Columbia Valley Pioneer, May 20, 2021

May 20, 2021 Vol. 18/Issue 20

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The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 1

Your Weekly Source for News and Events

May 20, 2021

The Columbia Valley

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2 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

May 20, 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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UPCOMING EVENTS

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E-bikes continue to get more people out and travelling longer distances on two wheels. If you haven’t tried one yet, they can be rented from the Columbia Valley’s many great bike shops.

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Some markets start this week, with the Windermere AgriPark Market on Wednesday evenings. With indoor dining restrictions, patios and picnics are “in.” And businesses and local governments across B.C. are helping to facilitate that outdoor dining culture by adding picnic tables and making the “en plein air” experience more enjoyable. Remember to take any waste home and leave no trace.

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May 20, 2021

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 3

VALLEY NEWS

Plastic pylon barriers on Westside connector trail mowed down Police looking for information in second incident of potential vandalism in recent weeks on popular paved cycling trail

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com Several incidents of what may have been intentional vandalism have struck the popular Westside Legacy Trail in the past several weeks.

The damage has occurred both on the official Markin-MacPhail Westside Legacy Trail, and on Invermere’s Westside connector trail, that joins the official Westside trail with Invermere’s municipal paved trail network.

The first incident on the Westside connector happened about six weeks ago, and saw roughly 20 or so of the piling-like, heavy-duty plastic, pylon post barriers that separate the trail from Westside road mowed down.

The pylons are set into the ground, and knocking them over requires significant force, such as would come from being hit by a motor vehicle. The second incident occurred two weeks ago on Friday, April 7 and saw another 15 pilings mowed down.

Local resident Dave Norcross lives along Westside

Road, on the lake side, right near the cattle guard and consequently got a pretty good look at the aftermath of both incidents, and indeed he and his wife actually heard the second incident happen. They were out on their deck in the evening on Friday, April 7, when they heard a loud ‘whump-whump-whump’ sound coming from the road.

“The next day, I saw that there was about 15 of them (the pylons) mowed down,” Norcross told the Pioneer. He noted that possibly it may have been an accident, but the fact that it’s happened twice in the last six weeks makes it seem otherwise.

“If it is an accident, the driver is really over there (driving on the trail instead of the road) a long time. Most people, if they were to drive into one of those pylons by accident, would almost certainly be startled after hitting the first one and would pull back onto the road or would slam on their brakes. Maybe they might hit another one or two posts before getting back on the road or stopping, but they probably wouldn’t keep going and mow down another 19 more posts,” said Norcross. “If it truly was

unintentional and the driver was really, really drunk, or has dementia, or something like that, then perhaps this person shouldn’t have their driver’s license, because they could be hitting people instead of posts next time.”

But Norcross pointed out that, if it is the result of drunken driving or dementia, it does seem odd that it’s occurred twice in roughly the same place in a relatively short time frame.

He found a vehicle grill among the smashed pilings after the second incident, which indicates the vehicle responsible was a GMC pickup or SUV. Norcross noted that the downed pilings create a considerable safety hazard for cyclists and other trail users, who no longer have a barrier separating them from traffic on that stretch of the trail, and that millions of dollars were spent creating the Westside Legacy Trail and its connector trail, and that having to repair such senseless damage means additional costs.

Continued on page 10...

Suspect arrested in connection with alleged Kootenay National Park homicide lease seeking assistance in finding Toner, describing him as a person of interest in the investigation.

RCMP has arrested a suspect in On Tuesday, May 11, Lake Country connection with the death of Brenda RCMP arrested Toner, who has connections to both B.C. and Alberta, in the Ware, whose body was discovered in Kootenay National Park two weeks Okanagan. Toner appeared in Kelowna provincial courts on Wednesday, May ago. The suspect, Philip Toner, 41, has been charged with one count of sec12, in which prosecutors secured a sevond degree murder in relation to the en-day remand in order to have Toner homicide of 35-year-old Brenda Ware, transported back to Alberta.

BC RCMP, in consultation with the who is from Didsbury Alberta On Thursday, May 6, Ware’s body B.C. prosecutors liaised with the Alberta Photo of Philip Toner was found 54 kilometres northeast of prosecutors to lay the official charge in Radium Hot Springs, along Highway 93 in the park. Alberta courts, as police alleged the offence was carThe BC RCMP Southeast District Major Crime Unit ried out in Alberta.

“Although a charge has now been laid in relation immediately treated the incident as a suspicious death investigation, and a few days later, put out a press re- to this complex, inter-provincial criminal investigaBy Pioneer Staff info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

tion, the investigation is still very much active and ongoing at this time, we continue to share Toner’s photo in an effort to advance the investigation,” said BC RCMP Major Crime Section acting officer-in-charge (A/OIC) Superintendent Sanjaya Wijayakoon in a press release. “We renew our previous public plea for information, and ask that anyone who may have had contact with Philip Toner between May 4, 2021 and May 11, 2021, in either B.C. or Alberta, to come forward immediately. Furthermore, we ask anyone who may have provided or offered a ride to anyone hitch-hiking between the Columbia Valley and Lake Country to come forward as well. You may have information that is of value to the investigation.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Southeast District Major Crime Unit Information Line at 1-877-987-8477.

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RCMP Report Submitted by Sgt. Darren Kakuno Detachment Commander Columbia Valley RCMP This past week, May 10 through May 16, the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 66 calls for service. The following is a summary of some of the files our officers responded to.

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May 20, 2021

•On Tuesday, May 11, at 9:30 a.m., an officer was conducting patrols in Radium Hot Springs when he observed a male he knew to have an outstanding warrant in the passenger seat of a vehicle. The officer conducted a traffic stop and arrested the passenger for the warrant. The adult male was released later in the day by a Judge to attend court on a future date.

•On Thursday, May 13, an officer was conducting traffic enforcement on Highway 93/95 near Windermere when he observed a Ford F150 that was known to be operated by prohibited drivers. The officer conducted a traffic stop and spoke to the driver, who was not able to produce a driver’s license or vehicle registration. The driver was determined to be a prohibited driver and the

attached license plate did not match the vehicle. The driver complied with a roadside breath demand and blew a “warn”. The driver was released on an Appearance Notice to attend court at a later date, a 3-day Immediate Roadside Driving Prohibition and a violation ticket for no driver’s license, no insurance and wrong number plate. The vehicle was impounded for seven days.

•On Friday, May 14, a 2010 GMC Canyon pickup was stolen sometime overnight from the Castlerock neighbourhood in Invermere. The abandoned GMC pickup was recovered in Calgary on May 16.

•On Friday, May 14, several thefts from vehicles were also reported in Invermere. Sometime overnight, a wallet was stolen from an unlocked truck on Westside Park View, a purse was stolen from an unlocked van on Black Forest Trail, and an unlocked car in Castlerock was rummaged through. It was discovered that bankcards from the stolen wallet were used in Calgary earlier the same morning. Residents are once again reminded to remove the keys from their vehicles, lock their doors and remove any valuables.

Vandals cover school in graffiti

By Pioneer Staff info@columbiavalleypioneer.com Vandals hit J.A. Laird Elementary School over the weekend, spray-painting images and messages on all sides of the school building, as well as on a nearby shed and playground equipment. Many of the images and messages were pornographic, pedophilic, racist and anti-Semitic in nature.

“On Sunday, May 16 mischief to J.A. Laird Elementary School was reported to the Columbia

Valley RCMP. Police attended and photographed extensive graffiti painted on the exterior walls of the school. Video surveillance is being reviewed and evidence has been seized for examination. Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Columbia Valley RCMP or Crimestoppers,” said Columbia Valley RCMP Sergeant Darren Kakuno.

“At this point we cannot say whether it was youths or adults involved in this incident.”

Anyone with information can reach the Columbia Valley RCMP at 250 342 9292.

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May 20, 2021

Mental health calls double this past quarter, traffic accidents quintuple during traffic rerouting

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the diversion of TransCanada traffic through the Columbia Valley has kept the local RCMP detachment busy, and then some, Invermere council heard during the RCMP’s quarterly report.

The total number of calls to the RCMP this past quarter is up quite significantly as compared with the same quarter last year (it was only at the tail end of the January-March quarter last year, in mid to late March, that the COVID-19 pandemic truly hit the valley), outlined Columbia Valley RCMP Sergeant Darren Kakuno at Invermere’s Tuesday, May 11 council meeting. Calls pertaining to mental health in particular have shot up dramatically, nearly doubling. At the same time, in the past month, the Columbia Valley RCMP have dealt with a huge spike in local motor vehicle accidents, stemming from the rerouting of all cross-country traffic south from Castle Junction down Highway 93 to Radium and then north back up to Golden on Highway 95, while the TransCanada is closed for twinning upgrades in the Kicking Horse Canyon between Field and Golden.

“We have noticed it’s obviously been a lot busier, and our calls have gone up as a result of this diversion,” Kakuno told council.

The TransCanada was scheduled to be closed from April 12 to May 14 this spring. During that same time frame last year (when there was no traffic diversion), the Columbia Valley RCMP saw 10 traffic accidents here in the valley, including seven major collisions. This year, from April 12 to May 10 (the day before Kakuno presented the report to council) the local detachment saw 52 traffic accidents, including 17 major collisions.

Councillor Greg Anderson recalled that the local detachment had been trying to get extra staff resources to help deal with the higher traffic volumes during the TransCanada closure, that council had lent its support to that effort, and asked Kakuno if they had been successful.

Kakuno replied unfortunately not, but that traffic services RCMP members based in Cranbrook and Golden had been helping out the Columbia Valley by sending patrols further north or south than they normally would, which allowed the Columbia Valley detachment to have RCMP coverage in Kootenay National Park on most days.

Indeed Kakuno noted that the marked increase in

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workload has in fact come while the local detachment has been short-staffed, as it has been operating with a single corporal since the long-serving Corporal Brent Ayers retired in January. Fortunately, a replacement — Corporal ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Jeff Witzke — will be arriving in the Columbia Valley Tuesday, May 25th, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. later this summer in a lateral transfer from Whistler. KaMeeting will take place over Zoom kuno said it bodes well to have a corporal come in with Zoom links will be emailed to those who RSVP previous experience working in a resort community, as via Facebook or emailing cvcb@shaw.ca .

See our Facebook page for more details. “he knows what he is getting into.”

Kakuno explained that he’s also been encouraging the local detachment’s general duty members, not just the traffic services members, to be on the highways when they can, to increase police presence on the roads.

In terms of the increase in general calls, Kakuno outlined that during the fourth quarter (January-March) in Invermere last year, the RCMP had 156 calls. In the fourth quarter this year, that number increased to 201.

Kakuno noted that the pandemic is almost certainly playing a role in this increase. Mental health calls in particular, had jumped to 45 for the fourth quarter this year, as compared with 23 in the fourth quarter last year. Bylaws complaints have increased to 23 for the fourth quarter this year, as compared with 13 in the fourth quarter last Fairmont Hot Springs, B.C. year, with Kakuno pointing out “people are paying more attention to gatherings, and are more inclined to report View lots, Fairmont Hot Springs, parties because of the COVID restrictions.” gated community.

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1-800-667-432 “It’s been a busy spring for us. I’m hoping it’s goRecycling council of B.c. MeMBeR Recycling council of B.c. ing to slow down,” said Kakuno, adding that the bigger workload has led him to add ‘employee wellness’ to the 250-342-1629 detachment priorities.

