Columbia Valley Pioneer - October 23, 2025

VALLEY NEWS

Residents petition for fair taxation

Columbia Valley Pioneer staff

While RDEK officials and staff celebrate the completion of the Cold Spring Creek Debris Flow Mitigation Project, a number of Fairmont residents are doing the opposite.

A petition has circulated garnering more than 200 names for fair and equitable taxation in the local service area. The petition has been sent to the RDEK board and local MLA Scott McInnis and MP Rob Morrison.

Property owners in the Fairmont Flood and Landslide Local Service Area call for immediate action to address financial and procedural concerns arising from the mitigation project “to ensure that future projects are conducted with full transparency, accountability, resident input and financial equity.”

The petition states the $13.6 million project has imposed a severe financial burden on approximately 1,100 property owners rather than being funded provincially and/or federally.

However, the RDEK states that funding for the project included $750,000 from the UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, $150,000 from the Fairmont Flood and Landslide Service Area, $475,000 from the Community Works Fund, $9.7 million from Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, $2 million in disaster risk reduction funding from the UBCM, and $500,000 from the Growing Communities Fund.

The petition also states the proj-

ect was approved using director consent by Area F director Susan Clovechok rather than elector assent, despite earlier indications that a public vote would be required, bypassing meaningful resident and property owners input.

Clovechok told the Pioneer she respects the concerns expressed by Fairmont residents.

“As discussed at the October 10 RDEK board meeting, staff will be providing a response to the petition as our ongoing commitment to accountability and transparency,” she said.  In the interim, she encourages petitioners to reach out to the BC Ombudsperson's Office responsible for investigating complaints about local and provincial public sector organizations to ensure fairness and accountability.

The property owners say that ongoing maintenance costs and an additional capital cost of $1,150,000 are being borne solely by them, with further tax increases anticipated in perpetuity.

“The project addresses a federally controlled waterway on private land, yet the financial responsibility has been placed on a small group of local property owners, raising concerns about fairness and government overreach,” the petition says. It points out that other areas, such as Dutch Creek, benefit from shared infrastructure but are not contributing to the local service area’s costs, highlighting inequities in funding allocation.

“Residents and property owners fear that a proposed large-scale

project on Fairmont Creek could further increase taxes without adequate consultation or consideration of financial impacts,” the petition goes on to say.

Property owners have asked the RDEK and local politicians to conduct a full review of the project by investigating the decision-making process. They also want to see elector assent for future projects (a public vote for any future projects that significantly impact area taxes). In addition, they want advocation for provincial and federal funding to support projects involving federally controlled waterways or shared in-

frastructure.

Furthermore, the property owners want to see better consultation on future projects including full disclosure of costs, alternatives, and impacts before decisions are made.

The petition calls for caps on tax increases and maintenance costs to prevent perpetual financial burden on property owners, and a halt to new, large-scale projects until concerns are addressed.

“We cannot afford to bear this burden alone,” the petition says.

The Pioneer reached out to McInnis and Morrison for comment but did not hear back by press time.

Environmental mischief dismays many

Columbia Valley Pioneer staff

Dumping dish soap in a waterfall pond as a joke is no laughing matter to residents of the Pineridge Mountain community.

The recent act, which contaminated the pond at the resort entrance, has prompted an investigation and calls for environmental awareness.

Kristin Anderson, who is completing her certification to be a nature therapy guide, discovered the disturbing scene on October 14 while walking her dog up a trail in the area. She came upon two nearly empty bottles of concentrated dish soap.

“Because I was above the waterfall and pond, I could see it clearly through the trees and noticed it was white. She thought to herself, ‘No way!’ This was something you would see in a movie, not in real life.

Anderson immediately reported the incident

and spent the afternoon taking notes, making phone calls and meeting the RCMP. A whirlwind of thoughts soon invaded her mind: Who would do such a thing and why?

“The earth is alive. It responds to these things (acts), just as a person would if you added or took away too much from their homeostasis or stability of their body’s natural functions.”

Yes, but it’s just a rock. “You’re going to care a lot about that rock if it is the last one holding up the ground you’re standing on,” Anderson said. She explained that humans are meant to interact with the earth and learn from it.

vironment and to teach people how to care for the land rather than just use it, noting the healing power of nature is unbelievable.

She has spent the last several months learning how precious water is with the help of Wildsight, stewards Pat and Baiba Morrow, Living Lakes Canada, First Nations, and the Lake Windermere Ambassadors. So, when she saw the mischief at the pond, she was overwhelmed and disheartened.

“It is a relationship; give and take. It is pretty straight forward that if we don’t care for our body or even our house, it will fall apart. Why don’t we see the earth like that?”

“That concentration of soap will kill the salamanders, frogs, and bugs who have been using this pond to live. How will this affect the other wildlife and plants?”

Anderson said she joined the grassroots organization Wildsight to learn more about the en-

Anderson said the Pineridge strata group has to decide how to address the situation and what cleanup will entail (and the cost).

The incident prompted many expressions of sadness and anger on Facebook.

Invermere and District Hospital staff, Interior Health officials and donors gather around the new ultrasound machine that is making a "big difference" in service.

New ultrasound already hard at work

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

The new ultrasound machine has been in place at the Invermere and District Hospital for a month now and has already made a big difference.

Representatives from the hospital, Interior Health, and the East Kootenay Foundation for Health (EKFH) met on October 15 with community members and donors for a formal grand opening.

Interior Health director of medical imaging for the Kootenay region Scott Edmonstone patted the ultrasound and told those gathered that it was “the Cadillac” of ultrasounds — a state of the art machine with cutting edge technology. Images taken by it are “higher quality images than regular ultrasound” and will go directly into Interior Health public access control (PAC) archives, explained Edmonstone, adding that the new device is also much more easily upgraded than typical pointof-care ultrasounds, meaning it has a longer lifespan.

Local medical sonographer Amelia Birnie said the machine has been in place since August 29 and that she’s seen about 50 patients a week so far. “It’s been great, it’s been busy,” Birnie told the Pioneer, adding patients seem very happy not to be travelling to Cranbrook or further afield to get an ultrasound.

Edmonstone said the ultrasound will serve an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 patients a year, and that some (possibly even as many as 500) may even come from Cranbrook, Kimberley, Golden and other outly-

ing areas to Invermere to get an ultrasound  — a sharp reversal of the usual situation.

Invermere hospital chief of staff Dr. Chris Sveen said the machine is a “significant milestone” in keeping care accessible, noting transportation can be a big issue for many patients.

Local registered nurse Karl Nielsen spoke to illustrate how helpful the new ultrasound can be in that regard. Nielsen and his partner have a new baby daughter, born on July 7. During the pregnancy doctors feared there may be complications with the birth, so Nielsen and his partner had to get three ultrasounds in Calgary, two in Golden and two in Cranbrook.

Given the drive time to these places that meant eight full days off work for Nielsen. That was no problem for Nielsen, but he outlined it could easily be a big deal for many Columbia Valley families: with two working parents, it could mean a collective total of 16 unpaid days away from work.

“That’s a major financial impact,” said Nielsen.

The machine now means those eight trips to Calgary, Golden and Cranbrook aren’t necessary. All the imaging can now be done in Invermere, and parents probably only need to take an hour or so off work for each ultrasound instead of a full day, he explained.

EKFH executive director Brenna Hong thanked the donors present, and said credit for the machine also belongs to Edmonstone and Dr. Gareth Mannheimmer, who worked hard to secure the new device.

She said the Invermere hospital is lucky to have Birnie, and noted there is a province-wide lack of qualified technicians to operate such new ultrasounds. There’s just not enough space in training programs to change that soon, explained Hong, adding that she knows the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)’s diagnostic medical sonography program recently had

more than 900 applicants for the available 40 seats.

The EKFH ran a major fundraising campaign — ‘Beneath the Surface’ — earlier this year to pay for the ultrasound, with $150,000 donated by the Invermere Health Care Auxiliary, $20,000 donated by the Panorama Foundation, and more than $171,000 donated by local community members.

Mischief of the worst kind

Some people do some shameful, irresponsible things in life . . . like pour dish soap in a waterfall pond, namely the one at Pineridge Mountain Resort.

Within minutes this lovely water feature was turned into a soapy mass reminiscent of the 1968 film ‘The Party’ starring Peter Sellers. While that movie was hilarious, the stunt pulled at Pineridge was far from it. That pond is (was) home to wildlife such as frogs and salamanders that rely on this small but special habitat. The thoughtless act also contaminated the plant life that birds and insects feed on.

Spray painting a wall or smashing a window is one thing; they can be cleaned or replaced, but compromising a pond’s ecosystem is a totally different matter that can have dire consequences to wildlife.

The perpetrator likely had a good laugh at the expense of the environment, not realizing the damage done or how nature benefits the human race, including this individual’s own existence.

Organizations like Wildsight, Living Lakes Canada, and Lake Windermere’s ambassadors work very hard to raise this awareness, and to see somebody totally disregard the fundamentals of environmental stewardship is a travesty.

