WestMont News December Edition

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www.westmontnews.ca December 2012

COMMUNITY NEWS Eva HarveyCongratulations to Patricia Miller and all her helpers who once again put on a terrific Craft Fair on November 17th. The displays and crafts were amazing! There are so many talented people in this area! Thanks to all the Westwold Community Hall Association members who worked so hard to make it such a success. (It isn't until you volunteer to help that you can truly recognize the amount of effort and work that goes into something like this!)

Welcome to the first issue of the new WestMont News. In full colour! We hope you think the new format is refreshing. Our aim is to have local news and views, local informa-tion and event coverage with photos. We will be including community birthdays again (so please send us yours) and we will also have a business section and local section, so you can get to know your community a bit better.

We would like to thank several people for their donations to the news this month.Many thanks! Eva and I produce the paper for no money - just for the enjoyment of serving our community. So your money goes towards supplies and keeping it running! We hope you enjoy the new format and there will be some gradual changes as we get your feedback! Happy Christmas!

General Store & CafeWestwold

250-375-2565 vuCheck out "Itsy Bitsy Emporium" - treasures of Bali.Come in early for best selection.

We've just received a new shipment of Fireworks!New products and old favourites. Plan your New Year's Show now!

We have expanded our Western & Outdoor giftware section. There's sure to be something for everyone on your Christmaslist. Customer Appreciation Day is Dec. 16 from 1 until 3 PMPlease join us for refreshments. Christmas Dinner special Dec 14 5PM - 7PM. Your choice ofTurkey or Ham with all the trimmings. $12.95 Open daily 10 - 5 Closed Dec 25 & 26 & Jan 1 Merry Christmas & a Happy & Prosperous New Year to All Please note, we will be closed from Jan 12 to 31.

Alison with the famous Westwold Carrot Company Garlic. Sue with her jams and chutneys, and Liga with her barnwood picture frames...

Merry Christmas

WestMont NewsDecember 2012

Vol 33 Issue 561

www.westmontnews.ca

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Please remember to get your event listings in by the 20th of each monthBy Email: [email protected] Phone: 250 375 2426 In Person: At the Legion or you can mail: WestMont News c/o Christina Norwood 5669 Kam-Vernon Hwy, Westwold B.C, V0E 3B1

StrongStart BC Early Learning Program School-based program for 0 - 5 year old pre-school children and their parents or caregivers. At Falkland School. Tuesdays and Thursdays 9-12. FREE

Zumba with SueTuesday 6:30pm

Thursday 6:30pmCall Ang 250-309-3387@ Falkland Elementary School

USEFUL LOCAL NUMBERS

Sunday Morner's Ollie 379-2751Falkland Library Diana McCarthy 379-27051st Responders Joan Berg 379-2291Monte Lake Outdoor Club Larry Racine 379-2575Canadian Legion Joan 375-2325 or 375-2216Falkland Curling Club Bob Jones 379-2944Welcome Wagon O.J. Boissoneault 379-2829Food Box Program Jackie 375-2482Westwold Hall Rental Patricia Miller 375-2281Westwold Livestock Assoc.Marilyn Clemitson 375-2367

WESTWOLD GENERAL STORE & CAFÉOpen 10am -5pmPhone (250) 375-2565

WESTWOLD ST. LUKE’S CHURCH SERVICESServices Sunday 10am. Call Sherry 375-2274.FALKLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH SERVICESROMAN CATHOLIC MASS first Saturday of the month 5pm. Call (250) 375-2429. ANGLICAN CHURCH every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. Call (250) 379-2358

1/8 Page 101/4 Page 15 1/2 5Full Page 30

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Please make cheques payable to EVA HARVEYWestMont News c/o Christina Norwood 5669 Kam-Vernon Hwy Westwold B.C V0E 3B1or in person at the Westwold Legion.

