FLOOD SURVIVORS
A few Merritt flood survivors share their stories of struggle, three years after flood.
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PASSPORT TO CHRISTMAS
Herald’s Passport to Christmas is back for another year!
Middlesboro Bridge reopens
400 cubic meters per second.
The last visible wound on Merritt’s infrastructure from a massive flood in 2021 was officially healed Saturday as the new Middlesboro Bridge opened to public traffic.
The bridge was washed out when an atmospheric river that November sent a deluge of water rushing down the Coldwater River, knocking out the arterial route along Voght Street.
The City of Merritt held a grand re-opening ceremony Saturday morning for the bridge that drew about 150 people. The event included a few speeches, a procession of emergency vehicles across the span and a ribbon cutting.
The new-and-improved bridge has been built to withstand more punch than the 2021 storm packed. There’s also a new multi-use path attached to the new bridge that connects to the city’s active transportation network.
“It’s wider, it’s bigger, it’s higher,” Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz said, comparing the new bridge to the previous one.
According to city officials, the new bridge has been built to withstand 500 cubic metres of rushing water per second, whereas the previous bridge was built to withstand 130 cubic metres per second. The flood that knocked the old bridge out was flowing at about
“It can withstand significantly more than the last flood,” said Sean Strang, Director of Flood Recovery and Mitigation for the City of Merritt. “Certainly this bridge is built to a much higher standard than the other one was.”
Strang said the reason the former Middlesboro Bridge failed was because it didn’t have support pilings drilled down into the earth, so floodwaters undermined the bridge and it collapsed. He said the new bridge has those pilings drilled down 80 feet to prevent the bridge from being destroyed again.
“[It’s a] significantly different construction method,” Strang said of the new bridge.
Goetz said the bridge took just a year to construct, and will restore faster access to Collettville and be a boon to the local economy because the bridge is also a link to an industrial part of town, as well as the rodeo grounds.
He said the bridge’s completion also helps make Merritt feel whole again, with the destroyed bridge no longer there to remind the community of the flood’s devastation.
“It’s a very exciting day. It’s a happy day, we’ve got a lot of people here, and we’re just looking forward to having this
Middlesboro Bridge reopens to traffic three years after being destroyed by flood waters.
Photo/Laísa Condé
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‘Feds haven’t given us a penny – all they’ve given us is grief’
From Page 1
bridge open again so we can just get back to normal,” Goetz said.
Strang said one unique feature of the 2021 flood was how quickly and without warning the incident happened.
“”It was a bit of a surreal experience,” Strang said of the flooding. “Being here today … it’s like it never happened. We can move on past what happened.”
Merritt resident Ross Stewart lives on a corner lot directly adjacent to the Middlesboro Bridge.
The journeyman carpenter didn’t see the bridge collapse in 2021 because he and his wife had already been evacuated, but he has spent the last year watching construction crews rebuild it.
“They did a beautiful job — I watched every day, and just the quality of the bridge, the engineering, everything is amazing,” he said.
Strang said the hardest part of the bridge project was figuring out how to pay for it.
“A lot of our time was just spent finding the funds and engineering,” he said.
The bridge cost about $14 million to rebuild, with almost all of the cash coming from the provincial government. The City of Merritt chipped in about $800,000 of its own dollars, but, despite promises, there were no funds sent from Ottawa.
“Feds haven’t given us a penny — all they’ve given us is grief,” Goetz said.
Strang said past federal Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair, while visiting Merritt for the flooding in November 2021, vowed that the government would assistSouthern Interior communities with flood recovery.
Strang said the only avenue the federal government had to do that was a disaster mitigation adaptation fund, for which they
“They don’t currently have another mechanism, or at least they haven’t told us a mechanism to make good on their word,” Strang said.
“At this current time, we have no word from the federal government on how they plan on making good on their promises, and we’re waiting anxiously to hear from them, because there’s a lot of other work that needs to be done to protect this community.”
Strang said the last big piece of infrastructure that needed to be restored in the city was the Middlesboro Bridge and he’s looking forward to future flood mitigation work.
Strang said he has “a laundry list” of those projects.
He said there was some diking that was also wiped out in the 2021 flood that needs to be built to a higher standard that gives the rivers more room to move.
“We can’t constrain the river into a small kind of bowling alley corridor, because you’re going to get a flood and it’s going to rip that through,” Strang said.
He said the city currently is prioritizing a naturalization project at the confluence of the Nicola and Coldwater Rivers, in which they are buying out flood destroyed properties and naturalizing the corridor to give the river a chance to decelerate and avoid transferring the risk from fast flowing water downstream.
During the ceremony Goetz said there are still residents fighting for insurance funding for their losses during the flood and Strang said there are still people who have not been able to return to their homes.
Wills & Estate Planning
invited the City of Merritt to apply. That application, however, was denied.
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Three years of lessons from flood recovery
Condé editor@merrittherald.com
Three years after first arriving in a flood-ravaged Merritt, Samaritan’s Purse is reflecting on the hundreds of residents helped and the even larger number that volunteered along the way.
In November of 2021, Samaritan’s Purse arrived in Merritt to provide initial disaster reliefs through cleanup and sanitization of flood-affected properties.
By March of 2022, the non-profit organization hired long-term recovery specialists Bobbie Labelle and Sherry Peterson to continue to provide support to the community.
“As long-term recovery specialists, we come to offer the gift of just being there, coming alongside the flood-affected individuals and families in their recovery by helping them identify their physical, emotional, spiritual and economical needs,” Labelle said at the latest council meeting.
Throughout the three years of operation, the Samaritan’s Purse provided support to 340 individuals in the community, with 77 of those being long investment support – cases where the staff met more than once with the same individuals – as well as 103 referrals.
“Our original scope in our project was to assist approximately 250 individuals. We’re pleased to report that we actually helped about 340 individuals,” Sherry Peterson said at the council meeting.
“We had 103 referrals out of those and this was important when our resources were not what they needed, and to be able to connect them where they needed to go so they continue in their recovery process.”
The non-profit organization also partnered with the City of Merritt’s temporary housing team and flood mitigation and recovery department as well as seven churches – five local churches, one located in Kamloops and another in Chilliwack.
