Columbia Valley Pioneer - February 8, 2024

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VOL. 21/ISSUE 6

Your Weekly Source For News And Events

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

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THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

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The Lake Windermere District Rod & Gun Club hosted an ice fishing event that brought families together on February 3.

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FEBRUARY 8, 2024

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

VALLEY NEWS

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

3

Invermere examines pedestrian-only street

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com The Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce recently conducted an online survey asking local residents and businesses their opinions on closing down part of Invermere’s main street to vehicle traffic on Fridays and Saturdays this summer, making it pedestrian only.

The survey launched in mid-January and closed earlier this week on Monday, Feb. 5. There were in fact two separate surveys on the topic — one for local residents and another for business owners.

The chamber ran the survey on behalf of the Invermere Business Committee, which touched on the idea during one of its monthly meetings.

“There has been a lot of discussion of some sort of downtown closure for a long time. There’s been a lot of talk about it . . . (but) the Invermere Business Committee felt it would be a good idea to get some concrete data, some tangible results,” Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce executive director Pete Bourke told the Pioneer.

A pedestrian-only main street has been discussed by Invermere council twice in the past decade, the last time in early 2020. Both times the topic was outlined as merely a possibility. But both times the mere mention of the idea provoked a strong backlash from a number of downtown business owners, and the idea was dropped.

That pushback was strong enough that when a resident wrote to council in 2021 suggesting a pedestrian-only

downtown, council members quickly turned the idea down. At the time Mayor Al Miller and councillors Gerry Taft and Kayja Becker said that any such plan in the future would need to originate from the local business community.

And, with the topic having sprung from the Invermere Business Committee, that is precisely where the idea has come from this time around.

Bourke noted that, as far as he knows, there was no hard data involved in any of the previous discussions about a pedestrian-only main street, and added that’s what this survey intends to do: provide some numbers.

The chamber will compile the results and then present them to council.

Bourke emphasized the chamber and Invermere Business Committee have a neutral position on the matter, saying “there are pros and there are cons on both sides. We’re not advocating one way or the other.”

The survey included an image (see photo) highlighting 7th Avenue between 9th Street (near AG Valley Foods) and 13th Street (at Disfunction Junction and the banks). This part of 7th Avenue is the main strip through downtown Invermere, and one that the Invermere Business Committee is seeking input on closing to vehicles.

But that’s not set in stone, according to Bourke.

“There could be some variable in what part of downtown is closed, what time of day, what days of the week. It depends on what business owners and residents think.”

The Invermere Business Committee is looking at the idea of making 7th Avenue pedestrian only on Fridays and Saturdays this summer.

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FEBRUARY 8, 2024

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

RCMP

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Reading “Mad Honey”by Jodi Picoult.

Copies at the library.

Meeting Feb. 20th - 2:00pm invermere.bc.libraries.coop

Edgewater Senior Society

Join Us! Presenting Klondike Ken Dyck and his slide show of amazing nature scenes, some of which are of our beautiful local area. Refreshments to follow show.

~ Admission by donation ~

Columbia Valley Pioneer staff

Everyone Welcome!

DON’T LOSE YOUR LOCAL NEWS E

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This past week, January 29 to February 5, the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 51 calls for service.

The following is a summary of some of the files our officers responded to: On February 2 police received a report of doors being insecure at the rear of Fairmont Shopping Plaza along Frontage Road. Officers attended and determined two doors were pried open; however, it did not appear that anything was taken.

If anyone has information about this crime, please call the Columbia Valley RCMP at 250-342-9292 or Crime Stoppers.

The Columbia Valley RCMP have received complaints of drivers not stopping for school buses when their flashing red lights are activated for a pickup or drop off of students. This has been occurring too often, especially along Toby Creek Road. As a reminder, you must stop, regardless of what direction you are travelling, when the flashing lights are activated and

IV

The wildfire season is approaching faster than you think, which is why FireSmart activities are crucial to stave off the coming threat.

In fact, 10 communities in the Columbia Basin are undertaking projects with support of nearly $1.8 million provided through a partnership between the province and Columbia Basin Trust.

“FireSmart activities are a key component to improving the resiliency of communities across BC,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests.

Johnny Strilaeff, president and CEO of Columbia Basin Trust, is happy to see dedicated communities accessing this program to mitigate the wildfire risk.

“Their efforts attest to what can be done when we work together.”

The program supports a range of projects. For example, actions may include hiring a FireSmart coordinator, developing plans to treat wildfire fuels, carrying out innovative fuel management activities or providing training on how to do FireSmart assessments.

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you must stay stopped until the lights are deactivated.

Failing to do so can result in fines of $368 and three demerit points for the first offence, with escalating penalties for subsequent offences.

Police will be increasing their patrols and utilizing bus dash cameras for issuing tickets.

The Columbia Valley RCMP are warning motorists that they must stop for school buses when their lights are flashing.

PHOTO RON BAILEY/GETTY IMAGES

FireSmart projects undertaken

Edgewater Community Hall February 16 - 7:00 pm

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Sgt. Ed deJong Columbia Valley RCMP

Jamie Baes Sales e Representativ Ext. 103

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Chris Moseley Graphic Designer Ext. 107

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Shuswap Band targets hazards To reduce the danger introduced by influences like Douglas fir ingrowth and the encroachment of common juniper, the Shuswap Band is undertaking wildfire risk-reduction treatments on 31 hectares of Crown land near the Shuswap reserve and surrounding community.

“The Shuswap Band, historically stewards of the land, has a significant recent history of land management in the local area with respect to forest fuel management and ecosystem restoration,” said Lands Manager Sierra Stump. “With this treatment, forest fuel loading will be significantly decreased, reducing the intensity and rate of spread of wildfire and decreasing the threat to the adjacent surrounding community infrastructure.”

The FireSmart program builds on a previous partnership between the Trust and the province, which aimed to help Basin communities build wildfire resiliency while recovering from the economic impacts of the pandemic.