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Monday Night Crafters: Westwold Legion Hwy 977 pm Mondays. Everyone welcome! For more information contact Sharon at 250-375-2580

Did you know? The Bookmobile now loans video games in Wii, Playstation 3 andXBox 360 formats, as well as music, magazines, DVDs and of course.. books!

Wednesday Dec 12Monte Lake Store 10-10.30amWestwold School – 10:45 – 1pm

www.tnrdlib.ca 1-250-376-3526

Bookmobile ScheduleMONTE LAKE STORE Phone: (250) 375-2304

Community Events & Local Information

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Kelly’s Kustom Pinstriping

COMMERCIAL signs | FARM SIGNS | SANDWICH BOARDS

DOOR LETTERING | HAND PINSTRIPING|GOLD LEAF |CUSTOM ART

WWW.KELLYSKUSTOMS.CA 250.375.2060

Holidays At The Legion Eva Harvey

The annual Legion Christmas Party will be held on Saturday, December 15th around 7:30 p.m. This is a very casual get-together for all those who want to spend a social evening without going too far from home! Bring your partner, friends or family and relax. It is potluck......just finger food

and goodies. The evening is open to everybody, not just Legion members.

The Legion will be open New Year's Eve for all

those who don't want to stay home but don't want to drive very far either! It's potluck, so bring finger food or goodies; paper plates etc. will be sup-plied. There is no cover charge. This is a chance to spend some time with friends and neighbours while you usher in the New Year!! EVERYBODY WELCOME!!

Westwold Women’s Institute

Many thanks to the folks that stopped in at the hall during the craft sale and supported our organization by purchasing our baked goods, cook books, and raffle tickets. The winners were: Dorothy Churchill of Falkland will be the recipient of the Live Floral Arrangment, and Doris Gibb of Westwold won the Blue-Bulb, quilted runner (by Anje Schmidt). Thanks to our members that ran the table!

Seniors ‘Banquet Sunday, December 9th at 1:00 pm.Westwold Community HallWe look forward to seeing some first-time “seniors”, as well as our regular, more seasoned ones! Don’t be shy!Call for a ride! 375 2216 or 375 2347

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Cheque’s In The Mail From January 2013 OnCall customers will no longer have Internet service in Westwold. This is sad news for me, as I have used OnCall with very minimal problems for the last 4 years. I know this has not been the case for all of you – but they have been one of the more reliable services in the area. This month we will be contacting Mybcdata to set up a new account. The good news for OnCall customers – from now until January, the service is free – and you will be receiving a rebate cheque in the mail for the last 3 months!

Local Thanks Teresa NicolThe Westwold Women’s Institute would like to thank the board members of the TV Society for their generous donation, and we would further like to recognize all volunteers in our small communities. Thank you for selfless commitment, passion and energy…kudos!

Monte Lake Outdoor Life ClubAudrey MarinelloOur next meeting is our annual Christmas Party and election of officers and will be held at the Monte Lake Outdoor Life Club on Back Road in Westwold on December 14, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. We are looking for a new President & Secretary as these officers are stepping down.For the Christmas Party, please bring an appetizer of some sort, your own beverages and a $5.00 - $10.00 present for the gift exchange.The 2013 memberships are now due and can be paid at this meeting.

Go Vikes Go! Teresa Nicol Congratulations to Bryce Taylor and the Valleyview Vikings Senior football team. The Vikings beat out South Kamloops for 2nd

Westwold PACMaria TomlejenovicThe Westwold PAC and students would like to send a thank you to the community for such a sucesfull bottle drive that took place on October 13, 2012. The Bottle Drive raised a little more than one thousand dollars. The monies raised goes to cover costs of field trips, busing costs, books, computers, and extras for classroom and students. Thanks to the Caldwell family for your help. Another thank you to Jim Cor-nett from Monte Lake, for collecting and help-ing drive.Another womderful Christmas Craft Fair has passed. Great baking everyone! Pa-tricia Miller made yet another gingerbread masterpiece. Erin, Tammy, and Laura thank you for running the PAC Table at the Craft fair. Appoligies for those who were looking to purchase school raffle tickets. They are ready now and on sale from students, Westwold Store, Monte Lake Store, and Westwold Legion. Draw date is December 19, at around 6:30 pm. The draw will take place at Westwold School durring the Christmas Concert at 6pm. Everyone is wel-come.

