Vol13issue01

Your Weekly Source for News and Events

Vol. 13/Issue 1

The Columbia

Valley

January 1, 2016

P ioneer

FREE

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

CENTRE CLOSES

Invermere author Elinor Florence holds an unaddressed envelope that still found its way to her thanks to the help of postmistress Lisa Fossli and the rest of the postal workers at the Canada Post in Invermere. See page 10 for this heartwarming tale.

Photo by Nicole Trigg

3 back in court

3 scottish touch

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2 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 1, 2016

Previous exPerience Microsoft certified systeMs engineer , MBA

Cheers to Lorrie at Lorrie’s Computer Repair for fixing our computer. Great service, highly recommended.

Valley views

february 25th, columbia valley Pioneer’s cheers and Jeers.

Buying a NEW computer? SAVE up to $300 Cell: 250-688-COMP (2667)

Thank you!

Windermere Health Care Auxiliary is pleased to announce the winners of our raffle held December 17th, 2015. Marilyn MacDonald, Fairmont Hot Springs, Ute Juras, Canal Flats and Avis Lennason, Invermere.

Thanks goes to all who purchased raffle tickets.

Your donation enables our auxiliary to provide comfort items for the residents at Columbia House.

Special Thanks to Helna Stube for the gift certificate, and also to Sobeys, Invermere Home Hardware and Joe’s No Frills for allowing us to sell tickets at their locations.

WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME

JONATHAN SIEVENPIPER, J.D. TO OUR FIRM Jonathan will be practicing in the areas of Real Estate, Wills and Business Law. Jonathan will be joining our Invermere location 906 – 8th Avenue, Box 2647 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Ph: (250) 342-4447 | Fax: (250) 342-3298 Email: jsievenpiper@rockieslaw.com Web: www.rockieslaw.com

A helping Hann At the 17th Annual Gentlemen’s Lunch at Copper Point Resort on December 15th, $1,100.64 was raised for the Allan Hann fund in support of Mr. Hann’s double lung transplant thanks to an impromptu raffle. Pictured is John Rouse presenting a golf round for two for The Ridge at Copper Point Golf Club, kindly donated by general manager Brian Schaal, to Orest Kotyk.

“Usually about 40 gentleman get together, for no purpose other than it is an opportunity for plus-65s to get together for lunch,” Rod Turnbull told The Pioneer, adding the group of gentlemen were going to pay for the prize out of their own pockets when Mr. Schall came forward with the donation. Last year’s Gentlemen’s Lunch was held at Eagle Ranch Resort.

Photo submitted

I’m back in the picture!

I hope soon to be again in yours.

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Jan Klimek

Come visit the office, 1005-7th Avenue, or connect with me by email janklimek@shaw.ca or phone 250-342-1195.

3-1005 7th Avenue, Downtown Invermere

250-342-4040 • www.1stChoiceRealty.ca To all my friends and clients, may your days be merry and bright, and your Holidays… Picture Perfect!

January 1, 2016

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 3

Valley NEWS

Suspected financial mismanagement closes centre

By Breanne Massey Pioneer Staff The alleged closure of an Aboriginal addictions treatment centre has shocked the Columbia Valley.

The Province newspaper recently reported that the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) has shuttered their working partnership with the Three Voices of Healing Society (TVOHS) in Invermere due to a mismanagement of funds and problems within the organization’s board of directors. However, The Pioneer could not reach the FNHA before it went to press on Monday, December 28th due to the FNHA’s holiday hours of operation. The Shuswap Indian Band chief Barb Cote could also not be reached before The Pioneer went to press, as the Shuswap Band office is closed for the holidays until Monday, January 4th. The TVOH website and phones appear to be disconnected.

District of Invermere mayor Gerry Taft believes there were signs that indicated a possible problem ex-

isted shortly before news of the closure came to light in B.C. “The news is unfortunate because I think the service that is being provided is definitely needed and it did seem like good work was being done as far as the people who were in the program,” said Mr. Taft, while acknowledging The Province’s story was the first official notice about the problem the district was aware of.

“We kind of heard some rumours and rumblings in the month of December prior to this story breaking, but we weren’t exactly sure what was going on.”

Earlier this year in May, Invermere council unanimously (excluding Mr. Taft, who abstained from the vote due to a perceived conflict of interest after previously operating his Gerry’s Gelati business at the venue) approved the decision to award a three-year contract to operate the Smoke Signals concession stand at Kinsmen Beach to the TVOHS to help those who have completed the addictions treatment reintegrate into the Columbia Valley community by gaining work experience.

Mr. Taft expected First Nations patients to begin working at the concession over the holidays as part of the after-care stream of TVOHS programming.

“With the contract of the concession, we encourage the contract holder to operate during the Christmas season,” said Mr. Taft. “We kind of had a feeling that that wasn’t going to happen because some of the contact people were unable to be reached and then this story came out, which probably explains a little bit more about why that happened.”

Doug Clovechok, College of the Rockies (COTR) Invermere campus manager, expressed disappointment about the anticipated loss of the Aboriginal addictions treatment centre in the Columbia Valley.

“Needless to say, we’re disappointed that the centre is closing because the work it does was phenomenal work,” said Mr. Clovechok. “We obviously worked with them in the after-care program, which was incredibly successful, so it’s a real shame that it has to close.”

Continued on page 10 . . .

Jumbo Glacier Resort heads back to B.C. Supreme Court

By Breanne Massey Pioneer Staff Proponents of the proposed ski resort in the Jumbo Valley are petitioning Minister of Environment Mary Polak’s decision to decline the renewal of an environmental assessment certificate for Jumbo Glacier Resort at the Supreme Court level.

“Our legal advice is not to comment on matters before the court,” said Glacier Resorts Ltd. senior vice-president Grant Costello in an email to The Pioneer on Monday, December 28th.

Glacier Resorts Ltd. has filed documents with the B.C. Supreme Court that highlight a controversial personal relationship between Ms. Polak and Ktunaxa Nation chair Katherine Tenesse, suggesting it may have hindered the project’s development. The resort’s proponents allege that the duo’s friendship could have influenced Ms. Polak’s decision to declare Jumbo Glacier Resort as not substantially

started, therefore causing the resort’s environmental assessment certificate to lapse, on June 18th, 2015.

Ms. Polak had previously stated that the project’s certificate wasn’t renewed because the resort wasn’t substantially started, as required by law, by October 12th, 2014.

The petition is requesting a judicial writ that orders Ms. Polak’s decision be “quashed and set aside,” and that declares Jumbo Glacier Resort as a project that had completed enough of the proposed work as of October 12th, 2014. It is also seeking that an Environmental Assessment Certificate in connection with the Jumbo Glacier Resort be declared in good standing and in “full force and effect.”

Alternatively, the petition requests a review of the substantially started decision in accordance with directions from the Supreme Court.

Lastly, Jumbo Glacier Resort has asked for an order that the decision be stayed pending the court’s determination of the petition, in addition to costs and “such further and other relief as this Court deems just.”

ADULT & CHILDREN MULTI-WEEK LESSONS — BEGINNING IN JANUARY! —

Everyone can be a better skier and rider. We’ve got programs for big kids and little rippers including Chicks on Sticks, Babes on Boards, Panorama Posse, and Purcell Riders.

4 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 1, 2016

SECURITY Est. 2005

• • • •

Uniformed Guards Mobile Patrol Alarm Response Property Checks

www.valleyhawk.com

250-688-HAWK

RCMP Report

an 10 ni -ye ve ar rs ar y

Submitted by Cpl. Brent Ayers Columbia Valley RCMP Licensed & Insured Invermere & Surrounding Areas

Volunteer Opportunities Immigrant newcomers need your help. Please consider volunteering as a mentor or join our list of occasional translators. English tutoring volunteers with EAL training are welcome. The average contribution is 2 hours a week. Contact CBAL Settlement Worker Hannah Wong for more information, 250-341-7188 or windermerevalleysettlement@cbal.org.

Seasons Greetings Thrift Store Holiday Hours Closed until January 5th.

Reopens for Senior shopping January 6th.

January 7th – regular hours, everyone welcome! *We will not accept donations between December 23rd and January 2nd.

Thank you for your continued support!

Between December 21st and December 27th, members of the Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment responded to 44 calls for service. Three of these complaints were motor vehicle accidents, with two of the accidents being rollovers.

A few noteworthy files have been modified in order to share (I just want to point out that we don’t make this stuff up): • On Friday, December 25th, Columbia Valley RCMP members were called to respond to a family feud in Fairmont Hot Springs. It was reported that two brothers were fighting in the family vacation home, which started because one brother burned his father with a blow torch. The other brother obtained a pair of handcuffs and repeatedly assaulted the first brother until he was able to handcuff his brother to his mother. It was also alleged that numerous death threats were voiced back and forth between all parties. Members attended and arrested all of the males in the household for multiple offences. After speaking with all parties and watching a video, which a daughter had taken, it was determined that the one brother was the main problem and was the only person who could be charged for assaulting the other brother. Police spoke with the victim brother and, in the end, the victim brother did not wish to place charges against his brother. All parties were released from custody and the problem brother left to go back to where he came from and was told he was no longer welcome at the residence.

• On Monday, December 21st at approximately 4:50 a.m., police were called out for a complaint of a truck driving laps in the Industrial Park in Invermere, repeatedly honking for no apparent reason. Cst. Mazerolle conducted patrols and later located the suspect vehicle parked behind the car wash with the driver in the driver seat. The vehicle was pulled over and under the care and control of the registered owner, an ASD demand was read after the driver admitted to drinking alcohol in the last three hours, and the driver blew a fail reading twice. Police served the driver with notices of prohibition and impoundment.

Club Towing impounded the vehicle.

• On Tuesday, December 22nd at 3:20 p.m., a complainant called to report a road rage incident on Athalmer

Hill Road in Invermere. The complainant reported that he passed a newer white work truck while driving up Athalmer Hill. The complainant stopped in the left-hand turning lane at the red light near Canadian Tire. The driver of the work truck stopped beside him and began to yell at him, telling him that he is an idiot and moron, and that he had sprayed rocks when he had passed him, then gave the complainant the finger and was raging. The complainant reported that he felt extremely threatened by the driver of the work truck.

Police spoke with the owner and confirmed operator of the work truck, who admitted that he was the one who yelled and swore at the complainant. He was upset because the other truck had sprayed rocks when he passed, and there was no reason for him to pass as everyone was going the speed limit, and the truck was turning at the lights anyway.

Police were assured there were no concerns for retaliation or of any conflict between the two in the future.

