News Leader News
ATAMANENKO AND LAYTON VISIT SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY
BC Southern Interior MP Alex Atamanenko escorted NDP Party Leader Jack Layton on a short tour of the western portion of his riding last week.
Following stops in Keremeos and Hedley, the pair spent part of last Friday in Princeton.
Atamanenko and Layton spoke briefly with members of Princeton Town Council about a variety of issues in an informal and casual meeting.
The pair officially opened Atamanenko's part-time Princeton Constituency Office at 206 Vermilion Avenue (in the Princeton & District Community Skills Centre office) then met local residents at a barbeque outside Princeton Museum.
The duo also opened a part-time office in Oliver Friday evening.
The Princeton Constituency office, managed by Lorianne McIntosh, is open 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Wednesdays and from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM Thursdays.
The phone number is (250) 295-0300. The office does not currently have a fax machine or local e-mail address but both are expected to be added in the future to enhance local services.
RETIRED TEACHER KEEPS BUSY
Usually when someone reaches retirement age, they quit working and start to relax as they enter their golden years.
For Darrell Brewer of Princeton, only part of that is true.
Brewer, who retired last month following 34 years of teaching in School District 58, has added another business to her already established bed and breakfast.
The KVR Brake Stop Coffee Station opened earlier this month in Brewer's kitchen, which is also part of her KVR Cycle Inn B&B.
The bed and breakfast concept came together last August and can accommodate two couples. So far it has had about 50 people stay a night or two mostly travelers from elsewhere in the province although the B&B was home to at least one couple from Ontario and another from London, England.
"We're in the best province in Canada. We're in the best country in the world and I get to share that with others," Brewer says about her business.
"We have a lot of good things in this community."
The property where the B&B and Coffee Station are located is about 22-kilometres out the Osprey Lake Road and offers wonderful views of the valley from all directions off the deck, in the hot tub, in the kitchen and all around the yard.
Brewer moved to the property in 1984 and was a customer of another such business located further out Osprey Lake Road until the owner/operator left the area. The need for a coffee stop along the route never left her mind.
"So when I retired I thought I'd like to do that and run it with my B&B."
The KVR Brake Stop Coffee Station is 2.5-kilometres off of the Trans-Canada Trail and riders of the trail have taken the side trip to get there.
Brewer's daughter, Stevi Weissbach, also operates Yemaya Horse Retreat on the property so guests at the B&B can also experience the rural surrounding on horseback.
What struck the News Leader staff during our visit last week to the site was the natural beauty that virtually wrapped itself around the home and surrounding rugged landscape. It was also very quiet.
The driveway on Osprey Lake Road takes you up to the house, which sits on what could only be described as the side of a cliff, and provides the amazing views up and down the valley.
Brewer, who was one of the lucky few teachers to say she had taught in all Princeton area schools at one time or other during her career, says her vision, is very simple.
"My vision would be for people to mostly stop in and visit. A place for people to unload their worries and carry on."
There was no doubt that visiting is part of the plan as Brewer makes you feel welcome from the moment you arrive. It's almost as if you are already part of the family.
The biggest difference between working as a teacher and working a business out of your home?
"I get to do things on my time now. Teaching is a 24/7 job, totally," says Brewer.
"This isn't. This is more relaxed and I think that's the biggest difference."
The KVR Brake Stop Coffee Station, and hostess/barista Darrell Brewer welcomes all cyclists, hikers, tourists and locals to experience the beauty and serenity of their location.
Located at 2216 Osprey Lake Road, the home is set on what Brewer calls a 'rugged hill' but you have to actually have to see it to believe it. If you are looking for a quiet and private place to relax, this is it.
Brewer serves teas, herbal teas, coffees, specialty coffees and cold beverages and you can enjoy them on the large deck, stone patio or at the coffee bar in the house.
For rates and further information on the B&B end of the business, visit the website
www.kvrcycleinn.com. You can also link to Stevi's horse retreat site from there.
