Vol12issue01

Your Weekly Source for News and Events

Vol. 12/Issue 1

The Columbia

Valley

January 2, 2015

P ioneer

FREE

Serving The Upper Columbia Valley including Spillimacheen, Brisco, Edgewater, Radium, Invermere, Windermere, Fairmont and Canal Flats

deer relocation

‘Winter in motion’ kicking off The Columbia Valley’s new ‘Winter in Motion’ festival starts on Saturday, January 3rd with a big celebration of the Whiteway’s World Record title for longest ice skating trail. The outdoor party is planned for Kinsmen Beach, pictured here on Monday, December 29th when crowds — including Diana Crombie and her stylishly bundled dog Charlie Murphy (inset) — were out enjoying a plethora of winter activities on the frozen lake. For details on the not-to-be missed event, see page 3.

Photos by Dan Walton

3 AVALANCHE DANGER

8 LADY OF THE LAKE

14

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2 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 2, 2015

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THANK YOU Your Columbia Valley Rockies Junior B hockey team would like to extend a heartfelt ‘THANK YOU’ to our faithful fans and as well to our amazing volunteers of past and present. Without your dedication to the team, we would not be able to continue bringing the entertainment and events to the community we all live in.

As a ‘Thank You’ from your Rockies, we would like to invite past and present Rockies volunteers to an evening of appreciation for all you have done and presently do. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, January 13, 2015. Come cheer on your Rockies as our guests and after the game, you are invited to join us in the upper mezzanine for an appreciation get together. We look forward to seeing you all there!

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HOLIDAY PILE UP — Clearing the transfer station in Invermere took far longer than necessary on Saturday, December 27th, as waste was carelessly piled around the garbage and recycling bins. An excess of refuse left a messy impression for all who stumbled upon the unsightly scene.

Photo by Mark Topliff

Invermere transfer station ill-treated after Christmas

By Dan Walton Pioneer Staff Misuse at the Invermere transfer station has prompted a public warning: use of the facility can effectively be taken away.

“If people just keep abusing it, that’s all it’s going to take,” Invermere bylaw officer Mark Topliff told The Pioneer on Monday, December 29th.

The excessive recycling and waste was presumably a result of holiday consumption habits, but the postChristmas state of the transfer station this year was far worse than at the end of 2013.

“This is 300 per cent worse (than last year’s postChristmas load),” said Mr. Topliff, who added that

there’s been no indication as to why.

Responding to nine complaint calls on Saturday, December 27th, Mr. Topliff and another public employee spent three hours cleaning up a mess that was about five feet in height with a 15-foot radius.

There were 19 car tires, a refrigerator, and two dressers — items that should have been taken to the landfill in Windermere, he said.

Boxes not broken down made the pile bigger than it had to be, Mr. Topliff said, but more frustrating was how the bins were not all full.

There was still space for materials to be placed in the containers provided on site. “(People) are like cattle,” he said. “They just see one person do it and then all follow.”

January 2, 2015

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 3

Valley NEWS

World record-breaking Whiteway to be celebrated

By Dan Walton Pioneer Staff The record’s been broken and the water is frozen — now the Lake Windermere Whiteway is ready to officially open as the longest ice skating track on the planet.

Recognized to be 29.98 kilometres in length, the Lake Windermere Whiteway smashed the previous record held

by The Forks — a 9.3-kilometre track in Manitoba.

Saturday, January 3rd will be a momentous day at the Kinsmen Beach, as the Toby Creek Nordic Club celebrates the announcement that the Guinness World Records made last year with the inaugural Whiteway Winter Festival. The Nordic Club will use the frozen lake to host a full day of winter activities, with a ribbon cutting

and barbecue lunch taking place early in the afternoon.

“This is a celebration of something that the community has rallied around,” said Duncan Whittick, Nordic Club board member and event organizer. “And it’s a really great time to do it because we’ve got both locals and visitors in the valley, and it’s really been an effort achieved by all those people.”

Many of the events at Saturday’s festival are dependent on the amount of co-operation offered by Mother Nature. A cold spell has the club hopeful, but earlier in the week, they were still in need of two more inches of ice before officially opening the Whiteway for skiing at the north end of the lake.

“The new groomer will definitely be there regardless of conditions,” said Mr. Whittick. “Even if we don’t have

a ski track, we will still do the speed skating lessons, fat bike demos, bratwurst and hot chocolate, and the ribbon cutting.”

Following the ribbon cutting, Shilo and Ben Cameron will be on hand to do an acoustic version of the “Take Me There” song that is featured in the Whiteway video, and new Whiteway World Record signs will also be unveiled.

Parents with youngsters will want to be the first at Kinsmen Beach on Saturday. Beginning at 10 a.m., the Nordic Club’s Jackrabbit program will be holding “tryit” lessons, which give kids between the ages of five and 12 the chance to learn the ropes of cross-country skiing from local coaches. If kids need equipment they can arrive early at 9:30 a.m.

Continued on page 5 . . .

Rod and Gun Club sets its scope on deer relocation

By Steve Hubrecht Pioneer Staff The Columbia Valley Rod and Gun Club is volunteering to help with any efforts to relocate the urban deer living in Invermere.

In a letter to Invermere council sent in late November, and received at the most recent council meeting on Tuesday, December 16th the club volunteered its labour, equipment and expertise to the district for the live capture, transport and relocation of mule deer.

“We have the skill base, we have the expertise and we have equipment,” club president Rick Hoar told The Pioneer, pointing out the club is composed of three retired conservation officers, wildlife biologists, professional guides and ranchers, and has previous experience assisting wildlife relocation projects for bighorn sheep, mountain goats and elk.

Mr. Hoar said the impetus for the offer came about because the deer cull issue

has lately been generating attention and because the number of mule deer outside Invermere has decreased dramatically even as the number of deer living in the district has increased.

“It does seems ridiculous to kill mule deer in town when there’s a lack of mule deer outside town,” he said. “We just see it (relocation) as something worth trying.”

The club is aware of the district’s offer of $300 per deer to any organization that can relocate the deer, and this is not the first time it’s stepped forward to help.

Mr. Hoar said the last time the Rod and Gun Club volunteered to help with relocation, the offer ran aground when the provincial government (which technically has responsibility for all wildlife in B.C., including the mule deer in Invermere) set forth difficult conditions as part of the permit any group carrying out the relocation would need.

“The province stepped in and made conditions, including that there must be a veterinarian, that DNA samples must be taken, radio collars put on the deer and that they be tracked for a year after being relocated,” he said.

Continued on page 21 . . .

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4 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 2, 2015

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Between the dates of December 23rd, 2014 and December 30th, 2014, the Columbia Valley Detachment responded to roughly 54 calls for service. Nine of these complaints were motor vehicle accidents. Several complaints of thefts of skis were reported, including theft of seasonal decorations in the Timbermont area of Invermere. Reports of domestic disturbances, in which some resulted in charges due to violence, were investigated. Reports of drug overdoses, drug trafficking and other suspected substance abuse investigations were reported. A few incidents of Mental Health Act situations were attended by RCMP members as well, but all safely handled. A few files are as follows: • On Tuesday, December 23rd, at 12:15 a.m., Columbia Valley RCMP were advised of a male that was possibly driving impaired from the lookout at Panorama Village to Invermere, en route back to Calgary. Details were provided of the vehicle. While the Invermere RCMP member was attending, she observed a similarly described vehicle travelling eastbound on Laurier Street in Invermere. Queries confirmed the details of the registered owner, and that this had been the vehicle and driver reported on. RCMP stopped the vehicle in front of the Canadian Tire on Athalmer Road. The driver admitted that they had some drinks, and RCMP gained grounds and read the lone driver the Approved Screening Device demand. The male blew twice into an ASD and failed twice and was served a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.

• On Saturday, December 27th, Columbia Valley RCMP were dispatched to an assist general public file.

It was reported that two people with their dog had fallen down a 100-foot embankment behind Pine Tree Place in Invermere. One of the subjects was reported as being injured and there was no way to get to them. The RCMP activated Search and Rescue and they attended with the Invermere fire department and BC Ambulance. Invermere Fire was able to rope down to the patients and retrieve all without incident. One subject was transported to the Invermere & District Hospital showing signs of hypothermia as well as having received multiple lacerations from the fall. Cst. Scott Myers, along with all representatives of the Columbia Valley

RCMP, wish to thank all first responders involved.

• On Saturday, December 27th, Columbia Valley RCMP were requested to attend Copper Point Resort in Invermere as a result of a group of guests in the hot tub being unruly, yelling at other patrons while intoxicated, and failing to leave at the request of hotel security staff.

One male subject was ultimately escorted off the property by police and was provided a ride to a neighbouring motel. This subject returned, however, and was forcibly arrested the second time and lodged in cells. Charges of two counts of Mischief along with one count of Resist Arrest are being forwarded against the out-of-province 30-year-old male. Cpl. Ayers wishes to thank the staff of Copper Point Resort for their assistance in placing the subject in the back of the police truck without any major injury to the combatant, and no injuries to the civilians or police. Any injuries to the combatant were selfinflicted, witnessed by staff and patrons, and hopefully caught on video camera. Thanks for having my back!

• On December 27th at 6:50 p.m., Columbia Valley RCMP were advised of a reported missing snowboarder at Panorama Ski Resort. It was determined that the male snowboarder was last seen around noon snowboarding in some trees near “Roy’s Run” and “Get Me Down”. At 6:56 p.m., the Provincial Emergency Program was activated. At 7:30 p.m., Search and Rescue was about 15 minutes away from Panorama. At 7:52 p.m., Ski Patrol made contact with the lost snowboarder and were able to communicate with him. Panorama Ski Patrol stated that the male was located at a common place on the mountain where snowboarders and skiers go out of bounds to look for better powder. At 9:09 p.m., Search and Rescue and Ski Patrol recovered the out-of-province snowboarder who was uninjured. Thanks again to all involved!

Register your off-road vehicles Snowmobiles and/or off-road vehicle use is fun, but please be advised that all snowmobiles being used on public lands need to be registered regardless of which province it is from and thus will be checked, time-permitting.

Happy New Year!

The Columbia Valley RCMP wishes everyone a safe holiday season and sincerely passes on “all the best” for 2015.

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January 2, 2015

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 5

MMBC leaves valley with no styrofoam recycling option

By Steve Hubrecht Pioneer Staff A local resident is shining a light on how the province’s new recycling program, Multi Material B.C. (MMBC), fails to provide an option for dealing with styrofoam products located here in the Upper Columbia Valley.

Wayne Collens was surprised to learn that, under MMBC, the only recycling depots in the East Kootenay accepting styrofoam products are in Cranbrook, almost an hour and half ’s drive away.

“This means that no styrofoam will be recycled in the Columbia Valley, with an estimated population of 8,000, because of distance,” wrote Mr. Collens in an email.

He later told The Pioneer that in comparison, Osoyoos (population 4,845) has two depots and Oliver (population 4,370) has another, even though the two towns are only 18 minutes apart.

“Once again, the East Kootenay is the poor cousin,” he said.

Mr. Collens has written to MMBC about the issue, saying he can’t see why Invermere should have less service than Oliver.

“I don’t mind making noise, especially when it comes to provincial or federal governments, or organizations ignoring the East Kootenay,” he said.

“We don’t select depots, we make offers and we did make an offer to Invermere,” said MMBC managing director Al Langdon, adding that

. . . ‘World’ from page 3 Entertainment will cater to all ages at 11 a.m., when winter games and music will begin.

