Smart TV $000 $60 BELOW COST TVs! n stock and 50" ready+for up!95 E E$50 pick 149
Smart TV ONLY 40FA7400 95 ++
$000 $50 95++
$50
14995
+ $5E0DIT
After Discount
58" 199 After Discount
RTA4340A
++
CR
After Discount
C
++
37 SAVE 50" towards Furnit& W One +$150 $50 IT ED 50" 4K UHD Smart TV DEC DECEMBER 21,26 2023 ONLY After Discount
PSB3713B
50" 4K UHD PLUS149 FREE SAVE coffee Smart TV
95 ++
7AMNOON
CR
5 HOURS ONLY! 7AM 649 + 249
ft. 29995 28-cu. Stainless Steel
7AM95 Stainless Steel ++ 50 Y T H E L U4KMUHD B I A V A L+LC$RE Dishwasher 60" NOONAfter DiscountC O EDIT
SAVE Smart TV 50" 95 $100 50" 4K UHD oDec22 start- Boxing your day! ++NAT 50" Smart TV Day7AM-- 2 pg+tallboy WR1 $50 WRAP - After 7AMDiscount 240 Watt 2.1 Channel Soundbar Subwoofer MSB21BAR $100 & Wireless50UA7400 DEC 26 ONLY After Discount
with
50UA7400
After Discount
NOON
95 g 99and
After Discount
PIONEER
NOW REDIT C ONLY
ONLY $000 $50
++
497AM- 37" Soundbar 58" ONLY 4K 43" UHD IN-STORE 1080p SAVEYour Weekly Source NOON DIT SAVE E R 43" TV And SmartForSmart TV C News Events DEC 26 ONLY 95 $100 UN58TU69 $150 ALL DAY! ++ + $5E0DI7AMR T
7AMNOON VOL. 20/ISSUE 51
FR
PLUS 99
$150
RTA3240A
RWOS6054
HIS BOXING299 DAY! TOR PRICES!
SAVE French-Door RF28T50S Fridge $150 58" 4K UHD PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION 58" 250•341•6044 Smart TV | 250•341•1395 50
60"
DW80C54S
UN50TU69 CREft.DIT WRAP - WR1 NAT Dec22 tallboy 5.9-cu. ft. - Boxing Day 7.5-cu. NOON - 2 pg 7AM-
++
After Discount
SAVE $150 EXCLUSIVE TO
NOW ONLY NOON
$ NOWIT
CRED
UN58TU69
THE BRICK
ONLY 7AMRealty Invermere NOON
32" 720p 00 Laundry Team: SAFLC80V FrontSmart 24" 720p NOON 0095 95 95 +TV$50 Load + $50 DryerTV/DVD Combo + $50 95 Smart ++ ++ ++Canal ++ DVE5C80V 0 SPECIAL 5 T T + After Discount After Discount I I Serving the Upper Columbia Valley including Akisq’nuk and Shuswap First Nations, Spillimacheen, Brisco, Edgewater, Radium, Invermere, Windermere, Fairmont and $ 0 D D Smart CRE + $5EAfter RLDV2488 RTA3240A Flats CREAfter Discount CREDIT CREDIT IT Discount BUY! D R C DEC 26 ONLY DEC 26 ONLY Washer WF51C80V 7AM7AM58" 4K UHD 75" 4K UHD OPEN see online at thebrick.com/priceguarantee for complete details. NOON NOON SAVE SAVE SAVE WASHER DRYER Smart TV Smart TV 7 AM 6 PM NOW ONLY NOW ONLY
58"
$150
9995
$150
1099 999 stainless $50 CREDIT steel tub 95 + 95 + nd Mattresses. No minimum purchase! $200 OFF 649 999 43" 1080p + + This Best SPECIAL Thisisis Canada's Canada's Best UN58TU69
December ++ After Discount 26
00 00 Proudly Canadian Since 1971 Proudly Canadian Since 1971 PLUS! 7AMBuy More, SaveNOON More! get an extra
$50
$50
+
CREDI$T 50
649 1795 32
SAVE $000 $60
24" 399 449 695
UN75TU69 25.1-cu. ft. Stainless Steel 7AMFrench-Door NOON Fridge LRFNS25S
75"
+ $50
CREDIT
149
95 $200 December 26, 2023 Stainless Steel
EXCLUSIVE TO THE BRICK
++ December 26, 2023 stainless True Convection After Discount Range
steel tub
SPECIAL BUY!
BOXING DAY! BOXING DAY! 659 995 129
OOR CRASHERS 7AMTriflex HX1 Cat and Dog 3-in-1 Cordless Stick Vacuum TRIF030F
++ NOW After Discount ONLY
$50 IT
CRED 7AM-
Smart TV
7AMNOON
NOON
RTA4340A
WHILE QUANTITIES LAST
SPECIAL BUY!
50" 4K+UHD SPECIAL $50 IT SAVE RED C BUY! 43" Smart TVBUY! 00 00 50 33" WIDE 50UA7400 00 1145 + $50 + $50 $50 DOORS DOORS 69900ea. 1595 65900 +$100 995 1
CREDIT
++
when you buy Afterboth Discount edit redeemable on Tuesday, CREDITDecember 26, 2023 only.
HBE351CS
CREDIT
7AMNOON
CREDIT
+ $5E0DIT
+
CREDIT
7AMDEC 26 ONLY OPEN AT OPEN AT Co 7AM! 95 7AM! CR
DEC 26 ONLY
18-cu. ft. 7AM-Top-Freezer Fridge NOON MT18DDSC, MRT18S4W
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299 COMEEARLY! EARLY! First 10 BELOW COST TVs!TVs! COME First 10 BELOW COST + 00 customers will50"receive InIn stock and 58" 4K UHD 4K UHD 65% OFF SOFAS 449 199 + will customers receive stock and $ 70% OFF SAVE . ft. ft. TV 50" Laundryready Team for pick 1.1-cu. + RangeGift Smart TV Top-Load $ aSelf-Clean $50 Brick Card! up!Smart
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+ $5E0DIT CR
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249
NOW ONLY
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95 SAVE $000 $50 $50 IT After Discount++ CRED SPECIAL
+26 ONLY 00 7AM-NOON 99 50 50 +RapidClean + $ T Pro$Stick After Discount I D E DEC R C T DI DIT
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BUY!
95
CRE Vacuum
$50
++
IT $C5R0EDIT
+
NEC180CV
Tub C
CRE
KHBV53ER
ST-823B
5-Speed Hand Mixer
KHM512ER HOT 3.5-Cup Mini BUY
7AM NOO
58" 19
$150 GENUINEready for a $50 Brick Gift Card! pick up! Countertop Microwave 95 4.3-cu. ft. Washer • 6.7-cu. ft. Dryer SAVE 599 0 0 00 99 5 5 + + $ $ 60" 995 7AM7AMLEATHER SOFAS 659 129 $150 FREE local delivery PLUS FREE coffee NOON NOON SAVE 85"CHOICE! Curt YOUR FREE local delivery PLUS FREE coffee 99 95 Genuine Leather 95 0 + $5your from 7am-noon! start day! $545 1.1-cu. ft. Self-Clean Range Top-Load Laundry Team 7am- to 00 599 Tub Chair ++ ++ 649 Sofa 449 + $50your day! Countertop Microwave 9am 169to start 7AM-NOON 39995 from 7am-noon! 95 + $50SAVE + 49ea. $50 49 MAKE US YOUR FIRST STOP THIS BOXING DAY! + Tub Chair VE SAVE 7AM75" US YOUR SAVE SAVE SAVE MAKE FIRST STOP BOXING DAY! 83"THIS Sawyer 50 $200 WE’LL BEAT ALL COMPETITOR PRICES! NOON $100 $50 $520 Sofa99 + 89995 594 88" Tula Sofa WE’LL BEAT ALL COMPETITOR PRICES! 95 95 95 95 95 1199 999 + DEC 26 ONLY 199 299 199 Buy any95TV or Appliance stainless 95 PLUS steel tub 599 $50 CREDIT 199and get a $50 After Discount
7AMth NOON DEC 26 ONLY 60" 4K UHD e VE RT18S4W 00Smart TV$50 IT RWOS6054 CRED 00
7AM7AMEDTuesday, December CRon MCB757DW UN50TU69 Available until 8am. Redeemable 26,NOON 2023 only. NOON
er Fridge +
Available until 8am. Redeemable on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 only.
CREDIT
On purchases ofMITL43AW $499 or more.
++
After Discount
BUY UN75TU69
NNSB55LS
ST-823BK
TM
TM
When you buy the matching loveseat or chair
Canadian Made
Beau Queen Fabric Bed
Chair $1499.97 CURTGYSF/LV/CH
Eden Queen Fabric Storage Bed EDENGQBD
NOW ONLY
83" Ryker Reclining Sofa Identical item must be in stock and sold from a Canadian retailer/e-tailer. Valid same day only. Ask your Sales Consultant or see online at thebrick.com/priceguarantee for complete details.
7AMNOON
After Dis
TM
BEAUGQBD
Canadian Made
UN58TU69
Excludes discounted, clearance, outdoor, Sofa Lab , Food Processor KFC3516R NNSB55LS BELDIVO , Hot Buy deals and Buyer’s Best items. 81P After Discount Eva Love CREDIT 7AM7AMRecli Otto NOON when matching DEC 26 ONLY EVA2GYP 7am-you buy theNOON loveseat or chair at 9am 7AM NOW ONLY our ticket price T I D NOO E R C After Discount Excludes discounted, clearance, After$1979.97 Discount IT Loveseat IT ST-823BK D E R storage C CRED outdoor, Sofa Lab , BELDIVO , TM
Hot Buy deals and Buyer’s Best items.
75" 4K UHD HOT TV Smart
After Dis
HOT
HOT BUY BUY storage fo Reclining Loveseat with Console $1679.97HOT BUY 7AMAfter HOTDiscount BUY 7AM-NOON 7AM-NOON After Discount AVAILABLE: king Reclining Chair $1299.97 NOON Loveseat $879.95 Chair $679.95 LOWEST PRICE Mattress sold 7AM-NOON RYKEGYRS/RL/RC OF THE YEAR! 26 ONLY Chairsbe$699.95 ++ IdenticalAccent item must in stockea. and sold from a$Canadian retailer/e-tailer. Valid same day only. Ask your Sales DEC Consultant or see online at thebrick.com/priceguarantee for complete details. 89 separately. AVAILABLE: power reclining 50
ENUINE PLUS $50 HER SOFAS SIN-STORE ONLY
IT
After Discount
0 $5Dryer 4.3-cu. ft. Washer • 6.7-cu. ft. DIT On purchases of $499 or more. CRE
% OFF F
IT
MITL43AW
7AMNOON
MCB757DW
when you buy the matching loveseat or chair at our ticket price
Accent Ottoman $399.95 TUL2MISF/LV/CH/MIAC/TWAC/TWOT CREDIT
After Discount
IN-STORE ONLY ALL DAY! 7AMRapidClean NOON
After Discount
When you buy the matching loveseat or chair
After Discount
After Discount
After Discount TABLE 5-PC. HOT BUY Buy any TV or Appliance CREDITSAVE towards Furniture, Home Decor and Mattresses. NoSAVE minimum purchase! 7AM-NOON 7AM-NOON $196 One $50 credit redemption redeemable on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 only. PRICE and get a 95per purchase. 95 LOWESTYEAR! 87" Credit Vander Eva Power Evolution X $555 Eva Power 399 399 SAVE 7AMSAVE Cordless After Discount
DIT Hand CRE
Love
$50 CREDIT SAVE Discount LoveseatAfter $579.95 Chair $449.95 Ottoman $299.95 DEC 26 ONLY Accent Chair $499.95 SAWYGYSF/LV/CH/OT/EACC
SETH
Wh SP B
OF THE
Sofa Mattresses. No minimum ReclinerFurniture, Home Reclining towards Decor and Recliner After Discount WHILE purchase!
$800 NOON $300 85" Curt ONLY! $300 85" Curt 5 HOURS 7AM-NOON DOOR CRASHERS Leather 99 00 +Genuine 599 Genuine Leather95 00 + $7AM00 + $50 Sofa 50 $50 ea.32" 699 659 995 799DOOR CRASHERS 40" NOON 5 HOURS ONLY! 7AM-NOON 95 Sofa 95 49918-cu. ft. ONE LOW PRICE! iscounted, clearance, ONE LOW PRICE! 95 1399 1699 Self-Clean Range 95 Top-Load Laundry Te ofa Lab , BELDIVO , SAVE SAVE SAVE
u buy the matching ALL DAY! Pro Stick 99 Vacuum CIAL eat or chair at UY! HOT720p , ticket24" price 24" BUY Combo TV/DVD
ms.
NEC180CV
After Discount
RLDV2488 When you buy the
TM
matching loveseat or chair
7AM-
Blender KHBV53ER
ave
AVE 50
7AMEVA2GYPC
599
NOON
7AM5-Speed NOON Hand Mixer 32" 720p SAVE Loveseat $1979.97 KHM512ER Smart TV $000 $60 Chair $1499.97 RTA3240A 3.5-Cup Mini After Discount CURTGYSF/LV/CH Food Processor
88" TM Leo Reclining Sofa
KFC3516R NOON Discount 24"After 720p T Reclining Loveseat $1399.95 7AM- 95 TV/DVD Combo Reclining Chair $999.95 LEO-RS/RL/RC and Buyer’s Best items.
