Dear Canimites,
Summer hangs on with a late burst of glorious weather, though signs of the changing season abound.
In Bridge Creek's delta, kingfishers nag their raucous offspring into feeding themselves, while a solitary tern, already on the move to a distant haven, restlessly patrols the shallows.
In many a kitchen, the enticing aromas of canning fruit and vegetables, the bounty of gardens, summon visions of feasts past and yet to come.
New Canadian
Congratulations to Margo Wagner who gained her Canadian citizenship in a ceremony in Vernon last week.
Margo came to Canada from the United Kingdom in 1975 to take a job as a registered nurse in pediatrics at Wetaskiwin, Alta. She filled in doing emergency runs with the ambulances and eventually ran a home-dialysis program on the Hobema Reserve, the first non-aboriginal woman in Canada to do so.
She now lives with her husband, Brian, at Canim Lake. Margo helps train the fire department's medical first responders and serves as president of the Community Club and the Canim Citizens on Patrol group.
Devil beetle
Several old-growth Douglas-firs along Canim's northwest side showed signs of severe distress this summer and were cut.
The bole (tree trunk) I saw was infested with Douglas-fir bark beetles, which had obviously played a large part in the tree's demise. As the wood is too wet to be suitable for firewood this winter, it is being debarked to kill the beetles and then stacked for drying.
If someone were to simply move this wood without debarking, they could inadvertently seed their own land and that of their neighbours with the beetles that will emerge next spring.
Trees that have been dead for a year or more and are dry do not pose this hazard. Information about the Douglas-fir beetle cycle can be found online and in publications available at the Service BC Centre in 100 Mile House.
Back to school
Local senior secondary school students are talking about their new studies with an infectious optimism and energy.
Robin Loeffeler is entering Grade 12 and is determined to work hard in preparation for university level studies next year. His loves are chemistry and acting.
The Zemanek sisters are also in Grade 12. Debrah is focusing on biology and physics, and is enjoying the band.
Andrea also enjoys the sciences, and will be taking biology and chemistry this year, with acting to add some spice.
Both sisters are rowing this year and have competition coming up soon.
Andrea Dobbs is in Grade 11. She enjoys the sciences, and has added acting and photography to her workload.
Andrea has a passion for horses and riding, and there is scarcely a day without some training in equestrian events. She works hard at finding the right balance between school and riding.
Community Club
* There will be a Community Dinner on Sept. 24 at the Happy Landing Restaurant at 6 p.m.
* On Oct. 4, forester Kelly Powell of West Fraser will lead an interpretive walk of roughly two hours through the Demonstration Forest near 100 Mile House. He'll talk about the different species of trees and explain the various methods of logging used over the years.
Meet at the Demonstration Forest parking lot at 10:30 a.m. Lunch at Jake's Pub will follow at 1 p.m.
Everyone is welcome. For details, call Leona Hurrell at 250-397-2586.
* The first Community Club meeting of the season will be on Oct. 6 in Margo's Cabin at 10 a.m. The year's calendar of events will be set out.
New residents are particularly welcome. For details, call Margo Wagner at 250-397-0016.
Until next time, here's wishing you many blessings.