• On Wednesday, December 23rd, the RCMP were notified that a house was broken into sometime during the night. Police attended to the Highway 93/95 residence between Windermere and Fairmont Hot Springs. Police noted the front door showed signs of forced entry. Stolen from the house were a 55-inch LG Smart TV and a 13inch MacBook Pro laptop. Total estimated value of loss was $2,700. A neighbour was spoken with, who said they had seen a diesel truck between 11:30 p.m. and 1 a.m. driving slowly on the highway that looked suspicious, but nothing else assisted with the coming forth of a suspect. If anybody has any information with regards to this incident, you can make a report to police or through Crime Stoppers. Confidentiality, if you so choose, will be guaranteed.

• Road checks will continue over the holiday season.

Should your gatherings involve any drinking, ensure you have a plan to stay safe.

• Police/Emergency Responders (paid and volunteer) in smaller detachments respond to potentially serious and sometimes tragic events. In the end, many use humour to cope, myself included. I look at humour as a “fuse,” similar to what is in a vehicle or house, and I would rather blow a fuse than have a major meltdown. We are all human, after all, and try to do the best we can with what we have. Again, I wish to remind everyone to have a great “safe” holiday season as we approach the 2016 New Year.

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January 1, 2016

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 5

WildSafe BC wraps up the year

By Breanne Massey Pioneer Staff WildSafe BC community co-ordinator Andrea Smillie has expressed a growing number of concerns about wildlife and safety in the Columbia Valley.

“From my perspective, there were a lot of black bear conflicts going on between June and November this year,” she explained. “But I guess that’s common for this area. It’s hard to determine what caused it beyond making assumptions about their food supply and the weather, but it’s hard to nail it down to one thing. It likely had to do with the hot and dry weather affecting their food supply and also had to do with attractants being left out — garbage is the main problem throughout the valley.”

While Invermere and Radium have improved in waste management over several years, her year-end report states, the amount of black bear conflict is still high in these communities, including one bear that was destroyed in Fairmont this fall, and a sow (female bear) and her cub that were evicted from their winter slumbers in early December after hibernating in a den under a deck in the Lakeview Meadows subdivision. Ms. Smillie’s annual report for 2015 was submitted to the Village of Radium Hot Springs, the District of Invermere and the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Area F and Area G representatives in late December.

Ms. Smillie explained that tourists and second homeowners need to stay abreast with safety measures to prevent wildlife conflicts in the valley year-round.

She emphasized there are rules and regulations in place for waste disposal in the Columbia Valley to help minimize conflicts with wildlife, but added the use and abuse of transfer stations could cost residents more than they bargained for.

“It’s a really big issue throughout the valley, and it’s probably the one that we deal with the most,” said Ms. Smillie, adding it’s possible to make improvements in waste management to make the surrounding communi-

ties safe from wildlife for everyone.

“Looking after fruit trees in September and October is another really big issue as well.”

Now, Ms. Smillie is working toward urging community members from Invermere, Radium, Edgewater, Fairmont and Windermere to crack down on wildlife confrontations, conflicts and safety measures. She is encouraging municipalities in the Columbia Valley to engage in a regional discourse to address the issues that plague many communities across the East Kootenay and implement effective safety precautions.

“During the winter time, we’re typically seeing less bear conflicts and more deer conflicts just because the deer hang out in town a little more where it’s warmer in the valley bottoms in winter time,” said Ms. Smillie, noting the elected officials have been largely supportive and receptive to taking preventative measures. “We’re probably going to see an increase in cougar conflict because they come into the valley to find the deer, so I would say that people should be cognizant of the seasons and the type of conflicts that come with it.”

While there has yet to be a date set for a regional discussion about safety measures, Ms. Smillie was pleased to report that the suggestion has been met with support from the East Kootenay region.

She stated that many people in the valley are wellinformed about backcountry safety for hiking trips, but her concern is for homeowners, who need to tune into prevention methods such as removing food sources over the winter.

“Instead of separating wildlife from town, it’s important to look at the situation as a whole because one mistake or one instance of leaving out an attractant can cause a bear to come back to the area — even for people who are pretty aware of the situation,” said Ms. Smillie. “Be more vigilant about garbage and wildlife in general.”

The final reports for 2015 are posted online everyone to see at www.wildsafebc.com/2015-year-end-reports.

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6 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 1, 2016

perspective Historical Lens

Voices of hiding

By Nicole Trigg Pioneer Staff

It’s with a heavy heart that many in the Columbia Valley are learning the news of the closure of the Three Voices of Healing treatment centre. Since moving to the valley from Creston in 2012 and taking up residence on Shuswap Indian Land, the wellness facility has received a tremendous amount of support from the community at large and The Pioneer has had nothing but good news to report. In December 2014, the Three Voices of Healing Society Wellness Centre earned the highest accreditation possible for a health treatment centre in Canada. “We received our accreditation with exemplary status, passing with a score of 98.9 per cent, so we’re pretty happy about that,” said Three Voices executive director Delena Tikk at the time. “Only two other places in Canada have ever gotten a higher score, and one of them was Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.” Just a few months ago in September, the District of Invermere awarded Three Voices a three-year contract to run the Kinsmen Beach concession stand to help reintegrate its clients back into society, sober. Most recently, in November, Three Voices was showcased in The Pioneer in a special feature on the College of the Rockies as an example of the college’s successful community partnerships.

Described in this very space as “an inspirational visionary who has set a new standard for treatment centres of this kind across Canada,” Ms. Tikk is now allegedly guilty of questionable spending and “overly generous remuneration,” according to The Province story that broke the news on Christmas Eve. Restricted by a holiday printing schedule, The Pioneer was unable to verify any information prior to going to press with this issue, but will be following up for the next. The closure may not have a “major impact,” as was quoted in The Province’s report, but it will have a local one.

Horsedrawn sleigh In this image taken in the Columbia Valley, date unknwon, two horses pull a group of people through the snow.

If you have any more information, email us at info@columbiavalleypioneer.com.

Photo (C1084) courtesy of the Windermere District Historical Society

The Pioneer apologizes to Geek Zone columnist Rob Orchiston, whose excellent submission in the December 25th issue, “Test driving a Tesla,” was rendered illegible due to a production error. The column in its entirety will be reprinted in the next issue.

Call for boycott rife with hypocrisy Dear Editor: Re: “Peeved with Patagonia,” Letter to the Editor, December 25th, Pioneer Cue the Jumbo resort proponents and ye olde soapbox. Let’s all cry foul over and boycott “evil” Patagonia for funding the “evil propaganda” piece that was Sweetgrass’ Jumbo Wild film. The “evil” corporation that backed a film with a bias for conservation and self-propelled activity. All this in the wake of equally “evil” Wildsight, funding a campaign against one of the most controversial and dividing land use issues of this generation. The proponent is completely taken aback by funding coming from sources other than the pockets of locals.

Hold the phone... correct me if I’m wrong, but was it not Jumbo proponents and some friends in strategically advantageous positions in the provincial government who toured Europe with the sole purpose of getting their hands on some “out of town” dollars of their own?

So... it’s OK for JGR & Friends to wrangle funding for their interests from out-of-country sources, but the opponents aren’t allowed?

That road runs two ways JGR. No one likes a hypocrite. Boycott Jumbo Glacier Resort! (See, I can do it, too.)

Steve Tersmette Kimberley

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

Dean Midyette Publisher/ Sales Manager

Nicole Trigg Editor

Steve Hubrecht Reporter

Breanne Massey Reporter

Amanda Nason Advertising Sales

Emily Rawbon Graphic Design/ Associate Publisher

Amanda Murray

Office Administrator/ Classified Sales

January 1, 2016

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 7

LETTERS

Residence offers thanks

Jo in u s o v e r th e h o li d ay s e a s o n a t

Dear Editor: Columbia Garden Village seniors, residents, their family members, and staff would like to express appreciation to the hamlet of the DOI (District of Invermere) for the beautiful Christmas lights display on Monday, December 13th, and Friday, December 18th. We would also like to thank Tim Hortons for the hot chocolate that made our evenings extra special. We are fortunate to live in a lovely and caring community.

Darla Spiry Ivy House Recreation Aide at Columbia Garden Village Invermere

Busy highway needs more police presence Dear Editor: On December 27th at around 2 p.m., I came across a two-vehicle accident east of Marble Canyon. I stopped to offer assistance, however, there were adequate number of persons attending to the injured, so I continued on to Invermere, flashing my headlights trying to warn drivers of a situation. Some drivers coming toward me were way over the speed limits. Driving was a little scary, to say the least!

The traffic through the park was the heaviest I have seen in my 36 years of travelling from our home in Edmonton to our home in Timber Ridge.

What concerns me was that there was no presence of the RCMP whatsoever on the highway on one of the busiest days of the year.

Forty-five minutes after I left the accident scene, along came two RCMP vehicles followed by the ambulance. This would mean that it would have taken something just short of two hours to have RCMP and ambulance on the scene.

I think a story must be written and the RCMP must have to answer as to why they were not on the highway on this very busy day.

Ivan Radostits Timber Ridge

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-

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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8 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 1, 2016

Child care group raising funds for playground chures for each playground,” she said. “They sent us a quote back with all of the designs. We actually designed our own structure for the after-school program because I didn’t think what they had was going to fit the needs The Columbia Valley community is being asked to of what our kids would like to have, so we designed our pitch in as Windermere Child Care Society is hoping to own for that side. Based on the quote we got, there is secure approximately $200,000 for a new playground. some major fundraising that needs to be done for this.”

“There are three parts to (the new playground) right The $200,000 projected cost includes the playground now,” explained Jennifer Shaw, fundraising director and structures, installation, landscaping and fencing. parent. “We have the infant and toddler area, we have “We’re also looking for some volunteers to come the daycare area and then we have the after-school area down for the weekend (but a date has yet to be confor the older kids.” firmed) to help us co-ordinate everything — we’re lookThe society’s dated playground equipment has ening for about 30 volunteers,” said Ms. Shaw. “We inicouraged many of the parents to get involved in order to create a legacy for children in the future. tially wanted to do this as one whole project and do all three pieces at the same time, but I don’t think it’s going “The playground equipment that is there, some of it to be feasible to get something in the ground for next has duct tape on it, a lot of it has been donated, I think, from the schools that have upgraded their playgrounds, DELIGHTFUL DESIGN — One of the three play- fall. I’m just waiting to hear back about the full quote other parts of it have come from parents or garage sales ground areas the Windermere Child Care Society is hoping back for each of the sections, and start with one section — that type of thing,” said Ms. Shaw. “It really has never to build after fundraising $200,000. Image submitted at a time and fundraise specific amounts for each piece to had proper playground equipment so we’re going to start with a clean slate, right be done — unless somebody’s a miracle worker.”