A fundraiser will get underway for lunch at noon, with sales from a bratwurst barbecue supporting the Whiteway. The Lake Windermere Ambassadors will also have hot chocolate and information on Lake Windermere. It will be after lunchtime when the world record becomes official.

“We’ll cut the ribbon right at 1 p.m. and that will be the kickoff for a Community Challenge for people to get out and enjoy as much of the world record track as they can,” said Mr. Whittick.

The dignitaries cutting the ribbon will be local business owner and district councillor (who was instrumental in earning the recognition from Guinness) Justin Atterbury, Invermere mayor Gerry Taft, Regional District of East Kootenay Area F Director Wendy Booth, Nordic Club board members Penny Powers, Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce Chair Amanda Robinson, Nordic Club vice president Darren Tamelin, Nordic Club member and operator of the Whiteway Brad Kitching, and two-time speed skating Olympian Ingrid

Invermere initially accepted the offer but then terminated the agreement before the new MMBC program was launched.

Styrofoam recycling service could come to Invermere in the future as more businesses come into compliance with the province’s new recycling regulations, possibly allowing MMBC to expand, according to Mr. Langdon.

MMBC currently has 70 collectors (either curbside or depot) on a wait list, but none are currently in the Invermere area.

“Until groups or people from Invermere come forward, our hands are really tied,” said Mr. Langdon.

MMBC expects to have 200 depots in operation across the province by the end of the year.

Liepa from Kimberley.

Another high profile speed skater from Calgary, Ian Houghton, will also be attending the Whiteway Winter Festival and helping with the kids speed skating session.

Mr. Whittick, who used to speed skate himself, was able to invite Ms. Liepa and Mr. Houghton after connecting many years ago.

The Whiteway Winter Festival is a free event to attend, but the Toby Creek Nordic Club reminds the public that a $5 donation is requested from users each time they’re out using one of the three tracks (ice skating, classic cross country and skate skiing). Frequent users of the Whiteway may instead want to purchase a season pass for the cost of just $50 for individuals, and $120 for families. In addition to unlimited use of the Whiteway, season passes offer many other benefits, such as access to the Nordic Club’s eclectic programming that includes lessons and clinics; discounted season passes at the Panorama Nordic Centre; discounted trail passes at Nipika Mountain Resort; a 10 per cent discount at the Crazy Soles store in Invermere; discounted registration fees for the club’s annual loppet; a subscription to the Ski Cross Country magazine; and a free year-end barbecue. Find out more at www.tobycreeknordic.ca.

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6 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 2, 2015

perspective

Rapture of the Ice

Three dames a sorting

By Nicole Trigg Pioneer Staff The moment many have been waiting for has finally arrived. The Lake Windermere Whiteway, the brainchild of the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club that the entire Columbia Valley community has helped foster and nurture into the world’s longest ice skating trail, is officially being celebrated for securing the Guinness World Record as announced earlier in 2014. And luck is on our side. The Nordic Club has been waiting with crossed fingers as the post-Christmas cold snap has been, inch by inch, creating an ever-thicker layer of ice. It needs to be a regulation 12 inches, thick enough to groom for all three (ice skating, skate skiing and classic cross country) tracks.

Unbelievable, really, how the weather has co-operated. After November’s cold snap and blustery snowstorms were followed by what will go down in valley history as “The Big Melt of 2014” in which all the snow and ice disappeared, what a treat that not only were we handed a white Christmas, but that enough snow has fallen to transform the frozen Lake Windermere into the winter wonderland it needs to be to live up to its new Guinness World Record title — just in time.

One only has to walk out onto the ice at Kinsmen Beach or in front of the Invermere Bay Condos or wander over to Windermere to witness the ice fever that is spreading like a bad case of flu. Ice rinks are being cleared and sculpted into glass-smooth surfaces, snowmobilers are out by the dozen, ice fishing villages are popping up in all the popular spots, skaters are braving the freshly cleared pathways, and cross country skiers have been setting out across the pristine layer of snow covering the lake’s surface, patiently waiting for the Whiteway to materialize. Courtesy of Megan Peloso, the program co-ordinator for the Lake Windermere Ambassadors, some other ice fever symptoms to watch out for include: a distracted demeanor; suspension of normal caution about thin ice; patients often found hurriedly sharpening skates or iceboat runners or hunting for fishing gear; usually associated with a strong cold snap; most common in December and January; and may involve not showing up for work or other obligations.The affliction has also been called “Rapture of the Ice”. Anyone suffering from it will likely be found on the Lake Windermere Whiteway.

Historical Lens

In this image, dated sometime in the 1950s, a bright trio of fastidious women — Mary McLeod, Shelagh Dehart and Naomi Chrona — diligently sort through a plethora of Christmas trees, according to the colour of the tags. If you have any more information, email us at info@ columbiavalleypioneer.com.

Photo (A1039) courtesy of the Windermere District Historical Society

Get over the price of gas in the valley Dear Editor: John Tames wrote a letter to the editor last week, making several points about being in a business where the costs are very public, and seemingly always making the news. I think that we are actually very fortunate with the price that we presently pay for the fuel for our vehicles these days. Here’s why.

Fifty years ago, the price of a gallon of gas was in the fifty to sixty cents per gallon range. The average five-year-old car was a 1960 Chevy that, on a good day, got about 20 miles to the gallon. Minimum wage in B.C. was $1.25 per hour. So if you were a person earning minimum wage and driving a five-year-old car, you could expect to travel about 20 miles for a

half hour of your paid work time.

Today, the price of a litre of gasoline is about $1.20 in this valley. It takes 4.5 litres to be equivalent to one old gallon of gasoline. So a “gallon” of gasoline would cost about $5.40 by today’s prices. The minimum wage today in British Columbia is $10.25 per hour. So in today’s market, it takes just over a half hour at minimum wage to buy the equivalent of one gallon of gas. So that is not much different than what it was in 1964.

But wait. While that 1960 Chevy only got 20 miles to the gallon on a good day, things are better today. Now, the average five-year-old vehicle, like a mid-sized Toyota or Ford car or even a compact SUV, Continued on next page . . .

The Columbia Valley

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2013

Pioneer

is independently owned and operated, published weekly by Misko Publishing Limited Partnership.

Box 868, #8, 1008 - 8th Ave., Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Phone: 250-341-6299 • Fax: 1.855.377.0312 info@columbiavalleypioneer.com www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

Rose-Marie Fagerholm Publisher

Nicole Trigg Editor

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Office Administrator/ Classified Sales

January 2, 2015

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 7

LETTERS

Steamboat music society starts new year on high note

By Anne Jardine Steamboat Mountain Music Society On Friday, January 9th, the Steamboat Mountain Music Society will ring in the new year by holding its annual general meeting at 7 p.m. at the Edgewater Legion. The meeting will include an annual report of the society’s activities for 2014, a financial statement from last summer’s festival, news about the bursary, plans for July 2015, and the election of directors.

The Steamboat Mountain Music Society will assist two young musicians by splitting its annual bursary this year.

A promising eleven-year-old piano student Tiffany Cruz will be working on her Royal Conservatory Level 2 program with her teacher Tanya DuBois. Tiffany

was also awarded Windermere Valley Musicians Who Care funding towards her studies. Local singer-songwriter Jocelyn Taylor will be pursuing vocal training with her coach at Bow City Music.

Those who attended the Songwriters of the Valley CD release party in November will no doubt remember Jocelyn’s powerful performance. This fourteen-year-old musician will definitely be one to watch over the next few years.

Following the official annual general meeting business, dessert and coffee will be served and a few local musicians — including young Jocelyn Taylor — have been invited to play some tunes.

Early bird festival tickets, membership renewal and volunteer sign-up lists will also be available.

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. . . Continued from previous page

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gets the equivalent of 35 to 40 miles per gallon. So today, a person can actually drive almost twice as far for a half hour of labour at minimum wage that a person could drive in 1964. (By the way, if you drive a gas guzzling 4X4 or a premium fuel luxury car, you should be earning more than minimum wage and shouldn’t complain about gas prices anyway.)

I think we should stop worrying about gas prices in this valley and be more supportive of our business people who operate at pretty close margins in order to bring us this gasoline that we all rely upon day after day.

David Goldsmith Spillimacheen

We want to hear from you Email your letters to info@columbiavalleypioneer.com or visit our website at www.columbiavalleypioneer.com. Mail your letters to Box 868, Invermere, V0A 1K0, or drop them in at #8 1008-8th Avenue. Letters to the editor should be sent only to The Pioneer, and not to other publications. We do not publish open letters or third-party letters.

Letters for publication should be no longer than 400 words, and must include the writer’s address and phone numbers. No attachments, please.

Letters may be shortened for space re-

INVESTMENTS | RETIREMENT PLANNING | INSURANCE

quirements. We reserve the right to edit for space, clarity, civility and accuracy.

Please state your connection to the subject you’re writing about so that readers can judge your credibility and motivation. Please ensure that the facts cited in your letter are accurate. You are entitled to your own heartfelt opinion, but not to your own facts. Errors of fact mean either that we can’t run your letter or that we will have to run it with an accompanying correction.

Opinions expressed are those of the writer, not The Pioneer.

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DISTRICT OF INVERMERE 2015 SCHEDULE REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL The District of Invermere Council meets regularly throughout the year on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Office (914 – 8th Avenue, Invermere)

January 14th & 27th February 10th & 24th March 10th & 24th April 14th & 28th May 12th & 26th June 9th & 23rd

July 14th August 11th September 8th October 13th & 27th November 10th & 24th December 8th

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

8 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

Cold and flu season is here!

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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.

January 2, 2015

Special warning extended

by Avalanche Canada

By Dan Walton Pioneer Staff Winter came hard to the valley this season, and the order in which the snow has accumulated has prompted special public avalanche warnings.

The Purcell Mountains have “had a complex early season snowpack,” said Tom Riley, avalanche forecaster for Avalanche Canada.

On Tuesday, December 30th, a special warning was extended to Sunday, January 4th by Avalanche Canada throughout most of the province’s inland regions (including the Purcells and Rockies regions), which cautions backcountry users over the increased likelihood of triggering avalanches.

Initially issued on Thursday, December 25th, the warning said that pre-Christmas snowfalls, in addition to strong winds and mixed temperatures, “has placed a heavy load on a fragile snowpack.”

The decision to extend the warning was tricky, Mr. Riley said, as forthcoming weather could have many different effects on the current stagnating conditions.

But last week’s warning is still in place.

“People who are going out into the backcountry are likely to very likely to trigger avalanches,” he said. “The conditions that we issue the special avalanche warning for, which is a buried surface hoar layer that’s resulting in large avalanches that are very easy to trigger, that can be difficult for people in the public to analyze.”

While local conditions are improving slightly, the dangers caused by underlying layers of surface hoars will still be present.

It was “quite an active period” for avalanches in

the Purcells during the special warning, said Mr. Riley, adding that many, which were triggered by human activity, happened remotely. The motion of travel by recreational users is able to disrupt the snowpack up to 40 metres away from the person.

One benefit of those conditions, he said, is that “people are triggering them from safer spots.”

Between Monday, December 29th and Friday,January 2nd, reports in the Purcells indicated “considerable” avalanche danger above the treeline.

While the level of danger could be rated two degrees higher (on a scale of five), December was a period of heightened avalanche activity, he said.

“There’s been a lot of cold, clear weather, followed by warm and even rain at high elevations.”

Under the current conditions, Mr. Riley recommends that the backcountry only be used by those with experience, and hopes people will carry the proper safety gear — an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel — along with training and practice with the tools.

