What a winter! Haven’t seen that much snow in these parts for years, and now it’s a slushy mess. The days are getting longer; soon spring will rear its beautiful head, and next thing folks will be complaining about the heat! Are you feeling like getting out now that the thaw is on? There’s lots to do!
The New Horizons Elders’ Vision Council (EVC) is switching up its Wednesday meetings. Starting on February 22, the weekly meeting (to which all are welcome) will start at 10 a.m., followed by the community soup lunch at noon; then folks can stick around for some crafts or open mic music. It is Elders mentoring Elders in music, sewing, painting, and so on, and everyone is welcome to join in. The soup is made by volunteers, so consider taking it on yourself one week. The EVC will reimburse you for the ingredients.
The highly successful bingos are still going on twice a month, on the first and third Mondays of the month. Bingo is not only a great way to get out to socialize; you might win a few bucks while you’re at it, and you’ll be supporting a great little fundraiser for the Community Club! There are always treats at the concession, and a toonie pot that seems to keep growing.
Participants at the Valentine's Day celebration. Photo by Dwayne Rourke.
We had a wonderful Valentine’s celebration on February 14! The New Horizons Elders’ Vision Council partnered with Heskw’En’Scutxe Health Services, and we gathered for a heart-smart healthy feast. The nurses were on hand to check blood pressure and distribute all sorts of health-promoting material. We all took part in painting a mural; a great community effort. There were fabulous door prizes, including beautiful donated artwork by local artists. There was even a little music, and after dark the day the day was finished off with some fireworks! All in all there was a great turn out, great food, and lots of fun, and it was a huge success. Thanks so much to Hesk’En’Scutxe, Cook’s Ferry, and all the organizers!
Working together to create a mural. Photo by Dwayne Rourke.
The Spences Bridge Community Club (SBCC) is in the process of applying for renovation grants for the historic Clemes Hall. We are always looking to improve the hall, both aesthetically and environmentally. We are hoping to re-open the windows that have been long boarded up, put in a new ceiling and wall panelling, create a much-needed and more functional storage space, and do some improvements to the exterior. Fingers crossed we are successful in obtaining funding!
The Desert Daze planning committee has begun meeting and making plans for this year’s festival. As always, it is scheduled for the second weekend in August. Mark your calendars; this year it’s August 11–12. We have so many excellent artist applications that it is a very difficult job to choose a nice, varied line-up, because we like them all! Anyone wishing to join the planning committee would be welcome.
The SBCC and the EVC have started a project we are calling “Spences Bridge Helping Hands”. The concept is to provide the seniors in town with various types of assistance. This is for anyone over age 55 who needs help with some yard or house work, perhaps an hour of company playing cards, a ride to town for medical appointments or groceries, and so on. We have also set up a box in the post office with donated food and personal hygiene items. If you are able to, please consider dropping something off there. If the need is there, please help yourself.
We are in need of some volunteers able to help out with the various jobs folks might need to have done. If you can help, or if you’d like to ask for help (confidentially), please contact Carol Madden at (250) 458-2236.
Our next regular meeting is on Wednesday, March 8 (always the second Wednesday of the month) at 7 p.m. at Clemes Hall. Everyone is welcome! Check out our website at www.spencesbridgecommunity.ca and its calendar of events, and follow us on Facebook at Spences Bridge Community Club.