Page 48 The Castlegar Sun I Ne Wednesday, May 20, 1992 there is no relief from the muggi- ness that clings virtually every- where. It's days like these when a quick, cool dip into a sparkling blue swimming pool offers the If you are a pool owner, or lucky enough to be invited to swim in a neighbor or friend's pool to escape the heat, chances are you likely won't consider the cleanliness of the pool before div- ing in, unless of course your friend or neighbor has let things Sun Staff Fast approaching the West are long, hot, summer days, when even in the shade, Aquatics (named after a mountain range behind Deer Park), has been catering to the needs of commercial and spa and pool owners for the past 15 years, A home based business located in a refurbished trailer in his hand, he can bring in quickly— less than two days. “I've been supplying Ainsworth Hotsprings with much of its maintenance equipment, as well as the hot springs in Naksup,” Gary said. ‘ While carrying BioGuard products, which Gary swears is the best on the market, is a big part of his business, his ability to asses a pool's problems have given him a great repertoire, whether they be from a certain hemical or lack of, but his home fall to the wayside in regards to pool mai and ness is di evident. Enter Gary Hyson, alias the Pool Doctor. His business, called Offering the widest selection of hardy Perennials in the West Kootenay and featuring an excelient selection of nursery plants, water plants, hanging baskets and bedding plants. Open 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Every Day With Mid Week and Weekend Specials Always In Effect. Many of our items are also available at our Garden Centre at Home business has grown immensely. Thirteen years ago, Gary became a dealer for BioGuard taking samples, which he can professionally examine in his own lab, also located in the trail- er, Gary will determine what the problem is and provide a comput- ¢r-print out detailing all the infor- mation. This is given to the pool Or spa owner who can easily keep on record, as does Gary, all said, also adding, “It's very important for me to be here for my clients, who are all very Features. @ Crisscross block all-season tread and self- Cleaning ability in mud and snow. @ 64,000 km limited treadwear warranty @ All-weather performance. Outstanding wet pavement traction. @ Responsive handling and a smooth, comfortable nde [S (RBOL) Light Track €/S Radial Crisscross block-tread pattern twin steel belts AN LT195/75R14 6P ipooming needs and req for the individual pool. His abilities in troubleshooting for problems and his dedication to prompt, efficient and profes- sional service has allowed Gary to receive several awards of excellence from his supplier Bio- Guard. The knowledge he carries in regards to pool problems he read- ily shares with others during sem- imars and workshops which he holds at least twice each year. Not only do these workshops educate pool owners on how to properly handle the chemicals they are using in their pools, the educa- tional evenings also cover the Proper steps for opening pools in the Spring and later on, how to For maintenance and repair—the local pool doctor has been on call for fifteen years The local pool and spa doctor, Gary Hyson, carries a large quantity of chemicals which keep a pool clean and in perfect running order. adequately winterize. The information is valuable, whether you're a first-time pool owner or an old pro, said Gary. So when you're diving into the cool blue water this summer, remember the person who likely SUN STAFF PHOTO / Shartene imhoft had a hand in keeping the water chlorinated and clean—the Pool Doctor himself, Gary Hyson. Pool owners, watch The Castlegar Sun for an upcoming series of pool care tips, beginning May 27. Supervisory skills training coming to Castlegar SUBMITTED Castlegar residents can now study basic supervisory skills through The Workplace Leader- ship Series, developed by the Learning Agency (OLA). “New supervisors, managers and small business owners who want to brush up on basic tech- niques will bencfil'from this pro- gram,” says Geoff Stevens, OLA's Director of Workplace Training. “These individuals want short courses on very specific Deze Ceslovers Big or small, we cater to all 365-8369 topics and the chance to apply what they have learned right Interpersonal Skills, Financial Aspects of Management, Human R De away. The Workplace L ip Series is designed to meet these needs.” The series consists of 40 sepa- rate units organized into six courses: Leadership Skills, Oper- ational Aspects of Management, = Director mation Technology Employees can choose the units they need most, from com- municating and team leading to time gr and health and See SKULLS 68 Wednesday, May 20, 1992 The Castlegar Sun Continued from 4B strictly enforces. Directors are involved in a number of functions, such as: being involved in the arbitration Process if ever a dispute occurs; monitoring ethical conduct; assisting in the cataloguing and bers to belong to the British Columbia Real Estate Associa- tion and the Canadian Real Estate Association. “It’s quite a network, and it allows for greater service for clients.” Brown's term on the board of di will last until Decem- of housing inf tion; as well as promoting and sponsoring various educational workshops for realtors. Mote than 200 people from 36 offices belong to the KREB, which immediately allows mem- ber, 1993, and during this time he says he will be working hard to ty and strict code of work ethics for which the KREB has been known. Presented to: The entire staff at the Scotsman Motor Inn ERRATA Excellence in Service Award This award will be presented every week to someone in Castlegar who shows extraordinary service to his/her customers or clients. The recipients will receive an award plaque to keep courtesy of Kats Trophys and a lunch for 2, value to $20.00, courtesy of the Fireside Dining Room. We'd like everyone in Castlegar to know there is an "Excellence in Service" in their