Columbia Valley Pioneer, February 28, 2019

February 28, 2019 Vol. 16/Issue 9

Your Weekly Source for News and Events

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 1 February 28, 2019

The Columbia Valley

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Dancers from Circus Acts Insomniacs swallow a feast of fire at Masked, a costumed fundraiser for Mountain of Hope on Saturday, February 23rd.

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2 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 28, 2019

Bruno’s Plumbing Service Mike Sylvestre 250.342.5105 brunosplumbing@shaw.ca

VALLEY VIEWS Whiteway Report

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UPCOMING EVENTS Mad Hatter’s Tea Party vin g th

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www.invermereglass.com UPCOMING COURSES Continuing Education | Invermere Campus Active Aging Workshop ............................................. March 9 Build a Bench or Planter ........................................... March 12 Sharpen Your Knife Skills ......................................... March 14 SuperHost Foundations ........................................... March 16 Red Cross Wilderness First Aid ............................. March 22 Angel Cards ..................................................................... April 2 Mental Health First Aid ................................................. April 4 H2S Alive ........................................................................... April 5 Bloom Your Leadership ................................................ April 6 Behavior Matrix ............................................................... April 6

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Photo by Vanya Sokolowski Perhaps the lack of winter earlier in the season is being made up for now. Cross country skiing conditions are excellent on the Lake Windermere Whiteway, on Lake Lillian, and on the Junior Johnson Trails. Skating conditions on the Whiteway are rough in some areas, however, so be cautious of cracks and bumps in the ice. Skating conditions are best near Indian Beach and Windermere Beach, and worsen around Tayton Bay and Timber Ridge.

Please remember to pay the $5 day use fee when you use the trails and Whiteway; please also remember to pick up after your pets when you go out!

Vitality investigates the real cost of technology

By Steve Hubrecht Magazine Editor The rapid rise of digital technology has made life marvellously convenient and turned feats not long ago considered the stuff of science fiction into everyday occurrences. Grandparents on the other side of the country view babies through computer screens.

But all this comes with a cost, and science is just beginning to get a glimpse of how alarmingly steep that cost may be. Soaring rates of mental health problems. Epidemic levels of distraction and stress. What psychologists call “weakened real life society”. The ability of a select few to subtly manipulate many, undetected.

And that’s not even touching on the political implications.

Yet there is a ray of hope. Science is also emerging on a potential antidote, one the Columbia Valley has in spades — the great outdoors. Recent studies indicate time in nature correlates with a sweeping range of physical, mental, emotional and psychological benefits.

Will nature be the cure-all for the looming ills of modern life’s hyper-stimulated, constantly connected new digital reality? This year’s issue of Vitality (the Columbia Valley’s annual health and wellness magazine) delves into the topic in this year’s issue in search of answers.

Aside from peering into the growing research, Vitality examines some exploding nature-based health trends, such as forest bathing and healing gardens, and offers some tips on minimizing digital stress, getting away from your phone, and even on how to use your phone to disconnect. And there’s more: four local writers share personal tales of unplugging; Dave Quinn appraises whether or not wilderness can have wifi and offers a meditation on the happiness that can flow from tapping into your inner hunter-gatherer; and Jesse Bell goes for the big unplug — no screens, no town, no people.

Disconnect from the digital, plug into what matters, and start reading about it right here. Really, put that phone down, grab a copy of Vitality and get reading. Vitality is on newstands across the Valley now.

BUSINESS PULSE Taking the Pulse of Business throughout the Valley

Wednesday, March 6th for the CVCC AGM 6 pm – 8 pm • Dinner, AGM & Pulse Presentation RSVP at www.cvchamber.ca or email: sarah@cvchamber.ca

February 28, 2019

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 3

VALLEY NEWS

Health care crisis in the Valley

at Interior Health, the Kelowna General Hospital Cardiac Program and Foothills Medical Centre.”

He says that agreement was struck for several reasons, including Kelowna’s well-esA letter in the Pioneer February 14th from an Invermere doctor claiming Alberta has tablished cardiac program that has unused capacity to provide care, and the nearly become harder and harder for patients to access has opened a flood of response. Between 400-patient waitlist at Foothills when the agreement was struck. letters to the editor, cheers, online comments, and personal stories, the anecdotes are “While patients may want to drive a few less hours, both Alberta and B.C. residents pouring in on how the medical system is breaking down between B.C. and Alberta. deserve the most timely care and this practice is in place to ensure that happens,” Mr. Dr. Gareth Mannheimer, Invermere District Hospital chief of staff, has been work- Stewart concludes. ing in Invermere for the past 10 years. The Pioneer reached out to Dr. Mannheimer to Some Valley residents have been models of the system working well, getting the focus in on this issue and find out what has been happening locally as it relates to Alberta timeliest service when they need it. Dianne Peterson is one such example. It was 4:30 health and the figurative wall rising between the borders. in the morning on December 16th, 2017, and Ms. Peterson woke with a start. The day Dr. Mannheimer says he has seen, without question, a “progression of attrition of before, she had trouble breathing; feeling almost like an elephant was crushing her. She access to the facilities in Alberta.” He says what started out as a shutdown to services such didn’t consider what the breathing trouble may be a symptom of, and went about her as cancer imaging has expanded to include non-emergency surgeries, specialist appoint- day. Now she was awake and knew something was wrong. When she felt a shock run ments and more. from her throat down her arm, she realized it was a heart attack. Fifteen minutes later “Those barriers have slowly gotten higher and higher and really just quite difficult she was out the door of her Wilmer home and in the Invermere & District Hospital’s to navigate,” Dr. Mannheimer reflects. “It affects absolutely every aspect of medical care emergency ward. After she was stabilized, she began listening to what was going on that we have.” around her.

It is not a total shut-down to services; it is more that “I heard the doctor talking ‘Kelowna’,” she recalls. Lyit has become “unpredictable” whether a patient will be aling in her hospital bed, Ms. Peterson, a self-confessed stublowed to cross the border or not for care.

“Patients should really have the most appropri- born woman, called out that there was no way that was “Certainly we are seeing more and more referrals bounce ate care available, closest to where they live.” happening. back because they simply do not treat B.C. patients. This is “Now I can talk, and I said, ‘I’m not going to Kelowtrue for spinal surgery, this is true for many eye emergencies, na’.”

Dr. Mannheimer, this is certainly true for cardiac surgery, and it’s become very Ms. Peterson has a daughter who lives in Calgary, and Invermere doctor unpredictable of who they will and won’t treat.” another just an hour outside the city, so she wanted to be More patients are now being sent to Kelowna instead transferred to where her support system was located. But of Calgary. Dr. Mannheimer makes clear this is not a question of competency within besides that, she had heard cautionary tales of Valley patients who were scheduled to go B.C., praising his colleagues in Kelowna. It is more a question of convenience for Valley to Kelowna but got stuck in Cranbrook because of poor air conditions for fixed wing air residents to be sent either three hours away to Calgary, or over two mountain passes and transport to move patients from one hospital to another. twice the driving time to Kelowna.

As it turns out, Ms. Peterson did not need to put her foot down to demand a transfer “Patients in the East Kootenays’ proximity to Calgary is such that it really just makes to Calgary. Vancouver was too far away for the urgent care she needed, and it appeared sense. It makes sense for patients themselves. It makes sense for patient’s families, for she was not going to be able to get transferred to Kelowna quickly enough either. Parapatient’s support structures. It makes follow-up after these acute interventions more sen- medics settled her in an ambulance to head for the airport in Fairmont Hot Springs, sible,” he says. “Patients should really have the most appropriate care available, closest to where a plane was set to pick her up and rush her to Calgary. A bit more bad luck was where they live.” in store for Ms. Peterson, however, when they arrived to the Fairmont airport and disThe Pioneer reached out to Alberta Health Services (AHS) to inquire about the covered the plane was not there. It turned out the pilot was unable to land at the local challenge B.C. patients are having in accessing medical care in Alberta. While a media airport and had headed on to Cranbrook. So, paramedics raced her - “lights and siren all spokesperson said they had no one available for an interview, media relations officer Don the way” - to the regional airport, where she was promptly flown to Foothills. By 3:30 Stewart emailed a statement on behalf of AHSs. p.m. the same day, Ms. Peterson was in recovery. The specialist at Foothills told her that “We know that many patients from outside Alberta receive elective – or non-urgent the system worked well in her case, that it was ‘perfect’ in terms of getting to the hospital – care at Alberta Health Services (AHS) facilities, including patients who have services and getting her on the operating table in a timely fashion. available in their home province, as well as those who may be unable to receive specialist The cardio team ambulance attendant told Ms. Peterson her textbook response time care in their home province. AHS does not have a policy restricting care for out-of-prov- does not happen often. ince patients,” he wrote.

“Most times, you’re sitting in Invermere or Cranbrook for days waiting for transport Mr. Stewart said last year AHS provided care for almost 9,440 patients from outside (to Kelowna),’ Ms. Peterson recalls him telling her. “My case is what they want to have Alberta, while AHS acute care hospitals often operate at or near 100 per cent capacity. happen, but sadly it doesn’t.”

“Individual services or providers responsible for their practice make decisions that Ms. Peterson was lucky with the order and speed of her care, and has also not had allow them to appropriately manage their waitlists,” Mr. Stewart continues. “The prac- issues going back to Alberta for other appointments. Just last month, she tells the Pioneer, tice of re-directing interior B.C. residents to Kelowna General Hospital for cardiac sur- she had a test for another health issue in our neighbouring province. gery has been established for nearly one year. It is an agreed practice between leadership Continued on page 10 . . .

By Lorene Keitch lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com

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4 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

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WINTER HOURS

Sunday ...............Noon-9 pm Monday............... 3 pm-9 pm Tuesday...................CLOSED Wednesday............CLOSED Thursday ........... 3 pm–9 pm Friday .............. Noon-10 pm Saturday ......... Noon-10 pm

This past week, February 18th through February 24th the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 51 calls for service. The following are some of the more notable files our officers responded to.

• On Monday, February 18th, a resident on 3rd Avenue in Invermere reported finding a swastika symbol scratched into the driver’s side door of his vehicle.

The damage was believed to have occurred sometime on Saturday, either at the Kinsmen Beach or on his driveway.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Columbia Valley RCMP. • On Wednesday, February 20th at 5:30 a.m., police and Radium Fire Department responded to a single vehicle collision on Highway 93/95 near the Setetkwa golf

course. A grey Dodge Caravan had gone off the highway and down an embankment. Police located the driver at his residence with only minor injuries.

• On Saturday, February 23rd at about 11:30 p.m., a motorist reported finding a male lying in a ditch on Highway 93/95 near Fairmont Hot Springs. An officer attended and spoke to the intoxicated male. The man was not able to explain where he lived so he was arrested and held in cells for his safety.

• Columbia Valley RCMP responded to eighteen false or abandoned 911 calls last week. To prevent false 911 calls, remember to lock your keypad before you place your cell phone in your pocket or purse. Keep cell phones out of the hands of children, even deactivated cell phones can make 911 calls. If you inadvertently dial 911 please stay on the line and speak to the operator.

Renter evades fireball

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“I got away with my life and a pair of joggers.

That’s it,” said Darren Reiffenstein, who narrowly escaped a fire on Tuesday, February 5th that consumed the trailer where he lived in minutes.

“I fell asleep on the couch and when I woke up, it was on fire big time,” he said. “If I was in my bed, I probably wouldn’t be talking. The fire probably would have overwhelmed me.”

At first he didn’t understand what was happening or why he couldn’t see. Then he realized he was looking through a cloud of smoke.

“I couldn’t find door. I was lost for a little bit,” he said. “I ran down to the end where the woodstove was and I saw fire jumping out of the addition into the trailer and it was licking the roof of the trailer with fire... I seen a fireball coming at me so I dove out the door.”

Since the fire destroyed the home he had been renting and claimed the lives of both of his cats, Mr. Reiffenstein has been “surfing couches” and staying with friends.

“People have been outpouring their kindness to me, and it’s wonderful. It restores my faith in humanity, that’s for sure,” he said. “People are taking care of me pretty good.”

Jessie Blakley is one of those caretakers. She is organizing a fundraiser for Mr. Reiffenstein “to dance and celebrate the fact that he’s alive.”

Sunday Brunch Buffet Featuring

Taynton Bay Spirits Tea Cocktails

Restaurant and Lounge

Monday – Sunday Breakfast ~ 7 am – 11:30 am Lunch ~ 11:30 am – 4:30 pm Dinner ~ 4:30 pm – 10 pm

Sunday, March 3rd, 9 am – 1 pm $26/adult including cocktail $4 Taynton Bay Spirits Cocktails Prices do not include tax or gratuity. Reservations recommended.

Call 250-341-4002 or email elements@copperpointresort.com

She hopes “to get him his independence back” and help him replace his guitar and the tools he uses as a construction contractor.

“Anyone deserves to see who loves them,” she said, adding that after facing hardship “it’s often found that you have far more friends than you thought you did.”

Mr. Reiffenstein is moved by the community’s generosity.

“I just want to thank everybody for being so kind. Everybody asks me why I’m not depressed and bummed out and crying a lot, but if they saw what what I saw they’d be happy to get out. I’m quite happy,” he said. “I’m just lucky to be alive.”

The fundraiser for Mr. Reiffenstein will take place on Saturday, March 9th from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Wilmer Community Hall. There is no admission fee. The fundraiser will include food, drinks, a silent auction and a performance by the Chisel Peak Blues Band. (Auction items are welcome. To donate, email jessie@thecrc.ca.

Both Mr. Reiffenstein and Ms. Blakley implore residents to take all possible fire precautions. They want everyone to check their fire alarms, clean their chimney, know where their fire escapes are and be prepared.

“I’ve been making sure my stove is tickety boo, but something went up there,” Mr. Reiffenstein said. “Make sure you do fire drills. I am totally terrified of fire now. It only takes once.”

Second Annual

Indian Cuisine Week Enjoy authentic Indian dishes and beverage pairings.

March 25th to 28th March 29th and 30th

Set Menu Dinner Buffet

Guest Chef Raj Uhir ~ Reservations highly recommended.