Realty Invermere dorancain@yahoo.com “Everybody’s had a difficult year. It’s been difficult on our members too,” he said, explaining that with so much going on, and being short-staffed, he frequently has to call in police officers on their days off, on short notice.

They always come and never complain, said Kakuno, “but it’s wearing on them.”

BC RECYCLING HOTLINE Councillors commended Kakuno for taking employ604-732-9253 ee wellness seriously, to which he responded that he has 1-800-667-4321 to take it seriously, since he can’t afford to have police officers get sick or burnt out from constantly doing far more than they should.

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6 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

PERSPECTIVE Historical Lens

Defeat the dark side

May 20, 2021

Fairmont Hot Springs swimming pools C2207, 1920’s, courtesy Windermere District Historical Society

By Camille Aubin camille@columbiavalleypioneer.com Our community has recently seen its fair share of tragedies, thefts, crimes and bad decisions from a few of our citizens, but it is important not to let the dark side win.

Is it the arrival of warm temperatures and spring? Is it connected to something, or is it connected to nothing at all? Who knows!

Although terrible things happen to everyone from time to time, some people may have gotten the impression that our community is on the wrong track lately, thanks to what feels like a never-end flurry of bad news in recent weeks.

Sadly, the negative always stands out more than the positive.

There are scientific theories as to why the adverse seems to outweigh the positive in a great many people’s mental balancing books. This is known as the negativity bias. Negativity bias describes how we are biologically programmed to place more emphasis and react quicker and more strongly to information that we perceive as unfavourable, as opposed to information we perceive as positive. It is - or instead, it was - a matter of survival. For large stretches of history, human beings simply had to be more receptive to unfortunate news, more easily affected by criticism than compliments, and more receptive of and reactive to what makes us afraid or upset than what makes us happy.

So, yes, recently there have been car thefts, hate crimes and tons of garbage thrown out of the window without consideration. Still, there has also been a person who bought a coffee for the customer behind him in the line, just to brighten up someone’s day. There were also many people who volunteered for a number of great organizations, several more who lent a helping hand to a neighbor in need, and more glorious. Many good deeds have gone unnoticed this past weekend, but many of us will recall instead the graffiti at J.A. Laird school. (Read story on page 4.)

This is also why you recently saw the ‘Jeers’ section in the Pioneer retired, replaced by ‘Cheers without Tears.’

We want to highlight the beauty and the good in our community. Bad deeds already take up too much space in the news cycle, and it’s time to highlight the fantastic efforts of our fellow citizens.

Take the time to express your gratitude to those who create and share the positive aspects of life. If you recognize the negativity bias in yourself, try increasing your optimism by questioning the pessimistic thoughts that pop up in your head. How about a gratitude journal or simply asking yourself the question before turning in for the night: “What am I grateful for today?”.

Which day or week celebrates your occupation?

Dear Editor: May 10 to 16 each year since 1985 is National Nurses Week. I have a daughter who is a specialist directly analyzing medically sick patients. So I understand secondhand some of the extra hardships faced by all health workers through the last 18 months. For instance, some medical workers have to be absent, so others have to work extra to fill that needed gap. Likewise, this same daughter had to take time off for school closures and then fill in for others before after she and her son acquired COVID-19 in March (only eligible for a COVID-19 shot this April… strange?). And it’s not only nurses who are facing occupational shortages as many baby boomers retire. Most of the necessary sectors of our sustainability also had similar issues and their own particular problems to contend with.

In fact, we all suffered in various ways, from people Laid Off to Seniors confined in a solitary space for a year! That last situation is extremely cruel and imposed without their individual risk choice. But as a

Venezuelan friend says about all our claimed covid ‘trauma’ in Canada, we are not used to hardship like her people have experienced every day of their lives.

There is a Nurses week, Pride day, Indigenous Peoples day, Agriculture day, Firefighters day, Beer day, Acne Awareness month, World Obesity day, etc. In fact, there are exactly 150 recognized Health-related days/weeks/months in Canada. But many important occupations and organizations are not recognized in our interdependent specialized World. There could be a Grocery Clerk day, Auto Mechanic week, and a Delivery Person moment.

However, thank you to Nurses and also every person involved in hospitals and medical clinics, including Food Services, Maintenance personnel, Secretarial, Technicians, Doctor staff, etc. And thank you to everyone else without a special recognition day, who also keep Communities well provided by their services. We are so fortunate to live here.

Bill Ark, Invermere

The Columbia Valley

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2013

Pioneer

is independently owned and operated, published weekly by Robert W. Doull, President and Publisher, Misko Publishing Limited Partnership.

Box 868, #8, 1008 - 8th Ave., Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0

Phone: 250-341-6299 | Toll Free (866) 496-8047 info@columbiavalleypioneer.com | www.columbiavalleypioneer.com

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The Columbia Valley Pioneer is available free of charge at 13 essential businesses in the Upper Columbia Valley, limited to one copy per reader.

This publication has been made possible, in part, by the Government of Canada and the support of our advertisers and is published every Thursday. The Columbia Valley Pioneer may be distributed only by its authorized contractors and employees. No person may, without the prior written consent of The Pioneer or its Publisher, take more than one copy of each issue of The Pioneer. The content is protected by copyright. Reproduction by any means is prohibited except with the permission of the Publisher.

May 20, 2021

James Rose returns to the Pioneer to cover multicultural affairs The one year contract is funded by the Local Journalism Initiative

Japanese, Indian, Swiss, Mexican, and Indonesian communities.

I last wrote in earnest for the Pioneer Hey Pioneer readers, it’s been a min- from August to October of 2020. My priute. I am excited to announce that I am mary focus then was on examining the local impact of the Columbia River Treaback writing for the Pioneer.

Earlier this month, funding was se- ty. You may have seen the odd freelance cured for the Pioneer from the federal piece from me as well since then. Othergovernment for a full year of reporting wise, I kept myself busy over the winter on multicultural affairs. The and spring by skiing, publishing my third funding comes from the government’s Local Journalnovel Run For Roses, skiing some more, and ism Initiative, which supports the creation of original enrolling myself in civic journalism, covering an intensive one year screenwriting program the diverse needs of underat the Vancouver Film served communities across School - I graduate in Canada. Naturally, I was thrilled to be offered the opDecember.

If there are any portunity to resume writing story ideas that you about this valley I care so deeply about. I’ll be picking The Pioneer welcomes back may think relate to up where Breanne Massey James Rose to cover multicultur- multicultural affairs in the Columbia Valleft off reporting on Indig- al affairs. ley, drop me a line enous affairs, and, new this year, my coverage mandate has broadened at james@columbiavalleypioneer.com. I to include the many other cultures calling am eternally grateful to any and all sugthe Columbia Valley home. This includes gestions. Anyway, that’s enough from me. but is not limited to the Filipino, Chinese, Have yourself a great May long weekend!

By James Rose Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Former MNBC president’s lawsuit is dismissed

By James Rose Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Supreme Court of British Columbia has dismissed a lawsuit filed by suspended former Métis Nation British Columbia president Clara Morin Dal Col as an abuse of process and a collateral attack.

“I’m happy that this part of the court case is over and MNBC is moving forward,” said MNBC Regional Director Deb Fisher. With Morin Dal Col expected to appeal, Fisher was unable to comment much further on the court’s decision.

Morin Dal Col’s lawsuit concerned two motions passed by the MNBC board this past January; one of which temporarily suspended her with pay.

Christopher Yates, board director for the West Kootenay Métis Society, wrote a letter explaining Morin Dal Col’s removal from MNBC leadership stems from an incident whereby the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) was placed on probation in 2018 over concerns with its citizenship registry.

After MNO failed to submit to a registry audit, the governing body was placed on suspension in 2019. Morin Dal Col supported upholding the suspension, and it was for this reason, Yates posits, she was removed from her MNBC leadership position.

“The judge recognized the powers under the MNBC Constitution of the Board of Directors to suspend a board member,” according to a press release issued by MNBC. The judge found Morin Dal Col’s proper recourse was to pursue an appeal to the MNBC’s judicial body, its senate, as dictated by MNBC’s constitution. Morin Dal Col may still wish to pursue an appeal.

The judge noted that MNBC had on previous occasions advised Morin Dal Col to appeal to the senate and offered to shorten the timelines for that appeal. The judge dismissed Morin Dal Col’s claim that the senate was biased, holding that her claim was unsubstantiated on the evidence submitted to the court.

Clara Morin Dal Col was unable to be reached for comment before press deadline.

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Invermere council petitioned by business owners

May 20, 2021

Petitioners ask to re-allocate downtown revitalization funds to 500 block of 7th Avenue

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com A group of more than a dozen business owners petitioned Invermere council to include the part of 7th Avenue (Invermere’s main street) where their businesses are located in the district’s current downtown revitalization efforts.

The district’s downtown revitalization – almost all of which has been paid for through grant money — began roughly a decade ago, with upgrades at Pothole Park and along 7th Avenue between Pothole Park and the intersection of 7th Avenue and 9th Street (often referred to as ‘the AG intersection’, after the AG Valley Foods store located on the corner there), then continued a few years later with the revamp of the Cenotaph Plaza. The next phase of revitalization, costing $1.2 million, was announced by the district a few weeks ago, and will see the same sidewalk improvements, street trees, lights and other features of 7th Avenue between Pothole Park and the AG intersection, ‘stretched’ south from the AG intersection to the Cenotaph Plaza (which is at the intersection of 7th Avenue and 12 Street, roughly halfway down Invermere’s main street).

At least 15 business and commercial property owners in the 500 block of 7th Avenue, however, sent council a petition pointing out that the downtown revitalization appears to have, in some respects, left out their part of the main street. The 500 block is the strip of commercial buildings running south along 7th Avenue from the four-way stoplight at 4th Street (by Sobey’s) to Pothole Park, and although the downtown revitalization efforts began immediately south of the 500 block (at Pothole) years ago, these improvements have since only run fur-

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ther south.

“While we are happy to hear the news of the 1.2 million dollars in funding that has recently been secured for lnvermere’s downtown revitalization, we have concerns about the allocation of those monies. We are wondering why the 500 block of 7th Avenue is not included in this plan?,” read the petition, adding “it would seem logical that the ‘entrance’ to downtown Invermere should start at the lights on 4th Street. Sobeys and the beautiful Columbia Valley Centre/(Invermere Public) Library are integral to our community, yet appear to remain somewhat disconnected from your downtown revitalization plans.

Why is this?”

The business owners and operators behind the petition asked that the district consider extending the proposed revitalization to include the block on 7th Ave between Pothole Park and the Sobey’s/Columbia Valley Centre corner. “Perhaps part of the plan could be to remove the meridian on 7th Avenue, freeing up more desperately needed angle parking spaces in that area? We continue to be concerned about the lack of adequate parking in the area, which we fear will be compounded by the new housing development currently under construction nearby,” continued the petition, later adding that “our businesses, our community members and our visitors all stand to benefit from your decision, so please get it right and do what’s best for our town.”

