South Shuswap Scoop January 2022

70th Edition

January 2022

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Newsome Creek Sorrento Water Solution

By Barbra Fairclough their intention to upgrade the Hwy 1 creek At its December 9th meeting, the Co- crossing. lumbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) Newsome Creek extends from the board approved an application to the Disas- headwaters of Black Mountain and Mount ter and Adaptation Fund for an erosion mit- Hilliam to Shuswap Lake in Sorrenigation project for Newsome Creek. This is to. During the summer of 2009, wilda federal program offering 40% funding to fires swept across Black Mountain. This support structural and natural infrastructure changed the watersheds’ ability to absorb projects that annual spring increase the runoff. resilience of Since 2016 communities the banks along impacted by Newsome Creek natural disasbetween Trans ters triggered Canada Hwy by climate and Shuswap change.

Lake have been Engineereroding at an ing consultalarming rate ing firm Kerr during spring Newsome Creek Watershed Action Group photo Wood Leidal runoff. The erohttps://newsomecreek.ca/ assisted in the sion has caused completion of the grant application to the concern for the property owners and resifund. The total current estimate of the work dents along Newsome Creek. Since 2016, is $7,215,000. If this grant is successful several homes have been under evacuation CSRD staff will reach out to provincial alert during spring runoff. partners for additional funding support.

In spring 2017, significant erosion ocNewsome Creek residents have been curred below Hwy one and elevated waaffected by the severe erosion and Sorrento ter levels undercut the banks of Newsome water users have been affected by the high Creek below the homes on Caen Road. turbidity flows near the Sorrento water sysAt a community stakeholder meeting tem intake during freshet each year, leading on October 18, 2018, an official from Forto multiple boil water advisories over the ests Lands, Natural Resource Operations past few years. and Rural Development (FLINRORD) exBC Ministry of Transportation and In- plained that when there is a loss of trees, frastructure (MOTI) has expressed inter(Continued on page 3) est in supporting this project as it fits with

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January 2022

January 2022

Newsome Creek Sorrento Water Solution continued from page 1

water is not retained on the land as it was prior to the fire. A wax like crust often forms on the surface and repels water.

In spring of 2019, the CSRD and Emergency Management BC (EMBC) matched funding to pay for an engineer’s assessment to focus on producing an engineer approved work plan in support of a Phase two, completing the work. CSRD staff have been working with Newsome Creek Watershed Action Group and have not yet been able to secure funding for this work.

In 2018 the water quality at Sorrento was considered excellent, meeting all the provincial regulatory requirements and standards. There was substantial spring run off on Newsome Creek which directly affected the water quality. Large flows through the creek caused significant erosion and elevated turbidity near the Sorrento intake. As a result, there was a Boil Water Advisory in place from May1 to June 7 with turbidity reaching a peak of 10 ntu. Interior Health requires a boil water Advisory be issued when turbidity exceeds 5 ntu -Sorrento Water

System annual update 2019.

Terry Langois, Team Leader of Utilities, CSRD at a previous Newsome Creek meeting confirmed, “There events are directly related to these high run-off events on Newsome Creek causing and elevated turbidity in Shuswap Lake.”

“The increased velocity flows through Newsome Creek erode the banks and create high turbidity flows.

These absolutely affect the water intake and without a doubt are directly responsible for the boil water advisories in recent years.”

Increased turbidity makes water treatment less effective because the suspended particles can shield harmful bacteria from the treatment process. Tools for measuring turbidity go from 1 to 10 nephelometric turbidity unit (ntu) and during freshet turbidity measurement has exceeded 10 ntu’s.

CSRD Staff are currently developing cost projections for operations and asset management through a proposed benefiting service area that is consistent with the current boundaries of the Sorrento Waterworks Service Area.

Tappen Man Dies in Residential Fire CSRD Release A house fire that took place December 16, 2021 in the 1100 Block of Tappen-Notch Hill Road claimed the life of one man.

Four adults and one youth, who were also inside the residence at the time of the fire, were able to escape the blaze.

Crews from the Tappen-Sunnybrae Fire Department were called to the blaze at approximately 6:45 am and found the structure to be fully engulfed with heavy smoke and flames coming out of every window.

“Our deepest condolences go out to his loved ones,” says Sean Coubrough, Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) Fire Services Coordinator. “Everyone working on this fire feels a sense of sorrow at this loss and wishes there was a different outcome. It was a very,

very difficult day.”

One person was taken to hospital for treatment of minor burns and smoke inhalation. The BC Ambulance Service assessed the remaining people and released them directly from the scene.

The CSRD’s Emergency Support Services are assisting those affected by the fire as the structure, which contained two living suites, has been completely destroyed.

Firefighters from the Tappen-Sunnybrae Fire Department were assisted by members of the Shuswap Fire Department. Crews were on scene for approximately eight hours.

CSRD Fire Services is investigating the circumstances in conjunction with the Office of the Fire Commissioner. The BC Coroner’s Service was at the scene on December 17.

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The Director’s Scoop News of Note from the CSRD

Paul Demenok Director, Electoral Area C (South Shuswap) Cell: 250-517-0810

CSRD Directors Express Concerns to School District At the December 9, 2021 CSRD Board Meeting, School District (SD) 83 Superintendent Donna Kriger and Secretary-Treasurer Dale Culler attended to hear concerns from several CSRD Directors about recent decisions made by the SD Board as part of its Long Range Facilities Plan. The concerns expressed primarily by Area F Director Jay Simpson and myself related to the decision by SD 83 to go with 2 high schools in Salmon Arm before constructing a new high school in Sorrento. Our concerns about this decision are: 1. This decision is unfair to the taxpayers of Areas C and F - In 2021, $9,236,573 in Provincial School Taxes were collected in CSRD Areas C and F while the City of Salmon Arm contributed $8,896,640, a difference of $339,933.

In Areas C and F there are 2 elementary schools and 1 middle school, while in Salmon Arm there are 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 2 alternate schools and 2 high school campuses. Put simply, we aren’t receiving the same educational services and infrastructure for our tax dollars as compared to other communities within SD 83.

2. More importantly, this decision is unfair to the children of Areas C and F - We have children riding school buses up to 3 hours per day. That’s horrible. Spending this amount of time on buses hinders participation in extra-curricular activities and supplemental educational programming. It can have adverse effects on school performance and graduation rates, and it is less safe. Imagine spending 22 days per year riding a bus.

3. The process used to reach this decision was flawed - The option to go with 2 high schools in Salmon Arm was never a part of the community consultation process used to develop the Long Range Facilities Plan. It was brought in as a new option after the consultation was completed, and therefore was never subjected to an appropriate process of public scrutiny and input. We understand that an ad hoc survey of students demonstrated strong opposition to this option. Many teachers have also expressed opposition to this option, so we question how can this decision, affecting the lives of many students and families, be put forward as addressing our needs when there is no demonstrated support from the community and considerable opposition?

January 2022

4. The decision itself is flawed - Currently the Jackson and Sullivan campuses split the high school population into grades 9-10 in one facility and 11-12 in the other. Converting these facilities to 2 separate high schools, which are only about 1 km apart as the crow flies, doesn’t actually add in any additional capacity to address longer-term needs due to enrollment growth. In addition, data used in the consultant’s report significantly underrepresented the actual population for Sorrento-Blind Bay as per the 2016 Canada Census. Note that the 2021 Census data is due to be released starting on February 9th; would it make sense to utilize more current data when making this sort of decision?

5. We understand that enrollment at a new high school in Sorrento would be larger than 2 of 4 current high schools in SD 83 - If this is true, why is the North and South Shuswap being so under-serviced? Let’s appreciate that the combined population of the North and South Shuswap is well over 10,000 people, which makes this area much larger than many communities in BC that already have high schools.

6. The decision will set back the development of a Sorrento High School for many years - While a Sorrento High School remains in the Long Range Facilities Plan, it’s obvious that creating 2 high schools in Salmon Arm would set back a high school in Sorrento for many years, if not decades. It appears to us that the SD 83 Board is not seriously considering a Sorrento High School option. No work has been initiated to identify potential locations and the consultation process with local government, as prescribed by the Ministry of Education has yet to be implemented.

7. Implementation of this option will create further and significant inequities - The Jackson campus is much older and less well-equipped than the Sullivan campus. If indigenous students and those from the outlying areas are assigned to the Jackson campus, are we not setting up a highly visible have vs have-not scenario? What impact will this have on the social fabric of a small city and the surrounding rural areas? On what basis will children be assigned to one campus vs the other?

In view of all of these concerns, I think the SD 83 Board should totally reconsider its decision and should initiate a new process of community consultation focused on a Sorrento High School option.

I would also encourage all parents of school-aged children and the Parental Advisory Councils for our schools in the North and South Shuswap to let the SD 83 Board know your feelings and opinions about a new high school in Sorrento.

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January 2022

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Incorporation Community Engagement Resumes

By Barbra Fairclough In September 2021, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, in response to recent public health orders, put the incorporation study community engagement phase on hold. An incorporation discussion panel on September 25 and public open houses on September 25 and October 5 were postponed.

The next stage of the incorporation study is set to commence this January. An in-person open house on Monday January 17 at 6pm at Sorrento Memorial Hall, in person open house Thursday January 20 at 6pm at Shuswap Lake Estates Community Centre and an in-person discussion Panel Saturday January 29 from 1-3:30 pm at Shuswap Lake Estates Community Centre. At this time, both in-person and online is planned, but watch for updates based on public health orders, on the CSRD website and Facebook page.

The Incorporation Committee is responsible for ensuring voters have the information they need to assess the options and if a vote is called, make an informed choice. The committee needs to provide electors with opportunities to review, question and understand what each option would mean for Sorrento Blind Bay. To inform yourself prior to the upcoming community engagement dates visit the CSRD incorporation webpage. You can also review all the incorporation documents at the library in Blind Bay if you are not using internet.

You can listen to zoom recordings of previous meetings of August 19 and 23, 2021 on the CSRD Incorporation webpage.

Questions can be submitted in Frequently Asked Questions and you will receive a response from the consultant. These responses can be seen under Frequently Asked Questions on the CSRD website.

The Frequently Asked Questions page is a list of questions that residents have asked. Have a look to see if your question is answered. Questions asked over time are found at https://www. csrd.bc.ca/areas/sorrento-blind-bay-incorporation-study

S O RRENT O - BL I ND BA Y IN CO RP O RA T IO N S TU D Y UPC O M ING ME ET IN GS All in-person meetings are subject to change based on Public Health Orders in effect at that time. As attendance is anticipated to be more than 50 people, public health regulations require proof of vaccination.

