November 2010

Bringing the FREE Creston Valley together. November 2010

A Sense of Belonging Helping physically challenged individuals for over 50 years

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5 Cresteramics Society for the Handicapped Providing ceramic figurines and ornaments for locals and tourists since 1974.

The Magazine what’s inside I Love Creston Magazine is produced monthly and distributed free of charge by 8 Town 19 History I Love Creston Marketing Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part Mayor Toyota with some The remarkable story of without permission is prohibited. Any positive observations. a local prisoner of war. advertisements or graphics designed in-house are property of I Love Creston Sports Volunteering Marketing Ltd. and may not be used in 9 22 any other medium without permission. Creston Valley Thunder Giving back to your Views expressed in the magazine does not Cats update. community necessarily reflect those of the company. Music Community Letters to the Editor 10 23 Letters to I Love Creston Magazine may Kristen Cook talks with Santa Claus is coming be emailed to [email protected] or Stonehouse25. to town. mailed to Box 143, Creston, BC, V0B 1G0. Letters may be edited for clarity and space.

13 Education 24 Wildlife I Love Creston Marketing Ltd. College of the Rockies The importance of our Wendy Franz - Sales/Graphic Design new hairdressing program. backyard wetland. Justin Ziola - Sales/Financials Box 143, Creston, BC V0B 1G0 15 Entertainment 26 Fitness Ph/Fx 250.428.2631 Who will be Creston’s A year in review with Best Singer? Sifu Neil Ripski. 16 Remembrance Day 27 Health Courageous men and women Harvesting Mother Nature’s www.ilovecreston.com who have served our country. bounty. www.ilovecreston.com November 2010 3 this issue Guest From the editor story inside this edition of Cresteramics was an offshoot of the who run the Gleaners, which AI Love Creston magazine Endicott Centre, in its early days would be one of Creston’s bigger highlights an upcoming evening of providing young residents with a employers – if only the staff were entertainment designed to crown the hobby that eventually grew into a paid. The Gleaners is the ultimate town’s “best singer” at Prince Charles thriving adult business that continues environmentally friendly machine, Auditorium. to this day – albeit with a radically an engine that fuels itself on donated altered emphasis. time, toil and treasures that all get Patterned after a hit British program, recycled to give back even more to in which judges’ scores remain Just as society’s focus switched from the community’s confidential until after all contestants institutions to community living most needy residents through a food have performed, it sounds like a during the 1980s, so too did the bank. real hoot. But it’s just one example nature of Cresteramics evolve over the years. Instead of churning out of many “Creston bests” that figure Virtually everyone in Creston ceramic wares in a high-production prominently in these pages in has heard of the Gleaners and environment, the Cresteramics of November – a typically grey month Cresteramics, but many will be the 21st century is entirely client- weather-wise, yet positively brilliant stunned to learn the full extent of oriented. Every one of its nearly 30 in terms of community spirit and their respective reaches. programs – more and more of which pride. operate outside the confines of the Other “best bets” include the For starters, two of the finest local Railway Avenue base and Canyon annual Santa Claus Parade (which non-profit groups are profiled: the Street gift shop – addresses personal technically doesn’t qualify as a Gleaners and Cresteramics. needs ranging from life skills and November event, but falls early in employment to socialization and peer December), Thunder Cats hockey The latter has its origins in the support. and a handful of projects providing a renowned Endicott Center, founded spark to the downtown core. by Dr. James Endicott who began In the process, Cresteramics’ drawing mentally and physically delightful clients (40 and counting) And, lest we forget, the 11th is challenged individuals from are impacting the lives of citizens Remembrance Day, marked here by throughout the Kootenays more than everywhere from the public school the remarkable story of one Creston 50 years ago. Initially for children, system to the business community veteran who endured the horrors of the centre welcomed adults in 1970 and points in-between. confinement in a POW camp and and peaked at more than In that respect they hold much in returned to tell about it. It doesn’t get 70 residents later in the decade. common with the tireless workers much better than that. 

What a super layout and look!! The grizzly math article looks really good. I like the text pull outs you chose and the nice showcase on the front page. Thank you so much for running our story. I think you did a very good job Mailbag as ‘guest editor’ [Layout/Design]. (Letters and emails to the editor are printed as written with the exception of Gillian - Bear Aware Coordinator profanity, slander or defamation) Thank you Gillian. It is nice to hear feedback on our layout and graphic design. We take a lot a pride in our work and it’s nice to hear feedback. Wendy Franz and I Love Creston staff

4 November 2010 www.ilovecreston.com feature she’ll stay at Cresteramics until the day she retires at 65, in 2013. “They’re like a family. You just get attached to them all,” says Hollihan, a full-time caregiver to one client for seven years. Cresteramics Society for the Handicapped is, in fact, one big happy extended family – one that today reaches far beyond the Railway Boulevard site where ceramic figurines and ornaments have been crafted for 36 years, and even farther than the Canyon Street retail outlet where the products are snapped up by townsfolk and tourists alike. Cresteramics is making inroads into the business sector and school system, and in the process weaving itself further into the fabric of the community. Donna McCready has overseen the evolution of Cresteramics as administrator for the past decade. Like Hollihan, she considers herself the richer for regular interaction with the society’s 40 full-time, part-time and student clients, whose disabilities run the full gamut from slight to severe. Story by : Brian Bell

hen is a job not a job? When the Wrewards are so intangible that the bottom line becomes an afterthought. Take, for example, Betty Hollihan, at 27 years the longest-serving employee at Cresteramics. She’s convincing when she claims, “I never even think of my paycheque.” Hollihan breaks down when she cites her clients as the reason

