vol9issue31-PNS

ll pu t ou

PLAYSTAY N

Serving Spillimacheen, Brisco, Radium, Edgewater, Invermere, Windermere, Fairmont and Canal Flats

in the beautiful columbia valley

Entertainment and activity guide for the whole family!

At this time of year, the Columbia Valley is teeming with colourful wildflowers, like the Mariposa lily pictured. Turn to pages 6 and 7 for a visual flower guide to blooms in the local area.

Photo by Larry Halverson

Vacation rentals are an ideal alternative to hotels, providing more space and amenities for your hard-earned dollar than a hotel room.

Discover a better way to stay at

FAIRMONT

INVERMERE

PANORAMA

RADIUM

highcountryproperties.com 路 1.800.665.1801

INVERMERE

FAIRMONT

2 ~ Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

August 3, 2012

CANADIAN FUSION : LICENSED CASUAL DINING

Now Open at 2 p.m.

• Every Friday thru the summer

BBQ RIB BONANZA

the award-winning

all-you-can-eat rib dinner • All-you-can-eat

TUESDAY CRAB NIGHT

Hwy 93/95 south of Fairmont Hot Springs 250-345-2166 • thehoodoo.com

INDERMERE WV ALLEY Golf Course

· Golf 18 holes from $31.00 · KIDS PLAY FREE (some restrictions apply) · All golf equipment and clothing at rock bottom prices! · Tee Times ~ 250-342-3004

www.windermerevalleygolfcourse.com Tony’s Greek Grill

Tony’s Greek Grill In Fairmont

PEAK-TASTIC — A group of teens from Invermere, Cranbrook and Creston perch atop the majectic Eastpost Spire of the Bugaboo Mountains during a weekend among the peaks from July 20th to 22nd. Pictured, order unknown: Noah Beek, Hannah van der Roest, Curtis Hall, Axel Chore, Hope Blisset, Thea Rodgers, Justin Hayes, Alastair White, Courtney Hoffos, and Peter Tarrant; along with guides Kirk Mauthner, Tim McAllister and Sharon Wood, and B.C. Parks Rangers Amanda Weber-Roy and Rae Busse.

Photo by Pat Morrow

Local teens scale new heights Submitted by Pat Morrow Conrad Kain Centennial Society A group of East Kootenay teens has been making friends in high places as they scaled the peaks of the Bugaboos during the fourth annual Bugaboos Teen Climbing Program.

The program is hosted by the local Conrad Kain Centennial Society and Canadian Mountain Holidays, with support from BC Parks, and offers 10 local students the chance to push their boundaries in a spectacular wilderness area.

The trip, from July 20th to 22nd, included climbing, glacier hikes and ascents of stunning peaks in Buga-

Titled RV Lots

boo Provincial Park.

“Every day was different,” said Peter Tarrant, from Creston. “The first day it was climbing through a forest to the Conrad Kain hut, and learning how to self arrest on the snow slopes above the hut with an ice axe. The second day it was mostly glacier work through thick fog.

“On the third day we did everything: we hiked on a glacier, we rock-climbed to the top of East Post Spire, we rappelled, and we hiked back down through the forest.”

Sharon Wood, first woman in Canada to become an Association of Canadian Mountain Guides alpine guide, joined the group to add her wealth of guiding and instructing experience to that of local guides Kirk Mauthner and Tim McAllister.

Continued on page 3 . . .

Edgewater, B.C. • 11 Kms north of Radium Hot Springs on Hwy 95

Cottages

Join us in August!

In Fairmont

• Donair • Souvlaki • falafel • Spanakopita • kalamari • greek salad • Hamburgers and more!

• Fresh Fruit Smoothies • Frozen Yogurt • Hard Ice Cream • Milk Shakes Take out, eat in or Garden Seating. Open for Lunch and Dinner from April to October.

OPEN 11-10 DAILY

5009 Hot Springs Road •250-345-6661

• POOL • TENNIS COURT • COMMUNITY CENTRE • BASKETBALL COURT • PLAYGROUND • FITNESS CENTRE

(250) 341-5304 • www.valleysedgeresort.ca

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • Play ’n’ Stay ~ 3

August 3, 2012 . . . Continued from page 2.

B.C. Parks Rangers Amanda Weber-Roy and Rae Busse accompanied Pat Morrow, Conrad Kain Centennial Society chair, to round out the adult component.

After trekking the three to five hours up to the spectacularly located Alpine Club of Canada’s Conrad Kain Hut, the teens spent their first afternoon learning valuable self-rescue skills for their adventures into the peaks.

Days two and three were passed among the mountaintops surrounding the lodge, where the group had the chance to learn glacier hiking, rock climbing, mountaineering and leadership skills, while discovering the area’s unique history.

“It was incredible to learn about Conrad Kain and his history as a mountaineer,” said Thea Rodgers, of Mount Baker Secondary School in Cranbrook. “I could not imagine climbing in these mountains in 1916 with just the rudimentary mountain gear.

“I gained a new respect for one of history’s greatest unsung heroes, and an even stronger respect for our provincial parks.”

It was 1910 when alpine guide Conrad Kain first

Photos taken at Spirits Reach

ventured through the Bugaboo region of the Purcell Mountain Range. By May 1911 he had completed his first solo Bugaboos trip, scaling Mount Cornice unaided.

After spending three nights among the mountains Kain loved so much, the group had a parting gift for the area: a geocache box filled with information about Conrad Kain, which was hidden close to the Kain Hut. A special camp in Kain’s honour is being planned next summer by the Conrad Kain Centennial Society and Alpine Club of Canada to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Kain’s first ascent of Mt. Robson.

MOUNTAIN MOMENTS — Left: the Conrad Kain Hut in Bugaboo Provincial Park. Above: Thea Rodgers can’t keep the smile off her face after a day of roped glacier walking.