Masks also required.

Those unable to attend in-person can participate electronically by Zoom.

IN-PERSON OPEN HOUSE MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 2022 6 PM TO 8:30 PM SORRENTO MEMORIAL HALL I N - PE R S ON O PE N H O U S E T H U R S D AY , JA N U AR Y 2 0 , 202 2 6 PM T O 8 : 3 0 P M S H U S W A P L AK E E S T A TE S C O M M U N IT Y C EN T RE I N - PE R S ON D I S CU S S I O N P A N EL S A TU R D AY , JA N U AR Y 2 9 , 2 0 22 1 P M T O 3: 3 0 P M S H U S W A P L A KE E S T AT E S C O M M U NI T Y C EN T RE To register for Zoom, see the Sorrento-Blind Bay Incorporation Study page on the CSRD website, www.csrd.bc.ca Recordings will be posted after each event.

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best wishes to everyone in 2022 !

January 2022

Thank you, Editorial Contributors

By Barbra Fairclough In this 70th edition of the SCOOP, we thank the myriad writers and volunteers who have graced the pages of the SCOOP with updates and information.

The very first issue of the SCOOP was distributed free to newsstands in April of 2016.

With humble beginnings the first edition was 16 pages and 2,000 copies were distributed into the community. As residents began learning the news you have shared, readers began turning to the SCOOP for important community news.

Your expert local knowledge shared every month with your own words and style of writing is a fingerprint of our community.

Collectively your firsthand view of what it is happening around the area makes the SCOOP a vehicle to support cohesive, informed, and supportive communities.

We are grateful to our local businesses who support the SCOOP with their interest to advertise. Some have been with us since the very beginning. Your friends and neighbours and visitors alike recognize this and earnestly look forward to reading each new issue. Many businesses support it with newsstands on hand at store fronts and in neighbourhoods throughout the Shuswap. Seasonal residents know they can read it online.

You keep us up on what is happening. Social groups always have something to share whether it is books, gardening, or virtual networking. If there is an online webinar, you let

us know. You also let us know when there is a flu clinic or if the doctor is in!

We learn how to find local health services. Recreational sports change with the seasons and our contributors are keeping us up to speed.

Over the years the readers have embraced the SCOOP as a place to discover something new from your ongoing topics of interest.

Your contributions have made it easy for newcomers to find out a bit more about the people, places and events in their local community. How to connect with new neighbours and friends and participate in events and programs. They learn how to get in touch or the buy a ticket or make an appointment or take in some fun.

On those once a year occasions, you let us know about Christmas lights, Mother and Father’s Day events, graduations, St. Patties Day, Easter, Christmas and more.

Thanks to our government and business leaders who let us know about local government news or business supports and events. Thank you for keeping us all informed.

Our editorial contributors are mostly volunteers with the organizations they write for offering of their time and interest to share meaningful information for the benefit of others. Thank you, editorial contributors, for embracing the SCOOP and sharing what you know with all of us. Your diverse contributions keep us all informed and curious and more knowledgeable about our communities.

January 2022

Good bye 2021

By Barbra Fairclough In January, last year we were happy to say good-bye to 2020 and welcomed 2021 with new perspectives. Little did we know what was in store. The pandemic continued to be part of our everyday lives but during this year we became more learned in our response and our adaptation over time.

In February and March, the Chamber worked to help local businesses by offering the SHOP the Shu program.

Lynn Ewart said “the community recognizes that the COVID pandemic has had a devastating effect on many businesses. As a result, residents stepped up and supported our businesses by shopping local for the holidays. We couldn’t be more pleased with the result.” In March, the chamber was a recipient of an $82,000 grant as part of the $10m COVID 19 response. Lynn Ewart says …”these grant monies will assist with economic development and a tourism based economy.”

After a delay when the pandemic began Shuswap Youth Leadership Event took place in February. It was a virtual 2.5 hour event hosted by the Shuswap Youth Launch Team and featured Cory Hirsch, Ashley Bendiksen, Missy MacKintosh, and Ali Shah.

For the first time BC Conservation Foundation program, WildsafeBC, will be operating in the South Shuswap. Julia Helland was eventually hired as first coordinator for the program and began meeting with people in the CSRD Area C and Area E. White Lake Volunteer Fire Department was named Fire Department of the Year in April, Derek Sutherland, Team Leader of Protective 61st Edition

2 50 -2 53 -560 0 bbhideaway@gmail.com

Located on the beautiful Shuswap www.blindbayhideaway.com

Services says, “The department’s commitment to the values of community, teamwork, professionalism, and integrity are exemplary.”

The Sorrento Blind Bay Incorporation Study continues and in May the Province offers $6,052,030 for assistance payable to a new municipality if the referendum outcome favors incorporation. The grant is for costs of transition to a new government including pre and post referendum amounts for support.

The Villas in Blind Bay and a strata community on Dieppe Road are confirmed as FireSmart Canada Recognized Neighbourhoods. Steve Butchart a resident on Dieppe Road says, “It was great to have the backing of the local FireSmart program giving us support and an incentive to do something.”

White Lake Residents Association (WLRA) announce the commencement of level three water testing for White Lake. Water Quality Committee (WLRA) oversees lake monitoring program and receives formal technical training with Ministry of Environment.

In June Notch Hill School House turns one hundred years. Miriam Leggett a current local resident taught the last year the school was open in 1971. The Notch Hill Historical Society awaits to hear of grant applications for renovations so the hall can reopen to community events.

Adams Lake Indian Band invites the public to join in Walking Our Spirits Home on June 11-13 to, “To honor the residential school survivors and the ones who never made it home.” Sorrento Centre is working with local Indige-

The South Shuswap Scoop

Board meeting

Schedule

The 2022 schedule of Regular Meetings of the CSRD Board of Directors has been set.

Meetings are generally held the third Thursday of each month at 9:30 AM at the CSRD office, 555 Harbourfront Drive, NE, Salmon Arm.

January 20, 2022 February 17, 2022 March 17, 2022 April 21, 2022 May 19, 2022 June 16, 2022

July 21, 2022 August 18, 2022 September 22, 2022 October 13, 2022 November 17, 2022 December 9, 2022

April 2021

White Lake Named Fire Department of The Year

CSRD Release A pandemic wasn’t going to stand in the way of the White Lake Fire Department. Instead, the department stepped up.

The efforts of the White Lake Fire Department were acknowledged at the March 18 Columbia Shuswap Regional District Regular Board Meeting with the presentation of the Fire Department of the Year honours.

During 2020, the White Lake Department increased the number of their members trained to exterior firefighting standards by 50 per cent.

The White Lake firefighters also had very strong attendance at all the CSRD’s online Zoom training sessions. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the CSRD needed to temporarily replace in-person training at CSRD fire halls, although in-person training was recently resumed.

In addition, members of the White Lake Fire Department contributed to regional efforts to train firefighters from

across the CSRD’s 13 fire departments.

Fire Chief Bryan Griffin and Deputy Chief Lynn Mazur attended the meeting by Zoom to accept the award.

“Thank you for the honour. It is a real privilege to be a part of this amazing group of firefighters,” he told the Directors, noting the department appreciates the support offered by CSRD Fire Services staff.

Derek Sutherland, Team Leader of Protective Services, says the department’s commitment to the CSRD’s Fire Service values of community, teamwork, professionalism and integrity are exemplary.

This was echoed

by Electoral Area C Director Paul Demenok, who congratulated the department, noting how closely the department is woven into the fabric of the community as leading participants in community charity events and celebrations like Halloween.

“You are doing a marvelous job out there. Keep up the good work,” added Demenok.

(continued on page 8)

Please note these dates and times are subject to change.

See www.csrd.bc.ca for up-to-date information.

T: 250.832.8194 | TF: 1.888.248.2773 PO BOX 978, 555 Harbourfront Drive NE, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4P1

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January 2022

Good bye 2021

(continued from pg 7)

nous leadership and nationally to create cultural and spiritual events in the upcoming year.

BC Government announces a new website to help people identify algae blooms in BC. People are invited to contribute information to create a comprehensive picture of BC’s algae situation.

CSRD announce in June a growing wave of development in Columbia Shuswap region is on pace to peak at record breaking levels in 2021. “Year over year we have never experienced this kind of growth before in the CSRD…we are doing all we can to maintain service levels but timelines are starting to extend.”

Other municipalities and regional districts are also contending with increased development pressures.

Come July, Music in the Bay announces a comeback after closure of the event due to COVID. Rhys Laug says we will be off to a later start this year but the community should be able to look forward to at least six weeks of live music. In concert with Music on The Bay is Market by the Bay. It has always been a vision to combine both a market and live music every week. “We have been pretty astounded by how many visitors expressed interest to be part of the market.”

Wildfires of Note in the Shuswap are summarized in August. Since April 1,1308 wildfires had burned 555,904 hectares of forest. 301 of the 3,245 personnel fighting fires were from out of province. 212 helicopters and planes were supporting ground crew. Most of

the evacuation alerts and orders were in our region with 58 orders and 73 alerts. In our area we had the White Rock Lake, Crazy Creek Gorge FSR, Two Mile, Hunakwa Lake, Three Valley Gap and Humamilt Lake fires, keeping CSRD Emergency Operations Centre working hard.

Incorporation Study Committee outlines the community engagement phase to begin end of September and into October. On September 15th, the CSRD and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs put a pause on the community engagement phase due to covid directives from Interior Health restricting sizes of indoor gatherings.

New intentions are for a 2022 start.

Newsome Creek mitigation efforts grant request for $6.3 million grant was denied. Erosion at Newsome Creek is a serious issue and a cause for considerable anxiety to residents in the area. “We want to find workable solutions to deal with the safety issue,” says Derek Sutherland, scoop Protective Services CSRD. In October John Edry Deputy Chief Eagle Bay FD reflects on his deployment to Lytton fire on July 1 where he met with local fire chief of Lytton and worked 12 hour shifts every day then headed back to base camp. He takes pause on the emotional intensity of seeing the devastation up close.

During November proceedings at the cenoFebruary 2021

59th Edition

Their Residents Show South Shuswap l Business Loyalty to Loca

sales far store. My holiday my projections.

