Columbia Valley Pioneer - March 12, 2026

VALLEY VIEWS

VALLEY NEWS

Prescribed burn planned this spring

Submitted

Preparations are underway for a culturally informed restoration burn on kinq'uq'anki (the east side of Columbia Lake) this spring.

The BC Wildfire Service will be supporting the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), ?akisq'nuk First Nation, Ktunaxa Nation Council and BC Parks in conducting a prescribed burn with a focus on ecological restoration.

The burn will take place over 99 hectares within NCC’s Columbia Lake – Lot 48 Conservation Area and a small area of the neighbouring Columbia Lake Provincial Park.

Fire has long played an important role in shaping the Columbia Valley landscape. Historically, natural fire and burning by Ktunaxa First Nations people kept trees and shrubs from encroaching into grassland and open forest habitats that animals like bighorn sheep, elk, deer and endangered American badger rely on. Fire suppression over the past century has reduced this habitat, while creating a buildup of highly flammable woody debris in these forests.

Overly dense, untreated forests can also contribute to higher levels of parasites and forest pests like ticks, mountain pine beetle,

and other insects that impact both wildlife and tree health. Returning controlled fire to the landscape will bring the ecosystem back to a more natural state, while reducing parasite habitat and wildfire risk for nearby communities, and improving overall forest resilience.

The prescribed burn is expected to take place mid-March to midApril, depending on when conditions are ideal to safely conduct the burn. To identify safe burn conditions, the BC Wildfire Service monitors current and forecasted weather, humidity and fuel moisture levels. Once the burn area is safely prepared and safe conditions are confirmed, the fire crew will start the burning.

Fire crews manage fire behaviour using carefully planned ignition patterns and by building strong control lines around the area. These lines can be made with water hoses, natural features like rocky cliffs or creeks, or manmade “fuel breaks” where brush and other vegetation have been cleared away to create a safe boundary.

By safely returning the use of controlled fire to the Columbia Valley, we can restore ecosystems, build habitat and movement corridors for wildlife and mitigate wildfire risk for our local communities.

No CWD detected

tain the spread.

The BC government reports that a recent surveillance hunt near Cranbrook removed 228 deer, but no chronic wasting disease (CWD) was detected.

The general open-season deer hunt was held January 5-31 to support CWD monitoring and risk mitigation, however, no submitted samples showed any sign of the fatal disease.

The government reports that infection rates in the area remain under one per cent, with nine total cases confirmed in B.C. to date, all within the Kootenay management zone. This prompted concern among biologists due to the impact the disease can have on the cervid population, hence the efforts to con-

Chronic wasting disease is a contagious neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose, resulting in weight loss and listlessness.

The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship says targeted hunts aim to reduce the deer population to create fewer opportunities for close contact between animals, limiting the risk of CWD spread.

“CWD continues to be one of the most significant wildlife-health threats facing North America's cervid populations,” the ministry says.

The disease was first detected in B.C. (Kootenay region) in January 2024.

The ministry asserts that deer harvesting by hunters is one of the most effective tools for managing CWD.

NOTICE OF CHANGE IN MEETING TIME

The Committee of the Whole meetings will be changing its time from 1:00p.m. to 10:00 a.m. on the second Tuesday of every month in the Council Chambers at the District of Invermere Office, 914 – 8th Avenue.

The next Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10th at 10:00 a.m. and the general public is welcome to attend.

Agendas are posted on our website at www.invermere.net

NOTICE OF SITTING

Parcel Tax Rolls

The first sitting of the Parcel Tax Review Panel will be held at the Municipal Office at 914 – 8th Avenue, Invermere, B.C. on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 10:00 am. The Parcel Tax Review Panel may review and correct the Parcel Tax Roll and hear complaints on one or more of the following grounds:

there is an error or omission respecting a name or address on the parcel tax roll;

• there is an error or omission respecting the inclusion of a parcel; there is an error or omission respecting the taxable area or the taxable frontage of a parcel; an exemption has been improperly allowed or disallowed.

The Parcel Tax Roll will be open for inspection at the Municipal Office during regular office hours.

A complaint shall not be heard by the review panel unless notice of the appeal has been made in writing to the Director of Finance of the District of Invermere, Box 339, Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0 by 10:00 a.m. on March 20, 2026.

Karen L. Coté Director of Finance

Time stays same in valley

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Last weekend clocks in most parts of British Columbia sprang forward for the last time.

The bulk of the province will now remain on Pacific daylight savings time forevermore. But the parts of B.C. in the mountain time zone —including the Columbia Valley and the rest of the East Kootenay  — will continue operating on mountain daylight savings time from March 8 to November 1, and then mountain standard time from November 1 until March 8.

The provincial government paved the way for the permanent switch to Pacific daylight savings time (now called just ‘Pacific time’) in 2019 when it adopted legislation to that end. But the province never gave a timeline to implement the change, saying it would wait until California, Oregon and Washington state all did the same.

There’s been no action from those states in the ensuing six years, and on Monday, Mar. 2 the B.C. government gave up waiting and announced the March 8 switch would be the last time change for most of the province.

The announcement mentioned that the East Kootenay will remain different than the rest of B.C., and added that “just as they can today, local governments will retain the power to determine what time zone they observe. They can choose to shift to permanent daylight time and Pacific time, along with the rest of B.C. if they prefer.”

Here in the Columbia Valley local residents expressed a range of opinions on social media — a District of Invermere Facebook post garnered 96 comments in just 48 hours — with some saying they want to follow the rest of B.C., some saying they want to stay on mountain time in sync with Alberta, and some saying they just want to stop

toggling between daylight savings and standard time, no matter what time zone the valley is in. Several suggested a community vote on the matter.

Invermere mayor Al Miller was surprised the provincial government didn’t consult with local governments in the East Kootenay prior to the announcement.

“I would have thought we’d at least have a discussion,” Miller told the Pioneer, adding that instead local governments here found out through the announcement.

Miller said that, in his personal opinion, it makes most sense for Invermere (and the entire East Kootenay) to be aligned with the rest of B.C. But he acknowledged the chatter on social media and said each side of the issue made some good points.

Neither Miller nor Radium mayor Mike Gray were 100 per cent sure about the legislative (not to mention logistical) ins and outs of each East Kootenay community making its own choice about which time zone to follow, but Gray said he will look into it more and will bring it up at the next Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) meeting in March.

Gray pointed out that, if it’s true each East Kootenay community can decide for itself which time zone to follow (and whether or not to flip between daylight savings time and standard time), and each community makes a different choice than its neighbours, you might have to change your clock when driving from Golden to Invermere, then again to Kimberley, then again to Cranbrook, and so on.

“The one thing I think we really need to do in this little slice of B.C. is to be consistent within ourselves. It would be very chaotic and very confusing if some of us did one thing and others did another,” Gray told the Pioneer.

Ambassadors ready for busy summer

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Lake Windermere is still frozen, but ice out could come soon. And that means the Lake Windermere Ambassadors will be back in action in short order, taking their first water samples of the year.

The Ambassadors regular water monitoring program begins some time in May, but the group always starts sampling earlier than that, with a one-off test a week or so after the ice comes off the lake to establish a post-winter baseline.

That’s just the start of a typical busy summer season for the dedicated team.

The water stewardship group was formed back in 2010, prompted by general concerns over the health of the lake, and has been watching over the waters ever since. The group conducts water monitoring, checking the water chemistry and quality throughout the summer, but also does community outreach and education, and helped form the Lake Windermere Management Plan.

“Our motto is healthy waters for healthy communities,” explained Ambassadors co-chair Shannon Nickerson. She noted many people who live here or visit do so because of the Columbia Valley’s outstanding natural features, the lake perhaps chief among them, and that it only makes sense to look after that lake.

The sampling usually runs from May through late September, checking the water at several sites as well at Windermere Creek and Abel Creek. Last year these efforts involved 20 volunteers, who became trained as citizen scientists.

In terms of outreach, the Ambassadors run summer camps for kids, have a presence at community events, coordinate with other local groups and organizations (such as the Columbia Lake Stewardship Society), help community members find answers to lake-related questions and concerns, and sometimes develop signs or other passive education tools (such as the map at the Athalmer boat launch).

With the map, for instance, the idea “is just to give lake users an understanding of the landscape they are heading out into,” said Nickerson.

Last year the group talked with 1,500 people at different events, and had 70 kids in its summer camps.

The Ambassadors are a nonprofit group run by a board of 12 directors, which are drawn from a wide swath of the Columbia Valley population, and include year-round residents and seasonal residents, recreational lake users (both motorized and non-motorized recreation), as well as local business owners. The group currently employs a full-time program manager and a part-time program assistant, as well as seasonal summer staff.

Last year “was a really good year. We benefitted from having excellent staff, who have been able to identify and lean in to new opportunities,” said Nickerson. “Overall it was very successful, especially getting out and engaging with the community.”

This year figures to be just as busy. The Ambassadors will look to prolong their coordination

with the provincial Ministry of Environment and Parks (which supports Level 3 lake monitoring, resulting in more robust sampling). This type of coordination typically goes in three-year cycles, and this is the third year of the current cycle, explained Nickerson.

Many Columbia Valley residents know the Ambassadors for commissioning a carrying capacity study that examined recreational impacts on the lake (the study found critical impacts, particularly around intensive power boating and wake surfing). But as Nickerson outlined to the Pioneer, “our role was to pull the data together and help get the report done, and that’s the extent of it. The report is now in the hands of decision makers and it’s up to them to choose what they want to do with it. The Ambassadors do monitoring and research, we don’t play an advocacy role. We let those who have jurisdiction make the decisions.”

