Home Away from Home British Evacuee’S Love for Creston Runs Deep After 66 Years

Bringing the FREE Creston Valley together. October 2011

Home away from home British evacuee’s love for Creston runs deep after 66 years

Martial Arts Creston Museum Outdoors Wandering judokas find Rigorous yet rewarding lives A ‘backyard’ so big a Place of their own of East Shore settlers you need wheels to explore it 8JOBOJ1BE

%PZPVMJLFCMPHHJOH XSJUJOHPSKVTUDIBUUJOHBCPVUUIF$SFTUPO7BMMFZ 5IFOZPVDPVMECFUIFMVDLZXJOOFSPGBOJ1BE

)PXEPFTJUXPSL All you need to do is write an article about something in the Creston Valley, an event, a place, a feeling or why you love Creston. Write as many as you like and attach a picture to represent it if possible. If we use it in our Daily Buzz (daily email) and you like our facebook page, your name will be entered into the draw that will take place on Monday, October 31st, 2011. There will be up to two articles used per day, so if you don’t see yours (or even if you do), remember to keep writing! You don’t have to be a professional writer, anyone can enter. Our goal is to try and help everyone realize what a wonderful valley we’re living in.

"SUJDMFSVMFT )PXUP&OUFS tXPSET FEJUFECZZPV TVCKFDUUPPVSSFWJFX 4UFQoA-JLFPVS'BDFCPPLQBHF t/PEFSPHBUPSZPSOFHBUJWFXPSEJOHPSQISBTJOHJOBOZXBZo 4UFQo4VCNJUZPVSBSUJDMF FJUIFSCZFNBJMJOHXFCTJUF! Positivity always wins! JMPWFDSFTUPODPNPSCZQPTUJOHJUPOPVS'BDFCPPLXBMM t"MMBSUJDMFTVTFEJOPVS%BJMZ#V[[ EBJMZFNBJM PSJOPVS.BHB 4UFQo*GXFQVCMJTIUIFBSUJDMFJOUIF%BJMZ#V[[ EBJMZFNBJM zine will be entered into the draw and all rights to the story or use it in anyway, your name will be submitted into the submitted will be that of I Love Creston Marketing Ltd. for draw and you could win the iPad2! reuse in any of our publications. (you will always be cited as the author unless you would prefer to be kept anonymous) t"MMFOUSBOUTNVTUöSTUiMJLFwPVS'BDFCPPLQBHFUPCF DPOTJEFSFEGPSFOUSZ HPUPGBDFCPPLDPNBOETFBDIi*-PWF $SFTUPOw t"MMBSUJDMFTNVTUSFMBUFUPUIF$SFTUPO7BMMFZJOTPNFXBZ t/PMJNJUUPUIFBNPVOUPGFOUSJFTQFSQFSTPO UIFNPSFZPV enter the more likely that you will have more chances to win in the draw.

&OUFSBTNBOZUJNFTBTZPVXBOUUPP %SBXUIBUXJMMUBLFQMBDFPO.POEBZ0DUPCFSTU

*-PWF$SFTUPO.BSLFUJOH-UEt#PY $SFTUPO #$7#(ttXXXJMPWFDSFTUPODPN contents what’s inside Sports 9 T-Cats’ roster a work in progress. Mayor’s Desk 10 Team effort at Town Hall. Sports 12 Dojo dedicated to Meers. Agriculture 14 Try the 25-mile diet. Wildlife 15 Endangered frogs bouncing back. Halloween 16 Witches, ghouls, vampires, oh my! History 20 Perseverance on the lakeshore. Martial Arts British guest child 24 Finding your true identity. 5 John Hart remains forever grateful for the warm welcome that awaited him in Creston as a nine-year-old evacuee. Outdoors 25 Quadding a lifestyle, not a sport. The Magazine I Love Creston Magazine is produced monthly and distributed free of charge by I Love Health Creston Marketing Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohib- ited. Any advertisements or graphics designed in-house are property of I Love Creston 26 Put “whole” back in Marketing Ltd. and may not be used in any other medium without permission. Views wholesome eating. expressed in the magazine does not necessarily reflect those of the company. Letters to the Editor Letters to I Love Creston Magazine may be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to Box 143, Creston, BC, V0B 1G0. Letters may be edited for clarity and space.

I Love Creston Marketing Ltd. www.ilovecreston.com Wendy Franz - Sales/Graphic Design email: [email protected] Justin Ziola - Sales/Financials emai: [email protected] Box 143, Creston, BC V0B 1G0 • Ph/Fx 250.428.2631 www.ilovecreston.com October 2011 3 this issue Mistakenly believing it would be It is titled: Two Boys Arrive; Two safe to go home within months, Young Men Return. Guest the Harts actually remained for “Both these boys were loved by the From the editor four-and-a-half years. When it local populace for their respectful finally came time to leave, they had ome people love Creston and courteous manners; their bonded so greatly they wished their because they were born here, willingness to put their shoulders S parents would move here instead of others because they moved here and behind the wheel to make every them having to return to England, still others because they vacationed effort, whether in the school band according to one of John Hart’s in the valley. In some cases all it or on the athletic field, a success,” school chums who still lives here, took was a drive-through for people the story reads. Gerry Ostendorf. It was Ostendorf to swoon at the scenic splendour of who began sending Hart copies “Creston was glad to have them, it all. of I Love Creston after receiving a and sorry to see them depart, John Hart fits in none of those surprise call two years ago. and there is not a person in this categories. He loves Creston valley who does not hope that in “The phone rang one day and I because he was evacuated here. the not too distant future they picked it up and (a voice) said, ‘Is More than 70 years ago. And he’s will pay a return visit to the that Geraldine?’ and I said, ‘Yes. I never been back – except via the valley.” know who this is,’ ” Ostendorf says. time travel of his own memories, “Of course, with his English accent, Ron did, attending a reunion of the which are razor-sharp as the well, I don’t know any other Johns old Creston Valley High School in gentleman approaches 81. Yet his who talk like that. 1989. But John hasn’t – at least not ardour for the place runs as deep yet. as the ocean that separates this “We’ve been talking ever since.” “If I remember correctly, there country from his own in the United Hart’s arrival in town was heralded used to be signs when coming into Kingdom. in a two-paragraph item on the town saying, ‘Welcome to Creston. Hart, a retired pastor, is profiled front page of the Sept. 13, 1940, Thank you. Come again,’ ” Hart in this edition of I Love Creston, Creston Review. (Ron followed 10 writes in one of several letters a magazine which is partly days later, having fallen ill with to the editor of I Love Creston responsible for rekindling a love scarlet fever during a health check penned this summer. “I was made affair that had barely dimmed in Vancouver.) “To date,” reads very welcome, and even in my 80s I despite the passing of decades and the blurb, “John is quite thrilled might come again. many of the people he befriended with the surroundings and likes the “P.S. I love Creston for so many here back in the 1940s. Canadian manner of doing things.” more (reasons) than the ones in my Hart and his brother, Ron, were Ironically, Hart keenly points out, article,” he adds, referring to his among 7,000 so-called British guest below the item is a photo of B.C.’s letters which inspired the feature children sent by their parents to then-finance minister who had story that follows. Canada to escape an impending visited Creston the week before, He concludes another letter with Nazi invasion early in the Second the honourable John Hart. (As a the statement: “I hope that Creston World War. The Children’s further aside regarding his name, continues to be a family orientated Overseas Reception Board placed he notes that his family is directly place and will continue to welcome the bulk of the youngsters in foster related to Shakespeare and that all who come its way.” care, but in the case of the Harts a signatory of the Declaration of they had relatives in Creston – Independence, another John Hart, What do you say? Let’s not let him an aunt, uncle and cousin who is an ancestor.) down.  instantly embraced the pair as part An April 1945 Review clipping of the household. chronicles their emotional farewell.

4 October 2011 www.ilovecreston.com feature

Ron, Aunty Grace and John, 1940, Canyon, BC.