“While Samaritan’s Purse does not do rebuilds, not here in Canada anyways, there were instances where Kamloops’ (St. Andrew’s) Presbyterian Church and the Reformed Church of North America in Chilliwack paid for needed home repair materials,” Labelle explained.
“These two churches generously paid for items which would have posed to be a massive barrier to recovery for many of our residents.”
The Samaritan’s Purse had over 890 volunteers throughout the three years, with 875 coming from B.C. and all over Canada and 15 were local.
“Thank God for our amazing Merritt volunteers. How can you not talk about
it? There’s 890 of them and some of them are locals and that is community capacity, that’s amazing,” Peterson complemented.
Both long-term recovery specialists also shared some of the lessons learned during the three years of operations in Merritt.
“One of the things that we learned in the process of providing recovery assistance was that there were folks that required help in navigating technology and oftentimes they were seniors who didn’t have or didn’t know how to use electronics for communication,” Peterson said.
Another issue that the team noticed was the possibility of social barriers in communities that surround Merritt along Highway 8 as well as in First Nations’ communities. The other issue they’ve found was lack of social capital and limited assets.
“Believe it or not there were folks who had no idea where to get help and that there was even help being offered. These people, most of them, would live off grid or close to it, people who were isolated or had limited contact with others,” Labelle said.
According to Labelle, others thought that only church members were receiving the help being offered.
As their contract ends in December, both recovery specialists hope that there will be a continued partnership with the local churches and the emergency management coordinator.
“We helped (the local churches) to identify some of their physical as well as human resource assets that could be deployed in times of emergency or disaster,” Peterson said.
Peterson added that a spreadsheet is going to be shared with the emergency management coordinator so that he will also have more resources to refer to in times of emergency or disaster.
She also added that an ongoing development of social capital between businesses and residents would be beneficial as it would “increase the community capacity and long-term resilience of the city of Merritt.”
At the end of their presentations, the council thanked them for all of their work in the community.
“I’d just like to thank you for your organization for all you did,” Coun. Wendy Charney said. “It’s invaluable and I think that the community appreciates everything you did, so thank you.”
Counc. Dana Egan inquired if the organization had future plans in permanently settling in Merritt, to which Peterson said that the Samaritan’s
Laísa
VIEWPOINT
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By Shobha Mitra – member of the Merritt Baptist Church
DIXON: Planning for health will bring a stress-free holiday season
The holiday season can be a whirlwind of excitement, from shopping and gatherings to meal prep and endless to-do lists. But amidst the joy, stress can sneak in, especially when health routines fall by the wayside. The key to a stress-free holiday season is planning for health: make a list, break it into manageable tasks, and don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Start with meal planning. Healthy eating can easily be sidelined with rich, indulgent holiday dishes. This year, plan meals in advance by listing nutritious options and prepping ingredients ahead of time. Not only does this save time, but it also ensures you’re making healthier choices. Set aside a day each week to prepare snacks or even cook dishes you can freeze, making healthy choices convenient and quick when things get busy.
LETTER to the editor
Don’t forget about exercise. Even short daily movement can make a big difference in managing stress and keeping energy levels high. Consider incorporating family walks, stretching sessions, or fun activities like ice skating or dancing to keep everyone active and engaged.
Sleep, too, plays a critical role. Aim for consistent rest by setting a reasonable bedtime, creating a relaxing evening routine, and avoiding caffeine later in the day. Good sleep is essential for mental clarity and emotional resilience—two things that are invaluable during the holidays!
Finally, remember that asking for help isn’t a weakness; it’s a smart way to share the load. Whether it’s getting assistance with decorations, sharing cooking duties, or enlisting family members to help with errands, delegating can ease your burden.
With a little planning and self-care, you can embrace the holiday season with more joy, less stress, and a healthier mindset. After all, prioritizing your well-being means you’re also creating a season to remember—without the overwhelm!
Merritt residents express appreciation for flyers in the Herald
Editor,
So nice to see all the flyers in the paper this week. I am more likely to shop somewhere when I have an opportunity to look through their flyer first and usually find several items more than my planned list after going through flyers. And, I have a tendency to go where the sale flyers were advertised and skip other stores. Let’s hope more businesses decide to advertise this way.
Susan Merritt resident
Editor,
Happy to see some of the larger businesses flyers back in the Herald. Home Hardware and others still do and always have. When we moved to Merritt in 21’, we furnished our entire house with furniture purchased from City Furniture. To be quite honest we don’t even think of them now. Out of sight, out of mind. We’ve lived and our kids grew up in small communities in Ontario and B.C. for the last 38 years. Small newspapers are the lifeblood of a small town. They keep us abreast of the current community news and goings on. Please continue to support our Herald.
Rod Courtepatte
Merritt resident
Editor,
Just a note to the publisher that it’s great to see the London Drugs and Canadian Tire flyers back in the paper. As a regular customer of both establishments it’s nice to be able to see the sales without having to go “online.” Keep up the great work!
Steve Hagen
Merritt resident
Editor,
Glad to see the flyers!
Ellen Nast
Merritt resident
Editor,
Please add my name to the list for the corporations to keep distributing their flyers through the local newspaper - Merritt Herald - vs. through the mail.
Darcy Protasivich
Merritt resident
If you’d like to keep seeing your favourite flyers in our newspaper, we need your support! Email your letters to publisher@merrittherald.com or drop them off at #201-1951 Garcia St – right above Merritt Printing.
From the Herald archives: Nov., 1988
HONOURING VOLUNTEERS
On Nov. 24, Coquihalla House held its annual volunteer appreciation night for the people who give of their time and energy for the care facility. Volunteering takes many forms, from the very active people who help with the daily programs, run errands, take residents to doctor appointments, help with special events and outings, the staff and their spouses who help out above and beyond the call of duty. The people are too numerous to mention but without them the lives of residents would not be as rich and intesting as they are.
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.
BONNIE DIXON HEALTHY CONVERSATIONS
NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Mayor hoping to extend the contract
From Page 5
Purse’s goal is to “see the community developing in a way that they can be self-sufficient.”
Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz added that there was and still is a lot of work being done by the non-profit organization during and after the flood related to emotional trauma and is hoping to extend the contract.
