Greater Trail Hospice Swimathon - It’s Hospice Swimathon season 2026! The event is ThisThursday March 5th. TALC.This year Greater Trail Hospice is officially starting a new annual tradition, the Hospice Swimathon Showdown. It’s a friendly fundraising competition between:

• Chris D’Odorico – Manager, Health & Safety & Risk

• Chris McLean – Business Area Manager, Warfield & Sulphur Products

• Fiona Tymm – Technician, Analytical Services                 

They are each diving in to support Hospice and are competing for the honour of becoming the 2026 Swimathon Fundraising Champion, complete with bragging rights that last all year.

 If you’d like to support one of them, simply click on the donation link,  https://www.trailhospice.org/how-you-can-help/donate and under the "Write a private message to us (optional)" please enter Fiona's or one of the Chris's names. Don't forget that Teck will match employee charitable donations. To find out more about the Teck Employee Donation Match Program and log in to your account from ​​​here​​​. Eligible employees can extend the impact of their personal donations to eligible community organizations (causes) with Teck’s equivalent contributions. Teck will match up to $3,000 per year per employee.

Let’s support these Trail Operations Employees as they raise funds for a great cause.

 West Kootenay Minor Lacrosse Association  

     Registration is now open for the upcoming season with the West Kootenay Minor Lacrosse Association. We’re excited to welcome both returning players and those who are brand new to the game.

     The 2026 season kicks off on March 30, with all practices taking place in Rossland. Lacrosse is a fast-paced, exciting sport that builds teamwork, confidence, and lifelong friendships, and it’s a fantastic way for kids to stay active and involved in the community.

     Registration can be completed online through our website at www.wkmla.com. If you have any questions or would like more information about upcoming Try-It dates, please email wkmla.registry@gmail.com and our team will be happy to help. We look forward to seeing new and familiar faces on the floor this season!

FireSmart in the Kootenay Boundary: Let’s Open the Toolbox

     Wildfire resiliency isn’t one-size-fits-all — it takes the right tools, used in the right places.

     Join the RDKB FireSmart & Emergency Management team, Cabin Resource Management and CR Professional for a community conversation about wildfire risk reduction and fuel management in your area. 

• Village of Montrose - Tuesday March 10th. 6:00pm. Montrose Community Hall

• Village of Warfield - Wednesday March 11th. 6:00pm. Warfield Community Hall

• City of Trail - Thursday March 12th. 6:00pm. JL Crowe Secondary School

Learn how landscape-level plans, fuel treatments (including prescribed fire), and in-community FireSmart actions all work together to strengthen community resiliency.

Get the full project background here: jointheconversation.rdkb.com/wildfire-risk-reduction

Let’s build wildfire resiliency - together.

Lead/Zinc Hockey Game Looking For Volunteers.

     The annual Lead vs. Zinc hockey game is fast approaching, and organizers are looking for volunteers to help with the 50/50 draw during the event.

     This is always a fun rivalry, and your support helps make it a success. The games are March 14th at 6:00pm and 7:30pm at the Cominco Arena in Trail. If you’re available to lend a hand and help sell 50/50 tickets, please contact Jacob Gach at 250-231-6363. Thank you in advance for supporting this great event and we appreciate everyone who steps up to help out!

South Side Arts in Castlegar.

    Spring Break Kids Camp:

Week 1 - Mar 16-19. 12:00pm to 3:00pm for 4 days of the spring break. You will be focusing on using the pottery wheel.  Cost is $150 per child for Trail Operations Families.  The recommended age is 10-16. Contact Gord at gordon.menelaws@teck.com to register

Week 2 - Mar 24-27. 12:00pm to 3:00pm for 4 days of the spring break. . You will be focusing on hand building .  Using a variety of methods, you will work at a few smaller projects to build skills and then a final, large project.  (we will decide with the group on which projects they want to take on)  Cost is $150 per child for Trail Operations Families.  The recommended age is 10-16. Contact Gord at gordon.menelaws@teck.com to register

‍   ‍ Terra Cotta Pot workshop :

March 15th at 2:00pm.  You will learn to build with coils (thin ropes of clay) and use forms to make our own Terra Cotta plant pots that can be used indoor or out. Cost is $50.00 for Trail Operations employees/spouses/partners. Contact Gord at gordon.menelaws@teck.com to register

‍    ‍Mug making workshop :

