June 20 - 2024

Theatre expansion concept under development

Kenneth Wong reporter@merrittherald.com

City of Merritt supports development of conceptual design of theatre extension to the Merritt Civic Centre.

At a regular council meeting on Tuesday, June 11, council passed a resolution to support the Nicola Valley Theatre Society (NVTS) development of a concept design for a theatre expansion to the civic centre.

The expansion would attach to the auditorium east wall into the present parking lot, providing 250 to 300 seats. The upgrade would also consist of additional moveable walls to make the auditorium multiuse.

“It can be the stage area when you need it, it could be a part of the auditorium when you need it,” said NVTS representative Kurt Christopherson.

Merritt resident Diana Boston went to Parliament Hill to share her story on the 2021 flood. FLOOD SURVIVOR /PAGE 9

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY

The Herald is running a special feature on celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

/PAGE 15-31

Since gaining council’s approval, the NVTS has approached an architect to design the conceptual drawing and is awaiting a response from the firm.

“I’m hoping that within a couple of months, we’ll have the concept drawings that we can make public,” said Christopherson.

At this point in time, the City is waiting for the NVTS to present an architectural concept drawing before further decisions or comments can be made.

“Really all of this work that the Theatre Society will be doing, they

are the holders of those funds to do the design, and they will be implementing the design project,” said chief administrative officer Cynthia White. “The city’s role will just be to support them with our documents and to allow them access to facilities.”

The NVTS has been trying to get a movie theatre in Merritt for over a decade. The Theatre Society previously tried to get a movie theatre built, even briefly owning the lot on 2102 Coutlee Ave.

“The intent was to have a movie business that would support the operations of a performing arts venue, performing arts venues generally don’t make money, they’re dependent on grants that they apply for,” said Christopherson. “With the downturn in the movie industry, we just did not see enough revenue being produced that would keep the facility open.”

During its previous venture, the Theatre Society received much of the money from public donations; the money has not been used and will either go into the development of a theatre expansion or returned to donors if rejected.

“We still have (the money) and if the project doesn’t go ahead, then we will have to figure out how to return it,” said Christopherson.

Whilst still awaiting a conceptual drawing; Christopherson estimates that the construction of the theatre expansion can be done for under $2.5 million.

A weekend under rain didn’t stop bikers at the Nicola Valley Bar Bender. Page 33. Photo/Laísa Condé

Merritt’s Firman Building revitalized, welcomes new era and business

Merrittonians celebrated the grand opening of The Firman Building over the weekend.

Located at 2114 Nicola Ave., the Firman Building is now offering new life to three businesses in town. ReMax Legacy Merritt, Valley Graze Box and The Boardroom now have a fully renovated space in the downtown area to call home.

During the grand opening, Merrittonians were able to check the renovation that was done at this historic Merritt building over snacks and refreshments.

The history of the Firman Building can be traced back all the way to 1962, when John Firman Sr. moved his family from Prince George to Merritt. Firman, with the help of automotive parts shop WWD, set up his own automotive parts business in June, 1962, under the name ‘Mer Van Sales Ltd’.

In 1975, young John Firman Jr. started working in the store after school hours sweeping floors and as a stock boy. By 1977, Firman Jr. was a full-time employee working in the back stockroom, onto counter sales and outside sales calls.

The whole family was involved in the family business as Dorothy Firman, Firman Sr.’s wife, worked throughout the years in bookkeeping and stock deliveries, while Terry Firman worked over a period of time as a partsman in counter sales.

In December 1985, the business was converted to a Bumper To

Bumper franchise and later to Firman Auto Parts in the following year.

Throughout the many years, Firman Auto Parts supported many Merritt sports teams, such as the Merritt Centennials, various ball teams, stock car racing and other events.

During the prime of his life, Firman Sr. retired in 1989 after being diagnosed with cancer. In December 1992, Firman Sr. passed away from the illness.

After the passing of Firman Sr., Firman Jr. took over the business and ran it from 1992 to 2020.

During May 2004, the business converted over to Napa Auto Parts. Firman Jr. passed away in December 2021.

Yet, the family’s resilience prevailed through hardship, with Debra Moran and husband Pat Moran as they took over and renovated the original building after Firman Jr. passed away. The couple created a new business plan of three, triple-net business spaces for lease.

“John Sr. and Dorothy built the building in 1964 and we are certain John Sr. would be satisfied with the full effect of what his vision has brought to the town of Merritt throughout the last 60 years,” Debra Moran, daughter of Firman Sr., and Pat Moran said. “Family survives through thick and thin and his vision carries on.”

“Many people have memories of walking into Firman Auto Parts and seeing John, Johnny or even Terry at the front counter. And while the building has experienced a complete transformation, its spirit lives on and will continue to for many years to come.”

Road Safety at Work reminds drivers to be on alert to prevent wildlife collisions on Thompson-Nicola region.

The Family Place Early Learning Centre playground in Merritt will be revamped thanks to Tire Stewardship BC.

‘PLAYGROUND’

Laísa Condé editor@merrittherald.com

Photo/Kenneth Wong.

Suspicious overnight fire destroys two abandoned homes

Kenneth Wong reporter@merrittherald.com

Two abandoned homes behind former Tolko site burned down overnight, on June 17.

Merritt RCMP are looking for a dark-coloured pickup truck that was spotted at the scene of the fire which destroyed the abandoned houses. “A witness observed a dark pickup truck pull up to the structure shortly before 2 a.m.,” Merritt RCMP Staff Sgt. Josh Roda said in a news release.

“A few minutes later, the structure was on fire and the pickup truck fled the area at a high rate of speed,” said Roda. “We would like to identify and speak with the occupant of the truck to determine what may have occurred.”

Authorities say emergency crews were called just after 2 a.m. to report

a fire in an abandoned home off Midday Valley Road.

“It was very visible, and it could have been much worse,” said chief administrative officer Cynthia White. “It was just the quick reactions of the fire department, LNIB and our public works department. Their work was invaluable in keeping it from being a much worse situation.”

“Two of the buildings out of three are pretty much destroyed,” said White.

On April 4 earlier this year, a travel trailer at the same property caught fire, bringing in 15 firefighters.

The investigation is ongoing. With files from Castanet.

This photo, from Herald reader Sean Brown, shows flames at a fire overnight that destroyed two abandoned homes under construction near Merritt. Photo/Contributed/Sean Brown

Photo/Simon Rizzardo

By Kenneth Wong

DIXON: Know Your Numbers: A Snapshot of Your Health

Understanding your health metrics is crucial for maintaining and improving your overall well-being. Tracking key health indicates a snapshot of your current health status and helps you make informed decisions. Over time, these metrics will outline your health journey, guiding you

toward optimum wellness.

