Natural world inspires artist - September 21 Edition

Angie Mindus Photo

Angie Mindus
Cariboo Advisor


Inspired by the surrounding forest and lake outside her pottery studio on Grebe Drive at the end of South Lakeside, naturalist and artist Anna Roberts will be hosting a show and sale of her latest work this weekend.


The annual show and sale, which will be fittingly displayed outdoors, begins Friday at 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and again on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. at Roberts’ home studio located at 2202 Grebe Drive.


“In my pottery making, I have tried to reflect the power and grace of form and design found in the natural world,” Roberts explains of her style. “Weathered wood is just one of the natural surfaces that inspires my work.”


This year Roberts has incorporated designs in her hand-built pottery stamped from pieces of actual wood bark with beetle formations and the results are beautiful.


“At first, I was experimenting with the red clay found in our field. Then when Vivien Cowan suggested I organize a pottery workshop for people in Williams Lake, I asked Zelko Kujundzic to come and teach us,” Roberts recalls.


“After that workshop, a few of us decided to form the Cariboo Potters Guild.”


Over the years Roberts said her skill with making pots increased, and in recent years she decided she could make more interesting forms by using hand-building techniques.


“Hand-built pots take more time than wheel thrown ones, but as pottery is my recreation, time is not a factor.”


An avid outdoors woman, Roberts literally makes her artwork of vases, plant pots and plates from scratch by digging in the earth for her clay.


“Although the Cariboo has clay everywhere, I dig and haul home only clay that gives the results I want when finished.”


To learn more about this inspiring local woman and her work, visit Roberts’ show and sale this weekend.

Terry Fox still inspiring a nation 31 years later -September 21 Edition

Courtney Taylor

Cariboo Advisor

This year marked the 31st annual Terry Fox run, and despite the cool September weather 84 people showed up at the Cariboo Memorial Complex in Williams Lake to participate.

There were runners, bikers, power walkers, strollers and dogs who all showed up to participate in either the 5km or 10 km route on Sunday morning.

All together, participates raised $2,303.44 and with school runs still to come the final tally for donations from Williams Lake won’t be know for a few more days.

There were many first timers at the run, including Nolan Lindsay who was riding his bike alone side mom, Krista, and she said they had been practicing. Nolan said he was feeling good about the 5km ride ahead.


Along with new faces, there were also long time volunteers and participants, such as Surinder Aulakh and her two children, Sonia and Corey.


Aukah said they have been volunteering and participating in the run for about ten years, and she said she has been so inspired by Terry Fox and so has her children.

“I lost my aunt and two grandmothers to this disease, so it’s for them we do the Terry Fox run every year,” said Aukah.


It’s very clear through out the country at this time of year that Terry Fox left a legacy, and touched many Canadians and still does 31 years later.

Wet weather, warm hearts for Tour de North - September 21 edition

Courtney Taylor
Cariboo Advisor

Despite the raining weather yesterday, riders were greeted with smiles, and they were full of smiles themselves regardless of being soaking wet.


The 26 riders arrived to town earlier than expected, giving them some time to get changed out of their wet clothes and warm up a bit, they then proceeded to walk their bikes over to Boitianio Park with a bag pipe processional.


There were four riders from Williams Lake; along with the RCMP officers there were also paramedics and a media member. Our very own Dave Dickson was the civilian on the ride and to do so he had to raise $5,000, which is double what the others needed to raise. He not only meet that $5,000, but also far exceeded it by raising over $11, 000.


The money goes to help kids with cancer like Nicholas, and to programs like Camp Good Times, which is a camp for kids with cancer and their families. Terry Mitchell, one of the riders, had the opportunity to go the camp a couple years ago and could not say enough good things about the camp. He spoke to the crowd about why the camp needs to continue.


Another top fundraiser for the Williams Lake group was Mike Hacker, who raised over $3,500 for the team. This was his first year riding on the tour, and said he had a great time despite the rainy last day.


“The uglier the weather, the better for me,” said Hacker.


He said even on the longest day of 200 km, he had no complaints.
In the words of the event organizer, Erin Reynolds, the team just ‘gelled,” and it made for an awesome six days.


“We started off a little rugged, but by the second day were clipping along at 30km/h,” said Hacker.
Hacker also mentions that the tour is for such a good cause, and riding for Nicholas has made the tough parts easier.


“It’s really good for the detachment to get involved in causes like this,” said Hacker.
Following the soggy reception at the part, there was a gala at TRU.

Shifting Gears offers mountain biking event for families

Courtney Taylor

Cariboo Advisor

The Boys and Girls Club’s next fundraiser is aptly named “Shifting Gears,” since it is the result of a refocusing of their fundraising methods, and a change from their usual golf tournament.


“This year we looked at all the aspects of our organization, and refocused our fundraising effort to better reflect our core programs,” said Monica Johnson, Executive Director for the Williams Lake Boys and Girls Club.