Photos by Pat Morrow and Noah Beek

4 ~ Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

Windermere’s Boating Professionals

• Watersports school • Marine fuel • Proshop & rentals • Convenience store 250-342-8799 • www.shadybrookresort.com

BEST PRICE GUARANTEE ON ALL STORAGE UNITS!

Real Storage

(Windermere) 1508 Highway 93/95 1 877 215 7325 (REAL)

www.realstorage.ca

A RARE OPPORTUNITY

LAKEFRONT LOT 8259 Grainger Road Canal Flats BC

We have created ONLY ONE LOT and maintained the privacy and beauty of this setting. You will have 200+ feet of lakefront, over ½ acre of land on Columbia Lake, a building site with uninterrupted views of the lake and mountains and a dock for your boat.

There is an offering that you will not find on Lake Windermere or the rest of Columbia Lake.

$949,000 NO HST!

OPEN FOR VIEWING THIS WEEKEND

250-349-5624

August 3, 2012

Waterfall watch: where to see the valley’s prettiest falls

By Kelsey Verboom Pioneer Staff Nothing is better on a hot summer’s day than standing at the bottom of a waterfall, the cold spray tickling your skin.

The Columbia Valley isn’t gushing with waterfalls from every cliff face, but there are a few great spots to view the force of gravity at its finest.

Sinclair Creek Falls The most centrally located waterfalls in the valley, Sinclair Creek Falls are just a short walk from the Village of Radium Hot Springs.

From the townsite, walk up the sidewalk following Highway 93, towards WHAT A GUSH — A visitor hikes towards Helmet Falls the Radium Hot Springs in Kootenay National Park. pools. After around one

Photo by Parks Canada/Alan Dibb kilometre, you will reach the park gates. Keep sign. The road splits many times after this, walking until you see a parking lot on your but follow the signs to the Bugaboos. left, and a marked trailhead for Juniper At approximately the 33 kilometre Trail. From here, you can either hike a mark, watch for the top of the falls on few minutes down the switchbacks to the your left. Park near the picnic tables and bottom of the falls, or alternatively you walk just a few hundred metres downhill. can continue walking up the sidewalk, The 10-metre high falls are an impressive and see the falls from above at a jutting sight, especially during high water. out viewpoint.

If you walk through the Sinclair Kootenay National Park Canyon, be sure to look up; you may spot Kootenay National Park offers mulbirds nesting in the rock face. Also, keep tiple spots to stop and spot waterfalls. an eye out for Bighorn sheep, which often For people looking to stretch their legs hang out in this area. while driving, pull over at Numa Falls, a rest stop 68 kilometres from Radium.

Upper Bugaboo Falls The falls, formed by the Vermilion river, These falls are accessed via a 1-2 hour are a short stroll from the parking area. A drive in the backcountry, so a reliable ve- bridge goes over the falls, giving a hearthicle is a must, as the road is often very pumping view of the tumbling water. rough and pothole-filled. From Radium, For committed hikers, a 15-kilometre drive north on Highway 95 to Brisco, hike to Helmet Falls (part of the Rockwall where you will turn left onto Brisco Road trail) starts from the Paint Pots parking at the Bugaboo Glacier Provincial Park lot. Elevation gain: 319 metres.

August 3, 2012

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • Play ’n’ Stay ~ 5

Windsurfers making waves in the valley perfecting them can take a lifetime.

Novice windsurfers get their feet wet with larger, more buoyant boards and smaller sails, harnessing light winds of around five It’s a small, exclusive club filled with knots or less. those who thrive on the challenge of harBalance and core stability are key, as nessing nature. They’re hidden away in is a basic understanding of sailing theory nooks and crannies around the valley but and the mastering of some beginner techwhen a good strong gust blows, the windniques before progressing to planing. surfers emerge.

Planing is the moment when a windThe sport, which hit its peak in the surfer goes from sailing across the lake 1980s, is in decline, but a dedicated core with the board dragging in the water to of followers remains, chasing that perfect skimming across the surface, with just blend of sunny skies, a reliable wind and its fin dragging in the water. It can take the right equipment to capture it with.

“The sport’s almost a victim of its own SHOOTING THE BREEZE — Columere’s Gerry George catches a breeze on Columbia months, even years, to get a first taste — success,” said Mike DuBois, owner of Win- Lake. Gerry is one of a small group of local windsurf enthusiasts Photo by Tom Symington but planing is the addictive element that keeps windsurf enthusiasts coming back dermere’s Shadybrook Marina, and an avid the board out.” for more. windsurfer. “As people get better they desire more and While not claiming the Columbia Valley to be a “The freedom out on the water is pretty fantastic,” more wind — they’re just not satisfied with a light breeze.” windsurfing mecca, both Mike and Gerry agree that the In a sport driven exclusively by wind power, conditions weather that funnels down between the mountains can said Mike, who revealed that windsurfing is the favourite of the many sports he enjoys. “It’s fairly complex comare everything. Locally, Lake Windermere and Columbia make for some thrilling days on the lake.

Lake get hit with the right winds a couple of times a week, “That’s what you live for, as a windsurfer,” Gerry ex- pared to all the sports you can get out there and learn but said Gerry George, a windsurfer in Columere Park. plained. “You’re hooking into an invisible energy source, immensely skillful and satisfying.

“Every cottage and cabin around the lake seems to “It’s predominantly from the south, but the best are you can feel it flexing the sail and accelerating you forhave an old windsurf board under the deck abandoned. I the stronger winds from the north,” he said. “If I see the ward ... I turn into a 15-year-old kid again!” whitecaps on the lake I’ll rush home from work and get The mechanics are straightforward, he added, but encourage people to dust them off.”

By Kate Irwin Pioneer Staff

vacation

Home sweet home.

Full Service Luxury Condo Hotel Spa • Restaurant • Lounge • Adjacent to Award Winning Golf Course

Luxury Vacation Condominiums Now Selling!

