In Memory of Yvonne Arnouse An evening sunset painted the sky a brilliant red-orange, lasting far longer than Shuswap sunsets usually last, reflected by the water of Tappen Bay, as Yvonne’s casket was lowered to her final resting place. It is easy to visualize her walking into the sunset, her work here behind her. She was a champion for Natives and Whites alike. In her nearly 35 years of service at the

Salmon Arm Hospital, she kept things in line. She worked nights always, so she could be home for her children in the daytime. They numbered many more than her biological children, the foster children numbering in the 30’s over the years. She found time to care for elders too, people who could not take care of themselves. One of them was blind. She was sick for two years before she succumbed to the cancer that had taken so many of her close relatives. She passed on January 2, 2014, a ‘New Year’s Baby’. The next day, Friday the 3rd, a spirit fire was started in the fire ring near the Tappen Hall, to attract good spirits and keep bad ones away. It would burn until Monday night, kept constantly by Fire Keepers. Her body was brought into the Hall after 3:00 p.m. on Friday and, by her request, a very short drumming and singing escorted her in, to the front of the Hall. The casket had paddles for handles, to help her on her journey; maybe across a lake. Her body was on view for the next days, as prayers, songs and feasts took place. The service at Bowers Chapel saw standing room only, short and lovely, with three speakers. Once again, it was her request that the service be short, in honour and consideration of the elders. Her brother, the Chief, spoke, and his wife, Joan, who will miss a sister. Her son, Dionne, declared he had been born to a Princess. Daughter Crystal knew she could not speak, so she had a song played; a song that related her feelings. Mr. Bower spoke last, not only as MC, but as a friend who worked with her, gathering up the bodies from the Hospital when the clients “passed on”. Bowers transported her body back to Tappen Hall for the Monday feast and ceremonies honouring the lost Princess, the Champion of All, friend to all.

February Line-Up *Mondays 7:30pm Adult Floor Hockey, Drop-in n/c S/brae Bible Camp Gym *Sunday 7:00 pm Drop-in Badminton & Thurs. 9:30am Sunnybrae Comm. Hall *Tuesdays 9:30am Sunnybrae Art Group Sunnybrae Seniors’ Centre *Fridays 10am Bev’s Hiking Group, carpool Meet SLE Golf Club park.lot *1st&3rd Thurs 10am Shuswap Needle-arts Guild Sunnybrae Seniors’ Centre *Fridays 7pm Card Night, Carlin Hall *Sat. Feb. 1 7:30pm Coffee House, Carlin Hall *Sat. Feb. 15, 7:30pm Concert by Fretless, Carlin Hall

To advertise your event free call 250 835 8580 or e-mail: sunnybrae@mail.com

Yvonne’s good works will continue on The Other Side, where she will also have time, time, time, to rest. She has earned it. Working together with First Nations, the Shuswap Trail Alliance, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, and eager volunteers, a trail will be started in the spring from Sky Blue Waters to the Tappen Co-op, with intentions of expanding it to Sunnybrae Park. This was her wish, and it will be named for her… ‘Yvonne’s Trail’. ……. And while we are on the

topic of trails: TRAIL TALES

…byWalleyWalkabout Good News! On January 16th, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) announced the allocation of $30,000 to “prepare plans for the potential construction of approximately 6.6 km of parallel trail from the Highway to the Sunnybrae community along Sunnybrae-Canoe Point Road.” …cont’d. on P.2 SC 1

Trail Tales….Cont’d from Pg. 1 A staff member at the CSRD further explained that the announced funding is earmarked to do the preliminary work required for a parallel trail along Sunnybrae Road, including surveys, design, estimation of construction and engineering costs, etc. This information will enable timely application for Federal or Provincial grant money, when and if it becomes available, by ensuring the required data will be accessible at the time it is needed. This funding, at present, is only recommended for consideration and has yet to be approved by the CSRD Board of Directors. The funding source: “$30,000 from Electoral Area “C” Community Works Fund”, established out of Provincial gas tax refunds. As many of you are already aware, a local group of Citizens called the Friends of Sunnybrae has been actively working with the Shuswap Trail Alliance, the Little Shuswap Indian Band, and the CSRD, to begin what would be “phase 1” of these parallel trails (referred to as ‘Yvonne’s Trail’ on the front page). It will be located on reserve land, from the Tappen Co-op to Sky Blue Waters. This is just the beginning folks. YAHOO!! There are years to go in the planning and construction of these trails, but this is a start!! A great BIG THANK YOU to all of you who attended the meeting at the Sunnybrae Community Association hall two years ago. THANK YOU to all of you who signed the Friends of Sunnybrae petition that served as a catalyst to events leading up to today. This is a perfect example of community communicating and working with our elected government to achieve improved living for us all. Now is the time to continue to promote our project and support the efforts of the partners who are working together to make this vision a reality.

