Wilmer Fireworks
The community of Wilmer is holding their annual Christmas Eve Fireworks again this year. Free hot chocolate, warm fires and a great fireworks display on Saturday, December 24 at 8 pm at Conrad Kain Park. Thanks to everyone who volunteers for this event and everyone who donates to fund the fireworks. If you would like to donate, please call 342-9470.
Make sure you take the time to enjoy the Christmas lights in Wilmer as well.
Little Drummer Boy
I never understood how a parent could send a child outside alone at night with a drum.
Then my daughter got a recorder.
Winter Local Motion
Celebrate Christmas with Hopkins Harvest on Saturday, December 24 (Christmas Eve). Enjoy wagon rides, Santa, fire pits, hot chocolate, pizza and more. This has been a great event every year. Check it out.
Rockies Hockey
The Columbia Valley Rockies took both games in a home and away series with the
Golden Rockets, winning 8-3 at home and 4-1 in Golden. The wins put them solidly into first place in the division, 4 points ahead of Kimberley. Only the Princeton Posse are ahead of the Rockies in the KIJHL.
The Rockies host Golden again on Saturday, December 31 in an afternoon matinee at 4 pm.
They will be back in action hosting Fernie on Friday, January 6 at 7:30 pm and the Creston Valley Thundercats on Saturday, January 7 at 7 pm.
Final Days
Columbia Valley Trading Company is closing their doors this week. Saturday, December 24 is the last day for the store. Items are on sale at incredible discounts. Get in there while there is still time and a few awesome things to choose from.
Shortest Day
The Winter Solstice is happening on Wednesday, December 21. This is the day with the shortest daylight hours of the year. It is well worth celebrating as each day becomes a couple minutes longer until the Summer Solstice in June. Everyone enjoys more daylight.
Christmas Eve Services
Christmas is on a Sunday this year which affects Church services. The Radium Christian Assembly will be meeting on Christmas Eve at 6 pm with no service on the Sunday.
The Lake Windermere Alliance always does a Christmas Eve service. I am not sure of the time this year. Keep Christ in your Christmas.
Riddliculous
Often talked of, never seen, Ever coming, never been, Daily looked for, never here, Still approaching, coming near. Thousands for its visit wait, But alas for their fate, Though they expect me to appear, They will never find me here. What am I?
See page 6.
Christmas Tree Pickup
The Kinsmen Club will be doing their annual Christmas Tree pickup on Saturday, January 7 this season. Have all decorations removed and your tree on the curb in Invermere. Donations are graciously accepted.
High Score
I can really relate to pro soccer players. I also accomplish very few goals.
Free Food Pantry
Go to 1313 10 St, Invermere and you will see a small white pantry. It is there to help feed the community. It is open 24/7 making it very convenient so it gets a lot of use. Kind people add food for those that are in tough times (many lately) I recently received a $500 grant so I will be able to put in a bit nicer stuff through the holidays. Please donate, whether it is food directly into the Pantry or cash to myself so my shoppers can help stock up for it. We go through a lot of food and are dependent on the community at large for help. I would love for some of the local businesses to help out a bit. It is not very high profile but it is helping a lot of people. Thanks to anyone who contributes.
Jigsaw Puzzles
Just a reminder of how great it is to spend time on a jigsaw puzzle. You have so many feelings of success and really develop patience. I really enjoy doing them together with Tracy. There is always one on the puzzle table. Affordable entertainment.
Robservations
Woohoo! The last Robservations of 2022!
Two weeks off from writing. A nice relief. Thanks to everyone who reads this stuff and mentions it to me. You are inspiring.
Here are a few of my thoughts on living in 2023 with some happiness.
Be nice to everyone. It feels great. Eliminate some negativity from your life. It is crazy how many folks will complain endlessly about things that have no relevance in their lives. Complaining about something without offering a solution is really just whining.
Increase your positive thoughts. We all live a million miracles every day, we just don see them. I live in a house with hot water and food. That’s pretty awesome really. Do daily random acts of kindness. Making a bit of a difference in someone’s day can make a huge difference in your day. Forgive it. Just let those bad things go. Love people, not objects. A new friend will bring you a lot more joy than a new toy. As will an old friend.