Anyone wishing to donate a raffle prize for the draw, it would be greatly appreciated, Please drop prize off at school between 8:30am - 3pm, no later than Monday December 17, 2012. Thank you. Happy Holidays. Westwold PAC.

placement against Pitt Meadows for the BC Championship at BC Place on November 9th. Bryce’s standings currently place him 10th in BC for tackles, and conference All Star for offensive line in the interior! Way to go Bryce, and Go Vikes Go!

SALMON RIVER TAEKWON-DO CLUBPlease contact instructor Greg Willison for more information at 250-379-2511. Learn new skills, develop confidence and gain strength and flexibility!

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Business Banter

If you have a local business and would like to appear in a future issue, please contact [email protected]

e are pleased to introduce a new monthly feature, show casing local businesses.W

Itsy Bitsy Emporium

This December Westwold will be home to an exciting new business in two locations!

“Living in Indonesia for 13 years, Laurie Dillon fell in love with the spirit of the people and the beauty of the Islands. With the Itsy Bitsy Emporium she is delighted to capture the magic of the Island of Bali and bring it back across the world for you to discover and enjoy.

The Westwold General Store has been partly transformed to showcase a selection of imported gifts from Bali. The main “store” will be based at Laurie’s home on the Douglas Lake Road. Laurie has literally hand picked thousands of beautiful treasures including; Children’s items, home décor, teak and recycled boat wood furniture, batik fabric for quilters, paintings and jewelry.

The store opens on December 1st until Dec 24th but Lauries plans to open again in the summer should the interest arise.

6778 Douglas Lake Road (1.5 km on the left)Mon – Friday 10am-6pmEvenings – by appointmentWeekends 10am-8pm

Website: http://itsybitsyemporium.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItsyBitsyEmporium

Purveyor Of Fine Goods & Treasures Of Bali

Westwold Christian Fellowship

Non Denominational learning & sharing of God & His word.

Tuesdays 6:30pm 250 375 2366 Westwold General Store with Pastor Gerald Smith

SUBSCRIBE TO THE WESTMONT NEWS

Mail a cheque for $20 made payable to EVA HARVEY

Westmont News c/o Christina Norwood5669 Kamloops-Vernon HwyWestwold B.CV0E 3B1

You will receive all 10 issues in the mail.

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Gift Shop • Westwold BC

Silver Jewelry, Children’s Furniture, Paintings, Tutus, Beaded Shoes, Home Decor, Mirrors, Sarongs, Batik Fabric, Statues and other Treasures.

UNIQUE & EXOTICGIFT ITEMS

Bring in this ad, at either location, to receive your complimentary Bali Surprise Gift with purchase!

LOCAL RESIDENTS:

(Evenings by Appointment: 250.375.2213)

7 Days 10 am - 5 pmTues - Fri 10 am - 6 pm

Sat - Sun 10 am - 8 pm

OPENING DEC 1stOPENING NOV.26th

6778 DOUGLAS LAKEROAD

WESTWOLD GENERALSTORE

Like Us • itsybitsyemporium.com

FREE Super Genie Organ.Must have truck and two strong people. Not for resale.

FREE Love Seat. Beige with wood arms. Pretty good shape. No rips. A little low and difficult for older people to get up.

