Celebrating Aboriginal Day in Merritt BC June 21, 2019
People in the Nicola Valley Celebrate Aboriginal Day
We celebrated Aboriginal Day in the Nicola Valley Merritt BCon June 21, 2019. Canada’s Governor General proclaimed the first National Aboriginal Day in 1996. Every year since then June 21 is the day for all Canadians to celebrate Canada’s First Nation’s Aboriginal Peoples.
There are three Aboriginal groups in Canada – the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
Celebrating Aboriginal Day in The Nicola Valley Merritt BC
Along with the pounding Heartbeat of Mother Earth, the Regalia worn by the dancers will surely amaze you. A great day at Merritt’s Rotary Park on June 21, 2019. In case you missed it here is my photo collage for you to enjoy.
Aboriginal Day June 21, 2019.
Aboriginal Dance Regalia
Regalia is unique and sacred to each dancer. Therefore not to be ever confused with or referred to as costumes. Regalia is adorned with various materials. Most noteworthy Regalia outfits feature intricate beadwork (often sewn by a family member or friend), while others use ribbons, shiny materials or the use of traditional materials, such as porcupine quills. While the ceremonial dress is beautiful to look at, pow wow etiquette requests that observers not touch or take pictures of dancers’ regalia without permission.
Crystal Spahan with her children dressed in their traditional First Nation regalia.
Crystal’s regalia hand sewn and made by her Aunt.
Crystal Spahan with her two beautiful children in their Regalia.
Beautiful Handmade Regalia
Noteworthy Crystal Spahan’s elaborate shawl is uniquely decorated with distinct flower patterns, beadwork along with flowing fringes.
Back on the Red Road for the last 2 years.
Pow Wow Dances are Expressions of Indigenous Spirituality, History and Culture
In addition with the festivities going on, Aboriginal Day is also a day of learning about Canada’s Indigenous culture. In fact I was honored to meet Stuart Patrick preparing his sons Regalia along with his own. He was ensuring that their regalia was well-secured before their performance. Furthermore, I was welcome to interview Stuart Patrick.
Stuart Patrick
(Q1) Are you from the Nicola Valley?
(Stuart Patrick) I am from Uclue Let (U-Cloo-let) Vancouver Island. I went to 2 residential schools, Christy Residential in Tofino first, and then closed Kamloops Residential School down.
(Q2) When did you start to dance?
(Stuart Patrick) I dance for survival. I have quit cutting my hair, I am done with mourning. We lost our Potlatch rights when I was seven. I have always chased the “Pow wow” We dance for the seven generations before us, and for the seven generations after us. I started walking the “Red Road”. After the second year you pick what you want, like dancing, drumming. You join the circle for life.
Raven Patrick. Pow wow clothing and accessories are created with great care and attention, hold deep meaning and spiritual significance to the dancer.
(Q3) Were did you get your Eagle feathers?
(Stuart Patrick) A Fire Fighter from Merritt found a dead Eagle and gave the feathers to me.
(Q4) Do your children also dance?
(Stuart Patrick) My son Jacob is wearing my first Regalia outfit. And my daughter Raven is wearing the blue Regalia outfit. They both perform regularly throughout BC. We go to Pow Wows and perform at University’s and College’s.
(Q5) Who makes your Regalia?
(Stuart Patrick) Janice Sheena and Abraham Sheena. The beadwork.
(Q6) What dances do you perform?
(Stuart Patrick) I do traditional potlatch mask dancing. The Humming Bird and the Chicken Dance.
Jacob Patrick with his father Stuart Patrick.
In Addition
Celebrating Indigenous Day in full Regalia. Merritt BC Rotary Park.
The Work and Detail that Goes Into These Beautiful Regalia Dress
Desiree Dick has been dancing since she was 3 yrs old. Along with her mother Adriene Johnny & sister Kirsten Dick (Hand Drummer at MSS) they all have a “Passion for the Pow Wow”. Desiree’s Grandmother was the artist behind her Regalia.
Desiree Dick
With The Beating of The Drums and The Dancers Performance
While the Dancers take great care to ensure that their regalia is well-secured before a performance. Losing a part of regalia during a dance could cost a dancer the competition. Although this day was not a competition, but the work and care is very visible.
Cliff…. Stuart Patrick and son Jacob.
Additionally More Beautiful Regalia
Nadine Jules with daughter.
Awesome attendance at Merritt Rotary Park on Aboriginal Day
Furthermore with the beating of the drums and performing dancers. Everyone in attendance had a amazing day!
People enjoying the festivities.
Pounding of Your Heartbeat
Above all hearing the Drum beat along with the vocals gathers all peoples together, regardless of gender, belief, or race. The throbbing pull of the Drum connects us, one to another, with the pounding Heartbeat of Mother Earth.
The Drummers. Leanard Bear Shirt, Robin Boston, Nadine Jules, Joelee Meldrum, Nate Dawgg. Red Spotted Horse.
A Bit of Culture Education
Drumming has always played a significant role in education, healing, history and ceremonies of the Native American peoples. Oral histories and stories, accompanied by drumming, play a vital role in passing on ancestral traditions and customs to new generations.
Warming of the Drum.
The Sound of the Drums Could be Heard Through Out the Nicola Valley
Nate Dawgg. Drummer & Dancer
Additionally A Teepee Was Set Up For All To Enjoy
Getting in touch with my Aboriginal Heritage.
Celebrating Indigenous Culture
Especially seeing all the Regalia and the dancing can transform you back in time.
Full Regalia
After All
Proclaimed June 21 National Aboriginal Day in 1996. It is a day to celebrate Canada’s First Nation’s Aboriginal peoples. Make sure you mark your calendar next year, June 21.
Teepee set up at Merritt BC Rotary Park for Aboriginal Day Celebrations.
https://experiencenicolavalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/DSC05847-2.jpg7671754Tania Stewarthttps://experiencenicolavalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/merrit-nicola-logo-01-300x254.pngTania Stewart2019-07-12 01:23:222019-08-26 17:59:22Celebrating Aboriginal Day In Merritt BC
Country Music Hall of Fame Artist on The Merritt BC Mural Walk – Terri Clark
Canadian Country Hall of Fame Artist – Terri Clark
Clark says, “There’s no formula for making it – everyone has there own journey.”
Results Of A Vision
Country Music Hall of Fame Artist, Terri Clark with over 5 million albums sold, as well as critically acclaimed international tours, and a string of hit singles, has solidified her place in the history books of Canadian Country Music.
Together with being a three time Juno award winner, and Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductee. Clark also holds the honor of being the only Canadian female member of the legendary Grand Ole Opry.
Terri has been named CCMA Female Vocalist of the year, five times and has taken home eight CCMA Fan’s Choice Awards. In total Clark has had the honor of receiving 19 Canadian Country Music Awards.
Canadian Country Hall of Fame Artist – Terri Clark
History Of The Star
Clark was born Terri Lynn Sauson on August 5, 1968 in Montreal Quebec, Canada. Her family moved and settled in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Raised in Medicine Hat, Terri is the third of four children. She has a younger brother Peter and two older sisters Kim and Tina. Terri`s parents divorced when she was young. Her mother remarried and Terri took on her stepfather`s last name.
Terri was part of a musical family. Ray and Betty Gautier, Clark`s grandparents, were both Canadian Country Musicians. They opened for numerous artist including George Jones and Johnny Cash. Her mother was a part of the folk scene playing coffee houses.
The Beginning of a Dream
Terri moved from Medicine Hat after graduation in 1987 to Nashville, Tennessee. She was 18 years old and moved lock, stock and barrel. She didn’t have a green card and didn’t know anybody. The only thing solid thing she took with her was a dream and some faith.
Once she hit Nashville she wandered into Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge and asked if she could sing. She became the club’s house singer after management heard her sing. Even though this was a big step forward she wasn’t there yet. For the next seven years, she sang the clubs and worked odd jobs to survive. She never gave up and continued to try and land a record deal.
“At one point when things weren’t going all that great. I called my mom and I said, “I wanna come home.” She said, “Terri, if you do that, I don’t want you when you are 50 years old, to be sitting there going, “What woulda happened?”
Terri’s roots was traditional country. Traditional country at the time wasn’t something of interest to Country Music executives. But record producer and singer Keith Stegall gave her advice not to give up. Then in 1994, she landed an audition for Mercury Records. After seeing Clark perform live, the label’s president signed her on the spot.