“I’ve phoned their supervisors to see if we could extend the contract,” the mayor said. “He’s looking into it to see if they can
Flood
stay because we still have 20 (somewhat) properties of people that need to be bought out and at some point they’re going to have to face the fact that that’s going to happen and we need somebody here for that.
The mayor also extended his gratitude for all their work and dedication during a tough time.
“We certainly appreciate all the work you did, it was a very tough time,” Goetz added. “Thank you very much and hopefully we can make all of that work.”
survivors still struggling three years after
On the western edge of Merritt, off of McMillan St. and situated directly on the bank of the Coldwater River, was once a small 19-trailer mobile home park called Trees Trailer Park.
In the early hours of the morning of Nov. 15, 2021 when the Coldwater River began to overflow, Trees Trailer Park was a virtual ground zero for the widespread damage that would follow, with little by way of defense against the river and so being hit rapidly and hard by flood waters.
Cherylle Douglas and her daughter Candice Pollard both had homes in Trees and on the three year anniversary of the floods they recalled the harrowing experience.
“At 1:30AM there was a pounding on the door and police and fire were in the park saying you guys have to evacuate, the river is going to come over,” said Douglas.
While Pollard, who under normal circumstances would have been celebrating her birthday with family and friends that day, and her two sons opted to evacuate, heading to
Pollard’s father’s house in an unaffected part of Merritt, Douglas, like many, declined to leave at that time.
“I was going to stay because of the birds and the animals, but I came out about a half hour or forty five minutes later and looked at how much water was there and I thought I have to get out of here before it gets too bad.”
At this point Douglas walked the few blocks to rejoin her daughter and grandsons who were already loading up a toy hauler trailer along with Pollard’s father.
“We loaded up the trailer with what we could, I made sure my cats had food and my three chihuahuas came with me, and other than that we just loaded as best we could and headed out to Walmart, the muster point, and then broke down and couldn’t go any further,” said Douglas.
“We had a brake failure and could not go any further,” Pollard explained.
“The mechanic from Kamloops was told he couldn’t come in city limits and Walmart is within city limits.” Because they
The aftermath of the 2021 flood at the Trees Trailer Park in Merritt. Photo/Cherylle Douglas
Morgan Hampton CONTRIBUTOR
Living in a precarious situation
From Page 8
had only intended the trailer as a temporary solution to get them to ESS in Kamloops, it was extremely overcrowded housing five people, four pet birds, and ten dogs - including two Saint Bernards.
Friends took in one of Pollard’s sons but quarters were still cramped, and Pollard estimates that there were about six other trailers stranded at Walmart with no where to go. Friends clandestinely delivered groceries and every two to four days supplies were fetched from Kamloops.
“It was the worst three weeks of my life,” said Pollard of those 21 days evacuated.
“The City handled it all wrong. All we asked from the City was a porta potty and a dumpster and they said no in not so nice terms and told us we should have left, but please show me a hotel that would take ten dogs and three birds.”
Finally the family could take no more and decided to return to Pollard’s father’s home, which was not damaged during the flood but still under an evacuation order. From there they were able to return to Trees for the first time and assess the damage to their homes.
“It was like walking into a war zone,” said Douglas.
“I stood there and I looked at my trailer, I looked at my daughter’s trailer, then back to my trailer and I cried. I just cried for probably ten minutes. I couldn’t believe it would be that bad and there would be that much damage in such a short period of time.”
“I lost three bearded dragons and a parrot we couldn’t get out, as well as a cat,” added Pollard.
Both trailers were written off as unlivable but Pollard’s still stands and is being used as a makeshift storage space. Douglas fell and broke her hip trying to retrieve items from her home and has now had two surgeries to repair the damage.
Both say that the lack of financial assistance after the flooding has left them in a very precarious situation.
“We were offered nothing,” said Douglas.
“We had no insurance, Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) paid my daughter out because she owned her trailer, but they paid her $3,000 for contents and trailer. For my contents I think I got $2,100. I’m living in a motorhome. I bought a motorhome for a good price and I just moved into that and live basically where Candice’s trailer was, I’m plugged into her hydro.”
Samaritan’s Purse paid for the skirting Douglas used to insulate the RV, but “other than that I’m on my own,” she said. “It’s been hard. It’s hell.”
“We lost everything,” Pollard said simply.
“I’ve hit the I hate Merritt stage, there was no support for any of us. I’m sleeping on my dad’s couch. I would love to have a bit of privacy but I don’t have the money to buy a new place. I’m on disability so I have no extra money to save, I don’t even have a dresser. If it wasn’t for my dad we would be homeless.”
The City of Merritt, in partnership with the Province of BC, installed several new mobile homes in Diamond Vale Trailer Park as transitional housing for those affected by the floods. However, nearly a decade prior Pollard had fallen behind on rent and so, looking at her history, her initial application was denied. Further details ended up closing out the transitional housing option for her entirely.
“We couldn’t afford to live in Diamond Vale Trailer Park,” explained Douglas.
“We were offered a trailer in there if we got rid of the Saint Bernards, but it was still $1,400 a month plus utilities. Here we were only paying $400 a month in pad rent. That’s a big jump and we just couldn’t do that, there’s no way, so we turned it down.”
Recently, Pollard was informed that her former home would be auctioned off in the City tax sale due to unpaid property taxes. While a mobile home is on rented land, the home itself is subject to taxes, taxes which continued to accumulate even after the trailer was condemned very shortly after the flood.
Pollard said it would make no difference to her, other than the fact that she cannot afford to move her belongings into a storage unit as she would like, somewhere she would not have to deal with rodents and mould.
“Then mine could be demolished and it would at least be closure,” she said.
“Now I have a trailer that I’m slowly watching rot and there’s not a thing I can do. It hurts and it’s so hard to go over there because it’s just reopening the wounds.”
As the third anniversary of the flooding passes, both Douglas and Pollard explain the apprehension they feel every year, particularly as they note that very little has been done by way of flood mitigation in their neighbourhood.
“Nothing has been done over here and the dyking is giving away, the green dyking that the military put in, it’s starting to collapse,” explained Douglas.
“The canvas is starting to deteriorate so it’s starting to collapse. It’s either going to go into the river and cause more problems or hit the road and that’ll be that. They’re not doing anything.”
