YOUR local Fraser Lake, Endako, Fort Fraser & area NEWS

Phraser Connector
Distribution
1480 copies
By Elaine Storey

Issue Date MARCH 2016

Volume # 45

Why Autumn Services??????

In 2007, it became apparent that my parents were struggling with the day to day
demands of aging. They lived in Vernon in
the center of the Okanagan and enjoyed a
lengthy growing season with idyllic winters. They had the same family doctor for
thirty years, they visited dentists and optometrists as needed and when they had to
see specialists there was a week wait for an
appointment.
In their community all the medical and
support services were available and a complete wing of the hospital dealt with dementia and Alzheimer's.

with a doctor, lawyer or banker revealed

something we hadn't considered and by
2009 I felt almost fluent in the process.
Knowing how rural communities traditionally lack levels of care, I wondered what
aging in Fraser Lake would look like. What
was available? How did you access services?
With one third of the population retiring
by 2035, and needing some level of support services, how did we stack up?

With those questions ruminating, I formed

a non-profit society and we surveyed seniors to better understand their current and
future needs. Based on the results, I applied for a grant to start a community
They had a hospital, several senior-care
newspaper to address rural isolation and to
facilities, public and private transportation,
keep people connected.
recreation facilities and social opportunities
around every corner. When Mom was
We made wish lists for the types of care
rushed to emergency because she fell, she Fraser Lake seniors would need in the fuwas assessed and a home support supervi- ture and with dogged determination found
sor and a physiotherapist did follow-up
a wonderful fixer-upper in the heart of
visits. There was home support for wound town that we could move into and provide
care, care for personal hygiene needs
services from a HUB.
(daily), care for taking medication in the
We opened our doors to Autumn Services
morning and again at night, foot care in the
Centre in May 2013. In 3 years we have
home, services to help you shave and a
had over 30,000 visits.
place to borrow canes, bed supports, toilet
I had nightmares that no one would walk
lifts, wheel chairs and walkers.
through the doors. I worried that we
All of this we learned after my brothers
couldn't get interesting speakers to hold
and I stepped in and started the ball rolleducational workshops. I stayed awake
ing. There was much to learn, and when
nights wondering if our services were relethe smoke cleared, Mum was in one level
vant to the community. And at the end of
of public care and Dad in private.
the day felt confident the grants, coffee
Our family was overwhelmed with the
donations, memberships, fundraising
language of aging and for every encounter events and proceeds from printing and ads
with the professionals, there was a differ- would pay the bills. Yet, never in all the
ent set of rules. We learned about having list making and sleepless nights did I think
power of attorney, and how to advocate, we would get to a point that establishing
and when to ask and when to push and
core funding would be an issue.
when and where to cry.
Surely THEY would hear the good reports
Every trip to Vernon and every phone call about what we did, who benefitted, and

Free
monthly

how it was valued. Surely THEY would

recognize how essential was the social support.
Surely THEY would invest in the seniors
who committed to years of taxation and
shopping locally
Surely THEY would financially appreciate
the work of our board and our volunteers
and place a dollar value on our free work.
And about that work there arent
enough hours in the day to get it all done.
We make coffee and sit around a table visiting. We laugh and tell outrageous stories
about the good old days. We organize
workshops and bring in speakers. We
make food and do dishes, and wash floors
and scrub toilets. We advocate & listen.
We answer the phone and help people
with computers, taxes, cell phones, skype
and ordering glasses on line. We print, and
copy, and scan. We donate time, coffee,
toilet paper and energy and put all of the
proceeds back into supporting the center.
We fundraise and hold executive meetings
and prepare reports, and apply for grants,
and send out donation letters. We edit and
publish a monthly newspaper. We design
print projects and ads and issue invoices.
We pick up the mail, and sweep sand off
the doorstep. We host indoor markets, and
support groups, eat soup, stitch, walk, and
have coffee.
We opened the centre so seniors and their
families could enjoy social and educational
opportunities in their community. Our
center is not JUST a place, its a service.
And many people have vested thousands of
hours in making it a great place to drop-in.

Please help us to help our community.

