Columbia Valley Pioneer, October 20, 2022

Valley

ABEL CREEK CULVERT

HALLOWEEN HORSES PARADE

Halloween horses parade entertained many

Sunshine greeted spectators at this year’s Halloween horses parade on October 16 in Inver mere. “It was amazing!” Luraina Oddy, who helped organize the event.

Registration for the parade opened at the fire hall at noon that day. By 1 p.m., participants - horses, riders, walkers, from ages zero to 70 - were ready to show the community their creative Halloween costumes.

There were ten riders in the parade, including a bronc rider, a mummy, a vampire, Snow White, a porcelain doll, a witch and a flower child. There were over 20 Halloween cele brators on foot too.

The parade winded through town and past acute care, the Columbia House Healing Gar den, Columbia Garden Village and Ivy House.

“Seniors… were able to come (and) spectate outside because the weather was so nice - even some of the patients in acute care (spectated),” Oddy said. Photos submitted

Serving the Upper Columbia Valley including Akisq’nuk and Shuswap First Nations, Spillimacheen, Brisco, Edgewater, Radium, Invermere, Windermere, Fairmont and Canal Flats

HAUNTED HOUSE

Photo by Ryan Watmough

Photo by Ryan Watmough

A

Photo by Ryan Watmough

Photo by Ryan Watmough

Canal Flats mayor race likely to come down to pulling a name from a hat

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Preliminary results are in and suddenly the Columbia Valley is the site of perhaps the most intriguing municipal election in British Columbia.

Change was always in the cards, with several longtime local politicians opting not to seek re-election (see story on page 5), but few observers would have predicted the dramatic outcome of the vote in Canal Flats. The two mayoral candidates are locked in a dead-even heat, each with 158 votes, and with the matter likely to be settled by drawing a name out of hat.

Outgoing Canal Flats mayor, Karl Sterzer announced several weeks ago that he would not be seeking re-election in the Saturday, October 15 municipal elections. Councillor Doug McCutcheon stepped forward to replace him, as did longtime local resident, Mark Doherty. When the votes were tallied up in the Canal Flats village office at the end of election, both McCutcheon and Doherty stood at 158 votes. Village staff did a careful recount, with the same result: both candidates were tied.

“It is what it is. Life comes at you in all sorts of ways, and if you sit back and think about it, you just might learn something from it.”

“There is going to be a judicial recount,” Canal Flats corporate offi cer, Sylvie Hoobanoff, told the Pio neer. “If it’s still tied after that, then we will draw the name out of a hat, as per the Canal Flats election by law.”

The judicial recount will be con ducted by the B.C. provincial court and will likely involve the B.C. Of fice of the Inspector of Municipali ties. Hoobanoff wasn’t precisely sure when that recount would happen, but pointed out that legislation requires it be finished before the 13th day after the elections, “so it will be very soon”.

“It is what it is. Life comes at you in all sorts of ways and if you sit back and think about it, you just might learn something from it,” McCutcheon told the Pioneer. He noted Doherty’s family has deep roots in the village, and so “I looked at it (the mayoral race) as an uphill climb for me. I feel pretty good that I did the best I could getting my message out. I’m at half and half (in terms of votes) and I’m somewhat pleased with that.”

McCutcheon said he suspects the draw-a-name-from-a-hat part of Canal Flats’s election bylaw probably was created long ago because Canal Flats is a small community, and because drawing a name from a hat means the village taxpayers are spared the costs associated with a second run-off election. “Canal Flats is a laid-back community,” he pointed out.

He added that although he was running for mayor, he can also live with not win ning the election.

“One of my main aims is to improve life for seniors in the village, help them living in place longer. If I don’t become mayor, I will focus on other ways I can help with that,” said McCutcheon.

Doherty preferred to hold off on giving a comment, telling the Pioneer “I’ll wait until we know who wins to comment.”

In the race for Canal Flats councillor seats, Justin Stanbury, Anora Kobza, Jennifer Noble and Patricia Reed were elected, while Denis Babin, Bill Lake and Cody McKersie

missed out.

Stanbury got 244 votes (76 per cent of voters who cast ballots chose him), Kobza got 241 votes (75 per cent of voters chose her), Noble got 212 votes (66 per cent of voters chose her), Reed got 192 votes (60 per cent of voters chose her), Babin got 137 votes (43 per cent of voters chose him), Lake got 112 (35 per cent of voters chose him), and McKersie got 55 votes (17 per cent of voters chose him).

In Radium Hot Springs, new village mayor Mike Gray had a doubly exciting day as village voters elected him to office on his wedding day. Gray, who has been a Radium councillor for one and half terms, got 246 votes (59 per cent) while challenger Brad Lawrence got 171 votes (41 per cent).

Preliminary results see new Radium mayor elected on his wedding day

Ryan Stimming

Doug McCutcheon

Mark Doherty

Roberta Schnider

Mike Gray

Doug McCutcheon. Canal Flats mayor can didate, speaking to the fact that the election will likely come down to pulling a name from a hat

RCMP Report

Submitted by Sgt. Darren Kakuno Detachment Commander Columbia Valley RCMP

This past week, October 10 through 16, the Columbia Valley RCMP respond ed to 64 calls for service. The following is a summary of some of the files our officers responded to.

• Monday, October 10 at about 3:15 a.m. an RCMP officer contacted the fire department after observing smoke coming from the McDonald’s building that was un der construction on Athalmer Road in In vermere. The fire department quickly extinguished the fire but there was significant damage to the interior. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Columbia Valley RCMP or Crimestoppers.

• Wednesday, October 12 at about 10 p.m. Colum bia Valley RCMP officers conducted a road check on Highway 93/95 near Radium Hot Springs. Over the course of an hour over sixty vehicles were checked. Sev

eral warnings were issued for motor vehicle act offences but no violation tickets were issued.

• Friday, October 14 at about 10 p.m. Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of a possible impaired driver in Invermere. The driver of a Ford pickup had allegedly struck another vehicle on 3rd Avenue. An officer attended the scene and spoke with the driver of the Ford pickup. While speak ing to the driver, the officer noted signs of impairment and read a roadside breath de mand. The driver complied with the breath demand and blew a ‘fail’. As a result, the driver was issued a 90-day immediate roadside driving prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.

• Saturday, October 15 at about 8:15 p.m. an officer stopped the driver of a Nissan Rogue for going 152 km/h in a 90 km/h speed zone on Highway 93/95 near Inver mere. The driver received a violation ticket for excessive speed and failing to provide a driver’s license and the car was impounded for seven days.

Local fire departments in midst of recruitment drive

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

The Fairmont Hot Springs, Windermere, Panorama and Edgewater fire departments have started their fall re cruitment drive.

All are part of the Columbia Valley Rural Fire Rescue Service, which operates under the Regional District of East Kootenay. The service is appealing to residents to consider stepping forward to become part of the team.

“No experience is needed to join. We provide the training and we support new recruits through the learn ing process. The only requirement is an interest in help ing your community and a commitment to training,” said Columbia Valley Rural Fire Rescue Service chief, Drew Sinclair.

Each individual fire department is look for two to six new recruits, Sinclair told the Pioneer. He added the fall training is about to start, and “if you are interested now is the best time to start, with the integrated training about to begin”.

Sinclair explained, “there are many benefits to join ing a department, including incredible personal and leadership development, lifesaving first aid skills, and the reward of knowing you are helping your community. In addition, our firefighters receive on-call pay and are eligi ble for extended benefits.”

Application forms are available on the RDEK’s web site and at the fire halls. For more information contact the Columbia Valley Rural Fire Rescue Service at 250342-6214. The firefighter recruitment drive ends Octo ber 28.

Multiple long-time local officials step down

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Last weekend’s municipal elections brought a few changes in the makeup of the Columbia Valley’s political landscape, but a great many of them were known well in advance. That’s because a significant number of long-time, well-known local politicians chose to step down instead of seek re-election. Among them were Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Area G director, Gerry Wilkie; Radium mayor, Clara Rein hardt; Invermere councillor and deputy mayor, Greg Anderson; Invermere councillor and former Canal Flats mayor, Ute Juras and; Karl Sterzer.

All of them have served more than a decade in local office except for Sterzer, who, at eight years on Canal Flats council, is at least close to a decade. Each explained to the Pioneer, in separate interviews, that it’s time to move on.

Wilkie has been Area G’s representative on the RDEK board for 14 years, since first being elected in 2008.

“It’s been a real privilege to work with the people in Area G,” he said. “I’m so proud of all the fine community associations and great communities we have in Area G. That really is the heart and soul of it — the communities and the people. That’s the reasons you do the job.”

Wilkie also expressed gratitude to the RDEK staff and to his fellow RDEK direc tors from the Columbia Valley.

“We have consistently worked really well together and focused on the Columbia Valley as a whole and doing what’s right for the valley as a whole. I’m proud of that too,” he said.

Reinhardt was first elected to council at the same time as Wilkie, in 2008, and she too feels the 14 years have gone by swiftly.

“The reason you do it is that you want to do something for the community. I wanted to make a difference,” Reinhardt told the Pioneer. “The first thing that happens when you are elected is that you realize just how slowly everything goes at the local government level and you start to think what you can do as an individual is somewhat

limited. But then you realize you can indeed make a difference, if you take the time to talk to people, to listen what the issues are.”

Several successful initiatives early on in her career as a councillor energized Rein hardt, and she began to take on a load far above that of a normal councillor.

When then-Radium mayor, Dee Conklin decided not to run for re-election in 2014, Reinhardt said it was a natural choice for her to run for the role. After she became the mayor, Reinhardt went on to become RDEK board vice chair and also sat on the executive of the Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Government (AKBLG) and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM).

“It’s just kind of escalated, but the whole time you always need to remember that your first responsibility is to Radium,” she said.

Reinhardt told the Pioneer that opening of the new Radium Hot Springs Centre is the highlight of her time on council.

“We began talking about it back in 2008, when I first started on council,” she said. “We got it in the official community plan (OCP), we did a community recreation sur vey report, and eventually, we finally did it. That was a pretty major deal. It’s a beautiful facility, it’s won awards, but for me the most important thing is that it’s well-used.”

On why she is stepping down, she noted, “It’s been 14 years. Change is good, for everybody. You need new ideas. You need to look at things with a different lens. It’s time for somebody new.”

Anderson has been an Invermere councillor for 11 years, and prior to that was In vermere’s school board trustee for 12 years, for a total of 23 years of elected officialdom.

“It’s always been about giving back. I love the community,” he told the Pioneer

Starting with the school board was a logical first step since he had kids in the school system at the time. Once they left, “it was a natural progression to switch to council”, said Anderson. “My kids had graduated, and I think for the school board you want somebody who is close to the school, who has kids in the system for instance, because that gives them an understanding of what is happening and what is needed. So I looked around for another place I could do some public service, and it was as a councillor.”

on page

PERSPECTIVE

Firefighters and Search and Rescue Personnel: Thank You

By Joanne McQuarrie editor@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Firefighters and those who conduct search and res cue operations are an incredible group of people.

Over the years, in the course of my work as a jour nalist, I have spoken with a number of firefighters and search and rescue personnel, primarily volunteers, about the work they do. I got to know these folks from another perspective too; as a victim services advocate for many years, my service at an incident often overlapped that of other emergency services personnel, including firefight ers.