www.ilovecreston.com November 2010 5 feature “The positive energy and acceptance from the clients at Prince Charles Secondary School now engage in a (makes) doing things for them a real joy,” McCready says. variety of programs at Cresteramics. “The clients are so thankful and so positive about any “We have an amazing relationship with our schools,” special things that you do. It inspires you to do the very McCready says, “and we’re starting our transitioning earlier best you can for them. so we have the kids coming in gradually through their last “So many times I’ve gone home and thought, ‘Wow. I wish years at school.” I was that positive.’ It’s taught all of us to take joy in those McCready also introduced the supported work program little tiny things that can last all day if you let them.” in which Cresteramics staff assist clients – one-on-one or In a sense, Cresteramics is coming full circle as a day in small groups of two or three – in doing jobs for local program for developmentally challenged individuals 19 businesses, ranging from window washing, sweeping and and older expanding its mandate to help youths make dusting to gardening and providing a courier service. the transition to adulthood. Its roots are in the Dr. James “We work with 12 or 15 different businesses,” McCready Endicott Center, founded in the 1950s to serve Kootenay says. “They’re completely happy with our services (and) the residents born with physical and mental disabilities in an clients are ecstatic to get extra money.” institutional setting. Kelly Smith launched the pilot project when she was hired “Take joy in those little tiny at Cresteramics a year-and-a-half ago. things that can last all day” “We created an intake form for the clients to find out their dreams and their goals,” Smith says. “I found some Children in the centre initially made ceramics as a hobby, suggestions of places that they might enjoy, went back giving the gnomes and planters to friends and relatives to them and found out which ones they’d really like and before demand led to periodic public sales. Eventually the approached the employer and got everyone on board. The ceramic line was seen as a viable business for adult residents employer is paying for one person to come and do a job of the centre, prompting the purchase of an old Eagles hall and they get two because it’s supervised, so that’s great.” on the current Cresteramics site where production and According to Smith, one store owner’s sales increased sales began in 1974. shortly after Cresteramics clients began cleaning the place They quickly outgrew the facility, and in 1979 the present of business. building opened after being funded in equal parts by “One of the clients is now to the point where he can do a government grant, bank loan and public donations. one of the jobs on his own without supervision, which is Hollihan has witnessed great change in the interim. our ultimate goal,” she adds. “We used to push ceramics,” she says. “It was just a Another client longed to earn enough cash to buy an all- treadmill. Now that we have all the programs here it’s a terrain vehicle. much better place – much more relaxed. You never used to be able to give (clients) a hug or anything. I think that’s “He’s now, in a short time, been able to save up the money very important. to do so and he’s pumped,” Smith says. “He leaves the places of work saying, ‘Oh, they really appreciate me. “At that time there was hardly anybody out in the What would they do without me there?’ community. Now they’re everywhere. I really like the integration with the schools. That’s really neat.” “I love it. It’s a lot of fun getting out there and helping the community see what we do and how much we can “That’s been one of the biggest gaps through the years,” enhance people’s lives.” McCready concurs, “that the kids would get out of (high school) and didn’t really know where to go, so for the last McCready says Cresteramics has simply changed with the three or four years we’ve been working hand in hand with times, driven by a forward-thinking, seven-member board the schools.” of directors overseen by Community Living B.C., a Crown corporation that provides the money. It started with a couple of clients joining music and library blocks at Adam Robertson Elementary School. This year the society ran a part-time summer program for teens, a “We have an amazing handful of whom from the special education department relationship with our schools”

6 November 2010 www.ilovecreston.com feature weren’t from Creston. They were from other parts of B.C. “Helping the community They were brought here as children, so we have a large see what we do” population here and have for many years.” McCready also gives kudos to the 11-member staff who “There were definitely more expectations to have the supervise the clients, whose age range (19 to almost 70) is clients not just doing factory-type work,” she says. “It was matched by their diverse positions on the developmental funders’ expectations, the board’s vision.” spectrum. “Now we’re up to 28, 29 programs running inside and “We’ve had huge changes in the past years,” she says, “and outside of our building. A lot of our time now is spent the staff have really been on board with that.” directly in the community, be it the library, the school, Even the storefront bears little resemblance to what it TAPS (Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors), the was as recently as 2008 when it doubled in size, allowing storefront, the supported work program. We have a college 10 local artisans to display their products alongside the program” in which clients discuss personal boundaries and ceramics. safety. “We have programs about cooking, a hot lunch program and exercise programs.” Naturally, the store is partially maintained by clients, who live either in the equivalent of foster care, with family “There are times when you come here (and) there are very members or in group homes operated by the Creston and few clients but they’re out doing community integration. District Society for Community Living (formerly Endicott We’ve been really diligent in making sure that we evolved Center). with the world so we’re trying to enhance all aspects of the client’s life.” “One of the biggest gifts we give to our clients is a sense of belonging and a sense of peer group,” McCready That emphasis sets Cresteramics apart from day programs concludes, adding that they give at least as much as they typical elsewhere. get, when given the chance. “We’re unique in that we’ve already been providing a lot of “Just saying, ‘Hi,’ to some of our clients – they light up. the services that are now being asked for,” McCready says. And they help light up your day too. You would be missing “We’ve been doing that for four or five years on a smaller out on something if you didn’t open yourself up for that.”  basis. Now we’re just increasing it all the time.” Creston has embraced the clients and their higher public profile. “We have an amazingly accepting community,” McCready says, “probably because we have a high percentage of developmentally delayed individuals because of the Endicott Center. A lot of the clients who lived there

Bowling and reading are two of the in-house Cresteramics programs in which youth and adult clients participate together, facilitated by staff. www.ilovecreston.com November 2010 7 town Creston Place construction continues From the Mayor’s Desk – The first floor was framed and Story by: Ron Toyota Mayor of the Town of Creston the second and third floors were being added at this writing. Once it Positive Happenings in is completed and new tenants start occupancy, our downtown business the Creston Valley community will benefit. The Source is now open – I visited cooter safety awareness event – Union of B.C. Municipalities the owners, Irvin and Evelyn On September 30 our first such S attendance – I attended, along with Sobry, in early October. Their store event was organized by our town councillors Len Folkman, Judy features great displays and lots of bylaw staff. About 30 participated Gadicke, Wes Graham and Joanna activity, with customers already from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wilson, as well as acting town purchasing Christmas gifts for their Creston and District Community manager Lou Varela, from September grandchildren. Complex parking lot. 25 to October 1 at Whistler. The Creston Valley Aquatic Society Special thanks to our local businesses “Valuable presented a cheque to the Creston for their support: Kootenay Medical opportunity for us and District Community Complex – Services, Creston Valley Insurance, Hopefully by the end of this year we Tim Hortons, Overwaitea and to communicate our will have a new aquatic climbing wall others. concerns and issues” installed. Visit www.aquaclimb.com This was a hands-on opportunity for to see this great idea. power scooter users to become more The UBCM conference is an annual A full employment services centre knowledgeable about the operation gathering to attend meetings and will continue operations – This centre and safety of their units. seminars with our peers. Ministerial is currently operated by Kootenay and staff minister meetings are a Employment Services, and Hugh most valuable opportunity for us Grant has announced that KES TOP DOLLAR to communicate our concerns and intends to submit an application to FOR YOUR GOLD issues. renew its contract. This is great news Pharmasave is coming back with for everyone in the Creston Valley as • Buying & crafting old gold local ownership – In early October KES provides valuable opportunities • One of a kind pieces • Affordable I visited this exciting new location. and tools for the employment sector. The floors were done and the display These are some of my positive MASTER GOLDSMITH shelving system was being installed. observations; let me know ones that I  1022 Canyon St., Creston (Cresteramics) By the time you read this article the have missed. Phone: 250.428.5538 Ron Toyota doors will have opened. We welcome Phone: 250-428-2214 Visit me online at www.ilovecreston.com/ Mike and Jody, their families and Email: [email protected] ronhurrymastergoldsmith new staff. Website: www.creston.ca Get onto a path of health WHY BE COLD? and tness this winter! Indoor pool, hot tub, steam room, tness centre, skating arena, drop in classes and much more! With a membership you can take advantage of all of our services (except registration programs). This Christmas season give a unique gift - the gift of health! Creston & District We have Gift Certi cates available to give to a loved one, friend or neighbour. Community Complex 8FXJMMBMTPPòFSPOTJUF$IJMENJOEJOHGPSDIJMESFOBHFTNPOUITUPZFBST Experience It! PME1BSFOUNVTUCFVTJOHUIFGBDJMJUZBOEPOTJUFXIJMFDIJMEJTVTJOHUIJTTFSWJDF UI"WF/PSUI $SFTUPOt "WBJMBCMF5VFT 8FE5IVSTBNoQN%SPQJOPSQSFQBZ email: [email protected] $BMMGPSNPSFJOGPSNBUJPOPSFNBJMDSFTUPOSFD!SEDLCDDB www.rdck.bc.ca/creston

