vol2issue49 by Columbia Valley Pioneer

Your Weekly Source for News and Events

Vol. 2/Issue 49

The Upper

Columbia

December 9, 2005

P IONEER

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

Contents News

Perspective

Letters

Classiﬁeds

Cougar killed

5 Dream realized

10 Game stopper

Frances Dunne, Spilli postmaster for the past 53 years. Photo by Adrian Bergles

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2 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 9, 2005

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Valley News

Copper Point Christmas dinner raises $5,000 for food bank “Good, excellent, and really hot,” were some of the comments. Santa and his elves Lions Club memmade sure that nobody bers even drove out to in the valley went hungry pick some people up. “I on Sunday at the second think it’s really cool that annual Feed the Town they sent someone down feast. to Canal Flats to get us,” A fundraiser for the said Jeanie Pounder. Valley Food Bank, more “It brings a bit of than $5,000 was raised, family spirit to the whole said Copper Point’s golf community,” said Rob professional Brian Schaal. Dunn of Invermere. “Just over 500 people “I’m here as a bachecame through.” lor and it’s nice to get out Copper Point golf and have a real meal.” course organized the The event was praised event, which followed for its equal opportunity last year’s smash success. approach. Golf staff and many vol“It brings a lot of unteers from the Lions people together that Club and the commuwouldn’t normally be tonity worked overtime to gether,” said Jim Miller make sure everyone had of Windermere. enough to eat. Others were happy Thirty turkeys and to see old friends. 300 pounds of pota“I’m happy to see toes were prepared, said George and Fern OgleJames Stetsko, Copper stone,” said Ted Fuller of Point Food and Beverage Invermere. Food bank volunteer Al Lynch carves the ham. manager, who worked all “It brings the comweek preparing the meal. munity together.” Ham, stuffing, gravy, veggies, cranberry sauce and Sponsors who donated food for the meal were R. pumpkin pie for dessert rounded out the meal. K. Heli-Ski, Fairmont Vacation Villas, AG Foods and The food was praised by all in attendance. Centennial Foods. By Adrian Bergles Pioneer Staff

COLUMERE PARK Property has a deluxe & very elegant small 2-storey home with attached two car garage that takes in the views all the way down the lake. Room for further development on the lot. $469,000 mls#114109

EDGEWATER Enjoy the rural surroundings of Edgewater in this lovely home awaiting your ﬁnishing touch. Home features include new pellet stove, wet bar, bright open kitchen, great decks & fenced yard. $209,000 mls#114108

FAIRMONT This furnished 4 bedroom home with attached 2 car garage takes in the breathtaking mountain views of the Fairmont Range. Perfect for recreational use or full time living. $419,000 mls#114168

RADIUM Luxury 2 bedroom / 4 bath condominium at Radium Ridge. Fully furnished and ready to go. Many upgrades, air conditioning, garage, view to the south and pool on site. The nicest one yet! $359,000 mls#113169

WINDERMERE C-2 zoning-Hwy frontage, high visibility, numerous development options in BC’s fastest growing recreation and resort area. Golﬁng, skiing and boating, year round playground. $699,000 + GST mls#90582

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The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 3

December 9, 2005

District of Invermere NOTICE TO ALL PLUMBING FIXTURE SUPPLIERS AND CONTRACTORS “Low Flow Plumbing Fixture Bylaw”

As of January 1st, 2006, changes to the Water Utility Bylaw will now require all new residential, commercial and industrial construction including renovations to have low flow plumbing fixtures. Low Flow Plumbing Fixture means: • Toilets having a total water usage of no greater than 6.0 litres or 1.6 US gallons per flush, including the contents of both the tank and bowl of the toilet. • Urinals having a total water usage of no greater than 3.8 litres or 1.0 US gallons per flush but does not include urinals which flush automatically after a period of elapsed time, regardless of the amount of water usage per flush. • Showerheads having a rate of water flow no greater than 9.5 litres or 2.5 US gallons per minute. • Lavatory basin faucets and kitchen sink faucets having a rate of water flow no greater than 8.3 litres or 2.2 US gallons per minute. • Public restroom faucets having total water flow of no greater than 1.8 litres or 0.5 US gallons per minute. Note: all fixtures must comply with the National Plumbing Code (approved or certified by the CSA or equivalent agency). P.O. BOX 339, 914 8th AVENUE, INVERMERE, B.C. V0A1K0

The short leg touching the lake closest to town is the ﬁrst portion of Grizzly Ridge proposed for development.

‘Westmount Estates’ newest development By Adrian Bergles Pioneer Staﬀ The developer of Grizzly Ridge Properties presented his request to add more than 1,100 acres to the District of Invermere at a special meeting with council on Tuesday night. Mark Himmelspach wasted little time taking his plan for development within the district, called the Grizzly Ridge Land Use Strategy, to council. The mayor and councillors, including newcomers Sarah Bennett and Ray Brydon, were sworn in on Monday night. Mr. Himmelspach plans to bring an 1,173-acre, L-shaped portion of land into the town. The land runs from Lake Windermere to the Toby Creek, south and west of CastleRock. His presentation to council was a ﬁrst step. The public must be consulted before any land can be brought into the town. Mr. Himmelspach owns more than 3,200 acres, currently in the Regional District of East Kootenay, along Invermere’s south and west boundaries. He told council that development would begin on a portion of the annexed land, along Westside Road. Called Westmount Estates, Mr. Himmelspach said 840 units are planned and features like a marina would be built on the lake. “It is not a resort-based development,” he told council. “The intention is that it would become an integral part of Invermere.” As part of the plan, other lands to

be included in the district would remain undeveloped for at least five years. “We’re willing to include a covenant that no development happen on this land for five years,” he said. Mr. Himmelspach told council that he plans to log portions of the undeveloped land. “Our intention is to try to clean up parts of the area over time,” he said. He told council that Westmount Estates would bring an extra $3.5 million into the town’s tax base. He also said that 191 acres of the annexed land would be committed to parkland, and land for a road cutting through the property would be promised. Mr. Himmelspach couldn’t say, however, where the road would be. “There’s a lot of possibilities in terms of how that might be structured,” he said. Invermere Mayor Mark Shmigelsky and councillor Gerry Taft criticized the amount of parkland Mr. Himmelspach proposed. “That doesn’t sit well with me,” said Mr. Shmigelsky. “The public has got to see a huge benefit in terms of parkland.” “Those 200 acres are not that great a contribution,” said councillor Taft. “People want dedicated parkland, not just five-year covenants.” Mayor Shmigelsky also questioned the amount of land Mr. Himmelspach hopes to bring into the district. “I’m uncomfortable giving you the whole annexation,” he said. “That gives you ability for development you wouldn’t see otherwise.”

TELEPHONE: (250) 342-9281 FAX: (250) 342-2934

Regional District of East Kootenay th 19 – 24 Avenue South Cranbrook BC V1C 3H8 Phone: 250-489-2791 Toll Free: 1-888-478-7335

COLUMBIA VALLEY SUBREGION

USER FEES

Starting January 1, 2006, the new user fee system at the Columbia Valley Landfill is set to begin. Columbia Valley Subregion User Fees Solid Waste (Commercial & Domestic Refuse) excluding Controlled Waste NO CHARGE

Municipal Solid Waste (regular household garbage) Minimum General Per Unit Charges for all Items Subject to Fees

$5.00

Controlled Waste (Including Industrial Refuse) Asbestos, dry Food Processing Waste Steel Cables (must be on spool or cut to 1.2m lengths) Mattresses or Box Springs Animal carcasses (livestock or big game) Biomedical Waste (Treated Only) Contaminated Soil (Not classified as special waste) Construction/Demolition and Land Clearing Waste (Mixed)

$ 60.00 per tonne $ 60.00 per tonne $ 60.00 per tonne $ 5.00 each $ 25.00 each $ 160.00 per load $ 40.00 per tonne $ 40.00 per tonne

Recyclable Material Yard or Garden Waste – under 6” diameter Chipped Green Wood Waste Clean Wood Waste White Goods (major appliances) White Goods requiring freon removal Auto Hulk (including pick up trucks & vans) Truck or Bus Hulk Mobile Home Hulk Scrap Metal (excluding white goods) Tires: i) 17” or smaller ii) 17” or smaller with rim iii) 18” – 25” iv) 18” – 25” with rim v) larger than 25” Auto Batteries Propane Cylinders (under 100 lbs.)

NO CHARGE NO CHARGE $ 28.00 per tonne $ 10.00 per unit $ 30.00 per unit NOT ACCEPTED NOT ACCEPTED NOT ACCEPTED $ 10.00 per tonne $ 8.00 per tire $ 14.00 per tire $ 50.00 per tire $ 56.00 per tire NOT ACCEPTED NO CHARGE NO CHARGE

Charges Applicable to all Categories Loads containing banned recyclable materials Uncovered or Unsecured Loads

min. $100.00 or DOUBLE CHARGE min. $ 50.00 or DOUBLE CHARGE

LOADS MUST BE SECURED AND/OR COVERED TO BE ACCEPTED AT THIS FACILITY.

