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Thanks for visiting the page! Any content you see below has been submitted by GamesTown 2010 participants. Now it’s time to add yours. Check back often for more stories – don’t forget to bookmark this page.
Remember, it can take up to 48 hours for a posting to appear.
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Art about town...
Date: Oct 1, 2009
Entry: As you drive through town, you will see a number of murals painted on our 9th St business centre. Painted a number of years ago by a group of ambitious high school students, two of the murals are paintings of photos depicting some of our local history, the other two are representative of two of our community's passions... stop, take a look, read the notes on the bottom, get to know us a little!!
Art about town...
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Date: Oct 1, 2009
Entry: As you drive through town, you will see a number of murals painted on our 9th St business centre. Painted a number of years ago by a group of ambitious high school students, two of the murals are paintings... more
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we've got something up our sleeve (the greening of Houston)
Date: Oct 1, 2009
Entry: 'Don't throw your junk in my backyard.... my backyard's full' ... if you know the song, sing along!! The recycling committee is currently working on a project that's a (secret)!! They are looking at profitable options to help reduce the volume of waste threatening to fill our landfill, with a couple of big baddies that don't need to be going there, at the top of the list!!
Shhhh! Don't tell anyone, they might think we're up to something good!!
we've got something up our sleeve (the greening of Houston)
Date: Oct 1, 2009
Entry: 'Don't throw your junk in my backyard.... my backyard's full' ... if you know the song, sing along!! The recycling committee is currently working on a project that's a (secret)!! They are looking at... more
what goes clink, rattle, ka-ching? (the greening of Houston)
Date: Sep 30, 2009
Entry: "One bottle of pop, two bottles of pop, three bottles of pop..." That's right!! Recyclable beverage containers!! Don't chuck 'em, bring 'em back!!
Now under new ownership, the bottle recycling depot in Houston is not only taking your refundable beverage containers, but milk jugs too! In fact, they're so with the program, in the not too distant future you'll be able to bring in your electronics for recycling too!!
what goes clink, rattle, ka-ching? (the greening of Houston)
Date: Sep 30, 2009
Entry: "One bottle of pop, two bottles of pop, three bottles of pop..." That's right!! Recyclable beverage containers!! Don't chuck 'em, bring 'em back!!
Now under new ownership, the bottle recycling depot... more
volunteers are special
Date: Sep 30, 2009
Entry: If its love that makes the world go 'round, around Houston, we love our volunteers. There are so many committees and organizations in our little town that use volunteers to operate, and without them doing the many, untold hours of labours of love, our town would not nearly be the wonderful place it is to live... From the Hospice Society to the minor hockey coaches, from the Legion Ladies auxiliary and the seniors society, to the gentleman who mows the grass and plants pretty flowers in front of a private business in town, it would be impossible to list the many and various ways people here put in time to make Houston a better place, often unnoticed, never paid, but always willing to help out!! Thank you!
volunteers are special
Date: Sep 30, 2009
Entry: If its love that makes the world go 'round, around Houston, we love our volunteers. There are so many committees and organizations in our little town that use volunteers to operate, and without them doing... more
hot water, cool stuff (the greening of Houston)
Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: Not only are we proud of the Houston Leisure Facility and the upgrade to the systems at our arena, but the purpose behind them is something we take pride in as well!! Geothermal heating, hot water under the ground, just waiting to be 'tapped in to', zero emissions, zero smell, zero noise, a clean energy resource looking for a place to be used!!
hot water, cool stuff (the greening of Houston)
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Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: Not only are we proud of the Houston Leisure Facility and the upgrade to the systems at our arena, but the purpose behind them is something we take pride in as well!! Geothermal heating, hot water under... more
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more bears around town...
Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: ... the parking lot? Oops, an impostor?
No, he's as much an local fellow around here as the rest of them!
more bears around town...
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Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: ... the parking lot? Oops, an impostor?
No, he's as much an local fellow around here as the rest of them!
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Bears around town...
Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: While our grizzly bear may be one of our feature tourist attractions (please see an earlier post for a picture), there are a number of other bears that may be seen around town. 3 art pieces, the Spirit Bears of BC, have been purchased and displayed with pride.
Oh, and if you're here in the fall, you might just see our wild bears around town... they've been known to show up in other places from time to time, the park, the creek...
Bears around town...
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Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: While our grizzly bear may be one of our feature tourist attractions (please see an earlier post for a picture), there are a number of other bears that may be seen around town. 3 art pieces, the Spirit... more
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Blowing smoke? NIMBY!!! (the greening of Houston)
Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: Since November 2006, the regional district has made it a priority to reduce woodsmoke emissions in our beautiful valley. Because the winters are long and cold here, many people use wood heat to stay toasty in their home during the winter season. The result has often been a haze of blue smoke, settling above town, especially on those beautiful, frosty, clear, -30 mornings. Well, no more!! In an effort to 'clean up' the air, people with the 'old smokies' have been encouraged to exchange their woodstoves with rebates on super-efficient woodstoves or pellet stoves. Not only do these stoves reduce smoke emissions up to 90%,but they use less wood and drastically reduce the risk of chimney fires! Keep it clean and crisp all winter long!
Blowing smoke? NIMBY!!! (the greening of Houston)
Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: Since November 2006, the regional district has made it a priority to reduce woodsmoke emissions in our beautiful valley. Because the winters are long and cold here, many people use wood heat to stay toasty... more
Fill 'er up, no paper cup!! (the greening of Houston)
Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: Do you know how many paper cups will fill up a landfill? One more than necessary is TOO MANY!! or so was the idea at one of our coffee shops! In a monumental effort to help people become aware of throwing disposable things away when you can reuse something else, this local retailer began charging an unusual amount for the cup, when purchasing your drink in a 'to go' cup. The result? Now nearly everyone brings their own if they're taking out, and uses the ceramic ones if they're staying in... each one is one less in the dump! The bigger picture? 'Reduce, reuse'... when this is your mindset, 'recycle' ends up being unnecessary!! Its as simple as a cup of coffee!
Fill 'er up, no paper cup!! (the greening of Houston)
Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: Do you know how many paper cups will fill up a landfill? One more than necessary is TOO MANY!! or so was the idea at one of our coffee shops! In a monumental effort to help people become aware of throwing... more
Its in the bag!! (the greening of Houston)
Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: A number of years ago, a Houston youth made it his objective to make our community aware of the unnecessary landfilling of plastic bags. It seemed, at that time, his dream to see Houston become a (plastic) bagless community. Well, this summer, his dream came one step closer to reality.... using a corporate initiative, one of our local grocery stores began charging for plastic bags, the option they gave was to purchase a cloth re-usable one. At first there was an uproar!! $$ for a bag? Well, it may be the greening of Houston (or just for the principle of it), but whatever the reason, you should see who brings their bags now!! Way to go Houston, you're on a roll!!
While you're rolling with it, a number of the other local retailers are jumping on the wagon... offering 'bring 'em back' bags at their stores too, one retailer even has biodegradable bags!!
Its in the bag!! (the greening of Houston)
Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: A number of years ago, a Houston youth made it his objective to make our community aware of the unnecessary landfilling of plastic bags. It seemed, at that time, his dream to see Houston become a (plastic)... more
An active lifestyle is only part of the fun.
Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: For almost 20 years Houston resident N.K. has been training for and participating in full and half length marathons, including the Iron Man Canada Competition.
After taking a long, hard look at his lifestyle in the late 80s as a pack-and-a-half-a-day cigarette smoker, N.K. decided he'd had enough and wanted to change so started jogging and also purchased a co-op bike, worth $175.
As his athleticism and healthier lifestyle progressed, his natural competitiveness began to influence him, prompting him to join into triathlons with a group, at that time only doing the bike portion of the race. Then, as he began to get into running more he decided to try the whole triathlon on his own. While swimming has never been his forte, he keeps plodding on, he said, and during one Iron Man competition was shocked to see quite a few still remaining in the water behind him.