PHONE 250-375-2525 Jackie or Al Everett

DECEMBER Birthdays

6 Landon McKim 10 Paul Young 11 Randy Egger, Zack Caldwell 12 Megan Maher 13 Monica Graf 17 Colt Smith 20 Sharon Eye 21 Henry Kooistra 23 Breanna King, Holly Reid 25 Holly Cooper 27 Jim Benedict 30 Melissa Churchill

PLEASE NOTE: We like to wish "Happy Birthday" to our residents on their special day, BUT we are not mindreaders! You have to let us know the date and name of the special people to whom you wish us to send greetings. This includes ANNIVERSARIES, GRADUATIONS, ENGAGEMENTS, WEDDINGS, BIRTHS, ACCOMPLISHMENTS or any kind of CONGRATULATIONS. We like to welcome newcomers, as well as wishing well to residents moving away, those hospitalized, recuperating and returning home. Obituaries are printed free, also. E-mail Christina or Eva.(See page 2) Thanks, because all the above makes our little paper more interesting with "the human element."

B & BPrivate entrance, bathroom, kitchenLow rates for extended stays BARNWOOD PICTURE FRAMESCUSTOM ART FRAMINGLiga Buff 250 375 2235

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A Time of Caring Jayne Woolman

As December rolls around once again, our thoughts seem to migrate to those in need, those less fortunate than ourselves. We happily drop our coins into the Salvation Army kettle; we do-nate toys for needy children and fill hampers for families who have little to nothing of their own. We reach out to the homeless, whom after Dec 25th will be forgotten about.

Last month a letter to the editor of the Edmonton Sun newspaper appeared on facebook which some of you may have heard about. Some schools in Edmonton have allowed some kids to "opt out" of Remembrance Day ceremonies, ap-parently for religious reasons. I did some further reading, thanks to Google, and discovered that the St. James Assiniboine School Division in Winnipeg has also allowed some students to "opt out". I find this disgusting and unsettling. Our vets are not just from WW1 and WW2; our vets are also from the Korean War, Bosnia, Kuwait and Af-ghanistan..... many have died; many continue to serve OUR country. Many of today's immigrants have come to our country from those war rav-aged nations so that they and their families might have a better life. A better life made possible by the very vets who gave their lives defending those countries. "Opt out" for religious reasons? I highly doubt any of our vets gave a damn about religious beliefs while they were defending foreign countries! They were protecting those in harms way and I find it nothing short of offensive that those same immigrants would choose to ignore those who quite possibly saved their lives!

Here in British Columbia it's mandatory for all students to attend Remembrance Day ceremonies.....I find that sad! No one should need to be told to remember those who paid the ulti-mate sacrifice! I agree that we all have a choice but when it comes to thanking those who are will-ing to pay with their lives to defend our sorry butts the very least we can do is take a few minutes out of our day to pay them the respect they deserve! Religious beliefs be damned! What, exactly is this teaching our children?

RCMP ReportGord Molendyk

On Friday Nov 23 at approximately 9:00 PM a Lake Country Taxi dropped off an intoxicated His-panic man off at the rear of the Vernon Detach-ment. The Cab driver stated that the man did not appear to know where he wanted to go and had run up an $80.00 fare from driving around aim-lessly. The man was arrested for being drunk in a public place and lodged in cells for his own safety. While the officers were dealing with him he supplied 3 different names. Our officers called Canadian Boarder Service Agency for the Pacific Region enforcement cen-tre to see if they had any information relating to either of the names that had been supplied. They had nothing in their records. One of our officers spoke to him in Spanish, and learned that the suspect was not lawfully in the country and that he did not have a passport or any other form of identification. The suspect said that he had crossed the border through the mountains of Montana on foot and that he is unlawfully in Canada since June. The 31 year old Mexican immigrant has been detained under an Immigration Detention Order he is expected to be transported to Vancouver today for a deportation hearing.Early Saturday morning just after 1:00AM, mem-bers from General Duty and the Major Crimes Unit attended to a report of an armed robbery at the 7-11 on Middleton Way. Two males en-tered the store wearing black hoody’s, jeans, and balaclavas. Weapons were produced dur-ing this robbery. An undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes were stolen. One of our Police Dog units attended, and tracked and located one suspect as short time later. In all three young men were arrested. Two remain in custody a 17 year old and a 16 year old both from Vernon, are expected to appear in court later today to answer to the charges of armed robbery. The third has been released. Police are still continuing with this investigation. Our officers are not disclosing the weapons used in this offence at this time while they continue their investigation. Continued on Page 9.