For more information, contact the RDEK at 1-888-478-7335 or 250-489-2791.

4 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 9, 2005

RCMP Report Keeping your holidays merry and bright Even though our offices and call centres are closed on December 25, 26, 27, and on January 1 and 2, 2006, our emergency crews will be on hand 24 hours a day to keep your holiday bright. In the event of an emergency, call 1 888 POWERON (1 888 769-3766).

The Pioneer is available in 130 valley locations and 30 Calgary locations.

For general inquiries you can call 1 800 BCHYDRO (1 800 224-9376) Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for the dates mentioned above. We wish you a safe and happy holiday.

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Ad #: 1512E Size: 5.00" x 6.428"

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Please remember to drop your hamper off Dec. 21 at the Invermere Community Hall between 8 a.m. and 12 noon. Pick up starts at 3 p.m. until 7 p.m.

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NOTICE: Usage of film, and/or electronic file supplied constitutes acceptance of job. Please check film, proofs and/or electronic file CAREFULLY before use. Vancouver Sharp Imaging WILL NOT be responsible beyond prompt replacement of film and/or electronic file. Scans, film and/or electronic file purchased without proofs carry NO warranty and their use is at Customer’s sole risk. The IMAGES associated with archived data and materials and their right of use are the property of the Customer. All digital data, media and other tangible materials storing these images, however, are the property of Vancouver Sharp Imaging. Retrieval of such data is on an as is basis and subject to availability. A fee will be levied for the service.

The Angel Tree still has tags.

Make a Christmas Wish Come True!

District of Invermere NOTICE OF INTENT Zoning Amendment (Off-Street Parking Fee) Bylaw No. 1265, 2005 The District of Invermere is considering a Zoning Bylaw Amendment, which, if approved, will amend Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002 by changing the off-street parking fee in the C-1, Downtown Commercial Zone from $1500 per off-street parking space to $4500 per off-street parking space. In accordance with section 890 of the Local Government Act, Council has schedules a PUBLIC HEARING for: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2005 AT 6:00 PM INVERMERE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 914 - 8TH AVENUE The above synopsis is not intended to be, nor should it be interpreted as the full text and content of proposed “Zoning Amendment (Off-Street Parking Fee) Bylaw 1265, 2005”. A copy of the proposed bylaw and relevant background documents may be inspected at the District of Invermere Municipal Office (914 - 9th Avenue, Invermere, B.C.) at any time between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm between December 7th - 13th, 2005. All persons who believe that their interest in property is affected by the proposed zoning amendment may: • submit written comments to the District of Invermere by 4:30 pm Tuesday, December 13th, 2005; • fax written comments to the District of Invermere by 4:30 pm Tuesday, December 13th, 2005 to (250) 342-2934; • present verbal or written briefs at the public hearing. NOTICE is also given that legal considerations prevent Council from receiving any written or verbal representations made after the close of the public hearing on Tuesday, December 13th, 2005. Karen L. Coté Director of Finance P.O. BOX 339, 914 8th AVENUE, INVERMERE, B.C. V0A1K0

TELEPHONE: (250) 342-9281 FAX: (250) 342-2934

• November 26: A Windermere resident awoke to find his vehicle had been stolen overnight but returned to his neighbour’s yard. The vehicle sustained minor damage during its mysterious journey. Investigating found the vehicle had been left insecure. • November 27: Police responded to three accidents on Hwy 93/95 between 8 am and 10 am. In the first instance a southbound Ford Expedition lost control on slushy roads near Juniper Heights, went off the road and overturned. There were no injuries in the accident. The second incident involved a southbound GMC pickup that lost control on slushy roads, went off the road and overturned into a ditch. Fire rescue had to elevate the vehicle to facilitate extrication of the driver, who was transported to hospital with possible neck and back injuries. The two passengers, both children, were uninjured. Bald tires are believed to be the cause of the accident. In the last incident, a southbound Florida resident lost control of his 2001 Mercury Marquis after catching the slushy shoulder of the highway. The vehicle spun off the road where it overturned as it rolled down a ditch bank. Fairmont Fire and Rescue attended to find the driver had no injuries. At

8:46 p.m., police responded to an accident on Hwy 93/95 near Fairmont Hot Springs. The Dodge Dakota was travelling northbound when it lost control in the curve, crossed into the southbound lane and hit a guard rail. There were no injuries in the accident. • November 27: Police received report of another vehicle that had been stolen overnight, taken for a joy ride, prior to being abandoned on the playing field at David Thompson Secondary School. • November 28: Police received report of a break-and-enter to a fenced compound at a business in Invermere. The culprit(s) cut a chain to gain access, then removed a lock from a gas tank. Owners are unsure how much gas was taken and unsure what other items may be missing. Police investigation continues. • November 29: Police responded to a five-year-old boy wandering around on the side of the highway near Windermere. Investigation found the child had wandered off from school to buy a popsicle however did not make it as he was quickly located by staff and returned to school. • November 29: Police received a report that unknown person(s) had shot the lock to a gate which enters a private logging road. No entry was made.

RCMP officer speaks to high school parents about student fighting Adrian Bergles Pioneer Staff A recent string of fights at David Thompson Secondary School has school staff on alert. Over an eight-day stretch starting November 10th, there were seven fights at the school. Principal Darren Danyluk said most of the fights were between Grade 9 boys. “But there were a couple of Grade 8s and Grade 10s,” he said. “Each incident was independent,” he said. “They were generally kids you wouldn’t expect.” Two weeks ago, Mr. Danyluk and other school staff visited Grades 8 and 9 classrooms and spoke on the issue. Students were told of the role spectators play in fights. “Without an audience, it’s not going to happen,” he said. The following day an article on the outbreak appeared in the school’s newsletter. “It was of concern to us,” said Mr. Danyluk. And last week, a special meet-

ing with parents was held with guest speaker RCMP Corporal Dale Morgan. “It was an information session,” Mr. Danyluk said. He said scenarios that parents were hearing from their children were sometimes inaccurate. “Some of it was real, some exaggerated,” he said. Mr. Danyluk is unsure as to why the string of fights broke out. “It’s my own perception that with Grade 8, Grade 9 boys you get some posturing in the fall,” says the principal, who has taught school for 19 years. “This is much later, but we’ve had an unusual fall.” B.C. school children missed two weeks in October due to a teacher strike. Mr. Danyluk said since parents and students were informed of the problem, the fights have stopped. “I have feedback from people that the students have responded,” he said. Mr. Danyluk said fights at school are not uncommon. “When a 14-yearold boy gets into a fight, it doesn’t surprise me,” he said.

The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 5

December 9, 2005

New Year’s Eve Wilmer Hall Sat., Dec. 31st, 2005 at 8:00 pm Mexican Theme • Midnight Lunch $15 per person (no minors)

For tickets call: Ginny 342-8739, Trisha 342-0642 or Rosie 342-9092 or 342-4430

TAKING THE OATH - Invermere’s mayor and council solemnly recited their Oath of Oﬃce and were sworn in for a three-year term on Monday evening. From left to right: new councillor Sarah Bennett, returning councillor Gerry Taft, mayor Mark Shmigelsky, returning councillor Bob Campsall and new councillor Ray Brydon.

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Cougar killed at last By Adrian Bergles Pioneer Staff It’s been a long time coming, but Invermere’s resident cougar has finally been killed. “We got the cougar,” said Conservation Officer Richard Hoar Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Hoar’s colleague Lawrence Umsonst shot the animal about noon Wednesday after a call came in that morning. The cougar is a 70-pound adult male “in perfect shape,” said Mr. Hoar, who came to The Pioneer office with the news. The conservation officers got a call at 8:30 a.m. after the cat had been spotted inside the District of Invermere’s maintenance compound in the industrial park. After being notified, conservation officers called dog handler Dale Nicholson. “We got the call and came with the dogs right away,” said Mr. Hoar. A search for tracks in the snow was made and some were found near Kool Country Auto leading down from the big hill.

The two oﬃcers and the dogs then went up to Canyon View Drive and continued the search for tracks. “Sure enough, there were fresh tracks,” says Mr. Hoar. Mr. Nicholson and his dogs set out to follow the tracks. Mr. Umsonst left the group and went up Toby Creek Road to the gate at the Grizzly Ridge property. The dogs arrived at the same time as Mr. Umsonst. “The dogs passed him and then came back and started hanging around this tree,” says Mr. Hoar. He said Mr. Umsonst looked up and saw the cougar in the tree, so he took aim and shot the cat in the chest. Mr. Hoar said conservation oﬃcers had known the cat was in the area for the past two weeks. “We knew it was hanging around the Dobsons’ place again.” Carol and John Dobson live in the industrial park near Toby Creek. “We had all this fresh snow and we were pretty sure we were going to have success,” said Mr. Hoar. Invermere’s resident cougar killed house pets and created a great deal of anxiety among Invermere residents this summer.