Call 250-341-4002 or e -mail elements@copperpointresort.com for more information and to make a reservation.

Located at Copper Point Resort, 760 Cooper Road

February 28, 2019

Truckers and tourists

three hours. She said signs are posted to ensure drivers keep their stops brief, but that the Village’s signage could be improved. With a part-time bylaw officer, there can You can see Radium Bighorn Gift & Souvenir from be challenges getting truckers to move on when they’ve Highway 95 – that is if a semi truck hasn’t parked in front overstayed their welcome and the bylaw officer isn’t on of the business on Main Street West, obscuring the shop shift. from view.

Ms. Matchett said this particular semi driver was Angie Matchett relies on parked on the street for 30 travellers noticing her storehours and that she and another “It’s supposed to be a tourist town but it’s front on their way through business owner reached out to more like a trucker town.” the Village and pulling over Mayor Reinhardt for help. to pop in. But a semi parked While Mayor Reinhardt Angie Matchett, in front of her shop on Februcould tell the truck had been Radium Bighorn Gift & Souvenier ary 15th and 16th meant that parked overnight because “the long weekend drivers consnowplow had gone by and tinued on their way without kind of plowed him in,” she pausing to peruse her wares. said there was very little the Village could do.

“If the people can’t see my business, they won’t stop.

“The challenge is it’s a Saturday of a long weekend If they don’t stop and come in, then I don’t have sales. If and it’s not an emergency,” she said, adding that she inI don’t have sales, I don’t have a business. That’s how it tends to ask Village staff about options to deal with semis hurts my business,” she said. “It’s supposed to be a tourist that stay too long. town but it’s more like a trucker town.”

Ms. Matchett said a possible solution would be for Mayor Clara Reinhardt said semis are only allowed the Village to consider buying a plot of vacant land to use to park on Main Street East and Main Street West for for semi parking.

By Dauna Ditson reporter@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Landscaping win-win in Windermere

By Pioneer staff As Real Storage sought approval from the Regional District of East Kootenay to build nearer to the edge of their property than is typically allowed, Windermere resident Helen Eldstrom reached out to the Pioneer to share her concerns with “the proliferation of storage sheds in the Windermere corridor” and the “sterile face that we are presenting to the world.”

Area F Director Susan Clovechok said RDEK voted to allow Real Storage, which is located at 1508 Highway 95, to build one and half metres from their property line instead of the usual six metres back as long as they create a landscaping plan.

“I see it as a win-win potentially,” she said. “In some respects what they’ve done has provided us, provided the community, with the opportunity to get some beautification along that stretch of fence line.”

Farm succession planning workshop Columbia Basin Trust Are you thinking about succession planning for your farm business? Attend a free workshop about how to be prepared in Invermere Tuesday, March 12th.

“Succession planning is an area where we have had significant inquiries for information and support in the last year,” says Tracey Fredrickson, BBA Agriculture Specialist.

“To address this need throughout the region, we created this workshop as a way of orienting farm operators to the succession planning process and how to get started.”

The program covers how and when to start talking with family members about succession, options for selling, setting goals for transitioning the farm and how to be optimally prepared to work with your accountant and lawyer.”

The one-day workshop provides an overview of the succession planning process followed by detailed presentations by farm succession experts in accounting, law, insurance and financing. Participants have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the presenters and will receive comprehensive handouts.

The workshop runs from approximately 9 am to 3 p.m. at the Lions hall. There is no cost to attend. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Multiple family

members are encouraged to attend.

The workshop was delivered as a pilot to members of the Kootenay Livestock Association in November 2018.

Participants gave it high ratings for relevance of information, knowledge of speakers and helping participants understand the next steps for the sale/transfer of their business.

This workshop will be held in other Basin communities in the fall/winter 2019-20.

The Basin Business Advisors (BBA) program is an initiative of Columbia Basin Trust administered by Community Futures. The BBA Agriculture Specialist provides advice related to farm management to operators throughout the Columbia Basin region in such areas as production costing, marketing and branding, and expansion feasibility as well as succession planning. BBA may also connect businesses with more specialized agriculture consultants who can address unique needs for a variety of producers.

This service works in conjunction with the Kootenay Farm & Boundary Advisors, who focus on the science of agriculture.

To learn more about BBA, visit bbaprogram.ca or contact info@bbaprogram.ca or 1.855.510.2227.

Something got you fired up?

Write a letter to the editor. Email letters to Lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 5 DISTRICT OF INVERMERE

914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Tel: 250-342-9281 • Fax: 250-342-2934

WATER METER READS The District of Invermere will be reading water meters over the next couple of weeks; this sometimes requires access to your property.

If you have an older water meter and would like to participate in our meter exchange program, please call the number below.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Municipal Office at 250-342-9281.

INFORMATION OPEN HOUSE! @ THE MOUNTAIN HUB March 2nd, 1 p.m. or March 6th, 6 p.m.

“People Helping People in our Community”

Volunteer Columbia Valley A new website connecting volunteers with local organizations.

Check it out at

www.volunteercv.ca Create your volunteer profile today.

Watch this section for upcoming volunteer opportunities!

Groundswell Network Society Environment & Green Initiatives

Is looking to fill the following volunteer positions: Treasurer, Secretary, Events Coordinator, Grant Writer and Board Member at Large.

For more information visit www.volunteercv.ca

FOR GOOD. FOR COMMUNITY. FOR EVER. WWW.VALLEYFOUNDATION.CA

Have an opinion?

Email your letter to the editor to lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com

6 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

PERSPECTIVE

February 28, 2019

Historical Lens

Rising tide of incitements to violence

By Dauna Ditson reporter@columbiavalleypioneer.com

In downtown Invermere earlier this winter, a protest poster showed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s face as seen through the sights of a gun.

To determine whether such a shocking image was legally permissible, the Pioneer reached out to Sgt. Kakuno, the detachment commander for the Columbia Valley RCMP, who said police need to be cautious “not to overstep our authority” when it comes to protestors sharing their political views.

The case of a photo implying that a politician should be killed isn’t as clear as a case of someone uttering a threat, he said, as RCMP would “have to prove the intent is murderous... (and) it’s difficult to interpret what a picture means.”

Given that the prime minister isn’t in the Valley and Sgt. Kakuno wasn’t aware of any upcoming political visits, he didn’t consider the poster image a serious or credible threat, although he said it was “certainly in bad taste.”

But such demonstrations of poor taste have left the country’s top public servant warning about the potential for someone to end up dead as the federal election approaches.

Last Thursday, February 21st, Michael Wernick, Privy Council clerk, told the House of Commons justice and human rights committee: “I’m deeply concerned about my country right now and its politics and where its headed... I worry about the rising tide of incitements to violence, when people use terms like ‘treason’ and ‘traitor’ in open discourse. Those are the words that lead to assassination. I’m worried that someone is going to be shot in this country this year during the political campaign.”

He went on to say: “I worry about the reputations of honourable people who have served their country — being besmirched and dragged through the market square.

I worry about the trolling from the vomitorium of social media entering the open media arena. Most of all, I worry about people losing faith in the institutions of governance in this country...”

So what should we do here in the Valley to keep our democracy and our discourse civil and to keep our politicians and our protestors safe?

We could start by seeing the humanity in each other, by seeing our neighbours and our leaders as humans, not monsters, regardless of how they vote.

We could refrain from poking each other in the eye over issues where we see things differently and either change the topic or look for common ground. We could stop using social media as a battleground. And we should certainly refrain from any implication that we would be better off by anyone else’s death.

Democracies work best when a variety of ideas can be debated respectfully and evaluated on their merits.

Paddling the river The Armstrong sternwheeler, launched at Spillimacheen in 1913, is pictured here some time between 1912 and 1916. Do you have any more information about this, or any other, historical lens photo? If so, email info@columbiavalleypioneer.com.

Photo (C 1961) courtesy Windermere District Historical Society

Open house for proposed project Dear Editor: Re: Feb 14, 2019 Council Member Taft’s Comments on Generation Homes At Generation Homes we were excited to hear that council supports “The Farmhouse” community that we are putting forward… “as not a terrible concept.” I’ve spent the last ten years raising my kids in this beautiful community and in that time have heard from numerous parties about the housing needs in Invermere. While Invermere seems really successful at approving multimillion dollar homes it seems that developments that are focused on the average consumer are often underrepresented in our community.

Generation Homes has set forth a plan to provide homes to that underrepresented average consumer. The plan provides approximately 1/3 of our homes for folks needing wheelchair accessible homes, 1/3 of our homes for people needing single floor living because of reduced mobility and 1/3 of our homes for people just getting started in the housing market. All of these important groups of

our community have very minimal options within Invermere and many of the options available at this time need substantial renovation or are at an unreasonable price range.

We think this community is a groundbreaking opportunity for Invermere. Developments of this type have been stalled for years because of economic changes and priorities. To be able to bring this type of community to market we need the support of the community and council… for there to be recognition that this type of housing is important too. To show your support for “The Farmhouse” community of 30 homes, or just to learn more about what we plan to do, join us at The Mountain Hub during one of our two information sessions. We will have floor plans, artist concepts, and more… Can’t wait to see you there; March 2nd at 1 p.m. and March 6 at 6 p.m.

Hoping to see you soon, Christine Scott-Nyuli Generation Homes www.generationhomesinvermere.com

The Columbia Valley

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2013

Pioneer

is independently owned and operated, published weekly by Robert W. Doull, President, Misko Publishing Limited Partnership.

Box 868, #8, 1008 - 8th Ave., Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Phone: 250-341-6299 • Fax: 1-855-377-0312 info@columbiavalleypioneer.com www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

Dean Midyette Publisher/ Sales Manager

Lorene Keitch Editor

Steve Hubrecht Magazine Editor/ Reporter

Dauna Ditson Reporter

Katie Watt Intern

Amanda Nason Advertising Sales

Emily Rawbon Graphic Design/ Associate Publisher

Amanda Murray

Office Administrator/ Classified Sales

February 28, 2019

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 7

LETTERS

Cost comparison BC / Alberta Dear Editor: I would like to thank Dr. Dibb for her letter to Prime Minister Trudeau which was printed in the Pioneer February 14th (‘Patient wall erected between provincial borders’).

In this letter she outlined the difficulties it has caused the medial profession in this area. As a patient, I will outline the difficulties I encountered having to go to Kelowna to the Red Heart Cardiology Department at Kelowna General Hospital to have a coronary angiogram done. I was scheduled to have the operation on February 12th, 2019. My son was driving up from Sylvan Lake Alberta to take me to Kelowna. We left Radium Hot Springs on February 10th in case of bad weather. The roads were good and we arrived the same day. The operation was a success; however,

I had to stay in the hospital for six hours. I had to stay in Kelowna 24 hours following the procedure.

The total cost of mileage, meals and accommodation using Revenue Canada allowances was $2,111. I did not include my son’s expenses.

I had the same operation performed at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary in May 2001 for $200 ambulance fees.

My medical insurance – Sun Life and Blue Cross – does not pay for any of these expenses. The situation should be rectified by allowing the doctors to decide what hospital you should go to. For cost saving and convenience to the patient, it should be the closest hospital to the patient.

John R. Ginter Radium Hot Springs

Daytime snow removal?

Dear Editor: As a long time resident of Wilmer (since 1993), I hear a lot about the snow plows. Sometimes they come at 1 a.m., or sometimes at 4 a.m. We are very grateful for your care and attention with our roads. I realize we are out of the municipality but is there any way you could rotate to the different communities so that we could have daytime snow removal from time to time? Also, I can’t help but notice the

sloppy job that is done on the handicapped spots. We were lucky this year that we didn’t get a ton of snow and I am sure you feel overwhelmed at this point. I often have to be up at 6:30 so the midnight forays don’t bother me as much but I have heard many others complain about it.

Thank you for listening.

Penny MacNeil Wilmer

No-go on Athalmer Dear Editor: Anyone interested in the District of Invermere operations and who read your wonderful Pioneer have to be impressed and convinced that Richard Unger’s professional approach to the Athalm-

er purchase in last week’s issue (letter to the editor February 21st) is a no go. I’m re-convinced.

James Ashworth Invermere

School District No. 6 (Rocky Mountain)

Windermere Zone

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION for September 2019 Children whose 5th birthday occurs on or before December 31, 2019 (born in 2014) are eligible to enter Kindergarten in September 2019. We will be accepting registrations for Kindergarten children at the following schools: Edgewater Elementary School (Krystal Haggard, Secretary) Eileen Madson Primary School (Becky Gray, Secretary) Martin Morigeau Elementary School (Holly Pietrosky, Secretary) Windermere Elementary School (Nicole Nelson, Secretary) RMDL (Learning @ Home Program) (Melissa Altmann, Secretary)

250-347-9543 250-342-9315 250-349-5665 250-342-6640 250-342-9213

Registrations will be accepted at the above schools on the following dates:

What is the Columbia Valley Arts Council up to?

Find out at our

Annual General Meeting Wednesday, March 13th, 7 p.m. at Pynelogs Cultural Centre

Have an opinion? Email your letter to the editor to lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Edgewater Elementary School . . . . . . . March 4 to 7, 8:20 am to 3:00 pm and March 8, 8:20 am to 12:30 pm Eileen Madson Primary School . . . . . March 12th – 9:30 am to 10:30 am *(please call the school secretary to reserve your space . . . . March 12th – 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at one of the 2 sessions at EMP on March 12th)

Martin Morigeau Elementary School. . March 4 - 15, regular school hours Windermere Elementary School . . . . . March 4 - 8, regular school hours RMDL (Learning @ Home Program). . March 4 - 15, regular school hours

If you are unable to register your child during the dates and times indicated above, please contact the school as soon as possible to arrange another time to register your child.

A PARENT MUST ENROL A CHILD IN PERSON AND MUST PRESENT THE CHILD’S BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR OTHER LEGALLY ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENT FOR PROOF OF AGE. PLEASE ALSO BRING YOUR CHILD’S B.C. HEALTH CARE CARD AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION.

8 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

Leadership styles

INTERIORS

Fresh old ideas

Decking Season is Here!

