Columbia Valley Pioneer, October 25, 2018

Photo by Dauna Ditson

e Canal Flats Fall Fair is packed with vendors, baking and happy people as residents voted for their favourite carved pumpkins and enjoyed craft tables provided by the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy and the Canal Flats Community Action Program for Children.

(Clockwise from top) Ayla, 7, decorates her cookie with gobs of icing before gobbling the ghosts. One-year-old twins Violet and Avianne make spiders with help from their grandma. Tyler Lake wins the adult pumpkin competition with his design of “a mouth munching on an eyeball.” Jennifer, 7, and her Jack O’Lantern beam as they win the best-pumpkin prize for kids. Mara, 8, shows off her spooky spider.

Photos by Dauna Ditson

VALLEY

Heralding in a new municipal landscape

By Lorene Keitch lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Change swept through the Columbia Valley this weekend when the polls closed and the votes were counted. Two former councillors are now mayors, one area director was re-elected, and a new face to the political scene takes on Area F.

All results from Saturday’s election are unofficial, and will be confirmed after the Pi oneer’s press time.

Invermere:

Invermere overwhelmingly supported Al Miller for mayor, who earned 80.8 per cent of voter’s ballots, with Mark Topliff at 17.5 per cent.

Current Mayor Gerry Taft was actively asking for a ‘de motion’, stepping down as mayor and running for council lor. Voters supported his choice, giving him 57.5 per cent of the vote. Newcomer Kayja Becker drew a whopping 75.4 percentage of votes received: 801 votes cast. Ute Juras, a rel ative newcomer to Invermere but who has been on Council as both mayor and councillor in Canal Flats for the past 14 years, came in second with 65.2 per cent of votes, followed by Greg Anderson with 58.9 per cent.

Mr. Miller is excited about the diverse mix on council, of experience and enthusiasm as well as male and female. He is ready to get to work, and looks forward to a busy term ahead.

“We’ll take care of all the basics: the roads, the infra structure, all the rest of it,” Mr. Miller says. “But after that, there’s some real needs that need to take place. And we’re going to work with different groups and different people on it.”

He would like to investigate forming some community-based committees to assess specific needs, such as accommodation concerns, and would like to see how the District can help the local fitness community find the room they need for the services they want, as well as ongoing water issues in the district.

Lastly, while Mr. Miller comments that council will not always agree on everything, he wants to run a positive team moving forward, and foster a positive community. To that end, he invites community members to reach out to him for any concerns. Call 250-3425120 to talk to the new mayor elect.

“I’d like to thank all the voters who voted for me, and for those that didn’t vote for me, I hope I can earn your respect in time,” Mr. Miller says. “I’d really like to thank Mark Topliff for his community involvement and putting his name forward; it takes a lot to do that.”

Invermere asked voters two referendum questions alongside the mayor and council vote. 727 people, or 69 per cent of those who voted, support a plastic bag ban at retail stores in Invermere, while 66 per cent are in favour of purchasing the Lake Windermere Resort lands.

Invermere saw above-provincial average turnout, with 45 per cent of the 2,356 eli gible voters casting a ballot. In 2014, 760 eligible voters, or 34.5 per cent, exercised their municipal right. Mr. Miller speculates the two referendum questions could have some thing to do with it, as well as a media push across the province focused on voter turnouts.

Invermere’s Council will be sworn in at the Tuesday, November 6th Council meeting, which starts at 7 p.m.

Canal Flats:

Canal Flats had an astounding 71.9 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot; the provin cial average was 35.6 per cent. Canal Flats definitely had the highest voter turnout across the Kootenays, and one of the highest in the province, alongside Wells, New Denver,

Stewart, and Tahsis all reporting voter turnouts over 70 per cent, according to CivicInfo BC. Belcarra appears to have the highest voter turnout at 90 per cent.

Canal Flats voters staunchly supported Karl Sterzer for mayor, with 270, or 69.8 per cent, of the vote. Opponent Brian Woodward earned 112, or 28.9 per cent.

“I feel there was a lot of people that wanted to make sure their voice was heard; that was incredible,” Mr. Sterzer commented of the voter turnout. “People are engaged; they’re excited about moving forward, and excited about change and possibilities.”

Mr. Sterzer said this election felt very personal to him, given the future of the town and the desire he has to see it move forward. He says waiting for the election results was like a rollercoaster of emotions, and he is pleased the people of Canal Flats chose him to fill the mayor’s seat for the next four years.

“I want to have a transparent, open-door policy,” Mr. Sterzer affirms, assuring he wants to make sure issues are dealt with in an open and effective manner. “I feel a huge responsibility to all those people who voted for me, and I feel a huge responsibility to all those who didn’t vote for me.”

As opportunities grow, Mr. Sterzer is excited that Canal Flats kids will not have to leave the community to find work, and that those who have moved elsewhere out of necessity might be able to return home.

Heading forward into the new term, Mr. Sterzer says he knows there has been a lot of change already, and that can be concerning as the commu nity heads in a new direction. But he says with the incredible CAO and staff, consultants, and a new Council full of energy and enthusiasm, there is great opportunity for positive change moving forward.

When asked if it is daunting to look at what the few years will bring, Mr. Sterzer says it could be if he felt he was doing it alone. But he emphasizes he is just one part of an entire team working together.

“I’m surrounded by some of the greatest team members there are, and I believe that team fully involves and encompasses our community” he says. “I’m filled with excitement and anticipation, a feeling that I can’t wait to get moving, like Christmas morning.”

Joining Mr. Sterzer on Council will be incumbent Marie Delorme, and newcomers Douglas McCutcheon, Kimberly Swerdferger and Bill Lake. Mr. Sterzer had kind things

Al Miller

Municipal elections across the Valley supported existing elected officials while also voting in new voices in each community.

Photo by Dauna Ditson

Karl Sterzer

RCMP Report

Submitted by Sgt. Darren Kakuno Detachment Commander Columbia Valley RCMP

is past week, October 15th through October 21st, the Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 59 calls for service. e following are some of the more notable files our officers responded to.

• On Monday, October 15th at 7 p.m., police received a report of an altercation at a residence in Fairmont Hot Springs. e subject of the complaint had departed prior to police arriving but was located a couple hours later and arrested for assault and released with conditions.

• On Tuesday, October 16th at 8:35 p.m., police were dispatched to a two-vehicle head on collision on Hwy 93/95 between Invermere and Radium. A Chevrolet pickup was northbound when it collided with a southbound Honda CRV. e driver of the pickup was deceased at the scene. e driver and passenger of the CRV were transported to the hospital with serious injuries. East Kootenay Traffic Section is continuing their investigation.

• At about midnight on Tuesday, October 16th, officers were called to a residence on Hwy 93/95 near Windermere to assist with removing an unwanted guest. e

By BC Conservation Officer Sgt. Drew Milne

Conservation Officers recently investigated and seized a three point mule deer that was unlawfully harvested in the district. e Conservation Officer Service was alerted to the occurrence by a member of the public who documented the occurrence accurately and reported it in a timely fashion. Conservation Officers were able to apprehend the suspect after

unwanted guest was cooperative with police and accepted a ride to a family member’s house.

• On Wednesday, October 17th at 10:45 p.m., police received a report of an unwanted guest at a residence on 13th Avenue in Invermere. Officers attended and located a male who was on conditions not to be in this particular residence. e male was arrested and held in custody for court.

• On Friday, October 19th, a theft of batteries was reported from Pete’s Marina in Invermere. Sometime during the evening someone had backed a vehicle up to the fence and gained access to the property by cutting the fence. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Columbia Valley RCMP.

• On Saturday, October 20th at 4 p.m., a two-vehicle collision occurred on Hwy 93/95 and Windermere Road in Windermere. A northbound Dodge pickup was struck by a GMC pickup that was attempting to cross the highway. Both vehicles sustained significant damage but none of the occupants were injured. e driver of the GMC pickup was issued a violation ticket for failing to yield.

• On Sunday, October 21st, police responded to a single vehicle roll over on Hwy 93 in Kootenay National Park. e driver of a Chevrolet pickup was eastbound when he reportedly hit black ice and lost control of his truck. e driver sustained minor injuries.

approximately four hours of searching and using technology to locate culprit. e investigation led officers to believe that the suspect had thought the brow tine was considered a point to make the fourth point required for the specific hunting season. e suspect, even after being warned of their mistake by members of the public, failed to report the incident to the Conservation Officer Service. e animal was seized and the suspect was subsequently charged under the Wildlife Act.

on page 5

Shuswap election to set direction for next four years

By Dauna Ditson reporter@columbiavalleypioneer.com

e Shuswap Indian Band election is coming up on ursday, November 1st.

As the current chief and council have chosen to follow the optional First Nations Election Act, the new council’s term will double in length to four years and will match the required term for municipal elections. (Under the previous Indian Act election system, terms ended after two years.)

Band members will elect a chief and two council members.

Candidates running for chief are incumbent Barbara Cote along with Gordon (Gomez) Martin and Jeremy Stevens.

‘Unlawful’ from

Conservation Offices are reminding hunters that they understand that mistakes can happen when hunting and that they are willing to work with hunters who self-report their mistakes to us. In addition, hunters should always review the most recent BC Hunting and Trapping Regulation Synopsis before going out for a hunt. Had this individual read the

Five candidates are competing for the two councillor positions. ey are incumbents Timothy Eugene and Rosalita Pascal as well as Marlene Rose Stevens, Diana omas and Mark C. omas.

e election will take place from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Shuswap Band Community Band Hall at 4878 Kinbasket Trail.

