To the seasons of life
Charm
I’m, what promise do you need?
Murphy Shewchuck was the first president and now addresses the local museum’s 50th AGM. November 12th 2026, Merritt BC, Canada.
The Nicola Valley Museum and Archives (operated by the Nicola Valley Archives Association) is located at 1675 Tutill Court in downtown Merritt, British Columbia, sharing a building with the Senior Citizens Recreation Centre. Established in 1976 and opened at its current site in the early 1980s, it serves as the primary repository for the region’s rich cultural, industrial, and pioneer history.
Museum Overview & Collections
The 4,000-square-foot facility houses extensive local history resources, including:
* A digital research computer providing access to historical photographs and digitized records.
* A comprehensive collection of James Teit First Nations reference materials.
* Complete historical runs of local newspapers like the Merritt Herald (dating back to 1905) and Merritt News.
* Early pre-emption records, water license records, city documents, early maps, and cemetery databases (including Pineridge, Upper Nicola, and Lower Nicola).
* Specialized regional holdings such as the Sherwin Kelly mining information collection and the ongoing publication of their Historical Quarterly.
Membership Costs & Expiration
While general admission is typically open to the public, specific public-facing membership fee structures, exact tiers, and formal annual renewal/expiration dates for individual members are managed internally by the Nicola Valley Archives Association rather than heavily published via online portals.
Because membership structures and exact renewal cycles (such as whether they align with the calendar year or the anniversary of the date of purchase) can occasionally shift or vary based on active institutional bylaws, the most direct and accurate way to confirm current membership rates, exact categories, and expiration terms is to contact the museum staff directly:
* Phone: (250) 378-4145
* Address: 1675 Tutill Court, Merritt, BC (with access from Coldwater Avenue or the Railyard Mall)
* Mailing Address: Nicola Valley Archives Association, PO Box 1262, Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8
Welcome new Board MS
(Moon near Saturn)
The Leonids meteor shower is active throughout most of November 2026 and peaks next week, offering exceptionally dark after-midnight viewing conditions alongside a bright planetary alignment.
Key Dates & Viewing Times (2026)
* Active Period: November 6 – November 30, 2026.
* Peak Night: Tuesday night, November 17 into the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday, November 18. (The early morning hours of November 17 are also worth watching).
* Best Viewing Window: Midnight to dawn (roughly 12:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. local time). This is when the shower’s radiant point rises above the eastern horizon and climbs high into the sky.
* Expected Rate: 10 to 15 meteors per hour under clear, dark skies. While the Leonids are famous for producing historic meteor storms roughly every 33 years (such as in 1966 and 2002), 2026 is a standard, non-storm year.
2026 Sky Conditions & Planetary Bonus
* No Moonlight Interference: The Moon reaches its First Quarter phase on November 17 and sets around midnight. That leaves the prime after-midnight viewing window completely dark and ideal for spotting fainter streaks.
* Mars & Jupiter Guidepost: You do not need to stare directly at the radiant—meteors appear all over the sky—but if you look east toward the constellation Leo (near the backward question-mark star pattern called the “Sickle”), Jupiter and Mars will appear right next to each other near the radiant. Before sunrise on November 18, Venus and Mercury also join them low in the eastern sky for a four-planet morning lineup.
What Makes the Leonids Unique
* Origin: The shower occurs every November as Earth passes through a trail of dust and debris left behind by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle.
* Speed: Because Earth hits this debris stream almost head-on, Leonids are among the fastest meteors of the year, entering the atmosphere at roughly 71 km/s (160,000 mph). This high speed often produces bright, blue-green streaks and occasional persistent vapor trails (“trains”) that can linger for several minutes.
* Bonus Fireballs: The Northern and Southern Taurids are also active in the background in mid-November; if you spot a much slower, bright orange fireball that doesn’t trace back to Leo, it is likely a Taurid.
