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Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: The Princeton Secondary School held a dance.. The Leaders for Literacy Task Group sponsored the evening and held a ‘Speak-Out’ session in the school cafeteria. The group was hoping to get a feel for what is important to the students and what they feel the community is missing.
Nadine McEwen, Princeton Community Recreation and Cultural Coordinator, estimated “approximately 90 students attended the event. It was a good turn-out.” The Leaders for Literacy Group brought in Galactic Entertainment from Delta, BC to DJ the dance. The dance was used as a forum to give the students a chance to express their feelings on literacy. The students were asked four questions: 1) What does the term literacy mean to you? 2) How literate do you feel? 3) What life skills do you feel you need to learn? 4) Outside of school, how can the community support you?
Shea Evans, Youth Advocate, worked with the students, including members of the Student Council, to come up with the questions to present at the forum beforehand and commended the kids on their honest answers. “Their answers were very candid…they didn’t just focus on one or two things, but on a variety of issues. The kids were honest and very articulate.”
Starting back in November of 2006, Geri Logan wrote the initial expression of interest in the 2010 Legacy Now Initiative, which was to focus attention on community literacy throughout the province. After an open forum, (which received positive interest from the community), a task force was formed and the group has been growing and transforming the program to mold with the town of Princeton ever since The group is in the development phase right now. Obtaining knowledge to proceed with programs that will make a real difference to our community. Once the group has identified what the needs are, the apparent gaps and what is already in place, a plan can be implemented.
Shauna Hassell, Community Literacy Coordinator, felt that a number of people should be thanked for their efforts. “Debbie Langstaff worked hard to get our website up and running, www.princetonliteracy.org. Wendy Hyer, Assistant Superintendent, Leah Ward, Nadine McEwen, Kathy Froese @John Allison Elementary, Shea Evans, Jean Aitichson @ Vermilion Forks Elementary, and Ken Heuser, School Board Trustee have all put in a lot of time and effort on this project. There were focus groups set up throughout the community with Little Folks Nursery, the daycares, teachers, schools and, even, the seniors branch. We want to reach as many demographic groups as possible before developing our plan.” All in all, the dance was a good community effort to continue focusing on a united cause...improving literacy for the population of Princeton and the students that wanted to ‘let their voice be heard’ did.

Literacy for Princeton

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: While at this year's rodeo, one will be able to sit in the refreshment garden and sip few and not have to worry about the trip home.
Sandi and Trina will be on hand as designated drivers throughout the rodeo. They will be driving patrons home and if the people so wish, they will drive their vehicles home as well.
The two ladies are doing this on a donation basis to raise money for their part in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer. They each have to raise $2,000 to be eligible to enter the Walk for Breast Cancer in September.
This will be the second year for Sandi as she completed the walk last year and had such a good time, that she wanted to do it again. Trina heard about the walk and was very excited to enter in and she has committed herself to raising the money and joining her friend for the walk.
The walk for breast cancer will take place in September and is a 60 kilometre, two day event. They will do a thirty kilometre walk the first day, that night will be filled with entertainment, then on to the last leg of the journey the second day.
Sandi said of last year's walk, " I had such a great time, the people are very friendly, it is a challenge, but everyone had fun and it is a very worthy cause. It is exciting to have Trina with me this year and I am sure that she will enjoy herself as well."

Safely home

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: The Otter Valley Fish and Game Club held their 26th annual Walk for Wildlife from Coalmont to Tulameen.
Twenty-one walkers, runners and dog walkers joined forces at 10:00 am. for the start of the walk at the Blakeburn Memorial cairn. From there the walkers followed the Trans Canada Trail along the river, through the pine trees and into Tulameen, then up the gravel road to the OVFGC clubhouse.
The ten kilometre walk took some walkers one and a half hours in the blazing sunlight. Many packed water bottles and refreshments, but at the end of the journey, there was hot dogs, hamburgers, juice, cookies, muffins and much more to eat at the end of the trek.
Vermillion Trails Society joined in on the walk with members of their group walking and providing water and first aid along the route.
OVFGC President, Judy Robinson said, "We will be walking along the old rail bed where you could walk, ride a bike and bring your dog, it doesn't matter, as long as you come on the walk." She added, "There was all kinds of refreshments at the end of the walk provided by the OVFGC and we will split any pledge with any other volunteer group wishing to participate in the walk."
Three of the five Ambassador Candidates, Dawn Campbell, Jenny Laska and Maria Shenton took part in the walk with Dawn Campbell raising $100.00 in pledges which will be split between the game club and the Ambassador Program.
The OVFGC will be using the pledges for enhancement of Fish and Wildlife projects within the Princeton and Tulameen areas.
Registration started at 9:00 am. and the first walkers were on their way within a half an hour and were done the trek within two hours.

