Mountain Telegraph December 2021

THE
MOUNTAIN
TELEGRAPH
Bralorne | Gold Bridge| Gun, Tyaughton and Marshall Lakes
December 2021 | Issue 10 | Volume 13 $4.00
Merry Christmas &
a Happy New Year !

December 2021
The Mountain Telegraph
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Cover Photos Belted Kingfisher & Black Bear:
Leslie Poulson Wild Photography

The Mountain Telegraph Editor’s Note 3
Dear Readers,
As another wild and woolly year in BC draws to an end it’s
a good time to think about donating to support those so
badly affected by recent weather catastrophes. The Red
Cross (BC Flood Relief) is one of the best ways to make sure
that your donation goes to specific relief funds. Both the
provincial and federal governments are matching Red Cross
donations to Dec 26th, effectively tripling your donation.
Another very good choice is a donation to a local Search and
Rescue organization. These men and women risk much
when they are called upon.
I hope everyone has a brilliant holiday season, it’s been a
year wha? And thank you to everyone for your submissions
over the year, it’s great to hear from you.
Happy Holidays & Joyeux Noël
Jenny James
Editor
Let Me Be Crocus Minded
By Norah Ashmore
There are things to be said and done,
That require someone to care and risk,
Enough to be more like the crocus.
Push through the ice and snow,
Unexpected,
And grow.
Gold Bridge Post Office
*Holiday Hours*
The Post Office will be closed on
Monday, Dec 27 th & Monday, Jan 3 rd
The submission deadline for the next issue is Jan 7th
The Community Resource
Building in Gold Bridge will
be closed for winter break
between Dec 17 th - Jan 5th
Happy Holidays!
The Bridge River Valley Community
Association wishes everyone, near
and far, Happy Holidays and a
joyful New Year!
If you can’t wrap Christmas presents
well, at least make it look like they put
up a good fight - Author Unknown

4 SLRD Update The Mountain Telegraph
Area A SLRD Director’s Report -
Sal DeMare
What a year it has been! With the ongoing COVID-19
Pandemic, Heat Dome, Wildfires, and now the
Atmospheric Rivers with washouts, mudslides and
flooding. We have been lucky here in the valley so far but
so many of our neighboring communities and other parts
of BC have been hit hard. There has been a whole
community burned to the ground, communities flooded
out, major infrastructure damaged, people evacuated
from their homes and worst of all loss of lives. Our hearts
and prayers go out to everyone that has been affected this
year. A big thank you to First Responders, Search and
Rescue, RCMP, Volunteers and so many others for doing
their part in helping with the situation, that so many have
been put into. Currently if you wish to donate to the Red
Cross for the flooding relief, the Provincial and Federal
Governments will match the donation.
Recently I was at a Lillooet Health Planning Table meeting
and found out we will have a COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic on
January 12, 2022. Vaccine Dose 1 & 2 are walk-in but
Booster Dose & Children 5-11 need to book appointment.
Booking and Registration Link:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-
19/vaccine/register
Everyone stay safe and have a Happy Holiday Season.

The Mountain Telegraph Community 5
In Memory of Henry Dixon
May 9, 1929-November 20, 2021
If you are reading this, I have passed. I loved Gun Lake
and our extended family has always been on lakes. My
grandfather John Matheson owned Muskoka Boat
Building in lake country in Ontario. He died in 1942 and
the last lake boat he built is still in the water today,
called the Dolly Varden. My sister had a house on
Lakelse (Terrace) and I always wanted to be on a lake
for my family. Many nieces and nephews also own lake
properties.
I happened to work with Cliff Roe and Gordy Lavery (Bill
Harrison’s cabin) at Cablevision. They introduced Glen
Peacock and I to the Gun Lake area. I purchased the lot
sight unseen in 1969 and the kids skated down the lake
in the winter, to see what we had bought. I think they
used the old skates they found in Moore’s rusty old
barrels and I built the cabin from Vancouver Bus Stop
signs. Good friends and family have followed us to Gun
Lake and have property there today in our bay and
around the lake.
We had many good times at the lake from chasing bears
through the night with firearms, Lloyd Dickie running in
his underwear, to losing the boat motor in the bottom
of the lake. The best fish story is my friend Merv, he
caught 80 fish in 4 days. We couldn’t clean them fast
enough. Those were things you could do “in the early
days”.
The Gold Bridge Days with horse racing through the
streets, Henry Joyal waiting to be bailed out of jail by
donations for 2 hours, logger sports, dancing in the
hotel, water ski shows and the Gun Lake Resort.
The family is still at the lake and I will be there, looking
out over the water enjoying the beautiful views. For
those who are reading this I want to extend my
appreciation for your friendships, kindnesses and
memories. I will miss you.
A celebration of life will be held next summer on the
August long weekend. Any donations can be made to
http://pancreascentrebc.ca/
L to R: Darryl Itterman, Henry Dixon, Tom Sedgwick at the Gun
Lake Lookout.
Thank you
To all the wonderful donations to the Gold Bridge
Bottle Depot. You all make a big difference at the
Happy Chicks Homestead.
Thank you
To all the wonderful people who donated Chickin’
Pickin’s (kitchen scraps). The chickens are especially
grateful as it helps feed them, or the compost, which
creates bugs that they love to eat, which makes
protein to create healthy organic free-range eggs.
Thank you
To all that support organic healthy free-range eggs
from the Happy Chicks Homestead.
May the best of the Holiday season warm your heart
and soul, and may your Wishes and Blessings be
Abundant for the New Year. We (Bruce Deuce and
the Happy Chickens) wish you all Peace, Love and
Happiness for a great year ahead.
Great thought to ponder for the New Year:
“Not being known does not stop the truth
from being true!” -Richard Bach