Contact us for all your vinyl decking needs

250-342-6264

By Arnold Malone Pioneer Columnist

335 Third Ave, Invermere • floors@warwick-interiors.com

Free Workshop Free Workshop Time to Transition the Farm?

Time to Transition the Farm?

The Basin Business Program The Basin BusinessAdvisors Advisors Program cancan help help youyou getget started. started.

When: Tuesday, March 12th, 9 am – 3 pm Where: Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce For more information and to register, visit For more information and to register, visit bbaprogram.ca or call 1-855-510-2227 bbaprogram.ca or call 1.855.510.2227 BASIN BUSINESS ADVISORS PROGRAM

BUSINESS ORS PROGRAM

A PROGRAM OF

A PROGRAM OF

ADMINISTERED & MANAGED BY

RELAX. REWIND. RENEW.

Leadership chases a need. Different needs require different styles of the leadership.

If four people are planning a car tour around North America, it had better be by consensus. Such is not a leadership opportunity for one strong person.

Leadership takes place whenever two or more persons engage in a plan. Plans are not always for the good.

People have a capacity to cause a great good or create a train wreck.

Every family has a leadership style. Some are autocratic with one person dominating others. Other families have joint parental leadership and some have full democracy where children are also involved in family decisions.

Some people are leaders while seemingly unaware of their influence. Almost every community has one or more such persons. By the impact of their demeanour, use of evidence, and capacity to articulate along with their ability to listen, they motivate others. A quiet thoughtful comment can cause others to doubt a previous position.

Dictators are not leaders. Leadership, simply put, is the capacity to engage and motivate others. Oppression requires the use of force; it is not the skill of a motivator.

Leadership is not always pretty. Sometimes the need is caused by an outdated culture. Doing today what has always been done is likely tomorrow’s failure. When a new culture is required it means a previous culture must first be crushed. That was the case with the Chrysler Corporation in the 1980s. Lee Iacocca was brought in to save the corporation from certain bankruptcy.

Iacocca fired heads of departments, brought in new personnel and basically changed the modus operendi that was used to manage the company. The financial press applauded his effords while the out-going executives and plant workers utterly despised him. Their comfortable routine had been ripped apart.

ADMINISTERED & MANAGED BY

February 28, 2019

Instead of bankruptcy the corporation flourished.

This is tough but sometimes-required leadership.

Iacocca has stated, “We are continually faced with great opportunities disguised as insolvable problems.”

Leadership in a parliamentary democracy is not what some citizens think it is. Many citizens think that parliamentary governments are expected to do what the citizens want. If so, governing would be impossible. Canadians speak with thirty six million voices.

In California the state has Propositions. This is a process where citizens can, by a collection of signatures, create a proposition requesting a government action. The government is expected to comply. Once, amongst the strongly supported propositions there were two; one asking the government for many more services and another asking for a reduction in taxes. Quick, go find Houdini.

Our long parliamentary history flows from the British Parliamentary system providing us with Representative Government. Rather than each citizen making national decisions, persons are elected to make decisions on the citizen’s behalf. The representative is called upon to make judgments and every four years citizens make a judgment on those judgments. Representatives are duty bound to do what is right for the whole jurisdiction over a long haul.

Canada has a long list of decision made by leaders that were unpopular with citizens. Sir John A. MacDonald’s trans-national railroad, Lester Pearson’s National Health Care Act and Brian Mulroney’s Free Trade Agreement are amoung some notable examples.

The great orator and British MP, Edmund Burke, (1729 – 1797) said, “When leaders choose to make themselves bidders at an auction of popularity…they will become flatterers instead of legislators…[and] not guides for the people.”

Burke, also claimed: “I owe you more than representation, I also owe you my leadership.”

The above said, woe upon any representative who fails to listen and discards public opinion when framing public policy. Public policy should arise from vision but also ought to be tempered by the art of the possible.

Arnold Malone served as MP for Alberta’s Battle River and Crowfoot ridings from 1974 through 1993. He retired to Invermere in 2007.

New bursary for fine arts education Columbia Valley Community Foundation

Monday – Thursday Residents of the Columbia Valley will receive a

20% discount

on all Spa services. Reservations are required Book online at columbiavalleyspa.com or call 250.341.4030 Located Lower Level of Copper Point Resort, Invermere, BC

“It is my wish to provide financial assistance to a young person from the Columbia Valley to study art.”

These are the words of Alan J. Witherspoon who, upon his passing in 2016, fulfilled his wishes with a gift to the Columbia Valley Community Foundation. In his own life, Alan was primarily a self-taught artist, but whenever able to juggle his career, his family and building a cabin in Windermere, he took art classes in Calgary to refine his ability or explore a new medium. His sketching and painting were inspired by each of the countries Alan lived in, the landscapes he saw, the people he met and the architecture he studied. Alan retired to the Columbia Valley in 1990. His passion for sketching and painting landscapes continued and with more time he began to explore different mediums. Whatever he dabbled in, his drafting designs were unique, his furniture stunning, his mirrors elaborately carved, his photographs beautifully composed and his wood turnings made ornate vases. It is though the Alan J.

Witherspoon Memorial Fine Arts Fund his passion for the arts will live on.

2019 marks the first year a bursary is available from this fund. The bursary will be awarded to one student pursuing a fine arts education. This includes painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, woodworking and wood carving, architecture, music, poetry, photography, video production/editing, design, sequential art, conceptual art and printmaking.

To fulfil donor wishes, eligible applicants must have resided and attended school in the Columbia Valley a minimum of 5 years and be between 17 and 35 years of age. Financial need is an additional eligibility requirement of this student bursary.

Please visit https://valleyfoundation.ca/student-awards/ for online applications and further details of this student bursary and other student awards provided through the Columbia Valley Community Foundation.

The Alan J. Witherspoon Memorial Fine Arts Fund is an amazing legacy celebrating a life well lived.

February 28, Thursday, November October 2019 26,2,2017 2017

Page The Columbia !PUBNAME! Valley Pioneer ••12 9

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE COLUMBIA VALLEY

MUSIC • VISUAL ARTS • DINING • BAR SCENE • ENTERTAINMENT • PERFORMANCE ARTS How-to festival

Wheeling weekend

PAGE 12 Ski club

PAGE 20

Out & About Nipika Mountain Resort was a fatbike haven last weekend as 78 riders finished the 20, 10 and 5 kilometre races Saturday, February 23rd.

Photo by Justin Keitch

Your weekly guide to what’s happening around the Columbia Valley PAGE 11

Fresh Fridays Youth Open Mic Night Friday March 1st at 7:30 pm

Cinefest Film: The ChildreN ACT Tues March 12 at 7 pm Pynelogs Cultural Centre, art gallery & Cafe allium Hours: Call for more info at 250.342.4423

10 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 28, 2019

A tribute to Mike Warriner

fine qualities. If you ever had the chance to go mountain biking with Mike, you knew he was near if you could hear the music playing, he could easily be the leader but would often Mike Warriner passed quietly and peacefully at 12:45 a.m. on February 15th, attentively bring up the back by ensuring that no one was left behind. People asked if Mike 2019 after an awful battle with Esophageal was married to Eagle Ranch until we met the Cancer. A message to all from Mike is to never wait if something feels off with your love of his life Shawnna, who is heartbroken by his departure, but comforted by his forever body, get regular checkups.

If you ever got to be Mike’s partner in presence. Mike’s son Lane will continue to Mike Warriner foster the legacy of scoring goals, hitting hard a golf tournament, chances are you won. If you ever played golf against Mike, chancand despising a loss, but will be the best son, teammate and friend to many as his father es are you lost. If you ever played hockey against Mike, chances are you got beat in a couple ways. was. Mya will always be the princess of her dad’s kingdom.

If you played hockey with Mike, you understood what it Mike was the star of many tea parties and royal dress up meant to be a team. If you ever worked for Mike, you pageants that always brought out the biggest smile. were treated with respect and dignity, if you didn’t work A Celebration of Mike will be held on Sunday, March hard you were coached and after many chances politely 10th at the Eagle Ranch Golf Course clubhouse from 1-5 shown the door. Mike had many friends, you knew it p.m. Speeches and a toast to Mike will occur from 2-3 from the handsome smile he would occasionally give off. p.m. Dress will be hockey jerseys; please bring your stick Mike was a man of few words, but a gentlemen with many for street hockey.

Mike Warriner August 4, 1975 –February 15, 2019

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“Patients need to be sent to where they can get the fastest help,” says Ms. Peterson, echoing Dr. Mannheimer’s sentiment. “There’s something wrong with our system.”

Indeed, others have not had such a ‘textbook’ experience. Lil Steinwand is a retired nurse, so she knows plenty about the health care system and the importance of critical care patients being treated fast.

So when her husband Don had a heart attack in January 2018, he was quickly brought to the Invermere & District Hospital emergency department. The problems started after that. The attending doctor called for a transfer to a higher-level care facility. It took seven and a half hours from the time he arrived at Invermere’s emergency room until the time he was handed over to a specialized response team tasked with driving him to Foothills hospital in Calgary. By the time the team arrived with Mr. Steinwand to Calgary, it had been almost 11 hours. Mr. Steinwand was left with 10 per cent of his heart capacity because of this lengthy timeline.

“We in the East Kootenays have been let down and ignored by the Provincial health System,” Ms. Steinwand wrote in a letter to the Patient Care Quality Review Boards. “Canada is a first world country and should give and receive first class care for all.”

The Steinwands are looking for a change in the policy to transferring critically ill people to a higher level of care.

“There was no reason for it to take 11 hours for him to get there,” Ms. Steinwand said to the Pioneer.

“It’s just not right.”

She has written formal complaints to the Interior Health patient care quality office, the Provincial Health Services patient care quality review board, and BC Ambulance Service. So far, they have not received a satisfactory answer to their complaints of why exactly it took so long to get Mr. Steinwand the care he needed in Calgary.

Mr. Steinwand feels frustrated at the lack of response from authorities, saying they are getting the “run-around” from Interior Health and BC Ambulance. His quality of life has gone way down as a result of the wait time too.

“My life went from very active to almost an invalid,” says Mr. Steinwand .

Dr. Mannheimer agrees transportation to higher-care facilities is a big issue, though somewhat aside from the Alberta wall currently under discussion. If

patients are transported to Kelowna, there are challenges getting them there with a strained air transport system. Once they are there, there is no way for patients to get back home once they are discharged from a hospital. If patients are transferred across provincial lines, there are transportation considerations between B.C. and Alberta ambulance systems. And given our rural setting, there is not always the correct transportation available at our fingertips. In Mr. Steinwand’s case, a specialist needed to travel from Fernie to accompany him from Invermere to Calgary, which added a significant amount of time to the transfer.

Dr. Mannheimer speculates that the issue between B.C. and Alberta is more a political one than a medical one. He says if Valley patients are struggling to access the care they need, to reach out to their primary care provider. He also suggests if problems are related to accessing cross-border care, to reach out to political representatives as well.

“Physicians are very aware of this problem, and physicians are working incredibly hard to try and fix it. But without a fire and the various political structures, this problem is not going to be fixable.”

Doug Clovechok, MLA for Columbia River-Revelstoke, agrees. He urges patients to reach out to his office with their stories so he can add it to the growing stack of evidence to bring before the minister of health.

“We want people to tell us,” Mr. Clovechok told the Pioneer. “I’m the gun, and they’re the bullets. I can’t fight for them if I don’t have the bullets.”

Mr. Clovechok’s office shared several stories they have heard from constituents already, adding ammunition to the arsenal. For example, there is a senior citizen in the Columbia River - Revelstoke whose physician recommended him for spinal surgery. The constituent would like to go to Calgary since they have adult children living there; his spouse would be able to stay with their family in Calgary during the surgery and recovery. Further, he knows he will need at least four pre-surgery appointments/consultations with the surgeon. The surgeon in Calgary denied the physician’s referral, and noted that they must go to a surgeon in their own province/region. This means that the constituent must travel to Kelowna for surgery and all their consultations/appointments (seven hours each way, plus two nights hotel at his expense).

To share your story with our MLA, email Doug.

Clovechok.MLA@leg.bc.ca, or call his constituency office at 1-250-432-2300.

February 28, 2019

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 11

MUSIC • VISUAL ARTS • DINING • BAR SCENE • ENTERTAINMENT • PERFORMANCE ARTS

Out & About Please call 250-341-6299 or e-mail us at info@columbiavalleypioneer.com to enter your event in our FREE listings.

Submissions must be received by the Monday prior to publication. We may only run an entry for two weeks prior to the event. Please limit your submission to 30 words. Priority is given to one-off events, so weekly events may only run occasionally.

Thursday, February 28th • 10 a.m.: Pickleball at Pineridge Courts, every Thursday. Everyone welcome!

• 10:30 a.m.: Stretch and Move Classes for Seniors with instructor Jenette St. Jean at Invermere Seniors Hall.

Cost $2. Every Thursday.

• 1 to 3 p.m. - Are you struggling with the basics on the computer? Do you need some help figuring out government paperwork and websites? Please join Hedi on Thursday afternoons at the Invermere Public Library.

As of February 21, CBAL will be offering free drop-in support for any community member. Contact Leanne for more details at lbrooks@cbal.org or 250-341-5683.

• 1:30 p.m.: Seniors Carpet Bowling at Radium Hot Springs Centre every Thursday.

• 2 p.m.: Seniors Tea at the Invermere Library the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month. Tea and a light snack is provided over friendly conversation. If you would like to attend but do not have transportation, please contact the library at 250-342-6416.

• 6 - 8 p.m.: Columbia Valley Youth Network meets at the Canal Flats Civic Centre every Thursday. Visit their Facebook page for details.

• 6:30 p.m.: Texas Hold Em’ Tournament at the Invermere Legion every Thursday. $35 buy in.

• 7 p.m.: Horseback Archery Club at Luxor Corrals in Spur Valley every Thursday. Contact 250-347-9048 for details.

8 p.m. - Family Feud at Ullr Bar. Teams will compete in a family feud showdown.

• 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.: Family LEGO Club at the Invermere Library, every Saturday morning. DUPLO free play will also be out for the younger builders.