March 7th at 5:00pm. You will learn to make flat slabs of clay that are then cut to size and assembled into a functional mug.   Participants can use stamps and rollers to create unique texture to their mugs.   Participants choose from our selection of studio glazes and we will fire their mugs and glaze them for pick up at a later date. Cost is $40.00 for Trail Operations employees/spouses/partners. Contact Gord at gordon.menelaws@teck.com to register

‍    ‍Gorgeous Gardens:

March 8th at 4:00pm. You will be making a variety of things:  Garden markers, ceramic markers that show where you have planted, and what you planted.  We also make a watering bell ( a small vase-like item with holes in the bottom to gently water delicate plants) and a garden goddess (or garden frog) which is a domed piece with holes in it to use in flower arrangement and display. Cost is $50.00 for Trail Operations employees/spouses/partners. Contact Gord at gordon.menelaws@teck.com to register

‍    ‍Easter Eggs:

March 21st at 3:00pm. You will learn to use forms to shape eggs that can be decorated to your liking.  We will add a layer of clear glaze after the class to give the eggs a shiny smooth finish. Cost is $40.00 for Trail Operations employees/spouses/partners. Contact Gord at gordon.menelaws@teck.com to register

Italian For Fun Level 2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Enhance your Italian language skills while exploring the culture in this fun and relaxed class. Designed for those who have completed Level 1 or who have a basic knowledge of Italian. Part of the class will be spent expanding vocabulary and grammar, while the other part will focus on practicing conversational Italian.                                                                                                         Course runs April 7th to April 28th at Selkirk College in Trail. 6:30pm to 8:00pm. Cost is $70.00 for Teck Employees and Spouses/Partners. For more information or to register contact Gord at gordon.menelaws@teck.com                   

 If you have a community program or event that you would like us to promote, and it falls within our IWL guidelines, let us know at gordon.menelaws@teck.com and we will include it in our Wellness Wednesday email. 

Greater Trail Hospice Swimathon - It’s Hospice Swimathon season 2026! The event is Thursday March 5th. TALC.
This year Greater Trail Hospice is officially starting a new annual tradition, the Hospice Swimathon Showdown. It’s a friendly fundraising competition between:

• Chris D’Odorico – Manager, Health & Safety & Risk

• Chris McLean – Business Area Manager, Warfield & Sulphur Products

• Fiona Tymm – Technician, Analytical Services                 

They are each diving in to support Hospice and are competing for the honour of becoming the 2026 Swimathon Fundraising Champion, complete with bragging rights that last all year.

 If you’d like to support one of them, simply click on the donation link,  https://www.trailhospice.org/how-you-can-help/donate and under the "Write a private message to us (optional)" please enter Fiona's or one of the Chris's names. Don't forget that Teck will match employee charitable donations. To find out more about the Teck Employee Donation Match Program and log in to your account from ​​here​​. Eligible employees can extend the impact of their personal donations to eligible community organizations (causes) with Teck’s equivalent contributions. Teck will match up to $3,000 per year per employee.

Let’s support these Trail Operations Employees as they raise funds for a great cause.

Kootenay Brain Injury Association Looking For Board Members                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    The Kootenay Brain Injury Association (KBIA) is currently seeking new Board Members to help guide and strengthen the organization. KBIA supports individuals living with acquired brain injuries through community-based programs, outreach, education, and advocacy, and the Board plays a vital role in ensuring the organization remains strong, sustainable, and responsive to community needs.

Serving on the KBIA Board is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by brain injury. Board members provide governance and strategic leadership, help guide the organization’s long-term direction, oversee organizational health, support the Executive Director, and act as ambassadors for KBIA within the community. Members attend monthly meetings, review materials in advance, and engage in board-related work between meetings. They also support fundraising efforts, help build community connections, and raise awareness about KBIA’s programs and services.

KBIA is seeking engaged individuals with professional skills that support good governance, a commitment to community service, and an interest in brain injury services and advocacy. Lived experience with brain injury is welcome but not required. New Board members receive orientation, ongoing support, and opportunities for continued learning to ensure they feel confident and informed in their role. Guided by the values of respect, inclusion, accountability, and collaboration, KBIA is committed to making a positive impact in our region.

Anyone interested in learning more about the organization or interested in a board position is encouraged to contact Gord Menelaws at gordon.menelaws@teck.com.