Practical Tips for Watching
* Skip optical gear: Leave binoculars and telescopes behind—your naked eyes take in the widest swath of sky.
* Protect your night vision: Avoid looking at phone screens or bright flashlights for at least 20–30 minutes so your eyes fully dark-adapt.
* Dress for sub-zero temperatures: Mid-November pre-dawn temperatures in the British Columbia interior drop quickly when sitting or lying still, so bundle up in heavy layers, bring a reclining chair or insulated pad, and pack a thermos.
Would you like tips on photographing the meteors and the Mars–Jupiter conjunction, or local dark-sky spot recommendations around the Nicola Valley?
November’s night sky is typically filled with several exciting astronomical events, including multiple meteor showers, a Supermoon, and a major planetary opposition.Here are some of the major night sky events anticipated for November
November hosts the peak of several meteor showers: * Southern Taurids: This shower is active until about November 20th, with its expected peak on the night of November 4-5. This year is predicted to be a “swarm year,” meaning the shower could produce more bright fireballs, though the Full Moon will interfere with visibility of fainter meteors. * Northern Taurids: Active until December 10th, the Northern Taurids are expected to peak on the night of November 11-12.
The Full Moon in November, traditionally known as the Beaver Moon, occurs on November 5th. This Full Moon is also a Supermoon—the largest of 2025—since it occurs when the Moon is very close to its perigee (closest point to Earth). * Uranus at Opposition: The ice giant planet Uranus will be at opposition on November 21st. This is when Earth passes directly between Uranus and the Sun, making the planet at its brightest and most visible for the year. While it will be easier to spot, Uranus is still relatively dim and typically requires binoculars or a telescope to see clearly. * New Moon: The New Moon occurs on November 20th. This phase is the best time of the month to observe faint, deep-sky objects like galaxies and star clusters, as there is no moonlight interference.
This reliable shower is active from November 6th to the 30th, peaking on the night of November 17-18. Viewing conditions for the Leonids are favorable, as the Moon will be only 9% illuminated and shouldn’t interfere much with the view.Planetary and Lunar Events
Although this event occurs sometime in late November, Saturn’s rings will be oriented edge-on toward Earth, making them appear to “disappear” or become extremely thin. This is a great time to observe Saturn’s moons and the planet itself without the glare of the rings.Close Approaches (Conjunctions)Various close approaches of the Moon to planets are scheduled throughout the month, which are lovely sights for naked-eye observers and
* Moon near Saturn: November 2nd and November 29th. * Moon near Neptune: November 2nd and November 30th. * Moon near Jupiter: November 8:00 to 9th. ..10th
The sky is limitless beyond.
Merritt’s Cenotaph was well observed today.11,11,11.
A captain wearing 39th a brigade patch. Laid a wreath for the military.
Local army cadets as in the picture above. Commanded or guarded the cenotaph. Merritt Centennial’s hockey team was there.They formed a presence in the rear and laid a wreath.
In a tender thought, the girl guides of Canada were called upon at least a half a dozen times to lay wreaths.
Old time passed on veterans were ackowledged.
And Agreement for “We will remember them” was garnered and
observed.
The 39 Brigade group was recently raised (Spruced up) because of tensions in the world. Tom Newel the Honorary Colonel of the Rocky Mountain Rangers was at the historic start site of the World War Two ” Battan Death March” exploring an old resentment today. Tom has been active of late.