here’s familiarity, and there’s affection, and then there is pure, unadulterated love. The latter Tinspired an English octogenarian to maintain childhood ties to this Kootenay town over the span of seven decades and one ocean. When John Hart says, “I love Creston,” he really means it. www.ilovecreston.com October 2011 5 feature He’s hardly alone in that regard, but A subscription to a cheap long- among 30 children destined for a five- his circumstances are certainly unique. distance plan a couple of years day train trip to Vancouver. Hart fled to Canada from England ago prompted Hart to renew “The Prairie provinces seemed to early in the Second World War to acquaintances by telephone with as go on forever,” says Hart, who escape a suspected Nazi invasion, many old school chums as he could received vaccinations on the West one of thousands of evacuees known track down, including one who still Coast before being sent inland to as “British guest children” dispersed lives here, Gerry Ostendorf. She Creston. “Everything seemed big. throughout the Commonwealth began sending him copies of I Love The trains were big; the cars were countries of Australia, New Zealand, Creston magazine which he devoured, big; the trucks were big. Ron and South Africa and – in the case of sparking an insatiable nostalgia for the I felt so conspicuous in our short, 7,000 youngsters – Canada. place. grey trousers and with our Yorkshire The vast majority were placed in “It was quite an unusual but very accents.” foster care by the Children’s Overseas good title for a small-town magazine, Ostendorf remembers the freckled, Reception Board but, in the case of or for any magazine: I Love Creston,” red-haired Hart making a smooth then-nine-year-old Hart and brother says Hart from across the pond. “I transition after arriving to begin Ron, 11, they had relatives with have extremely good memories of Grade 4. whom to stay – Auntie Grace and Creston. I can remember some of the Uncle Alvin Millin and their son things from the 1940s better than “I don’t think he wore those short Louis, 15, who lived in Creston. from more recent years. pants for very long,” she says with a laugh. “I can sort of picture him What was a fearful passage across the “It was an impressionable time, I like that, but he was just very much Atlantic and into the unknown for suppose.” accepted in the class. He wasn’t shy many children was, for the Harts, an adventure, a chance to meet some kin and escape the bombing “I have extremely good memories of Creston. in Middlesborough. Most families I can remember some of the things from the believed it would only be a matter of 1940s better than from more recent years.” months before they’d be reunited, not the five years it turned out to be. They would be five of the best years Indeed it was. Middlesborough was but he wasn’t somebody who pushed of Hart’s long life, during which he one of the first places bombed. Hart himself forward either.” quickly bonded with the Millins, his experienced air-raid sirens, strict Hart kept up his grades, played in classmates and the community at blackouts, gas masks, explosions and the school band, joined cousin Louis large. the terrifying drone of Nazi aircraft. in the air cadets and grew to love “Ron and I were quite resigned to Canadian sports. leave, believing and hoping that the “After playing cricket and football war wouldn’t be too long,” says Hart, (in England) we took to softball, whose father’s sister, Grace, had met basketball, ice hockey and lacrosse,” and married a Canadian soldier, says Hart, who also liked the thrill of Alvin, in England during the First sliding in his pal Des Hester’s home- World War. made bobsleigh, now on display at the The Hart brothers left England in Creston Museum. August 1940 on the S.S. Antonia as He earned pocket cash picking fruit part of a convoy of passenger ships and mowing lawns, and helped out and military escorts, including an around the house by tending to aircraft carrier. They entered Canada the kindling wood and the garden, eight days later via Pier 21, the bundling and selling asparagus. In historic Halifax gateway, and were Ron and John, 1940. October 1944 he won a special prize

6 October 2011 www.ilovecreston.com feature for his entry in the Creston Lions Club’s Victory Garden contest: $2 in war saving stamps. Peanut butter, hotdogs, waffles, maple syrup, Coca-Cola and Lifesavers were among the novelties that won over his tastebuds. “Auntie Grace and Uncle Alvin did a good job in caring for us,” he says. “Uncle Alvin was very popular. He was often called Shorty by his friends. I remember once calling him Uncle Shorty – but only once. Alvin Millin, 1943.

“We lived for the first two years at West Creston) and Stan MacDonald. “I learned to swim in Craigies’ pool,” the telephone exchange. Uncle Alvin Hart and Rogers skated on a Hart says. “The boys changed on was the manager of the Kootenay slough on the flats, while Hart and one side of the pool and the girls Telephone Company. Auntie Grace MacDonald enjoyed hiking. on the other side. I was scared stiff looked after the switchboard at night. “We bought 12 pigeons together of the great-sized dragonflies but “In 1942 we moved from the and often went up Goat Mountain managed to learn to swim by the aid telephone exchange to what is now and released them with messages of a log.” Ninth Avenue, opposite Creston Valley High School [now Adam Robertson Elementary School]. “We bought 12 pigeons together and “We didn’t find it difficult adjusting to often went up Goat Mountain and school. School in Creston didn’t seem released them with messages”” to have tough discipline. The teachers didn’t need to be heavy-handed. There was always a positive relationship informing his mom when we were If it sounds a tad idyllic, it was, between the teacher and the students.” coming home,” Hart says. despite the atrocities occurring across the Atlantic. Homesickness was Free time was spent with his best He also recalls overnighting at warded off by keeping busy –that buddies, Bob Rogers (who still lives in Camp Koolaree, on Kootenay Lake near Nelson, and watching movies and weekly letters John and Ron at the Grand and Tivoli theatres in exchanged with their mother, Elsie. Creston. Their father, Richard, was a major And then there was Craigies’ in the British army and Hart swimming pool, which Ostendorf “always kept in touch with what describes as “a wonderful old thing” was happening in the war – both in Erickson. in Europe and the Pacific. When it seemed that the war in Europe was “Craigies’ was one of the first nearing the end we left Creston, orchards as you go out of town,” she which was in April 1945. We had a says. “They had an old dugout pool marvellous farewell at school.” with a mud bottom and wooden boards up the sides, no lifeguard “It was a big party, Ostendorf says. or anything, kind of a little diving “They had a dance and a band.” board. Any kid that wanted to come Hart, she recalls, found it hard to Louis, Ve Day Service, 1945. could go in there.” leave. www.ilovecreston.com October 2011 7 feature “He didn’t want to go back to everything was so free to make your “I became a pastor in an Assemblies England,” she says. “Of course they own choices over here. That’s what he of God church and retired 47 years wanted to get home to see their mom liked about it. later.” and dad but I think they wanted “John said, ‘We were back to the Hart credits the power of prayer with their mother and dad to move to short pants and the knee socks and his surviving a bout of bladder cancer Canada.” it was just like an army drill.’ If you in 1971, and now he’s approaching It might have been a safer bet as two talked you got cuffed, that sort of his 81st birthday. ships in the convoy carrying the boys thing.” As for the Millins, they moved to to Liverpool from New York were Ron quit school within weeks but Vancouver in the late 1950s. Louis, sunk by German U-boats. John stuck it out, eventually joining meanwhile, visited Hart in England “It was a most frightening the Royal Air Force as a radar about five years ago, a couple of years experience,” says Hart, who found mechanic and pilot before bouncing before he died. the adjustment to life back in the around diverse jobs with insurance, Hart, who has two daughters and a U.K. tougher than being evacuated chocolate, automobile and paper son, never made it back to Canada, to Canada in the first place. companies. though his brother attended a high His parents enrolled the boys in a To his secular jobs Hart added school reunion in Creston in 1989. grammar school in Blackpool, where another vocation in 1960, one that His fond memories remain fresh, they had relocated. would last formally until 2007 when however. Why does he love Creston his wife Peggy died but in which he “It was so different to Creston Valley so? Let him count the ways: for its is still active part time. His Creston scenic beauty; the friendliness of High School,” Hart said. “There was family, as it turns out, nurtured him its people; the students, teachers very strict discipline. spiritually at the same time they and activities of C.V. High School; “We had to get used to rationing. I harboured him physically. skating, skiing, sleigh riding and spent a fair share of time queuing in “Auntie Grace thought it was good playing basketball in winter; playing the local grocer’s shop. We seemed to to encourage Ron and me to go softball and swimming in Kootenay have to queue for everything. It was to the Anglican Church. We were Lake in the summer; and, the a time of austerity and the country both confirmed there,” Hart says. carnival at apple blossom time. Oh, was slowly recovering from the bomb “Little did I realize that this was the and his friends. damage and upheaval.” beginning of my Christian faith. “He’s the type of person,” Ostendorf “He said that everything was so Five years later I came to realize what says, “(that) if he made friends with regimented,” Ostendorf says, “where Christianity was all about. you, you were friends forever.”  WE’VE MOVED Come see our NEW1208 Northwest LOCATION Boulevard Same Great Service, Same Great Staff! Automotive, residential & commercial glass shop.

Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm /PSUIXFTU#PVMFWBSE $SFTUPOt

8 October 2011 www.ilovecreston.com sports Changes abound at the Johnny B Story by: Creston Valley Thunder Cats One of the biggest (and possibly unior hockey is now in full swing best) improvements is an additional Jin the Kootenay International wall/glass partition between the Junior Hockey League. At the time rink glass and the lobby. Now the this goes to print your Creston pucks hitting the glass won’t be as Valley Thunder Cats will have deafening (especially during warm- played five regular season games. ups). The team that was introduced at As the construction continues our home-opener on Sept. 16 will we get more excited to see the Photo by: Jeff Banman see quite a few changes as time goes final product. Until the arena on. Player movement is necessary concession stand is completed, the the 13th), Castlegar Rebels (Friday as head coach and general manager Thunder Cats are offering a limited the 14th), Kimberley Dynamiters Brent Heaven tries to ice the best concession for our fans. (Saturday the 22nd) and Nelson Leafs (Friday the 28th). We invite team he can for Creston, and it On Oct. 3 and 4 the Thunder Cats you to come out and cheer loud can continue all the way up to the will be holding their annual food and proud for your Creston Valley trading deadline in early January. drive for the Gleaners food bank. Thunder Cats. We would like to extend a huge Donations of nonperishable food, Check for game updates and schedules at thank you to our billet families and personal care items and cash will be www.crestonvalleythundercats.com. acknowledge that sometimes in the accepted. early part of the season it can feel Last year we collected seven full like your home has a revolving door. carts of food and $700 in cash The John Bucyk Arena upgrades donations. We hope to increase continue to move forward and make these numbers and support those progress. Each game we host you in our community who are going Come out can see the final vision clearer and through tough times. Players will clearer. be at both grocery store locations and cheer on collecting your donations. your local Junior B Team! Oct. 9 sees our first of four Sunday October Home Games afternoon home games (note that Sunday 9 ...... Chase ...... 2:00pm it is a 2 p.m. start). We hope that Thursday 13 ....Columbia Valley ...... 7:30pm families will take advantage of our Friday 14 ...... Castlegar ...... 7:30pm family ticket price ($25 for two Saturday 22 ...Kimberley ...... 7:30pm adults and two students/children) Friday 28 ...... Nelson ...... 7:30pm and spend the afternoon with us watching Canada’s favourite winter sport. Creston On the ninth the Chase Heat, one Valley of the KIJHL’s expansion teams, will be coming to town. Other THUNDER CATS opponents in October are the Visit us online at Columbia Valley Rockies (Thursday www.crestonvalleythundercats.com

