vol1issue15

Vol. 1/Issue 15

Your Source for News and Events

The Upper

December 24, 2004

Columbia

P ioneer

FR

EE

Serving The Upper Columbia Valley including Golden, Brisco, Radium, Invermere, Windermere, Fairmont and Canal Flats

Contents News

2

Letters

6

Youth

8

Food

13

Sports

20

Classifieds

21

Lasting Gift

2 Landscape Artist

12 Christmas Memory

18

Home for the Holidays Chris MacDonald welcomes her daughter Jenn home for Christmas.

Photo by Lisa Ede

2 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

VALLEY

December 24, 2004

Stained glass a gift to last

By Elinor Florence Pioneer Staff

Mother and child

Kelly Crawford, daughter of Milton and Margaret Crawford of Invermere, was photographed last Sunday at Christ Church Trinity with her three-month-old son Murray.

Kelly and her partner Mike Campbell worked for several years before taking an extended trip to Mexico.

When they found they were expecting a blessed

event, they returned to Invermere. Mike is currently the manager at Peppi’s Pizza.

Kelly and baby Murray were kind enough to act as Mary and Jesus in the annual Live Nativity play at the Canadian Martyrs’ Church last week.

We think our readers will agree that Kelly makes a radiant Mary and Murray makes a joyful Jesus.

If you attend Christ Church Trinity this Christmas season, take a look at the beautiful stained glass windows behind the altar.

They were commissioned by Sybil Knight about 20 years ago in honour of her father’s family, the Walkers. Sybil Knight passed away this fall.

The windows were created by Michael Nutgens, a stained glass craftsman who lives on Vancouver Island and is related by marriage to the Walkers.

The 14 windows represent the 12 apostles, plus Mary and Jesus. They were first installed in the old log church, the former Christ Church Anglican, at the same location.

In 1998 the old church was torn down when the Anglican and United congregations decided to build a new church together.

The former Trinity United Church was also sold and it became a downtown furniture store.

While the new church was being built, the stained glass windows were removed and incorporated into the wall behind the altar.

At that time Sybil Knight’s daughter and husband, Pat and Ron Cope of Invermere, salvaged the old log church and installed the original flooring in their family room. They also used a number of pieces of wood from the old church around their home on Westside Road.

The Cope children are the fifth generation through the Walker lineage to attend the Anglican church here. Over the decades there have been many weddings, christenings and funerals involving Walker family members.

Reverend Michael Rice of the Windermere Valley Shared Ministry pointed out that Sybil Knight never asked for any plaque or other public sign of recognition for this magnificent gift.

from the Management and Staff at

Bighorn Meadows Resort

• Nightly & Weekly Rentals Available • Ski and Stay Packages to Panorama and Kicking Horse 1-877-344-2323

Phone Number (250) 347-2323 www.bighornmeadows.ca Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia

December 24, 2004

NEWS

The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 3

Invermere’s webcam your eye in the sky

By Michelle Taylor Special to The Pioneer

Michelle Taylor and daughter Faith wave to grandma on the webcam.

Did you know that when you walk down main street in Invermere you are being photographed?

A webcam - that’s the name for a camera that broadcasts images over the internet - is located on the roof of Lambert-Kipp Pharmacy. This allows anyone to sign onto the internet and view the downtown core.

A few people use the webcam to send messages to loved ones around the world. It’s a great way to feel more connected to family and friends.

Co-founders of Invermere’s first webcam are Scott Neumann and Stacey Tooke, who developed the viewing device in September 2003. LambertKipp Pharmacy is the sponsor of the downtown camera. Two other webcams are set up in Fairmont.

In case you’re feeling a little nervous about your privacy, don’t worry.

It’s not possible to get close enough to clearly identify people.

“If you were to make arrangements with a loved one or friend to stand on the corner and wave at a certain time,

Old truck to get new home

By Elinor Florence Pioneer Staff “You’ve made our Christmas!”

Those were the words that Lisa Ede heard when she answered The Pioneer’s telephone last week.

It was Linda Barkley, whose husband Cliff Barkley had just seen and recognized his grandfather’s rusty old logging truck on the front cover of the newspaper, bearing the words: “C. Wenger Lumber.”

Cliff Barkley did not know that the truck existed.

Pioneer Editor Bob Ede took the photograph of the logging truck recently on one of his nature hikes.

C. Wenger Lumber was the name of a successful logging company that was operated here

during the 1940s and 1950s by Christopher Wenger.

“I remember when the Wengers arrived from Switzerland in the 1930s,” recalls Invermere resident Gordon Lake.

“They lived down on Westside Road and operated a onehorse mill where the whole family worked.”

Christopher Wenger expanded the family business and built a larger sawmill at Skookumchuk.

During its peak the mill employed about 15 people, including Mr. Lake who worked there from 1947 to 1952.

“He was a tough guy to work for, but always fair,” Mr. Lake recalls.

Christopher Wenger had several children, among them Yolanda Wenger, who is Cliff Barkley’s

mother.

Yolanda now resides in Cranbrook.

Although the company was very successful, there aren’t a lot of souvenirs remaining, said Cliff’s wife Linda.

At one time she and her husband tried to track down the rumour of a Wenger logging truck but they could not find it so they assumed it did not exist.

She and Cliff, who live in Juniper Heights, immediately went out to Toby Creek where the truck is located.

They plan to salvage the old truck and take it home, where it will find a final resting place among the other collectible classic vehicles in their yard.

“It was a wonderful surprise,” Linda said.

than only that person would really know it was you,” says Scott. In fact, the digital film is not a moving image but a series of still shots that refresh every 10 seconds.

But the webcam can’t be used to watch the downtown core for mischievous activity.

“The only image that’s available is the one you are looking at the moment you launch the viewer. Once it refreshes, the previous image is gone forever.”

The webcam lets you observe onthe-spot weather conditions and humidity levels, as well as the happenings of main street live. For example, you could watch the Santa parade or the Canada Day parade while on your holidays far away from home!

“Ever since webcams were first available, people have been fascinated by the ability to view live images of places where they are not or where they would like to visit,” he says.

“Most of our webcam visitors return at least once each day.”

For more information on the webcam call 341-1526 or email info@invermere.com.

4 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 24, 2004

Pioneer PERSPECTIVE Pioneer Staff play Santa Claus

Historical Lens

We put our heads together here at The Pioneer and came up with a Christmas wish list for some of our friends in the valley: Brian McLaughlin, Invermere Councillor: • A steering wheel display showing automobile insurance Expiry Date.

Bob Campsall, Invermere Councillor: • An “I Brake for Muskrats” Bumper Sticker.

David Behan, CastleRock Developer: • A Monopoly board game with the deed to Park Place.

Meredith Hamstead, Jumbo Creek Conservation Society: • A Grant Costello chew toy for her dog.

Grant Costello, Jumbo Glacier Resort developer: • A Meredith Hamstead chew toy for his dog.

Bill Cropper, local musician and Master of Ceremonies: • A giant box of lozenges to suck during Visitor Appreciation Day, Relay for Life and other events which keep getting bigger every year.

Darren Danyluk, new principal at the high school: • “Bring Back the Strap” legislation.

Mighty Joe Young, local musician: • Twenty-two concussions later, a safety helmet for slippery streets.

Wendy McMahon, MLA Columbia River-Revelstoke: • A cabinet position. (Santa beat us to it).

Paul Christy, owner of The Monkey’s Uncle: • A copy of Darwin’s The Origin of Species.

Val Macala, hockey mom extrodinaire • Another set of hands to help out at the arena Mark Shmigelsky, Mayor of Invermere: • Scissors and shovel for all the looming ribbon-cuttings and sod-turnings.

Greg Deck, Mayor of Radium Hot Springs: Time to catch up on his reading.

David Black, owner of B.C. Newspaper Group (Black Press): • A little healthy competition.

Matt Hughes, Columbia Valley Rockies coach: • A couple of locked-out NHL players.

Gerry Taft, Invermere Councillor and owner of Gerry’s Gelati: • A first aid kit for all those unexpected injuries.

JoAnne Willox, Invermere Councillor and owner of Details by JoAnne: • A new hip for a hip lady.

Keith Andestad, Public Works Foreman: • A new fuse box for the downtown Christmas lights.

Al Turner, ice-maker at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena: • A portable snow cone factory for all the scraped-up zamboni snow.

The Sisters, owners of L&S Crafts and Lunch Counter: • A drive-through window.

Nick Gibbs, owner of Portabella Restaurant: • More seating, so more people can enjoy his culinary skills.

B.C. Liquor Store employees: • Nicer uniforms, so they don’t look like an out-of-work barber shop quartet.

The local RCMP: • A doughnut shop near the detachment (Santa beat us to it again).

New business owners from Calgary: • A little bit of that valley time they moved out here to find.

The

Lake of the Hanging Glaciers, circa 1920.

Historical photo from the Ede Collection

Lisa’s greetings

By Lisa Ede, Pioneer Staff In our house, traditions are all about family, whether it’s heading into the bush for that perfect Christmas tree, or eating green spinach fettucini with red tomato sauce on Christmas Eve. Because we are so busy the rest of the year, we like to spend Christmas week with our three kids, sledding, skating on the lake or just hanging out.

Next year our oldest daughter Kelsie will be away from home for the first time, so it was especially meaningful to help prepare our Home For The Holidays issue. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the young people who are home this Christmas with their families.

On behalf of all of us at The Pioneer, Best Wishes to you and your family, near or far, during this holiday season.

Upper Columbia

P ioneer is independently owned and operated and is published weekly by Heinz Drews Associates Ltd.

Box 868, #8, 1008 - 8th Avenue, Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Phone (250) 341-6299 Toll Free 1-877-341-6299 Fax (250) 341-6229 Email: upioneer@telus.net The material, written or artistic may not be reprinted or electronically reproduced in any way without the written consent of the publisher. The opinions and statements in articles, columns and advertising are not necessarily those of the publisher or staff of The Upper Columbia Pioneer. It is agreed by any display advertiser requesting space that the newspapers responsibility, if any, for errors or omissions of any kind is limited to the amount paid for by the advertiser for that portion of the space as occupied by the incorrect item and there shall be no liability in any event greater than the amount paid for the advertisement.

Elinor Florence

Bob Ede

Lisa Ede

Dave Sutherland

Publisher

Editor

Manager

Sales Associate

The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 5

December 24, 2004

CHRISTMAS MESSAGES Time to count our blessings: MLA Pioneer has recently taken on a new challenge and is making an important contribution to our region simply by publishing our views and recording our history.

2005 promises to be an exciting and prosperous time for the Columbia Valley. I look forward to working with you to make our region an even better place.

Until then, please celebrate the Christmas season safely and cherish the ones you love. On behalf of my family I extend warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Dear Readers:

It is that special time of year when we cherish our family, friends and those who make an important difference in our lives.

It is the time of year for giving and remembering how lucky we are to live in a place as beautiful and prosperous as the Columbia Valley.

It is each and every one of us, working together in our communities, that make this region a great place to live, work and play. It is the little things, like making a charitable donation or holding the door open for a senior, that makes our communities such wonderful places to live.

Wendy McMahon, MLA I want to personally thank the readers of The Columbia River-Revelstoke Upper Columbia Pioneer for everything they do to Minister of State for Women’s and Seniors contribute to our communities. As you know, The

Mayor thanks our community volunteers Dear Friends: With Christmas upon us and the New Year just around the corner, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people, who through charitable work, community organisations or through their own personal work, continue to help people in need, all year long.

I would also like to thank the many businesses, service clubs and private citizens who have donated either their time, equipment or money, to our growing list of community projects. When projects like Pot Hole

Park, Mount Nelson Athletic Park and Dorothy Lake Revitalisation are eventually completed, they will add so much to our quality of life for all of our citizens.

We are very lucky to live in a country like Canada, free from most of what ails the rest of the world and in a valley where we continue to strive to make life better for our family, friends and our fellow citizens.

Please take the ‘spirit of the season’ to heart and help out where you can, remember those whom

have come and gone and be grateful for family and friends.

On behalf on Council and my family I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and All the Best to you and your family in 2005!