99
After Discount
7AM-Discount After
7AMNOON
7AMQUANTITIES NOON
Tori Dining One $505-Pc. credit redemption per purchase. on Tuesday, December Alto 26, 2023 only.Table ALTOCDTL HOT BUYCredit redeemableEVA2GYPC Dining Package
Includes table and 4 chairs. 7AM-NOON TORI-B/P/R/W/PK5 AVAILABLE: red, white, black or purple chairs
CREDIT
SAVESAVE $160After Twin, Full, Queen Discount $000 $50
40" 1080p SAVE REDIT Smart TV C$2300 40FA7400
149
499
89 Po MITL43AW Lounger Pow 0 ONLY $000 $50 526 $ DEC EPMA10K 4.3-cu. ft. + Washer After Discount After Discount 7AM-NOON EDIT• 6.7-cu. ft. PowD CRSAVE
799
199 2999 40"
++ NOONONLY DEC 26 RLDV2488 After Discount After Discount 7AM-NOON MT18DDSC, MRT18S4W SAVE CRED CRED + $5E0DIT Fabric Storage 00SAVE Fabric Bed MATTRESS 50% NOW ONLY 7AM7AM7AMCR 0 5 + $100 $150 $ + NAYAGQBD 95 Bed EDENGQBD 95 NOON NOON 43" 1080p 50" 4K UHD 60" 4K UHDNOON OFF CREDIT ea. Huron 2.0 Eurotop ea. SAVE SAVE After Discount SAVE 43" Smart Smart TV95 Smart TV 95 TV 9560" 50" 2HURONTM/FM/QM HOT BUY HOT BUY Eden Queen ++ ++ ++ storage footboard RTA4340A 50UA7400 RWOS6054 0 $100 5$100 50 + + $ $ 7AM-NOON Canadian Made king $1400 After Discount After Discount After Discount 7AM-NOON AVAILABLE: AVAILABLE: power7AM-NOON CREDIT CREDIT SAVE sintered7AMstone Fabricfull,Storage LOWEST PRICE 7AM7AMheadrests Mattress sold king 7AM83" Sawyer SAVE 95 95 NOON NOON NOON OF THE NOON $520 YEAR! separately. Mattress sold Sofa
169 The BRICK49 99
43" 1080p 95
299
SAVE QUANTITIES CRED HOTlast. Twin, While Full,quantities Queen BUYLAST $000 $50
Reclining Loveseat Reclining Chair $599.95 Quinn Swivel DEC 26 DEC 26 $779.95Urban Loveseat $1979.97 SPECIAL BUY! Power 7AMRocker Collection VANDMURS/RL/RC ONLY ONLY After Discount Chair $1499.97 Recliner NOON40" 1080p 32" 95 95 Massage
NOON 32" 720p When youSmart buy the 95 95 TV QUIN2BPC MCB757DW TV Smart Top-Freezer Fridge ++chair ++ CURTGYSF/LV/CH $000 $50 50 50 Queen Queen Naya matching loveseat or + $000 + $$60 $ RTA3240A 40FA7400 AVAILABLE: Eden power reclining, genuine leather YOUR CHOICE! IT After Discount IT After Discount
24"
5-Pc. $875.95 AfterLAST Discount - table + 4 chairs 6-PC. SHOWN $994.95 After Discount - table + 4 chai + 6 chairs 7-Pc. $1099.95 After Discount - table WHILE
279 516 13th Street, Invermere SAVE149 $100 50" 4K 95 UHD Bed EDENGQBD
399+
MATTRESS
$200 95 ea. 479 Radiant 250-342-0769 SAVE Eurotop SAVE
199
60" storage 954K UHD $30
adjustable
After Discount
$600
7AMNOON
$150 + $50 SAVE $150
RD
Boxspring sold separately.
AVAILABLE: king CREDIT Mattress sold separately.
5 HOURS ONLY! 7AM-NOON DOOR CRASHERS SAVE $400
SAVE $100
Koda Queen Storage Bed KODAGQBD
3-Pc. Brianna Queen Comforter Set $99.95 ea. BRILG3FQ, BRIDG3FQ
HOT BUY 7AM-NOON
799
95
69995
Loveseat $779.95 Chair $599.95 KASSBLSF/LV/CH
After Discount
After Discount
7AM-NOON
35% OFF
7AM-NOON
Take an Additional
10% OFF
storage drawers
7AM-NOON QUEEN STORAGE BED
91" Kassia Sofa
WHILE QUANTITIES LAST
5-Pc. Queen Package $1459.95 After Discount Includes headboard, storage footboard, rails, dresser and mirror. KODAGQP5 AVAILABLE: king
+
our Sale Price on Comforter Sets
Excludes clearance and flyer features.
BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE+
Twin, Full, Queen & KING
ONE LOW PRICE!
+
Memphis, Glam Lighting & All Tiffany Style Lamps
7AM-NOON 2 PILLOWS
7AMNOON
3995
ea.
9900
Sheet Set
After Discount
Dream 2.0 Cooling Pillow DRM2PLWQ
After Discount
MGREYSQS, WHTESSQS, STONESQS, NAVYSSQS
While quantities last.
Please check our website at www.thebrick.com to see more 5-hour door crashers.
180 NIGHT MATTRESS SATISFACTION GUARANTEE See in store or online at thebrick.com/satisfaction-guarantee for details.
6X Premium Gel
50
SAVE $679
%+ OFF
QUEEN MATTRESS
QUEEN MATTRESS
1799
2049
36-month term. Product only. Fees apply.
36-month term. Product only. Fees apply.
95
95
After Discount
After Discount
$50.00 /MTH*
Crystal Palace Pillowtop CRYSTAQM
King Mattress $2189.50 After Discount
Boxspring sold separately.
BSTAJ2QB
$56.95 /MTH*
1504 Intellicoil Pocket Coils Reduce motion transfer and provide the perfect level of support
EXCLUSIVE Prima Gel Memory Foam Delivers breathable comfort, conforming support and promotes a cooler sleep
Support Firm 3.0 SPFRM3QM
King Mattress $2399.95 After Discount SAVE $899
TEMPUR-HD Material Cradles your body and reduces pressure points
Fast Recovery Conforms to your body throughout the night and returns to its original shape
Boxspring sold separately.
Add this Adjustable Base for only $1399.95
LOCALLY OWNED, NATIONALLY PRICED
FR
EE
Your Weekly Source For News And Events
VOL. 20/ISSUE 51
DECEMBER 21, 2023
PIONEER THE COLUMBIA VALLEY
PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
250•341•6044 | 250•341•1395
Serving the Upper Columbia Valley including Akisq’nuk and Shuswap First Nations, Spillimacheen, Brisco, Edgewater, Radium, Invermere, Windermere, Fairmont and Canal Flats
Merry Christmas!
Fair Realty
Geoff
HILL
Personal Real Estate Corporation
250-341-7600
www.Rockies.RealEstate
STR SURVEY RESULTS
3 DOGS ALERT FAMILY
4 DEAR SANTA
Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday as we end the year and usher in a new one. PHOTO RYAN WATMOUGH
23 Your listing on the front page with...
SEAN & PAUL ROGGEMAN Personal Real Estate Corporations
Rockies West Realty Independently owned and operated
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE ROGGEMANS!
250-341-5445
THINKING OF SELLING YOUR HOME OR COTTAGE IN 2024? TEXT OR CALL SEAN FOR A FREE VALUE ESTIMATE TO HELP Sean@rockieswest.com YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION : 250-341-5445 NOT INTENDED TO SOLICIT BUYERS OR SELLERS CURRENTLY UNDER CONTRACT WITH A BROKERAGE
250-341-5300
2
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
Bruno’s Plumbing Service Mike Sylvestre 250.342.5105 brunosplumbing@shaw.ca
DECEMBER 21, 2023
VALLEY VIEWS
Serving The Columbia Valley
Auto Glass Replacement & Chip Repair Shower Doors | Sealed Units | Deck & Hand Railings
250-342-3659
Ser vin g th eC
UPCOMING EVENTS SCHOOL BREAK CRAFT TIME o l u m bia
e Vall
Dec 27,28 and Jan 2,3,4 2-4pm
y
Drop in for family crafts! invermere.bc.libraries.coop
FREE
PACKAGE OF IN-STORE BAKED PASTRIES with $50 fuel purchase
CROSSROADS MARKET
Is open 24 hours a day through the entire Christmas season, including Christmas & New Year’s Day! RO
S SR OAD
MA
94 OCTANE SUPREME PLUS FUEL NOW AVAILABLE!
S
C
RKET
GREAT GAS
GIVEAWAY This week’s winner is…
JJ Solowinski
Many, many more draws will continue through 2023
SUBMIT YOUR
PHOTOS! If you have a good snapshot to share, please send it to:
admin@columbiavalleypioneer.com
Take a drive around to check out all of the nicely decorated homes in the area. And that cool holiday train in Radium definitely gets you in the mood for Christmas. PHOTOS RYAN WATMOUGH
DECEMBER 21, 2023
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
3
VALLEY NEWS Invermere survey mixed bag on STRs By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com Invermere council received a summary of results from its short-term rental (STR) survey last week. The issue of how to deal with the exploding number of STRs in Invermere has bedevilled the district for a long time. Recent years have seen other local municipal and regional governments grapple with the issue — the Village of Radium Hot Springs adopted its STR bylaw two and half years ago, while the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) adopted its STR bylaw this past summer. In Invermere, district staff and council have been working toward an STR bylaw of some sort for more than a year. The latest step in those efforts was an online STR survey which ran earlier this fall and attracted a staggering 471 responses. A summary of those results was received by Invermere council during its Tuesday, Dec. 12 meeting. It outlined that survey respondents were divided on whether or not they supported STRs in residential and low-density neighbourhoods. The ‘divide’ however is misleading as there is a very clear geographical split in the responses: respondents who are full-time Invermere residents were against STRs in single-family neighbourhoods and in support of STR regulations. Non full-time residents (including any Invermere second homeowners who took the survey), on the other hand, were in favour of STRs in single-family neighbourhoods and were less supportive of regulations on STRs (including limits on the number and location of STRs, parking requirements, noise monitoring, and fines). Points that received the support of at least half the survey respondents included: a limit of one STR licence per owner; a cap on the overall number of STRs in Invermere; controlling the number and location of STRs; a series of escalating fines for those breaking STR rules; and parking requirements and mandatory noise monitoring for STRs. More than half the survey respondents were against Invermere using a twotiered approach — STR business licensing in conjunction with Temporary Use Permits (TUPs) — to deal with the STRs, something the district has been considering for months. Other concerns brought up frequently by survey respondents included how STRs changed the sense of communities in a given neighbourhood, the impact of STRs on seasonal worker housing, and the economic impact of limiting STRs. Multiple respondents also sug-
gested the District of Invermere opt-in to the recently announced provincial STR regulations (such rules will apply to communities of more than 10,000 in B.C., but smaller municipalities can choose to opt in to them). Overall, 53 per cent of survey respondents felt Invermere should allow STRs in single-family residential neighbourhoods, and 47 per cent felt the district should not. But looking at the breakdown of only respondents who are full-time Invermere residents shifted the picture: 49 supported STRs in low-density neighbourhoods, 51 per cent were against it. In total 55 per cent of survey respondents were against Invermere using a two-tier approach (business licensing and TUPs) to deal with STRs, 36 per cent were in favour of it, and nine per cent were unsure or neutral. The most common reason cited for not supporting the two-tiered approach was a simple preference for using only business licensing to regulate STRs. A total of 66 per cent of all survey respondents support a cap of one STR license per owner in Invermere, with 31 per cent against such a cap, and three per cent either not answering or neutral on the topic. Some 64 per cent of survey respondents supported Invermere controlling the number and location of STRs by limiting distances between STRs, and putting a cap on the number of STRs allowed in a given neighbourhood, with 35 per cent opposed and one per cent unsure. (Those figures rose to 70 per cent in support, 29 per cent opposed and one per cent unsure when looking only at survey respondents who are fulltime Invermere residents.) A total of 72 per cent were in favour of limiting the number of guests allowed in an STR, with 19 per cent opposed, and nine per cent giving an ‘other’ or unsure response to such a measure. Overall 71 per cent were in favour of establishing parking requirements (18 per cent opposed, 11 per cent ‘other’ or unsure); 66 per cent were in favour of mandatory noise monitoring (17 per cent opposed, 17 per cent ‘other’ or unsure); and 83 per cent were in favour of a series of escalating fines for breaking STR regulations (13 per cent opposed, four per cent ‘other’ or unsure). Additional comments by survey respondents indicated, aside from topics outline above, that there are concerns about STRs affecting housing affordability and will feed into the housing crisis. Also, about the negative impact of STRs on Invermere’s sense of community, and about the negative impact of STRs on Invermere’s ‘livability.’ Multiple respondents suggested that STRs only be allowed on owner-occupied properties.
The survey outlined that respondents were divided on whether or not they supported STRs in residential and low-density neighbourhoods. Overall, 53 per cent of respondents felt Invermere should allow STRs in single-family residential neighbourhoods, and 47 per cent felt the district should not. COUNCIL SCREENSHOT
Where Real Estate Happens™ 2024 CALENDARS HAVE ARRIVED!
BERNIE RAVEN 250-342-7415
JAN KLIMEK 250-342-1195
JEFF PACHOLUK 250-341-7800
SCOTT SAUERMANN 250-342-5889
DORAN CAIN 250-342-1629
SSTEVE HENDERSON 250-341-5128
DAVE JENKINS 250-341-7344
CHARLOTTE MARSHALLL PAUL GLASSFORD 250-899-9912 250-341-1395
DAVE MCGRATH 250-341-1967
GRANT COSTELLO 250-342-1052
GAIL DUCHNYCH 250-421-3102
SHERRY DEVLIN 250-409-4046
JOE EVANOFF 250-341-7045
KEN BECKER 250-342-1161
CHRIS RAVEN 250-409-9323
HAYDEN BECKER 250-341-1195
MAX POWERS 250-270-0396
1214 -7th Avenue, Invermere Ph: 250-34 1-6044 • realestateinvermere.ca
4
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
SECURITY Est. 2005
• • • •
RCMP
Uniformed Guards Mobile Patrol Alarm Response Property Checks
www.valleyhawk.com Licensed & Insured
250-688-HAWK
DECEMBER 21, 2023
REPORT
Invermere & Surrounding Areas
Sgt. Ed deJong Columbia Valley RCMP
Gift Certificates available for that hard-to-buy-for person. Give the gift of pampering!
250.341.7562 Suite #4-240 Third Ave., Invermere
This past week December 11 to 18 the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 54 calls for service. The following is a summary of some of the files our officers responded to: On December 11 it was reported to police that a number of mailboxes were broken into on Wills Road in Canal Flats sometime over the previous weekend. If anyone saw anything suspicious between December 8 and December 11 at this location, please call the Columbia Valley RCMP at 250-342-9292. On December 14 member participated in a Cram the Cruiser event for the local food bank. The newest vehicle in our fleet was crammed
with food donations by patrons of the annual Christmas train event held at Fraser Landing in Radium Hot Springs. Fun and hot chocolate were had by all. On December 15 the Columbia Valley RCMP responded along with Windermere Fire Department to a trailer fire in the 400 block of Arrow Road. The trailer was completely destroyed and there was some damage to neighbouring buildings; however, no one was hurt during the incident. The members and staff of the Columbia Valley RCMP detachment would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holidays this coming week. If you are travelling, please drive safe and according to conditions. If you are consuming alcohol, please find a safe and sober ride home.
