Canimites tread carefully about their icy yards, a few unfortunately nursing their broken bones or bruised bodies.
In the night sky above, uncaring of the trials of mere mortals, the constellations rotate in their endless dance.
Leo (The Lion) rests regally high in the southeast at bedtime. Look for the question mark shape of his head, punctuated by the massive star Regulus, 160 times brighter than our Sun.
Just below, red Mars creeps by, trying not to be noticed. In the North is the ‘W’ shape of the beautiful but vain queen Cassiopeia, seated regally upon her throne.
Emergency plans
A small but interested group attended the Cariboo Regional District meeting on emergency planning at the Forest Grove Community Hall.
Rowena Bastien, who is in charge of emergency response for the CRD, laid out large maps of each community’s area to be used in case of wildfire, flooding, ice storms and the like.
People updated the maps with the latest on roads, trails, and infrastructure. A list was made of local equipment that could be pressed into service.
Bastien distributed pamphlets explaining how communications will work in an emergency, the rules for evacuations, the handling of pets and livestock, and other critical matters. Information on this subject can be found on the CRD website www.cariboord.bc.ca.
Phone scams
Residents are still receiving phone calls from scammers trying to get defraud them.
One story-line is “I am from Microsoft. Your computer has become infected with a virus….”
Another line is “I’m from VISA (or MasterCard). An illegal charge has been made to your credit card. Please give me the 3 digit number on the back of your card….”
Howard Young, a local software engineer, says legitimate companies will never ask for this kind of information on the telephone. If in doubt, ask for their phone number and hang up.
People news
• The daughters of Rob and Michelle Haretzmuller are off to Vancouver for a training workshop in rhythmic gymnastics. The Canim Lake sisters, Gwyneth, 12, and Elizabeth, 8, attend school in Forest Grove, but are members of Club Excel in 100 Mile House.
• Seven couples from Hawkins Lake enjoyed a special Valentine’s feast of snow crab at the Dragon Gate Restaurant in 100 Mile. The young lovers are still smiling.
Wildlife abounds
Wayne Traill says a pair of Song Sparrows has over-wintered at his home on Hawkins Lake.
Normally, they would be on vacation in the United States or along the Pacific Coast.
Ed Kennedy saw a “full-sized cougar” crossing into the Canim Lake Estates last week. The “bush telegraph” kicked into hyper drive and local pooches got extra “house time.”
Dale McWilliams saw two robins in his poplar grove on Feb. 5. He’s not sure which way they were headed, north or south, but Hisako Arai heard them at her home on the lake. Hail spring!
Calendar
• The Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Department is having an open house at Hall 1 on March 4, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Folks are invited to stop by, have a hotdog and beverage, and meet the crew that provides us with medical first responder and fire protection year-round.
• Ladies Lunch at Jake’s Pub on March 6 at 1 p.m.
• The March 20 Book Club meeting will discuss The Outlander. Set in 1903, it is the story of a mysterious young woman who has just become a widow by her own hand, fleeing alone across the West, one step ahead of the law. For more information, call Sheila at 250-397-2645.
That’s all for now. Until next time, here’s wishing you many blessings.