Columbia Valley Pioneer - December 7, 2023

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VOL. 20/ISSUE 49

DECEMBER 7, 2023

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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 7, 2023

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Top photo: A $21 million USD 9-passenger Embraer Praeton 600 N52ZA idles on the tarmac at Fairmont Hot Springs Airport. If it’s rented, the going rate is $6,500USD per hour. Above, four aerial jacks are used to erect a new hangar at the southeast end of the runway.

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VALLEY NEWS

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Consultation begins on floodplain bylaw

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com Invermere council gave first and second reading last week to a bylaw updating the District of Invermere’s flood management plans. Public consultation on the bylaw is set for next week.

The initial readings of the bylaw are the latest steps in a process that, in some respects, was kick-started back in December 2016. Pioneer readers with keen memories will recall that’s when an ice jam on Toby Creek caused the river to dramatically breach its banks in the Invermere neighbourhood of Athalmer and flood the low-lying areas nearby. District staff leapt into action and worked furiously with heavy machinery to redirect the flow of water back into the main channel of the Toby and to shore up the spots where the river had broken through the banks.

That incident, combined with the increased risk of severe flood events brought about by climate change, prompted the district to undertake an official Toby Creek Flood Risk Assessment study. That was completed in

summer 2022, and district staff have used the findings of the study to help fashion its new floodplain management bylaw.

The bylaw will set in place guidelines for future land use planning and building construction that will help minimize property damage, injury, human trauma and loss of life during flooding.

Council gave first and second reading to the bylaw at its Tuesday, Nov. 28 meeting and then set public consultation for it on Wednesday. Dec. 13 in the form of an online public information session.

The new floodplain bylaw uses a one-in-200 year flood as the basis of its calculations, Invermere planner Rory Hromadnik explained to council. He noted the district got a $500,000 grant to raise its dike high enough to match the one-in-200 year flood event predictions as well as an extra 0.6 metres of freeboard above that level.

He also explained that when flooding does happen in Athalmer, water seems to pool at the corner of Industrial Road 3 and Industrial Road 4.

Invermere council is analyzing flood risk in Athalmer through the use of a mapping system. Public consultation on the district’s new floodplain bylaw begins next week.

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Meeting sees 80 strong Columbia Valley Pioneer staff The Cold Spring Creek debris flow mitigation project garnered a lot of interest during a Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) public meeting last week.

Approximately 80 people took part in the information session in Fairmont on November 30.

“It was wonderful to see such a strong turnout to the meeting,” said Electoral Area F Director Susan Clovechok. “Staff did a great job in covering all aspects of the project from the background of its evolution to the complex and significant funding, current construction updates and upcoming project elements.”

Construction on the Cold Spring Creek Debris Flow Mitigation Project is well underway and is expected to continue for the next three weeks before shutting down for the winter season.

Work will resume in the spring.

Current efforts are focused on completing the relocation of the water mains and a temporary creek diversion downstream in order to build the outlet structure for the new debris barrier. This barrier will be approximately eight metres tall above the existing Cold Spring Creek channel with a three-metre wide

vertical outlet opening at the channel.

The outlet will have steel bars that will capture debris but allow water to pass through.

A rendering of the completed structure and a host of project-specific information has been posted on the project page at https://engage.rdek.bc.ca/ debris. A recording of the meeting and copies of the presentation slides will also be available on the project page sometime this week.

The RDEK is building a large debris flow barrier that is designed to contain between 68,000 to 90,000 cubic metres of debris flow material. “This project will significantly reduce the debris flow risk in the community,” the district says.

As a point of interest, the RDEK has several huge boulders and a large quantity of rocks suitably sized and shaped for use as riprap. These boulders made their way to the site as part of previous debris flows.

Work will continue on the water mains with the goal being to have the new sections tied into the existing mains before the winter shutdown. It is noted there will be a water service interruption during the tie-in but adequate notice will be given.

There will continue to be increased traffic to and from the area, which will be closed to the public.

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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 7, 2023

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On November 28 a break and enter was reported where a number of tools were stolen, including an air compressor, three space heaters, and a shopvac from a jobsite sometime over the previous couple of weeks.

All the tools were marked with “PATCO” in black paint.

If you have any information regarding this break and enter, please call the Columbia Valley RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

On November 30 police responded to a call of a male who had fallen through the ice while skating from Kinsmen Beach to Windermere Beach.

There have been a few other incidents on the lake that have gone unreported. I would caution anyone going out on the ice at this time of year as the thick-

ness will vary considerably due to weather and water temperatures.

On December 2 from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. three members of the Columbia Valley detachment and two members of the BC Highway Patrol took part in the national “Light Up the Highways” campaign.

The campaign was designed to target impaired drivers. Five local members set up check-stops throughout the night in Radium Hot Springs, Fairmont Hot Springs, and Invermere. More than 300 cars were stopped and their drivers spoken to. One 90-day immediate roadside prohibition was issued and there was one 24-hour driving suspension, along with a couple of traffic tickets for various offences. Overall, the project was successful.

Thanks for everyone’s patience who were stopped during the campaign. The lack of impaired drivers was notable.

Thin ice warning after rescue Christ Church Trinity

Columbia Valley Pioneer staff

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A local fire chief is warning people about thin ice hazards after one individual had to be rescued on Lake Windermere last week.

“In spite of online posts to the contrary, the ice on the lake is not safe at this time,” stressed Columbia Valley Rural Fire and Rescue Service Chief Drew Sinclair.

He noted that much of the ice surface is only a few days old, and the recent dusting of snow has obscured any cracks or new edges that might be visible when on the ice. “Please stay off!” the chief urged.

Ten members of the Windermere Fire Department responded to the call on November 30 with three pieces of apparatus including the ice rescue hovercraft. BC Ambulance and RCMP were also dispatched.

Upon arrival, it was found that one person had fallen through the ice, had been extracted by their two companions and taken to Windermere Beach. The patient was assessed and warmed in the Rescue Unit until being treated and transported by BC Ambulance for further assessment.

The Canadian Red Cross recommends ice be a minimum of five inches thick before it is safe to skate on or seven inches for groups of people. Ice that is either blue or black is strongest and any ice that is opaque or white may not be as safe to walk on.

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PHOTO SUBMITTED “While giving the lake time to freeze, we encourage people to prepare for activities on the lake by getting a pair of ice picks and learning the basics of self rescue,” said Sinclair. “These are simple techniques that can make a life-saving difference until help arrives.”

The chief noted there are numerous educational videos online that demonstrate the basics of how to perform a self rescue.

“The big message we need people to understand is that the ice is not safe right now and they need to stay off of it,” Sinclair said.

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DECEMBER 7, 2023

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

Council cautious about taxi application

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com Taxi service may be coming back to Invermere after an absence of several years.

Golden-based Mount 7 Taxis Ltd. has applied to the provincial passenger transportation board for a licence to operate three taxis in Invermere and surrounding area.

Invermere gave its backing to the approval, but sounded a note of caution.

Councillor Gerry Taft noted that Mount 7 previously held a licence from the passenger transportation board for taxis in Invermere, but had stopped providing service.