Terri Clark Came Storming Out of Canada 1995-1997
Terri Clark came out of Canada capturing the attention of America’s Country Music Industry.
Clark stayed close to her country roots, even if those roots were closer to new country than traditional country. Clark issued her first single, “Better things to do” in early 1995. The song reached the top five in both the United States and Canada.
Clark was an immediate success upon the release of her debut album in the summer of 1995. The album featured “Better Things To Do”, “When Boy Meets Girl”, “If I were You” and “Suddenly Single”. Terri supported the album with a tour opening for George Strait.
As a result, “If I Were You” became Clark’s first No. 1 hit in Canada in June 1996. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA in the United States on April 5, 1996 and Platinum on July 29, 1997.
In the fall of 1996, Clark’s second album “Just The Same” was released, following the album’s first single, “Poor Poor Pitiful Me,” a cover of the 1976 Warren Zevon song. The single as well as the second single from the album “Emotional Girl,” reached number one in Canada with both songs reaching the top ten in the United States.
Clark earned a nomination, for The Country Music Association’s Horizon Award, as well as the Academy of Country Music Awards Best New Female Vocalist, in the late summer of 1996. During late 1996, Clark earned the award, Single of the Year for “Better Things To Do” including Album of The Year for Terri Clark by the Canadian Country Music Association. She was also named. The Top New Female Artist of The Year by Billboard magazine.
1998 – 2001 Singing What She Knows And Feels
Clark’s third album, “How I Feel,” was released in May 1998. The lead single from that album, “Now That I found You,” reached the top five in both Canada and the United States. The album’s second single, “You’re Easy On The Eyes,” reached number one in Canada as well as the United States. The song also became a minor Top 40 hit, peaking at No. 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. To promote her new album, Terri became the opening act for Reba McIntyre as well as Brooks and Dunn on their 1998 tour.
The release of “Fearless” the fourth studio album in September of 2000, delivered songs with more of an acoustic feel than that of her previous work. The album’s first single “A Little Gasoline”, was a late addition to the album. Mercury executives, of her label felt Clark needed to balance her new material with something that had a more familiar feel to it. Consequently, the song reached the top 10 in Canada. But only placed No 13 in the United States.
In March 1998, Clark visited Calgary, Alberta, Canada to film her first television special, Terri Clark Coming Home. The show premiered March 27, 1998 on CBC in Canada. During the special, Clark was visited by Canadian Country singers, Paul Brandt and George Fox. (Wikipedia)
2002 – 2004 – Grand Ole Opry Induction and A Playboy Magazine Offer
“Pain To Kill” was Clark’s fifth album. The album was released in January 2003, following the release of the album’s first single “I Just Wanna Be Mad”. Sara Evans passed on the song, originally written for her, by Kelley Lovelace and Lee Thomas Miller. Once released as a single, the song became Clark’s highest charting single in the United States. The song charted No 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
” I think of all the young girls who come to my shows. I think of those faces, I think of my mother, and I worry about the signal (sex) sends to them…”
“If I’m sexy enough for Playboy to want me with my clothes on. Then I hope, the message can be, that sexy is about, what’s between your ears, in your heart and your smile.”
Clark who came in second behind Canadian Country singer Shania Twain in a previous year poll, turned down an offer in early 2004 by Playboy magazine to pose, clothed for the cover of the magazine’s upcoming May issue.
During an appearance at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, May 15, 2004. Steve Warner told Clark how much the Opry loved surprises and that he had one for her. Warner extended the surprise invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry family as her mother, Linda Clark, walked on stage holding a sign that read “Grand Ole Opry, June 12.”
” This is the epitome of everything I have existed for in this business and dreamed about as a kid”.
Canadian country music star Terri Clark became a Grand Ole
Opry Member in 2004 and is known for her hits like “Girls Lie
Too,” and more. Picture: Grand Ole Opry
Greatest Hits Album 1994-2004
The future Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductee and the new Grand Ole Opry inductee, introduced her first greatest hits album. “Greatest hits 1994-2004”. The album’s only single. “Girls Lie Too”, became Clark’s first number one hit in the United States since 1998’s, “You’re Easy On The Eyes”. The song did not reach number one in Canada. It hit number one country song of 2004 in Canada by Radio & Records.
A non-album single, “The World Needs a Drink” (co-written by a then-unknown Eric Church), released in 2004, but was not included on any of Clark’s studio albums.
Musical Roots of Country Continue 2005-2010
November 2005, Clark’s new album “Life Goes On” hits the airwaves. All things considered. This would be the last album, Terri would produce with Mercury Records.
June 2006, Clark signed with BNA Records, a division of Sony BMG Label Group. “Dirty Girl”, the first single for the label hit the stands in 2007. Following was “In My Next Life” the title track to the debut BNA release.
Clark’s tour of Canada with Emerson Drive opening for Big and Rich hoping to promote her new album. “My Next Life” was delayed several times. Consequently, the album remained unreleased. She parted ways with BNA in November 2008, in order to concentrate on her career in Canada and possibly launch her own record label. (Wikipedia)
Clark released a live album, “Terri Clark Live: Road Rage”, on her own BareTrack Records label in July 2009 through digital retailers. Clark’s seventh unreleased album through BNA, “The Long Way Home“, shipped to all retailers in Canada and to all digital retailers in the United States on September 1, 2009, distributed by BareTrack/Capitol Nashville/EMI Canada. The album’s release to non-digital retailers in the United States, took place on October 20, 2009.
The Albums Keep On Flowing Through Perseverance and Determination 2011-2013
Clark’s eighth album “Roots and Wings” hit the market on July 26, 2011. The album includes “Smile”, a song she wrote for her mom after her death, due to a long battle with cancer. The album’s lead single, “Northern Girl,” released on April 18, 2011. There is no question that Terri Clark, will be headed for the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
The ninth album released on November 13, 2012, in Canada. The album includes classic country standards. “Love Is A Rose,” is the album’s lead single. Not only does the album duets include Jann Arden, Dierks Bentley, Tanya Tucker, but also Dean Brody as well as Reba McIntire.
Clark took home the CCMA Female Artist of The Year Award in 2011. Terri built a fan base like no other and again took home the CCMA Fan’s Choice Award for 2013.
The Rewards and Vision of a Continuing Career
“Some Songs”. The production and release of Clark’s 10th took place on September 2, 2014. Her 11th album “Raising The Bar” was released on September 4, 2018.
Clark signed on to America’s Morning Show on Nash FM in 2013, as co host to Blair Garner and Chuck Wicks. She co hosted on America’s Morning Show for about a year, before she returned to her road roots.
“I didn’t realize how much I missed it until I started doing it again.”
Country Gold With Terri Clark
The internationally syndicated radio show “Country Gold with Terri Clark, airs on more than 145 stations across the United States as well as Canada. As of April 2016, Terri became the new hostess of the Saturday night classic country program, replacing Randy Owen. Terri earned a 2017 CMA nomination for Broadcaster Personality of The Year as well as a 2018 ACM award for National Broadcast Personality of the year.
Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame Induction
“It is such an honour to be inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. Being celebrated as one of Canada’s most influential country musicians is a recognition I do not take lightly, and one I will forever be proud of. I am deeply grateful to everyone, who has been on this journey with me, especially my fans who I had the opportunity to celebrate with today.”
Terri performed at the Merritt Mountain Music Festival in 2003. Displaying the talent, that would make her the International, Canadian Super Star she is today. She controls the stage in an international fashion, as well as providing her audience with a magical show in True Country Style. She performed the same caliber, and beyond in 2014 at the Rockin River Fest in Mission, BC.
During a 2014 interview by Shawn Conner of the Vancouver Sun, he asked. “Do you miss the bad ol’ days of the Merritt Mountain Music Festival? Terri replied:
“You know what, Merritt, BC is beautiful. Any festival there, whatever you want to call it, is going to be a party. We have the best crowds out west, they like to break loose and have a good time.”
Clark’s Merritt Mountain Music performances including her support of Canadian Country Music, lead to a mural on the wall of the BC Country Murals, included in The Merritt BC downtown Mural Walk. Terri Clark’s mural painted by Michelle Loughery in 2009, is displayed in Spirit Square, on the corner of Granite Avenue and Voght Street.
Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Merritt Attractions – Take The Walk
To begin with, start your downtown mural tour at Merritt’s National Attraction. The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, Situated on Quilchena Avenue in The Country Music Capital of Canada.
“The murals are impressive, I recognized the singers right away. What a clever way to make a small city interesting and fun.” (Betty W Missoula, Montana)
The Merritt Mural Project was created in 2005. The Merritt BC Murals were part of a successful program called, the “Merritt Youth Mural Project”. A project designed for working with local young artists and “ youth at risk”. Merritt Murals were painted by muralist Michelle Loughery.
Walk of Stars Handprints
In addition, while on your mural tour, visit the many handprints of country artists situated throughout the town.
Hundred’s of International Country Music Artists have performed at the annual Merritt Mountain Music Festival. As a result, those stars left their mark permanently, by placing their handprints (or, in one case, footprints) and signatures in concrete stars. As a result, in 2003, those stars became the basis for the Merritt Walk of Stars. In addition, by 2005 more than 100 bronzed stars, created from the concrete impressions, were displayed throughout the community. (Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame)
Above all, the handprints will continue to grow with the Rockin River Music Fest, and add to the existing legacy of the Stars that have visited and performed in Merritt, BC.
Discover and experience the natural beauty and attractions in Merritt and the Nicola Valley!
Terri Clark is very much active at the writing of this blog. Follow her on:
https://experiencenicolavalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/terry-clark-mural3.jpg7841400Melvina Whitehttps://experiencenicolavalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/merrit-nicola-logo-01-300x254.pngMelvina White2019-07-08 16:13:232021-05-03 17:01:40Country Music Hall of Fame Artist – Terri Clark
“Don Messer left a celebrated legacy. He was one of the first Canadian artists to be a recording, radio and TV star, as well as, play live concerts all at the same time. “
Don Messer
Merritt BC attractions, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame and the Merritt Murals, both feature Country Music Legend Don Messer. The country music venue and murals are located in the community of Merritt BC Canada in the Nicola Valley. The community is also the “Country Music Capital of Canada”.
Don was a Canadian band leader, a radio broadcaster, and a defining icon of folk music in the 1960″s.
Born in 1909 in Tweedside, New Brunswick, Don was the youngest of 11 children. It all started at the age of five, while learning fiddle tunes with Irish and Scottish influences. Consequently, by the age of seven he was playing fiddle for square dances on a regular basis fine tuning his craft.
Destined To Be A Merritt BC Attraction
By the time Don was a teenager, he had amassed a collection of hundreds of reels, and jigs, including breakdowns and other pieces for his fiddle. Moreover he was playing endless square dances, and country dances as well as weddings and other parties. At the age of 16 he moved to Boston, Massachusetts where he received formal music lessons, where he learned to read and write music. In short Don Messer created a fiddle style to operate within a band context. As He put it,
“I play the melody and let the accompaniment fill in the details”
Merritt BC Attractions and Legends Must Start Somewhere
Messer began his career with radio. In 1929 at the age of 20, he moved to Saint John, New Brunswick where he joined CFBO radio station. As a result Don became a bandleader recruiting musicians to play on the radio in Saint John. Early recruits Charlie Chamberlain, Duke Nielsen, and Ned Landry formed the New Brunswick Lumberjacks. These band members stayed with Don for the next 39 years.
Messer led a smaller group, the “Backwoods Breakdown” which made up of Charlie Chamberlain, Julius ‘Duke’ Nielsen and Don Messer, himself. He used this group, for personal appearances throughout the Maritimes and Northeastern USA.
“There’s something about my music that seems to upset the emotions.”
Setting The Stage
Messer, one of the Merritt BC Mural Attractions was hired by CFCY Charlottetown in 1939 as their Music Director. It was here he formed the band “The Islanders” and became “Don Messer and The Islanders”. CBC picked up Don Messer and the Islanders show. By 1944 it was airing three times a week.
Formed around 2 of the original members, Charlie Chamberlain and Duke Nielsen, the show established itself as the most popular on Canadian Radio and would continue for almost 20 years. The singer Marg Osburne joined the band in 1947 and became (with Messer and Chamberlain) the artist most identified with the Islanders.
Because of the huge success of the radio show. Messer and the Islanders began to appear outside the Maritimes. Their first tour was in Ontario in 1949. They made 18 tours by 1969, including a centennial trip in 1967 that lasted 3 months and covered 61 centers.
This Fiddler Of Canada
His credits include combining many different Canadian fiddle traditions. As a result, he played a relatively straight, and unadorned melody line, with great precision and assurance with little ornamentation, rhythmic nuance, or expressiveness. His style influenced others, as it was clean, straight and neat. Marked by its down to earth simplicity.
Don Messer’s Television Era
In 1956 Don Messer and The Islanders began to appear regularly on CHBY-TV, Halifax. Soon followed by “The Don Messer Show’ in August 7, 1959 and continued as the “Don Messer’s Jubilee”.
Fiddler Night In Canada
The show was super popular and won over a wide audience. It was so popular it won top spot in the ratings two years in a row, beating out “Hockey night in Canada” and “The Ed Sullivan Show”. Over the next nine years it reportedly was the second most watched show in Canada next to “Hockey Night In Canada.”
A Show For Canadians To Meet
As has been noted, the show was notable because it had a regular guest performer time slot. Giving rise to many Canadian folk singers through national exposure, including Stompin’ Tom Connors, Catherine McKinnon, and fiddler Graham Townsend. There were many others including a young 10 year old fiddler named Jim Elliot.
Don Messer never took anything for granted. He had already suffered the vagaries of CBC management for 20 years in radio. CBC offered no long term security. But it did provide a platform for him to share his music with the nation.
Coming To An Abrupt End
Don was handed a telegram on April 14, 1969, saying that the Don Messer’s Jubilee was cancelled. Don was very upset, the fans were revolting. CBC received hundreds of phone calls, as well as, thousands of letters. The cancellation of the show generated many complaints including former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, who was a fan of the show. The fans organized a demonstration on Parliament Hill, even raising questions in The House of Commons. Consequently, a syndicated version of “Don Messer’s Jubilee “originated from CHCH-TV, in Hamilton Ontario in 1969, and ran until Don Messer’s death in March of 1973.
Legacy of Don Messer on the wall of Merritt BC Mural Attractions
Don Messer left a celebrated legacy. He was one of the first Canadian artists to be a recording, radio and TV star, as well as, play live concerts all at the same time.
Messer was inducted in into the Canadian Country Music Association Hall of Honor in 1985 and, with Chamberlain and Osburne, into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 1989.
“My music is not Western or Cowboy music. Our tunes have been around for two or three hundred years. They’re folk tunes passed from generation to generation.”
Visit Don Messer`s Mural in Merritt BC and downtown walking tour.
https://experiencenicolavalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/lumberjacks.jpg5501350Melvina Whitehttps://experiencenicolavalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/merrit-nicola-logo-01-300x254.pngMelvina White2019-06-30 11:58:502020-11-11 22:02:12Merritt BC Attractions – Don Messer Country Music Legend
An on air and TV personality that has been a great ambassador and friend of Merritt BC Canada
The Merritt BC Murals in the Nicola Valley feature a country music personality named Casey Clarke. A name sitting near the top of the list in the country music world of television and radio. If you love listening to country music it is a safe bet you know who Casey Clarke is.
The Start Of The Broadcasting Career
Casey was born and raised in Edmonton Alberta, Canada. It was here on the prairies, growing up, where Casey found his calling in broadcasting. Casey Clarke started his television and radio career at a very early age too. Radio first came calling for Casey Clarke in Westlock, Alberta at CFOK Radio Station. Soon later he was behind the mic with Mountain FM Whistler/Squamish BC. Everyone who knows Casey could see that Casey’s broadcasting career was off and running.
Melvina White (Experience Nicola Valley) / Mural Painted by Michelle Loughery
Casey’s next stop was Vancouver, BC, Canada where he jumped on board with “The Satellite Radio Network” and was syndicated on 71 radio stations across Canada. Followed later by an offer to join the team at Silk FM at which time Casey made the move to Kelowna, BC, Canada. Casey took a liking to his radio career and kept moving forward. He was once heard saying,
“This is such a dynamic field filled with unbelievable challenges!”
