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Serving The Columbia Valley
COMING EVENTS
VALLEY NEWS Residents ask questions at OCP sessions
By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com
Radium residents have some pointed questions as evidenced by last week’s public consultation sessions on the ‘draft directions’ of the village’s Official Community Plan (OCP).
The OCP update has been ongoing for nearly a full year now. Earlier this fall Bluerock Planning (the consultants working on the project) presented an early draft version of where the OCP may be headed.
The draft covered a wide range of topics, including where growth envisioned in the village’s housing needs report could happen; tighter regulation of short-term rentals (STRs); and revitalizing the Highway 93 strip.
The village held an open house on Tuesday, Dec. 3, and a virtual open house on Wednesday, Dec. 4, seeking feedback on the draft.
The in-person open house drew 25
attendees, and the virtual open house about a dozen. At the virtual open house Bluerock representatives Fraser Blyth, Jonathan Schmidt, and Amy Clarke explained various aspects of the draft before residents had a chance to speak their minds.
Several Radium STR owners asked about the STR regulations suggested in the draft, and the planners responded that those stem from concern voiced by community members during public consultation earlier in the year. One –named only ‘Tanya’ in the virtual forum — said she felt STR owners were being unfairly blamed for the housing situation in Radium.
Another couple, Darwin and Kathy Baker own a condo in Radium, which they rent as an STR, but they hope to move to the village as permanent residents in several years time. Kathy pointed out that short-term rentals for vacations have been a part of Radium for decades. Radium chief administrative
Another case of CWD confirmed by agency
Columbia Valley Pioneer staff
Chronic wasting disease among deer continues to plague the Kootenay region, according to the provincial government that has confirmed yet another (fourth) case.
This case was confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Friday, Nov. 29 in a sample collected from a white-tailed deer harvested in October near Cranbrook.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an infectious and fatal disease affecting the nervous system in cervid species including deer, elk, moose and caribou.
The province reports there is no direct evidence that the disease can be transmitted to humans; there have been no reports of cases of disease in humans. However, to prevent potential risk of illness, Health Canada recommends that people do not eat meat of an infected animal. Cooking temperatures cannot destroy the abnormal protein that causes CWD if an animal is infected.
The province is working in collaboration with First Nations, stakeholders, and the hunting community in monitoring and mitigating risks of the disease.
More than 3,000 samples have been collected from the Kootenay region with only four cases of CWD to date, which indicates a low disease prevalence.
Government officials say the current situation affords an opportunity to
officer Adrian Bergles conceded that was true, but noted the situation has changed substantially in the past 10 to 15 years, owing to online platforms such as AirBnB and VRBO.
He elaborated that while some resort municipalities, such as Tofino, have taken a hard line on STRs, “in this case (Radium’s draft OCP) there’s an attempt to find a middle ground that works.”
“We know there are challenges,” added Schmidt. “There’s always going to be trade-offs with any solution.”
Columbia Valley realtor Ross Newhouse said he feels some of the changes outlined in the draft OCP are long overdue in Radium, but was curious why land that he owns on Madsen Road, which he explained already has high density zoning and could accommodate up to 300 units, is not mentioned in the draft plan.
Schmidt said “there’s nothing in the OCP that writes off your property,” but
efficiently contain the disease in this area, therefore, the province is gathering data to help guide decisions and reduce the risk of spread.
“Ongoing vigilance, preventative measures and enhanced surveillance are crucial to managing chronic wasting disease and protecting cervid populations and the communities that rely on them,” the province says. People are encouraged to keep submitting their deer, elk and moose samples to improve the information during the ongoing response.
Restrictions remain in place for the transport, testing and disposal of deer, elk and moose carcasses, as parts of the animal can spread the disease.
Most infected animals will not show any symptoms of the disease. However, if anyone sees any deer, elk, moose or caribou exhibiting symptoms such as weight loss, drooling, poor coordination, stumbling, or generally sick, report it to the Report All Poachers and Polluters Line at 1-877-952-7277 or the B.C. Wildlife Health Program.
PHOTO SYD DANIS
he and the other planners indicated that the slopes on Madsen Road (which runs almost parallel to Highway 93, to the south) could present challenges. Bergles noted that 300 housing units would be a “unique development.”
Newhouse agreed it was unique, but in a good way, and pointed out that it would help with density infill and that houses built there would easily be within walking distance of downtown.
The village has launched a survey, running until January 2, for those wishing to provide feedback on the draft presented by planning consultants. You can find the survey at radiumhotsprings.ca/ ourpathforward/.
Blyth said after feedback from the survey and the consultation sessions, planners and the village will further refine the draft, which will then come back to council for adoption. “We’re hoping for adoption early to mid next year,” said Blyth.
Thieves busy in the valley
Submitted by Sgt. Jeff Witzke
Columbia Valley RCMP
This past week, December 2 through December 8, the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 56 calls for service. The following is a summary of some of the files our officers responded to:
Police have received approximately two to three reports of thefts from both the Fairmont and Columbia Lake road area. Items stolen included hand tools, power tools, gas, an older model boat motor and ATV.
The RCMP have also been made aware of a golf cart that has been seen driving around Dutch Creek and Canal Flats. It is believed the individual on the golf cart might be responsible for the thefts, and a suspect has been identified.
The investigation is still ongoing, however, if anyone has any further information regarding the golf
cart, please contact the local RCMP detachment.
On December 7 Columbia Valley RCMP along with BC Highway Patrol took part in ‘Light Up the Night’, a province-wide campaign to target impaired driving. Members set up multiple roadblocks where approximately 95 mandatory alcohol samples were obtained. One three-day immediate roadside prohibition and one 24-hour driving suspension were issued.
Both RCMP and BC Highway Patrol would like to remind everyone to plan ahead this holiday season and, please, don’t drink and drive.
On December 4 Columbia Valley RCMP received a request to check on an individual who was staying on his remote property and hadn’t checked in for the night, which is out of character. Members attended the property where they located the individual safe. The person advised that cell service was poor that evening and he couldn’t call out.
PHOTO CVRFRS
New dog park coming to Radium Hot Springs
By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com
Efforts are underway to create a new off-leash dog park in Radium Hot Springs.
The Radium Rotary Club has been spearheading the project and wants to use village-owned land near the Sinclair Creek trailhead by the Radium mill as the location. Radium councillors like this spot, and Rotary is figuring out how to raise the funds to create the park and is working with village staff to determine the exact boundaries.
“Dog parks are some of the most well-used public facilities in the Columbia Valley,” Radium mayor Mike Gray told the Pioneer. “They are busy all day, every day — rain, snow or shine, from morning until night.”
“Based on budget and fundraising, we will look to add amenities including shaded areas, benches, and waste containers.”
- Tim Power
Radium does have some off-leash dog areas already, including along Sinclair Creek, but there have been some wildlife-dog conflict and a fenced-in dog park could improve that situation, said Gray. He added that when it comes to the dog park boundaries, “we want to make sure it’s the right size for our community, and make sure that it can be expanded further, if that’s needed in the future.”
