700 rivers/ creeks on the trans mountain, expansion., consultation was made to address them. KDG
To the seasons of life
Nicola Avenue Beautification
Photo KDG
The new pavement on Nicola avenue in Merritt BC is getting beautification and it includes a type of poplar tree. Swedish Columnar Poplar is also known as Swedish Columnar Aspen. Transplanted at 10 feet it will go to 40 feet in an erect and towering disposition.
They are best grown in full sun.
On this Day: April 18th 1506
The corner- stone of the current St Peters Basilica is laid.
File Photo: KD G
The Baillie is having its annual spring yard sale in the historic property located at 2202 Voght in Merritt. The property is run by the local historical society and they show the 1913 Edwardian home after the sale items are removed May 1st to September 30th yearly.
On this Day: February 2nd 1901
Queen Victoria’s funeral.
New walk on Nicola Avenue from the bridge area of the highway 8 entrance to Merritt and the historic meat market store at the junction of 97c and 5A .
Under the walks new waterlines were laid and pressure tested to 200 psi on a time pressure loss scale. ” 185 psi at the end of the time was within aceptable limits, but it remained at 200 for the test” ( to the corner of Chapman and Nicola at least )
A new waterline under the sidewalk gave an economy to the repave as it saved digging up the exsisting lines under it. No word on the economy of future repairs.
A neighbour says that the meat market building was sold to Koreans as an investment in recent months.
On this Day : October 21st 1879
The first practical light bulb is developed.
Walking the straight and narrow…
file photo KDG
Chinook salmon in the creeks, leaves turning, film society started. A particular pleasant context to shut out all bad conversations and enjoy the glory of the natural world.
On this day: September 20th 1946
After a 6 year delay for WW11 the Cannes film festival starts.
Across the street from the post office in Merritt is Spirit Square AKA Legacy Square a project of the very successful winter Olympics held in Vancouver . A peaceful and happy event enjoyed by all. Good will was the lot of many cultural backgrounds and fine memories created.
The local community policing office recently moved in from a block over. They renovated the old ware house once owned by the pioneer Armstrong family that operated a department store in the next block( now housing the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.) The removable pollards are designed to keep traffic out when occupied by people enjoying the stage and plantings.
Accidents can happen in a moment of time and people who watch out for our security may not be understood when only a lack of freedom of movement is cutailed.
This pollard part of an infrastructure program was struck by a vehicle
Photo KDG
A pollard at the post office was struck shortly after installation a number of years ago, Mary-Ann ( a local historical fan) pointed out the hazard. ” it kept people on the walk from injury” a source said. It was later removed and not replaced. Go figure….
On this Day: August 31 1997
Diana Princess of Wales dies in a car crash.
Raven try’s out the old Flag pole perch at historic Post Office Photo KDG
A raven squats on the rump of the old flag pole at the historic Merritt post office. The building circa 1939.
No comment was available from the bird about the expiration of the strike deadline at Canada Post.
On this day in history August 29th 1791
The HMS Pandora sinks a day after running aground on the Great Barrier Reef.
Where would ranch’s be without horses
File photo KDG
Corn grown in the Nicola Valley Photo KDG
A little home on the range went to feedlots….
The Nicola Valley Ranch Rodeo, the other rodeo is being advertised for the 27th of August at the Rodeo grounds south of Merritt. Merritt has had a labour day weekend rodeo for 58 years including the one coming up on the 3rd and 4th of September.
Merritt area has had many small rodeos at ranch’s and reserves over time. there was once a suicide run on a very step hill at the Upper Nicola Bands Douglas Lake reserve. It was discontinued because of injury and the possibility of cruelty to horses.
The rodeo bunch are civilized here now however an event can still become tragic if not properly managed. Merritt has produced clowns to manage bulls in riding events.
People like Bob Barker from the price is right have been instrumental in making change to attitudes that may effect stock and the way people perceive responsibility to them. Hollywood has also softened toward the use of livestock in movies. We invite the public to take an interest in the Nicola Valleys animals husbandry and attitudes that actions generate.