• Noon to 3 p.m.: The Invermere Coffee and Tea Fest continues today and tomorrow. Special Saturday afternoon family crafting at the Invermere Library to celebrate CoffeeFest. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Expo at the Columbia Valley Centre.

1 p.m. - Information Open House at The Mountain Hub regarding the proposed rezoning of 606 10th Ave. • 1:30 p.m.: the World Day of Prayer is being held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 5014 Fairway Drive in Fairmont Hot Springs. Everyone is welcome and refreshments will be served. The country we will be discovering is Slovenia.

• 2 to 3 p.m.: Meltybeads club at Radium Library.

Come explore the fun and crafty ‘melty beads’ (perler beads’) for three Saturdays in March at your friendly Radium library! Also March 9th and March 30th.

• 7 p.m. - the Chisel Peak Blues Band plays at the Arrowhead Brewing Company. Tickets $10 at the door.

Sunday, March 3rd • Today is the last day of the Invermere Coffee and Tea Fest.

• 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Sunday Toast and Jam - an all ages, free music jam at The Flats RV Base Camp in Canal Flats every Sunday.

• 12 p.m.: Cribbage at the Edgewater Legion every Sunday. Doors open 12 p.m., games start at 1 p.m.

• 7 p.m.: Windermere Valley Child Care Society AGM at 620 4th Street, Invermere.

Buying or selling?

Saturday, March 2nd • 10 a.m.: Pickleball at Pineridge Courts, every Saturday. Everyone welcome!

Friday, March 8th • 1:30 p.m.: Tortilla and Salsa with Maxie at the Edgewater Community Hall. $2 drop in fee.

Saturday, March 9th • 9 a.m. - the Windermere Valley Snowmobile Society is hosting a Poker Run. $20/hand; trail fees of $20 apply. BBQ lunch at Forster Cabin. All proceeds to Search and Rescue. Pre-registration at www.wvss-bcsf. silkstart.com.

• 2 to 3 p.m.: Meltybeads club at Radium Library.

Come explore the fun and crafty ‘melty beads’ (perler beads’) for three Saturdays in March at your friendly Radium library! Also March 30th.

• 6 to 11 p.m.: A fundraiser is being held at the Wilmer Community Hall for Darren Reiffenstein, who lost everything in a fire that destroyed his residence. Food, silent auction and music by the Chisel Peak Blues Band.

Invermere Thrift Store Hours • Thursday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Radium Thrift Store Hours

Friday, March 1st • Coffee and Tea Fest Kickoff. Visit www.invermere coffeefest.com for workshop listings and availability.

• 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.: Intergenerational Program between Seniors and Kindergarten children, every Friday at Invermere Seniors Hall. Seniors interested in assisting please call Madelene at 604-798-3061.

• 12 p.m.: Seniors soup lunch at the Edgewater Legion. $8. Last Friday of each month until the end of May. Soup, bun, dessert and beverage for $6 hosted by the Edgewater Seniors at the Edgewater Legion.

• 1 p.m.: Duplicate Bridge at Invermere Seniors Hall, $2, every Friday.

• 2 to 4 p.m. - Knitting Club at the Radium Public Library.

• 5 - 8 p.m.: Climbing Wall at JA Laird open to the public every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Drop in, $5.

• 6 p.m.: Meat Draw and 50/50 at Branch 71 Legion in Invermere. Every Friday and Saturday.

• 7 - 10 p.m.: Fresh Fridays Open Mic at Pynelogs.

Showcasing young talent from the Valley. All ages, licensed bar. First Friday of every month Oct. to June.

• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Indoor walking at the Columbia Valley Centre.

• 11:45 a.m.: The Rotary Club of Invermere meets every Wednesday at the Rocky River Grill/Kanata Inn. • 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.: Radium Art Guild meets every Wednesday at the Radium Public Library to create and share their Art. • 1:30 p.m. - Chair Yoga with Deb at the Edgewater Community Hall. $2 drop in fee. Runs weekly thru April 10th.

• 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.: Happy Hands Knitting and Crocheting group meeting every Wednesday at Columbia Garden Village.

• 6 p.m. - Information Open House at The Mountain Hub regarding the proposed rezoning of 606 10th Ave. • 6 pm – 8 pm: CVCC AGM BUSINESS PULSE Taking the Pulse of Business throughout the Valley Wednesday, March 6th for the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce AGM. Dinner, AGM & Pulse Presentation. RSVP at www.cvchamber.ca or email: sarah@cvchamber.ca • 7 p.m.: Play Cribbage at Invermere Seniors Hall, every Wednesday.

• 7 p.m. - Trivia Night at the Station Pub every Wednesday

PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

Cell: 250•341•1395 Toll Free: 1•888•258•9911 Monday, March 4th • 1:30 p.m. - Chi Kung exercises for balance and flexibility at the Edgewater Community Hall. $2 drop in fee. Runs weekly thru April 8th.

Tuesday, March 5th • 5:30 to 7 p.m. - Christ Church Trinity will be hosting a Shrove Tuesday pancake supper. $10/person or $25/ family. Everyone welcome. . Wednesday, March 6th • 9:30 to 11:30 - Are you a temporary foreign worker, permanent resident or naturalized Canadian citizen and want to improve your English? CBAL is offering FREE ESL classes each Wed 9:30-11:30am (beginner) and Fri 6-8pm (beginner/intermediate) at the CBAL office in downtown Invernmere. Call or text 250-3417188 or email windermerevalleysettlement@cbal.org to register.

• Thursday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Friday and Saturday: 12 - 4 p.m.

Invermere Library Hours • Monday to Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Wednesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

• Story Time: Thursday 10:30 a.m.

• Baby Goose: Monday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

• LEGO Club: Saturday 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Radium Hot Springs Library Hours • Tuesday: 1 - 8 p.m.

• Wednesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Friday: 1 - 4 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Story Time: Wednesday 10:45- 11:15 a.m.

Windermere Valley Museum Hours • Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Columbia Valley Food Bank Hours • Tuesday and Thursday: 1 - 2 p.m.

• 3rd Wednesday of the month: 5:30 - 7 p.m. by appointment only, 250-342-0850.

12 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 28, 2019

ARROWHEAD BREWING CO.

Saturday, March 2nd 7 p.m.

Pres e

… nts

$10 cover, cash only! Ages 19+ 481 Arrow Rd, Invermere

Local three-piece roots blues band

How To festival Family-Friendly

BEST 5 CARD POKER HAND Split Pot: 1 $500 • 2 $300 • 3 $150 st

START TIME | 9 am

nd

rd

Poker Run Dinner

Cash bar, silent auction and banquet.

1st Card: Parking Lot 2nd Card: Forster Wood Shed 3rd Card: Forster Cabin 4th Card: Meadow by Finger Sides 5th Card: Thunder Water Base

Roast Beef and Chicken Dinner Catered by Kootenay Coffee Works Radium Hot Springs Centre Tickets are $30/person Purchased online at wvss-bcsf.silkstart.com

$20 Hand All hands in at 2 pm at the cabin Pre-registration@ www.wvss-bcsf.silkstart.com Register on the day of at the Forster Collection Shack (19 km)

Social starts at 5:30 pm Silent Auction, Prizes and Draw to follow Dinner pre-registration required before Saturday, March 2nd * Only 120 dinner tickets available.

PLEASE RIDE RESPONSIBLY

Trail Fees apply … $20 non-members included for members.

BBQ lunch at Forster Cabin

*By donation – All proceeds to Search & Rescue*

MARCH 9

2019 WVSS@SHAW.CA | 250-688-1738

Shuttle Bus Available ere

To Edgewater and

Inverm

Donated by

C hoose to Move

The Invermere library hosted the first ever ‘how-to’ festival last Saturday, February 23rd. Volunteers brought a range of talents to the table; participants included Arianna (above) who learned how to putt, and Emilio (at right) who yanked a geocache out of its woodsy hiding place.

Photos by Dauna Ditson

Stacks of events at Invermere Library It has been a busy winter amongst the shelves at the Invermere Public Library.

During our Winter Reading Challenge, we have been tracking how many books have been borrowed from our junior collection since December and more than 1,400 kid’s books have been checked out! That’s a lot of reading going on during these cold winter days. There are a few weeks left for kids (babies to 18 years old) to come in and enter for our final grand prize draw which will take place on

Resource, Development & Advocacy

CHOOSE TO MOVE INFORMATION SESSION SENIORS AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Are you 65 years and older? Are you currently inactive or not as active as you would like to be due to injury, health, transportation, isolation or “I don’t feel like it” attitude?

CHOOSE TO MOVE is currently recruiting participants especially members of our local bands and those in remote areas within the Columbia Valley, who might be interested.

This is a 6-month FREE coaching program that works with you, to develop a personal plan that fits with your preferences and lifestyle. You will also participate in five focused workshops that motivate and support you in choosing to be more active and healthier, day to day.

An Information Session is being held at the Invermere Legion on Tuesday March 12, from 10 am until noon. Refreshments will be served.

We are also inviting Volunteers wanting to assist seniors achieve their goals join the information session.

Please call Family Dynamix Association at 250-342-5566 to register for the Choose to Move information session.

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@PioneerNewsTip

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the first day of spring, March 20th. A big thank you to Cranbrook Culligan Water for sponsoring the prizes for our challenge.

We’ve also been keeping busy offering other programs such as our monthly Craft Connections Club for Adults and our Novel Idea Book Club. As well, we just wrapped up our first “How To” Festival which offered people of all ages a chance to learn a variety of skills in 10 minutes or less. It was so fun to put together this event that matched up members from our community who had a skill to teach with others who were eager to learn how to do something new. From hula hooping and robot coding to learning how to make slime and how to say a few words in the Ktunaxa language, there were close to 30 stations filled with learning opportunities. Thank you to all of the community members and groups who came by to host a station.

March is now here and our thoughts turn to warmer weather and more time outdoors. Watch for our upcoming launch of our Geocache Kits that can be borrowed from the library with your library card. In each kit you will find a GPS unit and everything you need to get started with this family-friendly outdoor activity. Thanks to the Columbia Basin Trust for providing the funding for this project. The Lake Windermere Rod & Gun Club has also recently donated $500 to the library to purchase books related to hunting and the outdoors. These new titles will be on our shelves very soon.

The last two weeks of March are some of our favourite weeks because that means it is time for Spring Break Crafternoons! We are mixing things up a bit this year with a few days each week of drop-in crafting, a few days for drop-in play with our STEAM resources including our amazing robots, and a family movie afternoon. Mark Wednesday, March 27th on your calendar and come by the Columbia Valley Centre to watch “Smallfoot”, an animated movie about a super cute yeti. Showtime is at 2 p.m. and is free to attend. Children under the age of 12 years must be accompanied by a caregiver. Thanks to the District of Invermere for sponsoring this event with us.

The best way to stay informed of all of the things happening at the library is to sign up for our monthly e-Newsletter. Visit our website at https://invermere. bc.libraries.coop to subscribe.

This week’s column was written by Nicole Pawlak, director of the Invermere Public Library. Visit their website or call 250-342-6416 for more information.

February 28, 2019

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 13

LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Makeover complete

$1

99 FRO ,00 M 0+ GS

T

The Invermere thrift store was bursting at the seams last Thursday, February 21st when it reopened after two weeks of renovations. Happy shoppers lined up to see the newly redesigned inteior of the popular local store.

Photo by Dauna Ditson

New nests

Your own personal Man Cave ~ Coming Soon!

BUSINESS Light Industrial Zoning – I-1 • Construction trades • Warehousing and manufacturing • Commercial space and storage • Business base camp OWN YOUR STORAGE • Create your personal loft space

Building II Coming this summer!

The Lake Windermere District Rod & Gun Club installed 22 Wood Duck & Goldeneye nesting boxes in the Columbia Wetlands at Spillimacheen Friday, February 1st. The boxes were built by three DTSS students as part of a cooperative program with the club. The students joined club members and Conservation Officers to place the boxes. The club started installing the boxes in 2015 to replace ones that were installed several years previously. As of 2019 100 boxes have been put up by the club. Boxes have been placed between Fairmont and Spillimacheen.

Submitted photo

• Up to 1,680 Square Feet with Mezzanine/Loft • 100 Amp, 120/240V Panel • 12’&14’w x16’ h Rollup Doors • Heated and water serviced • Security Gate Access INVESTORS – LEASE HOLD OPPORTUNITIES! • High Demand • Large Space • Low Operating Cost

Growing gardens

Avid gardeners gathered to get a taste of Spring last Saturday, February 23rd during the Groundswell Network & Community Greenhouse seed and plant swap. Amongst the green thumbs was budding enthusiast Odessa, 3 (top right), who waters the soil in hopes of helping new life spring up, and volunteer Jessica Pemberton, alongside young friend Beckett (bottom left).

Photos by Dauna Ditson

BAYS OF

WINDERMERE

1496 Hwy 93/95 Windermere, BC BaysofWindermere.com • 250-688-0512

14 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

Join Our Morning Team!

Are you a morning person looking for a full time kitchen position? Do you have a strong work ethic and have the ability to work independently or as part of a team? Do you maintain a high standard of excellence in the workplace? If you answered yes to all 3 questions, we want to talk to you! We have a full-time Kitchen Position for the opening shift, currently 5:30 am – 1:30 pm, 5 days a week.

We Offer: • • • •

A friendly and fast-paced work place Stable, year-round employment $15/hr to start for full-time with performance based increases Benefit plan including dental, extended health and more available after 6 months employment

February 28, 2019

Juggling job growth

Apply in person at A&W Invermere or at www.aw.ca

LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE & WORK

FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS RESORT IS NOW HIRING FOR THE SUMMER! Open positions include Lifeguards, Dishwashers, and a number of positions in our Golf, Lodge, RV Resort, and Spa Divisions.

Full Time & Part Time positions available; some immediate start dates, most April or May. What’s in it for you? Competitive wages, tons of perks to enjoy the amenities, subsidized staff accommodations, and more!

For more information check out our website: fairmonthotsprings.com

winderberry.ca

Send all resumes to hr@fhsr.com

Source: British Columbia Labour Market Outlook: 2018

A look at the labour market in B.C. Condensed from the British Columbia Labour Market Outlook: 2018 Edition The people of British Columbia can look forward to a wide choice of job opportunities and possible career paths. Individuals looking to get their first job, to move to a new position, or to get back into the workforce will see strong demand from employers over the next 10 years.