The Rotary Club envisions cleaning the area of debris and fallen trees, and putting up an eight-foot game fence (with wooden or steel posts) around the park to keep deer, turkey, bighorn sheep, bears and other wildlife out. There would be separate areas in the park for larger dogs, and for smaller, more timid dogs.
The land is currently used as part of Radium’s disc golf course, so disc golfers will need to be consulted to see if one of the course holes can be tweaked or relocated.
Radium Rotary Club secretary Tim Power told the Pioneer they have been working on the project since January 2023, and that it’s been nearly two years so far because it wasn’t easy to find the right place.
Then one day last spring a Rotary Club member was walking near Sinclair Creek, saw a dog owner throwing a ball for a dog south of the trailhead and realized that was a perfect spot for the park.
Power agreed with Gray that pet owners do have encounters with wildlife in Radium, and that a fenced park will reduce those incidents.
“In the summer of 2023, we rescued a beagle named Archer, and his reaction to the deer has led to several incidents where we are literally running away from deer at times,” said Power, noting that for a long time there were no designated fenced-in dog parks anywhere between Golden and Cranbrook. (This has since changed somewhat in the past two years: Invermere added a small one in Pineridge, and another may follow in Castle Rock.)
Power outlined that in addition to decreasing dog-wildlife conflicts, a fenced off-leash park will promote socialization for dogs and their owners, and will be an additional reason to come to Radium Hot Springs with your pet – for both valley residents and visitors.
“Based on budget and fundraising, we will look to add amenities including shaded areas, benches, and waste containers,” said Power.
Rotary Club representatives will sit down with village staff to flush out the exact dimensions of the park and review the list of amenities. Next, the Rotary Club will determine costs and put together a budget. The club will contribute financially and with its own labour, but also plans to apply for funding from the Rotary Foundation and Columbia Valley Trust (CBT).
Grants sought for projects
By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com
The District of Invermere is pursuing a pair of grants for active transportation projects.
Both grants are through the same provincial program — the B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program — but they are for different projects.
The first is for a paved trail in Athalmer, along the north edge of the Lake Windermere Resort (LWR) lands.
The second is for an e-bike charging station and washrooms, as well as bike parking and bike-washing equipment in the northeast corner of the old community hall site. (The space is currently an open gravel parking lot.)
The e-bike charging station and other bike amenities would accompany an electric vehicle charging station in the northwest corner of the parking lot that has been planned by BC Hydro.
Invermere councillors have given the green light to both grants, although they expressed reservations about the washroom and e-bike charging station. They agreed to pursue the grant for that particular project only after it became clear that it was still possible to tweak it.
The paved trail in Athalmer would be 325 metres long and would run along the south side of Tarte Street. The district is seeking $305,000 for the trail from
the grant program. The grant can cover a maximum 70 per cent of the total project costs, meaning the district will need to kick in the remaining $91,000 for the trail.
It’s a similar story with the second grant – the district is seeking $593,000 in funds for the washrooms and bike facilities; the remaining $178,000 for the project would need to be paid by the district.
Councillors’ hesitation for the second project stems from how much space it takes up.
“I was surprised by the footprint. It’s way larger than I thought it would be,” said councillor Grant Kelly. He added that it is very rare to have a large, publicly-owned empty lot smack dab in the middle of a municipality, and the sheer size of the lot means there are some unique possibilities in how it can be used. Putting the washrooms and bike facilities on the lot, as presented, could change those possibilities, he outlined, adding there are other places in Invermere for the bike facilities.
“I really value that lot (the old community hall site) in its entirety,” said Kelly.
Councillor Kayja Becker voiced similar opinions, saying she liked the e-bike station and washrooms project “but just not as presented. We need to edit it a little.”
Acting Invermere chief administrative officer Kindry Dalke confirmed that if Invermere gets the grant, it can still change the project. So in the end council agreed to apply for the funding.
Screenshot map showing the location of proposed new dog park in Radium Hot Springs.
Brace for it
The District of Invermere will have a lot of planning (and budgeting) to do in the next few years —not just to address the housing situation, but rising policing costs.
Like the growing pains experienced by the Town of Oliver, Invermere taxpayers will be on the hook for a skyrocketing increase as they must pay 70 per cent for policing when the population reaches 5,000. Once that magic number is reached, a new contract is necessary to provide policing services (at a much higher price).
In the 2021 census, Statistics Canada reported that Invermere was sitting at 3,917 population, up from 3,391 in 2016. The next census is May 2026, and while this little hamlet will not reach 5,000 then, it will need to consider some serious budgeting after 2025
Oliver was smart and bit the bullet early by budgeting a nine per cent increase per year to pay the hefty price, which amounted to nearly an additional million dollars.
There was some griping, to be expected, but nine per cent was a lot better than getting hit with 18 or 27 per cent in one fell swoop.
Both Oliver and the Town of Osoyoos did receive more officers when hit 5,000 population (under their new contracts).
The moral of the story: Invermere council will have to start thinking and planning for the inevitable, and taxpayers will have to prepare themselves for these tax hikes.
In the meantime, residents can help the Columbia Valley RCMP by offering an extra set of eyes and ears. This means reporting suspicious behaviour when it happens (not the day after). This means locking up valuables and properly identifying them in case they are stolen (photographs and serial numbers help a great deal). And don’t keep Christmas gifts in your vehicle (in plain sight); thieves love seeing these presents which they can quickly turn into cash. Oh, you left your door unlocked —even better, the thief mumbles under his breath while rubbing his hands with glee.
Residents also need to understand that the RCMP can’t be everywhere at once. They receive multiple calls every week, and if officers are busy investigating a break-in or motor vehicle accident, the theft of a generator from your shed will have to wait.
Policing is certainly not what it used to be. Officers must now deal with many social problems, such as homelessness and mental health crises - issues that are tearing apart communities and causing more hazards. And then we have the legal system (don’t call it the justice system anymore) that often undermines what police are trying to do to keep our neighbourhoods safe. One disgruntled fellow told the Pioneer that not long after police arrest and file their report on a criminal, that person is released and on the street again within hours. Doesn’t make a career in law enforcement very enticing, does it?
Lyonel Doherty, editor
Historical Lens
Labour disputes never ending
As a former employee with 30 years service and a current Canada Post retiree, I feel a need to express my utter disappointment with the never ending and currently ongoing labour dispute at the corporation.
Canada Post is an organization that is overburdened with entitlement at the highest corporate level and a myriad of levels of management that are quite frankly inept.
An entire restructuring of the organization needs to occur as soon as possible and that should happen with the ministry that oversees the corporation taking the necessary measures to reduce the number of top level executives and their remuneration. Also to call the public’s attention to the fact that these individuals are the ones responsible for the so-called business decisions that have resulted in the dire financial situa-
tion that currently exists there.
The flip side with regards to the day-to-day operations of the business from the union’s perspective is that they need to understand the importance of the viability and future success of the corporation for their membership and for all of the former employees now receiving pensions.
I began my 30-year employment with the corporation as a part-time employee working weekends for five years before becoming full time, and I see nothing wrong with allowing that situation to continue in order to permit seven-day delivery to compete with the reality of the situation in front of us.
