To the seasons of life
Classic car show and shine, Brian Cave shows his motor
File Photo KDG
The Nicola Valley Cruisers are having their show and shine on Sunday at Central Park.
Central Park is on Voght street beside the RCMP and the lacrosse court, coming into Merritt from the South Kamloops it is on your right.
On this Day: July 22nd 1964
Born Japanese Comedian Teruyoshi Uchimuia.
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.
One of many musician that get Merritt BC on their resume.
File Photo KDG
Public and free the recreational department presents music in the park (Central Park tonight). The Doug James Band is on tonight starting at 6:30 and running to 8:30. Look for the Rotary Band Shell.
On this Day July 7th 1954
Elvis makes his radio debut.
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.
OSPREY AND CHICKS ,JULY 2010
File Photo KDG
The 138 KV power line is in to the new wood waste generator, coming down Voght Street from the new upgraded substation behind the court house it goes across Central Park’s western boundary with the gated community known as Sherwood park ( after the developer Ron Sherwood a long time city councilor that developed it and is now retired to Victoria.). It crosses the highway up the hill from Norgaards Ready Mix,after coming across the Nicola Valley Golf and Country Clubs fairway. Down the hill and past the Osprey nest on the highway 8 entrance to town, where it continues across the then Nicola River to twin steel poles leading across the old John Collet Ranch/ Jon Peachy Buffalo Ranch. Onward to cross the Midday Valley Road to the 40 Mega Watt plant,still under construction.
The highlight of the line were the ropes left strung, for some weeks from the pole that supports the Osprey nest to a pole across the Nicola River. It was taunting to see the Osprey return then build a new nest on the cleared off platform while attached by ropes to the power line. The Hydro crews eventually came and placed a new pole 10 feet away from the nest and towering 15 feet above it.
The activity did not seem to put any stress on the birds who still continue their normal fishing and mating activity.( it will be interesting to watch when the line is energized although the birds will make nests on the top of regular power poles with seeming immunity to any kind of harm.) There are about a half dozen of the birds in area) ,only a single pair occupy the nest.
Nest gone
File Photo KDG
The operation was supervised by a biologist working with the Lower Nicola Indian Band.
Ospreys returned from where they go in the winter
File Photo KDG
On this day: June 15th 1934
The Smokey Mountain national park is established.
Green EV charger
Photo KDG
There Is a new table at the parking arena parking lot on Voght Street. The round four seat-er appeared last week and is on a concrete platform under the maple trees that make the area so attractive for the Farmers market in the summer time.
It is also 25 feet from the quick charger and the 90 amp green highway EV charger.
It makes an invitation to bring a lunch to your EV recharge experience in Merritt. the quick charger is 20 minutes the 90 amp about 2 hours for most EVs.
On this Day: June 10th 1925
The first meeting of the New United Church of Canada in Toronto, making Presbyterian, Methodists and Congregationalists one entity for worship.
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: June 2nd 1953
Queen Elizabeth the Second is made monarch of Great Britain and realms.
File Photo KDG
On this day: May 27th 1958
The F4 Phantom jet is put in service.
Toastmasters club,
File Photo KDG
On this Day: May 20th 1969
The battle of Hamburger Hill in Vietnam ends.
Hey Merit what do you say?
Kevin Griffiths
percypaschal