6 Heritage The Mountain Telegraph
Five upper BRV properties
added to the SLRD
Community Heritage
Register
With the rich heritage of the Bridge River Valley, the
BRVCA Heritage Committee from its inception has
pursued the creation of a Heritage Register for the
area. Considered so important, this was included in the
Terms of Reference for the Heritage Committee.
The Community Heritage Register (CHR) is an official
listing of properties identified as having heritage
character or heritage value to the community. Properties
in areas where a service for heritage conservation was
established under section 587 of the Local Government
Act can be added to the register. A heritage conservation
service has thus far been established in Electoral Area A,
as per Bylaw No. 791-2003, and Electoral Area D, as per
Bylaw No. 1557-2018.
When a property is listed on the Heritage Register, it is
not legally protected. However, it means that the
property has been recognized by the SLRD as having
heritage value to the community and provides the SLRD
staff with additional management tools.
The SLRD Community Heritage Register also enables the
SLRD to offer incentives for heritage value preservation
to heritage property owners, such as:
• Access to special “equivalency” provisions contained in
the BC Building Code Heritage Building Supplement;
• Access to non-monetary incentives, such as land-use
regulations relaxation, tax exemption, or development
bonuses;
• Access to programs that support façade rehabilitation
and seismic upgrades;
• Eligibility for grants
The BRVCA Heritage Committee is very happy this has
been accomplished and sees many advantages for these
properties. The BRVCA Heritage Committee also
welcomes inquiries from property owners who might
consider adding their property to the Heritage Register.
The Heritage Committee has actively worked with the
SLRD for the last several years. The Committee did some
community communication through a variety of means
and held a public community meeting.
Finally, on November 24, 2021, the SLRD added these
properties to the Community Heritage Register:
-Bralorne Pioneer Mines Office Building
-Community Resource Building (former Gold Bridge
teacherage)
- Bralorne Community Church
- Haylmore Heritage Site
- Bralorne Hall

