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Date: Dec 16, 2009

Entry: Local Princeton Secondary School teacher, Paula Barchard was chosen from the RBC torchbearer entries to run a leg of the cross-Canada torch relay. She is very proud to be representing Canada and she has been officially counting down the days to the Olympics with her students. "I just just hope I'm not a sobbing mess when I do my run," said Barchard. "I am very patriotic and proud I am getting a chance to do this."

The teacher can run

Date: Dec 16, 2009

Entry: I came to Princeton on a camping trip and liked the area. I met a cowboy and fell in love. When he suggested I move here I wondered what I would do as I had a successful career as a nurse in a large hospital. Well, lucky me, I found a wonderful job that I wouldn't trade for the world, great co-workers and I married the cowboy! I love Princeton!

Date: Dec 16, 2009

Entry: I came to Princeton on a camping trip and liked the area. I met a cowboy and fell in love. When he suggested I move here I wondered what I would do as I had a successful career as a nurse in a large hospital....more

Date: Dec 16, 2009

Entry: With 28 years of dance under her belt, Kat did what came natural to her. Along the way she began teaching. Kat trained at the Royal Academy of Dance in ballet. She also learned tap, modern, jazz and hip hop. Kat taught for 4 years in Vancouver at 3 different professional studios.
After moving to Princeton in August, Kat knew she wanted to continue dancing and teaching. She offered her first jazz class to the community last fall and has never looked back.
That first dance group worked hard to pull their first routine together. Kat "hopes that as more people hear about her classes, more people will join." She has also taught a hip hop dance class to students at Vermilion Forks School.

Dancing to a new beat

Date: Dec 16, 2009

Entry: PSS Grads Madison and Chantelle - far right and 2nd from right respectively - with TRU co-cheerleaders at recent TRU Men's basketball game in Kamloops. Both 2008 PSS grads participated at PSS in Cheerleading for entire 5 year PSS career. They are passionate about cheerleading, and excited to be able to participate at the University level. Hard work can pay off.

Cheering at TRU

Date: Dec 16, 2009

Entry: Green is not just a colour anymore. It is becoming a top new word companies are striving to have in their repertoire of qualifications. Princeton Glass has been in business for 29 years and the locally owned and operated business has seen a lot of changes in that time. Co-owners, Sid and Lloyd install a lot of upgraded windows and doors in existing homes. WIth the rising costs of heating homes in BC's interior, more and more home owners are realizing the value of having an energy efficient home. Old windows and doors can be a major source of heat loss.
Lloyd, Sid and Sharon offer other ways to increase a house's energy efficiency. "We put in a lot of solar controlled product these days," said Lloyd. "Sunscreens on the exterior of windows and Low E glass cut down on the amount heat loss and/or necessary air conditioning use throughout the year. Low E and argon glass windows are not only more efficient, but, Low E, also, protects your furniture from the harmful effects of the sun beating in. "If we don't have it...you don't need it," joked Davidson. Princeton Glass is one of several Princeton businesses who were recognized for their continued efforts to help people go green.

Making your house greener

Date: Dec 16, 2009

Entry: Remembrance Day took on some new meaning for the students at John Allison Elementary School. The staff worked together with the students to make a special wreath to remember the veterans with. "Every child in the school traced each of their hands onto construction paper," said principal, Sylvia Wilkins, and made a poppy that stated simply "thank-you."
The large handmade wreath was presented to legion ambassador Bud Sadegur at the Remembrance Day assembly held at their school on the Friday before Remembrance Day. The wreath, then, went to the Princeton branch of the Royal Canadian Legion where it hung on their wall for a week. "The veterans were really touched that the students put that much effort into it," said Sadegur. "It really seemed to strike a chord with them." "It was fun to make," said smiling Grade Two student, Mylee Coyne.
The students looked proud when they were presented with a special Certificate of Appreciation. The certificate stated, in recognition of "The Outstanding job you did creating a Remembrance Day Wreath for the veterans of Princeton." "It was really a nice thing you did," said long-time Legion member Maria Sadegur. "You should be really proud of yourselves."

Appreciating our Canadian heros

Date: Dec 15, 2009

Entry: New volunteers have brought back the Sparks Unit to join in the fun with the Girl Guides and Pathfinders.The Guide and Pathfinder girls got together to organize a special evening for their little sisters in Guiding. On December 8, 2009 they baked the goodies and decorated the Legion Hall in order to help make the evening special.
The 1st Princeton Sparks lined up center stage to make their promise, "I promise to share and be a friend." Their Guiders, presented them with their Enrollment Certificates, Cookie badges for being such great cookie sellers and Keeper Badges, to congratulate them for learning to become a Spark.
The Sparks entertained their guests for the evening with the Spark's song, "Sparks Jump Up," and then refreshments were served.