Planning for the future will be important for those looking for work today. Jobs will continue to change and evolve. Some will become more complicated as a result of innovation and changes in technology. Some will involve tasks that are not yet invented. For our economy to continue to develop and prosper, it is important that B.C. workers understand what type of education will be required for the careers of today and tomorrow. In addition, job seekers need opportunities to build and expand their personal skills and competencies, which will allow them to succeed and to be adaptable moving into the future.

After two years of strong employment growth in 2016 and 2017, unemployment in British Columbia has fallen. More people have been able to find employment.

However, the number of people available for work is growing more slowly and a wide range of indicators— including reports from employers—show that having enough trained workers to meet future needs will be a challenge. The strong demand for trained workers also represents an opportunity for people throughout B.C. to build rewarding careers.

The people of B.C can look forward to growth in the economy over the next 10 years to 2028. Full- and parttime employment are expected to grow an average of 1.1 percent per year. However, population growth overall will also slowly decrease as the gap between births and deaths narrows. This further points to a growing need for work-

ers with varied skill sets and experience.

A growing demand for workers It is predicted that there will be 903,000 job openings between now and 2028. This includes the creation of 288,000 new jobs due to economic growth and the need to replace 615,000 workers who will permanently leave the workforce, mainly due to retirements.

Matching people to jobs Along with a large percentage (50 percent) of expected job openings to be filled by workers starting their careers, immigrants will fill about 27 percent of the job openings with eight percent being filled by migrants from other provinces. Even with these assumed levels of new workers entering the province, there remains a need to fill another 130,000 job openings throughout B.C., which is 15 percent of the total forecast job openings.

As we move into the future, it is predicted that nearly 80 percent of job openings will require individuals with post-secondary education.

While automation may play a role in relieving some labour shortages, it is clear that many of these jobs will need to be filled through other means. This includes more people joining and staying longer in the workforce and more under-represented people finding jobs.

For B.C.’s economy to continue to grow and prosper, strategies will be required to bring people into the province’s labour force to meet employers’ needs for workers.

Educators and employers will need to provide training to ensure that workers have relevant skills and competencies that make them resilient as jobs evolve and as yet-unheard–of roles come into existence.

It is important for all of us to recognize the importance of being open to lifelong learning.

Continued on page 15 . . .

NOW HIRING HAPPY PEOPLE! 2 POSITIONS Cafe Manager.

Love Local? Love Fresh?

Love Food? Friendly, personable and ready to take on diverse work in the kitchen.

Greenhouse/ Farm Assistant.

Love the Outdoors?

Strong? Fit? Fun? Join our team.

Fit the description? Apply to lin@winderberry.ca for GH/Farm Assistant. Apply to cafe@winderberry.ca for Cafe Manager.

Opening for the Season Friday March 29 Free Pruning Clinic Saturday March 30 Please call to register or email lin@winderberry.ca Hwy 93/95 Windermere 250-342-3236

February 28, 2019

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 15 S C H O O L DI S TRI C T NO. 6 ( RO C KY MO U NTA I N) Has t he fol l ow i ng op eni ng s i n ou r Wi nd ermere Zone:

• JOURNEYMAN CARPENTER PERMANENT FULL-TIME

• NOON HOUR SUPERVISOR PERMANENT PART-TIME

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2018 . . . ‘Juggling’ from 14 Demand for skills and competencies This year’s Outlook reveals a strong demand for people skills, especially those in communication areas such as active listening, speaking and reading comprehension as well as critical thinking.

Active listening is identified as a “very important” skill for 73 percent of total projected job openings. Social perceptiveness, judgement and decision making are also deemed as “very important” competencies for almost 40 percent of total projected job openings by 2028.

The evolving workplace A strong base of skills and competencies will help workers to adapt to the changes and opportunities that will occur such as a response to a major workplace or industry change.

For many, changes in the global economy and shifts in demand for British Columbia’s industries present an exceptional opportunity for professional growth. With any shift in the labour market, there will be those who need support—either through learning new tasks related to their jobs or changing their occupation. Targeted training provided by employers and government programs will help these people thrive.

For the full BC Labour Market Outlook, including forecast job openings and wages in a variety of fields, visit www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Industry/Labour-Market-Outlook.aspx.

STRETCH your advertising dollar FURTHER Advertise with…

N E W(250) S P 341-6299 APER Phone: Fax: 1-855-377-0312 ads@columbiavalleypioneer.com

www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

Further position details can be found at: http://www.sd6.bc.ca/Careers/Pages/default.aspx If you are interested and qualified for this position, please submit a resume, with two references, by 4:00 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 to: Human Resources, School District No. 6 (Rocky Mountain) e-mail: hr@sd6.bc.ca

Akiskinook Resort STRATA RESORT GARDENERS POSITION SUMMARY – Akiskinook Resort is looking to fill 2 flower bed and garden tender positions. This is a full-time seasonal position with some flexibility required during busier and slower periods. It is a hands-on role involving planting and maintaining the pristine flower gardens as well as assisting with general groundskeeping as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES – You will be accountable for the overall maintenance of the flower beds and gardens throughout the resort at a level consistent with the high standards expected of Akiskinook.

QUALIFICATIONS – The successful candidate must possess the following competencies and experience: • High attention to detail • Team player • A love of the outdoors and gardening Wage will be determined based on experience and qualifications. Resumes may be submitted to akisk01@telus.net or faxed to 250-342-0122.

Fairmont Vacation Villas Mountainside

(855) 345-6341or mountainsidevillas.com Fairmont Villa Management at Mountainside is now hiring

Housekeepers

for their busy spring and summer season.

We offer year-round employment, competitive wages and a generous benefits package after 6 months. We are also accepting part time and student applications.

All positions involve working weekends. Must be reliable, have own transportation, a strong work ethic and the ability to work in a fast-paced team environment. If this sounds like you, we look forward to receiving your application/resume.

Contact Debbie Clark, 250-345-6341 Fax: Attention Debbie : 250-345-6299 Or email: HSKPMgr@msvillas.com

All Season Vacation Villas

Akiskinook Resort STRATA RESORT GROUNDSKEEPER POSITION SUMMARY – Akiskinook Resort is looking to fill seasonal groundskeeping positions. This is an outdoor hands-on role assisting with lawn maintenance, as well as care of the marina, beach, tennis courts, boatyard, recreation centre, and overall grounds.

RESPONSIBILITIES – You will be accountable for the overall maintenance of the common areas throughout the resort at a level consistent with the high standards expected of Akiskinook.

QUALIFICATIONS – The successful candidate must possess the following competencies and experience: • High attention to detail • Team player • Ability to run and maintain equipment • A love of the outdoors and a great work ethic Wage will be determined based on experience and qualifications. Resumes may be submitted to akisk01@telus.net or faxed to 250-342-0122.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO CALL 90 ACRES YOUR OFFICE? JOIN THE FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS RESORT GOLF TEAM AND ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS ALL SUMMER LONG. We offer unlimited golf for golf course staff during the 2019 season.

Join our team, apply today to the attention of Brittany Hegarty at golfinfo@fhsr.com

Didja know?

Fairmont Hot Spring Resort allo ws all of our employees to use the Resort amenities without limitations. Play all the golf you want this summer .

FairmontHotSprings.com 1.800.663.4979

Eagle Ranch Job Fair Sunday, March 3, 1-3 pm Saturday, March 16, 1-3 pm Saturday, March 23, 1-3 pm Bring your resume and interview on the spot.

Hiring for all departments.

Co-op Students, seasonal workers, professionals and semi-retired are encouraged to apply.

Email your resume to: careers@eagleranchresort.com

There’s a reason they’re called “CLASSY”. Pioneer Classifieds…

N E W S PA P E R

Phone: 250-341-6299 • Fax: 1-855-377-0312 • info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

16 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 28, 2019

HERE TO SERVE YOU

CARPET CLEANING

CONCRETE • Ready Mix Concrete • Commercial concrete sealer • Concrete Pumping retarder for exposed • Over 50 colours available aggregate and in stock • DELIVERED ON TIME • Concrete stamps for rent at a fair price • Full range of coloured release • Full range of sand and agents for stamping gravel products.

TILE AND GROUT CLEANING Business: 250-342-9692

RR#4 2117–13 Ave. Invermere, BC V0A 1K4

Phone: 250-342-5833 • Cell: 250-270-9444

Cell: 250-342-1273 Fax: 250-342-9644

All products are available at 9120, Hwy 93/95 which is five kilometres north of Tim Hortons

rugclean@telus.net

READY MIX CONCRETE

CONTRACTING

Concrete Pump • Sand & Gravel Heavy Equipment Rentals • Crane Service

Dale Elliott Contracting • • • • •

Interior Finishing Kitchen and Vanity Cabinets Countertops Small Renovations Decks and Interior Railings

Proudly Serving the Valley for over 50 years

For competitive prices and prompt service, call: 250-342-3268 (plant) 250-342-6767 (office)

250-341-7098

INSURANCE

Invermere, B.C.

LAMBERT-KIPP

Finishing Carpenter Cabinet Maker • Furniture Doug Austin 250-342-1467 doug57a@gmail.com

25 years experience in the finest homes Detail-oriented precision work

P H A R M A C Y LT D .

INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD.

BOX 2228 742 - 13th STREET INVERMERE, BC V0A 1K0 P: 250-342-3031 F: 250-342-6945 info@lambertinsurance.ca

BOX 459 7553 MAIN STREET RADIUM HOT SPRINGS, BC V0A 1M0 P: 250-347-9350 F: 250-347-6350 TOLL FREE: 1-866-342-3031

PLUMBING

“Quality you can trust”

Steve Langevin (250) 341 5719

info@solidrockprofessionalservices.com

Specializing in all heating, electric, gas and wood.

• Fireplaces • Commercial and residential • New builds • Renovations.

A licensed, registered and bonded company

We also offer roundthe-clock service calls.

Give us a call! James, 250-688-1267 or Jerry, 250-342-5299 Email: jeffersoncontractingltd@gmail.com

PHARMACY

(Servicing the Valley since 1999)

NEW SEWER CAMERA

Come in and browse our giftware

J. Douglas Kipp, B. Sc. (Pharm.)

Laura Kipp, Pharm D., Irena Shepard, B.Sc. (Pharm.)

Your Compounding Pharmacy Open Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

1301 - 7th Avenue, Invermere

250-342-6612

UPHOLSTERY

• Septic Tank Pumping • Portable Toilet Rentals

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

Bruce Dehart 250.347.9803 or 250.342.5357 SERVICES

250.439.8074

goldenupholstery1960@gmail.com

SERVICES

General Freight Hauling

Where Your

To and From Calgary and Invermere Area!

Ideas

250-342-2044

• Trusses • Engineered Floors • Wall Panels Tel: 250.341.6075 Fax: 250.341.3427 Email: info@duskbuildingsystems.com www.duskbuildingsystems.com

1320 Industrial Road #3 Box 159, Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0

ColumbiaValleyFreight.com

Box 53, Brisco, B.C. V0A 1B0

www.palliserprinting.com

Come to Life!

Please recycle this newspaper

February 28, 2019

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 17

CVSAR frustrated at provincial non-budget

Submitted by Columbia Valley Search and Rescue As you may be aware, the provincial government laid out its budget plan last week. Unfortunately, there was no announcement of stable, long term funding for Search and Rescue (SAR). This follows years of work in the background to present options to government and a consultant’s report that is before government now. One time funding was announced unexpectedly in 2016 and was extended for three years. That three years ends on March 31st.

Historically, SAR stems from community disaster services during the Cold War. It has transitioned over the last 40-50 years to be a highly capable organization that is counted on by BCAS and the RCMP as well as local municipality emergency programs. Columbia Valley Search and Rescue (CVSAR) provides basic Ground SAR, Incident Management, and technical response in Avalanche, Swiftwater, Rope, and Mountain Rescue. This requires specific equipment and training that necessitates stable, ongoing funding and support. CVSAR, as do other teams in the province, must spend time fundraising and applying for grants for basic operating costs. Most grant programs do not support operational expenses and without funds from local municipalities or the province, paying for basic costs such as vehicle insurance and fuel becomes a chal-

Your Local

lenge. This takes time away from training and preparing for potential responses. When funds are limited, things like training and personal protective equipment get cut in order to cover the basics. Unlike fire protection, there is no requirement for local municipalities to provide this service.

However, in some regions of B.C., a portion of property taxes are allocated to Search and Rescue.

In total, there are roughly 1,700 SAR activations annually conducted by approximately 2,500 volunteers. This is up about 1,000 incidents over the past 10 years. The average cost per rescue is between $5,000-$8000 and although helicopters are often used and are expensive, technology has changed the game. Now, GPS coordinates are often known and instead of using a large number of responders to locate and then rescue someone, a rescue can be conducted by fewer volunteers and a helicopter in a shorter time frame. Ninety-five percent of subjects are located and rescued within 24 hours. As we saw locally this past summer, it can also take longer and dozens of volunteers to find a missing person in the backcountry. One of our members closed his small business for three days to search for a missing person from Cranbrook. That is the level of commitment of our volunteers or as we prefer, unpaid professionals. Provincially, the value of volunteer time is estimated to be $30 to $50 million each year!

COLUMBIA VALLEY REAL ESTATE

Wende Brash Broker/Owner

Jan Klimek Representative

MaxWell Realty Invermere

250-342-1195

janklimek@shaw.ca www.janklimek.ca

BC Search and Rescue Association, which represents the 80 SAR teams in B.C., is looking for $6-$6.5 million to support prevention efforts through AdventureSmart, maintain a peer support CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) program, and to cover some of the operating costs for SAR teams. At a population of 4.8 million, that is $1.25-$1.35 per person.

This topic often leads to a discussion on charging the costs to those who are rescued. The consensus of SAR groups in B.C. is that this is a non-starter. The belief that a payment will be required leads to delays in notification of the emergency system and to people avoiding rescuers. It could also lead to subjects calling friends or family which could put more people at risk. The truth is, most people who are rescued or need Search and Rescue, take it upon themselves to fundraise or to make a donation. Those affected by a recent call have donated over $7,000 because they recognized the work of dedicated and professional volunteers.

