Come on now, Mother Nature; it’s March, let’s get going on spring! March 20 is almost upon us, and we’d really like the weather to reflect the fact that it is the first day of spring and the spring equinox!
The Elders Vision Council (EVC), through the New Horizons for Seniors grant program (NHSP), is hosting a spring equinox celebration that will be our wind-up event as well. The spring equinox draws near, and with it comes that very special moment when, for a brief instant throughout the planet, day and night are of equal length. In the northern hemisphere, this momentary point of balance can be taken as a sure sign that spring has arrived; and for many of us, this is.
That is the case with the EVC, which takes this opportunity to invite your attendance at an Equinox Celebration on March 20 at the beautiful Chief Tetlinitsa Outdoor Amphitheatre (also known as the Arbour) here in Spences Bridge, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Gifts from the EVC will accompany this brief ceremony, and it will be followed by a complimentary feast. Please note that in our attempt to create as little landfill waste as possible, we ask that you bring your own cups, plates, and utensils, as these will not be provided. Our after-dinner enjoyment will feature opportunities for storytelling, drumming, singing, and community mural painting, combined with lots of wonderful door prizes! Everyone in the extended Spences Bridge/Cooks Ferry community is welcome to attend. For more information, please call Dwayne Rourke at (250) 458-2548.
On March 26 the NHSP is hosting an I Ching workshop. The I Ching, or Chinese Classic of Changes, is reputed to be the oldest book in the world. Throughout the ages, its ancient wisdom has been used by those seeking answers to their deepest questions. In this free public workshop at the historic Inn at Spences Bridge, Dwayne Rourke and Teresa Wild will present a simple introduction to the book, and will teach an easy method for determining the advice specific to your own personal inquiry. Light lunch, refreshments, and book are included. Register at the Spences Bridge post office, or by calling (250) 458-2548.
The NHSP ends on March 31, but there are still a few Zumba classes to attend on Fridays at 10 a.m. (free to all). The same applies to swim days: on Mondays we travel to the Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre in Merritt. Transportation and the swim are free; thanks to Heskw’En’Scutxe health services for supplying the travel. Meet at the Cook’s Ferry parking lot at 10 a.m. There are also a few more lunch Wednesdays; come to Clemes hall at noon to share a bowl of soup, and stay for crafts and music!
The Spences Bridge Community Club (SBCC) has decided to go ahead with another year of the Farmers’/Flea Market, but will be cutting back to two markets a month. Starting in May, markets will be held on the first and third Sundays of the month.
The SBCC is also continuing its twice a month bingo night, so come on out on the first and third Mondays of the month and support the club by playing some bingo!
The Desert Daze planning committee is still poring over all the amazing artist applications for this year’s festival. Watch this space for the line-up announcement as soon as it becomes available.
The annual Easter egg hunt and community picnic will be hosted on Easter Sunday (April 16). The Spences Bridge Fire Department, with the assistance of the community club, will host this popular event. It all starts at 11 a.m. at the school, with the children looking for chocolate eggs; then there will be lots of games (three-legged races, egg toss, sack races, etc.), face painting, a bake sale, a wiener roast, and fun for everyone.
The date has been set for the town’s spring clean-up: April 23. Take pride in your community and come join us as we walk the roads cleaning up the past year’s litter, then pat each other on the back while we roast hot dogs and share a few laughs! It’s fantastic that each year we see less and less litter, but unfortunately there are still a few fools who throw their garbage out the window. Many hands make light work, and we can get the whole town done in two hours if there are enough of us. Hope to see you at the old school at 10 a.m.
Our next regular meeting is Wednesday, April 12 (always the second Wednesday of the month) at 7 p.m. at Clemes Hall. Everyone is welcome! Check out our website (www.spencesbridgecommunity.ca) and its calendar of events, and follow us on Facebook: Spences Bridge Community Club.