Columbia Valley Pioneer, April 2, 2020

April 2, 2020 Vol. 17/Issue 14

Your Weekly Source for News and Events

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 1 April 2, 2020

The Columbia Valley

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16 ONLINE EXCLUSIVE • The Pioneer will be online only starting April 9. Stay home and safe.

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STAY HOME IN STYLE Families up and down the Columbia Valley have found themselves on an unexpected and extended stay-cation thanks to COVID-19. The Pioneer checked in with the Van de Kemps (Eden and Marie shown here) and four other local families for tips on having fun, getting outdoors and keeping from going too stir-crazy during these times of self-isolation, social distancing and quarantines. Turn to page 7 and 8 for all their tips.

Photos courtesy of the Van de Kemps

www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

Own Your #HappyPlace NEW TOWNHOMES in a Professionally Managed Resort Community on The Springs Golf Course in Radium

2 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

April 2, 2020 Highlights of the @LiveColumbiaValley Instagram account, brought to you by the Columbia Valley Community Economic Development Office, a service of the RDEK.

Bruno’s Plumbing Service Mike Sylvestre 250.342.5105 brunosplumbing@shaw.ca ~ We now service drains ~ Serving The Columbia Valley

HIGHLIGHTS

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#ColumbiaValleyBC The message for everyone is getting clearer and clearer: ‘Stay home. Stay safe.’ The sooner everyone follows these public health instructions, the sooner we will all get back to work and get our community back to normal.

Thanks Windermere Valley Child Care Society! We all appreciate the outpouring of positive messages and offers of support from individuals and organizations throughout the Columbia Valley. Please continue to follow the guidance from the BC Centre for Disease Control.

• Shower Doors • Sealed Units • Deck and Hand Railings Serving Residential and Commercial Clients

Got water? – The Windermere Water Upgrade & East Side Lake Windermere Project continues with a large water line install near the Crossroads. The Windermere townsite area is currently expected to be connected to the East Side Lake Windermere Water System in spring 2020. Once connected, the RDEK will work with the Interior Health Authority to lift the Water Quality Advisory. Construction updates, newsletters and other information will be posted on engage.rdek. bc.ca. The Government of B.C. has officially designated construction as an ”essential service.”

#3, 109 Industrial #2, Invermere B.C. 250-342-3659 • Fax: 250-342-3620

www.invermereglass.com DISTRICT OF INVERMERE 914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Tel: 250-342-9281 • Fax: 250-342-2934

UTILITY BILLS

All hands on deck ... or online! – Starting March 23, and through the coordination of RDEK Area F Director Susan Clovechok, a group of local business and community organization leaders have been meeting daily through web conferencing to share COVID-19 challenges and resources through this very dynamic situation. Check it out on cvchamber.ca

Ice plate tectonics

Invermere property owners struggling with the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic now have extra time to pay their 2020 Utility Bill.

The ice is melting quickly off Lake Windermere, shifting and buckling like a frozen miniature demonstration of tectonic plates, leaving crumpled, buckled formations on the shore, such as this one.

The District of Invermere Council recognizes the extraordinary circumstances created by the pandemic, and the financial challenges these circumstances may be creating for some residents and businesses. Based on this recognition, the District will not enforce the five per cent penalty for late Utility Bill payments until November 2nd 2020. Property owners have until November 2nd to pay their utility bill without penalty.

If you have any questions or would like more details, please visit the Municipal Office or the website at www.invermere.net.

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April 2, 2020

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 3

VALLEY NEWS Hospital Chief of Staff asks for COVID-19 help

By Dr. Gareth Mannheimer, Chief of Staff at Invermere & District Hospital and family physician Special to the Pioneer Dr. Gareth Mannheimer provided the following updates on how community medical services are responding to the rapidly changing environment for COVID-19 and how the community can help.

There are active cases of COVID-19 in our community. Fortunately, to date all patients are doing well. The only way we will be able to contain this infection locally is for everybody to be responsible and follow the guidelines. You all have the ability to determine what our community will be experiencing over the upcoming weeks.

• Stay calm and play it safe. Please practice social distancing and, if you can, stay at home. If you must go out, stay at least two meters (6.5 feet) from other people.

If you are symptomatic please isolate at home and utilize the provincial self-assessment tool.

• To understand more on how you can stop the spread, please go to the BC Centre for Disease control at www.bccdc.ca to read these guidelines. This website also provides the latest on COVID-19, how to protect yourself, your family and your community, and what to do if you suspect you have the virus.

• If you think you have COVID-19, use the provincial self-assessment tool https://bc.thrive.health/ covid19 to check your symptoms and to determine if you need further assessment. You can also download the Province of British Columbia’s ‘COVID19-BC Support

App and Self-Assessment Tool’ to stay on top of all new developments related to the virus.

• We have listened to you. We know the wait times for 8-1-1- support are long. We know your relationships with your local doctors and medical health care providers are important to you during this uncertain time. We have worked hard with the community clinics to offer telephonic and video-conferencing visits to respond to questions about your general health and COVID-19.

We have re-deployed trained hospital staff to support the phone lines to answer your questions. The hospital and the clinics can be reached at the following phone numbers listed below. We ask you to be patient as you wait your turn to get your questions answered the best way we can.

- Invermere & District Hospital 250-342-9201 - Invermere Medical Clinic (250) 342-9206 - Chisel Peak Clinic (250) 341-6900 Call us first! Do not go to the clinics and do not go to the hospital unless it is an emergency.

• The 8-1-1 line for COVID-19 remains an excellent resource. It is an additional layer of support available to you. We ask you to be patient as you seek answers to your questions 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Demand is very high.

• Healthcare teams from the Columbia Valley are meeting daily. We are also in contact with other local resource groups including local government to facilitate two-way communication about the health and medical needs of our community. We are using this information

to determine how we offer, improve and respond to community concerns.

• You can help! Currently, we are able to manage community needs. We are building a registry of potential volunteers. These include, retired or otherwise available health care providers including but not limited to physicians, nurses, counsellors, therapists and health care aides. If you have credentials and relevant health care experience, please register through the Volunteer Columbia Valley website: https://volunteercv.ca/organizations/ columbia-valley-covid-19-community-response • We may need more medical supplies to be proactive. We are looking for any individuals or businesses who can free up gloves, masks, scrubs, scrub-caps, smocks, face shields and safety googles. Please contact Ryan Watmough at cvced@rdek.bc.ca to let him know what is available and to arrange for safe pick up. I thank you in advance for your generosity on behalf of all medical professionals on the front line.

• We are also asking anyone who may have fabric that could be used to make scrubs, personal protective gowns for medical professionals and patient gowns to contact Ryan Watmough at cvced@rdek.bc.ca. If you can sew, please register through Volunteer Columbia Valley website https://volunteercv.ca/organizations/columbia-valley-covid-19-community-response I genuinely value the time, commitment and support from all of you. I am confident that if we can function together, we will have the best chance of minimizing the impact that this disease might have.

COVID-19 radically and swiftly alters nature of local government meetings

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com The way governments function is changing drastically and quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and local governments here in the Columbia Valley are no exception.

Last week all three municipalities in the Columbia Valley opted to cancel their scheduled council meetings – the Village of Canal Flats on Monday, March 23, the District of Invermere on Tuesday, March 24, and the Village of Radium on Wednesday, March 25 – as COVID-19 cases erupted across the country, and indeed a few cropped up here in the valley.

As several valley officials told the Pioneer, this pandemic is uncharted territory from a municipal perspective, and local governments are doing their best to adapt on the fly with the caveat that, naturally, this is no easy thing since the situation is rapidly evolving.

“Everything is in a state of flux,” Canal Flats chief administrative officer Adrian Bergles told the Pioneer. “The world is really is changing before our eyes. Things are changing literally up to the minute.”

Canal Flats cancelled its council meeting on Monday, in an effort to follow social distancing and limit possible COVID-19 spread, and quickly initiated a process to immediately amend one of the village’s procedural bylaws, which caps the number of council members who can participate in a council meeting electronically at two. Then, on Thursday, March 26, B.C. Public Safety minister Mike Farnworth issued a ministerial order that allowed, among other things, for councils to hold meetings digitally.

“So the need for us to change our procedural bylaw seems to have changed,” said Bergles.

He added that village staff are doing everything in their power to make sure Canal Flats does not miss a second consecutive council meeting, and this will likely mean the next meeting will involve digital assistance.

Invermere is in the same boat, with Mayor Al Miller telling the Pioneer that the “new rules (that) have come into play from the ministerial order allow us to have meetings electronically, and ease up on the need for providing input from our citizens. We want to do right thing going forward, but anybody who has been on a conference call of late can attest to the problems being had because of the extra volume.”

