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Call Us At: 1.877.456.7717 |
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GAZETTE MONTHLY | MAY 2021 |
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In this Newsletter:
- President's Message On the 2021 Season
- Province Announces Travel Restrictions to May 25, 2021
- Victoria: Making Big Changes In The Equine Department
- Meet Robin, Our New Resort Manager
- Meet Our New Staff For The Season
- Lots Of Familiar Staff Faces
- Spring is Sprung and Ice Is Off The Lake
- Kyle Returns To The Kitchen With Exciting new recipes!
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President's Message On The 2021 Season
For the 2021 season, we believe that the risk of Covid-19 transmission at the Flying U should be relatively low. The Interior region of BC has seen very little spread of the virus. Also, the predominantly open-air environment and horseback activities at the ranch means that social distancing can be maintained. Last year we established a comprehensive Covid-19 protocol that worked very well and with minor changes this protocol will be implemented again for the 2021 season. This year we have set up a new staff housing facility which will spread our employees into their own separate quarters. Lastly, we believe the majority of our guests and staff will have had their vaccinations when they visit this summer. With Covid-19 there are no guarantees but the safety of our Staff and Guests is my primary concern.
John Lovelace
President and CEO
Flying U Ranch
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Province Announces
Travel Restrictions to May 25, 2021
On Monday April 19, Premier John Horgan announced new travel restrictions in the entire Province of BC. These restrictions will be in place until after the May long weekend. This will delay our planned opening date for 15 days, from May 10 until May 25, 2021. Guest who are booked on these dates have been contacted to make alternative arrangements. If you are booked between May 10 and May 25, and we have missed you, please contact the office at 250.456.7717.
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International cancellations
opens up two prime summer booking periods!
Due to travel restrictions, we have had two very large bookings cancel for guests coming from overseas this summer. This opens up a choice of 4 prime days in July and also 5 days in August. The executive houses are available on a first come first served basis during those dates.
The dates just released are;
July 23, July 24, July 25, and July 26, 2021
August 9, August 10, August 11, August 12, and August 13.
While we will miss our overseas friends this is a great last minute opportunity
for staycationers!
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Victoria:
Making Big Changes In The Equine Department
Victoria has moved from the front office to head up the equine department. Returning guests won't believe the changes she's made, in everything from new herd additions, new wrangling staff, new corrals, fencing and trails. We have even implemented new pasture rotations and irrigation programs. Significantly, the composition of our riders has changed, with a new generation of younger, inexperienced riders now coming up to the Ranch. This means that the 24 new horses that have joined our herd were primarily acquired for new riders. We will also be offering formal daily trail rides to give our newer riders confidence on the trails.
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Our New Resort Manager
Robin Hethey
Robin joins us from Rossland in the Kootenays, where she raised a family and managed the City’s Recreation Department and seasonal outdoor pool. Recently, she completed a Masters of Sustainable Leisure Management in the Faculty of Tourism, Recreation and Hospitality from Vancouver Island University. For the past three winters, Robin has supervised the Guest Services department at The Josie Hotel, at the base of Red Mountain Resort.
Robin brings the same passion for recreation, leisure and high service standards to the Flying U, where she will oversee Guest services and resort activities. With a background in organic vegetable gardening and even beekeeping, Robin is working with the Chef to source locally produced ingredients that will be featured in exciting new farm to tables dishes. Look forward to one of her personal favourites - roasted rhubarb scones - using the wild rhubarb that grows at the Ranch.
With a passion for lifelong learning, Robin has enjoyed a wide range of family leisure experiences, including; cycling the Loire à Vélo in France, backpacking in Central America, and learning to sail on her little 16ft Matilda. She is excited to meet the Staff and horses, and all the Guests this summer, and looks forward to supporting wonderful vacation memories at the Flying U.
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Meet Our New Staff
Cindi Berg
"I love small community life and own a five-acre property in rural Manitoba. My background is business owner/manager/employer/employee, Mother, historian, and photographer. My love of horses and people have brought me to the Flying U Ranch and I am thrilled to be the office manager for this 2021 season."
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Karlie Althouse
"I’m Karli Althouse and I’m from small-town Wadena, Saskatchewan. I just recently finished my Ag Business Diploma at Lakeland College, continuing on next year to get my Bachelor in Ag Technology. I have been riding since I was four years old and training horses since I was twelve. I also take part in rodeo events such as barrels and pole bending. I’m new this year to the Flying U Ranch and look forward to my position as Wrangler this summer."
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Daphne Kuypers
"My name is Daphne. I grew up in Alberta and recently moved to the West Coast, and I’m so excited for something new. My passion is in the horse industry and my favourite breed is a Quarter Horse. I have a pony named Rainbow and she is my best friend. I have made some of my best memories while in the saddle. I am so excited to be working at the Flying U! I am looking forward to spending my days outside and meeting tons of amazing people."