The ?akisq’nuk First Nation launched efforts last year to create an official stewardship plan for the lake. Nickerson outlined that the Ambassadors already have a working group with the ?akisq’nuk to share knowledge and data, and are happy to support a stewardship plan if invited by the ?akisq’nuk, but emphasized “it is their project and they are moving it forward.”

The proliferation of mooring buoys on Lake Windermere is another hot topic, and here too the Ambassadors role is one of support, rather than taking a direct lead, outlined Nickerson.

“We try to help people understand the bylaws, zoning and legislation around mooring buoys. It can be quite confusing at times. But we do not have a specific project on buoys that we are working on,” she said.

The Ambassadors’ annual general meeting, which is open for anyone to attend and which includes the group’s annual report, is at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 19 at Pynelogs. There will be a couple of guest presentations. Anyone wishing to attend virtually can do so by emailing info@ lakeambassadors.ca in advance.

AGM

March 19th - 7pm at Pynelogs (virtual attendance available)

If you’re interested in getting involved, or would like to request the virtual link contact info@lakeambassadors.ca

Presentations:

Annual Reports and Upcoming work plan

RDEK East Side Lake Windermere Water System

• Okanagan Basin Waterboard Shared Learnings

Thanks to SAR

March 2 was a special day in B.C. with the rec ognition of Search and Rescue Volunteer Memo rial Day.

Since 1967, a total of 17 volunteers lost their lives in the province while trying to rescue others during challenging missions.

Like Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Kelly Greene says, we need to honour the dedication and sacrifice made by these volunteers who risk their lives every time they answer a call.

The work is demanding, cold, ‘hotter than hell’ in the summer time, and very challenging in hazardous terrain. But this doesn’t deter them; they forge ahead with courage and compassion, dedicating countless hours to training and pre paredness while their families stand behind them every step of the way.

There are more than 3,000 volunteers that re spond to approximately 1,960 incidents per year. Statistics say the number one reason for search and rescue in BC is injury caused by slips, trips and falls while enjoying the outdoors. This is followed by lost or disoriented hikers and those who misjudge their skills on challenging terrain. Even walking or cycling the most familiar terrain can quickly turn into a call for help.

OPINION

MLA defends 'yea' vote

This is clearly evident when visiting the Facebook page of Columbia Valley Search and Rescue (CVSAR), where the team reports on its many call-outs: rock climbers injured, hikers lost, motorists stuck, and skiers buried. In many cases, the people who were rescued did not properly prepare for their trip in terms of weather conditions, terrain, and necessary equipment. Individuals are reminded to ensure they do their homework before heading into the backcountry; sometimes it’s a matter of life or death.

But if you do get lost in the Columbia Valley, you’re in good hands with CVSAR. These volunteers are among the best trained and most passionate technicians in the field. They pull out all the stops to find you and bring you home safely; but keep in mind they first have to ensure their own safety or else they can’t help you. Also remember they too have families that wait for them to return home safely after every call.

Want to join a well-oiled team with great camaraderie? Give back to your community? Seek adventure in 10,000 square kilometres? Meet new friends? Call 250-342-0600 or email info@columbiavalleysar.ca. Lyonel Doherty, editor

I appreciate the opportunity, as your MLA, to address concerns and thoughtfully respond to constituents regarding a vote that took place on Thursday, Feb. 26 at the BC Legislature.

I did, in fact, vote “yea” on first reading of a bill brought forward by Independent MLA Tara Armstrong entitled Human Rights Code Repeal Act. There are several components of this decision that I would like to address in the hope that you will gain a clearer understanding of my perspective on this overall process.

Bills go through three readings in the BC Legislature before they become law. When an MLA introduces a bill at first reading, as with this recent bill by MLA Armstrong, the public, other MLAs, and the media see only the title of the bill and hear a brief two-minute statement of introduction by the sponsoring MLA.

This statement is not required to align in any way with the contents of the bill being tabledthis is a very important point. Bills must pass first reading with a majority “yea” vote for the contents of the bill to be printed by the Clerk’s Office and made publicly accessible—a process which, I would add, does not occur in The House of Com-

mons and is somewhat unique in a Westminster parliamentary system.

Simply put, voting ‘yea’ at first reading in no way is a vote of support for a bill being passed into law. For example, I also voted ‘yea’ on a bill entitled Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act 2026 brought forward by the Minister of Citizen Services on the same day. This vote passed first reading and we now have public access to the bill.

This bill will give government the ability to subjectively determine whether Freedom of Information requests are valid and will proceed. This is dangerous legislation regardless of the government in power, and I will not be supporting it on second and third reading.

Additionally, on December 2, 2025, MLA Armstrong introduced a bill entitled Freedom Convoy Recognition Day Act. Eighty-seven MLAs voted in favour of this bill on first reading, including Premier David Eby. My question to the NDP is: do you support a freedom convoy holiday or did you support a routine parliamentary procedure?

MLA Scott McInnis, Columbia River-Revelstoke

OPINION/OP-ED

Noise, lack of avian population concerning

The following letter was written to Wildsight:

I live in an area south of Fairmont called Columere Park, situated on the northwest side of Columbia Lake. I am blessed with having a home that overlooks the lake and the wetlands.

Coming up to a year ago the coal trains from the Elk Valley have doubled and some days tripled in frequency.

The engines that run the trains are so much larger to be capable of pulling the increased volume and frequency of those trains loaded with coal. Because of that, there is also an increase of noise pollution that has also tripled in the past 10 months.

I have lived here since December of 1990, and the train tracks are below the bluff my cabin sits on. From my occupancy over these last 35 plus years I have lived with

the trains coming by on average once every six hours, or four times in a 24-hour period. I’ve also noticed the sounds of those cars and engines and over those past years I now consider ‘quiet’ in comparison to what we have been experiencing this past year. Because of the frequency and increase of large and buffeting sounding engines, the noise pollution has been noticeable to Fairmont residents (up the mountain) who never really heard the trains before, but they sure do now.

The most disturbing thing besides the noise is the lack of our avian population on the north end of the lake  where the headwaters of the mighty Columbia River begin. It is so noticeable to not only me but to the ‘birders’ we have in our beautiful valley that, as you know, holds an annual bird festival for a week every year.  I would also like to add not only

Local author lauded

Columbia Valley Pioneer staff

Invermere author Elinor Florence’s ‘Finding Flora’ made the Canadian fiction bestseller list and collected several other national level accolades last year.

To cap off 2025, ‘Finding Flora’ was named one of the Indigo — Chapters – Coles top 10 books of the year.

Indigo – Chapters — Coles is one of Canada’s biggest bookstore chains. In 2025 the company’s ‘book lover committee’ read a collective total of 278 books to draw up a top 100 list, and a top 10 list.

‘Finding Flora’ made the cut as number 10, with Indigo Books senior vice president Rania Husseini describing the book on Indigo’s website as “a gripping tale of cour-

age and resilience.”

The number one book on the list was Australian author Charlotte McConaghey’s ‘Wild Dark Shore’. Margaret Atwood was the Canadian author at the top in this year’s top 10, with her ‘Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts’ as the number two book.

‘Finding Flora’ tells the story of Scottish immigrant Flora Craigie, who leaves an abusive husband, claims a homestead on the Prairies, and joins forces with four neighbouring women to combat both the harsh environment and a hostile government.

Jessie McDonald, a major Métis character in the book, was inspired by Rosalee Kinbasket, daughter of the last hereditary chief of the Shuswap Band, who lived in the Columbia Valley.

Pride season in the hills

It’s Pride season in the hills.

Panorama Mountain Resort will host its third annual Pride and Ski Festival in a week’s time, from Thursday, Mar. 19 to Sunday, Mar 22. The event is an on and off slope

the bird populations decline but a noticeable decline in the ungulates.

There were days when looking out over the wetlands it would appear to be a film from National Geographic. Ospreys, bald and golden eagles flying and circling overhead, the shorebirds and flocks of blue herons from the Dutch Creek rookery, down below in and on the wetlands and shores, over on the east side where you would see flocks of snow geese, swans and pelicans, and so on. You would be able to see deer and their fawns wandering and taking refuge in the willows from heat or predators, and even witness birthing.

There are no longer nesting birds flittering around busily in the wetlands, re-nesting when the waters from the freshet in the spring would increase, and flooding the wetlands.

Words cannot express the feel-

ings I have toward the loss of wildlife habitat because of the noise pollution from the same train tracks that travelled a long route out to the coast for delivery, and those same tracks that co-habitated with wildlife and residents alike along the way.

I can't be the only individual or community of people living along the shores of Columbia Lake and river all through our beautiful valley and the longest continuous wetlands in North America. I can't be the only one who cares about dwindling populations of wildlife that made such a vibrant landscape in which we've been able to appreciate and live in.

Thank you in advance for reading my letter, and if you have any comments I would appreciate hearing them.

Wendy Cunningham, Columere Park

NOTICE OF SHORT-TERM RENTAL

Pursuant to Section 494 of the Local Government Act, public notice is hereby given that the District of Invermere is considering the Short-Term Rental Temporary Use Permits (STR-TUP) listed in the table below. Issuance of the permits will be considered by council or a delegated authority at the Invermere District office at 914 - 8th Avenue in Invermere, BC, at the corresponding date and time as listed below:

Consideration by DELEGATED AUTHORITY - MARCH 26, 2026 at 10:00AM

All persons who believe they are affected by any of the Short-Term Rental Temporary Use Permits are encouraged to submit their concerns in writing to the Invermere office at 9148th Avenue, Invermere, BC, or by email to dpcoordinator@invermere.net prior to Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 12:00PM. All submissions should include your name, address, and contact information. All written submissions are public information pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All submissions will form part of the public record. Questions about the disclosure of your personal information may be referred to the Corporate Officer at 250-342-9281.

