1p.m.

WINDERMERE VALLEY MUSEUM • Tuesday: 12 - 4 p.m.

INVERMERE THRIFT STORE

• Thurs - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• 9 p.m.: Bear’s Paw & Grill at Fairmont • 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Library on shortened Hot Springs Resort. Join us for live RADIUM THRIFT STORE hours Dec. 29, 30, 31 and Jan. 2. music by Swillbillies with blues, folk • Thursday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• 11:15 a.m.: Invermere Library Pre- and pub-style tunes.

• Fri - Saturday: 12 - 4 p.m. school Storytime drop-in for stories TUESDAY JANUARY 19TH and a craft.

SUMMIT YOUTH CENTRE • Columbia Lodge No. 38 meets every • Tuesday: 5 - 9 p.m.

FRIDAY JANUARY 8TH 3rd Tuesday at 8 pm. Sept through • 9 p.m.: Bear’s Paw Bar & Grill at June. 1301 7th Ave, second floor above • Wednesday: 4 - 9 p.m.

• Thursday: 5 - 9 p.m.

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Join us Lambert Kipp.

• Fri - Saturday: 6 - 11 p.m. for live music by Smokin’ Ray & The • 7:30 p.m.: Florian Hoefiner Group FREE tutoring available and volDetectors. Blues, R’s n B and more. at Pynelogs Cultural Centre. Tickets unteer tutors needed. Contact the are $20, $10 for students and are Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy available at Tiffany’s Thredz and at wvcoordinator@cbal.com Pynelogs. Call 250-342-4423 for more

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Wednesday, December 30, 2015 The Valley Echo

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uled debates in the run-up to the 2011 federal election.

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-def e now som k the see n to mittee of the RDEK. m; we from Valley will soo gra tee property at the junction ofe Highbia pro mit um ide Com Col ds ey-w Fun munities in the “This is a vall ed, the lth standards Coun. Directed tem of thre com mittee is finish have Interior Hea that table,” said The water sys Though the com t all will now should be at ease the end result tha been appointed iative to incr way 93 and Madsen for a merge, with theRoad valley-wide init Marcil, who has unanil been rs Pau has tive cto nta ion dire er. rese of ulat king wat EK) board alternate rep ’s full-time pop compliant drin t Kootenay (RD e Commuas Canal Flats’ s has region r money from District of Easwith er 4th meeting to approv Mayor Ute Jura far with leftove commercially zoned The Regionalpermit rs in the committee.

Decemb ity Ltd.: - funded so on aye ay, Util rep n taxp Frid ings mai g ir s’ Spr nin the at nt Hot tee, mea as Canal Flat mously decided private Fairmo s the commit been appointed nity across rural areas grants for the age of Canal Flat ls (the commu nicipalities and Works Funds multiple unit nity accommodations s to Ogilvy Wil ntative. The Vill t valley mu Riverside vice rese it. tha the ser for k of ugh its th tho hoo ng nor ts, ndi off the residen Resort and ek, New $39,000 for exte tly has 715 are financially Introducing Save.ca Mobile Cash-Back Reten curren to Dutch Crethe mont Hot Springs decreased as Feature.

Attraction and ng its ser vices y 93/95 from Fair has likely already The Resident Highwa 5,000 for extendi in Noand single-family dwellings. t program. urecash-out exclusive offers for num theber brands you love & $5 minimums mittee will mee clos elopmen elopment), $14The er source devWith Advisor y Com the Canfor mill ch of golf course dev wat lt tion Dut td s, und resu st a men gro Will mo ern ilvy the smart phone again! the utility’s ities (Og census —your under local gov through PayPal, you’ll never go shopping commun (The 2006without and $555,000 for ber. to th - once more ll have all three vemSave.ca nt water,” RDEKthe New Mobile Cash-Back Feature. nt of the pop Village of Radium Hot Springs is turned over solution as we’ is- lth standards) compliaIntroducing cial measureme tion, before it “This is a good its offi Hea rec r ti nt with s erio con rece cial to (Int blem offi pro t) drinking Introducing the New Mobile Feature. s community long had With exclusive offers for theSave.ca brands you love &put $5s the cash-out minimums s —Cash-Back Flat Creek and Fairmon valley’s busines Ogilvy Wills had ulation of Canal problems with hadexclusive The Echo, adding has ple. peo sued the development to With offersnever forpop thego brands love &)$5 cash-out minimums PayPal, you’ll shopping your smarta-phone again!

700 without project. the and Dutch Creek through ion at you , chair Rob Gay toldpermit ue ulat llow rse. sha cou ent so its lem nge Introducing the New Save.caer, Mobile Cash-Back Feature. imp cha ,000 its wells are $50 tends to through PayPal, shopping without yourSteps smart phone again! embin a3 A3 neverBack water because GetSeeyou’ll Cash Easy Nov k it draws from Ingo because the cree With exclusive offers for the brands you love & $5 cash-out minimums the Wartbichlers. its water intake through PayPal, you’ll never go shopping without your smart phone again!

Cash Back inReceipt 3 Easy Steps 1. Browse &Get Shop 2. Upload 3. Get Cash Back!

“It’s to allow the construction Get CashTake Back in 3 Easy Steps Browse the mobile app a photo of your Once you reach just $5, @ 1. Browse & Shop 2.

Upload Receipt 3.the Cashyou Back! of five commercial or residential for your favourite brand’s receipt and submit it money save will Get Cash Back in 3 Easy Get Steps mobile app 2.Take a photo ofapp your Once youCash reach just $5,your 1.Browse Browse & Shop Upload Receipt 3.

Get Back! offers, andthe purchase through the be transferred into to pynelog for your favourite brand’s receipt and submit it the money you save will them at any store PayPal wallet short-term or long-term rental ppy BirtHday Browse the mobile app Take a photo of your Once you reach just Ha$5, offers, and through the app be into your 1. Browse &purchase Shop Upload Receipt 3.transferred Get Cash for your favourite brand’s 2. receipt and submit it the money you saveBack! will 1914 - 2014 s them at any store PayPal wallet year 100 ing 27 and through the of app beOnce transferred intoCele your brat$5, er Browse the mobile Take a photo your you reach just mbapp cabins with an area that’s apcepurchase De ay ndoffers, Suyour them store favourite brand’s receipt and submit it the PayPal moneywallet you save will pm &at7any What does ART u?

2 pmand purchase through the be transferred into your Astrix foratoffers, . app an to yo 423 propriately zoned,” meexplained 2-4 -34 250 r, or call them at anynda store PayPal wallet current events cale arts.com for our Radium chief Visi administrative t columbiavalley Visit save.ca/cashback to Learn More officer Mark Read, noting there Visit save.ca/cashback to Learn More Visit save.ca/cashback to Learn More were conditions to the permit Visit save.ca/cashback to Learn More from Arne Dohlen, director of planning and development sermitigation to occur on the forMaxWell Realty Invermere

towards creating more affordable housing in the Columbia Valley after approval was given on June 22nd. The money was to be used to implement parts of the Need and Demand Assessment Study the Family Resource Centre had completed in June 2013.

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Forest fire causes evacuation A single home north of Spillimacheen received an evacuation order from the Regional District of East Kootenay on July 4th after a sizable fire started in the area.

The wildfire was estimated to be about 54 hectares in size. As of July 6th, there were 35 firefighters, three pieces of heavy equipment and a helicopter employed to fight the blaze. As crews con- A triathlete emerges from Lake Windermere at tinue to fight the fire in Spillim- James Chabot Provincial Park on Sunday, July acheen, others prepare for the 12th after completing the first leg of the Heart of impending threat of wildfires the Rockies Triathlon. Tragedy struck during the 2015 event when a 53-year-old male swimmer across the East Kootenay. from Calgary suffered a heart attack during the Water upgrades near swim portion of the competition. completion in Canal Flats

Photo by Katie Watt Residents in Canal Flats, Eagle’s Nest and Painted Ridge anticipated a mid-August comple- vices, such as wildfire tion date for a major water system upgrade project — the ested property.

12-hour highway closure concerns Invermere council biggest the village had taken on since being incorporated Invermere council sent a letter to Columbia Valley RCMP in 2004. The project cost a total of $2.7 million.

“We (received) $400,000 from the province through their to find out more about the circumstances surrounding Towns for Tomorrow program,” said chief administrative the closure of Highway 93 near Radium Hot Springs folofficer Brian Woodward. “The rest is $2.3 million, which lowing a fatal motorcycle accident earlier in the summer.

The discussion at council was sparked by Invermere the village borrowed. (Residents) will pay it off over the mayor Gerry Taft at the Tuesday, July 14th council meetnext 30 years.”