Continued on page 5 …

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4 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

April 2, 2020

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This past week, March 23 through March 29, the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 45 calls for service. The following is a summary of some of the files our officers responded to.

On Monday, March 23, an individual called the RCMP to report she had fallen victim to a scam. The individual received a phone call from a person who claimed she had won some money. The victim provided her bank card number to the caller and later noticed the amount of money she was expecting to receive had in fact been transferred out of her bank account. The victim’s bank is looking into the matter.

On Tuesday, March 24, emergency services attended a commercial vehicle rollover on Highway 93 near Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park. The driver of a tractor trailer indicated he lost control of his truck while braking which caused him to go off the road and

roll over. The driver and passenger suffered only minor injuries.

On Wednesday, March 25, Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of a male cutting down trees on property belonging to the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Police attended and located the male in the process of loading the wood. A resolution was reached between the resort and the male wherein the trees would be dropped off at the resort for their use.

Show of support to our healthcare professionals On Sunday, April 5 at 7 p.m. the Columbia Valley RCMP along with our local Fire Departments and Ambulance Service will be showing our support to our healthcare professionals by forming a procession of lights and traveling from the Invermere Fire Department to 10th Avenue, past the Invermere & District Hospital and then onto 10th Street past the BC Ambulance Service Station. Our healthcare professionals are always there for us and we would like to salute them during these difficult times.

Open fires banned due to COVID-19

N E W S PA P E R

NOTICE

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

In response to the COVID-19 situation the Columbia Valley Pioneer will temporarily become 100% digital as of April 9th The look of our paper will remain the same, but will only be available as a digital download.

To download your free copy of the Pioneer, visit our website at

www.columbiavalleypioneer.com Click on the “Read Now” tab or visit our Facebook page for a link to your digital copy.

F A I R M O N T

Many parts of the province, including the Columbia Valley, are under open burning restrictions announced by the provincial Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.

The announcement was made in collaboration with B.C. public health officials and the B.C. Centre for Disease Control and came early on Thursday, March 26. It applies only to open burning, not to campfires, covers all “high smoke sensitivity zones” across B.C., will be in place until Wednesday, April 15 and comes in response to the COVIDL-19 pandemic, as part of ongoing efforts to reduce air pollution in populated areas.

“It’s for areas with what they call high density smoking holding. That means anywhere where smoke doesn’t dissipate very well. Invermere is one of these areas,” Invermere fire chief Jason Roe told the Pioneer, adding that local residents can still have campfires.

A provincial Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy press release on the matter outlined that there is strong evidence that exposure to air pollution increases susceptibility to respiratory viral infections such as COVID-19, because it decreases immune function.

According to the ministry, deterioration in air quality may lead to more COVID-19 infections overall and may lead to more cases of severe COVID-19 infections.

“Evidence suggests that air pollution from combustion sources is most strongly associated with increased risk of viral infection, particularly vehicle emissions and biomass burning,” read the press release. “While the focus should remain on social distancing to prevent the spread of infection and reduce the number of cases, keeping our air as clean as possible will also help to protect the population during this difficult period.”

No new open fires may be initiated and no additional material may be added to existing open fires.

For more information visit www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/ content/environment/air-land-water/ air.

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April 2, 2020

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 5

Digital council meetings on the horizon … ‘Government meetings’ continued from page 3 The March 24 Invermere council meeting was cancelled in part because the district office’s technology is, as Miller outlined, not up to par to handle a full scale call-in or video conferencing.

“The amount of items on the agenda (for the March 24 meeting) was slim. We were facing difficult issues in the office due to computer server issues, as well as COVID-19 in regards to some staff working from home due to quarantine from being away,” he said, adding staff are working quickly to fix the technical issues since as far as he knows the district cannot legally cancel two consecutive council meetings, COVID-19 pandemic notwithstanding.

“Our techs are well suited to bring us up to date with video conferencing capabilities, and possibly airing our meetings,” said Miller. “The technology is being worked on so that we could take emails during our question period which happens twice during our regular meetings.

Other options could become available. The one area we as a district were lacking in, in the past, was being up to date with our technology. If there is a silver lining with COVID-19, (it is that) we are updating that as we speak.”

Radium is also busy looking into digital council meetings Radium Mayor Clara Reinhardt, told the Pioneer.

“There is no template or history to draw from for an event like this ... clearly our current reality is creating a scenario where we are in unknown waters and will be making decisions as events unfold,” said Reinhardt, adding that “there are a variety of tools available to include people via video conferencing. We will be exploring our options.”

Radium has a procedural bylaw allowing council the option of passing resolutions via email when time is of

the essence, noted Reinhardt, adding that the resolution is then added to the minutes of the next regular meeting.

“As long as we can make a reasonable effort to publish the meeting date and how the public can participate, we are meeting our obligation under the Community Charter,” she said. “The Radium team of council and staff are working together effectively, and residents should be confident that timely decisions are being made, and our future is solid once we get through this.”

The RDEK board of directors have not cancelled their next board meeting, planning to going ahead with their Friday, April 3 meeting, but with a new digital approach and social-distancing measures in place.

“We have encouraged board directors to participate in the board and committee meetings via teleconference.

At the same time, we are looking at options to allow the public to view or listen to the proceedings from the comfort of their homes,” said RDEK board chair Rob Gay in a press release. “Under the Local Government Act, we are required to have the ability for the public to attend as well. While we encourage the public to take advantage of the other participation options, if anyone chooses to attend in person we will have social-distancing measures in place within our board room.”

In the meantime all RDEK public meetings and community meetings to have been held in March have been postponed until further notice, and the upcoming Columbia Basin Trust public input meetings have been cancelled. The RDEK will be launching an online comment forum in lieu of these CBT input meetings, on engage.rdek.bc.ca/cbt and will collect public input until noon on Wednesday, April 8. Those without access to computers can contact the RDEK office to request a list of proposals and learn how they can submit comments.

“I cannot stress enough the importance of listening to the public and federal health authorities. Each of us

needs to be doing our part. This is not just about protecting ourselves and our communities, it’s about protecting our health care system so it is available for those who need it most,” said Gay. According to the RDEK press release, the status of future meetings will be evaluated on an ongoing basis and updated as required. For more information visit www.rdek.bc.ca.

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 Watermain Flushing The municipality will be flushing its community water system for the next 6 weeks. This program, carried out twice yearly, is necessary to maintain the quality of our water supply. There may be some short interruptions in the water service and temporary discoloration of water as a result of the sediment and organic materials that are being flushed from the water mains. During this period, disinfection by chlorination will be continued. To assist the Public Works Department during the flushing operation, users are advised that if they are experiencing persistent discoloration or odour problems with the water, to immediately notify the Municipal Office and explain the nature of the problem.

The District apologizes for any inconveniences caused by this operation. For further information, please telephone the municipal office at 250-342-9281.

Hello neighbours..

We’re postponing our community engagement process.

In response to COVID-19, Columbia Basin Trust is postponing its public engagement process, including community meetings this Spring and two regional symposia this Fall. We are looking forward to future conversations about how you live, work and play in the Columbia Basin. We understand you are focused on public health right now and we will reschedule when you have the time and space to join the conversation.

We will be closing the online Thoughtexchange on March 31. Visit imagine.ourtrust.org if you wish to share your thoughts before then.

Our commitment to people, communities and partners The Trust is committed to providing support to the Basin during this challenging time. We recognize that many of our recipients and partners will experience challenges and we encourage you to reach out to your Trust contact if this is true for you. ourtrust.org | info@ourtrust.org | 1.800.505.8998

6 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

April 2, 2020

PERSPECTIVE Checking in

Historical Lens

By Dauna Ditson dauna@columbiavalleypioneer.com How are you doing in this strange time?

I hope you’re well and that you’ve adapted and are happily baking pies, finishing puzzles, reading books and having plenty of calls and video chats with your loved ones. But it’s okay if you’re not living up the introvert dream right now.

It’s okay if you’re scared or sad or anxious. It’s okay if you’re lonely or if you’re finding yourself annoyed with your live-in loved ones and needing some space. It’s okay to feel however you feel during this uncertain time.

I used to have a mental illness (post-traumatic stress disorder), and whenever I asked my therapist if I was being crazy, she would say that I was having a normal response to an abnormal thing that had happened.

It’s normal to be upset when distressing things happen, and it’s completely reasonable to be shaken when a global pandemic changes all of our lives, cancels our plans and locks our doors with us inside.

You don’t have to try to convince yourself that the pandemic is a happy story. You’re not doing something wrong if you don’t see it that way. But you can dislike this temporary new reality and still make the best of it.