The Television Career Begins For Casey Clarke
1997 took Casey Clarke from Kelowna, BC to Calgary, Alberta, Canada to join the Country Music Television show known as CMT. Clarke served as Director of Programming at both CMT Canada and Country 95.3 (Hamilton/Toronto-Canada’s most listened to Country Station). While at 95.3 he organized Canada’s largest free outdoor Country show every Canada Day.
“The face of CMT” (Country Music Television) according to some was Casey Clarke)
Casey’s 15 year radio stint has earned him the title, “the face” of CMT. Casey Clarke is one of the most recognizable personalities in Canada in the country music industry.
Casey Clarke Awards and Credits
In 2009. The Country Music Association World International Awards, honored Casey Clarke with the broadcaster of the year award. This award recognizes outstanding achievement, by a radio broadcaster or syndicated radio reporter. The award recognizes that Casey has made important contributions for the development of country music, in his/her country outside the United States.
Back to Radio
“The Casey Clarke Show” as well as “The Casey Clarke Countdown” is syndicated on radio stations across Canada. As a result they are both active in major and secondary markets. Casey hosts a variety of artist album specials on national radio as well. He is also the main radio personality conducting onsite interviews with the headlining artists, at all major Canadian Country Music Festivals. As well as his radio programs. Clarke’s company Casey Clark Productions also co-produced “The Chevy Cross Canada Countdown” which Clarke hosted for seven seasons.
In 2012 a show on CMT that Casey was involved with, “Employee Of The Week”, won the”Program of The Year Award” from the Canadian Country Music Association.
Casey Clarke’s Merritt Mural
The on-air and TV personality has been a great ambassador and host for Merritt BC Canada. He has commanded the stage of The Merritt Mountain Music Festival, as well as, the stage for some Walk of Stars Gala events. He has been a staple at the “Rockin River Music Fest” since 2015. Casey will grace the stage again at the 2019 Rockin’ River Fest.
Casey has continued to support the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame for many years. It was his dedication to the country music scene in Merritt BC Canada that earned him his space on a wall forming part of the Merritt BC Murals. Casey Clarke’s Mural can be seen at 2015 Nicola Street. He is on the wall with his colleague, and country music singer”Beverly Mahood”.
Merritt BC Canada Murals
The Merritt Mural Project started in 2005. Furthermore, the Merritt BC Murals was part of a successful program called, the “Merritt Youth Mural Project”. A project designed for working with local young artists and “ youth at risk”. Muralist Michelle Loughery painted the Merritt Murals.
Still Connecting with Country’s Biggest Stars
Casey is currently the Program Director for the Morning Show for Stingray Country 100.7 in Kelowna, BC. He has held this position since January, 2013. Radio and Event Host Casey Clarke shows no signs of slowing down.
“There’s nothing like mountain boarding! I have been to amusement parks and gone on the rides and roller coasters and none have even come close.”
Although mountainboarding is an up and coming new sport in Canada, it is quickly gaining popularity. A mountainboard contains components including a deck, bindings to secure the rider to the deck, four pneumatic tires and two trucks for steering.
Mountainboarders ride specifically designed boarder-cross tracks, slope-style parks, grass hills, woodlands, gravel tracks, streets, skate parks, ski resorts, BMX courses and mountain bike trails. The ability to ride such a variety of terrain is what makes mountainboarding different from other board sports.
Merritt is mountainboarding country
Mountainboarding in Merritt, BC, Canada is an ideal destination with all the different terrains that the area has to offer. There’s hills, gravel tracks, mountain bike trails, woodlands and so much more to experience.
“You can’t really describe how it feels. It’s like a roller coaster but you have control of the track, if that makes any sense.”
Youth mountainboarding
Let me introduce you now to a young man, Brayden. He discovered the sport and became interested in mountainboarding as an alternative to his longboarding. When I spoke to this young man, I asked him how he got interested in mountainboarding. His response was that he had watched a movie called “Johnny Kapahala: Back on Board.” Once he watched the movie, he was essentially “hooked” and wanted to try this up and coming sport in Canada.
Brayden mountainboarding near LundbomLake
Setting up your gear
First came the purchase of the deck, trucks, wheels and safety gear. Finally, the day came that he could venture out to try. Starting out small, this young man ventured out into the Merritt area looking for suitable terrain to test out. First place this young man tried was the bike park. He soon found out that mountainboarding was much more different that skateboarding and longboarding.
Mountainboarding 101
Coming home after a few tumbles, he started watching videos from other more seasoned mountainboarders from around the world. After spending several days watching videos, he was ready to venture out again to try. Fast forward about a year and this young man has reached a top speed of 30 km/h down Midday Valley Road during the Winter and 40 km/h down the same road with the arrival of Spring.
“One of the best first attempts was when coming down Midday Valley Road and how you learn to control the board. There’s only so much you can learn from videos and you have to just jump on the board.”
Mountainboarding in the Nicola Valley.
Looking for mountain boarding runs
Brayden is excited and looking at different locations within the Merritt area to test his mountainboard out. He will soon have a better idea of the perfect areas for mountainboarding in Merritt, BC. Brayden’s ambition and goal is to bring mountainboarding to Merritt, BC. He hopes to offer rental boards, lessons and ventures for groups to enjoy the many different areas Merritt,BC has to offer in the near future.
Mountainboarding in Merritt British Columbia Canada
Featured Country Music Musician : Carolyn Dawn Johnson
“I’m going for the big picture” Carolyn Dawn Johnson
The Merritt BC Murals attraction includes Canadian country music singer Carolyn Dawn Johnson. She is one of 25 + Canadian Country Music Murals located throughout the community of Merritt, BC, Canada in the Nicola Valley. But here, at this mural in front of you, I am going to tell you a little about Carolyn Dawn Johnson.
Carolyn Dawn Johnson – Merritt BC Murals
Carolyn Dawn Johnson played at the Merritt Mountain Music Festival (now called the Rockin’ River Country Music Fest) in 2002 and again in 2006. Johnson was born and raised in Alberta, Canada. At the age of 5 she was singing in church and started taking piano lessons from the pastors wife.
At one point in her life she steered away from country music. But luckily for country music fans, Carolyn finally found her way back to the stage and calls that period of her life, that hiatus from country music, “a stain in her heart”.
Many a country music fan of Carolyn Dawn Johnson know her best for her songs like “Complicated”, “Georgia”, and “I don’t want you to go”.
Carolyn also has two children, Abigail and Bennett. In one of Carolyn’s videos you can watch as she and her daughter Abigail sing a duet (story book style) that she wrote with Stella ladies.
Life Of Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Carolyn Dawn Johnson was born on April 30, 1971 in Grand Prairie Alberta. She had many influences growing up. Her parents would play country music records while later in life she listened to many other artists and genres. Some included ABBA, Fleetwood Mac, Charley Pride and Marty Stewart.
At 5 years old she started taking piano lessons from the pastors wife at her church. Then in high school she learned to play the flute, saxophone and clarinet. Because her teacher Evangeline Theissen kept sending her books about piano, she continues to play the keys with passion.
High School And Beyond
Although she took music in high school, her teachers were not very encouraging. She then turned to science. After graduation she attended Trinity Western University in Langley, BC studying biology. The following year she returned to Alberta, Canada and specialized in education.
Night Clubs
While attending collage she frequently went to the local clubs and sat in with some of the featured bands. It was while playing with the local bands that her confidence grew on stage and in her talents. The bands, watching her perform on stage night in and night out, encouraged her to get back into music. It was then that she realized that her true calling was country music.
Country Music Education
Carolyn, realizing that country music was her future, decided to pursue an education in the production of music. She enrolled in Vancouver’s Columbia Academy and learned the technical aspects of the music industry. While learning song writing from a video she purchased she wrote songs in her spare time. It was also at this time Johnson joined the Nashville Songwriters Association International.
Nashville Is Calling Carolyn Dawn Johnson
“I’m going for the big picture” Carolyn Dawn Johnson
This quote was said to her mother during a phone call in 1994. It was then she moved to Nashville. On her arrival in Nashville, Tennessee Carolyn began to seek out and attend song writing workshops. In 1998 everything changed. It was then she signed with Patrick Joseph Music as a songwriter. Her demos captured the attention of some amazing artists like Jo Dee Messina, Patty Loveless, Mindy McCready, Chely Write among others.