Local horses up for weather
File Photo KDG
The ranch rodeo is advertised as free admission and an 8:30 AM start on the 27th. The pro rodeo on the long weekend is a prize granting event; info is available at: http://nicolavalleyprorodeo.com/
On this Day: August 11th 1968
The final steam powered train operates on British rail.
Merritt BC incorporation
File :Photo KDG
The city had a crew at Voght park this morning, they were running a jackhammer and breaking up some pieces of concrete that had been used as a makeshift barrier to a lane coming from the east. The concrete in two pieces about 4 meters long and something over a meter thick were very hard and full of rebar and were the remains of a public swimming pool that was enjoyed by many kids decades ago.
Curtis a neighbour said that the pieces left were wreaked 50 years ago and then the pieces were put into service as a barrier. There have been two public pools since then and both were heated that one was not. The hot summer sun of the 1960s here made the small pool look very inviting and the stimulation from the cold water put in it was pronounced.
The City would have had a population of about 3000 at that time and Fran Brownfield the teen aged guard would have know all the kids personally.
Voght park was named for the founder of Merritt, and in the early 20th century had all the amenities.
Thanks to the founders and those that added after for the joy of that open pool and Rest in Peace to the remains of that structure.
On this Day: July 20th 1903
The Ford Motor Company ships its first car.
July brings an enjoyable garden space to many properties in Merritt
File Photo KDG
The Summer students have been busy setting up a tent at the downtown tourist info center ( Nicola Valley Heritage Society). When asked what it was for they replied that they were having a Christmas in July event on the coming weekend.
Fred at the house says they will be offering Christmas decorations and anything associated with Christmas for sale in the yard and the 2202 Voght street building, as well as books. The historical society operates on revenue from the house as well as donations.
The Baillie property is a City of Merritt Property and invites people to enjoy the common garden and historical house under the shade of maple trees.
Happy Holidays.
On this Day: July 19th 1976
Sagamatha National park is created in Nepal.
Where would ranch’s be without horses
File photo KDG
The 84th annual Nicola Valley pro rodeo is on for the September long weekend. September 3and 4th will see the pro qualifying event in the Rodeo Grounds south of town.
The rodeo is popular with many of the local ranching community as well as competitors from all round.
On this Day: July 13th 1793
French journalist Jean Paul Marat is assassinated in his bath tub.
John Paul taking a tree down, bench area November File Photo KDG
The forest service requires something called a pre-harvest siliva-culture prescription before logging plans can be approved by mills. Starting in May of most years some crews are about Merritt to plant trees. One time catch phrases such as Weyerhaeuser’s We plant two trees for everyone one we harvest have not rung aloud as much as in previous decades. Regulation seems to have taken over a little from public relations.
There are tree-planters at work this summer in the Black Diamond Ranch area by Brookmere in the Coquihalla, one from Salmon Arm, an immigrant from eastern Europe says that it is possible to plant 3000 a day at piece work rates. A long slender shovel blade distinguishes them from other forestry workers.
The Merritt Desert Inn is an annual venue for a Tree Planters Ball that sees many dress up in costume for a night of hilarity. The Ball was held in June this year and a management source at the Desert Inn said there were few planters this time and she knows of none at this writing.
Weyerhaeuser (pronounced “Warehouser“[4]) is one of the world’s largest private owners of timberlands. It owns or controls more than 6 million acres of timberlands, primarily in the U.S., and manages another 14 million acres under long-term licenses in Canada. The company also manufactures wood and cellulose fiber products. Weyerhaeuser is a real estate investment trust.[2] source wikipedia
A logger sports day in forestry week is on the agenda for Merritt this year, celebrating forestry week September 23rd-25th 2016. Billed as West Coast Lumberjack Show, it will feature a chainsaw carving competition. By two Carver Kings as seen on HGTV. The show will include will be forestry logging equipment displays and a big rig show and shine.
Forestry week was observed with a parade in recent years and the Fall Fair grounds sported two high spars for climbing competitions. Climbing with spurs was a skill that hydro, telephone and loggers practiced at work.
On this Day: July 12th 1971
The Australian Aboriginal flag flies for the first time.
Hey Merit what do you say?
Kevin Griffiths
percypaschal
The Proprietor Review 