Deka Lake & District Volunteer Fire Department’s (DLDVFD) 19th Annual Ice-Fishing Derby on Feb. 9 saw a great turnout.
Ticket sales numbered 257 and the temperature was a balmy 7 C, but with a very chilly wind.
Fish simply swam in, beating the previous record by several dozens.
Alongside the 146 kokanee were six lake trout, but no rainbow trout. It seems most fishers caught not just one, but their limit.
The largest laker at 21 lb. 8 oz. was brought in by Todd Grotke, which pleased the DLDVFD as Todd does a great deal for them. Charlie Arsenault’s fish weighed 21 1b. 1 oz. and Russ Greno’s was 18 lb. 7 oz. - both are from Lumby.
The largest kokanee at 1 1b. 8 oz., which also merited the Dennis Watt Memorial Trophy, was brought in by Bridge Lake’s Al Peterson. Watt passed away in 2003 but was always a strong supporter of the DLDVFD, and is fondly remembered by all.
The next three largest kokanee weighed 1 lb. 1 oz., so prizes went, in order of weigh-in, to nine-year-old Page Vicher, Larry Crane and Meg Irwin.
Firefighters voiced appreciation to their very generous prize donors and to the public for its great support.
Auxiliary news
The DLDVFD’s Ladies Auxiliary (LA) quilters are well into their annual fundraising quilt.
In burgundy, floral, black and beige, the pattern is Prairie Meadows. The quilters’ new “chief” is Higgins Lake’s Laurie Hill who notes they really could use more hands.
Anyone with interest is welcome to drop by Deka Fire Hall any Friday, starting 10 a.m.
In addition to creating the raffle’s queen-sized quilt, the LA also creates a memorial lap quilt to honour their once-chief quilter Kay Neill, who passed away in 2004.
The draw for the memorial quilt always takes place at the annual ice-fishing derby, and this year’s winner was none other than their new chief Laurie Hill.
Sad passing
Deepest condolences are extended to Jean Nixdorf and family
and many friends on the Feb. 15 passing of Bruce Bell, who would have turned 79 in April.
Bruce had been in care for several years, but had been especially recognized as a great dancer.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Deka Fire Hall on March, starting at 1 p.m.
Featured artist
Well-known Métis artist denise swift is the guest artist in Bridge Lake Library’s Community Showcase for the month of March.
denise has practised art since childhood, but says, “Since I retired five years ago, I’ve devoted much of my time to it.”
Her display will include raku art (lead-glazed Japanese earthenware, literally “enjoyment,”) to which she is “devoted” and which she learned 20 years ago in a Quille Farnham class; “spirit” carvings from cottonwood bark; and acrylic paintings.
“Basically, the display will be of all things dear to my heart.”
denise’s work can be seen at www.canlacprojects.com.
Celebrations
Birthday bubbly goes to Melissa Grahn,
Pat Lytton, Wendy Pernoski, Helen Versluis, Vince
Forsberg, Eric Storteboom, Ken Wright, and with added champagne and caviar for Wayne Jarvis’ 70th on March 3.
Calendar.
Call the writer for contact numbers.
• Bridge Lake Community School Book Club meets
March 2 at 1:30 p.m. to discuss After River by Donna Milner. Call 250-593-2264 for venue.
• “Travels on Sunday,” at Bridge Lake School, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., when Larry Citra rides the Fraser River, a jet-boat trip from Dog Creek to Lillooet.
• Highway 24/Interlakes Lions meet at Interlakes Hall on March 4 at 6:30 p.m.
• Deka fire practice: March 5 at 6:30 p.m.
• Log Cabin Quilters meet at Interlakes Hall on March 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.