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6 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 9, 2005

PERSPECTIVE

Historical Lens

Light a candle this Christmas By Elinor Florence Pioneer Publisher Each year we lose members of our community, and this year for the first time their families will be experiencing Christmas without a loved one. You need only remember how many notices have appeared in the obituary box at the local post office to recall how many family members are affected. Others have lost loved ones many years ago, but bringing out the familiar ornaments and hearing the old carols will bring back memories of happier times. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the annual candlelighting memorial service. It is a tradition in many other communities around the world. The first four services were attended by about 80 people, a combination of those who have attended all four services and who have made this part of their Christmas tradition; and others who have attended only once, probably in an attempt to assuage the pain of that first Christmas spent alone. The candlelighting ceremony will be somewhat different this year, since it will be led by the new minister at Christ Church Trinity, Sandy Ferguson. But no doubt it will provide the same opportunity to light a candle for your loved one; to hear words of sympathy; and most of all, to share your sense of loss with friends and other people who can understand your sorrow. It is a sad and solemn occasion, but many find that it is also a comforting one. The service will take place at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11th. Everyone is welcome, including children.

This man, whose last name was Jowett, was photographed leaning against his Model T truck on the main street of Invermere in 1931, as you can see from the date on his licence plate. In the background, the corner building now occupied by Tiﬀany’s Thredz is visible, and the building across the street occupied by Village Arts. Photo courtesy of the Windermere District Historical Society

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor: I would like to congratulate you for all the time that you put in researching your article “The Last Post.” I am sure that many friends and possibly relatives now know how our valley sons lost their lives and where they rest in peace. They will never be forgotten. Thank you. Ray Case, Canal Flats

Dear Editor: We would like to introduce you to our new program at The Summit Youth Centre, located upstairs at the north end of the Invermere Community Hall. Until now we have been open only on weekends from 7 to 11:30 p.m. In addition, we are now promoting our homework sessions for all students Grades 7 to 12. There will be free snacks and hot chocolate, and free tutoring, all in a quiet atmosphere. Our tag line right now is “cookies and cerebellums unite” on Mondays and Wednesdays 5 to 7 p.m. at The Summit Youth Centre for Ultimate Brain Pilates (kids are welcome to stick around for

drop-in from 7 to 9 p.m.) Tutors can cost anywhere from $20 to $30 an hour. That can really add up! This is a way for your child/student to access free tutoring in an environment that is away from school and home, but still supervised and safe. The objective is for students to keep up on their academics weekly rather than try and cram in all their studying just before exams. It is also an excellent way for Grade 7 students to develop good study habits. Whether they need a little help, a lot, or none at all, The Summit’s new program (we’re calling it Ultimate Brain Pilates) is a way to get a leg up. If students don’t have any home-

work or are already on top of things, they are welcome to read or do artwork. Senior students are encouraged to tutor their peers or younger students. Currently there are tutors here every Monday. Students work on their own terms Wednesdays. After Christmas break, tutoring will resume on both Mondays and Wednesdays. Any teachers who would like to offer a few hours are most welcome. If you have any questions, suggestions or would like to tour The Summit, drop in or call me at 342-8717, or email me at summityc@telus.net. Stephanie Stevens, Program Coordinator

The Upper Columbia

P IONEER is independently owned and operated and is published weekly by Elinor Florence. 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 www.uppercolumbiapioneer.com 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 Publisher

Bob Ede Creative Director

Lisa Ede Creative Director

Adrian Bergles

Dave Sutherland

Bob Friesen

Reporter

Advertising Sales

Shannon Cross Ofﬁce Manager

The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 7

December 9, 2005

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor: To all my loyal friends and family: thank you for your kindness, support and generosity during my auditions with Nashville Star. This has been a huge learning experience, and without your help I wouldn’t have had the opportunity. Here is an update for you: When I came home from Portland, I really had the perfect makings for a country song. The results of the contest were not what I expected. My van was stolen, and so was my cell phone! The good news is I still have my wife and my dog! My friend, Dave Bennett, helped me make a video audition tape to submit to Nashville Star in Los Angeles. The video features me playing music at Angus McToogle’s, some of the beauty of this valley we call home, my wife Sandra at Village Arts, and Elijah playDear Editor: I am pleased to notify you that on Sunday, July 23rd I will be hosting the Heart of the Rockies Triathlon, a new Olympic distance triathlon (1.5-km swim/40-km bike/10-km run) which will be held in scenic Invermere. Online registration is now open at Events On Line www.eventsonline.ca and further information is available at our website www. heartoftherockiestri.ca. Sanctioning by Triathlon B.C. is in process and the Heart of the Rockies Triathlon will be the ﬁrst and only Olympic distance triathlon in the Columbia Valley. The race will provide a challenging race

ing the piano. The judges want to see where I live, my family and the Real Me. I am hoping there will be a diﬀerent panel of judges, and that they will make their decision based on musical talent. I would like to give special thanks to my close friends and family for their unwavering support. Also, special thanks to The Columbia Valley Car Club, the Kloos family, the Wilkies, Wenmar Graphics, Palliser Printing, Vince Olsen, Bev Deck, Ross and Anne Newhouse, Jean Futa, George and Linda Schuck and family, Wendy and Elke at Rocky Mountain Training, all the businesses that collected funds, and the people of this beautiful valley who contributed to helping me pursue my dream! Thanks to The Pioneer for covering this story! Marty Beingessner, Invermere

course focusing on individual endurance as well as welcoming relay team competition. The last Windermere Loop Triathlon was held on July 31, 2005 and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all athletes who have participated over the past 23 years. I look forward to seeing old friends and new friends on July 23rd, 2006. Please register early as there is a limit of 250 individuals and 50 teams. To register, go to Events on Line www.eventsonline. ca.

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Pynelogs Cultural Centre • December Art Sale - unique items for Christmas gifts, 11am to 4pm Tuesday to Saturday, Friday night until 8pm. Gift wrapping station. Plan your Christmas shopping at Pynelogs Cultural Centre!

Panorama Ski Hill • Dec. 9-11 - Opening weekend! • Dec. 15 - The Pontiac GMC series will feature 32 races in 4 provinces, before the national championships in March. • Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve service at the top of the mountain. • Old Fashioned Christmas on Ice, 2pm, at the arena. Tickets at the door. Sponsored by the Columbia Valley Figure Skating Club. Call Kelly, 342-3213.

December 13 • Valley Voices Community Choir is having their annual Christmas Concert and Carol Sing, 7:30pm, Christ Church Trinity.

December 14 • Canadian Paciﬁc Railway Holiday Train will be in Radium as part of its cross-country journey, noon, Foresters Road Crossing, and in Golden, 5:30pm, across from 7-11 store, 10th Avenue. • Last day of school for all students, for Christmas holidays! • Live Christmas Nativity Pageant, presented by the local churches, 6:30pm and 7:30pm (2 shows), at the Catholic Church, 702 12th Avenue, everyone welcome, refreshments served. Call Herb, 342-6761 or Mary Ellen, 342-3615 for info.

OTHER

342 4406

Gift certificates are now available at Valley Fitness Centre, the Columbia Valley’s own health and fitness facility.

Please call 341-6299 or Email upioneer@telus.net with your events.

December 16

Bruce Stroud, Organizer Heart of the Rockies Triathlon

Call The Blind Guy!

fitness!

The Pioneer is pleased to oﬀer this free weekly feature for coming events around the valley.

December 11

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• Does anyone have any knitting needles and/or yarn they would like to donate? DTSS has two VERY keen knitting groups that meet Wednesdays & Thursdays at lunchtime. Drop oﬀ donations at the high school or we can pick them up! Call Fiona at 342-9213, ext. 114 for info. • Public Skating for all ages, Sundays, 5:45 to 6:45pm, adults only, Fridays 11am to noon, and Parent/Tot, Fridays noon to 1pm. • Climbing Wall, JA Laird Elementary school gym. Friday, 3 to 6pm, Saturday & Sunday, 5 to 8pm. $5 drop in fee. Call 342-6232 for info. (Closed Dec. 24/25) • Senior Men’s Hockey League (55 & over), Tuesdays and Fridays, 9:15am to 10:45am. • Adult Indoor Soccer - Tuesdays, 8:30pm to 10pm, Invermere High School (DTSS) Gym. $2 drop in fee. Use College entrance. • Lake Windermere Rod and Gun Club - archery every Wednesday at 7pm, Invermere Community Hall. Sponsored by

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SEE YOU IN THE SPRING!

8 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

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December 9, 2005

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porunity to come forward and light a candle in honour of their loved ones as their names are read aloud. Candles will be provided at the service, or you may bring your own special candle to take home again. Small paper ornaments will also be handed out to hang on your Christmas tree at home. The attendance at this annual event is usually about 80, some of whom have lost a dear one in the past year and others who wish to remember their loved ones who have passed away many years ago. Children are welcome. If you are unable to attend the service but wish to have a candle lit for someone else, please call the church at 342-6644 and leave a message.

