The 12 Days of Giving
The Leadership students at Cache Creek Elementary School are taking the lead to help support families in the community this holiday season, with “The 12 Days of Giving” to help increase the amount of food items available for families at the South Cariboo Elizabeth Fry Society food bank.
Each weekday between December 5 and December 20, students—as well as community members—will have an opportunity to drop off food items. Although each day has a specific theme—December 8 is for canned fruit and vegetables, and December 15 is for canned pasta and sauce—all donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted during any school day.
Solid Waste draft plan meeting
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) is holding a meeting in Cache Creek on Wednesday, December 6 to provide face-to-face consultation with residents about the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan (RSWMP).
TNRD staff will be on hand to provide information and field any questions about the draft plan. The RSWMP provides guidance for the handling of garbage and recycling within the TNRD for the next 10 years. The Cache Creek meeting will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Community Hall.
For more information about the RSWMP, go to www.tnrd.ca.
Ashcroft Christmas Parade
The annual Christmas Parade in Ashcroft will take place on Friday, December 8. The parade starts at 6 p.m. and will proceed north along Railway Avenue from the blue truck. The Tim Hortons at the Travel Centre will be on hand to provide coffee and hot chocolate, and the Masons will be cooking up hot dogs donated by Safety Mart.
The Ashcroft Legion will be awarding prizes to the top three floats, and there will be an opportunity for children to have their pictures taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus on the Santa float.
Special display at the Ashcroft Library
Coming soon to the Ashcroft Library is the “Merry and Bright” Christmas display. The wonderfully decorated display will be open to all during regular library hours from December 8 to 29. You can add your child’s name to Santa’s “good” list, as well as enter for a door prize. Come on down and check it out!
Cache Creek Elementary Christmas craft fair
The Cache Creek Elementary School Parent Advisory Council is holding its first Christmas craft fair from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday, December 8 at the school. Close to 20 vendors and home-based businesses have already signed up, and there is room for more at $5 per table, with or without a raffle gift to donate (vendors will need to bring their own table).
Anyone with questions, or who would like to sign up as a vendor, should call (250) 457-7656.
Elvis tribute concert
Royal Canadian Legion Branch #113 (Ashcroft) is presenting a concert featuring Elvis tribute artist Jeff Bodner on Saturday, December 9. The concert is in support of the B.C. Wounded Warriors First Responders Foundation.
Tickets can be purchased at the Ashcroft Legion or at Anie’s Pizza and Bakery in Cache Creek. Tickets cost $25 (in advance) and $30 (at the door), and include a pulled pork sandwich dinner, served at 6 p.m. The concert starts at 7 p.m.
Kinsmen Family “Turkey” Bingo
A reminder about the annual Kinsman Family “Turkey” Bingo at the Cache Creek Community Hall on Sunday, December 10. Doors open at 10 a.m., and the bingo goes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no admission charge for the popular, fun event.
Turkeys and hams will be there as prizes, along with boxes of chocolates and boxes of oranges. There will also be lots of door prizes, and the Ashcroft Curling Club will be running a concession.
This year’s partner group is the Desert Sands Community School Travel Club. Money raised will go to provide a bursary for a graduating student at Desert Sands School, as well as help support the Cache Creek and Ashcroft Volunteer Fire Departments.
Holiday Train
The 19th CP Holiday Train will be making its annual stop in Ashcroft on December 15, arriving at approximately 8:50 p.m. Alan Doyle (formerly the frontman of Great Big Sea) and the Beautiful Band will be performing at this free, fun family event. If you can bring a non-perishable food item, or a monetary donation, for the local food bank then please do. See you there!
Krush dance recital
The Krush Dance Company is holding its winter recital at the Ashcroft HUB on Saturday, December 16, with shows at 1 and 6 p.m.
This popular event is usually standing room only, so come by early to get a seat and enjoy the variety of dance styles on display from our amazing local dancers. Admission is $2 per person at the door.
Christmas hampers for pets
People aren’t the only ones who can receive Christmas hampers this year. The Cache Creek Veterinary Clinic is accepting donations of pet food and supplies, to help the less fortunate pets (and their owners) in our community this Christmas.
Donations can be dropped off at the clinic during regular office hours.
CounterAttack turns 40
On December 1 the B.C. government, police, and ICBC marked the 40th anniversary of CounterAttack.
Since the CounterAttack program began in 1977, alcohol-related fatalities have decreased from more than 300 per year to an average of 65 alcohol-related deaths. However, the sobering truth is that impaired driving still remains a top contributing factor for fatal crashes in B.C.
This holiday season, if you plan to drink, leave your car at home. There’s no excuse to drink and drive and there is always at least one smart alternative option, such as arranging a designated driver or calling a taxi.
ICBC’s special event permit kit is also available to order for free (http://bit.ly/2jagDt9) for party hosts planning to serve alcohol, encouraging guests to not drink and drive.
Police have now stepped up impaired driving enforcement at CounterAttack roadchecks throughout B.C.
Christmas fun fact
Many people will have a poinsettia plant or two adorning their home this Christmas season. Formally known as Euphorbia pulcherrima, the plant is indigenous to Mexico, and is a popular Christmas decoration because of its deep red (sometimes pink or white) and green foliage.
It was introduced to the United States in 1825 by Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico, from whom it derives its common English name. However, the plant’s association with Christmas dates back to 16th century Mexico, where legend tells of a girl, commonly called Pepita or Maria, who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus’s birthday and was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar. Crimson blossoms sprouted from the weeds and became poinsettias, and starting in the 17th century Franciscan friars in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations.
The star-shaped leaf pattern of the poinsettia plant is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, while the red colour is said to represent the blood sacrifice of the crucifixion of Jesus.
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