Columbia Valley Pioneer - October 16, 2025

Trio of local teens makes '30 under 30'

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

The Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) and the nonprofit group Junior Chamber International (JCI) Kootenay teamed up this year for the firstever Columbia Basin-wide effort to honour teens and young adults making change and assuming leadership roles in their communities.

The inaugural ‘30 Under 30’ list featured three Columbia Valley residents — Devin Capilo and Deeken Pascal from Shuswap Band, and Findlay Whittick from Invermere. And for good measure, the three valley honourees ducked under that age 30 cutoff by quite some margin: Deeken is 15 years old, Findlay is 17 years old, and Devin is 18 years old. The three are among just eight teens from across the whole basin to make the list.

Devin made the list for serving as Junior Salmon Chief and Guardian and being a “keeper of the land.” He recently graduated from David Thompson Secondary School (DTSS), is learning Secwépemc language and cultural protocols, and is skilled in traditional practices and creative arts. CBT and JCI lauded

Invermere

on the Lake

Devin’s commitment to cultural preservation and youth advocacy, and his efforts to strengthen his community for future generations.

Deeken was included in the 30 Under 30 as a dedicated advocate for Hoop Dancing and Secwépemc culture. The CBT and JCI explained that he shares his leadership at community events through dance, hand drumming, and mentorship of younger Shuswap Band members.

Findlay made the list for his entrepreneurial flair and dedication to helping kids develop soccer skills. When Findlay was 15 he launched his Summit Soccer Camps business for kids aged six to 13. Through the camps Findlay not only coaches the kids to get better at dribbling soccer balls, but also encourages them to stay active and builds their confidence. The camps serve dozens of Columbia Valley families and employ local coaches. Findlay was recognized as Youth Entrepreneur of the Year by the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce in 2024.

Those who made the 30 Under 30 list were honoured during a special event in Kimberley on Saturday, Sept. 27.

Continued on page 5

Local Government Assistance (Grant-in-Aid)

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

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

HARVEST DINNER

October 19th at 5pm

Edgewater Community Hall

Adults $20

Children (under 12) $10

Hosted by Edgewater Seniors and Edgewater United Church Guild

SNOW REMOVAL

CVSAR assists with search

Columbia Valley Pioneer staff

The recent search for the six-year-old boy who went missing during an Alberta camping trip weighed heavy on members of Columbia Valley Search and Rescue (CVSAR).

The local group was called upon to assist in the multi-agency task that ended without success after no evidence turned up, leading to the search being called off.

Darius Macdougall from Lethbridge went missing while camping with family; he was last seen going for a walk with young family members but did not return to the campsite on September 21.

The RCMP told media that all search tactics, which included dogs, horses, helicopters and drones, were exhausted. They even searched underwater. Police said there was nothing to indicate foul play.

While the investigation is ongoing, the RCMP

said if the boy is still within the search area, they don’t believe he is still alive.

Scott Chaffey, search manager for CVSAR, told the Pioneer they sent three members to assist in the ground (grid) search, which involved walking in a designated area of thick vegetation and mountainous terrain.

Chaffey said CVSAR members always give up their time to help others in crises, but a task of this magnitude is difficult to deal with emotionally.

“Most of us are parents . . . we feel it more. When it ends up being unresolved such as this (incident), it’s hard on members,” he said. However, there are resources available to help deal with this critical incident stress, he noted.

Chaffey pointed out this task was very well coordinated, involving three provinces and many search team members. It was reported the search area was 22 square kilometres, with ground search teams covering more than 5,300 kilometres.

Local youth shine on leadership stage

Continued from page 3

The Pioneer attempted to reach all three Columbia Valley honourees for comment, but was only able to connect with Findlay. He was humble about being on the 30 Under 30 list, telling the Pioneer “I’m still just a kid. I still do fun stuff. I guess I just found my passion a bit younger than other people.”

Findlay is technically in Grade 12 this year, set to graduate from DTSS next June, but he’s actually completed all of his coursework well ahead of time and is spending most of this year working to save up money for post secondary education. Perhaps not surprisingly, given that’s he already an entrepreneur, Findlay plans to study business.

“I didn’t have a good idea what I wanted to do in life until I started the soccer camps. Once they took off, I realized just how much I love it,” he said.

An affinity for entrepreneurship “might be a family thing,” said Findlay, pointing out that both his mom and dad have launched either businesses or nonprofit organizations in recent years.

