Columbia Valley Pioneer, April 15, 2021

April 15, 2021 Vol. 18/Issue 15

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 1

Your Weekly Source for News and Events

April 15, 2021

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2 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

April 15, 2021 Highlights of the @LiveColumbiaValley Instagram account, brought to you by the Columbia Valley Community Economic Development Office, a service of the RDEK.

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Some people can’t wait for winter to be over. While others are holding on with cross-training sports, like these roller skiers on the Markin MacPhail Westside Legacy Trail.

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Some birds have eyes in the back of their heads - like this female eagle. Blue birds rest in cedars. The Wings Over the Rockies Nature Festival runs from May 10 - 16, with registration opening on April 16. #wingsovertherockies_2021 (Left) While spring is arriving a little late this year, soil moisture is just a little bit lower than normal in Windermere. And some farms in the north end of the Valley are already irrigating pasture land. Schutter Farms on Westside Road will be growing hay, wheat, barley and dry beans again this year. Some of their crops end up at distilleries throughout the East Kootenay.

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April 15, 2021

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 3

VALLEY NEWS

New artwork welcomes visitors to Radium

By Camille Aubin camille@columbiavalleypioneer.com The Village of Radium Hot Springs recently unveiled an impressive piece of art in its new roundabout.

The funding provided from the provincial and federal governments for the $11.9 million roundabout (built between June 2020 and October 2020) included the opportunity for an art piece in the middle. “When they (Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure) decided to do some traffic management here at the crossroads, the traffic circle became the option of choice. They built it, and right from the beginning, the Ministry of Transportation (MOTI) indicated that here was an opportunity for us to have something iconic, something that screams ‘You’ve arrived, you are in Radium Hot Springs at the gateway to the beautiful Columbia Valley.’ That is where it all started,” said Raidum mayor Clara Reinhardt.

This visual work of art was enabled through the Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) program managed by the B.C. Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport in partnership with the MOTI. Nearly $300,000 was spent on this project. “Alongside the federal government, we were happy to contribute funding to this new roundabout, which improves traffic flow and enhances safety for drivers travelling through Radium Hot Springs,” said Minister of Transportation Rob Fleming.

Radium Hot Springs put out a Request for Proposal seeking a vision fo the artwork to adorn the roundabout.

A selection process was conducted among the five councillors. The committee received a total of three submissions, including the eventually selected one, submitted by the Meikle brothers.

“While we explored the other options, which showcased wood and wildlife, council was unanimous in the decision,” said Reinhardt.

The three brothers — Adam, Christopher, and Joshua Meikle — representing Salmon-Arm based companies Idea 64 Projects and Meikle Studios then got to work creating and install the piece of artwork known as ‘Bighorns’.

Adam said during the unveiling: “My brother came into my studio after work one day, and he brought me this opportunity, and we started pondering.

I was staying up night after night trying to think what is Radium Hot Springs?

What would the village like? I went down lots of avenues and then came to

the ram. It was iconic to this region, and it is that natural golden ratio of the Fibonacci sequence that is pleasing in nature and in art. Even DaVinci was kind of obsessed with that motion, with that shape. So we decided that we would go with something neat.”

Adam added that he came up with numerous ideas for the piece involving rams, and each time, he removed the head from the entire plan because it looked dead or demonic.

Built out of COR10 weather resistant steel, the impressive structure is 20 feet tall, 40 feet wide, and 20 feet deep. “This weathering steel will only get nicer with age and represent the ruggedness of the mountains and the hot springs being natural and always never painted, always natural. So thank you Radium Hot Springs. Thank you to Ideas 64 and Bolt Electric for making it even more beautiful at night than it is during the day,” he said.

Those driving through the roundabout after dark may be surprised to see this massive structure aglow with lights of its own.

“The result has exceeded our very high expectations.

The artist and the fabrication team were very easy to work with and the whole project was a very positive experi-

ence,” expressed Reinhardt.

Kootenay-Columbia MP Rob Morrisson Columbia River–Revelstoke MLA Doug Clovechok, Shuswap Indian Band chief Barbara Cote, RDEK Area F director and RDEK board vice-chair Susan Clovechok, Invermere mayor Al Miller, and Radium councillors Tod Logan and

Photo by Camille Aubin

Mike Gray (who coordinated the event) were all present at the unveiling.

“What a beautiful piece of art, that I have the chance to see for the first time,” said chief Cote looking at the big horns behind her.

“I want to congratulate the village of Radium for all the hard work that went into making the roundabout project a reality. Whether it is traffic created by the TransCanada Highway closures, or just folks coming to visit our incredible valley, the roundabout Photo by Tourism Radium & Cerebros Productions will make travel safer and flow more efficiently. The roundabout’s centrepiece could not have been a better choice; the Radium bighorn sheep’s horns will stand as a testimony to this iconic species.” said Doug Clovechok in a recent press release.

A month-long extended TransCanada closure requiring motorists to take Highways 93 and 95 as an alternative route began on April 12 and will extend through May 14. In addition to that closure, additional 24-hour closures will occur on weekdays between May 17 and May 31. The closed section of the Trans Canada is between Golden and Castle Junction and is roughly 4.8-kilometers long. Travellers are advised to allow an additional hour for direct travel.

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4 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

SECURITY Est. 2005

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Thank you!

The residents and staff of Columbia House Long Term Care facility would like to thank Linda Hemlock, who presented a $500 donation to Linda Goble of the Activities Department. The donation will be used to purchase outdoor furniture and plants our gardens.

This past week April 5 through April 11, the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 68 calls for service. The following is a summary of some of the files our officers responded to.

•On Thursday, April 8, an officer was conducting patrols in Radium Hot Springs when he observed a male walking on Highway 93 who was known to have outstanding warrants for his arrest. The male was arrested without incident and upon searching the male; a pair of brass knuckles were located. The male was released on conditions to attend court at a later date in relation to the warrants and for breaching his previous conditions by possessing a prohibited weapon.

•On Friday, April 9, an officer was conducting speed enforcement on 13 St. in Invermere when he stopped a Chevrolet pickup for speeding. While speaking to the driver, the officer could smell an odour of liquor coming from the driver. The officer read a roadside breath de-

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mand to the driver, who refused to comply with the demand. The driver was issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Driving Prohibition for failing to comply with a demand and his vehicle was impounded for 30-days. The driver was also issued violation tickets for speeding, failing to signal and unsecured load.

•On Sunday, April 11, at about 5:15 a.m. Columbia Valley RCMP attended a single vehicle collision on Highway 93/95 south of Windermere. The driver and lone occupant of a northbound Dodge Durango drove off the road and hit a tree. The driver was uninjured.

•On Sunday, April 11, Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of ongoing unlicensed ATV’s and dirt bikes traveling on the roads in Edgewater. Operators of unlicensed vehicles, including ATV’s and motorcycles, are reminded they may be subject to the following fines if operating on a public roadway: No Driver’s License – Sect. 24(1) of the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) - $276; Drive Without Insurance – Sect. 24(3)(b) MVA - $598; No Number Plate – 13(1)(b) MVA - $109.

RDEK adopts latest financial plan

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

ColumbiaValley

April 15, 2021

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board of directors approved its latest five-year plan at its March meeting.

The plan includes a 2021 operating budget of $37.7 million and a capital budget of slightly more than $14 million. The $37.7 million operating budget represents a 3.2 per cent budget increase for 2021 as compared with 2020, which works out to an extra nine dollar per home in the RDEK (based on an average regional house assessment value of $379,000). The RDEK is reminding residents that the actual amount difference they see in their tax bill will vary quite widely, not just on how much more (or how much less) their home value differs from the average, but also on which RDEK services areas they are (or are not) a part of.

Some of the bigger capital expenditure project entailed in that $14 million 2021 capital budget are right here in the Columbia Vally, including nearly $1.8 mil-

lion for upgrades for the Windermere water system, more than $3.8 million for completion of phase two of Fairmont flood and debris control efforts and phase one of the Cold Spring Creek debris flow mitigation project in Fairmont, and nearly $2 million spent on setting up the RDEK’s three organic composting facilities (one of is slated to be in the Columbia Valley).

The operating budget contained some COVID-19 induced savings, as RDEK spending on training and conventions was reduced by 29 per cent to reflect reduced travel for onsite events during the first half of 2021.

“Every year our board and staff work hard to ensure we are striking a balance between providing quality services to our residents and being mindful of the tax impacts. During this pandemic, there is some uncertainty in terms of what service delivery will look like for 2021, so that has added an additional challenge for us this year,” said RDEK board chair Rob Gay in a press release prior to the adoption of the financial plan. “I’d like to acknowledge the hard work that has gone into this draft plan.”

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April 15, 2021

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 5

Hospital’s Chief of Staff provides update on COVID-19 Invermere & District Hospital Chief talks about COVID-19 variants and addresses community questions

Submitted by Dr. Gareth Mannheimer Chief of Staff for the Invermere & District Hospital Dr. Gareth Mannheimer, Chief of Staff for the Invermere & District Hospital, and a family physician, provides an update on new cases in the Columbia Valley, the spread of COVID-19 variants and answers questions on vaccination.

Hello everyone, it’s been a while since my last update. I know many of us are finding it harder to deal with the fear of contracting this virus, the impacts of social distancing and isolation and constantly changing health orders. It’s a kind of malaise that comes with wondering if it’s been worth the sacrifice, while wishing we were back enjoying normal activities.

Vaccination rollout has been slow. We have suffered numerous challenges ranging from unreliable supply chains, clunky booking systems and message inconsistency around some of the vaccines. There are teams of people working very hard to overcome these obstacles.

New COVID-19 variants are currently outpacing vaccination rates as the third wave shows no signs of slowing down. Over the past few weeks, this has unfortunately and noticeably impacted our community.

Thinking back to over a year ago, we had a lot to feel proud about. We did a great job of following health guidelines, putting others ahead of ourselves and keeping this little piece of heaven we call home – safe. But, I suppose i nescapably, this has changed and not for the better. The recent classification of the Columbia Valley by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to a red zone speaks to many of us loosening up our guard on prevention guidelines. This is an important concept because our infection numbers are not a consequence of any one particular outbreak. COVID-19 is being spread through the region from multiple sources – and, some of these are local. Currently, there are 46 active cases in our region and climbing. Our local and regional facilities are strained. Access to higher levels of care is logistically difficult. This puts us in a precarious position.

Vaccinations are starting to pick up as supply becomes available and reliable, and booking systems are improving with the new online portal www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca.

But, we are nowhere near where we need to be to combat the possible impacts of COVID-19 and its variants.

using over the last year- without exception. This means social distancing, wearing a mask, washing our hands and making the right choices to heed this advice and do our part to keep each other safe as a collective. If you aren’t feeling well, please don’t go to work or school until you have been tested. Isolate until those results are available.

This takes 1-2 days. I do worry about our physical and mental health and I recognize our need to support and nurture one another which includes visiting with our closer community. This is still encouraged, but it must happen safely. Please follow the provincial guidelines recommending this happen outdoors, with limited numbers (which includes the children), standing apart and using the recommended layers of protection.

If you feel you are experiencing anxiety, depression or other mental health challenges, please reach out to us. There are great resources for virtual mental health support during COVID-19 on the gov.bc.ca website. We also have numerous resources for the youth and young adults in our community. These services are available through our community clinics and our teams are keen and willing to share them.

I encourage you to get vaccinated. Vaccination has tragically become an emotionally and politically charged issue, rather than a medical one and conversations about it tend to be confrontational, rather than engaging and collegial. I enjoy the opportunity to share information and ideas, but when these start from a position of pre-determined concrete falsehoods, there tend to be lots of talking, some hearing and no listening. The Canadian data we Map created April 7 by BCCDC are seeing shows good protection against severe disease, hospitalizacause they tend to be far more easily transmissible during tion and mortality in the vaccinated groups, including the same time when many people are softening their pre- for some of the new variants. There are three steps to getvention techniques. There is little doubt this is why our ting vaccinated. Register when it’s your turn. Book an apnumbers have climbed fast over the past few weeks. These pointment. Get the vaccine. With the recent outbreaks, variants also appear to impact younger, healthier people we are actively engaged in advocacy with the B.C. proincluding children, more than the original COVID-19 vincial government to accelerate vaccination, given our virus did. Again, there is no question, this is what we climb in new cases. We want to be able to offer anyone are seeing locally. While we don’t know which variant is over the age of 18 the opportunity to access the vaccine if currently in the Valley, I can confirm we know there is a they would like it. This is a complex process and I hope variant here and we are testing to determine which one. we will be successful in our discussions.