Dogs alert family to structure fire Columbia Valley Pioneer staff
The family of Nelda Boucher would like to thank the following people for the help given to our mom when she fell and broke her hip: first responders, the doctors and nurses at the Invermere Hospital, home support, physiotherapists, the residents at Lakeview Manor, everyone who went to the hospital to visit and who brought flowers and sent cards. A special thank you to the friends at the Kingdom Hall for all the meals, daily visits and phone calls. We appreciate all you have done for our mom. Christina, Rosanna, Michelle, Michael
The Columbia Valley
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During a structure fire in Athalmer last Friday morning, it was proven that dogs are not only a man’s (and woman’s) best friend, but also life savers. This was the case for an Athalmer Road couple who was lucky to escape a fire in their home thanks to their dogs. Jon Tames, deputy chief of the Columbia Valley Rural Fire and Rescue Service, said they responded to a fully involved structure fire in a recreational vehicle home just after 7 a.m. “Upon arrival, we learned the couple’s dogs woke them up alerting them to the fire and they were all able to escape safely. Sadly, their RV home is a total loss, as is an adjoining outbuilding.” Tames acknowledged the excellent work of their firefighters in containing the flames to this isolated area. He noted there are several nearby structures and businesses that “could have also been seriously impacted had the fire grown.” Eight members of the Windermere Fire Department responded to the call, with two pieces of apparatus. BC Ambulance and RCMP were also dispatched. There were no injuries as a result of the fire and the couple has been offered support services through the BC Ambulance Service.
The fire was fully extinguished. The cause remains under investigation but is not deemed to be suspicious at this time.
Members of the Windermere Fire Department battle an early morning RV home fire along Athalmer Road on December 15. No injuries were reported and the cause is still under investigation. PHOTO SUBMITTED
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DECEMBER 21, 2023
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
5
Council asked to adopt highest code By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com
Local resident Tracy Flynn appeared before all Columbia Valley municipal councils last week, asking them to adopt the highest step in the Zero Carbon Code program and to do so by the middle of next year. It was the second time in the past three months councils have had residents make the case for adopting the Zero Carbon Code. Back in October, ThinkBright Homes Ltd. director Meredith Hamstead outlined the program to councils at the District of Invermere, the Village of Radium Hot Springs, and the Village of Canal Flats. In her presentations on Monday, Dec. 11 (at the Radium and Canal Flats council meetings) and Tuesday, Dec. 12 (at the Invermere council meeting) Flynn answered some of the questions and points council members had brought up in October in relation to Hamstead’s presentation. Flynn also put a timeline to the councils (something Hamstead didn’t do), asking them to adopt the highest Zero Carbon Step by July 2024. The Zero Carbon Code is a threestep code related to operational carbon emissions of new homes. It was introduced this year, with the provincial government targeting full implementation of the highest Zero Carbon level across
B.C. by 2030. It is separate from the B.C. Energy Step Code, which deals with energy efficiency standards (rather than operational carbon emissions) of new homes. During the Radium council meeting Flynn outlined that “what lies ahead requires a paradigm shift” but added “this isn’t new territory . . . if Whistler and Nelson can do it, why can’t we?” She later explained to the Pioneer that in January 2024 Whistler will be implementing EL3 (the second of three tiers) in the Zero Carbon Code, while Nelson implemented EL3 back in August. EL3 means that space and water heating in new homes is zero carbon, but fossil fuel is still allowed for cooking. “I believe both (Whistler and Nelson) have accelerated timelines to get to EL4 (the third and final tier in the Zero Carbon Step Code,” Flynn said. “I've asked for EL4, zero carbon from space and water heating and cooking, (from Columbia Valley councils) because it makes no sense to do this gradually in our area. Build a house without propane hook-ups or tanks — simple.” During the Canal Flats council meeting, council members asked about potential extra expenses associated with building to the Zero Carbon Code, but Flynn pointed out there are plenty of grants for heat pumps right now, and that over the long term, having a heat
pump will actually save a homeowner money. At the Invermere council meeting, Flynn told councillors that the Zero Carbon Code was set up specifically to help local governments lower carbon emissions and that buildings are one of the largest sources of such emissions. In terms of adopting EL4 by July
2024, Flynn noted that “every ton of carbon pollution really does matter. If we can reduce it, we should.” Addressing questions raised in October, she said that “if you have heard from staff or builders that it’s too difficult, too complicated, or too much paperwork, it doesn’t have to be.” Continued on page 7
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
DECEMBER 21, 2023
PERSPECTIVE A gift to last The shy, freckled-face little boy grew up like most kids with the attitude that Christmas was all about acquiring as many presents as possible. If the tree didn’t harbour more than 10 neatly wrapped gifts with his name on it he was disappointed . . . dejected, actually. And if his “spoiled” sister got one more than he did, he would surely complain to his mother. One Christmas morning he counted 25 presents that had his name on it. His father made a good living installing high-rise windows in Toronto, so the family was doing well financially. The boy still recalls one of the gifts he tore open like a crazed Tasmanian devil; it was an electric football field that moved the players around by vibration. It was fun watching the player with the ball find an opening to score a touchdown. He played it a few times but then lost interest. The boy was furious one year when his sister crept downstairs on Christmas Eve and opened up everyone’s present; not a single one had wrapping paper left on it. Another year his Uncle Tommy (with his missing thumb) was invited to stay for the holidays. That turned out to be the disaster of the century since Tommy, full of whiskey, got up in the middle of the night to relieve himself and inadvertently tripped over his nephew’s Formula 1 racing set, which was smashed to pieces. The boy cried and moaned the entire day. Like pages in the wind, the years raced by. The economy lost its robustness, paving the way for leaner times. Survival became more of a struggle for families whose incomes dwindled, resulting in smaller budgets and fewer gifts under the tree. The freckled-face boy grew up, got married and became a father of two children. Life was good in a small town until he lost his job. Unlike his father, he couldn’t afford to buy his daughters a lot of presents, although the three or four he did manage to purchase were nicely wrapped, and his home-made Christmas cards were unique and heart-felt. After all these years he was starting to realize the true meaning of Christmas, and he wondered why it took him so long to do so. Then, just a few days before December 25, there was a knock at the door. It was a wealthy couple they knew who were delivering Christmas hampers to people in need. Their arms were full of two large baskets laden with food. He told the duo there must have been a mistake, urging them to give the hampers to another family in town who were far less fortunate than he was. But it was no mistake; someone had heard about him losing his job and recommended his family for the Christmas hamper program. On the urging of his wife, he swallowed his pride and accepted the kind offering. It was truly the season of giving, so that Christmas he donated a brand new toy fire engine to the local hospital where one sick little boy would cherish it over the holidays. Lyonel Doherty, editor
Historical Lens
Frank C Stockdale is seen here standing in front of a log cabin in the early 1900s. PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE WINDERMERE AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
We are all guilty of this ‘crime’ That all levels of government in Canada and most of the world have dilly-dallied on the disaster created by plastic waste’s consequences on this planet is unforgivable. It is also unforgivable that most of us have knowingly done little to protest or in reality reduce our consumption of plastic. Our local town council, after stalling and failing to adequately prioritize this plastic eco calamity for years [though in reality tough in a very small town alone], says they will now avoid and wait for Canadian federal/provincial measures. So prepare for more extended procrastination, excuses, and minimal implementations. Shockingly, unless stopped in the next decade,
production of new plastic will double the amount that has ever been produced in the last 100 years. Banning only plastic grocery bags and fast food outlets from dispensing single-use plastic is literally grasping at straws. And just vainly carrying your reusable cloth shopping bag is a sad pathetic false act when we just fill them to the brim with plastic packaged groceries and products. Rwanda, yes cheers Rwanda, has banned all plastic packaging since 1999. That is true mature leadership. Our continued gross overuse of plastic here in Canada is criminal and we are all extremely guilty. Bill Ark, Invermere
Invermere resident Bill Ark believes that production of new plastic will double unless it is stopped in the next decade. PHOTO NEZHANA KUDRYAVTSEVA/ GETTY IMAGES
The Columbia Valley
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DECEMBER 21, 2023
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
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Survey shows valley residents want trails By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com Results are in from the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK)’s Columbia Valley Active Transportation Survey. On the whole the survey results indicate people living here like their trails, want more trails, and feel there are some significant gaps in the trail network. More than 330 Columbia Valley residents filled out the survey, which ran from early September to mid-October. The survey will help inform the RDEK’s upcoming Active Transportation Plan, which should be adopted some time in 2024 if everything goes well. RDEK planner Krista Gilbert told the Pioneer that RDEK staff “are still going through the results” but that some clear trends have already emerged.
“There is a lot of support for new trail development, there are some themes for priority areas to focus on for new trail development, and, overall, there is some good feedback on what needs to be improved,” said Gilbert. One of the most commonly suggested improvements is to make sure trails are dedicated trails, physically separate from the roads. In other words, painting a bicycle lane on a road does not — in the view of Columbia Valley residents — make for a great trail. “People don’t like sharing the road with vehicles,” explained Gilbert. Another common suggestion is making sure that trails aren’t too steep. Gilbert outlined that this was a point made by multiple residents in reference to sections of the Markin-MacPhail Westside Legacy Trail. But despite the steepness of a few parts, many survey respondents had
great things to say about Westside Legacy Trail. The survey asked residents which local trails they like most, and the Westside Legacy Trail was one of the most popular, along with the Old Coach Trail connecting Dry Gulch and Radium Hot Springs, and (in winter) the Lake Windermere Whiteway. Many areas were identified as ‘gaps’ needing filling in the valley’s existing trail network, but perhaps the most commonly cited gap was between Windermere and Invermere. In light of land acquisition being a significant hurdle to creating new trails, a total of 74.5 per cent of respondents supported the RDEK implementing specific development permit area subdivisions that would allow the allocation of land for pathways. A total of 52.6 per cent of respondents supported the RDEK looking at an electric mobility sharing program. Exercise (90.3 per cent
of respondents), enjoyment (79.9 per cent) and environmental concerns (35.8 per cent) were the biggest reasons cited for using active transportation. Gaps in the active transportation network (69.9 per cent of respondents), lack of dedicated active transportation pathways (59.6 per cent) and safety concerns (52.8 per cent) were the biggest barriers to using active transportation. RDEK staff will continue reviewing the survey results and other feedback and will compile a draft Columbia Valley Active Transportation Plan over the next few months. After review by a technical committee, the RDEK will conduct public consultation. The plan will then be finalized and come back to the RDEK board for adoption some time in 2024. “Our aim is in the first half of the year,” said Gilbert. To learn more visit engage.rdek.bc. ca/ActiveTransportationCV.
Resident requests council to adopt code Continued from page 5 She noted there are a great many resources available to make adopting the Zero Carbon Code easier. Of the question (also raised in October) about relying “too much” on BC Hydro (since adopting the Zero Carbon Code generally means more electrification), Flynn said she can sympathize, but pointed out that BC Hydro has been insisting it can handle the extra demands on its grid associated with increasing electrification. “It’s not as big a stretch for us as other municipalities because we do not have natural gas,” she noted.
While councillors in Radium, Canal Flats and Invermere all seemed receptive to Flynn, none made any firm commitment to adopt any of the Zero Carbon Code steps. Invermere councillor Gerry Taft did bring up the issue of larger homes and of second homes and wondered how that plays into decreasing carbon emission at a municipal level. “It’s something that’s not talked about, the size of homes, but perhaps it should be,” said Taft. “If houses are four times larger than they used to be, even if they are very energy efficient, that’s a lot of extra space to heat.” He add-
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ed the same applies to second homes, which are only occupied a small part of the year – often weekends in the summer and winter — but which need to be heated (or in the summer, cooled) for the entire winter or summer so that they
are comfortable when they are used. “If I wasn’t an optimist, I wouldn’t be here. With the state of the planet, I wouldn’t be able to get out of bed. But here I am,” Flynn said. “The Zero Carbon Code is an easy win.”
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
DECEMBER 21, 2023
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
Fees to go up again at pools By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com Entry fees will go up again at the Radium hot pools in the new year. When fees went up last year, nearly doubling after nearly two decades of remaining flat, a flood of valley residents called the Pioneer to express dissatisfaction (and considerably stronger sentiments) with the change, upset that a dip in the local hot pools was, in the view of many callers, no longer an ‘affordable’ activity. But Parks Canada chief operating officer for Canadian Rockies Hot Springs Julian England told the Pioneer at the time that the price increase merely brought the Radium pools prices in line with those at other similar facilities. “We are now on par with the average price of visiting hot springs — private ones or public ones — in B.C. and Alberta,” he had said. “It’s also comparable to the price of cinema tickets.” England also pointed out that even with the price hikes, the Radium hot pools are not a revenue generator for Parks Canada. Additionally he outlined that Parks Canada had spent millions of dollars on renovations and upgrades at the Radium pools in recent years (some $28 million in total). On Jan. 1 the price will go up again, but this time the jump is much smaller — an increase of 4.1 per cent.
The move is part of a new cycle of adjusting fees every two years, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The 4.1 per cent increase will apply to other Canadian Rockies hot springs — the Banff and Miette Hot Springs — as well as Radium. The price adjustment will translate into an increase in single entry fees of approximately $1. Currently at the hot pools single entry fees are $16.50 for adults, $14.25 for seniors and youth, and $53 for a family. Day passes are $25.50 for adults, $22 for seniors and youth, and $82 for families. Discounted books of 10 entry tickets are $149.75 for adults, $129.25 for seniors and youth. Season passes are $220.50 for adults, $187.50 for seniors and youth, and $652.75 for families.
Local Journalism Initiative julia@columbiavalleypioneer.com Wildsight stands with the Ktunaxa First Nation concerning their calls for the U.S. and Canada to address watershed pollution. "The Canadian federal government has since failed to meaningfully address this, leading many in the U.S., including Montana Senator Jon Tester, to propose an investigation into the issue without Canadian federal support," said Simon Wiebe, Wildsight's mining analyst. The U.S. and Canada collaborated in March promising to reach an agreement and statement by the end of summer 2023 regarding the cross-border pollution in the Elk and Kootenay rivers. However, the Ktunaxa community has not seen any progress. Read https:// www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/statements/2023/03/24/prime-minister-trudeau-and-president-biden-
Wildsight and Ktunaxa First Nation support each other in their views about watershed pollution. Shown here is the Kootenay River, which is being threatened by cross-border pollution. PHOTO: APROTT/GETTY IMAGES
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Fees are increasing a small amount at the Radium hot pools. PHOTO RYAN WATMOUGH
Wildsight stands with Ktunaxa By Julia Magsombol
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joint-statement Wiebe explained the cross-border pollution problem in the Elk and Kootenay watersheds can affect the river system, the animals, and the clean drinking water for people. He explained that Teck Resources performs coal mining in Elk Valley. This causes a lot of waste rock to be removed from the mountainside, which is then stored in the valley, where it is subject to weathering. Wiebe said that this weathering is not good as it produces many pollutants, which can flow into the Elk River and downstream into Lake Koocanusa, where it enters the Kootenay River system and crosses the border to the U.S. He said the aquatic insect and fish populations can be affected by this as well. The pollutants from the weathering consists of selenium. The selenium can be vital to animal life in small doses but very quickly becomes harmful in higher quanti-
ties, where it causes harm to aquatic insect and fish populations. Many marine animals are affected with warped spines or missing gill plates. Selenium levels can also affect people's access to clean drinking water. Wiebe explained that the levels in the Elk River are so high that municipal and private wells near the river have selenium levels above Canada's drinking water guidelines in certain periods of the year, requiring Teck to provide filtration systems or deliver drinking water to Elk Valley families. "Downstream, selenium levels continue to be a problem, with concentrations in Lake Koocanusa violating Montana's water quality standards and U.S. Federal E.P.A. regulations. Many members of the Transboundary Ktunaxa refuse to eat fish from the river anymore, as many species have elevated levels of selenium in their flesh and organs," said Wiebe. Continued on page 13
2024 SCHEDULE REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL The District of Invermere Council meets regularly throughout the year on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Office (914 – 8th Avenue, Invermere). January 9, 23 February 13, 27 March 12, 26 April 9, 23
May 14, 28 June 11, 25 July 9 August 13
September 10, 24 October 8, 22 November 12, 26 December 10
Agendas are posted on our website www.invermere.net prior to the meetings. DISTRICT OF INVERMERE
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
DECEMBER 21, 2023
OUT OF OFFICE… HAPPY HOLIDAYS! This is the time of year to deck your halls and holly your jollies – winter has finally arrived, fluffy snow and all! December is filled with holiday cheer and festivities, and this year is no exception. The Columbia Valley is sugar-plum-pudding full of delightful events this season, from spectacular holiday markets to jingly sleigh rides there will be something to grow your heart a size or three, guaranteed! Everyone is welcome to harken in their holiday cheer, visitors and locals alike!