The CBT-JCI’s first 30 Under 30 list coincided with CBT’s 30th anniversary.

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Wanted: East Kootenay board member!

Our Columbia Region board is looking for a new member from the East Kootenay who will help make funding & strategic decisions that support our mission to conserve & enhance fish & wildlife in watersheds impacted by BC Hydro dams.

Do you want to network, sharpen your decision-making skills, be part of a team, and further your commitment to reconciliation?

We offer:

• A chance to build new skills and use the ones you have!

• A flexible meeting schedule

• Compensation for your time (you’ll get paid!)

• A supportive team

Apply by 5 p.m. MT on Friday, November 14.

To ensure geographic diversity on our board, we are inviting only interested candidates from the East Kootenay to apply.

Aspiring youth

What a contrast —NHL superstar Connor McDavid signs a $25-million (two-year) contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers and some student athletes in the Columbia Valley are struggling to pay sports team costs.

If $25 million wasn't enough, NHL rookie Kirill Kaprizov will get $136 million over eight years, reportedly the richest deal in league history.

There has always been debate on the ridiculous amount of money made by professional athletes who don’t save lives but merely score points.

How much will the top volleyball and basketball players in the Columbia Valley make this season? Zero. In fact, they will have to smash their piggy banks to attend a handful of regional tournaments.

A local parent recently contacted the Pioneer raising a concern about the high cost for students to compete in their chosen sport. Costs such as busing and accommodation. These costs fall on team members or their parents, (which can be a hardship) and is often the deciding factor whether a student plays the sport or not.

Due to travel distances from one community to the next, it can cost a family several hundred dollars for one season of competition. There are programs such as KidSport and Jumpstart that help youth overcome financial barriers, but not all are eligible.

Rocky Mountain School District No. 6 informs the Pioneer that core programming is its primary responsibility and that all extracurricular programs, including school sports, operate on a user-pay model.

According to school superintendent Aaron Callaghan, it has not been the practice of the school district to subsidize extracurricular travel. Sports teams determine their own schedules for competition and are responsible for their own travel expenses. However, when teams do travel by bus, the cost of the first tank of fuel is absorbed by the school district, and there is no per/km charge for the use of the vehicle.

The school district operates 30 buses and transports more than 1,700 students between home and school daily at no cost to families.

While there are no McDavids or Kaprizovs in the district, there are plenty of students who aspire to be great on their own level on and off the ice, but they need all the help they can get.

Lyonel Doherty, editor

OPINION

Historical Lens

Angel Flight very grateful

Angel Flight East Kootenay has again received a generous donation from the proceeds of the Show & Shine in Radium, hosted by the Columbia Valley Classic Car Club. We’re deeply grateful for this community support—especially now as aircraft use continues to grow and maintenance costs soar higher than we can fly!

As a volunteer director with Angel Flight, I’m proud of what our small team has accomplished. Since 2019, we’ve flown more than 3,000 East Kootenay residents to Kelowna for medical appointments—flights that remain essential because many specialized services are unavailable locally, and partly due to Alberta policies that deny certain treatments to B.C. residents.

Angel Flight’s services are completely free and available to anyone needing medical travel, regardless of the type of treatment. Our volunteer pilots donate their time and skills so patients can focus on healing, not travel.

We are now launching a campaign to replace our aging Cessna 414A with a newer, more efficient aircraft to keep these vital flights in the air for years to come.  Lower maintenance costs are key.  We are looking to municipal, provincial governments and businesses to help.

For more information, inquire about a flight, or to lend your support, please visit www.angelflightek.ca. Scott Wallace, director, Angel Flight East Kootenay

Ageing isn't the problem, ageism is

October 9 was Ageism Awareness Day and an opportunity to reflect how age discrimination manifests in our daily lives to reduce its prevalence.

Ageism refers to stereotypes (how we think), prejudices (how we feel), and discrimination (how we act) towards others and ourselves based on age. The World Health Organization says ageism affects people of all ages and it negatively impacts health, well-being and human rights.

Last fall, my office asked British Columbians to take a survey on ageism and 9,200 people responded. Eight-four per cent said ageism was an issue, and 54 per cent reported being directly impacted by ageism.

People shared countless stories of firsthand experience and expressed that ageism impacted them in employment, health care, finances, media and culture, social isolation, and personal

safety. Older adults said they experienced “physical, emotional and financial abuse”, they saw “negative media portrayals, scornful stereotypes”, and they felt “brushed off" by their doctor.