What we do know is to keep safe and minimize our chance of contracting the virus, we should continue to Continued on page 8... follow all provincial orders, restrictions, health guidelines and use all the layers of protection we have been What do we need to do to address COVID-19 variants to stay safe?

Right now, there are three COVID-19 variants of concern in Canada. The first variant of B.1.1.7 was identified in the United Kingdom. The second variant of the B.1.351 strain was detected in South Africa and the third P.1 variant is from Brazil. For context, as of April 8, 2021, there were more than 15,000 confirmed cases of variants in Canada, up from 9,000 on March 30. About three weeks ago, cases of the P.1 variant in Canada were far outnumbered by the 14,790 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant first identified in the U.K. But now, the P.1 variant is charging ahead quickly, particularly in B.C. The reason I’m concerned about these variants is be-

6 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

April 15, 2021

PERSPECTIVE

Hey youth, doing O.K.?

By Camille Aubin camille@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Historical Lens

Online learning, stress, social isolation, and fear of COVID-19 are putting a strain on adolescents’ mental health. Supporting the psychological well-being of youth is urgent.

An analysis by the Canadian Alliance for Student Associations (CASA) reported that more than 70 per cent of students have described themselves as stressed, anxious, or isolated. So at a time when young people need it most, the World Health Organization has reported 75 per cent of school prevention programs and mental health services have stopped or been disrupted all over the world. This is alarming.

Young people often refrain from seeking mental health help for two reasons, according to a release from the B.C. Adolescent Health Survey. They cover up their need for help, first by assuming the problem will simply go away after some time, and second, by not informing their parents of their mental health condition.

Although our community offers fantastic resources and services, it won’t help much if, first and foremost, a substantial majority of young people don’t knock at the door to request these resources and services. How can we assist youths if they aren’t seeking help?

Youths benefit from time spent outdoors. The Adolescent Health Survey indicates that 77 per cent of those youths who frequently or always felt connected to nature indicated that their mental health is good or excellent, as opposed to only 64 per cent of those who rarely or never felt this way.

Help your kids set goals and keep them active! The benefits of sport are clear, however, as many as a third of 2000 youth aged 13 to 24 indicated that they were unsure whether or not they wanted to be involved in sport again after the pandemic, with a fifth stating they are not planning on going back their sport activities when it will be safe to do so.

Another way to help teens could be to incorporate mental-health coping mechanisms into the curriculum. Just like the parts of gym and health classes that teach kids what a healthy body is and what living a healthy life means, teaching a bit about how to maintain positive mental health could make a great difference.

Young people need to know more about mental health issues and treatments to eradicate stigma. It is necessary for those who seek help to know that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It starts with better knowledge and understanding of mental health at large. Moreover, this will enable them to communicate and find out when they or their friends need help. Understanding the nature of anxiety and depression can go a long way in the process of asking for help.

During the last year of the pandemic, 16 per cent of postsecondary students have seriously considered taking their own lives and three per cent have attempted suicide.

Identifying the sources of stress and comprehending how to overcome them successfully is of paramount importance to good mental health.

Rueb Bartman and Gus Alpine with his horse at White Tail (Deer) Lake. They went fisin in the falls of Dutch Creek and Deer Lake.

C2198, 1940s, courtesy Wundermere District Historical Society

STRS’ in Pine Ridge

Dear Editor:

Correction . In the April 8 issue of the Pioneer, a news story about a private land logging operation in the Hardie area west of Columbia Lake incorrectly reported that the landowner of the operation had put a covenant on the creek running through his property. In fact, the landowner is considering placing a covenant on the creek, but has not yet done so. There is no regulatory requirement for such a covenant, meaning the landowner does not have to put a covenant in place, but is considering doing so regardless.

I’d like to correct a misunderstanding respecting STRs in Pine Ridge.

As Rory Hromadnik pointed out Pine Ridge is a mixture of R-1 and R-3A zoning. STRs may be permitted in the Condominiums which are located in R-3A zoning; however, in addition to STRs not being permitted in R-1 zoning, the current Disclosure Document

for those lots prohibits rentals of less than 30 days.

With the current lack of long- term rental accommodation in Invermere, I feel we should not be encouraging shortterm rentals by turning a blind eye, but rather encouraging people to provide more long-term rental accommodation.

Dave Hunt Pine Ridge, Invermere

The Columbia Valley

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2013

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April 15, 2021

Local COVID-19 outbreak

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com The Columbia Valley is the middle of a local COVID-19 outbreak, with cases number spiking dramatically in the past two weeks. As of Saturday, April 10 there were 46 cases of COVID-19, including some variants of concern. The cases are occurring in Columbia Valley residents, not visitors from Alberta as some social media posts have suggested, and the numbers have shot up rapidly in the past fortnight.

Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Doug Clovechok is pressing authorities to make vaccines available to all Columbia Valley residents regardless of age, in order to curb the surging number of cases. A similar community mass-vaccination is already underway in Revelstoke, where vaccinations are being offered to all residents over the age of 18 over the course of April.

“COVID-19 cases in the Columbia Valley are on the rise. The most current information that I have as of tonight is as follows: zero (in) Golden, four (in) Kimberley, 30 plus (in the) Columbia Valley. I can confirm that there are cases linked to two daycares and one elementary school in the Columbia Valley, wrote Clovechok in a Facebook post on Thursday, April 8, adding that the Columbia Valley cases include “variants of concern”. “The primary reason for the rate increase seems to be due to local residents not following the regulations and recommendations of our B.C. provincial health officer.”

Clovechok explained he had talked with B.C. Minister of Health Adrian Dix, asking him to authorize Interior Health staff to schedule vaccine appointments for every resident in the Columbia Valley who wants to be vaccinated regardless of their age.”

Two dates later, in an update to the community, Invermere hospital chief of staff Dr. Gareth Mannheimer wrote “currently, there are 46 active cases in our region and climbing.”

On Tuesday, April 13, Clovechok added that the latest number he was given by health officials was 30 active cases in the Columbia Valley, and that health workers here are testing 33 people a day.

Given the differing numbers cited in the past few days, Clovechok added “I’m only good as the latest number they’ve given me, and that’s the latest number they’ve given me” later also adding that “instead of getting too hung up on the exact number, what we need to focus on is that we do have an outbreak here, there have been a lot of cases in recent weeks, and we need to deal with it.”

In conversation with the Pioneer on Monday, April 12, Clovechok emphasized that “the rising numbers are primarily from different events that should not have occurred,” referencing at least two house parties organized and attended by local valley residents, from which many of the COVID-19 cases stem.

When the Pioneer initially spoke with

Clovechok on Friday, April 9, Dix had not yet gotten back to Clovechok, but Clovechok was optimistic he would hear from the minister soon.

“It is more than a little COVID-19 outbreak and my concern is that we remain vigilant,” Clovechok told the Pioneer. Clovechok reiterated that residents need to follow pandemic protocols: keeping within their bubbles, washing their hands often, staying two metres apart, wearing masks in public, staying home as much as possible, staying home if feeling unwell, and getting tested if having had contact with somebody who has tested positive.

He added that even people who have been fully vaccinated need to be careful as, from what he understands, it is not yet 100 per cent clear that vaccinated people are unable pass on the virus to others even though they themselves are protected.

“Our hospital doesn’t really have the capacity to deal with multiple COVID-19 patients. Calgary is not going to take them (cross-border health care issues ongoing for the past several years have meant B.C. patients almost never go to Calgary, as they often did in the past) and the intensive care unit in Cranbrook is full.

Not with COVID-19 patients, but full with other patients,” said Clovechok. “So where are they (Invermere COVID-19 patients) going to go?”

“House parties and large gatherings have been happening here, and they shouldn’t be,” he said. “We’re not done with this yet folks. We’ve got to stay vigilant.”

Clovechok cited Revelstoke as an example of how a community can band together and halt an outbreak. The community had a surge of COVID-19 cases (as many as 59 at one point, in a town of 8,000 people), but as Clovechok explained residents buckled down and followed the rules stringently, and cases numbers dropped. “Given the numbers we currently have here in our community and our hospital capacity, we need to get needles in people’s arms,” said Clovechok, explaining why he is pressing for the same mass vaccination here as in Revelstoke.

“We don’t want to wait any longer.”

Clovechok added that from what he understands, the COVID-19 cases in the Columbia Valley outbreak have come in the past two weeks in a marked upswing, rather than numbers having steadily risen over a number of weeks.

He strongly urged people to stick to the rules laid out by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, and in particular to stick to their core bubbles, which for most people includes immediate household members only. “Your bubble is not 10 people this weekend and then 10 different people next weekend, and then 10 more the next. It’s not musical chairs here. That won’t help us stop this,” he emphasized.

Continued on page 10...

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 7

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April 15, 2021

Continued “update” from page 5 What about COVID-19 vaccines? Are they safe and effective?

So, let’s address the science. The COVID-19 vaccine is an important and effective step in combating the pandemic to keep us safe personally and collectively. The COVID-19 vaccines approved in Canada, requiring one or two doses provide excellent protection against the COVID-19 virus, preventing up to 95 per cent of infections and serious illness. Every vaccine approved in Canada has undergone rigorous and extensive testing.

Contrary to expectations, science has accomplished the unthinkable and has delivered several vaccines. This is also due to rapid advances in research and vaccine development. No steps have been skipped, particularly in the clinical trial stages. Massive funding, worldwide collaboration of scientists, advances in technology with a responsive industry has enabled vaccines to be developed more quickly. But, maximizing the benefit from vaccination requires numbers in order to be effective in preventing disease in a population. This means the more people who are vaccinated, the harder it is for the disease to spread.

Some approved vaccines have two doses. If you receive a two-dose vaccine, make sure you follow up with the second dose, so it’s effective for the long term. I recognize there is conflict here around dosing schedules. We expect booster doses will be made available to improve outcomes and vaccine effectiveness over the longer term.

Please get vaccinated!

Why should you get a vaccine? How does this protect me?

Ultimately, it’s a personal choice. I got mine. At its core, the reason for you to get a vaccine is simple. Vaccines help our bodies to develop immunity to the virus without us having to suffer the illness. This allows us to protect ourselves, our families and, if enough people get it, potentially entire communities. Different vaccines

work in different ways to offer this protection, but with all types of vaccines, the body is left with a supply of “memory” T-lymphocytes as well B-lymphocytes, which are special cells that will remember how to fight the virus in the future.

Every adult over the age of 18 should get a vaccine.

The vaccines approved so far in Canada have not been tested on children, although clinical trials are underway for those under 18. Once we understand the scientific evidence for populations under 18, the recommendations for vaccination will likely change.

It is recommended the following people consult their doctor to discuss risks and benefits of vaccination. Do not hesitate to reach out to us for questions if you fall into this category: Have a weakened immune system due to medical treatment or disease; Have an autoimmune condition or disease; Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant; Are breastfeeding; Have had a severe allergic reaction to the first dose of the vaccine or any of the ingredients in any of the approved vaccines.

When will I get a vaccine? Why is it taking so long?

I know everyone is trying to being patient. It’s frustrating to know a vaccine is out there for you, but it’s not accessible right now, particularly because of our recent infection rates. Currently in Canada, we don’t have pharmaceutical production capable and sophisticated enough to produce our own vaccine. So, we are buying it. This puts us in a queue with other countries eager to get their vaccine. And so, there are bumps in the road. Vaccine delivery is a complex undertaking. Limited supplies, vaccine storage requirements at sub-zero temperatures and two dose regimens place a massive amount of complexity into the supply chain and the delivery system. We also have to find appropriate staff to administer the vaccines in facilities that do not put anyone who may have an asymptomatic infection at risk.