“I’m still traumatized and every
New playground for Diamond Vale Elementary coming soon
Morgan Hampton CONTRIBUTOR
Diamond Vale Elementary will soon be the site of a brand new, accessible intermediate playground thanks to $195,000 in grant funding provided by the Province of B.C.’s Playground Equipment Program (PEP), now in its sixth year.
“We wanted to ensure that students, staff, and parents had a voice in the new design and have been going through a consultation process in the past couple of months,” said Diamond Vale Elementary principal, Becky Puterbough.
“For consultation I took multiple designs to each class, staff meeting and PAC and asked them to work in groups to talk about what they liked or would change about each design. Every student in the school had a chance to voice their thoughts. Students, staff, and PAC attendees all voted on their favourite design.”
In 2023 the PEP provided $5 million towards 25 new school playgrounds in 25 school districts, with
the amount of funding increasing to $195,000 per playground from the previous amount of $165,000.
“Now that we have selected the design, we are working with the company to finalize dates for installation, which will hopefully be in early spring,” continued Puterbough.
“The playground has high and low features, and there will be a roundabout on a rubberized surface that allows for wheelchairs and will have easier access for those with less mobility.”
According to a government of B.C. news release, Minister of Education and Child Care, Rachna Singh noted, “Playgrounds are excellent for our kids’ physical and mental health, and are spaces where they can be themselves and express their fun-loving nature. Our government is helping communities throughout the province with better access to modern playground equipment that will benefit everyone.”
‘I lost everything. Every day is still hard’
From Page 9
rain storm keeps me up,” Pollard admits.
“Every rain storm, every atmospheric river keeps me up all night because I worry it’s going to happen again. Especially because there is nothing solid at the trailer park to help with the river bank. I call mom every time it rains to make sure her motorhome starts and she can drive away. I can’t sleep, I barely eat, I just stress.”
“I worry about tomorrow,” agreed Douglas.
“I get up every day and worry about tomorrow, but especially right now. I go to bed, and especially on the anniversary of the flood I waited and I kept thinking ‘Oh my god they’re going to come again. They’re going to
come pound on my door.’ It was like PTSD times three.”
For some. Nov. 15, 2021 is just a distant memory, but not so for those who still live with its consequences.
“I wish people could understand when people say to Candice and I to just get over it, you don’t get over it,” Douglas said.
“I don’t care what anybody tells you, you never get over it no matter what. I’ll always go through this every year... I wish people understood that you just don’t get over it. People say to her and to me it was three years ago, it’s over, it’s done. Yes, it was. But I lost everything. Every day it’s still hard.”
PASSPORT
RULES & REGULATIONS
1. With a minimum purchase of $20 you will receive one entry form from the store clerk, up to 20 entry forms ($400) per purchase. The entry form must have a MH stamp or the business stamp, or entry will be invalid.
Getintotheholidayspiritwitheverything youneedfor afestiveseason:
• FreshChristmasTreesarrivingsoon!
•DeliciousPartyPlatters foryourcelebrations.
•UniqueGiftstodelight yourlovedones.
Visitusforallyourholidayessentials& makethisseasonunforgettable! Staytunedfortreearrivalupdates.
2. Be sure to bring a pen so you can fill in the entry then, or you can bring your entry back at a later date.
3. Boxes will be provided at the stores to drop off your entry.
4. All prizes awarded in Gift Certificates. 1st Place: $1100 2nd Place: $500, 3rd Place: $300. WINNERS WILL BE DRAWN FROM ALL COMPLETED ENTRY FORMS RECEIVED BY DEC. 20, 2024 AT 10 AM. Prizes must be accepted as awarded, no cash value.
5. There is no limit to the total number of entries.
6. The winners must be 19 years of age or older.
7. Double entries if you purchase a food bank donation from one of the local participating businesses.
8. Final draw to be made December 20, 2024.
TO CHRISTMAS
Shopping local benefits both the community and the
• Supports Local Economy: Local businesses reinvest in the community, creating
and boosting
• Builds Community: Shopping local fosters connections and strengthens the community’s identity.
• Reduces Environmental Impact: Local businesses often source products nearby, cutting down on transportation and packaging waste.
• Ensures Unique Offerings: Local shops offer oneof-a-kind products and personalized service.
• Keeps the Community Vibrant: Thriving local businesses contribute to a bustling, lively town.
Choosing to shop local keeps your money in the community and helps it thrive.
ENTRY
Donating to a food bank directly supports vulnerable families in your community, providing them with access to nutritious meals and reducing food insecurity. It strengthens community resilience, reduces food waste by redistributing surplus, and brings hope, especially during the holidays. Every contribution promotes better health and well-being, making a meaningful difference in the lives of your neighbours.
NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Merritt Fire Hall to feature new FireSmart garden soon
The Merritt Fire Hall is seeing a long time plan come to fruition with the installation of a new FireSmart garden.
The garden will be completed in spring/summer 2025, and members of Merritt Fire Rescue are eager to have the new resource at their disposal.
“It will serve as an educational showcase, offering visitors practical insights into wildfire-resilient landscaping tailored to our region,” explained Fire Chief Dave Tomkinson.
“It will demonstrate fire-resistant landscaping principles and practices to help residents enhance their properties’ resilience to wildfire threats. The garden will feature fire-resistive and droughttolerant plants, complemented by descriptive signage and storyboards that highlight their benefits.”
In addition, the garden will show
samples of inorganic mulch materials and provide information to homeowners about wildfireresistant roofing and siding options. Area inappropriate building materials and landscaping, such as shredded cedar or wood chip mulch, vinyl siding, and untreated shake or shingle roofing, can turn your home into a tinderbox in the event of a fire.
“This initiative, years in the making, required significant effort to secure the necessary funding,” said Tomkinson.
“The garden’s construction is entirely grantfunded through the Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP) and locally, Barkman Concrete has generously supported the project by providing hardscaping materials.”
LGCAP funding is provided based on strict criteria, which includes: “Improving education and raising awareness of causes and solutions of climate change”
and, “Actions that result in resilience to future climate conditions, including preparing risk assessments”.
The new FireSmart garden will integrate principles from the FireSmart BC Landscaping Guide such as, “Slow the spread of fire by spacing out your trees, increase your home’s ability to withstand wildfire by breaking the continuity of your plants, reduce the number and size of spaces where embers can accumulate.”
