VALLEY NEWS
Edgewater man prepares for daunting trek
By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com
A man has been trudging along the streets of Edgewater throughout the fall and winter months harnessed to a heavy set of tires.
He hauls his rubber load behind him, straining hard as the tires halfslide, half-grind across the irregular pavement. This he’s done through rain, sunshine and, lately, through the snow, ice and crud of winter roads. Even when it’s well below zero the outdoorsy looking man usually wears nothing more than a T-shirt over his torso, and if you think about it for a minute, this makes perfect sense: he’s working up quite a sweat dragging all that weight. Atop the tires is a wooden sign reading: ‘What do you do to reach your dreams?’
If you’re curious just what this man is doing, you’re not alone. Prompted by the sign, plenty of Edgewater residents have stopped to ask.
The man is Bruno-Pierre Couture and he is training to ski across Hudson Bay this winter.
It’s a daunting goal: Bruno and his friend Jacob Racine will need to cross more than 1,000 kilometres of sea ice, going from Churchill, Manitoba to the northwestern reaches of Quebec. They’ll need to deal with bitter cold, the constant threat of polar bears, and — most treacherous of all — the constantly shifting sea ice underfoot.
The ice on Hudson Bay is unpredictable at best. Strong tidal currents, temperature fluctuations, differences in snow cover, the relatively low salinity of the bay, and a range of other factors mean the frozen winter surface of the bay is always changing. For starters, it’s not actually entirely frozen; there are frequently large stretches of open water. When there is ice instead of open water, the ice exists as ‘plates’ that move just like the earth’s tectonic plates. These ice plates can be the size of the entire Columbia Valley, or as small as a kitchen
table. They are continually breaking up, banging into each other and re-forming. When they bang together, they create large pressure ridges of ice formidable enough that Bruno and Jacob will need ski crampons to get over them.
All this means that skiing across the bay is not a straight line from Manitoba to Quebec. Instead it is a giant, hopscotch-like puzzle with the duo trying to ‘hop’ from one really large plate of ice to the next, to minimize the dangers of (and extra time and energy spent) getting across the cracks in the ice, the pressure ridges, and the big gaps of open water. Except just like Tetris the ‘puzzle pieces’ in this game can transform from one moment to the next without warning.
Even when the ice stretches unbroken for miles, conditions don’t necessarily stay the same for long. The ice can be several feet thick at one point, then just one inch thick nearby. Or several feet thick first thing in the morning, and one inch thick by mid-afternoon
“It’s tricky,” explained Bruno. “You can never be 100 per cent sure the ice is thick enough to, for instance, pitch your tent. It might be (thick enough) at night. But maybe by morning it has disappeared. So we will have to sleep on something that floats.”
Bruno and Jacob think they may pull their supplies behind them in canoes, rather than in the pulks (snow sleds) common in Arctic and Antarctic trips. They could sleep in canoes and then use them to get across open water.
In some respects reaching the North or South Pole is easier than crossing Hudson Bay, since at least those places have snow that is usually firm. On Hudson Bay, on the other hand, there can be several feet of light, fluffy snow to trudge through, with the duo sinking into it up to their knees with each step, slowing their progress to a snail’s pace. In addition, the snow can hide the hazardous cracks and holes in the ice.
Continued on page 5
Adventurist Bruno-Pierre Couture trains for his Hudson Bay crossing by hauling old tires around Edgewater. PHOTOS SUBMITTED
RCMP REPORT
AnnualAGM
General Meeting
Thursday, January 23rd, 4 p.m. in the basement of the Museum.
Election of directors will take place. Everyone welcome!
January 14 & 28
6:30pm
Invermere Seniors’ Hall
$300 JACKPOT
All over 19 welcome
Only CASH Prizes
11 Games for $25 (9 cards)
Lucky 7 & Small Picture Frame
50/50 $2 each. Strip of 3 up
Odd & Even 50/50 3 for $5
Doors Open at 5:30pm LN#158232
Photo credits
The January 2 edition (cover) of the Pioneer featured a collage of photos by the following contributors: Priya and Archie Photography (northern lights), Chris Moseley (graduates), Kim Hutchings (surfer girl), Justin Sain (sunset), and Caio Paagman (horses).
Submitted by Sgt. Jeff Witzke
Columbia Valley RCMP
This past week, December 30 through January 5, the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 46 calls for service.
New Year’s Eve celebrations saw one noise complaint for fireworks and a total of six calls for service throughout the night.
On January 1 a member of the Columbia Valley RCMP detachment was conducting patrols in Kootenay National Park while operating a marked police vehicle. An oncoming vehicle lost control, crossed left of centre and struck the police vehicle. Thankfully, no one was injured. Both vehicles were damaged and had to be towed off the highway.
On January 3 the RCMP were called to a residence to deal with an unruly occupant who was yelling and throwing items around the house. Members attended and removed the person without incident. They were provided a ride to a hotel to prevent further continuation at the residence.
On January 4, BC emergency services personnel downloaded an iPhone satellite indication of a “hard fall detection.”
Members were able to identify the registered owner and spoke to them briefly before communication was lost prior to knowing if there was an emergency. With assistance from Panorama security, the members were able to identify the group and determined there was no emergency and that they were out snowmobiling in the backcountry.
Woman indicted in MVA deaths
Columbia
Valley Pioneer staff
Charges have been laid in the deaths of three individuals stemming from a motor vehicle accident in Wilmer six months ago.
The Pioneer has learned that BC Crown Counsel has approved six charges recommended by the Columbia Valley RCMP.
On January 2, Haley Watson was indicted for the following: three counts of impaired driving causing death, and three counts of dangerous driving causing death.
The Pioneer learned that an arrest warrant was issued and that Watson turned herself in to police on the same day of her indictment.
Watson is scheduled to appear in court on January 13 in Invermere. None of the charges have been tested in a court of law yet.
The indictment stems from a motor vehicle accident on July 9, 2024 when RCMP attended a single-vehicle collision on Westside Road near Panorama Drive in Wilmer.
Upon arrival, first responders located a vehicle which had driven off the road and down an embankment.
RCMP spokesperson James Grandy said the driver was taken to hospital with serious, non-life-threaten-
ing injuries, while three young male passengers were pronounced deceased.
According to Grandy, speed and intoxication were believed to be contributing factors in the collision.
In a recent Facebook posting, the families of the victims thanked the community for its support and the local RCMP for their hard work during the investigation.
The accused was released from custody on the following conditions: To attend court on January 13, to notify RCMP of any change to address, and to not occupy the driver’s seat of any motor vehicle with any alcohol or cannabis in her body.
Shown here is the location in Wilmer where a memorial has been established to honour the three young men who died in last summer’s MVA.
PHOTO AMANDA NASON
Big ice crossing journey awaits local man
Continued from page 3
Their nordic skis will help disperse their weight, keeping them atop the snow as much as possible, and hopefully keeping them from falling through the ice when it is only an inch or so thick.
If all this sounds difficult, that’s because it is. And therein lies the lure for Bruno and Jacob: to see if they can accomplish something many deem impossible.