The priority system chosen by our public health experts in B.C. is to protect the most vulnerable first. In

the Columbia Valley, we have vaccinated approximately 1,600 people so far. The rationale is the older a person is, the greater the risk for severe illness, hospitalization or death. Older people also have more chronic health conditions, which increases their risk further. This is why B.C. has implemented a phased approach.

We are in Phase 3. The schedule is as follows and will change depending on vaccine availability and supply. Many more details are available on the BCCDC website at: http://covid-19.bccdc.ca/. I encourage you to keep watching to know when it’s your turn. Information will be widely shared and updated, so it is timely when it comes for the public to register for vaccines.

Phase 2: February – April: Priority populations not vaccinated in Phase 1; Community based seniors 80 years old; Indigenous seniors at least 65 years old; People 6916 who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable.

Phase 3: April – May: April 14 – 1971 or earlier; April 16 – 1976 or earlier; April 19 – 1981 or earlier; Front-line priority workers.

Phase 4: May – June: Remaining age groups 18 and over in five year increments.

For anyone in previous phases that opted not to get the vaccine, but has changed their minds, they still have the option at any time.

Why are vaccines prioritized for some and not for others? Is the system fair?

People aged 16-74 who are clinically extremely vulnerable will receive a patient invitation letter to be vaccinated. Expert physicians and providers in cancer care, kidney diseases and other immunocompromised conditions have been working with public health and international COVID-19 data to define this list. The work included clinically relevant research by pediatricians for youth aged 16 to 19 and was supported by an ethics expert to ensure the list was fair and equitable.

Public Notice Prescribed Fire Season Is Here!

Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks This spring and fall, Parks Canada plans to conduct the following prescribed fires to improve ecosystem health and protect local communities: 1) Alexandra Valley 4) Porcupine Valley 6) Vermilion Guard 2) Dormer Valley 5) Float Creek 7) Redstreak Mountain 3) Flint’s/Stoney Meadows For more information please visit: parkscanada.gc.ca/prescribed-fires

Avis public C’est la saison des brûlages dirigés!

Parcs nationaux Banff, Yoho et Kootenay Ce printemps et l’automne prochain, Parcs Canada compte réaliser les brûlages dirigés suivants afin d’améliorer l’état de santé de l’écosystème et de protéger les collectivités locales : 1) Vallée de l’Alexandra 2) Vallée de la Dormer 3) Prés Flint’s/Stoney

4) Vallée du Porcupine 5) Secteur du ruisseau Float

6) Ligne d’arrêt Vermilion 7) Mont Redstreak

Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements, consultez le site parcscanada.gc.ca/brulages-diriges

Continued on page 12...

April 15, 2021

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 9

Inspired by May Nature 10 – 16 th

th

Week at a Glance Monday, May 10

Tuesday, May 11

Thursday, May 13

Friday, May 14

Saturday, May 15

• 7:00 am: Birding by Golf Cart with Denise Hoffgaard and Randy Hopkins – 1 hr • 7:30 am: K2 Ranch Birding Excursion with Brian Wesley – 4 hrs • 8:00 am: Wacky Waterbirds! With Cam Gillies – 3hrs • 9:00 am: Backcountry Savvy Part I with Katherine Friedley and Adrian Pery – 3 hrs • 9:00 am: Wetlands Paddle with Columbia Paddle – 2hrs • 10:00 am: Waterfalls and Wetlands with Ron Grams – 5 hrs • 11:00 am: Breathe in the Life Force with Diane Petrinac – 2.5 hrs • 12:30 pm: Forest Therapy, Harmonizing with Nature with Pat Bavin – 3.5 hrs • 1:00 pm: History of the Hot Springs with Fairmont Activity Guide – 1 hr • 2:15 pm: Eagle Float Trip with Fairmont Hot Springs Expert Guide – 2.5 hrs • 3:30 pm: Guided Evening Paddle, Radium to Edgewater with Columbia River Paddle 4.5 hrs • 6:00 pm: Gentle Sunset Yoga with Joan – 1hr

• 5:00 pm: Paddle Lake Lilian with Columbia Valley Paddle – 2 hrs • 6:00 pm: Gentle Sunset Yoga with Joan – 1hr • 6:00 pm: An Edible Forest, Forge with Heather Fischbuch – 2 hrs

• 9:30 am: Invermere to Radium Paddle with BBQ lunch with Columbia River Paddle – 4.5 hrs • 10:00 am Walk & Tour of Columbia Lake by Pontoon Boat – Nancy Wilson, Dave & Donna Rae – 2 hrs • 11:30 am: Eagle Float Trip with Fairmont Hot Springs Expert Guide – 2.5 hr • 12:30 pm: Forest Therapy, Harmonizing with Nature with Pat Bavin – 3.5 hrs • 12:30 pm: When a Butterfly Flaps its Wings – The Story of the Monarch and a search for local butterflies with Rodrigo Solis – 2.5 hrs • 1:00 pm: Mountain Flower Stroll with Fairmont Hot Springs Activity Expert – 1 hr • 1:00 pm: Petal to the Metal with Andrea Petzold – 2 hrs • 1:00 pm: Walk & Tour of Columbia Lake by Pontoon Boat and View of Lake from Lookout – Nancy Wilson, Dave & Donna Rae – 3 hrs • 6:00 pm: Gentle Sunset Yoga with Joan – 1hr • 7:00 pm: Birding Through the Lens with Denise Hoffgaard – 1.5 hrs • 7:00 pm: LIVE ONLINE –Brian Keating – Great Big Nature

• 1:30 pm: NEWHOUSE for a Blue Bird – Kids Come Build Your Own Blue Bird House – with Gavin McKinnon – 2.5 hrs • 2:00 pm: Guided walk through Funtasia with Tanya Chovancak – 1.5 hrs • 3:30 pm: Kids In Nature – Geocaching! – with Blair McFarlane and the Invermere Public Library – 1 hr • 4:00 pm: Part 1 – Upping your Photography Skills in Nature with Ryan Bavin – 4 hrs • 6:00 pm: BIDDING CONCLUDES for the online auction • 8:00 pm: DRIVE IN THEATRE – Presentation “A Penguin Summer” introduction by Alex Taylor and movie: Bird of Prey. – 3 hrs

• 1:00 pm: Birth of a River – Colin Cartwright – 2 hrs • 1:00 pm: Think Like a Bear – Tactics and Tools for Safe Travel in Bear Country with Alex Taylor 2 hrs • 2:00 pm: Awakening with Nature with Dean Nicholson – 2 hrs • 2:00 pm: Finding the Balance: an Exploration of the Wilmer National Wildlife Area with Wildsight – 2 hrs • 2:00 pm: Kids In Nature – On a Biodiversity Treasure Hunt with Ellen Wilker – 1 hr • 2:30 pm: Kids In Nature Microscope Explore and Sketch with Blair McFarlane, Invermere Public Library & Mary Harding – 1.5 hrs • 3:30 pm: Practice – The Art of Horseback Archery: Demonstration and basic archery lesson with Doug Goodwin, Luraina Oddy, Joseph Szujker, Tanya Chovancak – 1.5 hrs • 6:00 pm: Gentle Sunset Yoga with Joan – 1hr • 7:00 pm: KEYNOTE LIVE ONLINE – Alex Taylor – The Wonder of a Penguin Summer.

Tuesday, May 11 • 7:00 am: Beavers and Birds: Ecological Relationships in the Wetlands with Annette Luttermann, MES PhD – 3 hrs • 7:00 am: Birding by Golf Cart with Denise Hoffgaard and Randy Hopkins – 1 hr • 8:00 am: It’s “Skookum” Birding Excursion with Brian Wesley – 4 hrs • 8:00 am: Wander Wilmer Wetlands With Your Camera – and Pat Morrow – 3 hrs • 8:45 am: Eagle Float Trip with Fairmont Hot Springs Expert Guide – 2.5 hr • 9:00 am: Hike the Ceiling of the Valley with Adrian Pery – 6 hrs • 9:00 am: Gentle Sunrise Tai Chi with Joan – 1 hr • 9:30 am: I Look Up, She Looks Down with Don Delaney and Kathleen Mpulubusi – 3 hrs •10:00 am: The Spilli wetlands and the vistas of the Bugaboos with Nola Alt – 3 hrs • 10:00 am: Thunder Hill Mine Tour with Colin Cartwright – 3 hrs • 1:00 pm: Hoodoo Hike with Patricia Martin – 2 hrs • 1:00 pm: Petal to the Metal with Andrea Petzold – 2 hrs • 2:00 pm: A Stream Through Time: Sinclair Creek Greenway with Ross MacDonald – 2 hrs

Wednesday, May 12 • 7:00 am: Birding by Golf Cart with Denise Hoffgaard and Randy Hopkins – 1 hr • 8:00 am: “Edgewater Wander” Birding Excursion with Brian Wesley – 3 hrs • 8:45 am: Eagle Float Trip with Fairmont Hot Springs Expert Guide – 2.5 hr • 9:00 am: Backcountry Savvy Part 2 With Katherine Friedley and Adrian Pery – 2 hrs • 9:00 am: Columbia Wetlands Hike with Doug Yukes - 3 hrs • 9:00 am: Wetlands Paddle – with Columbia River Paddle – 2 hrs • 9:00 am: Living an Active Life Like You’re 40 at 60 – and beyond! With Lynn Martel – 3.5 hrs • 10:00 am: Tectonic Origin of the Rocky Mountain Trench with Ron Grams– 4 hrs • 10:00 am: What does Biodiversity do for our Food? with Dale Wilker & Ellen Wilker – 1.5 hrs • 11:00 am: Heart of the Wetlands Meditation with Tracy Grams – 2.5 hrs • 1:00 pm: History of the Hot Springs with Denise Hoffgaard – 1.5 hrs • 1:00 pm: Breathe in the Life Force with Diane Petrinac – 2.5 hrs • 1:00 pm: An Edible Forest, Forge with Heather Fischbuch – 2 hrs • 2:30 pm: You Belong Among the Wildflowers – with Kathleen Mpulubusi – 2 hrs • 6:00 pm: Gentle Sunset Yoga with Joan – 1hr

Thursday, May 13 • 7:00 am: Birding by Golf Cart with Denise Hoffgaard and Randy Hopkins – 1 hr • 8:00 am: “Simpson Saunter” Hike with Joan Gallaway and Brian Wesley – 4 hrs • 8:00 am: Meet the Birds of the Columbia Wetlands in Parson with Rachel Darvill – 1.5 hrs • 9:00 am: Columbia River Paddle with Fairmont Hot Springs Expert Guide – 2 hrs • 9:30 am: I Look Up, She Looks Down – Don Delaney and Kathleen Mpulubusi – 3 hrs

New for 2021! Inspired by Nature photo contest.

Enter photos online to help celebrate our connection to this valley.

3 categories, many cool prizes Contest starts April 10.

Visit website for details.

