Board game afternoon
The Ashcroft Literacy Program and the Village of Cache Creek are hosting another board game event at the Cache Creek Community Hall (basement meeting room) on Friday, March 28 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. This fun, free family event will feature games, snacks, refreshments, and door prizes, and all are welcome (children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult).
Repair café
Volunteers from the 100 Mile Repair Café are coming to the 70 Mile Community Hall (2545 N. Bonaparte Road) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 29. The aim of the Repair Café is to reduce the waste that gets sent to landfill or incineration, and to change society’s “throw away” mind-set.
You can bring broken household items such as small kitchen appliances, small electronics (no cellphones or laptops), and small power tools and get them repaired (if possible) for free; you can also get advice or seek inspiration. The Repair Café is also looking for more fixers; for more information email 100milerepaircafe@gmail.com or visit the 100 Mile Repair Cafe Facebook page.
She shoots, she scores!
Merritt Minor Hockey is holding a free “Female Try It!” hockey clinic, which is open to all girls under the age of 17 who have never registered for hockey but are interested in trying it out. There will be an equipment try-on session on Monday, March 31 from 6 to 7 p.m., and on-ice sessions on April 1 and 2 from 6 to 7 p.m. All sessions take place at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena in Merritt.
To register, go to https://forms.office.com/r/11y3gvGndi. For more information, email female@merrittminorhockey.com.
Bingo
The Ashcroft Legion has bingo nights on the first Wednesday of the month, and the next session is coming up on April 2. Doors open at 5 p.m., and bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. Please note that this is a 19+ event.
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, April 2.
Suddenly One
The Suddenly One: Building Connections program has returned, and takes place every other Thursday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Ashcroft Library (private meeting room at the back). The next meeting will be on Thursday, April 3.
Suddenly One is for men and women of all ages who suddenly find themselves alone. The event will feature coffee, tea, and conversation, with people able to share their thoughts, stories, and experiences surrounding loss and living alone. There is no agenda; topics and activities are up to the participants, all in an accessible, respectful, and confidential space.
There is no cost to take part, and participants can attend as many or as few sessions as they would like. For more information, email ashcroft.hospice@gmail.com.
Spring Into Art
The Thompson Nicola Shuswap chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists is presenting its 21st annual juried regional art show, “Spring Into Art,” taking place at the Old Courthouse Gallery at 7 Seymour Street W. in Kamloops from April 8–19 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday).
The event showcases the finest artists from Kamloops, the Shuswap, and the Okanagan, working in a variety of genres and media. Attendees can vote for three “People’s Choice” awards, and there will be live demonstrations where you can witness artists in action and ask questions. For more information (including an online gallery and sales info) go to www.tnsc.ca.
Ashcroft yard waste pick-up
The Village of Ashcroft will be holding a free yard waste pick-up to help residents with their spring cleaning. The pick-up will take place on April 9 and 10, and anyone interested must call the village office at (250) 453-9161 by Monday, April 7 in order to have their property added to the list. To see what is accepted, visit the Village of Ashcroft Facebook page or contact the village office.
Spences Bridge community sale
There will be two community-wide garage sales coming up in Spences Bridge, on Thursday, April 17 and on Saturday and Sunday, May 17–18 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day). Take a drive to the Bridge, enjoy the spring weather, and check out some new-to-you treasures.
Hidden gem
Speaking of heading out for a drive, did you know that there is a thrift store and museum in North Bend? Located in the former school on Chaumox Road, which is now the Joan Blakeborough Museum and Community Centre, the store and museum are open every Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. Drop in to see what’s in store, and explore the fascinating history of North Bend while you’re there.
Ashcroft Amazing Race
Do you have what it takes to win the Amazing Race? The Ashcroft HUB is holding an Amazing Race on Saturday, May 24 starting at 9:30 a.m., and is looking for teams of two to take part. You can register your team at https://bit.ly/4icI15q; for more information email office@ashcrofthub.com, or call (250) 453-9177.
Soccer referees wanted
The South Cariboo Minor Soccer Association is looking for boys and girls aged 12 to 18 who are interested in becoming small-sided soccer referees. It’s an opportunity for youth to develop soccer, leadership, and conflict management and resolution skills, and is open to anyone, whether they’re new to soccer or experienced. Course fees are paid for by SCMSA, and successful candidates can earn $40 per game for refereeing.
For more information, or to express interest in taking part, email Chantal at chantaljohnson06@gmail.com.
Calling all gardeners
Would you like to get information about invasive plant management in our region, including identification tips to help you spot invasives, alerts about emerging invasive plant threats, strategies to protect native ecosystems, expert insights, and news about local events and training opportunities, and more?
Then sign up for the Thompson-Nicola Invasive Plant Management Committee’s free e-newsletter “Taking Root,” and join a growing community of local conservationists. To receive “Taking Root,” go to https://bit.ly/3FBBGSI, where you can also find more information about invasive plants in the Thompson-Nicola region.
School’s Out at the HUB
Looking for something for kids to do after school from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday? Register them for the free School’s Out program at the Ashcroft HUB, which is for children aged 5 through 12 and features crafts, science, physical activities, and more.
Go to https://wkf.ms/487QNx5 to sign your kid(s) up for at least two days of the program. For more information, contact the HUB at (250) 453-9177 or email office@ashcrofthub.com.
Clinton rodeo parade
Time to start planning this year’s Clinton rodeo parade, and the planning committee is on the lookout for volunteers to help them plan! If you’d like to help out, or are interested in learning more, email clintonparade@gmail.com.
Shiny but dangerous
They’re tiny and shiny, and dangerous for young children. Button batteries (also called disc or coin batteries) are used to power watches, cameras, hearing aids, computer games, alarm clocks, bathroom scales, key chains, and more. Because they are small, round, and smooth, kids can mistake button batteries for food or candy, and swallowing one can lead to serious injury and even death.
Children under the age of six are at the highest risk of ingesting a button battery. From 2021 to 2023, the BC Drug and Poison Information Centre managed 159 cases of button battery exposures, with more than half of them (55 per cent) involving babies and children aged five and under.
If you suspect your child has ingested a button battery, or has inserted one into their ear or nose, call 9-1-1 or the BC Drug and Poison Centre (604-682-5050), or go immediately to an emergency department or medical centre. If the child is more than one year old, give them honey to swallow, which will coat the battery while help is on the way, but do not try to induce vomiting. Keep button batteries safely stored, make sure that products which use them have screws securing the battery panel, and put tape around used batteries and store them in a container with a screw-top lid until they can be safely disposed of.