“As far as we know, no one else has ever done it,” Bruno told the Pioneer
The sleds (or pulks or canoes) they will pull behind them as they ski will weigh 300 to 350 pounds each. That’s partly because you need a good deal of equipment to survive out on Hudson Bay in the winter, and to be ready for emergencies. It’s also because the area is so remote and perilous that no food drops by air are possible en route. They must take all their food with them.
That’s why Bruno has been dragging those tires around Edgewater. The friction of the tires on the pavement is an excellent simulation of dragging 300 pounds over the drifting snow on Hudson Bay. If Bruno’s training is any indication, it won’t be easy out on the ice.
“I barely move forward, I’m probably moving about one kilometre an hour,” he said, of his tire-pulling practice in Edgewater.
This also explains Bruno and Jacob’s fixation on “going ultra-light”, trying to strictly reduce their gear and supplies to the bare minimum of essentials. It’s an approach Bruno has embraced on other outdoor trips in the past, including an attempt to kite ski the summit plateau of Mount Logan (Canada’s highest mountain) in the Yukon. He and his mountaineering partner went ultra-light and were amazed at just how fast they moved up and down the peak. On one day it took them two hours to cover ground that normally takes 12 hours. Another group on the mountain spent several days doing what Bruno and his partner did in a day and a half.
But being ultra-light must be carefully deliberated, since ditching too much equipment creates risks. “You do a ton of research, a lot of calculating,” said Bruno. “It actually gets pretty geeky. How can I save weight without compromising safety?”
He and Jacob have spent countless hours pouring over research data on, and satellite imagery of, the ice on Hudson Bay, trying to get a sense of how they will navigate the ever-rearranging maze of ice plates.
The duo will go to Churchill later this month, and plan to begin skiing in early February. If all goes well, it
will take them about 60 days to cross Hudson Bay. The pair hope to average about 18 kilometres a day. They don’t know precisely where in Quebec they will finish the crossing, since their exact route will depend on the ice conditions.
The pair met in Quebec many years ago, and cemented their friendship in 2013 when they (along with two other friends) skied 2,400 kilometres from Montreal to Kuujjuaq, on Ungava Bay, in the far northern tip of Quebec. The trip took 130 days to complete, from late December to early May, and the group named their endeavour Projet-Karibu. It made headlines all over Canada. When the four neared Kuujjuaq, a group of Inuit youth skied out many kilometres to meet them. The youth were inspired by the trip; Bruno, Jacob and friends were in turn inspired by the Inuit youngsters.
Kuujjuaq has high rates of youth suicide and substance abuse. The friends stayed in Kuujjuaq and, along with teachers, elders and community leaders, created outdoor programs for high school and elementary school students there, hoping to help the youth.
“It really snowballed,” said Bruno. “Now it’s grown into a huge program. It’s helped more than 3,000 kids.”
Bruno grew up in Quebec’s Eastern Townships. There’s plenty of outdoor recreation in that area, albeit not on the same scale as in the Columbia Valley, and Bruno spent many weekends hiking and camping in the nearby White Mountains in Vermont. In school he did an indoor rock climbing course and got hooked. Gradually his trips got longer and his exploits took him further afield, eventually taking him to Baffin Island, Patagonia and the Yukon.
In 2015 Bruno moved to the Columbia Valley. As he put it: “I’d done a lot of horizontal trips (long distance nordic ski traverses). It was time to go to the mountains where things are more vertical.” He lived in Invermere until recently moving to Edgewater.
A great many Columbia Valley residents enjoy getting out in the snow and ice of winter, but few do so with the same gusto and ambition as Bruno, who concedes he is particularly drawn to cold, windswept environments.
“I love the winter,” he told the Pioneer. On long multi-week ski traverses “you have a lot of time to think. It’s almost like meditating. You have to have a strong mental game. There’s a simplicity to winter trips — you eat, you put on layers, and you move. That’s the physical side. The mental game is the other side. Maybe I do well in winter because it’s familiar to me. I know it well (through past trips). That helps my mental game.”
To illustrate his point, Bruno outlined his first — and so far only — outdoor endurance race experience in extreme heat. He did an orienteering race with friends when temperatures were at 35 degrees Celsius. “It was awful,” said Bruno. He wasn’t mentally prepared for the heat and badly miscalculated how much extra water and food his body needed to deal with those temperatures. “I was on the ground, almost crying,” he said.
On Hudson Bay, Bruno will be back in his element. He and Jacob have labelled the crossing as a continuation of Projet-Karibu and are hoping that, just like that first trip, it will help inspire youth in the communities around Hudson Bay.
“Maybe it will snowball (into programs) again,” said Bruno.
To learn more, to follow the duo’s progress this winter, or to help with trip fundraising efforts, visit the Projet-Karibu Facebook page. Those keen for even more detailed accounts of the traverse can subscribe to their newsletter.
SEPTEMBER 2025 PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION open for 3 & 4 year olds (must turn of age by Dec 31, 2025) Join us Tuesday or Wednesday, January 21 & 22 from 1:30 - 3:00. Drop in to meet the teachers and fill out registration forms to solidify your space or email bnmpreschool@gmail.com
Bruno-Pierre Couture must ponder many factors in his big adventure. PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Historical Lens PERSPECTIVE
New year to challenge us
As another year unfolds, we strive to dwell on the positive and leave behind the negative. Besides, without optimism, what is there?
This new year promises to be filled with many highs. For example, the construction of Woodcarver Park in Radium will honour the late Rolf Heer who put the village on the map with his ‘wizardry.’
Much work has been done to combat climate change in our communities. Wildfire readiness is more important now than ever, and it is hopeful that more neighbourhoods become FireSmart champions.
Now that Canal Flats has a full slate of councillors again, it can move forward to address its housing needs and water system upgrades.
With a new year comes renewed focus on a lot of things: For one — ‘truth and reconciliation’ with Indigenous Peoples. A lot has been achieved, but this will be a work in progress for many years.
Sadly, racism still exists in our beautiful world of diversity. Think about this contradiction — racism and beauty. We are all beautiful in some way, so what is the purpose of racism? What is the gain? It would be very interesting to get a straight answer from those who propagate it.
Despite some continued opposition, many people are hopeful that the new Metis Nation BC housing proposal in Invermere will be a positive development to fulfill a great need in the community.
And at the other end of the spectrum, short-term rentals, which dominated local news in 2024, will no doubt continue to grab headlines. Municipal councils like Invermere appear to be handling the situation (with rules) to ensure that STRs do not change the face and character of our neighbourhoods.
On the water, the Lake Windermere Ambassadors will see 2025 as a pivotal year as they work diligently to protect this precious resource. They’re not against boaters having fun, they just want to see it done responsibly. So watch your wake!
Another challenging issue this year will be stemming the cases of chronic wasting disease in the deer population. And whirling disease in fish species. Both are serious problems that must be addressed with the public’s help and diligence.
No doubt newly-elected MLA Scott McInnis (Columbia River-Revelstoke) will have his hands full in 2025 dealing with many questions and concerns from constituents worried about health care, housing, and the environment. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the WD-40.
Last, but not least, here’s hoping the legal system gets the much-needed overhaul it deserves in 2025. Everyone knows that’s not going to happen, but it’s the thought that counts.