community, and to congratulate each of them personally. If you know of someone that offers “Excellence in Service,” call me, Jon Jarrett at 365-5266, or drop a letter at the Castlegar Sun with your suggestion. WIZ The Castl gar Sun AWS A family tradition wit a heritage o its own Special to The Sun Story and photos by Arthur Joyce Pipe Major David Hogg leads the Kilties into the Eagles hall in Nelson to welcome members of the Shuzenji Friendship Society. Tina Shields, Continues a tradition, which now allows women to be part of the piping experience. if has become the quintessential image of Celtic peoples through the ages— the lone Scot at dawn with his bagpipe, sending an eerie wail of sound shivering across a green and rolling landscape. It is a sound by turns melancholy and exuberant, well suited to the elemen- tal i of the Celtic temp With the migration of Celtic people to all corners of the globe, it is a sound that has become the hallmark of communities everywhere—a colourful and commanding feature of parades and public events of all sorts. No exception to this are the Kootenay Kilties, established in 1919 and known since 1977 as ‘Nelson's Own Kootenay Kilties Pipe Band’. As early as 1920, the band was reported by the Vancouver Province newspaper as representing Nelson in a welcoming ceremony for the visiting Vancouver Board of Trade. : The Kilties’ resident historian is Fred Walgren, who along with band secretary Jean Hale has kept a careful eye on documents vital to the band’s history. His inspiration to become a piper first struck as he watched a parade of cadets Kootenay Kilties Practice, either the pipes or drums can be learned well enough to play with the band in about a year. “If you're not progressing in six months, you're out,” says Walgren. “You have to have six tunes down within a year.” Pipe Major Hogg himself began as a boy under the tutelage of Clifford ‘Kip’ Underwood, Pipe Major of the Kilties from 1959-69. Underwood is noted for being the first in the band’s history to encourage both women and youngsters to become pipers. “You have to keep the kids coming in,” says Walgren, “they're the back- bone of the band.” Women have been members of or comprised entire bands at least since the 40s, and Walgren remembers a stirring perfor- mance given by a Vancouver ladies’ band at the Capitol Theatre dur- ing the war years. “They put on quite a show, I mean, they were really something.” In the late 60s, Evelyn MacDonald became the Kilties’ first lady of the pipes, a tradition carried on by current piper Tina Shields. A recent highlight for band members was a trip to visit Nelson's sister city Shuzenji, in Japan, where they performed at various com- munity functions on behalf of the Shuzenji Friendship Society. Inter- est in having the Kilties perform marching down Nelson's Stanley Street in about 1941, with two of his high school buddies among them. “That was what really got me going,” he says, “I joined in 1948 and I've been with them ever since—44 years,” For our interview he brought the band ledger, its cover worn ‘If you're not progressing in six months, you're out. there was first sparked by a Nelson performance in 1991which was recorded on video and sent to Japan. “Next thing we knew, about August last year I get a phone call from Shuzenji saying they'd like to have us over to Japan and would Pay our way there and back,” says — FRED WALGREN Kilties historian and rounded at the corners, the pages frayed and browning with age. Inside are the handwritten entries of meeting minutes and finances, including the band'‘s inaugu- ral meeting in 1919. Carefully he turns the pages to the next entry of note, pointing it out with obvious satisfaction—November 1947, the year it was decided to allow persons of non-Scottish descent into the band. “That was a great move, it really opened things up for people to get involved,” says Walgren, who is of Scandanavian descent. “Since then whole families have become members.” Indeed, the Kilties have since been somewhat of a family affair, with love for the music being passed from generation to generation. At present the band is com- prised of Pipe Major David Hogg and son Duncan, Fred and son Bruce, Verdi and Sean Hale, Darcy Cowan and daughter Amanda, Drum Sergeant Doug Jerome, Keith Langhorn, Andy Cook, Terry Marshall, Jim Wariner, Tina Shields, Shane and brother Dean Kasai. Pipers and drummers are taught by the Pipe Major, who instructs at weekly meetings and expects students to practice at least three times a week. Pipers practice on a compact, easier to handle version of the bagpipe known as a chanter. With the proper commitment to regular "Tuning up” prior to the show. Walgren. Band members and their families were billeted in private homes and treated like royalty. “They just couldn't do enough for you,” says Walgren. “It was a fantastic experience—if only I had a dollar for every time they took a picture of us!” Unfortunately it is a shortage of that one vital element, the dollar, that can make running a pipe band difficult. Most of the band’s finances come from fees paid for parades and other civic events, as well as donations from community groups such as the Legion, Eagles and others. Although in the past the Kilties were invited to become a part of the Legion, they declined, preferring to remain free agents. “Being independent we can come and go as we like,” says Walgren. In 1990 they applied for and received from the Winter Games com- mittee a grant for the purchasing of new drums . When asked if the band has ever considered visiting to Scotland to participate in piping apetiti there, the possibility is ing, if remote, to Wal- gren. “I've often thought if I won the 649, I'd take the band over there,” he says, “but you'd really have to put out 200 per cent to make it. When we were in Japan we really worked hard—you have to put on a helluva show.” Pipers and drummers are taught by the Pipe Major, who instructs at weekly meetings and expects students to practice at least three times a week.