18 minute read
Lions Club News
GREAT COMMUNITY! We are so grateful to have a caring, respectful, and willing to ‘help thy neighbour’ attitude in the North Shuswap and we can not think of a better place to live or be! Support Local Community Health Initiatives & maybe even win a little cash too!!
By Ted Danyluk
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Are you graduating from high school this year? Do you know someone who is graduating from high school this year? Do you wish you were graduating from high school this year? If you answered YES to the first two questions, then this information is for you. The North Shuswap Lions will be offering three $1100 Bursaries this year. As in past years, the criteria for each Bursary is to a graduating student who attended North Shuswap Elementary School for at least two years and will be pursuing a post secondary education. For more information regarding the deadline and how to apply, please check with your counselor or go the school’s website and follow the links to the Counselling Services folder.
Over the past few months, I have been sharing a little bit about the projects that the North Shuswap Lions have been supporting. The Lions Club International website has a very interesting link entitled “We’re Taking Action”. It contains little clips with a photo, sharing Lions projects happening now in communities all over the world. Here are a few of them….. *February 15 is International Childhood Cancer Day. By collecting hair donations for wigs, Lions in Japan help families who are struggling with the realities of childhood cancer to lead brighter, happier lives. *The Lions Eye Hospital in Ghaziabad, India provides services for people with cataract, glaucoma and refractive errors. *In SubSaharan Africa, more than 100,000 children get cancer each year, and currently 90% of them die. In Malawi, LCIF has partnered with other world organizations to establish a pediatric hematology-oncology program serving as many as two thirds of the country’s population. *More than 800 million people are going to bed without a meal on a regular basis. A LCIF grant aided the Wayuu people in La Guajira, Colombia in their fight to combat hunger and prevent children from dying. *The Chanis Lions Club in Panama City continues to give toys to the patient children of the Parque Lefevre
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Lions Club News continued
(continued from page 39) Health Centre. *In November 2020, tropical storm Eta caused death and displacement in Guatemala. A Lions Club International grant provided food, blankets and cleaning supplies to 3,400 people in several shelters. *When a powerful earthquake hit the Aegean Sea on the western coast of Turkey last fall, Lions were the first Non Governmental Organization at any of the rescue sights.
The greatest strength of Lions Club International is the incredible perspectives, cultures and life experiences that members bring to the organization, and each other. Together Lions focus on peace, kindness, compassion, and, above all else, serving others.
Talking Rock General Manager Takes Reins of PGA BC
By Larissa Lutjen
After a four-year stint as Vice President, Adam Blair, the General Manager and Executive Golf Professional at Quaaout Lodge's Talking Rock golf course, has been selected as the President of the PGA of BC, the Professional Golfers' Association of British Columbia.
As many professions have a body that regulates membership, accreditation criteria, and best practices, the PGA oversees the 650 golf professionals in the province. The Board of the PGA deals with professional development events and promotion of golf in the province but does not regulate the more than 200 courses in the province.
Becoming a golf professional starts by passing a Playing Ability Test (PAT). From there candidates must complete coursework each year for a number of years, usually 6. There are also three colleges and one university in Canada where a degree or diploma program qualifies graduates for a Class A Professional status. Once a PGA status is attained, the PGA of BC ensures that members are aware of the new ideas and cutting edge equipment in the sport.
As President, Blair will represent members, work with the staff at the Richmond PGA of BC office, and be a point of contact for events. In the last year, the PGA of BC worked on guidelines for COVID safety which were sent to the Public Health Agency for approval. Many recreational golfers take their game very seriously and Blair wants the golfing public to know that “when they come to our facilities, they get the best” with professionals who are experts on the game and excellent sources of information. The presidency of the PGA of BC Board is a volunteer
position. unbelievable,” Blair said of
Blair reports that golf the increased interest in the courses saw a big jump in course last year. attendance in 2020 as the With winter stubbornly sport was more easily made hanging around, Blair is not COVID safe than some other sure when Talking Rock will recreational open for the activities. season but Although golf he is hopehad been grow- ful that it ing steadily can open by in popularity the Easter since 2012, he weekend. witnessed a Seasons “30% increase passes are in rounds already played at sold out Quaaout last for 2021 year”. With but Talking many weddings and events cancelled due Adam Blair, General Manager and Executive Golf Professional at Quaaout Lodge’s Talking Rock golf course, has been selected as the Rock has a strong focus on to COVID, President of the PGA of BC. public play the Talking with plenty Rock side of the business of potential for people to get stepped up with added hotel out and golf a round without bookings, retail sales and a season’s pass. green fee income. “It was
Investment Buckets
By Paul Jackson, ertified Financial Planner
Today I would like to chat about a couple of simple concepts that are core to Financial Planning – The Investment Bucket and how this relates to Retirement Cash Flow.