Start by documenting your health data in a journal or on your computer. Regular tracking allows you to notice trends and make adjustments as needed. Many important measurements can be easily done at home. Here are some key metrics to monitor:

Blood Pressure: High blood pressure can lead to serious health issues like heart disease and stroke. Measure your blood pressure regularly to ensure it stays within a healthy range.

Weight: Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for overall health. Keep a record of your weight to monitor any significant changes, which can indicate

potential health problems.

Pulse: Your pulse rate, or heart rate, can indicate your cardiovascular fitness. A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute.

Respiration Rate: This is the number of breaths you take per minute. The normal range for adults is 12 to 20 breaths per minute. Consistently high or low rates may signal respiratory issues.

Hydration: Do you have dry skin, decreased skin elasticity, cracked lips, and dark urine? If you are dehydrated it can affect your blood pressure.

In addition to these home measurements, your doctor can

evaluate your blood panel to check levels of blood fats. High cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. These are Western Medicine numbers which are valuable even if you use alternative methods to correct them.

Each of these metrics provides valuable insights into your health. By monitoring them regularly, you can create a roadmap to your optimum health, making necessary adjustments to improve your well-being. Remember, knowledge is power – and knowing your numbers is the first step toward a healthier life. Contact me and let’s have a healthy conversation. Bonnie heartnotes2@ gmail.com 604-314-933

NENDICK: Art as a lifeline: Olivia’s journey from COVID to NVCAC

My name is Olivia Nendick, and I have recently become a summer student at the Nicola Valley Arts Council. I am super excited to be involved with the art gallery and community for the summer!

Art has always felt like a part of me since I was little. It was a way of expressing myself and feeling safe. From doing art projects in school to drawing with my friends, I loved the happiness art gave me. More importantly, I love experiencing other people’s

art; observing what they have created inspires me and makes me feel alive because everyone interprets things differently, so seeing everyone’s creativity is special to me.

During COVID, art became a significant aspect of my life. Being at home all the time, I just started to draw and draw and eventually found a style that has progressed ever since. I like to use pens and markers; what I draw is usually about me and certain things I face. It can feel

vulnerable and personal, sometimes making me private and self-conscious about it. I have gotten into the habit of using art to clear my mind by drawing out what I am thinking and trying to understand it better.

As a summer student, I am excited to have more art in my life through summer art camps, paintings, murals, and more for the community because art brings communities together!

From the Herald archives: June, 1990

CELLULAR SERVICE

AVAILABLE

As of last weekend, cellular phone users can now operate out of Merritt. During the past few months, B.C. Cellular - a part of B.C. Tel - has been completing construction of three cell sites between Merritt and Kamloops. The project will link Merritt with the cellular phone system.

LETTERS

The Merritt Herald welcomes your letters, on any subject, addressed to the editor. Letters may be edited for length, taste and clarity. Please keep letters to 300 words or less. Email letters to: newsroom@ merrittherald. com.

Johnisaac@telus.net www.realestatemerritt.com

Office: 250-378-6181

Cell: 250-378-1586

F: 250-378-6184

3499 Voght St., Merritt, BC www.royallepage.ca/merritt

Monda y, June 24 7:00 PM

Crossroads Community Church 2990 Voght Street,Merritt,BC 250-378-2911

Tickets: $15/ $50FamilyRate

BONNIE DIXON HEALTHY CONVERSATIONS

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Cedar Terrace celebrates one year

Kenneth Wong reporter@merrittherald.com

Cedar Terrace celebrates one year of operation.

On Thursday, June 13, the Cedar Terrace celebrated its one year anniversary with refreshments and food for the community.

The Cedar Terrace initially opened in March 2023 with priority to people impacted by the fires and the floods in the Merritt area. The Terrace was developed as a collaboration between the ASK Wellness Society, the Province, and BC Housing.

Since opening, the building has provided comfort and security for seniors with low to moderate incomes.

Currently, 44 community members in Merritt reside in the Cedar Terrace.

“The price of food, the cost of living, and the cost of housing is compromising people’s health, compromising their spirit, it’s compromising their ability to come together as family,” said ASK Wellness executive

director Bob Hughes. “The need for housing in this community, I think it’s something that has to come together from everyone, whether it’s somebody rich, poor, whatever your background is, we need to come and stand strong.”

“What I think is so unique about this community is that you stand for yourselves, you speak up with what is important to you,” said Hughes.

“I invite all of us to recognize that this is a community that is growing, that has pride, it has a high number of seniors that live in this community and our contribution here in fighting for the province to say: you need to put your money in this community to build seniors housing.”

“At the end of the day, if you call the Nicola Valley home, you should feel like you belong here, and that there’s a way and a place for you to be able to feel welcome,” finished Hughes.

ASK Wellness, BC housing, the Province celebrate Cedar Terrace’s one year of operation. Photo/Kenneth Wong

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Flood survivor shares trauma in Ottawa

Photo/Diana Boston

Laísa Condé editor@merrittherald.com

Merrittonian shares her personal experience during the 2021 flood to the federal government in Ottawa.

Merritt resident Diana Boston brought her story to Parliament Hill on Thursday, June 6, hoping to convince parliamentarians of the need to take greenhouse-gas emissions more seriously.

“The best thing that I’ve heard while I was over there is that it is on the table to get an emissions cap, but they don’t think it’ll happen until after summer,” Boston said. “That made me happy knowing that they are looking at it, and it is on the table.”

“It was very moving, because you realize that you’re not the only one and this is not the only way that devastation can happen,” she added. “It really opened my eyes to think what can we do besides an emissions cap, there’s got to be something else we can do as Canadians to have a better, greener, healthier future.”

She recalls when the atmospheric river that flooded Merritt back in November 2021 and she had to flee her home.

Now, almost three years later, she deals with the trauma from that event.

“Whenever it rains, I get anxious, and I can’t really sleep well, and I often look at the windows,” Boston said. “After the last flood, I still haven’t even unpacked my emergency, like my keepsake, I keep them all in a bag that I know where they are. So I can grab them and go, because we lost so many memories in the last flood. And so many items that we can never replace. So it’s very, very hard knowing that, you know, this could happen again.”

Boston calls the slow recovery “pitiful.”

“It’s quite sad that we can’t get more help because we’re a smaller community,” she stated. “I also read what Mayor Goetz said about potential flooding again. But when? That’s what I want to know. Do we know when, so we can get prepared? Will we know sooner this time? Will there be more communication?”

Late last year, the City of Merritt established a permanent emergency operations centre at the Merritt Airport, a longtime side project of past Emergency Program Coordinator Krista Minar.

At the time, Mayor Mike Goetz took the Herald on a tour of the facility, which includes a separate generator, internet capabilities and a kitchen setup.

The area is set up like a warm room – desks are lined up and stacked with binders laying out evacuation plans, coloured vests drape over the backs of chairs for task force delegation – all ready to command as an operations centre at the drop of a hat.

