You are presumed to be honest and responsible without evidence to the contrary beyond a reasonable doubt… on the balance of probablilties you are justified by 51 % likelyhood.
A plaque was placed on the wall of the local public library here in Merritt British Columbia remembering the donation of 33 computers from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation that started the computer lab here. The computers have long since been replaced and the plaque insures that the memory will live on. The lab also was supported by the donation of the six corporate terminals and 20 Microsoft software applications.
On this day: May 13th 1994 Johnny Carson does his last tonight show as host.
The community college NVIT has placed gender neutral signs on the facilities next to the library refit. The slide in signage says ” rest room ” and joins Starbucks down the hill from them and others as first come first serve cans.
There is no connection to the fact that the Alberta Legislature elected an historic half and half gender mix in the election this week.
On this Day: May 8th 1990
The World Health Organization confirms the eradication of small pox.
A marker tells the place where a young a man was murdered and his body left in Voght park, the site of the Merritt Country run to promote diversion, for youngsters at risk…..
On June 14th the annual country fun run will take place. Starting a 8am, at Voght park in Merritt the event is a jump rope for heart endorsed event.The run is the 6th annual and it raises money to fight deprivation for children for activities like organized ball and hockey.
The MCR has grown to include over 350 registrations, 100 volunteers and well over 100 spectators. The race distances include Twice Around the Track, and a 5K, 10K and a 21.1K.
Merritt is located in the sunny Nicola Valley and conveniently accessed from Vancouver, Kelowna or Kamloops. Merritt’s rolling hills and cattle ranches, resort lodgings and fishing lakes combine a rich culture and history with outdoor adventure. Great location and wonderful climate are just two reasons to make Merritt a running destination or even a “runcation” for runners of all ages.
We are a registered non-profit society, and all profits from this race go directly to the local Jump Start program (of which Canadian Tire matches our donation dollar for dollar).
FMI:http://www.merrittcountryrun.ca/
On this Day: May 6th 1989
Coaster wars begins with the construction of a two hundred foot ride at Ceder Point, Sandusky Ohio.
Eva was wearing her Red Cross name tag at the local Starbucks yesterday. With her husband a retired Elementary school teacher Eva volunteers and says ” look me up if you need wheel chairs or crutch’s.”
Eva is a former Polish National and is a naturalised Canadian.
On this Day: May 1st 1999
The body of George Mallory is found on Mount Everest after 75 years missing.
May 30th and 31 will see the local game club host an archery weekend.
The shoot is billed as a 3D event and is at the club 7.2 kilometers up Aberdeen Road in Lower Nicola BC ( off highway 8 ).The Club rate is 75 dollars for a family, 35 a person, 20 dollars for a youth There is no Saturday dinner, however camping included.
info: Brian.Moore@gov.bc.ca
On this day: April 15th 1892
The General Electric Company is formed.
The calendar has brought to light a number of items from history in the Nicola Valley, 100 year anniversaries of the drill hall, and the center piece of the the town ” the Coldwater Hotel” indicate a great effort by a small population. The approximate 700 people of Merritt at the twentieth century produced a lot of “golden age ” construction on the coin of three coal mines but may have often suffered from a sense of abandonment from time to time with the draw of events like World War 1 .
An accounting of 2000 men working on the Kettle Valley Rail Way, resulting after construction in a local Doctor becoming an engineer,brakeman and passenger may be a personality quirk of those that wanted a future here or real abandonment. One of the signatures of the local doctors on the nurses qualification went on to be the local MLA after antics like ” riding a boxcar” down from the Kettle Valley as a mode of transportation.
At this writing a electric co gen plant is under construction on in the area of the ruins of ” Merritt Light and Power” a progressive project of the people of the era at the turn of the twentieth century as well. That activity certainly suffered from abandonment more then once in its completion. According to John Chase, a local official the present plant is a huge partnership with two other similar projects in BC, (one at Fort Saint John). They are too big to suffer abandonment.
Editors Note: The recent 500 KV lower mainland transmission project and its completion as well as Teck corporations mine expansion projects in the billions give a sense of security . However kudos to those who have found the joy of risk in a reasonable way that have resulted in expression and spiritual joy. For those that found themselves in frontier with or without abandonment or even risked modern travel or invention, the trying of something new, good on you and we hope some of it spills over on us.
The local public library is finishing off its painting job by painting the doors inside. On the 24th only 3 of the 9 computers were available due to drying paint.
The Library is at 1691 Garcia in Merritt and has 9 public access computers and a couple of overload Wi-Fi laptops.
The lab is reopening at noon on the day of this writing and a sources there will be no more interruptions due to painting.
Guest passes for non members are available at the front counter with out charge.
On this Day: March 25th 1958
Canada flies its Avro Arrow jet fighter.
Snow at the 2500 ft level of the Coquihalla hyw, Sunday March 15th Photo KDG
Hamilton hill snow on March 15th/15
Shelia’ bluff visited Merritt on Sunday. Usally an eastern Canada phenomenon, Sheli’s bluff is a winter storm or snowfall just before St Patrick Day that makes you think winter is back.
On this day: March 17th 2013
Th largest asteroid to hit the moon since NASA’s scrutiny began in 2005.
The outdoor lacrosse rink on Voght Street west of the RCMP station is also getting basketball hoops beside the freshly poured bases for the overhead lighting are bases for poles to hold up a number of cross rink basketball courts.
A source says that the locally formed lacrosse association will have responsiblity and operation of the facility when completed. They had volunteer work bees in some of the work in construction.
The rink is on city property next to the golf course that operates as a non-profit as well.
On this Day: March 4th 1913
The United States Department of Labour is formed.
Last day for all weather shelter at 1937 Quilchena Ave. The all weather shelter in Merritt is open daily through January and February, come March 1st it will only be open when temperatures are below Zero Celsius.
We hope not to see you there…..
new parking policy at hall Photo KDG
On this day: February 27th 1986
Television coverage is allowed as trial in the US Senate.
Kevin Griffiths
percypaschal