» New Years Fireworks at Panorama Mountain Resort: December 31, 8:30pm
Tickle your Christmas fancy with these glittery holiday events:
The Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce would also like to extend a very happy holidays to all of their members and everyone in the Columbia Valley; we are thrilled to be able to celebrate the season with the Buy Local Grant that we have just received from the Columbia Basin Trust. Keep an eye out for some new and exciting initiatives (Shop Local, Ship for Free, anyone?) to encourage local shopping, as well as a few tried and true favourites, both before Christmas and in the new year as well! Thank you for your support of the Chamber, and for your support of the wonderful community of the Columbia Valley!
» Garden of Lights; Groundswell: December 22 & 23, 5:30-9:00pm. » Photos with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus; Ski Tip Lodge, Panorama: December 24, 1-3pm. » Fireworks & Torchlight Parade; Fairmont Hot Springs: December 24, 5:30pm » Village Sleigh Rides December 26-30, 11:00am -4:30pm. » Winter Wonderland Market; Radium Centre: December 29 & 30, 11am- 3pm. » Radium NYE Celebration & Birthday Party: Brent’s Shack and Springs Driving Range, December 31, 5:30 pm
Information on these festive events throughout the Columbia Valley can be found online at: https://travelcolumbiavalley.com/ events/ Travel Columbia Valley regularly updates their site to keep both locals and visitors in the loop about what’s going on in the Columbia Valley.
DECEMBER 21, 2023
Thursday, December 21 • 10:30am-11:30am: Senior’s Fitness Columbia Valley Centre, $2 dropin. • 2:00pm-3:00pm: Needles & Hooks. Invermere Public Library. Join us on the 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month at 2:00pm for Needles & Hooks. Bring your current yarn project and meet with other makers. All welcome! • 6:45pm: Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Invermere Legion. $30 buy-in. • 7:30pm: Trivia Night Windermere Whitehouse Pub.
Friday, December 22 • 5:30pm-9:00pm: Groundswell – Garden of Lights. Groundswell Community Greenhouse. Bring your children, family and friends to an evening of music, lights, food and friends!! Dress in Whoville outfits to add to the fun! Secure your tickets online at: https:// groundswellnetwork.ca/ or cash tickets at The Brick in Invermere! • 2:00pm-3:00pm: Friday Funday. Invermere Public Library. Crafternoon: a fun new craft each session – Christmas themed this month! Drop-in programming. Drop-off for ages 7+. Younger children are more than welcome to join with a grown-up. • 2:00pm-3:45pm: Wild Woolies: Radium Hot Springs Public Library. Join our fibre arts circle! Everyone and every skill level welcome. No registration required.
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
• 2:30pm-3:30pm: Teen Connect and Create Radium Public Library. Every fourth Friday of the month. Connect with other teens while making different creations each month! For ages 13 to 18. No registration required. • 6:30pm - close: Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion! Members and guests welcome!
Monday, December 25 Happy Holidays from the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce!
Tuesday, December 26
Saturday, December 23 • 5:30pm-9:00pm: Groundswell – Garden of Lights. Groundswell Community Greenhouse. Bring your children, family and friends to an evening of music, lights, food and friends!! Dress in Whoville outfits to add to the fun! Secure your tickets online at: https:// groundswellnetwork.ca/ or cash tickets at The Brick in Invermere! • 11:00am-12:30pm: LEGO/Duplo Club Invermere Public Library. We'll have Lego, Duplo, big blocks & more out to play with on Saturday mornings! All ages welcome. • 6:30pm: Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion! Members and guests welcome!
Sunday, December 24 Happy Holidays from the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce!
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Happy Holidays from the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce!
•
Wednesday, December 27
• 11:30am-12:00pm: Story Time. Radium Public Library - preschool & all ages. • 2:00pm-4:00pm: School Break Craft Time. Drop-in between 2-4 pm for some fun crafts! Instructions and supplies will be out (while supplies last) for families to craft together. All welcome! Crafts geared towards elementary age. Please note this is not a supervised or dropoff program.
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
DECEMBER 21, 2023
Edgewater Legion feeds school turkey Submitted by Edgewater Legion Every year Edgewater Legion Branch #199 has a turkey dinner lunch to feed the whole Edgewater school roughly 130 students, 20 staff, and about 20 volunteers were served on Dec. 4. We cook and serve a full on turkey dinner with all the trimmings and dessert. There is also an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus. We have two seatings, one at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. We feed the school and we have annual donations to help make this fun event happen in our wonderful community of Edgewater. This has become a big deal in our great little community. Our major sponsors are Mountainside Market Radium, Horsethief Pub, Wink Wireless, Branch #71, and Branch #199 members. Without them and the volunteers this event would probably not happen.
There was turkey galore for students, staff and volunteers of Edgewater Elementary School on December 14 thanks to Edgewater Legion Branch #199. PHOTO SUBMITTED
Baton twirler recognized for commitment By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioner.com Baton-twirling Columbia Valley resident Karen Gratton was honoured with the Lynda Garland Award for Excellence earlier this year. Gratton was awarded the honour after a lifetime of dedication to baton twirling that began when she started participating in the sport more than 60 years ago. This expanded to include decades of experience as a coach, judge, adjudicator, positions on multiple national and provincial baton twirling boards and committees, and becoming a competition director as well as an au-
thor of several Canadian Baton Twirling Federation (CBTF) publications. The award is named in honour of Lynda Garland, who was the creator (and first president) of the CBTF, as well as the first president of the World Baton Twirling Federation. Garland retired from that role in 2008, but is still involved with sport. Garland herself chooses the winner of the award from among each year’s nominations. This year it was Gratton, and the award could not have gone to a more committed recipient. “Baton is my passion – I love every aspect of it – it’s always been there for me during the good times and the bad
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year! Welcome to #4 Purcell Point 4 – 1000, 9th St. Invermere, BC
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times,” she said. “I have made many wonderful friends all over the country and the world. I have had the privilege to work with many baton legends and experts such as Lynda Garland, Ron Kopas, Maureen Johnson and Paola diMarchi. I have taught and judged so many incredible athletes at all levels and each one has a piece of my heart. I appreciate all that this sport has given me and I can’t imagine my life without a baton.” Gratton first started baton twirling in 1962 and fell in love with the sport immediately. When she was 16 she started coaching in Alberta (where she lived at the time) and when she was 18 she started her own club, and then later here in the Kootenay region. Her two clubs — the Royalette Baton Club (Alberta) and Kootenay Baton Konnection each became the largest in their respective provinces. After retiring, Gratton spent five winters as a snowbird in Arizona and coached there. She’s still coaching today, in fact, leading a recreational baton program on Wednesdays
in Invermere. She was both an adjudicator and a judge with CBTF for many years, travelling to competitions across Canada. In addition Gratton has acted in more than a dozen provincial and national positions with both the Alberta Baton Twirling Association (ABTA) and CBTF, including several roles that she still currently holds: CBTF first vice-president; Baton Twirling Association of B.C. (BTABC) group representative; CBTF market and communication committee member; and CBTF equity, diversity and inclusivity committee member. Gratton served as a competition director for 27 years, including as member of three world championship planning committees and was assistant competition director at the 1984 world championships. Prior to winning the Lynda Garland Award for Excellence, Gratton earned the CBTF Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998, and was named CBTF volunteer of the year in 1997 and 2022.
Veteran baton twirler Karen Gratton has been honoured with the Lynda Garland Award for Excellence for her lifetime dedication to the sport including coaching and adjudicating. PHOTO SUBMITTED
DECEMBER 21, 2023
The real angels Submitted Angel Flight East Kootenay has been serving the residents of the East Kootenays for three and a half years. Since our inception in 2019, we have expanded and enhanced our service. Initially operating with single-engine aircraft subject to weather conditions, we now utilize a six-seat, fully de-iced, and pressurized twin engined aircraft, ensuring reliable flights to Kelowna from Cranbrook Airport three days a week throughout the year—all at no charge. Prior to receiving assistance from the RDEK in acquiring our Cessna 414A aircraft, we were transporting 100 people annually. Thanks to this support, we now transport 650 East Kootenay residents each year. One ongoing challenge is spreading awareness about our service to those who need it. If you are aware of anyone requiring transportation to Kelowna for a medical appointment, please inform them about our free service. We take this opportunity to express our gratitude to our volunteer pilots for their dedication in keeping Angel Flight operational. We also extend our thanks to the numerous generous individuals and businesses who contribute to us, enabling us to continue offering this valuable service. We wish everyone a safe and joyful holiday and a Happy New Year.
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
Thank You
from Angel Flight East Kootenay As we bid farewell to 2023, Angel Flight East Kootenay extends heartfelt appreciation to the individuals and businesses who generously supported our mission throughout the year. Your donations, regardless of size, are the reason we’re able to continue providing free travel to medical centers in Kelowna for those who need it.We are profoundly grateful for your support and the significant impact it has made for residents living in the East Kootenay region. Cheers to you! We wish everyone joyful holidays and a happy New Year.
With gratitude – AFEK
Watershed Continued from page 9 Wiebe noted they are working with several residents who own private wells outside of the municipal area in the Elk Valley; these families have been provided with bottled water or a reverse osmosis filtration system by Teck. Based on the statement by Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Joe Biden, they are committed to "reach an agreement in principle by this summer to reduce and mitigate the impacts of water pollution in the Elk-Kootenay watershed in partnership with tribal nations and Indigenous Peoples to protect the people and species that depend on this vital river system." Wiebe said the Transboundary Ktunaxa have been calling for a resolution to the water quality issue for more than a decade. And Ktunaxa Nation Chair Kathryn Teneese said there has not been a single multi-government meeting to discuss solutions. "While the United States has met regularly with the full transboundary Ktunaxa Nation staff, Canada has not done the same. And there hasn’t been any meetings among the U.S., Canada, and the Ktunaxa Nation together despite our repeated requests and numerous opportunities and ample time for that to occur,” said Teneese. Moving forward, in November the Ktunaxa Nation hosted a discussion among Indigenous, Canadian, and U.S. officials aimed at moving towards a resolution to the water quality issues. Wildsight eagerly awaits the Canadian federal government's support for a full International Joint Commission investigation in hopes that it will lead to an open and transparent process that focuses on Ktunaxa and Indigenous rights. "Wildsight is grateful to everyone who has engaged on this issue. We are concerned that Indigenous rights, environmental stewardship and the public interest are being overridden by economic interests/considerations," Wiebe concluded. For more information, read the press release at https://www.ktunaxa.org/ ktunaxa-nation-calls-for-meeting-with-canada-andu-s-to-address-watershed-pollution.
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
DECEMBER 21, 2023
DISTRICT OF INVERMERE
914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Tel: (250) 342-9281 Fax: (250) 342-2934
PUBLIC NOTICE TRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGES IMPACTING USE OF FORT POINT BRIDGE The District of Invermere is in the process of making changes to the Fort Point Bridge on 4th Avenue (shown on the illustration below). Vehicle traffic will not be permitted within 1.5 metres of the sidewalk, and the bridge will operate with a single lane of traffic only. The changes are recommended in a recent engineering report received following the annual bridge inspection and are needed for public safety until a replacement bridge is constructed. Motorists may continue to use the Fort Point Bridge provided the traffic pattern changes described below are followed: • Motor Vehicles must keep at least 1.5 metres away from the pedestrian sidewalk located on the east side of the bridge. A set of barriers will be placed near the North and South ends of the bridge to help motorists keep motor vehicles near the centre line of the road. • Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 9 tonnes (including towed trailers) on the bridge at any time. • Speed limit of 30 km/hr for all motor vehicles approaching and crossing the bridge. Please pay careful attention to the changes and yield to oncoming traffic when approaching the Fort Point Bridge. The District of Invermere apologizes in advance for any traffic delays or disruptions that these important changes to motor vehicle movements may impose on the public. If you have any questions or concerns about the changes to the movement of motor vehicles over the Fort Point Bridge, please contact the District of Invermere by telephone 250-342-9281 or by email to: info@invermere.net Angela MacLean, P.Eng.
Director of Public Works & Operations
Andrew Young, MCIP, RPP Chief Administrative Officer
A ‘family’ partnership Submitted Effusion Art Gallery is excited to partner with Family Dynamix again this year for their annual Joyful holiday event, this year featuring both art cards and Christmas tree ornaments! Family Dynamix aims to foster mental, social, physical, and financial wellness in the Columbia Valley. They work tirelessly to provide social supports, counselling, housing, and employment services to empower everyone in our community to thrive. 100% of the proceeds of Effusion’s cards and ornaments will be donated to Family Dynamix to help locals in need. This year, gallery owner and resident artist Heather Cuell has created a stunning collection of handmade cast glass ornaments. Each one-of-a-kind piece is inspired by the local mountains, trees, and natural scenery of the Colum-
bia Valley and come in a dazzling array of shimmering colors, styles, and sizes. Additionally, Effusion has also curated a set of blank cards featuring 6 different paintings by some of their most popular gallery artists including Kimberly Kiel and Sylvain Leblanc. The cards and ornaments will trim Effusion’s tree until December 31st, or until they are sold out, whichever comes first. These unique holiday ornaments make for a special gift, stocking stuffer, and collectable keepsakes to decorate for the season and the cards are perfect to use year-round for a variety of occasions. To check out the ornaments, cards, and all of Effusion’s stunning collection of original Canadian art, drop by the gallery located at 1033 7th Avenue in Invermere or shop from the comfort of home at effusionartgallery.com. Photos submitted
Photo credit correction Columbia Valley Pioneer staff The wrong photo credit was given for a picture in last week’s Pioneer. Page 4 in the Dec. 14 edition showed a photograph of a helicopter with a photo credit attributed to Columbia Valley
Search and Rescue. The credit for the photo depicting an RCAF Cormorant at Fairmont Hot Springs should have gone to Annmarie Deagnon from the Columbia Valley Airport Society. The Pioneer regrets the error.
