Another thank you goes out to the Ministry of Highways for the new rumble strips that have been added to Highway 24, along the lake, since the repaving project was completed this year. Residents and visitors have frequently commented on the number of vehicles that drift over the centerline on this winding road, and readers may recall reading in this column about an Alberta driver who almost lost his pickup and travel trailer down the embankment near Boultbee Road due to an oncoming vehicle in his lane. Although the tires riding on the rumble strips can be heard for miles down the lake, we hope it is the occasional local driver, loosening the rocks from his tire tread when there is no traffic around, and not a careless driver meandering over the center line. The rumble strips are intended to alert drivers of their wayward driving and keep them in their lane, where they belong.
Ringers play on road
The Thanksgiving weekend marked the 20th anniversary of the Boultbee Road Horseshoe Tournament. This event has transformed over the years as the demographics of the residents of the road has changed. What was a junior and adult class tournament is now a two-day adult tourney, consisting of 44 players, randomly teamed. The first place winners for 2008 were the team of Mike Yeager and Kelly Raby although several other award categories recognized the achievements of many other players, including first time ringers. In addition to the games, barbeque and socializing, the group honoured retiring founder and organizers Deb Roysum and Barb St. Hilaire who have passed the task on to Patty Brenton, Kelly Raby and Karen Lefebvre, all of whom will start planning next year’s event around August.
Bear searches for food
The injured bear which has been feeding on natural food sources around the lake this fall and has become a familiar sight is now in danger. It stumbled onto two food source; used cooking oil and freshly hung game which, naturally, has kept it coming back hoping for more helpings of the same. All residents are careful about securing potential food sources, including garbage cans and compost material but oversights happen. We all must take responsibility for the safety of the wildlife we share the lake with and be diligent in our own actions of eliminating unnatural food sources. It would be a terrible shame to see this wild bear be labeled a nuisance bear and involve the authorities who have reportedly used drastic measures to rid an area of an unwanted bear.
Cattle on Highway 24
The single vehicle accident on the Lac des Roches hill involving a livestock hauler was a disturbing sight on the morning of Oct. 17. Although at least a dozen cattle died at the scene, evidence of the more than 70 surviving cattle escaping the scene and plodding east along the highway for miles was perhaps the most upsetting as their ordeal continued through the darkness of night. Despite the mild temperatures and clear conditions in the evening of Oct. 16, the truck did not successfully maneuver the corner and sent about 100 yards of newly placed concrete barriers over the embankment before upsetting the trailer filled with cattle. This is just another reason why drivers along this highway must expect the unexpected.