In their own words: "I’m getting the message that it’s time for me to step aside”, “I am expected to be old and feeble and not able to look after myself” and “I’m assumed to have dementia, or to be mentally simple and slow.”

B.C. is rapidly ageing. By 2036, one in four British Columbians will be over 65. Despite this quickly shifting demographic, seniors are often sidelined and considered a burden. Others are made to feel they should make way for younger generations by retiring from their job, selling their house, or foregoing medical treatment.

There is hope - the United Nations is drafting a Convention on the Right of Older Persons to provide a comprehensive legal framework,

Targeting CWD with deer hunt

Submitted

A deer hunt is being introduced in Cranbrook from Janurary 5-31, 2026 to reduce the risk of chronic wasting disease (CWD) spreading among B.C.'s deer populations and to increase sampling efforts to monitor the disease's prevalence.

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal infection that affects species in the deer family (cervids), such as mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, moose and caribou. The Cranbrook area is at the centre of a cluster of CWD cases, which put surrounding deer and elk populations at risk.

The hunt intends to lower deer density in the surrounding area near Cranbrook to reduce the opportunity for spread and remove potentially infected animals from the landscape. Reducing deer numbers in this area will help protect wildlife health, hunting opportunities and the cultural, recreational and food resources communities rely on.

During the hunt, hunters in the designated Cranbrook zone will be allowed to harvest one additional deer, in addition to the regional "bag limit" of two. The additional deer will only be allowed to be harvested during the January deer season.

The hunt will allow the harvest of both antlered and antlerless mule deer and white-tailed deer. It will be open to any licensed B.C. deer hunter. Hunters play an important role in B.C.'s ability to contain CWD, as their participation and submission of harvested animals for testing is crucial to disease detection and control.

Currently, it is estimated that fewer than one per cent of deer in the Cranbrook area are infected with CWD. This targeted, time-restricted hunt is one of the ways the province is keeping disease

prevalence low and reducing the risk of CWD entering or spreading within B.C. wildlife populations.

The hunt builds on more than 20 years of ongoing surveillance and preventative measures, with targeted efforts in the highest-risk areas. Other recent actions include targeted removal and testing of urban deer in Cranbrook and Kimberley, mandatory testing for harvested deer, moose and elk in the Kootenay region, carcass transport restrictions, and ongoing monitoring with First Nations and local governments.

Together with hunters' participation, these measures help provide early detection, slow the spread of the disease, and help safeguard healthy wildlife populations for future generations.

Most infected animals will not show any symptoms of the disease. However, anyone who sees a deer, elk, moose or caribou exhibiting symptoms such as weight loss, drooling, poor coordination, stumbling, or that looks sick, should report it to the 24/7 Report All Poachers and Polluters Line at 1-877-952-7277 or the B.C. Wildlife Health Program.

To date, there have been six confirmed cases of chronic wasting disease in B.C.

Quick facts:

• Chronic wasting disease was first detected in B.C. in 2023 in two deer sampled from the Kootenay region.

• All four positive cases of CWD identified in the 2024-25 season were white-tailed deer, also from the Kootenay region near Cranbrook, including two males and two females.

• Three of the deer sampled and confirmed to have CWD in the 2024-25 season were harvested by licensed hunters, one was identified through targeted sampling of urban deer.

address discrimination, and hold states accountable for their dignity, health, and participation in society.

British Columbia can be a leader in advancing the rights of seniors by improving access to health care; building more long-term care and seniors subsidized housing; strengthening rent subsidies and income supports; supporting reliable and affordable transportation services, and creating age-friendly communities throughout the province.

Ageing is good. Ageism is bad. When we embrace ageing, we combat ageism. By eliminating all forms of ageism, we create a better future for everyone.

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• Regular home checks

• Storm & weather damage inspection

• Maintenance reporting

• Keyholder service Call or Text: 250-341-8443

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• Intermediate First Aid Oct 15&16 | $349

• Settings to Shooting Photography Workshop Oct 17 | $129 +GST

• Board Basics (2 part series) Saturdays Oct 18-Oct 26 | $125 +GST

• Confidentiality Training Oct 23 | $199 +GST

• Spanish Class Mondays & Wednesdays from Oct 27-Nov12 | $129 +GST

• Conflict Resolution Oct 28 | $149 + GST

Baiba's birthday wish to benefit the wild

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

A Wilmer resident is — with a bit of encouragement from her mom — marking a milestone birthday with her own fundraising drive to help protect the Columbia Valley’s wild places.