8 November 2010 www.ilovecreston.com sports Friday, November 19, and Saturday, Creston Valley Thunder Cats November 20, is parents weekend Story by: Joe Martin helped raise more than $700 in here in town. All the players’ Head Coach/GM cash and stuffed their bus full of parents from around North non-perishable food items for the America will be here to watch their Gleaners just before Thanksgiving. kids play against the Kimberley Dynamiters and Beaver Valley Nite ctober was a month in which “The season is long Hawks.  Othe Creston Valley Thunder and takes a toll on Check for game updates and schedules at Cats were thankful because their the players” www.crestonvalleythundercats.com. offence picked up its play. Kane Dawe (Whitehorse) and Colton We are looking forward to winter. Meaden (Calgary), both from last The team has been gelling and now year’s Kootenay International Junior we need to build for a great finish. Hockey League squad, have come back. The season is long and takes a toll on the players but this year’s roster Newcomer Jovi Fabbri (Lethbridge) has depth. During the month of joined the team and had a great November we have nine games, month. so hopefully we can get as healthy But maybe the most important as possible and put a good streak thing of all, together with the together. (There were 13 games in Creston Valley people the T-Cats October.)

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work with. Years in and they’re still “They’re passionate about expressing what they close friends. believe, what they represent, who they are” Jesse went on to say that he also the fact that they all have the same enjoys meeting people as they travel Facebook and/or MySpace. Just interest at heart. around to perform. Buck told me search “Stonehouse25” and give he enjoys coming together with the Stonehouse25 told me, when asked, them a listen and a follow. same goal and a love to worship. that their main message is the love They’re also available on YouTube, Jairus said they’d all benefited in their God has for everyone. They openly although unofficially.  interpersonal skills, not to mention admitted that one of their major For more information email improved in their skills as musicians. motivations is seeing lives benefit. [email protected] They’ve had people come up and Stonehouse25 is excited about what’s confess that, through them, they have going on in their group. They just had their hearts and minds changed. THE ELECTRONICS had their first television spot for I don’t doubt it’s an inspiring which they took a trip to Lethbridge experience. YOU WANT and filmed for a feature on the THE HELP YOU NEED. Miracle Channel. They also released a They’re passionate about expressing what they believe, what they Full line of batteries, phones, disc in the last year, holding a release electronics and accessories party in Cranbrook. It’s available at represent, who they are. Isn’t that the Nails bookstore. what makes art what it is? It was refreshing to talk with other young Only five tracks long, they’re all people who are serious about what songs they recorded on their own they consider important, and are equipment, and ones that I listen to basing their lives on it. in my car on a regular basis. Sadly, they don’t have any concrete Truly based in Creston, they’ve been Creston shows planned at the known to play all over the Kootenays moment, although they do have spots and southern Alberta. Buck moved lined up in Trail and Grand Forks. to the valley specifically to be They (and I’ll attest to this) play involved, but the rest of the band a great concert but have also been came together to form a group here known to lead amazing worship. anyway. They often perform at churches and Jairus and Jason are brothers while youth events, which allows them to the others hold best-friend status. travel around through their music. 1011 Canyon St., Creston Honestly close as a band, they work If I’ve managed to spark your Phone: 250-428-7873 well together, which is helped by curiosity, please look them up on www.thesource.ca www.ilovecreston.com November 2010 11 COLLEGE OF THE ROCKIES Learning for all walks of life

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Contact the Creston campus today: 250.428.5332 www.cotr.bc.ca/Creston education Shear Magic Hair Salon Story by: Trish Bartlett K, so here’s the situation: I am Oa woman of a certain age with long, grey hair. Not solid grey, mind you. I have strands of dark-brown, almost black, hair running through it, but they are fast being overcome by grey and are diminishing with every passing year. Plus, the texture of my hair is changing and the hair itself is surrounded me and plied me with While I was there, parcels arrived moving. (I probably have the same questions. from an Allied Beauty Association number of hair follicles as I’ve always How much colour do you want? Do conference in Calgary the class had had, it’s just that some of them are no you want to entirely cover the grey? attended the previous weekend. longer on my head.) Which colours do you want to avoid? Opening the parcels was like an early (Definitely fluorescent pink . . . my Christmas. The packages contained “Creative and daughters would kill me.) many new innovative as well as innovative students tried-and-true products for use in the Once we decided on the colour school. who were looking for combination, my hair was cut into willing guinea pigs” long layers and prepared for the foils. It’s not too early to There are 12 students in this year’s Anyway, after years of living au hairstyling class, ranging in age from think about special natural (meaning sans makeup and 16 to mid-40s. Some are high school ordering for Christmas! hairstyling) I decided to make a students who are taking the course We are happy to special order books change, especially since there was for high school credits. Others are of all kinds, including out of print as a class of enthusiastic, creative and older, looking for a career change. well as CD’s and DVD’s. innovative students who were looking All are excited to be learning the art We also have an interesting selection for willing guinea pigs. of hairstyling; you only have to walk of unique gifts and very funny cards. into the room and see the highly That’s right, for those of you who Come check out our new layout and successful results of their efforts on concrete countertops, have a co ee. don’t know, the Creston campus of each other. the College of the Rockies is running Bring in this coupon and get a year-long hairdressing course. This The foiling of my hair took several */4503& is the first year the program has been hours as strands were separated and .&3$)"/%*4& held in Creston and it will not be painted with one of two colours 0''(co ee bar & artwork excluded. O er expires Nov. 30/10) held here again until 2014. which, when combined with layers of grey, were intended to give natural The class has been in operation since BLACK appearance. Once the foils were August and has covered basic cuts BEAR finished I had to wait 20 minutes for and colour. I was introduced to two the colour to set. BOOKS students, Terry and Karla, in whose 1013 Canyon St., Crestont capable hands my hair would be Cindy Nitz is the instructor. She is email: [email protected] placed. I was then the centre of a a high-energy person who builds website: www.blackbearbooks.ca Hours: Monday to Friday 9 - 5, Saturday 10 -5 mass consultation as the entire class excitement in her students. www.ilovecreston.com November 2010 13 education The students I spoke to had a tentative plans to be open until coloured noticed, but others... It was wonderful time at the conference. 6 p.m. Call (250) 254-0459 for an actually kind of interesting watching They were amazed and inspired appointment. the double takes and quizzical looks by the many directions they could Initially they will be offering cuts from people who only see me once or pursue. These include speciality and speciality updos. As the students twice a week, training in perms, colour, hair develop their skills, services offered in as though they were thinking, tattooing, makeup and maybe even the salon will be increased. “Hmm, there’s something demonstration stage work, like the different, but I can’t quite figure out On October18 the class was involved ones they viewed at the conference. what.” with a breast cancer promotion in “I expect the students to go far,” says which clients could have a pink I even had a couple tell me, “You’re Cindy, who is proud of her class. streak coloured into their hair or a looking good. I thought you were “I’ve seen their confidence level tinsel decoration tied in. They raised your daughter.” Only two people skyrocket these past few months.” more than $400 for cancer research. noticed the hair colour without being prompted and they were both The school will be opening its salon As for my experience; the people who under 19. to the public on November 15, with knew I was going to have my hair Maybe the older ones chose to be polite and ignore my mid-life crisis. Whatever, as long as I’m enjoying it! 