If the perpetrator does not have the courage to turn themselves in and make things right (community service?), the hope is they learn something from this transgression and puts their enthusiasm into other, more positive pursuits. Such as volunteer work for one of the aforementioned organizations, which would be a great way to make amends.

Our environment is constantly being chipped away by the ignorance of humankind. Every day we lose another piece of it, pieces that cannot be mended or retrieved.

People have to start thinking outside of themselves and realize how their actions impact nature, their best friend in their fight for survival. Unfortunately, society compels us to chase the dollar, which propagates greed and selfishness, but we must protect our greatest asset— the environment, before it’s beyond protecting.

Lyonel Doherty, editor

OPINION

Historical Lens

Senior couple, not group of men

In the October 2 issue of The Columbia Valley Pioneer, it was reported that a group of men drove

a Toyota Tacoma and camper up to Farnham Glacier and got stuck because of brake trouble. In fact it was a senior man and his wife, not a group of men.

Fort Point STR gets temporary permit

Council mulls raising STR licensing fees to $700

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

A short-term rental (STR) in the Fort Point neighbourhood that operated illegally for several months got a temporary use permit (TUP) last week from Invermere council, but was held to fewer guests than the owners wanted.

The STR is on a triangular lot where 4th Avenue splits, wedged between the Bayshore condos to the east and the Pynelogs Rotary ball diamond to the west. The owners — a Canmore couple — sought a TUP for 10 guests, higher than the maximum of eight guests allowed under Invermere’s STR regulations. These regulations came into effect in May 2024, and aside from limiting STRs to eight guests, also require most STRs in residential neighbourhoods to have TUPs in addition to business licences.

Short-term rentals have been a big topic in Invermere for a long time, with many residents voicing opinions in favour of rules to govern them. By fall 2024 and early winter 2025 District of Invermere officials were spending countless hours dealing with STRs and TUP applications, and almost every council meeting featured multiple discussions on specific cases. In recent months, however, that flood has slowed to a trickle as most STRs here have either gotten the necessary permits or closed up shop.

Invermere planner Rory Hromadnik told Invermere councillors that it took some prodding to finally get the 4th Avenue STR to apply for a TUP.

“They were operating as an STR illegally,” said Hromadnik. The district sent a notice of noncompliance in December 2024; then after some back and forth with the owners, the district submitted a takedown request to the British Columbia

government’s STR data portal to have the STR removed from online platforms such as AirBnB and VRBO, explained Hromadnik. He added that district staff reviewing the application found an unregistered secondary suite on the property. Complications about how exactly to deal with the suite slowed the application process further.

Councillor Gerry Taft was fine with 10 guests at the particular site, saying “this is one of the least private lots in Invermere . . . it’s not on a quiet culde-sac . . . 10 is reasonable for this lot.”

But other councillors were troubled it had taken so long and so much prodding for the owners to submit the TUP application. “I’m concerned about their (the owners’) ability to follow through on what they should be doing,” said councillor Kayja Becker. “The noncompliance is a concern for me,” added councillor Grant Kelly.

“I’m keen on eight (guest maximum). We want neighbourhoods to feel like neighbourhoods. We created that limit (of eight guests) for a reason,” said councillor Theresa Wood.

The application attracted a letter of concern from Fort Point residents John and Joan Rouse who wrote that the owners were blatantly operating without applying for permission; and that there’s been loud outdoor gatherings and up to five or six vehicles plus a camper trailer at the STR in the past.

In the end, councillors granted the TUP to the STR, but kept the guest limit at eight.

On a separate but related note, councillors also heard from planning consultants last week about raising business licence fees for STRs.

The consultants recommended keeping fees for most kinds of regular business licences the same, but proposed raising initial STR licence application fees from $400 to $700, and renewal fees from $150 to $500.

Hromadnik explained to councillors the increases are meant to help cover the cost of processing the applications. “There are a lot more phone calls, more emails, and more paperwork

(than initially thought),” he said.

Hromadnik broke down the cost associated with issuing STR permits and estimated the total the district spends on dealing with them works out to more than $600 per licence.

Invermere mayor Al Miller felt the suggested fee raises were “very reasonable. In the STR business they’re going to be making that back pretty quick.”

The STR licence fee hikes are merely a proposal at this time, and council hasn’t taken any formal action yet. But the matter will come up again at a future committee of the whole meeting or council meeting, after district staff and consultants refine their plans.

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John Bergenske receives KCP award

John Bergenske with his 2025 East Kootenay Conservation Leadership Award for his love and dedication for all living things.

Kootenay Conservation Program

Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) is proud to announce the recipients of its annual Conservation Leadership Awards, which recognize one person from a partner organization in both the East and West Kootenay who has demonstrated leadership, innovation, and dedication to conservation. The awards were announced earlier this month as part of the 2025 KCP Fall Gathering held in Fernie.

In the East Kootenay, the 2025 honour goes to John Bergenske with Wildsight, who received a framed custom photograph by Pat Morrow of Buster Lake and the Bugaboos.

John is a charismatic leader, whose passion and commitment to protecting all living things has resulted in extraordinary contributions to protecting the lands, waters and wildlife of the region, while inspiring the next generation of conservation leaders. John has been an active member and leader of the conservation community in the Kootenays for over 50 years. He came to Canada in the early 1970s and was a founding member of Wildsight (originally named the East Kootenay Environmental Society), serving as campaign and executive director for more than 10 years. He is now Wildsight’s strategic advisor.

John is solutions-oriented and values-based, building effective partnerships to advance conservation efforts. He is equally skilled at government relations and policy change as he is on the ground; a unique combination in the conservation community, and one that means the policy changes he is advocating for – including wildlife, forestry, and protected areas – are deeply grounded and informed by the reality here in the Kootenays. He excels at finding alignment on shared values amongst what are often referred to as non-traditional allies, and has an incredible skill in bringing the right people to the table that collectively can make things happen. His approach to building relationships is grounded in authenticity, integrity, and shared valuesit’s through these relationships that he is able to accomplish so much.

John’s accomplishments in conservation are many. He was instrumental in establishing St. Mary’s Alpine Park and the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy in the early 1970s. He was key to the designation of the

protected areas and parks that came out of BC’s Commission on the Environment and Resources in the 1990s, and worked to establish the Columbia Wetlands and East Columbia Lake Wildlife Management Areas.

In addition to Wildsight, he has been instrumental in founding other East Kootenay organizations focused on conservation. These include the Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society, a diverse group of stakeholders committed to the conservation and restoration of the grasslands and open forest of the Rocky Mountain Trench, and the BC Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Coalition, bringing together a unique group of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and businesses to advocate for biodiversity, ecosystem health and the long-term health of fish, wildlife and habitat in BC.

He has conducted extensive field research on both mountain caribou and grizzly bears in the region, as a contribution to the Mountain Caribou Recovery Plan, which included the protection of 2.2 million hectares from logging and motorized access.

John applies practical solutions to conservation issues, such as being deeply involved in the certification of Tembec’s (now Canfor) forest operations in the East Kootenay under Forest Stewardship Council certification. He was pivotal in achieving higher environmental standards at the Skookumchuck Pulp Mill, reducing effluent and improving emissions. He has been an active member of ‘Organizing for Change’ for over ten years, a coalition of 12 of BC’s Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs) working to collectively advance environmental policy priorities.

John has also worked to build meaningful relationships with many Indigenous community members and works to advance Indigenousled conservation.

John’s work continues, with a large focus on protecting the southern Rocky Mountain Wildlife Corridor: from the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park to the Banff Protected Areas Complex, including the Flathead, Wigwam and Elk Valleys. He works closely with a diverse group of partners, including local guide outfitters and the BC Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, to steward this vital connectivity corridor. Continued on page 9

MLA McInnis expands shadow cabinet role

Columbia

Valley Pioneer staff

Local MLA Scott McInnis has expanded his responsibilities by taking on additional portfolios within the Official Opposition’s Shadow Cabinet.

McInnis is now sharing his current role as Deputy Shadow Minister for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation with the Leader of the Official Opposition, John Rustad. Additionally, McInnis will serve as Shadow Minister for Tourism, Resort Municipalities, and the Columbia Basin Trust.

“I’m honoured to take on these additional portfolios and look forward to working with communities locally and across British Columbia to support and strengthen our tourism sector,” said McInnis.

The MLA noted that resort municipalities are vital economic and cultural hubs, and he’s committed to advocating for policies that promote sustainable growth and local prosperity.

“With five of the province’s 14 designated resort municipalities located within Columbia River-Revelstoke, this role is a natural fit for me and

our caucus.”

McInnis will also add the Columbia Basin Trust to his portfolio, which was previously held by MLA Pete Davis (Kootenay–Rockies). “Pete is very active on the mining file and is doing an outstanding job there,” said McInnis. “It’s again a natural fit again for me to accept this role, and one that I am excited to tackle.”

Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation becomes the only shared critic role within the Official Opposition, which McInnis addressed. “There are so many critical issues in the file right now which will require a team approach. There’s only one person in our caucus who knows it better than I do—and that’s John Rustad.”

Rustad served as Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation from 2013-2017 where he signed over 430 agreements province wide.

“You’re going to see a stark increase in the criticism of this government on the IRR file moving forward,” said McInnis. “The stakes are extremely high, and this government is intentionally keeping the public in the dark with exactly what they’re up to,” he added.

Conservation award

Continued from page 8

He is a member of the Minister’s Wildlife Advisory Council and was pivotal in establishing the East Kootenay Wildlife Habitat Advisory Council, part of the Together for Wildlife Strategy. He continues to advocate for policy changes to better protect wildlife and biodiversity, including changes to the Wildlife Act and implementation of the Old Growth Strategic Review.

“John's work continues with a large focus on protecting the southern Rocky Mountain Wildlife Corridor.”

- KCP

John has helped to actively mentor numerous colleagues over the decades, supporting the next generation to step into leadership roles within Wildsight. He believes in people’s ability to channel their unique skills and will provide effective encouragement and constructive criticism to steer them in the right direction.

John’s advice for young people

interested in conservation and stewardship work is to “be grounded in nature and accept impermanence. Follow your passion - know your issue and its context. Share your understanding with others; develop relationships based on trust. Find or create communities with a common cause. Focus your efforts where they are most likely to influence outcomes. Be respectful. Persist. Find your joy in contributing to the joy of all living beings.”

John’s lifelong commitment, passion, and contributions have created an incredible conservation legacy in the Kootenays and beyond.

For the West Kootenay, the 2025 recipient is Gregoire Lamoureux, recognized for his leadership with Slocan River Streamkeepers. Gregoire received a beautiful framed photograph by Lucas Jmieff called ‘Slocan River Serenity’.

Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) is a partnership of over 85 organizations that work together for connected habitats and landscapes in the Kootenays that sustain biodiversity and naturally functioning resilient ecosystems that, in turn, support community well-being. Learn more at www.kootenayconservation.ca.

Rustad said McInnis works extremely hard, adding he is eager to share this role with the MLA as they address the many difficult challenges which lie ahead on the Indigenous file.

“Scott has done a first-class job with this very intense, sensitive, and demanding role. He has shown tremendous leadership within our caucus when meeting these challenges head-on,” said Rustad.

When approached by John Rustad about the Shadow Cabinet shuffle, McInnis made it clear that he didn’t want to leave the Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation file behind. “I’m too invested. Without a doubt, I’ve learned far too much and formed too many trustworthy relationships to simply walk away from this work,” said McInnis.

With internal reorganization complete, McInnis emphasized the Official Opposition’s renewed focus. “British Columbians are facing economic, housing, and health care crises. They want tough questions asked and real solutions brought forward—and that’s exactly what we intend to deliver.”

COLUMBIA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

OUT OF OFFICE…

Business Excellence Awards

Tomorrow night is the night - the Business Excellence Awards are upon us! This is the 26th annual celebration of business in the Columbia Valley and is taking place on Friday October 24th from 6pm until we are too tired to celebrate anymore.

This night is to celebrate the businesses that go above in beyond in different categories – the winners are… going to be announced at the awards ceremony, silly. Don’t worry if you can’t make it, we will also list the winners here next week.

Important as it is to celebrate the businesses that were nominated by the public and selected by a committee of business people from across the valley, it is equally important to recognize and celebrate the sponsors that ensure that this incredible event can happen every year. Their generosity helps make this event the celebration that it has been for the last 26 years!

Let’s start with the major sponsors:

Red Carpet & Photo Booth Sponsor

Avenue

Cocktail Sponsor

Invermere Home Hardware

Ceremony Sponsor

College of the Rockies

Venue Sponsor

Ridgeview Resort

General Sponsor

Columbia Basin Trust

Audio Visual Sponsor EZ Mode AV

The Award Sponsors are:

Community Builder

Columbia Valley Community Foundation

Environmental Stewardship

Kicking Horse Coffee

Outstanding Customer Service:

2DayFM

Tourism Impact

Travel Columbia Valley

Employer of the Year

Palliser Printing and Signs

Youth Entrepreneur of the Year

Aspire Professional Corporation CPA

New Business of the Year

Avail CPA

Non-Profit/Association of the Year

Columbia Valley Pioneer Newspaper

Small Business of the Year (1-10 Employees)

Invermere Bosley’s by Pet Valu

Large Business of the Year (11+ Employees)

Horsethief Creek Pub & Eatery

This year’s catering will be canapés by Scallywag Galley, and the awards themselves have been created by Invermere Makerspace this year! The bar will be run by the Lake Windermere Lions Club this year, and there will also be an after party at Ullr, so best keep those party shoes on! If you might be needing a ride, be it home, or to the next party, please note that Dara’s Dolphins will have a special rate for the BEA’s, so book now!

We look forward to seeing you this Friday and celebrating the finalists, the winners and the sponsors – here’s to local business!

-Deanna Berrington

Thursday, October 23

10:00am-12:00pm: Financial Literacy Workshop Series – Session 4 – Cash is King! with Marloes Van Lent from Day2Day Books. Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce. Join us to discover practical cash flow strategies that help small businesses stay profitable, prepared, and in control. Each session is $25 ($35 for non-members). Register at cvchamber.ca

• 1:30pm-3:30pm: Seniors’ Health Fair. Columbia Valley Centre. An information exposition to inform all valley seniors about health, wellness and safety resources and services. Free entry. Coffee and goodies; lots of door prizes. Everyone welcome!

• 10:15am-12:15pm: Tech Time with CBAL. Invermere Library. A volunteer with CBAL will be available for one-on-one 1 hour appointments to try and answer your tech related questions! Contact the library to book your time! Time slots available are 10:15, 11:15 or 12:15. Please be sure to bring your charged devices and any questions you may have!

• 10:30am-11:30am: Senior’s Fitness Columbia Valley Centre, $2 dropin.

• 11:30am-12:30pm: Little Lambs Baby Group. Radium Public Library. Stories, rhymes, and songs for babies and their caregivers! Every Thursday!

• 6:45pm: Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Invermere Legion. $30 buy-in. 7:30pm: Families Housing that Fits. Zoom meeting with host Ben Postmus. Inclusive and supportive housing in your community. diversefamilyroots@gmail.com

• 7:30pm: Trivia Night Windermere Whitehouse Pub. Host Mandi Cox $3/ person, teams of more than 6 will be split into two groups. Ages 19+

Friday, October 24

• 6:00pm-10:00pm: 26th Annual Business Excellence Awards Columbia Valley Centre. Your Columbia Valley Chamber invites you to the business event of the year, the 26th Annual Business Excellence Awards! Walk the red carpet and enjoy a night of food, drink and laughter as we celebrate all things business in our spectacular region.

• 10:30am-11:30am: Friday Family Storytime. Invermere Public Library. Join us in the Children’s Area of the library for stories, songs & a craft! Geared towards preschool age, but all welcome.

• 2:00pm-3:00pm: Friday Fundays! Invermere Public Library. Friday Fundays are back! Join us for various STEAM and Craft projects. Registration is required for Friday Fundays this year! Contact the Invermere Library to register. Must register by the day before a program, at the latest. Drop-off for ages 7+ (ages 5-6 must be with a guardian). This week: Making Silly Slime.

• 6:30pm - close: Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion! Members and guests welcome!

• 7:00pm-10:00pm: Columbia Valley Rockies vs Kimberley Dynamiters

Saturday, October 25

• 2:00pm-4:00pm: ERHA Halloween Tea & Bake Sale. Edgewater Community Hall. Everyone welcome! There will be a Money Board Draw and a well-loved book and small item garage sale; entry only $7. Edgewater Radium Healthcare Auxiliary is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for community programs such as a yearly bursary for a local student pursuing a medical career, specialized equipment for Invermere & District Hospital, holiday gift packages to local seniors are just a few project that ERHA provides in the community.

• 2:00pm-3:00pm: Read It & Eat! Invermere Library. Read it and Eat is a cookbook club where we choose a featured cookbook each month, participants choose a recipe to make, and then bring the dish to the meeting to enjoy food and good company! October’s cookbook: Pass the Plate by Carolina Gelen. Stop by the library to choose a recipe from the cookbook and photocopy it. If you have the cookbook at home, please contact us to register and let us know which recipe you will make: Make the dish at home, bring it to the meeting and enjoy with other participants, bring a container or two for leftovers. All adults welcome! Registration Required, please contact the Invermere library.

• 3:00pm-5:00pm: Downtown Invermere Trick or Treat 2025 Downtown Invermere. Get ready for a spooktacular time! Put on your best costume and visit participating businesses displaying the Trick or Treat poster in their windows. There will be treats and festive fun for the whole family! All children 12 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult! Come join us for some frightfully fun Halloween magic in the heart of Invermere!