Logan Lake to open skateboard park on Canada Day

The District of Logan Lake is gearing up to celebrate the grand opening of its new skateboard park on Canada Day.

In a post to its website, the Kamloops Skateboard Association helped the district announce the upcoming event.

“For most towns, parks are a drive for tourism. For Logan Lake, Maggs Park is the crown. It’s the first thing you see as you descend into the town,” the KSBA wrote. “Twenty-four years ago, a skatepark wasn’t considered a desirable feature. Today, Logan Lake has prioritized their new skatepark as the main attraction to Maggs Park.”

The 10,000 square foot park cost $750,000 and was funded by a government grant.

“This park is well rounded with an impressive bent bowl and

a healthy street section for all who attempt, whether you skate regular, goofy or push mongo,” the KSBA said.

“The park also hosts a new waterpark for those hot summer months.”

The grand opening is set for 11 a.m. on Monday, July 1. Attendees can try skateboarding, enjoy free hot dogs, demos and giveaways, a live DJ and live music.

More information can be found on the Kamloops Skateboard Association or District of Logan Lake websites.

Kristen Holliday CASTANET

Photo/District of Logan Lake

Merritt Senior Centre to host fundraiser

Laísa Condé editor@merrittherald.com

Merritt Senior Centre to host a dance fundraiser next week.

Professional musician and composer William Brookfield and his duo, Penny Lochhead will be performing at the Merritt Senior Centre on June 22, starting at 7 p.m.

Those who wish to join in for the dance and show their support can get their tickets through Joanne Larocque at 250-378-6059 or Shirley Vezina at 250-280-1384. Tickets will also be sold at the door.

Joanne Larocque, member of the Merritt Seniors’ Centre and senior athlete, said that fundraiser is meant to help with the costs of members who are participating in the B.C. 55-plus Games later this year.

“The games have been going on for 20 years and the senior centre has been very kind and generous and always given people financial support to go,” she added. “It’s not a lot of money, but it helps to offset some of the costs.”

In total, six senior athletes will be representing Merritt in the B.C. 55-plus Games in tennis and cribbage. The Games are being held in Salmon Arm from Sept. 10 to 14.

“We’re doing this fundraiser for that, to help support them, give them a little bit extra money too so that they can help offset the costs because most of us (seniors) are on a very limited income,” Larocque added. “So it really does help us a lot.”

Larocque, who has been in past editions of the competition, said she still finds motivation to keep being involved in it.

“Just the joy of meeting other people and seeing what other people can do,” she added.

Fifty five and older can still register for the B.C. 55-plus Games until June 30. For more information contact the Merritt Seniors’ Centre.

TheGovernmentof B.C.

has suppor ts available forfarmers during drought. As waterscarcit ybecomes more common, we’reworking with B.C. farmers to provide tools to prepare, andfinancial assistancetohelp withrecover y.

tfor whenoperations face large income declines.

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

STUWI(x) enters phase three

Kenneth Wong reporter@merrittherald.com

Council adopts proposed terms of reference for STUWI(x) Steering Committee.

The STUWI(x) Naturalization project focuses on revitalizing the lands at the end of Pine Street which were previously inundated by flood waters.

Currently phases one - purchasing of the private properties; and phase two - removal of structures are in progress.

The third phase of the project is to create a valley-wide steering committee to talk about what naturalization could look like and the fourth phase is the actual implementation of the project.

The steering committee is budgeted for a period of 18 months.

“(Representatives) are expected to meet twice a month for 18 months to steer through a project proposal, and then that project proposal will be executed after that,” said director of flood recovery and mitigation Sean Strang.

Strang estimates that phase four will be completed by the summer of 2027.

Described as a ‘first-of-kind’ restoration project, the steering committee will have representatives from the City of Merritt as well as the neighbouring bands.

“There’s not been anything in B.C. that purchases land, under a post flood scenario, and restores it to a naturalized habitat in a steering committee led by a joint commission between the City and First Nation,” said Strang. “And so what we’re doing is we’re looking to

build this restoration and naturalization project together from the start.”

“We have an opportunity in the valley that, I don’t think has ever existed before, to really build something together, and I think a lot of the benefit of this is going to go far past the actual naturalization project,” said Strang.

Strang believes that cooperative projects can be beneficial to all of the Nicola Valley, citing an ice jam incident on January 29.

“Merritt almost flooded again on January 29th of this year, there was an ice jam that came down and it almost got stuck literally in this corridor,” said Strang. “Because of some the relationships that we’ve built, even though the B.C. emergency management system didn’t warn downstream communities of the ice jam, our team knew a bunch of the people… and were able to call Nooaitch and we were able to call Lower Nicola Indian Band and advise them that there was this ice jam.”

“Thankfully, nobody got flooded, but that could have very easily ended up differently,” said Strang.

“The project is designed as a collaborative effort within the valley, so it is designed for valley residents and to transcend the boundaries of actual municipal limits,” said Strang during the June 11 regular council meeting.

“We felt it would be best for success of this particular steering committee if the person was on the committee because they had a specific connection or specialty to do with the river.”

SUMMER READING CLUB 2024

South Central Interior Distance Education School

2024 SCIDES GRADUATES

Acker man, Joanna Andow,Craig

Hunt,Hailey

Ar mstrong, Coco Bagan, Chelcie Balkovec, Cole Barton, Meri BIfano, Summer Bigattini, Emma Coutlee, Ash Coutlee, Joshua Dunham, Bliss Gardner,Evan Geary,William Gilmore, Monica Gonzalez,Tracy Gronick, Aydan Hiltermann, Michael Humphreys, Cooper

Jones, Alexis Lindstrom, Cayden Long, Emily Luzana,Serenity Mackenzie,Amanda MacKenzie, Ethan MacLean, Sarah Mahovlich, Madison Marques,Miguel McCagherty, Maddix Mcleod, Trinity Melichar, Joseph Metz, Dayton Michie, Ty Moss, Carson Mrsic, Tomas Noksana, Maria

Novak, Andy Perry,Sienna Phillips, Ethan Ponte, Allysia Prange, Noah Rebman, Smyth Ritchie, Ryder Schneider,Cruise Schroeder,Alexandria Springer,Colton Sutherland, Angus Tansem,Seth Vandermey,Shannon Vejvoda,Vicki White, Isaac Wilson, Jennafer

American singer to perform at the Grand

American musician Eli Lev to perform at the Grand.

Hailing from Silver Spring, Maryland, Lev will be performing at the Grand Pub & Grill on Saturday, June 29 at 7 p.m.

Lev has been writing songs his entire life but only started doing music full time six years ago and touring four years ago.

Described as a “global ambassador of good vibes,” Lev draws much of his inspiration from his travels even before his days of touring.