As an extrovert who lives alone, who now works from home, and whose family is two provinces away, I don’t love this time of self-isolation and physical distancing. I miss real-life humans.

Still, some parts are great – like all the video calling and how my little nephew thinks I’m a movie. I’m going for jogs thanks to online motivation from the Columbia Valley Runners, doing long-delayed projects and participating in an online meditation group.

I’m now around the age my parents were when the real estate market in Calgary crashed in the 1980s. We lost our house, my dad lost his job and we spent an entire year homeless and rotating between my grandparents’ basements in Medicine Hat, Alberta and Kindersley, Saskatchewan. My mom was instantly a homeschool teacher.

My parents were under no illusions about how bad things were, but none of their worries seeped through to me.

All my memories from the year I was seven are filled with sisters and cousins, swimming lessons, grandparents, library visits, cookies, sewing lessons, playgrounds and love. Everything was fun. Even leaving our things in storage was exciting because my mom promised it would be like Christmas when we got to open our boxes of toys up again. She was right.

If my family’s unfortunate situation could have a bright side, maybe the pandemic doesn’t have to be 100 per cent bad either. I read something that said young kids and dogs could be having the best times of their lives right now since they have so much of your attention.

Maybe you’ll find some good throughout it as well.

Take care of yourself and each other.

Bob Chisholm, a Justice of the Peace and author of western novels, came to Windermere in 1907.

Here he is pictured with the means of survival: a gun, a tent and dog.

Photo A1227, from the early 1990s, is courtesy of the Windermere District Historical Society.

Share COVID-19 case locations Dear Editor, One of the basic messages during this difficult time is: Stay Informed.

The residents of Invermere and Canal Flats who let their fellow citizens know that they had become infected as well as where and when they were exposed are wonderful examples of keeping us informed and helping us all make better decisions. Well done and recover fast.

At the same time our provincial health officer and the health authorities withhold information on the location of communities affected by the virus. In this they are failing in their duty of keeping us and our re-

gional officials informed of the facts. In this way they are limiting our collective ability to respond. Without facts, rumours, speculations and misinformation will spread like wildfire. The Interior and Northern Health Regions are not like Vancouver; they cover vast territories containing hundreds of small communities. Yet specific locations have been identified in Vancouver.

Why not elsewhere? It is not personal information we need, it is community information.

That is not to be critical of their work in any other respect. Please keep up all the good work. But do follow your own advice and keep us informed.

Dr. Kirk Dawson Fairmont

Find our next issue(s)online The Pioneer is going to be online only starting next week. We anticipate that we’ll be back on the news stands very soon, but, like all other businesses, we’re adapting to these uncertain and challenging times.

We remain committed to bringing you the news, keeping our community informed and spreading the word about the great things you are doing to support each other.

Our website is www.columbiavalleypioneer.com. You can see breaking news online and check out our e-editions, which are exact replicas of the print versions. Our e-editions come out every Thursday. See you online!

The Columbia Valley

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2013

Pioneer

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

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

Social distancing long before our time

Amanda Nason Associate Publisher/ Sales Manager

Dauna Ditson Editor

Steve Hubrecht Magazine Editor/ Reporter

Lerissa McLaughlin Sales Representative

Emily Rawbon Graphic Design

Amanda Murray Office Administrator/ Sales

The Columbia Valley Pioneer is available free of charge at more than 137 locations in the Upper Columbia Valley, limited to one copy per reader. We are funded solely through the support of our advertisers. We are published every Thursday. The Columbia Valley Pioneer may be distributed only by its authorized contractors and employees. No person may, without the prior written consent of The Pioneer or its Publisher, take more than one copy of each issue of The Pioneer. The content is protected by copyright. Reproduction by any means is prohibited except with the permission of the Publisher.

April 2, 2020

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 7

Alone together: how local families are coping With the Columbia Valley (and the rest of the province) well into COVID-19 quarantine, self-isolation and social distancing, the Pioneer checked in with several local families with kids to see how they are keeping busy and whether or not they’ve started to go stir-crazy. The overall results? For the moment, people seem to be enjoying some unexpected family time.

Their responses have been gently edited.

What are you doing to keep yourself and your kids busy?

Steph and Aaron Van de Kemp: This experience has forced me to reconsider the notion that kids need to be kept busy at all times, and that it’s my job to entertain them. That’s why we had three kids, so they can entertain each other, right?! We do need some structure to our days but there is a lot more free play happening. I try to do at least one indoor activity with them each day, like painting or making puzzles. We go for walks. They jump on the trampoline. They play imagination. We read books. At the start of this week, we put a bunch of movie titles into a mason jar so they get to take turns picking one out of the jar and we watch it in the afternoon, usually before dinnertime when everyone is tired and grumpy!

Duncan and Tara Whittick: To start, we set up a daily plan for our family that we could keep up indefinitely in order to create some structure which can be a great help for both kids and adults.

Within this we provided time for family time, independent time, and outdoor time, which is obviously so important right now for mental and physical health. We included things that everybody could look forward to, and created some daily choices within this so that everybody felt empowered to help shape each of our days. For example, each day we have set aside time for an outdoor adventure, a family game and a family movie.

We have a rotation for who selects what we’re doing that day (including the kids!) and we rotate this list daily. And to make it easy on all of us, we brainstormed a list of ideas to pick from for outdoor adventures (see page 8) which continues to evolve as new activities become available with the changing of the seasons (ie. biking) and other ones are no longer available due to changing regulations/closures (ie. national parks, fields).

Penny Powers and Max Fanderl: After such a crazy winter season for us, with hockey and being on the road, being busy with work, and the kids busy with school work and activities, we are finding that some downtime has been really nice. Every day is not a ‘rat race’ with a non-stop pace (which we were so accustomed to!) Those ‘projects’ which are always put on the back burner are finally getting done. Katia has taken it upon herself to paint her bedroom, and the kids have actually enjoyed purging unnecessary items which have just been collecting dust for ages! I have offered to help seniors or anyone who might need help with shopping.

Gerry Taft and Nozomi Ishii: It helps that the weather is getting nicer, so short walks or playing in the front yard are good daily activities. Kelvin is moving up from a run bike to a peddle bike, so practising this in the driveway or on a pathway can keep him pretty busy. Small rewards, and some new toys or games help a lot. Black Star Studios, Main Street Fun and Games and other local businesses have been awesome with delivery options, or no-contact pick up. We aren’t quarantined so for trips for essentials, like groceries, it’s good to get everybody out of the house, even if only one parent actually does the shopping and the rest of the family hangs out in the car (or red truck in our case).

Gerri Brightwell and Michael den Otter: We picked up two new board games from Main Street Fun and Games and are getting back into our game stash. We have a puzzle on the kitchen table constantly. I think we are on puzzle number four. We’re doing outdoor outings and exercise every day. We’re also baking and cooking some special meals and treats together. Crafts are fun; we have tried some painting and knitting so far. The kids got an Xbox live account so that they can play games like Minecraft online with friends. We figured out how to play Magic the Gathering between friends with FaceTime and have been hosting online meet-ups with grandparents and aunties/uncles/cousins.

How are you getting the kids outside, with all the ski resorts, hot springs, and playgrounds closed?

Gerri Brightwell and Michael den Otter: We go for walks, hikes or bike rides every day. Even if they don’t feel like it, we find everybody is happy once we are out and about. We set a mission for each outing, even if its something simple (ie. seeing if the lake ice has melted or finding a geocache). We have a basketball net, trampoline and hockey net for yard play. Maya’s friend Jackpine has been sending us soccer ball challenges too.

Steph and Aaron Van de Kemp: I did panic a bit when Panorama closed, followed by the skate park and playgrounds! There goes my entire game plan! We mostly meander these days, going on walks with no destination or timeframe and wandering aimlessly. It feels a bit strange,

like I’m in withdrawal from being busy. Interestingly, the kids don’t perceive it that way.

They say they like it. I’m grateful we live in the mountains where we have lots of forests and outdoor spaces to explore. I realize we still have to observe social distancing when we’re outside, but it seems everybody in our community got the memo. When we do encounter other humans on our walks, they adhere to social distancing.

Penny Powers and Max Fanderl: The kids are spending lots of time together and just being kids. They’re enjoying the outdoors and playing outside, jumping on the trampoline, riding their bikes, playing basketball in our driveway and playing street hockey. We have also been ski touring (with caution and care), nordic skiing, walking and biking – all with plenty of distance from people. We plan on canoeing and kayaking too, in the next couple of days, and doing some overnight trips if the weather cooperates, as well as doing some ground handling for paragliding.