“Unfortunately it’s an informal sort of monopoly situation,” said Taft, outlining that the passenger transportation board typically only approves one licence for taxi service in small, rural towns such as Invermere.

“Do they intend to provide service again?” queried Taft. “This could be a renewal of a licence just to essentially ‘hold on to territory’ to prevent someone else from getting a licence . . . we need taxi service. Whether it’s Mount 7 or someone else, I don’t care. But if this is a renewal without intent to provide regular and consistent service, that’s not good.”

Taft asked if there was any way to find out a timeline of Mount 7’s pro-

posed start of service, and suggested that Invermere’s support of the application should perhaps be contingent on just how soon Mount 7 plans to have taxis here and what their service will look like.

Invermere planner Rory Hromadnik outlined that Mount 7 will also need an Invermere business licence, in addition to the passenger transportation board licences.

But he noted that the Invermere business licence is fairly straightforward and, if papers are in order, can be quickly obtained in a matter of hours.

The passenger transportation board licence, on the other hand, takes much longer to get, he explained.

5

Hromadnik said it was unlikely that the passenger transportation board knows any of the background on the application, and that it likely has no idea that Mount 7 previously held a taxi licence for Invermere but stopped service.

In the end council members agreed to write the passenger transportation board and outline that they support the application so long as there is clear intent to provide regular service for the duration of the licence.

“It is important to get that service in Invermere again,” said councillor Kayja Becker, who was acting as mayor at the meeting.

Duplication of housing efforts questioned

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com Invermere, like most of the Columbia Valley, is in the midst of a housing crunch. There’s an acute shortage of both affordable housing and long-term rentals. Municipal officials have been taking measures to address the issue, with various projects started and groups formed.

During last week’s Invermere council meeting, discussion sprang up on whether or not there is duplication among two of those groups — the Mayor’s Housing Task Force and the Columbia Valley Housing Society (CVHS) — and whether some streamlining between the two, or perhaps a merging of them, might make sense.

Invermere councillor Gerry Taft noted there is “a lot of crossover” between the task force and the housing society, and that “a fair bit of (District of Invermere) staff time” is spent on the task force. He said some joint meetings between the two entities would be

a good idea “or possibly even melding them into one.”

Invermere Mayor Al Miller, who was patched into the meeting digitally, said he doesn’t think there is a lot of duplication between the two organizations.

Councillor Theresa Wood is, aside from being a councillor, also part of the CVHS and said she sees value in both meetings. She did add, however, that there could be better communication between the two organizations.

Miller noted the role of the task force is advisory, while the CVHS is more action-based and is focused on doing projects.

“It’s (housing) important. It needs to be talked about. But it also needs actions,” conceded Taft. “It gets confusing over which group is which. But yes, the society is very action-centred. The task force is very conversation based. Maybe ‘think tank’ is a better word.” He agreed with Wood that “there hasn’t been a two-way flow of information” between the task force and the CVHS. Continued on page 7

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6

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 7, 2023

PERSPECTIVE

Talk to your children now There are a lot of ifs in this world that literally stop us in our tracks.

For example, if only 12-year-old Carson Cleland from Prince George would have told someone about his being a victim of “sextortion,” he’d still be alive today. But he was so devastated that he felt his only escape was suicide. If only he understood that he wasn’t alone; that there was another way out.

Online sextortion occurs too frequently in Canada, with Prince George RCMP reporting 62 reported cases this year. Hence, they are urging parents to have heart-to-heart discussions with their children about this topic.

The shame and stigma attached to sextortion is huge, which is why young girls, and now more boys, are preyed upon. Do you know who your child is chatting with at all hours of the night? Are they trusted friends or strangers? Better find out before you end up anchored with grief like Carson’s parents, who only came forward in hopes to save the life of another child caught up in this nightmare.

Yes, Billy, there are real monsters in this world.

They’re not in your closet or under your bed, they’re in cyberspace waiting for you to make a mistake by sending them personal information or intimate photographs that can haunt you forever.

Children must understand that sending a photo online is not a one-time-gone-forever situation.

Carson’s death reminds many of the tragedy of 15-year-old Amanda Todd who committed suicide after falling victim to sextortion and online bullying.

She flashed her breasts to a predator and paid the ultimate price. Sadly, like Carson, she saw no way out other than taking her own life and leaving a mountain of grief in her wake.

Ashley Reynolds, another victim of sextortion, became a “slave” to an online predator when she was 14 years old. See sent pictures of herself in hopes to end the lurid game, but it only continued. She was too embarrassed to tell her parents, and when they finally found out, it was a big relief to Ashley because she was no longer alone.

Once again, parents are urged to bring this topic up with their children. Tell your child, no matter what happens, they will always be loved. Even though the word ‘suicide’ is still a taboo subject, which it shouldn’t be, ask your child about it and assure them that immediate support is always available; they are not alone.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-88. You can also reach out to Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645. The Kids Help Phone is 1-800-668-6868 or via text 686868.

Lyonel Doherty, editor

Historical Lens

Windermere Beach in the 1940s. Cabin owned by Walter and Eleanor Stoddart and Lloyd Tegart.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE WINDERMERE AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Golf balls in river not good In August and September this year we canoed 1,300 kilometres of the Columbia River, beginning at Columbia Lake and ending in Desert Aire, Washington.

It was an extraordinary trip, and a unique experience to see so much of this historic and powerful river.

It was also eye-opening in terms of seeing the range of ways substantial human interference and development has affected the Columbia River.

To our surprise, one of the most frustrating things we saw was a very large number of golf balls from the Fairmont Golf Course littering the riverbed, not just right at the golf course but many kilometres downstream — all the way to the mouth of Lake Windermere and beyond.

This litter on the riverbed is no doubt pushed further downstream each spring with flood waters.

This might seem like an inconsequential issue to bring up. Here’s why it’s not: when Fairmont allows for golf balls — made of plastic, a thermoplastic resin called Surlyn, or urethane — to be thrown in the river, it sends the message to other river users that this kind of behaviour is acceptable. It provides an example to others recreating in the water that the river isn’t a resource for our communities to be taken care of and protected, but instead can be treated carelessly.

Stephen Hews and Hannah Griffin, Revelstoke

A 1,300-kilometre canoe trip on the Columbia River was a nature extravaganza for Stephen Hews and Hannah Griffin. But finding a large number of golf balls in the water was disappointing.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

The Columbia Valley

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DECEMBER 7, 2023

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

7

Invermere council discusses housing efforts

Continued from page 5 A few other key differences between the groups emerged after a bit more discussion: one is that the Mayor’s Housing Task Force is run by the municipal government, and as such is meant to represent the interests of all local residents.

The CVHS, on the other hand, was set up by the Columbia Valley Chamber of

Commerce, which represents the interests of its member businesses. A second difference is that the CVHS is a nonprofit organization, while the task force functions as a part of local government.

This means each group has access to different kinds of funding streams and opportunities. A third difference is that the CVHS operates throughout the Columbia Valley, while the Mayor’s Housing

Task Force focuses just on Invermere.

Miller agreed with Wood and Taft about communication. He used the example of carriage homes, which have gotten a lot of attention provincially lately as an option to create more longterm rentals and affordable housing.

