It could not have been a prettier day for the FGES sports day.
It had originally been planned for May 31, but the weather promised to be cold and rainy, so it was moved to June 3.
The serious competition got started at 8:15 a.m. and went until 11, and then the not-so-serious fun events began.
Traditional competitions, such as high jump, shot put and sprinting, were carried out. And all of this was done under the watchful eyes of parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters calling out encouragement. Congratulations to all the competitors.
Of course, no sports day is complete without the children’s favourite foods, such as hotdogs, hamburgers, ice cream and Freezies.
After lunch, everyone readied themselves for the three-legged race, water balloon toss, sack race and then it was on to the slip-and-slide. Principal Nelson got a long piece of plastic, some liquid soap and water set up on the hillside and the students started sliding all over the place. Laundry and baths were all done at the same time.
A great time was had by all, especially by the competitors who proudly displayed their ribbons.
Father’s Day raffle
The latest fundraiser to pay for new playground equipment at the Forest Grove Elementary School (FGES) is a Father’s Day Raffle.
Tickets went on sale May 27 and will be available until June15 at a cost of $2 each.
Folks can purchase their tickets at the school, at Save-On-Foods in 100 Mile House and children will be sent home with tickets as well.
First prize is a BC Lions weekend, a home game, one night accommodations, and gas.
Second prize is a Reynolds Resort weekend, two nights of camping in the off season and half a day of a fishing boat rental.
Third prize is two, 18-hole golf passes with a power cart at the 108 Golf Resort.
Tickets are going fast so don’t miss out.
If anyone has any ideas for one final fundraising effort, please let FGES principal Shawn Nelson know.
He can be reached at the school at 250-397-2962.
It would be nice to have the new equipment paid for before the fall of this year.
Cemetery clean up
On May 26, an enthusiastic group of 19 folks got together to have a work bee at the Forest Grove Cemetery.
Volunteers were mowing lawns, clearing brush, raking debris and painting fences. Two work bees are held each year, spring and fall, and this was the best turnout to date.
The cemetery, which is at the end of Auld Road, in Forest Grove has fallen into disrepair over the last few years. Garry Baker, who is on the cemetery board, has some plans proposed that will bring the cemetery back up to standards that everyone can be proud of.
A new fence has been put up around the cemetery to stop cows and people from causing damage to the grave sites. Vandalism has been a real problem in the past.
A parking area and a turn around is planned for grave services and a few trees will be cleared away to make the area more park like. Perhaps some seating will be added to encourage folks to linger a little longer.
Repairs need to be done to some of the existing grave sites and a new area for new grave sites will be created. The arch at the front of the cemetery needs repair or replacement and proper signing will be installed.
With short-term and long-term annual goals and a lot of eager volunteers, the cemetery will be a beautiful sanctuary once again.