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

5

Event to raise awareness about abuse

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com Abuse and mistreatment of vulnerable and older adults is on the rise everywhere in the province, including here in the East Kootenay.

An East Kootenay man who has dedicated his professional life to combating the trend will be visiting Invermere in a few weeks to start a community discussion on the topic.

Doug Newberry works as the East Kootenay mentor for the B.C. Community Response Networks (BCCRN). In this role, he brings information and resources to East Kootenay communities with the aim of helping them build a coordinated response to adult abuse and neglect. He’ll be in Invermere on Saturday, March 2.

“I want to start a conversation,” he told the Pioneer.

“We want to increase awareness in the community.

What does adult abuse and neglect look like? How can I help if I suspect it’s happening to someone I know?”

Newberry explained that the terms adult abuse, mistreatment and neglect can apply to anyone who is 18 years or older, but generally means seniors or vulnerable adults (including those with physical or mental health disabilities).

He hopes that eventually residents in Invermere will establish a community response network, such as has been created in other East Kootenay communities, including Golden, Cranbrook and Creston.

Newberry did not have specific statistics for the

Columbia Valley or even the East Kootenay, but explained that adult and elder abuse is likely an increasing trend here, since it is rising everywhere across the province.

He cited the Hidden and Invisible: Seniors Abuse and Neglect in British Columbia report, published in December 2021, which outlined that from 2016 to 2021 the cases of adult abuse and neglect reported to the health authorities increased by 49 per cent. This finding matches that of a 2021-2022 annual general report from Seniors First BC in which the seniors advocacy organization reported receiving 2,357 abuse-related calls, a 24 per cent increase from the previous year.

The BC trend is echoed nationally. A 2022 study in the journal Nature Aging led by David Burnes found an increase in the estimated prevalence of elder abuse in Canada of between four and eight per cent (as compared with previous studies). The study reported that elder abuse affects one in 10 seniors in Canada.

“Really it affects the whole world,” said Newberry. He added that the truth of adult and elder abuse is quite likely far worse than the statistics portray, and that experts estimate about half of such cases go unreported.

“A lot of that is because people just don’t know what it is, what signs to look for, much less how to go about helping if they do suspect it is happening.”

That’s where the March 2 event comes in. It will be held at the Invermere Senior’s Hall on 14th Street from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Local baker has sweet run

By Steve Hubrecht

steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com Invermere resident Vina Benn’s spectacular run in the continent-wide ‘The Greatest Baker’ contest came to an end in the semi-final stages.

The Pioneer reported on Benn’s progress in the contest in the Janurary 25 issue. The Greatest Baker is one of the largest online-run baking contests in North America, attracting thousands of participants each year. The sheer number of contestants made Benn’s run remarkable and even she was surprised that she survived six rounds of voting to reach the semi-finals.

But it was at the semi-final stage that Benn exited the contest.

She finished sixth in semi-final voting, out of 100 contestants – close but not quite close enough to end up in the final.

As the minutes to the semi-final voting deadline ticked down, Benn admitted she kept a very close watch on her voting count.

When the deadline passed and she hadn’t secured a place in the final she felt no ill will to those who beat her. Instead. “I was just so excited to have made it that far. It was so much fun,” she said.

Friends and family have been cheering Benn on. Benn’s sister was perhaps her biggest backer during the contest and “she was a bit disappointed, but I think still

pretty excited overall that I got to the semi-final,” said Benn. Even her three teenage kids “thought it was pretty cool,” she added.

Her spell on The Greatest Baker has brought a small degree of local fame, with several people having stopped her in the grocery story to ask about the contest, and one woman even ordering a cake from Benn as a result.

What’s next for Benn’s baking?

“I don’t know, I honestly hadn’t thought about that,” she said.

For now Benn will keep moving forward with her local Mama Bear Bakery business, which she has been running since 2020. She operates the business out of her home, making baked goods to order and featuring at many of the Columbia Valley’s farmers’ markets throughout the summer.

She launched the business during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic when, like so many other Columbia Valley resi-

dents, she found herself suddenly out of work.

“I thought, why not? I don’t have anything else to do right now,” said Benn. She had been an avid home baker since she was in elementary school.

She started the business small and grew from there. Her lemon ricotta cookies and cinnamon buns were the initial hits at the farmers’ markets that first summer.

“The lemon ricotta cookies, they’re very lemony. And they do have a whole tub of ricotta, to make up for using less butter. They are donut-like cookies and pretty yummy,” said Benn.

The public was quite supportive of her fledgling enterprise, especially at the Radium Market on Main on Friday nights. So, in 2021, Benn moved Mama Bear Bakery into a storefront in Radium. From there she also supplied the Radium Brewery with fresh pretzels. The location wasn’t great, and Benn got little foot traffic, so after six months she went back to running the bakery from her home.

Mama Bear Bakery’s offerings have grown in recent years, with cakes becoming more popular.

Homemade caramels are another customer favourite. Benn plans to add homemade salt water taffy this year.

For more information visit facebook.com/mamabearbakery01/.

During the afternoon talk Newberry will be outlining BCCRN’s three programs: See Something, Say Something (which teaches people about symptoms of adult abuse and outlines who to contact to report it); Spotlight on Ageism; and It’s Not Right, It’s Neighbours, Family and Friends (which outlines how individuals can talk with someone they suspect may be an adult or elder abuse victim).

“The idea of the It’s Not Right program is that if you have a family member, friend or neighbour who you think might be facing abuse, this program can help you to have a conversation with them, just to break the chain of isolation and let them know you’re there . . . it helps you connect with that person,” said Newberry.

“Everyone can play an important role in the community in keeping others safe, secure, and independent.”

For more information contact Newberry at Doug.

Newberry@bccrns.ca.