Quarter Ownership from $73,000 | Full Ownership from $271,000 Visit 760 Cooper Road, Invermere, or call 250.341.5745

CopperPointResort.com

6 ~ Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

August 3, 2012

Hairy Vetch

A guide to local wildflowers For those who appreciate petal gazing, the wildflowers of the Columbia Valley are an endless source of inspiration. Especially at this time of year, the local wildflower scene is, well, blossoming.

While hiking, paddling, or even walking in urban areas of the valley, keep your eyes to the ground and see how many different types of wild blooms you can spot. There are a number of excellent flower guides sold at local retailers, but here are a few petalspotting hints to get you started.

These lovely flowers were taken by local flora, fauna, and wildlife guru, Larry Halverson. Larry belongs to the Friends of Kootenay National Park, which keeps a blog about wildlife and the natural and human history of the area. To see more, go to http://www.friendsofkootenay.ca/blog

Brown-eyed Susan Gaillardia Aristata: The Brown-eyed Susan is the Golden Retriever of the flower world. The flower seems to smile at passerbys with its warm colours and sun-embracing petals.

Groups of Brown-eyed Susans have been described as ‘winking’ at hikers travelling by them because when their petals are disturbed by the wind they open and close around the flower’s center, which looks like an eye. The petals of the Susan consist of disk and ray flowers. The lower leaves of the Susan are spear-shaped.

The plant is also identified by a large amount of greyish-green hairs that cover the entire plant.

Brown-eyed Susans are found mainly in dry grasslands at lower elevations, and is native to most of North America

SALE

Vicia Villosa: The Hairy Vetch has short floral stalks known as pedicels that bloom in shades of purple, blue, and pink.

The Vetch is known for its beauty. The plant can have between 20-30 flowers growing out from

its stalk on one side.

The flowers of the Hairy Vetch are also a treasure trove of the insect world. Long tongue bees crave the nectar of the biennial plant and butterflies make the Hairy Vetch a comfortable resting place. The Vetch was originally introduced from Europe as a range food for livestock. The plant has other practical uses and is employed as a soil stabilizer along roadways. The Hairy Vetch is located throughout North America and can be spotted in prairies, meadows, and riverbanks.

Rentals • Hot Tubs • Water Maintenance • Massage Chairs • Steam Showers • Saunas

THIS WEEKEND ONLY!

20% OFF

YEAR-ROUND RV & PARK YEAR-ROUND MODEL LOTS FOR SALE RV & PARK MODEL LOTS FOR SALE

10% OFF FROM THE FACTORY 10% OFF FROM VALLEY SPAS

“Engineered for the world’s harshest climates”

or go in with a neighbour and order two spas and receive a 25% discount each!

503B - 7th Avenue, Invermere • 250-342-3922 www.valleyspas.ca • www.arcticspas.com

Located along the Dutch Creek in a quiet setting with paved roads. Every lot backs onto a natural forested green space which can be up to several hundred feet.

The treed lots range in size from 5,000 to 13,000 square feet, serviced for year-round use with water, sewer, 70 amp power, cable TV, and high-speed Internet.

Deeded ownership starting at $62,300.00 This unique RV community boasts 5 km south of Fairmont HotofSprings, BC spectacular views the Rocky Mountains and the• 250-345-6558 Hoodoos. www.dutchcreekresort.com These beautiful treed lots range in size from 5,000 to over 12,800 square feet.

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • Play ’n’ Stay ~ 7

August 3, 2012

White Bog Orchid

Wood Lily Lilium philadelphicum: The Wood Lily grows up to 80 centimetres tall and is showcased by a beautiful offering of basin-shaped, purpledotted, red and orange flowers. The flowering portion of the Wood Lily can be six to 10 cm across. The Wood Lily is native to North America and is endangered by its own beauty. It was once much more plentiful, but rampant picking by hikers and meadow-grazing domestic and wildlife has reduced the numbers of the beautiful flower.

The plant has also historically been used for medicinal purposes. The bulbs were once steeped in teas to treat stomachaches, or cooked and spread on wounds and swelling. The Western Wood Lily is the floral emblem of Saskatchewan and often grows alone or in limited groups.

Platanthera dilatata: The White Bog Orchid is a colourful member of the Orchid family, which is known to entice, entangle, and entrap insect pollinators. The plant is characterized by its numerous small white flowers that are grouped into thick elongated spikes that grow from 15-91 cm tall stems. The flamboyant flowers of the plant provide a pleasant spicy fragrance for those passing by. It grows more than three feet tall and is commonly found in wet and spongy environments. The Orchid is represented by over 35,000 species worldwide and is considered to be one of the most numerous of the vascular family of plants, which are plants that have special tissue for conducting water and photosynthetic products through the plant.

The majority of orchids are found in tropical environments, but North America is home to 200 species of the plant.

Yellow Columbine Aquilegia Flavescens: The Yellow Columbine explodes from its slender stem in a colourful array of lemon-yellow flowers that occasionally add a dash of pink to the mixture. The Columbine usually consists of five wing-shaped petals.

The roots of the Columbine can be boiled and used as a natural cure for diarrhea. The seeds of the plant have also been used to remove lice from hair. Its flowering petals are sweet because of their high nectar content and can be used in mixed salads or eaten by themselves.

The Columbine is native to the Rocky Mountains and is commonly found on rocky ledges and scree in alpine areas. The plant can also be found in sub-alpine zones in glades and conveniently alongside hiking trails. The Columbine grows 2070 cm tall.

6

Show home open Thursday to Monday 11am to 4pm Phone 250 342 2536 • www.coppersidecondos.com

8 ~ Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

August 3, 2012

Valley people

Radium man carves through life

By Kristian Rasmussen Pioneer Staff Although he lives among 1,000 faces, one valley man is still a standout in the crowd. Rolf Heer, also known as the Radium woodcarver, has crafted a completely unique home that is credited as being the ‘house of 1,000 faces,’ because Rolf has hung, or carved, a face or figure in every corner of his abode.