That is only one of the so-called sticking points but it is not realistic to argue that it is not necessary.
Bruce Toohy, Invermere
Kindness is everywhere, just look for it
We keep hearing there isn’t any kindness anymore.
Well, for those of us fortunate enough to live in the Columbia Valley, we witness everyday mini-miracles of giving; actions that stretch the heart.
Just imagine pulling up beside total strangers and saying, “Is that ever a nice trailer. Would you loan it to Groundswell Community Greenhouse and Garden for the parade? We would like to get the message out of how important it is to make the valley more self sufficient by growing more food.”
That question was posed to Don Daugherty who responded, “Well if you are using our trailer, you probably need our truck to pull it.” And Rose, his wife, chimed in, “And if you have the truck, you’ll need some drivers.”
With a trailer, truck and drivers in hand, I then walked into Zen Technology and said to owner Murray Janzen, “Murray I need music for the float. Ev-
erybody tells me all I need is a Bluetooth and a playlist. I don’t know what a Bluetooth is and my playlist is on my CD’s.”
Murray turned to the shelf, pulled down speakers and proceeded to put together a stream of jolly music with a sound that carried to the farthest corner of downtown. I stood there looking demented. I was just expecting information. There is no kindness anymore, hmmm?
Add their warm hearts to those of the volunteers who came out to decorate the float, fertilize it with the community who showed up to applaud the effort, and we see a powerful attitude of gratitude. Those seeds of kindness flourish – it is so completely in keeping with Groundswell’s mission of healthy, affordable food for everyone. We don’t need the Grinch’s heart to grow three sizes; just look at the kindness that surround us, and yours will grow too.
Barbara Thrasher, Invermere
Society losing its asset of volunteerism
Over the past decade, and particularly in the last four to five years, it has been my sense that society is losing the asset of volunteerism.
While we at ICAN have found that people will come by, they seldom engage long term. Many seem incapable of operating to the procedural necessity such things as cleaning and animal care require. If we cannot garner reliable volunteers, we will be forced to employ cleaners. This expands our expense budget and many donors take exception to donating to an organization’s administrative overhead.
Certainly, the percentage of the dollar spent on the mandate is frequently used to accredit or discredit a non-profit. Yet new regulations require increasingly higher levels of knowledge and performance which volunteers are
not always capable of or willing to be trained into. The time they gift should be taken with gratitude whatever it is they have done.
That said, government regulations and other bureaucratic measures seem to hogtie non-profits. Many of us used to have bake sales and barbecue fundraisers. Why is it largely a thing of the past? Well, a study of BC Health FoodSafe regulations will answer that.
Having cleared that hurdle, such things as event insurance must also be acquired along with all of the paraphernalia necessary to meet BC Health site requirements. Gaming regulation has increasingly affected such things as raffles, bingo, 50/50 draws and fun casinos. Technically, garage sales or flea markets require registering for a BC PST collection number.
Applying for grants requires a project expense budget; the grant never meets the full cost of said and almost always restricts any monies from being spent on wages and other administrative costs.
So, it becomes harder and harder to raise money; this makes a non-profit more reliant on donors and fundraisers. A real Catch 22.
Shizu E.M. Futa, Invermere Companion Animal Network
Groundswell’s float Garden of Lights took first place in the recent Invermere Light-up parade.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Local farm sets up Santa mail box for kids
Columbia Valley Pioneer staff
Canada Post is on strike, but kids can still send letters to Santa, thanks to the Zimmer Ranch near Windermere where a red North Pole mail box awaits letters from youngsters.
The ranch is at 1264 Sunridge Road, just north of the Skookum Inn on Highway 93/95. There’s a bright red farm stand where you can buy farm fresh
eggs, and now there’s a mail box there too.
The ranch owners posted on social media last week letting residents know they have direct contact with the big jolly fellow.
The Pioneer reached out to find out more, but the ranch owners did not respond to requests for comment. But, as they outlined on Facebook, handwritten responses from Santa, customized
Notice of Intent
Rocky Mountain District Road Closure
Notice is given, pursuant to Section 60(2) of the Transportation Act, that the Ministry of Transportation and Transit has received an application to permanently close a portion of Baltac Road right-of-way in Windermere. The proposed closure is within NEP 4321. The area is to be adjoined to Block K of District Lot 705, Kootenay District Plan 4321, for the purpose of access and setback.
A copy of the plan showing the proposed road closure can be emailed upon request.
Anyone supporting or objecting to this road closure should submit written comments to the ministry’s Rocky Mountain District office at 129 10th Avenue South, Cranbrook, B.C., V1C 2N1, or by email to Debra.Keely@gov.bc.ca, no later than January 10, 2025.
For more information or to request a copy of the plan, please contact Debbie Keely at 250 420-6561 or at Debra.Keely@gov.bc.ca
for your little one, will be mailed back to letter writers (if the strike is over), or hand delivered to their homes.
Children can write a letter (or draw a picture) for Santa, then bring it to the North Pole mail box before December 20.
Ms. Zimmer will take the letters to Mrs. Claus, who will pass them on to Santa, and then get Santa’s reply back to the kids along with a personal greeting.
Parents need to include a phone number for texts or an email address; a return address (either mailing address or physical address); and a personal note from a parent with a few details to help Santa (explaining, for instance, that Johnny loves his dog, or that Sally is in kindergarten this year and that her favourite colour is green, etc.).
For more information, email ZimmerRanch@outlook.com
Cheer on senior boys
Columbia Valley Pioneer staff
Sports are off and running at David Thompson Secondary School with an upcoming senior boys basketball tournament.
“We would love some community support,” says student sports advocate Maren Gillies.
Game times for Friday, Dec. 13 are 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The finals take place
on Saturday.
Admission to the tournament is free, so “come out and cheer on the senior boys,” Gillies says.
She and fellow student Claire Stockley invite everyone to the tournament to show their “community spirit.”
You can find more information on DTSS sports by following Instagram @ dtss_athletics.
Our office will be closing for the holidays on December 23 and re-opening January 2, 2025
PLEASE NOTE: Advertising booking/submission deadline for December 19, 26, and January 2 editions is December 15
Correction - This photo in last week’s Pioneer had the incorrect name of the photographer. The photo of a child taking part in Invermere’s Light-up parade was taken by Dayle Denton.
Photo submitted
Valley food recovery program launched
Columbia Valley Pioneer staff
A new coordinator has been appointed to oversee ‘food recovery’ in the Columbia Valley.
Columbia Valley Food and Farm has given the role to Priya Biswas as part of a “generous” grant from the Columbia Valley Community Foundation.
The program aims to enhance food security and reduce food waste in the valley.
Food and Farm thanks its various partners such as Family Dynamix, Groundswell, and many others around the table who understand the importance of food recovery.
“By working together, we can create a more sustainable and equitable food system and contribute to a resilient and thriving Columbia Valley,” said Biswas.
