Category: -Photography


Wednesday Charm.

Midweek is the best day to make great choices.

Choosing right:

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Water park in use again

File photo KDG

Conservation asked for:

The City is asking for care in water use as it returned to pre pump failure restrictions on the 11th.

Nicola Valley Professional Rodeo Assc.

Labour  day is a great day for  culture.

The 64th  annual pro rodeo in the Nicola valley is fast approaching. Starting with a parade on Friday the 30th of August at 6:30 PM. So,the event filled labour day of 2024 is taking shape at this moment.

Need a fresh look at cowboy culture the opportunity is presenting sooner than  you may appreciate.

500 dollar first prize for best parade float. Seek them out,plan, participate, posters about town.

Just looking up

Good luck

To observe the night sky, first find a location away from city lights to reduce light pollution. Then, allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Use a star chart or a stargazing app to identify constellations, planets, and other celestial objects. Consider using a telescope or binoculars for a closer view, and be patient as your eyes adapt to the dark. Happy stargazing!

Bill Miner, AKA George Edwards

Photo source: Walkman Talk, Google Wikipedia, secondary sources.

Bill Miner the local bandit from the turn of the 20th century was a local legend here in the Nicola Valley. Known as Miner and old George Edwards, the gentlemen train robber he lead a double life for years between Merritt BC, Princeton and Coalmont. He also is reported to have worked the Douglas lake Cattle company for the owner JP Greaves.

Taking 7000 dollars in money and gold dust as well as about 250 thousand in US bonds and Australian securities in his famous Mission train robbery( first in Canada) he was on the lam here as a gentlemen and traveling abroad to Europe.

The local Coldwater hotel (1908) has a story of the securities being hid behind a mirror and in the dome of the three story building. There are no accounting of the securities ever being recovered but a strong interest in the CPR authorities to do that.

The timeline of Minors activities brought him to the 1907 Duck lake train robbery which netted Bill Minor, Shorty Dunn  and Louis Colquhoun,( died of TB in the BC Penn was a teacher from Ontario) about 20 dollars and the registered mail that secured their conviction in a two week trail in Kamloops. The three had been arrested after one of them had lost his nerve when being talked to by searching posse members.

Minor and Dunn got life in the BC Penn the other 25 years. However Minor weighing in at less then 140 lbs acted in the way of a rabbit and slid out of prison under a fence within 13 months of the sentence. He died in Georgia in 1913 after at least one train robbery there. Noted as the picture of innocence it was reported that the locals there chipped in for a burial.

Nina Wooliams in her 1979 book Cattle Ranch says that while working as George Edwards,  Minor  was responsible for and accident where a Chinese laborer fell out of a wagon and died of head injuries. The mans brother a cook at the ranch was wanting to kill minor causing Greaves to let him go. This gave him the time and inclination to plan the Duck lake robbery. It is also noted that he was after the relief money going to the San Franciso earthquake victims in 1907. He got the wrong train.

This year is the 100th year since his death in Georgia and it marks an age that passed the authorities excepting of Robin Hood types like Miner. Even the 1907 attribution of  credit in Miner with the catch words Hands Up by a the head of the Pinkerton agency would probably not be done today.People operating on the wrong side of the government and community face public relations and vilification that is hard to beat. Even political figures like Saddam and others must not have been all bad.

In the words of a favored son ,when talking of  an arch villain Adolf Hitler the statement of innocence ” I heard he was good to his dog” gave  a sense that borrowing trouble not your own is a pricey emotional and spiritual due.

Hating someone makes them bigger then they are and engaging them somehow lessens you. Though necessary sometimes, we hope that you are spared these episodes in you and yours lives.  We wish that you escape like a rabbit under the fence the cost and confinement of ill will.

Ode to the Grey Fox may he continue to rest in peace. Watch out for PR on the other side.

Shorty Dunn drowned at 70 years of age involved in prospecting in northern Canada, its said that he lost his life in bravery saving another. Colquhoun is buried in the New West Minister Penitentiary grave yard with about 100 other unclaimed bodies. The NWP is torn down however the graveyard remains with unmarked graves and some concrete marker bearing prisoner numbers.

Although the stories are sanitized through the lens of history and belief, he is noted as having a career by the RCMP in their web site page”The Story of Bill Miner” it included over thirty  years of prison time and is  softer then the term  ” Career Criminal”. The police also say that his capture gave then credibility. Two jurisdictions did the arrest here in Merritt. The CPR also lost a lot of chinese labourers building the rail road to nitro explosions ( transported in wagons)

In 1914 a year after Bill Miners death in Georgia the Government of British Columbia purchased two Chilean Navel submarines, this was covert against the law and against an American embargo. The constitutional authority for defence was the Canadian Federal Government who quickly acquired them from the province of British Columbia. The price that BC paid a reported 1.1 million dollars was bigger then the Federal governments navel budget. the clouds of war in Europe had been gathering foe some time and challenges to structure had occurred since the death of Queen Victoria in 1901. The time and setting fit  the range of Miner in BC. Since the arrest in Merritt was done by a BC Policeman and a NWMP federal cop we can image politics and positioning even with the reports of Pinkerton cops coming up and the vilifying reports that Miner had been after the San Fransisco relief money going south.

He was a crook and a thief ( a long record) but some civility was clear and gave a mood that fit the time and sense of right and wrong here in BC.

His play was acted out some time after the Mcleans who were real murders and uncontrolled. They were hung at the BC Pen after holding off a large posse at  the Douglas large ranch. The posse formed after they had killed a civil cop at the stump lake ranch north of Merritt. Still the conspiring context of these criminal acts were addressed by a need for credibility and country that did not fully get settled untill after the great conflict of the first world war and events like Vimy ridge and other.