“If you don’t have the education to identify this kind of terrain and weak layers, you should recreate somewhere that’s taken care of for you, like a ski hill or guided operation,” he said.

For those who are braving the backcountry, he suggests users scale back and stay on low-angle terrain.

“Right at treeline, about 300 to 500 metres wide, has been the most reactive place,” he said.

Looking ahead, Mr. Riley said sudden changes in the weather are likely to increase the level of avalanche danger while gradual weather changes are more conduscive to backcountry use. Conditions are updated daily online at www.avalanche.ca.

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 ............................$35 UNNEUTERED MALE DOG ...........................$35 SPAYED FEMALE DOG .................................$15 NEUTERED MALE DOG ................................$15 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 it 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.

DIGGER DOG – After being buried from sight, Thomas Dolezal from Panorama Fire Rescue is found by Summit, the avalanche dog for Columbia Valley Search and Rescue. The team was conducting an avalanche rescue demonstration at Panorama Mountain Village on Sunday, January 26th, 2014.

Photo by Dan Walton

Page 9

What’s Happening in the Columbia Valley

Music • visual arts • dining • Bar Scene • entertainment • performance ARTS The valley was a feast for the eyes over Christmas week. Clockwise from top right: The ice before the storm, Lake Windermere on Tuesday, December 23rd; Kootenay National Park after the storm on Friday, December 26th; Christmas Eve fireworks at the Fairmont ski area on December 24th (submitted); the Wilmer sky was also alight with fireworks on Christmas Eve. Photos by Nicole Trigg

PRESTIGIOUS ART

PAGE 11

SEEKING SINGERS

PAGE 12

Out & About

HOLIDAY SIGHTS seasons greetings & Happy new year

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

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

Your weekly guide to what’s happening around the Columbia Valley Page 13

Happy BirtHday to pynelogs!

1914 - 2014 · Celebrating 100 years

10 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 2, 2015

Music • visual arts • dining • Bar Scene • entertainment • performance ARTS

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

Submissions must be received by the Monday prior to publication. We may only run an entry for two weeks prior to the event. Please limit your submission to 30 words.

Priority is given to one-off events, so weekly events may only run occasionally.

• 2 p.m.: Invermere Garden Club will be having Chris Bosman from Regional District speaking on weeds.

• 6 p.m.: SYC. Join us for Karaoke night.

• 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.: OPT clinic at the Invermere Health Unit. 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. Confidential service: low-cost birth control, and STI testing.

Wednesday, January 7th • 11:45 a.m.: The Rotary Club of Invermere meets every Wednesday at the Curling Rink.

• 1 p.m.: Duplicate Bridge at Invermere Senior’s Hall, every Wednesday and Friday $2. Everyone welcome.

• 5:30 p.m.: SYC. Join us for free food and cooking workshop.

• 7 p.m.: Card night at Canal Flats Seniors Hall every Wednesday.

Thursday, January 8th

Friday, January 2nd • 1 p.m.: Canasta cards at Canal Flats Seniors Hall every Friday • 5 - 8 p.m.: Climbing wall open at J.A. Laird School every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Birthday parties by appt. 250-688-5228 • 8 p.m.: Summit Youth Centre (SYC). Join us for movie night and popcorn.

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

Showcasing young talent from the valley. All ages, licensed bar. First Friday of every month.

Saturday, January 3rd • 10 a.m - 2 p.m.: Lake Windermere Whiteway Winter Festival at Kinsmen Beach. Celebrate at this free family fun event for all ages. Kids X- Country Tri-it Session arrive at 9:30 a.m. if you need skis.

• 7 p.m.: Every Saturday play Whist at the Columbia Garden Village in the coffee room.

• 7 p.m.: SYC. Join us for Foosball Tournament.

Monday, January 5th • 5:30 p.m.: SYC. Join us for Man Hunt and hot chocolate after.

• 7 p.m.: Bingo at the Canal Flats Civic Centre, 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.

• 10:30 a.m: Thursday Preschool Story Time Kick-off at the Invermere Public Library. Join us for stories, songs, and crafts!

• 12 - 1 p.m.: Ask a Librarian / Drop-in tech support at the Invermere Public Library. Every Thursday. For more info, go to invermere.bclibrary.ca.

• 1:15 p.m.: Crib night at Canal Flats Seniors Hall every Thursday • 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.: Y.A.C. - The great book domino challenge for Gr. 5-7. Contact the Invermere Public Library 250-342-6416 to register.

• 4 - 6 p.m.: SYC. Join us for Graphic Design Training program.

• 7 p.m.: Texas Hold ‘em Tournament every Thursday at Invermere Legion.

Friday, January 9th • 1 p.m.: Duplicate Bridge at Invermere Senior’s Hall, every Wednesday and Friday $2. Everyone welcome.

• 2 - 4 p.m.: SYC. Join us for Snowshoeing.

• 5 - 8 p.m.: Climbing wall open at J.A. Laird School every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Birthday parties by appt. 250-688-5228

Garden Village in the coffee room.

• 1:30 p.m.: Carpet Bowling at Canal Flats Seniors Hall every Tuesday.

• 5:30 p.m.: SYC. Join us for Student Advisory Committee meeting.

• 7 p.m.: Cinefest at Pynelogs featuring the film The Lunchbox. For more information visit columbiavalleyarts.com or call 250-342-4423

Wednesday, January 14th • 11:45 a.m.: The Rotary Club of Invermere meets every Wednesday at the Curling Rink.

• 1 p.m.: Duplicate Bridge at Invermere Senior’s Hall, every Wednesday and Friday $2. Everyone welcome.

• 7 p.m.: Card night at Canal Flats Seniors Hall every Wednesday.

• 7:30 p.m.: SYC. Join us for Parent Advisory Board meeting.

Thursday, January 15th • 12 - 1 p.m.: Ask a Librarian / Drop-in tech support at the Invermere Public Library. Every Thursday. For more info, go to invermere.bclibrary.ca.

• 1:15 p.m.: Crib night at Canal Flats Seniors Hall every Thursday • 4 - 6 p.m.: SYC. Join us for Graphic Design Training program.

• 7 p.m.: Texas Hold ‘em Tournament every Thursday at Invermere Legion.

Friday, January 16th • 2 - 4 p.m.: SYC. Join us for swimming at Radium Hot Springs.

• 5 - 8 p.m.: Climbing wall open at J.A. Laird School every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Birthday parties by appt. 250-688-5228

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

• Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

• Reopens Jan 2nd.

Saturday, January 10th

Radium Hot Springs Library Hours

• 7 p.m.: SYC. Join us for Pool Tournament.

Tuesday, January 6th

Monday, January 12th

• 1:30 - 3 p.m.: Every Tuesday play Crib at Columbia Garden Village in the coffee room.

• 1:30 p.m.: Carpet Bowling at Canal Flats Seniors Hall every Tuesday.

• 5 p.m.: SYC. Join us for Pinterest DIY’s.

• Tuesday: 6 - 8 p.m.

• Wednesday and Thursday: 1 - 4 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

• Closed Dec 20th to Jan 3rd

Tuesday, January 13th

Windermere Valley Museum Hours

• 1:30 - 3 p.m.: Every Tuesday play Crib at Columbia

• Tuesdays: 12 - 4 p.m.

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January 2, 2015

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 11

Prestigious paintings adorn Artym walls for new year

By Deanna Berrington The Artym Gallery The Artym Gallery is pleased to announce the triumphant return of an exclusive collection of original paintings by Armand Frederick Vallée (1921-2009). The special exhibition of his works, painstakingly selected from the private collection of Armand Vallée himself, is a homage to his wide-ranging subject matter and the timeless quality of his artistic creations through the many decades he dedicated himself to painting.

Armand F. Vallée was born in Austria in 1921 into an artistic family. From childhood, he remained firm in his dedication and determination to painting throughout his lifetime, despite being drafted and then injured in the war. Although he toured and painted throughout Europe over the next few years (including painting the Lascaux caves), it was once Vallée immigrated to Canada in 1951 that the inspiration for many of his renowned series emerged, including his Kananaskis series, the Helios collections and his Northern Alberta/Athabasca series, as well as the extensive and historically important Heritage series.

For the remainder of his career until his death in 2009, Vallée dedicated himself to painting North America, spanning from Mexico to the far northern coasts. His career included some unique painting trips and special projects commissioned by numerous organizations and companies.

One of his favourite trips — sponsored by an oil and gas company in the early ‘90s —was to the Northwest Territories where he painted the wildlife of the far north in harmonious contrast with oil rigs and drilling equipment (Muskox and Oil Rig, 1990). Another featured series is entitled Monumental Power and chronicles a trip he made to Haida Gwaii, where he captured the mystery and drama of the West Coast landscape and totem poles (Standing Tall, 1995).

The Artym has carefully curated a collection of the various series for this exhibition, so it will showcase works spanning his artistic career in both theme and years. The earliest paintings in the show are from the early 1970s in frames Vallée made for them out of barn wood from the

REMEMBERING A GREAT — The Artym Gallery will be featuring the original paintings by Armand Frederick Vallée (1921-2009), pictured at the bottom left, from January, 2nd to 9th. Vallée's painting Standing Tall (1995), above, depicts the mysticism of the West Coast landscape while giving a nod to totem poles, and will be exhibited along with a careful selection of his artistic work.

Photos submitted very farm buildings he was painting to the most recent piece — a painting he did based on a trip he made in 2006 to the Columbia Valley to visit the Artym Gallery — entitled “The Road to Golden”.

The Artym Gallery feels privileged to share this very special and exclusive selection of original artworks by world renowned painter Armand F. Vallée. The continuation of his legacy has been very important to the Artym and, in furthering that goal, they were instrumental in creating a book documenting the fascinating history of both Armand F. Vallée the man, and a visual record of his far-reaching series of paintings. Copies of this limited edition book will be available at the gallery for $40. The Armand F. Vallée exhibition opens at the Artym Gallery on Friday, January 2nd with an evening reception from 5 to 8 p.m.

The show will continue on the walls until January 9th.

Armand F. Vallée Exhibition Opens January 2 5-8 pm Show continues until January 9 Armand F. Vallée

“Muskox and Oil Rig” 22” x 30” wc

View work and show online at

artymgallery.com downtown Invermere ~ 250-342-7566 info@artymgallery.com

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12 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 2, 2015

Senior Singalongs seeking new vocal talent

By Erin Knutson Special to The Pioneer A group of brash, sassy and bright singers lit up the Columbia Garden Village on Monday, December 15th, as they sang their hearts out and spread good cheer to all in attendance during one of their famous Christmas concerts. The happy group known as the Senior Singalongs, dressed in the finest of red, Santa-inspired sweaters, raised their voices and the spirits of the audience during a fun, deck-the-halls type traditional repertoire.

“We have about twenty songs for our Christmas show, and we sincerely hope they bring much joy, and help to get people into the spirit of the season,” said Lila Fodchuck, long time co-ordinator of the seniors’ choir. “We hope our songs help people think about the true meaning of Christmas.”

The merry group consists of about 15 men and women who love to sing, and make no bones of belting it out in an endearing manner and have a darn good time doing it for their monthly performances for Columbia House residents.

“We love to perform at Columbia House, and it gives

us a great sense of satisfaction when the residents sing along with us. The elderly love to sing, and some of them have great voices, so it’s nice to feel like we’ve done something for the community and they appreciate it,” said Mrs. Fodchuck.

The current group has been together for the past four years, and is always looking for new members.

