The students and staff from Eliza Archie Memorial School (EAMS) enjoyed a special treat on Jan. 13 when Esmat Nazarvar from Jeloucha, Afghanistan came to visit.
He wasn’t “just in the neighbourhood,” but was instead on a mission telling people about life for school children in his homeland.
Having been deprived of going to school in his own village as a young
boy, Esmat set out to make a dream of
providing local schooling come true. He hoped children
in the future wouldn’t be sent away from home for weeks at a time if they were to receive an education.
His childhood home was a small village that had been bombed and burned out and being the son of the village chief, he felt he could be very effective in establishing a more stable future for the generations that would follow.
Together with John King from Hope International Development Agency, and local fundraiser Colleen Cartledge, Esmat came to EAMS on an awareness mission to help Canadians understand some of the conditions he faces back home.
Elder passes
During the early hours of Jan. 13, the Canim Lake Band lost one of its elders, as Antoine Archie, age 65, had passed away.
Numerous students and teachers, relatives and friends were all shocked and saddened by the news that met them at the school. Some of the school’s planned activities have been postponed and will be rescheduled to a later date.
Roads treacherous
It was just before 4 p.m. on Jan. 1, when the emergency pagers went off, putting the Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Department (FGVFD) members into action.
A passenger
vehicle, driven in extreme winter
conditions by a local resident
slid off the edge of Eagle Creek Road and landed in the ditch.
While the lone occupant was somewhat shaken but not hurt, she did consider herself lucky because her car came to rest against a big tree rather than toppling down a steep embankment.
Engines from both fire halls arrived to assist the 100 Mile House Fire-Rescue crew at the scene. RCMP and BC Ambulance Services also attended, but the accident victim politely declined any emergency services, and she was given transportation to her residence.
Within a short while, the damaged vehicle was removed by tow truck and
life on Eagle Creek Road returned to normal.
Since the incident, much snow has fallen, and the beauty of the peaceful white scene understates the need for even more care while moving around — be it by motor vehicle or on foot.
Under the
weather
Tom Dewsbury is still in the Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops and has been having some added difficulty in his recovery since contracting pneumonia.
Our best wishes go out to Tom and his family during this difficult time.
Ice warnings
Local residents, who are experienced in these winter conditions, warn of the dangers in walking out on the icy surface of local lakes.
While the temperatures have been lingering below the freezing mark, the blanket of snow
and occasional
warm fluctuations in thermometer readings are a perfect formula for poor ice conditions.
Smaller lakes will likely be ready for ice traffic sooner than the larger lakes, but all should be approached with caution.
Skating fun
Local skaters have been enjoying
the ice rink which has been constructed in a field behind
the Forest Grove Legion.
There are often skaters on the surface looking for a little hockey action.
Grab your skates and your stick and puck and see what’s happening at the rink at
the Grove.