Walk for Wildlife

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: Mayor Randy mclean and Town Administrator, Patrick Robins held a preliminary meeting to introduce architect, Bruce Carscadden, from Bruce Carscadden Architects Inc. and Bill Weber from Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. who are completing a study regarding the possibility of an aquatic facility in Princeton.
This is the first step in the process for a project like this one, and the Mayor and town Administrator are looking for input from the community at this time. Several sites and concepts have been drawn up already and were on display at this meeting. The most popular site would be adjacent to the Riverside Centre where there is a great view of the river and the town of Princeton.
The architects have worked on many other projects of this kind in similar towns, such as Oliver, Osoyoos, Golden, Revelstoke, Houston and Keremeos. During the meeting, the consultants reviewed a variety of features including pool size, suggested amenities for all age groups as well as preferred locations. Residents listened to the speakers as they told of sizes of pools, i.e.: 20 meters compared to 25 meter pools, diving pools, lazy river slides, and numerous leisure features for all ages. Some other features could be training tanks for competitive swimmers, water slides and pools with different temperatures.
Some of these features are very popular with the older residents and have resulted in increased usage from all ages which would lower operating costs.
The architects will present a written report with architectural sketches of a variety of building features.
This is in the preliminary stages and the mayor would like to stress that the project is open to suggestions from the public. many residents at the open house had been to different aquatic centres and most preferred the Merritt Aquatic Centre as the model to draw suggestions from. Merritt has a lazy river slide, lanes for training competitive swimmers and smaller pools for youngsters.
Lyle Thomas was at the open house and had this to say about the existing outdoor pool in Princeton, "The outdoor pool that we have here in Princeton is nearing it's end of life. The pool is very old and will be in need of many costly repairs soon. The outdoor pool is very small with little or no training facilities for competitive swimmers. It is not covered and can not be used in the winter months."
With a show of hands, there was a positive consensus that residents would like to see a new aquatic facility built in Princeton.

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: Mayor Randy mclean and Town Administrator, Patrick Robins held a preliminary meeting to introduce architect, Bruce Carscadden, from Bruce Carscadden Architects Inc. and Bill Weber from Professional Environmental...more

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: Warmer weather has everyone thinking about showing more skin and more skin means more of our evil nemesis vanity coming to visit. Talia Rosa, founder of TR Optimum Conditioning has just what the doctor and our vanity ordered. Talia’s Bootcamp held all throughout April focused on core conditioning, balance, agility and speed. Somewhere amongst all the sweat and well…moaning, groaning and grunting, bodies start to tone and strengthen. Two nights a week, Talia has a determined group of 23 individuals, ready to rumble up for the challenge of whatever she throws at them.
Talia is a true professional when it comes to her clients. She is a certified personal trainer who has worked as a spin instructor and a yoga instructor not only here in B.C., but also in her travels. Talia trained in Reith, Austria to hone her yoga into something extraordinary. She has run in long distance races, weight trained and competed in mini- triathlons. She knows what she is doing and is not afraid to use it. Talia has just the type of personality to make her trainees want to do more for not just her, but for themselves. The grunting, moaning and groaning is just their way of pushing and laughing their way through the hard stuff. Many of the ‘bootcampers’ use their wit to blurt out hilarious bits of silliness while huffing their way through the tough stuff.
As the last class wound to an end, one thing was clear, the class looked and felt stronger. Talia was happy with the turn-out, “ one lady said she lost 10 lbs and a lot said they were feeling more toned. I could see the increased stamina in the whole group.” There is something to be said for a little blood, sweat and tears. If this bunch were any indication of how Bootcamp can help your booty and more, then everyone should sign up. It’s all in how hard you work it and they were working it.

Bootcamp booty

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: The Princeton Garden Club, under the sponsorship of our local Arts Council, has been going and growing for many years. Membership in this club includes some of the most experienced gardeners in this community. Activities have included community presentations such as inviting Don and Anna’s Greenhouse owners to talk about local growing conditions and plant selections, fieldtrips to see grafting and pruning techniques, providing bursaries to graduating PSS students who are going on in plant science studies, financial support to the Princeton Secondary School Environment Club vermiculture project and much, much more.

