Dear Canimites,
The Mahood mosquitoes have arrived. This spring they’re big, they’re mean, and they’ve been fasting. Stock up on DEET and carry a baseball bat.
New executive
The April 14 Forest Grove Rod and Gun Club AGM kicked off what promises to be an active season. Gerhard Loeffeler was elected president, Rudy
Gauss as vice-president, and Elizabeth
Sarkozy as secretary-treasurer. Backing them up is Fred Saenger, range director; and Henry Doksansky, fishing director.
The Fourth Annual Hans Saenger Memorial Shoot kicks off the season at the Canim range on May 5 at 1 p.m. This trap shoot event is open to all comers.
Folks are welcome to come out to see the facilities, meet club members, and enjoy the shoot. For details, call Gerhard at 250-397-2826.
Trap shooting is on the first Sunday of every month at 1 p.m., and is open to all.
Hisako at the Festival
Hisako Arai was an active participant in the 100 Mile Festival of the Arts. She competed in vocal, singing arias in Spanish, French, German and Italian by composers, such as Bach and Mozart. Later, she recited The Listeners by W. de la Mare, then again Roses D’Automne by N. Beauchemin, and finally The Loon’s Necklace by R. Wagamese.
Hisako faced quite a challenge in understanding and memorizing the foreign languages, then performing the pieces with clarity and power. Last year, she won awards in the Classical Repertoire and Concert Recital categories.
COPS news
The COPS group has decided to seek financial assistance for their operations through a mail-out to residents in the area.
Canim captain Margo Wagner said this is the only fundraiser of the year, and it “allows us as a group to deter criminal activity in the area.” Last year, residents donated $1100 to South Cariboo COPS for the use of the Canim Lake group, which is very appreciative of this support.
Out and About
• Canim and Mahood falls are getting dramatic as the spring run-off builds. The short and level walk to them starts off in a green cedar forest and then follows the edge of the Canim River gorge.
The trailhead is at a parking area on the main road to Mahood Lake (8100 Road) just short of the Mahood Lake Provincial Park. The best light to photograph the spectacle is late morning when the sun shines directly on the falling water and the rainbow is bright.
• On April 23, Howard Lake is totally clear of ice; its silence broken only by the resident eagles, the splashing of water birds, and the occasional slapping of rainbow trout. Snow still makes the access road impassable in its high sections.
There is a large boulder sitting proudly on the road one-two kilometre from the bottom. A pickup can squeeze by on the down side, but it would be a prickly manoeuvre for a fifth-wheel or trailer. It would be best check it out before trying to haul up the road.
People news
• Millie Olson, who turned 90 this month, visited the Mackenzies at their Mahood Valley Ranch. Millie grew up in Dog Creek, but moved to Canim Lake in the 1950s.
She worked for the Pitrie family, and lived just west of their property.
I’m looking forward to a longer chat with this bright elder, in the hope of bringing you more interesting stories of “early Canim.”
Calendar
• Ladies lunch, Iron Horse Pub, May 7, 1 p.m. Call Dolores Angell at 250-397-0220 for details.
• The fishing derby at Howard Lake will take place June 22. Mark your calendars – details to follow.
That’s all for now. Until next time, here’s wishing you many blessings.