Nicola Valley British Columbia Canada including the City of Merritt, Lower Nicola, Quilchena and the surrounding First Nation lands.

Attractions, Four Season Adventures, History, Merritt, Nicola Valley

Historical Nicola Valley Museum & Archives

A Senior’s Trip Through Time

I am always curious about how people lived before technology eased our lives.

Yesterday was blistering hot! So what better place for this senior to enjoy a trip through time than our air- conditioned historical Nicola Valley Museum & Archives?

It was a short, hot, walk to Tutill Court. I stepped into the quiet, cool bliss of Merritt’s historical Nicola Valley Museum & Archives. It sure is great to be greeted by two smiling seniors, Barb Watson and Jo Atkinson. They answered my questions (and I always have lots of those) with patience and knowledge.

Weaved baskets on display at the Museum

Historical Nicola Valley Museum & Archives- First Nations

I am always curious about how people lived before technology eased our lives. So I began with the First Nations people. Our First Nations blogger, Gerome Garcia talk to us about how they lived and what they ate. I wanted to see the tools they used.

The Nicola Valley Museum & Archives has many, excellent, hand – made artifacts. Displayed in well-lighted cases are tools, equipment, baskets and clothing made by the first nations people who used them.

Some of these tools may look small but they were sharp and effective! Imagine the skill and time it took to make knives, axes, scrapers, arrowheads, bows, arrows, baskets and everything else you are looking at! All from materials found in their environment! Neither materials nor time were wasted.

Be sure to slide open the drawers under the display cases where many more choice pieces are displayed. I got my face right down there for a good, close look. The shallow, lit drawers made it easy. I loved the exquisite beading and detailed decoration on these treasures.

No way can I leave this section without mentioning the baskets! They are made from many natural materials – even pine needles! They are amazing in skill, detail, pattern and beauty Many have tight-fitting lids for storage and some were made to hold liquids. Impressive indeed!

Historical Nicola Valley Museum & Archives- School Days

A picture that makes me smile every time I see it is of Mrs. Lily Priest, Merritt’s first schoolteacher. The year is 1908 and the Merritt School District had just been formed. She is sitting in a chair in the open door of a teepee shading her eyes from the sun. Just outside the teepee is a wood- burning stove complete with a pot and kettle. This is Merritt’s first school. I can’t help but think how determined the settlers must have been to get their children an education and how determined Lily Priest must have been to see that they got it!

Historical Nicola Valley Museum & Archives- Medical Services.

Next, I moved along to the medical display. The old stretcher looks as good as any today, although smaller. Some of the equipment seems familiar, other bits look rather alarming, including the shelves of bottles and potions. Everything would have been spotlessly clean – no antibiotics.

No comfy assisted living facilities for seniors either. You simply recovered or went to live with relatives willing to nurse you. That’s what family did.

The brave doctors and nurses who practiced in the valley got around however they could. On horseback, carts, by commandeering a special locomotive and even borrowing a section man’s hand-car. Now that’s dedication!

Historical Nicola Valley Museum & Archives – Home Equipment

This is a great display for comparisons! I found the icebox and “convenient”wood – burning kitchen stove fascinating. Maybe some of you remember a grandmother actually cooking on one. Were you lucky enough to use one yourself? It is possible to turn out amazing baked goods with these stoves but this skill takes time to learn. The early models had no oven thermostats! Women, especially experienced seniors, were justifiably proud of their cakes, pies and bread!

The pioneers had everything they needed to get by, but they had to work a lot harder than we do.

Ever wash clothes by hand with home – made lye soap boiling water and a washboard? Then hand-wring them, carry them to a clothesline and hang them to dry? I have. That is one hard job! And I’m talking about summer. In winter, on washday the entire cabin would be festooned with lines of drying laundry. Those women must have jumped for joy when the wringer washer was invented!

Historical Nicola Valley Museum & Archives – Tools and Farm Equipment

Pioneer tools on display at the Museum.

Here is another fascinating area to explore. Take a good look at the equipment in the storeroom – scythes, axes, saws, hammers, traps and dozens of other items too numerous to mention! All these tools had to be kept in good condition. This meant cleaned, sharpened, oiled and replaced. All the harnesses, traces, strapping etc. had to be cleaned, oiled, inspected for damage, repaired and put away. Of course, before any of this got done, the items had to be used

Ever spend a day plowing a field with a horse – drawn plow? Me neither, but I once saw it done by an expert. This fellow was a senior working with an experienced horse. But what a hot, sweaty job!

Imagine harvesting that field with a scythe! Better practice first because this is a tool that can nearly sever a limb! And yes, it is another hard, sweaty job.

I think- no, I know I would rather do laundry, bake bread, scrub floors, and work a half-acre kitchen garden!

Historical Nicola Valley Museum & Archives – Back to the present

There is still so much to see. I haven’t touched on transportation, mining, ranching… Looks like I need a return visit, doesn’t it?

Do you want to read about my recent ride on an oversized trike? Read my blog on Seniors Bike Riding in the Nicola Valley.

From your seniors blogger,
Diane

by Diane Lavoie

Adventures (Summer), Artists-Galleries-Art, Events & Festivals, Merritt, Nicola Valley

Street Market Art – Merritt, BC

Community Art in Merritt, Canada

Youth Take Leadership and make Summer Nights Street Market Art

Amy Maclaren’s creative flower crown

Street Market Art is happening every Friday night for the whole summer. Amy Maclaren has laid out a plan for character creation – decorating crowns and hats, belts and sashes, masks, and even shoe fun. And her fellow workers, Amrit Ahuja, Felize Omori, and Alexia Clark are a part of the action on the downtown Quilchena block in Merritt Canada.

The Nicola Valley Community Arts Council is employing these four young people through the Youth Employment Program. So this summer, the arts community has help with all kinds of projects and programs!

From the Street Market, to Open Mic Nights, to Corbett Lake Paint Outs this young group is pitching in to make our summer events successful.

From Prep to the Market

Alexia and Felize create flower crowns

First comes the idea of setting up an NVCAC gazebo at the Friday Summer Nights Market, and enlivening it with activities.

With Amy leading the way for this arts project, the activities planned are all about costume and character building. As a student in Costume Design, Amy’s creative direction includes everything from coloured sketches to rainbowsequins.

Amy sources her materials for the market activities in town, materials accessible to everyone who lives here or are visiting the Nicola Valley.

Everything tied or taped down

Gazebo and other necessities are gathered and set up on Quilchena Avenue, the main block. Our first night’s set up was a gusty wind challenge. Duct tape and bricks were in place before flowers and feathers.

Merritt is a windy town, so the locals are prepared.

But after our first night, we are adding a few bungee cords and table clips to our bin.

The YEP workers get everything set up, and then two of them leave to set up and help at Open Mic. Amrit works the sound and Felize and Alexia welcome the audience there at the Kekuli Cafe..