Baiba Morrow has been an environmental advocate her whole life, a passion that led her to serve as Invermere branch president of local nonprofit group Wildsight for 11 years (from 2012 to 2023) and as a Wildsight regional board member before that.

Those who know Baiba will tell you she’s as humble about her volunteer endeavours as she is about her career as a photojournalist and writer, which took her to remote spots on all seven continents. This humility means she doesn’t like people to make a big fuss about her birthday, and that she’s never expected or even wanted birthday gifts. But on Monday, Oct. 13, Baiba turned 70. Baiba’s 100-year-old mother Vera, who lives in Columbia Garden Village in Invermere, told her daughter the seven-decade milestone warrants some kind of recognition.

So Baiba is at long last voicing a birthday

wish, and it’s for the mountains, rivers, wetlands, lakes, forests and grasslands of the Columbia Valley and the broader East Kootenay region. She’s inviting anyone interested to donate to Wildsight to help the group continue its work safeguarding local landscapes.

Every dollar donated will be matched by her husband (and photojournalist partner) Pat Mor row.

“I’ve been very privileged that my work has allowed me to see many different mountain en vironments around the world. Through that, I’ve seen just how much some of these environments have changed, even just within my own lifetime. It makes you realize how vulnerable the eco systems here in our own backyard are, and how much we need to support them,” Baiba explained to the Pioneer. “We’re hoping that locally we can foster positive action to protect this special place.”  Baiba grew up in Montreal, but moved west in her early 20s and has lived in the Rockies or the Columbia Valley ever since. Just as she’s seen impacts in mountain ranges across the globe, so too does she notice changes here, including an increase in wildfires and other effects of climate change.

“We live at the headwaters of the Columbia River, and we are sandwiched by two great mountain ranges. It’s amazing, and we need to do what we can to keep it that way,” said Baiba. “There’s a big push to develop tourism here, and I understand why people want to visit, but how do we keep the balance?”

Homeopath brings natural wellness

By Steve Hubrecht  steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

A new natural health and wellness business is bringing homeopathic care to the Columbia Valley.

Former valley resident and homeopath Rachel Gillis returned to Invermere earlier this summer and opened West Coast Whole Health.

Gillis has been a professional homeopath for nearly half a decade, but her homeopathic journey began much earlier.

She grew up in Kaslo and developed a love of the outdoors as a youngster. As an adult, Gillis moved to Invermere, living in the valley for eight years, and enjoyed the hiking, rock climbing and other outdoor activities the place offers. But she was plagued by consistent health problems — stage 4 endometriosis, a cancerous spot on her cervix, and severe chronic pain and fibromyalgia.

She went on to work in the mainstream medical field but was surprised and disappointed to find that it offered no real solutions for her own health struggles

“I almost felt like I was dismissed,” said Gillis. “I didn’t want to have to take medication forever, to maybe need a care worker to look after me, and to never be able to hike again. That simply wasn’t an answer for me.”

A Columbia Valley doctor suggested she try a homeopath in Cranbrook, and the homeopath — along with changes in nutrition and lifestyle — helped Gillis. Some of her acute symptoms disappeared “almost right away” and within a month, she noticed changes in some of her chronic pain as well.

Eventually she went “from having flare-ups (of symptoms) every single day to having flare ups about once a month,” she said. “I have my quality of life back that I deserve.”

Intrigued she decided to pursue a career in homeopathy. She spend four years at the Alter-

native Medicine College of Canada in Montreal, and graduated four years ago. After graduation, she lived on Vancouver Island and was able to practise homeopathy virtually with clients across the country. She wanted to do more in-person care, but clinic space was hard to find on Vancouver Island. When the opportunity for part-time clinic space in Invermere opened up, Gillis leapt at the chance to move back to the Columbia Valley, which she said has always felt like her “home away from home.”

Her clinic is on Laurier Street in Athalmer, right above Columbia Cycle and Ski, and in early 2026 she will expand from part-time hours to fulltime hours.

The response from valley residents has been excellent so far.