Biswas brings more than 15 years of experience driving innovation and efficiency in large-scale organizations such as GE Ditigal and ATB Financial. She is also deeply committed to environmental sustainability and plans to use this passion in the food recovery program.
Food and Farm, a non-profit group of dedicated directors, points to food waste as a significant global issue with far-reaching environmental and social
consequences. By recovering surplus food it plans to reduce its environmental footprint by minimizing the amount of food that ends up in landfills, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Its goal is to strengthen food security by ensuring that everyone in the community has access to nutritious food.
As coordinator, Biswas will work to establish a robust food recovery system in the valley by:
• Building relationships by connecting with local businesses, farms, and organizations to identify potential food donors and recipients.
• Developing a streamlined process for collecting, storing, and distributing surplus food.
• Educating the community about the importance of food recovery and encouraging participation in the initiative.
Food and Farm says the program is not a replacement for the Columbia Valley Food Bank, noting that many food recovery programs donate to food banks as needed.
Local business, organizations or individuals can contribute to the program in many ways, such as donating surplus food, helping collect, sort and distribute food, and spreading the word to friends and family.
Ski club fundraiser nice ‘stocking stuffer’
Submitted
The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour returns for another year in Invermere.
This popular event is held every January and is one of the primary fundraising events for the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club.
The club is a local registered non-profit that offers both youth and adult ski programming. During the winter months the club is also responsible for maintaining the Lake Windermere Whiteway as well as trails at Lake Lillian
and the Junior Johnson trail system.
At more than 500 members, the club is one of the largest sporting and recreation organizations in the Columbia Valley.
This year’s event will take place on Sunday, Jan. 5 at Columbia Valley Centre. Tickets can be purchased at Crazy Soles in downtown Invermere. The cost is $35 for Toby Creek members and $40 for non members. A great stocking stuffer.
This event sells out every year so people are encouraged to get their tickets while they can.
P.O. Box 340, 4836 Radium Blvd, Radium Hot Springs, B.C., ph 250-347-6455 fax 250-347-9068
2025 SCHEDULE OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGS
The Village of Radium Hot Springs Council meets regularly throughout the year on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 4 pm, except in July, August, and December. Council meets in the Council Chambers –4836 Radium Boulevard, Radium.
January 13th and 27th
February 10th and 24th
March 10th and 24th
April 14th and 28th
May 12th and 26th
June 9th and 23rd
July 14th
August 11th
September 8th and 22nd
October 14th and 27th
November 10th and 24th
December 8th
Agendas are posted on our website prior to the meetingswww.radiumhotsprings.ca
2025 SCHEDULE OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE COUNCIL MEETINGS
The Village of Radium Hot Springs Committee of the Whole meets regularly throughout the year on the second Monday of each month at 1:30pm. Council meets in the Council Chambers –4836 Radium Boulevard, Radium.
January 13th
February 10th
March 10th
April 14th
May 12th
June 9th
July 14th
August 11th
September 8th
October 14th
November 10th
December 8th
Agendas are posted on our website prior to the meetingswww.radiumhotsprings.ca
** Council has initiated a review of the COTW meeting schedule and therefore the 2025 COTW Schedule may be subject to change.
Priya Biswas is the new food recovery coordinator in the Columbia Valley. PHOTO SUBMITTED
The Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club is hosting a big fundraiser ‘film fest’ in Invermere on January 5, 2025. FILE PHOTO
Thursday, December 12
• 6:00pm-8:00pm: Read it and Eat – Holiday Edition! Invermere Library. Bring a friend and a family favourite dish to the library for a potluck style supper! If possible, send a copy of the recipe to us at the library, so that recipes can be shared with those that attend! Registration is required for this event. Call the Invermere Public Library for more information: 250-342-6416
• 10:15am-1:00pm: Tech Tutoring. Invermere Public Library. Free help with your computer, phone or tablet, assistance with websites or online forms, or even to learn to play games on your phone or ipad! Please preregister by contacting Invermere Public Library 250-342-6416
• 10:30am-11:30am: Senior’s Fitness Columbia Valley Centre, $2 dropin.
• 11:30am-12:00pm: Little Lambs. Radium Library. Join us for songs, rhymes, and stories with your babies! Every Thursday, no registration required.
• 2:00pm-3:00pm: CommuniTea. Invermere Public Library. Join us for a cup of tea and a chat on the 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month. All welcome!
• 2:00pm-4:00pm: Tech Tutoring. Radium Public Library. Free help with your computer, phone or tablet, assistance with websites or online forms, or even to learn to play games on your phone or ipad! Please book an appointment by calling Radium Public Library at 250-347-2434.
• 2:30pm-4:30pm: Wild Woolies. Radium Library. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the Month. Drop in; Join our fibre arts circle! No registration required. *Supplies not provided.
• 3:30pm-8:00pm: Summit Youth Night at the Edge. Edgewater Community Hall Basement. For all youth Grade 6 to 12. Every Thursday join us for snacks, games, food, pooltable, crafts at The Edge.
• 6:45pm: Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Invermere Legion. $30 buy-in.
• 7:30pm: Families Housing that Fits. Zoom meeting with host Ben Postmus. Inclusive and supportive housing in your community. diversefamilyroots@gmail.com
• 7:30pm: Trivia Night Windermere Whitehouse Pub. Host Mandi Cox $3/ person, teams of more than 6 will be split into two groups. Ages 19+
Friday, December 13
• 11:00am-7:00pm: Fairmont Friday Shopping. Fairmont Hot Springs. Join us for the annual Fairmont Friday Shopping! This year it lands on December 13 - Lucky Us! Fill out a passport at participating businesses and enter to win some amazing prizes! Enjoy treats and specials and holiday cheer from 11am to 7pm
• 5:30pm-8:00pm: Garden of Lights. Groundswell Community Greenhouse & Gardens. Four glorious evenings with music, food, fun, and family under 10,000 lights at the Groundswell Community Greenhouse & Gardens in Invermere, BC. Enjoy costumes, nostalgic fun sing-alongs with your family and friends. Sing along to all the holiday season’s favourite songs. Come listen and join in with: The Valley Voices choir, The Bananas, and the Pineapples, David Thompson Secondary School Band, The Ukuleles, and many more on our centre stage. groundswellnetwork.ca
• 7:00pm-10:30pm: Warren Miller 75! Viewing Party. CV Centre. An event for all, we will have exciting door prizes, popcorn, drinks (for both kids and adults) and snacks available to help raise money for non-profits throughout the Columbia Valley. Doors open at 7, showtime at 7:30, bring the entire family and join ours for an amazing night!! Tickets at Eventbrite.ca
• 10:30am-11:00pm: Family Storytime. Invermere Public Library. Join us at the library for stories, songs and a craft! Geared towards preschool age, but all welcome to attend!
• 12:00pm-1:00pm: Scrabble Tournament. CBAL. Free, fun, friendly Scrabble tournament for adults! Friends and conversation, snacks and drinks, prizes. Come alone or bring a friend. Pre-registration is required: 250-409-4251 or wvcoordinator@cbal.org
• 2:00pm-3:30pm: Wholesome Hobbies. Radium Library. Every 3rd Friday of the Month; join us each month to try out a new project! For adults 50+ but all adults welcome. Registration is required. Call 250347-2434 to save your spot!
