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In the latest edition of our Trail Treks column, Darch Oborne takes a look at the Upper Scenic Trail.
Darch Oborne CONTRIBUTOR
This lovely local trail is super for hikers or bikers; a Blue Trail (moderate degree of strenuous exercise, but nothing scary); almost any time of year as it is ‘South Slope’ and gets/retains very little snow.
And the views are superb; especially if you go off trail for 100 meters in a couple of special spots (see if you can find them) to look down on our beautiful Nicola Valley.
Do it as an ONB (Out and Back); start at the flagpole and follow Tom Lacey Trail for half a kilometre, then a sharp left following ‘Scenic’ Trail for another half a kilometre; then keep left at the ‘Scenic’ junction. The trail meanders up gradually (it was built as a two-way trail by mountain bikers in the 1990’s), passes the entry to Supra Scenic heading northeast and has lots of shady areas, and one small stream about three kilometres along.
After seven kilometres, you will finally get to the double track and to the drop in for Dangle; a Double Black trail I built five years ago. Do not descend it on bike or by foot, as it is appropriately categorized. This is the Upper Scenic trail end; so retrace your route back, and enjoy the trail and views in the new Westerly direction.
You may encounter an occasional horse rider, or a moto, but rarely, as this trail is a bit off the beaten path; that’s what makes it so nice; the solitude as well as the views. And if you have to bail out, there are several moto tracks which go right down to the North Bench.
Please pack out all your litter. You will see deer on Upper Scenic so control your dogs, and bears and cougars have been seen in the area this year. Upper Scenic is part of the Merritt Crown mountain bike race course. You can see the entire course on the Trailforks App, under Merritt Trails. You can do this on your computer and just print a copy; or get the app on your phone for GPS tracking. Ride On!
Robert Hack, Lee Quillen, Doug Oakey, and hounddog Ace are pictured riding the Upper Scenic Trail near the north end of Merritt. Photo submitted
Views of the valley from the peak of the Upper Scenic Trail.
Olympic hopes for pair of Kamloops curlers
released, but Curling Canada notes the top three women’s teams and top two men’s teams will qualify for the Tim Hortons Curling Trials in Saskatoon.
“We’ve planned accordingly to make sure we can get as many events and training weekends as we can prior to make sure we’re bringing our best once we get there,” said Brown, whose rink will make its season debut next week at a cashspiel in Leduc, Alta.
In Ottawa, the field on the women’s side will include Brown, Suzanne Birt (Charlottetown), Kelsey Rocque (Edmonton), Laura Walker (Edmonton) and Casey Scheidegger (Lethbridge, Alta.).
Dunstone, Colton Flasch (Saskatoon), Jason Gunnlaugson (Winnipeg), Glenn Howard (Penetanguishene, Ont.) and Mike McEwen (Winnipeg) will compete on the men’s side.
Trials DirectEntry Event teams that do not qualify for the Tim Hortons Curling Trials in Ottawa will have a second chance at the Home Hardware Curling Pre-Trials, which will take place from Oct. 26 to Oct. 31 in Liverpool, N.S.
“It’s definitely interesting, to say the least,” Dunstone said. “It seems like everybody and their dog has a shot at the Olympic trials this year, just with all the other different events and formats. I’m not going to complain about anything, considering the season we had last year. It’s just nice to be playing again.”
Brown and Dunstone won provincial titles in 2020 and were unable to defend their crowns in 2021, as B.C. and Saskatchewan cancelled provincial championship tournaments amid the pandemic.
Both were selected by their respective provincial curling governing bodies to compete at the 2021 national championships, which were held inside the Calgary curling bubble earlier this year.
Team Dunstone claimed its second consecutive bronze medal at the Brier.
Team Brown, which placed sixth at the national Scotties in 2020 in Moose Jaw, posted a 4-4 record in round-robin action in Calgary to fall short of the Championship Pool.
The major events held inside the Calgary curling bubble were preceded by a campaign ravaged by the pandemic.
Brown’s season came to an abrupt halt on Nov. 12, 2020, and did not resume until the national championship began in February.
Team members have fingers crossed for a return to relative normalcy in 2021-2022.
“As far as I know, most of the events are a go and if they aren’t, it’s not necessarily due to COVID reasons in B.C.,” Brown said.
The Kamloops Curling Club halted operations in September of 2020. BC Housing took over the building in October of 2020, using it as shelter space until its lease expired at the end of July.
Ice could return to the KCC as early as Sept. 7, said club general manager Rob Nordin.
Merritt Otters Swim Club
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Thursday, August 12 6:30 pm 2675 Garcia Street Award/Reports/Fun for Kids!
