To the seasons of life
A fuel truck delivers gasoline to a service station
File Photo KDG
Regular gas is going for a dollar eleven point nine a litter in Merritt .A quick survey confirms Petro Canada and Extra Foods selling for that price. Gas buddy.com reports the national average a full nickel above a dollar six . nine.
Summer driving season starts in May, heating season here is coming to a end gradually. Prices in BC are reported as stable.
On this Day: March 3rd 1938
Oil is discovered in Saudi Arabia.
Cross Country skis as art File photo KDG
An art display used skis to effect a mood during a promotion a number of years ago. Cross Country ski trails in the Nicola Valley include Kane lake with a demonstration forest and Steak lake near Lac le Juene in the Highland valley.
Steak lake is recommended for cross country ski trail maintenance quality.
On this Day: March 1st 1936
The Hoover Dam is completed.
A artisan impression of a comedy icon.
File photo KDG
The Arts Council is having their annual community show starting on February 24th and running to March 18th.
Three levels of cash prizes are available. The show is at the Old Court House Gallery, 1840
Nicola Avenue in Merritt. Hours are 4-7pm Thursday through Saturday.
February 23rd is the last day to submit an entry. A search on Facebook will give further info.
On this Day: February 23rd 1971
Melinda Messenger (Live From Studio Five ) host is born.
Merritt Civic center, site of indoor golf this weekend: File photo KDG
The local Rotary club is having its 19th annual indoor golf fun day this coming weekend. The group raises funds for community projects and has been involved in the local skate board park, a full park and a water park. The organization takes on polio intervention internationally.
The event is at the Merritt civic , 4-11:30 PM Saturday February 25th.
On this Day: February 21 1925
The New Yorker is first published.
KDG Photo
The Nicola Naturalists had their speaker cancel last night ,due to sudden illness. Allen Burger showed a film in her place. People of the Feather, produced by an SFU student, it had won three international awards. “he is now an established scientist” Allen Burger.
The film did not displace the usual photos by members segment .
Members such as Murphy Shewchuck are freelance photographers, the society remains not for profit at its core
On this Day February 17th 1933
Newsweek magazine publishes for the first time.
Cooking hamburgers
for hockey
File photo KDG
The local Albert and Walter on Voght street has a new dedicated hamburger for local stops. The burger is named after a member of the local junior hockey team.
The restaurant is also having theme nights for the team on nights when they are playing in town.
No its not made out of junior hockey players, stop by and find out the distinction. It is called the Jacob and its a Berger.
On this Day: January 27th 1824
Born: Urbain Johnson Canadian farmer and legislator, in New Brunswick.
Anglican church interior, Merritt BC
File Photo KDG
The local Anglican community has a church and alter as well as some missions on local reserves in the BC interior. The alter solemnizes marriages and does services. the Church also have a kitchen in a hall that gives a free hot meal once a week to anyone with no questions asked. Because of dwindling numbers they sometimes share services with the United Church of Canada, kitty corner from them on Chapman Street in Merritt.
A matter of some confusion for Anglicans elsewhere in the world is that while the Anglican Church of Canada is a province of the Anglican Communion, the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada is merely one of four such ecclesiastical provinces of the Anglican Church of Canada. This confusion is furthered by the fact that Canada has ten civil provinces along with three territories
Marriage is a personal affair, many civil unions are tremendously successful.
On this Day: January 25th 1533
Henry the Eighth of England takes his second wife Anne Boleyn.
These creatures were at the Highway 8 bridge on Nicola Avenue , Sunday,few skaters among them.
The ducks came to me as if to want to be fed….
Editors Note: the Nicola Naturalists are having their regular monthly meeting on Thursday. The group did a Christmas bird Count in December and their is likely to be a report….
On this Day: January 18th 1670
Henry Morgan captures Panama.
Monday evening saw use of the Voght Street rink used
Photo KDG
The Lacrosse court on Voght street has been used as a skating rink with some success this year. Cold weather cooperated to give a longer uptime to the facility this year.
“We are out tonight because the weather is warming Tuesday and it may be the last chance to use it.” A couple and a man with a grandson were getting ready for quiet enjoyment on the rink before show time at the Film Society showing.
The rink /court is a use at your own risk venue.
Editors note: Lacrosse is Canada’s official sport, Ice Hockey the official National Winter Sport.
On this Day: January 17th 17873
Sea Captain James Cook goes south of the Antarctic Circle.
Pipe for oil field
File:Photo KDG
Drilling equipment for dewatering
File Photo KDG
The Canadian Energy Pipeline Assc. has been working to see better conditions for pipeline activities. The self governing body has as a member the Trans Mountain pipeline group and they have reported on successful lobbying to provide assurance to concerned people that delivery of oil from Alberta is well regulated and safe.Yesterday the CBC reported that BC is satisfied with the environmental provisions of the approved expansion.
