Dear Canimites,
It’s a verdant world out here, painted with a thousand shades of green.
Yellow Arnica carpets the ground in open woodlands, blending with the purple of Clematis, Fairy
Slippers and Early Blue Violets. The Saskatoons have shed their blooms and the fruit is setting nicely.
The insects managed a surprising feat of pollination considering that the week after the blooms appeared was marked with heavy rain, cool weather and gusty wind. I’m happy they did.
Goodbye sweet crib
Under cloudy skies and to the distant rumble of thunder, and with the shaggy dog, Bailey, staring balefully in through the window, crib players celebrated the end of a fun season within bright and snug “Margo’s Cabin.”
Margo Wagner served up barbecued delectables, while the group provided salads, rolls and desserts – a feast to the eye and to the palate.
This year, the group played for 19 evenings. Anyone who played 10 or more times was eligible for the prizes.
To put everyone on an even footing, a personal average was determined by adding the person’s total score for all evenings played, then dividing by the number of evenings in which they played.
Lynne Baker topped the list with a 572.5 average. The second-place slot was a “squeaker” with Doug McGregor slipping by Vicar Tyson Mastin by one-10th of a point at 568.1.
Better watch out next year, Doug. Tyson is Minnesota born and bred. A common saying in those parts is “Survive Minnesota and the rest of the world is easy.”
Terry Wagner collected the black-and-white fellow with the smile and the peculiar odour, as fate dished out a hopeless number of “skunks.”
Planter and bake sale
The annual Comm-unity Club Planter and Bake Sale fundraiser will be at the Canim Lake Store this coming Saturday (June 1) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Check out the neat swan planters donated by woodworker Doug Pendergast and the designer residences for birds donated by crafter couple Yvette and Doug Stark. Pick up a pie or other baked creation from the loving hands of the good women at Hawkins and Canim lakes.
Heck, why not have beef-on-a-bun at the same time and a good cup of coffee. All proceeds go to the Community Club.
Inside the store, you’ll find Granny Grace’s tasty fresh baked bread. I can guarantee you it toasts up to perfection.
Mike Palka of Eagle Creek will also be at the event with his line of handcrafted patio furniture, including a double settee, ideal for homes and cottages here in lake country.
Mike will have other items on hand, including his bat houses, which have been much in demand as the mosquito season intensifies.
Bits and bites
• Folks at the western end of Canim have been seeing a lot of sandhill cranes lately. Vicki Shirran has two groups of three on the farm each day, moving closer to the houses and enclosures than ever. The dogs let them be, so the birds are quite tolerant to the family as well.
The cranes are opportunistic feeders with a diet that includes seeds and berries, as well as living critters.
So, Vicki has seen them in the bush as well as the pastures, paddocks and wet areas.
• The Cariboo Regional District is having its board meeting in Lac la Hache June 6-7. All meetings are open to the public.
There is an opportunity to mix informally in a relaxed setting with board members at the public barbecue on June 6 at 5:30 p.m.
That’s all for now. Until next time here’s wishing you many blessings.