Friday, May 14 • 7:00 am: Birding by Golf Cart with Denise Hoffguaard and Randy Hopkins – 1 hr • 8:00 am: Finding the surprises... with Cam Gillies – 3.5 hrs • 8:00 am: The Columbia Lake Spirit Trail Loop with Paul Pritchard & Charmaine Dittrick 4 hrs • 8:45 am: Eagle Float Trip with Fairmont Hot Springs Expert Guide – 2.5 hr • 9:30 am: Stories of Ice from Canadian Rockies Glaciers with Lynn Martel – 5 hrs • 10:00 am: Birding by Bike: With Denise Hoffgaard – 3 hrs • 10:00 am: NEWHOUSE for a Blue Bird – Kids Come Build Your Own Blue Bird House with Gavin McKinnon – 2.5 hrs • 10 am: When a Butterfly Flaps its Wings – The Story of the Monarch and a search for local butterflies with Rodrigo Solis – 2.5 hrs • 10:30 am: Flowers 101 – Flower Identification Basics with Mary Harding – 2 hrs • 1:00 pm: Old Coach Trail Interpretive Walk with Ross MacDonald – 4 hrs • 1:00 pm: Breathe in the Life Force with Diane Petrinac – 2.5 hrs

Saturday, May 15 • 7:00 am: Birding by Golf Cart with Denise Hoffgaard and Randy Hopkins – 1 hr • 8:00 am: Kootenay Park ‘Saturday Birding’ with Brian Wesley – 4 hrs • 8:30 am: The Birds of Wasa Lake & Bummer Flats with Dean Nicholson – 4 hrs • 8:45 am: Eagle Float Trip with Fairmont Hot Springs Expert Guide – 2.5 hr • 9:00 am: Wetlands Paddle with Cam Gillies – 2 hrs • 9:00 am: Part 2 – Upping your Photography Skills in Nature with Ryan Bavin – 6 hrs • 9:30 am: Invermere to Radium Paddle with BBQ lunch for ages 16 to 21 with Columbia River Paddle – 5 hrs • 9:30 am: Kids In Nature Backyard Biome with Jessie King – 2 hrs • 9:30 am: I Look Up, She Looks Down – Don Delaney and Kathleen Mpulubusi – 3 hrs • 10:00 am: Inspired by Nature to Ride Sustainably With Steve Goodall and Ron Thiele. – 2 hrs • 10:00 am: The Spilli wetlands and the vistas of the Bugaboos with Nola Alt – 3 hrs • 10:00 am: Flowers 101 – Flower Identification Basics with Mary Harding – 2 hrs • 10:00 am: Birding by Bike: With Denise Hoffgaard – 3 hrs • 11:00 am: Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Lake Windermere with Columbia River Paddle. – 2hrs • 12:30 pm: When a Butterfly Flaps its Wings – The Story of the Monarch and a search for local butterflies with Rodrigo Solis – 2.5 hrs

Sunday, May 16 • 8:00 am: Kootenay Park ‘Sunday Birding’ with Brian Wesley – 4 hrs • 9:00 am: Paddle in the Columbia River Wetlands with Columbia River Paddle – 2 hrs • 10:00 am: Think Like a Bear – Tactics and Tools for Safe Travel in Bear Country with Alex Taylor – 1.5 hrs • 10:00 am: The Birds of Wasa Lake & Bummer Flats with Dean Nicholson – 4 hrs • 11:00 am: The Juniper/Redstreak Loop in Radium Hot Springs with Paul Pritchard and Charmaine – 3 hrs • 11:30 am: Kayaking 101 – for ages 16 to 21 with Columbia River Paddle – 2 hrs • 1:00 pm: History of the Fairmont Hot Springs with an Activity Expert – 1 hr • 1:00 pm: Wilderness Knowledge: Bear Aware with a Fairmont Hot Springs Activity Expert – 1 hr • 2:00 pm: Eagle Float Trip with Fairmont Hot Springs Expert Guide – 2.5 hrs • 2:30 pm: Mountain Flower Stroll with Fairmont Hot Springs Activity Expert – 1 hr • 6:00 pm: Gentle Sunset Yoga with Joan – 1hr *** Events are subject to change, visit website for any updates

Registration Opens Friday, April 16 at 9:00 am Visit our Website for event information and registration.

www.WingsOverTheRockies.org

“Be Inspired throughout the festival with on demand video presentations featuring nine excellent presenters”

10 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

A Love of the Land

The turbulent times that define our current experience is not one we want to find ourselves in, but they are times that often shape art, an exBy Casja Fredin pression of our truest emotions. OfExecutive director ten healing, sometimes maddening, I have always thought one of the most wonderful things about art, is its ability to help us tap in and stay the course, to find the beauty in the everyday. Our current exhibition at Pynelogs, A Love of the Land, features the retrospective work of Alan J. Witherspoon, a local artist that many might not know, as he spent much of his life and career as a geological engineer exploring the furthest Valley peaks and forests doing early survey work. It was also where he found his artistic inspiration and personal comfort. While his analytical mind was technical in approach, his brushstrokes reveal a softer side, endlessly searching for the perfect medium and tone through constant study and practice. Ink sketches, colorful watercolors, bold oil paintings, and sculptural woodwork-

OLD COACH TRAIL DUST CONTROL APRIL 26 The Trail will be temporarily closed until noon on Monday April 26 for dust control, weather permitting.

COLIN PEET Columbia Valley Rec. Services Superintendent 250-342-6712 or cpeet@rdek.bc.ca

1-888-478-7335 | www.rdek.bc.ca

Join The Live Stream Beginner Yoga Challenge Brought to you by your local yoga studio Mountain Home Yoga (yogamh.ca) This is your chance to give a yoga a try. Beginning Yoga can be hard. There’s not enough time, you don’t know exactly what to do, you’re not flexible, you’re not strong and it can be difficult to stick with something long enough to see the benefits. Your local Yoga studio wants you to succeed with learning the basics of yoga.

Enjoy 29 Days of Yoga with us via live stream classes and videos from April 19-May 17th. All Classes and videos are approximately 1/2 hour in Length. Live Stream classes are available to attend through Zoom on Mondays and Fridays at 6:30 am. Videos will be provided each of the 29 days.

Participants can choose whether they want to show up for Live Stream classes and/or stick with the videos. Included is an invite to a Q & A, where all students can attend and ask any questions about yoga and practice on the evening of May 16th at 5:30 pm.

9

Cost: $ 99

To sign up please email us: hello@yogamh.ca or call 250-270-0056

Just a reminder… The classified deadline is 12 noon Friday.

ing on a hand-built lathe from bike parts, all meticulously strategized and documented, offer a uniquely personal look into the working practice of a man who revered the inspired solitude of the natural world around him. A Love of the Land takes us into Alan’s mind while also allowing us to see his beauty in the everyday. Inspired by the community that helped him, Alan’s dedication to studying the arts is reflected through his continuing contribution to the future of the artists in the Columbia Valley with the Alan J Witherspoon Memorial Arts fund, administered through the Columbia Valley Community Foundation. Applications are open until May 15 and available online at: www.valleyfoundation.com.

We are pleased to offer hard copies of the application at Pynelogs. While we continue to welcome people to the gallery at this time, this exhibit will also be featured virtually; follow us along on Instagram and Facebook @columbiavalleyarts as we tell Alan’s story. The gallery is open from 11-4 Tuesday through Saturday. For further information, email us at: info@columbiavalleyarts.com.

April 15, 2021 Continued “outbreak” from page 7 “The Columbia Valley has done a great job keeping cases down right up until now. Revelstoke has shown you can knock an outbreak down if people follow the rules. We can do that here.

We can get back to zero. But to do that, we have to — absolutely have to — follow the rules.”

Invermere mayor Al Miller concurred with Clovechok’s comments. “It’s time to really buckle down and make sure everybody is extra responsible when it comes to masks, distancing and other protocols,” Miller told the Pioneer, adding there’s no need for whole families to be in grocery stores when one person can go.“Stick to the rules,” said Miller. “Now is not the time to be travelling or having a party or large gathering. It’s never been time for that, actually, but now more than ever we need to respect the protocols put in place to keep vulnerable people safe. Stay local, support local (businesses), be respectful, be kind.”

April 15, 2021

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 11

Kathi Shaw sewn 3000 masks for our community

Do you have a credible business opportunity but can’t get conventional financing?

Our Impact Investment Fund provides loans to First Nations organizations, social enterprises, non-profits and businesses. ourtrust.org/iif Kathi Shaw (right) and her husband Wayne Shaw (left).

By Dorothy Isted Special to the Pioneer When community minded Kathi Shaw, a valley resident from the age of five, read Chief of Staff for the Invermere & District Hospital, Dr. Mannheimer’s letter asking for people to make masks at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, she decided to volunteer.

Little did she know that a year later, she would have sewn 3000 masks, which have been distributed free by stores in the Columbia Valley. 3000 and counting.

In 2010, while participating in an Invermere clean-up day called Pitch-In, she was bitten by a tick. She became ill but was not diagnosed with Lyme Disease until the following year. Kathi says she was lucky, as she had developed a big red circle, which helped doctors decide what her condition was. Not all people with Lyme Disease have this symptom, and it makes it hard to diagnose conclusively. Illness forced her to leave her 35-year career at the Bank of Montreal in Invermere and also give up her volunteer jobs, like coaching girl’s softball and Loop the Lake.

In spite of the current isolation society is experiencing now, having been ill for a decade, Kathi says her circumstances didn’t change much. She said, “I really miss people, but when COVID-19 hit, I was used to it.”

When her daughter was in dance, she

Photo by Kindra Shaw

used to sew a lot of costumes and realized this was something she could do. Her limit one year ago was two masks per day.

But she had a six-month course of treatments which helped Kathi to feel better, and now she makes between 50 to 100 per week, depending on how many outof-town doctor appointments she has to attend.

Starting with patterns obtained through Volunteer Columbia Valley, she later found a few on the internet. She uses five different patterns now, made from donated material. In the evenings, she cuts out and pins the masks, sewing them in the daytime.

In Invermere, Valley Foods, Lambert-Kipp Pharmacy and Pharmasave distribute her masks for free. It is important for Kathi that others know the masks are available for them. She thinks she is the last valley person making them in our community. Also, if there are people with “some extra cotton kicking around at home,” she could use it to make sewing masks.

Regarding her new occupation, Kathi said, “It gives me a purpose, because when you’re stuck at home and not well, you feel pretty useless. When I see someone wearing one of my masks, it makes me feel really good. It really has helped me feel like I’m doing something useful for my community.”

Jump into Spring with some very fun fashions from

La Galeria II A Unique Shopping Experience LOTS of new, colorful inventory.

Fairmont Plaza, 5 5019 Fairmont Resort Rd. 250-345-6807 • Open Daily

Birdhouses completed and on display for public viewing and voting.

Pictures of birdhouses will be posted on Invermere BC Events Facebook page for public voting.

12 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer Continued “update” from page 8 Please review this list and determine if you are eligible for an earlier vaccine: Solid organ transplant recipients; People with specific cancers including of the blood or bone marrow such as leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma who are at any stage of treatment; People with cancer undergoing chemotherapy; People with lung cancer who are undergoing radical radiotherapy; People having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer; People having other targeted cancer treatments that can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors; People who have had bone marrow or stem-cell transplants in the last six months or who are taking immunosuppression drugs; People with severe respiratory conditions, including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; People with rare diseases that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as severe combined immunodeficiency, homozygous sickle cell disease); People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection (biologic modifiers, highdose steroids, AZT, cyclophosphamide); People who had a splenectomy (spleen removed); Adults with very significant development disabilities that increase risk (details to come from the health ministry); Adults on dialysis or with chronic kidney disease (Stage 5); Women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired; Significant neuromuscular conditions requiring respiratory support.

If you feel you have a condition not on this list that warrants access to an earlier vaccine, please contact your physician or one of our clinics to review this with your clinician. We have the knowledge and insight to motivate you for vaccination. We want to help you.

Over the past year, I have received a considerable amount of correspondence from the community at large.

I apologize for not being able to address these individu-

April 15, 2021 ally, but to be honest, I have simply not had the time nor capacity. Having read and considered each one, please know I have contemplated every word. Here are a few common recurring questions and quick answers to them.

Q: Are our local cases because of an influx of out of community travellers including out of province and international visitors?

A: This is hard to answer. We are doing a good job of contact tracing. Certainly, while some cases do originate from out of town, it’s hard to know if those are from out of towners travelling here or us travelling out of town and bringing it back. As with everything in life, both scenarios are probably true. Certainly, the community spread that we are seeing can only come about as a consequence of relaxing our prevention vigilance.

Q: I heard the COVID-19 vaccine causes more deaths than the COVID-19 virus and is this true?

A: No, it doesn’t, that is ridiculous.

Q: I have heard or read the vaccine causes a COVID-19 infection?

A: No, it doesn’t. It typically takes a few weeks after vaccination for the body to produce immunity. Therefore, it’s possible a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and then get sick because the vaccine did not have enough time to produce protection. Sometimes, after vaccination, the process of building immunity can cause symptoms such as fever, pain or fatigue. These are normal symptoms and a sign the body is building immunity, not that it’s being infected.

Q: Why would you get the vaccine if it doesn’t protect you or others from contracting the virus?

