To the seasons of life
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.
The downtown historical society run tourist info center enjoys the employ of summer students every summer. The facility is equipped with maps and trail guides as well as offering free coffee or tea.
Supporting young people with summer jobs while studies are in abeyance is a Canadian tradition.
The manager and staff can point out the local stuff and help with gasoline ,car issues as well as give a tour a turn of the 20th century residence.
Two summer students,
at the Edwardian era historic house: The Baillie House
File Photo KDG
On this Day: June 16th 1891
John Abbot becomes the Prime Minister of Canada.
The country singer Glen Campbell visited Merritt for the Merritt Mountain Music Festival . He left a set of hand prints in a concrete star that was placed in a viewing stone in front of the Merritt News building, on Granite and Voght. The Merritt News moved to the new part of town and left the iconic image in front of the building.
The building has been left mostly empty for a number of years. A sore confusion with the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame being around the corner.
Glen Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2011 , and now lives in a home. The Walk of Stars that Glen’s star belongs to is on city property.( side walk tour)
Glen Campbell was married four times and has two intervening children.
A star handprint from the walk of stars in Merritt.
File Photo KDG
A source says the building is being renovated for a retail operation. The stars are being cleaned and repainted about town at this writing.
The Merritt news eventually ceased publishing with its parent The Kamloops Daily News.
There is a Tanya Tucker mural on the north side of the building being renovated. The mural was done by Michael Loughery and signed by Tanya Tucker in 2006.
On this Day: June 3rd 1937
The Duke of Winsor marries an American divorcee, Wallis Simpson.
On this Day: May 24th 1626
Peter Minuit buys Manhattan for tools Wampum and other wares.
Lowlands of Coldwater river, on way to festival grounds has log home…
File photo KDG
Kenney Hess and his country crowd is having a festival on the grounds of the old Merritt Mountain festival again this summer.
the Merritt Rockin river festival is on July 28th-31st 2016 and feature Sam hunt, Dean Brody, Randy Houser John Michael Montgomery and many more.
The festival grounds are on the Ewalt ranch, east of Merritt and include the Coldwater river meandering through on its way to meet the Nicola river.
The area was a center for coal mining from the end of the 19th century and looks down into the Nicola Valley and ghosts its railway roots.
Kenney Hess is a Canadian performer from the lower mainland of BC and has been a stalwart for country music at previous Merritt Festivals.
Tickets are at Riverfest.ca.
Some campsites are sold out now there is a comprehensive list of protocols at the organizers web site including:”You can consume alcohol in your campsite, but you are not permitted to walk around the campgrounds or on roadways with alcohol. Alcohol will be confiscated and not returned and you could be subject to removal from the festival grounds.”
Editors Note: please think in terms of respecting neighboring property and enjoyment rights when planning to attend or explore about Merritt. There are two travel info centers here to help you with the planning. As well there is a Chamber of Commerce office at city hall on Voght street Merritt..
On this day: May17th 1994
Malawi has its first multi party elections.
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Water and sewer
File photo KDG
The city works foreman was walking up Nicola Avenue with blueprints under his arm on Monday. The city is starting a needed upgrade of the infrastructure in the Nicola Avenue. The road is highway 8 or 97C and a funding arrangement was made with the provincial highways branch to pay for the upgrade. local residents will be affected by signage and construction as well as the Old Court House Gallery and the Love to Dance studio.
Merritt is progressive in water and discharge pipe upgrades and summer rarely goes with out a project.
On this day: May 3rd 2000
The sport of geocaching begins using GPS markers.
Hey Merit what do you say?
Kevin Griffiths
percypaschal
The Proprietor Review 