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Steven Abbott
"Hi! I'm Steven! I'm new to British Columbia, having moved from Ottawa, where I've spent the past 3 years cheering for the Maple Leafs. I've mainly worked serving in restaurants associated with the Ottawa Senators."
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Lexi Wesley-Plambeck
"Hey my names Lexi! I’m originally from the west coast and graduated the summer of 2020. In my spare time I enjoy going to the gym and hiking with my blue heeler. Currently I’m working for the Salt Spring Island fire department and Diggin' it excavating".
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Benthe Combee
Benthe is joining our wrangling team this season and will be coming to the ranch from Sweden. She is currently working as a machine operator and trains young horses under saddle in her spare time.
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Saskia Juliette
"I love animals and adventuring in the outdoors. I have lived on a farm my whole life and my dog Jip is my best friend. I’m excited to meet the guests this summer and share my passion for horses with them."
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Kyle Burns
We are so happy to have Kyle back and heading up the kitchen this season. Guests were raving about the changes he made to the kitchen last year.
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William Anderson
Will is our handy man and works full time in the equine department in fence and trail maintenance. He can do the work of two men and we are pleased to have him back for the season.
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Steve Harris
Steve is our senior wrangler and the heart and soul of the ranch. He represents all that is good about the cowboy life in the Cariboo.
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Ariel Stevenson
Ariel is coming back to the ranch again this year and she does it all! You will see her organizing the activities, helping at the waterfront and wrangling.
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Amelie Levary
Amelie was a very popular wrangler with the guests last year. She is happy to be back in the saddle for the 2021 season.
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Daniel Gerschermann
Daniel is back this season as the head of the front of lodge. He is an extremely hard worker and always has a smile on his face.
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Angela Deforge
Angela took last year off to gain some experience working at a vet clinic. She will be returning to the barn area and is already here at the ranch working with the herd.
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Dallas McKay
Dallas is our full time grounds and ranch maintenance. He is already here at the ranch getting everything ready for the guests arrival in May.
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Lorraine Ostergard
We are looking forward to welcoming Lorraine back to the ranch this year after taking a couple years off. She loves the ranch and all of the guests and it shows in her work.
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Shane Abramson
Shane is a licensed heavy duty mechanic. He keeps the tractors, quads, snowmobiles, boats and ranch vehicles running smoothly. "If Shane can't fix it then it ain't broke".
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Charles Russell
Charles worked at the ranch back in 2018 and is excited to be returning again this year. He has spent his time working on ranches and gaining more experience with horses and learning some mechanics and carpentry skills.
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Nala Lovelace
Second only to Cowboy Steve, we get more positive comments and emails for Nala the labradoodle! Nala will celebrate her 8th birthday this month and still welcomes every guest as they arrive. She is the friendliest dog in the west and sets the standard for love an affection for all the visiting dogs at the ranch.
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Kyle Returns To The Kitchen With
Exciting New Recipes!
Last year our new dining area to the front of our lodge, the "Century Lodge", was a huge hit with its fine dining feel of a century ago. Also, our outside covered porches are now licensed which gives our guests the option to spread out and enjoy sunset dining with a glass of wine.
But, it was behind the scenes in the culinary department where or new cook Kyle really shone, with new recipes and food choices. This year Kyle is sourcing more farm to fork initiatives, which will give our local producers direct access to our kitchen.
Look forward to a new pork loin dish that pairs chilli, orange, fennel and cumin in a marinade, resulting in a heady fragrance of spices and herbs. The Baked Feta Pasta features sun-dried tomatoes, pasta, feta, and fresh basil and garlic all tossed with olive oil. That's not all - we've got lots of fresh new ideas that we're working on!
But at the end of the day it still comes down to choice at the Flying U. Breakfasts will still offer robust bacon and eggs, and alternatives. We still offer our ever popular pizza and chicken wings on Fridays and don't forget about the steak and sea food Saturday nights.
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Spring is Sprung and Ice Is Off The Lake!
The ice came off the lake on April 27, 2021. One of the distinct features of the Ranch is our location on the shores of Green Lake - the crown jewel of the Cariboo. In all we have 30 boats, canoes and kayaks for our guest enjoyment, and Dallas is busy polishing them up for the 2021 season. Or if you want something a little quieter you can take a romantic paddle out on our private lake just North of the Ranch. You can enjoy the loons, ducks, Canada geese, beavers and over 100 species of birds that nest in the area.
Either way, there is no better way to blow off the cobwebs of a Covid-19 winter, than on the water at the Flying U Ranch.
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New North Corral Under Construction |
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Now With Starlink High Speed Internet |
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P.O. Box 69, 70 Mile House
BC V0K 2K0 Canada
1.877.456.7717
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