Neighbours on the Street Market

There is room for over 20 vendors or non-profits to set up on the town’s busy block. From a big food truck to gazebos, to small tables, the block is almost full. The Farmer’s market is to the west of us. And a variety of displays is to our east.

Janet Roth is overseeing the Love to Dance Academy’s table. She is there to let people know what a great dance studio we have in town. And encourage memberships in the Love to Dance Society that supports it.

Janet Roth at the Love to Dance Academy table

Charlene Lively has set up the Pro Rodeo display, with information and some news about the High School event that was taking place just that weekend.

Charlene Lively at the Pro Rodeo display

There are jewelry tables and displays of woodwork by local craftsman.

Tina has set up her Humble Hobo Hotdogs Stand at the end of the block. And there is a new Curried Chicken food truck that has line ups for their generous portions.

And there are baked good tables to pick up something sweet.

Music at the Friday Nights Market

The Strange Companions

We can hear country music coming from the speakers on the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, right on Quilchena Avenue, our main street.

And if we keep going, more music…

A favourite local group, the Strange Companions, have committed to several Friday nights at the street market for the summer. They have created a board of info and calls to action, like “Go on over to Open Mics…” Read while you stop to listen!

This group has been playing together for years, with musicians and singers coming and going. We never know who is going to show up when we know The Strange Companions are playing…

Back at the NVCAC Gazebo

Felize and Amy help kids fancy up at the Arts table

Amy and the Youth Employment workers lay out the week’s art activity. Their first work was fancy name or character cards creation with foam letters, sparkles, and shape stickers.

The second week flower and birds were provided for crowns and embellishments like coloured feathers and foam sparkle stickers were attached to cowboy hats

Last week, the YEP workers got busy with face painting and created characters for the children coming by.

What’s up this week?

Support from the NVCAC Directors and Members

Beside our art activity table, the NVCAC Directors set up a membership table under our gazebo, ready to encourage passersby to join our Arts Council and support the arts in all of the the Nicola Valley.

Mischelle and Gale discuss the Street Market action and the dancing nearby.

Two active members, Director of Programs Mischelle Pierce, and artist and Gallery supporter, Gale Simpson, discuss all the arts action happening in town!

This week, right at the end of our Friday Nights Street Market, some good music and dancing is happening at the Adelphi Hotel. Some of our great country and western musicians play there regularly. And people come from far and wide to hear them and get up on the dance floor.

This weekend there was a group from Arizona dancing up a storm. Not sure if they were heading out to the Rockin River Fest event in the Valley. Or if they just staed in town and enjoyed the action right here on the main street.

Visitors from Hobart, Tasmania

Jane, Jasper with mom Lani, and Jean

It’s Jasper! My grandson from down under. Jasper is chatting it up with Jane Bartle, NVCAC Treasurer, mom Lani, and president Jean Kiegerl. I think Jean is selling Jasper an Arts Council membership.

And I know Jasper ended up with enough RCMP Musical Ride tickets to take all of us!

Jasper and family weren’t the only visitors from out of town. We have travelers weekly, often from Alberta, the States, Europe, coming to experience the Nicola Valley.

Join us for some Street Market Art!

Come down on Friday nights 6-9pm. See what’s up, buy or make an embellished cowboy hat or flower crown. Check the current week’s activity!

Wearing their embellished cowboy hats

Sashes? Shoes art? What Street Market Art are we up to?

It’s usually free, with people making donations to help us buy the next week’s activity materials….

Go to Nicola Valley Arts Council Facebook page to check out the next event!

And be sure to come down and see us, listen to some music, grab some food, stop and chat. Make yourself a crown!

Jano, Arts and Culture Blogger

Vanessa Trenholm led a community canvas painting again!

by Jano Howarth

Adventures (Summer), Camping, Four Season Adventures, Merritt, Nicola Valley

Smoked Trout at Harmon Lake

Making smoked trout while camping is easy and fun.

So, would you like to know the secret to great Smoked Trout?

A secret about how to make the best smoked trout in all of the world? OK, at least the best in Nicola Valley? I am about to share it here! Keep reading!

The Process

Teresa and Brad, camping friends I met last year here at Harmon Lake, have graciously shared their tips and techniques with me to share with you, the world!

Not only is this amazing to the tastebuds, it is a fun thing to do together with friends and family!

To make our Harmon Lake Smoked Trout you need…

nice fresh trout that you had fun catching.4-6
1/2 C brown sugar
6-8 C water
2-3 C ice cubes (optional)
1/4 cup non iodized coarse salt, kosher salt, or just salt
paper towels
rubber gloves
cutting board
one strong large knife
1-2 fillet knives
a good set of fishing bone tweezers!
containers and/or ziploc bags for brining.
Smoker
smoker chips
tray for air drying
plastic wrap

The Trout

First things first! To make Smoked Trout, you need them! Catch them, buy them, ask your friends for theirs, it doesn’t matter. But you need fish! We happened to catch ours the day before! It doesn’t matter what size as you will fillet them and place them on the rack by size for best and even results.

The Process – Preparing the Trout

Filleting the Trout! Have the right tools to make this important part easy. Having the right tools from the get-go will make your learning easier and you fillets clean cut and “pretty”.

I watched as my friend masterfully filleted the trout and deboned them. She used a tool she purchased specifically for deboning fish, and it worked great. You could use pliers, but she said this tool was worth every cent!

Get started

Cut the head off first. then make a straight cut, across the fish, down to the bone near the tail. Starting at the cut. angle the knife on the fish and also angle the blade slightly up over the backbone and fillet away. Once you start to fillet keep the knife blade on the angle above the bone. With a clean smooth motion, filet the fish, keeping the blade just above the bone.

: Cut the head off

: Straight Cut near the tail

: Filet the Trout

: smooth pushing motion

: clean cut the edges

: One of my better ones

: Take out the inner bones

: Cut just below the bones

: Almost done!

: Debone the trout

Keep going!

It may take some practice but when I did it it just took a few times and I was sliding the blade right up to the end. It really wasn’t that hard, just practice and a feel for it.

I learned that there is a technique and once you get the hang of it it becomes pretty easy!

Once both sides are filleted, you can fillet out the inner bones. This is a bit tricky to explain but I will try! Take the tip of the blade and cut lightly under the bones about 1/2 inch in. Start over and repeat with smooth motions. Three or so cuts should do it. Cut that piece off the fish. Clean up the edges with a clean swipe down the edges. Voila! A Fillet!

Tips for preparing the Trout

A good filleting knife will make the task easy and make your fillets look PRO!
Use a paper towel under the trout on the cutting board to help stop it from slipping & sliding.
Don’t leave your fish in water (in the cooler where they could sit in water for example) after they have been cleaned. they will get soggy.
Keep the knife at an angle about 45 degrees with the fish.
Once you start to fillet keep the knife blade on a slight angle above the bone on with a clean smooth motion, filet the fish, keeping the blade just above the bone.
Leave whole or cut into proportions that you would give away.
Practice.

