Columbia Valley Pioneer - December 25, 2025

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Serving the Upper Columbia Valley including Akisq’nuk and Shuswap First Nations, Spillimacheen, Brisco, Edgewater, Radium, Invermere, Windermere, Fairmont and Canal Flats

PIONEER THE COLUMBIA VALLEY

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Once again, the colourful Holiday Train put many residents in the Christmas spirit as it rolled through the Columbia Valley last week.

RADIUM POOL FEES RISE AGAIN

PHOTO JUSTIN SAIN

Personal Real Estate Corporation

250-341-7600

250-341-1395

DECEMBER 25, 2025

VOLUME 22 / ISSUE 52

Geoff

Paul Glassford

PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

Holiday Train

5 IT'S OFFICIAL: STR FEES GOING UP

9 HOUSING BILL WORRIES MUNICIPALITIES

13 SEANROGGEMAN

Personal Real Estate Corporation

Happy Holidays!

FROM THE ROGGEMANS

SEAN: 250-341-5445

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS, WE WISH YOU A HAPPY AND HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON

Rockies West Realty Independently owned and operated

2

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

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

DECEMBER 25, 2025

VALLEY VIEWS

Serving The Columbia Valley

Auto Glass Replacement & Chip Repair Shower Doors | Windows | Mirrors & Railings 250-342-3659 info@invermereglass.com

Columbia Valley Search and Rescue is now taking applications for new members.

If you are interested in joining the team and want to give back to your community, email: info@columbiavalleysar.ca for an application.

Applications close January 31, 2026.

Successful applicants will be notified by February 28, with course work commencing approximately late April.

Merry Christmas!

In top photo, Syd Danis captures a bighorn ram gazing through another snowfall. Above, photographer Justin Sain snaps a foggy day travelling into Radium just before the new wildlife overpass. A spray-on green has been applied to stimulate regrowth.

Merry ARTISTS CALL OUT Christmas!

PYNELOGS

ART GALLERY INVERMERE BC

Submissions are now open for our ~ Art is for Everyone ~ 2026 Gallery Season, and we warmly Send us your application along with images of your artwork to invite artists to apply! Please submit cvartscurator@gmail.com your applications by January 31, 2026.

DECEMBER 25, 2025

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

VALLEY NEWS

3

Ski hill needs help from Mother Nature Columbia Valley Pioneer staff Fairmont Hot Springs Resort ski hill seemed unlikely to open for Christmas as this issue of the Pioneer went to press, unless Santa had a big blast of cold weather and huge dump of snow for the Columbia Valley in his bag.

The ski hill has been the subject of endless rumours through the fall about whether the ski season would be altered or delayed after multiple senior staff at the hill resigned from their positions.

In October the resort said on social media the ski hill was “scheduled to open as usual” and announced it had hired Stan Kelly as its new director of ski and golf.

In November another series of posts from the resort highlighted efforts made to get the hill ready, showing resort staff placing chairs on the chairlift cable, and showing ski gear in the rental shop.

“We will not open any terrain until we are confident conditions are safe for guests.”

- Jesse Ferguson Fairmont ski hill

These posts generated some positive responses from commenters, but also sparked pointed questions from others, including several wondering if the resort’s popular ski school programs would be running this winter.

On Wednesday, Nov. 19, the resort replied to one of these questions that “we normally open the ski hill around December 21 each year.” But recent weeks have seen warmer temperatures, frequently above the freezing point, as well as a mix of snow and drenching rain in the lower elevations of the Columbia Valley, including at the Fairmont ski hill.

On Monday, Dec. 15, the resort posted on social media “We’re excited for ski season at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, but we need a little help from Mother Nature. Cold temperatures for snowmaking and natural snowfall haven’t arrived yet, so we don’t have a confirmed opening date. Our team is ready and wait-

ing—opening day will depend entirely on the weather.”

That post drew both positive and negative comment from the public, as well as more questions about ski school.

“Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow,” wrote Derek MacKenzie Mawbey, in a comment typical of the positive responses.

In a comment typical of the negative responses, Bailey Drew wrote “Yes I understand it is not ideal snowmaking weather but what about everything else?” Drew cited rental gear and staffing levels at the ski hill, and wondered about the Christmas Eve fireworks and torchlight parade, then added, “I feel it's very unfair to us that we have no answers on anything and that none of the staff has answers to give out.”

Bonnie Kooner agreed with Drew, writing “we've booked ski lessons for the kids weeks before the hill opened in the past, and this year no one answers the phone and emails go unanswered.”

On Friday, Dec. 19 the resort posted five photos on social media of snow guns blowing snow on the hill and said “the weather is finally on our side! Snow guns are up and running.”

The same day Fairmont Hot Springs Resort general manager Jesse Ferguson explained to the Pioneer in an email that “for snowmaking, we require sustained temperatures of approximately -4 degrees Celsius or colder, with daytime temperatures staying below freezing to retain snow. While our team has been diligently making snow as conditions allow, opening the hill is never based on snowmaking alone.”

Ferguson added that “we will not open any terrain until we are confident conditions are safe for guests, which requires a sufficient snow base and full safety assessments. Even when temperatures cooperate, it typically takes quite a few consecutive cold days and nights to build and pack the base responsibly.

We will open as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Regarding ski school, Ferguson outlined that “we are still gauging our position for the season. Like many resorts, we are facing staffing challenges for qualified instructors."

Skiers are patiently waiting for Fairmont ski hill to open for the season.

PHOTO STEVE HUBRECHT

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4

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 25, 2025

SECURITY Est. 2005

RCMP calls for service down

• Uniformed Guards • Mobile Patrol • Alarm Response • Property Checks

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

www.valleyhawk.com Licensed & Insured

250-688-HAWK

Invermere & Surrounding Areas

ROSS’S POOLS & SPAS Commercial – Residential Installation – Maintenance – Repairs

Darren Ross Box 72, Canal Flats, B.C. V0B 1B0

Cell: 250-341-7727 • Fax: 1-778-523-2426 • poolman-911@hotmail.com

VALLEY SOLUTIONS

The Columbia Valley RCMP were slightly less busy this past summer than the summer prior.

Sergeant Jeff Witzke was at last week’s Invermere council meeting, delivering his quarterly report to councillors, and he outlined that from July 1 to September 30 this year, the local detachment dealt with 1,070 files, down slightly from the 1,132 files over the same period the year before.

Of those 1,070 files, 205 (or 19 pert cent) were from the District of Invermere, while the rest were from outlying areas.

Over the summer quarter, the RCMP conducted 54 compliance checks (checking in to see if people are obeying house arrests, curfews, and no contact orders, as well as other court-ordered conditions). They found four people in breach of their conditions. At least one of these individuals had his conditional sentence order cancelled and had to go back to jail.

“Sometimes there are people that should be

on house arrest that are out in the community, because they think they won’t be caught. Now that they know we’re checking more often, it should get better,” said Witzke. “I think it’s pretty effective overall.”

The extra compliance checks are part of a broader effort by the Columbia Valley RCMP to increase its efforts to tackle repeat offenders.

Witzke added that the detachment’s newly promoted Corporal Scott Holden started on July 1 and “hit the ground running, participating in the Canada Day parade.”

Indeed all but one active member of the Columbia Valley RCMP was at the parade. While that may have been normal once upon a time, these days it is typical that even an RCMP detachment “that is double or triple the size (of the Columbia Valley RCMP) won’t see five to six members show up (to Canada Day festivities),” said Witzke. He added the strong turnout of the local detachment reflects the officers’ strong commitment to community policing.

HOME CHECK SERVICES • COLUMBIA VALLEY Peace of mind while you’re away

Services include:

• Regular home checks • Storm & weather damage inspection • Maintenance reporting • Keyholder service

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The Columbia Valley RCMP are conducting extra compliance checks to keep tabs on repeat offenders.

Locally Owned. Reliable. Insured.

Whether you’re gone for a weekend or the whole season, we’ve got you covered.

PHOTO STEVE HUBRECHT

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

DECEMBER 25TH Christmas Dinner & Live Music Three-Course Dinner

Only $59 + tax per person

Scan to view our 3-course Christmas Dinner Menu

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

250-341-4002

Singer & Pianist

Bryant Olender 6pm - 8pm

Join us for a festive evening!

DECEMBER 25, 2025

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

5

Radium pools fees set to rise again

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com Entry fees for the Radium Hot Springs pools are set to rise again soon.

The world-famous Parks Canada-run pools lie just inside the boundary of Kootenay National Park, and when entry costs doubled in early 2023 after nearly two decades of remaining more or less the same, many Columbia Valley residents were upset.

Parks Canada officials at the time defended the move, explaining the price increase merely put the price of the Radium pools on par with other public and private hot springs in British Columbia and Alberta; that the Radium pools had seen substantial infrastructure upgrades in recent years; and that even with fees doubling the pools would not actually generate revenue, but were simply meant to help Parks Canada cover the cost of maintaining and running the facility.

Local residents, on the other hand, pointed out that suddenly the cost of taking a family to the

pools was a good deal more than half a day’s wages (at minimum wage) and questioned whether the pools could really be considered an ‘affordable family activity’.

In early 2024 the prices went up again, by 4.1 per cent. That 2024 fee hike was part of a new cycle of recalibrating entry fees every two years, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

And this cycle is why the prices will go up again, starting on Jan. 1, this time jumping by 10.7 per cent.

The Pioneer spoke with several Columbia Valley residents about the rise. None wanted to give comments on the record, but all were unhappy about the increase.

A Parks Canada press release outlined that the new fees “reflect inflation and a streamlined pricing structure. All pricing and fees are calculated based on a cost recovery model.”

Rental fees for towels and bathing suits will also go up.

