When Harold and Penny Edwards learned that their great nephew Trevor Okino was scheduled to play a hockey game against the 100 Mile House Wranglers, they realized it was an ideal opportunity to invite family to cheer him on.
For the Nov. 27 game against the Chase Heat, Harold invited Trevor’s mother Stacey Okino from Ladner, and grandmother Lynn Turner from Tsawwassen for a visit to his Lac des Roches home, which included a trip to the game in 100 Mile House.
Whether the extra cheering contributed to the win is debatable, but Trevor’s team enjoyed a 4-3 victory that night.
Early ice
The night of Dec. 4 was calm and cold.
With the air temperature dipping down to -28 C, conditions were ideal for Lac des Roches to completely ice over. By daybreak, the new ice was covered with tiny frost flowers, so many, in fact, the lake was completely white, like it had been blanketed with a layer of snow.
In less than a week, the ice thickness measured six to eight inches, able to support most winter activities. Outdoor enthusiasts arriving for winter holidays will be delighted to find a near perfectly smooth layer of ice under the protective cover of snow and frost although the many cracks in the ice are a natural tripping hazard.
Waterways survey
A surveyor contractor was out checking and marking property boundaries and topography details on several lots below the rest stop.
According to Michelle Schilling of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, their work is a key component to a drainage study that is underway. Water runoff is a known problem on several lots with underground streams and ditch overflow causing concern to both private property and Boultbee Road.
The study will ensure the water flow can be redirected to the lake from private property to available Crown land.
Residents who have questions about this project are invited to contact Schilling at 250-395-8948.
Sledding advice
The accumulation of early snow is very attractive to local snowmobilers although frigid temperatures will prevent many sledders from venturing out.
Again this year, Wavey Lake Forest Service Road is being cleared of snow to support active logging. Snowplowing goes beyond 205 Road, to the new road extension just beyond the Jim Creek Bridge.
Riders can avoid much of the road by exiting at 201 Road, although regulations regarding driver’s licences and liability insurance requirements apply to all sledders using any portion of forestry roads. Sledders are also requested to stick to established trails around residences.
Lot owners, who allow their neighbours to access Crown land through their fields, should not have to contend with the noise and damage from playful sledders when there are hundreds of kilometres of trails nearby.
Lights aglow
Despite a relatively sparse winter population, the community looks very festive.
Thank you goes to all the residents who have lit up their yards and houses to celebrate the holiday season.
Avoid tracks
In a few days, the area will be bustling with neighbours and friend up for the holidays. On the lake especially, please be mindful of the effort taken by Nordic skiers to set their tracks for cross-country skiing.
It would be greatly appreciated if all other traffic, sledders and walkers particularly, would avoid travelling directly on ski paths.
Glad tidings
For the residents of the community and their friends and family, I wish to extend my heartfelt good wishes to all for a joyous Christmas and a safe holiday season.
I hope it is an enjoyable and event-filled winter for all.