PHOTO ANNMARIE DEAGNON
DECEMBER 21, 2023
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
15
Spend your winter reading
This week’s column was written by Dallas Husar, library assistant at the Invermere Public Library. Call 250-3426416 for more information. As the days get shorter and darker, many of us feel the urge to hibernate; much of the animal kingdom is so why shouldn’t we? The bears are starting to settle into their dens, many birds are flying south or roosting up, even the fish are moving slower. On the other hand, you may be like me and are feeling restless as the daylight wanes, waiting for a good accumulation of snow to enjoy winter to its fullest. Regardless of how you feel about the darker days, the library is here to help. The winter months are often accompanied by a desire to read more in the evenings, or on the really frigid days when playing outside is hard to pull off. Our shelves are full of a variety of titles waiting for you to take them home and curl up with by the fire. Can’t find the title you are looking for? Chances are we can bring it in from another BC library for you. If watching a good film or television show is more your speed, we also have a selection of DVDs available to borrow and settle in with.
Maybe you are like me and love enjoying a good book while ticking things off your to-do list. Using the Libby app allows you to listen to audiobooks while multitasking. A good book can make the drive to the ski trails more enjoyable or pairs well with an evening of baking a nice batch of cookies. Children seem to have endless amounts of energy no matter the season and we are here to help! Break the cabin fever and bring the kids to the library! Wednesdays from 3-4:30 pm is our After-School Club–come colour, bead, or build with Lego before heading home or to your extracurriculars. We have Friday Fundays from 2-3 pm with STEAM or crafts, and we’ll have some extra craft sessions for families over the school break too. Join us for Preschool Storytime Friday and Saturday mornings at 10:30 am (all ages are welcome but geared towards preschool age). Lego/Duplo club on Saturdays from 11:00 am-12:30 pm is another great way for the family to enjoy quality time at the library. We also have plenty of programming for adults needing out of the house too! Join us at our knitting/crochet group, Senior’s tea, book club, or writing club. If you aren’t interested in partaking in a group activity but need a change of scenery, please come and enjoy one of our comfy chairs to read or work on your own projects. Perhaps you are missing the sunshine during these dark and overcast days of winter. The library has LED Sunshine Lamps available to borrow which can help to boost your mood. These devices are available to take home for 3 weeks with your library card. All of our programming is FREE and you can find all the details on the events calendar on our website (invermere.bc.libraries.coop) or find a paper calendar at the circulation desk. Find out how to get a free library card on our website or give us a call at 250-342-6416. We hope everyone has a wonderful winter season.
PHOTO DG/GETTY IMAGES
Happy Holidays! Our office will be closing for the holidays on December 22 and reopening January 2, 2024
All ads must be in by December 15
The Columbia Valley
PIONEER NEWSPAPER
A blow-up Santa Claus is featured on a float created by Shuswap Band in Invermere’s recent Christmas parade. PHOTO SUBMITTED
Shuswap Band creates first Christmas float By Julia Magsombol Local Journalism Initiative julia@columbiavalleypioneer.com The Shuswap Band participated in Invermere’s Christmas parade with its first colourful float on November 25. “Organizing this event (float) was incredible; it was a first for us. We had an incredible team that made it all happen,” said Suzie Thomas, the community advisor and events supervisor for the band. The float featured a huge Santa Claus and snowman inflatables on a truck surrounded by Christmas lights. There were also orange banners
that read, “Every Child Matters.” Thomas said that Shuswap’s council member Richard Martin suggested the idea for this event. “We wanted to participate to show the greater community our youth and elders,” she pointed out. Shuswap’s youth members worked hard this year. They were on the float and did hoop dance performances for the community. Thomas added there were a lot of people who attended, including their elders and staff. “It was fun and exciting to be part of a light-up night in Invermere,” she said.
P.O. Box 340, 4836 Radium Blvd, Radium Hot Springs, B.C., 250-347-6455
P.O. Box 340, 4836 Radium Blvd, Radium Hot Springs, B.C., 250-347-6455
VILLAGE OF RADIUM HOT SPRINGS
VILLAGE OF RADIUM HOT SPRINGS
2024 SCHEDULE OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE COUNCIL MEETINGS The Village of Radium Hot Springs Committee of the Whole meets regularly throughout the year on the second Monday of each month at 1:30pm. Council meets in the Council Chambers – 4836 Radium Boulevard, Radium. January 8 February 12 March 11 April 8
May 13 June 10 July 8 August 12
September 9 October 15 November 12 December 9
Agendas are posted on our website prior to the meetings: www.radiumhotsprings.ca
2024 SCHEDULE OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGS The Village of Radium Hot Springs Council meets regularly throughout the year on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 4:00 pm, except in July, August, and December. Council meets in the Council Chambers – 4836 Radium Boulevard, Radium. January 8, 22 February 12, 26 March 11, 25 April 8, 22
May 13, 27 June 10, 24 July 8 August 12
September 9, 23 October 15, 28 November 12, 25 December 9
Agendas are posted on our website prior to the meetings: www.radiumhotsprings.ca
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
DECEMBER 21, 2023
Increase the
Decrease the waste Over the holidays, the Yellow Bins and Recycle BC Depots see a huge increase in volume. The days between Christmas and New Year’s are typically our busiest days of the year (by a lot). While our contractors will be working hard to empty the bins more frequently, sometimes they will be full. If you encounter a full bin, please look for another open bin in the area or come back. If a bin has a closed sign on it, please don’t try to open it. Never leave recyclables on or around the bins. Our Yellow Bins are often on private property and it is important that we keep them clean. Please put all recyclables in the bin.
Workin’ hard to keep it Clean
PAPER & CARDBOARD PRODUCTS
CONTAINERS
YES.
YES.
• Newspapers/flyers
• Coated paper cups (hot or cold)
• Magazines/catalogues
• Cartons and boxes for milk and milk substitutes
• Office paper/envelopes
• Frozen dessert boxes
• Paper gift wrap/greeting cards
• Soup containers (tin
• Corrugated cardboard
• Milk jugs
• Boxboard (cereal/shoe/tissue/etc. boxes)
• Containers for food products (oil, vinegar, condiments, etc.)
• Paper towel roll cores
• Detergent/fabric softener jugs
• Molded boxboard (take-out containers, egg cartons, etc.)
• Body care product containers
• Kraft paper (paper grocery bags, envelopes, etc.)
• Plastic take-away clamshells
• Multi layered paper bags (sugar, flour, etc.)
• Plastic cold drink cups
• Pizza boxes
• Plastic garden pots/trays
Nope.
• Plastic pails less than 25L
• Ribbons/bows
• Rigid plastic packaging • Margarine/yogurt/sour cream/ cottage cheese tubs
• Musical greeting cards
• Plastic jars (peanut butter, jam, vitamins, nuts, etc.)
• Wax coated cardboard boxes
• Single use coffee/tea pods (empty with lid removed)
• Foil gift wrap/bags
• Black bottom/clear top deli trays
• Foil/paper layered bags
• Aluminum cans/lids
• Plastic/paper layered bags
• Aluminum foil wrap/containers
• Paper towels/tissue/napkins
• Empty aerosol containers (not spray paint)
• Juice cartons and boxes return for refund
• Steel food cans/cookie tins
Nope.
GLASS CONTAINERS • Clear glass containers • Coloured glass containers
Accepted at RECYCLE BC DEPOTS ONLY.
• Plastic paint containers
• Coloured glass bottles
• Pails larger than 25L
Nope.
• Aluminum drink containers return for refund
• Deposit glass (return for refund)
• Spray paint cans
• Drinking glasses or dishes
• Ceramic products • Light bulbs
• Plastic/foil blister packs
• Garden hoses
• Clear glass bottles
• Mirrors
• Plastic wrap
• Biodegradable/compostible packaging
• Glass soap packaging
• Window glass
• Motor oil, vehicle lubricant or antifreeze containers
• Lawn edging or tarps
• Glass food packaging
• Cookware
)
• Microwavable containers
• Hardcover or paperback books (donate ‘em)
YES.
& carton
• Propane cylinders
Make sure to give your dirty recyclables a rinse before you recycle them.
• Foil lined cardboard containers • Coat hangers • Paint cans • Metal hardware or scrap metal
DECEMBER 21, 2023
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
With 6 Recycle BC Depots, Yellow Bins and many municipalities offering curbside pick-up, recycling has never been more convenient in the East Kootenay. However, not all programs are the same. This guide will help you distinguish what goes where and how the various services differ. = Recycle BC Depots
= Kimberley Curbside system
= Yellow Bins
= Fernie Curbside system
= Cranbrook Curbside system
= Invermere Curbside system
FLEXIBLE PLASTICS
Recycle BC Depots (located at all RDEK staffed Transfer Stations) offer the greatest opportunity for keeping products out of the trash. The Recycle BC system is funded by producers that supply packaging and paper products to BC residents and the RDEK is PAID per tonne of materials collected. So, you can recycle more and it costs less to operate - it’s a win, win! Please use Recycle BC as much as possible for your residential recycling. The Yellow Bin Program is now intended primarly for businesses, institutions and the rural areas of our region that don’t have nearby access to Recycle BC Depots. The Yellow Bins accepted a limited variety of products and are separate from Recycle BC. The Yellow Bin Program is funded by taxpayers and the RDEK has to PAY for every tonne of material collected. The more we can divert to the Recycle BC program, the better it is for all. The Invermere curbside program collects the same materials as the Yellow Bin Program, but gives the convenience of curbside pick-up. In order to reduce the amount of waste generated in your home we encourage you to set aside products that are not accepted in the curbside program but that CAN be recycled at the Invermere Recycle BC depot and drop them at the Transfer Station in the Industrial Park when you have time.
WHITE STYROFOAM YES.
YES.
Accepted at RECYCLE BC DEPOTS ONLY.
• Grocery bags
• White foam meat trays
• Bread bags
• White foam produce trays
• Squishy foam packaging
• White un-printed foam cups
• Bulk food bags
• White foam packaging
• Water softener salt bags
• White un-printed foam take-out containers
• Driveway salt bags/garden soil/manure bags
• White un-printed foam disposable bowls/plates
• Mattress overwrap
Nope.
• Frozen food bags
• Foam insulation
• Outer wrap for paper towels/toilet paper
• Absorbing pads used in meat trays
• Zippered pouches
• Packing peanuts/chips
• Deli meat packaging
• Labels/tape on foam packaging
• Stand-up pouches
• Squishy/flexible foam
• Potato chip bags/candy bar wrappers
• Furniture/mattress foam
• Cheese slice wrappers • Net bags (avocados, onions, etc.)
COLOURED/PRINTED STYROFOAM
• Cereal bags/pasta bags
YES.
• Plastic padded mailers/bubble wrap/air packets
Accepted at RECYCLE BC DEPOTS ONLY.
• Woven plastic bags (rice, etc.)
• Foam meat trays
• Pet food bags
• Foam produce trays
• Baby food pouches
• Foam egg cartons
• Shrink wrap
• Coloured foam packaging
• Transparent recycling bags
• Printed foam cups
• Plastic drop sheets
• Printed foam take-out containers
Nope.
• Printed/coloured foam disposable bowls/plates
• Plastic lined paper (laminated)
• Packing peanuts/chips
• Plastic strapping
• Labels/tape on foam packaging
• Stretch wrap/cling wrap
• Squishy/flexible foam
• 6-pack rings
• Furniture/mattress foam
• Biodegradable plastic
• Absorbing pads used in meat trays
Nope.
• Plastic squeeze tubes
• Foam insulation
• PVC/vinyl
HOLIDAY HOURS COLUMBIA VALLEY RDEK OFFICE 1164 Windermere Loop Rd
CRANBROOK RDEK OFFICE 19 24th Ave S
Dec 22 Dec 23 – Jan 1
Dec 22 Dec 23 – Jan 1
8:30am – 4:30pm Closed
8:30am – 4:30pm Closed
INVERMERE TRANSFER STATION Industrial 1 Rd in Athalmere
COLUMBIA VALLEY LANDFILL 1875 Windermere Loop Rd
Dec 24 Dec 25 Dec 26-30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2
Dec 24 Dec 25 Dec 26-30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2
8:30am – 3:30pm Closed 8:30am – 5:30pm 8:30am – 3:30pm Closed 8:30am – 5:30pm
9:00am – 3:30pm Closed 9:00am – 6:00pm 9:00am – 3:30pm Closed 9:00am – 6:00pm
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
DECEMBER 21, 2023
Season’s Greetings T’was the Night Before Christmas T’was the night before Christmas when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugarplumbs danced in their heads, and momma in her kerchief and I in my cap had just settled down for a long winter’s nap. When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave a luster of midday to objects below, when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeers;
Wishing you a Holiday season filled with joy, love, and countless blessings.
Season’s Greetings!
With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name: “Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer, and Vixen! On, Comet! On Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen! To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall! Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all!” As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, so up to the house-top the coursers they flew with a sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas, too. And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; a bundle of toys he had flung on his back, and he looked like a peddlar just opening his pack. His eyes how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry. His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.
Oh, what fun!
And only 30 min from Radium Hot Springs
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, and the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face and a little round belly that shook, when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf. And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself. A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head, soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; he spoke not a word, but went straight to his work. And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, and laying his finger aside of his nose. And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, “Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.”
N I P I K A . C O M
DECEMBER 21, 2023
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
19
Season’s Greetings The Origins Of “The 12 Days Of Christmas” Christmas carols can be heard far and wide from Thanksgiving weekend through Christmas Day. “The 12 Days of Christmas” is one of the most recognizable carols, and for good reason, as the popular song can trace its history back several centuries. Researchers have traced the earliest printed version of the poem on which the song is based all the way back to 1780. That’s three years before the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the American Revolutionary War. The song has long been suspected to have been a way for Catholics in Britain to teach their children the catechism, as the 1700s was a controversial period for Catholicism in the country. However, no documentary evidence exists in support of that theory, and many historians feel it is inaccurate. Others indicate that, while 1780 is likely the first time the poem was printed, the poem is likely much older than that, with origins potentially in France or Scotland. What is known is that the version many people recognize today, namely in song form, can be traced to the early twentieth century, when English singer and composer Frederic Austin first popularized the melody for the song. Austin performed that version of the song beginning in 1905, and it was first published in 1909.
