A white cross was placed on a tree across from Gerald Crescent this fall. I was saddened to learn that it was a memorial to Jessy, a perpetual puppy Shepard Cross dog, who was part of the James family for eight years. Jessy was killed instantly by a car traveling along Highway 24 on the night of Oct. 19 after she was enticed from her yard by a group of coyotes eating garbage found on the side of the highway. Although Jessy will be missed by her family, especially her American Eskimo pal, Aysu, the James family has welcomed a new Shepard-cross puppy, Keta, to help fill the void. Three white crosses near Boultbee Road, appeared shortly after a non-fatal motorcycle accident in 2005. This corner is dangerous if drivers exceed the speed limit or drive without due care and attention. Hopefully all the white crosses will remind drivers to be extra cautious along Highway 24.
Sleds not welcome
Heli-logging, north of the 201 Road, on the Wavey Lake Forestry Service Road (WLFSR) has begun. Two salvage-cut blocks may also be logged this winter. The Forest Service Road Use Regulation states: "A person must not operate a snowmobile on a forest service road if it appears that the road has been snowplowed, or that the road is otherwise fit for travel by motor vehicles other than snowmobiles. " This regulation is intended to preserve the plowed road for the industrial users and maintain a level of safety on an active road. This means that if there are plowed portions of WLFSR being used for logging, they should not be used for sledding. The many side roads and trails that lead off from the road are where sledders should go and play, for the safety of the loggers and sledders and to avoid a possible $58 fine.
Illegal dumping
Incidences of illegal dumping of wood waste on the Wavey Lake Forestry Service Road have prompted local residents to work with the Ministry of Forests to keep a lookout for the offenders. In the fall, the ministry made several attempts to burn the waste, but unsuccessfully due to the amount of dirt left on the stumps. There is a special wood waste site at the Interlakes Refuse Site, 15 minutes away, the appropriate place to dump wood waste. Alternatively, residents are encouraged to burn their waste wood on their own property providing it is safe to do so and the necessary permit is obtained.
A Feast!
What a great time I had at the Bridge Lake Elementary School’s Christmas concert on Dec 19. Congratulations to the Bridge Lake Community School for a fabulous turkey and ham dinner. It was so delicious that I was on the phone the next day to co-ordinator, Wendy Dubbin, for recipes. Although there are only a handful of school-aged children from Lac des Roches, they each did a wonderful job in their roles in the concert. I encourage neighbours to include this event in their Christmas celebrations every year for an entertaining and tasty evening.
Fire Truck has new Home
As reported by Diana Forester for Bridge Lake/Interlakes, Leroy and Kerry Wright are providing a much-needed temporary home for the Interlakes Volunteer Fire Department fire truck at the Bridge Lake Store. Since this is across the street from the old fire hall, Lac des Roches’s fire protection will be status quo. Thank you to the Wright’s!
Not alone
In December, I met some of the other community columnists, thanks to Free Press publisher Chris Nickless. I left our luncheon knowing there are other like-minded contributors in the Cariboo. Without telling specifics, we could easily fill a newspaper edition with our stories – mostly the ones where we laugh at ourselves – and that was from only a two-hour sitting! We all share an interest in neighbouring communities. For this reason, I would like to remind readers that any information about people or events – even those in surrounding areas – are of interest to a columnist, and will be passed along to one of us for follow-up.