On Jan. 27, part of the District of Clearwater’s (DOC) Winterfest will be the 12th annual Ice Man Derby where the fishermen and women come to Dutch Lake to try to land the biggest fish – or any fish for that matter. Three cash prizes are awarded, and local businesses generously donate great “door” prizes.
The entry fee is $20. Buy your ticket before Jan. 27 from Clearwater Computers, Aspen Auto, or Super Save to be entered for the Early Bird Draw. Staff from Clearwater Trout Hatchery always provide wonderful games for the younger fry (pun intended!) Bring a non-perishable item for the Food Bank to be part of that fun. Time will be from 9 a.m. until noon. Hot dogs, chilli, cookies, drinks and more will be available for purchase at the concession.
Guess when the ice will leave
While we hope that the ice will be firm for the fishing derby, only a month or two later we will place the wooden cut-out of “Rotary Richard” out on the lake. Join in the competition to guess when melting will occur, stopping his clock. Club members will be selling tickets at a cost of $2 each or three for $5 to enter to win the prize given to the person with the closest time.
Our third annual Giant Yard Sale will occur at Rotary Sports Park in late April. Donations are gratefully accepted, or you can bring your own table and set up for $10 that morning.
Plan to enter the May Day parade
On Saturday of the May long weekend will be the ever-popular May Day Parade, sponsored by Clearwater Rotary Club. Start thinking about your entry any time soon! The theme will centre on serving our community.
The year 2013 is a special one for our Rotary Club as we will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a dinner/dance evening in June. A raffle is being arranged with fabulous prizes including a voucher that will take you to any place that WestJet flies and another for travel on the Rocky Mountaineer! Look for that to begin in March.
Funds used for community events
Rotary will use funds raised during the above events to improve parks within the District of Clearwater, to continue our student exchange program and awarding of scholarships, and to assist in the eradication of polio through Rotary International.
We wish to express our appreciation to the Wells Gray Community Forest for its grant, which has helped the club purchase a container large enough to store all the club’s “treasures”, which are now scattered in several basements.
Rotary members believe in the motto of Rotary International: “Service above Self” and do everything possible to contribute to the well-being of residents of the North Thompson Valley. New members are always welcome.