Christmas can be a sad time of year for those who have lost loved ones. The annual candlelighting Christmas service will be held again this year at 7:30 p.m. December 11th. Held for the ﬁrst time in 2001, this is a very moving memorial service for those who wish to pay their respects to their family members and friends who have passed away. Held at Christ Church Trinity, the service is open to the public, regardless of religious aﬃliation. This year the new minister Sandy Ferguson will preside at the service. Following a short service members of the public will be given the op-

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The PioneEr is your weekly source for news and events

The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 9

December 9, 2005

Notes From The Pioneer By Pioneer Staff Here’s a great way to beat the cold! Spotted in the Smoking Waters restaurant in Fairmont this week was a group of ladies from Invermere. Marg Pitt said all seven women in her group have a season’s pass to the Fairmont Hot Springs pool and they drive down every Tuesday and Thursday mornings for a dip in the pool followed by lunch. Six of the seven members - including Olga Redhead, Fran Rad, Fran Hatacik, Ev McGilvery and Susan Bostock - worked together at the Invermere Hospital. Although all retired more than ten years ago, they have remained good friends. Dot Smith is the only member who didn’t work at the hospital. The minus-18 temperatures didn’t deter the group this week. “Maybe we should have had our heads examined,“ said Marg, who has suffered for years with arthritis. “But even the cold pool felt good, and the hot pool really spruced us up afterwards.” *** Following a recent article in The Pioneer about Coronation Street, librarians Liz Robinson and Ginny Walker were finally able to view a program they had missed over a year ago featuring the show’s only murder. The popular BBC television series that has been running since 1960 has a large following of Canadians, who watch the show on CBC. Ardent fans Liz and Ginny were both away on family business during the show’s exciting murder segment. In spite of asking everyone they knew and posting a message at the library, nobody had come forward with a tape of the missing show. But last week Jenn Ferguson, who is married to Christ Church Trinity’s new minister Sandy Ferguson, read The Pioneer and brought a tape of the missing show to the library. “It was wonderful,” Ginny said. “She had a whole week of programs taped so we could watch what happened before and after the murder as well.” She said the library has received many comments about the article from “closet” Coronation Street fans. Newspaper reader John Spellman even dropped off a book about one of the program’s stars at The Pioneer’s office. We took it to the library to add to the growing collection of Coronation Street books. *** Curler Christine Keshen of Invermere is in Halifax, fighting hard to qualify for the Olympic Games. At press time, her rink had won four games and

Brendan Donahue

lost three, and had two more games before the women’s semi-final on Saturday followed by the final on Sunday. Christine is skip for the Shannon Kleibrink rink out of Calgary. As of Wednesday, the Kleibrink rink was ranked third out of the 10 teams in competition. Only the number one team will advance to represent Canada in the Olympic Games in February in Torino, Italy. Local viewers have been able to watch the action on TSN all week; while Christine’s parents Jack and Carol Keshen and her boyfriend Mike DuBois have been biting their fingernails in Halifax along with a group of other valley residents who flew down for the big event. “It’s awesome, we all have family here,” Christine told The Pioneer by telephone. “We’ve all got tons of fans.” Christine was heartened by winning against world champion Colleen Jones on Monday night. “The last time we beat Colleen Jones we won the Canada Cup,” Christine said. “The fans have been fantastic and the ambience at the rink is great.” If Christine makes it that far, you can catch the semi-final game on Saturday and the final on Sunday.

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*** Do you have an item of news about local people you want to share with us at The Pioneer? Please call 341-6299 and tell us.

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Faith Taylor, daughter of Brent and Michelle Taylor of Invermere, looked cute as a button in the Santa parade.

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*** Tonya Missler of Invermere was washing almost her entire wardrobe in the community laundry room shared by the residents of all three Stein apartment buildings - the new one on 9th Avenue, the old one on 9th Avenue, and the apartments above the mall on 8th Avenue - when all the laundry disappeared from the dryers, the day before her 27th birthday. Tonya, who works in the delicatessen at AG Foods, said she had to “scrounge” for something to wear on her birthday. “All my work clothes were gone, my towels and even my underwear,” she said. Tonya said she dressed herself in clothes she had meant to drop oﬀ at the Thrift Store. “I was really glad I had forgotten to go to the Thrift Store because at least I had something to put on.” Happily, the day after her birthday the clothes mysteriously reappeared in the laundry room again. “Maybe somebody was trying to teach me a lesson about not leaving my clothes in the dryer,” she said.

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10 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 9, 2005

Rancher kept his dream alive

Born and raised in Switzerland, Fritz Zehnder spent 20 years working in Canada before he saved enough to buy his ranch. By Dorothy Isted Special to The Pioneer Fritz Zehnder, the second son of a farmer in Switzerland, knew at an early age he would have to strike out on his own if he wanted to be a farmer himself. He attended agricultural college for two years, where he first learned that Canada was a desirable place to obtain land. He then spent two years in Sweden, first at an experimental farm outside Stockholm and next at a large sawmill doing silviculture. Fritz came to Brighton, Ontario in 1950 at the age of 24 and worked for a farmer to learn the ways of Canadian farming. But the pay was low, so he got a job working with a Swiss friend who was a chef at a restaurant in Hull, Quebec. This establishment catered to many diplomats in Ottawa. But Fritz felt he wasn’t cut out for the city life. He wrote to the Swiss Consul in Vancouver and inquired about lumber jobs. He received a long list of prospective employers and chose to work for the Chris Wenger Lumber Company near Skookumchuk. He had taken English lessons in Ottawa and besides his native tongue, German, he also spoke French, Swedish and Italian, which was beneficial when he took a job with the Estella mine in Wasa. There were many Italian immigrants in the labour force there and he

New Year’s Eve

at the Windermere Hall $20 per/person Tickets: 342-3935

was frequently called upon to translate. During this time he met a Swiss family in Windermere: the Traschels. He went to work for Fritz Traschel, who owned 4,000 acres by Horsethief Creek. He cut Christmas trees in 1951 from 7 a.m. to dark, earning $40 per day. He also cut ax ties. “That was the hardest work I have ever done,” he says. He would fell a very straight tree and remove the branches. Then the eight-foot ties were cut with a power saw, handloaded into a one-ton truck and delivered to the Ronacher mill in Athalmer. The most he ever cut in one day was 43. This work was very hard on the back and his hands developed calluses so thick that he no longer required gloves. Just down Settler’s Road was the Wilder Brothers Lumber Camp. While working for them, Fritz met Alfred Trescher. Like Fritz, Alfred had attended agricultural school in Switzerland and dreamed of his own farm. The pair saved their money and began their own company. After ﬁve years together they had the third-largest quota in the valley, at 2.5 million board feet. Businesses were required to cut all the timber that they had a quota for, and the two men bought up unused quotas from other businesses. At the ﬁve-year mark, Alfred purchased a farm in Brisco and the partnership was dissolved. During a visit back to Switzerland

in 1956, Fritz met his future wife Vreine Such, who was also visiting her family. She was enjoying a good life in Kabul, Afghanistan at the time. Vreine had learned the local dialect, Parsi, and she was of inﬁnite help to the Swiss Consul who employed her as housekeeper and children’s tutor. Vreine and Fritz married in 1959 after a three-year correspondence. During nurse’s training in Bern, Switzerland she had contacted tuberculosis but regained total health. However, the Canadian immigration oﬃcials were not convinced and she was allowed to enter the country only on condition that she undergo medical exams for the next ten years.

After her marriage Vreine worked as an X-ray and lab technician for doctors Duthie and Martin, the only doctors here at the time. The couple was blessed with four sons: Chris in 1961, Mark in 1963, David in 1965 and John in 1967. All were born in Invermere and the family lived across from Laird School. Fritz says that all the time he was working in lumber, he “kept the dream alive.” Every spare dollar was saved and in 1971 he finally purchased 1,550 acres from Ernest Boker for about $100,000. The farm is the old Johnston place, located at the end of Johnston Road on the southern edge of Invermere. It took time to get the farm up and running, so Fritz continued to operate the sawmill for another ten years. He was 58 when he shut it down, having spent 35 years in the forest industry. Hans Weinmann built their solid log house and they moved into it in 1976. Hans also went searching in the bush until he found a curved piece of timber that now serves as a mantelpiece above the fireplace. Above the mantelpiece are antlers, nests and intriguingly-shaped bits of wood. Fritz recalls that Vreine had an interest “in this stuff” and encouraged the children to bring back their finds to be displayed. Fritz still works Zehnder Farms with three of his sons, while son Mark Zehnder is the local veterinarian. Three of the boys still live at the ranch, and Fritz also has seven grandchildren. Sadly, his wife Vreine died of Lou Gehrig’s disease nine years ago. “She was an excellent mother and a good wife,” says Fritz. “I miss her every day.”

The old Johnston cabin has been restored by Mark Zehnder for his four children.

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The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 11

December 9, 2005

When the going gets tough.