Chamber local surpassed South Shuswap part of that Chamber’s shop s The South Shuswap businesses I attribute support for local ‘Shop success to the Chamber’ initiative to boost success! Over 1200 passport program.” , which was a complete were distributed al Mackay Marketing the South Shu’ Passports y in the Fall. Over Chamber’s promotion g takes care of the did an outstandin throughout the communit, December and and marketing needs, on the importance the months of Novemberfrequented the 30 job of raising awareness a robust social January, local residents passport local. Through were part of the business of shopping businesses that and a series of press stamps for each media campaign were reminded of the program, collecting end of the campaign, residents the At releases, within the they visited. for each need to keep dollars campaign earned an entry the passport holders community and to off. stamp collected certainly paid of Director put towards a draw Karen Brown, Executive to donated would also like fabulous prizes for the Chamber ng ty Futures by the participati give credit to Communi this program. businesses. who sponsored is always “We were very “Community Futures it comes our pleased to with a loyal partner when of local on needs residents’ participati to addressing the not hesitate did in this campaign” business. They assisting our area to says South Shuswap came it when their sponsorship Chamber President businesses through Passport Shop the Shu Lynn Ewart. “The of this program.” community recognizes Chamber will continue pandemic When asked if the Brown shares “We that the COVID g effect on many passport program, feedback from those has had a devastatin stepped up the a result, residents have had very positiveparticipated. I will businesses. As businesses by shopping owners who more business to the Chamber’s Economic and supported our We couldn’t be leave it up to my Board local for the holidays. ent Committee and result”.

Bay Developm decision, but I expect that pleased with the of Love is Blind any owner make to annually will the Lisa McCoy, by the success of this passport program as our the efforts hosting serious consideration as long Gifts, was astounded rs appreciative of given campaign and was forth. “Because of this be community stakeholde put businesses and our that the Chamber to meet a number of it”. able for my are up for program, I was gain a new following new people and

63rd Edit

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June 202 1

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MUNRO’S RIPTIONS

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•Giftware •Flower Shop •Health & Beauty are •Home Healthc Holidays 10-4 9-6 • Sun &armacy.com Mon to Sat oidaph www.sorrent 1250 TC Hwy,

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Notch s the CPR conTina confirm even though good virtual this “We are in cert will be receive a shape.” year they will n from Tina also financial donatio ber. that says things CPR early Decem is supare especially The food bank businesses, welcome during 2021 ported by local and indiSeptember the ChristFood Drive, organizations located at are es and other Thanksgiving It is mas season church area. of out the It is open gifts for seniors such as puzzles, decks s, viduals through in Sorrento.

Arnheim Road and teens. Items sudoku, word searche says folks who them- 2804 sdays 9-3pm. Tina can come cards, crib boards,g they can do by tions Wedne like to donate food items 3) novels, or anythin person. Restricyou would ed on page other (Continu one on what self or with and brought a focus of last year t a lot of people. Gloves Knitcan do withou welcome as well. socks are always

(coninuted on page 9)

January 2022 (Continued from page 8)

taph for Remembrance Day are offered similarly to 2021.

Alan Cook confirms this makes sense as COVID and gatherings are still a factor. 2021 the poppy celebrates one hundred years of symbolism for fallen veterans.

Bill Miller, Habitat for Humanity says, “We would like to dispel the notion we only build in Kamloops.” With two new projects in Sorrento and Blind Bay. Blind Bay is the location of four new homes with construction start as early as November. Working with the Sorento and District Housing Society, they have plans in place to develop new rental units while retaining the current Lions Manor.

Decibel Coalition presents to Transport Canada. “It is clear to us transport Canada is seeking a recommendation from the Decibel Coalition representing 90,000 cottagers in Canada. Presenting video along with a petition with 2127 names. Transport Canada will commence a 24 month review process.

The Sorrento Food Bank offers their yearend thanks to the community for its support over the last year. Tina Hysop says, “Support for the food bank has been from all corners of the community, unwavering since the start of the pandemic.

Resiliency in our communities is surfacing as a fearless friend. Pandemic has a new name but it remains here ready for us to respond and react. Fires and heat have kept us on our toes but good work is happening and we have much to be grateful for.

If it is true that the past informs the future then a fresh outlook and a change in the weather may be the magic for us all in 2022.

The South Shuswap Scoop

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January 2022

CSRD Allocates COVID-19 Grant

By Jo Anne Malpass Staff recommendations for the remaining $358,576 from the COVID-19 Safe Restart Grants were endorsed by the Columbia Shuswap Regional District Board at its December board meeting.

The remaining grant will be allocated for $50,000 Golden Arena and $50,000 Sicamous Arena (lost revenue & additional expenses), $40,000 Sicamous Arena (replacement of damaged flooring due to COVID stickers), $168,576 for ongoing technology, operational costs and fleet recovery, and $50,000 Community Organizations.

After a lengthy discussion about the needs of rural community organizations and economic development compared to providing revenue to CSRD operated arenas in municipalities, the motion passed, opposed by Area C Director Jay Simpson, Area C Paul Demenok and Area D Rene Talbot.

In other business at the meeting, Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail Governance The Board supported a series of recommendations regarding the development of two areas of the Rail Trail. This includes engaging Urban Systems Ltd. to provide engineering for the project, authorizing staff of the CSRD to supervise the project area from Sicamous to Mara, and authorizing staff from the Regional District of North Okanagan to supervise the project area extending from Splatsin IR3 through the City of Enderby.

Bylaw Dispute Adjudication System - With Board approval, staff will develop the necessary bylaws and policies for the implementation of a Bylaw Dispute Adjudication System. This system would replace the Municipal Ticket Information (MTI) system which enables prosecution by local governments of minor to medium bylaw contraventions.

The adjudication system provides an alternative to going to court, which is the only way to dispute an MTI. Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund Grant Application - The Board approved an application to the Infrastructure Canada Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund of $2,886,000 to support the Newsome Creek Bank Stabilization Project.

Agricultural Land Reserve Exclusion Policy - The Board endorsed Policy P-24, developed in response to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) decision that only the Provincial Government, local or First Nation governments or prescribed public bodies may make such applications. The policy includes three stages and fees.

Directors voiced concerns about downloading this to local governments with all its associated costs and taking away landowner rights to apply to the ALC themselves.

Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) Non-Farm Use – The board voted to forward an application by the owner of property at 4439 Trans-Canada Hwy recommending approval to the ALC to conduct Non-Farm Use in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).

The applicant submission says this proposal is to deal with long standing buildings and uses in the ALR plus a new partially constructed building for Rust Valley Restorers and a relocation of Auto Museum vehicle parking.

The CSRD staff report says for the CSRD to issue building and development permits for the new building, the (Continued on page 11)

January 2022

The South Shuswap Scoop

11

(Continued from page 10)

property owner requires non-farm use approval from the ALC. The property currently has multiple dwellings, auto museum and retail and auto restoration wrecking.

The owner commissioned an analysis of the property’s soils and agricultural capability. The report notes that 80% of the property within the ALR is fill and 20% has native soils. However, this portion of the property is unevenly dispersed and the native soil is degraded which limits agriculture potential.

The commercial uses on the property are consistent with the Tourist Commercial designation in the Electoral Area C Official Community Plan and there is no zoning bylaw in effect.

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Improving Population Health One Smile at a Time Paid Advertising Feature We are proud to announce our dental hygiene clinic in Blind Bay. New patients welcome. Book your appointments with the Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre at 250-6753361. For any treatment questions call 250-833-9923.

The Smile Mission Oral Health Outreach Society works to lower barriers to access to oral health care.

Experienced dental professionals bring equipment similar to that in dental clinics and your treatment fees – nothing over the current BC Dental Hygiene Fee Guide – also help bring dental care to other people with fear, physical or financial barriers.

Blind Bay is served every 3rd Friday of the month: February 18, March 18, etc. Let’s improve population health, one smile at a time!

Would you like to support improving oral health in your community? We could use helpers: dental professionals or others, and as a CRA registered charity we give tax receipts for all monetary or inkind donations!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

12 The South Shuswap Scoop

January 2022

South Shuswap Chamber

By Karen Brown, Executive Director SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2021 The South Shuswap Chamber of Commerce is pleased to report, despite the continuing challenges presented by the COVID pandemic, that it was still able to maintain its excellent service in supporting the businesses and non-profits of the Shuswap region.

MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT & RETENTION Committee Chair Corryn Grayston With the exception of our inaugural year when we first revitalized the Chamber, the growth of our membership in 2021 was record-setting. We started off the year with 134 remembers and are now proud to report that we have 154 in our membership.

The Chamber continued to have representation on a number of boards and committees: The new Shuswap Economic Development Society; The Incorporation Study Committee; 20+ members on the Shuswap NPO Network; CSRD Parks Planning Advisory Committee; BiMonthly TOTA Engagement Calls; Visitor Services Network at Destination BC and close affiliation with the Tsutswe’ye Network & other community groups.

VISITOR INFORMATION Co-Chairs Margaret McCormick & Robyn Cyr Do the Shu Adventure Guide: In collaboration with the Chase and North Shuswap Chambers of Commerce, the South Shuswap Chamber published a ‘Do the Shu’ Adventure Guide, a complimentary guide to the Shuswap Tourism Vacation Planner, featuring all the things to do and see within the regions at the west end of the lake. A website landing page was created to accompany and give further details on area accommodators, eateries, shops, activity providers & places to see.

Visitor Information Kiosks: All eleven visitor kiosks were refreshed to incorporate the new Chamber branding. Business directory information panels were updated as well. Summer students Payton & Morgan took care of ensuring all the visitor kiosks were well stocked for summer.

FURTHER TOURISM INITIATIVES The Tourism Committee met regularly over the year to discuss and plan a number of initiatives that could assist tourism-related operators in the area.

Committee members included: Margaret McCormick (Taste of the Shuswap), Robyn Cyr (Brabyn Business Solutions), Monica Seys (Shuswap Marina), Mark Lane (Dreamcycle Motorcycle Museum) and Sarah Tokarek (Shuswap Adventure Girl).

Tourism Season Launch: The Tourism Launch, normally held as a breakfast each April, was held virtually in 2021.

Shuswap Tourism gave an update on its operating year and Frank Antoine from Moccasin Trails also spoke about Indigenous Tourism, one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry. Indige“Do the Shu” nous Tourism, if done well, can provide Adventure guide opportunities to promote greater cultural understanding while increasing Indigenous Peoples’ capacity and economy.

Summer Ambassadors: Our summer students Payton & Morgan attended key events or happenings over the summer to act as Destination Ambassadors for the area.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Chair Lynn Ewart Chamber Awarded ETSI Grant for $75,000: The South Shuswap Chamber collaborated with Chase, North Shuswap, Armstrong, Enderby and Sicamous Chambers to write a grant with the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior. We were awarded $75,000 to contract Robyn Cyr as our Rural Business Advisor. In her role, Robyn has been meeting with many business owners and non-profits in the South Shuswap to assist in (continued on pg 13)

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a new updated branded look with Toliver areas where they may need support: mar- Design. In June we launched a new logo keting, grant writing, redefining markets to better reflect our region and differentiation/positioning, focussing on Copper or audiences, etc.