“People love this place when they see it,” Rolf said.

“The kids especially have a lot of fun when they come through.”

Rolf ’s quirky palace in the Village of Radium Hot Springs is a popular treat with locals and visitors because it features a host of attractions that are completely unique to the imagination of the valley man. The inner courtyard of the home leading off the entrance is filled with hundreds of carved figures and hidden surprises.

“These are tree spirits,” Rolf said. “They all bring good luck and they are supposed to look like me.”

The tree spirits in Rolf ’s courtyard do more than provide good luck. A wrong step or an unlucky door handle can result in an immediate soaking. The Radium woodcarver has rigged up a complex series of hoses and water spouts that are hidden throughout his property. Doors are marked with invitations to turn the doorknob. A wrong pull can quickly result in a wet afternoon for a daring participant. An adventurer willing to risk a soaking can never be quite sure if they are out of the danger zone in Rolf ’s house of mystery. If he misses squirting a participant in the main courtyard, Rolf has some secondary surprises scattered throughout his home.

After visitors have cleared their way through Rolf ’s legion of aquatic booby traps they may hear some peculiar sounds coming from above. The Radium man has created a habitat for his pet goats that roam freely around a large fenced area on the roof. The million dollar view for his goats came about after Rolf purchased his pets from Invermere and brought the animals home.

After tying his goats up one day he noticed that the animals had a love of altitude.

“I built them a cage and I had a group of large logs standing up in there,” Rolf said. “They were always lying on top of the highest logs and one day they managed to get on the roof.”

Rolf decided that he would help facilitate the goats in their quest for higher ground. He constructed a full pen on his roof for the animals and added soil and grass for them to graze on.

“I thought that I would add a bridge up there and a little goat walk all the way around the roof with asphalt

shingles so they wouldn’t slip.”

Rolf ’s goats have one of the most artistic animal pens ever created. Rolf has hand-carved a series of tree spirit faces into a circular group of large wooden logs that open with a small entrance for his three goats. The animals have a panoramic view of the Columbia Valley from atop their third story mountain vista.

Rolf ’s exciting home wasn’t carved from thin mountain air. The Radium man has a background in forestry that he studied in Switzerland before emigrating to Canada. He was working in a logging camp in Gold River on Vancouver Island from 1977 to 1978 when he discovered his talent.

“I used to play around a little bit with a chainsaw in my spare time and I liked the artistic side of things.”

The valley man has earned a living through selling his immense selection of carvings, which he estimates he has completed thousands of. He tries to replicate the natural aspects of the wood when he is carving, he said.

The artist will often leave his pieces as natural as he can, while completing a unique look.

Rolf ’s artistic approach to life also carries over into his style of dress. The Radium man is known for his long colourful skirts and his wizard-like cloak that he adorns when he is running errands around the valley.

Rolf ’s unique home and lifestyle have put him in the spotlight on several occasions. In 1996 he was featured on the T.V. Show ‘Weird Homes,’ and before that the kids T.V. Network, YTV, featured the Radium man and his animal companions.

“I don’t want to be a famous artist,” he said. “I just want to have fun, make a little extra money, and travel the world.”

Rolf has achieved his goals in life, he added. He has travelled to almost every corner of the globe and lives a new adventure almost every year. During the 1980s Rolf travelled from Mexico to Tierra Del Fuego, which is a small archipelago off the southernmost tip of Chile. During his travels between North and South America he spent at least six months in every country in between.

Rolf ’s adventures in the 1980’s took him on a research mission to Antarctica and had him carving wood sculptures in Chile during the Pinochet dictatorship, he said.

Despite his swashbuckling life in South America during the 80s, Rolf ’s most exciting adventure came in 1994 when he booked a 10-day charter trip to Tibet.

Because he didn’t have a plan, Rolf improvised and ended up spending three months adventuring around Tibet. His lack of direction caused him to

end up in China, where Rolf was arrested, jailed, and deported to Hong Kong because of problems with his visa.

“I paid one guy $20 and they let me out after two nights,” he said. “I like meeting different people and exploring the world and seeing how the poor people live. I could easily live like they do. It is a much easier life in some of these countries.”

Rolf has found the simple life in Thailand, he said. After spending summers in Radium running tours through his home, he winters and fishes in the island paradise of Koh Yao. In 2004 Rolf ’s island retreat was devastated by the massive tsunami that wreaked havoc on most of the region.

“I was actually out fishing when the tsunami happened,” he said.

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • Play ’n’ Stay ~ 9

August 3, 2012 “I came ashore because the water and undertow was really fast and there was a lot of garbage floating in the water.”

Upon returning from fishing Rolf found that the small village near where he lived was destroyed. He parked his boat on the beach when the second wave came, he said.

“The wave took my boat right up into the trees off the beach. I was still standing on the boat and as I got up to the trees I tied

A MAN OF THE WORLD ­— Clockwise, from left to right: Rolf holds a fish caught last year at his tropical island retreat in Koh Yao, Thailand; Rolf (left), at 12-years-old poses with his sister, Ester, 3; great grandfather, Casper, 92; and brother Albert, 13, in his home country of Switzerland in 1966; two of the dozens of interesting figures that Rolf carves and displays in his Radium home; the wood master poses with two of his furry friends that live in a enclosed area that he has built on his roof for them.

the boat around one.”

The water was not very deep, but the current was moving extremely fast. Rolf pushed his boat back out to sea with the receding wave and decided to leave the area as fast as possible.

“Things were looking really scary and I decided to go out to the ocean and just sat there for a couple of hours before I came back in,” he said.

Rolf was living in a bungalow on the beach at the time and would have been directly affected by the destructive wave. The woodcarver has always been lucky in his adventures. He has never been robbed, or has had serious harm come to him, despite traveling through some of the most dangerous places on earth.

“I have always got along with people in my travels because I think I am an easygoing kind of person,” he said.