The petition was received and discussed by Invermere council, during its Tuesday, May 11 meeting (as well as at its committee of the whole meeting earlier the same day). Council members noted in their discussion that plans are in the works for turning the 4th Street-7th Avenue intersection into a roundabout, and that it makes the most sense, both financially and in terms of mini-

mizing overall disruption, to do the revitalization work along the 500 block of 7th Avenue at that time. They also noted that the current phase of downtown revitalization (AG intersection to Cenotaph Plaza) has been planned out for some years, and that switching it at this point to a different area (the 500 block) also does not necessarily make sense.

“This revitalization (AG to Cenotaph) has been in the works for some time now. We’ve been planning and working on this one, as well as we’ve also had a plan for the Sobey’s area and that part of the retail area, in the shape of a traffic circle. A lot of work would need to be done in that area as well,” said Invermere mayor Al Miller. “We haven’t received any grant money (for the traffic circle and nearby areas) as yet. We haven’t been successful in that yet. But that project is ready. Our thought process is not to do something just for it to get disturbed again.”

Miller went on to outline that just because the traffic circle and revitalization of nearby areas were not happening right away doesn’t mean that council doesn’t consider that part of town important.

“We want to have a nice entrance to the town. We’ve taken in this petition, we’ve read it, we accept it. We understand full well the need to start at that end and come forward, but at the same time we don’t want to be doing work twice,” said Miller. “We’re well into this project (AG to Cenotaph revitalization). We’re going to proceed with the downtown revitalization (as planned), and at some point, hopefully we’ll secure the proper granting, so we can move forward with the traffic circle and the work that will start at (the 7th Avenue-4th Street intersection)...We fully understand the concern and will be trying to serve well in the future that area.”

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Long Weekend Hours Re-opening Fri May 21 .......... 12pm-8pm Sat........................ 9am-8pm Sun....................... 9am-3pm Holiday Mon .............. closed Tue-Wed ................... closed Thu May 27 ........ 12pm-8pm

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Our weekly What’s Happening page features local events around the Valley.

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

May 20, 2021

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 9

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10 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

May 20, 2021

Cycling Without Age duo named Rotary Citizen of the Year

that I have for both cycling and caring for the elderly. Of all the volunteering I’ve done in my life, this has definitely been the most heartwarming and I am just always so The Rotary Club of Invermere has named Blaine excited about doing,” said Devlin.

Nester and Don Devlin, co-founders of Cycling Without Devlin was part of the Rotary Club in Invermere for Age Invermere, as its Citizen of the Year. more than 10 years. “I know how the Rotary The Rotary Club has given out the award Club is all about service above self and, we’re for decades. Nominations are first solicited from raising money for the community and just bethe community at large, with people nominating a service group. I’ve always believed that ing those they feel exemplify the goal of Rotavolunteering is something that you should do ry, which is service above self, explained Rotary to give back to the community you live in. So Club of Invermere president Yvonne Redeker to it’s just been great to be able to do that here.” the Pioneer.

When Nester learned about his nomina“It’s really meant to recognize the communition, he was surprised as they are many dety volunteer service that happens unrecognized serving people within the community. “It (the and largely unnoticed. People just merrily go award) was a really nice thing to get, but that’s along and do their selfless work, which is the not why we do it (Cycling Without Age). It’s case this year. These two fellows have initiated rewarding to see what difference it makes in a project initiative on a volunteer basis, with people’s lives.” well-being as the goal,” said Redeker.

The two agreed that none of this could The worldwide volunteer organization Cyhave happened without other volunteers. cling Without Age, of which the local group is a “Don and I got the award, but really it’s for chapter, helps seniors feel welcome in the comthe whole group of volunteers and everyone munity. During a bike ride, senior being pedinvolved,” said Nester. Devlin added that alled around by Blaine and Don get a chance “Without our volunteers, without the support to feel reconnected to their surroundings, their of the community and those that we do rides community, and nature. for, without all of them jumping on board, “They (Nester and Devlin) went about their none of this would be here today, and really a work with passion and with concern for the peolot of things have to go to all the people that ple they were intending to support and service, support us. We’re super grateful that it’s come which is not only the people that take rides but together and has been so popular, and both of also the population in general, because once us look forward to doing it for a number of Invermere Rotary Club has honored Blaine Nester and Don Devlin, you have a healthy happy individual, then their years for sure.” co-founders of Cycling Without Age Invermere as its Citizen of the Year ceremony. family members are more at ease and the comIf everything goes well, Cycling Without Photo by Steve Hubrecht munity is uplifted by seeing such an enthusiastic Age will be back for some bike rides this sumprogram going on,” said Redeker to the Pioneer. mer.

Well-known long-time resident Nester has lived in “I’ve always been interested in volunteering, and For more information about the bike rides or to volthe valley for more than 30 years. He first started Cycling when this opportunity came up with Cycling Without unteer visit: https://cyclingwithoutage.ca/invermere/.

Without Age back in 2017 after watching a video on the Age, it was a perfect opportunity to combine passions

By Camille Aubin camille@columbiavalleypioneer.com

organization, and deciding that the project was a perfect fit for the Invermere community. When he approached Columbia Garden Village, he met Devlin, a caregiver there, who shared his goal of bringing the elderly outside and connecting them with the community.

Continued ‘pylon’ from page 3 Greenways Trail Alliance project manager Lianne Lang told the Pioneer about another recent incident of vandalism — this time clearly intentional — that occurred on the section of the West Side Legacy trail near the beaver pond, where the trial briefly right runs on Westside Road. Somebody had removed and damaged the large wooden barriers that Greenways had put in place there to prevent cyclists and other trails users from shooting out onto the road.

“When people interfere with these safety measures, it could create a bad situation for trail users or motorists,” said Lang.

“Somebody’s not a good driver. They are either not a good driver or they are doing it intentionally. I feel a bit frustrated if they are doing intentionally, because there is a great cost with that, both to the district financially and in terms of compromising the safety of people on the trail,” said Invermere mayor Al Miller.

“However it happened, whether somebody was drunk, or whether it was intention-

al, or what, the bottom line is that it is not right. The barriers (pilings) are there to protect citizens who are walking, running, cycling or engaging in other forms of active transport on the trail, and this puts those people in a position of extra risk, so I’m really not too happy about that.”

Columbia Valley RCMP Corporal Louis-Philippe Gendron-Fafard explained that the local RCMP detachment is aware of what he called “the mischief to the plastic pylons along the Westside Legacy Trail near the CastleRock subdivision.”

Gendron-Fafard confirmed it is the second incident, but said the RCMP has no information to indicate that the incidents are related.

“At this time, we are investigating the matters and would welcome any information from readers regarding the damage caused,” said Gendron-Fafard.

Anybody with information related to the incident can contact the local Columbia Valley RCMP detachment at 250 342 9292. The most recent incident on Friday, May 7, is case file 2021-1209.

POWERED BY

May 20, 2021

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 11

New construction is underway at Parkside Place

By Camille Aubin camille@columbiavalleypioneer.com The TRC Projects Ltd. has taken over the well-known Parkside Place development in downtown Invermere and is putting a fresh stamp on the place.

TRC Projects Ltd. has previously built and sold 21 houses in Radium Hot Springs. “We’re selling to people that want to live there full-time, and more and more people want to come out there and live here full-time,” said Kevin Blackwell, developer and owner of TRC Projects Ltd. The company acquired Parkside Place in December 2020 from another local building company. TRC projects Ltd. tweaked the plans, but will continue developing the original numbers of fourplexes for a total of eight townhouses to complete Parkside Place. The development has been constructed in partnership with Kris Newman Building Construction, a company that has built hundreds of homes in the Columbia Valley.

These townhouses have two or three bedrooms, as well as a Screenshot of the show home virtual tour. two-car garage. “In my opinion, it is one of the best locations of all availabilities in Invermere. It’s on a quiet street, but half a street from the main street. You can walk to the grocery store, the coffee shops, the restaurants and the beach. You can enjoy Invermere walking,” explained Blackwell.

Building materials include an ICF concrete foundation, concrete party walls, and wood frame walls. “They’re also more energy efficient in the foundation because there is insulation on both sides of both walls. They are very well sealed,” explained Blackwell to the Pioneer.

The sale process has just begun, and it’s a good time for the buyer to choose a unit and begin to envision the house’s finishing touches, such as the colours of the walls and flooring. Owners will be able to take possession of the property during the months of October through December.

If you’d like to see the finished product, TRC projects Ltd. has a show home base in Radium for a short period of time. For more information, visit: parksideplace.ca.

CVSAR invites you to our

Annual General Meeting

Art of Nature at Pynelpogs Hello to our lovely Valley community!

We hope that you are finding some sunny days and time well spent in the mountains. As we wait to see what’s next up in pandemic life, we invite you down to Pynelogs to enjoy the Art of Nature featuring the

By Cajsa Fredin art of Jack Olson, Denise Hoffgaard, Angelique GillesExecutive director pie, Louise Wright, Ed Flanagan and Elizabeth Stuart.

These six talented artists have a wonderfully unique view of the world surrounding us, with bold contemporary colors bringing personality and charm to pieces that capture intimate moments and secret spots frozen in time. From a piercing wolf ’s stare in the forest, that seems a bit too close for comfort captured by Denise Hoffgaard (that’s a zoom lens right Denise?), to the towering granite spires of the Bugaboos in brilliant spring color, by Louise Wright, there’s a little bit of adventure to be had from the comfort of our gallery walls.

We are also excited to be showcasing the talents of our local birdhouse makers from the Wings Over the Rockies birdhouse building competition! From made from scratch birdhouses, to kits provided by Home Hardware and painted by classes at J.A. Laird elementary school, there’s a “Home Tweet Home” for every...one!

Join us for another great show, The Art of Nature is on now in the Gallery from May 10 to May 29.

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 for online viewing.

The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, so come on down!

And while we have been going through some changes too, we are still the same Columbia Valley Arts that you know and love, and we couldn’t do it without you!

Become a member today, get informed and have your say! Our AGM is coming up quick on June 14 at 7 p.m. Please contact info@columbiavalleyarts.com if you would like to join the conversation and be a part of what makes CV Arts great. We would love to have you! The Arts are for Everyone.

Wednesday, June 2nd 6:30 pm via Zoom.

Community members are welcome to attend this meeting.

Email info@columbiavalleysar.ca for the Zoom link.

REQUEST FOR QUOTE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MARKIN-MACPHAIL WESTSIDE LEGACY TRAIL The Regional District of East Kootenay, requests quotes for the Operation and Maintenance of Trail Sections 1-3 on the Markin-MacPhail Westside Legacy Trail. Work is estimated to be around 12 hours per week from May to October.

Contact: Colin Peet Columbia Valley Recreation Services Superintendent cpeet@rdek.bc.ca

HELP WANTED ANCHOR & BUOY INSTALLATION – COLUMBIA LAKE The RDEK is seeking to identify interested individuals to drop 8 concrete anchors and install speed limit buoys in designated locations on Columbia Lake. Must have own boat and be willing to enter into a day labour contract with the RDEK. Deadline: Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 4:30 pm Contact: Karen MacLeod Planning Coordinator kmacleod@rdek.bc.ca

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

12 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

Spring

May 20, 2021

Gardening

Community greenhouse focus on food Submitted by Groundswell Last year with a pandemic raging around us, Groundswell bravely focused on food security, selling produce and plants to the local community and more food produce than ever before. Helping people produce their own food also became our mantra, and fixing our structural problems so we could be more productive in our greenhouse and gardens.

