Jan. 7
Drama students took on Dickens
Drama students at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School (PSO) were preparing to put on an elaborate stage production of the Charles Dickens novel, Nicholas Nickleby, at Martin Exeter Hall in 100 Mile House on Jan. 14-16.
The dramatization was billed as a delightful blend of comedy, mystery and melodrama, with 25 senior students participating in the two-hour show.
Jan. 14
Traditional crafts exhibition
Area residents had an opportunity to enjoy the South Cariboo Weavers, Spinners, and Fibre Artists Guild Traditional Crafts in an exhibition at the Parkside Art Gallery.
The guild boasted 30 members who worked in many different techniques, including lace-making, knitting, quilting, fine weaving, embroidery, crocheting, macramé and quilting. Spinners also demonstrated their craft and letting people try their hand at it.
Jan. 21
Local pianist supported Key-It-Up
108 Mile Ranch pianist Anna Betuzzi, who was preparing to take her Grade 10 level piano and Associate Diploma test, played at two fundraising house concerts and a concert at the Cariboo Christian Life Fellowship church.
Marilyn Buyar said the concert at her home, on Jan. 10, was a relaxing way to spend a winter afternoon.
“Anna took us on a journey from the Baroque era through the 21st Century with her musical performances of several piano compositions.”
Jan. 28
Local actor launched career
Ben Pilger, 21, was in his final year of the three-year diploma course, preparing to head to Douglas College for nine months there, and obtain his Bachelor of Arts degree when he finished.
He had found himself on the brink of an acting career he first dreamed about at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School (PSO).
Ben said he was an actor since he was a little boy, but the acting bug really hit when he was in Grade 10 at PSO and continued through grades 11 and 12.
FEBRUARY
Feb. 4
Sled dog races awesome
The Cariboo Challenge Jack Gawthorn Memorial Sled Dog Races attracted 30 teams and hundreds of onlookers to the course at the 108 Heritage Site on Jan. 30-31.
Since the 2015 event had been cancelled due to lack of snow, organizers had moved it to a later date, but a rapid thaw still had a ground crew hauling in snow and shovelling it onto the trails.
Feb. 11
Unique trade show
The South Cariboo Agri-Culture Enterprise Centre (Ag Centre) welcomed the community to a unique trade show on Feb. 13.
It offered members of the public a chance to meet with local producers and find out more about food security in the region. It was promoted as a wonderful networking opportunity with experts discussing everything from planting a garden to setting up an entrepreneurial opportunity.
Feb. 18
Annual Snowarama successful
Green Lake Snowmobile Club’s annual Snowarama was almost a perfect day and awarded some great prizes on Feb. 7.
Riders arrived at the clubhouse to find homemade cinnamon buns, cookies, and coffee before they hit the 50-kilometre trail, and returned later to a super hot meal prepared by event volunteers, and played poker games.
Feb. 25
Valentine’s event enjoyed
The annual Valentine’s Dinner & Dance event at the Forest Grove Community Hall was a great success, with dinner catered by Two Sisters on Feb. 13.
The band, Riding Shotgun, had everyone dancing the night away while performances by the talented Kira Saenger and Peter Thorne added to the already jovial atmosphere.
MARCH
March 3
French Celebration Week
100 Mile House Elementary School student Darlyssa Chretien wrote an article highlighting its Carnaval celebration from Feb. 9 to Feb. 12.
Her school held its own mini version of Quebec’s winter festival that involves fun winter activities like sledding, snowshoeing, ice sculpting and drinking hot cocoa, she explained – including a group of students who sang O Canada in French at a Wranglers game.
March 10
International Women’s Day
Some 40-50 women embraced and celebrated International Women’s Day at the South Cariboo Business Centre.
Hosted locally by the 100 Mile House & District Women’s Centre, this global event is celebrated annually on March 8 with a focus ranging from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women’s economic, political and social achievements.
March 17
Stemete7uw’i fiddler’s first show
The Stemete7uw’i Fiddle Group welcomed the community to a toe-tapping fiddle concert on March 22, with a spaghetti dinner and show by donation.
The fiddle players began learning their craft in the fall of 2015, and played and practiced hard until the end of February, when they decided to end their season with a show of music at the Stemete7uw’i Friendship Centre in 100 Mile House.
March 24
Grad fashion show
Students at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School were gearing up for their Class of 2016’s fashion show and raffle fundraiser to be held at the PSO gym on April 8.
This year’s theme, Rock of the Ages, would showcase music from different eras to tell a story about how they influence today’s fashion styles on the runway – all sponsored by local stores and hair salons.
March 31
Easter Egg Hunt
More than 120 children enjoyed the Inaugural Community Easter Egg Hunt at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre on March 27.
