Kamloops This Week December 14, 2022

DAVE EAGLES/KTW

C I T Y PAG E

Dec 14, 2022

Stay Connec ted @CityofKamloops Kamloops.ca

Council Calendar

The public, media, delegations, and staff are encouraged to par ticipate in meetings vir tually through Zoom or to observe through the City YouTube channel

As of October 18, 2022, Council Committee meetings have been cancelled for the remainder of 2022 and will be rescheduled for early 2023.

The complete 2022 and 2023 Council Calendars are available online at: Kamloops.ca/CouncilPor tal

Council Meeting Recap

Sign up for the Council Highlights e -newsletter at: Kamloops.ca/Subscribe

Yard Waste Site Closures

The Bunker Road and Barnhar tvale Yard Waste Sites are now closed for the season. Cinnamon Ridge remains open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm daily

Consider a Career with us

Join our team of over 700 employees who work in a variety of fulfilling and challenging careers Visit: Kamloops.ca/Jobs

Gift giving, decorations, cards, wrapping paper, and more the holidays can generate a lot of waste that ends up in our landfill

Here are some tips to reduce waste this holiday season:

Free Weekend Downtown Parking This

December

This holiday season, all on-street park ing in downtown K amloops will be free of charge ever y Saturday and Sunday in December. The regular three -hour time limit will be enforced

Become a Snow Angel

Volunteer to help shovel driveways and sidewalks for seniors and others who aren’t able to do it themselves

To learn more, visit: Kamloops.ca/Volunteer

• Give time and experiences instead of "stuff " . Memories last much longer than things Set some dates, give invitations to loved ones, and go explore a few outdoor (or indoor) spots you' ve always wanted to visit!

• Reuse cards from prior years as gift tags, or send the same card back to the original sender and turn it into a fun tradition.

• Reuse wrapping paper and gift bags, or use cloth to wrap gifts instead of paper.

For more seasonal waste reduction tips and gift ideas, visit:

Kamloops.ca/WasteReduc tion

Repor t an issue: 250-828-3461

For after-hours emergencies, press 1.

Let's Talk K amloops is our engagement website where you can share your voice and shape our city. Please subscribe to the project of interest to receive updates

Sign up and speak up at: LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca

B U S I N E S S L I C E N C E R E N E WA L S

AVO I D A P E N A LT Y

The City of K amloops 2023 business licence renewal invoices have been mailed Payments are due by December 31, 2022. If your payment is not received by Januar y 15, 2023, a $25 late payment charge will be added to the balance owing If you have not received your renewal notice or if there has been a change to your business, please contact the Business Licensing office by email at blicensed@kamloops.ca or phone at 250-828-3481 prior to submitting the 2023 payment

For payment options, visit: Kamloops.ca/BLicensed

T H A N K Y O U K A M LO O P S !

City of K amloops staff and community volunteers came together December 3–4 to collect holiday donations in suppor t of the K amloops Food Bank. This event would not have been possible without the suppor t of Save -On-Foods, the K amloops Food Bank, and BC Transit A special shout- out goes to the Thompson Rivers University Students’ Union for their effor ts in rounding up an engaged and committed roster of volunteers!

In total, collections amounted to: 1,128 lbs. of Non-Perishable Food $5,530 in Monetar y Donations This total does not include any major corporate/organizational donations Thank you again to the many volunteers and to all of the K amloops residents who donated to help bring cheer to others this holiday season.

W O O D S T O V E R E B AT E

P R O G R A M S

Do you have an older, uncer tified wood-burning appliance? Upgrade it and you may be eligible for rebates

Elec trify it!

Get fired up about electric! The rebate amount for electric fireplace inser ts is 50% off the appliance to a maximum of $700, and the rebate amount for electric heat pumps is $1,200. Watch for increased rebates in 2023.

For more information, visit: Kamloops.ca/ WoodStove

Pedestrian Safety

With the weather changes and decreased daylight hours, follow these simple safety tips to stay safe when walk ing:

• Look - make eye contact with drivers before crossing the road.

• Listen - remove your headphones when crossing the road

• Be Seen - wear reflective clothing or use a flashlight to make yourself more visible

Kamloops.ca/PedestrianSafety

City Hall: 7 Victoria Street West, K amloops, BC, V2C 1A2 | 250-828-3311

G I V E L E S S WA S T E T H I S H O L I DAY S E A S O N

WEATHER FORECAST

Dec. 14: Sunny -3/-7 (hi/low)

Dec. 15: Sunny -4/-10 (hi/low)

Dec. 16: Sunny -5/-8 (hi/low)

Dec. 17: Sun/clouds -7/-10 (hi/low)

Dec. 18: Sun/clouds-8/-10 (hi/low)

ONLINE

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Classifieds 250-371-4949 Classifieds Fax 250-374-1033 Circulation 250-374-0462 classifieds@kamloopsthisweek com publisher@kamloopsthisweek com editor@kamloopsthisweek

DAVE EAGLES STAFF REPORTER dave_eagles@kamloopsthisweek.com

The KTW Christmas Cheer Fund is back, with readers of Kamloops This Week helping us help the community.

Money raised in the Cheer Fund will be distributed equally to the Y Women’s Emergency Shelter, Kamloops Therapeutic Riding Association, Kamloops Brain Injury Association, Chris Rose Therapy Centre for Autism and the Kamloops branch of the BC SPCA.

From the pandemic to climate disasters to runaway inflation — it’s been a tough couple of years.

“It’s starting to slow down now,” realtor Nolan Pastoor said. “It’s been a pretty crazy year.”

Having followed the Cheer Fund from when it was at the Kamloops Daily News Pastoor said it gives him an opportunity to give back to the community.

Pastoor and wife Lindsay recently made a donation of $1,500 on behalf of Nolan Pastoor Personal Real Estate.

Seeking new ways to show appreciation for clients during the Christmas season, the couple reevaluated having the company gift chocolates to clients and, instead, put those dollars, in addition to their own, into an annual donation to the KTW Christmas Cheer Fund.

“It’s important to thank people that support my business, but I looked at the money I spent and thought, ‘Can we be doing something more worthwhile with this?’” he said.

“We’ve been blessed,” Pastoor said. “There are a lot of people that have faced job losses or hours cut back … a lot of people are struggling.”

“For my wife and I, our business

has still continued to go along and it’s been another good year. We’re thankful that we have this, that we can give.”

Pastoor said it all comes back to their faith.

“We’re Bible-believing Christians and we believe the word of God,” he said. “He makes it clear in scripture, in the early chapters of Acts, that the church is supposed to live in community.

“If we have more than what we need to live, we need to make sure that we share with others who have need — that’s where it comes from

DISTURBING TREND IN ILLNESS DATA A22

Flu-related deaths among children and youth are above seasonal average

SHARING THE GOOD FORTUNE

for us; loving our neighbours.”

This year the four charities being helped by your donations are: Y Women’s Emergency Shelter, Kamloops Therapeutic Riding Association, Chris Rose Therapy Centre for Autism and Kamloops Brain Injury Association.

To donate to the Cheer Fund, click on the KTW Christmas Cheer Fund logo at kamloopsthisweek.com, go to bcicf.ca/ kamloops-this-week-christmascheer-fund or drop in to KTW’s office at 1365B Dalhousie Dr., weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Here’s how to help a great cause

To donate, go online to www.bcicf.ca/ kamloops-this-weekchristmas-cheer-fund. Donations can also be dropped off at the KTW office, at 1265B Dalhousie Dr. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

THANK YOU, DONORS!

• BC Old-Time Fiddlers

Kamloops branch: $100

• IG Wealth Management: $1,402

• Donald & Kathleen Gienow: $50

• Nel Sarrasin, in memory of Gordin Sarrasin: $100

• Susan & Ron Durant: $100

• John & Val Kemp: $100

• Greg Harris: $50

• Simone Werstiuk, in memory of brother Carmen Werstiuk: $50

• Kim & Andrew Cooper: $150

• IG Wealth Management/Chris Nagle: $500

• Cal & Pat Moulton: $100

• Richard & Terry Taylor: $100

• Nolan Pastoor Real Estate Corporation: $1,500

• Sharlene & Darren McIlwain: $158

• Margaret Sandulak: $100

Nolan Pastoor and wife Lindsay of Nolan Pastoor Personal Real Estate have donated $1,500 to this year’s KTW Christmas Cheer Fund, the fifth consecutive year the firm has given to the cause. For the Pastoors, helping KTW help community non-profit organizations all comes back to their faith.

DAVE EAGLES/KTW

L A N D AC T: N O T I C E O F A P P L I C AT I O N F O R A

D I S P O S I T I O N O F C R O W N L A N D

Take notice that the Cit y of K amloops has applied to the Br itish Columbia M inistr y of Forests (FOR), Thompson- Ok anagan, for a Lease to develop a sanitar y and stor mwater system in the Batchelor Heights Neighbor hood situated on Provincial Crown land located at that par t of the R emainder of SE 1/4, S ec tion 25, Township 20, R ange 18, West of the 6th M er idian, K amloops Division Yale Distr ic t, containing 13.94 hec tares, more or less. The Cit y of K amloops proposes to decommission the cur rent lif t station and construc t a new sanitar y gravit y pipe system This application also includes the ex tension of the cur rent stor mwater pond to temporar ily store stor mwater, and slowly release it to the downstream environment, reducing the peak flow exper ienced in a stor m event

FOR invites comments on this application The Lands File is 3413631 Wr itten comments concer ning this application should be direc ted to Danalee Har vey, S enior Land O fficer, Thompson- Ok anagan, FOR, at 441 Columbia Street, K amloops BC V2C 2T3 Comments will be received by FOR up to Februar y 11, 2023 FOR may not be able to consider comments received af ter this date. Please visit the Applications, Comments and R easons for D ecision Database website at: http://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ for more infor mation.

B e advised that any response to this adver tisement will be considered par t of the public record. Access to these records requires the submission of a Freedom of I nfor mation (FOI) request. Visit: http://w w w.gov.bc.ca/freedomofinformation to lear n more about FOI submissions

LOCAL NEWS

THANK YOU, DONORS!

From A5

• Sarb & Kam Chattu: $100

• Anonymous, in memory of Rose Goar: $50

• Anonymous: $50

• Ed & Dianne Barker: $250

• Anonymous: $50

• Abacus Gardening & Landscaping: $1,000

• Dianne Jackson: $50

• Spencer & Janet Bryson: $200

• Vic & Sally Mowbray: $150

• Jo-Mary & Bob Hunter: $200

• Barbara Eagle: $40

• Jerry & Wendy Patrick: $100

• Wendy Dickson, in memory of Peter Basson & John Healy: $50

• Anonymous, in memory of Dave & Sandy: $100

• Barbara Caswell: $75

• Lorna McMillan & Robin Johnson: $75

• Sharon Moore, in memory of Tom Moore: $100

• Anonymous: $100

• Silvia Olson: $100

• Lynne Totten: $100

• Rick Bennett: $50

• Bea Smith: $50

• Amanda Fenrich, in memory of husband Adam: $100

• Linda Jackson, in memory of George E. Wilmot: $100

• Doris Finlay: $20

• Ian & Margaret Stewart: $100

• Amy Regan: $100

• Teresa & Colman Byrne: $200

• Harriett Chave: $100

• Anonymous: $1,000

• Brenda Fennell: $500

• Mary Dobrovolny: $25

• Shirley Holmes: $50

• Don Whyte & Gail Cameron: $200

• Sharon Cooley: $50, in memory of Ruth Cooley

• Gerry Saunders: $200, in memory of Peter Baron

• Heather & Bingley: $50

• Anonymous: $200

• Marie & Norio Sakaki: $100

• Lois Hollstedt: $250

• Maggie Campbell: $100, in memory of Don

• Mel & Wilda Bronken: $100

• Patricia Hanson: $100

• Shirley Ross: $100

• Sally & Bill Jennejohn: $100

• Anonymous: $100

• Chris Nagle: $100

• Jacques Lamb: $50

• IG Wealth Management: $200

• Linda Rollins: $100

• Rick & Judy Collinge: $100

• Nora Berkhout: $500

• Frances Higginson: $25

• Anonymous: $100

• Twyla-Lea Jensen: $25

• Debbie Fransen: $100, celebrating new grandson Fletcher, love Harm and Deb

• Tiernan Buchan: $100

• Irene Buckle: $200, in memory of Edyn & Mykel Rothenburger

• David Whitson: $100

• Anonymous: $250

• Marg & Terry Bangen: $20

• Anonymous: $100

• Rob & Joyce Buchanan: $100

• Kathy Kendall: $200

• Sue Turner: $200

• Sue & Darren Arndt: $200

• White Wolf Wellness

Counselling & Consulting/ Sharon Todd: $50

• Marv & Marilyn Peterson: $100

• Anne Wade: $25

• Bea Prehara: $50

• Donna Geefs: $100

• Jean Tash: $50

• Colleen M. Stainton: $200

• Marion Kaban: $100

• Sharon Langland: $100, in memory of Sharon Frampton

• Anonymous: $100, in memory of our parents, Tom & Gloria Stout, and Muriel & Norman Cooper

• Eileen Jones: $100

• Anonymous: $100

• The Hausers: $100

• The Posse: $200

• Sheila Pierson: $100

• Kathie & Brian Andriashyk: $100, in memory of Verna Wasylnka

• The Sallis Family: $360

• Anonymous: $150

• Vic & Dorene Radmacher: $100

• Anonymous: $100

• Tivola Howe: $100, in memory of Marjorie Duck Lehrle

• Cathy Wilcox: $100

• Wayne Murphy: $50

• Don & Debbie Erickson: $100

• Sandra Blakely: $50, in memory of Harvey

• Aileen Murphy: $50

• Cathy McIntosh: $100, in memory of George & Nolan

• Anonymous: $100

• Diana Kopec: $100, in memory of Norman Kopec

• Gordon Gillespie: $100

• Nancy Stewart: $500

• Leanne Knowles: $100

• Kelsey Boudreau: $100

• Andrea Ciccone: $48

• Anonymous: $100

TOTAL: $22,163

Downtown Glenfair redevelopment revealed

BREANNE MASSEY STAFF REPORTER breanne@kamloopsthisweek.com

BC Housing began eliciting community feedback about the proposed Glenfair Seniors Housing preliminary redevelopment options at an open house on Dec. 7.

BC Housing is reviewing options to modernize the existing 80-unit seniors housing complex behind the Kamloops Law Courts with affordable rentals featuring either three six-storey buildings with 248 units or two buildings, each having six- and 12-storey portions with 336 units. The project is reviewing goals such as archeology, environmental protection and climate change mitigation at Xget’tem Trail and Peterson Creek, housing for people with disabilities, affordable rental units for seniors, sanitation, transit improvements, cycling infrastructure and amenities.

The open house at Desert Gardens Community Centre provided visitors with presentation boards and a project questionnaire to collect community feedback. Those who could not attend the open house are encouraged to submit their feedback for 1100 Glenfair Dr. online at let-

stalkhousingbc.ca/kamloopsglenfair-drive before Jan. 11.

BC Housing development manager Joanna Tung declined to comment to KTW on project specifics, while Faction Projects manager of design Ryan Cudeford greeted participants and responded to questions from the community regarding the proof of concept on which the firm is acting as consultants.

Kamloops Cycling Coalition member Margaret Archibald, 76, resides downtown and sold the car several years ago in favour of walking and cycling through the community. Archibald attended the presentation to express an interest in urban development and accessibility.

Archibald expressed concerns about crossing Columbia Street on foot or on bike to access health care at Royal Inland Hospital and asked if bicycle parking could be added nearby to mitigate some of the challenges of parking there.

“I’m dazzled by the amount of work that they put into their current thinking,” Archibald said, noting delegates from the open house were recording feedback in a “supportive, nonjudgmental” way.

“It’s clear that it’s still preliminary thinking. Sometimes

you go to these things and it seems like a placebo, but these guys seem really interested in what we have to say.”

As a frequent flier of Xget’tem Trail in nearby Peterson Creek Park, Archibald is hopeful redevelopment at Glenfair could improve access to services for seniors.

“The last thing we want to do is have seniors — people with mobility issues — isolated, having to get into their car to do everything,” Archibald said, noting that if the surrounding area, which includes the dormant Ministry of Highways lot at Columbia Street and Sixth Avenue, were to be developed into bookstores or grocers, it could be a walkable destination.

Concerns raised included soil possibly shifitng with rainfall and the need to mitigate floods from the area, along with tall buildings possibly obstructing views.

John Glowazki, 85, felt the options presented at the open house would be beneficial for seniors on fixed incomes with mobility challenges.

Garry Limpright, who also serves as the treasurer at Oncore Seniors Society, agreed it looks like a “very attractive sight” and is eager to see better transportation.

BREANNE MASSEY/KTW

Can ‘disaster’ at city hall be averted? OPINION

In August, while sharing a pint with a prominent Kamloopsian, the subject of the civic election arose.

This particular Kamloopsian, tuned in tightly to the campaign, suggested Reid HamerJackson may well pull off the upset and defeat three incumbent councillors and become mayor.

“It could very well happen,” he said as he finished the last of his pale ale. “But it will likely be a f-----g disaster.”

I haven’t yet reached out to my Nostradamus beverage partner, but I assume he did not see a disaster unfolding a mere two months into a four-year term.

To say the Hamer-Jackson era has started with a bang would be accurate — provided that “bang” refers to perpetual explosions emanating from the Community Charter, the legislation that governs municipalities in B.C.

It’s difficult to decide where to start when discussing the messy situation involving Hamer-Jackson in the eight weeks since taking office.

There are, by my count, perhaps three distinct issues that have led to in-camera meetings, the mayor’s banishment from some of those, the mayor’s decision to recuse himself from a public meeting and plenty of infighting between the mayor and some of the councillors elected by voters. The issues that have city staff and council concerned deal with alleged breaches of sections of the Community Charter, whether intentional or inadvertently.

Those situations have been covered extensively by KTW and other media in Kamloops, so there is no need to go deep into details here.

(For a full recap and explainer

piece on all things Hamer-Jackson and Kamloops council, turn to page A12).

In summary, the mayor’s ongoing feud with the ASK Wellness Society, a particular letter his lawyer sent to the social agency referencing council committees and allegations that the mayor directed city-funded private security officers to park their vehicles on his Tru Market auto dealership property on Victoria Street West have all led to Hamer-Jackson finding himself in potential hot water.