• 10:30am-11:30am: Saturday Family Story Time. Invermere Public Library. Join us in the Children’s Area of the library for stories, songs & a craft! Geared towards preschool age, but all welcome. Fridays and Saturdays!

• 11:00am-12:30pm: LEGO/Duplo Club Invermere Public Library. We'll have Lego, Duplo, big blocks & more out to play with on Saturday mornings! All ages welcome.

• 3:00pm-4:30pm: Buddy Reading. Invermere Public Library. Practice reading aloud one-on-one with a staff member to build skill, confidence and a love of reading! 30 minute sessions at 3:00, 3:30 or 4:00 pm. By Appointment Only!! Contact Invermere Library to sign up.

• 6:30pm: Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion! Members and guests welcome!

Sunday, October 26

• 2:00pm: Cards, Cribbage and Darts Come to the Legion and have some fun! Members and guests welcome.

• 7:00pm: Live Music Horsethief Creek Pub & Eatery. Accompanied minors are permitted. No cover.

• 7:30pm: Dads Matter. Zoom meeting with host Ben Postmus. Dads connecting, Dads Supporting, Dads Inspiring. Do you have a son or

daughter with Diverse Abilities? So do I. diversefamilyroots@gmail.com

Monday, October 27

10:00am-11:00am: Senior's Yoga Columbia Valley Centre, Invermere. $2 drop in, open to all seniors.

3:00pm-4:30pm: Buddy Reading. Invermere Public Library. Practice reading aloud one-on-one with a staff member to build skill, confidence and a love of reading! 30 minute sessions at 3:00, 3:30 or 4:00 pm. By Appointment Only!! Contact Invermere Library to sign up.

Tuesday, October 28

• 1:00pm-2:00pm: Nidus Personal Planning Webinar. Invermere Library Mezzanine. Nidus will join us for a Webinar about personal planning. Personal planning is about planning for incapacity, end of life and other support needs (wills etc.) The webinar will take place in the Mezzanine at the library. All welcome to attend; more info at nidus.ca

• 2:00pm-3:00pm: Novel Idea Book Club. Invermere Library. Novel Idea will be discussing Yellowface by R.F Kuang this month. Pick up a copy at the circulation desk; please contact the library to request a large print version of the book. All welcome to attend!

• 10:30am-11:30am: Senior’s Fitness. Columbia Valley Centre, $2 drop-in.

• 10:30am-11:20am: Home School Meet Up. Invermere Public Library. Weekly Meetup. Drop-in, all ages programming with STEAM play, group activities and art projects. Contact the Invermere Library to get on the Homeschool Email list! This week: Boardgames, Challenges, & Madlibs.

• 7:30pm: Families on Tuesday. Zoom meeting with host Ben Postmus. Families connecting, Families Sharing, Families Supporting Families: Support, Listening, Sharing, Connecting. diversefamilyroots@gmail.com

Wednesday, October 29

• 6:00pm-8:00pm: Craft Connections Club (for Adults). Invermere Library. This month The Columbia Valley Weaving & Spinning group will join us to show us how to weave on a table top loom! They will bring plenty of examples of what kinds of woven goods can be created. Join us for an evening of hands-on learning! Space is limited. Registration is required. Please contact the library to register. All adults welcome!

• 10:00am-11:00am: Senior's Yoga Columbia Valley Centre, $2 drop-in.

• 2:00pm-3:00pm: Sewcial Hour. Invermere Public Library. Bring your textile or fiber arts projects and come and enjoy a cup of tea and connect with other makers! All welcome to attend, no registration necessary.

• 6:00pm-9:00pm: Wednesday Dinners & Meat Draw & 50/50 Invermere Legion. All welcome.

WASTE REDUCTION

week

Waste Reduction week is now! Thoughtful action can make a huge difference.

The goal of Waste Reduction Week is to educate individuals and organizations about major waste streams and topics with the goal of reducing what ends up in landfills across the country.

When you take action, you’re working towards protecting the planet and prioritizing people. Remember that there are a variety of ways for you to take action.

REPAIR

Repair is a great way to save money, learn new skills, and support your local repair shops and tradespeople. Repairing something instead of replacing it prevents the need for a new product to be made, preventing the creation of 80-95% of greenhouse gas emissions. The repair movement is big, diverse, and growing. Repair organizations and community repair groups exist all over the world.

SWAP

Canadians from coast to coast host and attend clothing and item swaps – a great way to save money, clear space in your home, get things for free, and connect with your community. It can be so simple to keep everyday products in circulation by taking part in events in your community, school, or workplace. Ski swaps, bike swaps, clothing swaps, the opportunities are endless.

SHARING

What if you need to buy something new, like a lawn aerator or a table saw for that project you’ve been putting off? You can avoid purchasing new things – or anything at all – by borrowing and lending with your local community.

By sharing you can save money and reduce demand for the manufacturing of new things. Think about it – how many times would you need that table saw over the next 5 years, and how much space would it take up in your home?

E-WASTE

Electronic waste (e-waste) includes unwanted electronic equipment, such as smart devices and used cables, as well as batteries and fluorescent lights (including compact fluorescent lights). The parts that make up your electronics, such as steel, glass, copper, aluminum, plastics and precious metals, can be recovered and made into new products. E-waste is hazardous material. Over time, electronics can leak toxic elements, like mercury and lead, which can be harmful to the environment and to humans. If thrown in the garbage, device batteries can cause fires at landfills. Donating your electronics for reuse or recycling them at safely managed sites helps control the hazards. Recycling also allows reliable resources found in electronics — recyclable plastics and even gold — to be reclaimed.

To find e-waste disposal options, or to learn more about recycling and waste reduction in our region, visit engage.rdek.bc.ca/recycle

PLASTIC WASTE

Since the 1950s 8.3 billion tons of plastic has been generated around the world and only 23 per cent of those plastics have been recovered or recycled. It is estimated that an additional 12 billion tonnes of plastic will be lost to disposal by 2050. Approximately 40% of the plastic produced each year is packaging, used once and thrown away.

Did you know that some shampoo bottles, shoes and other materials are being produced using plastic waste recovered from oceans? You can now build a deck with recycled plastic lumber and buy boots made from plastic water bottles.

TEXTILE WASTE

Globally, textiles waste has increased dramatically due to the rise in clothing consumption and production. In 2021, a report estimated over 1.3 billion kg of used and waste apparel were disposed of in Canada. Of this, about 240,000 tonnes were diverted for reuse. Canadians on average purchase 70 new articles of clothing a year. The rise in production of textiles can be attributed to the rise of fast fashion, with quicker turnaround of new styles, increased number of collections offered per year, and lower prices.

Recycle BC Depots in the region

INVERMERE TRANSFER STATION Industrial 1 Rd in Athalmer

8:30 – 5:30 seven days a week

(closed Christmas Day, New Years Day, Remembrance Day, Thanksgiving Day and Family Day)

RADIUM TRANSFER STATION Off of Forsters Landing Road in Radium Hot Springs

8:30 – 5:30 seven days a week

(closed Christmas Day, New Years Day, Remembrance Day, Thanksgiving Day and Family Day)

KIMBERLEY TRANSFER STATION 800 Jim Ogilvie Way

8:30 – 5:30 seven days a week

(closed Christmas Day, New Years Day, Remembrance Day, Thanksgiving Day and Family Day)

CRANBROOK TRANSFER STATION 2405 22nd St N

8:30 – 5:30 seven days a week

(closed Christmas Day, New Years Day, Remembrance Day, Thanksgiving Day and Family Day)

FERNIE TRANSFER STATION 6000 Highway 3

9:00 – 5:00 Mon to Fri 10:00 – 4:00 Sat & Sun

(closed Christmas Day, New Years Day, Remembrance Day, Thanksgiving Day and Family Day)

SPARWOOD TRANSFER STATION 1001 Highway 3

9:00 – 5:00 seven days a week

(closed Sunday, Christmas Day, New Years Day, Remembrance Day, Thanksgiving Day and Family Day)

ELKFORD TRANSFER STATION #6 Inkaneep Rd

9:00 – 5:00 Mon to Sat

(closed Sunday, Christmas Day, New Years Day, Remembrance Day, Thanksgiving Day and Family Day)

Visit engage.rdek.bc.ca to learn about the many products that are accepted for recycling at the Recycle BC Depots.

RECYCLE BC vs THE YELLOW BIN SYSTEM – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

So many times we hear people say that it doesn’t matter if they put things in the Yellow Bins instead of taking them to a Recycle BC depot because the systems are all the same and the products all end in the same place anyway. Nothing could be further from the truth. These two programs are completely separate.

THE YELLOW BIN SYSTEM

This system has been in place for over 25 years and bins are still found throughout the region outside schools, businesses and in rural areas. This system was a great option for the East Kootenay for a long time; however, as the recycling landscape has changed in BC this program is no longer meeting the same needs and is incredibly expensive to operate.

A few years ago, the recycling regulation in BC was changed mandating a new recycling program for residentially-generated paper and packaging products. Recycle BC manages this program and the RDEK is a registered collector at our Depots. This program has opened up dozens of new items that can be recycled – and we get paid per tonne collected.