The merged water system would bring potable water ing, when he pointed out that the highway is the major arto Eagle’s Nest and Painted Ridge for the first time, ef- tery for visitor and tourist traffic coming into Invermere fectively meeting the provincial standards set out in the from Alberta. He said it was shut for 12 to 14 hours after the accident, which killed Jarret Wetyk, 29, of Calgary.

Drinking Water Protection Act of 2006.

“Personally, I think (the time) is excessive,” Taft said, Wilks declines debates Reacting to NDP candidate Wayne Stetski’s suggestion adding that if a similar incident happened in the park that all four federal candidates in the Kootenay-Columbia and shut the highway for a similar timeframe on the riding co-ordinate on a series of eight debates across the Friday or Saturday of a long weekend, “it would have a riding, Conservative candidate David Wilks refused to huge impact on us.”

Taft said not only are the valley’s many tourism-depentake the bait.

“I am not going to move forward with the NDP sugges- dent businesses dealt a blow in such circumstances, but tion,” said Wilks, who attended just three of seven sched- that it can create heavy traffic on unofficial detours (such

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CELEBRATING 37 YEARS IN THE KIJHL!

August Young bluesman rises to prominence The Echo profiled local blues musician Eli Beingessner, 21, a rising star in the local music scene. A musician since the age of three, Eli gravitated towards DISTRICT OF INVERMERE the blues guitar because of its ex914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 pressive nature. Eli performed a Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 stunning set at the 2015 Steamboat Tel: 250-342-9281 • Fax: 250-342-2934 Mountain Music Festival in Edgewater in July, notable for his string IMAGINE INVERMERE COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY PLAN solos, unmistakable musicianship Seeking Members for The Imagine Invermere and stage presence. Eli had also Implementation Committee recently released an album, titled 6 The District of Invermere is looking for up to three (3) members of the foot 2 Wild and Blue. public to volunteer for a two (2) year term to guide the implementation of Imagine Invermere (II) is the District of Invermere’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan that was developed to provide guidance towards a sustainable and resilient future for our community. The II ICSP identifies community priorities and strategies which guide decisions and actions towards the sustainability goals.

Membership on the committee will be for a two (2) year term from the date of appointment.

To be eligible, you must be a resident of the District of Invermere.

Successful candidates must possess a strong sense of community service, willingness to work respectfully as part of a team and have good communication skills.

The Imagine Invermere ICSP Implementation Committee duties shall include: • Recruiting community partners for Imagine Invermere and for meeting with existing partners to communicate success stories and to look for ways to move Invermere closer to its vision of sustainability; • Reviewing the action inventory priority list (a component of Imagine Invermere ICSP) and making recommendations for action implementation • Organizing local activities and actions that promote sustainability and or move Invermere closer to its vision of sustainability contained within the ICSP • Liaising with residents who wish to discuss Imagine Invermere and its constituent parts including its sustainability objectives, community priorities, strategy areas and associated descriptions of success statements, action inventory implementation and monitoring • Planning the monitoring and annual reporting on Imagine Invermere • Considering sustainability issues or concerns referred to it by Council Detailed terms of reference are available for review at the District office or at www.invermere.net The Imagine Invermere ICSP policy document is also available for review on the Districts web site or can be made available at the DOI office.

Interested persons are invited to submit written applications on or before December 31, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. to: Chris Prosser, Chief Administrative Officer 914 – 8th Avenue Box 339, Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Email: cao@invermere.net • Phone: 250-342-9281 ext 1225

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Wednesday, December 30, 2015 The Valley Echo

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as on Westside Road, in the case of the motorcycle accident) which creates the potential for further accidents.

According to Taft, a coroner or police traffic analyst sometimes has to come from as far as Vernon for such incidents, and he said such a delay would not be found on a major road in bigger urban centres.

“I think we should be able to expect a higher level of service here,” said Taft, suggesting the district send a letter outlining its concerns and expectation of reopening roads faster.

Local crackdown on distracted driving Columbia Valley RCMP contemplated doing a blitz downtown to crack down on distracted driving, after the conclusion of a four-week public consultation on distracted driving by the provincial Ministry of Justice in July.

More than 10,000 submissions pointed to using phones and other mobile devices while driving as a significant problem.

“It’s on the rise here in the valley. We’re seeing more and more of it. It’s pretty bad,” said Columbia Valley RCMP Staff Sergeant Marko Shehovac. “People just don’t seem to get it, that it’s not a smart thing to do.”

The current fine for distracted driving in B.C. is $167 and three penalty points taken off the offender’s driver’s licence.

the Imagine Invermere Integrated Community Sustainability Plan, (ICSP).

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LOCAL N Creek and Fairmont, Dutch er systems merge Ogilvy Wills wat CHT STEVE HUBRE revalleyecho.com

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EK) board of mucompliant drin t Kootenay (RD to approve Com District of Eas er 4th meeting The Regional emb Dec ay, Utility Ltd.: Frid at their nt Hot Springs mo Fair ate mously decided the priv nity across ds grants for ls (the commu nity Works Fun s to Ogilvy Wil of the Riverside nding its ser vice ort and north Res ings $39,000 for exte Spr Hot to Dutch Creek, from Fairmont ng its ser vices Highway 93/95 5,000 for extendi t program. elopment), $14 rce developmen sou er golf course dev wat und ilvy Wills, Dutch the utility’s gro communities (Og and $555,000 for ll have all three we’ nt water,” RDEK as plia tion solu ds) com “This is a good r Health standar blems with its t) drinking (Interio had long had pro Creek and Fairmon ing Ogilvy Wills add problems with o, Ech had The has Dutch Creek and , chair Rob Gay told llow sha its course. its wells are so tends to change water because See A3 k it draws from because the cree its water intake

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ntion the resident rete tion contract for y comparded to Calgar ia plan was awa Med sh Spla ght and nies MDB Insi a Resiviously created Group, who pre for Plan the ion in s ent Ret ion decline t Attraction and nicAs local populat closure den helped that mu s Canal Flats mill on Arm, which wake of Canfor’ being static to adding its Salm the village is growth go from er, ity’s emb ipal Nov in ident Atper cent. valley-wide Res easing by nine arose presence to the y Com- incr retention plan ention Advisor The resident ey traction and Ret t Columbia Vall residents. unc new -def e now som k the RDEK. mittee to see we from the of m; gra tee pro mit ey-wide Funds Com cted Dire the “This is a vall ed, n.

Cou is finish that table,” said the committee should be at ease the ointed Though iative to incr has been app valley-wide init been Paul Marcil, who te representative e population has rna -tim alte full s’ ’s Flat ion as Canal ney from s has reg mo r Jura ove Ute left or with tee. May ded so far fun rs in on the commit aye rep n taxp mai ning as Canal Flats’ committee, mea areas been appointed al Flats the ties and rural Village of Can valley municipali t resentative. The it. tha for k ugh residents, tho cially off the hoo Reten currently has 715 ed as are finan Attraction and ly already decreas The Resident number has like will mee in Noy Committee for mill closure isor Can Adv the of lt tion td a resu the most local governmen 2006 census — e more under vember. (The ed over to th of the pop- onc measurement before it is turn , cial tion offi rec tin nt con rece official s community to Flats — puts the valley’s busines ulation of Canal people.) project. the ue apopulation at 700 lement a $50,000 imp In November, GREG AMOS Valley Echo Special to The

The valley’s summer Slo-Pitch league came to an end on August 13th when the Tuesday League champions (CLB) were pitted against the Thursday League winners (Balls Out). The team that came out on top was CLB, pictured here at the Invermere Crossroads after their victory.

Photo submitted

Cinefest @ Pynelogs

Adventures while water sampling gs ay to pynelo Happy BirtHd During an outing on August 7th, Lake Windermere Ambassadors program 2014 1914 -cos year 100 Celebrating mber 27 Sunday DeceAmaral RT ordinator Megan Peloso volunteer ran out of gas just minutes What does Aand at 2 pm & 7 pm ix Dustin .

423 mean to you? A s tr 2-4 -34 r, or call 250 from shore while attemptingartto collect t events calenda to examine the oxygen levels of our currensamples ley s.com for Visit columbiaval the lake water. The pair were able to get a tow from other mariners in the area, and the water samples showed oxygen levels were among the highest at any point during the year, thanks to prolific plant life.

“Worrying is like a rocking chair; it’ll give you something to do, but you won’t get anywhere,” said Amaral after the incident.

Radium sewer and water rates rise An increase in water and sewer rates in Radium Hot Springs was deemed necessary by the village council at its August 12th regular meeting.

The Village of Radium Hot Springs passed Bylaw No. 413 to revise and impose new rates for the sewer regulation and user charges at the meeting.

