Teddy Bear's Picnic?

We're enjoying our first summer as residents of Lac Le Jeune and all that it has to offer.  Each day it's a treat to observe what is happening with the wildlife around the lake.  Usually it's the ducks and geese with their young or a beaver hauling a new branch through the water to his lodge at the end of the lake.  This morning, though, we awoke to the sight of a young black bear in our backyard enjoying some berries.  He was up at the back of the lot and had probably entered from the dirt road that runs behind the houses along the "little lake" area of Lac Le Jeune.  We grabbed our binoculars for a closer look, but weren't thinking fast enough to snap a photo.  This wasn't the first time we've seen a bear in our area, but this was right in our own backyard!  He ambled away after a short time, but seeing him reminded us of how we all share Lac Le Jeune with the wildlife here.     

Bike ride - Sunday July 27

The Soggy Bottom Mountain Bikers have plans for a bike ride this Sunday. Here are the details:

When: Sunday, July 27
Meeting Place: Lookout Road
Departure time: 8:00 a.m.
Length: about 3 hours
Route: Gus Johnson trail to Ross-Moore, return via Fred Lake to provincial park
Level of difficulty: Medium - some rocky downhill, some uphill (uh, naturally), longish ride

As always, if you're interested in joining us just show up at the meeting place.

Bring snacks and bug spray!

Where do I take my garbage?

Question: Where do I take my garbage?

Answer: The transfer station is about 1 km north of Walloper Lake on the west side of the Lac Le Jeune Highway. The hours of operation are as follows:

Winter: Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Summer: Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Tip: Gord who manages the station has biscuits if you take your dog! :-)

Speed Limit on the Lake

Question: What is the speed limit for boats on Lac Le Jeune?

Answer: 20 kilometres per hour. The reason for this is to prevent beach wash and damage to docks. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This idea for a FAQ emerged from a conversation with Bryan Ruck about his idea for a Lac Le Jeune welcoming committee. What a great idea -- to welcome newcomers to the community with a package of information. Something to work toward for sure!

To get started I thought it would be useful to create a database of frequently asked questions. After all, newcomers have a lot of questions and old timers sometimes need reminders!

So here's the format:

1. If you don't have "author" access to the blog and have a question/answer to post, email me and I'll get you set up (sylvia@webbedfeat.com).
   
2. Give your article a title that lets the reader know what the question relates to.
   
3. Post a single question and answer. If you have more questions add each as a separate article.
   
4. Add the label "FAQ" to your post(s). You'll see how this is done once you have author access.
5. If you would like to elaborate on somebody else's answer use the comment feature.
   

Does this all sounds like too much trouble? No worries! Just email the information to me and I'll post it for you, acknowledging the source.

To view all questions and answers click the FAQ label on the main page.

Soggy Bottom Mountain Bikers

For the past few years a group of mountain bikers has organized regular rides around Lac Le Jeune and beyond. We're mostly old and soggy, fairly slow, and we like to stop for snacks a lot! Occasionally we get energetic and plan longer and more challenging rides. We'll post information about our plans on the blog. If you're interested in joining us just show up!

Our next ride is Sunday, July 13
Meeting Place: Lookout Road
Departure time: 8:00 a.m.
Length: about 1 1/2 - 2 hours
Route: Little Lake trails

Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association

Are you a member of the Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association? The dues are only $5.00 per year per household, and it buys you peace of mind that there are concerned individuals discussing our needs and taking action when we're faced with environmental issues in our community. Better yet, get involved! It's election year. :-)

To pay your 2008-2009 dues just copy this form and mail it to the address below.

Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association
Membership Application/Renewal
July 2008- July 2009

Name: _________________________________________________


Mailing Address: __________________________________________

Phone: ___________________ Email _________________________

Lake Address: ____________________________________________

Lake Phone: ________________________

Full Time resident ___
Seasonal Resident ___

Please include $5 Annual Membership Fee per household. Thank You!

Send to:
Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association
c/o 1952 Eastwood Ave.
Merritt, BC V1K 1K3

River City Racers Silent Bottle Drive

Help support the River City Racers Speed Skating Club by participating in our Silent Bottle Drive.

Once again we are collecting cans, bottles, and drink boxes for our club during July and August. A couple speed-skating households, the Wynne boys (and their Grandma) and Sylvia Currie are working together this year to break all fundraising records. We are busy distributing flyers and will collect for July and August.

All you need to do is put your recyclables in the bag attached to the flyer. When it is full, please contact Sylvia Currie 250-377-0063 for pick up. You may also drop off bags at any of these locations:
• Inside the gate at 3873 Water Street (house with orange roof)
• Inside the gate at 3860 Rainbow Drive (gate at the top by the tennis court)
• Inside the wood shed at 3873 Lookout Road.

If you are willing, we will supply you with another bag to start again!

Money raised is used to help purchase skates, mats, ice time, and other requirements of this non-profit club. Our skaters range in age from 4 to over 45! If you know of someone interested in joining us, please call Cathy Turnbull Spence at 250-374-5430.

Thank you for your support!

LLJ Conservation Society Annual AGM

Mark July 20 on your calendars for the annual general meeting of the Lac Le Jeune Conservation Society. This year we'll be convening at the Lodge. More details to follow!

NOT the Vancouver Marathon

On Canada Day (July 1) we're walking to Duffy's Pub!

This idea started with a brochure I spotted while waiting in a line up at the bank back in February. The Vancouver Marathon was featuring a nordic walking category. It sounded like fun, and for sure my only hope of ever doing a marathon is to walk, not run.

So the planning began. I drafted up a training schedule and shared it with Lucy Lindros, the only friend who didn't stare blankly at the mention of driving all the way to Vancouver to walk 42 kilometres. We realized from the schedule that we needed to get started right away. Oh and that one day every weekend would be used up by a BIG l o n g walk. Plus we might have to give up some other fun stuff because you can only fit so many things into one day and well, we'd be walking a lot. Then the trip to Vancouver. Well, we'd need to spend a couple nights in a hotel, preferably close to downtown. And we'd better book right away!

A few things came up that first week of training. Instead of one day off we took 7. Hey, we're busy people. Nothing wrong with starting the following week, I say. We'll still make it! But geez sometimes the weather isn't very good in February. Maybe we should start in March?

I think the real turning point in our plan was when we talked about how aimless it seems to be walking all day just for the sake of going the distance. That's it! We need a destination! And something less complicated....no traveling, no big training programme, no big expenses. Let's do something local, we thought. So let's see, what would be a good destination?

A pub, of course! Please join us!

Date: July 1, 2008
Departure time: 8:00 AM
Starting point: Lookout Road
Destination: Duffy's Pub
Questions?: Post them here or email sylvia@webbedfeat.com
Check Route
Nordic walking poles optional
Support vehicles welcome :-)

Beer sign photo
by Whatknot