To do such work itself requires a deep level of com mitment, skill and stamina. Firefighters go beyond ac tioning a fire; they are medical co-responders too.

Firefighting and conducting search and rescue oper ations as a volunteer means mixing everyday duties with scenarios that can present any number of outcomes. Some incidents conclude on a relatively simple basis. But others are exhausting, shocking, heart-wrenching. What is experienced at a scene can linger far beyond its quan tifiable conclusion, on both a physical and mental level.

This week’s fire supplement is an annual recognition and celebration of these amazing people. But all year long, firefighters and search and rescue personnel pro vide many levels of service to us. This is a good day for us to offer a word of thanks to a firefighter or someone in a search and rescue organization. A little goes a long way.

Invermere transfer station temporary paving closure

Submitted by Regional District of East Kootenay

The Invermere transfer station will be tempo rarily closed for three days next week as the RDEK paves the site.

“The entire site will be closed beginning Tues day morning (October 25) and we hope to have the paving wrapped up by Thursday evening (Oct. 27) so that we can open for regular hours on Friday,” said RDEK solid waste superintendent, Jim Penson. “Having the site paved will improve the experience for all users of the site. We appreciate the public’s understanding as we make this upgrade with as min imal an impact on services as possible.”

The RDEK will be removing all bins from the facility to assist in the paving process and will be returning them prior to reopening.

Continued on page 26…

Historical LensHistorical Lens

The Frank Schnider Family

Local naturalist gets national award

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Local naturalist, Larry Halverson, was honoured with a national Canadian Museum of Nature lifetime achievement award earlier this fall. A celebration to mark the occasion is set for this coming weekend at Pynelogs.

Halverson was announced as the 2022 Nature Inspiration Award lifetime achievement laureate in mid-September and friends and colleagues are mark ing the occasion on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pynelogs Cultural Centre.

He told the Pioneer he was “very surprised” to get the award, explaining he’d been out on a six-day backcountry fly fishing trip with his daughter when the news came out. Halverson didn’t hear it until he got home and his wife told him he needed to check his email.

Halverson was humble and pointed to others who have earned the award, saying, “I’m honoured to be in such esteemed company.”

The Canadian Museum Nature gave Halverson the award, not just for his nearly four-decades-long career as a naturalist with Parks Canada, but also for his extensive volunteer efforts to help protect the natural environment of the Columbia Valley, and in

deed the planet as a whole. The volunteering includes co-founding the valley’s now-famous Wings Over the Rockies Festival some 25 years ago; the East Kootenay Conservation Project; the Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network; the B.C. Biodiversity Centre for Wildlife Studies; Nature Scape B.C.; the Columbia Basin Living Landscape; the Wild Bird Trust of B.C; the B.C. Frog Watch Program; the E-Flora and E-Fauna B.C. electronic atlases; the Col lege of the Rockies and; countless other initiatives.

Halverson was also instrumental in rallying community support to halt plans in 1978 to divert the Kootenay River into the Columbia River sys tem — plans that would have irrevocably altered the world-renowned Columbia River wetlands.

The museum, on its website, cited Halverson’s kindness, humour and ‘just do it’ attitude.

Halverson grew up in Calgary and became fasci nated with the natural world as a youngster through family fishing and camping trips and through plain old fashioned mucking around in the outdoors.

“My folks tell me I was always bent over looking at critters. I was always bringing things home: rocks, tadpoles, a wounded pigeon. The pigeon was covered in tar, so I cleaned it up and it became a pet,” he said.

“Nature became a passion for me.”

Continued on page 26…

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Steve Hubrecht Magazine Editor/ Reporter Ext. 105

Chadd Cawson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Ext. 106

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Left to right: Maureen, Erika (mother), Roberta, Jacquie, Frank (father) and Teresa. Circa 1988

Courtesy of Windermere District Historical Society

School sports teach valuable life lessons, says DTSS athletic director

By Joanne McQuarrie editor@columbiavalleypioneer.com

“I’m huge believer in the benefits of sports,” said Matt LeBourdais, the new athletic director at David Thomson Secondary School (DTSS).

He said at DTSS students are encouraged to participate in sports as much as they can “and to play as many different sports as they can - three or four, rather than one”.

The goal, he said, is to “keep them engaged, active, healthy, (see) what a positive thing that sports can be. Sports keep kids out of trouble; it gives them something to do on a Friday, a week end”.

“Teamwork, communication, hard-work, determination, goal-setting, resiliency... sports teaches all of this, and it all relates to life,” LeB ourdais said in an email.

Matt LeBourdais, DTSS’ new ath letic director, is passionate about the empowering skills students can gain when they’re participating in sports. And having the community come out to watch games or volunteer to help teams is an important factor in the success of sports, he added.

It is LeBourdais’ first year at DTSS in this position; he worked at J A Laird Elementary School for four years before that.

“I’m happy to be in a specific role,” he said.

LeBourdais is not new to DTSS though. “I used to go to this school; I loved my time at this high school and it’s great to be back as a teacher, rather than a student.”

His palpable enthusiasm comes from an ear ly involvement in sports. LeBourdais explained, “School sports was huge for my development growing up here in Invermere. I played every sport under the sun as a kid, and went on to play university volleyball at UBC and pro fessional volleyball all across Europe. Pretty cool for a kid from this small little town!”

The self-proclaimed sports fanatic said with COVID on the back burner, “sports are on full time and it’s a great vibe! We have already hosted a grade eight tournament at the school. It’s fun to see people at the gym (watching games).”

Having spectators at games fits in with LeBourdais’ efforts to get more community engagement around school sports in town.

DTSS will host a senior boys volleyball tournament on Oct 21-22. On the 21st, Lakers games are at 5 and 6 p.m. Lakers’ games on the 22nd are at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Playoffs follow later that day.

“Attendance is free for anyone who wants to come watch; come out and support your Lakers,” LeBourdais invited.

If you want to get involved at a different level, LeBourdais noted, “We are always looking for volunteer parents/coaches to help with sports teams. Anyone thinking they want to help out / coach can get in touch with me at the school!”

. . . ‘Local officials’ from 5

His time as an elected official has been eventful, seeing the closure of seven schools during his time as a trustee (“It was a big deal, but I would say it was a ‘lowlight’ rather than a highlight,” said Anderson) and the purchase of the Lake Windermere Resort lands and the opening of the Columbia Valley Centre during his time on council. (“Those are more what you can call highlights,” he said.)

“I’m feeling positive. I was lucky to work with good councillors, good mayors and good staff. The town looks as good or better than when I started and it’s nice to have contributed to that, even if it’s just in a small way,” said Anderson.

As for stepping down, Anderson told the Pioneer, “You can’t do something for ever. I need to make space for new people with new ideas.”

Juras has more than 18 years of service as, first, a Canal Flats councillor, starting in mid 2004 when the village incorporated, then two terms as Canal Flats mayor, from 2011 to 2018, and then, after moving to Invermere in 2018, as an Invermere councillor for the past four years.

She told the Pioneer she’s moving on “because it’s been 18 years. It’s time for new challenges.”

Juras has also started a new position with the local nonprofit Fam ily Dynamix Association and because that group works closely with local govern ment, she wants to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

The highlight of Juras’ time on local government was helping improve life in two local communities and at the regional district level, she said.

“I will also miss the camaraderie of local government,” said Juras. “I’d like to thank the people of Canal Flats and of Invermere for their support. It’s been an honour and a pleasure to serve them.”

The Pioneer made repeated attempts to interview Sterzer, who has served on Canal Flats council, first as a councillor, then as mayor, for the past eight years, but was unable to reach him for comment prior to press deadline.

C U L T U R A L C E N T R E

Friday, October 28, 1-4 pm

T he P ioneer

Photo submitted

Damaged culvert at Abel Creek a hardship for salmon and other fish

By Chadd Cawson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

What if the only road and way you could travel home safely was blocked and it remained this way for years? This has been a concern for fish needing to pass through a damaged culvert on Johnston Road since 2017.

There have been ongoing concerns regarding this culvert from community members like Ben Mitch ell-Banks, conservationist and manager of the Abel Creek Restoration Project with the Lake Windermere District Rod and Gun Club. Earlier this year in April the gun club was awarded the B.C. Wildlife Federation Roder ick Haig-Brown Conservation Award which is bestowed annually to recognize a conservation project that benefits fish, wildlife, or a natural habitat. It was recognized for its habitat restoration work that has been underway on Abel Creek since 2014. Part of the restoration work the club was awarded for included the removal in August of 2015 of the dam on Abel Creek that was located adjacent to Walker and Sandwell Road about 70 metres downstream of where it goes under Westside Road. The gun club re ceived some grant monies for their Abel Creek project, but also contributed a lot of their own funds and labour.

“Like many salmon habitats, Abel Creek has been devastated by human development. The entire lower sec tion has been channelized due to the placing of the two roads, above and below Westside Road. Channelization prevents the stream from forming a riffle pool structure and basically creates a fast-flowing ditch with larger cob ble,” said Mitchell-Banks. “The larger stone does not pro vide spawning habitat for kokanee salmon, rainbow trout or westslope cutthroat trout. The dam below Westside Road effectively prevented fish from reaching almost all their spawning habitat since about 1910 or so.”

Beginning in 2017, Mitchell-Banks shared his con cerns about the damaged culvert at Abel Creek with the DOI. He said the only thing now blocking kokanee salmon from reaching their spawning grounds is the DOI culvert 300 metres above Westside Road.

“It was apparent at that time that while the kokanee could now swim up to the culvert on Johnston Road, they were unable to make it through that culvert. The DOI knew for many years there were likely fish passage problems with their culverts but never bothered to follow up. They knew this because a report they commissioned raised the issue,” said Mitchell-Banks.

Invermere mayor, Al Miller shared that the DOI has been aware that the culvert has been troublesome since 2017, but it unable to dive into the process until 2019.

“It’s not just a simple fix when you are going into a waterway, and you’ve got fish. You must deal with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). We have been doing that since it was first brought to our atten tion in 2017,” said Miller. “There’s also a hefty price tag attached to this repair. It’s a $400,000 bill to fix it, plus there are a lot of steps of consultation to go through be fore a project like this can be taken on and completed,” said Miller.

The gun club tried several funding options over the years to assist the DOI with funding but were unable to obtain grant monies. The common response they received was that the funds are to go to conservation funds on crown lands, (that) defective infrastructure that is owned

by a municipality should be paid for by the owners, that being the municipal, provincial, or federal governments.

“It’s too late now to replace the structure this year. In-stream work usually takes place during a fish timing window. This is the time when digging in the creek will do the least damage. The timing depends on the fish that one would usually find in that creek,” said Mitch ell-Banks. “For Abel Creek that period is in the late sum mer, at that time the trout eggs have hatched, and the alevins are out of the gravel and the kokanee salmon have not yet moved into the stream to start their fall spawning run.”

A damaged culvert at Abel Creek prevents salmon and other fish from safely passing through. Concerns about this culvert date back to 2017. The District of Invermere (DOI) has been actively working towards a solution since 2019.

Submitted by Ben Mitchell-Banks

While it may have been a while since waterways like Abel Creek have had to worry about salmon runs, that has certainly changed since the Shuswap Band released 1500 kokanee salmon into the upper Columbia River this past summer. Before that recent release the upper Columbia River had not seen salmon in decades. Miller agreed that now, safe passage is more crucial than ever.

