At this time, we present our annual year in review, looking back at the events of 2012 as recorded in the pages of the Creston Valley Advance.
5 — One of several empty storefronts in downtown Creston was eliminated, with Nadan Nessie Gear moving to a new location that gave it a major increase in space.
Vacated in late summer by No Boundaries Health and Fitness, the location was perfect for Vannessa Fowler’s outdoor store, in its fourth year, which was in a cramped former restaurant on 10th Avenue.
The new location even allowed the installation of a 25-degree ramp to test hiking boots.
•Duane Bruce, a 72-year-old Canyon resident, had been actively participating in rodeos for most of his life, and was inducted into the “Legends of Rodeo” category of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame on Oct. 22, 2011.
“When you ride a bucking horse, you get a high,” he said. “When it’s bucking, it gives you a tremendous feeling — you just can’t describe the feeling. … You keep thinking, I hope the whistle never blows.”
•A 57-year-old man died tragically on New Year’s Eve at his Gray Creek residence when he was crushed by the vehicle he was working on.
“It looks like the vehicle might have started to roll and he attempted to stop it,” said Const. Andrew Jones, who attended the scene.
12 — Five local Scout leaders were recognized for their dedication to the organization Jan. 9. Carrie Armstrong, Rob Armstrong, Casey Holden, Mel Joy and Atma Persad each received certificates marking five years as leaders.
“The kids learn life skills they may or may not be taught in school,” said Holden, a former Brownie with two boys in Scouts. “It gives them a chance to be outside in nature. When there’s no roof over your head, you’re free to be who you really are.”
•Columbia Brewery employees learned that they would now be producing Bud Light, the world’s second most popular beer brand. And, they were also told, the Labatt brewery in Edmonton will soon be making Kokanee, which until now has only been produced in Creston.
“Flexibility is at the heart of this expansion — adding another brewery to the Kokanee family will make it easier for us to serve our consumers more efficiently,” Columbia Brewery manager Murray Oswald said
•A flat 2011 real estate market was reflected in property assessment notices sent out to homeowners.
“For example, a typical single family home in Creston that was valued at $274,000 for the 2011 assessment roll is valued at $277,000 for the 2012 assessment roll,” said deputy assessor Dennis Hickson.
19 — When most people turned their thoughts to Christmas, Aaron Gregory put his focus on raising funds and getting donations for Haiti, which was still recovering from a devastating earthquake nearly two years earlier. Aaron and his mother, Mary, were planning their second trip in two years to the Port-au-Prince area, from where he was adopted as an infant.
“We took three suitcases filled with donated items, and loaded our own suitcases with more stuff,” said Aaron, a Grade 12 Prince Charles Secondary School student.
•A proposal by a local citizen to institute a massive fundraising program to offset construction costs at Creston and District Community Complex (CDCC) got a lukewarm reception at Creston town council Jan. 10 regular meeting. Michael Bunn appeared before council as a delegation to present his proposals.
“I also have concerns about some of the fundraising ideas,” said Mayor Ron Toyota. “We have about 300 organizations in this valley that rely on different events to operate and for some, a major event each year provides most of their operating funds. I don’t want to get into competing with volunteer groups.”
•Jesse Gartland wasn’t the first local teen to hit the ice as one of the Creston Valley Thunder Cats, but he was the only one last season. And he couldn’t be happier.
“It’s the best feeling to come out on the ice knowing most of the people cheering in the stands,” the 17-year-old said. “And being able to skate on the same ice as my dad is a good feeling.”
•Creston RCMP members were marginally busier from October-December 2011 than they were in the same period in 2010, Staff Sgt. Bob Gollan told Creston town council.
His members responded to 858 calls for service, 50 more than the previous third quarter of the RCMP fiscal year. About 60 per cent of calls originate in town.
26 — Emergency services responded to a fatal two-vehicle collision north of Sanca Creek that shut down Highway 3A on the East Shore of Kootenay Lake for a few hours overnight on Jan. 18 and 19. The RCMP's preliminary investigation found that a northbound vehicle being operated by 82-year-old Glen McKenzie crossed the centre line and collided with a southbound vehicle.
•The School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) board of education passed a resolution on Jan. 10 to introduce one Wildflower class in Creston and expand the program in Nelson.
“Creston traditionally has had few options and Wildflower adds a very big option,” said trustee and board chair Mel Joy. “Many of the students on the waiting list in Nelson are home-schooled, so this is an opportunity to draw more families into the public school system.”
•The Creston Valley Figure Skating Club enjoyed home ice advantage on the weekend, earning 13 medals in the Kootenay regional figure skating championships, held at the John Bucyk Arena for the first time since 2003.
“This was the first competition for five of our skaters, and they were very excited to skate,” said coach Cassie Bloy.