Chamber Received Further Award for Island. The font and overall logo com$67,300: The Chamber, in collaboration plement the Shuswap Tourism logo nicewith the Chase Chamber of Commerce, ly without competing with it.

SHUSWAP NON-PROFIT was successful in its grant application for NETWORK $67,300 from the federal government to Chair Larry Stephenson take part in a Shop Local BC initiative.

The Chamber disseminated informaWith the monies received, the Chamtion to the non-profits of the area on the ber will be embarking on an exciting new project with CSEK Creative and the COVID Relief Funding available through Thompson Okanagan Tourism Associa- the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. Many of the non-profits including tion to develop and enhance our digital presence when it comes to supporting lo- community halls received $5,000 each cal businesses, tourism operators and the in grant funding. The Chamber continues to explore ways to support our local importance of shopping local. non-profit groups and community halls.

Market by the Bay: The ChamADVOCACY & EDUCATION ber hosted an outdoor community event Chair Larry Stephenson ‘Market by the Bay’ each Thursday night Incorporation Study: Although the as part of Music in the Bay hosted by Chamber takes no position on the inthe Arts Council for the South Shuswap. corporation issue, we are committed to Over 80 vendors signed up to take part in the market each Thursday from 6:00 to ensuring the public receives correct information and that oppor9:00 each week. tunities for public engageLook for the marment are disseminated ket again in 2022. through our network.

Shuswap A virtual presentation Economic Deof the incorporation study velopment Socifindings were presented to ety: The Chamber the Chamber membership welcomed John by study consultant Allan Reed, the ExecuNeilson, followed by an tive Director for interactive Q&A session.

Shuswap EcoFederal Election All nomic DevelopCandidates Meeting: In ment Society to collaboration with Sorits Board of Dirento Centre and with its rectors.

Market by the Bay / Music in the Bay Executive Director MiBusiness chael Shapcott as host, the Walk Abouts: Karen Brown, Robyn Chamber co-presented a virtual All CanCyr and John Reed conducted busididates Meeting leading up to the federal ness walk abouts in the Fall, meeting election in 2021. with dozens of business owners in the CHAMBER EVENTS South Shuswap. After being introduced, Chair Marcie Mutch Robyn and John shared with each busiUnfortunately, the necessary restricness owner what they could each offer in the way of support to assist with eco- tions handed down by the Provincial and Interior Health Authorities restricted the nomic viability and sustainability.

Chamber’s ability to host any fundraisEstablishment of a Work Hub: As ers or social events. It is hopeful that we you may recall, the Chamber was successful in its CERIP grant application to will be able to resume event-based activthe Province of British Columbia in late ities in 2022.

FINANCIAL MATTERS 2020 to establish a small work hub in the Chair Corryn Grayston area. Monies are still ‘on hold’ as we Year-End Financials for the South continue to source our different locations Shuswap Chamber for 2021 will be availand options. The COVID 19 pandemic has limited our movement in this area able in January, 2022 and will be presented to the membership at the February AGM however the Chamber hopes to make for approval, after first being passed by the further advances in 2022.

Chamber Board of Directors.

MARKETING & Should you have any further quesCOMMUNICATIONS tions, please call Executive Director KarChair Michelle Mackay New Branding: The key focus of our en Brown: 250.515.3276 or email her at: marketing this summer was developing manager@southshuswapchamber.com

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Alertable, NEP- Emergency Need to Know

January 2022

By Barbra Fairclough Learning how to be prepared can be crucial. Have a “grab The news of recent months turned to fires, floods, and unand go” bag ready and ensure you can be self-sufficient for 72 precedented record heat. Emergency response to these natural hours allowing time for support to be deployed. Under an alert events dominated the news. During disaster situations, experiyou should pay close attention to local emergency officials for ence has also shown that neighbours naturally come together to further information. A “household emergency kit” will help to help one another. Trusted timely and accurate information during shelter in place and will give you what you need to have peace times of crisis is critical in knowing how to respond to a local of mind. This is different from a grab and go kit. By knowing emergency. your hazards, making a plan, and gathering your supplies, you During an emergency you will want confidence that you are taking responsibility for preparing your household. have current, accurate and up to date information and that you Another key tool for your own preparedness is having receive timely updates as the situation evolves. a Neighbourhood Emergency Plan (NEP). A NEP ALERTABLE has been chosen as Shuswap can provide a point of two way communication with Emergency Program’s emergency mass notificaShuswap Emergency Program. When SEP knows what tion system for visitors and residents alike. It is you need locally, the appropriate resources can be dea multipurpose communication service used by ployed. the CSRD to send alerts and notices to residents, A neighbourhood can be a small community, a strabusinesses, and visitors during critical events like ta, a block of single family homes or a mobile home fires or floods. park. Every neighbourhood can have a NEP. Currently Downloadable to your phone, the ALERTin the South Shuswap there are 29 NEPs. With a NEP ABLE app has simple settings you can customize in place, you will be able to identify local resources you Alertable App as your situation requires including an Override can work with, participate in training for personal preSilent Mode so you can receive critical alerts paredness, and learn how to report your neighbourhood even with your phone volume is turned off. Information received status to the Emergency Operations Centre. through this app is in “real time.”

With respect to the fires this summer Derek Southerland, Having the right information is as important as knowing Team Leader Protective Services confirms that the NEPs in Seyhow to respond. Knowing the difference between an evacuation mour Arm played an instrumental role in conveying local infornotice and an evacuation alert is key. mation and supporting evacuation. “If we did not have a NEP An “evacuation alert” is an advance warning about a poten- in Seymour Arm it would be safe to say there would have been tial threat to life and/ or property. It is intended to give you time physical losses.” The NEP facilitated a resilient local response in to be ready for a possible evacuation, however you may receive conjunction with SEP. They played an instrumental role. limited notice due to changing conditions.

(Continued on page 15)

The South Shuswap Scoop

January 2022 (Continued from page 14)

Neighbourhoods with NEPs can recover quicker after an emergency than neighborhoods without a NEP. An “Evacuation rescind” means the evacuation order is rescinded and you can return home as the situation has been deemed safe. Stay tuned to local officials as other evacuation alerts or orders may be possible depending on local circumstances.

To keep up to date on the Shuswap Emergency Program (SEP) you can monitor news on the CSRD Website, the Shuswap Emergency Plans webpage. The SEP is on Facebook and Twitter. You can follow the CSRD’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram platforms or you can sign up for ALERTABLE. ALERTABLE- Register for emergency alerts for information and links to downloads. Have a look at the video on the CSRD website. This small video will give you information about ALERTABLE. At the time of the video at the end of July, the CSRD had 4390 subscribers to the app.

Register for ALERTABLE app at www.csrd.bc.ca/alertable Learn about the Neighbourhood Emergency Plans at https://www.csrd.bc. ca/services/emergency-management-program/shuswap-emergency-program/neighbourhood-emergency-programs or talk to Cathy Semchuk Emergency Program Facilitator at the CSRD, 250 517 8071.

The Shuswap Emergency Program is administered by the CSRD in conjunction with the City of Salmon Arm, District of Sicamous and Electoral Areas C, D, E and F.

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16 The South Shuswap Scoop

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January 2022

Eagle Bay Fire Department

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By Alan Rendell, Fire Chief A Happy and prosperous New Year to all of you from the Eagle Bay Fire Department. We hope you all had a great Christmas and are now ready for 2022.

Well, what a year 2021 turned out to be. As if coping with COVID dominating everything we do wasn’t enough, we also had Heat Domes, Wildfires all around us, smoky skies, flooding, and supply shortages, then to wrap off the year freezing temperatures throughout BC. The Eagle Bay Fire Department managed to get back to in-person practices in the spring after months of Zoom only training. Since then, we have been taking advantage of the easing of restrictions and have pushed our practical training to all our members. Our overall membership numbers have stayed around the same this year, we unfortunately lost 4 members which took a lot of experience with them but managed to gain 5 new recruits keen to take up the challenge, so we ended the year with 20 members. Recruitment of new members is always a challenge, so if you are interested in joining us, please give me a call 250-5170429 Our Officer team had to change again this spring as two of the members who left us were Officers. The team now consists of myself as Fire

Chief, John Edry is Deputy Chief, Cathy Maralia is Training Officer and Nigel Collett is a Captain. I would especially like to thank all the EBFD officers and the whole membership for the help and support they have given throughout the year and their continued dedication to improving the EBFD. Our Call Out volume throughout 2021 was 20 calls which was one less than the previous year. External Training Courses continued to be a challenge as COVID limited the availability of in-person training courses, but we still managed to send many of our members to numerous different weekend courses at the CSRD Fire Training facility in Salmon Arm. Our FD Association was able to arrange a Food Bank Drive in June which raised substantial food and funds for the Sorrento Food Bank. They also managed to host our 30 Year Celebration Open Day back in August and although somewhat COVID limited, was still attended by many of you from the community. We also produced and sold a new t-shirt design this summer as a fund raiser which many of you have purchased. Thanks very much for your support with these items.

The department continues to push forward into 2022.

(Continued on page 17)

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The new officer team cutting the cake at our August open house when we celebrated 30 years of existence!

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The South Shuswap Scoop

January 2022 (Continued from page 16)

We are hoping to have the sidings replaced on the fire hall this winter which should give the whole building a better new appearance and we will continue with on-going training for our members and involvement in the Eagle Bay community.

Big welcome to Nicholas and Martina who recently joined us. We still would really like you to come and be part of the Team in protecting a great community.

It would make an awesome New Year’s resolution. So, give us a call if you would like to find out more about joining a great local team 250-517-0429 You can keep up to date on lots of fire related and fire department news on our “Eagle Bay Fire Department” Facebook page or on Instagram. You will also find more information about current burning regulations and the CSRD’s FireSmart initiatives.

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First Responders

Three Groups of Volunteers

By Sandra Reutlinger Big wishes of health and happiness for the New Year from your local volunteers at South Shuswap First Responders.

The First Responders are made up of three distinct groups of volunteers.

