Plan to be at the Fourth Annual Canada Day Picnic at Ruth Lake Park on July 1.
Everyone from near and far is welcome to attend this most enjoyable afternoon of visiting, swimming, playing and, of course, eating. Potluck lunch is at 1 p.m. and barbecues will be available.
A special guest will be Laura Kelsey, who will lead us in our traditional rendition of “O Canada,” sung out over the lake toward the hills beyond.
Several versions of a tug of war will follow. Bring lawn chairs, beach toys, perhaps a blanket to snooze on.
Art display
Librarian Connie Flannery is inviting artists of all ages to bring a sample of their work to the library to be put on display though the summer months.
If you have a drawing or painting you’ve done, a carving or piece of sculpture, please bring it to the library on Tuesdays from 3 to 8 p.m. or Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Summer is prime reading time, with a special book set aside to enjoy when the garden is finally planted or you have time to go camping. Connie reminds everyone that bestsellers are either in stock or can be ordered from the vast resources of the Cariboo Library Network.
Special-interest books or that old book about the Gold Rush you’d like to re-read but may be out of print can usually be found online and ordered. Connie will also show you how to order books at any time from home.
There are two new computers at the library and high-speed wireless access for laptops.
Excellent movies are also available. A special feature of the library is the large selection of children’s books and juvenile fiction.
Rowing legacy
Congratulations to Forest Grove rowers and sisters Jemma and Tyra Van Osch who are members of the South Cariboo Rowing Club.
In May, 300 high school rowers competed in the 2012 Scholastic Rowing Regatta in Delta. Jemma and partner Jill Matlock placed sixth in the junior doubles finals. Jemma and Tyra rowed in the women’s quad event, finishing in fifth place.
The girls are carrying on a family tradition of rowing. Their father, Will Van Osch, and many of his cousins were competitive rowers, competing in major high school rowing events.
The sisters are also carrying on the legacy of a Forest Grove girl, Theresa Luke, who rowed to a silver medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics, gold at the Pan Am Games and gold and bronze at the World Championships.
Theresa lived at Ruth Lake and attended the Forest Grove Elementary School. As a child, she loved water sports, encouraged by her parents who were avid swimmers. She did not become involved in rowing until she joined the rowing program at the University of Victoria and later at Simon Fraser University. A large sign at the Forest Grove Store celebrates her accomplishments.
A graduation
The Grade 7 students from our school will be moving on to 100 Mile House Junior Secondary in the fall and our best wishes for everything good go with them.
Today (June 27), Maggie Cummings, Cassidy Donnelly, Davin Grouhel, Gwen Haretzmuller, Haylie Jones, Danny Loeffeler, Tasha McKay, Kira Saenger and Trinity Searle were presented with certificates of achievement.