The Mountain Telegraph Valley News 7
Memorandum of
Understanding signed
Bridge River Valley Economic Development
Committee
The Bridge River Valley Community Association (BRVCA)
together with Tsal’alh Development Corporation,
Bralorne Gold Mines, Cobalt One Energy Corp,
Endurance Gold and the Squamish-Lillooet Regional
District jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) to work together in the spirit of collaboration and
partnership.
The signatories to the MOU have made a commitment to
each other to:
-Listen and seek to understand, always showing mutual
respect;
-Build trust through integrity, honesty and transparency
in all communications;
-Engage, where possible, in full and early communication
of events or initiatives that have the potential to affect
shared or individual objectives; and
-Display long-term commitment to support and maintain
the intent of this MOU.
Pat Dahle, President of the BRVCA comments, “This MOU
is an important symbol of our commitment to work
together with our Indigenous neighbours and industry
partners on unceded St’at’imc territory. In a community
as small as ours, the only way we can create sustainability
is through these relationships and partnerships. We are
especially pleased to be working closely with Tsal’alh
Development Corporation to explore affordable housing
opportunities for our senior residents and those most
vulnerable and hope to soon have support from BC
Housing to undertake more detailed planning.”
Sal DeMare, Director, SLRD Electoral Area A shared, “I
was pleased to sign this MOU on behalf of the SLRD. It’s
been great to see some of the mining sector interests
operating in the region come together with Tsal’alh
Development Corporation, the BRVCA and the SLRD to
create what I think is a valuable framework to guide us
as we work to improve communication and build
stronger relationships. We look forward to continued
collaboration with the other parties to this MOU, and to
welcoming other businesses, community organizations
and St’át’imc communities to join us, for the benefit of
everyone who lives, works, plays and has ties to this
spectacular place.”
While each organization that signed the MOU has its own
mandate and objectives, all parties have confirmed that
they share the following objectives:
- Enhancing relations and pursuing collaborative
economic development opportunities with the St’át’imc
Nation and communities; and,
-Creating a resilient and prosperous local economy that
attracts a sustainable permanent population of people
having employable skills and a desire to contribute to
community life.
Rod Louie, CEO of Tsal’alh Development Corporation
noted, “This commitment to work together and build
mutually beneficial working relationships is
important. As individuals, businesses and government
bodies, we have more in common than is often
acknowledged. All non-Indigenous signatories to this
MOU have worked hard to become aware and to be
respectful of the unceded territories of St’at’imc, and
other indigenous peoples. “
The signatories intend to collaborate on a number of
important initiatives as time and resources permit,
including:
- Building and strengthening relationships with St’át’imc
communities;
-Growing the permanent resident base in the region
including families with school aged children;
-Preserving and protecting cultural and heritage assets;
-Increasing the supply of long-term housing for purchase
and rental
-Improving road access to the area; and
-Building and maintaining support for a successful mining
industry.
Michael McPhie, Vice President, Sustainability and
External Affairs with Talisker Resources commented, “It
is an honour for the Talisker and Bralorne Gold Mines
team to be a part of this. We recognize this as unceded
territory and that we are guests here. Our overarching
goal is to contribute positively to the well being of the
people and communities who call the Bridge River Valley
home and being a signatory to this MOU is a symbol of
our commitment to that.”

The Mountain Telegraph Valley News 8
MOU cont’d
Charles Daley, Mining Industry consultant for Endurance
Gold and Cobalt Energy One states, “The mining industry
wishes to operate respectfully and sustainably in the
unceded St’at’imc traditional territory. There are many
other parties that also depend upon the resources of the
Upper Bridge River Valley and contribute to its social,
cultural and economic health and vitality – we
encourage others to become signatories to the MOU
and join us in this journey.”
The MOU text can be viewed here:
https://bit.ly/3kRApd5
Community organizations, individuals and businesses
interested in learning more about the MOU, including
how to get involved, can contact the BRVCA by e-mail
bridgerivervalley@gmail.com or by phone at (250) 238-
2534.
Season’s Greetings
Thank you to all the residents and
businesses of the Bridge River Valley
for the business over the year!
A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
from Bridge River Indian Band,
Lillooet Disposal Ltd. and the
community of Xwisten.
Happy Holidays from
Minto Communications!

9 Society Page The Mountain Telegraph
Chair needed for Valley
Wide Training Committee
This is a very important volunteer position and it can
be done, for the most part, at a distance via Zoom
meetings which makes this a good role for a nonresident
property owner. The role of Chair is not a
hugely time-consuming role but it is important to
ensure community input for valuable, free training
programs. It has been very well organized by the
previous chair and BRVCA staff.
Full details can be found here:
www.brvca.ca/training-committee-chair/
A very Merry Christmas
& Happy New Year from
Pioneer Tire Repair
GBCC AGM
The Gold Bridge Community Club held their
Annual General Meeting on October, 26, 2021
and the following directors have been elected
for the 2021-2022 term:
President-Sue James
Vice President-Donna Steffenson
Treasurer-Kaitlin James
Secretary-Linda Hofmann
Gym Director-John Hofmann
Rentals Director-Angie Illidge
Golf Director-Dean James
Season’s Greetings from the
Gold Bridge Community Club
Directors
And a special thank you to our
volunteers and supporters!