Photowww.ilovecreston.com by: Jeff Banman October 2011 9 town Our department of development From the Mayor’s desk services staff has moved numerous Story by: Ron Toyota, projects, currently under Mayor of the Town of Creston construction, through the approval process. A few of these projects include: Ramada hotel; new building A dedicated town staff on Canyon Street (Creston Place); y first term as mayor will soon During the snow season these same 24 units of seniors housing behind Mbe concluding. In making my crews plow and clear all our roads, Extra Foods; and, Tim Hortons decision to run again for the office plus the alleys and lanes. providing 24-hour coffee and of mayor I realize that it is both the In addition to keeping our goodies. people I serve, as well as the people community safe and beautiful, the It will be exciting to see what 2012 I serve with, that make me want to public works department is also and the more distant future hold for continue in this role. responsible for maintaining the new development in Creston. As mayor I have had the opportunity miles of pipes that make up our Our office staff are also very to witness first-hand the dedication aging infrastructure. Our waste dedicated to the performance of of both the Town of Creston’s council and staff. “It will be exciting to see what 2012 Town staff serve to maintain and and the more distant future hold for new expand our infrastructure, advance development in Creston” development within the community, deliver front-line customer service, water treatment system (which provide protective services and much their duties, providing information treats both sanitary sewer and and service to the public. It’s not more. storm sewer) has more than 47 always easy being the front-line The public works crew is responsible kilometres of pipes which flow into person who has to interpret the rule for maintaining the 48 kilometres of the treatment plant. Using federal books, accept payment for parking roads located within the town on a and provincial grant funds, which tickets or deal with an occasional year-round basis. The crew has just have already been approved, this disgruntled individual, but I’ve finished chip-sealing to improve the treatment plant is being redesigned seen it carried out time after surface of our roads, many of which and rebuilt to meet the needs of our time with both patience and are reaching the end of their lifespan. community. professionalism. The Creston & District Community Complex is pleased to announce the Sunday, October 23rd GrandOpening 2:00-5:00 pm Followed by a free swim of the Johnny Bucyk Arena! 5:00-7:00 pm Our brand new arena oor, boards and lobby completes the new look of Creston’s Community Complex! The Figure Skating Club, CV Minor Hockey will have fun and challenging games for all ages. Meet & greet the Thunder Cats during our free public skating session. Free food and beverages will be available! Girl Guides selling cookies. Grand Enter our Trivia Quiz and the person with most correct, wins a prize! Creston & District Also, the family coming to the complex with the most generations will also win a prize! Community Complex OpeningEvent The new mural for the arena will be unveiled and the UI"WF/ $SFTUPOt Creston Museum will be onsite with historic memorabilia. DSFTUPOSFD!SEDLCDDBtXXXSEDLCDDBDSFTUPO

10 October 2011 www.ilovecreston.com town Our firefighters, including Understanding this process has at involved, allowed us to be sure we approximately 30 volunteer times been frustrating for me but I’ve were building on an already solid members, are a dedicated group come to know the challenges of good team. of individuals who give up their governance and the responsibilities As you can see, I hold all of our town personal time for ongoing training associated with it. staff in high regard. I would like to and potentially assume risk of their Lou Varela, our new town manager, take this opportunity to thank them personal safety in responding to was appointed in June by a all for their dedication and ongoing emergency call-outs. unanimous council decision which hard work.  As a side note, I recently had the was also strongly supported by our Ron Toyota can be reached by phone at 250-428- privilege of participating in the senior management team. The hiring 2214, e-mail at [email protected] or on the Web at www.creston.ca. fire hose laying competition held process, in which all of council was last month in the College of the Rockies parking lot. From this event I gained an increased appreciation Creston Valley Business Buzz for the required skill set it takes BearAir now offers Pilot Training to be a firefighter. Additionally, in Courses including the Recreational discussion with participants, I came Pilot Permit, Private Pilot License, to better understand the motivations Night Rating, Commercial Pilot of these public servants who provide License, Instrument Rating, Tail emergency response to a wide range Wheel Training, Ski Training and of emergencies in our community. License Renewals. “e great thing about Flight Training is that Additionally, this year we were Aaron and Jennifer Cyman, owners of BearAir the student pays as they go and we able to hire six summer students design the curriculum around Owners of BearAir, Aaron and to work with the public works their schedule! is makes a Jennifer Cyman, are excited to crew to maintain and beautify our hobby or career in Aviation more announce approval from Transport community, implement a water smart attainable to the general public.” Canada to provide Flight Training conservation program, undertake For those who have a Permit or in Creston! Since 2003 BearAir data collection for inclusion in the License, BearAir also offers Aircraft has offered Aircraft Charter, Scenic pending downtown parking study Rental. Flights, Glider Towing and Aerial and assist with operation of the waste Photography. In 2010, Aaron and For more information on any of their water treatment plant. Stuff happens. services call 250-402-9361, Jennifer - both CommercialThat’s whyPilots ther - e’semail Falkins. [email protected] or In addition to our hard-working purchased BearAir with a dream of visit their website www.bearair.ca. staff, I would like to commend expansion toward Flight Training. our management team. I have Creston Valley Business Buzz is proudly sponsored by... worked with them daily and their commitment to ongoing improvement within the local government framework is highly That’s what it feels like. commendable. Freedom. Comfort. In my previous life as a business Peace of mind. owner I could make a decision and have it executed immediately, be it right or wrong. In the municipal Falkins Insurance formerly Ph: 250.428.5338 world, the emphasis is on process. Herchmer Insurance has a new name, Fx: 250.428.2203 but the same great people. www.falkins.com Rules and policies must be followed Our service is insurance, and our promise is to protect your (the public’s) best Interested inpeac beinge of themind. next Falkins Creston Insuranc Valleye has been Business Buzz? interests. Call 250.428.2631providing caring, or email individual o [email protected] customer service in the Kootenays for over 100 years. www.ilovecreston.com We believe each of our customersOctober deser 2011ve a 11 warm relationship of trust and understanding. Stop by any of our locations, or visit our website for more information. www.falkins.com sports New clubhouse honours longtime sensei Story by: Trish Bartlett engineer technician. He had been he Creston Judo Club finally actively involved in judo since 1950, Thas a new home. Forty years of having founded a club in Manitoba nomadic wandering around town in the mid-’60s and taught judo in are over as they establish themselves Calgary. in the basement of the new Creston Meers began teaching judo in Place building at 1230 Canyon Creston in 1987, first as assistant Street. coach and then as chief instructor The new dojo, or clubhouse, is the beginning in 1988. He retired result of generous donations of from active teaching in 2007 but remains on staff as sensei, overseeing time, fixtures and money from local Sensei Joe Meers. businesses and volunteers. Fund- instructors Munroe Albert and Ben raising by members and grants from Reinhardt. continues to visit the dojo regularly. Columbia Basin Trust and the Town Meers began his judo training in Judo has an appeal for many people of Creston enabled the club to build Belgium in 1950. He received his and is a relatively new martial art. a dojo specific for judo with wooden first-degree black belt from sensei Kano was a teacher in Japan who, in floors which, when covered with Ishiro Abe who himself had trained 1882, after studying many ancient mats, forgive all but the most violent under the founder of judo, Dr. forms of martial arts, incorporated of falls. Jigoro Kano. what he considered the best of their The dojo can comfortably hold 20 techniques into a new art he called Meers qualified for his second- judo. students at a time and has been degree black belt in 1993 and his dedicated to Joe Meers, the sensei third in 2000. At age 90, Meers is Judo means “gentle way.” Its aim of the club for the past 25 years. A still active on his farm in Lister and is to subdue and not injure the mural painted by local artist Cory Cannon decorates the wall and commemorates Meers. The club was founded by Irene Yamakawa in the early 1970s. Back then, instructors from all over the Kootenays were invited to teach while the club looked for a permanent place to practise. Over the years the club migrated to many locations, including the Pizza Factory, Creston and District Community Centre, Adam Robertson Elementary School, Trinity United Church and Soul Connection, among others. In 1985, Meers retired to Creston from his job as a mechanical Mural, painted by Cory Cannon, commemorates Sensei Joe Meers 25 years with the club.

