Clinton Old Timers’ tea
People of all ages are welcome at the Old Timers’ Tea at the Clinton Memorial Hall on Friday, May 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. Come and join your friends and neighbours for free drinks and snacks, listen to stories about the rich history of Clinton and the Cariboo, and maybe share some of your own stories and memories.
New Horizons in Spences Bridge
The Spences Bridge Community Club has been successful in obtaining grant funding from the New Horizons for Seniors program, and has workshops and classes lined up for this spring, with more coming in fall and winter.
Ukulele classes start on Friday, May 23 at 3:30 p.m. and run for four weeks, and there will be rock hounding, polishing, and jewellery making on May 29 and June 5. A one-day local ethnobotany field trip with Dr. Verna Miller will be held in late May, and there will be weekly soup days and monthly dinners. For more information, call or text Mavourneen at (250) 457-1505.
Career and education fair
WorkBC is hosting a Career and Education Fair at the Ashcroft HUB from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, May 23. The free event allows jobseekers of all ages to connect with employers and learn about free employment services, training programs, and other community services; there will also be door prizes.
Board game afternoon
The Ashcroft Literacy Program and the Village of Cache Creek are hosting their final board game event of the spring at the Cache Creek Community Hall (basement meeting room) on Friday, May 23 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).
Clinton Rodeo
The annual Clinton Rodeo kicks off with the rodeo parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, with entries making their way along Highway 97 between Cariboo Avenue and McDonald Avenue. The theme of this year’s parade is “Our Canada,” so wear red and white, wave a flag, and cheer on the participants.
Rodeo action starts at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the rodeo grounds, and there will be a steak dinner at the grounds at 5 p.m. Saturday. Continue the celebration by dancing to the music of the Tumblin’ Dice at the Memorial Hall; doors open at 8 p.m., and music starts at 9 p.m. Tickets for the dance are $30 per person (no minors).
Slack Sunday starts at 9 a.m. at the rodeo grounds, and features a pancake breakfast, with rodeo action starting up again at 1:30 a.m. Rodeo admission tickets are $20 (aged 13+) or $15 (youth 7 to 12 and those aged 65 or older); children 6 and under are free.
Ballet recital
MK Ballet will be holding its spring showcase on Saturday, May 24 at 1 p.m. at the Ashcroft HUB (doors open at 12:30 p.m.). Come out and support our local dancers as they display their skills and all they have learned this season. Admission is $5 per person (children two and under are free).
70 Mile hoedown
The 70 Mile Community Club is hosting a Hoedown on Saturday, May 24, so grab your boots and hats and head to the 70 Mile Community Hall (2585 N. Bonaparte Road) for a night of barn-style and line dancing under the instruction of Jess Thomas.
The event runs from 4:30 to 11 p.m. and includes a roast beef dinner. Tickets are $30 in advance ($35 at the door), and there will be a cash bar. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call April at (604) 852-7622 or Kelly at (604) 703-6498.
Bonaparte flea market
There will be a flea market at Bonaparte First Nation (quonset building) on the last Sunday of each month, and the next one is coming up on Sunday, May 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors are welcome to book a spot; the cost is $10 per table, with proceeds going to benefit Bonaparte First Nation Elders. For more information, or to book a table, email s.pierro686@gmail.com or text (250) 457-1686.
Cache Creek bingo
The Cache Creek Recreation Society is holding its monthly bingo night on Monday, May 26 at the Cache Creek Community Hall. Doors open at 5 p.m., so drop in for some bingo action, including a toonie ball alert.
Fall Fair AGM
The Ashcroft and District Fall Fair is holding its AGM on Wednesday, May 28 starting at 6:15 p.m. at the Ashcroft HUB. Anyone interested in learning more about the Fall Fair, or volunteering to help with this year's event, is invited to attend.
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, May 29.
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.
Softball tournament
Cache Creek Minor Fastball presents the first annual Desert Heat Classic Softball Tournament, featuring co-ed U11 and U13 teams, from June 6–8. There will be some great softball action, so get ready to come out and cheer on the players. More information is coming soon; watch this space, or go to cachecreekminorfastball.com.
Cache Creek drag races
Drag racing returns to the Campbell Hill drag strip near Cache Creek on Saturday and Sunday, June 7–8, with racing each day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. tech and registration for participants takes place on June 6). Entry is $10 for adults; children under 13 are free. There will be food available on-site. Can’t make this event? You’ll have another chance on the weekend of Sept. 12, when the drag races return in conjunction with this year’s Graffiti Days event.
Organizers are looking for a local non-profit group to host (and benefit from) a 50/50 draw at the event. Any group that is interested, or would like more information, can email bcdragit@gmail.com.
Walhaschindig
The seventh annual Walhaschindig returns to the Soldiers Memorial Hall in Walhachin on Saturday, June 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event is fun for the whole family, with live music, food, a beer garden, 50/50 draws, vendors, and more. Admission is by donation, and you have an opportunity to look at the many fascinating exhibits about the history of Walhachin in the historic hall.
Local musicians and entertainers who would like to take part, as well as any vendors who would like to set up an outdoor table, can email friends@walhachin.net for more information.
Strawberry Tea
The Ashcroft-Cache Creek Seniors will be holding their annual Strawberry Tea on Saturday, June 7 starting at noon at the seniors’ centre (601 Bancroft Street), and all are invited. Admission is $5 per person, and in addition to a delicious strawberry shortcake tea there will be a table stocked with homemade baked goods, a raffle, and more.
Spences Bridge celebration
Head to the Bridge on Sunday, June 8 for a celebration of 160 years of the community! The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at historic Clemes Hall on Highway 8, and will feature arts and craft vendors, tea leaf reading, face painting, and a dramatic reading about the extraordinary Jessie Smith (aka Widow Smith of Spences Bridge), whose apples were a favourite of King Edward VII.
There will also be live music all day, from Jim Ryan, Sandra Hall, the Spences Bridge Ukulele Strummers, Flat Busted, and Jenny and the Gents. There will be a barbecue and salads (by donation), but admission to the event is free.
Community Resources Society AGM
The Ashcroft and Area Community Resources Society is holding its AGM on Monday, June 9 at noon at the Ashcroft HUB. Membership dues ($5 per person) are due at the meeting, and new members are always welcome.
Clinton junior sports program
The Clinton Minor Sports Association has started a junior sports program for kids aged 3 to 7, every Monday night from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The cost is $20 per family, and each session consists of a 30-minute introduction to sports, followed by 30 minutes of play time. For more information, visit the Everything Clinton Kids Facebook page.
Art at the library
Throughout the month of May, there is a display of artwork by students at Desert Sands Community School at the Ashcroft Library, so come down to the library and see some of the wonderful art being created by our students. And if you missed this year’s Ashcroft Art Club show and sale, there will be a chance to see some artwork by club members at the library starting in the second week of June. Go to www.tnrl.ca for dates and times when the branch is open, and check out some of the other events going on.
Calling all gardeners
Looking 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, or visit the Thompson-Nicola Invasive Plant Management Committee Facebook page.
Grief support library
Did you know that the Ashcroft and District Hospice Society has a free library of grief support resources for people of all ages? In addition to pamphlets and books, the society also has contact information for organizations that can provide even more resources and support.
The society’s office, at 509 Railway Avenue in Ashcroft, is open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For assistance outside office hours, call (778) 207-7575.