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Storeylines
An editorial by E Storey

Its called the vernal equinox when day and night are each 12 hours long. It occurred on March
19th this year at 11:30 pm making it the earliest one since 1896. The March equinox signals the
beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It marks that long-awaited moment when the
sun crosses the celestial equator travelling from south to north. Our sunrise is earlier now, the
nightfall comes later. Plants are sprouting. Winds are softening. For us in the Northern Hemisphere, people are enjoying the warmer days. Meanwhile, south of the equator, autumn begins.

And once again here we are, giving Winter the boot. Like many seasonal workers, Winter has received her Record of Employment and will
enjoy compensation once her claim has been accepted. There is little to no future in the business of winter thanks to Global Warming, there is talk
that she may be out of work for several seasons.
Talk about getting the worm.Spring is so eager to get to work, she arrived earlier than she has in 120 years. Now that dedication will pay off in
big bonuss at year end.Way to go Spring!
Typically spring is responsible for turning up the temperature and bringing birds together and waking animals from dens. Fortunately longer days
and heat bring about positive changes in us and improves our overall well being. We all can take a chapter from the book of hibernation and crawl
out of our cozy confines, shake off our furry coats and get outside to play in the soil.
The 2015/2016 winter will be go down in the books as lacking originality. She tossed around handfuls of hoar frost in late November, turned the
skies grey and called it a day. There was so little sun this winter, and to keep happy, many folks hunkered in and gobbled vitamin D by the handful.
The low ceiling and lack of wind caused the hoar frost to remain unhindered on trees down to the tiniest wee branch. Some folks might consider
this a sign of global warming, and while that may ring true in some circles, I confess that my global warming needs to include details like ..and this
proclamation decrees that snow shall forever be extinct.(Now, THAT would be global warming)
While we wait for spring, winter-copy-cats dress and undress the ground and rooftops with snow. Its always a shock to wake up to a white yard
once the proverbial THAW begins.
This In-Between-Season-one foot in snow, the other in mud, normally holds us hostage through Spring Break and Easter. While the spring workforce plies ice from frozen ponds and fashions fluffy ends on willow branches, the initial signs of spring are conspicuous only to the seasoned eye.
To us long-term northerners the first signs of Spring appear in atypical ways:
Geese circling over Santa on the arena roof a sure sign of Spring; gravel covered dog poop on pathways its a given; the moving dust cloud making its way down the street (aka the street sweeper); the smell of ground; visible highway lines; pot holes obvious; clicking of tire studs on bare
pavement; rooftops gone from white to black, blue or brown; hearing your whirly-gigs spin freely on a snow-free-roof; and to a seasoned northerner Three chairs propped against the side doors at the arena.letting outdoor heat melt the indoor ice.

From Farm to Table DINNER

Friday, April 15th at Autumn Services

Menu

$15 each5pm to 8pm

Meatloaf

Bring the family and enjoy a night of

Local potatoes & carrots

locally grown food & local entertainment

Home-made buns

Call Autumn Services TODAY to reserve your tickets

Trifle with local berries

Call 699-0056

Fraser Lake Ace Building Center

Sorry for any inconvenience We are UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

doors

Look for our Summer Hours starting

Monday, April 4th
8:00 to 5:30 p.m. Mon to Fri
9:00 to 5:00 Saturday, closed Sunday

40 Cougar Street, Fraser Lake 250.699-6506

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Fraser Lake Community Health Centre

List of providers until the end of JULY 2016
Dr. Shannon Douglas available Mondays & Thursdays
Dr. Tim Bowen-Roberts available April 4 to May 6
Dr. Gerry McFetridge available April 4-8/May 9-13/June 6-17/July 4-15
Dr. Midori Yamamoto available April 25 to May 3

Dr. Emanuela Tura available May2-27

Dr. Rena Romain available June 6-30 to July 4-29
(These dates are subject to change)
Call 250.699-6225 to book your appointment
Hours of 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
RCMP BULLETIN

Draw August 8th

$10 per ticket
At 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday March 23rd, Members of the
Fraser Lake RCMP responded to a report of a large fight near
the 100 block of Chowsunket Avenue.
On arrival it was discovered that two males were stabbed as
a result of a physical altercation. They were treated by Fraser
Lake Volunteer Fire Department and BC Ambulance
paramedics.