OneFeather, a third-party service provider, is managing the election.

“We are the election officials,” said Jaclyn Casler, a deputy electoral officer with OneFeather. “We are accountable for the process of the election.”

Results will be posted online at onefeather.ca/nations/shuswap once the results are tallied. Ms. Casler estimated that the results should be available around 9 p.m. on election night.

synopsis, there probably would not have been an occurrence such as this.

Conservation Officers are thankful to the complainant who reported the incident in a timely fashion and provided the Conservation Officer Service with a detailed description of the event they witnessed. If you would like to report a fish and wildlife offence you can do so by contacting us at 1-877-952-7277 (#7277 on your cell). Calls can be anonymous.

Haunted house at Windermere fire hall

Submitted by RDEK

Members of the Windermere Fire Department are already hard at work preparing props as they gear up to host the community’s ghosts and goblins on Halloween.

“Our firefighters are once again putting on a Haunted House on October 31st and this year they have expanded their plans to include a new room for the older kids with more thrills and chills,” says Columbia Valley Rural Fire and Rescue Service Chief, Jim Miller. Firefighters will be on hand to guide people through the house.

e event has become an annual tradition for the fire department and Mr. Miller says it is a great opportunity to do something fun for the community. “Our volunteers put a lot of time into planning the Haunted House and we always have so much fun seeing the little – and not so little – community members come out for some tricks and treats. It’s a great tradition and we are excited to be expanding it this year.”

e Haunted House will be held at the Windermere Fire Hall from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on October 31st. ere is no charge and all ages are welcome.

Have an opinion?

Email your letter to the editor to lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com

accepting

fall grant

charities which support projects that enhance the quality of life for Columbia Valley residents from Canal Flats to Spillimacheen.

Deadline for applications:

31st,

Granting guidelines and application forms available at www.valleyfoundation.ca

For information on the granting process, contact Laurie Klassen, 250-342-2845 or email laurie@valleyfoundation.ca

Community.

PERSPECTIVE

Unwrapping the next four years

By Lorene Keitch lorene@columbiavalleypioneer.com

For a community-newspaper editor, election season is like Christmas. ere is plenty to do, and the stress of the season can sometimes get you down, but ultimately, you still look forward to Christmas morning when it all comes together and everything you worked so hard for is accomplished.

Municipal elections are by far my favourite elections to cover. e people running are our neighbours, our business owners, our seniors and young adults working to make the community in which they live a better place. I love the enthusiasm and energy candidates bring to each discussion. I love seeing the passion of the electorate, how they show up to hear their candidates, how they ask questions, debate, and deliberate, then take the time to exercise their democratic duty and actually vote.

A huge congratulations are in order to Canal Flats voters, who showed up in droves: 387, or 71.9 per cent of the eligible population, cast a ballot. While not the top in the province, they are likely in the top 10 municipalities with the highest percentage of voters.

Invermere also beat the provincial average, with 45 per cent of voters casting a ballot, compared to the provincial average of 35.6 per cent.

So, the election is done. e shreds of wrapping paper promises are scattered around the room, and everyone is admiring the gift of a new council / elected official they helped put in place.

Now is the time to remember that just because a gift box promises shiny new features (affordable housing! clean water! low low taxes!), it doesn’t always mean they will be delivered. It depends on a huge range of factors, from financial considerations to agreement on council to priorities as a whole team. We will continue to follow our newly elected officials as they take their seats around the municipal table, and keep watch that they try to do what they set out to do when entering this election.

It will be an interesting term across the Valley, as this is the biggest shakeup seen in at least a decade. New mayors and directors in three of the five areas we cover; new councillors in each community, a stacked Invermere council with a mayor who sat as a councillor and two councillors who sat as mayor. Meanwhile in Canal Flats, there is a new mayor who sat as a councillor, one incumbent, and the rest are brand new to municipal politics.

For constituents that are waiting for their box of issues to get unwrapped at council, be patient and give it time. And for those that didn’t vote, you have no grounds to complain to your council or area director about what boxes you think should be under the hypothetical municipal Christmas tree in the next four years.

Firemen’s Ball

Come one, come all, to the fireman’s ball! e 47th annual fireman’s ball happens this Saturday, October 27th. e popular event

ready for an evening of fun, as evidenced by this picture captured in the newspaper in 2013.

ProRep means more cooperation

Dear Editor:

A proportional voting system or proportional representation (“ProRep”) means more cooperation and better things get done. Yup, it is me again. At one time I was guilty of the “fear of minority governments” phobia until I understood the issue better. As Seth Klein recently stated:

“Among the fear-mongering claims of the ‘No’ side in BC’s electoral reform debate, a favourite trope is that proportional representation (pro rep) will result in unstable minority governments that can’t get anything done. e claim is unsubstantiated nonsense.”

First of all, ProRep does not necessarily mean that most elections result in minority governments. Minority outcomes, should they occur, result in more cooperation in our politics and, as a result, fewer unnecessary elections. e culture, tone, and practice of politics are less divisive. Governments become more accountable AND often more or “far better things” get done. For example, the following were accomplished during one term of a “Canadian” minority government: Medicare; Canada Pension

Plan; Canada Student Loans; e Maple Leaf Flag; Modern labour legislation: including minimum wage, 2-week vacation and 40-hour work week; Balanced budgets; e Royal Commission on the Status of Women; e Royal Commission on Bilingualism; and e first race-free immigration policy in the world.” All accomplished by a minority government in Canada. Another good reason to vote: ProRep YES.

Oh yes, regarding the “Our Voter’s Choice” article written by retired Albertan Conservative MP Arnold Malone, in short, see above. e BC government has done a good job of doing their homework. Any selected ProRep voting system will have a check and balance against “fringe parties”. eir information package, recently mailed out and describing “our” choices, makes this clear. As Andrew Coyne recently said during a debate: “Don’t fix what ain’t broke. Unless of course, it is broke.” e “first-pastthe-post” system is clearly “broke”. Just look at what happened in the USA and Ontario.

Eric Peter Invermere

Lorene

Steve

LETTERS

Fear-mongering against PR

Dear Editor:

As British Columbians decide on the Proportional Representation referendum there is a lot of fear-mongering and false information desperately being spread by those who oppose change.

People who support First-Past- ePost (FPTP) elections do not believe in true democracy. ey support a farcical facade of quasi-democracy that perpetuates the concentration of political power in the major political parties, which often fail to get majority support yet still form majority governments. en they dictatorially impose their unpopular uncompromising and self-serving policies on us all.

One party is as bad as the other. ey are flip sides of the same tarnished coin. It’s getting very old.

e FPTP system is fundamentally flawed, inherently undemocratic and essentially dysfunctional. It’s time to embrace the true principles of real democracy rather than surrender to feeble fear-mongering and status quo semantics.

We all deserve a voice in government and that’s why we need Proportional Representation. Let’s embrace this rare opportunity for real change, be bold and get it done!

Chris Conway Panorama

Former MLA speaks up

Dear Editor:

e upcoming vote on the proposal to change our election system is an opportunity not to be missed. After serving twelve years as your Member of the Legislative Assembly I am certain Proportional Representation would be an improvement for citizens in British Columbia.

Some will say Proportional Representation is not perfect but it is still a significant improvement over what now exists. Proportional Represen-

tation elects a Legislative Assembly that accurately reflects the intentions of voters. If you believe in the idea that wisdom resides in the public as a whole then being true to voters in an election is always what is most important.

Proportional Representation is a positive step forward. Please give it your support.

Norm Macdonald MLA for Columbia River-Revelstoke 2005-2017

People, not politics, come first

Dear Editor:

Last week in Parliament, our MP Wayne Stetski made an interesting vote on our behalf. Mr. Stetski sits on the Environment Committee. Incredibly, Mr. Stetski voted to not investigate Volkswagon’s cheating on GHG emissions. Most

have heard that the Volkswagon corporation got caught cheating on their actions to reduce emissions. For years, Wayne Stetski has claimed to be a friend of our natural environment, but when he had a chance to hold a large multi national corporation to account, he declined. Why? It’s simple – I think, Mr. Stetski

voted against the motion because the motion came from a Conservative member of the Committee. I believe an MP should vote on the basis of what is right and honest and in the best interests of constituents back home – not on the basis of partisan politics or on how the political masters tell you to vote. If I am elected on October 27th by my Conservative colleagues to run against Mr. Stetski in the next federal election, the people of Kootenay-Columbia will come first, not partisan politics.

Wendy Booth Candidate for the Federal Conservative Nomination. Kootenay-Columbia

We want to hear from you

Email your letters to info@columbiavalleypioneer.com. Letters to the editor should be sent only to the Pioneer, and not to other publications. We do not publish open letters or third-party letters. Letters for publication should be no longer than 400 words, and must include

the writer’s address and phone numbers. No attachments, please. Letters may be shortened for space requirements. We reserve the right to edit for space, clarity, civility and accuracy. Opinions expressed are those of the writer, not the Pioneer.

NEIGHBOUR!

EDGEWATER LEGION 4858 Cordillera Avenue Friday, November 2, 2018 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

CANAL FLATS CIVIC CENTRE 8911 Dunn Street Monday, November 5, 2018 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

COLUMBIA VALLEY CENTRE(Invermere Community Hall) 646 4th Street Friday, November 8, 2018 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Bring your care card with you!