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: The Princeton Garden Club, under the sponsorship of our local Arts Council, has been going and growing for many years. Membership in this club includes some of the most experienced gardeners in this community....more

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: For the last few years, one of the field trips John Allison Elementary School takes is is to the local bowling alley. All the students are treated to the game and for some it is their very first time bowling. It is one more way John Allison is helping Princeton try new things and stay active.

Bowling

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: Winter brings with it new challenges. Princeton residents shovel snow, pull strangers out of ditches, give jump starts to vehicles protesting the cold and help out wherever needed. It doesn't matter if it is a stranger or a friend who needs aid, small town people are there with chains and booster cables and shovels too.

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: Winter brings with it new challenges. Princeton residents shovel snow, pull strangers out of ditches, give jump starts to vehicles protesting the cold and help out wherever needed. It doesn't matter...more

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: Last year, vandals lit the Posse training center and lounge on fire. The facility was a portable trailer. Fire crews managed to save the arena, but the trailer was destroyed. The team lost valuable equipment, their skate sharpener, their lounge furniture and their exercise equipment. It was an upsetting time for both the team and the arena staff. Once the insurance details were sorted out, the Recreation Director met with contractor. Soon it was decided that the new facility would not only be a permanent structure, but that it would be energy efficient and as vandal proof as possible. The new lounge and training facility is just finished for the start of 2010 and already donations are coming in to replace the things that were lost in the fire. Most recently, an anonymous donor gave the club a flat screen TV. Princeton residents always find a way to turn adversity into a challenge. Knock us down, but we will get back up.

Turning vandalism into a positive

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: Once a week for the six-week spring season with BC School Sports the kids have a tournament. The tournament costs the students $20 and includes transportation, prizes and meals. The golf courses wave the green fees and the schools subsidize the transportation costs. “It is a really positive program for the kids,” said McConnell. “They are mixed into foursomes between the participating schools and must practice proper etiquette and behave appropriately for the sport. The mixed teams keep the kids honest and give them an opportunity to meet new people.”

High school golf

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: Princeton was there to celebrate the planting of British Columbia's 6th billionth tree.

6 billion and growing....

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: At the local Cowboy Coffee, employee Bonnie has been handing out more than coffee these days. As communities reach the final crunch week to win the title Gamestown 2010, Bonnie hands out Gamestown cards with 'Vote for Princeton' hand-written at the top. Never give up - keep voting - that is the message.

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: At the local Cowboy Coffee, employee Bonnie has been handing out more than coffee these days. As communities reach the final crunch week to win the title Gamestown 2010, Bonnie hands out Gamestown cards...more

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry:
On January 1st local girls, Colby and Jacinda, travelled to Clearwater for the U16 hockey tryouts with 45 other girls. The 20 best players will represent the Okanagan at the BC Winter Games. This weekend would be a big test not only for their hockey skills, but also for their fitness. In two days, they would have a one and half hour practice session, then fitness testing (which involves a lot of running), and then two games which could be back to back. This was just Saturday’s schedule. Then, Sunday, they would play two more games starting at eight in the morning. The evaluators at the end of the weekend said they had a very hard time picking the team, but when it was all over both Jacinda and Colby were selected for team Okanagan along with five of their teammates. They will be heading to Terrace for the BC Winter Games in March. Great big congratulations to Colby and Jacinda.

Let the girls play!

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: Last Christmas one family did a "gift drive." They called it "The Spirit of Angels," and gave over 200 gifts, blankets and pillows to the families (patients, parents and siblings) that could not get out of the hospital for the holidays. We were able to give to the entire Oncology unit, Ronald McDonald house and the Intensive Care Unit.
Families are so desperate and financially drained. Believe it or not—Christmas, is a real burden for them. Not to mention, parents are often forgotten about or just put on the back burner...their needs so secondary to those of their children—of course.
But last year, it was the parents who were most touched by the gifts they were given. Embroidered robes, gift cards for gas, Safeway gift cards, Great Clips gift cards (for haircuts—you should see the hairdo's in that place), make-up, bubble bath and more.
Each child also received a handmade flannel pillow case that we put a new pillow in. They all had words of inspiration embroidered on them. "HOPE, BELIEVE, HEAL and COURAGE." —This was Logan's Idea.
Logan thought that after being in the hospital as much as she has, that the one thing she would want someone to bring her as a gift was. —"A pillow," she said.
Comfort is so important.