Mark Shmigelsky Mayor of Invermere FENDER • GIBSON • BEHRINGER • PEAVEY

342-6111

8th Ave., Invermere

(near PeppiĘźs Pizzeria)

PARTY

RCMP wishes everyone a safe holiday The Columbia Valley RCMP members and staff want to thank all of the citizens living in and visiting our policing area, from Canal Flats to Spillimacheen, from Panorama to Kootenay Park, for your support and assistance over the past year.

It has been another busy year for the detachment, and with the growing resident and summer population, we rely very much on the cooperation of the community to both solve and prevent criminal activity.

We would like to wish everyone in the Columbia

Valley a safe and happy holiday season, and remind you to include safe transportation (i.e. Designated Driver) for yourself and your guests in your celebration planning!

If you want to live like a millionaire, use a lifeline and phone a friend!! All the best for a very Merry Christmas.

New Year’s Eve

Join us

No cover!

Dec. 31st

and party with

Finagin

Farside Pub Fairmont Hot Springs

Constable Rob Weaver Columbia Valley RCMP

0VS PĂśDF IPVST GPS UIF IPMJEBZ TFBTPO BSF 5VFTEBZ %FD UP 5IVSTEBZ %FD QN 'SJEBZ %FD QN 5VFTEBZ %FD UP 5IVSTEBZ %FD QN

Pepsi or Coke plus deposit, enviro and tax

2 lt

99¢

8& 8*-- #& $-04&% '3*%": %&$ 5)306() .0/%": +"/ 8F XJMM SFPQFO 5VFTEBZ +BO BU BN GPS SFHVMBS CVTJOFTT IPVST 5IBOL ZPV GPS ZPVS QBUSPOBHF EVSJOH

Young Turkeys Utility 99¢/lb

Mark Moneo Doctor of Optometry

Happy New Year from the Management and Staff of IGA

1325 - 7th Ave., Invermere ~ 342-6223

Chinese Mandarine Oranges $3.99 each 5 lb box

Prices in effect until Jan. 1/05

6 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 24, 2004

Letters to the Editor ‘Austrian Alps ‘Play by the rules: can teach us about identify yourself’ development’ Dear Editor:

Dear Editor: Re: Letter of Buffy Blakley in The Pioneer from Nov. 26, 2004 titled “Let’s not spoil Farnham Glacier.”

Although born and raised in Canada, I have guided skiers and mountain climbers in the European Alps for over 25 years.

Ms. Blakley writes about the Stubai Glacier, which I know very well having been in the Stubai Alps over a dozen times. Actually, other Austrian mountain valleys have undergone similar developments.

Every winter and spring all across the Alps I see chamoix (a cross between our mountain goat and an antelope), red stags (small elk), marmots, golden eagles, steinbocks (like an ibex), roe deer, foxes, martins, etc. In fact, I see more animals in the Alps than I did when I was a heli-ski guide in B.C. There are also lots of skiers at North American ski resorts, just as there are at European resorts. In Europe people take guides not only to find the best skiing possible, but also to ski alone where few others venture.

When I guide skiers in the Alps, I rarely bump into other people - guided or unguided. Also being able to ski from one country to another in some places is what makes skiing in Europe so special.

The ski areas in the Alps are huge and dwarf anything in North America. Imagine skiing 40,000 plus vertical meters in a week, while staying in fabulous hotels and eating gourmet meals, all for a fraction of the price of heli-skiing in Canada. Only the rich can enjoy here what is open to everyone in the Alps of Europe.

The Stubai Valley is filled with signs of prosperity. Before the building of the glacier ski lifts there was very little winter tourism. Now the mountain farmer’s wife rents out rooms; her children have become ski instructors, ski racers or mountain guides; the small Gasthaus owner has now built a beautiful hotel, and so on. Everybody has improved their standard of living just because someone placed ski lifts on a glacier.

Panorama and the golf courses have brought money and business to Invermere. Similarly, the Jumbo Gla-

cier lifts will bring more money and business to this valley.

The Alps are the most traveled and accessible mountain range in the world. They are well organized, very clean, and open to all people, rich or poor, guided or unguided.

These people have done a fabulous job in maintaining what they have with 300 million people on their doorstep.

And they have created a multi-billiondollar tourism industry by providing access to their mountains.

One thing I didn’t see in the Stubai Valley were locals pushing their old rusted cars over a bank, I didn’t see any disrespectful people tearing around the countryside on their skidoos, ATVs or dirt bikes. I didn’t see anyone throwing beer cans or fast food wrappers out of their car windows, either.

Our main valley bottoms are filling up. We have rightly set aside huge parks and conservancies all around us, but it is time that we provide access for everyone to some of our high glaciers. It is the right thing to do.

John W. Hogg Invermere

to remind them that we are a democracy, and as individuals have a right to opinion on public policy as we have a right to pursue religious freedom.

Within the last two weeks I have been “stonewalled” by an elected representative and told to leave if I didn’t like what they proposed. I have read letters to the editor in our papers that support particular persons or issues without the writers identifying their allegiances.

Party hacks, project supporters, project opponents and political warhorses write letters that appear to be spontaneous reactions to issues, but are in reality part of a campaign.

I am disappointed that our newspapers allow the Letters to the Editor columns to be used as forums for propaganda. (I suppose because they also justify the end by the means.)

I suggest that we try to stay true to the values of honesty and openness in our public policy debates and that we respect our democratic traditions of allowing and listening to opposing opinions and like the game of hockey, play by the rules, accept the win or loss, shake hands at the end, then go on to the next game.

Some key elements in how people try to persuade others are to appeal to logic, emotion and ethics. How people feel about a project will often influence our behavior more strongly than all the statistics one can put forward.

So “feelings are facts” that need to be considered in the human equation.

But it is, if we are to remain civil, necessary to retain a balance and respect for all these elements: logic, emotion and ethics.

In last week’s paper, a letter from Mr. Younker states that it is logical that when Mr. Costello writes a number of people are for the Jumbo project, a number are against and many are undecided, that by inference all of the persons who did not participate in the armed forces during WWII were pro-Nazi.

This “conclusion” is not rational; Mr. Younker tries by this comparison to infer that Mr. Costello is pro-Nazi or like the Nazis. This is simple-minded hate mongering and goes far beyond what in my opinion is civil.

In today’s public policy debates, proponents are made to play by the rules, while opponents are not required to do so and often don’t. To those who Peter Christensen feel the end justifies the means I wish Radium Hot Springs

‘Teacher feels blessed’

Dear Editor:

Kelsie Ede’s article about me was totally unexpected and extremely emotional.

I feel so blessed that I can make a difference in other people’s lives.

I am a humble person who believes that Faith, Family and Friends should always come first.

Thank you for noticing my beliefs about life. You have made a long-lasting impact on my family and me.

Thank you, Kelsie, and God bless you and your family.

P.S. Gerry makes the best hot chocolate in town. Here are a couple of gift certificates for one cold, wintry night.

Dwayne Zahara, Invermere (Mr. Z.)

‘A memorable encounter’ Dear Editor: In July 2004 while walking with the dogs on Toby Benches, I came upon a young couple building a log cabin in the woods. Since they also had a dog, I stopped to chat, and found out that the couple were members of the Canadian Ski Team from Canmore - in their own words, he downhill and she uphill.

In November I met the young man again, also on Toby Benches, and was embarrassed because I had forgotten his name, while he had remembered mine.

He had just returned form the Invermere Hospital hav-

ing received stitches for a cut suffered in a collision with a gate on the Panorama Ski Hill.

He kindly reminded me of his name and how we had met, after which I told him: “Well, Thomas, I promise you I will not forget your name again because I am going to see your name in the press after you have won a World Cup Ski Race.”

On December 20, Thomas Grandi from Canmore became the first Canadian Male Skier to win a World Cup Giant Slalom.

Alan Farmer, Wilmer

The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 7

December 24, 2004

NEWS Close call in Fairmont shooting

By Elinor Florence Pioneer Staff The four-piece band Redfish from Vernon is still reeling after being shot at last Friday night while they were leaving their motel room in Fairmont Hot Springs.

Guitar player Dean Gordon-Smith said the four band members were on their way to play at the Farside Inn at about 9 p.m. Friday when the woman behind the front desk at the Spruce Grove Motel pulled out a high-powered rifle and fired a shot at them.

“We had seen her about 90 minutes earlier when we checked in,” he said. “She had her feet up, watching television. We exchanged small talk and she seemed perfectly fine.”

As three of the four band members came down the stairs into the lobby, the woman began screaming at them.

“She told us to get the hell out,” he said.

“We were just standing there kind of laughing because we thought it was a stupid joke, when she pulled a high-powered rifle out from under the counter and started waving it around, threatening to shoot us.

“The fourth guy came down the stairs behind us and he was just on the bottom step when she swung around and fired. We saw a burst of flame come out of the barrel. The sound was just deafening. The shot missed his head by about one foot.

“Our singer Eddie Hagman yelled: ‘get outside’ so we just ran through the glass door and hid in a grove of trees.”

One of the band members called 911 on his cell phone and spent a few minutes describing to the operator where the motel is located.

“Then we saw her come to the door and open it and look out. We were really afraid she was going to come after us. We were talking about whether we could jump her and disarm her, but she didn’t come outside.”

The group hid in the trees for about 25 minutes until three police cruisers from Invermere arrived on the scene.

RCMP Constable Rob Weaver said the woman gave herself up peacefully and has been sent to Cranbrook for a psychiatric evaluation. No charges have been laid.

“What was really frightening was how quickly she changed,” said Dean Gordon-Smith.

“From the time we went upstairs until the time we came down she was like a different person.”

He said by the time band members gave their statements to police, they didn’t get to the Farside until about midnight.

By then most of the patrons had gone home.

“We just had a couple of stiff drinks and then rocked out,” he said.

The group played again on Saturday without incident.

Pine beetles threatening Conservative MP Jim Abbott (Kootenay-Columbia) has urged the federal government to “wake up and smell the forest fire.”

He requested funding last week to combat the mountain pine beetle infestations in British Columbia.

“The government does not realize the severity of this situation,” Mr. Abbott said.

Mr. Abbott said the pine beetle has started on the west side of the Koote-

nay Lake in his riding, and could eventually reach the Kootenay National Park and Yoho National Park.

The pine beetle is also a contributing factor to the forest fires that devastated Kelowna two years ago, he said.

“I say to the federal Liberals that they should wake up and smell the forest fire because that is exactly what we are into at this particular point,” Mr. Abbott said in the House of Commons.

What will the New Year bring?

Neighbourhood Psychic

By Appointment

Call 1 866 68 Tarot

• Encase your home or garage in stone • • Add class with a stone fireplace •

DOC STONE 342-5845

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY

Dinner Package:

Salad, Choice of 10 oz New York Steak, Salmon Fillet or Grilled Herbed Chicken Breast, all served with Lobster.

Live Music featuring Mac and Me Champagne at Midnight Breakfast on Saturday Jan 1st Reserved Seating Entry after 7 pm Tickets - $50.00

Party Package:

Live Music featuring Mac and Me Champagne at Midnight, Breakfast on Saturday Jan. 1st Entry after 9:30 pm Tickets $15.00 Dinner tickets must be purchase in advance and menu selections made no later than Dec 29th (Prices subject to G.S.T.)

Merr y Christmas and Happy New Year from the staff at Radium Liquor Store Open late 7 days a week • Join our VIP Rewards program today

New Year’s Eve D.J. Dance Party Tickets $12

Champagne, late night snacks, party favours

8 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 24, 2004

YOUTH

KIDS SPEAK What will you do during the Christmas holidays?

“Open Christmas presents and go to Calgary to visit my new cousin.”

Brooklyn Gulbe Eileen Madson Primary

“Spend time with my family, go tobogganing and drink hot chocolate.”

Randie Raven Eileen Madson Primary

“Skate and ski and go to Texas.”

Leah Newman Eileen Madson Primary

“Skate and ski and go to Texas.”

Haley Newman Eileen Madson Primary

Couple crowned Snow Queen and King

By Kelsie Ede Students gathered in the high school gym last Friday to enjoy the first-ever Snow King and Queen Pageant, put on by the leadership class.

With six senior students participating in the pageant, the contestants had to demonstrate their worthiness of the title during an 80’s fashion show, a mind-boggling question-and- answer period, and a talent portion of the program. Everything from guitar playing to skits of Bob and Doug McKenzie graced that stage to entertain the student body.