“I’m a former eighth grade middle school teacher on the Navajo Indian Reservation… and I taught there for three years,” said Lev. “And then kind of travelled around teaching English as a second language in Israel, a small country called Andorra, Australia.”

Lev later returned to get his master’s degree in English education. “Which I did, I thought was gonna be a teacher and just be in education for the rest of my life,” said Lev. “But I had a bit of a gap year after I got my masters and went back to the Maryland area and an artist asked me to open for them.”

The Maryland artist found Lev on Facebook, enjoyed his music and reached out to Lev. “I said yes and maybe like three people came, two of them were my parents,” said Lev. “They all asked me when my next show was and that was kind of the beginning of following the breadcrumbs to being a full time musician.”

Lev describes his sound as: “it’s like Johnny Cash and Stevie Nicks on a roadtrip in the redwood forest with Jason Mraz and Ed Sheeran and they’re all drinking dry ice lattes.”

Kenneth Wong reporter@merrittherald.com

Roving Maryland musician on tour to perform

Photo/Eli Lev

“It’ll

first time performin in Canada in

From Page 13

Lev has been writing music for over six years and has been touring full time for the past four years. “This is my fourth cross country tour around the U.S. and my first cross country tour where I’m coming to Canada,” said Lev. “I’m really excited about the show in Merritt and it’ll be my first time performing in Canada in my entire career.”

Whilst this is his first professional tour in Canada, it will be Lev’s third time entering Canada, having previously visited Montreal and Vancouver. “I just visited some friends in both of those spots so I didn’t get to spend too much of an extensive time,” said Lev. “But I will be sure to write a song about the differences (between Americans and Canadians) after my experience.”

As a part of his Canada tour, Lev will be visiting Merritt, East Kelowna, Vernon, and Chilliwack; as well as towns in Alberta, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.

“I move pretty fast, it’s usually a show every night… sometimes drives can be (two to eight hours) depending on the distance so it’s pretty much like show, drive, show and keep on going,” said Lev.

In all of the travelling, Lev is motivated by positivity. “Just sharing the songs and making connections, and seeing people smile and laugh and sing and clap along, and getting to bring a little bit of positivity to folks every night on the road.”

Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.bandsintown.com/e/105002726 Lev’s latest project

Walk. Talk. Dance. Sing. Photo/Eli Lev

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

June 21, 2024

Coldwater Band member set to participate in first-ever Miss Indigenous Canada

Coldwater Indian Band member set to represent Nlaka’pamux Nation at the first-ever Miss Indigenous Canada.

The pageant competition is set to take place on Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario, from July 24 to 27. Unlike many pageants which are based on looks and modeling, this competition is strictly based on how competitors represent and serve their community, as well as their cultural involvement.

Bree Lepine Woodward, 27-year-old nłeʔképmx woman and Coldwater Indian Band member, said that her decision to participate in the contest came after she got more involved in her culture and her community.

“Working with my community has been really rewarding. Learning all the things that were taught to me when I was a child that I’d forgotten, like songs and dances and traditional medicine,” she said.

“I started thinking about that a lot more and wanting to get more involved and learn more. The last two years have been really different and then I saw that Miss Indigenous Canada came up and I was like, why not? I never thought I was gonna get picked, but I was. It’s really exciting.”

Woodward reflects on how growing up in the Nicola Valley shaped her identity.

“My family’s lived in the Nicola Valley for generations and generations so, I don’t think I would ever be comfortable moving away because I believe that my blood knows the land and the land knows me,” she added.

She hopes that participating in the

See REPRESENTING Page 16

Laísa Condé editor@merrittherald.com

Photo/Bree Lepine Woodward

Representing all 15 bands in the Nlaka’pamux Nation

contest will give her the chance to highlight the Nlaka’pamux nation and its culture.

“Well, for the contest, I am representing the Coldwater Band but I think about it more as representing the Nlaka’pamux (People), which is all the 15 bands in the Nlaka’pamux Nation,” Woodward said.

“Something I want to represent while I’m there is our singing and dancing, singing and drumming is going to be my traditional presentation at the contest. That’s something that means a lot to me, our songs talk a lot about the familiar relations between the land and the sky and the people, the four legged animals and the winged ones.”

But her goal is not only to bring the Nlaka’pamux Nation to the spotlight. Woodward also understands the importance of representing the values and traditions of her nation.

“The main way I hope to do that is just by keeping our values at the top of my mind at all times. Like being humble and being open to learning, always being respectful,” Woodward added. “It’s not a competition to me, it’s kind of just an experience. I don’t want to go into it with the expectation that I’m going to get anything.”

For the contest, Woodward is also promoting a charity campaign “We Matter”, an Indigenous organization for Indigenous youth. The focus of the organization is the mental health and overall well-being of Indigenous youth, language keepers, future and leaders of tomorrow.

Woodward said that she aims to make a lot of great

Not afraid of trying something new

memories from the whole experience.

“The main thing that I’d like to take away from it is just the experience,” she said. “I just really want to go to another nation and see what their culture is like as well as meet all the other contestants. They will have such amazing backstories and just make some friends, make some memories and represent my people.”

For those who feel inspired by her, Woodward encourages people not to be afraid of trying something new.

“Even if you don’t get everything you want out of it, it’s still that experience, it’s what shapes you. That’s what life is, all the experiences made up together,” she added.

Photo/Bree Lepine Woodward

From soldier to Grand Chief: Percy Joe’s journey

Kenneth Wong reporter@merrittherald.com

In honour of National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Merritt Herald had the privilege to sit down and talk to Grand Chief Percy Joe about his achievements as Chief as well as ideas such as culture, history, and the future of Shackan and the Nicola Valley.

Coming from a line of hereditary Chiefs, Percy Skiellst Joe survived the residential school system; served 13 years in the Canadian Armed Forces under the Queen’s Own Rifles; and 45 years as Chief of Shackan.

Within three days of his return from the Armed Forces, Joe became Chief in 1971. “My dad called me home to run the ranch, well, I didn’t come home to run the ranch,” said Joe. “Three days after I got home, I was elected as a Chief, and it was a simple thing that people in the communities just agreed that I’d be the Chief and that’s how it became.”

One of Joe’s greatest challenges as Chief was balancing his responsibilities as Chief of Shackan whilst working a job in construction to pay the bills. “Back in the day, the Chief’s pay was $15 a month,” said Joe.

One of Joe’s greatest achievements as Chief was the creation of the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT), one of the only post secondary institutions in Canada run entirely

Grand Chief Percy Joe and his wife Janice Antoine saw down with the Herald to talk about Joe’s achievements as Grand Chief. Photo/Kenneth Wong

Challenges faced due to colonial government

by Indigenous Peoples. “We’ve seen a lot of our young people wanting to go to university and the cost of sending them and their rent and that in Vancouver… so we wanted to create something locally and we started that out by partnershipping with BCIT.”