Lyonel Doherty, editor
Bin phase-out time adjusted
With a modernization plan for RDEK rural transfer stations to be proposed in 2025, and impending changes to provincial stewardship programs expected in 2026, the RDEK board has amended a prior decision and has directed staff to phase out the Yellow Bin Program in three years rather than in 2025.
The program provides yellow recycling bins to businesses, institutions and rural transfer stations.
This three-year amended timeline will allow time to begin implementing the transfer station modernization and explore other potential options for businesses and residential customers who currently rely on the Yellow Bin Program, without gaps in service.
A three-year contract extension for the Yellow Bin Program has been awarded to GFL Environmental Inc. Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK)
RDEK chair reflects on 2024 and new year
Columbia Valley Pioneer staff
Rob Gay doesn’t own a crystal ball, but the RDEK chair is anticipating another busy year in 2025 as he reflects on the board’s accomplishments in 2024.
He said that rural communities are thriving thanks to the tremendous efforts of all the volunteers who step up to support one another, including their friends and neighbours.
The board honoured electoral area volunteers throughout the past few months: Terry Horton (Area A), Corlyn Haarstad (Area B), Allan Watson (Area C), Marilyn Bowen (Area E), Doug Sinclair (Area F), and Penny Powers who was posthumously awarded the Area G Volunteer of the Year.
Gay noted that hundreds of volunteers contribute to their community’s spirit through their dedication, energy, ideas, time and talents.
“To each and every volunteer, thank you. Our region would not be what it is without you.”
The chair said it was an honour to see so many citizens in the region recognized for their community service as recipients of King Charles III Coronation medals, such as Sparwood mayor and RDEK director David Wilks, and RDEK Communications Manager Loree Duczek.
Over the past year the region experienced a number of climate extremes with the cold snap last January and temperatures of -33 to a record high temperature of 39.7 in Cranbrook in July. Once again this year, the region experienced damaging windstorms, heavy rain with localized flooding, drought conditions, low water levels and wildfire.
“In some way, each of us has been impacted by the climate in 2024 and it has again reminded me both of the incredible contribution of our emergency personnel and the importance of personal preparedness when it comes to being ready to respond to unexpected emergency events.”
Gay said they remain deeply grateful to all of the RDEK firefighters for their dedication and incredible service. He noted the East Kootenay FireSmart Program had another dynamic year with over 2,200 residents reached and
37 neighbourhoods certified.
“We commend everyone who is working to make their homes, properties and neighbourhoods more resilient to wildfire.”
The chair reported that following their spring recruitment drive and another busy wildfire season, the Regional Emergency Notification System saw tremendous uptake, with more than 23,500 residents now registered. This tool enables the region to notify residents in the event of an evacuation alert or order affecting their property in under two minutes. “
If you have not yet registered, please do.” You can learn more or sign up on www.rdek.bc.ca.
Gay reported that the regional district’s building team has been kept busy with over 335 building permits issued and 119 dwellings created (as of November 1).
Elsewhere, the Cold Spring Creek Debris Flow Mitigation Project in Fairmont is nearing final completion; a new short-term rental policy has been implemented with additional tools to increase compliance; the draft Climate Action Plan is in the review process; work is progressing on a new Accessibility Plan; and the Elk Valley Official Community Plan process is underway.
As the board looks ahead to 2025, it will celebrate the opening of the Radium Transfer Station, see a new campground opened at Wycliffe Regional Park, adopt the Columbia Valley Active Transportation Plan, see the final completion of three organics receiving and processing facilities, and begin work on a new planning process to consider additional changes to zoning regulations related to secondary suites and accessory dwelling units.
Gay said staff will also begin work on a modernization plan for their rural transfer station sites, and will continue to explore new options for the expansion of recycling services for residents and businesses.
He noted the long-term goal is to move away from the Yellow Bin Program, as the RDEK has to pay for every tonne collected in these bins, which is very expensive.
On the recreation side, the chair said the team at Eddie Mountain Me-
morial Arena continues to do an excellent job of running and maintaining this important community asset.
Gay said the board continues to navigate the impacts of changes in provincial legislation that affect the region’s operations such as the Emergency and Disaster Management Act, short-term rental regulations, and regulations around building and housing.
“At the board level, we continue to focus efforts on meeting the objectives of our strategic plan, working to keep a balance between the cost of running our services and the impact on taxpayers and asset management.”
The chair takes his hat off to staff and their ongoing dedication to provide
the best possible service to residents of the region.
To stay informed or provide input on active projects, Gay encourages people to visit engage.rdek.bc.ca or join the RDEK email group on www.rdek.bc.ca.
As the RDEK gets ready to start a new chapter in 2025, Gay urges everyone to consider adding three things to their new year’s resolutions: FireSmart their home and property (visit engage. rdek.bc.ca/firesmart for tips and links to additional resources); prepare their emergency grab-and-go kits; have and practise a family emergency plan; and pay it forward — be kind to others, volunteer and get involved in the community.
Last year Kootenay Columbia MP Rob Morrison presented RDEK communications manager Loree Duczek with the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her contribution to the community. PHOTO SUBMITTED
Council concerned about whirling disease
Submitted
The East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKISC) is raising the alarm after confirmed cases of whirling disease in fish from Kootenay Lake.
On December 6, the provincial government announced that three trout samples from the southern arm of the lake tested positive for Myxobolus cerebralis, the microscopic parasite responsible for the disease.
Whirling disease primarily affects juvenile salmonids, including trout and salmon, by attacking their brain stem and spinal cord. This often results in the characteristic whirling or spiraling swimming pattern, spinal deformities, and high mortality rates in infected fish. While the disease poses no risk to humans or pets, its impact on fish populations can be devastating.
"Prevention is key," says Megan MacPhee, program assistant with EKISC. "Whirling disease spreads through spores that can cling to anything that moves between water bodies — boats, paddles, fishing gear, even pets or muddy boots. It’s critical that everyone takes responsibility to stop its spread."
The parasite’s spores are highly resilient and can be transmitted through the movement of fish (alive or dead), fish parts, mud, and water. EKISC is urging all water users to adopt strict preventative measures, as there is no treatment for whirling disease once it’s established in a waterbody.
What to do to prevent the spread
• Handle fish carefully: Never move fish or fish parts between water bodies. Use designated fish-cleaning stations and always dispose of fish waste in the garbage, not in natural waterways.
• Clean, drain, and dry: Remove all mud, sand, and plant material from boats, gear, and equipment. Empty all
compartments that can hold water, including bilges, livewells, and coolers. Allow items to dry thoroughly, ideally for at least 24 hours before moving them to another waterbody.
• Follow decontamination protocols: For those using watercraft or equipment in high-risk areas, such as the Columbia River watershed, additional cleaning procedures are recommended. Submerge or treat equipment with appropriate disinfectants for a minimum of 10 minutes.
"Clean, drain, dry isn’t just about preventing whirling disease," MacPhee emphasizes. "These steps also help stop the spread of other invasive species like zebra and quagga mussels, as well as invasive plants and animals that can devastate local ecosystems."
Winter practices for ice anglers
EKISC reminds ice fishers that clean, drain, and dry practices are just as important in the winter months.