“It’s very important, certainly we want to make sure that it is in good shape, so that is why we are underway working with our own engineer, and urban systems as well as DFO and the biologists. It’s not just a simple case anymore. In the old days you’d go in there with an exca vator, rip up the road, put a culvert in, and it’d be done, and for half the price. There were problems sometimes associated when doing things that way. Now, these fixes have become a little more particular and probably rightly so. We have a great relationship with the Shuswap Band and so we have been consulting with them and have been working with the biologists who take of that for the DFO.

“So basically, it’s just been taking a lot of time and there is only one time of the year that the work can be done. We’ve had good consultation with the Shuswap Band, particularly newly-appointed Salmon Chief, Mark Thomas,” Miller continued. “I know some folks may think we have been dragging our feet, but the fact of the matter is we’ve had to deal with other levels of govern ment. It’s not just within our hands. Next summer is the plan to have this repaired. We’ve got a report done up and are working on (a) request for proposal (RFP) to col lect quotes, and the hope is that we can award that next spring, so that we can progress with work in the summer.”

Golf tournament held in memory of Kym Walstrom

By Joanne McQuarrie editor@columbiavalleypioneer.com

On September 26, family and friends of Kym Walstrom hosted a memorial golf tournament in her memory (a wine, not par tee tournament). It was a heartfelt event that honoured her life and contributions to the community.

The tournament was held on the Ridge Course at the Copper Point Golf Club, where Kym worked as an ac counting manager for more than ten years. She passed away from cancer on September 22, 2021 in Fairmont, at the age of 61.

The $740 raised went to the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley. It supports families with a loved one who has a terminal illness; the funds are used for NAV-CARE, anticipatory grief support, end of life support, bereavement support, community outreach and a resources library.

A six-week introduction to the Enne agram

The Enneagram is an integrated look at nine personality types, of how each individual “ sees ” life through their own personality type It is helpful for self-awareness, and for understanding others who have a different personality type than our own.

Online, using zoom. Wednesdays, beginning October 26th, either in the afternoon from 1-2:30 p.m. or in the evening from 7-8:30 p.m.

No charge. For more information or to register, please call Brent (minister at the Anglican/United Church), 250-342-6644.

Family and friends of Kym Walstrom hosted a memorial golf tournament on September 26 at the Ridge course at the Cop per Point Golf Club. Through a 50/50 draw and a quilt draw, $740 was raised and went to the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley (HSCV). Pictured are Michele Neider, executive director, HSCV; Wes Walstrom, Kym’s husband; their daughters, Kirby Walstrom and Bailey Walstrom and; Brian Schaal, president, general manager, executive profes sional, Copper Point Golf Club. Photo submitted.

Brian Schaal, Copper Point Golf Club president, general manager, executive professional, shared points in an email, about Kym’s life. She “was born July 18, 1960, to Eileen and Gordon Kokesch. She met her sweet cheeks, Wes, in high school, and they married on May 16, 1981. Kym and Wes completed their family with ar rival of daughters Kirby and Bailey while living in Stet tler, AB... In 1995 the family moved to Fairmont, B.C., and have made it their home since.

“The most important thing in Kym’s life was her family and friends. Kym was rarely spotted without a huge grin and had an infectious, beautiful laugh that she shared freely. Kym’s zest for life and trying new things was blaringly noticeable. She loved travelling and vaca tioning, and new adventures with her people. She cher ished her friendships, new and life-long, and prided her self on being a good friend. She was a fierce mother that grew with her girls; their bond is strong and beautiful. Kym and Wes were the love of each other’s lives; their 40-year marriage a testament to their unconditional love, commitment and care toward one another, and shared love of family, friends, and fun.

“Kym played and loved many sports in her life, ex celling in most. (She) spent her life visiting, hosting and chilling, red wine in hand, sharing a giggle, surrounded by the people that loved her wholly and unconditional ly. She will be missed greatly, remembered vividly in her Kym way, and kept safe and honoured in the hearts of those who knew her.”

OUT OF OFFICE…

Happy Small Business Week

Small Business Week is a Canada-wide celebration of entrepreneurship. Small Business Week presents an opportunity to celebrate the small business owners who provide our essential services, local jobs, and foster culture in our communities.

Small Business BC is celebrating the dreamers and doers who become our notable entrepreneurs who make BC’s business culture thrive. To contribute to, and support entrepreneurial growth, we encourage you to explore some resources.

On Thursday October 20th join John Baxter, Small Business BC Planning Advisor to learn how to write a business plan from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. Following this, you can learn to recessionproof your business with Ted Lau, national co-

host of Marketing News Canada, from 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.

On Friday October 21st, join Mark Eversfield, Market Research Analyst, to learn how to find business data and insights. You can register and access these webinars at www. smallbusinessbc/small-business-week. The BC Chamber is also holding a series of webinars that we invite you to participate in. Register on their website, ww.bcchamber.org/ events/

The CVCC is proudly celebrating our local businesses tonight on the red carpet at the Business Excellence Awards gala. Beyond this evening, we encourage you to show gratitude and give extra thanks to our hardworking small business community this week!

cvevents.ca

POWERED BY THE COLUMBIA VALLEY CHAMBER

ursday, October 20

● 2-3 p.m.: Needles and Hooks – crochet and knit in a group at the Invermere Public Library

● 6 p.m.: Business Excellence Awards Gala. Doors at 6 p.m., Ceremony at 7 p.m. at Ullr Bar

● 7 p.m.: Radium Rotary Bingo is back and in-person at the Radium Hall! 5 games, 50/50 ra e and prizes. Call Sharlene for more info: 250-688-1561.

• 9- 11:30 a.m.: StrongStart/ CAP-C at Edgewater Elementary, free drop-in for children 0-5 and caregivers.

• 10-11:30 a.m.: Free Parent and Tot Connect for kids 0-6 at the Early Years Center; 926 7th Ave, Invermere.

• 10:15 a.m.- 1 p.m.: Tech Time at the Invermere Public Library. Free tech assistance and support.

• 11-1 p.m.: Invermere Pickleball at the Mount Nelson Athletic Park

• 12 p.m.: Senior’s Lunch at the Invermere Legion.

• 2 p.m.: Senior’s Tea at the Invermere Public Library (second and 4th Thursdays of each month)

• 2 p.m.: Tech Time at the Radium Public Library (free tech assistance and support drop-in)

• 3 p.m.: Free youth drop-in fun at the Youth Hub (until 10 p.m.).

• 6 p.m.: Steamboat Mountain Pickleball at the Radium Rink.

• 6:30 p.m.: Darts, cards and Cribbage at the Invermere Legion every Thursday.

• 6:45 p.m.: Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament at the Invermere Legion for members and guests. $30 buy in.

• 7:30 p.m.: Trivia Night at the Whitehouse Pub in Windermere. $3/ per person, ages 19+.

• 9 p.m.: Karaoke at the Station Pub. Every second Thursday, 19+.

Friday, October 21

● 8 p.m.: Camp Kootenay Comedy Tour at Arrowhead Brewing. Tickets available online.

• 9-10:30 a.m.: Mom t and preschool group at the Columbia Valley Centre.

• 9:15 a.m.: StrongStart at Eileen Madson.

• 10:30 a.m.: Family Story Time at the Invermere Pubic Library. Stories, songs and crafts

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Pickleball at the Mount Nelson Athletic Park

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Co-ed Tennis

• 12 & 5 p.m.: Edgewater Legion wing day! 12 p.m.: Takeout, 5 p.m. dine-in, call 250-3479725.

• 1 p.m.: Seniors’ duplicate bridge: Costs $2 at the Invermere Senior’s Hall.

• 2-3 p.m.: Spooky Crafternoons at the Invermere Library (ages 5-12).

• 2 p.m.: Free Youth Drop-in Fun at the Youth Hub.

• 4-8 p.m.: Pub grub at the Invermere Legion every Friday and Saturday.

• 5:30 p.m.: Magic the Gathering. Play in the tournament at 5:30. Age 10+, $20.

• 6 p.m.: Rotary Community Bingo: Must be 19+ to play. Join us to raise money, give back, have fun, and support local. Visit us on Facebook to purchase your bingo card.

• 9 p.m: Karaoke Night at the Windermere Whitehouse Pub. Must be 19+, come have fun!

Saturday, October 22

● Beerfest at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, presented by the Immersion Festival.

● 7 p.m.: Columbia Valley Rockies vs. Sicamous Eagles

• 10:30 a.m.: LEGO/Duplo at the Invermere Public Library, drop-in fun.

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Invermere Pickleball at the Mount Nelson Athletic Park (drop-in).

• 4-8 p.m.: Pub Grub at the Invermere Legion, Fridays and Saturdays.

Sunday, October 23

● 10:30 a.m.: Brunch at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort (make a reservation: 1-800-663-4979)

• 9 a.m.: Bottle drive - Rotary Fundraiser. The Rotary Club collects refundable bottles at the Invermere Transfer Station. Raised funds are used for the community.

• 1:30 p.m.: Seniors Cribbage: Costs $2 in the Invermere Senior’s Hall.

• 2-4 p.m.: Steamboat Mountain Pickleball at Franks Rink In Edgewater.

• 7 p.m. Live Music at Horsethief Pub.

Monday, October 24

● Last day to vote in the Great Annual Scarecrow Competition!

● 7:30 p.m.: The Legendary Downchild Blues Band. Presented by Invermere Home Hardware. At the Columbia Valley Centre. Tickets online!

• 9 a.m.: Bottle drive - Rotary Fundraiser. The Rotary Club collects refundable bottles at the Invermere Transfer Station. Raised funds are used for the community.

• 9:15 a.m.: StrongStart at Eileen Madson Primary.

• 10- 11 a.m.: Seniors Yoga: Columbia Valley Community Centre ($2).

• 11 a.m: Invermere Pickleball Club at the Mount Nelson Athletic Park

• 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Co-ed Tennis. Drop in doubles at Kinsmen Beach.

• 1:30 p.m.: Seniors Carpet Bowling. Join us for $2 at the Invermere Senior’s Hall.

• 4 p.m.: LGBTQ+ & Allies Drop-In & Hangout: Youth Centre Hub.

• 6:30 p.m.: Poker Night at the Station Pub: Chip up for charity. Every second Monday, bar is open with light snacks, 19+.

Tuesday, October 25

● 3:30 p.m.: Mini Haunted Museum painting at the Invermere Public Library (drop in Grades 7-12)

• 9 a.m.: StrongStart/ CAP-C at Edgewater Elementary (children 0-5 and caregivers).

• 10 a.m.: Parent & Tot Connect at the Early Years Centre.

• 10:30a.m.: Homeschool Meetup at the Invermere Public Library.

• 11 a.m: Invermere Pickleball Club at the Mount Nelson Athletic Park

• 3 p.m.: Free youth drop-in fun at the Summit Youth Centre.

• 6-8 p.m.: Steamboat Mountain Picklebal at Franks Rink in Edgewater.

• 6-8:30 p.m.: Second Winds Community Band Rehearsal: Tuesdays at the Invermere Catholic Hall. BYO Instrument, Contact Ian at 250-342-9733.

Wednesday, October 26

● 2 p.m.: Novel Idea: Invermere Public Library’s Book Club. This month’s pick: Five Little Indians by Michelle Good. Pick up a copy at the circulation desk! Everyone welcome

• 9 a.m.: StrongStart Drop-in for kids 0-6 and caregivers in Canal Flats at Martin Morigeau.