The common thread among these controversies is the fact the new mayor does not seem to understand what he can and cannot do — at times coming to the opposite conclusion of what he can and cannot do.

For example, a letter from a lawyer for ASK Wellness suggested some of Hamer-Jackson’s comments about the social agency have been defamatory and asked that he stop with the criticism and cease using ASK Wellness CEO Bob Hughes’ name when critiquing the organization’s work.

Hamer-Jackson took that to mean he cannot utter the names of the agency or CEO and has since refused to do so.

But that is not the case. He is free to utter their names at will — as long as their names are not tied to comments that may be defamatory.

With respect to allegations the new mayor directed city-funded security personnel to park their vehicles on his dealership property, Hamer-Jackson told KTW he did no such thing. He explained he suggested they park at the adjacent Stereo Warehouse lot as its owners have expressed concern with crime in the area. But even that suggestion should not be made as long as the mayor owns or leases property on Victoria Street West.

Following his Oct. 15 election as mayor, Hamer-Jackson appeared on Kamloops Last Week, a podcast/webcast co-hosted by myself and KTW reporter Marty Hastings.

I asked how he will handle conflict of interest issues pertaining to Victoria Street West, since his involvement in anything happening on that road — be it a sewer main replacement, paving project, fencing addition or crimerelated proposal — is off limits.

As mayor, and with property on that street, Hamer-Jackson cannot speak to, or vote on, any issue related to that street, since he could stand to benefit as a property owner along that road.

Rather than acknowledge that he will need to stay out of all discussions on Victoria Street West, HamerJackson cited issues he has raised in the past, issues relating to problems connected to shelters on the street.

“There’s a lot of things already in

place that won’t be conflict,” he said, referring to documentation from 2020 that the shelters were to have wraparound services.

That does not change the fact that, as a mayor who owns or leases property on that stretch of road, he cannot be involved in any decisions relating to that street.

These are situations for which Hamer-Jackson should be seeking advice, be it from his lawyer or an expert on municipal law. It wouldn’t hurt for him to seek the counsel of Ken Christian, Peter Milobar or Terry Lake (all former mayors), veteran city staff and the four councillors who are not first-time municipal politicians.

But that would be a move for someone comfortable with admitting they have much to learn. Is HamerJackson such a person? Perhaps, though we have heard of interactions between the mayor and staff and council in the past two months that might suggest otherwise.

There is no shame in asking for help, in asking for explanations and direction, when thrust into a job for which one has had no previous experience.

It is the wise thing to do. To not do so would be beyond foolish.

It may be a cliché, but it is true — municipal politics is a team game in Kamloops. And, unlike provincial and federal politics and some Lower Mainland cities, every elected politician in Kamloops is on the same squad.

It is too early to declare council as being dysfunctional, but if this drama continues, the boring stuff that truly matters — tax rates, budgets, snow removal, etc. — could be impacted. And not one of the 23,000 people who

cast ballots on Oct. 15 voted for that.

While this saga plays on, voters should be reminded that Kamloops is far from alone when it comes to city hall intrigue.

Newly elected West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager has been accused by the Law Society of BC of professional misconduct with respect to how he handled a friend’s estate. While that matter churns through the system, Sager was in 2020 found guilty of professional misconduct in another case involving preparation of a will. He was fined $20,000 and ordered to pay the law society’s $20,000 legal bill.

In June, City of Langley council censured Mayor Val van den Broek for bullying and intimidating behaviour toward a municipal employee. She was also removed from a number of committees. Van den Broek was defeated in her bid for re-election on Oct. 15, with a voter turnout (18 per cent!) that makes Kamloops look like a civic-minded community.

Then there was the circus at Surrey City Hall for the past four years, with too much acrimony to fully list here, but it did involve a still-unresolved and prohibitively expensive battle between an RCMP or municipal police force and the erstwhile mayor being acquitted in court on a charge that he lied to police about an incident in a parking lot involving a car and his foot, which often ended up in his mouth.

To err is human, to forgive divine.

And to mend fences, work as a team and avoid a f-----g disaster at city hall is sublime.

CIRCULATION

LETTERS

THE EDITOR OPINION

TO

MAYOR WILL MAKE CHANGES FOR GOOD

Editor:

I recently watched episode 70 of the Kamloops Last Week podcast/webcast in which co-hosts Christopher Foulds and Marty Hastings interviewed Kamloops Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson.

We finally have a mayor who cares about the issues that

plague this beautiful city. After listening to him, I find that he cares about not only the people, but our city. He is down to earth and I feel he will make changes for the betterment of all.

Dan Valiquette Kamloops

A

Editor:

TO RESTORE STAFF OF PAST

Recent negative news about Habitat for Humanity Kamloops and the relocation of its ReStore to Salmon Arm has been disappointing.

I’d like to honour ReStore’s long history of strong community support, based on years as its manager. My sincere apologies for items and names missed as it’s been many years.

More than 50 volunteers were the heart and soul of ReStore.

Cathy cashiered weekly and monthly totalled volunteer numbers. Ken loved painting every Thursday, while his wife, June, cashiered every Friday.

lar cashier and front-store worker, while Bart tested anything electronic and created systems and sets.

When we received hundreds of LPs, Stephen’s dad spent an eight-hour day sorting and pricing. Dave spent hours building dividers for our windows and doors.

Then there were Dennis, the retired teacher, Richard, Bob the retired chaplain and Lino, the Italian fellow with a bad back from digging trenches in frozen ground as a fresh immigrant.

And there were so many others, all interesting individuals and all much appreciated.

we had questions.

A

Donations required once or twiceweekly pick-up trips to Home Depot, a national supporter which remains onboard today. Another major hardware store donated periodically.

All-Weather Windows, the Real Canadian Superstore and the Delta Sun Peaks Hotel kept us well supplied with various items, while homeowner support was strong and consistent.

Our truck was on the road at least twice a week, often three times.

Editor:

On Dec. 5, the price of gas in Salmon Arm at the Shell station was $1.49.9 per litre.

On Dec. 7, I filled up in Falkland at the Canco station and paid $1.55.9 per/litre.

In Vernon, the price of gas is lower than it is in Falkland.

Gas prices in Kamloops have been consistently higher than those found in surrounding communities — by eight to 10 cents a litre all summer. With my recent purchases out of town, I am wondering why

Farmer Ed (who recently passed away) and his quiet, jovial nature was a regular treasure. Each week, Reg and his buddy made sure our tool aisle was neat, tidy and well-priced.

Stan worked magic with appliances, while Keith could fix anything and did so with quiet humour. Sandy tested power tools and other tasks in the back.

Lady Di ran the paint aisle like she owned it and latterly worked with Pam, keeping the book section organized.

Feisty Doreen, in her 80s, did biweekly shifts running lighting, while Mona took a shine to her and they became peas in a pod. Gail was a regu-

Social good fit into our work, too. For years, Patrick and his son came in weekly to sort and organize. George loved riding in the truck and helping pick up donations; he eventually became a part-time employee.

We provided volunteer opportunities for a young man recovering from a severe stroke, a fellow dealing with a brain injury and many others. We responded to requests from various social agencies needing items.

Small-project contractors came in regularly. We saw John, Jason, Khun Khun and Joseph every week or two. They also taught us about products if

I’m puzzled how these years of broad-based support and consistent activity could change so much to the point that a city of 100,000 can no longer support this history, as has been claimed by Habitat for Humanity Kamloops’ board before it was disaffiliated by the national Habitat office.

In the meantime, on behalf of my staff and the board under which we worked (including contributions to this letter), I offer our gratitude for the many great years we experienced thanks to this amazing community.

Tom Rankin Kamloops

Kamloops This Week is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour.

If you have concerns about editorial content, please email  editor@kamloopsthisweek.com or call 250-374-7467

If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the website at  mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163

Cherry Creek rancher came in on every trip to Kamloops and said he found stuff he didn’t know he needed.

Recreation admission fees, rentals to rise in 2023

Admission and rental fees at Kamloops pools, arenas and sports/play fields will be rising next year.

Council has adopted city staff’s recommendation for a five per cent hike in admission and user rental fees at recreation facilities, except for pool lane rentals and Hillside Stadium’s artificial field, which will see a seven per cent increase.

The staff report noted that a 2006 bylaw included a phased increase in fees and charges based on a target recovery rate of 50 per cent of the operating costs.

However, that 50 per cent recovery target has not been met in all recreation facilities.

Staff noted they are budgeting for user fees to cover approximately 50 per cent of operating costs in arenas and at the Tournament Capital Centre, whereas user fees are covering only 27 per cent of operating costs in aquatics and only 17 per cent of operating costs in play fields.

“Almost without exception, community partners with longstanding leases or facility use agreements in our facilities are increasingly looking for additional hours, which frequently results in reduced hourly rental revenues,” the staff report states.

“To achieve the 50 per cent costrecovery rate in aquatics and play fields, the user fees and charges would need to increase significantly or there would need to be a significant decrease in the service levels.”

Between 2012 and 2014, user fee increases were based on the cost-of-living inflationary factor. Rates and fees were held for 2015 and 2016 pending a planned review. In 2016, council adopted an amended bylaw with five per cent fee increases in 2017, 2019 and 2021.

Staff conducted a review of similar-sized communities — Kelowna, Nanaimo, Prince George and Vernon — to compare fees and charges, with the report to council noting most fees and charges fell

within a 15 per cent range.

The exceptions were in some of the play field and pool lane rental fees, which were more than 15 per cent lower in Kamloops than the comparable municipalities.

While admission fees to recreation facilities in Kamloops will rise by five per cent in 2023, the hourly rental fees will increase by the following amounts:

• Dry floor: from $73.05 to $76.70

• Class 3 play field: from $7.30 to $7.67

• Artificial turf field: from $37.40 to $40.02

• Ice: from $199.15 to $209.11

• Pool lane: from $7.35 to 7.86.

The increases will be implemented on a staggered basis through 2023. For example, ice user groups will see the hike begin on March 1 and aquatic user groups will experience the increase on July 1, which are dates at the ends of their respective current seasons.

The fee increase will take place in 2023 and again in 2025, when they will be reviewed.

The Tournament Capital Centre, at 910 McGill Rd. and adjacent to Thompson Rivers University, is the city’s largest recreation facility.

KTW FILE PHOTO

The Boogie Cultural Fund, held at BC Interior Community Foundation, is a significant source of funding for charities in the Arts and Culture sector

COMMUNITY GIVING IS EASY

plan You may choose gifts that provide income to others while also benefiting the community

4. LET US TAKE CARE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

1. DEFINE YOUR PASSION

What causes do you care about most? Do you wish to address an urgent need in the community, honor the memory of a loved one or support a charity or project?

2 CREATE A FUND

We will work with you to create a fund that is tailored to your interests and that will accomplish your goals

Our options are flexible: Your fund can broadly benefit the community or focus on specific issues, organizations or students.

3. DECIDE WHAT & WHEN TO GIVE

You can use a wide range of assets to establish a charitable fund or give to an existing fund at BC Interior Community Foundation.

Based on your interests and needs, we can help you make a plan to build your fund through gifts now or in the future through your estate

We keep it simple so you can focus on what makes your heart sing your contribution to making people’s lives better We can start establishing your new fund in as little as one day, and can coordinate gift planning with your financial and legal advisors.

5 TRACK YOUR FUND

You can trust us to be fiscally responsible, knowledgeable and dedicated to ensuring that all funds are invested responsibly You will receive periodic updates about your fund so you can always be aware of its progress

6. REFINE YOUR STRATEGY

If your family or financial situation changes or if your interests shift, we can help you adjust your giving strategy Likewise, if the charity organization that your fund supports goes out of business or

changes its mission, we’ll make any necessary changes to ensure that future grants from your fund follow your original intent.

7 DO GOOD

Your gifts are tur ned into grants to qualified donees, charitable organizations or to bursaries and scholarships for local students

It ’ s simple: We help you do good in the communities you love. Here’s how it works.

you help our community

DAVE EAGLES/KTW

A ROCKY START TO THE NEW COUNCIL TERM

A review of the issues that have created controversy at Kamloops City Hall

MICHAEL POTESTIO STAFF REPORTER michael@kamloopsthisweek.com

Kamloops city council is hoping to put a period of volatility surrounding legal issues connected to Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson in the rearview mirror.

Those issues include a perceived conflict of interest, alleged improper direction of a contracted security company and potential legal liability stemming from a letter mentioning a proposed city committee, sent to a local nonprofit social agency from the mayor’s personal lawyer.

It all began on Dec. 6, when the mayor abruptly recused himself from the entirety of the day’s regular council meeting, citing a conflict of interest without specifying why. Hamer-Jackson exited the room, left the building and watched the rest of the council meeting from home.

The move left many wondering what could have led the mayor to cite a conflict over an entire council agenda.

KTW has since learned, from Hamer-Jackson and his personal lawyer, David McMillan, the mayor recused himself out of an abundance of caution due to a perceived conflict of interest involving the ASK Wellness Society.

There was a report on the agenda, which Hamer-Jackson had instructed staff to prepare, updating the new council on progress made in numerous social housing-related motions of the previous council.

Hamer-Jackson has told KTW he received advice he may be in a conflict of interest on council matters of social housing due to the exchange of legal letters with ASK Wellness, which is why he recused himself from hearing the report. He left for the entire meeting as he felt the report would take the bulk of time. A family friend also had a variance application on the agenda he believed was a conflict.

Neither staff nor council required the mayor to declare a conflict, nor did they prohibit the mayor from attending that meeting, a statement from the city reads.

Prior to the start of that meeting, however, Hamer-Jackson was barred from an in-camera

(closed) legal meeting earlier that day. That meeting ran long, nudging up against the 1:30 p.m. regular council meeting slot, and had to be continued on Dec. 8. The adjournment of the Dec. 6 in-camera meeting left little time for consultation between the mayor and staff regarding his conflict of interest declaration.

The Dec. 8 meeting was held immediately following a short public meeting, at which Hamer-Jackson lobbed questions at city chief administrative officer David Trawin, who described the Dec. 6 meeting and Dec. 8 continuation to the mayor as “potentially more than a conflict of interest.”

KTW has also learned Hamer-Jackson was the subject of the Dec. 6 and 8 in-camera meetings between staff, council and the city’s lawyer over legal issues pertaining to the mayor.

Hamer-Jackson and McMillan have confirmed to KTW the mayor was the subject of those meeting and the city has implicated the mayor as much as it has stated he was not entitled to attend the meeting.

The city explained that when a city council receives privileged legal advice, those whose own interests may be adverse to those of the municipality are not entitled to remain at the meeting or hear that legal advice. Doing so would jeopardize the municipality’s legal position and put the public’s interests at risk.

While that second meeting was ongoing, Hamer-Jackson told reporters in his office that he was not concerned about the legal repercussions.

“I don’t know a lot about what’s going on,” Hamer-Jackson said, adding he was able to look at a 10-page legal document from the city’s lawyer, but wasn’t allowed to retain a copy.

Deputy Mayor Coun. Bill Sarai told KTW the following day, Dec. 9, that he and other council members met with the mayor to tell him why the in-camera meeting happened, what was discussed and why it was discussed. Sarai said the mayor is not at risk of being censured, but added he could not divulge the issues that, he said, council has now “put to rest.”

Sarai said concerns were brought forward to staff ,who wanted legal advice to determine if the issues discussed in the in-camera meetings put the municipality in a position of liability.

“And our lawyer said, ‘Yes, I feel, in my opin-

ion, there are some issues that could open you up to lawsuits’ and they presented those issues and their opinion to us and we dealt with them,” Sarai said. “Unfortunately, it took two meetings.

“As far as we’re concerned, we’re all one team. It’s all a learning process to us, as well — what our duties are and where the boundaries are, what you can do and what you can’t do — and we’re moving forward. That’s what our hope is.”

Also on Dec. 9, the city issued a statement, in which the municipality said it wished to clarify that, unless directed or authorized by council as a whole, no individual member may use their office and/or title to speak on matters that are exclusively within council’s authority. The statement noted that pertained to speaking on behalf of city council with respect to any municipal business, including direction council may or may not give to any of its committees.

All committees and commissions authorized to engage in municipal matters are directed by and report to council, not to any individual member, the statement read.

The statement appeared to be referencing a letter KTW obtained from Hamer-Jackson’s personal lawyer, which he sent to the ASK Wellness Society. The letter states that one of the mayor’s proposed task forces will be responsible for establishing a third-party review and audit of Kamloops housing providers subsidized by B.C. Housing and the City of Kamloops. The letter is dated Nov. 30 and addressed to ASK Wellness lawyer Scott Huyghebaert.

“I expect the mayor, in consultation with city council, will appoint competent and objective members to the task force to address all aspects of their mandate without influence for any parties with special interest,” McMillan wrote in the letter. “Your client can participate usefully in this process by providing candid and transparent information with respect to its operations and finances.”

The letter was a second response from the mayor’s personal lawyer to ASK Wellness.

Hamer-Jackson was the subject of an exchange of legal letters in early November between himself, in his capacity as mayor, and ASK Wellness. Huyghebaert expressed concern about some of Hamer-Jackson’s critical com-

ments about the non-profit during the election campaign and to media, arguing they may be defamatory toward ASK Wellness and its CEO, Bob Hughes. Huyghebaert has asked that Hamer-Jackson stop making such statements and stop using Hughes’ name.

In response, Hamer-Jackson, through his lawyer, has asked that Hughes/ Huyghebaert retract their accusations of defamatory language and apologize.

Hamer-Jackson believes this exchange puts him in a conflict of interest with regard to any agenda items that pertain to the non-profit.

The mayor also has a combative history with the non-profit Canadian Mental Health Association, which operates the Emerald Centre shelter on Victoria Street West, across from his Tru Market auto dealership. Hamer-Jackson and the CMHA exchanged legal letters earlier this year.

Trawin told KTW the first two letters between Hamer-Jackson and ASK Wellness did not pose any legal implications for the city. When asked if the Nov. 30 letter from HamerJackson/McMillan to ASK Wellness, referencing city committees, did pose legal implications, Trawin said he could not comment.

The city is also investigating Hamer-Jackson over his alleged improper direction of a contracted security company to guard properties near his downtown business, which is a function of city staff and not council members. Trawin told KTW he is not sure if the incident, if proven to have occurred, would constitute a conflict of interest or abuse of office as he has never before had to deal with this type of situation.

