Postal strike
As of the time of going to press, Canada Post employees are on strike. In the event of a postal disruption, copies of the Journal can be picked up at the Journal office on 4th Street in Ashcroft. As the office is closed for vacation from Nov. 20 to 28, copies will be left outside the front door for subscribers.
First responders food drive
The South Cariboo Elizabeth Fry Society is once again sponsoring a first responders food drive in Clinton, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23. Representatives from police, fire, ambulance, and more will be at the Clinton Ambulance Station to accept donations of food items for the Clinton Food Bank; suggestions about what to bring include pasta, juice boxes, crackers, cereal, pudding, canned soups, fruits, and vegetables, yogourt, and cheese. Cash donations are also welcome.
Ask a geologist
The Kamloops Exploration Group and the Kamloops Museum and Archives are hosting another “Ask a Geologist” session at the Kamloops Museum (207 Seymour Street) on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is fun for the whole family, and is absolutely free, so bring in any rocks you want identified, view some interesting rock and educational displays, and enjoy some fun games and activities.
Cache Creek bingo
The Cache Creek Recreation Society’s next bingo night is on Monday, Nov. 25 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Cache Creek Community Hall (doors open at 5 p.m.). The event now features a Toonie Ball Alert, so come down for a fun evening that helps support activities in the community.
Coffee’s On
Coffee’s On sessions are taking place at the 70 Mile Community Hall every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the next one will be on Nov. 26. The event features coffee, a by-donation lunch, and a chance to get together with others for conversation and camaraderie. Anyone interested in “stepping things up” a bit with crafts, art, card games, and more is encouraged to bring their ideas (and themselves!) to the sessions.
If you are interested in helping out by providing soup, bread, or desserts on specific dates, call Sally at (250) 395-0278.
Christmas in the Bridge
The Spences Bridge Community Club has finalized several Christmas events coming up in the Bridge, proving once again that it’s a small community with a big heart (and lots going on). Head to the Lookout at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27 for the light-up of the Christmas tree, which will feature carol singing, hot chocolate, and hot dogs. The Ashcroft and District Hospice Society will also be there with their Memory Tree, where you can celebrate a life and remember a cherished family member, friend, or pet who remains forever in your heart.
On Friday, Dec. 6 get ready for a ham and turkey bingo at Clemes Hall (doors open at 5:30 p.m.). There will be an early bird cash bingo and 10 regular games for a ham or turkey, with a final blackout game for a ham and a turkey. There will also be a concession, door prizes, a 50/50 draw, and fun and games for all.
The annual Christmas Bazaar — a tradition in Spences Bridge for more than 50 years — takes place on Sunday, Dec. 8 from noon to 4 p.m. at Clemes Hall, and there will be a Christmas party, co-hosted by Cook’s Ferry Indian Band and the SBCC, on Sunday, Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cook’s Ferry Band gym.
CADOSA meeting
Want to find out more about the Clinton and District Outdoor Sportsman Association (CADOSA)? All are welcome to attend their regular meetings, which take place on the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. in the basement of the Clinton Legion. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
Big tree light-up
The Clinton Community Forest is holding its big tree light-up event on Friday, Dec. 6 starting at 4:30 p.m. in front of the Clinton village office. Just follow the music and find Santa’s helpers, who will be handing out holiday treats before the actual light-up, which takes place promptly at 5 p.m. After that you can do some Christmas shopping, and support local merchants, at the “Embrace the Holiday Spirit” shop local event, taking place until 8 p.m. throughout town.
Lovett Dance showcase
Come out and support your local Lovett Dance team at the Competition Showcase at the Ashcroft HUB on Saturday, Dec. 7, which starts at 6:15 p.m. It’s an opportunity for the dancers to shine on stage, have fun, celebrate their progress, and get ready for competition season.
Entrance is by donation, plus a non-perishable food item to support the local food bank.
Loon Lake Christmas dinner
The Loon Lake Community Recreational and Agricultural Society is holding their community Christmas dinner on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Loon Lake Community Hall (doors open at 5 p.m., diner served at 6 p.m.), and all are welcome. The cost is $20 per plate for LLCRAS members ($25 for non-members), and kids 10 and under are free.
Tickets must be reserved and paid for by Nov. 30. You can prepay online at www.loonlakecommunity.ca or pay by e-transfer to loonlakepurchases@gmail.com (mention Xmas Dinner in the comments). You can also call Gail Smith at (250) 459-0083 to prepay with cash.
LLCRAS is looking for a few elves to help get the community hall ready for the dinner. If you’re able to help out, volunteers will be meeting at the hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27 and will be working indoors to set up the Christmas tree, lights, and other decorations.