The Process for Brining the Trout

This is simple yet tricky, the right mixture of the the salt (and what kind of salt), brown sugar, along with the right amount of water and then the brining time! My friends secret sauce is 1 part salt to 2 parts sugar.

: Prepping to Brine

: Prepping to Brine

: prepping to Brine

: Taste test

: Brine away

: Brining

Dissolve the brown sugar and salt in 2 cups of water. Add about an additional 4-5 cups of water after you have dissolved salt and sugar. Taste test the brine. If you go “Echhhh! Too much salt!”, add more water and you could add some more brown sugar. You do want it to taste salty like the sea, but not so much that you can’t swallow it!

We used two extra large ziplock bags and and split the brine mixture in 1/2. Put the fillets into the bags. Seal the bags and refrigerate 2-3 hours. More time for larger fillets!

Tips for brining

You can experiment with different kinds of salt.
The brine should be ice cold to work the best so add some ice cubes about 2-3 cups.
Trout do not need to brine as long as other fish.
Put the fillets in ziploc bags to brine and make sure the bags are sealed. Get as much air out as you can.
Put the bags into a container that will fit in your fridge in case the bag leaks.
Do NOT brine in a metal container! Use glass or plastic.
The brine mixture proportions is the most important part and it will be different every time.

The Process – Smoking the Trout

Air dry the fillets on a surface of parchment paper or plastic wrap (never use metal) for about an hour.

Smoking time varies as does our weather! So you have to vary it each time. Wind and rain are not your friend for smoking fish. So let’s say its 70 degrees and no wind. Your smaller fillets should be ready in about 90 minutes. You can leave on the bigger fillets for an additional 1/2 hour.

We are using a Little Chief Smoker with alder chips, which pair well with trout!

The smoker is running from a 12 V battery and an inverter. We charged the battery with two 75 Watt solar panels. A generator works great too!

Tips for smoking the Trout

Keep the smoker out of the wind.
Keep the smoker off the grass as in the summer it can be too dry and dangerous.
Line the bottom tray of the smoker with foil.
Use non stick spray on the racks.
Wipe the trout skin with a paper towel before putting on the racks for “less stickage”.
Do not over fill the racks as you need the smoke to get in-between each fillet
If you’re smoking some glazed with brown sugar, put the glazed ones on the bottom racks.
Put the thicker fillets on the outside edges as the smoke comes mostly up the sides.
Start timing from the time you see smoke.
No 2 batches are the same ever!

How would you like your fish smoked? Mild, medium or well done?

2 hours for mild
3-4 hours for medium
5 hours for well done

The more fish on the trays the longer it will take.

When the Trout has smoked enough

Air dry for about an hour before removing the skin and refrigerating. Make sure the fillets have cooled down first. Best to place them on a paper towel and in a container or ziplock bag The paper towel is there to absorb any excess moisture. So, if you take them out of the smoker and they seem a little too dry, don’t set them on paper towels.

Teresa and Brad’s Philosophy: Keep it simple for best results! Particularly with trout as trout is so delicate!

Share and enjoy!

Moister or dryer, it’s up to you! When the trout fillets are smoked the way you like them, loosen from the rack right away or they will get stick to the rack. Take a picture and share! You earned the right to brag!

Then quickly put them away or they may just go missing. AKA, eaten all up!

That is how to make the best smoked trout in the Nicola Valley.

Trout, and other fish, have been smoked throughout history. Click here for some more information

Do you have special tips and techniques you want to share?

I would love to hear them! And see you at Harmon Lake!

by Julie Pollard

Adventures (Summer), Four Season Adventures, Nicola Valley

Geocaching in the Nicola Valley

The fastest growing “sport” in the world?

There is an active group of geocachers in the Nicola Valley.

Geocaching is probably the fastest growing “sport” in the world. I use quotations because it isn’t a sport in the classic sense. There is no competition, in fact there is probably more cooperation and camaraderie involved in this sport than any other. Essentially it is a world-wide treasure hunt. Anyone, from the age of wonder, before they can walk, to so old they can barely walk, can participate. Enjoy Geocaching in the Nicola Valley!

There are many different levels of difficulty. Starting with, “park & grabs” to one I know of that requires a three day hike to reach it. There are some that require scuba diving or mountain climbing skills! Geocaching-Experience Nicola Valley No diving or hanging from a rope off a cliff, there are over 3 million geocaches worldwide. You won’t run out of the fun too soon.

History

Geocaching started on the day that the U.S. government deregulated the system of satellites that circle the globe. A GPS could then be used to identify where you were on the earth, to within a few feet. Someone, I’m not sure who, hid an object, identified it’s coordinates, and published it to a few friends. It was found very soon after and the new game was spawned. Today, one of the goals of almost all serious geocachers is to find the original cache. It is still active after all these years!

Nicola Valley Connection

There is an active group of geocachers in the Nicola Valley. Over the years we have hidden over 250 caches within a reasonable distance of Merritt. I have hidden more than 50 caches myself. A group of us went out two ago, with the idea to find 100 caches in one day. We did it easily, on a dirt road, off the Coquihalla Connector, and ended up in Summerland! We saw some incredible country, and got some wonderful ice cream before heading back to the Nicola Valley.

I organized and then compiled a book, A Taste of the Valley, as an educational initiative. High school students interviewed seniors in the Nicola Valley and then recorded those stories. Each story in the book has a geocache attached to it. Twenty-nine of them appear on Geocaching.com, but there are several more that only appear in the book. Some of them have never been found! Geocaching in the Nicola valley could be a great goal for geocachers looking for a challenge!

Personal & Family Benefits

Geocaching in the Nicola Valley - Experience Nicola Valley

Geocaching is for all ages!

One of the characteristics of the game that grabbed me right away was that anyone, of any age could play. It is a wonderful activity for families, especially for grandparents and the grandkids. Four of my own grandchildren did their first geocache when they were babies. They pawed through the little trinkets in the containers and traded for what they liked. Everyone loves to find something and sometimes the caches are works of art.

I’ve seen Chinese puzzle box caches, containers that require you to find a key and fake rocks! My wife makes them for me! I’ve seen gnomes sprinkled throughout the forest that eventually led to the cache, a large gnome city! What has been most important for me has been the time I get doing something fun with my family. I mean, you can’t play video games all day, every day! You can’t even waterski or go for a run every day. Almost everyone will enjoy a treasure hunt to break up the monotony of watching TV!

Equipment Needed

All you need for the game is a hand-held GPS, or a cell phone. Then register yourself for a free Geocaching.com membership. That will give you access to the website and the millions of caches available worldwide. The whole Nicola Valley awaits your first attempt to find a geocache. Go for it!

International Connections

As I’ve stated there are millions of little treasures hidden around the world. From Inuvik, to Cape Dorset, to the Nicola Valley, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, even Antarctica, they’re everywhere. My wife and I have geocached all over the western hemisphere and every place we go we meet other geocachers. One day, in Berlin, we ended up with three groups of geocachers trying to find the same cache. It turns out that Germans, Spaniards and Canadians can enjoy the sport despite language issues! We managed to talk about Geocaching and our holidays for several minutes. That is another reason I love geocaching, those international connections!

