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VOL. 21/ISSUE 2
Your Weekly Source For News And Events
JANUARY 11, 2024
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It was a holiday to remember in Wilmer with spectacular fireworks. PHOTO RYAN WATMOUGH
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JANUARY 11, 2024
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Mother Nature uses Lake Windermere as an art easel as she wistfully creates cracks and fissures in the ice. PHOTOS RYAN WATMOUGH
JANUARY 11, 2024
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
VALLEY NEWS
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Fire chief warns of ‘silent killer’ in home By Lyonel Doherty lyonel@aberdeenpublishing.com There could be a ‘silent killer’ in your home waiting to harm your family. That’s what happened to one group of five recently in Fairmont Hot Springs where a carbon monoxide leak forced the evacuation of 18 condo units, resulting in a family being sent to hospital. The December 28 call at 12:25 a.m. brought the fire department, RCMP and BC Ambulance to the scene on Riverview Road where crews donned protective equipment and utilized a CO monitor0. “Upon entry into the building, carbon monoxide levels of over 200 parts per million were detected and we immediately evacuated all 18 units,” said Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue Service Chief Drew Sinclair. He noted that a family of five was sent to hospital for further examination and observation. While nobody else required medical care, between 30 and 50 people were evacuated from the condominiums,” he explained. An Emergency Support Services (ESS) reception centre was established at the Columbia Valley Centre in Invermere, and alternate accommodations were arranged. “Our firefighters were able to access the impacted units to retrieve essential personal items such as medications for all those who were evacuated,” Sinclair noted. The chief added that the utilities were isolated and the impacted propane line was shut down, however, the cause of the leak remains under investigation with the assistance of the technical safety gas inspector. Sinclair told the Pioneer that all property owners should be aware of carbon monoxide (CO) and its properties, noting it is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas, which makes it deadly. He explained that CO is the byproduct of incomplete combustion of carbon and can be produced by either improp-
erly functioning gas appliances, wood heat with not enough oxygen or proper venting, smoldering debris, and even ash. Sinclair said symptoms of CO poisoning include dizziness, nausea, cyanosis, confusion, fatigue, and drowsiness, progressing into respiratory and cardiovascular problems, including arrest due to the lack of oxygen in the bloodstream. “It is called the silent killer as the hemoglobin in our blood grabs CO over O2 as it is an easier and stronger chemical bond, so the effects are long lasting and compound without patient removal to fresh air.” In the case of CO poisoning, provision of high flow oxygen for prolonged periods is required to slowly push out the CO from the blood, he explained. The fire chief said that all property owners should have their gas appliances checked and serviced annually to ensure not only proper operation but adequate air supply and venting, including the possibility of snow or ice blocking roof or wall vents. He noted that wood burning appliances should also be kept clean with awareness of where the combustion air is coming from to ensure there is no blockage. “All property owners should ensure they have both working CO and smoke detectors operating in their buildings with emphasis on each residential unit,” Sinclair said. He added that most smoke detectors are combination CO and smoke alarms now, and while 10 years is the standard replacement of smoke detectors, most CO alarms are seven years due to the different detection mechanisms. Sinclair said homes that are completely electric with no propane appliances or wood heat of any kind are at a much less risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. Another common CO problem is the idling of vehicles in attached garages or near fresh air intakes for building heating systems.
A carbon monoxide leak forced the evacuation of 18 condo units on Riverview Road in Fairmont Hot Springs on December 28. A family of five was taken to hospital for examination. PHOTO SUBMITTED
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Homeowners are advised to know the properties and hazards of carbon monoxide (CO). It is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas which makes it deadly, especially if your gas appliances are not functioning properly. PHOTO SIBANI DAS/GETTY IMAGES
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
SECURITY Est. 2005
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JANUARY 11, 2024
REPORT
Invermere & Surrounding Areas
Sgt. Ed deJong Columbia Valley RCMP The family of Martin Beingessner thanks the staff at Columbia House who became our second family as they cared for and loved our Papa during his final years. Some of his dear caregivers knew him since their childhood and our loss is a great loss to them as well. Thank You for making us feel welcome and treating Papa with dignity and love. We are so grateful.
This past week, January 1 to January 8, the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 54 calls for service. The following is a summary of some of the files our officers responded to: On January 2 the detachment received a call from a male who had been out cutting firewood when he got his truck stuck. After attempting to walk out to a main road and finding he had gone the wrong way, he called police. Columbia Valley Search and Rescue was activated and the male was located and brought to the Invermere hospital for observation due to chest pain.
Where to recycle?
Where to recycle? Check the BC RECYCLEpEdia www.rcbc.ca Recycling council of B.c. MeMBeR
On January 2 police responded to a report of a suicidal male with a knife. The male had left his residence and was located in a wooded area where he fled from officers. After a short pursuit, the male was safely apprehended and brought to the hospital to speak with a doctor. During the foot pursuit, an RCMP member suffered a minor injury after falling down a steep slope. On January 7 a male was pulled over for driving infractions on Hwy 93/95. During the stop the officer established grounds for a roadside screening test. After providing a breath sample, the male was found to be impaired by alcohol and was issued a 90-day immediate roadside driving prohibition. His vehicle was subsequently impounded for 30 days.
Can this be recycled?
Compassion, help available Check the BC RECYCLEpEdia 604-RECYCLE (732-9253) 1-800-667-4321
Columbia Valley Pioneer staff Recycling council of B.c. MeMBeR
Check the BC RECYCLEpEdia www.rcbc.ca
People who are worried about others taking their Recycling council of B.c. MeMBeR own lives are encouraged to open up a conversation with them. The person in crisis will likely be relieved that the issue was brought up and that they are not alone in their struggle.
A new crisis helpline in Canada is just three digits away in offering suicide prevention support for people suffering in silence. 9-8-8 is available to call or text 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Highly trained responders provide support and compassion without judgment, helping BC ReCYClepedia app callers and texters to explore ways toGet keepthe themselves safe during an overwhelming situation. BC RECYCLING HOTLINE “Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness,” says 604-732-9253 Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Ya’ara Saks, If you have a good snapshot you’d like to 1-800-667-4321 share, who adds there is no health without mental health. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services Canplease send it to: ada, says including the ‘Hope for Wellness Helpline in www.rcbc.ca admin@columbiavalleypioneer.com Recycling councilthe of B.c. MeMBeR 9-8-8 network will provide a dedicated service to Recycling council of B.c. MeMBeR First Nations, Inuit and Métis by offering culturally appropriate support. Dr. Allison Crawford, psychiatrist and the helpline’s chief medical officer, says even just one conversation can help someone reconnect with their strengths and forge new ways of coping. “If you are feeling hopeless, our message to you is: you are not alone. Whatever you are going through, please know you can always reach out to us.” According to the Government of Canada, an average of 4,500 people across the country die by suicide 9-8-8 is Canada’s new crisis helpline offering suicide prevention support. each year – that’s approximately 12 people every day. PHOTO KIEFERPIX/GETTY IMAGES
SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS!
Recycling questions?