The event, hosted by Canlan Ice Sports and the 100 Mile House Free Press, was a great success with a lot children’s smiling faces seen while the Easter Bunny was hopping around visiting and entertaining them.
APRIL
April 7
Country dance
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #261-Forest Grove invited everyone to an old-style country dance with local bluegrass band Front Porch on April 23, with admission by donation.
A special “western style” menu was available during the afternoon’s weekly meat draw, and children were welcomed to join in the fun.
April 14
Rising star
Super huge congratulations go to Roe Lake’s 20-year-old Jason Ruscheinsky who won The Rising Star Showcase at the annual Kamloops Cowboy Festival, March 17-20.
His reward was $1,000, and he will be a “main-stage performer” at next year’s festival.
Jason is well-known and much appreciated in our area, as he frequently performs for community events and we are very proud of him.
April 21
Festival Showcase 2016
The 100 Mile Festival of the Arts organizing committee expected a full house again for the Festival of the Arts Showcase Concert at Martin Exeter Hall on April 29.
The evening would showcase the talent of the area’s young performing artists in musical theatre, classical voice, instrumental music, piano and dramatic arts – all of them award winners selected by the four guest adjudicators.
April 28
From a Circle
Four artists showcased a broader selection of their latest creations at Parkside Art Gallery in the From a Circle show.
New paintings by local artists Amy Cadrin, Helen Kellington, Neil Pinkett and Cindy Wickingstad in acrylic, watercolour, oil and mixed media – each with distinctly different styles – were responses to the themes The Moon, Reflections, Cover Versions, Cast a Circle and Tell a Story.
MAY
May 5
Poles for Peace
Cariboo-Chilcotin Partners for Literacy initiated an art project to involve children in the spirit of world peace.
The children have been painting two Peace Poles during the past couple of weeks, with each side reading “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in a different language, at the Community Place Garden on the corner of First Street and Birch Avenue prior to more activities planned at the Soup for Syria dinner on May 13.
May 12
Cars and Coffee launch
A new Cars and Coffee get-together event began May 14 at the 108 Mile Community Hall, the first of its kind in the 100 Mile House area meant to be casual and free of club politics.
It was to run every second and fourth Saturday until the end of August with no fees to attend, just a box for general donations to help buy the coffee and donuts – but bring your own coffee cup.
May 19
Eclectica concert excellent
The Eclectica Community Choir performed its annual spring benefit concert Here Comes The Sun on May 15.
It was the first public performance with the new Yamaha grand piano at Martin Exeter Hall (purchased by the 100 Mile Festival of the Arts committee). It opened with a mix by Front Porch Bluegrass Band before the 57-member choir belted out its cover of The Beatles tune Here Comes The Sun.
May 26
Interlakes abuzz with foods, crafts
The first Interlakes Farmers’ Market at the Interlakes Business Centre of the season was on May 21. Despite the snow, business was steady for the vendors on opening day. The Craft Market at Loon Bay Resort on Sheridan Lake was also abuzz with activity on opening day.
JUNE
June 2
Coastal masks wood carver
The Parkside Gallery was filled with wooden masks and the music of native drums as Tony Speers presented Coastal Expressions on May 27.
Speers is originally from 100 Mile House but said his heart will always be in Bella Coola. On display were more than 20 masks made during his previous two years teaching wood carving at Skyline Alternate School in Williams Lake.
June 9
Dinner/auction at Interlakes
Everyone who enjoyed the popular Music at the Lakes program held Saturday evenings in July and August in 2015 – or those who felt they might last summer – had a chance to help make it happen.
The Interlakes Community Centre was set up for a baron-of-beef dinner/silent auction fundraiser, to be held on June 18, to help support the outdoor music program at Interlakes Service Centre.
June 16
Awesome quilts display
A host of beautiful and intricately-patterned quilts were being readied for public display on June 10-11 at the 100 Mile Community Hall.
The Cariboo Calico Quilters (CCQ) Quilt Show only takes place once every five years, and the $5 admittance fee included refreshments and door prize draws.
June 23
Students merge with music
The sounds of flutes, clarinets, trombones, xylophones and drums filled the gymnasium at 100 Mile House Elementary School when its students and those from Forest Grove Elementary School came together on June 15 to deliver a 50-instrument music concert.
Conductor Tamara Hatch, who had attended school in 100 Mile House, said the experience was both a humble and reminiscent experience to return there from university to teach music.
June 30
Hootstock concerts
The Hootstock Music Festival was getting ready to provide first class indie music at the Old Bradley Creek Schoolhouse near Forest Grove, July 22-24.
The 2016 lineup included the heavy rockin’ music of Ninjaspy, local favourites Tax Free Liquor, world music of Entandagos, and the funky Victoria band The Party on High Street with more than 30 acts on two stages providing non stop performances all weekend.