The board members volunteer to look after the logistics, bylaws and societal aspects of the group. The Dispatchers volunteer to take the call-out from the 911 Call Center who sends out BC Ambulance Service. Our dispatchers then put out the call with the information needed to our First Responders and also look after the paperwork. First Responders are trained volunteers who are first on scene to offer medical aid and comfort until the ambulance can transport the patient to the hospital. Our community is thankful for the time and dedication given towards these volunteer positions.

As the winter season continues to bring snow and early nights, we would encourage you to make sure your house address is visible from the road. This area has lots of hidden and long, windy driveways so the house isn’t always seen. Reflective signs show up at night and if positioned right, the snow doesn’t cover them over and so they can be easily seen when those moments matter and time doesn’t want to be wasted. If you would like to gift someone with a reflective address sign, please call: 250-8335060.

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18 The South Shuswap Scoop

January 2022

Eagle Bay - Embracing Opportunity

www.SHUSWAPSCOOP www.SHUSWAP SCOOP.ca .ca

By Cathy Wolf Happy New Year!

We have good news to share with the community regarding improved accessibility to our hall.

As many will know, the Rick Hansen Foundation conducted an accessibility study of our community hall prior to COVID. It revealed a number of concerns that need to be addressed if we wish to improve hall access for community residents and visitors, including those with disabilities.

Planning then began to look at how we might address some of these concerns.

Clearly funding was an issue.

And then COVID - and the question - How could we proceed at a time when the hall was closed?

A finance committee was struck involving both Board Directors and community members. Their task was to build capital and operational budgets to recommend to the Board that would take into account strategic directions for the organization in order to address capital needs.

Charitable status was pursued as a potential avenue to raising funds. Last summer we were pleased to announce that the Community Association was granted charitable status in order to support and promote local projects and events. Based on this new opportunity, we partnered with the Shuswap Foundation to secure Agency Status and invested in a long term approach to financial planning that would support capital initiatives going forward.

Grants were completed and submitted in the hopes of attaining financial support for specific projects that would address accessibility issues when the hall re-opened.

In a joint announcement with the Government of Canada, we are pleased to share the following:

The Eagle Bay Community Association is pleased and excited to announce that we have been awarded $79,365.00 to address accessibility issues for our community hall bathrooms and ramp. This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund.

In our application to the Government of Canada, issues related to accessibility referred to the assessment conducted by the Rick Hansen Foundation. Specific areas of concern had been identified to improve access for everyone including persons with disabilities.

The need for an accessible bathroom and an accessible ramp were highlighted as first steps in addressing community needs. We look forward to completing this project by 2023.

More details regarding timelines, processes, and design will be presented at a special meeting of all membership to be held at the Eagle Bay Community Hall at 10:30 on January 29, 2022.

This grant lays the foundation for further planning and contemplation about the future of our 71-year-old community hall.

If you hold a 2021 or 2022 membership of the Eagle Bay Community Association, please accept this as your invitation to attend this special members meeting on January 29.

The Board will be presenting a broad and measured plan that considers changes that are possible beyond accessibility needs. We hope you will be able to join us.

We know that the timing of this meeting is difficult but given the timelines for the grant we have been awarded, we must move forward diligently to complete improvements by September 2023. (continued on page 17)

The South Shuswap Scoop

January 2022

19

Project Zero Incubator Program Project Zero website The Project Zero Incubator program is looking to assist entrepreneurs with their new business ideas and early stage start-ups that offer products or services supporting a regenerative future.

Entrepreneurs based in British Columbia can apply to the Project Zero Incubator program starting January 10. The incubator is free for all successful applicants and will be hosted virtually from April to December, 2022.

The Project Zero Incubator provides early-stage business ideas and organizations from across BC with access to coaching, workshops, and resources to help them get established. The incubator program is specifically catered to entrepreneurs, businesses and non-profits that seek to support a circular future that has a lower impact on our planet.

Idea categories that would be a good fit for this program include: Upcycling waste materials into new products, Products designed with a closed loop and/or waste-free cycle, Renewable energy, Clean technology that reduces energy or waste, Repair economy, Sharing economy and Product as a service model (leasing to reduce waste and extend life of products).

This program is designed for people with a great circu-

lar idea, early-stage start-ups and established businesses / non-profits with a new idea for a product or service. Through the incubator, successful applicants of the program will: Develop a business plan, Learn about business operation fundamentals and entrepreneurial skills, Connect with mentors and coaches, Develop a business pitch, Connect with innovative business leaders and industry experts, Come together with like-minded entrepreneurs going through the same process.

Through the financial support of our Strategic Partner, Vancity Credit Union, this incubator is free to all successful applicants. This eight-month, virtual program runs from April to December each year.

To be eligible for this program you must be: Based in BC, Planning to develop your organization in BC, Business/ non-profit/product/service is in concept stage or has made under $500,000 in revenue.

Project Zero is committed to equity and respect for all people in all our work. We are committed to reflecting the diversity of our society both in our workplace and in our programs. The Project Zero Incubator is proud to be an equal opportunity program.

More information at www. project-zero.ca

Eagle Bay - Embracing Opportunity continued

(Continued from page 16)

18, and who are present at the meeting will be entitled to one Two weeks prior to the special meeting, an agenda will vote. COVID requirements be sent out to all members. A will be in place. Vaccination family membership entitles two passports will be required at resident family members, each the door.

This is an exciting opporover the age of 18 and present at the meeting to vote. Mem- tunity and the Board is pleased bers holding a single member- to be bringing this forward to our community as the new year ship, who are over the age of unfolds.

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January 2022

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Do you own waterfront property on Shuswap or surrounding lakes?

Stay informed with SWOA Shuswap waterfront owners are faced with new and changing regulations from all levels of government.

• We successfully lobbied local and provincial governments to allow for larger docks.

• We advocate for waterfront owners rights and keep our members informed of their responsibilities • We continue to monitor the activities on the Shuswap Watershed Council and stress responsible use of taxpayers dollars • We actively support local and provincial efforts to prevent the introduction of Zebra and Quagga mussels to BC. • Our board members have over 300 years of experience on the Shuswap, and are familiar with issues like the new changes to the Federal Fisheries Act • We continue to keep our members updated on the status of buoys and their removal A two year membership of $50 will help you to stay current on issues, give you access to expert advice and to the SWOA website with information on lake regulations associated with living and building on the lake.

Shuswap Waterfront Owners Association go to SWOA.ca and click JOIN SWOA For more information email info@swoa.ca

By Celia Dyer It’s been a very healthy Christmas holiday in our household. Three elements of good health have abounded: hope, laughter and time spent in nature. There is copious scientific evidence showing that a generous measure of optimism, mirth, and being outdoors will contribute to wellness.

For us, the prescription for these groundbreaking medications has come from an odd source - our four guinea hens.

Guineafowl resemble feathered footballs with skinny necks. Their beauty is enhanced by a bony protuberance on their heads and jiggly orange jowls on their cheeks.

They are known for being annoyingly noisy. And the expression “bird brain” likely originated with them.

They come from West Africa and though they are becoming a popular addition to barnyards in Canada, this is not their natural ‘hood. This was forefront in our minds as we prepared for their first winter.

Imagine our worry, when on the first night of the Christmas cold snap, three of the flock decided to spend the night 40 feet up in a fir tree.

They enjoy being free during the day and generally make their way back to their shelter at dusk. Not so the night the temperature started to dip.

Medical literature differentiates between “deep hope” and “shallow hope”. After the birds’ first all-nighter outside, I engaged in shallow hope. I hoped they would see the error of their ways and fly back to their coop; just as I might hope that the Canucks may fare better with a new coach. A passive, inconsequential hope.

But they didn’t. And the nights got colder. I’m sure you remember.

I bet you are also aware that Google knows everything.

If you ask Google: “How do you get a guinea hen out of a tree?” you will be presented with forums, blogs and chat rooms. Unfortunately, they all come to the same discouraging conclusion: “To get a guinea hen out of a tree, you must wait for the guinea hen to decide to come down out of the tree.”

After about the sixth night, shallow hope turned into deep hope.

Deep hope has been defined as “the experience of finding meaning in loss or suffering.” The truth about deep hope is that sometimes things don’t turn out. There is, however, much value in hope.

Good caregivers know how to share deep hope effectively and it is some of the best medicine you can be offered.

I know; they’re guinea hens. Ugly, noisy, not very bright birds. But they are living beings under our care and it hurt to know they might be suffering. I needed to hang on to a hope that they would be ok. It was good medicine, even if I knew there might not be a happy ending.

The three guinea hens spent ten nights in their tree.

Every morning, we were prepared to discover they had not survived. They had suffered temperatures in the minus 20’s, biting wind-chill, and they had no food or water. Every morning they were implausibly alive.

And Google was right.

One day, one guinea decided to come down out of the tree.

She is back in her coop eating and drinking. She’s not out of the woods (well, she is out of the tree) but so far, so good.

During this ordeal, friends and family have dreamt up schemes to get the birds down; have sympathized or have con(continued on page 21)

January 2022 (continued from page 20)

tributed comic relief by finding humour in our unusual predicament.

One helpful suggestion was to serenade them with our ukuleles. So we did. We sang “You are my Sunshine” under the tree. Guess what? A second guinea is now safe in the coop. Hope tells me the third has a fighting chance.

Hope has shifted towards laughter (serenading stranded guineas hens with a ukulele?) and it has had the same beneficial effect.

Another scholarly medical paper on laughter tells us: “Laughter has shown physiological, psychological, social, spiritual, and quality-of-life benefits. There exists sufficient evidence to suggest that laughter has positive, quantifiable effects on health.” Imagine that.

Time spent in nature?

We’ve spent hours outside with those birds, cooing and coaxing them down.

A recent development in

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21

medicine promotes spending time in nature. PaRx is an initiative of the BC Parks Foundation, driven by healthcare professionals who want to improve their patients’ health by connecting them to nature.

They provide actual prescriptions for spending time outdoors.

Science is demonstrating that this is powerful medicine.

Seniors who garden reduce their risk of dementia by 36 per cent. Sitting in a forest for 15 minutes significantly reduces cortisol (stress hormone) and heart rate variability. It is believed that a prescription supports the growing scientific evidence that proves that nature is good for us.

I think our guineas are miraculous. Their story is not over but through this experience, I’ve felt the healing of hope and laughter and have reaffirmed my belief that nature is a powerful force.

Sometimes, life’s lessons can come from the unlikeliest of teachers.

Carlin Hall Community Association

By Jane Stephenson Happy New Year! It is our fervent hope that 2022 is the year that brings an end to the pandemic! Until that happens, we all have to continue to do our best in limiting the spread of this virus in whatever form it takes.