When he is not out exploring and planning exciting new adventures, Rolf can be seen dressed in his wizard hat, and colourful skirts at valley events throughout the year.

“I have to show that I am still around and having fun in Radium” he said.

10 ~ Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

August 3, 2012

BBQ

Ready for the grill!

• AAA ribeye steaks • BBQ split chickens • Bratwurst and sausage of all flavours • Assorted skewers • Beef and chicken patties

BBQ

BBQ

GET GRILLING

Made fresh daily!

1210 7th Avenue, Invermere Phone: 250-342-9661 • Toll Free: 1-866-342-9661

Gourmet Foods – Affordable!

• Vitamins • Supplements • Health Food

This summer, hundreds of people from the Columbia Valley are firing up their barbecues, singeing their arm hair, and grilling up delicious dinners. While you’re flipping burgers over hot flames, here are some tasty recipes and BBQ trivia to ponder.

Charcoal or gas?

In a world where tongs and flippers rule, BBQ enthusiasts have long argued the most fundamental grilling question: whether to roast over a charcoal or gas grill. Purists say charcoal, while others tout the convenience of gas.

As it turns out, there is no right answer. Both options have different advantages, so whichever grill gets you out cooking more is the right choice. When pondering such life-altering decisions, here are a few things to consider:

CHARCOAL

Sausage

503 - 7th Avenue, Invermere

PH: 250-342-7308 Windermere

Grocery and Liquor Store

Watch for our August specials!

Pepsi 2L

2 for 4

$ 00

Regular price $2.99

Clamato Juice 1.89L

4

$ 69 Regular price $5.99

Cold beer available!

Located kitty corner to the Windy cafe and Whitehouse downtown Windermere.

• If you like tinkering, playing with different levels of flame, and generally making food preparation a fine-tuned art, charcoal offers more options than gas.

• Charcoal grills come in many different sizes, including tiny grills perfect for apartment-dwellers.

• BBQ enthusiasts can choose from an array of different styles of charcoal, each designed to give your food a different flavour.

• Charcoal grills are generally cheaper than gas. They range from $30-$500, versus gas barbecues, which range from $200 to as much as several thousand dollars.

• Minus a temperature gauge, for these BBQs, the look of the charcoal hints at the heat level.

FUN FACTS

GAS

• Gas grills are all about con-

venience. If you’re regularly rushed for time, gas gets your ready to grill with just a quick flick of a switch.

• Gas grills serve up more options for people building a built-in outdoor kitchen.

• Gas cooking surfaces are no longer two-burner affairs.

Depending on what you want to spend, these grills come with multiple burners, warming surfaces, and side shelves, allowing for many different speeds and temperatures for grilling.

• While charcoal grills are king for smoking meats, you can still add smoky flavour on a gas grill by putting wet BBQ wood chips in a tinfoil pouch, and placing it on the grill directly under your food.

In 2011, 6,047,000 charcoal barbecues were shipped in North America, versus 8,445,000 gas, and 288,000 electric.

The barbecue is no longer just for searing juicy meat. The open flames and smoky grills are perfect for grilling fruit, dessert, and even drinks. Yes, you read right: drinks! Here are some recipes for some lighter, but still delicious, barbecued treats.

BBQ lemonade - 16 lemons - 2 rosemary springs - 1/2 cup water - 1 cup bourbon - 1/2 cup sugar - Ice - 1/2 cup honey Cut the lemons in half and press the cut side in sugar. Stack on a clean tray. Combine water, sugar, and honey in a saucepan or aluminum pan you don’t mind getting singed. Add the sprigs of rosemary. Heat the grill to medium-high heat.

Grill the lemons cut-side down until they have nice grill marks, about 5-7 minutes. Set aside to cool. While grilling the lemons, heat the saucepan with the honey/sugar/ water mixture until everything has dissolved. When lemons are cool, squeeze juice into a pitcher. The juice should be dark, because it has been infused with smoke. Add syrup and water to taste, and bourbon and ice. Stir well. Sip, and enjoy.

The origin of the word barbecue is hotly debated.

Some say it came from the French phrase “barbe a queue” (from whiskers to tail), while others claim it comes from the Taino Indian word for cooking fish over fire (barbacoa).

The first barbecuers were likely prehistoric cavemen.

Anthropologists suggest they may have starting cooking meat on open flame 1.4 million years ago.

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • Play ’n’ Stay ~ 11

August 3, 2012

BBQ

BBQ Corn on the cob - 1 ear of corn per person - 1 teaspoon of butter per person - Olive oil - Salt and pepper to taste - Aluminum foil

This straightforward recipe can be prepared in advance and popped on the grill 15 to 20 minutes before serving time.

1. Remove and discard husks and silk.

2. Soak ears of corn in cold water for 10-15 minutes.

3. Brush kernels lightly with oil and season with salt and pepper.

4. Wrap in aluminum foil and place on a medium grill, turning occasionally during cooking. The corn is fully cooked when the kernels are soft.

5. Unwrap foil, brush with butter and serve. Corn can be stacked on a plate still wrapped to keep it hot.

Grilled caramel apples Serves four - 4 apples, peeled and cored - 1/2 cup light brown sugar - 1/4 cup heavy cream - 1/4 cup salted butter - Sprinkle of cinnamon - Aluminum foil

BBQ

sugar and place in a small saucepan on the cook-top burner over a low heat.

2. Once the sugar is dissolved and butter has melted, bubble over a medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring often.

3. Take apples and cut into eighths, spreading the slices between four sheets of aluminum foil.

4. Drizzle generously with caramel sauce and sprinkle with cinnamon (if desired).

5. Wrap securely in foil and place seam side up on a low-medium grill. Cover and cook for eight to 10 minutes.

6. Unwrap and serve with ice cream. (Be cautious of scalding steam when opening the foil packets.)

Goat’s cheese-stuffed burgers Yields 6 large burgers - 2 pounds ground beef - 1 egg - 1 cup breadcrumbs - 1 large yellow onion, finely diced - 3 cloves of garlic, finely minced 2 tablespoons mixed herbs - 2 tablespoons mustard - Dash of Worcestershire Sauce - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 6 tablespoons of goat’s cheese.