The school was even lucky enough to have Santa stop by the pageant and deliver some unexpected gifts to some well-deserving students and teachers.

Shelby Jansen and Dustin Penner were crowned for their musical talents.

DTSS News Briefs

By Kelsie Ede A new record was set at David Thompson Secondary School when seventy-five percent of the Grade Eight students earned honour roll status during first term. As for the school as a whole, almost fifty percent

of students were on honour roll. What a great start to the year for the students!

The “Tin Christmas Tree” was a great success this year, raising over 2800 cans of non-perishable food items and $350 cash for the local food bank. Congratulations

Kidz Quiz Corner Question: In which month of the year does Autumn begin?

Question from McWiz Jr. Trivia Game

Correct answer to last week’s question - Amphibians.

Bring the correct answer into The Monkey’s Uncle for a chance to win a great prize!

Name: __________________________________________________________ Age: ___________________________________________________________ Phone: _ ________________________________________________________ Answer: _ _______________________________________________________

Through the help of Rod Thompson, Darren Danyluk, Spencer Kerr and Holly Krasnuik, the contestants were carefully evaluated to determine who would be crowned Snow King and Queen.

By a unanimous decision, the judges declared Dustin Penner and Shelby Jansen the winners after witnessing their crowd-pleasing acts during the talent portion of the pageant.

Dustin graced the stage with his wellrehearsed dance to the music “Hammertime” and Shelby raised the roof with her version of “Play that Funky Music”.

It was obvious to the crowd that they were well deserving of the title Snow King and Queen.

to all the students who helped exceed the goal of collecting 2004 cans!

The Christmas Carol Ensemble serenaded many places around the valley within the past few weeks. Thanks for bringing all the holiday cheer!

sponsored by:

the

nkey’s o M Uncle

TOY & GIFT

Paradise Esthetics Studio

SANTA’S SPA SPECIAL

c •o •m •p •a •n •y

Choose any 2 of the following treatments and save 20% OFF Manicure • European Facial • Pedicure • Back treatment or 3 treatments and recieve 30% OFF

Main Street, Invermere

Telephone 342-5601 Invermere, BC

342-2515

December 24, 2004

The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 9

NEWS BRIEFS

Helen Bavin’s fund goes to museum Food Bank concert raised $700

Chimney fires continue to plague Invermere Fire-Rescue

Pat Bavin of Invermere and his only brother John of Comox, B.C. have concluded distribution of their mother’s memorial fund with a $3,000 donation to the Windermere Valley Historical Society.

“It was a fitting recipient because my father Hal Bavin left some 8-10,000 photographs to the museum and they have indexed and catalogued them all,” said Pat Bavin.

Mrs. Bavin’s memorial fund was set up after her death in 1987. One of the major recipients of the fund was Wings Over the Rockies.

The fourth annual Food Bank Benefit concert last Sunday raised more than $700 and many boxes Invermere Fire-Rescue responded to another of food for the local food bank, said concert orga- chimney fire last week, this time in Wilmer. nizer Andra Louie. She said the music was great and On the same day, Dec. 15th, the volunteers also the Lakeside Pub did a wonderful job of hosting the resonded to an alarm on Lower Lakeview, but were event. stood down before they arrived.

Firefighters from Radium, Windermere, Canal Flats as well as Golden and Creston attended a semiNew chair for school board nar on propane awareness held at the Invermere Fire Hall.

Peter Smith of Radium Hot Springs has stepped This was held by Superior Propane, which sent down as chair of the Rocky Mountain School Disrepresentatives from Kelowna, Edmonton and Ontrict Number 6 Board of Directors. He will contario. This seminar was enlightening and informaSeniors enjoyed Rotary dinner tinue to serve as a school trustee. tive, and the seminar was greatly appreciated.

“I know that you all join me in thanking Peter Invermere Fire-Rescue wishes you a happy and The Rotary Club did its usual fine job of provid- for his dedication, service and vision,” said Bendina safe holiday season. ing free Christmas dinner including wine to about 100 Miller, school superintendent. “I know he will conseniors at the Invermere Inn last Saturday night. Orga- tinue to provide the strong leadership we have all nizer George Deck said the club had to draw names as come to respect.”

Juice Bar & Internet Café the dinner has become so popular, and 30 names were Sandra Smaill, a trustee from Kimberley, was not drawn. This was the 15th year for the annual din- elected as board chair. Vice-chairs are Dan Soles of ner. “The hotel did a great job,” said Mr. Deck.

Golden and Greg Anderson of Invermere.

342-6899

Sunsations Day Spa

Turn right at CIBC Invermere, go up hill 2 blocks, spa on left

Kool Kountry

Singing Christmas cowgirl

Auto Parts Towing & Rads

50% off Westward Tools while quantities last

Seasons Greetings from Ivan, Willy and staff

Grade 3 student Emily Wiebe sings her heart out during the annual Eileen Madson Primary School’s Christmas concert.

Emily is a newcomer to Invermere, having moved here this spring with her father Andrew Wiebe, who is employed at Eagle Ranch Golf Course; and her mother Trina Wiebe, who has published several children’s books.

Emily has two siblings: sister Olivia and brother Simon.

BOE 4"7*/(4 "CPVOE

50% OFF

all

CLOTHING

to be found

Monday, December 27th Friday, December 31st

Two Can Dine For $899

2 - Double Cheeseburgers 2 - Small Fries 2 - Small Soft Drinks

“Bring in your Pano lift pass for 10% OFF” Offer valid only with this coupon. One coupon per person, per visit. Not valid with other coupons or special offers. Coupons must be presented at time of purchase.

Offer expires December 31. 2004. Offer only valid at the DQ Restaurant, 350 Laurier Street, Invermere.

New Year’s Eve Limited Tickets

341-6868 Restaurant ~ Downtown Invermere Main St. Invermere

10 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 24, 2004

CHRISTMAS CALENDAR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24:

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26:

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28:

Christmas Eve Church Services: 2:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Service, top of Summit Ski Lift, Panorama, Lake Windermere Alliance Church.

Sunday Church Services: 10 a.m. Radium Seniors’ Hall, Radium Christian Fellowship 10:15 a.m. Service of carols and readings, Christ Church Trinity.

10:30 a.m. Church Service, Lake Windermere Alliance Church.

Arena: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Public Skating.

4:45-5:45 p.m. 12 and under shinny, must be adult present on ice 7:45-8:45 p.m. 16 and over shinny.

6 p.m. Family Christmas Eve Service, Christ Church Trinity.

6 p.m. Christmas Eve Service, Lake Windermere Alliance Church.

6:30 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Service, Valley Christian Assembly.

8 p.m. Christmas Eve Service, All Saints Church, Edgewater.

8 p.m. Christmas Eve Service, Panorama, Lake Windermere Alliance Church.

Bank and business hours

Post Office: Gymnastics registration: Closed December 25, 27, 28 and Jan2-7 p.m. at IGA Garden Market, Couary 1, 3.

Family cross-country fun day: lumbia Valley Gymnastics Association Noon-3 p.m. Family Fun Day for registration, 342-3023 for info.

Kootenay Savings Credit Union: cross-country skiers at Nipika with Closed December 25, 28.

Olympic Gold Medallist Beckie Scott and Olympian husband Justin Wad- WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29: Bank of Montreal: sworth. Take Highway 93 east to SetClosed December 27, 28. tler’s Road, follow the Nipika Resort Arena: Open December 24 until 3 pm. signs for 14 kilometres and meet at the 3:30-4:30 p.m. Public Skating. “ Kicking Horse Barn� day lodge.

4:45-5:45 p.m. 12 and under shinny, CIBC: must be adult present on ice Closed December 27, 28; January 3.

7:45-8:45 p.m. 16 and over shinny.

Open December 24 9:30-3 p.m.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 27:

Open December 29, 30 9:30-4 p.m.

Movie: Open December 31: 9:30-3 p.m.

10 p.m. St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Arena: 7:30 p.m. The Incredibles, family Windermere.

3:30-4:30 p.m. Public Skating. comedy movie, Toby Theatre.

Valley Alley Bowling Centre: 4:45-5:45 p.m. 12 and under shinny, (bowling, pool, golf simulators) must be adult present on ice.

Open Christmas Eve 11-8 p.m.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25: 7:45-8:45 p.m. 16 and over shinny.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30: Closed Christmas Day. Dec. 27-Jan. 2: Open 11-midnight.

Movie: Christmas Day Church Services: Arena: 10 a.m. Christmas Church Service, 7:30 p.m. The Incredibles, family 3:30-4:30 p.m. Public Skating.

Radium Hot Springs Pools: comedy movie, Toby Theatre.

Valley Christian Assembly.

4:45-5:45 p.m. 12 and under shinny, December 18-24: Noon-10pm must be adult present on ice December 25: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

10:15 a.m. Christmas Church Service, 7:45-8:45 p.m. 16 and over shinny.

December 26-Jan 2: 10-10 p.m Christ Church Trinity.

Movie: Fairmont Hot Springs Pools: 7:30 p.m. The Incredibles, family December 24: 8 a.m.-7p.m. comedy movie, Toby Theatre.

Christmas Day: free swim 10-6 p.m.

January 1: 10-10 p.m.

Soprano concert: 7 p.m. Ainsley Soutiere performs at Christ Church Trinity, sponsored by AND SKATING ON THE LAKE Friday, Dec. 24th Closed Columbia Valley Arts Council, tickets WHENEVER THE ICE IS GOOD! Monday, Dec. 27th 8:30 - 4:30 at Dave’s Book Bar and Stober’s.

The Pioneer

Holiday Hours Tuesday, Dec. 28th Wednesday, Dec. 29th Thurday, Dec. 30th Friday, Dec. 31st

8:30 - 4:30 8:30 - 4:30 8:30 - 4:30 Closed

4FǚҕÎ?͸ T (SȲʚ ̢OHT

White House Pub '<N 2<8I J M< EK<IK8@ED<EK 9P -<; C<O8E;<I &@;E@>?K L==<K Â? K?< ;FFI )?FE<

Windermere District Farmers Institute

Annual General Meeting for election of officers

Tuesday, January 4, 2005

Seasons Greetings

from the Management & Staff of

at 8:00 pm Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce

Invermere Industrial Park

We would like to thank everyone for all the beautiful lowers, cards, phone calls and food trays we received during the loss of our loved one.

Also a very special thanks to Bret Clement and CPR Calgary for their special care.

George and Pat Carr and family

The Upper Columbia Pioneer â&#x20AC;˘ 11

December 24, 2004

Radium Supermart/Petro-Canada

Invermere Barbers

?I@JKD8J I<<K@E>J =IFD (NE<IJ ,K8==

Susan, Debbie, Betty, and Leslie extend their warmest wishes for a

would like to wish their friends and customers a

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

to all their friends & customers.

Merry Christmas and a

Phone 347-9988

Valley Hair Styling

Happy New Year.

Main Street, Invermere

Seasons Greetings from my family to yours.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Wendy McMahon

MLA Columbia River-Revelstoke

Seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Greetings from

Small World Pet Kennel more information: invermere.com and

We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season and best wishes for the coming year.

Bob, Lisa, Dave and Elinor

The Upper Columbia Pioneer

T. S. Construction renovations 342-5034

Christmas Greetings

from the Management and Staff of

From our families to yours we wish you the best this holiday season.

Dr. Richard Kanan & Dr. Don Miller and Staff

Merry Christmas and

Happy New Year from the Management and Staff at

Lake Auto Service

12 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 24, 2004

ARTIST PROFILE

Denise Lemaster paints nature’s gifts

“Mount Aenas and Pedley Pass” is the title of this 10” x 12” oil painting, found at Artym Gallery.

By Michelle Taylor Special to The Pioneer For those of us who live here, this majestic landscape is a routine part of our lives.

But through her oil paintings, local artist Denise Lemaster tries to spark the viewer’s appreciation and bring a new level of awareness of the breathtaking beauty of the valley.

“I hope that when people see my work, it allows them to step back and realize the gift of nature that is given to us,” she says.

What inspires her to begin a painting? “The lighting is what first grabs my attention,” she says. Many of her landscapes have been discovered through hiking in the mountains. As for winter scenes, they are often captured during her cross-country skiing expeditions.

