Tag Archive for: Creative Community

, , , , , , ,

Christmas Shopping Merritt BC

Christmas Shopping in Merritt BC Canada

Holiday Festivities, Celebrations and Family Time

Shopping local in the Nicola Valley is an act of kindness. There is no better time to support our local stores and shops in Merritt British Columbia Canada than during the Xmas shopping season.  

 

Whenever I think of Christmas Shopping in Merritt BC Canada, downtown shopping comes to mind. Growing up here in the Nicola Valley gave me some of the most memorable memories of Christmas shopping in Merritt BC in all the downtown businesses. Moreover, during my childhood, it seemed that the whole town would come out to shop locally.  Although, in the last couple of years many of our traditional festivities were put on hold due to Covid. Now, it is the perfect time of year to support our local stores, purchase a gift for a loved one. You are also gifting that store a gift of appreciation by shopping local. 

Christmas shopping in Merritt BC Canada

Santa’s Elf. Photo by Tania Stewart
Santas elves in Merritt BC Canada

Santa’s best elves. Photo credit Tania Stewart

 

“Many of our local businesses start the shopping season with great rollbacks, sales, and discounts. Additionally, they provide that small-town personal service we all have come to enjoy from our community businesses.” Tania Stewart

 

Christmas Tree at Spirit Square

Christmas Tree at Spirit Square. Photo credit: Tania Stewart.

Christmas Shopping in Merritt BC Canada During Events

Our annual Merritt Christmas parade, called Country Xmas, comes to mind. Ironically, this event also marks the time I start my holiday shopping.  Make this years holiday one to truly remember by supporting our local businesses.  While attending all or some of the Holiday events being held in town during the holiday season, is another opportunity to shop local in Merritt. 

Downtown Artisans 

I often ask myself, where to shop for those unique personal gifts. Matching the gift to the local store is a talent in itself. However, we are fortunate here in the Nicola Valley because we enjoy so many downtown businesses that sell unique handmade items from local artisans. Personal gifts for that special person in your life.  

Christmas parade in Merritt BC

Holiday Parade. Photo by Greg Girard

Vision Quest Optical and Gifts

Jeanine Gustafson is the proud owner of Vision Quest Optical and Gifts. Her local store has a wide variety of gifts and gadgets for Christmas shopping in  Merritt BC. Moreover, I can not express how important it is to support our local businesses. Tis the season to do so. What can you expect to find at Vision Quest? Well, she has jewelry, gems, glass frames, toys, cards, books and local art. Moreover, Jeanine is an optician with 30 years experience. Offering optical services to the community with a bonus of unique gifts for that special person.  

Christmas Shopping Merritt BC

Decorative BC designed drum bag. Photo credit Jeanine Gustafson
Christmas Shopping Merritt BC

Feather earrings by Jeanine Gustafson
Shop local in Merritt, BC

Hand made baby moccasins. Photo credit Jeanine Gustafson

Fact

Majority of the First Nation’s artwork comes from the Nicola Valley and nearby regions such as Lillooet. Her contacts also provide her with 1st Nations items designed in BC to satisfy her visitors from other provinces and countries. Look for beautiful designs on drum bags, a red lampshade, beaded earrings, medallions, baskets, cards. Prices are very reasonable for the quality and work the artists put into these beautiful uniquely items. Christmas Shopping Merritt BC circles back into our community.

 

Shop Local in Merritt, BC

Gems and Jewelry. Photo credit Jeanine Gustafson
Shop Local in Merritt, BC

1st Nations Art. Photo credit Jeanine Gustafson

Items you will find at Vision Quest are,  local books from local authors,  fun toys for kids, guitar pics, beading supplies and so much more! 

Christmas in Merritt BC Canada

Creative Company. Photo credit Experience Nicola Valley

Christmas Shopping Merritt Downtown at Creative Company

Creative Company is located downtown. The shop showcases unique beautiful handmade items for every age. These art pieces include: Stained Glass, Hand Woven Scarves and Tea Towels, Handbags, Silver Jewelry, Baby and Children’s Clothing and Blankets, Photography, Slate and Wood Products Western Home Décor, and much more. Truly a must for holiday shopping with so many different and neat items. Make sure to go and check out all of the talented artisans work made in the Nicola Valley.  

