Thanks to a good many volunteers there was a roaring bonfire, a wide selection of gourmet food to choose from and well-groomed trails to race on at the annual Tatla Lake cross country ski meet, Jan. 29.
It was a pleasant, well organized gathering for both participants and spectators.
Advance planning and hard work by volunteers from the Tatla Lake Community Association, Tatla Lake school parent advisory council, Tatla Lake Gymkhana Association and the Tatla Lake Gun Club made the event a success.
A large covered deck added to the gymkhana concession hut last summer was a welcome shelter for observing the festivities. Before winter set in a team of volunteers cleared the trails of bug killed forest debris.
Volunteers cut up and hauled wood for the bonfire, put up signs on the trails and made up trail maps to guide skiers at each junction.
Track setting and other work was done by Doug Houle, Joe Cortese and Allan Whitehead.
Karen and Roy Paul and Debra Kannegiesser signed up the participants and the Pauls also did the time keeping.
Allan Whitehead and Mark Satre monitored the first check point. Audrey and Mike King monitored the second check point.
Free drinks and snacks were made available at each check point and snowmobiles were at the ready in case anyone needed to be taken off the trail.
Cross country ski equipment and snow shoes were available for anyone who wanted to join the fun but didn’t have their own equipment.
Participants, volunteers and spectators came from around the whole area: Tatlayoko Lake valley, Bluff Lake valley, Mosely Creek, West Branch, and Kleena Kleene.
Some Chilko River neighbours also participate in events so when there is a happening planned there is plenty of local help to carry it off.
The school’s parent advisory committee was in charge of the food and set up five food stations, including the concession hut where Allison Fuller and Sandra Weiler served up hot drinks and a very tasty tomato bisque soup.
The Taste of Tatla group, now in their second year, were set up at four other stations on the new deck and under a grove of trees to sell a selection of treats from their world food menu.
Nurse Ruth Kuehl-Venn served the panini roast beef sandwich with focaccia bread, caramelized onions and cheese at a cost of three $1 food tickets.
Janice Timothy served hot cinnamon or chocolate waffles.
Christiana Zintl served sushi.
Out in a small grove of trees Sheryl and Doug Houile and Darren Mason and son came prepared with three tables, accompanying chairs, and two propane barbecues from which they served hot oriental chicken; potato eruptions, samosas, and pork vindaloo.
Joann Eriksson helped as did Samantha Mason when she wasn’t running the relay race.
The Taste of Tatla Exotic World Foods group received many complimentary comments as it was tasty and very affordable.
After expenses the parent advisory council ended up making $309 for the school on their food service for the event.