A: There is robust data to support the argument the current vaccines protect those getting vaccinated and those around them. I think this question keeps coming

up because there is still a small possibility of spreading the virus if you are vaccinated, but it’s considerably less than if you were not vaccinated.

Q: If I had the virus why do I need a vaccine?

A: There are many cases of people who have contracted the virus more than once. We don’t know how long the innate immunity from contracting the virus offers.

Also, getting vaccinated not only protects you, but also those around you, so it’s more widely beneficial. The data we have on the vaccinated population is very encouraging. While it may not seem palatable to many, it’s the best option available to help us protect our vulnerable neighbours and to ensure our healthcare system functions for those that need it for other reasons.

Q: All this masking isn’t making a difference and why should I wear one?

A: Negative. Categorically untrue. There is no doubt that face masks when used appropriately combined with other preventative measures slow the spread of the virus.

In conclusion, I know you are weary of making sacrifices, enduring restrictions and waiting your turn for a vaccine. The recent community surge of infections has added fear and anxiety to our already blistered psyche.

We continue to work hard to understand new developments, protect and treat our community and motivate many to expand our vaccination program. Access to reliable numbers is harder than it sounds, and while I know we could do better, we do try to provide transparency about new cases and risks.

Essentially though, the ultimate burden of preventing the spread of this infection around our community still lies with each and every member within it. The infections may possibly come from far and wide, but they are still spread among us because of us.

Take the survey to tell us how you’re doing and help B.C. recover. www.bccdc.ca/covid19survey

Your Story

Our Future TAKE THE

COVID-19 SPEAK Survey

W h a t’ s HAPPENING

April 15, 2021

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 13

HAVE A VOICE IN FUTURE SENIOR HOUSING

If you love living in the Columbia Valley and want to make sure that housing options exist in your retirement and beyond, we need your response to this survey:

www.generationhomesinvermere.com

in the Columbia Valley

Thursday, April 15

Monday, April 19

• Wander Wise: Adventure Essentials Course by Women Who Wander. Join us for the quintessential guidebook to becoming an independent badass outdoor explorer. www.facebook.com/events/2890296157925468.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/wander-wise-adventure-essentials-course-tickets-141896701855 • 9 am: Strong Start at Martin Morigeau. Please email any questions or to reserve your space at skalesnikoff@cbal.org or call 250-409-4251.

• 9 am: Thrift Store Donation Drop-offs, Lakeview Parking Lot, Invermere.

Housewares etc in boxes and clothing only in garbage bags if possible.

• 9:30 am: Momfit. Moms are invited to join a weekly morning workout, hosted by Invermere’s Momfit & Preschool Play Group. Kid-friendly! Due to COVID-19 restrictions, sessions are held via Zoom.

• 3:30 –9 pm: Invermere’s Summit Youth Hub Centre welcomes Columbia Valley kids Grade 6/7 (Curry) + Grade 11 to drop by for free fun, games, music and much more. Please note the cohort schedule and follow the centre’s guidelines. www.facebook.com/summityouthcentre

• 10-6 pm: Bottle Drive: Rotary Fundraiser. the Rotary Club collects refundable bottles and cans at the Invermere Transfer Station. Drop off your bottles at the designated bin near exit. We sort and deliver for refund - this money goes “right back into the community” through our Projects and Initiatives.

• 10:30 am: Rhyme Time by Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy. If you are a parent or caregiver of a child under 2 years old, come and learn some fun songs, rhymes and stories with us! Email skalesnikoff@cbal. org for the Zoom link.

• 5 –9 pm: Strong Start at Eileen Madson Primary School, Invermere.

Please email any questions or to reserve your space at skalesnikoff@ cbal.org or call 250-409-4251.

Friday, April 16 • 9 am: Strong Start at Edgewater Elementary. Please email any questions or to reserve your space at skalesnikoff@cbal.org or call 250-409-4251.

• 10:30 am: Virtual Story Time by the Invermere Public Library. Tune in each Friday morning at 10:30 am for live stories and songs! Find the videos on our Facebook page. Find a craft kit at the front door of the library each week after story time! Aimed at preschool age, but all are welcome to tune in!

• 1:30 –7 pm: Invermere’s Summit Youth Hub Centre welcomes Columbia Valley kids Grade 8 ans 12 to drop by for free fun, games, music and much more. Please note the cohort schedule and follow the centre’s guidelines. www.facebook.com/summityouthcentre • Bingo Online – 6:00 streaming on Face Book. Go to ‘Rotary Community Online Bingo’ for playing instructions, and buy cards at https://folden-rotary.myshopify.com

Saturday, April 17 • 10 am - 3pm: Hospice Swims the Lake! On July 8th 2021, 7 am three brave Hospice volunteer swimmers will leave Lakeshore Campground to James Chabot Beach in Invermere. To add to the fun of the challenge, The Hospice Society will sell Raffle Tickets, starting April 3rd until July 3rd (or sold out) every Saturday at Home Hardware from 10 to 3. Tickets are as follows: 1 for $10, 3 for $20. Visit www.hospicesocietycv.com for a complete list of prizes and donors.

Sunday, April 18 • 10-6 pm: Bottle Drive: Rotary Fundraiser. the Rotary Club collects refundable bottles and cans at the Invermere Transfer Station. Drop off your bottles at the designated bin near exit. We sort and deliver for refund - this money goes “right back into the community” through our Projects and Initiatives.

Hospice

Swims the Lake

GRAND PRIZE 4 nights stay and 1 welcome dinner at SLR K2 Ranch.

Tuesday, April 21 • #Online: Basin Youth Networking Workshop. Interested in learning new skills to support your job search? Check out a Basin Youth Network Job Readiness workshop in your area! Follow this link to register: https://kcds.ca/basin-youth-network-registrations. For youth age 14-17.

• 9 am: Strong Start at Edgewater Elementary. Please email any questions or to reserve your space at skalesnikoff@cbal.org or call 250409-4251.

• 3:30 –9 pm: Invermere’s Summit Youth Hub Centre welcomes Columbia Valley kids Grade 6/7 (P&A) + Grade 9 to drop by for free fun, games, music and much more. Please note the cohort schedule and follow the centre’s guidelines. www.facebook.com/summityouthcentre

A value of $2,500

Other Major Prizes • • • •

List of Prizes • • • • •

Wednesday, April 22 • 9 am: Strong Start at Eileen Madson Primary School, Invermere.

Please email any questions or to reserve your space at skalesnikoff@ cbal.org or call 250-409-4251.

• 9 am: Thrift Store Donation Drop-offs, Lakeview Parking Lot, Invermere. Housewares etc in boxes and clothing only in garbage bags if possible.

• 10:30 -11:30 am: Seniors & Elders Catch – Family Dynamix hosts a Catch-up Cafe for the Columbia Valley every Wednesday morning on ZOOM for those isolated and unable to get out as much because of COVID-19. Contact Tricia at patkin@familydynamix.ca for safe login instructions. Even if you are unfamiliar with ZOOM video conferencing, we can help you get inexpensive internet and get you logged on!

• 3:30 –9 pm: Invermere’s Summit Youth Hub Centre welcomes Columbia Valley kids Grade 6/7 (P&A) + Grade 9 to drop by for free fun, games, music and much more. Please note the cohort schedule and follow the centre’s guidelines. www.facebook.com/summityouthcentre

Have your event added by visiting www.cvevents.ca or email info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Banff Springs Hotel ($400), Brunch at Banff Park Lodge ($170), Dinner at Touloulou’s Restaurant ($250) For a total value of $820 Nipika Mountain Resort, Guided paddle on Kootenay River – $600 McDonald’s Law Corp., Estate Planning $500 Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, 2 nights stay and 1 golf game $540

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Fusion Wellness Spa — $200 Smokehouse 93 — $100 Sobeys Invermere — $300 Avenue, Summit Footwear and Inside Edge — $150 1 painting from Leslie Cartwright — $150 Home Hardware any purchase in store — $150 Crossroads Esso purchase of card — $100 Valley Fitness Centre 1 – 10 hole Punch Pass — $162 Valley Zipline Adventures ($84) and Scootin’ Kootenay Segway ($79) –f $163 Horsethief Pub — $100 Hoodoos Resort – Gas valued at 50 and Lucky Gas valued at 50 — $100 Family Chiropractic 2 orthopedic pillows — $120 Tim Hortons – Gift Basket — $100 St Eugene’s Mission Golf and Stay 1 night stay and on 18 holes golf game for 2 people including cart — $349 Kicking Horse Coffee ($100) and Winderberry & Edible Acres ($50) — $150 Fairmont Mountain Side Grocery ($50) and Healing Forest Walk w Pat Bavin ($50) — $100 Lakeside Bike Co. Free Level 1 Tuneup — $100 Spur Valley Golf – 4 people — $120 Columbia Paddle Kayak and Canoe Rental 4 hour paddle for 4 people — $190 Paradise Lodge 1 night stay for 2 people 1/2 price for second night available — $325

• • • • • • • • • •

Pandora Bracelet and Bead in Banff 1 Bracelet — $240 2 Stain Glass Lanterns from Ceasar – Canal Flats — $200 Eagle Ranch Golf – 18 Holes – 2 people including cart — $240 Warwick Interior Décor — $100 Windermere Valley Golf – 18 Holes – 4 including cart — $204 Bootleg Gap – 18 Holes – 2 people w/ cart Monday thru Thursday only — $120 Golden Golf Club – 18 Holes – 2 people — $120 1 Metal or Wood Art – Bill Dorschuck — $200 1 Painting – Win Kemper — $100 Canadian Mountain Holidays — Therm-ic Socks — $320 Rona Hardware ($50) and AG Valley Foods ($150) — $200 Riverview B & B – Fairmont – 1nt King Suite – Arrival Dinner & Hot Breakfast — $200 Canadian Tire – 1 Inflatable Kayak — $300 Pete’s Marina – 2 Hour Rental Pontoon Boat — $400 Valley Coffee Co. ($50), From Scratch Restaurant ($50), La Galleria ($50) and Purple Cow Gift Shop ($25) — $175.00 ULLR Bar 100 — $100, Station Pub restaurant — $25 — $125 Sobeys — $203 Copper Point Golf Course 2 rounds at the Ridge — $196 Black Forest Steak & Schnitzel Haus Gift Certificate value $100 and Columbia

Hospice • •

Swims the Lake • • • • • • •

If you have a residence in BC you can purchase tickets online.

Visit www.hospicesocietycv.com

14 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

April 15, 2021

HERE TO SERVE YOU

BUSINESS OF THE WEEK

CONCRETE

BUSINESS OF THE WEEK

Products and Services Available 7 Days a Week Concrete Sales ~ Concrete Pump ~ Sand and Gravel Sales

CO NC RE T E

Brand Scrubbers is your one-stop-shop for web design, social media engagement, online business management and so much more! These Columbia Valley locals listen and work with you to achieve your online goals and set you up for digital success!

250-341-7474

We have worked with Brand Scrubbers and they are a 2021 Chamber Champion. They can be found at: www.cvchamber.ca

• Foundations to Finishing • Flat Work • Driveways • Patios • Stamped and Exposed Aggregate Concrete • Sidewalks • Garages • Foundations • Excavation • Site Preparation • Utility Installation

Electrical and Bedding Sand ~ $9/tonne • Ready Mix Concrete • Commercial concrete sealer • Concrete Pumping retarder for exposed • Over 50 colours available aggregate and in stock • DELIVERED ON TIME • Concrete stamps for rent at a fair price • Full range of coloured release • Full range of sand and agents for stamping gravel products.

Phone: 250-342-5833 • Cell: 250-270-9444 JOIN YOUR CHAMBER AND REAP THE REWARDS! P. 250-342-2844 E. membership@cvchamber.com

All products are available at 9120, Hwy 93/95 which is five kilometres north of Tim Hortons

CONCRETE

READY MIX CONCRETE

Columbia Concrete Inc.

Concrete Pump • Sand & Gravel Heavy Equipment Rentals • Crane Service

20 years’ experience • Anything concrete!