Here are a few key facts:

1. We encourage as much residential recycling as possible to go through Recycle BC

• Recycle BC accepts far more products and categories.

• The Yellow Bins accept only paper, cardboard, tin cans, grocery bags and plastics 1-6 (no styrofoam).

2. From January 2025 to September 2025 the RDEK has been paid $327,051 in revenues by Recycle BC. By contrast, the Yellow Bin program has cost taxpayers $1,244,669 to operate.

3. In 2025, the Yellow Bin program is expected to cost $2 million to operate.

4. On average the RDEK earns $420/tonne from Recycle BC. By contrast it costs us $413/tonne to operate the Yellow Bins.

5. At its meeting on October 11 2024, the RDEK Board asked staff to prepare a plan to eventually phase out the Yellow Bins.

6. Curbside recycling programs in Invermere, Fernie, Cranbrook and Kimberley are part of the Recycle BC system.

• Curbside programs take the same products as the Paper/Cardboard and Containers categories.

• Glass, styrofoam, and flexible plastics are not accepted in curbside programs and have to be taken separately to a Recycle BC depot as these products are shipped directly to market.

Because Recycle BC mandates its sites must be fenced, staffed and open during set hours, we cannot operate this service rurally with our current transfer station structure, which is why the Yellow Bins have remained at rural sites.

RECYCLE BC DEPOTS

Our Recycle BC Depots are available for residential recycling across the Regional District and with locations at the transfer stations in Invermere, Radium Hot Springs, Kimberley, Cranbrook, Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford. We would like to direct as much residential recycling as possible to the Recycle BC Depots as they accept a wider range of products and the RDEK gets paid per tonne collected as a registered Collector. Products we accept for recycling at Recycle BC Depots include:

• Paper & Cardboard Products

• Containers

• White Styrofoam

• Flexible Plastics

• Coloured/Printed Styrofoam

• Glass Containers

For a full list of products accepted and “what goes where”, visit engage.rdek.bc.ca

Recycle BC continues to expand and we anticipate revenues to increase in 2026. We are encouraging residents to direct as much recycling as possible to these depots in our region and explore the many other recycling and diversion opportunities available to us in the East Kootenay.

Radium library offering returning programs

This week’s column was written by Friends of Radium Library volunteer Donna Tunney and interim library director Mark Anderson.

The Friends of the Radium Library fundraise during the year to help provide the library with an array of items — books, Storytime supplies, and even furnishings.

How do we raise these funds, you ask? We start off with our annual May long weekend yard sale, in partnership with the Radium Fire Department and the Radium Rotary Club. Then, throughout the summer, volunteers mount PopUp Book Sales during Market on Main.

Our last major fundraising event of the year is our annual Big Book Sale, scheduled for November 22 at Radium Community Hall at 4863 Stanley Street.

Circle the date and discover thousands of used books in dozens of genres — history, women’s fiction, mystery, and self-help. We also have cookbooks, children’s titles, jigsaw puzzles, classics, and more. All in time for Christmas shopping!

If you’d like to volunteer and become a Friend of the Radium Library, or if you have gently used books and complete jigsaw puzzles you’d like to donate for our upcoming event, we will happily accept them at the library.

Please contact us at friendsoftheradiumlibrary@gmail.com, @ Friends of Radium Library on Facebook, or call 250-347-2434.

Please, no dictionaries, textbooks, encyclopedias, National Geographic and Reader’s Digest magazines, DVDs, or CDs.

September 25 was a "banner" day for the Radium Public Library. Our new pennon (flag) arrived, replacing the original that had been damaged in a big wind. The 15-foot blade banner features words of welcome in five languages and highlights one of the underlying themes in the village's Official Community Plan - Connecting Communities. It will be proudly displayed at

Books for Kids 2025

Submitted

The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) is proud to celebrate the 15th year of its Books for Kids campaign, an initiative that helps families nurture a love of reading, learning and growing together.

Last year, the campaign raised an impressive $100,000, all of which remained in the communities CBAL serves. These funds contributed to a wide range of local literacy initiatives—from holiday gift hampers and lending libraries to engaging programs like Mother Goose, Yoga Storytime, Teen Book Clubs, Munchies and Math, and Kids Can Cook.

Each year, thousands of books are distributed to children and families across the Columbia Basin and Boundary, enriching their lives and supporting literacy. One such family, the Uniats, shared how the campaign has made an impact. “Receiving quality books brings our family joy and a sense of excitement as we discover new stories, often with important messages and lessons,” says Kendra Uniat. “Reading is a favourite activity for everyone in our family. It’s a time to relax, snuggle, learn, and enjoy the magic of a good story together. We read with our children every day, so we greatly appreciate having new books to add to our collection.”

Kendra also shared how much her family values the broader experiences offered through CBAL’s family literacy programs. “Participating in literacy programming is always a wonderful opportunity to socialize, try new things, and read books in a different setting, which is exciting for the kids and enjoyable for us, as par-

ents. We get inspiration from the activities and resources provided, and participating with other families helps us make friends.”

The campaign’s success is made possible through the longstanding and valued partnerships with Blue Sky Clothing Co., Black Press Media, The Columbia Valley Pioneer, and local credit unions throughout the Columbia Basin and Boundary region.

“The impact of the Books for Kids campaign is a testament to the generosity of our partners, businesses, and donors across the Columbia Basin and Boundary,” says Desneiges Profili, CBAL

events throughout the Columbia Valley and out front of the Radium Hot Springs Centre (Stanley Street) during library hours.

We are profoundly grateful to the Sunrise Rotary Club which generously covered 85 per cent of the cost, and to the Friends of Radium Library which kindly paid the remaining 15 per cent.

In recognition of Library Month, we will be offering several returning and original programs to augment our current children's offerings (visit https://radium.bc.libraries.coop/ for days and times, including a special StoryTime on October 22 led by an actual Radium firefighter).

We hope you will join us October 21 and continuing weekly until November 25 (7 p.m.) for an adult elective dedicated to explorations of timeless and timely poetry.

Wholesome Hobbies (adult crafting) returns every third Friday of the month (2-3:30 p.m.) and Tech Tutoring (IT assistance) every Thursday (2-4 p.m.) October 2 to November 20.

Executive Director. “Together, we’re not just providing books.

We are opening doors, sparking imaginations, and changing the lives of children and families in our communities.”

Supporting Books for Kids is simple and rewarding. You can purchase Blue Sky Clothing Co. socks or make a donation at any CBAL office or conveniently online through our website at cbal.org. Every donation helps children build curiosity, empathy, vocabulary, critical thinking skills, and a lifelong love of learning.

Simon, 'Shapeman' share scarecrow prize

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Spooky season is in full swing in Invermere now that Thanksgiving is over.

Last week the fall excitement ramped up a few more notches when the winners of Invermere’s annual Great Scarecrow Competition were announced.

This year marked the sixth edition of the popular autumn event, which sees residents, businesses and community groups create and display scarecrows. The public then tours around Invermere, voting on their favourites.

More than 268 votes were cast this year.

The Fuller family won the residential category for the third time in a row with a creative ukulele-playing witch scarecrow. The District of Invermere won the business category for the pink-hatted, Doritos munching scarecrow outside its municipal office, and Bright New Minds daycare and the Invermere Public Library tied as winners of the community group category.

Bright New Minds earned their share of the community group accolade for a quartet of superhero scarecrows: a stuffed Batman, Ironman, Incredible Hulk and Shapeman.

Shapeman? Yes, Shapeman. He’s a new superhero invented by some of the kids at Bright New Minds, who felt there should be a superhero specifically dedicated to squares, triangles, circles, rectangles, rhombuses, octagons, pentagons, hexagons, and all the other weird and wonderful shapes you can learn about as a kid.

“It really was a big team effort,” said Bright New Minds educator Ms. Fifi.  Even the tiny tykes in the infant program helped out by tearing up newspaper to use as stuffing.

“We’re really excited. When the kids came in (the morning after staff had set up the scarecrow outside the daycare) the kids were in awe. They made their parents slow down as they drove in, just to get a good look,” said Ms. Fifi, adding the contest has “been a great way to bring the community together and share its creativity.”

The Invermere Public Library

earned its half of the community group prize for smiling Simon, an orange pumpkin-headed scarecrow sporting a ragged jacket who has black crows perched on his arms and shoulders.

“We’re pretty stoked” said library youth program facilitator and social media manager Japhy Hunt, who created Simon. Hunt says he took inspiration for early 1900s style Halloween pumpkin decorations, which were often made out of paper maché and always featured big grinning faces with plenty of teeth. He

used a beach ball covered with yarn and then paper maché to make Simon’s head, then used clothing and other props to make the body.

Hunt has seen multiple residents stop to take selfies with Simon outside the library, which he’s delighted about.

“I love how community-oriented Halloween can be. The seasons are changing, the nights are darker, but you get everyone out trick or treating and having a good time. It’s a very warm and cozy tradition,” said Hunt.

