vol6issue7

Your Weekly Source for News and Events

Vol. 6/Issue 7

FREE

The Columbia

February 13, 2009

Valley

P i neer

Year Round Dining!

See page 5

2500-3342-66560 250-342-6560

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

STORE EXPANDING

2 STANS BACK!

11 VALLEY PIONEER

Lucky in love With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Gord and Faith Saunders toast almost 28 years of happy marriage. See Page 16.

30

Photo by Cayla Gabruck

Your retirement savings. Let’s talk about it.

Safety. Security. Opportunity. term deposits

RRSPs

tax free savings accounts

profit sharing

better. together.

1 888 368 2654 www.kscu.com

2 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 13, 2009

S ol i d W o od Bl i n d s Call The Blind Guy!

Interior World

(250) 342 4406

Valley NEWS

Are You Getting the Best Deal on Your Mortgage?

Working from my home with numerous mortgage lenders available, let me use my 30 years of experience in the industry to look after your needs in: •

Builder-Financing for your Dream Home • New Home Purchases/ Pre-Approvals • Cash Back Offers • Refinancing • Equity Financing/ Lines of Credit

•

Competitive Mortgage Rates • 2nd Opinion on your Existing Mortgage • Available to meet at your convenience – Any Place, Any Time

For all your mortgage needs…

Wendy Gleave, CMI Mortgage Specialist

Ph: (250) 345-4571 • Cell: (250) 341-7017

VALENTINE’S DAY SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14th!

For your • Traditional and convenience non-traditional we will floral arrangements! be open • Come in and see our till 7PM selection of romantic February soy candles to spice up 12th-14th your evening. Love Spell is our hottest selling fragrance!

• Is that someone special out of town? No problem, we are linked with Teleflora! We can send orders anywhere in the world!

F-F-F-FORE!—As the gallery looks on, Duffer Ashley O’Neil chips a shot toward the hole in the Kinsmen Club’s annual Snow Golf Tournament on Taynton Bay in sunny Invermere. Event organizer Steve Kuffler reported: “The course was in immaculate condition and after a short frost delay, the weather couldn’t have been better!”

The winning foursome, Team Horvath, turned in a shocking 10 under par, beating a team of pros from area golf courses and setting a new course record. The event wrapped in just under four hours and netted the Kinsmen $3,400 for Cystic Fibrosis. Mr. Kuffler said 27 teams participated in this year’s event, setting another record.

Correction OPEN DAILY 10AM - 5PM • [p] 250.342.7559 [f] 250.342.7558 • [e] contemporary_flowers@yahoo.ca

In a recent Pioneer article called “Eileen Madson T-shirt mystery solved . . . maybe” we wrote that Maria Kloos donated clothes from the Invermere Thrift Store for Val Macala’s shipment to Mexico.

The Invermere Health Care Auxiliary would like to make it clear that Maria and her daughter, Marion LaBrie, purchased the clothing from the thrift store, before giving it to Val for the Mexican children.

Best Rates in the Columbia Valley 350 Laurier St.

(beside the Dair y Queen)

Invermere• 250-342-9700 • Pick-ups are Available

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 3

February 13, 2009

Valley NEWS

RCMP cuts back services to save time

By Brian Geis Pioneer Staff In a major policy shift, Columbia Valley RCMP announced this week it will no longer respond to motor vehicle accidents that do not involve public safety or crimes, and that it will no longer accept found property valued at less than $500.

RCMP Columbia Valley Detachment Staff-Sergeant Doug Pack said the new policy, which takes effect March 1st, will free the detachment’s members and public service employees to focus primarily on the prevention, detection and investigation of crime. “Changing dynamics and complexity of policing has had a significant impact,� Staff-Sgt. Pack wrote in a letter to the District of Invermere. “I find that all employees are spending increasingly longer periods of time in order to bring a matter to a successful conviction in court, as well as addressing demands for service in non-criminal matters.�

The majority of collisions currently being reported

to the police, he said, are for no other reason than to meet expectations of an insurance company.

Consequently, he said, there is no need for the RCMP to respond to, or accept, “over the counter� reports for single-vehicle collisions, collisions with wildlife (except for humanitarian reasons when a conservation officer is not available), parking lot collisions and two-vehicle collisions that do not result in injuries when no crime has been committed. “We end up doing a lot of reporting only to satisfy someone’s insurance claim,� Staff-Sgt. Pack commented. “And it’s often after the fact, on an accident involving an out-of-province driver. Is that an efficient use of tax dollars? I don’t think so.�

Staff-Sgt. Pack said drivers are instructed, instead, to exchange information and report the matter directly to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia.

ICBC, he said, is aware of the policy and conduct their own investigations to determine liability.

In addition, the RCMP will no longer accept found property with an apparent value of less than

$500 if the owner cannot be immediately identified.

In most cases, he said, found property turned into the RCMP is of little value, even to its owner.

More often than not, he said, efforts to find the owner are unsuccessful, usually because the property is unmarked, unregistered or forgotten.

Nonetheless, he said, public service employees spend considerable time handling, documenting and disposing of property items. “As a manager,� he said, “I cannot have employees carrying out meaningless, time-consuming tasks at the expense of more important ones.�

Items with serial numbers will be checked against police records to determine if it has been reported stolen. The policy excludes items that pose a risk to the public such as firearms, ammunition explosives, drugs and drug paraphernalia. The policy also excludes personal identity documents, ID and credit cards.

Editor’s note: Lost and Found classified ads in The Pioneer are always free! Call us at 250-341-6299.

Bargain Shop growing into Saan building

By Brian Geis Pioneer Staff Not all businesses are suffering through the recession.

Invermere’s Bargain Shop is expanding into the former Saan building on 8th Avenue, and hiring to boot.

The Bargain Shop’s District Manager Rick Brink — a Nanaimo native who will spend the month in Invermere helping local Manager Leslie Hecher move into the new space — said The Bargain Shop thrives during economic slowdowns. “Absolutely,� Mr. Brink commented. “We do well in a down economy.

When things are slow, people tend to shop for price and spend a little more time shopping for bargains. At Bar-

gain Shop, you get a good deal. That’s what we’re here for.�

The Bargain Shop has been bucking the trend and expanding aggressively since acquiring Saan last summer after the competing chain succumbed to bankruptcy.

Last August, The Bargain Shop announced it had purchased 93 of the former Saan locations.

The additional stores — located across Canada — bring the total number of The Bargain Shop stores to more than 270 outlets.

The expansion makes the chain one of the largest privately-owned general merchandise retailers in the country.

Continued on Page 29 . . .

MOVIN’ ON UP—Bargain Shop District Manager Rick Brink and Invermere Store Manager Leslie Hecher plan their move to the former Saan Building.

NIGHT SKIING! EVERY FRIDAY IN FEBRUARY UNTIL 9:00 PM 4OPX 1IPOF t 4LJ 4DIPPM fairmonthotsprings.com

4 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 13, 2009

Life Time Warranty on all Blinds Call The Blind Guy!

Interior World

(250) 342 4406

RCMP Report

By Staff-Sergeant Doug Pack Columbia Valley RCMP

PROTECT

Racial epithet sprayed on house

…your property from theft and vandalism www.valleyhawk.com

Licensed & Insured

250-688-HAWK

Invermere & Surrounding Areas

RCMP are investigating the spray-painting of a house and vehicle in Radium reported on February 5th. A neighbour reported the incident as the owners have been away. The offenders painted a racial epithet on the property. While RCMP do not yet know the motive behind the graffiti, we are treating it seriously.

Anyone with information call RCMP at 250-3429292 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Whitehouse Pub window smashed

KITCHEN AND BATHROOM CABINETS FURNITURE QUALITY BY FURNITURE BUILDERS Contact Dale Elliott • 250-341-7098 www.kekulibaycabinetry.com

On February 2nd, the Whitehouse Pub in Windermere had been broken into overnight. One of the coolers was left open and a window had been smashed through which entry was gained. Luckily, the alarm sounded and it appeared to have scared the burglar away before anything could be stolen. Anyone with information call RCMP at 250-342-9292 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Stolen TV found in vehicle

On February 26th at around 11: 35 p.m., RCMP noticed a westbound Pathfinder driving with no licence plate lights or rear window. The police office

45 Luxury Condominium Suites

in Radium & Invermere

BC Approved Accommodations

250-347-2460 •1-866-458-0919 www.radiumvacationrentals.com

Dear Nicole,

Congratulations Coongratulati a onss

Fairmont man charged with assault

On February 7th at 32 minutes after midnight, RCMP responded to an assault at Fairmont Hot Springs. The complainant told RCMP he was punched after asking several males to vacate the community hall.

When police arrived on the scene, one of the suspects admitted he had punched the complainant in the face.

A 22-year-old Fairmont man was arrested for assault, and later released on a Promise to Appear with a court date in Invermere on March 24th, 2009.

Continued on Page 28 . . .

Looking for

Balance in your life?

There’s a place to find it – the Columbia Valley.

With the lowest interest rates since the 1950’s, now is the time to purchase the leisure property of your dreams.

Golf, water sports, skiing, hiking and more, the Columbia Valley has it all. Currently, there are many attractively priced properties to choose from in all categories.

The buyer incentives on some listings add even more savings. Property is a safe investment for the cash you rescued from the stock market.

Call now!

Royal LePage Rockies West Realty can provide you with the professional, quality service you need to find that perfect property.

Relax in the beautiful Columbia Valley.

on earning your nursing degree.

We are very proud of you.

Love Opa & Oma Kloos and Family

turned on his emergency lights, and the SUV pulled into the Superior Propane parking lot. The constable spoke with the driver who told him the vehicle belonged to another person.

Meanwhile, the constable noticed a large blanket covering something on the rear seat. When asked what was under the blanket, the driver lifted the blanket to reveal a Sylvania television set on the seat. The driver said that the television belonged to yet another person who was nearby as well. The constable spoke with this person, a 30-year-old Radium female, who admitted the television was stolen. The woman was arrested for Possession of Stolen Property and released on a Promise to Appear in Invermere Provincial Court date on March 24th.

Independently Owned and Operated

www.rockieswest.com

250.345.4000

U

250.342.5599

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 5

February 13, 2009

Council throws out Developer’s Agreement

By Sally Waddington Pioneer Staff A three-lot subdivision in Canal Flats has had its Developer’s Agreement quashed by council.

In March 2008, Kelly and Val Bracken signed an agreement with the Village of Canal Flats to pay $55,125 in off-site works and services. But this week council voted to overturn the agreement and refund the Brackens’ letter of credit.

In December 2006, Bracken Holding Co. Ltd. purchased .66 acres on Burns Avenue, Canal Flats, with the intent to subdivide into three lots. One lot contains a 1911 Canada Pacific Railway house, which last March was renovated and sold. The remaining two lots are yet to be sold.

Under the now-amended Subdivision and Development Bylaw 82, Bracken Holdings was required to perform off-site works on the subdivision. The bylaw stipulated that the developer needed to install storm sewer and drainage dry well, widen the road pavement, put up street lighting, landscape the boulevard and construct paved sidewalks. The estimated total cost for these works was $44,100. A 125-percent security bond was required, bringing the total to $55,125.

Mr. Bracken calculated that engineering costs, parkland dedication surveying and water/sewer applications cost $23,014, on top of his security bond.

But in October 2008, Bylaw 82 was amended to Bylaw 100, significantly decreasing the off-site works requirements.

On January 12th, 2009, the Brackens requested council review their Developer’s Agreement.

The matter was brought to a council decision on Monday. Each item in the agreement was discussed, then councillor Gilbert Delorme gave his stance.

“About the only thing in this agreement that I think should stay is the grassed boulevard. The rest of it I think is a bit much,” he said.

Councillor David McKersie asked Mr. Bracken if it was his intention to seed the boulevard anyway. Mr. Bracken said it was.

“Then I will make a resolution to cancel the whole thing,” Mr. McKersie said.

However, councillor Ute Juras suggested council was “jumping the gun.”

“I don’t see enough information in front of me to make a definite decision,” she said.

“I am more than willing to look at the individual items on the agreement, but I cannot support complete nullifying it with the information we have at the moment.”

Ms. Juras opposed the motion, but Mr. McKersie, Mr. Delorme and Mayor Bruce Woodbury voted in favour. Councillor Michael McDonald was absent.

One of Ms. Juras’s prime concerns was that wiping

the slate clean would open the way for other developers. “Are we setting a precedent that any development with a Developer’s Agreement can have it cancelled?” she asked.

However, Mr. Bracken says that’s a moot point.

“What precedent could be set when I was the only one who bonded for the bylaw?” he asked.

Mr. Bracken said he’s relieved and grateful that his Developer’s Agreement has been taken off his plate.

“I spoke to the mayor after council and thanked him for his decision,” Mr. Bracken said. “We can start building now.”

As well as the financial hardship, the off-site requirements placed a major delay on the subdivision.

“We probably could have had one home constructed by now,” Mr. Bracken said.

He said that when they purchased the land, they expected the entire subdivision process to cost $10,000.

“By the time the rules changed, we were in so deep that we had to agree with everything the town wanted in order to proceed with our deal,” he said. “We are not big developers; we’re just ordinary people.”

Having lived in the Columbia Valley for 25 years, Kelly and Val Bracken have owned several businesses, including Smitty’s Family Restaurant in Radium, Fairmont Grocery Store, and the Super 8 hotel on Highway 93/95.

Dave in

Columbia Ridge says:

Start thinking Romance!

CLUB HOUSE

Valentine’s Day Menus released.

Now accepting resumes for all positions.

(Closed Mondays)

Now accepting tee time bookings for the 2009 Golf Season!

GOLF SHOP

Open by special viewing appointment only • Gift Certificates • Men’s & Women’s Apparel • Footwear • Accessories • Golf Clubs

Experience Service Beyond™

Columbia Ridge suffered with old telephone and internet technology for 14 years. NanoFibre came in and brought fibre to every lot, and then worked with the homeowners to connect each residence. Our community has now jumped past cable and ADSL to a full fibre optic connection. NanoFibre is a local company that provides competition and our residents are very pleased.

Why wait? Switch to NanoFibre today!

Dining 250-342-6560 • Golf 250-342-0562 www.eagleranchresort.com • Toll Free (877) 877-3889

www.nanofibre.ca • (250) 347.2424

6 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

perspective

February 13, 2009

Historical Lens

Minding their own business

By Elinor Florence Pioneer Publisher

I always look forward to our annual Women in Business section, because it is so interesting to connect with women who are operating or managing businesses in the valley. Each year, the number seems to grow and the fields of operation become more varied.

From women who are running large retail stores like Interior World’s Pat Conway, to women who are selling products out of their own homes like Julie St. Amand, who is handling Tupperware; to women who are running small traditional businesses like Shelley Ford of Shelley’s Shiners, to women in non-traditional fields like Shelley Ferguson, owner of Bud’s Bar & Lounge, and our featured woman this year, Donna Hazelaar of Hi Heat Insulating – it’s gratifying and heart-warming to see how eagerly these woman want to talk about their business.

This year in particular, it was great to meet with women who are so enthusiastic and optimistic about the future. And I’m in complete agreement. In this economic downturn, it is the small and medium-sized businesses, owned and operated by local residents, that will survive the storm.

The big chains with their corporate policies, highly-paid executives and huge expense accounts will not be able to compete with the niche businesses that have found a loyal following here in the valley and will continue to provide great quality and personal service.

Women are generally good in a crisis. They will keep a cool head, maintain low overhead, listen to ideas from their staff, come up with creative solutions, work long hours and serve their customers with a smile.

Every recession brings new opportunities, and when the big companies go under, small businesses will take their place. This current economic situation won’t last forever – and when it’s over, I hope every woman in this year’s Pioneer will be more successful than ever. Have a great year, ladies!

EARLY LEADERS—Historical Lens concludes its three-part journey through the District of Invermere’s collection of historical photos. Two weeks ago, we featured photos of the first six chairmen and mayors and councils from 1976 to 1981. Last week, we featured mayors and councils through the 1980s. This week, we feature mayors and councils up to the millenium. Pictured here, from left to right, are Mayor Joseph H. Conroy, who served from 1984-1986; Ronald E. Halvorson, who was mayor from 1986-1988 and 1990-1993; and Mayor Chuck Blanchard who served from 1993-1999. See next page for council photos.

Emergency room in design phase Dear Editor: In light of recent media stories regarding the Invermere and District Hospital’s Emergency Room redevelopment project, Interior Health wants to assure all residents of the Columbia Valley that we are doing our utmost to make this project a reality.

The ER redevelopment is approved in principal by Interior Health and the Ministry of Health Services. With that approval we have been able to move forward with the schematic design process, which is currently underway with the architectural firm Kasian Ltd. To date Kasian has held two design meetings with hospital staff, nurses, and physicians to get front-line input on the design. Interior Health expects to get the final drawings in March.

The schematic design phase of this project is important in that it gives Interior Health a firm idea of the scope and cost of the project. With that information and Interior Health Board approval, we will then make the formal funding request to the government. It is vital for both IH and the Ministry of Health Services to ensure this project is done right and in the most cost effective manner.

Interior Health recognizes that the residents of Invermere and neighbouring communities want this redevelopment to happen quickly. We are committed to working with Ministry of Health Services and following the necessary steps to achieve that.

Chris Mazurkewich, Chief Operating Officer Strategic & Corporate Services, Interior Health

The Columbia Valley

Pioneer is independently owned and operated and published weekly by Abel Creek Publishing Inc. Box 868, #8, 1008 - 8th Avenue, Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Phone (250) 341-6299 · Fax (250) 341-6229 Email: upioneer@telus.net · www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

The material, written or artistic, may not be reprinted or electronically reproduced in any way without the written consent of the publisher. The opinions and statements in articles, columns and advertising are not necessarily those of the publisher or staff of The Columbia Valley Pioneer. It is agreed by any display advertiser requesting space that the newspaper’s responsibility, if any, for errors or omissions of any kind is limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for that portion of the space as occupied by the incorrect item, and there shall be no liability in any event greater than the amount paid for the advertisement.

Elinor Florence

Brian Geis

Sally Waddington

Cayla Gabruck

Dave Sutherland

Zephyr Rawbon

Michele McGrogan

Publisher

Editor

Reporter

Reporter

Advertising Sales

Graphic Design

Office Manager

February 13, 2009

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 7

Invermere councils in history: 1989-1999

1989 council - In rear, Buzz Harmsworth, Mike Fraser; Front row, Eddie Mountain, Allan Chabot, Jacob Molendyk.

1990 council - In rear, Mike Fraser, Buzz Harmsworth; Front row, Eddie Mountain, Allan Chabot, Jacquie Riches.

1991 council - In rear, Buzz Harmsworth, Ken Fisher; Front row, Eddie Mountain, Ron Halvorson, Lindsay Barck.

1992-1993 council - Buzz Harmsworth, Eddie Mountain, Ron Halvorson, Belle Ede, Chuck Blanchard.

1993-1996 council - Amanda Hubbard, Jim LeBourdais, Chuck Blanchard, Fred Thode-Hamilton, Mark Shmigelsky.

1996-1999 council - In rear, Bob Campsall, Mark Shmigelsky, Front row, Amanda Hubbard, Chuck Blanchard, Jim LeBourdais.