Physical Fitness

Fun and fitness!

My wife and I love to hike and geocaching, particularly in the Nicola Valley, gives lots of opportunity. The Kane Valley Ski Trails, Tom Lacey Memorial Trail, Sugarloaf Mountain and other sites abound in hiking and geocaching opportunities.

Geocaching in the Nicola Valley

There are many caches in the city of Merritt, the valley and the surrounding hills. Within the town there is a huge, fourteen stage multi-cache centred around the many murals in town. There are caches that focus on the coal mining and ranching history of Merritt. A series of caches, that teach about the food and medicinal plants of the First Nations people.

There are caches that will take you to incredible vistas.

Other caches show the hopes, passions, and dreams of the people who called, or call, the Nicola Valley home.

Great sport! Join in to the geocaching treasure hunt.

And hunt for some of the geocaches here in the Nicola Valley that have never been found!

Guest Blogger: Jeff Bloom

Guest Blogger - Experience Nicola Valley

Jeff Bloom

Jeff Bloom was born and raised in Kamloops, British Columbia. He played a year of professional baseball before returning to Kamloops, getting married, finishing his education and becoming a teacher. He and his wife Gail have raised their two children in Merritt and now enjoy their grandchildren. Jeff has taught elementary school in the valley for 43 years and most recently has published one children’s picture book, with more to follow soon.

Geocaching in the Nicola valley has been one of Jeff’s passions over the years.

by House Member

Adventures (Summer), Camping, Nicola Valley

Enjoy Camping in Canada – Nicola Valley

Enjoy Camping in Canada

Experience Lundbom Lake in the Nicola Valley!

You may never want to go home!

Camping in Canada! Lundbom Lake West Recreation Site, in British Columbia, is an awesome fishing, horseback riding, and camping location! Add the surrounding area which provides excellent mountain biking and ATV/dirt bike riding and you may never want to go home!

Check out some exciting ways to experience Lundbom Lake!

Fees:$12.00 Camping
Fee Applies: Apr 27, 2018 – Oct 8, 2018 All Days
Campsites: 37
Access: Road
Facilities: Boat Launch
Tables
Toilets

Come in the summer, come in the fall, this lake is fabulous any time at all.

Each time I experience Lundbom Lake, I fall in love with it all over again! I know I’m just 15 minutes from downtown Merritt, but I feel like I’m miles away in the wilderness. Super easy to get to, it is just off Highway 97c on an easy-to-travel gravel road! Each summer I spend many weeks there enjoying all it has to offer, and even travel back and forth to work from my campsite!

The occasional lightening storm rolls through as seen from the west campground

The short drive on the gravel road takes your breath away! Rolling hills covered with wildflowers, sparkling lakes, and rich grasslands. Gorgeous! If you are planning on experiencing Lundbom Lake, you can also take the the back road through pine and fir forests and grassy, open meadows. There are a few extra bumps on this road, but is it worth it!

Camping in Canada? Great camping in the southern interior of BC

Lundbom Lake camping will add additional camp sites this year, as the demand is growing! It is usually full on weekends and holidays, so reserve early. It’s pretty easy to find a nice camping spot during the week. This is a forestry campsite so there is a small fee for camping.

Two areas to choose from – East and West

Even the horses smile at Lundbom Lake

Most of the sites are spacious and private, great for large RV’s, tents, and trailers! I have even seen motorcycle groups come and stay for overnighters. Several sites are right on the lake. Others are nestled in the forest. There are two areas for camping at Lundbom Lake, East and West. Stay on the main road to access the East side or cut through the west campground and take the back road thru the forest! You’ll find the campground hosts, Cathy and Clint, on the West site.

Click here for a quick timelapse of the sun setting at Lundbom Lake! Beautiful!

Excellent Equine Camping Experience

Horse people love it here! The West campground includes horse corals. “Build it and they will come.”, someone said. And they do!

The draw? The never ending trail riding. And the trails really are never ending! Trails thru the grasslands up the mountains, by the lakes, and into the forests. Spectacular!

Experience Lundbom Lake Fishing

My friend Joanne caught a beauty at our site.

Be prepared to catch “the big one”! I have seen them as big as 9 lbs and they can get even bigger! The lake is stocked with rainbow trout each year and there are plenty of fish to be caught here!

Some days are a little tricky but when the bite is on, it’s on! Lundbom Lake can be challenging so the more fishing skills you have, the better your luck will be. I don’t consider my self a “pro”, but I’ve had pretty good luck right off the shore!

Brian Chan & Phillip Rowley are fish experts and can provide excellent information and details on fish and fishing

To get specific information on the types and quantities, visit Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC.

Did you Know?

Fishing in the shoals on the west end of Lundbom Lake is a popular pastime.
Lundbom Lake at it’s deepest is about 80 ft.

History of Lundbom Lake

To find the history of Lundbom Lake, I reached out to Nicola Valley Museum and was thrilled with the response! They rock!! Special thanks to Emmanuelle Dugas!

I had heard that the lake was named after a Lundbom. The lake is actually named after an early Nicola Valley settler, a Norwegian bachelor named Agustus William Lundbaum.

In 1871, Lundbaum settled north of Nicola Lake. He was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1880 and a judge in the Court of Revision and Appeal under the Assessment Act for Nicola 1n 1881.

What did Lundbaum do?

Overlooking Lundbom Lake

Lundbaum was a great fisherman and is credited with introducing the angleworm into the district. Lundbom Lake was mainly known as Fishermans lake. It eventually became popular for just lazing around or hiking. Early campers said it was crawling with all kinds of insects, snakes, frogs, moles and coyotes. They said the fish were “small, silvery and saucy”.

Sometime before Lundbaum left in 1885 or 1886, he declared the Nicola Country was “going to the dogs” and “the grass was about done”. He rode the range, with his rifle, shooting down his heifer calves so that as he put it, “ there would be enough grass grow” for those he allowed to survive.

Lundbaum was so concerned about the overgrazing of the Nicola Rangeland that it is said he went out of his mind and was taken out of the valley, never to return. He apparently recovered and farmed in the Fraser Valley.

Lundbom Commanage

Ridley and Pooley staked a claim and applied to purchase the open country. This action resulted in the Stockmen from Nicola Lake signing a petition to the government to have the area declared a commonage reserve under the Commonage Act.

The commonage bearing Agustus William Lundbaum’s name still exists as established in 1887 and is a fitting monument to this early environmentalist. It is a commonage reserve to this day.

Lundbom Commanage contains 100 acres. Lundbom Head, sometimes called Sugar Loaf Mountain, stands in the Lundbom Commons.

Now visitors from far and wide enjoy the Lundbom Lake experience!

Turquoise waters at Lundbom Lake?

Camping at Canada, at Lundbom Lake! Lots of fun…

But always be careful and be safe! Wildfires are always an issue during the hot summer months.

