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JUNE 3, 2015
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Vol. 64, Issue 105
Rain in front of us, not so much behind us Hot June to follow dry May, Environment Canada says ARNE PETRYSHEN
June is often the rainiest month in the East Kootenay and it looks to be starting off in exactly that way. Doug Lindquist, Environment Canada Meteorologist, said the weather pattern is coming up from the south. “The flow comes from the other direction, the opposite direction (of usual), that’s why we call it the June monsoon,” Lindquist said. “Today I had to look at the satellite picture coming from Montana to figure out what is going to happen in Kelowna.” He said that May was one degree above average. The temperature over May averaged 12.3 degrees Celsius, with the average for the month being 11.3. “So that was a good amount over average,” he said. On the precipitation side of things, it was a dry month with only 19 mm of precipitation — far below the usual 46 mm. “So quite dry, but as usual we expect the monsoon rains to start as early as the middle of May,” he said. “Sure enough around May 25, 26 you started to pick up rain more frequently.” Lindquist said there were no records set. The high median temperature was 19.9 degrees, and it is usually 17.9 degrees.
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CMHA hosts volunteer gala C AROLYN GR ANT
Volunteers in Kimberley and Cranbrook work tirelessly behind the scenes in countless ways, and last Friday night at the St. Eugene Resort it was their time to shine. The Canadian Mental Health Association Kootenays hosted their annual Volunteer Gala and four special awards were presented — Volunteer Family of the Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer Group of the Year and Volunteer of the Year. Lori Stolson organized the evening for CMHA and says the evening is always a highlight for her. “It’s always sold out. It’s a great evening. “The Canadian Mental Health Association hosts the gala. We put out a call for nominations to all non-profits who host volunteers.” What’s the connection between mental health and volunteering? It’s pretty simple, says Stolson. “Our community absolutely needs volunteers to provide services where there are gaps; especially with seniors. Volunteers fill those gaps. “But it’s enormously beneficial to the volunteers themselves. You feel good having a purpose, and it gives you a sense of belonging to your community.” The evening itself could not take place without the sponsor, Investors Group. “Without them there is no way we could pull this off,” Stolson said. “And I have to mention St. Eugene as well. They really help us with the cost of the pavilion.” Winning Volunteer Group of the Year was Bud Abbott and Friends.
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CMHA PHOTO
Bud Abbott, pictured here with Jason Spyksma of Cranbrook Dodge, who sponsored the Volunteer Group of the Year award, was honoured with his musical group for their dedication to entertaining seniors in Kimberley and Cranbrook
McLeod family raising money for Nepal TRE VOR CR AWLEY
It’s been less than a month since the Mcleods have returned from Nepal, but the experience of surviving a massive earthquake that struck the country in April is still fresh. Alex and Tricia McLeod were trekking through the country on a trip to celebrate their anniversary when the 7.8-magnitude quake hit on April 25th. After a two-week journey spanning from remote mountainous communities to the capital city of Kathmandu where they helped out wherever they could, they boarded a flight and returned home to Cranbrook. While they’ve settled back into the family routine of
work, kids and school, the memories of the devastation and of the life-long friendships they made still linger. “I wouldn’t have changed anything,” said Tricia McLeod. “I wish I could take back the hurt and the pain and the devastation, but what we learned of Nepal and of ourselves and of mankind—I would not have changed this trip for the world.” The McLeods were in a Nepali teahouse when the SUBMITTED PHOTO earthquake hit just before Tricia (right) and Alex McLeod made a life-long friendship noon local time. Their guide, with Ang Pema Sherpa (left) during their trip to Nepal in Ang Pema Sherpa, dove over April. Tricia to protect her with his However, the McLeod’s Despite some initial conbody as the building started cern from the wound, Pema bond extends beyond Pema to collapse. As people ran outside, he was able to receive medical and into his family, as they was struck in the head by a attention and is on the road are also connected with his brother, Rinee Sherpa and his to recovery. falling brick.
brother’s son, Phingo Sherpa Chewa. Rinee’s home was destroyed by the earthquake, but he’s been able to build a temporary shelter. However, complicating the recovery and reconstruction efforts is the fact that monsoon season is fast approaching. While the quake itself caused an immeasurable amount of destruction, aftershocks also rattled the country in the following days. Witnessing the tragedy and death around them as they tried to help out where they could, McLeod came to believe they weren’t going to make it out of the country alive.
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