8 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 13, 2009

LETTERS

Frank discussions needed about Grizzly Ridge Dear Editor:

FREE

JUMBO WILD BUMPER STICKERS It’s time to show you care

342-3147 • www.jumbowild.com

SEWER LINE VIDEO NEW INSPECTION

• Detect drainage problems • Inspect and record sewage line installations • Accurately locate septic, water and power lines GREAT FOR CONTRACTORS OR HOMEOWNERS

Dehart Sewer and Drain Ltd.

347-9803

• Bedding Sand • Drain Rock • 3/4 Crush Gravel • Landscaping Rock

The Grizzly Ridge public meeting was not a good scene. Kudos to the new councillors for hanging in there and the mayor, battered and torn as he may be?

A lot of intelligent and information-seeking citizens showed up and were treated with nice displays, minimal information and lots of discussion.

Completely absent was the Official Community Plan—what Invermere really needs to sustain itself and critical background information to make any credible informed decision—and, oh yes, the panic cry: If we don’t add this parcel to Invermere, it will be gone forever!

A common theme that flowed out of the meeting on Tuesday evening, was ‘How does the Official Community Plan fit in here?’

I can understand why, because we have not only been disrespectful towards it, but almost disregarded it over the past three years—amending it 13 times.

That’s an average of once every three months. So much

for what we have to say about long-term planning and vision.

For some reason(s), some have the belief that growth equals sustainability, rather than growth is part of sustainability. We not only have to discuss how the Official Community Plan will apply but, as well, all the aspects of growth.

Who are the people and businesses we want to be part of our community? What is our strategy for affordability in housing and the business sector, our infrastructure? What will be the make-up of the community (residential, business, open space, non-residential, etc)?

Do we have time? Yes, we do, and we can’t afford not to take it. I am not advocating a long, drawnout process, but frank discussions over the next few months.

The land around us is not going to go away nor are the people who wish to profit from it.

Richard Hoar, Invermere

Is Grizz selling creekside lots?

Dear Editor: Does anyone know the legal answer to my question or whom to phone to get the answer?

My husband was at the Grizzly Ridge meeting on Tuesday. He was suggesting there should be a barrier between Toby Creek and where you could build. A lady tapped him on the shoulder and said, “You are too late. I have already bought a lot which includes halfway across Toby Creek.” She said she has the papers to prove it.

My question is, can people sell creeks, rivers or lakes, if it goes through their property?

Eileen Fuller (250-342-6157) Invermere

Editor’s note: We forwarded Mrs. Fuller’s questions to Invermere Mayor Gerry Taft. In his response he noted that a 12-lot subdivision in Grizzly Ridge is pending. Until it is approved, which could be as early as the end of the month, none of the lots can be sold.

Furthermore, he said, the owner has agreed to place covenants on the titles to those lots restricting their sale or transfer for a two-year period.

Although it is possible for property lines to extend into creeks, rivers and wetlands, he said, realistically, it does not convey ownership. Even if there was a situation where some private property extended into Toby Creek, he said, there would be no way of building on or beside it. The Toby Creek escarpment was identified as a hazardous slope and a sensitive area, and would require environmental approvals to build there.

SPE

on

C

IA Sho L PRIC wH E ome

A stunning lakeside community with private lake access.

Only 10 minutes south of Fairmont Hot Springs, BC.

Call 1.877.349.7575 or visit www.spiritsreach.com

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 9

February 13, 2009

Hit-and-run ATV driver got away Thank goodness by giving victim false address for Wildsight

Dear Editor:

New Year’s Day was going to start off with a hockey game down on the Timber Ridge ice.

Unfortunately, that is not what some ATV operators had in mind.

I was almost at the lake on the Timber Ridge private beach road, when my boys and I saw two ATVers flying down the road towards us.

We came to a stop just in time to watch the one young man slide his green ATV into my front bumper. Ouch!

My Sienna van’s bumper was smashed into pieces but left his ATV unharmed. His girlfriend was fortunately driving slow enough to stop before hitting me.

Dressed like he should be snowboarding (and believe me, I wish he had been!) the young man “appeared” genuinely apologetic

and concerned that we were not hurt. He didn’t have ID, but gave me phone numbers and addresses.

Trusting the lad and his girlfriend, I left for our cabin to phone his parents.

I soon found out the phone number and addresses were bogus.

How could I have trusted him? He seemed sincere, concerned, and very helpful . . . too helpful.

My boys, aged eight and 10, were shocked that the young man lied. They’d been brought up lying was a horrible sin (let alone that this was now a hit and run!).

My boys coaxed me to drive around Timber Ridge to look for the hit-and-run culprits. Timber Ridge residents I talked to said they didn’t see any ATVs coming up the single beach exit.

Later, I found out from the grounds manager that ATV tracks were found crossing private prop-

erty. To add to the hit and run, the lad and his girlfriend illegally crossed private property!

Today I get a “Denial of Coverage” letter from my insurance company. They won’t pay for the damages because I wasn’t insured against uninsured vehicles “designed for use off public roads . . .”

Arg! This really hurts, considering I lost my job in November!

And if you happen to know who this person is, send me an email at invermerecrash@gmail. com. I’d love to talk to these two again.

Oh, one other thing, if you get hit by an ATV, take the keys until the RCMP shows up. Come to think of it, did I hear the lad saying “Happy Fool’s Year” as he drove off in his ATV? Ed Patton Seattle

Dear Editor: Just when I thought the “powers that be” had come to their senses, the can of (melting ice) worms has been given a new “best before date” for Jumbo proponents!

Tunnel vision and short-sightedness have advanced to total blindness.

Any intrusion on the Jumbo Glacier area is destined to hasten its demise.

This we cannot afford!

Its very existence is essential to quench our collective thirsts – not satisfy the appetite of speculators.

Did I not read a local article that said water meters are planned for 1000 homes?

The writing is on the wall.

Thank goodness we have Jumbo Creek Conservation Society and Wildsight, who truly care.

J. Ashworth Fairmont Hot Springs

Kvtu!Bopuifs!Ebz/

Be among the very first to stake a claim in Canada’s only Master-Planned Ranch community, located five minutes north of Radium Hot Springs BC, at the foot of the rugged Rocky Mountains.

Qibtf!2!Qsfnjfsf!Ipnftjuft!tubsujoh!gspn!%2:1Öt/ Fydmvtjwf!Sbodi!Qbsdfmt!gspn!47!.!591!bdsft +/ Tbmft!Dfousf!Opx!Pqfo!)5:41!Ixz!:4!bdsptt!gspn!Qfusp.Dbobeb* Dbmm!2.988.458.7949!ps!Wjtju!xxx/FmlQbslSbodi/dpn * Prices upon Request. Offered exclusively by Schickedanz West.

10 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 13, 2009

HOMES FOR SALE

Say NO to water metres in Windermere Dear Editor: “Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink.” It may be, for the Ancient Mariner, but certainly not true here in the valley.

In fact, we are surrounded with water and, thanks to the good work of our government people managing our water supply in Windermere, we have lots of safe water to drink.

According to statistics given at a Regional District of East Kootenay meeting last week, attended by about 50 citizens, the volume of water used in Windermere has declined substantially for the past two years (just like the stock market).

Part of the reason for this decline may be that people have become conservation conscious and are conforming to the watering regulations. That being the case, there would be less reason for the need to install water meters in Windermere.

Many citizens have mentioned that they have home filters which are good at filtering out the turbidity of water—especially needed in summer, when waves and boats stir up the sediment in the lake bottom.

For comparison, the water treatment and monitoring in Cranbrook and Windermere are identical.

Both communities draw surface water, disinfect with chlorination, do not further filter for turbidity, test for purity, do not meter the water, except for commercial use in Cranbrook and rely on complaints to curtail abuse of watering.

If the grant for a study of Windermere water is conducted, I feel that it should add to its mandate the following: (1) Maintaining the status quo and building up a fund for improvements gradually, (2) adding filtration for turbidity removal to the present publicly-owned water treatment facility and keeping it publicly-owned, (3) ensuring that for this, and other summers, families have the opportunity for home filtering for turbidity in drinking water.

I hope Windermere residents take the opportunity to bring the matter up for community discussion and debate at the Windermere Community Association Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 14th at 10 a.m.

Doug Anakin Windermere

Request for Volunteers

I

nvermere Fire Rescue is an active unit of community volunteers, operating on a paid on-call basis. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, these volunteers stand ready to help in any emergency.

LOTS FOR SALE

As well as responding to calls, every Tuesday night between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., these volunteers gather for training at the Invermere Fire Hall. Training is set to industry standards and is an on-going, continuing process. Every fifth Sunday, volunteers have call-out duty at the fire hall. Volunteers also have opportunities to gain further education in the field of fire fighting, urban fire suppression and rescue techniques.

Invermere Fire Rescue is increasing its active list of volunteers. Several of our volunteers have gone on to full-time departments. If you live in our service area, are of legal age, are physically fit, want a challenge and have a desire to help your neighbour, drop by the fire hall and see if we’re an organization you would like to serve with.

Glenn Pomeroy Representative

Maxwell Realty Invermere/Panorama 926-7th Avenue, Invermere

Cell: 270-0666 Office: 341-6044 glennpomeroy@shaw.ca

www.maxwellrealtyinvermere.ca

Roger Ekman Fire Chief Invermere Fire Rescue 626 – 4th Ave, Box 1042 Invermere BC V0A 1K0 Phone: 250-342-3200 Fax: 250-342-6642 Email: invermerefire@cyblerlink.bc.ca

> >>>

Encore

Page 11

What’s Happening in the Columbia Valley

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

STAN’S BACK!

MOVIE REVIEW

PAGE 12

COVER ART CHOSEN

PAGE 19 2009 Columbia Valley Map Book

Out & About Legendary Legendary Columbia Columbia Valley Valley barkeeper barkeeper Stan Stan Nokleby Nokleby returns returns to to the the Invermere Invermere Inn Inn as as General General Manager Manager of of the the Copper Copper City City Saloon Saloon to to oversee oversee the the pub’s pub’s incarnation incarnation as as aa sports sports lounge. lounge. Come Come watch watch the the game, game, enjoy enjoy aa pizza pizza and and say say“Hi” “Hi”to to Stan.

Stan.Copper Copper City City Saloon Saloon serves serves food food until until 11 a.m. a.m. daily and is open until 2 a.m. daily and is open until 2.

Cultural Scan Public Forum • Pynelogs Cultural Centre Tuesday February 24 at 7 pm.

Cinefest@Pynelogs • Pynelogs Cultural Centre What does ART mean to you?

Cinefest at Pynelogs Cultural Centre Tuesday, February 17, featuring Breakfast With Scot. Doors open at 6 - Movie at 7.

Call (250) 342-4423 or (250) 342-7071 for tickets and more info.

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

12 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 13, 2009

Music • visual arts • dining • Bar Scene • entertainment • performance ARTS NEW NAME ~ SAME GREAT SERVICE Now featuring canadian made Arctic Spas.

Engineered for the world’s harshest climates.

Movie Review: W. Reviewed by Elinor Florence

advantage of these deals

20% OFF Chemicals Until the end of February.

Guild Billiards

Coming Soon… guildproducts.com

Now taking new water maintenance customers.

250-342-3922 • 503B - 7th Avenue, Invermere Monday y Nights…

Guitarr Hero

BEST IN A Z Z I P !

TOWN

KITCHEN OPEN UNTIL 1:00 AM 7 DAYS A WEEK Eat In or Take Out Full Menu Available

COMING MARCH 6th – Blues Chanteuse – NDIDI ONUKWULU

1310 - 7 Ave. • Invermere • Call: 250-341-3344 th

COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

PAYMENT OP T I O NS WE ARE ACCEPTING

• Call our Office Manager, Michele at 250-341-6299 with your Visa or Mastercard number.

• Pay in person at our office with credit or debit card at 1008 - 8th Avenue, Invermere.

• E-mail us at upioneer@telus.net or visit our website for more details at…

w w w. co l u m b i ava l l ey p i o n e e r. co m

Gone

D WOOD YWO LY HOLLY V

I D E O

Josh Brolin, once an actor famous for nothing more than being the son of James Brolin (remember Marcus Welby?) has finally hit the big time.

He has had a handful of starring roles recently, notably No Country for Old Men, which won four Oscars last year. This time around, he takes on the role of “W,” short for George W. Bush.

The movie is an attempt to explain the contradictions of his character. Is he as bumbling as he appears, or dumb like a fox? How many of his actions were motivated by his need to outshine his powerful predecessor and father? Did he really believe that Iraq was hiding weapons of mass destruction?

Director Oliver Stone, having made movies about Nixon and Kennedy, tackled this one while Bush was still in office.

That might have been a tad premature, since we haven’t reached that emotional arm’s length necessary to properly evaluate W.’s contribution to history.

The movie opens at at a drunken fraternity initiation, and “Junior” is portrayed pretty much as a drunken womanizer for the next 20 years. His dear old Dad (James Cromwell) and his outspoken mother (Ellen Burstyn) are deeply disappointed in him, and have

The Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance is inviting individuals of all artistic disciplines – as well as arts, culture and heritage organizations – to apply for funds provided by Columbia Basin Trust under its Arts, Culture and Heritage program, which was recently awarded $500,000 for this fiscal year. The program includes several funding streams for individuals and groups through community arts councils; minor capital project

TOP FIVE OF THE WEEK Last Week’s Top p 5 Rentals Zack & Miri Make a Porno Nick & Nora’s Innite Playlist Lakeview Terrace Madagascar g Passchendaele

New Releases Feb. 10 1 W. 2 Nights g in Rodanthe 3 Blindness 4 Against g the Dark 5 The Lodger

RATING: 7 OUT OF 10 HEADS

Arts funding available

Gone Hollywood’s

1 2 3 4 5

higher hopes for his older brother.

But in the throes of a massive hangover, W. is born again at the age of 40, quits drinking and gets his act together.

While running for Congress for the first time, he meets Laura (Elizabeth Banks) at a party. She is the perfect political wife, loving and supportive (in fact, I’d rather see a movie about her).

The storyline jumps back and forth from episodes revealing Bush’s personal life to scenes in the oval office prior to the war in Iraq, where his massive ego allows him to be manipulated by his advisors Dick Cheney (Richard Dreyfuss) and Karl Rove (Toby Jones). Colin Powell (Jeffrey Wright) tries to interject the voice of reason, but is ignored. Condoleeza Rice (Thandie Newton) is ineffectual.

The movie attempts to show Bush as a sympathetic character, clueless but sincere, an incompetent driven by his need to impress and surpass his father.

One might even feel sorry for W. at the end of this movie, were it not for the disastrous war in Iraq and an economy on the verge of collapse. Only time will reveal the full extent of Bush’s legacy.

New Releases Feb. 17 1 Bodyy of Lies 2 Changeling 3 Quarantine 4 High g School Musical 3 5 Religulous

funding; touring; exhibition funding; heritage projects and others. Applications are adjudicated by local arts councils and the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance.

For information, visit www.basinculture.com, ask your local community arts council, or call 1-250-5055505 or toll-free at 1-877-505-7355.

Deadline is March 20th or April 3rd, 2009, depending on the program.

We carry all game console accessories

Wii • XBox 360 • PS3 PO Box 2800, 503 - 7th Ave., Invermere, V0A 1K0

250-342-0057

ghvinvermere@hotmail.com

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 13

February 13, 2009

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

Out & About Please call 250-341-6299 or Email us at upioneer@telus.net to enter your event in our FREE listings.

Toby Theatre • 7:30 p.m. February 13-14th: Last Chance Harvey • 7:30 p.m. February 18th-21st: Marley & Me

Friday, February 13th: • “Out of the Ordinary” exhibition by all gallery artists at Artym Gallery. Opening reception Friday 6-9 p.m. Exhibition lasts until February 26th.

• Big John Bates and the Voodoo Dollz play at Bud’s Bar and Lounge.

Saturday, February 14th: • 10 a.m. Elements Exhibition by gallery artists opens at Effusion Art Gallery. Runs until February 28th.

• 1 p.m.: Valentine’s Day Dance and Lunch at Invermere Seniors’ Hall. Entrance by donation to pay for band from Kimberley Seniors’ Club. For info: 250-342-3990.

• 2-4 p.m. Valentine Tea and Bake Sale at Radium Seniors’ Hall. Sponsored by Edgewater and Radium Hospital Auxiliary. Cost $5. Door prizes, hamper raffle. For info: 250-347-9493.

• 7 p.m.: Caribbean Dance at the Royal Canadian Legion. Dinner and dance tickets $17.50; dinner tickets $12.50; dance tickets $5. For info: 250-3422681.

• 8 p.m.: Valentine’s Dance at the Whitehouse Pub, Windermere. Music by D.J. Ken. • Happy Valentine’s Day to all of our beloved readers from The Pioneer!

Tuesday, February 17th: • 1-3 p.m.: East Kootenay Brain Injury Support Group in the Valley Connection Room off the Family Centre. Group is held on the third Tuesday of every month. For info: 250-344-5674.

• 4:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Windermere Valley Minor Hockey Spaghetti Dinner. At the Mezz at the Arena. Hosted by the Peewee team! Cost $5 each, $20 per family.

• 7 p.m.: Cinefest film called Breakfast With Scot showing at Pynelogs, sponsored by Columbia Valley Arts. Call 250-342-4423 or 250-342-7071 for tickets and info.

Wednesday, February 25th:

Wednesday and Thursday, February 18-19th:

• 7:30 p.m. Animal Communication Trees by Cam McTavish. An educational presentation in the Exploring Our World: WILD Voices Speakers Series at David Thompson Secondary School.

• Fuzzcat plays at Bud’s Bar & Lounge, Invermere.

Friday, February 27th:

Thursday, February 19th:

• 7:30 p.m. Brisco Social and Brisco Community Aid Meeting at Brisco Community Hall.

• 7 p.m. Brisco and District Recreation Commission Annual General Meeting at Brisco Hall.

Friday, February 20th: • 5-8 p.m.: Windermere Valley Child Care Society Family Fun Dance, held at Invermere Community Hall. Lots of great prizes, music and activities.

• Deadline for submitting letters to the Rotary Club of Invermere nominating this year’s Citizen of the Year. Write to PO Box 877, Invermere, V0A 1K0.

Sunday, March 1st: • 4 p.m. Elect Mark McKee Silent Auction at Eagle Ranch Golf Club. Tickets $10, includes appetizers.

Wednesday, March 4th: • 7:30 p.m.: Wildsight Invermere Branch Annual General Meeting in the theatre at David Thompson Secondary School.

Saturday, February 21st:

Saturday, March 7th:

• Gala dinner at Eagle Ranch Golf Resort, hosted by the Columbia Valley Botanical Gardens and Centre for Sustainable Living. Guest speaker is Michael Ableman, renowned gardener, author, photographer and lecturer. Funds raised will go to the Community Greenhouse. For info: 250-342-0539.

• 5:30 p.m.: Lake Windermere District Rod and Gun Club’s Annual Wild Game Banquet and Dance at Invermere Community Hall. Adults $35, Youths $15. For info: www.lwdrodgun.org.

