Dear Canimites
It’s a winter wonderland here in the Canim area, trees still laden with a burden of snow, and clear still days.
In the early morning sky, the Big Dipper is directly overhead, the handle arcing towards the southeast. Follow the arc to the next bright star to see Arcturus, 23 times the diameter of our sun and 130 times brighter. You will see the light that left it 37 years ago.
Remarkably, six swans remained at the head of the lake through Christmas Day. I suppose they figured Santa had that address.
Deb Eiriksson saw them on New Year’s Eve, in front of the Canim Lake Beach House at Sand Point, and Garry Baker reported the same “Group of Six” in front of his lakeside home on Jan 2. It’s amazing how these beautiful creatures function on a diet of cold weeds.
Hawkins Lake celebrates
It was a busy New Year’s at Hawkins Lake. Friends gathered on New Year’s Eve for the annual potluck at the home of Anssi and Donna Rantamaa.
Later that evening, at the stroke of midnight, Anssi touched off the first of the fireworks, continuing a tradition at the Lake that goes back 25 to 30 years. It’s getting bigger every year, he says, with other people now bringing pyrotechnical contributions to the show. It went on for about 15 minutes.
The next day brought the Sixth Annual Pine Beetle Bonspeidel. This mighty contest is played out on the ice of the lake using “rocks” fashioned years ago from beetle-killed pine out of Bob Campbell’s woodpile.
A calm day with -5C and even a bit of sun made for an enjoyable game, bringing out about 30 people, some to play and some to kibitz and just enjoy the shore-side fire and treats.
The lake was indeed frozen, but there were layers of slush under the snow making for difficult ice. However, Ted and June Clarke got a good sheet laid in close to shore and strictly according to official regulations, with Hawkins amendments, of course.
Harvey and Margie Ostroff contributed their barbecue and fire pit, and chairs were set into the deep snow.
Six years of play and the “rough-and-tumble” style of some of the Hawkins Lake curlers have taken their toll on Bob’s original wood “stones” and they have now been retired. It’s taking just too darn many three-inch deck screws to hold them together, he says. Watch for a new invention next year.
Calendar
• The Book Club meets at the home of Trephenia Belli to discuss Water for Elephants at 10 a.m., Jan. 15. Call Sheila Hart at 250-397-2645 for more information.
• Cribbage starts again in Margo’s Cabin on Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. New players are most welcome. Call Margo at 250-397-0016 for more information.
• The monthly Community Club Dinner will be at the Blue Sky Restaurant in 100 Mile House on Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. If you are not on Jean Reynolds’ phone list already, give her a call at 250-397-2773.
Thank you
2012 was a great year for our community.
Many thanks to all of you who helped me put the columns together, supplying information and fielding questions. Your patience and good humour was at times remarkable, and always appreciated.
Thanks also to you readers whose comments are so helpful. Your stories are so interesting and I am always anxious to hear them.
Until next time, here’s wishing you many blessings.