In the world of painting there are many media, each producing its own distinct impression. For example, oil paints, acrylics, pastels and watercolours create different textures, reflections and finishes.

Denise has focussed on sketching and painting landscapes with oil paints. “Each medium is a lifetime endeavour. The more you learn, the more you realize how much you don’t know,” she says.

There are no miniatures here. Although Denise Lemaster does some small canvas work, she enjoys painting big.

“The mountains are big, so I like to paint them big,” she says.

So will you see her climbing up a mountain with a four-by-four-foot canvas strapped to her back, a bucket chock-full of paint and a stack of brushes?

Well, that’s not exactly how it is done. On location

Composition and value are developed during the sketching stage and are the keys to creating a good piece, she says.

Then the colour follows. Denise always starts with the darker colours first. Once they are dry, she adds the lighter colours. The advantage to using oil paints is that they take a long time to dry, which allows the artist more time to work with the colours and play with the piece.

Born and raised in Cranbrook, Denise obtained her Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts and Education from the University of Calgary. She worked as a land planning developer for several years, including the development of Panorama during the eighties.

Denise was also the Director for the Banff Festival of Mountain films from 1989 to 1994.

Once she and husband Dr. John Rose started a family, Denise wanted to be a stay-at-home mother so she stopped working. Around this time she also got serious about her painting. Denise and John now have two teenaged sons.

Aside from her fine arts degree, Denise has taken many workshops through the Federation of Canadian Artists and Leading Edge, working with other talented artists. “It’s a big help. You always come away with something,” she says.

She also taught art classes for children at Pynelogs Cultural Centre this summer. “Teaching helps to reshe takes several photographs and does a detailed sketch of the scene. In the body of the sketch, she inforce what you have already learned.”

Much of her work can be found at the Artym writes down her colour notes.

Gallery on main street Invermere. The next gallery “If I spend the time during the sketching phase, my paintings seem to work out better,” she says. group show will be held December 27.

Paul Glassford

250-341-1395 Rockies West Realty Independently owned and operated 230 Laurier Street DIRECTOR’S PLATINUM Invermere, BC V0A 1K3 AWARD E-mail: paul@rockieswest.com Website: www.PaulGlassford.com

Kitchen M ag

✽

ic

✽

✽

Jodie Ouimet Playground Real Estate Inc.

We use only real wood

250.341.4894 • Toll Free 1.888.282.9378 jouimet@playground.com

Resurfacing Specialists • Custom Cabinets • Counter Tops Free Estimates Custom Crafted by:

Bob Ring

342-3311

™

™ AN INTRAWEST COMPANY

PANORAMA MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

2060 Summit Drive

Panorama Mountain Village Box 31 Panorama . British Columbia Studio in Tamarack Lodge $119,000 One bed w/den Pan. Springs $259,000 Canada . V0A 1T0 Jodie Ouimet 250.341.4894 Greywolf Timber frame home $925,000 DIRECT SALES ASSOCIATE PLAYGROUND REAL ESTATE INC.

jouimet@playground.com

TOLL FREE CELL FAX

1.888.282.9378 250.342.1780 250.342.0538

December 24, 2004

The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 13

FOOD

Rum adds a little spice to dessert

By Dave Sutherland Pioneer Staff Angus McToogle’s chef Brad Bowden began cooking when he was just fifteen years old.

“It picked me,” he says of his profession.

After high school, Brad enrolled in Culinary Management at Humber College in Toronto.

Brad remembers Christmas as being a really big deal when he was growing up in Packenham, Ont. He moved to Invermere in winter 2002 and carries with him fond memories of celebrations past.

Both mother and father came from large families. “ There were thirteen siblings on one side of my family and twelve on the other,” says Brad, 26.

That meant that Christmas dinners at his grandparents’ farmhouse were huge, happy, bustling feasts. Each of the sibling’s families brought a dish for dinner, and everyone pitched in to help.

Brad’s grandmother supervised the whole affair. utes or until thickened and bubbles break on the Often, she would whip up dessert for the gathered surface. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap clan. Here’s one that Brad was willing to share: and refrigerate for one hour or until fully chilled.

This can be made one day in advance. To finish Festive Spiced Rum & Lime Pudding and serve, stir in half the cream, making sure not to 2/3 cup granulated sugar over-mix.

2 tsp cornstarch Fold in remaining cream.

1 tbsp fine grated lime zest Serve in a wine glass, garnish, and enjoy!

1/3 cup lime juice 30 ml dark spiced rum 2 tbsp tequila and triple sec 4 egg yolks 1 cup whipping cream (35%) Rockies West 2 cups strawberries Independently Owned and Operated Mint leaves and lime rind for garnish 5003 Hot Springs Road Fairmont, BC V0B 1L0 In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, whisk Bus: 250-345-0333 Fax: 250-345-6353 the sugar with the cornstarch. Whisk in the lime Cell: 250-342-1671 zest, lime juice, tequila, triple sec, rum and egg E-mail:kim@rockieswest.com Kim Collens www.rockieswest.com Sales Representative yolks. Cook, stirring for approximately four min-

Invermere Christian Supplies Invermere Christian Supplies

www.invermerechristiansupplies.com

1229-7th Ave., Invermere

342-6415

invermere BERNIE RAVEN Sales Specialist

majestic

Box 459 • Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Office: (250) 342-6505 Cell: (250) 342-7415 Fax: (250) 342-9611 E-Mail: bernieraven@telus.net E-Mail: braven@cyberlink.bc.ca MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE Web: www.ReMaxInvermere.com MLS Web: www.BernieRaven.com Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

brew4u

.net

seasons greetings

start your 2005 wines with this

$10 OFF coupon wine tours Limit one per order Expires Jan. 31, 2005

Brad Bowden, chef at Angus McToogle’s, has fond memories of family Christmas celebrations.

906 - 7th avenue invermere, bc toll free: 1-877-342-0059 info@brew4u.net located in yellow ag foods building

Tired of waiting? Then start investing. You’ll be shocked at how easy it is. Whether it’s early retirement, a longoverdue vacation, a new car, a big wedding or anything else you’re saving for, we can get you there... sooner.

invest now

14 â&#x20AC;˘ The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 24, 2004

.FSSZ 9NBT GSPN .BOBHFNFOU 4UBGG

The Pioneer is available in 25 locations

Great Christmas Arrangements

in Calgary and 99 locations in

Touch of Dutch

the valley.

.BJO 4USFFU *OWFSNFSF _

New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Baskets Available

341-3775

BOXING BOXING WEEK WEEK BLOWOUT! BLOWOUT All week untill the 31st

50% OFF storewide Open Boxing Day till 4pm

Stewart Glen

The Silver Connection Located close to Peppiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pizza â&#x20AC;˘ Invermere â&#x20AC;˘ 341-3322

Two Ranch-style Duplexes

â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘

970 sq. ft. up and 970 sq. ft. down vaulted knotty pine ceilings and cupboards mountain views close to IGA and Hospital quiet neighbourhood

Your choice: 2 bedroom/1 bathroom or 2 bathroom/3 bedroom

Starting at

$110,000

For more information or to view call :

250.342.1108 1242 - 5th Street, Invermere

"OUJRVFT

"//6"- #09*/( 8&&, 4"-&

0'' 4UPSF 8JEF 4UBSUT .POEBZ

"UIBMNFS 3E 1IPOF

Quality antique furniture and collectibles from Canada, Europe and Asia.

Tanya, Dayna, Barb, Nicholas, Maria and Linda wish their clients and friends a wonderful holiday season.

Architectural items for home & garden.

Visit us for unusual Christmas Gifts.

New Chinese shipment has arrived!

Includes Buddhas and small boxes - great for Christmas

December 10 - 13 â&#x20AC;˘ 10:00 am - 6:00 pm December 17th - 24th â&#x20AC;˘ 10:00 am - 6:00 pm December 26th - January 6th â&#x20AC;˘ By appointment only th

To Panorama Panorama Drive

Tracks

Invermere Industrial Park (just off the road to Panorama)

Industrial Rd. #1

Train

Email: klein@nucleus.com www.tepapanui.com

N

Ind. Rd. #2

Tel. 342-0707

â&#x2DC;&#x2026;

3rd Avenue, Invermere

" 7FSZ .FSSZ 9NBT BOE B )BQQZ /FX :FBS UP BMM PG PVS 'SJFOET BOE DVTUPNFST

Open

th

Anglz Hair & Tanning Studio Paradise Esthetics Studio

Turnoff to Panorama

To Downtown Invermere

To Hwy. 93/95

Bridge

The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 15

December 24, 2004

Home for the Holidays Coming home for Christmas is a tradition throughout the world.

But in our community, coming home is special because our children must leave home to pursue their education in another city. They are return-

ing to the familiar sights and sounds of the valley, to their old friends, and to all the special places they hold dear. And most of all, they are returning to the families who love them and can’t wait to see them.

We couldn’t possibly in-

clude the dozens and dozens of young people who are making the joyful trip home to the valley over the holidays.

But here are just a few of the many sons and daughters who will sleep in their own beds this Christmas.

Amy Bradford Vernon, BC Parents: Mike and Rosemary Bradford

Mike Twigg College of the Rockies, Cranbrook Parents: Mary and Guy Twigg

Fleur Heck University of Melbourne, Australia Parents: Mike and Pippa Heck

Katherine Baker Lethbridge Community College Parents: Jim and Janice Baker

Cam Baker University of Lethbridge Parents: Jim and Janice Baker

Holly Kohorst University of Calgary Parents: Jerry and Helen Kohorst

Katie Caldwell University of Calgary Parents: Elinor Florence and Heinz Drews

Heather Love University of Victoria Parents: Willa and Kelly Love

Miesha Louie Musician, Calgary Parents: Arthur and Jacqueline Louie

Andra Louie Mount Royal , Calgary Parents: Arthur and Jacqueline Louie

Owen Lebourdais University of Lethbridge Parents: Jim and Jamie Lebourdais

Kristi Denby University College of the Cariboo, Kamloops Parents: Judy and Erron Denby

Neill Gilbride University of Lethbridge Parents: Dorothey and Dave Gilbride

Lin Steedman UBC, Vancouver Parents: Glenda and Jack Steedman

Ashley Goodey College of the Rockies, Cranbrook Parents: Loyal and Colleen Goodey

Savanna Shaw SFU, Vancouver Parents: Kevin and Mary Frances Shaw

Natalie Reisle University College of the Cariboo, Kamloops Parents: Fritz and Karen Reisle

Chelsea Degrazio University of Lethbridge Parents: Beth and Doug Degrazio

Martin Reisle University of British Columbia Parents: Fritz and Karen Reisle

Erin Love University of Victoria Parents: Willa and Kelly Love

Jenn MacDonald Mount Royal, Calgary Parents: Chris and Sandy MacDonald

Stephanie Mitchell College of the Rockies, Cranbrook Parents: Ken and Janice Mitchell

Jenna Semple University of British Columbia Parents: Barb Cote and Al Semple

Kyla Smith University of Victoria Parents: Mike and Judy Smith

Jamie Konchak Actress, Calgary Parents: Robin Britton and Jeff Konchak

Krista Darbyshire University of Lethbridge Parents: Kathy and Eric Darbyshire

16 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 24, 2004

CHRISTMAS

My Very Best Christmas

By Doug Florence (as told to his daughter Elinor Florence) It was Christmas Eve, 1945. The war had ended six months earlier, but I had finally been sent back from India and was billeted at a hotel in Bournemouth on the south coast of England, waiting to go home.

It took a long time to send hundreds of thousands of Canadian men home by ship, and there was quite a waiting list.

But I wasn’t in any hurry. I didn’t have much to go home for, except to work on my father’s farm at Saskatchewan. Since I wasn’t looking forward to arriving in the middle of winter, I just kept my head down and waited for orders.

On that Christmas Eve, I was with my buddy Jack Anderson from Ottawa. We had our presents from home - I had $25 cash and Jack had a bag of oranges. When Jack found out about my money, he asked me to let him borrow some so he could get his watch out of hock. It was a very special watch and he had been worried sick about it. So we went down to the pawn shop and retrieved his watch.

“What we really need is some hard liquor,” I said. Of course the English were still on strict rations and there was nothing but beer to be found anywhere in the country.

“Let’s go to this chemist’s shop I know about,” Jack said. “They might have something.”