PROPOSED

Providing a space for the Edgewater Post Office had been a Board strategic priority since an assessment by a structural engineer on the current post office building determined that there is significant deterioration and signs of structural distress.

It was determined that the RDEK would work toward establishing the Edgewater Commercial Space Service, conditional to the approval of the electors.

Before being able to bring it forward to the electors, there were many considerations that required more detailed analysis so that we could provide as much information as possible to ensure electors are able to make an informed decision this fall.

A public information session will be held on October 28, 2025 at 7:00pm at Edgewater Community Hall to provide information and answer questions in advance of the vote. The meeting is open to all.

Public access to the RDEK’s Columbia Valley Office has changed and access is now by appointment only.

BUILDING PERMITS: Now being processed through the Cranbrook office. Permits can be picked up at the Columbia Valley office by appointment. Please call 250-489-6902 to make an appointment.

BUILDING INSPECTIONS: Please contact our Columbia Valley Building Inspectors directly: Stu Morgotch - 778-860-7589 or Andre Kreutzer - 778-620-2097

UTILITY PAYMENTS: Can be paid on line or by calling 250-489-6902 to make an appointment.

UTILITY AND ENGINEERING ENQUIRIES: Please call 250-489-6902 to make an appointment.

SOLID WASTE PAYMENTS: Please call 250-489-6902 to make an appointment.

RDEK Representative INVERMERE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD

If you answered YES to any of these questions, we might have an exciting opportunity waiting for you!

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is looking for individuals to represent the RDEK as Trustees on the Invermere Public Library Board to represent Electoral Area F, Electoral Area G and the Village of Canal Flats

To be considered for a position, an applicant must be a resident or elector of the Electoral Areas or the Village of Canal Flats and cannot be a director of the RDEK Board, a councilor of the Village of Canal Flats, or an employee of the RDEK, Village of Canal Flats or the Invermere Public Library. These volunteer positions are for two-year terms from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027.

If you are interested, please submit a letter of application and brief resume including reasons for your interest and related experience to Nikki Bradshaw, Deputy Corporate Officer, at the RDEK.

VIA EMAIL to corporateservicesdept@rdek.bc.ca; or DROP OFF at the RDEK Columbia Valley Office or the Cranbrook Office or BY MAIL Regional District of East Kootenay, 19-24th Ave. South, Cranbrook BC V1C 3H8

For information on the Library and the services it provides, please visit invermere.bc.libraries.coop Applications must be received by 4:30pm on Thursday, November 6, 2025.

Emergency food pantry opens for needy

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

The Columbia Valley Food Bank and the Fairmont and District Lions Club have joined forces to open a food pantry in the community of Fairmont Hot Springs.

The food pantry will be small — less of a ‘mini food bank’ and more of an emergency option for Fairmont folks that find themselves in need.

It’s the first of what the food bank hopes will eventually be several emergency pantries in different outlying communities throughout the Columbia Valley.

“It’s something we’ve wanted to do for a while,” said food bank administration and operations manager Carolyn Kurtz.

She noted the food bank is located in Invermere and is open to distribute food hampers on Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. But as Kurtz pointed out, many people who need to use the food bank simply can’t make it there during these hours. Some people have to work at that time, while others live outside of Invermere and don’t have transportation.

Food pantries in outlying communities won’t completely eradicate these issues, but could be a big help to a family or person in need when things get extra tight.

“If we’re closed and someone is really hungry, they can still at least get some food,” Kurtz told the Pioneer

The food bank already operates an emergency food pantry in Invermere, along 10th Avenue near J.A. Laird Elementary School. The idea to collaborate with the Fairmont Lions and open one in Fairmont came after Kurtz talked with Lions members at a community event earlier this summer.

Kurtz is keen to find other partner organizations to help run similar pantries in other valley

communities outside Invermere.

“Many of our clients cannot afford or cannot find places to live in Invermere and tend to find more affordable rentals outside of Invermere,” explained Kurtz.

Approximately half of the food bank’s clients come from outlying towns, such as Radium Hot Springs, Windermere, Brisco, Canal Flats, Edgewater, Fairmont, Parson, Spillimacheen, Wilmer, and Windermere (the other half of the food bank’s clients are from Invermere).

Food bank use fluctuates throughout the year from month to month and week to week, but on average the nonprofit serves about 30 clients a week. Kurtz said inflation has impacted food bank use; the rising cost of food, housing and many other things in recent years has resulted in more families and individuals using the food bank.

“From January-September 2024 to JanuarySeptember 2025 we saw a five per cent increase in our number of food hampers provided per household,” she said. “Even just looking at the increased prices of groceries, never mind everything else in society and there’s a lot of people struggling. There are families that have both parents working full time that still can’t make ends meet.”

The new food pantry is set up just outside the Lions Den at 5003 Hot Springs Road in Fairmont. No one needs to sign up in advance to use it.

The Lions are looking for donations of canned goods, dry goods, any garden leftovers, personal hygiene items, baby food and supplies for the pantry, but are unable to accept refrigerated, frozen or homemade items. Anyone with dietary restrictions (such as gluten free or lactose free) should reach out to Lions president Joy Smith (smithjoy174@gmail.com).

Organizations interested in partnering with Kurtz to establish food pantries in other Columbia Valley communities can contact her at info@ cvfoodbank.ca.

Edgewater commercial space service proposed

Submitted by RDEK

Eligible electors in the Edgewater and Spur Valley area will be voting on a proposed new commercial space service next month and the RDEK is gearing up for a public information meeting to help share details about the proposal prior to voting day.

“The community of Edgewater has been advocating that the RDEK find a way to find a new location for the post office and providing a space has been a board priority since an assessment by a structural engineer on the current post office building determined that there is significant deterioration and signs of structural distress,” said Electoral Area G director Roberta Schnider.

“The process has proven to be quite complex; however, following lengthy discussions with the province to find a path forward, the RDEK is now working to establish the Edgewater Commercial

Space Service, provided the vote is in favour of proceeding.”

To help provide more information to the community, a public information meeting will be held on October 28 at 7 p.m. at the Edgewater Community Hall.

There will be presentations from staff on different aspects of the proposed service, including the service itself, costs and taxation, and the elector assent process.

There will also be an opportunity for questions following the presentations.

“Our goal is to ensure eligible electors have all the information they need to make an informed decision on voting day. This meeting will be an excellent source of information and I’m hoping to see a strong turnout,” Schnider said.

In addition to the information meeting, an information package is being prepared.

If regular postal service resumes, the infor-

mation package will be direct mailed to all property owners within the service area.

If not, hard copies will be available at key points within the community and on request from the RDEK.

A project page is also being set up and will be a hub of information on the proposed service. It can be found here: https://engage.rdek.bc.ca/ edgewater.

The proposed service would construct a space to lease to Canada Post and its employees to operate a postal service.

The space could also be leased to other entities for the provision of services that benefit the community.

The general assent vote will be held on November 22, with an advance voting opportunity on November 12.

To learn more, visit https://engage.rdek. bc.ca/edgewater.

3D mural adds sunshine to downtown

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Downtown Invermere will be a little bit brighter all year round, thanks to a recently completed mural near the cenotaph plaza.

The mural is a three-dimensional sculpture attached to the south side of the building housing Inspire Floral Boutique and Om Organics at the corner of 7th Avenue (Invermere’s main street) and 12th Street. From old bits of metal, many of them salvaged, local artist Cajsa Fredin has created a series of sunflowers, daisies and other flowers climbing up the wall in a riot of colours.

Yellow, red, orange, white and blue petals jostle for space on flowers in various states of unfurling.

Fredin has been creating the sculpture in bits and pieces over the past three years. She figures that if you added up all the time she’s spent on flowers, it’s about three months total.

The flower sculpture initially went up partly complete on a different building, farther north on main street last summer, but that spot was always meant to be temporary. This spring it moved its current and permanent home, where during the tourist high season it overlooks the pedestrian-only area around the cenotaph.

The sculpture is made up of about 60 to 70 different individual metal flowers, some enormous and others quite tiny. Fredin added the final ones just a few weeks ago in late September.

“Flowers are one of my things,” said Fredin, adding she frequently walks in the frontcountry or hikes in the backcountry, and is often inspired by nature there.

“You get an idea in your brain, you can’t get it out, and well, now it’s up there for everyone to see,” she said. Fredin likes that the piece demonstrates how murals are not limited to painting.

“It shakes things up,” she said. “There’s nothing wrong with painting, of course. We’ve got some really amazing painted murals in the valley now. But it’s good for people to realize that murals can be sculptures, other materials, and other mediums.

The metal Fredin used for the piece was mostly salvaged, either taken from the dump or given to her. (She has enough of a reputation in the Columbia Valley as a metalworker that people often anonymously drop off old bits of metal in her driveway).

She loves the older, rusted pieces of metal, and finds their character really lends itself to the type of sculptures she makes.