The village also passed Bylaw No. 414 to impose user rates and charges for water services to reflect the rate changes tied to that of sewer costs.

Wilmer park made official Wilmer Community Park (better known to locals as Selkirk Park) became an Electoral Area G park under the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) in August. The park, which is about four hectares (0.03 square kilometres) in size, is bisected by a steep ravine running from the town’s main street to the wetlands and is heavily wooded.

“It’s always been a natural area and most of the people of Wilmer seem to want to keep it way,” said RDEK Area G director Gerry Wilkie.

During the public consultation, it became apparent that Wilmer residents often used the park as a place to walk dogs, birdwatch or as a safe place for kids to play, that few people actually go into the ravine, and that the park functions as a small wildlife corridor.

Curling rink demolition plan rejected Canal Flats council voted to reject the application from NAPP Enterprises Ltd. to demolish the village’s curling rink. The company proposed a $42,430 fee to do the work, which would be far more expensive than the village was looking for when it put out advertisements in July.

“I consulted with my husband because we took down a building in the past and we both th

Wednesday, December 30, 2015 The Valley Echo

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Year in Review 2015 agreed this contract is excessive,” Delorme said.

The village received three inquiries from the ad and only one formal proposal. Council unanimously voted to reject the proposal, leaving two options for the project: re-advertise or do it themselves.

New pipeline to connect Dutch Creek with Fairmont water Homeowners from the Dutch Creek subdivision, just south of Fairmont Hot Springs, voted on Saturday, August 1st to draw water from the new wells in Fairmont Hot Springs, using a pipeline that will run along the Highway 93/95 to Dutch Creek. The move ensures the small community will have water that meets provincial water quality regulations. Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Area F director Wendy Booth was not a part of the discussion since she is a property owner in Dutch Creek and wanted to avoid any conflict of interest.

Booth was able to, however, speak to the issue as a homeowner, saying the decision will provide the community with compliant Interior Health drinking water, which is something the Dutch Creek community had been trying to achieve for a number of years.

Sunchaser case to hit courts in early 2016 The class-action lawsuit started by Sunchaser Villas (in Fairmont Hot Springs) timeshare owners against the property’s management company was scheduled to finally go to court in early 2016.

The primary legal proceeding was set for a three-week trial in Vancouver starting January 4th, 2016, according to Northwynd Resort Properties Ltd. representative Brenda Behan, and the claimants’ lawyer Michael Geldert.

Mr. Geldert said things had been busy with the case and that more than 3,200 individual timeshare owners he represents would be glad to see the issue finally come to court. The legal case has been ongoing since 2013.

September New farmers market winds down first season The downtown Invermere Farmers and Artisans Market wound down after a successful season.

“It’s gone really well this summer and been quite successful. We’ve gradually been increasing the number of vendors throughout the summer as new ones keep popping up each week,” said market coorganizer Ray Brydon.

The market had its final day on Saturday, September 12th. It had a trial run in mid-June, which saw 40 vendors, and Brydon estimates that the Labour Day long weekend likely featured 75 vendors.

“There’s such a great diversity of vendors. I’m really happy and the (Windermere Branch) Legion (which runs the market) is really happy with what’s taken place,” he said.

Developer’s legal case against Canal Flats pushed back A lawsuit filed by former Calgary Flame and part-time valley resident Mike Vernon against the Village of Canal Flats over the stalled

Feeling unbalanced?

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The Columbia Valley's first health and wellness magazine, Vitality, will be available starting December 30th at select locations from Spillimacheen to Canal Flats.

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Wildfire smoke was covering the Columbia Valley when the sun rose on Wednesday, August 26th, making this early morning photograph of the sunrise seem like an eerie Halloween image of the moon.

Photo by Andy Stuart-Hill

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development of the Painted Ridge subdiof all kinds is permitted throughout the vision was delayed for a year and a half.

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“It’s should beKris lt that all will appointed Tho to increase the resu n ve end bee iati the has init ide merge, with been Paul Marcil, who ntative valley-w directors unaniking water. e population has EK) board of alternate represe compliant drin region’s full-tim from Commu t Kootenay (RD as Canal Flats’ A Toronto-based soul choreographer engagement session.” approvean leftover money or Ute Juras has District of Eas ting tojust The Regional committee. May ember 4th mee Ltd.: funded so far with rs in the Dec ity on aye ay, Util rep n taxp Frid ings mai g ir s’ Flat at the nt Hot Spr tee, meanin ointed as Canal mously decided as private Fairmo s the commit been app nity across one and rural are commuPhase Canal Flat grants for the and music video director brought hip hop of Fairmont debris fl ow of ties (the ds age ls pali Fun Vill Wil nici rks nity Wo valley mu s to Ogilvy erside ntative. The t Riv vice rese it. tha the ser for k of ugh its th tho hoo ng ndi ly off the residents, ort and nor cial 715 Res nan has fi ings ek, $39,000 for exte tly are enSpr Cre ren Ret ch Hot cur ed as to Dut Attraction and from Fairmont already decreas flavour to the Columbia Valley, teaching project completed ng its ser vices ly The Resident Highway 93/95 meet gram.

5,000 for extendi number has like ure in NoCommittee will elopment), $14 development pro Canfor mill clos ch golf course dev tion Advisor y t diundwater source a result of the (Ogilvy Wills, Dut — the most local governmen the utility’s gro ities sus er for cen mun 0 6 und com 5,00 re 200 e e mo $55 roughly 40 students some new moves in A mitigation project aimed at reducing e (Th and - onc er,” RDEK r to the ll have all thre vember. pop wat we’ ove nt as the ed plia of tion turn nt com is solu d measureme standards) , before it is is a goofans lth cial The Columbia Valley Rockies Junior B hockey team gave “Th their a boost early tion its offi Hea rec r tinnt with s erio con rece cial to (Int had problem t) drinking s community s — puts the offi lvy Wills had long thepro Creek and Fairmon valley’s his Make You A Star dance camp held for in the 2015-2016 season when they beat the Castlegar Rebels occurrences ofal Flatdebris flows onbusines Fairulation of Can blems with Echo, adding Ogi ) told The Creek has had Dutchat the project. and ion at 700 people.

5-3 on home ice , chair Rob Gay ue ulat llow rse. apop sha cou ent so its lem ls are to change a $50,000 imp er because its wel ws from tends See A3 In November, hip hop dancers between Tuesday, Sep- the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena on Friday, Septemberwat mont Creek celebrated the end of its first e the creek it dra er intake becaus its wat 18th. tember 1st and Saturday, September 5th.

Photo by Amanda Nason phase. The idea was to increase the capacity United Dance owners Michelle Jensen @ of the Fairmont Creek channel to and Melyssa Hecher invited Toronto’s Lenny Len to teach at the Debbie Seal Cen- make it better able to contain debris flow materiel, should a debris flowHasimilar to pynelogs! ppy BirtHday 1914 - 2014 s again.

The fi rst now-completed tre in Invermere. All of the participating students were taught how to perform a to the one that hit Fairmont in 2012 ever occured year 100 ing Celebrat ay December 27 es ART & 7 pmstretching through the Mountainat dosection ix Suat nd2 pm new dance, and began producing a video with Len on September 5th. stage focused onWh the of Fairmont Creek .

423 mean to you? A s tr 2-4 -34 250 calendar, or call current events Backyard farming explored in Areas F, G side golf course between Marble Canyon and the pond at the 12th hole. Mounarts.com for our ley Visit columbiaval The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) promised to undertake public tainside Vacation Villas, Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, Fairmont Community Assoconsultation to find out the opinion of residents on small-scale backyard agricul- ciation, Fairmont Business Association and the Fairmont Lions Club all financially supported the project. ture in RDEK Area F and Area G communities.

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ALLE Y O H C Year in Review 2015

Booth, Taft re-elected to UBCM executive Two Regional District of East Kootenay directors serving at the provincial level were elected to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) executive.

Electoral Area F Director Wendy Booth was elected as the Second Vice President and District of Invermere mayor Gerry Taft was elected as the Director at Large during the UBCM convention that was held at the end of September.

“Having two representatives on the UBCM Executive is great for the valley and the region,” Booth wrote by email following her triumph.

Canal Flats balks at water project payments Discontentment with the construction contractor carrying out work on Canal Flats’ Merged Area Water Project led council to dig in and vote against one of the payments owed to Dawson Construction.

After approving payment no. 9 ($253,267 to Dawson Construction for work completed in June and July), three of five members of council voted against issuing payment no. 10 ($159,558 for work completed in August).