“People are curious and the feedback has been great,” Gillis told the Pioneer

She explained that homeopathy is a natural system of medicine that works with the body’s own healing abilities. “I take time to understand the whole picture, including physical symptoms, emotional health, and lifestyle factors, to find a remedy that truly supports balance,” she said.

Gillis aims to make natural health care approachable through one-on-one consultations, seasonal workshops, and community education. She specializes in fertility and women’s health (especially postpartum) as well as anxiety and trauma, but also focuses on immune health, digestion, stress management, sleep concerns, and hormonal balance for women and much more, and Gillis tailors each consultation to the client’s unique needs.

She is currently offering free 15 minute ‘discovery’ calls (or chats in her clinic, or over coffee) for those wanting to learn more about West Coast Whole Health or about homeopathy in general.

To learn more or to book a free discovery call, visit westcoasthomeopathy.com or call 250-2015050.

COLUMBIA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Now What?

Rhiannon Tutty and Jessica Clark of Sun Life Financial in Invermere, are hosting an event next month. On Day of the Dead, November 3rd, Now What? will be held at the Lion’s Hall at the crossroads at 5pm

This event will take attendees through all the administration and logistics that happen after the loss of a loved one. The evening features experts at every step of this journey.

“The idea for this event came, not only from personal experience, but from working with our valued clients and supporting them during their loss.” Rhiannon explains,

“This is not about what you should do, but rather it is about what you will have to do in the days, weeks and months following their death. Unfortunately, this knowledge is often learned for the first time at the worst time.”

The evening agenda starts with widower Dave Coughlan, who is also a volunteer with the Calgary Grief Support Program. He will be sharing his personal account of the challenges and unexpected situations he encountered in those first days and weeks after the loss of his wife at their home.

Local paramedic Brayenna Murray will explain what

OUT OF OFFICE…

to expect if there is a death at home, and they are called to attend the scene.

Jeff Martin a lawyer at Rockies Law Invermere, will talk about the importance of will planning (and what happens if you don’t have one in place), explain how probate works and discuss the responsibilities of an executor/executrix.

As a financial advisor Rhiannon will discuss the importance of correct and current beneficiary designations for both insurance and investments, including how this affects taxes. She will also be guiding attendees through the actual steps to follow if someone dies, covering important items such as, who do you call, what information do you need to provide, and what happens next.

There will be a Certified Financial Planner from Sun Life in attendance as well, who will be discussing filing terminal tax returns and other CRA issues that happen after someone passes.

Jessica will be sharing her experience in the banking industry and will explain estate accounts and the administrative process that happens at the bank level.

To close, Dane Chasca from McPherson Funeral Services, will walk the group through the decisions

they will need to make immediately, and the arrangements and logistics that will need to be discussed with them.

Attendees will receive several resources to take home with them.

Best selling author Jane Blaufus has personally signed a copy of her book, With The [Stroke] Of A Pen, Claim Your Life for each person attending, where she shares her story of personal loss and provides valuable insight into how to navigate the journey and come out the other side upright and whole.

Everyone will also receive a Sun Life executor workbook to help with their planning. and other presenters will have excellent resources on hand.

It is shaping up to be an informative evening, plus attendees will enjoy a Mexican meal provided by chef Nick Freiheit in keeping with the spirit of Day of the Dead.

Registration for Now What? Is on Eventbrite. Or you can contact Sun Life Invermere directly. 250342-9052 rhiannon.tutty@sunlife.com. There is a QR code on social media or on the posters around town.

COLUMBIA

Thursday, October 16

10:00am-12:00pm: Financial Literacy Workshop Series – Session 3 - Financial Uncertainty/Increase Strategic Knowledge with Marloes Van Lent from Day2Day Books. Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce. Join us for a practical workshop on navigating financial uncertainty and building the strategic knowledge you need to make confident business decisions. Each session is $25 ($35 for non-members). Register at cvchamber.ca.

• 7:00pm-9:00pm: Author Event with Smokii Sumac and Zaynab Mohammed. Invermere Library. Join us for an author reading featuring Smokii Sumac and Zaynab Mohammed. Smokii Sumac will be launching his second poetry collection: Born Sacred: Poems for Palestine - A journalistic poetry collection reflecting on Palestinian and Indigenous solidarities, genocides, life, and liberation. Zaynab Mohammed will be reading from her debut book, adapted from her one-woman performance show: Are You Listening? Weaving a tapestry from pain into beauty is a journey of sound, sight and story. Using poems and stories, this memoir explores intergenerational displacement, and speaks the truths of a woman who loses her innocence at a young age due to cultural inequity, and is forced to navigate a terrain foreign to her ancestors. All welcome to attend.