For more information regarding the above applications contact the Invermere Planning Department at 250-342-9281 or by email at dpcoordinator@invermere.net or at the Invermere Office between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays.

PO Box 339, 914 - 8th Ave, Invermere BC V0A 1K0 250-342-9281 info@invermere.net www.invermere.net

celebration of the Columbia Valley 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Festivities this year will include wine and paint parties, on-mountain games and tours, crafts, yoga, trivia night, a Drag Ball and more.

SPORTS

Behind the Games with Amelia Smart

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Invermere alpine racer Amelia Smart wasn’t overly pleased with how she performed at the Milano Cortina Olympics, but the overall experience is still one she’ll remember for the rest of her life.

Smart came 27th in the women’s slalom at the Games, exactly matching her result four years prior at the Beijing Games. Her second run was strong, but in her first run she got too low on one turn, losing too much speed before a flatter section.

“All in all, I’m a bit disappointed with the result. I definitely have potential to do more,” Smart told the Pioneer last week.

That said, the Olympic experience in Italy was far different than it was four years ago during Smart’s first trip to the Games in China in 2022. COVID-19 restrictions then limited athlete interaction and meant there were minimal spectators.

In contrast, in Cortina “the atmosphere was amazing,” said Smart. Her family and two good college friends were there to cheer her on. Despite Smart not being over the moon with her 27th place finish, she was surrounded by people happy just to watch her compete in the Olympics.

As an athlete “it’s hard not to become singularly focused on your results,” said Smart. “But it was different with my family and friends there.

I had so many people telling me they were proud of me.”

It was a good dose of perspective. Smart took part in both the opening and closing Olympic ceremonies and loved both. The opening ceremonies were split between different venues — Smart was part of the Cortina opening ceremony,  and she marvelled at how many people packed the streets to watch the athletes parade through.

The closing ceremonies brought all the athletes together in one venue, the ancient Roman-ear Verona Arena.

“It was super cool, and a great way to close the Games,” said Smart.

Another Olympic memory that stands out for Smart was watching Italian Federica Brignone win the women’s giant slalom (GS). Smart and a few other skiers were doing training runs for the slalom. They paused for lunch in a small ski hut. They sat in there with a group of Italian policemen and watched the GS on television.

“We (the skiers) all know Federica. She’s really nice, we all like her. And of course, the policemen were Italian, so they were cheering for her like crazy,” recalled Smart. “We were all super happy when she won.”

After the slalom, Smart spent several days in Verona with her mom. (Yes, that’s the same Verona that is the setting for the famous ‘Romeo and Juliet’).

“It’s a really beautiful old city centre surrounding a river. We

mostly just wandered around, eating good food (the signature Verona bigoli pasta dish, the local red wines, top-notch coffee, risotto),” said Smart. “I was exhausted from the race and all the preparation, so it was a good way to relax and recharge … the Olympics is such a high, but you come down from it and a lot of athletes get post Olympics blues.”

“It was pretty darn amazing,” Smart’s mom, Janice Morgan, told the Pioneer Morgan has watched World Cup races before, but “this was different. This was special.”  Walking through Verona with Smart for four days was fantastic relayed Morgan, and she described the immense pride she felt sitting in a big group of parents of Canadian athletes in the Verona area, watching their Olympian kids in the closing ceremony.

With the Olympics ended, Smart is back on the World Cup circuit. She

did a race in Sundsvall in Sweden the weekend after the Games, had returned to Italy when she spoke with the Pioneer, but was then headed back to Sweden again.

Smart’s dad and sister accompanied her to Sundsvall, which Smart enjoyed. She noted she often doesn’t see her family for months at a stretch while racing on the World Cup. Getting them to come to multiple races in Europe feels like a treat.

She’ll do some European Cup races, then cross the Atlantic for a World Cup race in Colorado on March 15, before racing in the NorAm finals in Aspen, and then possibly participating in the Canadian nationals.

“I want to finish the season strong, especially in Colorado. I went to university there, so I have a lot of good memories there,” said Smart.

Thursday March 12

10:00-11:00am - Seniors Fitness Columbia Valley Centre. Doors open 9:30 for warm-ups and indoor walking $2 drop-in. Please note: classes may be moved to Invermere Seniors Hall when the Columbia Valley Centre is booked for larger events.

1:30pm - Floor Curling at the Invermere Seniors Hall.

6:45pm - Texas Hold'em Poker Invermere Legion, $30 buy-in.

Friday March 13

1:00pm - Duplicate Bridge at the Invermere Seniors Hall.

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

Saturday March 14

10:30am - Groundswell AGM at the Groundswell Greenhouse. Refreshments provided

12:00-4:00pm - Community Connections & Sign Up Day – Columbia Valley Centre.

2:00-4:00pm - ERHA St. Patrick Tea & Bake Sale Edgewater Community Hall. Come with family and friends to enjoy tea/coffee, finger sandwiches, sweet treats, and so much more. Be festive and wear green! $7 (cash only) at the door with 100% proceeds in support of community programs.

6:30 - Meat Draw and 50/50 in the Legion. Members and guests welcome.

Sunday March 15

2:00 - Cribbage and Darts Come to the Legion and have some fun! Members and guests welcome.

Monday March 16

10:00-11:00 - Seniors Yoga Columbia Valley Centre. Doors open 9:30 for warm-up and indoor walking-$2 drop-in. Please note: classes may be moved to Invermere Seniors Hall when the Columbia Valley Centre is booked for larger events.

1:30pm - Cribbage at Invermere Seniors Hall.

Tuesday March 17

10:00-11:00 - Seniors Fitness Seniors Fitness Columbia Valley Centre. Doors open 9:30 for warm-ups and indoor walking $2 drop-in. Please note: classes may be moved to Invermere Seniors Hall when the Columbia Valley Centre is booked for larger events.

6:30-8:00 - Second Winds Community Band Practises every Tuesday at the Catholic Church in Invermere. New members are welcome.

Wednesday March 18

10:00-11:00am - Seniors Yoga Columbia Valley Centre. Doors open 9:30 for warm-up and indoor walking-$2 drop-in. Please note: classes may be moved to Invermere Seniors Hall when the Columbia Valley Centre is booked for larger events.

1:00pm - Duplicate Bridge at the Invermere Seniors Hall.

2:00-3:00pm - Sewcial Hour Invermere Public Library. Bring your textile projects. Come and enjoy a cup of tea and connect with other makers. All welcome to attend.

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

EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS INTRODUCING

Our NEW Weekly Events Listing!

Want to see your community event listed in the Pioneer? Submit event details to admin@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Please include:

• Date

• Start and end times

• Event name & description

Local B.C. Winter Games athletes shine

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

The Columbia Valley was well represented by young athletes at the recent B.C. Winter Games in Rossland and Trail.

The Games are held every two years. This winter’s edition ran from February 25 to March 1 and featured valley athletes in freestyle skiing, gymnastics and judo.

David Thompson Secondary School (DTSS) Grade 9 student and Freestyle Panorama Ski Club member Logan Altmann took part in five events, grabbing gold in the moguls, a bronze in the combined freestyle, fifth in the big air competition, sixth in combined park event, and ninth in the rail jam.

Logan had won a provincial level moguls competition just prior to the B.C. Winter Games, so realized beforehand that he stood a chance of winning. That realization became reality when he pulled together some great runs for the gold.

“I was really excited when they called my name on the podium,” Lo-

gan told the Pioneer.  Logan said nothing matches “the thrill and energy” of flying down a mogul course, landing a great jump and executing a good mogul run.

Fellow Freestyle Panorama skier Ben Scott took silver in the moguls, and although they didn’t end up on the podium, seven other Freestyle Panorama skiers — Rylan Anderson, Lexi Carlson, Jackson Lehmann, Lydia McNally, Sophie Sharpe, Piper Sharpe, and Nora Solo — were at the Games and skied strongly.

Anya Stein won silver in the beam, came fourth in the floor, sixth in the vault, and sixth in the all around. Invermere gymnast Lauren Hofer also did well, finishing 12th in beam and 22nd in the all-around. The Kootenay gymnastics team came first on the vault and sixth overall.

In other sports, Invermere teen Konnor Cavanagh was part of the Kootenay judo team that came fifth overall.   Invermere skier

NOTICE OF PROPOSED ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENTS

Notice is hereby given under section 94 of the Community Charter, and section 467 of the Local Government Act, that the Council of the Village of Radium Hot Springs is considering amendments to its zoning bylaw. The proposed amendment is consistent with the Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 527, 2025.

Village of Radium Hot Springs Bylaw No. 528, 2026 Zoning - Amendment Bylaw No. 532, 2026 will amend the zoning of the subject property to allow for a site-specific regulation as follows:

R3 Zone – Small-Scale Residential

Site Specific Regulations

Uses and regulations apply on a site-specific basis as follows:

LEGAL DESCRIPTION

All properties within Plan NES50 (DL 486, Kootenay District Strata Pan NES50, Lots 1-71 and Lot 142)

REGULATION

These properties are permitted to have Short-term Rental (Stand-alone) as principal land use

Village of Radium Hot Springs Bylaw No. 528, 2026 Zoning - Amendment Bylaw No.532, 2026 will come before Council for first reading (and potentially additional readings) on:

March 23, 2026 at 4:00 P.M.