“The only thing done on time on this project has been the payments to the contractor,” said councillor Paul Marcil, who chairs the village’s Water System Upgrade Committee. “They should suffer a bit, too.

We’re just looking at getting a schedule for completion and we’ve had a lot of resistance.”

Councillor Marie Delorme noted that due to contract language, a payment to the contractor is required within 15 days or else Canal Flats will be subject to interest rates.

Canfor to harvest in Forster Creek area There was an update on Canfor’s proposed plans to work in the Forster Creek area at the Village of Radium Hot Springs council meeting on Wednesday, September 30th.

Village of Radium Hot Springs mayor Clara Reinhardt asked which tree species would be coming out of the area and where they are being sent, and was told there pine and spruce trees would be removed from the area, which would be sent to the Radium mill.

However, red fir trees could be moved to Elko, Radium or Golden in light of the recent Canal Flats closure.

Confusion during advance polling in valley Mass confusion on where to cast a vote during advance polling days held over the Thanksgiving long weekend left multiple Upper Columbia Valley voters frustrated, disillusioned and even led to some giving up on voting on the federal election advance polling day altogether.

Alan Kirton has lived and voted in Invermere for more than 20 years, and thought nothing was amiss when he walked into the Invermere Community Hall on Friday, October 9th to cast his advance vote at polling station 603 — located at the Invermere Community Hall as indicated on his voter information card. However, at the hall he was told he was actually at polling station 604 and that he would have to go to polling station 603 at the Radium Seniors’ Hall to vote.

“So I said ‘I’ve been refused the right to vote,’ and they said, ‘No, you haven’t, you just have to go to Radium to do it.’ But I’m not going to go to Radium,” he said.

Urban deer funding welcomed by Invermere Invermere mayor Gerry Taft welcomed the B.C. gov-

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r 23 embe land holdings that exist in Electoral Decprivate the other 2015

Area F south of Fairmont, specifically Whitetail Lake, Vo l .

Findlay Creek and Whiteswan Lake,” said McLeod. ner Church homeow y 14 histor NDP wins close race in Kootenay-Columbia digs into local r d annual Winte N VE at the thir High drama kept voters in Kootenay-Columbia awake RA IE , Deh a snowman BERN ada on Sunday kes a pose wit ser vancy of Can the Max Kelly stri N on Con a VE ure Are Nat RA ion the Conser vat and CHRIS 7415 into the small hours, Cel ation held by asebrConservative BenchlandsWilks ekDavid hering that the Marion Cre more on this gat icious 1-866-598cember 13th at istmas tree . e. See page 2 for Wake up to a del Columbia Lak t their own Chr of e ves ast A sid akf har st N.C to bre we y VE nce Democrat Wayne Stetski traded the lead back and NCC PHOTO a cha 2 holida 2New TEAMRA gives the public a, Offices in Panoram t mon Fair forth down to the last handful of votes in what was one Invermere & n grows of the tightest contests in the country. t retention ptla en id es R dent retention trac for the resi On an historic federal election night — Monday, tion con EWS y comparded to Calgar GREG AMOS plan was awa LOCAL N sh Media o Ech d Insight and Spla The Valley an B to MD cial ek iSpe nies re OctoberC19th, 2015 — the riding saw massive voter sly created a Res up, who previou Fairmont, Dutch s in the Gro ention Plan for ulation decline action and Ret pop Attr ge t l er den loca nicm mu As t s than 73wakper turnout more cent.al Flats mill closureits Salmon Arm, which helped thag static to stem ater syof e of Canfor’s Can adding go from bein the village is Ogilvy Wills wWith ipality’s growth in November, t. ident Atall polls reporting, according to Elections T by nine per cen valley-wide Res CH arose - increasing presence to the STEVE HUBRE Com y isor Adv retention plan ention revalleyecho.com The resident Valley traction and Ret steve@inverme residents. unct Columbia new -def e now som Canada online updates, the Kootenay-Columbia ridk the see n mittee to of the RDEK. m; we from Valley will soo gra tee bia pro mit um ide Com Col ey-w Directed Funds munities in the “This is a vall ed, the standards le,” said Coun. tem of three com mittee is finish e Interior Hea now hava The water sys be at that tab Though the com to to increase the ing had new lthMembershoof According uld Parliament. t all will n appointed ve end result tha ey-wide initiati cil, who has bee nimerge, with the vall Mar una l been rs Pau has tive cto nta ion dire er. rese ulat king wat EK) board of s’ alternate rep ’s full-time pop compliant drin region from t Kootenay (RD as Canal Flat preliminary results, finished top by only Juras has approve CommuStetski leftover money or Ute on District of Eas ting to The Regional committee. May ember 4th mee Ltd.: funded so far with rs in the Dec ity on aye ay, Util rep n taxp Frid ings mai g ir s’ Spr at the meanin ed as Canal Flat ate Fairmont Hot mously decided as the committee, the privvotes been appoint munity across and rural are com Canal Flats grants for285 — 23,529 to Wilks’ 23,244. of ties (the ds age ls pali Fun Vill Wil nici rks nity Wo valley mu s to Ogilvy erside ntative. The t Riv vice rese it. tha the ser for k of ugh its th tho hoo ng ndi ly off the residents, ort and nor cial 715 Res nan has fi ings ek, $39,000 for exte tly are enSpr Cre ren Ret ch Hot reased as ser vices to Dut from Fairmont Liberal t Attraction and candidate Doncur Johnston got 12,315 and ng its ly already dec The Residen Highway 93/95 meet gram.

5,000 for extendi number has like ure in NoCommittee will elopment), $14 development pro Canfor mill clos ch golf course dev tion Advisor y undwater source a result of the ment di (Ogilvy Wills, Dut — the most the utility’s gro ities sus er local govern for cen mun 0 6 und com 5,00 re 200 e e mo $55 Green Party candidate got 4,115 with and ber. (Th - once 63,232turned over to the er,” RDEK Bill ll have all thre vemGreen pop wat we’ nt as the plia of tion nt com is solu it ds) measureme “This is a good its rection, before r Health standar contin recent official problems with t) drinking (Interio puts the official s community to Wills had long had lvy85,653 of Canal Flats — ballots. valley’s busines Creek and Fairmon of eligible voters ulationcasting adding Ogi had problems with The Echo,out ) has the project. and Dutch Creek ion at 700 people. , chair Rob Gay told ue ulat llow rse. apop sha cou ent so its implem to change its wells are ws from tends ember, a $50,000 water because See A3 In Novoffice Ink it draDavid Wilks’ campaign in Cranbrook the because the cree its water intake mood was sombre after a remarkably tense evening.

“I was cautiously @ optimistic going into this and knew that it was probably going to come downHato the to pynelogs ppy BirtHday 1914 - 2014 s last couple polls and it did,” Wilks said.

“Congratulaing er 27 Celebrat 100 year Sunday Decemb 7 pmand I look forward to him work& pm What does ART u?

2 at ix tions to Mr. Stetski tr As mean to yo -342-4423. ndar, or call 250 rent events cale for our cur well with the constituency of the new riding of arts.com leying val bia um col t Visi Kootenay-Columbia.

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On an historic election night — Monday, October 19th, 2015 — the Kootenay-Columbia riding saw a massive voter turnout of more than 73 per cent. It took until the early morning hours of October 20th for Wayne Stetski of the NDP, pictured with a volunteer, to learn he beat Conservative incumbent David Wilks by a mere 285 votes in one of the closest races in the country.

Photo courtesy of Cranbrook Daily Townsman ernment’s announcement that it will pay $100,000 per year to tackle urban deer issues in local municipalities, which should result in some tax dollars saved for Invermere residents.

“It probably will be that future deer culls and relocation programs will be partly paid for by the province, so that lessens the cost borne by Invermere taxpayers,” he said.

Invermere launched a deer cull last year that resulted in 26 deer culled in the district. The three-year permit the district obtained from the province for the cull will last until December 2017, but only allows deer to be culled between December 1st and March 15th in any given year.

Fairmont OCP begins The process of creating a new Official Community Plan (OCP) for the Fairmont Hot Springs and Columbia Lake area began, after the RDEK Board of Directors authorized the decision to start preparing a new OCP, as the existing OCP for the area was adopted in 2004.

“Part of it is to check in with residents and landowners of the area to see what their needs and priorities are,” said RDEK manager of planning and development services Andrew McLeod. “If the current plan is meeting their needs or not — and if not, what needs to be changed.”

The OCP from 2004 extends south from Lake Windermere and includes Fairmont Hot Springs, the communities down the west side of Columbia Lake, which includes Columbia Ridge Estates.