- Salt and pepper 1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan and cook onions in the oil until soft and translucent (about 5 minutes). Add garlic during the last minute of cooking. Strain any excess oil

This easy dessert takes about 15 minutes to prepare and can be put together in advance, to be thrown on the grill once the main course is over.

1. Take butter, heavy cream and

BBQ and leave to cool slightly.

2. In a large bowl, combine onions and garlic with beef, egg, breadcrumbs, mixed herbs, mustard and Worcestershire Sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste and gentle knead all of the ingredients together.

3. Divide mixture into six equal-sized balls.

4. Create a depression in the centre of each ball with your thumb and spoon in a tablespoon of goat’s cheese.

5. Gently form the shape of a burger patty around the cheese, and then repeat with each ball. Refrigerate while the grill heats.

6. Remove your patties from the fridge and lightly brush or spray with oil to prevent sticking. Cook over a medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes on each side (4 minutes for medium rare).

7. Serve on a bun with lettuce and sliced tomato.

Honey mustard chicken wings - 1/4 cup honey - 1/4 cup mustard - 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil - 1 tablespoon dried mixed herbs - 16 chicken wings (about 3 1/2 pounds) - Salt and pepper 1. In a small bowl combine honey, mustard, 1/4 cup olive oil, herbs and a large pinch of ground pepper.

Mix well and set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl rub the chicken wings all over with remaining olive oil and season lightly.

3. Sear the chicken wings over a medium-hot grill for 3 minutes, turn and cover. Cook for a further 3 minutes.

4. Brush the wings all over with honey mustard sauce and continue to grill, basting and turning the wings until bronzed and the juices run clear when the thickest part of the wing is pierced with a knife. About 5-7 minutes each side.

www.PropertyGuys.com • Fixed prices • Listed until sold • We market your home – you show it!

• The lawyer does the paperwork

INVERMERE

INVERMERE

RADIUM BUSINESS

SOLD! Sold in 48 Days

SOLD!

$12,000 Commission Saved!

Sold in 60 Days

$799,000

10-unit Lido Motel, 3 bdrm. owners suite, 250-347-9533

INVERMERE

FAIRMONT

WINDERMERE

ID# 266040

Reg. $59.99 ~ On sale for

Properties listed on

Realtor.ca (formerly MLS.ca)

Provided by Licensed Broker

Info, pricing and free advice

Call 1-866-237-8281 FairApproach.com

EastKootenay@propertyguys.com

72-inch Inflatable Floating Island

ID# 266065

$317,500

Walk-out basement, great views, close to schools.

250-341-6150

ID# 266199

$729,000

5 bdrm., 6 bath, great layout, lot and views, 250-345-0100

ID# 266235

$379,900

2+ bdrm., 2 bath Akiskinook townhome, boat slip option! 403-663-0202

Save the commission to price competitively!

19

$

99

H w y 9 3 / 9 5 , I n v e r m e r e B. C .

12 ~ Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

August 3, 2012

Taynton Bay. . . on the lake A boutique lakefront subdivision in Invermere B.C.

Things to do this August August 3rd 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Radium Community Weed Pull.

Meet at Forsters Landing Road.

Gloves and plastic bags provided as well as snack and refreshments.

For info: 250-341-6898.

3 - 7 p.m.: Elk Park Upper Ranch Farmers Market, 3 km north of Radium. For info: 250-341-7897.

4 – 9 p.m.: Market on Main in Radium Hot Springs.

For info: 250-347-9331.

7 – 9 p.m.: Music on Main with 60 Hertz in Radium Hot Springs.

For info: 250-347-9331.

August 4th 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Farmers Market in Invermere.

THE VIEW. . . make it yours NOW OFFERED FOR SALE

15 PRIME LOTS IN A BOUTIQUE RESORT COMMUNITY WITH PRIVATE BEACH AND SPECTACULAR LAKE AND MOUNTAIN VIEWS. LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE LAKE, SOUTH OF KINSMEN BEACH AT THE OLD FORT BLOCK HOUSE ON TAYNTON BAY.

Taynton Bay . . . on the lake in Invermere B.C. Pre-listing pricing and reservations available now.

10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Edgewater Legion Open Market.

For info: 250-347-9550.

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Customer Appreciation Day at Canal Flats Family Pantry. Free burgers and smokies. Prize giveaways and kids face painting.

1 p.m.: Pump and Jump Jam at Radium Pump n’ Jump bike park.

Best trick contest, time trials race, food and music. Prices and raffles.

Fundraiser for further development of the park. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.

7 – 9 p.m.: Music on Main with Combo Akimbo in Radium Hot Springs. For info: 250-347-9331.

8:30 p.m.: Entertainment starts for Movie in the Park at Pothole Park, Invermere. Air guitar and hula hoop contests, inflatable pony races and concession stand.

10 p.m.: Third annual Movie in the Park at Pothole park featuring The Lorax, an animated film. For info: 250-342-9281.

August 5th 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Farmers Market at the Fairmont Village Mall.

8:30 a.m.: Verge For Youth Golf Tournament at The Ridge at Copper Point. Double or foursome play with a shotgun start. Visit www. vergeforyouth.ca, phone 250-3421702 or 250-347-9942.

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Columbia Valley Tour of the Arts. Self-guided tour featuring artists in five Invermere settings. For info and to book tickets: 250-342-4423.

August 10th 1:30 p.m.: Sounds and Stories concert at Christ Church Trinity.

Hosted by the Invermere Public Library. Musicians from the Columbia Valley Chamber Music Festival present a free concert in conjunction with the Summer Reading Club. Celebration of music and literature for kids. Open to families and children of all ages.