Why is this relevant today, because the same passions are excited by insecurity now and in particular with young people they are the easiest group to blame for budget problems and malaise and political strife. Case in point the 15-year-old that was shot by police in Greece, that perception and movement against banks and globalization ran a gambit several years ago.

These guys were bad guys but where did it start, someone missed a opportunity to lead and it went to blame…..?

Its save to say that being civil has its rewards; sometimes.

Review: Nina Woolliams Cattle Ranch, 1979: For a frontier sense in Canada *****  excellent

Music to think by

Calm will always now truth over rash ruckus row.

Events and reactions, be a fan not a post.

The frequency of personal injuries can vary, but some studies suggest that weekends tend to see more accidents, possibly due to increased leisure activities and alcohol consumption. Additionally, certain holidays and events associated with celebrations may also pose a higher risk for accidents. It’s important to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines at all times.

TGIF- Hockey Game 6 in Edmonton Tonight.

Have a great game and a superlative weekend…

The heritage of Lord Stanley’s cup is tied to the west coast and his Namesake park in Vancouver. The cup includes the Vancouver Millionaires from 1915, and existed as a team from 1911- 1926, only having the cup for one season.

Governor General’s cup

Lord Stanley was the Governor general of Canada from 1888 to 1893 and presented the cup to be used with his name. Fredrick Charles Stanley was the 17th Earl of Derby.

The first team to have the cup to demonstrate the virtues expected to have the cup for a year was the Amature Athletic Assocation of Montreal. The Cup is said to be the hardest cup to aquire in all of professional sport.

Good Luck ☘️

Do you know yourself? What about limits, do you care about others limits, does it matter?

Understanding oneself is crucial for personal growth and well-being. Setting limits and boundaries can help individuals maintain a healthy balance in their lives and relationships. It’s important to consider and respect the limits of others, as this contributes to building meaningful and respectful connections. When interacting with others, being mindful of their limits can lead to more positive and fulfilling relationships. However, it’s also essential to evaluate the impact of these limits on the nature of relationships, whether they are with friends or potential adversaries. Striking a balance between self-awareness and understanding the boundaries of others is a key aspect of navigating social interactions.

Your path is yours to share and own.

Jerrime Godwin👀

Normal by Wednesday

Return to routine

How do

Returning to routine after celebrating a life event can be a significant shift. Here are a few tips to ease the transition:

  1. Reflect on the Celebration: Take a moment to reflect on the event and the joy it brought. This can help you appreciate the experience and carry its positivity forward.
  2. Re-establish Priorities: Identify your important tasks and commitments, and gradually reintegrate them into your schedule. Setting achievable goals can help you regain a sense of normalcy.
  3. Slow Transition: Ease back into your routine rather than abruptly diving back in. Start by tackling the most essential tasks first.
  4. Self-Care: Ensure that you take care of yourself both physically and mentally, as transitions can be emotionally taxing.
  5. Stay Connected: Maintain the connections made during the celebration and use them as a source of support as you return to your routine.

By approaching the transition with mindfulness and self-care, you can effectively reintegrate into your routine after celebrating a significant life event.

Feet on the ground

Remember you may have gotten yourself into a distorted sense of entitlement that may clash with others routine. KDG

Monday 10th, June 2024

UBCM EXEC

Nominations are being accepted for the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.👀👣💦🤪

Homelessness is a big issue with this forum. The public concern is also a issue over activities recently liberalised. Be a voice run for office.

Editors note: the links in the notice above are dead as its a screenshot.

How to nominate a person:

Nomination

How to Nominate Someone for a Position

Nominating someone for a position is a simple yet impactful way to contribute to the community. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

  1. Understanding the Requirements: Before proceeding with the nomination, ensure that the nominee meets all the necessary criteria for the position.
  2. Submission of Nomination: Obtain the official nomination form or follow the specified procedure for submitting nominations. This usually involves providing the nominee’s consent and relevant information.
  3. Supporting Documentation: Gather any required documentation to support the nomination, such as letters of recommendation or a candidate statement. These documents can greatly enhance the nominee’s profile.
  4. Deadline Adherence: Pay close attention to the nomination deadline and ensure that all materials are submitted on time.
  5. Confirmation: After the nomination has been submitted, seek confirmation from the relevant authority to ensure that the process is complete.

Nominating an individual for a position can pave the way for positive change and progress within the community.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

TGIF- summer night market…

Local Talent in local square, Robert Bertran entertains in the first 2024 Night Market. The tonight will be the second of this summer. THe 2000 block of Quilchena Avenue in Merritt is the home base for the events. The July Friday market is on the 5th Quilchena avenue will close to traffic at 5:pm with market times from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. For Wednesdays city market and Spirit Square go to Merritt.ca.

Spirit Square

The Merry month of May is giving up the ghost. Just in time for June’s arrival there seems a race to the end and the begging of something at the same time. Citizens are used to emergency here the mundane is prowling and wants in to fray. This is strange, like waiting for a trap door at a gallows that didn’t provide one.

It will be OK, this to will pass. or it might be nice to believe in this local that good things will break out soon and calamity be muted.. Then the rhetoric should be muted by enjoyment.

Next Friday night market is on June 7th. What a good chance that will provide for tasting, smelling and procuring something missed in half a decade of difficult times.

How do local business groups work

Local chambers of commerce play a crucial role in promoting and supporting local business activities. They serve as a unified voice for the business community, advocating for policies and initiatives that foster economic growth. Chambers of commerce also provide networking opportunities, business training, and resources to help businesses thrive. Additionally, they may organize events, such as fairs and markets, to promote local commerce and attract customers. Overall, their goal is to create a conducive environment for businesses to succeed through collaboration, advocacy, and support.