10 School Page The Mountain Telegraph
A week to remember
By Anna Driehuyzen
The weekend following our community
Remembrance Day Celebration in Gold Bridge is one
not soon to be forgotten. As it so happened both
teacher and lunch lady were in Vancouver during
the weekend and in an inadvertent stroke of good
sense set out for the return to Gold Bridge early
Sunday morning during a torrential downpour, but
before a so-called moisture packed atmospheric
river flooded communities, causing massive slides
and washouts along BC highways and
thoroughfares, bringing BC in some parts, to a
virtual standstill. Driving the Duffy Lake Road late
Sunday morning was a relatively scenic and restful
ride compared to the devastation visited upon
travellers who found themselves negotiating the
same route only hours later.
After a Sunday afternoon catching up on school
affairs, for the first time in this teacher’s career, not
a single student showed up for classes on the
following Monday morning - with three students
enrolled, perhaps not exactly an odds defying
occurrence – but still. The snow and ice in and
around Gold Bridge prevented one student from
navigating the treacherous roads to school, while
two other students found themselves stuck in the
city of Hope. They had arrived at a roadblock caught
between slides, floods, washed-out highways and
were informed by a glib road attendant after
hearing of the family’s wish to return home, “not on
these roads, you don’t”.
Once Tuesday arrived and for the rest of the week,
sixth grader Calum, got his teacher’s full undivided
attention and she his, when Calum gave instructions
on how to tie proper fishing knots like the improved
cinch knot. Calum is becoming a veritable
encyclopedia of all things fishing and hunting
related, and provides excellent tutelage for those of
us woefully under schooled on these topics.
The week was a dreary one weather-wise, and
looking for a fitting way to spend morning recesses,
student and teacher made a daily sojourn to
neighbours Cindy and Mitch, to get the latest news
on BC’s state of emergency while also being served
delicious cups of hot chocolate. The lone student was
happily joined in the late mornings by his friends,
former students of the school who were themselves
stranded unable to return home but made the most
of the reunion; sharing stories, solving math games,
playing music, sledding and together writing letters
to former students and birthday cards to current
ones.
By the following week, everyone was back at their
respective schools. We were overjoyed that Wesley
and Zane made it back safe and sound and just in
time to celebrate Zane’s 8 th birthday. The students’
have been eagerly anticipating the start of Advent.
Hopefully things will settle into a calmer routine after
the many upheavals this month of November has
wrought.
We are looking forward to finding ways to bring
Christmas cheer to our community. In the meantime,
may love and light be yours this Christmas season.
Although Monday was a quiet day on the student
front, the Gold Bridge School became a hub for
many drop-in visitors including some who found
themselves stuck on the opposite side of the road
blockages, unable to leave the valley. Lots of locals
dropped by, so it became a day, between attending
to long neglected school tasks, of catching up and
meeting neighbours and friends not seen for some
time.

The Mountain Telegraph At the Museum 11

12 Christmas Cheer The Mountain Telegraph
Moose Farts & Duck Farts
Submitted by Mitch & Cindy Laroque
Try a Moose Fart topped off with a Duck Fart- makes
for a very Merry Christmas!
Moose Fart
1 can sweetened condensed milk
¼ c melted butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 ½ c graham wafer crumbs
1 ½ c shredded coconut
1 c chocolate chips
Thank you to all our loyal
customers!
Happy Holidays
from
Valley Hardware & Grocery
Blend the milk, vanilla, and butter.
Add the Graham wafer crumbs, coconut, and
chocolate chips. Mix well and chill for 1 hour.
Shape into balls and then roll in graham wafer
crumbs.
Duck Fart
Combine a shot each (1oz) of Whiskey, Kahlua, and
Irish Cream. Then we put a teaspoon of vanilla ice
cream on top. We like to keep the whiskey in the
freezer and the other two in the fridge. Enjoy!
Salmon Balls
Submitted by Susan Dixon
Combine:
1 tin of sockeye salmon
1 pkg of cream cheese
1 tsp. horseradish
1 tbsp. of lemon juice
¼ tsp. salt
2 tbsp. chopped onion
¼ tsp. liquid smoke
Form into a ball and roll into chopped walnuts or
pecans. Refrigerate until serving. Serve with
crackers, toasted baguette or veggies.
Christmas Shortbread
Submitted by Susan Dixon
This was given to me by my Safeway customer,
Mrs. Wilson, in 1973. Makes approx. 120 cookies
Ingredients:
1 lb. of butter
1 level cup of berry sugar (Roger’s fine white sugar)
1 level cup of potato flour
4 cups of all-purpose flour
Directions:
Mix the first 3 ingredients well and then add flour 1
cup at a time and kneading it in after each cup, go
easy on the 4th cup as you may not need all of it.
Roll the dough into small balls and press gently
with the back of a spoon.
Alternatively, you can cream the butter and sugar,
add flour as above and roll out the dough to use
with cookie cutters.
Bake in a 325 oven – approx. 25 mins.

