Discover Rock Creek (DRC) hosted Riverfest on Saturday at the market grounds next to Rags, Relics and Rutabagas. As he officially opened the day, Johnny Gibot of the Cree Nation said that of the four elements – earth, wind, water and fire – the chief element is water. He reminded all listening that twothirds of Mother Earth is water.
DRC organizer Pat Pownall declared it a day to celebrate community, the river, the talent of the people near the river, and to reflect upon conservation and awareness.
Steve and Susan Ogierman organized music through the day.
The grounds were decorated with art done by the students and staff at West Boundary and Beaverdell Elementary Schools. Nikki Ferrier announced three pieces from each class that will be included in the 2014 Rock Creek Directory that is annually produced by DRC.
There was a barrel-duck race that raised funds for future projects.
Retired teacher John Hibberson brought a slideshow of images he has independently published in a book entitled Riversong. Copies of the book are available at Rags, Relics and Rutabagas in Rock Creek.
Oliver Fire Chief Dan Skaros was also there to provide public education about rattlesnakes. On August 1 one year ago Skaros was bitten on the finger by only one fang of a baby rattler and he very nearly died.
In introducing Skaros, Pownall said that people are often victim to three popular misconceptions: Rattlesnake bites are not all that serious; rattlers are not on this side (south) of the river; and, that if you are bitten then you just need to hop on over to the hospital and they will have that attended to straight away.
“None of those are true,” said Pownall.
Skaros brought two snakes to show to people – a rattlesnake and a bull snake. He is experienced in handling them; in fact the Worker’s Compensation Board taught him, hence he removes them from vineyards so workers don’t get bitten. Because they are a protected species he relocates them rather than killing them.
Last year he was removing one from a rock wall and another came out and bit him. He was in Oliver Hospital in only 15 minutes, but by then his whole body was convulsing.
The anti-venom for a rattlesnake bite costs from $1,500 to $2,000 per vial, and the doctors gave Skaros 16 vials. They saved his life – but he will lose his finger, which will be amputated later this year because it no longer works.
According to Skaros, the Grand Forks Hospital does not stock the anti-venom. So he suggests caution and using a walking stick when out hiking.