My wife and I moved from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories to the 108 Mile Ranch nearly 10 years ago.
Until we moved here, we thought everyone paid $7 for an orange, golf tee time was at 2:15 a.m., and six feet of ice in May was normal.
We live in harmony with both our mothers, and three dogs, and could not be happier. Other than writing, I love to fly fish and have fly-fished around the world.
I have decided to take on the 108 Mile Ranch column strictly as a volunteer and I endeavour to inform 108 residents, and the general public, about current events and news from 108 Mile Ranch.
I am soliciting readers for a name for this column in the hope they/we can come up with a creative and more applicable name for the future. Until then, it will remain ‘The Ranch Report’.
108 Mile Ranch Community Association Welcomes New Board and Announces Exciting Upcoming Events
The 108 Mile Ranch Community Association is proud to introduce its newly elected board members and unveil an exciting lineup of events designed to bring the community together.
With a renewed focus on collaboration and community service, the association aims to enhance the quality of life for all residents in the area, in addition to promoting and marketing the ranch to the public. Personally, I’d rather keep the ranch a secret. General membership is available for any resident, family or business and people are encouraged to become members if not already. It’s cheap and helps pay for the activities we all enjoy.
Meet the New Board Members
At the recent Annual General Meeting, a full house of community members gathered to elect a dynamic, diverse but partial board of directors. The new board comprises of the following:
Roxanne Ziefflie, President
Sandy Lee, Secretary
Doris Mars, Treasurer
Ingrid Meyer, Director
Graham Allison, Vice President
Kevin Oliffe, Director
Cindy Keates, Director
The board membership is short one position and board members ask that if anyone living in 108 Mile Ranch has an interest in serving a term on the community association, to please contact any of the current members for further information.
In addition, volunteers are also in short supply, which comes as a surprise... said no one.
Some may have noticed the shiny new cattle fencing going up around the ranch. This is being financed by the 108 Greenbelt Commission and the Cariboo Regional District and includes the replacement of all the fencing in and around the ranch for $25 per meter. No, it is not made from titanium posts and palladium wire. All ranchers will attest, fencing is NOT cheap.
Most of the ranch fencing dates back to the establishment of the working cattle ranch, and now as a community, 50 per cent of it is green space. 108 Mile Ranch actually has more green space per resident than any other municipality in the world. Yes, the world!
Between May and Sept. 31, our beloved Heritage site had well over 12,000 visitors and we are predicting further increases in the number of visitors in the coming years. It is quite possible that 108 has THE best roadside stop in Canada and is managed by the best merry band of volunteers who work hard every day!
The Heritage site, for the first time, welcomed the BC Trappers Association which sponsored the first annual trappers picnic this past solstice weekend. It was very well attended.
As a welcome addition to the Heritage site, the Northern Secwepemc Cultural Society completed its cultural centre next door and had a soft opening on Sept. 6. The name of the building means “Our Culture Long Ago” and once fully operational, will be available for visits and rental.
Our 108 Mile Lake has had some renewed life by the way of 1,500 Rainbow Trout added this fall for anglers to try their luck with. 108 Lake is truly one of the many jewels in our crown in terms of assets for our community. I can be fishing in 108 Lake within four minutes of my front door and it has some big trout (I’m told), where else can you make that claim?
Our community hall continues to be a busy place hosting many public and private events. Anything from Pilates to bingo to music circles can be attended by our residents.
The Christmas market held at the hall is a growing and thriving event was held on Dec. 1 and there were approximately 300 shoppers. The board has the intention of holding it over two days next year to allow the public more time to attend the event and to accommodate more vendors.
The 108 Mile Lions Club and the 108 board hosted the much loved ‘Breakfast with Santa’ again this year and on Dec. 7, it was merrily attended by children, parents, elves and our very own Santa Claus himself.
The 108 Ranch proxy Santa is portrayed by no other than 108 Ranch Vice President, Graham Allison, who has been playing Santa since 1997. The breakfast had 40 children and 40 adults in attendance and is run cooperatively by the Lions Club, 108 Mile Ranch Fire Department and 108 Community Association.
Generous donations for the event were provided by the Lac La Hache Bakery, 108 Mile Market, Donnex Pharmacy and Department Store and FreshCo 100 Mile.
The 108 Board raised $200 from the breakfast and donated that to the food bank, in addition to lots of donated non-perishable food items.
Al and Jan Richmond started this event in the 1980s and continued even in COVID, where they held the event outside the hall and without breakfast, but still with Santa and kids games.
Breakfast consisted of pancakes, sugar, spice, and a lot of nice kids telling Santa their wishes for the Christmas tree. No elves were harmed during the stampede.
On behalf of the board members and myself, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas with family and friends and a safe, prosperous new year. Please, drive safe and don’t drink if you drive.
Remember, submit your suggestion for the name of the 108 column to davidradcliffe@shaw.ca.