"Even in freezing conditions, invasive species can hitch a ride on water, mud, and plant parts stuck to gear, equipment, or vehicles," MacPhee explains. "Taking the time to clean off your ice fishing gear and sleds before moving to a new location can make a big difference in protecting our waters."
Identify whirling disease in fish
To help detect potential cases of whirling disease, watch for the following symptoms in fish:
• Erratic swimming behaviour: Fish may swim in circles or struggle to move normally.
• Spinal deformities: Look for curvature or twisting of the spine.
• Darkened tail areas: Fish may exhibit darker pigmentation around the tail.
• Stunted growth: Juvenile fish may grow more slowly than healthy counterparts.
• Increased mortality: Affected populations may experience higher death rates, particularly among younger fish.
Report suspected cases
If you observe fish displaying symptoms of whirling disease, EKISC urges you to report it immediately to the appropriate authorities: EmailWhirlingDisease@gov.bc.ca, or call the conservation officer RAPP Line: 1-877952-RAPP (7277).
Stay vigilant
The provincial government has implemented additional cleaning and decontamination measures for mov-
ing boats and equipment in and out of high-risk areas. Water users are encouraged to learn more about these updated protocols to protect our waterways. By working together and adopting these preventative measures, we can minimize the spread of whirling disease and safeguard the health of Kootenay Lake and other aquatic ecosystems. For more information, visit EKISC’s website at www.ekisc.com.
"Every action counts," says MacPhee. "Let’s all do our part to protect the incredible biodiversity of the East Kootenays."
Group urges continued action on CWD
New cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) is worrying the BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF) that is urging continued action to fight the infection among deer in the Kootenay region.
The BCWF says the provincial government should employ a managed hunt to collect 100 samples for CWD testing from Cranbrook, Kimberley and Creston to better understand the prevalence of the disease.
“CWD is becoming more prevalent . . .” said BCWF Executive Director Jesse Zeman. “Cranbrook and other towns in the East Kootenays are perfect vectors for CWD as they have high densities of urban deer.”
The BCWF is concerned that chronic underfunding and a backlog of samples submitted by hunters will hamper efforts to detect and contain this fatal disease. Hundreds of samples from deer submitted by hunters in southeastern B.C. are waiting to be tested, but the BCWF says no additional dedicated funding was allocated for CWD in the last provincial budget.
“Urban deer populations in towns like Kimberley, Cranbrook and Creston need to be dramatically
reduced immediately and the province needs a dedicated funding mechanism to ensure that we can adequately address this problem,” Zeman said.
He noted that city deer have a small range and relatively high density, living in close quarters with frequent contact, which makes them a perfect vector for disease.
“Because deer may contract the disease but remain symptom-free for months or years, urban deer pose a high risk of dispersing the pathogen,” Zeman points out.
More positive tests seem inevitable and the positives to date suggest the area around Cranbrook is becoming a hotspot, the federation says.
The BCWF believes that urban deer populations should be aggressively reduced as they are a significant vector for the spread of CWD. Unfortunately, little testing has been done on urban deer populations, according to the federation.
Young bucks may contract the disease and then leave the area seeking mates and uncontested range. Therefore, an aggressive program to test and reduce urban deer populations is essential to curtail the
spread of CWD, says the BCWF.
“Hunters have been actively engaged in sampling and turning in heads to do their part to identify prevalence and continue to be diligent about following new transportation of cervids, such as deer, elk and moose,” Zeman notes.
Along with greater cooperation from hunters, testing turnaround times have improved, the BCWF reports. The federation has strongly recommended a managed hunt to contain CWD before it spreads north to more vulnerable cervid populations, like caribou.
Whirling disease attacks the brain stem and spinal cord of fish, including trout and salmon. PHOTO SUBMITTED
Columbia Valley Pioneer staff
PHOTO SYD DANIS
Chef says farewell to Bistro restaurant
Columbia Valley Pioneer staff
It’s the final chapter for an iconic restaurant in Invermere, but like they say, when one door closes, another opens.
Veteran chef Peter Panneton is preparing to put away the menus for good at the Bistro on 7th Avenue after 26 years in the kitchen.
The building has been sold, and customers have until the end of January to enjoy their favourite meals in the dining room.
Panneton told the Pioneer that he’s sad to close the family restaurant since it has been a part of him for so long. The ‘red seal’ chef with 38 years of experience said he’ll definitely miss cooking for the fine folks of Invermere.
The man said he fell in love with cooking years ago and has always had “fun” serving people.
“I’m not perfect; I’ve made mistakes,” he admitted, saying you can’t please everyone’s tastes (but he tries).
As for the business, he noted his passion for creating different recipes. “Some people treat their business as just money, but my heart was in it,” he said.
Panneton recalled seeing a lot of changes over the past quarter century, such as the ban on smoking and giving up his liquor licence.
He expressed his desire that the building remain as a restaurant, but said
he understands it will soon house Airb nb offices.
“It (the restaurant) has been a sta ple in town for a long time . . . I’ll miss it . . . it was always a good breakfast and lunch place.”
The chef said the district has been gracious in its support of the Bistro all these years.
As for his future, Panneton said he is going to “take it easy” for a while and look for other work.
“The sky is the limit . . . (and) I’m not dead.”
Local realtor Gerry Taft told oneer that he had purchased the Bistro building and was hoping to renovate it, but the funding wasn’t there. He subse quently listed the building for sale and the founders of Aisling Baile Property Management and Rentals bought it.
Taft said his understanding is they are planning to do a much-needed ren ovation to the building and convert the back space into commercial laundry and create an office and separate retail space facing main street.
“From my perspective having local business owners willing to invest in the downtown core on buying and renovat ing a building is positive,” the realtor said.
“There is not very much available commercial space right now and I know the new retail space on the main street will have a strong demand and will be easy for them to fill.”
Invermere on the Lake
Firefighters honoured
An Okanagan fire chief who dragged an unconscious boy out of a burning RV years ago was asked by a reporter why he risked his own safety to do that at the spur of the moment without protective gear
“It’s my job; it’s what I do,” he said without hesitation.
This would likely be the response of most firefighters in the Columbia Valley, some of whom were recently honoured with awards and certificates at two ceremonies hosted by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK).
Members of the Columbia Valley and Elk Valley and South Country Rural Fire & Rescue Service attended their respective recognition banquets in December.
Columbia Valley Fire Chief Drew Sinclair said on top of the hundreds of hours that firefighters spend on calls within the community, there are hundreds of hours that they devote each year to training.
“This speaks to their incredible dedication to the communities they serve, and it is important for us to bring them together as we highlight and acknowledge how much it is valued and appreciated.”
Michael Hockley, chief of Elk Valley and South Country, said it’s important to acknowledge and thank all firefighters who give tirelessly to their rural communities and thank the family members who support them every day.
Windermere firefighter Doug Sinclair received a standing ovation in recognition of his more than 40 years of service.
Sinclair, who was recognized as the RDEK’s Electoral Area F ‘volunteer of the year’ last June, is one of the founding members of the department.
Service awards went to the following Columbia Valley firefighters: Lieutenant Steven Mcintosh (15 years), firefighter Dan Cox (15 years), firefighter Keith Andestad (15 years), firefighter Michelle Porteous (10 Years), and firefighters Darcy Elder, Sherri Cline, and Dean Kendrick (five years).