At the same time Parks Canada plans to “streamline” admissions fees to just single en-

try, day passes, and annual passes (with different rates for adults, kids, seniors and families). Kids under three years old will remain free, as will designated caregivers. This means Parks Canada will no longer offer group rates, punch cards, gift cards, pre-paid group vouchers and its popular booklets of 10 tickets (which are less expensive than 10 separate entries) for the pools.

“The best way to save is with the Radium Hot Springs pools annual pass,” said Parks Canada in the press release, adding the pass pays for itself after roughly 14 visits.

The next price increase under the two-year recalibration of fees cycle will come on Jan. 1 2028.

Season’s Greetings From the Village of Radium Hot Springs Council and Staff Please join us on New Year’s Eve as the Village is celebrating 35 years as a municipality.

Festivities begin at 3:30pm at Brent’s Shack on Stanley Street and will end with a fireworks display at the Springs Driving Range, 6:30 pm sharp.

Hot dogs, hot chocolate, and birthday cake will be served from Brent’s Shack.

Donations to the Radium Volunteer Fire Department are gratefully accepted.

Merry Christmas!

Fees are going up once again to use the pools at Radium Hot Springs.

FILE PHOTO

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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 25, 2025

OPINION

Our top 10 gift list for holiday Merry Christmas, everyone! And a safe holiday season from the Pioneer.

As loved ones gather and gifts are exchanged, let us not forget the poor, the lonely, and the downtrodden in their quest to find comfort and solace wherever they can in shelters, food banks, and faith-based gatherings.

This may be too much to ask, but let us hope there are cease fires in deadly world conflicts today. Can they not refrain from trying to kill someone with bullets and bombs for one day? Besides, it’s Christmas; a time of peace and joy among men and women. Why is that so hard?

One has to wonder what Russian president Vladimir Putin does for Christmas (celebrated on January 7). He must have family and loved ones that he holds dear, so why does he authorize the killing of mothers, fathers and children in Ukraine? Does he have no conscience? No doubt the ghost of Christmas past will be visiting him.

But let’s push aside these negative thoughts during the holidays.

Just watched a video from a doctor who said that negative thoughts can destroy your brain and contribute to disease such as dementia. It can also cause depression and weakened immunity.

Wouldn’t that be the best Christmas gift to give yourself — to start thinking more positively?

Don’t make it a New Year’s resolution but do it now! You have nothing to lose.

When you Google the top 10 Christmas wish list items, you will see things like LEGO, video games, beauty products and gift cards, but you won’t see the Pioneer’s list, which includes the following: 1. A reduction in intimate partner violence 2. Housing for the homeless 3. Sustainable funding for food banks 4. More support for victims of crime 5. Increased environmental protection 6. Enhanced online protection for youth 7. More sanctions against war crimes 8. Immediate jail term for impaired drivers 9. A new method in prosecuting scammers 10. Donald Trump’s impeachment Even if one of these wishes came true, the world would be a better place.

Lyonel Doherty, editor

Historical Lens

Girl Guides pose for a group photo in Invermere in 1946.

PHOTO WINDERMERE AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Holiday spirit alive and well Talk about the Christmas spirit.

I experienced it recently in an unexpected way and a pair of good samaritans deserve a big cheer!

Last week I ran out of gas right in front of Kicking Horse Coffee. The motorist behind me was helping to push my truck to the side of the road when this young guy with a British accent came up and yelled something at me. I responded positively without really knowing what he said, and he and his companion raced off in the direction of Home Hardware.

I waited several minutes and finally started in the same direction. But I was puzzled. You can’t get gas at Home Hardware. About halfway there, I

stopped and tried to decide what to do. Scanning the area, I eventually saw the couple hurrying back toward the truck. They were coming from the direction of the gas station and the guy was carrying a small red gas container.

By the time I got back to the vehicle, he was screwing a long spout onto the container. Then he proceeded to pour the gas into the truck.

After thanking him most profusely, I pulled out my wallet. He stuck the canister in the back of the truck, and waved me off. Then both he and his companion gave me big smiles, shouted a joyous “Merry Christmas” and hurried away.

This will always be one of my favourite Christmas memories!

Bob Hahn, Invermere

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2013

is independently owned and operated, published weekly by Amanda Nason, President and Publisher, Nason Publishing Limited.

Box 868, #4A, 1014 - 8th Ave., Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Phone: 250-341-6299 | Toll Free: 866-496-8047 info@columbiavalleypioneer.com | www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

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The Columbia Valley Pioneer is available free of charge at 13 essential businesses in the Upper Columbia Valley, limited to one copy per reader. This publication has been made possible by the support of our advertisers and is 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.

DECEMBER 25, 2025

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

7

Woodcarver Park plans being tweaked

By Steve Hubrecht

steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com The planned Woodcarver Park in Radium Hot Springs is getting a redesign, but is still slated to go ahead this coming year.

Construction and material costs have risen dramatically since the park was first designed, so the Radium Village Arts and Culture Society (which is leading the project) is tweaking the concept a bit, mostly by removing a retaining wall, to keep things on budget.

The park will be built to honour iconic former Radium resident and woodcarver Rolf Heer, who had a reputation stretching around the globe.

Heer was an unmissable figure, sporting a long beard and dressing in flowing, red wizard robes and a pointy red hat. He lived in Radium in the Home of a Thousand Faces, his hand-built dwelling that looked partly like a tree fort, partly like a woodworker’s shop, and partly like a wizard’s lair, replete with dozens of totem-pole like carvings on its interior and exterior.

The House of a Thousand Faces — and Rolf himself — were major tourist attractions. Here welcomed countless visitors to his house through the decades, and was especially popular with children. The quirky but remarkable structure featured several times on ‘homes’ shows on major television networks.

In 2018 the famous home was tragically lost in a fire, and then two years later Heer passed away. The Radium Village Arts and Culture Society is fulfilling one of his final wishes by turning his former property into a public park.

The society has worked over the past five years to that end, rais-

ing more than $1million in funds, and creating designs that include a fantastic wooden pavilion in the shape of a pointy wizard hat (exactly the type Heer wore), a two-storey treehouse, a picnic area and more, and that also incorporate several of Heer’s original totem poles that survived in the 2018 fire.

But over the course of those five years, the cost of construction — like virtually everything else in Canada — has been hit by sharp inflation.

Initial estimates had the total costs of the park at $1 million to $1.1 million. But more recent estimates put the price tag closer to $1.6 million.

“There are a lot of moving pieces,” Radium Village Arts and Culture Society president Valerie Bracken told the Pioneer. “So we have to scale back a bit.”

Bracken hastened to add that all the key elements that reflect Heer and his personality — the wooden wizard hat pavilion and the totem poles and other pieces of his art, for instance — will remain. What will be removed from the design is a planned retaining wall along the park’s southeastern edge.

The land the park will be built on is a thin, narrow isosceles triangle of a parcel, wedged between Highway 93 and Madsen Road (a delightfully unconventional property for a delightfully unconventional man) and the retaining wall would have helped level off a gentle natural slope, creating more flat space for the park.

But that retaining wall costs $700,000, and is the single largest expense in the initial park design.

Since it had no erosion-prevention or geotechnical function, it simply makes sense to drop it, explained

Bracken.

The new design and associated logistics should be finalized soon, she said.

“It’s in the hands of architects and engineers. We are very close now. Once we have that done, we will put it out for tender as soon as possible.”

Bracken outlined a need to move quickly, since one of the major grants the project secured came with a time limit.

“The funding will expire.

We have to get the park built this year. We are in crunch time. I promised Rolf we’d build the park, and we will,” said Bracken.

The Radium Village Arts and Culture Society continues work on Woodcarver Park in tribute to iconic former resident Rolf Heer, seen in this photo wearing his wizard garb.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

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ATTENTION DOG OWNERS in Electoral Areas F and G It is a requirement of the Regional District of East Kootenay’s Dog Control Bylaw that all dogs in Electoral Areas F and G must be licenced.

2026 DOG LICENCE FEES

Pit Bull Terriers (as defined in Part 2 of the Bylaw) Female or Male - not spayed or neutered Female or Male - spayed or neutered

$1,000 $30 $10

Licence transfer to new owner Licence transfer to new dog Replacement of lost licence

$3 $3 $3

Group licence for kenneled dogs

$150

Columbia Valley Office PURCHASE YOUR RDEK 1164 Windermere Loop Road, Invermere BC, DOG LICENCE AT 250-342-0063

1-888-478-7335 | www.rdek.bc.ca

8

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 25, 2025

UNLIMITED GOLF UNMATCHED VALUE Experience Eagle Ranch as a member: enjoy exclusive benefits, access to premium amenities, and breathtaking views of the Columbia Valley. Play as often as you like all season for less than the cost of a single round per week.

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Purchase your membership before December 31, 2025 and receive a bonus $100 Eagle Ranch Gift Card.

SCAN FOR MEMBERSHIP DETAILS 9581 Eagle Ranch Trail, Invermere, British Columbia V0A 1K3 eagleranchresort.com

DECEMBER 25, 2025

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

9

Invermere increases STR licence fees

By Steve Hubrecht

steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com Short-term rental (STR) licences and permits will cost more in Invermere in the near future.

Invermere councillors have talked about raising STR licence application and renewal fees several times at committee of the whole and council meetings throughout the fall, and finally gave their official approval to the move in early December.

Initial STR licence application fees will jump from $400 to $700, and renewal fees will leap from $150 to $500.

The changes were first proposed by planning consultants in early fall. Council gave initial readings to bylaw amendments to increase the fees in late October, followed by another (third) reading in late November.

At the same November meeting that saw the third reading, several residents voiced opinions against the price hikes, outlining that the changes disproportionally hit people who rent their homes as STRs only a few times a year, and also pointing out that the higher fees

could mean fewer tourists in Invermere during the summer, which could hurt local businesses relying on high-season visitors.

