Born in Slocan Park 87 years ago, Jake Conkin was just eight years old when he first spotted a group of cowboys driving a herd of horses — a moment that sparked a lifelong fascination with cowboy culture.

After graduating from Mount Sentinel Secondary School, Conkin left the West Kootenay to attend college and met his wife Carol. They both became teachers and served at various west Kootenay and Vancouver schools with Jake eventually becoming a principal.

But throughout his time as an educator, the passion for all things cowboy never left Jake. After leaving the education field, he went on to work on some large-scale cattle operations and those experiences would fuel the cowboy fire for years to come and provide background for his poetry, children’s novels, and the creation of Buckaroo Jake and Calico Carol.

Jake began to produce cowboy poetry and entertainment events and travelled across western Canada and the United States performing at shows.

He also wrote a book of cowboy poetry called Silk ‘N Silver and a series of children’s novels about Little Jake and his cow dog.

With their background as educators, sharing their passion with children eventually became the focus for the couple and the Buckaroo Jake and Calico Carol show was born. The pair travelled to schools and libraries across B.C. and Alberta, at one point performing 52 times in a single year.

The show featured poetry, tall tales, rope tricks, ventriloquism, songs, and Calico Carol’s yodeling cow puppet Annabelle.

Jake says performing in the schools became a little too hectic for the couple as they aged, so now they are taking a modified version of their show to residents at West Kootenay care homes.

“We get a really positive reaction at the shows,” said the still-spry octogenarian, adding the hobby also benefits the couple and helps keep them young.

“It’s a challenge, it gives my wife and I something to do. This is something we can work on together, enjoy it together, go out and entertain people and give them something different.”

Jake usually starts the show with a traditional call such as, “Wake up Jacob, days a breakin’, coffee’s boiling and biscuits are baking. Roll out cowboy come and get it, come and get it while its hot or I’ll throw a rattlesnake in the pot.”

He rattles it off like poetry and rhythm is second nature.

The 100,000 sq.ft., $30 million modular facility opened in June and was supported by a $3-million investment through Natural Resources Canada’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program.

Mass timber production turns lumber into value-added, low-carbon building components, including prefabricated wall and floor systems – and now, with Kalesnikoff’s new facility, entire modules with full modular construction capabilities. It utilizes glued-laminated timber (glulam) and cross-laminated timber. Mass timber can be used in everything from homes and apartment buildings to public buildings such as schools, libraries and recreational facilities.

The 2025 budget prioritizes the adoption of Canadian materials — including mass timber and softwood lumber — in construction and changing federal procurement processes to require companies contracting with the federal government to source Canadian lumber.

Hodgson said the Liberal government’s Build Canada Homes plan will encourage the use of mass timber products. The plan calls for 500,000 housing starts a year in the next 10 years.

“The prime minister has been very clear that he wants the bulk of that new home development to be through manufactured homes because it drives down the cost. He wants those manufactured homes to use mass timber, because that again will drive down the cost, ” Hodgson told Castlegar News during his visit.

“When you look at a facility like this, you can see that the goal is attainable … This is the opportunity – we need to change the way we build. We are here because this is the future.”

The use of mass timber also reduces construction times and increases precision and predictability in the construction process.

The 2025 budget includes up to $700 million over two years in loan guarantees to help ensure companies have the financing and credit support they need to maintain and restructure their operations during this period of transformation.

It also includes $500 million over three years, starting in 2026-27, to renew and expand Natural Resources Canada’s forest sector programs focused on market and product diversification, including new export initiatives.

The Castlegar Fire Department was called to a residence in the 3400 block of 4 Ave. at 10:02 a.m. on Feb. 24. When they arrived, high levels of carbon monoxide were detected in the house.

One man was found in the basement level of the house and taken to hospital for treatment for severe CO poisoning, but a second man was found deceased on the ground floor level.

According to the report, the CO leak originated from an improperly repaired and separated vent pipe on a high-efficiency natural gas furnace, which allowed flue gases to enter and accumulate in the living space of the house.

The investigation found that the furnace was likely improperly installed in 2007, and following installation, was not maintained regularly. Despite recommendations to repair or replace the furnace starting in 2021, no action was taken by the homeowner, according to the report.

There were no CO alarms installed in the home.

The tragedy is a painful reminder as to why Nov. 1-7 has been set aside as Carbon Monoxide Awareness week in B.C.

CO is known as the “silent killer” because it is an invisible, tasteless and odourless gas that can cause health problems before you even know it is there.

CO is produced when fuels such as propane, gasoline, natural gas, heating oil or wood do not burn completely in fuel-burning appliances and devices.

At low levels CO can cause tiredness, headaches, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting and impaired motor functions.

At high levels, or if you are exposed to low levels for long periods of time, symptoms include dizziness, chest pain, poor vision and difficulty thinking.

At very high levels, it can cause convulsions, coma, and death.

The Province of B.C. suggests the following to prevent CO exposure:

• Ensure fuel-burning appliances, chimneys, and vents are properly maintained, as well as cleaned and inspected annually.

• Check that all outside appliance vents are not blocked.

• Ensure all portable fuel-burning heaters are vented properly, according to manufacturer’s instructions.

• Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.

• Open a chimney flue before using a fireplace for adequate ventilation.

• Never run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor inside a garage, even if the garage doors are open.

• Install a working CO alarm on every storey of your home and next to each sleeping area.

More information on CO safety can be found online here.