Training upwards of 18 hours a week, he said, can keep him quite busy, let alone time spent as a councillor for Houston and a director on the regional district. On the weekends, though, he said he will go for a five kilometre bike ride and then for a five to ten kilometre run afterwards. During the week, he instead focuses on sprinting and hill endurance.
A full marathon will require the competitor to swim 3.8 kilometre's, bike 180 kilometres and run an additional 42.4 kilometres. In 2007 N.K. went to Penticton in the 25th Annual Ironman Canada competition, which he finished in 12 hours and 30 minutes. There he came out of the water in the 2,664th spot, to pass a further 1,500 on bike.
While he has the competitiveness within him to keep pushing for more, part of the charm of going to these events will always be the camaraderie, he said, and meeting with others who share the same passion for living well and remaining active.
N.K., who this year turned 55, doesn't plan on letting his age, or the weather, stop him and said that he will continue to compete in triathlons and the Ironman Canada competition. Swimming, he said, will always remain a challenge, however he and his bike will soon leave them in the dust.
An active lifestyle is only part of the fun.
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Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: For almost 20 years Houston resident N.K. has been training for and participating in full and half length marathons, including the Iron Man Canada Competition.
After taking a long, hard look at his lifestyle... more
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Not just joe to go!
Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: A healthy community is not just an active one, its a social one!!!! Every morning, our coffee shops are the hub of activity, not just people stopping in for a joe to go, but to stay awhile and socialize. Most of the regulars at each location have their preferred time of the day to stop by and chat with friends, its almost like shiftwork at the mill.... early crew, second shift, business crew, lunch club!! The conversation is delightful, from politics to pots and pans, business deals to brand new babies to show off, and who knows, maybe a first date or two!!
Not just joe to go!
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Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: A healthy community is not just an active one, its a social one!!!! Every morning, our coffee shops are the hub of activity, not just people stopping in for a joe to go, but to stay awhile and socialize.... more
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swimming lessons then and now, part 2
Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: swimming lessons at the Houston Leisure Facility...
swimming lessons then and now, part 2
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Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: swimming lessons at the Houston Leisure Facility...
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swimming lessons then and now, part 1
Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: Houston kids don't know how good they've got it these days!!! We have such a lovely pool facility for them to take swimming lessons in! There was a time when we would have to drive 15 km out of town to our favourite Irrigation Lake for lessons in the summer... there were mornings I remember in August where the air temperature was below 0 and you could see your breath! You got in as fast as you could, because the in the water seemed warmer than out of it! Oh, those days were good! And hot chocolate never tasted better!!
swimming lessons then and now, part 1
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Date: Sep 29, 2009
Entry: Houston kids don't know how good they've got it these days!!! We have such a lovely pool facility for them to take swimming lessons in! There was a time when we would have to drive 15 km out of town... more
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healthy living heroes
Date: Sep 27, 2009
Entry: Active lifestyles and healthy living aren't necessarily something people automatically choose. We all need someone to encourage, teach, or model in some way those choices. My healthy living hero is my mom. 35 years ago, it was recommended by her doctor to start exercising and eating with awareness. Her transformation changed our family. Mom had a huge garden, from which we were used to eating, but suddenly our lives were turned upside down with healthy eating (we learned quickly) was so much more than that!! The level of physical activity went through the roof, thanks specifically to a family membership at the local gym! The choices we learned to make has had a lasting effect. 35 years later, this healthy senior has had a slow down in her activity, but came out and walked 1km in the recent fundraiser run/walk for seniors housing, to encourage her daughter, running the 10km! The family influence hasn't stopped, even my dad, at 86yrs, was the oldest person to participate in the event along with us.