If you would like to show your support, contact your local municipal government, your MLA and the Minister for Public Safety and the Solicitor General. Donations can be made to Columbia Valley Search and Rescue through CanadaHelps.org or mailed to Box 2123 Invermere, V0A 1K0, or email columbiavalleysar@gmail.com.

Invermere Office: 250-341-6044 Fairmont Office: 250-345-6080

RE/MAX Invermere Independently Owned and Operated

Professionals Advertise Here!

N E W S PA P E R

Call Dean or Amanda to find out more!

1022B - 7th Avenue, Box 459 Invermere B.C. V0A 1K0 E-mail: wendebrash@telus.net Fax: 250-342-9611

Office: 250-342-6505 • Cell: 250-342-1300

8, 1008 8th Ave. Invermere, B.C. Ph: 250-341-6299 Fax: 1-855-377-0312

www.columbiavalleypioneer.com • info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

HERE TO SERVE YOU SERVICES

ReStyling

Hemming and Alterations

Sally Johnson Seamstress Home Studio

For all your sewing needs!

SERVICES

SERVICES

• Air Conditioning/Heat Pumps • Fireplaces • Full Heating and Ventilation Systems Call for your FREE consultation and estimate

250-409-5557

Sales ~ Service ~ Installation

UNIVERSAL DOORS & EXTERIORS Arnold Scheffer 250-342-6700

unidoorext@live.ca • unidoorext.ca

Invermere, BC

WETT Certified

Industrial ~ Commercial ~ Residential

WINDOW COVERINGS SHOWROOM • • • •

Doors Windows Flooring Painting/Interior/ Exterior • Kitchen Renovations • Window Coverings

• Bathroom Renovations • Additions • Decks • Finish Carpentry • Basement Renovations

Judy: (250) 341-1903

KITCHEN CABINETS & COUNTER TOPS

492 Arrow Rd., Unit 1B, Invermere • EMAIL: fairmontridge@telus.net • 250-342-4663

valleysolutions@shaw.ca

House Checking and more!

Bob: (250) 341-5014

PROVIDING SOLUTIONS FOR THE VACATION HOME OWNER SINCE 2006

for Mike, you were treated with respect and dignity, if you didn’t work hard you were coached and after many chances politely shown the door. Mike had many friends, you knew it from the smile he would occasionally give off. Mike was a man 18handsome • The Columbia Valley Pioneer of few words, but a gentlemen with many fine qualities. If you ever had the chance to go mountain biking with Mike, you knew he was near if you could hear the music playing, he could easily be the leader but would often attentively bring up the back by ensuring that no one was left behind. People asked if Mike was married to Eagle Ranch until we met the love of his life Shawnna, who is heartbroken by his departure, but comforted by his forever presence. Mike’s son Lane will continue to foster the legacy of scoring goals, hitting hard and despising a loss, but will be the best son, teammate and friend to many as his father was. Mya will always be the princess of her dad’s kingdom. Mike was the star of many tea parties and royal dress up pageants that always brought out the biggest smile.

February 28, 2019

P IONEER C LASSIFIEDS

A Celebration of Mike will be held on March 10th at the Eagle Ranch Golf Course clubhouse. Dress will be hockey jerseys, please bring your stick for street hockey.

• Phone: 250-341-6299 • Fax: 1-855-377-1312 • Email: info@columbiavalleypioneer.com • Web: www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

S CELEBRATION OF LIFE S

ANNOUNCEMENT

ANNOUNCEMENT

CHEERS & JEERS

CHEERS & JEERS

A celebration in honour of

Narcotics Anonymous. If Drugs or Alcohol are causing problems or conflict in your life, NA can help.

All meetings are at 7 p.m. every Thursday at 4878 Athalmer Rd.

Al-Anon. Are you concerned about or affected by someone else’s drinking? If so, please join us. Al-Anon meets EVERY Monday in Invermere at 7:15 p.m., at the Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church, 712 – 12th Ave (behind the Invermere hospital).

For information, please call 250342-8255.

Cheers to all the people I meet who watch out for their neighbours and for the elderly in this beautiful community. The ties that bind is thick and strong here.

Jeers to the yellow vested protesters for hanging our flag upside down. Protest loudly. Protest often. But don’t you be disrespecting our flag like that.

Mike Warriner Sunday March 10th 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Eagle Ranch Clubhouse Speeches and a toast to Mike will occur from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Dress is casual, please wear your favourite jersey. There will be street hockey set up in the parking lot, bring your stick.

9581 Eagle Ranch Trail, Invermere, BC V0A 1K3

S OBITUARY S NEWCOMEN, HENRY CHRISTOPHER 1940 – 2019

Alcoholics Anonymous. If alcohol is causing problems or conflict in your life, AA can help. All meetings are at 8 p.m. For more information, please call 250342-2424. Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at the BC Service Building, South End – 624 4th St., Invermere. Thursday at the Firehall Building, 8853 Grainger Rd., Canal Flats. Radium Friendship Group: Friday at the Catholic Church, East Side of Main St. With the exception of Tuesday, all meetings are open.

Don’t Miss an Issue!

Henry was born on July 1st, 1940 in Kaslo, B.C. to Henry Anderson Newcomen and Margaret Irene Olson. He passed away peacefully on February 17th, 2019 in Invermere B.C. surrounded by his children. He was pre-deceased by Susan Engelbracht, his partner of 25 years. He is survived by his sons Warren (Nan) and Marty (Elena), his daughters Cali (Blaine) and Contessa, his sister Louise, and his brother Gerry.

Henry was an electrician by trade, taking over his father’s business Hank’s Electric in his early days, and later founding Newco Electrical Contracting. Henry was an accomplished athlete, competing at a national level in pole vault in his younger days. He was an avid curler, and participated in many bonspiels, one of his favorites being the Butterfly Bonspiel in Creston. He liked to golf, fish, ski and play the piano. He loved the outdoors, taking his children on many trips into the mountains around Invermere.

In his later years he enjoyed spending time with his grandsons, Brandon, Taylor, Leigham, Caden, Westin and Finn.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Henry in Invermere on March 30th from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Copper Point Resort. Henry’s friends are invited for a drink and some snacks, to share some stories of their adventures, and reminisce about the good times they had with him. Condolences may be left for the family at www.markmemorial.com.

Can this be recycled?

Check the BC RECYCLEpEdia www.rcbc.ca Recycling council of B.c. MeMBeR

N E W S PA P E R

Read us online:

www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

Inventory clearance of remaining items from Grants Foods. 40% to 70% off. Vitamins, health and beauty etc. March 1st - from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. March 2nd 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the abattoir at the crossroads. Cash only. Text 250– 342–7614 for details.

THANK YOU Thank You I extend heartfelt thanks to the Paramedics, Nurses and Doctors at the ICU Cranbrook and Invermere Hospitals.

I sincerely appreciate your kind and professional care. I would also like to thank my family and friends, but most of all, I thank my partner Eva and Dr, Mannheimer for their quick response and care for my well-being.

Hans Mattmann

S OBITUARY S Ridewood, Mike

February 10th, 1956 – February 17th, 2019 Mike passed away peacefully in his sleep February 17, 2019 after a life well-lived but cut too short. He leaves his wife Sue (née Andruschuk) and his beloved sons, Ian and Graham. Also saddened are his brother-in-law Rick Andruschuk and his wife Pat and their families. Mike was born in Ottawa, the only child of Nora and Alan Ridewood. Mike began his career as a copy runner at the Ottawa Journal, moving on to staff photographer for the Canadian Press, and eventually having a varied and interesting freelance career shooting sports, political, and news events around the world. Funeral services were held Monday, February 25 in Calgary. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. Instead of flowers, please consider donating to Calgary Reads, the Canadian Diabetes Association, or the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society. In living memory of Mike Ridewood, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park.

Sponsored by

TRIPLE CHEERS to our awesome neighbours in Athalmer, we feel like we won the lottery. Cheers to Wally and Prince for the surprise shoveling of our ‘circular’ driveway. Much appreciated!

Jeers to the small amount of people, who signed the petition to cull the turkeys in Radium.

According to the B.C. municipal petition law, you must have at least twenty-five written signatures or five hundred online signatures. Besides there are only forty-nine turkeys dispersed around Radium.

So, what would be a suitable number for you? Five? Ten? or zero(probably). There must be more important things in your life to worry about, than a few poor turkeys, their lives are hard enough trying to survive in the winter.

Double Jeers to the guy who has been abusing a relative’s handicap parking permit. Those parking spots are for those with mobility issues. Very ignorant.

Jeers to polar vortexes!

BUYING OR SELLING CALL 250-341-1202

gerrytaft.ca Rockies West Realty Independently owned and operated

Cheers to Wilmer Community Club for hosting Bingo for the Midget Hockey Team, helping fundraise for their upcoming trip to provincials! Cheers to Canal/ Windermere Family Pantry for their generous donation to the bingo for a big bonanza prize!

And Cheers to everyone who came out and supported both the Wilmer Community Club and the Midget team, it is greatly appreciated

Please recycle this newspaper

Our deadline to book classifieds is Monday at noon.

To place your ad please call: 250-341-6299 or N E W S PA P E R

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February 28, 2019

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 19

CHEERS & JEERS

CHEERS & JEERS

CHEERS & JEERS

SUITE FOR RENT

SERVICES

HELP WANTED

Massive Cheers to the Town of Invermere and their Garbage & Recycling Centre for a swift recovery of my rings that got thrown out into one of the garbage’s in town! I’m in awe they were able to find them and so appreciative for their care of items that held so much sentimental value to me! Words cannot describe how grateful I am!

Cheers to Dr. Dibb for having the courage to write a much needed letter regarding patient transfers. The best interest of an individual should come before provincial politics. Here’s hoping some positive changes come from this!

Cheers for Marilyn Valer for the warm and wonderful sock mittens you gave me for my birthday in the fall. These mitts have been keeping my hands warm and cozy all winter in the -20 cold weather. Much appreciated!

Windermere 4-plex: Bright, 2-bdrm suite, available March 1st. Pet friendly, fridge, stove, W/D. Large deck and yard, 2-blocks from beach. Call/text 250-409-7435.

Cheers to Dr. Dibb; well said!

Let’s all hope that this will bring us some much needed action.

Cheers to Glen for keeping the snow from piling up outside our doors. Can’t understand why anyone wouldn’t like you...

Big Cheers to Dean Ingran in Edgewater for keeping my deck and pathways cleared all winter.

Great job much appreciated!

Cheers for all the Volunteers at ICAN (Invermere Animal Companion Network).

Volunteers old and new - you are all appreciated. Cheers for Leslie, in charge of the operations, keep up the great work!

For rent in Radium, 2-bdrm, 4 bath, ground level condo.

Beautiful views backs on to Springs Golf course. All appliances, fireplace, fully furnished. 2 car garage. N/S, N/P, references please. $1650/mo, call 250-342-3790.

THE HEARTFELT COMPANION: Services for Seniors Providing non-medical care, meal prep, transportation, outings and companionship with seniors living at home, Ivy House, Columbia House or Columbia Gardens. Excellent references and credentials.

Contact Leanne Brooks 250-3415683, invermerehomecare.com for more info.

Jeers to the rising Gas prices in the Valley. Why is it that the prices always go up here and not everywhere else? We always have the highest prices around.

Very frustrating.

Radium: two 2-bdrm, 2 bath, N/S, N/P, long term preferred. $950/mo includes utilities. 250688-0652.

Mountain Creek Properties Ltd. is accepting resumes for a caretaker position at a large condominium located in Invermere. The Ideal candidate will have: excellent organizational, customer service/communication skills, work well in a team environment, be mechanically inclined and have handyman skills, be physically fit, be detail oriented, be able to take direction and work with minimal supervision, possess a valid driver’s licence and a vehicle that can be used for work, and either have or be willing to obtain a certified Swimming Pool Operator certificate. Previous experience for this position is not required, but is considered an asset. The job responsibilities will include but not be limited to: swimming pool/hot tub maintenance, coordinating with contractors, maintenance and cleaning of all common areas (including grounds maintenance). The ideal candidate must also be willing to complete a criminal background check and be flexible (available to work weekends and holidays if required). Please send your resume to: Mountain Creek Properties Ltd. Box 909, Invermere, BC - V0A 1K0.

HUGE CHEERS to Dr. Maria Dibbs. “Patient Wall’ is so true, a wonderful letter that I hope gets some response. Many of us came from Alberta, yet love both provinces, when it comes to health issues and death our doctors work so hard to help us...What can we do? What are our elected officials doing?

Cheers to the District Of Invermere for being an ‘Off Leash Community’ where dogs are free to do as they please, approach whoever they want, and bark at people even though they may be scaring some. Why else would they be off leash if they weren’t just the friendliest little pups you ever did see?

Cheers to them being free to do their business wherever they see fit, with no repercussion to the owners for their actions. Cheers to the owners of these dogs who have no sense of responsibility for their animals because, after all, they are just being animals. Cheers to the complete disregard of the posted signs ‘Please Clean Up After Your Dog’ while providing little baggies at no expense for you to do so.

And last but not least, Cheers to the infamous ‘No Dogs Allowed’ signs which are clearly posted in areas as a joke for dog owners to laugh about while reminiscing at a later time.....

BIG, BIG JEERS to the quadders who think it is okay to rip up the Old Coach Trail lands. There are signs everywhere saying motorized use is forbidden.

Grow up!

Big Cheers to Ed in Edgewater for keeping all the driveways cleared on Cordillera Avenue.

Great job much appreciated!

Cheers to Dr. Dibb for stating the problem so well. Now it’s up to the community to move this forward to make it easier for the doctors and safer for the patients.

Cheers to our community for making the Taiwan Jones visit to Invermere so incredible. Cheers to Perry for the Lunar New Year/ Christmas tree, to Sally and Ken for the use of their van and snow toys, to Charlie and his dad for the great sledding on the lake, to Shelley who brought spring hyacinths for 2 little girls to care for and to Inside Edge and the thrift store for the best bargains on skates. Everyone in town was so friendly and welcoming.