This year looks very bright indeed with our new kitchen and solar panels in place and staff hired. We are positioned to go where no one else in our area has gone; 12 months of food production!

Some of our exciting projects this year include: Increasing our market gardens efficiency. If you walk or drive by the gardens, you will see many staff and volunteers working at these changes; Increasing the number of rental Gardens at the Mt Nelson Community Gardens.

With 37 beds already rented between Groundswell and Mt Nelson Community gardens. Construction is underway for up to ten new rental beds, and as many as we

can comfortably fit within the current fenced area this year; Increasing our Apple Rescue Program into the end of October and to include other fruit trees such as apricot, cherry and plum.

Thanks to the support from the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) and the District of Invermere.

Two very successful spring plant sales during May supported our communities zeal for gardening. Our market garden continues to produce vegetables from our greenhouse, and outside garden for local markets. We will ramp up produce sales through the local Farmers markets and with direct sales at the greenhouse. Please come visit to buy some of our amazing tomatoes, herbs, veggies and flowers.

Submitted photo Our DTSS student start getting tours of the greenhouse and garden this spring, and we hope to have other classes come by to see how things are growing at Groundswell!

Other projects on our list for 2021 are: a roof on our

storage area, a new tool shed, installing lower vents in the greenhouse, fixing a leak in our north wall, create a Compost learning area, and rolling out workshops and videos on Living Soil, Composting, Starting your own Garden, Moms and Tots, Fairy Door workshop…

Our many achievements are only possible with the ongoing support from our members, renters, volunteers, community businesses and sponsors.

A special shout out to our board members, staff and volunteers who work hard to support the community.

And a big thanks to our 2021 sponsors: the District of Invermere, the Region District of the East Kootenays (RDEK), CBT and Farm Credit Canada Agrispirit.

Some days when working in the greenhouse, it feels like you are in a big animal as the fans and vents come on and off as the temperature changes throughout the day. To learn more about our iconic greenhouse, contact Groundswell to book a tour. Come and visit the gardens, which are open daily from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Weekend hours will vary until we get our summer staff in June.

Help further our work in sustainability and food security education by sending a cheque to Groundswell Network Society Box 415, Invermere, BC, V0A 1K0 or by etransfer to book@groundswellnetwork.ca For more information, contact us at: info@groundswellnetwork.ca

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Spring

May 20, 2021

Gardening

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 13

Being happy in your garden!

Submitted by Winderberry Nursery As we head into another summer of sticking close to home, let’s take advantage of this time in our gardens and enjoy the spaces that we have created or are in the midst of creating.

At Winderberry, we have many conversations with customers throughout the spring and summer about how to create their perfect garden spaces. Here is a small list of gardening practices that we continually talk about that make people happy!

Getting their hands in the dirt! There is something to be said for getting soil under your fingernails and digging in your yard or pots. In fact, science has proven that digging in the dirt really does lift your spirits. The digging stirs up microbes in the soil. These microbes help stimulate serotonin production, which can make you feel relaxed and happier.

Growing your own food! This is fulfilling - literally -, it can fill you up with yummy food and so much happiness. Yes, growing your own food can be challenging at times with certain plants performing differently from year to year, or pests bothering certain crops, or low seed germination rates and too many weeds! But, when you get to eat the first fresh snap pea off the vine, or pull

Live life in full bloom

the first sweet baby carrot out of the ground, or pop the bright red cherry tomato into your mouth, it all becomes worth it. Growing your own food means a different journey in your garden each year. It’s a continuous learning curve and can be very rewarding.

Submitted photo Being creative and adding lots of colours! We exit the winter months craving warm summer days and colours all around us. One of the places to get these colours is in our yards, and these can come in the form of trees, shrubs, perennials and many, many different kinds of annuals. We have a short growing season here in the Rocky Mountains and consistently see our customers excited for

all the spring/summer blooms, blossoms and colours that our gardens provide us.

Planting gardens that attract the birds, hummingbirds and butterflies! There is a large selection of plant material that you can add to your garden to create more of a hummingbird garden. You can choose from annuals, perennials, vines, shrubs, trees, bedding plants, and hanging baskets. When selecting plant material, aim for a mixture of colours, sizes, textures, and bloom times.

Time in your garden! It’s simple, having time in your garden to prep your soil, to feed your plants good nutrients, to ‘renovate’ your garden, weed and then be able to sit and enjoy it... this is happiness for many gardeners. A garden brings so much joy.

If you are a new gardener or one that gets overwhelmed with the work it takes, then step outside, take a deep breath, look around and pick one project to start on. Just one. Don’t overwhelm yourself and try to enjoy the time you get to spend on that portion of your garden.

Don’t forget to take the time to sit and relax, listen to the birds and take in the visual landscape that you have created in your yard, whether it big or small.

As always, the team at Winderberry is happy to answer any questions and help you create your perfect gardening space.

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14 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

The kitchen garden

Plant to Plate, Farm to Table, Seed to Supper, Garden to Gourmet! Whatever you want to call it, restauSubmitted by Columbia rant dishes that include locally-grown ingredients Valley Food and Farm represent what was once one of the fastest-growing culinary trends in Canada, and that has now become a defining feature of top restaurants around the world. The forming of partnerships between farms and restaurants and on-site kitchens in North America may have had its origins in the 1970s, but kitchen gardens have been around for a lot longer than that.

Known as ‘potager’ in French, the kitchen garden was the hallmark of the home landscape In Renaissance France. Potagers were planted with vegetables, herbs, and flowers, both edible and non-edible, near the kitchen, for easy access. It was important for the garden to be planted with beauty in mind as nourishment of the body and the soul was seen as equally important. Rows of vegetables were interspersed with brightly-coloured cut flowers and blooming herbs. Kitchen gardens were simple, country gardens or very formal, such as the elaborate geometric gardens of the Palace of Versailles.

A ground-breaking kitchen garden was established at Sooke Harbour House on Vancouver Island in the late 1970s. The inn’s restaurant was one of the best in North America for many years, owing its reputation to the beautiful ingredients grown in its kitchen garden.

The local food beet

On a side note, the Columbia Valley has a connection to Sooke Harbour House. Sandra Howard, organizer of the Mount Nelson Community Gardens, a project of Groundswell Network Society, developed the original raised bed system at Sooke Harbour House.

Edible flowers From Scratch.

Submitted photo

Kitchen Gardens are an important aspect of restaurants in the Columbia Valley, too. The Spilli Station Café in Spillimacheen prides itself on the culinary garden outside the cafe’s back door. According to Patricia Derbyshire, co-owner of the café, basil, kale, cilantro and

May 20, 2021

lettuces are lovingly grown for use in many of their menu items. Other menu items also feature locally grown ingredients from nearby farms.

Windermere is home to Edibles Café and is the only on-farm café in our area. While technically their kitchen garden covers much more ground than the typical potager, Edibles bases its menus on a wide variety of vegetables and herbs grown in the fields adjacent to the café.

Farther south in Fairmont Hot Springs, From Scratch, a Mountain Kitchen features a kitchen garden prominently at the entrance to the café. Lara McCormack shares that the raised beds hold four types of basil, mint, rosemary, thyme, savoury, tarragon and chervil. Herbs are picked each morning by the chefs for use in their dishes and to flavour delicious syrups for use in cocktails and iced teas. Mosquito-repelling plants such as citronella are grown, too, a bonus for patio dinners!

The great thing about kitchen gardens for the home cook is that the use of freshly harvested herbs and vegetables can really take your cooking up to the next level.

Don’t have room for a garden? No problem, a wide variety of herbs and vegetables can be cultivated in pots on a deck or patio. Starting a kitchen garden is a fun way to dip your toes into the world of gardening, too. Don’t forget to plant a few edible flowers to give your potager that important aesthetically pleasing element.

Are you growing a kitchen garden? We would love to hear from you. Please email cvfoodandfarm@gmail.com and tell us about it.

The low down on rhubarb There is so much rhubarb growing in the valley right now, and many of you

By Lara McCormack are wondering what to do with it. Our valley provides optimal growing for this perennial sour vegetable that plays wonders in and out of the kitchen.

The word rhubarb comes from the Latin word ‘rhababarum’, which means ‘root of the barbarians.’ The Romans labelled people who ate rhubarb as ‘barbarians.’ It’s been documented that the Chinese began growing rhubarb as early as 2700 BC. When the seeds came to America in late 1700, it was called the “Persian Apple’ as it was thought to be an exotic Asian fruit. In the 19th century, rhubarb was desired for medicinal qualities, including a laxative, purgative, used for prevention of gum disease, an anti-inflammatory, and general health tonic. Rhubarb is full of magnesium and a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, potassium and manganese. It is also low in saturated fat and sodium, and very low in cholesterol. In other words, in moderation, its’ good for you!

Rhubarb also had a dark side. The leaves are poisonous, containing oxalic acid, which can be fatal if consumed in large doses. So please don’t eat the leaves! When picking rhubarb, pull and twist so the stalk comes away from the bulb; do not cut it from the plant. This will keep your plant healthy and thriving.

Over the years, rhubarb has been made more palatable thanks to sugar. Typically used in pies, crumbles and jams, the tangy flavour is addicting! It also makes an addicting juice, a delicious pickle and is tasty when roasted. A favorite childhood memory of mine is walking out to our garden with a small bowl of sugar, picking a stock

From Scratch

and dipping it in sugar. The first bite wakes up the taste buds and was a sign that summer is around the corner!

There are two types of rhubarb: “hothouse,” also called “strawberry rhubarb,” and “field grown or “cherry rhubarb.” The names are informative. Hothouse are more cultivated and have a paler, pink color; the field grown, grown wild, can be coarser, have a more acidic taste, and a deeper pink color.

The color of the stalks will be the color of the cooked rhubarb. So, if you buy pale green stalks, your finished dish, whether a rhubarb crisp or a compote, will also be pale green. If you want to ensure your cooked rhubarb has a pink color, select stalks that are as pink or red as you can find.

Rhubarb stalks contain a great deal of moisture. This is a plus when stewing to make a compote because adding a little sugar will help draw out water and you won’t need to add any additional liquid except for flavor, as with a tablespoon or so of orange juice or port. But all that liquid is a factor when making a pie or crisp or cobbler. Adding a little thickening agent, such as tapioca, cornstarch or flour will help prevent the rhubarb from flooding anything you bake.

Choose stalks that are firm and crisp with a bright, clear color. Avoid ones with blemishes and if you happen to find stalks sold with their leaves intact, discard the leaves before storing and cooking the rhubarb.

Store raw rhubarb stalks refrigerated, left unwashed until you’re ready to cook them, and loosely wrapped in a plastic bag.

Because of its high amount of acid, rhubarb is best cooked in non-reactive cookware. For example, don’t make a rhubarb cobbler in a cast iron casserole.

If the stalks seem coarse, pull off any obvious strings.

You don’t have to peel the stalks; just trim off any rough areas or marks. The stalks are usually cut into 1/2 to 1-inch pieces before cooking, with slices cut on the diagonal, against the grain of the stalk – this helps break any stringiness.

The following recipe results in two dishes that are

versatile to enjoy.

Strawberry-Rhubarb Syrup and Mash Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc; 3/4 to 1 cup sugar – start with less and add more as needed; 6 tablespoons local honey; 2 to 3 cups strawberries, halved and stems removed; 2 pounds’ rhubarb, trimmed and sliced 1/4-inch-thick (makes 8 to 10 cups); 2 to 4 tablespoons lemon juice.

