Category: Community Blog

There is a temporary "rock island" on the ice at Little Lac des Roches, and as part of a fun community guessing game, residents are guessing when it will sink through the melting ice. Ice-off dates for the last two years were a month apart, so when the structure will sink is hard to predict, but guesses currently range between April 22 and May 22. One would hope the ice is gone by May 23 (Victoria Day), but only Mother Nature really knows. The attached float will identify its location for retrieval; however if that should fail, it is in the area used by the naval divers when they train under the ice, so they could be called upon for retrieval next January if necessary. Young resident, Piper Loft is our official day-time monitor, as she travels to and from school on the bus, and Luca Lanzoni from the Lac des Roches Resort will monitor the island at night.

Snow melt

Except for some overflow on Boultbee Road due to a frozen culvert, the slow pace this year’s snow and ice are melting is causing no apparent damage around the lake. Some years, shovels and picks are not adequate for managing the trenches and temporary ditches required to divert high volumes of run-off water to more suitable paths. The cooler temperatures during the day and mild temperatures at night are melting the snow and thawing the ground at about the same rate, so the ground is able to absorb most of the water. Last year, residents were raking the gravel off the lawns in April and burning winter’s debris as early as January. This year, the start of summer yard work will likely have to wait until late spring or early summer.

Ice stable

There is subtle melting along the shore in shallow bays and through the channel, but the majority of the ice is still very solid and deep, supporting both walkers and sledders. After all the damage to docks last year, property owners would certainly welcome a year of slow melting, stable ice on the lake.

Book club

The Bridge Lake Book Club met at Wendy Marshall’s home on April 2 to discuss The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. The book has been translated from French and is well worth the read if a copy can be tracked down. The next meeting has been changed to May 14 and will be held at Wendy Dubbin’s home on Bridge Lake to discuss Curiosity, which is available through the local library, by Joan Thomas.

Garage sale

Word has been sent out to residents about possibly holding a community garage sale on the May long weekend. Since we are the furthest South Cariboo community southeast of 100 Mile House, it makes sense to make the trip worthwhile to prospective shoppers. Residents interested in utilizing this time frame for a garage sale should call Sharron at 250-593-0041 so advertising can reflect this as a community event.

Pole walkers

Saturday morning pole walkers meet at the Bridge Lake School rather than the Cottonwood Corner. Everyone is invited to this free, one-hour trek around the neighbourhood for excellent exercise and good conversation.

Despite the eight-hour snow storm on the first full day of spring last week, Lac des Roches residents are convinced that winter is over, as the signs surround us. Some are obvious; some are subtle. Following are some of the observations from around the lake, some sure signs of spring, otherwise known as mud season out here. Snowplows have been removed from the front of trucks and ATVs. Frozen gutters and downspouts cause daytime flooding everywhere. Warmers are no longer needed inside mitts and winter boots. Otters are feeding at natural ice holes appearing all over the lake where the snow has melted. Woodpiles have dwindled to narrow stacks and bark debris. Snow hoodoos along the road change daily as ice formations outlast the melting snow around them. Moose have returned and are pruning the Saskatoon and willows in all the yards. Very noisy crows are building nests high in the spruce trees we wish we had taken down last fall. Cold weather boots are being replaced by rubber boots, better to repel the relentless mud. Snowshoes are required on the lake to stay on top of the growing layer of slush under the snow. Coffee talk is focused on topsoil, manure and seedlings, rather than the weather. Extra effort is required to keep the sand and mud from being tracked in the house on pets’ feet. Yard clutter is appearing beneath the melting snow, as are missing items lost during winter. Ice grippers on boots and shoes are on and off, depending on the time of day. Most snow has slid off the metal roofs, showing some signs of damage, especially to gutters. Several pairs of eagles have returned and are scouting out potential nesting areas all around the lake. Long icicles hang off north-facing eaves, still posing a threat to people and animals should they fall. Flocks of swans and geese are flying overhead although they’re much quieter than they were on their southbound journey. Area snowmobilers are trailering their sleds up the mountain to enjoy the remaining days of sledding. While many of these signs of spring are inevitable and welcomed by most, there are a few ladies who share my dismay that with the loss of our days of sub-zero temperatures, we have lost of our excuse not to clean the outside windows.