Carriage homes are smaller, secondary accessory housing units, often located above garages or other storage build-

ings. Invermere already has zoning in place that allows for carriage homes to be built, and Miller suggested that part of the reason there aren’t more carriage homes in Invermere is because of a lack of communication.

“I think there are just a lot of people out there who don’t even realize this is doable. It could be part of the solution,” said Miller.

Local wildfire experts urge being prepared

By Steve Hubrecht steve@coumbiavalleypioneer.com Even though the wildfire season seems far removed, with Lake Windermere frozen and snowflakes in the air, a recent panel discussion in Invermere emphasized the need for local residents to be prepared for wildland blazes.

The discussion was held Tuesday, Nov. 21 in the Columbia Valley Centre and the panel included Invermere Fire Chief Jason Roe, B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD) senior ecosystem restoration specialist Al Neal, FLNRORD wildfire technician Katherine Grahn, RCMP Sgt. Ed DeJong and Invermere Mayor Al Miller.

“Whatever you can do at your home to reduce ignition potential and to reduce fire intensity will enhance our capacity to battle forest fires. That’s you and me.

That’s every private landowner.”

FireSmart Coordinator Carey Collin

Invermere FireSmart Coordinator Carey Collin told the Pioneer the purpose of the panel was threefold: to share information with residents; to allow local first responders a chance to ‘show and tell’ about the mock wildfire disaster scenario carried out this past spring; and to help increase the public’s confidence about the valley’s readiness for wildfire response.

More specific topics within those categories ranged from the latest in fire suppression techniques to how evacuation orders work.

“Unfortunately it wasn’t well attended, but the panel was amazing,” said Collin.

Around 20 people, aside from the panel members, were at the event.

Many of those who did attend were people within the firefighting and first responder communities.

“It was not exactly who we were targeting. Those people (within the firefighting and first responder communities) tend to already know a lot about how we deal with wildfires. We were hoping to get more members of the general public,” explained Collin.

“But, aside from that, I’m pretty happy with how the discussion went. There was plenty of great information shared.

If we’d held this in the middle of wildfire season, when fires are top of mind for many people, we probably would have filled the hall.”

And despite the fact that firefighters are usually busy fighting fires in the height of summer, the organizers of this panel are mulling doing another such event at that time in order to get their message to as many people as possible.

“We dodged a bullet in our part of B.C., in terms of wildfires. Not everyone in the province was so lucky . . . we are in a high risk zone for wildfires (in the Columbia Valley),” said Collin.

He noted the Horsethief Creek wildfire burned 4,000 hectares on Mount Bruce this summer, 10 kilometres away from Invermere.

“That’s a drop in the bucket compared to what could burn here. That’s our concern,” said Collin.

Being prepared is crucial, he explained, adding that’s true not only for local firefighters and first responders but also for individual residents.

“Don’t be complacent. Don’t forget Fort McMurray. They thought they

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were adequately prepared there, but these days we’re dealing with dry and hot conditions and fuel loaded forests like we’ve never had before,” said Collin.

“Whatever you can do at your home to reduce ignition potential and to reduce fire intensity will enhance our capacity to battle forest fires. That’s you and me.

That’s every private landowner. It’s not a

question of if we will have a wildfire on our doorstep, but a question of when.”

Panel discussion attendees watched a video made by B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) about the mock wildfire disaster scenario this past spring.

To view the video online, visit www. youtube.com/watch?v=hfN-nJSGUOM.

You may not be thinking about wildfire prevention anytime soon, but fire officials are and they are urging local residents to do the same.

PHOTO RYAN WATMOUGH

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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 7, 2023

WK mayor gives kudos to local firefighters

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com The mayor of West Kelowna recently gave recognition to firefighters from the Columbia Valley who helped his community when it was threatened by wildfire this summer.

The McDougall Creek wildfire began burning in the Central Okanagan in mid-August, threatening West Kelowna, Kelowna, Lake Country and other nearby regions. Within three days the fire had become one of the worst ever recorded in the area, prompting a state of emergency. Firefighters from other parts of B.C. poured in to help, including four members of Invermere Fire Rescue — Captain Erik McLaughlin, Captain Janice Dallaire, and crew members Brendan Garies and Nick Melnyk.

West Kelowna Mayor Gord Milsom sent a letter last week expressing thanks to the four on behalf of his community and West Kelowna’s fire crew.

“There simply are no words of thanks that run deep enough to show our gratitude,” wrote Milsom, later adding that “the next generation of firefighters who learn from example surely benefit from your outstanding personnel who demonstrated leadership, partnership and firefighting excellence in our community.”

The Invermere firefighters were

in the Okanagan for nearly a week in late August, spending four days in Lake Country and another two in West Kelowna.

Dallaire told the Pioneer that the four were part of efforts in the wildland-urban interface to bridge the gap between the BC Wildfire Service (which dealt with the fire in the forests) and the local municipal fire crews (which dealt with structures in the communities).

The Invermere crew worked 12-hour days, spending most of their time putting out spot fires that cropped up within 50 feet (15 metres) of people’s homes and properties.

“So, a lot of digging,” explained Dallaire, adding they would use pick axelike tools to turn up earth, and douse any flames, keeping a sharp eye out for fires that were burning underground within tree root systems.

Dallaire, McLaughlin and Melnyk had been similarly deployed to battle fires at Logan Lake two years previously (but for Garies, this was his first out-of-Columbia Valley deployment).

In 2021 Logan Lake had been evacuated and the streets were empty. But this past summer, West Kelowna, Kelowna and the Lake Country communities were still full of residents.

“It was definitely strange in that way,” said Dallaire. “People were very kind to us. You couldn’t go into Tim

Hortons without people coming up to you and shaking your hand or hugging you. We talked to people who didn’t know if they had lost their homes. We talked to people who did know they had lost their homes. There was a lot of gratitude all around.”

While in the Okanagan, the four Invermere firefighters stayed in dorm rooms at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan campus. “For firefighters that’s the Ritz. Accommodation is usually a lot more basic than that,” said Dallaire.

In case readers are wondering why Invermere firefighters were deployed to the Kelowna area when the Horsethief Creek and Yearling Creek fires were still burning in the Columbia Valley, Dallaire pointed out that the threat from

the fires here had greatly receded by the time the Invermere crew left for the Okanagan. She also noted that the Invermere group is made up of structural firefighters (who battle blazes in homes and buildings), and that the Horsethief and Yearling fires were being battled by wildland (forest) firefighters.

Dallaire has three sons (one grown, the other two still in elementary school) and acknowledged that it’s not easy for firefighters to put their personal lives on hold for a week. “But you do it, because somebody else needs your help. We’re doing our part. When our turn comes and the Columbia Valley needs help, other firefighters will come to help us.

B.C. is one big community in that way,” she said.

West Kelowna’s mayor recently thanked Invermere firefighters Capt. Erik McLaughlin, Capt. Janice Dallaire, and crew members Brendan Garies and Nick Melnyk for helping out in the Central Okanagan last summer.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Tickets also available by cash or cheque at The Brick Invermere.

Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Every evening at 6 PM, Kayla from the DTSS drama club opens the night with a reading of ‘Twas the Night before Christmas Christmas at the Outside Gazebo.

FRI DEC 15

5:30 PM Mayor Al Miller Opening Ceremony - ribbon cutting 6:15 PM Emma Miller sings 6:30 PM The Laird Singing Bananas

SAT DEC 16

6:15 PM Bryant Oleander sings 6:30 PM The Laird Amazing Ukulele Troup 7 & 7:30 PM Spring Burke plays violin 8:00 pm Slone Leman sings

7 & 7:30 PM Janice Boulet sings 8:00 PM Tyson Avis plays piano

FRI DEC 22

nline

Buy O

6:15 PM Emma Miller sings 6:30 PM Valley Voices 7 & 7:30 PM Bryant Oleander sings 8:00 PM Danica Colucci sings

SAT DEC 23

6:15 PM Emma Miller sings 6:30 PM Valley Voices 7 & 7:30 PM Spring Burke plays violin 8:00 PM Steve Fowler plays guitar and sings 8:30 PM Closing & Presentation of Favourite Tree

Scrumptious bites and decadent drinks sold all evening.

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DECEMBER 7, 2023

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

9

IH, hospital districts strengthen partnerships Columbia Valley Pioneer staff A new agreement with Interior Health (IH) is expected to strengthen Kootenay East Regional Hospital District (KERHD) and its care for residents.

According to IH, the memorandum of understanding (MOU) will enhance existing relationships with seven regional hospital districts as they work towards completing capital projects.

For example, projects currently underway in the KERHD include the installation of a biomass boiler at Invermere & District Hospital and establishing an In-

vermere Primary Care Network.

As part of the capital planning process, IH submits a funding request letter to regional health districts each December outlining the equipment, capital improvement projects and digital health investments for each region.

Interior Health says the MOU strengthens information sharing, transparency and collaboration between the authority and the hospital districts.

“Our regional hospital districts are key partners when it comes to capital projects in our regions,” said IH president Susan Brown. “Their financial support to

build, renovate and update our health care facilities is integral to improve patient care and this agreement provides better clarity about the Interior Health planning and funding process,” she said.

Brown noted the agreement addresses a number of concerns which were the focus of negotiations over the past few months.

“We are confident this memorandum of understanding is a positive step forward in terms of accountability and will serve to create a better working relationship between Interior Health and the regional hospital districts,” she pointed out.

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Cash donations to the Invermere Volunteer Fire Dept accepted

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10

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 7, 2023

OUT OF OFFICE…

DECEMBER 7, 2023

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

11

Thursday, December 7

Saturday, December 9

Tuesday, December 12

• 10:30am-11:30am: Senior’s Fitness Columbia Valley Centre, $2 dropin.

• 11:30am-12:00pm: Little Lambs Radium Public Library. Join us for songs, rhymes, and stories with your babies! No registration required.

• 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.

• 7:00pm-9:00pm: The Valley Voices Welcome Christmas Concert.

Christ Church Trinity. Come Join the Valley Voices Choir as we celebrate the holidays and sing the night away as we entertain you with melodies and the harmonies of Christmas. An experience you will remember for a lifetime.

• 8:00pm: Syndicate Board Shop 25th Anniversary Party. Ullr Bar. 25 Years of Monkeying Around! Syndicate Board Shop 25 Year Anniversary Party. Videos, Gear, Prizes, DJ's.

• 10:30am-11:00am: Family Storytime. Invermere Public Library.

Join us weekly on Fridays and/or Saturdays for Family Storytime at the library! With stories, songs & a craft. Geared towards preschool age (2-5) but all welcome.

• 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.

• 2:00pm-4:00pm: Buddy Reading. Invermere Public Library. Book a one-on-one 30 minute reading session to practice reading aloud! Build skill, confidence, and a love of reading. Contact us to book a 30 minute session between 2-4 pm on Saturdays at the library. All reading abilities welcome. publiclibrary@invermere.net • 6:30pm: Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion! Members and guests welcome!

• 7:00pm-10:00pm: Columbia Valley Rockies vs Beaver Valley

• 9:30am-10:30am: Parent Tot Yoga. Mountain Home Yoga. Wellrounded yoga practice and play. Follow along, or attend to your child, no pressure to participate (this grace is extended to your instructor Laura and her daughter Winnie too!) Here we invite the littlest of us to learn mindfulness, loving-kindness and compassion, while practicing breath and playing with postures. All ages welcome!

• 10:30am-11:30am: Homeschool Meetup. Invermere Public Library.

Drop-in, all-ages programming with open-ended STEAM play, group activities and art projects. A chance for homeschool kids and families to get together! Please contact us to get on the Homeschool email list to stay up to date and see what extended programs are coming up.

• 10:30am-11:30am: Senior's Fitness Columbia Valley Centre. $2 drop-in.

• 6:30pm-8:00pm: Second Winds Community Band. Practice at Invermere Catholic Church Annex. For info please email dalvande@ shaw.ca • 7:00pm: Ullr Presents: Musical Bingo with Tim Richards. Ullr Bar. Every Tuesday - $5 per card.

Friday, December 8 • 11:00am-7:00pm: Friday Shopping in Fairmont! Fairmont Hot Springs is hosting their 12 annual Friday shopping event – participating businesses will be open until 7pm with various special features, treats and draws. Fill your passport at participating businesses – filled passports must be returned to the Lion’s Den before 7pm and will be entered to win gift baskets and other exciting prizes!

• 7:00pm-9:00pm: The Valley Voices Welcome Christmas Concert.

Christ Church Trinity. Come Join the Valley Voices Choir as we celebrate the holidays and sing the night away as we entertain you with melodies and the harmonies of Christmas. An experience you will remember for a lifetime.

• 11:00am-7:00pm: Friday Shopping in Fairmont! Fairmont Hot Springs is hosting their 12 annual Friday shopping event – participating businesses will be open until 7pm with various special features, treats and draws. Fill your passport at participating businesses – filled passports must be returned to the Lion’s Den before 7pm and will be entered to win gift baskets and other exciting prizes!

• 7:00pm-9:00pm: The Valley Voices Welcome Christmas Concert.

Christ Church Trinity. Come Join the Valley Voices Choir as we celebrate the holidays and sing the night away as we entertain you with melodies and the harmonies of Christmas. An experience you will remember for a lifetime.

• 10:30am-11:00am: Family Storytime. Invermere Public Library.

Join us weekly on Fridays and/or Saturdays for Family Storytime at the library! With stories, songs & a craft. Geared towards preschool age (2-5) but all welcome.

• 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.

• 6:00pm-7:00pm: Pride Coffee Club: Stolen Church Gelato and Coffee.

Connecting the 2LGBTQiA+ community and their allies. Second Friday of every month.

• 6:30pm - close: Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion! Members and guests welcome!

• 7:00pm-10:00pm: Columbia Valley Rockies vs North Okanagan

Sunday, December 10 • 8:00am-11:00am: Breakfast with Santa 2023. Invermere Legion.

