July
High ranking PSO students awarded
July 5 - This year’s batch of students honoured at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School’s year-end award ceremony achieved exceptionally high marks.
“We’re not talking just kind of low 80s,” said principal Geoff Butcher, “they’re right up there in the high 90s. That group that was being represented was really strong academically.”
Butcher said the school doesn’t give out top awards without a student truly earning it. “If they’re winning an award, it’s because they’re really qualified to be there.”
Centennial Park stage finished
July 12 - The stage in Centennial Park was completed and used for a wildfire volunteer appreciation event.
There was no grand opening or fanfare when Centennial Park’s stage was finished, no ribbon cutting or champagne. Instead, the large community of volunteers behind the scenes stood back and admired the product, took some photos and walked away.
“I think every time (the volunteers) go down there and see an event, it’s going to be a grand opening,” said Allan Roberts, the visionary responsible for initiating the project.
Resiliency celebration in Centennial Park
July 19 - The 100 Mile House Wildfire Resiliency Celebration gave South Cariboo residents the opportunity to share their stories and move forward together in Centennial Park.
Laura Dewar, the community wellness manager for United Way TNC, said the event was “really successful” and she was
pleased with the outcome.
“It’s been a real pleasure,” she said, adding that they were lucky to have an outpouring of volunteers.
Dog brings back dozens of softballs
July 26 - Whisper, a five-year-old border collie and her owners Sue and Ken Fryer brought back dozens of softballs.
“This year it seems every morning she goes out she comes back with a ball,” said Sue.
That amounted to a pile of close to 80 balls, she said. They brought the balls back to the players.
“There’s no point in us keeping them. A lot of people told us to sell them but they weren’t ours to begin with, as far as we’re concerned.”
August
Lone Butte 4-H Achievement Day
Aug. 2 - Despite sweltering skies and temperatures upwards of 33C poised and polite club members presented projects from poultry, pig, sheep, horses and dogs to public speaking, food and photography.
Heidi Meier, the club’s A-leader, said the kids exceeded expectations and “every one of them deserves the congratulations they got.”
For Meier, it’s rewarding to witness the transformation from beginning to end and celebrate the completed accomplishments.
“I love seeing the kids at the end, getting their ribbons.”
World’s longest annual motorcycle relay hits 100 Mile
Aug. 9 - Just over a dozen bikers were in 100 Mile House the Military Police National Motorcycle Relay. The ride primarily raises money for the Military Police Fund for Blind Children.
“It’s fun for us but at the same time, we’re raising money for the children,” says Bart Dennis.
Nationally there are 24 riders going from the west coast to the east coast. The group that stopped in 100 Mile House was only doing a B.C. loop and turned the national group over in Jasper to the Alberta group.
Centennial park a buzz with seniors, classic cars and model planes
Aug. 16 - Senior citizens in 100 Mile House were transported through time by classic cars and delighted by model planes in Centennial Park.
The gathering was a joint effort by the Adult Day Service Program, the 100 Mile Model Flyers and the 100 Mile Cruzers Car Club.
Jan Baker, a volunteer for adult day services, said it was important to get the seniors out to see “all these lovely things.”
Lydia Kinasewich wins Governor General’s Academic Bronze Medal
Aug. 23 - Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School (PSO) 2018 Graduate Lydia Kinasewich won a Governor General’s Academic Bronze Medal.
“It’s a huge honour, I’m kinda shocked. Yeah, it’s such a huge honour and it’s really nice to be recognized.”
The medal is awarded to the student with the highest standing (grades) in their school.
Nearly $6,000 raised by paramedics
Aug. 30 - Members of the 100 Mile RCMP and Ambulance Service were arrested and held in a makeshift jail cell in front of the Save-On-Foods until they could raise enough money to make bail.
It was all in the name of charity.
The Jail and Bail was organized by Jamie MacPherson, a part-time paramedic in 100 Mile House, who would be participating in the Cops for Cancer’s Tour De Coast, an 800 km bike ride up the north side of the Fraser River.
September
Community spirit barbeque in Pressy Lake
Sept. 6 - The Pressy Lake, Young Lake and surrounding communities came together for a Community Spirit Barbecue.
Laura Dewar, the community wellness manager for United Way Thompson Nicola Cariboo, helped organize the event geared to unite people hit hard by last year’s wildfires.
Unlike the resiliency celebration, in 100 Mile House, this event was intentionally intimate.
“We didn’t do a lot of advertising other than just locally putting up signs, etc., as per the wishes of the people that are living there,” said Dewar.
Parkinson SuperWalk held in 100 Mile
Sept. 13 - Around 30 people gathered in Centennial Park in 100 Mile House to bring awareness to Parkinson’s disease, a long-term degenerative disorder.
“Awareness helps,” said Philip Konrad, one of the event’s organizers and a survivor of the disease.
“I’m not shy about it. I’m sure some people are but that’s their personal feelings and I can understand that. I mean, I’ve had four uncles who all had it and of course, they didn’t realize they had Parkinson’s until they were in really bad shape.
Bikers and car enthusiasts bring Toy Run donations
Sept. 20 - The annual Brian Heppner Memorial Toy Run saw well over a dozen bikers and car enthusiasts turn out.
Bob Hicks, executive director for the 100 Mile House Food Bank, said after the ride it wasn’t quite as big of a turnout as they were hoping for, but that they were very happy with it.