District of Invermere staff had explained at several meetings that the higher fees are simply meant to help the district recover the cost of dealing with the STR licence applications and renewals.

“That directly relates to the diligence that is required from us to process the applications and making sure everything they (the licence applicants) say is true,” Invermere planner Rory Hromadnik reiterated during a December 9 meeting, adding that such checks include making sure fire regulations are being followed and that the listed STR management contacts truly are legitimate and available, among other factors.

Raising the fees has seen “considerable debate and discussion,” Hromadnik reminded councillors.

“You’ve put a lot of work into this and I think we’re on the right track,” Invermere mayor Al Miller told Hromadnik shortly before councillors voted to adopt the higher fees.

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op t S t s ir ! r F u r o u o tT Y h s g i U L Make Holiday on CV DEVELOPED BY

Groundswell Garden of Lights December 22 to January 1

BUILT BY

We’re thrilled to be one of the official sites on the Columbia Valley Tourism Holiday Light Tour!

Photo Credit: D. Hoffgaard Photography

Invermere: corner of 15 Avenue & Westridge Drive groundswellnetwork.ca

Come by nightly from 6–8 PM to walk our beautiful gardens and add your heartfelt message to The Brick’s Forest of Hope.

This event is completely free, thanks to our sponsors!

BUILT BY

10

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

COLUMBIA VALLEY

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

DECEMBER 25, 2025

OUT OF OFFICE…

CVCC - Looking Back It has been an exciting year for the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce; with successful events throughout the year (both new and old), tons of conferences and events attended (representing many facets of the chambers work and advocacy), as well as celebrating and supporting members, 2025 has been a good year, and 2026 promises to be even better.

First and foremost, despite his inevitable protests, we need to celebrate our illustrious leader, CVCC Executive Director Pete Bourke! Amongst a laundry list of accomplishments, in June this year he was named the Chamber of Commerce Executives of British Columbia (CCEBC) 2025 recipient of the prestigious Gerry Frederick Memorial Award for Executive of the Year – Under 500 members.

This award recognizes excellence, leadership, and innovation among Chamber executives across the province. Each year, these awards celebrate those who go above and beyond in advancing their Chambers, empowering their teams, and making a lasting impact in their communities: ‘Bourke’s dedication extends far beyond Chamber operations. He has served as CCEBC President (2022–2024), sits on the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada (CCEC) Board, and is an active

leader in regional housing, economic policy, and rural investment. His holistic, strategic leadership has made the CVCC a national model for rural business advocacy.’

is always an evening to remember; this, the 26th year was no exception, with delicious food, cocktails and celebrating excellence in 10 distinct categories!

Pete has attended too many conferences and events to list, but a few highlights include:

Monthly Chamber Connections casual networking nights continued throughout 2025, celebrating new member venues, as well as past favourites. Stay tuned for bigger and better connections in 2026, starting with a Karaoke Party at McDonalds on January 13.

• BC Chamber – Premier & Cabinet Luncheon (December) • Chamber of Commerce Executives of BC – AGM & Conference (June) • BC Chamber of Commerce – AGM & Conference (June) • Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada – Annual Conference (October) • Canadian Chamber of Commerce – AGM & Conference (October) The Columbia Valley Chamber was pleased to host several successful annual events this year! The annual Business Best Ball Golf Tournament was at the Radium Springs Course this June, and was sold out, with over 140 players in attendance. The Annual Business Excellence Awards Gala in October

For the first time in 2025, the Chamber hosted their Member Spotlight Auction; a way to shine a light on the unique and fantastic goods and services provided by local businesses of all shapes and sizes!

Culminating with a display and feature at Valley Appreciation Day, the auction was a great success, and we can’t wait to feature even more members next year! Speaking of looking forward – the end of January 2026 will be the first CV Chamber Bonshpeel, a fun, one day curling extravaganza!

We had a wonderful year in 2025 and are proud of our service to our members and the Columbia Valley business community as a whole – the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce wishes you and your loved ones the very best of the Holidays!

DECEMBER 25, 2025

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

11

COLUMBIA VALLEY

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Thursday, December 25

Merry Christmas from the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce!

Friday, December 26

• teams of more than 6 will be split into two groups. Ages 19+

• 6:30pm - close: 50/50 in the Legion! Members and guests

welcome!

Saturday, December 27 • 11:00am-3:00pm: Winter Wonderland Market. Radium Hot

Springs Centre. Join us for the Wonderful Winter Wonderland Market at the Radium Hot Springs Centre!

Awesome Vendors, Holiday festive cheer!

• 11:00am-12:30pm: LEGO/Duplo Club Invermere Public Library.

We'll have Lego, Duplo, big blocks & more out to play with on Saturday mornings! All ages welcome.

• 3:00pm-4:30pm: Buddy Reading. Invermere Public Library.

Practice reading aloud one-on-one with a staff member to build skill, confidence and a love of reading! 30 minute sessions at 3:00, 3:30 or 4:00 pm. By Appointment Only!! Contact Invermere Library to sign up.

• 6:30pm: Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion! Members and guests welcome!

• 6:30pm: Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion! Members and guests welcome!

Sunday, December 28 • 11:00am-3:00pm: Winter Wonderland Market. Radium Hot

Springs Centre. Join us for the Wonderful Winter Wonderland Market at the Radium Hot Springs Centre! Awesome Vendors, Holiday festive cheer!

• 2:00pm: Cards, Cribbage and Darts Come to the Legion and

• 1:00pm-3:00pm: Afternoon Social & Gaming Gathering. Radium

have some fun! Members and guests welcome.

Hot Springs Centre. There will be a crib board, dominoes, Mexican train set, Uno, SkipBo, and a Phase 10 card game. We minors are permitted. No cover. encourage anyone who is familiar with these games or who • 7:30pm: Dads Matter. Zoom meeting with host Ben Postmus. wants to bring a favourite game of their own, to come and share Dads connecting, Dads Supporting, Dads Inspiring. Do you have a some fun with your neighbours. We look forward to making this son or daughter with Diverse Abilities? So do I. a fun weekly event. diversefamilyroots@gmail.com • 6:30pm-8:00pm: Second Winds Community Band Practice.

Invermere Catholic Church. New members are welcome! diversefamilyroots@gmail.com Monday, December 29 • 7:00pm-8:00pm: Words & Wine. Radium Library. Join us for deep dives into famed poems by celebrated poets.

• 1:00pm-3:00pm: Winter Holiday Crafternoon. Invermere Public Explorations of what this powerful literature reveals about Library. Drop-in to the Mezzanine for self-led crafts and colouring love, death, loneliness, hope, fear, beauty, power, faith and over the winter break! Crafts will be available while supplies last. doubt, relationships, the search for truth, and endless other All welcome to attend, no registration required. subjects that speak to what it means to be human. Participate • 10:00am-11:00am: Senior's Yoga Columbia Valley in or simply listen to thoughtful and lively conversations with a Centre, Invermere. $2 drop in, open to all seniors. Doors to the hall community of fellow learners. will be opening at 9:30am for indoor walking.

You must be over 19. No familiarity with poetry required! No • 3:00pm-4:30pm: Buddy Reading. Invermere Public Library. pre-registration needed.

Practice reading aloud one-on-one with a staff member to build • 7:30pm: Families on Tuesday. Zoom meeting with host skill, confidence and a love of reading! 30 minute sessions at 3:00, Ben Postmus. Families connecting, Families Sharing, Families 3:30 or 4:00 pm. By Appointment Only!! Contact Invermere Library Supporting Families: Support, Listening, Sharing, Connecting. to sign up. diversefamilyroots@gmail.com • 7:00pm: Live Music Horsethief Creek Pub & Eatery. Accompanied

Tuesday, December 30 • 1:00pm-3:00pm: Holiday Sewcial Hour & Fireside Chat.

Invermere Library. A Holiday Edition of Sewcial Hour! Bring your textile projects or just come and enjoy a cup of tea and connect with other makers. All welcome to attend!

• 10:00am-11:00am: Senior’s Fitness. Columbia Valley Centre,

Invermere. $2 drop in, open to all seniors. Doors to the hall will be opening at 9:30am for indoor walking.

Wednesday, December 31 • 10:00am-11:00am: Senior's Yoga Columbia Valley

Centre, Invermere. $2 drop in, open to all seniors. Doors to the hall will be opening at 9:30am for indoor walking.

• 11:30am-12:30pm: Storytime. Radium Library. Join us for stories, songs, and a craft every Wednesday. Geared towards preschoolers but all are welcome.

• 6:00pm-9:00pm: 50/50. Invermere Legion. All welcome.

12

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 25, 2025

RFE Alarms earns global recognition Columbia Valley, combining cutvalley earlier this year, showcased a general manager Stefan Kuhn.

With this award, RFE Alarms ting-edge solutions with decades of sophisticated, fully connected home A local security company is system built using Resideo tech- continues to demonstrate why it is local expertise. nologies. The installation stood out a trusted, tech-forward leader in the making global waves.

RFE Alarms has been awarded for its complexity, innovation, and “Residential Installation of the Year” seamless integration — earning top at the 2025 Resideo CONNECT con- marks from judges and putting Inown RFE AlarmsWHAT on the ference — an international event vermere’s PROTECTING MATTERS SINCE 1983! celebrating excellence in security international stage in their industry.

“This award is truly a reflection alarms, fire prevention, and HVAC MORE THAN JUST ALARMS… of our amazing team. I'm honoured technologies.