So we found the shop and there was a woman behind the counter. We asked her if she had anything to drink, and of course she said no, nothing. I set down the bag of oranges on the counter, and a couple of them “accidentally” spilled out.

“Oranges!” the woman said, and her eyes got big. “My little boy is four years old and he’s never seen an orange.

How much do you want for them?”

“We want something to drink,” I told her, and sure enough, she reached under the counter and pulled out a bottle of gin. So I gave her the oranges and hid the bottle inside my battledress tunic as best as I could, and off we went to a pub.

Whike we were standing in the pub drinking our beer, we started chatting with three Americans. Since it was Christmas we bought them a round. One of them said enviously: “You Canadians are so lucky.”

“Why is that?” I asked.

“They’ve got it all fixed up for you at home,” he replied. “The Canadian government is planning big things for you guys. When you get back you can have a free university degree, business, whatever you want.”

This was the first time we had heard of any benefits waiting for veterans so naturally we were delighted. I was 28 years old by then, and what I really wanted to do was buy my own farm but I hadn’t been able to figure out how.

In spite of my enthusiasm, I remembered to drink my beer with my right elbow flat against my side so they wouldn’t see the bulge of the bottle in my tunic. Then the Americans asked to be excused for a moment.

They went over in a corner with their heads together and we thought: Oh, oh. They’ve seen our bottle and now there’s going to be trouble.

“You take that one, and I’ll take that one,” Jack said to me. “The third one we’ll worry about later.”

But when the Americans came back, they hung their heads and apologized. They had wanted to buy us a round in return, but the three of them had emptied their pockets and altogether they had only 37 pence.

We were so relieved we didn’t have to fight that we told them not to worry, and we bought them some more beer, and in a while I brought out the

bottle and we all had a party.

On Christmas morning, I woke up to hear a wonderful sound - all the church bells in the city ringing at once. I jumped out of bed and ran to the window and stuck my head out to listen.

The hotel where I was billeted was on top of a high hill overlooking the city and the ocean below. The pealing of bells could be heard from every direction, floating through the air from far and wide. It was the most beautiful sound I have ever heard, before or since.

During the war there had been a ban on the ringing of church bells unless the Germans landed. It had been seven years since the church bells had rung in England on Christmas Day and of course, I had never heard them at all.

As I stood there listening to the bells, I thought about the little boy and his mother with their oranges, and Jack with his watch, and the Americans with hangovers, and the new life waiting for me at home, and peace all over the world.

I remember saying to myself: “This is the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”

Douglas Florence came back to Saskatchewan in April 1946 and qualified for farmland under the Veterans Land Act. The Americans later brought in the famous G.I. Bill, which guaranteed benefits for returning veterans, but no country in history has ever treated its war veterans better than Canada.

Doug passed away at the Invermere Hospital on New Year’s Eve 2003 at the age of 86. His wife June and daughter Elinor live in Invermere.

Pellet Stove Fuel $ Hardware

Glow Boy and Kentucky Comfort

19999/ton (50 bags) or $489/bag

50% off all remaining Christmas stock until Dec. 31st Available at

TRUE VALUE HARDWARE “The Biggest Little Hardware Store in the Valley”

Radium Hot Springs, BC • Ph. 347-2196 Fx. 347-2197 • Email: TVH@telus.net

Keep the fire burning

December 24, 2004

The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 17

.&.03*&4 (OME &OR #HRISTMAS

ǰJT QFSTPOBM NFNPSZ XBT XSJUUFO CZ 3PO &EF 4F OJPS XIP QBTTFE BXBZ JO +BOVBSZ $ISJTUNBT XBTO U TIBQJOH VQ UP CF B QBS UJDVMBSMZ NFNPSBCMF POF GPS 3PO *U XPVME IBWF CFFO OJDF UP HFU IPNF UP 8JOEFSNFSF UP TIBSF JU XJUI IJT GPMLT FTQFDJBMMZ TJODF IF IBE OPU TQFOU UIF $ISJTUNBT 4FBTPO XJUI UIFN TJODF #VU SJHIU OPX BU UIF CFHJOOJOH PG %FDFNCFS UIBU TFFNFE UP CF POMZ B EJTUBOU ESFBN 3PO IBE KPJOFE UIF "SNZ JO BOE GPMMPX JOH QPTUJOHT BU 7BODPVWFS 7FSOPO /BOBJNP )BN JMUPO BOE )FMFOB .POUBOB IF IBE WPMVOUFFSFE UP CF B TLJ NPVOUBJOFFSJOH BOE XJOUFS TVSWJWBM JO TUSVDUPS ɨF #SJUJTI "SNZ XBT TFOEJOH UIF UPVHIFTU $PNNBOEP SFHJNFOU UIF -PSE -PWBU 4DPVUT UP $BOBEB GPS USBJOJOH JO QSFQBSBUJPO GPS B QSPQPTFE XJOUFS JOWBTJPO JO (FSNBOZ UISPVHI UIF 4DBOEJOB WJBO DPVOUSJFT 4P FBSMZ JO 0DUPCFS 3PO IBE GPVOE IJNTFMG BMPOH XJUI B IBOEGVM PG PUIFS JOTUSVDUPST mSTU BU UIF +BTQFS 1BSL -PEHF BOE UIFO BU UIF $PMVNCJB *DFmFMET $IBMFU GPS PSJFOUBUJPO FYFSDJTFT QSJPS "GUFS UIFJS BSSJWBM JO FBSMZ /PWFNCFS BOE GPM MPXJOH CBTJD DSPTT DPVOUSZ TLJ JOTUSVDUJPO PO UIF +BTQFS 1BSL (PMG $PVSTF BOE 8IJTUMFS .PVOUBJO 3PO XBT QVU JO DIBSHF PG 4DPVUT BOE QPTUFE UP B UFOU DBNQ BU UIF CBTF PG .U &EJUI $BWFMM %BJMZ TLJ JOTUSVDUJPO UPPL QMBDF BCPWF UIF UJNCFSMJOF PO UIF TMPQFT GBDJOH UIF "OHFM (MBDJFS BOE NPVOUBJO DMJNCJOH UPPL QMBDF XJUI BTTBVMUT PO NPVOUBJOT OFBSCZ /PX BU UIF CFHJOOJOH PG %FDFNCFS 3PO IBE

01&/

%":4 " 8&&, BOE MBUF PO 5IVSTEBZ 'SJEBZ #FIJOE "( 'PPET PO UI "WF JO *OWFSNFSF

4)3*.1 3BX DPVOU QFFMFE EFWFJOFE

MC HN

1I 4QFDJBM JO FGGFDU %FD

CFFO JOGPSNFE UIBU IF BOE IJT DIBSHFT XPVME DPOUJOVF PQFSBUJPOT UISPVHIPVU UIF IPMJEBZ TFBTPO $ISJTUNBT EJO OFS QSPNJTFE UP CF CMFBL B NFBM PG QFNNJDBO IBSE CJTDVJUT BOE UFB DPOTVNFE BSPVOE B CPO mSF PVUTJEF UIF UFOU BOE MBUFS UIF NFBHSF XBSNUI PG B TMFFQJOH CBH JO B TVC [FSP UFNQFSBUVSF )PXFWFS OFBS UIF NJEEMF PG %FDFNCFS UIF VQQFS FDIFMPO EFDJEFE UIBU USBJOJOH IBE QSP HSFTTFE GVSUIFS UIBO BO UJDJQBUFE BOE BMM JOTUSVDUPST XPVME CF HJWFO B XFFL T MFBWF XIJMF UIF -PWBU 4DPVUT XPVME CF USFBUFE UP $ISJTUNBT GBSF BU UIF +BTQFS 1BSL -PEHF ɨJT OFXT QVU B NPSF DIFFSGVM MJHIU PO UIF TJUVB UJPO CVU CFDBVTF PG UIF SFNPUFOFTT PG UIF DBNQ MPDB UJPO UIFSF XBT JOTVċDJFOU UJNF GPS 3PO UP JOGPSN IJT QBSFOUT UIBU IF NJHIU CF IPNF "OE IPX UP HFU IPNF XBT UIF RVFTUJPO )F DPVME UBLF UIF $ / 3 QBTTFOHFS USBJO BT GBS BT ,BN MPPQT XIFSF IF XPVME IBWF UP USBOTGFS UP UIF $ 1 3 UP HFU UP (PMEFO #VU IF IBE CFFO JOGPSNFE UIBU UIF UXP SBJMXBZ TUBUJPOT XFSF BU PQQPTJUF TJEFT PG UIF DJUZ ɨFSF XBT UIF QSPCMFN PG HFUUJOH GSPN POF UP UIF PUIFS BOE UIF TDIFEVMFT PG UIF UXP MJOFT EJEO U BMXBZT KJCF XJUI BO BEEJUJPOBM QPTTJCJMJUZ PG BO FY UFOEFE MBZPWFS ɨFO IJT CFTU GSJFOE BOE GFMMPX JOTUSVDUPS #JH .BD TBJE IF XBT HPJOH IPNF UP $BONPSF BOE i8IZ EJEO U XF USBWFM UIBU GBS UPHFUIFS 8F DPVME DBUDI B USBJO UP &ENPOUPO USBOTGFS UP BOPUIFS UP $BMHBSZ BOE UIFO UBLF UIF $ 1 3 PO UIF NBJOMJOF GSPN $BMHBSZ UP 7BODPVWFS w .BD XPVME HFU PĊ BU $BONPSF BOE 3PO XPVME DPOUJOVF PO UP (PMEFO XIFSF IF DPVME TPMWF USBOTQPSUBUJPO GPS UIF mOBM NJMFT TPVUI UP 8JOEFSNFSF XIFO IF BSSJWFE *U XBT B QMFBTBOU BOE DPNQBOJPOBCMF USJQ BT GBS BT $BONPSF BOE UIF DPNGPSU DPOUJOVFE PO UIF $13 %BZMJOFS BT GBS BT (PMEFO #VU XIFO IF BSSJWFE JO (PMEFO IF XBT DPO GSPOUFE XJUI NVDI HSFBUFS USBOTQPSUBUJPO QSPCMFNT GPS UIF mOBM MFH UIBO IF IBE BOUJDJQBUFE ɨF (PME FO $SBOCSPPL TUBHF B NJOJCVT NBEF UIF USJQ POMZ UISFF UJNFT XFFLMZ BOE BQQBSFOUMZ JU IBE KVTU MFGU