Flu shots are safe, effective, and free for the following:

• People 65 years and older and their caregivers/household contacts

• People of any age in residential care facilities

• Children and adults with chronic health conditions and their household contacts

• Children & adolescents (6 months to 18 years) with conditions treated for long periods of time with Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin/ ASA) and their household contacts.

• Children & adults who are very obese

• Aboriginal people

• All children 6-59 months of age

• Household contacts and caregivers of infants and children 0-59 months of age

• Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy during the influenza season and their household contacts

• Visitors to hospitals, health centers and residential care facilities

• People who work with live poultry

• Health care and other care providers in facilities and community settings who are capable of transmitting influenza disease to those at high risk of influenza complications

• Individuals who provide care or service in potential outbreak settings housing high risk persons (e.g., crew on ships)

• People who provide essential community services (First Responders, Corrections Workers)

• Inmates of provincial correctional institutions

The flu (influenza) is highly contagious. Getting your flu shot protects you and those around you –at home, school and work.

Halloween house of horror

By Dauna Ditson scaredy cat

This year the Invermere Haunted House will take place inside a house that’s spooky to start with. The house – which organizer Richard Matthews said is “a fairly creepy place” – is on loan from a developer and will be torn down shortly after the last monster escapes into the night.

There are two options for those looking for a Hal loween fright on Friday, October 26th and Saturday, Oc tober 27th.

Friday night is geared toward families and those with a lower tolerance for guts and gore.

“It’s still scary but not to the max,” Mr. Matthews said.

But the screams will reach a crescendo on Saturday, which is for the bravest souls who may not survive the horrors of the night.

“We do a whole scare,” he said. There will be blood and graphic sights, and the bad guys will “kick it up a notch.”

Seniors did you know…

This year’s theme is classic horror movies.

“All the classic Halloween monsters are going to be there,” Mr. Matthews said.

Blood-thirsty villains Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees will be hiding in the shadows and might lunge at you. Maybe even with a chain saw.

Spoiler alert: they aren’t allowed to kill you. In fact, none of the characters are allowed to touch the guests. But if you have a heart attack, that’s on you.

Each tour is guided and guests will have a safety word they can use if they get too freaked out.

“We really try our damndest to scare people,” Mr. Matthews said. “There’s always some people that have to use the safe word.”

Setting up a haunted house is a tricky balance be cause there’s a thin line between going so dark that it “will terrify people and have them not sleep for days” and not being scary enough to set a single one of their neck hairs on end.

In the past, up to 750 guests have tried to stifle their screams as they were startled by swamp monsters or ma rauding clowns.

“It’s a lot of fun. People really enjoy it,” he said.

The haunted house will be at 606 10th Avenue. Reg istration will be in the front yard, with $5 admission for children and $10 admission for adults. The Friday tours will run from 7 to 9 p.m., while the extra-scary Saturday event goes from 8 to 10 p.m.

Last year’s theme was ‘Creepy Circus’. This year’s is classic horror movies. File photo

After the Saturday scare, survivors can head over to a costume party at Ullr Bar to share their horror stories.

No tricks needed in downtown event

By Dauna Ditson reporter@columbiavalleypioneer.com

The District of Invermere and local business cordially invite you and your cleverly-costumed chil dren to trick or treat downtown on Saturday, Oc tober 27th, 2018. The special Halloween event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. while the goodies last.

More than 50 businesses and organizations will be handing out candy for the community’s ghosts, super heroes, Care Bears, giant crayons, minions and mermaids. Each participating business will have an orange and black trick-or-treat poster on its doors.

Cortney Pitts, the District’s events coordinator, said it will be “wonderful to have another opportu nity to invite families and children to explore our downtown and visit stores they may not have be fore.”

Some organizations are offering more than can dy. The Invermere Public Library will have a corn maze. Fire Vixen Emporium is providing face paint ing. Gerry’s Gelati will have hot chocolate for cos tumed kids under 12. Taynton Bay Spirits will treat adults as well as their little ghouls.

Children should be dressed up and accompa nied by an adult in the shops and on the street. The downtown streets will remain open for traffic during the event, so trick or treaters will need to use the

crosswalks.

For an up-to-date list of participating organiza tions, visit the Invermere BC Events Facebook page.

Other groups that would like to participate and hand out nut-free treats are invited to contact Ms. Pitts at events@invermere.net.

When the trick or treating ends, the fun will continue as Cathy Wigorski from Crafty Cathy’s is offering a 1 p.m. workshop at her shop “to teach people how to make intricate pumpkins” like her Ewok or R2D2.

The workshop is $15 per pumpkin and is suit able for those 15 and up. Younger crafters are wel come to help their grownups with their designs.

The workshop will last two to three hours de pending on the size of the pumpkin and the level of detail in the design. Pumpkins, tools and tem plates will be provided. Advance registration is rec ommended.

Radium Halloween

Over in Radium, children and their caregivers are invited to the Radium Hot Springs Public Li brary for a Halloween craft at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 27th. Supplies will be provided. Patrons are invited to wear costumes or dress in orange and black.

Acknowledge Excellence in the Columbia Valley

to say about each new Council member, citing Ms. Delorme’s attention to detail and ability to get under the “first, second, and third coat of paint on everything”; that Mr. McCutcheon is clearly very smart, well-schooled, and his business acumen will be a gift to the Council; Mr. Lake bringing his history and love of the Valley and especially his focus on first responders - “He brings a component of health to this town; we all know no community can move forward without great first aid / paramedics / firefighters / first responders”; and Ms. Swerdferger who is calm, has a great demeanour, and brings critical thinking skills and a good work background to the job.

Each council member also has different circles of the community in which they are involved and connected, with a diverse range of interests and abilities, Mr. Sterzer comments.

“Everybody can bring this perspective to the table, and be able to have those key and critical conversations when we’re making decisions on behalf of the community.”

Looking back at the past Council term, Mr. Sterzer says he is incredibly grateful for the council and mayor he served with the past four years.

“I really believe we grew as a group, and the community was always in the forefront of our minds. Every decision we made, we made it with the thought of how this community would benefit from our decisions,” He says.

Swearing in of the new Council takes place at the Council meeting Monday, November 5th, 6:30 p.m.

Area F:

In Area F, there was a three-way race between Susan Clovechok, Tom Symington and Dawn Chabot Attorp. Ms. Clovechok came out on top with 53.6 per cent of the vote, while the remainder was split between Mr. Symington and Ms. Chabot Attorp.

Ms. Clovechok was humbled by the vote, and vows to work hard for her new constituents.

“ ank you for trusting me,” she says to voters. “Saturday night was really a vote of confidence in me that folks have, and I won’t let them down ... I’ll listen to learn, I’ll work hard, and make evidence-based decisions.”

She thanked the other candidates, citing the process was valuable for each candidate as well as for the community.

As a new director, Ms. Clovechok says her first plan is to get information from current Area F director Wendy Booth.

“I’m getting a stack of reading material almost daily now which is great,” Ms. Clovechok comments. She also plans to reach out to various groups and have meetings to find out what their needs and expectations are as Ms. Clovechok heads into this new role.

rough campaigning, she heard a lot from con-

stituents about both Lake Windermere and Columbia Lake, about road access, concerns around AirBnBs, and a feeling of disconnect by some residents between the other communities in her area.

As a result of the successful election,Ms. Clovechok has chosen to hand in her resignation as executive director of the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce.

“Although the role (of area director) isn’t considered full-time, you need full-time flexibility,” Ms. Clovechok explains. While financially it is a hit, she says she wants to be respectful to both her new constituents and the chamber with her time.

“To be fair to the chamber and the membership, I think it only makes sense to step away as executive director, and to provide that flexibility to my constituents.”

She stepped away from the position while campaigning, and credits Sarah Miller for doing a phenomenal job while she was away, as well as president Andrea Tubbs and vice president Dee Conklin.

Area G:

In Area G, incumbent Gerry Wilkie was re-elected, with a solid 60.1 per cent majority. Stephanie Stevens took 38.8 per cent of the vote for the area.

Mr. Wilkie was very pleased with the results of the election. He is looking forward to one more term as area director and especially to following through on several projects he has been involved in for quite some time, including the Columbia Valley Recreational Access Management Plan, the Headwaters Community Forest, and a community space project in Edgewater.

While he does not see any big concerns for Area G in the next four years, he says Area G, like the rest of the Columbia Valley, is certainly facing pressure on accommodations.

“Nobody has the answer, and it will take a tremendous amount of collaboration,” to find ways to accommodate the people that want to live in the Valley full-time, Mr. Wilkie suggests.

Mr. Wilkie urges residents to reach out to him if there are any concerns or questions they have as he is happy to help.

“I’m there to help people with the provision of RDEK services, and other government services too,” Mr. Wilkie says. “One of the great things about being a director is working with people.”

School Trustee:

Finally, the Invermere election also included voting for a new area school trustee. Ryan Stimming was Invermere’s choice, earning 576 votes to Mr. Neider’s 321, according to preliminary results. e other two area trustees were acclaimed; Amber Byklum and Jane urgood Sagal.

Mr. Stimming was happy when he found out he had earned the voter’s choice and is looking forward to the term. He says he is feeling “mostly just excitement for something that’s a new challenge in my life.”

“Politics is something that’s always interested me a little bit, and having background and prior knowledge in the education system, it fell into place,” he says, adding the timing seemed right now.

As he stated during the campaign, Mr. Stimming would like to focus on communication, keeping board decisions transparent, and supporting teachers as curriculum rollouts continue.