“There’s been quite a few donations coming in,” but they weren’t sure yet how much was brought in in total at the time.
Thousands of cookies sold for food bank
Sept. 27 - The Tim Hortons in 100 Mile House donated $4,200 to the 100 Mile House Food Bank.
The funds were raised through the company’s smile cookie campaign.
Owner Steve MacPhail said stores throughout Canada and the US participate in the fundraiser, but each team gets to choose its charity.
“We’ve been running this program for years and the support is always unbelievable. Anything that this community rallies behind is unbelievable.”
October
Students experience heavy equipment operations
Oct. 4 - 100 Mile House students experienced what it’s like to drive an excavator, a wheel dozer and a bulldozer.
Vancouver Island University brought its mobile heavy equipment simulation trailer to Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School (PSO).
Ted Dillman, chair of the university’s heavy equipment operator program, said there’s a “huge demand” for young heavy equipment operators in B.C.
Students check out careers
Oct. 11 - Students from the South Cariboo got to check out various in-demand career paths at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School where Work BC had an interactive Find Your Fit Tour.
“Our idea behind this whole thing is the ability to use interactive and engaging activities to help cultivate passion and help peak an interest in a different career or something they’ve never thought of before,” said Vi Phan, the tour manager.
100 Mile Elementary holds book fair fundraiser
Oct. 18 - 100 Mile Elementary was running its semi-annual book fair, corresponding with the parent-teacher interviews.
Lisa Davidson, the school’s Grade 3 teacher and librarian, has been helping run the fair throughout the week.
“It’s excellent. It’s always really well received by parents and teachers.”
Oktoberfest celebrated in 108
Oct. 25 - Oktoberfest celebrated traditional Bavarian culture at the 108 Mile Community Hall.
“It was amazing. We had lots of fun, lots of games,” said Ingrid Meyer, the chief organizer.
November
RCMP, Lone Butte VDF thanked
Nov. 1 - Svend Nielsen, detachment commander Staff Sgt. of the 100 Mile House RCMP, and Dale Bachmier, a trained officer and one of the captains for the Lone Butte Volunteer Fire Department, accepted honorary stamps from Canada Post.
“It’s what we call a thankless job,” said Bachmier, adding that no volunteer firefighter does what they do for the recognition.
Sun sets on last Greyhound bus
Nov. 8 - Oct. 31 was the last day a Greyhound Bus drove through 100 Mile House.
“Our hearts are breaking. This has been our life’s work for a long time,” said Marnie Fournier-Erickson, who had been running the Greyhound station on Highway 97 in town for 30 years.
Remembrance Day ceremonies across the South Cariboo
Nov. 15 - People all across the South Cariboo came together for Remembrance Day.
People from 100 Mile House and the surrounding areas gathered at the 100 Mile Community Hall to honour this year’s Remembrance Day, which also marked the 100th Anniversary of the end of the First World War.
“It was great. [A] really great ceremony this year,” said Scott Rathy, the past president of the 100 Mile House Royal Canadian Legion branch.
Christmas market well received
Nov. 22 - The two-day 2018 Farmer’s Christmas Market a “great time.”
“We had a good turnout for shoppers on both days and the vendors seemed to be really pleased and everyone had a great time,” said Laura Laing, the organizer and vice-president of the South Cariboo Farmer’s Market.
Santa Claus Parade held in 100 Mile
Nov. 29 - There were about 50 entries in this year’s Santa Claus Parade, according to Patti Regan who helped put it together.
She says that the number of entries “is amazing,” adding that she enjoyed the parade.
“I stood with three little children just out front here and they were the ones that were just absolutely enthralled. That’s what it’s all about.”
December
Food bank gets refrigerated van
Dec. 6 - The 100 Mile House Food Bank is the recipient of a brand new reefer cargo van.
The acquisition came after a $78,000 grant from Food Banks BC, according to 100 Mile House Food Bank executive director Bob Hicks.
It’s great because they needed a new unit, said Hicks.
“We’ll have a reefer on it. We can pick up more perishables. We’ll go further. It’s gonna be a big boost for the food bank.”
Literacy program wraps up
Dec. 13 - A program that aimed to promote literacy for families of young children in 100 Mile House wrapped up, but organizers hope to continue the drop-in story time in the new year on a weekly basis.
“It’s a great opportunity for parents who work during the week and can’t take their kids to early years programs to connect with other parents,” said co-ordinator of the Saturday Songs and Stories program, Kimberly Vance-Lundsbye.
108 students fill up on turkey
Dec. 20 - Just under 200 students got served a nice Christmas lunch at Mile 108 Elementary School.
“It was just an ideat hat we had at the school back in September where we thought every student should have a Christmas or turkey dinner at this time of year. So it was just our way of ensuring everyone got one,” said Ken Lucks, principal of the school.
Big toilet paper drive at Horse Lake Elementary
Dec. 27 - A class at Horse Lake Elementary School collected 320 rolls of toilet paper for the school’s drive for the 100 Mile House & District Food Bank.
“Basically the Food Bank has donated over 400 pounds of food, fruits and vegetables and things for the hot lunch program and the breakfast program and we were looking at a way to give back to the community to say thank you,” said Misty Stuckel, PAC president of the school.
In total, the school brought in 1,308 rolls of toilet paper.