Check the Fire Bans and Restrictions

I remember when Lundbom Lake used to be turquoise waters.

Anyone else remember that? And know why it’s not anymore?

And want to read about why I love living in Merritt? Read my blog…

Julie

by Julie Pollard

Merritt, Nicola Valley, Restaurants Cafes

Merritt Restaurants – Brambles Bakery & Cafe

Brambles Bakery & Cafe – A Dream Come True

“Brambles is a true delight for all your senses.”

There is nothing I love better than dreaming up a great idea and then bringing it to life! From a simple thought shared with others, then planned and executed, there is nothing that tickles my fancy more than creation and production! Well…except, perhaps, for listening to someone else’s idea and watching them bring it to fruition. I’ve discovered over the years that the latter saves me a whole heckuva lot of work! Brambles Bakery & Cafe – evolved from just such a brainchild, many moons ago.

The idea came to my pal, Dorothy Molnar. I remember her saying, “I’d love to have a little cafe where we make great soups from our own home-made stocks and maybe sell them for people to take home…”

Ideas Percolating…

The idea percolated for many years while Dorothy, or Dodo, as her growing gaggle of grandchildren and friends call her, attended TRU for basic culinary training and sourdough bread-making classes at San Francisco Baking Institute. Her four beautiful children grew and flew. Then, finally, oldest daughter Sarah, equally ambitious and creative and a lover of baking, expressed a desire to share and expand upon her mother’s dream.

That dream is now a marvellous Merritt Restaurant – Brambles Bakery & Cafe – located downtown at 2151 Quilchena Avenue! Since its manifestation in 2009, it has quickly become a community hub for not only splendid soups created from fabulous home-made stocks, but brilliant breads and tantalizing treats made from the finest ingredients, one being a whole lotta love!

Brambles Bakery & Cafe

Brambles Bakery & Cafe is accurately described on its website:

“As soon as you walk through the door, you can feel the relaxing atmosphere, hear the laughter and chatter of our guests; you smell delicious food just before you see our exquisite treats and want to taste them – Brambles is a true delight for all your senses.

A busy Community hub

Of course there is also the fun and friendly staff, a space for the kids to play, the eclectic menu with real, healthy food made from scratch, daily lunch specials, and a feeling of community.

Did we mention that our food is delicious?”

All of this is true, but there is more!

The vibe at Brambles is laid-back, save the bustling staff, working hard to ensure that your order comes out quickly and accurately.

A selection of “Old World” breads

And there is no doubt that their home-crafted breads are brilliant! All of the breads, buns and focaccia are perfect for dipping in your soup du jour or for enclosing your favourite sandwich ingredients. They are made in the “Old World” way, using pre-fermented doughs with long, slow fermenting times, providing many health benefits. Brambles is a member of the Bread Bakers Guild of America, and Dorothy and Sarah often travel to symposiums to hone their bread-making skills. You’ll find sourdough, Alsatian rye, Country, and Multi-Grain-Seed breads daily, while extra-special ones are baked on certain days of the week. Have you ever tried sour cherry chocolate or sourdough cranberry bread? Oh, you must!

And when they say “Best Buns”, you’d better believe it!

Focaccia Breads

Never disappointing!

Brambles’ Brownies

You know how sometimes you choose something that looks amazing from the showcase in a bakery, but when you bite into it, it doesn’t come close to tasting as good as it looks? I cannot count the number of times that happened to me in the past. It is darned disappointing! That never happens at Brambles Bakery & Cafe! Everything is made from scratch with real butter and fresh local ingredients where possible, and everything is truly fabulous. My personal favourites include: Hazelnut Roulade, Rhubarb Torte Squares, Coconut Tarts, Lemon Squares, and Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns.

Oh, Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Buns, I love you so!

A Merritt Restaurant - Brambles Bakery & Cafe

Sticky cinnamon buns with pecans

It is also one of the few places in the Nicola Valley where you can find gluten-free and vegan options, with those options continually expanding. The soups are gluten-free. You can have your sandwiches made with gluten-free bread, and you can also enjoy tantalizing GF treats such as Black Bean Brownies, Hazelnut Date Bars, Almond Lemon Cake with Raspberry Filling, and you can take home bags of gluten-free Granola.

Dodo serving sandwiches

Vegan Tuesdays

Today was “Vegan Tuesday”. I enjoyed the daily special, a delicious chickpea salad with apricots cashew sauce and greens with a side of home-made rhubarb chutney and a cup of bean soup!

Of course I had to have a treat to take home to enjoy with my afternoon tea, so I chose GF Carrot Cake. Cake is something this waistline does not need, but, oh, it wanted it so badly! I thought it might be a tad dry, as some GF baking tends to be, but no! It was Yum!

Brambles also serves healthful salads with a wide variety of dressing choices, and they have a liquor license, to boot! You will find a selection of local Left Field Cider Company Ciders and near-local beer and wines.

Any Coffee in this Cafe?

Oh, dear! How can it be a Cafe without coffee? Espresso? Yes! Flavours? Yes! Drip? Yes! You can even get an added liqueur shot! Also a wide selection of teas, hot or iced!

Nicola Valley Honey

And, as if all that is not enough, there are shelves where you can browse for food and gifts to take away. You’ll find Brambles’ own packaged food items, local Nicola Valley Honey, as well as local food gifts. They also sell sturdy, colourful African Market Baskets, whose purchase helps to support humanitarian projects in the villages of Ghana. Methinks they would make a perfect picnic basket, loaded up with Brambles’ food to take up into the hills for a Food Adventure! Or to take home to a loved one! Any woman I know would think that was the best gift EVER!

Brambles Bakery and Cafe – A Dream Come True

Not only was this Merritt Restaurant – Brambles Bakery & Cafe – a dream-come-true for Dorothy and Sarah, it was a dream-come-true for the entire Valley. At the time they opened their doors, there was little in the way of this special kind of place, and no bake-from-scratch bakery. It was an instant success and continues to thrive. Many out-of-towners have discovered this treasure, and stop in during their travels.

Sarah and Dorothy

Thank you, Dorothy and Sarah! I had my great idea of “the Quilchena Street Cafe” back in the day, but I am so happy that you saved me all that hard work!

And, never could I have pulled it off with such incredible panache!

JGS

PS Did you read my blog on the Quilchena Hotel One Eleven Bar and Grill meals? Pop over now and catch up!

by House Member

Adventures (Summer), Merritt, Nicola Valley, Seniors

Seniors Bike Riding

Things to do for Seniors in Merritt

“Bike, helmet, lock and picnic lunch all organized, off we went.”

Come have some bike riding fun in Merritt. Remember when we were kids? We biked everywhere because we had to. It was our only means of transportation if we didn’t want to walk. Today we planned to take an easy ride around the flat part of Merritt, since I haven’t been on a bike for over 35 years. As a senior I decided a gentle restart to bike riding was in order. We could stop for a picnic lunch in a quiet, grassy place, near the river or in one of the parks along the route.