ɨF $13 ,PPUFOBZ $FOUSBM QBTTFOHFS USBJO NBEF UIF USJQ UXJDF XFFLMZ BOE JUT OFYU USJQ XBT UXP EBZT BXBZ ɨFSF XFSF WFSZ GFX QSJWBUF WFIJDMFT PQFSBUJOH EVSJOH UIF XBS ZFBST TP IJUDI IJLJOH XBT B IJU BOE NJTT QSPQPTJUJPO NPTUMZ iNJTTw EVSJOH UIF XJOUFS NPOUIT *U XBT WFSZ DPME CVU EVSJOH USBJOJOH 3PO IBE CFDPNF BDDMJNBUJ[FE UP UIBU TP OPUIJOH EBVOUFE IJN )F TFU PVU UP XBML UIF MPOH EJTUBODF UP 8JO EFSNFSF )F XBMLFE WFSZ NVDI BMPOF XJUI IJT UIPVHIUT PG $ISJTUNBT BU IPNF GPS B OVNCFS PG NJMFT BOE B OVNCFS PG IPVST 'JOBMMZ B DBS DBNF BMPOH BOE TUPQQFE BOE IF KVNQFE JO GPS B SJEF BT GBS BT UIF DSPTTSPBET BCPVU GPVS NJMFT TIPSU PG IJT EFTUJOBUJPO #Z UIF UJNF IF XBT MFU PVU BU UIF DSPTTSPBET UIF TIPSU XJOUFS EBZT IBE MPOH TJODF UVSOFE UP OJHIU UIF BJS XBT DPMEFS CVU 3PO XBT PO GBNJMJBS SPBET BOE IJT TQJSJU XBT IJHI .BOZ UJNFT IF IBE XBMLFE CJLFE SJEEFO IJT IPSTF PS ESJWFO UIJT TUSFUDI PG SPBE QSJPS UP IJT FOMJTUNFOU BOE IF LOFX UIBU OPX BU MBTU IF XPVME TPPO CF IPNF ɨF NJMFT XFSF MPOH CVU XFOU CZ RVJDLMZ )PX FWFS UJNF ESBHHFE BT 3PO FBHFSMZ BOUJDJQBUFE UIF XFMDPNF IF XPVME SFDFJWF BOE UIF TVNQUVPVT GFBTU UIBU XBT USBEJUJPOBM PO $ISJTUNBT %BZ #Z HPTI UIJT XBT $ISJTUNBT &WF 4BOUB $MBVT T OJHIU UP WJTJU XPVMEO U UIF GPMLT CF TVSQSJTFE XIFO IF TIPXFE VQ BU UIF EPPS 'JOBMMZ UIF MBNQ MJHIUT PG UIF GBSN IPVTF UXJO LMFE JO UIF EJTUBODF BOE 3PO LOFX UIBU POF NPSF NJMF XPVME QVU IJN PO UIF EPPSTUFQ BU MBTU "OE UIFO UIBU MBTU NJMF TMJQQFE BXBZ VOEFS IJT GPPUTUFQT BOE IF XBT BU UIF EPPS )F LOPDLFE BOE IF IFBSE IJT .PN TBZ i&SO UIFSF T TPNFPOF BU UIF EPPS w "OE UIFO TIF DBVUJPVTMZ PQFOFE UIF EPPS BOE 3PO TBJE i$PVME ZPV TQBSF B CJUF UP FBU GPS B IVO HSZ DPME BOE UJSFE USBWFMMFS w "OE IJT .PN XIP OFWFS UVSOFE BXBZ B IVOHSZ QFSTPO TBJE i4VSF $PNF PO JO XF MM mOE ZPV TPNFUIJOH w "OE UIFO BT IFS FZFT CFDBNF BEKVTUFE UP UIF DIBOHF JO UIF MJHIU SFDPHOJUJPO nPPEFE IFS GBDF BOE TIF IBMG TUBHHFSFE CBDL BOE FYDMBJNFE i*U T 3PO &SO JU T 3PO w 'PS B CSJFG TFDPOE UJNF TFFNFE UP TUBOE TUJMM BOE UIFO IF XBT CFJOH IVHHFE BOE LJTTFE FWFSZPOF XBT UBMLJOH BU PODF BOE UIFSF XBT B XBSNUI PG UIF PME XPPE TUPWF BOE UIF TNFMM PG GSFTI IPNF CBLJOH IF IBE NBEF JU IPNF GPS $ISJTUNBT BOE BU UIBU NPNFOU BU MFBTU BMM XBT SJHIU XJUI UIF XPSME

Free Estimates • Reasonable Rates • Satisfaction Guaranteed

'BJSNPOU 7JMMBHF (JGU 4IPQ SALE

Your Private Connection We specialize in: • Carpet & Window Cleaning • Janitorial Services • Car Upholstery Cleaning

DARRYL STETTLER Business Administrator

Phone 250-342-7622 Fax 250-342-0488

50% Off all Christmas Tree Ornaments 40% Off all 2005 Calendars 20 - 50% Off all toys and clothes

Fairmont Village Mall Fairmont, BC

345-6133

18 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 24, 2004

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

Old and young hearts meet who talked readily to all. Watching them interact was something that affected everyone in the room.

On Christmas Day lunch, Patrick caused quite a stir by setting fire to our beautifully-decorated table by throwing paper streamers over a lit candle in the centrepiece! He didn’t realize the danger and clapped his hands with joy. Our waiter did a fantastic job of whipping the linen tablecloth around the flames like a conjuror, much to applause of everyone in the room, and little harm was done. The delicious meal of roast duck and flaming Christmas pudding went on without further incident.

After lunch, with his presents momentarily forgotten, Patrick sought out Mr. Jenkins who was again the lounge. The weather outside was very blustery and a sprinkling of snow made it chilly. I was reluctant to take him out for a bracing walk along one of the beaches.

Mr. Jenkins asked Patrick what he would like him to make, and Patrick promptly said: “A monster.” The old gentleman spent ages making the thing. It measured at least twenty feet long. Patrick was thrilled.

“Tomorrow, if it’s all right with your mother, we’ll launch this fellow from St. Catherine’s beach,” Mr. Jenkins said, giving Patrick the splendid, multicoloured creature.

“It’s beautiful,” Patrick gasped. His eyes were Editor’s Note: Margaret O’Sullivan of Invermere wrote this personal memory about a long-ago Christmas she like stars.

Mr. Jenkins smiled. “What shall we call him?” spent with her little son Patrick. Patrick O’Sullivan is he asked. now a dentist in Invermere, married to wife Lisa, with two little sons of his own - Liam and Thomas.

By Margaret O’Sullivan Invermere Affinity between the elderly and the young is a precious sight to behold. It speaks of crossing time and age barriers, where preconceived judgements do not interfere with open communication, and where 100-per-cent attention is given without distractions, something that relatives cannot always give.

This was brought home to me one Christmas that stands out in memory.

My son and I were spending Christmas at the lovely 200-year-old Royal Gate Hotel on a cliff in Tenby, in southwest Wales, overlooking the Bristol Channel. He was just three years old.

The owners of the hotel were experts in putting on Christmas celebrations and it was like walking into a picture Christmas card. We were overwhelmed by the warmth, aroma and colour of the ambience as we checked in on Christmas Eve. The hotel was full of elderly people and there were no other children present. Needless to say, Patrick became the focus of their attention - particularly one, frail-looking gnetleman who was by himself.

Mr. Jenkins did not woo Patrick over to his chair in the lounge, like the others did with candies, but sat quietly making animals out of balloons.

Like a magician. It wasn’t long before Patrick went over to stand close to him to watch. I could see that both were enchanged with each other’s company.

Patrick was a beautiful child with huge brown eyes and black, straight hair. He was a sociable little chap

he asked. “To launch the monster?”

“Oh, yes, Mum.” Patrick had not let the Bobby Dazzler out of his sight. It had become his best Christmas present.

“Just Mr. Jenkins and me, Mum,” Patrick said importantly as I bundled him up in coat, boots, scarf and mittens.

I had thought to go with them. Wanting to help if necessary. Wanting to share in the fun. But my overriding concern was that old Mr. Jenkins might slip and fall, or have a heart attack, and that he wouldn’t be able to watch out for my precious child.

“Yes, of course,” I answered warily, and was rewarded with two huge grins. I watched them leave the hotel, holding hands, Mr. Jenkins hanging onto the Bobby Dazzler.

Of course, I had no intention of letting these two go off down the slippery streets to the quay by themselves. I grabbed my coat and hat and set off after them, keeping them in view, but hanging back so they wouldn’t notice me.

I felt like a detective stalking two suspects, but knew both would be disappointed if I joined them.

This was their time. An old man and a little boy sharing an exciting adventure.

The tide was just on the turn as they made their way down to St. Catherine’s Beach. It was deserted and I had trouble keeping myself hidden. I didn’t have to worry, for both Patrick and Mr. Jenkins were absorbed in trying to launch the Bobby Dazzler into the sea. It kept being blown back towards them and in the end, Mr. Jenkins waded out a bit, heedless of the cold water, to push it out into the waves. By this time I was praying that the sea would catch it.

It did, and Mr. Jenkins went back to Patrick who was jumping with joy. Holding hands, they stood watching the Bobby Dazzler bob up and down on the waves like a colourful Loch Ness monster.

Out of nowhere, four older boys appeared. They picked up pebbles from the beach and started pelting the Bobby Dazzler.

Mr. Jenkins shouted at them but they took no notice. I was furious and ran towards them, telling them not to be so mean.

They ran away laughing, but not before the Bobby Dazzler had disappeared beneath the waves.

I walked slowly up to Mr. Jenkins and Patrick, who had turned away from the tragedy. Both were downcast.

“Naughty boys,” said Patrick, running up to me.

They killed the Bobby Dazzler.”

“Never mind,” said Mr. Jenkins. “He had his day.”

“Can you make another?” Patrick asked. “Come Patrick O’Sullivan on, Mr. Jenkins.”

Patrick pulled the old man’s hand, urging him Patrick thought for a little while and then re- forward. plied: “The Bobby Dazzler.”

I walked back to the hotel with them.

“Aye, he’s a Bobby Dazzler, for sure,” Mr. Jen“Thank you for sharing your little boy with me,” kins said seriously, and then left the room. He never Mr. Jenkins said, as we reached the door. “I never seemed to want to chat to us adults, and kept him- had grandchildren of my own. This little fellow has self aloof, I thought. made my Christmas.”

On Boxing Day, after breakfast, Mr. Jenkins We never saw him again, or found out what sought us out. He was dressed for outside. happened to him.

“Can I take the little fellow down to the beach?”

But neither of us has ever forgotten him.

The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 19

December 24, 2004

SKATING LAKE WINDERMERE

History

HOCKEY Invermere vs. Athalmer, circa 1920

Now and then

By Bob Ede

People

have been enjoying skating Lake Windermere’s frozen waters for about 100 years. As early as mid-November, the cold winter freezes the surface and if the weather is right and there is little snow, a shiny mirror of glass affords the ultimate in skating that no indoor or man-made ice can compare with.

Rinks have been cleared for decades with the best hockey players of the valley facing off for spirited games. It seems that natural ice breeds naturally-gifted hockey players. It could be said that the open air, and long passes while dodging snow drifts, teach creativity. Talented valley hockey players, past and present, such as Dominic Nicholas, Jigger Johnson, Sheldon Atwell, Pete Nicholas, Shane McKay, Rory and Troy Hromadnik and the Strands all first learned and

played on natural ice.

During the early 1900’s until today, the lake ice provided travel, now for recreation, but in the past for necessity. Checking fishing lines, or cutting ice to be shipped for root cellar storage, was faster and easier on a pair of blades. The trip to Invermere and back to Windermere could be made more quickly on skates than in a car.

There is something almost mystical about skating on the lake, a long shadow dogging your every move as the sun disappears behind Mount Nelson, or at night under the moon while the cold air hardens the lake, and you listen to the ice groan like whale music.

The old-timers knew it, and young or old, anybody who laces them up and glides over Lake Windermere’s surface is sure to fall under the spell of natural ice.

FATHER AND SON Wes and Damon Raven, December 2004.

Travel Harry Richardson skating the road to Lake Windermere.

Blades faster than a car.

WIND

makes your cheeks rosy.

20 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 24, 2004

SPORTS

The

Old Zone

The Christmas Game!

Shoot the puck, shoot the puck, Shoot the puck on net With a forward in the crease Goals are Christmas gifts indeed.

(to be sung to the tune of Jingle Bells) Striding up the ice With one hand on my stick O’re the line I go Huffing all the way . . .

The guys are on my back Making panic rise For a goalie playing out Is terror on the ice.

Shoot the puck, shoot the puck, Shoot the puck on net With a forward in the crease Goals are Christmas gifts indeed.

Once a year we play A game that’s for pure fun The refs make sure that Each game ends all square So that no one says “I lost my game tonight.”

It’s all in the grip!

Once the game is done All teams join for fun To share a tale or two And eat and drink all night The greatest fear we have Is standing on the scale When we come back to play For every pound we gain Will cost us cash and shame.

By Wil Comrie, Technical Director Panorama School of Skiing

Oh, that feeling of uncertainty when you push off and begin your descent. For most of the skiers I see on my travels, gripping the snow and holding themselves on the side of the mountain seems almost impossible.

Well, let’s see if we can fix that. If you Shoot the puck, shoot the puck can grip on the snow this will not only Shoot the puck on net give you greater confidence but will let With a forward in the crease Goals are Christmas gifts indeed. you have the ability to tackle different terrain and different turn shapes.

First things first. GET YOUR ( OK, I agree, I am not a song writer! ) SKIS TUNED!!! You will notice a Best wishes for a Merry Christmas difference right away.

Next, you should be starting with and Happy New Year, and “to all a that steering effort that I referred to good night.” last week. As the body travels down

the hill we use the feet to guide and control the rate of descent. Now what most people do is try to press and jam on the ski through the fall line and through the completion of the turn. This will only result in the skis breaking away and skidding. We can use the analogy of a car that doesn’t have anti-lock brakes. If you were to slam or press on the brakes very fast in icy conditions the car would just slide without any control. However, as you turn your feet into the fall line, try to be patient and feel balanced over that solid platform we’ve been working on.