“I think one of the great accomplishments is definitely people being able to have jobs, where we come from a time when we wouldn’t get employed because of our race,” said Janice Antoine, Joe’s wife. “We have people now who were in residential school and they were trained for entry level positions, and now we have them being professors at universities or business people, being involved in politics and Law, this is coming from our area.”

Joe believes that one of the biggest challenges Shackan and the Nicola Valley Bands will face in the coming decade is a need for more unity. “We need to be able to start working together and working together as the people we supposedly are, as Nlaka’pamux or Syilx,” said Joe. “I just say that the (colonial) government was successful in dividing us, and we’re just eating it all up.”

“I thought that we were moving away from that when I first got out of the army,” said Joe. “I said ‘let’s get rid of reserves, why are we Shackan and Lower Nicola?’, we work together, then we slowly start splitting apart.”

“It’s systemic, Indian Affairs says “you’re in this pot, you’re in this pot” and it’s a way of keeping people divided, and it’s

Better opportunities for the future generation

a way of having people look at somebody else’s plate, did they get more, did they get less,” said Antoine.

“Traditionally, families would move and live in different places, sometimes stay there and raise their families, even though they would have their family of origin maybe far away,” said Antoine. “It moved from something that was still somewhat traditional, to us policing each other when the Indian agent isn’t around. I find that pretty amazing.”

“I look at Shackan, 60 per cent of our members don’t live on the reserve,” said Joe. “I have relatives that are going on to the second and third generation who if I ask them, where is Shackan at, they probably don’t even know where it’s at, they just know they’re a band member.”

“The world is really changing, and we are still the closest to the sense of ‘we’re all connected,’ what happens to this earth happens to us, if the Earth is ill, we’re not going to be well,” said Antoine. “Hopefully, our belief system will help other human beings have a deeper understanding of what it means to have that connection.”

Antoine thinks about their great granddaughter and how she’ll navigate the new world that is to come. “She’s going to have hopefully opportunities for the best in both worlds,” said Antoine. From Page 19

Exploring the deep-rooted tradition of harvesting

Kenneth Wong reporter@merrittherald.com

Lower Nicola Indian Band cultural coordinator Joe Shuter sits down to talk about seasonal harvesting.

Hunting and harvesting have long been a tradition for the Nlaka’pamux People. “The significance of harvesting traditionally is to stay alive,” said Shuter.

“A lot of these foods aren’t growing in the same place,” said Shuter. “And so our people would, as nomads, travel in the springtime, we’d go up to the higher mountains and catch the trout and then later on in the season, we’d start going down to the lower valleys and harvesting these April-May type shoots and plants.”

During springtime many teas such as labrador or trapper’s Tea, stinging nettle, and Indian Celery are harvested.

During the summer, berries such as strawberry, saskatoon berries, and ovalleaved blueberries bloom ready to be harvested. Summer is also prime time to hunt elk and catch salmon.

During the autumn, oyster, sand, pine and shaggy mane mushrooms are harvested, and moose and deer are hunted. During the winter, only snowshoe hare and burbot can be found.

Shuter believes that of the plants and animals that are traditionally harvested, the sockeye salmon is the most important

Becoming harder to harvest in the Nicola Valley

From Page 21

due to its protein and the ability to dry the salmon and eat it during the winter months. “If you took pretty well any of the other plants, you could eat them, but to be able to live on it, I don’t think so,” said Shuter. “Whereas the sockeye salmon, I think if you had sockeye salmon in the bag of potatoes, you would live.”

In Shuter’s opinion, the sockeye salmon is also the tastiest. “The sockeye salmon is a tough one to beat,” said Shuter. “The sockeye salmon is just a fuller taste and the meat’s flesh is firmer.”

In terms of plants, Shuter thinks huckleberry is the tastiest, describing it as “definitely the royal jelly of berries.”

Despite these plants growing in natural environments, Shuter says it’s becoming harder for Nlaka’pamux to be able to harvest their traditional foods due to increasing development and possibly climate change.

“We went and we picked asparagus earlier this year and everything was right, but the ground was really dry,” said Shuter, speculating that the lack of snowfall to be the cause of the dryness.

“In April-May when you go pick asparagus, it would be growing nicely because the ground is moist, but because the ground was so dry, that it was more like grass rather than a nice thick half inch stock of

Joe Schuter talks with the Merritt Herald about seasonal harvesting and its recent challenges. Photo/Kenneth Wong

Things are changing fast

From Page 22

asparagus,” said Shuter.

Shuter recalls when he was around 10 years old, his grandfather told him how he would hunt south of the Nicola River. “He said he caught a number of deer up there, now there’s small ranches all up there, I couldn’t go hunt up there because I’d be trespassing in our traditional territory but somebody owns it now as private land.”

Shuter recalls a confrontation he had with a landowner whilst picking saskatoon berries. “I heard a quad coming up the road, a fella comes over, nice enough guy,” recalls Shuter. “He said ‘oh I’m just coming to see who’s on my land. This is all my land. You’re welcome to pick berries if you want, go ahead, just, this is my land.”

“As we move forward, things are changing,” said Shuter. “I don’t want to pick berries up there, I can’t hunt a deer over there, I’m on someone’s private land over there; things are changing.”

A seasonal harvesting list that is used throughout the year. Photo/Kenneth Wong

LNIB Fire Department wins second place in firefighter competition

Laísa Condé editor@merrittherald.com

Lower Nicola Indian Band Fire Department clinches second place in the 39th Annual B.C. Indigenous Firefighter Competition.

The event, which took place in Kamloops, on Saturday, June 1, aimed to put B.C. First Nations’ fire departments to showcase their firefighting skills and camaraderie.

The Herald sat down with three members of the Lower Nicola Indian Band Fire Department to talk about their achievement in the competition.

“It felt pretty good competing and seeing how we actually stood up with the other teams that have been together for a lot longer, because we are still pretty new, working together,” Rick Gauthier, lieutenant at Lower Nicola Indian Band Fire Department, said. “It’s pretty rewarding that way.”

Sarah Wilson, full-time firefighter at Lower Nicola Indian Band Fire Department, shared the same feeling of pride as her coworker.

“It was definitely cool to see the teamwork coming through and all of the encouragement from our team members and bystanders watching the competition,” she added. “It was definitely a pretty cool thing to see us play so well, being that we hadn’t competed there and some of these other teams have competed other years, so that was pretty rewarding.”

Wilson said that the motivation to participate in the event has been a wish of the fire department for a while, and that being a smaller department, they had to make sure they “left a capable crew here

Challenges in the competition

From Page 24

(in Lower Nicola) and had a good capable crew in the competition.”

For Shawn Gambler, firefighter at Lower Nicola Indian Band Fire Department, his Indigenous background made sure that he gave his all in the competition.

