By Robyn Rexin
There was a 40th wedding anniversary party for Bob and Robyn Rexin on Dec. 29, it was a potluck dinner held at the Vavenby Christian Church (VCC) at 5 p.m.
Organizers, daughter–in–law Christina Fillion and friend Karen Moilliet, had decorated the sanctuary of the church and set up the tables there. They set up a head table for the “young” couple to sit at.
After everyone had eaten all of the delicious food some speeches were made and then the couple were asked to relate what their most memorable event of their wedding was. Some of the memories brought sighs, others laughter.
A good time was had by all.
A transport truck loaded with frozen meat went into the North Thompson River south of Avola at 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 30. Vavenby residents got a phone call not to use the water.
The pump house had been shut down at 6 a.m to make sure that no fuel from the damaged truck got into the system.
The only water available to residents is what is still in the reservoir so free bottled water is being provided at the fire hall from 1–7:00 p.m.
There was a town meeting at the community hall that night to explain the situation. There was a good turnout for such short notice.
Guest speakers were Ron Vanderzwal, Greg Denyluk, Bill Kershaw of the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) and chair for the meeting, as well as Jake Devlin, Ron Storie, Tyrone McCabe, Allan Mole, and Sukh Gill who is the Chief Administrative Officer of the TNRD.
Each one spoke on his expertise about what was being done. Those present were assured that because of the distance from the town, the fact that diesel floats slowly on the water surface and the town’s water system takes the water from under the surface that Vavenby might not be affected.
There are water samples being taken constantly at the accident site and elsewhere and sent to a lab in Vancouver to see how much fuel and oil went into the river. Diesel absorbent “sausages” had been put in around the crash site right away.
These sausages absorb diesel, but repel water.
After the guests spoke there was a question period. Residents were assured by Vavenby fire chief Phillip Weber that there would be no impact on a fire situation as any needed water could be got from the Canfor Mill or the river.
At the time of the meeting the truck was being secured so it would not float down river and it was being unloaded. Residents were told that due to the holiday they would probably not hear until at least Jan. 3 the results of the water testing.
Residents were phoned on the afternoon of Jan. 4 to say that the latest water testing had showed that the water was clean and fine for using again
There will be a Christmas tree burning party beside the outdoor skating rink at noon on Jan. 13, which is being organized by the Vavenby Trails and Recreation Society and the Vavenby firefighters. There will be hot dogs and hot chocolate provided.
There will also be skating if the weather gets cold enough to flood the rink.
Crib has resumed for the New Year. It is every Thursday beginning at 7 p.m. The cost is $3 for the evening. Come on out and enjoy a night of fun and competitiveness.
The amount of $900 was raised, largely by the VCC, to send to Vienna Moilliet to the Philippines where she works as a missionary/midwife. The money went to purchasing a much needed new stove/oven for Safe Refuge.
Moilliet thanks everyone for their generosity.
She said, “The new stove is beautiful and can fit more than one cooking item on it. The girls tested the oven by baking five cakes in one day.”
She just started a tradition of baking a birthday cake for everyone.
In October Moilliet made a Canadian Thanksgiving dinner including stuffing and pumpkin pie, substituting squash for the pumpkin. Everything was eaten.
She has started doing weekly baking on a Friday when the girls get home from school. She has to make sure everyone gets a turn to do the stirring.
Moilliet found it funny when she saw one little girl stirring the flour with her finger!
Winners of the Vavenby Christmas colouring contest are Mason, Kavin, Wilf, Brielle, and Trinity for the 0 – 5 year old age group, Moira, Zion, and Charlie for the 6 – 9 year olds, and Hunter and Presley for the 10 – 15 year olds.
The prizes, provided by Val Bellows and Kathy Cederholm, varied for the different age groups and can be picked up at the general store.
