The Kicker Looks Back at 2023
As 2023 started, we had just celebrated a successful, snowy Christmas parade and party, starting to feel things getting back to normal after the pandemic. Little did we know that by August, things would change so dramatically and many of us would lose our sense of security and trust.
In January, the North Shuswap Childcare society was established and are now offering after school care at our school. Dinner theatre was back at Lakeview Centre with sold-out performances of "Dinner at Eight, Dead by Nine" and later, “Carnage at the Cabin”.
Fasted Bed - RNJ Mechanical - North Shuswap Winter Festival
In February, the Kicker celebrated 25 years as part of our community. Family Day weekend saw a fun-filled Winter Festival with skating, dancing, chili cook-off, 8 teams entering the bed race, ending in fireworks.
By March, the Seymour Arm Community Association had funds to replace the community wharf that had been closed since October 2022, with work now pretty much completed. The Hub also announced expanded tourism plans for laser tag and a batting cage. The Chamber held a Stronger Together event to recognize locals for their contributions.
In April, the Easter Egg hunt was held, the Adams River Salmon Society celebrated Earth Day and announced expanded educational and interpretive programs, Area F Director Jay Simpson held a town hall where topics included protecting the watershed, four-season tourism, parks and CSRD permitting bylaws. Celista was named Fire Department of the Year and treatment of mosquitoes in Scotch Creek restarted.
Bike Rodeo
Father’s Day Poker Run
Friday Night Live
Our favourite annual events and some new ones continued through spring and summer, including Seymour Arm Alice in Wonderland event, the North Shuswap Pathway team bike safety rodeo and scavenger hunt, a Chamber Spring Launch with non-profit volunteers and local businesses showcasing their services, On the Water Poker Run sponsored by the Lions and Captain’s Village Marina, farmers markets at Celista and Scotch Creek, Canada Day celebrations at Lakeview Centre and the Chamber Summer Festival, (a sign of things to come when fireworks permits weren’t issued for Canada Day), Chamber held a Fine Art Show at Celista Winery, Friday Night Live music and Live Music and Food Trucks Wednesdays at Celista Winery.
Tsqúqw7e Landmark Sculpture
Special events included Tsqúqw7e Landmark Sculptures unveiled in Chase and the opening of the North Shuswap Fire Training Centre at Celista Fire Hall. The CSRD also completed its agreement with the North Shuswap Health Centre to provide $100,000 annually for operating expenses.
On July 12, two lightning caused spot fires started on each side of Adams Lake, later to become known as Bush Creek East wildfire. Everything changed on August 17 and 18 with many locals working to protect our communities and many coming together to continue to support those who suffered the most.
Scheduled events were cancelled including a referendum for funding the Shuswap Watershed Council now scheduled for Feb. 3, 2024 and public meetings on the Area F Issues Identification Study, now planned to start again this month. The Kicker missed publishing a September issue.
The rest of the year focused on the aftermath of the wildfire, helping the community move forward and ways to prevent this happening again to us or other communities.
The Scotch Creek bridge was closed nightly for half of October for maintenance. In November, construction started on the distribution system for a Scotch Creek Water System in the Wharf Road area, many side roads were repaved and December ended on a high note with the community coming together at the Santa Parade and the Lions Christmas party.
Through it all, local and outside volunteer groups, religious organizations and businesses have continued to find ways to help our community.
Happy New Year from everyone at the Kicker. Thank you for all your support. Wishing for a much better 2024 for all.
Meadow Creek Aug.18 (Janis Smith Photography)
Aug 18, 2023 - (Janis Smith Photography)