To turn the bits of scavenged metal into public art, Fredin uses a plasma cutter, bends the metal, grinds the meal, uses an electric welder and otherwise coaxes the metal into the contours she imagines for it.

“I like its (metal’s) malleability. It’s flexible. It rusts, which gives it an organic feel. There’s usually a patina of rust in a lot of my pieces, but the metal is strong – it doesn’t snap or break,” said Fredin. “It’s certainly a fun material and easy to work with, in the sense that you can adjust as you go. Metal gives and takes so much. It holds a story and has its own natural tendencies.”

Pieces of metal public art are somewhat rare in the Columbia Valley and indeed the entire East Kootenay region, but over in the West Kootenay they’re much more common, noted Fredin. Castlegar, for instance, has a sculpture walk.

Fredin has been to several sculpture or metalwork events in the West Kootenay and says it’s always fun to “geek out” with other sculpture artists, finding out which tools and techniques they use to create their works, and getting new ideas on how to shape her next piece.

BEYOND THE BLUE LINE

Rockies slide but battling players shine

By Columbia Valley Rockies

The Columbia Valley Rockies returned to Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena last weekend, kicking off a double header full of action and grit like a 1970s movie, though the results didn’t quite go their way.

Friday night (October 17) saw the Princeton Posse come out firing, jumping to an early 3-0 lead by the end of the first period. But the Rockies regrouped and came alive in the second. Carter Velker opened the scoring for the home side, assisted by Carter Hensch and Peter Godley, followed by Ethan Cerone burying one with help from Josh Larson and Daniel Betcher.

The energy carried into the third, where Cerone caught fire netting two more to complete a natural hat trick. Assists went to Brady Disley and Cole King as the Rockies surged late, but Princeton’s offense proved too much in the end, sealing a 7-4 win over Columbia Valley.

Saturday’s matchup against the Nelson Leafs began on a high note, as forward Peter Godley was recognized as the Rockies’ Player of the Month, sponsored by Syndicate Boardshop and presented by Eric

Lange and family.

The Rockies rode that momentum early, striking first with a goal from Evin Bossel, assisted by Johnny Lozeman and Carter Velker. Nelson answered late in the opening period, and after taking the lead in the second, they held off the Rockies’ push. Cerone once again found the back of the net with an unassisted goal in the third, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Leafs, who took the win 4-2.

After the game, head coach Tucker Braund reflected on the weekend: “Tough weekend, not what we were looking for from our team. We have work to do with them this week and will be looking for a better effort Friday. We have the makeup of a good team, right now we’re just missing some fine details that we look forward to hashing out in practice over the next few days.”

The Rockies will look to rebound when they host their division rivals, the Kimberley Dynamiters on Friday, October 24 at 7 p.m. at Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena.

Grab your jerseys, bring your voices, and come out to cheer on your Rockies as they look to turn up the heat on home ice.

Invermere on the Lake

The District of Invermere may provide financial assistance or a grant-in-aid to non-profit or local organizations that provide services to our community. These grants are awarded annually by Council through an application process and we invite applications for financial assistance in preparation of our 2026 budget. The total budget allocation for all grants is $10,000 and the maximum grant per applicant will be $1,500. Those groups or organizations wishing to apply for financial assistance are requested to make written application by November 7, 2025 to be considered for the following year.

Application forms are available at the Municipal Office or our website www.invermere.net

Inaugural bridge tourney a success

By Steve Hubrecht

The first-ever official bridge bridge tournament in the Columbia Valley proved a huge success and organizers are already busy planning for next year.

The Invermere Sectional Tournament was held at the Columbia Valley Centre from Friday, Oct. 3 to Sunday, Oct. 5.

The American Contract Bridge League (ACBL)-sanctioned tournament was launched by organizer Andrea Petzold, who realized there was no such event anywhere in the East Kootenay.  Petzold and others spent a year getting the Invermere tournament off the ground and were delighted with how it went, reporting that there were 36 full tables at the centre on Saturday, Oct.

4. That is a “fantastic turnout” for a first-time tournament, said Petzold.

Bridge players came from all over the East Kootenay as well as from various parts of Alberta to take part in the event, but there was a strong contingent of Columbia Valley locals as well.

Several Columbia Valley bridge players placed in the top three in their respective categories, meaning they earn coveted ACBL Master Points. Those are valuable for players striving to become Life Masters.

Petzold has already booked another threeday Invermere Sectional Tournament for next year, once again running over the first weekend of October, from Friday, Oct. 2 to Sunday, Oct. 4.

Those keen to learn bridge (or to improve on basic knowledge) can do so through the Invermere Duplicate Bridge Club at the Invermere Seniors Hall. Contact Terry Schreder at terryschreder@yahoo.ca for beginner lessons or Andrea Petzold at a.petzold@shaw.ca for intermediate lessons.  'Fantastic turnout' sees total of

ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Invermere & Area

cell 250-341-1202 gerry@gerrytaft.ca

Alcoholics Anonymous. If alcohol is causing problems or conflict in your life, AA can help. All meetings are at 7 pm. Columbia United AA, Invermere: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the BC Service Building, South End624 4th St. Invermere. Please call 250-342-2424 for more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship.

Al-Anon. Are you concerned about or affected by someone else’s drinking? For more information or to speak with someone from our fellowship, please call 250-878-2448 or 250-342-8392

Double Cheers to the beautiful horses and their dressed-up owners for being so kind and patient at the Seniors’ Home visit for the 4th Annual Dora Porcina Memorial march.

Cheers to Jeff at Calgary2Valley Delivery. It is so convenient to have you do the Costco shopping and deliver to me here at my home. What a great service, so appreciated.

Cheers to my loyal, constant friend Gwen for all the lovely things you do to help me. You have the biggest heart and are always checking on me to make sure I have not had another fall. Your friendship is special to me. Of acquaintances, there are many. Of casual friends, there are many. But close friendsthey are few.

Celebration of Life for Dolly Kashuba will be held October 26, 2025 at Radium Community Hall at 12 pm CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Cheers to Theresa, new owner at Valley Hair Styling. You smashed it!! I absolutely love my soft body perm. There was plenty of discussion before the deed - but all went so smoothly. CHEERS!

Cheers to Meghan for organizing the 1st Annual Witches Paddle! Just pure fun on a gorgeous day.

Cheers to a kind and generous local resident for paying the Rockies hockey team’s tab at Station Pub.

HALLOWEEN

EILEEN HELEN AMBROSI

August 18, 1931, Westview BC - October 13, 2025, Invermere, BC

Eileen (nee Tyler) was born in Westview, BC, a small suburb of Powell River on the BC coast. Her first years were in Westview until 1939 when her father, Butch Tyler (a game warden), her moth er, Lily Tyler, and her older brother, Graham Tyler, moved to Invermere BC, at that time a small and quiet town in the Canadian Rockies. Although her parents would later move to Kamloops and Penticton before moving back to Invermere, Eileen remained in Invermere for the rest of her life. She loved the community and put down roots, marrying Luigi Ambrosi. They had one child, Joey, who grew up in Invermere and now resides in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta with his wife, Valerie Danielson, close to their son, Tyler Ambrosi, who was given his grandmother’s maiden name.

Eileen was active in community associations, most notably the Loyal Order of the Eastern Star and the United Church Ladies Auxiliary. With the Eastern Star, for decades she cut and prepared cancer dressings for use in hospitals across the province. She had recently received a 60-year pin from the Eastern Star, acknowledging her work.

to Summerland to visit her brother Graham, wife Betty and son Gary; back to Westview and Powell River to visit relatives and down into the United States. Reno was a popular cross-border destination, and Eileen picked up a fondness for gambling (penny machines only!). Even in her last years, she enjoyed the occasional trip to St. Eugene Casino near Cranbrook, BC or to the casino in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. At home, there were regular poker games on winter Saturday nights with friends and family.

Eileen also did some out-of-country traveling that included cruises to Alaska, Mexico and several to the Caribbean. She did a trip to Walt Disney World when in her 70s with her family and had a grin as wide as any kid in the place at each new adventure. She also did 3-week trip to Australia with her son, Joey, and his family that included stops in Fiji and Hawaii.

ASPIRING MUSICIANS from Parson to Canal Flats

Applications are open for the Carol Wilkie Memorial Steamboat Mountain Music Bursary Musicians of all levels and any age may apply. Funds may be used for: workshops, music camps, lessons, master classes, college, or university music programs. Deadline: November 15

Download application: www.steamboatmtnmusicfest.ca

Cheers to Cheri and Ken for your hospitality. The meal was fantastic, and the company was even better!

Cheers to an awesome possum lady, Christina. You just make my day!

Cheers to Theresa the new owner of Valley Hair. My best hair cut ever.

Cheers to Chad at Running Wrench Automotive Services. I appreciate the great work. And the punctuality-you are always on time, never late!

Radium Halloween Fest October 29, 2025 from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Radium Centre on Stanley Street. Costume walk, games, pumpkin carving contest, fireside stories, seasonal treats, cider and hot chocolate. This is a family friendly event for all ages. Dust your costumes off and join us for a Spooky night out!