There is currently about $9,000 saved for the project so far, added Ms. Shaw. She said from the beginning. We’ve designed the three different areas, changing some of the fence lines to make the infant and toddler area bigger, but each section will have a any contribution could make a difference with the project, whether that’s in kind donations, volunteering hours, materials or fundraising support. brand new structure.”

“Volunteers are also needed on the board as well, so there’s definitely room to The additional equipment should create a friendly, fun and safe environment for many of the children from the Columbia Valley who are cared for by the Winder- become a great part of this project,” concluded Ms. Shaw.

For more information about the project or to make a donation, please contact mere Child Care Society.

“We ended up contracting and told them what we wanted out of their bro- the Windermere Child Care Society manager Pat Miller at 250-341-8344.

By Breanne Massey Pioneer Staff

Highland Crossing set to break ground this winter

FR

2016

ay to 7 Eat Your W e a Longer Lif e Wave 10 Catch th to Peace

EE

hing 19 Do-ing Not lts Delivers Resu on 21 Focusing ness Financial Well

Feeling unbalanced?

Looking for Vitality?

Look no further!

The Columbia Valley's first health and wellness magazine, Vitality, will be available starting December 30th at select locations from Spillimacheen to Canal Flats.

Packed with information and advice from local experts, Vitality is the valley's go-to guide for getting healthy and staying healthy.

Pick up a copy and turn over a new leaf for the new year!

By Breanne Massey Pioneer Staff Larry Kerr, the principal at Urban West Projects Incorporated, will be showcasing the Highland Crossing at Lake Windermere development to the valley community.

The newest development in the Columbia Valley features townhouses at the foot of Invermere’s main street that overlook Lake Windermere with two floor plans sized at 1,886 and 2,132 square feet.

“I love Invermere,” said Mr. Kerr.

“You can see the Urban West projects have a history of dealing with infill housing in existing neighbourhoods for quite some time. We’ve actually looked at a number of properties in Invermere proper and we’ve had the idea of (developing) townhomes that will fit the bill for a demographic range that’s well suited for families

— basically from grandparents to grandchildren.”

The developers have dubbed Invermere as an “outdoor enthusiast’s mecca,” as it is located between the Rocky and Purcell Mountains. While the scope of this project is targeting the demographic of active families, there are no limits.

“The attraction was for people, like myself, to move here,” said Mr. Kerr, noting that his own family relocated to the Columbia Valley in 2000.

“Our kids have now flown the coop, but they come visit their mother and father on a regular basis. My eldest son just got married and there’s a chance that we will have extended families over the next few years so we wanted to find a place where we can be comfortable for the rest of our lives, preferably with a great mountain and lake view that’s close to town.”

Continued on page 22 . . .

Page 9

What’s Happening in the Columbia Valley

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

See you next year!

YEAR IN REVIEW

PAGE 12

TO BE SELF-AWARE

PAGE 18

Out & About Santa Claus was last spotted in the Columbia Valley at Panorama Mountain Resort on December 24th when he was posing for free photos with the public at the big wooden chair between 2 and 4 p.m.

The Pioneer has reason to believe he will not be seen again until next Christmas season.

Photo by Nicole Trigg

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 1, 2016

Lucky envelope lands in valley

By James Rose Special to The Pioneer

and Best Wishes to all!

fro

m

OPENING SPRING 2016!

At the Canadian Tire site

YEAR-ROUND & SUMMER JOBS! Contact Todd • Ph: 250-341-1966 pizzeriawindermere@gmail.com

For the latest financial tips, see Page 24 this week in…

N E W S PA P E R

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

It goes without saying. The perks to living in the beautiful Columbia Valley are many. Mountains, lakes, a vibrant art and culinary scene, the list goes on. It is not, however, just the natural beauty that makes communities such as Invermere great. There are other subtler aspects as well. Identifying them is hard to put a finger on, and oftentimes, they are only realized after the fact.

Elinor Florence, a 20-year resident of the Columbia Valley, experienced one of these moments not long ago.

Ms. Florence is the author of a historical novel entitled Bird’s Eye View, that tells the story about an idealistic young Canadian woman who joins the air force in the Second World War and becomes an aerial photographic interpreter. Her work ultimately changes the course of history — and her own life — in ways she never imagined.

Ms. Florence’s novel has been very well-received — fans from all over Canada, the United States, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand have written her to offer congratulations, support and admiration.

It was one gentleman’s letter, however, and how it made its way to Ms. Florence, that reminded her why living in the valley so special.

In December 2014, Elinor conducted a book-signing in Radium, where she was approached by a woman by the name of Marcia Olson (who has a second home in Windermere). Ms. Olson’s father, she said to Elinor, was in the air force and had

flown with an Edmontonian friend named Tony Cashman. After buying a copy of Bird’s Eye View, Ms. Olson sent it as a gift to Tony, who liked the novel for its story and, in particular, its accuracy on certain details overlooked by the average wartime historian. Several months later, Tony phoned Ms. Florence, much to her surprise.

“How did you find me?” she asked him, as she hadn’t given Ms. Olson her contact information.

“I did it the old-fashioned way, with directory assistance!” Tony replied. Without a computer, he relied upon a method all but forgotten in today’s digital age.

But it was a letter from Tony’s 90-year-old brother John, who lives in San Jose, California, that caught Ms. Florence completely by surprise. John Cashman, after receiving a copy of her book, decided that he would take a gamble.

After writing an eloquent letter to Ms. Florence praising her writing, he addressed the letter to “Mrs. Elinor Florence (the author lady),” noting on the envelope that he didn’t have the street name or number or even a postal code. All he knew was that she lived in Invermere, B.C. Upon receiving the unaddressed letter from California, the postal workers at Invermere’s Canada Post, who know Ms. Florence, placed the letter in her post office box.

“It was so very nice of (Canada Post) to make sure I got the letter! I went in to the office and thanked them and wrote back John thanking him as well,” said Ms. Florence.

Since then, the two have been regularly corresponding. And if it was not for a small act of kindness made possible by the cohesive community that is Invermere, John Cashman and Elinor Florence would remain strangers to this day.

. . . ‘Financial’ from page 3 The Invermere COTR campus had previously offered a unique approach to learning for those who completed the addictions treatment program at TVOHS to study electrical, plumbing, pipefitting, machining, millwrighting and welding over a 12-week period of hands-on and classroom training.

Mr. Clovechok said the COTR would be willing to work with new groups for addictions treatment in the Columbia Valley in the future if

one were to arise.

“The centre itself worked very closely with the Shuswap Indian Band and we believe in the work that they do, and if another centre is to evolve from this, the COTR would be more than happy to work with them in their aftercare program because the program itself is really important work for those that are involved,” concluded Mr. Clovechok. “I think that it’s really important work.”

The Pioneer will be following up on the allegations of financial mismanagement in the January 8th edition.

Pioneer Classifieds

SPOT THE DEALS! N E W S PA P E R

info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

January 1, 2016

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 11

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

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

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

Thursday, December 31st • 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Invermere Library on shortened hours Dec. 29,30,31 and Jan.2 • 11:15 a.m.: Invermere Library Pre-school Storytime drop in for stories and a craft.

• 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.: Invermere Library Lego Club. Drop in to build something great.

• 3 p.m.: Village of Radium’s 25th Birthday Celebration and New Year’s Eve Party at Brent’s Shack, Legends Field and Radium Hot Springs Seniors Hall. Hot chocolate, hot dogs, chili and birthday cake. Visit www. radiumhotsprings.com for details.

• 6:30 p.m.: Radium Hot Springs New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Springs Driving Range. Visit www. radiumhotsprings.com for details.

• 6:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. From Scratch - A Mountain Kitchen. Join our New Year’s Eve Kitchen Party for the last night to 2015 with a fabulous 8 course meal surrounded by jolly company! Phone 250-345-0008 or email info@fromscratchfood.com.Menu viewed on www.fromscratchfood.com. Cost $79.95 per person plus tax and gratuity.

• 7 - 10 p.m.: Fairmont Hot Springs Summer pool party.

• 7:30 p.m.: New Year’s Eve Dinner at Panorama Great Hall, Dinner pricing is $54.95 for those 15+ years old, $19.95 for those 5-14 years old, children 4 and under free. Gratuity included GST extra. Reservations recommended call 1-800-663-2929. Visit www. panoramaresort.com/events/ for menu details.

• 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. Enjoy your New Year’s Eve at Copper Point Resort. $40 per person. Ticket price includes DJ, Party Favours, Snacks and Cash Bar. Enjoy NY’s Dinner in Elements and receive free entry into the party. While tickets are available. NY’s Eve shuttle amd accommodation rates available. Contact 250-341-

4000 or email info@copperpointresort.com for more information.

• 8 p.m. Join us for dinner at the Hoodoo Grill on New Year’s Eve. Music and shenanigans to follow.

• 8 p.m. New Year’s Eve Music Trivia at The Station Neighbourhood Pub. Great prizes, drink specials. $5 per person. Special dancing questions. Call 250-342-5557 for more information.

• 8 p.m. The Columbia Inn is having kamakazi karaoke on New Year’s Eve. We pick it and you sing it, plus DJ music all night. There will be a champagne toast at midnight and food. Cover is $10.

• 9 p.m.: Bear’s Paw Bar & Grill at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. No cover charge. A New Years Eve Glow Party with festive drink specials, champagne at midnight, music by DJ Wild Bill and a selfie booth in the lobby. For more information email ptolchard@fhsr. com or call 250-345-6063.

• 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.: Edgewater Recreation Society presents a New Year’s Eve event with Jaydee Hypnotist. Tickets $20 in advance includes New Year’s bling, midnight hors d’oeuvres and champagne, sold at Brisco Store, Pip’s Store, Simple Pleasures and Little Treasures, Home Hardware and the Trading Post.

• 10 p.m.: Fairmont New Year’s Eve Fireworks at the Historic Indian Baths.

• 11 p.m.- 2 a.m. New Year’s Eve Party at the Far Side Inn with a DJ (no cover charge).

• 11 p.m.: Family Neon Nye Party at Panorama Mountain Resort. Prizes for Best Neon Costume, Best glowing lip sync artist, and best neon guitarist. Free handouts, like kids pop, glow sticks and glow jewelry, appy bites and jello shots (non-alcoholic) and Full bar open for Adults.

Friday, January 1st • 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 2nd • 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Library on shortened hours Dec. 29, 30, 31 and Jan. 2.

• 11:15 a.m.: Invermere Library Pre-school Storytime drop-in for stories and a craft.

• 7:30 p.m.: Columbia Valley Rockies vs. Golden Rockets at Eddie Mountain Arena.

Tuesday, January 5th • 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 6th • 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, $2. Everyone welcome.

Thursday, January 7th • 6:30 p.m.: Texas Hold Em’ Tournament at the Invermere Legion every Thursday. $35 buy in.

