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Spences Bridge is heating up as fall approaches

There's lots to do, including bingo, Zumba, farmers'/flea market, meditation, and much more in the Bridge.

Seems it was quite the unusual summer for weather, and there certainly is a feel of fall in the air now. However, we struck it lucky for the Desert Daze weekend: it was hot and dry, perfect for a festival.

The weather wasn’t the only thing that was hot: the music was cookin’! So many fantastic bands, and 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 weekend. The financial word? Barely broke even, but that’s okay, as this festival is intended to celebrate good Canadian music, food, and fun, and expose as many folks as possible to it. 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 Spences Bridge Community Club (SBCC) passed a unanimous motion that there be a Desert Daze Festival 2017, so mark the second weekend in August in your calendar now! The planning committee is already accepting applications for acts for next year; the deadline to apply is January 15, 2017. Anyone interested in joining the planning committee is more than welcome; just give me a call.

Our regular monthly bingos have started up again on the first Monday of each month. Join the gang at 5:30 p.m. at Clemes hall for some fun and a chance to win some money! The toonie pot is growing… .

The Elders’ Vision Council, part of the New Horizons for Seniors group, is meeting every Wednesday, and has many projects and programs on the go; so much to do! The group has completed many projects already, including a refurbishing of the outhouses and trail work on the Murray Creek trail, one mural project completed and another underway, and a very successful Christmas in July gathering and work bee.

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

Every Friday at 10 a.m. at Clemes hall there are 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.

There is a free meditation workshop with Geoff Bannoff on September 24 and October 1 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Clemes hall, followed by a light lunch. Learn mindfulness-awareness meditation practice; sitting meditation, as practiced in the Buddhist tradition, which is the primary method for developing mindfulness and awareness. Geoff has studied and practiced meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition for several decades.

The farmers’/flea market is almost finished for the year. October 2 will be the last market, and we will celebrate and honour all our vendors and customers with a turkey lunch with all the fixings! 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 is also a nice little fundraiser for the SBCC, with the funds going towards other events we host and the hall upkeep. Come join us on October 2 to do some shopping and have lunch with us.

The SBCC held its AGM on September 14, and elections for a new executive were held. In by acclamation are the following: Mavourneen Varcoe-Ryan (president); Oliva Watson (vice-president); Dorothy Boragno (secretary); Carolynne Terry (treasurer); and Terri Simpson, Lori Minnabarriet, Annette Albert, and Joe Thomas as directors. The TV Society has Alex Kinasewich as chair and Carolynne Terry as the secretary-treasurer. Thanks so much to 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!

Some upcoming events to be marked in your calendar are the mix and mingle membership drive Halloween (a party with games, crafts, prizes, wiener roast, and fireworks) on October 31. There’s also a Christmas bazaar on December 3 (vendors can contact me for a table), with raffles, auctions, concession, and great shopping!

The community Christmas party, held in partnership with the Cook’s Ferry band, is on December 11. And on December 31 there’s one of the best small town New Year’s celebrations you’ll ever attend! Anyone wishing to get involved in helping with any of these events can contact me, or come to our next meeting on October 12 at 7 p.m. at Clemes hall. Feel free to contact me anytime at (250) 458-2282.