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14 November 2010 www.ilovecreston.com entertainment round where they will sing a second Creston’s Best Singer song,” Gorham says. “The second Submitted song will also be judged using the o who is Creston’s best singer? the talent here, it would be a great same process.” SCrestonians can find out experience to have our own version The winner among the three finalists November 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the of Britain’s Got Talent to see who is will be declared Creston’s Best Singer the best in Creston. Prince Charles Auditorium as a and receive a first-place award of contest to determine the answer to As for how the competition will be $150 plus a photo shoot with a local that very question has been set for organized, Gorham says, “It will run photographer. Second place will be that date. a lot like Britain’s Got Talent but awarded $50 and the third-place The contest is open to all ages, for with five judges instead of three.” prize will be $25. anyone living in or relatively close to “The judges will listen “The entire contest should only take Creston. (Former residents are also about two-and-a-half hours and will eligible.) along with the crowd be fun for the entire family as all The stated goal of the contest is to each song sung” songs will be screened to be G-rated,” to provide a fun-filled night for Gorham says. The judges will listen along with audience members and contestants the crowd to each song sung by There will be several practices in alike while discovering and sharing a contestant. At the end of each which entrants can figure out what some of the great talent that exists in contestant’s song, each of the five songs they want to sing. Songs will the Creston Valley. judges will award a score from zero be sung karaoke style just like on Event organizer and promoter Vern to 10. Britain’s Got Talent.  Gorham is excited about the night’s Those scores will be added up by the For those who are interested in attending, festivities. tickets are only $5 in advance ($8 at the door) head judge and kept confidential, and are available at Black Bear Books or by Asked how he came up with the meaning that the crowd and the contacting Gorham directly. idea, he said that he drew inspiration singer will not know the score that Those interested in singing in the competition from watching many singers from the singer received. must contact Gorham, and there is a $10 entry fee. Britain’s Got Talent on YouTube. “After all contestants have sung For more information go to the Web blog at He also attended the Focus on their songs, the top three scores www.crestonsbestsinger.blogspot.com/, or Youth activities in the valley the past will be announced and those three contact Gorham at (250) 428-0305 or by e-mail at [email protected]. few years and figured that with all contestants will move on to the final

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Areas A, B & the Town of Creston by Tim Koenig Produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., Englewood, Co. www.ilovecreston.com November 2010 15 remembrance day REMEMBRANCE DAY History of the Poppy he poppy, an international symbol CALENDAR OF EVENTS Tfor those who died in war, also had Tuesday, November 9 international origins. A writer first made Remembrance Ceremony (members & connection between the poppy and cadets) at Swan Valley Lodge (10am) and battlefield deaths during the Napoleonic The amazing history of “Taps”... Crestview Village (11am) wars of the early 19th century, remarking that fields that were barren before battle f any of you have ever been to a military Wednesday, November 10 exploded with the blood-red flowers Ifuneral in which taps was played; this brings Remembrance Day Ceremony at schools after. Prior to the First World War few out a new meaning of it. (ARES, Canyon/Lister, Erickson, Yaqan Nuki School & PCSS) members and cadets attend poppies grew in Flanders. During the We in the Canada have all heard the haunting war the chalk soils became rich in lime, song, ‘Taps.’ It’s the song that gives us the lump Wednesday, November 10 allowing ‘popaver rhoeas’ to thrive. When in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. 2pm members and cadets attend the war ended the lime was quickly Remembrance service at 6 local cemeteries adsorbed, and the poppy began to But, do you know the story behind the song? (Pioineer, Warrior Rock, Lower Kootenay disappear. Lieut.-Col. John McCrae, the If not, I think you will be interested to find out Band, Lister, Canyon & Forest Lawn) Canadian doctor who wrote the poem about its humble beginnings. “IN FLANDERS FIELD,” made the Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11 same connection 100 years later, during American Civil War, when Union Army Captain The Service of Remembrance the First World War, and the scarlet Robert Ellicombe was with his men near will be conducted by Reverend poppy quickly became the symbol for Harrison’s Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Randy Wood, Padre of the Creston soldiers who died in battle. Three years Army was on the other side of the narrow strip Legion and assisted by Comrades later Moina Michael was working in a of land. of the Branch New York City YMCA canteen when she started wearing a poppy in memory of During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the 10:00 AM the millions who died in the battlefield. moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded Service of Remembrance During a 1920 visit to the United States on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or held in the Legion Upstairs Hall a French woman, Madame Guerin, Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to learned of the custom and decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for 10:45 AM use handmade poppies to raise money for medical attention. Parade forms (behind new the destitute children in war- torn areas. Pharmasave building) When the Captain finally reached his own lines, In November 1921, the first poppies he discovered it was actually a Confederate 11:00 AM were distributed in Canada. Thanks to soldier, but the soldier was dead. Cenotaph Service and the millions of Canadians who wear Laying of the Wreaths flowers each November, the little red The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught plant has never died. And neither have his breath and went numb with shock. In the “OPEN DOOR POLICY” dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It The public is welcome to afternoon Canadian’s memories for 116, 031 of their countrymen who died in battle. was his own son. The boy had been studying entertainment in the lounge music in the South when the war broke out. The poppy is a symbol of peace and it Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the reminds us of the people who died for Confederate Army. us. The poppy means red blood from the men who died in battle. The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son Royal Canadian a full military burial, despite his enemy status. Legion poster His request was only partially granted. contest winner Senior Colour 1st The Captain had asked if he could have a group Place Jan Sobotka of Army band members play a funeral dirge for West Vancouver, BC his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. Branch 29 ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION

16 November 2010 www.ilovecreston.com remembrance day When a Soldier Comes Home hen a soldier comes home, he Wor she finds it hard…. …to listen to his son whine about being The amazing history of “Taps”... bored. f any of you have ever been to a military But, out of respect for the father, they did say ….to keep a straight face when people Ifuneral in which taps was played; this brings they could give him only one musician. complain about potholes. out a new meaning of it. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to be tolerant of people who complain We in the Canada have all heard the haunting to play a series of musical notes he had found on about the hassle of getting ready for work. Lest We Forget song, ‘Taps.’ It’s the song that gives us the lump a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth’s …to be understanding when a co-worker the sacri ce made by in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. uniform. complains about a bad night’s sleep. brave veterans who served But, do you know the story behind the song? This wish was granted. ..to be silent when people pray to God for and continue to serve If not, I think you will be interested to find out The haunting melody, ‘Taps’ was born. a new car. our country. about its humble beginnings. The words are: …to control his panic when his wife tells We remember those who Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the him he needs to drive slower. Day is done. paid the ultimate sacri ce. American Civil War, when Union Army Captain ..to be compassionate when a Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Gone the sun. businessman expresses a fear of flying. Harrison’s Landing in Virginia. The Confederate From the lakes Army was on the other side of the narrow strip From the hills. …to keep from laughing when anxious of land. From the sky. parents say they’re afraid to send their kids off to summer camp. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the All is well. …to keep from ridiculing someone who www.creston.ca moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded Safely rest. complains about hot weather. UI"WF/ $SFTUPOt250-428-2214 on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or God is nigh. Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to Fading light. …to control his frustration when a risk his life and bring the stricken man back for colleague gripes about his coffee being Dims the sight. cold. medical attention. And a star. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, Gems the sky. …to remain calm when his daughter complains about having to walk the dog. he discovered it was actually a Confederate Gleaming bright. WE soldier, but the soldier was dead. From afar. …to be civil to people who complain about their jobs. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught Drawing nigh. REMEMBER his breath and went numb with shock. In the Falls the night. …to just walk away when someone says they only get two weeks of vacation a year. dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It Thanks and praise. was his own son. The boy had been studying For our days. …to be forgiving when someone says how the soldiers music in the South when the war broke out. Neath the sun hard it is to have a new baby in the house. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Neath the stars. The only thing harder than being a who fought Confederate Army. Neath the sky Soldier.. to preserve The following morning, heartbroken, the father As we go. Is loving one. asked permission of his superiors to give his son This we know. a full military burial, despite his enemy status. God is nigh our freedom. His request was only partially granted. Remember Those Lost and Harmed While In memory of Creston resident The Captain had asked if he could have a group Serving Their Country. John Middlemass of Army band members play a funeral dirge for Also Remember Those Who Have Served And his son at the funeral. Returned; and for those presently serving in the The request was turned down since the soldier Armed Forces. was a Confederate.