Proudly Serving the Valley for over 50 years

• • • •

Basements Garage pads Driveways Patios

• • • •

WE RESEAL CONCRETE

250-688-3739

Serving the Columbia Valley

CARPET CLEANING Enjoy life, we’ll clean it up!

Call NOW:

For competitive prices and prompt service, call: 250-342-3268 (plant) 250-342-6767 (office)

Decorative Exposed Stamped concrete Acid staining

• Carpets dry in 1 hour • Environmentally friendly products • Disinfectant kills COVID-19 • Fresh clean scent – no steam • Area rugs and upholstery • Protector • 100% guarantee • Prompt reliable service Visit www.heavensbest.com for more information

250-688-0213

CONTRACTING

Big Cat Painting For all your painting needs!

250-688-9418 • www.bigcatpainting.ca Serving the East Kootenay area!

DESIGN BUILD

New Homes, Renovations, Additions, & Kitchens

RR#4 2117–13 Ave. Invermere, BC V0A 1K4

P U R S U I T

O F

EXCELLENCE Skandia Concrete • Manufacturers & suppliers of quality concrete & gravel products • Experienced, professional operators and the right equipment to get your job done • Serving the valley for over 30 years

• Environmentally responsible • Steamed aggregate beds for top quality year-round concrete supply • We stand behind our service, quality and products

1756 Hwy 93/95 Windermere B.C. Office: 250-342-6500 • Toll Free: 1-888-341-2221

CONTRACTING

TILE AND GROUT CLEANING Business: 250-342-9692

I N

Cell: 250-342-1273

ptarmiganrugclean@gmail.com

N E W S PA P E R

For all your advertising needs, call 250-341-6299

Paul Aubrecht, Dipl. Arch. SAIT

250-341-8646

houzz.com/pro/paulaubrecht paulaubrecht.houzz.com

Established since 1993

• Project Management • Architectural Design • Interior Design • Building Permits

• Trusses • Engineered Floors • Wall Panels Tel: 250.341.6075 Fax: 250.341.3427 Email: info@duskbuildingsystems.com www.duskbuildingsystems.com

1320 Industrial Road #3 Box 159, Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0

April 15, 2021

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 15

HERE TO SERVE YOU CONTRACTING

CONTRACTING

Kekuli Bay Cabinetry

CONTRACTING

INTERIOR • EXTERIOR • WALL COVERINGS

Gary’s

Seniors Discounts

kekulibaycabinetry.com

Specializing in all heating, electric, gas and wood.

• Fireplaces • Commercial and residential • New builds • Renovations.

Professional Painting & Decorating Ltd. 1978 CUSTOM WOOD FINISHING FAUX FINISHES JOURNEYMAN RED SEAL

FREE Estimates

We also offer roundthe-clock service calls.

A licensed, registered and bonded company

403-650-4622 • garysptg@gmail.com

Give us a call! James, 250-688-1267 or Jerry, 250-342-5299 Email: jeffersoncontractingltd@gmail.com

INSURANCE

INSURANCE

• Authorized dealer • Designer • Installer

Dale Elliott Contracting

25 years experience installing cabinets Custom Woodwork and Finishing Serving the Columbia Valley for over 40 years.

INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD.

dale@decontracting.ca • 250-341-7098 Patryk Jagiello

www.kootenayinsurance.ca

STAIN/LACQUER/PAINT INTERIOR/EXTERIOR

BOX 459 7553 MAIN STREET RADIUM HOT SPRINGS, BC V0A 1M0 P: 250-347-9350 F: 250-347-6350 TOLL FREE: 1-866-342-3031

LANDSCAPING

patco_dev@shaw.ca

(250) 270-0345 in Calgary since 2002 in Invermere since 2004

THE COLUMBIA VALLEY’S TREE CARE SPECIALISTS WINDERMERE, BC 250-341-7029

Patco Developments Ltd. PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS

There’s a new ‘Sucker’ in town!

Vacuum/ Septic tank pumping

Slurpy

BOX 2228 742 - 13th STREET INVERMERE, BC V0A 1K0 P: 250-342-3031 F: 250-342-6945 info@lambertinsurance.ca

P.O. Box 130 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Office: 250-342-2175 • Fax: 250-342-2669 Cindy.mackay@kootenayinsurance.ca

GET YOUR QUOTE AT WWW.GREENLEAFTREE.CA INFO@GREENLEAFTREE.CA

R O O T E D I N T H E C O L U M B I A VA L L E Y S I N C E 2 0 0 7

Registered ROWP Serving all areas from Wasa to Golden

SERVICES

SERVICES

MOUNTAIN RIDGE HYDROVAC & SEWER 250-342-1502 • 250-342-1551

SERVICES (Servicing the Valley since 1999)

• Patches • Driveways • Crack Sealing • Parking Lots • Roads • And more!

GOLDEN, BC 250-344-0188

NEW SEWER CAMERA

• Septic Tank Pumping • Portable Toilet Rentals

• A well maintained septic system • Complete sewer/drain repairs should be pumped every 2-3 years • Reasonable rates – Seniors’ discount • Avoid costly repairs • Speedy service – 7 days a week

Kootenay Paving

Bruce Dehart 250.347.9803 or 250.342.5357

Spring Cleaning • Lawn Maintenance Serving the Valley for over 20 years!

Commercial Residential

Fully Insured

Everett Frater Enterprises Cell: 250-342-5645 • efrater@telus.net

• Interior/Exterior Painting • Staining • Clear Coat • New Construction • Renovations

Toll Free 1-888-341-2221

Kootenay Paving Toll Free 1-888-341-2221

Call now for a free quote!

Locally operated, with full-time staff to serve you better.

1756 Hwy 93/95, Windermere, B.C. V0B 2L2 Phone: 250-342-6500 • Fax: 250-342-3484

HOW WE ROLL

Gerard Rehman 4950 Hot Springs Rd. Fairmont Hot Springs, B.C. V0B 1L1

Ph: 250-688-ROLL (7655) LetUsRoll4U@Gmail.com

20 years experience • Satisfaction guaranteed!

Scott Postlethwaite

Residential, Commercial Electric Furnace and Hot Water Tank Repair and Service For All Your Electrical Needs

Free Estimates

invermereelectric@gmail.com

1710 10th Avenue – Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0

Have an opinion? Email your letter to the editor to info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

16 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

April 15, 2021

Removal of the elected Métis Nation B.C.

DISTRICT DISTRICT OF OF INVERMERE INVERMERE

914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339 Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 Tel: 250-342-9281 • Fax: 250-342-2934

NOTICE

of Watermain Flushing

Submitted by Christopher Yates Director of the West Kootenay Métis Society

The municipality will be flushing its community water system for the next 6 weeks. This program, carried out twice yearly, is necessary to maintain the quality of our water supply. There may be some short interruptions in the water service and temporary discoloration of water as a result of the sediment and organic materials that are being flushed from the water mains. During this period, disinfection by chlorination will be continued. To assist the Public Works Department during the flushing operation, users are advised that if they are experiencing persistent discoloration or odour problems with the water, to immediately notify the Municipal Office and explain the nature of the problem.

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

N E W S PA P E R

For all your advertising needs, call Amanda at 250-341-6299

The West Kootenay Métis Society board and part of a growing movement of Metis citizens feel compelled to inform our broader community of the events that led up to the Jan. 18 removal of our elected Métis Nation B.C. President and the ongoing consequences within the nation.

A few months ago, nine Board Directors staged a coup and removed our elected President, Clara Morin Dal Col. This after they failed in their attempt to force her to rescind her principled stand upholding the suspension of one of the governing members of the Metis National Council (MNC), Métis Nation Ontario (MNO).

MNO was placed on probation in 2018 over longstanding concerns with their citizenship registry and after they unilaterally declared six new historic Metis communities in Ontario. Only one of these communities, Rainy River, has a connection to the historic Metis Nation. After MNO failed to submit to an audit of their registry, they were placed on suspension in 2019.

Rescinding MNO’s suspension would endanger every Métis Citizen’s section 35 rights and our Nationhood.

Rescinding MNO’s suspension would uphold a registry that bestows citizenship on individuals with no connection to the historic Metis Nation.

President Morin Dal Col refused to rescind and so, a

week later nine Directors suspended her. Through these actions, the nine Directors have breached their oaths of office and fiduciary duty. One Director even openly declared war against a community President and our citizens.

It seems too, that like MNBC and MNO, two other governing members of the Metis National Council (MNC), Métis Nation Alberta (MNA) and Métis Nation Saskatchewan (MN-S) have issues. At this point, the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) is the only one of our governing members who has their house in order.

At a recent citizen forum hosted by the Metis National Council, we heard from citizens in Saskatchewan and Alberta how the leadership of MNA and MN-S created the Tri-Council with no mandate from their citizens and outside of the MNC. In B.C. we have nine Directors who have not consulted with nor listened to the citizens in any of their decisions. It seems an even larger coup is happening across the Metis Nation homeland, at the level of the MNC. To take over the MNC means the opportunity to change our National Definition and with it, the very essence of who we are as a distinct rights-bearing People and as citizens of the Métis Nation.

Continued on page 19...

HERE TO SERVE YOU SERVICES

LANDSCAPING

WINDOW COVERINGS SHOWROOM

Beat the fall rush ~ clean your Chimney this spring!

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHIMNEY SWEEPS LTD. 804 Almberg Road, Golden, BC V0A 1H2 CELL: 250.272.5599 OFFICE: 250.344.7323 todd@rockymountainchimneysweeps.com rockymountainchimneysweeps.com

CLEANING & MAINTENANCE ON ALL WOOD BURNING APPLIANCES • WETT INSPECTIONS

• • • •

Doors Windows Flooring Painting/Interior/ Exterior • Kitchen Renovations • Window Coverings

• Bathroom Renovations • Additions • Decks • Finish Carpentry • Basement Renovations

915 7th Avenue, Unit B, Invermere • EMAIL: fairmontridge@telus.net • 250-342-4663

SERVICE EXCELLENCE IN THE COLUMBIA VALLEY

SINCE 1991 ICBC Glass Repair Out of Province Vehicle Inspections Auto Body Repairs • Painting • Quality Parts

We give all students 15% off with valid student ID

North American Warranty All Makes and Models Tire Sales and Installation

141 Industrial Rd. 2 • 250-342-9424 • Open Monday - Saturday, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm

LAMBERT-KIPP PWhere H A R M to A C Y ( 2 0 1 9 ) LT D .

Come in and Irena Shepard, B.Sc. (Pharm.)., recycle? browse our giftware

Émilie Lamoureux, Pharm D., Laura Kipp, Pharm D. Your Compounding Pharmacy

Where to recycle?

Check the BC RECYCLEpEdia Open Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. andwww.rcbc.ca Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Check the BC RECYCLEpEdia 604-RECYCLE (732-9253) 1-800-667-4321

Recycling council of B.c. MeMBeR

Recycling council of B.c. MeMBeR

1301 - 7th Avenue, Invermere

250-342-6612

KITCHEN CABINETS & COUNTER TOPS

Sales ~ Service ~ Installation

UNIVERSAL DOORS & EXTERIORS Arnold Scheffer 250-342-6700

unidoorext@live.ca • unidoorext.ca

Industrial ~ Commercial ~ Residential Your Weekly Source for News and Events

Can this be recycled?

N E W S PA P E R

Check the BC RECYCLEpEdia #8, 1008 - 8th Avenue PO Box 868, Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 www.rcbc.ca Ph: 250-341-6299 ext: 101

Amanda Murray

www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

amanda@columbiavalleypioneer.com Recycling council of B.c. MeMBeR Sales Representative

April 15, 2021

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 17

P ioneer C lassifieds S OBITUARY S Ekman, Solveig Alice Solveig Alice Ekman, 92 of Invermere, died peacefully in her sleep on April 11, 2021, at Ivy House in Invermere.

Solveig is survived by her three children; Robert (Donna), Roger (Marion), Brenda, her grandchildren and great grandchildren and her sister Margaretha of Sweden.

As per Solveig’s wishes, there will be no service.