Susan Clovechok

Gerry Wilkie

Photo by Tim

Popular play a “love letter” to veterans comes to Pynelogs

By Dauna Ditson reporter@columbiavalleypioneer.com

When Julia Mackey was 12 years old she watched a Holocaust documentary and was stunned to see a pile of eyeglasses left behind once the wearers passed on. at “horrific image” haunted her and gave her a deeper appreciation for the veterans who served in World War II.

“I wanted to write something as a thank you to veterans,” she said, so she developed a play called Jake’s Gift to honour veterans and remember those who didn’t come home.

Jake’s Gift features the relationship between a veteran and a young girl “who gets obsessed with wanting to meet veterans.”

at girl has a great deal in common with the younger Ms. Mackey, who said: “I think her obsession was really my obsession.”

Ms. Mackey sought special permission from Veterans Affairs to attend the 60th anniversary of D-Day in 2004, where she met with veterans and listened with rapt attention to the stories they told.

“It was one of the most moving experiences of my life,” she said. “For many of them it was their first time back since they landed in Normandy.”

e veterans she interviewed were “very open and kind” and she formed lasting friendships with them.

When Ms. Mackey came home, she drew on the conversations she had with veterans and her own imagination to write Jake’s Gift. Now she has been performing her play for close to 12 years and is nearing her 1,000th show.

“We’ve just been blown away by the response,” she said. “I never anticipated that people would connect so much.”

She believes the play resonates so strongly with her audiences in part because many Canadians have some personal connection to the war, whether their father, grandfather or great-grandfather fought or their ancestors suffered.

She never tires of playing the same characters. Not

Julia Mackey has performed Jake’s Gift for close to 12 years now, and will be performing it at Pynelogs next Saturday, November 3rd.

Photo by Tim Matheson

when they have such an important story to share. Not when her audiences are so moved. And especially not when her aging veteran friends pass away, leaving the weight of their history in her hands.

Jake’s Gift is playing in Invermere at Pynelogs Art Gallery and Cultural Centre on Saturday, November 3rd. Tickets are $25 and are available at columbiavalleyarts. com. e show starts at 7 p.m., with an opening act at 6 p.m.

e show first came to Invermere four years ago, and Ms. Mackey is looking forward to returning. She is also eager to perform her “love letter of thanks to our veterans” so close to Remembrance Day.

Out & About

Submissions must be received by the Monday prior to publication. We may only run an entry for two weeks prior to the event. Please limit your submission to 30 words. Priority is given to one-off events, so weekly events may only run occasionally.

Thursday, October 25th

• 10 a.m.: Pickleball at Pineridge Courts, every Thursday, Saturday and Tuesday.

• 10:30 a.m.: Stretch and Move Classes for Seniors at the Invermere Seniors Hall every Thursday and Monday.

• 1:30 p.m.: Seniors Carpet Bowling at Radium Hot Springs Centre every Thursday.

• 2 p.m.: Seniors Tea at the Invermere Library the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month.

• 6:30 p.m.: Texas Hold Em’ Tournament at the Invermere Legion every Thursday. $35 buy in.

• 7 p.m.: Horseback Archery Club at Luxor Corrals in Spur Valley every Thursday. 250-347-9048 for details.

• 7 p.m.: Columbia Valley Narcotics Anonymous meet at 4878 Athalmer Road every Thursday.

• 7 - 10:30 p.m.: Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Radium Hot Springs Chamber present the annual Business Excellence Awards, Columbia Valley Centre, Invermere, tickets $50.

• 8 p.m.: New AA meeting at the Firehall Building, 8853 Grainger Road in Canal Flats every Thursday.

Friday, October 26th

• 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.: Intergenerational Program between Seniors and Kindergarten children, every Friday at Invermere Seniors Hall. Seniors interested in assisting please call Madelene at 604-798-3061.

• 12 p.m.: Seniors soup lunch at the Edgewater Legion. $7. Last Friday of each month.

• 1 p.m.: Duplicate Bridge at Invermere Seniors Hall, $2. Every Friday and Wednesday.

• 5:45 p.m.: The Art of Stepping Back public lecture by Gurdev Hamsah Nandatha at the ashram, 7060 Columbia River Rd, in Wasa.

• 6 - 8 p.m.: Edgewater Legion Branch #199 hosts Friday Night Dinner with homemade perogies, cabbage rolls and sausage. Adults $12, kids $6.

• 7 p.m.: Learn to Curl at the Invermere Curling Centre every Friday October 19th to December 7th (none on November 2nd). Includes 2 hours of instruction. $25 drop in or $120 for all 6 sessions. Contact the rink at 250-342-3315 for more details or show up at 7 on Friday.

• 7 - 9 p.m.: The cursed doors of the Invermere Haunted House, 606 10th Ave., creak open for all those who enjoy a good scare. $5 admission for children; $10 for adults. This is the family-friendly night.

Saturday, October 27th

• Test Drive an Electric Vehicle at the Lakeview parking lot (528 6th Ave, Invermere). This is an opportunity to test drive an EV in a pressure-free environment, where our staff are eager to answer all of your questions about EVs such as range, cost, how to charge, maintenance, and relevant government incentive programs.

• 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Fairmont Lions Garage Sale at the Lions Community Den, 5003 Hot Springs Rd., Fairmont Hot Springs. Donations gratefully accepted at the Den.

• 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Maker Space is holding a Discovery Day at the Radium Community Centre so you can learn about the Columbia Valley Maker Space Society and how to build with electronics, make wearable technology, repair home items, metal construction and more.

• 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.: Family LEGO Club at the Invermere Library, every Saturday morning. DUPLO free play will also be out for the younger builders.

• 11 a.m.: Halloween Craft at the Radium Hot Springs Public Library, 4863 Stanley St.

• 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Cleverly costumed kids (and their boringly-dressed parents) are invited to a special downtown Trick or Treat event. More than 50 businesses and organizations will be handing out candy and treats! There will be a corn maze (maize?) at the Library, face painting, hot chocolate at Gerry’s Gelati for kids 12 and under, and a special treat for adults from Taynton Bay Spirits.

Buying or selling?

• 1 p.m.: An intricate pumpkin carving workshop is being hosted by Cathy Wigorski of Crafty Cathy’s at the Crafty Cathy’s store. Cost is $15, ages 15 and up, and the workshop is anticipated to run 2-3 hours. Preregistration is recommended by calling 250-341-7265.

• 2 p.m.: The Edgewater/Radium Hospital Auxiliary is having a Halloween Tea at the Edgewater Legion. Tea, finger foods, live entertainment, door prizes, bake and book sale. Admission is $6 at the door.

• 6 p.m.: 47th Annual Fireman’s Ball at the Columbia Valley Centre in Invermere. Door prizes, silent auction, and the famous balloon prizes! Dinner 7 p.m., dance at 9 p.m. Tickets $40 available at Konig Meat & Sausage Co. or from any IFR member.

• 8 - 10 p.m.: The cursed doors of the Invermere Haunted House, 606 10th Ave., creak open for those who enjoy an extra scary night! $5 admission for children; $10 for adults. Adult survivors (and there won’t be many!) are invited to a costumed after party at Ullr Bar.

Sunday, October 28th

• Sue Wells Art Day, a free Art Workshop for kids ages 5+ at Pynelogs Cultural Centre. Choose from two Workshop times: 12 p.m. or 2 p.m. Pre-registration is encouraged (limited space), call 250-342-6663.

• 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Sunday Toast and Jam, an all-ages music jam at The Base Camp in Canal Flats every Sunday.

• 12 p.m.: Cribbage at the Edgewater Legion every Sunday. Doors open 12 p.m., games start at 1 p.m.

• 1:30 p.m.: Seniors Carpet Bowling at Radium Hot Springs Centre every Sunday.

Monday, October 29th

• 10 a.m.: Senior Singalong Group meets every Monday at Columbia Garden Village.

• 6:30 p.m.: Duplicate Bridge at Invermere Seniors Hall, $2, every Monday.

• 7 p.m.: CV Arts announces The Monday Night Drum Circle at Pynelogs, led by Patrick Carrick. $10 if you bring your own drum, $15 if you don’t. Call Patrick for more info 250-409-4110.

Tuesday, October 30th

• 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Coffee Break at Women’s Resource Centre in Invermere. Free muffins, coffee and tea. The last Tuesday of every month.

• 1:30 p.m.: Needles and Hooks Club at the Invermere Library every Tuesday. Bring current projects or start a new one. Refreshments will be supplied.

• 1:30 p.m.: Seniors card games at Radium Hot Springs Centre every Tuesday.

• 7 p.m.: Trivia Night at Bear’s Paw Bar & Grill at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort every Tuesday. $2 entry, teams up to 6 people, winners take all.

• 10 p.m.: Karaoke at the Farside Pub in Fairmont every Tuesday night.

Wednesday, October 31st

• 10:30 a.m.: Seniors ‘Chair’ Yoga at Invermere Seniors Hall, $2, every Wednesday.

• 11 a.m.: Kids and caregivers are invited to the Radium Hot Springs Library for a Halloween craft event. Supplies provided. Patrons are invited to wear orange and black.

• 11:45 a.m.: The Rotary Club of Invermere meets every Wednesday at the Rocky River Grill/Kanata Inn.

• 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.: Radium Art Guild meets every Wednesday at the Radium Library to create and share.

• 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.: Happy Hands Knitting and Crocheting group meet every Wednesday at Columbia Garden Village.

