On May 9, dozens of residents appreciated the opportunity to learn fish stocking procedures from BC Fisheries Society Clearwater Hatchery manager, Mark Green. Green described their stocking standards, answered many questions and “held the large diameter pipe in the lake that was connected to the truck tank.” This method protects the delicate fry from potential injury. Over 30,000 fry were released, with only one dead fry observed over the next half hour before they dispersed into the deeper water.
The Deka Lake and District Ratepayer's Association needs a few more volunteers for the fishing derby on Sunday, Aug. 4, which will build on last year’s inaugural success and improve on what didn’t go so well! Weigh in at Access #6 on Beazley #1, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.—where you can also purchase your derby ticket: $10 for adults, $5 for children aged 12 and under. Save your ticket for the raffle! Coffee and muffins will be available by donation.
New this year are free Ride-Alongs for families with children aged five to 16, with a minimum of one adult; a maximum four people per boat. The two two-hour sessions, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and 10 a.m. to noon, are sponsored by Team Macks (an offshoot of Macks Lures,) whose rep Ken Kineshanko lives at Deka. All equipment is supplied. BC Fishing Regulations must be followed. Freshwater fishing licenses are not required for youth aged under 16. Bring your own life jacket if possible, snacks, hats, water bottles and sun screen. The deadline to apply for one of these trips is Sunday, July 21 at e-mail frosti_54@hotmail.com.
After the derby, the fun moves to Frank’s place at 7598 Clearview Road where DLDRA’s Annual General Meeting will be at 3 p.m.; derby prizes and raffle draw at 4 p.m.; and a free community barbecue at 5 p.m.. DLDRA now owns a food trailer with two large griddles, and will set up extra tables for condiments guaranteeing a much shorter wait time!
The expensive big yellow bins at Deka Accesses 6 and 12, and Sulphurous, are spill kits, containing contamination control in the event of a fuel spill into our lakes. Residents need to be aware that they are NOT garbage bins!
DLDRA also needs volunteer caretakers at Deka Access 10 and Sulphurous Boat Launch and, later when it’s ready, Access 11. Take on the whole access or share it with a neighbour. It only requires mowing grass, weed eating, picking up garbage, and letting the executive know of anything critical. Call 250-593-4161 if you can help.
Remember that Fisheries will be conducting lake trout surveys on Hathaway and Sulphurous Lakes from August 8 to 25, to track the number of lake trout in the lakes. Ministry staff will set up to four nets at a time for two hours between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Some overnight netting may also be required.
Mountain Spruce Community Centre (MSCC)
MSCC’ s first upcoming special event is the annual Sulphurous/Hathaway Fishing Derby from dawn till 2 p.m., Saturday, August 3; weigh-in from 8 a.m. A barbecue from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and prize-giving at 2:30 p.m. will both be at the Community Centre. Enjoy lawn games, music and 50/50 draw. Maybe win a derby prize, a door prize or one of three great raffle prizes. Your $10 ticket covers both the derby and the raffle. Weigh in at Sahaydak’s, 7560 Pettyjohn Road, Sulphurous Lake; or Moosehaven Resort, Hathaway Lake.
At 6:30 p.m., Thursday, August 8, it’s Paint Night for 19+, when Joy Roberts will teach you how to paint a picture to take home. The fee of $55 includes all materials and two glasses of wine; or indicate that you prefer something other when you reserve. Space is limited. RSVP by email and e-transfer fee to mtnspruce@gmail.com or call/text Shannon at 604-617-7863 to reserve your spot. No refunds.
Advance notice is given of a Wine Lovers class at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 18 for 19+ only. Come taste wines from around the world and learn all about the wine-making process with Uptown Brewing’s Joy and Dave. Buy a kit, split a kit with a friend or other attendee, or buy one for them to make for you. Kits can be purchased that night by cash, debit or credit, and will be ready before December, well in time for gift-giving! The workshop fee is $24 including tastings, food pairing snacks, and instruction. No refunds.
Congratulations
Many congratulations to Deka Lake’s Shannon Sadlowski and Bridge Lake’s Courtney White on being among those nominated for the Citizen of the Year award. Neither won it, but the real honour is in being nominated at all. Your friends and neighbours know just how worthy you are, and are very grateful to, and proud of you both.
Bridge Lake Fair (BLF)
BLF (Aug. 18) is having a Colouring Contest for four age groups: five and under; six to eight; nine to 12 and 13 to 17. Download the appropriate age-group picture at https://bit.ly/3XCcPFl. There is no entry fee, and a cash prize will be awarded to the winner in each category. Deliver your completed poster to the fair on August 17 or 18 or pick up a poster on Aug. 17 and return it completed on Aug.18. OR: Come to the Colouring Contest table on Aug. 18, colour your poster, and leave it there before 3 p.m.
Judging takes place at 3:15 p.m., Aug. 18. Be sure to put your name, phone number and age on the back of your completed picture. Crayons, pencil crayons, and felt markers are all acceptable.
BLF is very grateful to Allan Pickering, Desert Hills Ranch and RONA Interlakes for their generous donations towards the Fair’s inaugural Zucchini Races.
If you wish to book a vendor space at the August 18 Fair at Interlakes Community Centre, call or PM this writer ASAP. (New phone as of July 25: 778-482-5051).
Interlakes BCRA Rodeo
Come enjoy our BCRA rodeo, Aug. 3 and 4 at the Interlakes Rodeo Grounds, East Sheridan Lake Road off Highway 24, from 1 p.m. both days. Admission is cash only: $20 for adults; $15 for seniors and kids. Also enjoy the Canadian Wild Horse Race, Wild Pony Race, Mini Bull-Riding and Mini-Saddle Bronc.
Then comes a dance at the ICC from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; tickets $20 adults; $10 kids.
Greetings
Birthday bubbly goes to Sharon Crossley, Nicki Dayman, Joice Jenewein, Lorraine Jerema, Destiny Kerr, Carissa Ruscheinsky, Eva Ruscheinsky, Glenda Tait, Harry Bishop and Joe Dayman.
Congratulations on the wedding anniversaries to Rita & Al Nordquist and Laurie & Gary Sayenchuk.
I am taking a couple of weeks off to move, so please keep this column for your future reference. Will return ASAP!
Calendar
Cardio at ICC: 9 a.m., Fridays, July 12/19; August 23/30. 9:30 a.m., Sundays, July 14, August 25.
Interlakes Horse Club meets at ICC: 6 p.m., Friday, July 12.
Crib at MSCC: 7 p.m., Fridays, July 19; Aug 16.
Jam Night at MSCC: 7 p.m., Saturdays, July 20 and Aug 17.
Bingo at ICC: Cash only. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, July 21; doors open at noon.
100 Mile Repair Cafe at ICC: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Monday, July 22.
Interlakes Horse Club Buckle Series Event at Interlakes Rodeo Grounds; 10 a.m., Sunday, July 28. Spectators welcome.
Sulphurous/Hathaway Fishing Derby: Aug 3.
Deka Fishing Derby: Aug 4.
BCRA Interlakes Rodeo at Interlakes Rodeo Grounds, Aug. 3/4.
MSCC AGM: 11 a.m., Saturday, August 17, at 7571 Pettyjohn Road, Sulphurous Lake.