Reserves ( three pips a captain) one ear turned to listen a Prince. photo KDG
The formation you are referring to is likely the 39th Canadian Brigade Group (39 CBG). While it is structured out of historical units with deep-rooted traditions dating back well over a century, the modern brigade-group structure as it exists today was officially formed in 1997 (with various subordinate units undergoing modern reorganizations and amalgamations since, such as the 39 Service Battalion in 2010).Based in the province of British Columbia (with headquarters in Vancouver), 39 CBG is a formation of the Canadian Army Reserve (Primary Reserve) under the 3rd Canadian Division.An overview of how it was raised, its purpose, and its construction includes:
The 39th Canadian Brigade Group was established in 1997 as part of a restructuring of the Canadian Forces Land Force Command to streamline reserve forces into cohesive, regional brigade groups under the control of area commands.Rather than being raised from scratch as a completely brand-new entity, the brigade was formed by grouping together pre-existing historical militia and reserve regiments scattered across British Columbia—many of which trace their lineage back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries (such as local infantry and artillery units formed during the Victorian era and World Wars).
The primary purposes of the 39th Canadian Brigade Group are:
* Force Generation: To recruit, train, and maintain combat-ready part-time soldiers (reservists) who can augment the Regular Force. * International Deployments: To provide individual volunteers and sub-units for international United Nations (UN) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) operations. Hundreds of its members have deployed to major missions, including those in Afghanistan. * Domestic Operations & Humanitarian Aid: To support civilian authorities during domestic emergencies within British Columbia—such as responding to natural disasters, severe flooding, and catastrophic wildfire relief efforts. * Community Connection: To act as the tangible military presence in communities across British Columbia, fostering a bridge between the civilian public and the Canadian Armed Forces.
The brigade is comprised of roughly 1,500 reserve soldiers distributed across 11 primary units stationed in armories throughout Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Kelowna, Kamloops, Chilliwack, and other BC communities.Its organizational makeup covers a broad spectrum of combat arms and support services:
Located in Vancouver (Major-General B.M. Hoffmeister Building). * Infantry (Light Infantry): * The Rocky Mountain Rangers (Headquarters in Kamloops, with companies in Prince George) * The Royal Westminster Regiment (New Westminster and Chilliwack) * The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada (Vancouver) * The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) (Victoria and Nanaimo) * Armoured (Reconnaissance): * The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own) (Vancouver) * The British Columbia Dragoons (Kelowna and Vernon) * Artillery: * 5th (British Columbia) Field Artillery Regiment, RCA (Victoria and Nanaimo) * 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA (Vancouver) * Combat Engineers: * 39 Combat Engineer Regiment (Vancouver, Chilliwack, and Trail) * Signals & Communications: * 39 Signal Regiment (Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, and Kelowna) * Combat Service Support: * 39 Service Battalion (Richmond and Victoria) — handles logistics, transport, supply, and maintenance.Additionally, the brigade works alongside specialized supporting units in the region, such as field ambulances (medical services), military police platoons, and intelligence detachments.
The Merritt crown bicycle race held in June. It is on the (12th this year). Registration opened on November 9th, if you want to be part of a group that enjoys outdoor physical activity. A bit of mild competition and a sense of belonging.
Photo Generated KDG
An ongoing exploration…
The next test is the charm…
For SpaceX’s Starship—the fully reusable spacecraft being developed for NASA’s Artemis lunar missions and future human missions to Mars—Flight 15 (Integrated Flight Test 15) is targeting a launch around November 13, 2026 from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas.
SpaceX is attempting to catch the Starship upper stage (Ship 42) using the launch tower’s massive mechanical “chopstick” arms at Pad 2. Up until now, upper-stage ships have performed controlled re-entries and water splashdowns in the ocean. * The Booster Catch: Simultaneously, the first stage Super Heavy (Booster 22) will attempt a catch back at the Starbase launch tower. If successful, this will mark the first time both stages are caught and recovered at the launch site on the same mission.
Flight 15 is planned to begin early-stage testing of mechanisms critical for in-space propellant transfer—a vital technology needed to refuel Starship in low Earth orbit before it can travel to the Moon or Mars. This includes testing docking and hatch alignment mechanisms.
Flight 15 utilizes the newer Block 3 vehicle architecture (Booster 22 and Ship 42) designed for improved performance, higher thrust, and increased payload capabilities into orbit.