Happy Holidays! From your vacation specialists at Triptician
250-341-5751
www.Triptician.ca
To all of our wonderful customers from… Canal Flats Mayor Mark Doherty visits Santa with a thumbs up. Santa checked his list to make sure the mayor has been a good boy this year. PHOTO SYD DANIS
Bruno’s Plumbing Service Mike Sylvestre • 250.342.5105 • brunosplumbing@shaw.ca
20
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
DECEMBER 21, 2023
Season’s Greetings A little boy waiting for Santa with awe By Jane Thurgood Sagal Columbia Valley Arts Council Memoir Group He quietly creeps down the stairs in his flannel pyjamas and, noticing me seated on the living room floor, expectantly asks, “Has Santa come yet?” I disappoint my first-born by saying “No, not yet”
Merry Christmas Wishing you a 2024 filled with J OY and H A P P I N E S S !
SOCIETY
and encourage my six-year-old son to go back upstairs to bed. I am surrounded by thin pieces of balsa wood in various shapes and sizes, holding a bottle of glue behind my back, while re-positioning my body to hide the partially-built three-storey doll house under construction that his little sister will receive from Santa in the morning. That was at 10 p.m. Around 11:15 p.m., he again quietly tiptoes downstairs excitedly hoping that Santa has arrived. Again, I reiterate that Santa has not yet appeared and that he should head back upstairs to bed. My oldest son could not wait to be born, arriving two weeks early. He continued to demonstrate this eagerness throughout his life. Even as an adult, he could not wait for Christmas Day to arrive. He called me one Christmas morning from his home in Edmonton to thank me for his gift. He then admitted that he had opened the gift when it arrived in the mail and then re-wrapped it so he could open it again six days later on Christmas Day. How wonderful when childhood excitement extends into your 40s. Thank goodness, on that fateful Christmas Eve in 1978 when he came creeping downstairs, I had not yet eaten the two homemade whole wheat chocolate chip cookies or drunk the half glass of milk that we left for Santa prior to bedtime. Only when my children were snugly tucked in bed were gifts from Santa retrieved from their hiding places and wrapped or, in my daughter’s case that year, built. When Santa’s gifts were safely stowed by the tree, Christmas stockings were filled to leave by my chil-
dren’s bedsides as a way to keep them busy in the morning so I could sleep a little longer. The stocking always held something to play with, something to read, and something to eat – usually a mandarin orange still tightly wrapped in its bright green protective paper along with a small bag of mixed nuts. As a young mother, I often felt sleep-deprived so I developed various strategies to extend my sleep time. The adult males in my family continue to receive The Farmer’s Almanac in their Christmas stockings. When my children were young, they opened one gift each day the week of Christmas so they could enjoy the gift all day and be thankful to the person who had sent it. By the time Christmas Day arrived, there would only be the gift from Santa to open. I found this to be a manageable and thoughtful way of dealing with the surfeit of gifts that appeared each Christmas for my children. I adopted this strategy after the Christmas when my sons were busily opening their gifts, the oldest having organized them into groups by name as gifts arrived, while I helped their baby sister open her presents. As I “oohed” and “aahed” over individual gifts as they were separated from their temporary wrapping, I was slowly engulfed by mounds of colourful Christmas paper, red and green ribbons and bows, and name tags no longer connected to any gift. I had no idea who had received what from whom! The following Christmas, I introduced the week-long gift-opening extravaganza.
Invermere Thrift Store will be closed over the Holiday season: From close of business on Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 Reopening at 10am on Thursday, January 11th, 2024
Our donation receiving area will be closed: 5pm on Thursday, December 21, 2023 Re-opening at 9am on Wednesday, January 10, 2024
We wish you all a very happy Holiday season!
Santa takes a moment to reflect on the holidays as little boys and girls anxiously await his arrival. But he asks that people clean their chimney’s first. PHOTO SYD DANIS
Holiday Hours: 150 Industrial Road #2, Invermere 250-342-4400 Napacanada.com
Closed Dec. 24th Closed Dec. 25th Closed Dec. 26th Closed Jan. 1st
DECEMBER 21, 2023
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
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Season’s Greetings A Christmas Eve trip to the Holy Land By Tom Symington Columbia Valley Arts Council Memoir Group I was excited and uneasy at the same time. My bus was heading towards Bethlehem, 10 km south of Jerusalem. It was a cool and crisp late December afternoon—Christmas Eve in the Holy Land. The mental images I had of Mary riding a donkey and Joseph walking alongside her as they made their way to the City of David for the census so many centuries ago didn’t correspond to the pavement and the stone walls that lined the road we were following. Did Mary and Joseph have to enter an occupied territory on their way to the stable where the baby Jesus was laid in a manger? Was there a police check? Were there soldiers lining the route? Manger Square was a large open space decorated with a huge Christmas tree and strings of coloured lights. The atmosphere was restrained and subdued because of the October war. Christian pilgrims were not flocking to Bethlehem this year. The stage by the tree was bare, although a choir was
scheduled to perform. Contemporary Christmas music was being piped over the speakers around the square while the crowd milled about. It seemed oddly out of place. There was a tension in the air. The square was lined with Palestinian souvenir shops. I didn’t associate Christmas Eve with commerce. The mood was far from joyous. The Church of the Nativity stood at one end of the square. It is a joint Catholic and Greek Orthodox holy site. As a Protestant, I didn’t want to attend the service there. But I thought I should at least visit the grotto that marks the spot where Jesus was born. I entered the foreboding basilica through the tall imposing doors and followed the arrows in the dimly lit interior to the stairs leading down to the crypt. This was the place. It didn’t have any resemblance to a stable at all. An old but beautiful stone inset in the floor and surrounded by candles marked the spot where Christ was born! I was pleased I was there, but confused as to what my feelings should be. Back out in the square, I learned there was a gathering of Protestant denominations at the Shepherds’ Field
back down the road towards Jerusalem. It was almost dark now. I found my way into a large walled enclosure and finally, as twilight melted into darkness, I felt the mystery of this place under the star-studded heavens stretching to the horizons above the Judean hills. I could see the star of wonder—the star of light—that guided the Magi to Bethlehem. Familiar hymns were being sung in various languages. I felt the spirit of Christmas as I joined in, and I shivered as I understood the religious significance of this holy land.
Tired of standing, I hopped up on the high stone wall of the enclosure—as others were doing. I was brought back to earth as I looked down at the ground outside the wall and noticed armed Israeli soldiers patrolling the gathering at ten foot intervals. I did buy a souvenir at one of the stands lining the road as I made my way to the bus for the short ride back to Jerusalem. A string of tiny carved olive-wood camels reminds me of a memorable Christmas Eve.
We wish you a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year filled with faith, hope and love. From the Management & Staff at
Churches, buildings and houses in the historical part of Bethlehem. PHOTO PARAPHERNALE/GETTY IMAGES
Max Helmer Construction Ltd
Season’s Greetings from the team at McPherson Funeral Services
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
DECEMBER 21, 2023
Season’s Greetings There was no logic to Australian Christmas By Sharron Chatterton Columbia Valley Arts Counci Memoir Group I am one of those Canadian immigrants who sees everything through two sets of eyes, the here and the there. I spent 20 Christmases as an Australian kid, and 44 Christmases as a Canadian adult. Now a grandmother, I have lived in perfect Cana-
Season’s Greetings Our wish for you is peace, health and happiness
From the Board and Staff
Resource, Development & Advocacy For support with life’s challenges call 250-342-5566
Wishing you and your family peace, health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming New Year.
Season’s Greetings!
385 Laurier Street, Invermere, B.C. 250-342-7100 info@diamondheatingandspas.com
dian Christmases terrain: windswept prairie Alberta, wilderness log cabin Yukon, and the fir-forested snowcapped peaks of British Columbia. Yet every year, right about now, memory wanders. Regardless of snow drifts against the door and snow-laden spruce between my armchair and the lake, I find myself following Dad along a drought-ridden red ridge or dry creek bed, looking for a Christmas tree. It will be a native Casuarina, a faux-conifer with huge soft needles, drooping boughs, and foliage reminiscent of a desert tamarisk. Some people called them "she oaks" for their whispering soughing in a breeze, but most said “river oaks”, named by some homesick English settler a hundred and fifty years earlier who'd likened its wood grain, mistook its heat when burning, or honoured its resistance to his axe for a tree half a globe away. Always we would select two to reject before settling on the “best one”, all choices being pretty poor. My father would cut it with the one goliath of a blunt axe we owned, grunting and swinging it affectedly as he bisected its four-inch trunk. Then, freckled and sunburnt in shorts and thongs, I would haul it through the boxthorn that lined the string of water holes called a creek to the waiting “ute” (a little utility truck). There were no needles to speak of, only gossamer fronds on a thin skeleton. Decoration was the art of hiding the paucity of tree without driving the limp boughs to the floor. This feathery figure was cemented into a bucket of wet sand and stood in a corner. Tinsel and fragile baubles which crunched under foot, pipe-cleaner Santas and thin crepe paper chains were the norm for trimming the tree. Lights were unheard of. If the tree was particularly patchy but unusually strong, my mother added Christmas cards to cover the gaps. Casuarinas are feeble substitutes for Scots pines or even for any ragged undernourished conifer sapling. The centrepiece, an overloaded casuarina in a corner, was the main pitiable object at Christmas. There was no logic to an Australian Christmas. We bought English cards resplendent with snow covered cathedrals and carollers wearing muffs, or with sleighs rushing through crusts of cheap sparkle, and sent them to cousins in tropical Queensland. We hung mistletoe over the door frame, the parasitic kind in yellow plasticky bunches that ravaged the eucalypts, not faintly resembling the European species, and nobody kissed under it. A hot Christmas dinner was eaten at about 1 p.m. after the kids came back from the public pool with a fresh case of sunburn, dehydration and a marginal sun stroke from the long noontime walk home. The festive meat was a treat of baked ham with its brown-sugared rind cut in a checkerboard pattern pinned with maraschino cherry and pineapple slices, or a plump chicken with bread and onion, thyme and giblet stuffing and over-full gravy boats. Both were rare and lavish changes from the minted lamb, mutton stew, or beef sirloin of every other day. Turkey was unheard of and ducks or geese spared. The meat was accompanied always, sure as the sun rises and sets, by a mountain of baked root vegetables, chokos in white sauce, cold tomato and onion slices in red vinegar, and bright minted green peas.
Next came a chilled English trifle (heavy on homemade custard and clotted cream) followed by a steamed apricot or plum pudding flaming with brandy and hot custard, and lastly the heaviest rummiest fruit cake that a 10-year-old stomach could not hold. Pretty glass dishes of sugar coated ginger, muscatels and almonds, and pieces of fresh coconut flesh were enticing table decorations. Only our small family would assemble, sweating, while Dad "carved up". A fan would be angled onto the table to keep the 101 degree Fahrenheit air moving and the flies away. The meal ended with my mother patting tomato skins or cold milk onto our fried noses and flaming pink shoulders and my father looking for antacids to take with his beer. My mother would fluff us away with the oft repeated words, “Now you little ones just run off and lie down somewhere. I’ll bring you water melon when you feel hungry”. Which would be after dark, to the sound of crickets and screaming cicadas, sitting on the cold concrete step watching our southern aurora, the milky way, and atavistic fruit bats wheel overhead, while inside the adults, now including a few drop-ins, would drink rum, cold beer, black tea or shandys. We'd have listened to Rolf Harris sing on the radio, "Snow White Boomers " 'on the Australian run' but Aussie kids never bought that line. We knew Santa would use reindeer. Kangaroos were too bloody mean to harness up. We'd revisit our "stockings", two foot long commercial cardboard flat packs bought at the news agency, sock silhouettes with netting fronts bulging with sweet popcorn, plastic whistles on lanyards, balloons, licorice, comic books, noise toys, puzzles, pompoms and small knickknacks. Every kid got one. They were, hands down, the favourite present. With Christmas out of the way, we’d start to think about the ice cream snowman Mum would make for New Year’s Eve. It’d be around 105 F degrees by then. We’d need something cool. This year at Christmas, I’ll hang Australian animal tree ornaments on our fine little spruce, put a line of aromatic eucalyptus nuts on the back of the wood stove and draw close enough to redden my old kid’s nose. I doubt Gerry, my husband will notice. He’ll be fresh from a Christmas Eve pageant in a prairie Baptist Church and from his role as sheperd or Joseph, now wearing his sole gift of new pants or socks (toys not being in a 1950s dairy farm budget), singing "Praise Him From Whom All Blessings Come", awaiting the stuffed turkey and gravy, heaped farm vegetables, and his allowance of one each Black Magic chocolate, hard candy and a nougat yule log sitting among the 50 teetotallers and missionaries at his grandmother's long basement table, knowing that at dusk when board games began, he would leave to help milk the 30-50 cows in a snowed-in barn. Together each Christmas we will eat as of old: a fowl with giblet stuffing, a boiled fruit pudding with sauce, and a dark fruit cake (covered in marzipan and soused in rum and brandy for an Aussie), and string the dwindling cards in rows. These few things we'd shared, unknowingly, 65 years ago and 13,000 miles apart.
DECEMBER 21, 2023
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
Dear Santa. . .
23
Windermere Elementary School
Towing & Auto Wrecking
Give us a call!
Cell: 250-342-1700
Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year!
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
DECEMBER 21, 2023
Dear Santa. . . Windermere Elementary School
Health and happiness to all! w w w. k i m b e r l y o l s o n . c a
Holiday Greetiings! gs! Wishing everyone in Columbia RiverRevelstoke happiness, laughter, and good cheer to share with yo love this those you oliday seaason. holi Dougg & Susan
Do ougg C Clovechok, MLA Working for you! Columbia River-Revelstoke www.DougClovechok.ca
DECEMBER 21, 2023
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
Dear Santa. . .
25
Eileen Madson Primary School
s ’ n o s a e S s g n i t e e r G from Susan and Caitlyn at
Valley Hair Styling
Wishing you all the best at this special time of year! Kevin and Kristin Thygesen RE/MAX Invermere
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
DECEMBER 21, 2023
Dear Santa. . . Eileen Madson Primary School
Happy Holidays to all! We would like to send a special thank you to Cortney for all the extras she provides to our Seniors Association
INVERMERE SENIORS ASSOCIATION
Everyone at K5 Mechanical wishes you a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 3 - 140 Industrial Rd #2, Invermere, B.C. Monday to Friday 8:00am - 5:30pm
DECEMBER 21, 2023
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
Dear Santa. . . Eileen Madson Primary School
Happy Holidays Wishing you a holiday season filled with excitement, discovery, and unforgettable moments. Here's to exploring new horizons in the coming year.
cotr.ca
Wishing you a season that is filled to the brim with love, laughter, and all the joy your heart can hold.