To that end, and due to the increasing numbers in our area, the Carlin Hall Community Association’s Board of Directors has decided to cancel all of the events currently scheduled for January. The coffeehouse, along with the Tuesday evening Beginner’s Jam/Workshop and Wednesday afternoon’s Intermediate Jam will be put on hold for the first month of 2022. Plans are in place to have all programming return in February should the number of COVID cases begin to decline.

On a better note, the December Coffeehouse was an outstanding success! The audience was thoroughly engaged throughout the evening. Beginning with very entertaining performances by Second Wind, Dale ‘Bushy’ Bush, and Zach and The Elderly Brothers, the evening concluded with a special set of originals and covers courtesy of Rod and Margit (Margit Sky Project).

The generosity of our community was on display once again as audience members contributed over $480 in cash and non-perishable food items to the Second Harvest Food Bank in Salmon Arm. Carlin Hall’s February Coffeehouse is scheduled for February 5 at 7:00 pm. Once all of the details have been confirmed, the information will be posted on the Hall’s website.

The SMALL HALL CRAWL will be returning on February 26 featuring The Hillties! Additional details will be made available later on in January. Keep this date on your calendars. It’s going to be another great concert.

Details regarding programming and events are available at www.carlinhall.net Keep warm, stay safe, stay healthy. We hope to see you at Carlin Hall once again in February.

22 The South Shuswap Scoop

January 2022

Ty Rajewski

Owner/Operator

Cell: 250-463-9797 Office: 778-442-5420

SEPTIC SERVICES

Hydrovac Services 4260 Spallumcheen Drive Armstrong, BC

&

Line Flushing

Ty@tristarcanada.net

Copper Island Health

By Sandra Reutlinger Hello 2022 and to all of you too. Here at Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre we are excited about the year ahead of us and some of the many ways we are continuing to work towards our community’s health and creating more opportunities for people to experience well being.

This past month of December, we had an engaging workshop on nutrition and we would encourage you to attend our follow up workshops as you will receive much more than simply information but also the motivation needed to explore healthy eating. Follow us on social media or sign up to be on our email list and then you won’t miss out on the next one! There are other workshops and events planned for this year ahead that we are looking forward to being able to offer.

Foot Care happens every other Wednesday and more days will be available if enough appointments require it. The Lab continues to run every Tuesday and Thursday and those are great days to pop by the Centre to see what kinds of Senior resources we have available. The third Fri-

day of every month an oral hygiene dental clinic runs out of the Centre. We are still actively recruiting for a family physician.

Membership for the 2022 year is only $20 or $35 for a family with membership fees going towards operating costs and keeping our space at the Blind Bay Marketplace Mall so we are able to offer Lab Services, Foot Care, the Dental Hygiene Clinic and so much more. Since we are not financially supported by any government agency we do rely on our donations, membership fees and fundraising.

Volunteers are the hands and heartbeat of our community and the South Shuswap Health Society is very appreciative of those who put time and talents towards making health and wellness a priority in our area. If you would like to contribute towards making our communities healthier, safe and age friendly we would love to have you help out where you can.

We are grateful to be walking through this next year right here in the beautiful surroundings of The Shuswap and with a community of caring and generous people.

MEL ARNOLD

Member of Parliament

Here To Help

With Federal Government Programs

MEL.ARNOLD@PARL.GC.CA 1- 3105 29th Street Vernon, BC V1T 5A6

1.800.665.5040

Two things to make your day better: Do not watch the news.

Stay off the bathroom scale.

January 2022

Sorrento Centre

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23

Time to Look Ahead

By Michael Shapcott January is the time of year to look ahead to the new year with great resolve and resolutions that we hope will make our lives better, as well as the lives of those around us. It’s also a time to double down on those things from the past year that served a true benefit.

In 2021, the Sorrento Centre prepared fresh and tasty breakfasts, lunches and dinners every single day of the year for people who were hungry in our region – more than 25,000 meals were delivered. We prepared several special Christmas dinners – including fresh cooked turkey for 600. We welcomed evacuees from summer wildfires and from the flooding in the fall.

It is a disturbing truth that there are too many people in our region who are suffering from the impacts of natural disasters like fires and floods, and from unnatural disasters like poverty and homelessness.

We are glad to be a part of a network throughout our region that is providing immediate support, and we will continue this work as long as there is a need.

The Sorrento Centre was established 59 years ago and, in recent years, operates as a retreat and conference centre. We have offered generous hospitality to a wide range of groups who visit our main campus and natural farm. Thousands of guests, from day visitors to multi-night guests, come for music, the arts, yoga and activities that nourish the body, mind and spirit.

Our major new year’s resolution at the Sorrento Centre is a promise to “fall back in love with Mother Nature”.

Global, human-induced climate change has become terribly real in our region over the past year – record-breaking heat, droughts, wildfires, flooding and landslides.

Many of us have felt alienated from the beauty of the natural world around us – the skies overhead, the mountains and hills, the lakes and rivers, the plants and animals. There is practical work to be done in tackling climate change – and our journey will be motivated by a love for the world around us.

We’re planning day events – everything from an owl prowl to a polar bear swim – and multi-day activities throughout the year to help all of us fall back in love with the glorious world around us. Of course, there will be careful attention to public health rules to protect our well-being during the ongoing pandemic.

Check here regularly for activities and events: www.sorrentocentre.ca/ mothernature And, yes, we think that it’s okay to hug a tree!

Michael Shapcott is Executive Director of the Sorrento Centre

• Renovations, New Construction & Repairs • Continuous 5”, 6” & Fascia Gutter • Custom Gutter Systems for Snow Load • Heat Trace Installation

250-955-0123 A DVA N TA G E G U T T E R S. C A

24 The South Shuswap Scoop

Read the Ice

By Barbra Fairclough With the cooler winter temperatures lately, the ice is beginning to form on the lakes. During a single winter in northern portions of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago undisturbed bare ice can grow to as much as 240 cm. Multi year ice can grow to a thickness of 300cm to 450cm. (Environment Canada) Ice forming on a lake is subject to many variables. Recognizing the factors in ice formation will help you recognize safe conditions for being on ice. How ever you choose to enjoy outdoor recreation on ice, this will serve you well.

Much like snow conditions and avalanche risk, ice conditions are dynamic and should be known prior to venturing out.

Ice colour may be an indication of its strength. Clear blue ice is strongest. White opaque or snow ice is half a strong as blue ice. Grayness indicates the presence of water and is unsafe.

Factors affecting thickness can be many and varied. Dark surfaces will draw sun’s warmth and affect ice thickness. Logs, rocks, and docks are examples.

Specific ice thicknesses are recommended for different activities on ice. This is a guideline only and should be taken into consideration with all other factors affecting ice conditions. For walking or skating alone, a minimum recommended ice thickness is 15cm (6 inches).

Type of water is also a factor. Is there running water, does the location have currents? These can change how water freezes.

January 2022

Water depth and size of water body are factors in ice thickness and strength.

Red Cross Ice Safety recommends checking with local authorities for information on local ice conditions prior to heading onto the ice. Look for posted signs indicating where ice surface is acceptable for activities and avoid going out on ice at night.

Minimum ice thickness for skating parties or games is 20cm and 25cm for snowmobiles.

Educate yourself as to what to look for in planning your outing. Changing weather can change local conditions quickly. Dynamic conditions mean reevaluating your plans and if you are on the ice as conditions change, be aware of the impact on your safety.

Insurance Bureau of Canada says 25 to 30 Canadians die in ice related incidents each winter. They offer ten ways to avoid ice hazards.

Use a designated ice surfaces for activities like skating. Measuring ice thickness in more than one location to check possible variable thickness. Never go out on the ice alone. They also suggest staying off river ice and avoid narrows between lakes. Currents and moving water can cause ice to be thinner. Wear a lifejacket or a thermal protection buoyant suit. This will increase your chances of survival should you fall through. If you can avoid driving on the ice then do so. If you cannot avoid it, have an escape plan. Children on or near ice should have a companion and adult supervision.

Check your local conditions prior to venturing out and you will have a more enjoyable time. Check out facts about ice safety at Red Cross Canada.

January 2022

Sorrento Lions

By Judi Kembel We would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and the best for 2022.

Here is a run down of what we have accomplished in 2021 despite COVID and all of its restrictions: Lions’ Activities July to December 31 2021: July • Presented 6 bursaries of $2,000 each to six students who graduated from Salmon Arm Secondary and who have enrolled in post-secondary institutions in BC. • Four bursary awards are for student who graduated in 2021. The other two were delayed awards for students who graduated previously but were unable to attend school in person due to COVID 19.

Donated: • $1,000 to South Shuswap Health Society.

• $1,000 to Shuswap Hospital Foundation • $800 to BC Diabetes Foundation • $5,000 to Camp Winfield Easter Seals Camp for disabled children • $1,100 to Sorrento Elementary School for special needs equipment for the school September • Donated $1,150 to the Sorrento Elementary School Parents Advisory for the breakfast/food program October • Created a pumpkin patch for Sorrento Elementary so every child could select his or her own pumpkin • Funded the goodie bags of

candy for Sorrento Elementary School children December • Donated $1,000 to the Lions International Foundation to provide assistance to those affected by floods and fires in BC • Donated $100 to Salvation Army in Salmon Arm to purchase turkeys for food hampers • Purchased a $100 Walmart gift card for a family in Sorrento • Donated $1,500 to the Sorrento Food Bank to purchase meat and supplies for the Christmas hampers We hope we can continue to serve our community the same way in the coming new year.

We would appreciate any ideas our community may have so that we may continue serving you the best we can.

You can send your ideas to sorrentolionsclub@yahoo.ca .

If you are interested in helping your community, please consider joining our club as either a member or a “Friend of the Lions” volunteer. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month (September to June) at 6:45 pm at the Sorrento Memorial Hall. If you are over 19 years of age (male or female) and would like more information about becoming a Lion, please contact the Sorrento Lions Club at our email address: sorrentolionsclub@yahoo.ca We would love to hear from you! Check out our website at http://e-clubhouse.org/sites/ sorrentobc/ .

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25

Newly Opened Store!

Come and Meet the Team!

J i m , C h u c k , To n & G a r y

 Open 7 days  Mon to Fri 8am – 5:30pm Sat 9am – 5 pm Sun 10am – 4pm

250-675-2583 Blind Bay Marketplace Mall #4-2425 Golf Course Dr

26 The South Shuswap Scoop

It’s only cold if you’re standing still #getoutside

Christmas Bird Count 2021

By Ted Hillary The annual Christmas Bird Count in the Salmon Arm area was held on Sunday December 19. It was a bright chilly day with temperatures from minus 1 to minus 12. The wind was mostly calm but sometimes blew with gusts up to about 15 k per hour. Shuswap Lake was frozen on the edges and its open water was choppy. Small bodies of water were frozen over. The snow coverage was from 10 to 32 centimeters.