As you do this you should start to feel pressure build under your feet. Relax and again balance against it. The skis will then start to grip and turn, resulting in a beautiful steered turn. The key is not to press but balance on the arc of the turn. Start with some slower turns to develop these feelings, then pick up the speed to feel more grip.

Send any questions or comments to upioneer@telus. net.

Here to Serve You RockyTop Maintenance & Management (division of Wallnuts-R-us Inc.)

Call today: (250) 342-0211 or (250) 342-0244 Emergency service available: (250) 270-0169 or (250) 688-2737 email: wallnuts@telus.net

We are here to serve you - the community.

We have certified electricians, plumbers, gas fitters and top notch finishers.

We are exclusively available to local and Valley residents for all phases of reno construction from foundation to finish.

We do it right . . . now!

INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD. BOX 2228 BOX 459 742 - 13th STREET 7553 MAIN STREET INVERMERE, BC. RADIUM HOT SPRINGS, BC V0A 1K0 V0A 1M0 PHONE: 342-3031 PHONE: 347-9350 FAX: 342-6945 FAX: 347-6350 Email: info@invermereinsurance.com • Toll Free: 1-866-342-3031

A-1 Towing

Specializing in: Long distance hauls • Boosting • Lake Recovery • Repo Recovery • 4x4 Recovery • • All Insurance Companies • 24 The only 4x4 and flatdeck in town. Hours

Ph: 347-6326 • Fax: 342-5838

Organic Chocolates

INVERMERE GLASS LTD. Auto ✦ Home ✦ Commercial Mirrors ✦ Shower Doors ✦ Window Repairs

from

Jeff Watson

#3, 109 Industrial Road #2, Invermere

Telephone: 342-3659 Fax: 342-3620

K-5 Mechanical December Special

342-8899

Cocoa West Chocolatier 926 - 7th Ave., Invermere

Invermere Dry Cleaners Ltd.

Oil Change $39.99 Floor Covering & Cabinets Blinds & Paints 335 - 3rd Ave., Invermere, BC Telephone 342-6264 • Fax 342-3546 Email: warwick@rockies.net www.warwick-interiors.com

with 5 L 5w30 or 10w30 and common filters includes 16 point check-over & free battery test

Wheel Alignment • Custom Exhaust Automotive Repair • Vehicle Inspection

Dry Cleaning • Laundry • Alterations Repair • Bachelor Service

Seasons Greetings from Fred, Dave, Richard and Wendy Invermere Industrial Park 342-9316

Phone: 342-6610 • 507A - 7th Ave., Invermere

The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 21

December 24, 2004

New deadline times

CLASSIFIEDS SELL!

Display Ads

Phone: 341-6299 Fax: 341-6229 Email: upioneer@telus.net

Classified Ads

RESTAURANT FOR LEASE

Tuesday 10:00 am Tuesdays 4:00 pm

The Upper Columbia Pioneer Phone: 341-6299 • Fax: 341-6229 Email: upioneer@telus.net

The Best Western Invermere Inn is looking for a qualified operator to lease the Food Service component of our operation.

Greenery Restaurant • Copper City Food Service Room Service • Catering • Pizza Take Out Contact Todd Mitchell 341-1127 or 342-9246

Classifieds Phone: 341-6299 Fax: 341-6229 Email: upioneer@telus.net Classified Deadline: Tuesdays 4:00 pm

All classified ads must be prepaid by cash or cheque unless client has an existing account.

Rates: First Week: $ 6.50 for 15 words (15¢ for each additional word) Additional Weeks: $ 4.50 for 15 words (15¢ for each additional word) All prices subject to GST.

Please read your ad over carefully the first day it comes out to ensure the information is correct.

If you should find an error in your ad please let us know immediately by calling 341-6299. The Upper Columbia Pioneer is not responsible for errors appearing beyond the first insertion. The newspapers’ responsibility, if any, for errors of any kind is limited to the amount paid for that advertisement. We reserve the right to censor, reclassify, revise, edit or reject any advertisement not meeting our advertising standards.

PUBLIC SERVICES 24-HOUR WOMEN’S SAFE HOME. 1-800-200-3003 or call the Family Resource Centre, 3424242, Mon-Thu. NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS. Meet Thursdays 7:30-9 p.m. Invermere Health Unit, 1100-10th Street, staff entrance.

IN MEMORIAM DONATIONS to B.C. and Yukon Heart and Stroke Foundation: drop off at The Pioneer, No. 8, 1008-8th Avenue, Invermere or mail to Box 868, Invermere. Call Pat Lien, 342-3078.

IN MEMORIAM DONATIONS to Alzheimer Society of B.C.: mail to East Kootenay Alzheimer Society, Box 1094, Fernie, V0B 1M0.

For info call 1-800-667-3742 or Melissa Agnew, 342-6591.

VEHICLES FOR SALE 1998 Chev Cavalier Z24, black, 124,000 km, new tires, loaded with sunroof. In need of a great new owner, $7500 OBO, 3428933.

1994 Ford Aerostar, AWD, good condition, $2500 O.B.O., 3476966.

GARAGE SALE Newhouse Self-Storage Unit Number 9, Thursday, December 30. Furniture, double bed, bunk bed, curtains, bedding, vacuums, mirrors, car/ski racks, books, lighting and much more perfect for home or ski chalet.

SUITES FOR RENT INVERMERE - This beautiful one bedroom suite is located one block from downtown Invermere and two blocks from Kinsmen Beach. It has 9’ ceilings and brand-new appliances including in-suite washer/dryer. The suite has dedicated parking and a private entrance off a large, southfacing private patio. N/S, N/P. The size of the suite is suitable for one person. $585/month. Available January 1st. Contact Kristi or Eric at 342-8676.

HOUSE FOR RENT Downtown Invermere, 3 bedrooms, long-term, $850/month plus utilities, available Jan. 1. Call (403) 547-2955 or 342-0688, leave message.

HELP WANTED

TOURIST ACCOMMODATION

Journeyman electrician preferably with experience in service work and/or 3rd or 4th year apprentice.

Call 342-9918 or 342-3838 evenings.

Beautifully furnished 2-bedroom vacation apartment, sleeps four.

Daily and weekly rates. Visit www. redcottage.ca or call 342-2243.

Ktunaxa Kinbasket Treaty Council (KKTC)

Research/Policy Analyst - Land and Resources The Ktunaxa Kinbasket Treaty Council (KKTC) is seeking an experienced person with demonstrated creativity, initiative and experience to join a dedicated team at a growing First Nations organization. Based in Cranbrook, British Columbia you will report to the Manager, Lands and Resources and be responsible for providing analytical and research support the Ktunaxa Lands and Resources Agency (KLRA). More specifically, you will: • Remain up-to-date in current regional, provincial and national initiatives and legislation that relate to the mandate and mission of the Ktunaxa Lands and Resources Agency and the Ktunaxa Nation; • Assist the Manager, Lands and Resources in supporting the information and analysis needs of the Ktunaxa Lands and Resources Council; • Coordinate and supervise all research and planning initiatives of the KLRA (i.e. Land Use Planning, Traditional Use Studies); • Summarize, synthesize and popularize incoming submissions and technical documents to support the operations of the KLRA and the Ktunaxa Lands and Resources Council; • Draft discussion pieces, position papers and reports as directed by the Manager, Lands and Resources; • Assist other KLRA staff and consultants in the development of the lands and resources policies and systems for the Ktunaxa Nation; • Participate in treaty negotiations and community meetings related to lands and resources issues; • Participate in planning processes and meetings with government agencies, private stakeholders and developers, and other organizations as deemed necessary by the Manager, Lands and Resources.

Qualifications • A graduate degree, preferably in environmental studies, environmental policy or a related field, or equivalent in training with at least five years’ experience.

• Demonstrated experience in land and resource management; • Demonstrated ability to research and analyze technical information and prepare a variety of reports; • Excellent research and analytical skills with an ability to synthesize and prepare a variety of reports; • Excellent computer skills including word processing, internet research and e-mail correspondence; • Excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize workloads; • Basic knowledge of land and resources laws and current federal and provincial legislation as applied to natural and cultural resource protection and management; • Basic knowledge of resource management and land use planning processes in the province of BC; • Knowledge of Ktunaxa and Kinbasket cultures, traditions and values is an asset; • Ability to interact effectively with Ktunaxa citizens, government agencies, private developers, general public and organizations; • Willingness to upgrade skills and openness to new learning opportunities; and, • Valid drivers license and reliable vehicle for fieldwork and travel.

This is a full-time term position with the strong potential to become a permanent fulltime position. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The KKTC also offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates of Ktunaxa/Kinbasket ancestry.

Deadline for Applications: January 7, 2005 Please forward your resume including your cover letter to: Dan Paradis Manager, Lands and Resources Ktunaxa Kinbasket Treaty Council 201 14th Avenue N Cranbrook, British Columbia Fax: 250-489-2438 dparadis@kktc.bc.ca

For More Information: Dan Paradis Phone: (250) 417-4022 Ext. 230 dparadis@kktc.bc.ca We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

22 â&#x20AC;˘ The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 24, 2004

Story ideas, recipes, cheers and jeers.

Give The Pioneer a call at 341-6299, fax us at 341-6229 or email at upioneer@telus.net

Joy to the World

By Lisa M. Rohrick

8F XPVME MJLF UP UIBOL PVS DVTUPNFST GPS ZPVS QBUSPOBHF JO XJTI ZPV BMM HPPE IFBMUI QSPTQFSJUZ JO $PNF BOE TFF VT GPS PVS #PYJOH 8FFL 4BMF %FDFNCFS TU $SBGUTNBO )1 4OPXCMPXFS $SBGUTNBO - 8FU %SZ 7BD 4QFFE 1PXFS 4UFFSJOH :3 8BSSBOUZ 1FBL )1

3FH /P NPOFZ EPXO UJM +BOVBSZ 0"$

Glacier Heating & Fireplaces Installation â&#x20AC;˘ Sales â&#x20AC;˘ Service â&#x20AC;˘ New Homes Renovations â&#x20AC;˘ Residential â&#x20AC;˘ Commercial Trent Mailo

Phone 250.688.0021 Fax 250.345.6348 glacierheating@shaw.ca

20% Off Christmas Sale

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ski Season!

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Ski Area Nancy Greene

â&#x20AC;˘ 10 week skill development program â&#x20AC;˘ Runs 10 consecutive Saturdays â&#x20AC;˘ 5 hours coaching each day, starting at 10:30 am

Children 4 to 8 years First session starts January 9th, 2004

Starts January 8, 2005 Children 6 to 12 years

Pre-register by January 5th

Includes seasons pass

plus GST for a 5 week session

Only $299 plus GST

Snow Birds

â&#x20AC;˘ 5 week learn-to-ski program â&#x20AC;˘ Sessions are Sundays from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Only $80

Board Wild

â&#x20AC;˘ 5 week learn-to-board program â&#x20AC;˘ Sessions are Sundays from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm Children 7 to 14 years First session starts January 9th, 2004 Pre-register by January 5th

Only $80 plus GST for a 5 week session (Rental equipment and lift tickets available at a discount)

Call the Ski School at 250-345-6037

I will be celebrating my fifth Christmas in Africa. Sometimes itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to be away from home for the holidays, but I hope I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t soon forget what I learned a few years ago.

It was Christmas Day. More correctly, it was very early in the morning of December 26. My second Christmas in Africa was by then only a memory. I sat in my living room with all the lights out, except those of my little Christmas tree making a bold attempt at flickering Christmas cheer into my lonely heart.

I was lost in thought, recalling past Christmases in the snow of the Windermere Valley. Days spent skiing, coming home to Momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homemade bread, shortbread cookies and a cup of hot chocolate. Afternoons skating on the frozen lake. Or making a snowman, complete with a carrot noseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;just like Frosty himself.

Or taking long walks through the woods, pausing to flop in a mound of snow, changing it into a snow angel under my thick winter jacket. Or cutting down our Christmas tree in the forest outside our door. Or visiting with friends over cups of hot apple cider in front of a crackling fire. Or participating in the Christmas Eve service at Panorama Resort.

My mind continued to leap from memory to memory as I let the tears fall.