Big Break Writing
Carolyn Dawn Johnson’s big break came in 1999 with “Single White Female”. Johnson co-wrote the song “Single White Female” with Shaye Smith and, ultimately, Chely Write ended up recording the song. This song became her first #1 hit as a song writer. The momentum continued when Jo Dee Messina recorded another of Carolyn’s songs called “Downtime” which became a top #5 hit.
Music Row Magazine named Carolyn Dawn Johnson “Breakthrough Song Writer of the Year” in 2000.
Country Music Starts On The Road
In 1999 Carolyn started her country music solo career. Martina McBride asked Carolyn to go on tour with her as a back up singer and guitarist. While on tour with Martina, Carolyn worked on her own songs for her debut album.
Photo Credit :Carolyn Dawn Johnson Facebook
2001
In 2001 the doors continued to open for Carolyn Dawn Johnson. She opened for stars like Sara Evens, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire and Jamie O’Neil while on the Girls Night Out Tour.
Later in 2001 Johnson released her debut album “Room with a View” in Canada. An American release followed soon after. Selling almost 18,000 copies in the first week it became Nashville’s highest debuting album by an new artist. “Room with a View” became Certified Gold in Canada a few months later.
By the end of 2001 Carolyn Dawn Johnson had received 10 nominations from the Canadian Country Music Association. She went on to win 5 of those awards including Female Artist Of The Year.
2002
2002 Carolyn went on tour with Alan Jackson and Kenny Chesney. She won a Juno award for “Best Country Artist”. Another award won by Johnson that year was “Top New Female Artist’ by the Academy of Country Music.
2003-2005
Carolyn went on a co-heading tour in 2003 with Keith Urban. While on tour she wrote songs for her next album “Dress Rehearsal”, released in 2004. Later that year she received seven CCMA (Canadian Country Music Association) award nominations and won 5.
In 2005, Carolyn Dawn Johnson left Artisa Nashville stating “what they wanted me to do is not who I am.”
2006 – 2009
By 2006 she released her third album “Love and Negotiation” under Angeline Entertainment, a Canadian record label. At the CCMA awards in 2007 Carolyn was named “Female Vocalist of the Year”. Love & Negotiation was eventually released in the US by Dancing Lily Music, on October 13, 2009.
2010 – 2013
Johnson released a single “Let me Introduce Myself” from her next upcoming album “Love Rules”. The Album Love Rules was released on July 21, 2010 in the US and on Aug 10, 2010 it was released in Canada. Carolyn received “Female Artist of the Year” and “Album of the Year” for her Love Rules album. She also received “Female Artist of the Year” in both 2012 and 2013.
Recent years
Carolyn has been involved with another band JD & The Straight Shot. She started touring with them in 2018 and in 2019 became an official member of the band. They have just released an new album “The Great Divide” You can check out a live stream of the new album here.
Merritt’s Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame
Merritt BC is the Country Music Capital of Canada. Downtown Merritt BC Canada is home of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame, the “Merritt Murals”, and the “Walk of Stars” have transformed Downtown Merritt BC into the largest country music art gallery you will ever have the pleasure of experiencing in Canada.
Take a selfie with your favorite country music artists and send them to us at @experiencenicolavalley on social media. Another Merritt BC Canada Attraction is the Walk of Stars. There are 100+ hand prints and even one foot print that have been cast in bronze for prosperity located throughout the community of Merritt BC Canada. Do you know who the foot print belongs to?
The Merritt Mural Project was created in 2005. The Merritt BC Murals were part of a successful program called, the “Merritt Youth Mural Project”. A project designed for working with local young artists and “ youth at risk”. Merritt Murals were painted by muralist Michelle Loughery. You can find the Carolyn Dawn Johnson – Merritt BC Mural at 1701 Voght Street which is the Home Hardware building.
Say hi on social media and let Carolyn Dawn Johnson know you saw her on Experience Nicola Valley. Better yet send her a selfie of you with her mural here in Merritt BC. Carolyn Dawn Johnson can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
https://experiencenicolavalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/carolyn-dawn-johnsont-banner2.jpg7521500Michelle Baconhttps://experiencenicolavalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/merrit-nicola-logo-01-300x254.pngMichelle Bacon2019-05-13 22:00:552020-11-11 22:02:01Carolyn Dawn Johnson – Canadian Country Music Artist
“Provides great nourishment for you and your family”
First, let me tell you what a forest garden is. A forest garden is a very old way of creating a low maintenance system that meets human needs by planting gardens that copy the natural structure of a forest.
Layers of a Forest Garden
There can be as little as three or as many as seven layers to a forest garden. They are quite different than a traditional garden. You don’t have to till the soil or worry about weeds. Depending on space, you can do three main layers of trees, shrub and soil surface or root. With more space you can do a full seven-layer edible forest garden. The layers are;
1 – Canopy Tree Layers (Large fruit and nut trees)
2 – Low tree layer (dwarf fruit trees, dwarf nut trees)
3 – Shrub layer (currants and berries)
4 – Herbaceous layer
5 – Soil surface layer (ground cover crops)
6 – Root layer
7 – Vertical layer (climbers and vines)
Seven layers of a forest garden
Designing your forest garden
When designing a forest garden, you want to understand a few basic principles. They will allow you to plan what you need in the space you have available. Usually forest gardens are comprised of perennial species, thus allowing for less maintenance and more productivity, although you can use some annuals.
Drawing of my forest garden so far.
Other Crops
Depending on what your plans are, you can also plant medicinal plants. These may include eucalyptus, St. Johns Wart, balm and nettles et cetera. Other possible crops you can add would be different types of plants for crafting, like willow, bamboo or building material, firewood or wood to use for smoking meat.
Layers of a Forest Garden explained
Let’s dive into the different layers of a forest garden and what are some examples of the different types of crops you can add to each.
Canopy Tree Layer
The first layer is the tall canopy trees. “When planting full size fruit and nut trees, be sure to plant them with enough space for them to grow. As well, you need to make sure there is enough room for light to come through once they are fully grown. Apple, peach, plum, and some species of nuts are good ones to start with.
Low Tree Layer
The second layer of a forest garden consists of a low layer of trees. This layer can be dwarf fruit trees or some species of nuts that grow lower than full size fruit and nut trees. Apricots, peach, nectarines, hazelnuts and almonds are all naturally small trees. Any would make good choices to add to your garden. Nitrogen-fixing trees are also great for supplying mulch and compost. They grow quickly and can be heavily pruned. You can check at your local garden center to see what dwarf trees they have for your area.
Shrub layer
The shrub layer should have some different shrubs and smaller type plants. Some great examples are blueberries, bamboo, butterfly bush, raspberries, blackberries, currents, gooseberries et cetera.
Put sun-loving plants at the edge of the forest garden where they will receive the most sun. You want to plant mostly perennials, but you can still add some annuals and self-seeding species
Part of my shrub layer with raspberries and blackberries.
Ground Cover Layer
Next is the ground cover layer. You want ground-hugging plants such as strawberries, creeping thyme, phlox, verbena, nostrum and clover. This layer is important for helping to keep the weeds at bay. Culinary herbs, vegetables and cover crops are great for mulch as well.
Vine Layer
The vine layer can be grown up the tall and dwarf trees. This creates a great use of space by using the taller trees as a ready-made trellis. There are a variety of vines that would work great. Kiwi, grapes or hops are just a few. More decorative choices could be English Ivy, wisteria, and honeysuckle. You can also train raspberries and blackberries to grow up although they will need help staying in place. I am also going to try planting some peas and bean vines to see how they will turn out.
The Last Layer is the Root Layer
There are several easy to grow plants that can be used as a root layer. Some of the ones I plan to try out in my forest garden are potatoes, onions, beets, garlic and carrots. I may even try some sweet potatoes and yams.
Benefits of a Forest Garden
There are many wonderful benefits of a forest garden. Not only will it provide great food and nourishment for your family, it can also provide attractants for pollinators and woodland creatures. Once it is more established it can be a wonderful place to go and relax. You are working with the land and not against it. You can yield a wide variety of products with very low maintenance. Helps to keep the land from eroding and also helps with winter run off. There is very little to no greenhouse gases and it promotes biodiversity. Besides all that, it is very pleasing to look at and to wonder your way through.