BUY or SELL REAL ESTATE WITH

DK Rice

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Invermere on the Lake

DISTRICT OF INVERMERE

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

Land Act: Notice of Application for a Disposition of Crown Land Take notice that I/We, District of Invermere, from Invermere, BC have applied to the British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS), Kootenay Boundary Region, for a Community and Institutional tenure for Community Trails situated on Provincial Crown Land located in the vicinity of Invermere.

WLRS invites comments on this application, the Lands File is 4406379.

Written comments concerning this application should be directed to Sr. Authorization Specialist, WLRS, Kootenay Boundary Region, at 1902 Theatre Road, Cranbrook, BC V1C 7G1. Comments will be received

by WLRS up to March 13, 2024. WLRS may not be able to consider comments received after this date. Please visit the website at http:// comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ for more information.

Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. Access to these records requires the submission of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. Visit http://www.gov. bc.ca/freedomofinformation to learn more about FOI submissions.

6

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

PERSPECTIVE

Come on, Mark Historical Lens

“Mr. Zuckerberg, what the hell were you thinking?” The Meta CEO squirmed under the bright lights of last week’s Senate judiciary hearing on the harm social media is doing to our children. It was priceless to see, actually.

The multi-billionaire was grilled to the point of being nearly speechless, deflecting barbs while inferring that his platforms are a responsible communication tool. His response was straight from the CEO’s book of defensive actions, with the motto: never admit guilt.

Senators are expressing deep concern, and rightfully so, that Facebook and Instagram are putting youth on a pedestal for pedophiles. If it’s not ‘sextortion,’ it’s bullying; if it’s not bullying, it’s mental health sabotage.

In defence, Zuckerberg says his company spends millions of dollars trying to protect children from online predators and the like, but people are not swayed and continue to accuse him of caring only for the jingle in his pockets.

Senator Marsha Blackburn reported that Zuckerberg referred to his teenage users (in terms of their lifetime value) to be worth approximately $270 each.

This led her to accuse him of seeing children as a product, not a priority, adding that a child is bought and sold for sex in the US every two minutes.

Another senator, Lindsey Graham, told the solemn story about a young man on Instagram who became a victim of sextortion and later committed suicide.

He then accused Zuckerman of having blood on his hands with a product that is killing people. Whether you agree with that or not, it’s a very strong statement.

Meta has been doing a great job of blocking Canadian media, including the Pioneer, from putting their news on Facebook. But they’re doing a poor job of protecting children using their addictive platforms. For example, Instagram displayed a warning to individuals searching for child sexual abuse materials. At the bottom of the screen it gave users two choices: “Get resources” and “see results anyway.” In the words of Senator Ted Cruz: “Mr. Zuckerberg, what the hell were you thinking?”

There is simply no accountability anymore. Try suing Meta and see how far you get.

The parents of these children whose lives have been destroyed deserve compensation, or at the very least a public apology and a signed promise that much more will be done to protect our youth from these dangerous platforms. However, parents have an ongoing responsibility to monitor what their children are doing online and to ensure they don’t get trapped on the dark side.

But the real responsibility lies with the Zuckerbergs of the world; the profiteers who target children to advance their wealth. For every child that is harmed or exploited there needs to be accountability to prevent it from happening to the next child, possibly your own . . . right now.

Lyonel Doherty, editor

Shown here is Tadanac police officer Jim Dilworth in uniform in 1941. He left Invermere and joined the Trail police force.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE WINDERMERE AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

We see only what they allow I would like to thank the editor and staff of the Pioneer for printing the excellent piece ‘It's a legal system, not justice" in last week's paper.

I was so very gratified to read Mr. Segstro's very articulate and informative article. I believe he has expressed the thoughts of many of us who are struggling with what we see happening in our country and wondering what we, as individuals, can do about it.

Most definitely the legal system is not a justice system. Similarly the medical system is not a health care system, governments do not represent the people and the mainstream media reports only what it is directed to report. Everything depends on money and power.

All of these ‘systems’ have become corrupted at the top levels.

Those who look to the television set for their information or ‘news’ will be seeing and hearing only what the ‘powers that be" will allow. It seems that beating the drums of war is a big part of the agenda at this time.

What is really going on around the world? Pictures we see on the television may be computer generated images. How does one discern what is real?

To Allen Segstro - good job in writing your piece about the legal system. Hopefully it will get people thinking about the way our country and communities are going and asking questions. It will be up to 'we the people' to dig in and say "enough's enough.” After all, we are the ones who support all these systems with our taxes.

Lynn Askey, Radium Hot Springs

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FEBRUARY 8, 2024

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

Time to chill out as Polar Plunge returns

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com It’s time for polar plungers to get ‘freezin for a reason’ because the Recreation Adapted (RAD) Society’s annual Polar Plunge is back.

The popular fundraising event has seen bold (and warm blooded) swimmers jump through a hole in the ice at Taynton Bay every winter since 2016.

This year’s version of the event promises to be bigger and better than ever, and for the first time it will take place across two days, on Saturday, Feb. 17 and Sunday, Feb. 18, coinciding with the Family Day long weekend.

This will be the eighth edition of the annual event. For the first few years it was held on a different weekend than Family Day, but eventually organizers decided it made sense to have it on the long weekend. From 2016 to now it has grown in size and has become one of the biggest events on the Columbia Valley calendar. The very first plunge drew 60 swimmers. Last year organizers Tanelle Bolt and Ryan Karl counted 270 polar plungers, with a crowd of 500 to 600 cheering them on and taking in all the festivities that accompany the dipping.

But both Bolt and Karl said the actual number could in fact be higher, since it was hard to get an exact count with so many people milling about.

“There are always people at the end of Saturday that say, hey we wanted to participate but we are busy on the Family Day Saturday. Do you do anything on Sunday? So we thought, why not?” explained Bolt.

“There are just so many people coming down on the Saturday, it makes sense to expand to the Sunday and make it a two-day event,” added Karl.

“Rain, snow or minus 20 degrees, we will be plunging.”

One year it was in fact minus 20 degrees during the Polar Plunge, but swimmers still had a great time, and even fashioned their hair into frozen mohawks, explained Karl.