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JANUARY 11, 2024
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
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Shown here is one of many renderings of the much-anticipated Woodcarver Park plan coming to Radium Hot Springs as a tribute to legendary woodcarver and ‘wizard’ Rolf Heer, who built the ‘Home of a Thousand Faces.’ IMAGE SUBMITTED
Big grant to boost Woodcarver Park By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com Ground may break on the planned Woodcarver Park in Radium Hot Springs as early as this spring, and if all goes well the project could be nearly completed by the fall. The Radium Village Arts and Culture Society received a $800,000 grant this past fall for Woodcarver Park, which has helped propel the project forward. The society is applying for a development permit for the park from the Village of Radium Hot Springs and will soon apply for a building permit as well. The grant is from the B.C. Destination Development Fund. “We were very excited to receive the grant. It helps us out substantially. It allows us to finally start a project we’ve been working on for three years,” said Radium Village Arts and Culture Society president Valerie Bracken. Woodcarver Park will be built on the site of the home of legendary former Radium resident Rolf Heer. That home, and Heer, were famous not just in the Columbia Valley, but indeed throughout Canada and even internationally. Heer was a woodcarver by profession, but a wizard by appearance. He was almost always wearing a long, pointy red hat and long red wizard robes. These accessories perfectly complemented his flowing beard and friendly magical uncle-like demeanour. Heer used his woodcarving skills to build his residence and workshop and home – the Home of a Thousand Faces — on a triangular shaped lot in the village. The home resembled a huge fantastical tree fort, cobbled together out of old wood panels and other lumber. It included many totem pole-like carvings featuring bearded faces (hence its name). And, as if that weren’t quirky enough, Heer kept goats (which were usually found tramping across the home’s roof ) to add to the atmosphere. Over the course of decades, the Home of a Thousand Faces became one of the valley’s best known
tourist attractions. Visitors were welcome and came by the thousands from all over the globe. Heer delighted in entertaining children and was not above playing tricks on unsuspecting adults (his favourite move was to squirt water at grown-ups who put their eye up to a peephole on the outside fence of his home). He had friends around the world, including some quite famous people. Those new to the valley would often be surprised upon learning, for instance, that one of New York’s top DJs was coming to Radium to play at a party at Heer’s house. But those who knew Heer well came to expect the unexpected. That included not just his wild parties (which acquired a reputation of their own), but his efforts to keep the village of Radium council on the straight and narrow on various municipal issues, with Heer showing up at council chambers multiple times in his flowing red robes and hat, his goats in tow. To say Heer was iconic in the valley is an understatement. When he became ill with cancer and announced in fall 2018 that he would be retiring his woodcarving chainsaw, it sent ripples through the community. But that was nothing compared to the shockwave that came a month or so later, when the Home of a Thousand Faces burned to the ground, along with decades worth of Heer’s handiwork. When his cancer went into remission, Heer lived in a trailer and a teepee on his property and continued to carve and welcome visitors, but the cancer returned and he passed away in summer 2020. Woodcarver Park that Radium Village Arts and Culture Society hopes to build on the site of the Home of a Thousand Faces is meant to honour the legacy of Heer. “Rolf was such a genuine human being,” said Bracken. “A lot of people, a lot of families, remember Rolf . . he gave off a special vibe. He was funny, witty, very bright and probably one of the politest people I’ve ever met.” Woodcarver Park will feature a treehouse with a roof in the shape of Heer’s hat, a natural play area with a slide down an embankment, rocks to clamber on, and a river of logs. There will be plenty of woodcarv-
ings, of course, interpretive signage and washrooms with goats (not real ones) on top to remind people of how Heer kept live goats on his own roof. “We are hoping to start prepping the land in spring, getting it ready for services, working on a retaining wall and getting the land ready to build the actual structures,’ said Bracken. If all goes well, the construction could take as little as four or five months, she explained. “If we can get the development permit and building permit quickly, we can start early in spring and if not be completely done by the end of fall or at least be in a position to finish it off in spring 2025. That would be ideal.” The society is pursuing several plans to fundraise the remaining $200,000 needed to build the park. Those wishing to learn more or to donate to the project can visit: radiumarts.ca/projects/woodcarver-park/ or through the Columbia Valley Community Foundation’s fund for the project.
Fishing Derby 24th Annual
Saturday, January 27, 2024 9am - 3pm Registration begins at 8am On Lake Windermere
Tickets
$35
at Station Pub
LOTS OF PRIZES
1st
2nd
3rd
$500 $300 $200 (prize money may vary depending on number of entries)
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
JANUARY 11, 2024
PERSPECTIVE
911, I lost my nose ring It ceases to amaze how and why people still use the 911 emergency call system as a sounding board for general complaints. Just when you think the nuisance calls couldn’t get any sillier, more unbelievable tales of woe are recorded. In 2023 E-Comm handled more than 2.1 million 911 calls, which represents an increase of 13 per cent over 2022. It takes a special type of person to be a call taker for E-Comm. They are highly trained individuals who don’t have time for general questions and complaints. If someone calls to report that a neighbour was rude to them, another call regarding a head-on collision or a heart attack may be delayed because the line is busy with that non-emergency. The fact is call takers have to treat every 911 inquiry as an emergency no matter how absurd it might be. Every second counts, according to E-Comm employee Alaina Milicevic. “Every second we spend fielding questions about AirBnB reservations or complaints about Uber Eats orders, is time that could otherwise be dedicated to helping someone in a life-threatening emergency situation,” she says. Instead of calling 911 for consumer complaints, try reaching out to an appropriate customer service agent, or filing a report with the Better Business Bureau. But sadly, common sense is elusive at the best (and worst) of times, which brings us to E-Comm’s top 10 nuisance calls in 2023: • I need directions home from the Drake concert • The traffic light was taking too long to turn green • I lost a nose ring down the shower drain • The AirBnB host cancelled my reservation • The Uber Eats order was taking too long • Burger shop wouldn’t let me in before opening • I can’t find my cell phone • A complaint about a pothole • My McDonalds order is taking too long • The barber gave me a bad haircut Really? How does one classify not knowing how to get home from a Drake concert an emergency? Or a nose ring down the drain? Maybe a few brain cells fell down there too, but it’s highly doubtful that a plumber could retrieve those. A traffic light taking too long? Complain to the appropriate government ministry. A pothole? Call the city to fix it; remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Even if you call 911 by accident, do not hang up because the call taker must verify that it’s not a real emergency. If you hang up, you can expect a quick call back. Another tip from call takers is to not program 911 into your phone. Lyonel Doherty, editor
Historical Lens
Five men with survey instruments work on a flume in 1921. PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE WINDERMERE AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Many people celebrated New Years by skating on Lake Windermere, which looks like it’s hosting a small village on the ice here. PHOTO RYAN WATMOUGH
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Radium bighorn sheep face tough winter By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com Snowy conditions and wily coyotes have combined to make things difficult for the resident bighorn sheep herd in Radium Hot Springs. A pair of bighorns have been hit and killed by vehicles in and around Radium in the past few weeks. A ram was hit by a speeding pickup truck on the section of Highway 93 South within the village boundaries (between Sinclair Canyon and the roundabout) on Saturday, Dec. 23. Then on Tuesday, Jan. 2 a young male lamb was killed after reportedly running under the wheels of a semi truck on the Radium Hill (the stretch of Highway 93/95 immediately south of the village). Radium’s iconic bighorns have made national and international headlines beginning in late 2020 and early 2021, when the number of traffic-related fatalities for the herd spiked dramatically. The spike coincided with the closure of the TransCanada Highway for the Kicking Horse Canyon project and the subsequent rerouting of all cross-country traffic through Radium. Those closures, and the surges in traffic volume, are now over, but winter conditions and speeding drivers continue to combine to pose a large threat to the
“The coyotes are learning about the sheep, they’ve figured them out.” Kent Kebe bighorns. Indeed a majority of bighorn traffic fatalities in the past few years have occurred on Radium Hill, which was never part of the re-routing. In the winter of 2021 a total of 18 bighorns were hit and killed — an utterly unsustainable number, given that the entire herd numbers just 120 to 140. Invermere senior conservation officer Greg Kruger told the Pioneer that the death toll of bighorns in recent weeks “may be less than average compared with the past few years, which have been very bad, but is still too many.” He urges drivers to slow down. “Speed is killing the sheep that are drawn to the highway,” he said bluntly, noting that salt or ice-melting chemicals
put on the highway attract the bighorns. The big snowfall in the Columbia Valley in early to mid-December has also helped push the bighorns, and other ungulates species such as elk and deer (see story on page 9) further down to the valley bottom “It’s been a rough winter for the sheep. Not only with the traffic fatalities, but also with coyotes,” Radium wildlife enthusiast and longtime bighorn advocate Kent Kebe told the Pioneer. Kebe outlined that including the two bighorns killed during the holiday period there have been eight sheep killed from November through to January (a period that coincides with the bighorn rut). Several days prior to talking with the Pioneer, Kebe had found a bighorn lamb that had been eaten by coyotes. “The coyotes are learning about the sheep, they’ve figured them out.” The Columbia Valley’s coyote numbers have been low for a long time, but in recent years the population has gotten large again. Some of the coyotes spend a lot of time along the Columbia River near Radium, and this year the canines have started coming up the steep embankments and bluffs along the east side of the river to the golf course, where the bighorns like to hang out. There they try to catch lambs. This has pushed the bighorns away from the golf course over to the Radium Hill, where many of the traffic fatalities occur. “We’ve never had coyotes issues before. But the coyote population goes in cycles. They were almost gone for a while, now they are back and they’ve figured out the bighorn lambs . . . we’ll see where this winter goes,” said Kebe. In February 2022 the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) committed to building wildlife fencing and a wildlife overpass on the Radium Hill to help protect the bighorns. The Pioneer attempted to follow up with MOTI about the timeline for the overpass, but was unable to get comment prior to press deadline. Radium Mayor Mike Gray, however, was able to confirm that the project has been tendered. “It was originally scheduled for November (2023), but they decided that instead of having it half done this fall, that they would wait to start it in the spring . . . it’s still on the books, it’s still going ahead,” said Gray.
Name clarification The Pioneer would like to clarify the correct name of a local charity that contributed to the community year in review on January 4. The Summit Youth Hub was incorrectly identified as the Summit Youth Club on page 4. The Windermere Valley Youth Centre dedicates its time and
resources to benefit local youth in the community, which includes the operation of the centre commonly known as the Summit Youth Hub. The Windermere Valley Youth Centre Society has been actively supporting youth in the Columbia Valley for nearly 30 years.