12 October 2011 www.ilovecreston.com sports opponent, which differs from many other martial arts. Thus, self-control and the elimination of anger are major components of the sport. In judo competitions, “The Creston the object is to throw club has helped the opponent to the ground and immobilize many to discover him or her with a and utilize their grappling manoeuvre. Little Artist of the Month strengths and Judo also teaches strikes overcome their and thrusts with hands and feet and the use of weaknesses” defensive weapons, but these are not allowed in competitions, only in pre-arranged forms known as katas. Students of judo, known as judokas, take up the activity for a variety of reasons. One student may wish to enter competitive tournaments while another may be looking for a fitness program. Still others may be looking for a social activity or a discipline leading to a way of life. Whatever the goal, judo and specifically the Creston Judo Club can accommodate the many needs of the students. Under Meers’s guidance and tutelage, the Creston club has helped many to discover and utilize their strengths and overcome their weaknesses. Many students have entered and done well in competitions. For instance, Janelle Archambault, Age 12 Keisan Goldsmith won a gold medal in the 2002 B.C. Winter Games and continues to place well at both the Art Classes for Kids hosted a week-long, drama provincial and national levels. and art camp, at the end of August. The kids that participated in the camp, spent the week making As a result of their performances last year, two of the their own costumes, designing the set, and younger club members, Kaeden Rendek and Justin making artwork that would accompany them in Juurlink, have been invited to attend the provincial their final production of Cinderella. Pictured championships in Abbotsford this month. above is Janelle, with her beautiful painting that was inspired by the works of the Group of Seven. Over the years, Meers has been a great inspiration to his Congratulations Janelle on being super talented students, providing positive feedback and encouragement and thank you for attending Drama/Art Camp! and teaching his instructors to do the same. Albert, the present instructor of the younger students and Proudly Sponsored by... former student of Meers, says, “Joe did so much for the community and never asked for anything in return. I would like to be able to give back to the community the way he did.” The club invites any interested people to join, including older beginners. The club will be hosting a judo tournament on Saturday, Nov. 19.  For more information go to www.crestonbc.com/judoclub. www.ilovecreston.com October 2011 13 agriculture Plenty going on at the farmers’ market Story by: Jen Comer, Creston Valley Farmers’ Market Manager s I was enjoying an afternoon of from apples (lots of varieties) to Acanning 50 pounds of tomatoes in zucchini (just lots of them). mid-September, my mind wandered to Our vendors take great pride in the what to write for this article. With so produce they bring to the market and much going on at the Creston Valley ensure what you buy is fresh, delicious Farmers’ Market it’s impossible to and nutritious. narrow it down to a single topic. We’re working hard on educating So how about a sample of everything? our community about eating locally Let’s start with some quick numbers: because what good is a kohlrabi to you 47 – number of markets in the 2011 if you don’t know how to eat it? season (spring, summer, mid-week and The farmers’ market has partnered Sending cards? Nothing’s better than fall) with the Creston Valley Advance and a beautiful art card created by one of 45 – average number of vendors during FoodDoodles.com to run a monthly Creston’s many artisans, such as James the summer market food column by Heidi Bjarnason McDowell or Ute Bachinski. 110 – number of vendors who have entitled The Locavore’s Cookbook. Stuck on stocking stuffers? My been through the market thus far Jo-Anne Shultz of the Great Canadian favourite gifts are edible ones like little 238 – fans on Facebook Cooking School hosted a month of jars of jams and jellies, or local honey. 1,000 – average number of weekly live food demos during September, So before you hop in your car to the customers in August complete with samples and take- big metropolis of (insert big-city name Our harvest at the market is all local. home recipes. On our Facebook page here), come visit the farmers’ market for We say forget the 100-mile diet; try you’ll find daily updates that include your holiday shopping. Remember, the the 25-mile diet. You’ll find everything lots of links to recipes using seasonal lineup of vendors changes every week ingredients. so you need to visit frequently. The holiday season is quickly Our work doesn’t stop with hosting approaching and what better presents a market (or two) every week. There’s than ones that have been handmade. plenty going on in the background to The farmers’ market features more make our community farmers’ market than 50 artisans and crafters who have a success. products to delight children and adults Through Enterprising Non Profits alike. we’re working on a new business plan Handmade kids’ toys by Diane and that will sow the seeds for years to David Wiklund are always a hit, or come. Rima Kuprys, a local consultant Gleaners handmade pottery, dishcloths and and graduate of Chicago’s Institute of tea towels are always practical for the Design, spent the summer collecting Winter Coat couple which already has everything. surveys from market customers and vendors. This fall we’ll compile all the and data and create a business plan for a sustainable farmers’ market in the Boot Sale Creston Valley. Find us during the fall season at Morris Saturday, October 22 Flowers Garden Centre every Saturday 9:00 am -3:00 pm from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Dec. 17.  Find us at: www.CrestonValleyFarmersMarket.ca; 810 Canyon Street www.Facebook.com/CrestonValleyFarmersMarket; www.Twitter.com/CVFarmMarket; or, give us a call at (Senior Hall across from Gleaners) (250) 977-5362.

14 October 2011 www.ilovecreston.com wildlife population should there be a complete Record number of endangered collapse of the wild population in the Columbia region.” frog egg masses located Each egg mass contains between 1,000 Story by: Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program in all of B.C. – right here in the and 4,000 eggs. Once an egg mass is inding egg masses for the Creston Valley Wildlife Management found it is enclosed in a fine mesh cage Fendangered northern leopard frog Area (CVWMA). In addition, there to protect it from predators. (Lithobates pipiens) is not an easy is one small reintroduced population Only a small portion of each egg mass task. Once widespread throughout at Bummers Flats conservation area is used for translocation, and those southeastern B.C., there are now north of Cranbrook that was created eggs or tadpoles that were moved to only two known wild breeding areas by releasing tadpoles and juvenile the East Kootenay are again protected remaining in the province. (metamorph) frogs raised from eggs by a mesh cage until the tadpoles are a collected at the CVWMA in 2005. couple of weeks old. “We had to find a way to augment the There have been a variety of partners population of northern leopard frogs helping the northern leopard frog at the Bummers Flats site without recovery effort over the years, including compromising the viability of the FWCP, BC Hydro, Environment source population at CVWMA,” Canada, World Wildlife Fund, says Purnima Govindarajulu, who Columbia Basin Trust, FortisBC, chairs the Ministry of Environment’s Ministry of Environment, Selkirk Northern Leopard Frog Recovery College, CVWMA, Canadian Wildlife Team. “The team set a threshold of 2 week old hatchlings being released. Federation, local First Nations groups, 10 egg masses before eggs could be the Interdepartmental Recovery Fund collected from CVWMA for release at So when biologists from the Fish and and the East Kootenay Conservation Bummers Flats. Wildlife Compensation Program Program. Between 2001 and 2005 (FWCP) located 17 egg masses during “Therefore, this year we were able to the FWCP and the Northern Leopard the spring breeding season of 2011 – take a portion from each egg mass laid Frog Recovery Team raised and the most since the Northern Leopard after the threshold of 10 was reached released more than 25,000 northern Frog Recovery Project got under way and move about 5,000 eggs or tadpoles leopard frogs. in 1996 – they were ecstatic. to help the population at Bummers “While the future of the northern Flats.” This is one of many projects the leopard frog population in the FWCP has led on behalf of program Also a total of 50 tadpoles, five each province is far from secure,” Krebs partners BC Hydro, the Province from 10 egg masses, were moved says, “the fact that we were able to find of B.C. and Fisheries and Oceans to a captive assurance colony at the a record number of egg masses bodes Canada, which work together to Vancouver Aquarium which now has well for them. We hope that we will be conserve and enhance fish and wildlife 109 northern leopard frogs at different able to deliver even better news in the in the province. Approximately one- ages. It is hoped that the first captive years ahead.”  third of FWCP projects focus on breeding will occur at the aquarium in species at risk such as the northern 2012. leopard frog, which is federally “There is a real risk of provincial endangered and red-listed provincially. extinction, so finding sufficient egg “Typically we only find between six masses that enable us to bolster the and nine egg masses each year, which northern leopard frog population in really gives an idea of the fragility the East Kootenay is very positive,” of the population in the Columbia says John Krebs, FWCP crew lead in region,” says FWCP contract biologist the Columbia region. “We haven’t had Barb Houston. “So to find 17 is the luxury of doing that since 2005. excellent news.” “And supplying Vancouver Aquarium There is only one remaining with more tadpoles will help to ensure population of northern leopard frogs that it has a genetically diverse backup www.ilovecreston.com October 2011 15 Halloween Jack-O-Lanterns www.halloweenishere.com Irish children used to carve out at the Creston & District potatoes or turnips and light them Community Complex for their Halloween gatherings. They commemorated Jack, a shifty Irish villain so wicked that neither God nor the Devil wanted him. Rejected by both the sacred and profane, he wandered the world endlessly Dress up the kids and come to the complex for a night lled with fun! looking for a place to rest, his only Prizes, candy, games & skating warmth a glittering candle in a (with swimming on Sunday)! rotten turnip. Toonie Halloween Skate 4:00-5:00 pm Carnival 4:30-6:30 pm (admission $2) for ages 11 & under Halloween Pre-Party Swim! Bobbing Sunday, October 30th 4:00-6:00 pm *Swim and skate free with membership, or daily admission applies. for Apples If you would like to donate candy or small toys for www.halloweenishere.com this event, please contact us at 250-428-7127. When the Celts were absorbed by Creston & District the Roman Empire, many rituals of Community Complex Roman origin began. Among them UI"WF/ $SFTUPOtwww.rdck.bc.ca/creston was the worship of Pomona, goddess of the harvest, often portrayed sitting on a basket of fruits and flowers. Apples were the sacred fruit of the goddess, and many games of divination involving them entered www.halloweenishere.com the Samhain customs. Halloween, one of the world’s oldest holidays, is still celebrated today in several countries around the globe. The autumn rite is commemorated Did You Know... in the United Kingdom, although with a surprising and distinctive British twist. In Mexico, Latin America, and Spain, All Souls’ Day, the third day of The Irish Potato Famine the three-day Hallowmas observance, is the most important part of the (1845-50) prompted over celebration for many people. In Ireland and Canada, Halloween, which 700,000 people to immigrate was once a frightening and superstitious time of year, is celebrated to the Americas. These much as it is in the United States, with trick-or-treating, costume parties, immigrants brought with them and fun for all ages. Have Fun... Be Safe! their traditions of Halloween and Jack o’Lanterns, but The word itself, “Halloween,” actually has its origins in the Catholic turnips were not as readily Church. It comes from a contracted corruption of All Hallow’s Eve. available as back home. They November 1, “All Hollows Day” (or “All Saints Day”), is a Catholic day found the American pumpkin of observance in honor of saints. But, in the 5th century BC, in Celtic to be a more than an adequate Ireland, summer officially ended on October 31. The holiday was called replacement. Today, the carved Samhain (pronounced sow-in), which means “end of summer”, the pumpkin is perhaps the most Celtic New year. famous icon of the holiday. 1804 Canyon Street, Creston