There will be a hot tub and — new this year — a sauna to help plungers warm up after their dips. There will be bands playing live music, bonfires, skating, hot dogs to roast, a bar serving chilled and other beverages and more.

There will also be eight sledges, so that people can trying playing sledge hockey (also known as para hockey).

If you are hesitant about jumping into ice cold water, there’s plenty else to entertain you and the atmosphere is great, said Karl.

That said, he recommends plunging.

“If you want to try something new, it’s a great opportunity,” he said. “As soon as you hit the water, it’s exhilarating. The crowd’s there cheering for you.

It’s a lot fun . . . if you tell someone you like to polar plunge, the first thing they tell you is that you’re crazy. But then they try it themselves, they love it and they say they can’t wait to do it again next year.”

Last year the RAD Society was able to raise $10,000 through the Polar Plunge and is aiming to hit the same mark or better this year. The money will go to help RAD add to its collec-

7

The two-day Polar Plunge will be held at Taynton Bay in Invermere on Saturday and Sunday, Feb, 17 and 18.

PHOTO RYAN WATMOUGH tion of accessible outdoor recreation equipment and to continue its efforts to create an accessible shipping container-turned-storage-and-rental facility to house all that gear (the envisioned facility is nicknamed the Gear Box).

The latest addition to RAD’s collection of gear is a brand new electric assist mountain trike. The $17,000 piece of equipment arrived in the Columbia Valley in late 2023 and joins other RAD gear including a para golfer, a mountain trike, an adaptive cross country ski sledge and a hand cycle. Many of these pieces of equipment are the only ones of

their type available to publicly rent, anywhere in the world.

Next up on the gear wish list: a recumbent foot-powered bike. The idea to get one came from a woman who wanted to know if RAD had one to rent. It did not, but the request has inspired Bolt to get one.

The Polar Plunge will be at Taynton Bay, just off Kinsmen Beach from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 18.

To find out more visit www.RADsociety.ca

Local bars, pubs drink to ‘Dry January’

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com The new year is already a month old. So too are new year’s resolutions, for those that have managed to keep them so far.

Refraining from alcohol for the first month of the year has been an increasingly popular New Year’s resolution for some time now. So much so that the term ‘Dry January’ has been used for the past decade or so to describe the phenomenon.

Participation is high: a Morning Consult poll a few weeks ago outlined that 21 per cent of adults in the US (where the poll was conducted) had either outright stopped or significantly reduced their alcohol consumption this January. That’s a six per cent increase compared with January 2023. It also means one in five drinking age adults are taking part in Dry January. A Forbes report suggested younger generations — especially Millennials and Generation Z — are driving the trend. The Pioneer did not unearth any statistics for Canadian participation in Dry January in 2024. But a Statista report for January 2023 on Canadians participating in Dry January echoed trends south of the border, with younger generations leading the charge here as well (63 per cent of Dry January participants in Canada were either Millennials or Generation Z).

In the Columbia Valley, local pub operators say

Dry January is definitely a trend and added it’s one they support. Many pubs, bars and restaurants try to help those abstaining from or cutting back alcohol by offering non-alcoholic drinks. That goes well beyond just having some extra orange juice and club soda on hand, however, with a burgeoning number of mocktails and non-alcoholic beers on offer.

“We’ve always encouraged Dry January and anyone who doesn’t want to drink alcohol,” said Ullr Bar owner Richard Matthews. “If somebody is doing something to better themselves, we are supportive of that . . . I’ve done Dry January. Most of our staff at Ullr have done it. It’s a good thing for everyone to do at some point.”

Matthews said that from what he sees, Dry January is driven in the valley by the younger generations (as it is in Canada and the U.S.). Matthews said that when he was a teenager, drinking alcohol was definitely seen as something cool and was frequently done as “power drinking” in large quantities at house parties. “But the younger generation is much more aware of abusive drinking, and of being responsible. And they have more access to information about health and wellness in general. It’s a really good thing,” he said.

Ullr carries a lot of non-alcoholic beers of different varieties (IPAs, ales, blondes and more) and a full selection of mocktails, explained Matthews.

“You don’t have to have just a glass of water if

you’re out during Dry January. You can, of course, have water, but some people do feel a bit socially different if everyone around them is drinking and they are not.

You can have a non-alcoholic drink,” said Matthews.

“They taste great and you’ll have just as much fun as your friends who are drinking.”

Station Pub owner Ryan Karl said that he too sees more adults abstaining from alcohol than ever before.

“Dry January has been more popular this year than last year. It is growing,” said Karl.

As a result the Station Pub doubles up on non-alcoholic beers such as Corona Sunbrew and mocktails.

“Non-alcoholic cocktails are definitely a trend.

We offer them because we want to support those who are choosing to make that lifestyle change. It’s a good thing for people to try,” he said.

PHOTO RYAN WATMOUGH

8

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

SPORTS

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Ready to play - David Thompson Secondary School is proud to host this year’s Junior Boys East Kootenays Zone Basketball Tournament on February 9-10. The junior Lakers are coming off a previous win in their Kimberley tournament where they played a spectacular game and came out victorious with a lead of over 40 points. The public is encouraged to come out to show their support and cheer on the home teams this weekend. The boys play their first game at 12:30 p.m. on Friday and later that evening (at 6:30 or 8 p.m) depending on their performance.

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League play - The U11B Rockies played Cranbrook in Invermere last weekend and won as they vie for a spot in the upcoming banner tournament.

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FEBRUARY 8, 2024

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

9

Public input sought on recreation use Columbia Valley Pioneer staff The Columbia Valley Recreation Planning Initiative (CVRPI) is seeking public input on potential backcountry recreation use in the 16,615-hectare Forster Landscape Unit west of Radium Hot Springs.

Input opportunities include an online survey and an open house scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Lions Hall near Invermere.

The open house features a live panel presentation at 7 p.m. focused on community-led recreation planning, the status of recreation in the Forster Landscape Unit, and potential recommendations for improved recreation management.