“We always need more voices, because attendance can can drop for a variety of reasons.

Sometimes it’s due to illness, or a member has passed away.” Senior Singalongs is all local talent and boasts gifted pianist Lorraine Rod- SENIOR SENSATIONS — The Senior Singalongs lit up the reception gers, conductor Irene Hohm, treasurer Ma- area at the Columbia Garden Village on Monday, December 15th. Met ria Kloos (who buys gifts for everyone), and with accolades by their festive audience, the Christmas crusaders sang to Photo by Erin Knutson Mary Smith, who does all the programming a beat all their own. and had to leave due to an injury,” said Mrs. Fodchuck, for the choir aside from the Christmas seaalso noting that Columbia House provides them with a son, which Mrs. Fodchuck handles.

“I would also like to give a special thank you to Lenore lovely practice space. “We invite everyone to come and Rohrick (former pianist), who has given so much of her time listen to us, and all those interested to join up.”

Volunteers needed for new grief support program

By Erin Knutson Special to The Pioneer The Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley is currently looking for 10 volunteers to participate in an intensive 12-week peer group “grief journey” program, designed for bereavement support at their facility in Invermere.

“Listening is the essence of our training,” Hospice Society founding executive director Maria Kliavkoff told The Pioneer. The program is based on a progressive model created by Dr. Alan Wolfelt, founder of the Centre for Loss and Life Transitions in Fort Collins,

Colorado who has a PhD in psychology. Dr. Wolfelt envisioned the Companioning Method to grieving and utilized a journaling system to help the bereaved understand, cope and deal with loss in a social setting.

“It’s really important to help the community and to support the community,” said Ms. Kliavkoff. “We lost a lot of people that we cherished in the past few months. Together we will explore the ten essential touchstones outlined by Dr. Wolfelt for finding hope and for healing the grieving heart.”

According to Ms. Kliavkoff, supporting and listening as those who are grieving tell their story is essential in the reconciliation and healing process. “When

someone has lost a loved one — a wife, mother, father or child — we offer a step-by-step program and a place where they can share their experience with other people who get it and understand. It’s important for them to know they’re not alone.”

The members will meet once a week on Tuesdays starting January 20th until April 7th from 6 to 7:30 p.m. All interested parties should contact Ms. Kliavkoff at 250-688-1143, or email her at ed@hospicesocietycv. com. The Bereavement Support Group is limited to 10 participants and pre-registration is required. Please feel free to register at the Hospice office at Frater Landing, Unit 103-926 7th Avenue in downtown Invermere.

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The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 13

New festival highlights winter events in valley

By Steve Hubrecht Pioneer Staff The valley will mark this winter season with a new festival.

The Winter In Motion festival, which runs through January and February, bundles many of the valley’s longstanding winter events into a single package.

“We just wanted to highlight everything that does go on here (in the winter) in one wrapping,” Columbia Valley Tourism Marketing Committee chair Andrea Tubbs told The Pioneer.

Doing so makes it easy for visitors to look up everything going on in the valley at once, rather than having each individual event clamouring for attention, she added.

Winter In Motion will begin with the Whiteway World Record Ribbon Cutting event on Saturday, January 3rd and will continue on until the International Paralympic Committee (IPC)’s celebration in downtown Invermere on Saturday, February 28th as part of its World Championship at Panorama Mountain Resort.

“We are excited to showcase the valley to all visitors. Those who are familiar with the area, and those less familiar, will be delightfully surprised by the diversity of winter activities here,” said Ms. Tubbs in a press release on the Winter In Mo-

tion festival. “A visit to the Columbia Valley in the winter is equally wonderful as a visit to the valley in the summer, guaranteed.”

Other events part of Winter In Motion in January include the local screening of the Banff Mountain Film Festival (January 4th), Taste of the Valley (January 23rd), the Snowflake Festival (January 23rd), the Bonspiel on the Lake (January 23rd to January 25th), the Nipika Loppet (January 31st and February 1st), the Pond Hockey Championships (January 30th to February 1st), the Ladies “Sweater Spiel” Bonspiel (January 30th to February 1st) and the Kinsmen Ice Fishing Derby (January 31st).

The festival continues in February with the Lake Windermere Broomball Championships (February 2nd to February 4th), the Men’s Bonspiel (February 13th to February 15th), the Canal Flats Men’s Hockey Tournament (February 6th to February 8th), the Kinsmen Snowgolf Tournament (February 7th), Radium Hot Springs Winterfest (February 14th) and the Fairmont Fire and Ice Festival (February 28th).

Additional events include the Family Resource Centre’s Celebration of Healthy Relationships on February 14th, which includes a night skate and pancake breakfast, as well as ongoing Columbia Valley Rockies hockey games throughout January and February.

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Invitation to Tender Fairmont Creek Debris Flow Mitigation Project – Phase 1 The Regional District of East Kootenay invites tenders for: Realignment and construction of approximately 235 linear meters of Fairmont Creek including: • Removal of gravels, cobbles, boulders and wood debris along a new alignment of 235m of Fairmont Creek; • Stockpiling boulders and rock blocks from existing creek on site; • Installation of two new bridge abutments and removal and placement of existing bridges; • Construction of two berms using material removed from the creek; • Supply and installation of signage; • Placement of non-woven geotextile; and • Placement of owner supplied riprap stockpiled on site.

Contract Documents may be viewed and obtained: On-line ONLY on or after December 19th, 2014 This Tender is being issued electronically through the BC Bid website www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca All addenda, amendments or further information will be published on the BC Bid website. It is the sole responsibility of the Tenderer to monitor the website regularly to check for updates.

A mandatory pre-tender meeting will be held on Thursday January 8th, 2015 at 11 a.m. MST at: Mountainside Recreation Centre 5247 Fairmont Creek Road Fairmont Hot Springs, B.C. V0B 1L1 Sealed tenders clearly marked “Regional District of East Kootenay - Fairmont Creek Debris Flow Mitigation ” will be received by the Regional District of East Kootenay up to: Tender Closing Time: Tender Closing Date: Address:

Attention:

2 p.m. MST January 20th, 2015 Regional District of East Kootenay 19 – 24th Avenue South Cranbrook, BC V1C 3H8 Kara Zandbergen Engineering Technician

For further information, please visit www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca or contact: Don Nash, P.Eng Urban Systems Ltd 250-352 9774

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14 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 2, 2015

The Lady of Lake Windermere Editor’s note: Freelance writer Dorothy Isted made a trip to England this past fall, where she went on a discovery quest to Upton Pyne, the hometown of Lady Elizabeth, whose covered gravestone at Kinsmen Beach holds the key to pivotal moments in Invermere history after the turn of the 20th century. Lady Elizabeth, the bride of Sir Randolph Bruce (one of the valley’s foremost pioneers), died in 1915, shortly before their home, Pynelogs (now the Pynelogs Cultural Centre and Art Gallery), was completed.

tage can be seen on the Jane Austen walk today and is believed to be the inspiration for the Dashwood sisters’ (the novel’s main characters) small home after the entail system disinherited them of their large family estate.

Randolph Bruce kept detailed diaries, copies of which can be viewed at the Windermere Valley Museum. In Bruce’s 1900 commercial diary, the publisher lists important facts such as the chief powers of Europe, metric and imperial weights and measures, etc. Intriguingly, there is also a list of the “House of Peers — England”. In alphaBy Dorothy Isted betical order, we see named “Iddesleigh… Northcote.”

Special to The Pioneer Lord Iddesleigh’s second son, Elizabeth’s uncle, became Governor-General of Australia and married Lord Mt. SteLady Elizabeth Mabel Northcote married Robert phen’s daughter. This connection to Lord Mt. Stephen apRandolph Bruce on January 6th, 1914. It was a grand pears to be how Randolph Bruce met Lady Elizabeth. and much talked about event. Newspapers in Britain Mt. Stephen was the first president of Canadian Paand Canada carried much of the details, from the cific Railway and the richest man in Canada. He grew white flowers and the palm-adorned church up as a stable boy in the same Scottish town as to streets festooned with flags, bunting Randolph Bruce and was Bruce’s employer and banners. The bride wore fresh orwhen the latter immigrated to Canada. ange blossoms and diamonds in her There is belief amongst oldtimers coronet and had hand-sewn pearls in the valley that there were schemes and silver threads in her gown. to marry Bruce to Lady Rosalind, elThe marriage took place in St. der sister to Lady Elizabeth, but he Mary’s church in Upton Pyne, found her prickly and unapproachthe village near the bride’s hisable. Bruce travelled to Baden toric manor house, Pynes.

Baden in Germany seeking a cure Pynes is now called Devon’s for the blindness and headaches Downtown Abbey due to its he developed from assaying his comparable size of 21,000 square own silver — the Paradise Mine feet containing about 70 rooms. enriched him, but robbed him of Queen Victoria favoured Lady much of his sight.

Elizabeth’s grandfather. Member Bruce had a lively social life. He of Parliament Sir Stafford Northcote was always off lunching, dining, motorworked for British prime ministers Glading and attending theatres with Lord This stone and Disraeli, and and Lady That. A lot of laheld prestigious govern- LIFE OF A LADY — This page, counterclockwise from top dies, actually. ment positions, one being left: The sign for the village Upton Pyne in Devon, England; He rarely put personal President of The Hudson’s Pynes (now the Downtown Abbey), the manor house of Lady notes in his diaries but afBay Company when they Elizabeth; Upton Pyne church where she married Randolph ter a day spent with Lady gave the Northwest Terri- Bruce; Lady Elizabeth and Bruce on their wedding day; por- Elizabeth and her female tory to Canada in 1870. trait of Lady Elizabeth as a child. Photos by Dorothy Isted/ escort in Baden Baden, he He also served as finance Newspaper Clipping courtesy of Windermere Valley Museum commented: “Most enjoyminister and leader of the able day.”

Conservative Party.

By 1913, Lady Elizabeth was 37 years old, and generWhen it was suggested to the queen that the eighth ally would have been regarded as unmarriageable and a generation baronet be elevated to a viscount, she is said spinster, often a derogatory term. to have responded: “Oh no, I like Northcote. Let’s make Why would she have been at the medical spa Bruce him an earl.” The family name is Northcote, but the attended in Baden Baden? Did she have a lingering illness inherited title is Iddesleigh. When Queen Victoria and or was she there as company for her older companion, Prince Albert visited Earl Iddesleigh in 1852, he reno- Mrs. Cecil? vated Pynes in order to create a grand entry for her. The Unlikely, for Mrs. Cecil went back to England while Northcote family traced its roots back to the 12th cen- Lady Elizabeth stayed. Between October 2nd and Octotury in Devon where they became wealthy as cloth mer- ber 11th, Bruce recorded, in his diaries, four day outings chants in the 1600s. involving Lady Elizabeth and others.

Pynes also has a literary connection. Northcote famRetired archivist Penny Rundle of Salisbury, England ily lore claims — and literary experts agree — that Jane explained the likely situation of Lady Elizabeth at the time: Austen stayed there and used Pynes as her model for Bar- “Her schooling would have been around 1888. She would ton Place in Sense and Sensibility. Nearby Barton Cot- have been educated at home almost entirely. It is unlikely

January 2, 2015 she would have gone to boarding school… there were not point, they moved to a houseboat that was anchored offa series of public schools for them, like the boys. She would shore from Pynelogs. have had governesses and been educated in poetry, reading In that name, it is hard to miss the connection to her and writing. She’d have known geography of the world, his- home back in England, and Elizabeth must have often tory of the British Empire, but not politics and economics. thought of it, especially when she saw the antlered stags, She would have had tutors. She’d have been taught art and like those guarding her front door at Pynes. music, learned to play the piano. Most cultured families She became involved in community activities, like had very good libraries and the children would have been the Invermere Golf and Country Club. Elizabeth was encouraged to explore connected to Ladys them. Mostly the girls Connaught and Fife, were expected to marwho were instrumenry well, at around 20. tal in the British Red She (Lady Elizabeth) Cross, and when the was very unusual not First World War broke to have married earout, she started the lier. That was likely her Knitting Brigade with choice not to marry.