• 6 - 8 p.m.: Columbia Valley Cohousing meets at the Invermere Public Library the last Wednesday of the month. They want to be an affordable housing option with added benefits and support for young and old. This information will not be a trick, it will be a treat!

• 6 - 9 p.m.: For one night only, the Windermere Fire Hall becomes a Haunted House for kids of all ages. No charge. Everyone welcome.

• 7 p.m.: Play Cribbage at Invermere Seniors Hall, every Wednesday.

Invermere Library Hours

• Monday to Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Wednesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

• Story Time: Thursday 10:30 a.m.

• Baby Goose: Monday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Radium Hot Springs Library Hours

• Tuesday: 1 - 8 p.m.

• Wednesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Friday: 1 - 4 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Story Time: Wednesday 10 a.m.

Windermere Valley Museum Hours

• Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Columbia Valley Food Bank Hours

• Tuesday and Thursday: 1 - 2 p.m.

• 3rd Wednesday of the month: 5:30 - 7 p.m. by appoint ment only, 250-342-0850.

NOTICE

TARIFF

Minor hockey minute

Submitted by Windermere Valley Minor Hockey Association

Another Windermere Valley Minor Hockey season has begun. e Atom, Peewee and Bantam teams all were at tiering tournaments this weekend, and the Senior Girls began their season. e Novice and Initiation teams are just getting used to skating and team play. e Initiation team has a new player from Belgium who is learning to skate with his friends, and play a game he has never seen.

e Bantam team attended their tiering tournament in Whitefish. ey played 5 games, winning 4-2 over Glacier and 6-4 over Creston. ey tied Fernie 1-1 and Kimberley 2-2, and lost 7-0 to the Cranbrook Hornets. e team played very well, with all players contributing to some great goals, assists, and defensive plays, while still getting to know each other, as there are many first year Bantam players and new players from Golden who have joined Windermere Valley Bantam Rockies this year. Both goalies, Parker Nichol and Rex Baxendale, made amazing saves to keep their team in each game. ey represented the community so well a note was posted on the scoreboard by the tournament organizers thanking our team for keeping their dressing room so clean.

e Female Rockies have entered e Rocky Mountain Female Hockey League in Alberta. It is exciting for them to have a place to play. After two weekends of Tiering they ended this weekend with a win. After losing to Okotoks on Saturday, the girls dug in on Sunday and beat them 3-1. Coral Eccles had a fantastic game in net. Natasha Barsby had a couple of goals as well as Caydence Floyd with a nice one to keep us on the up side of the scoreboard.

e Peewee A team played their tiering games in Golden this past weekend. In the first game they beat Golden 11-1. Caden Williams had 3 goals and 2 assists and Spencer Goldsmith had 1 goal and 2 assists. eir second game was against Fernie and they won a close game 3-0. Ethan Spencer opened the scoring and Ryan Digney had his first goal of the year. In the final game they lost 3-0 to a very strong Kimberley team. Erik Fanderl and Ryan Tamelin split the game in goal and both played exceptionally well making many highlight reel saves.

e Peewee house team travelled to Golden on the weekend for tiering. Since they played only A teams, the team did not win any games, but they improved in each game. is weekend tournament kicked off the Peewees’ season, and they are looking forward to the rest of it.

e Atoms team had a great weekend in the Elk Valley for their tiering tournament. For many of the players, this is the first year of playing on the whole ice. ey lost their first game against Kimberley and then won the last two against Whitefish and Cranbrook. ey really started to jive as a team and it should be a great season for them.

NOTICE

Furthermore,

As a result, “buckshee leases” (leases which have not followed the appropriate procedures set out in the Land Code and which have not been registered accordingly) are not enforceable and are strongly discouraged by the Shuswap Indian Band.

Finally, we note that pursuant to the Land Code, Shuswap Indian Band has the right to make laws on a variety of land related matters which may impact on the property to be purchased.

Given this, we ask that all potential buyers or sellers of property on Reserve be aware of the Land Code authority. We further ask that you direct all interested in purchasing property on the Reserve to make an appointment with the Shuswap Indian Band Lands Department to discuss these matters at (250) 341-3678 (Ext. #1014), or landclerk@shuswapband.net. Obtain a copy at the Administration Officer or download from: www. shuswapband.net/images/_pdfs/LandCode.pdf.

Regional District of East Kootenay

Community inclusion

Mount Nelson Place resident Ver non Chinn shares his enthusiasm for flower picking day in Invermere. As Community Inclusion Month comes to an end, Windermere District Social Services Society, the society that runs Mount Nelson Place, is encouraging everyone to celebrate the gifts that peo ple with intellectual disabilities bring to our communities and the strength that comes from valuing our diversity.

Submitted photo

Cannabis cookies

Valley Foods has just the treat for those with the 4:20 munchies on Wednes day, October 17th, the day

use of cannabis became legal. Like the ghost cookies next to them, which are not made from the de ceased, the pot cookies do not actually contain the ingredi ent they depict.

Photo by Dauna Ditson

NOTICE

Residents,

at (250)

(Ext #1014)

Rockies West Realty

Independently Owned and Operated 492 Highway 93/95, Invermere, BC toll free: 1.877.342.3427 cell: 250.342.1671 kim@rockieswest.com www.kimcollens.com

Recipe Of The Week

in

showed their support

My success wouldn’t

trusted

shared

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to help your

You tried

when times were

celebrated in my successes.

Although this is my last recipe ad and my Real Estate

has drawn to a close . . . it’s now time to start the next chapter of my life, Retirement, surrounded by all the

in my life and the beauty of the

Kim Collens

Not quite ready to let summer go, Findlay Whittick splashes into Lake Wind ermere Monday, October 22nd.

Photo by Duncan Whittick

Punching up

By Dauna Ditson reporter@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Three local kickboxers will spar at the WKU Martial Arts World Championships in Greece from October 27th to 30th. Their coach Luraina Undershute-Oddy is impressed with her “keen and dedicated” Rocky Mountain Martial Arts students.

Three of Ms. Undershute-Oddy’s chil dren also qualified for the world champi onships but the family wasn’t able to raise the funds to attend.

Asked how six athletes from the Co lumbia Valley qualified for worlds, Ms. Undershute-Oddy – a world champion herself – joked that it’s “because they’re being trained by the best” before praising her students for their perseverance and de votion to their sport.

An accidental victory Patrick Passmore went to Calgary to

compete in a regular kickboxing fight. When he arrived, he was surprised to find out that his match was part of a nation al-qualifying competition.

“I went to nationals not knowing,” he said. “I thought I was just going for an other fight.”

What followed was an even bigger surprise for the 15 year old.

“I ended up kicking butt and people were like cheering me on,” he said.

At the end of his fight, the officials handed him a certificate and invited him to join Team Canada and compete at the world championships.

“Personally I didn’t think I was that good,” Mr. Passmore said, adding that it’s “mind boggling” that he gets to compete on the world stage.

“I guess hard training pays off,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to go to Greece. It will be nice to check something off the

. . .

Patrick Passmore, Ryan Karl, and Summer Dizon-Ingham are focused and set to fly to Greece to compete in the World championships of martial arts.

with a themed event

Festivities may warm your heart over the holidays this winter, thanks to a new busi ness who is looking to make its mark on the valley.

Ullr Bar owner Richard Matthews believes there is an opportunity to plan and host holiday-themed events for social gatherings of all types.

From small intimate family-gatherings to ragers for adults only, Mr. Matthews is confident about his ability to deliver a must-see event for people from all walks of life.

“The whole premise of the bar is to be about friends, family and community,” said Mr. Matthews. “There’s no better time to do that than around Christmas.”

In the past, he added, the venue has been known for being an adults-only club, but Ullr Bar has recently received a licence to allow minors on-site until 10 p.m. and now plans to offer family-friendly events to the Columbia Valley community on Monday or Tuesday each week when the adults-only portion of the pub is closed to the public. Now, Mr. Matthews plans to promote his party-planning services as a scarcity of the valley.

“What we’re promoting here is privatized custom Christmas parties, so the idea here is that you can get in touch with us to book for your office, your family or friends,” he said. “We are open weekly from Wednesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to late, and we are closed Monday and Tuesday, so we’re accepting bookings for events on Monday and Tuesday.

“You can go to a restaurant in the Valley and make a reservation or a booking, but we have an opportunity to specialize an event toward your group’s needs from 10 people to 275 people, so that’s how we’re trying to differentiate ourselves from others in the valley.”

In addition, the Ullr Bar has a unique Viking decor that is one-of-a-kind. The venue includes Viking helmets and horns with a menu that can be customized to your group, ranging from gigantic feasts-to-canapes and cocktails or appies-only.

“Customize your Christmas,” he exclaimed about the venue which opened in the Spring of 2018.

“It’s a new venue. It’s fun, and it’s interesting.”

While there is no formal process to kick-off an event at Ullr Bar, Mr. Matthews encourages patrons from the Columbia Valley community to reach out to his team with

their vision and the troupe will help to ensure your dreams come true.

Ideally, the venue would like to receive as much notice as possible to ensure your vision can come to life.

Hosts are encouraged to outline their desired date, time and guest list to secure a booking at the venue. From there, the Ullr Bar team can help to customize entertain ment that will entertain guests and create long-lasting memories, whether it be musical trivia or live music.

Mr. Matthews has a projector for family slide-shows available for special requests, and he is passionate about finding interactive games to emcee an evening for his clien tele.