In its statement, the city may also be referencing that incident as it states that where an elected official has a pecuniary (financial) interest in a matter, the Community Charter also prohibits them from using their office to attempt to influence an employee of the municipality and that when he or she engages in this prohibitive conduct, they may be disqualified from office.

There has been no indication from city hall, however, that the mayor is at risk of being disqualified from office at this time.

Asked if he could confirm whether the city is no longer at risk of being sued, Sarai replied, “At this time, no.”

The black and white (and grey) of conflict of interest

MICHAEL POTESTIO STAFF REPORTER michael@kamloopsthisweek.com

Kamloops Mayor Reid HamerJackson appears bound when it comes to addressing social housing issues in Kamloops due to a perceived conflict of interest with two organizations largely responsible for such services in the city.

Hamer-Jackson is recusing himself, for the time being, from discussions involving both the ASK Wellness Society and the local chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), despite having run on a platform of public safety and security and accountability from shelter operators. Following his election, he told reporters one of his first priorities was to get shelters “under control” and aimed to launch an independent third-party review of the facilities.

However, legal correspondences between his personal lawyer, David McMillan, and ASK Wellness,

which has claimed the mayor has made defamatory statements about the organization on the campaign trail and in media interviews.

While denying the allegations, Hamer-Jackson has decided to not mention the organization or its chief executive officer by name and will not participate in council agenda items pertaining to ASK Wellness.

The mayor also told a local media outlet he will refrain from city council discussions involving the CMHA due to letters exchanged between his lawyer and the CMHA’s lawyer, David Edinger, threatening legal action against Hamer-Jackson, that predate the mayor’s election ton Oct. 15.

A letter from the CMHA accuse Hamer-Jackson of harassment, bullying and racist statements dating back to January 2020.

Hamer-Jackson did not immediately return a call and text for comment regarding his decision surrounding the letter.

McMillan has countered the

claims of defamation from ASK’s lawyer and told KTW he doesn’t believe Hamer-Jackson is in a conflict of interest.

However, the mayor is erring on the side of caution.

“Just because there’s a difference of opinion about various things, that doesn’t, as far as I know, raise a conflict of interest at all,” McMillan said. “What it does is it raises the caution level.”

McMillan pointed out that Hamer-Jackson is a business owner whose been impacted by decisions made over street and security issues along Victoria Street West.

“Anybody could say that his participation in a discussion about what ASK Wellness is doing or what CMHA is doing could be construed as self-interest because he still owns a car lot on West Victoria,” McMillan said.

“So he has made a point, and will make a point, of staying away from any discussion that could be pro or con West Victoria Street business owners. That’s a blatant

conflict of interest issue and he would step out of any meeting that had to do with resolutions that benefit or not benefit those business owners.”

City of Kamloops chief administrative officer David Trawin said the mayor could “rehabilitate” his perceived conflict of interests in various ways, depending on what those conflicts are, but there may be some conflicts that cannot be overcome. He said the mayor will ultimately need to determine what those conflicts are and how/if he can remedy them.

Speaking hypothetically, Trawin noted that if a platform a council member ran on were perceived as being biased toward an issue or an organization, that council member could remediate the non-pecuniary conflict of interest concern by issuing a statement that they will keep an open mind and look at all sides of the issue when making decisions related to them.

In the case of a pecuniary (financial) conflict of interest, if, for

More Spirit, Less Stuff

It's now 10 days until Christmas Eve and we hope you are all getting into the Christmas Spirit, anticipating cherished time with family, special holiday traditions and lots of good food and laughter!

As a financial planning firm, we naturally lean toward providing advice about investing, planning for the future and helping achieve your goals While we are big fans of being organized and planning ahead, often we can be guilty of getting caught up in the seasonal rush and can get distracted from the true meaning of Christmas

So we would like to take a pause and share with you some of our teams' favorite holiday traditions that don't require tapping a credit card We have also thrown in our favorite Christmas movies, often hotly debated & discussed around the water cooler

Eric:

The holiday begins with a family hike into the woods to find not 1 but 2 perfect trees! The classic one and a "Charlie Brown tree" for his daughters Grace & London A tradition started by accident when the 1st tree they cut down was too small Christmas day

involves traditional German food using Oma's recipes, Erin's famous mulled wine and the classic choice movie: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Keith:

Keith's family also heads outside to find their Griswold tree that typically needs chopping off at the top The truck is filled with hot chocolate and snacks along with the sound of music usually the Trans Siberian Orchestra at full blast! Their movie of choice? Also, the Chevy Chase classic no surprise given Keith's reputation for the lights display on his house!

Shannon:

Shannon's a traditionalist who adores Christmas! She's often that person watching Christmas Hallmark movies that start in September, but mostly looks forward to old classics like the Bells of St Mary's and Going My Way After Christmas Eve Mass, they like to gather at her sisters for board games and appetizers She then looks forward to video chatting all her Grandchildren and extended family on Christmas Day

Soria:

Soria has a great tradition for her girls that many others have adopted over the years They receive 4 Christmas gifts: 1 thing they wear, 1 thing they need, 1 thing they want and 1 thing they read It makes gift giving simple for mom with rules and limits, but also makes it fun for the kids to plan They also love watching Christmas Vacation and the kids always choose Arthur Christmas

Debra:

example, a development proposal was next to a council member’s home, that council member likely wouldn’t be able to avoid having to recuse oneself from a vote, Trawin explained.

One way, however, to get around pecuniary conflicts of interest would be divesting from a business holding.

McMillan said Hamer-Jackson knows he has to be vigilant with issues pertaining to ASK Wellness and the CMHA.

“He’s not going to table any motions before council to disentitle ASK Wellness from operating or anything like that,” McMillan said.

McMillan said if ASK Wellness was to retract its accusation, Hamer-Jackson could move on without concern over a potential conflict of interest.

Hamer-Jackson told KTW he believes it would be “an injustice to the citizens of Kamloops if I go into council meetings and I have to keep recusing myself, not being able to say peoples’ names.”

Leading up to Christmas, we head out and get a Frosty from Wendy's then drive around enjoying the lights displays Not sure how the Frosty part started maybe in honor of the snowman?! On Christmas Eve, we always watch TSN's sport highlights & bloopers then enjoy our unusual Mexican fiesta on Christmas Day But for me, it's not quite Christmas until Bruce Willis yells Yippee Ki-Yay from the top of Nakatomi Tower!

Lastly, we acknowledge that there are many people struggling financially this time of year. That is why we feel it is important to give back We have decided to assist two local organizations: the Kamloops Food Bank and Salvation Army – by way of sponsoring a single parent with three children

Whatever you enjoy most about the holidays, we hope you focus on the little things as they're what we all remember the most. Dr Seuss had it right.

'It came without ribbons, it came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags! Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more '

Written by Debra Hooper Invest Well, Live Well

City aquatics programs impacted by staff shortages

BREANNE MASSEY STAFF REPORTER jessica@kamloopsthisweek.com

The staffing shortage scenario for lifeguards across the nation has reached Kamloops.

City of Kamloops aquatics program supervisor Andrew Smeaton said “Kamloops has been fortunate” since the pandemic squeezed lifeguard staffing numbers across the country, noting the challenge did not impact the community until this fall, when the city’s stable of 60 lifeguards began decreasing.

“We’re operating with close to 60 per cent of what our normal staffing numbers would be,” Smeaton told KTW. “Usually, we like to have somewhere in the mid50s, in terms of lifeguards, but right now we’re operating with less than 40 lifeguards.”

However, having the Canada Games Aquatic Centre at the Tournament Capital Centre next to Thompson Rivers University has been an asset for water enthusiasts

due to lifeguarding applicants coming from out of town to study, thus keeping staffing numbers healthy until recent months.

Smeaton said the Westsyde Pool and Fitness Centre remains short-staffed and has had unexpected closures on three weekends since September. He is encouraging users to call the facility at 250828-3616 before departing for the facility to ensure it is operational.

Smeaton said there is now a stable number of lifeguards at the TCC thanks to many TRU students, which means visitors are not required to contact the facility before arriving. However, with fewer lifeguards than normal, Smeaton said the leadership team has had to strategically pivot.

“We’ve had to have only parts of the facility open instead of the whole facility at the Canada

Games,” he said, noting the diving board, the slides and the deep end of the pool may operate on rotating schedules as required amidst the staffing shortage.

“We still want to be able to provide aquatic activities for people, so we’re keeping it open, but we’ve had to change how we’ve previously done things.”

He said the ongoing staffing challenges in both facilities have led to a decreasing number of swimming lessons for children and their families this fall.

Beginning in January, Smeaton expects programming will be adjusted to accommodate public swimming and sporting club schedules. He has scheduled shifts for student employees to start at 4 p.m., as opposed to 2:30 p.m., to help accommodate work/life balance.

Moving forward, the city is hopeful people from all walks of life may consider training to become a lifeguard. Smeaton said the starting wage in the collective agreement for all lifeguards is

$26.45 per hour.

“We would love to have older applicants on our lifeguard positions, so anyone [who] is past high school or university time, and is maybe later in life, is encouraged to apply and be available for weekday shifts,” he said, noting individuals who are safety-oriented, have strong customer service skills and enjoy working with children are highly desirable applicants.

“We would love to have you in our courses,” Smeaton said. “There are lots of opportunities for weekday work.”

Those interested in learning more about a career as a lifeguard can contact the leadership team by email at swim@kamloops.ca. Go online to visit kamloops.ca/swim for more information.

To find out more about training opportunities, please check the city’s Parks and Recreation Guide, which is available at city hall, at the TCC and at the Westsyde Pool and Fitness Centre and which was delivered in a recent edition of Kamloops This Week

Province buys motel

A Valleyview motel will soon become B.C. Housing’s next social housing location in Kamloops.

The one-storey Lamplighter Motel building has 31 units, each with its own washroom. The building also has a

reception area and an additional twobedroom manager’s suite.

The motel has been leased by BC Housing since October 2021 and used as temporary supportive housing for people who are homeless or who are at risk of being homeless during the pandemic. By purchasing the property, residents

will be able to remain in the building, a release from the government stated.

BC Housing intends to apply to the City of Kamloops to rezone the property to transition the spaces into permanent supportive housing. In the meantime, the site will continue to operate as temporary housing.

The ASK Wellness Society, which has managed the site since October 2021, will continue to operate the building. The society will have staff on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide residents with support services, including daily meals, life skills training, vocational supports and health services.

Statutor y Holiday / Obser ved Regular Meeting (1:30 pm)

Public Hearing (7:00 pm)

Held for Council Workshops (star t times TBD) SD73 Spring Break, LGLA, SILGA, FCM, UBCM (March 20–31 - March 1–3 - April 25–28 - May 25–28 - September 18–22)

A Kamloops toy story with a sequel

TUMBLEWEED TOYS EXPANDS ITS SAHALI STORE

DAVE EAGLES STAFF REPORTER dave_eagles@kamloopsthisweek.com

Tumbleweed Toys is bullish on the Kamloops market and has expanded its store, just in time for the Christmas shopping season.

The store at Columbia Street and Summit Drive in Sahali opened in 2010 in Sahali Mall, before moving across the parking lot in 2016 to its current building, doubling its size.

Tumbleweed owner Vanessa Gammel said she jumped at the opportunity to expand her toy shop through the entire building after an adjacent business moved out.

Gammel said taking over the building has allowed for more products like board games, jigsaw puzzles and Lego — a huge area of growth.

The second floor offers a sizeable lunch room, storage space and a large room that

Gammel said will eventually be for used hosting popular games night, seeing teams compete to be the first to complete the same puzzle.

“There isn’t really anything like it in town,” Gammel said.

“A lot of the stuff that we carry is stuff that you can only find online and people like to be able to see it inperson and shop for it and feel it and touch it,” she said.

“It’s nice to be able to do it in-person.”

Gammel said her business experienced growth throughout the pandemic.

“When everything shut down, we still had a website, so people were able to order and then pick it up at the store,” she said.

Gammel said because Tumbleweed Toys started with toys for young kids, her main customer base are young moms ages 25 to 40.

“But we have a ton of customers now that are new, in that kind of, college

20-year-old base, because we have a lot of board games and novelty gifts,” she said, noting grandparents also come in to buy gifts for the young kids.

Seniors, too, are interested in buying a lot of the puzzles carried by Tumbleweed.

Gammel said one aspect that sets her business apart from other stores is the staff.

“We pride ourselves in having staff that will work one-on-one with customers and help them find the right gifts,” Gammel said.

“That’s one thing that sets us apart from the big box stores, is that we try to have good product knowledge and knowledge of child development that helps people select products.”

Tumbleweed Toys recently won the Business Excellence Awards Retailer of the Year Award.

“When we actually won, I was pretty surprised,” Gammel said.

’Tis the season for giving

and receiving

with double rewards.

Tumbleweed Toys owner Vanessa Gammel recently celebrated an expansion and store re-opening and is ready for a busy Christmas season, seeing a steady customer demand for her products.

DAVE EAGLES/KTW

CHBA-CI THROUGH THE YEARS

DAVE EAGLES/KTW

A Christmas present for busy parents

WITH THREE HOURS OF FREE TIME, PARENTS COULD SHOP, DINE OR CATCH UP ON SOME SLEEP

BREANNE MASSEY STAFF REPORTER breanne@kamloopsthisweek.com

Gateway Children’s Centre offered families the gift of time for Christmas — and the Valleyview facility hopes to do it again in February.

On Dec. 9, families were invited to drop off their children for childcare between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. at no charge. It was the centre’s way of giving back to the community.

“Talking with so many parents throughout the week, one common thread throughout talking with parents is that they just don’t

have time to themselves, time to go do things, time to do Christmas shopping,” Gateway Kids City director Lia Heath said.

“This was an opportunity to let them go use three hours however they want.”

The event — called Parents’ Night — was reserved for children between the ages of three and 11. Gateway hosted activities for children, including games, decorating gingerbread houses and watching a Christmas movie.

Parents, meanwhile, had three glorious hours to shop, dine or catch up on some sleep.

“We wanted to give a gift

back to our community,” Heath said, noting about 30 children were hosted.

Gateway is hopeful another Parents’ Night event can be offered to the community in February, close to Valentine’s Day.

During the school year, Gateway Children’s Centre offers programming for children from the ages of 30 months to 11 years. The centre also offers daytime programming during the summer months for families in need.

Gateway is located at 163 Oriole Rd. Its website is gcchurch.ca and inquires can be emailed to lia@ gcchurch.ca.

Canadian Home Builders’ Association - Central Interior executive director Rose Choy welcomes visitors to new mural installed at their 202-929 Laval Cres. office. The exhibit recognizes the building association’s rich past, present and future, displayed as a timeline. Established in 1965 by founding members Frank Hewlett and Gene Allgaie, it marks events such as: the first Keystone Awards, the inaugural Y Dream Home/TRU Training House — to present day accomplishment and future endeavours.

ALC application part of Valleyview park plan

MICHAEL POTESTIO STAFF REPORTER michael@kamloopsthisweek.com

The City of Kamloops is applying to B.C.’s Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) to have a piece of land excluded from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) to enable the development of Jimeva Park.

The one-hectare property in Valleyview is currently zoned for passive park space and must be excluded from the ALR and rezoned to support residential development and enable the city to build an active park that may include amenities such as a water park, washrooms and change rooms.

Council has voted unanimously to send the application to a public hearing, the minutes of which will be forwarded on with its application to the ALC.

While council gave unanimous approval to move forward at its Nov. 29 meeting, Coun. Katie Neustaeter

expressed disappointment that the proposed Jimeva Park was moved from its previously planned waterfront location, stressing a need to keep the river in mind when planning in the future.

“I know it makes a lot of fiscal sense in many ways, provides accessibility that’s different than the original proposal, but I do think we need to think about how we develop,” Neustaeter said.

“The river’s our greatest asset and there are limited points of access for people.”

Earlier this year, the previous city council opted to move the proposed site for Jimeva Park from its original beachfront location off the South Thompson River to its current one about 700 metres east, off the south end of Highway 1, placing it adjacent to Orchards Walk.

The change places the park in an easier to access area and negates the need for a pedestrian overpass that was previously planned to span the

highway and rail line for park access.

The developer of Orchards Walk has a purchase agreement in place on the subject property for future municipal park purposes and residential use.

Marvin, Kwiatkowski, the city’s director of development, engineering and sustainability, told council that if the property is removed from the ALR, a number of other steps, such as a road closure and rezoning, would be required before the park becomes a reality.

CITY OF KAMLOOPS

Agricultural Land Reserve exclusion application map.

Preventing Indigenous identity fraud at TRU

THE ISSUE AROSE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS SURROUNDING THE ANCESTRY OF MARY ELLEN TURPEL-LAFOND, WHO RECEIVED AN HONORARY DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY IN 2009

SEAN BRADY STAFF REPORTER sbrady@kamloopsthisweek.com

Thompson Rivers University will take steps to prevent Indigenous identity fraud at the institution following the release of an independent report commissioned by the University of Saskatchewan.

TRU president Brett Fairbairn — who came to Kamloops from the University of Saskatchewan in 2018 — raised the matter at the Dec. 9 board of governors meeting, pointing to recent reports and questions surrounding Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond’s ancestry in the media.

Turpel-Lafond, the former Representative for Children and Youth in B.C., was awarded an honorary degree by TRU in 2009.

The University of

Saskatchewan tasked Jean Teillet, an expert on Indigenous rights, Métis identity and history, to examine the matter and make recommendations on how universities should deal with the matter.

Teillet’s report, released in November, recommended implementing the findings of the What Was Heard report.

Those recommendations include requesting community references, defining what constitutes an Indigenous identity and vetting policies, as well as Teillet’s own recommendations to partner with Indigenous communities, educate staff, update policies and make changes to collective agreements.

Teillet said her findings are relevant to all Canadian universities, not only Saskatoon’s University of Saskatchewan.

“I think it lays out a number of really interesting considerations,” Fairbairn said, noting the report is a thorough examination with possible solutions.

“I think one of the next tasks will be for TRU to develop our own approach to assessing Indigenous identity where we need to do so, for students, for faculty, for staff,” he said.

Fairbairn acknowledged a call from the Indigenous Women’s Collective to revoke TurpelLafond’s honorary degree at TRU and, in response, said the university will follow its own policy on honorary degrees.

According to Thompson Rivers University’s policy, an honorary degree can be revoked on the recommendation of the senate awards and honours committee, the senate and the university president.