Unless you have a good Defined Benefit Pension through work, or a well funded Defined Contribution Pension where your employer deposits and/or matches contributions, you really need to understand the importance to creating an Investment Bucket for your retirement.
There are many “investment vehicles” we can use in Canada to create these Investment Buckets. We have RRSPs, TFSAs and OPEN plans. There are a couple others, but these are the main types of accounts or vehicles. They each have their own features and benefits, mainly related to their tax status. Everyone is different from the standpoint of which vehicle is the best to fund. Usually, a combination works effectively. The total sum of these vehicles would comprise your Investment Bucket if you will.
Once we determine which vehicles to fund, it is important to then determine a level of funding. There are two primary methods – depositing what you can afford and depositing what is necessary to reach your objective. You
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should determine what you NEED to put away for your future objectives (retirement) and then figure out how to meet that goal. This is best done with a Financial Planner who can do a Retirement Cash Flow Analysis to incorporate all the pieces of the puzzle. Once the money starts flowing into that bucket, auto-pilot will take over and as the years pass you will get closer and closer to your objective. It is important to understand that the primary key to financial success is not as much about WHAT you invest in. Very seldom do people “hit paydirt” with investments. You are better served having a sound process with how you invest and maintain a balanced approach with your retirement money. The more important aspect of creating a Bucket for retirement is to create good HABITs early in life and learning to always live below your means and invest a portion of your income systematically. Many people miss this important point, as they continually SPEND up to their income. Whereas what you should be doing every time you get a pay increase or come into a financial windfall is putting a percentage of that towards your future. As they say, “pay yourself first”. In math terms Nothing In = Nothing Out! If you fast forward to retirement, you hopefully have created an Investment Bucket, which you will then convert to a lifetime income stream. In Canada, we do have CPP and OAS as foundations of our retirement income. However, for most people, they are not sufficient to support their retirement lifestyle. A quick rule of thumb I would use for a 60-year-old is to begin drawing out no more than approximately 4.5% of their Investment Bucket each year. If invested in a reasonably balanced portfolio, this sum should easily last their lifetime. If you were older or younger, this figure would change slightly. So, the key takeaways are: Know what you need, know how to get there, and seek advice! The biggest costs are not fees, the biggest costs are Paul Jackson is a year round resident of the North Shuswap. mistakes!
With 28 years as a Professional Financial Planner, Paul is well suited to If you wish to find out more about help his clients with all of their Financial Planning needs. He uses a Model my process, feel free to drop me an Portfolio approach to investment management and would love to discuss his process and track record with you! email at paul@nextlevelbc.ca.
Proven track record with Model Portfolio investing Fee Based Advisor with a very reasonable fee structure Independent (not tied to one institution) Strong tax knowledge Licensed in both BC and Alberta Paul Jackson, BA, CFP, CLU, RHU Certified Financial Planner – NextLevel Financial Ltd Investment Fund Advisor – Investia Financial Services Inc.
Chase Legion Update
Chase Legion Br. # 107
We wanted to update and share some existing news with you.
The Chase Legion is still open on Tues. from 2:30 PM and on Sat. from 1:00 PM until Bartender’s discretion to close.
As you know Provincial Health Officer Orders, BC/ Yukon Legion Rules and Regulations, Health and Safety Protocols and a Chase Legion Health Plan have all greatly impacted our Chase Legion ability to be open 5 days a week. Luckily donations, grants, gifts, volunteer help have all helped in keeping our doors open part time over the past year.
These Provincial Health Orders are reviewed regularly, but the existing Health Orders will be in effect for a few more months yet.