For those interestec in planning a holiday-inspired event and booking it at Ullr Bar, please describe your vision e-mail at info@ullrbar.com for an estimate.

NOTICE

Under

The

Authority (“BCAA”)

For the

the Shuswap Indian Band has contracted with the British Columbia Assessment Authority (BCAA) to assess real property. BCAA uses the guidelines set out in the Shuswap Indian Band’s Assessment Law.

Properties are assessed at actual value as of July 1 of the year during which the assessment roll is completed. The value is determined, considering the physical condition and permitted use of the property, on October 31 (December 31 for manufactured homes).

If you are considering purchasing or leasing property on the Reserve, please contact the Shuswap Indian Band Property Taxation Department to discuss these matters, and other matters related to the taxation of property interests on the Reserve.

The Taxation Department can be reached at (250) 341-3678 (Ext. 1003), or by email at: dof@shuswapband.net between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Advertising feature by Breanne Massey Special to the Pioneer

Unique dishes add to the atmosphere at the one-of-a-kind Ullr Bar in downtown Invermere.

Local photographer Bruce Toohy sent in a couple gorgeous shots of October in the Valley, including a smooth-as-glass shot of Lake Windermere, and a lone Douglas Fir at twilight at Mountainside Golf Course. Photos by Bruce Toohy

LTD.

New holistic wellness centre opens in Invermere

By Dauna Ditson reporter@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Pamela Howse has spent 18 years helping others care for themselves. e massage therapist, yoga teacher, reiki instructor and life coach is combining her areas of expertise in her new venture: Shasta Wellness Studio.

“I am very passionate about helping other people on their health and wellness journeys,” she said. “In order to feel better physically we need to start to look at a holistic approach... It leads to better households and better relationships when you have that balance between physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.”

Ms. Howse is excited to provide a safe and comfortable environment where her clients and students are empowered “to do their own self-healing work and develop that self-care practice.”

To support them along the way, Shasta Wellness Studio offers 13 classes a week, along with massage, reiki, facials, body treatments and a variety of special events, such as concerts and presentations. Ms. Howse said she is already looking to expand programs and opportunities to invite the community in.

She is particularly interested in helping those with physical challenges take good care of themselves, which is

why she offers adaptive yoga for those with limited mobility on Mondays and Wednesdays.

“If you can breathe, you can do yoga,” she said.

She also has “the ability and training” to work with students who are critically ill or recovering from cancer treatments and offers gentle and compassionate support.

Instead of simply teaching poses, Ms. Howse wants to help her students grow in all ways and find whatever it is they may be seeking, whether it’s a deeper sense of spirituality, relaxation or healing.

“We need to have a place where people can go and get to know themselves on a spiritual level but not have it defined for them. Just open the door for them to seek out what helps them to feel more spiritually fulfilled or aligned,” she said.

at kind of spirituality can take any form, Ms. Howse said, adding that “pampering yourself is spiritual on one level” since going for a massage or a reiki treatment, taking a yoga class or receiving a facial can help her clients relax and better connect with themselves.

For more information, she invites prospective students and clients to visit shastawellnessstudio.ca, follow the studio on Facebook or pop by in real life for a class, a treatment or a mug of tea.

Pamela Howse opened her new wellness studio recently in Invermere.

Photo by Dauna Ditson

“In order to feel better physically we need to start to look at a holistic approach.”

Pamela Howse, Shasta Wellness Studio

ANNOUNCEMENT

Alcoholics Anonymous. If alcohol is causing problems or con ict in your life, AA can help.

LOST AND FOUND

CHEERS & JEERS

CHEERS & JEERS

at 8 p.m.

more information, please call 250342-2424. Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at the BC Service Building, South End –624 4th St., Invermere. Thursday at the Firehall Building, 8853 Grainger Rd., Canal Flats. Radium Friendship Group: Friday at the Catholic Church, East Side of Main St. With the exception of Tuesday, all meetings are open.

WVSC Ski and Gear Swap Saturday November 3rd, 2018. Columbia Valley Centre, Sale Noon until 2 p.m. Check in Sport Equipment 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Consignment fee $1.00 per item and 20% of sale price Pick up unsold gear 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. For information wvskiclub@ gmail.com or visit www. windermerevalleyskiclub. com. Thank you for supporting Windermere Valley Ski Club.

THANK YOU

We would like to say thank you to McPhersons Funeral Home, Invermere Legion, Legion Ladies, Wilmer Ladies, Pastor Wayne Frater, Greg and John of Valley Forged, Palliser Printing and Local View Printing. Our family deeply appreciates all of the phone calls, owers, cards, food and company. Your support truly made the di erence during this di cult time.

Sincerely, the family of Jim Larrabee.

LOST AND FOUND

FOUND: Clothing left at the Invermere Physio Clinic. Please call 250-342-0415 to identiry and claim.

LOST: Mazda CX 3 Key Fob somewhere around Timber Ridge Road and Lakeview Road. Tag will say Kelowna Mazda. If found, please call Penny 403651-5276.

CHEERS & JEERS

Cheers to the Apple Tree for their delightful Halloween display. It’s wonderful!

Cheers to Arnold Malone’s Article in last week’s Pioneer on Proportional Representation. It was a great read.

Cheers to Rod Conklin for all the help you have given us up at the ranch. It is amazing what two seniors plus can accomplish. Great team work! We are lucky to have you as our friend.

Cheers to those who had a street light installed at Johnston Rd. and West Side Rd. The track through the woods is now welllit.

Cheers to Back Country Jack’s! My husband and I tip our hats o to the chef. The special on Friday the 19th was the most delicious meal we have EVER had. We don’t eat out often, but we will de nitely be coming back for more delicious food.

A Big Cheers to Richard and the sta at K-5 Mechanical. They t us in to x our truck and got us back on the road in time to make it to a wedding in Kelowna. Great job at a very fair price. Much appreciated, you’ll always have our business.

Jeers to the Jeers on edibles.

1. They were only licensed for medicinal use and will not be sold recreationally. 2. Edibles are clearly marked and expensive,. Maybe don’t keep them near children. Keep them with the Tide Pods.

Cheers to the new manager at Lambert Insurance!

HELP WANTED

Join

The

a combination

CHEERS & JEERS

Jeers to rude people who have nothing better to do than be ignorant. Life is too short, and I have no time for people like this.

Jeers to the person who drives around speeding on Main Street and down 10th Ave. Driving like they have no cares in the world and think they are above the law. Slow down; no need to show o .

CHEERS & JEERS

Cheers to Edible Cannabis for not causing serious harm. Jeers to negligent parents who allow children unsupervised access to medication.

Cheers to Elizabeth and Kristin for looking after the store Kootenay Behind The Seams when I was on holidays. You guys did an awesome job and had many compliments. Much appreciated!

STORAGE

NEWHOUSE

STORAGE

Various sizes available. Now with climate-controlled units. Call 250-342-3637.

STORAGE SPACE – assorted sizes, easy access, immediate availability, long-term or short-term. Deck Properties Warehouse, Industrial Park: 250342-3166.

OFFICE SPACE

HOUSE FOR RENT

House for rent in Windermere, 3 bdrm, 2 bath, $950/mo plus utilities. Available now until end of April. 250-342-5386.

Fully furnished beautiful 3-bdrm, 2 1/2 bath, 1/2 duplex for rent in the Fairmont area. Access to private beach on Columbia lake. Available immediately. $1600/ mo plus utilities, D.D., Internet included. For more details call 403-609-8413.

HOUSE FOR SALE

Live Free for 6 Months

Brand New Home in Radium

Mortgage Payments

Costs for 6 Months

With purchase + mortgage approval. Call 403-816-6007 for details.

MISC FOR SALE

Top Quality Hay Round bales, no rain. Phone Elkhorn Ranch 250-342-1268.

FIREWOOD

Pine Firewood. Pine available. Call 250-342-1586.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

For Sale, 2000 Subaru Outback AWD Wagon, 208,000 kms, $3,500 O.B.O. Call 250-341-1004.

2001 Dodge Dakota Truck 4X2, PRICE REDUCED, $3995. 200,000 kms, great condition. 403-9689222.

a couple of hours in the morning clearing sidewalks, a 12 hour shift in a skid steer, or some thing between.

Of course, snow work is a bit sporadic. You must be available and committed to work on an on call basis. To be a good fit for this position you must be reliable, punctual, and hard working. We expect the best from our crew, so we pay them $20/hr from day one!

If this is the kind of winter challenge you are look ing for, please email enquiries to:

1313 - 7th Ave. Prime second oor o ce space, complete with o street parking. 1735 sq. ft. o ce, 1 - 1167 sq. ft. o ce. Can be divided into two o ces 1 - 710 sq. ft. + 1457 sq. ft. Prime ground oor o ce/retail space, complete with o street parking. 2425 sq. ft. Call for availability 403-899-9480 or carykienitz@ rockypeakent.com. 480 or carykienitz@ rockypeakent.com.

HOUSE FOR RENT

Yearly House Rental in Fairmont, $1600/mo plus utilities. Available Nov. 1st. Newly renovated 3-bdrm, 2 bathroom single family home. Single under drive garage and new electric heat exchange system. Includes appliances F/S/D and W/D. Water softener and R/O unit. E-mail girldale@hotmail. com or text 403-863-5798. Sorry, no children or pets.

4-bdrm, 2 bath located at 1146 Windermere Loop Road. $1300/ mo + utilities. Available Nov. 1st. 1-403-265-7037.

