Category: Sports and Leisure


Country run

There are signs about town with a success banner draped over them. the signs once bore registration info  for the Merritt Country Run that was held on Sunday. Three hundred 25 runners participated in the event that ranged from  around the park to 5 K, 10 k, and a half marathon of 21 K.

Although the event stressed participation the first in , a fellow 7 feet tall and named Hans  said that he qualified  over 20 times for the Boston Marathon. This was in response to the question ” Did you know that you placed ahead of a Boston Marathon qualifier ” ;John Peachey 4rth in in the half Marathon said he qualified in Victoria for the Boston but never made the trip to the east coast.

The last three in were all women pushing baby carriages. We didn”t ask how far they had entered to run.

Today in history June 12,1939

The Baseball hall of fame opens in Coopers Town USA

100 dollar prize

The organizers of the river festival on June 8th are offering a hundred dollars for the best costume at their June 8th event. Today the art for the festival is due. The Baillie House,Merritt BC is receiving 5 x 7 small paintings on the topic of rivers.

Bev Veale an oft principal in the Valley Visual Artists turned in a half-dozen entries this AM promising to make the day a cultural delight.

No you can”t put maschera on your right eye and come as a sockeye.

Today in History,June 6th,1946

The National Basketball League is established with 11 teams

Bright Red Book Shelf

Literacy Merritt has a number of book selves about the town. Books on the honour system can be taken and returned with little control. There is one in Brambles Bakery and one at the CPO office on the 2000 block of Quilchena.

A source says there are about a dozen locations where used books of all kinds are available to take read enjoy.

Today in History, May 17th 1970

Thor Heyerdahl sets sail from Morocco in a papyrus boat The RA 11

Fire season

There are the tell tale signs of impending summer around. A tall young fellow in the signature blue heavily pocketed pants with the forestry tan shirt was in the local Starbucks this morning. A fire fighter. He said he was from the Fraser Valley and wore a ball cap with a helicopter on it and Valley Helicopters written about it. He said he was in wild fire suppression.

There is a a fire camp north of here and training school with in days we will expect to see hopefuls running across Voght Park with heavy equipment to qualify for the fire season. Indications are that people are expecting a more pronounced season this year then last.

A fire hazard sign is at the City Fire Hall leaving Merritt towards Highway 8 West,it is operated by the Ministry of Forests and is strategic for those that may be traveling the Fraser Canyon Route. It is sometimes effected by fires.

Today in History, May 16th 2005

Kuwait allows women suffrage.

Club election

The local Toastmasters Club is having their annual club election of officers. A private unincorporated group affiliated  with an international organization promoting better speaking ,listening and thinking, they elect once a year.

 As a not for profit educational group they seek to keep access available to people wishing self improvement. They are in 80 countries and one of the clubs in district 21(British Columbia) was the first outside the United States back in the 1930’s.

The average member stays under two years and takes the experience into real world.

The organization relies a lot on the internet and can be viewed at . www.toastmasters.org .

Today in History, May 15th 2010

Jessica Watson becomes the youngest person to sail around the world un assisted.

Merritt Country Run

Sunday June 10th,2012 There is a run to raise money for the disadvantaged in minor sport ext.

5 km run walk/ run (9:00 am)

10km walk/ run (9:00am)

21 km run/walk (8:00am)

The event is at Voght Park.

Minor hockey in Merritt has traditionally used the concession at  the arena for funds to keep fees down for better access to minor hockey. 

www.merrittcountyrun.ca

Today in History, May 8, 1912

Paramount Pictures is  founded.

Merritt Speedway

The local raceway bunch are starting their season once again. The 2012 race schedule begins with a season opener May 19th and 20th. This is a day event, the next is June 23rd a night event.Then:

  • July 07 ; night.
  • Aug. 04-05; night.
  • Aug. 25 night;  toy run
  • Sept. 08 night;- food drive
  • Oct.6-7 Day : The Bill John memorial invitational!

Rain out dates:

  1. June 24 day
  2. Aug,25 day

Day races time trials are at 1 PM, racing 2 PM.

Night races time trials 5 PM, racing 6 PM

They say to come catch the action.The raceway is located in Lower Nicola.

Today in History. April 24, 2007

Ice land says that Norway will give defence to the nation during Peacetime.

1990 – Gruinard Island, Scotland, is officially declared free of the anthrax disease after 48 years of quarantine

Curb to curb

The water and sewer upgrade on 1st avenue is now being paved over. Curb to curb asphalt is being rolled out today and that is an improvement over the street when it was tore up last year.

The City of Merritt has the Civic Center a facility that has a main auditorium that can accommodate about 500 people. As well there are ancillary meeting rooms are available at varying rates the best rates are reserved for non profits tha ideal with youth issues. The highest rate is for commercial activity. It is a popular venue for an annual home show. The show takes up the facility and is well attended by business here and from other communities. The local arts counsel makes good use of it and has at least 4 quality programs a year. For the benefit of all but in particular an amenity for those that have chosen Merritt for retirement .

The Civic Center is also now enjoying curb to curb pavement on the vacating street to the west of  the building.

Today in history, April 12. 1955

The polio vaccine developed by Dr.Salk is declared safe and effective.

Driver security

The province daily paper had a picture of a bandaged lower mainland bus driver on its front page this morning. The caption said that the person that sucker punched him will not get jail time. The calls for this are regular and persistent and are mostly on a tone for vengeance.

A talk with a driver named Doug with Merritt BC Canada’s service gave the impression that he was not concerned . When asked if he lets drunks on he said yes if they seem alright. The bus service here does not run late at night and is small town

Editors note: emotional intelligence by people dealing with the public is a premium thing to have.To rely on deterrents such as jail seems to escalate things when people are challenged. However one should not underestimate the life changing effects of physical assault.

Today in history, April 4 1984

The United States president calls for a world wide ban on chemical weapons.

2 nd place

I came in second in the international speech contest at the local toastmaster club here. I will speak at the area by arrangement though. Thursday be thinking of me!

Today in history, March 28th,1990

Jesse Owens a medalist from the Berlin Olympics is given the Medal of honor post humerus by George Bush.

Last rites

The local theater society is putting on a production ,Last Rites. They are planning for Circa May 17th.  A cast of eight players are working in the local community college to produce the event. A source says some roles will be doubled up.

The group is under the leadership of Mil Jurusic the new president; a teacher at NVIT. Mil has been involved in the Say so Society;  an open mike improv  group that frequent a night spot here called Iron Mountain Music. That group is planning a function for St Patrick’s Day.

Opinion:

The local group had a successful play done on historical figures for the 100 year centennial of the city. They will be building on that.

Today in History, February 29,1972

Hank Aron becomes the first ball player to contract over 200 thousand dollars a year.

Quip : remember a leap year is not the same as a leap second as  the second has to do with the speed of the earths rotation. what ever makes the earth move for you….

Happy Valentines Day

Valentines Day is the day that sweethearts get to make a comment that is  romantic instead of pragmatic. So before you ask where your socks are better think of some cooing and cuddle. It better be soul to soul and not sensual.   flowers and candy help for appreciation but what really matters is progress. Is your commitment strong and going somewhere, are you passionate about life as a couple are you taking full advantage of the special community that you share with a person. All these things should well up into a word fit for  the pair of you and only good for the sweetness of your moment.

If all else fails an expensive dinner out will bridge till next year…..

Today in History: February 14,842

Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear oaths of Strasbourg in French and German.