The annual conference, held this to continue my father’s legacy and HOME COMMERCIAL AUDIO & VIDEO SOLUTIONS that&has year at the JW MarriottSECURITY in Los Ange- help secure the community said Scott SOLUTIONS les from October 23–25, ✓welcomed DOORBELLsupported CAMERAS us & since 1983," ✓ INDOOR & OUTDOOR Flowitt approximately 500 attendees from SMART LOCKS SPEAKERS & TV’S ✓ REMOTE ACCESS TO “This project challenged us to around the world, including award- SYSTEMS ✓ CAMERA ✓ MULTI-ROOM AUDIO SECURITY SYSTEMS push the limits on design, customer LOW TEMPERATURE ✓ REMOTE CONTROL winning industry leaders✓from BraSENSORS ✓ WIFI EXPERTS SOLUTIONS experience and overall user-friendly zil, Mexico, Hawaii, and across the ✓ FLOOD SENSORS ✓ CUSTOM HOME THEATRE setup. Our team delivered✓with inUnited States.

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The winning project, completed ers greater reliability, performance, RFE Alarms was awarded 'Residential Installation of the Year' at 2025 Resideo CONNECT.

by RFE Alarms right here in our own and confidence in our systems.” said PHOTOS CHERI HANN

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DECEMBER 25, 2025

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

13

Housing bill worries municipalities

By Steve Hubrecht

steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com A provincial bill intended to help British Columbia’s housing crunch by streamlining building development approvals has raised skeptical eyebrows from many B.C. municipalities, including the Village of Radium Hot Springs and the District of Invermere.

Bill M-216 was introduced in November in the Victoria legislature. Proponents say it will speed up housing construction by requiring local municipal governments to accept technical reports and assessment done by certified professionals licensed under the Professional Governance Act (PGA), without municipal staff reviewing them. (Such municipal reviews are common in many communities, and in fact mandatory in some municipalities.)

Opponents of the bill, which include the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) and multiple local governments, contend the bill removes municipal oversight, creates conflict of interest, and could have other negative consequences.

In late November, Radium Hot Springs councillors voted to oppose the legislation. The resolution they adopted noted, among many other points, that “fundamentally it (the bill) would end municipalities . . . ability to have planning documents prepared by licensed professionals undergo third party, peer review, which is fundamental to current processes” and that such third-par-

ty peer review “routinely identifies deficiencies, leaving municipalities and taxpayers potentially on the hook to pay for reconstruction of something that could have been easily caught.”

The Radium resolution says the new bill could actually slow new housing builds, since any problems with a given project would need to be reported to the provincial Office of the Superintendent for Professional Guidance, rather than directly to the local government in the given community.

“The bill lacks real-world ground-truthing and nuance, unintended consequences are likely,” read the resolution, adding the bill may also “institutionalize conflict of interest” since “professionals hired by developers approve the projects by which they earn their income.”

The Radium resolution continued that “removal of democratic checks does not guarantee affordability. On the contrary, it risks handing over unprecedented control to private actors and provincially appointed officials.”

District of Invermere officials discussed the bill during their December 9 council meeting, and did not seem too keen on the bill either.

“Certainly it takes away some of the local control,” Invermere mayor Al Miller told the Pioneer, speaking after the meeting. “The province wants to speed up development of housing, but it (the bill) doesn’t allow local consideration and that could put a burden on local taxpayers.”

LAKEVIEW WASHROOM RENOVATION NOTICE

Al Miller Miller said he understands why the provincial government wants to push housing, but in this case it may have gone too far. The bill, he explained, could result in an engineer, architect or planner based in Vancouver certifying a housing project in Invermere that is totally inappropriate for Invermere.

“We have infrastructure constraints in Invermere, and they may not take that into consideration. We like to do our own planning,” said

Miller. “That’s the reason there are so many letters (of opposition to the bill from B.C. municipalities). Local governments don’t like the idea of not being able to make sure it (a given development) is the right thing for local people.”

Miller said the District of Invermere would likely also send a letter of opposition to the provincial government on the topic, or otherwise express its concern about the bill.

“Our staff are prudent and do a good job dealing with (development permit) applications.

We don’t want to be made to force stuff through,” he said.

In response to concerns about the bill putting municipal taxpayers on the hook for fixing problems with housing developments, Bill M-216 proponents have said liability for such issues would lie with the professional who certified the report or plans, rather than with the municipality.

Critics have charged that seeking compensation to fix problems from individual professionals could be a lengthy and difficult process, leaving municipalities stuck with those problems (and jumping through legal hurdles) for years. They added it’s better to catch these issues via peer review before the development goes ahead, thereby avoiding problems altogether, rather than trying to fix things after the fact.

HEY BABY! Did you welcome a new addition to your family in 2025?

Show off your little bundle of joy in the January 22nd edition of The Columbia Valley Pioneer!

Simply submit a high resolution photo of your baby (or grandbaby, niece, nephew...) along with the child’s full name, date of birth, weight at birth, parents’ names and a fun fact about the child.

The cost is $35 +tax.

Contact: Cheri Hann

250-341-6299 x103 sales@columbiavalleypioneer.com Deadline for submissions is Friday, January 16

14

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 25, 2025

Boxing Day Sale

Door crasher savings. Limited stock.

Starts in-store December 26.

UP TO 60% OFF New year. New gear.

Deals for every day.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite 10.9" 128GB Android Tablet with Exynos 1380 Processor - Grey Web Code: 19392057

All Samsung watches on sale.1 Web Code: 17984635/ 19361142

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Knockout savings on new tech.

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Pioneer 43" R851 Series 4K UHD HDR LCD Roku TV Smart TV (PN43-R851-26C) - 2025 Web Code: 19392297

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Product availability may vary by location. All quantities are limited, no rainchecks. Offers valid, unless otherwise noted, from December 26, 2025 - January 8, 2026. Offers may begin before a sale duration and may continue or change after.

1 Excludes out-of-stock, clearance, demos, refurbished, open box and select Best Buy Marketplace™ products. See in-store for details. 2 Over 2-year term with Bell SmartPay compared to our device full price. See in-store for details.

3 Up to $250 gift card when activating select phones on a 2-year term with Bell SmartPay.

DECEMBER 25, 2025

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

15

Holiday Train dazzles local residents

The Holiday Train stopped in Radium Hot Springs last week to spread the Christmas spirit. It even featured music by the Barenaked Ladies.

PHOTOS JUSTIN SAIN

16

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 25, 2025

Increase the

With 7 Recycle BC Depots, Yellow Bins and many municipalities offering curbside pick-up, recycling has never been more convenient in the East Kootenay. However, not all programs are the same. This guide will help you distinguish what goes where and how the various services differ. = Recycle BC Depots

= Yellow Bins

= Municipal Curbside Systems

Recycle BC Depots (located at all RDEK staffed Transfer Stations) offer the greatest opportunity for keeping products out of the trash. The Recycle BC system is funded by producers that supply packaging and paper products to BC residents and the RDEK is PAID per tonne of materials collected. So, you can recycle more and it costs less to operate - it’s a win, win! Please use Recycle BC as much as possible for your residential recycling.

The Yellow Bin Program accepts a limited variety of products and are separate from Recycle BC. The Yellow Bin Program is funded by taxpayers and the RDEK has to PAY for every tonne of material collected. The more we can divert to the Recycle BC program, the better it is for all.

The Invermere,Fernie, Cranbrook and Kimberley curbside programs are also part of the Recycle BC program however, due to the nature of the collection, not all products can be placed in the curbside bins. Plastic bags, flexible packaging, glass and styrofoam must be taken to a Recycle BC Depot. So to reduce household waste, please set these items aside and make a quick trip to a transfer station every so often.

PAPER & CARDBOARD PRODUCTS

FLEXIBLE PLASTICS

YES.

YES.

Nope.

• Grocery bags • Squishy foam packaging and plastic padded mailers/bubble wrap/air packets • Bulk food, bread bags, frozen food bags and zippered pouches • Deli meat packaging and stand-up pouches • Potato chip bags, candy bar wrappers, cereal bags, pasta bags, etc.

• Paper gift wrap/greeting cards • Cardboard and boxboard (cereal/shoe/tissue/etc. boxes) • Molded boxboard (take-out containers, egg cartons, etc.)

• Multi layered paper bags (sugar, flour, etc.)

• Pizza boxes • Ribbons/bows • Musical greeting cards

• Foil gift wrap/bags • Paper towels/tissue/napkins

HOLIDAY LANDFILLS HOURS Dec 22-26 Dec 29-30 Dec 31 Jan 1

Closed 8:30am – 4:30pm 8:30am – 3:30pm Closed

COLUMBIA VALLEY RDEK OFFICE 1164 Windermere Loop Rd Dec 22-26 Dec 29-30 Dec 31 Jan 1

Closed 8:30am – 4:30pm 8:30am – 3:30pm Closed

• 6-pack rings • Biodegradable plastic

TRANSFER STATIONS

CENTRAL LANDFILL 600 Eager Hill Rd

CRANBROOK TRANSFER STATION 2405 22nd St N

KIMBERLEY TRANSFER STATION 800 Jim Ogilvie Way

INVERMERE TRANSFER STATION Industrial 1 Rd in Athalmer

RADIUM TRANSFER STATION Wastewater Treatment Rd

Dec 24 Dec 25 Dec 26 Dec 27-28 Dec 29-30 Dec 31 Jan 1

Dec 24 8:30 am-3:30 pm Dec 25 Closed Dec 26-30 8:30 am-5:30 pm Dec 31 8:30 am-3:30 pm Jan 1 Closed

Dec 24 8:30 am – 3:30 pm Dec 25 Closed Dec 26-30 8:30 am – 5:30 pm Dec 31 8:30 am – 3:30 pm Jan 1 Closed

Dec 24 8:30 am – 3:30 pm Dec 25 Closed Dec 26-30 8:30 am – 5:30 pm Dec 31 8:30 am – 3:30 pm Jan 1 Closed

Dec 24 8:30 am-3:30 pm Dec 25 Closed Dec 26-30 8:30 am-5:30 pm Dec 31 8:30 am-3:30 pm Jan 1 Closed

FERNIE TRANSFER STATION 6000 Highway 3

SPARWOOD TRANSFER STATION ELKFORD TRANSFER STATION 1001 Highway 3 #6 Inkaneep Rd

(commercial & contractor only)

CRANBROOK RDEK OFFICE 19 24th Ave S

Nope.