TINY HOME

Tiny house on wheels $14,000 obo. Beautiful little cabin on wheels. 20' long 8' wide, 12' height. Solid and cozy. Built for mountain winters. Has an electrical panel. Easily plugs in. No running water. Email us at: stephaniekoconnor@gmail. com for photos and additional info.

Eileen had many activities she enjoyed immensely, particularly gardening, both flower and vegetable. She was always generous with her vegetable bounty and many friends and family left her home with a bagful of fresh vegetables and maybe even a few flowers. She loved cooking, especially big holiday meals that included her homegrown vegetables and maybe even a trout she had caught. There were always card or board games to be played after a big dinner was complete.

Eileen’s love of the outdoors came from her parents and older brother, and that love continued throughout her life. As a teenager and in her early 20s she worked on several guided backcountry horse trips in the Rockies as a cook. She loved camping at local lakes with her husband and son and other local families, most notably George and Joanne Thouret and their family. Eileen later became an avid angler, catching her share of the trout. Beginnings of camping were a tent, then a Volkswagon van, then a truck and camper and finally a trailer. Beyond the local lakes, there were trailer trips throughout BC, including trips to Penticton to visit her parents;

Eileen was a rabid reader, and in later years until her eyesight began to fail, she would go through 2-3 mystery novels a week. Knitting was a big part of the long winters and many friends and family members received her classic slippers at Christmas. She loved to curl and was part of the local curling club for many decades. In later years, she took a try at golf, and enjoyed it very much although the skill level was modest at best. More recently, she took a shine to the Toronto Blue Jays, and caught as many Jays’ games on television as she could.

Eileen was a kind, generous person who made friends easily and who loved to sit and chat over a coffee, whether at home or around a campfire at a lake. Eileen will be missed by all those who met and spent time with her.

Eileen passed away after a very brief illness at the Invermere and District Hospital on October 13, 2025, with her son, Joey, his wife, Valerie, and their son, Tyler, at her side. She was predeceased by her parents, Butch and Lily Tyler, her brother, Graham Tyler, and by her husband, Luigi Ambrosi. At Eileen’s request, there will be no funeral. A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring of 2026. In lieu of flowers, Eileen had requested that friends and family, who feel so inclined, should make a donation to the charity of their choice.

Jayden Jefferson April 27, 1998 - October 22, 2018

Your presence we miss, Your memory we treasure, Loving you always, Forgetting you never.

Loved and never forgotten, Mom, Dad, Cory, Jagar and Grandma Rose

Career Opportunity Manager of Protective Services and Bylaw Enforcement

The Village of Radium Hot Springs seeks an experienced Manager of Protective Services and Bylaw Enforcement who can lead the Village’s bylaw enforcement and protective services functions including fire department, animal control, emergency preparedness and management, business continuity planning, business licensing, and short-term rental regulation.

The ideal candidate will hold post-secondary training in emergency management with a track record of success and organizational and cultural improvement in progressively senior roles.

In return the Village offers a competitive salary ($100,000 to $110,000 annual range, depending on experience), comprehensive benefits including a defined benefit pension (BC’s Municipal Pension Plan), and superior work-life combination.

A working manager, who reports to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Manager of Protective Services and Bylaw Enforcement will lead by example, mentor, guide, train and manage staff with the overarching goal to support and maintain effective bylaw enforcement and protective services teams in the Village, including the Village of Radium Hot Springs Fire Department.

The manager will develop operating and capital budgets for the protective services department and sets, and makes sure the department is meeting, established goals and objectives. This position will also create programs, policies, procedures, and bylaws for the Village.

Duties of the position include:

Management of protective services including: fire department, emergency preparedness and management, business continuity, business licensing, short-term rental regulations, and animal

Management of bylaw enforcement for the Village

Pursues and administers legal actions, when required

Recommends and supports bylaw, policy, and procedural changes when necessary

Leads emergency operations centre (EOC) operations during activations

Maintains courteous and positive relations with other levels of government, First Nations, regulatory, organizations, non-governmental organizations, public, staff, and council for the betterment of the community

Personality is key! If you are a team builder and creator of strong workplace culture whose skills and leadership abilities match your personality you may be the person we’re looking for! For a full job description or other related information email the address below.

Awesome candidates should submit a resume and cover letter by Friday October 31, 2025 to: Adrian Bergles, Chief Administrative Officer Village of Radium Hot Springs cao@radiumhotsprings.ca

The Village of Radium Hot Springs thanks all applicants for their interest. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Village of Radium Hot Springs P.O. Box 340, 4836 Radium Blvd, Radium Hot Springs, B.C., ph: 250-347-6455 fax: 250-347-9068

by Arnold Malone

The history of punishment

For several thousands of years mankind has punished persons whom they considered to be bad, misbehaving or acting outside of the law.

The history of punishment is of no intellectual importance except that it is from that long history that our modern day prison system has evolved. So, perhaps it is worthwhile to review the history of punishment since my next article will be about our prison systems.

It has long been held that punishing people who were considered as a misfit to society was an effective way to correct a bad behaviour or teach others what would happen to them if they were in violation of standards.

A review of the history of punishment is the most grotesque read that a person can undertake. I strongly recommend that you do not venture into that horrible history. It is beyond belief.

So, I will just mention a few of the methods that are generally known amoung the broad population.

Christians are certainly aware of the term ‘crucifixion’. An act where a person had their hands and feet nailed to a wooden cross and then the cross was fixed upright with the body hanging there until it died. This practice was mostly confined to an area that we know today as the Middle-East.

France avoided the long torture of dying by opting for a quickie. The use of the guillotine caused a fast and certain death. This of course was a public event, which was partly passed off as entertainment and, to a greater extent, as a public warning to all others as to what would happen to them if they were ever to breach a perceived standard

Old England chose to educate their society into an acceptable norm by holding public hangings. This would, they believed, assure all others that they would never commit the same dastardly deed as the person being hung. Unfortunately,

the concept didn’t work. This took place in a period when persons were hung for pickpocketing. Yet some bystanders watching a hanging had their pockets picked while a public hanging was taking place. So much for the view that watching a severe punishment would stop others from committing the same offence. Desperation is a major cause of crime.

Italians once put people to death for advocating heresy. When someone had an opinion that was considered far-fetched then the expression of that view was a reason to put that person to his or her death.

At the time everyone just knew that the sun rose in the east and then set in the west so it was deemed certain that the sun went around the earth. Unfortunately, for Galileo he advocated that the earth went around the sun. That was a correct opinion of our solar system except that such a view cost him a prison term and then his life.

Such public acts of drawing and quartering, burning at the stake, lashes with whips, being sent to a torture chamber, being fed to lions, the breaking wheel, starvation, drowning where once a means for behavioural correction. These were awful acts but others were worse.

While these gross degrading human practises were once a common occurrence in behaviour control, they, thankfully, have disappeared from our western societies. Some terrible conditions still occupy the practise in dictatorial nations. Yet in a civil world, the question arises, “Can our prison system be better?” If so, how?

While our prison system has greatly improved it was from that long-flawed history of punishment that we still try to change behaviour. Often the public seeks punishment over public safety and rehabilitation.

My next article has some considerations for improvement to our prison system.

sun reflects off the languid surface of Whitetail Lake.

Columbia Valley Churches

LAKE WINDERMERE ALLIANCE CHURCH

While you are with us, you are always welcome to join us. Sunday at 10:30 am 326 10th Avenue, Invermere 250-342-9535 | www.lwac.ca

WINDERMERE VALLEY

SHARED MINISTRY (Anglican - United) Sundays at 10:30 either in-person or online (the link is available on our website – wvsm.ca) Minister: Brent Woodard 110 - 7th Ave. in Invermere 250-342-6644

VALLEY CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY

Pastor: Justin Furse Sunday 10 a.m. Worship Service 4814 Highway Drive, Windermere 250-342-9511 | www.vcachurch.net

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

St. Anthony’s, Canal Flats: Saturday, 4 pm Canadian Martyrs’, Invermere: Sat 5 pm, Sun 9 am St. Joseph’s, Radium: Sunday 11 am Father Francis Dela Cruz | 712 -12th Ave., Invermere 250-342-6167 canadianmartyrs.ca

RADIUM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

Sunday 10 a.m. Worship service Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater | 250-342-6633 #4, 7553 Main St. Radium | 250-347-9937

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Worship Service, Sunday, 11 a.m. Sunday School, 10 a.m. President Kendyn Mackensie • Columbia Valley Branch • 5014 Fairway, Fairmont Hot Springs 250-439-9041

CHURCH OF CHRIST (Iglesia ni Cristo)

Worship Service: Sunday 9 a.m., Thursday 7:45 p.m. Chamber of Commerce (Lions Hall) For inquiries: 250-688-1643 250-270-2208 or 250-688-0629

For more info about the church, you can Google online at incmedia.org or pasugo.com.ph