Italian For Fun Level 2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Enhance your Italian language skills while exploring the culture in this fun and relaxed class. Designed for those who have completed Level 1 or who have a basic knowledge of Italian. Part of the class will be spent expanding vocabulary and grammar, while the other part will focus on practicing conversational Italian.                                                                                                         Course runs April 7th to April 28th at Selkirk College in Trail. 6:30pm to 8:00pm. Cost is $70.00 for Teck Employees and Spouses/Partners. For more information or to register contact Gord at gordon.menelaws@teck.com                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Spanish For Fun Level 2 

     This is a class for anyone that has previously studied Basic Spanish and will help you increase your vocabulary and improve your conversational skills. 

     Course runs for 5 sessions starting April 8th and ends May 6th at Selkirk College in Trail. 6:30 pm to 8:00pm. Cost is $90.00 for Teck Employees and Spouses/Partners. For more information or to register contact Gord at gordon.menelaws@teck.com

Emergency First Aid with CPR C (Red Cross) (WorkSafe BC Equivalent to Basic First Aid)                                                                                                                                                                                        This is a one-day overview of first aid and CPR C for the home or workplace. You will practice skills needed to recognize and respond to cardiovascular emergencies for adults, children and infants. Includes topics such as choking, airway and breathing emergencies, and prevention of disease transmission. You'll also learn about the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
    There are two date options for this course : Saturday March 28th.  8:30am – 5:30pm. Selkirk College Trail. Cost is $150.00 for Teck Employees and spouses/partners. If you are interested, contact Gord at gordon.menelaws@teck.com

Non-Restricted Firearms Safety With Selkirk College - Two Dates To Choose From. March 14th & April 4th.                                                                                                                                                      We are teaming up with Selkirk College in Trail to offer a Non-Restricted Firearms Course. The Canadian Non-Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) is required if you're interested in obtaining your Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) for non-restricted firearms.  There are 3 dates to choose from, and the class will run from 9:00am to 7:00pm at the Trail Campus of Selkirk College.  Cost: $165.00 for Trail Operations Employees and includes the manual.  All participants must bring photo ID. If you are interested, contact Gord at gordon.menelaws@teck.com

     We are also offering the Hunter Training (CORE) on May 2nd and 3rd so mark your calendars. 

Nutrition Support Services Through Our Telus Employee Assistance Program – Achieve Better Health with the Support of Your EAP

     Your health starts with what’s on your plate. Through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Nutrition Support Services provide a holistic and proactive approach to improving your nutrition and overall wellness.  Whether you’re looking to lose or gain weight, boost your energy, or adapt your eating habits to shift work, our professionals are here to help. You’ll have access to Registered Dietitians who can assess your eating patterns, identify dietary concerns, and answer your nutrition questions with personalized, practical guidance.

   Support is available for a wide range of goals, including: Weight loss or gain - Getting off the diet “roller coaster” - Boosting energy and stress resilience - Healthy eating on-the-go - Accommodating shift work - Following a balanced vegetarian diet - Lowering cholesterol - Reducing high blood pressure - Managing diabetes - Supporting heart health.

     Services are delivered through convenient telephone consultations, along with Health and Wellness resources you can use at your own pace. Your initial session includes an assessment, education, goal setting, and action planning. Follow-up sessions help keep you on track and support lasting success.

     Take the next step toward better health — your EAP Nutrition Support Services are here to help

The TELUS Health EAP is here to support you and your family at every stage of life. - For 24/7 support, contact Telus Health at 1-844-671-3327 or one.telushealth.com. For more information on our EAP program, contact claims at 250-364-4149 or 250-364-4325

Onsite Mental Health Support Available With Jen Johnson                                                                                                             Our onsite counsellor Jen Johnson continues to help Trail employees through the mental health services that she offers. We are continuing to take appointments for this valuable service for Wednesdays.  If you are interested in a confidential appointment or have any questions regarding the program, contact Gord at gordon.menelaws@teck.com 

When Muscle Soreness Is Helpful Vrs. A Warning Sign- Shanelle Ainscow - RMT                                                                                                                                                                                                         After a long shift of repetitive tasks, sustained positions, or physically challenging work, some muscle soreness is a normal sign that your body has been pushed and is adapting to the demands placed on it. This type of mild discomfort usually settles within a day or two and reflects healthy use, not injury. Light movement, stretching, staying hydrated, and getting enough rest can all help your muscles recover and stay resilient for the next shift. However, sharp pain, ongoing discomfort, swelling, or weakness can signal that a muscle or joint is under more strain than it can recover from on its own. RMT can help identify areas that are overloaded and support recovery by reducing tension, improving mobility, and helping your body handle the physical demands of your work more comfortably. Taking care of smaller issues early can help you stay strong, capable, and on the job long term.