Merry Christmas from The Kootenays-British Columbia, Canada

December 31, 2025

This year, fellow Rotarian and friend, Tom Schneider, and I worked together on a very meaningful project – creating a cedar Peace Pole along the Lakeside pathway. 

The location we chose to erect the Peace Pole was perfect with views of the bridge to the east, Elephant Mountain across the lake to the north and Sunshine Bay to the south.

The cedar wood for the Peace Pole was donated by a local wood engineering company who also carved the wood into a 10 ft. high, 6-sided pole. Then they engraved “May Peace Prevail On Earth” in twelve different languages on the Peace Pole – two languages per each of the six sides of the Peace Pole.

The City of Nelson’s maintenance department donated and poured the concrete pads that the peace pole stands on. 

With the help of several other collaborators our peace pole was erected in time for the World Day of Peace on September 21st. Over one hundred Nelson locals participated in this very special event.

The Rotary Peace Pole project involved a lot of work but so worth it if, in some way, it will promote peace on earth.

Wishing you all the best in 2026.

Cheers,
Terry Lund, Rotarian