As we prepare for another memorable, yet humbling, winter in the Selkirk Mountains, Trout Lake starts the season with a generous snowfall and anticipation of the activities that it will inspire. Waxed skis and boards, and well-tuned sleds await their riders while snowshoes stand ready for the call to an untouched, snow-covered stretch of terrain. Let’s go!
The October long weekend opened with an extraordinary general meeting of the Trout Lake Community Club. Over 30 members were in attendance. Several announcements were made relating to the Trout Lake Community Hall:
The club has received a generous grant from the CSRD to insulate, with spray foam, the walls and foundation perimeter of the community hall. A contractor from Castlegar is slated to do the project sometime in the next few weeks. In preparation, a layer of polyethylene was laid under the building for extra insulation that will tie in with the spray foam. The club extends their thanks to Bill Ethier and Harley Gould for volunteering their time getting that portion of the job done.
Approval was given to increase the community hall rental rates for public and private functions. Effective immediately, the daily rate is increased from $150 to $165 and the ‘up to four hour’ rate rises from $50 to $65. Information about hall rentals can be directed to Linda Wall.
Exercise classes were approved for one-hour sessions, three mornings a week at the community hall. There is no charge to community club members but a small donation of $2 per class for non-members is suggested.
The insulation project, increased rental rates and donations from the classes are intended to help lower the hall heating costs during the winter months.
An October day trip to Trout Lake brought representatives from the Vernon Family History Society to visit the cemetery. TLCC Vice President, Carrol Christiansen and Secretary, Pat Gaviller, joined President, John Wall, and Linda Wall in welcoming VFHS President, Margaret Myers, Director and Cemetery Committee Chairman, Lawrna Myers, and Marjorie and Derek Allen.
On behalf of the Trout Lake Community Club, a small luncheon was provided, in appreciation of the society’s visit. While touring the cemetery, Lawrna offered some tips on restoration and care of the aging wooden grave markers and headstones that have survived for over a century. She also suggested, from her field of expertise, ways to identify some of the unmarked grave locations, as well as determining the ‘position’ of a grave; being that there is no known schematic of the cemetery. The Trout Lake cemetery committee is keen to start work on the headstones and continued maintenance at the cemetery in the spring.
The Trout Lake BC Internet Society (TLBCIS) is pleased to announce that Internet service is ready to go into full production before the New Year. After overcoming some unforeseen glitches along the way, transmission from the Nakusp site, through the two-backhaul towers, to Trout Lake was brought online in October. The task now is to distribute equipment and sign up waiting customers to the service. The TLBCIS website (www.troutlakebc.net) is currently in the design stages, but in the meantime, contact information is available online at this site.
TLBCIS President, John Wall, is happy to welcome two anchor tenants, as well as a handful of residents at Trout Lake, as first subscribers. He noted that without the cooperation and unwavering support of corporations, contractors, local residents and key volunteers, this project may not have been so successful.
As the year comes to an end, I wish you a fabulous Christmas season and success with new beginnings in 2012. Take pleasure in your family, friends and warmly welcome old and new acquaintances you may meet along the way.
Merry Christmas from my house to yours!
Cheers!
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Trout Lake resident Linda Wall contributes the quarterly Trout Lake Tracker column to the Arrow Lakes News and the Revelstoke Times Review on behalf of the Trout Lake Community Club.