• 10 a.m.: Parent and Tot Connect at the Early Years Centre.

• 10-11 a.m.: Seniors Yoga: Columbia Valley Community Centre ($2).

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Co-ed Tennis. Drop in doubles at Kinsmen Beach.

• 11 a.m.: Invermere Pickleball Club at the Mount Nelson Athletic Park

• 12:30 p.m.: Seniors duplicate Bridge: $2 at the Invermere Senior’s Hall.

• 12-8 p.m.: Wear Wednesdays. Come to Arrowhead Brewery wearing our swag for $1 o your pint.

• 3 p.m.: Free youth Drop-in: at the Summit Youth Centre.

• 5 p.m.: Dinner at the Legion. Reserve your table by the Saturday Prior: 250-342-9517

• 7 p.m.: Trivia Night at the Station Pub. $5/ person, max 6/ team

This is National Waste Reduction Week, a time to think about the waste we generate.

From spoiled food to used oil, cell phones and single-use plastics, garbage can add up quickly. It’s up to all of us to minimize the waste we produce wherever possible. From meal planning, to getting a couple more years use out of your laptop, we can all start to make a difference. The RDEK offers dozens of recycling options on hundreds of products.

national week WASTE REDUCTION

E-WASTE PLASTICS

In Canada E-Waste is one of the largest growing sources of garbage. The Global E-waste Monitor 2020 report found that the world dumped a record 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste in 2019 - equivalent to the weight of 350 cruise ships The best way to reduce this number is to make sure that we use the gadgets that we already have for as long as possible. When finished with them, consider donating or selling your electronic items instead of throwing them out.

Since the 1950s 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic has been produced around the world and only 23 per cent of those plastics have been recovered or recycled. By 2050, it’s estimated that by weight, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Recycling or reusing our plastics not only keeps them out of our oceans, but recycling 1 tonne of plastics prevents up to 2 tonnes of carbon pollution Recycle BC Depots across the region accept hundreds of types of plastic packaging to be recycled.

THERE ARE TWO STREAMS FOR RECYCLING HOUSEHOLD PRODUCT PACKAGING IN THE EAST KOOTENAY

Every day in Canada we waste 450,000 eggs, 750,000 loaves of bread and 1,000,000 glasses of milk. It’s estimated that Canadian households waste more than $10 billion worth of food annually. Compostable organics make up almost 30% of the waste going into the landfill here in the RDEK. Some simple changes like meal planning, proper produce storage and getting creative with leftovers can make a big difference. Earth Machine composters are also available from the RDEK for $52.

FOOD WASTE HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE

Hazardous waste. You don’t want it at your house, and you don’t want to throw it in the garbage. What do you do with it? Bring it to the Household Hazardous Waste Depot at the Cranbrook Transfer station Dozens of hazardous liquids and materials are accepted there, like garden and pest control products, household cleaners and disinfectants, antifreeze and brake fluid, plus many more.

Only the following products can be recycled in the Yellow Bins or curbside in Fernie and Invermere: PAPER (such as newspaper, magazines, phone books, brochures, envelopes).

CARDBOARD all types of cardboard. Exception: Cardboard covered in wax (for example milk cartons) or soiled with food or grease (like pizza boxes) cannot be recycled in this system.

TIN & ALUMINUM CANS food and beverage cans; labels off, rinse well.

PLASTICS Grocery bags and plastic with the # 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 on it. Plastics must be rinsed and every item must have a number on it. No Styrofoam even though it will be marked a #6.

Recycle BC is a not-for-profit organization responsible for residential packaging and paper product recycling throughout BC. Recycle BC is funded by producers that supply packaging and paper products to BC residents, keeping the costs away from taxpayers.

By adopting the Recycle BC program, we are able to recycle many new products that are not available through the Yellow Bin system. These include milk cartons, ziploc bags, styrofoam, coated paper cups, bubble wrap, flexible plastic packaging, potato chip bags, aluminum foil & pie plates, and many more.

Recycle BC Depots in the region

INVERMERE

8:30 5:30 seven days a

(closed Christmas Day, New Years Day,

KIMBERLEY TRANSFER STATION 800 Jim Ogilvie

8:30 5:30 seven days a week

(closed Christmas Day, New Years Day, Remembrance Day,

CRANBROOK

5:30 seven days a week

STATION

Day

22nd

(closed Christmas Day, New Years Day, Remembrance Day, Thanksgiving Day and Family Day)

FERNIE TRANSFER STATION 6000 Highway 3

9:00 5:00 Mon o Fri 10:00 4:00 Sat & Sun

(closed Christmas Day, New Years Day, Remembrance Day, Thanksgiving Day and Family Day)

SPARWOOD TRANSFER STATION 1001 Highway 3 9:00 5:00 Mon o Sat

(closed Sunday, Christmas Day, New Years Day, Remembrance Day, Thanksgiving Day and Family Day)

ELKFORD TRANSFER STATION #6 Inkaneep Rd 9:30 3:30 Tue to Fri 10:00 5:00 Sat

(closed Sunday, Christmas Day, New Years Day, Remembrance Day, Thanksgiving Day and Family Day)

The Yellow Bins Throughout the Region and Municipal Curbside Pick-up in Fernie and Invermere

Recycle BC Depots Throughout the Region and Municipal Curbside Pick-up in Cranbrook and Kimberley

The RDEK pays for each tonne collected through the Yellow Bins and curbside pick-up in Fernie and Invermere.

The RDEK is paid for each tonne collected through the Recycle BC Depots across the region as well as Cranbrook and Kimberley’s curbside pick-up

Halloween Open House

By Chadd Cawson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The countdown is on to see superheroes, princesses, witches, monsters, ghouls and goblins go trick-or-treat ing door to door. Most families and their kids out for Halloween fun and candy usually get to see decorated porches and foyers, at best. Those who love Halloween as much as Donna Scheffer and her husband Arnold do, are in for an early treat!

The Scheffers will open their home - 410 Third Ave. - to the public on Oct. 27 and 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. It’ll be a free, fun, and spooky (but not too scary) walk-through tour which will begin from the Scheffer’s back deck. All children must be accompanied by a parent with a one adult to two children ratio preferred.

there were more children living in the area as they would have loved to have had more visitors over the years.

Donna explained, “Our first three years in our home, we decorated the front of our house, but since we are on the ‘no thru’ part of Third Ave, it wasn’t a very popular place to bring your kiddies. We then got the idea to dec orate our back yard. Decorations started going up two weeks before Halloween and were more readily visible from Sifton Street.”

“We received our little guests at our back door off our deck. From there, they could see some of the decora tions in our house. If they were with adults who showed interest, they were invited in for a viewing. From there it grew. Each year we decorated more of the house, and friends said it was a shame more people didn’t see it with all the work that went into setting it up.”

The Scheffers’ love for Halloween isn’t the only thing they sing about. Members of Valley Voices Choir for sev eral years, they would host an after-supper practice on the Monday before Halloween, pre-COVID

“Halloween isn’t everyone’s thing, but those who came enjoyed the decorations and the eats,” said Scheffer.

Over the years they have dressed up as pirates, hippies, a gypsy, witch, and Dracula, hopeful for more families and trick-or-treaters each year. If you are curious about what they will masquerade as for these tours, well, you will just have to come and see for yourself. While there is no cost to enter the Scheffers’ home to take in their Halloween décor, Donna would be more than happy to take non-perishable donations for our local food bank or

“Halloween for me as a child was always such a hap py, magical time,” Donna said. “Going to neighbours and strangers’ homes looking for candy was so much fun and if we got an apple or a piece of homemade fudge or a popcorn ball, it was a bonus. My mom would usually make pie from the apples, as they were pretty banged up by the time we got home. Those days are gone, but I hope that whoever visits our home will go away feeling happy.”

For many, Halloween may just be about the trick or treating but for the Scheffers, it’s so much more. “My favourite part of Halloween, besides the decorating, is seeing the joy on the faces of those who come and truly appreciate what they are seeing,” said Donna. “To some it’s all about the treats but to others it’s seeing the decora tions and for the parents to realize the thought and time that has gone into it.”

The Scheffers, live in Althamer, located on the unced ed territories of the Secwépemc and Ktunaxa People and home chosen by the Metis people of B.C. They moved into their home 16 years ago and have always wished

Donna Scheffer and her husband Arnold will be sharing their love of Halloween with the community when they open their home for two walk-through tours on October 27 and 28.The Scheffers love to dress themselves up and to dec orate. You will have to show up on the days they open their doors, to see what they masquerade as.

a ‘Toonie for Terry’ Fox. (Donna has two passions: The first is making a difference, specifically through the Terry Fox Foundation, and the second - Halloween.)

Submitted Photos

Local couple opens their home to the public for family friendly Halloween tour

Ranting Ravens: intelligent and mischievous

THE WILD FILES It’s our nature

By Chadd Cawson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

We cannot talk about one spooky black bird one may associate with Halloweenthe crow - without speaking about its creepy cousin of the Corvus Corvidae family, the raven. While there are over eight different subspecies of ravens, the one seen soaring above the Columbia Valley on the unceded territories of the Secwépemc and Ktunaxa Peoples and the land chosen as home by the Métis Peoples of B.C., is the western, or northern raven, also referred to as the common raven.

At first glance ravens may look like crows but in fact, there are a few distinct dif ferences. They are the bigger of these two flying black beauties. They are 160 cm in length, which is just over 25 cm longer in length than the American Crow, and have an average wingspan of 150 cm. The common raven almost doubles the weight of the American Crow; it weighs an average of 1200 grams and has coexisted with humans for thousands of years.

Another way to tell the common raven apart from the American crow is by their tail feathers and beaks. Ravens have longer middle tail feathers than the crow, giving the appearance of a wedge of a fan when the bird has them spread out. Ravens have notice ably shaggy throat feathers, called hackles. Their beaks are both larger and curvier than American crows’. Being omnivorous, they are versatile and opportunistic when it comes to what they put in their beak. Ravens, known for their hunting skills, have a diet that varies. It consists of cereal grains, berries and other fruit, insects, nesting birds, other small animals, as well as garbage. They certainly defy the saying you are what you eat, as ravens and crows are known to be two of the most intelligent species next to chim panzees. They’re known for their ability to problem solve. Ravens also show their intel ligence by playing games of hide and seek. Males will use their beaks to lure females, and to point at things. While ravens are predators to some, they have a few predators to watch out for, particularly owls, martens and eagles, which like to target a raven’s eggs.

Common areas for the common raven to call home are wooded with nearby ex panses of open land or anywhere along the coast; these areas are perfect for their nesting sites and feeding grounds. Ravens are known to thrive all over the world, from North America to the British Isles, as well as in parts of Eurasia and the deserts of North Afri ca. Finding homes at great heights, ravens have been recorded being seen at altitudes of 5,000 meters on Mount Everest in Tibet.

Shrill sounds and love songs

While crows are known for their caws and purrs, ravens croak and scream; they make more of a ‘kraa’ sound. A raven’s call may sound shrill and repeated when chasing away predators or trespassers of an area they watch over. If they feel their nests are under threat their ‘kraas’ become deep and rasping. While there is no special term to distin guish males from females, dominant female ravens, bigger than their male counterparts,

The common ravens seen here are the subspecies of raven we see flying high over the Columbia Valley. The common raven is larger in size than the American Crow. Both species are known for their hunting ability and intelligence. Getty Image

will often make a series of large knocking sounds when they feel their eggs or chicks are in danger. Ravens mate for life. When they’re looking for love and to bond, they warble and serenade each other with comfort songs during courtship.