Pole walkers

An instructional course on pole walking, hosted by the Bridge Lake Community School on March 12, has led area walkers to commit to this popular sport. Kathy and Peter Crawshay provided preliminary instruction and the nine attendees enjoyed a new experience around Webb Lake. The group walks will now be co-ordinated by this writer, and are initially slated for Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. Walkers will meet at the Cottonwood Corner postal boxes where North Bridge Lake Road meets Highway 24 at the southeast corner of Bridge Lake. Location, dates, times and frequency are subject to change, depending on the participants, but exercise, conversation and some good laughs are a guarantee and everyone is welcome for this free, drop-in walk.

Book club

The next Bridge Lake Book club discussion will be held at Lac des Roches on April 2 at 1:30 p.m. Phone Wendy Dubbin at 593-4538 for details of the finalized location. This month’s discussion is on Muriel Barbery’s book, The Elegance of the Hedgehog.

Several Lac des Roches residents showcased their talent at the Bridge Lake Community School Society’s Cabin Fever dinner on March 12. Musical performances included many songs by the popular trio of Steve and Prairie James and Ed Salos, and several songs by the young trio of Takara and Richie and Ricky James. Piper Loft demonstrated her amazing flexibility by performing her own gymnastics routine, including some ribbon apparatus work. All of the evening’s performers were well received by a very appreciative audience.

Logging resumes

Sledders should be aware that the lack of logging trucks and snowplowing equipment on Wavey Lake Forestry Service Road appears to have been a temporary shutdown and active logging has resumed. Several loaded trucks are on the road during the week and the plow is often on the road during the weekends if there is a fresh snowfall. At any time, licensed vehicles may be encountered on the road.

Transfer station

Nearby Thompson-Nicola Regional District residents living at Phinetta and Birch lakes may be surprised to learn there is a plan to remove their rural transfer station for solid waste. Notices of closures planned this year have been posted throughout the region and the sign at the Opax refuse site has been changed to indicate the facility is temporary.

Gymnasts’ fundraiser

The fundraising auction and dinner, which will help the local rhythmic gymnastics team perform as part of the Canadian World Gymnaestrada delegation, is scheduled for March 26 at the Interlakes Community Hall. Three members of the team reside at Lac des Roches. Admission is free. Please call Sharron at 250-593-0041 to reserve your seat.

High-speed wireless running

Several Lac des Roches residents report they have been successfully linked to the new wireless tower located on Eagleridge Road at the west end of Lac des Roches. In addition to the improved speed and capacity at which Internet links can be made, it is the increased availability of home phone lines for actual telephone use that is making a huge difference for many residents.

Safety hazards

Residents may want to check snow loads around the neighbourhood where structures may be susceptible to damage with the heavy buildup of snow and ice. While flat-roofed and cloth structures may be damaged by the weight of buildup, any equipment and structures can be damaged by the large sheets of snow and ice that will slide off certain structures in the warming daytime temperatures. Pets and people are at risk of injury if walking paths are susceptible to sliding snow or falling ice.

Signs of spring

While pussy willows were spotted on nearby Webb Lake at the beginning of March, there are no known hints of these typical signs of spring at Lac des Roches. One resident did report seeing a red-winged blackbird last week, which is a sure sign of spring, and an eagle was spotted near Eagleridge Road, just west of Lac des Roches. Spring is definitely on its way.

Recovery wishes

The daily walks of the Boultbee Gals are a little lonely these days since our founding member Elsie Clarkson has been sidelined by her doctor. Hopefully, she will be back with her walking poles, enjoying the spring weather and contributing to our wonderful conversations soon.

Logging is definitely big business around Lac des Roches. All winter, we have listened to the equipment working beyond the south hills and down Machete Road. Sledders have limited their travel on Wavey Lake Road due to active logging, which now seems to be completed, as the road is no longer being plowed. The expected logging near Phinetta Lake, east of Lac des Roches is underway and most of the work is clearly visible from Highway 24.

Ice is good

Ice conditions on Lac des Roches appear to be safe for winter activities. There are places where the layer of slush under the snow is deep, but the ice below averages 12 inches of thickness. There is plenty of snow on the lake for sledding, snowshoeing and skiing. Several ice fishers have been spotted trying their luck on both lakes, but success rates are quite typical – lots of bites – few landed fish.