www.ilovecreston.com November 2010 17 remembrance day November 11, 2010 We pause in Cenotaph Service silence to remember O Canada - Brian Daybell those who serve Prayer - Lt. Col. Randy Wood and are serving Last Post and Reveille our nation in Piper - Army Cadet times of war and Fly Past Our thanks to the members of the peace keeping. Laying of the Wreaths Army Cadets band, Air Cadets, Creston Benediction - Lt. Col. Randy Wood Valley Flying Club, Jim McSeveney and God Save the Queen Bryan Daybell for their participation. A special thanks to the establishments and March off the Colours organizations who supported the Royal Dismissal Canadian Legion Poppy Campaign.

In 1985, on the 75th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy, Geoffrey good neighbours... good advice. Bagley donated 92 naval artworks to the Canadian War Museum, so in this the centennial year of the navy, it seems fitting to celebrate his PYRAMID contribution to Canada’s war art. BUILDING To see more of Geoffrey Bagley’s art go to www.legionmagazine.com SUPPLIES LTD. /8#MWE $SFTUPOt250.428.7114 [email protected]

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18 November 2010 www.ilovecreston.com history Journey of a Prisoner of War Story by: Tammy Hardwick Manager - Creston & District Museum & Archives Dishforth, Yorkshire. He arrived n October 1942, 19-and-a-half- there in January 1944, just as the Iyear-old Wes Skerik left his family’s squadron was being converted from dairy farm in Lister. He’d received two-engine Wellington bombers his conscription notice for his 19th (affectionately called Wimpy) to the birthday six months before and was on big, four-engine Halifax bombers On February 25, 1944, the Alouettes his way to Calgary to join the air force. they would fly for the rest of the war. left England on a night mission, part of a force of 594 aircraft tasked with By the end of December he was in This required more training on the destroying the aircraft manufacturing Souris, Manitoba, for two months of new planes and the new equipment centre of Augsburg, deep within basic training. they carried. There, Wes met the rest Germany. The mission itself was a After that it was off to flying of his plane’s seven man crew – five Canadians and two Englishmen. success but 21 of the aircraft never school in Quebec City, then the returned. Wes’s was one of those. Commonwealth Air Training Plan’s Near Darmstadt, Germany, on the bombing and gunnery school at “Massive bombing of approach to Augsburg, searchlights Mont-Joli, Quebec. There he learned Berlin had brought flight theory, machine gun use, Morse that city to its knees” picked out the bombers flying code and the all-important aircraft overhead. Flak from anti-aircraft recognition. By mid-February the squadron guns burst around Wes’s plane and an enemy fighter attacked. Finally, Flight Sgt. Wes Skerik received was ready to renew its attacks on his air gunner’s wings in July 1943. Germany. By this time the massive As the big bomber fell out of the sky, bombing of Berlin had brought Wes and his crew bailed out. Wes Wes got a two-week embarkation that city to its knees, so Bomber recalls: “I landed in a front lawn. A leave. He came home for it but could Command turned its attention – and woman was hollering and people only spend a few days here because of that of the Alouettes – to the major came around. I tried to pick up my the five-day train journey each way. aircraft production centres across chute but it was hopeless. Thirty-two He was in Halifax in August to Germany. square yards of silk – there was no board the Queen Mary for the five- On April 19, the squadron took off way to pick all of that up. day Atlantic crossing. The convoy for its first mission in the Halifaxes. “We were taken to the police station zigzagged all the way to avoid Their target was the leading with no boots. Gene Fullum [one of patrolling U-boats but, Wes recalls, it manufacturing city of Leipzig, but the bomber’s crew] joined us, but he was an uneventful trip. Wes’s plane had an engine failure over had a broken back. We were taken in After a little more training at the English Channel so they turned the back of a pickup to Frankfurt, to Gayden, England, Wes was sent back. A week passed before their next Dulag Luft Transit Camp. We were to the 425 Squadron Alouettes at mission. interrogated there. Serving Creston and Area for Over Years!

More than just signs... t%FTJHOEFTLUPQQVCMJTIJOH t7JOZMEFDBMTt5SBEFEJTQMBZT t5TIJSUHBSNFOUQSJOUJOH 137 12TH AVENUE NORTH t#BOOFSTt8JOEPXHSBQIJDT 250-428-9746 t&MFDUSJDBMMJHIUFETJHOT www.cedarsigns.com t$FEBSTJHOTtNVDINPSF www.ilovecreston.com November 2010 19 history “On February 29th we were put on “The camp was in the middle of three Wes’s room, John Bristoe, made a train boxcar. There was a wire fence German cities,” he says. “Hamburg, a radio. He used tin cans and across the car on each side of the Bremen, and Hanover. Every time scrounged whatever he could from doors and about 23 to 27 POWs in one of those cities was bombed, we the guards. each end, with guards in the middle.” could hear it. We knew from that One day, Wes says, Bristoe went there were still people going. They On March 6, Wes, the rest of his running down to get the mail, weren’t all in the prison camps.” crew and many other prisoners brought a package back to the room arrived in the prisoner-of-war camp The Allied bombing of Germany and opened it up. It was a tin of at Heydekrug, East Prussia (now resulted in widespread food shortages tobacco, and when Bristoe melted Lithuania). They were there for that were certainly felt by the off the lid, “Out came a radio tube. four months but the tide began to prisoners at Fallingbostel. Wes recalls He had that radio sitting underneath turn on the Russian front in July. sharing Red Cross packages every something. It was right under the Russian advances into German-held week, which helped alleviate the Germans’ nose, and he never got territory prompted the relocation of shortages. caught. the prisoners and on July 18, Wes He’d been in the camp for two “There were only certain guys allowed recalls, they were loaded into boxcars months before they got their first to handle it,” Wes remembers. “If again and stuffed into Stalag Luft mail, and a month later, on November there were too many, they would 357 at Thorn, Poland. During their 2, the first cigarette package arrived. have got caught. They’d go in at night three weeks in Thorn, Wes says, “We had to take turns pumping water for “The men of Wes’s camp were showers, and the water was ice cold.” herded out of their rooms at gunpoint” Stalag 357 was evacuated on August 8, and four days later Wes and his On January 14, 1945, his camp was and get the news. They only wrote it comrades arrived at their final stop raided by the Germans in retaliation down on a couple of slips, and then of the war, Fallingbostel, Germany. for reports of poor conditions for they’d go around to all the rooms and By mid-1944 there were 96,000 German prisoners in British camps tell the news. We all knew better than prisoners in camps in and around in Egypt. The men of Wes’s camp to let it show that we knew what was Fallingbostel. Wes recalls as many as were herded out of their rooms at going on.” 2,000 in his particular section, which gunpoint. Their tables, chairs and They knew the war was drawing to was reserved for air force prisoners: straw mattresses were taken away; a close, but on April 7, before the rows of 15 or 20 double bunks lining German rations and the Red Cross Allied troops reached them, Wes each side of the room, 60 to 80 men parcels were cut. and 12,000 other able-bodied men to a room, six rooms in a row and It helped having news of the outside from Fallingbostel were put out on a four rows. world. One of the prisoners sharing forced march. “We kept hiding and moving around until they [the Allies] got us. We were put up in barns, and in one barn we got into a storage of potatoes. We sure ate! We lost a bunch of prisoners everyday, escaping.” Near the end of April, Wes and the other prisoners were lined up on the bank of the Elbe River, waiting to cross. A flight of nine Typhoons of the Royal Air Force, mistaking them for German troops, strafed them. “The flight engineer, one of the Wes’ travels through Europe during the war. Englishmen in the crew, was killed,”