An unkindness

A group of ravens has many names including a conspiracy, storytelling, and un kindness. Once a raven finds its mate, they will leave the unkindness to pair off. In folklore, it is said that the sight of a lone raven is sign of good luck. Ravens haven been known to sense those that need some guidance, so if one appears to you, it may be a sign the answer you seek is on the way. While some associate a sighting of ravens with death and bad luck, others view it a sign of rebirth and a chance to start anew. For years ravens have held a strong presence in literature and poetry, particularly the iconic haunting poem by Edgar Allan Poe.

The trickster

The raven is the perfect bird to highlight this trick-or-treat season. In Indigenous cultures across the globe, the raven is seen as a trickster, known for its foolishness, its childlike ways, and for making mischief. A few more fun freaky facts about ravens: they can remember human faces, they can mimic human voices better than some parrots, as well as other human-made sounds such a car engine starting or a toilet flushing. If you have an interaction with a raven, make sure it’s a good one, as they are quick to decide whether humans are friends or foes, and will hold long term grudges.

Trick or ... a weed pull? Bat-friendly landscaping can help bats at Halloween

Submitted by Kootenay Community Bat Project

As Halloween approaches, images of scary bats be come commonplace. This is the perfect time of year to counter bat myths and do something to help bats by tak ing part in International Bat Week, October 24-31. Bat Week is all about appreciating these amazing animals and their benefits, including eating insects, pollinating flow ers, and spreading seeds and nutrients.

This Bat Week, consider bat-friendly gardening to help bats. Planting native trees, shrubs or flowers in your yard, as well as light-coloured and night-blooming flow ers, will support the insects that our BC bats like to eat. Controlling invasive plant species also helps insects and bats thrive, so consider a weed-pull in your yard, laneway, or local park or wetland. You can find more information on bat-friendly gardening through the Community Bat Program’s Bat-friendly Communities Guide at www.bc bats.ca . Contact your local bat project to find out about activities happening near you – kootenay@bcbats.ca.

Follow us on Facebook for a Bat Week quiz.

Why BatWeek? “Bats in BC help control agricultural and forest pests, as well as mosquitoes in our yards - but now bats need our help,” said Elodie Kuhnert, regional

Bats in a bat box: Bat boxes can provide a secure roost site for bats if properly installed and maintained.

coordinator for the Kootenay Community Bat Project.

“Providing safe and healthy habitat for bats has always been important, since over half the species in this prov ince are considered at risk. With the continuing spread of white-nose syndrome in Washington State, bat con servation is more important than ever as we expect to see impacts in BC in the near future. ”

BatWeek also marks the time of year when bats disappear from our neighbourhoods until the return of warmer weather in spring. As insect-eaters, our BC bats must leave their summer roost sites and migrate or hiber nate to survive the winter. This absence means that this is the time of year to do home renovations that you have delayed due to bat presence. You can clean out and repair a bat box, or do bat-friendly exclusion work without dis turbing or injuring bats.

If you do see a bat in winter, please report it. Moni toring for white-nose syndrome in BC will continue this winter, with community bat programs requesting reports of dead bats or sightings of winter bat activity.

In partnership with the BC Ministry of Environ ment, and funded by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Forest Enhancement Society of BC, Habi tat Stewardship Program, the Columbia Basin Trust, the Kootenay Lake and Columbia Valley Local funds, the BC Community Bat Program provides information and promotes local stewardship and citizen science. You can report winter bat sightings, find out more about the BC Community Bat Program, BatWeek activities, and op tions for helping local bat populations, at www.bcbats.ca, kootenay@bcbats.ca, or 1-855-922-2287 ext 14.

Photo: Sunshine Coast Wildlife Project

‘Halloween - The PreKill’ - getting closer, closer...

by Joanne Quarrie editor@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Pumpkins, ghosts, scarecrows, tasty treats, creative costumes - they’re all part of the Halloween season - but - how about adding a murder mystery to the mix?

‘Halloween - The PreKill’, a dinner theatre production, is being presented by the Co lumbia Valley Players at the Windermere Hall on October 29. Peter Skagen, producer and writer of the play, is inviting folks to join in the scary, interactive fun.

“We say it’s just like a real murder, only funnier,” Skagen said in an email. A multi-course dinner will be served and the bar is open that evening. A DJ will provide tunes so you can bust a move until at least midnight.

Skagen encourages attendees to bring non-perishable food to donate to the local food bank that evening.

“Otherwise, just bring your funny bone,” he cracked.

Halloween - The PreKill is not just a sit-and-watch deal. “The audience is part of the show,” Skagen said. “They are always encouraged to dress the part. And since it’s a Halloween show, they really have every excuse to dress up. They can dress for a Holly wood party, or as any sort of ghoul or superhero they want. We’ll have a prize for best costume as well.

“All our actors are terrific singers, improvisers, and some are internationally rec ognized dancers as well. So, in the midst of all the comedy, mystery and general she nanigans, the actors also break into song. For example, in the Halloween show, Chili Charmer, the hit man from New York, sings My Way with the ‘original hit man lyrics’, to let Morty the movie producer know how much trouble he’s in. It adds yet another layer of fun for the audience, on top of everything else.”

Audience members are integral what happens. Skagen said, “As you arrive and have a drink, you meet and mingle with the six characters in the show. It turns out that one of them isn’t being so nice, and the rest have a grudge against him or her. In this case, we’re at a Hollywood Halloween party, where Morty Feebleman is trying to raise money for his latest horror film: Halloween – The PreKill. But he’s not doing a very good job of it. He already lost $200,000 at the craps table in Vegas that he borrowed from the mob. And that’s just the beginning of his problems. The mingling turns into a play that happens in and around the audience. Several people might even be asked to pretend to be other movie stars if they want to join the fun. Things get more and more heated, and the songs get more and more hilarious. Just before dinner, sadly, somebody is mur dered (in very comical fashion of course). After dinner, there’s arguing about whodunit, and lots of accusations. The only way to solve it is to get the audience involved in a courtroom scene. They question the suspects one by one, then write down their verdict.

After dessert, we reveal with best (and wackiest) answers, and award a prize for best sleuth.”

Skagen said action happens right next to your table. “Morty (the producer) and his girl friend Sally Yellerman, the scream queen, might have a ‘discussion’ about whether she’s going to get the starring role. And if she doesn’t… well… could she be capable of murder? And what will happen when Bruce-Mel Harrison shows up? He’s the biggest movie star in the world. But he wants out of the movie now. He’s been offered James Bond. How far will he go to get what he wants? It’s all very mysterious and intriguing, and it happens on the floor with the audience.

Other characters include Anna Notherth ing, the British author of the novel and screen play; Bruce-Mel Harrison, the movie star; Flo Fenokee, the cocaine dealer from Florida and; Chili Charmer, the hit man from New York.

Skagen told the Pioneer he started writing plays when he was just nine years old; he made a movie when he was 14. The bright lights called when he was 23, pulling Skagen to film school in Los Angeles at California State University. He got a Master of Arts (MA) in Film with a focus on screenwriting in 1987.

Skagen returned to West Vancouver where he produced corporate videos for a few years. “It was fairly boring,” he said. “Show business is a lot more fun! I like building community with people by doing a live event.

“I have been producing shows since the 90s in Calgary. I did the hit off-Broadway show Tony & Tina’s Wedding for example, that ran for over a decade. I’m also a film and TV actor with over 50 credits (Reacher, Supernatural, Fargo), and I ran an acting studio in Calgary for 20 years. My book, Screen Acting Trade Secrets, is available on Amazon. I now live in Radium, and hope to bring love and laughter to the valley for years to come.”

After the thrill of Halloween - The PreKill, Skagen noted, ‘Yule Be Sorry’ is coming for Christmas. “Then we hope to do a New Year’s show and a Valentine’s show,” he said. “Hopefully, the valley will support us along the way. And if anybody wants to be in one of our shows, they should let us know. There’s some very talented people out here. It would be great to have an all-valley cast.”

New chair, vice chair elected to College of the Rockies board

By Chadd Cawson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Nic Milligan and Jared Basil were appointed to the College of the Rockies (COTR) board of governors in July 2020. They are both stepping up their roles; Milligan moved to the chair position, joined by Basil as vice chair. Each serve a one-year term. Submitted Photo

The College of the Rockies (COTR) board of governors recently elected their new chair and vice chair during the public session of their regular board meeting on September 15. Nic Milligan, who has served on the board for the last three years and held the role of vice- chair this past year, was elected to the position of chair.

“Nic’s commitment to our communities, along with his under standing of the opportu nities and challenges that lay ahead for us at the college, make him a natural fit for the chair role,” said COTR president and chief executive officer (CEO), Paul Vogt, in an October press release. “I look forward to working with him in this new capacity.”

Milligan is a retired manager of social responsibility where he worked out of Sparwood for Teck Resources. It’s a company based out of Vancouver that operates sev eral mines in Elk Valley. Milligan will be taking over the role of chair from Randal Macnair who will remain on the board as a valued board member for the remainder of the term. Milligan, who is well known for being active in

the community, was first appointed to the COTR board by the province in July 2020. The decision to appoint Milligan was an easy one, as he had been a board member with Community Futures East Kootenay, the Fernie & District Historical Society, and the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce.

“I am very pleased to serve on the board of governors of the COTR. It is an important institution with a direct positive impact in each community we serve,” said Milli gan in an October press release. “As chair I hope to work closely with the board and college employees to provide good governance as together, we advance the college’s strategic direction through continued uncertain times. As well, I hope to work with the board and our excellent staff to advance the institution’s efforts toward reconcili ation with those Indigenous communities on whose ter ritory we reside.”

Also moving up the board ladder and into the role of vice-chair is Ktunaxa First Nation member, Jared Basil, from the Lower Kootenay area. Basil’s experience spans both the economic and social sectors at the Ktunaxa Nation Council (KNC). Basil, also appointed in July of 2020, has been with the COTR board of governors for the last three years, bringing with him the experience as a former elected official and former chair of the KNC education and employment sector.

Both Milligan and Basil strongly support the col lege’s strategic direction as well as all the communities they serve, including Invermere.

“(The) College of the Rockies is committed to be ing an education leader in our region, providing learning options for every career stage, and to provide market-fo cused learning opportunities. Our Invermere campus serves our students in the Columbia Valley with a wide

range of program options,” said Heather Jackson, COTR manager of communications and marketing.

“Nic has a long history of public service, including in his previous position as manager of social responsibility at Teck and in his roles on many boards in the Elk Valley and is dedicated to advancing the college’s efforts toward reconciliation,” Jackson said. “Jared also brings extensive experience to the role of vice-chair. He worked in both the economic and social sectors at the Ktunaxa Nation Council and is a former elected official and former chair of the council’s education and employment sector. As a Ktunaxa Nation member from Lower Kootenay, he also brings an important perspective to the college’s recon ciliation efforts. With Nic and Jared both based out of satellite campus communities, they will be positioned to advocate strongly for continued improvements at all our regional campuses.”

