— image credit: Sharron Woloshyn
Sampling Christmas baking and testing a new brewer was reason enough for all the ladies on Boultbee Road to enjoy a coffee party on Dec. 10. It happened to be the day snow started falling at 8 a.m. and continued all day until six inches of snow blanketed everything outdoors. After their noon walk on the road, the ladies happily labelled it “an inside day” and enjoyed their beverages and goodies.
Friends gathered
Thirteen members of the Friends of Lac des Roches and Birch Lake Society attended the annual general meeting Dec. 9. A summarization of the meeting and other community information will be posted on the group’s website at www.lacdesroches.org.
Festive spirits live here
Several residents have adorned their homes and yards with dazzling displays of decorative lights, giving the neighbourhood a wonderful festive feel going into the holiday season. Christmas decorations on a small evergreen tree, growing on the side of Highway 24 near the Wavey Lake turnoff has caught the eye of many residents. The anonymous decorators have certainly caused many drivers’ heads to turn and emit a chuckle at this surprising show of Christmas spirit on the edge of the wilderness.
Improved communication
It has been several years since a notice appeared in the 100 Mile House Free Press, indicating TELUS would be providing cellular phone service to the area. Until now, an adequate signal near the lake has been sporadic or non-existent. On Nov. 30, a communication tower was erected on the mountain north of the McDonald rest stop. Workers confirmed that connecting and testing take about two weeks before the tower is functioning. Evidently, newer technology may make some older phones obsolete, but residents seem quite willing to invest in newer phones in order to take advantage of this new service.
Share the road
The Wavey Lake Forest Service Road is a busy place and will continue to be so during the snowmobiling season. Sledders accessing trails can expect encounters with logging trucks during the week and possibly snow plows on the weekends on the 10 kilometres, from Highway 24 to the 205 or Meridian Lake Road.
Logging input sought
Local organizations have been notified by the Kamloops Forest District office that new logging southeast of Lac des Roches is slated for the years 2013/14. Property owners are invited to submit written input into the plan by Dec. 31. Contact the writer for more details.
Ice is dicey
Ice may have formed on Little Lac des Roches in late November, but the big lake is a lot slower to develop solid ice this year. Mild temperatures and wind account for thin or lack of ice around the lake. Heavy snowfall on Dec. 10 and 11 has the effect of insulating the thin ice and pushing water up through holes. Thin ice and a slushy layer on top is definitely not ideal ice conditions for safe winter play, so extreme caution must be exercised for a while yet.
Birders contribute
The 113th Christmas Bird Count for our area is schedule for Jan. 3 and is a great way to spend a winter’s day with family and friends. Bird activity is a known indicator of environmental threats and the data collected by volunteers throughout the world is used extensively for wildlife management of all species. Call Wendy at 250-593-2327 if you are interested in participating.
Christmas cheer
To all the residents and readers interested in our little corner of the South Cariboo, I wish you a very happy Christmas, a safe holiday and a prosperous and healthy new year.