20 November 2010 www.ilovecreston.com history Wes says. “The tail gunner, Dick back to Bournemouth, waiting to Curnock, was sitting right beside come back to Canada – never got to him, but he was fine. Ireland.” “We got across the river and after two In July, Wes and Nelson boarded or three days’ marching ended up in the Ile de France for the return a barn. We were three or four days journey across the Atlantic. He got there, then came Armistice Day. The his discharge from the air force in German guards put all their weapons Vancouver and then came home to down. May 4, 1945 the Royal Creston. He worked on the West Dragoons, a Scottish army troop, Creston ferry for years, beginning in released us. That first night we got 1947, and took over the family dairy released, the Royal Dragoons came farm in Lister after his father died in in and there’s strawberry jam and 1958. white bread and, jeez, we hadn’t had “I used to write Mae in Scotland anything like that for so long. I guess and kept in touch,” he says. “I got I just ate too much. I was sicker than a letter from Mae saying she would a dog. I was sick for three days.” come over and marry me, so I sent The prisoners scrounged around and her $500. She came over – train to found enough German vehicles to London, air to New York, Toronto, convoy all the prisoners to Luneberg, Winnipeg, Lethbridge to Vancouver. Germany. There they were deloused I had a place for her to stay a couple and given new clothes. On May 11 of weeks, then we came to Creston.” they flew back to Bournemouth, The couple were married in Creston England. on August 9, 1947. “I was a little scared when I got back In 1974, Wes and a friend visited to England and they couldn’t find Britain, stopping, among other my name,” Wes says. “They looked places, in Bournemouth and recalling me up among the flight sergeants Wes’s days in the air force. Today, and they couldn’t find me. Finally he he wonders what happened to the grabbed another book and looked Halifax bombers he flew back in it up, and there it was. That’s when 1944. I learned I was a commissioned officer. My commission had come “There were lots of the Lancasters through the day I got shot down, but around after the war,” he says, “but it never came through to Germany. the Halifaxes, for some reason, all Otherwise, I would have been taken disappeared.” to a different camp, one for officers.” In 2005, a restored Halifax bomber, In Bournemouth, decked out in his recovered from a lake in Norway, new officer’s uniform, Wes met up was unveiled at the RCAF Memorial with Nelson Foss, who he’d originally Museum in Trenton, Ontario It is met shortly after arriving in England the world’s only restored Halifax, and in 1943. With two weeks’ leave, the Wes was there to see it unveiled. two of them decided to visit Ireland. “It was big,” he recalls. “A lot bigger “We got to Glasgow, Scotland (and) than I’d remembered.”  went to a house party and that is Creston & District Museum & Archives where I met Mae Duncanson. We Phone: 250-428-9262 Email: [email protected] went out together, seeing Glasgow Website: www.creston.museum.bc.ca and parties. Fourth day we came www.ilovecreston.com November 2010 21 volunteering Giving Back to the Community Submitted and Gleaners Too. The atmosphere he volunteers at the Creston is friendly and it provides a feeling TValley Gleaners and Gleaners of pride in knowing you are giving a Too have worked hard to give back service to help your new community. to our community. In 2009 our total In 2009 the many volunteers put in disbursements were in the amount of more than 28,000 hours of work. $101,525. They volunteered in departments Some of the organizations we helped such as toys, sorting room, linens, were: crafts, shoes and purses, appliances • Creston Valley Gleaners Food Bank and hardware, and upstairs in adult, • Ministerial Association infant and children’s clothes. GleanersGiant (medical expenses) Our volunteers also do secretarial • Ministerial Association Christmas (Christmas hampers) and financial work, pick up supplies • United Church Wednesday lunch and numerous other jobs to keep the • KCCS - daycare snacks organization running smoothly. Sale • KCCS - senior advocacy There is a department that can use Saturday, November 20 • KCCS - Beyond Wyld your time and skills: 9:00 am -3:00 pm • Community Resource Centre – Sorting Room: All donated articles Christmas Trees,Decorations, TAPS come to this room to be sorted into lights, cards, CD's, books, gifts, etc. • Community Resource Centre – categories. Summer, winter, theme Creston Senior’s Hall - 810 Canyon St. daycare snacks items, shoes, purses and recycled (Across from Gleaners) • Community Resource Centre – items go through this room first. Success by Six • Bursaries – PCSS Linen Department: Three volunteers • Breakfast lunch programs – ARES, are needed in the linen department to CRAFTSMAN® 27” Wide Erickson, Canyon, Yaqan Nukiy sort, wash, fold and price items. Dual Stage Snowblower • Interior Health Toy Department: Toys are sorted, • Girls and boys retreat cleaned and bagged. Stuffed animals • Therapeutic riding program are washed and dried (when needed), #52839 • Hospice Society games are checked for all pieces and • Memorials battery-operated toys are inspected to • Society for ARK ensure they are in working condition. • Creston Valley Food Action Upstairs Sorting Room: Every Coalition Society Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Did you know that every five to six Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., weeks our recycling department sends volunteers are in the upstairs room 17,000 to 19,000 pounds of clothing sorting, pricing and hanging clothes. and shoes to Maple Ridge? These are Gleaners Upstairs: Volunteers hang tDD#SJHHT4USBUUPOFOHJOFtSFNPUFDIVUF items that cannot be sold and would BOESFNPUFEFøFDUPSBUPQFSBUPSIFJHIUtZBSEMJHIU and sort clothing for both men and tGPSXBSETQFFET QMVTSFWFSTFtQPXFSTUFFSJOH have been designated to the land fill. women for different seasons of the twTFSSBUFEBVHFStZFBSXBSSBOUZ The clothing is used for medical year. $ * supply rags in other countries. The Gleaners Too: Volunteers stock SALE 1099.94 shoes are also recycled. shelves and are required to work both Reg $1499.99 *While supplies last With the help of the local cadets a inside and out. All items are checked semi-trailer is loaded and the recycled to determine if they are in working items are put to good use. condition before being sold.  Are you new to the Creston area? To volunteer at the Creston Valley Gleaners call $PPL4USFFU $SFTUPOt (250) 428-4166 for the main store and www.sears.ca The best place to meet people is to volunteer at Creston Valley Gleaners (250) 428-4106 for Gleaners Too.