COMMERCIAL SPACE

Prime commercial space, complete with industrial bay and o street parking. 108 Industrial Road #2, 2000 sq. ft. unit. Available Oct. 1st. 403-899-9480 or carykienitz@rockypeakent. com.

LOT/ACREAGE FOR SALE

ELKHORN COUNTRY ESTATES

Only 1 acreage left in phase 2, 5.3 acres, water well up to 30 gallons per minute, no building commitment. $199,000 + GST. Phone Elkhorn Ranch 250-342-1268. www.elkhornranches.com.

Schutter Farms JV Horse Hay/ Wheat Straw

Contact Egbert 1-403-393-2418 or Ehren 1-403-360-5544. Small squares stored inside hay sheds.

Electric Edge Wheel Chair, 24 Volt charger included. Hospital Bed, both very good condition. 250-342-6534.

Sears portable sewing machine. Water cooler with bottle. Black $ Decker 40 v. easy push lawnmower (used twice). All priced to sell, o ers taken. Call 250-342-9636 leave a message.

Hide-a-bed couch and love seat, queen bedroom suite, single bed, co ee table and end table, corner closet unit. Fairmont, 1-403-650-7848.

RV LOTS FOR SALE

Radium Valley Vacation Resort Week 19, Lot 115 Week 36, Lot 94 Phone 403-288-3173.

FIREWOOD

Support Rockies Hockey rewood. Contact email cvrockies. rewood@gmail.com or call 250-342-1624 for more info or to place an order.

SERVICES

Heaven’s Best Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Environmentally friendly products. Dry in 1 hour! Call 250-688-0213 or visit www. heavensbest.ca.

Shannon’s Blinds & Designs Thank you for your votes - Best of Business Awards! Blinds, Drapery, Phantom Screens & more 250-342-5749, shannonsblinds@yahoo.ca.

B.B.’s Home & Lawn Care Services: Eavestroughs to fall yard clean-up, tree cutting, deck repairs, roofs, small moves. Blinds, drapery and installation. Handyman services 250-6882897 or 403-861-8782.

Handyman: Small projects around the house. Tune-up Golf Carts, Ride on Lawn Mowers etc. Call Je 250-341-8146 leave a message.

WORK WANTED

Short-term casual employment wanted

the end

labour.

inside

start

Mr. Passmore’s favourite type of kickboxing is called K-1, which is a round of continuous sparring.

“You just go as hard as you can for those three minutes,” he said. “When you’re fighting, it feels like forever. It’s more up pace. It’s like an actual fight.”

Sometimes he can tell how he’s doing during a round, but when he’s in a close match he has to wait for an official to offer a verdict before he knows if he was the victor.

“I don’t know until the end, until the ref picks up my hand,” he said.

Mr. Passmore is preparing for his upcoming international fights by running nearly every morning, doing kickboxing and crossfit training four days a week and splitting wood on the weekends. He’s been practising with such gusto that he said he almost broke the punching bag by kicking it too hard.

“I really like (kickboxing) so I stuck with it,” he said. “It helps me focus. When you get mad, you just go hit the punching bag... It’s helped me keep calm.”

Mr. Passmore’s immediate priority is preparing for the world championships, but he’s also interested in exploring how his experience there could influence his life in the longer term if he pursues a future career in fitness.

Returning to the world arena

Summer Dixon-Ingham is competing at the world championships for her sec-

HELP WANTED

RFE Alarms & Sound is looking for a Low Voltage Technician to install and program security alarms, surveillance, communications, audio/video and home automation systems. Candidate must have good understanding of Video and Audio systems relative to the A/V industry. Also, be con dent with programming, have an understanding of Industry standards and wiring methods, and have the ability to solve technical issues with minimal supervision. Must have a valid driver’s license and be bondable. Send resumes to Scott at rfealarms@shaw.ca.

HELP WANTED

Arctic Spas is looking for a P/T Retail/Sales Associate. Apply in person with resume to Valley Spas, 230 Laurier St. Invermere.

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

Strands Old House Restaurant is accepting applications for P/T-F/T evening and weekend Servers and F/T Chef/cook. Experience in casual ne dining an asset. Apply to Tony Wood at tony@ strandsrestaurant.com or 250342-6344.

HELP WANTED

Strata Management Assistant

Mountain Creek Properties Ltd. requires a full-time Strata Management Assistant to start immediately. We are looking for a team player with excellent administration, management and communication skills, and pro ciency in MS Outlook, Excel, and Word. The successful candidate will have the capability and desire to become a licensed Strata Manager. Please email resume, along with salary expectations, to LPeppard@mountaincreek.ca.

ond time.

“I like the exercise and I generally like fighting but putting it in a positive way,” the 14 year old said. “It makes me feel accomplished.”

Kickboxing also helps her feel safe.

“It feels really good to know that I can take care of myself in that way, like defend myself, and it just gives me a big adrenaline rush that I like,” she said.

Ms. Dixon-Ingham said she is grateful for the expert coaching she has received over the past six years and thanked everyone who contributed financially so she could fight in Greece.

Recruited from the parking lot

Ryan Karl didn’t mean to join kickboxing. He would drop his sons off for their lessons, park in the sun and take a nap as he waited for their classes to end. But those sunny naps came to an abrupt conclusion.

“Luraina and the kids came out one day and started shaking my car and said, ‘Hey, come get your butt in here and train’ and I fell right in love with it,” he said. at was eight months and 45 pounds ago. Now the construction contractor is about to throw some punches on the world stage.

Mr. Karl is grateful that Ms. Undershute-Oddy coaxed him out of the car and convinced him to try the sport.

“She really showed me that I can be a different person,” he said. “We wouldn’t be able to do this without her.”

HELP WANTED

Wanted 2 F/T Restaurant Cooks, Rocky River Grill, 8888 Arrow Road, Invermere, B.C. Permanent, F/T shifts, overtime, weekends, days and evenings, $16/hour for 40 hours per week. Overtime after 40 hours. Minimum several years experience and completion of Secondary School. DUTIES: Prepare and cook full course meals, prepare and cook individual dishes and foods, ensure quality of food portions, work with minimal supervision, prepare dishes for customers with food allergies or intolerances. Inspect Kitchens and Food service areas. Please forward resume to Justin Atterbury, fax 250-342-8889 or email justatterbury@hotmail. com.

housewives

ployees

Wage

in Fairmont

Springs

5247 Fairmont Creek

futher

Fairmont Hot Springs, BC V0B 1L1

250-345-6341 ext. 22 Fax: 250-345-6299

HskpMgr@msvillas.com

Patrick

kickboxing contender

Resource, Development & Advocacy

The Shuswap Indian Band

in the beautiful Columbia Valley

Invermere,

Rights

Territorial Stewardship and

ARENA

The Village of Canal Flats has an opening for the position of Arena Operator/Park Facilities Labourer. The position requires considerable physical e ort and agility in the safe performance of a variety of unskilled and semi-skilled arena maintenance, grounds maintenance, construction,

ice making work at the Canal Flats Arena and other Village

Winter duties will include monitoring refrigeration equipment, ice-making, installation and resurfacing of the ice. As well as performing routine janitorial duties. Summer duties will include a combination of tasks related to the construction, repair and maintenance of all municipal grounds, facilities and infrastructure, and small machine operation. The successful applicant must be self-motivated and an independent worker. E ective communication skills

ability to work positively with the public is essential. For full details regarding the position, please contact the Village O ce for a copy of the job description.

Usual hours will be 40 hours per week, which will include evenings and/or weekends. Shifts will vary dependant upon Village requirements.

Required quali cations include completion of Grade 12, valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence, Ice Facility Operator certi cation or higher, and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Certi cation.

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit a resume and references in con dence, no later than 4:30pm, Thursday, November 8, 2018. We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please submit your resume to: Sylvie Hoobano , Corporate O cer Village of Canal Flats PO Box 159, Canal Flats, BC V0B 1B0 phone: 250-349-5462 email: village@canal ats.ca

EARLY YEARS CENTRE COORDINATOR

Part-Time Leave of Absence

Reporting to the Director of Program Management the Early Years Centre Coor dinator provides a wide range of support across the early years spectrum (pre natal to kindergarten transition). The Coordinator will be responsible for offering parenting information, access to early intervention referrals/services, promote healthy child development strategies, connect with community stakeholders and distribute information on child care programs available in the Columbia Valley.

Requirements:

• Diploma/Bachelor Degree in a related human/social service field.

• Three (3) years recent related experience including one (1) year supervisory or administrative experience. Or an equivalent combination of education, train ing and experience.

• Valid BC Driver’s License

Application process and deadline: Email a resume and cover letter to Michele Neider, Director of Program Management, Family Dynamix Association, by November 5th, at mneider@familydynamix.ca

Resource, Development & Advocacy

FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER

Part-Time

Reporting to the Director of Program Management the Family Support Worker provides direct goal-oriented assistance to youth who have a developmental dis ability; or, have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder; or, are eligible for the At Home Program; and their families. This assistance can include the development of appropriate social, life or other particular skills by the youth and/or the devel opment of child management or other parenting skills to youth and families who have been referred by the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD).

Requirements:

• Diploma in a related human / social service field or recreation course

One (1) year recent related experience

Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience

Valid BC driver’s license

Application process and deadline: Email a resume and cover letter to Michele Neider, Director of Program Management, Family Dynamix Association, by November 5th, at mneider@familydynamix.ca

successful candidate

in managing a

to the president and in

you will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of staffing,

programming, and ensuring youth continue to have a place to connect in a safe and engaging manner.