• 3 on 3 Ball Hockey Tournament at the Whitehouse Pub, Windermere. $25 per team. For info: 250-3429540.

• 7 p.m: Canadian Tenors at Christ Church Trinity, Invermere. Part of Columbia Valley Arts’ Performing Arts Winter Series. For info: 250-342-4423.

Invermere Thrift Store hours: • Thursdays: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Friday-Saturday: 1-4 p.m.

Radium Thrift Store hours: • Thursdays: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Friday-Saturday: 12-4 p.m.

Invermere Library Hours:

Monday, February 23rd: • Bust a Movement class for all ages begins at Windermere Community Hall. Participants choose from skill development stations in break dance, gymnastics, yoga, instruments, contact dance, break falls and calisthenics. Held every Monday 7-9 p.m. and Friday 1:30-3 p.m. Cost $30 for six sessions or $7 drop-in. For info: charsweb@telus.net.

Tuesday, February 24th: • 7 p.m. Columbia Valley Arts Cultural Scan public forum at Pynelogs. For info: 250-342-4423.

• Tuesday and Friday: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

• Wednesday: 12 p.m.-8 p.m.

• Thursday: 12 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Radium Library Hours: • Tuesday: 6-8 p.m.

• Wednesday: 2-4 p.m.

• Thursday: 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m.-noon.

• Sunday: 2-4 p.m.

“On Course” This week at Eagle Ranch…

Now accepting tee time bookings for the 2009 Golf Season!

Valentine’s Day Sunday Brunch!

Casual and Fine Dining – Enhanced

Menu Released!

Call for details.

Weekly from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 14 Special pricing for seniors and children. $

95

Appy hour!

Five amazing appetizers for $700!

Offered daily from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

• Dining (250) 342-6560 • Golf (250) 342-0562 • www.eagleranchresort.com • Toll Free (877) 877-3889

14 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 13, 2009

‘Elements’ opens at Effusion An Unrestrained Expression of Emotion

‘Elements’ Exhibition

by Gallery Artists

Elements of art can include some or all of the following: colour, line, shape, form, texture and space.

Combined with the principles, art is created!

Exhibition opens Sat. Feb.14, at 10am Runs until Feb.28 1033 7th Ave., Invermere, BC 250-341-6877 Visit our website for previews of art:

www.effusionartgallery.com

By Kate Fess Special to the Pioneer “The elements of art are a set of techniques that describe ways of presenting artwork.” Elements of art can include some or all of the following: point, color, value, line, shape, form, texture, and space. Combined with the principles, art is created! It sounds very basic, but endless in creativity by accomplished artists.

At Effusion Art Gallery, ‘Elements’ is the theme for an exhibition starting Saturday, February 14th.

Heather Cuell and Leslie Rowe-Israelson’s kilnformed glass art collaborates many elements from colour and line to form and space.

Leslie’s newest glass piece ‘Drifting Snow’ will melt your winter blues with soft warm ivory and glowing colours under a blanket of snowflakes lightly falling.

Heather’s ‘Winter Solace’ is a breath of sunshine with its colourful composition of cherry reds and yellows. Through heavy glass texture and fluid linear shapes, this art piece keeps flowing with energy.

‘Encaustic’ art produced by Moe Taylor and Denna Ericson is an ancient element developed by the Egyptians. It’s the method of melting wax on wood with layers of other mediums to create a textured, dream style of painting. Moe adds her own flair by the addition of old map charters imprinted into the wax.

Denna adds ink and stencils giving her art a collage

TONIGHT ONLY! FEBRUARY 13TH

and the Voodoo Dollz

Rockabilly style music with burlesque dancers don’t miss this show!

FUZZCAT DON’T MISS IT!

Feb.18 th Acoustic Feb. 19 th Rock Out

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21 ST Back from Prague To Rock You Out Invermere

DJ. CZECH

Comedy is back TUESDAY, MARCH 3

RD

Bud’s is Where It’s At! • 250-342-2965

impression of floral beauty.

Photographs and stenciling are catalysts for Lucie Bause and Meghan Hildebrand. Their funky style of old versus new landscape, whether it’s cities encroaching on rural areas or our connection with animals in their natural state, opens up endless possibilities!

Who said oil paintings had to be produced on canvass? Philip Mix certainly doesn’t as he paints on linen to produce highly-textured dreamscape paintings, resembling themes of Group of Seven artists.

Galen Davison combines all elements in his plastered wood veneer art with inlays of copper and/or silver. Through erratic colour combinations and geometric shapes, he keeps the viewer intrigued.

Iconographic art is expressed by Sonja Kobrehel through symbols and signs of Balkan religion, Hungarian culture and some West Coast whimsy. She also uses plaster on wood with oils, ink and material layered in a patchwork of colour.

Oil on hemp canvas is mastered by Meredith Hackler. Her style is impressionist with dramatic use of colour and texture in an ‘impasto’ technique. Local landscapes come alive in Meredith’s paintings!

We can’t forget David Abelson’s wood inlay art!

David’s approach is more subtle by carving out impressions of musical themes in basswood, followed by details in oil for a dramatic effect.

The exhibition runs until February 28th.

KICKING HORSE FORD Floyd Verge ales & Leasing e for Invermere yd is an active he community me resident. se stop in or call Floyd for your next vehicle purchase!

INVERMERE (Former Lake Auto Ford Sales Location)

CALL (250) 342-2995 www.kickinghorseford.com

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 15

February 13, 2009

Artym Gallery offers something ‘Out of the Ordinary’ as artists leave the comfort zone

By Deanna Barrington Special to the Pioneer This weekend, come to the Artym Gallery to experience something a little “Out of the Ordinary.”

This exhibition that opens with an evening reception tonight, February 13th, from 6-9 p.m., will feature works from many of your favourite Artym Gallery artists.

The artists will also be in attendance on Saturday, February 14th, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Although the artists may be familiar, much of the work on the walls won’t be. Each artist is creating two works in their regular style, and two that are uncharacteristic.

This means that the artists will be creating pieces that are ‘outside their comfort zone.’

They will be experimenting with technique, colour, medium and subject.

It will be the second show of this type the Artym has hosted. The first, in February 2007, was incredibly popular with both the artists and everyone who attended.

What is even more exciting is that this show may be the chance to see the premiere works in a new style.

Some of the painters who participated last time

used the opportunity to create an entirely new series of works, based on the two uncharacteristic pieces they created.

Imagine, a nude by a landscape artist, a realist painter creating an impressionistic work with vivid, larger than life colours, or even an artist changing media entirely!

One of the most challenging things about being a professional artist is the fact that you need to be endlessly creative – you need a vision that will always provide new inspiration.

That these artists all have this creativity is without question – this show demonstrates that they can stretch that creative vision in exciting new directions. Don’t miss this opportunity to see their new creations.

Attending artists include Serge Dubé, Alex Fong, Ken Gillespie, Robyn Lake, Denise Lemaster, Angela Morgan, K. Neil Swanson, Elizabeth Wiltzen, and Michele Zarb.

The “Out of the Ordinary” show will feature four paintings each from 18 painters.

Nine artists from across B.C. and Alberta will be in attendance both Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

The show continues until February 26th. If you can’t make it into the gallery, you can see the show online at artymgallery.com.

Stay out of the Doghouse!

Do Valentine’s Day is Saturday, February 14th!

Pick your sweetheart a unique gift basket at Pip’s in Edgewater, Mountainside Marke in Radium or Canterbury Flowers in Invermere.

250-342-3160 www.itsawrapgiftbaskets.ca

Deep Connective Tissue/Fascia Bodywork Structural Balance

H E L L E R W O RK

A Little Something to Ease Your Heart on Valentine’s

15% OFF

Gift Certificates, 1-hour Massage or 90 minute Hellerwork session

Stephanie Clerk

BC Registered Massage Therapist

Jean-Luc Cortat

BC Registered Massage Therapist & Hellerwork Practitioner Box 185 / 505 – 7th Avenue, Invermere, BC V0A 1K0

250-342-2535

Monthly Independent Film Series

Out of the Ordinary Exhibition

A funny, touching film. Hockey, feather boas, and knitting.

How Canadian!

Tuesday, Feb 17th 7pm @ Pynelogs.

It’s Movie Night at Pynelogs Cultural Centre.

Tickets are $10 at the door.

Come early. Limited seating.

View paintings on line at artymgallery.com ~ exhibition continues until February 26th

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

columbiavalleyarts.com/cinefest

The Cinefest @ Pynelogs Series is proudly sponsored by:

16 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 13, 2009

Still crazy in love after all these years – Gord and Faith Saunders

By Cayla Gabruck Pioneer Staff Gord and Faith Saunders are living proof that love can not only move mountains, but it can also survive cyclones, tsunamis and gale force winds.

The couple is approaching 28 years of marriage and are still happy as ever.

“We are not just husband and wife – we are really good buddies,” Faith explained.

But that wasn’t always the case.

The couple originally met at a bar in Calgary, where Gord was working in the oil patch and Faith was studying secretarial skills at Mount Royal College.

“I went out with him a few times and just didn’t really care for him,” she recalls.

Luckily for them, Cupid could not be discouraged.

The two were reintroduced two years later by a mutual friend at Gord’s 23rd birthday party.

“I thought she was hot,” Gord said.

Faith was smitten as well.

“The thing I liked best about Gord was his baby blue eyes, gorgeous eyes – and his curly blonde hair wasn’t bad, either,” she laughed.

This time around, the two hit it off immediately. They went camping, fishing and made many trips to the valley to visit Faith’s parents, Joe and Sanda Taylor.

After Faith finished school, she decided to go travelling with a friend.

“Gord took me to the airport, and I was just devastated,” she said. “He said: ‘I will see you when you get back, maybe’ – and I remember going into the bathroom and just sobbing.”

Little did Faith know that Gord, a self-proclaimed romantic, was already way ahead of her. While the girls were

TWO HEARTS—Faith and Gord Saunders of Windermere, who will celebrate 28 years of marriage this year, gear up for Valentine’s Day. Photo by Dave Sutherland travelling in Fiji, the telephone in Faith’s hotel room rang.

“It was Gord,” Faith said. “He said ‘Guess what, I just quit my job and I am coming to see you!”

The couple met in Auckland and travelled together for six months before returning to Canada.

During their time abroad, they even survived Cyclone Kerry when it passed through Sydney. The couple was out for a snorkelling trip and made it ashore just before the cyclone hit.

After returning to Canada, Gord proposed to Faith on Halloween in 1980.

“I thought he was joking at first,” she said, “but the next day we went and picked out an engagement ring and drove out to Windermere, because Gord

You are cordially invited to attend the 3rd Annual

Wedding Expo at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Just 20 min South of Invermere on Highway 93/95

Sunday, March 15, 2009 (1pm-4pm) Tickets $5 available at the door produced by

Tangerine event co.

For more information please visit: www.theblushingbride.ca

or contact: 250.427.4872 info@theblushingbride.ca Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is just 20 min. South of Invermere on Hwy 93/95

wanted to ask my dad for my hand in marriage.”

Gord recalls her father’s response.

“He said: ‘Sure, but I’ll tell you one thing right now – the only thing she can cook is chili. If you like chili, you will be okay!’”

The two were wed on July 4, 1981 in Windermere.

Gord and Faith bought 20 acres of land in Cochrane, Alberta and 11 months after the wedding, on August 30th, 1982, Joseph Ryan Charles was born. Two years later they moved to Calgary, and Faith gave birth to a second son, Tanner David, on March 6th, 1985.

Not wanting to raise their children in the city, the family moved back to Windermere. They bought an acreage

Proudly sponsored by:

on the south side of town, moved into a trailer and began to put down roots.

Together the couple established Win Valley Gardens, which they operated for the next 16 years, working happily beside each other every day, before selling it to their good friends, Peter and Lori Robertson of Windermere.

The couple even survived another natural disaster.

When on a family vacation in Thailand in 2004, they narrowly escaped the deadly tsunami that killed thousands of people. They had just boarded a ferry when the giant wave swamped their island.

Today the couple is enjoying their empty nest again. Ryan is now an engineer and Tanner works in electronics, both in Edmonton.

Despite Gord’s schedule back in the oil patch and Faith’s job at the high school, they still make time for romance.

“We just do little things for each other,” Gord said. “Every time I go away for work, I will always find a card or a goody bag packed in my suitcase.

Then when I finally get home and crawl into bed, I will pull down the sheets and my favorite chocolate bar will be sitting there.”

Faith said it’s the little things that count.

“When we go away on vacation or even on some weekends, Gord will get up before me and bring me coffee in bed. He never forgets our anniversary or my birthday and he brings me flowers all the time.”

The past 28 years hasn’t all been roses for the couple, but they make a point to end each day the same way.

“We may fight and spat, but at the end of the day we still love each other,” Faith said. “We never go to bed mad.”

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 17

February 13, 2009

Calling all brides: Blushing Bride Expo moves to Fairmont Submitted by Blushing Bride The Blushing Bride is proud to announce that Fairmont Hot Springs Resort will be hosting the third annual Blushing Bride Wedding Expo on Sunday, March 15th.

The event will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Brides and attendees will be able to experience an array of local vendor display booths to get ideas for their own upcoming wedding.

According to event organizer Cristina Borgogelli: “The show is a great way to see talented and professional wedding services and suppliers located in the area. The show gives brides a onestop shopping experience and lets them know they can have the wedding of their dreams by utilizing services found right here.

“It is a great afternoon not only for local brides, but also for many Albertan brides who choose to get married in our beautiful valley.”

All brides will receive a gift bag filled with goodies and relevant wedding information upon entry, along with a copy of the 2009 Edition Blushing Bride Wedding Directory.

The highlight of the event is the Fashion Show displaying bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses. There are plenty of great prizes to be won, but you must be present to win. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Tickets are $5 and are available at the door. If you would like to be added to our guest list please send an e-mail to: info@theblushingbride.ca.

For information about vendors or booths, please contact: 250-427-4872.

Quality antique furniture and collectibles from Canada, Europe and Asia.

Architectural items for home and garden.

Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm Sunday 11 pm – 4 pm and Holiday Monday 11 am – 4 pm

Phone:

(250) 342-0707

e-mail: klein@nucleus.com www.tepapanui.com Industrial Park (just off the road to Panorama)

SPEND SOME FAMILY TIME Full Ownership

t Immediate Occupancy

t 2 Bedrooms

t Fully Furnished

Payments from $620*/month Visit us Family Day Long Weekend: 12-5pm 7495 Columbia Avenue 403.710.2348 www.sableridge.ca *O.A.C

At 4-way stop head west for 2 blocks

18 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 13, 2009

Fuzzcat will explode at Bud’s next week Fuzzcat, Vancouver’s funk-filled reggae rock attack, is playing Bud’s Bar & Lounge on Thursday, February 18th and Friday, February 19th.

The band has been exploding onto Western Canadian dance floors since 2006.

Danceable rhythms, infectious lyrics, and provocative musical arrangements have earned Fuzzcat a growing reputation as one of Vancouver’s most exciting emerging bands.

Charismatic, high-energy performances draw comparisons to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Manu Chao and Sublime, but the band has diverse influences which range from hip-hop to punk.

Fuzzcat regularly plays Vancouver’s Media Club and Railway Club and has made four tours of the Rockies, playing Sun Peaks Resort Mountain Bike Festival, and venues such as The Drake in Canmore and The Rose

and Crown in Banff.

In the spring of 2007, Fuzzcat released their first album, Impact!, with a sold-out show at the Media Club.

Two songs from the album were featured in the 2007 documentary The Five Ring Circus, a Workless Party production about the 2010 Olympics. A Fuzzcat show is a high-energy, musically-diverse party, whether they rock with ska, funk, or punk bands, or during an monthly acoustic Monday at the Railway Club.

The Vancouver newspaper 24 Hours describes Fuzzcat as having “hooky grooves, catchy lyrics, and rug-cutting riffs.”

This winter, get ready for the digital release of a new four-song EP recorded at The Hive in Burnaby, B.C., as well as more great shows and another Western tour in February.

You can listen to Fuzzcat on www. myspace.com/fuzzcatmusic.

Breakfast With Scot another Cinefest winner Submitted by Cinefest “We sure know how to pick ‘em,” said Cathy Howard, Cinefest Co-ordinator. She was commenting on the Academy Award nomination for Richard Jenkins in The Visitor, Cinefest’s January screening.

Cinefest’s February film is Breakfast with Scot, a Canadian production starring Tom Cavanaugh (Ed, Scrubs, Gray Matters) and Ben Shenkman (Just Like Heaven, Angels in America).

Sam and Ed aren’t your stereotypical gay couple. A former pro-hockey player, Sam now works for a major sports network, and – because of the traditionally homophobic nature of this field, he is determined to keep his personal and professional lives completely separate.

Things change irrevocably when Ed’s nephew, Scot, fantastically portrayed by Noah Bernett, enters their lives. Ed has agreed to look after Scot following the death of the boy’s mother, at least until

his father, Ed’s no-account brother Billy, returns to Toronto.

An expert knitter addicted to boas, makeup and show tunes, Scot has no idea who Wayne Gretzky is – and couldn’t care less. Terrified that Scot will be persecuted ruthlessly at school, Sam decides to straighten him out.

Guaranteed to melt the heart of the coldest audience member, Breakfast with Scot boasts a raft of fine performances and winning cameos by iconic Canadian actors, including Fiona Reid, Megan Follows, Graham Greene, Sheila McCarthy and Shauna MacDonald. It’s the kids who steal the show, most notably Bernett as Scot, whose wide-eyed incomprehension of the ways of the world is both hilarious and deeply affecting.

“Don a boa or your hockey jersey and join the fun,” says Cathy. Breakfast with Scot will play at Pynelogs at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 17th. Tickets are $10 at the door. The Cinefest winter series is sponsored by AG Valley Foods.

Now Renting at

Cross Country Skis and Snowshoes

30 – 70% off All ho All h hockey ckey y equipmen equip equi e p ent – 10% off pmen pm

We’re Moving Our Showroom so EVERYTHING MUST GO!

50 to 80% OFF ALL STOCK!

Also l all lll winter stock sto stock –

We also lsoo rent chi child ldd carriers carr arriers arr ers (backpacks) (backpa (backpac packs) acks)) New N ew spring ing arrivals rivall daily dail aily lly – all winter er stock st must mustt go go! g

EXTRA 10% OFF EVERYTHING This Friday, Saturday & Sunday ONLY Open 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m

905 0 7th A Avenue e (Main (Ma ain n Street), Street) S ), Inverme Invermer Inve erm mere

250-342-0402 250 50 0-342-342-0402 2

Across from A&W

Ph: 250-342-5525

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 19

February 13, 2009

2009 Map Book Cover unveiled

By Pioneer Staff The owners of Artym Gallery are pleased to announce that the proceeds from this year’s Columbia Valley Map Book Cover Project will be the Road to Rescue campaign.

The fundraising drive spearheaded by the Invermere Fire Fighters and the Lake Windermere District Lions Club is working hard to raise $450,000 for a new rescue vehicle, with state-of-the-art equipment designed to rescue victims trapped in motor vehicles.

When Connie Artym-Bradatsch and Grey Bradatsch started their new Artym Gallery in 2002, they had a great idea for giving back to the community.