Continue reading The Valley Peak. It’s always good for a smile. Have a great Christmas and holiday season. See you in 2023!
Charged Up
If you are having difficulty getting your vehicle started in the cold weather, try giving me a call. If I am not on dialysis I will do my best to come out and get you boosted.
I have nice jumper cables and a jumper battery unit. I will be happy to help if I can.
Help Needed
Many relationships are psychological. One person is psycho and the other is logical.
Happy
New
Year 2023 is coming up quickly. I hope everyone has a wonderful year. Find your joy. There are a few things happening on New Year’s Eve. The Whitehouse, The Station Pub and ULLR that I know of. I have not received any info from any of them so these are all the details I will give you. Play safe.
Acknowledgment
Many, many people have helped through 2022. It has been a very tough year with health, finances and other issues. Without the support I would be in very tough these days.
A huge thanks for the incredible food that has been shared with me.
Watson’ Waddle
This is a crazy season. You folks call it Christmas. There are bright lights, strange songs, loud noises, weird decorations and characters everywhere. People even bring trees, our favourite peeing places, right into their homes and businesses.
I seem to recall last year that a couple of new beds and toys came into our lives around this time.. both Drew and I got new jackets as well. I wonder what will happen this year. I am hoping for a treat theme. Rob has been pretty good. He keeps us pretty close to him when we are out and about. Everyone seems to have treats these days and I would love to eat them all but Rob seems to claim the baked goods while letting us have the doggie treats. People seem pretty cheery and get out to visit a lot. They seem to enjoy each other’s company a bit more these days. Please pay attention to your pets through the holidays. It can be a scary and stressful time. Remind us that we are cared for with a little scritch or a friendly few words. It will make a huge difference to your pet. I hope everyone has a woofderful New Year. If you want to add love to your life, get a pet. Take care of it properly and your heart will fill to capacity. Really.
What Country Am I?
I am a very large country (federation actually), covering about one-eighth of the s inhabitable area, and I have the ninth largest population. I also am in possession of the largest cache of weapons of
Red Deer
Snow Golf
The 22nd Annual Kinsmen Snow Golf is happening on Saturday, January 14. The cost is $35 per golfer and registration is between 11 am and noon at The Station Pub.
This is an incredibly fun event for anyone. Put together a foursome and design your winter golf ‘cart’ and have a really fun day. Many groups have a fire pit on skis and I have seen couches on trailers, picnic tables on sleds and more. A quad is usually quite helpful out there. Anyways, support this amazing fundraiser event with the Kinsmen Club of Windermere Valley.
Canadian Sports Trivia Answer
The World Juniors will be played in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick this year.
Flexible Plans
I take it pretty easy through most of my days. Dialysis every second day is kind of critical but after that I just have to focus on writing The Valley Peak. Generally Sunday/Monday are the crunch days for that.
I find myself thinking it is almost time for another dog walk but I just want to get that one more article written. Ambition. It seems writing can be tiring so often I end up wanting a nap more than a walk. This old age thing is tough on the hounds and me. The cold weather does not help either.
Invermere Film Festival
The Festival has announced the dates for their next event here. Seven films will be shown in three days at the Columbia Valley Centre. Tickets are online only for the February 2-5 Film Festival.
Be Careful Out There
With the colder weather, the roads definitely become pretty slippery. Every year I get that same reminder to change my driving habits; the corner right by my house is pure ice.
It is funny how we almost forget about winter driving. And then it hits us. Anyway, please leave a bit earlier and take your time travelling. Expect winter conditions and it is up to you to get there safely.
Wisdom
There is just no way to tell a person that much of what they have learned and lived is an illusion.
The magic potion was not made to cure the scary sickness; The scary sickness was invented to sell the magic potion. The more you know, the more you “No!” Growing your own food is like printing your own money.
Riddliculous Answer
(From page 2) Tomorrow.
Winter Paradise
I just spent the afternoon on a beautiful frozen lake. It was a perfect afternoon for ice fishing.