Maud Hamilton, the There was no way she’d wife of Basil G. Hamnot received proposals.” ilton, who was RanRandolph Bruce dolph’s Columbia kept a dizzying pace.

Valley Irrigated Fruit Crossing Canada, Lands secretary. Her back and forth to EngBritish connections land and Germany made it possible to eftwice, a world tour, ficiently send the wooltooling around Gold- FINAL DAYS — This page, clockwise from top left: The Bruces’ first len garments knitted en, Revelstoke and home in the valley, in Wilmer; Lady Elizabeth in 1915 on her house- in the valley out to the Invermere — all in boat, waiting for her new home Pynelogs to be built; Lady Elizabeth’s men at the front.

1913. And then, on tomb in front of Pynelogs at Kinsmen Beach in Invermere; her memorial A year after their January 6th, 1914, plaque at her home church in Upton Pyne; the diary of Basil Hamilton in wedding, the couple a laconic notation which Lady Elizabeth’s illness and death are recorded. Colour photos by was back at Pynes in in his diary: “Pynes. Dorothy Isted/Historical photos courtesy of Windermere Valley Museum England, travelled to Married.” The couple Paris with Lady Rosahoneymooned in Paris, Monte Carlo and Genoa. lind, and visited their respective families in Scotland and A few months later on April 11th, Lady Elizabeth dis- Devon. There is an uncharacteristic gap in Bruce’s diary embarked the Empress of Britain in Halifax with Bruce. for the summer of 1915 when he finally states they were Then onward west by train to Calgary, where they stopped back in Invermere in August. Then it was off to Ottawa/ for a week, arriving in Wilmer on April 13th. The small Toronto/New York that month. From September to the town of Wilmer, with a lot of miners and bachelors in the end of 1915, the diary is blank. Secretary Basil Hamilton mix, were proud to welcome the newlyweds. recorded that Lady Elizabeth was ill all of September.

In his diary, Randolph listed the “presents taken to Lady Elizabeth died on their houseboat September Canada.” Touchingly, one of them was a “tea sett” (sic) 27th, 1915. It has always been said the cause of death from the “Pynes servants.” Children in noble families was appendicitis. There was no autopsy. B.G. Hamilton had more contact with servants than their parents. Even kept concise diaries and recorded how Maud, a nurse, as late as 1950, children of nobility were kept out of the cared for her. The only doctor in the valley had left to way in nurseries and sent off to schools. help in the war.

Randolph had begun to build their new home, An October 1915 newspaper article reporting on Pynelogs, on the shore of Lake Windermere before he Lady Elizabeth’s death described her as having “a sweet left to marry. Work stalled in his absence. It isn’t known disposition” and being very thoughtful of others. Her how long Elizabeth stayed in the Wilmer house. At some family wanted her body shipped back for burial in the family vault in Upton Pyne. But the First World War was raging, the Lusitania had just been sunk, and Randolph made the difficult decision to have her buried here on the shore of Lake Windermere, just to the east of Pynelogs.

Of Lady Elizabeth’s three siblings, only one survived their father, the second Earl Iddesleigh. Her sister Lady Rosalind lived in Pynes until her death in 1950.

She’d never married or had children. It wouldn’t have mattered, as with the British system of primogeniture, daughters couldn’t inherit their father’s title even if they had no brothers. The title and lands had to go to the closest surviving male relation — their first cousin, third son

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 15

of the first earl’s third son.

The 15-year-old foster son of the third earl, Nicholas Maxwell-Lawford of Honiton, Devon, recalls visiting Pynes prior to Lady Rosalind’s death. Regarding her purported testiness, he writes: “I can’t tell you why Lady Rosalind never married. She was a law unto herself… quite a formidable woman. She used to spend most of her day in a large sitting room with the windows open, chain smoking.”

Nicolas also recalls that when his foster family took possession of Pynes, they made a poignant discovery in the attic: the Bruces’ unopened wedding presents. “We all knew they were there. They were almost like a private cemetery, not to be touched.”

Eventually his parents quietly gave away the gifts.

Pynes was sold out of the Northcote family about fifteen years ago. The current owners are local Devon people who have done extensive restorations and are renting it out as a wedding and event venue. Visit www. pyneshouse.co.uk to learn more and to see what has been done to restore the manor house. Lady Elizabeth would be pleased to see the receptacle for her thwarted dreams being used in such an elegant way, keeping open the home she so loved.

16 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 2, 2015

HERE TO SERVE YOU From Framing to Finishing Al Tallman

Call Al at

250-341-1182

Box 424, Invermere B.C. V0A 1K0

Serving the Columbia Valley

www.cabincare.ca

We Do It All!

Wood & 3D signs Monument signs

• SNOW REMOVAL • SKID STEERS • PLOW TRUCKS • SAND TRUCKS • SAND AND GRAVEL CLEAN UP

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• • • • •

Weekly home checks Painting Renovations Pressure Washer Gutter Cleaning David Gulbe Mike Bernicot

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SIGNS

& CNC

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

Phone: 250-342-6452 • 250-342-3773 • Cell: 250-270-9444

Vehicle signage

Dale Elliott Contracting • • • • •

Interior Finishing Kitchen and Vanity Cabinets Counter tops Small Renovations Decks and Interior Railings

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A well maintained septic system should be pumped every 2-3 years Avoid costly repairs

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Phone: 250-342-7100 Email: info@diamondheatingandspas.com

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Scott Postlethwaite

CVCC Contractor/ Trade Builder of the Year 2008

Residential, Commercial Electric Furnace and Hot Water Tank Repair and Service For All Your Electrical Needs invermereelectric@gmail.com

1710 10th Avenue – Invermere, BC V0A 1K0

• • • •

Doors Windows Flooring Painting/ Interior/Exterior • Kitchen Renovations

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Your Local Pest Control Professionals

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BOX 2228 BOX 459 742 - 13th STREET 7553 MAIN STREET INVERMERE, BC. RADIUM HOT SPRINGS, BC V0A 1K0 V0A 1M0 PHONE: 250-342-3031 PHONE: 250-347-9350 FAX: 250-342-6945 FAX: 250-347-6350 Email: info@invermereinsurance.com • Toll Free: 1-866-342-3031

January 2, 2015

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 17

HERE TO SERVE YOU READY MIX CONCRETE

LAMBERT-KIPP

P H A R M A C Y LT D .

Come in and browse our giftware

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

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

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

Your Compounding Pharmacy

Proudly Serving the Valley for over 50 years

Open Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

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

1301 - 7th Avenue, Invermere

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Dean Hubman

Toll Free: 877-342-3052

Certified Technician

Invermere, BC V0A 1K3 odysseyrestoration@telus.net

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Fast, reliable and affordable service for interiors and exteriors

SPRAY FOAM INSULATED CONCRETE FORMS

Beverley Schembri

pennerinsulation.com • 250-342-2001

Call or email for a free estimate Phone: 587-585-6565 email: bevschembri@msn.com

Windermere, B.C. and surrounding area

Box 802 | 422 – 14th Street | Invermere B.C. V0A 1K0

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS ESSO Automotive Repairs 7 days a week

Residential & Commercial Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Bus: 250-342-9692 Cell: 250-342-5241

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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

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SHOLINDER & MACKAY EXCAVATING Inc.

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Rose-Marie Fagerholm Independent Representative

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250-341-5956 • rosis@telus.net

THE VALLEY’S LARGEST WINDOW COVERINGS SHOWROOM • Gel Nails & Pedicures • Coloured Gel • Nail Art Call Judy ~ 250-341-5245 • Days, Evenings, Weekends

• Roller Shades • Roman Shades • Cellular Shades

• Pleated Shades • Horizontal Blinds • Shutters

• Vertical Blinds • Automation • Residential & Commercial

Come visit our showroom,

492 ARROW RD., UNIT 1B 250-342-HOME (4663)

18 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 2, 2015

Celebrate the Columbia Headwaters in the new year Watershed Wanderings

By Megan Peloso Pioneer Columnist It’s a brand new year, and many of us will steal a moment to take stock of what we did in 2014 and how we envision 2015 to eclipse it in some personal way. Maybe you’ll resolve to learn a new craft, cook healthier meals, or reconnect with certain people in your life who may have slipped to the periphery.

If you’re stuck for ideas and interested in doing something to honour and connect with the place you live in, consider challenging yourself to any of the following nine watershed-inspired New Year’s resolutions: Explore three new areas in your watershed; make note of them on a map (suggestions: Windermere Creek, Wilmer Marsh, the Dragonfly Boardwalk in Athalmer).

Keep a container of water in the fridge for cold water on demand rather than running the tap.

Write a column for the paper that tells a story about your local homewaters.

Imagine that what enters the drain in your sink runs straight into your lake. Make a point of learning how and where to properly dispose of medicine, paints

and pollutants so they don’t end up in the water.

Beautify your town like you would your own backyard. Designate a day of the week where you pick up and properly dispose of any litter you come across.

Keep showers to five minutes.

Make a commitment not to purchase bottled water. It is estimated that one kilogram of bottled water consumes over 25 kilograms (seven gallons) of water through manufacturing and transportation. Let’s use common sense! Buy a reusable bottle and consider an in-home filtering system for your tap.

Become a member of the Lake Windermere Ambassadors ($10 annually) to support programs to protect the health of the lake.

Join us on Lake Windermere this summer to learn how local water quality is monitored in the Columbia Headwaters.

Safety on the frozen lake This January, the world record-breaking Whiteway Winter Festival kicks off two months of “Winter in Motion”, during which time the frozen lake surface will be hosting all sorts of outdoor winter play, including everything from a bonspiel to ice fishing to hockey tournaments.

These and other winter activities are part of our heritage, and the Columbia Valley offers plenty to indulge the snow and ice adventurer. Yet, in the spirit of good tidings and smart, responsible on-ice recreation, the Lake Windermere Ambassadors wish to take this opportunity to re-

mind users of the fluctuating and, at times, unpredictable nature of frozen rivers.

Whether you are visiting or a long-time resident, remember that no ice is 100 per cent safe. Keep your wits about you with a few basic facts about ice thickness courtesy of Danny Osborne: According to the Lifesaving Society of B.C. (www.lifesaving.bc.ca), if the ice is clear, but less than seven centimetres (three inches) thick, it’s not safe to be on it. For ice fishing, walking, or cross-country skiing, the ice should be at least 10 centimetres (four inches) thick.

For riding a snowmobile or ATV, the ice should be at least 12 centimetres (five inches) thick. It takes 20 to 30 centimetres (eight to 12 inches) to support a car or small pickup truck, and 30 to 38 centimetres (12 to 15 inches) to support a medium-sized truck or van. White ice has air or snow within it and should be considered suspect for recreational use. Local conditions such as currents and water depths can affect ice thickness; consult knowledgeable local individuals as to where these variations occur.The Windermere Fire Department receives three to five calls for emergency rescues involving people falling through the ice each winter. Last year, community fundraising permitted the purchase of a hovercraft to help improve the safety and efficiency of responses on Lake Windermere. Nonetheless, limiting the need to call the hovercraft into action is clearly in everyone’s best interests. Enjoy the lake safely and Happy New Year!