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AT LEAST HIS BEARD IS WARM - Conrad Messerli, aged 7, was one of the adorable kids who rode in the back of The Pioneer’s truck during the parade Sunday.

Weather blamed for slow Super Sunday By Adrian Bergles Pioneer Staff The Super Sunday parade was a super success, says Wendy Bennett, Chair of the Invermere Business Committee. “I can’t believe all the people that came out, given the chilly weather,” she says. About 150 people lined main street during the parade, braving the minus14 temperature. Ten floats and about 50 people paraded down 9th Street and onto 7th Avenue. Some completed the route on four-wheeled ATV machines, and some mothers pushed their children in double and even triple seat child strollers. The Cranbrook Bugle Band played marching music while Christmas music poured from other floats. The floats were judged and Home Hardware’s yellow service truck with its Christmas scene, complete with a snow-

flake ball, was named the winner. As the floats passed, candy was tossed into the crowd lining the street. Frozen spectators could be seen holding their hands over their ears, trying to cover every bit of exposed skin in the frigid temperatures. At the rear of the parade Santa took a seat in Invermere’s big red fire truck and waved heartily at the crowd. After the parade was over Santa greeted children at the Invermere Community Centre. “We’re kind of a little town growing up,” says Ms. Bennett. “It’s nice to see this little parade with lots of energy.” On Sunday afternoon special prices were in effect at many Invermere shops. JoAnne Willox, owner of Details by JoAnne, emceed the event. She says business on Sunday wasn’t as good as other years. “I think a lot of businesses were down,” she says. “I think we can blame the weather.

nkeyʼs o M Uncle

TOY & GIFT c •o •m •p •a •n •y

Santa’s source for

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12 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 9, 2005

Deanna Empey ARMT Massage & Wellness

Main Street in Invermere at Radermacher Chiropractic Oﬀering: Massage, CranioSacral Therapy, Raindrop Therapy, Myofacial Release, Onsen Therapy, Accupressure & Reﬂexology. Book your appointment by calling: Invermere 342-8830

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SLIPPING AND SLIDING - Four-year-old Ashley Morgan, daughter of Dale and Annette Morgan of Invermere, enjoyed sliding down the hill at J. A. Laird while waiting for school to get out.

PRAIRIE ART - Barry Gillies of Windermere, formerly of Saskatchewan, sold his beautiful photographs of prairie scenes at the weekend Craft Fair at the Invermere Community Hall.

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The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 13

December 9, 2005

Home Hardware

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TIP OF THE WEEK Louise says, “Home Hardware features great savings on Paderno Cookware until January 2006!” READY, AIM, FIRE - This young man eyes the target at Invermere’s Royal Canadian Legion Turkey Shoot on Saturday. About 20 target shooters came to compete for ten frozen turkeys and hams. Money raised went to the Legion.

WE’VE GOT YOUR LUMBER.

Radium Hot Springs Sunshine Rotary Club presents the

3rd Annual

Carole Sing Friday, December 16th 7:00 pm Chili & hot chocolate at 1/2 time Meet at

The Parkside Internet Café in Radium 4873 St. Mary’s Street (Beside the BigHorn Motel)

Candles, Carole and Song Sheets Provided Children Very Welcome

SANTA KEEPS WARM - This year Santa rode inside the cab of the Invermere Fire Truck at Sunday’s Santa Claus parade instead of up on the top. About 200 people attended the parade in spite of the cold weather.

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For further information, please contact David Pacey 342-1524 Cash or in-kind donation required for the food bank.

14 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 9, 2005

The Old Zone

�� Loaves • Cookies Tarts • Cakes Mufﬁns ur To Place Yo er rd O Baking

�� 342-6746

“An Old Fashioned Columbia Valley Christmas on Ice” Figure Skating Club

Sunday, December 11, 2005 2:00 pm at the Eddie Mtn. Memorial Arena

PLEASE COME AND SUPPORT OUR KIDS!

presents

Sanctioned by Skate Canada

CHILL CHASER

By Harold Hazelaar Invermere

What’s the beneﬁt of writing these columns, if I can’t take the occasional cheap shot?

Did you happen to see the hi-light clips (lowlight in this case) of Eddie “The Eagle” Belfour wandering around outside of his Toronto Maple Leaf goal crease a few weeks ago? Clumsy, Clumsy, Clumsy. Twenty-five feet away from the goal, trying to stick-handle the puck, or trying to pass the puck only to lose it and allow the opposition to score three or four times in a couple of games. I think the goaltender should stay where he belongs when it comes to OldTimers hockey. Our goalies can’t skate good enough, can’t handle the puck at all, and don’t know squat about angles, and one of them, (“Crow”), recently scored a perfect 10 with his “Eagle” impersonation. Absolutely disgusting to watch!!! Most forwards and offensemen work very, very hard in this league to score goals, and it is disheartening to watch some other players easily score goals into empty nets. Sorry, Brent, I had to get that off my chest, even though I preach continually that our Old-Timers hockey is only about exercise and having fun.

Results from Nov 30th: Huckleberry Hawks over Inside Edge Black Smoke, Warwick Wolves over Dale Christian Mudders, Valley Vision Vultures over Lake Auto Mustangs and Hi-Heat Batters over Petro-Canada Killer Tomatoes Schedule for Dec 14th: 6:45pm Warwick Wolves vs Hi-Heat Batters 8:00pm Valley Vision Vultures vs Petro-Canada Killer Tomatoes 9:15pm Inside Edge Black Smoke vs Dale Christian Mudders 10:30pm Huckleberry Hawks vs Lake Auto Mustangs Schedule for Dec 21st: (Note Time Changes) 6:45pm Lake Auto Mustangs vs Dale Christian Mudders 7:40pm Hi-Heat Batters vs Valley Vision Vultures 8:35pm Warwick Wolves vs Huckleberry The Old Zone Hawks is brought 9:30pm Inside to you by: Edge Black Smoke vs Petro-Canada Killer Tomatoes

Player Proﬁle Name: Brent Raven Hometown: Invermere Nickname: “Crow” Years in the League: 6 Favorite Memory: Getting a pass from Ernie and scoring a goal in the Christmas game! Hobbies: Hunting, ﬁshing, Old-Timers Hockey President, and watching the Flyers lose all the time

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The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 15

December 9, 2005

New apprenticeships offered in Cranbrook The need for trained trades workers has never been higher in the province and many local apprentices are having diﬃculty getting into trades training classes because of long waiting lists. “We continue to get calls from electrical and heavy duty mechanic apprentices every day who tell us they are having to wait one, two and sometimes three years to get into training classes,” said Heather Schneider, dean of instruction at the college in Cranbrook. To meet the demand, the College of the Rockies will oﬀer three badly-needed apprenticeship classes at the Cranbrook campus: • Electrical Year 1 apprenticeship class starting January 3, 2006 (10 weeks, registration deadline December 15); • Heavy Duty Mechanics Year 1 ap-

prenticeship class starting February 20, 2006 (six weeks, registration deadline January 20) • Electrical Year 2 apprenticeship class starting March 20, 2006 (10 weeks, registration deadline February 20). Please call 489-2751 ext. 216 for availability and further training dates. In addition, ﬁve classes will be scheduled throughout the year for electrical, heavy duty mechanics, carpentry and welding. Apprenticeship training will also be oﬀered in collision repair, automotive technician, planermill maintenance technician, cook training and millwright. The College’s full trades training schedule can be found on the website www.cotr.bc.ca/Trades.

Invermere Fire Rescue would like to thank the local sponsors for their donations to the 34th Annual Fireman’s Ball. Kool Country Grey Wolf Golf Course Kootenay Bough & Cone Interior World Home Hardware Details by JoAnne Ace Hardware Invermere Vet Clinic AG Foods Rob’s Bicycle Works Station Pub Tex’s Coﬀee Works It’s a Wrap Valley Fitness Centre Dollar Store Lake Auto Valley Shine Shop Gone Hollywood Fairmont Gold Smith Strand’s

Napa Auto Shaw Enterprises Angus McToogle’s Invermere Glass CastleRock Tim Horton’s Ptarmigan Rug Cleaners Max Helmer Construction Best Western Invermere Inn Chez Guillaume Vintners Tiﬀany’s Thredz Kicking Horse Coﬀee The Monkey’s Uncle Columbia Trading Co. The Eatery Superior Propane Back Door Wine Cellar Sunsations Spa Dave’s Book Bar Digits

Walker’s Auto Wild Rose 2 for 1 Pizza Roger’s Recharge Smith & Andruschuk Pharmasave Selkirk TV Mr. Tire Skandia Concrete Lambert Insurance Radium Leisure Centre The Outdoor Store Travel World The Place Grant’s Foods Panorama Mountain Resort Sears Bavin Glass Inside Edge Anglz

Petro Canada Te Papa Nui Lakeside Pub Portabella Peppi’s Pizza Tasty Fashion Co. High Country Properties Warwick Interiors Columbia Cycle Deck Electric Syndicate Board Shop East Kootenay Insurance Gerry’s Gelati East Kootenay Realty

Invermere Fire Rescue would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

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16 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 9, 2005

P IONEER C LASSIFIEDS MOUNTAIN VIEW LODGE, 747 12th Street, Invermere is curThe families of Isabel Harrison rently providing OFF-SEASON wish to thank each and every- rates. Reduced nightly rates, one for all the donations, cards some weekly/monthly (on apand flowers. Thanks, all the proval). Clean and affordable. wonderful ladies from Edge- Call 342-6618, Nicky or Al. water, and Eastern Star members, for the lovely tea they HOMES FOR RENT provided for us. And, to Rev. Sandy Ferguson and Rev. Lorne FOR RENT OR SALE - Very clean, Cornelson for their services and 3 bdrm mobile in Juniper prayers. Thanks to the staff and Heights. $650/mth, includes volunteers at Columbia House pad rental and 5 appliances. for the wonderful care our Available immediately. 3420822. mother received.

