If you would like to join Women North Network, a network that supports women, and women’s organizations in northern, rural and remote communities to connect with each other for positive change in all areas concerning women’s health and well-being check out “http://www.womennorthnetwork.ca/” The group is currently updating their member list and welcome interested persons.

The traveling Sonia update: Alberta, swans by the hundreds and pelicans. Saskatchewan, green and white license plates proudly stating “land of the living skies”. Topping an overpass the land stretched to far-away hills, the prairie dotted with little home sites, reminded her of a photo hanging on the wall of Klaus and Reneta Masch’s home. She met friends Jim and Kathy, former Smithereens now living in Pontiex. A life size Pontex dinosaur sculpture, a plesiosaur, possible relative to the Loch Nest monster. Coffee and cake at a Huterite Colony where cows wear rigging on their necks that tell their care takers everything about that cow from per cent of butter fat to whether she is in heat. The farm was immaculate and charming, 86 people living there. Headed out in caravan with Jim and Kathy to cross the border at Climax and then down through Great Falls and Butte, on their way to “winter in Arizona”. From Sonia: “I am having a superb time and often think of family and friends in our “valley”. Travel safe, Sonia.

The Smithers Health Committee has two bulletin boards on display at the Healthy Living Centre, corner of Alfred and Main Street.  Information about local current health events taking place on one and the other features phone numbers for different health services provided in Smithers. Good source of information.

There will be a Northern Health Forum at the Hudson Bay Lodge Thursday November 5, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Representatives from Northern Health will attend and the focus is on primary health care. Let them know we care about our community.

Phyllis Bunker belongs to the Lions Gate Chorus of Sweet Adeline International, a ladies barbershop singing group. The Region 26 group, 120 strong, is the only all Canadian group with people from BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Yukon. This year saw Phyllis traveling to Vancouver about twice a month for rehearsals, all of which paid off at the International competition held in Nashville recently. Not only did her group win Silver but they also won “Most Entertaining Chorus” which is a special honor since the choice is made by members of the audience. Margaret Taylor and Marilyn Farrow also attended the event. This is the first time in Nashville for Phyllis and she even got to see the Grand Ole Opera. Way to go!

The United Church Christmas Bazaar and Tea will be on Saturday, November 14, 2p.m. to 4p.m., admission $4.00 includes tea and goodies. Find crafts, baking and cookies by the dozen.

The Museum will have their second annual display marking Canada’s time of Remembrance titled “The Bulkley Valley Remembers”. The exhibition is a poignantly simple moment of reflection about the women & men from this valley who went into the service for their country in the two World Wars. One of the panels in the exhibition denotes the Telkwa Women’s’ Institute contribution to remembering our Valley’s service.

Janet Goheen, Pat Peters, Pat McCammon, Olga Walker attended as honoured guests at the recent book launch for (Mythology, Life Lessons Learned). They had all contributed their stories and each gave a short reading from the book. It was a lovely afternoon of reminiscing.

Closing with: Every human being should be taught that his first duty is to take care of himself, and that to be self-respecting he must be self-supporting. To live on the labour of others, either by force which enslaves, or by cunning which robs, or by borrowing or begging, is wholly dishonorable. -Robert G. Ingersoll