“What we’re proposing, at least on a preliminary basis, is to expand the boundary of the plan to include

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November Invermere council supports Legacy Trail Invermere council iterated its support for the Westside Legacy Trail at a late October meeting.

The Greenways Trail Alliance — which hopes to start construction soon on the planned paved trail running along Westside Road between Invermere and Fairmont Hot Springs — sent a letter to council, received at the Tuesday, October 27th meeting, asking for a letter of support from the district, which the Alliance can then include in its grant applications for the project.

The request resulted in some discussion among councillors about the potential for the trail to compete with Invermere’s planned multi-use centre for grant funding, and whether it would be wise of council to issue a general letter of support for all grant applications made by the alliance for the Westside Legacy Trail, or whether it made more sense to give a letter of support on a case-by-case basis for each individual grant application.

All councillors, however, were unequivocal in their general support for the trail.

Firewood collectors urged to get permits With winter looming on the horizon, those valley residents with wood-burning stoves or fireplaces in their homes who were busy gathering up enough logs to keep cozy while the snow flies were reminded by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO) that they need permits to collect firewood.

“Cutting down trees on Crown land without an appropriate permit, or selling any such firewood, is an ongoing concern in B.C. This activity is illegal and could result in a violation ticket or fine. It also could create safety hazards for recreationalists and other forest users, and negatively affect ecosystems, including fish and wildlife habitats,” FLRNO public affairs officer Greig Bethel told The Echo.

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er 23 cemb Demanager services Kevin Paterson, adding the work 2015

is being done in conjunction with the East Kootenay Vo l .

Energy Manager Meghan Lohmann. ner Church homeow y 14 tor his al “We’re quite a way from actually having a program, digs into loc nter third annual Wi N VE an at the RA we’re certainly still in the infant stageh abut (RDEK) IE snowmthe RN Sunday, DeBE kes a pose wit of Canada on Max Kelly stri N Conser vancy a on the VE ure Are Nat RA ion the S vat by ser RI CH s Con n held chlandPaterson. that directors have made Cel itebraatio priority,” said ek BenMr. this gathering the Marion Cre icious .

2 for more on 1-866-598-7415 cember 13th at Wake up to a del Christmas tree Lake. See page e of Columbia vest their own ast A sid O akf har st N.C OT to bre we y PH VE nce C ida RA cha NC The discussions are so preliminary that the RDEK hol 2 2 TEAM the public a es giv a, Offices in Panoram t and Lohmann still have not worked out whether the Invermere & Fairmon n grows program would operate at the regional plawith tion — t retenlevel en id ntion es R the resident rete tract for sub one program for the entire GRRDEK — or tion atconthe EWS y comparded to Calgar EG AMOS plan was awa LOCAL N Media sh o Spla Ech and ey Vall d one program Insight iSpecial to The nies MDBfor reek an regionalClevel, with specifically the sly created a Res viou Group, who pre for Fairmont, Dutch lines in the Retention Plan ge t Attraction and l population dec er den loca nicm mu As t ure s tha clos s millCranbrook-KimUpper Valley,wakanother for helped stem al Flat on Arm, which water syColumbia e of Canfor’s Can being static to adding its Salm the village is growth go from Ogilvy Wills berley, in November, t At- ipality’s nine per cent. ey-wide Residen and so on.

T by vall CH ing the eas to BRE ce HU incr presen STEVE y Comn plan arose isor ntio Adv rete com t ion ho. ent den revalleyec The resi traction and Ret bia Valley steve@inverme -defunct Colum e new residents. plan now som k the Invermere adopts five-year see n to from soo tee RDEK. will mit we ide program; Committee of the Columbia Valley Directed Funds is is a valley-w dards munities in the “Th ed, the n. stan com e lth nish Cou fi thre is Hea said of tem committee have Interior of Invermere that table,” adopted the at now ugh The water sys be will Tho uld all e the The District formally its next t sho ointed ve to increas end result tha has been app ey-wide initiati nimerge, with the Paul Marcil, who ion has been resentative vall of directors una king water. full-time populat s’ alternate rep (RDEK) board ’s ay Flat ion mu al compliant drin ten reg from Can Koo Com t e as ney s has five-year financial (its nexttee.budget). leftover mo District of Eas ting to approv plan Mayor Ute Jura mee The Regional Ltd.: funded so far with December 4th on the commit g taxpayers in s’ main repSprings Utility at their Friday, mittee, meanin ed as Canal Flat Fairmont Hot com oint ate oss mously decided as the app priv acr n are s the bee al nity Flat commu ties and rur adoption cameideduring theVillTuesday, December ds grants for TheOgi age of Canal lvy Wills (the nity Works Fun valley municipali s to resentative. The th of the Rivers hook for it. ts, though that nding its ser vice Resort and nor has 715 residen financially off the ings ek, $39,000 for exte tly are enSpr Cre ren Ret ch Hot as cur nt Dut ed and s to Attraction from Fairmo 10th exte ly already decreas reported meeting. been previously nding its ser vice Asgrahas The Resident in Highway 93/95 m.

5,000 for number has like tee will meet ure in Noelopment), $14 development pro isor y Commit Canfor mill clos golf course dev s, Dutch undwater source st tion Adv a result of the ment di the utility’s gro ities (Ogilvy Will sus — the mo er local govern cen2016 mun 6 und com re 200 e e mo thre e K (Th all and $555,000 for The Echo, the plan extends from to 2020 and onc er,” RDE r to the ll have vember. solution as we’ ement of the pop it is turned ove ds) compliant wat “This is a good its rection, before r Health standar nt official measur with s erio contin rece cial to (Int blem offi nity king pro the t) drin s — puts iness commu s had long had Creek and Fairmon valley’s bus s with ion of Canal Flattax increase ulat 1.5 per general startadding Ogilvy Will a ek problemcent Echo,outlines had The ) has ple. told .

Cre peo Gay ject ch chair Rob ue the pro ulation at 700 llow, and Dut rse. apop sha cou ent so its lem are nge ls to cha its wel er, a $50,000 imp ws from tends A3 water because In Novembfunds creek it dra next year, with Seethe extra generated from because theing its water intake this increase being used to help pay for the new multi-use centre.@ That increase will come on top of theay to pynelogs Melissa Weber and Jayme Renaud earned giggles and a parcel tax increase in 2016 — also to help fund Happy BirtHd 1914 - 2014 s — that guffaws from the audience that came out for the Lake multi-use centre er 27 will average out to around Celebrating 100 year Sunday Decemb ART $100 per & 7 pm at does pm 2 at ix Windermere Players’ production of Bob’s YourWhElf on tr parcel. s u?

A mean to yo -342-4423. ndar, or call 250 rent events cale December 6th at the Windermere Community Hall.

The leyartDistrict s.com for our cur staff conducted public consultation this fall, Visit columbiaval local theatre troupe performed the Christmas pageant prior to adopting the budget, by sending out a survey over three days.

Photo by Nicole Trigg asking how much of a tax increase residents are willing to accept if they get increased service in return.

The results were mixed bag with 20 per cent of survey respondents saying their most preferred option was no tax increase (and correspondingly no increase in Full Parkside Place could fuel more development services); and another 20 per cent choosing a five or Despite forecasts of doom and gloom because of more per cent increase (with a correspondingly large ongoing development at the Crossroads, Invermere increase in services).

Jensen steps in as new CBT board chair mayor Gerry Taft was confident that the success of Rick Jensen, former president and CEO of PanoraParkside Place, currently fufill of commercial tenants for the first time in its nearly 10-year history, bodes ma, replaced Greg Deck as chair of the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT). well for the success of Invermere’s downtown.

Radium Hot Springs’ first mayor and current mayor “It’s absolutely a success story,” he said. “We were able to generate commercial activity in the down- of Jumbo Glacier Resort Mountain Resort Municitown core… in my opinion, it has certainly enhanced pality, Deck has been on the Board since the Trust’s inception in 1995, serving as vice-chair from 2008 to our downtown.”

2012 and chair from 2013 to 2015.

Columbia Valley food bank use on the rise “On behalf of the Trust’s Board and staff, I would A recent surge in the cost of food has pushed a numlike to thank Greg Deck for his contributions to the ber of families further into poverty with Columbia Valley residents struggling to put food on their tables formation and growth of the Trust,” said Jensen. “For over 20 years, he has been an instrumental part of due to unexpected increases.

The Columbia Valley Food Bank recently reported a this organization and has dedicated his efforts to the 14 per cent increase in use among local families be- well-being of our region and its residents.”

Jensen, who is from Cranbrook, is replacing Deck tween September and November 2015 compared to as chair as of January 1st, 2016. He joined the Trust the same time period from the last three years.

