The weather wasn’t the only thing that was hot — the music was cookin’. So many fantastic bands: There were lots of positive comments on the great line-up.

With the attendance up, the number of vendors up, and more for the kids zone, there was a very festive atmosphere; it was a wonderful festival. The financial word? Barely broke even, but that’s OK as this festival is intended to celebrate good Canadian music, food and fun, and expose as many folks as possible to it all.

Thanks so much to all our sponsors, all the dedicated volunteers, and of course all the attendees for making the festival’s success possible.

The SBCC passed a motion unanimously that there be a Desert Daze Festival 2017. So mark the second weekend in August in your calendar now. The planning committee is accepting applications for acts for next year. The deadline to apply is Jan. 15, 2017. Anyone interested in joining the planning committee is more than welcome, just give me a call.

Bingo

Our regular monthly bingos have started up again, the first Monday of each month. Join the gang at 5:30 at Cleme’s hall for some fun and a chance to win some money. The twoonie pot is growing.

Senior’s Group

The New Horizon’s Senior’s group — The Elder’s Vision Council — is meeting every Wednesday and have many projects and programs on the go; so much to do. The group has completed many projects already: A refurbishing of the outhouses and trail work on the Murray Creek trail, one mural project completed and another under way, and a very successful Christmas in July gathering and work bee.

Soup day is back and is being hosted by the group, so no need to volunteer to bring soup for now, just go to Cleme’s hall every Wednesday at noon to enjoy a few laughs and a bowl of soup. The Elder’s Vision Council meets after lunch if you are interested in joining the group.

Zumba at Cleme’s

Every Friday at 10 a.m. at Cleme’s hall there’s free Zumba classes. This is Zumba ‘gold’ targeted at seniors where you can exercise sitting in a chair if that is your speed, or you can pump it up to your level. Karen Savage will guide you through getting the most out the class without hurting yourself.

Meditation

There is a free meditation workshop on Saturday Sept. 24 and Oct. 1 from 10 to 11:30, followed by a light lunch, at Cleme’s hall with Geoff Bannoff. Learn mindfulness-awareness meditation practice. Sitting meditation, as practised in the Buddhist tradition, is the primary method for developing mindfulness and awareness. Geoff has studied and practised meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition for several decades.

Farmers/Flea Market

The Farmers/Flea Market is almost finished for the year. Oct. 2 will be the last market, and we will celebrate and honour all our vendors and customers with a turkey lunch with all the fixin’s. The market has proved to be not only a great little social occasion for folks to come and mingle over a coffee while picking up some shopping, but it is a nice little fundraiser for the SBCC and the funds go towards other events we host as well as the hall upkeep. Come join us on Oct. 1 to do some shopping and have some lunch with us.

SBCC AGM

The SBCC held its AGM on Sept.14, and elections for a new executive were held. In by acclamation are the following:

president: Mavourneen Varcoe-Ryan

vice-president: Oliva Watson

secretary: Dorothy Boragno

treasurer: Carolynne Terry

and four directors: Terri Simpson, Lori Minnabarriet, Annette Albert, and Joe Thomas.

The TV society has Alex Kinasewich as chair and Carolynne Terry as the secretary/treasurer. Thanks so much everyone for stepping forward to be a part of this group that strives to host social, cultural, and recreational activities, making Spences Bridge an even better place to live.

Upcoming Events

And some of those upcoming events to be marked in your calendar are:

• Mix and mingle membership drive Hallowe’en — a party with games, crafts, prizes, wiener roast, and fireworks on Oct. 31

• Christmas Bazaar on Dec. 3 — vendors can contact me for a table. Bazaar includes raffles, auctions, concession, and great shopping.

• The community Christmas party will be held in partnership with the Cook’s Ferry Band on Dec. 11

• One of the best small town New Year’s celebrations you’ll ever attend is on Dec. 31.

Anyone wishing to get involved in helping with any of these events can contact me, or come to our next meeting Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. at Cleme’s hall. Feel free to contact me any time at 250-458-2282.