• 2:00pm-3:00pm: Friday Fundays! Invermere Public Library. Drop in programming! Drop off allowed for ages 7+. Younger children are more than welcome to join with an adult! Crafternoon: a fun new craft each session!
• 6:30pm - close: Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion! Members and guests welcome!
• 7:00pm-9:30pm: Rockies vs Fernie Ghostriders. Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena.
• Saturday, December 14
5:30pm-8:00pm: Garden of Lights. Groundswell Community Greenhouse & Gardens. Four glorious evenings with music, food, fun, and family under 10,000 lights at the Groundswell Community Greenhouse & Gardens in Invermere, BC. Enjoy costumes, nostalgic fun sing-alongs with your family and friends. Sing along to all the holiday season’s favourite songs. Come listen and join in with: The Valley Voices choir, The Bananas, and the Pineapples, David Thompson Secondary School Band, The Ukuleles, and many more on our centre stage. groundswellnetwork.ca
10:30am-11:00pm: Family Storytime. Invermere Public Library. Join us at the library for stories, songs and a craft! Geared towards preschool age, but all welcome to attend!
11:00am-12:30pm: LEGO/Duplo Club Invermere Public Library. We'll have Lego, Duplo, big blocks & more out to play with on Saturday mornings! All ages welcome.
• 11:00am-12:00pm: STEAM. Radium Library. Sessions are designed to encourage children to develop an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering Art and Math at a young age. New activities and gadgets featured at each session. *Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Please register Space is limited. Every 3rd Saturday.
• 3:00pm-4:30pm: Buddy Reading. Invermere Public Library. Practice reading aloud one-on-one with a staff member to build skill, confidence and a love of reading! 30 minute sessions at 3:00, 3:30 or 4:00 pm. By Appointment Only!! Contact Invermere Library to sign up.
• 6:30pm: Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion! Members and guests welcome!
Sunday, December 15
• 2:00pm: Cards, Cribbage and Darts Come to the Legion and have some fun! Members and guests welcome.
• 7:00pm: Live Music Horsethief Creek Pub & Eatery. Accompanied minors are permitted. No cover.
• 7:30pm: Dads Matter. Zoom meeting with host Ben Postmus. Dads connecting, Dads Supporting, Dads Inspiring. Do you have a son or daughter with Diverse Abilities? So do I. diversefamilyroots@gmail.com
Monday, December 16
• 10:00am-11:00am: Senior's Yoga Columbia Valley Centre, Invermere. $2 drop in, open to all seniors.
• 3:00pm-4:30pm: Buddy Reading. Invermere Public Library. Practice reading aloud one-on-one with a staff member to build skill, confidence and a love of reading! 30 minute sessions at 3:00, 3:30 or 4:00 pm. By Appointment Only!! Contact Invermere Library to sign up.
• 6:30pm: Poker (Chip up for Charity). The Station Pub $50 buy-in. Every Monday.
Tuesday, December 17
10:00am-12:00pm: Little Explorers – STEAM Adventure. CBAL office. An intro to arts and sciences for ages 2-6 and their caregivers. Free to attend! Registration is required: wvcoordinator@cbal.org or 250-409-4251
10:30am-11:30am: Senior’s Fitness. Columbia Valley Centre, $2 drop-in.
1:00pm-3:30pm: Art in the Afternoon. Radium Library. A weekly gathering for artists! A free program for local artists and art enthusiasts; whether you sketch, paint, carve, knit or crochet, bring your supplies and work alongside fellow artists.
7:30pm: Families on Tuesday. Zoom meeting with host Ben Postmus. Families connecting, Families Sharing, Families Supporting Families: Support, Listening, Sharing, Connecting. diversefamilyroots@gmail.com
Wednesday, December 18
• 11:30am-12:00pm: Storytime with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Radium Library. Join us or a festive storytime and craft with Santa! Geared toward preschool ages, but all are welcome!
• 10:00am-11:00am: Senior's Yoga Columbia Valley Centre, $2 dropin.
• 3:30pm-4:45pm: After School Club. Invermere Public Library. A window of transition time between school and home or extracurriculars. Come colour, bead, play with LEGO, and catch up with friends! Open to all school-aged kids. Drop-off for Grade 2 and up. Please bring your own snacks! One time registration required. Find the form on the After School Club page on our website or fill it out at the library.
• 6:00pm-9:00pm: Wednesday Dinners & Meat Draw & 50/50 Invermere Legion. All welcome.
A Day in the Life
Boy reeled in film dream as stuntman
By Lyonel Doherty editor@columbiavalleypioneer.com
Ever since watching the General Lee make a slow motion jump over a ‘road closed’ sign on the Dukes of Hazzard, one teenage boy glued to the TV screen knew what path he wanted to follow — the life of a Hollywood stuntman.
Little did he know that he’d be literally rubbing shoulders with the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger and many other film stars in his pursuit of the American, er, Canadian dream.
Justin Sain, whose photography has graced the pages of the Pioneer, recalled where it all began in a little village in southern Austria. He lived on a small farm in a beautiful mountain valley, not unlike the Columbia Valley.
“It was a fantastic childhood . . . playing good guy/bad guy with tree branches for guns in the dirt, trees, and hills with my cousins and friends. It was unbelievably stunning, and I would never change it for the world.”
One day his parents asked him if he wanted to move to Canada. “I said, heck yes! I wanted to see some giant city skyscrapers.”
Fast forward to Ottawa where Justin acquired his first job as a newspaper delivery boy at age 12. He delivered the news on a skateboard in the summer months and slogged through the snow during the harsh winters. To make a little extra money he built and sold custom chopper bicycles that he pieced together from scrap.
His family subsequently moved to Calgary when he was 14, the year he became enthralled by the General Lee — the famed 1969 Dodge Charger that “awakened” him.
“I remember watching my first episode, just by chance (or was it) of the hit TV series The Dukes of Hazzard; I said, ‘I wanna do that.’ The passion stuck and it never let me go after that first realization.”
At age 15 Justin bought his first motorcycle with his paper route savings. He worked at the Calgary Stampede race track during high school, and after graduating he took a job hanging off skyscrapers cleaning windows.
Justin started skydiving at age 19 and worked at several skydiving drop zones in B.C. and California. He stopped after 700 jumps, finishing off with wing suit flying for thrills.
But let’s rewind the film a bit.
“I remember skipping high school when I was 17 when a BMX film called ‘RAD’ came to town. I went down to check it out and, most fortunately, became an unpaid extra in the crowd when they shot the BMX track scenes.”
He met the director and some crew members, which was a magical day and further fuelled his dream to do stunt work for film and television.
Justin subsequently moved to Los Angeles to immerse himself in an intense stunt training camp for two months.
“It was amazing to meet like-minded performers who understood what no
one else could: it is possible to accomplish the unbelievable and inconceivable.”