“We seem to be having a bit more of an increase Board in 2013 and served as vice-chair in 2015. He is than the national average,” said Ronald Stainthorpe, the chair of New Dawn Developments, a director of board chair of the Columbia Valley Food Bank, while New Dawn Restorations, president of the Canadian noting the use of Canadian food banks has increased Institute of Excellence and a director of Columbia by 26 per cent since 2008, according to the Hunger- Power Corporation.

Count 2015.

More is According to Food Banks Canada’s annual report, ALLEY better.

CHO more than 850,000 Canadians used food banks during March 2015, and of those, nearly 80,000 accessed a food bank for the first time.

Stay on top of ALL the valley news Organic waste program in the early stages The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is exin 2016 with the help of the amining the idea of introducing a region-wide green Invermere Valley Echo... bin organic waste program.

“It’s on the work plan to have discussions around the possibility of developing the backbone of a regional organic program,” said RDEK environmental 51

Although FLRNO didn’t immediately have statistics specific to just the Upper Columbia Valley, Bethel did say that for the entire Kootenay-Boundary region, the ministry issued 648 firewood permits during the past fiscal year (between April 1st, 2014 and March 31st, 2015).

Mill worker transition underway On the final day of operations at Canal Flats’ Canfor sawmill, new numbers brought to the village’s council meeting showed the impact of the shutdown on mill employees.

Canfor numbers show that between May and November, a total of 53 workers (excluding those who accepted transfers to other Canfor mills in Radium Hot Springs or Elko) had been laid off. Health and dental benefits was continuing for all workers for another six months.

It was unclear whether these numbers include those workers who chose to retire, said Mayor Ute Juras during the village’s November 9th council meeting, while just kilometres away, several employees were in the midst of their last shift at the mill.

Four security watch positions were created for after the mill closed, she added. Canal Flats workers filled all the positions, in accordance with seniority.

The positions involved two 12-hour shifts, with workers rotating on a four days on, four days off basis. It was estimated the positions would be needed for 24 weeks, maybe longer.

Whiteway gets operational funding Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) directors decided that the Lake Windermere Whiteway will receive $7,500 a year in operational funding starting in 2016, with the money coming from the Columbia Valley Recreation Service Area pool of money.

The decision, made at the Friday, November 6th meeting, means the $7,500 a year from the RDEK will combine with the $4,000 a year the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club receives from the District of Invermere.

The combined sum will cover up to 70 per cent of the annual operating expenses of the Whiteway.

New for the 2015-2016 winter season, the club announced it was offering $20 four-use Whiteway ticket booklets (in past years, it had simply asked for a $5 donation per use) to help cover the rest of the operating costs associated with the world recordbreaking Whiteway. Memberships to the club also include unlimited Whiteway use (visit www.tobycreeknordic.ca).

Rangers touch up Earl Grey Trail The Echo ran a story on an Upper Columbia Valley backpacking trail that got a much-needed touch up late in the summer and is set to be in prime shape next hiking season.

The Earl Grey Trail, which is one of the Kootenay region’s premiere — as well as one of its least-used — routes, extends about 60 kilometres from the upper reaches of Toby Creek down to Argenta, on the shore of Kootenay Lake, a four- to five-day hike through some truly remote and wild backcountry. The rugged natural state of the trail and relatively few number of hikers it attracts means it is usually in rough condition and is not-well defined in many spots, with thick vegetation, rock slide debris and plenty of big blowdown (fallen trees), making it difficult going even for the hardiest of hikers. At least five creek crossings need to be made by hand-pulled, suspended cable cars. However, every several years or so, BC Parks tries to clear things up as best as possible. This summer, a crew of four BC Parks rangers did just that.

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Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 30, 2015 The Valley Echo

invermerevalleyecho.com A15

In Memoriam 2015 WE COMMEMORATE THE FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES WE LOST OVER THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS WHOSE OBITUARIES RAN IN OUR NEWSPAPERS.

BEVERLEY ROSE BRUNNER

MAUDE W. KENDALL

GARY BLEWASKA

DEC.24 2014

A PRIL 9

SEPTEMBER 6

EDWIN RAULPH KELLY

ELIZABETH ANN WAY

LINDA MARLENE KOBZA

1922 - 2015

M AY 2

SEPTEMBER 23

THELMA ALBERTA MARIE GARDNER

SANDY, JOSEPH ALEXANDER STUART

ARIJA INTA MILTINS

1926 - 2015

M AY 30

SEPTEMBER 28

AMY HICKEY

FRANCES LOUISE (WESTON) HASSI

VIVIAN COPPER

1930 - 2015

JUNE 4

OCTOBER 7

DONALD DAVID BOKER

JIM PANATTONI

VIOLA FAYE LEE

1936 - 2015

JUNE 5

OCTOBER 8

KENNETH EDWARD ADAMS

CODY JAMES ARTHUR WIDMER

HILDE NUESSLEIN

1936 - 2015

JUNE 14

OCTOBER 11

KENNETH DONALD DAHL

DUNCAN STUART MCCUAIG

WILLIAM KENNETH BERKELEY

1945 - 2015

JUNE 22

OCTOBER 13

ROGER PLATO

VIVIAN JOY STEVENSON

BARBARA CLARE OGLESTONE

1948 - 2015

BRYAN WESLEY KELLY 1952 - 2015

MARY ELIZABETH JOLICOEUR SHE WAS 64, 2015

JAMES ANDREW MONCUR “CHIEFY” M ARCH 29

CLARENCE GARNET GILLIES A PRIL 9

JULY 28

MARIA PFISTER

OCTOBER 24

EDWARD PATRICK SEMENZIN

JULY 29

NOVEMBER 4

WILBERT “BILL“ RUSSELL MAGEE

VALERIA (VAL) THERESA PALKO

JULY 30

NOVEMBER 11

CHARLES RAYMOND “RAY” JACKSON

DORTHY SMITH

AUGUST 4

NOVEMBER 20

DERRICK MICHAEL BIRTCH

CHARLES ( CHARLIE) MCEACHERN

AUGUST 18

VINZENZ PAUL ZURBRIGGEN AUGUST 20

NOVEMBER 24

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CROSSWORD

RAIN AIN

SUDOKU

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. Figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers named, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

HOROSCOPES

S

Wednesday, December 30, 2015 The Valley Echo

GAME

CLUES ACROSS 1. Elephant’s name 6. Support 10. Mures River city 14. Bastard wing 15. One was named Desire 17. PGA Tournament prize 19. A way to leave unchanged 20. Unchangeable computer memory 21. Harangues 22. 6th Hebrew letter 23. Well informed 24. Turfs 26. In a way, obeyed 29. Lawyers group 31. Increases motor speed 32. Political action committee 34. Light pokes 35. Struck down 37. Central Philippine Island 38. Japanese sash 39. Afresh 40. Bluish green 41. Inspire with love 43. Without (French) 45. Counterbalance container to obtain net weight 46. Express pleasure 47. Cheap wine (Br.) 49. Signing 50. ___ compilation, compiling computer language 53. Have surgery 57. Being trompe-l’oeil 58. Extremely mad 59. Day 60. Small coin (French) 61. Snatched

25. Former CIA 27. Fencing swords 28. Aba ____ Honeymoon 29. Bustle 30. Minor 31. Propel a boat 33. Passage with access only at one end 35. Underwater airways 36. Small, slight 37. Box (abbr.)

39. __ Blake, actress 42. Repents 43. Merchandising 44. Exclamation of surprise 46. With fireplace residue 47. A small lake 48. Bait 49. Tip of Aleutian Islands 50. K____: watercraft (alt. sp.)

51. Norse variant of “often” 52. Adolescent 53. Visual metaphor (Computers) 54. River in Spanish 55. Cowboy Carson 56. Powerful gun lobby

W eekend WEATHER FridayJanuary 1 Mainly sunny Temp: -7oC o

Feels like -7 C

Low: -11oC

Saturday January 2 Answers to last week

CLUES DOWN 1. Cry 2. Wings 3. Baseball play 4. Flower petals 5. Drive against 6. Velikaya River city 7. A single unit in a collection 8. Stray 9. Bring back 10. Repented 11. Receipt (abbr.)

12. Expresses pleasure 13. Not wet 16. In a way, takes off 18. Macaws genus 22. “Fast Five” star’s initials 23. Sharpen a knife 24. Oral polio vaccine developer

Mainly sunny Temp: -7oC o

Feels like -8 C

Low: -11oC

SundayJanuary 3 Sunny Temp: -7oC o

Feels like -6 C

Low: -12oC

ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you are familiar with the expression, “Your eyes are bigger than your stomach.” This week you have bitten off a project that is just too much to chew.

Enlist some help.

LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, many opportunities are within reach, but you are just not sure which way to go. Seek advice from Pisces when you get a spare moment.

SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, you never shy away from a challenge, but you also know when to pick your battles. If something arises this week that seems a waste of time, pass it by.

TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you are on a roll, and now it is only a matter of maintaining momentum for a few more days.

Don’t let anyone slow you down this week.

VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, no one will know what you’re like deep inside unless you share a few secrets. You don’t have to give everything away, but let some information slip out.

CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, when a past conflict pops up this week, push it aside. It is better to focus on the positive things that are in store for you rather than problems from the past.

GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, you may not know where your path is taking you, but you are fully aware that an adventure is in store. Take some time to prepare for the unknown that lies ahead.

LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 Some can see straight past your protective facade, Libra. So why not take it off and simply let others see the real you? You won’t be disappointed, and neither will they.

AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t accomplish something, Aquarius. As you have proven time and again, you simply need to set a goal in your sights to get things done.

CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Learning from your mistakes can help you to grow, Cancer. Accept a challenge presented to you this week, even if it scares you. You may find it’s not so challenging after all.

SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 Now is not a time to drag your feet, Scorpio. You have a full slate of tasks to tackle, and it seems like the hours will slip away quickly. Recharge and refocus.

PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, when you love someone, it can be difficult to step aside and let that person make his or her own mistakes. Be patient.

Wednesday, December 30,December 2015 The The Valley Echo Wednesday, 30,Valley 2015 Echo

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Lost & Found Found: Invermere: Ladies diamond ring in a small plastic Ziploc bag on Nov. 28th or 29th in the Valley Foods parking lot. Call 250-342-6397 to claim.

TWO storey condo for rent in Radium Hotsprings ,3 bedrm, 2 bath, fully furnished. $1000/month.

Incl utili.

Available Jan 2016. Email b u s s i r @ s h a w . c a .

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Wanted:Will pay cash for construction equipment, backhoes, excavators, dozers, (farm tractors w/loaders)1985 or newer. Skid steers, wheel loaders, screeners, low beds, any condition running or not.

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Employment Help Wanted Swimming Pool Operator in Fairmont Area. Part-time contract position from midJune to mid-September.

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A-CHEAP, LOWEST PRICES STEEL SHIPPING Dry Storage Containers Used 20’40’45’53’ and insulated containers all sizes in stock. 40’ containers as low as $2,200DMG. Huge freezers.

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Please call Sharon at 250-688-1365

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0911611 BC LTD o/a Tim Hortons 496 Highway 93/95 Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K2

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Place of Worship

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Place of Worship

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! y u B Buy! Buy! SELL! S e ! ll! l l e S Place of Worship

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hurCh SERVICES erviCeS DIRECTORY ireCtory CHURCH ST. PETER’S PETER’S ST. MISSIoN LUTHERAN MISSION oF INVERMERE OF 100 - 7th Ave., Invermere 250-426-7564 Pastor Rev. David Morton Worship Services Sundays 1:30 p.m.

Christ Church Trinity, Invermere

CHURCH OF oF JESUS JESUS RADIUM CHRISTIAN CHRISTIAN CHURCH RADIUM oF LATTER LATTERFELLoWSHIP FELLOWSHIP CHRIST OF DAY SAINTS #4 - 7553 Main Street W, ANGLICAN-UNITED 5014 Fairway, Radium 250-342-6633 Fairmont Hot Springs 100-7th Ave., Invermere Confession: 1/2 hr. before Mass 250-341-5792 250-347-6334 250-342-6644 Canadian Martyrs Church Reverend Laura Hermakin President: Adam Pasowisty 712 - 12 Ave, Invermere Worship Service wvsm.ca Columbia Valley Branch Saturdays, 5 p.m.

Sundays, 10 a.m.

Worship, Every Sunday:10:30 a.m.

Sundays, 9 a.m.

Worship Services Bible Studies Children and Youth Sunday School Sundays St. Joseph’s Church Wednesdays, 7 p.m. at 10:30 a.m at Christ Church 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Hwy. 93-95, Radium Hot Trinity, Invermere Kids’ Church Springs 1st and 3rd Sunday, March - Dec. 9 Edgewater Hall 11 a.m.

Sundays, a.m. at All Saint’s, Edgewater Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.

St. Anthony’s Mission 2nd Sunday, 7 p.m.: June - Oct. at Loving God, Corner of Luck and Dunn, St.Peter’s Windermere Loving People Canal Flats Saturdays, 4:30 p.m.

WINDERMERE WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY

RoMAN CATHOLIC CATHoLIC ROMAN CHURCH 250-342-6167 Pastor: Father Gabriel

VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHRISTIAN LAKE WINDERMERE WINDERMERE VALLEY LAKE ASSEMBLY ALLIANCE CHURCH 4814 Hwy. Hwy. Drive, Drive, 11 km km north north 326 - 10th Ave., Invermere 4814 of Windermere 250-342-9535 250-342-9511 Lead Pastor: Trevor Hagan Pastor: Murray Wittke Asso. Pastor: Matt Moore lakewindermerealliance.org valleychristianonline.com rd th Sunday is Worship January 320 10:30 a.m.

December 10:30 a.m.

Services Worship And Second Sunday ofLife Advent 10 a.m. Worship & Word Instruction“Follow Me - The Worship and Life Instruction Kid’s Church Provided Everyday Follower” “Advent - LOVE (God)” Truth Pastor Hagan 7 Sharing p.m. Dec. 24th: PastorTrevor Matt Moore Showing ministering Ministering.

Christmas EveLove Service at KIDS Church, Following theAssembly Spirit K.I.D.S Churchfor forchildren children age age 33 Valley Christian - Grade 1; and Grade 2-7, during to Grade 1; and grades 2-7, during the morning service. the morning service.

4814 Highway Drive Sharing Truth Showing Love Following the Spirit

A18 invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, December 30, 2015 The Valley Echo

The Valley Echo's 2015/2016

NHL Hockey Pool Standings

This Week’s winner is:

Buster’s Rez Raiders I Head to Echo/Pioneer office to redeem your lunch prize!

Grand Prize

2 rounds with cart at The Ridge and 2 rounds with cart at The Point 250-341-3392

All prizes must be claimed before the following week's results are released.

Rank 1 2 3 3 5 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 12 14 15 16 16 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 27 27 30 30 30 33 33 33 36 37 38 38 40 40 42 42 44 45 45 47 48 49 50 50 52 53 53 53 53 57 57 57 57 61 61 63 64 64 64 67 68 69 69 69 72 72 72 75 75 75 75 79 79

Team Flathot 84 +3 Rockies 19 +3 Go Habs Go +3 Love the B’s WTC +2 Dexter “O” slayer LB 22 +4 Hootenani +4 HSB Dad +3 Kootenay Rangers +4 Harley +5 DR 27 + RSJ 16 +4 T Webb + Kmart Special +8 Davy 19 +4 D Turner +3 Buster’s Rez Raiders II +6 A’s +5 Slev 77 +4 NM 23 +6 Harley 10 AllMega 01 +2 Edge Golf +2 Old-Rock + CLB 77 +6 Raodhammer +3 E-town 98 +2 Long-Rock +4 Ron Hunt Picks +5 Grocery Stick +4 MC 21 +4 Yuki’s Monsters + Taters +4 The Ultra Beauty +3 Ski +3 ABA Chow +3 HD 4 +4 Jye +2 Little Red +3 CR 13 +2 Davis Tenta +5 DB 24 +6 Faze Zeimzeys +5 R’s Rockets +4 Lone Wolf +5 Beagle +5 Curling Iron +3 Dominator 44 +5 Matt Santucci +4 Epie 76 +4 Still Guessing +3 MF 11 +2 Cowboyz and Indian +3 Payci +8 Brennan +6 Willbillies +5 Sabu 64 +3 Gama’s guys +6 Layne Hunter +2 Hockey Season Widow +4 50/50 Tock +4 Beer League All Star +5 Jet’s Baby +8 CS 14 +5 13 Family Pantry +7 Buster’s Rez Raiders I +2 Mouse +5 RACO7 +4 Malcolm +4 Nelly.33 +4 Tristan Dubois +5 Shogun +8 Akisqnuk’s Rez Raiders +5 KM 10 +3 ATT and KZEE +5 RC 31 +4 Bru’s Babies +3 Sumokordic + PBR +6

Total 567 566 562 562 556 556 551 550 549 548 546 545 545 544 543 542 542 540 539 538 536 535 534 531 530 529 528 528 528 527 527 527 526 526 526 524 523 522 522 521 521 520 520 519 518 518 517 516 515 514 514 513 512 512 512 512 511 511 511 511 510 510 509 508 508 508 507 506 505 505 505 503 503 503 501 501 501 501 500 500