Megan Peloso is the Program Co-ordinator for the Lake Windermere Ambassadors. Reach her at 250-3416898 or by email at info@lakeambassadors.ca.

HERE TO SERVE YOU Invermere and East Kootenay Region

Kitchen cabinet & counter top SpecialiStS

New Home Construction

• Journeyman Carpenter • Contracting • Framing/Siding/Finishing • Timberframe • Custom Log Railing & Decks Scott Wilisky

Westridge Cabinets Dealer ~ Granite and Quartz Counter Tops Come visit our showroom,

492 arrow rd., unit 1b 250-342-hoMe (4663)

stwcarpentry@live.ca • cell 250 270 0745

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

Sales ~ Service ~ Installation

UNIVERSAL DOORS & EXTERIORS Arnold Scheffer 250-342-6700

unidoorext@live.ca • unidoorext.ca WETT Certified

Industrial ~ Commercial ~ Residential

Judy: (250) 341-1903

www.valleysolutions.ca valleysolutions@shaw.ca SOLUTIONS FOR THE VACATION HOME OWNER SINCE 2006

• House Checking • Complications • Details

January 2, 2015

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 19

Pioneer Classifieds Steamboat Mountain

MUSIC FESTIVAL

Steamboat Mountain Music Society

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 7 p.m.

Friday, January 9th Edgewater Legion · Annual Reports · Bursary News · Plans for 2015 · Coffee House Social · Entertainment

ANNOUNCEMENT

ANNOUNCEMENT

Cheers & Jeers

Alcoholics Anonymous. If alcohol is causing problems or conflict in your life, AA can help. All meetings are at 8 p.m. For more information, please call 250-342-2424. Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at the BC Service Building, South End – 624 4th St., Invermere.

Radium Friendship Group: Friday at the Catholic Church, East Side of Main St. With the exception of Tuesday, all meetings are open.

Al-Anon. Are you concerned about or affected by someone else’s drinking? If so, please join us.

Al-Anon meets EVERY Monday in Invermere at 7:15 p.m. at the Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church, 712 – 12th Ave (behind the Invermere hospital). For information, please call 250-3428255.

Cheers to Jill, kitchen staff and all those involved in preparing and serving residents of Columbia House residents, family and friends the two amazing, wonderfully delicious dinners.

The Kinsmen Christmas Tree Pickup is Saturday, January 3rd. Donations support the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Please have your trees by the road by 9 a.m.

s obituary s Fritz Maurer

October 23rd, 1930 – December 21st, 2014

It is with great sadness that the Maurer family announces the sudden passing of Fritz Maurer on December 21st at the age of 84 years.

Fritz was born on October 23rd, 1930 in Buchwald Germany to Ernst and Johanna Maurer.

Fritz was the eldest son of nine siblings. During WWII Fritz was separated from his family, but was reunited with them in Switzerland shortly afterward. In 1950 at the age of 20, Fritz immigrated to Canada where he met the love of his life, Shirley Gaske, in Windermere, where they were married on November 3rd, 1951.

Only two months ago, Fritz mourned the loss of his beloved wife Shirley of 63 years.

Although the family is shocked and saddened by Fritz’s passing, they find peace in knowing that Fritz and Shirley are united once again and watching over them.

Fritz was a devoted brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He is survived by two sisters, three brothers, and his four daughters: Christy Brown (Bill), Sonia Blackwell (Rick), Susan Halverson (Richard), and Kathy Weismiller. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Fritz enjoyed his life on the Big Horn Ranch, raising cattle, working as a guide and outfitter, and he always made time for daily coffee gatherings with long-time friends. His passion in life was his draft horse teams, which he enjoyed building numerous wagons for. He found most joy with friends and family while trekking down the wagon trails.

Fritz will be remembered by his family and friends for his captivating stories, his vast knowledge and his generous advice.

If friends so desire, memorial donations in Fritz’s memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 200-1212 West Broadway Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3V2.

A celebration of Fritz and Shirley’s life was held on Monday, December 29th at 2 p.m.

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.

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

Narcotics Anonymous meeting now available. Thursdays at 8 p.m. Call 250-342-1071 for more info.

Please email classified ads to info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Cheers again to the good people at Home Hardware and AG Valley Foods for looking after the table top Christmas Trees.

Huge cheers to John and Pam Nairn for your excellent letter to the editor in the Dec 19th edition of the Pioneer, and cheers to you for caring so much about the future of our lovely town. I could not agree more!

s obituary s Allan Nicholson

May 4th, 1923 – December 16th, 2014

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Allan Nicholson, longtime resident of Mount Nelson Place.

Allan passed away peacefully in Ivy House on December 16th at the age of 91 years. Allan was born May 4, 1923 in Anyox, B.C. to Albert and Vera Nicholson. He had one older sister; Violet and one older brother; John. Allan and John were able to enjoy each other’s companionship for their entire life until John’s passing in January, 2013.

Allan spent from 1933 to 1959 at Woodlands School; from 1959 to 1972 in Tranquille, B.C.; settling last in Invermere for the past 42 years.

Pynelogs was Allan’s first home in Invermere until 1989, he then moved to Mount Nelson Place where he resided until May, 2014. Due to declining health, Allan spent the last 7 months of his life in the care of Ivy House.

For over 30 years Allan held a job with the Town of Invermere. He was a valued member of our community and took pride in his work in helping keep Invermere streets free of paper and trash. He could be seen alongside his good friend Vernon Chinn picking up papers, smiling and saying hello to everyone he met along the way. His highlight of the day was to stop for coffee and sweets at various establishments where he developed connections within the community and made many friends.

His personality was that of a kind, quiet gentleman. In 2003 Allan retired and was able to enjoy the sunny outdoors from the back yard of Mount Nelson Place which he loved.

In Allan’s younger years, he enjoyed watching baseball at the ball diamond and hockey at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena. Allan enjoyed all senior functions, including: soup and bun days, car rides and outdoor events. Allan and John enjoyed walking to the Pentecostal Church every Sunday when it was located in Invermere.

A celebration of Allan’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on January 8th, 2015 at Valley Christian Assembly, 4814 Hwy Dr., Windermere, B.C. with a tea to follow.

• • • •

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

Cheers & Jeers

Cheers & Jeers

Jeers to the dogs owners close Cheers to Don at Kool Country to Eileen Madson Elementary for Towing. You went above and letting both their little dogs, twice beyond to move the truck to the a day, everyday, do their “business” mechanic, then track down the on our lawns and the sidewalk the keys and personally deliver them. kids use to walk to school. As a What great customer service! dog owner myself, I don’t always feel like walking my dogs but I do. Cheers to the Police Officer for only Please, show a little respect to your lecturing a driver for not dimming neighbours and clean up after your the headlights and not issuing a dogs, Cheers to the ones that do ticket. Jeers to the lucky driver who JEERS pick up after their dogs. CHEERS &didn’t realize when you get a break.

Sponsored by

Cheers to Wilmer. Christmas isn’t complete without a tour of the lights in Wilmer. I think they are even better this year.

Jeers to the people who had their Christmas party from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., don’t you know that you live in a duplex? That was really rude.

Thank You

Thank you

to everyone for your donations to the annual Wilmer Christmas Eve fireworks. Without your support they would not be the success they are. Thanks to Kootenay Coffee Works for donating the hot chocolate, David Murray for the use of his garage, Pat Hemmelgarn for canvassing, Bill and Pat Hemmelgarn for the firewood.

Pat Hemmelgarn and Shawn Murray for overseeing the set up and lighting, and a special thank you to the Cook family of Calgary and the Simon family of Airdrie. Also thank you to everyone that made donations the evening of the fireworks for the show next year. Happy New Year everyone!

CHEERS to the large world of Facebook, Jacqueline Tench and Kevin Fleming for making a Christmas come together for a little girl!! Santa’s helpers are truly everywhere and you made her Christmas special! Ho-Ho-Ho! Cheers to the Wilmer Christmas Eve fireworks, definitely the best in the valley and they get better every year!

Cheers to our amazing pharmacist Laura. Your help with our mother’s out of province prescription was above and beyond the call on such a busy day.

Cheers to those who had the lake all ready to go for family fun activities over the holidays.

Cheers to the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort for hosting everyone on Christmas Eve with a fantastic torchlight parade and incredible fireworks! Well done!

Jeers to the individuals who came on our deck in Timber Ridge and stole our 5 ft Santa that was tied to our deck. He is 53 years old and is special to our family. Please bring him back!

20 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 2, 2015

Cheers & Jeers

commercial space

suite for rent

business for sale

Jeers to those responsible for chopping down the most beautiful OLD larch tree at the end of Mountain View Drive, at the front of an undeveloped lot in Fairmont Hot Springs, most likely for firewood?

What were you thinking? Although they shed their needles in the winter they are spectacular trees in spring, summer and fall.

NEWHOUSE MULTI STORAGE 24 x 36 shop power included, propane heat at tenant’s expense, $650/mo first and last D.D. required. Contact Newhouse Multi Storage 250-342-3637.

Radium: Basement bachelor suite.

Rent includes utilities, $415/mo.

Call 250-347-6420 or 250-6880858.

Kootenay Bayou Hot Sauce Business

Jeers to the lopsided cenotaph park with grass planned up to the sidewalk on one side eliminating needed parking spaces. It was perfectly balanced before. There is still time to put pavement back on that side.

Private room, includes all utilities, internet, long distance calling, laundry. Beside Panorama bus stop. $500/mo single, $600/mo double, $45/night includes taxes, 1-866222-0325.

Cheers to Dana Stockley for fixing an emergency leak on a Sunday!

Cheers to Ian O’Connor and GT Plumbing for diagnosing and fixing the hot water tank issue at the VFC in the days before Christmas!

Totally above and beyond great service!

lost and found Lost at Lake Lillian on Sunday December 28th - women’s white Firefly mittens. New Christmas present - please call 250-342-0441 if found. Thank you!

storage

NEWHOUSE MULTI STORAGE

Various sizes available.

Now with climate-controlled units.

Call 250-342-3637.

STORAGE SPACE – assorted sizes, easy access, immediate availability, long-term or short-term. Deck Properties Warehouse, Industrial Park: 250-342-3166.

STORAGE SPACE/ SHOP RENTAL

right in town. 35’ x 40’ with 12ft ceilings. On large lot so plenty of space outside and lots of storage inside as well. Perfect for contractors with equipment etc. $800/mo, damage deposit required. Call for more info. 403819-7494.

shared accommodation

suite for rent Radium: Fully furnished units for rent. Bedsitting, 1-bdrms, 2-bdrms.

N/S, pets negotiable. Call Joan at 250-342-7517 to view and check availability. Rent includes heat, hydro, cable and all linens.

STARTING AT $500/mo.

For rent in Invermere, well maintained 2-bdrm main floor suite. Close to downtown. Large deck, garage, fireplace, W/D, D/W, n/s, n/p, $1,250.00 per month, utilities included, references please. 250-342-3790.

Main floor apartment, upgraded kitchen and bathrooms. 2-bdrm, 2 bath, hardwood and carpet, sunny deck, fenced yard with storage shed, air conditioning.

W/D, dishwasher, N/P. $1,200/mo utilities included. Call 250-3423790.

Radium: Motel Bavaria, low low rates, daily, weekly, monthly.

Kitchenettes available. Call 250347-9915.