“I just basically went there and did 110 per cent and the outcome was pretty good. We were placed second place because we were up against some pretty good teams there,” he said.

In a competition that is set to test their skills also comes with a few challenges. Gauthier said that one of the biggest challenges in the competition was not being able to help out their coworkers when they were struggling.

“You couldn’t go and help your colleagues as we normally would. They are struggling with a hose roll or struggling with a coupler because it was set up more like a relay,” Gauthier added. “Everybody had their specific task and they couldn’t get help to complete that task, so it added a different element that we’re not used to. Usually we just go and help each other.”

For Wilson, knowing each other’s strenghts and weaknesses helped them out a lot throughout the competition as well as their teamwork spirit.

“We could put the appropriate person at the appropriate task for the competition,” she added. “Cheering each other on, knowing that you’re almost there ... I think it was super helpful knowing that your team is behind you.”

She added that communication was one of the things that set them apart from other teams.

“We’re really good at listening to orders and taking orders and knowing what needs to be done before somebody says that it needs to be done,” Wilson said.

“Able to stand toe to toe against all other communities”

From Page 26

For Gauthier, strategizing also play a big role in their performance.

“We sat down and we went through it as a team and strategized who’s going o be in what position,” he said. “Everybody knows their own strenghts and weaknesses and we all know each other’s strenghts and weaknesses, so strategizing it and playing it out verbally with each other before each competition was a huge help.”

One of the highlights for the team was also the opportunity to talk to other fire departments on their struggles.

“Having conversations with other small fire departments and hearing that a lot of the struggles that we have, they have as well. So hearing how they overcame those was super cool to learn as well,” Wilson said.

As the Lower Nicola Indian Band Fire Department celebrates this incredible achievement, they also look into their future.

“(We’ll) keep training, and keep learning,” Gauthier said. “Next year we are going to get first (place).”

“To me, it feels like we’ve overcome now. With the rebuilding of the hall over the last couple of years, I think it finally sows that, especially to the community, we’ve stepped up,” Gauthier added. “We’ve grown in, the training has come together, everybody’s on pace, and we’re able to stand toe to toe against all the other communities around.”

Lower Nicola Indian Band Fire Department clinches second place in the 39th Annual B.C. Indigenous Firefighter Competition.

Photo/Lower Nicola Indian Band Fire Department

Grand Chief Gordon Antoine’s journey: from residential school survivor to leader

Grand Chief Gordon Antoine was born in 1943 and would be one of the most respected First Nations leaders in the history of British Columbia.

As a child he was taken from his community and his family and forced to attend residential school, it is believed to have been the

See PLAYED Page 29

We honour this daytorecognize andcelebrate therichhistories and cultures of FirstNations, Inuitand Metis peoplesaroundthe City of Merritt andacrossCanada.

TheCit yofMerrittrespectfully acknowledges that Merritt is locatedonthe traditional ,ances tral andunceded territor yofthe Nlaka’pa muxand Syilxpeople.

Cameron Bridge NICOLA VALLEY MUSEUM & ARCHIVES

Photo/Nicola Valley Museum & Archives

Played a key role on education

Page 28

Kamloops Indian Residential School.

In 1966 at the age of 23, Grand Chief Antoine was elected to the Coldwater Indian Band as a councillor and would serve as such for nine years until, in 1975, he was elected Chief of the Coldwater Indian Band and would retain this position for nearly 30 years.

He would be instrumental in the formulation of what is now known as the Scw’exmx Tribal Council, a council with the goal of unifying and gaining greater representation for the Indigenous people of the Nicola Valley as well as promoting their language, improving quality of life, and preserving their historical rights.

Grand Chief Antoine was also critical in the setting up of the Coldwater School.

First started in September of 1984 inside the Coldwater Band Hall, the Coldwater School was set up not only as a means to an alternative school in the Coldwater Reserve rather than travelling all the way into Merritt for school, but also as a way to incorporate first nations culture, roots, language, stories, and spirituality into the British Columbia educational curriculum.

After moving out of the Coldwater Band Hall, the school would move to portables, and eventually in September of 1997, into a modern 4 million dollar facility with proper classrooms, offices, library, pit house, and a state of the art gym.

AWARDED Page 30

Awarded an Order of Bristish Columbia Award

CO LDWAT ER

S CHOOL

Nursery to Grade 7

Registration for 2024 – 2025

 Full-timeNursery/HeadStart (mustbeturning 4years oldbyDecember31, 2024)

 Full-timeKindergarten(must be 5years oldbyDecember31, 2024)

He was also critical in the establishment of the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, as he sat as chairman of the board for NVIT for more than 10 years, and he was also a director on the board of the University College of the Cariboo (Now Thompson Rivers University).

Grand Chief Antoine also received an Order of British Columbia in 1993, the highest possible honour that can be bestowed by the Government of British Columbia, although Grand Chief Antoine did have mixed feelings about the award.

He stated in a May 12, 1993, edition of the Merritt Herald that he was grateful and honoured for having been chosen for the award, but also that it was difficult to receive an award from a province that “still suggests those who live on reserves aren’t citizens… except at election time”.

Grand Chief Antoine did decide ultimately to accept the award because “My people seem to have accepted it”.

He would also receive an honorary law degree from the Open Learning Agency in 1996.

Grand Chief Antoine would pass away on May 4, 2004 in Vancouver. His funeral was held at the Coldwater School, the

OutdoorNatureWalks,traditional games,music and local stories.

Hands on projects andfield tripsmay include:

 making tule mats

 making hemp

 tanninghides

 hand drums

 gathering tea

 pickingberries

 SpiusCreek Hatchery program

 winter fun

 identifying plants

&LUNCH PROGRAM

Formoreinformation please contactusat Tel:250-378-9261orEmail: ncletkwu@coldwaterschool.ca @FaceBook ColdwaterSchool 709-170th St |Merritt, BC|V1K1B8

Benefits of ourClasses

 strong focusonlocal culture

 smallclass size

 loving andcaringenvironment

 individual educationplans

 dedicatedteachersand staff

Aboriginal Headstart

Planters,big rocks, sand,Sheeshtkin, andmore!

As always,the ColdwaterSchool will be followingall provincial guidelines to ensure theongoing health and well-being of ourchildren.

Registration formscan be picked up from theschool or we canemail/fax them directly to you.

A heartfelt goodbye

very building where many people say that Grand Chief Antoine’s heart was in the building of said school. A horse drawn carriage carried his casket to the school’s gymnasium where the six pallbearers, Bill Strand, Butch Sahara, Ron Aljam, Jim Gardiner, Joe Yong, and Percy Joe, carried it inside for the ceremony. There were so many well wishers and those who wished to pay their respects that many spilled into the school’s main foyer.