Shopping Merritt BC

Hand Bags. Photo from Experience Nicola Valley
Christmas shopping Merritt BC

Unique baby/kids clothing. Picture Experience Nicola Valley

Art Gallery and Gift Shops in Merritt BC

Nicola Valley Art Gallery and Gift Shop is located at  2051 Voght Street. There are over  30 local artists and artisans filling this local gallery with gifts- practical, creative, fun and beautiful works for all ages.  Everything from bath salts, honey, paintings, handmade scarves, knitted items, clothing, glass work and so much more can be found right here in Merritt at the Art Gallery and Gift Shop. Beat the crowds and last minute shopping with shopping local, save gas and money while supporting our community. 

Christmas in Merritt BC Canada

Street Art. Photo by Jano Howarth
Gift Shop Artisan Work

Art Gallery Artisans. Photo by Jano Howarth

Shopping local provides economic growth to our community and locality to the businesses that contribute so much to our town. 

Christmas shopping Merritt BC

Crafted wood. Photo by Tania Stewart
Christmas in Merritt BC Canada

Adorable snowmen. Photo by Tania Stewart

Miss Vicki’s Petals and Plants Flower Shop 

Located downtown. Miss Vicki’s a holiday shopping destination for flowers and a wide assortment of gifts. The sights and smells in this store make any visit to Miss Vicki’s Petals & Plants a special experience for many senses. The colorful blooming flowers and plants covering the walls and floors of her shop is a journey of rainbow colors and fairy tale scents. Additionally, Miss Vicki also supports 40+ local artisans work with a wide display throughout store. With numerous one of a kind hand -made artifacts is a testament to how special this shop really is. 

Miss Vicki’s Petals & Plants is truly a welcomed delight and is surely is an appreciated ambassador for Downtown Merritt.  

Go ahead, visit this Merritt flower shop and take a deep breath. Along with all the vibrant colors you are always welcomed with a warm smile from “Miss Vicki”, the stores proprietor. Schedule some time to peruse and see all that is available for every whim and age. 

Miss Vicki. Photo credit: Miss Vicki

Life is good at Miss Vicki’s. Photo Credit Vicki Hansen

 

Flower arrangements. Photo Credit Tania Stewart
Birding gifts in merritt

Bird house gift. Photo Credit Tania Stewart

Holiday Shopping in the Nicola Valley

Christmas shopping in Merritt BC is not only a mindset it is also a great privilege. Many other communities are not so lucky to have such a wide range of unique art nor treated on a personal level that these amazing store owners provide daily. Not just during the holidays, throughout the year they go beyond and strive to provide the best service for you. 

Merritt Christmas Parade. Photo by Greg Girard

Festive Holiday Parade. Photo credit Greg Girard

Is that Santa? Picture by Greg Girard

A little bit of Christmas Spirit in Merritt BC

Christmas Spirit in Merritt BC Canada. Tis’ the season for an Experience the Nicola Valley holiday celebration right here in Merritt British Columbia Canada.  Christmas decorations are typically put up in late November or early December, usually to coincide with the start of Advent. ​

Christmas Shopping Merritt BC

Downtown Merritt Parade. Photo by Greg Girard
Shopping Merritt BC

Parade Float. Photo by Greg Girard

 

More importantly, the support for our local businesses is paramount to their survival. Share the spirit of Christmas through-out the Nicola Valley.

​

Grinch in Merritt. Photo by Greg Girard

Merritt BC  “Lights Up” the Nicola Valley with Elaborate Decorations.

So many shout outs to those who light up our seasons. The “Light Ups” show how much they love the Christmas season and feature the spirit of kindness. Furthermore, Merritt Christmas Light Tour throughout the streets showcasing all the spectacular decorations. Ideal for everyone to sit back and enjoy the festivities. 

Christmas Train

Christmas Train. Photo by Tania Stewart
Christmas in Merritt BC Canada

The spirit of Christmas. Photo by Tania Stewart

Christmas Spirit

Above all the spirit of Christmas in Merritt BC Canada can truly be experienced with family and friends. Whether it is creating a magical float for our town’s parade. Shopping for unique gifts in many of our downtown stores that carry local artisan’s art work ranging from, paintings, jewelry, scarfs, clothing, pottery, honey, beauty products that are made right here in the Nicola Valley. The true meaning of Christmas in Merritt BC is not what we get or what we spend. No, the true meaning of Christmas is coming together and enjoying each other’s time, and creating lasting memories. 