My Secret Garden
Throughout my years of growing up I have seen a lot of amazing gardens. We used to travel to England almost every summer. They have some of the most amazing and beautiful gardens. Then watching The Secret Garden, I knew that one day I wanted to create one for myself. A forest garden isn’t quite the same in it doesn’t have walls and a locked gate. You don’t really worry about weeds and it’s not in rows. You also don’t have things planted in the same area. It will have a bench and maybe even a swing. It will be my little oasis to get away and relax. The best part is that I can nibble on whatever I please while I am relaxing on the bench.
Space needed to create a Forest Garden
The wonderful thing about creating a forest garden is there is no hard and fast rule on the space needed to do so. You can start one right in your own back yard on a small lot or an even bigger one if you have an acreage. Some have done a forest garden in a 50 square meter area and others in 1000 square meters or more. If you are doing a smaller space just omit some of the taller layers. Use the space you have available to you and plant the layers according to what you can fit in that space.
The Beginning
At first it was just a space where we decided to plant some fruit trees. I didn’t know anything about forest gardens. While researching different ways of gardening, I came across an article on a forest garden. It really intrigued me to see all these different plants working together to create this amazing little ecosystem.
From that moment on it was decided. We were going to create our own little forest garden.
Although I have only just started my forest garden, I am looking forward to watching it grow. Last spring, 2018, I planted three fruit trees, five blueberry bushes, two raspberries, one blackberry and two Saskatoon berry bushes. Unfortunately, I didn’t protect my Saskatoon berry bushes and my goats ate most of them. I have since taken them out to try and save them. In their place, I have planted two rhubarb crowns. I re-potted the Saskatoon berry bushes and have put them in the greenhouse in hopes that they will come back.
The start of my forest garden.
If what I planted last year survived the winter I will plant some ground cover crops and root crop. Strawberries, Jerusalem artichokes and even some herbs will be going in as soon as the weather warms up enough.
Another addition to my forest garden is a drip irrigation system. I have it attached to a timer, so I don’t have to remember to water. Also, if I need to go away for a few days or even a week, I am not worried about my garden drying out.
Kootenay Permaculture
The Forest Garden at Spiral Farm was started in 1993. If produces an abundance of fruits, berries, nuts, medicinal herbs and fiber crops such as willows and bamboos. It is located in the Slocan Valley on a 10 acre farm. Kootenay Permaculture was created to research and provide education in Permaculture and ecological living. It was started in 1991. It is an amazing example of what you can do to create a very productive Forest Garden. If you are interested in taking a Design Course in Permaculture get a hold of Spiral Farms. They have been offering a course annually since 2002.
Pictured below is a 20 year old Forest Garden from Kootenay Permaculture. It is amazing how beautiful it can look over time.
I have also introduced Mason Bees. I will be releasing them as soon as the weather is cooperating. Check out my blog on Mason Bees here.
My little mason bees emerging a little early.
Over the year I will be updating and doing more photos as the forest garden grows. I hope you will follow along to see how things work out. You can find more of my blogs at Experience Nicola Valley.
More Information
If you are looking for more information about creating your own forest garden, the internet is a great place to start. There are many sites full of information on forest gardens and permaculture.
If you’re in the Nicola Valley, there are couple of great places to purchase supplies. Canadian Tire and Purity Feed both have a great selection of trees and plants.
I also can make garden signs for your garden, walkway or anything you need. You can have a look at my Twisted Turkey Facebook page to see some of my signs and home decor items.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and HAPPY GARDENING.
Feature photo credit to The Green Parent – The Edible Forest Garden. Feel free to check out their article here.
https://experiencenicolavalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/forst.jpg500858Michelle Baconhttps://experiencenicolavalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/merrit-nicola-logo-01-300x254.pngMichelle Bacon2019-05-10 08:00:092020-02-11 17:56:05Forest Garden – How to Create One
Find Tanya Tucker in Spirit Square in the Center of Our Town!
“I know I’ve found…A place in space where I belong” Tanya Tucker
Merritt BC Canada Murals – Tanya Tucker made it center stage not only in major music venues around the world for decades, but right here in outdoor small town BC. Tanya Tucker’s visage is on display right in the middle of our town in Spirit Square, a place often filled with live music. Tanya’s flowing hair and engaging smile attracts a lot of attention, from locals and visitors alike.
Merritt BC is the Country Music Capital of Canada, and besides the incredible live music we get here, our town is alive with large and colorful murals of both Canadian and American musicians and performers. As a result people come from far and wide to our see our murals and visit our music festival community.
Jano Howard (Experience Nicola Valley) / Mural Painted by Michelle Loughery
“I’m the Singer, You’re the Song…”
That song was on the playlist of my early adult years, I listened to it at the beach, driving down country roads, and at dances. I probably still have that vinyl album. In short, I loved her moody country/rock voice!
Consequently, Tanya has released almost 30 albums since 1972. It was during that year she released her first album “Delta Dawn”.
And promises of more to come…
Tanya is considered a country singer, first and foremost, but crossed into the pop/rock genre and gathered more fans along the way. Her music was influenced by some major talents, including Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley, Loretta Lynn, the Eagles, and Glen Campbell. She was nominated several times for awards from the Country Music Association.
Her lifelong success has been marked with many Top 10 hits and Top 40 hits. In 2002, Tanya Tucker was ranked #20 on CMT’s 40 Greatest Women of Country Music.
Edgy, Classic, Country
These three words head up Tanya Tucker’s website. And they suit Tanya for sure.
Tanya Denise Tucker, was born in Seminole, Texas. At the age of six she began taking saxophone lessons, then started singing. She knew from the time she was a child, that she wanted to be a country singer when she grew up. Tanya and her family lived in Arizona, then Utah, and then the family moved to Las Vegas, where Tanya performed regularly.
In 1972, Tanya had her first hit, “Delta Dawn” at the age of 13! Two more hits followed quickly, “Love’s the Answer” and “What’s Your Mam’s Name”. And soon Tanya was established as a major star.
In 1975, MCA Records snapped her up and a string of country hits followed.
Her music and image changed in the late 70’s, widening into the pop/rock genre. The move was surprising to her fans, but was a successful career move over all. However things did slow down for Tanya and her life took several turns until the late 80’s when she returned to country, but pop-styled, and this brought Tanya back to popularity.
“…I just reconnected with my fans, and gathered a few more — now I want to gather a bunch more! I’m not satisfied.”
In 1989, Tanya Tucker released a “Greatest Hits” album, and she has continued to release albums and perform.
Her last album with new material was “Tanya” released in 2002. She more recently, in 2009, made a classic covers album, “My Turn”.”You’re gonna hear from me.”
From news I read recently, after several years without an album release, Tanya has one in the works along with a documentary. It’s a long time coming according to her fans.
According to my sources, like Country Daily, Tucker is very engaged when talking her upcoming projects. She says, “If I could do every album I wanted to do, it’d take me 50 years…I want to do a duet album, a classic album with classic songs, of course a Christmas album…And maybe a spiritual album.”
“Hell,” she adds, “I’m busier than a one-legged man in an (butt)-kicking contest, I’m telling you! I need about three or four more hands and about six more pair of feet. But I’m doing what I can do.”
And here’s a project Tanya seems very happy with…
“I used to be a wild thing…”
Country legend Tanya Tucker is launching her own tequila brand, Cosa Salvaje. The singer partnered with Elle France, the founder of Cosa Salvaje, which translates to “wild thing” in Spanish.
“I used to be a wild thing, now I just drink a wild thing!” Tanya Tucker said in a press release. “I truly love the taste of Cosa Salvaje and certainly wouldn’t be partnering with it if it didn’t pass my taste test… the agave and distilling process is environmentally conscious, so we’re taking care of our planet too.”
Each bottle of Cosa Salvaje tequila is made from recycled glass.
Tanya Tucker performed at our infamous “Merritt Mountain Music Festival” in the late 90’s. And she was in town in 2006 to unveil her stunning mural!
I would love her to visit again… Hey Tanya!
I checked her upcoming events list and although six out of thirteen are here in Canada, none are close enough to head to for an evening’s drive…
So, we’ll download some Tanya Tucker oldies, and listen while we cruise our town, checking out the mural tour with other country superstars- like Carol Dawn Johnson, Paul Brandt, Dolly Parton, and Elvis!
And when we stop for near the Spirit Square, we’ ll check out the Walk of Stars too. But that’s another story.
