Jan. 1
Lost keys lead to novel solution
When former resident Shawna MacLeod was visiting her family in Lac la Hache, she encountered a bit of a snag.
Her mother-in-law, Barb MacLeod, said it started when Shawna was outside at her parents' ranch having some fun with her children in a snow bank in late November.
"She was doing somersaults and playing in the snow, and her keys fell out of her pocket. Shawna could not find them."
A metal detector was borrowed from Garry and Elsie Babcock to recover the missing keys.
Jan. 8
Bringing out what 100 Mile has to offer
The Hun City Hunnies are the first to say it – there's isn't a straight-laced, formal group.
They're a little bit different as far as non-profits go. Their mission is bringing fun to town, and bringing out what 100 Mile House has to offer.
The local non-profit community improvement society was busy with several events and initiatives, so there was much to discuss coming up in 2014.
Jan. 15
Great spectator turnout for 2014 Cariboo Challenge
The 2014 Cariboo Challenge Sled Dog Race started with some wet weather Saturday morning, but culminated with a very interesting finish Sunday afternoon – and all-in-all, organizers called the Jan. 10-12 event a success.
It was very much an entertaining couple of days, says organizer Len Doucette.
Jan. 22
Conditions right, trails 'beautiful' for Cariboo Marathon
Cariboo Marathon committee chair Nicola Maughn said the Feb. 8 race was “on track.”
Snow conditions were good and preparations were going well for the popular cross-country skiing event at 99 Mile Ski Trails in 100 Mile House.
In 2013, the race attracted 150 entrants. This year the race was cancelled for lack of organizers.
Jan. 29
Geography knowledge tested
100 Mile House Elementary School teachers Jim Price and Sally Morgan read questions and students hurried to jot down the right answers during an annual, nation-wide geography contest on Jan. 23.
Thirty students from Grades 4-6 and 24 students from Grade 7 qualified in the classroom portion of the 2014 Great Canadian Geography Challenge.
Feb. 5
Green Lake superstars invite Vancouver Canucks alumni
Dave MacIntosh, his son, Steve, and three of Steve's buddies came up to Green Lake to play hockey about eight years ago, and they have been clearing off a small rink to play shinny every Christmas holiday since.
This year, players included Vancouver Canucks alumni who all seemed to have a great time. It was a chilly, foggy afternoon when the four Canucks – Kirk McLean, Cliff Ronning, Dave Babych and Geoff Courtnall – arrived.
Feb. 12
Just like the old days
Shane Gunn looked around the garage and knew he had to have it all – the sleds, the suits, everything.
After all, the 1979 TNT Everest 440 and two 1980 Everest 500s, and vintage yellow, orange, red and black Ski-Doo gear to go with them, were more than just a cool novelty for the 100 Mile House resident. There's a long history here, one Gunn recalled fondly.
Feb. 19
Temperatures low, spirits high at Cariboo Marathon
It was the “diehards” who ascended the 99 Mile Hill Ski Trails, cutting through the cold and zooming through the snow-dusted conifers, to compete in the Cariboo Marathon on Feb. 8.
Low temperatures kept a number of participants away from the cross-country skiing event.
Feb. 26
Students celebrated French culture
Students bounded from station to station to slide and snowshoe and play a variety of winter games at Centennial Park on Feb. 14.
The day of fun in the park capped off 100 Mile House Elementary School's French Celebration Week, which aimed to raise awareness of its French Immersion program and celebrate French Canadian culture and traditions.
March 5
Students take learning to new level with quality projects
Judges and visitors examined the work of dozens of students, walking through rows of colourful and thought-provoking projects on display in the 100 Mile House Elementary School gymnasium at a District Science Fair on Feb. 25.
Students presented for the chance to compete at a Regional Science Fair at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, April 3-4.
March 12
Taking it to the streets, getting gnarly in 100 Mile
A crew of Whistler snowboarders set up shop in 100 Mile House on Feb. 15 to slide down the long purple handrail that snakes down into Centennial Park in 100 Mile House.
Their street style was pretty gnarly, and the crew captured it all on video.
March 19
Minor hockey promotes positive message with anti-bullying night
Relax, hockey is fun.
That was the message the 100 Mile & District Minor Hockey Association hoped to get across to parents and players at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre on March 6.
An anti-bullying-themed event saw dozens of young, local skaters take to the ice for three-on-three and five-on-five tournaments, and dozens more in the building off the ice for a mini-stick tournament.
March 26
Gala shines light on local business
It was all business at the 100 Mile House Community Hall on March 22, where a number of local businesses, organizations and individuals were honoured as part of the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce's 20th Annual Business Excellence Awards and Citizen of the Year Celebration.
Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett presented the Citizen of the Year Award to Tom Bachynski and Lorette Penn.
April 2
A tight group
100 Mile House Free Press reporter Gaven Crites joined close quarters battle (CQB) shooters for a night of target training in the Horse Lake Training Centre basement.
As a novice shooter, it was quite an experience, and it was hard to imagine a better range officer than Julian Willsey, the rifle chair with the Lone Butte Fish & Wildlife Association.
April 9
Singing his face off
Aaron Durand, 29, who was born and raised in 100 Mile House, discussed his time as a member of the Vancouver Opera's Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program.
“You put your best foot out there and sing your face off for opera companies and for agents. I've got to trust in the skills I have acquired in the last few years.”
April 16
Tough exteriors, soft hearts
Members of the Psalm 23 Transition Society, an addiction treatment centre at 59 Mile, had dozens of paintings on display at Parkside Art Gallery in 100 Mile House for an exhibition called “Darkness into Light – The Transition Through Recovery.”
Art expression has been a part of the organization's recovery program for three years, but the public exhibition was a first.
April 23
Brainy pupils discover top results at regional science fair
Several local students won awards for their exhibits at the Cariboo Mainline Regional Science Fair in Kamloops on April 3-4.
Receiving a number of top honours was Leanne Varney, a Grade 10 student at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School.
Varney not only won gold in her category, as she also took home best Environmental Science Award, Best Intermediate Award, and an award from the Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology.
April 30
First Nation students excel
A skills-training program for Canim Lake Band (CLB) adult students at the 100 Mile House campus of Thompson Rivers University showed great success.
CLB adult basic education co-ordinator Kyla Miller said it is a dynamic program that both evolves and revolves around the students’ individual goals, and gives them a feeling of pride and accomplishment.
The program provides basic skills and knowledge to prepare students for pursuing post-secondary education, trades training, or employment, as well as a sense of self-fulfillment and satisfaction.