16 October 2011 www.ilovecreston.com Halloween Pumpkin Facts www.halloweenishere.com Check out In 1584, after French explorer Jacques our Spooktacular Cartier explored the St. Lawrence region of North America, he reported finding “gros melons.” The name was translated into English as “pompions,” which has since evolved into the SECTION modern “pumpkin.” Pumpkins have been grown in North America for five thousand years. They are indigenous to the western hemisphere. Pumpkins are fruits. A pumpkin is a type of squash and is a member of the gourd family (Cucurbitacae), which include squash, cucumbers, gherkins, Make up, accessories, and melons. candy, treats and much more! Pumpkin seeds should be planted between the last week of May and the middle of June. They take between 90 and 120 days to grow and are picked $BOZPO4U $SFTUPOt(250)428-9080 in October when they are bright orange in color. Their seeds can be saved to grow new pumpkins the next year. 2010 New World Record! The largest pumpkin ever grown stands at 1810.5 Halloween, one of the world’s oldest holidays, is still celebrated today in pounds. It was grown by Chris Stevens. several countries around the globe. The autumn rite is commemorated It was weighed at the GPC weigh-off in the United Kingdom, although with a surprising and distinctive British in Stillwater, Minnesota on Oct. 9, twist. In Mexico, Latin America, and Spain, All Souls’ Day, the third day of 2010. the three-day Hallowmas observance, is the most important part of the celebration for many people. In Ireland and Canada, Halloween, which was once a frightening and superstitious time of year, is celebrated Did You Know... much as it is in the United States, with trick-or-treating, costume parties, A traditional food eaten on and fun for all ages. Halloween is barnbrack, a kind of fruitcake that can be bought The word itself, “Halloween,” actually has its origins in the Catholic in stores or baked at home. A Church. It comes from a contracted corruption of All Hallow’s Eve. muslin-wrapped treat is baked November 1, “All Hollows Day” (or “All Saints Day”), is a Catholic day inside the cake that, it is said, From all of us at... of observance in honor of saints. But, in the 5th century BC, in Celtic can foretell the eater’s future. If a ring is found, it means that the Ireland, summer officially ended on October 31. The holiday was called person will soon be wed; a piece Samhain (pronounced sow-in), which means “end of summer”, the of straw means that a prosperous Celtic New year. year is on its way. www.creston.ca UI"WF/ $SFTUPOt250-428-2214

www.ilovecreston.com October 2011 17 Halloween Owls You’re invited to a Superstitions and If an owl looks in your window or if you seeing one in the daylight bad Bad Luck Omens luck and death will bestow you. www.halloween-website.com Salt Black Cats At one time salt was a rare Black cats have long been believed commodity and thought to have to be a supernatural omen since the magical powers. It was unfortunate witch hunts of the middle ages when to spill salt and said to foretell family cats were thought to be connected to disarray and death. To ward off evil. Since then, it is considered bad bad luck, throw a pinch over your luck if a black cat crosses your path. shoulder and all will be well. Broken Mirrors Ruckus haunts the Sparrows An ancient myth our ancestors Kokanee Pub Sparrows are thought to carry the believed was that the image in a souls of the dead and it is believed to Saturday, October 29 mirror is our actual soul. A broken bring bad luck if you kill one. 9:00 pm mirror represented the soul being Tickets: astray from your body. To break the Unlucky Number 13 $10/person at the door spell of misfortune, you must wait The fear of the number 13 is still seven hours (one for each year of bad common today, and avoided in many 123 9th Ave. luck) before picking up the broken different ways. Some buildings still South, Creston pieces, and bury them outside in the do not have an official 13th floor and Phone: moonlight. many people avoid driving or going (250) 428-4241 Ladders anywhere on Friday the 13th. In the days before the gallows, criminals were hung from the top rung of a ladder and their spirits were believed to linger underneath. Common folklore has it to be bad luck to walk beneath an open ladder and pass through the triangle of evil ghosts and spirits.

Halloween (The Movie) Details... “Halloween” was made in only 21 days in 1978 on a very limited budget. HALLOWEEN The movie was shot in the Spring and used fake autumn leaves. SAVINGS! The mask used by Michael Meyers in the movie “Halloween” was actually Check out our good used kid’s and William Shatner’s mask painted white. adult costumes, decorations, masks, wigs, makeup and accessories, The character Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis was named after Available throughout October John Carpenter’s first girlfriend. at our usual a ordable prices. While the setting for the story is in Illinois, the vehicles have California Creston Valley license plates. Halloween is on October 31st, the last day of the Celtic calendar. It was GLEANERS originally a pagan holiday, honoring the dead. Holloween was referred to 807 Canyon Street, Creston as All Hallow’s Eve and dates back to over 2000 years ago.

18 October 2011 www.ilovecreston.com Halloween Tootsie Rolls were the first wrapped Creston Valley Motorcycle Association Halloween Trivia penny candy in America. www.halloween-website.com The ancient Celts thought that Orange and black are Halloween spirits and ghosts colors because orange is associated roamed the countryside with the Fall harvest and black is on Halloween night. associated with darkness and death. They began wearing Pumpkins also come in white, blue masks and costumes to avoid being and green. Great for unique monster recognized as human. DJ carvings! Chocolate candy bars top the list as Great Music Halloween was brought to North the most popular candy for trick-or- Costume Prizes America by immigrants from treaters with Snickers #1. Europe who would celebrate the harvest around a bonfire, share ghost Halloween is the 2nd most stories, sing, dance and tell fortunes. commercially successful holiday, with Christmas being the first. Monster Trivia & Folklore www.halloween-website.com Transylvania. They live in Central October 22, 7:00 pm Signs of a werewolf are a unibrow, and South America and feed on the at the Kokanee Pub hair palms, tattoos, and a long blood of cattle, horses and birds. Tickets: $5 in costume, $10 no costume middle finger. Many people still believe that All proceeds donated to the food bank Vampires are mythical beings who gargoyles were created by medieval For more informatio call Booker (250)402-8469 defy death by sucking the blood of architects and stone carvers to ward humans. off evil spirits. In 1962, The Count Dracula Society was founded by Dr. Donald A. Reed. To this day, there are vampire clubs and societies with people claiming to be real vampires. There really are so-called vampire bats, but they’re not from

Creepy Tidbits... If you see a spider on Halloween, it is the spirit of a loved one watching over you. Worldwide, bats are vital natural enemies of night-flying insects. The common little brown bat of North America has the longest life span for Have a Safe and a mammal it’s size, with a life span averaging 32 years. Happy Halloween from In about 1 in 4 autopsies, a major disease is discovered that was previously undetected. The Ouija Board ended up outselling the game of Monopoly in its first full year at Salem. Over two million copies of the Ouija Board were shipped. www.ilovecreston.com October 2011 19 history The early settlers of the East Shore Story by: Tammy Hardwick Manager - Creston and District Museum and Archives was recently asked to give a Ipresentation on settlement along the East Shore of Kootenay Lake. This is a topic about which I knew only the most basic information, so it gave me an Photo courtesy of Boswell history book, Boswell Beginnings excuse to dive into some of the first-hand Early residents (unidentified) of Boswell rowing fruit to the wharf for pick up by the sternwheelers. accounts we have in the archives. I found many stories that gave glimpses them to Morrissey. Albert died there There were two primary industries that into the daily lives of the first settlers on drew people to the East Shore. First, in 1905 from a massive heart attack the East Shore and which really made in the late 1880s and throughout the and Margaret, along with her children, me appreciate how determined they 1890s, was mining. Reports of rich moved back to Pilot Bay where the were to carve their livelihood out of the strikes of silver, gold and other minerals smelter was being reopened. wilderness. drew prospectors like moths to a flame. That resurgence, however, lasted only a Overriding everything else was, for But the mining boom was very short- few months, and by the end of 1905 she many of the early settlers, a pervading lived, and when its lustre wore off there was back in Nelson. In 1911 she married sense of uncertainty. Both the mining were many who moved to the East Isaac (Ike) Lewis, who had pre-empted and fruit ranching industries were Shore hoping to make their fortunes in a large ranch on the flats just north of unstable and unpredictable, affected by fruit growing. The East Shore, like the Creston. all sorts of factors from international Creston Valley, experienced a veritable But the flats had not yet been reclaimed financial conditions to the schedules of explosion of orchard lands between 1908 from the annual floods of the Kootenay the Kootenay Lake sternwheelers. and 1914. River so there were several months of The genealogy of the Kootenays is the year when the Lewis family could full of stories of individuals who were not remain on the farm. Each spring constantly on the move from one job they packed up their home and moved and one town to another in search of to Boswell, where they farmed for the work. The great pendulum swings, from summer before packing up again and boom to bust, in the primary industries moving back to the Creston flats. only exacerbated the movements of these people. That willingness to help others was a prevalent sentiment in the East Shore Margaret McLellan Lewis’s story is a communities. It was not merely a prime example. In 1892, she and her product of small communities where husband Alfred moved to Nelson, drawn everyone knew everyone else and by the incredible silver-mining boom. was often related to them; it was But the following year saw a continent- often required for the survival of the wide financial panic and mining community and its residents. '6--.&/6t$0-%#&&3 operations in Nelson all but ceased as a result. The communities of the East Shore were Come Join in the fun! In 1894, the McLellans moved to Pilot isolated from each other. There was no highway; communities were linked by Sunday Crib tournaments Bay where they operated a hotel in the shadow of the Pilot Bay smelter. They nothing more than rough trails and 4JHOVQGPS1PPM%BSU-FBHVFT occasional wagon roads, and sometimes 3FHJTUFS/PX held on there for a few years after the smelter shut down in 1896 but took only accessible by boat. Please phone for more information over the hotel in Ainsworth beginning Larger centres were a day’s travel or (250) 428-4241 in 1902. more away. Travelling from Boswell to 123 9th Ave. South, Creston In 1904, the burst of activity around Creston, for example, required a full (Just South of the grain elevators) the Crowsnest Pass coal mines drew day. One could get on the southbound