He later found work as a background extra and special skills performer. In the early days, he worked in paid and unpaid cowboy stunt shows in front of live audiences and performed stunt work in low-budget movies. He travelled overseas to Holland for an Indiana Jones stunt show at a big amusement park. Another contract in Taiwan saw him perform in a cowboy western show.
Justin recalled that his involuntary training for stunt work began when he was a child.
“I was accidentally dropped down a set of stairs. I'm unsure who dropped me or if it's a true story, but my uncle swears by it. Either way, I survived.”
He loved jumping off things, and studied martial arts and gymnastics. “These are the basics and fundamentals of any action performer to be proficient in, even to this day.”
Justin merely followed what his body wanted to learn. “I did anything and everything I could get my hands on to learn. Packing my skills toolkit full of physical, mechanical, and mental skills; you can never know or learn too much.”
After a seven-year stint in Los Angeles, Europe, and Asia, he moved back to Vancouver, where the film industry was booming (in 2000). He was new in town again and needed to prove himself, so he did exactly that by landing his biggest stunt acting job — working as the lead bad buy stunt double in Schwarzeneg-
ger’s blockbuster film ‘The 6th Day,’ which gave him two months of ‘unbelievable’ experience.
The next 10 years in the industry were the best he could have wished for, working on all of the biggest blockbusters in Canada and becoming one of the biggest and busiest stunt performers in the country.
One of his most memorable experiences was working on X-Men 2. He had the opportunity to be Hugh Jackman's stunt double as Wolverine throughout the film. That gig led to more work in X-Men: The Last Stand, where he doubled for Jackman again and also performed as several stunt soldiers and mutants.
“One thrilling sequence involved jumping off, hooked to wires, a mockup of the San Francisco bridge as Magneto (Ian McKellen) manipulates it. I also drove in some of the car crash sequences.”
Another standout moment from The Last Stand was doubling for Michael Murphy in a scene where the character Angel swoops in to rescue him as he's thrown off of a 70-foot building. “It was an intense, wire-heavy stunt performed in the middle of the night.”
According to Justin, there were no risks in his line of work, only ‘calculated actions’.
“I was a professional, and that was my job. I got blown up, jumped off buildings, fought in fights, got gunned down in war battles, and crashed cars and motorcycles. Cont. on page 13
Justin Sain is shown here (right) literally rubbing shoulders with action movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger during the blockbuster film ‘The 6th Day.’ PHOTO SUBMITTED
Hollywood stuntman Justin Sain (left) doubles for Hugh Jackman in the film X-Men 2. PHOTO SUBMITTED
A Day in the Life
Continued from page 12
There was never a moment when I was in doubt; I always confidently knew what I was doing. I never hesitated, but occasionally something out of my control can go amiss, and that's when you summon all the years of training and experience, take a deep breath, and manage the situation.”
Justin was fortunate to have escaped serious injury during his career. He had a knack for getting himself out of ‘sticky’ situations, but he still ended up with many stitches, sprains, dislocations, concussions, and minor bone fractures.
“Although now, years later, the pain goblins are rearing their ugly heads and reminding me, occasionally, what I put my body through.”
Justin reflected on stunt work today, saying it has become highly corporate, repetitive, and stale, with computer generated imagery dominating a ma-
jority of the scenes. Now, artificial intelligence is replacing not only action scenes but actors as well, he pointed out. “It might just be the end of an era, but you can never completely eliminate the human element.”
At one point, he took a break from his career and moved to Thailand where he toured the country on a motorcycle, thinking this would be the next chapter in his life. He sought out a world adventure motorcycle tour company and ended up in South America leading tours. He quickly realized that his movie stunt career was at an end in 2020. He subsequently moved to the Columbia Valley where he refers to the people as ‘class one acts.’
Justin believes that people who want to excel in life need to follow their ‘bliss’ with confidence and “stick with it.” But if you think this guy has it all figured out, think again, because he’s still wrestling with what it truly means to exist.
Scouts Canada returning to Invermere
Submitted
We are excited to announce that a Beaver Colony is restarting in January 2025. Beavers is for five to seven-year-old girls and boys (Scouts has been co-ed since 1996.)
Beavers will meet at the Invermere Senior’s Hall on Thursdays from 4:30 to 6 pm; we are very grateful to the Invermere Seniors Association for renting their space to support youth activities in the valley.
Through the Beaver program, youth get to explore a little bit of everything through nature walks, short hikes, games, crafts and family events. Beaver Scouts gain valuable social skills while making new friends along the way. The program is all about teamwork, co-
operation and developing self-confidence.
We have had a good response to our Facebook call-out for volunteers and we look forward to working together with the valley’s young community to learn new skills through a variety of fun experiences and outdoor adventures. We are still looking for more volunteers; once we have the interest and volunteers, we will look at starting a Cub Pack for eight to 10-yearold youth. We are also looking for anyone handy with a sewing machine who would like to volunteer to help us sew our section ‘neckers’.
Registration for Beavers will open at www.scouts. ca on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 9 a.m.
For more information, please contact Fiona or Jessie at 1stinvermere@scouts.ca or call or text Fiona 250-602-9124.
Extraordinary make-up effects turn Justin into a burn victim in one of his stunt scenes. At left, a young Justin with his Yamaha motorcycle. PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Increase the
Decrease the waste
With 6 Recycle BC Depots, Yellow Bins and many municipalities offering curbside pick-up, recycling has never been more convenient in the East Kootenay. However, not all programs are the same. This guide will help you distinguish what goes where and how the various services differ.
= Recycle BC Depots
= Yellow Bins
= Cranbrook Curbside system
= Kimberley Curbside system
= Fernie Curbside system
= Invermere Curbside system
Recycle BC Depots (located at all RDEK staffed Transfer Stations) offer the greatest opportunity for keeping products out of the trash. The Recycle BC system is funded by producers that supply packaging and paper products to BC residents and the RDEK is PAID per tonne of materials collected. So, you can recycle more and it costs less to operate - it’s a win, win! Please use Recycle BC as much as possible for your residential recycling.
PAPER & CARDBOARD PRODUCTS
YES.
• Paper gift wrap/greeting cards
• Cardboard and boxboard (cereal/shoe/tissue/etc. boxes)
• Molded boxboard (take-out containers, egg cartons, etc.)
• Multi layered paper bags (sugar, flour, etc.)
• Pizza boxes
Nope.
• Ribbons/bows
• Musical greeting cards
YES.
• Foil gift wrap/bags
• Paper towels/tissue/napkins
The Yellow Bin Program is now intended primarly for businesses, institutions and the rural areas of our region that don’t have nearby access to Recycle BC Depots. The Yellow Bins accepted a limited variety of products and are separate from Recycle BC. The Yellow Bin Program is funded by taxpayers and the RDEK has to PAY for every tonne of material collected. The more we can divert to the Recycle BC program, the better it is for all.
The Fernie, Cranbrook and Kimberley curbside programs are also part of the Recycle BC program however, due to the nature of the collection, not all products can be placed in the curbside bins. Plastic bags, flexible packaging, glass and styrofoam must be taken to a Recycle BC Depot. So to reduce household waste, please set these items aside and make a quick trip to a transfer station every so often.