Sparks join in on the fun

Date: Dec 15, 2009

Entry: As climate change becomes more important to politicians around the world due to pressures from their constituents, more and more people are stepping up to try and direct the future. Immigration, emigration, corporate and industrial growth, planet changes, resource demands, and human desire all play a part in today’s world and will continue to play an enormous role in the future. Whether or not people are on board for the change depends on them. Communities, cities, provinces, countries and continents will evolve. This evolution has become the focus of the Sustainable Similkameen Project.
The Sustainable Similkameen Committee held their first Open House in Princeton at the Riverside Center and asked for everyone in attendance to participate in the process of predicting Princeton’s future and the future of the valley. The meeting was informative and thought provoking. “The world will change with us or without us,” said Councillor Frank Armitage. “Accepting that there will be change and preparing for it is the right thing to do.” Councillor Marilyn Harkness said, “this project is the start of building a vision for the Valley past the next few years. It is a glimpse into our long-term future and how we want that to look.”
Melanie Bagley, Community Liason/Project Manager, also was in attendance. She and the other members of the Sustainable Similkameen team kept the meeting on track. They were an instrumental part of the discussion process.
“Change is coming whether we want it to or not,” stated Elliot. “We need to mesh our future with reality. By looking at all the external and internal factors, we could be faced with, it gives us a good starting point to build on.”

A Sustainable Similkameen

Date: Dec 15, 2009

Entry: The Junior B hockey team has been doing a Teddy Bear Toss every winter to collect stuffed animals for those in need. This year was no exception. When the Posse scored teddy bears flew onto the ice in a steady stream. The Posse players stuffed garbage bags full of little critters before they could continue their game.

Teddy Bear Toss

Date: Dec 15, 2009

Entry: The people of Princeton have been anxiously awaiting news on the opening of the new library. Behind the boarded up façade of the old Goldion restaurant lies a masterpiece in the making. Old walls are gone and new ones have since replaced them.The new library is being built for energy efficiency with power upgrades, tankless on demand water closets, a gas-fired hot water tank, new insulation to the exterior walls and ceiling and waterless urinals. The washrooms will be available to the public during special events even when the library is not open. “After a couple of unforeseeable delays,” Robins said the library is back on track and it is hoped that by the end of January the books from the old library down the street will be sitting in their new home. “The crew has taken minimal time off,” said Robins. “We are hoping to hand the Okanagan Regional Library a set of keys soon.”

A new place to snuggle up by the fire

Date: Dec 15, 2009

Entry: When most people think about Weyerhaeuser, they think about logging operations and sawmills. What they often forget is the other side of the forest industry . While the international company does run sawmills and oversee large scale logging operations, it, also, tries to ensure that the future of logging is bright.
"Legally, we are obligated to reforest a site," said Forestry Supervisor Trenna MacLeod. "We must plant so many trees per hectare. They have to come from a healthy stand and they must meet certain height criteria." Trenna explained that there are 5 species here that are used by Weyerhaeuser for their replanting with the majority being Lodgepole Pine. Spruce, Larch, Yellow Pine, Lodgepole Pine and Douglas Fir are the five species. "Two million trees are planted per year by the local operation. Weyerhaeuser takes the replanting process very seriously. "We do what is called "prompt planting," said Timberlands Manager, Rob Marshall. "We replant within 1 to 2 years. The trees survive better. They are not fighting against other new growth if we are quick."
One new project Weyerhaeuser is working on with a local contractor is the use of a grinder out in the woods. "Potentially, we can cut down on the amount of slash burning," said Rob. "The on-site grinder can reduce the waste wood to a usable chip/dust size and it will, then, be hauled in to the pellet plant or be sold for other uses.
Presently, Weyerhaeuser uses all of the wood product that is brought to the site. The large wood is milled down. The chips and sawdust go to the pellet plant, Princeton Co-Gen across from the main sawmill and the hog fuel (from the outside of the log) goes to Kamloops to Domtar where it is made into either paper or used to generate energy.
"We are very proud of our reputation," said Rob "and we consider ourselves to be very responsible forest managers."
Each and every contractor hired by Weyerhaeuser must take Environmental Management System Training. "Everybody that works in the woods must take it," said Marshall. Every year they must take it again. "They need to know where they can make a stream crossing," said Rob "and what trees need to be protected." They need to be aware of present policies. Contractors must bring out fuel and oil containers from the logging site. Oils, tires, planting boxes and culverts are all recycled. Machines are kept free of leaks and in case of an environmental incident there good corrective plans are put in place. "Every Weyerhaeuser truck and every contractor has a "Spill Containment Kit," said Rob. "It is our responsibility to try and contain any spill as quickly as possible to minimize the damage and to report them."
"We are responsible stewards of the land," said Timberlands Manager Marshall. "We got rid of one of our beehive burners years ago and are always looking for new ways to reuse our forest waste."