• Plastic squeeze tubes • Stretch wrap/cling wrap

9:00 am – 3:30 pm Closed 9:00 am – 5:00 pm 9:00 am – 4:00 pm 9:00 am – 5:00 pm 9:00 am – 3:30 pm Closed

COLUMBIA VALLEY LANDFILL 1875 Windermere Loop Rd Dec 24 Dec 25 Dec 26-30 Dec 31 Jan 1

9:00 am-3:30 pm Closed 9:00 am-6:00 pm 9:00 am-3:30 pm Closed

Dec 24 9:00 am – 3:30 pm Dec 24 9:00 am-3:30 pm Dec 25 Closed Dec 25 Closed Dec 26 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Dec 26-30 9:00 am-5:00 pm Dec 27-28 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Dec 31 9:00 am-3:00 pm Dec 29-30 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Jan 1 Closed Dec 31 9:00 am – 3:30 pm Jan 1 Closed

Dec 24 9:00 am-3:30 pm Dec 25 Closed Dec 26 9:00 am-5:00 pm Dec 27 Closed Dec 28-30 9:00 am-5:00 pm Dec 31 9:00 am-3:30 pm Jan 1 Closed

DECEMBER 25, 2025

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

Decrease the waste CONTAINERS

WHITE STYROFOAM YES.

YES.

• Coated paper cups (hot or cold) • Cartons and boxes for milk, milk substitutes and frozen dessert & carton ) • Soup containers (tin • Containers for food products (yogurt, oil, vinegar, etc.)

• Detergent/fabric softener jugs • Plastic take-away containers and cups • Rigid plastic packaging • Aluminum foil wrap/containers • Steel food cans/cookie tins

Nope.

• Plastic wrap • Plastic/foil blister packs

• Biodegradable/compostible packaging • Foil lined cardboard containers

GLASS CONTAINERS YES.

• Clear glass containers and coloured glass containers • Glass food packaging and glass soap packaging • Clear glass bottles and coloured glass bottles

• White foam meat and produce trays • White un-printed foam cups and take-out containers • White foam packaging • White un-printed foam disposable bowls/plates

Nope.

• Absorbing pads used in meat trays and squishy foam packaging • Packing peanuts/chips and labels/tape on foam packaging

COLOURED/PRINTED STYROFOAM YES.

• Foam meat and produce trays and egg cartons • Printed foam cups and take-out containers • Printed/coloured foam disposable bowls/plates

Nope.

Accepted at RECYCLE BC DEPOTS ONLY.

Accepted at RECYCLE BC DEPOTS ONLY.

• Plastic squeeze tubes • Stretch wrap/cling wrap

Nope.

Accepted at RECYCLE BC DEPOTS ONLY.

• 6-pack rings • Biodegradable plastic

Reduce

• Deposit glass (return for refund) • Drinking glasses, cookware, ceramics or dishes

Canadians use

6 MILLION

rolls of tape to wrap up

WORKIN’ HARD TO KEEP IT CLEAN.

Christmas presents every year.

Reuse If Reuse each person

Over the holidays, our transfer stations see a huge increase in volume. The days between Christmas and New Year’s are our busiest days of the year (by a lot). While our contractors will be working hard to empty the bins more frequently, sometimes they will be full. If you encounter a full bin, please look for another open bin in the area or come back. If a bin has a closed sign on it, please don’t try to open it. Never leave recyclables on or around the bins.

reused two feet of ribbon this Christmas it would have save 61,000 kms of ribbon.

Each year Canadians generate over 540,000 tonnes of waste from gift wrap, gift bags and shopping bags. Let the lights do the shining this holiday season and skip any giftwrap that may contain metallic or plastic materials as they can’t be recycled.

Wrap gifts using old flyers, a festive tea towel, or a fabric bag. If you need to buy new, make sure the paper can be recycled and skip or reuse plastic ribbon and bows.

learn more

engage.rdek.bc.ca/recycle

17

18

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 25, 2025

Season’s Greetings!

Did You Know?

Jingle Bells wasn’t written for Christmas. It was originally meant for Thanksgiving and was performed in September 1857.

Norway gives the UK a Christmas tree every year. It’s a thank-you for Britain’s help during World War II, and it stands in Trafalgar Square.

The first artificial Christmas trees were made from goose feathers. This started in Germany in the 1800s to protect forests.

In Japan, Christmas = fried chicken. KFC is so popular on Christmas that people often pre-order weeks in advance.

Tinsel was once made of real silver. Early tinsel looked beautiful but tarnished quickly (and was expensive).

Christmas lights were inspired by telephones. Edward H. Johnson, a partner of Thomas Edison, created the first electric Christmas light display in 1882.

There’s a Christmas pickle tradition. In some families, a pickle ornament is hidden on the tree; whoever finds it first gets an extra gift.

“X” in Xmas actually means Christ. It comes from the Greek letter Chi, the first letter of “Christos.”

Astronauts have celebrated Christmas in space. Crews aboard the International Space Station exchange gifts and even enjoy special holiday meals.

Rudolph almost wasn’t a reindeer. Early drafts considered making him a donkey.

Christmas trees can take 10–15 years to grow. Most are carefully farmed long before they end up in your living room.

Silent Night was first performed with a guitar. The church organ was broken, so the song debuted as a simple acoustic piece.

Merry ! s a m t s i Chr

Happy Holidays to all!

We would like to send a special thank you to Cortney for all the extras she provides to our Seniors Association SAVE 20% ON GIFT CARDS! SCAN HERE AND USE CODE “PIONEEER20”

#2-315 3rd Ave, Invermere stingersgolfsim@gmail.com

INVERMERE SENIORS ASSOCIATION

Note: Most activities will stop Dec 19 and begin again on Jan 5

To all of our wonderful customers from…

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

DECEMBER 25, 2025

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

Season’s Greetings!

CHRISTMAS GIVING STARTS HERE IN DOWNTOWN INVERMERE

Complimentary gift wrapping with in-store purchase We have something for every fashion lover! Gift Cards available too

Season’s Greetings OFFICE

250-342-1158 24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE

250-342-3052

Season’s Greetings

The holidays are all about connection, kindness, and joy.

From the Board and Staff at Family Dynamix, we send you warm wishes for a wonderful season and a happy new year.

Resource, Development & Advocacy For support with life’s challenges call 250-342-5566

Ki su k Kusmukusa xama i Merry Christmas Ki su k Kyukyit Kukun Makut Happy New Year On behalf of akisqnuk First Nation

19

20

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 25, 2025

Season’s Greetings!

Educators' dedication evident at event

By Ashley Dearin

Windermere Teachers' Association president This holiday season, I was deeply moved by the invitation to attend Edgewater Elementary’s holiday performance.

Sitting in the audience, I was reminded of my own years behind the curtain at Eileen Madson Primary, guiding little voices through kindergarten concerts. I know the countless hours, the late nights, and the quiet sacrifices that teachers pour into these moments — not for recognition, but for the joy of bringing our school community together.

December is a whirlwind in schools. Report cards loom, children are bubbling with

holiday anticipation, and yet the staff at Edgewater somehow found the time and heart to create something extraordinary. They wrote their own remixes to Christmas tunes, and while I may have been the one chuckling at moments, what truly filled the gym was a sense of warmth, care, and connectedness.

There was pride in being part of the school community, and a feeling that every person present belonged to something special.

I smiled, I laughed, and I felt my heart grow three sizes in that single hour.

In my classroom, I always told my students I had three jobs: to keep them safe, to make sure they knew they were loved, and to teach them cool things — always in that order. Watching Edgewater’s performance, it was clear that every teacher there lives those values too.

The storyline of the production followed a new family being welcomed into the school community. As the new

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with faith, hope and love

family walked down the hallway, peeking into each classroom, the students welcomed them by singing about the best parts of their class.

Ms. Nachewskis’ students celebrated the compassion of their teacher and education assistant. Mrs. Weatherall and Mrs. McKenney’s students sang of growth. Ms. Searle’s class highlighted their school as a special place to be. Mrs. Smith’s class voiced their shared expectations. Ms. McGuire’s students reminded us to lead with our hearts. Mrs. Tegart’s class shone with the joy of learning. And thanks to Ms. Gillies, the lyrics were projected so that even those hard of hearing could share in the magic—an act of inclusion that spoke volumes.

And while the spotlight shone on the students, I couldn’t help but notice Ms. Horn in the hallway, quietly conducting the flow of the concert like a maestro guiding an orchestra. Alongside her, the education assistants supported this work with steady hands and caring presence, ensuring transitions were smooth and every child felt supported. Their behind‑the‑scenes efforts were a reminder that the magic on stage is often made possible by the dedication of those working just out of sight.

Continued on page 21

Season’s ings Greet From Council and Staff of the Village of Radium Hot Springs

From the Management & Staff at

Max Helmer Construction Ltd.

DECEMBER 25, 2025

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

Season’s Greetings!

Students surrounded by much love Continued from page 20 These performances are more than songs; they are living proof that our teachers strive to create places where children are safe, cherished, and inspired.

Edgewater turned holiday chaos into holiday wonder, and I left knowing that our students are surrounded by love.

As president of the Windermere Teachers’ Association, I am privileged to witness the dedication of our educators across the valley. Though I now work in an

office of one, supporting teachers from afar, moments like this remind me why I am so proud to represent them. And I know that if you walk down the halls of any of our schools, you will feel the same spirit of safety, care, and joy that was so beautifully on display at Edgewater Elementary School.