Invermere, Fort Point: Prestige’s location, new separate entrance 1-bdrm lower suite, with large windows, all appliances. N/S, N/P, $850/mo utilities included. Mature adults please. Sam, (C) 403-5108143, (H) 403-239-6353.

2-bdrm furnished suite, 5 appliances, adults, N/P, N/S. Quiet neighbourhood, walking distance to downtown. $750/mo + utilities, 250-342-1230.

house for rent Invermere furnished Townhouse.

3-bdrm, 2.5-bath, 5 appliances, N/S, N/P. Garage, close to downtown, family oriented. $1,125/mo + utilities. 403-7030930.

House For Rent - 2-bdrm upstairs, 1 bathroom, unfurnished in the Wilder subdivision - all appliances included with washer and dryer.

Also a 2-bdrm separate suite downstairs with walkout door. Rent for entire home is $1,200/mo plus utilities. Rent for upstairs is $800/ mo plus utilities. Basement suite is $500/mo plus utilities. Call 250341-5885 – references requested.

Windermere: newer 2-bdrm, 2-bath with garage. $1,150/ month, internet and satellite TV included. Available immediately.

Linda, 403-850-6746.

Winner of three Scovie awards.

There is a driving need to take this business to the next level, nationwide, currently handcrafted and hand bottled, we can’t keep up with the demand. Serious inquiries only. 250-342-3569 or info@ kootenaybayou.com.

Located in Invermere, this well appointed condo features superior construction and R2000 certified.

Close to shopping and beaches.

2-bdrm, 2 bath, 5 appliances.

Perfect as your new home or great rental property revenue.

Furniture negotiable, move right in! $285,000 firm, serious inquiries only, 250-342-2274.

Dryer Vent and Furnace Cleaning and inspections. Call AQUAIR today!

250-342-5089.

20% off * Need a perfect gift? Gift Cards with immediate delivery (email), Discounts & No expiry.* “ I recently purchased blinds, and this was one of the most pleasurable shopping experiences.

Shannon thought of many details I would not have. I would highly recommend calling Shannon”.

Penny O New – “Drapery & much more” Phantom Retractable Screen Doors Shannon’s Blinds & Designs 250-342-5749.

Water treatment and purification, includes drinking water systems, softeners and conditioners, iron filters. Call AQUAIR, 250-342-5089.

kimberleyrae.ca

photography studio picture framing passport photos

No time to clean? Too busy with family or vacation?

25 years local home cleaning experience, honest, reliable, hard working. Residential and Vacation homes, sorry no construction cleans or rental units. Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly LOVE to clean!

Dianne Peterson 250-342-9702 dtpeterson@shaw.ca

…look for the red door behind the Invermere Dry Cleaners!

250-342-5102

Youth Compound Bow. Mathews Mission Menace.

Xcond, whiskbisqit, Glo-Tech, 22 Carbon target arrows. $350 O.B.O. 403999-1911.

Rockies West Realty Independently Owned and Operated

492 Highway 93/95, Invermere, BC

firewood Support Rockies Hockey firewood.

Larch, fir, and pine split and delivered. Call 250-342-6908.

Firewood, bagged or bulk, free local delivery. 250-342-3040 or aranwood@hotmail.com.

Lakeview Meadows, REDUCED, 3-bdrm, 2.5 bathrooms, Flex room, 2,430 sq. ft. 250-341-6188.

Chuck Newhouse Builders 250-342-3637 chucknew@telus.net

info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

services

Misc. for sale

Why rent when you can own?

No down payment needed, Windermere 4-bdrm, 2 bath, 1,500 sq. ft. living space, completely updated, all appliances, payment $1,250/mo P.I.T., realtor appointed.

Inquire windermere01@shaw.ca.

Please email classified ads to

services

condo for sale

house for sale 4-bdrm, 2 and a half bathroom townhouse for sale in Swansea View. Phone for details. 250-3415216.

services

Home Building and Renos

Heaven’s Best Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning.

Environmentally friendly products.

Dry in 1 hour! Call 250-688-0213 or visit www.heavensbest.ca .

toll free: 1.877.342.3427 cell: 250.342.1671

Kim Collens

kim@rockieswest.com www.kimcollens.com

Representative

Recipe Of The Week BLUE CHEESE PECAN SURPRISE

36 Mini Tart Shells, unbaked 1/3 cup Blue cheese, crumbled ½ cup Pecans, toasted and chopped

2 Eggs 1 cup 35% Cream ¼ tsp Salt Pinch of Pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Place mini tart shells on a rimmed baking sheet; sprinkle each with blue cheese and pecans.

In a small bowl whisk eggs, cream, salt and pepper; pour evenly into tart shells, almost to the top.

Bake for 15 minutes or until browned.

Top with red pepper jelly and enjoy.

See all my recipes at recipes.kimcollens.com

Home Of The Week

Health & Wellness

Fiona Millar, AEP Intuitive Reader

250-342-1713 fiona@fionapsychic.com • www.fionapsychic.com

Spur Valley Serenity!

Four bedroom family cabin on a beautiful large lot with great wrap around deck and single garage.

Spur Valley . . . country living at it’s best!

$349,000

MLS® 2401321

January 2, 2015

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 21 . . . ‘Rod and Gun’ from page 3

Fruitvale, BC Invermere, BC

COOK / CHEF HEALTH CARE AIDES FOR WEEKENDS

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

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES! LICENSED

Part and Full-time Positions Available

PRACTICAL NURSE

Mountain Side Village Is Fruitvale’s Newest Seniors Housing, Care, & Services Community.

CAREER Competitive Wage & Benefits OPPORTUNITIES!

• • • • •

Attractive Compensation Columbia GardenPackage Village is Flexible Hours Invermere’s Seniors Housing, Innovative Support Team to Ensure Your Care, & Services Community.

Success Opportunity for Growth within an Expanding Company Vibrant Professional Atmosphere

Hiring Incentive

Apply Online At GOLDENLIFE.CA Apply Online At GOLDENLIFE.CA Or Call 250.489.0667 For More Info!

Join our winning team!

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is accepting applications for the position of:

SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING COORDINATOR – FULL TIME Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is looking for an enthusiastic, goal oriented individual with strong communication skills. Duties include website and database management, preparing and strategizing social media posts, copywriting and proofing of print material & newsletters and creating and implementing tactical marketing initiatives. This position works closely with the Director of Sales & Marketing to drive revenue while educating target audiences about Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

Qualifications include: • A professional and positive attitude • Attention to detaill • Proficient computer skills • Creative copywriting skills • Extensive internet knowledge • Ability to respond to rapidly changing priorities • Strong verbal and interpersonal skills • Experience in working in a team based environment Fairmont Hot Springs Resort offers a competitive salary and benefits package with access to all resort amenities and opportunity for growth within the company.

A flexible schedule is required. Experience in hospitality and/or marketing is preferred.

Interested applicants please forward their resume with references before Jan 16th, 2015 to the attention of: Human Resources - David Sheedy Fax: 250-345-6616 or email to: hr@fhsr.com

fairmonthotsprings.com 1.800.663.4979

Start date: ASAP

Food Service Supervisor Permanent, Shift

Food Counter Attendant Permanent, Shift

Job description available in store 7 positions available No education required One to two years experience required.

Nights/early mornings/weekends $12.12/hour + medical/ dental/group benefits.

Job description available in store 12 positions available No education or experience required.

Nights/overnights/early mornings/weekends. $11.05/hour + medical/dental/ group benefits.

Apply in person, via email (timhortons.invermere@gmail.com) or by fax (250-341-3177) for both positions.

Join our winning team!

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is accepting applications for the position of:

RESERVATIONS AGENT - FULL TIME This full-time position requires an individual with personable, professional phone etiquette and a positive work attitude. Duties include but not limited to booking room reservations, providing detailed resort information and maximizing revenue through the sale of special events and resort activities.

The successful candidate will have: • Strong listening and verbal communication skills • Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail • Exceptional customer service skills with a passion for exceeding guest expectations • The ability to concentrate & focus in an active environment and handle multiple priorities under pressure • Experience in working in a team based environment • Proficient computer skills Fairmont Hot Springs Resort offers a competitive salary and benefits package with access to all resort amenities.

A flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, is required.

Previous call centre experience is an asset.

Interested applicants please forward their resume with references before Jan 16th, 2015 to the attention of: Human Resources - David Sheedy Fax: 250-345-6616 or email to: hr@fhsr.com

fairmonthotsprings.com 1.800.663.4979

For the latest financial tips, see Page 22 this week in…

“At $300 a deer, you can’t even begin to pay for the staff needed for that. We (the Rod and Gun Club) can’t do it. Nobody could do it.”

Mr. Hoar pointed out that the provincial Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations has not offered any funding for relocation.

“If the province wants all those conditions, the province should pay for some of them. It’s not the town’s responsibility. It’s the province’s. The deer are the province’s animals,” he said.

Invermere mayor Gerry Taft said council is aware that relocating the urban deer will likely cost far more than the $300 per deer it’s offering. He said the $300 figure comes from the price the district had agreed to pay the contractor hired to carry out the deer cull that was initiated in 2012 but then stopped by a lawsuit from the Invermere Deer Protection Society.

“Our idea was to offer the same amount of money per deer for relocation that we had paid for the cull,” said Mr. Taft. “We realize relocation will cost more, but want to at least subsidize it to the same degree that we had the cull.”

Mr. Taft said that based on information gleaned in teleconference calls with ministry staff and elected officials from other East Kootenay communities with urban deer issues, the actual cost of relocation is in the neighbourhood of $1,000 per deer.

The Pioneer attempted to contact the Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations for comment, but did not hear back prior to press time.

services

Help wanted

NEED A PASSPORT or VISA PHOTO?

We are now accepting resumes for full-time positions for qualified first-cook chef in Mediterranean Greek cuisine in Fairmont minimum three years experience. Also, experienced prep cook, and kitchen help, ice cream attendants. Seasonal work from April to October.

Please fax resume to 250-5443475 or email tonysgreekgrill@ gmail.com.

...guaranteed to meet Passport specifications or your money back or complimentary re-take!

Walk-ins accepted; appointments preferred.

Ready in an hour.

KRS Photography Printing - Picture Framing 505-7th Avenue Invermere Open Tuesday-Saturday 10-5 or by appointment.

Look for the red door behind the Invermere Laundromat!

www.kimberleyrae.ca or 250-342-5102

N E W S PA P E R

Ph: 250-341-6299 • Fax: 1-888-377-0312 • info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

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

Columbia Cycle and Ski is hiring a F/T Ski Tech/Bike Mechanic, must be available weekends. Email: ccycle@telus.net or drop off resume to 375 Laurier Street, Invermere.

In-house care givers for senior lady with Post CVA. Remuneration to be discussed depends on experience.

Please send resume to Box 1081 Invermere, V0A 1K0.

22 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 2, 2015

YOUR MONEY

Don’t be teased by teaser rates January 2nd, 2015 marks the first banking day of the new year. It’s also the same day that people can start using their 2015 Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) contribution room.

We all know what that means. In honour of the occasion, every financial institution, whether the bricksand-mortar or the online variety, will be advertising “special” savings rates. Don’t be fooled. These rates are not special. They are a big tease.

What is a teaser rate?

A teaser rate is a high introductory interest rate paid on a deposit account, term deposit or Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC). Financial institutions offer teaser rates as an attempt to attract new customers, or new money from existing customers.