Radium’s bighorn sheep are spending more time near roadways in the winter months, attracted by salt and pushed away from their usual hangouts by coyotes. This has resulted in several fatalities in recent weeks. PHOTO RYAN WATMOUGH
DISTRICT OF INVERMERE
914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Tel: (250) 342-9281 Fax: (250) 342-2934
NOTICE TO ALL DOG OWNERS All dogs over the age of four months residing in the District of Invermere require an annual dog license, from January 1st to December 31st. Licensing allows Animal Control Services to contact you as soon as possible if your animal has been impounded or if the animal has been injured as a result of traffic or as a result of other causes. If you live within the District of Invermere and own a dog, please drop by the municipal office at your earliest convenience to pick up a dog tag. Fees are as follows: UNSPAYED FEMALE DOG UNNEUTERED MALE DOG SPAYED FEMALE DOG NEUTERED MALE DOG
$35.00 $35.00 $15.00 $15.00
Spaying / Neutering We encourage all pet owners to have their dogs spayed or neutered to assist in promoting the health of your animal and to minimize the potential for unwanted pups in the community. As an incentive to spay or neuter your dog, the various license and impound fees for spayed or neutered animals are less than if your animal is not spayed or neutered. For dog control issues within the municipality, please contact our Dog Control Officer at 250-342-1707. As we now know, plastic is not so fantastic. Up to a trillion plastic bags per year are used around the world. While most of them go to landfill sites where, scientists estimate, takes up to 1,000 years to break down, millions still end up in waterways, trees, and in our oceans where it eventually ends up in stomachs of fish and birds. We encourage you to use biodegradable dog waste bags, which are available at various sites throughout town.
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
JANUARY 11, 2024
Wild urban turkeys return to Invermere By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com
Urban wild turkeys are back in Invermere. For a decade or more a large flock of the birds had lived in Invermere, and another in Radium Hot Springs, and still another in Edgewater until they were translocated from all three communities to southern Alberta last winter. There followed a reprieve of several relatively turkey-less months before the fowl turned up again in Invermere late this fall, albeit in far smaller numbers than they existed previously. Invermere senior conservation officer Greg Kruger told the Pioneer he’s noticed that the birds are back, and said that, when it comes to wild turkeys making the town their full-time habitat, local residents have strong opinions both in favour and against. “Residents here seem to either love them or hate them. There’s not many in the middle ground,” said Kruger. He added that so far there have been no formal complaints about the turkeys to conservation officers. When the Pioneer reported on the turkey translocation last spring, it spoke with the company that did the move — the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA). At the time, ACA senior scientist
and wildlife program manager Doug Manzer explained that his group had moved a total of 177 wild turkeys, but that in each of the three communities (Invermere, Radium and Edgewater) there were about half a dozen or so turkeys that were simply too smart to go in the large walk-in box traps that the association used to catch the birds. Manzer had noted that even if the association managed to catch all the wild turkeys, the urban population of the fowl here in the Columbia Valley was destined to rebound. “Over time, the turkeys living outside town will realize it’s safer in town, with fewer predators, so they will come in. The turkeys will be back,” he had said. It was just a question of when. And, as it turns out, ‘when’ is about a year. Kruger agreed with Manzer’s assessment from a year ago. “It is to be fully expected that the population will slowly rebuild . . . turkeys living in the forests around the communities will come and go and as they spend more time in the communities, they re-establish the urban turkey population,” said Kruger. Invermere Mayor Al Miller said he was a bit surprised to see wild turkeys back in Invermere so soon after the translocation, but added he’s glad that
HEY BABY! Did you welcome a new addition to your family in 2023? Show off your little bundle of joy in the January 25th 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 $34.99+tax. Contact: Jamie Baes
250-341-6299 x103 jamie@columbiavalleypioneer.com Deadline for submissions is Friday, January 19
The Columbia Valley
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the numbers are relatively low so far. “There are a lot of people who really didn’t appreciate having the turkeys in their front yard or on their roof. If the turkeys spent a lot of time at your home it can be more than a nuisance, it can be a real problem. Their feces can be very acidic and can actually damage roof shingles quite badly,” said Miller. “It was nice to have a break from that, at least for a bit. We shall see what happens, but it’s clear we’ve got them back. Thankfully not to the extent that we did before.” Miller added he hasn’t had any
complaints as mayor about the new turkey population so far, and the birds seem to be spending most of their time in parts of southern Invermere along 13th Avenue and Westside Road, as well as in the Wilder subdivision. The ACA translocated the wild turkeys from the Columbia Valley to the foothill areas in southern Alberta where the birds are scarce, and where the association wants to re-establish wild turkey populations. It obtained permits from the B.C. government in late 2022 for the translocation.
Wild turkeys (like the one shown here), have begun re-populating Invermere, barely a year after the Alberta Conservation Association translocated most urban turkeys in Invermere, Radium Hot Springs and Edgewater to southern Alberta. PHOTO WIRESTOCK/GETTY IMAGES
JANUARY 11, 2024
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
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In event of wildlife collision, call RAPP By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com The Columbia Valley has been coated in snow and ice for some time. Winter is firmly here, and consequently, wildlife-vehicle collisions are on the rise. While trucks and cars hitting and killing bighorn sheep tends to catch the most attention (see story on page 9), other wildlife species, particularly ungulates such as deer and elk, also suffer increased traffic-related fatalities during the winter months. A local resident witnessed the results of this trend firsthand, the week before the Christmas holidays when he came upon a doe that had been hit and badly injured on the Athalmer Road hill (between the Athalmer bridge and the crossroads) in the eastbound lane. “Unfortunately, the driver that hit her didn’t stick around or call it in,” said the resident. “Although in a very busy area, it took about 45 minutes for the RCMP to come and euthanize her.” Another driver stopped and along with the resident tried to redirect traffic around the deer to give it a chance to get up and get away. “It was amazing to see drivers’ speeding and inattention until the very last minute, nearly running into us,” said the resident. Eventually a plow truck driver saw what was happening and parked in front of the deer to block it from traffic. “Wildlife is very active at this time of year. So we need to drive appropriately for the conditions,” said the resident. Wildlife officials are emphatic and clear: when winter conditions are present and wildlife is on roadways more often, drivers need to slow down, possibly even below the posted speed limit, and take care.
If you do hit wildlife or witness a collision (or its aftermath), officials say that the best number to call, and the one that will get the quickest response, is the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline at 1-877-952-7277, although the RCMP can also be called. Invermere senior conservation officer Greg Kruger told the Pioneer there have been “quite a few” deer and elk, and other wildlife, hit and killed so far this December and January. The spike in fatalities began with the heavy snowfall the Columbia Valley experienced in early to mid-December, he noted. Kruger explained that if drivers see an obviously long-dead animal near the roadside there is no need to call it in, as
“It was amazing to see drivers’ speeding and inattention until the very last minute, nearly running into us.” Resident highway contracting company Mainroad deals with roadkill. Wildlife that is still alive but seriously injured, however, is a different matter. “Call the conservation officers. We can come, assess whether or not it has a chance of surviving, and if so, how badly it may suffer, and whether or not it needs to be euthanized,” said Kruger. He emphasized that many drivers aren’t driving the way they should considering winter conditions, and that those who stop to help wildlife need to be cautious themselves. “It is very important to remain safe and ensure there are no further injuries at the scene,” said Kruger. “If there isn’t any risk, stay with the animal, put your vehicle’s hazard lights on to steer traffic away and call the conservation officers.”
Nominate your favourite Columbia Valley Pioneer staff Do you know a volunteer who deserves recognition for the work they do in your area? If so, nominate them. The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is currently seeking nominations for the 2024 electoral area volunteers of the year. “Volunteers are out there every day, making a difference in our communities,” says board chair Rob Gay. “From flipping pancakes at a summer festival, coaching little league, or providing transport for seniors getting to medical appointments, their vast contributions are important and deserve to be recognized.” Gay points out that volunteers are often those who don’t ask for applause, so here is an opportunity for those around them to say, “we see you, we appreciate you, and we know how hard you work”.
If you know someone who is committed to making positive change for those around them, the RDEK wants to celebrate them. “Please nominate a volunteer in your area, as it’s important to honour those who are giving their time, energy, and passion for the benefit of others,” notes Gay. Nomination forms are now available as the RDEK will be honouring one outstanding volunteer or couple from each of its six electoral areas. Nominees must be a resident of an electoral area (outside of incorporated municipalities) and make voluntary contributions to the spirit, culture, or people of the community. Nomination forms can be filled out on engage.rdek.bc.ca/volunteer. Hard copies of the nomination form can be picked up at the Cranbrook and Columbia Valley RDEK offices for those without computer access. The deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 7.
A deer lays injured after being struck by a vehicle on the Athalmer Road hill, where a local resident tries to help. PHOTO SUBMITTED
DISTRICT OF INVERMERE
914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Tel: (250) 342-9281 Fax: (250) 342-2934
PUBLIC NOTICE Proposed Annual Budget & 5-Year Financial Plan We are developing the 2024 Budget and the 2024 – 2028 Financial Plan and we need your feedback. Each year, the District’s Financial Plan is updated to ensure it aligns with community priorities as Invermere moves forward into the future. Background: Starting in the summer of 2023, deliberations began to draft the 2024 Budget and 2024-2028 Financial Plan. Each year Invermere residents and property owners have the opportunity to provide comments on the District’s proposed budget, and input on future financial decisions impacting the municipality and the Invermere community. Please take time to review the District’s proposed 2024 Budget & Financial Plan on our website www.invermere.net. Please consider filling out a Budget Survey located on our website.