22 November 2010 www.ilovecreston.com community have a conference room available to 20th Annual Santa Claus Parade rent. Contact the chamber for rates. Story by: Becky VandenEykel, Manager Santano Photography – Creston and We are open Monday to Friday from Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce District Community Complex 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and look forward to t’s that time of year again. The 20th (2:30-4:30 p.m.) seeing you.  For more information contact the Iannual Creston Santa Claus Parade • Kids’ craft activity – Creston and is just around the corner. Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce District Community Complex Phone: (250) 428-4342 Parade organizers – the Creston (2:30-4:30 p.m.) email: [email protected] Valley Chamber of Commerce, • Short and feature film shown at the Community Pride Committee and Tivoli Theatre (details TBA) Town of Creston – are busy putting plans together. This year, the parade is • Santa Claus Parade starting from being held on Saturday, December 4, the Creston and District allowing for more daytime events. Community Complex (6:15 p.m.) Remember: be loyal, buy local. It’s We are still planning to have all the so important to our local economy traditional Creston Santa Claus to support all of our local businesses. Parade activities such as hotdogs, Many of the stores will be holding hot chocolate, pictures with Santa a special Santa-themed sale or and much more. We are proud to promotion. Be sure to check them present these activities either free, for out on December 4. a minimal charge or by donation to a local food bank. In the next few weeks, while you are out doing your Christmas As of press time, the following shopping in Creston, drop by the activities have been planned for this Visitor Centre. If you haven’t seen year’s celebration. This list is subject the inside yet you are sure to be to change. Keep an eye out for a impressed. We have much to offer finalized list of activities, parade entry the local community, including event forms and more in an upcoming issue information, directories, pamphlets of the Creston Valley Advance. on various services and organizations • Free swim – Creston and District in the community, and more. Community Complex (1-3 p.m.) If you are wondering if Creston has a • Free pictures with Santa by Natalie certain service, check with us. We also

Fun for the Whole Family during this year’s • FREE swim at the Creston & District Community Complex • FREE pictures with Santa by Natalie Saturday, December 4 Santano Photography All activities to be held during the day, • FREE hot dogs & hot ending with the Parade at 6:15 chocolate COMMUNITY PRIDE • Short & feature film at the Tivoli Theatre COMMITTEE For more information contact the Creston Valley • And much more! Chamber of Commerce at 250-428-4342 Watch for a complete list of activities with times, location and more Be Loyal... Buy Local in an upcoming issue of the Creston Valley Advance www.ilovecreston.com November 2010 23 Wildlife They began in 1942 to prevent Internationally Recognized the loss of this irreplaceable wildlife habitat to drainage for Wetland in our Backyard agricultural expansion and water Story by: Carla Ahern level fluctuations for hydroelectric Stewardship and Communications Manager - In the Kootenay region there are developments. In 1968 their efforts Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area two significant wetland ecosystems, were rewarded with the passage of he Creston Valley Wildlife the Columbia Wetlands and the the Creston Valley Wildlife Act by TManagement Area is an CVWMA. These are both designated the provincial legislature and the internationally recognized wetland of as Ramsar sites. preservation of the habitat. importance, also known as a Ramsar The CVWMA is a 17,000-acre site. What exactly does this mean and wetland habitat that encompasses “Designed to enhance why is it important? the southern end of Kootenay Lake wildlife production An international treaty, the Ramsar and extends approximately 20 and prevent the Convention (www.ramsar.org), kilometres south to the U.S. border. promotes the conservation and wise The CVWMA was set aside in loss of wildlife” use of all wetlands and their resources 1968 as a result of many passionate through local and national actions and enthusiastic conservationists, A system of dykes, control and international co-operation. biologists and Creston Valley structures and pumps was designed Thirty-seven wetlands in Canada residents who recognized the and installed in the early ’70s to have signed on to the Ramsar treaty, importance of Duck Lake and the create a series of managed wetland acknowledging the importance of adjoining wetlands as critical wildlife compartments to manage flood conserving and protecting wetland habitat, especially for nesting and and drought cycles. The system areas. migratory waterfowl. is designed to enhance wildlife

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24 November 2010 www.ilovecreston.com wildlife production and prevent the loss of a high honour. By being a part wildlife use that would otherwise of the Ramsar convention we occur because of the changed are recognizing the important management of the Kootenay River role that wetlands play and are system for hydroelectric power thereby helping to promote their generation and flood control. conservation and educate people The CVWMA is located on on the values and importance of provincial Crown land and is wetlands. (Refer to an article on the managed by the Creston Valley importance of wetlands in I Love Wildlife Management Authority, Creston, September 2010 edition.) a not-for-profit organization with federal charitable status that is also a “It is a major provincial Crown agency. Currently, destination for the majority of the core funding to migrating birds along manage the area comes from BC Hydro. the Pacific Flyway” Money for specific management projects and to run the CVWMA The CVWMA was recognized as a Interpretation Centre comes from Ramsar site because it is extremely grants and the support of members biologically diverse, with close and donors. to 400 different wildlife species utilizing the habitat. It is a major Being recognized as an area of destination for migrating birds international importance is quite along the Pacific Flyway and a year- round home to a variety of species, Featured Property including turtles, otters, great blue herons and moose. The wetland provides other benefits such as flood control, filtering of pollutants, recreational opportunities and outdoor educational programming &MTJF)PMNFT3PBE Two titles consisting of 16.9 acres of land. 6.8 opportunities. acres with 4 bedroom energy e cient home, full suite in basement. Outbuildings, fruit trees, The CVWMA is also recognized as country living with beautiful views. 10.1 acres of an Important Bird Area by Birdlife pristine nature borders above. International because it regularly supports more than 100,000 water birds during migration periods, and as an Important Amphibian and Reptile Area by the Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network.  Give Cindy Peck a call today! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 250-402-6908 or by email at VEITCH REALTY - CRESTON [email protected] or check out our 1131 Canyon Street, Creston, BC website at www.crestonwildlife.ca #VT t$FMM www.c21creston.com www.ilovecreston.com November 2010 25 fitness Friends from around the world Story by: Sifu Neil Ripski ell, as fall gently brings the Wapproach of winter I am finally able to take a little time and reflect on the past year at Red Jade. This year has been the best year yet, with full-time students coming from all over the world to our beautiful Creston Valley to train with me and take home the skill to teach in their own country. The full-time course I offer is one of the only ones of its kind in the Some of the many medals won throughout the year. world and truly is unique due to the kung fu I am teaching to these Mexico (Jerri Palmer) and a returning Every one of my new friends international students, Drunken student from California (Patrick mentioned how friendly the people Boxing. Drunken style is deceptive Foss). Patrick has come to Creston of Creston are and were honestly and unusual, the practitioner acting every year since 2007 to train and shocked at how often total strangers as though drunk while practising his/ this year he accomplished his goal of would start up a conversation with her kung fu. becoming a kung fu master in the them. Those from New York, Tel Drunken style. Aviv and Abderdeen, Scotland, The students this year came from especially, were taken aback by the Scotland (Iain “Mac” MacDonald), Other students came from New York friendly nature of the people here. Toronto (Joey Feligi-Biro), New City and Seattle (Sam and David) and Edmonton (Sami, Kyle and Mo). I am very happy and proud to Tomehr Ben Johanan came from Tel say that my program is starting Aviv this summer to gain international to train and spent “I was able to recognition, and some great time get to know a bringing people here outdoors with me in from all over the world our beautiful valley. bit about their is really a great way to Other than just various cultures” reflect Creston through working out and their eyes back to us. training endlessly, I was able to get Beautiful, friendly, talented (special to know a bit about their various thanks to all my musician friends for cultures and their impressions of the letting these new faces come to jams, valley. Every one of them found it practices and parties full of music amazing here. Tomehr fell in love and laughter), clean and magical are with the river and we spent many all words they have used to describe days after training lounging in the our valley. sun and swimming. The Point is an I am so glad I made Creston my amazing place in August. home and want to thank the people The first group came in January and here for accepting my wife and I, and we spent some time doing short hikes supporting us while I live my dream. up on the pass, taking in, for most Thank you.  of them, their first experience with Check out our Web site for more information snow. It’s amazing watching people in on local classes and photos and discussions their 20s have a snowball fight with with the foreign students, www.redjademartialarts.com. the wonder of children.