The Invermere curbside program collects the same materials as the Yellow Bin Program, but gives the convenience of curbside pick-up. In order to reduce the amount of waste generated in your home we encourage you to set aside products that are not accepted in the curbside program but that can be recycled at the Invermere Recycle BC depot and drop them at the Transfer Station in the Industrial Park when you have time.
CONTAINERS
YES.
• Coated paper cups (hot or cold)
• Cartons and boxes for milk, milk substitutes and frozen dessert
• Soup containers (tin & carton )
• Containers for food products (yogurt, oil, vinegar, condiments, etc.)
• Detergent/fabric softener jugs
• Plastic take-away containers and cups
• Rigid plastic packaging
• Aluminum foil wrap/containers
• Steel food cans/cookie tins
• Plastic wrap
• Clear glass containers and coloured glass containers
• Glass food packaging and glass soap packaging
• Clear glass bottles and coloured glass bottles GLASS CONTAINERS
Accepted at RECYCLE BC DEPOTS ONLY. Nope.
• Deposit glass (return for refund)
• Drinking glasses, cookware, ceramics or dishes
FLEXIBLE PLASTICS
YES.
• Grocery bags
• Squishy foam packaging and plastic padded mailers/bubble wrap/air packets
• Bulk food, bread bags, frozen food bags and zippered pouches
• Deli meat packaging and stand-up pouches
• Potato chip bags, candy bar wrappers, cereal bags, pasta bags, etc. Nope.
• Plastic squeeze tubes
• Stretch wrap/cling wrap
• 6-pack rings
• Biodegradable plastic
• Foil lined cardboard containers Nope.
• Biodegradable/compostible packaging
• Plastic/foil blister packs
WHITE STYROFOAM
YES.
• White foam meat and produce trays
• White un-printed foam cups and take-out containers
• White foam packaging
• White un-printed foam disposable bowls/plates Nope.
Accepted at RECYCLE BC DEPOTS ONLY.
• Absorbing pads used in meat trays and squishy foam packaging
• Packing peanuts/chips and labels/tape on foam packaging
COLOURED/PRINTED STYROFOAM
YES.
• Foam meat and produce trays and egg cartons
• Printed foam cups and take-out containers
• Printed/coloured foam disposable bowls/plates
Nope.
• Plastic squeeze tubes
• Stretch wrap/cling wrap
• 6-pack rings
• Biodegradable plastic
Accepted at RECYCLE BC DEPOTS ONLY.
For a more complete list of accepted products, visit: engage.rdek.bc.ca/recycle
The days between Christmas and New Year’s are typically our busiest days of the year (by a lot). While our contractors will be working hard to empty the bins more frequently, sometimes they will be full. If a bin has a closed sign on it, please don’t try to open it. Never leave recyclables on or around the bins.
BEYOND THE BLUE LINE Rockies gain ground on division rivals
By Stephanie Stevens
What do you get when you mix two wins, one double overtime and a hat trick?
You get a weekend of excellent hockey courtesy of the Columbia Valley Rockies.
The Junior A team is sitting three points behind the Kimberley Dynamiters and tied with the Fernie Ghostbusters in the Eddie Mountain Division of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.
Friday, Dec. 6 saw the Creston Valley Thundercats in town at Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena. The first period ended with the Rockies down 2-0, but Dylan Duzan (assists from Noah Asmundson and Jack Hefferan) opened scoring up for the boys in the second, followed by Carter Tuplin (Chance Cole and Carter Krause).
The third period saw Peter Godley live up to his ‘Pistol Pete’ moniker and make it a hat trick affair with assists from first Tuplin and Paddy Donahue, then Bryan Kim and Carter Velker, and finally an unassisted goal to seal the deal for a 5-3 win.
Goalie Ryan Bain was between the pipes and stopped 18 of 21 shots on goal.
The next night in Golden saw the Rockets give the Rockies a run for their money, but ultimately that run fell short.
First period scoring was thanks again to Duzan (Cole) and then Ethan Cerone (unassisted). The second period saw Trae Lees (Johnny Lozeman and Tuplin) step up but the game ended in a 3-all tie.
The first overtime saw no scor-
ing, sending the teams into a second overtime shootout. Netminder Jaiden
Jakubowski kept the Golden shooters at bay while Velker and Godley both beat the Golden goalie for the 4-3 victory.
“Our weekend was really good, it's nice to string a few wins together and get back on track,” said associate coach Tucker Braund. “We have a lot of divisional games this month, so we want to make sure we aren't giving any points away to teams we are chasing or to the ones behind us.”
Braund added the fans in the stands bring an energy to the games that is invaluable.
“We are really happy to have all the fans come out. It's obviously not free to come to the games so we really appreciate the support from everyone and we want to use that to fuel us to play great at home in front of those fans,” he said. “We want them to be really proud of our team and know if they come to a game they are going to get a great effort and watch an exciting brand of hockey.”
Friday Dec. 13 will see the Ghostrid ers in town, as well as the return of the Panorama staff members that add extra spice to the energy in the stands.
“The Pano staff coming back is awe some,” said Braund.” “It's a different feel with more people for sure, but the ener gy, excitement and noise they add is su per fun for our players. The chants they bring with them are very reminiscent of European hockey… I think a lot of those Pano guys are from the UK. They watch a lot of soccer over there and the chants are just endless. It makes you want to play better so they really get going. It's just always fun to play in front of fans.”
Puck drop on Friday is at 7 p.m.
Columbia Basin Trust is grateful to operate on the unceded traditional territories of the Ktunaxa, Lheidli T’enneh, Secwépemc, Sinixt and Syilx Nations.
H ERE TO S ERVE Y OU
OBITUARY
David Lester Pick 08 March 1942, Wolfville, NS 09 July 2024, Invermere, BC
It is with great sadness the family of David L. Pick (Dave) has announced his unexpected passing on July 9, 2024.
Dave was an active individual in the Columbia Valley. He loved being in the great outdoors and spending time in the company of others.
Dave’s warmth, kindness and generosity will always be remembered. His spirit will live on in our hearts and our gardens.
As per his request, a memorial service was not held nor a formal announcement made. In honor of his memory, donations can be made to the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKISC) www.ekisc.com in which he was a board member and an exceptional advocate.
Harry John Michael Cherney, a very kind man. Harry was born on May 18th, 1954, in Fernie, BC, to Harry Sr. and Betty. He was the first of six siblings: Debbie, Phil, Bob, Charlene, and Jeanine. He loved his family and extended family dearly. Harry wed the love of his life, Verna, in 1975, and together they started their own family. Tragically, they lost their firstborn, Michael, shortly after his birth in 1978. Sons Christopher, followed by Nicholas, were born in 1979 and 1980, respectively.
