2 THE FREE PRESS Thursday, January 7, 2010 www.thefreepress.ca

Dr. Sarah-Dash Arbuckle BA, ND, CHRegistered Naturopathic Doctor

Winds of Change Health Services1-888-563-1045 (toll free)www.drdash.caAvailable Fridays in Sparwood BC@ Living Fit Studio (above Curves)

Gastro-TestThe Gastro-Test is a diagnostic tool to provide immediate stomach pH without chemicals or invasive intubation and procedures. It can also be a rapid indicator of esophageal or gastric bleeding.

This is a simple procedure done in the office to test your stomach acid. Though simple, an occasional patient with a very sensitive gag reflex will be unable to swallow the capsule or will vomit after doing so. This is a rare reaction in very few patients. No other complications have been reported and no known contraindications exist.

This test is a great tool to quickly assess stomach and esophageal problems. It costs $15.99 and takes 15 minutes.

Conditions associated with stomach acid dysfunction include:

Heartburn• Gastritis• Anemia (pernicious or iron deficiency)• Thyroid issues•

It can be performed as a screening tool in all patients over 10, suspected bleeding, anemia, unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms or as a diagnostic aid in ulcers, thyroid issues and other disorders.

250-423-4458http://fernie.bclibrary.ca

NEW HOURS OF OPERATION:

Monday - ClosedTuesday

11:00 am - 6:00 pmWednesday

11:00 am - 6:00 pmThursday

11:00 am - 8:00 pmFriday

11:00 am - 6:00 pmSaturday

1:00 pm - 5:00 pmSunday - Closed

Children’sAfter-School

Programsstart on

Tuesday, January 12

Please callthe library

for details orcheck thewebsite.

Valley Boys rememberedBy Rebecca EdwardsFree Press Staff

A candlelit vigil marked the first anniversary of the

death of Sparwood’s eight “Valley Boys.”

Hundreds of people gathered at the Terex Titan truck on Dec. 28 – exactly one year after the first vigil in the wake of two ava-lanches that cost eight men their lives.

Danny Bjarnason, Kurt Kabel, Warren Rothel, Kane Rusnak, Leonard Stier and his son Michael, Thomas Talarico and Blayne Wilson died while they were snow-mobiling last winter.

Three men - Jeff Adams, Jeremy Rusnak and James Drake – survived and were picked up by members of Fernie and District Search and Rescue as they walked off the mountain.

Sparwood Mayor David Wilks, who organized the vigil, told the crowd: “Today is a day of reflec-tion, a day to look back over the past year and look at the accomplishments that have taken place.

“It is a time to look to the future and know that,

even though loved ones have gone, the support of family and friends is an endearment that will last a lifetime.

“For each and everyone here, life is an adventure filled with many ups and downs. It is how we deal with those challenges which define us.

“For those who were directly affected by the tra-gedy of one year ago, I have personally watched as you have moved through the many challenges which have faced you.

“The first year is always the most difficult, dealing with not only the special moments, but the difficult decisions as well.

“Each one of you has done so with dignity and it is with that, you must now look to the future. There are babies and grandbabies to care for, careers to estab-lish, but most importantly lives to live.

“Live life to its fullest accepting it for what it is, knowing that your guard-ian angels are looking down, cheering you on.”

Also speaking at the vigil were Dianne Rusnak, moth-

er of Kane, Kayla Talarico, wife of Thomas, and Irene Talarico, Thomas’ mother. Amy Morrow, partner of Blayne Wilson, paid tribute to the eight men.

“People ask us how we are doing,” she said. “I believe everyone is doing quite well.

“Some days we take one step forward and two steps back. We have good days and bad days, what is important to cherish mem-ories and keep their mem-ory alive.

“The community has given us an amazing amount of love and sup-port. We thank you all so much from the bottom of our hearts.”

Mayor Wilks, who organ-ized the vigil to give the community something to focus on during the first anniversary, said he hopes it will be the last public event, allowing the fam-ilies and the community to move on with their lives, while privately remem-bering the eight men.

Tributes paid by Amy MorrowBlayne Wilson He was a fun, loving guy with a great big smile. My

love for him today is as strong as it was one year ago and I would do anything to have him wrap his arms around me again.

Danny BjarnasonHe couldn’t wait for the Demo Derby in Fernie each

year and was proud to be working through his heavy duty mechanic apprenticeship.

Kane RusnakKane’s pride and joy was his son Toby. He was kind

and considerate – a gentle soul.Kurt Kabel He loved his family and was a loyal friend. He was

the designated driver who always made sure everyone made it home safe.

Len StierHe was easy going, a loyal and loving husband and

father.Michael StierAn outgoing young man ready to take on the world.

He was always waiting for the first snowfall or the big-gest mud hole.

Thomas TalaricoHe had that special something about him – you met

him and could never forget him.Warren Rothel He was passionate about anything that had horse-

power. His son was his dad’s sidekick.

Candles bearing the photos of the eight Valley Boys were the central focus of the vigil. Photo by R. Edwards

Mayor David Wilks (right) helped family members light

candles bearing photos of the eight Valley Boys.

Photo by R. Edwards