Friday, January 8th • 1 p.m.: Duplicate Bridge at Invermere senior’s hall, $2. Everyone welcome.

• 9 p.m.: Bear’s Paw Bar & Grill at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Join us for live music by Smokin’ Ray & The Detectors. Blues, R’s n B and more.

Saturday, January 9th • 9 a.m.: 2nd Annual Dragon Tail Loppet, 9km Nordic Loppet from the Panorama Nordic Centre. Visit www. panoramaresort.com/event-details for more details or concact nordic.centre@panoramaresort.com or call 250-341-4106.

• 7:30 p.m.: Columbia Valley Rockies vs. Creston Valley Thundercats at Eddie Mountain Arena.

• 9 p.m.: Bear’s Paw Bar & Grill at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Join us for live music by Smokin’ Ray & The Detectors. Blues, R’s n B and more.

Tuesday, January 12th • 6:30 p.m.: Westside Legacy Trail Open House at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, Pine Room. Come and experience what the WLT is, how it will impact the valley, and show your support. Snacks and refreshments will be served.

• 7 p.m.: Cinefest film series featuring the film I’ll see you in my Dreams. Tickets $12 at the door.

Thursday, January 14th • CVCC 6th Annual Local Government Update.

Friday, January 15th • 9 p.m.: Bear’s Paw & Grill at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Join us for live music by Swillbillies with blues, folk and pub-style tunes.

The 2016 MaxWell calendars are in for pickup!

1214 -7th Ave., Invermere, B.C. Box 2280, Invermere V0A 1K0

Ph: 250-341-6044 Fax: 250-341-6046

www.maxwellrealtyinvermere.ca

DANIEL ZURGILGEN 250-342-1612

SCOTT WALLACE 250-342-5309

BERNIE RAVEN 250-342-7415

GLENN POMEROY 250-270-0666

GEOFF HILL 250-341-7600

danielzurgilgen@gmail.com

scott@scottwallace.ca

bernieraven@gmail.com

glennpomeroy@shaw.ca

connect@geoffhill.ca

CHRIS RAVEN 250-409-9323

BRYAN HOOKENSON 250-409-6266

chrisraven09@gmail.com bhookenson@gmail.com

12 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 1, 2016 July 3, 2015 Vol. 12/Issue 27

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Whiteway to be celebrated The Lake Windermere Whiteway officially opened as the longest ice skating track on the planet, recognized to be 29.98 kilometres in length. A full day of winter activities were planned for the opening ceremony including speed skating lessons, fat bike demos, and a barbecued bratwurst and hot chocolate lunch. Following a ribbon cutting ceremony and acoustic musical performance by Shilo and Ben Cameron, the Whiteway World Record sign was unveiled.

Hunting allocations cause concern Changes to the Wildlife Allocation Policy resulted in fewer animals being available to local hunters, with more allocations being made to hunters from other regions. Previously the split was 80-20 for some species, with a move made to a 60-40 split favouring non-local hunters. Quotas for bighorn sheep were eliminated, with conservation officers expressing concern regarding a likely slump in the local bighorn sheep population in future years.

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Half-century chapter eliminated The old David Thompson Secondary School (DTSS) building was demolished to make room for Invermere’s new multi-use community centre, with parts of the building still in use today as a day care, fire hall, and school district offices. Students attended the former DTSS site, described as “full of light” and “a little jewel” by retired teacher Anne Jardine, from 1957 to 1994 with the building standing sentinel at the entrance to Invermere.

Arrowhead brewing doubles up Arrowhead set up four out of five custom-built vats, bringing their total to 15, a delicious expansion that delighted local craft beer enthusiasts across B.C. and Alberta. “We’re looking to double our business again this year,” said Shawn Tegart. Plans for 2015 also included a trip to the annual Craft Beer Conference and Beer Expo in Portland, Oregon.

February

Proposed bylaw highlights Whitetail Lake debate The Whitetail Lake Land Corporation applied to the Regional District of East Kootenay to rezone roughly 3,800 acres of land purchased from Tembec. RDEK planner Kris Belanger explained the bylaw amendment was benJANUARY— A moment of hilarity ensued on Saturday, January 3rd as eficial to set a minimum parcel local dignitaries cutting the ribbon at the Guinness World Record Whitesize. The bylaw was controverway celebration struggled with blunt scissors.

Photo by Dan Walton sial, with 44 letters in opposition being received with a common theme that it would affect the subdivision at Whitetail Lake.

Concerns were expressed regarding the consultation process and timeline of the rezoning process.

Canal Flats mill layoffs Canfor announced a mass layoff at the Canal Flats mill due to a dearth of affordably retrievable lumber, reducing for two shifts to one and changing the mill’s operating hours to an eight-hour shift, Monday to Friday. Doug Singer, Local I-405

0

president, voiced concerns about “this being a permanent reduction.” A provincial Community Transition Team was sent in to help those affected in moving to a new Canfor position elsewhere or finding new employment locally.

Court dates set for Jumbo legal challenge The West Kootenay EcoSociety’s petition challenging the incorporation of Jumbo Glacier Mountain Resort Municipality was scheduled to be heard in court, more than after two years it was filed. The petition held that there were inconsistencies in the provincial body of law after Local Government Act amendments made in 2012, and that the province should have taken into account constitutional and Local Government Act requirements for municipalities to have people, in its decision to incorporate Jumbo. Soon after the date was set, the case was adjourned, likely to be heard in midMay. In was then further delayed until it was finally heard in court in July.

Community meets multi-use centre architects The District of Invermere and SHAPE architecture met to design the new Columbia Valley Multi Use-Centre. A presentation was made by architect Alan Smith to lay out the possibilities that can be realized, followed by a question and answer session. The biggest challenge was identified as accommodating the needs of each user group involved in the project.

March

District caps deer cull by cost instead of numbers Invermere Councillors decided to amend the resolution passed in 2013 to cap the cull at a maximum cost of $25,000, down from $30,000, with no maximum number of deer. A total of $5,000 was directed from the district to an East Kootenay urban deer relocation proposal.

Mayor Gerry Taft identified the approach as allowing the district to target specific problem deer, and also responded to criticism by the Invermere Deer Protection Society that the district has not been transparent about the cull.

World Cup podium for Osborne-Paradis Invermere’s Manny Osborne-Paradis hit the podium with a silver medal finish at the World Cup downhill in Kvitfjell, Norway. Mr. Osborne-Paradis blasted down the course in 1:29.95, just 0.3 seconds behind the winner.

January 1, 2016

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 13

city shutting down its deer cull. market, one from the Legion and one from Julia Oaks, He was ordered to pay a total of with staff recommending council to choose the Legion as $2,776.00 and was given a 30- the operator. Ms. Oaks confirmed that she would continue to operate the original Invermere Farmers Market in day probation. a new location at the same time on Saturdays if the downKicking Horse Coffee MARCH — Closing town location was denied to her. In the end, council voted brews success day of the 2015 IPC The Invermere-based busi- three to one in favour of changing operators.

Alpine Skiing World Small spring runoff anticipated ness was named number 15 on Championships at Due to an abnormally low snowpack, it was prethe Best Workplaces in Canada Panorama on Tueslist by the Great Place to Work dicted that spring runoff would be low in the Columbia day, March 10th was Institute Canada for 2015. After Valley. “It (a low runoff) can be anticipated. It’s more action-packed, with 20 years of harnessing a unique than likely,” said Invermere-based Ministry of Forests, Matt Hallet winning flavour, it’s been widely recog- Lands and Natural Resource Operations biologist Peter a bronze for Canada nized for having a great product Holmes. About a month and a half earlier, Mr. Holmes and a choreographed and playful spirit. More than 200 was examining the valley’s snowpack from a plane and pyromusical fireworks nominations were received and found it to be less than might typically be expected at display.

Photo by more than 60,000 employees that time of year. “It was definitely lower than normal,

Dan Walton participated in employee feed- especially on south-facing aspects,” he said. back sessions for the contest.

Report places Jumbo “It feels awesome. It took a while to get back. Finally my foundation in high risk zone Shuswap shows changes brain allowed me to go fast and not be scared again,” he An avalanche risk assessment report, conducted by The new Shuswap council held a variety of events to said, speaking to having struggled with a few major crash- Dynamic Avalanche Consulting Ltd., found that the show community members that the Shuswap band is no es through the season. service building foundation built in the Upper Jumbo longer the one that made national headlines in NovemSocial Media policy moves ahead Valley by Glacier Resorts Ltd. lies partially within a high ber 2014. The Band Council held an open house where School District No. 6’s draft social media policy, risk zone and the day lodge foundation partially within members could peruse the new administrative headcharacterizing social media as “an extension of the work- a moderate risk zone. Dense flow impacts were observed quarters and talk to representatives that have established place,” sailed through a second reading. Shannon Hood, 10 to 15 metres from the service building. Recommenpartnerships with council. The Band Council also held Golden board trustee, found it troubling that a teacher dations within the report called for structural reinforcean Elders Luncheon to socialize and discuss communal or staff member could be fired based on something they ments, using remote fixed exploders to control avalanche issues. Chief Barb Cote is happy with what her council have texted using their personal mobile device, for ex- hazards and having an evacuation plan. has achieved in the last six months. ample, commenting, “Some of the wording is a bit scary Jumbo resort loses environmental certificate that your device content, even if personal, can be acEnvironment Minister Mary Polak determined cessed by anybody.” After further discussion, some of the that the Jumbo Glacier Resort project had not been First foundations not compliant wording in the policy was changed before it was eventuThe provincial Environmental Assessment Office de- substantially started, with the result that the resort proally passed. termined that the locations of the day lodge and service ponents environmental certificate for the project had Valley pulls together for Campbell family building foundations at Jumbo Glacier Resort are not expired. Ms. Polak said the the proponent cannot proLongtime valley resident Forrest Campbell was sein compliance with the Environmental Assessment Cer- ceed with project without obtaining a new certificate. verely injured in an accident while skiing on the fronttificate, and developers were ordered to halt construction. The decision came to the dismay of resort proponents side of Panorama Mountain Resort. Within days, friends Recommendations were made for the day lodge and ser- and those in favouring of long-planned resort, which and community members in the valley were helping orvice buildings. Further enforcement was not pursued, due was first proposed a quarter century ago, but was greetganize fundraisers to help Campbell and his family. “I’m to there being no immediate risk to human safety or the ed with sheer delight and champagne toasts by those really impressed with how much this community comes environment. together in tough times,” says family friend Geoff Hill.