THANK YOU

SUITES FOR RENT 2 bdrm main floor suite, Unit #1, 5744 Vermillion Street, Edgewater. Covered veranda entrance, new paint and flooring throughout, very peaceful and quiet, propane forced air heat included in rent, N/S, N/P, wanting long-term tenant. $650/mth. Jeff (403) 2810475, Terry (403) 312-4390, or Cathy, 347-2285. Bright one bdrm basement suite, private entrance, nice neighbourhood, close to downtown. $550/mth + utilities, cable included, N/S, one person preferred. 403-2865126.

high school, or call and we will many extras, surplus to needs. PUBLIC SERVICE pick it up! Call Fiona at 342- $15,950. 341-3641. 9213, ext. 114. Thank you! NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS CAREERS meet Thursdays, 7:30-9pm, Invermere Health Unit, 1100 MISC. FOR SALE ROCKY MOUNTAIN TRAINING, BC �� 10th Street, staff entrance. �� Licensed Employment Agency. Christmas trees - locally �� grown, sheared and pruned NEED A JOB?! RMT Staffing Ser- ALCOHOLISM SHATTERS LIVES. �� vices Bring us your resume and trees, prices depend on size. �� To help the alcoholic, you have �� On sale December 3, 10 and we’ll find the Right Job For You! to help yourself first. Al Anon �� 17, starting at 10am at Mead- NEED EMPLOYEES?! Headhunt- meets 10am Tuesdays at Catholic �� ers we fi nd the Right Person owland Art Works (across �� Church, 1210 9th St, Invermere. �� from the Invermere Airport). For You! Call 342-6011, toll For info call Carol at 347-9841. Call Bob Mitchell at 346-3275, free, 1-888-737-5511, email rmti@telus.net, website www. Brisco. WE WILL PAY YOU rockymountaintraining.bc.ca, A unique Christmas gift! Heir- 1006 7th Avenue, Invermere, * 3 bdrm townhouse in loom quality chest, handmade BC, V0A 1K0. WE ARE CURInvermere, one 4-piece bath, of mahogany, okoume, maple, RENTLY RECRUITING FOR Sales, two 2-piece baths, F/S, D/W, babinga and lined with aro- Warehouse, Chef and Reservalaundry hookup, attached ga- matic cedar. Constructed us- tions positions. FOR YOUR TIMESHARE! rage, small yard, pet okay with ing “dovetail” joinery, finished HELNA’S STUBE requires an expet deposit, $950/mth plus with handles, hinges and locks utilities and damage deposit, of high quality brass. Multiple perienced part-time evening #112 - 626 9th Avenue. Avail- inlay work. Never used. Must waitress. Call 347-0047. able January 1st. 403-283- be seen to be appreciated. TNT Cleaning Service now hir1724. $2,000, OBO. 342-3442. ing for winter season. FT and �� PT positions available. ComDownsizing? Carefree living You are invited to a Christmas �� in secure 2 bdrm, newly reno- Wellness party! Saturday, De- petitive wages. For more inforvated condo. Ground-level, cember 17th, 1 to 4pm drop mation call Bonnie, 342-0799 patio, shared laundry. N/P, N/S, in. Wellness gifts for your or 688-5190.

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1 bdrm basement suite, four Renovations, painting, carpenwindows, private entrance, W/ try, wood finishing, plumbing, D, N/S, N/P, $550/mth + 1/3 etc. Reliable, qualified workutilities. 342-5592. manship. Bill Ark Construction, 342-7329. 1 bedroom fully furnished suite available immediately, $650/ WANTED mth, includes everything. One person preferred. 342-8621. DTSS has two very keen knitting groups that meet Wednesdays and Thursdays at lunchtime. FOR RENT Donations of knitting needles STEIN APARTMENTS - residential and/or yarn would be greatly and commercial. 342- 6912. appreciated. Drop off at the

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loved ones! Plan a wellness home! Stocking stuﬀers! Refreshments! For details ask your local wellness elves: Deborah Griﬃth, 342-3214, www.5pillars.com/creatinghealth, or Carol Gordon, 3416114, www.5pillars.com/kiassociates.

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GONE HOLLYWOOD requires full-time and part-time clerks/ cashiers for busy video store. Must be energetic and a good people person. Able to work nights and weekend shifts. Must be bondable. Starting salary $10/hour. Apply at front counter or phone 342-0057.

Large bedroom dresser with mirror, matching dressing Wanted- Journeyman Electricabinet, good condition, $250. cian and/or 4th year apprentice. Wages & beneﬁts negotia342-9733. ble. Commercial, industrial and 2 Power King Plus winter tires, residential wiring. 342-9918 size P235-75-R16, used one days or 347-2252 nights & season. Asking $125, OBO. weekends. 347-9604.

PEPPI’S ITALIAN FUEL requires a full time 1st Pizza Cook, 32 to 1923 Weber upright piano 40+ hours per week, including with ivory keys. Good condievenings. Must be 19 or older, tion, sounds great. $1500, experience in the kitchen reOBO. 342-3306. quired. Phone 342-3421 or drop in to make an appointCustom cut rough lumber, dry ment for an interview with ﬁr beams, fence boards, etc. resume. Firewood - ﬁr, birch or pine - split or unsplit. Top quality TRIMS AND TREASURES in Fairhay, grass/alfalfa mix, round or mont is seeking a happy, enersquare bales. 346-3247. getic person to join our team as a hairstylist/esthetician. Email VEHICLES FOR SALE resumes to trims@telus.net, or 1999 Ford Expedition, Eddie call France at 345-0077 after Bauer, 8 seats, excellent condi- 2pm. tion, white with grey leather,

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OFFICE MANAGER The Pioneer Newspaper seeks full-time Oﬃce Manager to perform a variety of duties in this busy oﬃce. Must be a team player, able to work independently, and have exceptional customer service skills. Responsibilities include invoicing as well as all administrative and clerical duties. Required are strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Proofreading ability essential. Mail resumes by December 16, 2005 to Box 868, Invermere, V0A 1K0. Only applicants who are being considered will be contacted.

The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 17

December 9, 2005

panachesuites.com Fresh powder blankets the slopes at Panorama Ski Resort.

Panorama opens today By Adrian Bergles Pioneer Staﬀ Ski and snowboard junkies will love the white powder at Panorama Mountain Village when the season kicks oﬀ this morning. Eight of nine lifts will be open at 9 a.m. Friday. “Only the Snowbird chair will remain closed,” says marketing coordinator Kristin Smith. “All 4,000 feet of vertical will be open.” Ms. Smith says snow conditions are excellent. “There’s been lots of natural snowfall and the temperatures have been excellent for snow-making,” she says. By Tuesday there were 27 centimetres of snow at the base and 55 centimetres on the summit.

Ms. Smith expects a busy weekend and says a mountain party will be held to celebrate. On Saturday evening a 1980s-themed outdoor party called the Snow Safari will be held on the Great Hall Deck of the Ski Tip Lodge. Edmonton rock band Exit 303 will play for the crowd. Meanwhile, a bonﬁre will burn in the upper parking lot and oﬀerings will be burnt for Ullr, the Norse God of skiing, says Ms. Smith. “But nothing like boards or skis,” she says. “It wouldn’t be environmentally friendly.” Over the weekend Don and Heather Bilodeau of Invermere will host their 19th annual Ski Pro Workshop. The three-day lesson will be taught by top professional ski instructors.

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Christmas Eve 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

18 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 9, 2005

Pioneer Briefs Carol service Sunday The Alliance Church in Invermere will host a special Christmas service on Sunday evening. “During the busy season, this is an opportunity to sing the songs and share the stories of Christmas,” said pastor Dieter Magnus. The entire community is welcome, including children. After hearing the Christmas story, people will sing Christmas carols. The evening begins at 7 p.m.

cafe for treats and to warm up, and then make their rounds for another hour. Mr. Pacey says the crooners plan to visit most of Radium. “We encourage people to dress warmly and come out and have a lot of fun.”

