Salmon Arm Observer/Shuswap Market News
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Viewpoint
Friday, December 15, 2017 Page A11
The close-knit community of Cherryville serviced pioneer farms at Richlands, the agricultural bench land above Cherryville. With high-speed Internet now available, Cherryville is becoming increasingly popular for young families, who appreciate the lifestyle and the friendly community. The beauty of the area also sparks creativity,
SHUSWAP PASSION Jim Cooperman Nestled beneath the foothills of the Monashee Mountains in the southeast corner of the Shuswap is the close-knit, rural community of Cherryville, a hub for adventure tourism. With a population of just 1,010 residents and only two stores, the community relies upon its strength of cooperation and sharing, given its isolation and distance from major population centres. As the number of jobs in rural areas provided by the forest industry continues to shrink, employment in tourism is helping to fill the gap. All winter long, hundreds of backcountry skiers take off from Cherryville to enjoy the bountiful fresh powder snow on nearby mountains and fabulous accommodations at alpine lodges. During the summer, nearby Echo Lake, Sugar Lake and Monashee Park attract campers, boaters, fishermen, hunters, hikers and backpackers who appreciate the wonders of Rainbow Falls, Sugar Lake campsites and the trails to Spectrum Lake, Peters Lake and Mount Fosthall. At the heart of Cherryville is the spacious, well-designed and well maintained, community centre where residents gather for celebrations, holidays, special events, dances, classes, meetings and family meals, including the very popular monthly senior’s dinner. In the basement is a day care centre, and across the parking lot is a new building constructed with volunteer help that houses the community food bank. Since Cherryville is unincorporated, the community club fulfills some of the roles that a local government often handles,
including planning events and managing the local park. For example, they coordinated the Cherry Creek stabilization project to protect the eroding banks, which took many years to obtain the permits and just a week to do the machine work. Across the road from the hall is the 20-acre Hanson Park, situated on both sides of Cherry Creek where there is a popular swimming hole, band shell, covered picnic area and gymkhana course. There is also an outdoor rink complete with a new concrete base and a Zamboni in a shed built by volunteers with donated materials. Students from the nearby Cherryville Elementary appreciate the trails in the forest, that they also help maintain. The first weekend in June is Cherryville Days that begins with a parade to the school, followed by a full day of fun at Hanson Park, including contests, games, helicopter rides, musical
as there are many talented artists and artisans in Cherryville. Agriculture is also becoming more viable, as evidenced by the young healthy vineyard next to Highway 6 and the new Triple Island Cheese Dairy. Telling the whole story
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Ranchero Deep Creek Community Association
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
File photo
Little chicks Megan Kelly, Graye Crebo and Jenna Hyciek were busy winging eggs during the Cherryville Days parade. acts, a pet show and food vendors. The day ends with a dance at the community hall. No doubt, one of the favourite events is the outhouse race! Local organizations are a key part of the Cherryville scene. The Cherry Ridge Management Committee began as a group dedicated to the protection of the hillside above the community. As part of its early effort to resist clearcutting the area, the group obtained salvage permits to selectively log dead trees. Volunteers did the logging, and the substantial proceeds have been used to fund community projects.
The Committee now manages a community forest and profits continue to benefit local residents. When a proposed development at Sugar Lake planned to utilize the lake for a sewage effluent outfall, local citizens formed the Cherryville Water Stewards to oppose the project. The provincial government responded positively to the opposition and provided a parcel of crown land for a dispersal field. Currently, the Stewards focus on education and promoting responsible recreation and water use. Signs have been posted around the
The Greatest Visitor to Earth There is life in deep space! Our Earth WAS visited by God’s Son. That’s the Christmas story, read and known for 2000 years by millions around the world. Jesus’ birth and resurrection has hugely impacted literature, science and many human issues. Since 1962 credible scientists around the world, using sophisticated equipment, have been attempting to contact ‘life’ beyond earth. The best known is the Arecibo Message (1974), an interstellar radio message, beamed towards Cluster M13 with basic info about earth and people. The hope is that extraterrestrials will receive, decipher the message and reply. 25,000 years away! There are at least 11 more such deep space probes. From where? One is Goonhilly Earth Station (Cornwall, England) with massive satellite dishes. The largest is Albert, 85 feet in diameter. The Eye Of Heaven (Qianan, China) is the largest radio telescope in the world. Consider the search for planets that can support water based life as we know it – not too hot or too cold - like the bowl of porridge in the Bears story. Discovery of such planets in the Goldilocks Zone has generated a lot of excitement! Why such efforts at huge costs to find life? Isn’t it too far for us to go there? Is it a search for human spiritual roots? Why? To connect with God? What if it were really true that He loves each one in the Shuswap? Amazingly, He does!! The Christmas events tell us God the Son visited this planet. Born in Bethlehem, Jesus lived on earth for 33 years. He healed and fed and blessed thousands. He was nailed on a cross in Jerusalem 2000 years ago for our sins. The good news? Anyone can talk with God in deep space from anywhere and anytime. We do not have to wait 25,000 years to get a hearing. Each person may have a personal connection with Him if we so choose. Right now! The angels brought this message to the shepherds: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Look at each word. Take time to actually read the Christmas events in the New Testament before Christmas. Think about it seriously. We wish each one joy and peace of mind at Christmas. Happy New Year 2018!!
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community that urge residents and visitors to protect riparian areas, keep pollutants including oil and gas out of the water, and minimize boat speed close to shorelines. The community is well connected to its heritage, thanks to the dedication and work of the Cherryville and Area Historical Society and the support of local residents and businesses. Three local history books have been published and a log museum was built at the Goldpanner campground. The group also now manages the trail built on the location of the water flume that once
7:00 pm Monday, December 18, 2017 at the Ranchero Deep Creek Fire Hall ELECTION OF OFFICERS ~ Refreshments and Door Prizes ~
For All Your
ENTERTAINING NEEDS! Th e
e local choic
Catering & Platters Available
Full line of Groceries Fresh cut meat Fresh Produce Deli • Bakery Liquor Fresh Flowers
Holiday Hours
Sun, Dec.24 Christmas Eve 6am – 7pm Mon. Dec. 25 Christmas Day 10am – 4pm Tues. Dec 26 Boxing day 8am – 10pm Sun. Dec.31 New Years Eve 6am – 8pm Mon. Jan 1/2018 New Years Day 10am – 4pm
Balmoral Road, Blind Bay • 250-675-2046 Hours: Mon.-Sat. 6 am-10 pm, Sun. 7 am-10 pm
ChristmasSt. Church Service Times John the Evangelist:
December 24 – Christmas Eve Mass 7 pm December 25 – Christmas Day 10 am December 31 – Lessons and Carol Service at St. George’s, Enderby Shuswap Community Church: The Christmas Eve Candlelight Services are at 2PM, 4PM and 6PM in Salmon Arm. Sicamous will have its service at 7 PM, and Sorrento at 10:30 AM. Cornerstone Christian Reformed Church: Christmas Eve candlelight service at 7 PM Christmas Day service at 10:30 AM All are welcome! Mountainview Baptist Church: Sunday, December 24, the 4th Sunday inAdvent, 10 am, Carols. Christmas Story Light Advent Candle Special Music at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church (1920 9th Ave. NE, Salmon Arm). St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church: Christmas Eve Worship Service ~ one service this Sunday only. Join us for cookies and coffee at 3 p.m. Worship to begin at 3:30 p.m. with Christmas hymns and readings celebrating the birth of Jesus. Everyone warmly welcome!