Cutting and chipping

Thousands of dead trees, which could potentially take down hydro lines, are being cut and chipped this winter in the South Cariboo. Crew members working on Boultbee Road in February explained that branches less than six inches in diameter are chipped on the spot and larger diameter trees are cut up into short lengths and left in yards for cleanup and disposal by property owners.

Out and about

Several Lac des Roches residents are volunteering with the Bridge Lake Community School Society and would like to invite neighbours to enjoy some upcoming fun. The Cabin Fever "all you can eat spaghetti dinner" on March 4 is a popular event. Adults eat for $10; children eat for free. Several local residents are expected to perform after dinner. On March 6, a three-hour snowshoe excursion, near the school, could be the first of several outings in 2011 if the weather co-operates. Meet at the school with shoes, poles and a snack by 10 a.m. March 12 will be the first get-together for pole walkers, as an hour-long trek will be held near the school. This could also become a regular event if there is adequate interest. Meet at the school by 10 a.m. with appropriate footwear, poles and a beverage.

Auction slated

The Interlakes Community Hall at Roe Lake is the new venue for the big fundraising auction for the local gymnastics team, which has been rescheduled for March 26. Proceeds from the auction and a portion of beverage and food sales will be used to help our ladies and girls join the Canadian team and perform at the 2011 World Gymnaestrada in Switzerland in July. Please come out and support these enthusiastic athletes. Beverages and food are available starting at 5:30 p.m. and the auction will begin at 7.

Book club

The next meeting of the Bridge Lake Book Club will be held at Sharron’s house, March 5. As always, we can expect a lively discussion among this eclectic group when they discuss Lionel Shriver’s novel, We Need to Talk about Kevin.

Wildlife revealed

The increased sightings of moose and deer may be attributed to longer days, colder temperatures or deep snow in the hills, but regardless of the reason, residents are thrilled to see the return of so many animals to the neighbourhood. The frequent snow storms and subsequent critter tracks have revealed the most popular driveway culverts the local fox and coyotes have been using as dens this winter. By all reports, human encounters with wildlife this winter have been without incident.

Lac des Roches residents reacted quickly to the call that a sledder had gone through the ice a few weeks ago. Rounding up salvage gear and dry clothing took only a matter of minutes and rescuers set off with sleds and a truck loaded with gear to deal with the unknown. Fortunately, the incident was not as severe as imagined and involved only one sled submersed in relatively shallow water. No damage or injury resulted and the sled ran fine once cleared of the ice and mud. The incident served as a reminder lake ice can be unpredictable and riding is safer with a group. It is comforting to know we live in a community where a call for help is met with swift response by caring and helpful neighbours.

Photos tell an old story

Bill Jollymore was one of many photographers at the Bridge Lake Photo Club’s annual exhibit held on Jan. 30. Bill and his wife, Lori, are fond of travelling and their display included pictures of their worldly trips. Bill is one of the few photographers who will not convert to the digital age. He still uses a conventional camera, which exposes the image on film. I believe the unwritten message we can assume from the biography image of Bill standing next to a dinosaur mount is quite clear; there will always be a place for antiquity.

Auction postponed

The Club Excel Gymnastics group had to postpone its fundraising auction due to the sudden and unexpected closure of the Fish On Interlakes Pub. The club has rescheduled the auction at a nearby venue. Watch the paper and local bulleting boards for the new date and location and plan to come out and support these energetic athletes from your community.

Dive team back

As inconspicuous as a tent on the lake may seem during ice fishing season in the Cariboo, the green canvas structure on Little Lac des Roches last week was definitely not there for fishing. After a two-year absence due to the Olympics, the Canadian Navy’s dive team is back for its annual winter underwater rescue and recovery training. Inside the tent is a six-foot diameter access hole in the ice. After the exercises, the ice plug was replaced, restoring the lake to its safe, winter condition.

Website linking

The website for the reorganized Highway 24 Tourist Association, www.fishinghighway24.ca, is up and running. It will soon be linked to the website for Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake, which has joined the group as an active member association.

Seasonal residents unavailable

Given the area’s large seasonal residency, it was no surprise only a few residents attended the Cariboo Regional District’s (CRD) Area L budget meeting on Jan. 29. The few attendees showed concern when Area L Director Bruce Rattray indicated that recreational facilities in 100 Mile House and solid-waste costs, currently outside the Lac des Roches tax boundary are the subject of the CRD’s goal to expand cost sharing among the region’s taxpayers.