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

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

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

• 6:45pm: Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Invermere Legion. $30 buy-in.

• 7:30pm: Families Housing that Fits. Zoom meeting with host Ben Postmus. Inclusive and supportive housing in your community. diversefamilyroots@gmail.com

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

Friday, October 17

• 12:00pm- 3:00pm:  Go Green with Greenworks: Live Electric Tool Demo. Invermere Home Hardware. See the future of lawn care in action! Join us for a hands-on Greenworks demo day, featuring powerful, quiet, and eco-friendly electric lawn mowers and landscaping tools. Enjoy complimentary Tim Hortons coffee and donuts while you explore the lineup and learn how Greenworks electric equipment can transform your approach to outdoor maintenance.

• 4:00pm-7:00pm: Winter Gear Swap – Gear Intake. Columbia Valley Centre. Clear out your old gear, find something new, and get ready for winter! Anyone can bring items to sell (you set the price!)

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

• 1:00pm-2:00pm: Tennis for Everyone. Rotary Ball Park and Tennis Courts. “Tennis for Everyone" - CV Mixed Doubles Tennis. Everyone is welcome!

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

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

• 7:00pm-10:00pm: Columbia Valley Rockies vs Princeton Posse

Saturday, October 18

• 8:30am-11:00am: Winter Gear Swap – Gear Intake. Columbia Valley Centre. Clear out your old gear, find something new, and get ready for winter! Anyone can bring items to sell (you set the price!)

• 12:00pm-3:00pm: Winter Gear Swap – Sale. Columbia Valley Centre. Clear out your old gear, find something new, and get ready for winter! The Windermere Valley Ski Club, together with local retailers, is hosting our annual Winter Gear Swap — featuring new and gently used gear at great prices. A fun way to gear up and get everyone out enjoying winter sports! ADMISSION: $2/person or $5/family. More details: www. windermerevalleyskiclub.com/ski-swap

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

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

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

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

• 7:00pm-10:00pm: Columbia Valley Rockies vs Nelson Leafs

Sunday, October 19

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

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

• 7:30pm: Dads Matter. Zoom meeting with host Ben Postmus. Dads connecting, Dads Supporting, Dads Inspiring. Do you have a son or daughter with Diverse Abilities? So do I. diversefamilyroots@gmail.com

Monday, October 20

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

• 1:00pm-2:00pm: Tennis for Everyone. Rotary Ball Park and Tennis Courts. “Tennis for Everyone" - CV Mixed Doubles Tennis. Everyone is welcome!

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

Tuesday, October 21

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

• 10:30am-11:20am: Home School Meet Up. Invermere Public Library. Weekly Meetup. Drop-in, all ages programming with STEAM play, group activities and art projects. Contact the Invermere Library to get on the Homeschool Email list! STEAM Play (Lego Challenge: Castle Build).

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

Wednesday,

October 22

6:00pm-7:00pm: Write-On! Writer’s Group. A monthly writing group to share work, receive feedback, and build writing skill and confidence. Contact the library to get on the Write On! email chain. All welcome to attend. Join us at the library or tune in with Zoom. October Challenge: Write a piece set at a camp from the perspective of the (perceived) monster.

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

• 1:00pm-2:00pm: Tennis for Everyone. Rotary Ball Park and Tennis Courts. “Tennis for Everyone" - CV Mixed Doubles Tennis. Everyone is welcome!

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

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

is looking for individuals to represent the RDEK as Trustees on the Invermere Public Library Board to represent Electoral Areas F, Electoral Area G and the Village of Canal Flats

To be considered for a position, an applicant must be a resident or elector of the Electoral Areas or the Village of Canal Flats

ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS

BUYING OR SELLING?

Serving Invermere & Area

cell 250-341-1202 gerry@gerrytaft.ca

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

ATTENTION

ASPIRING MUSICIANS from Parson to Canal Flats

Applications are open for the Carol Wilkie Memorial Steamboat Mountain Music Bursary

Musicians of all levels and any age may apply.

Funds may be used for: workshops, music camps, lessons, master classes, college, or university music programs.