Doing it the right way

Date: Dec 15, 2009

Entry: Local talents got together and held a benefit concert last holiday season to ensure that children did not do without the basics. The group collected formula, diapers, bedding, clothing, food, cash and whatever else to help struggling families make it through the Christmas holidays and hopefully, well into the New Year.

Basics for Babies

Date: Dec 15, 2009

Entry: For the last two years Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) and Keep Off Pounds Sensibly (KOPS) have resurrected themselves in Princeton. In the first year the 17 member group supported one another through a collective 171.8 pound weight loss. The support of TOPS and KOPS keeps members on track and the weekly weigh-ins make them accountable for their eating habits during the week.

They're the tops

Date: Dec 14, 2009

Entry: Living green has become a chant for many conscientious Canadians looking for a better way to live. One local resident has gone from not just living green, but to growing green. Kelley started investigating into building a sustainable greenhouse last winter. "I wanted to be able to feed the boys better and I wanted to see if it was viable to produce off season."
Kelley got busy planning the construction in August with the help of B.C. Greenhouse Builders Ltd. The greenhouse has in-floor radiant heating generated through an outside wood-fired boiler system. The boiler heats both the families home and the greenhouse. "A friend of mine, Kevin Thompson, helped me design and install the heating system and I burn, mostly, wood waste from Princeton Post and Rail thanks to owner, Keith," said Kelley. The greenhouse has an engineered aluminum frame with twin poly-carbonite wall sheets. It is 500 square feet. "Small enough to keep my mistakes small," joked Cook.
The third week in August, Kelley started her garden from seed. "I planted tomatoes, cukes, zuchini, and herbs and, so far, we have been eating well. We have been eating the cukes for two months," said Kelley. Kelley admitted that these first few months have been experimental. "I have learned a lot and am still learning. I am trying to figure out what works here and what doesn't. The greenhouse is totally organic. I use marigolds and basil to repel pests. I sanitize my soil and peat moss. There are still a lot of challenges to overcome, but I am getting the hang of it. I have always loved my outside gardens and decided it was time to move it indoors, so now I have to just figure out how to tackle the indoor problems organically. I am getting there."
Cook has tried to grow 12 different varieties of tomatoes and found 6 to be very successful. Her heating system is working "very well. It is -30 out and nice and warm in here." Kelley has used local, whenever possible. "I have bought quite a bit of stuff through Kevin Acres and all my seed is from Westcoast Seeds here in B.C.," said Kelley. "I am trying to use local whenever possible."

Living green

Date: Dec 14, 2009

Entry: we have a lot of very friendly people here, and when someone needs help we all step up.

Date: Dec 14, 2009

Entry: we have a lot of very friendly people here, and when someone needs help we all step up.

Date: Dec 14, 2009

Entry: Another way the people of Princeton keep warm and active in the winter is at the local Copperhill Lanes and Lounge. Bowling gets the blood pumping. The new owners are friendly and welcome everyone to come out and toss a couple of balls down the 60 foot length hardwood floor. It is a de-stressing good time. When hockey tournaments and other groups are in town the bowling alley can be counted on to accommodate the gangs of restless athletes.

Bowling

Date: Dec 14, 2009

Entry: The local choir at John Allison Elementary School fills the hearts of the audience with their yearly Christmas concert. It is just what Princeton needs to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.

