Category: Community Blog

Since it is time winterize and protect personal property, many residents will be looking for storage locations along the shore for boats and docks from the shifting spring ice which can be so destructive. A plea goes out to residents to be mindful of the winter use of public accesses for recreation, emergency and commercial use. Access to the lake is an essential part of living – and surviving – the winter on Lac des Roches. The lake can get heavy use for snowmobiling and ice fishing. Users from out of the area will trespass on private property to gain access to their popular spots on the lake if public access is barred by docks and boats. Water may be needed for fire suppression, particularly when absent cabin owners have shut down their water supply for the winter, and there is plenty of water under the ice to accommodate pumping equipment so long as they can get to the source. A local contractor uses the winter conditions to remove danger tree along the shore running several pieces of equipment on the ice, as close to the source as possible. Please keep the accesses clear.

A dozen Boultbee Road neighbours – including canines – donned their pink hats, bandanas, shirts and balloons to show their solidarity on Oct.5, for the popular “run for the cure” which is a nation-wide campaign sponsored by CIBC for breast cancer research and care. In honour of a resident and our dear friend recently diagnosed with the disease, the walking group and several absent residents contributed $265 toward the Edmonton fundraising campaign, where our walking pal is receiving her treatment. The fundraising group included a breast cancer survivor of 40 years so there are many happy endings to this serious disease. Thank you team!

 

 

Since noon on September 30, open burning has been permitted for yard clean-up in the Cariboo district.  Rules still apply to size and control which can be found on the website, bcwildfire.ca. Other than the sporadic downpours in September, the rain has continued to bypass the area however heavy dew and even frost (just last night) moistens the ground and wooden structures to provide some protection for early-morning burning. This is often the only time of the day where we can count on little or no wind as well.

The setting sun continues to shift to the south but the images from the south-facing lots on Lac des Roches are still as beautiful as ever!  This was taken on the evening of September 18, 2014.

Wind storms and beetles have had a natural effect of thinning out the forest but the improved visibility in the woods as the Fall season strips the leaves off the trees is always a welcome change to those of us who enjoy adventure walks in the woods, particularly when there are nice ripe berries around to entice the bears. All around the lake, there are ripe rose hips and cranberries which are known to attract hungry bears.  Although there has been little sign of these critters in our neighbourhoods this year, they are still foraging in preparation for winter’s hibernation and could be “out there”.

Throughout the summer, residents may have stumbled across many different mushrooms, particularly the giant puff balls that are so common in the grass fields around the lake.  Cooler weather of Fall provides the ideal conditions for the growth spurt we are experiencing now.  Many of the mushrooms that grow in our yards and nearby forest are edible, even considered “choice” for consumption, but extreme caution is always advised.  While many residents admit to enjoying the pastime of “mushroom hunting”, it is the squirrels that live among us which seem to collect the most mushrooms.  Squirrels will harvest mushrooms from both under and above the ground, lug them up a tree and leave them on a branch to dry for later consumption.  Aha, that explains all those mushrooms in the trees! Still unexplained are the “fairy rings” of mushrooms that are growing on the neighbourhood’s groomed lawns. Even an internet search simply provides theories on the biology of why the circles are formed but …why not considered them good luck and be glad you have found them, like a four-leafed clover?