Radium Hot Springs Council Chambers 4836 Radium Boulevard

Radium Hot Springs, B.C.

And via Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting - https://zoom.us/ Meeting ID: 882 123 4110

Passcode: Radium

Copies of the proposed bylaw can be inspected at the Village of Radium Hot Springs Village Office, 4836 Radium Boulevard, from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday (except statutory holidays). The full bylaw may be also inspected on the Village Website: www.radiumhotsprings.ca

Property Affected: All properties within Kootenay District, Strata Plan NES50, Lots 1-71 and 142

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

Rockinomix, local talent inspires all

Submitted

On February 28 the stage at Columbia Valley Centre came alive with something special.

Rockinomix and the Local Talents wasn’t just a concert — it was a celebration of youth, courage, and community.

Six incredible young performers — Weston, Emma, Jeremy, Lilly, Cloe, and Lilah — opened the night with heart, grit, and undeniable talent before handing the stage over to the high-energy pros of Rockinomix.

Watching our local youth stand in the spotlight, cheered on by friends, families, and neighbours, was a powerful reminder of what happens when young people are given a chance to shine.

But the music was only part of the story.

The evening was a fundraiser for the Windermere Valley Youth Centre Society — also known as the Summit Youth Centre Hub.

For over 30 years, the Society has provided a safe, welcoming after-school space for teens aged 12 to 18 throughout the Columbia Valley.

At the Summit, youth find:

• A free drop-in centre every weekday after school

• Hot, home-cooked meals (think chicken Caesar salad, loaded perogies, homemade soup and grilled cheese — not just snacks)

• A pool table, board games, video games, and space to unwind

• Open gym nights

• Free counselling supports

• A summer mobile youth centre and skatepark

• Hiking adventures and handson skill-building workshops

For some teens, it’s mentorship. For others, it’s peer connection. And for many, it’s simply a safe place to belong.

Every single program is free.

In a world where everything seems to come with a subscription fee, we invite you to pause and consider this: What would a monthly membership cost for a place that feeds teens, supports their mental health, builds confidence, and keeps them safe after school?

At the Summit, that 'membership' is covered by community generosity.

We rely entirely on grants, fundraisers, and donations to keep our doors open and our kitchen running. And while events like Rockinomix make a tremendous difference, sustainable monthly support is what truly keeps the lights on.

If you believe young people in our valley deserve a safe place to land — a place to grow, to try, to fail, to perform, to eat, and to belong — please consider becoming a monthly donor.

For the cost of one coffee a month — $5 — you can help ensure a teen has somewhere safe to go tomorrow.

Become a regular supporter, because when we invest in our youth, the whole community takes centre stage.

Behind the Games with Cassidy Gray SPORTS

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Panorama skier Cassidy Gray, like fellow competitor Amelia Smart, was a bit unhappy with how she skied at the Winter Olympics, but enjoyed her time nonetheless.

Gray came 26th in the women’s downhill at the Cortina Milano Games; was part of a Canadian team disqualified in the women’s team combined event (Gray finished 22nd but her teammate Ali Nullmeyer missed a gate); and had DNFs (did not finish) in the Super giant slalom (Super-G), and giant slalom (GS).

“I’m pretty disappointed in myself ... I know I could have done better,” Gray told the Pioneer last week. “It was some silly mistakes (that led to the DNFs).”

Gray kept a cool head about her results, though, noting that “one great race doesn’t make you a great skier, and at the same time one bad race doesn’t make you a bad skier.”

She was quick to add, however, “But it (the DNFs) add fuel to my fire. I’m going to work that much harder to prove I can do it.”

In the Super G, Gray launched off a roller partway down the course, took air further than expected and consequently sailed wide of the next gate. “I did take a really straight line down the course. It’s a really fine line between skiing a really great run and skiing so hard you get a DNF,” she said. “I took a little bit too much (air). If my skis

had been pointed just five centimetres the other way, I would’ve been fine ... I didn’t want to ski too conservatively, then cross the finish line and regret being too safe.”

In the slalom, Gray got too low on one turn, losing speed as a result. This forced her to skiing more aggressively in an effort to make up the time lost, and she then fell.

While the Olympic results weren’t ideal, Gray is having a decent World Cup season and is building momentum as the winter goes on.

“Overall, I’m in a good spot — I’m proud of how I’m skiing right now, and I’m really happy with my mentality and my approach.”

The best part of the Olympics for Gray was having her family there to cheer her on — including both parents, all five of her siblings and her grandpa at the finish line in the GS race.

“It was awesome. They all have super busy lives of their own, but all of them took time out of that to come. And my grandpa, he not only flew over to Italy, but the venue (at Cortina) was not super accessible and he had to walk about 30,000 steps a day just to get around there,” said Gray. “I will never forget it.”

Gray confirmed her dad pretty much always wears a cowboy hat, but explained it’s not always black (he has grey and white cowboy hats too). Her dad’s black hat caught the attention of CBC cameras at the Games (and years ago was pictured in the Columbia Valley Weddings magazine).

Outside the skiing, Gray generated some headlines by making friends with Canadian hockey player Seth Jarvis (and the crew of pals that followed Jarvis to Italy), and by sharing on TikTok that her mom told her not to have a beer after her race.

Gray grew up playing hockey, and is a fan of Jarvis because Jarvis wears number 24, just as Gray did when she played team sports, and because Jarvis plays hockey with the same aggressive style that Gray employs in skiing. She made a random comment to that effect to an NBC reporter “and it blew up”, she explained.

Jarvis’s friends at the Games heard the comment, tracked down Gray and convinced her to come to the quarterfinal hockey game between Canada and Czechia, where she met Jarvis.

Similarly the TikTok post Gray made about the beer was just in fun, but quickly became something more. Social media messages of support poured in for Gray, telling her she deserved a drink after a hard race.

Did that change her mom’s opinion?

“Not at all. She said ‘I stand by it’,” reported Gray.

One CBC commentator labelled

Gray as “Canada’s sweetheart,” pointing out she thanks everyone helping out at the race for a job well done.

Gray told the Pioneer that sort of humility is ingrained into her by her family.

“The credit goes mostly to my siblings,” she said with a laugh. “They keep me humble and make sure my head never gets too big.”

Not incidentally, Gray also owns a clothing brand with her sisters, and they created a new line called — you guessed it — ‘Canada’s sweetheart’, just for the Olympics.

Other Olympic highlights for Gray include the opening ceremony in Cortina (“the village was packed. There were so many people lining the streets, up on balconies and leaning out windows”) and visiting the Ice Palazzo (also known as the ‘Canada House’) set up in Milan by Hockey Canada as a sort of Canadian community hub for the Games. Gray’s uncle works for Hockey Canada and helped establish the venue, so going to the Ice Palazzo also meant visiting with him, her aunt and cousin.

“The level of detail (at the Ice Palazzo) was incredible. It was such a cool experience for athletes and for visitors,” said Gray.

BETTER AT HOME

BETTER AT HOME COMMUNITY CONNECTOR

COMMUNITY CONNECTOR

SENIORS: Need Help at Home?

SENIORS: Need Help at Home?

• Light Housekeeping

• Light Housekeeping

BETTER AT HOME COMMUNITY CONNECTOR

BETTER AT HOME COMMUNITY CONNECTOR

• Rides to Appointments

SENIORS:

VOLUNTEERS URGENTY NEEDED: Give a Little, Help a Lot!

VOLUNTEERS URGENTY NEEDED: Give a Little, Help a Lot!

• Give Your Time & Care

• Give Your Time & Care

• Support Seniors

SENIORS: Need Help at Home?

• Rides to Appointments

Need help at home?

• Friendly Visits & More!

• Light Housekeeping

• Friendly Visits & More!

• Light housekeeping

• Rides to appointments

• Friendly visits & more!

• Support Seniors

VOLUNTEERS URGENTY NEEDED: Give a Little, Help a Lot!

• Training Provided!

VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY NEEDED: Give a little, help a lot!

• Training Provided!

• Give Your Time & Care

• Give your time & care

• Support seniors

• Training provided!

Valley remembers true gentleman Jim

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Last fall local residents bid farewell to one of the Columbia Valley’s most well-known residents, and certainly one of its longest lived.

Jim Ashworth was born in Cranbrook in 1919, and moved to Invermere when he was three. He died this past September, and during his 106 years Jim lived the valley lifestyle to its fullest and then some.

But he also spent decades of his life well beyond the boundaries of the Columbia Valley: his time in the Air Force included serving in the Allied forces’ Burma Campaign during the Second World War, and then, after the war, postings all over North America. It was while stationed in Saint Hubert, Quebec that he met his wife Gaetane in Ottawa.

He loved his family, the outdoors and the larger valley community, and was always quietly helping out.

Jim’s family moved to Invermere from Cranbrook in the early 1920s after his dad became the first manager of Invermere’s branch of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC). The house Jim once lived in as a kid still stands in Invermere, two doors south of the District of Invermere office.

“That was my dad, always recognizing when someone needed someone else . . he helped people in rough patches.”

- Daughter Valerie

“He told a lot of stories of growing up here. He had a lot of fun. There were a lot of characters in those days,” Jim’s daughter Valerie told the Pioneer

Some of those stories involved Wing Lee’s grocery store and emporium, one of early Invermere’s iconic businesses. Other tales were from Jim’s time working at the gate for Kootenay National Park, or when he and a friend fixed up an old 1913 Cadillac. As a teen he spent a full summer as a fire lookout, perched in the old tower on Mount Swansea.