TRU president Brett Fairbairn acknowledged a call from the Indigenous Women’s Collective to revoke the honorary degree of Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond (above) at TRU and, in response, said the university will follow its own policy on honorary degrees.

UBC PHOTO

Flu-related deaths among youth are up

KAMLOOPS THISWEEK

The BC Centre for Disease Control said there have been, as of Dec. 9, six reported influenza-related deaths among children and youth this fall, with investigations ongoing.

The children who died included one who was younger than five years old, three who were between five and nine years of age and two adolescents who were between the ages of 15 and 19.

The number of such deaths are higher than normal, with data from the BC Coroners Service showing an annual average of two to three influenza-related deaths among children and youth in the five years before the pandemic arrived in 2020.

This year’s respiratory illness season

has been especially severe across Canada, with increasing numbers of children and youth being admitted to overcrowded hospitals as influenza, RSV and COVID-19 cases spike.

As of yet, there is no indication the provincial government will be enacting mask mandates.

According to the BC Coroners Service, the reported deaths cite influenza as an immediate, pre-existing or underlying cause of death or as a significant condition.

Dr. Brian Conway, medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre, told the Vancouver Sun it is a historic year for influenza in British Columbia.

“This is epic … It’s a big, big deal,” Conway said, noting B.C. has already reached the number of flu cases it normally reports for an entire year — 4,000 — in the early part of the season.

Reported cases do not capture all flu cases as only those that have positive tests, usually in a hospital setting, get reported.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said early findings indicate some of the children experienced secondary bacterial infections contributing to severe

illness, which she said can be a complication of influenza.

“It is important to know that death associated with influenza in previously healthy children continues to be rare,” Henry said.

“This is an unusual season with unusual characteristics, including an early and intense surge in cases. With this unusual pattern, enhanced surveillance has been implemented that includes reporting of pediatric influenza-related deaths to public-health officials.”

Henry said that, as the information is confirmed, updates on pediatric influenza-related deaths will be posted weekly as part of the respiratory surveillance summaries on the BCCDC website.

Henry said this year’s strain — influenza A or H3N2 — has been tough on younger kids, noting vaccination remains the best defence. Vaccination against influenza is available to all children six months and older in B.C.

The provincial government has announced the rollout of a blitz of walk-in influenza immunization clinics, including in Kamloops and the Thompson area. Details on those clinics can be found on the interiorhealth.ca website.

“While children typically have the highest respiratory-virus infection rates, most children with influenza and other respiratory viruses typically recover safely at home without the need for medical intervention,” Henry said.

“For children at high risk of severe complications, parents should consider talking to their care provider about early access to an anti-viral drug called oseltamivir (Tamiflu), which is most effective against influenza if started within 12 hours and, ideally, not later than 48 hours after illness onset.”

Henry said parents of all children should seek care if their child experiences difficulty breathing or if their child’s fever goes away and comes back or persists longer than five days as that may indicate a possible bacterial infection.

“With multiple respiratory illnesses circulating and an early start to influenza season, everyone needs to take preventative measures,” Henry said.

“This means staying home if you’re sick, frequently washing your hands and following proper respiratory etiquette, such as covering your coughs, properly disposing of tissues and wearing a mask when appropriate.”

CounterAttack campaign now on

KAMLOOPS THISWEEK

Drivers in Kamloops will notice an increase in police road checks as the annual winter CounterAttack program ramps up for the holiday season.

“Removing impaired drivers from the roadway is always a priority, but at this time of year especially, when we know more people are out and attending celebrations, that extra enforcement is a good reminder to motorists to arrange a sober ride for getting home,” Cpl. Wayne Chung said.

Arranging for a designated driver, taking a cab, using transit or utilizing holiday services such as Operation Red Nose, are options available.

Operation Red Nose is available Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays on Dec. 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 29, 30 and 31 between the hours of 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. For a ride, call the Operation Red Nose service line at 250-3725110.“If you’re going to be at an event on the weekend, you really should be making plans well ahead of time for how you’re going to get home safely,” Cpl. Dana Napier said. “You don’t want to wait until the last

minute and risk convincing yourself that you’re OK to drive.”

According to ICBC statistics, an average of 25 people are killed and an average of 360 people are injured in 600 impaired driving-related crashes each year in the Southern Interior. The statistics are based on five-year average police data from 2017 to 2021.

Provincewide, on average, 64 people die every year in crashes involving impaired driving, with approximately 23 per cent of car crash fatalities related to impaired driving.

ICBC wants to freeze basic insurance rates

KAMLOOPS THISWEEK

A two-year ICBC rate freeze is on the way, if the BC Utilities Commission approves an application from the Crown corporation.

If approved, it will mark five years of no increases to basic ICBC rates for drivers in British Columbia.

With the introduction of enhanced care in May 2021, Eby said auto insurance rates in British Columbia have gone from some of the most expensive in Canada to being among the most affordable.

A Canada-wide rate comparison report by Ernst & Young looked at 30 different driver profiles and compared how much auto insurance would cost in nine provinces across Canada. The report found British Columbians pay among the lowest auto insurance rates in Canada.

City of Kamloops

N O T I C E O F

However, the enhanced care model, also known as no-fault, placed strict limits on compensation to victims of motor-vehicle accidents.

The model, which came into effect on May 1, 2021, means that people injured in a motor vehicle accident no longer have the right to take an at-fault driver to court — other than incidents in which a driver has committed a criminal offence.

The new model, which has led to a decrease in insurance premiums, is being challenged in court by crash victims and lawyers as being unconstitutional.

ICBC has not declared what optional insurance rates will look like in tandem with a basic insurance rate freeze.

In the provincial government’s second quarterly report, released on Nov. 25, ICBC is projected to lose $298 million this year.

HAPPY GURU NANAK DEV JI 553RD BIRTHDAY

Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, lived over 500 years ago His teachings are understood to be practiced in three ways: Vand Chakko - sharing with others, helping those with less who are in need; Kirat Karo - earning/making a living honestly, without exploitation or fraud; and Nam Japna - meditation on God’s name to control the five weaknesses of the human personality.

On Wednesday, November 30, 2022, the Sikh communities around the world celebrated Guru Nanak’s birthday As they do every year to honour the occasion, the communities followed the Vand Chakko practice and raised money for local charities. This year, the Sikh community in Kamloops raised $13,976 for the Guru Nanak Fund, to support healthcare projects and purchase equipment at Royal Inland Hospital

We are very grateful for the generosity of the Sikh community and would like to thank everyone for their kindness

ty ”).

The City is transferring fee simple title of the Proper ty to 0974862 BC Ltd for consideration in the amount of $119,000. The Proper ty will be consolidated with 116 and 128 Columbia Street and the consolidated parcel will have its title bound with 653 and 683 – 1st Avenue

For more information, please contac t David W Freeman, RI(BC ), Assistant Development, Engineering, and Sustainability Direc tor/Real Estate Manager, at 250-828-3548.

Dilbagh Singh Sanga, Gurpal Singh Litt, Jeet S Sawa, Makhan Singh Bratch, Karnail Singh Heer, Boota Singh Ghumon, Benazir Singh Grewal, Bhawandeep Brar, Parmjit Randhana, Surinder Kaur Sanga, Darshan Kaur Litt, Pardeep Kaur Litt, Teerath Kaur Bratch

MARTY HASTINGS STAFF REPORTER sports@kamloopsthisweek.com

Students turned gumshoes during the annual Fulton Cup press conference on Dec. 8 at the Tournament Capital Centre, hot on the case of the missing senior boys’ championship trophy.

Prime suspects quickly emerged.

“Oh, I did not hear about this, but no — not us. We’re innocent,” Inspector Makenna Blattner of the NorKam Saints told KTW. “Sa-Hali had it last. Maybe they just kept it and they’re just kind of holding onto it, selling it off, trying to get something out of it.”

Detective K.T. Toring of the Westsyde Whundas developed a similar theory: “I heard about it today. I bet you they’re [the Sabres] just harbouring it, like, ‘Oh, yeah. It’s our trophy for now and it’s ours forever!’’”

(For the record, accusations in this story have been proven by neither Fulton & Company LLP — which in 20-plus years of tournament sponsorship has forked out more than $80,000 worth of student bursaries — nor any other law firm in town.)

The 24th Fulton Cup is slated to run from

Wednesday, Dec. 14, to Friday, Dec. 16, at the TCC, where about 300 athletes from seven schools will gather to compete in front of boisterous crowds of family, friends and rival fans.

Sa-hali dispatched Westsyde 82-63 to win the 2019 senior boys’ championship, hoisting the hardware in photos that are now evidence of the trophy’s last-known whereabouts.

“They got the trophy engraved and they haven’t seen it since,” tournament organizer Will Blair said. “It’s gone missing somewhere, so we’re hoping it will find its way home.”

The 2020 tournament was cancelled amid the pandemic, leaving an extra year for the trophy trail to go cold.

“Last year, when we won, we ended up having to hold the girls’ trophy in the picture,” said Colton Meikle, whose Whundas claimed the 2021 senior boys’ title and went on to become B.C. champions.

“Last thing I heard — it was at Sa-Hali.”

The tournament pits schools of varying sizes against each other, offering bragging rights for athletes who otherwise might not square off in the course of a season, as divisions are formed based on student populations.

The Barriere Cougars, for example, get to sharpen their claws against big cats such as the South Kamloops Titans.

“It would mean a lot to us to come in here and show them what Barriere is made of and show them how even a smaller school can do good against the bigger schools,” said Bobby-Raye Farrow of the Cougars. The Grade 11 Barriere sleuth has no leads in the case of the missing

championship chalice.

“I have no clue,” Farrow said. “Barriere didn’t take it.”

Part of the Fulton Cup’s 25-year history is lost along with the senior boys’ top prize.

“The names of the winners are on the trophy and, when I started taking it over, I was a fool by not writing down all those names,” Blair said. “My feeling is it’s somewhere in this city, on somebody’s

shelf or sitting in a back room. I’m not sure where, but I bet you it’s out there somewhere in Kamloops.”

Matteo Cuzzetto and Sarah Brouwer of the St. Ann’s Crusaders said their basketball teams are aiming to ride momentum created by the school’s volleyball squads, which qualified for the single A senior boys’ and girls’ provincial championships.

“It meant quite a lot,” Cuzzetto said. “Our girls’ team actually finished top five, which was quite good for the school.”

Brouwer offered a trophy clue that screams red herring.

“One of the girls from Sa-Hali said it might be in Japan with one of their players, but who knows,” Brouwer said.

Adam Phillpotts of the South Kamloops Titans opted to steer clear of the investigation.

“I know nothing about it,” he said. “It’s just a big tournament for our city. It’s sort of bragging rights if you get a win at the Fulton Cup. It’s a big thing for us. It’s always packed stands. That’s what I like about it.”

Jocelyn Orr and Fraser Jacoby of the Valleyview Vikings said the event is a great measuring stick for their teams early in the season.

They denied any involvement in the Cup caper.

High school basketball players from across Kamloops — and one from Barriere — attended a press conference last week at the Tournament Capital Centre. They hopped onto the case of the missing senior boys’ trophy, which was last seen in 2019.

DAVE EAGLES/KTW

Pictured are the junior boys’ (left) and senior girls’ Fulton Cup trophies. The senior boys’ hardware looks similar to the senior girls’ trophy.

kamloopssymphony.com 250.372.5000

Donning the Maple Leaf

Caedan Bankier and Logan Stankoven of the Kamloops Blazers will play for Canada at the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championship, which will take place from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Halifax and Moncton.

The 19-year-old forwards were named to the Canadian roster after selection camp wrapped up on Monday in Moncton, the announcement meaning the Blazers will be represented by two players in three consecutive World Junior Hockey Championship tournaments.

“It was good pressure. It’s good to be a part of it. It’s good for the soul,” Bankier told Mark Masters of TSN when asked about the stresses of selection camp.

Stankoven, the Blazers’ captain from Kamloops, won gold with Canada at the 2022 world juniors. The tournament was in progress in Edmonton and Red Deer when cancelled on Dec. 29, 2021, due to COVID-19 outbreaks.

It was rescheduled for this past August in Edmonton, where Stankoven and Blazers’ teammate Dylan Garand, a goaltender, finished atop the podium.

Garand and Blazers’ teammate Connor Zary, a forward, were on the

Canadian roster for the 2021 world juniors, which took place amid the pandemic in the Edmonton bubble from Dec. 25, 2020, to Jan. 5, 2021.

The U.S. blanked Canada 2-0 in the goldmedal game.

Stankoven, the reigning CHL player of the year, was expected to crack the Canadian squad for the 2023 world juniors. He has 17 goals and a team-leading 44 points in 21 games with his WHL club this season.

Bankier was no sure thing to don the Maple Leaf, but the Cloverdale product — who has a team-leading 20 goals in 24 games for Kamloops this season — enjoyed a stellar selection camp and capped it on Monday with two assists in Canada’s 3-2 win over a U Sports team.

Trophygate investigated

From A25

“A trophy is missing? I did not hear that. I can’t say I stole the trophy, no,” Jacoby said.

Added Orr: “You’d have to ask Sa-Hali.” And ask Sa-Hali we did.

Temi Aina and Joey Galloway were on trial for the Sabres, surrounded by pointing fingers by the time the press conference wrapped up.

“We don’t know where it is,” Galloway said. “The players from that [2019] team are all gone now.”

Aina issued a firm trophygate denial and followed with a pledge.

“We’re going to win this — 100 per cent Sa-Hali,” she said.

The senior girls’ trophy may need a

tracking chip if her prediction comes true.

FINALS SCHEDULE

Finals in each division will take place on Friday — junior boys at 4:15 p.m., senior girls and junior girls at 5:45 p.m. and senior boys at 7:30 p.m.

Trophies, bursaries and Red Devils Basketball Camp entry passes will be handed out to winners upon completion of the senior boys’ final.

“A lot of high school teams didn’t get to play against each other because they aren’t in the same division,” said Tyson McNeil-Hay, a Fulton & Company partner. “lt’s a fabulous idea. I’m really glad we’ve kept it going because it’s a great tradition.”

Logan Stankoven (left) is aiming for back-to-back gold medals at the World Junior Hockey Championship. Kamloops Blazers’ teammate Caedan Bankier will lend a hand this time around.

Ernst goalie of the week

Dylan Ernst is the WHL goaltender of the week for the period ending Sunday, Dec. 11.

Ernst, the 18-year-old Kamloops Blazers’ netminder from Weyburn, Saskatchewan, is enjoying a breakout stint, having also earned the league’s goalie of the week honour for the period ending Nov. 27.

“My confidence is super good,” Ernst told KTW. “I don’t want to get it too high and get too full of myself. I think it’s at a perfect level right now and I just want to keep focusing on the other

games ahead and keep going.”

Ernst last week posted a .957 save percentage, 1.11 goals-against average (GAA), one shutout and 3-0 record.

He is pegged as a C prospect by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft and sits second among WHL netminders in wins (15), GAA (2.01) and save percentage (.922). He is tied for second in the league in shutouts, with two.

Ernst, picked by Kamloops in Round 2 of the 2019 WHL Draft, has

a 32-13-3-1 record, 2.54 goals-against average, .912 save percentage and four shutouts in 51 career WHL games.

Kamloops (16-6-32) is third in Western Conference standings, five points behind the Seattle Thunderbirds (204-1-1) and eight points in arrears of the Portland Winterhawks (21-4-2-1).

The Blazers will wrap their pre-Christmas schedule with a pair of games against the Cougars (14-141-0) this weekend in Prince George.

Whundas win back-to-back tournaments

The defending B.C.

have won back-to-back senior boys’ high school basketball tournaments. Westsyde won gold this past weekend at the 27th W.L. Seaton Street Invitational Tournament in Vernon.

Caleb Gremaud and Jeremy McInnis racked up 34 points and 17 points, respectively, in a 78-56 victory over the host Seaton Sonics.

Gremaud had 36 points and Dylan Shea netted 17 points in a 74-49 triumph over the Immaculata Mustangs of Kelowna.

Westsyde played host to a tournament earlier this month and knocked off the NorKam Saints 75-72 in the title tilt.

Gremaud tallied 26 points, Cory McColm had 11 points and Jeremy McInnis and Webber Wang each had 10 points in the final.

Kamloops Blazers’ goaltender Dylan Ernst is developing well in his 18-year-old campaign.

ALLEN DOUGLAS/KTW

champion Westsyde Whundas

The 2022-2023 Westsyde Whundas are off to a good start to the high school basketball campaign.

BLACK BELTS A FAMILY TIE

Brothers Matthew and Graeme Hanks are the latest members of their family to join a prestigious club within the Aberdeen Judo Academy ranks.

Years of hard work paid off when they success-

fully completed black-belt exams before the Judo BC grading board earlier this month in Richmond.

Four Hanks siblings — Matthew, Graeme, Megan and Geoffrey — honed their skills with the

Aberdeen club and are black-belt toting judoka.

Aberdeen senior instructor John Huntley has helped about 100 judoka earn their black belts, including the Hanks siblings.

Storm drop two straight

Kamloops Storm momentum has been quelled.

The Storm — 7-1-0-2 in their last 10 games — suffered their second consecutive defeat, a 4-3 shootout loss to the Princeton Posse in front of 179 fans on Saturday at McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre.

Ryan Larsen (2) and Evan Clark scored for the Storm, who led 3-2 until Ty Russell tallied for the Posse (18-4-1-3) at 11:59 of the third period.

Anmol Garcha and Sean Mitchell also scored for Princeton in support of goaltender Peyton Trzaska, who stopped 40

shots to pick up the victory between the pipes.

Colton PhillipsWatts made 19 saves for Kamloops in a losing effort. The Storm, who were dispatched 4-1 by the visiting Sicamous Eagles on Dec. 7, will be in action next against

the Kelowna Chiefs on Friday, Dec. 16, in the Little Apple.

Kamloops (14-9-0-3) is third in Doug Birks Division standings, one point behind Sicamous (15-10-20) and eight points in arrears of the Revelstoke Grizzlies (16-2-3-4).

The Chase Heat (7-16-0-2) and 100 Mile House Wranglers (7-19-01) are bringing up the rear in the division.

Larsen, a Kamloops product, leads the Storm in scoring, with 16 goals and 31 points in 26 games.

In the middle are Aberdeen Judo Academy products Graeme (left) and Matthew Hanks, brothers whom earned black belts earlier this month in Richmond. Four Hanks siblings are black belts.