Simmer wine in a 6-quart saucepan with 3/4 cup sugar, honey and strawberries. Bring to a low boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes.

Lift strawberries out with a slotted spoon and let them cool in a bowl. After a few minutes, pour strawberry juices from bowl back into wine mixture. Store strawberries in refrigerator to eat later over ice cream or yogurt.

Add rhubarb to wine, cover and bring to low boil over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Uncover and simmer until rhubarb is falling apart, about 7 minutes.

Strain mixture through a fine sieve set over a bowl.

Work in batches if necessary, stirring with a spatula or spoon to allow syrup to collect in bowl.

When most of the liquid has drained and the rhubarb mash is the texture of apple sauce, transfer the mash to a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Taste and, if desired, adjust with additional sugar or lemon juice. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice to syrup. Taste and, if desired, add additional sugar or lemon juice.

Makes about 2 cups rhubarb mash and 3 cups syrup.

The mash, a confit in French culinary jargon, is good for spooning over toast, eating with sharp cheese or pork, or topping vanilla ice cream. The syrup can be added to orange juice, blended with plain seltzer water to make a soda, mixed in with gin or a margarita, topped on your favorite ice cream, or poured over fresh berries for a dessert.

Lara McCormack is co-owner of From Scratch – A Mountain Kitchen in Fairmont Hot Springs where one can savor fabulous, seasonal food, sip from a selection of BC wines and enjoy the views of our gorgeous valley landscape.

a

May 20, 2021

s

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 15

t’ W h HAPPENING

Hospice

Swims the Lake

in the Columbia Valley

Thursday, May 20

Monday, May 24

• 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.

• 9:30 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.

• 11 am – 4 pm: The Art of Nature. Join us in the gallery at Pynelogs (by Kinsmen Beach, Invermere), Tuesday through Saturday for this fantastic show celebrating all things nature! Featuring the artwork of Louise Wright, Ed Flanagan, @d.hoffgaard_photography , Jack Olson, Angelique Gillespie, and Elizabeth Stuart. Show runs through May 29th.

• 12 – 1 pm: Columbia Valley Food Bank AGM. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Register: 250-342-0850 or email: chairpersoncvfb@shaw.ca. www.facebook.com/ cvfoodbank • 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 • 5 – 6:30 pm: Basin Youth Network Job Readiness Online Workshop. Sign up now for a free 3-session Basin Youth Network Job Readiness Workshop where you will gain valuable skills to get you ready for your next job! Register at www.kcds.ca/ basin-youth-network-registrations.

• 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.

• 11 am – 4 pm: The Art of Nature. Join us in the gallery at Pynelogs (by Kinsmen Beach, Invermere). Show runs through May 29th.

• 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 250-4094251.

Friday, May 21 • 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!

• 11 am – 4 pm: The Art of Nature. Join us in the gallery at Pynelogs (by Kinsmen Beach, Invermere). Show runs through May 29th.

• 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 • 6 pm: Online Bingo – streaming on Facebook. Go to ‘Rotary Community Online Bingo’ for playing instructions, and buy cards at https://folden-rotary.myshopify. com

Saturday, May 22 • 10 am - 3 pm: 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.

• 11 am – 4 pm: The Art of Nature. Join us in the gallery at Pynelogs (by Kinsmen Beach, Invermere). Show runs through May 29th.

Where to recycle?

Sunday, May 23 Check the Fundraiser.

BC RECYCLEpEdia • 10 - 6 pm: Bottle Drive: Rotary the Rotary Club collects refundable www.rcbc.ca 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 Recycling council of B.c. back into the community” through our Projects andMeMBeR Initiatives.

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

A value of $2,500

Other Major Prizes • • • •

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

List of Prizes

Tuesday, May 25 • 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.

• 11 am – 4 pm: The Art of Nature. Join us in the gallery at Pynelogs (by Kinsmen Beach, Invermere). Show runs through May 29th.

• 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 • 6 – 7:30 pm: Online Youth Night. Hey teens! For the month of May we will be doing an online activity every Tuesday. Sign up for one or all of the events. Contact Angela Miller at 250-341-5216 or Columbiavalleyyouthnetwork@hotmail.com to sign up. Kits will be available for each event, delivery can be arranged for outer Communities if needed.

Wednesday, May 26

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• 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.

• 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!

• 11 am – 4 pm: The Art of Nature. Join us in the gallery at Pynelogs (by Kinsmen Beach, Invermere). Show runs through May 29th.

• 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 • 5 – 7 pm: The very popular Wednesday evening Farmers Market begins a new season with a quality selection of local food, produce, beef, baking and much more. Evening meal by “From Scratch Mountain Kitchen.“ Find us on the Agri Park, Highway 93/95 kiticorner to Tim Hortons, Windermere. We still have some space for new qualifying vendors. Please email: farmersmarket959@gmail.com for more information.

Where to recycle?

• • • • •

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

Can this be recycled?

Have your added by visiting Check theevent BC RECYCLEpEdia

604-RECYCLE (732-9253) www.cvevents.ca 1-800-667-4321

Check the BC RECYCLEpEdia www.rcbc.ca

Recycling council of B.c. MeMBeR

Recycling council of B.c. MeMBeR

or email info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Recycling questions?

Recycle? Yes or no?

Get the BC ReCYClepedia app

BC RECYCLING HOTLINE 604-732-9253 1-800-667-4321 Recycling council of B.c. MeMBeR

www.rcbc.ca

16 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

May 20, 2021

HERE TO SERVE YOU SERVICES

SERVICES

SERVICE EXCELLENCE

Sales ~ Service ~ Installation

North American Warranty

IN THE COLUMBIA VALLEY

SINCE 1991

UNIVERSAL DOORS & EXTERIORS

All Makes and Models

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

Arnold Scheffer 250-342-6700

Tire Sales and Installation

We give all students 15% off with valid student ID

unidoorext@live.ca • unidoorext.ca

Industrial ~ Commercial ~ Residential

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

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

KITCHEN CABINETS & COUNTER TOPS

915 7th Avenue, Unit B, Invermere • EMAIL: fairmontridge@telus.net • 250-342-4663 • Interior/Exterior Painting • Staining • Clear Coat • New Construction • Renovations

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

HOW WE ROLL Gerard Rehman

(7655) LetUsRoll4U@Gmail.com

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

Fully Insured

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

Toll Free 1-88

20 years experience • Satisfaction guaranteed!

Serving the Valley for over 20 years!

Everett Frater Enterprises

Kootenay

Ph: 250-688-ROLL

Spring Cleaning • Lawn Maintenance Commercial Residential

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

(Servicing the Valley since 1999)

NEW SEWER CAMERA

Kootenay Paving

• Septic Tank Pumping • Portable Toilet Rentals

Toll Free 1-888-341-2221

Call now for a free quote!

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

• 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

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

Fraser Elrick • 250-688-1271

LANDSCAPING

PHARMACIES

LAMBERT-KIPP

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

GOLDEN, BC 250-344-0188

P H A R M A C Y ( 2 0 1 9 ) LT D .

Come in and browse our giftware

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

Irena Shepard, B.Sc. (Pharm.)., Émilie Lamoureux, Pharm D., Laura Kipp, Pharm D. Your Compounding Pharmacy

Open Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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

1301 - 7th Avenue, Invermere

250-342-6612

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

N E W S PA P E R

May 20, 2021

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 17

HERE TO SERVE YOU INSURANCE

INSURANCE

Landscaping&&Design Design Landscaping Landscaping & Design Trucking Excavating • •Trucking ••Excavating Trucking • Excavating •• Civil Earthworks • Civil Earthworks

• FireSmart• Equipment Civil Earthworks 62”x74” Brushcutter

2016

Quality not quantity Sue Coy

250-341-5353 sdcoy@shaw.ca

Lloyd Wilder

250-342-5326 www.decoylandscaping.com lewilder@shaw.ca

INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD.

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

CONTRACTING

Patryk Jagiello 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

Slurpy

Big Cat Painting

Seniors Discounts

Kekuli Bay Cabinetry kekulibaycabinetry.com

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

A licensed, registered and bonded company

We also offer roundthe-clock service calls.

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

Gary’s

Professional Painting & Decorating Ltd. 1978 FREE Estimates

CUSTOM WOOD FINISHING FAUX FINISHES JOURNEYMAN RED SEAL

403-650-4622 • garysptg@gmail.com

• 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

CONCRETE

For all your painting needs!

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

Specializing in all heating, electric, gas and wood.

INTERIOR • EXTERIOR • WALL COVERINGS

housedoctorcontracting@yahoo.com

www.hd-contracting.ca

Registered ROWP Serving all areas from Wasa to Golden

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

Custom Kitchens, Bathrooms and Interior Renovations

Dave Drouin – 519-995-1630 Mike Shelson – 519-566-9745

CONTRACTING

Vacuum/ Septic tank pumping

in Calgary since 2002 in Invermere since 2004

House Doctors Contracting

www.kootenayinsurance.ca

There’s a new ‘Sucker’ in town!

(250) 270-0345

PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS

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

CONTRACTING

patco_dev@shaw.ca

Patco Developments Ltd.

INSURANCE

READY MIX CONCRETE Concrete Pump • Sand & Gravel Heavy Equipment Rentals • Crane Service Proudly Serving the Valley for over 50 years

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

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

CONC RETE

250-341-7474 • Authorized dealer • Designer • Installer

Dale Elliott Contracting

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

dale@decontracting.ca • 250-341-7098

• 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

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

18 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

May 20, 2021

Tick season is here!

Submitted by Cathy Chaw You can hear the screams echo down walking trails and at dog parks sometimes, high-pitched cries and hollers of, “Get it off me! It’s biting, get it off me!” And there’s nothing worse than getting back home or to your hotel room and finding multiple ticks, either crawling or attached. Ticks are repulsive blood suckers that are horrifying to look at, even though they are quite small. Creepy crawly legs and biting pincers make me want to run from the hills back to the city.

The ticks are out in the Columbia Valley. I was bitten by what looked like an American Dog Tick in the Canal Flats area. But let’s be realistic, the ticks are there almost everywhere when you get outdoors, from the prairies to the forests. Ticks are no joke, and neither is Lyme disease, which is carried by some ticks and can be transmitted to both dogs and people. Basic antibiotic treatments are usually effective, but the diseases carried by ticks are often not well understood. Most of the time, experts and major treatment centers are in the USA and Europe. Diagnosis can be difficult, and some of the problems the many diseases carried by ticks can be terrifying. Best not to get bit in the first place!

Ticks can carry a number of diseases, and so if you’re

headed out on your next wilderness adventure, stay safe and do anything to get the collar off. If you’re going to and use your choice of repellents. Both natural and be spending any time outdoors, talk to your vet and see chemical repellents are available specifically for ticks and what works for your dog. Because of your dog’s personalother pests. And even though I would love to be able to ity or breed, one or another repellent might be preferred.