Senior Bike Choices

Since I don’t own my own bike, I decided to get the best bike and biking information directly from Travis at “Breathe Bikes”. The word is out. He not only sells a wide range of bikes and all the gear to go with them, he also rents them. And at very reasonable rates too! Some really pretty ones include a new favorite of mine – the tricycle.

Tricycles For Seniors

Ready for a picnic

At first, I felt unsure about riding a tricycle. I thought, “How can I say I got my bruises

from falling off a tricycle? This thing will be heavy, clumsy and hard to steer.” That is sooo not true! Travis had me test-drive an evo bike. Once around the block and I was hooked! That’s all it took for me to get the feel of “triking”.

I loved my evo tricycle with its upright handlebars. I could actually sit on its comfortable, bum-shaped seat! It is light, steers well, and has a large basket fitted on the back. A good load of groceries or a big picnic for two (with wine) will easily fit. It even folds for easier storage! Bike, helmet, lock and picnic lunch all organized, off we went.

Seniors Biking Routes

The route you take will depend on your fitness level. You can wimp out (as I did) and go for super easy or challenge yourself with a tough, uphill grind. Our choice was the Coldwater River/Voght Street route, an easy 3.4 km, most of it away from traffic.

We started outside “Breathe Bikes” on Quilchena Avenue, turned right onto Voght Street and were on our way.

We passed several interesting shops in the first few blocks so I mentally marked them for further exploration another day. Our goal was the entrance to the trail that runs alongside the Coldwater River. It’s an easy find because the parking lot gives it away.

The Coldwater River Trail

Coldwater River Trail

When we reached the Coldwater River Trail, everything was amazing! It was one of those perfect days when Merritt smiles on you. The sky was a beautiful cloudless blue. A warm, light breeze cooled our barely sweating skin and not a single mosquito showed its nasty little head! Not even in the cool, tree-shaded parts of the path.

This is a peaceful, scenic route with lots of little perks. We lucked out that day! The saskatoon berries were ripe when we went by so, of course we stopped to pick some. Good thing we brought a couple of bags with us. Merritt always seems to have tasty, wild things growing along the paths wherever we go.

Route Distractions

It’s a good thing we weren’t trying for a hard workout. The river is low at this time of year and such a distraction that we tied up and skidded down the bank for a short wade. Yes, the water is cold! Found some pretty rocks washed down by the spring floods, nothing valuable, just pretty. Afterward, we sat on a gravel bar listening to the birds and enjoying the sweet, warm air.

Bike Riding and Lunch

Coldwater River

Our stomachs were starting to let us know that lunch was next, so we scrambled back up to our bikes and pushed on. This last part of the path seemed to be quite busy. More bike riders, people walking dogs, dogs walking people, and several runners- all going faster than we were!

When we were almost at Main Street we found a good place for a picnic. Lots of green grass, a few shade trees, laughter, families having lunch, a dog chasing a ball. A good place to eat. We tied up our bikes (trike), spread out our feast and tucked in. I guess I should admit here that the saskatoons never made it home. They topped off our lunch deliciously!

Homeward Bound

The last part of our ride was on city streets, but quiet city streets. Main Street and then Quilchena Avenue were very peaceful all the way back to “Breathe Bikes”.

We’d had such a relaxing day! It felt as if I had been gone for a weekend instead of only a few hours. Going bike riding is another great thing for seniors to do in Merritt.

I returned my tricycle reluctantly. In the short time we spent together on the trail, I felt that the trike and I had become good friends. Do you think I should give her a permanent home?

I would call her Millie.

From your senior blogger,

Diane

by Jano Howarth

Businesses, Merritt, Nicola Valley, People, Services

A Nicola Valley Perspective on Youth Entrepreneurship

When we are young, we feel we can conquer the world.

Not that long ago I was part of this vigorous demographic. Time flies eh! When we are young, we feel we can conquer the world but it’s not until we struggle accomplishing our own goals that we realize growing up may not be as easy as we thought. Let’s invest in our Youth (Youth Entrepreneurship). Give our Youth the opportunity to remember us because of the positive impact we had in their lives.

From left to right: Carlos Olguin, Nathan Olguin, Alexander Olguin and Daniel Olguin

One morning I asked my 11 year old son what entrepreneurship meant to him?

We have different opinions for everything. Many times it depends where you are coming from and how life has treated you. Entrepreneurship is no different; it might mean something different for each one of us. As an example, one morning I asked my 11 year old son what entrepreneurship meant to him? His answer was, “I know what the word means, but I keep forgetting. Entrepreneurship I think means like I heard it in the TV show Shark Tank. It was like learning to start a business and making your business. Kind of what you do at Community Futures helping people grow businesses”.

If you had $50.00 dollars to start a business what kind of business would you start?

I was not expecting this answer so I had to ask a second question to my son. So Nathan, if you had $50.00 dollars to start a business, what kind of business would you start? This was his answer. “With $50.00 dollars I could start a lemonade stand and I could start selling lemonade. I would probably locate my lemonade stand in a populated area on a really hot day when people are rushing with their kids willing to pay 25 or 50 cents for an ice cold lemonade”. If we think a little bit about his answer, he not only thought about his target market, he also thought about the ideal location with the right foot traffic under the right weather condition to succeed in his business. Way to go Nathan!

What kind of programs and services are we offering to our Youth in our Community?

What are we doing to provide our Youth with the tools and resources they need to develop their entrepreneurial skills?

According to tradingeconomics.com “Youth Unemployment Rate in Canada remained unchanged at 11.10 percent in May from 11.10 percent in April of 2018. Youth Unemployment Rate in Canada averaged 14.04 percent from 1976 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 20.70 percent in October of 1982 and a record low of 10.30 percent in September of 2017”.

The option to invest in our Youth is no longer a choice but an essential need.

Given the high rates of Youth Unemployment in Canada, the option to invest in our Youth is no longer a choice but an essential need. They are our future business owners that will represent the back bone of our local economy.

As mentioned by Will George, manager of Economic Development and Tourism for the City of Merritt “As a community we need to be open and eager to help assist Youth discover what entrepreneurship is all about. Starting a business is not just for adults but for anyone who has passion of starting their own business. Commencing at a young age helps Youth think about other opportunities besides just working at their typical jobs. Starting a business is not for everyone, but everyone should have an opportunity and resources available to them to make up their own mind on the matter.”

Mark Nendick (PFN Coaching), Sarah Forsberg (Capital Cake Company), Travis Fehr (Breathe Bikes), Ashley Dearden (Sinfully Sugar’d), Preston Customs (Darren Preston).

Job creation is the opportunity to create local jobs for local people.

Part of my job at Community Futures is to help entrepreneurs start their own small businesses. Throughout the last eight years, I have helped numerous people start their own business. It is gratifying to see my clients succeed while running their own businesses, but I have also seen them struggling or breaking even especially for the first few months in business.