Deadline for applications: October 31st, 2018. Please forward resumes to Mandi Cox; Mandi.summitcentre@gmail.com. Only potential candidates will be contacted

BEY ND THE BLUE LINE

Rockies on the road

Submitted by Columbia Valley Rockies

The Columbia Valley Rockies split the weekend on the road against three teams in the Okanagan division

came home with three points.

The Rockies started one of the longest road trips of the season facing off against the Princeton Posse on Fri day, October 19th. Gavin Fleck, with help from Dace Prymak and Logan MacDonald, opened the scoring mid way through the first putting the Rockies up 1 - 0 against the hometown team. That was all the scoring in the first period.

When the second period began the Rockies found themselves shorthanded, picking up five penalties and giving up two goals on the penalty kill. The third pe riod found the boys settling down to a more even play but surrendering one more goal leaving the barn 3-1 and heading to Osoyoos for Saturday’s game.

Saturday’s game was more rugged with both teams taking out frustrations and seeing short-handed play. Rockies quickly opened the scoring 30 seconds in on a nice shot from Connor Davison after Fraser McMann fed him the puck. As the period was winding down Connor Woodworth scored his first KIJHL goal assisted by Zach ary Giacobbo and Joshua Antunes. The Osoyoos Coyotes battled back in the second and tied things up.

The teams pressed each other in the third and traded power-play goals with the Rockies scoring with 1:48 re

maining in the third by Gavin Fleck on a nice dish from Dylan Fontaine sending the game into overtime. The first overtime saw many great chances by your Rockies but to no avail. In the second overtime the Coyotes were able to hold off the Rockies and take the game 4-3.

On Sunday afternoon the Rockies were not to be de nied as they entered their game against the North Okana gan Knights with retribution on their minds. Chase Haw kins, with help from Ryan Skytt, put the visitors up 1-0. In the second period the Rockies were imposing their will on the Knights and saw Kale Hawryluk with help from Connor Davison and Greg Parker with help from Loclyn Kabatoff and Hunter Becket put the Rockies up 3-0. The hometown team valiantly tried to battle back but your Rockies stood firm and the second ended 3-2 Rockies.

In the third the Rockies utilized their speed and de fensive system to press the Knights. In the Rockies net Ben Kelsch shut and locked the door and threw away the key, ensuring the Knights would be heartbroken in front of their hometown crowd. Rockies won 3-2 and took three points on the road swing

The Rockies now go on the road for a game against division rivals the Golden Rockets on Saturday, October 27th. The Rockies next home game will be Saturday, No vember 3rd when the Grand Forks Border Bruins come to town.

End

DTSS

Lakers

So much to give thanks for

By Pastor Wayne Frater Radium Christian Fellowship Church

A couple of weeks ago we set aside a day to give thanks, thanks giving Sunday, we took some time and looked at Psalms 100 “A Psalm of anksgiving.”

“Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” Psalms 100:1-5 1 essalonians chapter 5 verses 16-18, tells us, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

It is important to remember we can’t limit our thanks to God just one day a year. Instead, we have to remember to give thanks to Him each and every day. God listens to our needs and responds to our prayers, sometimes in ways that are confusing and mysterious, sometimes not the way we expect, sometimes not in our time frame, but

if we have faith enough to follow through, He always answers. We have to learn to, not only “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” but we also have to, as it says in Proverbs 3:5,6 “ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” And Psalms 37:4 “Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

Our joy comes from the Lord, when we accepted Jesus Christ into our lives, all the blessings of Heaven come available to us, everything from eternal salvation, to healing, to prosperity, it is God’s will, and it is in God’s timing. 2 Peter 3: 9 e Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward [c]us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

So first repentance, accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior.

en making Jesus the Lord of our lives, leaning on Him, trusting Him, and not ourselves, and as we do, rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, and in everything giving thanks;

He will direct our paths, and give us the desires and secret petitions of our heart. So much to give thanks for, for what He has done, for what He is doing, and for what He is going to do, Praise the Lord !

Scripture taken from New King James Version Copyright 1979 by omas Nelson Inc. Used by permission.

LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH

Sunday, October 28, 10:30 am

CELEBRATION SUNDAY, REVELATION 101 … Pastor Matt Moore ministering from Revelation Chapters 4 to 7. e Lord`s Supper will be served. “K.I.D.S.” Church, for children Ages 3-4; KindergartenGrade 1; and Grades 2-7, during the Morning Service. 326 - 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 • office@lwac.ca • www.lwac.ca

WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY ANGLICANUNITED

Worship every Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Children & Youth Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. Christ Church Trinity, Invermere 1st and 3rd Sunday, March - December 9 a.m.: All Saint’s, Edgewater 2nd Sunday, 7 p.m.: June - October at St. Peter’s Windermere Reverend Laura Hermakin 110 - 7th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-6644 • www.wvsm.ca

VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY

Sunday 10 a.m.: Worship Services. Pastor Murray Wittke 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere 250-342-9511 • www.valleychristianonline.com

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.: St. Anthony’s, Canal Flats. Saturday, 5 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m.: Canadian Martyrs’ – Invermere Sunday, 11 a.m.: St. Joseph’s – Radium. Father Jojo Augustine • 712 -12th Ave., Invermere 250-342-6167

ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN MISSION OF INVERMERE

Worship

at 1:30 p.m.

Church Trinity, 110 - 7th Ave., Invermere (Small Chapel) Pastor Ron Tabbert • Parish Office: 250-426-7564 Email: mtzionlc@hotmail.com

RADIUM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

Sunday 10 a.m.

greatgreat-

born in

is

son Ken Oglestone,

Susie

great-grandson

of

Pastor Wayne and

• 250-342-6633 No. 4, 7553 Main St. Radium • 250-347-9937

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTERDAY SAINTS

Worship

The Savory Side of the Pumpkin

From Scratch

By Lara McCormack

Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere! It seems like everywhere I look, I see them; in grocery stores, store windows, on shop shelves, on outside decks of houses. All shapes and sizes: pumpkins are the image of all things autumn!

Now for the surprise - pumpkins are actually considered a fruit! Pumpkins are part of the Cucurbitaceae family that includes more than 900 species, including everything from watermelons, to cucumbers. e genus Cucurbita (aka “squash”) falls under this family, so the traditional orange pumpkin is also a winter squash. According to Merriam Webster’s definition of “fruit”, it states the usually edible reproductive body of a seed plant.” Pumpkins are edible, and if you’ve ever cut one open, you know it’s full of seeds, so the pumpkin is the fruit of the pumpkin vine.

Pumpkins have been growing in North America for five thousand years where they are indigenous to the western hemisphere. In 1584, after French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence region of North America, he reported finding “gros melons.”

e name was translated into English as “pompions,” which has since evolved into the modern “pumpkin.”

Pumpkins are also very nutritious as they are an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C. While one cup of mashed pumpkin contains just 49 calories, it packs 2.7 grams of dietary fiber, helping you feel full for longer. is same small serving also delivers 245 percent of daily recommended vitamin A, 19 percent of vitamin C, 16 percent of potassium, and 11 percent of magnesium, mak-

ing your favorite pumpkin dish rich in nutrients.

e following recipe takes the idea of pumpkin out of the box of pies and soups. ere is so much you can do with the pumpmore! As great as pumpkins are for carving, don’t forget that they are fabulous to eat!

ai Pumpkin Laksa with Crunchy Chickpeas

prep time 20 minutes / cook time 40 minutes / 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

• 2 cloves garlic minced or grated

• 1 inch fresh ginger grated

• 1 red ai pepper with seeds removed & chopped (may use a jalapeno if needed)

• 2 green onions chopped

• 3 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

• 1 small pumpkin, peeled & cut into cubes (about 3 cups cubed)

• 1 tablespoon rounded creamy peanut butter

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon fish sauce

• 1 (14 ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk

• 1 large bunch broccolini stems trimmed

• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped

• 1/4 cup fresh mint chopped

• 8 ounces rice noodles

• seeds from 1 pomegranate

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat a large soup pot over medium heat and add the sesame oil. Once hot, add the garlic, ginger, ai pepper and green onions. Cook 30 seconds to 1 minute or until soft and fragrant.

2. Slowly stir in the chicken or vegetable broth and then add the cubed pumpkin. Bring the soup to a boil and simmer 15-20 minutes or until the pumpkin is fork tender. Add around half to 3/4 of the soup to a blender or food processor and blend until completely smooth. Return the soup to the pot.

3. Add the peanut butter, soy sauce, fish sauce and coconut milk, stirring to combine. Add the broccoli and cook until tender, about 8-10 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, cook the rice noodles according to package directions.

5. Once the broccoli is tender, re-

move it from the heat and stir in the cilantro and mint. Ladle the soup into bowls and add a big handful of rice noodles. Top with crunchy chickpeas (recipe below) and pomegranate seeds.

CRUNCHY CHICKPEAS

• 2 (15 ounce) cans chickpeas drained & rinsed

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon brown sugar

• salt & pepper to taste

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

2. Spread the chickpeas out on a towel and dry them completely. Add the chickpeas to a baking sheet and toss with the olive oil, cinnamon, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Toss well to evenly coat. Roast for 20 minutes and then stir the chickpeas around and roast another 20 minutes or until the chickpeas are browned and crunchy. Remove from the oven and serve warm atop the soup. Save any leftovers for snacking later!

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