This year instead of a golf tournament, the club is organizing a family friendly mountain bike event.


Shifting Gears is planned for October 2nd with a start time of 10 a.m. and registration forms can be picked up at Red Shred’s and the Boys and Girls Club.


The event is open to all skill levels, as long as they are comfortable on trails. The route will take riders on Snakes and Ladders, and Spokey Hallow trails, with a shuttle offered from there to Botanio Park to finish up with a barbeque.


“It’s a nice little celebration of mountain biking,” said Johnson. “And a nice way to end our season.’


The Boys and Girls club has a mountain bike group for kids called ‘Sprokids’ for several years, and it is very popular.
The cost for registration is $10 per rider, and $25 for a family.


“There will also be events set up in the bike park for those under six or so,” said Johnson. “This event is specifically for families to ride together.”


The Boys and Girls Club is adamant on providing the community with fun activities the entire family can participate in, said Johnson.


“It’s what we’re all about, and we want to highlight the bike park which is an excellent resource for kids, and their families,” said Johnson.


For kids who want to take part in the event, and need a ride, Johnson said there will be a shuttle that will leave the Boys and Girls Club at 9:30 a.m. on the day of the event. The Boys and Girls Club is also looking for volunteers for the day.


“We are specifically looking for individuals who have First-Aid in case anyone needs some attention, and we would need them for about four hours on October 2,” said Johnson. If anyone is interested, contact Lenora Savard at Red Shreds at 250-398-7873.

Women’s Contact Centre Set for Success Fashion Show - Web only

Courtney Taylor Photo

Ashley Turtatus modeling in the Set for Success fashion show September 9th at TRU.

Courtney Taylor

Cariboo Advisor

As said best by the Masters of Ceremonies for the Women Contact Centre’s Set for Success fashion show, ‘everyone deserves a wow outfit.’

That is exactly what the Set for Success program is all about; providing women of all shapes, sizes, and walks of life the opportunity to find that wow outfit free of charge.

The M.C. for the fashion was Colleen Cossley, a volunteer, who did a fantastic job of introducing the models and describing their outfits.

The Set for Success program is relatively new to the Women’s Contact Centre, along with the fashion show’s organizer, Ashley Turatus.

Turtatus has been with the Women’s Contact Centre for six month’s now, and she said this was her first big event.

“I suggested we have (the fashion show) at TRU to make it a bigger event, and get people to come.”

TRU was kind enough to lend the use of the gym for the lunch hour on Friday, along with some help setting up chairs, and the stage.

Turatus asked people she knew to be models if she thought they would be interested, and many said yes because she asked so darn nicely.

There were six models including Turatus and even her mom, and they showed off 12 different business/professional outfits from clothes which were generously donated to the Set of Success program.

“It’s kind of taken off – it started with just a few racks of clothes, and now we have wardrobes full,” said Turatus,

The Set of Success program is put on through the Women’s Contact Society, and it is a free service for any woman who needs an outfit for a interview, new job, or conference.

“We’d like to thank all the women in the community who have donated so overwhelmingly,” said Irene Willsie, Executive Director for the Women’s Centre.

“We have some very nice, good quality clothes that are now looking for a new home.”

Anyone wishing to use the service or donate clothes can drop in the Women’s Contact Centre and talk to Ashley.

Wild Shot - Tour of Sam Ketcham Pool with local Politians - September 14th Issue

Courtney Taylor Photo

Pictured left to right: Councilor Surinderpal Rather, Councilor Geoff Bourdon, Mayor Kerry Cook, Deb Bischoff, Area D, were present at a tour of the pool given by Geoff Paynton, Director of Community Services yesterday to inform and educate the politicians before the Joint Committee meeting tonight.

People in The News - September 14th Issue

Courtney Taylor Photo

It was a hot day on Saturday during the Pro Bull Riding, and one popsicle just wasn’t enough for little Bella Schoultz, 4, and so she enjoyed two.

Courtney Taylor photo

Dollar Dollar owner, Carl Johnson congratulates Kay Bibby, a regular customer, on winning their 6th annual Card Card Draw. Bibby has won two return tickets to Vancouver. To be entered into the draw, customers need to buy at least 10 greeting card and have a punch card filled, the after buying 10 cards, the 11th one is free. Johnson said there were about 1500 entries in the draw this year.

Courtney Taylor Photo

After entering an estimated 234, 12 year-old Braedon Pickard was the lucky winner of the Cariboo Advisor’s Back to School Bike Contest. Red Shred’s owner Mark Savard and Craig Smith of About Face Photography surprised him yesterday with the bike that was donated by Red Shred’s. His winning ballot was entered at About Face and was drawn from thousands of entries

Submitted Photo

Lions Club volunteer, Dean Halfnights, presents a $500.00 cheque to volunteer Rex Moon from the Canadian Red Cross, Health Equipment Loan Program