They were transported by Ambulance to Vanderhoof hospital

where the injures were discovered to be non life threatening.
4 suspects were subsequently located and arrested with
assistance from Prince George Dog Services and Vanderhoof
RCMP without incident.
Three of the accused were released on strict reporting,
weapons and residency conditions, while 1 suspect remains
in custody awaiting to appear before the courts.
Due to the ongoing nature of this investigation no further
information is being released at this time.
If anyone has any information that can assist in this matter
please contact the Fraser Lake RCMP at (250)699-7777.

1. Freezer Package
Brand new Danby Designer 5.1 Cubic
Ft. Compact Freezer full of meat and local
produce
2. Francois Lake Package
2 Nights at Nithi Resort
Dinner for 2 at Stellako Lodge
Breakfast Basket
Round of Golf & Cart at Molly Hills
3. Warm Wishes Quilt
Locally Designed & Handmade Quilt 94x10
4. Robert Bateman Framed Print
Peregrine and Ruddy Turnstones
Limited Edition Print
5. Custom Made Stained Glass
Approximately 2x3 Framed
6. Bird House
Locally Made Log House
7. Basket of Merchandise
Locally Made & Produced

Tickets can be found at Autumn Services,

312 McMillan Avenue in
Fraser Lake.
Call 250-699-0056

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Of Duct Tape and Hair Dos

Kathy Scott, local paramedic and all-round
athlete, is riding in the Cops For Cancer
Tour de North in September. Prior to covering several hundred practice miles, and
getting her equipment in order, she must
commit to raising money for the cause.
On Wednesday, March 23rd she kicked off
her fundraising with a Duct Tape event at
FLESS.
Three good-sports agreed to take on the
challenge of getting duct -taped to the gym
wall And the one raising the most money,
would have their head shaved as the reward.

Annual Daffodil
Tea & fundraiser

Ruth Schmidt

FLESS principal Lisa Ketlo sold the most

strips of tape raising a total of $550. Constable Dan Carter/hockey coach sold tape
raising $245 while Village Councillor/
businessman/hockey coach Craig Lepoidevin raised $164 to round out the earnings at just over $1000.

with the
entire
school
looking on.
In the spirit of fun
and fund- Principal Ketlo hamming it up
raising, Cst Carter agreed to a shave and in
Following a busy half hour of taping, the
a matter of seconds, was left with a few
three participants were left hanging on the
tufts of hair on his head.
gym wall. With nearly double the strips of
Scott will make the arduous bike ride from
tape, Principal Ketlo remained dangling
Prince George to Prince Rupert in Septemeven after her chair was pulled away.
ber to bring awareness to all the children
For winning the contest and raising the
and friends and family who have been efmost for pediatric cancer research, Ketlo
fected by cancer.
had her head shorn in the middle of gym

For eighty-one years there has been a spring-tea in Fraser Lake. In a town where people come and go
and most of the buildings are under 50 years of age, the annual Daffodil Tea carries the honour of
being the longest running organized event in the area.
Ruth Schmidt recalls attending the event as a young girl and has been involved in some capacity of
organizing it for over 60 years. A commendable feat, considering most of the organizers are over 70
and many are in their 80s, said Dini Foote who helps with everything from posters to baking.
The tea is a fundraiser for the FL Historical Society and their always busy Chair Richard Cannon, says
there is much excitement about moving the museum this summer. Cannon has been packing the contents of the museum and looks forward to getting the building moved and renovated and finding new
display places for the hundreds of antiques and display items.

TECHNOPURE WATER
Water Treatment Systems

Drink only the best

For bottled water, pick up, or delivery
Call 699-6688
Closed for
Spring Break
March 30 to April 11
RE-OPEN April 12
Monday - Friday
9:30 to 5:30

Book your appointment today

250.699-0055

Martineau Plumbing & Heating

Licensed Gas Fitter & Plumber
95% High Efficient Furnace Replacement
HotWaterTank Replacement
Call Wayne Martineau
Phone 250.699-6597
Cell 250.699-1384

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The Phraser Connector is on-line. READ IT @

www.phraserconnector.wordpress.com

R Cook Home Improvements

Specializing in
Metal Roofing/Siding
Doors & Windows

Over 30 years experience

CALL Today

250.699-6362

OFFERING:
Septic Tanks ** Lagoons
Sawdust Vac ** Dry Vac ** Dust Control
Holding Tanks ** Grease Traps Floor
Drains