Being a grandfather was Harry’s greatest pride, and he was blessed with four grandchildren. Christopher and Jennifer introduced him to grandfatherhood in 2008 with Seth, and again in 2010 with Coraline. Nicholas and Dani blessed him with Fox in 2017 and Murphy in 2021. Harry loved being a Grandpa, and his grandkids loved him fiercely. During the kids’ younger years, Harry was affectionately referred to as “Grampa Bobber” because of his striking resemblance to the cartoon character Bob the Builder. Harry was a carpenter who spent his life building and fixing things. He was always ready to help family and friends and worked hard to create a loving home for his family.
Harry passed away at the age of 70, on November 25th, 2024, with his loved ones in his heart.
Harry truly appreciated and loved all the family and friends who reached out to him and visited during his last few weeks. Their kindness kept him going, and he looked forward to seeing them every day. Thank you to everyone who called and visited. He cherished reminiscing about the old times and sharing a laugh.
Harry did not want a fuss made about him after his passing. He requested no memorial donations, asking only that his friends and family “be good to each other, share a coffee.”
IN
Gerald (Gerry) Wayne Miller
June 3rd, 1940December 14th, 2010
Your legacy of deep love, compassion, generous spirit, dedication to making the world a better place, your keen sense of humour and our fond memories continue to give us strength.
Missing you always, cherishing your memory and basking in your incredible love.
Barb, Mike, Cole and Adam, Pam, Chris and Sam, and Bendina.
For Sale: 2025 Columbia Valley Calendars for sale $25 each Local photography by Cheri Hann (Cheri’s Creations on FB) Available for pick up at The Pioneer and
Perhaps enjoy some perogies and borscht in his memory. His last piece of advice for his beloved grandchildren—Seth, Coraline, Fox, and Murphy—was to “grow up big and strong” and “maybe don’t be a plumber.”
He will be missed and live on in our hearts and memories forever.
ESTATE SALE
Friday Dec 13, noon – 5pm Saturday Dec 14 and Sunday Dec 15 9a-3p Christmas ornaments, polished stones, mobility equipment, robotic storytelling Santa. 2-640 Upper Lakeview Rd. Invermere, behind Canadian Tire.
Cheers to the Valley Voices for sharing the musical joy of the Christmas season with the community! And big cheers to the EMP singers too. A fabulous event!
CHEERS to a wonderful production of the Valley Voices and the Eileen Madson primary school choir. It makes your heart happy, and what brings a community together. A huge thanks to all that put this wonderful performance together. A joy!!
Cheers to Jennifer Cope. You will be a wonderful addition to our CVMA board.
Cheers to the Mayor of Whoville, the Home Hardware staff and volunteers for the generous and fun filled ladies night.
Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the BC Service Building, South End-624 4th St. Invermere. Please call 250-3422424 for more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship.
Al-Anon. Are you concerned about or affected by someone else’s drinking? For more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship, please call 250-878-2448 or 250-342-8392
Huge Cheers to Wally! Our little family appreciates all of your cards with the artistic smiley faces and the surprises inside!
CHEERS to Choral Director Bryant Olender and his wonderful Valley Voices, pianist Jana Van Urk, Max Kelly on drums, and Matthew Page on Bass Guitar for such a lovely, and lively Christmas concert on Saturday. Everyone on stage looked like they were thoroughly enjoying themselves, we know the audience was.
Beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather
MEMORIAM
FAITH
His indescribable gift
By Pastor Wayne Frater Radium Christian Fellowship Church
The Bible tells us in the Gospel of John verse 1: “In the beginning was the Word, and Word was with God, and the Word was God.” And verse 14 tells us: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
During Christmas, during the midst of all the business of the season, we have to take time, go back to the beginning and remember why we celebrate Christmas. In the midst of giving and receiving gifts, we have to take time and remember the greatest gift of all that came in the person of a little baby born in a manger over 2000 years ago. You can read all about it in Luke chapter 2. The greatest gift of all, came in the person of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. “The Word made flesh and dwelling among us.”
That great gift, that indescribable gift Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 9:15: “Thanks be unto God for His indescribable gift.” Another way: “Now thanks be to God for His Gift. [precious] beyond telling [His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift]! Another version
tells us: “Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!” A gift so wonderful that words cannot describe it. “The Word made flesh and dwelling among us.”
A gift sent by God himself, a gift of love as it says in John 3:16: “For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
When God sent His Son to earth, when Jesus came to earth, He brought with Him everything we need to be empowered to live a life of victory. He came as a little baby, but He represented all authority in heaven and earth. When we choose to receive Him into our lives, when we choose to serve Him, we have access to His love, peace, power, authority, provision, joy and strength.
God sent the great gift, the indescribable gift, the gift too wonderful for words. I don’t know about you, but last Christmas I didn’t say no to the gifts my loved ones gave me, I received every one of them with thanks and joy. Will you not receive this great gift God has for you; this inexpressible, free gift?
If you have any questions, or if you need prayer, give us a call (250) 347-9937, or drop into the Prayer Centre or the Blessings Thrift Store on Thursdays. If you want a Bible, we have those too.
Our worship service is on Sundays at 10 a.m. Drop in and check us out. May God richly bless you, and a very, very merry Christmas and the best of the new year.
Columbia Valley Churches
LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH
While you are with us, you are always welcome to join us. Sunday at 10:30 am 326 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 | www.lwac.ca
WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY (Anglican - United)
Sunday Services - 10:30 am 110 - 7th Ave. in Invermere website - wvsm.ca
Minister: Brent Woodard 250-342-6644
Christmas Eve Services
Edgewater - 5:00pm, All Saints Invermere - 7:00pm, Christ Church Trinity Windermere - 9:00pm, Stolen Church
VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY
Pastor: Justin Furse
Sunday 10 a.m. Worship Service 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere 250-342-9511 | www.vcachurch.net
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
St. Anthony’s, Canal Flats: Saturday, 4 pm
Canadian Martyrs’, Invermere: Saturday 5 pm, Sunday 9 am
St. Joseph’s, Radium: Sunday 11 am Father Francis Dela Cruz | 712 -12th Ave., Invermere 250-342-6167
RADIUM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Sunday 10 a.m. Worship service Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater | 250-342-6633 #4, 7553 Main St. Radium | 250-347-9937
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Worship Service, Sunday, 11 a.m. Sunday School, 10 a.m. President Kendyn Mackensie • Columbia Valley Branch • 5014 Fairway, Fairmont Hot Springs 250-439-9041
CHURCH OF CHRIST (Iglesia ni Cristo)
Worship Service: Sunday 9 a.m., Thursday 7:45 p.m. Chamber of Commerce (Lions Hall) For inquiries: 250-688-1643 250-270-2208 or 250-688-0629 For more info about the church, you can Google
bighorn sheep appears to patiently wait its turn
The Hearing Loss Clinic has become an integral part of my family’s healthcare team. As an athlete and coming into the medical field myself, I can appreciate how each aspect of our health contributes to the bigger picture. Hearing health is an important part of how we interact with the world, which correlates to so many other parts of our humanity. It’s all connected. The Hearing Loss Clinic team really understands this and it shows in their passion for what they do and how they treat their patients, from the moment someone walks in the door to the final testing and fitting.
Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser, 4-time Olympic Gold Medalist Hockey Canada