Special commendations went to firefighter Nate Breeze (Edgewater), firefighters Darcy Elder, Dan Willson, and Brent Woodard (Fairmont), firefighter Cam Beaudry (Panorama), and firefighter Mieka Arts (Windermere).
New Edgewater officers (captains) are Emily Compton, Greg Zammit, and Mike Guadette.
NOTICE TO ALL DOG OWNERS
All dogs over the age of four months residing in the District of Invermere require an annual dog license, from January 1st to December 31st. Licensing allows Animal Control Services to contact you as soon as possible if your animal has been impounded or if the animal has been injured as a result of traffic or as a result of other causes.
If you live within the District of Invermere and own a dog, please drop by the municipal office at your earliest convenience to pick up a dog tag. Fees are as follows:
UNSPAYED FEMALE DOG $35.00
UNNEUTERED MALE DOG $35.00
SPAYED FEMALE DOG $15.00
NEUTERED MALE DOG $15.00
Spaying / Neutering
We encourage all pet owners to have their dogs spayed or neutered to assist in promoting the health of your animal and to minimize the potential for unwanted pups in the community. As an incentive to spay or neuter your dog, the various license and impound fees for spayed or neutered animals are less than if your animal is not spayed or neutered. For dog control issues within the municipality, please contact our Dog Control Officer at 250-342-1707.
As we now know, plastic is not so fantastic. Up to a trillion plastic bags per year are used around the world. While most of them go to landfill sites where, scientists estimate, takes up to 1,000 years to break down, millions still end up in waterways, trees, and in our oceans where it eventually ends up in stomachs of fish and birds. We encourage you to use biodegradable dog waste bags, which are available at various sites throughout town.
The Bistro restaurant on 7th Avenue in Invermere is closing after serving customers for 26 years.
PHOTO STEVE HUBRECHT
Columbia Valley Pioneer staff
OUT OF OFFICE…
New Year, New Chamber Memberships!
As 2025 begins, so begins a new chapter of membership tiers for the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce! Your Valued Membership will now look a little bit different; we are reducing the tiers and simplifying your invoice. When you receive your renewal, you will need to select the membership tier that best meets your needs: Small Business, Large Business, Chamber Champion or our newest and most exciting tier, Chamber Partner!
Valued Members will now fall into one of two tiers; Small Business (up to 10 employees) or Large Business (11 employees and up); as a valued member, you will receive an email with the details for your specific tier. The changes went into effect on January 1st, but the update will only come into effect when your renewal comes due, whenever that might be.
We still offer the opportunity to be a Chamber Champion, but instead of an addition to your membership it will be a stand-alone option. It will still include advertising credits, special
recognition both at our premier events and in our newsletter as well as other perks and privileges. The Chamber Champion will be priced the same regardless of business size – this means some tiers will have a slight increase in cost – to compensate for this, we are offering an increase in advertising credits. We are also pleased to introduce another advertising Champion benefit – once per year the Chamber can send out a marketing email featuring your business to our 2000+ promotional member email list. This can be a great way to boost something you are promoting or share an update on your core services.
The Chamber would also like to introduce a new and influential option for the first time: the Chamber Partner! This exclusive and limited membership will provide even more advertising, recognition and perks of Chamber Champion as well as a seat at the table at our twice-annual Partner Meetings; these meetings will help determine the topics that the Chamber will take to government officials, and Chamber Partners
will have the opportunity to meet with board members and share your business experiences in ways that make a difference in the business community of the Columbia Valley. This will support our Chamber team with having the most current pulse check on areas of focus for the business community in our region.
We are very excited to make these changes; we feel that simplifying and streamlining our membership tiers will help us serve our members better and in a more transparent and inclusive way! Thank you for your support – we appreciate your membership and engagement and are always looking for better ways to represent and celebrate business throughout the Columbia Valley!
Thanks,
CV Chamber Team & Board of Directors
Thursday, January 9
• 2:00pm-4:00pm: Beginner Genealogy Workshop. Invermere Public Library. CBAL is hosting a workshop to start your journey into uncovering your family's story! Learn how to trace your lineage, explore historical records, and build your family tree. No experience necessary. Registration is required. Please contact the library to register!
• 5:00pm-7:00pm: DOI Budget Open House – Municipal Showcase Columbia Valley Centre. The District of Invermere is excited to announce its upcoming Budget Open House. The Budget Open House- Municipal Showcase will be opportunity for community members to engage and get a more in-depth look at the District of Invermere’s budget process and Municipal Operations. The Municipal Showcase will feature interactive booths & informational displays. Mayor, Council & Senior Staff will be on hand to answer questions and encourage feedback on key issues and projects.
10:30am-11:30am: Senior’s Fitness Columbia Valley Centre, $2 dropin.
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!
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, January 10
• 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!
• 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!
Saturday, January 11
• 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.
• 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, January 12
• 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, January 13
• 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, January 14
• 5:30pm-7:30pm: Chamber Connections – Panorama. Alto Kitchen and Bar. Join us for a monthly, casual networking event! At least two board members will be on hand to talk business - no registration required! This month meet us at Alto Kitchen & Bar at Panorama Mountain Resort!
• 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, January 15
• 10:00am-11:00am: Senior's Yoga Columbia Valley Centre, $2 dropin.
• 11:30am-12:00pm: Story Time. Radium Library. Join us for a story, songs and a craft! Geared towards preschool ages but all are welcome.
• 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.
No immigration program coming to valley
By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com
The Columbia Valley will not be part of a federal immigration pilot program making it easier for local businesses to help employees become permanent Canadian residents.
Last fall the Canadian government introduced multiple changes to its Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and to post-graduate work permits for international students. These changes were part of a much broader tightening at the federal level on the number of people entering the country.
A number of businesses in the valley employ workers through the TFWP or employ workers who are international students with work permits. Some of the changes mean it is now harder for those employees to eventually get per-
manent residency here.
The Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce and the College of the Rockies (the Invermere campus has a significant contingent of international students) joined forces with other chambers of commerce and economic development groups across the East Kootenay and applied for the region to become part of the new Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) Program.
The effort to join the program was led by Community Futures East Kootenay (CFEK). Just before the Christmas holidays the federal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) agency told CFEK its application was unsuccessful.
“We are certainly disappointed with the outcome of this application,” said Columbia Valley community economic development representative Theresa
Wood.
“We want to thank all of the businesses that participated and pledged financial commitments should we have been approved. We will continue to meet with regional partners regarding immigration to stay as informed as possible, as well as present challenges our local businesses and residents are facing,” she told the Pioneer Kerstin Renner, CFEK general manager, said the program would have made it easier for local businesses to advocate for their workers and provide a fast track for permanent residency.
“With the many changes currently happening to immigration pathways, the RCIP program would have been a real support for businesses facing labour shortages in our rural communities.”
The importance of the matter was
underscored by just how quickly East Kootenay chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, and other groups came together to work on the application, Renner told the Pioneer, adding “it really is an issue.”
The IRCC has not yet disclosed which communities will be part of the pilot program, but the CFEK outlined in a press release that, in its understanding, there was high interest in the program and only 15 communities across Canada were chosen to take part.