Seatings at 8 am & 10am. By reservation ONLY – Deadline Weds, December 6th. For reservations please call or text Elizabeth at 250-688-0640 or email roycan71sec@outlook.com. Preferred 6 per table, min 4 per table (larger groups allowed). Families are encouraged to bring their own cameras/phones for photos.

• 2:00pm-4:00pm: The Valley Voices Welcome Christmas Concert.

Christ Church Trinity. Come Join the Valley Voices Choir as we celebrate the holidays and sing the night away as we entertain you with melodies and the harmonies of Christmas. An experience you will remember for a lifetime.

• 2:00pm: Cards, Cribbage and Darts Come to the Legion and have some fun! Members and guests welcome.

• 7:00pm: Live Music Horsethief Creek Pub & Eatery. Accompanied minors are permitted. No cover.

Monday, December 11 • 10:00am-11:00am: Senior's Yoga Columbia Valley Centre, Invermere. $2 drop in, open to all seniors.

• 6:30pm: Poker (Chip up for Charity). The Station Pub $20 buy-in. Every Monday.

•

Wednesday, December 13

• -6:00pm-9:00pm: Warren Miller Film Premiere Fundraiser.

Columbia Valley Centre. The Alpine Club of Canada Bugaboo Section is celebrating 74 years of filmmaking with a Warren Miller film premiere: ALLTIME. The evening will be social with lots of snacks, drinks and prizes and the old and new of Warren Miller.

• -7:00pm-9:00pm: Invermere Community Drum Circle.

Pynelogs. Rhythm By Nature and the Columbia Valley Arts Council bring you a fully interactive and immersive experience twice a month at the Invermere Community Drum Circle.

Professionally facilitated, you will learn about the history of the drum, drumming cultures, and drumming techniques but that's only the beginning! https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ rhythmbynature/store • 10:00am-11:00am: Senior's Yoga Columbia Valley Centre, $2 dropin.

• 11:30am-12:00pm: Story Time. Radium Public Library - preschool & all ages.

• 3:00pm-4:30pm: After School Club. Invermere Public Library.

A window of transition time between school and home or extracurriculars. Come colour, bead, play with LEGO and catch up with friends! Open to all school-aged kids and teens. Drop-off allowed for Grade 2 students and up. Younger kids are welcome with a grown-up.

Please bring your own snacks! Register. https://invermere.bc.libraries. coop/ • 6:00pm-9:00pm: Wednesday Dinners & Meat Draw & 50/50 Invermere Legion. All welcome.

12

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 7, 2023

BEY ND THE BLUE LINE

By Stephanie Stevens Adversity is one of our greatest teachers, and failure is only failure when you stop trying.

Last weekend the Columbia Valley Rockies were home for two games in Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena, but neither one went their way. “We were not at our best this weekend and we know it,” said associate coach Tucker Braund. “We have a young group that is learning how to be a good team.”

Friday, Dec. 1 saw the Fernie Ghostriders in town but the night ended in a 3-0 shutout for Fernie.

Sunday, Dec. 3’s afternoon game saw the Rockies on the scoreboard, but emotions were high and the tie game went to the Creston Valley Thundercats after an overtime shootout.

“It’s good to have these moments at the middle point of the season so we know how to deal with life in the play-offs,” said Braund. “Things don’t always go your way and as a group we have to find a way to get through those things. We will have a good week of practice and be ready to go for our last four games before Christmas.”

Scoring in the Sunday game came via a power play goal in the first by Gage Sather (assist by Danny Schmirler), Ellis Mcgeough (assists from Sather and Schmirler) in the second, and Wyatt Wurtz (assist from Tysin Mulligan) in the third.

Rockies netminder Jaiden Jakubowski stopped 40 of 43 shots on goal from Creston Valley on December 3. But unfortunately the home team came up short in both of its games last weekend.

PHOTO BY STEPHANIE STEVENS

Increase the

Decrease the waste

Shop Local

Garbage cans and recycling bins sure seem to fill up quickly as we head into the holiday season. Cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, shipping envelopes these all can pile up quickly. While many of those packages are recyclable, it is even better to not generate that waste in the first place. By shopping local, you get to support amazing businesses in your community while cutting down on excess packaging that comes from online orders. Trade your trip to the garbage can for a trip to the local shops.

Give the Gift of Experience

Sometimes you just don’t know what they want. What size do they wear? Do they still like the colour blue? Many gifts come from a place of caring, but are unwanted by the receiver. This season give the gift that creates memories that will last. Take someone to a concert, have a weekend get-away, go to the theatre. Gifts are a great zero-waste way to show how much you care.

Remember, when it comes to the 3 Rs, they are listed in a specific order for a good reason. Reduce, Reuse and then Recycle.

Reduce • Consider low-waste gifts such as buying gift cards from local shops and restaurants or a charitable donation in a loved one’s name.

• Get creative and make gifts from materials that you have around the house.

• Plan meals ahead and store food correctly to reduce the amount of food waste.

Reuse

• Save gift bags, gift wrap, ribbons and bows to reuse year after year.

• Get crafty when wrapping by using reusable fabrics, newspapers, old cards and calendars.

learn more

engage.rdek.bc.ca/recycle

DECEMBER 7, 2023

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

CLRC offers sports

By Julia Magsombol Local Journalism Initiative julia@columbiavalleypioneer.com Columbia Lake Recreation Centre (CLRC) recently presented their sports program to keep local youth active and healthy.

"I want to continue to grow it,” said Tom Smith, the founder and coach of the youth program in CLRC. He’s from the United Kingdom and has been a coach for over a decade, including four years with The Manchester United Foundation. He’s been coaching in the valley for the past three years.

Smith runs his coaching business, Valley Sports Hub and rents a space in the CLRC. He explained that he collaborated with CLRC and thought this would be an excellent opportunity for children to be coached in different sports.

The youth program consists of different sports each day of the week.

Cricket is on Monday, dodgeball and basketball are played on Tuesday, and pickleball is on Thursday.

“We’ve got new sports and initiatives that we’re hoping to roll out in the New Year,” he explained.

Smith is adding soccer to the program, and hopes to open up other sports to more age groups. He is also running a sports camp for spring and summer break.

"My main aim of the business is to offer sports services to local schools and the community," he said. "My favourite part of this program is watching the kids develop weekly as they get to see their own progression and how much they're improving."

Smith gives kudos to the CLRC and the Akisq'nuk First Nation for helping build the sports program.

For more information, visit https:// www.facebook.com/ColumbiaLakeRecreationCentre.

CLRC Youth program coach Tom Smith interacts with a keen group of kids during a basketball session.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

DISTRICT OF INVERMERE

914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Tel: (250) 342-9281 Fax: (250) 342-2934

Regarding

Proposed DRAFT Floodplain Management Bylaw The District of Invermere is holding two public information meetings on December 13, 2023 to seek input on a DRAFT Floodplain Management Bylaw. The meetings will include a presentation of the DRAFT Floodplain Management Bylaw and the proposed flood construction levels.

The public information meetings are scheduled as follows: December 13, 2023 (starting at 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm).