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
JANUARY 11, 2024
OUT OF OFFICE… PETE AND THERESA SPEARHEAD TALENT RECRUITMENT IN ONTARIO Pete Bourke and Theresa Wood, representing the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce and Columbia Valley Community Economic Development, are gearing up for an impactful week in Ontario, focused on recruiting talented students and recent graduates to join the thriving workforce of the Columbia Valley. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to connect promising individuals with the array of job opportunities available on workcolumbiavalley.ca. The online hub, www.workcolumbiavalley.ca, will play a pivotal role in this recruitment drive. Pete and Theresa will actively promote the website before, during, and after the events, ensuring that the job opportunities and the unique charm of the Columbia Valley stay top of mind for Ontario’s emerging workforce.
The Columbia Valley will be represented at Georgian College’s Connect2Careers Fair, University of Guelph’s Hospitality and Tourism job fair, and more are in the works. For businesses eager to jump on board, the process is straightforward: post job openings on www.workcolumbiavalley.ca If any businesses would like to attend the job fairs or have any questions, please connect with Theresa Wood, at advisor@cvchamber.ca, for any inquiries or assistance. As Pete and Theresa venture into Ontario, their focus is clear: to attract skilled individuals who can contribute to the Columbia Valley’s growth and fill essential positions. This project and other workforce initiatives are made possible through funding provided by the Province of British Columbia’s Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program.
JANUARY 11, 2024
Thursday, January 11 • 10:30am-11:30am: Seniors' Fitness Columbia Valley Centre, $2 dropin. • 11:30am-12:00pm: Little Lambs – Baby Program. Radium Public Library. Join us for songs, rhymes, and stories with your babies! No registration required. • 2:00pm-3:00pm: Seniors' Tea. Invermere Public Library. Join us for a cup of tea and a chat on the 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month. All welcome! • 3:45pm-4:45: Graphic Design Club. Invermere Public Library. Using Canva, we will create our own book covers to learn a few basics of graphic design. We will turn them into real mini-books you can write a story in! Ages 10+ Space is limited! Registration required. • 6:45pm: Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Invermere Legion. $30 buy-in. • 7:30pm: Trivia Night Windermere Whitehouse Pub. Host Mandi Cox $3/person, teams of more than 6 will be split into two groups. Ages 19+
Friday, January 12 • 10:30am-11:00am: Family Storytime. Invermere Public Library. Join us weekly on Fridays and/or Saturdays for Family Storytime at the library! With stories, songs & a craft. Geared towards preschool age (2-5) but all welcome. • 2:00pm-3:00pm: Friday Funday. Invermere Public Library. STEAM day: Open-ended play with Ozobots, Dash bots and other fun tech. Dropin programming. Drop-off for ages 7+. Younger children are more than welcome to join with a grown-up. • 6:30pm - close: Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion! Members and guests welcome! • 7:00pm-10:00pm: Columbia Valley Rockies vs Fernie
Saturday, January 13 • 10:30am-11:00am: Family Storytime. Invermere Public Library.
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
Join us weekly on Fridays and/or Saturdays for Family Storytime at the library! With stories, songs & a craft. Geared towards preschool age (2-5) but all welcome. • 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. • 2:00pm-4:00pm: Buddy Reading. Invermere Public Library. Contact us to book a 30 minute session to read with a librarian. Practice reading aloud one-on-one to build skill, confidence & a love of reading! Open to all ages and reading abilities. • 6:30pm: Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion! Members and guests welcome! • 7:00pm-10:00pm: Columbia Valley Rockies vs Osoyoos
Sunday, January 14 • 2:00pm: Cards, Cribbage and Darts Come to the Legion and have some fun! Members and guests welcome. • 7:00pm: Live Music Horsethief Creek Pub & Eatery. Accompanied minors are permitted. No cover.
Monday, January 15 • 10:00am-11:00am: Seniors' Yoga Columbia Valley Centre, Invermere. $2 drop in, open to all seniors. • 6:30pm: Poker (Chip up for Charity). The Station Pub $20 buy-in. Every Monday.
Tuesday, January 16 • 10:30am-11:30am: Seniors' Fitness Columbia Valley Centre, $2 drop-in. • 10:30am-11:30am: Homeschool Meetup. Invermere Library. Dropin, all-ages programming with open-ended STEAM play, group activities and art projects. A chance for homeschool kids and families to get
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together! Please contact us to get on the Homeschool email list to stay up to date and see what extended programs are coming up. • 1:00pm-3:30pm: Art in the Afternoon. Radium Public Library. A free program for local artists and art enthusiasts! Whether you sketch, paint, carve, knit or crochet, bring your supplies and work alongside fellow artists. • 7:00pm: Ullr Presents: Musical Bingo with Tim Richards. Ullr Bar. Every Tuesday - $5 per card.
•
Wednesday, January 17
• 7:00pm-9:00pm: Invermere Community Drum Circle. Pynelogs. Rhythm By Nature and the Columbia Valley Arts Council bring you a fully interactive and immersive experience twice a month at the Invermere Community Drum Circle. Professionally facilitated, you will learn about the history of the drum, drumming cultures, and drumming techniques but that's only the beginning! https://www.tickettailor.com/events/rhythmbynature/store • 10:00am-11:00am: Seniors' Yoga Columbia Valley Centre, $2 drop-in. • 11:30am-12:00pm: Story Time. Radium Public Library - preschool & all ages. • 2:00pm-3:30pm: Wholesome Hobbies. Radium Public Library. Every third Wednesday join us for a rotating series of projects and activities for adults 50+. Registration required and limited. This month is making bath bombs. • 3:00pm-4:30pm: After School Club. Invermere Public Library. A window of transition time between school and home or extracurriculars. Come colour, bead, play with LEGO and catch up with friends! Open to all school-aged kids and teens. Drop-off allowed for Grade 2 students and up. Younger kids are welcome with a grown-up. Please bring your own snacks! Register. https://invermere.bc.libraries. coop/ • 6:00pm-9:00pm: Wednesday Dinners & Meat Draw & 50/50 Invermere Legion. All welcome.
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
JANUARY 11, 2024
Snow Golf Tournament returns for fun By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com Can’t wait to get back on the golf course? Well, there’s no need to book a trip down south, or even wait until the snow and ice melt – the annual Snow Golf Tournament on frozen Lake Windermere is back again this weekend. It marks the 23rd edition of the event, a fundraiser put on by the Kinsmen Club of Windermere Valley. “It’s time to dust off your balls and get signed up (for the tournament),” event chair Steve Kuffler told the Pioneer. “It’s guaranteed to be the most fun round of golf you will play all year.” The event sees golfers use real golf clubs to play an 18-hole course across the icy surface of Lake Windermere. And if you think snow golf is just an ice-cold imitation of the real deal, think again: the holes range in length from 72 yards to 184 yards. Kuffler advises participants to use coloured golf balls since “white golf balls on white snow usually doesn’t work out too well.” Funds raised from the tournament will go to helping out some of the community’s greatest needs, explained Kuffler. The event began more than two de-
cades ago when several bored golfers were sitting around one particularly frigid January day looking for something to do. “We realized we have a beautiful lake, in a beautiful setting; why not play golf on it? And while we were at it, we thought we should raise money for good causes,” said Kuffler. Over the years the event has become well known in the Columbia Valley and usually attracts a full slate of 18 foursomes (as it did last year), so would-be participants are advised to sign up early. “The energy and excitement of playing golf on an ice surface surrounded by snow-covered mountains is incredible,” said Kuffler. “It’s a pretty unique experience.” Kuffler thanked the local business community, which donated all the prizes, for its generous support of the event. The tournament will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13. Everyone who enters will get a prize and there is a 50-50 draw. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased at the Station Pub. Registration is at 11 a.m. on January 13 at the pub. The tournament begins with a shotgun start at noon. For more information call Kuffler at 250-342-1378.