Invermere OCP bylaw “Every little bit helps.” process concludes The District of Invermere officially adopted a bylaw meldCarshare program set to launch ing its Official Community The Groundswell Network Society was on the verge Plan (OCP) with its Integrated of its first-ever carshare program, needing a minimum of Community Sustainability Plan, 10 participants, with 20 being an ideal number to run. better known as Imagine InverMembership for individuals was set to cost $500, with a mere. A public hearing held in $5 monthly fee plus variable hourly rate, based on use, mid-March was extended to late and a fixed per kilometre rate. Car share members could March to allow extra time for intake out vehicles for as little as an hour or as much as a put. Council responded by revismonth, booking their share online. ing some of the changes in the No criminal record for IDPS president OCP. Council members voted JUNE — The Branch Out Bike Tour returned Invermere Deer Protection Society president Devin unanimously to adopt the bylaw. to the valley on June 20th. Cyclists did a loop of Kazakoff had been charged with mischief and with disFarmers’ Market mayhem Lake Windermere, starting and ending at Panguising his face, and was given a conditional discharge The District of Invermere orama, to raise money for the Branch Out Neuand ordered to pay fines in court. His tampering of clo- received two applications to rological Foundation. Photo by Kevin Nimmock ver traps used by the city of Kimberley in 2014 led to the operate its downtown farmers’

June

May

April

14 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 1, 2016

who have long opposed the project. Ms. Polak’s decision generated headlines and grabbed attention all across Canada.

Greyhound plans to leave valley Greyhound Canada filed an application to eliminate the bus route between Cranbrook and the Alberta border that includes five stops in the Columbia Valley. However, before anything could be finalized, the B.C. Passenger Board was JULY — At 17 years looking for written comments from comold, Hannah Penner was munity members. the youngest competitor RV Resort proposal dropped in the first Toby Creek During a regular council meeting in Kayak Race. Thirty-five Canal Flats a letter from Haworth Depaddlers competed in the velopment Consulting Ltd. on behalf of whitewater kayak race Benny Boyz Ventures Ltd., announced on Toby Creek on July the company’s withdrawal of its zoning 4th and 5th. Photo by amendment application, taking Bighorn

Stephan Malette Estates RV Resort officially off the table.

After the announcement, all but 10 of the residents in attendance victoriously filed the rapid growth in demands on the food bank, the lull out out of the Columbia Discovery Centre. Shortly in the construction and forestry industries was suggested thereafter, councillors aired their grievances about Benny as a factor. The valley community was urged to pay it Boyz’s decision and the zoning process in general. forward at the Home Hardware barbecue fundraiser.

Respect the reclamation Further touches on restoration work at Lake Enid were done by Wildsight in an effort to improve the peInvermere library addresses budget shortfall Representatives of the Invermere Public Library destrian and mountain bike trail along the lake’s southasked for increased funding to help deal with a con- ern shore. Boulders were donated by Max Helmer sistent budget shortfall. Each year the library passes a Construction Ltd. and used to guide motorized users budget that is technically $20,000 in deficit, stemming around the sensitive marsh at the south end of Lake from the decision to increase its hours and correspond- Enid to encourage responsible use of off-road vehicles. ing staff costs several years ago. Due to the annual BIG Natural resource officers regularly patrol the Kootenay Book Sale and silent auction, the library manages to Boundary region.

New Cenotaph suffers in deluge of rain break even. The per capita funding for the Invermere A thunderstorm caused flooding through Inverlibrary is the low when compared to similar-sized mumere, resulting in “a river” running through the downnicipality library funding. town core. Water typically builds up and gradually Demand for food bank services rises Generally low wages and high cost of living prompt- drains near the post office, but water was rerouted as a ed a surge of people accessing Columbia Valley Food result of the design changes for the new Cenotaph PlaBank hampers. While there hadn’t been discourse about za. Downtown residents immediately experienced the devastating aftermath of the heavy rains, with three inches of water entering the former Toby Theatre building.

July

August

AUGUST — Frontrunners in the 20th annual Loop the Lake on Saturday, August 8th set off from the start line in Windermere. Around 650 people signed up for the anniversary event. Photo by Breanne Massey

Winderberry gets certified Local Winderberry Farms and Edible Acres farmers Oliver and Lin Egan became the first certified organic farm in the East Kootenay, capping an official certification process that began three years ago. Being the first came as a surprise, but there are few vegetable farming operations east of Creston. Achieving certification is another step in the ongoing process of continually expanding and improving the Egan’s operation.

Ktunaxa lose appeal against Jumbo The B.C. Court of Appeals dismissed the Ktunaxa First Nations appeal of the B.C. Supreme Court’s previous ruling that favoured the provincial government in the Ktunaxa’s legal case against the approval of Jumbo Glacier Resort. The petition argued that the Ktunaxa had not been properly consulted, and that building a ski resort would infringe on Qat’muk, considered sacred territory.

The appeal was heard in May. Radium Rotary gardens flourish Gardeners, families and gardening enthusiasts came together for the opening ceremony of Rotary Gardens in Radium Hot Springs. People came to express joy and satisfaction in the completion of the summer project. The garden was grown on land owned by Rocky Mountain School District No. 6 and utilized by the Village of Radium Hot Springs. Volunteers built and filled 40 raised garden beds, and then focus was turned towards beautifying the park.

Massive wildfire brings smoke to the valley The Stickpin wildfire in northern Washington State created a thick smoky haze over the Columbia Valley.

Wind pushed the smoke to the valley. Interior Health and the provincial Ministry of Environment issued a smoky skies advisory for the southern parts of the Boundary and Kootenay regions, which recommended avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, with exposure to smoke being particularly a concern for infants, the elderly, and those who have certain medical conditions.

September

Fundraiser helps Nepalese earthquake survivors After roughly 9,000 Nepalese perished in an earthquake this April, the empathy that locals in the valley felt was far from over by September. Frances Klatzel, founder of CORE International, hosted the “After the Quake” fundraiser to collect financial donations at David Thompson Secondary School.

Chamber hosts All Candidates Forum Columbia Valley residents interested in seeing the local federal election candidates in person had a chance to do so at two All Candidates Forums in the valley — one at the DTSS theatre for students and another later the same evening for the general public. Conservative incumbent David Wilks, NDP candidate Wayne Steski, Liberal candidate Don Johnston and Green candidate Bill Green all attended.

Abattoir operator Construction on the Crossroads abattoir will likely begin in Spring 2016 after the Windermere District Farmers’ Institute passed a motion at its September 1st meeting, where Windermere District Farmers’ Institute projects co-ordinator Hedi Trescher presented a funding proposal for the roughly $640,000 the abattoir needed to proceed. Grant’s Health Foods owner Grant Kelly signed a contract to become the operator of the Windermere District Farmers’ Institute abattoir.

January 1, 2016

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 15

Mill closure announced ble lung transplant. The 40-year old InCanfor stunned the valley by anvermere resident began fundraising with nouncing the total and permanent shuthis family to cover the costs of living in down of the Canal Flats sawmill. The Edmonton, where was to spend six weeks move shocked union workers, Canal Flats there as an outpatient preparing for the mayor and council, and many other valley surgery, then an additional four weeks at residents. The closure was scheduled for the hospital recovering from the surgery, early November. and yet another six weeks as an outpatient Man survives grizzly attack following the surgery.

A grizzly bear attack in the backcountry near Canal Flats left an Alberta man with non-life threatening injuries Students raise awareness and conservation officers were asking the Lions president Claude Oram (second from left) presThe Purple Light Campaign to highpublic to stay out of the area where the ents a cheque of $100,000 to Rockies president Graeme light and condemn violence against womincident happened.The man, who has a Anderson, flanked by captain Colton Sandbox (left) en returned to the valley, and this year second home in the Canal Flats area, was and alternate captain Nigel Swab (right) on October the David Thompson Secondary School fishing near the eight-kilometre mark of 31st . The Lake Windermere Lions had challenged the Leadership class lent its support to help the Findlay Creek Forest Service Road on Rockies to raise $100,000 by December 2015, which get local businesses glowing purple. The Wednesday, September 9th when he came they said they would match.

Photo submitted students joined the Family Dynamix Asface to face with a grizzly. sociation (which has organized the cam“The bear attacked him, biting him paign for the past several years) to distribon the hands and legs,” said Kootenay region conservaute lamps with unmistakable purple bulbs to businesses tion inspector Joe Caravetta. “The bear then fled.”

New leg gives new freedom throughout downtown Invermere on Monday, NovemMini Jumbo A nine-year-old athlete in Fairmont was having the ber 30th — the day after the anniversary of the 1989 Jumbo resort proponents announce their intent to time of her life thanks to the War Amps. Keira Neal had Montreal Massacre. proceed with a scaled-back resort proposal, one with recently been fitted with a new running leg, which was First chair pays off fewer than 2,000 bed units (the threshold for triggering making a world of difference for her. She had her right Panorama Mountain Resort opened top to bottom a the environmental assessment process). leg amputated after as a toddler when diagnosed with week earlier than scheduled on Saturday, December 5th cancer. Doctors were able to perform a remarkable tech- for a Powder Preview Weekend. Bragging rights went to nique called a rotationplasty, which gives her greater mo- Andrew Brown, Sam Reilly, Cat Feeney and Matt Albility than she would have otherwise. The middle section port, the first group to load the Mile One quad chairlift.

Greyhound closes Calgary-to-valley route Greyhound announced that the most direct public of her leg was removed and the lower section was rotated Weather Network visits valley transit option between Calgary and the Upper Columbia and reattached to serve as a knee.

The valley received some massive Canada-wide teleMill shuts down Valley would be closing in a fortnight. The last day of vision exposure when the Weather Network came to visThe Canal Flats mill officially closed its doors for good, it. Calgary correspondent Deb Matejicka and Vancouver operation for route F (better known as schedules 5157 and 5158) was Wednesday, October 14th. The route was ending more than a century of mill operations of one kind correspondent Krissy Vann sampled as many Columbia eliminated due to a lack of use, according to Greyhound or another in the village. A committee began meeting to Valley winter activities as possible while here, and broaddetermine a potential future use of the mill site. spokesperson Lanesha Gipson. cast segments across B.C. and Alberta. Some segments Jumbo mayor welcomes dismissal Jumbo film were even broadcast nationally.

