ICE in, Cents Camp Monday

Cooking hamburgers
for hockey
File photo KDG

The Nicola Valley Memorial Arena has had ice two weeks, this after noon a pile of snow from the a cleaning shows the activity from a hockey school.
The long time BCJHL hockey team will start its local camp on Monday here. The Merritt Centennials stared with the league here with the 1973-74 season and have made the playoffs more then 30 times since.
The team has its first exhibition game on August 23rd 3 days into camp.
On this Day: August 16th 1962
Pete Best leaves the Beatles making room for Ringo Star.

Full Solar eclipse

Moon rising
File photo KDG

A lot has been made of the fact that the moon is just the right size and at just the right distance from the sun to completely shadow  and block the sun out in a full solar eclipse. This rare even will be taking place again on August 21st. Vancouver start time is 9:10 AM ,ending at 11:37 AM giving about 90 percent eclipse.

The eclipse will be seen from North America however there is only a strip from the west coast of Salem Oregon to Charleston South Carolina  on the east coast of the US where complete blackout will be seen. Nasa

Never look directly at the sun serious damage can occur to eyes. A pin hole in a piece of card board into a viewing cardboard box is the safest method, or wait for the TV broadcast.

NASA will cover the eclipse coast to coast starting at noon EDT

On this Day: August 16th 1930
The first colour sound cartoon is produced, Fiddlesticks.

TGIF- Rain

 

A move to the right shows level of water tables.

the skies are clear of smoke here in Merritt at this writing. We have experienced a long high pressure front keeping it from measurable rain.
Sunday there is a 60 percent chance of measurable ( 5 MM) forecast) people are looking forward to the rain even though the weather has been glorious here. ( except for smoke from the elephant hill fire in Ashcroft)
Have a great weekend!

On this Day: August 11th 2003

Nato takes on Afganistan its first operation outside Europe in its 54 years.

 oking

Summer fundraiser

Grass lands producing grass for cattle are in demand for feed lots and dairy cows They feed for winter as well. for meat producers.
Photo KDG ( some believe that protein from soya is a better alternative to grass going through meat.)

Head,Heart, Health ,Hands  are having a summer fundraiser  at the Purity feed store on Voght street in Merritt BC.

They invite  you to come and have a hotdog between the hours of 11 and 3 PM Saturday the 12th of August.

Hotdogs provided by blue sky ranch. Raffle tickets available.

Parking lot paving of Purity Feed store after renovation. File Photo KDG

 

Cattle on the ranch at Merritt BC; free range

 

On this Day: August 10th 1990
The Magellan space probe reaches Venus.

Fire smart

The day after a fire on Quilchena avenue sees a fire watch.
File Photo KDG

The City is hosting another Fire Smart seminar  on the 16th at the Merritt Library. Don the Wildfire expert and retired firefighter will once again present the seminar which includes video, pictures and a seminar manual out line. ” If your Home won’t ignite it will not burn”.
The session is free they take registrations at the library desk and it runs from 4:30 to 8 PM.
On this Day: August 9th 1999

The Russian cabinet is fired in whole for the fourth time by the elected  president Boris Yeltsin.

 

Rodeo

Rodeo weekend in Merritt
Photo KDG

The next cultural event in Merritt is the annual pro rodeo. Sept 2nd and 3rd.

The Merritt Pro rodeo celebrates and perpetuates the agriculture and lifestyle of the ranching community in Merritt and is approaching its 7th decade of operation. Merritt Rodeo Grounds 300 Lindley Road.

Rodeo clowns (some locals) are employed for rider safety.

This will be the an occasion to remember a local pro that lost his life to concussions and the link between football and hockey and other severe contact sports.

Ty Pozzebon never got the privilege of old age however his light burned bright for a time. He won hearts of many competitors. KDG

Ty Pozzebon gone at 25 January 2017.

The local fall fair building brings the farming community together at the end of summer every year.
KDG file photo.

On this Day: August 8th 1929
The airship Graf Zeppelin begins its round the world trip.

 

TGIF-River drift wood

Music fest back
Photo KDG

Jerry a retired artisan and Cat operator has another reason to be at the river he collects drift wood to make art. The favorite is roots from cottonwood it “has interesting rocks and debris that adds to the interpretation of the form” says Jerry. A lampshade is overdone to Jerry but he enjoys the outings on the river,  Val his beau says Jerry is a dare devil, however he is experienced in the use of the river and is responsible in all ways.

The music festival is on this weekend and river use is not an exclusive right to anyone. Enjoy your neighbour as well as the experience.

Have a great weekend KDG

On this Day: August 4th 1790

The revenue cutter service ( pre-runner to the US Coast Guard) is established.

S1.10.9 a liter

T

broken sign no contract….
Photo KDG

The gasoline price is at $1.10.9 cents a liter today a day before the long week end starts. The price represents a stable driving season and a management attitude by consumers. The absence of the McMurray fire this year may have  something to do with it and the Shell Station off Belshaw Avenue has not gone without supply as yet this season as was the case last season. At this writing a fuel truck is delivering there for the weekend.

The drought sign has gone up from normal meaning conditions are dryer act accordingly.

Gas buddy says that all  Merritt gas stations are on price. The average price is $1.22.3 and the lowest is 94.9 in BC. Trending up…

 

On this Day: August 3rd 1859
The American Dental association is founded.

 

Rip rap

Rip Rap installed at Central park
Photo KDG

About a hundred feet of Rip rap installed at Central park on Tuesday. High water this spring saw some challenges  to banks.

On this Day: August 2nd 1870
The worlds first underground railway opens in London, the 410 meter Tower Subway.

Consolidated art

Photo show Courthouse Gallery

The Art walk and the Courthouse gallery in Merritt will have a consolidated showing of the art from the walk locations in the Old Court House Gallery in Merritt.
The wind up for the walk is on the 3rd and the combined showing will begin and run Thursday through Saturday afternoons until the end of August.
The presentation of the door prize will be at the artists reception on the 3rd.The reception will include live music and light refreshments 4:oo to 8:30 PM.

On this Day: August 1 2008

The Beijing Tianjin intercity railway goes into operation.

TGIF-windmill a long road

Heinz Lange big onion windmill.
File Photo KDG

Windmills have been a fascination for a long time. Here is one developed by a local to power aerators and marker lights decades ago.. The local Heinz Lange was a high school shop teacher and this working model was built by  his shop class…
The engineering includes  heavy steel plate to give a stable platform, The creator had a difficult time in the 1980s to overcome the use of fuels in applications. Watts per meter is a concern still. Perseverance starts somewhere Today wind farms are a presence.

The Merritt area has 5 generators of f off the Connector to Kelowna  that can be seen past the Elkhart turn off.. The modern ones can give power to 2500 homes.
Wind generators give five percent of the power in Ontario. The province has nearly 2500 wind turbines in 90 installations. Average output per turbine 1.94 MG.

Thanks to Murphy Shewchuck and Tom Edwards of the Nicola Valley Historical Society that installed Heinz’s “Onion” for viewing at its site on Voght street in before the Nicola River bridge in Merritt.
On this Day: July 28th 1939
The Sutton Hoo helmet is found.

Poets words…Into paintings

Shirley Reynolds view work of displaying artisan at
Secret Door Group
File Photo KDG

The secret door group is having another art showing with an opening artists reception on July 28th at Brambles Bakery.
Artist this month is Cassandra Dolan, Cassandra says she makes her living with art and this month has put together the show based on what poets have said.

The shows run for 4 weeks after the opening.
On this Day: July 27th 1949
The first flight of a commercial jetliner, the Dehaviland Comet.