20 October 2011 www.ilovecreston.com history steamship at about 10 a.m., as it made In 1894, the McLellans took up 320 feet and cope with the endless round its way from Nelson to meet the train acres of land about a mile north of the of other tasks involved in the running at Kootenay Landing at the south end Pilot Bay smelter site. Alfred secured of a truly self-sufficient household and of the lake, then take the train into work at the smelter while his wife and farm. Creston. If all went well and there were children tended a herd of dairy cows. Nevertheless, despite the hard work, no delays there would be time to spend The distance between the farm and Pilot the isolation, the hardship and the an hour or so in Creston before boarding Bay was most readily covered by water uncertainty, accounts left by the the westbound train to connect with the in those days. Consequently, Margaret pioneers are rarely, if ever, desponding. evening vessel back up the lake. became a familiar figure because during Their stories tell of busy days, happy A trip to Nelson, on the other hand, all types of weather she rowed a boat childhoods, close-knit and bustling required the better part of three days. filled with milk cans to maintain a milk communities and rewarding lives lived Travellers could get on the northbound delivery. to their fullest on the East Shore of steamship in the middle or late Somehow, between tending the cows Kootenay Lake.  afternoon and get into Nelson just in and looking after a rapidly expanding For more information, contact the Creston and time to find a hotel. family, she found time to sew all the District Museum and Archives by phone at 250- 428-9262, e-mail at [email protected] As the southbound ship left Nelson at garments worn by her children, churn or on the Internet at www.creston.museum.bc.ca. 6:30 a.m., getting any business done in butter, preserve fruit, make pickled pigs Nelson required spending the whole day, staying over a second night, then getting on the boat on the morning of the third day. As a result of this isolation, each community was very self-sufficient. Each member of the community used his or her skills to contribute something to the success of the town as a whole. And the importance of the sternwheelers as lifelines of the communities cannot be overestimated. Anything that could not be produced in the community itself had to be brought in by water, on steamships such as the Nasookin and the aging but tireless Moyie. Carving out a livelihood in the A lot of people are going to be kicking wilderness was no easy feat. Many of the themselves for not buying in this market! East Shore settlers had some farming If you’ve been waiting for the real Nobody sells more real estate than experience but few had undertaken to estate market to improve, your time RE/MAX . start a farm on completely untouched has come. Where Do You Want To Be? land. It was a daunting challenge for Housing prices are down. Inventory Make Your Move With RE/MAX ! many. is up. The time to act is now! Fortunately, they were willing to Call RE/MAX today and talk with learn from others and even, at least in an experienced agent about the opportunities for home ownership. some cases, to learn from books and pamphlets where necessary. RE/MAX agents know their communities, and they care enough One characteristic of pioneer life on the to get to know you, too. East Shore is made evident by these and other accounts: it required an awful lot Discovery Real Estate of hard work and dedication to make t 1013 Canyon St., Creston t 106 33rd Ave. S., Hwy. 3, Erickson a go of life in the Kootenays. Margaret www.remaxcreston.com McLellan Lewis once again serves as an tO ce 250-428-2234tToll Free 1-877-428-2234 excellent example of this. 100% locally owned t 2 o ces in the Valley to serve you. www.ilovecreston.com October 2011 21 through the winter, so try filling them in as a fall home improvement project. 3. Buy New Bulbs Five inexpensive fall home If your electricity bill is getting improvement projects you down, sink it to your level www.associatedcontent.com with compact fluorescent bulbs, home improvement project is to add all is sometimes the best which can last up to 10,000 hours insulation to the attic, which doesn’t time to embark upon home and lower the cost of lighting F take much time or much money. improvement projects, especially your home by up to 60%. They’re those that don’t break the bank. You can purchase a sheet of slightly more expensive than the Following are some fall home insulation and apply it to what’s regular incandescent bulbs, but improvement projects that won’t already in the attic, potentially saving their longevity and electricity cost much, but will help prepare for hundreds of dollars before spring. savings more than make up for the the bold chill of winter. Most of the heat you lose during the additional cost. You can find them summer rises out through the attic, at the hardware store and at many 1. Insulate the Attic so this is your major weak spot in department stores, as well as online. Although you’ll probably save your home. Fall home improvement 4. Install Smart Thermostats money heating the house during was never this easy. the winter than cooling it during If you’re tired of playing the guessing 2. Fill the Cracks the sweltering days of summer, game with your thermostat, try this why turn down the opportunity Gaps, cracks and holes in your home fall home improvement project. You to save a bit of cash? A great fall can result in serious loss of heat can install a “smart” thermostat, which can be programmed to lower and raise the heat in your home AMP UP depending on what you’re doing. FOR THE For example, it might lower the temperature before bed, then raise it GREY CUP an hour before you wake up in the morning. It can be programmed to lower when you go to work or out shopping, and even to stay on all the time if you’re home. They are well worth the investment. HDTV Bundle 5. Insulate Your Hot Water Heater If your hot water heater is driving HD PVR Receiver up the cost of electricity, you can LGST 600 Smart make it a fall home improvement TV Upgrader project to insulate it for the winter. Smart Blu-ray A basic water heater blanket can be applied in less than thirty minutes by yourself. This saves thousands of dollars needed to buy a new, energy- efficient heater, and will help keep 1011 Canyon St., Crestont the tank warm in between heating www.thesource.ca cycles. 

22 October 2011 www.ilovecreston.com if you have root and tuber plants and the tops are killed by a freeze, the edible part can be saved if your plants are well mulched. Fall gardening - expand your When fall gardening, make sure and pick the vegetables with the growing season shortest growing season so they can http://homefreemedia.com enjoy the heat, such as tomatoes, be full grown and harvested before n many areas of North America, sweet potatoes, okra, and peppers, the frost arrives. Most seed packages Iand especially Canada, gardeners will produce until frosts hit, which will be labeled “early season”, or do not even consider fall gardening can be pretty late in the year in you can find the seeds boasting because of the threat of early frosts. southern areas. However, there are the fewest days to maturity. You But with careful planning, fall some plants that will quit towards may want to go after your seeds gardening can result in excellent the end of summer like snap-beans, for fall gardening in spring or early vegetables and extend the harvest summer squash, and cucumbers. If summer; they are usually not kept long after crops planted in spring these vegetables are planted around in stock towards the end of summer. are finished. As a bonus, vegetables the early-middle of the summer they If they are stored in a cool and dry produced from fall gardening are can be harvested until the first frosts location they will keep until you are sometimes sweeter and milder than as well. ready to plant. those that grow in the summer. Hardy, tough vegetables will grow By choosing your vegetables carefully What you choose to grow in your until the temperature is as low as and planning ahead, you will be fall garden will depend on your 20 degrees, but those that aren’t able to expand your growing season available space and what your as strong will only be able to grow next year and provide even more preferences are. Even the crops that through light frosts. Remember that nutritious home-grown food. 