Jim only came down off Swansea once or twice a week to get milk and other supplies.

“He had a shortwave radio in the lookout tower. When there were clear skies at night, he could pick up all kinds of shortwave signals and

tune in to music from all around the world,” said Valerie. A few times he did spot a plume of smoke, but mostly he was just up in that open space “with nothing but that radio for company. So he actually ended up befriending a squirrel for awhile.”

Sadly, the squirrel fell into Jim’s drinking water bucket and Jim didn’t find the furry creature until it had drowned.

Many years later, when Valerie was a teenager, Jim and Gaetane finally acquiesced to their daughter’s unending requests to get a horse. Jim (remembering the squirrel) converted an old bathtub into a drinking trough for the horse, but he made sure to construct an odd little apparatus so that any squirrels, mice or other critters that fell into the trough could easily get out.

In 1941, during the Second World War, Jim joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). By September 1942 he was in RAF No. 20 Squadron, stationed on the coast south of Chittagong (in present-day Bangladesh), flying single-seater Hawker Hurricane planes on the war’s ‘Forgotten Front’, in parts of what is now India, Bangladesh, and China. Jim’s fellow pilots felt like a band of brothers. During one particularly bad week, six pilots in the squadron were killed. Jim honoured these friends and others lost in the Burma Campaign by laying a wreath at the Invermere cenotaph each Remembrance Day.

After the war Jim remained in the Air Force’s radar program. He was posted to Tofino, Ottawa, Saint Hubert, Colorado Springs as part of NORAD, and to the Canadian High Arctic, among other places, and he helped look after the Cold War’s DEW (Distant Early Warning) line.

Jim finished his Air Force career in the mid 1960s and returned to the Columbia Valley with Gaetane. Valerie was born in 1967. The Veterans’ Land Act helped the couple purchase the Hoodoos Resort and Cabins near Fairmont Hot Springs along with Jim’s sister and brother-in-law, Fran and Jack Jeffery, and they ran the operation for several years.

After the Hoodoos campground, Jim tried his hand at several other careers. He was a plumber for a time, and worked many years at Hofert’s Christmas tree farm. He loved the Christmas tree farm job since it kept him outdoors, trimming, fertilizing and harvesting the trees along with his friend Carl Jones.

To Jim, Carl was not just a great co-worker, but also an excellent fishing pal, even if they sometimes didn’t actually fish together, per se.

“They each had their own view on which was the best place and the best way to fish. And their views were strong. So they would go for a day of fishing, and they would each take a boat and go to different ends of the lake,” recalled Valerie. “They’d meet in the middle of the lake for lunch, and then again at the end of the day.”

Aside from fishing, Jim loved hiking, golf, and just going for walks in nature.

Valerie remembers her dad as a very social fellow, and her parents threw plenty of New Year’s parties. There were often extra guests at family and Christmas dinners in the Ashworth house, people that Jim noticed seemed to be alone or down on their luck, and that he felt could use some company and good cheer.

“That was my dad, always recognizing when someone needed someone else or something else,” Valerie told the Pioneer. “He helped people in rough patches.”

When Valerie got her horse, Jim fenced in the family’s property by sourcing 90 per cent of the needed material from the landfill. But it wasn’t just fencing — to Jim the landfill was a treasure trove of all sorts of still-useful castaway objects.

“My mother was always afraid when he came home from the dump. She was worried what he would bring home this time,” Valerie

recalled with a laugh. “He was all about conservation and recycling. To the point that he drove my mom crazy because he never threw anything away.”

Jim built his own smokehouse out of an old freezer and an eavestrough. His workshop was usually full of stuff waiting for new uses or a new owner. “Someone would say, ‘Oh I really need this or that.’ And my dad would say ‘I have just the thing.’ And he would disappear into his workshop and come out with it,” said Valerie.

Jim was keen to try new things. Valerie remembers a family trip to Hawaii in the late 1970s and her dad “wanted to boogie board like the young guys on the beach. I talked him out of it, saying ‘I don’t want to bring you back in a stretcher.”

On another family trip, right around the turn of the millennium in Costa Rica, Jim tripped over a railway line and got a nasty gash on his leg. Local people rushed to help, took care of him, dressed the wound and made sure Jim got to a pharmacy. “Typical of him, he thought it was the best part of the trip,” said Valerie.

Jim also enjoyed collecting stamps. Valerie started accumulating stamps as a hobby as a youngster. When she grew up and left the Columbia Valley, she passed the collection on to her dad. Not one for half-measures, Jim “took (the stamp collection) to a whole new level,” said Valerie.

Continued on page 14

In left photo, Jim and Gaetane at the Hoodoos Resort and Cabins by Dutch Creek in 1966. At right, Jim’s dad Arthur Ashworth (a First World War veteran and the first manager for Invermere’s CIBC) on the far left.

SCREENSHOTS

The life and times of gentleman Jim Ashworth

Continued from page 13

“He probably had hundreds of thousands of stamps and he always meticulously trimmed and counted them ... he’d call me up and excitedly tell me ‘do you remember the Queen Elizabeth one we were missing – I’ve got it!”

But when a good cause arose, Jim was happy to part with some of the stamps, giving valuable ones to organizations to sell as fundraisers for cancer research.

“Dad liked to give back. He cared a lot about the health of the valley, the health of the land, and the health of our community,” said Valerie.

In 2005 Jim and Gaetane donated their Hoodoos property to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and

the land has now become the Dutch Creek Hoodoos Conservation Area.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jim launched his own fundraiser for the Columbia Valley Food Bank. Jim was 101 years old at the time and planned to walk 101 blocks. He was inspired by two fellow Second World War veterans, one in Victoria and the other in England. Like Jim they were Burma Star recipients, and each had walked laps or blocks for local charities in their respective homes. In the end Jim doubled his initial goal and walked 202 blocks.

After Gaetane passed away in September 2021, Jim honoured her memory by donating $150,000 to the Columbia Valley Community Foundation, which the foundation used to establish a fund that provides annual grants for the areas of greatest

need in the Columbia Valley.

Valerie pointed out that the RAF No. 20 Squadron’s motto was ‘Deeds not words’ and that her dad tried to live by that creed, not just during his military service but throughout his whole life.

“He would tell us ‘do things while you can’,” said Valerie.

It was in that spirit that Gaetane bought Jim a flight in a glider for his 95th birthday. “He said it was incredible to be flying again,” remembered Valerie, adding the glider pilot even let Jim take the controls for a while, given Jim’s background as a pilot.

Even as he neared a century in age, Jim remained as mobile and agile as people decades younger than him. In his final years Jim used a wheelchair to get around, but he was anything but slow in it. “Burn-

ing around town” is how Valerie described it. And to the very end he regularly and merrily joined in community events, such as Canada Day festivities.

At a cenotaph tribute and then celebration of Jim’s life at the Royal Canadian Legion Windermere District Branch #71 in Invermere on October 18, the hall was packed.

“About 80 per cent of the people there, I had no idea who they were. But my dad had a lot of friends,” said Valerie.

Those who knew Jim well told the Pioneer he lived life well, and embraced its opportunities as much as anyone can. “He was a remarkable person and a true gentleman. But he was always unbelievably modest,” said neighbour and friend John Wood. Continued on page 15

Pursuant to Section 494 of the Local Government Act, public notice is hereby given that the RDEK is considering the Short-Term Rental Temporary Use Permits (STR TUP) listed in the table below. Issuance of the permits will be considered by the delegated staff person at 10:00 am on March 25, 2026 at the RDEK office at 19 - 24 Ave S in Cranbrook, BC.

PERMIT

STR 6-26 4977 Taft Close (Spur Valley)

032-056-851 10

STR 9-26 4993 Falcon Drive (Fairmont Hot Springs) 013-292-536 8

All persons who believe they are affected by any Short-Term Rental Temporary Use Permits are encouraged to submit their concerns in writing to the RDEK office at 19 - 24 Ave S. Cranbrook, BC or by email to planningdept@rdek.bc.ca prior to 4:30 pm on March 19, 2026. All submissions should include your name and address. Please be advised that any written submissions will become part of the public record. The permit is available for viewing by email request, on the RDEK website (www.rdek.bc.ca/meetings_events/publichearings) or at the RDEK Offices between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. To search for properties online, visit: www.rdek.bc.ca/departments/mapping. For more information contact planning department staff at planningdept@rdek.bc.ca or 250-489-2791. All written submissions are public information pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All submissions will form

your personal information may be referred to the Corporate Officer at 250-489-2791 or 1-888-478-7335.

Ashworth's longevity a mystery to many

Continued from page 14

“He was able to tell you all kinds of history about the valley, going back to the very early days. He’d actually met (Robert) Randolph Bruce.”

Wood explained that Jim had taken him to see the remnants of the old flume that once existed in Fairmont Hot Springs, and told him stories about having parties there as a young man.

“I was finding out the valley’s history through someone who lived it,” said Wood.

Darlene Innes was another friend and neighbour of the Ashworths who remembered Jim as “a true gentleman. Very humble, he didn’t like a lot of publicity.” Innes recalled many happy dinners and get-togethers with Jim and Gaetane, and emphasized how much Jim liked to get out walking.

Innes noted that at the celebration of life in October, people who’d only known Jim for several years (and even then only mostly through a few phone calls) had felt compelled to drive from Vancouver to be at the event.

“He (Jim) was that type of person. Those were the types of friendships he made,” said Innes.