Job creation is an important component within our community. It’s the opportunity to create local jobs for local people. There are some awesome programs that help create summer student positions such as the Summer Student Program. This program provides wage subsidies to employers to create employment for secondary and post-secondary students. I am all in favor of job creation, but I think we also need to incubate our local entrepreneurial talent.

Merritt Youth Entrepreneurship Program 2018. From left to right: Manuel Olguin, Bryan Chavez, Sajjin Lali, Amrit Samra, Kara Wright, Julia Smith & Jacob Schultz.

Five young minds embracing lawn care, photography, web designing, and retail.

With this in mind, Community Futures Nicola Valley in partnership with the City of Merritt and the School District 58 this year launched the Merritt Youth Entrepreneurship Program.

This Youth Entrepreneurship initiative was offered to all Nicola Valley students in grades 8-12 who were looking for some extra cash this summer. This program not only provides up to $200.00 start-up funding but also provides business resources to support our students in their entrepreneurial path.

These five young minds will have the opportunity to run their summer business for the months of July and August. Four different industry sectors will be represented by these five entrepreneurs: lawn care, photography, web designing, and retail. These students will also have the opportunity to showcase their businesses at the next Provincial Community Futures Conference on September 13-15, 2018 here in Merritt, B.C.

Photo courtesy of Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement has several programs such as Dream Big.

Junior Achievement has been working actively in our Community for the past years. They have several programs that include: A Business of Our Own, More Than Money, Dollars with Sense, Be Entrepreneurial, and Dream Big amongst other programs.

In 2016 I started working closely with Kara Wright the Program Coordinator for Junior Achievement office in Kamloops. We successfully delivered the “Be Entrepreneurial Program” to grade 9-12 students at Merritt Secondary School. While working on the Merritt Youth Entrepreneurship Program, Kara and I successfully delivered the business model canvas. This business model canvas was delivered to five successful students enrolled in the program. For those of you who may not know, a “business model canvas” is a business model all on one page.

4-H Club in Canada.

A few years back, I remember reading about the 4-H Club in Canada. It’s great to know that this club is finally back in Merritt. In the near future, I will be blogging about the 4-H Club in the Nicola Valley. Stay tuned!

The lack of initiatives to support the Youth in my home-town discouraged me from starting my own business.

For those who do not know me, I grew up in a small town close to Mexico City. Thinking back in time, I wish I had such programs as all those mentioned in this blog. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset, but lack of initiatives to support Youth in my home-town discouraged me from starting my own business. I am glad my children are raised in Canada where I can let them explore their entrepreneurial skills by shoveling snow or cutting the grass in my neighborhood without being concerned about their own safety.

We just might figure out a way to make the world a better place.

Entrepreneurship may be kids selling candies or home-made popcorn to their classmates at school, or having a lemonade stand on a sunny day. It’s Youth with the courage, creativity and drive to face the potential setbacks along the way of their entrepreneurial path.

By supporting and recognizing what our local Youth Entrepreneurs are bringing to the table, we just might figure out a way to make the world a better place.

Supporting our Youth! What a great legacy to leave behind us.

MOR

by Manuel Olguin

Entertainment - Music, Events & Festivals, Nicola Valley, Restaurants Cafes

Coffee House Music in Merritt, Canada

Another Great Thing for Seniors to Do in the Nicola Valley

Coffee House Music – On to the Future

Remember the old underground Coffee House of the 60’s and 70’s? Come with me and enjoy all the nostalgic fun of that era minus the toke smoke and obscure poetry.

No sneaking around in dank, dark cellars either. This Coffee House is in the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame at 2025 Quilchena Avenue, smack in the heart of downtown Merritt! It’s a spacious well- lit venue with great acoustics and good lighting. Add live, mostly country, music, a mix of songs from earlier times, some blues, a bit of sing-along fun and of course, coffee. Welcome to the future of the 1960’s coffee house, Merritt style.

Coffee House Jam in Merritt, Canada

On June 23^rd, we went to check it out. Not only did we have a fantastic time, we also met several old friends and made a few new ones. Imagine my surprise when I looked around the room to discover not only the expected seniors, but also a family with five (very well-behaved) little boys and a good mix of younger people. It seems that everyone loves coffee house music!

Coffee House Entertainment

Al Horne and his wife Denise hosted, and they entertained us royally! Everyone enjoyed their music. We seniors because we remembered most of the “oldies” they sang and could sing along. The kids caught on to the chorus quickly.

They especially loved the hand clapping and foot stomping bits.

I so love to watch Denise and Al perform. A sweetness shows between them as they peek at each other for cues or just flash a quick, encouraging grin back and forth. Their give and take banter always gets a laugh too. They offer us these naturally, warm, “feel good” moments without even realizing they are doing it! It’s obvious to everyone that they’re having as good a time as we are. Makes the coffee house atmosphere so friendly and personal.

Coffee House Feature Act – Bobby Garcia

Every coffee house needs a feature act and Bobby Garcia certainly delivers! In person he

Bobby Garcia

seems quiet, polite and a little shy, but on stage he sure can sing up a storm! Backed by Herb MacLellan, we were surprised and delighted to hear this young man sing the oldies that we grew up with, as well as some modern country. This talented entertainer not only writes a lot of his own songs, but sings them as well! He was nice enough to let me take his picture during the break. And as you can see, he’s a cutie!

Bobby has been a popular singer/songwriter in Merritt for some time. But did you know that he recently recorded an album in Nashville, which is available online and here in Merritt? Nashville’s interest can only be a good sign! Best of luck to Merritt’s own Bobby Garcia!

Coffee House Entertainment – Robert Bertrand

Robert Bertrand

What fun we had with Robert Bertrand on stage. That truly was a trip down memory lane! I have to admit I’m pretty good at recognizing country songs as far back as the 1930’s. My dad used to sing them to me when I was a baby and they really stuck! Robert stumped me but good though when he took the old cowboy songs and blues back past that era. We all enjoyed the music but some of the older audience really got it! I wonder, did their daddies sing to them too?

If you like Kenny Rogers and Willie Nelson, you would certainly enjoy Robert. He sings like a bit of both of them, with a little gravel of experience in his voice. All those “Don’t love me honey or “I might do you wrong” lyrics are delivered with a twinkle in his eye and a wicked, knowing grin. He sure can get the crowd smiling and toe tapping! No wonder he is asked to play so often.

During the break he, too, was nice enough to let me take his picture. Doesn’t he look as if he would fit right into his songs?

Coffee House in the Hall of Fame

Al and Denise, and the Coffee House crew, host a monthly coffee house at the Hall of Fame here in Merritt. Featuring both new guests and repeat favorites, it isn’t just an entertaining evening, but a social event too. In this coffee house, visitors are welcomed, friendships renewed and new friendships formed.

If good friends and entertainment aren’t enough, there is always the Hall of Fame itself. The exhibits tie in nicely with the music and atmosphere and are worth exploring in themselves. Quite a few of the the exhibited stars are seniors. I was glad we arrived early so I could check out some of the costumes that I missed last time. Some of those women were so tiny! Hmm, maybe I should take up guitar and singing.