Community carol sing Valley Voices Community Choir will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 13th at Christ Church Trinity. Not only can the public listen to some great singing, the audience will be asked to join a carol sing during the performance. Tickets at Dave’s Book Bar and Stober’s.

Book sales for food bank Carol singers welcome The Radium Rotary Club invites one and all to join in Christmas carolling on Friday, December 16. “It’s an old-time Christmas tradition,” said organizer David Pacey. Money and food will be collected for the Valley Food Bank. Carollers will meet at 7 p.m. at the Parkside Internet Cafe. They will sing for an hour, come back to the

Bob Bannon, who wrote the book entitled: West Coast Trail: One Step at a Time, will be reading from his book at Meet at Higher Ground coﬀee shop in Radium at 7:30 p.m. December 14th. Mr. Bannon hiked the West Coast trail with his friend Gord Strandlund, who bought the coﬀee shop this year along with Leann Laisnez. After the reading, books will be sold and part of the proceeds will be donated to the food bank.

CD sales for Edgewater Hall Barry Moore, organizer for the Columbia Valley Music and Festivals, is selling CDs to raise money for renovating the Edgewater Hall. The Birth of a King, a Christmas oratorio performed by the Golden Community Choir in the Edgewater Hall, costs $25 with $5 going towards the renovations. Barry Moore He also has a DVD for sale called Sunday Serenade, performed at the hall on August 28, 2005. That DVD costs $20 with $15 going towards the hall. The renovations to the Edgewater Hall include staging, lighting, acoustic panels. “We still owe another $45,000 on the grand piano,” says Barry. For more information about how to purchase the items or make a donation to the hall, please call him at 347-9668.

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The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 15

December 9, 2005

A REAL BIG TREE - Fairmont Hot Springs Resort puts up a giant real tree in the lobby each Christmas.

COATS FOR KIDS - Dano Saunders of Invermere, who heads the Coats for Kids campaign, accepts 21 coats and other items donated by local residents, from Fairmont Resort’s chief operating oﬃcer, Pat McCormick.

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The Pioneer - Your Weekly Source for News and Events

20 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 9, 2005

Owners of The Place open second furniture store Business Feature By Sandra Kelly Special to The Pioneer

Don Townsend in front of his new Invermere Furniture store.

When they honeymooned in Invermere 22 years ago, Glenda and Don Townsend had no idea they would one day be permanent residents of the mountain town they instantly fell in love with. “I remember thinking: ‘Wouldn’t this be a great place to live?’” says Glenda. Seven years later the Townsends tested that theory by selling part of their grain farm in Macklin, Saskatchewan and moving to Invermere. Three years later they opened The Place for Fine Furniture on 7th Avenue. Now they have opened a second furniture store downtown. Invermere Furniture opened for business last Saturday in the renovated space formerly occupied by Home Hardware. The preparations were hectic and the 5,000-square-foot retail store is “a bit messy,” says Glenda, but that shouldn’t deter shoppers from dropping in. “We’ve got some furniture to die for.” Invermere Furniture will oﬀer some of the same products as The Place for Fine Furniture: full custom leather and fabric furniture items, memory and foam mattresses, and selected pieces of Oxcart furniture from Thailand. The Oxcart pieces are increasingly rare and in great demand, says Don. “There’s only one Canadian importer

We’re proud to introduce Rob Tullis, Financial Planner, Investment & Retirement Planning / Investment Funds Specialist, to our BMO Financial Group team Rob Tullis is the Financial Planner, Investment & Retirement Planning / Investment Funds Specialist at BMO Bank of Montreal’s Invermere Branch. Rob is a dedicated investment professional who brings to his role a solid background in wealth management. Rob will be working closely with clients on a range of investing needs - whether an initial investment plan, maximizing retirement income from established investments or efficient investment tax planning. He will also work with other members of BMO Financial Group to help our clients accumulate, grow, and protect their assets, with integrated products and services designed to cover the complete range of wealth management needs -- from simple solutions to complex strategies. We invite you to come in and meet Rob Tullis or to call him at (250) 919-1069 to learn more about the benefits of working with him on your particular financial goals. Ask about a complimentary private consultation today!

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bringing them in, and I believe we are one of only six stores in all of Canada where they’re available.” The store will oﬀer some of the same services, too, including interior design assistance and showhome/second home furniture installation. Invermere Furniture will bring something new to the mix, however: furniture pieces from the world-renowned Masters Collection, which was inﬂuenced by British Colonial designs from the mid-1800s. “These are beautiful pieces,” says Glenda. Some of the items on display in the new store are matching pieces, others are strictly for accent. Some are replicas of classic designs, and others are genuine antiques with interesting origins. The Townsends are particularly proud of a teak armoire whose doors came from a monastery in Asia. “It’s truly a one-of-a-kind piece,” says Don. Both of the Townsends stress that Invermere Furniture isn’t intended to replace or rival The Place for Fine Furniture. That store will remain open, and will continue to carry the unique furniture and accessories for which it’s known. “We simply ran out of space there,” says Glenda. Is your business brand new, undergoing a major expansion, or under new ownership? Call us at The Pioneer, 341-6299.

The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 21

December 9, 2005

Spilli postmaster just won’t quit By Adrian Bergles Pioneer Staff Frances Dunne, 83, is a woman of resolve. Her determination has been honed over the past 53 years as full-time postmaster in Spillimacheen making her the longest-serving postmaster in Canada. “When I got to be 65, they sent a notice every three months, asking: ‘Do you plan to retire?” she said. “I’d always write ‘no’ on the letter and send it back. At 70 I was fed up, and I wrote: ‘No, and I’m not going to die, either.’ And you know, I haven’t heard from them since.” Born in Golden, Frances was a radio operator during the Second World War. She then performed the same job in Edmonton for the Department of National Defence. She met her future husband in Montreal. The marriage was long-distance because her husband travelled. He was killed in the 1960s and Frances never remarried. “I’ll never catch anybody like that,” she says. In the early 1950s Frances came to Spillimacheen to care for her parents, who had become severely ill with the flu. As she tended to her parents, she began work at the post office, barely 200 yards from the family home. Frances lives in the immaculately-maintained home to this day. The change from working for the war effort to living in the valley and working at a small post office was not difficult, she says. “It was the pace that I was used to,” says Frances. “I loathe cities with a vengeance.” She does visit Vancouver regularly, however. A season ticket holder to the Vancouver Opera, Frances travels by Greyhound to take in the show and visit her

Frances Dunne has been running the place for 53 years. sister Betty and niece Elizabeth in the big city. “It’s nice to go for a visit and get out of there fast,” she says. The valley lifestyle suits Frances, who says the post oﬃce currently serves about 50 people. Over her years she’s seen the community change and as postmaster she has served as a unoﬃcial town registrar. “When the mine was operating, there was a terrif-

ic amount,” she said about post office business. Hundreds of families used the post office before the town’s silver and zinc mine was closed. The small post office beside Highway 95 has served the town since before Frances began. It is very different from a modern postal outlet. In the foyer there are two bookcases filled with books, the town’s library. Copies of The Pioneer lay atop the bookcases, ready to be picked up. A print hangs on a wall commemorating Frances’s 50th year with the post office. Behind the counter sits a large wood stove with firewood stacked neatly behind. Every winter morning Frances lights a fire. “It gets quite warm,” she says. In a separate room off to the side, there is a table and 40 jigsaw puzzles Frances works on to fill the time when the post office is slow. The building’s history and quaint nature is becoming recognized. Last year Premier Gordon Campbell stopped by to say hello. And in August a family from Ontario made the post office a destination on their trip west. “People notice it, you know,” says Frances. Ironically, the many closures of small-town post offices across Canada mean that, for now, the Spillimacheen post office is safe. “The Postmaster General just announced that they weren’t going to close any more,” says Frances. That’s good news because Frances has no intention of retiring. “It just goes along,” she says of her long career. Frances says her enjoyment of life is what has kept her going all these years. “I love talking to people at the post office,” she says. “My goodness, it’s fun . . . if you didn’t have anything to do, you’d go stark raving bananas.”