Local artist Pat Luders got to know Jim when she created a bronze portrait sculpture of him (along with some other well-known local residents) about a decade ago. “It was an honour ... he came back multiple times to sit for me and we would always have a good chat. I enjoyed his stories so much ... he was an amazing gentleman,” said Luders.

The bronze portrait Luders created depicts Jim as a young pilot, even though he was well into his nineties at the time the sculpture was made  “because despite his age, his eyes were still so young,” she said.

Linda and Brent McConnell were also neighbours and good friends of the Ashworths in Fairmont for many years.

“There’s no words to explain what a good man he was. His generosity, his humbleness. He was always well-dressed, well-groomed and so polite. He taught us a lot about the importance of giving back. He lived and breathed that, and he helped instill those values in us,” Linda told the Pioneer

She recalled that the last thing

Jim told her and Brent was: “Go live your life. It was such great advice, coming from him. Because his was a life well-lived for sure ... he made it his mission in life to keep going. He told us ‘the day you sit down is the day you don’t get up’.”

Linda too noted how Jim remained keen to try new things throughout his life. Even at 104 years old, for instance, he wanted to try an electric vehicle (EV). Each time Jim went through Cranbrook with the McConnells he curiously eyed up the EVs for sale at the dealership.

And she noted that Jim also kept his mind razor-sharp right to the end, relating how upon signing the MAID (Medical Assistant in Dying) papers, he realized that time was set for 9 a.m. the following day. He grinned wryly then said “Well, I guess we can cancel breakfast for tomorrow.”

Local residents Tim and Donna Strand got to know Jim and Gaetane in the early 1980s when the Ashworths dined at Strand’s restaurant.

“I was always inspired by Jim with his mild demeanour, kindness, immaculate appearance and zest for life,’ said Tim. A few days after Jim died in September, Tim was on the golf course and his phone rang. The caller ID read Jim Ashworth and “I said to the guys I have to take this call, it’s from heaven.” It was, of course, not Jim — it was Valerie calling on her dad’s phone. Still, Tim was happy to be able to share one “last laugh with Jim.”

“A lot of people asked him the secret to his longevity. He not only lived a very long time, but he was very healthy. He was completely medication free until the very final few months of his life,” said Jim’s nephew Nick Jeffery. Nick asked Jim’s doctor if he had any insights. The doctors said there was really no specific explanation why Jim was so fit and in such a good state of mind, more than a half decade past the century mark.

Even more puzzling was that Jim did plenty of things considered somewhat ‘unhealthy’ — he ate bacon, sausage and eggs every day for breakfast. He ate plenty of butter. And every Friday at 5 p.m., almost without exception, Jim would get together with neighbours and sip gin and tonics for cocktail hour.

“So I asked him about it (living long and well) and he told me ‘Nick, it’s very simple. I have one decision.

I wake up each morning. I get up, and I look in the mirror. I ask myself ‘Is it going to be a bad day, a good day, or a great day?’ I always opted for a great day. It’s my decision to make’,” Nick told the Pioneer. “Looking at the positive came naturally to him. He had a great appreciation for the life given to him. On top of all that, he was very pragmatic, which I think helps a lot.”

By the time we was 105, several years after Gaetane passed away, Jim was still living on his own and still driving himself around town. In fact he did so well on the eye test during his last driver licence test, back when he was 103, that he was given a licence good for five more years. It was still valid for another two years when he passed away in September.

“He was so independent. He didn’t want to bother anyone for anything. He gave everything to the world and didn’t expect anything back,” said Nick.

To illustrate just how deeply Jim felt this way, Nick related a story from a year ago, when Jim was 105. Jim went shopping on his own, came back home and loaded the groceries

into a push cart. He wheeled the cart down his hallway toward the fridge, but tripped over it, tumbling down a set of stairs so hard he ripped his arm open and put his head through the drywall.

It took Jim two hours to haul himself back up the stairs, bleeding all the while. He got up the stairs, reached for his walker and realized he didn’t have the strength — at least not right at that moment — to pull himself to standing. So he finally pressed the Life Alert button he’d been wearing the whole time. Paramedics arrived within minutes. When Jim told them what happened, they asked why he hadn’t pressed the button right away.

“Oh, well, I didn’t want to bother you if it wasn’t truly necessary,” Jim replied.

Nick said he feels really lucky to have had an uncle like Jim. “He would say ‘I’m just another guy.’ But I always thought he was a really remarkable guy. He had a great sense of humour and his moral compass was impeccable. He never liked to dwell in the past. He’d tell me “It’s (the past) gone. We live for today,

U13 hockey - a 'banner' season

Submitted

What a season this hockey year has brought for a great group of 11-12-year-old U13 players in our valley!

At a time when many athletes start to drop out of hockey in favour of other less time-intensive activities, the Windermere Valley Minor Hockey Association (WVMHA) and its hard working and caring coaches have produced a throng of dedicated players at this age group and it’s been a beautiful thing this year.

Three times per week plus games and tournaments, these committed players (and their parents) have had “a banner season” and literally

brought home three of three banners for their age group.

With such a large group of players trying to maximize skill development and ice time, we had players compete on teams for the Windermere Rockies as well as the Golden Rockets and the Cranbrook Bucks this season.

Each team placed first in their respective leagues, and after all winning their playoff rounds have brought home the championship banners to hoist in their arena’s collections. Congratulations to all the players!

The U13 Golden Rockets additionally won the battle (called “Playdowns”) to represent the East

Kootenays at the BC provincial championships being held this year in Kitimat for their tier level (a mere 15-hour drive from here for those interested). And now five of our Windermere/Canal Flats boys are heading up there to represent with the Golden team.

To help offset the costs of attending the championships, the boys and their families have been hard at work raising additional funds needed for travel and all the extra expenses.

Our community has rallied behind them and we would love to thank everyone for their support including private donors, Konig Meats, the Legion, the Lions Club, the Kinsmen Club, the District of Invermere,

Windermere Valley Minor Hockey Association, Panorama Mountain Resort, K5 Mechanical, Stingers Golf Simulator, Oneberrie, ULLR Bar, Begginnings Breakfast and Lunch, Grey Wolf Golf Course, and Sobeys. Community support is everything and we are so appreciative!

The BC Championships take place over spring break, March 1518. Our girls who play with the Cranbrook Bucks are additionally attending the Female Championships in Vernon on March 19-22.

Good luck to all the players and thank you all again for the community support.

ENTERTAINMENT

Her Voice in Chamber - piano quartets

Submitted

When selecting works for this concert, violinist Carolyn Cameron and pianist Nina Horvath had no idea how many wonderful works they would have at their disposal.

“That was the hardest part, ”says Cameron, “so many great works to choose from. It was really tough to narrow it down."

Cameron deferred to her pianist in the final selection. “Piano parts are notoriously difficult, so I feel that the pianist’s choice should be the deciding factor."

The program will consist of “Im Sommer” by Louise Héritte-Viardot, Piano Quartet in G Major by Emilie Mayer, and Piano Quartet #1 by Mel Bonis.

“All are beautiful works,” says Cameron, “and each woman faced the challenged of being a woman composer at a time when such activities were frowned upon."

Take Mel Bonis (1858-1937) for example, who showed great promise as a composer and musician in Paris, but was actively discouraged by her family. She succumbed to family pressure to marry a rich widower with five children and no interest in music, thus sidelining her music career.

The other two women featured in this concert were encouraged by their families in their musical pur-

suits, highly unusual for the time. Louise Héritte-Viardot (1841-1918) was the daughter of the famous singer and composer Pauline Viardot; thus Louise had encouragement and precedence to pursue her passion.

Emilie Mayer (1812-1883) was not only encouraged to compose by her family, but was also under no pressure to get married. Subsequently she became one of the 19th century’s most prolific composers, earning the nickname “female Beethoven” by her peers.

La Cafamore comes with an all female group of musicians, with Cameron on violin, Nina Horvath on piano, Angela Snyder on viola and Anne Scott on cello.

“To be able to play wonderful works by women, with a group of talented women is truly special,” says Cameron.

The group is excited to be returning to Invermere.

“Performing at Christ Church Trinity with its grand piano is something we all look forward to. We also look forward to our dedicated Invermere audience.”

The concert is Friday, March 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church Trinity. The cost is $20. Advance tickets are available at Inspire Flowers at 1046A - 7th Ave

Concert goers can also purchase their tickets at the door.

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Jokers Canada returns to Invermere

Submitted

Following a sold out event in 2025, Jokers Canada is thrilled to return to Invermere this month with another lineup of Canada’s best comedians.

They will make you laugh, cry, giggle and cheer as they joke around and hit your funnybone with gusto.

Enjoy an evening of hilarious stand-up comedy live at Columbia Valley Centre on Friday, March 27. This month’s lineup features comedians from Canada’s Got Talent, CBC Debaters, Sirius XM and more! Purchase online in advance for savings.

Questions: info@jokerscanada.ca

Social: @jokerscanada

Tix: jokerscanada.ca

Jokers Canada returns to Invermere on Friday, March 27 for some live, stand-up comedy.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

TAFT

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

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.

Cheers to Invermereians. I went to the post office today on my bike. I received 2 huge parcels and struggled to load them onto the cargo rack. Within a minute, 3 separate people offered to drive the parcels to my house. Reminded me why I love living in Invermere!

Elaine Josephine (Scammell) Doran

It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Elaine Doran, 79, of Fairmont Hot Springs, BC, on February 24, 2026 after a battle with cancer. Elaine is survived by her husband Morton, her children Jeffrey (Jillian) and Eric (Veena), four grandchildren, and her siblings Doug (Adeline), Joyce, Irene (Wally), Vern (Janet), Lyle (Iris), Sherrian, and sister-in-law, Lil.

