All manner of community things are happening in Logan Lake and, no doubt, some of these may be new-to-you events, but let’s start with a combination of entirely new and sparkling repeats.

The 2013 Midget Hockey Tournament hosted by Logan Lake Minor Hockey kicks off on Jan. 11 at 5 p.m. at the Rec Centre with the Logan Lake Blazers facing off against the Kamloops Outlaws. A total of six teams will be on the ice throughout the weekend, with the championship final happening at 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 13. The organizing committee has done a first-class job in putting the tournament together while securing a fabulous array of prizes for the raffle draws. Because the Merritt NVIT team is part of the tournament, I hope that Logan Lakers will be joined by folks from Merritt to cheer on our teams.

The planning process for the 2013 Varion Cup of Pond Hockey began at the conclusion of last year’s event, and as the start date draws closer, the excitement level increases. With 29 teams in three divisions playing on seven rinks over three days for a total of 91 games, this year’s event is the biggest and best since the Cup began in 2006. Ice conditions were very iffy in December, but once again we were fortunate to have had a cold snap which made the ice preparation and maintenance a welcome chore. The fierce competition begins on Friday, Jan. 18 at noon and runs until 4 p.m. Saturday’s schedule is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the always-popular Dolson’s Source for Sports Skills competition to follow. Sunday will feature the playoffs beginning at 9 a.m. and concluding at 2 p.m. with the championship game. And, Kamloops’ Oronge Beernuts are returning to defend their Platinum Division title for the fifth year in a row.

The organizational team headed by Dave Prentice is always very vocal in shouting out their appreciation to community volunteers including: the ATV Club, who have been working for weeks prepping the ice; the LLSS Grad Class and parents, who will be running the welcomed concession with food, snacks, coffee and hot chocolate; the Ranch and Country Club, whose members will be hosting the on-ice beer garden while folks from Search and Rescue and Citizens on Patrol will be providing on-site security.

As Pond Hockey concludes, another Logan Lake tradition, the Polar Carnival, is set to begin and celebrate its 40th year. This six-day event is packed with an assortment of activities for people of all ages, including arts and crafts for youth, a beer and nachos music party at the Seniors Centre, International Food Night at Logan Lake restaurants, the teen dance at LLSS, a Darts Competition at local pubs, and the always-popular Kids Casino. Event organizers are attempting to put together a Logan Lake’s Got Talent evening on Thursday, Jan. 24, so no matter what your age, if you can sing, dance, act, or play an instrument, please call the W.H.Y. at 250-523-6229 to indicate your interest in participating. More Polar Carnival info will come out next week but get your Polar Carnival button a.s.a.p. to gain entrance into these events.