Lorene and Justin Keitch: It’s been difficult since I am trying to work full-time from home. The kids don’t really understand that me sitting at my computer all day is working, so of course they ask if I want to play games and more. Our weekend plans include online church at Lake Windermere Alliance, longer bike rides and finding some open fields where they can burn off steam. Maybe we’ll finally start tackling the Mt. Swansea hike from the bottom, as long as the parking lot is fairly empty! There are loads of amazing hikes around the community too. As long as those trails stay open and are not busy so we can keep our distance from other hikers, we’ll get out whenever we can. We are also very blessed with an incredible backyard that feels like a safe haven.

How do you keep from all going stir-crazy?

Penny Powers and Max Fanderl: To be honest, I don’t think any of us are going stir-crazy yet. Sure, the kids are missing hanging out with their friends, but we are lucky they enjoy doing things with us still. We’ve also done some puzzles, watched movies in the evenings, cooked and baked, all of which we never do!

Steph and Aaron Van de Kemp: I think it’s normal to go a bit stir-crazy in these circumstances. Most of us are accustomed to a fast pace of life, jam packed with work, school, extracurriculars, social activities and special events. This is a big change to the way most of us operate. I do find it helpful to set up our day in blocks: breakfast, unstructured play, organized activity, snack, unstructured play, lunch, quiet time, outside time, snack, movie, dinner, reading, bedtime and last but not least, grownup time!

Continued on page 8…

8 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer ‘Alone together’ from page 7 …

Lorene and Justin Keitch: Thankfully both our kids love crafts, reading, and playing lots and lots of board games. Main Street Fun and Games delivered a fresh batch of games to our house so that has kept us busy along with the stack of games we’d picked up at the thrift store over the years. And if the kids complain about getting bored, I’ve got a running list of chores they can tackle for every complaint they make!

Gerri Brightwell and Michael den Otter: We talk about our day in the morning and agree on some ideas so that we have a plan for every day. We are trying hard to have our kids connect with friends or family by video each day and go outside every day. We are being less strict on screen-time rules. I am enjoying the extra time with my kids and the break from the hectic school and extracurricular schedule. At the same time I know the kids are missing their friends, teachers and sports, and I feel sorry for them.

How is it being a parent during quarantine/ social distancing?

Gerry Taft and Nozomi Ishii: The biggest challenge is not over doing the ‘screen time’ and not going too crazy with Netflix or YouTube.

Seniors Support Seniors, please remember that the Better at Home program are available to help with… ❑ Grocery Shopping ❑ Daily check-ins ❑ Transportation to appointments ❑ Pet walking Call Jennifer at 250-342-1110 or 250-342-5566.

Resource, Development & Advocacy

Family Dynamix acknowledges that we deliver services on the unceded territory of the Ktunaxa and Secwepemc people”

April 2, 2020 Our oldest misses pre-school and daycare and asks when he is going back. It’s hard to explain why were aren’t visiting in person with grandparents. But, being pretty young, I think in general they like having the attention and don’t really find things as weird as the adults do.

Penny Powers and Max Fanderl: We are fine. I miss seeing and hanging out with friends; we chat on the phone. But so far our family is having fun together, so it’s not a problem. If this isolation continues and you ask that same question in a month, I might have a different answer!

Steph and Aaron Van de Kemp: I imagine this whole experience is very different depending on whether or not you have little kids at home.

I sometimes fantasize about all the things I would do if I was quarantined at home without kids: cleaning closets, organizing photos, meditating, reading through stacks of books, participating in online yoga classes and webinars.

Maybe this is one of those ‘grass is greener’ scenarios?!

Either way, here I am with three energetic kids at home, 24-7, no end in sight. On the bright side, I get to spend a lot of quality time with my kids right now, with fewer distractions. I’m reminding myself to smile and breathe and to be grateful for our health and our time together. I find more than ever I need to carve out solo time in the day. Otherwise I turn into a crazy, impatient mom, and I don’t really like that version of myself. The days go better when I wake up early and go for a run or just take some quiet time alone before launching into the day. When I fill myself up, I have more energy and patience for my kids. As a parent it’s helpful to know that my friends and family with young kids are in the same boat. The struggle is real, but we’re not alone. We can’t get together for coffee but we FaceTime and text. Today we’re going to a birthday party for my best friend’s son in Australia via Zoom. We’re adapting.

Lorene and Justin Keitch: It’s mostly OK. When I think about how blessed we are in Canada with clean water, warm homes, fresh food, and incredibly competent medical teams working very hard across the country, I am so thankful. Of course I’ve lost my patience with my kids a few times already, but overall I’m trying to count the blessings instead

of what we’re missing out on.

Are you planning on doing any homeschooling/educational activities with your kids in coming weeks? If so, what?

Penny Powers and Max Fanderl: Yes, we will be doing school work. We will wait to see what DTSS assigns for the kids in the classes they are taking at the moment, and then we will make a decision as to whether they need more, and will do online courses.

Weather permitting, we will do some walks to different areas, and see what we can learn during them, ranging from the geographical landscape, to the history of the area, to flora and animal life. We have the kids working with us to prepare a Columbia Valley Interpreter guiding course, which in turn teaches them a lot. I am also doing some ongoing personal trainer and nutrition online seminars, which the kids too are sitting in on. All in all, I think the whole situation has been an unfortunate but great re-set button.

Lorene and Justin Keitch: We have sourced out an old computer that we can use for the kids to watch educational videos and do a bit of online learning. But it won’t be our primary focus over the coming weeks. The more important things for us will be making sure that our family is healthy, that our kids feel secure, and that we create a good home environment for them while all their ‘normal’ is disappearing.

Gerri Brightwells and Michael den Otter: We will do online piano lessons. If the school district comes out with any online learning plans or homeschool learning plans, we will follow along.

Steph and Aaron Van de Kemp: We are waiting to find out what the school is planning. Hopefully we can access some online learning or have lessons emailed to us. I noticed Rosetta Stone has a kids’ homeschooling program for various languages so I’ve thought about subscribing to the French one. We own a small business but I find working from home with kids is pretty much impossible. Having some schooling for the kids would allow me to spend a bit of time on my work as well.

ATTENTION: CONSTITUENCY OFFICE INFORMATION

Options for outdoor family fun

Given the current status of the COVID-19 outbreak, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our Constituency Offices to the public.

• Walk to waterfalls • Fort building • Nature scavenger hunt • Andy Goldsworthy nature art • Forest bathing activities • Soccer and football • Walk on trails that are open • Walk to Windermere viewpoint • Find big frozen puddles to break!

• Frisbee golf in nearby forest • Throw stones at the lake • Multi-sports challenge

Please note that we are still able to assist Constituents as usual – just not face-to-face.

Our staff in the Columbia River–Revelstoke (Kimberley and Revelstoke offices)are still working on files from Monday to Friday of each week.

Don’t hesitate to contact myself, or your Constituency Assistants should you have Provincial matter that needs addressing. You can still reach us at:

(1-844) 432-2300 Doug.Clovechok.MLA@leg.bc.ca

Doug Clovechok, MLA

Courtesy of Duncan and Tara Whittick, the above ideas and following links are great resources for families with kids during the COVID-19 pandemic. They offer plenty of free and fun outdoor learning activities, games and projects that can be done independently by students in their own backyard, or together with their families in nearby nature: • www.childrenandnature.org/2020/03/16/10-nature-activities-to-help-get-your-family-through-the-pandemic/ • www.allaboutbirds.org/news/how-to-make-these-next-few-weeks-a-little-easier-courtesy-of-birds/ • www.scienceworld.ca/resource/backyard-biodiversity/ • https://kbee.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/5min_fieldtrips.pdf.

Pynelogs at Kinsmen Beach

PYNELOGS CULTURAL CENTRE, ART GALLERY & CAFE HOURS: CALL FOR MORE INFO AT 250.342.4423

April 2, 2020

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 9

Buying or selling?

Step 1

Step 2

By Katie Watt Special to the Pioneer While we’re all doing our best at social distancing, local artist Katie Watt is sharing how she created her latest masterpiece so those in the valley can also create theirs from the comfort of their own homes.

Enjoy making a version of her scene.

If you have an art project or ideas for activities you’d like to share with readers, please send them to dauna@ columbaivalleypioneer.com

PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

Trace a circle on your page using a pencil.

On the inside of your circle, create the outline of your mountains.

Due to the coronavirus, the Invermere Public Library is

vin g th

Step 5

e Co lumbia Va

Step 4

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY Ser

Step 3

Cell: 250•341•1395 Toll Free: 1•888•258•9911

Choose three colours. Using water colour paints or watered-down acrylics, paint the lightest colour around your mountains.

This layer should take up about 1/3 of the space in your sky.

