What a beautiful fall, leaves are changing colours and getting ready to fall. There is an abundance of rose hips if you are into picking them and drying them for that extra boost of vitamin C during the winter months.
It seems as though the rain we received during the month wrecked the roads already, the last visit by the grader man was in mid-August. We are anxiously awaiting another visit as the potholes are plentiful and enormous-sized ones.
The pickle ballers finished using the arena at the end of September and the ice is in the process of being formed by spraying water on the arena floor. Thank goodness the cooler weather is helping the process. Thank you so much to the volunteers who showed up to help Russ Neher, the director in charge of the arena. The Old Timers Hockey League will be tremendously happy that we are able to meet the tentative start date of Oct. 10 or so. Come out on Oct. 13 for the first session of Public Skating from 1 to 3 p.m. I have heard that there will be free hot dogs and hot chocolate for all the skaters. The fee for using ice is $5 per person aged over 12 and the family rate is $10. There are skating aids available to help the young ones and quite a selection of skates if needed.
Everyone enjoys the Thrift Store as it is so well organized, and all items or treasures are clean and of decent quality. It has been a busy season for the volunteers there, but the season is ending. The last day the Thrift Store will be open is Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year there will be a $5 shopping bag as well as a $10 bag.
Bingo has also been running well with good attendance. The turkey bingo is being held on Oct. 9, there will be an opportunity to win turkeys, cash prizes and door prizes. Come on out and check us out, everyone has an enjoyable time. We are in the process of collecting nonperishable food items for the Christmas Hamper campaign organized by the Lac La Hache Volunteer Fire Department. The last bingo for this season will be on Oct. 30. The plan is to start the new season back up in April 2025.
The Cariboo Pioneer Centre held its first crib tournament on Sept. 28. The attendance was a little lower than expected with 34 players present. Everyone had a wonderful time and enjoyed the delicious spaghetti lunch. The next crib tournament will be on Oct. 26, this event is a favourite and you will have a fun time.
I wondered about the wisdom of holding the Flea Market on a long weekend, but honestly, it had to be the busiest one yet. There were different vendors, a steady stream of shoppers and everyone was enjoying themselves. The concession also had a busy time with everyone stopping in for a bit of lunch. The next Flea Market will be on Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come on out and check it out!
A person never knows what they will see here in the Cariboo, I was amazed to see that a pet turkey named Thelma was walking with the children to the bus stop. Yesterday Thelma ventured a bit further and was on the deck of the Race Trac gas station. Sure hope no one gets any ideas, what with Thanksgiving coming up. That bird must be one in a million!
Open range season is also ending, I have seen two cattle drives in the last month, trying to find all the loose stray cattle still out. I find it entertaining to watch the cowboys herding the cattle and the working dogs. As usual, I was unprepared and did not have my camera with me, the cowboy just chuckled, waved, and said next time!
Looking even further ahead the Mt Timothy Ski Hill is having a Craft beer festival on Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person, and there will also be live entertainment.
The Christmas Craft Fair and Bazaar is scheduled for Nov. 2 and 3 at the Community Hall. This has always been an extremely popular event and table rentals are very reasonable. Give Linda a call on her cell at 250-395-6621 and see if there are any vacancies or spaces available.
The Cariboo Pioneer Centre is planning a Turkey Dinner with all the fixings on Nov. 9. The cost is $25 per person, the doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner will be at 6 p.m. There will also be a backdoor takeout available. Contact Heather Balaam at 250-644-8683 if anyone has more questions.
