While any day is a good day for a coffee gathering, May 10 was particularly timely for the ladies of Boultbee Road to get together.
The group is saying its final goodbyes to longtime resident Elsie Clarkson, and welcomes to several ladies who spend most or all of their warm months enjoying the lake. Two of the group just happened to be visiting the lake for an extended weekend and were able to join in on the fun.
Most of these ladies plan to partake in the daily tradition of the Boultbee noon walking group, at least during the summer months.
Local trainer
Curt Roy, owner of the Opax Mountain Resort east of Lac des Roches, recently returned from the Firearms Training Centre in Cloverdale with new credentials as a certified instructor for Conservation Outdoor Recreation Education training (CORE).
This is mandatory training for citizens of British Columbia wishing to obtain a hunter number. The 16-hour course that Curt will provide to anyone interested is the first step in the process, which includes application and fees paid to the BC Wildlife Federation and permit pickup through FrontCounter BC.
He explained the process has been streamlined, and with the aid of technology, a hunter number can be obtained in about one week. Curt is one of several private trainers in the South Cariboo and will cater his courses to client’s needs beginning this spring, in plenty of time for the late summer opening of hunting season.
Area development
Residents may be interested in attending an upcoming meeting on another proposed strata-titled subdivision in the area – this one at the Crooked Lake Ranch at the end of Lee Road.
The proposal is for existing farm land to be rezoned for private residential lots on Webb Lake and common livestock facilities, pastures and hayfields. The public meeting is scheduled for June 1 at the Interlakes Hall.
Troubling trees
High winds, high lake water levels and soggy ground have taken their toll on leaning trees that were not removed from the shoreline this winter.
Several properties have lost large patches of shore land as it was lifted away from the bank when the uprooted trees fell into the water.
Sweet success
White buckets and milk jugs hanging on local birch trees are accumulating sap that has been running on warm days since April.
Several residents are experimenting with gathering birch sap, which can be boiled down to thick syrup
While the trees do most of the work, the fact that it takes 100 gallons of sap rendered down to produce one gallon of syrup means this is a tedious process and requires watching a pot boil on the stove for a very long time.
Planning ahead
As firewood-gathering season is here, residents are reminded to carry valid free firewood cutting permits.
Permits for the Kamloops district expire on Dec. 31 of each year and those for the 100 Mile District expire one year after the application date.
Early risers
The early heat wave in late April prompted several neighbours to plant seedlings early.
Protecting those young plants from the cool nights and frosty mornings in May have been a challenge, but most local gardeners report they got a good head start on this year’s vegetable crop.
Wonderful wildlife
Residents have reported several badger sightings along Boultbee Road and expect the ground squirrel population to soon decline.
Bears are now roaming through the area and sightings range from a baby black bear near Boultbee Road to a returning four-year-old bear on McCarthy Road.