Quality is like Great the di erence Selection! between Expert Advice! Apples to Oranges PYRAMID BUILDING SUPPLIES LTD. /8#MWE $SFTUPOt250.428.7114 [email protected] good neighbours... good advice. www.ilovecreston.com October 2011 23 martial arts Ground yourself in the hard facts about martial arts - Part 1 Story by: Of course I am limited in my experience, also be brought on by other means) is Shifu Neil Ripski like everyone, and the following is simply from him. my opinion based upon things I have hi or qi is a commonly misconceived Imagine living in a single-room house learned from my training since the 1980s. with a big bay window. All your days Cidea throughout the world, and I do not claim to be a great master or nowhere more so than in the realm of the you live in this house and view the world a sage with hidden knowledge of the through your window. martial arts. mystical realm. But that being said, I have Many people think qi is a mystical life had the privilege of training under some At first, when a dog runs by or a bird flies force, invisible to the eye but able to be people I would consider great teachers, from tree to tree, you notice and think felt and controlled by the great masters to Chinese doctors and masters. It is from nothing of it. But as time goes by and the exclusion of all others. Some feel that this that I write now. you never clean the window (this is the incorrect practice of qigong or alchemy) this magical energy can be harnessed to do First off we must work on understanding all kinds of things, from powering your the view blurs. The dog appears to be the definition of the word qi. There are something more, as does the bird. strikes to healing others, depending on two major ways to look at this from a your level and experience. martial arts standpoint, that of Taoist Years pass and the dog has been forgotten, Almost all of the time people refer to alchemy and that of Chinese medicine. now appearing as a demon on all fours, these kinds of things just as I have: “high the bird a flying spirit taunting you to The typical definition of life force come outdoors. level,” “old and great masters,” etc. But energy that surrounds us, binds us and never does the topic seem to come up interpenetrates us all (very Star Wars) This is called fire misting the heart and of not only what qi is but how people is a basic Taoist alchemical (magical) it changes your perception of reality. The actually pursue training it and using it in definition. This definition looks at qi as a more you practise incorrectly and out of their martial arts and their lives. These are subtle energy that fills the universe and is context, the foggier the window becomes. questions that I feel beg to be answered. basically the magical spark of life. This is truly dangerous to one’s psyche and relationship with reality, and this is Harnessing this energy that is, of course, just one of the possible illnesses that can both within and outside of our bodies is occur. the goal of what I call alchemical qigong practices. These are the magical practices So the alchemical practices stay hidden that cleanse the soul, allow strange sights and taught to the most-trusted students to be seen and so on. – another phrase used a lot by martial artists which can be misinterpreted. It Depending on the martial art traditions is not that an untrustworthy student you study and their origins, the alchemy might teach others what he should not practices may abound in your training. (although that could be a factor) but that The Taoist immortals, of course, achieved the master does not trust the student to immortality through them (another topic) handle the training yet. and passed them down through various The grounding needed in reality and hard lineages to the modern day. facts about Chinese martial arts must be These practices are generally hidden from present first in order to delve into these the general public and rightfully so. To types of things. This is why they tend to not understand what is going on in them remain hidden, simply because it is not a and their context is to invite some major great idea to teach them to just anyone, issues into your life, affectionately known for those people’s own good. as qigong sickness. As a short aside, our Ma family tradition As an example, my good friend and does have a few alchemical practices gongfu brother, Kevin, is a doctor of taught to me by my shifu and since that traditional Chinese medicine and a time I have been lucky enough to find scholar and anthropologist of Chinese more information and methods from thought, martial arts, language and other teachers. No, they will not be qigong. The following definition of an taught on the Internet or in books.  example of a qigong illness (which can For more informaiton visit www.redjademartialarts.com.

24 October 2011 www.ilovecreston.com outdoors Lifestyles of the not so rich and famous Story by: Danette Polzin the street. Growing up in Kitchener, up in the hills off Goat River Road. or most of my family and many my backyard was a handful of These are all memories I will cherish Fof my friends, quadding is mountains filled with trails leading for the rest of my life. synonymous with living. Life would to spectacular lakes and rivers, scenic Quadding is typically seen as a sport not be the same without four wheels views, old-growth forests and even or a hobby. For us, it is a way of life. and an engine. I grew up quadding the odd huckleberry bush. Quite a It makes up a big piece of who we the back country around Creston and backyard indeed! are, giving us freedom and allowing I’m sure my kids will do the same. Many holidays have been spent on us to explore parts of the world most My son went on his first ride when the side of a mountain. While most will only see in pictures. If I hadn’t he was seven weeks old, though we people are sitting around a table grown up and lived in Creston I have since upgraded to side-by-sides enjoying a turkey dinner, my family would have missed out on so much. which makes taking the babies out is sometimes found quadding up to I am excited for the adventures my much easier because we can just strap the hump on Mt. Kitchener to have a son has in store. His journey has just them in their car seats. fire and wiener roast. begun. He’ll be burning around on A lot of kids grow up with a nice As a child, countless birthdays were his own quad before we know it, and fenced yard and possibly a park down spent at my grandpa’s cabin tucked I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Creston Valley Homes For Sale Featured Property

#FSFBEZUPCFQMFBTBOUMZTVSQSJTFE 3 bedroom home with a heritage feel. Large open rooms with an attached but separate kitchen and bedroom with ensuite on main oor. Large covered carport with storage shed, room in the yard for RV parking. Sit on the sundeck and enjoy beautiful mountain and valley views. Close to schools and shopping. $189,000

Give Cindy Peck a call today! VEITCH REALTY - CRESTON 1131 Canyon Street, Creston, BC #VT t$FMM www.c21creston.com www.ilovecreston.com October 2011 25 health Five nutritional guidelines that apply to everybody Story by: Maya Skalinska, M.H.,R.H.T ood is our fuel and our tasting, yellow-dyed squares that its due to better soil health, more Fmedicine. In my practice I find makers call cheese. vibrant energy fields (now supported by science) and better most of my clients’ health issues We’re always looking for short cuts, taste. stem from their diet. the easiest, fastest way to prepare We all know by now how harmful our foods. But at what cost? 3. Choose fresh, local and seasonal for its higher nutritional content. fast food is (check out the Simply put, our bodies are not Besides, local is always better- documentary Super Size Me). Yet designed for consuming these highly suited for our bodies as we resonate we tend to overlook the fast foods processed foods. We are designed with the environment in which we we pick up at the grocery stores. to consume nutritionally rich, real live. These are all the pre-packaged, foods, not chemicals made in a highly refined, sugar-loaded, laboratory. 4. Choose a large variety of colours, denatured foods that cause digestive textures and flavours. Variety gives us the nutrient diversity which our bodies crave. Enjoy all the six flavours: sweet (grains, whole milk); sour (yogurt, tomatoes); salty (sea salt, seaweed); bitter (green leaf vegetables, endive); astringent (beans, apples); and, pungent, (ginger, garlic). 5. Practise conscious eating. Listen to your body’s signals. The more you practise awareness the more attuned you will be to the effects of food on your body. “We are designed to consume It sounds so simple. You’ve all nutritionally rich, real foods, not chemicals heard this before. Look at your diet and ask yourself how much made in a laboratory” variety you are getting from it. Read the labels and see how many problems, liver/gallbladder issues, So here are five of the most unnecessary chemicals you’re hypoglycemia, type II diabetes and important nutritional guidelines consuming. I see amazing results Candida albicans overgrowth, just to that apply to all: with all my clients who adopt these name a few. 1. Choose foods that are whole and simple guidelines.  White flour and white sugar are the in their natural state: fresh fruits; Maya Skalinska is a master herbalist and worst on a long list of highly refined vegetables; whole grains; eggs; nuts; registered herbal therapist offering iridology, and, seeds. pulse and tongue analysis, herbal medicine, foods that create havoc when eaten nutrition consultations and flower essences in on a daily basis. And then there’s 2. Choose organic as often as Crawford Bay and at Vital Health in Creston. “food” that hardly resembles food, possible – fewer chemicals, For more information or to book an appointment call 250-225-3493. like the plastic-wrapped, plastic- more minerals and other nutrients

26 October 2011 www.ilovecreston.com community events October 9 Location: CDCC. starts at 7:30pm Out & About Creston Valley Thunder Cats Contact: Joanne Endicott Submitted by: www.crestonevents.ca vs. Chase Heat Phone: 250-428-3965 www.crestonvalleythundercats.com October to December Watch exciting Junior B Hockey action! Location: CDCC, starts at 2:00pm October 14 Creston Valley Farmers’ Market Contact: Joanne Endicott Creston Valley Thunder Cats Featuring local produce, baking & crafts. Phone: 250-428-3965 vs. Castlegar Rebels Location: Morris Flowers & Garden Centre www.crestonvalleythundercats.com Watch exciting Junior B Hockey action! Saturdays, 10am to 2pm October 13 Location: CDCC. starts at 7:30pm Contact: Jen Comer Creston Valley Thunder Cats vs. Contact: Joanne Endicott Phone: 250-977-5362 Columbia Valley Rockies Phone: 250-428-3965 www.crestonvalleyfarmersmarket.ca Watch exciting Junior B Hockey action! www.crestonvalleythundercats.com

in the Creston Valley INDOOR STRAWBERRIES Great +VOFUP0DUt/PQFTUJDJEFT FROZEN FRESH BLUEBERRIES Family Fun!OPEN UNTIL CHRISTMAS! t-VODIFT#BLJOHt(JGUXBSF$BOEZ4IPQ

Open Wednesday thru Sunday, 10am to 4:00pm 2782 20th St., Lister (1km East of airport) 250-428-4647

Come try our Fresh Fruit Smoothies!