Branden Toye of the Kamloops Storm tries to find a shooting lane earlier this month at McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre.

ALLEN DOUGLAS/KTW

Classics earn bronze at MJB Law invitational

The Kamloops Classic Swimming club hosted and won bronze at the 29th annual MJB Law Invitational Swim Meet, which wrapped up on Sunday at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre and featured 356 swimmers from 13 clubs across B.C.

Kamloops swimmers snared 47 medals — 12 gold, 15 silver and 20 bronze — and several Classics enjoyed standout performances.

Ben Stroich, competing in the 11- and 12-year-old boys’ division, won gold in the 400-metre freestyle and 50 m backstroke.

Sienna Angove, swimming in the 15-and-over girls’ division, claimed four gold medals, placing first in the 100m freestyle, 200m backstroke, 200m breaststroke and 200m fly.

Parker Cameron, toiling in the 15-and-over boys’ division, won gold in the 200m fly, 200m backstroke and 400m freestyle. He set club records in the

100m backstroke and 200m backstroke and his time in the 200m backstroke was good enough to qualify for the 2022 U Sports Swimming Championships.

Stella LePage won bronze in the 50m breaststroke, Mia Wittal earned silver in the 100m breaststroke and bronze in the 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley and Tenley Post won silver in the 100m freestyle.

Stroich, Sarah Tulloch, Elise Percy, Shale Maurice, Maci Dixon and Alejandro Lopez qualified to compete in the B.C. Championships.

Shayla Odian, Sophia Daley, Yoongi Chung and Yoonsung Chung eclipsed the four-minute standard in the 200m individual medley to qualify for regional meets.

Next up for the Classics is the 2022 Ontario Junior International Swim Meet, which gets underway in Toronto on Dec. 16.

TITANS HAND OUT AWARDS

Kai Yamaoka and Grayson Peters of the South Kamloops

Titans shared their senior high school football team’s Most Valuable Player Award, which was handed out last week during a banquet at The Dunes at Kamloops.

Also winning awards were Maxwell Manshadi and Beckett Reid (breakout players of the

year), Mitch Landry (defensive player of the year), Jesse Peters (offensive player of the year), Luke Simpson (outstanding lineman), Tyrell Simon (most improved) and Jakob Kies (Red Devil Award).

Mia Wittal of the Kamloops Classics won three medals on the weekend at the MJB Law Invitational, a swim meet that featured 356 swimmers from 13 clubs across the province. Kamloops placed third.

ALLEN DOUGLAS/KTW

ALLEN DOUGLAS/KTW

Maci Dixon knifes through the water. For more photos from the meet, go online to kamloopsthisweek.com.

ALLEN DOUGLAS/KTW

P A P E R R O U T E S A V A I L A B L E

DOWNTOWN

Rte 306 – 261 6th Ave 614-911

Seymour St 600-696 St Paul St 753-761 V ctor a St -26 p Rte 308 – 355 9th Ave 703-977 St Pau St –35 p

Rte 310 – 651-695 2nd Ave, 660-690 3rd Ave, 110-292 Co umb a St(Even Side) 106-321 N cola St -43 p

Rte 311 – 423-676 1st Ave 400-533 2nd Ave 107-237 Battle St 135-173 St Pau St -27 p

Rte 313 – 430-566 4th Ave 520-577 5th Ave 435-559 Battle St 506 Co umb a St 406-576 Nico a St 418-478 St Paul St -34 p

Rte 317 – 535-649 7th Ave 702-794 Co umb a St Even Side) 702-799 Nico a St -40 p

Rte 318 – 463 6th Ave 446490 7th Ave 409-585 8th Ave 604-794 Batt e St -17 p

Rte 319 – 545 6th Ave 604690 Co umb a St Even S de) 604-692 N cola St -12 p

Rte 322 – 694 11th Ave 575-694 13th Ave 1003-1091 Batt e St 1004-1286 Co umb a St Even S de) 1004-1314 N cola St -56 p

Rte 323 – 755-783 6th Ave 763-884 7th Ave 744-764 8th Ave 603-783 Co umb a St Odd Side) 605-793 Domin on St -52 p

Rte 324 – 606-795 P ne St -33 p

Rte 325 – 764-825 9th Ave 805-979

Co umb a St(Odd Side 804-987

Domin on St 805-986 P ne St -64 p

Rte 326 – 850 11th Ave 10031083 Columbia St(Odd S de 1003-1195 Domin on St -33 p

Rte 327 – 1103-1459 Columbia St(Odd Side) 1203-1296 Dominion St -38 p

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Clover eaf Cres Dominion Cres Park Cres P ne Cres -62 p

Rte 329 – 880-1101 6th Ave 925-1045 7th Ave 878-1020 8th Ave 605-795 Pleasant St -39 p

Rte 330 – 1062-1125 7th Ave 1066-1140 8th Ave 601-783 Doug as St -37 p

Rte 331 – 984-987 9th Ave 1125 10th Ave 901-981 Douglas St 902-999 Munro St -33 p

Rte 335 – 1175-1460 6th Ave 1165-1185 7th Ave Cowan St 550-792 Munro St -56 p

Rte 339 – 1265-1401 9th Ave 916-1095 Fraser St -26 p

Rte 340 – McMurdo Dr -23 p

Rte 370 – N co a Wagon Rd 35-377 W Seymour St -36 p

Rte 371 – Connaught Rd 451-475 Lee Rd W St Pau St -73 p

Rte 380 – Arbutus St Chaparral P Powers Rd, Sequo a P -69 p

Rte 381 – 20-128 Centre Ave Hem ock St 605-800 Lombard St -42 p

Rte 382 – 114-150 Fernie P Fern e Rd 860-895 Lombard St -23 p

Rte 389 – Bluff P 390 Centre Ave 242-416 W Co umb a St Dufferin Terr Garden Terr Grandv ew Terr -51 p

LOWER SAHALI/SAHALI

Rte 400 – 383 W Co umb a St -21 p Rte 401 – 250-395 405-425 Pemberton Terr –81 p Rte 403 – 405-482 Greenstone Dr Tod Cres -28 p

Rte 405 – Anv Cres 98-279

Bestwick Dr, Bestw ck Crt E Bestw ck Crt W Morr sey P -51 p Rte 410 – 56-203 Arrowstone Dr S verthrone Cres -47 p Rte 449 – Azure Pl –43 p Rte 451 – Od n Crt Whitesh eld Cres Whitesh e d P -39 p Rte 452 – 1430-1469 Spr ngh Dr -64 p

Shaughnessy

510 – 372-586 Aberdeen Dr 402-455 Laur er Dr -36 p

Rte 511 – Drummond Crt -50 p

Rte 512 – A nslie P Ba four Crt Braemar Dr Mac ntyre P -69 p

Rte 513 – Braemar Way 556-696 Laurier Dr 22142296 Van Horne Dr -36 p Rte 516 – Garymede Crt, 2204-2263

Garymede Dr Gi mour P -38 p Rte 517 – 2267-2299 Garymede Dr Greenock Crt & P 32 p Rte 518 – 2100-2198 Garymede Dr Glasgow Pl Greystone Cres –58 p Rte 519 – Regent Cres & P -52 p Rte 522 – 604-747 Dunrobin Dr Dunrobin P -65 p Rte 526 – 2015-2069 Van Horne Dr -69 p Rte 527 – Hunter P Hunt e gh Cres -25 p Rte 528 – 1115-1180 Howe Rd 1115-1185 Hugh A en Dr -47 p Rte 530 – Bental Dr Edinburgh B vd & Crt Talbot Pl, 26882689 W lowbrae Dr -61 p Rte 532 – Harr son Pl & Way 1181-1290 Howe Rd -38 p Rte 537 – 1221 Hugh A an Dr -26 p Rte 538 – Ta bot Dr W lowbrae Crt & Pl 2592-2672 W lowbrae Dr -51 p

Rte 542 – Coal H l P Crossh Dr Dunbar Dr -57 p

Rte 543 – 1250 Aberdeen Dr Kinross Pl L nfie d Dr -102 p

Rte 544 – 2070-2130 Van Horne Dr Ho yrood C rc & P -23 p

VALLEYVIEW

Rte 602 – Apple Lane Knol wood Cres Parkhil Dr 1783 Va leyv ew Dr -54 p

Rte 603 – Comazzetto Rd Strom Rd 1625-1764 Va leyv ew Dr -42 p

Rte 606 – Orchard Dr, Russet Wynd 1815-1899 Va leyv ew Dr -39 p

Rte 607 – Cardina Dr, 19092003 Va eyview Dr -33 p

Rte 608 – Curlew P & Rd, 19251980 G enwood Dr -70 p

Rte 614 – 2504-2667 Sunset Dr 2459-2669 E Trans Canada Hwy -49 p

Rte 615 – R ver Rd Sunset Crt 2415-2487 Sunset Dr –43 p

Rte 617 – 2401-2515 Val eyview Dr Valleyv ew P -51 p

Rte 618 – B g Nickel Pl Chapman P Marsh Rd Paul Rd Peter Rd 2440-2605 Thompson Dr -58 p

Rte 620 – MacAdam Rd McKay P Pyper Way 25162580 Va eyview Dr -63 p Rte 621 – Duck Rd Ske ly Rd 96 Tanager Dr 2606-2876 Thompson Dr -46 p

JUNIPER

Rte 655 – 1685 Fin ay Ave 2202-2385 Skeena Dr 2416-2458 Skeena Dr (Even Side) -34 p Rte 664 – K ck ng Horse Dr & Way -30 p Rte 669 – Emerald Dr -55 p Rte 670 – Galore Cres Crt & Pl – 94 p Rte 671 – 1830-1997 Qu’Appe le Blvd Myra Pl -68 p

BARNHARTVALE

Rte 701 – Freda Ave Klahanie Dr Morr s P She y Dr 901935 Todd Rd -87 p Rte 706 – 1078-1298 Lamar Dr Mo-L n P -29 p Rte 718 – Be air Dr -22 p Rte 721 – 5530-5697 Clearv ew Dr Coolr dge P W ldwood Dr -38 p

DALLAS

Rte 750 – 5101-5299 Da as Dr(Odd S de) Mary Pl N na Pl Rachel P -31 p Rte 751 – 5310 Barnhartvale Rd Bogetti Pl 5300-5599 Da las Dr 5485-5497 ETC Hwy Vik ng Dr Wade P -64 p Rte 752 – Coster Pl 5600-5998 Da las Dr Harper P & Rd -69 p Rte 755 – 6159-6596 Da as Dr McAuley P Melrose P Yarrow Pl -71 p Rte 759 – Beverly Pl 6724-7250

Furrer Rd Mc ver Pl Pat Rd –42 p Rte 760 – Beaver Cres Chukar Dr -62 p

NORTH SHORE/BATCHELOR

Rte 102 – 1071 10th St 1084-1086 12th St 813-1166 Lethbridge Ave –42 p Rte 103 – 1167-1201 8th St 1179-1229 10th St 1182-1185 11th St 1188-1294 12th St 823-1166 Sudbury Ave –69 p Rte 107 – 1177 8th St 1109-1139 10th St 1110-1140 11th St 1138 12th St 809-1175 Pembroke Ave -84 p Rte 108 – 1010 11th St 831-1017 12th St 821-1161 Se k rk Ave -68 p Rte 137 – 106-229 231-330 C apperton Rd 203-266 268-285 Leigh Rd 172-180 W son St -23 p Rte 140 – 217-222 Beach Ave Fairview Ave Larch Ave 237-247 Schubert Dr -68 p

Rte 170 – Alv ew Cres 16801770 Westsyde Rd -50 p Rte 173 – 1655 Batche or Dr Leighton P 1708-1729 North R ver Dr, Pennask Terr -36 p Rte 175 – Norfo k Crt Norv ew P 821-991 Norv ew Rd -36 p

Rte 180 – 807-1104 Quai Dr Quai s Roost Crt & Dr -79 p Rte 185 – Bearcroft Crt 10031099 Norview Rd – 44 p

WESTSYDE/ WESTMOUNT

Rte 207 – 820-895 Anderson Terr 1920-1990 Westsyde Rd (Even S de) -24 p

Rte 221 – 3013-3072 Bank Rd Bermer P 710-790 B ssette Rd 3007-3045 Westsyde Rd Odd S de) -60 p

Rte 234 – Orcrest Dr Sage Dr -35 p

Rte 235 – 3440-3808 Westsyde Rd -71 p

Rte 247 – Elder Rd Grant Rd 30203082 Westsyde Rd (Even S de) -53 p Rte 249 – 3085-3132 Bank Rd 600-655 Bissette Rd Cooper P Hayward P Norbury Rd – 57 p

Rte 253 – rving P 2401-2477

Parkv ew Dr Rhonmore Cres, 2380+2416 Westsyde Rd -45 p

Rte 254 – Elston Dr 2410 Oak H l s B vd -23 p

Rte 255 – 2478-2681 Parkv ew Dr – 28 p

Rte 261 – 2214-2297 Grasslands B vd Woodrush Crt & Dr -57 p

BROCKLEHURST

Rte 1 – Argy e Ave Ayr Pl 10631199 Crest ne St 1008-1080 Moray St Perth P -93 p Rte 2 – 2605-2795 Joyce Ave -52 p

Rte 4 – 727-795 Crest ine St 2412-2680 Tranqu l e Rd -40 p

Rte 6 – 2450-2599 Briarwood Ave 2592 Crest ne St 24312585 Edgemount Ave Pau sen P 2406-2598 Rosewood Ave 1101-1199 Schre ner St –79 p

Rte 20 – Barbara Ave Pala Mesa P Strauss St Townsend Pl, 2105-2288 Tranqu l e Rd -49 p Rte 24 – Dale P L sa P 806999 W ndbreak St –50 p Rte 30 – 1810-1897 Fleetwood Ave 995-1085 South ll St -30 p

Rte 31 – Desmond Pl 1008-1028 Desmond St Inglewood Dr Newton St Oxford St -54 p Rte 33 – 2115-2280 Fleetwood Ave, Ponderosa Ave 10021090 Windbreak St -71 p Rte 41 – Alex s Ave 520-796 Singh St Slater Ave -59 p Rte 42 – 1718-1755 Brunner Ave De nor Cres 608-790 Holt St -46 p Rte 49 – Centennial Dr 1005-1080 Holt St 16611699 Parkcrest Ave –31 p Rte 59 – O ek St 1454 Tranqu e Rd –60 p Rte 61 – Popp St Stratford Pl 1371-1413 Tranqu l e Rd, Waterloo P Woodstock P -38 p Rte 64 – Va hal a Dr -93 p

RAYLEIGH

Rte 832 – Bo ean Dr & P Chilco Ave Kathleen Pl -57 p

Rte 833 – Cameron Rd Dav e Rd -44 p

Rte 835 - Mattoch-McKeague Rd Sabiston Crt & Rd -28 p Rte 836 – 136-199 Cahilty Cres Hyas P 4551-4648 Spurraway Rd -35 p Rte 838 – 4556-4797 Cammeray Dr Strawberry Lane -62 p Rte 840 – Brigade Rd 4404-4493 Cammeray Dr, Montego Rd 309-474 Puett Ranch Rd -49 p Rte 841 - Fur ak Rd M chael Way 100-287 Puett Ranch Rd -43 p

Kamloops This Week is looking for energetic individuals to join our team of Contract Drivers

This is a part-time, 1 night per week contract delivering newspapers to carriers, businesses and apartments. Applicants must have a suitable vehicle (van or covered pickup) with all necessary insurance and a valid BC driver’s licence Pay is based on a combination of hours worked, papers delivered and kilometres driven but each route usually averages out to between $79 per delivery for about 3.5 hours worth of work per regular delivery, with extra pay during busy holiday periods!

In Loving Memory of

David Wayne Robinson

November 2, 1957 – December 17, 2017

Always Loved and Missed

Loving Memory of

Scatter me not to restless winds, Nor toss my ashes to the sea. Remember now those years gone by When loving gifts I gave to thee.

Remember now the happy times The family ties we shared. Don’t leave my resting place unmarked As though you never cared.

Loving

Deny me not one final gift For all who come to see A single lasting proof that says I loved... & you loved me.

by DJ Kramer

Dianne Shirley Costain

December 11, 1948 - December 3, 2022

Dianne passed away December 3, 2022 at Royal Inland Hospital. She fought with all her might to recover however it seems our dear Lord wanted her in his arms to give her the rest so greatly deserved.

Dianne was born December 11, 1948 to the late Christopher and Rannveig Midford. Dianne was the beloved mother to Kevin (Cindy) from Edmonton, AB and Trena (Dean) of Kamloops. She was a cherished Grandmother and Amma to Cameron (Sarah), Kyle, Landen, Wyatt (Harper) and Will (Pete) and great grandma/Amma to Callie, Isla, Luca and Hunter

She is survived by her dear sister Donna and her husband Bob from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Thank you, Aunt Donna, for all you did for mom. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Vernon, who now has his angel and true love back in his arms. Also predeceased by her brother Bill Midford, and her sister Charlene Midford.

Dianne had many struggles in life, being blind was one of them. She never let her disability interfere with achieving any goal she set her mind too. In fact, if she was ever told she wouldn’t or couldn’t do something, she made it her goal to prove that with hard work, determination and heart she could achieve anything she desired. Dianne and Vern moved to Kamloops in 1979 and made this their permanent home. They fell in love with the city and the people in it. They became part of the OLPH church and it was there that Dianne formed a bond with a great group of women from the parish. These friendships remained lifelong and she cherished each one. Some of those friendships are still in place with her dear friends Josie Van Elslander and Marilyn Van Dongen. Please know your friendships were one of our mom's greatest blessings.

Dianne worked for many years running the kiosk in the Kamloops Law Courts building and here too she formed many friendships. She was also a kind heart that would lend an ear and words of comfort to many people she had never met before who were there for court proceedings. Many people will remember seeing her there working and knitting in between customers. People were amazed at her talented knitting skills and all projects she was able to make without being able to see. Many people were blessed over the years with hand made knitted gifts from Dianne. These gifts were extra special because of the love she put into each of them.

Ernie Jorgensen

We sadly announce the passing of Ernie Jorgensen on November 24, 2022 after a battle with cancer

Ernie was born in Radville, Saskatchewan on March 20, 1934 and moved to Chilliwack in 1940, later settling in Kamloops. He was a truck driver, driving a logging truck in Merritt, BC, a low bed in Kamloops and retired from Arrow Transport.