Be a healthy living hero for someone today, you might just change their world!! You can't just tell someone what they should do, you have to do it with them!!
healthy living heroes
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Date: Sep 27, 2009
Entry: Active lifestyles and healthy living aren't necessarily something people automatically choose. We all need someone to encourage, teach, or model in some way those choices. My healthy living hero is my... more
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streamkeepers
Date: Sep 27, 2009
Entry: Home to the world's largest fly (fishing) rod, Houston has a reputation for world-class river fishing. In order to have healthy fish, we need to have healthy streams and rivers. A group of interested locals recently participated in a weekend course with the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation in order to learn what makes a stream strong to support our juvenile fish stocks. We spent the weekend mapping out a small portion of the stream features, took water samples, collected, identified and studied aquatic invertibrates and met some of the local inhabitants, including a number of juvenile coho, steelhead and the resident frogs!
streamkeepers
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Date: Sep 27, 2009
Entry: Home to the world's largest fly (fishing) rod, Houston has a reputation for world-class river fishing. In order to have healthy fish, we need to have healthy streams and rivers. A group of interested... more
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Healthy living is healthy eating
Date: Sep 25, 2009
Entry: Having a healthy Houston doesn't just involve sports, it also includes having a healthy, balanced diet, with plenty of vegetables.
For nine years the Community Gardens have been providing a community plot as well as individual plots for residents to come and plant what they so desire, from carrots, to lettuce and potatoes.
The 32 individual plots are meant for those of all ages and experience levels, with those with more experience helping those just beginning, to share the knowledge, techniques, and insights they have gained throughout their time there.
Gardening in itself also provides some physical labour, and can be quite a workout, as you dig, plant, and dig up the treasures all of your hard work has created. The garden only ever uses natural fertilizers including and pesticides are never used.
This is the second year that one member of the community has had a garden, and this year she's trying something different with her three-high box in the centre of the garden. Last year she had phenomenal success with her radishes, selling them at the farmers market until her doctor instructed her to stop and eat them all due to the vitamin c. So this year, she's letting them go to seed, to experiment and see if she can grow her own radishes from her own seeds.
She has also chosen to grow swiss chard, onions and is also experimenting with potatoes in a tire, where she layers seed and dirt in old tires. So far the potatoes are growing, however the plants aren't looking so well, so she's planning to see what more she can do to make it work.
The community portion of the garden is either donated to the Salvation Army or sold at the farmers market, with proceeds either going back to the program to the Salvation Army for them to purchase the items not normally donated.
Healthy living is healthy eating
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Date: Sep 25, 2009
Entry: Having a healthy Houston doesn't just involve sports, it also includes having a healthy, balanced diet, with plenty of vegetables.
For nine years the Community Gardens have been providing a community... more
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Come and enjoy Competitive Swimming
Date: Sep 25, 2009
Entry: Houston Aquatic club is up running for their 2009/2010 swim season. This year we have introduced the mini rays to our team. They are our youngest swimmers between 5 and 7. Everyone between the ages of 5 and 18 are welcome to come and check us out at the Houston Leisure Facility!! We'd love to have you swim with us!
Come and enjoy Competitive Swimming
Date: Sep 25, 2009
Entry: Houston Aquatic club is up running for their 2009/2010 swim season. This year we have introduced the mini rays to our team. They are our youngest swimmers between 5 and 7. Everyone between the ages... more
Sports don't end at 60
Date: Sep 24, 2009
Entry: Finding himself in the older age category of the seniors games won't stop one of the athletes from doing his best to oust the young guys in this years B.C. Seniors Games.
He has been in track and field since he was in school back in Holland. Even with the busy schedule, he said he kept up with a busy physical regimen, including biking, weight lifting, cross country skiing in the winter, while in the summer he said he pretty much does everything, including hiking.
Four years ago he went to the World Master Games in Edmonton, where he took three silver and two bronze medals. As he was in the younger years of his category, he said he just had to try, and was pretty excited about taking home those medals.
Thirteen years ago, as he had retired, he found himself invited, or as he said "browbeaten into going" to the seniors games as part of a baseball team. While he had fun, he didn't find himself all that excited to go again until he discovered that there was also competitive track and field.
