At last — a profitable venture in ranching country BIG CREEK — Sociologists, historians and similar folk who foot around with abstractions may be interested to learn the result of the Final Dance at the Big Creek Community Hail. The old building had been con- demned by all right-thinking foik in this community and to raise same money [o tear it down and start another, an old-style dance was arranged. Oid-style dances, old-timer fid- dlers, a cake walk, an auction and, near the midnight hour, sup- per served by the ladies of Big Creek in the style ladies did it a generation ago. A fond farewell to a shabby old building that had known happier days. The result has shown, once again, the perversity and the charm of human nature. Two hundred invitations were issued, 350 people showed up. That's the kind of party to have. There was food enough for all, the familiar loaves and fishes miracle that happens so often in Chilcotin. The profit remaining after ex- penses were deducted was more than $6,000. That wouldn’t buy much jet fuel for a travelling cab- inet minister, but in this little community it is a staggering amount and nobody is quite sure how things could go so well. Having done so well, the deci- sion was promptly made to not tear down the old hall. lt was an appalling mess a month before the dance. Boards were missing from the walls. For some time, anybody nearby in need of a board had just ripped one off the dance hall. Cattle had been wandering in and out and the first stage of cleaning was to shovel manure. But the volunteers labored mighti- ly. After a while, the old place took a bit of a shine. They put old photos on the walls and heaped wild flowers around and by the night of the dance people were remarking that the old building was still pretty straight after a!, that it wouldn’t be that hard to stop the stars shin- ing through the roof and a new dance floor on some new sills could accommodate a lot of dancers for a lot more years. This is an historic echo from one century ago when something similar happened down in the Boundary Country between Okanagan and West Kootenay. In a book written in the 1920s- by County Court Judge Ward Spinks, there is recorded the first visit by a judge to the Boundary Country between the Okanagan Valley and West Kootenay. Mr. Spinks says the new judge, Cox by name, had ample access to test his abilities. People in the Paul St. Pierre | PAULITICS & PERSPECTIVES Boundary region had quarrels they had nourished for years — disputes about contracts. about fence lines, about water rights, about almost anything that can excite anger between men. They came from a hundred miles around, carrying their griev- ances with them to presen: to Judge Cox that he might punish those who had offended. The judge was delayed. A messenger mounted on a saddle horse brought the news to the multitude of litigants on court day. Judge Cox would not be there the next day nor the day after. Unfortunate, but unavoid- able. All the litigants chose to wait until the judge arrived. There wasn’t much to do in Boundary then. There isn’t now either, but in the last century it was even quieter. About the only way to pass lime was to lift a glass and tell a few good lies. The people waiting for Judge Cox did just that. The more time that passed, the more they drank; the more they drank the more con- fidences they exchanged with one another. When Judge Cox arrived, one week late, there wasn’t a case left for him to try. Every one had been settled out of court. The force at work in Boundary and in Big Creek was the same. Now and then, a sense of com- munity overtakes people and lifts them out of their private affairs. There is an expansion of effort, will and mutual understanding. The crooked is made straight and the difficult becomes simple. Of course at other times, the same community may become fractious, mean and indolent. There is no indication in history that Boundary settled all its disputes out of court when Judge Cox made his second visit and there is no guaraniee that the cows and the packrats won’t take over the Big Creek community hall again. But, for the moment, everybody feels better about almost everything. Rid home of hazardous wastes NORTH SHORE residents can drop off their household hazard- ous waste next Saturday and Sun- day, Oct. 27 and 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 100 Amherst Ave., one block east of Riverside off the Dollarton Highway (near the transfer station). Residents are asked to children and pets at home. Wopossible to cut down on congestion, and briny upcdsed. in their original leave cate re traffic Mahle, containers. Acceptable wastes include paints, solvents, household cleaners, aerosols, pesticides, biut- teries, propane tanks, phar- maceuticals, used motor oil, anti- freeve and other poisonous and flammable materials. The dreap-oth is sponsored by the Creative Vancouver Revional District and the provinenil wove erminent. bor more iformaiion call 984-9790, Educators, chamber to meet From pate 8 “We should listen to them more. because they're smarter than we think. “We wonld love to see more of the voung people involved with these committees because their ideas and their energy could be extremely valuable in setting up this working relationship with the Chamber of Commerce.” One business-to-school partner- ship has afready been a success, Macdonald said. The Lonsdale branch of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has adopted Brooksbank Elementary School at 980 East 13th St.. North Van. The school’s pupitis have been taught about saving and investing and have been encouraged to open accounts. “ht’s been an excellent educa- tion for the kids.”* Macdonald said, adding that children should be encouraged to think about their lifetime pursuit far earlier than Grade H1 or 12. The Nov. 5 event will be jointly hosted by the school bonrd’s community relations committee. represented by assistant surerin- tendent Chris Kelly, and the chamber’s education and training committee, represented by Ernic Sarsfield. The funch will texture a panel of speakers who will later open the floor for a_ freewheeling discussion in which all guests will be encouraged tc take part. The lunch will be free to all who wish to participate. For more information, cat! the chamber at 987-4488. | | | | ! Friday. October 19. 1990 - North Snore News - 9 —— _ PROPOSED DAYCARE SITES THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF NORTH VANCOUVER orcnoses to lease several individual sites within Lot 6. Distr *t Lot 622. Plan 20208, NWD. 3606 Block Garibaldi Drive. for daycare purposes in accordance With Section 538 (1) of the Municipal Act. The Sites are currently posted for Lease. Information and Tender packages are available ai the Municioal Hall iocated at 355 West Queens Road, North Varcouver, BC. All applications must be received ny no later than 12:00 nocn. Monday, October 22, 1990. THE HIGHEST OR ANY OFFER WILL NOT NECESSARILY BE ACCEPTED. Tue Future OF Winvow BEAUTY Wide choice of designs, colours & finishes MAINTENANCE Never cxidizes like aluminum, rots like . wooed, or shrinks like PVC, maintenance free CALL NOW FOR A FREE ESTIMATE ENERGY EFFICIENT Superior insulator to wood, vinyl and A aluminum STRENGTH & DURABILITY More durable than B wood, vinyl or oluminum | PERFORMANCE Airtight dosures, © & eliminating drafts, *y dust & noise Y FIBERTEC riserctass WINDOWS & DOORS 1227 WELCH ST., N.VAN. 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