Dear Canimites,
Canim residents received the sad news May 6 when they were notified that as of the end of the month, mail will no longer be available at the Canim Lake Store.
Instead, deliveries will be made to group mail boxes to be erected near the Canim Lake Band administration office.
Those who wish to continue receiving their mail are warned by Canada Post to install a lock on the box carrying their current number, as mail won’t be delivered to unlocked boxes.
At the time of writing, we have is no knowledge of where the boxes will be placed, what they will look like, whether they will be covered against inclement weather, or how secure they will be.
The Canim Lake Post Office was established in the 1920s on Lester McNeil’s ranch at the west end of the lake. He became the first post master. The old building across the road from the Dopf farm marks its location.
When Lester died in the 1930s, the service was moved to the Shangri-La Resort store, which was located where the Froehling residence now stands.
The Kellett family bought the resort in 1945, and from then until 1954, Marion Kellett was the assistant post mistress. In 1954, the post office and the store burned down.
A replacement was built further up the slope and service continued in the new location with Marion as post mistress. That building is now the Klassen/Nelson residence.
In 1960, the service was moved to the new Canim Lake Store built by the Kelletts, with Marion serving as post mistress until 1975.
Originally, the Canim Lake Post Office served families working in the mills on both sides of the lake, including Eagle Creek and Mahood Lake, and became an anchor in the community. Now, just as the area is growing again, the service is being removed.
One can only wonder how a decision of so much import to local residents could be arbitrarily made without community consultation or input.
Crib wars end
Margo Wagner, the “Queen of Cuts,” card deck “cuts” that is, walked away with top honours at Canim crib this past season, with a whopping 12,774 points and comfortably ahead of Don Hewitt's 12,337.
Sheila Hart battled with Don throughout the year, but found herself edged out on the final evening with 12,301. Terry Wagner won the ripe "Most Skunks" award, having dropped 11 such games out of the year's total of 40.
Yoga classes
Katherine McKibbin, of Sweetgrass Yoga and Healing, is offering to conduct a weekly yoga session at the Canim Lake Resort on Newall Road.
The day and time of the sessions will be selected to meet people's needs. For more information, contact Katherine at kmck@sweetgrassyoga.net, or 250-395-6112.
Bits & bites
Martina Dopf says she and Michael's flock produced 29 lambs this year.
You'll see the wee beggars scampering about the green hillside at their farm on South Canim Road.
Anyone wishing to purchase a lamb for live delivery this summer could call Martina at 250-397-4126. She is also accepting orders for fall delivery through the South Cariboo Meat Co-op's government-inspected facility.
That's all for now. Until next time, here's wishing you many blessings.