Spirit of Angels

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: Princeton is a community without the financial resources of larger communities. There is no indoor recreation centre or pool. We don't have tons of indoor facilities, but what we do have, we utilize to the fullest. Our school gyms are busy as are our ball fields and school fields, our outdoor pool and Riverside Centre. The busiest place of all is our great outdoors. Princetonites play in the outdoors as much as possible. Nature is our Gamestown. Biking, hiking, running, riding, swimming, climbing, bird watching, fishing - it doesn't matter. The people of Princeton don't have time to be bored. We work hard and we play hard and when there are battles to be fought, we are there too. We kept garbage from the Lower Mainland from being shipped here. We fought to keep a coal-fired generation plant from setting up shop and we are fighting to keep the coalbed methane industry away. Princetonites know our water is our lifeline and we are not willing to compromise our nature for money. We love our little piece of Mother Earth and we will continue to keep our piece of heaven on Earth safe.

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: Princeton is a community without the financial resources of larger communities. There is no indoor recreation centre or pool. We don't have tons of indoor facilities, but what we do have, we utilize...more

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: Chilling out at China Ridge X-country ski trails - relaxing after a hard day of skiiing the trails @ China Ridge. Outstanding day of skiiing, fun combined with some exercise. We skied out to one of the trails break areas that includes a rest area where we often stop and roast up some fine cuisine - hot dogs!
This is an amazing recreational area that we enjoy year round. Running and moutain biking in the summer and tobagganing/skiiing in the winter.
Princeton's outdoor pursuits are unlimited and we take advantage as much as we can.

X-country skiing with my Boys @ China Ridge Ski trails

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: Owner/operator of the Brown Bridge Pub on Vermilion Avenue, Eddie Edwards ‘came up with a fantastic idea’ according to many of the players in this past weekend’s first annual Street (Ball) Hockey Tournament. Edwards, having previous experience with such tournaments in Penticton, Kelowna and Armstrong, decided to give it a shot right here in Princeton. Edwards designed a rink in the parking lot of the Pub bordered with bales of hay to keep the balls inside and to offer protection— ‘just in case someone hit the side.’ “It’s something just for fun,” stated Edwards. He continued to explain, “we’ll play 3 on 3 with no contact, those are the rules of the game and we’ll have a skills competition.” Twenty-five men signed up for the tournament which began at 11 a.m. Saturday. Playoffs took place Sunday at noon.

Street ball tournament

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: An idea born of a favour asked

Needing signs to mark the winter playground for the Spirit of BC Day at China Ridge, Kelly Cook, a member of China Ridge Cross Country Ski Association approached Ed Muckle of Image Emporium with an idea. They wanted cartoon signs, but because of copyright laws, Muckle suggested using the Peter Pine image, as he is owned by the community. Peter Pine was created in 1983 as the Mascot for Princeton. He is of mixed heritage as his father is a pine and his mother is a fir/spruce. Peter looks like his mother, carries his fathers name and has numerous siblings and relatives in the forests of the Similkameen Valley. Former mayor Gloria Stout, owns the copyright on Peter Pine and asked that the community keep Peter alive and granted permission for the use and image to just that.
Cook agreed to use the image and with the aid of local artist, Lyn Melnechenko, Muckle created the activity signs. "The appeal of the signs was great, states Cook, they were really cute."
It was through all this that Muckle had a brainstorm; he decided to enlist the aid of Melnechenko to help him create a colouring book. Her first thought—"Are you crazy?" "I'm a detailed artist, not a cartoonist!" Melnechenko quite liked the idea though, and agreed to do it. After hours upon hours of discussion in regards to places, activities, clubs and events, the pair did their best to come up with a guide to use as many low cost or no cost activities for children and families to do right in our own community.
Within 52 pages, Peter Pine is ready to share in the beauty and benefits of our area. Three maps are provided to direct the user to to the location of each event or activity available.
This colouring book is full of activities, historical sights and as Muckle states, "It is a great tool to show people what is available to do here, 12 months of the year." Melnechenko adds, " Princeton is a great place, central to bigger places like Vancouver, and kids don't really like driving for hours, so people could stop and see what there is to do."
Distribution ideas include placement in communities such as Penticton, Merritt and Hope in order to draw families to come and experience our area.
For $10, the latest creative addition to Princeton is available now at the Image Emporium, Spotlight and Cowboy Coffee.
Dedicated to the memory of Mayor Gloria Stout, 'Peter Pine Explores Princeton, B.C.,' is a great way to showcase our area and a wonderful way to honour the memory of a great lady who's heart was Princeton.