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www.westmontnews.ca December 2012 Continued from page 7....

During the course of this 7 hour enforcement blitz over 40 light duty commercial vehicles were checked. On Wednesday Nov 21st the Vernon RCMP Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU) organized a focused enforcement day to address light duty commercial vehicles. This project was initiated to addressing the serious problem of overweight and under licensed pickups pulling trailers in this Province. A huge issue on our roadways is drivers pulling large trailers and heavy loads without licensing their trucks to carry or tow these weights. Not only is this a safety concern due to exceeding axle weights but a large percent-age of these drivers are significantly over their licensed weight and this can be in breach of their insurance policy. Enforcement assistance was provided by two members of Vernon RCMP North Okanagan Traffic Services, three members from the RCMP's Trans Canada East Traffic Services and IRSU units in Revelstoke and Sicamous as well as the Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement inspectors at the Vernon weight scales.

. Still others who live in darkness want to walk in the light but because of fear, guilt or shame they feel trapped. You might be wondering what all this has to do with the winter solstice, religious celebration or Christmas. The Christian faith celebrates Dec 25th, just a few days after the darkest day of the year, as the coming of new life and a new light. In the book of Isaiah 9:2 "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those liv-ing in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned". The light that Isaiah's talking about is the birth of the Christ child not Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman or the Grinch. Dec 25th is celebrated world wide as the birth of the Christ child and appropriately at the darkest time of the year we welcome in the Light. Thirty years after the miraculous birth Jesus said "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but have the light of life Christians celebrate the birth of their Savior on Dec 25th as a sacred day and call it Christ-mas. Muslims celebrate a sacred day in the ninth month of their calendar and call it Ramadan. Or-thodox Jews celebrate a sacred day in December and call it Hanukkah. All religions have sacred days they celebrate, so I have a question for the secular world. Would you take fasting and prayer out of Ramadan? Would you take the menora out of Hanukka? Would you take the cross out of Easter? These are special symbols to different religions just as Christmas is to Christians, which the world insist on taking Christ out of. When you take Christ out of Christmas you end up with "mas", mass confusion, mass spending, mass indulgence, mass anxiety, mass lonely-ness, mass depression and a mass of bills. The whole world end up in mass darkness without the Light of the world to bring them love joy and peace. This is not a physical peace but the peace of God which transcends all understanding No matter what your convictions are, spiritual or nonspiritual, on Dec 25th all are welcome to celebrate Christmas as the birth of the Light of God's love for all mankind. I'm not telling anyone that they have to believe in Jesus to celebrate Christmas, that a personal choice. I am telling you that the birth of the Christ Child is the origin of Christmas not the origin of a winter holiday. God bless and Merry Christmas

What is Christmas?Gerald Smith

In December we approch the darkest time of the year and through out the history of man the com-ing of light has been celebrated. Many different religions and beliefs have celebrated the winter solstice as they look forward to longer periods of light and shorter periods of darkness.The dark days of winter can become very depress-ing and discouraging, while the lighter days can be invigorating as they bring forth new life. Most people love to live in the light but there are some who like to live in the dark. They like the cover of darkness to hide their actions. Some people like to live in the dark because the light reveals who they are. In the book of Job the author says “There are those who rebel against the light”, when day light is gone the murderer rises up”,” in the night he steals forth like a thief”, The eye of abdul terer watches for dusk”. Others like to live in the dark because the light reveals the darkness of their souls and the evilness of their hearts

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www.westmontnews.ca December 2012 Meet Your Neighbours....Interviewed by Jayne Woolman

CARL BELTRAMETTI is a private, soft spoken man who was born into a family of 17 children. He grew up in Switzerland, and as a young boy, dreamed of coming west, to buy his own little piece of land, and live the life of the North American cowboy or rancher. In 1978 Carl did just that…..he headed west.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down and have a chat with Carl. I asked him what made him decide to settle down in Westwold, and what the biggest change is in Westwold since he first settled here. The following is Carl’s answer to those questions.