Don’t miss the 23rd Snow Golf Tournament on Lake Windermere on Saturday, Jan. 13. Bring your longjohns. PHOTO SUBMITTED
2024 Electoral Area
VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY
Can you think of someone in your area that is always first to step up and help? Is someone close to you making your community a better place? Do you know of an individual who is making positive change for those around them? These are the people that make our region an amazing place to live. Help us celebrate and recognize their efforts by nominating them as an Electoral Area Volunteer of the Year. Nominees must be a resident of an Electoral (rural) Area and make voluntary contributions to the spirit, culture or people of the community. Nomination forms are now available at our Cranbrook & Columbia Valley RDEK offices and on: engage.rdek.bc.ca/volunteer Nomination Deadline is 4:30 pm WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2024
19 – 24 Avenue South, Cranbrook BC V1C 3H8 | 250-489-2791 | 1-888-478-7335 | Fax: 250-489-3498 | info@rdek.bc.ca | www.rdek.bc.ca
The ReDi Grants program is now accepting applications for: support projects that benefit the broad community and public good through community-based decision-making and ensuring an opportunity for resident input. Planning a project that will benefit the community? Apply by 4pm February 12, 2024. Late applications will not be accepted. engage.rdek.bc.ca
City of Cranbrook City of Fernie City of Kimberley Village of Canal Flats
Village of Radium Hot Springs District of Sparwood District of Elkford District of Invermere
A PROGRAM OF
Electoral Area A Electoral Area B Electoral Area C
Electoral Area E Electoral Area F Electoral Area G
DELIVERED BY
JANUARY 11, 2024
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
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BEY ND THE BLUE LINE Rockies play tough with back-to-back wins By Stephanie Stevens Not all the fireworks were in the sky on New Years. The Columbia Valley Rockies ushered out 2023 with back-to-back wins against the Creston Valley Thunder Cats in Creston on December 30 and at home in Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena to a standing room only crowd. Head coach Tayler Sincennes said he was really impressed with the group’s effort coming out of the Christmas break. “We had two excellent practices and played really well in both games,” he said. “(Nate) Glenn played great in both games and we got timely scoring. I'm hoping we continue with the same energy we did in both of those games.” In Creston’s Johnny Bucyk Arena, Gage Sather opened up with scoring in the first (assist from Ellis Mcgeough), followed by Oleg Bitus (assists from Mcgeough and Nathan Kaye). Teo Fath cinched the 3-1 win with an unassisted goal in the third. Netminder Nate Glenn stopped 34 of 35 shots on goal. Home in Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena New Year’s Eve there was no scoring until the second when Mason opened things up (assists from Wyatt Wurtz and Kyran Gromnisky), then netted his second goal in the third period (assists from Fath and Paddy Donahue) and won the game in overtime with a goal that also earned him a hat trick (assists from Sather and Jamieson Franz). Glenn was between the pipes again and stopped 28 of 30 shots on goal. “(The New Year’s Eve) weekend was
a great way to come back into the second portion of the season and spring us forward with some great momentum,” said assistant coach Tanner Wit. “Looks like we used the break to reset and the boys looked fresh and motivated. Once again Nate Glenn had a stellar weekend and gave us ample opportunity to win both games. The New Year’s Eve game was amazing with a great crowd and it is always nice to have your older guys step up … like the way Kobe Mason did with a hat trick.” Newly acquired defenceman Nathan Kaye played his 100th game New Year’s Eve and has quickly proven himself an asset to the team. Last weekend saw a slight wobble in the momentum the Rockies brought into 2024, but it was not enough to knock them completely off track. January 5 saw the Golden Rockets in town and while the game was fast paced, a lot of missed scoring opportunities did some damage. Scoring opened up in the first courtesy of Mason (assists from Kaelen Shelton and Fath), with Franz adding to the tally in the second period (assists from Mason and Shelton). Mason potted a third (assists from Fath and Mcgeough) but the Rockets managed to not only tie it up but get two goals ahead in the third period, resulting in Sincennes pulling netminder Jaiden Jakubowski twice to put another set of skates on the ice late in the third. The gamble paid off with Mason (assists from Wurtz and Kaye) and then Tysin Mulligan (assists from Kaye and Sather) tying it up. Continued on page 16
A stellar performance by Rockies’ netminder Nate Glenn made all the difference in the team’s recent wins. PHOTO STEPHANIE STEVENS
9·8·8
Suicide Crisis Helpline
You deserve to be heard. We’re here to listen. A safe space to talk, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Call 9·8·8 Text 9·8·8 The Rockies’ Kobe Mason (left) scored a hat trick (three goals) on New Year’s Eve. PHOTO STEPHANIE STEVENS
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
JANUARY 11, 2024
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A Day in the Life
Veteran educator balances busy ranch By Lyonel Doherty lyonel@aberdeenpublishing.com When a child isn’t aware that carrots grow in the ground, or thinks potatoes grow on trees, as an educator you know that you’re in the right profession. Karen Barraclough from Skookumchuck has loved every minute teaching children the ways of the world beyond their ABCs, and has cherished her career for 33 years. “My fondest memories of teaching were watching the light come on through the eyes of a child when they learned something new and understood it (and were proud of the accomplishment),” she said, noting that being an educator is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. “I couldn’t wait to get to school each day to see what they (students) would come up with next.” Karen was born and raised in Skookumchuck where her father worked in the bush hauling wood. He was also a rancher and truck driver. Her mother was a school teacher. “Growing up on the ranch was a hard life but one that taught the value of things,” Karen reminisced. Her chores included moving and feeding the cows, cutting and hauling Christmas trees, and fixing machinery, all while attending school; the first one being at Sheep Creek about 10 miles from home in a little log cabin for grades 1 to 10. From there it was a one-room schoolhouse in Springbrook, then high school in Kimberley by bus. “When it was cold my father drove us as he was working in Kimberley with
his logging truck. We would leave home about five in the morning and return late at night after dad finished work. Then we had to feed cows before bed,” Karen recalled. Her social life was centred around dances in Wasa or community get-togethers. Nobody had extra money in those days so your entertainment meant ‘do it yourself.’ Karen initially wanted to follow a nursing career, but since she graduated from school at the age of 15, that idea fell flat because you had to be 21 to be a nurse. And besides, she didn’t have the money for five years of university. She landed her first teaching job at the age of 17 in Chilliwack at a wonderful school with 45 students in grades 2-3. This allowed her to take courses at night, culminating in a degree and having taught school for four years by the age of 21. “To see the children challenge themselves was terrific. Field trips were the basis of my teaching; I felt if I could show children what we were talking about, they had the prior knowledge to read about it, write stories, spell words that meant something to them and get them excited about school.” She will never forget how much fun the children had visiting an ostrich farm and catching baby goats. A trip to Drumheller to learn about dinosaurs and sleeping in tents was another highlight for her. “We were the first to sleep overnight with a class in the Railway Museum in Cranbrook in the dusty Pullman cars when it first opened,” she remembered. Looking for turtle eggs at night at the Creston Wildlife Centre was also
Karen bottle feeds the twins during her daily routine. In bottom photo, Giz is happy to see her make the rounds. PHOTOS SUBMITTED memorable. “On one trip the little girl sitting next to me on the bus grabbed my arm for dear life. When I asked her what was wrong, she said she had never been out of Kimberley that far before and she was scared.” Karen left teaching in 2007 to help her husband on the ranch. They have three children. Since retiring from teaching she has worked for the University of Victoria as an adviser to monitor and help student teachers during their practicums.
“This was one way I felt that I could give back to others after a wonderful career.” In 2016 she was asked to teach children about agriculture for the Kootenay Livestock Association (KLA) where she chairs the Education Committee. “Many children in the rural areas had never grown a garden or petted farm animals. Many children did not know that carrots grow in the ground, and one told me that potatoes grew in trees.” Continued on page 18
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
JANUARY 11, 2024
PIONEER CLASSIFIEDS 250-341-6299 ANNOUNCEMENTS Al-Anon. Are you concerned about or affected by someone else’s drinking? Meeting Mondays 7:15 pm. at Canadian Martyrs Parish front side door. 712 12 Ave. Invermere. For more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship, please call 250-8782448 or 250-342-8392. Alcoholics Anonymous. If alcohol is causing problems or con ict in your life, AA can help. All meetings are at 7 p.m. Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the BC Service Building, South End – 624 4th St., Invermere. Please call 250342-2424 for more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship.
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Resilient Rockies looking for long playoff run Continued from page 13 The overtime play was intense but it came down to a shootout, with Golden coming out on top despite Jakubowski stopping 23 of 28 shots on goal. January 7 saw the Rockies back in Fernie against the Ghostriders; another shootout game with the Rockies coming out on top. Mulligan started off the scoring in the first (assists from Bitus and Shelton) with Shelton following suit (assists from Carter Velker and Donahue). Second
period scoring was courtesy of Justin King (assists from Franz and Velker) and the third period saw Shelton (unassisted) and Mulligan (assist from Danny Schmirler) tie up the game, which the Rockies won in the second overtime shootout. “I really liked our efforts (in both games),” said Sincennes. “For the most part we showed good resiliency coming back. But we definitely need to tighten up defensively. Giving up that many goals in a weekend isn’t what we want
to do.” Associate coach Tucker Braund said he is looking forward to the rest of the season. “We came back from the break and had a couple of good practices and got back to the way we want to play,” he said. “A few things to tighten up and I think we will be heading in the right direction. The rest of the year comes quick … I think we only have 12 games and we have high expectations for those 12 games. We want to win our division
again and have home ice advantage for a long playoff run. We are a young team, probably one of the youngest in our division, but we want to ruffle some feathers in our division and onward. Every day we are getting better and we just have to have that mindset the rest of the way.” The Rockies are back in the Eddie tomorrow night (January 12) and Saturday squaring off first with Fernie on Friday and Osoyoos on Saturday, and then again Tuesday, Jan. 16 with Golden.