Thank you, Edgewater Elementary, for inviting me to share in this celebration and for reminding us all of the magic that happens when care and community come together.

Merry Christmas Wishing you a healthy, happy, fun-filled Christmas and year to follow, filled with together time with family and friends.

Edgewater Elementary pupils sing a song during their recent Christmas concert.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Best Wishes, Wayne & Sharrie Jones

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones! From the Columbia Valley Classics Car Club www.ColumbiaValleyClassics.ca

250-688-0213 & The Whole 9 Yards

21

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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 25, 2025

Season’s Greetings!

O Christmas tree!

The Christmas tree is one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday season, yet its origins stretch back long before the celebration of Christmas itself.

The tradition developed over centuries, shaped by ancient beliefs, religious practices, and cultural exchanges across Europe, before spreading to much of the world.

Long before Christianity, evergreen trees held special meaning for many ancient civilizations.

In regions where winters were long and harsh, plants that remained green year-round sym-

bolized life, endurance, and hope.

Ancient Egyptians used evergreen branches to honor Ra, the sun god, during the winter solstice, celebrating the return of longer days.

Similarly, ancient Romans decorated their homes and temples with greenery during the festival of Saturnalia, a midwinter celebration honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture.

These early customs were not Christmas traditions, but they established the idea of using evergreen plants to represent renewal during the darkest time of the year.

Continued on page 23

Merry ! s a m t s i Chr Everyone at K5 Mechanical and Integra Tire wishes you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Real Estate in the Rockies Brenda Braund-Read

Professional Real Estate Representative 492 Highway 93/95 Invermere, BC V0A 1K2 250-342-1146 www.brendabraundread.com

DECEMBER 25, 2025

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

23

Season’s Greetings!

Continued from page 22

In northern Europe, especially among Germanic and Scandinavian peoples, evergreens were believed to have protective powers. Some cultures thought evergreen branches could ward off evil spirits or illness during winter. Trees and forests also played a central role in pre-Christian spiritual beliefs.

One popular legend connects the Christmas tree to the sacred oak tree worshipped by Germanic pagans. According to later Christian tradition, the missionary Saint Boniface cut down a sacred oak in the 8th century to demonstrate the power of Christianity. In its place, a small fir tree grew, which he supposedly presented as a symbol of Christ and eternal life. While historians

debate the accuracy of this story, it reflects how older traditions were adapted into Christian meanings.

The modern Christmas tree tradition began to take shape in Germany during the late Middle Ages. By the 15th and 16th centuries, Germans were decorating fir trees in their homes during the Christmas season. These trees were often adorned with apples, nuts, and sweets.

One popular custom was the “Paradise Tree,” used in medieval religious plays performed on December 24, the feast day of Adam and Eve. The tree was decorated with apples to represent the forbidden fruit from the Garden of Eden, linking biblical stories with seasonal celebrations.

Candles were later added to Christmas trees, symbolizing

Christ as the “light of the world.”

According to legend, the Protestant reformer Martin Luther was the first to place candles on a Christmas tree after being inspired by the sight of stars shining through evergreen branches at night.

Whether or not this story is true, candles became a common decoration in German households and reinforced the tree’s Christian symbolism.

The Christmas tree spread beyond Germany in the 18th and 19th centuries. It became popular in England after Prince Albert, the German-born husband of Queen Victoria, introduced the custom to the British royal family. An illustration of the royal family gathered around a decorated Christmas tree in 1848 helped make the tradition

fashionable throughout Britain.

From there, the custom spread to other parts of the British Empire.

In the United States, Christmas trees were initially met with resistance, as some early settlers viewed them as pagan symbols.

However, German immigrants brought the tradition with them, and by the mid-19th century it had gained widespread acceptance. Over time, decorations evolved to include glass ornaments, electric lights, tinsel, and themed designs.

Today, the Christmas tree is a global symbol of the holiday season. Though its meanings have changed over time, it still represents life, hope, and togetherness—values rooted in ancient traditions and reshaped through centuries of cultural and religious history.

Merry Christmas!

- Pe n n y, Rh iannon, J essica

Merry Christmas!

Columbia Valley sewer & drain ltd.

(Servicing the Valley since 1999)

250-347-9803

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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 25, 2025

Season’s Greetings!

Chocolate and lavender shortbread cookies It's not hard getting your hands on a shortbread cookie or two during the holidays! While the traditional recipe has its variants, try this creative twist to really let your cookies stand out from the crowd: Chocolate & Lavender Shortbread Cookies • 2 1/2 cups (375g) plain flour • 1/2 cup (50g) cocoa powder • 2 tsp ground ginger • 300g unsalted butter, chopped, softened • 1 cup (220g) caster sugar, plus 2 tbs extra • 3 eggwhites • 1/3 cup flowering or regular small thyme sprigs • 3 cups (360g) pure icing sugar, sifted • Edible dried lavender (optional – from specialty food shops), to decorate

Wishing You a Safe & Happy Holiday Season Thank you to our community volunteers, donors, supporters, and all who rely on the Fairmont Hot Springs Airport.

The airport plays a vital role for the entire Columbia Valley serving as a base for medical evacuations, wildfire response, air search and rescue, and military training.

Over the past three years, it has supported more than 200 medical evacuations, 300+ BC Wildfire Service flights, and 30 National Defence flights.

Merry Christmas!

Thank You

to our partners and community for all your support this season.

We invite everyone to our New Year’s Eve game on December 31 at 4pm against the Creston Valley Thundercats.

Tickets available now on Showpass.

1. Sift the flour, cocoa and ginger into a bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until thick and pale. Fold through dry ingredients until a soft dough forms. Divide dough into 2 portions. Enclose dough in plastic wrap and chill for 4 hours or until firm.

2. Preheat oven to 180°C. In batches, roll out 1 portion of dough at a time on a lightly floured surface until 3mm thick. Using cookie cutters, cut out cookies, re-rolling scraps. Place on 2 baking paperlined baking trays, and bake, swapping trays halfway, for 8 minutes or until just firm. Cool completely on trays. Repeat with remaining 1 portion dough.

3. Meanwhile, whisk 1 eggwhite in a bowl. Place extra 2 tbs sugar on a plate. Brush thyme with eggwhite, then dust in sugar. Dry on a baking paper-lined tray for 2 hours.

4. For glaze, using a fork, whisk remaining 2 eggwhites, then stir in icing sugar to form a thick paste (if too thick, add 1 tsp water).

5. Dip cookies in glaze on one side, then place on a wire rack to allow excess to drip off. Decorate with lavender and thyme, then set aside for 2 hours or until set.

DECEMBER 25, 2025

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

Season’s Greetings!

Just can't wait for the joy of Christmas time

by Chris Moseley

Oh, Christmas morning can't come soon enough, And having the patience to wait can be tough.

With days getting shorter and nights getting longer, Kids' gift-finding skills are getting much stronger

They checked in the closets, they looked under beds, They scoured the crawl space without bonking their heads.

"Have we checked in the kitchen, the bathrooms, the den?

Will we all be rewarded? And if so, when?"

Tip-toeing and creeping as if they were spies, The kids all have visions of loot in their eyes Determined they are to see what they're getting, A scooter for riding? A stuffie for petting?

"Where are those presents? We've got to find out! (and if they're discovered please try not to shout)" But as the big day drew nearer their chances were fading Of finding some loot in the rooms they were raiding.

They threatened the dog and tried bribing the cat, In hopes they'd be shown where the bounty was at.

But the dog blankly stared and the cat flicked her tail The attempts at coercion were destined to fail.

When Christmas Eve came, all the kids had lost hope.

"We must wait until morning - oh how will we cope?"

Resigned to their fate the kids soon went to sleep (Though they tried one last time at a quarter past three).

Scott McInnis MLA Scott McInnis MLA Columbia River - Revelstoke Columbia River - Revelstoke scottmcinnismla.ca scottmcinnismla.ca

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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 25, 2025

Happy holiday reading This week’s column was written

by Friends of Radium Library volunteer Donna Tunney and interim library director Mark Anderson.

Santa wants all of the little kids to read something over the holidays and make their local library proud.

PHOTO CHERI HANN

We had great success with our fifth annual Big Book Sale last month, surpassing our fundraising goals and our totals from previous years. We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended the sale, and everyone who generously donated books and puzzles throughout the year. A big thank you goes to the awesome Radium Public Library staff, and all our fabulous volunteers and their families, as well as the Village of Radium, Radium Storage, Radium Mountainside Market and Buttercream Custom Cakes and Cupcakes in Invermere. Our event wouldn’t have been the same without the appearance of Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the help of local visual artist Stan Perry and crafter Elaine Shelstrom. Many thanks to them and The Columbia Valley Pioneer, The Columbia Valley Social, and CBAL (Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy). We’re busy planning next year’s sale and need stock for our Little Blue Libraries during 2026, so if you have gently used books and complete jigsaw puzzles you would like to donate, please drop them off at the Radium Public Library, in the Radium

Hot Springs Centre at 4863 Stanley Street. Please, no dictionaries, textbooks, encyclopedias, National Geographic and Reader’s Digest magazines, DVDs, or CDs. In addition to all the groups recognized above, the Radium Hot Springs Public Library Staff, Administration and Board are tremendously grateful to the Friends of Radium Library executive and volunteers who organized and staffed another highly successful Big Book Sale. Their belief in the importance of public libraries and their generous donation of time and resources make it possible for our library to flourish.

While the Big Book Sale is done for another year, library programming continues during December, including children's offerings (Story Time and Little Lambs), teen activities (Grab and Go bags), and adult programming (Wholesome Hobbies crafting). Please go to https:// radium.bc.libraries.coop for days and times. (Note: Story Time and Little Lambs will not run December 24/25 and 31/Jan. 1.)

