Sept. 3
Angel on her shoulder
Teacher Susan Soules and Tony Carter remain friends 16 years after Soules first met her former student while teaching at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School in 100 Mile House.
Susan travelled to Vancouver in July to watch Tony compete on a Team BC soccer squad, which won gold, at the 2014 Special Olympics National Summer Games.
Tony brought the medal with him to 100 Mile House when he visited the Soules family in mid-August.
Sept. 10
Lillian Cecil leaves legacy of love
The community lost a principal pioneer and memorable matriarch with the Aug. 10 passing of Lillian Cecil, Dowager Marchioness of Exeter, at age 90.
Lillian Jane Cecil, also known as Lady Exeter, was a cornerstone in 100 Mile House for decades. The community became her home in 1954, when the early township was just beginning to boom under the mentorship of her new husband, Lord Martin Cecil (known as its modern-day founder), who predeceased her in 1988.
Sept. 17
Performers embrace Cariboo Idol experience
While Cariboo Idol contestants are usually in competition with each other for top prizes, performing solo at various community fundraising events throughout the summer, this year was a little bit different.
Some of the idols accompanied each other on stage, one brought up a band, and all seven, after three contestants dropped out earlier in the year, received a cheque for their participation.
“This year was good to allow the idols to bring other people up on stage with them,” explained organizer Rob Fry.
“In the past, they were on their own. It was all about them. This year was about performing.”
Sept. 24
Dan Lytton memorialized in mural
A colourful new painting graced the wall of the Cariboo Mall in 100 Mile House as the 100 Mile House & District Mural Society unveiled a grand mural depicting the late Dan Lytton.
Society president Ruth Peterson originally discussed the idea with Dan’s eldest son, Ty Lytton, and Ty’s wife, Rae-Lynn, last spring.
Ruth said she is “very pleased” that the family strongly supported of the idea and has contributed toward the costs for the mural and a plaque to be attached soon.
Oct. 2
No fear
Lac la Hache boys Connor, 7, and Mason Szatmari, 4, rode fearlessly this summer in the British Columbia Motocross Association’s youngest circuit.
The boys – and mom, Jennifer – shared their experience in the high-speed world of motocross racing.
“One time I turned, I went so sharp, I was like: ‘Whaaaaaaa! Vraaaaaaaaaa!’” Mason said. “It was fun.”
Oct. 9
From the classroom to the cockpit
Former principal Tom Turner took 100 Mile House Free Press reporter Gaven Crites up in the air with him for a routine flight around the Cariboo and Chilcotin on Sept. 20, and shared his story of piloting his Cessna 182 for Cariboo Air, based in 108 Mile Ranch.
“The country and the places you go are just spectacular,” Turner said.
Oct. 16
Wheelchair accessible trail now open
Local dignitaries celebrated the official opening of a 1.7-kilometre wheelchair accessible trail route through the forest at 99 Mile Hill on Oct. 8.
“Our club is very excited to showcase the new fully accessible trail,” said Steve Law of the Hun City Mountain Bike Club. “We would like to thank all of our partners who joined us in making this trail a reality.”
Oct. 23
A saga of Canadian ancestry
In mid-August, five generations of the Steffano family and four generations of the Bouchard family met in an unusual gathering of Canadian heritage at a 97 Mile home.
Elaine Bouchard says they were all visiting her home to have multigenerational family pictures taken together with her mother, Vera (Steffano) McLachlan, now 93.
It was the first time all five living generations of Steffanos were photographed together, right down to Vera’s infant great-great-grandson, Spencer Lane.
Oct. 30
New auto shop is key to hands-on learning
The Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School’s new automotive shop – one of two newer renovations at the school – was a hub of activity on Oct. 16.
The new shop means more space and more modern tools and equipment for the students to utilize on more projects.
“[Last year,] we couldn’t do a lot of the stuff we can do now,” said Grade 12 student Robert Parma. “I can work on my [truck] in here now. It’s pretty nice.”
Nov. 6
Venerable veterans revered by daughter
Lynda Krupp of Watch Lake had two Second World War veterans in her family – her father, whom she never met, and her “dad,” who raised her.
These two men were also best friends before the war drastically intervened.
Nov. 13
Cadets awarded medals for service
Earlier this year, Mike Young, who represented the Army Cadet League of Canada-British Columbia Branch, presented service medals to 2887 Rocky Mountain Rangers Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps Sgt. Coletin Lane (four years) and Sgt. Aaron McDermid (five years).
Cadets get service medals for the number of years they serve.
Nov. 20
Local inductee to national hall of fame
Bob “Bo” Work was inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame for his long and illustrious career in racing mechanics that brought about several wins at Daytona and a World Formula 750 Championship.
At Daytona in the 1960s, Work and rider Yvon Du Hamel won both a first and a second place, and set a track record that still stands (on the oval) today – with their Yamaha motorbike reaching 242.8 km/h, or more than 150 mph.
Nov. 27
A night to remember
Psalm 23 hosted its Northern Courageous Starfish Awards at the Valley Room in 100 Mile House on Nov. 22.
The event was the Psalm 23 Transition Society’s annual dinner and auction. The Psalm 23 Recovery Training Centre, for men battling drug and alcohol addiction, is located at Mile 59.
A number of awards were presented to volunteers and organizations, including the 100 Mile House Free Press, that benefit Psalm 23.
Dec. 4
From brewing to the police beat
Const. Sebastian Lipsett, among the latest recruits at the 100 Mile House RCMP detachment, is an enthusiastic new police officer with a background as a master brewer.
He made beer at Tree Brewing in Kelowna before becoming a cop.
“Not exactly a seamless transition,” he jokes.
Last spring, he underwent police training, which he said offered him a “really unique Canadian experience” and taught him how to be a true team player.
Dec. 11
Former ranger station still stands firm
100 Mile House is home to the only one old and original ranger station known to remain in continuous government operation in British Columbia.
The station dates back to circa 1952, when the Forest Rangers held a multifaceted role in the preservation of B.C.’s wildlands and timber.
The small, barn-style white clapboard station is tucked in neatly beside the much larger and more contemporary Service BC building, which houses other forestry offices and government agents.
Dec. 18
From piano to podium
The Watch Lake Hall now sports a handmade podium with an illustrious past.
Helmut Sander volunteered to build the podium out of an old piano that had been in use at the hall for many years until it was damaged about 30 years ago.
He tackled the scratched and delaminated oak, and successfully restored it with a lot of sanding and re-staining in the original colour, he explained.
Dec. 25
Pay it forward focus on Facebook
A Facebook posting by resident Bobbi-Jo Dayman touched the heart of Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre executive director Lisa De Paoli.
Dayman talked about her decision to support the CFEC and explained what her family gains from its gift-giving program.
“We sponsor families to provide someone who may need a bit of faith passed their way during the holidays.”
