First Responders

First Responders “911 … What is your emergency?”

Submitted by Karen Boulter

While driving in the North Shuswap, you are likely to see many different animals. They’re beautiful and entertaining to watch. But wildlife and cars on the road together can be a lethal mix.

Historically, the upcoming months of September, October and November have the highest rate of accidents involving wildlife. In the summer, many young creatures become more mobile and are likely to join their parent crossing the road to find new habitat. Many animals travel in groups. If you see one, there may be more following.

As the fall approaches, be extra careful in the early morning or at dusk and during the night. These are times when animals are most likely to be on the road. Please slow down and look ahead into the ditches for movement or the reflection of animal eyes in the headlights. Some animals, especially deer, may panic and freeze in the road. Other animals attempt to escape by continuing to run alongside the road for a time. If it is safe to do so, pull over or slow to a very low speed until the animal leaves the road. Slowing down is the best way to improve reaction time and prevent a collision.

If you do unfortunately, hit an animal, there are a few steps that must be taken. If you are injured, please call 911 for an ambulance. If the animal is still alive, but suffering or is a hazard for other motorists on the road, please call 911 or the RCMP to let them know. If the animal is dead, please report the incident to DriveBC or AIM at 1-866- 222-4204 or online. This organization is equipped to remove the animal from the road. If the animal appears to be someone’s pet, as difficult as it might be, please endeavor to let the owner or someone in the area know. This will allow the owner to grieve now, rather than spending weeks or months searching, fretting, wondering and still grieving their loss.

Thank you for taking the time to be extra vigilant and aware and help to reduce the number of these emotionally upsetting incidents.

Together, ‘We Make A Difference.’

For those of you still looking to order your green with white reflective address sign, you may contact Margaret Needham at 250-679- 2334 or ma.needham49@gmail.com The signs are only $35.00 and can be ordered with the numbers reading across or down, depending upon which way you will like to mount it. Please find the time to order your sign today and prepare ahead to ensure your safety.

Please contact Don Devine at donedevine@gmail.com or call 250-955-2101 to make arrangements and find out more about the home care medical equipment we have available for your use, free of charge.

If you are interested in joining our FR Society, please email Catherine McCrea at cm.nsbc@gmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Dr. Wayne Quinn Chase Chiropractic Clinic

Clinic hours 8:30 - 5:00 Tues & Thurs 822 Hysop Road, Chase, BC 250-679-2900

Tsútswecw Park – Nature and History

By Jo Anne Malpass

With 26 km of trails featuring natural and human history, salmon viewing, and a story trail, there is something for every age and fitness level at Tsútswecw Provincial Park.

Trails in the 1,073-hectare park on 11 km of river are rated from easy in the lower trails to some more difficult in the upper trails.

Along the lower trails, there are several stands with information including about the life cycle of salmon, trees and vegetation, wildlife, indigenous culture and history. To learn even more, volunteers with the Adams River Salmon Society offer Environmental Interpretive WalkAbouts from 10:00 am to noon every Wednesday from June through September.

The Lower Trail System provides access to the viewing areas during the salmon runs and encompasses all the trails south-east of Squilax-Anglemont Road. These include the 3.5 km Cottonwoods Trail along the easterly bank of the river, the 1.5 km Island Loop around a small island by the river channel and

the 1.5 k Phil Rexin Memorial Trail, now the story trail. The Story Trail opened in June 2019. Using QR codes, hikers will hear First Nations youth from Chase Secondary School narrate information about the park environment, the story of the native plants and landscape features found along the trail.

The upper trails, Wade Road and Flume Trail System encompass all the trails north of the Squilax-Anglemont Road. These scenic trails offer an impressive array of human and natural history.

They include Packer Trail which follows an old horse packer’s trail and Adams Trail following Adams River until it ends at Gold Creek. These two trails link, permitting a loop to be made back to the old road. Canyon and Canyon Pool is a favourite area on the Adams Trail for anglers and picnickers. Hikers can view rafters and kayakers as they test their skills through the canyon section of the river. Below the canyon is a large pool with a sandy beach.

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Historic Flume on the west side of the river follows a historic log flume. There are also five unique bridges and the impressive Bear Creek Falls on this route. A historic flume for floating logs to the Adams River from Skmana Lake dates to the early part of the last century. Some of the original timbers that supported the flume are still in place. Adams Lake Lumber (Interfor) employees re-constructed a portion of flume to the original design.

Bikes are not permitted in some areas due to visitor safety concerns, geography and trail design. Please refer to park maps for restricted areas. Bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within the Park.

Some trails are suitable for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Some facilities and hiking trails are wheelchair-accessible.