Richardson, Ann Louise 1956-2021

It is with heavy hearts and fond memories that we announce the passing of Ann Louise Richardson at her home on March 26th, 2021 at the age of 64 years. Ann was born on May 17, 1956 in Medicine Hat. Ann married her high school sweetheart Terry in 1977 and soon after, added their two daughters, Jayme and Jodi to their family. Ann and Terry lived in Medicine Hat until the early ‘90s and then moved their family to the Columbia Valley. Several years after the loss of Terry, Ann was blessed with meeting her new spouse, Mike and the McGrath family.

Ann pursued her dream of becoming a registered nurse and it became an integral part of her life. Throughout her career, Ann has showed her love and compassion to an endless amount of patients. Those who have worked alongside Ann have shared many memorable moments and many of these coworkers have become lifelong friends. Ann had a hilarious sense of humour with a laugh that was so infectious. Ann had a deep love for her family.

She guided her family through life with love, support, compassion and generosity. She loved her family and friends so much and found happiness in finding those perfect gifts while doing her favourite pastime of shopping. Ann had a life long love affair with trendy clothes, shoes and furniture. She loved travelling to warmer parts of the world, especially places where she was able to find the perfect pieces of jewelry and making memories with new and old friends. Swimming was something that Ann loved since her childhood. Camping with friends and family was a favourite pastime, along with time spent water and snow skiing.

Ann will be greatly missed by her spouse Mike McGrath of Harrogate; two daughters: Jayme Richardson (Ron Mason) of Revelstoke and Jodi (Phil) Adrian of Cranbrook; stepson Calvin (Chelsea) McGrath of Golden; four grandchildren: Carter, Payten, Vivienne and Brigitte; grand dogs: Kaya, Broo, Hank and Hulk, as well as numerous siblings and in-laws. Ann was predeceased by her husband Terry in 2003; her parents Gordon and Katherine (Kit) Prentice; her beloved pets Dakota and Chelsea; grand dog Jack and a number of family members and friends.

There will be a private graveside service later this Spring.

Messages of sympathy may be sent to Ann’s family by viewing her obituary at: www.hindmanbowersfuneralhome.com.

Cremation arrangements are in the care of Hindman Bowers Funeral Home, Golden.

Partners with Park Lawn.

Just a reminder… The classified deadline is 12 noon Friday.

• Phone: 250-341-6299 • Email: info@columbiavalleypioneer.com • Web: www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

ANNOUNCEMENT

CHEERS & JEERS

CHEERS & JEERS

LOT/ACREAGE FOR SALE

Alcoholics Anonymous. If alcohol is causing problems or conflict in your life, AA can help. All meetings are at 8 p.m.

Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the BC Service Building, South End – 624 4th St., Invermere. Please call 250342-2424 for more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship.

Cheers to super parenting. Dad at Winderberry Gardens. Kids were playing in the piles and his yell at them wasn’t - “get off there” ... rather “tuck your pants in your boots so they don’t fill up”. Delightful.

Cheers to the Von/Walkers for the flowers and Easter Candy and to the anonymous group who gave Candy and Lotto Tickets to the Lakeview Manor.

Much appreciated!

BUYING OR SELLING?

Al-Anon. Are you concerned about or affected by someone else’s drinking? If so, please join us on a “ZOOM” meeting every Monday at 7 p.m. For more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship, please call 250-342-8255.

CHEERS & JEERS Jeers to dog owners who allow their dogs to run around residential neighbourhoods off leash. Please keep your dog on your own property or on a leash.

There is an off-leash area in Invermere for this purpose. And always, always pick up after your dog and put the bag in the trash!

Cheers to the lift operator at Panorama, you’re doing an amazing job. Sara your attitude and positive energy is amazing.

Cheers to our local ski hills!

Fairmont and Panorama had great conditions this year, and everybody was happy they were open.

Jeers to the people that bag up their dogs poop......and then chuck the bag on the side of the road.

Jeers to the folks who litter the banks of the Columbia River in Edgewater. Pick up your garbage, recycle your plastic bottles and cans. Have some respect for the environment and your fellow residents. You are fortunate to live close to a magnificent place called the Columbia Wetlands, show some pride.

Cheers to the crew at Radium Hot Springs Pools for doing such an awesome job during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jeers to people who show up inebriated and high. Your belligerence and rudeness taints everyone’s experience.

Cheers to Tracey Litchfield and Colleen Roberts who lobbied hard for several years to have some emergency communications devices installed in Kootenay National Park resulting in the soon to be installed Emergency Satellite Phones! Way to go you two.

Cheers to the nurses and staff who very efficiently ran the COVID-19 Immunization Centre at Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church in Invermere on Tuesday, April 6. You were very organized and explained what was happening in a very professional way. Best of all, the needle did not hurt. Well done.

Woo Yea Cheers to Kim for being the only Lady who would come out fishing with me. Love ya for that.

Jeers to people who think Bylaws and Building Codes can be ignored. You impose stress and inconvenience on neighbours that YOU have placed in a position to “rat” on you. Shame on who? These laws are on the books to ensure harmonious and safe development. If you need help interpreting rules or obtaining a variance, there are officials that would rather help you in advance rather than deal with a stressful non-compliant finished project. That’s how you can “be kind” to your neighbours.

Jeers to me for dumping my garbage can of ashes upwind from the lady unloading her van at the transfer station. A moment of haste and inconsideration for which I apologize.

Cheers to Krys at Sobeys for going above and beyond. Your kindness and extra effort made my day on Monday morning.

LISTINGS NEEDED! I WANT TO SELL YOUR HOUSE!

WHY LIST WITH GERRY? ✔ Website/Social Media ✔ 3D Tour, YouTube, Drone ✔ Responsive, Local, Expert

LIST WITH GERRY: FOR RESULTS! *Not intended to solicit those already working with an agent.

BUYING OR SELLING CALL 250-341-1202

gerrytaft.ca Personal Real Estate Corporation

Rockies West Realty Independently owned and operated

LOST AND FOUND FOUND: Cat at Panorama. White with black tail, white tip. 1/2 black moustache. +/- 7 months?

Male. Very friendly! Call ICAN at 250-341-7888.

I specialize in rural, recreational, farm and ranch properties.

BARRY BROWN-JOHN “Rocky Mountain Land Man”

Call or text

250-342-5245

b.brownjohn@gmail.com WANTED A local artist and woodworker is looking for a double garage or shop to rent in Radium, Invermere, Windermere or Fairmont. Preferably with 220 electrical service. Ideal size would be between 750 - 1500 square feet. Willing to share a space as well. Call Don 1-403875-3587.

Look up to a higher standard with our classified ads.

Pioneer Classifieds

OFFICE SPACE Prime retail and office space for lease in Radium Hot Springs.

From 800 square feet. 1-403559-9625.

LOT/ACREAGE WANTED Looking for Land for purchase, over 5 acres. Close to Invermere.

Please contact 250-688-3739.

N E W S PA P E R

info@columbiavalleypioneer.com Ph: 250-341-6299

18 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

April 15, 2021

WANTED

SERVICES

SERVICES

BOAT SLIP WANTED

LEE’S SMALL ENGINE REPAIR SHOP Specializing in chainsaws, tillers, trimmers & lawn mower repairs and maintenance.

B.B.’s Home & Lawn Care Services Renovations/Plumbing/House Repairs, Moving, Dump runs.

House Checks/Cleaning, Spring/ Yard Clean-up, Eavestroughs.

Tree removal. 250-688-2897.

On Lake Windermere.

Interested in purchase, lease or rent.

Phone Hans Leverkus Elkhorn Ranch 250-342-1268.

Retired Bachelor seeking Rural Rent/Care taking accommodation. No Vices, references can be provided.

1-250-426-4445.

MISC. FOR SALE Top Quality Hay Round bales.

Indoor bales $120 per bale, outdoor bales $60 per bale.

Round bales of straw, $40 per bale. Phone Elkhorn Ranch 250342-1268.

For Sale 1926 John Broadwood and Sons upright piano. In good condition with ivory keys. $200 O.B.O. pick up only. 250-3425224.

RV FOR SALE 2012 Outback 320BH travel trailer one owner located at Spur Valley. Includes bunks, large slide that includes master bedroom, ton of storage, tall ceilings, $23,900 and pictures available. Email: Paul.a.scott@ shaw.ca

SERVICES Pike Contracting Excavating and Skid Steer services.

Call Jason 250-342-5277.

It’s time to get your tools tuned up and ready for spring!

Industrial #2 Road across from NAPA Hours: Tuesday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

250-341-2551 Offering Excellent Service & Fair Pricing!

The Heartfelt Companion: SERVICE FOR SENIORS Offers non-medical help to seniors in their home and respite for caregivers. Companionship, errands, transportation, personal care, meal prep and more. Excellent local references and credentials and a big, kind heart! Rest assured; COVID-19 precautions are in place to keep you safe. “The Heartfelt Companion team provide, in the truest sense, heartfelt companionship. They always have mom’s best interest in mind.

I find that my family can once again enjoy our time with mom, as we know she is being cared for, lifting this responsibility from our shoulders. We can once again simply enjoy each other’s company. We have tremendous gratitude for their service.” 250-341-5683 www. heartfeltcompanionservices. com

HELP WANTED

Kootenay Country Electrical Qualified Electrical Service Licensed, Bonded, Insured Highly skilled electrician Call Dean 250-342-5516.

Elk Park Homes is in search of Carpenters and Skilled Labourers for its upcoming projects.

For inquiries, please contact Thomas at 250-688-1741 or thomask@elkparkhomes.com

Spring tune-ups on Golf carts and lawn tractors, pickup and delivery available at extra charge. Call Jeff 250-341-8146 leave a message.

AARON’S HOME SERVICES -Lawn Care -Yard Cleans -Power Washing 250-342-9222

Geoff Hill PREC* REALTOR® Fair Realty

HELP WANTED Invermere Petro-Can is currently accepting resumes for F/T and P/T employment. Apply in person to 185 Laurier Street, Invermere between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Old Salzburg seeking kitchen help, cooks start at $19 dishwasher at $16. Drop off resume or by email scottstorvik@ gmail.com.

250-341-7600

www.geoffhill.ca Electrician Wanted Full-time. Must have drivers’ licence, 3 years minimum of electrical experience Taynton Bay Electrical 250-342-1355.

PUBLIC NOTICE

RUBIE PIT SAND AND GRAVEL PROJECT Appication: MINES ACT A public information meeting will be held VIRTUALLY (Zoom ect) on: April 22, 2021 at 6 pm to 8 pm MST Regarding a proposed Sand and Gravel Operation located at: a portion of District Lot 11837 Block B, Settlers Road, Kootenay River Basin For further information and a link to the Meeting Invite, please contact: Okanagan Aggregates Ltd. info@okagg.com;

HELP WANTED

Wanted 2 F/T Restaurant Cooks, Rocky River Grill, 8888 Arrow Road, Invermere, B.C. Permanent, F/T shifts, overtime, weekends, days and evenings, $16/hour for 40 hours per week. Overtime after 40 hours. Minimum several years’ experience and completion of Secondary School. DUTIES: Prepare and cook full course meals, prepare and cook individual dishes and foods, ensure quality of food portions, work with minimal supervision, prepare dishes for customers with food allergies or intolerances. Inspect Kitchens and Food service areas. Please forward resume to Justin Atterbury by fax 250-342-8889 or email justatterbury@hotmail. com.

General Carpenter Finish Carpenter Jack of All Trades If you are looking for a change, or a new start, The Home Renovation Centre is looking to add some new, permanent staff to our team. Transportation is required. Call David 250-3425682.

Cafe Allium is looking for Kitchen staff, Café workers and Servers.

Serving lunch and small dishes in the evening, cocktails, beer and BC wines by the beach.

Email cafeallium@gmail.com to apply.

Big Horn Cafe, Radium Hot Springs - Looking for Part-time/ Full-time Food prep personnel light lunch and sandwich prep, some cashier and Barista duties, No evenings, flexible hours, Negotiable per hour wage. Very competitive wages please apply at bighorncafe1@outlook.com or phone 403-861-2978.

Hiring painters experienced to entry level for full time work.

How We Roll Painting Limited 250-688-7655.

