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Good-bye party for Mizael Bertrand Garcia held at Old School House

Community news happening around the Forest Grove area of the South Cariboo
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Mizael Bertrand Garcia

A good-bye party was held for, who has been visiting Paul and Cindy Whitehead for the past six months (May 3-Oct. 30), at the Old School House on Eagle Creek Road on Oct. 26.

Paul and Cindy met Mizael on one of their trips to Mexico and struck up a friendship, and invited him to come to Canada and stay with them. Coming to Canada had always been a dream of Mizael's and after knowing Paul and Cindy for a few years, he decided to take them up on their offer and come to visit.

Mizael says the scenery and the people of Canada have always intrigued him. Mizael is a language professor at the Universidad Technologica de Mexico and he hopes to further his studies of English and one day write a book about his visit to Canada.

Mizael took English classes while he was here and did very well, conversing easily with all of his new friends by the time he had to go. He also helped people with their Spanish in trade for practising his English.

Paul and Cindy's friends and neighbours kept Mizael busy during his visit and it wasn't unusual to see him out with them cycling all over the area, exploring back roads and seeing the sights from the seat of a bicycle.

Mizael, Paul and Cindy went to Barriere to take in the fall fair and they also took him to the fall fair in 100 Mile House. He also attended his first hockey game during which the Wranglers played.

Mizael learned about beekeeping, went fishing in a few of the local lakes, went to the Williams Lake Stampede and could be found quite often at the South Cariboo Farmers' Market in 100 Mile House where Paul and Cindy usually have a booth. He also participated in the Redneck Regatta and Olympics and many other Legion activities. Mizael made a lot of friends while he was visiting here and he will be missed. We are all looking forward to seeing him again and perhaps meet his family, too.

The good-bye party at the school house was a potluck supper and there were a lots of laughs and speeches not to mention tears.

 

Octoberfest fun

The meat draw on Oct. 19 at the Forest Grove Legion was very busy because they combined it with an Octoberfest and oompapa music.

Legion president Jim "Twinkletoes" Tindale got people up dancing and everyone enjoyed the homemade perogies, sauerkraut, cabbage rolls and Ukrainian sausage, as well as the items that are always available on the usual menu.

Legion secretary Darlene Tindale says the Legion was packed that night, and if you came in late, it was hard to find a place to sit. Octoberfest in Forest Grove has been deemed a success and will be back again next year.

 

Halloween

The Forest Grove Legion was decorated and ready for trick-or-treaters by 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 and Darlene was dressed as the Great Pumpkin to give out candy.

On the candy table she had a witch's head in a jar and her eyes would light up when her microphone was turned on. When kids came into the Legion for their treats, the witch spoke from her jar and more than one child ran from the room.

Most were curious and talked with the witch never suspecting that she was being operated by someone from the other side of the room. It was all great fun and everyone continued trick-or-treating in the neighbourhood and then went on to the fireworks that started at 7:30 p.m.