Fast Internet

High speed Internet should soon be available at Lac des Roche after testing later this month. Residents should call ABC Communications at 250-395-4397 to discuss the new service.

Good bye good dog

My husband Al and I are very sad due to the loss of our little pal, Cali. Although we pampered our joyful little pup for a mere 16 years, the happy memories of our furry friend will be with us forever. She will be missed.

Lac des Roches residents asked, "What’s a jumble sale?" It was a common question posed around the neighbourhood in the weeks leading up to the Jan. 23 event, hosted by the Bridge Lake Community School Society (BLCSS). Evidently, it is an English term for a flea market or garage sale. Perhaps it was curiosity over the name, but it was most likely the well-known generous nature of members of our community that brought approximately 100 patrons to Bridge Lake School to purchase books, puzzles, games, movies, jumble wares and enjoy delicious barbequed hotdogs. The society is very grateful for all the supporters of this successful event, particularly the many dedicated volunteers and local businesses that support this worthwhile group. Every item in the sale was donated from the community, so all the revenue generated, more than $800, will be put towards funding the many after-school programs and hot lunches.

Tracks on tracks

An amusing sight that continues to entertain Lac des Roches residents is the adaptation of our local wildlife to our domesticated ways. Whether the well-worn paths seen in the snow around the homes are maintained by neighbours shovelling paths or simply packing down the snow with boots or snow shoes, they are constantly used by the small and large critters we share our yards with. Evidence of rabbits, fox, coyotes and deer is common. The long-legged moose, which seem to have no limits to where they will travel in the deep snow, are often frequent users of groomed paths. Our wild friends surely must appreciate getting around a little bit easier when we receive normal snowfall amounts like we are experiencing this winter.

Cozy learning

Residents from Lac des Roches continue to participate in the many learning and entertainment opportunities provided by the BLCSS. The crochet slipper program on Feb. 15 is a repeat course due to its popularity. For $8, students receive two hours of training and leave the one-night session equipped with comprehensive instructions and a pair of cozy slippers for themselves, a head start on the many slippers they will want to create for their family and friends. Call Wendy at 250-593-4538 to register.

Considering membership

Several members from the Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake stewardship society attended the Fishing Highway Association meeting Jan. 24. Like many businesses along the Highway 24 corridor, community organizations and individuals have been invited to join the revitalized association to promote the area for its livability, vacation and business potential. The group’s new mandate includes a focus on "… wise use of land resources …" which is of particular interest to the lake stewardship group.

Get well soon

To Deka Lake and Interlakes correspondent Diana Forester, many wishes for a speedy recovery are sent from your friends at Lac des Roches who have heard of your untimely and unfortunate health issue.

Lac des Roches’ ice conditions have improved with colder temperatures in January. While walkers and skaters have enjoyed the playing surface right out to Rock Island, sledders have been more cautious, sticking to the shoreline. There is some water below the snow and on top of the ice in the channel where the weight of the snow has pushed down the ice and water has seeped up through the cracks. There are a few small holes in the ice as well, evidence of the many underwater springs that keep the ice from freezing.

Nine ladies dancing

Four ladies from Lac des Roches benefit from the exercise and fun they enjoy with the Club Excel Rhythmic Gymnastics Club that practices at the Bridge Lake School on Monday nights. This small performance group of ladies, aged nine – 59, has some exciting plans this year. Three of our residents make up the "9 ladies dancing" who have qualified for the 2011 Canadian World Gymnaestrada delegation participating in the 2011 World Gymneastrada in Switzerland this July. A merchandise auction is scheduled for 7 p.m. , Feb. 12 at the Fish On Pub at Interlakes Corner to raise funds to assist with the cost of registration and travel for these very ambitious ladies. Please come to the auction to meet and support the members of the team and participate in this fun event.

Private means private

Some residents are once again lamenting the fact that snow-covered lawns seem to draw trespassers on foot and snowmobiles like magnets. With the frozen lake, surrounding Crown land and a winter playground at our doorstep, it is quite remarkable so many people don’t respect fences and signs that indicate private property. Residents, particularly those who allow unaccompanied visitors into their homes and cabins, should ensure their guests understand that all easily-accessed land around the lake is privately-owned and requires the owner’s permission to access it for any purpose.

