Lambing season is in full swing at Aveley Ranch near Vavenby. Starting at 11 a.m. people can go on self-guided tours to cuddle the orphan lambs; on weekends watch spinning demonstrations in the museum, and go on a hay ride. There will be no rides after April 23. If you're lucky you might see a lamb being born. Call the ranch for details and costs.
On Friday, April 10, nine residents of Forestview Place residential care facility at Clearwater's hospital went on a ranch tour. The weather was cloudy and cold.
Two young girls came to the ranch during the Easter weekend to help out with the lambing. Serena Sullivan, who is 13 years old, is from Delta. Her family is staying in a trailer at the old Jone's place. Maggie Dana, 12 years old, is from Little Fort. She is staying at John and Valerie Gerber's. Though both girls have come to the ranch for the last four years this is the first time that they've met.
The girls are Valerie's gophers or "her legs" and do what she needs done. This also involves working with the sheep.
Sullivan said that she has learned how to care for animals and what goes into farming. Dana said that she has learned how lambs are born and how to care for them. She named her first orphan lamb Milkshake, "Because it was as sweet as one."
The girls would like to be farmers one day. They did admit that it is hard work but they enjoy it.
Youth groups hold Good Friday service
On April 3 the Y2C youth group – Youth to Christ – held a service for Good Friday at Dutch Lake Community Center in Clearwater.
The leadership team of Y2C, which consisted of 12 youth from five local churches, planned and organized the whole event. It began at 10 a.m. with the singing of hymns. At one point youth group leader Kim Bridge called all the children 12-and-under to come up to stand in front of the stage. She then did a trick with cards about how many ways there was to get to heaven.
After the music Bridge gave a talk. Everyone was sitting at tables. There were pictures and markers on the tables for the children to colour. Some of the adults were also colouring because, as one said, "It's been a long time since I've done this."
A self-serve lunch followed the service. There was a wide variety food which consisted of cold meats, buns, salads, and desserts. Approximately 120 people were in attendance and there was still plenty of food left over.
Below: Musicians perform during a Good Friday service held at Dutch Lake Community Centre. Pictured are (l-r) piano player Cindy Raschke, Mikaela Daase, Steve Raschke, drummer Josh Fulford, Callum Macleod, Isaac Moilliet, and Kim Bridge.
Photo by Robyn Rexin