Partnering with the owner of the Columbia Valley Map Book, they sold prints made from the painting featured on the cover of the popular annual tourist guide, and donated a percentage of the funds raised annually to a chosen charity.

In total, more than $20,000 has been raised and donated to charity.

Previous recipients include the Summit Youth Centre, the Family Resource Centre, the Invermere Public Library, the Windermere District Historical Society, and most recently, the Invermere branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. “We want to be active in the community, and try

to help with different organizations. The Fire Rescue Truck is the most important to date. Everyone, directly or indirectly, is affected,� says Grey.

This year, a percentage of the proceeds from the giclĂŠe prints of the original acrylic painting called “Invermere Outlookâ€? will be donated to the project.

For the first time, the artist chosen to create the Map Book cover is a local artist, Mark Sharp, who lives and works on the Toby Benches. “It’s an honour to be this year’s featured artist,� says Mark. “It’s especially gratifying to be the first local artist chosen.�

When he isn’t painting, Mark is skiing. He is the Women’s World Cup technical coach of the Canadian National Alpine Ski Team. His wife Sigrid is the head coach of the Team Panorama ski team, and their three sons are also skiers.

The small prints of Invermere Outlook are 12 by 18 inches, and will cost $450 unframed, or $675 framed.

The large prints are 24 by 36 inches, and will cost $1,100 unframed, or $1,520 framed.

To purchase a giclee of Invermere Overlook, visit the Artym Gallery at 934 – 7th Avenue in downtown Invermere, or call 250-342-7566.

The 2009 Map Book will be distributed in midMarch, prior to the provincial spring break.

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING‌ Y A ‘CLICK’ AWAY.

convenience, The Columbia Valley chives its past issues. Whether you’ve n issue, live far away or you’re doing orical research, The Pioneer archives available for you. Just go to‌

www.columbiavalleypioneer.com Your Weekly Source

Vol. 5/Issue 3

for News and

January 18, 2008

Events

Your Weekly Source

Vol. 5/Issue 6

FR EE

Serving The Upper

Columbia Valley

including Spillimac

heen, Brisco,

HOUSE FIRE

MORIN WINS

February 8, 2008

Events

e, Windermere,

Serving The Upper

Events

TEE TIMES

FR EE

nal Flats Canal

Columbia Valley

including Spillimac

heen, Brisco,

Edgewater, Radium,

NEW YEAR’S BABY HERE!

DOGS, BEWARE

for News and

Invermere, Winderm

Serving The

FR EE ere, Fairmont

Upper Columbia

and Canal Flats

Valley including

Spillimacheen,

Brisco, Edgewat

er, Radium, Invermer

e, Windermere,

Serving The

GRAD 2008

Fairmont and

2 PLANNER QUITS SUSHI COUNTDOWN

12 5

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU TOP DIETER ed by fire, s home was destroy 3.

This Juniper Heights were found inside. See Page and a man’s remain

15

Photo by Brian

Geis

SPIRITS HIGH

FOU "TL VT BCPVU FS SPVUF UP SFUJSFN 4BWJOHT DFT 8JUI ,PPUFOBZ

FMQ ZPV XJUI B GBTU

8F DBO I BOE TFSWJ (FU UIFSF TPPOFS E GVMM SBOHF PG 3341 QSPEVDUT INVEST NOW

For reservations

(877) 877-3889

or (250) 342-6560

www.eagleranchresort.com

Valley including

Spillimacheen,

Brisco, Edgewat

er, Radium, Invermer

e, Windermere,

Gerry

Photo by Alex

Cooper

FOU "TL VT BCPVU FS SPVUF UP SFUJSFN 4BWJOHT DFT 8JUI ,PPUFOBZ

XXX LTDV DPN

OPO DBTIBCMF Â…

Canal Flats

Click on the Read The Pioneer� button

grow old, They shall not grow old: as we that are left them, Age shall not weary n. nor the years condem of the sun At the going down and in the morning er them.

We will rememb

Brian Blakley

3

8F DBO I BOE TFSWJ (FU UIFSF TPPOFS E GVMM SBOHF PG 3341 QSPEVDUT INVEST NOW

Fairmont and

W We Will Remember Them

2

YOU THINK. N 33 IT’S CLOSER THA M TQSJOH TQFDJB EFQPTJU ZFBS UFSN

BT IJHI BT PVS UPQ VQ MPBOT BOSPVOE UIF DPSOFS SFUJSFNFOU JT KVTU B

call

THE BUS

FMQ ZPV XJUI B GBTU

XXX LTDV DPN

2008

Sunday Brunch

RIDING e’s Day issue in d on our Valentin Christine.

Clay appeare Year’s baby, Kyla See Page 2. and husband Pinder the 2008 New (neÊ Griffith) youngest mayor.

Photo by Rachel front page with Genevieve Verge to be Invermere’s are back on the his campaign 2007. Now they Taft launches

N YOU THINK. IT’S CLOSER THA 16 PVS UPQ VQ MPBOT BOSPVOE UIF DPSOFS SFUJSFNFOU JT KVTU B

Gerry running for mayor

November 14,

Events

Canal Flats

Upper Columbia

VOTE NOVEMBER 15

NEW HOMES

for News and

342-0562

5 WILDSIGHT

Your Weekly Source

Vol. 5/Issue 46

I

Fairmont and

June 20, 2008

Your Weekly Source

Vol. 5/Issue 25

FR EE Invermer Edgewater, Radium,

for News and

of Invermere,

If this is your idea

Remembrance

we really of a savings plan,

XXX LTDV DPN

Day 2008

need to talk.

VS TXFFU JOWFTUNFOU

QPTJU SOFE "TL IPX P JOJNVN EF XJUIPVU OPUJDF .

UP QVU ZPVS IBSE FBVS TBWJOHT HPBMT JOUP SFBMJUZ VCKFDU UP DIBOHF PGJU TIBSFT BOE T FDJTJPO BCPVU XIFSF BO UVSO ZP UFE JT XJUIPVU QS F POMZ 3BUF RVP 4UJMM DBOÂľU NBLF B E F SBUFT BOE DSFBUJWF UIJOLJOH D 'PS B MJNJUFE UJN

QSPEVDUT DPNQFUJUJW

it’s better here

Photo by Cayla

Gabruck

N E W S PA P E R

Phone: (250) 341-6299 • Fax: (250) 341-6229 Email: upioneer@telus.net www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

20 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 13, 2009

YOUR MONEY

How to be a better investor A few lucky people just have a knack for investing. But most of us have to teach ourselves, making mistakes and (hopefully) learning from them as we go.

Here are a few simple tips to help you along.

Educate yourself First, to be an effective investor, you need an education in the basics of personal finance. So read a few investing and finance books. Flip through the financial section of the newspaper. Subscribe to a monthly money or finance magazine and read it. Learn how to read and analyze a company’s annual report. Take an investing course at a local college or online.

Ask questions of your friends and family, and try to learn from their mistakes. The more familiar you become with basic financial strategies and investment concepts, the easier it will be to make appropriate investment decisions.

Determine your financial and life goals There is no “right” way to invest — it all depends on what you want to accomplish with your portfolio.

So before you invest, ask yourself: what are you trying to achieve? What are your financial and life goals?

Do you want growth or do need income? What do you want to do when you retire? What kind of legacy

do you want to leave behind for your friends, family and community? The answers to these questions will help guide future investment decisions.

Write an Investment Policy Statement

During the dot-com days, it was hard to ignore stories about high-tech and telecom stocks soaring to the moon. But we all know what happened in the downturn that followed.

More recently, commodities and related stocks were all the rage and were all over the headlines and then they crashed.

The lesson: be cautious whenever you hear someone tries to sell you a “sure thing.” Instead, do your homework, understand what you’re buying and make your investment decisions based on fact, not hype.

Don’t try to time the market

Work with a professional

Many investors get wrapped up in trying to time the market, trying to pick the “perfect” time to buy low and sell high. The truth is, timing shouldn’t be part of the investment equation at all.

The very best investors such as Warren Buffett don’t even try to time the markets so why should you.

By investing the same amount every month (for ex-

Most of us have neither the time nor the knowledge to be investment experts, so consider working with a qualified financial professional. Find a professional you can trust, and build a partnership with them. Use their knowledge and experience to capitalize on opportunities, and avoid dangers. That’s the best way to become a better investor.

Ask us about Manulife’s IncomePlus that helps provide the potential for market growth and 5% income for life.* *certain conditions apply

Call us for local, friendly, professional free consultations!

5% Set up your 3. s g Tax Free savin account now!

MANULIFE SECURITIES INCORPORATED

Worried about providing income in your retirement?

Brendan Donahue Insurance Agent

Ignore the hype

Once you’ve thought about your personal financial goals, it’s time to write an Investment Policy Statement (IPS).

Think of your IPS as a formal statement of investment principles, where you should define your goals, determine how the assets in your portfolio will be allocated and outline what you will look for in an investment before you add it to your portfolio.

This simple declaration will help make financial decisions a little easier, and will serve as a simple, yet effective “gut check” during times of market volatility.

MANULIFE SECURITIES INSURANCE AGENCY

• Life Insurance • Critical Illness • Disability • Accident & Sickness • Segregated Funds • Annuities

ample, through a monthly pre-authorized chequing plan), you’ll be taking advantage of market volatility, buying more when the market is down and less when the market is up. A simple strategy, but it works.

Sara Worley Insurance Agent

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

250-342-2112 • 712-10th Street, Invermere

Brendan Donahue Investment Advisor Phone: 250-342-2112 GIC Rates*

cashable 90 days 1 yr 2 yrs 3 yrs 4 yrs 5 yrs

as of Februaryy 10th

2.05% 2.05% 2.30% 3.05% 3.35% 3.50% 3.75%

*Rates subject to change without notice.

Investments Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Income Trusts, RRSPs, Preferred Shares

Services RRSP Loans, Mortgage Referrals, Pension Transfers, Group RRSPs

Planning Estate Planning, Retirement Planning, Income Splitting, RESPs, RRIFs

Ask about our FREE consultations.

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 21

February 13, 2009

Need Blinds? Best Quality Call The Blind Guy!

Interior World

(250) 342 4406

Terry Ell Cameron, Stephanie Healy and Melodie Krasnuik will give you advice and practical assistance.

Help for the jobless at local employment centre

By Cayla Gabruck Pioneer Staff In times of economic doom and gloom, the staff at the Columbia Valley Employment Centre is committed to helping jobless people explore their options.

“Certainly there are labour market issues, but in this community a lot of the jobs are seasonal,” said employment counsellor Melodie Krasnuik. “It just happened that labour market concerns came about at the same time that there were also seasonal layoffs.”

The most recent figures from Service Canada show the employment insurance claimants in Cranbrook and area, which includes the Columbia Valley, rose from 975 claimants in December 2007 to 1,205 in December 2008 – a whopping 24-percent increase.

Employment Counsellors Melodie Krasnuik and Stephanie Healy, along with Client Services Coordinator Terri Ell Cameron, offer their services free of charge to unemployed people who require assistance with their job search. Clients can use the telephone to contact a potential employer, use the internet to apply for Employment Insurance Benefits or get some help from a counsellor to spruce up their resumés.

The Columbia Valley Employment Centre is a division of Steele O’Neil and Associates, an agency based in Cranbrook, founded in 1997 to deliver employment services. The federal government has contributed funding to the agency for this purpose.

Although the counsellors promote a positive outlook, they do admit they have noticed a change.

“I am sure everyone is feeling the pinch and we are seeing some people who normally worked through the winter getting laid off for a certain period of time,” Melodie said.

She said she has also noticed a decrease in the number of jobs posted. “It’s very different from a year ago in terms of employment in the valley; even for this down time, there were always jobs,” Melodie said.

“People are actually quite amazed when they look at the job board.”

Nevertheless, counsellor Stephanie Healy has faith that the community will pull through these tough times. “I think overall people in small communities get pretty creative about what it is they can do and how they can get by in the more difficult times.”

Melodie said that only the future will yield how bad the recession really is in the Columbia Valley.

“It’s hard to judge right now,” she said. “We will be able to judge that better in the spring when lots of jobs usually come in . . . that’s when we’ll see really if people are getting hard hit.”

Until then, both counsellors have some wise words for those who have been laid off.

“Keep your skills up in whatever way possible,” Stephanie said. “Sometimes that means doing volunteer work or finding another avenue to make use of those skills. The more people who are competing for a job, the more important it is that you find that edge and have something that is marketable.”

They also suggest updating your resumé, even if you are still at your present job. “Get in here, get your resumé spruced up,” Melodie said. “We can help and we don’t charge for our services.”

But most importantly – do not get discouraged.

“Job search is work in itself,” Melodie said. “You have to keep at it, you have to keep looking, you have to keep your skills up and you have to stay positive.”

The centre is located at 1313-7th Avenue in Invermere. For more info, call 250-341-6889.

For your FREE Consultation, call Financial Advisor

Thank You N

orman and I would like to thank every single person who has helped us over the last seven months. This community has been very generous to us in so many ways and it is difficult to know where to begin. The sayings, “Love thy neighbour” and “It takes a village” began here I am sure. Without the support of so many, our journey would have been almost unbearable. It gave us the strength to fight and heal. Thank you to: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Everyone who donated to the Norman Gagatek and Kimberley Munn Fund All the members of the Norman Gagatek support group on Facebook AG Valley Foods Ambulance and Emergency staff Bare Hands Day Spa- Jenni Bartley Bakos Electric Bighorns Football team The Columbia Valley Pioneer Copper Point Golf Course Dr. Louw Dr. Mary Ann Rombach Dr. Walsh Fairmont Business Association Family Resource Centre Grayben Bookkeeping Services

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Hair Tricks- Teresa Rogal Hi Heat Insulations Home Hardware Invermere Family ChiropracticDonna McArthur K-2 Ranch Kootenay Savings Credit UnionInvermere and Edgewater Monkey’s Uncle and Rainbow Donkey Mountain of Hope Palliser Printing Quasar Electric Radium Fire Department Skookum Inn Sonshine Daycare The Source The Station Pub The Valley Echo The Valley Peak Verge for Youth

If I have missed anyone, it is not intentional.

Pregnancy brain is to blame. Thank you again.

We cannot express enough gratitude.

Norman, Kimberley, Braeden, and Quinn

22 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 13, 2009

Windermere Valley Minor Hockey Spaghetti Dinner Tuesday, February 17th

4:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. • Mezz at the Arena Hosted by the Peewee Teams

5

$ 00

per person

2000

$

per family

Come out and support the Peewee.

This is a fundraiser for Minor Hockey.

MALARIA BITES – Students at J. Alfred Laird raised $2,600 for the Malaria Bites Campaign, a project organized by the Canadian Red Cross to combat malaria in Africa. The project was coordinated by teacher Jenny Hoffos and her Grade 7 leadership class. The funds raised will purchase 372 long-lasting, insecticide-treated mosquito nets. The children were made aware of the campaign by one of their classmates, whose uncle works for the Canadian Red Cross. “I think it was shocking to a lot

of the kids – what a mosquito bite can do,” Mrs. Hoffos explained. The 20 students put together an assembly for the remaining 200 Laird students explaining the deadly disease. The students were also motivated by Mr. Gauthier, another teacher at the school, who told them about his own experiences in Africa. He also said that if kids raised enough money for 300 nets he would shave off his goatee.

They rose to the occasion and he is now clean-shaven. For information, visit www.redcross.ca/malariabites.

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 23

February 13, 2009

PRESENTING...

Your lifetime achievement reward

LIMITED TIME OFFER:

1% Financing!

Luxury recreational or retirement property has never been so affordable.

Imagine ... a golf course in your back yard, a paved trail winding through the woods to a private beach in your front yard – and magnificent mountain views from both!

Play tennis in the morning, golf the afternoon away – then finish your perfect day watching a vibrant sunset over the shimmering waters of Lake Windermere.

CopperSide Luxury Mountain Residences is the final phase of Lakeview Meadows, Invermere’s most desirable new community. The complex is designed with privacy in mind and offers 26 luxuriously appointed units. Heated underground parking, geo-thermal heating and cooling, indoor swimming pool and fitness centre are all part of the unparalleled amenities that make every day a delight.

Life doesn’t get any better than this, but don’t take our word for it. Visit us soon and see for yourself why CopperSide Luxury Mountain Residences is the premiere condominium complex in the Columbia Valley.

After all, you’ve earned your reward … it’s simply time to collect.

For more information about this amazing property and 1% financing offer, visit our show suite at 880 Lakeview Drive, Lakeview Meadows, Invermere, B.C. Show Suite open daily 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. • Phone 250-688-0512 • www.coppersidecondos.com Residences from the mid $500,000s • Interest rates subject to change without notice. Some restrictions apply.

24 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 13, 2009

Bird count begins today

Deb, You Do Something To Me…

Submitted by Terry-Jo Henry Wings Over the Rockies

Arts, Culture and Heritage Funding Available The Columbia Basin Trust’s arts, culture and heritage funding program 1 and 2 have an application deadline of 5:00 p.m., March 20th, 2009.

Program 1 funding is for individual artists, performers, writers, and /or communities to create new projects.

Program 2 funding is for minor capital projects by non-profit arts/heritage organizations or venues.

Send completed applications to Columbia Valley Arts Council, Box 2345, Invermere BC V0A 1K0.

For further information about these, and other related funding programs, please visit the website at www.basinculture.com or contact Krista Patterson, Box 103 Nelson BC, V1L 5P7 or call 1-877-505-7355 (toll free)

The theme for this year’s Wings Over the Rockies Bird Festival is “Science Takes Flight.”

The idea is to encourage everyone to record and contribute their bird observations to a number the bird population surveys like British Columbia’s Breeding Bird Atlas (www.birdatlas.bc.ca).

So to kick off the season why not join tens of thousands of everyday bird watchers for the 12th annual Great Backyard Bird Count, February 13-16, 2009.

This free event is an opportunity for families, students and people of all ages to discover the wonders of nature in backyards, schoolyards and local parks, and, at the same time, make an important contribution to conservation.

The Great Backyard Bird Count benefits both birds and people. It’s a great example of citizen science: anyone who can identify even a few species can contribute to the body of knowledge that is used to inform conservation efforts to protect birds and biodiversity.

Families, teachers, children and all those who take part in GBBC get a chance to improve their observation skills, enjoy nature, and have a great time counting for fun, counting for the future.

Anyone can take part, from novice bird watchers to experts, by counting birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the event and reporting their sightings online at www. birdcount.org.

Participants can also explore what birds others are finding in their backyards, whether in their own neighborhood or thousands of miles away.

Additional online resources include tips to help identify birds, a photo gallery, and special materials for educators.

The data these “citizen scientists” collect helps researchers understand bird population trends, information that is critical for effective conservation.

Their efforts enable everyone to see what would otherwise be impossible: a comprehensive picture of where birds are in late winter and how their numbers and distribution compare with previous years. In 2008, participants submitted more than 85,000 checklists.

Each year, in addition to entering their tallies, participants submit thousands of digital images for the bird count photo contest. Many are featured in the popular online gallery.

Participants in the 2009 count are also invited to upload their bird videos to YouTube; some will also be featured on the GBBC web site.

Visit www.birdcount.org to learn more.