He is survived by his wife Elsie, who he was married to for 68 years. Sons, Larry and wife Jane of Australia, Len and wife Alida of Kamloops, six grandchildren, Jack, Sam and Anna of Australia and Brady, Rhianna and Ryallie of Kamloops and one great-granddaughter, Freyja of Australia.

Our family wishes to thank the staff at the Marjorie Willoughby Hospice for their kind and compassionate care during Ernie’s stay

One of Dianne’s happiest places to be was in her backyard sitting in her swing knitting and listening to the birds and smelling all the beautiful flowers Vern would plant, especially for her. This was her paradise. It was always made extra special when she could enjoy this time with her family

As her challenges in life got harder, she moved into the Kamloops Seniors Village, so she could receive the care that she needed. She always, always, always told her family how wonderful the staff were there and how well they all treated her She felt like they were part of her family. She enjoyed when they would allow her to be a little mischievous and even egg her on in doing so. She loved a good laugh and a good hug with you all. Our family thanks each and everyone of the staff at Kamloops Seniors Village for the exceptional care you gave our mom. A special thank you to Dr. Wynn, for your kind and compassionate care. Dianne adored you and loved to get a hug from you each time she saw you. Brigette, you will forever be the “Thelma” to my mom’s “Louise”.

Our family would also like to thank doctors, nurses and careaids from RIH emergency room, PAR, ICU, and 6 South that provided care to our mom in the last week. I wish I could list each of your names individually

Thank you to Kamloops Funeral Home for helping us with arrangements.

We will be holding a service and celebration of life in the spring and will notify everyone as the time comes nearer

In honour of our mom, we ask that you spread love and be kind when the world is not so kind, lend a helping hand and lift others up.

From all your family Mom, we will miss you deeply but we now know you are at peace and free from pain. You no longer have to fight your daily challenges. You can now rest peacefully in the arms of Dad and the Lord.

Condolences may be sent to the family from www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com 250-554-2577

Jean Mary Nolin

Our mom, our grandma, and our great-grandmother, Jean Mary Julia (Johnson) Nolin passed away peacefully on December 8, 2022 at the age of 89. She will be remembered by her family as a strong, independent, and fierce woman who always spoke her mind and never backed away from confrontation. Jean was clever and fun.

She enjoyed living by the ocean, discussing politics, playing crib, and spending time with her great-grandkids. She loved sweets, Chinese food, and Christmas. She remembered everyone’s birthdays and always sent a card to celebrate them. Jean lived through some hard times, and constantly felt wonder and pride finally owning her own home in Willow Point. Jean taught us to give to those who find themselves in less fortunate circumstances than we find ourselves She taught us to be resilient, to have dreams, and to take risks. She taught us to be proud of our heritage and to recognize the struggles and accomplishments of the First Nations peoples both past and present. We will miss our Nan Nolin.

She will be forever in our hearts. She requested no service be held. If you would like to honour her memory, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.

The best things in life are the people we love, the places we have been, and the memories we made along the way…

Lawrence “Larry” Joseph Mazur

November 10, 1943 - December 10, 2022

Larry passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 10, 2022 surrounded by his loving family

Larry Mazur started his career with the CNR when he was 17 years old, and worked in various locations throughout central Alberta. While stationed in Hanna, Alberta in 1964, he met his wife Donna Erickson and they married in 1965. Their daughter Yvonne was born in Hanna, AB in May of 1966 after which they moved to a position in Mirror, Alberta where their son Dean was born in 1967. Larry and his family moved to Kamloops in 1971 to assume the position of Train Dispatcher for the CNR and retired in Kamloops in April of 1996.

Larry was a member of the Canadian Association of Train Dispatchers, holding positions on the executive for many years, even after his retirement. He was a longtime member of the Kamloops Elks Lodge 44, where he held many chair positions and was also the Exalted Ruler He also became involved in the BC Provincial Elks and held many roles including that of Provincial President, after which he also became the Chairmen of the Judicial Committee where he remained active for many years.

Larry loved fishing, photography and spending time with his family, especially his grand kids, who meant the whole world to him.

Larry is survived by his loving wife Donna, children Yvonne (Tracy) Odber of Kamloops, British Columbia, and Dean (Leanne) Mazur of Calgary, Alberta; beloved grandchildren, Sophie Young (Brian Hunko) of Cold Lake, Alberta, Daniel Young of Kamloops, British Columbia, Larissa Mazur (Tysen Joki) of Calgary, Alberta and Sarah Mazur of Calgary; and siblings, Eugene (Irene) Mazur, Sylvia Mazur, Terrence (Donna) Mazur and Diane (Donald) Clisdell and their families. He was predeceased by his parents William and Anastasia “Nellie” Mazur of Edmonton, Alberta.

Prayers will be held at 7:00 pm on Thursday, December 15, 2022 in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of All Saints 1044 8th St, Kamloops. The Funeral Service will take place at 12:00 pm on Friday, December 16, 2022 in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of All Saints, with Father Chad Pawlyshyn officiating. Following the service, Larry will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery

Those wishing to attend virtually may do so at the following links, Thursday Prayers: https://youtu.be/RXb0btUCKPc Friday Funeral: https://youtu.be/61lZM0L1-qI

Flowers gratefully declined. Please consider a memorial donation in Larry’s name to the Canadian Cancer Society

A special thanks to his partner in crime, Al Danielson, who was at Larry’s side nearly every day, as close as a brother (Al, you meant the world to Larry). Also his caring and helpful neighbours Dave, Val and Missy, all the nurses in the IV therapy unit, especially Nicole, the Doctors and nurses in ER, all the lab nurses, technicians, Dr Lauder and the palliative care team, Dr. Baker, Laura and Trisha.

Condolences may be sent to the family from www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com 250-554-2577

Michele (Michael) Bruno

It is with heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Michele (Michael) Bruno, on December 6, 2022, at the age of 77.

Michael was predeceased by his mother, Francesca Maria, his father, Paolo Francesco, and an infant daughter, Maria Teresa.

Left to cherish Michael's memory are his daughters Francesca Ross (Kevin) and Paola Bruno, his sons Paul Bruno (Lara) and Joseph Bruno (Bianca), his precious grandchildren, Esme and Amara Ross, Mitchell and Lachlan Bruno, and Siena Bruno, his brother Jino Bruno (Anna) and his former wife, Maria Bruno. He will be missed by numerous family and friends, near and far

Michele Antonio Bruno was born February 20, 1945 in Grimaldi, Cosenza, Italy He often would tell stories of his childhood in the "Banniceddra". In 1958, the family immigrated to Canada. They travelled by boat, landing in Halifax. The family moved West, settling in Edmonton. Michael attended school, and took up Mechanics at the age of 15. In 1966, Michael moved to Kamloops, BC. His beloved parents followed and the family ended up calling Kamloops their forever home. Michael was a hardworking man and used his Mechanics training to run his own business for a number of years. He owned and operated his first service station at the corner of 3rd Ave. and Columbia St., and eventually moved the business to the corner of McGill Rd. and Columbia St. His greatest accomplishments in life were always his children and then, his grandchildren.

Mike had a charming personality and an infectious smile. He was a social butterfly, making friends everywhere he went. He treated friends like family and family like gold. He would never hesitate to offer help, in any way he could.

Mike enjoyed keeping his many fruit trees perfectly pruned. He was a Jack-of-alltrades, fixing anything and everything, with a never-ending supply of tools. You could usually find him reading the newspaper or listening to his favourite Calabrese folk music. He was an active member at the Italian Cultural Centre in Kamloops, organizing many events in his time there. He was incredibly proud of his Italian heritage, and made sure to instill that in his children.

Michael's family would like to extend their gratitude to long-time family physician, Dr Mavis Hollman, and her staff, for their unwavering care and support throughout the years. A special thank you to the team at Overlander Extended Care for their wonderful care in Michael's last few months of life.

A private family gathering will be held in the New Year

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Michael's honour can be made to the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation or the Alzheimer's Society of BC.

Condolences may be expressed at: www.schoeningfuneralservice.com

Graham Thomas Lougher

April 16, 1949 - November 14, 2022

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Graham Lougher at his home in Kamloops after a heroic fight with blood and bone cancer He was 73. He was preceded in death by his parents and leaves behind his sisters Julie and Cynthia (Ed) and several cousins in the U.S. and overseas.

He was born in Eureka, California on April 16, 1949 to Tom and Doris Lougher who had emigrated to the U.S. from Wales after WWll to join Tom’s two brothers. In 1959, when he was ten, the family moved back to Wales. They made one more move to Canada in 1967 and settled for good in Coquitlam, B.C.

After a few years at different jobs he joined the Coquitlam Fire Department in September 1973 and retired after 31 years in April 2004. There he found his other family; and the friendships he made there, as well as those built through other pursuits and endeavours through the years, sustained him until the end. Many of those friends, especially in Kamloops helped him and kept an eye on him during his last struggles.

He loved hunting, fishing and building things, keeping busy He had numerous second jobs or projects over his career as a firefighter, the biggest of which was his cabin at Adams Lake. He bought it in 1995 and spent every spare minute he could fixing it up. Quite rundown when he bought it, he spent many hours of hard work over the next 27 years rebuilding it. "He turned a sow’s ear into a silk purse" his neighbour Rick said, "pouring tons of concrete that he mixed and troweled himself, " and over the years building relationships with his "Adam's Lake family". Graham was known to have every tool, nut, bolt, power tool and whatever gadget one might need. He was the "rent-all of the Bay". If you needed it he had it and if he didn’t he would do his best to help with a solution. He was always very generous with his time, always ready to sit on the deck, have a beer and chat. "He was part of the Adam's Lake experience."

Graham loved his cabin, it was where he was happiest, his favourite place on earth. He would have lived there year-round if he could. He would mark the days he spent there on a calendar, every day counted. He would sit on his deck looking over the Bay, just thinking of new ideas and projects to keep his mind and body moving.

Our heartfelt thanks to all the staff at the Cancer Clinic and Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.

A Memorial Service will be held sometime in the New Year In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Graham's name to the B.C. Cancer Foundation or the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation in Kamloops or a charity of your choice.

Condolences may be sent to the family from www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com 250-554-2577

Judy Ann Quesnel

It is with great sadness that the family of Judy Quesnel announce her passing on December 3, 2022, at the age of 76, after a brief battle with cancer

Judy will be remembered by her son Mario Sale (Karen), granddaughter Jordyn, son Tony Sale and niece Tara Pryce.

Judy was predeceased by her husband Robert Quesnel, parents Don and Margaret Pryce, brother Keith Pryce and nephew Allen Pryce.

The family would like to thank the staff of 6N at Royal Inland Hospital and Trinity Hospice for their care of Judy

In lieu of flowers, donations in Judy’s name can be made to the BCSPCA to honour her lifelong love of animals.

At Judy’s request, no service will be held.

Condolences can be expressed at DrakeCremation.com

In Loving Memory of Maryanne Dorais

Eleanor “Maryanne” Dorais was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She left this world after a short but fierce battle with cancer on December 1, 2022 at the age of 69.

Maryanne was born to Philip and Rose Livingston on December 14th, 1952 in Edmonton, Alberta. In 1971 she won a full scholarship after receiving honours marks from Bonnie Doon High School to attend the Royal Alexandra School of Nursing, a career that she would devote forty years to.

Moving to Kamloops, BC after graduation in 1974, she joined a bowling league where she met Larry Dorais who would become her husband in 1975. Together they had two children Andrea (Dwayne Mangell) and Crosby (Brandi Gray). She was their greatest cheerleader and loved supporting them in all of their activities and life ambitions. If you sat next to her in a game, you would have undoubtedly heard “two hands on your stick, Crosby!” Or “go, Andrea, go!” She was a great believer in education and both of her children became teachers. She leaves behind her siblings: Phylis Mason (Jeremy, Vali, and Daniel), Lee and Mary Livingston (Patrick, Joshua, John, and Ann-Marie), and Jane and Bruce St. John (Stephanie and Natalie).

Maryanne was known for her hard work, determination, kindness, and generosity She worked in ICU and as a nursing supervisor before specializing in gastroenterology in the Ambulatory Care unit. Maryanne became a national leader in this field and won prestigious nursing awards. Believing in excellence, she always did her best to care for her patients.

In 1992 they purchased their “little piece of paradise” on East Barriere Lake. Maryanne enjoyed spending most of her time there and described it as “her happy place.” Going for a boat ride, watching her grandchildren Casey, Hudson, Gray, Asher, and Banks enjoy watersports and swimming, cooking elaborate meals for her family, and driving her snowmobile were some of her greatest memories.

Her family and friends will miss her beyond measure!

A Celebration of Life is planned for December 14th, 2022 (Maryanne’s 70th birthday) at 11:00 am at the Kamloops United Church. A reception for guests will follow

Condolences may be expressed at www.schoeningfuneralservice.com

By Helen Steiner Rice

The more you give, The more you get, The more you laugh, The less you fret, The more you do unselfishly, The more you live abundantly, The more of everything you share, The more you’ll always have to spare, The more you love, The more you’ll find, That life is good, And friends are kind, For only what we give away, Enriches us from day to day.

May the Sunshine of Comfort Dispel the Clouds of despair

Lyle Anderson

December 14, 1929 - December 5, 2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lyle Anderson. Lyle passed away peacefully on the morning of December 5, 2022, just short of his 93rd birthday Lyle is survived by his loving wife Norma of 70 years, his son, Dave Anderson (Geraldine), his daughter Catherine Aikens (Rod), son Don Anderson (Iris) as well as six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Lyle was predeceased by his granddaughter Heather

Lyle was born in Red Deer, Alberta. In his teens he worked on several farms to keep things going while the men were off fighting in the war He spent 2 years in the Navy As a young man he followed his father ’s footsteps and worked on the railroad. In 1952 he married his sister Barb’s friend Norma MacLeod whom he met in Ashcroft where her parents had an apiary

Lyle was a long-time resident of Kamloops. Early in their marriage Lyle and Norma lived in Glacier and Lyle worked for CP Rail as a signal maintenance person. When their oldest son, Dave reached school age Lyle moved his family to Kamloops where he lived until 2021. After COVID restrictions were lifted Lyle moved to Stettler, Alberta to join Norma who had moved there during the pandemic.

Lyle was a very community minded person, always involved in community organizations and charities. Among his many accomplishments he was one of three founders of the Big Brothers of Kamloops organization, he was involved with United Way in its early days, and was voted school board trustee. He was on the board of Cariboo College. He assisted with the arrangements for the Royal Visit to Kamloops in the 1980s and had the opportunity to meet the Queen. He was very involved with First Nations people and helped them get a kindergarten going as the government would not get involved. He was an honorary member of the Blackfoot nation.

Late in his life Lyle was in charge of public relations for Kamloops Heritage Railway and spent time researching the Chinese Head Tax and its impact on Chinese immigrants and their families. He and Norma were long time members of the Kamloops Canadian Chinese Society He had a plan to develop a Western Canada Heritage center which would have housed all of the arts, culture and heritage amenities for Kamloops, and had his advanced age not put an end to his dreams he surely would have brought it to fruition.

Lyle enjoyed cooking and his Christmas Turkey was always a big hit. The bane of his existence was his computer, which never seemed to cooperate exactly how he expected it to. He also enjoyed wood working and furniture making.

Lyle will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In memory of Lyle donations may be made to Big Brothers or to the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society

The Little Unicorn

by Peggy Kociscin, Albuquerque, New Mexico

There lived a little unicorn (From when the earth was new), His coat so white it glistened, His eyes a sparkling blue.

In innocence and beauty, He danced through woods and streams. The animals danced with him, His heart aglow with dreams.

He laughed and played with rainbows, So happy all day through, He loved to kiss the flowers As their petals shone with dew.

He wandered through the meadows In the moon’s soft, silver light. He loved to gaze at all the stars That lightened up the night. He listened to the music Of the birds that graced the trees. He frolicked with the butterflies And raced the gentle breeze.

But, as he grew and learned of life, The sparkle in his eye Grew misty as he realized Just what it means to cry.

He learned that there are shadows In spite of shining sun.

The more he grew, he found that life Was never always fun.

For now he’d learn of feelings That come from deep within; No longer in the “dream world” Where (for so long) he’d been.

His gentle heart desired But to know the pleasure of To give and to receive The very precious gift of love.

To love meant to be happy, And yet it also brought him pain; For those he loved could hurt him Again.. and yet again.

His mother held him lovingly And tried to ease his fears About the sadness life could bring... The lonely, bitter tears. She said, “Life is like a mountain, (And surely this is true) That we must climb as best we can. There’s no ‘around or ‘through.’”

The unicorn tried tirelessly, And gave the climb his best; But he felt it was not good enough, He felt he’d failed the test.

He could not understand it When he felt himself rejected –When all his gentle being asked Was but to be accepted.

All this was just too much for him, He knew not what to do. That he was special as himself, Somehow, he never knew.

His spirit crushed, he felt defeated, And lonely tears would start. Not understanding how to love, It simply broke his heart.

But now he’s in a loving place Where all his pain has ceased, Where all accepted him and his love, Where all he knows is peace.

A loving Being tells him, “You’re delightful as you are.” His spirit free, his brilliance now Outshines the brightest star!

Cecile Elouise Legault

Cecile Elouise Legault was born on May 21, 1938, in Timmins, Ontario. Cecile grew up in Timmins, starting her career at a young age working at the hospital in the kitchen along side the nuns of her dedicated faith as a Roman Catholic. Later, she’d venture into the secretary world for many years until meeting her late husband, Jean-Marc Legault. Shortly after their marriage, the two made the trek over to British Columbia where they would start a family along with many business ventures.

Cecile was feisty, fun, loving, opinionated, and always a joker She had a passion for travelling, good music, road-trips, worldwide travel and her favourite, creating memories with her family

It is with great sadness, Cecile passed peacefully November 29, 2022. Cecile is survived by her two sons Marc (Heather), Michel (Joanne), four grandchildren Sierra (Branden), Kendra (Brendan), Mason (Meghan) and Marisa (three greatgrandchildren) and siblings Roger Beaulne (Jeannine), Léo Beaulne (Pauline) and Albert Beaulne (Doreen).

Cecile will be greatly missed. She filled our lives with laughter, sarcasm, friendship, and love.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her May she rest in peace. Amen. May almighty God bless us with his peace and strength, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

A celebration of life will be held at the Heffley Creek HallJanuary 21, 2023, time TBD.

