From an unrecorded conversation with Margaret Moreira: "Nov. 27 is Plaid Friday, and due to COVID-19 we are doing something a little different. We are asking all of our businesses to participate in some form or another, and their supporting customers will be able to receive a free gift courtesy of the Village of Ashcroft. If you spend a combined $50 or more at any of those participating businesses on Nov. 27, you can bring in your valid receipts to the village office and we will give you an adorable Love Ashcroft canvas tote. So keep your eyes peeled for the Plaid Friday deals. Even though they have endured financial setbacks, our local businesses are still going to go out of their way to help the community have a great Christmas.

Fun fact: for every $100 you spend in your community, $46 gets put back into the local economy. The more we shop local, the more our businesses can accommodate you by staying open longer and creating more jobs, which means financial stability. It’s a win-win"!

This episode of the Ash-Creek News is filmed at various locations in Ashcroft including: The Ashcroft Bakery, Natures Gifts, and the IDA Pharmacy.

The Christmas Hamper is seeking donations for this Christmas Season, and not donations of food. Due to COVID-19 they are asking for cash donations so that they can purchase food that does not have to sit quarantine. You can make a cash donation through the Community Resources Society, or you can add a donation to your purchases at local stores such as IDA Pharmacy and Safety Mart Foods.

Mayor Barbara Roden joined Civic Journalist Gareth Smart outside of the Ashcroft Bakery, where they tried the new Maple Bacon Cinnamon Bun, and Mayor Roden shows her support for Plaid Friday.

The two year planning session was held and the short term future in Ashcroft looks busy. With Ashcroft becoming debt free, the amount of opportunities has grown exponentially. The chief administrative officer Daniela Dyck even said "its not a matter of what we can do, it is a matter of do we have the staff to accomplish all of the projects we want to do." Mayor Roden commented saying that "Having a balanced budget and no village debt gives up a chance to move forward and do the things that we have been wanting to do but couldn't." Some of these projects include a new roof and hot tub at the Ashcroft outdoor pool, and set up back up generators for the cities water services.

New COVID restrictions have taken place due to the steady rise of the case numbers in the province. Dr. Bonnie Henry has issued a statement saying that dance, karate, and physical fitness classes are to be suspended until further notice, and masks are now mandatory for citizens to enter places of business across the province. At this time the Ashcroft HUB is the most heavily affected business in regards to the new restrictions.