Summer has settled gracefully on Canimonia.
Gardens are in full bloom, families are enjoying water sports, and fishers are testing the depths. Fruit on the Saskatoons has set well giving high hopes for a good picking year.
Relay for Life
Fifteen members of the community joined in the Canadian Cancer Society's annual walk in 100 Mile House to raise money for cancer research.
Five are cancer survivors. Some of the group made contributions themselves and some arranged sponsorships. In all, $2,690 was raised for the cause.
The Relay for Life was smaller this year, but no less poignant. A few impressions of the day: the dedication of the event planners and organizers; the cheer of the local musicians who kept the tunes coming for 12 hours straight; the electricity in the air as the park fell silent in a minute of prayer for the survivors; and the full rainbow after a day of fitful showers.
Cake on the lake
Eleven members of the Community Club headed out to see the thundering Canim Lake and Mahood Lake Falls recently and ended with a picnic at the Mahood Lake campground.
They celebrated the birthdays of Lori Weiduwilt and Louise Traill with a Black Forest cake prepared for the occasion by Margo Wagner.
Luncheon planned
The women of Canim and Hawkins lakes plan to have their monthly Community Club lunch at Spring Lake Ranch at 11 a.m. on July 5.
The Ranch folks put on a great spread, to be followed by an optional hay ride. Rooster and Ranger, the two gentle giant draft horses, are waiting patiently for you with smiles on their faces, so take carrots. Oh, and watch out for those size 20 feet! Group travel will be arranged.
Call Jean Reynolds for details at 250-397-2773.
Bits and Bites
• The Citizens on Patrol (COPS) group of the Community Club has sent letters to residents requesting financial support for their patrol work. COPS is an RCMP program, which involves the community in its own security.
If you have questions about the letter, you could speak to 100 Mile House RCMP Sgt. Don McLean or Const. Adolf Friesen.
Donations can be sent to Canim Lake COPS; c/o District of 100 Mile House; Box 340; 100 Mile House, B.C.; V0K 2E0. Tax receipts will be issued for donations.
• Wayne Traill is logging about 50 species of birds each week for the records of Cornell University. Recently, he was watching the resident Hawkins Lake loons, when from under the wing of one adult, up popped the head of a fluffy piggy-backing chick - just in time to snatch from mom the proffered freshly caught minnow. Then the head disappeared again and the scene returned to normal. Wayne figures that the cold water is giving a preference for riding.
• Ken Sleeman was back on the lake recently with his daughter, Camille, visiting friends as energy permitted. He hopes to make a second trip later in the season.
• First Responders from Canim Lake will be helping provide emergency first aid coverage at the 2011 Youth Provincial B Cup Soccer Championships in 100 Mile House, Jul 7-10. They'll be donating their time and talents along with their confreres (colleagues) from Forest Grove and other area communities. The youths are fine; it's the excited dads and moms that bear watching.
That's all for now. Until next time, here's wishing you many blessings.