Collaborating with Milligan and Basil on board de cisions will be previously appointed members, Lainee Ec celston, Anne Glassford, Randal Macnair, Darlene Trach, Amber van Drielen, Sharon Demaine (education coun cil chair), and Jenn Smith, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) representative. COTR has provided post-secondary education that meets the needs and as pirations of the people, industry, and businesses in the region for over 40 years.

COTR students experience smaller class sizes and more personalized instruction. A new College of the Rockies Faculty Association (CORFA) representative and two student representatives will be elected in the coming weeks. Following this, they will be sworn in at the regular COTR board of governors meeting held in Invermere on November 4.

Peter Skagen, producer, is excited about an upcoming theatre production at the Windermere Hall on October 29.

Photo submitted

Canal Flats

Left to right: Darcy Karperien, Rachel Sweeneym, Sherri Cline, Tamara Baker, Max Jenks, Zacc Farrell, Shaylene Sagar, Daniel Clarke, Jed Phillips, Dakota Pearce, Glenn Massie, Joe McIndoe, Leisha Lake, Bill Lake, Glen Afonso Not Available for photo: AJ Bruce, Peter Fry, Janis Larson

Invermere Fire & Rescue

From left to right, front row: Ben Hoult, Erik McLaughlin, Dustin Murray, Sebastian Bichlmaier, Anne-Sophie Corriveau, Katie McCormack and Janice Dallaire

Absent from the picture: Ed Jones, Robert Porteous, Jake Jacobsen, Peter Fordham, Jordan Smith, Nick Donmoyer, Andrew Davies, Brendan Garies, Jason Lawrick, Mathew Shelson, Erin Chandler, Marlon Vicquierra, Will Ewald and Tyson Hagen

Radium Hot Springs

Front row (left to right): Barrett Heffel, Rick Fowler, Joe Palashniuk , Braeden Logan, Brendon Bashuski, Joel BrennerBack row (left to right): Todd Logan (captain), Rey Guinaldo, Carey Collin, Trevor Carr (chief), Walter Raven, Graham Kerslake (deputy chief), Dave Dixon, James Hagman, Harry Kingston, Dave JohnsonNot available for photo: Susan Einfeldt, Mike Beatty, Nick Brough(captain)

Panorama

From left to right: Jason Smith, Claire Henshaw, Micah Crawshaw, JonathonSchramm, Chase Sommerfeld, Thomas Dolezal, Joel Hildebrand, Andrew Avery, Jessy Batchelor.Not available for photo: Neil Carey, Scott Chaffey, Stephen McIntosh, Jose Letelier, Cameron Beaudry, Connor McFarlane, Kadyn Jacobs

From left to right, back row: Jason Roe (fire chief), Doug Hagen, Collin Megaffin, Jacob Richardson, Alex Beauchamp, Billy Robideau, Ryan Denis, Rick Magri, Nick Melnyk, Michael Hecken, Colin Matheson (deputy fire chief)

Fairmont Hot Springs

From left to right, back row: Sherri Cline, Brian Stringer, Luke Anderson, David Gregory, Ryan Battaglini

Edgewater

Windermere

BC Wildfire Service

Invermere Zone

Left to right: Jon Tames, Doug Sinclair, Scott MacDonald, Lee Tan,Bram Rossman, Brandon Carlson, Eisley Tan, Alex Sinclair, WendyRockafellow, Allegra Newill, Dave McCarthyNot available for photo: Ken Becker, Alex Mangotich, Dan Cox,Jordon Goldsmith, Brayden Richards, Jay Wilisky

From left to right: Greg Zammit, Thomas Dobbin, Jordan Martin, Cody Durning, Sean Mehak, Brittany Kinsey, Dean Kendrick, Bridget McGuire, Mike Gaudette, Jon Tames, Emily Compton, Eric PhilbrookNot available for photo: Drew Sinclair, Penny Powers, Jared Babich

From left to right, front row: Michelle Porteous, Kari Wood, Brent Woodard, Brad Dalke, Aaron Bose, Darcy Elder

Not available for photo: Archie Santini, Carol Boechler, Corwin Boechler, Phillip Boyer, Earl Olsen, Keith Andestad, Dan Wilson, Joss Advocaat

Back Row Left to Right: Jerry Jellali, Christy Madson, Robyn Canty, Nick Woode, Katherine Grahn, Blake Gooding, David Postman, Kyle Rogers, Nick Donmoyer

Front Row Left to Right: Brenton Burridge, Chandler Bachtold, Eric Grier, Kieran Missellbrook, “Ember”, Maarty Meijer, Meg Thibodeau, Sebastian Bichlmaier.

Valley Alley Bowling gearing up for the season

By Joanne McQuarrie editor@columbiavalleypioneer.com

A lane, a heavy ball, pins, stylin’ shoes and enthusias tic teammates: those are all elements in a game of bowl ing at Valley Alley Bowling.

An on-again, off-again schedule thanks to the COVID pandemic has finally evened out and now, Val ley Alley is getting ready to start league bowling in early November.

“We had to close for COVID; with so many restric tions, we couldn’t do league bowling,” said manager, Clint Johnson. “We were open off and on, depending on restrictions. We closed entirely for four months in 2021, then re-opened full time in December, even though most people didn’t know it at first.”

Valley Alley started hosted birthday parties. It was slow at first but, Johnson said, “Now, more and more people are having birthday parties at the bowling alley, and we’ve had a couple of staff parties.”

Before the pandemic, Valley Alley was a popular place to be, and it looks like that enthusiasm is catching on again. “We had a lot of teams that have been com ing here for years, and they’re chomping at the bit to get bowling,” Johnson said. “We have different leagues; they’re all mixed. And bowlers vary in age from people in their 20s up to their 80s.”

He explained there are six teams for each league, in teams of five. That includes a Tuesday league; a senior league on Wednesday afternoons; a mixed league on Wednesday evenings; Special Olympics on Thursday af ternoons and; the Fairmont league on Friday afternoons.

Johnson pointed out public bowling is available on Fridays starting at 5:30 p.m., and bowling on Saturdays and Sundays all day long. There’ll even be glow bowling, complete with black lights, from 12 to 9 p.m. on Satur days.

Johnson noted, “The one thing about winter is our hours could vary with public bowling. We encourage

people to make reservations so they’re guaranteed to get in. If there are no reservations we may close (that day).”

Columbia Valley Search & Rescue

Clint Johnson, manager, Valley Alley Bowling invites folks to join in the fun at the bowling alley. Submitted photo

“It feels fantastic. That is an experience I will nev er be able to duplicate,” Gray told the Pioneer, adding guests at his wedding got the results online and his new husband, Patrick, got up on stage to announce the news.

Gray said a Radium official community plan (OCP) refresh, which he had vowed as a candidate, will be com ing, but that there will be a period of several months to let the new council get its feet wet first.

“There are three new people on council now. We need to figure each other out and get in a groove and make sure we are all knowledgeable about the issues at hand before starting on any big projects. We also need to identify the priorities of council as a whole, not just the mayor. We need to have all our voices included,” said Gray.

Lawrence told the Pioneer that he feels 41 per cent of the vote is “not bad for the new kid on the block. Radium has been incorporated for 32 years, and the mayor has almost always been acclaimed. I figure it was good to stir things up a bit this time, and make Mike go out and earn it. And he did go out and earn it, so kudos to him. I’m sure he’s going to do a great job.”

In the Radium councillor election, Erin Palashniuk, Christi Ferguson-Huston, Carey Collin and incumbent Dale Shudra all were voted in as councillors, while Bob Campbell missed the cut, but only by 20 votes.

Palashniuk was voters’ top choice, collecting 312 votes (75 per cent of voters chose her), Ferguson-Huston got 304 votes (73 per cent of voters chose her), Collin got 304 votes (73 per cent of voters chose him), Shudra got 269 votes (64.5 per cent of voters chose him), and Camp bell got 249 votes (59.7 per cent of voters chose him).

In Invermere, the only election race was for the

school board trustee position (the mayor and council lor positions had already been decided by acclamation), which resulted in a staggeringly small voter turnout of just 89 people. Incumbent trustee Ryan Stimming held on to his seat, earning 63 votes (70 per cent), while chal lenger Matt Chapman got 26 votes (30 per cent).

“I was actually out of town camping over the week end, so I didn’t find out right away. As soon as I got back within cell service I got a call from my mom saying ‘Con gratulations’,” Stimming told the Pioneer. “I’m thrilled to be back in for another four years. There’s always mean ingful work that needs to be done between the board of education and the upper administrative staff of school district six (SD6). There’s a lot of projects in the last few years that never really got rolling, because of the way the COVID-19 pandemic put a wrench in things. Now that things seem to have finally relaxed, we can move forward with those.”

Stimming was disappointed with the very low voter turnout, but said he had an inkling that might happen, given that a candidates forum arranged by the Colum bia Valley Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Oct. 4 attracted just one member of the public (the four people — the two candidates, the moderator and the member of the public — ended up sitting in circle having an exten sive discussion).

Chapman expressed thanks to the 25 other people who voted for him, telling the Pioneer “I will definitely run again in the future. I learned a lot and I feel I was able to bring forward ideas that need to be looked at.”

Chief among these ideas is creating a student trustee position. “That is the main thing I want to see happen,” said Chapman. “I’ve been doing a lot of research on it, and I will work with Ryan to help make it a reality.”

In Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Area

G, Roberta Schnider will be the new director. Schnider got 202 votes (68.5 per cent), while challenger Stephanie Stevens got 93 (31.5 per cent).

“It feels amazing,” said Schnider. “Right now it’s a case of a few weeks of settling in, until I am sworn in (in early November).” Schnider said she will be getting together with outgoing Area G director, Gerry Wilkie, in the coming weeks to learn as much as she can about the job. She added she found the process of going house-tohouse during the campaign was very informative.

“It was good to get out and hear what people are con cerned about: housing, the highway, water, growth,” she told the Pioneer. She plans to hold meetings every second month in each of the communities of Area G.

Stevens was gracious in defeat, telling the Pioneer, “I am sure Roberta will do a great job. I wish her the best. I have to say I am disappointed with voter turnout; hopefully that’s something Roberta can change in Area G, with her engagement of the communities.”

Several jurisdictions did not have elections, as there were only enough candidates to fill the positions, so ev erybody who put their names forward was in by acclama tion. These include RDEK Area F director Susan Clove chok, Canal Flats and Area F school board trustee Amber Byklum, Radium and Area G school board trustee Jane Thurgood Sagal, Invermere mayor Al Miller, and Inver mere councillors Kayja Becker, Gerry Taft, Mark Topliff and Theresa Wood.

Of the 20 elected official positions in the Columbia Valley (school board trustees, RDEK rural area directors, mayors, and councillors) 11 are now filled by women and nine by men. This is the first time in the past decade, if not the first time ever, that women have outnumbered men.

Bylaw

Unit Zone. This zone allows for an auxiliary dwelling unit (secondary suite); the applicants have offered to register a section 219 covenant that restricts the use of the auxiliary dwelling units to rentals of 30 days or more.

A public hearing will be held via Zoom webinar conference: Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at 5:00 pm.