CLOSED

lle y

until further notice. Thank you for your understanding. Please visit the Invermere Public Library website to access e-books and other digital resources.

invermere.bc.libraries.coop

Using your second lightest colour, paint another layer above the one you just made that is similar in width. If using water colours, blend these layers with water. If you’re using acrylics, work quickly before your paint dries.

Repeat step three using your darkest colour.

The sky portion of the inside of your circle should now be completely filled with colour.

Step 6

Step 7

Trace over the pencil outline of your mountains using a black marker.

Box 159, 8853 Grainger Rd., Canal Flats, B.C. V0B 1B0 Phone: 250-349-5462 • Fax: 250-349-5460 • village@canalflats.ca

NOTICE In accordance with Section 124 of the Community Charter, notice is hereby given that Special Council Meetings will be held

Step 8

April 6, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.

Subject: “Village of Canal Flats Procedure Bylaw No. 1, 204 - Amendment Bylaw No. 235, 2020” which would facilitate electronic meetings of Council in the event of a health, environmental or safety emergency.

Per Ministerial Order M083, this meeting will be closed to the public. However, it will be broadcast live on the Village of Canal Flats Facebook page.

Create shadows in your mountains and texture where you please.

Add tree silhouettes in front of the mountains.

Be creative and enjoy your very own DIY creation!

When it's time to buy or sell call...

1752 CAR I AVENUE MLS: 2450862

Using white acrylic paint or a different opaque white medium, add whatever details you please to your sky. These details could be stars, writing, clouds, etc.

SEAN & PAUL ROGGEMAN Personal Real Estate Corporations

$479,000

Celebrating 15 years & 500+ Clients served - Thank you!

Please recycle this newspaper

#9 6800 C LU IA LA E R

$459,000

MLS: 2450837

Connect with us :

Sean@rockieswest.com www.roggeman.ca

250-341-5445

RARE - 5 bdrm home and boat slip under $500K. New roof in 2018. Oversized garage.

Experience Lake Windermere living this summer!

Rockies West Realty Independently owned and operated

Perfection in Spirits Reach. 3 finished levels. 3 bdrms, 4 bathrooms (two ensuites). Double garage. Gorgeous kiitchen. Private beach.

250-341-5300

10 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

April 2, 2020

Your Local COLUMBIA VALLEY REAL ESTATE

Professionals Wende Brash Broker/Owner

RE/MAX Invermere Independently Owned and Operated 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

JanK limeK 250.342.1195 janklimek@shaw.ca JanKlimek.ca

Contact Amanda Nason for more information. Cell: 250-341-1111

Valley Strong Box: supporting businesses and getting residents the products they love

By Dauna Ditson dauna@columbiavalleypioneer.com What do you do when you want to support local businesses during the pandemic but you’re afraid to leave your home in case you spread or collect any germs? What if you want some treats from your favourite shops but their doors are closed or you’re in self-isolation?

Theresa Wood has all the answers. The wish manifester is making the best of the pandemic here at home by bringing together products from local businesses and combining them in the Valley Strong Box. For $99 (taxes included), you get everything you need to turn your quarantine or physical-distancing time into a solo retreat or tiny party for yourself and those who share your home.

Best of all, you’re supporting valley businesses that still want to get their products into your freshly-sanitized hands.

Each box includes an assortment of amazing local products and will be delivered free of charge anywhere in the valley. You’ll get: • a roll on Immune Boost from OM Organics.

• a puzzle from Main Street Fun and Games.

• a bath bomb from Anchor Organics.

• a craft kit from Black Star Studios.

• chocolates from Gimme Some Sugar Candy Co. • ginger matcha spirits from Taynton Bay Spirits.

• chocolate from Wild Mountain Chocolate.

Each box also comes with one hefty helping of feeling good about supporting local businesses.

Orders must be received by April 3. All boxes will be delivered locally on April 10, just in time for Easter.

Shoppers must be 19+.

To place your order, visit https://tayntonbayspirits.com/products/valley-strong-box?fbclid=IwAR2i-WouEwmzO3Y5YwRdCBmrInoRkO01OyfVPJroVF9Z11gXIDEuFIbmolA (Make sure to select the ‘pick up’ shipping option to avoid shipping charges.)

Cheers to your time at home!

Full Service Gas at Self-Serve Price ● Propane/Diesel ● Convenience Store

DISCOVERER A/T3™• DISCOVERER S/T MAXX™

OPEN 7 am – 6 pm with restricted access to the convenience store.

Please bring your credit or debit cards as preferred methods of payment.

We’re Open!

3 - 140 Industrial Rd #2, Invermere, B.C. • 250-342-9316

DELIVERY AND TAKEOUT 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday - Thursday 4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday

SPECIALS FAMILY PACK 3 large (12” ) pizzas – Cheese, Pepperoni and Pepperoni & Mushroom.

Add a large Caesar salad for $9.99 + GST

$

4999

+GST

SPAGHETTI With meat sauce or tomato sauce.

Add a large Caesar salad for $9.99 + GST

$

1499

+GST

PARTY PACK 4 large (12”), 2 topping pizzas Add a large Caesar salad for $9.99 + GST

$

TEMPORARILY CLOSED

The Columbia Valley Pioneer is here to help you!

$

29

+GST

DAILY SPECIAL – BUY A FAVOURITE PIZZA Add a Large Cheese for $10+GST or add a Large Pepperoni for $12 + GST

250-688-3344 pizzeriamercato.com

Da Bu ily dg Sp et eci Fr als ien & dl y Cannabis & Accessories

We’re Open:

+GST

99

Visit us on Highway 93/95 between Invermere and Windermere

We are making every effort to support our local businesses during this difficult time.

Advertise here to let people know that you’re are still open.

5999

2 LARGE (12”) PEPPERONI

THANK YOU!

We would also like to thank all of our customers for their support at this time.

Monday to Saturday: 10am - 8pm Sunday: 11am - 8pm

We are limiting our service calls to emergencies only. Please stay healthy!

Phone: 250-342-5089 Contact Amanda Nason for more information. Cell: 250-341-1111

Safe Shopping Sanitize - Physical Distance Call ahead for a private pick-up!

250-688-9798 Unit #103 905 7th Ave (Parkside Place)

April 2, 2020

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 11

HERE TO SERVE YOU BUSINESS OF THE WEEK

SERVICES

SERVICES

HANG IN THERE COLUMBIA VALLEY!

SERVICE EXCELLENCE

North American Warranty

IN THE COLUMBIA VALLEY

SINCE 1991

All Makes and Models

ICBC Glass Repair Out of Province Vehicle Inspections Auto Body Repairs • Painting • Quality Parts

Tire Sales and Installation

We give all students 15% off with valid student ID

141 Industrial Rd. 2 • 250-342-9424 • Open Monday - Saturday, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm Your Chamber is here to support you during this challenging time. Stay up to date with reliable, local information by visiting

www.cvchamber.ca

COLUMBIA VALLEY

Sales ~ Service ~ Installation

UNIVERSAL DOORS & EXTERIORS

Call for your FREE consultation and estimate

Arnold Scheffer 250-342-6700

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOIN YOUR CHAMBER AND REAP THE REWARDS! P. 250-342-2844 E. membership@cvchamber.com

• Air Conditioning/Heat Pumps • Fireplaces • Full Heating and Ventilation Systems

unidoorext@live.ca • unidoorext.ca

WETT Certified

Industrial ~ Commercial ~ Residential

PHARMACIES

WINDOW COVERINGS SHOWROOM

LAMBERT-KIPP

• • • •

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

P H A R M A C Y ( 2 0 1 9 ) LT D .

Come in and browse our giftware

Irena Shepard, B.Sc. (Pharm.)., Émilie Lamoureux, Pharm D., Laura Kipp, Pharm D. Your Compounding Pharmacy

Open Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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

KITCHEN CABINETS & COUNTER TOPS

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

th

1301 - 7 Avenue, Invermere

250-342-6612

KOOTENAY SOCIALS

INSURANCE

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING LET US CREATE A PERSONALIZED SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY TO HELP GROW YOUR BUSINESS!

P.O. Box 130 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Office: 250-342-2175 • Fax: 250-342-2669 Cindy.mackay@kootenayinsurance.ca

www.kootenayinsurance.ca

Andrea Meadus 250-342-9082 kootenaysocials@gmail.com www.kootenaysocials.ca

East Kootenay Electrical Services

Patryk Jagiello

Licensed Contractor

STAIN/LACQUER/PAINT INTERIOR/EXTERIOR

Cell: 250.341.1342 Fax: 250.342.8733 E-mail: ekelectric@telus.net

patco_dev@shaw.ca

(250) 270-0345 in Calgary since 2002 in Invermere since 2004

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

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

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL

Patco Developments Ltd.

INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD.

PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS

(Servicing the Valley since 1999)

Scott Postlethwaite Residential, Commercial Electric Furnace and Hot Water Tank Repair and Service For All Your Electrical Needs

N E W S PA P E R

Phone: 250-341-6299 • info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Box 2206 Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0

Free Estimates th

invermereelectric@gmail.com

1710 10 Avenue – Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0

NEW SEWER CAMERA

• 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

12 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

April 2, 2020

HERE TO SERVE YOU LANDSCAPING

LANDSCAPING

Professional Arborist Services

WHOLE 9 YARDS MOWING

Trusted Columbia Valley Tree Experts for 10 Years • • • • • Invermere BC Golden BC

Consulting/Arborist Reports Hazard Tree Removal Tree and Shrub Pruning WCB Certified Fallers ISA/ITA Certified Arborists

250-341-7029 250-344-0188

• • • • •

Tree Health Evaluations Stump Grinding Fire Fuel Reduction Golf Course/Strata Tree Risk Assessments

Call Wayne at 250-341-5512

Spring Cleanups Mowing Contracts

Rooted in the Columbia Valley. Est. 2007 www.greenleaftree.ca

CONTRACTING

info@greenleaftree.ca

CONTRACTING

CONTRACTING

Dale Elliott Contracting

Specializing in all heating, electric, gas and wood.

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

• 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

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

• • • • •

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

CONCRETE I N

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

READY MIX CONCRETE Concrete Pump • Sand & Gravel Heavy Equipment Rentals • Crane Service Proudly Serving the Valley for over 50 years

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

P U R S U I T

O F

EXCELLENCE Skandia Concrete

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

• Manufacturers & suppliers of quality concrete & gravel products • Experienced, professional operators and the right equipment to get your job done • Serving the valley for over 30 years

• Environmentally responsible • Steamed aggregate beds for top quality year-round concrete supply • We stand behind our service, quality and products

1756 Hwy 93/95 Windermere B.C. Office: 250-342-6500 • Toll Free: 1-888-341-2221

CARPET CLEANING

CONCRETE

Columbia Concrete Inc.

East Kootenay Plumbing Services & Renovations

20 years’ experience • Anything concrete!

Available 24/7 TILE AND GROUT CLEANING

Red Seal Journeyman Plumbers/Gasfitters (B)

eastkootenayplumbing@yahoo.com 250-272-3374

Invermere, B.C.

CONCRETE

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

PLUMBING

250-341-7098

Business: 250-342-9692

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

• • • •

Basements Garage pads Driveways Patios

• • • •

Decorative Exposed Stamped concrete Acid staining

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

ptarmiganrugclean@gmail.com

250-688-3739

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

Serving the Columbia Valley

April 2, 2020

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 13

P IONEER C LASSIFIEDS S OBITUARY S Lindsay, Janice October 16, 1951 – March 25, 2020

CHEERS & JEERS

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

CHEERS & JEERS

We now have

A&W ROOTBEER

Janice Elizabeth (Jan) Lindsay of Calgary, Radium Hot Springs, BC and Palm Desert, California, much loved and cherished wife of Dexter Lindsay and Special Gramma to Ethan and Lindsay Campbell, passed from this world on to her next adventure on March 25, 2020 at Agape Hospice in Calgary.

Born in Yellowknife, NWT she was the only daughter of Daisy and Curt Halladay, a pioneer schoolteacher and a gold miner. The family moved to Calgary in 1965 where Jan graduated from William Aberhart High School. After a short time with a large company, her entrepreneurial beliefs led her to purchase Execucare Plus, a Calgary office service business. After managing this successful business through the up and down years of the 80’s and opening several business centres in the downtown area, she decided that her real love was in commercial design. She spent several years designing and building corporate offices for large companies in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.

Together with Dexter, she built a new home in Radium Hot Springs in 1999 and decided to spend more of her life there, enjoying the mountains and all they offered: golfing, quading, kayaking and building a wonderful landscape around their new home.

In 2002, Jan and Dexter purchased a winter home in Palm Desert, California where they spent 18 years building friendships with Canadians and Americans alike. Over those 18 years she organized many golf events including a very successful CanAm Tournament, which she ran for 10 years with special USA friends Kay & Dick Bathurst. It became an annual event cherished by all.

Jan was also an insatiable world travel adventurer, having visited every continent, and every country in Europe but Portugal.

Portugal was scheduled for 2020.

In the Fall of 2019, while preparing to head south for the winter, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. After a valiant 5-month struggle to free herself from the disease, she departed from this world to begin her new adventures and meet up with old friends.

Jan is loved dearly by two daughters, Julie (Craig) Campbell in Calgary, and Elizabeth “Beth” in New Westminster, BC; honourary daughter, Kim Walsh of Cornwall, Ontario; and her two favourite people in the whole world, Ethan (Bonnie) Campbell and Lindsay (Matt) Campbell both of Calgary.

Jan’s Family would like to say a very loud “THANK YOU” to the extremely talented, world class people of the Foothills Thoracic Surgery Team, the Oncology Team, the Palliative Care Team and all the staff on Unit 61, as well as the caring folks at Agape Hospice. You people are all so caring and wonderful. A special THANKS to Dr. Kathleen Young of CVFP whose support and caring have provided comfort during these trying days.

Out of respect for the scourge that is infecting the world at this time, we will delay having a celebration of Jan’s life until late Spring or Summer. Please forward condolences through www.albertaburialandcremation.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favourite charity or Jan’s favourite, the Invermere Companion Animal Network (ICAN), PO Box 2448, Invermere, BC, V0A 1K0. All charities are going through a time of great need during this virus crisis, so your gifts will be greatly appreciated.

ALBERTA BURIAL & CREMATION SERVICES Telephone: (403) 299-0123

Containers of Cheers to Taynton Bay Distillery for stepping up with your awesome community service in our time of need, from myself and all the people I shop for. What an exemplary model of helping each other out and getting through this together!

Cheers to PK for taking the time out of her day to do our grocery shopping while we are in 14-day quarantine.

Cheers to the Girl Guides for donating cookies to the Lakeview Manor. Greatly appreciated!

CHEERS & JEERS

CHEERS & JEERS

A big Cheers to Stacey for delivering supplements for my dog all the way from Cranbrook to Fairmont, free of charge and out of goodness in your heart.

Much appreciated!

Cheers to the people of Columbia Valley that are supporting the hospital staff with N95 masks, handmade OR caps and any other donations. Your generosity is exceptional.

Cheers to the Canal Flats Family Pantry for taking grocery orders and delivering them to our step. We are so lucky to have you do this for the people who are in need and cannot go to the store. Our small community appreciates all you do!

CHEERS to Roberta and Dietje who picked up many bags of litter along the highway between Edgewater and the transfer station. JEERS to the many who left the litter.

Jeers to the person(s) who have been stealing my wood for a while now. Clever you to steal from a widowed senior citizen.

S OBITUARY S

S OBITUARY S

Traudl Bowron

Gibb-Messner, Yvonne

December 1940 – March 2020 Traudl Bowron (79) passed away peacefully March 19, 2020 at Invermere & District Hospital.

Born Traudl Schaarschmidt on December 18, 1940 in Mannheim, Germany, she was 12 when her family immigrated to Canada in 1952. Traudl grew up and completed her schooling in Invermere, BC. In 1959 Traudl married her husband Brian and they moved about, living in various communities throughout BC, in the course of his job.

During those years they planned and built their home, knowing they wanted to come back to settle and raise their family in Invermere.

Traudl was an avid downhill and cross-country skier who enjoyed hiking, gardening and the outdoors in general.

Kootenay National Park and Banff were among her favorite places to hike and bird-watching was one of her favorite things to do. She was a good friend and neighbour and will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Her beautiful smile and delightful laugh will remain in the hearts of all who knew her.

Traudl is survived by her husband Brian, and sons Karl (Pat) and Mark (Sherry); three granddaughters, Channing, Karyssa and Devenee and 2 great-grandchildren, Bentley and Phaeton.

Traudl was predeceased by her parents Erich Schaarschmidt and Wilma Toetter and her stepfather Paul Toetter.

At Traudl’s request, there will be no public service. In lieu of flowers the family asks those who wish to honor her to make a donation to the charity of their choice.

We would also like to thank all the Home Care Workers, Doctors, Nurses and Staff at Invermere & District Hospital and Columbia House for the loving care they gave to Traudl.

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Services.

Condolences for the family can be offered at www.mcphersonfh.com

October 28th, 1957 – March 18th, 2020 “Life is about embracing all that comes your way.”