A virtual link will be available as well.

Condolences may be expressed to the family from www.myalternatives.ca

Each Loss

Each loss is very different, The pain is so severe. Will I ever stop missing This one I loved so dear?

Good times we had together, The moments that we shared We didn’t have to tell each other How much we really cared.

I never dreamed you’d go away, Never thought of sorrow. So sure you’d always be here Took for granted each tomorrow.

Now my life is all confused Since you went away. You took a part of me And for help I daily pray.

But when God sent you to me He never said that you were mine, That I could keep you always –Only borrowed for a time.

Now, He’s called you home, I’m sad and I shed tears. Yet I’m glad He loaned you to me And we had these many years.

A Vanished Friend

a vanished friend!

by Anders Lim

Around the corner I have a friend In this great city that has no end; Yet days go by, and weeks rush on, And before I know it a year has gone, And I never see my old friend’s face, For life is a swift and terrible race. He knows I like him just as well As in the days when I rang his bell, And he rang mine. We were younger then, And now we are busy, tired men, Tired of playing a foolish game, Tired with trying to make a name.

“Tomorrow, I will call on Jim, Just to show that I am thinking of him.” But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes, And the distance between us grows and grows, Around the corner, yet miles away “Here’s a telegram, sir,” “Jim died today!” And that’s what we get, and deserve in the end, Around the corner

KSO to go with professional musicians

THE ERA OF COMMUNITY PERFORMERS WITH THE SYMPHONY IN FORMAL CONCERTS IS ENDING

SEAN BRADY STAFF REPORTER sbrady@kamloopsthisweek.com

The Kamloops Symphony Orchestra will go on without community players as it moves to fully professionalize, no longer inviting community musicians to play in formal concerts.

KTW obtained a copy of a letter from the KSO, sent on Oct. 7 and signed by board president John McDonald, music director Dina Gilbert and executive director Daniel Mills. The letter, addressed to community musicians, explains that the 2022-2023 season will be the final one in which they are invited to play in formal concert settings.

“We genuinely and profoundly respect the role that community musicians have made in making this orchestra what it is today, and we are so grateful for those contributions. However, we also have a responsibility to act on our mandate, create an equitable environment as best as we can, and think to our future,” the letter reads.

The letter also acknowledges that communication with community musicians during the pandemic has “not been sufficient.”

One of those community musicians is cellist Michael Powell.

Powell, 83, has been part of the orchestra since it began. His uncle, James Verity, was the founding music director of the KSO in 1976.

Powell also played for many years alongside his wife, June, 91.

The cellist is also a founding member of the Kamloops Brandenburg Orchestra, which he said started in his living room one

evening following a potluck. He also a member of the Thompson Valley Orchestra.

Powell said he knew the orchestra was moving toward using professional players, but noted he is still disappointed with the change.

“For me, it’s a very bittersweet story. I have to understand that things develop, things change, the union is involved in the symphony now. So, the community player is sort of put aside,” Powell told KTW

The cellist played in formal concerts up until the pandemic and he plans on playing in the KSO’s final concerts involving

community musicians, which are planned for May 10 to May 13 in 2023.

“To me, that’s kind of a finale for what has been a family affair,” Powell said.

In 2018, the KSO formalized a collective agreement with the Vancouver Musicians’ Association, a local of the American Federation of Musicians. That agreement was extended for another three years this past June.

Mills said the signing formalized practices that had been in place since the mid-2000s, when the push to professionalize began.

He said almost all orchestras in Canada are now unionized.

The KSO started as a community orchestra and later began inviting professional musicians to help lead certain sections. Over 20 years, Mills said, that process continued and led to a change in the format of the orchestra.

“Following that, what has essentially happened, musicians have either moved away, stopped playing, couldn’t keep up or otherwise left the organization — and the ratio of professional-tocommunity musicians was much higher,” Mills said.

He noted the list of community musicians invited to formal concerts has been fairly small in the past decade, with no more than 10 players on stage at any given time — most of whom had been playing their roles for years.

Mills said the pandemic accelerated the process when gathering restrictions were put in place and the use of volunteers was limited, prompting the symphony to enter the final push to using professional players exclusively in formal concerts.

Typically, the KSO, which is in its 46th year, invites 40 to 45 professional musicians to play in each concert.

A criticism sometimes raised

is that many of the players in the symphony are not from Kamloops.

Mills likened the orchestra to a sports team.

“We always hate to make the sports analogy, but if you look at the Kamloops Blazers, most of the Blazers are not from Kamloops,” he said.

The letter from the KSO also points out other opportunities for community musicians to continue playing.

“As we’ve evolved over almost 50 years now, that’s why other community groups have stepped in to fill the place, such as the Thompson Valley Orchestra, who just had their 25th anniversary this year,” Mills said.

He said the symphony was lucky to continue with two fairly normal seasons during the pandemic, the first being digital only.

“This year, it’s much more about trying to get back to the big audiences we used to see,” Mills said.

“We’ve seen an uptick, even from our first concert this year until now, but it’s still a challenge, just as it’s been for arts organizations across the country.”

Powell, who won the Enduring Supporter Award at the 2020 Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, said he will continue to be involved with the symphony through its Pro-Am Jam events, one of which is scheduled for March 2023.

Powell said he will also continue playing in the Brandenburg and Thompson Valley orchestras.

“The symphony has improved from the time we started and I’m glad to see that,” he said. “But I will miss playing with my friends.”

Hosted by Marty Hastings &Chris

Cellist Michael Powell is a founding member of the Kamloops Brandenburg Orchestra and a member of the Thompson Valley Orchestra. The community musician told KTW he knew the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra was moving toward using professional players, but noted he is still disappointed with the change.

ALLEN DOUGLAS/KTW

Local docuseries seeks funding

BREANNE MASSEY STAFF REPORTER breanne@kamloopsthisweek.com

Crafting a unified, effective message is often the goal for advocates who want to trigger changes for social injustices in their communities.

But AIM Canada Mentorship Society has recently partnered with Mastermind Studios of Kamloops to produce a docuseries focusing on various crises impacting the city, including addiction and the opioid overdose public health emergency, homelessness, the housing challenge and crime..

Those behind the docuseries say the goal is to “mentor” the community toward finding an objective-based solution.

With the polarizing issues like crime, homelessness and addiction in Kamloops being key themes in the community for several years, AIM and Mastermind hope to raise at least $85,000 to produce this coming spring a six-segment, hour-long-each docuseries entitled Finding A Way Forward that depicts the problem from an unbiased perspective.

Makers of the docuseries plan to speak to people from all walks of life — including health-care professionals, economic development officers, municipal, provincial and federal governance staff, employees of frontline agencies that offer support for mentalhealth and addiction issues, those in faith-based organizations, criminal lawyers and academics — with the objective of finding a way to move forward with preventive education measures and outcome-based educational tools for use in schools.

“Each day, we’re receiving more support,” AIM Canada Mentorship

Society founder said Dawn Koch said.

“The challenge we have is that people want to jump forward to filming and production, but until we do our fundraising, we can’t move forward with the production and [cover the] cost. We want to produce something that is beneficial and educational to all of us, which is when we get to the community mentorship aspect.”

As a former School District 73 trustee and foster parent who witnessed the dangers of addiction first-hand, Koch remains optimistic about producing content for the docuseries that is geared toward children and university students.

“If we pay for this as a community, it can fit into our education system at the university level and at the school board,” Koch said, noting that if the series is successful, other communities may also be inclined to use it as an educational resource.

Mastermind Studios chief executive officer and executive producer Peter Cameron-Inglis believes the project, with Koch’s help, could serve the Greater Kamloops community as a mentorship exercise that helps to iden-

tify what a positive move forward would look like.

“The idea here is not to pick a bias and run with it, which is the traditional approach with a documentary,” Cameron-Inglis said.

“The idea here is to bring people together with many different points of view. We want to find a way forward, which is where the name comes from, and identify and explore what some of the solutions might be.”

Dr. Ian Mitchell, an ER doctor at Royal Inland Hospital, is a project supporter

“We are currently in the middle of a financial downturn, often accompanied by a hardening of hearts towards the poor and disadvantaged,” Mitchell told KTW by email. “Kamloops, already reeling from poverty and addiction issues, is especially vulnerable with our social agencies currently under fire from politicians and the populace.”

More than 10,000 British Columbians have died from toxic drugs since the provincial government declared a public health emergency in April 2016.

Both the province and Kamloops are on pace to record the highest number of such deaths this year, with 2021 being a record-setting year.

“I am hoping that this series can help to inform and educate from the perspectives of people with expertise and lived experience,” Mitchell said. “It is clear that our current path has led us to unprecedented levels of overdose deaths and homelessness and that a change is necessary to ensure the well-being of all of the residents of Kamloops.”

To learn more about the project, including how to donate, go online to findingawayforward.com.

Christmas star ts with Christ

ALLEN DOUGLAS PHOTOS/KTW

Concert review: Father, daughter delight

LESLIE HALL SPECIAL TO KTW

Soprano Anika Howell and harpsichordist Curtis Howell brought magic to Saturday night’s Chamber Musicians of Kamloops’ concert, Collage, at Kamloops United Church.

While the harpsichord adds Christmas jingle to music, it is songs that tell the stories. Both were worked beautifully into Saturday’s program. From Bach to a sing-a-long, the execution was perfect.

Obviously, the four members of the Heritage Quartet are simpatico as every piece flowed and not a cue was missed. Especially fun was the rendition of Greensleeves, with Laure Matiakh on cello. Following a brief intro, she played the wellknown tune, handed it off to the piano, then participated in a furious build up. Suddenly, she called a halt. The others complied and the piece ended exquisitely.

Now, about the remarkable talent of Anika Howell.

Anika has taken piano lessons from her dad Curtis, forever, but two years ago, she began voice training.

Anika excelled last spring in the Kamloops Festival of the Performing Arts. This past Saturday was her debut performance with professional musicians — and what a debut it was.

She sang an aria from a Handel opera, two heartbreaking carols, dramatized You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch and topped it all off by leading the audience in a medley of Christmas carols.

This gem of a concert is available online until Dec. 24, To view it, go to the Chamber Musicians of Kamloops website at chambermusiciansofkamloops. org.

The next concert — Surrounding the Silence, featuring Martin Krátký on cello and Paul Dykstra on piano — is scheduled for Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Kamloops United Church. Find tickets online at chambermusiciansofkamloops. org.

A CHAMPION FOR FAMILY MEDICINE

Dr Montalbetti took over the family practice of the doctor who delivered him at birth, and has become a fiercely outspoken defender of traditional family practice

Read more about Dr Montalbetti and how you can support him and our other dedicated family practitioners through our Champions for Family Medicine program at trdfp ca and click on the “Champions” tab

Anika Howell (centre) performs with the Heritage Quartet at Collage, Saturday’s Chamber Musicians of Kamloops concert at Kamloops United Church. With Anika are (from left) Catharine Dochstader. Cvetozar Vutev, Chris Howell (Anika’s father, hidden behind her) and Laure Matiakh.

ANTON NIEDERSTEINER/CHRISTO VUTEV PHOTO

Concert review: A Musical Sleigh Ride

LESLIE HALL SPECIAL TO KTW

The second December concert among the three orchestras in Kamloops took place at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Sunday afternoon.

Kamloops is blessed with musicians of all types and music schools have played a large role.

In the case of the Kamloops Brandenburg Orchestra, its history begins with David Marden wanting to give strings students a chance to perform. Students now sit with

founding members, reminding one that music is for all ages.

Sunday’s concert was no exception. The soloist had been a keen piano student who put music aside for sports and a career. After 32 years as a veterinarian, George Foukal has restored his talent as a pianist to the tune of playing a Mozart concerto — long passages of it from memory.

It is amazing to have three orchestras supported by a city of Kamloops’ size: Kamloops Symphony Orchestra, Kamloops Brandenburg Orchestra and

Chamber Musicians of Kamloops. Also amazing are the churches with the acoustics to complement the orchestras. Weren’t those horses’ hooves played on coconuts something else? For all three, we should be hearing the trombone, French horn, clarinet, bassoon, etc., adding unique emphasis to the strings.

• The Kamloops Symphony Orchestra’s annual Christmas With The KSO concert is set for Dec. 16 and Dec. 17 at Sagebrush Theatre. Tickets can be purchased online at kamloopslive.ca.

The Kamloops Brandenburg Orchestra delighted a large audience at this past Sunday’s A Musical Sleigh Ride concert at downtown’s St. Paul’s Cathedral. For more information on the orchestra, go online to yourkbo.ca.

ALLEN DOUGLAS/KTW

CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR NEWCOMERS

Wildlights event continues to shine at BC Wildlife Park

The 25th edition of Wildlights is on through Jan. 2 at the BC Wildlife Park in east Kamloops, with Christmas Day being the only day the park will be closed.

BC Wildlife Park executive director and general manager Glenn Grant said between 22,000 and 25,000 people are expected to visit the park.

Wildlights runs each day from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., again with title sponsor MJB Lawyers helping the cause.

New this year is Santa’s Village at the North Pole, a feature on the park’s Great Lawn that includes meeting the Jolly Old elf, fantastic photo opportunities and a chance to warm up next to a couple of propane fire pits. There are also eight more fire pits farther back in the park, near the log cabin.

Old favourites of Wildlights are also featured, including

the Canadian Tire Kamloops Holiday Gazebo, endless light displays, the 250-foot Tunnel of Lights, Uncle Chris the Clown and a 20-foot-tall outdoor light tree.

In addition, the popular Wildlife Express miniature train is operating nightly from 5 p.m., with the last run at about 8:30 p.m. Train tickets are $1 each (cash only) and can be purchased at the train station.

For Wildlights ticket information, go online to bcwildlife.org. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door. The park is at 9077 Dallas Dr.

Money raised via Wildlights is used to support the BC Wildlife Park through the winter, with funds generated covering the costs of food and care for the nearly 200 permanent resident animals, the Fawcett Family Wildlife Health Centre patients and the burrowing owls in the famous breeding program.

Kamloops Immigrant Services hosted a Christmas tea party on Dec. 5 for immigrants and refugees who have arrived in Kamloops. Among those attending the party were Sujin Heo (left) and son Ethan Li. Also at the event was local woodcrafter Terry Shupe, who taught children, and their families, how to assemble wooden cars.

KAMLOOPS IMMIGRANT SERVICES PHOTOS

KAMLOOPS THISWEEK

Ongoing community conversations in Kamloops

CULTURE COULD REDEFINE ECONOMIC GROWTH

BREANNE MASSEY STAFF REPORTER breanne@kamloopsthisweek.com

National award-winning cultural strategic consultant Patricia Huntsman helped the City of Kamloops, Kamloops Museum and Archives and students and staff from Thompson Rivers University facilitate community conversations to define culture in Kamloops.

On Nov. 23 and Nov. 24, four focus groups welcomed 57 participants to identify themes about the importance of culture.

Huntsman led a presentation called Cultural Planning 101 to ensure all participants had the same opportunity to obtain a baseline understanding of what culture planning means.

“It’s really interesting to see how you can reinvent your economy and also a place based on culture,” Huntsman said, noting some areas in B.C. are lacking in spite of being home to many talented individuals.

Leadership representa-

tives from the Kamloops and District Chamber of Commerce, Western Canada Theatre, Kamloops Art Gallery, Kamloops Music Collective and Big Little Science Centre attended the initial focus group, alongside residents.

Huntsman is reviewing the city’s four-phase cultural planning process and providing input based on her vast work experience in other communities.

TRU professor and vicepresident Will Garrett-Petts is assisting with research and supporting students to collect feedback and map and collate data from a survey.

Attendees were invited to hear a presentation and a facilitated workshop focused on informing the city’s upcoming strategic cultural planning, including feedback compiled through the You Are Here exhibit at the museum this past summer.

“That field of cultural mapping really has unearthed a lot of data for us about what the average person in Kamloops is

saying about culture,” explained Garrett-Petts, noting 1,900 people visited the exhibit, which yielded 1,370 responses to questions being asked of participants.

Some of the major themes that emerged from the exhibit included connection to the land and climate of Kamloops, enjoyment of being outdoors, the importance of gathering at community events year-round, sports, activities, difficulty moving through the city for cyclists and pedestrians, and community engagement remaining deeply inhibited due to the cost and timing of opportunities in the area.

Barbara Berger, the city’s recreation, social development and culture manager, said she is hopeful feedback collected from each respective avenue will be consolidated into the city’s cultural strategic plan in early 2023.

Email jcyr@kamloops. ca if you would like to see additional focus groups scheduled for community conversations.

ABOVE: Patricia Huntsman, a nationally award-winning cultural strategist, is working with the community on the development of the city’s cultural strategic plan. LEFT: Attendees reviewed submissions from the community, including feedback compiled through the You Are Here exhibition at the museum this summer, before hearing two presentations and participating in a facilitated workshop.

BREANNE MASSEY PHOTOS/KTW

Silent

MICHAEL POTESTIO STAFF REPORTER michael@kamloopsthisweek.com

Moms Stop The Harm has set up its annual Christmas tree Silent Night Memorial at Northills Centre, at 700 Tranquille Rd. in North Kamloops.

The tree is at the mall through Dec. 30 and Kamloops residents are encouraged to visit to hang an ornament with a picture of a loved one they have lost to a drug overdose.

The tree is meant to symbolize the remembrance, healing and awareness of those gone too soon.

“Families missing their loved ones are experiencing such sadness at this time of

year. The tree is one way for families to feel their loved one is remembered by hanging an ornament with their picture and name,” Troylana Manson told KTW

Manson lost her 26-year-old son, Aaron Manson, to a fatal drug overdose in the spring of 2021.

Through October, 74 people in Kamloops have been lost to drug overdoses. Across B.C. through October, there have been 1,827 overdose deaths, In all of 2021, there were a record 2,267 such deaths in the province and a record 77 such deaths in Kamloops.

Manson said Christmas can be such a sad time of the year for many families who are missing their loved ones.

She said through the Silent Night Memorial, Moms Stop The Harm hopes to express the connections and acknowledgments of each other’s loved ones lost to the toxic drug crisis so individuals won’t feel as alone in their grief.

All picture ornaments from prior years have been placed onto this year’s tree.

Those who would like to hang a picture of a loved on the tree can contact Moms Stop The Harm by email at healingheartskamloops@gmail.com.

Charlene Wilson Monk and Sandra Tully set up this year’s tree in Northills Centre in North Kamloops.