NEED A NEW BED? ng

AREA RUG SALE get a FREE “stay put” underlay with purchase of in stock area rug. ($3500 - $7500) value

Call us today for a free in home estimate; we personally install everything we sell with the best installers in the valley - Guaranteed!

Unit 4 - 9992 Arrow Road 250-342-6649 www.fitzflooring.com

WAKE UP AND SAVE MONEY WITH BED EVENT 7 to choose from

50% OFF 50000 - $1,00000

$

250-342-6901

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 25

February 13, 2009

Looking at recreational property lately?

Seeing is believing…

Immediate ownership opportunities in a luxurious condominium starting at $17,900 to $799,000 Come SEE us!

www.bighornmeadows.ca • 1-888-766-9637

26 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 13, 2009

Bring your old lunch box to the museum next Friday

WHITEHOUSE PUB EVENTS CALENDAR! Valentine’s Dance

Saturday, February 14th, 8:00 p.m.

Music by D.J. Ken Saturday, February 21st

3 on 3 Ball Hockey Tournament 2500 per team. Prizes! Call for details.

$

Karaoke with Kurtis Every Thursday, 9:00 p.m.

Whitehouse Pub • Windermere • 250-342-9540

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 6:30 p.m. – Meet & Greet 7:00 p.m. – Annual General Meeting Lions’ Hall (behind CVCC Building, 651 Hwy 93/95)

RSVP no later than 4:00 p.m.

Monday, February 23rdd, 2009

By Dorothy Blunden Special to The Pioneer The 2009 heritage theme in British Columbia is The Legacy of Learning/History of Education. Members of the Windermere District Historical Society will celebrate this topic at their monthly meeting next Friday, February 20th at the Museum.

Members of the society and their guests are invited to a “School Days” luncheon at the museum.

Each participant must bring his/her own lunch and be prepared to share stories of long-past school lunch hours.Participants are also invited to bring old school photos or items of interest for a noon-hour “Show and Tell.” School skills will be tested and prizes awarded.

There will even be prizes for the best and oldest lunch boxes. The museum will provide tea, coffee and juice.

Come along and join the fun. Space is limited, so be there when the bell rings.

Restoration Tyme In other news, work continues on the project, Restoration Tyme, at the museum. Volunteers are restoring some of the farm machinery which had been piled at the back of the museum.

get in before the ink dries. introducing the residences at fairmont ridge.

Combining the best of what this tranquil hotspot was in the past with all the potential it has for the future, Fairmont Ridge is redefining luxury.

Nestled in the heart of Fairmont Hot Springs, the first release of 15 mountain contemporary 2, 3 and 4 bedroom townhomes come fully furnished and offer the best views in the Columbia Valley. A world of outdoor adventure including skiing, hiking, golfing and swimming is on your doorstep. Don’t just choose your adventure - own it.

quarter ownership from

$107,000

whole ownership from

$551,000

book your 2-day discovery Package and exPerience the very best of fairmont living.

Call 1.877.646.5890 or visit fairmontridge.ca

the residences at fairmont ridge

studio groll CLIENT: Marble Canyon Developments Fairmont Ridge PROJECT: CV Pioneer (weekly)

SIZE: 10.25 x 6.25 PRINTS: cmyk QUANITY: n/a PROOF: n/a

SENT: Fe 10, 2009

The pieces chosen to be restored all refer to potatoes: A potato planter, a potato picker and, of course, cultivators of varying sizes. The cost of the restorations is being met by a grant from the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance.

The result of this work will be a potato display at the museum that will show just how important the potato industry has been in the Valley. If you have facts, figures, photos or stories relating to potatoes in the Valley give the museum a call at 250-342-9769.

Year of the Ox The New Year of the Ox was recently celebrated

by Chinese people throughout the world. Did you know that there have been Chinese in our valley for over a hundred years? The 1901 census shows 17 Chinese residents living between Brisco and Fairmont. By 1911 the number had dropped to fifteen. Serving as domestics, cooks and, even, prospectors, these men sent their wages back to China for their families in hopes of one day being able to pay the head tax and bring their wives to Canada.

In later years, Chinese residents operated a variety of businesses within the community such as restaurants, laundries and general stores.

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 27

February 6, 2009

Snow Scene: Life on the dark side in height they had in width, an abundance of width, and while we watched people straight-line it for the bottom, The funny thing about being on only to wait 20 minutes to get back up “The Dark Side” is that it seems as to the top of the 800 vertical feet, we brightly lit as the . . . light side. meandered about, exploring the humps In the beginning in a town far, far and bumps lying just off piste. away a pal and I used to stand up and To me, snowboarding was a natural slide down the local golf course (the progression from where almost all peosteepest hill in Lunenple begin their love affair burg, Nova Scotia) on with sliding on snow – our toboggans, which that single slippery snow is really where the story slider, the crazy carpet, of the dark side, hereaftoboggan, flying saucer, ter referred to as “snowwhatever it was, and that boarding”, begins. first wildly enthusiasAt that time, the tic and completely mad thought of actually atidea of how much fun it taching our feet to the would be to stand up and sliding plank of death slide! underneath was the farIt wasn’t long before thest thing from our we figured out how to minds. We needed to marry the thrills of downKirby Brown escape quickly to avoid hill skiing to the variety things like snow-covered sand bunkers, of meandering about in the woods as big oak trees and a frosty plunge into the new mountain tool, the snowboard, Lunenburg harbour if you really picked seemed to pop up all over the place all up speed. at once. From there the history of snowIt wasn’t until the logic of being able boarding gets more convoluted and perto avoid these objects by means other haps I’ll write about “the emergence of than flinging yourself wildly off came to the dark side” at another time. For now, us one day when yet another sled was let me jump on the prequel bandwagon lost to the thin ice. That was the day and begin with the ending. that a little trick called turning dawned Nowadays, we see a sharing between on us. on hill disciplines. We see side cut and I know what some of you are al- twin tips on skis that take their shape ready thinking, “Yep, those snowboard- from snowboards and we see a re-emerers start dumb and stay that way,” but gence in the popularity and “cool” of let me finish my story. You’re thinking skiing as people use these new tools to that if I’d gone skiing first, I would have play in the mountains in new ways. already known the fundamentals of slidIt was only a few short years ago ing down hills and surviving . . . but I when the Saturday night snowboard had. The difference, you see, is that the “Big Air” finale to the World Ski and ski hills in Nova Scotia are such that by Snowboard Festival was displaced by the time you think to turn on the blue the Freestyle “Big Air” and skiing once steel we called snow it’s because the side again took center stage. of the day-lodge is already rapidly apSomeday soon the sports will share proaching. that stage and peace will once again In retrospect, tobogganing and unfold in the galaxy . . . or the ski hill skiing in Nova Scotia bore many simi- nearest you. Until then, I’ll keep worklarities. Anyway, back to the point. Be- ing on my skiing. I’ve already moved on tween straight skis and straight runs the from pizza to fries. thrill eventually wore off and we began As the all-knowing Lusti remarked to joke and, then to wonder aloud what after seeing me ski for the first time: it would be like to take our sleds downs “Yer not soo bad Keerby . . . you just these same runs. need to do dis more . . . und more . . .

Furthermore, what the hills lacked und more.” Such wisdom.

By Kirby Brown, President Panorama Mountain Resort

Beware of expensive imitations.

There is only one…

Annual General Meeting

Tuesday, March 10th – 7:00 p.m.

The Eagle Ranch Golf Resort N E W S PA P E R

250-341-6299 • upioneer@telus.net

Pasta Dinner Buffet will be served while reviewing: • Election of Directors • Annual Reports

Sweet Deals at…

25% OFF STOREWIDE ALL WEEKEND Additional 25% OFF Clearance Items

Friday and Saturday (10–5 p.m.) • Sunday and Monday (noon to 4 p.m.)

FLOOD RESTORATION RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING 24 HOUR FLOOD SERVICE

28 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm Sunday 11 p.m. – 4 p.m.

(250) 342-0707 klein@nucleus.com • www.tepapanui.com

Invermere Industrial Park (just off the road to Panorama)

PROPERTIES INTERNATIONAL

True Value Hardware Asking price $179,900 Includes: Fixtures & Fittings‌ $100,000 Good Will‌$79,900 Plus stock which may be between $450,000 - $600,000 This business is offered for sale as a going concern and has showed increasing net profits for the past several years. A share sale is preferred but an asset sale will also be considered.

The owners will be available to train as necessary and in some instances on a specific basis for a period of time to be negotiated between the two parties.

Retirement is the reason for the owners selling and to pursue more personal Interests and hobbies.

February 13, 2009 RCMP Continued from Page 4 . . .

Shoplifter returns to the scene On February 7th, RCMP were called to a shoplifting complaint that just occurred at the Windermere Pantry, on Sinclair Avenue in Windermere.

The complainant stated that two men entered the store and one went to the cooler, while the other went to where the liquor was kept.

Both men left quickly, one with a can of Red Bull, and the other with a 26-ounce bottle of liquor (believed to be vodka).

They were last seen in a blue minivan, with three other occupants.

While RCMP were in the store reviewing video surveillance tapes, a man entered the store and was immediately identified by the complainant as one of the culprits!

RCMP arrested a 26-year-old Windermere man for Theft Under $5000 and released him to appear in Invermere Provincial Court on May 26th, 2009.

ALSO FOR SALE ¡ 5.34 acres - $249,900 plus G.S.T and we have others! ¡ Cute serviced cabin on 10 acres - $289,900 ¡ Riverfront – 50 acres $499,900, 70 acres - $399,900

Julia Cundliffe

Ultimate Properties Realty B.C. Ltd. 421 – 9th North, Golden, B.C. Box 2310, Golden, B.C. V0A 1H0

www.realestate-goldenbc.com Email: julia7c@telus.net julia7c@telus.net Cell: 250 344-8108

Attempted theft of truck On February 8th, the RCMP were told of an attempted theft of a truck while it was stored outside an Athalmer residence.

Sometime in the last month, someone had gotten

into a Dodge Dakota and attempted to bypass the ignition. The owner had parked the truck for the winter and removed the battery. The only damage reported was to the ignition ring.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to contact the RCMP at (250) 342-9292 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Detachment Commander’s Note Our office has received a copy of an email that has been circulating in the community. This email lays out a story of hardship and a large sum of money which is due to the recipient.

Eventually the message asks the recipient to provide some personal information so the author can “send a Deposit Certificate� which they can present to the bank holding the alleged funds.

This then is supposed to provide proof of entitlement to the funds in question.

No doubt about it – this is a scam. Unfortunately, it originates overseas and the perpetrators are anonymous, and beyond the reach of Canadian law.

Anyone receiving unsolicited messages looking for personal information should be very cautious.

If anything appears to be “too good to be true,� that usually means it is.

If anyone suspects they are being targeted for such a scam, they are asked to send a message to “Operation Phonebusters� via the Internet or at 1-888-495-8501.

Your Local Professionals

TEAMRAVEN.ca

Mountain Creek Properties Ltd.

Paul: (250) 341-5300 paul@rockieswest.com

Strata, Rental & Commercial Property Management

Sean: (250) 341-5445

sean@rockieswest.com Invermere Offi ffice – 230 Laurier Street Fairmont Offi ffice – #4, Fairmont Village Mall PAUL ROGGEMAN

Phone (250)342-5599 • www.rockieswest.com

SEAN ROGGEMAN

Rockies West Realty Independently Owned & Operated

w w w. r o g g e m a n . c a

For professional management of your strata corporation or rental property, overseen by a Certiďƒžďƒžed Property ManagerÂŽ, please contact Bill Weissig CPMÂŽ, RI, RPA, CPRPM, CLO, SMA, CRES. Our property managers are licensed under the Real Estate Services Act of B.C. For more information regarding their extensive qualiďƒžďƒžcations and experience, please visit our web site at http://www.mountaincreek.ca.

Phone: 250-341-6003

Email: bweissig@mountaincreek.ca

Paul Glassford Sales Consultant $FMM t

Daniel Zurgilgen www.maxwelldaniel.com

Invermere, Windermere, Panorama, Fairmont and Radium Hot Springs

EACH OFFICE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

Glenn Pomeroy glennpomeroy@shaw.ca

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 29

February 13, 2009 Continued from Page 3 . . .

Commenting on the purchase, Michael Roellinghoff, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Bargain Shop said, “The acquisition of the former Saan locations is very positive, not just for our company and the Canadian vendor community, but also for the towns where Saan has played a very important role over the years.”

Since then, Mr. Brink has been criss-crossing the province converting old Saan stores to new Bargain Shops, a whopping 60 in total.

His stop in Invermere, he said, is a bit of a challenge, since it involves a relocation. In most communities, he said, its just a matter of rebranding and receiving new inventory. “It’s harder to do a relocation, because you have to move everything.”

Mr. Brink and Ms. Hecher have hired an extra seven employees, including one former Saan employee. Beginning February 18th, the crew will begin the move from the existing store at 51913th Street two blocks up the road to the old Saan store at 755-13th Street.

Although The Bargain Shop looks cramped in its current location, it’s not the smallest of the outlets. Mr. Brink said some are as small as 4,400 square feet. The current store is twice that size. The move, he said, will gain them about 20 percent more retail space, an additional 2,300 square feet. Remodel-

ers are currently building an expanded stock room and office space in the new location. The move, he said, will create better visibility and a higher profile. In the current location, he said, the sign is hard to see. The new location will have signage on the front and the rear and will be easily visible from downtown’s four corners.

Mr. Brink said he expects the store will be closed for only about a week during the transition followed by a Grand Opening scheduled for Friday, March 27th with special sales and extended shopping hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m..

For store manager Leslie Hecher and her husband, Dan, there is an historic connection in the move. Dan’s great-grandparents and grandparents operated a store at the same location.

In 1946, Rudi Hecher, senior – Dan’s grandfather – bought Wing Lee’s store which stood in the same location.

The Hecher family operated a grocery there that, at one time, was considered the leading store from Cranbrook to Golden.

For more about the Hecher family, see “Valley Pioneer” on Page 30.

CHANGES—Top photo, the Saan logo is removed from the new home of The Bargain Shop. Bottom: the undated photo shows Rudi Hecher’s grocery, founded on the same spot in 1946. Mr. Hecher purchased the store from Wing Lee, an early Chinese immigrant.

Thank You Elect Mark McKee Silent Auction The Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club and Nipika Mountain Resort would like to THANK all of our respective sponsors for their contribution to another great loppet season:

Daniel Zurgilgen-Maxwell Realty, Kicking Horse Coffee, Quality Bakery, Columbia Valley Trading Co, Gerry’s Gelati,Blue Dog Café, Columbia Cycle, Sobey’s, Schoni Artisan Wood Oven Breads, Crazy Soles, Peppi’s Pizza, Inside Edge, Home Hardware, Spring Health Foods, AG Foods, Caraway Pottery, Columbia Valley Lifesport, Salomon Sports Canada, and Trailsports.

And a special thank-you to all of our race volunteers!

Sunday, March 1st, 2009 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Eagle Ranch Golf Club Cost $1000 Ticket price includes appetizers Cash Bar Payment for auction items by cheque or cash only.

Tickets are available at Gerry’s Gelati in Invermere, Palliser Printing in Athalmer and Radium Vacation Rentals.

30 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 13, 2009

VALLEY PIONEER

War-torn family reunited in valley

By Dorothy Isted Special to The Pioneer Rudy Hecher, 82, recalls going to sleep as an Austrian boy in March 1938 and waking up German the next morning, after their aggressive neighbour rolled tanks over the Austrian border overnight.

This was the latest of many upheavals in Rudy’s family. His father Rudi left Austria in 1927 to emigrate to Canada, planning to save enough money to bring over his wife and three children: Peter, Rudy and Mitzi.

Two years after he left, he received news of the death of his wife, Magdalena, from tuberculosis. The young children were taken to live with their maternal grandmother, while Rudi continued saving up to bring his children to Canada.

Then the Great Depression swept across Europe and North America, causing work to become scarce and life difficult to maintain. With few job opportunities in Alberta, Rudi came to the Columbia Valley in 1934 in search of a better livelihood. By this time, he had remarried and his Romanian immigrant wife Anna and young son Walter joined him the following year.

Meanwhile, back in Europe, young Rudy had gone with his sister Mitzi to live with an uncle in Dragantschach, Austria, and became neighbours with another Hecher family, no relation, who were farmers. That family consisted of the parents and five daughters.

When war broke out in 1939, the father was conscripted into the German Army and his wife was left to run the farm with only her young girls to help. She had severe arthritis and wasn’t able to milk the cows or do many of the chores.

Teenaged Rudy helped out until 1943, when he, too, was conscripted into the German army at the tender age of 17 years. He spent most of the next three years fighting in Russia.

Rudy’s final three months of the war were spent as a prisoner of the Russians.

He recalls, “After the Russians found out I came from Austria, they took me from the German soldiers and they put me someplace else, with other Austrians, and that was better. They gave us a little more to eat. With the Germans, they just kept us alive, that’s about all.”

He was able to return to Austria in November 1945.

During the war years there was no correspondence between the father in Canada and his children in Europe.

Anna and Rudi worked hard in Canada, gardening, building roads and cutting trees. Anna was quoted as saying, “We both worked together. We had to, but we liked it.”

They were able to purchase their first home in Windermere in 1936, a house and three acres that cost them $975.00.

They paid it over five years, with interest totalling $75.

In 1946 they purchased Wing Lee’s store in Invermere for $5,000 and in 1962 they opened the Motel Narelle, on which site the Station Pub now stands.

Their son, Walter, drowned in 1935 and a daughter, Katherine, was born later.

Once contact with his family in Europe was re-established, the elder Rudi still wanted his older children to join him and finally had the money to pay for their transportation to Canada.

By this time, his oldest son in Austria, Peter, had died in a motorcycle accident. But Rudy and his sister Mitzi were able to immigrate. In 1949, they were met at the Calgary airport by their father and his new family.

Rudy worked for a while in his parents’ grocery store, which, at one time, was considered the “leading store from Cranbrook to Golden.”

Then he worked at Ronacher’s Mill in Athalmer. In the 1950s Rudy purchased a small home on a lot near the mill, paying $1,800 for it.

Later, he made additions to the home and still lives in it today.

Wages were $1 an hour at Ronacher’s Mill. After he started driving a truck for the mill, the hourly wage was raised to $1.38.

Continued on next page . . .

THEN AND NOW—Top, Elisabeth and Rudy Hecher enjoying their 48th year of marriage. Above, the happy couple on their weddng day in 1960.

Top photo by Dorothy Isted; bottom photo courtesy of the Hecher family

February 13, 2009

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 31

. . . from Page 30

However, her in-laws all spoke German. She remembered Mitzi and Kristine Gagatek, whom she had known in her home town.

Elisabeth “liked everything.”

She thought it looked the same here as where she came from in the old country.

The couple had three children: Peter, Dan and Linda. Peter is married to Karen; Dan to Leslie, and Linda to Dennis Gale.

The Gales live in Golden while both sons live in Invermere.

Peter works as Chief of Emergency Medical Services. Dan works as a water operator for the District of Invermere, and Linda works in a store in Golden.

Rudy and Elisabeth have six grandchildren.