We want to say Thank You to the approx. 220 Members who have renewed their Membership for 2021.
Anne L., Karen O. had secured grants and funding that has helped purchase PPE and supplies, signage, posters, plastic barriers, directional signs + footprints, facemask supplies, hand disinfectant, sanitization products and much more. Estimates are that it costs over $ 3,000 per month just to have the Chase Legion doors open. Presently with diminished seating available and staff costs, we don’t generate enough revenue to pay the wages and support costs to be open on Mondays, Thursday, Fridays.
We had to say a sad goodbye to family members, friends and Legionnaires over the past year; it has been especially hard on family members because of COVID 19 Health Orders with No Funerals, No Memorial Events, No Celebrations of Life, nor are we allowed to hold any kind of Social Event, Sport Activities, Group gatherings, Meetings, Entertainment Dances, Karaokes, Dinners, etc. We just ask you to take a minute and say Goodbye to all those from Chase who we have lost this past year, and then please remember your family and your friends. We Will Remember Them - We Will Remember Them.
If you can, reach out to a neighbour or friend or family member and find out how they are doing, it could make a big difference to them, to their Physical, Mental and Spiritual Health. During these wintery days and weeks of staying at home, it is sometimes easy to forget we have many elder citizens of Chase as members of our Chase Legion - so even though we have had to reduce our social activities, with no public gatherings, and to stay within our Bubble Group of 6 people maximum; we ask you to please remember to “Reach out and Touch Someone” by phone or email or by post.
Thank You, everyone for your Patience, Courtesy, Support and Kindness during the past year and we ask that you look after yourself, stay calm, get vaccinated and wear your facemask.
Shuswap Backcountry Riders rally at Skimikin campground last year for a group ride. - Photo by Dave Crowfoot
By Jo Anne Malpass
Along with enjoying the incredible network of roads and trails in the Shuswap, being respectful stewards of the mountain is a main priority for the Shuswap Backcountry Riders Society, Dave Crowfoot, Secretary-Treasurer, told the Kicker.
There’s not a lot to do on quads in winter other than some trail map planning for the Shuswap and dreaming about the spring, he said. In the other three seasons, they enjoy time in the Shuswap back country, which provides many forms of recreation for ATV, Quad, Side by Side, Bike and 4×4 users. The Shuswap Backcountry Riders strive to be an all-inclusive organization.
The club was called the Sicamous Quad Club, until 2018, when it renamed itself to the Shuswap Backcountry Riders to encompass its growing membership from the entire Shuswap area. This happened under the leadership of Rene St Onge, a well-known avid backcountry enthusiast and guide. Tragically, Rene passed away in a snowmobile accident a year later. The group grew from 16 members then to well over 75 members today. This includes people from Vernon, Enderby, Shuswap, Revelstoke, Salmon Arm, Alberta and after a meeting last October in Scotch Creek, several new members from the North Shuswap.
The passing of Rene, fire closures the following year and now the pandemic, reduced the number of group rides but they are planning more this season. Last year’s rides included Owl Head and Queest in the Sicamous area, Skimikin Lake and Crowfoot Mountain. First in the plans this year is a ride at Larch Hills, which was delayed last year after the fall rains came early. Off-road vehicle (ORV) riding is a good social distancing activity if done properly, said Dave. At the start of the ride, they ask everybody to keep a safe distance, wear a mask if near someone, and to follow the rules and safeguards.
“We do some trail work where we can,” which includes clearing deadfall particularly in the spring. The group also actively fights closures that are unreasonable and tries to educate people on proper behaviour to respect the environment and people doing other activities on the trails.
“In the spring, we want to do some more rides and are working on some trail projects.” An application has been sent to the province to build a new trail in the Sicamous area which will connect the Owl Head trails to Cummins Lake and the Blue Lake area trails.