Vegetation will come from the Fire Hall promoted FireSmart BC Plant Program, of which Purity Feed Farm and Garden Centre Merritt is a local partner.
“Once complete, the garden will be a vital learning tool, supporting the FireSmart Coordinator in promoting wildfire preparedness and resilience throughout the community,” concluded Tomkinson.
Morgan Hampton CONTRIBUTOR
The new garden at the Merritt Fire Hall aims to promote fire-resistant landscaping practices. Photo/Dave Tomkinson
Holiday Smile Cookie campaign underway
Laísa Condé editor@merrittherald.com
Tim Horton’s Holiday Smile Cookie week kicked off this week and Merrittonians have the chance to support a local non-profit organization.
This week until Nov. 24, 100 per cent of proceeds from each Smile Cookie sold in Merritt will support the Merritt Youth and Family Resources Society.
Lenora Fletcher, executive director at Merritt Youth and Family Resources Society, said the non-profit organization is honoured to be this year’s recipient.
“We try to tap into existing programs that will help minimize costs and of course, through donations and grants and activities such as this. We’re grateful for it because every little bit helps,” she added.
The organization, which has been in operation for over 45 years, provides special needs, family, child care and autism
support to families in the community.
“We do one-on-one support for children but if the families themselves need support, we try to help them as best as we can,” Fletcher added.
Fletcher said that those in the community who wish to get involved or support the society beyond purchasing the holiday cookies are more than welcome to join.
“We’re always looking for volunteers. I’ve had elders come and read a story with the kids, I’ve had elders come and donate their time,” she said. “We’ve had families donate items that they don’t need anymore. Sometimes it might be furniture related, sometimes it might be toys, car seats that haven’t expired and then we pass them on to our families.
“There’s so many different little things we do and it’s not just for Merritt, it’s for the Nicola Valley that we work with.”
FRONTLINEFILES
Watchdog clears Merritt Mounties in head-on crash that killed three near Logan Lake
Police actions have been ruled out as the cause of a head-on crash that killed three people last year west of Kamloops.
Emergency crews were called to a stretch of Highway 97D outside Logan Lake a little before noon on July 23, 2023, for a report of a fatal collision.
The collision was the result of the reckless driving of a man police had dealt with a few hours earlier, when he was being kicked out of a motel in Merritt.
Investigators determined the man, whose name has not been made public, crossed the centre line on Highway 97D. When an oncoming vehicle swerved to miss him, he swerved at the same time and caused the head-on crash.
A toxicology analysis showed the man was over the legal limit for THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, and he had higher than usual levels of antihistamine in his system, but he was not otherwise impaired.
Relatives told police the man’s mental health had deteriorated in the months prior and he was paranoid.
“Attempts were made by family members to try to medically assist [him] with his mental health, but those efforts were not successful,” Jessica Berglund, head of the Independent Investigations Office, said in a written decision.
Berglund said IIO investigators were unable to connect the man’s reckless driving to the actions of the police officers who had been dealing with him about 90 minutes earlier.
Two Mounties said they spent 20 or 30 minutes with the man, and they did not believe him to be impaired when they parted ways. In fact, they said he was in good spirits — “friendly and more relaxed” than he had been previously.
“[The man] made a critical decision which resulted in a collision, killing both himself and two other people,” Berglund wrote.
“This is a very tragic case for the family and friends of all those involved. However, the officers were not responsible for these tragic deaths and no criminal liability flows to them as a result.”
A few families in the Nicola Valley will have their Christmas miracle this year.
The Merritt Minor Hockey U11 AtoMC - Holmes walked around Merritt on Nov. 13, looking for some food donations to help give back to the community.
Tim Petruk CASTANET
NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Merritt RCMP marks Remembrance Day with Red Serge
FireSmart fund shift
Laísa Condé editor@merrittherald.com
Merritt city council has unanimously supported the reallocation of unspent Community Resiliency Investment funding towards offsetting FireSmart position costs.
City of Merritt, “to date, the FireSmart program has utilized $140,578.69 of the allocated funds for FireSmart Programming, and $45,182 for salaries, leaving a surplus of $14,091.31.
The RCMP is Canada’s national police force and as such plays a significant role in our country’s Remembrance Day ceremonies, which take place across all provinces and territories in thousands of communities both large and small, including Merritt.
This year Staff Sergeant Josh Roda, Merritt RCMP Detachment Commander, took part in the Nov. 11 ceremony and spoke to the personal meaning of the day.
“We had nine officers, including myself attend in Red Serge for the ceremony,” said Roda.
“Interestingly, the RCMP is a paramilitary organization, steeped in tradition. Officers of the Royal North West Mounted Police participated in WWI and RCMP officers participated in WWII, which makes marching in Red Serge extra special.”
The RCMP came about through an amalgamation in 1920 of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police (RNWMP), established in 1873 as the Northwest Mounted Police, and the Dominion Police. The RNWMP had been a paramilitary organization since its inception and this role was then passed on to the RCMP.
Those in attendance may have also noticed a heavy police presence outside of the ceremonial contingent of officers.
“When we attend events in Red Serge we are required to have multiple overwatch officers, in regular
uniform, to ensure the safety of the officers marching,” explained Roda.
“An overwatch officer is our term for an officer assigned as security for the event. They are responsible to ensure the police marching and public attending are kept safe.”
There were also several officers attending, like civillians, to pay their respects.
“During the ceremony this year our general duty officers and supervisor that were on shift were able to attend the ceremony between calls for service, as they wanted to be a part of honoring those that gave their lives for our freedom,” said Roda.
“This resulted in more officers than usual in regular uniform attending the event. We also had a uniformed Kamloops Police Dog Service officer attend our ceremony to watch a family member participate in it.”
Although the First World War ended 106 years ago in 1918 - providing us with the Armistice of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month that we continue to honour - Staff Sgt. Roda believes it is just as important now to recall the sacrifices of those millions who have given their lives in service to their country and their fellow countrymen.
“It’s such a privilege to put on the Red Serge and march on Remembrance Day,” said Roda.
“I believe it so important that we as Canadians continue to honour those that gave their lives for our freedom, and I encourage anyone that missed the ceremony this year to attend with us next year.”