After the children were grown, Elisabeth took a job at Quality Bakery and worked there for 27 years, retiring in REUNITED IN CANADA—Clockwise from top left, 1997.

Mitzi and Rudy Hecher as children in Austria; Elisabeth Rudy retired in 1990 Hecher dressed in traditional Austrian garb; one of Rudy’s from the Radium sawmill needlepoint masterpieces which hangs on a wall of their where he was employed home; Rudy and Elisabeth in Windermere on their wedas a forklift operator. ding day in 1960.

He took up needlepoint and has spent thousands of hours creating pictures that he donated to the Invermere Hospital, Columbia House, Canadian Martyrs’ Church and the ambulance station.

Some have even Photos courtesy of the Hecher family found their way to homes in Europe.

These days, the couple enjoy looking after their The Canadian government allowed Elisabeth to enter the country only on the condition that she be home and yard and spending time with their children and grandchildren. married within that time.

Stranded from their fathers — and from each othThe wedding reception was held at the old er — all those many years, the Hechers were reunited Windermere Hotel.

Elisabeth remembers she hardly understood what in the Canada.

Neither has any regrets about making their home anyone was talking about during the wedding, as she in the valley, which has given them a good life. didn’t understand English.

VALLEY PIONEER

He said, “At that time you could buy something for a dollar! At the Coronation Hotel, you had a meal and a glass of beer for a dollar.”

Mitzi married Julius Pfister and still lives in Invermere.

When Rudy decided it was time to settle down, “There were lots of nice girls here but I decided I wanted to marry a girl from Austria.”

Before he left Austria he had danced once with a beautiful 17-year-old, Elisabeth Hecher, daughter of the family he had helped during the war.

So he wrote to her.

The two became acquainted through letters, and he proposed.

Elisabeth discussed this with her mother who said it was, “a good idea.

I like Rudy. You better go.”

Back in Austria, she said, only 14 years after the end of the war, “Things were bad. There was not much work there. I worked in a grocery store but didn’t make much money.”

Rudy confessed, “I thought I’d have no trouble because Elisabeth’s mother liked me. I helped her a lot. She was all by herself with five girls.”

Eleven years after they had last seen each other, in June 1960, Elisabeth was met at the Calgary airport by the Hecher family.

They all spoke German, which made the transition easier for her. However, there were a few frightening moments at first, for she could not see Rudy anywhere – at least, the Rudy she recalled.

By then, he had lost most of his hair!

The next three weeks, Elisabeth noted, were a whirlwind.

32 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 13, 2009

HERE TO SERVE YOU INVERMERE GLASS LTD. • Structural Timbers and Posts • KD Tongue & Groove (Pine, Cedar and Fir)

•Auto • Home • Commercial • Mirrors • Shower Doors • 27 years glass experience

• KD Bevel & Channel Sidings • Radius Edge Cedar Decking 5/4 and 2” • Wide Plank F/L Flooring

Box 80 SKOOKUMCHUCK, BC V0B 2E0 PHONE (250) 422-9229 FAX (250 422-9227) Email: mardis@cyberlink.ca

4999 Eagle Brook Court • Riverside Golf Resort 250-345-9113 • Cell: 250-270-0058

Lambert

250-342-0450

Excellent Security Measure Make it look like you’re home Kirk & Karen Davis Invermere BC Local and Residential Only. when you’re not!

Telephone: 342-3659

Jeff Watson

Serving the Valley for over 11 years • #3, 109 Industrial Road #2, Invermere

INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD.

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

250.342.4426 Cell: 250.341.7227 Toll Free: 1.877.342.4426 Fax: 250.342.4427 redeye48@shawbiz.ca

next to Skookum Inn

Serving Invermere and the Columbia Valley

HEAT PUMPS Sales and Service

1484 Hwy 93/95 Windermere, BC V0B 2L1

Call today 250.342.1167

Quality Hand-crafted Steel • Topsoil • Sand • Gravel VJ (Butch) Bishop Owner/Operator

4846 Holland Creek Ridge Rd. Invermere, BC V0A 1K0

• Structural Steel • Welding • Fabricating & Machining • Custom railings and ornamental iron #117 Industrial Rd. #2, Invermere, BC Ph: 250-342-9926 • Fax 250-341-3956 e-mail: txn@telus.net

SHOLINDER & MACKAY EXCAVATING Inc.

Septic Systems Installed ~ Pumped ~ Repaired Prefab Cement Tanks Installed Water Lines Dug Installed Basements Dug

WINDERMERE 342-6805

PO Box 767, Invermere B.C. V0A 1K0

• • • • • •

Commercial Residential Renovations Firestop Attic Upgrades Parkade Spray

Rob Smith • 250-342-5011 • 250-341-7272 • 1-866-513-9626 • www.frictioninsulation.com

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 33

February 13, 2009

HERE TO SERVE YOU LAMBERT-KIPP PHARMACY LTD. Your search for quality and dependability ends with us.

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Specialists Truck Mounted System • Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed

Dean Hubman

342-3052

Gary Hogarth Renovation Specialist at Large

• Kitchens • Bathrooms • Basement Development • Additions (Start to Finish) • Excavating also available.

250-342-1657 • • • •

Doors Windows Flooring Painting/ Interior/Exterior • Kitchen Renovations

250-342-5682

Come in and browse our giftware

Open Monday - Saturday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

RR3, 4874 Ridge Cres.

Invermere, BC V0A 1K3

Certified Technician

Fullyy Insured

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

Lube Shop open Monday to Saturday RV Supplies open Monday to Saturday Sani-Dump

1301 - 7th Avenue, Invermere

342-6612

H E L L E R W O RK

Gel Nails, Gel Toes, Eye Lash Perming, Lash & Brow Tinting.

Jean-Luc Cortat

Certified Hellerwork Practitioner @ Renaissance Wellness Centre Box 185 / 505 – 7th Avenue, Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 • 250-342-2535

Located behind Tim Hortons • Ph: 250-688-0787

Specializing in ALL types of stone!

• Residential • Commercial • Jesse Vader – Ken Johnson Call:

NEW

250.349.5564

• FURNACES • HEAT PUMPS • AIR CONDITIONING • FIREPLACES • HOT TUBS • CHEMICALS • SERVICE & MAINTENANCE 385 Laurier Street, Invermere, BC Phone: PO Box 86, Athalmer, BC V0A 1A0 email: info@diamondheatingandspas.com Fax:

(250) 342-7100 (250) 342-7103

www.diamondheatingandspas.com

Sewer/Drain Cleaning

Sales & Service

Septic Tank Pumping Portable Toilet Rentals

RETAIL OUTLET

• Complete sewer/drain repair • Reasonable rates - Seniors’ discount • Speedy service - 7 days a week • A well-maintained septic system should be pumped every 3-5 years • Avoid costly repairs

109 Industrial Road #2 • 250-342-8970 Emergency 250-341-5380 • cc3@telus.net

Phone 250-342-8774 1361 Industrial Rd. #4 Invermere, BC

Deep Connective Tissue/Fascia Bodywork Structural Balance

5077 FAIRMONT RESORT RD., FAIRMONT BC EMAIL: fairmontridge@telus.net

Furnaces, H.W.T., Pumps, Outdoor Lighting, Baseboard Heaters and Boilers.

RV • Truck • Car Wash Open 7 days a week

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

Laura Kipp, Pharm D. Your Compounding Pharmacy

Bruce Dehart 347-9803 or 342-5357

Complete Automotive Repairs

(Beside the Petro Canada Car Wash)

Phone:

342-6614 • www.autowyze.com

READY MIX CONCRETE Concrete Pump • Sand & Gravel Heavy Equipment Rentals • Crane Service

• Snow Removal & Sanding • Trucking • Piles & Posts

Kari & John Mason

• All Grading • Under Slab work • Mini Track Hoe

780.970.7040 250.270.0821

Proudly Serving the Valley for over 50 years

For competitive prices and prompt service call:

342-3268 (plant) 342-6767 (office)

34 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 13, 2009

HERE TO SERVE YOU CLUB TOWING

)&"7: "/% -*()5 508*/( "/% 3&$07&3: :FBST 4FSWJOH UIF 7BMMFZ

HAPPY FEET

Specializing in Pedicures & Massage

Shonese Hogarth Licensed Hairstylist Licensed Esthetician Licensed Massage Therapist Ask about Pedicure Parties 250-347-2244 shonese_hogarth@yahoo.com

Need Blinds?

Interior World

window fashions

Call Bill Cropper (250) 342 4406

D&D POOLS and SPAS Commercial and Residential Installation - Maintenance - Repairs Duane Huether

Darren Ross

250-341-POOL (7665)

250-341-SPAS (7727)

8931 Hwy 93/95 RR#2 Invermere, BC V0A 1K2 poolman-911@hotmail.com

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS ESSO Automotive Repairs 7 days a week

GAS • PROPANE • DIESEL Freight & Passenger Depot

7507 Main St. West, Radium Hot Springs

(250) 347-9726

Professional Service Now Taking New Clients

SCRUBS

Executive Housekeeping Service

FINE HOMESERVICES

Residential, al, Commercial & Property Management Man Experience. Environmentally Friendly Products Prod Used.

FREE Cleaning Consultation.

Since 2001

(250) 688-0790 • Email: scrubgrp@gmail.com

Sales • Services • Repairs

Keeping Our Valley Super– Natural. We understand your home is a major investment. Let us help you keep it maintained.

Phone: 250-342-9207

Q Q

Q Q

NEW AND USED ARCTIC CAT SNOWMOBILES AND ATVS REPAIRS, PARTS, SALES, WARRANTY, FINANCING

250-342-5047 1-888-357-4449

Warbrick Towing & Salvage We aren’t the cheapest, JUST THE BEST!

Call NOW:

688-0213

• Carpets dry in about 1 hour! • 100% guaranteed! • Low Moisture • No Steam • No Sticky Residue • Upholstery • Area Rugs • Wood & Tile Floors • Vehicle Interiors • Free Estimates See more online at www.heavensbest.ca

“Your husbandďż˝calledďż˝andďż˝saidďż˝you canďż˝buyďż˝whatever youďż˝want...â€?

www.legacykitchens.com

Invermere

250.342.3577

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 35

February 13, 2009

International students treated to day on the slopes at David Thompson Secondary School in Invermere, part of an international exchange program operated by the school district.

Each of them jumped at the chance to spend a day on the slopes.

“Skiing in Japan is too expensive,” said Grade 11 student Tomaki Yanemoto.

German student Marvin Schoessler said the slopes are one reason why he likes Canada so much.

“The countryside is beautiful. It’s a lot colder but the skiing is much better,” Marvin said.

Families who are interested in hosting a student are always welcome to apply, Lori said. For more information, call Lori at 250-346-3377.

By Sally Waddington Pioneer Staff A group of nine international students were treated to a day on the slopes last week, courtesy of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

Homestay Coordinator Lori Sluth, who works part-time at the resort, organized the outing to give the kids a taste for Canadian skiing.

“It’s more of an introduction to Canadian culture,” Lori said. “It’s about getting the kids active. If you’re going to be here, let’s not just sit in the school room; let’s get out there.”

Two of the students are from Germany, one is from Japan, and six are from South Korea. They are all students

HERE TO SERVE YOU TRIPLE J

Christine Voss

HOLLIS CONSTRUCTION

BSc RMT

Fine Finishing and Renovations

Window Cleaning FULLY INSURED

Jared Babich Red Seal Journeyman Carpenter

FREE ESTIMATES

1310 17 th Street Invermere, BC V0A 1K4

Jim Detta Canal Flats, BC • Ph: 250-349-7546

REFERENCES AVAILABLE

1422 12A Avenue, Invermere B.C.

attheshop@live.ca

Tel: 250-341-7197

LICENSED

250-341-5096 Your Weekly Source for News and Events

• Drinking Water Systems • Water Softeners • Whole House or Specialised Filtration NEW Duct Cleaning Service Call (250) 342-5089 385 Laurier Street Invermere, BC V0A 1K0

• Trusses • Engineered Floors • Wall Panels Tel: 250.341.6075 Fax: 250.341.3427 Email: info@duskbuildingsystems.com www.duskbuildingsystems.com

1320 Industrial Road #3 Box 159, Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0

N E W S PA P E R

Dave Sutherland Sales Associate

#8, 1008 - 8th Avenue Invermere, BC www.columbiavalleypioneer.com email: upioneer@telus.net

36 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 13, 2009

P ioneer C lassifieds MEMORIAM In Loving Memory of Gertrude Gretzinger 1932 – 2007 For our dear mother, grandmother, wife and caring soul mate. Forever missed and forever loved.

Henry, Ron, Frank, Diana, Mark and families.

LOST & FOUND

THANK YOU

announcement

COMMERCIAL SPACE

SUITE FOR RENT

LOST: set of keys with a silver medallion in the shape of the Island of Corsica. Call 250-3415579.

I would like to thank all my friends and family for all the cards, flowers, food and good wishes during my stay at the hospital. I would also like to thank all the nurses and doctors, especially Dr. Page, and the ambulance drivers, Cam and Paul, for your excellent care and support. Sabina Cote

Rocky Mountain Buffalo

Financial professional looking for other professionals to share space with. I have a great location with excess room.

Please call 250-270-0270.

Affordable accommodation in Radium. $425.00 and up. Call 250-341-7022.

CHEERS & JEERS CHEERS: to Catrien and her great volunteers for skiing the slopes with me every second Sunday, your ski buddy, Kate.

Obituary It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Michael Gabry February 3, 2009 at the Golden Hospital Mike was born May 11, 1916 on a farm near Brandon Manitoba. At the age of twenty, he came to the Columbia Valley, first settling in Spillimacheen and then later moving to Brisco where he spent many years of his life. The past three years, he resided in Golden.

Mike left the valley in 1942 to serve in the Canadian Army.

Upon his discharge he returned to Brisco. He guided hunters for over forty years, ran his own trapline, and at ninety-two years old, he still held an active hunting and trapping licence.

Mike spent some time working for Parks Canada at Kootenay National Park. He also worked as a miner, eventually buying a gravel truck to haul ore. When construction began on Highway 95 to widen and pave it, he hauled gravel. In the mid to late seventies, he worked as a ranch hand. Mike had a wealth of knowledge about the valley’s history and loved to share his stories. In the earlier years he could be heard playing his banjo at the community dances. Mike was also known as the community barber and could play a good game of crib.

Mike will be deeply missed by his brother Alex (Bernice) of Camrose, Alberta, several nieces and nephews, his dearest friend and companion, Betty Dreyer and her family, and many friends. Mike was pre-deceased by three brothers and three sisters.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kootenay Wildlife Heritage Fund, PO Box 100, Kimberley, B.C. V1A 2Y5. A graveside service will be held at the Galena Church Cemetery, Saturday, May 9,2009, at ll:30 a.m. A luncheon will follow at the Brisco Hall.

The Dreyer family would like to sincerely thank everyone for their support through kind words, flowers, cards and food.

To the Golden doctors, nurses, and home support workers, “thank-you” for all the TLC given to Mike the past few months.

It was all greatly appreciated.

announcement

INVENTORY SALE

Monday February 16th, 2009 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

2216 Westside Park Ave Phone: 250-688-5564

www.my.tupperware.ca/juliestamand Saturday, February 14th 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Valentine Tea & Bake Sale @ Radium Seniors’ Hall Sponsored by Edgewater and Radium Hospital Auxiliary.

Cost $5.00, door prizes, hamper raffle.

For more info call 250-347-9493.

Now available at Grant’s Foods 503 – 7th Avenue

Spring Break Camp for children ages 5 to 12 years @ Windermere Hall March 23rd - 26th 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Choose from a variety of creative and active possibilities. $120.00 or $40/day, family rates.

Facilitated by Charlotte Streicek Email: charsweb@telus.net for registration form or @ Hippichic Boutique.

Storage

NEWHOUSE MULTI STORAGE Various sizes available.

Now with climate controlled units.

Call 250-342-3637 380 square foot garage available immediately. Great contractor location. Reduced to $300/ month. Call Mom’s Upholstery, 250-342-0355.

memoriam Katharine Alberta Moore, June 1st 1905 - February 9 2004 She was so gentle, concerned about others yet courageous beyond her advanced years. Named for a princess in the birth-year of a proud boisterous Province, she had a quiet strength in her - born of troubles and triumphs though-out pioneering times. An honourary life-time member and loyal supporter of the Liberal Party, and guide to her family and friends, Katharine Alberta Moore did her best as a mother and a neighbour. In the days when Doctors were scarce, she sat with the ill and failing, in those bright and prosperous times in Edgewater, she worked with others make things fair for young people and interesting for local school boards and provincial politicos. We miss her presence but remember her beliefs and aspirations and joys to this time. She will be in the History she recorded and always wanted to write. Someday we will dance to sweet old fiddle tunes in honour of her and her inspiring generation. In love and respect, her friends and family.

Attention Contractors! Secure 20 ft. storage container in fenced yard. Larger lots also available.

Invermere Industrial Park.

Phone 250-342-2100 or 250346-3011.

SHARED ACCOMMODATION Private room w/cable, phone and personal line, laundry access, internet and all utilities included, $500/month + 250 DD, N/S, N/P, available immediately, 250-342-4811.

Share house, close to college, easy walk to downtown, laundry, cable, internet (& use of computer), own bathroom, N/S, N/P, $500/month, 250342-1475.

Looking for responsible roommate to share furnished house in Edgewater. $600/ month, util. included, available immediately, 250-347-6963 or 250-341-5369.

Furnished room in Westside Park, available immediately. Call 250-688-7787.

1 bdrm available in 3 bdrm house in Invermere, $500/ month includes all utilities, wireless internet, W/D. Available Feb. 15th , 250-341-7248.

One or two bdrm bungalows, by the week or month, (250) 3456365 Fairmont Bungalows.

New 1 bdrm, spacious, bright walk-out basement suite, single or couple, N/S, N/P, 250-3477773.

Newer daylight walk-out suite.

Compact 1 bdrm for quiet person, N/S, N/P, $695/month.

Available Feb. 1st or 15th , 250342-4416.

Invermere, 1 bdrm basement suite near schools, N/S, $650/ month. Call 250-342-3595.

2 bdrm walk-out basement suite with beautiful lake view in Invermere. Mostly furnished, $850. + ½ month DD. Includes utilities, cable, W/D, D/W, longterm, responsible tenants, maximum 2 people, N/P. Available March 1st , 250-3422894.

2 bdrm apartment, 3 appliances, $795/month + DD, N/S, N/P, references. Adult complex, room for W/D, 250-342-6812.

Canal Flats, 2 bdrm, 1 ½ bath, 9’ ceilings, front facing suite in very classy 4-plex, partly furnished, $900/month + utilities + DD, N/S, N/P, 403-802-4053.

SUITE FOR RENT

2 bdrm basement suite in Canal Flats, N/S, N/P, $900/month + DD, heat and utilities included, Available immediately, 250349-7568.

Invermere, must see, 1 bdrm, large, bright upper suite.

Half block walk to beach and downtown, own entrance & parking, very private upper deck with amazing lake views. $800.00, all utilities included, 250-342-1167.