There are a few basic hallmarks of a teaser rate: they are only earned for a limited time, usually 30 to 90 days; the rate is always far higher than any other common realistic rate for a comparable product; and when the period is up, the interest rate will be adjusted back to a more normalized level.

Banks love teaser rates for many reasons. They give banks cheap money to lend out, plus opening an account allows bank staff to collect personal information to be used for cross-selling opportunities. Further, teaser rates almost always end up costing banks less than they had anticipated.

Why? Because when it comes to mundane financial matters, the average person suffers from inertia. They either forget to, or avoid, moving their money to another investment with a better rate after the introductory period is up. In fact, financial institutions count on this as a way to improve their bottom lines.

Do the math Before jumping onto a teaser rate, do the math to ensure it really is a good deal. For example, one financial institution is currently offering 2.0 per cent interest on balances of $5,000 or more until March 31st, 2015.

After March 31st, the rate will change to 1.05 per cent.

Let’s assume that a person invested $5,000 on January 1st and left the money in the account for one full year. They would earn $24.66 from January 1st to March 31st, and $39.55 from April 1st to December 31st, for a sum total of $64.21, or an effective yield of 1.28 per cent.

By comparison, Tangerine’s (formerly ING Direct) regular rate is 1.30 per cent, and many full-service brokerages offer an even higher rate on their proprietary high interest savings accounts.

Of course, there is very little difference between 1.28 and 1.30 per cent. In today’s economy, interest rates have been compressed to extremely low levels. This can make teaser rates look very appealing.

However, one only really gets ahead if they remem-

ber to move their money elsewhere after the introductory period is over.

Transfer fees Moving money between financial institutions is easy in theory, but can prove difficult in practice, especially in the case of registered savings, such as a TFSA or Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP).

Transfers from registered accounts almost always result in a fee being charged by the relinquishing institution, usually in the range of $50 to $150. Even Tangerine, who used to advertise themselves as a no-fee alternative, now has a $45 transfer-out fee. This is low by industry standards, but should be factored.

Final thoughts Teaser rates can benefit some people, namely those who have the time to effectively take advantage of them. For the rest of us, a few things should always be kept in mind.

Teaser rates are always temporary — that’s what makes them a tease. Teaser rates cloak what will inevitably become a poor interest rate.

Finally, when using teaser rates, people should be committed to switching their money out of the product after the introductory period. If they don’t, the financial institution will switch the money for them — to a lower interest rate.

Investments, Insurance & Financial Planning Brendan Donahue BCOMM, CIM, FCSI

Senior Investment Advisor Insurance Agent

Offering the valley…

Investments

Stocks, Bonds, GICs, Income Trusts, Preferred Shares, ETFs, Mutual Funds and more.

Accounts

RRSPs, RRIFs, TFSAs, LIRAs, RESPs, Corporate Accounts, Cash Accounts

Services

Sara Worley CIM®

Investment Advisor Insurance Agent

Estate Planning, Financial Planning, Insurance Planning, Retirement Planning

Selection

19 GIC Companies, 15 Insurance Companies, 100 Mutual Fund Companies

Research

TD Newcrest, Credit Suisse First Boston, First Energy Capital Corp, MFC Global Investment Management

GIC Rates*

as of December 15th.

1 year 2 year 3 year 4 year 5 year

1.80% 2.10% 2.15% 2.32% 2.50%

*Rates subject to change without notice.

Manulife Securities Incorporated is a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Insurance products and services are offered through Manulife Securities Insurance Agency (a licensed life insurance agency and affiliate of Manulife Securities) by Manulife Securities Advisors licensed as life agents. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company is the sole issuer of the Manulife GIF Select insurance contract which offers the IncomePlus benefit and the guarantor of any guarantee provision therein.

Call us for professional, free consultations! • Ph: 250-342-2112 • Fax: 250-342-2113 • 530 13th Street , Invermere

old Valley ( The Echo Building )

January 2, 2015

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 23

FAITH

Bloom where you are planted

By Father Gabriel St. Joseph’s Catholic Church “Bloom where you are planted,” the father of the bride at a marriage reception advised his daughter, whom he had nurtured with a lot of love and affection. He also humorously put across her mind: “Make all things new, but don’t act as if your way is the high way.”

It was wonderfully admired by all as thoughtprovoking but timely advice. The book of Revelation 21:5-6 records, “Behold, I make all things new. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.”

God made everything new in creation and He is continuously making His presence felt through His historical intervention in human history. Each age and each year, humans have tasted and experienced His abiding presence. As we inaugurate the 2015 New Year, He invites us to consider the possibilities of “making everything new” through His grace, especially our belonging to this human family and to this planet Earth.

The book of Genesis 1:25 reads thus: “God saw everything that He had created. It was all good.” This order and harmony in the created world is disrupted in our age, especially due to several human-made factors. God is inviting us to make everything new, not through war,

violence and bloodshed, but through peace and concord.

Through our understanding love, toleration and good will, together with mutual respect, He is motivating the human race to be empathetic towards the plight, suffering, and challenge of our sisters and brothers. He is envisioning a “new thinking and a new perspective” into our human interaction. If we are able to free humankind from all that enslaves, such as poverty, hunger, sickness, death, conflict and calamity, we would be able to plant the seeds of newness into human life and create a brand new human race with this optimistic perspective.

Paul in Philippians 2:6 advises that we “put on the mindset of Christ”, which is also translated as the attitude of Christ. The attitude of Christ is always positive with full hope and optimism. The 2015 New Year invites us to be imbued by this great optimistic spirit of Paul, to have an insightful vision causing change to the mindset of people, just as the streams in the wilderness transform the dry and parched wasteland into a fertile crescent. Our positive attitudes together with our goodwill gestures and humanitarian activities would be a solid starting point to launch this vision of Christ into the mind and daily routines of people.

Our renewed relationship with the divine as spoken

by Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 — “We walk by faith and not by sight” — might bring about a moral and spiritual newness and renewal. This may help transform and change our human society from all its ailments. So let us make all possible efforts to seek new and creative ways of making everything new through the guidance and wisdom of God Almighty. Shall we have a fresh start with this hope for the 2015 New Year and bloom in the garden of God.

Lake 1 — Truck 0 An unfortunate truck went through the ice just off the Timber Ridge marina on the morning of Monday, December 29th. Once it had been freed from the icy clutches with the help of members from a local towing company, a line from the tow truck waiting on shore was attached to the halfsubmerged vehicle and it was successfully extracted from the ice.

Photo submitted

LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH

Sunday, January 4th 10:30 a.m.: WORSHIP AND LIFE INSTRUCTION...

“Christ-Centered, Spirit-Empowered and Mission-Focused”...

“K.I.D.S.: Church, for children Age 3 to Grade 1 and Grades 2 to 7 during the Morning Service.

Pastor Trevor Hagan 326 - 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 • www.lakewindermerealliance.org

Windermere Valley Shared Ministry ANGLICAN-UNITED Bacon, Friends & Faith, 9:30 a.m. (Sept.-June) Worship every Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Christ Church Trinity 1st and 3rd Sunday, 9 a.m.: All Saint’s, Edgewater Reverend Laura Hermakin 110 - 7th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-6644 • www.wvsm.ca

Valley Christian Assembly

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.: Worship Service. Kids’ Church provided.

Pastor Murray Wittke 4814 Highway 93/95, Windermere 250-342-9511 • www.valleychristianonline.com

Roman Catholic Church

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. at St. Anthony’s, Canal Flats.

Saturday, 5 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. at Canadian Martyrs’ Church in Invermere.

Sunday, 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in Radium.

712 -12th Ave., Invermere Father Gabriel • 250-342-6167

ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN MISSION OF INVERMERE

Worship services every Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Christ Church Trinity, 110 - 7th Ave., Invermere Pastor Rev. Fraser Coltman • 1-250-426-7564

Radium Christian Fellowship

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

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Worship Service, Sunday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

President Adam Pasowisty • Columbia Valley Branch 5014 Fairway, Fairmont Hot Springs • 250-341-5792

You can remember someone special with your gift to the Canadian Cancer Society To donate In Memory or In Honour: www.cancer.ca | 250-426-8916 or call toll-free 1-800-656-6426 or mail to: #19, 19th Avenue South Cranbrook, B.C. V1C 2L9 Please include: Your name and address for tax receipt Name of the person being remembered Name and address to send card to

Let’s Make Cancer History

www.cancer.ca

24 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 2, 2015

Library Story Times they are a-changin’ The new year is here and we are reminded that change is hard. We will hang on to the old and familiar because it is safe and comfortable; change equals the unknown and the unknown is scary. So, it was with our bravest foot forward that, after 14 years, the Invermere Public Library has changed the day of our Friday Preschool Story Time. Instead, we will be hosting a regular Thursday Story Time at 10:30 a.m. in addition to our Saturday Story Time at 11 a.m.

Fridays will instead welcome Baby Goose, which will take place at the library from 10 to 11:30 a.m. every week. This is a program run by the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) and is available to caretakers and their babies and toddlers up to 18 months old. For our families with preschoolers who are used to attending a program on Friday mornings,

LIBRARY LEARNING — Some young Story Time professionals at the Invermere Public Library test drive the car they created.

Photo submitted you can still get your fill at Strong Start, which runs at Eileen Madson Primary School from 9 to 11:30 a.m. For more information on these free literacy building programs, contact CBAL co-ordinator Katie Adruschuk at 250-688-2115.

What’s all the fuss about Story Time anyway? Well, for those of you who don’t know, Story Time just so happens to be

the greatest part of the library. It starts with children bursting through the neon green front door. Boots and coats pileup while kids return their books one by one in the return slot. They make their way into the children’s corner and find a spot on one of our gigantic bean bag chairs.

We start off with a song and when we open a book, imaginations start ticking.

You want to know about zoo animals?

Dinosaurs? Construction sites? Space?

Ask the Story Time crew!

My own favourite memories collected through years of running story times are formed from parents who get more into a story than their child; or the unique interpretations of moose calls; or when a craft comes back a bit too anatomically correct. What I love the most, though, is after we have finished, parents and their children sort through our childsized shelving and carefully find books they will later read together.

Flipping through the pages, a child will confidently state, “This is the book I want!” I get to witness as a lifetime love for reading blossoms in the confines of

EN

Y

GET YOUR 2015

JO

ks E er IV r P US de CL ol EX rt H o sp

s Pa

NEW FOR 2015 – SHARE YOUR PASSPORT! IT’S FULLY TRANSFERABLE

our brick building.

Story Times are a little bit different in every library, but our programs are designed for parents and children to participate together. When it is Hokey Pokey time, we are all in it together. Programs such as this are instrumental in building the literacy skills that will help shape your child’s future.

According to Literacy Skills for the Knowledge Society, differences in young children’s development is largely a result of socialization, with heredity playing only a small role. Each week at the library, we depart on adventures that cultivate social, literacy, communication, and fine motor skills in young readers.

So to everyone who has spent the last 14 years attending our Friday Preschool Story Times, thank you and we hope to see you Thursdays! Maybe change won’t be as hard as we all thought.

This week’s column was written by Leah Shoemaker, community librarian at the Invermere Public Library, which is located at 201 7th Avenue. Visit their website or call 250-342-6416 for more information.

PASSPORT INCLUDES FOR ONLY

8 ROUNDS OF GOLF

$369

+ GST

CONDITIONS OF USE Valid for 2015 season • • Valid Sunday after 12pm to Thursday • Up to 7 days advance booking

Must indicate a passport round when booking • Must present passport at time of check-in

Buy by Jan. 31 & SAVE! Buy online today at ColumbiaValleyGolfTrail.com/store