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22 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 9, 2005

Valley Churches LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH Sunday, December 11th • 10:30 am Worship and Life Instruction. “The Amazing Emmanuel - Protecting the Weak”. Communion will be served. Open Session Sunday School for ages 3 to Grade 3, during the morning service. Senior Pastor Rev. Dieter Magnus Associate Pastor Rev. Jared Enns 326 - 10th Avenue, Invermere • 342-9535 WINDERMERE VALLEY SHARED MINISTRY Sunday, December 11th 10:30 am Invermere - Christ Church Trinity 7:30 pm Blue Christmas Ecumencial Service Rev. Sandy Ferguson • 110 - 7th Avenue, Invermere • 342-6644 VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY Sunday, 10:00 am Children’s church during the message part of the service. Children 4 - 12 years. • 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, Hwy 93/95 Radium Sunday, 11:00 am Mass St. Anthony’s Church, Canal Flats • Sunday, 4:00 pm Mass Father Jose Joaquin • 712 -12th Ave., Invermere • 342-6167 ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN MISSION OF INVERMERE Regular weekly worship services every Sunday at 1:30 pm Sr. Pastor Rev. Bryan K. Schinde • Assoc. Pastor Rev. Fraser Coltman at Christ Church Trinity 110 - 7th Ave., Invermere • 1-866-426-7564 RADIUM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Every Sunday 10:00 am Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater • Radium Seniors’ Hall • 342-6633 THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Sunday, 10:00 am President J.P. Tremblay, Columbia Valley Branch 5014 Fairway, Fairmont Hot Springs • 1-866-349-5772

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FAITH Christmas: the ‘C’ word By John Cuyler, Pastor Valley Christian Assembly

Today’s society prides itself on being “politically correct.” We have to be careful not to be too “gender specific” using terms such as policeman, or mailman or even mankind. Even this computer program reminds me of this when I run the spelling and grammar check. In this nation we have tried to sanitize everything we say and do so as not to offend anyone in this multicultural society. Now, I can see some merit to doing this - however, when it gets to the place that the name for this season that we all know and celebrate, Christmas, is quashed by the powers that be, I feel we have gone a step too far. Perhaps you caught the story on the national news a week or so ago where the tree that is sent every year from the city of Halifax to the city of Boston as a gift of thanks for their help and support during the great Halifax disaster of December 1917 was no longer going to be called a Christmas tree but this year it would be called a “Holiday tree.” Thankfully, they decided to call it a Christmas tree after all, but who knows whether that will fly next year? Check out all the ads on TV or the myriad of junk mail flyers that fill our post boxes at this time of year and see if you can find the word “Christmas” in any of them. What is it about the “C” word that scares the politicians, ad agencies and media providers? This is also the time that all the young students are busily preparing for and presenting their annual Christmas concerts in their schools. If you are a parent or grandparent of one or more these precious kids, no doubt you’ll try and get there early to get the best seat for the production, armed with camera or camcorder to record this momentous event. But while you’re there, check out the content of

the evening and see if for the most part, the true meaning behind this time of year, the birth of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, is all but left out or not. Why is it that the “C” word intimidates the public educational system to the point that they have to play down the true meaning of Christmas? Consider this, what if some of the classic songs of Christmas that we listen to were to be altered to fit the attitude of today? Bing Crosby would have to sing his famous Christmas song, “I’m dreaming of a white holiday.” We would have to sing: “Silver bells, Silver bells, It’s holiday time in the city. Ring-a-ling, hear them ring, soon it will be holiday day.” It doesn’t even sound right. I think you’re getting my point. Politicians and others can try and take the Christ out of Christmas by renaming it “the holidays” but nothing can ever take away the real reason for the season, the joy and the wonder of God, the Creator of all things being willing to come down to our level and live among us as a Man. The greatest message of Christmas is: “And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we (actually) saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth.” (John 1:14 Amplified Bible) Christ is the “Word” who lived among us for awhile so He could experience firsthand what we all go through. He came for a specific purpose, to bridge the gap between all of us and Himself through His sacrificial death on the cross. No wonder the angel proclaimed when He was born a baby in Bethlehem: “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior - yes the Messiah, the Lord - has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David.” (Luke 2:10) Christ, the “C” Word found in the word Christmas, became flesh and lived among us for awhile so we could experience His love, His mercy and His forgiveness and He could experience firsthand, our hurts, frustrations and challenges. That’s what Christmas is all about. Let’s keep the “C” word, Christ, prominent in Christmas this year and every year. May you all enjoy a blessed Christmas season.

Main St., 7th Ave. Invermere 342-7010

Live Christmas Nativity Pageant Friday, Dec. 16 6:30 pm & 7:30 pm 2 shows at the

Catholic Church 702 - 12th Ave. Invermere

Refreshments Ser ved • Ever yone Welcome For information call:

Herb 342-6761 or Mar y Ellen 342-3615 Presented by the Local Churches

Mystery at the library Review by Sheila Bonny Invermere Public Library Double Shot by Diane Mott Davidson Double Shot is the latest in Davidson’s enticing mystery series in which Goldy Schulz investigates murders while simultaneously operating a gourmet catering service for Aspen’s country club society. In Double Shot, Goldy is knocked unconscious outside her catering facility, discovers her refrigerators full of rotting food, and ﬁnds bags of mice planted in her kitchen. Initially, she suspects her violent ex-husband, Dr. Korman, of sabotage. However, Goldy, herself becomes a murder suspect when Korman’s dead body is discovered shortly after people witnessed

them arguing about his visits with their teenaged son. While struggling to fulﬁll her catering contracts and attempting to comfort her grieving son, Goldy tries to discover who hated both her and her ex-husband. Her investigations uncover secrets ranging from money-laundering to child abuse in the community and point to multiple possible murderers. A bonus for the reader is that Goldy sorts her thoughts and relieves her tension by cooking and baking. Consequently, we read professional secrets of food preparation and, best of all, ﬁnd 13 sumptuous recipes included in the back of the book. Double Shot will be a treat for readers who can enjoy both a murder mystery and desserts like Double-Shot Chocolate Cake.

The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 23

December 9, 2005

Junior Girls Win Championship The Windermere Valley Junior Devils Girls’ Hockey team, ages 11 and 12, travelled to the Spokane Snowﬂake tournament in Washington recently and won all four of their games, bringing home the championship trophy. The goalie shoot-out was won by Alanna Westergaard, the fastest skater and hardest slapshot was won by Gracie Jones, and the team also placed ﬁrst in the relay. Way to go, girls!

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24 • The Upper Columbia Pioneer

December 9, 2005

Invermere Ofﬁce: 250-342-6505 Wende Brash 342-1300

Bernie Raven 342-7415

Scott Wallace 342-5309

Andy Smith 342-1709

Daniel Zurgilgen 342-1612

Ed English 342-1194

Jan Klimek 342-1195

Ron Maciborski Bryan Hookenson 342-5704 341-1266

Rob Rice 342-5935

John McCarthy Lynda Kirkpatrick 341-1907 342-1758

Deborah-Kim Rice 342-5935

www.ReMaxInvermere.com

Perfect Location

By Toby Chairlift

Canal Flats ﬁrst ever “Condo Development”. Nine 2 BR units on a full undeveloped bsmt with roughed in plumbing. Close to the beach and public boat launch, golf, shopping, parks, schools and amenities. Call on Phase 1 now, as possession is March 2006! MLS#114214+

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Ski Hill View

Peaceful Setting

Rundle Place

Jade Landing

$149,900.00+gst

Opportunity knocks. Location is the key to this beautiful Ski Tip Lodge, one bedroom condo. Incredible view of the slopes. Rental pool income. Condo fees include utilities. This could be your home away from home. MLS#114256

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Service Commercial

Dreaming of being your own boss? This is a great place for you to start that new business youʼve been dreaming of! Over 3⁄4 acre at the south entrance into Canal Flats with C-2 (Service Commercial) zoning. Invest in this fast growing community now. MLS#114304

$79,900.00

$97,000.00

...For family and friends. Sit around the ﬁreplace playing games, reading or watching movies together. Youʼll be right in the heart of Radiumʼs Rocky Mountain Range in this well taken care of, 2 BR, 2 BTR condo on the golf course. Carport, sundeck, rec room, furniture included. MLS#114262

$256,900.00

The newest cul de sac subdivision in the quickly growing town of Canal Flats. Ten lots in all, with full underground service – water, sewer, hydro, Telus, cable. Building scheme speciﬁes ﬁve tears to build, and only 1000 sf minimum size. Could be the best investment in the valley now. MLS#114311+

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Mountain Views & Quiet Surroundings

Getaway to Radium Hot Springs

Earmark this doublewide manufactured home in Edgewater. Large corner lot, storage shed, and sundeck. Full unﬁnished basement waiting for a handy-mans touch. Propane ﬁreplace in the living room and a pellet stove in the basement to keep the hydro bills in check! Great way to start, or as a revenue property. MLS#113776

This is the perfect location in a park like setting with stunning mountain views. Feature ﬁreplace and sunroom, 4 large bedrooms, 3 baths and large family room will provide comfortable, easy living perfect for retirement, recreation or residential. MLS#113417

$199,900.00

Waiting for You.

Wonderfully designed Columbia unit offering 4 BR and 3.5 BTR with room for the family. Great mountain views from your living room. Fully developed with a walk-out basement, gas ﬁreplace, hardwood and tile ﬂooring and much more. Access to rec centre, pool, playground and lake. MLS#113263

$524,000.00

$98,800.00+gst

$337,000.00

Village Country Inn

Spotless, elegant tea room, secure, adult-oriented country inn with loyal clientele. 14 uniquely decorated units, managerʼs suite included. Ideal for mature owners who enjoy life in a small mountain community. Hands-on management contract and assumable ﬁnancing available. Radiumʼs newest and most modern inn. MLS#113468

$990,000.00