Photo/Nicola Valley Museum & Archives

LowerNicola Band School

THELOWER NICOLA BAND SCHOOL

INVITESALL CHILDREN (First Nations/NonFirst Nations)

FULL-TIME KINDERGARTEN

•Mustbe5 yrsbyDec 31, 2024

• BusServicesProvidedtomostareas of Merritt

HEAD STARTSERVICES:

•3 &4 year oldProgram (K4mustbe4 yrsold by Dec. 31,2024)

•HomeVisitingProgram

•Transportationprovidedfor allHeadStart programs

•Mom’s &Tot’s Services 0to6 yearsold

CURRICULUM:

•BcEducation Curriculum

•Two RecessesPlusA Lunch

•Nle?Kepmxcin(K-7)

•CulturalStudies

•LearningAssistanceProgram

•School SuppliesProvided

•Skate/Hockey Program

•Science of Reading

FACILITIES:

•Full-Size Gymnasium

•Classroom Libraries

•A CalmingSpace

•Baseball/Soccer Field

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

•Climbing Wall

•BasketballCourt

•Spinner

•Literacy& Numeracy BlitzesAfter LunchEvery Day

• We ParticipateInThe District Elementary Sports Program

•WeAre On TheLandFor FieldTrips Often

• We AreA Play Is TheWay School

Golf and Country Club hosts 2024 Junior Championship

Condé editor@merrittherald.com

On Saturday, June 15, the Merritt Golf and Country Club hosted the 2024 Junior Club Championship.

In total, nine participants – Cooper Harrington, Kolton Bridgen, Nathan van Rensburg, Ethan Pickering, Ryan Lambe, Aiden van Rensburg, Alex Lambe, Andrew Denton and Will Hubbard –battled the wind and rain for most of the day at the golf course.

After 18 holes, Harrington and Nathan van Rensburg were tied with 83, which forced a sudden death playoff between the two. The Low Gross winner was decided after the first extra hole with Harrington paring the hole with a five and Nathan bogeyed with a six.

The winner for the Low Net was Kolton Bridgen with a 69.

The boys also received a visit from Roger Sloan, who happened to be in Merritt over the weekend and stopped by the clubhouse to donate signed hats for each participant.

WOWwhata race weekend! We areoverwhelmed with the huge CommunitySupport!Thankyousomuchtoall ourSponsors, Volunteers,First Aid, TrailBuildin gCrews, Sweepers, Checkpoints, Orga nizers,Relay Race Organizers and MannedCrossing Crews, WOODSSmoking BBQPit, Mar�King VacTruck Services,LNGroup,MerrittPrinting and2nd AveSigns!

We couldn’t have done it withoutyou all!

Laísa

The Merritt Golf and Country Club hosted the 2024 Junior Club Championship over the weekend. Photos/Laísa Condé

NICOLA VALLEY BARBENDER2024

of Quilchena & Chapman • 250-378-5735

Service Time every Sunday - 10 am

Somang Mission Community Church (SMC) 1755 Coldwater Ave. (The Cadet Hall) Sunday Service Time: 4:00 pm • 250-280-1268

Nicola Valley Evangelical Free Church 1950 Maxwell St. • 250-378-9502 Service Times: Sunday 10 am

CLASSIFIEDS

FaySturney

October 9, 1940 –June 3, 2024

It is with deep sadness that thefamily of Fay Sturneyannounces her passing in MerrittBC, on June 3, 2024.

Beverly Jean Malchuk

Born in Kamloops BC in1940, Faywas the youngest daughter of Herbert and Hilda Greenwood. She graduated from Kamloops Secondary School and spent several years working with the BC Telephone Co. in Kamloops. Faymarried her first husband Delbert Anderson in 1965 andhad 2children Sean and Jolie. The family moved to NewHazelton BC in 1973 where Faymade many lifelong friends and operated the Shell Bulk oil Plant.

In 1979 Fayand her first husband divorced and she movedonfrom the Shellbulk plant.Fay started asuccessful 11-year career as the secretary at Hazelton Secondary School. This wasa perfect position for her as it allowed her to have the same time offasher children, allowingfor family time. Fay met the love of herlife BobSturneyin1981, and theywere married in 1984 in HazeltonBC. They both lovedtotravelthe world together,their favorite spot wasMaui. Theyspent avery loving 25 yearstogether before Bob passed away suddenly in 2009. Fayremained in Terrace until shemoved to Merritt to be with her son and his family in 2018

Shewas predeceased by her daughter Jolie, her parents, her granddaughter Jolie-Ann, and her belovedhusband Bob

She is survivedbyher only son Sean (Christy), grandsons Mattias and Linden, her sister Marina, as wellasher stepdaughter Heather,Stepson Rob, hernieces Louse and Brenda, her nephewNorman, and manyloving members of theSturneyfamily

The Family would liketoextend avery special Thank Youtothe Doctors, Nurses, and Care staffat CoquihallaGillis House for alltheir support over the last fewmonths.

August 6, 1959-June 1, 2024

It is withdeep sorrow that we announce the passing of Bev(Beverly) Jean Malchuk, alovelywoman that has touched hundreds of people. Abeautiful soul not present in this world anymore butwill forever live in our hearts. Her timeonthis Earth may have come to an end but she livesoninthe memories of the people she touched and willalways be remembered as akind, creative and caring person.

Gone too soon, she passed away at the young age of 64, leaving behind herdaughter WillowHale.

Bevwas brought into this worldonAugust 6th 1959 in Brandon, Manitoba. Born to parents Jean (2007) and Ernest (2021). Bevwas no stranger to change, she went from living in Brandon Manitoba to living inHorod Manitoba, to Sandy LakeManitoba, to WinnipegManitoba, to SurreyBC, to Houston BC and finallysettlingdowninMerrittBCwhere sheraised her one and only child. She’slived agreat and adventurous life, fromvisiting Greece, to workingfor CN rail toowningher owncafe (Espresso Etc) to caring for achild she fought so hard toprotect and to provide for.She wastruly one of akind and will be dearlymissedbyall, her soul is at rest buther legacy will neverbeforgotten.

Faywould likeyou to celebrate her memory in your way, and, tohonour her wishesthere willbenoservice.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Cancer Society of BC, Heart & Stoke Foundation of BC, or the Alzheimer Society of BC.