LW 62 53 54 63 46 63 58 54 54 64 61 54 69 56 53 52 58 51 55 58 58 52 55 47 55 67 58 50 51 57 53 51 60 45 52 53 55 60 56 45 58 57 53 44 50 59 51 60 60 54 55 54 44 61 51 40 49 55 48 52 53 56 59 50 54 43 74 56 65 49 53 48 46 36 52 35 52 45 48 48

GM

P/G

44 58 67 43 57 58 59 52 51 68 71 43 80 54 105 88 67 67 71 82 88 53 48 48 64 78 104 89 96 86 82 85 48 96 70 79 81 82 75 81 84 100 105 57 77 83 78 79 98 126 105 48 84 54 85 102 94 70 113 55 67 77 83 108 87 78 92 49 77 56 65 66 94 114 76 118 75 62 52 83

0.76 0.76 0.77 0.74 0.75 0.74 0.75 0.74 0.74 0.75 0.75 0.73 0.76 0.73 0.79 0.76 0.74 0.74 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.72 0.72 0.73 0.72 0.73 0.75 0.74 0.75 0.74 0.74 0.74 0.71 0.74 0.72 0.73 0.73 0.72 0.72 0.72 0.73 0.74 0.76 0.70 0.72 0.73 0.72 0.72 0.74 0.76 0.74 0.69 0.72 0.69 0.72 0.72 0.72 0.70 0.75 0.68 0.70 0.72 0.71 0.75 0.72 0.71 0.72 0.68 0.71 0.68 0.69 0.69 0.71 0.74 0.69 0.72 0.69 0.68 0.68 0.71

Sponsored by:

Rank 81 81 81 81 81 81 81 88 88 90 91 92 92 92 92 92 97 97 99 99 99 99 103 103 105 105 105 108 108 110 111 111 113 113 115 115 117 117 117 117 121 121 123 124 124 126 126 128 129 130 131 131 133 134 134 136 137 138 139 139 141 142 143 143 143 146 147 148 149 150 151 151 153 154 155 156 157 158 159

Team TD 03 +6 Drinkin n Thinkin +4 FC 09 + Choda Boy +2 Christopher 3 +6 ZR 20 +2 Duane G +2 Goalieguy +6 “BOAT” + Gama’s Guys 2 R.O.P +8 Hockey Insider +7 CM 1 +3 Skeeter 31 +3 Make B Leaf +4 DQ 18 +5 Texas Mick 810 +4 Young Guns +5 Night Hawks +4 MRN31 +3 Sportsmom3 +6 Last Call + Don43 +3 Gone Postal + Little fast guy +7 Kelley Neale +5 Philip on tacos +2 Tala’s Mom 2 + Brake Sticks 20 +4 Berg’s Pens +5 NH 08 +4 Grampa 4 +3 HSB +5 Merrymen +2 Freddy Kruger +4 I’m Gonna Lose +4 Hair 3 + JD Radium +4 Hair Haven +5 T-O-N-N-Y +2 WEG +5 Lynal +6 N4CER +3 Guessing Game Again +3 Nolan “What” Watt +3 Hockey Life 5 +5 Nick was Here +4 Casss +6 Spencer +7 Moose Drool +4 NWT 1 +4 Life After Licic +3 Rylie’s Mom +5 Woodsy +2 Buster’s Team +5 The Cuptenders +5 Trich Monas +2 RGM 10 +6 BBD +4 Sept 27/2015 +4 Team Canada +3 White +4 Gwen’s Gimmies +3 Wolpack 13 +5 Canucks Suck + WR 15 +4 Nelly +4 20.20 luke +7 Finnipeg +2 Lucky +2 M + L +8 Westside Dan +5 Y-lime +6 2010 Bruins +2 Sumpkin +3 RT 04 +7 Crew Slut +5 Zacksmum +5 Anaphylaxis +5

Total 499 499 499 499 499 499 499 498 498 497 496 495 495 495 495 495 494 494 493 493 493 493 491 491 490 490 490 487 487 485 484 484 483 483 482 482 481 481 481 481 478 478 476 475 475 474 474 473 472 471 470 470 469 468 468 463 462 461 460 460 459 457 456 456 456 455 454 452 451 448 445 445 443 439 438 436 432 412 410

LW 50 60 59 50 48 63 60 55 57 55 45 42 56 58 47 43 43 55 56 52 43 63 55 57 40 45 67 51 46 47 50 56 46 45 42 52 39 46 41 47 52 52 55 48 51 42 46 46 55 49 49 53 45 58 44 45 55 40 45 46 45 47 47 40 40 53 35 39 56 59 33 49 49 51 37 38 38 36 42

GM 103 42 67 54 88 98 67 114 58 30 96 95 67 108 58 72 78 120 118 87 72 42 73 79 76 126 73 49 85 68 73 66 124 82 87 95 62 104 79 90 102 66 85 107 84 94 110 132 114 78 97 75 94 96 102 105 95 111 75 91 93 73 78 116 83 105 93 147 87 91 122 82 111 92 82 91 134 128 127

P/G 0.72 0.66 0.69 0.67 0.70 0.71 0.68 0.72 0.67 0.66 0.70 0.70 0.68 0.71 0.68 0.68 0.69 0.73 0.72 0.69 0.68 0.66 0.68 0.69 0.68 0.73 0.68 0.65 0.68 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.71 0.68 0.67 0.68 0.65 0.69 0.67 0.68 0.68 0.65 0.67 0.69 0.67 0.68 0.69 0.71 0.70 0.66 0.66 0.65 0.66 0.67 0.68 0.66 0.65 0.67 0.63 0.65 0.65 0.63 0.63 0.67 0.64 0.65 0.65 0.70 0.63 0.64 0.66 0.63 0.65 0.63 0.62 0.61 0.65 0.61 0.61

Wednesday, December 30, 2015 The Valley Echo

invermerevalleyecho.com A19

To advertise, call: To advertise, call: 250-341-6299 250-341-6299

SERVING THE VALLEY Septic Tank Pumping Portable Toilet Rentals NEW R SEWERA CAME

• Complete sewer/drain repairs • Reasonable rates - Seniors’ discount • Speedy service - 7 days a week • A well-maintained septic system should be pumped every 2-3 years • Avoid costly repairs

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Sholinder & MacKay

Sand & Gravel

Complete line of aggregate products for construction and landscaping Office:

250-342-6452 • 250-342-3773 Cell: 250-342-5833

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The Invermere

ALLEY CHO

• Brakes • Tires • Suspension • Oil Changes • Alignment • Air Conditioners Your Winter Tire Super Store 250-342-4433 • Open 7 days a week NATIONWIDE GUARANTEE

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For competitive prices and prompt service call:

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Attention Business People! • Advertising invites clients to visit your Don’t wait for business to come to you, go after the business!

Create a promotion, advertise your special rates and stand out!

business and increases the traffic; • Advertising makes people talk about you and your business and keeps your business running smoothly;

In our present economy, advertising equals prosperity!

• Advertising makes your phone ring and increases your sales; • Advertising gives you a competitive edge over the competition who choose not to advertise.

Call today! 250-341-6299

Ph: 250.341.6299 • Cell: 250.341.1111 www.invermerevalleyecho.com advertising@invermerevalleyecho.com

A20 invermerevalleyecho.com

Wednesday, December 30, 2015 The Valley Echo

ALLEY IFE

VL

MOUNTAIN RANGES A lot of what makes the Columbia Valley so unique is its location between two mountain ranges: the Canadian Rockies to the east and the Purcell Mountains to the west. It’s within this visual framework, created by their tall snow-capped (for much of the year) peaks, that so many incredible photographs are taken. Here are but a few that have been featured in The Echo this past year.

Counter-clockwise from the top: The Northern Lights dance above the low-lying fog in Invermere with the Rockies in the distance in this Look Outside Contest winning shot (for the month of April) taken at 4:30 a.m. (photo by Marlene Chabot); A lovely larch shot taken on the 1st Annual Tamarack Ridge Walk hosted by Panorama Mountain Resort in September (photo by Kristin McCauley); a colourenhanced scene of the Rockies and Lake Windermere at sunset in January (photo by Dan Walton); Brewer Lake in the Purcell Mountains was a serene scene of fall beauty in October (photo by Nicole Trigg); a starry night sky taken from the Hoodoos in February, with the Rockies in the distance (photo by Dan Walton); and what’s a photo page of the Columbia Valley without the scene of a bear, taken in Kootenay National Park in May (photo by Amanda Nason).