Renner emphasized that the RCIP is not meant to be an international recruitment program, but is instead meant to be for “individuals who are already in the community, are working or have studied here and now want to make the region their permanent home and bring their families here.”
Budget meeting to become showcase
Columbia
Valley Pioneer staff
The District of Invermere will hold its annual budget open house this week, giving the public a chance to get information on and ask questions about finances for the coming year.
But if number crunching doesn’t interest you, there’s more: the district has also transformed this year’s event into a municipal showcase. Various municipal departments will set up booths with staff members on hand to answer queries and to explain what they do and how they do it.
“We wanted to do something different, something more interactive,” explained Invermere mayor Al Miller.
There will also be food, possibly even with district staff members getting a chance to show off their barbecue skills.
The new approach is the latest tweak the district has put on its annual budget open house to try to at-
tract more members of the public. In recent years, citizen turnout at budget open houses has been quite low – often numbering in the single digits. Council has in the past tried various tactics to draw a bigger crowd; by changing venues, offering pizza dinner for attendees, and by holding the meetings in local coffee shops.
“None of those really worked too well,” conceded Miller, adding that the coffee shop method was perhaps the best, since it resulted in relatively more people reached. But even then many of those attendees were “caught off guard,” unaware they were part of a budget meeting, he noted.
Even if the attendance is low again this year, the budget open house is important — residents need a chance to examine the inner workings of their local government, said Miller.
“We try to make sure every penny counts, but at the same time to not forget about important projects, such as infrastructure upgrades that need to be looked after,” he said.
One infrastructure project in particular in this year’s budget should catch attention: the Fort Point bridge. A new bridge is badly needed and has been in the works for several years. It’s scheduled to go ahead in 2025.
“It’s an eyesore and it’s also something that’s caused frustration,” said Miller.
For months the aging state of the bridge has resulted in weight restrictions. These have meant trucks and other heavy vehicles entering or leaving Fort Point have needed to detour around via the Station Pub instead of using the bridge.
Miller isn’t too worried about the continual low turnout at budget meetings.
“Generally speaking, when people are unhappy with something, they let us know,” he said. The lack of concerned or angry residents at the budget open house could be a sign that “a lot of people have a good understanding of the job we are doing, and they feel confident,” he said.
BEYOND THE BLUE LINE Rockies work way up in division standings
By Stephanie Stevens
The first week of January wasn’t half bad for the Columbia Valley Rockies.
The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League Junior A team had a five-point week and worked their way up the standings in the Eddie Mountain Division to second place, just seven points behind the Kimberley Dynamiters and five points ahead of the Fernie Ghostriders, though with the ‘Riders having five games in hand the pressure will be on the Rockies to keep their spot for the rest of the season.
New Year’s Eve saw the hometown boys out of town facing off against the Creston Valley Thunder Cats.
The game was ultimately a 4-5 loss, but as it was in overtime the team still garnered a point from the game.
First period offerings were from Carter Velker (assists from Noah Asmundson and Dylan Duzan), then Jack Hefferan (Carter Hensch and Kobe Mason) in the second. The third period saw two more goals, first from Trae Lees (Hensch and Paddy Donahue) and then team captain Mason (Bryan Kim) tied up the game and sent them into overtime.
Goaltender Ryan Bain kept 28 of 33 shots out of the net.
Back home in the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena on Friday, Dec. 3 the Rockies took on the Williams Lake Mustangs.
Duzan (Teo Fath and Jaxson Sperling) opened up the scoring for the Rockies, followed by Wyatt Wurtz (Chance Cole and Peter Godley) and then Duzan (Wurtz and Asmundson) again.
The tally went up in the second with Carter Tuplin (Lees and Hefferan), Kim (Wurtz and Ethan Cerone), Fath (Hensch) and Duzan (Asmundson and Wurtz) picked himself up a hattrick, beating the Mustang goalie for a third time.
Bain was in goal again and kept 24 of 30 shots at bay.
Saturday saw the Dynamiters in the Eddie.
The fast-paced game saw no scoring in the first, with Asmundson (Hefferan and Lees) starting things off in the second, followed by Johnny Lozeman (Goldley and Duzan). The third period saw Duzan (Velker and Sperling) and Ashton Sledz (Lees and Wurtz) bring the tally to 4-2, and with less than two minutes on the clock, Fath potted an
unassisted empty netter to close out his 100th game as a Rockie.
Between the pipes, Bain stood on his head all night and stopped 38 of 40 shots on goal.
Head coach Tayler Sincennes said they would “always be happy with five of six points in a week.
“I thought we were a little flat in Creston and at home against Williams Lake,” he said. “We didn't defend very well in those games and gave up far too many great scoring chances for the opportunity, and we lost the specialty teams battle in those games. The Kim-
berley game we executed our systems really well and managed the puck great throughout the full 60 minutes. Our penalty kill did an excellent job when we needed them and our power play generated momentum and got us a huge goal in the second. We defended in that Kimberley game very well and got an excellent goaltending performance as well.”
The Rockies will be playing out of town this coming week, first in Sicamous on Saturday and then in Fernie on Tuesday.
The next home game is January 17 with the puck drop at 7 p.m.
DISTRICT OF INVERMERE
NOTICE OF SHORT-TERM RENTAL TEMPORARY USE PERMIT APPLICATIONS
UNDER DISTRICT OF INVERMERE CONSIDERATION
Pursuant to Section 494 of the Local Government Act, public notice is hereby given that the District of Invermere is considering the Short-Term Rental Temporary Use Permits (STU-TUP) listed in the table below. Issuance of the permits will be considered by council or a delegated authority at the Invermere District office at 914 - 8th Avenue in Invermere, BC, at the corresponding date and time as listed below:
All persons who believe they are affected by any of the Short-Term Rental Temporary Use Permits are encouraged to submit their concerns in writing to the Invermere office at 9148th Avenue, Invermere, BC, or by email to dpcoordinator@invermere.net prior to January 17 at 10:00am for Delegated Authority Decisions and January 20th for Council Decisions. All submissions should include your name, address, and contact information. All written submissions are public information pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All submissions will form part of the public record. Questions about the disclosure of your personal information may be referred to the Corporate Officer at 250-342-9281.
For more information regarding the above applications contact the Invermere Planning Department at 250-342-9281 or by email at dpcoordinator@invermere.net or at the Invermere Office between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays.
PO Box 339, 914 - 8th Ave, Invermere BC V0A 1K0 250-342-9281 info@invermere.net www.invermere.net
Teammates Paddy Donahue (middle) and Jack Thorne (right) celebrate Teo Fath’s (left) unassisted goal as he closed out his 100th game as a Rockies player. Fans described it as epic.
PHOTO STEPHANIE STEVENS
By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com
There have been several cougar sightings in recent weeks in the Columbia Valley, but local wildlife officials say this is typical in winter, and there is no risk to people.
Columbia-Kootenay Conservation Officer Sgt. Greg Kruger told the Pioneer there have been confirmed cougar sightings near the Village of Radium Hot Springs, near the District of Invermere, and up on Toby Benches.
“We haven’t had any major public safety issues,” said Kruger, adding that what they’ve seen so far is
“normal cougar activity for this time of year.”
