Pamela (Lindsay) Sheridan

Hiking buddy, photo by Sylvia Currie

Pam passed away peacefully January 15, 2016 with husband Casey, daughter Sarah, and son Matt at her side. She was predeceased by her sisters Lilas (Tad) Haraguchi and Anne (Bjorn) Lauridsen and is survived by her brothers Lorne (Audrey) and Graeme (Sharon) Lindsay.

Pam completed nurses training at Vancouver's St. Paul's Hospital in August 1970 and was excited to attend their 45th class reunion in September 2015. Over the years, as Pam and Casey relocated, she worked as an RN in hospitals (primarily on maternity) in Abbotsford, Calgary, Fort St. John, Penticton, and Vancouver, omitting only Toronto.

Pam always had a craft project on the go. For the last few years she enjoyed quilting, knitting and needlepoint but before that her projects also included tole painting, teddy bears, and ceramics. When not doing crafts she loved Disney movies... always a kid at heart.

She enjoyed being an aunt and a great-aunt. Living on the lake in Lac Le Jeune since 2001, she loved hiking on the surrounding trails with her friends and snowshoeing in the winter.

The family will place Pam's ashes in Abbotsford's Hazelwood Cemetery on January 29th. At 2:30 PM that day a memorial reception for friends and family will be held at the Hole-in-the-Wall, 3807 Eldridge Road, Abbotsford.

In lieu of flowers we request donations be made for chemotherapy/oncology to the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation https://www.lghfoundation.com/projects/pamela-mary-sheridan/

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A personal note...
I remember one day coming home from spending an afternoon with Pam. I said to my husband “Pam is such a good friend”. I can’t remember what Pam and I did or talked about that day, but it was just one of many that I felt that way. Leisurely lunches, relaxing yoga classes, overly adventurous hikes, ginormous belly laughs (sometimes during yoga..oops!), trips to quilt shows, chinwags over the clothesline… Time with Pam was never rushed. In many ways, Pam represents what life should be like, and that’s the irony.
Sylvia xo

Ajax Mine Technical Studies and Potential Impacts

From News Kamloops:

"A moment of truth has arrived for the Ajax Mine proposal, the stage at which all technical studies and potential impacts of the open-pit operation on the city’s 90,000 residents are on the table."

Here are the direct links to the "Plain Language Summaries" on the Ajax Mine website. The website search doesn't seem to be functioning, and these summaries aren't listed under 'resources', as you might think.

UPDATE: Ajax has moved this information to a new domain: http://application.ajaxmine.ca/Home.aspx I've updated the links below.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARIES

• SECTION 1: Introduction

• SECTION 2: Environmental Effects & Mitigation Measures

• SECTION 3: Social Economic Effects & Mitigations Measures

• SECTION 4: Health Related Effects & Mitigation Measures

• SECTION 5: Aboriginal Groups Information Requirements

• SECTION 6: Federal Requirements

The full application and supporting studies can be found on the Environmental Assessment Office website.

Just another bright sunny day

Photo by Neil Burton

Polarthon Revival Event

Visit the River City Racers Speed Skating Club website for full details and registration.

Event - Polarthon Revival - Winter Triathlon (Note: Due to ice conditions this event is now a duathlon) 

Organizer - River City Racers Speed Skating Club

Event Date - January 23, 2016

Location - Stake Lake, BC

This is a winter triathlon, originally hosted in Logan Lake but moved to Stake Lake this season so the new winter triathlon format of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) can be realized. The winter triathlon today is about where the summer triathlon was in the 1970’s and 80’s.  An idea - but an idea that has caught on fire in some communities - especially Quebec - where this year they are hosting Winter Triathlon World Cups.

The mission statement of the Polarthon is to promote healthy outdoor winter activity that can be enjoyed by the whole family and to introduce young and older to the emerging sport of Winter Triathlon.  

Lac Le Jeune Blog in Review

This update will mark the 600th post on the Lac Le Jeune Blog since the February 2008. I thought it might be time to post a snapshot of how people have been using the blog over the years. 

Roles and Membership

• 18 residents have 'author' access
• 2 residents have 'admin' access (Jenny Perry and Sylvia Currie)

Referring Sites

When visitors don't come to the website directly (e.g. by clicking on a link in email or browser favourites) they follow links from other websites. Reports show that these are the top 3:

1. laclejeune.ca
2. google.ca or google.com search results
3. Facebook (most likely from the LLJ Facebook Group)

Interaction

• Since February, 2008 there have been 328 comments on blog posts.
• 47 people subscribe to the blog via email. This list includes residents as well as local media and RCMP.
• 32 people publicly follow the blog using Google Connect.
• Information is frequently cross-posted to the LLJ Facebook Group. That group has 80 members, and especially works well for quick responses to questions, such as "Is your power out?"