Season’s Greetings! Columbia Valley sewer &drain ltd. (Servicing the Valley since 1999)
250-347-9803
27
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
DECEMBER 21, 2023
HERE TO SERVE YOU CLEANINGYOU HERE TO SERVICES SERVICES HERECARPET TO SERVE SERVE YOU HERE TO SERVE YOU Carpets Dry in 1 Hour
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* Vinyl Window Sales and Installation * New Construction and Renovation * Glass Replacement * Professional Installation
250.270.0086 • 20+ years of experience
BC Corp
Complete Drywall Services • Insulation • Boarding • Taping • Texturing • Ceiling Detail • Mouldings • Cultured Ceilings • Custom Detailing
250-409-5186 infoBC@greatwesterninteriors.com
Winter House Checking by Judy: (250) 341-1903 Bob: (250) 341-5014
Furnace, Dryer TILE AND GROUT CLEANING and Duct Cleaning
valleysolutions@shaw.ca
Tile and Grout Cleaning Business: 250-342-9692
RR#4 2117–13 Ave. Cell: Invermere, BC 250-342-1273 V0A 1K4 ptarmiganrugclean@gmail.com
PROVIDING SOLUTIONS FOR THE VACATION HOME OWNER SINCE 2006
HERE TO SERVE YOU
Beat the fall rush ~ clean your Chimney this spring!
CONCRETE
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHIMNEY SWEEPS LTD. 804 Almberg Road, Golden, BC V0A 1H2 CELL: 250.272.5599 OFFICE: 250.344.7323 todd@rockymountainchimneysweeps.com rockymountainchimneysweeps.com
READY MIX CONCRETE Concrete Pump • Sand & Gravel Heavy Equipment Rentals • Crane Service Proudly Serving the Valley for over 50 years
CLEANING & MAINTENANCE ON ALL WOOD BURNING APPLIANCES • WETT INSPECTIONS
For competitive prices and prompt service, call: 250-342-3268 (plant) 250-342-6767 (office)
HERECONTRACTING TO SERVE YOU HERECONTRACTING TO SERVE YOU COMPLETE FRAMING SOLUTIONS Specializing in all heating, electric, gas and wood. • Fireplaces • Commercial and residential • New builds • Renovations.
BUILDING SYSTEMS
TRUSSES • ENGINEERED FLOOR SYSTEMS PREFABRICATED WALL PANELS WHOLESALE LUMBER • FRAMING CREWS Tel: 250.341.6075 1351 Industrial Road #3, Invermere, B.C. Email: info@duskbuildingsystems.com www.duskbuildingsystems.com
A licensed, registered and bonded company
Emergency Service calls available
Give us a call! James, 250-688-1267 or Jerry, 250-342-5299 Email: jeffersoncontractingltd@gmail.com
HERE TO SERVE YOU INSURANCE
ZĞůĂdž ĂŶĚ ůĞƚ Z /E Z ,ĂŶĚůĞ LJŽƵƌ ZĞŶŽǀĂƚŝŽŶ ϮϱϬ͘ϯϰϭ͘ϳϰϮϭ ƌĂŝŶĂƌĚ ƵƐƚŽŵΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ
Residential, Commercial Electric Furnace and Hot Water Tank Repair and Service For All Your Electrical Needs
Free Estimates
invermereelectric@gmail.com
1710 10 Avenue – Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 th
Columbia Valley sewer &drain ltd. (Servicing the Valley since 1999)
NOW G OFFERINAC V O R D Y H S! SERVICE
• Septic Tank Pumping • Portable Toilet Rentals
• Complete sewer/drain repairs • A well maintained septic system should be pumped • Reasonable rates – every 2-3 years to avoid Seniors’discount costly repairs • Prompt service
2250-347-9803
Η ƵŝůĚŝŶŐ zŽƵƌ ^ƵĐĐĞƐƐ tŝƚŚ /ŶƚĞŐƌŝƚLJΗ
^ƉƌƵĐĞ ƵƉ LJŽƵƌ ƐƉĂĐĞ ĨŽƌ ^ƵŵŵĞƌ͊ ŽŽŬŝŶŐ EŽǁ ĨŽƌ ^ƉƌŝŶŐ ϮϬϮϰ
Scott Postlethwaite
Where to P.O. Box 130 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 recycle? Office: 250-342-2175 • Fax: 250-342-2669 Cindy.mackay@kootenayinsurance.ca
Where to recycle?
DON’T LOSE YOUR LOCAL NEWS
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Recycling council of B.c. MeMBeR
Recycling council of B.c. MeMBeR
DECEMBER 21, 2023
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
29
Don’t forget the last two nights of Groundswell’s Garden of Lights - December 22/23 to support food security. PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Add a little brightness to holiday Submitted If you care about everyone in this valley going to bed with a full well-nourished tummy then you’ll want to come out and support Groundswell’s Garden of Lights – last two nights on December 22/23. Mayor Al Miller, wearing his Groundswell green hoody (you only get one if you have committed over 25 hours to food sustainability) lit up the hill at the grand opening on Dec. 15. He shared his commitment to food sustainability through education, innovation, and reducing food waste. “It was a beautiful evening with lots of lights, fun, people, and an overwhelming sense of community,” said Wilma Slenders, Transcendent Management “Jennifer and I were in attendance last night. We were overwhelmed with how beautiful it was, the number of guests, of which many were friends. Very
enjoyable,” said Richard Unger, Ski Homes. Lots of selfie moments as photographer Ruth Cavanaugh snaps volunteers having fun and donates the money to Groundswell. JA Laird hot chocolate and choir, Valley Voices, and Spring Burke – check the online program. The entrance – up at the David Thompson Secondary School east doors where the buses stop. If you come in below at the Greenhouse you will miss half the show. Tickets: www.groundswellnetwork.ca/gardenoflights/tickets, or purchase at The Brick. Closing ceremonies – Dec. 23 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., with the award of the favourite tree. Sponsors have decorated 45 trees for your enjoyment. Don’t forget to ‘wish’ on the Wishing Tree for all your hopes and dreams for 2024.
NOTICE OF SHORT-TERM RENTAL TEMPORARY USE PERMIT APPLICATIONS UNDER RDEK CONSIDERATION Pursuant to Section 494 of the Local Government Act, public notice is hereby given that the RDEK is considering the Short-Term Rental Temporary Use Permits (STR TUP) listed in the table below. Issuance of the permits will be considered by the delegated staff person at 10:00 am on January 3, 2024 at the RDEK office at 19 - 24 Ave S in Cranbrook, BC. PERMIT NO.
PROPONENT
ADDRESS
# OF GUESTS APPLIED FOR
STR 23-002
Jeremy Mount & Cailey Hartwick
1122 Hilltop Rd (Windermere)
10
STR 23-005
T&T Developments Ltd.
1759 Sinclair Ave (Windermere)
8
STR 23-016
Larry & Mari Clovechok
5393 Dutch Creek Rd (Dutch Creek)
8
STR 23-029
Deborah Morgan
3536 Toby Creek Rd (Rural Invermere)
9
STR 23-030
Andrew Lovett-Barron & Ayla Newhouse
2370 Westside Rd (Rural Invermere)
4
All persons who believe they are affected by any of the Short-Term Rental Temporary Use Permits are encouraged to submit their concerns in writing to the RDEK office at 19 - 24 Ave S. Cranbrook, BC or by email to jcook@rdek.bc.ca prior to 12:00 pm on December 29, 2023. All submissions should include your name and address. Please be advised that any written submissions will become part of public record. The permit is available for viewing by email request, on the RDEK website (www.rdek.bc.ca/meetings_events/publichearings) or at the RDEK Offices between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. For more information contact Justin Cook, Planner II, at 778-761-1785 or by email at jcook@rdek.bc.ca. All written submissions are public information pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All submissions will form part of the public record. Questions about the disclosure of your personal information may be referred to the Corporate Officer at 250-489-2791 or 1-888-478-7335.
19 – 24 Avenue South, Cranbrook BC V1C 3H8 | 250-489-2791 | 1-888-478-7335 | Fax: 250-489-3498 | info@rdek.bc.ca | www.rdek.bc.ca
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
DECEMBER 21, 2023
PIONEER CLASSIFIEDS 250-341-6299
info@columbiavalleypioneer.com
www.columbiavalleypioneer.com
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OBITUARY
CHEERS
Al-Anon. Are you concerned about or affected by someone else’s drinking? Meeting Mondays 7:15 pm. at Canadian Martyrs Parish front side door. 712 12 Ave. Invermere. For more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship, please call 250-8782448 or 250-342-8392. Alcoholics Anonymous. If alcohol is causing problems or con ict in your life, AA can help. All meetings are at 7 p.m. Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the BC Service Building, South End – 624 4th St., Invermere. Please call 250342-2424 for more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship. Narcotics Anonymous Open Meeting Mondays 7 p.m. at the BC Service Building, South End. 624-4th St. Invermere.
CHEERS
Happy to be Back! Providing real estate services for Buyers & Sellers!
Connect with Gerry for honest advice! cell 250-341-1202 gerry@gerrytaft.ca
Cheers to James, Stephanie, Keith, Kody, Alex, Dan, John and Jess of Walker's Auto Repair for the super care they always give to my car. Your great customer service is much appreciated by this senior.
Agnes “Aggie” Gladys Dalke (nee Thoen)
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Agnes “Aggie” Gladys Thoen Dalke on December 3, 2023, in Invermere, BC. Aggie was born January 27th, 1936 on the family farm near Leroy, Saskatchewan. Her and the love of her life, George Ellis Dalke, met and started dating when she was 17 yrs old and George was 27; two years later they were married on August 18th, 1955. In April 1958, George packed up their belongings, loaded up 13-month-old Debbie and 8-month pregnant Aggie and the family moved to Athalmer, BC. Shortly after arriving to BC, they welcomed their first-born son, Emil, in May of 1958 and their family was completed on Mother’s Day in 1960, with the arrival of their youngest son George Dwight. Over the years, Aggie had various jobs including helping with Christmas trees for Walter Frocklage, driving taxi when her and George had that business, helping at the Dalke garage and Aggie eventually went to work for her brother-in-law, Roscoe, at Stedman’s for 23 years, until she retired in 2001. Retirement for Aggie meant she had time to travel with friends, play bingo, host gatherings in her backyard, visit with family and friends and to check out the local yard sales. Aggie enjoyed life, and time spent with her family is what she treasured most. Aggie leaves behind her only daughter, Debbie Clarke and youngest son, George Dwight Dalke, her five grandchildren, Brent, Tina, Nicole, Jared and Clayton, twelve great grandchildren and one great-great grandson. Aggie was predeceased by her father Andrew Thoen, her mother Myrtle and stepfather Nick Soha, her sister Mary Bennett, the love of her life, husband George Ellis Dalke and oldest son, Emil “Bucky” Dalke. The family would like to thank Dr. Schaffer and the Ivy House staff that have taken care of Aggie over the last 10 years.
CHEERS Cheers to the Edgewater/Radium Hospital Auxiliary for the treat package dropped off at the gardens. You are all so wonderful. Merry Christmas! Cheers to the students at Edgewater Elementary School for painting and decorating Christmas bags for the Radium/Edgewater Hospital Auxiliary. These are bags lled with Christmas goodies that are delivered to our senior shut ins. They are beautiful! Cheers to Marlene and Bruce M. for dropping of tasty treats at our office. They were yummy! You two are so thoughtful!
CHEERS
CHEERS
Ho-Ho Cheers to Leisa O'Sullivan for organizing a Celtic Evening of Music. Cheers to all the performers and volunteers at Christ Church Trinity. It was Cheers to Colleen W. for the wonderful to see so many folks great hairstyle. I am loving it! gathered to celebrate the Cheers to Dee of Main Street Fun Holidays with music. and Games and her secret angel for spreading cheer this holiday Cheers to Garry N. at the Legion. season. Times are tough and it is Bartender extraordinaire! No so wonderful to see your giving matter how busy you are, you spirit. You have made a always remain calm and keep difference in so many lives this your composure. Keep up the good work. holiday season!
Triple Cheers to the Christmas Bureau for the great job. What a team! Cheers to the secret angels!
Cheers to Ricky and Heinz M. for the lovely treats dropped off at Cheers to Patty M. for your the office. You are both so kind kindness and generosity. You made my day! and thoughtful!
BUSINESS SERVICES
Cheers to Leanne of Heartfelt, THE HEARTFELT COMPANION: Services for Seniors Accountant Cam, Zen Technologies, staff at CGV, Since 2014 we've provided kind and compassionate Sherry & Ian, Jenny & Ian, Laura non-medical care, & Tony, Linda & Paul, Brian & Joan, and everyone else - transportation to Cranbrook, friends, neighbours, businesses overnight care, meal prep, - who help to care for my Dad grocery shopping and more. (John), and keep him enjoying Excellent local references. 250-341-5683 life in Invermere. Heartfeltcompanionservices.com
Cheers to Chris M. for the great B.B.'s Home & Design Services design on our ad. It looks great! Renovations, Masonry &
Handyman Services, Blinds, Housechecks, eavestrough/ yard cleaning/dump runs 250-688-2897 Get-ER-Done Handyman Cheers to Seema at Crossroads Landscaping, Asphalt Pads, Esso. You are so friendly and Christmas Lights set up, helpful. Great customer service! General Contracting, Cleaning Gutters, House Checks Cheers to Emily at Bank of Call Ryan 604-346-5087 Montreal for your outstanding customer service. Whether it's LOST AND FOUND setting up a new account, or helping answer questions about online banking , you always are Lost- Gray toque with white very professional, and a gem to embroidered Irish lettering. If found please contact Pam at deal with ! 250-347-6584 Cheers to Crossroads Esso for offering free pastries with a $50 gas purchase. What a great offer to keep me coming back for gas.
WANTED Seeking Stories & Memories from anyone who may have known/grown up with Victor (Vic) Thygesen. All stories mean more to my husband than you can know! Please email Kristin@remaxinvermere.com to share, and THANK YOU, SO MUCH!
