B.C.'s Lieutenant Governor is visiting the region next week as part of her mandate to visit every community in the province during the role's five-year term.
Honourable Judith Guichon was appointed to the position by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2012.
She is the 29th Lieutenant Governor of BC, representing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of Canada, on a provincial level.
Her visit through the West Kootenay begins Tuesday in Rossland and carries through to Trail until the evening and early Wednesday, the Slocan Valley Thursday, then Friday in Montrose and Fruitvale.
Each community has events planned that highlight the West Kootenay lifestyle, business climate, and schools, but mostly the occasion calls for Her Honour to meet the people who call this area, home.
Guichon's first day begins in the Alpine City and breakfast with Rossland Mayor Kathy Moore and her council, as well as several local business leaders.
“It will be an honour for Rossland and all our local communities as she makes her way around the Kootenays,” said Moore. “I want to introduce her to some of the innovative and creative people who call Rossland home and are making a contribution to the local economy.”
Moore said people from other parts of the province have no idea what the West Kootenay has to offer, but once they visit and discover the lifestyle amenities and world class recreation, they get a job or create a business and move their enterprise here.
“I think the LG will be surprised and delighted by the people she meets on her travels in our area,” added Moore.
Next, Guichon will tour the city's three unique schools and have a chat with the students.
“There will also be opportunity for the students to share something special they are working on, which will be a great learning opportunity for everyone involved,” said Moore.
Later that day, she will arrive to Trail and tour the Sanctuary Pre-teen Drop-in Centre with Barbara Gibson, the Trail/Warfield Citizen of the Year. After a spaghetti dinner with Trail Mayor Mike Martin, members of council, and Trail's three ambassadors, she will meet with local seniors in the Trail Seniors' Centre on Portland Street after an introduction that includes Pipe Major John Mager.
The following morning at 9 a.m. the City of Trail has planned her visit to James L. Webster Elementary School where she will be met by Principal Brian Stefani, Warfield Mayor Ted Pahl, Trail Mayor Mike Martin and School Trustee Darrel Ganzert.
Pipe Major John Mager will lead the procession before Guichon addresses the students in an assembly that includes guests and an opportunity for students to ask her questions.
She arrives in the Beaver Valley Friday afternoon, and is scheduled for an afternoon tea at Mountain Side Village in an event hosted by Golden Life Management.
All seniors in Fruitvale are welcome to meet Guichon in the facility's dining room from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
After a brief tour of the village with Fruitvale Mayor Patricia Cecchini, the guides and scouts will be saluting Guichon during a procession in front of the Rain Garden at 3:45 p.m., followed by a reception in the Memorial Hall until 5 p.m. with invited special guests.
Her Honour's visit to the area ends Friday evening in the Montrose Community Hall from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. when the village hosts an open house for all its residents.
Once the West Kootenay tour winds up, the Lieutenant Governor heads over the Kootenay Pass for a visit in Creston and other East Kootenay communities.