As the winter goes on, most prey species move down to lower elevations, putting them in closer proximity to towns and villages.
The only mildly abnormal cougar encounter reported recently was on Toby Benches three weeks ago when a cougar chased a domestic dog. Eventually the cougar was scared off. Conservation officers monitored the area but the predator was not see again.
Any public safety issue or wildlife reports for cougars or any other species should be reported to the Conservation Officer Service by calling the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hot line at 1-877- 9527277.
Contract awarded for new project at landfill
Columbia Valley Pioneer staff
A new project is in the works at the Columbia Valley Landfill.
The regional district has awarded a contract to Mackay Contracting Ltd. to undertake one phase of the project that will start early in the new year.
The project will take a closed portion of the landfill and reshape it, adding a clay cap and top soil so that it
is permanently closed.
This initiative is part of a progressive closure plan for portions of the landfill that have reached capacity and will no longer be accessed.
The RDEK says that progressive closure is a landfill practice they regularly use at the central subregion landfill and will “ensure proper contouring at the Columbia Valley site so that future sections identified for progressive closure can be seamlessly tied into this Phase 1 project.”
VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
Volunteers are all around us and play a huge part in what makes our region an incredible place to live. Help us celebrate and recognize their efforts by nominating them as an Electoral Area Volunteer of the Year. Nominees must be a resident of an Electoral (rural) Area and make voluntary contributions to the spirit, culture or people of the community.
Nomination forms are available at our Cranbrook & Columbia Valley RDEK offices and on: engage.rdek.bc.ca/volunteer
NOMINATION DEADLINE is 12pm, February 4, 2025
RDEK BOARD DATES 2025
The 2025 RDEK Board Meetings will be held as follows:
JANUARY 10 FEBRUARY 14
14
11
9
13
Our Board meets each month and meetings are open to the
11
KERHD BOARD DATES 2025
The 2025 Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Board Meetings will be held as follows:
MARCH 14 JUNE 13 SEPTEMBER 12 DECEMBER 12
Meetings begin at 11:30am at the RDEK office in Cranbrook and are open to the public. Agendas can be viewed a week prior to the Board Meeting on our website www.kerhd.ca
SPECIAL BUDGET MEETINGS
The 2025 RDEK budget meetings will be held at the RDEK office in Cranbrook on February 12, 2025 These meetings are open to the public in person or via Zoom. Meeting times and Zoom link will be posted on www.rdek.bc.ca one week before the meetings.
PIONEER CLASSIFIEDS
CHEERS
Serving Invermere & Area cell 250-341-1202 gerry@gerrytaft.ca
Alcoholics Anonymous. If alcohol is causing problems or conflict in your life, AA can help. All meetings are at 7 pm. Columbia United AA, 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
Narcotics Anonymous. Mondays 7-8 pm, ONLY VIA ZOOM.
Meeting ID: 772 6822 4234 Passcode: 4ZgPXP
CHEERS
Double Cheers to Angela for cleaning up after New Years Eve events at the Windermere Public Beach. And to all of those who clean up continually on the lake, it is appreciated.
Cheers and more cheers to Catherine, at the Black Forest Restaurant. It has become a tradition on De cember 25 to have you as my server. The service was top notch. You were attentive and very efficient. Looking forward to next year! You are awesome.
Huge CHEERS to our amaz ing friends and neighbors for their caring and generosity through a very difficult couple of weeks for us. JJR
Cheers to Shelley and Stephan Kuhn for hosting the fun and delicious afternoon RFE Alarms staff gathering.
Big cheers again to Jim Har rison to once again coming to the rescue of a senior citizen when the heavy snow and ice that had accumulated on her roof presented a major ice problem when the tempera tures dropped. One call to Jim and he came with a snow rake, shovel. Problem solved.
In Loving Memory ~
Cheers and more cheers to Heather Fischbuch for the wonderful reflexology treatment. It was like floating on a cloud. Very relaxing.
Cheers to the Windermere Community Association and volunteers who organized the New Year dance. It has been years since we could dance and raise a glass to the new year at the Windermere Hall. Happy New Year to everyone, and cheers to those who attended. You rock, Rockinomix!
CHEERS to our Snow Angels, Dane, Jade, and maybe Hudson, for clearing our driveway and clearing the snow from our car. So very thoughtful.
A Big cheers, to those people that helped push my stuck truck off the ice on 7 Ave in front of the strip mall. In particular the lady that organized others to help out. Very much appreciated.
Invermere and enjoyed summer and winter sports in the valley. They eventually retired to the valley and became active community members. George loved spending time outdoors with his friends and family and acquired a natural aptitude and connection with birds. He quickly gained the reputation of a bird whisperer throughout the valley. He will be deeply missed.
Celebration of life will be held at a later date.
CHEERS
Biggest Cheers to Catherine Charchun & Jana Coes with the DOI. Your information and patience in answering all our questions put us at ease and was greatly appreciated!!
Cheers and more cheers to Tyrell Horvat. Unbeknownst to me, my drivers license fell out of my wallet in a parking lot. He doesn’t know me but had the foresight to search me on Facebook and sent me a message when he found it on the ground. He even brought the drivers license to my house. Wow! What a kind gesture. I couldn’t believe it. I am beyond grateful. Cheers to Tyrell.
In Loving Memory
Cliff Beliveau
January 20, 1949 — December 13, 2024
We would like to announce the passing of Cliff Beliveau on December 13.
Cliff’s life was dedicated to his family. He cherished time spent with them and sharing experiences and adventures with them.
The family would like to thank Dr. Sveen and the Ivy House staff for their compassionate care. The funeral mass will be held at Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church in Invermere, January 18 at 11:00.
Albert “Dean” Miller
November 22, 1937 – December 20th, 2024
On December 20th, 2024, Dean passed away peacefully with family by his side.
Dean was born in Calgary Alberta. At the tender young age of 17 he met his wife-to-be Pat and married at the age of 18. They were totally inseparable for their entire married life and were married for 65 wonderful years, and had 4 children.
They moved to the Columbia Valley in 1972, owning and operating Timber’s Resort in Fairmont, B.C., as well as running the Fairmont Esso garage and store.
In 1977 the family moved to Cranbrook, B.C. to start an auto body business called Miller Enterprises. In 1979 they moved back to Invermere, and the business was then known as Sun Valley Auto Body. They continued operating it with their children, and their oldest son Jim would later take over the Sun Valley Auto Body business.
Dean and Pat, along with daughter Tammy, owned and operated the Skookum Inn restaurant and campground in Windermere in 1992.
Dean played bass in the family band called The Maylanders for many years, with his wife Pat on keyboards, son Jim on steel guitar and son Ted on lead guitar. Our drummer was a local friend, Larry Lunn.
Dean always had to be busy. He had a huge passion of customizing old buses into beautiful motorhomes which he loved to drive for miles on end, and he would pack up every winter and drive south with Pat (Mom) by his side to meet up with some family and friends they made over the years of traveling. Classic cars were another passion of his - if he wasn’t out traveling in the bus, he would be in his shop cleaning and waxing his classic car.