To attend one of the meetings please register using one of the following links: December 13 at 2:00 pm https://bit.ly/floodplain2pm December 13 at 6:00 pm https://bit.ly/floodplain6pm

Contact Information

email: info@invermere.net Telephone: 250-342-9281 FAX: 250-342-293

13

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

14

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 7, 2023

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DECEMBER 7, 2023

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

15

New citizens welcomed with Métis sash

By Julia Magsombol Local Journalism Initiative julia@columbiavalleypioneer.com A recent meeting of the Columbia Valley Métis Association (CVMA) demonstrated the importance of the sash to their culture and what that meant for new citizens.

The event was the annual general meeting and ‘kitchen party’ in Wilmer Community Hall on November 26.

"I want to say that there was so much love for community and belonging," said Kelsey Prichard, the community coordinator of the CVMA.

“A lot of Metis people have had to hide their heritage in the past.”

Kelsey Prichard, CVMA Forty people attended the AGM and kitchen party, which is a traditional Métis celebration.

“Our people have been celebrating this way for hundreds of years. It's like a pass-down tradition. It’s just a way for everybody in the community to get together, visit, share stories, and share tradition," she said.

Prichard explained they did a sashing ceremony with Debra Fisher, the

Regional Director of Métis Nation BC (Region 4). Fisher sashed new Métis citizens during the celebration. She said that sashing is significant for Métis people for recognizing and identifying certain families — different families have different colours in their sash.

Prichard described the sashing of the new citizens as very emotional.

"It hasn't been acceptable to be openly Indigenous. A lot of Métis people have had to hide their heritage in the past. This time, with the citizens that were sashed, I think that was what brought up a lot of the emotions. It's like they were the first generation of their family being accepted."

After the sashing, Métis Bev, an elder, shared traditional knowledge stories, where the kids dressed up in costumes and acted out historical scenes.

They had dinner and danced at the end of the party.

"The most fun part was learning the jigging and the dances. Seeing everybody up and the older folks dancing with the younger folks was my favourite part,” said Prichard. "I hope we can reach as many families and people as possible, to help them connect with their culture. It is life-saving. Some people can feel lost without cultural identity. It doesn't matter if you don't know anything about it, you can still welcome and support everyone."

Fire captain lauded Columbia Valley Pioneer staff The Radium Hot Springs Fire Department has recognized Capt. Todd Logan for his longtime service and dedication.

Logan joined the department in 1993. Since then the firefighter has been a key figure in the department and in the community.

Logan served multiple terms as a councillor for the village. He was also instrumental in establishing the fire department’s tradition of driving around on Christmas Eve with Santa and Mrs.

Claus.

Logan is a trained medical first responder, providing pre-ambulance care to the community. He is always willing to assist with community events, department training, and administrative tasks.

“Captain Logan is an extremely valued member, and his 30 years of service to the department and community is so greatly appreciated,” the fire department says.

Logan accepted the accolades at the fire department’s recent Christmas dinner and recognition ceremony.

From left are Radium Fire Chief Trevor Carr, Capt. Todd Logan, and Mayor Mike Gray.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RADIUM FIRE DEPARTMENT

A sashing ceremony was held during the Columbia Valley Métis Association’s AGM and ‘kitchen party’ on Nov. 26.

PHOTO APUGACH/GETTY IMAGES

16

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 7, 2023

PIONEER CLASSIFIEDS 250-341-6299

info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OBITUARY

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 Cheers to all the new citizens that were sashed at the CVMA AGM and Kitchen Party.

Welcome to our Association!

Cheers to both Jaye and Heath of Selkirk Cellulars and Office Supplies for the super customer service they give to all their customers. As a senior citizen, it is so nice to be greeted with a smile and given $rst class service every time I go into their store.

Cheers to Brenda W. for dropping off chocolates at the office. What a great way to end the day!

Cheers to CV Metis Association for all the hard work and organization that went into planning and executing the AGM and Kitchen Party. It was a great evening. Lots of fun!

Jeanette is the greatest!

Invermere must have the most active, in shape seniors ever!

Cheers

www.columbiavalleypioneer.com OBITUARY

MAHOVLIC, Donald Keith

Elizabeth (Betty) Rachel Hope March 29, 1941 - November 14, 2023

May 13, 1954 ~ November 24, 2023

Betty passed away peacefully at the age of 82 while daughters Kim and Tammie were holding her hands to her final breath on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 5:43 AM at Columbia House in lnvermere. Betty endured frontotemporal dementia for the past eight years before meeting her maker.

Elizabeth (Betty) Rachel Hope was born March 29, 1941 in Prineville Alberta.

Betty and Gerald got married on May 18, 1957 in Invermere and together they raised their daughters Kim and Tammie, and son David. Betty filled her busy life with many creative arts and crafts, gardening, cooking, and baking. Her claim to fame was her beautiful glass mosaics that were proudly displayed at the Radium Hot Springs mezzanine. She loved hiking in the great outdoors with friends or family. Betty’s favourite pastime was spending time with her children, grandchildren, plus many nieces and nephews.

Survived by husband Gerald, daughters Kim (Jan), Tammie (Steve) grandchildren Melissa (Jason), Matthew (Leesa), Amanda (Neil), Ashley (Ben), James (Trish), Andrew (Tanya), great-grandchildren Brennen (Shaina), Ayla, Lily, Isabel, Hunter, Wyatt, Leo, Forest, Rebecca, Jasper, Marcus, Liam, Maisie.

Betty was predeceased by parents Mary and Everett Noland, sisters Clara (Jim), Grace (Henry), Beulah (Al), and brother Bob, son David (Leslie), greatgrandson Gavin.

A Service for Betty was held at Lake Windermere Alliance Church on Monday, November 20.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Columbia House through EKFH, in memory of Betty Hope.

Born May 13, 1954 in New Westminster, BC, passed away November 24, 2023, embraced by his daughters and surrounded by family.

Don loved the outdoors particularly skiing, gardening and hiking. Don was a volunteer Fire Fighter, First Aid Level 3 attendant and was always willing to help in any situation. Don loved to travel and deeply enjoyed experiencing other cultures.

Don will be dearly missed by his daughters, Krystina Lowther and Alyssa Mahovlic; his sister, Sandra Typusiak (Rob); brother, Peter Mahovlic (Anna); granddaughters, Abigail and Ruby Lowther; his children’s mother, Sylvia Mahovlic and many other relatives and friends.

No service as Don is heading to Mexico with his daughter.

Adios Amigos Condolences and tributes may be directed to his family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com

HELP WANTED

“we therefore commit this body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life.”

CHEERS

CHEERS

Cheers to Crossroads Esso. What Cheers to Kelly Tomalty for the a nice surprise to get free magic Christmas window pastries when I bought $50 display at Village Arts! worth of gas last week! Way to go!

Cheers to my lovely friend Ricky M. You are so kind and thoughtful. I appreciate all the Cheers to Ky for your homemade treats you bring to thoughtfulness and willingness the office. You are a special lady!

to help the Elders.

Cheers to Kalista for raising a Cheers to the EMT's and the wonderful human that is kind Invermere Fire Dept. for saving and thoughtful. my life on November 13. LP

CHEERS Cheers to Elizabeth and Ken Carlow for all the volunteer work you do at the Legion. Your efforts do not go unnoticed.