The CVRPI plans to fulfil a long-term vision shared by local recreationists, stewardship groups, local and

provincial government, and First Nations for responsible and sustainable recreation on public land in the Columbia Valley.

“The Columbia Valley is an extraordinary destination for backcountry recreation, offering spectacular opportunities for a wide range of recreation activities,” said initiative co-chair Clara Reinhardt. “At the same time, more people are recreating and pushing further into the backcountry than ever before. Our aim is to maintain great recreation experiences through good stewardship. We want to hear from people who recreate in the Forster Landscape Unit and from area residents to help identify the recreation recommendations that will best accomplish this.”

The anticipated feedback will help shape and inform the CVRPI’s recommendations for sustainable

recreation that protects important values and reduces adverse impacts in the Forster area.

Initiative co-chair Adrian Pery said this is a collaborative planning process involving stakeholders with diverse and sometimes conflicting views.

“We’ve learned that this is not always easy. However, by listening and working through all the different perspectives around the table, we are more likely to come up with good recommendations that will be acceptable to the vast majority of users,” Pery said.

The online survey is available at columbiavalleyrecreation.ca and will be open for public input until February 25. Comments may also be submitted via email to info@columbiavalleyrecreation.ca.

For more information, visit columbiavalleyrecreation.ca.

Ktunaxa celebrates third business showcase

By Julia Magsombol Local Journalism Initiative julia@columbiavalleypioneer.com Most businesses often start with a product, but Ktunaxa’s 2024 Business Showcase begins with a story.

On February 29, there will be a Ktunaxa Business Showcase that is open to the general public starting at 1 p.m.

It will take place at the Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort Convention Centre in Cranbrook.

“The goal is to connect Ktunaxa businesses, industry and government partners, and community members while providing valuable information to give Ktunaxa businesses a competitive edge in ?amak?is Ktunaxa,” said Jason

Andrew, Economic and Investment Sector Director for Ktunaxa Nation Council.

The Economic and Investment Sector is organizing the showcase.

Andrew said the showcase is not only for local Ktunaxa businesses to share what they have, but also to generate relevant regional business relations, maximize local brand awareness, and highlight their products and services, which makes this a good opportunity for them.

“Everyone is invited to drop in and learn about Ktunaxa businesses,” Andrew said. “If you can’t attend, you can visit ktunaxaready.com to see the business directory.”

The event was first held in 2020, and this year will be the third one. They hope

Society eyes housing Columbia Valley Pioneer staff The Columbia Valley Housing Society has hit the ground running in 2024 to manage housing for those who need it.

This was evident recently during a presentation to the RDEK’s Columbia Valley Services Committee. Designated speakers were Society president Pete Bourke and project manager Bill Kirkpatrick.

The presentation began with a proven need for affordable housing, with statistics indicating that 49 per cent of respondents to a survey spend 30 per cent of their gross monthly income on housing costs. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation considers housing to be affordable when it costs less than 30 per cent of income before tax. According to a housing needs assessment, 322 dwellings are needed in the Columbia Valley.

It was noted in the presentation that the valley’s living wage climbed to $22.63 per hour in 2023, marking an increase of 3.5 per cent from the previous year.

A 2023 labour shortage survey participated by 75 Columbia Valley businesses reported there was a labour shortage of 222 full-time employees and 89 part-time employees.

The housing society’s presentation outlined what was accomplished last year, including a collaboration with the Village or Radium to purchase and manage a three-dwelling unit property, keeping it in the long-term market. The Society also established partnerships with Family Dynamix and Revelstoke Community Housing Society to enable funding, and engaged with housing stakeholders in Edgewater, Panorama, Windermere and Canal Flats.

Housing Acceleration Fund applications were also completed for Invermere and Radium.

Current projects include a multi-dwelling development on 10th Avenue in Invermere, and a collaboration agreement with all Columbia Valley municipalities to encourage cooperation on affordable housing.

The Society’s total budget sits at $80,500.

to host the event every other year.

The morning session is only for Ktunaxa businesses and the industries they work with. But in the afternoon session, it is open to the general public for free.

Andrew added they want this to be solely available for the public instead of only for the Ktunaxa Nation. It is for people to see the diversity of Ktunaxa businesses and artisans.

Ktunaxa Nation member Bonnie Harvey will be opening the afternoon with a cultural share. Harvey has won the Columbia Basin Environmental Ed-

ucation Network (CBEEN) 2023 Award of Excellence for environmental education. For the last 15 years she has been sharing knowledge on cross-cultural presentations, legends, and land connections.

For more information about Harvey, visit https://www.columbiavalleypioneer.com/indigenous-educator-receives-award/ “We look forward to another great day of celebrating Ktunaxa businesses, artisans and entrepreneurs,” Andrew said.

10

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

OUT OF OFFICE… Open Call for Transit Study Proposals The Workforce Transit Study Request for Proposal (RFP) is a vital initiative addressing transit needs in the Columbia Valley. It aims to examine both public and private transit options for local employees and College of the Rockies students, while collaborating with local businesses, educational institutions, and support groups. This is an open call to invite businesses or individual consultants who specialize in business engagement and transportation to submit proposals for a workforce mobility transportation study.

The main goal of this RFP is to analyze current transit services and propose practical recommendations for improvement. The project also involves presenting findings to key stakeholders like the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce (CVCC) Board of Directors and the Columbia Valley Community Economic Development Advisory Commission (CVCEDAC). The end goal is to provide transportation solutions for businesses and educational institutions

moving here from various places, the demand for better regional transit options has increased; due to the housing crisis, many people can only find housing that is a significant distance from their workplaces or schools.

By addressing and exploring these transit gaps, the RFP aims to take steps to enhance mobility of students and employees and support the community’s socio-economic resilience. Through collaboration and practical solutions, stakeholders can create a more connected and inclusive Columbia Valley.

throughout the Columbia Valley.