Singing from the heart

Date: Dec 14, 2009

Entry: The China Ridge Cross-Country Ski Association held an afternoon Donor Appreciation and Open House and welcomed locals and skiers alike to check out the new facility recently built 8 km up the mountain at the head of their trails. All the many generous philanthropists who helped CRCCSA build the new ski/emergency shelter were greeted by members of the club, invited to check out the Longhouse, and enjoy chilli, hotdogs, coffee, tea or a vast array of yummy treats.
The highlight of the day was the announcement of a $2500 grant by Tom Walker, Director of Participation, Sports and Recreation Funding for 2010 Legacies Now. There has been "an obvious huge community effort," said Walker "to pull off the Longhouse facility construction from start to finish." Director Tom admitted there were "75 applications from all over the province for local sport development grants --two were for cross country ski clubs. The China Ridge Cross-Country Ski Association's application really stood out. There was no reason not to approve it --no loopholes to question --- it was just a great proposal." "Sharon Anderson did a just great job on the funding application," added Cook. "She always pulls through for us."
The $2500 grant will be used by the club to buy equipment to stock the new facility and give people a chance to ski. "It is great to be able to support locally initiated locally delivered sport clubs like China Ridge," said Walker. "The club has enthusiastic local volunteers and the wholehearted support of local businesses. It was a pleasure to give them this grant. It is an opportunity for the community to further develop local leadership by starting their junior ski program. Princeton should be really proud of this fantastic accomplishment."

Equipment deals

Date: Dec 14, 2009

Entry: Cars used to be built for speed and they still are, but companies that aren't participating in the movement to a greener world are being left behind in the dust, literally. Hank and Judy came across an opportunity to go green that they just couldn't turn down. Hank has been a bus driver in Princeton for school district #58 since 1978. As he got closer to retirement, Hank started setting his heart on owning a Cadillac. A purchase made by his daughter and a growing family changed all that.
Hank and Judy's daughter and son-in law purchased one of the first Mercedes Smart cars that were shipped to Canada. "It was the 29th to come here," said Hank. SInce the car is only a two-seater, it soon became an impractical family vehicle. "My wife was more excited about buying it than I was," said Hank. "I was still thinking about the Cadillac. We had driven the car around Vancouver quite a bit and really liked it, though, so decided to go ahead and get it."
It has been three years and the Rabe's have no regrets about their purchase. With rising fuel prices, their little "Cutie-Pie" as they refer to the car has solidified any doubts they may have had about the vehicle. Their 2005 Smart car gets phenomenal fuel economy "and it is a really fun car to drive -- a happy car," stated Hank. "We don't just drive it around town. It has been to Edmonton, Vancouver -- a lot of places. We hardly ever drive our truck anymore."

Cutie-pie

Date: Dec 14, 2009

Entry: The Riverside Theatre is finished and has become a real asset to our community. When the Riverside School closed in 2003,it was just another unused building. Some ingenuity and a lot of grant writing led to a center that has become a hub of our community. What did we do without Riverside Center? - is a question now frequently asked. The once empty building has a waiting list of groups eager to snatch a spot. The Riverside Theatre has just held its forth dramatic performance and the volunteer crew and cast were enormous. Princeton Performing Arts has gone from a little club to a thriving vibrant life form all its own. Art and Culture are alive and well in Princeton and well... truly magnificent. Princeton is proud of Riverside Center and happy it has a basketball court and a soccer/ball field that are always busy too.

Performing excellence

Date: Dec 14, 2009

Entry: You're never too young to get out on one of Princeton's surrounding lakes. What great fun and family time spent teaching a young child how to waterski! Come on up and try it for yourself...

We teach 'em young!

Date: Dec 14, 2009

Entry: A senior, Norma, displays her watercolor - taking her inspiration from the quilts made by the Princeton Quilters. A group of seniors meet every Friday at the Senior's Centre for painting: watercolors, acryllic, oils or pastels. On Wednesdays a group of senior's meet to build a quilt which is raffled off every December.

Art and quilts

Date: Dec 14, 2009

Entry: Even in wintertime the whole family can enjoy outdoor exercise. Just dress up warm, grab the dog and the ball and play "fetch" !!!

Snow, a dog and a ball...

Date: Dec 11, 2009

Entry: Little people like sports too. Little Folks Nursery holds a Sports Day for their kids that is something like the ones their older brothers and sisters do. The fun is contagious and parents and kids both spend a lot of time laughing.

Little people unite

Date: Dec 11, 2009

Entry: Four guys cruised into town on their hand powered cycles raising money and awareness for spinal cord research. Breakthroughs in spinal cord regeneration have made the men hopeful that they might one day walk again. Town Council welcomed the foursome to town and wished them good luck. Town Council encouraged locals to give generously to the crew as they travelled across all ten provinces in an effort to raise 10 million dollars.

Wheel to Walk

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