Dear Canimites:
The bountiful rain has created lushness surprising even here in Canimonia.
A blaze of flowers, all colours of the rainbow, now splash the woodland glades. Birds sneak about stealthily feeding their young, avoiding the searching eyes of silently cruising ravens.
Canim's store
Grace Buse is back behind the counter of the Canim Lake Store after a six-year break.
"I'm very happy to be back," she says.
Grace ran the store from 1989 to 2005, then took time to travel and recharge. "It was always my plan to return," she adds.
"I missed the people. Many have passed while I was away; people I knew and liked"
The interior of the store has been freshened with new paint, the kitchen is being upgraded, and a new hot-air fryer is being added. Pies have been flying out the door, in apple, raisin, lemon, cherry and blueberry varieties, with the “Granny Grace” guarantee of goodness.
Frances Frank is helping behind the counter. She is currently taking a break from studies at UNBC in Prince George where she is working on a bachelor of arts degree.
Grace is hopeful that mail delivery will return to its former indoor location soon.
Grace says she was informed recently by an official that since the postal strike is over, Canada Post is continuing with the paperwork to “move forward with re-opening the (Canim Lake) Post Office.”
Logging trucks
West Fraser will be cutting this summer and fall at Jim Creek, with a haul along the South Canim Road towards 100 Mile House.
West Fraser’s Doug White says there will be about 12 loads a day coming out. Most will carry three bundles of 16-foot beetle-killed pine, about 70 cubic metres, giving a gross weight of about 62,000 kilograms.
That's a big truck coming at you, so travellers are asked to use caution, especially on the road's blind corners and the sections with no shoulders. Give the trucks the room they need.
Doug says all the contractor's drivers are local, know the road well, and take safety seriously. However, if anyone has a problem, they are encouraged to contact West Fraser with the truck's name and number if possible.
Japan aid
Hisako Arai received a letter from Katsu Ozawa, the president of the women's organization supported by tsunami relief funds collected here.
Osawa said that in her prefecture alone, there are 9,122 known dead and 5,196 people still missing. Recovery has been slow for them, and the unexpected support from here gave them much needed encouragement.
She sends her thanks.
Hayride enjoyable
Eleven Community Club members took advantage of a beautiful day to visit the Spring Lake Ranch for a hayride and lunch.
Rooster and Ranger, the two great Belgians, were at their polite best, and the trip was enjoyed by all.
People News
Evelyn Froehling has graduated from Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School and is currently working with her dad on an interior carpentry contract.
The fall will find her in Edmonton at the University of Alberta pursuing a bachelor of arts degree focusing on modern languages and cultural studies.
Evelyn says it was an emotional time when her class split up, with each student heading off in pursuit of their own future. However, she is excited by the new experiences and opportunities coming her way.
That's all for now. Until next time, here's wishing you many summery blessings.