The constant drone of active logging that has drifted over the south Lac des Roches hills during these winter months seems to have stopped. In its place is the resounding sound of the shifting and cracking ice that now fills the air — night and day. Mild temperatures, strong winds and lack of sound-buffing snow are all contributing to the eerie yet delightful sounds that only a frozen lake can emit.
Land values rise
Residents are reporting about a 30 per cent increase to land values on their 2010 assessment notices for properties that lie in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District at the east end of Lac des Roches and those in the Cariboo Regional District at the west end. The subsequent calculation of property tax, while based mostly on assessment values, will reflect the regional districts’ tax differences, but we won’t see these for a few months yet. It is definitely time to start putting away a little extra savings to pay for the anticipated tax increases. Information on area assessments and related processes are all available on the website; www.bcassessment.bc.ca/evaluebc.
Readers retreat
The Feb. 6 meeting of the Bridge Lake Book Club will be hosted at the Woloshyn home on Lac des Roches, when the group will discuss The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill. Contact Wendy Dubbin at 250-593-4538 for details.
Give a hoot
Owls have been very active around the lake recently. Since they are nocturnal, most are simply heard, but a boreal owl was spotted in the area in January. Last week, on a rare calm evening, three owls where heard conversing from the treetops around the beaver pond at the east end of Boultbee Road and a Great-horned owl was heard calling in the night at the west end of the big lake.
Bird counting
Residents are encouraged to donate a minimum of 15 minutes of their time and join in on the Great Backyard Bird Count initiative Feb. 12-15. Volunteers report their sightings on-line to www.birdcount.org where instructions on ‘how to participate’ can be found. This is just one of the many bird studies local birding enthusiast Wendy Marshall is involved in, and she has offered to answer any questions volunteers may have on this activity. She can be reached at 250-593-2327.
Celebrations
Marguerite Neill will celebrate her February birthday later this year with nine high school chums at their decades-old annual pajama party. Never mind that this is the year they all turn 70… apparently even golden girls "just wanna have fun. " Happy birthday to Luca Lanzoni who is very active resident. Although winter months in the South Cariboo are traditionally known to be the resort industry’s quieter time, Luca’s involvement with the Bridge Lake Elementary School and his many artistic pursuits means his days are anything but quiet. Best wishes to you two and all those celebrating personal milestones this month.