Trout Lake Tracker, by Linda Wall
Now that the hockey season hangover has worn off, eh…
Trout Lake is setting up its summer stage as seasonal residents and visitors begin arriving for their annual fun in the sun. Bring on the barbecues, coolers and sunscreen!
The Trout Lake Community Club’s extraordinary general meeting was held on May 21, which was well attended by 42 members. After the reading of the fall meeting minutes, the membership focused on a number of topics.
It was suggested at the fall 2010 meeting that the Club look into candidates for Honorary Lifetime memberships. Those chosen for consideration were Fred Steiner, Irene and François Linden, Nancy Savage and Arthur (Bubs) Kelly (posthumously). At the May meeting, the nominees were all unanimously voted in by the attending membership. They will join other members that include George and Thelma Sawczuk (1972), Bill and Lil Gair (1982) and Ernie Simmons (1989). Honorary Members are recognized for their role in making major contributions to the Trout Lake Community Club.
The recipients of the ‘Connecting Citizens Grant Program” was announced by the B.C. government on June 18. The Trout Lake Community Club is thrilled to have secured a $50,000 grant that will bring high speed Internet to Trout Lake and surrounding communities. This project began with a labour intensive application procedure in November of 2010.
Project chairman, John Wall, thanked his committee of volunteers from Trout Lake, Galena Bay and Beaton at the May Community Club meeting. Moving forward, contact has already been established with contractors, engineers and equipment suppliers whose expertise will get the first phase on course.
The high speed Internet service, when completed, will service Trout Lake, Galena Bay, Beaton and Halcyon Hot Springs and possibly Ferguson at some point in time. Internet will be available to most permanent and seasonal residents, with some limitation due to topographical and vegetation issues. The anchor tenants will be CMH Galena, Roca Mines, Great Northern SnowCat and Halcyon Hot Springs.
Trout Lake volunteer fire chief, Ken Christiansen and John Wall, recently met with regional emergency coordinator Jerry Silva and City of Revelstoke engineering director Brian Mallett to discuss the Revelstoke and Area emergency management program (RAEMP). The current evacuation plan for Trout Lake requires some re-evaluation. For the past two years there has been no threat of flood waters reaching dangerous levels here, but springtime melt can often be unpredictable. Moving forward, Lardeau Creek and Trout Lake itself are to be frequently monitored at specified locations during peak season to ensure everyone’s safety. A phone ‘fan-out’ is being updated and will be distributed to all residents. In the event of an emergency evacuation; be it flood or fire, this alert system will ensure that everyone is informed.
Local residents were treated to a lakeside fireworks extravaganza on May 21 at Beaton. After three years in the making Beaton resident Don Daem and “Crazy Pyro Guy” representative Bruce Hinton awed the crowd with their spectacular twenty minute show.
Dozens of burgers and hot dogs were consumed by guests, who not only enjoyed the beautiful evening, but also participated in the entertainment before the main event. Jamie McMahon (Beaton) took home the water ball race winnings and Judy Goodman (Beaton) held the lucky 50/50 draw ticket.
Many thanks to Don Daem, Linda and Holger Jarche, Barb Little, Lynn Aura, Linda Wall, Wendy Larson, Judy Goodman, all the barbecuers and scores of others who helped make the day a success. Special thanks to Columbia Basin Trust who provided the Trout Lake Community Club with a $1,000 grant in support of the event.
The Trout Lake Community Club is pleased to announce that a memorial dedication will take place at the Trout Lake cemetery in July. In cooperation with the Community Club Directors, Linda Wall and Carrol Christiansen have worked diligently with John Bos (A&M Signs – Galena Bay) to design a plaque remembering the pioneers of Trout Lake City. The plaque will be mounted on a large slate face that is supported by a feature rock wall at the cemetery.
The Trout Lake Community Club Membership Drive for 2011/12 is now on. Annual membership fees are $5 per person or $10 per family. They can be purchased at all community meetings and events, or at the Trout Lake General Store. All proceeds support community projects.
Linda Wall’s Trout Lake Tracker chronicles the life and times of the community of Trout Lake. It is published in the Revelstoke Times Review on a quarterly basis.