Pipeline professionals, engineers and scientists gathered to talk about leadership and innovation and to share insights into the future of the industry. Among other things, we saw that the importance of communication and sustainability is a key focus for our industry.
CEPA has been working with the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) and the INGAA Foundation, to develop a pipeline inspector certification program. The program will give a consistent framework for inspector training programs across North America. Source: Trans Mountain Pipeline.
The CEPA has also been involved in local fire chief certification and the using their members mandate to get legislation that makes polluter pay the law on right of way properties along pipelines.
Its been four and a half decades since we first saw locals here in the interior of BC take up jobs exploring for tar sands in northern Alberta some of them have passed on after spending a good part of their life in the exploration and development of a resource for future generations. Companies like Tonto Drilling and Connors Drilling, and the engineering supervision that gave that first drive for a better life have been absorbed and fractured into a different lifestyle today.
Wages for a stand up citizenry were more the focus then . A global corporate structure demands more today.It is still desirable that a big share go to the individuals that command a wage reflecting the status of working people who will live here and contribute time and talent to the future of the community.
Pipe
File photo KDG
You can learn more : http://www.cepa.com/en/
On this Day: January 12th 1998
Nineteen European nations agree to ban human cloning.
Book sale, public library
File photo KDG
The local Public Library is having a fifteen minutes of fame day on January 27th 2017. Read anything for 15 minutes and tell the library about it and you will be famous for your fifteen minutes here.
The library is at 1691 Garcia street in Merritt and you can report your read at the desk or by calling at 250-378-4737.
Library self checker
File photo KDG
Read and report anything anywhere and anything to qualify. There is an entry in a draw for a prize included in your report.
A prize package for a library program.
File Photo KDG
This post was constructed from published material and conversations at the local library. Literacy is a concern at all times, usage and interest is a public interest.
On this Day: January 11th 1908
The Grand Canyon is made a public monument.
Alan Burger and a speaker
File Photo KDG
The Nicola Naturalists are starting their winter program that includes an eagle count.The group is a member of the BC Naturalists and information is shared, it is also a registered non profit and has a track record.
Sunday 15th January – Nicola Valley Swan/Eagle count with Wayne Weber
Meeting place & time: Merritt Civic Centre at 08:30 to car-pool.Each year there is a mid-winter count of swans and eagles in the Southern Interior of B.C., with participants from many areas. A few members of the Nicola Naturalists have participated in past years.
Because of increasing interest by birders, in 2017 and future years, Wayne is organizing a special outing with all NNS members welcome to join in.
Duration: About 8:30 AM to 4 PM. (The count should take all or most of the day). Please bring a lunch and a hot drink! Leader: Wayne Weber
Area covered: Nicola River from Merritt to Nicola Lake; entire shoreline of Nicola Lake; Nicola River from Nicola Lake to Spahomin (Douglas Lake); Nicola River up to Douglas Lake P.O. (NOTE: The Nicola River from Merritt west to Spences Bridge will be covered by a separate group, and will not be part of the main field trip.)
The Society will also start its winter presentation program on Thursday January 19th at 7 pm and are hosting the Nicola Tribal association in a presentation on salmon.
Thursday January 19th 2017, 7 PM at NVIT Lecture Theatre: Tracy Wimbush (Nicola Tribal Association) – Salmon and salmon habitat in the Nicola Valley
The Nicola River system is the breeding site of important stocks of salmon, some of which are seriously depleted and threatened. Salmon are an important focus for local First Nations in the Nicola Valley. Tracy Wimbush is the program manager for the Nicola Tribal Association. She also works closely with the Nicola Lake Steering Committee, BC First Nations Fisheries Council, Esk’kn’am Management Committee, and is the Mandated Representative for two bands on the Fraser Salmon Management Council. She has been actively working to conserve and rebuild the local Early Chinook Stock that return to the Nicola System. Her talk will be about the Chinook and the work around them.
The local tribal council had a Salmon Count on the Cold water river, in Merritt that ended before Christmas. The study involved a ” unique trap, first in North America” according to the operator. The study was for Coho according to the operator and the the postings by the tribal council. The presentation on the 19th is on Chinook and the Fraser as well as the Nicola River system.
There is free parking at NVIT no food or beverages in the lecture theater. Admission is open to the public a membership or donation is requested.
Quiz: What left this track?
On this Day: January 4rth 1998
An ice storm in eastern Canada gives severe damage.
Hey Merit what do you say?
Kevin Griffiths
percypaschal
The Proprietor Review 