JANUARY 11, 2024
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
OBITUARY
OBITUARY
Trigg, Charles Murray
Trigg, DoreenCharles DrusillaMurray Kilbourn
Charles Murray Trigg, Ph. D., P. Eng., P. Geol., 92, passed away on December 24, 2023 with family by his side. Murray was born in Calgary on July 10, 1931, the only child of Charles Ernest Trigg and Beatrice May Trigg (nee Brown). He attended Sunnyside Bungalow, Hillhurst Junior High and Crescent Heights High School in Calgary before moving to Victoria, B.C. with his parents in 1947 where he attended Victoria High School and Victoria College. In 1950, Murray enrolled in the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and graduated with a B.Sc. in Geological Engineering in 1954. Later that year, while working as a junior geologist for Eldorado Nuclear in Port Radium, NWT, Murray met the love of his life, Doris Catherine Bohme, who was working as a nurse at the Port Radium hospital. The two were married on July 14, 1955 in Edmonton, Alberta, and the following year the newly married couple moved to Eldorado, Saskatchewan where Murray took a job as a senior geologist at the Verna Mine. That year they also proudly celebrated the birth of their eldest son, Gary. Daughter, Colleen, was born in 1958, followed by Shelley in 1959. In September 1960, Murray enrolled in McGill University and spent the next four years completing his doctoral studies in geology while continuing to work summers in Eldorado, where he was promoted to chief mine geologist in September 1963. During these hectic years spent juggling studies, work and an ever-growing family, Murray and Doris welcomed the arrival of Nancy in 1962 and Kevin in 1963. In 1964 Murray received his doctorate in geology from McGill University and was awarded the President’s Medal for the best essay by a graduate student. 1965 saw the birth of daughter Kathryn, and the following year, Murray, Doris and their six children moved to Edmonton, where Murray began working with Irwin Engineering. In November of that year daughter Heather was born. In 1967, Murray established Trigg, Woollett and Associates Ltd. (TWAL) with friend and long-time colleague George Woollett. At the time the geology and mining sectors in northern Canada were very active and both Murray and George traveled extensively to various mining properties in remote locations by float plane in summer and ski-equipped aircraft in winter. Their work was mainly in northern Saskatchewan, northern Manitoba, the Yukon, NWT, and what is now Nunavut. Murray also performed geological consulting and project management services internationally in the United States, China, Australia, Mexico, Greenland, Ireland, Switzerland and France. In 1991 Murray and George wound down the company and retired from day-to-day work. Throughout his career, Murray was active in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) and the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA). He held various positions in APEGA, including Councillor and Chairman of the Discipline Committee and Board of Examiners. He also served as President of the Alberta Chamber of Resources in 1977. In 1984, Murray was awarded the CIM A.O. Dufresne Exploration Achievement Award for exceptional contribution to mining exploration. Murray and Doris retired to Victoria, B.C. in 1992. They spent their summers at their cottage in Windermere, B.C. where Murray was an avid fly fisherman and Doris hunted for flowers in the Rocky Mountains and the Purcells. They spent their winters in Victoria and enjoyed holidays in France, Italy, Spain, England, Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean. Murray enjoyed family events and especially ski holidays at Sunshine Village, Sun Valley, Silver Star and Marmot Basin in Jasper. Although Murray spent many summers working in northern Canada, he also loved to spend time at the family cottage at Pigeon Lake and later in Windermere. He was an avid reader and his memory for dates, facts and figures was remarkable. He loved to talk about what he had read and enjoyed discussing local geological events and history as well as world politics. Murray was an opera fan and a keen collector of Canadian art. He had a great sense of humour and was affectionately known by his sons-in-law as “Coach”. Murray was extremely proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Murray is survived by his wife, Doris; his children Gary (Sue), Colleen (Gary), Shelley (Kevin), Nancy (Jean-Denis), Kevin (Isabelle), Kathryn (Al) and Heather as well as thirteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren. A small family gathering will be held at a later date to celebrate and share stories of a long, full and interesting life. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
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Charles Trigg, Ph. D., (née P. Eng., P. Geol., 94, 92, DoreenMurray Drusilla Kilbourn Standly), passed away onBC, December 24, 2023 family of Invermere, passed away on with December by 2023, his side. 19, surrounded by family and friends. Murray born in12, Calgary 10, 1931, the Born onwas October 1929,ontoJuly Aylmer (Jim) onlyEdith child of CharlesinErnest and Alberta, Beatrice and Standly HighTrigg River, May Trigg He attended Doreen was(nee theBrown). last of four girls inSunnyside a prairie Bungalow, Hillhurst JuniorAsHightheandyoungest Crescent homesteading family. Heights High Schoolwas in Calgary daughter, Doreen the onlybefore one moving of the tofour Victoria, parents After in 1947 where he to be B.C. bornwith in ahis hospital. the family attended HighDoreen School went and Victoria College. movedVictoria to Calgary, on to graduate In 1950, Murray enrolled the University of British in 1948 from Western Canada High School, wherein she was very active in Columbia Vancouver graduated with awith B.Sc.the in the Young People’s Players theatre in club. She hadand many adventures Engineering in 1954. friends she made backGeological then—such as a cycling trip to Banff, in the days of single-gear bikes—and kept them close all these years. Later that year, while working as a junior geologist for Eldorado Nuclear in Port Radium, NWT,Garry Murray met the at love of his life, Doris Catherine whowere was Doreen met Kilbourn a dance in Calgary, and in Bohme, 1951 they working as a nurse at the Port Radium hospital. The two were married on July married. They went on to have three children, Kenneth, Drusilla, and Russell. 14, 1955 was in Edmonton, the children; following year thestyle newly couple Doreen a devotedAlberta, motherand to her in the of married the times, she moved to Eldorado, Saskatchewan where Murray took a job as a senior geologist was always there for them, until they went off to make their respective lives. at thelater Verna Mine. her Thatown year independence they also proudly celebrated their eldest She gained and workedthe forbirth the of Alberta Law son, Gary. Daughter, Colleen, was born in 1958, followed by Shelley in 1959. In Foundation and Canada Trust. That said, family always came first to Doreen, September Murray McGill University and spent the next four a value she1960, instilled in enrolled everyoneinaround her. The annual family “Standly years completing his doctoral studies in geology while continuing to work summers Cup” golf tournament, for instance, was for decades a highlight for all the in Eldorado, where he was promoted to presence chief mineinspired geologistallinshe September 1963. generations. Doreen’s quiet but lively met, right up During these hectic years spent juggling studies, work and an ever-growing family, to her 2020 move to Invermere, BC, where she found a new circle of friends Murray and Doristhose welcomed the behind arrival ofinNancy in 1962 and since Kevin 1960, in 1963. to complement she left Calgary, where, she had In 1964 received his doctorate in geology lived in Murray the house on Chicoutimi Drive N.W. from McGill University and was awarded the President’s Medal for the best essay by and a graduate student. 1965 saw Doreen was predeceased by her husband Garry son Ken (Elfriede), his the birth of daughter Kathryn, and the following year, Murray, Doris and their six son and Doreen’s grandson, Torsten, as well as Dave Clark, her partner for children movedintolater Edmonton, Murrayby began Irwin Engineering. several years life. Shewhere is survived Druworking (Tony),with Russell (Sandra), and In November of that year daughter Heather was born. her five grandchildren, Andy, Denise (George), Owen, Abby, and Francesca, In established Trigg, and Associates Ltd. (TWAL) with her1967, greatMurray grandchild, Hendrix, andWoollett five generations of nieces and nephews. friend and long-time colleague George Woollett. At the time the geology and A funeral service will be held on Saturday April 13, 2024 at McInnis and mining sectors in northern Canada were very active and both Murray and George Holloway Funeral Home, Chapel of the Bells, at 2720 Centre St. N., in Calgary, traveled extensively to various mining properties in remote locations by float plane AB. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Doreen’s name to the in summer and ski-equipped aircraft in winter. Their work was mainly in northern Canadian Red Cross (https://www.redcross.ca/). Arrangements entrusted to Saskatchewan, northern Manitoba, the Yukon, NWT, and what is now Nunavut. McInnis and Holloway Funeral Home and Queen’s Park Cemetery, Calgary, Murray also performed geological consulting and project management services AB. internationally in the United States, China, Australia, Mexico, Greenland, Ireland, Switzerland and France. In 1991 Murray and George wound down the company and retired from day-to-day work. Throughout his career, Murray was active in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) and the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA). He held various positions in APEGA, including Councillor and Chairman of the Discipline Committee and Board of Examiners. He also served as President of the Alberta Chamber of Resources in 1977. In 1984, Murray was awarded the CIM A.O. Dufresne Exploration Achievement Award for exceptional contribution to mining exploration. Murray and Doris retired to Victoria, B.C. in 1992. They spent their summers at their cottage in Windermere, B.C. where Murray was an avid fly fisherman and Doris hunted for flowers in the Rocky Mountains and the Purcells. They spent their winters in Victoria and enjoyed holidays in France, Italy, Spain, England, Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean. Murray enjoyed family events and especially ski holidays at Sunshine Village, Sun Valley, Silver Star and Marmot Basin in Jasper. Although Murray spent many summers working in northern Canada, he also loved to spend time at the family cottage at Pigeon Lake and later in Windermere. He was an avid reader and his memory for dates, facts and figures was remarkable. He loved to talk about what he had read and enjoyed discussing local geological events and history as well as world politics. Murray was an opera fan and a keen collector of Canadian art. He had a great sense of humour and was affectionately known by his sons-in-law as “Coach”. Murray was extremely proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Murray is survived by his wife, Doris; his children Gary (Sue), Colleen (Gary), Shelley (Kevin), Nancy (Jean-Denis), Kevin (Isabelle), Kathryn (Al) and Heather as well as thirteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren. A small family gathering will be held at a later date to celebrate and share stories of a long, full and interesting life. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
A wooden Santa is dressed up to bring good cheer to everyone in Wilmer during the holiday season. PHOTO SYD DANIS
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
JANUARY 11, 2024
Teacher of life loves home on the ranch
Continued from page 15 The program that she coordinates involves day visits to classrooms to teach different aspects of agriculture and to organize field trips to ranches, orchards, dairy farms, gardens and apiaries. “The government and other agencies see food sustainability and availability as a priority now, so trying to get children interested in growing food is essential. As one of my hosts said, ‘I only do this because we need people in agriculture. Too many of us are aging out and there are not many replacements.’” Karen said a grant from Fortis helps the KLA spend more time helping children. For example, they have built gardens and greenhouses at schools to educate students on food security. “If we get more volunteers to deliver programs, hopefully we could expand to the middle and high school students.” Karen and her husband operate a cattle ranch and a small feedlot. They sell beef to grocery stores, restaurants, and individual clients. You could say that ranching is in her blood. “When you get a chance to interact with animals and live in the peace and quiet of the country, it is hard to give up for the noise of the city,” she said. “Where else do you have to get up and warm colostrum at two in the morning for twin calves, or call a neighbour to help you bring a cow in at four in the morning and have it get stuck in a pile of dirt?”