City seeks $50K grant for 2025 Canada Day festivities
The City of Merritt is submitting a Canada Day grant application to fund Canada Day celebrations in 2025. At the Nov. 12 city council meeting, council approved unanimously that city staff submit an application for a Canada Day grant program from the Department of Canadian Heritage.
According to the Government of Canada’s website, “the Celebrate Canada funding program provides funding to community-based activities celebrating and promoting National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, Saint-JeanBaptiste Day on June 24, Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27 and Canada Day on July 1.”
According to a city’s report, the city will be requesting $50,000 to host a Canada Day celebration and will use the funding to: rent inflatable items – such as bouncy castle, games – a marquee tent, a misting station, a public announcement system; hire entertainers like a face painter, live band, DJ and a drone light show; and cover administrative costs for employees working at the event.
Also according to the report, the City of Merritt spent $5,090 on Canada Day celebrations in 2024 and are currently budgeting $5,000 for celebrations in 2025.
The Celebrate Canada grant program can fund up to 100 per cent of eligible expenses up to $50,000 per fiscal year.
This year, the City of Merritt was awarded a Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) grant through the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) in $199,852.
The funding was designated for the FireSmart program, aimed at enhancing community resilience against wildfires through various preparedness and mitigation activities.
According to a city’s report by Steve Rempel, FireSmart coordinator at
“By reallocating the remaining surplus to fund FireSmart positions, the city would not only avoid forfeiting unused funds but also offset FireSmart program salary costs by a substantial amount,” the report reads. Also according to the report, by utilizing the surplus for FireSmart staff salaries, it would decide the city’s direct financial burden as the costs would be covered under the Community Resiliency Investment grant.
www.angelsanimalrescue.ca
Tomakeanappointment tomeetyournewbestfriend Phone/text: (250)378-5223 (250)574-1316 email: aarsrescue@gmail.com
Morgan Hampton CONTRIBUTOR
Merritt RCMP officers in Red Serge at the Remembrance Day ceremony in Merritt to honour veterans and fallen soldiers. Photo/Morgan Hampton
Laísa Condé editor@merrittherald.com
Split weekend for the Merritt Centennials against Fernie and Chase
Laísa Condé editor@merrittherald.com
Friday, Nov. 15 – Merritt Centennials 1, Fernie Ghostriders 4
The Merritt Centennials hit the ice on Friday as they face the Fernie Ghostriders in Merritt.
The first period saw Fernie dictating the game, with 11 shots on goal against seven for the Centennials.
Steven Foster opened the scoring to give the Centennials a 1-0 lead by the end of first period.
But the lead would soon be gone as the Ghostriders would dominate the game and add three unanswered goals during the second period, turning it into a 3-1 game.
Fernie’s victory was crowned by an empty net goal by Braeden Jack in the final two minutes.
The Merritt Centennials fell 4-1 to the Fernie Ghostriders, breaking their three-win streak.
Saturday, Nov. 16 – Merritt Centennials 4, Chase Heat 3
The Merritt Centennials defeated the Chase Heat 4-3 on Saturday at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.
Mathis Perron stopped 34 out of 37 shots to help lead the Cents in a tight and physical victory over Chase.
The Heat came out of the gate strong and put a lot of pressure on Merritt. Despite the visiting team’s dominance through the first period, Sam Giangualano found the back of the net for the Centennials, opening the score just over 10 minutes in.
Steven Foster, assisted by Giangualano and Brayden Thurlow, added another one for Merritt in the first period.
During the second period, Alex Cordero put it past the goalie for the Centennials just under a minute into the second period, making the score 3-0.
However, Chase responded just seconds later as Aidan Hicks found the back of the net for the first time for the visiting team.
Chase would then add another two goals in the final frame, making the score tied in 3-3.
The tied lead would carry until the very last four minutes of the game, when Steven Foster (12) scored the winning goal of the game for Merritt.
With the 4-3 win over Chase, the Centennials found their way back into the win column.
Callie Langlois SPECIAL TO THE HERALD
1) How did you know when you wanted to play hockey?
When I first stepped on the ice and played, I started when I was 3 years old.
2) What is your favourite meal before game time?
Pasta and chicken.
3) Favourite animal?
I like all animals but cats are probably my favourite.
Photos/Laísa Condé
A festive kickoff for the holiday season in Merritt
Morgan Hampton
Merritt Country Christmas Week is about to kick off and Merrittonians are looking forward to the beloved event that heralds the beginning of the festive season in the Nicola Valley.
It may surprise some to know that the entire week, and all of the events that includes, are organized by a volunteer committee of just eight dedicated Merrittonians who get the work done with an enthusiasm that rivals even Santa’s elves.
“Each member works diligently to put on events for our community to celebrate the holiday season,” said volunteer, Angela Duhy.
“This community is full of our families, friends, neighbors, and clients. Seeing them at the events during the week - and the fun, joy, and spirit of the season on all the smiling faces - makes all the hours we spend planning and organizing worth every minute!”
In keeping with the community spirit, all events are open to
everyone and free to attend.
This year at the Christmas Tree Light Up in Spirit Square, Just Jerry Karaoke will be on hand to provide music - karaoke Christmas carols anyone? And new this year on Nov. 26 is a showing of the Polar Express thanks to NVIT. The Community Christmas Concert will also feature several new acts this year.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Country Christmas without the Santa Clause Parade on Friday, Nov. 29, which will be livestreamed on the Chamber of Commerce Facebook page for those who can’t attend in person. After the parade, Santaland at the Civic Centre welcomes kids of all ages to have their photo taken with Santa.
These and a number of other fun events such as the Christmas Craft Fair, breakfast with Santa, and the Love to Dance Christmas recital are not to be missed!
Kids dance to movie hits this winter
Laísa Condé editor@merrittherald.com
A jolly winter dance performance will get movie and dance aficionados all in one place.
Merrittonians are invited to attend the annual special winter concert hosted by Love to Dance on Nov. 27 – with a matinee performance at 12 p.m. and an evening performance at 5 p.m., both at the Merritt Civic Centre.
“Last year’s theme, we did the music of different eras and then in the spring it was different fairy tales. So this one is going to be all about the movies,” said Kia Henriksen, artistic director at Love to Dance. Henriksen said that well known blockbuster movies were chosen for kids ranging from three to 14 years old to perform different genres – from jazz, tap to acro and hip hop.