Annual Swan Count If you recall, the Sunnybrae Citizen had an article on the swans that join us in the winter months here in Sunnybrae. We promised a follow-up report on the annual swan and eagle count that normally takes place in mid-January, and covers the area from Kamloops to Osoyoos.

To date, there does not seem to be any reports on this year’s count. There was the Christmas bird count, which was widely publicized in our local media, however nothing on the swans and eagles. Our local Sunnybrae resident and naturalist, who is generally contacted to provide information for the count, reports that this year he did not receive the usual request, and he has not been aware of any public information either. The ‘Citizen’ will keep probing. The bird count has provided useful information about the migration routes of these species. For instance, we now know, from years of recorded information, that 34 years ago, most of the swans that came to this area were Tundra swans. Now, 99% are Trumpeter swans and this change is largely due to adjustments in migration patterns rather than an increase in population. Thank-you to the ‘birders’ and naturalists among us who donate their time and expertise for the benefit of the natural environment that we all live, work and play in.

Jade Plant, Rubber Plant, Money Plant or CRASSULA ARGENTEA

Many of you have one of these beauties, but do you know how amazing they are? If you leave a tiny leaf lying on the soil under the plant, with no attention at all, it will first grow tiny roots, then wee

leaves, and miracle of miracles, you have a plant. Once this occurs, far be it from me to consider throwing it out, and the Thrift Store takes them graciously. My rubber tree has a 5” diameter trunk, and descendants all over British Columbia and Alberta. I put one microscopic baby in a microscopic pot (2” high, 2” across) and watched in amazement as a 7” plant with normal-sized leaves grew up, looking very discombobulated. This morning, I watered it by soaking all the 1 cubic inch of soil and, more wonder, there is a ½” leaf lying on the soil, with a baby plant on it. I rescued four similar babies from the Mother plant, and they are in germination cubes, looking for a home. This makes a wonderful gift for a child that has a windowsill to spare. You never know, the child may grow up to be a plant fanatic like me. They will tolerate many light conditions, but prefer brightness, and can spend the summer outdoors. Just make the transition gradually so they don’t sunburn. The money part? Almost forgot. Many Chinese people keep these plants in their homes because the round leaves look like coins. It is their belief (and mine) that this acknowledgement of money attracts more! They are also used in Feng Shui arrangements to soften …..cont’d. on Pg. 3 SC 2

Jade Plant ….cont’d. from pg. 2 hard lines, which are considered a detriment to the well-being of people around them. Like money, they circulate from person to person. Mine certainly do! (For a start, call 250 835 2240). Have babies, will share! Happy New Year from your Garden Guru!

Family Day in B.C. It doesn’t seem that a year has passed since we wrote about ‘Family Day’ in last year’s Sunnybrae Citizen. Each Province has varied Statutory holidays. For instance, did you realize that Boxing Day is not a

recognized statutory holiday in B.C.? It came to my attention when travelling on B.C. Ferries this past Boxing Day, Thursday, and I was not required to pay because Senior Citizens travel free

(passenger fare only) on Monday to Thursday, except statutory holidays. There is a proposal to reduce the senior discount to 50%, effective April 1, 2014, however the consultation process has not yet been finalized. Following is a list of B.C. Statutory Holidays shown on the B.C. Government website: . Statutory Holiday 2014

New Year's Day Wednesday January 1

Family Day Monday February 10

Good Friday Friday April 18

Victoria Day Monday May 19

Canada Day Tuesday July 1

B.C. Day Monday August 4

Labour Day Monday September 1

Thanksgiving Day Monday October 13

Remembrance Day Tuesday November 11

Christmas Day Thursday December 25

Note: Canada Day is usually July 1st. If July 1st falls on Sunday, then Monday July 2nd replaces July 1st as the statutory holiday.

Enjoy family day!