The B.C. Supreme Court dismissed the West KooSweetgrass Productions director Nick Waggoner deSubaru smooch tenay EcoSociety’s petition against the creation of buted his Jumbo Wild documentary in Invermere to a A now-famous photo of a moose giving a Subaru a sold-out audience. The film was financially back by out- Jumbo Glacier Mountain Resort Municipality, a move good licking in Banff National Park was taken by Inverdoor gear giant Patagonia and set to show at screenings welcomed by the municipality. The EcoSociety’s peti- mere photographer Marlene Chabot. It received national tion maintained that the province, in deciding to in- attention after Mrs. Chabot submitted it to the CBC. across North America, and in Japan and Europe. corporate the mountain resort muKootenay-Columbia elects new MP The Kootenay Columbia riding elected a new MP by nicipality, had contravened the Local the narrowest of margins, with NDP candidate slipping Government Act and Community past Conservative incumbent David Wilks by just 285 Charter. Judge Grace Choi rejected votes (out of more than 60,000 total votes). The results the EcoSociety’s argument, ruling were so close that Mr. Stetski and Mr. Wilks were, from that, in her view, the provincial Local a technical statistical pointed, were tied, each with 37 Government Act clearly intends to per cent of the vote. Mr. Stetski’s win ended decades of aid ski resort development — particConservative and Reform Party dominance of the riding. ularly the 2012 amendments to the act, which allowed for incorporating Honouring Earl A celebration of life was held for local resident Earl Jumbo.

Al Hann fundraiser launched Hanson at the Invermere A&W, which Earl frequented After 10 years of suffering from almost every day, attended by family and friends alike.

DECEMBER — The Pioneer featured Invermere local Brennan Rua shortness of breath caused by a Daycare shortage ault (centre), who struck gold when he landed a role in the Gold Rush An East Kootenay Child Care Task Force report high- progressive genetic disease known as reality TV series. He’s pictured with Gold Rush star Parker Schnabel lighted what it called a pressing day care crisis in the East Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Disorder, Alan (far right) and Parker’s foreman Rick Ness.

Photo submitted Hann learned that he needed a douKootenay area, including here in the Columbia Valley.

December

November

October

16 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 1, 2016

HERE TO SERVE YOU Sales ~ Service ~ Installation

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January 1, 2016

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 17

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18 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 1, 2016

To be or not to be self-aware…

By Tammy Stehr Metaphysical Musings I have been placing a lot of emphasis on thoughts and thinking, and this is because they are the catalysts and creators of our life experience. What is happening in our lives is always a match of what is going on inside of us. The need to blame or point to something outside of ourselves seems to absolve us of any responsibility. However, it also robs us of our free will to choose with intent. Our thoughts cause our emotions, and our emotions set the vibrational point for what we attract. It would be important, then, to put intention into what thoughts we are choosing, what emotions we are feeling, and consequently what we are attracting. But

Your Local

where do we start?

The way to start is by becoming self-aware. Becoming self-aware means listening to our self-talk and noticing how it affects our feelings. What is that voice saying to us over and over? Does it encourage or discourage? Is it unconditionally loving and accepting, or critical and unyielding?

How does that make us feel? After a long time of squashing our true feelings and telling ourselves we must feel a certain way, often we cannot even identify how we are really feeling.

Becoming self-aware is easiest if we are kind and forgiving of ourselves, and leave judgement and condemnation out of it. Choosing to laugh at ourselves could be rewarding or it could release that ever-present guard — the ego — that valiantly keeps us in check to prevent the judgement of soci-

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ety. Relaxing could allow us to identify what we are feeling.

Listening to ourselves, and allowing our voice and feelings to have a say, does a tremendous amount for our self-worth.

Wouldn’t it be nice to stop reacting to things? How about mastering your emotions instead of being a victim of them and the reactions that go along with them? With a little practice, it can be done. When we feel our body reacting with symptoms like sweaty palms and a raised heart rate, we could choose to pause, take a deep breath and refocus. Why are we feeling the need to defend or flee? Once we identify our feelings and acknowledge them, the need to react starts to fizzle out. Eventually, we may be able to avoid outbursts or actions that we are sorry for afterward.

This practice requires courage and the ability to be honest with yourself. If you have the desire to accept unconditionally what you learn about yourself and love it anyway, you may very well see magical things happen in your life.

Cell: 250•341•1395 Toll Free: 1•888•258•9911 pglassford@telus.net www.PaulGlassford.com

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Your Weekly Source for News and Events

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January 1, 2016

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 19

Pioneer Classifieds

• • • •

ANNOUNCEMENT

ANNOUNCEMENT

Cheers & Jeers

Cheers & Jeers

Cheers & Jeers

Cheers & Jeers

Alcoholics Anonymous

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 Dave from Warwick who gave up his Monday afternoon to repair our holiday disaster, which saved our family Christmas. We will surely pay this forward!

Cheers to the Fairmont newlyweds.

Ain’t love grand!

A huge Cheers to Sally at Super 8 for our fantastic Christmas party and stockings! From your crazy staff!!

Cheers to the lady in the red minivan for buying my coffee and my daughter’s hot chocolate at Tim Hortons drive thru on Wed Dec 23.

Cheers & Jeers

Cheers to the coaches, managers, and parent volunteers who made the PeeWee B tournament a great weekend of hockey and making it fun for the kids. And Cheers to the players for working hard on the ice.

Love seeing your smiles out there no matter what the score is.

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.

Cheers to Erin C. for rocking the 50/50 at the PeeWee tournament!

You are a natural!

s obituary s Kobza, Fritz David 1936 - 2015

Fritz David Kobza of Canal Flats, B.C. passed away tragically on October 18th, 2015 in a motor vehicle accident just north of Canal Flats.

Fritz is survived by his son Stephen Kobza, his daughters Lela Kobza and Dawn-Rose Kobza, his stepsons Christopher and Neil Vanderhorst, by his sister Edi Grieser, and by his nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. Fritz was predeceased by his parents Stephen and Eve Kobza, by his wife Linda Kobza, and Fritz’s brother John has since passed away.

Cheers to Rona for the plumbing advice from the wannabe plumber.

Everything’s back up and running, your help is appreciated!

Jeers to the Village of Radium Hot Springs for the poor attempt at Christmas decorations. We are the Gateway to the Columbia Valley and it’s embarrassing to see the lights or lack of lights to welcome our visitors. You should take a drive into Invermere and see how lights should be done!

Cheers to all of the great members, patrons, and volunteers that make the Branch 71 Legion in Invermere as fantastic as it is! You all are family to me. Merry Christmas!

s obituary s We loved our Mom!

Lepine, Kathleen 1931 – 2015

Fritz had several hobbies, including a love for photography, weather reporting, and an interest in old coins. He loved trying to understand the mechanics of some sort of engine or electronic and making it work again. He also loved spending time outdoors in the sun and fresh air.

Born in Saskatoon SK, in 1931, Kathleen was raised on the family farm just outside of Donnybrook, SK. She moved to Trail, B.C. in 1949. During her time in the Kootenays, she raised and loved her 6 children. Kathleen loved socializing and had a passion for good food and shopping. She had a beautiful smile that could brighten your day and a laugh that warmed the soul. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed many memorable outings with her husband Max, hunting, fishing and camping at the Arrow Yacht Club. She loved her sports and spent time watching the Habs, the Blue Jays and curling.

Known as the baking Grama, everyone craved her peanut butter nanaimo bar with a perfect cup of tea. Her hugs made the world’s troubles disappear and her generous spirit never left anyone wanting.

Fritz and Linda were married in 1985 and moved to Canal Flats in 1992 to pursue their dream of building a golf course and living in the mountains. They spent many summers camping and fishing. Together they brought Th’ Flats Golf Course to life, and Fritz enjoyed returning to his roots in his hometown and contributing to the community. They found happiness in their life together, and in death were not long separated. We may take comfort that in spite of his tragic exit Fritz and Linda may now be together again.

She is predeceased by her parents, John & Flora Meabry, her brothers Alvin, Lyle & Vernon and her sister Estella Cronk. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Maxime, her 6 children Diane (Dan), Brien (Heather), Beverley (Jack), Roland (Lucie), Wendy (David), Gerald (Delaina) and her 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her beloved sister-in-laws Vivian Meabry and Eugenia (Ron) Healey, and brothers-in-law Garnet and Carl (Helen) Lepine.

Services for Fritz will take place in the spring of 2016 in Canal Flats. Details will be forthcoming in the Canal Flats Newsletter, or you may contact Neil at vanderhorst@pacificu.edu to be personally notified.

Mom, we will miss you and you will always be in our hearts.

We find comfort knowing you will be looking over us and keeping us safe. A celebration of her life will be held in Trail in the spring.

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.

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

We would like to thank Dr. Arif for his care and for always being there for our mom, as well as, the Invermere hospital staff and all the great staff at Columbia Gardens.

Born in Yahk, B.C. in November 1936, Fritz and his family moved to Canal Flats, where Fritz grew up and went to high school in Kimberly, B.C. In 1954 he left for schooling at DeVry Institute in Chicago, worked for a time in Medicine Hat and Fort Macleod, and by 1967 had settled in Edmonton, Alberta to become an instructor of electrical instrumentation at NAIT.

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

Big Cheers to Al Miller and his crew for helping to put up Christmas Cheers to Mike Dubois for plowing a lights on the teepee frame. Looks skating trail on the lake from Baltac CHEERS &Rd.JEERS stunning, great job! to Windermere.

Sponsored by

Cheers to all the participating businesses in this year’s Shopping Spree. There was a great selection to choose from.

Cheers to me for leaving a bag of meat in my shopping cart at Valley Foods. CHEERS to the young man who returned it to the cashier!

Cheers to realistic New Year’s resolutions. In 2016 I will start smoking and put on 20 pounds.

Cheers to the vehicle that offered me a ride while walking from Sobeys. I greatly appreciate your generosity!

We are so fortunate to have people like this that live in our valley. I might not have taken the ride but I Cheers you for your hospitality!

Cheers to The Pioneer for their friendly online newspaper, with a pleasing style. I’ll be back soon for another look-about.

A huge Cheers to Wilmer’s Christmas fireworks; they get bigger and better every year, great job! Also a big Cheers to the Christmas lights in Wilmer, so festive and bright!

Jeers to the business owner who does not return calls from customers. It’s been weeks since I have been trying to get hold of you but you never respond to my calls and voicemail messages. An aftersales service is essential to any business, just so you know.

A big Jeers to my neighbour who doesn’t have the consideration to chop his firewood during the day, no, you do it late at night, or early in the morning.

Cheers to the Wilmer ‘wood’ man!

You look so festive in your Santa hat and red scarf!

BIGGEST CHEERS to Tracy at Fairmont Mountainside Market, you deal with everyone’s holiday seasonal postal requests, complicated cashouts and personal stories and make us all feel important - best cashier I’ve ever come across!

A Big HO HO HO Cheer to Char and her volunteers for an awesome Christmas Dinner in Radium on Christmas day.

More Cheers to all that donated to this community event. Good job! Another Cheer goes out to the lady from Babin Air who donated the Christmas centerpieces.

Cheers to all the businesses that were OPEN on Christmas Day. Even partial days were appreciated. For those that found a way to be open, a big Cheer and Happy Holidays!