“I think what’s the most impressive is that for this show, the kids learn it in such a short amount of time,” Henriksen said. “It’s always really exciting to see how much they can take in and then have the courage to go on stage.
“For some of those kids, that’s their first dance experience so it’s always really great to see how it all kind of comes together.”
She added that the motivation to keep organizing events like this comes from how much the kids love to dance.
“The fact that the kids enjoy it is what pushes everyone else who’s involved to just keep going,” Henriksen added.
She also highlighted the significance of events like the winter concert for the community.
“I know that especially around this time of year, it’s always nice to have something to get together and celebrate,” Henriksen said. “I think having that opportunity and getting to share what (the dancers) love with the community makes it really special for the dancers too.”
For those who are thinking about attending, Henriksen hopes they have a great time.
“I really hope everyone comes and I hope they enjoy it. I think the movies that we’ve chosen will be ones that they recognize,” she added.
Crossroads Community Church 2990 Voght St. • 250-378-2911
Service Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m.
Merritt Baptist Church 2499 Coutlee Avenue (at Orme) Sunday service 10 am, Phone (250)378-2464
Merritt Lutheran Fellowship in St. Michael's Anglican Hall • 250-378-9899
Service Time: 3rd Sunday each month 1:30 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 every Sunday - 10 am
Somang Mission Community Church (SMC) 1755 Coldwater Ave. (The
CLASSIFIEDS
July28,1941-November13,2024
Itiswithdeepsorrowandprofoundlovethatwe announcethepassingofRobert(Keith)Hume,born onJuly28,1941inGrandPrairie,Alberta,passed awayonNovember13,2024athomeinLower Nicola,BritishColumbia,surroundedbyfriendsand family.RobertKeithHumewassurvivedbyhissons (Colleen)Hume,RobertHume,Dennis(Toni)Hume,Michael HumeandhisbrotherDougHume.Threegrandchildren,Jessica,EmilyandBen Hume.Predeceasedbyhislovingwife,NellaHume,hisparents,Margretand RobertHume,hissister,LynnHumeandhisdaughter-in-lawRitaMcKay.
As adedicatedmemberoftheCanadianArmForcesandCanadianLegion,he spenthislifeselflesslycaringaboutthecommunityandthosewhosurrounded him.Inhisyoungeryears,Keithwasanactivememberofthecommunity baseball,hockey, curling,botha participant,coach,mentorandhockey, soft/ hardbaseball,sportparentwithhischildrenandgrandchildren.Keith’s lifewas markedbyhisdeeppassionforthebirdcommunityclubs,withmanysuccessful entriesattheannualMerrittFallFairandracingpigeonevents,raisingexotic birdsandpigeons.
WhenKeithlefttheCanadianForces,heworkedintheinsuranceindustry, mineexploration,theminingindustryandinconstructionindustry. Keithalso ownedandranthePetExpressformanyyearswithhiswife,Nella.
Thefamilywouldliketothankthemanydedicatedcaregiverswhoserved Keithwithkindness,loveanddignity.
AmemorialservicewillbeheldattheRoyalCanadianLegion,1940Quilchena Avenue,Merritt,BC,onNovember24,2024at1:00p.m.
Inlieuofflowers,remembrancescanbemadethroughcontributionstoThe RoyalCanadianLegionBranch#96inmemoryofRobert(Keith)Hume. Maythewindbebeneathyourwings.
NewlylicensedNooaitchHeadstar tislooking for:
•Ear ly ChildhoodEducator
•Infant ToddlerEducator
2113Granite Ave.,Merritt,BC 250-378-2141 or1-800-668-3379
There is much talk these daysabout ‘closure’. Saying good-byetosomeone welove, even after theyhavedied, doesn’t require that weput an end tothe relationship.
www.merritthospice.org Email:merritthospice@shaw.ca
•Wages:starting$20to$28
•Steadydayshiftwork
•Studentswelcometoapply
•Noexperiencenecessary
•Willtrain
Excellentmedical&dentalplan
Pleasesubmitresumeinpersonto 1195HoustonStreet,MerrittB.C. 250-378-6161
•Ear ly ChildhoodEducatorAssistant/ responsibleadult
QUALIFICATIONS:
•Certifiedlicenses to practiceinproper field
•Criminal recordcheck
•Child Care FirstAid Certified
We offercompetitive wage/benefits
CONTACT: CatherineHolmes,Manager 2951 FountainSt|MerrittBC|V1K1R5 (250)378-0017 ecemanager@nooaitchband.ca
RobertKeithHume
Scw’exmx Community Health Services Society
POSITION TITLE: Dental Assistant (Certified is an asset)
REPORTS TO: Dental Clinic Manager
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Chairside dental assisting is essential to creating a connection between patients and dentists. The assistant works chairside to the dentist and patient to maintain a collaborative relationship with the oral health-care team to deliver the highest level of patient-centered care.
• We are seeking a positive team member, who is energetic, organized and is a compassionate caring individual. The incumbent is committed to positive and inclusive dental practices and promotes the safety and well-being of patients. The incumbent applies attention to detail and accuracy in all reporting and when necessary, immediately communicates concerns to the appropriate team member.
• Our dental services are available to the public with a focus on serving and meeting the complex needs of local First Nation individuals.
• The successful applicant is eligible for continuing education to receive a Certified Dental Assistant Certification with on-the-job training. (terms of commitment will apply)
• Applicants must have completed and graduated grade 12. No other pre-requisites required.
We offer a competitive salary of $25-$30/hr based on experience and full benefits with a pension. This position is permanent averaging 3-5 days per week Monday to Friday.
Please submit resume to: Stoyoma Dental Clinic 2088 Quilchena Avenue - PO Box 3090 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 or email: palmgren.d@schss.com
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.