Students aged 7 to 14 are invited to join us in the new year for an exciting STEM opportunity. Stay tuned for dates and details.

The library will close at 3:00 pm on December 31, and be closed all day December 24, 25 and 26 and January 1. We wish our patrons and the entire Columbia Valley community a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

May the season be one of peace and joy for you and yours.

Food banks upgrading their facilities Submitted by Columbia Basin Trust Food banks across the region are upgrading their facilities and equipment to create safer, more efficient spaces for volunteers and clients.

With support from Columbia Basin Trust (CBT), these improvements will help organizations better store, move and distribute food to the individuals and families who rely on their services.

“All people in the Columbia Basin deserve access to locally grown, healthy food, and food banks are a vital resource for many,” said Katie Kendall, CBT's senior manager of delivery.

“These upgrades help ensure food is stored and handled safely and that food banks have the tools they need to operate efficiently.”

CBT is supporting this work with more than $430,000 for 14 projects in 11 communities. In addition to these infrastructure improvements,

CBT is providing seasonal support to food banks, First Nation communities and Métis associations to help meet increased holiday demand.

Volunteers at the Columbia Valley Food Bank are committed to offering a wide range of nutritious items to people in need, but moving bulk food up and down stairs in its Invermere building has been challenging. To improve safety and ease the workload, the food bank is installing a freight lift between its basement storage and the main floor.

“With the continued increase in the number of clients we serve, we now purchase much of our food in bulk, which is heavy and difficult to carry,” said Eileen Bilodeau, board chair. “We are privileged to work with over 60 dedicated volunteers, who are mostly retired and over 60, and they struggled to move these items up and down our steep staircase. The board felt it needed to do something to protect these valued volunteers and

decrease the chance of injury, and the solution was the freight lift.”

Columbia Basin Trust supports the efforts of the people in the Columbia Basin.

To learn more about its programs and initiatives, visit ourtrust.org or call 1-800-505-8998.

DECEMBER 25, 2025

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

27

Christmas Bird Count turns up rare bird Columbia Valley Pioneer staff This year’s Christmas Bird Count turned up a remarkable rare species in the Columbia Valley — a northern mockingbird that was spotted in Invermere.

“An unprecedented first for the count,” said event organizer Gareth Thomson, noting the bird was sighted in James Chabot Provincial Park.

He said several bird counters were lucky enough to see and photograph the mockingbird on December 16.

“I’ve never seen this bird in western Canada, summer or winter,” he stated, adding its range this time of year normally extends as far north as California or southern Utah.

Thomson said the high points of their data include a record number of mallards, common goldeneye, flickers and robins. And a bumper crop of 1,351 Bohemian waxwings.

He explained that some record numbers of certain bird species were due in part by a mild fall.

Thomson said Christmas bird counts commonly turn up rarities, and this year’s was no exception. For example: four common goldfinches (viewed by dedicated feeder watchers), and a lingering hermit thrush.

“Big thanks to the dedicated field counters, who accumulated all over 47 hours of tromping through our precious natural areas in search of birds,” he said.

A rare northern Mockingbird was spotted in James Chabot Provincial Park on December 16.

PHOTO KRISTINA MEAKIN

Algae blooms get undeserving bad rap

By Julia Jovanovic Lake Windermere Ambassadors In recent years, news stories about cyanobacteria and algae blooms closing beaches in B.C. and across Canada have raised concern among lake visitors.

While Lake Windermere hasn’t faced major algae bloom issues, people often wonder if any algae is bad. And the truth is, they’re not.

Algae, including cyanobacteria, are always present in lakes, and in the right amounts, they’re not a problem at all. In fact, they’re essential.

In Lake Windermere, algae appears naturally in various forms.

A common appearance is through thin green film or slippery coating, known as periphyton/algal mats, occurring on rocks near the shore, which is often noticed when someone wades in the area or picks the rock up. In the summer months, a light green tint in the water indicates the presence of phytoplankton, a normal and seasonal tendency to witness in the lake.

Lastly, Lake Windermere occasionally exhibits algae through small floating clumps of algae or plant-like material near the surface or washed up along the shoreline. These can look like tiny green threads or fuzz or can appear hair-like in the event the algae is filamentous.

These various species of algae perform a vital role in oxygen production and nutrient cycling. By relying on photosynthesis to create food and creating oxygen as a by-

product of the process, algae perform a crucial role in returning oxygen to the lake for the use of other living organisms. Additionally, algae absorb nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from the water in order to grow. By doing so, they help remove excess nutrients from the lake and fixate them into use for themselves as well as for the animals that eat the algae, allowing these nutrients to be accessible to the food chain.

Once the algae dies, the nutrients it carries is decomposed into the sediment to allow the nutrients to cycle again. This is also the reason why algae blooms are linked to excess phosphorus and nitrogen presence in water systems. Lastly, algae provide a critical base to the aquatic food web as primary producers.

They are the main food supply for primary consumers such as small fish that live in the lake.

The problem with algae growth arises when the lake temperatures increase which allows the metabolism of the algae to also grow, creating a rapid reproduction rate and out of control growth.

Another factor to rapid algae growth is when the nitrogen and phosphorus levels in a water body are excessive. This causes the algae to also reproduce more rapidly as their food source is abundant which creates eutrophication as well.

The increased presence of algae feeds into an increased number of algae dying and decomposing, depleting the oxygen in the water for

use for decomposition. Since most of the oxygen is being used for decomposition, very little oxygen is left for other living organisms of the lake. As a result, an algae bloom occurs and the issues highlighted in the news such as closed beaches and toxic cyanobacteria growth come to life.

In Lake Winderemere, recreational pressures, shoreline development, as well as nutrient release from industries such as golfing,

farming, forestry, and mining all put pressure on the lake for algae growth.

Warmer and drier summers further increase the risk of algae blooms in this lake and if prevention and caution is not enforced, Lake Winderemere remains highly susceptible to an algae bloom in the near future.

Therefore, it is clear algae performs a vital role in maintaining a healthy aquatic ecosystem.

Notice to our Readers Due to weather or road closures, delivery of the Pioneer may be delayed.

You can always access a digital replica of each issue, available early morning every Thursday at columbiavalleypioneer.com

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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 25, 2025

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Home, Auto and Business Insurance 101A – 1028 7th Ave, Invermere, BC 250-342-2175

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DECEMBER 25, 2025

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

29

Here To Serve You SERVICES

SERVICES

SERVICES

Snow Removal

SERVING ALL THE KOOTENAYS

Serving the Valley for over 30 years!

Commercial

Quality sheds for all uses!

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Download the media kits a 250-254-2417 uapinc.com/en-ca/media-kit www.kootenaysheds.ca

NAPA AUTOPRO logo Everett Frater Enterprises on a light background

250-342-5645 efrater@telus.net fraterservices.com

Specializing in all heating, electric, gas and wood.

SERVICE EXCELLENCE IN THE COLUMBIA VALLEY SINCE 1991 ICBC Glass Repair Out of Province Vehicle Inspections

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

A licensed, registered and bonded company

Auto Body Repairs

Emergency Service calls available

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

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250-342-9424

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Mon-Fri: 8:30am-5:30pm Sat: 9:00am-4:00pm

Horizontal option

These versions of the logo are to be preferred.

Two-colour reproduction: official blue and yellow.

If reproducing the official colours is not possible, use a one-colour version.

Santa paws - Santa came to Canal Flats to mingle with residents and . . . puppies just before Christmas. It certainly made for some great keepsake photographs.

PHOTO SYD DANIS

These one-colour versions of the logo can be used as altern to the two-colour versions

The blue version is to be preferred for one-colour rep

If reproducing the official blue is not possible use the black version.

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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 25, 2025

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 250-341-6299

admin@columbiavalleypioneer.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOTICE

GE! NEW BROKERA NEW TEAM!

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS

OBITUARY

Estate of Richard Gordon Lake, who died on November 28, 2025.

If you have a claim against this Estate, you must file your claim by January 30, 2026 and provide details of your claim: with: Estate of Richard Gordon Lake 3314 - 205 3rd Ave. Invermere, BC V0A 1K7 If you do not file by the date above, the Estate property can lawfully be distributed without regard to any claim you might have.

GERRY TAFT 250.341.1202 ROBIN SHMIGELSKY 250.342.1548

CHEERS

Cheers to Nidhi from The Baking Bee for the freshly baked ginger snap cookies.

They are delicious.

Cheers to amazing friends for helping an Edgewater gal get her fence back up and Lucy at Skandia for the Alcoholics Anonymous. If best customer service ever. alcohol is causing prob- Cheers to Cathy- Canada lems or conflict in your Post Invermere mail carlife, AA can help. All meet- rier extraordinaire. Cheers ings are at 7 pm. Columbia to your dedication- rain or United AA, Invermere: Sat- snow, and for keeping our urday, Sunday, Tuesday and mail moving. You are apWednesday at the BC Ser- preciated. vice Building, South End624 4th St. Invermere. Cheers to Penny, Mark Please call 250-342-2424 and crew for the delicious for more information or to meals. We are grateful. speak with someone from Cheers to Michele N. for our fellowship. the wonderful sugar pie. It Al-Anon. Are you con- was delicious! cerned about or affected by someone else’s drinking?

For more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship, please call 250-878-2448 or 250-342-8392

CHEERS Cheers to Sophie for the great massage- as always.

Cheers to the Team at Radium Golf Group for hosting our staff Christmas Party The food, service and atmosphere were outstanding, and Patrick was a pleasure to work with during the planning of our event.

columbiavalleypioneer.com

Big Cheers, to Theresa at Valley Hair. One of the best haircuts ever. I’ll be back

CHEERS Cheers to Keija for the great pedicure. I appreciate the thoughtful conversations we have. You are the best!