20 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

January 1, 2016

Cheers & Jeers

COMMERCIAL SPACE

condo for rent

firewood

VOLUNTEER/DONATION

Help Wanted

Cheers to the Radium Fire Department crew and their families for driving around in the beautifully decorated fire truck on Christmas Eve. Cheers for the candy canes, and for bringing smiles to our faces.

For lease: 2,000 sq.ft. office and warehouse space. Located at #5 108 Industrial Road #2. Presently occupied by the Invermere Vet. Phone Leo at 250-342-1177.

BEAUTIFUL 1-bdrm luxury condo for long term rent in Sable Ridge Resort. Fully furnished and stocked with amenities. Just move in. Furnished with Penthouse furnishings, gourmet kitchen, ensuite laundry, queen bed, 3rd floor view, fireplace, B.B.Q., underground parking, outdoor hot tubs, clubhouse and seasonal pool. Move in: Jan 1st/16, $925/mo including utilities. Please contact JOE at 403-909-5544.

Dry/split firewood for sale. Big or small volumes. Free local delivery.

403-404-1577, 250-342-3040 or aranwood@hotmail.com.

The Windermere Valley Snowmobile Society is in need of volunteers to collect trail fees at Forster Creek for 2015/16 season.

Please contact Spencer at 250-6881555 or Mark at 250-341-7169.

Wanted 2 F/T Restaurant Cooks, Rocky River Grill, 8888 Arrow Road, Invermere, B.C. Permanent, F/T shifts, overtime, weekends, days and evenings, $16/hour for 40 hours per week. Overtime after 40 hours.

Minimum several years experience and completion of Secondary School. DUTIES: Prepare and cook full course meals, prepare and cook individual dishes and foods, ensure quality of food portions, work with minimal supervision, prepare dishes for customers with food allergies or intolerances. Inspect Kitchens and Food service areas.

Please forward resume to Justin Atterbury by fax 250 342 8889 or email justatterbury@hotmail.com.

Year of Cheer for Area F Director Wendy Booth. Yes, she keeps her word, meets with constituents regularly, finds grant money, expands the profile of her tourismbased community, and, not surprisingly, puts work before play.

Cheers for your leadership and dedication Wendy.

LOST AND FOUND Lost: Gold wedding band, Dec. 18th, downtown Invermere. Very sentimental, reward offered. 250688-0450.

Found: Ladies diamond ring in a small plastic Ziploc bag on Nov. 28th or 29th in the Valley Foods parking lot. Call 250-342-6397 to claim.

Found: Cat in Luxor area, summer of 2015, adult male, neutered. Solid grey, short hair. Super friendly, missing his family badly. Call iCAN 250-341-7888.

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: 250342-3166.

COMMERCIAL SPACE

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.

Retail/Shop for sale: Two levels total 2,700 sq. ft. Please call 250270-0216 or 250-270-0405 for more details.

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: Black Forest Village Apartment, 2-bdrm, 2 bathrooms.

W/D, D/W, $875/mo. Ph. 250-3423790.

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

Kitchenettes available. Call 250347-9915.

Invermere, 3-bdrm, close to schools, lower suite private entrance, up/down duplex, 5 appliances, large storage shed, N/P, N/S, $875/mo plus damage deposit includes water. Phone 403-6510008.

house for rent Duplex for rent, 2,090 sq. ft., at Copperhorn Drive, unfurnished, 3-bdrm, 3-bath, $1,000/mo, no utilities. Photos http://goo.gl/ yz1QVZ. Contact Erick 587-2164426, ecosierragolf@gmail.com.

Must see, 3 bdrm, modern new suite for rent. W/D, dishwasher, N/S. $1,500/mo utilities included.

250-688-0708.

condo for rent For rent in Radium, 2-bdrm, 4 bath, ground level condo. Beautiful views, backs on to The Springs golf course. All appliances, fireplace, fully furnished. 2 car garage. N/S, N/P, references please. $1650/mo, call 250-342-3790.

2 bedroom condo. 1.5 baths, garage, 6 appliances, patio with BBQ, discussion for pets, N/S. BFV Unfurnished. $975/month 250 342-1475 Condo for rent in Aspen building in Radium, 2-bdrm, 2 bath, $850/ mo includes utilities. N/P, N/S. Underground parking. Availble Feb 1st, call 403-690-7444.

Condo for rent in Pinewood building in Radium, 2-bdrm, 2 bath, $825/mo includes utilities. N/P, N/S. Underground parking. Available Jan. 1st, call 403-690-7444.

house for sale Great house For Sale on the Windermere Golf Course, close to all Valley amenities. Reduced price $518,000. Would accept reasonable offer. View at PropertyGuys.comID #266529. If you want additional information or want to view call 250-342-6508 or 250-342-5432 to make an appointment.

animals Three male Jack Russell puppies.

Born Oct. 31st. Vet checked w/four way shot and dewormed. $600. Call 250-342-1125.

firewood Support Rockies Hockey firewood.

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

FIR FIREWOOD: Dry, split and delivered. $220/cord, call or text 250-270-0366.

Pine or Fir Firewood, $200/cord for Pine. Split and delivered. 250-3421586.

FIREWOOD: Birch, fir, larch and pine. Www.horizonridgeranch.com 250-688-0143.

SERVICES

kimberleyrae.ca

photography studio picture framing passport photos

Help Wanted 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.

Strands Old House Restaurant is accepting applications for a cook/chef two to three years experience in casual fine dining preferred. Evenings and weekends.

Apply to Tony Wood at tony@ strandsrestaurant.com or 250-3426344.

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

Rockies West Realty Independently Owned and Operated

492 Highway 93/95, Invermere, BC

250-342-5102 Heaven’s Best Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Environmentally friendly products.

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

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

We are grateful and appreciative of your support and loyalty “Blinds, Drapery, retractable screen doors and more.” 250-342-5749.

Please email classified ads to info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Help Wanted: Swimming Pool Operator in Fairmont area. P/T contact position from mid-June to mid-September. Apply via email to csfoote@shaw.ca.

Kim Collens

Representative

toll free: 1.877.342.3427 cell: 250.342.1671

kim@rockieswest.com www.kimcollens.com

Recipe Of The Week NO BAKE PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE FOR TWO

cup Cream Cheese, softened 3 tbsp White Sugar 1/3 cup Pumpkin puree 1/3

2 tbsp Whipping Cream ¼ tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice 2 Gingersnap Cookies, garnish Whipped Topping

In a large bowl beat cream cheese until smooth; add sugar and beat for 2 minutes.

Beat in pumpkin, whipping cream and spice.

Scrape into two 6-ounce glasses and smooth top.

Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

Top with whipped topping, sprinkle with extra spice and garnish with cookie.

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

Let the Sun Shine In!

Cheerful Fairmont home is perfect for a family, two couples or first time home buyer with 2 bedroom in-law suite.

Large lot and double garage.

$367,000

MLS® 2403804

January 1, 2016

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 21

Join our winning team!

Join our winning team!

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

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

BC REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPIST - F/T

SPA ESTHETICIAN - FULL-TIME

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is looking for a BC Registered Massage Therapist to administer professional massage and body treatments to our guests. They must have a thorough knowledge of numerous massage modalities, possess a general understanding of body treatments and be willing to train in our spa’s specific body treatment offerings. They must also hold and maintain a current registration number and be willing to maintain their registration.

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is looking for an enthusiastic and friendly individual to administer professional facials, waxing services, nail services and body treatments as assigned. They must possess a thorough knowledge of the skin, have excellent facial massage and skin extraction techniques, possess excellent cleanliness and sanitation skill and be willing to train in our spa’s specific facial and body treatment offerings.

This position reports directly to the Spa Manager and the successful candidate will have the following qualifications: • Must have enthusiasm and possess excellent customer service skills • Excellent communication and listening skills • Basic computer knowledge • Must be a BC Registered Massage Therapist • Must be a team player • Must have a desire for continuous learning • Must possess problem solving skills, critical thinking and significant use of memory

Help Wanted MGM Industries is looking for a Welder/Fabricator. Wage based on experience. Drop off resumes in person or email: mgm_industries@ telus.net.

Older gentleman is looking for someone to make breakfast and some light cleaning, 2 hrs. 5 days a week. 250-342-3785.

Myth: Change your ads all the time.

Readers get tired of the same thing.

Reality: Develop a good campaign, or theme for your ads. Stick with that one campaign, and only make small changes on headlines or details.

Call Dean or Amanda at 250-341-6299 to find out more.

Please email classified ads to info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

N E W S PA P E R

This position reports directly to the Spa Manager and the successful candidate will have the following qualifications: • • • • • • •

Must enjoy working with people Excellent communication and listening skills Basic computer knowledge Minimum of 2 years’ experience in this field Must hold a certification and diploma for your field Must be a team player Must possess problem solving skills, critical thinking and significant use of memory

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort offers a competitive salary and benefits package with access to all Resort amenities.

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort offers a competitive salary and benefits package with access to all Resort amenities.

This is a permanent full-time position. Interested applicants please forward their resume with references to the attention of: Human Resources - David Sheedy Fax: 250-345-6616 or email to: hr@fhsr.com

This is a permanent full-time position. Interested applicants please forward their resume with references to the attention of: Human Resources - David Sheedy Fax: 250-345-6616 or email to: hr@fhsr.com

fairmonthotsprings.com 1.800.663.4979

fairmonthotsprings.com 1.800.663.4979

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

Part and Full-time Positions Available Start date – ASAP Year-round Employment Excellent Medical/Dental Benefits

Food Service Supervisor Permanent, Shift

No education required One to two years experience required.

Nights/early mornings/weekends $12.40/hour + medical/ dental/group benefits.

Apply in person or via email (timhortons.invermere@gmail.com) for both positions.

Passion or interest for Beer, Wine and Spirits?

Explore Your Options ! Take Your Next Step to Career Success is now accepting resumes.

Find your next great job!

We are looking for great people for our NEW store opening in front of Canadian Tire April 2016!

Supervisory and Sales Associate positions available. We are looking for people who will: • Maintain a high level of customer service • Maintain a high level of product and service knowledge • Generate sales • Participate in merchandising and promotional activities • Ensure accuracy in all transactions, inventory, and procedures • Participate in all manners of store maintenance

• Stock shelves with product • Work in partnership with Store Managers and other employees to maximize store sales and in-store presence • Maintain a professional appearance, demeanor, and attitude at all times • Rate established based on position and experience

Experience in retail and/or hospitality would be an asset but not necessary.

We offer professional and personal growth through educational opportunities. If you are interested in working in a fun productive environment submit resume to: Jennifer McLennan invermereliquorstore@gmail.com or hand deliver to Radium Liquor Store attn Jennifer McLennan

Access career and specialized assessments.

