Buddy up to Fraser Lake for casual tunes

Published 12:30 pm Thursday, September 25, 2025

By Staff reports

Cheryl Hofweber plays harmonica during the Buddy Up program finale at the Pioneer Senior Centre.
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Cheryl Hofweber plays harmonica during the Buddy Up program finale at the Pioneer Senior Centre.
Cheryl Hofweber plays harmonica during the Buddy Up program finale at the Pioneer Senior Centre.
Rod Cunningham plays harmonica during the Buddy Up program finale at the Pioneer Senior Centre.
The Buddy Up program finale at the Pioneer Senior Centre brought together 65 seniors.
Cheryl Hofweber plays harmonica during the Buddy Up program finale at the Pioneer Senior Centre.
High Tea offerings during the Buddy Up program finale at the Pioneer Senior Centre.

On Highway 16 we are all connected.

I got a post sent to me from the Vanderhoof Community Bulletin Board. 

CJ Olin at Fraser Lake is inviting all musicians to a day of music at White Swan public beach. Bring your instruments and voices, they have the stage and sound equipment. Bring snacks and drinks, a food truck hasn’t been confirmed.

Olin said that admission is by donation, which will cover insurance.  All other money will be divided amongst musicians. 

“It’s a casual event,” and Olin. “It is family-friendly and an opportunity to chill and relax.”  

The jamboree-style concert, which will be Rock’n on the Lake, Saturday, September 27 will go from noon till 10pm, weather permitting. For more information call CJ Olin at 250-570-9093, or you can message him on Facebook.

Buddy Up is a high-tea celebration at Pioneer Senior Centre. Sixty-five seniors had a delectable, finale celebration at the end of a very successful program of bringing seniors together. Organizer Anjali Marshall said her goal through the program is to foster social connections.  

The finale was no exception. With Cheryl Hofweber on guitar, we sang songs that brought back great memories and had a laugh at her originals. Cheryl invited Rod Cunningham up to play his harmonica. Ninety-four years young he played a medley of sing-a-long favourites. Red Wing had my toe tapping.

Nutritional lunches had guests joining others ‘At the Table’. Each session had ice-breaker games that helped people renew old acquaintances and make new friends.

Each meeting had a special speaker, often sponsored by a local business. Knowledge gives power, and the goal of the program is to connect seniors to resources in their own community. Resources found right here in the Bulkley Valley. 

Topics to empower seniors to maintain the best quality of their lives included:

Adult Abuse and Neglect/Self-Neglect; Frauds and Scams; Service Canada presented a connection to the new outreach worker; Advance Care Planning by a paramedic; Reflexology; Brain Injury; Green Funeral; Men’s Shed; Somatics; Chair Yoga.

An Alert Kit was given to individuals with forms to fill out and tack on their fridge in case of a 911 emergency.

Anjali Marshall is preparing for 2026, but she needs grants to come in and perhaps donors as well as. She also said that she needs a team of volunteers.

If interested, please give her a call 778-320-2713.

This week’s quote: “Going forward, embrace the risks as well as the sure things.” Robert Redford.

If you have items that would be of interest for this column, please email sonja.lester.b.c@gmail.com or call 250-847-4414.

 

 

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