Lac Le Jeune's First School

A request was made to the then School District 24, by Mrs. J. Whitaker, in October 1954, for a school at Lac Le Jeune as it was expected that by the next September there would be sufficient pupils. The area now had 6 children, the School District required 8.

The log school sat on the Lodge's property (north-east) corner near the creek. The school building was rented to the SD 24 by the Whitakers.

Fire destroyed the school facility in November 1959 and the 10 pupils took classes in the lodge's dining room.

SD 24 had to move quickly, as the ski season was coming. Back in those days, it appears SD 24 had to seek approval of expenditures, from the City of Kamloops, the Village of North Kamloops and area ratepayers. What SD 24 needed was $4500 for a trailer. Kamloops City Council were in agreement.

In February 1960, finishing touches were being made at SD 24's maintenance shop of a fully equipped trailer-classroom to move to Lac Le Jeune. This would be the second trailer-classroom of SD 24, as one was supplied to the Deadmans Creek area in the Fall 1959.

What would school be without a Christmas concert and Santa and the hospitality of John and Muriel Whitaker the owners of Lac Le Jeune Lodge (Home of fighting Rainbow Trout and downhill skiing)?

In this photo, of the late Reginald Burton, is shown Miss Beulah Philip, a high school student and lodge employee holding a young one to meet SANTA (Alex Seibel), a townsite propertry owner and Kamloops businessman.

Submitted by Neil Burton

(Source: Kamloops Daily Sentinel - read at facilities of Kamloops Museum & Archives and the Thompson Rivers University)

Support the Junior Race Team

The Overlander Ski Club's Junior Race Team can use your help. Support our young athletes by saving and submitting your receipts from Nature’s Fare Market. The Overlander Ski Club receives 3% of the value of the receipts. Last season this added up to $380! The next submission of receipts will be Dec 31.


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A bit of Lac Le Jeune history

Here is a bit of Lac Le Jeune history before forest fires and pine beetle kill.

A native of the Punjab province of India is said to have walked all the way from California, in 1921, to become a resident of Canada, first at Kelowna.

He moved to the Kamloops area, in 1921, engaging in farming.

Later in 1930, he was chopping cordwood and formed Fish Lake Lumber Co. at Lac Le Jeune, in 1938. 1940 saw him develop Punjab Lumber Co. selling it to Terrace Forest Products Ltd. in 1962.

The gentleman was SHER SINGH, who purchased land, in the early 1940s, in the Brocklehurst area of the City of Kamloops. Singh Street is named after him.

Submitted by Neil Burton

(Information located in obituary - Kamloops Sentinel - 08 March 1967 - Wed. - p. 03)

Ski Trails Open December 4

The Stake Lake Ski Trails officially open tomorrow! Most of the ski passes are available at the booth and the debit/Mastercard is in the midst of being set up. Bring cash until the system is up and running. Thanks to Dwayne Geiger for the notice.

Become an Overlander Ski Club member to get regular updates by email.

Injured Swan

If anyone is willing to help the swan that appears to be stranded on large LLJ, please call Kecia at 250-377-8881. Conservation, Wildlife Park, SPCA and various Search and Rescue departments as well as the LL Fire Chief have been contacted for guidance. This is what was gathered:

The Wildlife Park will take the bird if it can be caught. To catch it we will need a flat bottomed fly-fishing type boat. Smaller would be better. We will need 2 people willing to go out in the boat and try to get the bird. Ideally, they would stay in the boat and push themselves out on the ice in case it gives. The boat will need to have a rope that will allow contact with the shore the entire trip and a winch, if possible, to help pull it back to shore. I am willing to go in the boat but need some help…..Everyone in the boat needs proper flotation devices. We will need a large blanket to try to subdue the bird with.

If anyone is willing to try, let’s do this! I work every aft so would have to do it first thing in the morning.

Thanks,
Kecia

Snow Removal @ LLJ

Does anyone know of who may be available to provide snow removal services at LLJ? Would be good for some of us seasonal residents to call ahead of time before we head up for a stay.

Please advise if you know of anyone.

Thanks

2011 Polarthon

Trapping Season

Little Bob + Maggie

Trapping season is almost upon us! There are 3 active traplines in the area so you need to pay attention when out with dogs and children.

Unfortunately, we don't know the locations of traplines. Your best guess is to watch for human tracks off of logging roads. If you are aware of trap locations please let us know!

Thanks to Bev Lorimer for the reminder.

Logging Truck Crash

By now most residents will have seen the pile of logs on Lac Le Jeune Road near the community mailboxes. If you're wondering what happened here is the article in the Kamloops Daily News. 

As Bev Lorimer mentioned to reporters, we have witnessed some fast-moving logging trucks in our area. Thankfully, nobody was seriously injured in the accident.

Gym Membership Anyone?

I don't understand why people drive to Kamloops to workout at a gym when we have everything we need right here in our own community. ;-) Do you know where to find this fantastic outdoor facility?