Coffee House Wind-up

What did this senior learn from doing an evening of coffee house music, Merritt style? This is one experience I will definitely repeat.

Do you enjoy coffee houses?

From your senior on the go,

Diane

by Diane Lavoie

Entertainment - Music, Events & Festivals, Merritt, Nicola Valley

Open Mic Nights in Merritt, Canada

Open Mic’Apalooza Tonight!

Since last summer, Merritt, BC, has been hosting Open Mic Nights at the Kekuli Cafe.

Kekuli Cafe

There is a wealth of talent in the Nicola Valley. And we wanted a place for the locals and visitors to enjoy some of the musical talent. Our focus is family friendly, encouraging and accepting of all skill levels, and we continue by donation.

We are also supported by the Nicola Valley Arts Council, who contributed funds for a sound system just the right size for our Kekuli venue.

And our first year of Open Mic Nights has been a great success…

Beginning of Open Mic Nights

Robert Bertrand

The provenance of this Open Mic experience began in the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, on Quilchena Avenue. During the winter and spring of 2017, several of us encouraged musicians to perform there on Friday afternoons.

Robert Bertrand, newly local musician extraordinaire, came every week and was at times joined by other musicians. Guitars, banjos, violins, harmonica, and piano were played by Tina Vesper, Anna-Marie Forest, Willard Wallace, and others, both locals and visitors passing through. Musicians played on their own, or together.

The audience on those Friday afternoons was spare but enthusiastic. People showed up now and then, but not enough to make the performances more than a work out for the musicians, with a few coins in the donation box barely covering local transportation. And plans to put in speakers for the street, to lure people in, did not manifest in time to keep the afternoons going. How to continue, and in what form, was under discussion by those of us who loved the live performances.

On one Friday afternoon, Jeremy Ball took a seat in one of the empty chairs, while Robert Bertrand played.

And in a discussion with Jeremy, Robert, and the few of us there in the CCMHF, the seeds of our Open Mic took hold.

Jeremy’s personal initiatives, with collaborators, then carried the thoughts of an open mic night to fruition.

Mr. Mic, Open Mic Host

Jeremy Ball

Jeremy Ball has hosted the weekly Open Mic Nights on almost every single occasion since it began last August 2107.

A local himself, returning after he left as a young man to explore the world, Jeremy had musical experience, as a singer and a band member. His career as an educator was apparent in his hosting: managing the room with humor filled firmness, filling the gaps on a slow night with English, and other, language stories, and quizzes about music and local events.

And Jeremy sang a variety of genre- from opera, to Moon River to Coldplay’s The Scientist, either alone or in duets.

But perhaps Mr Mic’s most satisfying “job” at our Open Mic Nights, was bringing a variety of performances together to fill an entertaining evening of music and spoken word.

Local Performers at Open Mic Nights

OM has several regular performers. Robert Bertrand comes often. He is a stellar musician, performing

blues, rock and country with energy, skill, and experience.

Willard Wallace covers favorites from Neil Young, the Beatles and more. (And he has contributed

Willard Wallace
to OM’s success, even providing his own sound system when he had a glitch with ours.)
Al and Denise bring a repartee that is as entertaining as their music.
Anita Wessel reads us amusing stories from entertaining authors.
The Strange Companions are a favorite when they come.
Michelle Etchart sings blues, show tunes and Basque honor songs.
Quade Lindgren shows up to perform often, with his own songs and favorites.
The younger generation of Lonsdales sing their own songs for us when they are in town.
And Jim West has been a consistent presence over the last couple of months.

We have dance, poetry, and music of such a variety, from Strings Plus duets, to opera, to bluegrass, to rap, to drum and flute music from First Nations.

We love our locals showing up to share with us.

Joey Lonsdale

Performers from Outside the Nicola Valley

Also, Open Mic Nights has had a stream of musicians and performers from other towns, other countries….

Sometimes it is arranged, like Jim and Carol, coming from the Shuswap. This duo runs a Coffee House themselves near Celista. And as Carol was a local herself for years, the night attracted friends in the audience and musicians alike.

Sometimes it is serendipity, with a musician passing through town who shows up on an Open Mic Night.

Visitors passing through

One night a musician couple stopped for gas at the Seven-Eleven across the street from the Kekuli Cafe and saw our OM sign. They spent the evening with us.

On our opening night, Blues pianist Murray Porter, Juno Award Winner, was in town filming a documentary with students at our local post-secondary institute, NVIT. He showed up and played on a borrowed guitar.

We love the visiting musicians. They provide variety and buzz.

It’s Bobby Garcia!

Bobby Garcia

And we love the nights that our own local stars show up, like Willard Wallace, Robert Bertrand, Paul Thomson, and of course, country and western singer Bobby Garcia!

Bobby has lived in the valley all his life, and has played music for most of it.

Bobby Garcia and Six More Strings has just released a new album. From Bobby’s Facebook page, “My Cd is ready! These Boots is Available on ITunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Play, and I have hard copies available for sale! Thank your for your support! Stream my music!…12 songs…”

Robert Bertrand and Bobby Garcia

Open Mic Night Fans

As with all events like Open Mic Nights, our audience is what makes it ongoing. And just as we have

Open Mic Music fans Doug and Donna

regular performers, we have regular attendees. Like Donna and Doug who love all music events in town and rarely miss ours. And Mary Dickie, in her 90s, who arrives on her own or with friends. Another dozen or so show up week after week. All ages…

Sure we have quiet nights. But we also have standing room only nights!

Open Mic Nights has its own Facebook page, where you can see what we have been up to, and what is coming next. We have a featured artist weekly and usually book them several weeks in advance.

Future of Open Mic Nights

Our host, and all-round talent, Jeremy Ball, is moving on to other adventures out of the valley. He will be missed. And missed a lot, by those of us who work with him and enjoy his many qualities.

One of Mr. Mic’s last songs says it all…

“It’s such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be this hard”

Open Mic Nights will carry on.

The Nicola Valley Community Arts Council continues its support. Kekuli Cafe is keeping the doors open.

Elijah Stirling-Mack, Kekuli Staff

The amazing staff at Kekuli will still be there. The Open Mic volunteers will continue to plan and implement the evening. And Denise Kearney (of Al and Denise) has committed to hunting down revolving hosts and featured artists.

And we have a young crew of workers for the summer months…including Amrit Ahuja, an auditory engineer with a future in sound and music. Hand him a mic!

Open Mic Nights…an ongoing successful program of music and spoken word in Merritt, Canada, in the beautiful Nicola Valley.

Keep coming! Good music is planned for the weeks ahead.

Come on in, if your haven’t stopped in yet.

From out of town? Make Merritt a destination stop, there’s lots to do here! And be sure your plan around a Friday night!

See you there!

Open Mic Nights Audience

Jano

by Jano Howarth