26 November 2010 www.ilovecreston.com health Mother Nature’s Abundance Studies have shown a lower incidence Enjoy the harvest, the health, Story by: Annette Agabob of cancer in the areas of France where vitality and clarity that come with Owner – Annette’s the grape fast is practised yearly. wholesome, naturally-grown food. Health Action This gives us an example of the Let’s put away our sprays, eat and possibilities when we follow Mother harvest our weeds, and nourish the ere we are, turning the final Nature and the nutrients she holds soil, one person at a time. corner of the fall season, H for us, especially when they are pure, “From abundance he took harvesting and bringing in the whole and natural. abundance, and still abundance abundance of food Mother Nature remains.” has given to us. Another consideration is that there are two sides to every story. Note: This article is intended for There is a saying I heard from Bob informational purposes and does not Mother Earth has her story and her Proctor that goes like this: “From replace you regular doctor’s care. requirements for providing us with abundance he took abundance, and Annette Agabob has been serving the these healthy foods. still abundance remains.” Creston Valley as an Iridologist, Chartered She also requires nourishment in Herbalist, and Whole Food Nutritionist I thought of how true this is for all return. The falling leaves we see since 1997. of us here in the fertile and abundant around us are an example of how For information on Annette’s Health Creston Valley. Each year we harvest Action or Products: Mother Nature replenishes herself. from the crops, the trees and the Phone: 250-866-5737 bees, and every spring we can plant, In the past, our great Creston Email: [email protected] nourish, grow and harvest another flats would flood most years from www.annetteshealthaction.com crop of Mother Earth’s abundance. overflowing rivers, which would Just last month we celebrated restore important minerals and other Thanksgiving in Canada, and there is nutrients to the land. It is the health certainly a lot to be grateful for. of Mother Earth, the health of her soil, that transfers into the health A few weeks ago I was picking up my of our physical and spiritual bodies, son from a friend’s place up the lake both energetically and chemically. and they sent us home with a jar of fresh concord grape juice. I added Although the flats do not flood this to our morning smoothie and anymore, there are ways to replenish WOW, the flavour and vibration of the soil naturally. that juice gave us a jumpstart to our When we watch how Mother Nature day. works and we follow her lead, we can Do you realize in France they have learn or remember how to replenish five-star retreats using grapes for our land naturally, like she does. The fasting and cleansing? Many people more we honour and appreciate our in France go on a grape fast for a great Mother Earth, the more she can week during harvest time. honour and support us.

www.ilovecreston.com November 2010 27 community events November 6, 2010 November 12, 2010 Out & About Annual Harvest Ball Submitted by: www.crestonevents.ca Thunder Cats vs. Penticton Location: CDCC - Creston Room November 4, 2010 Location: CDCC 6pm no host cocktails Puck drops at 7:30pm Creston Concert Society 7pm Dinner Contact: Joanne Endicott Mary Lou Fallis & Peter Tiefenbach 9pm Dance Location: PCSS Contact: Kris Vanderweyde Phone: 250-428-3965 Contact: Black Bear Books Phone: 250-428-2920 email: [email protected] www.crestonvalleythundercats.com Phone: 250-428-2711 November 9 email: [email protected] Remembrance Ceremony November 19, 2010 www.crestonconcertsociety.ca Location: Swan Valley Lodge 10am Thunder Cats vs. Kimberley November 5, 2010 Crestview Village 11am Location: CDCC Creston Valley Thunder Cats November 10 Puck drops at 7:30pm Location: CDCC Remembrance Day Ceremony Contact: Joanne Endicott Puck drops at 7:30pm Location: Local schools (ARES, Phone: 250-428-3965 Contact: Joanne Endicott Canyon/Lister, Erickson, email: [email protected] Phone: 250-428-3965 Yaqan Nuki School, PCSS) email: [email protected] www.crestonvalleythundercats.com www.crestonvalleythundercats.com November 10 November 20, 2010 Remembrance Day Ceremony Thunder Cats vs. Beaver Valley Location: local cemeteries (Pioineer, Warrior Rock, Location: CDCC Lower Kootenay Band, Lister, Puck drops at 7:30pm Help Control Canyon & Forest Lawn) Contact: Joanne Endicott Unwanted 2pm Phone: 250-428-3965 November 11 email: [email protected] Pets The Service of Remembrance www.crestonvalleythundercats.com Support S.N.A.P. Location: Upstairs Legion Hall November 27, 2010 10am Art Council Annual (Spay/Neuter Animal Program) Parade Christmas Art & Craft Fair Location: Behind Pharmasave Please help with your donations Location: TBA Phone 250.428.2811 or 10:45am Creston’s Treasures & Books Cenotaph Service Contact: Harry Miller 4356 Hwy 21, Creston, BC and Laying of Wreaths Phone: 250-428-2527 Location: Legion, 11am www.crestonvalleyarts.org Beautyand Salons

28 November 2010 www.ilovecreston.com community events November 27 & 28, 2010 November 28, 2010 New to the Area? IMAGES 2010 Art Show & Sale Thunder Cats vs. Golden Know Someone Who is? Location: Rotacrest Hall Location: CDCC Great Gifts, Saturday 10am-6pm Puck drops at 7:30pm Information Sunday 10am-5pm Contact: Joanne Endicott and Maps Contact: Eileen Gidman Phone: 250-428-3965 Christy Johnston Phone: 250-428-4091 email: [email protected] Hostess www.crestonvalleyarts.org www.crestonvalleythundercats.com 250.428.7074 HealthandWellness

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