What a fun place to spend an evening!

FIREWOOD PINE FIREWOOD 250-342-6068

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DECEMBER 7, 2023

BUSINESS SERVICES B.B.'s Home & Design Services Renovations, Masonry & Handyman Services, Blinds, Housechecks, eavestrough/ yard cleaning/dump runs 250-688-2897 Get-ER-Done Handyman Landscaping, Asphalt Pads, Christmas Lights set up, General Contracting, Cleaning Gutters, House Checks Call Ryan 604-346-5087 THE HEARTFELT COMPANION: Services for Seniors Since 2014 we've provided kind and compassionate non-medical care, transportation to Cranbrook, overnight care, meal prep, grocery shopping and more.

Excellent local references.

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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

17

IHCA donates to neonatal care unit

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com The Invermere Health Care Auxiliary (IHCA) gave a large donation to the East Kootenay Foundation for Health (EKFH) last week.

The IHCA presented a $320,000 cheque to the EKFH on Thursday, Nov. 30 outside the Invermere Thrift Store. The nonprofit IHCA runs the thrift store to help raise funds for health care in the East Kootenay.

Of the $320,000 total, $200,000 is going to the Warm Embrace campaign, which aims to raise $1.8 million to build a tier three neonatal intensive care unit at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital (EKRH) in Cranbrook. The other $120,000 will help fund much needed equipment in the Invermere hospital, Golden hospital, and at Columbia House.

IHCA president Corinne Tansowny explained to the Pioneer that as there is no intensive care unit for babies in the East Koo-

tenay, it makes a lot of sense for the IHCA to donate to the Warm Embrace campaign. Any East Kootenay infants (and their parents) needing intensive care get sent to Kelowna, Kamloops or Vancouver, she explained.

Tansowny relayed the experience of one East Kootenay couple that were sent to Vancouver for intensive neonatal care. Upon arrival they received a 100-day parking pass.

“Their reaction was ‘oh my gosh, are we going to be living here in Vancouver for 100 days?’”

She noted that “it really is quite an ordeal. It’s a lot of stress and a lot of financial strain for families. It would very much benefit Columbia Valley residents to have a neonatal intensive care unit in Cranbrook.”

Many local expectant mothers deliver their babies here in Invermere, but because the hospital here does not have an operating room, many also choose to deliver in Cranbrook.

The other $120,000 for the Invermere and Golden hospitals will help to pay for pro-

grams, such as home health that see medical staff visit seniors in their homes, as well as for materials and equipment such as stretchers, maternity recliners, hospital beds, patient warming systems, a bladder scanner and operating room equipment.

The IHCA also donated $45,000 to the Invermere and Golden hospitals this past spring, and funds $20,000 in scholarships related to medicine. Half the scholarship money goes to graduating David Thompson Secondary School (DTSS) students interested in studying medical programs, and the other half goes to students from the Columbia Valley who are already in post secondary study to become doctors, nurses or other health care professionals.

“That money could end up benefitting the valley, as those students may choose to come back home and spend part of their medical career here in the valley,” said Tansowny.

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HOUSES FOR RENT For Rent Immediately in Fairmont Hot Springs $3000/month incl. electricity 5 bedroms, 3 baths, 2640 sq ft 2 stalls in 3 car garage Viewing weekly on Wednesdays from noon until Thursdays 2 pm Call Garry 1-587-796-1857

PLANTS / SHRUBS / TREES Woodworth Tree Farm pop up store Douglas r Christmas trees Wreaths, swag and garland Family friendly Friday 1-8 Saturday 10-8 Sunday 10-4 9364 Pinto Rd Juniper Heights

WANTED Seeking Stories & Memories from anyone who may have known/grown up with Victor (Vic) Thygesen.

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Health care just got better in the East Kootenay with a $320,000 donation by the Invermere Health Care Auxiliary that runs the thrift store. A large portion of the money will go to the ‘Warm Embrace’ campaign for neonatal care.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Upcoming Speakers All will be at the Invermere Legion starting at 7:00 pm. on the third Thursday except December which is the second Thursday due to Christmas.

December 14 Conservation Officer Service 2023 year report January 18 Jeanette Goulet - National Parks Service Whirling disease in the Columbia River headwaters.

February 15 Rachel Darvill - Project Biologist - update on swallow and turtle projects the club is involved with.

March 21 Suzanne Bayley - Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners research happening in the Columbia Wetlands and the clubs involvement.

April 18 Patrick Stent - Wildlife Biologist - recent winter survey on moose numbers and other wildlife related information for our area.

May 16 Jon Bissett - Project Biologist for Shuswap Band CHARS project - inventory findings of streams from Canal Flats to Donald relating to Westslope Cutthroat, burbot, sturgeon and Bull Trout.

DISTRICT OF INVERMERE

914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Tel: (250) 342-9281 Fax: (250) 342-2934

WINTER OPERATIONS The District of Invermere would like to remind everyone to take extra care while travelling during the winter season.

Residential and commercial driveway entrances and sidewalks are the responsibility of the owner to be cleared of snow and ice to the degree that the mobility of vehicular and pedestrian traffic shall not be compromised.

Here’s how you can help...

• Be a good neighbour.

• Do not park on the street during a snowstorm or while snow clearing operations are underway.

• Pile snow on the right side of your driveway (when facing the road) if possible when shoveling.

• Remove snow from around fire hydrants on or near your property to enable quick access by emergency personnel if the need arises.

• If there’s any obstructions along District owned Right-of-Ways (i.e. rocks, flower pots) please have those moved.

The District apologizes for any inconveniences caused by snow removal operations. For further information, please telephone the municipal office at 250- 342-9281.

The District of Invermere thanks you for your co-operation!

18

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 7, 2023

In certain winters, snowy owls move south from their Arctic home and make an appearance for the Christmas Bird Count. Here, one sits lazily on an old utility pole while surveying the landscape.

PHOTO LARRY HALVERSON

Christmas Bird Count goes back 50 years Americas would brave winter to identify all bird spe- but was needed periodically to get close enough to cies in a specific area, count the individual birds they count snow buntings decorating a farmer’s field or a flock of common redpolls adorning a bush like little Fifty years ago, I discovered the North American saw, and then share results.

The data collected in this longest-running wildlife Christmas ornaments.

Christmas Bird Count, thanks to an Alberta family that As dusk fell, temperatures dropped, and we called unofficially adopted me when I moved to Calgary to census in the world would be used to assess bird populations and guide conservation actions. It sounded it a day. Back at their place, Liz put the kettle on and begin my university studies in 1973.

One November day, they explained that from De- interesting to a young biology undergraduate student, Des made a fire in their stone fireplace.