Cheers to Dutchy for zinging wood.

Cheers to Karen Bigalke from Dollar Shop/General Store for the ideas, supplies kicking off my sideline business and her rummaging through the back of the store to find things I could use, but most of all after her store closed, she found something I could use at home.

Community businesswoman at its finest. If I succeed, I’ll never forget where it started.

Cheers to Shauna at Evolve. Your thoughtfulness and generosity are so very much appreciated!

Cheers to Dairy Queen in Invermere for their great Onion Rings - crispy, thin, delicious snack!

Cheers for Greg at Valley Foods for supporting the Baking Program at Columbia Garden Village, Ivy House. Great teamwork Valley Foods!

Cheers to the Invermere Librarians for organizing the “How To Festival”. Extra Cheers to all the volunteer presenters.

A great time was enjoyed by all!

CONDO FOR RENT

ANIMALS Collie Lab Shepperd cross puppies for sale. 250-341-7873.

MISC. FOR SALE

Haul All Services Anything from A to Z. Call Jason 250-342-5277.

SOLÉ DECOR N’ MORE Custom Blinds/drapery/ bedding/upholstery/ makeovers/paint consultations and renovations. Hunter Douglas, Shade-O-Matic.

Contact Brenda 403-861-8782, soledecor@shaw.ca, www.

Studio222calgary.com.

LESSONS/TRAINING

LOST: Black phone case with flip phone in it. Somewhere between the Liquor Store in Invermere and Valley Foods.

Please contact The Invermere Inn if found.

ZEHNDER BEEF. Natural local beef, free of antibiotics and hormones. Government inspected, locally processed.

Raised on the open range west of Lake Windermere. Halves and quarters ready for delivery. Call John Zehnder 250-688-0713.

Rocky Mountain Swim Lessons is open for registration. Sign up now for the weeks you want.

Red Cross Swim Lessons, Bronze Level Lifesaving Lessons and new this year DIVING lessons. Come and learn to swim at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Email info@ rockymountainswimlessons.ca.

STORAGE

FIREWOOD

HELP WANTED

NEWHOUSE STORAGE Various sizes available.

Now with climate-controlled units. Call 250-342-3637.

Support Rockies Hockey firewood. Contact email cvrockies.firewood@gmail.com or call 250-342-1624 for more info or to place an order.

STORAGE SPACE – assorted sizes, easy access, immediate availability, long-term or short-term. Deck Properties Warehouse, Industrial Park: 250342-3166.

SERVICES

Invermere Petro-Can is currently accepting resumes for F/T and P/T employment. Apply in person to 185 Laurier Street, Invermere between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

LOST AND FOUND

COMMERCIAL SPACE

Heaven’s Best Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Environmentally friendly products. Dry in 1 hour! Call 250-688-0213 or visit www. heavensbest.ca.

Office/Commercial Space for rent in historic McKay House 2nd floor 613 12th Street, Invermere, approx. 1300 sq. ft. Furniture included if wanted. 250-3415111 or rkmc@telus.net.

Shannon’s Blinds & Designs Thank you for your votes Best of Business Awards!

Blinds, Drapery, Phantom Screens & more 250-342-5749, shannonsblinds@yahoo.ca.

ACCOMMODATIONS

B.B.’s Home & Lawn Care Services: Handyman Services, Renovations, Moving, Dump runs, Cleaning. Snow removal.

250-688-2897 or 403-861-8782.

1-bdrm accommodation. Single occupancy, Edgewater. N/S, No pets. Includes hydro, TV and internet. $625/mo plus D.D. References needed. Available 250-342-5912.

Wanted 2 F/T Restaurant Cooks, Rocky River Grill, 8888 Arrow Road, Invermere, B.C. Permanent, F/T shifts, overtime, weekends, days and evenings, $16/hour for 40 hours per week. Overtime after 40 hours. Minimum several year’s experience and completion of Secondary School. DUTIES: Prepare and cook full course meals, prepare and cook individual dishes and foods, ensure quality of food portions, work with minimal supervision, prepare dishes for customers with food allergies or intolerances. Inspect Kitchens and Food service areas. Please forward resume to Justin Atterbury by fax 250-342-8889 or email justatterbury@hotmail. com.

Selkirk Cellulars & Office Supplies is hiring!

This full-time position is for a Telus and store sales representative. The ideal candidate will have excellent customer service skills and be comfortable with cell phone software (i.e. android and apple operating systems) and the ability to troubleshoot problems.

Telus and store representative training will be provided. Send resume’s to info@selkirkcells. com or in store at #1, 519–13th Street, Invermere B.C. The Old Salzburg Restaurant is looking for chefs and kitchen help for our upcoming busy summer season.

Accommodation provided. $15$18 depending on experience.

Drop off your resume at the restaurant or contact Scott at 250-347-6553 to join our fun and dynamic team.

Canada Post hiring replacement mail/parcel carriers. For more information call 250-342-6215. More details available through EK Employment Office.

20 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 28, 2019

Raising up the next generation of slope-lovers

By Lorene Keitch lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com Every Sunday at Panorama Mountain Resort about 50 kids don bright orange jackets and head up the chair for another day of lessons with the Windermere Valley Ski Club (WVSC). The young bundled up skiers might not realize it, but they are carrying on a legacy that stretches back more than two decades at Panorama.

The club has a “skiers for life” philosophy, quotes president Kirsten Grier.

“It’s kids having fun, getting enjoyment of our skiing . . . and if they happen to have ambitions to reach the podium, then that’s something that is possible for them,” she says.

Ms. Grier loves to see the kids outside enjoying the mountains and exercising while learning the foundational skills of skiing.

“There’s a lot of confidence that comes from skiing, a lot of friendships, and fun experiences,” she says.

The club itself was formally established in 1987. It continues to run strong thanks to volunteers like Gordon Bagan. Mr. Bagan has been with the club since his children started skiing in the early 1990s and has stayed on for the love of the sport and the club. Mr. Bagan now spends much of his volunteer time with the club organizing ski races, including the upcoming U16 event March 1st-3rd.

Hillary Page is a director at large with the WVSC. She comments that Mr. Bagan has been “instrumental” in keeping the club running, first as a parent, but also as club president, Kootenay zone chair and official.

“Because of volunteers like Gordon, the WVSC has had a long history of ski racing in the Valley,” comments Ms. Page. “Club members through their shared love of skiing have officiated, coached and competed anywhere from fun races to the World Cup level. At the heart of the club however is a sense of community and a ‘skiers for life’ philosophy that has served so many so well no

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

Odyssey Restoration & Cleaning is looking to a hire a full-time restoration and cleaning technician. Must be reliable and be able to work independently. Valid Class 5 Drivers license. Email resumes to odysseyrestoration@telus.net or drop off a resume to #3 1346 Ind Rd 3.

Columbia Valley Sewer & Drain Ltd. has an opening for a permanent, full-time, experienced truck driver with a minimum of 2 years driving experience.

Applicants must possess a Class 3 license with Air Certification and a clean driver’s abstract.

Must be physically fit, mechanically inclined, a team player and demonstrate good communication skills. Starting wage is $25.00/hr. We are willing to train the successful candidate for the specific duties relevant to this employment opportunity. This position is available beginning in April.

Interested applicants may email resumes c/w drivers abstract to cvsad.ltd@gmail.com or fax to 250-347-2274. Only those individuals short-listed for this position will be contacted.

For further information call Bruce Dehart at 250-342-5357.

Strands Old House Restaurant is accepting applications for P/T evening and weekend Servers/Bartender and F/T Chef/cook. Experience in casual fine dining an asset.

Apply to Tony Wood at tony@ strandsrestaurant.com or 250342-6344.

Winderberry and Edible Acres are seeking a soil technician/farm assistant and a cafe manager for the 2019 Spring season. Please email resumes and questions to lin@winderberry.ca for soil/farm position and cafe@winderberry. ca for cafe position.

The Windermere Valley Ski Club spends every Sunday at Panorama Mountain Resort honing their ski skills.

Submitted photo matter where life has taken them. Gordon has been a big part of this.”

Ms. Grier cannot say enough of the good Mr. Bagan, and the other volunteers, have done for the club.

“He’s an amazing volunteer,” says Ms. Grier. “The Valley is so lucky to have him.”

The goal of the club is to build a solid foundation of skills for skiers to safely enjoy the sport for the rest of their lives. But there are some who have gone on to the world skiing stage. One of the club’s proud graduates is Christina Lustenberger, a big mountain skier whose film ‘Children of the Columbia’ was shown at Mountainfilm on Tour early this month.

Another legendary graduate of the WVSC was Olympic skier Ben Thomsen who continues to do the Columbia Valley proud with his world racing results

Looking for more Help Wanted ads?

Please visit our annual employment feature on pages 14 and 15.

N E W S PA P E R

info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

250-341-6299

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

TROUBLE WALKING? HIP or KNEE REPLACEMENT,

or other conditions causing restrictions in daily activities? $2,000 tax credit. $40,000 refund cheque/rebates.

Disability Tax Credit. 1-844-4535372.

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including a sixth place finish in the World Cup downhill at Kitzbuehel, Austria, this January.

Mr. Bagan remembers Ben well.

“He was always the smallest kid. Ben didn’t win tons of races when he was younger because he was always the smallest. But he kept at it, he kept persevering,” says Mr. Bagan. “And because of his perseverance, he ended up at the world championships.”

Other famed skiers with WVSC beginnings include Courtney Hoffos, skiing under the banner of WVSC on the national ski cross team and Martin Grasic, a former member of the national team and now skiing for the University of Utah.

But even for those who aren’t reaching for the podium, the club is well worth the time, Mr. Bagan asserts.

Continued on page 22 . . .

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February 28, 2019

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 21

BEY

THE BLUE LINE

ND

Rockies battle against Fernie and prep for playoffs Submitted by Columbia Valley Rockies The Columbia Valley Rockies went head to head with their first round playoff opponents and established the grit needed.

The Rockies opened in Fernie on Friday, February 22nd against the Ghostriders. Both teams were determined this game to set the tone for the upcoming playoff session. It was a physical battle with both clubs at times imposing their will on the opponent. The Rockies came out of this game with a loss and were determined to be a much different club at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena the next night.

Saturday, February 23rd saw the Rockies open to a huge crowd at the Eddie against Fernie. The Rockies were determined to play as a team and post huge success in their final home season game.

At the start of the game the crowd gave a standing ovation for the players that were taking to the ice for their final regular season hockey game as Columbia Valley Rockies. Those players are: number 10 Cooper Krauss, number 11 Chase Hawkins, number 13 Fraser McMann, number 14 Carter Beston-Will and number 1 Ben Kelsch. Their dedication and commitment to the Rockies is greatly appreciated and we are thrilled to have wit-

nessed their success!

The game would be a battle from the start. The first period ended with no score but both teams had great opportunities.

The second opened with two quick goals by Fernie. The Rockies answered back as Dace Prymak found the twine with help from Kyler Shmigelsky and Eric Lloyd. Two minutes later Fernie would take back a two-goal lead but that just fuelled the home town team.

Brennan Nelson, who was a force after returning, pocketed one as Fraser McMann deftly floated him the puck. That was followed a minute later by Jesse Carr with help from Chase Hawkins and Cooper Kraus. The game was tied at three, and the benches provided a tremendous contrast. The Rockies were pushing and had momentum, leaving the Ghostriders wondering what was happening. The period ended tied at three.

The third period kept the fans entertained as both teams had many terrific chances. CJ Wedenig in goal for the Rockies was a wall, allowing one more for the Ghostriders, but then he shut the gate, locked it up and put the key in his pocket.

The Rockies pulled their goalie with two minutes left, and the onslaught began.

Shot after shot was blocked, stopped or bounced wide until finally with 50 seconds left Connor Davison with help from

The Rockies fight off the Ghostriders in a group effort to stop the puck.

Photo by Amanda Nason Fraser McMann buried it to tie the game at four.

The first overtime had both teams with chances but the Rockies were tilting the ice towards the Ghostriders. The second overtime was a three on three affair with many chances in open ice complete with a breakaway that CJ Wedenig came up huge on! The game ended tied with four goals each. The Rockies take third

place with 50 points and now play Fernie in the first round.

The Rockies will play at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena on Friday, March 1st and Saturday March 2nd.

Coach Wade Dubielewicz said, “The team needs a huge crowd on Friday and Saturday as they try to dispose of Fernie in round one of the playoffs. Come on out and support the team!”

MINOR HOCKEY MINUTE Submitted by Windermere Valley Minor Hockey Society

Lucky $10,000 winner Brett Holt, president of the Columbia Valley Rockies club, and Raylene Oram, a Rockies volunteer, presented a $10,000 cheque to Charlene Diakin at Saturday’s last home game of the season, for her winning ticket in the Rockies gold raffle. Congratulations Charlene!

Submitted photo

The Atom hockey team hosted their Banner tournament this past weekend. The local team beat Elkford, tied Whitefish, and lost to Fernie and Creston. Except for the Fernie game, all games were close and well fought. This team has improved in skating, stick handling, and team play over the past year. One line emphasized this new found team work, with all 3 being involved in several goals. In the second game, Alyssa Shaw scored on passes from Tobin Donahue and Jake Gramlich. Then Jake scored on a pass from Alyssa. In the third game, Jake scored on passes from Alyssa and and Tobin. Then Tobin scored on a rebound shot of Jake’s. The last goal of the game was scored by Jake after a pass from Tobin. In Game 4 Tobin scored after passes from Alyssa and Jake. Others who scored during the tournament were Chase Kinsey (4 goals), Laine Warriner ((2), Ryker Chasse (1), and Tobin on a breakaway. This is the end of the season for this team who improved so much over the year. Some will be PeeWees next year, and

Fernie Players with a stick tunnel showing their respect for the loss of the Atoms Rockies Coach, Mike Warriner, during the weekend game.

Submitted photo others remain on the Atom team.

The Senior Girls won both of the their games in Canmore this past weekend. The games were close and intense, and now are on to their second round of playoff games against Brooks, Alberta. Those two games, using a compiled score, will be played next weekend in Brooks.