A nurse, business owner, bird enthusiast and nature lover, those closest to Elaine will remember her positive spirit and, most of all, her unwavering commitment to her family as a dedicated wife and mother.

A service will be held at a later date in her hometown of Ridgedale, SK.

Cheers to the senior gentleman at Huckleberry’s on March 3, who saw me dining alone and paid for my meal. What a kind gesture. I don’t know your name, but you made my entire day!

Cheers to Jaye and Heath at Selkirk Cellulars for going above and beyond to help me. Great service!

Cheers to Hannah our server at Huckleberry’s. Always smiling and friendly.

Cheers to Julia O. for the great job on my hair.

Cheers to Linda A for winning the Majestic Baking Contest again this year.

Cheers to Cathy our Canada Post delivery person. Your hard work and friendliness is appreciated.

Cheers to the staff at Crossroads Esso for the friendly service.

Cheers to Akisqnuk First Nation for hosting the Community Strengthening Dinner. It was great to see everyone, and the food was really tasty.

Cheers to my favorite Amazon delivery person Tammie D. You are awesome! Keep up the great work.

Cheers to Janice G. for picking up and delivering something to me from Cranbrook. Much appreciated.

Cheers to women in their 80's who don't fit the "senior profile" and will not be put in a box.

FOR RENT

House in Invermere for rent. No pets. Long term. $1250. Utilities not included. Year lease. 250-341-7116

Ian “Scotty” Morrison

Ian “Scotty” Morrison - Passed away peacefully at Columbia Gardens in Invermere on Thursday morning, February 25, 2026 in his 96th year. Born in Montreal shortly after his parents’ arrival from Scotland, sport was the first love in Scotty’s life. Scotty enjoyed playing and officiating baseball and hockey. It was while officiating in the Western Professional League that he met the love of his life Margaret Joan Perry during a memorable 20 minute flight that would change the course of his life. Scotty and Joanie built a remarkable life centered on faith and love while raising a beautiful family of eight, Ian (Sue), the late Perry 1982, Kathy (Bernd Gutgesell), Don (Valerie), Cam (Carla), the late Karen 2023, Joanne (Rob Gray), Carolyn (Dean McIntosh).

recognition of outstanding contribution to the world of hockey.

Despite his demanding career, Scotty always made time for what mattered the most. Summers were spent at the family cottage on Kennisis Lake, where lifelong memories were made with Joanie, their children and grandchildren.

Predeceased by his beloved Joanie and his son Perry and daughter Karen. Many would suggest that he had too many grandchildren to count but the official number was 26 who loved and adored him, along with 4 great grandchildren. Scotty is also fondly remembered by his sister Cindy and her family.

While family was always his focal point, Scotty’s contribution to hockey was extraordinary. He became the youngest official in the NHL, later serving as the NHL Referee In Chief and Vice-President. In 1986 he was appointed to develop and open the new Hockey Hall of Fame. His dream came true when the new ‘Shrine of Hockey’ opened in 1993 in downtown Toronto. He was inducted into the Hall in 1999 in

SERVICES

K. B. Creations

Handyman services, Renovations, Masonry, Plumbing, Drywall & Painting. Please call Kevin 250-688-2897

Firewood For Sale Dry 16” fir. Delivered. $425 per cord 250-688-0373

After Scotty retired from the NHL, he devoted his retirement years to volunteer work, raising money for the Hospital in Haliburton and spending time with his cherished grandchildren. Scotty’s greatest and most enduring legacy was his family. A legacy filled with love, humour and his dedication to his faith. These qualities continue to guide and inspire his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all who knew him.

To truly remember & honour Scotty, be sure to thank a coworker today; give your child a tight hug and let them know you love them; Thank your kid’s coach; be respectful to a sports official and/or count your blessings.

God Bless

There will be a service in both Invermere & Haliburton County.

June 26, 2026 @ 11 a.m. Canadian Martyrs Parish in Invermere. Reception at the church hall to follow.

Funeral arrangements in Ontario will be posted once finalized.

ACCOMMODATION WANTED

Long time valley residents. Myself and my 87 year old father are looking for a longterm rental home between Edgewater and Canal Flats for this spring/summer. We have 2 dogs, 1 very small, 1 medium who are very well behaved. Ph 250-341-5959

Email: 4kbbaker@gmail.com

Need office space?

Self-contained furnished offices available on monthly & weekly basis. Downtown location suitable for professionals; lease includes security, weekly janitorial, internet & utilities. BWDproperties1@gmail. com or 250-688-1946

Cvik, Ludwig “Lud”

February 1, 1938 - March 3, 2026

It is with deep sadness that I’m sharing the news that my dad, Ludwig “Lud” Paul Cvik passed away on March 3, 2026, in Invermere, BC, just one month after his 88th birthday. Even though Alzheimer’s Disease robbed dad of the last years of his life, he still recognized me and knew who I was at the end and for that I am thankful.

Lud was born in Canmore and spent many years living and raising a family in the Bow Valley. Even though he moved away from Canmore when he retired, he always called Canmore home. He will be lovingly remembered by son Chris (Catherine). He was predeceased by his daughter Cynthia, wife Norah, long-time friend and travel companion Merceil Ahearn, parents Stephen and Mary Cvik, two sisters Rose and Margaret, and brothers Cyril and John.

Lud grew up in Canmore and dropped out of school to work. After a short stint at the Company Store in Canmore, he went to work for the Canmore Mines where he worked until it closed in 1979. Afterwards, he was fortunate like many others to find work in Exshaw with Canada Cement Lafarge. A back injury led to Lud retiring early and eventually relocating to Columere, just outside of Fairmont, BC.

Like his older brothers, Lud loved fishing when he was growing up. He was a regular at the Canmore Legion playing darts, cards (pitch) and then moved onto the pool table. Later in life he loved being outside and took up golf where he was proud of his ‘hole in one’ trophy from Coy’s Par 3 golf course.

For many, many years Lud and Merceil travelled to Mexico as snowbirds spending several months there each winter. They would return to Columere where Lud was happiest being outside cutting the grass, tending to their small flower and vegetable garden and enjoying a glass of red wine for his efforts afterwards.

Lud’s family would like to thank Dr. Shannon Page, the nurses and staff at Columbia Garden Village – Ivy House for the respect, dignity, and care, they provided to him. We also want to recognize and thank Leanne at Heartfelt Companions for Seniors for the companionship she provided.

Lud will be buried in the Canmore Cemetery in a private ceremony. Any memorial donations can be be to the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley at https://

HELP WANTED

We are seeking a qualified Small Systems Operator (up to Level 2) for our Invermere, BC operations. Candidates must hold valid water and wastewater certifications, be able to travel and work independently, and have a clean driver’s abstract with fewer than three violations in the past three years. Email: jay@ sampsonwaterservices. com

Dragonfly Discovery

Children’s Centre

Seeking Summer

Day Camp Leader

June 22 to Sept 4 dragonflydiscoverycentre. com

WORKSHOP

OPEN HOUSE

FIRST TIME EVER

Open House for MY WONDER WORKSHOP.

Unique One of a Kind Creations, Lighthouses, Home Decor, Glassware, Feathers, Florals, Jewelery Holders, Yard Art, Acrylic Art, Nauticals, Naturals, Candles & more.

March 14 Doors open 10AM 12-B Wolf Cres behind Tim Hortons.

You’re invited to receive a FREE mini bundle of pussy willows per household while supplies last. Cash, Debit, or etranfers accepted.

See Facebook Market Place for pics

3A – 492 Arrow Road

Invermere, BC V0A 1K2

T: 250-341-3678

F: 250-341-3683

www.shuswapband.net

Call for AppointmentsFinance and Audit Committee for the Shuswap Band

Shuswap Band is seeking two (2) qualified, independent individuals to join our Finance and Audit Committee {FAC). This standing committee provides structured oversight of governance, risk management, and internal controls to ensure the integrity of Shuswap Band’s financial practices.

TERM

We are filling two positions with staggered terms to ensure organizational continuity:

• Appointment A: Term ending November 2027. Appointment B: Term ending November 2028.

PAYMENT

Successful candidates will earn a quarterly stipend of $500.00 and are expected to meet at least once every three months.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking qualified candidates that can demonstrate Independence and Financial Competency.

Financial Competency

We are looking for members that have a experience and interest in Finance. Our ideal candidate would be able to:

Read and analyze annual audited financial statements and their accompanying notes.

• Understand accounting policies, including estimates and judgments applied by management.

• Assess Shuswap Band’s risk environment and the strategies adopted to mitigate those risks.

Independence

To ensure objective oversight, candidates must not have a financial relationship with Shuswap Band’s government or management that could interfere with their judgment. You are ineligible if:

You are a current employee of Shuswap Band.

• You or a dependent provide contracting, consulting or advisory services to Shuswap Band. You are a partner or owner of an entity providing legal, accounting, or financial services to Shuswap Band.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

You will be working with the Director of Finance and Executive Director to:

• Review draft annual budgets and quarterly financial statements.

• Monitor financial reporting and fraud risks.

• Recommend the selection and performance of external auditors.

• Develop long-term strategic and financial plans for Council approval.

HOW TO APPLY

Please email ed@shuswapband.ca if you are interested. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2026.

Home builders win awards

A local home building company has earned several national and regional accolades this winter.

At the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) National Towards Net Zero Renovations Bootcamp in Ottawa in January, Invermerebased thinkBright Homes earned the Integrated Design Process (IDP) Catalyst award, with a special mention for community scaling of retrofits.