Since then, each year finds him travelling with the other 50 or so seniors athletes across the province to the annual games, where he continues to place and win medals. Last year in Prince George he took home two gold, five silver and two bronze medals.
With track and field he competes in shot put, discus, hammer throw, and the 100, 200, 400 and 1.500 metre run.
Sports don't end at 60
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Date: Sep 24, 2009
Entry: Finding himself in the older age category of the seniors games won't stop one of the athletes from doing his best to oust the young guys in this years B.C. Seniors Games.
He has been in track and field... more
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Cementing the arena floor
Date: Sep 22, 2009
Entry: Mayor & Council were there bright & early on August 10th to help pour the first cement on the arena floor over the new geothermal conduits.
Cementing the arena floor
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Date: Sep 22, 2009
Entry: Mayor & Council were there bright & early on August 10th to help pour the first cement on the arena floor over the new geothermal conduits.
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Leisure Guides
Date: Sep 11, 2009
Entry: Looking for something to do in Houston. The Houston Leisure Facility new Fall/Winter Leisure guide is here. Full of activities and ideas to keep you busy and active in our wonderful community.
Leisure Guides
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Date: Sep 11, 2009
Entry: Looking for something to do in Houston. The Houston Leisure Facility new Fall/Winter Leisure guide is here. Full of activities and ideas to keep you busy and active in our wonderful community.
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The Natural Beauty of Houston
Date: Sep 8, 2009
Entry: This town is filled with gorgeous scenery. Lots of serene lakes, snowcapped mountains and rushing rivers. I am sooo fortunate to live here.
The Natural Beauty of Houston
Date: Sep 8, 2009
Entry: This town is filled with gorgeous scenery. Lots of serene lakes, snowcapped mountains and rushing rivers. I am sooo fortunate to live here.
Glorious horse ride.
Date: Sep 8, 2009
Entry: I love living in Houston. We rode our horses to the Morice Mountain Ski Cabin on the weekend. The view was fantastic. A must see for anyone visiting.
Glorious horse ride.
Date: Sep 8, 2009
Entry: I love living in Houston. We rode our horses to the Morice Mountain Ski Cabin on the weekend. The view was fantastic. A must see for anyone visiting.
RCACC 3020 Markmanship
Date: Sep 6, 2009
Entry: Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps 3020 is well known in the area and the province as a force to be reckoned with when it comes to their marksmanship capabilities. The cadets are proud to be known as the ones that consistently take home the medals in their competitions. Over the last several years they have never placed lower than bronze medal finalists and usually bring home the gold at zones. Our corps has had several cadets over the years, take top shot in Vernon and Ottawa Marksmanship training camps as well as ago on to join the national team to go to England and shoot at Bisley.
RCACC 3020 Markmanship
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Date: Sep 6, 2009
Entry: Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps 3020 is well known in the area and the province as a force to be reckoned with when it comes to their marksmanship capabilities. The cadets are proud to be known as the... more
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RCACC 3020 Biathlon
Date: Sep 6, 2009
Entry: each year a devoted group of cadets and their coach spend countless hours training for cadet biathlon competitions. Zone competitions take place in Prince George every year and invariably their hard work pays off and they progress to the provincial competiton.
RCACC 3020 Biathlon
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Date: Sep 6, 2009
Entry: each year a devoted group of cadets and their coach spend countless hours training for cadet biathlon competitions. Zone competitions take place in Prince George every year and invariably their hard work... more
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Princeton is GamesTown2010
Three communities own the GamesTown 2010 podium:
It Starts with Your Story
How did the Winter Games experience inspire you, your friends, family, coworkers, neighbours, teammates...? Share your story with the world!
Congratulations
Early Bird Prize Winners of athlete visits.
Take the Pledge
The World Healthy Living Challenge Pledge is a great way to shape up and step up to your own personal podium for a healthier you! Take the Pledge
 GamesTown 2010 Email Alerts
Email Alerts give you advance notice of pending GamesTown 2010 entry deadlines and important milestones including major prize draws.
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