Top posts of all time

Entry	Pageviews
Ajax Mine and Lac Le Jeune Road Feb 5, 2012, 4 comments	4775
A Lac Le Jeune Winter Wedding Mar 28, 2014, 1 comment	445
Reminder About Bear Attractant Management Sep 27, 2012, 2 comments	397
Cougar in the neighbourhood! Oct 7, 2013, 2 comments	359
Proposed Development and Water Quality Apr 29, 2012	322
Found Dog Oct 29, 2013, 8 comments	316
Ajax Mine All Candidates Forum Nov 2, 2011	310
Job Posting Nov 10, 2011	307
The cougar returns Oct 8, 2013, 1 comment	297
February is Heart & Stroke Month Jan 21, 2010	295

Pageviews

It appears that we began collecting pageview data in May, 2010.  Those who subscribe and read posts via email do not show up in these numbers.   

Happy New Year!

Photo by Hana Struss

Are you missing your German Shepherd?

UPDATE: This is Riply! She is safe and sound at home with her caretaker. 

A German Shepherd arrived at Paul Jorgensen's house this afternoon and never left. The dog has a collar, including a shocking device, but no identification.

Paul can be reached at 778.994.6788.

Dog rescued from ice fishing hole

photo by Chad Cooper

UPDATE: The dog was Pepper Wynne and is safe and sound! She found her people on the ski trail and was taken home right away to warm up by the fireplace.

A dog fell through a hole in the ice left by fishers today. Fortunately, Kelly Krawchuck spotted the big black lab in distress while cross-country skiing on the lake, and was able to lie down on the ice and pull him out by the collar. Kelly then attempted to warm the dog up the best she could.

It is assumed that the dog's owners were on the other side of the lake because the dog ran off in their direction. Hopefully they noticed that he was wet and cold, and checked for signs of hypothermia. Frostbite may show up on extremities as well (ears and pads especially). If you know of LLJ residents or visitors who have a black lab, please contact them to see if this was their dog.

The hole in the ice was in a terrible location -- close to shore and right beside frequently used ski tracks. It was also very large, and will likely take 2 days or more to freeze over.

So this is a reminder to all ice fishers, you should never leave a large hole unmarked. From what I understand, it is common practice to mark holes with branches. Also, it probably goes without saying, but you should never fill the hole with snow. 

From the Criminal Code of Canada 263:

Duty to safeguard opening in ice263. (1) Every one who makes or causes to be made an opening in ice that is open to or frequented by the public is under a legal duty to guard it in a manner that is adequate to prevent persons from falling in by accident and is adequate to warn them that the opening exists.

Thanks so much to Kelly Krawchuck for saving that dog's life!

Refugees and Friends Together

Thanks to Corinne Shock for raising awareness in our community about the opportunities to donate time, money, and household items to support the 5 Syrian families coming to Kamloops.

• Friday, December 18 -  The Diversity Event (poster below) is an education opportunity for the community, and especially the volunteers who will be helping families directly. You can RSVP via Facebook.
• Saturday, December 19, 10:30-12:00 take household items in GOOD condition (kitchen items, furniture, etc) to 600-800 Mission Flats Road. 
• Donate through United Way. Funds are matched and go directly to help families in the Thompson Nicola Cariboo region
• Donate through CanadaHelps.org (Select RAFT on the pull-down menu)
• Donate through Kamloops Cariboo Regional Immigrant Services

click image for a larger view

Stay informed

• RAFT Kamloops Website
• RAFT Refugees and Friends Together Kamloops Facebook Community
• Kamloops Cariboo Regional Services
• #WelcomeRefugees - Government of Canada

TRU Animal Health Technology Adoptions: Ash and Tara

UPDATE: Ash and Tara have both been adopted

Ash

Tara

We are still in need of loving homes for a few remaining animals from the Animal Health Technology program Fall semester. If you are interested in adopting a cat or dog from the AHT Program or you know someone that may be interested PLEASE call 250-828-5174 to make an appointment to view the available animals. We still have 3 cats that need homes.

Ash and Tara are both very nice cats and would love to find a permanent home by the end of the month. Ash is more of a loner and would prefer to be the only cat in the household. Tara is indifferent to other cats so she would do fine with or without another feline companion. You can also check out our pet adoption website at www.tru.ca/science/programs/aht/adoptions

All animals have been spayed /neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, tattooed and dewormed. The current adoption fee is $75.00. We look forward to hearing from you!

Sonia Walczak, AHT, RVT
Lecturer Animal Health Technology
Thompson Rivers University