Well I have dragged my heels, procrastinated, and stretched time as far as I can, but it has come to the point of saying goodbye.

As much as I am saddened to be writing my farewell, I also must give thanks for all the blessings I received during my lifetime.

I was born to Phyllis and Stan Gibb, a true Columbia Valley ranching couple, who believed family was to be treasured.

Brother Jim (1945) and sister Sharon (1947) joined Mom and Dad first. I came along to join them in 1957 (late as usual). All three of us siblings enjoyed a childhood of unconditional love and support, punctuated with the occasional, much needed, kick in the butt for motivation.

Sharon met her soul mate Leslie and Jim found his soul mate Margie then late as usual, I found my soul mate Gary in 1980.

We started our journey and have spent the last forty years filling our life with joy, sorrow, happiness, grief, ugliness and beauty. A good life we had, at least in my eyes because we did it together.

We were blessed with two children; Amy and Paul, who have grown into responsible, compassionate and capable adults who in turn found their soul mates to give their unconditional love and support to. Our four grandchildren, Madisen, Major, Oliver and Juliet are every Grandma’s dream come true. I definitely was given a family I was proud to be a part of. To the people who entered my life and actually stayed around, your friendship gave me a sense of belonging that I had never felt before. That was a gift beyond measuring. I do not know how to thank you for enriching my life and giving it meaning. You are all amazing.

Paddy, you know what you meant to me. We were supposed to retire together.

I have requested cremation with no service to follow. I was thinking that a more fitting tribute would be to finish that damn brick wall! LOL. Til we meet again, hugs.

Pioneer Classified Advertising 250-341-6299

Jeers to any neighbour who thinks it’s okay to be super loud/ignorant before 9 a.m.

Be considerate of the people around you.

Yvonne

14 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

April 2, 2020

S OBITUARY S Stieger, John “Jay” Macdonald October 9th, 1954 – March 22nd, 2020 Jay passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones in the place he loved most, Invermere, B.C., after a short battle with liver cancer.

CHEERS & JEERS

CHEERS & JEERS

STORAGE

Cheers to all of you who come to work to serve our needs, to all of you who stay home so we are less at risk, and to all the extra kindness and compassion happening in our amazing valley.

Cheers to Dee Conklin for the unconditional love and support she is giving to my husband and I during this coronavirus pandemic. The daily telephone calls, the trips to the pharmacy to pick up prescriptions and the trips for groceries and other necessities. There is an old saying, “if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.” In spite of her busy schedule, she is always there for us, and we just want her to know how much we appreciate everything she is doing.

NEWHOUSE STORAGE Various sizes available.

Now with climatecontrolled units.

Call 250-342-3637.

Jeers to our valley for getting busier and busier with nonresidents. Sure, you own here, but is it your primary residence?

No! What happens when you get sick and we can’t accommodate the extra bodies in our hospital?

Extra Jeers to those who then all go shopping TOGETHER in the General Store. We are blessed to have such a facility open to us at this time and have people without transportation relying on this service and you are jeopardizing that without care for anyone around you.

Jay fell in love with the Columbia Valley in 1986 when he purchased his first cabin. Since 2010 he and his wife Denise have called the Valley their permanent home. Jay loved to spend time at the lake with friends and family enjoying campfires and the starlit skies at night. Jay had a passion for cars and traveling, he and his wife Denise enjoyed travelling the world together.

Jay’s spirit will live on in his four daughters, to whom he embodied everything about the word “Dad”. “Papa” or “Papa the Purple Pie Man” as he was lovingly known to his grandchildren, will continue to guide them through stories told and memories shared.

His gentle personality, wonderful smile and unforgettable laugh will be greatly missed by his family and all that all the knew him.

Jay is survived by his wife Denise, Father John F. Stieger, his daughters Kiersten (Mark) of Calgary, Lauren (Daryl) of Edmonton, Tarilyn (Ryan) of Redwood Meadows and Brooke (Julian) of Dallas, Texas. Six grandchildren, Chloe, Alexis, Lenna, Kaydence, Lucy and Edie. He was predeceased by his mother Norma Stieger.

Heartfelt thoughts of gratitude and Huge Cheers to all the doctors, pharmacists, medical staff, grocery store owners and their staff and restaurants with take-out only services for their ongoing dedicated efforts to keep us safe and well fed during this trying time.

There will be no services at this time. Donations in Jay’s honour can be made to the Star’s Air Ambulance and Make a Wish Foundation.

Pioneer Classified Advertising 250-341-6299

BRYANT, Helen Isabel April 23, 1930 - March 21, 2020

She married Vernon Bryant in December of 1948 and the stayed on the farm taking over the farming duties from her parents.

They remained on the farm where they very successfully raised Simmental cattle until Vern’s passing in 2001. They had two children, Velma Helen and Vernon Harry. Along with farming Helen worked several outside jobs as well such as camp cooking, working for the BC Forest Service Tree Planting and checking weather stations. After Vern’s passing, she purchased a condo in Golden and in 2011

moved to Kamloops to a seniors home.

Mom was an excellent cook and always had cakes and cookies on hand for the many visitors to the farm over the years. She enjoyed knitting, playing cards, gardening, and being involved in many community events. She later always enjoyed having the family come home for a weekend and preparing wonderful meals.

RUSHMERE! SMALL ACREAGE- 1.1 ACRES, FULLY SERVICED

$199,900 4516 Rushmere Road • MLS: 2442400 (Brokerage ~ Rockies West Realty)

BUYING OR SELLING gerrytaft.ca

Look up to a higher standard with our classified ads.

Pioneer Classifieds

Spic N Span Cleaning Services

250-342-5245

Office cleaning.

Now taking new clients.

Please contact Amanda at 250-688-1259 for more information.

ELKHORN COUNTRY ESTATES Phases 1 and 2 sold out.

Selling Phase 3 now. 2.5 to 4.7 acre parcels. Starting at $189,000 + GST. No building time commitment.

Phone Elkhorn Ranch 250-342-1268 www.elkhornranches.com ACREAGE FOR SALE 4.7 acres. Has its own gravelled road access from Kootenay #3.

Road already constructed.

Drilled well, views, privacy. $219,000 + GST. Phone Elkhorn Ranch, 250-342-1268.

WANTED Cash for gold and silver! Also buying coin collections, old money old jewelry Contact Todd 1-250-864-3521.

Top Quality Hay Round bales.

Stored in shed. Phone Elkhorn Ranch 250-342-1268.

FIREWOOD

A celebration of life will be held at a later date due to the covid virus at this time.

N E W S PA P E R

info@columbiavalleypioneer.com Ph: 250-341-6299

Specializing in chain saws, tillers, trimmers and lawn mower repairs and maintenance.

It’s time to get your tools tuned up and ready for spring!

Industrial #2 Road across from NAPA Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

250-341-2551 Offering excellent service and fair pricing!

“Rocky Mountain Land Man”

MISC. FOR SALE

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Overlander Residential Care for all their kindness and care in Mom’s last months.

LEE’S SMALL ENGINE REPAIR SHOP

Managing Broker

Rockies West Realty Independently owned and operated

Helen was predeceased by her parents, Helen and Harry Sykes, her husband, Vernon and her son, Harry. Left to mourn her passing are her daughter Velma (Eugene) Cimolini, daughter-inlaw Shirley Bryant, four grandchildren, and numerous great grandchildren.

As an expression of sympathy, donations in Helen’s memory can be made to the charity or organization of your choice.

BARRY BROWN-JOHN

b.brownjohn@gmail.com

CALL 250-341-1202

S OBITUARY S With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Helen Isabel Bryant in Kamloops, BC on March 21, 2020, one month before her 90th birthday.

Helen was born on April 23, 1930 in Calgary, Alberta to Helen and Harry Sykes. She grew up on the farm in Spillimacheen (former Galena, BC).

She attended school in Galena until Grade six and when the school closed due to not enough pupils, she went to Harrogate for two years--riding a horse seven miles each way, and in winter by horse and sleigh. For Grade nine she went to Kamloops to St. Anne’s Academy but the school burned before completion of year and she finished school by correspondence.

Weekly Featured Listing

ACREAGE FOR SALE

SERVICES

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

Heaven’s Best Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Environmentally friendly products. Dry in 1 hour! Our disinfectant is formulated to kill COVID-19. Call 250-688-0213 B.B.’s Home & Lawn Care Services Renovations, Handyman Repairs, Small moves, Dump runs, House Checks, House Cleaning, Spring/Yard Maintenance, Eavestroughs, Tree removal. 250-688-2897.

Pike Contracting Excavating and Skid Steer services.

Call Jason 250-342-5277.