The Board has delegated the holding of this hearing to the Directors for Electoral Area F and the District of Invermere. If you believe that your interest in property is affected by the proposed Bylaw, you may prior to the hearing:

• inspect the Bylaw and supporting information by requesting that an information package be emailed to you by contacting bkormos@rdek.bc.ca. Information packages may be requested up until Monday, October 24, 2022 at 4:30 pm;

• mail or email written submissions to the addresses shown below before Monday, October 24, 2022 at 4:30 pm;

• present verbal submissions at the public hearing.

You must pre-register in order to attend and provide verbal presentations or make comments at the hearing. The deadline to register is: Monday, October 24, 2022 at 4:30 pm. Register in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RSYul-UtTiOsHfzoITHA0g or by visiting the Public Hearings and Meetings page on the RDEK website

Please note that a question and answer period will not occur during the Zoom webinar conference. You must address any questions relating to the bylaw to the Planning Technician prior to the above date.

SUBMISSIONS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING.

All submissions will form part of the public record and will be published in a meeting agenda posted online. Personal contact information such as phone and email will be removed from written submissions. Questions about the disclosure of your personal information may be referred to the Corporate Officer at 250-489-2791 or 1-888-478-7335. This notice is not an interpretation of the Bylaw. For more information, contact Brett Kormos, Planning Technician, at 250-489-0306, toll free at 1-888-478-7335, or email bkormos@rdek.bc.ca.

Wilder)”

Single Family Residential – Auxiliary

P

Lovestone, Ronald Lee September 3, 1951October 7, 2022

The family is saddened to announce the sudden passing of Ronald Lee Lovestone, age 71, of Victoria, BC. Born September 3rd, 1951, in Oxbow, Saskatchewan, he is predeceased by his parents Rita, Russel, and Tom.

Ron is survived by his siblings Bev (Larry), Guy, Terry (Sherri), and Wendy (Don); children Paul, Jamie, and Josh (Tanis); and grandchildren Terron, Mai, and Linden; great-grandchildren Luka and Malakai. Ron will be missed dearly by his many beloved family members and wonderful friends.

Ron spent his working life in the newspaper industry where he built successful platforms to connect his communities. Ron met his wife (Debbie) while working in the newspaper business and they raised their family together in Salmon Arm, BC. As a true lifelong learner, Ron focused on continual self-development, he strived to help and be of service to others, and always positively impacted those around him. His kindness, generosity, and genuine care for others was evident in every interaction that he had. Later in life, Ron’s inquisitive nature led him to develop a passion for travel which took him around the world, and he enjoyed exploring and experiencing new cultures with his loved ones. More than anything, Ron cherished quality time with his family and felt great pride watching them grow into the people they are today.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to hear special memories of Ron. Please share stories and condolences directly to: memorieswithron3@gmail.com or www.mccallgardens.com

Nyegaard, Larry

May 2, 1966 –September 7, 2022

The family of Larry Nyegaard is sad to announce his passing in Abbotsford Regional Hospital during treatment for metastasized cancer. He was born in Denmark but came to Canada at the age of seven where he quickly fell in love with the Canadian wilderness and outdoor activities.

He spent his childhood in Calgary and after graduation from high school started working in jobs that took him as far north as Tuktoyuktuk NWT and west to the ColumbiaValley in BC.

He eventually became a crane owner and operator and spent time in Invermere, Brooks, Fort St. John, Edson, Calgary, Fort McMurray, and Okotoks. He made friends with many people during his travels and enjoyed a variety of friendships that broadened his knowledge. He especially enjoyed small town living rather than the hustle and bustle of larger cities.

Larry enjoyed many interests including skiing and skating, camping and hiking in the mountains, photography and music. He also developed a keen interest in environmental issues and sustainable building and living. His greatest joy was the birth of his daughter Hannah and being a father.

In 2019 Larry was diagnosed with throat cancer and underwent surgery, radiation and chemothereapy. During his attempted recovery he moved to BC to Vernon and eventually Hope in search of a milder climate. Unfortunately the cancer spread to his bones and he spent his last days in hospital undergoing radiation and died due to related complications.

Despite increasing pain and decreasing strength and mobility Larry tried to remain positive. He was grateful for the support of his family and friends and the help of all the medical professionals that took such good care of him during his journey.

A celebration of Larry’s life will be held and announced at a later date once the family has had time to process and grieve his loss. In the meantime comments and stories are welcomed on his Facebook page. Look for his beloved red crane truck Rosie as his profile picture.

C lassifieds

Hogan, Irene Josophen Marie

June 24, 1928

October 10, 2022

It is with sadness we announce that Irene passed away peacefully at the Invermere and District Hospital at the age of 94; surrounded by loved ones.

Irene was predeceased by her husband Morley Hogan

She was born to Martin and Rose Hemmelgarn and raised in Saskatchewan with her other 13 siblings.

Irene is sur vived by her son Harr y and his wife Bonita, grandchildren Anita, Ashley (Alex), and great-grandchildren Liam and Cassidy

She will be truly missed by all, great friends and family

A celebration of life will follow at a later date

A special thank you to the Invermere and District Hospital, Dr Weber and staff for their excellent care

O’Sullivan, Margaret Eile en March 17, 1937

October 13, 2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Margaret Eileen O’Sullivan.

Margaret was born on March 17, 1937 in Harrow Weald, Middlesex, England She died on October 13th, 2022 at the Invermere and District Hospital in Invermere British Columbia, her home for the last 27 years. Margaret lived a full and varied life always on her own terms.

Margaret first worked as a caterer in London where she drove around the city in a mobile kitchen and put on cooking demonstrations for Findus Frozen Foods. She went on to be a caregiver to her parents, a stewardess in a restaurant, and a life skills coach. She worked with the disabled, was a cook in a fly-in fishing camp, a councillor in a women ’ s prison, a retail clerk in a beauty store, and a professional stage actress. During this time she moved from England to Wales, Ireland, and to Canada. Always artistic, Margaret attended art college in Carmarthen South Wales where she studied sculpting, and later at the University of Winnipeg where she earned a degree in theatre arts. She made many poems and paintings. In 1995 Margaret moved to Invermere to help her son Patrick and daughter in law Leisa to raise their two boys, Liam and Tom. Margaret loved her family ver y much and ever yone in the family always refers to her as the glue that holds us all together She could always accept people on their terms and always see the good and interesting things in ever yone She always sided with the underdog, and helped many in need with a kind word and a listening ear She was passionate about her Irish heritage and Irish folklore and mytholog y She will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her, and her memor y will be cherished

“Life is no brief candle for me.

It’s a sort of splendid torch Which I’ve got hold of for the moment.

And I want to make it burn as brightly as possible….” G.B Shaw

We would like to acknowledge and give special thanks to Margaret’s home care workers, the ambulance staff and the ER doctors at the Invermere hospital for the care and compassion they provided

There will be a celebration of Margaret’s life on Saturday, October 29 at 4 p.m. at Christ Church Trinity in Invermere, BC

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity or cause you believe in.

AT TENTION ASPIRING MUSICIANS F R O M PA R S O N TO C A N A L F L AT S

Applications are open for the Carol Wilkie Memorial Steamboat Mountain Music Bursar y Musicians of all levels and any age may apply

Funds may be used for: workshops, music camps, lessons, master classes, college, or university music programs.

Deadline: November 30, 2022.

Download application: w w w.steamboatmtnmusicfest.ca

Alcoholics Anonymous. If alcohol is causing problems or conic t in your life, AA can help All meetings are at 8 p m Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the BC Ser vice Building, South End 624 4th St , Invermere Please call 250 342 2424 for more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship

Al Anon Are you concerned about or affec ted by someone else’s drinking? If so, please join us on a “ZOOM” meeting ever y Monday at 7 p.m. For more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship, please call 250 342 8392.

CHEERS WITHOUT TEARS

Cheers to the mountainside mens club Your appreciation for what the tur fcare team does at mountainside is awesome Hope to see you all again nex t year

Cheers to Invermere Post O ffice employees who are always cheer ful, pleasant and helpful

Jayden

erson

April

1998 -

In Mem�y of You

Memories don’t fade, they just grow deep.

We hold our tears, we speak your name, But the ache in our hearts, remain the same. No one knows the sorrow we share, When the family meets, and you’re not there.

We laugh, we smile, we play our part, Behind it all, lies broken hearts.

Unseen, unheard, you are always near, So loved, so missed, so ever dear.

Just as you were, you will always be, Forever treasured in our memory.

Love always, Mom, Dad, Cory, Jagar, and Grandma Rose.

Garage S ale on Sunday O c tober 23 from 10 am noon at 816 14 Street. Located up the gravel road from Red Apple Household items and some renovation materials.

HELP WANTED

Wanted 2 F/T Restaurant Cooks, Rocky River Grill, 8888 Arrow Road, Invermere, B.C. Permanent, F/T shifts, over time, weekends, days and evenings, $16/hour for 40 hours per week Over time after 40 hours. Minimum several years’ experience and completion of secondar y school. DUTIES: Prepare and cook full course meals, prepare and cook individual dishes and foods, ensure qualit y of food por tions, work with minimal super vision, prepare dishes for customers with food allergies or intolerances Inspec t kitchens and food ser vice areas Please for ward resume to Justin Atterbur y by fax 250 342 8889 or email: justatterbur y@hotmail.com

RFE Alarms is hiring a full or par t time Administrative Assistant, 3 or 5 days a week Must have experience and be comfor table in a fast past environment with attention to detail. Duties will include working with Sage50 basic accounting, Excel, Word, managing social media, answering phones Email resumes to r fereceivables@gmail com

Safe Homes Program – Support Worker

Casual On-Call Safe Home Program

Hours: Scheduled on-call rotations – Weekday evenings, weekends and statutory holidays

Start date: Immediately

Application Deadline: October 21, 2022 at 4 p.m.

Duties: The On-Call Support Workers are part of a team of casual staff, carrying a cellular phone and serving scheduled on-call duty for the Safe Homes Program. When called out, they provide a confidential emergency service for the provision of temporary, safe, and supportive accommodation for women and their children who have experienced or who are at risk of abuse, threats, or violence. Support workers will provide safe transportation, following COVID-19 protocols, give information, support and, when appropriate, follow-up support for women.

Qualifications: A Grade 12 diploma. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and some knowledge of women’s issues from a feminist perspective. A valid B.C. driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle are essential. This position requires Union membership. The applicant must consent to a mandatory criminal records investigation.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES currently available.

• Territorial Stewardship Director

• General Manager. Kenpesq’t Holdings LTD

• Education and Employment Assistant

• Language Community Co-instructor

• Language Specialist

• Receptionist. On call

If you are interested in joining our growing community and amazing team, check out these positions by visiting www.shuswapband.net/ employment-opportunities/

We offer a wide variety of perks including:

• Generous time off and vacation with 2 weeks paid holiday over Christmas

• Employer matched pension plan

• Extensive health and benefits package

• Bi-weekly healthy food box

• Dynamic work environment

How to Apply

We value diversity and welcome all qualified candidates to apply. If interested, please email your resume to nmorgan@shuswapband.ca

Village of Radium Hot Springs Employment Opportunity

Director of Finance

Are you awesome? A team builder and creator of positive corporate culture whose levels of nancial skill and experience match your personality? If you are then the Village of Radium Hot Springs is looking for you!

The Village seeks an experienced Director of Finance who can lead, develop, and mentor the nance team into the future.