Deadline: November 15

Download application: www.steamboatmtnmusicfest.ca

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

TINY HOME

Tiny house on wheels

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

Cheers to Jason and Laurie of Woody’s Plumbing for once again helping a senior prepare her yard, hose bibs and fountain for the cold weather that is approaching. No request is too much and I am very grateful for all your help.

Cheers to Ashley Hecher at Red Apple. You are such a delight. I look forward to going into the store and getting to talk to you. Such great customer serviceyou know everything!

Cheers to Brianna and Alexa at LifePath Dental. You two ladies were kind and understanding and patient with us. We appreciate it.

Cheers to Doug Hagen from Invermere Fire Dept. for educating me on the proper use of extension cords and power bars.

CONDO FOR SALE

2-bedroom 2-bathrooms on the 2nd floor at The Peaks in Radium. The condo faces south & had recent renovations. New flooring, freshly painted, new A/C, and new front-loading W/D.

$309,900.00

Agents with buyers are welcome. Pls, call or text for further info: 403-470-7758

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

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

FIREWOOD

Firewood For Sale Dry 16” fir. Delivered. $400 per cord

250-688-0373

Pine Firewood Pine & Fir available $280 per cord

250-342-6068

SERVICES

K. B. Creations

Handyman services, Renovations, Masonry, Plumbing, Drywall & Painting.

Please call Kevin 250-688-2897

Career Opportunity Manager of Protective Services and Bylaw Enforcement

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

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

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

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

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

Duties of the position include:

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

• Management of bylaw enforcement for the Village

• Pursues and administers legal actions, when required

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

• Leads emergency operations centre (EOC) operations during activations

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

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

Awesome candidates should submit a resume and cover letter by Friday October 31, 2025 to:

Adrian Bergles, Chief Administrative Officer Village of Radium Hot Springs cao@radiumhotsprings.ca

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

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

Find a digital replica of the print edition of the Pioneer online, available early morning every Thursday at columbiavalleypioneer.com

EDGEWATER COMMERCIAL SPACE SERVICE ASSENT VOTE

Public Notice is hereby given as follows:

NOTICE OF ADVANCE ELECTOR REGISTRATION

Are you eligible to vote in the Edgewater Commercial Space Service Assent Vote on November 22, 2025?

Is your name on the current list of electors?

If you’re unsure, check by emailing the RDEK office at elections@rdek.bc.ca or phoning the Chief Election Officer at 250-489-2791. If you’re not on the list, you can register in advance or on voting day by completing an application and declaring that you meet the voter eligibility requirements. Advance registration is open until 4:30pm on Friday, November 7, 2025. After that, you must register on voting day.

To register as a Resident Elector, you must:

• be 18 years of age or older on the day of registration; and

• be a Canadian citizen; and

• be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration; and

• be a resident of the Edgewater Commercial Space Service voting area; and

• not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law.

To register as a Non-Resident Property Elector, you must:

• be 18 years of age or older on the day of registration; and

• be a Canadian citizen; and

• be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration; and

• be a registered owner of real property in the Edgewater Commercial Space Service voting area for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration; and

• not be entitled to register as a resident elector; and

• not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law; and

• the only persons who are registered owners of the real property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or any other trust; and

• if there is more than one registered owner of the property, only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the owners, register as a non-resident property elector.

NOTICE OF APPLICATIONS FOR SCRUTINEERS

On November 22, 2025, qualified electors within the Edgewater Commercial Space Service voting area will be voting on the following question:

“Are you in favour of the Regional District of East Kootenay adopting Bylaw No. 3379 and Bylaw No. 3380 to:

• establish the “Edgewater Commercial Space Service” for the purpose of constructing, leasing, operating, and maintaining space which will be leased to entities such as public authorities, societies, corporations, or individuals, or used by the RDEK, for the provision of services that benefit the community in the Edgewater area; and

• borrow up to $450,000 amortized over a maximum of 15 years for the construction of a space for the purposes of the Edgewater Commercial Space Service; and

• annually requisition a maximum of $0.33 per $1,000 of the net taxable value of land and improvements to pay for the service?”

Additionally, there will be one advanced voting day held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. Scrutineers for and against the question must be appointed if applications are received from persons who wish to volunteer for the positions. Only persons entitled to vote as electors in this assent voting opportunity are entitled to act as scrutineers.

If sufficient applications are received, one scrutineer for and one scrutineer against the question will be appointed at the voting place. One scrutineer for the question and one scrutineer against the question will also be appointed to be present at the determination of the official results and, if necessary, at a judicial recount.