She wasacreative individual and an artist at heart, making gifts, wreaths, home decorationsand boasting about4binsofcraft supplies, she wastruly committedtoher hobby and her work. She wasamagnificent cook and baker and she always knewhow to makethe holidays memorable, always putting up decorations for each holiday even after her daughter movedout Bev wasalso awomanofstyle, always knowing what to wear and how tobring her ownsense of fashion to brighten the worldaround her.We can’t forget about her love for music, often times she wouldsing along regardless of whether it wasathome or on adrive shepoured her soul into each of her ownrenditions. Above allelse shewas abeautifulsoul,she knewhow to support and to care for those around her,from close friends, tocoworkerstorandom people in her day to day

Shewas astrong and independentwoman and her peace and kindness was learnt through decades of hardships. Overthe years she’sstruggled withher mental health butdespite her battle shecarried on with great strengthshowing the world that she couldn’tbestopped. In the years leading to her passing she took up yogaand started going on walkswith her friends as ameans of helping her physical and mental health.She wasavid in self improvement and working towards getting herselfback on track. As her daughter Iamsoproud of her,she made alot of progress and Imade suretolet her knowshe wasdoing an amazing job and that Iwas so proud ofher abilities.

As it stands no service date is set, howeverplansare being made albeit slowly as her daughterand her girlfriend are in the process of grieving and working with the funeral home. It is adifficulttime foreveryone involved and there’s alot of uncertainty at this time. Once things are figured out the location and date will be posted by herdaughter,it is not known atthistime whetherornot it will be apublic or private service.

Alan Norman Clarence Taylor

March10- 1940 -June 7, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announcethe passing of Alan Norman Clarence Taylor at Th Trinity HospiceinKamloops BC.

Alan waspredeceased by hisparents,long-timeMerritt residenceRobert Moses& Florence Alvina Taylor.Sisters FrancisFyall, Ruth Hayward, Grace Willin andbrother WalterTaylor.

He is survived by hiswifeCarolineTaylor(Holt) of Kamloops BC, children Ward (Tina) Taylor of Merritt BC andJanice(Ian) Taylor of Hope BC, grandchildrenKrystin (Ryan) TourandofMerritt, BC, Shelby (Shelby) Taylor of PentictonBC, KaylaTaylorofKamloops BC, ArielTaylorofBarrier BC, greatgrandson Hudson TourandofMerritt BC andbrother Arthur (Gloria) Taylor of West KelownaBC.

Alan wasborninMerritt BC, while attending university at UBCVancouverhe livedatUnion College wherehemet hissoon to be wife CarolHolt. They married in thebeautiful chapel at UnionCollege in 1963. While attending university he workedsummers with theMinistryofHighways. Afteruniversity they movedto Vavenby BC wherehebecamethe principaland teacher while awaitingthe birth of hisfirst-bornchild.

Afterthe birthofhis son, he returned to Ministry of HighwaysinMerritt BC to startworking as surveyor,along theway he acquiredmanydifferent positions within theministry. Thethree of them along with niece Diane(Fyall) Janzen Hope BC, they enjoyedmanytrips to places such as Tofino, Disneyland, and theOregon Coast. AftermanyyearsinMerritt, they hada daughter.In1991, Alan accepteda positionwith theMinistryofHighwaysinKamloops BC and relocated to Kamloops BC whereheretired aftermorethen35yearswiththe Government of BC.

Alan wasa activememberofthe MasonicLodge andShrinersinbothMerritt BC &Kamloops BC. He enjoyedboating, fishing, andcamping, so much so that he leased propertyatthe now knownBeaver PointEstates,where he built a seasonalhomewhich he enjoyedfor many yearswith hisfamily

Thankyou to thedoctors,nursesand staffatthe RoyalInlandHospitaland Trinity Hospice.

ACelebrationoflifewill be held at Nicola Lake,Merritt BC at adateyet to be determined,with some closefamily andfriends

“When Iamgone,donot cryfor me forIamina place of love andhappiness. Where Iamthere is no pain or loneliness, andI can be at ease.

Mournmetoday, but move on tomorrow,sothatI mayrestinpeace.”

SUDOKU

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a Sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.

Elaine WinnifredTancsa

January 18, 1943 -June 7, 2024

It is withprofound sadness we announce the passingofour beautiful Mama and Grandma, Elaine Winnifred Tancsa on June 7th, 2024 inKelowna, BC. At the age of 81.

She will be greatly missed by her daughters Debbie and Kim,her Grandchildren Steven(Kiera), Scott (Jessica), Randi,Joe, Tina, Liam and Julesaswell as Great Grandchildren Kaleb andDawson.

Elaine wasborn in London England on January 18th, 1943 and came to Canada at averyyoung age. She enjoyed afull life and lovedgoing to Bingo, all things Elvis and recently birdwatching from her livingroom

Her love of family knew no boundsand she wassurrounded by them as she quietly went to join her daughter Krista.

On behalf of the Tancsa, Elser andKlassenfamilies wewishtoextend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Wierstra, The ICU unit at Kelowna General Hospital, especiallynurses Amy, Tammy, Danieland Vanessa.

PRODUCTION WORKERS (FT/PT)

• Wages: starting $20 to $28

• Steady day shift work

• Students welcome to apply

• No experience necessary

• Will train

DRIVERS WITH CLASS 1 Local steady work

Excellent medical & dental plan

Mom did not wish to have aservice so private family arrangementsare being made.

Please submit resume in person to 1195 Houston Street, Merritt

As a Medica Assistant you will be responsible for providing administrative support to ensure the efficient operation of the medical office. You will support doctors and patients through a variety of tasks related to patient care management, organization, and communication

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Organize and schedule appointments

• Update and file medical records and insurance reports

• Assist during medical examinations

• Produce and distribute correspondence memos, letters, faxes, and forms.

• Prepare and clean treatment rooms and medical instruments.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Experience as a Medica Assistant would be an asset.

• Knowledge of office procedures

• Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize work

• Social perceptiveness and service oriented.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Strong organizational and planning skills.

• Proficiency in MS Office and patient management software would be an asset.

Competitive salary and full benefits

E-mail Resume and References to: billing@schss.com VALUE ADDED LUMBER REMANUFACTURING PLANT

Scw’exmx Community Health Services Society Employment Opportunity MEDICAL OFFICE ASSISTANT POSITION

NOTICE OF DISPOSITION OF ABANDONED PROPERTY

To Tenant, June Nikolaisen

Notice is given to you under Part 6 of the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Regulation that you have abandoned property at the premises located at Lot 107, Diamond Vale Mobile Home & RV Park, 2776 Clapperton Avenue, Merritt, British Columbia The property consists of a mobile home, Manufactured Home Registration No 018507.

The landlord, Green Mountain Holdings Ltd., will dispose of the property unless you:

a. Take possession of the property;

b. Establish a right to possession of the property; or

c. Make an application to the court to establish a right to possession of the property within 30 days from the date of this notice.

If you fail to do any of the above within the specified time period, the landlord will dispose of the property and you will lose any claim to it Please contact the landlord by telephone at 604 670 9900, by email at rentals@kleingroup.com, or by visiting the property manager ’s office at 201 - 2468 Scotia Street, Vancouver BC, as soon as possible to arrange for the retrieval or storage of your property

1. Sign language

In style

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An idea accepted as a demonstrable truth

In a cagey way

Kate and Rooney are two

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