Cheers to the kind person that sent us a Christmas lunch from Pizza2Go over to Zen Technologies! We very much enjoyed the pizza! We don’t know who you are, but you made our day!

A Holiday season full of Cheers to my co-workers at Invermere Home Hardware.

Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2026 to all of you!

Cheers to Tammie at Gemstones Hair Salon for coming in after hours on your day off. I appreciate you going above and beyond for me.

FIREWOOD

Cheers to Jeff and Angela Firewood from Calgary2Valley DelivPine and Fir available ery. What a convenient serCall 250-342-6068 vice you offer to our valley residents who cannot get SERVICES to Calgary to shop at CostK. B. Creations co. I appreciate the service Handyman services, Renoyou provide. vations, Masonry, PlumbWishing a Merry Christ- ing, Drywall & Painting. mas and a cheers to all Please call Kevin the Thrift Store volunteers.

250-688-2897 From a loyal shopper.

Christmas cheers to Marie at Pharmasave- I am so enjoying your magical Christmas miniature.

Stober, Patricia (Patty) It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce that Patricia (Patty) Stober passed peacefully on November 29th at the age of 69 years in her Colwood home.

Patty was born in New Westminster, BC in 1956. Her father was an RCMP officer which led to a lot of moving around, but they eventually moved back to the lower mainland where she spent most of her childhood.

She met her husband Dallas working in Vancouver in the late 70s and the two quickly fell in love, got married, and started a family in which they shared two sons, Marcus and Jordan. After a short stint in Sundre Alberta, they went on to settle permanently in Invermere, BC, running Stober’s Department Store for nearly 20 years. Patty had a passion for sewing, and a knack for fashion. She thoughtfully curated the store with items she loved, and her enjoyment for what she did extended through to her customers.

Patty and Dallas made many lifelong friends from the relationships they formed at the store and locals in the valley.

In 2008 she retired and moved to Vancouver Island where she would spend the next few years enjoying the ocean with Dallas, fishing and touring the coast on the Cinnamon Girl, named in her honour. After Dallas passed away from a long battle with cancer, Patty did her best to enjoy retirement. Travelling with friends and focusing on her grandkids - she cherished time with family and loved ones.

She met her partner Kenton, who also shares a love of the ocean, and the two would eventually marry in 2023.

Patty leaves behind her loving children: Marcus (Heather), and Jordan (Roanne), her brother Ron (Tina); her grandchildren: Cora, PJ, Dallas, and Elsie; her nephew Connor, and niece Emily; and her husband Kenton.

She is predeceased by her late husband Dallas; and her parents June and Robert.

A service will be held in Victoria in late January 2026.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Victoria Hospice Society.

FOR SALE

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Tiny house on wheels $14,000 obo. Beautiful little cabin on wheels. 20' long 8' wide, 12' height.

Solid and cozy. Built for mountain winters. Has an electrical panel. Easily plugs in. No running water.

Email stephanieoconnor@ gmail.com or call/text Ian at 250-688-9565 for photos and additional info.

Thank you to the friends from the Kingdom Hall who have been taking meals to our mom after her recent fall. We appreciate the visits, text messages, flowers and pastries that were delivered to her door. Your support means a lot to us.

Thanks to the ladies that are driving her to appointments, your kindness is appreciated.

Christina Boucher and Rosanna Gillard

DECEMBER 25, 2025

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Invermere

DISTRICT OF INVERMERE

on the Lake

Parks Canada is hiring

Parcs Canada embauche

Discover your dream job and be part of something great. Diverse backgrounds and interests are encouraged to apply.

Découvrez le métier de vos rêves et participez à une grande aventure. Nous encourageons les candidatures de tous horizons et aux intérêts variés.

Apply now! parks.canada.ca/LLYK-Jobs

31

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

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Position: Casual Labourer Department: Public Works & Operations Status: CUPE – Casual, on-call Classification: Labourer

Postulez maintenant! parcs.canada.ca/LLYK-Emplois

The District of Invermere is seeking applications for our Casual on call Employee list for 2025/2026 in the Public Works Department.

To be eligible you must possess a valid class 5 driver’s license. Special consideration will be given to people with previous construction or municipal works experience including Environmental Operators Certification. An air brakes endorsement or a valid class 3 driver’s license would be an asset.

Under the supervision of the Public Works Supervisor, the casual employee performs a variety of manual labour duties and equipment operations. Work involves the general maintenance of municipal infrastructures including roads and streets, storm drainage, water and sewer systems, parks, gardens, cemetery and buildings. The primary tasks considered for this posting involve buildings, parks, roads and utility maintenance and repair and must be willing to come in contact with live sewer.

Applicants must possess sound communication and interpersonal skills. Knowledge of WorkSafe BC regulations would be an asset.

This position is within C.U.P.E. 2982 bargaining unit. The current wage rate for this is $31.20 per hour. A full job description is available for this position.

Applicants are invited to submit their resumes to: Kindry Dalke, Director of Corporate Services District of Invermere 914 – 8th Avenue Box 339 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Email corporateservices@invermere.net

Please note our holiday office hours: Monday, Dec 22 - Open Tuesday, Dec 23 - Open Wednesday, Dec 24 - CLOSED Thursday, Dec 25 - CLOSED Friday, Dec 26 - CLOSED Monday, Dec 29 - Open Tuesday, Dec 30 - Open Wednesday, Dec 31 - CLOSED Thursday, Jan 1 - CLOSED Friday, Jan 2 - Open

Happy Holidays!

DISTRICT OF INVERMERE

DISTRICT OF INVERMERE

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

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

2026 SCHEDULE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

2026 SCHEDULE REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL

The District of Invermere Committee of the Whole meets regularly throughout the year on one Tuesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Office (914 – 8th Avenue, Invermere).

The District of Invermere Council meets regularly throughout the year on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Office (914 – 8th Avenue, Invermere).

January 13th th

February 10

July 14th th

August 11

January 13th & 27th

July 14th

February 10th & 24th

August 11th

th

March 10

th

September 8

March 10th & 24th

September 8th& 22th

April 14th

October 13thh

April 14th & 28th

October 13th & 27th

May 12th

November 10th

May 12th & 26th

November 10th & 24th

th

th

June 9th & 23th

December 8th

June 9

December 8

Agendas are posted on our website www.invermere.net prior to the meetings.

Agendas are posted on our website www.invermere.net prior to the meetings.

32

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 25, 2025

FAITH

Columbia Valley

Churches

The greatest gift for all Pastor Wayne Frater Radium Christian Fellowship Church As we approach the end of one year, and the beginning of a new year, a brand new year giving us a chance to forget the hurts and pain of years past and giving us a chance to have a fresh start in our lives.

During Christmas, we all had opportunities to give and receive gifts from our loved ones, those of us who have faith in the living God, set time aside, to go to church and remember the greatest gift of all, that gift that came in the person of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. That great gift was foretold 700 years before by Isaiah in chapter 9 verse 6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

That great gift, that indescribable gift Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 9:15. "Thanks be unto God for His indescribable gift." Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! A gift so wonderful, that words cannot describe it.

A gift sent by God Himself, a gift of love as it says in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have

everlasting life.”

When God sent His Son to earth, when Jesus came to earth, He brought with Him everything we need to be empowered to live a life of victory.

He came as a little baby, but He represented all authority in heaven and earth. When we choose to receive Him into our lives, when we choose to serve Him, we have access to His love, peace, power, authority, provision, joy and strength.

God sent the great gift, the indescribable gift, the gift to wonderful for words, I don’t know about you, but last Christmas I didn’t say no to the gifts my loved ones gave me, I received every one of them, with thanks and joy. Will you not receive this great gift God has for you, I have, and words cannot describe the joy, peace, love that dwells in my heart. It is very simple, all you have to do is as it says in Romans 10:9,10 That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. And verse 13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

The greatest gift of all, eternal salvation, is available to all who would receive it. Put your name in place of whosoever, and receive what God has for you, the indescribable gift, available to all who would receive Him. Then call us and let us know what you have done, we would love to pray for you, and with you. God Bless you and yours, and all the best in 2026.

LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH While you are with us, you are always welcome to join us.

Sunday at 10:30 am 326 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 | www.lwac.ca

WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY (Anglican - United)

Sundays at 10:30 either in-person or online (the link is available on our website – wvsm.ca) Minister: Brent Woodard 110 - 7th Ave. in Invermere 250-342-6644

VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY Pastor: Justin Furse Sunday 10 a.m. Worship Service 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere 250-342-9511 | www.vcachurch.net

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH St. Anthony’s, Canal Flats: Saturday, 4 pm Canadian Martyrs’, Invermere: Sat 5 pm, Sun 9 am St. Joseph’s, Radium: Sunday 11 am Father Francis Dela Cruz | 712 -12th Ave., Invermere 250-342-6167 canadianmartyrs.ca

RADIUM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Sunday 10 a.m. Worship service Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater | 250-342-6633 #4, 7553 Main St. Radium | 250-347-9937

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Worship Service, Sunday, 11 a.m.

Sunday School, 10 a.m.

President Kendyn Mackensie • Columbia Valley Branch • 5014 Fairway, Fairmont Hot Springs 250-439-9041

CHURCH OF CHRIST (Iglesia ni Cristo) Worship Service: Sunday 9 a.m., Thursday 7:45 p.m.

Chamber of Commerce (Lions Hall) For inquiries: 250-688-1643 250-270-2208 or 250-688-0629 For more info about the church, you can Google online at incmedia.org or pasugo.com.ph

Recycling Questions?

BC RECYCLING HOTLINE 604-732-9253 1-800-667-4321

Busy bureau - Members of the Christmas Bureau of the Columbia Valley have been busy gathering donations.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

RECYCLING COUNCIL OF B.C. MEMBER