Learn about training, paid work placements, and self-employment.

Get started today!

A : 2 - 1 3 1 3 7 t h A ve . I n ve r m e r e

P: 341-6889 or 1-855-651-3027

w w w . e k e m p l o ym e n t . o r g The Employment Program of British Columbia is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

The Pioneer Get your FREE copy every Friday on newsstands near you!

22 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer . . . ‘Highland’ from page 8 Now, he — along with principal Steve O’Neill and the Urban West Projects Incorporated team — are working toward making that dream a reality for others.

“We live in a wonderful place and we’ve worked hard to make this available to not just Calgarians, but to locals,” he said. “We want to make it attractive and our competition is probably Canmore, but I think we have better weather. We have eight championship golf courses, we have a World Cup ski hill that’s 20 minutes

January 1, 2016 away — not an hour away — and we have the lake.

“This location is close to town, culture and amenities so we see this as a great year-round place to live.”

The three-bedroom townhouses include three and a half baths and a large walkout in the lower levels. Pricing for the units starting in the mid-$500,000s. It is expected that construction on the Highland Crossing development will take place in January, but the dates have yet to be set in stone.

There are also options to include in-home elevators, hot tubs, exterior fireplace and appliance upgrades.

The push to market the project under the Highland

HAPPY NEW YEAR! NÉE! N A E L L E V U O N A L POUR MEILLEURS VŒUX

Resolve to start your weekends with a splash

Commencez vos fins de semaine du bon pied

Enjoy a morning soak or swim on weekends with our new winter hours starting January 4, 2016.

Faites une trempette en matinée ou une baignade la fin de semaine; nouvelles heures d’ouverture pour l’hiver à compter du 4 janvier 2016.

HOT POOL Saturday and Sunday Monday to Friday

10 am to 9 pm 1 pm to 9 pm

COOL POOL Saturday and Sunday Tuesday Friday

10 am to 9 pm Closed 6 pm to 9 pm

Lane swim: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 6:15 pm to 7:30 pm

250-347-9485 hotsprings.ca

PISCINE CHAUDE Le samedi et le dimanche Du lundi au vendredi PISCINE FROIDE Le samedi et le dimanche Le mardi Le vendredi Bain en longueur : Le lundi, le mercredi et le jeudi

Crossing name appeared to fit the design naturally.

“Highland Crossing has a bit of a Scottish connotation with Invermere and Windermere,” said Mr. Kerr. “It is on a highland, a hillside. We’re surrounded by mountains and the crossing theme is (derived from) being at the centre of the defining line between the town itself and then the lake itself — there’s also the railroad crossing that’s immediately below us. I thought it had a meaning that would resonate (with prospective buyers).”

Urban West Projects Incorporated is also working on projects in Vancouver and Calgary, but Invermere remains close to Mr. Kerr’s heart. He remains optimistic that many people throughout the Columbia Valley — both locals and tourists alike — will drop by the pop-up shop, which is located beside the Valley Dollar Store for a coffee and conversation about the project.

“We’ve worked hard to make it attractive for a local market,” said Mr. Kerr. “We think there’s a benefit for people that may live away from central Invermere, people that live on the benches or have owned in Panorama or Windermere — they know that it can be lonely compared to being in the centre of the community. Close to commercial amenities. The pop-up idea is to use the office for the benefit of those realtors that can use it as a tool to show potential purchasers.”

For more information, visit www.HighlandCrossing.ca or call 250-341-5445.

De 10 h à 21 h De 13 h à 21 h De 10 h à 21 h Fermé De 18 h à 21 h De 18 h 15 à 19 h 30

250 347-9485 sourcesthermales.ca

TARTAN TASTE — Larry Kerr’s son, Callaghan Kerr and his pet dog, Rosie, highlight the Scottish connotation of the new Highland Crossing development. Photo by Breanne Massey

January 1, 2016

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 23

FAITH

A thrill of hope

By Pastor Trevor Hagan, Lake Windermere Alliance Church “A thrill of hope; the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.” ~ O Holy Night I recognize that it is after Christmas, yet this Christmas carol is ringing in my ears, and in my heart. This song sings of a broken and weary world in need of hope. A new dawn breaks with a new day and a second chance. There is nothing like getting a second chance… or third or fourth for that matter.

I am thinking this week of a brand new year ahead of us and another chance to do my best, with my family, with my friends, with the broken world all around me. Second chances are what hope is made of.

If you spend any time watching the news, you

know of the challenges our world is facing. There does not seem to be much good news. So what is this “thrill of hope” that the song is talking about? A baby that was born so long ago?

Many are still finding the thrill of hope when they discover God’s plan to bring peace to the world, through a relationship with the God of the universe.

Peace is not something that will ever fully happen in our world until each person finds the peace that God came to deliver in this Christmas baby.

The Gospel of John 3:16-18 tells us: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” Our broken world needs a second chance. I believe what the scriptures say about his coming… Jesus own words were: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Jesus came to bring hope with a new day.

Do you need a second chance?

One of these things is not like the other

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

Worship And Life Instruction “Follow Me - The Everyday Follower”

Pastor Trevor Hagan ministering. The Lord’s Supper will be served.

KIDS Church for children Age 3 to Grade 1; and Grades 2-7, during the Morning Service.

Lead Pastor Trevor Hagan • Associate Pastor Matt Moore 326 - 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 • www.lakewindermerealliance.org Windermere Valley Shared Ministry ANGLICAN-UNITED Worship every Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

Children & Youth Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. Christ Church Trinity, Invermere 1st and 3rd Sunday, March - Dec. 9 a.m.: All Saint’s, Edgewater 2nd Sunday, 7 p.m.: June - October at St. Peter’s Windermere Reverend Laura Hermakin 110 - 7th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-6644 • www.wvsm.ca Valley Christian Assembly Sunday 10 a.m.: Worship Services.

Pastor Murray Wittke 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere 250-342-9511 • www.valleychristianonline.com Roman Catholic Church Saturday, 4:30 p.m.: 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.

Father Gabriel • 712 -12th Ave., Invermere • 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. David Morton • 250-417-5017 Radium Christian Fellowship Sunday 10 a.m. Worship service Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater • 250-342-6633 No. 4, 7553 Main St. Radium • 250-347-9937 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Worship Service, Sunday, 10 a.m. • Relief Society, 11:15 a.m.

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

Jc

Local wildlife photographer Bonnie-Lou Ferris captured this great scene of a deer surrounded by a rafter of wild turkeys in Invermere on December 23rd. Visitwww.naturewildlifephotography.rocks for more of her work.

Our deadline to book advertising is Monday at noon.

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

ads@columbiavalleypioneer.com

RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL DESIGN

JILLIAN COCHRANE

info@cochranedesignstudio.ca www.cochranedesignstudio.ca

2 5 0 . 4 0 9 . 8 7 1 3

COCHRANE des i g n . s t u d i o

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 1, 2016

YOUR MONEY New mortgage rules

In recent years, the federal government and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) have taken measures to cool Canada’s overheated housing market, including reducing the length of mortgages to 25 years and increased mortgage loan insurance premiums for buyers with less than a 10 per cent downpayment.

Now, just as Q3 2015 mortgage debt reached a staggering $1.234 trillion, impending higher downpayment threshold for mortgages over $500,000 have been announced. But will this measure prove effective?

The new rule Homebuyers are currently required to put down a minimum of five per cent to qualify for CMHC insurance. This coverage is required by lenders when providing a mortgage worth more than 80 per cent of a home’s value.

Starting in February 2016, mortgages over $500,000 will require a 10 per cent downpayment rather than the five per cent previously required. The five per cent rule remains the same for the portion up to $500,000. For example, a $750,000 home would require a minimum downpayment of $50,000. This represents five per cent on the first $500,000 and 10 per cent on the remaining $250,000.

Will it work?

The idea is to encourage high ratio homebuyers to rethink large home purchases, or at least wait until they

have amassed more savings before taking on debt. These factors are expected to slow the housing market and help control household debt, currently at 164 per cent of disposable income.

Concerns about the Vancouver and Toronto housing markets were cited as key reasons for the policy change, but compared with the rest of Canada, these markets are anomalies. The Vancouver market, for example, is driven by foreign money, and those buyers typically don’t use CMHC insurance.

In fact, some economists think the move will actually hurt struggling markets. A study by CIBC World Markets found that about 10 per cent of new home sales in Calgary will be affected, compared to four per cent nationally. To date, the average Calgary home sale price has fallen five per cent since last year.

Policy makers have likely had their eyes on bond yields, which have been moving up ahead of a possible U.S. rate hike. Of course, this is in sharp contrast to the Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz’s statement that they would consider negative interest rates if required by the economy.

CD Howe study This policy change comes on the heels of related study by the CD Howe Institute. Among many other points, study revealed that the number of households with a primary mortgage debt-to-disposable income ratio in excess

of 500 per cent has climbed from three per cent in 1999 to 11 per cent in 2012. This figure represents over half a million Canadian households.

Economists involved in the study also proposed other measures for calming real estate prices, including raising credit rating minimum scores for mortgage applicants, capping total debt-service ratios at lower levels, raising qualifying interest rates when doing income testing, and varying the minimum downpayment by the size of mortgage.

Final thoughts So, will higher downpayment requirements cool the market? Maybe. The final result depends on many factors, such as how many large mortgages are high ratio, and whether or not homebuyers are borrowing downpayment money from the bank of mom and dad.

One thing is certain: when interest rates go up, debt will cost people more money, and because wage inflation is usually a lagging indicator, higher debt payments will lead to reducing spending.

With consumers accounting for 55 to 60 per cent of all spending in the economy, inflating debt at this point could cause trouble for many families — and the Canadian economy — down the road. Canadians in high ratio mortgages would be wise to focus on reducing debt, especially consumer debt, in preparation of potentially higher interest rate costs down the road.

Investments, Insurance & Financial Planning GIC Rates

Brendan Donahue BCOMM, CIM, FCSI

Senior Investment Advisor Insurance Agent

Sara Worley CIM®

Investment Advisor Insurance Agent

Committed to our community for over 10 years

as of December 24th

1 yr 2 yr 3 yr 4 yr 5 yr

1.61% 1.87% 2.00% 2.12% 2.35%

*Rates subject to change without notice.

Holly’s Financial Tips “Save money on your mortgage insurance by using term life insurance” Holly Jones BA,

Investment Associate, Insurance Agent

Please visit our website to learn how: invermereadvisors.com

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 Manulife Securities logo and the Block Design are trademarks of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it, and by its affiliates under license.

Free consultations! • Ph: 250-342-2112 • Fax: 250-342-2113 • 530 13th Street , Invermere • www.invermereadvisors.com