Around us were people skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, dog walking and a fire pit gathering. We live in an outstanding paradise, both winter and summer.
They Care
Always remember that there are 7 billion people on the planet so if someone chooses you for even the tiniest gift, you are so blessed that you are the chosen one. It is important to realize that people do care about you and that you care about others
5 Tips to Happy Holidays
The holiday season can be very stressful. We often tend to lose focus on the things that are really important. Here are a few helpful tips.
Turn off the news. It’s bad. Be in love with everyone and everything. Remember that the best things in life are not things at all.
Donate, give away or recycle any and all clutter.
Take a break from everything. A real break. Hopefully you will have a chance to try any of these tips and reduce your seasonal stress.
I Am This Country
(From page 4) The Russian Federation is a huge part of the World economy. They have switched from communism to federal semi-presidential republic. Russia is part of most International organizations and has a huge say on World development.
Fishing Derby
The Kinsmen fishing derby is coming up on Saturday, January 28. I am just putting the bug in your ear for now. More details to come.
Take a Pause
One of the best pieces of advice I have ever been given was to pause at the right times. Pause before you speak in anger. Pause before you judge (a really long pause). Pause before you interrupt. When someone is speaking, they are not looking for you to come in with a better story. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy what they are saying. If they stop, wait a few seconds before chiming in to make sure they are done. This will make them feel appreciated and listened to. Try it. It will change your life.
Who Do You Trust?
Do you have any sort of contingent plan if things go very wrong in your world? It is important to have at least one friend you can trust with anything, no matter how personal it might be. The way our country is headed, a lot of us will have some serious things happening in the next few months with food and fuel issues. Who is your community? Make a bit of a plan.
Christmas Dinner
My kids are asking for a kitten for Christmas. Normally we have turkey but we shall see.
Where We Were
The page photo shows Drew and Rocky doing a Kootenay Kritters Christmas last year.
Parchment Paper
Who would have thought what an amazing thing parchment paper is for cooking? It works great in the oven and is perfect for the clean up afterwards. That for this topic other than a great meal was just consumed. haha.
I Wish
I wish you all peace in the New Year. May friendships be rekindled and families be reunited.
Hug people and shake some hands. Let make kindness and humanity cool again.
Local
Celebrities
Niclole Pawlak, Andrea Salzbrenner
Jen Tagg, Holly Reid
Nicole Godlien
Linda Blakley, Dale Wilker, Colleen Weatherhead
Heike Hirsher
Frank Blakley, Jake Cameron
Tim Baes, Soren Douglas
Tyral Weber, Andrea Vanderzwan, Jenny Hochheiden
David Tross, Shelby Jansen, Mya Spencer
Pam Verge, Stan Perry, Abigail Larrabee, Stacey Douglas
Dave O’Connor
Catrina Trozzo
Bonnie Carr
Alisha Trozzo, Ashley Hecher, Andrew Dunn, Lola Nicholas
Emma Capilo
Wilf & Bill Hemmelgarn, Barry Reid, Atlyn Trask
Joanne Broadfoot, Doug Mitchell
LOCAL
Every Monday
Senior Fitness, CV Centre 10:30-11:30 am
Indoor Walking, CV Centre, 11:45 am-1:30 pm.
1st & 3rd Mondays
Lake Windermere Lions Club, 6 pm, Lions Hall.
Every Wednesday
Senior Yoga, CV Centre, 10-11 am.
Every Sunday
Alliance Church Service 10:30 am.
Radium Christian Fellowship Service, 10 am. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 10 am.
December 21, Wednesday
Winter Solstice.
December 24, Saturday
Winter Local Motion celebration at Hopkins Harvest.
December 25, Sunday
Happy Birthday Jesus!
December 31, Saturday
Rockies host Golden Rockets, 4 pm.
January 1, Sunday
Happy New Year. Best for 2023.
January 6, Friday
Rockies host Fernie Ghostriders, 7:30 pm.
January 7, Saturday
Rockies host Creston Valley Thundercats, 7 pm.