They are also continuing to work on the “Cache Cabin”, a historic log cabin on Owl Head, on the way to Mara Lookout. The cabin was the halfway point of the two-day trip to the lookout. It was built in the early 1900’s to store supplies for rangers and for people to stay in overnight. There also used to be, in the days before telephone or radio, a telegraph line that went from the Mara Fire Lookout through the Cache Cabin and on to a ranger station located on the channel in Sicamous, he added. A generous grant was received through ATV.BC and in conjunction with the Eagle Valley Snowmobile Club, a major restoration on the cabin has been done. The ancient cabin was rotting from the ground up so professional log cabin builders were hired to jack up the cabin up and replace the bottom rows of logs and install a new floor. Proper drainage has been placed around the cabin to further preserve it and current plans include new windows and roof so it will last for another 100 years. You can drive within a kilometer of it and then walk in. The group hopes it will become a picnic and photographic destination. In winter, it would be a safe place to stay for people who become stranded in the area.
Membership in the Shuswap Backcountry Riders includes a membership to ATV.BC, which advocates for shared trails through responsible use, collaboration with other user groups and volunteer contribution around the province of BC. “We believe that by having all backcountry enthusiasts working together, we can create solutions for preserving continued enjoyment of our mountains.”
ATV.BC members also receive discounts on ORV insurance, maps and recreation guides, and outdoor items.
To join the Shuswap Backcountry Riders or for more information on them, go to www.shuswapbackcountryriders. com or follow them on Facebook.
The Pandemic Can Help Bring Us Closer to Nature
Kathi Cooperman and Christopher Cook take in the view from Lee Creek Bluffs. - photo credit Jim Cooperman
By Jim Cooperman
One positive result of the pandemic is that because we are forced to stay home, many of us are gaining a greater appreciation of our home place. Modern day humans have become hooked on constant stimulation by endless distractions, whether from screens, games or traveling to new places. Now, with the travel option gone, people are flocking to the local trails where they can experience the beneficial power of nature.
There are many books and studies written about the benefits of walking in forests, including the 1984 classic, “The Biophilia Hypothesis” by Edward O. Wilson, that describes how humans possess an innate need to seek connections to nature. The Japanese practice called shinrin youku or forest bathing is a proven therapy that reduces stress, increases happiness, frees up creativity, boosts recovery from illnesses and lowers heart rate and blood pressure.
A recent discovery for me was learning about the medicinal values of breathing in the forest aroma that is filled with pinene aerosols. These chemicals flow from our lungs into our circulatory system where they boost our immune systems. Indigenous peoples were well aware of the antibiotic and antiviral properties of trees and utilized the components in their medicines. Then, of course, there are the psychological values of experiencing nature, as there is nothing like a meditative meander through the woods to clear your mind of anxiety, inspire your creativity and feel more at one with the world around you. While it is always fun to explore new places, there are many benefits to experiencing the same natural surroundings daily. If one lives within walking distance of a forest path, there is much joy in repeating one’s visits. Our need for stimulation from something new everyday can also be achieved by witnessing the changes that are constantly occurring including the weather, the trail conditions, the wildlife, and the seasonal variations, at different times of the day. As well, there is always
something new to discover or become aware of during each visit by using all our senses.
For the last few years, my wife Kathi and I have made it a goal to hike every day that we are not somewhere else on the trail behind our property up to the Lee Creek bluffs where there are extraordinary views of Shuswap Lake, from Copper Island to beyond Chase. Some days we have to slog through deep snow using snowshoes, or tread carefully on the ice using boot crampons. The hike can vary from one hour to three, depending on the conditions and how long we sit on a bench at the top to contemplate, chat and admire the view.
The focus changes daily, from inner thoughts to admiring the trees to observing the new growth in the spring. There are the very special trees that command our attention, including some massive old growth Douglas fir vets with their blackened thick bark from a long-ago forest fire, the giant leaners that defy gravity, the large, two-foot diameter fir that splits into two trunks just a few feet off the ground, the wizened, twisted and bent scrub tree and the wildlife rich snags that are slowly decaying.
It is a steep, challenging climb up th e hillside, but well worth it as these hikes are such a great way to exercise. Last year, I was able to do the hike 142 times and this year it could be even more this winter, given that warm temperatures deter us from skiing. One day, the Lee Creek Bluffs will hopefully become well-used by the public, as part of the CSRD trail network, as it has been in the parks plan for over a decade and the Trail Alliance has prepared the initial design.
We are privileged to live in the Shuswap where there is so much accessible public land to explore and so many diverse trails to enjoy. Despite the pandemic, the good times are always here to experience during any stroll into the forest.