Favour turns into much more

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: "Let there be light." Fortis, the company that supplies power to Princeton has just made a generous donation to the town. Several years ago, Princeton made the switch over to the more efficient LED lights for the trees that run down Vermilion Ave and for the holiday lights in other areas of the community. The lights were met with mixed emotions. "We had complaints about the blue tinge the lighting gave off," admitted Mayor Randy McLean. "While they reduced the power draw immensely, not everyone was happy with them."
The town ended up switching back to the old holiday lights that are not nearly as energy efficient, but is pleased to announce they have been generously given $1500 worth of lights from Fortis and that they will be switching over to the new energy efficient lighting as soon as possible. The town was given 100 strings of 35' LED holiday lights. They use 98% less energy, last a way longer and there are no glass bulbs to replace or break. Carol Suhan, Fortis Power Sense Manager, "was happy to give the lights to the community. Any time Fortis can help with the conservation of energy, we are pleased to do so. This is one of many "Green Initiatives" Fortis is offering to communities right now," added Suhan. "It is these kinds of small steps that can make a big difference," said Town Administrator, Patrick Robins.
Town Council joined the BC Climate Action Charter committing to become "Carbon Neutral by 2012." Over 175 communities have joined the charter. Part of Princeton's plan included participating in the wood stove exchange program, the idle-free program and they are currently looking at starting a subsidized composter program. "We had a bit of an in with Councillor Earle," joked Councillor Armitage, "but these new lights will certainly be a positive addition to the community. The new lights will keep the town from having to upgrade the power for the tree lighting along Vermilion Ave. "That street looks so great with all the lights going. I can't wait to get the new lighting up," said Mayor McLean. "This gets us back on track with our green initiative."

Let there be light

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: Every once in a while you meet someone and there is this audible click in your mind that you have just met a good person. It doesn't happen as often as we might like, but when it does it is a terrific feeling. From the first moment a client walks into the serene office, they feel calmer.
Usually, a woman comes out of one of the treatment rooms with a patient and, usually, they are laughing. This is not a typical doctor's office or even a typical chiropractors office, it is Dr. Penny Paterson's office and from the first handshake you can feel a warmth and strength bubbling just under the surface. She asks for her patients to call her Penny, she listens, she commiserates and she fixes.
Princeton has been fortunate to get such a skilled professional who seems to want to stay. "George and I would like to retire here," said Paterson. Penny or Dr. Paterson or whatever you want to call her is not just a doctor, she is a doctor who cares and on its own that is half of a patient's care right there. Paterson wants to dispel the myths about chiropractic medicine and as more and more medical doctors are sending their patients to a chiropractor for treatment, she is well on her way to doing just that. "I try to base everything out of my mouth on factual research, said Paterson. Patients leave her office confident she is trying hard to fix their ailments whenever possible and usually laughing at the warm jokes they have shared during treatment. It is this mixture of humour and caring that make Dr. Paterson as unique as her patients and a true professional in every sense of the word.

More than a chiro

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: Overwaitea has a yearly Show 'n Shine in conjunction with A&W. The entry fee is by donation. Every year, Overwaitea uses the money from the Show 'n Shine and their concession to buy an item for the local hospital. Princeton General Hospital gives Overwaitea their 'Wish List' and Overwaitea purchases something off the list. Last year, it was a special bed topper and a flat screen TV. They are making a difference in the lives of those who use our hospital.

Giving back

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: Two of our local RCMP officers are going to do their part on the Olympic security team as well as many locals who are volunteering. Our Community Recreation Director will be there as will one of our librarians. Way to go Princeton!

Volunteering at the Olympics

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: One of the many reasons Princeton is a great place to live is because of the people. There are so many creative residents it is hard to know where to begin. Sue teaches a class called 'Clay for Kids.' This class made ornaments for their Christmas trees and presents in their last session.

Clay for Kids

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: Months of planning and fundraising went into the trip of a lifetime for these basketball players. They left on Christmas Day to play in a tournament in San Diego and then it was on to Disneyland. These girls are very dedicated to their sport and the trip was well earned. They spent hours washing cars, cooking and serving at the Princeton Air Show and held many other fundraisers to make the trip possible.

We're Going to Disneyland!

Date: Jan 4, 2010

Entry: China Ridge Trails in Princeton is promoting sport and physical activity. To encourage youth to get active and cross-country ski in the winter months a ski playground has been built. The Vermilion Forks School Nordic Ski program and a Saturday morning members youth ski will both make great use of the playground. China Ridge Trails hopes the ski playground will encourage more families to try cross-country skiing and will get Princeton in the Olympic spirit. The ski playground will also be used on February 7 th when China Ridge hosts a Torch Relay and Games day. See you all there!

Ski Playground and Youth Skiing

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