Representation from many groups associated with education in the local area made up the Carlin Country Market Saturday, May 26 at Carlin Elementary Middle School. There were vendors of all descriptions, each offering a unique craft or service. A fabulous fundraiser was popular, with baskets of abundance and a special theme. Each basket was a classroom collective, every student contributing to the cause.
With a show and shine, live entertainment, dancers, chainsaw carvers, there was much to see, including a Jaws of Life demonstration. The Shuswap Fire and Rescue departments were on hand to show off some of the skills required in their work.
Changes at market
Major changes are taking place at the Blind Bay Country Market, with a new liquor department and walk-in cooler. The BBCM has a selection of liquors, chilled beers, coolers, and ciders available in good quantity; much of the wine is local product along with some imports.
There will be a grand opening event Friday, June 8, with complementary cake and coffee served between 8 and 10 a.m. A barbecue fundraiser for a local charity, is happening between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Granite Creek Estate Winery is putting on a wine tasting from 4 to 6 p.m.
Live entertainment will be provided from 2 to 5 p.m. by Gary Ess. Draws and giveaways are planned throughout the day, with an opportunity between June 4 and 8 to enter to win some great door prizes while visiting the store.
The motto of the Blind Bay Country Market is, “the little store at the top of the hill, loaded with friendly service.”
Lois Barker manages the store, attributes the light atmosphere to her staff.
“Everyone who works here takes pride in their work, treating each customer with care and respect, happily serving their needs.”
Barker has brought in a line of recyclable shopping totes which also make a fashion statement. The bags come in different sizes, choices of fabric to suit any colour palette, with a Shuswap label inside, produced by a seamstress in Vernon. These would make a great souvenir for a tourist passing through, but are equally as useful to locals.
Next to the freezer, a deli cooler filled with meats, including Sedo’s Old Fashioned Butcher product from Salmon Arm.
Fresh produce is available, with improvements soon to be implemented there as well, Barker indicated the space was being expanded. The selection of dry goods is vast, again with local product available where possible.
Just in the syrup section alone there were three choices of fruit flavours, along with the regular buttery, and my favourite 100 per cent pure maple.
Get a hair cut, support cause
Stylist Ivan Emde will cut anywhere from 20 to 30 inches of hair from local resident Kimberly May who hasn’t cut her hair in more than five years.
Kimberly and her husband operate A Rover’s Rest Bed & Breakfast in Blind Bay. Both Kimberly and her sister have had their battles with cancer.
Visit the Farmers’ Market at Blind Bay Marketplace, 2688 Fairway Hills Rd. Thursday, June 7 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Make a pledge per inch, get a haircut or support Kimberly for her 1 p.m. cutting. If your hair is 8 inches or longer, it can be included in the hair donation.
Get a haircut and Ivan will donate all proceeds to the Cancer Society Chapter in Salmon Arm.
Call Sandy at 250-675-3370, Ivan at 250-463-1175 or Kimberly at 250-675-4405 for more information.