Applications to act as a scrutineer will be received by the Chief Election Officer at the RDEK office, 19 –24th Avenue South, Cranbrook, during the period of:

9:00am, Wednesday, October 29, 2025 TO 4:00pm, Friday, November 7, 2025

Interested persons can obtain information on the requirements and procedures for making an application via the following:

• in person, at the RDEK Cranbrook office

• via email, at elections@rdek.bc.ca

• online, at www.rdek.bc.ca

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on these matters, the following persons may be contacted: Tina Hlushak, Chief Election Officer or Nikki Bradshaw, Deputy Chief Election Officer Phone: 250-489-2791 | Email: elections@rdek.bc.ca

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT PLANNING PROCESS

A new planning process is underway to identify needed updates to zoning and land use bylaw regulations regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). This planning process is an opportunity to define ADU types, sizes, location, servicing, and maximum numbers on properties within the RDEK zoning bylaws, and public engagement is a critical part of the process.

Your input is very important and will help shape ADUs in your community into the future. Please take the time to complete the online survey available at engage.rdek.bc.ca/housing by December 1, 2025. A paper or digital copy of the survey can also be sent to you upon request.

Online and in-person open houses are scheduled across the RDEK so that residents and property owners can work together with RDEK staff to identify potential land use and zoning bylaw amendments related to ADUs. Please plan on attending an open house as community engagement and participation is the foundation of a successful planning process.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS

Electoral Area A October 15 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Hosmer Community Hall (7431 6 Ave)

Electoral Area B October 18 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Baynes Lake Community Hall (468 Jaffray-Baynes Lake Road)

October 21 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Jaffray Community Hall (7375 Jaffray Village Loop Road)

Electoral Area C October 25 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Moyie Community Hall (9322 Tavistock Street)

October 27 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm & November 1 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Cranbrook Senior Citizens Hall (125 17 Ave South)

Electoral Area E November 8 10:00 am – 12:00 pm & November 27 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Wasa Community Hall (6145 Wasa School Road)

Electoral Area F November 22 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce Lions Hall (651 Hwy 93/95, Invermere)

November 25 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Fairmont & District Lions Club - Lions Den (5003 Hot Springs Road)

Electoral Area G November 15 10:00 am – 12:00 pm & November 29 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Edgewater Community Hall (4818 Selkirk Ave)

ONLINE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS

October 23 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm & December 1 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Zoom links available at engage.rdek.bc.ca/housing

FAITH

In everything give thanks

Pastor Wayne Frater Radium Christian Fellowship Church

Last week we set aside a day to give thanks, thanksgiving Sunday, and we took some time and looked at the first couple of verses of Psalms 107. It is part of a praise and worship song we sing. It says “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for His mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.” And we looked at Thessalonians chapter 5 verses 16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

But we have to remember we can’t limit our thanks to one day a year. Instead, we have to remember to give thanks to God each and every day. A couple of years ago I got very sick and a huge amount of prayer went out on my behalf. God answered those prayers, He worked through the doctors and nurses, and He still is; I am so thankful. And there were miracles, many miracles, God is so good, and I am so thankful. God gave me a little saying: “Every step I make, every breath I take, I thank Thee Oh God.”

God listens to our needs and responds to our prayers, sometimes ways that are confusing and mysterious, sometimes not the way we expect, sometimes not in our time frame, but if we have faith enough to follow through, He always answers. If we believe, we receive. We have to learn to, not only “Rejoice always, pray without ceas-

ing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” But we also have to, as it says in Proverbs 3:5,6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” And Psalms 37:4. says “Delight yourself also in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

Our joy comes from the Lord. When we accepted Jesus Christ into our lives, all the blessing of Heaven come available to us, everything from eternal salvation to healing, it is God's will, and it is in God's timing. 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering or patient, to us not willing that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.”

So first repentance, then making Jesus the Lord of our lives, leaning on Him, trusting Him, and not ourselves, and as we do. Rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, and in everything giving thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us.

He will direct our paths, and give us the desires and secret petitions of our heart. So every step you take, and every breath you make, give thanks to God.

There is a chorus we sing sometimes, it's called Joy Comes In the Morning, and it goes like this:

“So hold on my child

Joy comes in the morning

Weeping only lasts for the night

Hold on my child

Joy comes in the morning

The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight

Yes the darkest hour means dawn is just in sight

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