Merritt BC Canada Murals – Tanya Tucker
The Merritt Mural Project was created in 2005. The Merritt BC Murals were part of a successful program called, the “Merritt Youth Mural Project”, a project designed for working with local young artists and “ youth at risk”. Merritt Murals were painted by muralist Michelle Loughery.
To visit Tanya’s site, where you can listen to some of her music, click here.
For a list of songs by Tanya Tucker go to Songs Tube.
Other sources about Tanya: The Most Coveted, Wikipedia, All Music, and our own locals: Susan Roline and Melvina White.
For more info on our Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, read Melvina White’s blog. Melvina has been bringing live music to town for decades.
For more blogs on the many murals/artists scattered around our community, stay tuned to our Experience Nicola Valley site!
Come and visit!
Take in the Rockin River MusicFest, our country music festival, around the beginning of August every year.
Tickets sold out? Pop in to our weekly Open Mic at the Kekuli Cafe. Have a bannock while you are there….
Keep an eye on my Facebook page, Creative Community, to see what creativity is up in town.
And definitely tour the town of Merritt, to visit all our Country and Western murals featuring stars like Tanya Tucker!
As the Arts and Culture Blogger for Experience Nicola Valley. I am thrilled to talk about our live music history, our community public art-like the murals, and the participation of our locals and visitors to bring the Arts alive in the Nicola Valley!
Mason bees are a native species of bee that are fantastic at pollinating our fruit trees and gardens. There is a decline of wild and honey bees due to the use of herbicides and parasitic mites. Mason bees are a great and easy way to restore the productivity of your garden.
What is Pollination?
Pollen transferred from one flower t another is called pollination. Flowers depend on bees to move pollen from one flower to another thus pollinating them. The bees are rewarded with food to survive and to use for inside the chambers of there eggs.
The more bees there are to pollinate the more abundant the crops will be. It’s quite simple really. More bees equal more the more pollen delivered, equals more fertilization, equals more seeds which equals more fruit and larger fruit. It’s a win, win for everyone.
Bees have three body segments, head, thorax and abdomen. The female bee is the only one who can sting. Her abdomen has an oviparous for laying eggs which also serves as a stinger. The male does not have this but has male genitalia instead. Therefore he can not sting. Bees are also covered in tiny little hairs. These hairs are what help the bees to collect and distribute pollen.
Wasps on the other hand only have two body parts, the head and abdomen. They are carnivorous which means they get their protein from meat. They do also look for sugar substances from any source available.
Mason Bee Appearance
Mason Bees look black and like a house fly. But there are a few ways that you can tell them apart from house flies. One way is the antennae. A mason bees’ antennae are segmented. Another way to tell them apart is that a mason bee has little hairs on it’s body where as a house fly is bare of hairs. You also won’t find mason bees on your food or leftovers or anything that is rotting etc. Mason bees you will find on open flowers in your orchard or garden.
You can tell the male mason bees apart from they female mason bees by the little tuft of white hairs on its head and up the antennae. Males are also smaller than females. Male mason bees also have antennae that are longer than their heads while female mason bees have smaller antennae.
Mason bee landed on my finger.
Life of Mason Bees
The mason bees are a solitary bee. Females do not need the aid of a colony to nest ad lay eggs. She finds a nest site and provides everything necessary to ensure the success of her eggs.
Adult mason bees stay in their cocoons over the winter. Once spring arrives, they emerge and have a very busy but short life span of about a month.
Spring time for Mason Bees
Mason Bees are very active once they emerge in the spring. There life consists of mating, producing their offspring and dying. This usually happens anywhere from Feb to May depending on the altitude of where they are living.
Male mason bees will emerge first as they are the last to be layed in the nesting tube. They are so cute with the white hairs on their heads and along their antennae. The males will not stray far from the nest as they wait for the females to emerge.
Once the weather is warm enough, daytime temperatures need to reach 14 degrees Celsius. The females will start to emerge. Male and female mason bees mate as soon as the females emerge. The female then starts looking for a place to lay her eggs and build the nests.
Nest Site
After the female has found a suitable nesting site, she will go looking for pollen and nectar. While she is collecting the pollen and nectar, she is also pollinating the flowers all around. Once she had enough food the female mason bee will go back to her nest. She places the food down, lays and egg on top and closes the segment off with mud. The female mason bee will continue to do this until either she has layed all her eggs or she dies.
Nest Material
Mason Bees nest in tubes and holes or pretty much anything that has a cylinder shape. If you’d like to make a mason bee house of your own there are a few things to consider. First you need to make sure that the tubes you make are at least 5″-6″ in length and 5/16″ in diameter. This ensures that there is a good ratio of male to female eggs layed. If the tube is too short there will be more male mason bees layed.
Mason bee tubes. Made from Plastic. Can be taken apart.
You will want to make sure you place your mason bee house facing east so that it will receive morning sun and get afternoon shade in hotter climates. Ensure that your nest is protected from wind and rain. Very important to make sure there is an area they can get moist clayey mud in a hole in the ground as they need this to close off the sections in their nests and the end of the nest.
In the wild there is a chance for the nest sites to become infected with parasites or destroyed by predators. If we are looking after the nests, we can ensure more bees will survive. By making or buying nest that come apart so they can be cleaned, inspected and kept safe from predators.
Mason Bee House
Once the nests are closed
Inside each chamber the egg will hatch, and the larva or grub will feed on the pollen and nectar ball left by the mother. Once the larva has fully grown, they go into a resting stage. The larva then spins a cocoon and changes into a pupa inside the cocoon. By the end of summer, the pupa’s have evolved into adult mason bees. Warmer temperatures will ensure the adults have developed fully. Cooler temperatures may halt growth and even cause death. But if the summer heat is too hot it can also have detrimental effects on the cocoons.
Keep your nests safe
You can also make sure that your nests are kept safe over the summer before harvesting. Once all the holes have been closed with mud you know it’s time. You can take the block of nests and place them inside a special nesting bag. This bag allows air to flow through but will not allow birds and other predators to get in and destroy the nests. You can move them into a shaded place until it’s time to harvest the cocoons in fall.
Retrieving the cocoons
Female and male mason bees remain in their cocoons over the winter. In the fall you will want to retrieve the cocoons from the nests and go over them for parasites or diseases.
Usually around October it’s time to harvest your mason bee cocoons. How you harvest your nests will depend on which type of nesting materials you used. Carefully take apart, unravel or cut your tubes open. Remove the individual cocoons from the nesting tubes. You can put them aside and wash or discard later.
Now you will inspect the cocoons for any mold, fungus or parasites. Good cocoons are nice rich brown color and look similar to deer droppings lol.
Washing your cocoons
Once you have harvested your cocoons you need to wash them. You can do this by taking a 4 L bucket of lukewarm water. Place a layer of cocoons into the water. Gently roll them in the water to help the mud and other debris to fall off. Let the cocoons sit in the water for 20-30 min. Stir them occasionally to remove dirt and ensure they are well whetted. Good cocoons will float. If any sink to the bottom they are no good and can be set aside.
Mites
You can inspect cocoons for mites. IF there are mites you will want to wash them in a solution of bleach and water. The solution consists of 1 tbsp bleach to 4 L of lukewarm water. Put the effected cocoons into a sieve and lower the sieve and cocoons into the bleach solution. Carefully mix them around to help any mites fall off. After 10 min remove from the bleach solution and put them under warm running water for 5 more min to help rinse of the chlorine. This should have removed any mites or remaining dirt.
Drying your cocoons
Now you are ready to dry your washed, dirt and mite free cocoons. Place a couple layers of paper towel down on the counter. Place your cocoons on the paper towel and cover with more paper towel. After a couple hours you can reinspect your cocoons.
Inspection
Look under your cocoons for any orange spots on the paper towel. If there are less than 10 per square inch you are good to go, and washing them was successful. If there are more than that you need to screen your cocoons to remove the rest of the mites or as many as you can.
Screening your Mason Bee cocoons
The best way to screen for mites is to use a metal window screen or a metal kitchen sieve. Put the cocoons onto the screen and start rolling them around by gently shaking the screen back and forth. You will want to do this in a place where the mites can fall and be easily cleaned up, like over a bathtub. Once you have rolled the mason bees cocoons around on the screen for about 60 seconds you can put them back on replaced paper towel for another hour. Rolling the cocoons around on the metal heats them up a bit and causes the mites to fall off. Now they are ready to be stored and inspected for mason bees or wasps.