2 bdrm fully furnished ground floor apartment. All utilities, cable and laundry facilities included. $1000/month + DD, N/S, references, long-term preferred. Only 1 ½ blocks from D/T Invermere! Available Mar. 1st , 250-342-9712.

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 37

February 13, 2009

P ioneer C lassifieds house FOR RENT

house FOR RENT

condo FOR RENT

HOUSE FOR SALE

FOR RENT

Radium 2 storey home, 3 bdrm, 3 bath, N/P, N/S, large patio, fireplace, patio furniture, BBQ. Available immediately.

1st , $1200/month + util, 1403-560-3677. For pictures ecosierragolf@gmail.com

Furnished 2 bdrm, 2 bath + den condo in Radium. Fireplace, A/C, six appliances, 2 heated underground parking stalls, $1495/month includes utilities, 403-850-3768 or 403-2397736.

4 bdrm, 3 bath, office, laminate floors, large fenced backyard. Walking distance to all amenities. 137 – 10th Ave. $485,000.00, 250-342-3100 or 250-342-1092.

2 bdrm house in Windermere.

Call 250-342-3422.

2 bdrm, 2 bath in Radium, The Peaks, end unit, 2nd floor, 7 appliances, A/C, hot tub, swimming pool, underground parking, N/P, N/S. Available immediately, $1150.00 including utilities. Discount for long-term lease, 403-801-4356.

Contact

250-342-5914 for seasonal or long term rentals or go online at

www.EricRedeker.com “Available Now” Rockies West Realty Independently Owned & Operated

EXCELLENT LOCATION. Very nice Invermere home on quiet cul-de-sac, walking distance to Kinsman Beach and Downtown, 3 bdrm up, 2 down, large private backyard, wood and electric heat. Dishwasher, Stove, Fridge, W/D included. Available Feb 1st, $1600.00 + util. 250-270-0270 Invermere, 3 bdrm, 2 bath, near schools, 5 appliances, wood/ electric heat, $1325/month + utilities + DD, references.

Available March 1st , 250-3429055 or 250-342-5742.

2 bdrm mobile home in Radium.

Partially furnished with yard and out buildings. N/S, $1200/ month + DD, 250-342-3841.

3 bdrm, 3 bath home in Invermere, great location, nice small fenced yard. N/S, N/P, couple preferred. Call 250-3427430.

Invermere, Castlerock, executive, 3 bdrm, 2 ½ bath, bonus room, den, 5 appliances, private backyard w/large deck, double garage, $1500/month + util.

Professional, N/S, N/P, available immediately, 250-270-0490.

Wilder subdivision, 3 bdrm, 1 ½ bath house, N/P, N/S, long-term rental only. References required, $1200.00 + utilities, 250-3422052.

3 bdrm house in Invermere, bright, clean, N/S, N/P, close to schools, F/S/W/D, available immediately, 250-342-1588.

Edgewater, 3 bdrm, 1500 sq. ft, renovated, 2 full bath, 3 acres land, $1200.00. Available March 1st or before, 403-650-8654.

condo FOR RENT 2 bdrm, 2 bath + den condo in Radium. Granite, counter tops, fireplace, hardwood floors, top floor, wrap around balcony, newly furnished, short or longterm. Call 403-861-7754.

Lakeview Meadows ‘Cottages’ 3 bdrm, fully-furnished unit, stone fireplace, golf cart, beach access and recreation centre. Available April 1st, $1500/month + utilities. Contact heidilp2005@ gmail.com

3 bdrm, 1 ½ bath, 1600 sq. ft. townhome in downtown Invermere for rent, W/garage, $1350/month. Call 250-3411182.

Beautiful new 1 bdrm, fully furnished condo in Sable Ridge, Radium, 250-347-9915 or 403861-5656.

2 bdrm furnished & unfurnished condos, was $1200.00, now $1100.00 + utilities + DD, N/S, N/P, 250-342-1475.

Walk everywhere! Downtown location, new 3 bdrm, 2 bath apt. style condo, N/S, N/P, 6 appliances, upgrades throughout, large private deck w/storage. A MUST SEE! $1400.00 + DD, references required. Ideal for professional couple, 403-457-4037 or 250342-6366.

Sable Ridge, Radium, 2 bdrm, 2 bath w/den, fireplace, A/C, granite, pool, 2 hot tubs, heated underground parking, $1195/ month includes utilities, 403256-0694 or 403-650-5503.

2 bdrm condo near Sobeys. N/ S, N/P, $900.00. Call 250-3426255

Searching through MLS® listings can be tedious & time consuming. Sign up to receive up to date, detailed MLS® listings, delivered to your inbox. No obligations & completely confidential. www.bcrealestatesearch. com Jenny Bueckert, Maxwell Realty Invermere.

condo FOR SALE

OPEN HOUSE 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Sunday, February 15th Best buy in Radium! 1460 sq. ft, 3 bdrm end unit, vaulted ceiling, roomy country kitchen, gas fireplace, full ensuite master bdrm, finished additional room with large window in lower level, single garage, very clean, well maintained, A/C, $285,000.00. Tony Kernaghan, 780-475-5474, 780-906-8230.

condo FOR SALE Must sell!

Condo in Sable Ridge, Radium, 2 bdrm, 2 bath w/den, fireplace, A/C, granite, pool, 2 hot tubs, heated underground parking, 403-256-0694 or 403-6505503.

Open House, Saturday, February 14th , 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm.

1040 sq.ft. executive condo, 2 bdrm, 2 bath, ensuite laundry, 6 appliances, F/P, A/C, heated underground parking w/storage, fully furnished. #109 – 4875 Radium Blvd, Radium, 1-780657-3438 or 1-780-932-3438.

CAREERS

COLLEGE OF THE ROCKIES

VACATION RENTALS Invermere, 2100 sq.ft., 4 bdrm house, $2500/month or $960/4 nights, all utilities included. Hot tub, sleeps 15, available Feb. 16th to May 31st , 403-2744561.

HOUSE FOR SALE

HERITAGE RANCH HOUSE Completely renovated house on 2.5 acres located outside of Windermere, in Elkhorn Country Estates, an exclusive private gated community, one of only 11 estates included in phase I. 4 bdrm, 2 bath, security system, working shutters, all services underground, all furniture included, $485,000.00. Phone Elkhorn Ranch at 250-342-0617 or 250-342-1268.

Get the Job! GET A COMPETITIVE EDGE

Train for a new career or upgrade your skills at College of the Rockies.

We can help you. Here’s how: • Free educational advising to help you reach your career and employment goals • Free academic assessments to determine skill level and upgrading requirements for the program you choose • GED (Adult high school diploma) Evening Prep program starts March 2009!

• Tuition-free upgrading in various subject areas • Help with applying for financial aid, awards and bursaries

Call today! 250-342-3210

Phone: 250-342-3210 •

www.cotr.bc.ca/invermere

38 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 13, 2009

P ioneer C lassifieds HOT DEALS BLOWOUT BLOWOUT PRICE

Focus ZX5

Loaded, leather, moonroof.

$

Stk# A0467

Stk# 08077A

11,99500

2005 Hyundai Santa Fe Economical, 4 cyl., 5 speed.

BLOWOUT BLOWOUT $ 00 PRICE

8,995

2008 Nissan Rogue All-wheel drive.

ACREAGE FOR SALE

Misc. for Sale

Misc. for Sale

VEHICLE FOR SALE

Spectacular Private Gated Acreage One of only 10 prestigious 3-plus acre estate lots in this private community. On a hill with 360 degree mountain views, minutes from Windermere beach. See welist.com Invermere. 250-3425367.

Top quality Hay, Alfalfa, grass mix, round bales $160/bale. Call Elkhorn Ranch, 250-342-0617.

Bow Flex Extreme, barely used, $800.00. Horizon Treadmill, full working condition, $400.00.

Special, take both for $1000.00.

Call Rod, 250-347-2442 or 250342-2999.

2002 Buick Century Special Edition, loaded, excellent condition, 185,000 kms, $5900.00. Call 250-342-7677.

Playstation 3, 2 controllers, no games, brand new, $400.00. Call 250-341-1554.

1992 21 ½ ft Wilderness Fifth Wheel, excellent condition, well maintained, c/w hitch, $7,500 OBO, 250-342-5241.

MOBILE HOMES FOR SALE WHY RENT? Trailer for sale, #15 Juniper Heights, 3 bdrm, $35,000.000. Call 250-342-6813.

00

RESORT PROP. FOR SALE

Mercedes SUV ML 320

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Golden www.adlerdevelopment.ca 250-344-8447 billy@adlerdevelopment.ca

LIKE NEW W

$

24,995

Stk# KA507

Top of the line, navigation, leather, roof.

MUST GO!

$

17,99500

Stk# A0475

Great used sports gear at Sportuccino’s, across from Liquor Store. Consign your old gear and make money too.

Misc. for Sale

Wall unit/entertainment VEHICLE FOR SALE cabinet, solid oak, $200.00. 27” JVC T.V., $100.00, 16” winter 1992 Ford Aerostar Van, Eddie tires on rims, $275.00. Dodge Bower Edition, $800.00, 250grand Caravan, $1500.00, 250- 342-3305.

342-6927.

Quality Topsoil & Manure.

Top Soil 160/dump truck load, $70/pick-up lad. Manure $100/ pick-up load. Phone Elkhorn Ranch, 250-342-0617.

CAREERS

2007 Toyota Tundra SR5

MOTOR HOME FOR SALE

ATV FOR SALE 2007 Honda TRX500 Rubicon, GPS, winch, 35 hours, $7300.00.

Call Peter, 250-342-0665.

Services

TRD off road, fully loaded, excluding leather, 49,000 kms, $29,900.00, 250-341-7197.

Need light housekeeping?

Reasonable rates and references.

Call Sue at 250-347-6429 or 250-688-0347 (cell).

CAREERS

2006 Mazda 6 Sport Super clean, economical.

TIME TO GO!!

$

15,995

00

Stk# A0477

2006 Ford Fusion SE 4 cyl., 5 speed. Blowout at

$

GREAT ON GAS!

12,99500

Stk# BI257

2006 Suzuki Forenza GREAT ON GAS!

4 cyl., 5 speed., Suzuki quality.

$

Stk# KAS05

16,995

00

2007 Toyota Corolla

WOW! Stk# A0490

ONLY

$

15,99500

2007 Mustang Convertible ONLY

BLOWOUT BLOWOUT PRICE

$

17,995

00

Stk# KA500

NEW & USED SALES ALL MAKES AND MODELS – TRADES WELCOME

CALL FLOYD VERGE

INVERMERE

(Former Lake Auto Ford Sales Location)

(250) 342-2995

www.kickinghorseford.com Dealer #30760

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 6 (ROCKY MOUNTAIN)

Trades II Position

School District No. 6 (Rocky Mountain) invites applications from persons interested in working with the Windermere Operations Department on a permanent, full-time basis (40 hrs/wk), eight months of the year, March to October annually. This is semi-skilled manual work involving grounds maintenance.

The successful applicant will have: • Grade 10 Education • Knowledge in the operation and care of lawn equipment • Valid driver’s license for the Province of British Columbia For further information please contact Norm Julien, Operations Supervisor, (250) 342-5527. Applicants must include a copy of their Driver’s Abstract and at least three references. Please forward your application, by Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. . to: Mr. Paul Carriere School District No. 6 (Rocky Mountain) Department of Human Resources PO Box 70 Kimberley, B.C. V1A 2Y5 (tel) 250-427-2245 / (fax) 25-427-2044 e-mail: hr@sd6.bc.ca We would like to thank all applicants for their interest, but only those under consideration will be contacted. All successful applicants will be subject to a criminal record search.

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 6 (ROCKY MOUNTAIN)

Journeyman Carpenter School District No. 6 (Rocky Mountain) is located in the beautiful Columbia Valley spread over 270 kilometers along the Rocky Mountains and encompasses the communities of Golden, Invermere and Kimberley. The District is seeking a permanent, full-time (1.000 fte) Journeyman Carpenter to perform carpentry and general maintenance duties for our Windermere Zone commencing as soon as possible.

The successful candidate must possess an Interprovincial Certificate of Qualification in Carpentry and a valid B.C. Driver’s Licence. It would be an asset to have two years’ working experience in maintenance of facilities related to carpentry and hardware maintenance.

Applicants must be willing to perform other general duties when required.

Salary and benefits will be provided in accordance with the Collective Agreement between C.U.P.E. Local 440 and the Board of Education for School District No.6 (Rocky Mountain). For further information, please call Norm Julien, Operations Supervisor, (250) 342-5527.

Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m., Thursday, February 19, 2009 to: Mr. Paul Carriere Assistant Superintendent of Superintendent School District No.6 (Rocky Mountain) P.O. Box 70, Kimberley, B.C. V1A 2Y5 Phone: (250) 427-2245 Fax: (250) 427-2044 e-mail: hr@sd6.bc.ca Successful applicants will be subject to a Criminal Record Check.

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 39

February 13, 2009

Invermere to share in hotel tax Submitted by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Invrmere is the most recent community to sign an agreement under the B.C. Resort Municipality Initiative with the Province, allowing it to share a portion of the provincial hotel room tax revenues to invest in local resort-oriented projects, Community Development Minister Kevin Krueger announced.

“This program will bolster one of Invermere’s primary industries by enhancing its ability to attract and meet the needs of tourists,” said Krueger. “This additional funding stream will allow the community to bring several tourism-oriented projects to life that highlight the community’s natural beauty and the attributes that make it a destination of choice.”

Under the agreement, it is estimated that the District of Invermere will receive $600,000 over five years. The funding is expected to support the Kinsmen Beach Improvement Program and the development

and enhancement of the Mountain-Valley Shuttle Service, the Radium to Invermere Greenway Project, the Invermere and Panorama Trail System and 7th Avenue Public Space.

“The B.C. Resort Municipality Initiative was set up to reward success, by linking increased tourism revenues to increased funding for local resort development and enhancement projects,” said Bill Bennett, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. “This agreement is great news for the tourism industry in Invermere and supports our government’s goal of doubling tourism revenues by 2015.”

Over the next five years, the agreement is expected to increase shuttle ridership; year-round occupancy rates; employment; municipal commercial tax revenue; business licences, as well as use of Kinsmen Beach.

“The implementation of this program will help us attract tourism by investing in our tourism infrastructure and our amenities. The benefits will be enjoyed by the three partners in the program, as well as the local

residents and business owners within Invermere,” said Invermere Mayor Gerry Taft. “This is a very exciting initiative, and we commend the government for their commitment to understanding the unique challenges faced by the resort communities in British Columbia, and their assistance in giving us another tool to make us successful.”Under the program, an eligible community receives a share of the provincial hotel room tax, an amount based on a formula that takes into account the level of tourist accommodation in the community, relative to other B.C. communities.

To be eligible, communities must have tourismbased economies or be incorporated as a “mountain resort municipality” under the Local Government Act. Communities must be prepared to put in place an additional two per cent hotel room tax, prepare a Resort Development Strategy that reflects the input of stakeholders and enter into a five-year, results-based tourism development agreement that sets out what will be achieved through sharing of the hotel tax.

P ioneer C lassifieds Services

CAREERS

CAREERS

CAREERS

HOUSE CLEANING

Store Clerks needed.

Eagle Canada Inc.

WANTED. Personal Aide/ Assistant for active woman with physical disabilities. Approx.

20 hours/week.

Excellent wages, flexible hours, pleasant atmosphere. Some personal care required. Please call 250342-5596.

Is your cleaning taking up too much of your family – vacation time? I have 20 years local experience home cleaning and would love to help you. I am very reliable and love cleaning!

Dianne Peterson, 250-342-9702, dtpeterson@shaw.ca Phil’s Carpentry – Everything from roofs to decks, completion of basement and bathrooms.

Phone 250-341-8033 cell or 250-342-8474 home. Not on valley time.

COLUMBIA VALLEY ROCKIES are looking for odd jobs or part-time work.

Call the coach @ 250-688-1515.

Hauling, yard work, no job too big or too small!

Flooring Installations, lino, carpet, laminate and hardwood.

30 years experience. Call 250347-9192 or 250-341-1235.

Must be enthusiastic and enjoy people. $13/hour, store discounts and advancement opportunities. Apply in person to Invermere Petro-Canada.

Housekeeper required. Fulltime, part-time at Fairmont Bungalows. Call 250-345-6365, fax 250-345-6348, or email bungalows@shaw.ca Helna’s Stube is now accepting applications for kitchen help/ dishwashers and servers. F/T or P/T, evenings. Call 250 347 0047 or mail@helnas.com.

WANTED on-site handyman to coordinate project/exchange for rent. First phase to upgrade 3 – 2 bdrm cottages in remote setting near Radium. Call 780485-5166, fax 780-485-5140.

Cleaning/front desk staff required. Basic computer and cleaning skills. Minimum wage, Chalet Europe, 250-347-9305

Seismic Company based in Calgary, AB is currently seeking the following for its 2007-2008 winter season: Line Truck Drivers, Line Helpers, Shooters/Blasters.

Excellent physical condition, meals & hotel included, valid Class 5 driver’s licence is a must, DRUG TESTING is required. Up to $5000.00/month. Please send your resume with references and phone numbers to rsmith@ eaglegeo.ab.ca , fax, 403-2637776.

Experienced Hungarian Cook required for seasonal work in Radium, BC. $15/hour, April to October, room and board available. Call 403-285-9743 or email info@milliondollarview.ca

Assistant Manger – Valley Fitness Centre, P/T – 30 hrs/ week.

Positive customer service oriented individual, with strong communication and organizational skills. Strong work ethic and conscientious. Wage DOE. Great work environment and free membership! Drop resume in person.

is looking for an

Assistant Manager

Must be reliable, professional with strong interest in art, customer service and administration.

Apply by email to: info@effusionartgallery.com

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 6 International Student Program

HOMESTAYS NEEDED

School District No. 6 (Rocky Mt.) requires host families in Invermere to accommodate International students for David Thompson Secondary School immediately and also starting September 2009.. Host families provide a family environment with a private bedroom, three meals a day, a Corporate Trade Name + Dealership Sub Logos study area,Logos: transportation assistance and high speed internet access.

Colour: PANTONE 349

Manulife Se Manulife Se Manulife Se

Remuneration of $600.00 per month per child is paid for English hosting a student.We need your support now! Homestays areFrench required to submit a criminal records check.

If interested please contact Lori Sluth (Homestay Coordinator Invermere) at 250-346-3377

3/16" Minimum size to be used on business cards

is Where It’s At!

250-342-2965 See our ad on page 14.

Worried about providing income in your retirement?

1/4" Minimum size to be used on the standard sized brochures

MANULIFE SECURITIES INSURANCE AGENCY

See our ad on Page 20 for more details.

40 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 13, 2009

Radium seeking input on transit system

By Brian Geis Pioneer Staff The Village of Radium Hot Springs is seeking input on a proposed public transit system it hopes to establish this summer.

According to Radium Hot Springs Chief Administrator Mark Read, the village is pooling funds available from the Resort Revenue Sharing Agreement with the province and funds and corporate

donations to realize the village’s long-held ambition to link downtown with its outlying features.

“It’s been a vision that council has shared for some time,” Mr. Read commented. “The resort hotel tax has given us a pot of money to work with.”