The Mountain Telegraph Christmas Cheer 13
Spinach Squares
Submitted by Jenny James
These taste and look better than they sound, and
they’re Christmasy too with green spinach and red
pepper. I like recipes with easy to source ingredients
and this one is no exception.
Ingredients:
2C. cooked, chopped spinach (or 2 frozen packages)
4 eggs, beaten
1 C. milk
4 T. melted butter
1C. flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 ½ C. grated cheese (Old Cheddar or Italian blend)
1 tsp each salt and pepper
½ C. diced onion
¼ C. diced red pepper
In a medium size bowl combine, flour, baking powder,
salt & pepper. In a separate bowl mix remaining
ingredients. Add spinach mixture to dry ingredients
and stir gently to combine.
Pour into a greased 8 x 8 baking dish and bake at 350
for approx. 50-60 min.
Cool Winter Facts
Air doesn’t need to be super moist to produce
impressive amounts of snow. Unlike rainfall, a
bank of fluffy snow contains lots of air that adds to its
bulk. What would have been an inch of rain in the
summer equals about 10 inches of snow in the winter.
Plenty of animals tuck away food for the winter,
including red squirrels. They prepare a particularly
unique snack to enjoy when the temperature drops. Along
with storing seeds and nuts, these critters dry out
mushrooms in trees to make what National Geographic
describes as "hand-made artisanal conifer-dried mushroom
jerky."
If you happen to see pink snow it's called watermelon
snow, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac. Along
with sharing the fruit's pink shade it also smells sweet. But
don’t eat it, that rosy hue is due to algae, which can make
you sick if you ingest it.

The Mountain Telegraph Bulletin Board 14
*IMPORTANT PHONE*
NUMBERS
TO REPORT A WILDFIRE
Call Toll-Free 1-800-663-5555
FOR FISHERIES, WILDLIFE, OR
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
INCLUDING PROBLEM BEAR REPORTS
1-877-952-7277
R.A.P.P.
Report all poachers and polluters.
Conservation Officer 24-hour hotline
1-877-952-7277
BC CRIME STOPPERS-LEAVE A TIP
If you become aware of criminal activity, call Crime
Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
24 hours a day, 7 days a week from anywhere in
BC and report what you know.
Ken Robinson December 11
Kya Patterson December 13
Anna Gebauer December 14
Sage Patterson December 22
Tyler Rivard December 29
And a Happy Belated Birthday to
Zane Svarckopf on November 25
When you leave a Crime Stoppers tip, you are never
identified. They don't use call display and you
never have to testify in court. You could receive a
cash reward of up to $2000 upon an arrest and
charge.
NATURAL RESOURCE CONTRAVENTIONS
www.for.gov.bc.ca/hen or 250-256-1459
TO SPEAK WITH A NURSE ANYTIME
Call 8-1-1 from anywhere in BC
HELPLINE FOR CHILDREN
310-1234
(no area code needed and is toll free)
FOR OTHER EMERGENCIES SUCH AS
WATER, SEWER, FLOODS, SLIDES SLRD 24
HOUR EMERGENCY LINE
1-800-298-7753
We are better throughout the year
for having, in spirit, become a child
again at Christmas time-
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Sal Demare – SLRD Director
Bridge River Valley (Area A)
T: 250-238-2248
saldemare27@gmail.com
www.saldemare.ca

15 Classifieds The Mountain Telegraph
Isurvivedthehurley.com is a valuable
resource for accurate and up-to-date Hurley
FSR information year-round.
You can purchase your awesome Hurley
merchandise including hats, stickers and the
brand-new edition of beverage koozies at
bridgerivervalley.ca/shop/
All proceeds go to the support of the website.

DECEMBER 2021
Classifieds
Valley Hardware
& Grocery
Mon/Thurs/Sat—10am to 12pm, 1pm to 5:30pm
Wed/Fri - 1pm to 5:30pm
Closed Sundays & Tuesdays
CLOSED DURING FREIGHT DELIVERIES
Monday ≈ 10:30am to 11:30am
Thursday ≈ 11:00am to 1:00pm approximately
BRIDGE RIVER VALLEY MECHANICAL CONTRACTING