Fall grips Canim Lake landscape

Dear Canimites,

Gardens are in, freezers are full, and the land falls silent under its blanket of leaves.

Fishers stow their gear with dreams of another year, while deep below, earthworms breathe a sigh of relief and check next spring’s escape plans before giving in to sleep.

Local artist

Denise Swift is giving free reign to her passion for pottery and sculpture since her retirement from supervision of the laboratory at the 100 Mile Hospital.

She has been sculpting in clay for many years, using the Raku glazing process.

“I’m just letting the art come out without trying to guide it,” she says, “using ideas I’ve had since childhood.”

More recently, Denise has set her hand to Spirit Carvings in cottonwood bark.

Many pieces are inspired by her Metis origins.

She just returned from Ontario where she visited family in Ottawa, Arnprior, Wawa and Calumet Island. Denise had a chance to stand again on the wild shores of Lake Superior where she grew up as a child. “It made my heart flutter (to be there).”

Denise’s artistic and spiritual qualities run deep. Her grandfather, Prosper Asselin, was a healer in his Metis community.

You can take a look at Denise’s work on her website www.

canlacprojects.com. For a unique Christmas gift or to visit her studio, call her at 250-397-2632.

Canim Beach

Our swimming hole is looking cool at the moment, but was well used through the hot, dry days of summer.

Other than one incident of malicious vandalism, the day-use park’s facilities were well treated and cared for. The park contractor made cleanups weekly through July and August, twice in September and once in October.

Thanks go to Doug Harris, Ministry of Tourism (250-395-7856) and Heather Gorrell of the Ministry of Environment (250-398-4647).

Doug says he would welcome suggestions from people for next year’s operation.

Hawkins Lake

People are gathering over cards each Thursday evening, with players taking turns hosting the group. If you are interested, call Leona at 250-397-2586.

The fire department has been practising with the new engine.

Says Chief Bob Campbell: “We’ve been running it through its paces and it seems to fit our needs. Everyone is pleased with it.”

Fran Campbell says the Hawkins Lake Fire Fighters Association has applied for grants to close in and winterize a bay for the truck, so it can be stored with water tanks full through the freezing weather.

Canim fire society

There will be a meeting of the Canim Lake Fire Protection Society on Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at 4461 Newall Rd.

All members are invited. You are a member if you were paid up in 2008.

For more information, call Gordon Kellett at 250-397-2815.

Book club

Nine book-lovers, including two visitors from Winnipeg, met to discuss the popular Marley and Me, and to watch and discuss the film based on the book.

On Nov. 18, the group will meet in the home of Liz and John Sarkozy at 10 a.m. to talk about Ruffles On My Longjohns, the story of a pioneering woman who homesteaded in the Bella Coola Valley.

For January, the pick is the bestseller Book of Negroes. New bibliophiles would be cherished.

Call Sheila for more details at 250-397-2645.

People news

The October Community Dinner had 20 exuberant Canim and Hawkins lakes neighbours sharing grub at the Dragon’s Gate.

Doug and Yvette Stark were there. As

it turns out, their daughter, Valerie, works at a Yellowknife architectural firm, located not more than 100 metres from where Sheila and I lived for 30 years,

and it proves once again that all roads lead to Canim and Hawkins lakes.

Also at dinner were Greg and

Leona Hurrell with their son, Colin, and granddaughter, Katie. Katie is a whiz with the number puzzles and was manufacturing them from whatever napkins she could commandeer.

Dale and Bev McWilliams had daughter, Jody, visiting from Grand Prairie with her husband, Gavan, and their children, Georgia and Calli. Dale and Gavan dedicated their week to debugging problems in the young couple’s pickup-from-hell which, despite being a new vehicle, broke down on the drive west, and then again on the way back home.

The grandkids

will be back for two weeks over Christmas. Let’s hope Santa has all the bugs worked out of the sleigh before he hits Dale’s place.

Judy Lauzon spotted a lynx near Maurice and Collette Clark’s place mid-October. She said there was no mistaking those pointy ears with the tufts and the bobbed tail.

The critter was on the road and calmly eyed her approach before sauntering into the roadside brush.

That’s all for now. Until next time, here’s wishing you many blessings.

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