SALLY ANN NEEDS VOLUNTEERS FOR ITS KETTLES

make a difference if we have volunteers to fill shifts.”

The Salvation Army said it is in desperate need of volunteers to oversee charity kettles at its two liquor store locations in Kamloops.

With the provincial government rescinding its ban on fundraising kettles outside liquor stores — a decision last week that led to many calls for the ban to be banished — Capt. Cory Fifield of the Salvation Army Kamloops said the organization has not been able to recruit enough volunteers to have the locations fully staffed.

“Over the coming week, we have less than half of the schedule filled and over the remainder of our campaign, which runs until Dec. 24, we only have a third of the schedule filled,” Fifield said.

At the Sahali liquor store in Columbia Place, 16 of 60 shifts

have been filled, while 23 of 60 shifts have been filled at the Northills liquor store in North Kamloops.

“We are grateful to have

these locations back and we really need them because donations are down more than 20 per cent this year,” Fifield said. “But they will only

In total, the Sally Ann has 11 kettle locations in Kamloops, with a Christmas fundraising goal of $450,000, of which $240,000 is hoped to be raised via the kettles.

As of Dec. 8, $91,000 has been donated in the kettles, which Fifield said is down $20,000 when compared to last year.

Those who wish to donate can do so in person at a kettle with cash, cheque or debit/credit card. They can also give online at kamloopssalvationarmy. ca, by mail or in person at 344 Poplar St., Kamloops, B.C., V2B 4B8, or by calling 250-5541611, extension 203.

Those who wish to volunteer can call Dale at 250-819-0843 or go online to kamloopssalvationarmy.ca and click on the Volunteer link.

City of Kamloops

AC T I V I T Y P RO G R A M S

Line Dancing $125

Come and find out how easy line dancing is Learn routines that have short step sequences and easy-to-follow travel steps No previous dance experience or partner required Join in the fun for all ages and dance to all types of music

West Highland Community Hall

Tues Jan 10 - Mar 14

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Let's Move Dance Studio Thur Jan 12 - Mar 16 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Adult Para Hockey Ages 14+ $100

Olympic Ice at McArthur Island

Sat Jan 7 - Mar 11 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Pilates for Kids

Ages 6-8 $60

Kids friendly class with a dynamic form of strengthening body muscles posture balance, flexibility and coordination through Pilates exercises Learning about body awareness supports body & mental health while interacting with others Working out with Pilates benefits kids with skills to treasure TCC

Thur Jan 12 - Feb 16 3:45 PM – 4:15 PM

Warrior Yoga $81 50

Warrior Yoga uses a new approach to a traditional yoga practice This revolutionary practice includes yoga and weight training with a steel mace that will help you tone muscles, increase your flexibility, improve your balance, reduce stress, and energize your spirit! This program is suitable for beginners and athletes who want to reap the benefits of a traditional yoga practice while using unconventional training to transform and improve their overall health and wellbeing

TCC

Wed Jan 11 - Mar 15

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Youth Sledge Hockey Ages 8-12 $60

Come out and try something new!! Meet new friends and learn a new skill! All equipment necessary is provided Olympic Ice at McArthur Island

Sun Jan 8 - Feb 11 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Programs are cancelled if the minimum numbers are not met

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD FOUND ON B19

People are needed outside government liquor stores in Sahali and North Kamloops

Michelle Mah plays the violin as she volunteers for the Salvation Army charity kettle during a recent campaign. Volunteers are needed this year.

Calling youthful artists and authors of all ages

Kids! Send us your holidaythemed drawings — they can relate to Christmas, Hanukkah (which will be celebrated this year from Dec. 18 to Dec. 26), Kwanzaa (celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1) or any other celebration.

Or, they can simply be winterscape creations.

In addition, we are again welcoming readers of all ages to send us Christmas stories, kept to a maximum word

count of about 500.

We will publish as many drawings and stories as we can in our Dec. 21 edition of Kamloops This Week, but we need to receive them by Dec. 18.

Email your artwork and stories to editor@kamloopsthisweek.com.

We look forward to seeing them and know KTW readers look forward to the annual creative edition of the newspaper.

turkeys to The Mustard Seed Kamloops communications co-ordinator Leanna Wereley (left) and manager of administration Katie Hutchins. The donated birds will be used by Mustard Seed staff and volunteers

city’s

vulnerable population this Christmas season.

DAVE EAGLES/KTW

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train has returned to the rails this season on its first cross-continent tour in three years, following virtual concerts in the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021.

The train will again raise money, food and awareness for local food banks in communities along the CP network.

The beneficiary locally is the Kamloops Food Bank, with donations of food and cash urged for those attending the celebration.

The CP Holiday Train is scheduled to pull in behind Sandman Centre on Friday, Dec. 16, at 4:30 p.m.

“I’m grateful to the CP team members who adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver two exceptional virtual Holiday Train shows and to all those who continued to donate while we kept community members safe,” said Keith Creel, CP’s president and chief executive officer.

“The Holiday Train is all about families and communities coming together to

celebrate the season and help those in need. We are excited to be back out on the rails and in our communities, taking these two beautiful trains across our network and sharing the joy that comes with gathering in the spirit of giving.”

The 2022 tour began on Nov. 23 with the Holiday Train’s first-ever Maine shows in the communities Jackman, Brownville Junction and Hermon in the northeast U.S. state.

Also for the first time, the Holiday Train hosted shows on Nov. 24 in LacMegantic, Sherbrooke and Farnham, Que., the first Canadian stops of 2022.

The tour will feature 168 live shows, with a full schedule is available at cpr. ca/holidaytrain.

This year’s performers will include Alan Doyle, Tenille Townes, Mackenzie Porter and Lindsay Ell. Details about this year’s artists and which performers will play which shows are available at cpr.ca/holidaytrain.

Holiday Train shows are free to

attend. CP asks attendees to bring a cash or non-perishable food donation if they’re able to do so. Local food shelves will set up collection stations at each event, with all donations made staying with the local food bank to help people in need in the community.

Because local food shelves buy food

at a discount, cash donations can go further than food donations to help those in need.

Since the Holiday Train program launched in 1999, it has raised more than $21 million and collected fivemillion pounds of food for community food banks across North America.

Salt Spring Island fosters sister time friendship

JANE CASSIE SPECIAL TO KTW travelwriterstales.com

Pinch on a monkey tree,” I chant while gently tweaking my sister’s arm.

This kid-like prank immediately conjures up warm and fuzzy memories. It also reminds me of the saying: When you have a sister, you have a piece of your childhood.

We see the prickly puzzle tree when we’re parked in the ferry line-up at Crofton, a quaint community nestled in Osborne Bay on Vancouver Island.

Over the next two days, while on Salt Spring Island, we escape our citified pace and rejuvenate our inner child.

Hastings House provides us with the perfect opportunity. Eiderdown duvets, soaker tubs and private fireside dining — for what more could two ladies on the loose ask?

Top it off with a massage, infused with the essence of lemongrass, and you’ll find two silkysmooth siblings who smell better than mom’s meringue-topped pie.

The nine-hectare property overlooks scenic Ganges Harbour and taking centre stage is a Sussex-style manor, built in 1939 by founder Warren Hastings.

“It was fashioned after his family’s 11th-century home in England,” the resident manager explains.

“The hinges for the doors and windows were made by a local blacksmith,” she informs.

“The fireplace stone was quarried from the surrounding land and planks that line the floors were secured together with black boat nails.”

We enter the living room, where burnished fir gleams beneath scattered Persian carpets. Just beyond is an upscale dining room that has magnetic powers every mealtime.

Although we both qualify as true blue foodies, the last thing we need are extra Rubenesque pounds on our aging rumps.

You’d think with so many activities at our fingertips, there would be no need for concern. We could cycle sun-dappled roads that bisect pastoral meadows, paddle rugged shorelines to check out teary-eyed seals or

dive beneath the deep.

As well as being B.C.’s most southern Gulf Island, Salt Spring is a sprawling 29 kilometres in length and chock full of adventurous options.

Hordes of hikers and picnickers are lured every year to the summit of Mount Maxwell, also known as Baynes Peak.

While en route, they’re canopied by old growth Douglas fir and often share the trail with black-tailed deer and feral sheep. Once they reach the island’s pinnacle, the rewards are panoramic — with a vista that encompasses everything from Vancouver Island to the Lower Mainland.

But instead of putting our well-padded duffs into action, we rev up our comfy sedan.

Feb

Even though the walk from Hastings House to Ganges town centre is a breeze, we don’t want to miss a moment. It is market day and the heart of Centennial Park is pulsating.

Every Saturday morning from April to October, artisans and farmers congregate to sell their goods. Tables, shaded by colourful umbrellas, border the parkway and host everything from bead work to bok choy. We sample sensuously sweet fudge, savour locally made goat cheese and get personally pampered with a lavender scrub.

The string of bargains and vendor stalls carry on after we leave the marketplace. Roadside stands dot the hillsides on our island drive and brim over with

everything from bright floral bouquets to the garden’s daily pick.

Most are unmanned and operate via a trustworthy honour system — a refreshing change from commercialized big box stores.

While cruising along country roads fringed by farmland, we giggle and gab and discuss everything from people to politics.

The 1906 Ruckle farmhouse is a heritage site we happen upon. Just beyond is a park bench overlooking Swanson Channel. From this ringside seat, we enjoy an awesome Salt Spring show — not a film that is staged or rehearsed, but one that features a cast of first-rate performers.

Long-legged herons and sunbasking cormorants poise stoically on the craggy shore. Excited gulls squawk overhead, then dive toward their bounty of prey. Two curious seals pop up from the deep to take a big bow.

But the height of excitement comes when the first signature dorsal fin slices through sunglinted waves. It’s followed by another, then another. Directly within our view, orcas arch above the water’s surface, then dip beneath, all with divine synchronicity.

The splendour activates my camera. It creates a sense of awe.

As we relax in silence, side by side, another familiar saying comes to mind: Although we were born sisters, we grew up to be friends.

Travel Writers’ Tales is an independent travel article syndicate. For more, go online to travelwriterstales.com.

Apr

Cruise

Cruising the Gulf Islands

May 14 16 days from $10,740

May 14 6 days from $3095

Coast to Coast by Train - Filling Fast! May 11 & May 18 18 days $9490

Photo: Ainsworth Hot Springs

“

In a stunning display of nature, the setting sun hangs above the horizon for a spectacular ending to an active day of exploration on Salt Spring Island for two siblings who relished the moments with child-like enthusiasm.

JANE CASSIE PHOTO

Holiday Worship Directory

ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF KAMLOOPS

Sacred Heart Cathedral

255 Nicola Street • 250-372-2581

Christmas Eve – 4 p.m. & 7 p m.

Christmas Day – 8:30 a.m & 11:30 a.m.

New Year’s Eve – 9 a.m. & 7 p m.

New Year’s Day – 8:30 a.m , 11:30 a.m., 6 p.m.

Holy Family 2797 Sunset Drive • 250-372-0205

Christmas Eve – 7 p.m.

Christmas Day – 10:30 a.m.

New Year’s Day – 10:30 a.m.

Our L ady of Perpetual Help 635 Tranquille Road • 250-376-5541

Christmas Eve - 5 p.m. (in Parish Centre) 8:00 p.m. (in Church); Christmas Day8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. (in Church); New Year’s Eve - 5 p.m. New Year’s Day - 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

St John Vianney

2826 Bank Road • 250-579-8711

Christmas Eve – 6 p.m. Christmas Day – 10:30 a.m.

New Year’s Day – 10:30 a.m.

Our L ady of L ourdes

Heffley Creek • 250-579-8711

Christmas Eve – 4 p.m.

New Year’s Day – 8:30 a.m.

The service proper begins at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Naomi will offer a harp prelude beginning at 6:30 p.m. Our church has limited seating in the sanctuary but over flow seating is available for live stream viewing.

Thursday, December 22nd

25th

Sunday, Januar y 1st 10:00 am Christmas Lessons & Carols

COMMUNITY THE WANING OF FAITH

CHRIS KEMPLING SPECIAL TO KTW

Recently I saw a bumper sticker that stated, “F#%@ Jesus.”

That’s the first time I’ve seen a message like that (although the ones targeting Trudeau in a similar way are a common sight).

There is ample evidence that we live in a post-Christian culture, where intolerance to religion is acceptable and the majority simply don’t care much about it.

The evidence of that apathy about religion was starkly revealed in the results of the 2021 census. In Canada, 34.6 per cent of the population reports no religion, a figure that has doubled since 2001, when it was 16.5 per cent. It’s not only in Canada where this trend is occurring. Figures for “no religious affiliation” in the U.S. and Australia are at 29 per cent and 38.6 per cent, respectively.

For the first time ever in British Columbia, those who stated they had no affiliation with any religion (52.1 per cent) exceeded those who do.

Non-Christian faiths are growing and now exceed what used to be the largest Protestant denominations. For example, the biggest Protestant denomination, the United Church of Canada, represents 3.3 per cent of the population. In 1951, the membership of the United Church represented 20.1 per cent of the Canadian population, so the decline has been dramatic.

By contrast, non-Christian faiths — Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism — are increasing in membership, primarily through immigration. Adherents of Islam are at 4.9 per cent, while Sikhism is at 2.1 per cent nationally (5.9 per cent in British Columbia). Every Christian denomination — Catholic, Baptist, Anglican, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, etc. — is declining in membership. The Orthodox Church is the only Christian church reporting an increase in members.

And of those who still claimed a religious affiliation, many do not actively practise

their faith (regular attendance at services, financial donations, frequent prayer, etc.). They may attend on the high holidays of Christmas and Easter or they may have a Christian wedding or funeral, but that is the extent of their involvement.

Regular attendance at services is about 23 per cent, considerably less than the 65.4 per cent who report a religious affiliation. It is likely the pandemic-related shutdowns of social gatherings exacerbated this trend.

The age breakdown shows that these trends will only continue. Those born in the years 1940 to 1959 have church attendance rates of 27 per cent, while it is 18 per cent for those born after 1980.

The passing of the Baby Boomer generation may well sound the death knell for many churches. It is not unusual to enter a Christian church on a Sunday morning and see almost no children or young families.

Clearly, if the next generation is not involved in religious practices, Christianity will wither into irrelevance.

What we are seeing is the secularization of society. Orthodox theologian Alexander Schmeemann comments cogently on this trend in his book For the Life of the World.

He writes: “Secularism is above all a negation of worship … It is the negation of man as a worshiping being.”

Schmeemann argues that secularism is not the same as atheism —secularists still long for the transcendent and generally believe in God or a supreme being. Furthermore, many people still claim to be “spiritual” while not being affiliated with any church community.

But man was created as a worshiping being — it is essential for us to respond to the wonder that is creation and the wonder of our own existence, to the One who made it all, who made us. Schmeemann writes, “The very notion of worship is based on an intuition and experience of the world as an ‘epiphany’ of God, thus the world — in worship — is revealed in its true nature

and vocation as ‘sacrament.’”

Jesus predicted these days of antipathy towards religion would come. In his last discourse to the disciples, he says, “… you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake and … the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”

Elsewhere, he says, “When the Son of Man comes, will he really find faith on the earth?”

Jesus endured far worse humiliation than a vulgar bumper sticker — stripped, beaten to a pulp, crowned with thorns, mocked, spat upon and crucified to death between two thieves.

Jesus did it all for us so he could be the bridge to God.

KTW welcomes submissions to its Faith page. Columns should be no longer than 700 words in length and include a short bio of the writer. Email editor@ kamloopsthisweek.com.

WEEKLY HOROSCOPES

ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20

Aries, no matter how much you tr y to tip the odds in your favour, this week is much more about the luck of the draw Keep a positive outlook and things may turn out in your favour

TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, if winter ’s chill is getting you down, you may want to plan a getaway to somewhere warmer That may be just what you need to recharge

GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21

The two sides of your personality are lately at odds with one another, Gemini You have to make an impor tant decision, so seek out a friend for advice

CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, you lean toward an optimistic view on most things, but it is alright to be realistic at some points along the way, or even slightly skeptical Balance is key

LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, if you are feeling under the weather this week, you will have to put on a smile and push through It is the holidays, after all Seek as much help as others can muster

VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, you are on borrowed time regarding your finances Take a careful look at your budget this week and make the tweaks necessar y to stay afloat if income wanes

LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23

A companion animal in your life needs some attention, Libra There may be some vet bills to contend with, but luckily you can handle that without much issue

SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22

The activity you have been turning to provide mental stimulation just may not be cutting it any longer Star t to explore some other options and see if there may be a better fit, Scorpio

SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21

A health issue that has been getting the better of you for some time will be resolved for in the days to come, Sagittarius It’ll be birthday good news Start celebrating

CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan20

Capricorn, after a tumultuous few weeks, things in your life finally settle down Embrace the oppor tunity to rest and do not take on any new projects until next year

AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18

Aquarius, things may not be going completely according to plan on the professional front But at home you have gotten into a solid groove Use this win to boost your mood

PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20

There is much more to a situation than meets the eye, Pisces Delve deeper to learn about a person’s true motivation

ZITS by Jerry Scott & Jim Borgman

SHOE by Gary Brookins & Susie Macnelly

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE by Chris Browne

PARDON MY PLANET by Vic Lee

ARCTIC CIRCLE by Alex Hallatt

BABY BLUES by Rick Kirkman & Jerry Scott

‘____ but a scratch’’: oft- quoted Monty Python line 63. Con ar tist 66. Chattering plastic teeth, for one 69. Rapper Def 71. Group with lodges 72. Par t of E.T.A.: Abbr 76. 100% 77. Allow for more highdensity housing and mixed-use development, in urban-planning lingo 78. Company shakeup for shor t 80. Symbol of sturdiness 82. Pallid 83. Problem for a pitcher 84. They have their ups and downs 85 & 86. Ver y upset .?.?. like the answers to five of this puzzle’s clues? 87. Grand mounts 88. They go around at museums 91. Coffin carrier 92. Drops down? 93. In no way hidden 94. I t has only one -sixth of the mass of Ear th s moon 95. Goobers 96. Pentagon inits 98. Cousin of turquoise 100 Par t of the eye that focuses light onto the retina 102 Momma s boy 103 Big name in outdoor gear 105 Jones of CNN

By Adam Wagner

CROSSWORD ANSWERS FOUND ON B11

FUN BY THE NUMBERS

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes The more numbers you name, the