The park was established in 1977 to conserve and protect the spawning beds used by sockeye, chinook, coho and pink salmon. Though the park was originally named after conservationist Roderick Haig-Brown (1908 – 1976), the park was renamed in 2018 to Tsútswecw, the traditional Secwepemc name, and translates to “many rivers.” Archaeological studies of the area have uncovered evidence of large settlements. Depressions from kekulis (pit houses), artifacts and pictographs (rock paintings) can still be seen in the (Continued on page 46)

Brenda Melnychuk, with summer student Tyler Williams, lead an environmental interpretive walk about at Tsútswecw Provincial Park. Kicker staff photo

Map below from BC Parks website

Thank you to everyone who participated in and donated to our 2020 Golf Event! Special Thanks to Shuswap Lake Estates Golf Course for hosting our 2nd Annual Golf Event! !! A special shout out to all our dedicated volunteers and to all who have donated to NSHC in 2020!

• Centenoka Park Mall • Hegyi Refrigeration &

Mechanical Ltd. • North Shuswap Lions Club • Cottonwood Cove RV Resort • Spooner Electric Ltd. • Jimco Towing Ltd. • Celista Cabinetry

• Cutting Edge Construction • SASCU • Scotch Creek Market • Safety Mart Foods • Jubilee RV Centre • Darla Miller, Sotheby’s

International Realty

• Ross Creek Country Store • Scotch Creek Bottle Depot • North Shuswap Kicker • Salmon Arm Observer • Dave’s Auto Repair • Fidelity Investments Canada • iA Clarrington Investments Inc. • Paul Jackson, Next Level

Financial - Lee Creek • Pimco Canada Corp. • Centurion Asset Mgmt. Inc. • Kris Jensen • Dr. Dinesh Mistry • Dr. Mark Hickman • Bill Long - PharmaChoice • Dave’s Auto Repair • Paradise Pizza • I RRR Painting • Nutters Everyday Naturals • Pedro’s Farm & Garden Market • Sunnybrae Vineyard & Winery • Larch Hills Winery • Dreamcycle Motorcycle Museum • Visual Signs & Printing • Essential Wellness Studio & Mobile

Massage • Lori Ryerse • Carol Hoffman • Renette Benning • Norm Miller • Karen Freeman

• Rust Valley Restorers • Celista Estate Winery • Captains Village Marina • Village U-Brew • Shuswap Lake Estates Golf Course • Tappen Co-op • Canadian Tire - Salmon Arm • Recline Ridge Vineyards & Winery Ltd. • Waterside Vineyard & Winery • Buckerfields • Duffer’s Den Restaurant & Lounge • Angie Clark • Darren Wilkinson • Fernando Cupello • Shuswap Soles Footcare • Gwen Brillon • Jerry Pfau

Triton Donates Ramp to NS Health Centre

By Jo Anne Malpass

Not knowing if they could fit it into the budget, the North Shuswap Health Centre Society decided to get a quote for a ramp to assist seniors and people with mobility issues enter the clinic, especially since Covid hit and it became an issue to lend your arm to people, Executive Director Gail McNeil -Oliver told the Kicker.

“This year it really became apparent to me that we needed a ramp, just watching too many people struggle to get in and out of the clinic.”

Society Chair Lorna Joy Pawluk approached Triton Docks owner Jason Martinson for a quote. Instead of providing a quote, Triton employee Mike Peters showed up to measure at the clinic “and there was no question, they had made the decision to do this for the clinic, for the community and to donate all supplies and man hours to complete the clinic ramp,” said McNeil-Oliver.

“I was blown away at what they made and how much thought they put into the design,” she said. They really understood the needs of seniors and people with mobility issues. Jason and Mike did a fantastic job and for them, this was about supporting the community and the health centre.

Triton Docks owner Jason Martinson (right) and Mike Peters install a ramp donated by Triton to assist people entering the NS Health Centre. Photo by Gail McNeil-Oliver

Tsútswecw Park – Nature & History cont’

(Continued from page 45) area. All are strictly protected.

Wildlife is abundant in this riverside area including whitetail and mule deer, black bear, beaver, river otter and mink. During the salmon run, eagles are often seen.

The park is located on both sides of the Adams River. There are three trailheads in this park. From the Adams River bridge, head east 1 km to the main parking lot on the right. The Raft Pullout parking area (to access the Upper Adams River Gorge), is just after the bridge on the left. From the bridge, head west to The Bear Creek Flume Trails parking area, turn right/west off Squilax-Anglemont Rd onto Holding Rd and continue along this road watching for the trailhead sign on your right, and a parking lot sign on the left. For the Upper Flume Trail, cross the bridge and park, right, on the old road.