CRIB NIGHT
@
AUTUMN
SERVICES
EVERY
SECOND
TUESDAY
7-9pm
March 29
April 12
April 26

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Endako This & That

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by Audrey Read

Congratulations to Matthias Steiner for winning a silver medal in the Arctic Winter Games held in Greenland in the Bi-Athalon Snowshoe race.
Way to go Matthias, we are proud of you.
====
Most of the ranchers in the area are right in the thick of calving now. Good luck to all of you, with the prices where they are you should get a
good return on your investment for a change.
====
Did you know that a happy person is not someone in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.
====
Congratulations to Mandy and staff who now have taken over the Endako Roadhouse from Bill & Denise. Good food, great entertainment and a
very lovely friendly bunch of people. A place to go right in our back yard...they'd appreciate you giving them a call if your party consists of ten or
more people. See you thee!
====
Today I went for tea at my dear friends place...even if she has problems with "right & left" sometimes...she makes a great cup of tea and her Hot
Cross Buns are wonderful! LOL thanks Phyllis!
====
I have been admiring my tomato plants, Cherokee Purple, they are a heritage variety, not all that pretty to look at but the tastiest tomato you will
ever find. Large in size and they turn a very dark purple when they are ripe, almost black. Very good! I will have to get some other seeds started
like sweet peas etc soon. I am really glad that I can head on over to Lester & Dawn's greenhouse for most of my bedding plants, the best you will
find!
====
Was greeted by a wet dreary looking bunch of bulls this morning, they weren't impressed with the snow. Can't
say as I blame them, I'm not either! Some very impressive Red Angus bulls out there, Walter would be proud of
the way they are growing out, guess I have done a pretty good job! Anyone needing a great sire for their
herd? Come take a look, I think you will be impressed.
====
I have always figured: "If you can laugh about it, you can live with it!" Have a great day everyone!
====
Hope everyone is supporting Autumn Services, it is a wonderful community effort especially for the senior population. The raffle coming up has some wonderful prizes and tickets are only ten dollars each.
====

We accept ALL of these

For recycling

REFUNDS for Beer cans & bottles 10 & up

REFUNDS for Alcohol bottles .10 & up

REFUNDS for Pop/Juice bottles 5 & up

Small Appliances Radios
Power Tools
Microwaves
Electronics like TV Vacuums
Screens & Com- Heaters
puter parts
Lightbulbs
Cell Phones &
Cardboard
chargers & their
Car batteries

cords

REFUNDS for Pop/Juice cans 5 & up

REFUNDS for Juice Pouches . 5 & up
100% REFUNDS
OPEN Tuesday to Saturday
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

250.699-8322
20 Cougar Street
Fraser Lake

We have
Storage
Space
For
RENT
Or
LEASE

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COMMUNITY PAGE

ATTENTION ARTISANS
THE FRASER LAKE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
COMMITTEE IS SEEKING
ARTISANS OF ALL KINDS
(VISUAL ARTS, FABRIC ARTS, BEADING,
SCULPTURE, PHOTOGRAPY etc)
AS WELL AS MUSICIANS AND OTHER ONSTAGE
PERFORMERS, TO DISPLAY AND ENTERTAIN
DURING OUR SECOND ANNUAL ARTS FESTIVAL
TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 12 AND 13th.
PLEASE SAVE THE DATE!
Anyone wishing to volunteer to help make this years
festival a resounding success
PLEASE CONTACT:
CATHY HARDER AT 250-699-1234 OR EMAIL:
cgharder@telus.net

FOR SALE

Registered Red Angus Bulls for Sale

Red Angus Yearling Bulls off the ranch.
Forage raised, all shots & semen tested
The late Walter Read spent over twenty-five
years breeding Red Angus Cattle with good feet,
nicely tucked-up udders, quiet disposition and
calving ease.
*Complete dispersal of all machinery
June 25, 2016 at the ranch
Contact Audrey Read
250-699-6990
Diamond X Ranch Ltd.
Endako, BC
V0J 1L0

Early Child Development FUN!