4 – 9 p.m.: Market on Main in Radium Hot Springs.

For info: 250-347-9331.

6 – 9 p.m.: Reception for Maya Eventov Exhibition at The Artym Gallery. For info: 250-342-7566.

7 – 9 p.m.: Music on Main with Bob Benvenuti in Radium Hot Springs.

For info: 250-347-9331.

Aug. 10th - 17th Maya Eventov Exhibition at The Artym Gallery, Invermere.

Visit www.artymgallery.com.

Contact: Bryon Knight - 403 797 4916 cell - 403 287 0066 Calgary office - 250 342 3833 home email to: onthelake@tayntonbay.ca or visit our website at: www.tayntonbay.ca

The Pioneer

Triple the circulation, triple the advertising power of any other local newspaper!

Licensed Property Management Services For TenanTs For owners 20 Years experience - focused on See our selection of condos, finding the right tenants for your cottages and homes available for long term tenancy. home or cottage.

& construction-ready Plans permit for renovations & new construction (250) 342-8840

938 Copper point Way the Cottages at Copper point

Eric Redeker Dave McGrath Cathy McGrath 250-342-5914 250-341-1967 250-342-1642

www.FirstChoicerentals.ca

$429,900

Mountain themed, wood detailed home with 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, hardwood floors, stainless appliances - quality construction! MLS K213054

cheryl@cwillarddesign.ca www.cwillarddesign.ca

#155, 4904 ridge road radium ridge

$339,000 Ideal location within Radium Ridge! Great view to the East and West. Two master suites upstairs and open concept on the main floor. Come enjoy! MLS K214459

3-1005 7th Avenue, Downtown Invermere • 250-342-4040 • www.1stChoiceRealty.ca

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • Play ’n’ Stay ~ 13

August 3, 2012

Things to do this August What to do this July . . . Continued from page 12.

August 11th

August 18th

36th Annual Lakeside Event Hang-gliding and paragliding splashdown competition at James Chabot Beach. Hang-gliders and paragliders take off from Mt. Swansea and descend to targets on the beach and in the water next to Lakeside Pub on Lake Windermere. www.lakesideevent.com

Mexican Day at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

A fiesta full of fun. For info visit www.fairmonthotspringsresort. com.

9 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Farmers Market in Invermere.

10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Edgewater Legion Open Market.

For info: 250-347-9550.

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Second annual Dog Days of Summer at the Spilli Bean in Spillimacheen.

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Third annual open house at Sandpiper Studio on August 11th and 12th. Live glass blowing. For info: 250-342-7196 or visit www. sandpiperstudio.ca.

11 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Artist demonstration

by Kimberly Kiel at Effusion Gallery courtyard.

For info: 250-341-6877.

7 – 9 p.m.: Music on Main in Radium Hot Springs.

For info: 250-347-9331.

August 12th

2 p.m.: Afternoon Tea plus local artist.

Pam Williamson and her leather masks at Spilli Bean in Spillimacheen.

7 – 9 p.m.: Music on Main in Radium Hot Springs.

For info: 250-347-9331.

7:30 p.m.: Concert featuring the works of Dvorak, Brahms, and Mozart at Christ Church Trinity. $20 admission. For info: 267-980-0278.

August 19th 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Edgewater’s third annual Family Fun Day. Silent auction, local musician Marty, horse-rides and games. All proceeds donated to Cystic Fibrosis Association. For info: 250-347-0077.

August 24th 4 – 9 p.m.: Market on Main in Radium Hot Springs.

For info: 250-347-9331.

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Farmers Market at the Fairmont Village Mall in Fairmont Hot Springs.

7 – 9 p.m.: Music on Main in Radium Hot Springs.

For info: 250-347-9331.

August 13th

August 25th

7:30 p.m.: Concert featuring the works of Richard Strauss, Martinu, Ginastera, and Dvorak at Christ Church Trinity. $20 admission, available at the door.

For info: 267-980-0278.

August 14th Artist show at Pynelogs Cultural Centre until August 26th featuring Robyn Oliver, Angelique Gillespie, Cheryl Goodwin, Janis Dyck and Kent Shoemaker.

Visit www.columbiavalleyarts or phone: 250-342-4423.

7 – 9 p.m.: Music on Main in Radium Hot Springs.

For info: 250-347-9331.

August 28th Artist show at Pynelogs Cultural Centre. Features artists Bryn Stevenson, Vic Panei, Colin Bell, Jon Howlett and Lori Lees Stout. Visit www.columbiavalleyarts or phone: 250-342-4423.

August 31st

August 17th

4 – 9 p.m.: Market on Main in Radium Hot Springs.

For info: 250-347-9331.

4 – 9 p.m.: Market on Main in Radium Hot Springs.

For info: 250-347-9331.

7 – 9 p.m.: Music on Main in Radium Hot Springs.

For info: 250-347-9331.

7 – 9 p.m.: Music on Main in Radium Hot Springs.

For info: 250-347-9331.

Show suite open daily on The Springs Golf Course in Radium

FFractional r Real Estate - the most practical way to own your Vacation Home

info@bighornmeadows.ca • 1-888-766-9637

www.bighornmeadows.ca

14 ~ Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

August 3, 2012

Hike to the Top of the World

By Kelsey Verboom Pioneer Staff Top of the World Provincial Park is a great place to find something for everyone in the family to enjoy. The drive to access the park is fairly lengthy (1.5 hours from Invermere), but it’s on a well-maintained road drivable by car.

The main hike from the parking lot is to Fish Lake, a dark emerald green lake surrounded by trees and towering peaks. The lake itself isn’t situated in the alpine, but there are a number of trails from the lake to access higher elevations.

The Fish Lake trail is 6.7 kilometres, with 212 metres of elevation gain. The beautifully maintained trails and gentle grade of the route mean most hikers will be at the lake in 1-2 hours. This trail is definitely suitable for kids who like to hike, or for those deterred by steep climbs.

