This year's Deka Lake & District Volunteer Fire Department's (DL&DVFD) appreciation barbecue for its volunteers was held in high summer on Sept. 10.
Instead of freezing beside a bonfire, attendees were dressed in T-shirts or less.
The steaks were great; the delicious gourmet salads were all made by fire chief Al Boyce's wife, Sonja, and various guests provided sumptuous desserts. The chief even went so far as to scrub down all the picnic tables and place sun-shades over them.
Guests were heard to say they would surely be back next year.
Dumpster fire
Air support was required when DL&DVFD was called to another "dump on fire" (Interlakes landfill site on Horse Lake Road) at 1 p.m. on Sept. 27.
This happens regularly, but we were experiencing very high winds, which made for potential devastation.
A wayward spark caught the woodpile on fire and that caused trees to be set alight and then the fire travelled north, parallel to Horse Lake Road.
The DL&DVFD called on Interlakes Volunteer Fire Department (IVFD) for support, and the BC Forests Service (BCFS) was quickly called in. Several helicopters bucketed water out of Sheridan Lake until the big bomber arrived to make several passes with retardant over the two distinct fires.
The fire departments used 10 tankers-full of water on the blazes before being released by the BCFS. It was 9 p.m. before firefighters returned home, after receiving the requisite medical checks.
Waste meeting
The Cariboo Regional District's (CRD) information meeting on Solid Waste Management is from 7 to 9 p.m., Oct. 18 at Interlakes Hall.
The CRD states it "values the importance of public consultation" before going ahead with plans, and will utilize the feedback it receives.
Last year, some 900 responses on recycling options were returned to the CRD. These, and other options developed by experts will all be discussed at the meeting.
Key points include one-stop recycling depots, public composting, user-pay, and waste to energy possibilities.
Family fun
StrongStart, the free program of fun and play for families with children up to age five, occurs on the third Friday of every month from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Bridge Lake School.
Story time
Bridge Lake librarian Brenda Tillyer will lead after-school Story Time at Bridge Lake Community School on Tuesdays, starting November 1. Children should sign up on the playschool door.
Celebrations
Birthday bubbly goes to Tony Eades, and blessings go to Celine and Paul Desaulniers on their 46th wedding anniversary on Oct. 16.
Calendar
Call the writer for contact numbers.
• Bridge Lake Community School meets 7 p.m. tonight (Oct. 12) at the school. The annual general meeting will not be held until Nov. 9.
• Interlakes Snowmobile Club annual general meeting is 7 p.m. tonight (Oct. 12) at Interlakes Hall.
• Kids' Space meets 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 14 at Interlakes Hall.
• Helga Zeiner book-signing is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 14 at Nuthatch Books in 100 Mile House.
• Crib, Deka Firehall, 7:30 p.m., Oct. 14.
• Card Night at Interlakes Hall, 7 p.m. every Saturday, starting Oct. 15.
• Highway 24/Interlakes Lions meet 6:30 p.m., Oct. 17 at Interlakes Hall.
• Deka fire practice: 6:30 p.m., Oct. 18.
• Log Cabin Quilters meet from 9 a.m. to 3 pm., Oct. 19 at Interlakes Hall.