Design a logo
The 70 Mile Community Club is looking for a new logo, and is having a creation contest. The design must contain “70 Mile Community Club” and the address (2585 North Bonaparte Road, 70 Mile House, B.C. V0K 2K0 Box 159). Present your logo at the club’s next meeting (6:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9); the winner will receive $100.
Clinton kids’ Christmas party
A free community Christmas party for children 10 and under will be taking place in Clinton on Sunday, Dec. 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. There will be crafts and carolling, hot dogs and hot chocolate, a gift for each child who has been signed up by Nov. 25, and a chance to meet Santa Claus himself.
Sign-up sheets are now available at several locations around town, including Clinton Building Centre, the Clinton post office, Canco, Central Market, Integris Credit Union, and the Clinton Legion.
Jingle shop
Students at David Stoddart School in Clinton will once again be holding their Jingle Shop event, where kids can shop for inexpensive Christmas gifts.
Donations of new or gently-used items are appreciated, including unisex items, men’s items, trinkets, games, wrapping paper, tags, etc. All money raised stays within the school community to benefit the students. Anyone with items to donate can contact Jodi Madison on Facebook.
Christmas gift bags
The Equality Project in Cache Creek is once again collecting donations so they can prepare 70 men’s and 70 women’s gift bags to be given out on Christmas Day. There are many disadvantaged and lonely people in our communities, and the hope is to make Christmas a little brighter for them.
Donations can be dropped off at the Project’s clubhouse on Stage Road in Cache Creek (only when they are open, which is Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Various businesses around Cache Creek and Ashcroft will also have donation boxes set up, or you can e-transfer a cash donation to info@theequalityproject.ca.
Suggested items for donation include warm clothing (socks, toques, gloves, slippers, scarves); large (250ml or more) bottles of shampoo, conditioner, or body wash; dry skin lotion, lip balm, deodorant, perfume, or cologne; small games, decks of cards, or puzzle books; calendars, pens, note pads, nail clippers or files, or small flashlights; or chocolates, candies, or Japanese oranges. Tax receipts for donations of $25 or more are available upon request.
Loon Lake calendar
The judges (Stephanie Nicoll-Russell, Jenny Gaylard, and Jim Bird) have decided, and the winners of the fifth annual Loon Lake Community Recreational and Agricultural Society photo contest have been announced. All of this year’s submissions can be viewed at https://bit.ly/4fywo7u.
You can also purchase a 2025 LLCRAS calendar that contains 13 stunning shots showcasing the beauty of Loon Lake, and which makes a wonderful Christmas gift. Each calendar is $25 ($28 with shipping), and funds raised help LLCRAS with their activities. Go to https://loonlakecommunity.ca/product/2025-calendar/ to order.
Adult badminton
Badminton season has started again, with free drop-in sessions taking place every Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Cache Creek Community Hall. Adults from throughout the region are welcome to attend; for more information call (250) 457-9164.
School District 74
At the Nov. 5 meeting of the School District No. 74 board of education, Trustees Larry Casper and Carmen Ranta were elected as co-chairs of the board. In addition, Trustee Connor Thomas was elected as the BC Public School Employers’ Association representative and Trustee Valerie Adrian was elected as the BC School Trustees Association Provincial Council representative.
Superintendent Vessy Mochikas noted that co-chairs Casper and Ranta have a great deal of experience as trustees, and she looks forward to their continued positive, calm, and stable leadership so that the board can continue focusing on what is best for students.
Seeing the light
Did you know? Lightbulbs and ballasts, smoke detectors, and CO detectors are now accepted for recycling at all 10 TNRD Eco-Depots, and are free to recycle. You can do your part to reduce the amount of waste being landfilled, and save money on tipping fees, by bringing these items with you the next time you visit an Eco-Depot. Other items that are free to recycle include batteries, propane tanks, appliances, scrap metal, mattresses, used oil, car batteries, tires, paint, cardboard, glass, paper, and plastic containers.
For more information about what can be recycled at the TNRD’s facilities, go to www.tnrd.ca/recycling.
Free energy-saving kit
If you live in an income-qualified household, you can get a free kit to help you save energy and make your home more comfortable all year round. Each kit includes simple, energy-saving products that you can install yourself, including four LED light bulbs, high-efficiency shower heads, weather-stripping, an LED night light, a fridge and freezer thermometer, and more. With this kit, you can seal up the drafts around your home, save on lighting costs, and reduce your home’s water use.
It takes less than five minutes to apply for your free kit, which is available to qualifying homeowners, as well as renters who have a utility account in their own name. For more information, including an income chart to see if you qualify, and to order a kit, go to https://bit.ly/4cKrD8y.