The award was for the LEEP10 Pilot Project, done by thinkBright Homes in partnership with the Community Energy Association (CEA), which grouped 10 homes into a single planning cohort and demonstrated how deep energy savings of 50 per cent or more can be made more affordable and accessible.

The Invermere company continued its awardwinning momentum at the CHBA-Central Interior Keystone Awards in Kamloops on February 7, where the thinkBright Step 5 Code home ‘Sandcastle’  won best detached home ($1 million to $1.5 million); and the thinkBright home ‘Field

House’ (designed by Invermere home designer Jillian Cochrane) was a finalist in two categories: best single family home ($750,000 to $1 million) and best environmental initiative.

"Our goal has always been to prove that beautiful design and extreme energy performance aren't mutually exclusive," said thinkBright Home co-owner Meredith Hamstead. "Whether we are building a wildfire-resilient luxury home like Sandcastle or scaling deep retrofits through our LEEP10 project, we are focused on creating future-ready homes."

thinkBright co-owners Meredith Hamstead and Paul Denchuk at the CHBA-Central Interior Keystone Awards.

914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339

Invermere, BC V0A 1K0

Tel: (250) 342-9281 Fax: (250) 342-2934

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Summer Students

Exciting Summer Job Opportunities in Invermere!

Looking for an active and rewarding summer job working outdoors? The District of Invermere is hiring Summer Students for Parks Labourer and Garden Labourer positions within our Public Works Department!

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience, work as part of a fun and dynamic team, and make a real impact in your community. Positions are running from May to the end of August and are full-time (up to 40 hours per week) or part-time.

Why Join Us?

• Work outside and stay active all summer.

• Competitive pay within the CUPE Local 2982 bargaining unit

• Flexible work options – full-time or part-time opportunities available

• Build valuable skills in landscaping, maintenance, event support, and more!

AVAILABLE POSITIONS

Parks Labourer

Love working outdoors? As a Parks Labourer, you’ll be helping to keep Invermere’s parks and green spaces in top shape. Duties include:

Landscaping and maintaining parks & cemeteries

Garbage pickup, painting, and pothole filling

Graffiti removal and general upkeep

Driving and operating basic equipment

Typical shifts: Monday to Friday, 8-hour shifts (start times may vary between 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.). Some weekend shifts required.

Garden Labourer

If you have a passion for plants, this role is for you! As a Garden Labourer, you’ll work on:

Planting and maintaining beautiful flowerbeds

Weeding, pruning, fertilizing, and general garden care

• Supporting the upkeep of various trees, shrubs, and plants

Typical shifts: Monday to Friday, 8-hour shifts (start times may vary between 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m., depending on weather & activities). Some weekend shifts required.

Starting Pay Rate:

The current starting wage for a student is $22.55. Who Should Apply?

• A valid Class 5 Drivers License is required.

• Must be enrolled in high school or post secondary school. We’re looking for motivated, hard-working students who enjoy working outdoors, take pride in their community, and aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty! Whether you’re interested in landscaping, gardening, or event planning, there’s a role for you.

Apply today and make the most of your summer in Invermere!

If you are interested in this position, please send a cover letter and resume outlining your qualifications and experience to corporateservices@invermere. net or the address below quoting “Summer Student 2026 – the position you would like to apply for”.

District of Invermere

Attn: Kindry Dalke, Director of Corporate Services Box 339, Invermere, BC, V0A 1K0

Tel: (250) 342-9281

Fax: (250) 342-2934

Email: corporateservices@invermere.net

This opportunity will remain open until it is filled. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted. Additional information about this opportunity may be requested by contacting the District.

Engineering/Planning Summer Student

The District of Invermere is accepting applications for an Engineering or Planning undergraduate student to work as part of our Public Works and Planning Departments. This is a temporary full-time or part-time position within the CUPE Local 2982 bargaining unit starting in May until the end of August. This position works 35 hours per week.

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, the Student Engineering position will work on a variety of projects including development of maintenance programs, assistance with development applications, sourcing quotations for projects, information research, records updates, involvement with civil construction project and other tasks as assigned. The days will consist of 7 hour days, with a start time of 8:30 am, Monday to Friday.

EMPLOYMENT TERM

Employment will commence in early May and will terminate in late August.

STARTING PAY RATE

The current starting wage for a student is $29.83.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

1. You must be attending school, college or university and enrolled in a Civil Engineering or Planning undergraduate during the last school term and returning to your studies in the subsequent academic year.

2. Knowledge of word-processing, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, and records management would be an asset.

3. Knowledge of municipal operations would be an asset.

4. Knowledge of Occupational Health & Safety Regulations as related and appropriate.

How to apply:

If you are interested in this position, please send a cover letter and resume outlining your qualifications and experience to corporateservices@invermere. net or the address below quoting “Summer Student 2026 – Engineering/Planning”. District of Invermere

Attn: Kindry Dalke, Director of Corporate Services Box 339, Invermere, BC, V0A 1K0 Tel: (250) 342-9281

Email: corporateservices@invermere.net

This opportunity will remain open until it is filled. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted. Additional information about this opportunity may be requested by contacting the District.

914 – 8th Avenue, PO Box 339

Invermere, BC V0A 1K0

Tel: (250) 342-9281

Fax: (250) 342-2934

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Position: Temporary Receptionist Department: Corporate Services & Administration

Status: CUPE - Full Time Temporary Classification: Clerk

The District of Invermere has an opening for a Temporary Receptionist position in its Corporate Services & Administration Department.

Under the general supervision of the Director of Corporate Services, the Receptionist position performs a variety of routine and non-routine clerical tasks, word processing, spread sheeting, record keeping, cashiering, photocopying, and other duties as assigned. In this role, you will provide administrative support and coordination for the Corporate Services and Administration Departments, both operationally as well as for special projects.

The Receptionist position is required to exercise some independent judgment and action within the limits of departmental systems and procedures. The Receptionist position must deal courteously and effectively with the public and municipal clients.

Applicants interested in applying for this position must possess the following skills and abilities:

Two years or more of recent experience in an administrative support role.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and Adobe and a minimum net keyboarding speed of 50 to 80 words per minute.

Considerable knowledge of administrative practices, procedures, and standard protocols.

Ability to communicate effectively with the public, elected officials, other staff including management both verbally and in writing.

Working knowledge of and experience using standardized business letter formats, as well as record management systems.

• Exceptional attention to detail.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as working in a team environment.

Excellent organizational, time management, and priority assessment skills including ability to perform effectively while under pressure.

Ability to defuse sensitive situations in a tactful and professional manner.

Possess excellent interpersonal skills.

The preferred candidate for this position will have completed a business college or secretarial program with extensive computer training. Municipal work experience would be an asset.

A job description for this position is available but is currently under review.

This position is within C.U.P.E. 2982 bargaining unit. The current wage rate for this position $35.87 per hour as detailed in the Collective Agreement. The Receptionist position is expected to work 35 hours per week Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

This position is a temporary position and will expire December 31, 2026 with the possibility of extension.

Persons interested in applying for this position are invited to submit their resumes by 2:00 pm on Friday, March 27th, 2026 to:

District of Invermere

Attn: Kindry Dalke, Director of Corporate Services Box 339, Invermere, BC, V0A 1K0

Email: corporateservices@invermere.net

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted.

Pre-loved clothing market returns

Submitted

After a successful first pre-loved clothing market in fall 2025, Wildsight Invermere is putting on another pre-loved clothing market as part of the new Columbia Valley Shift Sustainability program by the organization.

March 26 will see the spring edition of hopefully many more seasonal pre-loved clothing markets at Columbia Valley Centre from 5 to 8 p.m.

These clothing market events were created to give residents of the Columbia Valley the opportunity to make some money out of clothes that they no longer wear, divert textile waste from landfill and keep quality items in circulation.

We live in a place where we do not have access to a multitude of shops, so more often than not people will shop online. This results in the item not fitting how we would like or it's not exactly what we imagined.

Did you know that fast fashion and textile waste accounts for millions of tons in landfills each year globally?

Columbia Valley Shift, a circular economy program from Wildsight Invermere, involves moving away from the traditional “take-makeuse-dispose” linear model toward a system where resources are kept in use for as long as possible, waste is eliminated, and natural systems are regenerated.

Stall holders price their preloved items themselves and keep their profits. Shoppers can expect to find an array of good quality womens, mens and kids clothing.

The event is not just about buying and selling clothes, it's about getting the community together, slow down fashion and divert textile waste going to our landfill.

Invermere Brewing Co. beers will be available for purchase as well as the valley's own Valley Dawgs, providing light dinner options to purchase.

FAITH

Here am I, send me

Pastor Wayne Frater Radium Christian Fellowship Church

As I was seeking the Lord about what to write about, and as I was mulling over what is going on in the world these days, He brought to mind some teachings from Isaiah chapter 55:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater. So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall

go out with joy, and be led forth with peace.”

Our Lord, our God, our heavenly Father, would have us share what He has done for us, The Love that He has for the world.

God tells us “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

God would have us to be seed planters, He would have us to plant the Word, and based on the parable of the sower in Matthew 13, with the Lord's blessing, we have embarked on a seed plant initiative, a change in our order of service, with the focus being on discipleship evangelism.

We have our regular worship service at 10 a.m., and at 11 we change direction into a time of teaching on the importance of doing as Jesus says, “Go and make disciples,” we are studying on what that means, how to go and share God's word, that is planting the seed, and how to follow up with discipleship.

Isaiah 6:8 we read: “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said “Here am I, send me.”

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