The count area was covered by 29 participants in eleven groups of 1 to 5 people each. There were 459 kilometers covered by vehicles in a combined total of 45.5 hours. Also, participants on foot covered 28 kilometers over 15 hours. In addition, three feeder counts reported in.

A total of 64 species was seen with an additional three during count week.

This is one of the lowest number of species ever seen on our Christmas Bird Count. Perhaps this is because of the cold weather in the week before the count, freezing open water and bringing in the snow. The total number of birds seen was 6950. This also is quite below our average.

The most common bird seen was the Canada goose with 1514, down about one thousand from the week before. In second place were the bohemian waxwings with 998, followed by European starlings with 844. Rounding out the top five were 516 mallards and 486 rock pigeons, both numbers somewhat below average.

There were some notable sightings.

There were a record high number of redwinged blackbirds with 447; the previous record was 355 set in 2018. There were a couple of rarities both seen in the southeast section: 1 Lincoln’s sparrow and 4 American tree sparrows; both species were last seen in 2004. A cedar waxwing feeding with bohemian waxwings at Raven was a rare winter visitor.

There was only one owl found this year, a short-eared owl near the Salmon River. Also, only two pine siskins were seen at a feeder, when often hundreds are seen. There were no loons, wrens, redpolls, or crossbills.

A big thank you to all who participated in this year’s count and helped to make it a success. It would not happen without you.

KIDS CORNER....

250-253-5600

A Mixed Bag of Art

The Art classes are dedicated to helping each person grow in their skills for drawing and painting with acrylic paint. We have many new faces joining our classes and we hope to showcase each one. This month is Maya. She has a strong drawing skill.

bbhideaway@gmail.com

A MIXED BAG OF ART HAS RELOCATED to Shuswap Lake Estates. Afternoon classes Wednesday (little kids) Thursday (medium kids) Friday (big kids) 3:30-5:30.

2405 centennial drive. For more info contact Rayna at 250-833-7984 or email raynav63@shaw.ca

Located on the beautiful Shuswap www.blindbayhideaway.com

January 2022

Maya finished her sketch book

January 2022

Shuswap Overland Adventures

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27

The Engineer

By Jason Lutterman I’m not sure if I just got caught up in the moment, whether it was the stunning lights or the moonlit snow covered Bison we just passed, but when I asked the engineer “how does one get the job as the mini train conductor?” I had never before wanted to know the answer to a question so badly.

Let me start by saying it’s hard not to fall in love with the Kamloops Wildlife Park. Their dedication to rehabilitating wild animals is second to none and they have found a way to do something borderline magical for the community.

The Wildlights event is nearly 1 million lights, ten fire pits and all the hot chocolate you can handle woven through the park. The facility is amazing but it presents itself in such a different way un-

der a fresh blanket of snow, the pathways lined with light, Willow in her classic wooden sleigh in tow.

The light arrangements are in every corner, an old railroad car serves hot chocolate and no matter what route you follow, it’s striking the amount of effort that goes into doing something like this.

While we were headed up the trail toward the fire pits I had no intention of warming up, I’ll admit to walking quickly but no matter what anyone says, I did not run toward the mini train once I saw it. The Wildlife Express is a scale version of an old steam train that winds its way through the park. For just one dollar you and the family can climb on board one of the cars and take a tour through the animal enclosures, watch wolves and elk, bear and Buffalo live well and heal.

All the animals in the park are either being rehabilitated or due to an injury are unable to be released back into the wild. If you follow our wanderings you may remember many articles ago, we came upon an injured owl, now proudly named Kingsley that was transported here for care after being grazed by

a transport truck. Driving home with an adult Barred Owl in my lap was pretty incredible, but so was having a one-year-old kick her feet in joy as the train rolled its way down the tracks in the moon light and as the train rounded the corner passing a few deer, there backlit by a full moon a snow covered buffalo stood.

High on the hill above, Reindeers made of lights pulling a sleigh looked to be flying through the night sky. I would have stayed on that train all night but as we pulled into the station a line three times longer than the train had formed. I wasn’t the only one that night who probably asked the engineer about driving it but I am the most persistent and mark my words I will drive that train one day.

Cheers & may you #findyourscoop in 2022. See you on the trails.

Wills & Estates Conveyancing * Family Law Chase office is open Thursdays by appointment only #4 - 834 Shuswap Ave

250-679-3180 www.cfselaw.ca info@cfs elaw.ca

28 The South Shuswap Scoop

January 2022

ICE COLD Beer Wine & Liquor

Not hoping. Not wishing. This year I’m making things happen!

E A SY

S U D O K U

$7 up to 25 words, 20¢ ea. additional word. $2 for box-around.

Single column Classified Display Ads: $12.00 for the first inch, then $2.25 per 1/4 inch thereafter. Email ads to classifieds.thescoop@gmail.com or Call/text 250-463-2611.

We accept cheques and email money transfers for payment.

BUSINESS SERVICES

S h u sw a p

S o l e s Fo o t c a r e

Residential, Land and Recreational

Call Vanna 250.574.9969

250.463.5313

Toll Free: 855.431.4313 Toll Free Fax: 888.377.4313

HARD

cal@coshappraisals.com

www. coshappraisals.com Scooters, walkers, wheelchairs, bathroom safety, stair-lifts, hospital beds. Free Screening for obstructive sleep apnea, treatment and follow-up. CPAP masks, parts, and accessories.

Respiratory therapy equipment and home oxygen. Located in Salmon Arm 250-832-2431 and Vernon 250-542-2425 www.lakesidemedical.ca

Tues.

Wed. Thurs.

Fri. Sat.

10am to 6pm 10am to 5pm 10am to 3pm 10am to 5pm 10am to 5pm

CLOSED: Sun., Mon. & Statutory Holidays

Answers on page 30

BUSINESS SERVICES

(250) 675-4818 #1 - 2425 Golf Course Drive, Blind Bay Market

Serving the Shuswap & Surrounding Area

24 HOUR SERVICE

250-679-0001 sorrentoplumbing@outlook.com

WANTED

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January 2022

29

Community Events Calendar South Shuswap ter for a 15-minute one-on-one Hiking group for women – ing, bed races and more. To CSRD Sorrento-Blind Bay Incor- or family session reading with Monthly free organized outdoor enter bed races, contact NS Lion Brian Knipstrom 250-299-7981 or poration Study - In person Open Riley, a certified St. John’s Am- experiences. Welcome to The Houses on Mon, Jan. 17, 6 pm to bulance Therapy Dog. Saturdays Lady Alliance - Shuswap Chapter. email bknipstrom@gmail.com FMI www.shuswapadventuregirl.

8:30 pm at Sorrento Memorial 1 - 2 pm, Jan. 22 - March 30.

CHASE Call 250-675-4818 to register. ca or https://theladyalliance.com Hall / Thurs. Jan. 20, 6 pm to Shuswap Skating Club - Skating LASS Free Computer Training 8:30 pm at Shuswap Lake Estates Friday Night / Movie Night - at opportunities for all ages and for Seniors. One-hour sessions Cedar heights. Doors open at Community Centre / Sat. Jan. levels at Art Holding Memorial 29, 1 pm to 3:30 pm at Shuswap with on-site supervisor. Call 6:30, movie starts at 7 pm. Bring Arena with certified Skate CanaLake Estates Community Centre. Sierre Allison 250-463-4555 or a comfy cushion. Snacks avail- da instructors. FMI or to register. email info@shuswapliteracy.ca able. FMI http://www.cedarhe* All in-person meetings are www.shuswapskatingclub.com subject to change or may have to sign up as a learner or tutor. ightscommunity.ca/movie-night See ad on page 22.

Tranquil Teachings Journey with attendance restrictions based on Lions weekly meat & 50/50 SALMON ARM & AREA Public Health Orders in effect at Johanne. Learn tools to become draws - every Friday from 5 to that time. If unable to proceed more present and aware of your 7pm for ten meat draws. 50/50 Snowed In Comedy Tour - Jan. with in-person meetings, alter- thoughts. Tuesdays 1-2pm, Jan. draw at 7 pm at Copper Island 29, 8 - 10:30 pm Salmar Clasnate arrangements will be made 25 – Feb. 8. Call 250-675-4818. Bar and Grill. sic Theatre. Tickets at www. for public engagement in Janu- Registration and Proof of vaccieventbrite.ca nation Copper Island Health Centre ary. Live streaming and recordMobile Lab Tues and Thur 8:00 Shuswap Music Festival - returns ing will be available. To register Essie’s Place Meet n’ Greet or for more info: www.csrd.bc.ca Welcome LGBTIQ2SA+ and allies. am to noon, Foot Care Wed. The as a live, in-person event April Jan. 26, 6-9pm. Sorrento Centre - smile people Dental Clinic 3rd 11-30, 2022. Register on-line see ad on pg 5.

Richardson Lodge. RSVP & more Fri. To book appointments and at www.ShuswapFestival.com Owl Prowl 2022 – Sorrento access seniors resource services, from December 1/21 to January Centre Farm on Jan. 17. Moonlit info at essiesplacepc@outlook. including income tax prep, call 31/22. com or text (250) 833-8994.

See forested walk through the histor250-675-3661 To book immuSalmon Arm Toastmasters ic farm in search of the resident ad on page 17. nizations call 250-833-4101. meet every Thursday 7 - 9pm at owls. Family friendly hike. In Coffee House - Eagle Bay Hall Located in the Blind Bay Market the Okanagan College in Salmon partnership with Shuswap Ad- Jan. 29. 7:30-9pm. FMI eaglePlace.

Arm. Members are empowventure Girl. FMI www.sorrento- baybc.ca (proof of vaccination Sorrento & Area Health Centre - ered to develop communication centre.ca/events required) Primary care by Theresa Walters and leadership skills. www.