Karen’s neighbours have started sleeping with their phones under their pillows. “Having a neighbour sit with you all night in the bathroom as you hold a calf’s head up from the water in the bathtub to warm it up after hypothermia, while your husband has another heifer at the vets for a C-section.” You do what you have to do on the farm. She will never forget one incident that scared her father something fierce while they were moving cows; she was only six years old. “I was riding a terrific small horse that could really do the job on her own. I came to a tree and leaned left to go around the tree, but my horse chose the right side. Needless to say we parted company and I ended up on the ground. My horse just stopped and looked at me (urging me) to get up. I piled back on and away we went.” For Karen and Doug, there is no typical day on the ranch because it all depends on the time of year. They get up, have breakfast, go down to the barn to feed the calves, grain steers and the cows. Then there’s the housework, bookkeeping, paying bills, and repairing machinery, etc. “This is the quiet time. In spring, in calving season, you could be up all night with calves (in the kitchen if they are hypothermic) . . . there’s never a shortage of jobs. Fixing fence, moving cows . . .” Like taxes, one thing’s for certain: there isn’t much time for hobbies. They play cards with friends or just get together and chat with neighbours. “The one thing in the country, people help
people all the time and they know their neighbours. When there is a problem, you can call on others to help.” Karen says ranching is not progressing as it should due to the high costs of everything. “In our small area there used to be dozens of ranches. Now there are only about three left in our area. It is a profession that requires hours of hard work, little money and almost no free time. Not many people are up to that challenge. Also the cost of land has skyrocketed so many young people can’t begin to get set up.” She says what needs to change is
the government requirement that everything go electronic when most of the ranchers do not have the technology. “Too many ranchers are aging out and have not had the experience with computers. Also, the rural internet system is not sufficient to do everything the government wants.” Karen notes that ranchers have to put up with much of their crops destroyed by elk with only limited compensation, and the cost of replacing all the range fences that were built 50 years ago is a crippling expense. “That is only part of the reason many people are leaving the profession.”
Karen Barraclough seen here at the Canal Flats greenhouse. She is a firm believer in food sustainability. PHOTO SUBMITTED
Australian pond hockey event coming to town Submitted
WE VALUE BC If you’re among BC’s approximately 2 million property owners, you should receive your 2024 property assessment in the mail early in January. If you haven’t, call us toll-free at 1-866-valueBC. Access and compare property assessment information using our free assessment search service at bcassessment.ca. The 2024 assessments are based on market value as of July 1, 2023. If you have questions or want more information, contact us at 1-866-valueBC or online at bcassessment.ca. For more property information and assessment highlights, visit bcassessment.ca
The deadline to file an appeal for your assessment is January 31, 2024.
Invermere will soon host an Australian pond ice hockey team during its tour of BC and Alberta. The Canberra Senators – the national capital’s oldest active ice hockey club – will begin its tour January 18 and wrap up on February 3 in Invermere. “There have been plenty of Aussie ice hockey teams which have travelled overseas, including to Canada, but none has prepared itself specifically for pond hockey tournaments and games,” said team manager Bill Kourelakos. “We’ll be skating outdoors in -10 to -20 degree temperatures where the wind is biting and the snow unrelenting.” The average age of the 12-member team is 60; the youngest skater is 51, the oldest 67. Former Australian women’s team captain Stephanie Boxall is the sole female player. Two of the Canberra Knights foundation players – Steve Clyde-Smith and Scott Marshall – are part of the team whose members rep-
resent a cross-section of backgrounds, nationalities and ice hockey experience. “Given ice hockey is Canada’s most popular sport, you’d expect a lot of expatriates who’ve made Australia home have found an ice rink to pursue their passion, so it follows quite a few Canadians make up the Canberra Senators club,” Kourelakos said. He noted the team is a mix of retired senior defence personnel and public servants, first responders, business operators, professionals and a teacher. “We’ve been undertaking various activities during what is in the southern hemisphere our off-season, to maintain some degree of fitness, but we’re going into the mid-season in Canada, on foreign ice, against teams we’ve never played before so it’s going to be a new challenge every game,” Kourelakos pointed out. The Pioneer was told by organizers that games in Invermere will take place indoors on February 1-2 vs the Invermere Oldtimers in Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena.
JANUARY 11, 2024
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
Ktunaxa language course very successful
By Julia Magsombol Local Journalism Initiative julia@columbiavalleypioneer.com As 2023 ended with a bang, so did the Ktunaxa language class. Mara Nelson, Traditional Knowledge and Language Support worker from the Ktunaxa Nation, and Alfred Joseph, a respected Elder, taught the 12week course that started in September and finished in December. "We do language classes every Monday . . . it starts to become part of your daily expectation,” Nelson said. In the first few weeks, the students introduced themselves and were taught how to present themselves— saying their names, nationality, and where they
came from in the Ktunaxa language. Ki?su?k kyukyit is “welcome” or “good day” in Ktunaxa. Anwunikit is “see you later.” What's unique about the language is that it contains no alphabet, only sounds. One of the memorable sounds is ‘ta or xa.’ Students learned how to pronounce numbers, place names of the towns in ?amakis Ktunaxa, dates/months, emotions, body parts, and so on. Every class is unique for each student, especially for the educators teaching the course. "This one, in particular, had a lot of significance for me. It was the first session that my mom attended, and
Holiday a big ‘wrap’ Submitted by Barbara Thrasher Christmas Eve morning saw Groundswell volunteers wrapping poinsettias for delivery to senior’s homes and valley churches to add beauty to their holiday. The David Thompson students’ sparkling stars on the hill have stopped shining as the garden prepares to go back to sleep until spring. Main Street fun and games were presented with the ‘Favourite Tree Award’ by Edson Martins, store manager of Home Hardware. The Paul Mondragon tree sculpture will be as treasured as Main Street’s dragon that they decorated their tree with. Be sure to drop into their store for a close up look and a word of congratulations. Four Points Books was a close second with a classic blue and white theme pointing us in the direction of a better future by growing ourselves through our reading, and Mrs. Armitage’s JA Laird class was a big hit with Gramma Got Run Over By a Reindeer. The trees were voted on by attendees over the four nights of Groundswell’s first annual Garden of Lights.
Whether adding their wish for 2024 on the ‘Wishing Tree’, warming by the fire with friends, or indulging in carol singing along with Bryant Olender and Valley Voices, the community celebrated the blessings of this valley as they contributed to the growing movement for food sustainability with Groundswell Community Greenhouse and Gardens and all their partners. We are working together to ensure that everyone who lives here goes to bed with a full, well-nourished tummy. The Grinch waves goodbye as he retreats to his mountain top to plan his return to upset your holiday in 2024. Hi Jinx creative designer Arly Franson has already started to dream of sugarplums. Ring in your new year by contacting us as a potential sponsor or volunteer for next year and make this valley even brighter. Visit us at Groundswell later in January. Watch with your own eyes the miracle of crisp lettuce, healthy kale, and new tomatoes sprouting under the leadership and green thumb of Marion Andrus, Groundswell manager Stephanie Stevens, and all the volunteers of Groundswell. Check out www.groundswellnetwork.ca/events.