As we drank cups of milk-laden Earl Grey tea, Liz cember 14 through January 5 every year, they, with and a good way to get to know more about the area’s tens of thousands of other volunteers throughout the winter bird life while spending time with my new relayed the antics of the magpies, woodpeckers, grosfriends. beaks and other birds at their feeder that day. Peter Christmas Bird Count day dawned extremely cold, and Des tallied the species we saw and how many inso cold that Liz Allen, an asthmatic, opted to stay in- dividuals of each species. They sent their report to the doors and conduct a bird feeder count of visiting spe- count coordinator who compiled the results for the cies that day. Her husband Des warned me to bundle National Audubon Society to publish. up for driving and walking as we looked for birds. He After that, I was hooked on the Christmas Bird and his eldest son Peter picked me up at my apartment Count as a wonderful way to begin the festive Christbefore 8 a.m. when it was still dark. I wondered what mas season. I looked forward to joining Des and oththe BCit RECYCLEpEdia we wouldCheck see, knowing would be tough birds, the ers in the Decembers come.

During another ChristCheck thetoBC RECYCLEpEdia Check the BC RECYCLEpEdia 604-RECYCLE (732-9253) ones that could withstand a Western Canadian winter. mas Bird Count withwww.rcbc.ca Des west of Cochrane, Alberta in www.rcbc.ca 1-800-667-4321 The area assigned to us to explore was way out in 1979, a northern shrike, in hot pursuit of a flock of tiny north-east Calgary andcouncil adjacent agricultural lands. As pine siskins, nearly flew into of hisB.c. car just as I opened Recycling council of B.c. MeMBeR Recycling of B.c.

MeMBeR Recycling council MeMBeR the sun rose, the light bouncing off of the snowy fields the back door to grab the binoculars. became intensely bright. Identifying colours or other Since then, I have participated in Christmas Bird Lillian West Wildland Urban Interface distinctive marks on the back-lit birds became nearly Counts all across Canada. Besides Calgary and CoFuels Reduction Treatment impossible. chrane, this includes the Bow Valley in the Rocky Des and Peter were amazingly adept at identifying Mountains around Banff/Canmore to Bow Summit in (CS23DRM001) birds based on their silhouettes and behaviour. They Banff National Park, Alberta; the snow-laden slopes of Wildfire Risk Reduction Project could even distinguish species by their calls. From the the Columbia Mountains near Revelstoke, B.C.; the icy the BC appSound in Terra Nova National Park, sighing sounds, they knew that an Get immense flockReCYClepedia of shores of Newman Hand Thinning & medium-sized birds that soared overhead and landed Newfoundland; and the many mild, rainy, bird-rich Hand Pile Burning Operations BC RECYCLING HOTLINE en masse in a distant poplar tree were all Bohemian places around Victoria on Vancouver Island in B.C. (Ongoing November 2023 - March 2024) 604-732-9253 waxwings.

This year, my husband Ian Hatter and I look forward CONTROLLED BURNING - SMOKE IN AREA As we made our rounds, besides the usual black- to doing our fourth Christmas Bird Count in the Inver1-800-667-4321 Partners: Shuswap Band / Wildlands Eco-Forestry / billed magpies, gray partridges, house sparrows, and mere Count Area on Saturday, December 16, and celeMinistry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations www.rcbc.ca black-capped chickadees, we saw an extraordinary brating with other counters afterwards. and Rural Development Recycling councilnumber of B.c. MeMBeR of snowy owls. I had never beforeRecycling seen these ToMeMBeR join the 2023 Invermere Christmas Bird Count council of B.c.

Enquiries (Prime Contractor): imposing white birds with their bright yellow eyes on Saturday, Dec. 16, contact Gareth Thomson, the Wildlands Eco-Forestry Inc. in the wild. They had arranged themselves on fence count coordinator, at gareth@biosphereinstitute.org.

Box 723 Invermere, BC, V0A 1K0 posts, one per each quarter section of land.

Last year, the 26 Invermere Christmas Bird Count 250-688-4663 www.wildlands-inc.ca I was ecstatic at the first sighting. Each time we volunteers counted 43 species with varied thrushes, turned a corner and spotted another, it was a Christ- American goldfinch, pied-billed grebes and American mas gift. Des explained that certain years, snowy owls coots the most unexpected sightings. moved south from the Arctic in search of food. Other This year marks the 123rd year since the Christmas years, one might not see any.

Bird Count began in North America.

Walking against the cold wind numbed our faces

Submitted by Jenny L. Feick, PhD

Where to recycle?

Where to recycle?

Recycling questions?

Can this be recycled?

Recycle? Yes or no?

DECEMBER 7, 2023

Lynx ‘keeper of secrets’

By Julia Magsombol Local Journalism Initiative julia@columbiavalleypioneer.com The elusive and mysterious lynx is steeped in mythology; known in Indigenous culture as the ‘keeper of secrets.’ But what secrets do they hide?

A mesmerizing gaze into your own pet feline’s eyes can prompt you to wonder the same thing.

Like a giant house cat, the lynx is very independent, and seeing one is considered rare.

If you are lucky, you might see one in the boreal and sub-boreal forests in the inland northern half of British Columbia.

Lynxes are originally from Africa and originated from the now-extinct family of miacids. The oldest lynx remains were found in Africa approximately four million years ago.

There are different types of lynxes: the Eurasian, Canadian, and Iberian. The Eurasian lynxes entered North America about 2.5 million years ago. They have evolved into Canadian lynxes and are spotted in different provinces in Canada.

Appearance Their colour varies from medium brown to gold and beige-white. In winter, their fur becomes thick and long. The length of their fur varies from 10 centimeters long. Like most cats, their fur is fluffy and soft.

They have a short body and tail, yet they have long legs. They are most easily recognized by the black tips of their tails. Their appearance is similar to both cats and tigers. The ears of a lynx are much longer and more pointy than a cat; almost shaped like a triangle.

Their height varies from 48 to 56 cm.

Social behaviour and diet Canadian lynxes are solitary animals, meaning they mostly live alone or in pairs. They only socialize

when they mate. Lynxes usually come together during the breeding season from January to March. The females and males only meet for a short period of time.

Female lynxes only mate with one male, resulting in fierce competition. They only take a month or two to become pregnant. Female lynxes give birth to one to four babies and raise them alone.

Lynxes are carnivores, meaning they eat other animals' meat for consumption.

They are highly specialized in hunting snowshoe hares. They usually consume one or two hares a day.

During the summer season, their diet has more variety, and they consume small mammals.

Just like cats, they don't pose a threat to humans unless they are in danger or threatened. They defend themselves fiercely.

Canadian Lynxes create their dens in forests as excellent coverage in the undergrowth, including fallen trees.

After birth, they keep their kittens safe under trees, shrubs, or rock ledges.

They are considered endangered in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Agriculture and human development are the main reasons.

A drop of their main food source, which is the snowshoe hare, can also cause the endangerment of lynxes.

Lynxes in Indigenous culture They are considered elusive and mysterious in some native cultures. In some Indigenous stories, they have the gift of true seeing and observation. As previously mentioned, they are known as the 'keeper of secrets'.

Lynxes are significant to Algonquians because they offer them protection and medicine.

If you are interested in knowing more, watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1a7y5rjqzE

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

19

Columbia Valley

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

Elusive and mysterious, the lynx is known as the ‘keeper of secrets’ in Indigenous culture. Sadly, they are considered endangered.

PHOTO LYNN_BYSTROM/GETTY IMAGES

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER

20

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

DECEMBER 7, 2023

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