PUBLICNOTICE
TheBCMinistryofTransportationandInfrastructureherebygivesnoticethatan applicationhasbeenmadetotheMinisterofTransport,pursuanttotheCanadian Navigable WatersActforapprovaloftheworkdescribedhereinanditssiteandplans. Pursuanttoparagraph7(2)ofthesaidAct,theBCMinistryof Transportationand InfrastructurehasdepositedwiththeMinisterofTransport,ontheon-lineNavigable WatersRegistry(http://cps.canada.ca/)andunder registrynumber11898, adescription ofthefollowingwork,itssiteandplans:
Inordertoimprovehydrotechnical resiliency,fourgroyneswillbeinstalledintheNicola RiveratRattlesnakeBridge(50.411500,-121.298200).Thisworkisbeingdoneto reinstate Highway 8aftertheAtmosphericRiverEventin2021.Newfishhabitatinthefor mofroot wadswillbeincludedinthegroyneinstallationtooffsettheinstreamencroachmentof theprojectimpacts.
Comments regardingtheeffectofthisworkonmarinenavigationcanbesentthrough theCommonProjectSearchsitementionedaboveundertheCommentsection(search bytheabove referencednumber)or, bysendingyourcommentsdirectlyto#820-800 Burrard Street, VancouverBC,V6Z2J8,ifyoudonothaveaccesstotheinternet. However, commentswillbeconsideredonlyiftheyare inwriting(electronicmeans preferable)andarereceivednotlaterthan30daysafterthepublicationofthelast noticeAlthoughallcommentsconformingtotheabovewillbeconsidered,noindividual responsewillbesent.
Signedat Victoria,BCthis 7thdayofNovember, 2024.
JillCarruthers
Ministryof TransportationandInfrastructure ProvincialEnvironmentalManager,HighwayReinstatementProgram 778-362-4548
jill.carruthers@gov.bc.ca
Agent:DaveHayward AssociatedEnvironmental 250-938-5524
haywardd@ae.ca
By virtue of the Warehouse Lien Act, Trigs Storage Ltd claims a lien against a 1998 Prowler Travel Trailer VIN 1EC1Y2520W2389863, owned by William Barney Stirling, who is indebted to Trigs Storage Ltd in the amount of $2700 plus costs. The vehicle will be sold at 372 Hwy 8, Lower Nicola, BC on November 29, 2024 or thereafter.
1. Defunct airline
4. Beverage container
7. A team’s best pitcher
10. Unit of liquid capacity
11. It comes before two
12. Male child
13. Type of wheat
15. One’s mother
16. Upper side of an organism
19. United is one
1. Heat unit
2. __ Faulkner, American writer
3. Guatemalan town
4. Of funny things
5. Actress __ de Armas
6. Agents of one’s downfall
7. Takes forcibly
8. Body lice
9. Large nest of a bird of prey
13. Unhappy
VETERINARY CLINIC
21. Extraction process
23. A being with lesser divine status
24. People living together in a community
25. Luxury automaker
26. This (Spanish)
27. Semitic language
30. Period for a defined purpose
34. Wander aimlessly in search of pleasure
35. Up in the air (abbr.)
14. Popular holiday dessert
17. Habitual drunkard 18. Used of a number or amount not specified 20. Complications
22. Fail to win
27. Before the present
28. Musical genre
29. Flurry
31. 007’s creator
32. Indiana Pacer Toppin
36. American marsupial
41. Decadent dessert
45. Aquatic plant
46. About aviation
47. Summer footwear
50. Rugged mountain ranges
54. With tin
55. Cut on the surface of a hard object
56. Wrapped in cloth
57. Defensive nuclear weapon
33. Midway between north and northeast
37. Feeling
38. Damage another’s reputation
39. Mottled citrus fruit
40. Beauty product
41. They man first, second and third
42. Harness
43. Herb
44. Expressed concern
47. Mississippi scientific area (abbr.)
59. “American Idol” contestant Clay 60. Midway between east and southeast 61. Court decision “__ v. Wade”
62. Born of 63. Soviet Socialist Republic
64. Actress __-Margaret
65. Not even
48. Consumed
49. Nostrils
51. Gathered fallen leaves
52. Express good wishes
53. Monetary unit of Brunei
58. Japanese Buddhist festival
CountryChristmasCommitteepresents
R R AS MER ITT COUNT Y CHRISTM WEEK
MONDAY NOVEMBER25 -SATURDAYNOVEMBER30,2024
MERRITTCOMMUNITY &CHRISTMAS
TREELIGHTUPW/SING-ALONG.MUSIC PROVIDEDBYJUSTJERRY KARAOKE
Monday,November25
6pmatSpiritSquare
Merritt residentsencouraged to turn onhouse
Christmaslightsat6:00pm
Pleasebringwinterhats,mittensandscar vestoputon thetree forthoseless fortunate.
HotChocolateprovided by CrimeStoppers
NVITCHRISTMASMOVIENIGHT
The PolarExpress
Tuesday, November26
NVIT Auditorium6:0 0pm
LIGHTS!CAMERA!DANCE!
Performancepresented by:LovetoDanceAcademy& MerrittDanceSociety
Wednesday, November27
Merritt CivicCenter
LIGHT-UPCHRISTMAS PARADE
Friday, November29
7pmstart(paradelineupstarts5:00pm)
WatchtheparadeasithappensontheCountry Christmas Facebook Page.
Seemapbelowforparade routeor visitMERRITT.CA/CHRISTMAS
COUNTRYCHRISTMASCRAFT FAIR
Merritt CivicCenter
Friday, November29:2pmto9pm Saturday, November30:8:30am to 4pm
PICTURESWITHSANTA
Merritt CivicCenter
Friday, November29:8:0 0pmto9:0 0pm Saturday, November30: 11:00am to 2:00pm
CHILDREN’SCHRISTMASCRAFTS
Merritt CivicCenter
EVENTS
SPONSOREDBY:
Carrie Ware &CompanyInc. HUBInternational
Lear ntoDanceAcademy
MerrittChamberofCommerce NVIT
Q101
MerrittHerald CrimeStoppers
NicolaValleyArtsCouncil
Greg Hewton& Family
Matineeatnoon (doorsopenat 11:00am) Eveningat5pm (doorsopenat4:00pm)
COMMUNITYCHRISTMASCONCERT
Thursday, November28
7pmatMerritt CivicCenter (doorsopenat6:00pm)
Presented by:Nicola ValleyArtsCouncil Saturday, November30:11:00am to 2:00pm
Just Jerr yKaraoke CityofMerritt 2nd AveSigns