Settlement Services can help you and your family!

New to Canada?

Settlement Services can Are you a ... help with... help you andGet your family!

• Learning about the • Permanent Resident community • Refugee Are you a ... • Temporary Foreign Get help with...

• English language training and support • Permanent Resident Worker • Learning about the community • Refugee • English language training and support • Referrals and access Naturalized Canadian • Temporary Foreign•Worker • Referrals and access to services to services Citizen Canadian Citizen Settlement• Naturalized Services can help • Workplace skills you and your family!

• Provincial Nominee Settlement Services can help • Provincial Nominee • Citizenship • Workplace skills • International you and your family! Student • Volunteering • International Student • Citizenship

New to Canada?

New to Canada?

Contact the Settlement Worker in • Transportation and housing your community to learn about this • Volunteering FREE program!

Contact the Settlement Are you a ...

Get help with...

• Transportation and Worker in your community to • Learning about the • Permanent Resident community • Refugee housing learn about this FREE program!

Are you a ...

Get help with...

CONTACT A SETTLEMENT WORKER NEAR YOU:

• Temporary Foreign

• Permanent Resident Worker • •Refugee Naturalized Canadian Citizen • Temporary Foreign •Worker Provincial Nominee • •Naturalized Canadian International Student Citizen • Provincial Nominee Contact the Settlement Worker in your community to • International Student

learn about this FREE program!

Contact the Settlement Worker in your community to learn about this FREE program!

• English language • training Learning about the and support

community

• Referrals and access services • to English language

East Kootenay Region

Cranbrook • cranbrooksettlement@cbal.org • 250-581-2112 Creston • crestonsettlement@cbal.org • 250-402-9448 • Volunteering Elk Valley • elkvalleysettlement@cbal.org • 250-946-6474 • Workplace skills • Transportation and • housing Citizenship Golden • goldensettlement@cbal.org • 250-344-8392 • Volunteering Kimberley • kimberleysettlement@cbal.org • 250-427-6027 • Transportation and housing Windermere Valley • windermerevalleysettlement@cbal.org • 250-341-7188 training and support

• Workplace skills

• Referrals and access

• Citizenship to services

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development & Competitiveness

Anyone interested in this application is invited to attend (virtually)

Lambert Insurance Agencies is looking to hire a F/T, Customer Service Rep. Previous customer service experience is an asset.

Applicant must obtain an insurance license within 6 months. Please email resume to alanna@lambertinsurance.ca.

New to Canada?

(250) 546-3088 PO Box 7, Armstrong BC, VOE 1BO

Everett Frater Enterprises now hiring Lawn maintenance employees for Mon. – Fri., weekends off. Call 250-3425645.

SERVICES

Lawn Mowing: 1 hr ever two weeks, starting in April.

Invermere smaller yard near Hospital. Please call George 250342-2881.

NOTICES

HELP WANTED

www.cbal.org

support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development & Competitiveness

www.cbal.org

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development & Competitiveness

April 15, 2021

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 19

HELP WANTED

STUDENT PAGE POSITION Ser vin g th

e Co lumbia Va

Beginning ASAP 8hrs/ week, $16.65/hour Must be at least 15 years old and a full-time student in high school or post secondary.

lle y

More details and how to apply at invermere. bc.libraries.coop/explore/job-opportunities/

invermere.bc.libraries.coop

FIREPLACE INSTALLER Looking for a friendly, responsible, self-motivated individual with a professional appearance with technical ability.

Preference will be made for a candidate with knowledge of fireplace installation.

–akis“nuk builds new

affordable rental homes Submitted by Columbia Basin Trust The three buildings are joined in a U-shape, their doors bright white against the grey siding. Inside, a variety of people live in the two and three-bedroom units, including a couple with a new baby, a larger family and a single mother.

Completed in 2019, the six-plex, located in –akis“nuk First Nation in Windermere, is one step in a multipronged approach to improving housing in the community.

“Before that, there had not been any new housing construction for around 30 years,” says Dale Shudra, Housing Manager, with –akis“nuk. “We had older homes and lots of overcrowding because there was just nowhere to go.” Also, people who had left the community didn’t have access to housing if they wanted to come back.

Now—with the support of the Trust, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), BC Housing (BCH), BC Hydro and other organizations—the community is well on its way to providing a range of new housing options and improving existing homes.

Must have a valid BC Driver’s License.

Please email or fax resume with references to Diamond Heating and Spas 385 Laurier Street, Invermere, BC V0A 1K7 Email: info@diamondheatingandspas.com Fax: 250-342-7103

Photos submitted by Columbia Basin Trust Continued “Métis” from page 16

Invermere Veterinary Hospital is seeking a full-time Practice Manager to join our dynamic Hospital Team.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, leadership driven candidate with administrative experience in both Accounting and HR Management. The Practice Manager performs a wide range of administrative duties related to the practice.

This includes supporting the entire team and promoting our Values and Culture, as well as overseeing the business operations, and supporting the hospital’s mission of delivering high quality patient care and exceptional client service.

Please visit our website at www.invermereveterinaryhospital.com to review the full posting for this position.

HELP WANTED

The Alpine Club of Canada Is seeking

Hut Custodians Conrad Kain Hut & Kokanee Glacier Cabin

Invermere Home Hardware is

HIRING ALL POSITIONS Come and join our dynamic team!

Great atmosphere! Great benefits!

Please apply in person, fill out application at Customer Service or send your resume to: hr@invermerehardware.ca Attention: Susanne L’Heureux

N E W S PA P E R

For all your advertising needs, call Amanda at 250-341-6299

The ACC is seeking Park Ambassadors / Hut Custodians for each location: the Conrad Kain Hut in Bugaboo Provincial Park and Kokanee Glacier Cabin in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. Working alone in a remote wilderness environment, the summer custodian will rotate shifts through the 2021 season and provide facility orientation to guests, collect and report visitor fees and perform maintenance on the facilities.

We want to hear from you if you: • Have a background in outdoor recreation, 1st aid and WHMIS certification.

• Are a jack-of-all trades with strong physical fitness.

• If you are excited to spend long periods of solitude in the outdoors and have a positive and engaging personality, are detail oriented, friendly and committed to providing a great experience to our guests.

• Are familiar with helicopter operations and radio protocol.

• A 2nd language is an asset.

Salary: Commensurate with experience.

Find full details for both opportunities online.

We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

alpineclubofcanada.ca/careers

It might even turn the MNC into a pan-Indigenous organization and take us back to a time when our People and our interests were silenced in the pan-Indigenous Congress of Aboriginal People (CAP) in 1983.

Remember it was under the leadership of now MNC President Clément Chartier and others that the People of the Métis Nation left CAP and started the MNC to properly protect our interests at the Constitutional talks.

The main issues I see in B.C., MNO, MNA, and MN-S is the silencing of the grassroots – our citizens and communities - by the unilateral decision making of recently elected leaders.

Now is our time to rise up, speak boldly, and be heard. Now is our time to ensure our rights and those of our children and all future generations are protected against all who would knowingly or unknowingly do harm to our Métis Nation.

If you were not able to take part in the MNC Citizen’s Forum, March 20 and 21, we encourage all to watch and share with your community. If you need further information, please contact me at metisnationintegrity@gmail.com.

Kanaskimotin / Maarsii,

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20 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

FAITH

Wisdom from above

LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH

Pastor Josh McCallum Lake Windermere Alliance Church

Online Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Visit https://lwac.online.church 326 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 • www.lwac.ca

WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY ANGLICAN-UNITED Please email office@wvsm.ca to request a link to our online service which starts at 10:30 a.m. Sundays.

Recorded services can be accessed by typing WVSM Invermere Anglican United Church.

250-342-6644 • www.wvsm.ca

VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY Sunday 10 a.m. Worship service Pastor Murray Wittke 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere 250-342-9511 • www.valleychristianonline.com

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

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

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

ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN CHURCH Sunday 1:30 p.m. Worship Service at Valley Christian Assembly 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere www.eklutheran.ca mtzionlc@hotmail.com

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Worship Service, Sunday, 10 a.m.

Relief Society, 11:15 a.m.

President Rick Daniels • Columbia Valley Branch 5014 Fairway, Fairmont Hot Springs 250-421-3756

h e Pioneer ca T n

!

take you r do llar With 4,400 copies far th in circulation each week, er

Phone: (250) 341-6299 info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

fruit of discipline, diligence, discernment, and discretion.

Wisdom also protects from the dangers of recklessness, laziness, and hastiness. Fools, according to the Bible, are ignorant of God and his instruction, and therefore become proud, quick to do wrong, and are careless about how their actions affect themselves and others. The wise, on the other hand, are careful, thoughtful, generous, and honourable. These are all side effects of recognizing what is true and good. Thus, the Bible gives us a starting place for those who would become wise: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” says the book of Proverbs (1:7). Knowing the One who created the world, who organizes its function, and who will judge us all at the end is where wisdom comes from. This is clarified and built upon through Jesus as well: The followers of Jesus wrote that seeking Jesus himself is the entry to all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). For those who would seek wisdom, and for those who want to know the truth about God and the universe, Jesus is the key.

Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom.

And whatever else you get, get understanding.

Proverbs 4:7

Columbia Lake Provincial Park illegal tree harvesting Submitted by Sgt. Greg Kruger

Sunday 10 a.m. Worship service Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater • 250-342-6633 No. 4, 7553 Main St. Radium • 250-347-9937

N E W S PA P E R

At our church we will be embarking on a careful journey through some of the Bible’s wisdom literature this summer. Did you know that the Bible is full of literature focused on wisdom? There are pages and pages of poems and proverbs, songs and stories, all intended to help readers become wise. In fact, the writers of this ancient wisdom said that seeking wisdom is the most beneficial endeavor, far above any treasure. Why would that be? Wisdom is only one aspect of a balanced life, right? Not exactly. You see, wisdom is not just knowing many things, or learning from many experiences; wisdom is about living life according to reality. This is why God treasures wisdom so highly for his people. As one lives according to God’s ways, wisdom bears the good

Conservation corner

RADIUM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

your message is resonating with residents and visitors alike.

April 15, 2021

The Invermere Conservation Officer Service is assisting BC Parks with an ongoing investigation involving a significant removal of large, live, Douglas Fir trees over this past winter.

Along the main road through Columbia Lake Provincial Park, 29 recently cut Douglas Fir stumps, debris left from bucking, limbing, and cutting, as well as ruts left behind by a vehicle and/or trailer were discovered. Harvesting sites were adjacent to the road, either directly beside it or at most 40 metres from it.

Judging by the gaps between piles of sawdust left behind, some of the timber removed was likely bucked for firewood. At other sites, large gaps, or the absence of, between piles of sawdust indicate that large logs were removed for milling. Scuffs found on the ground and on the sides of nearby trees was congruent with large-log removal with a winch, dragging logs from the bush toward the road.

BC Parks Conservation Mission Statement: “BC Parks actively manages protected areas to conserve natural and cultural values found within our diverse system.

Establishing parks, ecological reserves and protected areas is an important first step to ensure that natural and cul-

tural values are afforded legal protection. Parks and protected areas are managed for important conservation values and are dedicated for the preservation of their natural environments, and the enjoyment of the public.”

All the natural resources within a Provincial Park are protected and must not be granted, sold, removed, destroyed, damaged, disturbed or exploited except as authorized by a valid and subsisting Park Use Permit. A person who contravenes any provision of the Park Act commits an offence and is liable to a fine of up to $1 000 000 or a term of imprisonment of not more than one year or both.

There is a high probability that those responsible for this tree theft live close to Columbia Lake Provincial Park in the Fairmont area, and have sold the wood locally for firewood and/or milling. The ConserPhoto by BC Parks vation Officer Service is seeking assistance from anyone with information on this blatant disregard for the natural resources within this protected conservation area. Some of the Douglas Fir cut down would be over 100 year old trees. Information that leads to the apprehension of the responsible party may be eligible for a cash reward from the BC Wildlife Federation.

Please contact the BC Conservation Officer Service Report All Poachers and Polluters Line at 1-877-9527277 with any details on this crime. Callers may remain anonymous.