10 years ago (2003): The Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament raised more than $20,000. The event was the start of the Chamber’s efforts to elimite the mortgage on its office buidling and Visitor Information Centre at the crossroads. The tournament was the first of six events planned to that end and the money raised exceeded the organizers’ expectations by a wide margin.
20 years ago (1993): An
asphalt plant operation on Houlgrave Road started work to finish paving the new Toby Creek bridge, even as Toby Benches residents expressed their concern about it. “I’m most concerned about the water supply,” said Toby Benches resident Ali Candy. The gravel pit and asphalt plant were close to Lillian Lake and several residents’ wells. “It’s not a water-rich area so we have to be careful with the water we have,” said Ms. Candy. The company running the operation insisted it would be done in an environmentally sound manner.
30 years ago (1983): Valley residents Steve and Rose Kushuba celebrated 60 years of marriage with family and friends at the Invermere Community Centre. The Kashuba children organized the
dinner, comprised of many Ukranian dishes. The meal was followed by the whole group singing the Ukranian version of Many Happy
Returns. The Kashuba grandchildren and great grandchildren played piano, violin and sang. The couple had lived in the valley since 1954 and were orginially born in Austria.
40 years ago (1973): The Windermere Improvement District held a testimonial dinner to honour founding member Adolph Stattmann. The dinner was held at the Windermere Community Hall and Mr. Stattmann’s
efforts for the community were lauded by those in attendance. Leo Richer emceed the event and presented Mr. Stattman with a copy of three Piere Berton books. Mrs. Stattman was given a corsage and Girl Guides served the guests the dinner. A few days after the dinner the couple took off to California where their daughter and son-in-law live, but planned to return to the valley in the summer.
50 years ago (1963): The Windermere Distict of Board of Trade had one of its most heated meetings on record when it discussed mosquito control. A Victoria-based entomologist and East Kootenay conservation officers and biolgists spoke at the meeting as did Farimont Hot Springs residents Bruce Downey and Leo Ryan. Mr. Downey and Mr. Ryan were responsible for most of the aerial spraying in the Upper Columbia Valley. The pair sprayed the valley for mosquitoes that year, as they did most years, with a mixutre of oil and DDT. The Victoria-based entomologist said there was not enough funding for a research program in B.C. on the effects of DDT but admitted that, according to research project elsewhere, DDT seemed to be killing fish. He advised sprayers use discretion in their spraying programs. Cranbrook biologist Glen Smith argued strongly against spraying. “Enough information is not getting to the public,” said Mr. Smith, a sentiment vigorously echoed by an East Kootenay Rod and Gun Club representative also against using DDT. “I am
prepared to put up with mosquito bites until it is proved what the damage is to
human tissues,” said Mr. Smith, speaking about DDT. Mr. Smith said he would prepare a report on the matter for the local newspaper.