Pack up the kids, phone your friends and neighbours, and head to the 19th annual Brackendale Fall Fair at the Farmers' Institute Park on Government Road this Saturday (Sept. 7), with gates open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The parade through the grounds gets underway at 11 a.m. The talents of this valley will be found in the exhibitor tents with displays from youngsters through to our seniors. Hop on a hay wagon, play mini-golf, check out the zucchini races, enjoy the musical offerings, and of course check the wares of the more than 50 vendors on site. Tucking into a hotdog or hamburger, or other delicious treats completes the visit.
A Better at Home Community meeting is planned at the Seniors Centre on Tuesday (Sept. 10) at 1 p.m. Each month, the Council of Senior Citizens B.C. will come to Squamish to present free seminars on a variety of topics. The seminars last 90 minutes are are delivered by a trained senior volunteer facilitator who presents practical and usable information, free of technical jargon. Please register at the centre or call (604) 848-6898.
Co-ed biking continues into September with the group meeting at the Seniors Centre at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays. A lawn bowling tournament is planned on Tuesday (Sept. 10) at 10 a.m. and the $5 fee includes coffee and treats. The Seniors Society annual barbecue will be held on Saturday (Sept. 14) from 5 to 9 p.m. and tickets are $10 each. Entertainment will be provided by the Squamish Fiddlers.
The Squamish SPCA Paws for a Cause and Walk will be held at the O'Siyam Pavilion on Sept. 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. To register for the walk go online to spca.bc.ca/walk. You can also register on the day of the event.
Women who enjoy singing in harmony and having fun might consider joining the new "Sweet Addled Minds" chorus. The chorus is open to women of all ages and abilities, and if you are interested, please contact Marilyn at (604) 898-1823. The first practice will be held on Monday (Sept. 9) at 7:30 p.m. in the Squamish Academy of Music on Second Avenue.
The Hilltop House Support Society will meet on Thursday (Sept. 12) at 9:30 a.m. and interested community members are welcome to attend.
Grandparents and grandkids are invited to celebrate Grandparents Day at the Shannon Falls Retirement Residence on Third Avenue on Sunday (Sept. 8) at 1:30 p.m. when magician Peter Rooke will have a special show for kids of all ages.
Family to Family is an intense 12-week education course for families dealing with serious mental illness and will be held on Tuesday evenings from Sept. 17 to Dec. 3 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Family Support Centre at No. 205, 1865 Marine Dr., West Vancouver. The course is taught by trained family members who have ill relatives and many years' experience dealing with the system. It will be of particular interest to families whose relatives have recently been diagnosed. The course is offered by the North Shore Schizophrenia Society and is free of charge. For more information, please call (604) 926-0856 or email www.northshoreschizophrenia.org.
Have you ever attended a "house concert?" The Whiskey Minstrels are former members of Tillers Folly in the Lower Mainland and now Bruce Coughlan - songwriter/musician and Nolan Murray - fiddle/banjo and guitar player have formed their own group. They will perform a house concert on Saturday (Sept. 7) at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available by contacting Carolyn Grass at (604) 898-4051. The Whiskey Minstrels will also perform at the Fall Fair on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
At a fall prevention seminar at the Seniors Centre on Thursday (Sept. 12) at 1 p.m. a brief review on the alarming impact falls have on the well-being of seniors and health care services and, will identify hazards that contribute to the likelihood of falls in homes and communities. The facilitators will recommend safeguards and demonstrate exercises to improve balance and strength.
The Squamish Environmental Society has its monthly bird count on Sunday (Sept. 8) with members meeting at the Howe Sound Inn and Brew Pub at 7 a.m. This month the focus will be on migrating ducks and shore birds. For more information, please call Judith at (604) 898-3340.
Some members of the WOW Riders will be going to Vancouver Island this week but other members will meet at 10 a.m. (fall schedule) at Canadian Tire on Monday (Sept. 9) to plan their ride. For more information, call Shirley at (604) 898-5715.
The Over the Hill Hikers will meet at Ross and Government roads at 9 a.m. on Sept. 10 for an Emerald Forest/Lost Lake hike. For more information, call Heather at (604) 892-9003.
The Tantalus Walking Club will meet at the dog pound at 10 a.m. on Thursday (Sept. 12) for an Amble Path walk. For more information, call Joyce at (604) 898-5594.
The Hearts in Motion Walking Club meet tomorrow (Friday, Sept. 6) at 10 a.m. in front of the Brennan Park Recreation Centre for a trail walk. For more information, call Yvonne at (604) 898-5268 or myself at (604) 815-0152.