The need for the study arises from recent commercial growth in Invermere and the expansion of the College of the Rockies Invermere Campus. With more students

For more information on the RFP or how to submit your proposal, please visit www.cvchamber.ca or email advisor@cvchamber.ca.

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Thursday, February 8 • 10:30am-11:30am: Senior’s Fitness Columbia Valley Centre, $2 dropin.

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

• 2:00pm-3:00pm: Seniors Tea. Invermere Public Library. Join us for a cup of tea and a chat on the 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month. All welcome!

• 3:45pm-4:45: Graphic Design Club. Invermere Public Library. Using Canva, we will create our own book covers to learn a few basics of graphic design. We will turn them into real mini-books you can write a story in! Ages 10+ Space is limited! Registration required.

• 6:45pm: Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Invermere Legion. $30 buy-in.

• 7:30pm: Families Housing that Fits. Zoom meeting with host Ben Postmus. Inclusive and supportive housing in your community. diversefamilyroots@gmail.com • 7:30pm: Trivia Night Windermere Whitehouse Pub. Host Mandi Cox $3/ person, teams of more than 6 will be split into two groups. Ages 19+

Friday, February 9 • 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-3:00pm: Friday Funday. Invermere Public Library. STEAM day: Open-ended play with Ozobots, Dash bots and other fun tech. Drop-in programming. Drop-off for ages 7+. Younger children are more than welcome to join with a grown-up.

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

Saturday, February 10 • 2:00pm-8:00pm: Valentine's Party featuring DJ Todd. Columbia Valley Centre. District of Invermere, Summit Youth Centre & Columbia Valley Youth Network presents a Valentine's Party, held at the Columbia Valley Centre on Saturday February 10th! Join us for an all ages party from 2pm-5pm. Teens will take over and will have the entire hall to themselves from 5pm-8pm!! Free entry for all to attend!

• 8:00pm: Slow and S#*@%y Service Day. Ullr Bar. Come join the Ullr Crew and our special guests for a night to remember. Manners and customer service have been thrown out the window and we need you to come and be verbally insulted by the Vikings as we raise money for people in need in our glorious community. Please, if you are easily offended, this event may not be for you! Book a table by emailing info@ ullrbar.com. $20 per person.

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

• 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. Contact us to book a 30 minute session to read with a librarian. Practice reading aloud one-on-one to build skill, confidence & a love of reading! Open to all ages and reading abilities.

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

Sunday, February 11 • 1:00pm-3:00pm: Seedy Sunday. Groundswell Community Greenhouse.

If you are looking to swap, buy or learn about seeds and seed saving this is the event for you. Special presentation from Dale Wilker of Old Blue Truck Farm on “Growing & Saving Heritage Seeds!”. As well Mateja, a local grower, will share her insights into seed development, selecting good quality seed growers and why buying non-GMO seeds is so important. Not only will there be plenty of seeds to swap but seed giveaways from specialty BC seed growers, and an opportunity to buy West Coast Seeds from Winderberry Nursery.

If you have seeds to offer, please label the type, variety and date harvested. You can also sell/swap/give houseplants and cuttings. Please no GMO or cross-pollinated seeds.

No seeds? No problem! We'll have lots of knowledge and opportunities for you to participate.

• 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.

• 7:30pm: Dads Matter. Zoom meeting with host Ben Postmus. Dads connecting, Dads supporting, Dads inspiring. Do you have a son or daughter with Diverse Abilities? So do I. diversefamilyroots@gmail.com

Monday, February 12 • 10:00am-11:00am: Senior's Yoga Columbia Valley Centre, Invermere. $2 drop in, open to all seniors.

• 10:15am-11:15am: Baby Goose. Invermere Public Library. Learn new songs and rhymes to share with your baby and meet other parents/ caregivers with young children. Drop-in program. Hosted by Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy- Windermere Valley.

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

11

Tuesday, February 13 • 10:30am-11:30am: Senior’s Fitness Columbia Valley Centre, $2 drop-in.

• 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.

• 1:00pm-3:30pm: Art in the Afternoon. Radium Public Library. A free program for local artists and art enthusiasts! Whether you sketch, paint, carve, knit or crochet, bring your supplies and work alongside fellow artists.

• 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.

• 7:30pm: Families on Tuesday. Zoom meeting with host Ben Postmus. Families connecting, Families Sharing, Families Supporting Families: Support, Listening, Sharing, Connecting. diversefamilyroots@gmail.com

•

Wednesday, February 14

• 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

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

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FEBRUARY 8, 2024

SPORTS

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

13

BEY ND THE BLUE LINE Lack of discipline sets Rockies back

By Stephanie Stevens When a perfect storm results in a win it is a beautiful thing.

But when that storm blows in favour of the competition, not so much.

The Columbia Valley Rockies hosted the Kimberley Dynamiters in Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena on Friday, Feb. 2, but it was anything but beautiful.

A lack of discipline against a strong team saw the final score 9-3 in favour of the Nitros.

“I think we've been in close games lately but we haven't been totally playing the right way and it all came to a head on Friday,” said associate coach Tucker Braund. “It's good for us … a big blow out … we can look at that and say no one played well, we all have things we need to be better at. Team discipline is big especially when Kimberley has as good of a power play as they do. We can't take penalties if we can help it and we can take major ones for sure.”

That lack of discipline also showed in too little support for netminder Nate

Glenn, who is just back from two weeks off recovering from a concussion.

“We started the second period well and scored, had a big hit and then one versus three for them turned into a goal,” Braund explained. “We can have those step backs after goals.”

Scoring in the second was Bryan Kim (assists from Wyatt Wurtz and Kobe Mason) and two late third period goals were courtesy of Gage Sather (assists from Johnny Lozeman and Oleg Bitus) then Bitus (assists from Wurtz and Luke Hamilton).

The boys are back on the road this Friday (tomorrow) in Golden and Saturday in Kimberley. “We will have a big week this week and get back to some areas of practice we haven't touched on for a while,” said Braund. “Some basics … and we will be much better this coming weekend.”