Storm hits area

A severe snow squall that swept through the area on Jan. 7 was spectacular. After a mild and sunny day, the fast development of an enormous black cloud to the west was the first indication that something was about to change. Within the hour an opaque wall of white hail and snow had materialized and travelled eastward, along the entire length of the lake. The accompanying westerly wind downed one tree on McCarthy Road, which damaged a fence.

Book club

Eleven members of the Bridge Lake Book Club met at Lori Jollymore’s Lac des Roches home on Jan. 8 to discuss a popular novel The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. Members travel from as far away as 108 Mile to share their opinions and join in the lively discussions among this diversified group of readers and their eclectic choice of books. The March 5 meeting is scheduled at Lac des Roches.

Donations needed

The deadline for donations of books and entertainment items for the Bridge Lake Community School’s "Jumble Sale" on Jan. 23 has been extended to Jan. 20 to accommodate those neighbours still rummaging through their bookshelves and closets. Call Sharron at 250-593-0041 to arrange for a convenient drop-off location.

Friends gather

Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake (Society) met on Jan. 12 to discuss the progress on reducing the boating speed on Little Lac des Roches to 10 km/h. The Cariboo Regional District will apply for the change and host the required public hearing later this summer. Public input is important for this initiative.

Thin ice on Lac des Roches caught two walkers off guard on Christmas Day. In two separate incidents, a walker wearing winter boots and one wearing snowshoes, broke through the ice in the narrow channel connecting Little Lac des Roches with the bigger lake. Although the channel is shallow and only waist-deep on an adult, the incidences could have been much more serious if they had involved children or pets. A large patch of open water, still seen on Dec. 28, near Boultbee Road is evidence of how thin and weak the ice is. Clearly, the ice on the big lake should be avoided until well into this winter and much colder weather.

Birders count

Local birding enthusiast Wendy Marshall led a group of nine equally avid birders out for the annual Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 18. The excursion starts and ends at Lac des Roches, and involves a 25-kilometre route around Bridge Lake. The group counts varieties and numbers of our winged friends, hearty enough to stay in the area during winter. Once again, Tom Godin, 100 Mile House wildlife specialist and artist, joined the group and provided his usual entertaining and informative comments throughout the day. Tom managed to snap a photograph of a Barred Owl spotted during the excursion, which was a special sight for the group.

Book club

The local book club will meet on Jan. 4 at Lori Jollymore’s home to discuss The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. Call Wendy at 593-4538 for details.

Donations wanted

The deadline for donations of books and tabletop entertainment items is Jan. 15. These items will be displayed at the upcoming fundraising Play It Again Sports and Entertainment Jumble Sale hosted by the Bridge Lake Community School on Jan. 23. Call Wendy at 593-4538 to reserve a table to sell your unwanted items and for more information.

New goals

Winning at Losing is a group discussion on healthy lifestyle and nutrition and is scheduled to take place on Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Bridge Lake School. Several Lac des Roches ladies lead a discussion on personal weight management control and invite anyone to join in. This may be helpful to those considering weight loss as a personal goal for the new year. The drop-in fee for the community school is $2.

Trees downed

On Christmas morning, one neighbour awoke to find two large spruce trees, snapped at their bases, down in his yard. Whether it was as a result of a misguided flying sleigh or the very strong winds that blew for days through the area is debatable; however, there was no question the damage to two boats stored on the property was extensive.

Power blips

Frequent intermittent power losses at Lac des Roches this fall may be the reason for an increased number of household equipment failures. Several residents have reported problems with electronic and computer components. It has been suggested residents can mitigate the effect of voltage variations by installing surge protection on sensitive electronic equipment and computer-controlled appliances.

Critter counts

In addition to the regular sightings of moose, deer and fox around the lake, lucky neighbours were delighted to spot a group of four bobcats on nearby Wavey Lake Forestry Service Road in mid-December. They appeared to be a family of a mom and three young.

Lac des Roches is looking very festive these days as residents brighten the neighbourhood with colourful Christmas lights and decorations. For those residents who will be absent during the holidays, enjoy your Christmas and travel safely. For all those neighbours who will enjoy their holiday celebrations closer to home, mind the slippery conditions, beware of thin ice and Merry Christmas from your faithful community correspondent.