Lastly, follow the instructions laid out for tick removfully depend on natural solutions like lavender, lemon, and peppermint oils, the diseases that certain ticks carry al on the Health Link BC website, but in the most basic are so scary that I prefer the nuclear option. I personally form, don’t handle the tick, use tweezers to remove the tick from its head, pull straight out, and disprefer non-natural repellents beinfect the area. Tweezers specifically for ticks cause experience has taught me are available and helpful if you are going to they are more effective at repelbe outside. Fear and nervousness are your ling ticks specifically. Make your enemies. Having the tick tweezers and conown choices and do your own sciously checking for ticks can reduce a lot research. Relating specifically to of the anxiety around these tiny vampires! dogs, a lot of essential oils and Common sense and a quick read go a natural repellents are toxic to long way, and so does a healthy dose of predogs. Contact your veterinarian vention. for accurate information. My Although every attempt has been made dog hates peppermint so much Photo by Abhishek Wagh on Unto relay practical information, this article is that she digs holes to flee from it splash not a substitute for professional advice and and holds a two-day grudge if she only provides general information. Contact your doctor, gets near the stuff. Yes, dogs are smart enough to sulk.

For our dog, our vet recommended a pill that repels vet, and www.healthlinkbc.ca for exact and up to date inticks for a period of time. Some people also recommend formation. The BC Centre for Disease Control is another a flea and tick medicated collar, but for some reason, great resource at www.bccdc.ca. our dog hated that specific collar and would roll around

HERE TO SERVE YOU CONCRETE

CONCRETE

• 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.

Columbia Concrete Inc. 20 years’ experience • Anything concrete!

• • • •

Basements Garage pads Driveways Patios

• • • •

Decorative Exposed Stamped concrete Acid staining

WE RESEAL CONCRETE

250-688-3739 I N

P U R S U I T

Serving the Columbia Valley

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

There’s a reason they’re called “CLASSY”. Pioneer Classifieds…

Phone: 250-342-5833 • Cell: 250-270-9444

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

CARPET CLEANING

Enjoy life, we’ll clean it up!

Call NOW:

• 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

250-688-0213

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

Business: 250-342-9692

Visit www.heavensbest.com for more information

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

Cell: 250-342-1273

ptarmiganrugclean@gmail.com

SERVICES Fully Insured & WCB Covered

FREE ESTIMATES

Chimney and Eavestrough Cleaning and Repair Specialists

You name it!

I’ll take care of it!

N E W S PA P E R

TILE AND GROUT CLEANING

YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP for all home maintenance from raking your lawn to renovating your entire house.

• Pruning and Removal of ALL Trees and Shrubs • Stump Grinding • Fully Insured & WCB Covered

OVER

30 YEARS

EXPERIENCE

Keep your local businesses alive.

Get your tree services right here in Invermere!

Please call Steve ~ a real local you can trust! 250-342-1791

May 20, 2021

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 19

P ioneer C lassifieds

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

NOTE: Cheers Without Tears has replaced Cheers & Jeers ~ Let’s highlight the positive!

GARAGE SALE

ANNOUNCEMENT

ANNOUNCEMENT

Yard Sale – 8915 Shaughnessy St. Canal Flats. Lots of good stuff from household, farm and shop.

All has to go! Antique dresser, power wood working tools, gun cabinet, shelving, rope, harrows, air tools, ATV boxes, ATV winch parts, carpenter box antique records, butcher shop supplies, and a lot more. May 22,23,24 all day long.

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.

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.

S OBITUARY S Stone, (Grace) Bernice November 30, 1924 – May 8, 2021

It is with sadness that our family announces the passing of Bernice Stone, at the Columbia Gardens in Invermere BC, at the age of 96. Bernice was born in Roundhill, Alberta the oldest of 5 children where she spent her childhood on the family farm. After completing her education, she ventured out and got her first job with the Calgary Power Company. She married Pete Wolfe in 1946 and her beloved daughter Vicky was born in 1948. After Pete and Bernice separated, Bernice and Vicky settled in Calgary where she worked for Keith Construction for many years.

Years later she met the love of her life, Jim Stone and they were married in 1968. Bernice gave up her job and the big city life to move to the little town of Brisco. Her family grew to include Jim’s son Bob and his daughter Gale and a new son-in-law David Clark. Jim and Bernice built a beautiful new home which became the gathering place for all their family and their many friends.

Many cherished memories were made in their Brisco home with lots of love and laughter being shared. Bernice loved to host, garden, read, craft, cook and try new recipes, camping and traveling the globe with Jim. She loved decorating and was always wearing the latest fashions.

In later years Bernice and Jim moved to Osprey Lane in Invermere where they continued their friendships and social activities. After Jim’s passing in 1999, Bernice continued to live at Osprey Lane until 2 years ago when she moved to the Columbia Gardens. Thanks to the wonderful staff at the Gardens, Bernice settled in surrounded by friends, and made it her home.

Bernice is survived by her children Bob (Penny) Stone, Gale Barrault and son-in-law David (Linda) Clark. She has 9 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by three sisters Gladys, Doris and Elaine and many nieces and nephews. Bernice is predeceased by her husband Jim Stone, her daughter Vicky Clark, her son-in-law Russell Barrault and her brother George Blades.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and the staff at the Gardens for their outstanding care and compassion for Bernice. We also send a big thank you to Kelly Stuart Hill, who was a special friend to Bernice and always there for her.

Due to COVID, a celebration of Bernice Stone’s amazing life will be held when it is safe to do so. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that you lend a helping hand to a neighbour to honour Bernice’s legacy and life.

Pioneer Classified Advertising 250-341-6299

CHEERS WITHOUT TEARS Cheers to Larry and Sally Logan for the tasty treats delivered to our door. You spoil us neighbours!

Cheers to Pam and Whitney at A & W. Always great food and always friendly service with a smile.

CHEERS WITHOUT TEARS

CHEERS WITHOUT TEARS

CHEERS WITHOUT TEARS

Cheer’s to Brenda at Travel world I remembered the great service from both Russ and Brenda, before using online booking.

However, with all the moving goal posts/restrictions/travel rules, I gave myself the gift of Brenda’s time, expertise and great listening skills for before, during and after this important travel. Such relief. Sure, appreciate you Brenda.

Cheers to the kids in the Radium Valley Vacation Resort for helping me look for our lost dog Annie on Friday evening, May 14th, and the gentleman (you know who you are) on Thouret Road for calling me with the good news that she’d dropped by for a visit.

LISTINGS NEEDED!

‘Huge CHEERS to the RCMP officer to came to my aid when my car died going into town on the Athalmer bridge while waiting for the light to change last Thursday May 13th. Many thanks for your kindness.’

S OBITUARY S Arif, Karen Marie Hatalcik August 31, 1963 – May 9, 2021 In the early morning hours of Sunday, May 9, 2021, at the age of 57, Karen Marie Hatalcik Arif passed away at the Invermere & District Hospital after a difficult battle with brain cancer. Karen was born in Invermere on August 31, 1963 to Frances and Alois Hatalcik.

She married her husband, Stephen Arif, on September 28, 1992 and they were blessed with two daughters. Karen spent her life hiking, skiing, canoeing, and camping with her family and friends. There was no place Karen would rather be than in the outdoors with the people she loved. Karen spent her career as a physiotherapist, dedicated to helping others.

Karen leaves to mourn her passing her beloved husband Stephen and her two daughters, Elizabeth Ivy Hatalcik Arif and Anna Louise Hatalcik Arif. Karen also leaves her mother Frances Esther Hatalcik, two brothers, John Anthony Hatalcik (Shannon) and Stephen Christopher Hatalcik (Tanya), and one sister Joanne Frances Hatalcik (Mike), and several nieces and nephews. Karen was predeceased by her father Alois John Hatalcik.

Donations in Karen’s memory may be made to the Invermere Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley. Karen was a founding board member of the Society and was very passionate about this cause.

A funeral Mass was held on Saturday, May 15 at Canadian Martyrs Parish. The family is planning to hold a celebration of life after COVID restrictions have lifted, hopefully on September 4th in Invermere.

The family would like to thank this community for all the love and support during this most difficult time.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.markmemorial.com Mark Memorial Community Funeral Home in care of arrangements, 250-426-4864.

Huge and heartfelt Cheers to Jo and Kyra! Your care and support is unparalleled and this valley is exceptionally lucky to have a team like you in it.

Cheers to Gloria at Home Hardware, great services with a smile. You made my day!

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

Hugh Cheer to Ken & Barb for all there hard work on Columere Parks FIRE SMART program.

Without there determination it wouldn’t have happened.

Thanks!

Cheers to Rodger Madson for your lasting council. Whenever I am undecided about doing something I ask, what would Rodger do? Then I do it.

Independently owned and operated

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

1-250-426-4445.

LOT/ACREAGE FOR SALE

LEGAL NOTICE The following corporations intend to amalgamate: 1301828 B.C. LTD. and 1301828 B.C. LTD. Any creditor of these companies who intends to object to the amalgamation must provide to the corporation a written notice of objection within 15 days after the sending or publication of the notice. Objections should be sent to PO box 2400, 1018 -7th Ave, Invermere, BC, V0A 1k0.

The Directors reasonably believe and have reasonable grounds for believing that the amalgamated company will not be insolvent.

LOST AND FOUND LOST: Keyset with Car FOB. Please hand into the Pioneer office.

Keys set has a cross decoration attached.

BUYING OR SELLING? 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 Cash for all silver and gold!

Bullion, bars, rounds, coins, jewellery + also buying coin collections and old money!

Todd’s coins 1-250-864-3521.

Please email classified ads to info@columbiavalleypioneer.com

20 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

CONDO FOR SALE

DOWNTOWN INVERMERE Buy your piece of the CONDO (BY OWNER) Invermere Valley before $165,000 prices go nuts!

Buy your piece of the Top Floor unit, 2-bedroom, Invermere Valley before 1 bath 825 sq. ft., In suite prices go nuts! laundry, Warm2 bedroom, Sunny Top Floor unit. balcony, Mountain views, 1 bath 985 sq. ft., in-suite Lots of parking, low laundry, Warm lowsunny condo fee’s, Small complex balcony, mountain views, (20 units) with large Lots of parking, low treed low site area.

Awesome location condo fee’s, small complex only units) steps towith Downtown and (20 large treed the area.

Beach,Awesome currentlylocation rented site for $1000.00, PRICED TO SELL only steps to Downtown and the beach, currently rented AT $195,000 Call 403-402for $1000.00, PRICED TO SELL 7505 or email rjfaulds1@ AT $165,000 Call 403-402gmail.com.

7505 or email rjfaulds1@ gmail.com

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.

ZEHNDER BEEF. Quality natural beef, free of antibiotics and hormones. Government inspected, locally raised and processed. Halves and Quarters, ground beef and some steaks now available. Call John Zehnder 250-688-0713.

VEHICLES FOR SALE Subaru Forester 2008. $1000.

Blue; 189,000 kms; manual transmission. Needs about $3000 in repairs within the next year. Comes with full set winter tires. Buy as is. Call 250-6881042.

Please call 250-341-6299 to place your classified ad.

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

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 Pike Contracting Excavating and Skid Steer services.

Call Jason 250-342-5277.

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

LEGAL NOTICES

Court Bailiff Land Sale

Lot 14, Pedley Heights Drive, Windermere; PID 027 170 969.

For information contact Canada West Court Bailiff, 250-545-7333

May 20, 2021

SERVICES

HELP WANTED

B.B.’s Home & Lawn Care Services Master Craftsman & Stonemason, Renovation’s & Interior Design, blinds & installation. All home interior/ exterior repairs & yard maintenance, eavestrough cleaning, dump runs, house checks/cleaning.