Singing carols around the Christmas tree. Playing games well past my bedtime.

Building a jigsaw puzzle.

Christmas that year had none of those things for me. I sat gazing at my tree wearing shorts and a T-shirt, sitting in front of a fan. At home I had the same habit, spending a few moments alone at the end of Christmas Day. But there it was in front of the fire, dressed in fuzzy slippers, flannel pajamas and a fleece housecoat. Somehow Christmas in the summer just doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem right.

My parents had called that morning to wish me Merry Christmas. I could hear Momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s voice crack as we said good-bye. An E-mail from my brother told of my then two-year-old nephew looking at my picture and asking: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Auntie Lisa will be here next time?â&#x20AC;?

Normally Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a pretty cheerful person, an optimist who sees the bright side of things. But that night, I simply couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pretend that everything was okay. I knew it probably would be in the morningâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;but then, it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t.

I turned on my CD player, and enjoyed the soothing sounds of favourite Christmas melodies. One of them interrupted my reverie, as the words pounded their way into my heart: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Joy to the world, the Lord is come.â&#x20AC;?

I suddenly felt convicted.

The song does not say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Joy to the world, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Christmas party every night this week.â&#x20AC;?

It does not say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Joy to the world, the turkey is in the oven and the freezer is full of cookies.â&#x20AC;?

It does not say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Joy to the world, the gifts are under the tree.â&#x20AC;?

It does not say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Joy to the world, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lots of snow on the ski hill.â&#x20AC;?

It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Joy to the world, the family is home.â&#x20AC;?

No, it says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Joy to the world, the Lord is come.â&#x20AC;?

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not that the traditions of Christmas in and of themselves are wrong, but nor can they be the source of my joy. My focus that day was wrong. It had been on me, and on all the traditions that I was missing.

The angel said to a group of shepherds that first Christmas night: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lordâ&#x20AC;? (Luke 2:10-11).

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the reason we celebrate. The Lord is come. That little baby, who grew into a man, became my Saviour. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not about pretty wrapping paper and delicious meals. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about the greatest gift ever given, who wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wrapped very nicely that first Christmas night - swaddling clothes with no ribbons or bows.

Jesus came for all people, including those of Niger, West Africa. And that is why Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m here. Yes, it still hurts to spend Christmas so far away from the people I love most dearly. But the â&#x20AC;&#x153;good news of great joyâ&#x20AC;? brought joy to my hurting heart. The Prince of peace dried my tears. That night I turned out the Christmas lights for another year. And I slept soundly. I was okay again.

This Christmas, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t settle for good meals and fancy presents. Seek real joy! The Lord is come!

December 24, 2004

The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 23

FAITH

Valley Churches

The nativity myth

By Michael Rice, Minister Windermere Valley Anglican-United Shared Ministry The Christmas story about the birth of Jesus is a myth. To be more accurate, the popular story as represented in Christmas pageants is a myth. Before I continue, let me explain that I use the term “myth” in its classical scholastic sense. In our popular culture we tend to use the word “myth” to describe a story that’s fictional, but presented as factual. However, in classical studies, a myth is a story intended to illustrate a perceived truth, not necessarily historical fact.

Based on the Bible accounts of events around the birth of Jesus, it is impossible to say with historical accuracy the exact sequence or timing of events. The written accounts have few details in common. For example, in Matthew’s Gospel, Joseph and Mary live in Bethlehem, have the baby and flee to Egypt after the warning from the Wisemen, returning a few years later to live in Nazareth.

But Luke has the couple living in Nazareth, traveling to Bethlehem during a census and returning to Nazareth.

Thus we have two different accounts that allow for the baby to be born in Bethlehem but to grow up in Nazareth, something that had to happen to meet prophecies from Hebrew Scripture about the coming Messiah.

The Church, over the last twenty centuries, has built up a mythical account, incorporating the various aspects of both stories, adding details along the way, to arrive at the Nativity story as we know it today. The advantage of acknowledging the story as myth means you can quit worrying about the disputed facts.

Was Jesus born in Bethlehem or Nazareth? Was it in a wooden stable behind a full Inn or in a cave in a hillside? Who were the Wisemen, when did they visit Jesus and where were they from?

What portions are historically factual, and what portions did Matthew and Luke add to show the birth as fulfilling Old Testament prophecy?

It’s fine for scholars to explore these questions, but they can become red herrings, obscuring the purpose and the underlying truth the story is intended to purvey.

The underlying truth of the Christmas story is that with the birth of the baby Jesus, God became incarnate, present, in the world, in a new and glorious way.

He was born to young parents that were in a difficult situation, legally betrothed, but she pregnant and not by her future husband.

Their love and trust in God, their love and trust in each other, their love for the new life being created, made them fitting par-

Lake Windermere Alliance Church

ents for the child being born.

Over the past 2000 years church theologians have debated whether Jesus became one with God at conception, at birth, at baptism or at death. Again the debate obscures the underlying truth.

I was present at the birth of my three daughters. There is no question in my mind that every birth is a miracle, that God is present at every birth, that with every birth God is present in the world in a new way. Is this to say we are all like Jesus, no, but then again yes, for we are all loved children of God. When we allow ourselves to embrace the story, we allow ourselves to embrace the underlying truth of the story. That God so loved the world, God entered the world in a new way, that the world might experience God’s love more fully. When we allow ourselves to remember and experience that truth, that love, we find the essence of Christmas. That in turn allows us to better set aside the distractions our consumer culture has loaded onto Christmas, so we can more fully share that love with those around us.

No matter what’s in the gifts we open Christmas Day, the only important one, the only enduring one, is the love we share. My mother died 12 years. Of the 36 Christmasses we shared it’s hard to recollect one gift I opened from her, but it’s easy to remember the outpouring of love that prompted the gifts.

May you, and those you love, have a loving Christmas and a happy New Year, and may God Bless Us, every one.

Friday, December 24th 2:30 pm Highest Christmas Eve service in Canada at the Summit (top of Panorama ski lift).

6:00 pm Christmas Eve Service at the church.

8:00 pm Christmas Eve Service at Panorama.

Sunday, December 26th 10:30 a.m. Worship and Life Instruction,“Embrace the World” Sunday School for Grades 3 to 7 during the morning service.

Senior Pastor Rev. Dieter Magnus Associate Pastor Rev. Jared Enns 326 - 10th Avenue, Invermere • 342-9535

Windermere Valley Shared Ministry Christ Church Trinity 10:15 am Every Sunday All Saints, Edgewater 8:30 am 1st, 3rd and 4th Sundays

Rev. Michael Rice • 110 - 7th Avenue, Invermere • 342-6644

Valley Christian Assembly

Friday, December 24th 6:30 p.m. Candlelight Christmas Eve Service Sunday, December 26th 10:00 am Celebration Service Children’s church (4-12 years) during the message part of the service.

Sunday, 7:00 pm Prayer Meeting Senior Pastor Rev. John Cuyler • www.vcassembly.com Highway 93/95, 1 km north of Windermere • 342-9511

Roman Catholic Church Canadian Martyrs Church, Invermere

Saturday, 7:00 pm Mass • Sunday, 9:00 am Mass

St. Joseph’s Church, Radium Sunday, 11:00 am Mass St. Anthony’s Church, Canal Flats Sunday, 4:00 pm Mass

Father Jose Joaquin • 1210 - 9th Street, Invermere • 342-6167

ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN MISSION OF INVERMERE Regular weekly worship services every Sunday at 1:30 pm Senior Pastor Rev. Bryan K. Schindel Associate Pastor Rev. Fraser Coltman at Christ Church Trinity 110 - 7th Ave., Invermere • 1-866-426-7564

Radium Christian Fellowship

Every Sunday 10:00 am Sunday, December 26th Your Relationship With God, Matthew 6:33 Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater Radium Seniors’ Hall • 342-6633

Season’s Greetings It’s with great pleasure that we announce our new association with Re/Max Invermere.

Best Wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Ed English and Jan Klimek

Cell: 342-1194 edenglish@telus.net

342-1195 janklimek@telus.net

Independently Owned and Operated

Office: 342-6505 or 1-888-258-9911 www.Re/MaxInvermere.com

Make it a Merry Christmas for someone special on your Christmas list.

The Place Furniture has a huge selection of furniture and gifts that is sure to please everyone!

Place The

Furniture

503 - 7th Ave., Invermere (beside Gone Hollywood)

342-8366 • 1-888-565-5264

24 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 24, 2004

Invermere Office: 250-342-6505

Andy Smith Cell: 342-1709

Bernie Raven Cell: 342-7415

Daniel Zurgilgen Ed English Jan Klimik Cell: 342-7430 Cell: 342-1194 Cell: 342-1195

John McCarthy Lynda Kirkpatrick Roger Askey Cell: 342-1758 Cell: 341-1907 Cell: 342-1295

This extra large one bedroom unit in Panorama Springs has incredible views of the pools, slopes and Monument Peak. Located on the top floor, you will enjoy vaulted ceilings and full furnishings. Panorama is booming, don’t miss this opportunity! Call today! MLS#107587

$194,900.00+gst

Wende Brash Cell: 342-1300

Looking for prime property in a spectacular setting?

Then consider the stunning Invermere Valley.

www.ReMaxInvermere.com Ski Getaway

Scott Wallace Cell: 342-5309

Quiet, Clean & Comfortable

This mobile home in Canal Flats has an immaculate yard and is as neat as a pin.

Sitting on a 60x150 foot fenced lot, this 3 BR home has large living areas, an open country kitchen with built-in appliances and a wood stove. Mountain views and serenity in one package! MLS#107112

$119,900.00

Terra Vista Condo!

Lake views, all amenities and access to Lake Windermere with a private sandy beach, boat launch and marina. This condo has a new full undeveloped walk-out basement with bathroom and laundry hook –up roughed in; much potential!

Hurry, this one won’t last long!MLS#NEW

$329,000.00

Location, Location, Location!

Spur Valley Luxury

Build in Radium

his 1/3 acre lot sits with awesome views of Lake Windermere, Columbia Lake and an eye shot of Lyttle Lake. Make a sound investment within this 22 lot rural subdivision between Fairmont and Windermere. No building commitment! Call today.

MLS# 106324

Mountain views, tranquility and location. This spacious, newer home with all your needs has loads of room for the family and relatives. On almost half an acre, this 5 BR home is close to many outdoor amenities, yet off the main traffic area. Enjoy the large garage to store all the toys. MLS#107205

With no building commitments, build now or invest in the future in one of the fastest growing retirement communities in BC. This beautiful treed lot has views north to Steamboat mountain and is close to the amenities of Radium Hot Springs. mls#107322

$109,500.00

$296,000.00

Unbeatable Price, Excellent Revenue

It Does Exist!

Panorama’s Taynton Lodge is the epitomy of quality and ski in-ski out convenience.

This spacious one bedroom condo offers a great view and the hot pools are just feet from your door. Come and see what life can be at Panorama BC! Convenient location, just a twenty minute drive to Invermere. MLS#106776

A Timber Ridge phase one vacant lot. Enjoy beach access, marina, tennis courts and more. All part of the Timber Ridge Experience on Lake Windermere. Build your dream home or cottage in one of the valley’s most desirable communities.

Hurry, this one wonʼt be around for long. MLS#106172

$189,900.00+gst

$259,000.00

$64,900.00

A Reflection of Your Good Taste

A great vacation getaway or rental opportunity. This condo in desirable “Ridge 1” at Fairmont Mountainside, offers 3 BR and 2 BR loft, vaulted ceilings, a large open kitchen and living room with a wood fireplace. This proven revenue producer is the condo you have always wanted to own. MLS#107142

$289,900.00

Builder’s Beauty

Elegant Living

Comfort, quality and attention to detail. A large treed lot for your quiet enjoyment located on quiet Wilder Loop

This immaculate home located in the Highlands is just a five minute drive from Invermere. The lovely sunroom leads to a private patio which backs on to green space. A large kitchen with nook, master bedroom with jetted tub ensuite and private guest room with bath are just a few of the details. MLS Exclusive

Road. Walk-out basement, vaulted ceilings, fireplace with stone and wood mantle, timber accents, wood railings on stairs and loft. Buy it now and choose your own hardwoods and carpet. MLS#104474 $358,000.00+gst

$334,000.00