Armchair travelling

Bill and Lorraine Jollymore entertained an audience of 33 patrons on Dec. 12 with their slide show of their tour around Newfoundland. This is Bill and Lori’s second presentation this year. In March, they presented their slide show of their trip to New Zealand. Throughout the year, the Bridge Lake Library branch hosts Travel on Sundays, featuring travel adventures by South Cariboo residents. The next armchair trip is to Alaska on Jan. 16.

Book Club

Thirteen members of the Bridge Lake Book Club met on Dec. 4 at Wendy Marshall’s home and discussed the novel, Major Petigrew’s Last Stand, by Helen Simonson, among many other topics. The next discussion will also be at Lac des Roches, hosted by Lori Jollymore on Jan. 8, and the book selection is a novel by Garth Stein, The Art of Racing in the Rain.

Lake ice is behaving badly

The ice trying to form on Lac des Roches has provided quite a show this fall. Ice has been on and off the big lake several times during December although it may have finally frozen over on Dec. 15. West of Rock Island and in the Eagle Island narrows, the wave action of the ice will likely have left some very rough sections, challenging skiers and sledders for the rest of the winter. Shifting sheets of ice due to high winds have dislodged wharves and markers. Normally, it’s a problem we deal with during breakup in April or May. Floating markers will become lodged in the ice and may be moved with the shifting ice. To avoid damage to waterworks orother underwater equipment, markers should never be attached to their subject.

Sledders warning

Logging on the Wavey Lake Forest Service Road is expected to continue into January. This means the road will be plowed to accommodate several logging trucks during the weekdays. Since the plowing goes past Cow Camp, near the Bushwackers Clubhouse, sledders must use extra caution when accessing the many snowmobile trails from the road.

Ice covered Little Lac des Roches on Nov. 19 when night-time temperatures stayed below zero, and has remained intact through the severe wind storms that followed. Although it appeared ice covered the big lake on Nov. 29, when temperatures had dipped below -20 C, there were open patches at the west end. The strong winds and wave action has been taking the ice off ever since. Cold temperatures and still air is needed soon to freeze the big lake and ensure the ice is thick enough for the many holiday visitors who use the lake for cross-country skiing, walking and sledding. Birdwatchers busy
Birding continues to be active throughout the winter. The Feeder Watch program is in full swing and will continue until April. Residents are encouraged to participate in this fun activity and data collection is flexible within a few guidelines at www.birdscanada.org. The Christmas Bird Count outing will begin at Lac des Roches on the morning of Dec. 18. Area naturalist Tom Godin will be along for this fun-filled day of touring nearby Bridge Lake, ending back at Lac des Roches for refreshments. Wendy Marshall at 593-2327 needs to know who will be participating, in order to plan the excursion by Dec. 17. Bring a lunch, dress warm and expect to be entertained.

Sewing cause

Lac des Roches’ Bee Gees (Boultbee Gals) held another "bee" in November. With their sewing machines, a full coffee pot and Christmas baking samples, the ladies made 16 cloth table coverings for the Bridge Lake Community School Society. The new table cloths will debut at the school’s upcoming public Christmas Dinner and Concert on Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. Thanks to George Martin for his generous donation of very suitable fabric.

Winners succeed

The winning at losing session for the Bridge Lake Community School Society was a success and will continue as an informal drop-in session for those interested in discussing healthy lifestyle changes. Call Wendy at 593-4538 for more information.

Lake monitors

The Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake met on Nov. 24 to discuss water quality monitoring. Marg Sidney from the Ministry of Environment in Kamloops attended the meeting and discussed testing methods, data collection timing and the conclusions that have been documented in the reports generated by the BC Lake Stewardship Society (BCLSS) for both Lac des Roches and Little Lac des Roches. The lakes are considered healthy at the existing level of development, but the increased nutrients found in the lakes are not coming from the lake itself – the natural method – but rather from external sources such as household waste water, farming and logging activities and, most definitely, road maintenance. For this reason, residents and agencies must be aware of the chemicals being used in everyday living and eliminate those which are known to be harmful to the environment.

Daily exercising

The walkers of Boultbee Road are not deterred by the snow or cold weather. The ladies are grateful to Interior Roads for the plowing and sanding which makes walking a lot easier although walking poles and boots grippers are highly recommended. Special thanks to John Clarkson for his considerate gesture of plowing a walk path for the ladies when the plow is detained. The walkers meet at the half way point on the road at 12:30 p.mm every day and invite all the local ladies to join for good conversation and exercise.