INTERNET SAFETY TRAINING FOR GRADE 4-7

Monday 10 11:30 April 18th New Story Time begins

Tuesday 11:30 1 April 12th Gym Time resumes
Thursday 1 2:30 April 14th Baby Talk resumes
Friday 9 11:30April 15th Friday Funday resumes

Student Voice, a SD 91 student governance body, is pleased to host

Darren Laur, also known as the White Hatter, from May 30 to June 2,
2016 to speak to local high schools on Internet Safety and Social Media.
Following a series of high school surveys in which cyber bullying was
identified as a main issue of concern across our district, Student Voice
proposed that they organize an expert speaker to help educate students
around internet safety. Mr. Laur is a retired Staff Sergeant from the
Victoria Police Department who was primarily focused on online and
social media investigations.
Mr Laur will be presenting to both students and parents during that
week and then working with Student Voice members to help them prepare a presentation specifically for grade 4 7 students for the fall of
2016. Parent and community members are encouraged to attend local
sessions which will be advertised following Spring Break.
Fraser Lake Skighler Rodrigues FLESS - 250-699-6233

Lego at the Library - one Thursday a month

April 28 / May 26 / June 23
Tots around Town will return Wednesday April 20,
watch for schedule of events
Call Lynn @ 250-570-7868
Follow us on Facebook FLECD@hotmail.com

QUILT SHOW
Brought to you by the Fraser Quilters Guild
Tuesday, May 10th
11am- 7pm at the Fort Fraser Community Hall
Nothing tops good food, good company & Quilting! So bring a friend.
The Fraser Lake Public Library welcomes new Trustees Dave Christie, Garry Watson and Serena Sholty. We thank all of those
who expressed an interest in becoming a trustee.
Parent Participation Rhyme Time at the Library will begin Tuesday April 12, 2016 at the Library 1:15-2:00 pm. Ages 2-5.
For more information call Jana at 250-567-7626.
Do you have old DVDs you want to get rid of? The Fraser Lake Public Library will gladly take your donation.
Book sale downstairs - many new and used additions including westerns.

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SERVING FRASER LAKE, ENDAKO,

FORT FRASER & AREA NEWS

Museum soon to enjoy new address

Autumn Services Centre

Home of the
Phraser Connector
312 McMillan Avenue
Fraser Lake
BC
Primary Mailing Address
Box #557
Fraser Lake BC
V0J 1S0

Phone: (250)699-0056
Or (250)699-1023

W ERE ON
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Book a Birthday Party,
Meeting or Baby Shower!

CAO Rod Holland, Mayor Lindstrom,

EDO Jolene Webb, Councillor Storey,
Councillor Jantz, and CEO Janine
North, Northern Development Initiatives
Fraser Lake will see a tourism boost this summer after receiving $208,000
from Northern Development to upgrade the museum and move it from the
current spot at the south end of arena to a property on the south side of
highway 16.
Following the move, the museum will be undergoing some renovations and
the installation of new display cases. The new visitor information site would
include decommissioned and donated equipment from the local mine and
sawmill as added attractions.
This summer is projected to be a strong year for tourism traffic in Northern
B.C., making the timing for this project perfect, said Janine North, CEO,
Northern Development. Moving the visitor centre and museum across the
highway will provide more prominent and easier access for visitors passing
through the area, encouraging them to stop in Fraser Lake and enjoy the
many attractions the community has to offer.

News From the VILLAGE of

FRASER LAKE
The FL & District Chamber of Commerce
is having their AGM Wednesday, May
4th at 7:00 pm in the arena basement
meeting room. Please join us.
Get you tables registered for the Recreation & Small Business EXPO,

on Saturday, April 16th.

Tables are $10 each and free for Not-ForProfits, with all proceeds going to charity
here in Fraser Lake. So far there are 25
tables registered.
Excellent opportunity to advertise your
local business/homebased business.
For more information call Jolene at
250.699-6257

COMMUNITY MARKET,
FLEA MARKET
SOMETHING EVERY
FRIDAY
at Autumn Services
11:00 to 2:00 pm
Next Flea Market Friday,
April 1st
The Community market offers
fresh baking, home-made jams,
skin products & more
The Flea Market offers tables of
gently used household items,
dishes and keepsakes
Visit us & enjoy lunch with
friends
Homemade
soup & bun $5

WANT COLOUR COPIES ? NEED COLOUR PAMPHLETS PRINTED? WE CAN DO THAT! Call 250-699-0056