A.J. Siding and Eavestrough Serving the Valley for 26 years.

5” continuous gutter.

All types of siding, soffit and facia. Your low cost eavestrough company.

Phone Joe Bateman 250-342-7177.

LESSONS/TRAINING 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 DIVING lessons.

Learn to swim at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Email info@ rockymountainswimlessons.ca..

Have something to say? Letters to the editor can be e-mailed to news@columbiavalleypioneer.com

April 2, 2020

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 15

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

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 years’ 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.

Eagle Ranch Resort, Invermere, BC is searching for full-time, seasonal, professional certified cooks to join our team! Previous cooking experience required.

You possess a “Can Do” attitude and a “Service Beyond” mentality. $15 - $20 per hour based on experience, plus gratuities. Subsidized on-site staff housing available. Email: careers@eagleranchresort. com or come and see us at our location!

Invermere Petro-Can is currently accepting resumes for F/T and P/T employment. Wages starting at $15/hr. Apply in person to 185 Laurier Street, Invermere between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

GET RESULTS! Reach almost 2 million people in 95 papers for only $395/week for a 25-word text ad, or $995/week for a formatted display ad

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INDIAN BEACH ESTATES EDUCATION AND SAMPLE COLLECTION ASSISTANT Deadline to Apply: April 10, 2020 Term: May 11, 2020 to August 28, 2020 Compensation: $15/hour Location: Columbia Valley, BC Eligibility: Must be between 15 and 30, and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial legislation and regulations.

Job Description: The Education and Sample Collection Assistant will work alongside trained scientists and citizen scientists. They will assist in the collection of water quality and quantity samples and measurements, provide educational materials to community members and tourists through community outreach, and promote our initiatives at various community events. The successful candidate will also educate boaters about invasive species and check for those species. The Assistant will work up to 30 hours a week, with some evening and weekend shifts required.

Full job description available at www.columbialakess.com/hiring Apply To: columbialakess@shaw.ca Re: Education and Sample Collection Assistant

Recycle? Yes or no?

Attention

Get the BC RECYCLEPEDIA App

Inventors!

Ideas wanted!

Call Davison today!

1.800.218.2909 or visit us at inventing.davison.com/BC

Free inventor’s guide!

www.rcbc.ca RECYCLING COUNCIL OF B.C. MEMBER

Property Contractor IBE Grounds, Operations and Maintenance Indian Beach Estates (IBE) is a community of 140 residences south of Windermere. It includes common areas, recreational facilities, playground, roadways, and a community water system.

Position Description This is a contract position, part-time with a flexible schedule, seasonally busier May to September, and quieter October to April. You will be a contractor, not an employee of IBE, and will be responsible for your own payroll deductions and taxes, and required to carry liability and WCB coverage.

Responsibilities You, the contractor, will manage and maintain the grounds and related operations of IBE, including lawn care and landscaping, facilities and equipment maintenance, drinking water system operations, roadways and snow removal, light construction projects, and protecting community property and security. You will report to the appointed representative, interact and communicate with community residents and the Board Of Directors.

Qualifications We are looking for someone with similar or related property maintenance experience, or familiar with the skill requirements to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. A Small Water System (SWS) Level 1 Certification or higher is an asset, but not mandatory as training may be available. You must be familiar with and safely able to operate basic hand and power tools, lawn maintenance equipment including a light yard tractor, and possess general working knowledge of electricity, plumbing, and carpentry.

This is physical outdoor work and you must be able to easily lift 60 pounds.

The job requires organizational, oral and written communication skills, computer, Internet and email abilities. We want a friendly, enthusiastic, integral and reliable person who will take pride in their work and the community they serve.

Compensation is very good and based upon experience and qualifications.

Please email your resume to communications@indianbeachestates.com with Property Contractor in the title. Applications will be accepted until Monday, April 13, 2020.

16 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

April 2, 2020

FAITH LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH Sundays 10:30 a.m.

Worship Service & K.I.D.S. Church 326 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 • www.lwac.ca

WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY ANGLICAN-UNITED Due to COVID 19 and safety for all, our diocese has made the decision to cancel all services and public gatherings in our Windermere Valley Shared Ministry church buildings until further notice. This will include the following congregations/locations: ANGLICAN UNITED 1. Christ Church Trinity, Invermere 2. All Saints, Edgewater 3. St. Peter’s (The Stolen Church), Windermere LUTHERAN St. Peter’s Lutheran Mission (Christ Church Trinity Chapel), 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

Are you a senior over 65 who requires non-medical support to stay in your own home?

If so, we can help!

Call Jennifer at Family Dynamix at 250-342-5566 to find out about the Columbia Valley Better at Home services.

Loving in dangerous times

By Pastor Murray Wittke Valley Christian Assembly Grandma and Grandpa Johnson were married on Groundhog’s Day 1915 near Edmonton, Alberta.

She was 19. He was 27.

They travelled by horsedrawn buggy to Grandpa’s homestead 12 miles south of Provost, a tiny community near the Saskatchewan border. There, out on the open plains in a small wood frame cabin, they settled down and began a family.

Their first child was born before the end of the year. A second followed in the spring of 1917. Grandma cooked on a wood stove, fetched water from a pump in the yard, tended a large garden, raised chickens and milked cows. She made a few pennies selling eggs and cream. Grandpa plowed fields and did rough carpentry for extra cash. With their neighbours they built a simple country church. Sunday after Sunday they gathered to give thanks, praise the Lord and pray for God to bless

their families and crops.

On Sunday January 26, 1919, folks at church noticed the Johnsons were missing. The next day Grandpa’s brother rode over through the snow to check on them.

Everything was quiet. Peering in the window he saw Grandma and Grandpa in bed with the kids. Everyone was burning with fever and Grandma was in labour. The deadly Spanish influenza, which swept across the prairies like a grassfire killing 50,000 Canadians in weeks, had come. Later that day Grandpa helped Grandma deliver their third child. Neighbours came to their aid. The baby survived and everyone eventually recovered.

The following years brought more children and challenges: drought, dust storms, grasshoppers, the great depression, World War II and a move to B.C. to start all over living in a chicken coop. Through everything Grandma and Grandpa continued to love their neighbours, love God and love each other. In the summer of 1968, after fifty-three years of marriage, Grandpa said goodbye for the last time. In 1984 Grandma was laid beside him.

Though many years have passed since we were together, their courage, faith and love inspires me today. We don’t know what tomorrow holds but the lives of many of our grandparents encourage us to trust God and take care of one another in dangerous times.

Fire truck fun for COVID-cancelled birthday parties in Invermere

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com Birthdays are going to be a little more subdued in the Columbia Valley, and indeed right across the country, for the next few weeks, as the COVID-19 outbreak and the requisite social distancing it entails leaves kids unable to have friends over for parties.

Well, if you can’t have a full crew of rambunctious pre-schooler excitement ripping around your backyard (or through your living room, if you are unlucky enough to get rained out), you can at least still have a fire truck’s worth of big, shiny red fun.

The Invermere fire department is offering to do a fire truck drive by on your kid’s big day.

Invermere fire chief Jason Roe and his wife Tanya were sitting at home with their family reflecting on two different kids they knew who had had cancelled birthday parties due to COVID-19, and wondering if there was something that could be done, when the idea for the fire truck drive by struck.

“COVID-19 has put a damper on many things,” Jason told the Pioneer. “It’s kind of difficult for the kids because they may not really understand the whole situation. So we thought if there’s something we can do to put smiles on their faces, then we should do it.”

The fire department is taking precautions to ensure fire fighters maintain social distancing while do-

Unsplash photo by Philip Wyers ing the birthday drive bys, with only two fire fighters per drive by, and will be coordinating the drive bys with regular fire equipment maintenance checks that would have had to happen no matter what, so that fire fighters are not leaving their homes any more often than they otherwise would.

“We want to make sure we are doing our part and not creating any more exposure for our fire fighters than we otherwise would,” said Jason.

The idea has proved enormously popular so far, after Tanya posted it on Facebook.

“We have 10 to do already,” said Jason. “Really, what kid wouldn’t like it? Kids just seem to love fire trucks and firefighters.” Anybody interested in having a fire truck drive by on their kid’s birthday in Invermere can reach out to Jason at jroe@invermere.

Angel flights paused Resource, Development & Advocacy

Family Dynamix acknowledges that we deliver services on the unceded territory of the Ktunaxa and Secwepemc people”

Angel Flight East Kootenay, a charity providing free flights to Kelowna for those in the East Kootenays, has paused its operations at least until April 15 due to the pandemic. Those who have medical appointments after April 15 can fill out a flight request online at www.AngelFlightEK.ca