Be sure to stay alert while hiking, as mountain bikes and sometimes even horses frequent the path.

To reach the parking lot of Top of the World Provincial Park, drive south from Invermere past Canal Flats, and turn left on to the Whiteswan forest service road.

Exercise extreme caution while driving on this road, as large trucks and weekend traffic frequent it. At kilometre 21.3, take the fork to the right (Lussier River Junction).

From here, follow the clearly marked signs to the park, which is at kilometre 52.

Starting from the parking lot, the trail to Fish Lake begins downhill, crosses a creek, and then meanders through the forest at a very gradual uphill grade. The trail mostly stays in the trees until the lake, but does cross an open slide path at the halfway point. Closer to the lake the trail steepens slightly, but is never strenuous.

At the lake, which is stocked with fish, there is a substantial dock to fish from, multiple camping spots, and a cabin to stay in for a modest fee. Once at the lake, there are seven trails that branch off, some of which enter the alpine and ridgelines above.

For maps, detailed driving directions and more information about the hikes in Top of the World Provincial Park, go to www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks and search ‘Top of the World’.

When spending time in the backcountry, always tell someone where you are going, bring ample supplies, warm clothes and first aid equipment.

STELLAR SETTING — From Fish Lake, cascading falls from Sparkle Lake are visible.

Photo by Kelsey Verboom

START YOUR FAMILY TRADITION in Fairmont Hot Springs FINA

NCI

NG

AVA ILA

BLE

SHOW HOME OPEN DAILY 11 - 5PM

The Columbia Valley Pioneer • Play ’n’ Stay ~ 15

August 3, 2012

Houses For Sale

2540 Ledgerock Ridge, Castlerock

801 Westridge Dr. Invermere

Walk-out bungalow with tons of upgrades, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths.

Fantastic views, fully furnished. MLS K211051

Ideal family home, close to schools etc. 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, upgraded throughout.

Large garage, extra parking pad. MLS K214171

$599,000

$599,000

520, 13th Avenue, Invermere This very well maintained home is situated on a fantastic view lot and features 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, formal dining room, family room, office, recreation room and so much more. Capture the morning sun on your large multi-level deck and relax in the landscaped quiet back yard in the evenings. Walk to everything you need including all levels of schools and downtown shops. MLS: K212441

$399,000

This townhome blends luxury, privacy and views. 1,700 sq.ft....., 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms, 9 ft. main floor ceilings, elegant fireplace, open kitchen and stainless steel appliances all with dramatic finishing.

Master bedroom balcony, a cozy front porch and a spacious rear deck. 2 underground parking stalls keep cars off the street and provide storage for the toys. This property comes fully furnished. MLS: K214444

Walk-out bungalow with 4000 square feet, upgraded throughout.

1 acre lot with views, privacy. Close to the lake, golf, skiing. MLS K214754

$799,000

7473 Rivercrest Road, Radium From the vaulted pine ceilings and open living areas, to the spacious master bedroom, this is the place you will want to call home. Located on a quiet street yet walking distance to all the Radium shops. This yard is fenced and has multiple decks to take in that fresh mountain air. Book your showing today! MLS: K210898

$418,888

$319,000

Fairmont Riverside Estates

168 Indian Beach Estate, Windermere Well kept Cottage in Indian Beach Estate. This beautiful home has wonderful views to the East (Fairmont Mountain Range) and the west as well. 3 Bedrooms 2 bathrooms and a single car garage, vaulted pine living room ceiling and wood burning fireplace. Extra large walk-around deck and exceptionally well maintained.

MLS # K212519

$299,000

Unit#7, 1904 Pineridge Mountain Link, Invermere

5938 Columbia Lake Rd., Columbia Lake

This private gated community provides the discriminating owner with the very best lifestyle imaginable.

The architectural controls ensure a consistent high quality community. The waterfront home sites provide for fishing, swimming or boating right from your own front yard, and the Aviation lots provide the opportunity to park your airplane on your own property. All of the home sites in Phase One, Two and Three have been sold, yet the demand for this precious and rare opportunity is still strong. To satisfy this need, we have recently added 31 new lots of which 15 are waterfront.

970 Ridge Place, Timber Ridge I Windermere The perfect hideaway in a very private cul-de-sac in the most sought after area in Timber Ridge I. Open living area with vaulted pine ceiling and wood burning fireplace. Fully finished basement. Air conditioning and large single car garage. Wrap around deck to enjoy the mountain view. Access to the nicest beach on Lake Windermere and boat launch. MLS # K214357

$699,000

Priced from $179,000 to $499,000

926-7th Avenue, Invermere, B.C. (next door to Fairmont Goldsmiths)

Maxwell Realty Invermere

Office: (250) 341-6044 • Fax: (250) 341-6046 www.maxwellrealtyinvermere.ca

DANIEL ZURGILGEN 250-342-1612

SCOTT WALLACE 250-342-5309

BERNIE RAVEN 250-342-7415

GLENN POMEROY 250-270-0666

16 ~ Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer

August 3, 2012

Home Between the Ranges

On the north edge of the Village of Radium Hot Springs, BC,cradled in the embrace of the monumental Rocky Mountains to the east and the soaring Purcells to the west, reside 4,200 acres of rugged wilderness ready for you to call home.

Offering single family homesites, duplex villas and estate acreages.

Plus private ranches from 36-480 acres STARTING AT $119,000

1-877-347-6838 www.elkparkranch.com

RESORT TO

BEAUTIFUL LIVING Borrego Ridge in Radium, BC, is one of North America’s premier resort destinations, with 40 alpine-styled townhomes and luxury bungalow villas. Enjoy championship golf courses, whitewater rafting, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, trail riding, boating, shopping or just relax in one of the many restaurants.

Starting at $274,900. Welcome to the perfect mountain lifestyle.

Borrego Ridge Sales Centre in Radium Hot Springs 1.877.347.6838 www.schickedanzwest.com