)XZ $SFTUPO #$t1IPOF :PVS'BSN.BSLFU Carrying locally produced Creston t"QQMFTt1FBDIFTt5PNBUPFTt1FQQFST Growers Supply t4RVBTIt)POFZt1SFTFSWFTt#FFGt$IFFTF Orchard, Vineyard & Farm Products t+BNT4ZSVQTt$IFSSZ)JMM$PòFF 1I XXXJMPWFDSFTUPODPNDSFTUPOHSPXFST Creston Valley RIPENING DATES APPLES Fruit Season Vegetable Season t(BMBt.D*OUPTIt4QBSUBO t+POBHPMEt)POFZ$SJTQt"NCSPTJB Pears...... Sept. 5 to Dec. 31 Potatoes ...... July 1 onwards t$SFTUPOt0SJO 4730 Canyon Lister Road Apples...... Sept. 15 onwards Carrots...... Aug. 1 onwards (250) 428-7278 *Please note all dates are approximate depending on the weather. Squash...... Aug. 15 onwards www.ilovecreston.com October 2011 27 community events October 15 October 20 October 21 Ducks Unlimited Fundraising Small Business Week Howlin’ Harvest CIDO 97.7fm Fall Event Conference Fundraiser 26th Annual Creston Ducks Unlimited Annual Small Business Week conference Alex Ewashen entertains with our Live Fundraising Banquet. Raffles, live & silent put on by the Creston Valley Chamber Auction including local products and auctions, a great meal and a fun filled of Commerce and Community Futures. services. Dinner with local produce.. evening in support of Ducks Unlimited Event will include speakers on an and music to entertain and get your toes Canada’s conservation work. assortment of topics plus announcement of tapping. Location: CDCC, 5:30pm the Business of the Year. Location: Rotacrest Hall Contact: Gertie Brown Contact: Jim Jacobsen Contact: Maureen Cameron Phone: 250-428-7581 Phone: 250-428-4342 Phone: 250-402-6772 www.ducks.ca www.crestonvalleychamber.com HealthandWellness

Kveta’s Natural Healing Centre Feel healthy, look healthy, BE healthy... naturally. • Emotion Code • Reﬂexology • CranioSacral Therapy • Lymphatic Drainage • Reiki •Reconnective Healing Kveta A. Jasek Certiﬁed Emotion Code Practitioner www.ilovecreston.com/kvetasnaturalhealing Ph: 250-866-5677 840 Packing Shed Road, Wynndel, BC V0B 2N2

If you are reading this, so are your potential YOUR AD customers! COULD BE Advertise your HERE! business for as low as $30/month Contact us for details. 250.428.2631

28 October 2011 www.ilovecreston.com community events October 22 October 23 October 29 Creston Valley Motorcycle Assoc. CDCC Grand Opening of the Annual Oktoberfest 4th Annual Halloween Bash Johnny Bucyk Arena Cocktails, dinner and dance to follow. Join us for a howling good time. Free skating, free swim, food and beverages, Location: CDCC, 6 pm All proceeds donated to the Creston Valley prizes, games, fun for the whole family. Contact: Henry Schoof Food Bank. Location: CDCC. 2 to 5pm, Phone: 250-428-3545 Location: Kokanee Pub Free swim 5to 7pm October 29 Contact: Terry Booker Contact: Andrea Peet Kokanee Pub Halloween Party Phone: 250-402-8469 Phone: 250-428-7127 Ruckus haunts the Kokanee Pub. October 22 www.rdck.bc.ca/creston Location: Kokanee Pub, 9pm Creston Valley Thunder Cats October 28 Phone: 250-428-4241 vs. Kimberley Dynamiters Creston Valley Thunder Cats October 31 Watch exciting Junior B Hockey action! vs. Nelson Leafs Halloween Hysteria Location: CDCC Watch exciting Junior B Hockey action! Dress up the kids and come out for a night Game starts at 7:30pm Location: CDCC, starts at 7:30pm filled with fun! Children 11 & under. Contact: Joanne Endicott Contact: Joanne Endicott Location: CDCC, 4:30 to 6:30pm Phone: 250-428-3965 Phone: 250-428-3965 Contact: Andrea Peet www.crestonvalleythundercats.com www.crestonvalleythundercats.com Phone: 250-428-7127 www.rdck.bc.ca/creston Beautyand Salons ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE! IF YOU ARE READING THIS SO ARE YOUR POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS! BOOK YOUR SPACE TODAY! 250.428.2631

Creston Valley Business Services

BeeFor as low as $30/month Give usSeen a call today! 250.428.2631 www.ilovecreston.com October 2011 29 Creston Valley Business Services

30 October 2011 www.ilovecreston.com Creston Valley Business Services Real Stories

Who: Brad and Alisa Brewer Location: Prince George, B.C. Story: Early one morning, the Brewers discovered water in the basement of their home in Prince George. Result: The basement is now completely restored; Falkins was there throughout the process to ensure the Brewers were satisfied with every detail.

“They followed through to the very end to make sure I was happy” THE BREWERS AT THEIR HOME IN PRINCE GEORGE When Brad and Alisa Brewer noticed water pooling in their basement early one morning, they phoned their Falkins representa- “I truly feel Falkins has set such a high bar for a tive right away. Within a few hours, a crew had arrived to assess the standard of doing business that it’s hard for damage and begin cleaning up—and throughout the restoration, any other insurance company to reach that bar, never mind get above it.” —Brad Brewer Falkins was in constant communication with the Brewers. “That high level of service from Falkins shocked me, even after all of the impressive things they’ve done,” said Brad. “They followed through right to the very end to make sure I was happy.” The Brewers had been Falkins clients when they lived in Sparwood, B.C., and were so impressed with the company that when they relocated to Prince George three years ago, they kept Creston 250.428.5338 Falkins as their insurance providers—and they were glad they did. falkins.com 1.866.426.2205

View the Brewers’ full story or submit your real insurance story at www.falkins.com/real-stories. Powerful Solutions For A Compact World Fall Clearout Financing0% 42 Months O.A.C. Financing0% * in lieu of cash discount 72 Months in lieu of cash discount

CASH SALE PRICE $14,399.00 Reg. list $ 18,746.00 * While quantities last CASH SALE PRICE ,VCPUB357$19 ZPVDBOIBWFCPUIJOEVTUSZMFBEJOHDBSHPDBQBDJUZBOE $26,499.00 DPNGPSUBCMFTFBUJOHGPSVQUPöWFBEVMUT8IFOIBVMJOHDBSHPJTUIFKPC UIF35 Reg. list $ 34,020.00 * 7$19TTUBOEBSEIZESPTUBUJDQPXFSTUFFSJOH IFBWZEVUZ7)51-64USBOTNJTTJPO BOEMBSHF IZESBVMJDEVNQJOHDBSHPCFENBLFXPSLFBTZ8IFODBSSZJOHGSJFOET While quantities last GBNJMZPSDPXPSLFSTJTUIFUBTL KVTUSFEVDFUIFCFETJ[FUPBEEBTFDPOESPXPGTFBU JOH"OJOOPWBUJWFTUFQDPOWFSTJPOEPFTUIFUSJDL RTV1140CPX- Features )1USBDUPSUIBUXJMMHFUUIFKPCEPOFBOETUJMMCFFBTZPOUIFQPDLFU tIQ DZMJOEFS MJRVJEDPPMFE%EJFTFMt7BSJBCMFIZESPUSBOTNJTTJPO 7)5 t8%XJUI8%TFMFDU MF 1648 - Features: BCMFt&BTZSBOHFBTTJTUNFDIBOJTNt.PSFUSBDUJPOJOSFWFSTFTQFFEt'SPOUJOEFQFOEFOU.BD1IFSTPO tDZMEJFTFMtXE Y4ZODISPTIVUUMFUSBOTNJTTJPOtRVJDLBUUBDI%-MPBEFSXTLJETUFFS TUSVUUZQFTVTQFOTJPOt3FBSTFNJJOEFQFOEFOU%F%JPOUZQFTVTQFOTJPOXJUIMFBGTQSJOHTBOETIPDL UZQF2"wCVDLFU MCMJGUDBQ tMCMJGUDBQUISFFQPJOUIJUDIXUFMFTDPQJDFOETGPS BCTPSCFSTt3FMJBCMF XFUUZQFEJTDCSBLFTt3FTQPOTJWFIZESPTUBUJDQPXFSTUFFSJOHt"NQMFHSPVOEDMFBS FBTZJNQMFNFOUDPOOFDUtIQSQNJOEFQFOEFOUQUPtCBMMBTUFEUJSFTtCMPDLIFBUFS BODFt2VJDLSFBEQBOFMt*NQSPWFEUBJMHBUFEFTJHOt/FXEFMVYFCFODITFBUXJUISFUSBDUBCMFTFBUCFMU Get Ready Financing0% 42 Months O.A.C. for Winter!Selected in lieu of cash discount Snow Removal Attachments

CASH SALE PRICE UP TO $16,799.00 $750 OFF Reg. list $ 20,983.00 * 8IJMFTUPDLMBTUT While quantities last

LDE GO N N FE O R This 23hp diesel powered unit will make short work of all those renovating, S N L IE E landscaping, backyard needs, like building a retaining wall, installing drainage, N

planting trees, removing stumps or digging a small landscape pond. Quick disconnect

the loader/backhoe and add a mower to mow your lawn or pasture. GRAND FORKS CRANBROOK BX25TLB - 23hp diesel powered unit - Features CRESTON Serving The Kootenays tIQDZMEJFTFMtSBOHFIZESPTUBUJDUSBOTNJTTJPOtQPXFSTUFFSJOHtGSPOUSFBSQUPt8% t-"GSPOUFOEMPBEFSMCDBQBDJUZt#5CBDLIPFGPPUEJHEFQUI KEMLEE EQUIPMENTLTD. *Cash price includes all discounts in lieu of low rate nance. 0% nancing available on approved credit, call dealer for details. Your locally owned & operated Ag Centre /035)8&45#-7% $3&450/ #$7#(ttt'Y