Under the agreement, it is estimated that Radium Hot Springs and area will receive $700,000 over five years. The funds were earmarked for a shuttle bus when the application was made. The route currently envisioned involves a connection between the

‘downtown’ core, north Radium, the Hot Pools and Radium Resort on the hill, he said. As the population base in the area improves, a connection with Elk Park Ranch will be implemented.

“At this point, budget evaluations and the cost and options available to us are in the preliminary stage, so we are uncertain of how much ‘transit’ we can afford,” he said.

Contact Mark Read at 347-6455 to provide input on the proposed service.

To place your Community Classified call The Pioneer at 250-341-6299 or toll free 1-866-669-9222 classifieds@bccommunitynews.com www.communityclassifieds.ca

Auto Financing APPROVED AUTO FINANCING w w w. c re d i t - q u e e n . c a .

Challenged/no credit? New, used, all makes vehicles at Canada’s most reputable dealership. Low rates, online approvals 24/7.

Joanne,1-866-602-3743.

DL 5231.

EAGLE AUTO LOANS. Easy financing. Good credit, poor credit, divorced, first time buyers, self employed, bankrupt. We finance in-house OAC. Call our credit specialist 1-800-916-1723. www.secondchancefinance.ca. # #1 IN CREDIT REBUILDING. Need a car, truck, van or SUV? Auto Credit Fast. Bad credit! No credit! Bankruptcy, Repossession!

No problem. Call today and drive away. Call Stephanie 1-877-7920599. Free delivery anywhere Ð www.autocreditfast.ca.

Auto Parts $$$$ WE BUY SCRAP BATTERIES from cars & trucks. $2.00 each.

Free P/U anywhere in B.C. Any quantity. Toll Free 1-877-3342288. Ask for Brad.

Business Opportunities A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO OWN a pet food business - High quality cat/dog food. Excellent returns, exclusive territories. Information Call Riplees Ranch Toll-Free 1877-738-3287 Ext. 217, www. ripleesranch.com.

Business Opportunities REACH YOUR TARGET MARKET. Community Classifieds are printed in over 600 newspapers across Canada each week. Book now! Buy 3 ads get the 4th free offer ends Feb 23. ads@bccommunitynews. com or 1-866-669-9222.

AMAZING NEW PRODUCT! NATURAL ENERGY Mints & gum!

Many people switch from energy drinks to our product! Huge CASH income potential! Free Brochure/ Samples! 1-800-661-1832 www. energiservending.com.

Credit Counsellors BECOME 100% DEBT FREE!! One easy monthly payment. Free Consultation. Member of BBB. Check us out at www.iamdebtfree. com 1-800-565-4595.

Career Training TRAIN FOR A NEW CAREER in Medical Transcription. Learn from Home! Earn from home! Contact CanScribe today for a FREE information package. 1-800-4661535 www.canscribe.com, info@ canscribe.com.

START A STAGING BUSINESS with our distance education course.

Learn professional skills quickly and easily. ISRPª certification.

FREE BROCHURE. 1-800-2671829. www.qcdesignschool.com.

Employment Opportunities SOUTH ROCK LTD. is seeking Asphalt Paving Foremen, Superintendents, and skilled workers for the 2009 season in Alberta. Accommodations supplied, competitive pay, benefits packages, and a respectful work environment!

Visit www.southrock.ca for information. Fax 403-568-1327.

Email: edbom@southrock.ca.

Credit Counsellors DEBT CONSOLIDATION PROGRAM. We help Canadians repay debts, reduce or eliminate interest, regardless of your credit. Steady income? you may qualify for instant help. Considering bankruptcy? Call us first 1-877220-3328 Free consultation.

Government approved program, BBB member.

Education TRAIN TO BE AN Apartment/ Condominium Manager from home. Jobs registered across Canada! Thousands of grads working. Government registered.

29 years of success. Information: www.RMTI.ca or 1-800-6658339, 604-681-5456.

Financial Services $500$ LOAN SERVICE, by phone, no credit refused, quick and easy, payable over 6 or 12 installments.

Toll Free: 1-877-776-1660.

For Sale Misc.

A FREE TELEPHONE SERVICE - Get Your First Month Free. Bad Credit, Don’t Sweat It. No Deposits.

No Credit Checks. Call Freedom Phone Lines Today Toll-Free 1866-884-7464.

For Sale Misc.

SAWMILLS from only $3,495.00 - Convert your logs to valuable lumber with your own Norwood portable band sawmill. Log skidders also available. www. norwoodsawmills.ca/400T - Free Information: 1-800-566-6899 Ext:400OT. H & H TRAILER SALE. Bow Valley Ford, Canmore, Alberta. Discounts to $4,100. Cargos/flatbeds/car haulers/goosenecks and more! 1800-403-0084 ext. 257 or alan_ way@bowvalleyford.com. Selling fast, don’t delay!

ADD AND SAVE on home phone reconnection. Bad credit - no problem! Up to $30. off for new customers, plus lower monthly rates! Call Tembo 1-877-266-6398 or sign up online www.tembo.ca.

Personals DATING SERVICE. Long-Term/ Short-Term Relationships, FREE CALLS. 1-877-297-9883.

Exchange voice messages, voice mailboxes.1-888-534-6984. Live adult casual conversations-1on-1, 1-866-311-9640, Meet on chat-lines. Local Single Ladies.1877-804-5381(18+).

Property For Sale LAC LA HACHE 28 acres, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, creek, pond, heated pool, guest cabin, workshop, 15 minutes to 100 Mile House $499,000.00, 250-396-4688 mccrea@bcwireless.com for pics.

FOR SALE 8 RESIDENTIAL LOTS in Chetwynd, BC. Fully serviced, adjoining lots. ALL 8 LOTS FOR $199,900. 15% Down VENDOR FINANCING!! 250-287-1214.

Help Wanted

Recreational Property For Sale

REMOVE YOUR RECORD: A CRIMINAL Record can follow you for life. Only PARDON SERVICES CANADA has 20 years experience.

Guaranteeing record removal. Call: 1-8-NOW-PARDON (1-866-9727366). www.RemoveYourRecord. com.

TIMESHARE FORECLOSURES - Save 60-80% off Retail! Best Resorts & Seasons! Call for FREE catalogue today! 1-800597-9347. Browse hundreds of worldwide properties online -www.holidaygroup.com/bcn.

Personals ARE YOU LOSING a loved one to substance abuse? Our program has the highest success rate. Help is only one phone call away! 1877-782-7409; www.narconon. ca.

Services NOUVEAU CONSTRUCTION & Cabinets we do rock walls, laneways, shallow servicing, bush clearing, septic, weeping tile, renos, new construction, cabinets, countertops. Phone Al, 250-3067502; www.nouveaugroup.ca.

Steel Buildings FUTURE STEEL BUILDINGS Durable, Dependable, Pre-engineered, AllSteel Structures. Custom-made to suit your needs and requirements.

Factory-Direct affordable prices.

Call 1-800-668-8653 ext. 170 for free brochure.

BUILDING SALE!...

UNPRECEDENTED LOW PRICES. Sale ends FEB. 13. 25X40 $6,190.

30X50 $7,295. 35X60 $12,400.

40X60 $15,330. 60x100 $36,800.

Others! Pioneer Steel. 1-800-6685422. Since 1980.

Travel ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGES Book Online at www. canadatravels.com and save more on your vacations. Use code NCA74327 for discount or call us toll-free at 1-800-563-5722.

BEST PIZZA IN TOWN! See our ad on page 10.

250-341-3344

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 41

February 13, 2009

VALLEY SPORTS

Rockies give up a must-win game

By John Helm Columbia Valley Rockies The Rockies travelled to Creston for the first of a Tuesday-Friday home and home series on February 3rd. Columbia Valley is looking at nothing but must-win games from here on in and the Thunder Cats are tough to beat at home.

Most of the first period had elapsed when the Rockies earned a five-on-three power play. Creston was able to kill off the first penalty, but Mike Ondzick slapped home a pass from Warren Leslie and Brett Bjorkman on the five-on-four advantage. One-zip Rockies after twenty.

The Rockies widened their lead in the second after Bjorkman picked off a pass and spotted Reid Mitchell out front who made no mistake snapping a shot over a fallen Ryan Perich. A few minutes later Mattias Schmitt caught one of the ‘Cats with his head down at the Rockie blueline and delivered a crushing open

ice hit. After the resulting turnover, Tyler Spaan took a pass from Travis Cech and scored from the high slot to make it 3-0 Rockies. And CV kept it coming! Spaan earned another turnover, this time in the Creston zone, before centering the puck to Diehl who scored his twenty-eighth of the year to lead all rookies in the KIJHL. Creston got on the board late to make it 4-1 after two.

In the third on a Creston power play, Mitchell blocked a shot, headed down the ice, shrugged off the Creston d-man and deked through new goalie Wade Waters. It was just the Rockies’ second short-handed goal of the year.

The Cats would answer seconds later on the same pp and then added a late goal to make the final score CV 5, Creston 3. Shaw stopped 34 shots for his first win. Drew Nikirk played his first game as a Rockie, stepping up from the midget squad, and looked very good on D. The back half of the series played out on Friday, February 6th, at Eddie Mountain—the Rockies desperately in need of another win, the Cats looking to get revenge from Tuesday and crush the Rockies playoff hopes. Creston opened the scoring when James Lees deposited a rebound into the gaping net behind a fallen Shaw. It was the only goal of the period.

In the second, the Rockies got hemmed in their own zone and the Cats second line capitalized. Kane Dawe gave Creston a 2-0 lead just over 12 minutes into the period finishing off a pass from Joe Densmore.

Columbia Valley was 0-for-3 on the power play in the stanza and had their chances. Captain Brent McQueen couldn’t pull the trigger after Mitchell feathered a pass between two Cats’ defenders and right on his tape. The shot went off the side of the net and Waters’ shutout remained intact heading into period three.

The third was another tight frame, with Creston slowing the pace to maintain their lead. Again, the Rockies came close, but couldn’t solve the Creston goalie. The Thunder Cats’ and league leading scorer Cole Yurkowski added an empty-netter with 30 seconds remaining to functionally put the nail in the Rockies playoff coffin and clinch the game 3-0. It was the first time this season that Columbia Valley were held off the scoreboard.

The Rockies will now play three games against Golden in only five days. The games are slated for the 10th, 13th and 14th with the first and last coming at Eddie Mountain. Then, the Rockies will welcome Kamloops for a Sunday matinee, February 15th, at 1 p.m. It’s the last home game of the regular season.

Don’t miss out on the action!

Old Zone: top five players of all times

By Harold Hazelaar Pioneer Columnist Here is my assessment of the top five hockey players of all time. My guess is that some of you will not agree, so if I spur the odd debate regarding this list, then I have achieved my goal. Here we go: 5. Gordie Howe: No player has played in more games. Gordie Howe played till he was 52 with skill, toughness, and unsurpassed endurance. Mr. Hockey is third in the league for points and the term “Gordie Howe” Hat Trick for a goal, an assist, and a fight is still used to recognize the impact he made on the game.

4. Maurice “The Rocket” Richard: The first player to score 50 goals in 50 games is considered the greatest goal scorer in NHL history. Richard will always be known as the greatest Canadien player of all time for his 544 goals and eight Stanley Cup rings.

3. Bobby Orr: The league’s first offensive defenceman. Orr brought a new offensive element to the game when as a defenceman he won the Art

Ross trophy and made the offensive defenceman a vital part of the game. His career was cut short by a knee injury but in his short career no other defenceman was as dominant.

2. Mario Lemieux: The NHL’s most lethal goal and point scorer on a per-game basis. He has been called the greatest player of all time by Scotty Bowman—the NHL coach with the most wins—and has won two Stanley Cups and was the MVP of both wins. He arrived as a superstar player at the 1987 Canada Cup, where he scored the game winner. Unlike Gretzky, he didn’t play for a dominant team and most of his career was plagued by a bad back and cancer.

1. Wayne Gretzky: With more than 61 NHL records, four Stanley Cups, and a two-time Canada Cup MVP, Wayne Gretzky shattered most of the league’s offensive records and was part of two of the greatest NHL teams ever assembled, the Edmonton Oilers of the 1980s and the 1987 Team Canada team. The holder of the records for most goals, assists, and points for both the regular season and the playoffs made the pass an essential part of the game.

There will never be a greater stickhandler, and in his prime Gretzky could make any linemate a consistent goal scorer.

That’s my opinion. And finally, just in case you care . . . February 4th results: Petro Can gassed Lake Auto, Huckleberry triumphed over Warwick, Inside Edge pummelled Hi Heat, and Kicking Horse and Da’Mudders battled to a draw.

Old Timer Hockey Playoff Standings Team

W L

T

PTS.

Huckleberry Hawks

2

0

0

4

Radium Petro-Can Killer Tomatoes

2

0

0

4

Warwick Wolves

1

1

0

2

Kicking Horse Coffee

0

0

2

2

Inside Edge Black Smoke

1

1

0

2

Hi Heat Hustlers

0

1

1

1

Dale Christian Mudders

0

1

1

1

Lake Auto Mustangs

0

1

0

0

Valley Vision Vultures

0

1

0

0

42 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

ON THE ROAD

February 13, 2009

THE PIONEER DOWN SOUTH— These sun-seeking travellers are some of the first entries in our 2009 travel contest. They will be entered to win two Calgary Flames tickets and a night in a Calgary hotel, courtesy of Russ Daggett and Invermere Travel World. Clockwise from top left: Tony Kernaghan and Ursula Kernaghan with Marianne and Ack Naccarato on a cruise in the Caribbean; Richard Blewaska, Leah March and Mark Jakos at Cape Reinga, New Zealand; Nancy and Al Brown at the San Andreas Fault in California, Ken Munro and Isabelle Steward at the Bridge of Americas in the Panama Canal; Sean Roggeman, Jessica Bailey, Wayne Collens and Kim Collens in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 43

February 13, 2009

Valley Churches

FAITH

God’s Valentine to us

By Pastor Wayne Frater Radium Christian Fellowship

our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

1 John 4:7-11

God’s love for us

I think that is what Valentine’s Day is all about, showing God’s love to others.

We have to learn to take our eyes off ourselves and meet the needs of others.

Let’s reach out to others in a fresh, loving and compassionate way, after all, “for God so loves others that He gave.” Can we not do likewise?

This Valentine’s Day, look around for somebody who may not have a valentine, give them a hug, and let them know that God loves them.

If you need to know more, I encourage you to come out on Sunday evenings, at 7 p.m.

We have just started some special meetings, based on exactly that. We are doing a study on I John, and we call it Special Praise, Special Prayer, but especially the Love of God. Thank you, and may God richly bless you.

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

John 15:13

Our love for God and for others

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’

This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:30, 31

Knowing God through love

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son [to be] the propitiation for

***

***

“For God so loVed the world,

That He gAve

His onLy

BegottEn

SoN,

That whosoever

Believes In Him

Should Not perish,

But have Everlasting Life.”

John 3:16

Lake Windermere Alliance Church February 15th: 10:30 a.m. Baptisimal Service.

Sunday School, pre-school to Grade 7, during service.

For sermons online: www.sermon.net/lwac Pastor Trevor Hagan 326 -10th Avenue, Invermere • 250-342-9535 Windermere Valley Shared Ministry ANGLICAN-UNITED February 15th: 8:30 a.m. Communion at All Saints, Edgewater 10:30 a.m. Communion at Christ Church Trinity, Invermere Rev. Sandy Ferguson 110 - 7th Avenue, Invermere • 250-342-6644 www.wvsm.info or www.christchurchtrinity.com Valley Christian Assembly Sunday: 10 a.m. Worship and Word.

Children’s Church provided during the message.

7 p.m. Wednesday: Adult and Children’s Programs Pastor T. Scott Peterson 4814 Highway 93/95, Windermere • 250-342-9511 www.valleychristianonline.com Roman Catholic Church Saturday: 5 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Church in Canal Flats 7 p.m. at Canadian Martyrs Church in Invermere Sunday: 9 a.m. at Canadian Martyrs Church in Invermere 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in Radium Father Jim McHugh • 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. Fraser Coltman • 1-866-426-7564 Radium Christian Fellowship 10 a.m. Worship service 7 p.m. Special Praise, Special Prayer and Especially the Love of God 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, 10 a.m. • Sunday School, 11 a.m.

• Relief Society, Noon.

President Barry Pratt • Columbia Valley Branch 5014 Fairway, Fairmont Hot Springs • 250-341-5792

Selkirk TV & Appliance • Kitchenaid • Inglis • Whirlpool • Roper

Panasonic Pioneer Cell Phones Electronics & Service Christian Books, Music & Misc.

1229-7th Ave., Invermere

342-6415

#132-TOBY CREEK EEK LODGE

Brightly positioned 1 bedroom sunny corner unit. Exceptional condition, fully furnished.

Pools and gondola out your door.

Simple Solutions For Keeping The Sizzle In Your Relationship INVERMERE CHRISTIAN SUPPLIES

Selkirk TV & Appliances Ltd.

CAT BIRD SEAT—Dolores Rose snapped this shot of a couple of baldies hanging out in the wetlands.

“Serving you since 1971” MAIN STREET • INVERMERE (250) 342-6415

WHAT GOES INTO the h MIND TM COMES OUT in a LIFE

$

138,700 MLS#K171080

• Radium • Invermere • Fairmont • Windermere • Panorama

Call 250-341-6151 or 1-888-341-6155 rayfergusonrealty.ca • WE SELL REAL ESTATE

44 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

February 13, 2009

Rediscover the Emotion of Motion.

2008 MAZDA 5 GT

2008 MAZDA 3 GS

ONE ONLY!

$

22,768

28,728

$

17,200

$

y

$

ONE ONLY!

22,560

HEY EAST KOOTENAY!

TRADES Don’t forget we are your authorized Mazzda dealer.

WELCOME Call us toll free at 1-888-616-15555

Drop in to Cranbrook Mazda today and see for yourself.

DL#11562

1101 Victoria Avenue N.

Kevin Laroque Jorge Garcia Alicia Waters Sales Consultant Sales Consultant

Financial Services

• www.cranbrookmazda.com • 250-426-3133 • 888-616-1555

INCREDIBLE PRICES ON NEW 2009 MODELS * 12,699 ,

$

2008 PONTIAC TORRENT AWD

18,999

OUR $ PRICE

26,999

*

OUR $ PRICE

*

V6, auto, loaded, factory remote start, 4 wheel disc anti lock brakes, 17” chrome aluminum wheels Onstar Turn by Turn

SV6, V6, auto, loaded, rear cargo net, cruise control, traction control Onstar Turn by Burn

ON 2 2008 New ON ONLY N Vehicles V hi l Left L ft

SAVE BIG $$$$ $

* Any/All Rebates/Delivery Credits to Dealer

1142 – 304th Street, Kimberley, B.C. V1A 3E1

KIMBERLEY (250) 427-4895 CRANBROOK (250) 489-2525 C H E C K

U S

TOLL FREE

1-800-388-1156

e-mail chaletgm@shawlink.ca

O U T

AT

HOURS OF OPERATION MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

SATURDAY 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

w w w. c h a l e t g m . c o m

Remember... it’s a SHORT DRIVE to BIG SAVINGS!