Over 35 year’s experience.

Call 250-688-2897.

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.

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

PROFESSIONAL STUMP GRINDING Free quotes Reasonable rates 1-403-703-4492.

HELP WANTED

Fairmont Vacation Villas Mountainside

(855) 345-6341or mountainsidevillas.com Fairmont Villa Management is now hiring

Housekeepers for their busy Summer and Fall season.

We offer year-round employment, with a wage of $18-$19 per hour depending on experience, and a generous benefits package after 3 months.

We are also accepting part-time and student applications.

All positions involve working weekends. Must be reliable, Have own transportation, a strong work ethic and the Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment.

If this sounds like you, we look forward to receiving your application/resume.

Contact Lynn Brunelle at 250 345-6341 Fax Att: Lynn 250 345-6299 Or email: HSKPmgr@msvillas.com

HELP WANTED The Heartfelt Companion is hiring an associate to provide non-medical services to seniors.

If you have a big, kind heart and truly appreciate the company of seniors please call 250341-5683 for more info. Only those available on short notice from Monday - Friday will be considered. This is a permanent casual or part time position.

Approximately 4 - 12 to 8 - 20 hours/week.

Akiskinook Resort STRATA RESORT GARDENER

Geoff Hill PREC* REALTOR® Fair Realty

250-341-7600

www.geoffhill.ca

SERVICES Come see Krysta Larsen R.TCM.P to help treat your pain, anxiety, menstrual irregularities, sports injuries and much more. The clinic offers direct billing to a variety of insurance companies, as well motor vehicle claims through ICBC.

POSITION SUMMARY – Akiskinook Resort is looking to fill a flower bed and garden tender position. This is a full time seasonal position with some flexibility required during busier and slower periods. It is a hands-on role involving planting and maintaining the pristine flower gardens as well as assisting with general groundskeeping as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES – You will be accountable for the overall maintenance of the flower beds and gardens throughout the resort at a level consistent with the high standards expected of Akiskinook.

QUALIFICATIONS – The successful candidate must possess the following competencies and experience: • High attention to detail • Team player • A love of the outdoors and a great work ethic Wage will be determined based on experience and qualifications. Resumes may be submitted to akisk01@telus.net or faxed to 250-342-0122.

Located at #304 - 1313 7th Ave. Book online at www.silverfernacupuncture.ca

NOW OPEN! BUSINESS FOR SALE

Successful business for sale!

Owner is relocating to the Prairies due to family commitments...

Priced to sell!

Asking price includes all equipment, leasehold improvements, and affordable 5-year fixed lease; as well as a great reputation and local following due to a successful 14 years of operation. Turn-key ownership; full management and support staff in place. Lovely 3,500 sq. foot space with 9 treatment rooms, 2 full bathrooms with showers and lockers, 2 soaker tubs, a sauna, guest lounge and large bright retail space... endless options!

For questions or viewing appointments contact 250-688-0634.

Priced for quick take-over... don’t let this opportunity pass you by!

Serious inquiries only please.

WANTED!

Licensed Automotive Mechanic or Third or Fourth Year Apprentice Full-time, year-round. Experienced in all aspects of automotive repair, possess a full set of tools, a valid drivers license and must be reliable. We offer competitive wages, clean comfortable surroundings, hoists with all specialty tools, uniforms (and laundered) included as well as a benefit package.

Email your resume to k5mech@shaw.ca or stop in to see Richard or Fred 3 - 140 Industrial Rd #2, Invermere, B.C.

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

May 20, 2021

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 21

HELP WANTED

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.

Rigid Plumbing is looking for both an Experienced Journeyman Plumber and Labourer. Call 250-341-5179

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.

Crossroads Market Now Hiring!

Opportunities for all positions Night-time Supervisors, Deli Clerks and Cashiers. Above average wage packages offered. Both full and part-time positions available. High season bonus packages from May through September for all staff.

Pleasant and customer serviceoriented individuals please. Call 778-526-5085 or email resume to KGTLTD2020@gmail.com.

Sales/Merchandise Associates The Invermere Thrift Store is seeking 2 students to work in our retail store as well as receiving and merchandising.

30 hours per week including weekends. $15.50 per hour Details at www. invermerethriftstore.com Position # 1 : May 31 to August 28 12 weeks Position # 2: June 28 to August 28 9 weeks Send resume and cover letter to ihcasAP@outlook.com

Submitted by Artym Gallery Do you have plans for the long weekend? How about a five km walk or bike one way or, if you are feeling even more energetic, 10 km round trip. While on your journey, stop at all seven Invermere Art Spots. The galleries

Summer Camp Facilitator Eva Joseph Learning and Cultural Society has a great opportunity for the right person to be our next Summer Camp Facilitator. This is a Full time Summer position working 10 hour days, 4 days a week Monday to Thursday.

• Confident and comfortable working outside all summer.

• Ability to work in diverse working environments.

• Ability to lead and organize activities, games, crafts for children to do.

• Provide a safe, comfortable environment for 6 to 12-year-old children.

• Ability to participate in recreational activities, including swimming, hiking and physically active games.

The successful candidate will be: • Knowledgeable and respectful of local First Nations communities and cultures.

• Willing to take a 20 hr. Responsible Adult Course.

• Be an active member of our cohesive and cooperative team, which includes staff, parents, and community members.

The successful candidates must have: • A clear criminal record check for vulnerable persons.

• Possess a valid Child Safe First Aid Certificate or willing to take.

• Possess a valid class 5 driver’s license.

• Must be 19 years or older.

• Class Four Drivers license and NLS certification would be considered an asset.

are all looking forward to your visits...even if you drive!

For more information, visit: artspotsinvermere.com.

1. Bavin Glass Studio 2. Fairmont Goldsmiths 3.

Artym Gallery 4. Black Star Studios 5. Effusion Gallery 6. Village Arts 7. Pynelogs Art Gallery

Notice

Due to the Victoria Day holiday, our office will be closed

Monday, May 24

We will re-open for business at 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 25th.

To place an ad in the May 27th issue please call Amanda Nason, 250-341-6299 ext. 102 or Lerissa McLaughlin ext. 103, or email advertising@columbiavalleypioneer.com The booking deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday, May 20th.

To apply submit cover letter and resume, including 3 references to by May 28th, 2021: Carrie Rickards, General Manager Eva Joseph Learning and Cultural Society Email: carrie.littlebadgers@gmail.com Thank you to all applicants who apply however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

th

N E W S PA P E R

22 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

May 20, 2021

The life story of Rosemary Jill Collins

weren’t sufficient for British Columbia and after travel- insolent bear. It was all I could do not to clench my fist ling through the province looking for hospitals with ski and hit him in the face!” The bear ran off. She went into hills in their vicinities, they found the Kimberley hospital her cabin and wrote on the calendar, “coffee - and quakes Rosemary Jill (Judy) Collins was born the needed two nurses and hired them. Judy did to follow!” first of three children on March 9, 1938 in deliver a few Canadian babies when the They sold the business when it was time for Rod to Albury, Australia to Douglas and Renee doctor’s arrival lagged behind the baby’s. go to school. In spite of a contentious marriage, it was, Mitchell. Douglas had obtained his One of the many delights of “a very special time in my life. When I was patching up medical degree in Melbourne and Canada were warm toilet seats. In damaged people and he was working on boats and mawent to London, England to do his Australian winters, the homes were chinery, we were working together, and very hard, and surgical fellowship. There he met cold “if you’re not practically in we appreciated each other.” It was also a great playground Renee, who was nursing at the the fireplace!” She met Jack Col- for a little boy. Judy always dressed Rod in vibrant red or same dock hospital where he was lins on the Kimberley ski working. hill. He was living in InverRenee had been born and mere and they lived there raised in India. The hospital after they married. Son Rod served sailors from all over the was born in 1967. Judy also world, and those from India were gained three young adult grateful that Renee spoke Urdu and stepdaughters. could translate for them. After marShe soon had a nursing job riage, the couple settled in Albury. He in Invermere. Their first home purchased the practice of a previous surwas one of the old CPR holiday cabgeon and the couple operated the clinic at the ins below the lodge on Fort Point.

Judy during WW2 home they lived in.

The couple decided to run a fishing During WW2 Renee had her hands full campground at Whiteswan Lake so with a new baby and running the clinic so Judy, at eight, Judy only nursed in the off season. The first year, and her younger brother, were sent to gender-segregat- they went up at Easter time and worked hard to get ed boarding schools. On Sundays Judy, in a line with things running. With no electric power, running the other girls, walked past her house going to church, water or telephone they managed to set up propane General nursing graduation.

Submitted photos in school uniforms, hats and white gloves. She and her for lights, cooking and hot water. They dug a well brother only visited home on school holidays. Judy says and built outhouses, set up water pipe stands, cleared blue clothing. When she whistled, the dog would reply she was treated well and thinks it was a good experience around the three 1920s log cabins on the property, and she could see them. for her. At ten, she was sent to a better school in Mel- built a dock, boatshed, picnic tables, campfire sites and After selling the business, Judy went on a trip to bourne, as the educational standards at the local school organized a fleet of eight-foot rental motorboats. They Egypt with friends, including one who died the next year weren’t sufficient. As her mother put it, she was “just the opened on the May long weekend, 1969. of cancer. Shortly after, at 40, Judy was diagnosed with best of a bunch of rabbits!”

The family lived in one of the cabins and Jack built a cancer rare in someone her age. At Vancouver GenerQuitting school after grade ten, Judy returned to Al- three more for a total of five rental cabins. Starting out al Hospital she underwent surgery and radiation treatbury and took a one-year secretarial course. She decided leasing, they later purchased the property. Judy’s nursing ments. Contemplating the Egyptians’ lifetime preparashe wouldn’t like this kind of work. Growing up, she nev- skills came in handy. Diabetics would “get drunk and get tion for death, along with her friend’s death, caused Judy er wanted to be a nurse but she enrolled in Melbourne at into problems, peoto face her own mortality. Returning the Alfred Hospital, graduating in 1959 with a General ple often cut their home, she visited her stepdaughter SanNursing Diploma and later took a midwifery course and feet with axes or dra, who explained how her difficulties worked at this for one year. burned themselves.” were actually “Jesus, calling to me. I reWith visions of riding into the Canadian Rockies on She was cooking for alized I wasn’t worthy of God’s love. He a horse, she came with a nursing friend to Canada, in- guests, camp store was merciful and showed his grace to tending to stay a few years. Their Australian credentials manager, cabin and me. I put my trust in Jesus Christ.” biffy cleaner, fishing Her choice to become a follower of line untangler and, Christ did not sit well with Jack and he Wilmer’s on occasion, bear divorced her. However, Judy says she has dispatcher. “marvellous friendships that I wouldn’t Jack was away have otherwise. I’m a new creation… on errands and she much more willing to be vulnerable.” had to rescue a man Over the years Judy volunteered The Wilmer Community Club wishes to terrified by a black with Red Cross programs in the valley, thank its three FireSmart Committee bear. He was at a fish helped run the food bank out of the members, the thirty Wilmer residents who cleaning stand when Alliance Church for a decade, sold furpruned back their wildfire risk, the eight the animal showed niture locally through World Vision’s Hardy Club members who hauled it, up. She recalls, “I NeighbourLink, went to the PhilipKootenay Landscaping’s two-man chipping was dragging my pines with World Relief to survey dicrew, the Oja’s Horse Thief campground toddler in one hand saster relief, helped local moms with with a shotgun in breastfeeding and baby care, taught which returned the chips to the Earth, the other, heading swimming and babysitting classes. She Sobeys for feeding the volunteers and crew, over.