The next home game is Friday, Feb. 16 against the Golden Rockets.

The last regular season game for the Rockies is against the Rockets in the Golden barn.

Steely-eyed Justin King of the Rockies watches the action against the Kimberley Dynamiters in the Eddie Feb. 2.

PHOTO STEPHANIE STEVENS

Gage Sather had a hot hand with two late third period goals against the Kimberley Dynamiters in Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena on Feb. 2, but it wasn’t enough to put out the fuse, ending in a 9-3 blowout.

PHOTO STEPHANIE STEVENS

14

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

PIONEER CLASSIFIEDS 250-341-6299

info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OBITUARY

www.columbiavalleypioneer.com HELP WANTED

Klaus Erich Geyer

January 13, 1939 - January 24, 2024 Steamboat Mountain Music Society

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Edgewater Community Hall 7:00 pm Saturday, February 17, 2024 • Reporting on 2023 Society Activities/Financials • Preview of 2024 Festival • Membership Renewal • Election El ction of o Directors Dir • Coffee/Tea, Dessert Desser • Music Mu i Jam J to Wrap Up

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

SNOW REMOVAL AND GROUNDS HELP

It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of Klaus Erich Geyer on January 24, 2024 at the age of 85.

Born in Germany, Klaus immigrated to Canada in 1962 as a skilled cabinetmaker and settled in Winnipeg. He later moved to Regina, and then finally to Fairmont where he built his own home with his wife Carol and worked as a cabinetmaker throughout the Columbia Valley for many years.

Klaus filled his spare time building toys for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, tinkering with his intricate and beautifully crafted model railway displays, and taking meticulous care of his home and yard. In his retirement, Klaus enjoyed his travels to Germany, France, Regina, Winnipeg, Calgary and Denver over the years to catch up with family and friends.

Klaus is predeceased by his loving wife, Carol (2016). He is survived by his cousin Peter of Germany, his children Jeannette (Karl), André (Candice), Christopher (Havovy), and Delih (Archie), as well as 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. A special thanks to the staff at the Invermere hospital and the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley would be appreciated.

CHEERS

CHEERS

CHEERS

Happy to be Back!

Big Cheers to Gerry Taft for including the Windermere Valley Museum as a benefactor of donations given for use of “The Gerry Van”. As a not for pro t society today, the donation is very much appreciated.

Huge cheers to Butter, Heather and the entire team at Conrad Kain’s Kitchen and Grill. What a fantastic evening celebrating Conrad Kain.

Providing real estate services for Buyers & Sellers!

Connect with Gerry for honest advice! cell 250-341-1202 gerry@gerrytaft.ca

Cheers to Louise Walters at No Frills. I was looking for a particular product that wasn't on the shelf. She contacted me on her day off to let me know it Cheers to Dave Oaks for your arrived. Talk about customer help with moving our office. The help was greatly appreciated! service!!

Help needed in Windermere, potential for year-round position.

Apply at terravistagm@gmail.com

CHEERS

FIREWOOD

PINE FIREWOOD HUGE Cheers 250-342-6068 The Detta family would like to thank Dr. Maslowska, Dr. Mannheimer and medical BUSINESS SERVICES support staff at Invermere Hospital and Medical Clinic for B.B.'s Home & Design Services Renovations, Masonry & your heartfelt care and support of Beryl over the years. Also a Handyman Services, Blinds, huge cheers to Home Care Housechecks, eavestrough/ Support for their personal yard cleaning/dump runs. attention to her care.

250-688-2897 or 403-861-8782 THE HEARTFELT COMPANION: Services for Seniors Cheers to Kelsey P, Community Since 2014 we've provided Coordinator for CVMA. You are kind and compassionate organized and efficient, very non-medical care, approachable and you get transportation to Cranbrook, things done in a timely manner. overnight care, meal prep, Thanks you for all the help you grocery shopping and more. have given me. Much Excellent local references. appreciated.

250-341-5683 Heartfeltcompanionservices.com

Huge Cheers to Dee at Palliser Printing for the help in framing the “Stolen Church” print.

Cheers to Bev D. for the lovely scarves. They are beautiful. I will It was greatly appreciated.

Small town service at its nest. get good use of them.

Cheers to Amanda M. at Invermere post office. You had the foresight to update our civic address when me moved the office location. With so many things on my “to do list”, it was one less thing I had to deal with. Huge CHEERS to you!

Cheers to Christine C. at the Legion. You are friendly, efficient and always remember what I want to order. Great service!

Cheers to Dr. Mark M for your generosity, and for realizing the value of the work that I do. I Cheers to Steve and Audrey at appreciate it.

The Local View. The service is Cheers to Mary O. for keeping always top notch. The best print your eye out and scoring me Oh, deer - A deer stares at the lens during a morning journey for food.

PHOTO SYD DANIS some good deals. I'm grateful. shop in town!

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

15

Indigenous snowboarder inspires others

By Julia Magsombol Local Journalism Initiative julia@columbiavalleypioneer.com They say when you appreciate the little moments in life, you feel more connected with others. That’s how Sandy Ward feels, an Indigenous snowboarder who empowers others through her talent.

Ward is a member of the Lil'wat Nation. She started snowboarding when she was 15, and it has been nearly 20 years since she has been carving up the snow.

A couple of years ago, the First Nation snowboard team contacted her to

join their crew and train for the Olympics. She loved it, but there were times that she felt lonely as she knew she was the only Indigenous snowboarder at that time.

"I didn't really feel like I belonged there, and I felt like what I was doing wasn't traditional enough," Ward said.

Her perspective changed when she joined Indigenous Women Outdoors — an organization that helps bring Indigenous women together and excel in outdoor sports activities.

"It's not about racing to the top to get to the peak as fast as I can. It's about enjoying where I am —- looking into the forest, smelling the forest, feeling

the forest, and just enjoying the way up just as much as the way down," Ward explained.