This is a unique time to join the Village team: a time of signi cant organizational renewal. In addition to your general awesomeness – and ability to work well as a member of a high-functioning team – the ideal candidate will have a professional accounting designation (a nance diploma may be considered), and a track record of success and organizational and cultural improvement in progressively senior nance roles –preferably in the public sector.

In return the Village can o er: a competitive salary; comprehensive bene ts including de ned bene t pension; and superior exibility on hours worked – including potentially a hybrid o ce/remote working arrangement to the right candidate.

As a key member of the senior management team, and reporting to the Chief Administrative O cer, you will oversee the Village’s nance department and provide guidance, strategic advice, and direction within the organization. You will be accountable for e ective administration of the nancial a airs of the Village including all accounting, budgeting, nancial planning, debt and investment management, nancial risk management, and the ongoing review of nancial processes and policy.

Desired knowledge includes:

• Demonstrated knowledge of public sector nancial accounting and reporting principles and requirements under PSAB

• Thorough knowledge of BC municipal legislation as it relates to nance

• Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary municipal asset management practices

• The ability to communicate straightforwardly and e ectively with a variety of audiences

• Experience in consulting with public and working with councils, boards, and committees

• Computer pro ciency with Microsoft O ce Suite and Vadim nancial software

Personality is key! Awesome candidates should submit a resume and cover letter by Monday, November 7, 2022 to:

Adrian Bergles, Chief Administrative O cer Village of Radium Hot Springs cao@radiumhotsprings.ca

The Village of Radium Hot Springs thanks all applicants for their interest. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Rockies West Realty Independently Owned and Operated

Licensed Strata Manager needed

We are seeking a Strata Manager to join our innovative team at Royal LePage Rockies West Realty. Must be BCFSA License to provide Strata Management services.

Looking for an individual with the following:

● experience in organizing and effectively running Strata Council and general meetings

● working knowledge of strata finances

● self motivated

● highly organized and detail oriented

This is a full-time position, please submit your application to admin@rockieswest.com.

Into Beer, Wine and Spirits? Have we got the job for you!

Starting at $20/hour. Benefits and other perks. Opportunity for advancement or higher start rate based on relevant experience.

• Assist Store Management, and work as a team with staff

• Perform all duties within the store, receiving, cash and customer service

• Able to lift up to 30 lbs.

• Work quickly, efficiently, with attention to detail

• Have an eye for merchandising

• Be able to work independently

• Have passion for beer, wine, spirits and take pride in great customer service

• Training and education available

Experience in retail and/or hospitality would be an asset.

We offer professional and personal growth through educational opportunities.

If you are interested in working in a fun productive environment submit resume to: Jennifer McLennan: gmjenliquor@gmail.com or hand deliver to Invermere Liquor Store, Attn: Jennifer McLennan

COLUMBIA VALLEY FOOD BANK

Executive Director

The Columbia Valley Food Bank is seeking an experienced individ ual to provide leadership, strategic vision, and direction to the organization in the role of Executive Director. This is a new position for us; therefore, this is being posted as a full time one year term position during which we will determine its permanency.

In this role you will be the face of the Columbia Valley Food Bank, working closely with the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers, our donors, government agencies, and other community organ izations.

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES TO BE SUCCESSFUL

• Comprehensive understanding of food insecurity, poverty, and systemic inequity

Leadership, Strategic vision, and financial understanding and decision making, keeping in-line with organizations mission, values, strategic priorities, policies

• Experience in fund development, grant writing/reporting and fundraising techniques

Hands on attitude to program management. Willing to lead, delegate and do the work when necessary

• Strong leadership and performance management skills. Set the calibre and expectation for your team to demonstrate high quality work and attention to detail

Excellent critical thinking skills and ability to respond under pressure

• Initiative-taker committed to life-long learning

• Excellent relationship builder, able to connect and develop relationships with various stakeholders

DELIVERABLES

The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of our organization, ensuring that we are operating efficiently and effectively to meet our goals and the needs of our community.

1. Maintain fiscal responsibility of the organization

2. Provide human resources management and leadership

3. Provide valuable programs, both current and new, to Columbia Valley Food Bank clients that are in-line with the organiza tion’s strategic vision, mission, and values

EDUCATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 3 to 5 years experience managing staff and volun teers

Bachelor’s degree in non-profit management, human services, business, or related field, or equivalent work and volunteer experience

• Occupational First Aid Level 1, or willingness to obtain Food Safe Certification, or willingness to obtain Experience with Google Suite (Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets etc.) and QuickBooks Online is an asset

• Class 5 (or higher) British Columbia Driver’s Licence with clean driving record Please note: The successful applicant will be required to undergo a Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check.

WHAT WE OFFER

Work Hours: 32 hours per week (flexible shifts)

Vacation: 3 weeks paid vacation to start

Benefits: Work-life balance, professional development opportunities, ongoingtraining and support, wellness days, and extended health benefits. Competitive salary.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please submit your cover letter and resume by November 25th to:

The Chair, Columbia Valley Food Bank chairpersoncvfb@shaw.ca Box 2141, Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 www.columbiavalleyfoodbank.ca

We love a good photo submission. If you have a snapshot to share, email info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

The Shuswap Band and Kenpesq’t Holdings Limited has 6 incredible

In front of Canadian Tire

LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH

Now open for in person ser vices.

Sundays at 10:30 a.m. 326 10th Avenue, Invermere 250 342 9535 • www.lwac.ca

W I N D E R M E R E V A L L E Y S H A R E D M I N I S T R Y A N G L I C A N U N I T E D

Minister: Brent Woodard Sundays at 10:30 a.m. In-person or on zoom. For the zoom link, please visit our website ( Windermere Valley Shared Ministr y). 110 7th Ave. in Invermere.

V A L L E Y C H R I S T I A N A S S E M B L Y

Sunday 10 a.m. Worship ser vice

Pastor Murray Wittke 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere 250 342 9511 • www.valleychristianonline.com

R O M A N C A T H O L I C C H U R C H

St Anthony’s, Canal Flats., Canadian Martyrs’ Invermere, St Joseph’s Radium

Canal Flats: Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

Canadian Martyrs, Invermere: Saturday 5 p.m., Sunday 9 a m St Joseph, Radium: Sunday 11:00 a.m

Father Jojo Augustine • 712 12th Ave., Invermere 250 342 6167

S T. P E T E R’S L U T H E R A N C H U R C H

Sunday 1:30 p.m. Worship Ser vice at Valley Christian 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere lutheranstpeter@gmail.com

R A D I U M C H R I S T I A N F E L L O W S H I P

Sunday 10 a.m Worship service

Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater • 250-342 6633 No. 4, 7553 Main St. Radium • 250-347 9937

Worship Service, Sunday, 10 a.m. Relief Society, 11:15 a.m.

President Kendyn Mackensie • Columbia Valley Branch • 5014 Fair way, Fairmont Hot Springs 250 439 9041

CHURCH OF CHRIST (Iglesia ni Cristo)

Worship Ser vice: Sunday 9 a.m., Thursday 7:45 p.m Chamber of Commerce (Lions Hall) For inquiries: 250 688 1643

250 270 2208 or 250 688 0629

For more info about the church, you can Google online at incmedia.org or pasugo.com.ph

Radium set to adopt new sign bylaw

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

The outgoing Radium Hot Springs council gave three readings to a new signage bylaw last week.

Discussions on updating the village’s sign bylaw have been occurring for years. Getting it done and put in place is a top priority of the current council, before the new council gets sworn in during the Wednesday, November 9 council meeting. Having received three readings at the Wednesday, Oct. 12 meeting, the new bylaw will come back for adoption at the final meeting of the outgoing Radium council on Wednesday, Oct. 26.

The two-week delay between readings and adop tion will give the public, the Radium business commu nity (which the bylaw affects directly), and the Radium Chamber of Commerce a chance to review and comment on the proposed bylaw before it becomes official.

“Essentially the new bylaw aims to be more permis sive than the old one in terms of materials and sign types allowed, yet still retains high quality standards for any signage in the village,” Radium chief administrative offi cer (CAO), Adrian Bergles, told . “The old bylaw is seen by some people as being overly restrictive and perhaps out of date.”

Bergles said digital signs and backlit signs are among

…”Larry Halverson” Continued from page 6

This lead to a degree in biology, and then post-graduate work studying wolves and summers spent working for Jasper National Park.

“It became a career,” said Halverson.

In 1972 he moved to the Columbia Val ley for a job with Kootenay National Park.

“That first winter, I leaned on my ski poles, took in the valley and said, ‘I would like to spend the rest of my life here’,” Halverson told did. I’ve been here 50 years now and raised five kids here. How lucky does it get? I’m a naturalist, which is the best job in the world, and I live in the best place in the world.”

Halverson’s work as a naturalist “had so much va riety,” he explained. “One day you’re talking to kids about beaver homes. The next you’re in a Vancouver boardroom helping to decide how to spend millions of dollars on conserva tion properties. The

the new types of signage that would be allowed under the new bylaw “but they will be regulated quite carefully”.

The new bylaw, if adopted, will also “require more interaction directly with village staff – who will have delegated authority to issue sign permits for signs which conform to the bylaw, and so it should be more timely than the old process. Also, in instances where a particular sign may not be in compliance with the bylaw, variances may be sought”, outlined Bergles. He added the hope of village staff is that the new bylaw will inspire some inno vated new signs that will add value to the village.

“We have had this on our radar since my terms as councillor (between 2008 and 2014) and we have been working with the chamber in one form or another since then,” outgoing Radium mayor, Clara Reinhardt, told the Pioneer. “If it sits for the new council, it will not be passed until well into the new year, and I don’t believe this serves our community well. The new bylaw is much more permissive, while providing clear guidance on keep ing the bar high as far as design, colour and products. The bylaw officer is being given more latitude so that busi nesses need not come to council every time they want something with a slight variance to meet their specific needs.”

Reinhardt has been a vocal supporter of updating dating the bylaw for a long time.

next you’re flying in a helicopter to go to a burn site.”

His mission through all that work and all that volunteering was to spark a love of nature in those he interacted with.

“That’s the key with everybody: If you can give them an enjoyable experience with nature, then they will see the benefits of it,” Halverson told “When you realize what’s in your own backyard, it’s amazing. Once you see it, you appreciate it. And when you appreciate it, hopefully, then when it’s threatened, you will stand up to protect it. Nature contrib utes quite a lot to us. We need to con tribute back to nature.”

All are invited to come to the celebration at Pynelogs, which will run from 2 to 4 p.m, and includes a chance for people to share their favourite ‘Larry stories’.

Larry Halverson recently won the Canadian Museum of Nature’s 2022 Nature In spiration lifetime achieve ment award.

Halverson’s efforts to inspire others to care about nature include taking eye-catch ing photos of the Columbia Valley’s great outdoors, and Pioneer readers have been fortunate that he has shared many images with the newspaper over the years. This photo of sunrise on the Columbia River was taken just last week.

Photo by Larry Halverson …”Transfer station” Continued from page 6

The Invermere transfer station is located at In dustrial 1 Rd in Athalmer, and is expected to reopen at 8:30a.m. on Friday, Oct. 28.

The Columbia Valley Landfill will remain open for regular hours and is located at 1884 Windermere Loop Road.

For more information, contact Penson at the RDEK’s Cranbrook office.

Photo submitted

C H U R C H O F J E S U S C H R I S T O F L A T T E R D A Y S A I N T S