Dean is survived by his brother Gary Miller; his children Jim (Pat), Ted (Patsy), Tammy, and Kelly; grandchildren Chris, Tana (Paul), Charlene (Jay), Jennifer (Dallas), Jackie(Colten), Teagan (Matt) and Kelvin; great-grandchildren Tristan, Tyla, Miles, Aubrey, Isaac, Dakota, Reese, and Roy.
Dean is predeceased by his wife Irene “Pat”, Elsie & Albert Miller (parents), Roy Miller (brother), Shayla Wilisky (great-granddaughter), Karen Miller (daughter-in-law) and Larry Mullikin (son-in-law)
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to all the home care/home support staff and doctors for their kindness, support, and care shown for our dad, grandfather and great-grandfather.
A very special Thank You to some of Dean’s neighbours: Sandra Stettler and her sister Vilma Ballestero, Craig & Karry Girodat, Dennis & Diane Tlanidin and Mark & Kirstan, for all the help you gave to Dean whether it be home-cooked meals, taking care of his yard, checking in on him or providing friendship and spiritual support. A big thank you to sister Tammy for all you’ve done through the years for mom and dad. Not once did it go unnoticed, we really appreciate all you have done.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Canadian Cancer Society of B.C
God saw you getting tired, when cure was not to be. So, he wrapped his arms around you and whispered, “come unto me”
You didn’t deserve what you went through, and so he gave you rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful, He only takes the best. So, when I saw you sleeping, so peaceful and free from pain, I could not wish you to come back, to suffer that all again.
A Celebration of Dean’s Life will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, January 10, 2025, At Lake Windermere Alliance Church, 326 10th Ave, Invermere. Interment to follow at Mt. View Cemetery, Invermere.
HEAVY DUTY MECHANIC
Baymag Inc., an industrial mineral company specializing in the production and international marketing of Magnesium Oxide, is accepting applications for a Heavy Duty Mechanic for its open pit mine located near Radium Hot Springs, BC.
Responsibilities & Duties
• Inspecting haul trucks, bulldozers, excavators, graders, and other heavy construction equipment for proper performance, and inspect equipment to detect faults and malfunctions
• Diagnosing faults or malfunctions using computerized and other testing equipment to determine the extent of repair required
• Adjust equipment and repair or replace defective parts, components or systems using hand and power tools
• Testing repaired equipment for proper performance and to ensure that work meets manufacturers’ specifications
• Clean, lubricate and perform other routine maintenance work on equipment
• Service attachments and working tools such as blades, buckets & booms
• Mentor apprentice mechanics
Qualifications & Skills
• Interprovincial or B.C. Heavy Equipment Technician (HET) Certification On/ Off Road
• Safety conscious
• Journeyperson - 3 years’ experience preferred, but not limited to.
• 3rd or 4th year apprentice may be considered Baymag provides an excellent work environment, a competitive compensation plan and an attractive benefits package. Hourly wage for this position is $49.31
Please note that you must be able to commute to Mt. Brussilof located near Radium Hot Springs, BC.
Please send resumes to jobs@baymag.com . Baymag thanks all applicants for their interest, however only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.
Charlotte Gorman (left) and Noah Phelps from DTSS have been recognized by the Royal Canadian Legion (Windermere district) for their literary and artistic talents. Gorman won first place for her Remembrance Day essay,
FAITH
Consider ‘access’ in your life
By Rev. Terry Dyck Lake Windermere Alliance Church
Have you ever attended a sporting event, concert, film set, worksite and been the beneficiary of an all access pass? It can be quite exhilarating. You may be able to meet a dignitary, athlete, actor, or expert that you look up to or admire. You may be given the opportunity to ask a question you’ve always wondered about. It may also be an occasion to view how things really go behind the scenes, visit the ‘green room’ with all the amenities. This could become a core memory, etched deep inside, or you may find inspiration and motivation to pursue a dream or goal. It can also be a significant reality check, one of those experiences that affirm you are in a good place, or even spark a need for change.
It’s likely that someone or some group made it possible for you to gain that all-access pass. Perhaps your own hard work, reward or accomplishment earned that access. What was impassible for you, or what restricted you from attending that ‘backstage’ experience – is now open to you. Barriers that once existed no longer impede your way, and that’s a wonderful feeling.
It’s sort of like snow plows. I like snow plows. They make a way for me to get to my desired destination. I don’t particularly appreciate the stone chips in my windshield that come with the spread of gravel and
salt behind them, but all in all they do create access. Dynamite is another good product for creating access – through mountain passes, for tunnels, putting in a house foundation, releasing minerals, or moving a snow slide. Even better when they are controlled and don’t damage people or possessions.
Personal access is important. Who do you give permission to contact you? By phone, text, email, social media, in person. Remember, saying you are accessible doesn’t mean you really are accessible. Have you ever responded to someone in this way: “If there’s anything you need …” Is it true? And by the way, how does someone access your interior life, to really know you?
There are numerous applications and illustrations that point us in the direction of creating access and of being accessible. Our faith community is going to explore this concept in 2025 from a wholistic viewpoint; access to our facilities, to our spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental health. I imagine we are going to do some bush whacking, groom some metaphorical trails, and break some new trails.
Removing obstacles is part of creating access. Snow plows, rock pickers, chainsaws and branch trimmers do that kind of work. Healthy relationships remove obstacles in our lives, creating access and accessibility that helps us thrive.
Much like following my granddaughter down the aisles of a big box store, where I observe her picking up displaced items and carefully replacing them on the shelves – she creates access, clearing the way for our shopping excursion. I learn from her that access requires initiative and action
Consider “access” as you drive slowly behind a snow plow or venture through the valley.
Bird count sees good numbers
of a cone, allowing the bird to use its tongue to extract the seed.
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
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
The count is in, and it looks like good news for the bird kingdom in the Columbia Valley.
The Christmas Bird Count in December (from north of Radium to south of Invermere) netted some “impressive results,” according to organizer Gareth Thomson.
“The numbers speak for themselves: 35 participants spent over 80 hours travelling 225 kilometres to count a grand total of 48 species,” he said.
The annual count is valuable data to support bird conservation, contributing to an international database which is 125 years old – reportedly the world’s longest-running citizen science initiative.
Thomson said an unusually mild fall and early winter meant more open water and contributed to some higher-than-average numbers of water-loving birds. These include 213 Canada geese, 369 mallards, 59 trumpeter swans and 27 bald eagles.
He added that mild temperatures mean that birds that usually migrate – but choose not to – can survive better, which explains the 11 robins, 56 song sparrows, and 111 Townsend’s solitaires sighted.
Birders also had their share of interesting visitors from the north that migrate south to the area in winter. This includes winter finches such as 81 redpolls and 139 white-winged crossbills, a bird with a uniquely twisted bill designed to pry open the scales
Other interesting winter migrants include birds that spend their summers in the Arctic tundra, included 30 snow buntings.
“One birder offered to host our evening potluck, and the good karma she earned by doing so led her to view one of the day’s most exciting birds: a roughlegged hawk.”
Thomson noted the handsome tundra-loving black and white raptor soared in full sunlight above her Wilmer home, accompanied by a raucous chorus from some excitable ravens that were not used to sharing their airspace with such a rare creature.
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 online at incmedia.org or pasugo.com.ph
Columbia Valley Pioneer staff