Inspecting for wasps
The easiest way to inspect your mason bee cocoons for wasps is to candle them. Take a flash light with a lip, place enough cocoons on the glass plate to cover it. Make sure you are in a dark room. Turn the flashlight on. In the cocoons that contain mason bees you will be able to see the little bee in a fetal position. If the cocoon is transparent then you know the cocoon is questionable. Do not leave the cocoons on the light for more than a min as it can dry out the cocoon and may kill the bee.
Unsure if the cocoon is good?
IF you are not sure when you candle or check over your mason bee cocoons. You can take those and store them in a separate container for the winter. In the spring warm up the cocoons and watch what emerges. If its a mason bee, cool it off in the fridge until the outside temp is warm enough to release. If it is something else that emerges destroy it.
Storing cocoons over winter
There are special coolers that you can purchase to house mason bee cocoons. They have a space for your cocoons and a space for a wet towel to help keep the humidity correct. There are also air holes to make sure they have adequate air circulation. You can also use a cardboard box with paper towel on the bottom to cushion the cocoons. Make sure there are holes in what ever container you decide on. Once you have them snug in their container the best place to store them in in the refrigerator. Manual defrost fridges are more humid than frost free. Therefore, are best for keeping mason bee cocoons. If you have a frost-free fridge keep an eye on your cocoons. Sometimes males will emerge while in the fridge.
If any bees emerge while in the fridge don’t panic. I had some emerge and created a cotton ball with equal parts water and sugar and put it into the container, so the emerged bees had something to eat. Once the weather is warm enough and there is enough food outside you can release them along with the other cocoons.
My little mason bees emerging a little early.
Spring Emergence
The easiest way to tell if it’s time to release your bees is wen the temperature outside is a steady 15 degrees Celsius and there are flowers on your apple tree. If you don’t have apple trees just make sure there are blossoms of some kind close to where you have set up your nesting area. Place the cocoons adjacent to or in the nest site.
Make sure the ground underneath your nesting site is not too wet or has any puddles and the newly emerging bees can fall and will drown. Best way is to release in batches every 4-7 days. This way if the weather turns bad you won’t lose all of your bees.
Bees need full sun and early as possible in the morning. There bodies need to warm to 90 F in order to be able to fly. They like to be out early to avoid the afternoon heat.
Mason Bee from Merritt BC Canada warming up in the sun
Fascinating to watch
Mason bees are so fascinating. They are social bees and are so easy to watch. Make a mud area where you and the family can enjoy watching the females collect mud to wall off each section of their nests. You can also go out early in the morning to check out the bees sitting in the opening of their nests. They really are quite cute. There are nest boxes you can purchase that allow you to watch each stage of the mason bee’s life.
Conclusion
Mason bees are only on species of bee that are so important to our environment. Do your part by not using pesticides. Plant native wild flowers. Grow and harvest your own mason bees. So easy, so fun and so rewarding.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog on Mason bees. Interested in learning more? Please feel free to contact me or check out my other blogs on bees at Experience Nicola Valley
If you would like to purchase some supplies and mason bee cocoons you can check on the internet. If you live in the Merritt or Nicola Valley area you can contact our local supplier Ellen Miller from Miller’s Farm in Lower Nicola. They also put on beekeeping courses and other seminars, including a mason bee seminar.
Photo Credit
Feature image of mason bee on the purple flower taken by Rusty Burlew of Honey Bee Suite. Stop by her website to check out all the great things she has to offer.
Photo of mason bee on the nesting tube covered in pollen courtesy of CrownBees. They also have a wonderful website with lots of great information.
There are plenty of different restaurants in Merritt BC Crystal Gardens Chinese cuisine is one of my favorite to go. Located at 2226 Nicola Ave in Merritt BC Canada. Crystal Gardens is easy to find and easy to access.
If you are looking for a great Chinese food buffet then Crystal Gardens in Merritt BC is a great choice. As soon as you walk in the door you are hit by the amazing aroma of Chinese food. The dining room is very spacious with plenty of booths and seats to choose from. The restaurant is very clean and welcoming. Walk in and choose a place to seat yourself. Nice clean tables and booths throughout the restaurant. Servers are always friendly and will help you out in any way they can.
Crystal Gardens Chinese cuisine Merritt BC
Have a look at the buffet. With so many items to choose from your palette is not left wanting. One of the best parts about this restaurants in Merritt, BC is that fact that it is the only one that allows you to take the buffet as take out. Yes that’s right. In a hurry but would love to have a choice of all those delicious menu items, including the soup. Well, look no farther. You get a container for your choice of buffet items and a bowl you can put more in or soup. Its such a great thing to be able to just go in and choose items that you love. All for a great lunch or dinner buffet price.
Buffet
The buffet includes all the usual menu items like chow main, rice, spring rolls. There are also items like deep fried prawns, chicken or pork with veggies in black bean sauce, sweet and sour pork. And don’t forget the mixed veggies, dry garlic ribs, deep fried chicken wings and egg foo young. Some of my favorites are ginger beef and breaded almond chicken. Furthermore you can’t forget about the won ton soup. It’s always a nice light addition to any meal.
Buffet Table
Desert
Desert is also on the buffet menu. There is jello, home made cakes fresh vegetables as well as fruit. I have also seen different types of tarts on different occasions. With so many different items to choose from. How can one decide? Unfortunately I am usually so full from the amazing lunch or dinner items that I rarely have a chance to have any of the deserts.
Desert buffet at Crystal Gardens in Merritt BC
Not up for the Buffet
There are so many wonderful and tasty items on the menu you don’t have to choose to have the buffet. Crystal Gardens offers combination meals, family meals as well as single entrees’. Weather you want to eat in or take out Crystal Gardens Chinese Restaurant is an excellent choice.
A few of the menu items
Combo A – $11.99
Sweet and Sour Pork
Chicken Chow Mein
Combo B – $13.99
Sweet and Sour Pork
Chicken Chow Mein
Prawns
Combo C – 15.99
Sweet and Sour Pork
Chicken Chow Mein
Prawns
Sesame Chicken
Children Combo – $10.99
French Fries
Chicken Nuggets (5 Pc)
Dinner for 2 – $34.99
Spring Rolls
Sweet and Sour Pork
Chicken Chow Mein
Beef Chop Suey
Dinner for 3 – $47.99
Spring Rolls
Sweet and Sour Pork
Chicken Chow Mein
Beef Chop Suey
House Special Fried Rice
Dinner for 4 – $63.99
Spring Rolls
Sweet and Sour Pork
Chicken Chow Mein
Beef Chop Suey
House Special Fried Rice
Deep Fried Chicken Wings
Dinner for 5 – $76.99
Spring Rolls
Sweet and Sour Pork
Chicken Chow Mein
Beef Chop Suey
House Special Fried Rice
Deep Fried Chicken Wings
Deep Fried Prawns
Dinner for 6 – $89.99
Spring Rolls
Sweet and Sour Pork
Chicken Chow Mein
Beef Chop Suey
House Special Fried Rice
Deep Fried Chicken Wings
Deep Fried Prawns
Almond Chicken
Dinner for 8 – $125.99
Spring Rolls
Sweet and Sour Pork
Chicken Chow Mein
Beef Chop Suey
House Special Fried Rice
Deep Fried Chicken Wings
Deep Fried Prawns
Almond Chicken
Sesame Chicken
Dry Garlic Ribs
For more information on places to eat and stay in Merritt BC Canada check out the blogs on Experience Nicola Valley. We are all volunteer bloggers that enjoy sharing our experiences about this amazing little City. Thank you for reading, please share for others to enjoy as well.
https://experiencenicolavalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/great_buffet_plate.jpg6671000House Memberhttps://experiencenicolavalley.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/merrit-nicola-logo-01-300x254.pngHouse Member2019-04-16 15:01:062019-04-16 15:01:06Restaurants in Merritt BC Crystal Gardens
1997 took Casey Clarke from Kelowna, BC to Calgary, Alberta, Canada to join the Country Music Television show known as CMT. Clarke served as Director of Programming at both CMT Canada and Country 95.3 (Hamilton/Toronto-Canada’s most listened to Country Station). While at 95.3 he organized Canada’s largest free outdoor Country show every Canada Day. 