Both Booster 22 and Ship 42 have completed their cryogenic proof testing and static fires at the Starbase test site. * Regulatory Approval: Final licensing from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and airspace hazard notices are being finalized ahead of the target launch date.
Or it’s more often noted.
In Concert this Friday
https://www.facebook.com/share/14zzyrRNqnC
Culture is remembered and expressed in concert classics.
Feelings are resonated by tones pauses and construct.
It’s so nice to have such a accomplished namesake.
A transitional requiem in classical concerts functions as a profound structural and emotional bridge, capturing the liminal space between grief and acceptance, or mortal existence and the afterlife. Its core value lies in its psychological depth, transforming the traditional fixed liturgy of the Mass for the Dead into a dynamic exploration of human change. The musical storyline typically mirrors a spiritual and emotional migration—beginning with the heavy, fractured despair of the Introitus and Dies Irae, moving through the harrowing confrontation of loss, and resolving into the ethereal, suspended textures of the Lux Aeterna or In Paradisum. This deliberate evolution generates complex, contradictory feelings in the audience: a heavy sense of haunting exposure and sorrow gives way to visceral awe, eventually clearing into a profound, cathartic release of peace and existential reconciliation.
Transient (featuring Resin Moon)This video provides an immersive auditory and visual example of how contemporary transitional themes and ambient pacing echo the liminal, shifting moods found in transitional classical movements.
Not an ad:
We welcome your comments and observations.
Economic development summit. Merritt Civic center. breakfast and lunch available
Merritt has a future…
100 riders,June 12th 2027, 120,60 kilometers or relay.
Merritt BC Canada.
Good exercise great time..
The weekend rain forecast across British Columbia is defined by a heavy, unsettled pacific storm cycle driven by an atmospheric river pattern impacting the province.
Regional Breakdown
* Coastal B.C. & South Coast (Metro Vancouver, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island):
* Conditions: Persistent, widespread rainfall and strong winds dominate the region. Vancouver Island and coastal mountains are bearing the heaviest downpours, leading to localized pooling on roads and elevated risks of localized flooding.
* Temperatures: Mild daytime highs hovering around 9°C to 12°C.
* Southern Interior (Okanagan, Thompson-Nicola):
* Conditions: Wet and cloudy with periodic light to moderate rainfall. Temperatures remain relatively mild during the day (6°C to 9°C range).
* High-Elevation Mountain Passes (Coquihalla, Sea to Sky, Kootenay Pass):
* Conditions: Heavy precipitation transitions to heavy alpine snowfall at higher elevations. High-elevation mountain passes are seeing mixed rain and snow, creating slippery conditions and reduced visibility for drivers.
* Northern B.C. (North Coast & Northern Interior):
* Conditions: Cool and wet, with rain along coastal areas transitioning into a mix of rain showers and flurries for inland northern communities.
Summary
It is a classic wet November weekend across most of B.C. The heaviest rainfall remains concentrated along coastal areas and Vancouver Island, while interior routes face persistent showers and mountain passes experience snow/slush mix. Travelers should account for wet roads, high-elevation winter driving conditions, and potential ferry or transit delays due to accompanying winds.
Be aware of freezing temperatures at the higher level that are above highways often as it’s rained and it freezes acts as contractions and rocks will start to move. This is just information. Don’t consider it as advice.
Always drive defensively.
So, as FDR once said we have nothing to fear but fear itself.
we we have become adept at turning fear into entertainment, so let’s keep it that way. Remember when you go to bed at night. You’ve just been entertained. And keep you rationale now for actual danger.