“Coming from a large family, we had to work to help sup-port the family so we left school so we could do that. Most boys and girls had dreams of heading west. You would see pictures of the west and the wide open space and you couldn’t believe it. We were right in the Swiss Alps and it was very crowded so that’s why we dreamed of coming west. I worked border patrol before heading west. I went to the United States and worked there for a while, and then I came to Westwold where there was the opportunity to work for Larry Buff on his ranch. I returned to the United States where I took a few courses that would help me become more than just a ranch hand, and when I returned to Canada in 1981 I was a landed immigrant….. I continued working for Larry and bought a small house in Westwold. Shortly after that I met my wife Joanne and a few years later we bought our present home, and we have worked hard, side by side ever since”

“I think the biggest change I’ve noticed here is the cost of land. Most Europeans dreamed of coming west because it was more affordable than living in Europe, but it’s not like that now. You would need half a million to a million dollars to buy a ranch. I don’t think I could do that if I was just coming here now, but wages go up and then so does everything else”

“My family is still all in Switzerland and that’s hard, but I went back a few years ago for a family reunion and that was really great. I have no regrets about moving west, other than missing my family. Canada is the best country I could live in and if you work hard there’s more here than there ever would have been back in Switzerland”

The dreams of a boy seem to have been fulfilled. Carl hasn’t just bought himself a little piece of land; he’s found himself a beautiful slice of paradise! Switzerland’s loss, Westwold’s gain!

We are coming up to a busy time of the year for road and other accidents and therefore a busy time for first responders. At present we are short of volunteers especially in the West-wold area and would like to make an appeal to anyone interested in being a responder. First aid training is useful but not essential. We need someone who can be available at any time of the day so if you work or only available at certain times we can work around your schedule. We need people who can work as a team. It is very worthwhile. If you would like more info you can call Brad or Tammy at 250-375.2314 who are presently first responders in Westwold. We appreciate your interest!

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Message From TNRD Director Ken Gillis

I was disappointed to be unable to attend the Steam Show in Westwold last month. I look forward to being there next year and I have been assured that B.C. Hydro will never again schedule a power outage for that weekend. Westwold and Monte Lake have occupied a considerable amount of my attention this past year. Of course, the results one wishes to achieve always fall short of ideal, but I was very pleased to present the Westwold Legion with a cheque for nearly $6,000.00,

covering the cost of major upgrades to the water system. As well, the Regionanl District has again authorized me to designate a significant portion of my discretional allowance to the Falkland-West-wold First Responders.

On the subject of the First Responders, you will be asked early in the New Year to vote on a proposal to fund their operations on an on-going, permanent basis through a tax levy. While I un-derstand that there seems to be no end to the tax dollars that are demanded from you, I urge you to support this initiative. The First Responders fill a gap in the ambulance and fire protection sys-tems and they are the only help we can count on to arrive in the Westwold and Monte Lake areas in timely fashion. Falkland-Westwold First Responders are a group of dedicated, civic-minded volunteers who pro-vide an essential service no less important than a Fire Department. Without a doubt, we would have to pay dearly through our taxes if this were a paid, government administered service. These people look after us for no pay and precious little glory, at great personal sacrifice to themselves.They are surely deserving of our support. I am also working on obtaining funding for some improvements to the Community Hall. I hope to have more to report on that project in the next issue of the News.

Get your copy of the Westwold Women’s Institute Cookbook while stocks last!! Only $10

Call 250-375-2347

WestMont News December Edition

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