Rod asked, did pick up her pilot’s license and flew Poster of the fishing camp they owned.

BC Hydro for protecting the pump station “Are you scared, locally for a few years. wires and RDEK for graciously financing Mommy?”” ThankAfter two bouts with cancer and 33 this crucial venture. The work took seven fully, a bystander took hold of Rod while Judy settled years nursing, Judy retired. She has enjoyed gardening hours and was worth every minute. matters. “I didn’t mean to kill it, it just died as a result of but the last few seasons has needed help and isn’t sure my shooting it.” She explained she’d just been trying to if she’ll attempt it this year. Rod and his family from We are a Fire-Smarter community. scare it off.

Calgary visit occasionally. She refers to herself as “an We thank you one and all.

One night she was woken by a bear rummaging in unspritely octogenarian mostly reliant on two sticks or the store’s chocolate bar stash. They had a ground cellar the walker.” Judy reads a lot of non-fiction. “This Covid with a trapdoor to keep things cool and the bear had got- 19 actually suits me, living contentedly out of sight and ten in. Grabbing a flashlight, she came face to face with mind. I’m thankful and blessed, though forever searching Wilmer Community Club a bear over a picnic table. She described, “It was such an for a pair of reading glasses!”

Submitted by Dorothy Isted Special to the Pioneer

Thank you!

May 20, 2021

FAITH

“Don’t be afraid; Just believe.”

By Pastor Wayne Frater Radium Christian Fellowship In Luke 8:40-56, and also in Mark 5:21-43, there is a miracle recorded, a only daughter of a man named Jairus is restored to life, the story unfolds as Jesus, thronged by multitudes, has a man fall at His feet and beg Him, pleaded with Him, to come to his house, his only daughter, only 12 years old, was dying.

Mark 5:23 says, Jairus “besought him greatly” a newer translation says he “begged Him earnestly” on his knees before Jesus.

Have you ever being there? Desperate? Exhausted with worry? Sick with concern? Maybe you are there now.

Maybe you have health problems, maybe financial problems, maybe your business or your marriage is in trouble.

For Jairus, it is his daughter. This isn’t just a daughter, this is “an only daughter”. This is “Daddy’s girl” only 12, and the Word says she lies at the point of death.

As Jesus heads towards Jairus’ house, they are met by a messenger, his words are grim, Luke 8:49 “Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.” I can only imagine the grief that must have flooded over Jairus, all hope is gone, is only precious daughter is dead.

I can only imagine what happens next, Jesus, reaching out in love, placing His hand on his shoulder, feeling his pain, knowing that Jairus faith has buckled, his only hope dashed.

And Jesus says in verse 50 “Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.”

And they carry on, Jesus refused to leave Jairus alone with his grief but goes with him. Jairus comes to Jesus on the basis of his own worried, hoping faith, his faith is dashed, “your daughter is dead.” Jesus steps in with His faith.

The rest is history, they arrive at Jairus house, Jesus in verse 54 “took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway:” Jesus promises us in Hebrews 13:5 that “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” And the words He told Jairus in Luke 8:50 “Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.” Are as real today, as they were then. No matter what you or I are going through, no matter how discouraged, depressed, or how hopeless it looks, no matter what is going on in the world today, Jesus is there, no matter what our friends say, “give up, your dream, your marriage, your business, is dead” don’t listen to them. Lean on Jesus, trust Jesus.

It isn’t about Jairus, or his daughter, or our problems, it is all about Jesus. If we let Him, like Jairus did, He will take over, when we give out. Prov. 3:5-6 tells us “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Springtime grizzlies Conservation corner

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

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

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

Relief Society, 11:15 a.m.

President 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

your message is resonating with residents and visitors alike.

!

The Colum- zly bear sightings so far this spring. For a short period bia-Kootenay Zone during the week of May 11, a grizzly bear was observed Conservation Officer near the Castlerock community road to the south end Service successfully of Invermere along Walker Avenue and Stark Drive. The

By Sgt. Greg Kruger captured and relocat- Conservation Officer Service, along with Invermere Byed a young adult griz- law Services and Wildsafe BC have been closely monizly bear. toring this bear’s activity and posted signs in the area to This bear showed alert the public. up on the Golden Golf Course MonContinued on page 24... day, May 10, and was comfortable foraging on the green grass and dandelions while golfers cautiously passed by. For public safety, the course closed all holes in the area the bear was present. Conservation Officer Service (CO’s) attempted to haze the bear away from the course, but it continued to come back. After consultation with the Regional Wildlife Biologist, the decision was made to trap it and conduct a short distance relocation to keep it within its home range but away from any public areas. This bear would not fully commit to entering the culvert trap, so after a couple of days of having to close the golf course, CO’s immobilized this bear as it grazed on a fairway on May 12.

The healthy male grizzly was ear-tagged and relocated approximately 42 KM west of Golden up the Golden Grizzly Bear Tranquilized and ready to be moved.

Quartz Creek drainage.

Submitted photo The Columbia Valley has also had a few griz-

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 23

Phone: (250) 341-6299 info@columbiavalleypioneer.com N E W S PA P E R

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24 • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

Happy garden, healthy lake

Watershed

We have been so fortunate this spring to Wanderings see a mix of sunny days and rainfall that has our

By Shannon McGinty gardens thriving! But Lake Windermere Ambassadors have you ever stopped to consider what impact your garden may be having on the lake? Whether your property is on the shoreline of Fort Point or is up to land in the Wilder Subdivision, what you do on your lawn may influence the health of Lake Windermere. There are many small ways that we can do to improve our lawns and gardens that will also preserve the aquatic ecosystems.

One of the greatest threats to Lake Windermere is the pollution found in wastewater runoff – water that collects human pollutants flowing over land and into the lake. There are two main ways to address this problem; improve the quality of the runoff and reduce the runoff that reaches the lake. Reducing the runoff that reaches the lake can be through a variety of ways including: Installing rain barrels to collect water from your roof to use to water your gardens; Creating “Runoff Rain Gardens” that collect the water from hard surfaces (i.e., paved driveways) and use it to passively water themselves; Selecting permeable surfaces when constructing driveways and pathways to allow the water to drain back into the soil.

A bonus to these methods, not only do they prevent harmful wastewater from entering the lake, they also reduce the need for excess water use that puts stress on our supplies, especially during hot and dry spells. We can’t prevent all runoff from reaching the lake; that is where improvements to the quality of that runoff come in.

With the desire for pristine green lawns, comes the use of fertilizers to promote grass growth or herbicides to kill weeds. These additions can be harmful to lake health in various ways, including increased aquatic vegetation growth and negative impacts on native plants. We recommend avoiding the use of fertilizers and instead focusing

May 20, 2021

on nurturing native species that are well adapted to the lead to bigger and bigger problems, in the end rendering local climate. If you must use a herbicide (i.e., publicly your waterfront property unusable due to the decline of available products such as Roundup or Killex), it should the lake. be used as a spot treatment only, and in accordance with To maintain both property and ecosystem value, the manufacturyou should aim to ers application have a natural shoremethods. line that mimics what The advice was there before you above should moved in. Some key be considered considerations when regardless of designing or re-designwhere you are ing your shoreland area in the waterare: Aim for diversity shed. The fol– rocks, boulders, logs, lowing applies and native vegetation to those who all aid in soil stabilizahave a property tion, providing food that meets the and habitat, and filterwater’s edge, ing out contaminants whether that before they enter the be the lake, a lake; Allow the water stream, or othto filter through the Images by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority erwise. You may soil by choosing perhave heard the meable surfaces such as raised terms such as foreshore, riparian, or shoreline used, and staircases, interlocking brick driveways, and woodchip may feel a bit lost as to what it all means. To try and clear pathways; Rather than having paths perpendicular to the this up a bit, you should know that the entire shoreland slope, make paths meandering and parallel to slow the area is important; the shoreland is approximate 30 me- flow of water toward the lake, reducing runoff and eroters of land from 1 meter below the water surface and sion; Ensure use of proper precautions during construcup. This area tion, like silt fences and filter cloth, to reduce erosion is composed and siltation, avoid working when the soil is loose and of three main wet; Plant a variety of native plants throughout the littosections; lit- ral, shoreline, and riparian areas, take care to ensure you toral (land are not planting invasive species that may take over your below water), garden and create additional problems! You may need to s h o r e l i n e use biodegradable erosion control fabric until the plants (where land can establish their roots; For steeper banks, consider usmeets water), ing bioengineering. Making use of bundles of branches and riparian or root wads in combination with native vegetation may (land above be just what you need. the water Whether you live on the waters’ edge, or somewhere that serves else in the watershed, we all have a responsibility to proas a barrier). tect the resource we share with so many others. These are This area is just a few tips to keep our shores green and lake blue. naturally composed of a diverse variety of plants, ani- Feel free to contribute to this conversation on Facebook, mals, and habitat features that all serve unique purposes Instagram, or Twitter @LakeAmbassadors. to keep the lake healthy.

The Lake Windermere Ambassadors would like to We often see sand, retaining walls, grass lawns, and thank the Columbia Basin Trust, Columbia Valley Comother hardened surfaces added to properties up to the munity Foundation, Columbia Valley Local Conservawaters’ edge, human made additions like these limit the tion Fund, Real Estate Foundation, BC Gaming Grants, shorelands’ ability to function as a barrier against erosion District of Invermere, Regional District of East Kootenay and contaminants. The consequences of this vary from and community donors for supporting our 2021 proincreased erosion of the shoreline, loss of habitat (i.e., gramming. spawning beds for fish species), reduced water clarity, increased water temperature, and chemical/nutrient levels Shannon McGinty, Program Coordinator for the Lake from run off that result in an overall increase in stress to Windermere Ambassadors. Email her at shannon@lakeamwildlife. These impacts all have compounding effects that bassadors.ca or call the office (250) 341-6898.

Continued ‘Grizzlies’ from page 23 Up at Panorama Mountain Resort, a lone grizzly has taken a liking to the Greywolf Golf Course green fairways and has been fattening up on the fresh dandelions after a long winter sleep. Panorama Security keeps a close eye on this bear’s movement and has been warning anyone in this area of its presence. CO’s and Wildsafe BC will be working with Panorama Resort and the Greywolf Golf Course to ensure the public and this bear remain safe before the course opens over the May Long Weekend.

Livestock, garbage, and fruit trees are the primary attractants when grizzlies are

reported. Bears that become highly food-conditioned and habituated to humans are often destroyed because of concerns for human safety. Early reporting of a bear in a neighbourhood helps us address the underlying issues before it becomes a conflict.

When hiking, travel in groups of two or more and make noise to alert any animal of your presence so they can avoid you. Carry bear spray and know how to use it when you are in bear country.

Please contact the BC Conservation Officer Service Report All Poachers and Polluters Line at 1-877-952-7277 for human wildlife interactions where public safety may be at risk or suspected violations of environmental protection laws.

Have something to say? Letters to the editor can be e-mailed to info@columbiavalleypioneer.com