Ai synopsis
Mercury in retrograde is an optical illusion where the planet Mercury appears to move backward in the night sky from our view on Earth. [1] (https://www.almanac.com/content/mercury-retrograde-dates), [2] (https://www.sagegoddess.com/what-is-mercury-retrograde/)The Science Behind It• Orbit Speed: Mercury orbits the Sun much faster (every 88 days) than Earth (365 days).• The Passing Effect: Several times a year, Earth overtakes Mercury in its orbit.• Visual Illusion: Just like a faster car passing a slower car on a highway makes the slower car look like it is moving in reverse, Mercury temporarily appears to travel backward. [1] (https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zq3tdnb), [2] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZatYlEPob8), [3] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NL2m3Uac_o), [4] (https://www.sagegoddess.com/what-is-mercury-retrograde/)2026 Mercury Retrograde Dates• First Retrograde: February 26 – March 20 (in Pisces)• Second Retrograde: June 29 – July 23 (in Cancer)• Third Retrograde: October 24 – November 13 (in Scorpio) [1] (https://www.farmersalmanac.com/mercury-retrograde), [2] (https://www.almanac.com/content/mercury-retrograde-dates)You can track full planetary calendars and guides via the Farmers’ Almanac or check details on Astrology Zone. [1] (https://www.astrologyzone.com/updated-mercury-retrograde-dates/), [2] (https://www.farmersalmanac.com/mercury-retrograde)Astrology and Popular Belief• What It Governs: In astrology, Mercury rules communication, technology, travel, and contracts. [1] (https://www.today.com/life/astrology/mercury-retrograde-tips-thrive-astrologer-rcna606105), [2] (https://www.farmersalmanac.com/mercury-retrograde)• Common Beliefs: Astrologers and followers associate this window with miscommunications, delayed flights, and glitching gadgets. It is often treated as a time for “re-” words: reviewing, revising, repairing, and reflecting. [1] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf1D9Kmz1qc), [2] (https://spiritualgangster.com/blogs/news/your-mercury-retrograde-survival-guide), [3] (https://www.today.com/life/astrology/mercury-retrograde-tips-thrive-astrologer-rcna606105), [4] (https://www.sagegoddess.com/what-is-mercury-retrograde/), [5] (https://www.farmersalmanac.com/mercury-retrograde)• Scientific Reality: Astronomers and scientists note that there is no physical mechanism or evidence showing that Mercury’s orbital position influences human behavior, psychology, or electronics. [1] (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8r5PHKJMfw0), [2] (https://sunflowercounseling.com/mercury-is-in-retrograde-but-is-that-really-why-you-feel-anxious/), [3] (https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zq3tdnb)Would you like to know about upcoming shadow periods, or how a specific zodiac sign is affected during these dates?
Merritt meets Grand Forks at the Nicola Valley arena at 7:00 PM Friday. Action continues on Sunday with Revelstoke 2:PM in Merritt.
Schedule
Junior A Hockey continuing the Merritt Centennials tenure in Merritt BC. Now with the British Columbia Hockey Conference. (More that half a century!)
Make a deal…
It’s a wicked old world if it’s the underworld.
Most all cultures over time came up with an underworld understanding if that’s the right word. I remember the Boatman that would be on the river Sticks for the Greeks and Roman Warriors. I guess it was. And if you didn’t have somebody to put coins in your eyes, you’d be blind in eternity. All these moral things that lend themselves to Pertain Natural images.
So, be resolved that you will take the burden off somebody instead of putting it on. No big heavy trips. Certain endings. Give who you come across today. The blessing of self-determination. And you be a supportive member of it?. How about that??
The grief that we experience is always wanting explanation and rational purpose to win happiness back.
We Pray You,( or wish you, suggest you) / an action that will mitigate your loss. These activities are mostly delusion as it is a given that denial of loss is staking and invites you ” what did I do to deserve this”.
You did nothing unless it materialisticly led directly to your loss.
Even luck bows to that. However someone else’s bad luck can depending on where you’re positioned lead into your good luck.
Anyway, when you’re dealing with grief it is okay to be unsure. And for a Time release your questions to the all in all.
Dont be hard on yourself and others…
Hey Merit what do you say?
Kevin Griffiths
percypaschal