Unplug & Play Family LiterCoffee House at Carlin Hall salmonarmtm.com. FMI salmo- 250-675-2167. Foot care by acy Week - Jan. 22 to 29, to Feb 7 at 7pm. Tickets must be Vanna King Tuesdays - 250-574- narmtm@gmail.com promote active participation purchased in advance. Vaccine 9969. To book an immunization ONLINE / WEBINARS and literacy skills. FMI www. passports and masks are recall 250-833-4101 etc. quired. Details will be posted on shuswapliteracy.ca See ad on The Smile Mission Dental Clinic Tsuts’weye Lunchtime Concarlinhall.net page 12 - Dental hygiene days offered at Weaving Workshop - by Sharon Old Fashioned Bingo - Blind Bay Copper Island Health Centre in nections - 2nd & 4th Tues. from 12:00 - 1:00 pm. On-line Eliason Jan. 29, 10 am - 3 pm at Hall on Feb. 19. Doors open at Blind Bay. Call for an appoint6:00 pm. For info call Agnes 250 ment 250-833-9923. Read the workshops to help you with Blind Bay Hall, 2510 Blind Bay 253-5200 or email: blindbayha- advertorial on page 13 for more your business. Register: info@ Road. For info call Agnes 250 tsustweye.ca. FMI go to https:// 253-5200 or email: blindbayha- ll@gmail.com info. tsutsweye.ca/ ll@gmail.com SMALL HALL CRAWL - returning NORTH SHUSWAP CSRD Board Meeting - Thursday, Special Members Meeting - If to Carlin Hall on February 26 Jan. 20 at 10:00 am. Pre-regisyou hold a 2021 or 2022 mem- featuring The Hillties. Watch for Lions Meat & 50/50 Draw ter at www.csrd.bc.ca. Agenda Draws at the NS community bership of the Eagle Bay Commu- details later in January. carlinhall. available approximately one hall Saturdays in January and nity Association, please accept net week in advance of the meeting.

February. Hall open from 2–7 this as your invitation to attend Polar Bear Swim - Feb. 27, See ad on page 7 for 2022 meetpm. Draws 3-5 pm. a special members meeting on 10am-3pm. Sorrento Centre. ing schedule.

January 29 at 10:30 am at the Multi-sensory immersion in Bingo at NS Community Hall hall to discuss details about ONLINE Guided MEDITATION - every Monday except stat Shuswap Lake. In partnership accessibility improvements. To with Shuswap Adventure Girl. holidays. Bingo starts at 7:00 Classes - Tues. & Wed. 7 - 8:15 register, go to eaglebaybc.ca FMI reception@sorrento-centre. pm. Must wear masks and show pm / Topics vary. Register at: proof of vaccinations. See ad on www.kmcfv.ca South Shuswap Library - Hot bc.ca Chocolate Reading Challenge - Blind Bay Painters: every Tues- page 29.

CSRD Learn how you FireSmart ends Jan. 29. Ages 5-12. Pick up day 9:00am - 3:00pm. Contact Winter Festival - Feb 19 & 20 watch 30 minute online webinar. and drop off challenge at the Pre-register at www.csrd.bc.ca/ at locations across the North Trudy (250)253-0320 library. PAWS 4 STORIES - RegisShuswap. Skating, snow sculpt- firesmart 1-888-248-2773

Transfer Stations SALMON ARM 4290 – 20th Ave SE April 1 to Oct 31 Daily 9am - 5pm Nov 1 to Mar 31 Daily 9am - 4pm Christmas, New Years & Remembrance Day Closed

SKIMIKIN 2281 Skimikin Rd Fri to Tues 10am - 4pm Stat Holidays Closed

Recycling depots Sorrento 1164 Passchendaele Rd (parking lot of Fire Hall #1)

Tappen Co-op 4828 Trans Canada Hwy

Wed, Thu & Fri Noon to 4pm Sat & Sun 10am - 4pm, Stat Holidays Closed

30 The South Shuswap Scoop

January 2022

Clubs & Organizations

Arts Council for the South Shuswap Karen Brown 250-515-3276 Blind Bay Bridge Club Vicki 250-675-2141, vicki00@telus.net Blind Bay Community Society 250-675-3919, blindbayhall@gmail.com Blind Bay Painters Trudy Grigg cell 403-934-0503, home 250-835-0039, t.grigg05@gmail.com Blind Bay Garden Club Susan 250-835-2351 or Donald 778-490-5008 Carlin Country Market Angela Inskip 250-833-2094, carlinpac@hotmail.com Carlin Elementary Middle School PAC Angela Inskip 250-833-2094, Carlinpac@hotmail.com Chase Fish & Game Club Helen 250-679-8019 Copper Island Health & Wellness Centre 2417 Golf Course Dr. Blind Bay Market 250-675-3661 Copper Island Seniors Resource Services (CISRS) (beside Spinnake r Cafe) 250-6753661, cisrcbb@gmail.com CRIMESTOPPERS 1-800-222-8477 CSRD Area C Director Paul Demenok 250-517-0810, pdemenok@csrd.bc.ca Emergency Support Services Cathy Semchuk and Tom Hansen 250833-5927 sep@csrd.bc.ca

S U D O K U E A SY

FIRE DEPARTMENTS Eagle Bay 4445 Eagle Bay Rd., Chief Alan Rendell, 250-517-0429, EagleBayVFD@csrd.bc.ca Sorrento Hall #1 1164 Passchendale Road, Chief Gary Hoult, 250-517-7980 ShuswapVFD@csrd.bc.ca Sorrento Hall #2 2505 Greer Rd., Chief Gary Hoult, 250-517-7980 ShuswapVFD@csrd.bc.ca Tappen/Sunnybrae 3732 Sunnybrae-Canoe Point Rd., Chief Marc Zaichkowsky, 250-8358696 TappenSunnybraeVFD@ csrd.bc.ca White Lake 3607 Parri Rd., Chief Bryan Griffin 250-835-4500, WhiteLakeVFD@csrd.bc.ca Fire Services CoordinatorA Sean Coubrough 250-833-5955 scoubrough@csrd.bc.ca FIRST RESPONDERS Debbie Edwards, ssfr@shaw.ca GT Dragon Boat Society Susan Eisenberger 250-803-6864, www.gtdragonboatsociety.ca HEALTH SERVICES South Shuswap Health Services Society Sue McCrae 250-675-3661, http://sshss.ca Sorrento Health Centre

250-675-2167 Sorrento Health Centre Society Eldene Lindberg 250 675 4168 Lions Club sorrentolionsclub@yahoo.ca / Web: Sorrento Lions Club - Lions e-Clubhouse Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Cathy Semchuk and Tom Hansen 250-833-5927 sep@csrd.bc.ca North/ South Shuswap Comm. Resource nsscr@live.ca, Leigh 250-515-4682 Notch Hill Cemetery Society Louise 250-253-5776 ROAD MAINTENANCE Acciona Infrastructure Maintenance Inc - 1-866 222-4204, Vernon Moti 250-503-3664, aimroads@acciona.ca Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) South Shuswap Leigh Schaffer 250-675-4818, lschaffer@orl.bc.ca Blind Bay Market www.orl.bc.ca/branches/south-shuswap Shuswap Better at Home Central Intake 250-253-2749, sbahintake@outlook.com Shuswap Community Foundation 250832-5428, www.shuswapfoundation.ca Shuswap Emergency Program Cathy Semchuk and Tom Hansen 250833-5927 sep@csrd.bc.ca Shuswap Hospice Society 250-832-7099, 250-675-2568 (Sorrento) Shuswap Lake Aero Modelers

1-866-293-3851, info@slams.ca / www.slams.ca Shuswap Theatre Society https://shuswaptheatre.com South Shuswap Chamber of Commerce Karen Brown 250-515-0002, manager@southshuswapchamber.com Shuswap Volunteer Search & Rescue Luke Gubbles 250-803-1095, shuswapvsar.org Shuswap Tennis sletennisclub@gmail.com Shuswap Waterfront Owners Association (SWOA) info@SWOA.ca / www.SWOA.ca Sorrento Drop In Society 1148 Passchendaele Rd. 250-675-5358 Sorrento Food Bank Tina Hysop 250-253-3663,sorrentofoodbank.ca Sorrento Lions Club Sorrento Memorial Hall, 1150 Passchendaele Rd. sorrentolionsclub@yahoo.ca Sorrento Minor Ball Geoff 250-804-6923, sorrentominorball@gmail.com South Shuswap Canada Day Committee Tammy Packer 250-463-2495 Victim Services Guy Ramsay 250-679-8638 White Lake Community Hall Society 3617 Parri Road, 778-231-8810, whitelakehall@cablelan.net White Lake Residents Assoc. (WLRA) info@wlra.ca / www.wlra.ca White Lake New Horizons Seniors Club - Tim Hoy 250-835-2141

Community Hall Information

Please check with your local community hall for more information about future events

SUDOKU HARD

Blind Bay Memorial Hall 2510 Blind Bay Rd. 250-6753139 blindbayhall@gmail.com Facebook: Blind Bay Memorial Hall & Reedman Gallery www.blindbaymemorialhall.ca Carlin Hall 4051 Myers Rd. Tappen www.carlinhall.net To book call Marcha Adams at 250-835-8577 Cedar Heights Community Association 2316 Lakeview Drive, Blind Bay 250-675-2012 www.cedarheightscommunity.ca

Eagle Bay Community Hall 4326 Eagle Bay Rd. www.eaglebayhall.ca Hall rentals: 778-888-7391 Notch Hill Town Hall 1639 Notch Hill Rd. Pres. Anna-Marie Eckhart 250-804-3374 Check us out on Facebook Heritage Rentals - Marianne Romyn 250-835-4721 Notch Hill Hall Events - Amy Berry 250-804-1806 Shuswap Lake Estates Community Centre sle@shuswaplakeestates.com www.shuswaplakeestates.com

250-675-2523 Sunnybrae Community Hall 3595 Sunnybrae Canoe Point Rd. Hall Rentals - Rob Milne: 250835-8657 Facebook.com/SunnybraeCommunityAssociation sunnybraecommunityassociation. com Sunnybrae Seniors Hall 3585 Sunnybrae Canoe Pt. Rd. sunnybrae.srs@gmail.com White Lake Community Hall 3617 Parri Road 250-803-4616 whitelakehall@cablelan.net

DISCLAIMER – The information in this publication is carefully gathered & compiled to ensure maximum accuracy. The South Shuswap Scoop cannot, and does not, guarantee the correctness of all information furnished them, nor the complete absence of errors or omissions: therefore, no responsibility for same can be nor is assumed. Press releases and reports from community organizations and businesses are encouraged but may be edited to fit available space. We reserve the right to refuse any ad or item that conflicts with the intent of this paper. Articles, advertisements and design in this publication may not be reproduced in any way without prior permission of the author. ERRORS AND OMISSIONS: Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, the portion of the advertising space occupied by the error will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate.

January 2022

The South Shuswap Scoop

31

32 The South Shuswap Scoop

January 2022

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