She has also been using her knowledge to teach other women not just how to improve their skills on the mountain but to reconnect with their culture.

Tom Smith, the founder and coach of the sports programs at Columbia Lake Recreation Centre (CLRC), commented on how he is proud of Ward's achievements.

"I believe that sport is for everyone regardless of their background, and the benefits go far beyond just physical," he said.

As a coach, Smith knows how amaz-

ing different athletes are and how inspiring they can be with their passion.

He is proud of the people he is currently coaching, especially the youths in the valley.

"It's great to see how Ward’s passion for snowboarding has helped her to connect more with her Indigenous culture and empower other women to do the same.”

Smith said it’s “really beautiful to see that growth, not just in [women’s] skills, but finding who they are and where they come from.”

For more information about Ward, read: www.indigenouswomenoutdoors. ca/our-team

OBITUARY For Sandy Ward, it’s not about how fast you get to the top, it’s about stopping to smell the forest on the way.

PHOTO MASON MASHON

OBITUARY

Steinwand, Don Don Steinwand of Invermere, BC passed away peacefully on February 6, 2024 at the age of 83. He was surrounded by family at the time of his passing.

Don was born on June 5, 1940 and grew up on a prairie farm near Castor Alberta.

In 1968, Don married Lillian Whitehead and initially lived in Kamloops BC where Don was working with United Trailer. They moved to Calgary and then Invermere where Don owned his own construction business. They welcomed Tracy, and Carrie as daughters, and were overjoyed to welcome their granddaughter Danica in 2009. His family was the joy of his life.

Don had a wide circle of friends throughout Canada, especially Invermere where he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and trapping. In true Don style he took up golf in his 70’s, and enjoyed the group at the Windermere Golf Course.

Don made an impact on everyone he met. He was big hearted and met friends everywhere he went….. after all a stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet.

He is survived by his wife Lillian Steinwand, daughters Tracy Steinwand, Carrie Rickards (nee Steinwand) and granddaughter Danica Rickards, sister, Verna Holden (Larry Holden), brothers, Albert Steinwand (Pat), Harry Stienwand (Sonia), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and their families. Brother Alan, and Sister Ester Pals as well has his parents David and Lydia passed before.

There are no words to express our appreciation to the homecare and the Invermere & District Hospital. Don was always cared for with compassion, dignity and love, and we are grateful.

Funeral Service will take place in Invermere, BC on Saturday, February 10 at 11 AM at Christ Church Trinity, 110 7th Ave, Invermere. Light refreshments will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Angel Flight.

Private interment to follow.

Penelope Susan Powers March 2, 1967, Johannesburg, South Africa February 1, 2024, Invermere, BC It is with deep sadness that the family of Penny announces her death, after a brief illness. She passed away with her family by her side on February 1, 2024.

Penny is survived by her husband Max, her children Katia & Erik, her parents, Michael and Janet, brother Craig (Natasha) and nephews, Vincent & Michael, her sister Bridget (Rob) and nephew and niece, Declan & Astrid.

She will also be sadly missed by her uncles, aunts, cousins and friends in South Africa, the U.S.A. and Australia.

Penny started her schooling at Rosebank in Johannesburg, and continued it at Sunalta School and completed it at Viscount Bennett High School in Calgary.

Penny was an exceptional athlete, excelling in every sport in which she participated. Her special love was tennis, and started many lasting friendships at the Calgary Tennis Club.

Not long after high school, she embarked on travelling the world, thus enriching her life, embracing her thirst for adventure, and developing a love for all people of different cultures. Her travels took her to Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Israel, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, and the British Virgin Islands.

On returning to Canada she worked in the restaurant business in Calgary and Banff where she made numerous friends. She later moved to Canmore where she started a successful destination travel business.

After meeting Max, she moved to join him in Invermere, where they started their family. If ever there was a perfect fit, this mountain community was it, yielding mountain and river adventures that lasted her lifetime.

Soon after the children were born, she and Max developed “Columbia River Paddle” into a major part of the recreational offerings in the Columbia Valley. She also always had time to be actively involved in many different volunteer activities in the valley, resulting in intense admiration, respect, and love in the community, During the final days of her illness, she received loving care at the Invermere Hospital, and we thank them most sincerely.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Invermere at Kinsmen Beach on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.

16

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY PIONEER

FAITH

God so loved the world

By Pastor Wayne Frater Radium Christian Fellowship Church Psalm 33:4-5 “ For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loves righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.”

In a few days it will be Valentine’s Day, and I hope that you will take the time to show those that are near and dear to you how much you care for and love them.

I also hope you take time to show God how much you love and appreciate Him. 1 John 4:19 tells us “We love Him, because he loved us.”

In fact we should spend time each day with those we love, thanking them and showing them how much we care for and appreciate them.

God’s love is huge, in fact the Bible tells us we can’t measure it. We have so much to be thankful for. He has done so much for us. Sometimes words just aren’t good enough but David in the Psalms knew how to express his love for God. Psalm 8 O Lord, our Lord, “How excellent is your name in all the earth, who have set your glory above the heavens.

Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?

For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honour.

You have made him to have dominion over the works of your hands; You have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen— even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth.”

God has given us so much to be thankful for.

When we spend time with Him, and think about His goodness, faithfulness and blessings in our life, it will change us on the inside, when we spend time, and tell Him how much we love Him, when we focus on the fact that He saved us and set us free; the challenges and obstacles of day to day life will begin to fade away.

Gods word in Romans 8:38,39 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

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

Generous donation - Invermere Fire Rescue Chief Jason Roe (left) and Deputy Chief Colin Matheson (right) accept a generation donation from Tom McNeil from RCL Branch #71 Windermere District Legion. The funds will go towards the purchase of two AED (automated external defibrillator) units, which will be placed on two emergency response vehicles and utilized in the event of cardiac emergencies.

PHOTO INVERMERE FIRE RESCUE

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