The Midget boys lost two games, and won 1 in their Banner Tournament. They next play in the Provincials, hosted by Creston, during Spring Break.

22 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 28, 2019

DISTRICT DISTRICT OF OF INVERMERE INVERMERE

914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Tel: 250-342-9281 • Fax: 250-342-2934

NOTICE OF SITTING Water, Community Facility and Local Conservation Fund Parcel Tax Roll The first sitting of the Parcel Tax Review Panel will be held at the Municipal Office at 914 - 8th Avenue, Invermere, B.C. on Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. The Parcel Tax Review Panel may review and correct the Parcel Tax Roll and hear complaints on one or more of the following grounds: a) there is an error or omission respecting a name or address on the parcel tax roll; b) there is an error or omission respecting the inclusion of a parcel; c) there is an error or omission respecting the taxable area or the taxable frontage of a parcel; d) an exemption has been improperly allowed or disallowed.

The Parcel Tax Roll will be open for inspection at the Municipal Office during regular office during regular office hours.

A complaint shall not be heard by the review panel unless notice of the appeal has been made in writing to the Director of Finance of the District of Invermere, Box 339, Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 at least 48 hours prior to the time appointed for the first sitting of the review panel.

Karen L. Coté Director of Finance

Land Act:

Notice of Intention to Apply for a Disposition of Crown Land Take notice that, Canadian Mountain Holidays LP, from Banff, AB, has applied to the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD), Kootenay Boundary Region, to amend their existing License of Occupation to include a fuel storage and rescue facility situated on Provincial Crown land located near Juniper Lake.

FLNRORD invites comments on this application, the Lands File is 4492085.

Written comments concerning this application should be directed to Authorization Specialist, FLNRORD, Kootenay Boundary Region, at 1902 Theatre Road, Cranbrook, BC V1C 7G1. Comments will be received by FLNRORD up to March 21, 2019.

FLNRORD may not be able to consider comments received after this date. Please visit the website at http://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ for more information. Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. Access to these records requires the submission of a Freedom of Information (FOi) request. Visit www.gov.bc.ca/ freedomofinformation to learn more about FOi submissions.

Back row : Teagan Van Mulligan, McKenna Hutchinson, Shana Walsh, Mya Wiegert, Gracey Nichol, Kayla Troxler, Maddy Wells. Front row: Heidi Restemeyer, Eisley Tan, Coach Cory Stanbury, Laine Dunlop, Sydney Edlund. Submitted photo

‘Underdog’ DTSS Lakers earn spot at Provincials

By Lorene Keitch lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com The DTSS Lakers senior girls basketball team is at the top of their game and set to prove their mettle against the best in the province. By the time this newspaper hits the stands, the team will be at Provincials in Langley.

It has been a long haul for the Lakers since the core team formed four years ago, when many of the current players were in grade 9, comments coach Cory Stanbury.

He began coaching the team back then and has led them from not being able to win a game to reaching the top level of high school-level competition in the province.

“As a team, our first year together we lost every single game except one, and by a lot. All our losses this year were so close, they could’ve gone either way,” remarks the coach.

This season, they had a record of 15 wins to only six losses – all the losses being only a few points shy of victory – and winning several tournaments. Heading into the division playoffs, they were “a little bit of the underdogs,” cites Mr. Stanbury, as they were up against the teams that had beaten them earlier this season.

But, just 10 days before they would need to pack up and head to the coast, the Lakers pulled a true underdog victory, beating their competitors and earning the coveted spot at Provincials. . . . ‘Raising’ from 20

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“The discipline that’s learned from ski racing is the best life lessons they’ll get,” he says.

For example, he says, ski racing is very unfair, just like life.

“It’s humbling, when you have 100 kids in a race and only three on the podium – that’s 97 not on the podium. Life’s like that.”

This year, the WVSC team skews younger, with about 50 members in the U16 category (ranging in age from 5 to 15 years old).

With 22 years at the same resort, the club leadership all expressed gratitude for the strong relationship they have with Panorama Mountain Resort.

That relationship, coupled with the club’s dedicated volunteers, means the club can continue to train up the next generation of skiers – an accomplishment worthy of celebrating, the club president notes.

Mr. Stanbury doesn’t go easy on the girls with three practices every week through the season starting at the end of November. They were even sneaking a few extra practices in last week to prepare for Provincials.

But for the coach, the work has been worth it.

“I really enjoyed the camaraderie between the team and myself,” he says.

Maddy Wells has been on the basketball team since 2014. She tracks her own growth in the sport, going from not being able to take a shot, or even feeling confident enough to try, to now being the second highest scorer on the team. She credits the personal and team growth to the coach.

“He’s been super patient with us,” she says. “He took the team from one that couldn’t win a game to . . . being second in the East Kootenay.”

In one of the final practices before they left for provincials, Maddy said they were feeling really excited, but also nervous. She adds that while being on the Lakers is hard, it’s also been worth it.

“It’s a lot of dedication; you really have to devote your time to do it, and to want to be here,” the grade 12 player comments.

Most of the team is graduating this year, so Provincials is the last chance for many of the team members to play at this level.

“At the end of the day what I feel is our role is to be able to provide the local community with programming that is affordable, accessible – that they have access to it in what is otherwise an expensive sport,” says Ms. Grier. “For kids to have those opportunities, to be outside, to take something with them they’ll have for life, is pretty incredible.”

With races such as the upcoming U16 Westerns being a money-maker for the club, the effort volunteers like Mr. Bagan puts in means the club can help keep membership costs down.

If you want to cheer on the WVSC kids, come watch the U16 Westerns happening at Panorama Mountain Resort March 1st-3rd. Races happen morning and afternoon each day.

The club is always on the lookout for more volunteers to help run events. If you are interested, email gordon@bagan.ca.

February 28, 2019

FAITH

Seeing the soul instead of the body

By Laura Hermakin Reverend Christ Church Trinity As I begin to prepare to once again observe a holy season of Lenten reflection and preparation for the journey to Easter, I am reminded of the words of the phrase, “If only our eyes saw souls instead of bodies.” Penned anonymously, these words mimic the prayer of many whose value in society seems to be based on others seeing them through lenses of financial status, ability, weight, skin colour, race, political belief, age, gender, sexuality etc. rather than seeing them through the lens of the soul.

There is darkness in the world; in situations that personally envelope people in a shroud of negativity and for many Christians around the world at this time, as we begin the liturgical season of Lent this week inviting somber reflection and the giving up of some precious thing. While Lent has its place in the circle of life – in its reminder that not everything in the world, or in people’s lives, is satisfying or joyful – and that just as there are seasons of weather, there are also seasons of the soul, I invite you to consider observing the season of Lent in a different way.

Rather than give up chocolate (or food of any kind, social media, television or whatever), consider choosing to let in light to see souls. Choose to be involved in holy, life-affirming, soul-refreshing and hope-filled experiences by speaking and writing words of encouragement, appreciation and thanksgiving to (and for) … those who are trying … those who are taking risks … those who are speaking up and speaking out … those who are surviving (and thriving) in spite of personal difficulties … those who are working hard as parents, volunteers, students, employees, employers, and people of faith.

What a different world we could have if, instead of talking negatively, criticizing, nagging, finding fault with, putting others down (not to mention ourselves), we talked about blessings and spoke about the goodness that exists everywhere. For there are blessings and there is goodness in the world – and in us. Perhaps if these were the focus, it might be easier to see people as souls and to relate to one another as a person of worth rather than ignore, pity, judge, bully or hate. And it might be easier to see the incredible beauty all around us.

When I allow my inner awareness to speak, pay attention to the Divine messages that abound in various ways and listen to the still, small voice within, I find that blessings often abound in surprising ways at work and in relationships, personal decision-making, creativity and reasoning about what is fact and what is truth. Be still.

Pay attention. Listen to your intuition – Spirit – the still, small voice within. And choose to see souls instead of bodies.

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 23

LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH Sunday, March 3rd, 10:30 a.m.

Worship Service and “K.I.D.S.” Church Associate Pastor Moore ministering 26 - 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 • office@lwac.ca • www.lwac.ca

WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY ANGLICAN-UNITED Worship every Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

Christ Church Trinity, Invermere 1st and 3rd Sunday, 9 a.m. March - December All Saint’s, Edgewater 2nd Sunday, 7 p.m. July-Sept St. Peter’s, Windermere Reverend Laura Hermakin 110 - 7th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-6644 • www.wvsm.ca

VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY Sunday 10 a.m.: Worship Services.

Pastor Murray Wittke 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere 250-342-9511 • www.valleychristianonline.com

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Saturday, 4:30 p.m.: St. Anthony’s, Canal Flats.

Saturday, 5 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m.: Canadian Martyrs’ – Invermere Sunday, 11 a.m.: St. Joseph’s – Radium.

Father Jojo Augustine • 712 -12th Ave., Invermere 250-342-6167 ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN MISSION OF INVERMERE Lay Worship Services, Sundays at 1:30 p.m.

Christ Church Trinity, 110 - 7th Ave., Invermere (Small Chapel) Pastor Doug Lutz, 250-464-0100 Email: mtzionlc@hotmail.com

RADIUM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Sunday 10 a.m. Worship service Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater • 250-342-6633 No. 4, 7553 Main St. Radium • 250-347-9937

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Worship Service, Sunday, 10 a.m. • Relief Society, 11:15 a.m.

President Rick Daniels • Columbia Valley Branch 5014 Fairway, Fairmont Hot Springs • 250-421-3756

Writing recognition Royal Canadian Legion Branch presiddent Thorsten Gaul (left), Vice President Marius Hoofd, and Jerry Meadows, present grade 6 student Neveah Clowers with a certificate of recongition at a special assembly Monday, February 25th at JA Laird. Neveah won first place in the junior category in the BC / Yukon Legion division for a Remembrance Day essay. “I was kind of shocked,” says Neveah about winning her first public writing competition.

Photo by Lorene Keitch

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24 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 28, 2019

Biosimilar Medicines:

A Game Changer for Patient Care Over the past 50 years biologic medicines have revolutionized the treatment and prevention of many disabling and life-threatening diseases, including diabetes, arthritis, inflammatory digestive disorders and cancers.

But biologic medicines are also expensive.

BC PharmaCare and employer-sponsored benefit plans want to expand their coverage of patients to include more innovative new medicines, but they also need to manage costs.

BIOSIMILARS AVAILABLE IN BC:

BIOSIMILARS ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS A biosimilar biologic drug, or biosimilar, is a drug demonstrated to be highly similar to a biologic drug that was already authorized for sale. 2 Health Canada evaluates all the information provided to confirm that the biosimilar and the reference biologic drug are similar and that there are no clinically meaningful differences in safety and efficacy between them. 3 Health Canada ’s rigorous standards for authorization mean that patients and health care providers can have the same confidence in the quality, safety and efficacy of a biosimilar as any other biologic drug. 4

Benefitting from Biosimilars

Biosimilar Medicines Support Health Care Sustainability and Patient Care Fortunately, an important solution to this challenge has arrived in Canada.

Patents on many biologic medicines have expired, and other manufacturers are now able to produce these medicines. These are called biosimilars.

Several biosimilars have been reviewed and authorized for sale by Health Canada, and many more submissions for new biosimilars are under review.

Biosimilars have been a standard fixture in patient care in Europe for more than a decade, and more than 700 million patient treatment days have been recorded.1 Canadians and British Columbians now have the opportunity to embrace the full benefits of biosimilar medicines.

Patients with chronic diseases typically use a biologic medicine for many years. As such, biosimilars cannot fully contribute to health care sustainability unless patients on existing original biologic medicines transition to biosimilar medicines.

Such transitioning is a common practice in Europe as proactive biosimilar policies have been implemented by governments. This has generated a wide body of real-world evidence that provides confidence in the established European practice of transitioning patients from an original biologic drug to a biosimilar.5 Health Canada recommends that such a decision should be made by the treating physician in consultation with the patient and taking into account available clinical evidence and any policies of the relevant jurisdiction.6 In turn, policies adopted by governments and employee-sponsored benefit plans are to be responsibly informed by clinical evidence.

Active Substance

Original Biologic

Biosimilar Biologic

etanercept

Enbrel®

Brenzys®

etanercept

Enbrel®

Erelzi®

filgrastim

Neupogen®

Grastofil®

infliximab

Remicade®

Inflectra®

infliximab

Remicade®

Renflexis®

insulin glargine Lantus®

Basaglar®

somatropin

Omnitrope®

Genotropin®

The Bottom Line Patients and clinicians can have confidence in biosimilar medicines. Biosimilars are reviewed and authorized for sale by Health Canada, they are as safe and effective as the corresponding original biologic drug, and can provide tremendous value to British Columbia’s health care system.

Transitioning patients from original biologic drugs to new biosimilar medicines is a responsible choice for those who manage drug budgets, and will help to ensure patient access to essential treatments for years to come.

NEW BIOSIMILARS COMING SOON: Active Substance

Original Biologic

adalimumab

Humira®

bevacizumab

Avastin®

filgrastim

Neupogen®

insulin glargine

Lantus®

insulin lispro

Humalog®

pegfilgrastim

Neulasta®

rituximab

Rituxan®

trastuzumab

Herceptin®

Learn more about the benefits of biosimilars at: www.biosimilarscanada.ca 1.“Biosimilar medicines – rising to the cost challenge”, International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association. http://www.igbamedicines.org/doc/Module3.pdf. Accessed January 24, 2019 2.“Fact Sheet: Biosimilars”, Health Canada. https://www.canada.ca/ en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/biologics-radiopharmaceuticals-genetic-therapies/applications-submissions/guidance-documents/fact-sheet-biosimilars.html. Accessed January 24, 2019 3.Ibid.

4.Ibid.

5.“Building on the experience and successes of biosimilar medicines”, International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association. http:// www.igbamedicines.org/doc/Module6.pdf. Accessed January 24, 2019 6. “Fact Sheet: Biosimilars”, Health Canada. https://www.canada. ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/biologics-radiopharmaceuticals-genetic-therapies/applications-submissions/ guidance-documents/fact-sheet-biosimilars.html. Accessed January 24, 2019

Biosimilars Canada The Voice of Biosimilar Medicines in Canada Sponsored Content