PLANTS / SHRUBS / TREES For Sale Christmas Trees Call 250-342-3058
SERVING THE COLUMBIA VALLEY ONLINE OR IN PRINT The Columbia Valley
PIONEER NEWSPAPER
Call Jamie at 250-341-6299 ext 103 to discuss your advertising needs. Visit our website: www.columbiavalleypioneer.com
DECEMBER 21, 2023
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
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The holiday train in Radium is just too cool! Here, a train car is converted into a musical concert stage where bands rock the night away during the festive journey through the community. PHOTO RYAN WATMOUGH
Bears stay long past hibernation time By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com A family of bears has been hanging out in Invermere far later than normal, but with two weeks of snow and sub-zero temperatures local conservation officers are hopeful the bruins are finally off hibernating. Normally the black bears that prowl through Columbia Valley communities in September and October, searching for fruit trees and garbage cans to raid, leave the towns and head off to hibernate in the first or second week of November. But a mother bear and three cubs have been repeatedly sighted in Invermere well into December, prompting some local residents to worry that the bears could be in trouble. A local resident living in Upper Invermere (the neighbourhood of Invermere north of 13th Street, west of downtown and above the Athalmer industrial park) saw the bears in her neighbour’s yard on Wednesday, Dec. 6. The resident snapped a few photos and shot a video, which she later shared with the Pioneer. She explained that the bears are awake at a time of year when they ought to be snuggled safely in a den for a long winter’s nap, and that the mom and presumably hungry cubs might not be in a good situation. Earlier this week senior Invermere conservation officer Greg Kruger told the Pioneer that conservation officers
haven’t had any formal reports of bear activity in Invermere for some time, but “that said there have been some social media posts that would indicate the bear family was in Invermere up until about a week and a half ago.” On the night of Thursday, Dec. 7 temperatures dropped and Invermere saw heavy snowfall. From then until Pioneer press deadline earlier this week, the snow and colder temperatures remained in place, and not coincidentally, social media reports of the bear family had tailed off. “With the snow, they should have found a suitable hibernating spot,” said Kruger. “That bear family stayed out longer than most. At this time of year in Invermere they would have been getting non-natural food sources, such as household garbage. That’s not ideal, because those cubs will always remember that food source and may come back looking for it in the future.”
Christmas bears? Not quite. But this family of bruins was seen recently prowling around Invermere far later than normal this time of year. However, the family may have since found a den. PHOTO SUBMITTED
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
DECEMBER 21, 2023
New music program at DTSS and JA Laird Submitted Rocky Mountain School District is excited to announce that they have hired Bryant Olender to lead a new music program for the students in the Columbia Valley. Bryant is well-known in the community for his extensive music career which includes being the music director and pianist for Michael Buble. He is currently producing local artists and is the new Director of Valley Voices Choir. The new music program has begun with a bang. There are over 60 students participating between J. Alfred Laird Elementary School (Laird) and David Thompson Secondary School (DTSS). At Laird, there are 25 students in the ukulele club and 12 in the vocal music program. The group has named themselves the Singing Bananas. In the first few weeks, the ukulele club has learned most basic chords on their instrument and have been practising seven songs for their upcoming performance at Garden of Lights event to be held at Groundswell Community Greenhouse and Gardens. The Singing Bananas have learned 10 Christmas songs for their performance. At DTSS, 20 students have signed up for the instrumental music program and a group of students have also formed a vocal music group. In the first two weeks, all the band students went home with an instrument, and each were able to make sound and play
The district has hired Bryant Olender to lead the new music program. PHOTO SUBMITTED it by the week they returned. The vocal music program is shaping up to be a group of motivated students that are trying vocal jazz and pop music. They are excited about where this might take them. Superintendent Karen Shipka stated, “we are very excited to hire Bryant and rebuild our music program in the Columbia Valley. Despite our extensive efforts, the district was unsuccessful in recruiting a music teacher, however, the district was always committed to providing this learning experience for students. We heard our school community express a great desire for a music program and even though it took some time to find the right person, we found that in Bryant.” Principals Mike Hubick and Terri Ann Hayes are
very excited for the music programs being offered at their schools. Hubick, principal of DTSS, said “I am thrilled with the early interest shown by parents and students in the extracurricular music programs now being offered at David Thompson Secondary School. We are blessed to have the talent and commitment of Mr. Bryant Olender to lead us forward, providing opportunities for youth in the valley. Mr. Olender’s commitment to foster music talent and fill the valley with music is an inspiration. Already, I have observed Mr. Olender working with students and am impressed with his ability to engage students and capture their imagination!" His sentiments were echoed by Hayes, principal of Laird, "We are so pleased to be able to offer high quality music instruction to our students at Laird. For many of our students, ukulele and choir are the highlight of their week! Mr. Olender brings so much joy and enthusiasm to his music classes; we are all privileged to be able to work with him this year". Students are being offered the instrumental music program on Tuesdays and vocal music program on Thursdays at DTSS, and ukulele and vocal music program on Fridays at Laird. Olender shared, "Overall, I am so impressed by the motivation every single one of these kids has. In a short time we have started a great foundation for something that will grow into a beautiful culture at the schools. I am truly grateful to be a part of this and am enjoying every single moment."
A cozy home decorated for Christmas. PHOTO RYAN WATMOUGH
Yes!!
WE’RE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Fitness Room • Pickleball • Indoor Track • MORE!! 9AM - 9PM MONDAY - FRIDAY 10AM - 4PM WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS QUESTIONS? 250-342-0804 friends@columbialakereccentre.com 3050 HIGHWAY 93/95
Find More Holiday Happenings in the Columbia Valley!
ReDi Grants Open January 2024 ourtrust.org/ReDi
View our Online Events Calendar Photo: Invermere by Mitch Winton / KootenayRockies.com
Columbia Basin Trust gratefully operates on the unceded traditional territories of the Ktunaxa, Lheidli T’enneh, Secwépemc, Sinixt and Syilx Nations.
DECEMBER 21, 2023
THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
The real gift of giving Fresh old ideas By Arnold Malone Pioneer Columnist More than two thousand years ago it is told that three wise men gave gifts at the birth of Christianity. The Christmas celebrations that followed across the next 20 centuries have been a season for giving. Over our long history giving has been a part of what brings happiness. We love to give. We give surprizes for birthdays, rings for engagements, and special meals for guests. Sometimes we just give to be helpful to another who is in a situation of need. Giving is its own reward. Usually, we feel a special warmth when we have improved a worthy situation. Whether we are trying to protect the elephants in Africa, mowing a neighbour’s lawn when they are ill, or providing a surprise candy bar to a child, giving brings pleasure to the giver.
“If it is your choice to leave a legacy and say ‘thank you’ for what you have received, a community foundation is an excellent venue.”
While it is the case that giving brings joy across the whole year, December is the Christmas month and therefore a special time; it is a season for giving. Some of our giving occurs with neither choice nor our participation. We pay taxes and some far-off government sets priorities, establishes procedures and doles out our money as they determine appropriate for the public’s greater advantage. That is how we get schools, hospitals, roads, security and an unending list for other good services. Taxation of our earnings is important but it lacks the direct connection that comes when your gift is personally directed. This is where a ‘community foundation’ offers such a rewarding opportunity for those who are able and wanting to be a community builder. Most people reap an advantage and some delightful associations from the community in which they live. A community foundation is an excellent avenue for paying back and saying “thank you” for the advantages that your com-
munity has provided. When compared to paying taxes and hoping for positive programs from governments, a community foundation has many advantages. First, tax dollars have a lot of leakage prior to a delivered project. While understandable, any government program needs to be considered/discussed then advocated prior to being framed and designed. Then criteria needs to be developed and thereafter the application forms, advertising and sometimes followed by an inspection. Every one of those stages requires staff and those persons need to be paid fully for their special talents. By comparison, most community foundations operate largely on local volunteers. While there may be a paid director, usually that person is paid less than government staff. Moreover, the volunteer staff of a community foundation is able to evaluate the needs of a community from their direct association that comes from living within the community. Governments by contrast are required to imagine from an application what might be a priority for some removed place. Another major difference is that foundations make their considerations with local people while government make their choices with staff that are usually disconnected from a specified community. Through a community foundation a giver may choose to direct how the funds are used. Instantly, the giver becomes a manager of his/her gift across a range of concepts. Now, the giver assumes a degree of control over the legacy they choose to leave. Moreover, when money is placed in a community foundation it is invested and as it grows it keeps giving in the giver’s name even after that giver has died. So, if it is your choice to leave a legacy and to say “thank you” for what you have received from your community, a community foundation, such as the Columbia Valley Community Foundation, is an excellent venue. Donors have the advantage of knowing that they have contributed in making a wonderful place an even better place. Arnold Malone served as MP for Alberta’s Battle River and Crowfoot ridings from 1974 through 1993. He retired to Invermere in 2007.
REACH OUT
A community foundation is a great way to donate because you can direct how and where the funds are used. PHOTO IVELINRADKOV/GETTY IMAGES
Canadian Martyrs Catholic Parish CanadianMartyrs MartyrsChurch Church Canadian 712 12th Avenue, 712 - 12th Avenue, Invermere Invermere SaintJosephs JosephsChurch Church Saint Hwy 93/95, Hwy 93/95, Radium HotSprings Springs Radium Hot
Christmas and New Year’s Services www.canadianmartyrs.ca
Saturday December 23rd,, Mass: 5:00 PM CMC Sunday December 24th Masses: 9:00 AM CMC 11:00 AM SJC 5:00 PM CMC (Children’s Christmas Eve Mass) 7:00 PM CMC 9:00 PM SJC Monday December 25th, Masses: 9:00 AM CMC 11:00 AM SJC Saturday December 30th, Mass: 5:00 PM CMC Sunday December 31st, Masses: 9:00 AM CMC 11:00 AM SJC 5:00 PM CMC Monday January 1st, Mass: 11:00 AM SJC
All are Welcome!
I am working for you!
www.DougClovechok.ca
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1-844-432-2300
doug.clovechok.mla@leg.bc.ca As your MLA I am listening to what matters most to the people of Columbia River-Revelstoke
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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER
DECEMBER 21, 2023
FAITH
Columbia Valley
A Christmas conversation By Brent Woodard Anglican/ United Church Child: “Mom/Dad, what is Christmas about?” Parent: “It celebrates the birth of Jesus?” Child: “Who was Jesus?” Parent: “He was born 2000 years ago during the Roman Empire. It was a dark time. People were hurting. People were afraid. Jesus was a wisdom teacher and a healer and he invited people to live a certain way of life – a way of trust, love, non-violence and service. People felt the light of God/the Divine coming through him, and Jesus said this same light was in the people as well.” Child: “Is that why there is a star in the night sky in the story?” Parent: “I think so. I think all the details of the stories of Jesus’ birth were carefully written to convey meaning. And, yes, the star in the sky conveyed the meaning of Jesus being the light in the darkness.” Child: “What about some of the other details?” Parent: “Let’s think of them together. Why do you think shepherds were a part of the story? What do shepherds do?” Child: “Shepherds take care of sheep. They guide
sheep.” Parent: “I think that’s how people felt about what Jesus did for them.” Child: “What about the wise men?” Parent: “Well, the wise men were from another religion and race. They were foreigners or outsiders.” Child: “So, Jesus was someone for all people, not just for one group of people?” Parent: “I think so. And they recognize that Jesus would be a wisdom teacher.” Child: “And they brought three gifts. Are they symbolic?” Parent: “I believe they are. Gold is what people would give to a king. Frankincense is what was used in worship, so they were saying Jesus was God, or God was in Jesus. And myrrh was like an embalming ointment, so it was acknowledging that Jesus was going to be crucified – he was going to follow the way of love and justice even if it caused people, who were using power unjustly, to kill him.” Child: “What about the manger? There must be a reason they put a manger in the story.” Parent: “There is. A manger is a feeding trough for animals. I think they wanted to say that God in Jesus was going to feed the deepest hungers of people.” Child: “I like that. That sounds like people would live better lives then.” Parent: “This has been fun. Thanks for being such a thoughtful person.”
Rural food banks join project Submitted Collaborative solutions to procure food more economically are being determined through a food procurement research study in BC’s interior. Community Connections (Revelstoke) Society, the Golden Food Bank Society, Columbia Valley Food Bank, and Eagle Valley Community Support Society are working together with the Land to Table Network and the Institute of Sustainable Food Systems at Kwantlen Polytechnic University to determine ways to meet community needs within viable operating costs. In a time of unprecedented demand for food banks and rising food insecurity across British Columbia, rural food banks are facing declining food and monetary donations. As costs of food increase, these food banks have more people to feed with fewer donations and limited staff time. Data from the Revelstoke food bank regarding demand and expenses over the past three years highlights two alarming trends: an increase in the number of households accessing the food bank (from 286 in 2019 to 716 in 2022); and increased food purchasing costs that have nearly doubled over the same period. With funding from a generous, anonymous donor, the study will see the four rural food banks engage in a deep dive into the operations, finances, connections, networks, and possibilities of their operations. The research will also explore differences between the Columbia/Shuswap and East Kootenay regional food banks and their larger counterparts in Calgary, Kelowna and Vancouver - where there are discrepancies, inequities, and opportunities to share across regional boundaries. Aside from an actionable pilot, each food bank
will receive recommendations to improve their individual operations and procurement. “As we enter the final quarter of 2023, the number of food bank visits has increased by 24 per cent in the Columbia Valley,” said Katrina Chapman, executive director of the Columbia Valley Food Bank. “In August alone we saw a 46 per cent increase in food bank use since last year. A lack of employment opportunities coupled with inadequate wages to meet the increasing costs of living are stacking up against our community members.”
Windermere Valley Shared Ministry Anglican/United Church
Christmas Eve Services All Saint’s Church in Edgewater at 5:00pm Christ Church Trinity in Invermere at 7:00pm St. Peter’s Church in Windermere at 9:00pm
Churches LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH While you are with us, you are always welcome to join us. Sunday at 10:30 am 326 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 | www.lwac.ca
WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY ANGLICAN-UNITED Minister: Brent Woodard Sundays at 10:30 am, in-person or on Zoom. For the Zoom link, please visit our website at wvsm.ca. 110 - 7th Ave. in Invermere.
VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY Pastor: Justin Furse Sunday 10 a.m. Worship Service 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere 250-342-9511 | www.vcachurch.net
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH St. Anthony’s, Canal Flats: Saturday, 4 pm Canadian Martyrs’, Invermere: Saturday 5 pm, Sunday 9 am St. Joseph’s, Radium: Sunday 11 am Father Francis Dela Cruz | 712 -12th Ave., Invermere 250-342-6167
ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN CHURCH Sunday 1:30 p.m. Worship Service at Valley Christian 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere lutheranstpeter@gmail.com
RADIUM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Sunday 10 a.m. Worship service Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater | 250-342-6633 #4, 7553 Main St. Radium | 250-347-9937
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Worship Service, Sunday, 10 a.m. Relief Society, 11:15 a.m. President Kendyn Mackensie • Columbia Valley Branch • 5014 Fairway, Fairmont Hot Springs 250-439-9041
CHURCH OF CHRIST (Iglesia ni Cristo) Worship Service: 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
All are welcome You can join by Zoom the 7:00pm service – go to our website at “wvsm.ca” and find the link. The address for Christ Church Trinity is 110 – 7th Ave.
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