Volunteers wrap poinsettias at Groundswell for delivery to seniors homes and churches for the holidays. PHOTO SUBMITTED
my cousin — she's the reason I started learning language," Nelson said. Nelson added that each session is very memorable. "It takes a lot of bravery. That's not something that's really easy to come out and do. Some of them took 11 weeks to get there, but they started it, and they did such a great job. Those moments are remarkable to me," she said. Nelson said another language session will be coming in late winter and early spring. The classes might be a level up from the previous ones. She intends to teach sentence structures, verb tenses, and nouns. Nelson also wants to see an in-person session every Monday night instead of Zoom classes. "That's what we want in our fami-
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lies: we want our language back and our language to be continued. And it's started in my home, where I can share it with my mom. It’s not going to go away now – that's what's so beautiful about this session, it just brought language back into our homes," Nelson stated. “I'm very grateful for the opportunities that I am given with Alfred and with the participants who spend their time,” she concluded. In Ktunaxa, there is no word for thank you, the closest they have is ‘Su'kni.’ For more information about the class, visit https://www.columbiavalleypioneer.com/language-educators-partner-with-cbeen/
DISTRICT OF INVERMERE
914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Tel: (250) 342-9281 Fax: (250) 342-2934
PUBLIC NOTICE Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1647, 2023 Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Sections 59 (2) and (3) of the Community Charter, that the District of Invermere Council is considering the adoption of Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1647, 2023, a bylaw to replace the municipality’s current Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1550, 2018 and all its amendments. Proposed Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1647, 2023 will, if adopted: • Include provisions to help regulate the operation of Short-Term Rental Accommodation Units (STRs) in the District of Invermere; and • Replace the District of Invermere’s current Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1550, 2018 and all its amendments. In accordance with the provisions of Section 59(2) of the Community Charter the District of Invermere Council will provide an opportunity for persons who consider they are affected by Bylaw No. 1647, 2023 to make representations to Council at a Regular Council Meeting to be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 7:00 pm MT, in the District of Invermere Council Chambers located at 914 – 8th Avenue, Invermere, BC. Afterwards, the Council of the District of Invermere may consider giving third reading to Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1647, 2023 during the same Regular Council meeting. A copy of Bylaw No. 1647, 2023 and related documents may be inspected at the District of Invermere Municipal Office at 914 – 8th Avenue, Invermere, BC, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm from January 2, 2024, to January 23, 2024. The proposed Bylaw may also be inspected online at the District of Invermere website: https://invermere.net. Questions about the Bylaw can be sent to info@invermere.net or by calling the Corporate Services Department at 250-342-9281 extension 1228. Persons who wish to provide comments on the Bylaw can submit them in one of the following ways: • Mail or hand delivery to the District of Invermere Municipal Office at 914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339, Invermere, BC V0A 1K0, provided they are received by the District of Invermere Municipal Office not later than 12:00 pm noon MT, Friday, January 19, 2024 • Email to info@invermere.net by 12:00 pm noon MT, Friday, January 19, 2024 • Facsimile to 250-342-2934 received by 12:00 pm noon MT, Friday, January 19, 2024 • By attending the Regular Council meeting, described above, to be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 7:00 pm MT. Written comments received will be distributed to Council for their consideration at the Regular Council meeting on January 23, 2024. Those members of the public in attendance at the Regular Council meeting on January 23, 2024, will be allowed to make presentations to Council or present written submissions respecting matters contained in Bylaw No. 1647, 2023.
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
JANUARY 11, 2024
FAITH
Columbia Valley
‘While you are with us . . .’ Rev. Terry Dyck Lake Windermere Alliance Church After a year of living in the Columbia Valley I have accumulated some observations and experiences of the rythyms of the community. Excuse me if some of these appear obvious to you, or normal and expected. It is relatively easy to slide into the perspective of thinking that what is happening around me and in my world – “it’s like this everywhere.” When indeed, life as you know it, may only be like you know it, where you are. Things may be very different everywhere else. That is certainly worth pondering and considering what that may mean for how you think and treat other people. One observation that continues to stir around in my brain is the contrast in community engagement. Allow me to expand, and forgive me for making broad generalizations. You know, generalizations are only generally true. It has been a joy to participate in community events where broad participation occurs even when an individual may not have a personal attachment to the event. For instance, the grad parade where people
lined the streets to celebrate high school graduates. People showed up whether or not they knew the grad, family or friends. The Santa Claus parade being another such event. You may say, “of course we show up, this is our community, these are our people.” But one of the more unique features of life in the valley is the engagement of one-time guests, repeat or seasonal residents, and those that make up a group I would call non-resident ownership. I continually connect with individuals, couples, families who regard this area as their other home, or second home. I witness people going all in, whether they are permanent, long-term residents, new to the valley, or occasional residents. I have not yet fully formed and processed my thinking about what this all means. Currently I have landed on the phrase, “while you are with us,” to describe my approach. This is also shaping how I describe, encourage and challenge people in their faith journey. While you are with us … engage as you can, make a positive impact, take a step in your personal journey, build a healthy relationship, invest in someone … while you are with us.
Churches 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 Minister: Brent Woodard Sundays at 10:30 am, in-person or on Zoom. For the Zoom link, please visit our website at wvsm.ca. 110 - 7th Ave. in Invermere.
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: Saturday 5 pm, Sunday 9 am St. Joseph’s, Radium: Sunday 11 am Father Francis Dela Cruz | 712 -12th Ave., Invermere 250-342-6167
ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN CHURCH Sunday 1:30 p.m. Worship Service at Valley Christian 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere lutheranstpeter@gmail.com
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, 10 a.m. Relief Society, 11:15 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
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New Year’s Eve was a grand affair with dazzling fireworks seen from Indian Beach Estates. PHOTO RAENA DYBLE
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Rechargeable hearing aids
Have difficulty understanding conversation within a group of people?
The discreet miniRITE R style comes with a stylish and reliable charger and long-lasting rechargeable batteries.
Avoid group meetings, social occasions, public facilities or family gatherings where listening may be difficult? Have trouble hearing at the movies, house of worship, concert halls, or at other public gatherings – especially where sound sources are not at a distance? Have ringing in the ears or other head noises? (hissing, buzzing, crickets, etc.) Tinnitus often accompanies hearing loss, but not always, and as such, may be the ears way of saying “ouch!” If you checked at least two of these questions, you may have hearing loss and need to have your hearing tested.
Loss of hearing affects over 2 million Canadian of all ages. Hearing loss can range from being very mild in nature, resulting in not hearing faint high pitched sounds or voices, to impairment is so severe that very loud noises may not be detected. As with most other health problems, early detection allows for more effective intervention. In some cases, hearing loss is medically treatable and may be improved. In cases where the hearing loss is permanent, hearing aids are a form of treatment that allow for compensation of the hearing loss. Early detection and intervention also offers a means of support for both the hearing impaired person and his or her family, with the social and mental burdens often associated with hearing loss.
Here are the main benefits you will experience with rechargeable hearing aids: •
Three-hour charging time for a full day of power, including streaming
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Quick recharge – 30 minutes for an additional six hours of power
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No hassle with disposable batteries
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Easy-to-use, reliable and stylish charger
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State-of-the-art lithium-ion battery technology
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A 360° sound experience
Connect to your phone and devices
Oticon Real comes with improved technology that gives your brain access to the relevant sounds around you.
Oticon Real is more than a hearing aid – it’s a piece of wearable technology, one that makes it easier to connect to your favourite devices.
You hear with your brain Oticon Real gives you proven BrainHearing benefits*
e miniRITE T includes a telecoil so you can connect sound systems in public places
e BTE PP is a more powerful and larger style for sier handling, with a bigger button and LED status ht
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Up to 5 year repair warranty Rechargeable ‘worry free’ hearing aids
earing aids
Worksafe BC Network Provider
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Veteran’s Affairs Provider
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Open 5 days a week
ConnectClip A discreet microphone accessory that connects wirelessly to Oticon Real, giving you:
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Reduces your listening effort
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Helps you remember more of what is being said
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Gives you better speech understanding
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Improves your ability to follow conversations with multiple speakers * Juul Jensen 2019, Oticon Whitepaper
‘Quality Hearing…. For life!’
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Hands-free calls
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Streaming of music, video sound, etc
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A remote microphone
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A remote control
The Oticon ON App Easily and discreetly control your Oticon hearing aids with a smartphone app. •
Adjust volume
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Switch programs
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Check battery
...and much more
LL US TODAY TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT 1-877-426-0079
E HEARING EVALUATION
FREE PRODUCT DEMONSTRATION
New Oticon Real hearing aids help you break free of restrictions and join the conversation in difficult listening environments. A 360° sound experience
Rechargeable hearing aids
Closing a gap to normal hearing
Optimal clarity and reduction of background noise
“We look forward to continue to serve folks of the Kootenays with the highest level of care possible. Providing exceptional care is easy when you are passionate and enjoy what you do.”
FREE
HEARING EVALUATION
FREE
PRODUCT DEMONSTRATION
100% LOCALLY OWNED
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT! 1-877-426-0079 Invermere 937 – 7th Avenue, Invermere
Cranbrook 1500 Cranbrook Street, Cranbrook
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Kimberley 155 Howard Street, Kimberley 100% locally owned in the Kootenays www.dynamichearingsolutions.ca