BUSINESS FEATURE
Do you want to nominate a business? Tell us about it by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing reporter@merrittherald.com.
Mandolin’s is a gem of a coffee shop and bakery which has been serving Merrittonians hand crafted coffee and tea beverages and homemade goodies for more than twenty years.
Cheryl MacMillan and her daughter Laurie are the third and longest running owners, having purchased the business a decade ago, celebrating their tenth anniversary in May of this year.
“We’re known for the baking, we bake every day, all fresh,” said Cheryl MacMillan, touching on part of what makes Mandolin’s a favourite amongst locals and tourists alike.
No doubt MacMillan’s experience has also been helpful into turning Mandolin’s into a ‘must visit’ eatery, having spent much of her working life involved in the food industry, including a stint at Mandolin’s long before she was an owner.
“I worked here 20 years ago for Val and Lorne Sanders,” said MacMillan.
The Nicola Valley is fortunate that MacMillan decided to say yes, as Mandolin’s has become a cozy community hangout spot with good eats.
“It’s a great little coffee shop to come and visit,” said MacMillan, who has opted for a warm and inviting space adorned with local memorabilia, plants and books.
“We’re hockey sponsors, so that’s the reason for the different jerseys that we’ve got throughout. My husband cowboyed so we’ve got some really neat pictures on the wall of the different guys he’s worked with on different local ranches. It’s just a nice place to be able to come and sit or visit or coffee or do your work.”
Indeed, over the course of the interview, several businessmen and women, members of the Merritt RCMP detachment, retirees and resident Merritt writer Mike Bhangu made their way to tables and comfy chairs and couches.
“I like antiques, so I’ve brought in a couple of loveseats, and I want it to be comfortable for people,” said MacMillan.
“If they want to sit down and put their feet up on the couch, they can do that, and I don’t want anyone to feel rushed. If they want to come and sit for two hours or three hours, they can. There’s no pressure to leave, and now that things have opened back up, we definitely have more people sitting inside and enjoying it.”
The COVID-19 pandemic hit the food industry hard, and Mandolin’s was no exception, but the MacMillans found a way to pivot their business model and come back even better than before, providing exceptional service throughout restrictions and lockdowns.
“We never closed, we just really worked hard at creating new products for the menu,” explained MacMillan, noting that new gluten-free and keto options have been very popular.
Laurie was also active on social media, connecting with the community, and as a family business, Cheryl’s grandchildren regularly helped out.
“It’s definitely worked out really well being a family business, and having the granddaughters help as well,” said MacMillan, who was nevertheless overjoyed to have dine-in customers return.
“I was kind of lonely by myself all day, every day,” MacMillan joked.
If you’re looking for a quality latte, cappuccino, or an old-fashioned cup of Joe, a hot meal, homemade sandwich or baked goods – Cheryl’s favourites are the date squares, the famed Mandolin’s cinnamon buns and keto chocolate cheesecake – Mandolin’s is the place to be.
Also on the menu are a wide assortment of smoothies, made with fresh fruit and any add-ins you prefer, including yogurt, spinach, kale, collagen or protein.
If you feel like you need a pick-meup, or if you want to do something good for the community, you can also pick up or contribute a free meal from the ‘Meal Wall’, an initiative Laurie and Cheryl launched in which food and drinks are pre-paid for by one customer and used by another.
“Come in and enjoy the atmosphere, enjoy our products, and go away leaving with a good feeling about it that you can recommend to others,” is the cordial invite extended by Cheryl, Laurie and family.
Mandolin’s is located in the Railyard Mall plaza, #114-1700 Garcia St.
Mandolin’s
CONTAIN-IT STORAGE
■ Approved mini-storage ■ On-site rentals ■ Secured ■ Sale of New & Used storage containers 1750 Hill Street ■ Phone: 250-315-3000
THE CHURCHES OF MERRITT WELCOME YOU
Crossroads Community Church
2990 Voght St. • 250-378-2911• Service Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m. Merritt Baptist Church
Sunday service (indoors), 10 am. Phone (250)378-2464 for more info and for prayer support. Merritt Lutheran Fellowship
in St. Michael's Anglican Hall • 250-378-9899 Service Time: 3rd Sunday each month 1:00 p.m. Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Corner of Jackson & Blair • 250-378-2919 Mass Time: Sundays 9:00 a.m. St. Michael’s Anglican Church
1990 Chapman St. • 250-378-3772 Service Times: 2nd and 4th Sundays only - 10:00 a.m. Trinity United Church
Corner of Quilchena & Chapman • 250-378-5735 Service Time 2nd & 4th Sundays 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 Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m.
Home Comfort
