Remembrance Day
The Ashcroft and Clinton Legions both have events planned for Remembrance Day on Saturday, Nov. 11.
Ashcroft Branch #113 is holding a service starting just before 11 a.m. at the cenotaph on Brink Street. The service will be preceded by the annual pancake breakfast in the Legion building from 8 to 10 a.m. ($7 per person) and a parade, and will be followed by karaoke at the Legion.
Clinton Branch #194 is holding a service starting at 10:45 a.m. in the Clinton Memorial Hall. It will be followed by lunch at the Legion building next door.
Train derailment attempt
Hope RCMP and Boston Bar RCMP are asking the public for help after an attempt was made to derail a train near the old Alexandra Bridge near Spuzzum.
On Sunday, Oct. 22 at around 3:18 a.m., someone placed a vice clamp on a section of the train tracks near the bridge. Anyone who drove through the area between 2:30 a.m. and 3:15 a.m., and who has dash camera footage, is being asked to contact the police. “It is very concerning when someone goes to this extreme to cause a catastrophic event that puts the train staff and the local community at risk of harm,” says Sgt. Mike Sargent of Hope RCMP.
Anyone with information is asked to call Hope RCMP at (604) 869-7750. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Coffee and a park visit
Ashcroft Early Years Provider is inviting parents and caregivers of children aged 0 to 6 years to bring the little ones to the Ashcroft Bakery on Monday, Nov. 13 at 9:30 a.m. Drip coffee (for the grownups) will be available at no charge, and will be followed by a stroll to the Heritage Park for some exploring. Snacks are provided for the little ones.
Lions bingo
The Ashcroft and District Lions Club is holding its monthly bingo night on Monday, Nov. 13 in the Cache Creek Community Hall (doors open at 5:30 p.m., and bingo action starts at 6:30 p.m.). Try your luck with the Toonie Ball (winner gets the evening’s take); there will also be a concession with hot dogs for sale.
Proceeds from the bingo go toward two bursaries given to graduating students at Desert Sands Community School and to help with youth sports in the area.
Christmas wreath-making class
The Ashcroft HUB is hosting two wreath-making classes, on Tuesday, Nov. 14 (12:30 to 3:30 p.m.) and Thursday, Nov. 16 (6:30 to 9:30 p.m.). The cost is $20 per person, with participants creating their choice of a ribbon wreath or a greenery wreath. All supplies, plus coffee and treats, are included.
You can register online at https://ashcrofthub.square.site/shop/workshops/5, drop by the HUB, call (250) 453-9177, or email ashcrofthub@gmail.com.
Handbell choir restarting
The Desert Bells Handbell Choir has restarted, and will be practising every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the basement meeting room of the Cache Creek Community Hall.
The choir is for anyone aged 10 to 99, and no experience is necessary. Are you totally new to music? You are in the right place; since the choir is restarting after a lengthy hiatus, everyone will be learning.
For more information, contact Carmen Ranta at (250) 457-1250.
Ashcroft-Cache Creek Seniors’ AGM
The Ashcroft-Cache Creek Seniors’ Association is holding its AGM on Thursday, Nov. 16 at noon at the Seniors’ Centre, 601 Bancroft Street, Ashcroft. All members are encouraged to attend, and anyone aged 55 or older who would like to learn more about the organization and its activities is invited to drop by.
Proposed school district boundary changes
School District No. 74’s Board of Education is proposing changes to the boundaries of two electoral areas that school trustees represent, and is asking the public for their feedback.
The two impacted electoral areas are “G” (which contains the Village of Ashcroft) and “E” (which contains Lytton). The proposed changes would increase the size of Area “G” and expand its boundaries to include Ashcroft Indian Band, Venables Valley, and surrounding areas that are currently in Area “E”, even though the students there normally attend school in Ashcroft.
The changes, if approved, would be put in place for the 2026 election of school trustees. They would mean that constituents would be able to vote for a school trustee in the electoral area in which their children attend school.
Members of the public can submit feedback on the SD74 website (www.sd74.bc.ca), by email (district@sd74.bc.ca), or by phone (1-855-453-9101). The deadline for providing feedback is Nov. 17.
Glassware paint night
Tobiano Living and the Black Iron Club & Grill are hosting a Glassware Paint Night on Sunday, Nov. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Black Iron. Registration is free and includes two stemless wine glasses for participants to decorate, additional art supplies, and professional instruction from Kamloops Art Party.
There are only 30 spots available, and advance registration is recommended. To reserve a spot, go to https://bit.ly/46YBJAz; you can also call (250) 434-5857 for more information.
Clinton children’s Christmas party
The annual kids’ community Christmas party, sponsored by the Clinton Legion for children 10 and under, is taking place on Saturday, Dec. 2, and the deadline for sign-up is Nov. 17. Sign-up sheets are available at the Clinton Legion, Integris Credit Union, Clinton Post Office, Canco, Petro-Can, and Clinton Building Centre.
Loon Lake Christmas dinner
The Loon Lake Community Recreational and Agricultural Society is holding a Christmas dinner on Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Loon Lake Community Hall (doors open at 5 p.m., dinner is served at 6 p.m.). The cost is $15 per person, with kids 12 and under free. There will also be a gift exchange for those who would like to participate ($15 limit on gifts, which will be marked as from Santa). Anyone who would like to take part in the gift exchange is asked to mention that when they book.
Reservations are required, and must be prepaid by Nov. 20. You can pre-pay online at www.loonlakecommunity.ca, by e-transfer to loonlakepurchases@gmail.com (mention Christmas Dinner in the comments), or by calling Gail Smith at (250) 459-0083 to arrange prepayment by cash.
Scouts troop in Cache Creek
Registration is now open for the 1st Cache Creek Scouts troop, for boys and girls aged 11 to 14. The troop will be a hub of the 1st Kamloops Scouts troop, and will run every second Wednesday at 6 p.m. The bi-weekly meetings will be at the Cache Creek Elementary School gym, and additional activities will be offered with the Kamloops troop.
On Nov. 18 there will be a Scouts Skills training day camp with 1st Kamloops Scouts, while the next Cache Creek meeting will be on Nov. 22, with members helping build a float for the Ashcroft Santa Parade and also working on crafts.
Financial assistance is available through the “No Scouts Left Behind” program (go to www.scouts.ca to find out more or to sign up). If you have questions, email corrine_rouleau@yahoo.com.
Highland Valley Copper 2040 project
Teck Highland Valley Copper Partnership is proposing to expand the open-pit Highland Valley copper mine near Logan Lake, extending operations there to 2040 or beyond.
The Environmental Assessment Office is holding a public comment period on Teck’s application for an environmental assessment certificate, which details the project’s design, potential effects, and proposed mitigation measures. You can learn more about the project at, and submit your comments to, www.gov.bc.ca/EAOPublicComments. Comments will be accepted until Nov. 22.