TheArts District I was wondering as we all go about our daily lives, how many in our community take the time to check the Salmon Arm Arts Centre website http://www.salmonarmartscentre.ca/ to connect with the art community and to see what might be happening that may be of interest to someone in your family or your friends. Every month there are exhibits and events to attend where you can see and experience the creativity and culture that exists in our community. For instance, until March 1, there is an exhibit at the Salmon Arm Gallery with works from a varied group of artists, and the Arts Centre “invites you to celebrate our local artists with a splash of colour” in the winter months. The jurors select works that reflect the Shuswap in unique and diverse ways. Thirty works were chosen, representing 25 artists. The exhibition runs until March 1, and is sponsored by Jeff Stacer Real Estate Team Also, as part of the exhibition, mark your calendar to attend “Coffee Break and Artist Talk” on Thursday, February 20, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Enjoy free coffee and fresh baked goodies with many of the artists taking part in the exhibition. Note: Gallery hours are Tuesdays to Saturdays 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you take the time to visit the website, you can see community events scheduled for our area well into the summer. Listed are film festival showings, symphony, opera and ballet events, WOW concert schedules, future scheduled exhibitions at the art gallery and other local galleries, Haney Heritage Village activities, the list goes on. If you have children, do you know about Family Saturdays? Spring Break Art Mondays? Summer Art Camp? “Shugo” is a wonderful program that gives discounts to youth from age 12 to 21 in an effort to encourage them to attend live-arts and cultural events, and to help live-arts groups build their young audience. Read about the above and more on the website; visit the gallery or some of the events listed. I encourage you to consider joining or becoming involved. Support the Salmon Arm Arts Centre so it can continue to enhance our wonderful lifestyle here in the Shuswap. SC 3

Lakeshore Development For those of you who keep current on local political affairs, and for those of you who do not, there has been a very controversial application in Blind Bay which requests rezoning on waterfront property. In part, the applicant seeks rezoning of a parcel of land from single family residential to allow the installation of multiple park model units, and also to increase permitted dock allocation. The old, and newly created Official Community Plan (OCP) indicates the community supports the limiting of high density waterfront development. An OCP is a ‘living document’ which expresses the desires of the community. However, applications for amendments are permitted during the life cycle of the Plan. There is a process in place for public input on applications for rezoning and, upon completion of required readings and public hearings, the application then goes before the elected Columbia Shuswap Regional Board (CSRD) for approval or denial. And that is where we are today. The request for this application was denied by a vote of the six rural Directors who were the decision-makers on this application. The denial spurned immediate response in support of the applicant, there was a public demonstration at the CSRD Board office within a few days, expressing their frustration with the vote results. In contrast, many residents who opposed the application felt validated that approval was denied, thereby respecting the OCP and the will of the people that was expressed through a long and arduous process. The media reported ‘new information’ that was presented suggesting the Directors were not totally informed at the time of the vote. The CSRD has responded, they will first consult legal counsel to see if a re-vote is legal. Decisions on whether to act will come later. Questions have now been raised about the possibility of a re-vote without proper process or cause, based on a lobby from only one portion of the community. Concerns that it could affect the credibility of the CSRD and set precedents for more confrontations in the future when applicants are not happy with a Board decision. This article is not written to influence your opinions on this particular application. It is written in the hope that it will create interest for the residents of this community to make the effort to become informed and involved in local government issues. Municipal

government affects our lives significantly. Consider a situation where you may have done your homework, researched planning issues, and confidently purchased your dream property satisfied you could enjoy peaceful, private living. Then, with one vote at the Board level, your neighbour’s desire for unforeseen development could result in a total change in your environment. In contrast, however, decisions at the Board level are sometimes implemented to enact changes in order to satisfy needs, provide jobs or other wanted services. Our local government officials have the responsibility to make these decisions; we elect them to show integrity, and have vision and insight aided by information they garner through their staff and from the public. We have the responsibility to provide our input, develop informed opinions and to respectfully let our needs be known.

“For Your Valentine” Valentine’s Day will be here soon, Feb. 14th, and there are often local events or opportunities to honour those who are dear to you. For those who find it difficult to express, in words, the warmth they feel for another, it is an opportune time to convey emotions through a local event or opportunity that is organized for that specific purpose. Read the local publications, check the restaurants for special menus, look for something happening outdoors or in the cultural hub of the community. For instance, have you read about ‘Death by Chocolate’ advertised as an evening of romantic music and heavenly desserts, complete with entertainment? It is presented by The Salmon Arm Committee of the Kamloops Symphony and is well advertised in the Salmon Arm media. Alternatively, consider that often the simplest form of expressing our emotions of the heart are the most valued. Sunnybrae Citizen is a monthly, non-profit publication https://sites.google.com/site/sunnybraecitizen or www.friendsofsunnybrae.ca. Comments or inquiries: sunnybrae@mail.com or phone 250-835-8580 Printed on recycled paper by Hucul Printing SC 4