Christmas in Merritt BC

Melvina White at the Civic Centre Merritt BC. Photo by Tania Stewart

Miss Vicki’s Petals and Plants Flower Shop. Photo credit Tania Stewart.

In Conclusion.

Very little during this, and most, winter seasons can be compared to the joy and spirit of the holidays. Make this years holiday one to truly remember. Support our local stores, when you shop local,  purchase a gift for a loved one, you are also gifting that store a gift of appreciation by shopping local. 

#shoplocalmerritt hashtag on social media supported and promoted by ExperienceNicolaValley.com and ExperienceMerritt.com

Merry Xmas Nicola Valley from all of us at Experience Nicola Valley and Santa himself from the North Pole. 

 
Christmas in Merritt BC

Santa in the North Pole. Photo credit Greg Girard.

Christmas Shopping in Merritt BC Canada

Gift a local store in the Nicola Valley. Shop local. 

Nicola Valley Travel and Tourism Guides

 

nicola valley talk show

“Experience Community Program” is a small and rural community authentic content marketing program.  Therefore it is a product of the EH? Canada Marketing Group.  Contact us today to bring this award winning program to your community.

by
, , , , ,

Community Futures Engagement Fair 2022

Community Futures Engagement Fair 2022

Merritt and Nicola Valley Non Profits and Community Services

A Community Futures Nicola Valley Event

The Community Futures Engagement Fair 2022 was recently held at the Civic Centre on Saturday October 1st. The event was hosted by the team at Community Futures Nicola Valley in Merritt BC Canada. They entertained us, fed us, educated us and had some prizing to give away celebrating our volunteers and community service employees.  The event was enjoyed by many, as it was a chance to reconnect with the community and reintroduce ourselves to the many who make our town click on many fronts. 

Community Futures Engagement Fair 2022

We at Experience Nicola Valley were invited to meet, greet, chat and video the vendors with our unique and entertaining interview style. We were proud, and humbled, to share and celebrate another big positive in the valley, our services and non-profits. Experience Nicola Valley Bloggers – Tania Stewart, Tom Reynolds and Jano Howarth – were onsite to interview 13 different vendors. Below we have provided all the videos. They are short, sweet and to the point. Please support these groups in a positive manner and please let them know we thank them. 
   

Experience Nicola Valley

Experience Nicola Valley is part of the award winning story telling platform and training program celebrating adventures, activities, small businesses and non profits in the Nicola Valley. Tourism Nicola Valley introduced the program to our community and now it plays a big part in our development and keeping communication channels open and transparent.

Samaritan's Purse at Community Futures Engagement Fair

Sherry Peterson and Meghan Blackmore of Samaritan’s Purse with Tania Stewart of Experience Nicola Valley.
Literacy Merritt & Nicola Valley Society

Kelly Reid of Literacy Merritt & Nicola Valley Society with Jano Howarth of Experience Nicola Valley.
Nicola Valley Rodeo Association at Community Futures Engagement Fair

Gert Leslie of the Nicola Valley Rodeo Association with Tom Reynolds of Experience Nicola Valley.

In conclusion, thank you from all of us here, for supporting Merritt and the surrounding areas every day.  It was a fun day learning, watching and working with the team at Community Futures Nicola Valley and a joy to be onsite with Tania Stewart, Tom Reynolds and Jano Howarth, three of our story telling experts. They all were glad to participate and interview the many vendors at the Community Futures Engagement Fair. To those who visited, you rock. 

Community Engagement Fair

Non Profits, Not for Profit and Community Services

Nicola Valley Travel and Tourism Guides
nicola valley talk show

“Experience Community Program” is a small and rural community authentic content marketing program.  Therefore it is a product of the EH? Canada Marketing Group.  Contact us today to bring this award winning community program to your region. 

by
, , , ,

Merritt BC Non-Profits – Success at Our Engagement Fair!

Merritt BC Non-Profits  

Community Futures Engagement Fair 2019, a real success!

 

“It was a lively, colorful, noisy-with-talk event…”

Merritt BC Non-Profits

Conayt Friendship Society

Merritt BC Non-Profits are like non-profits everywhere…contributing to the vitality of their community! These essential groups provide the good works and the enjoyment that cities, towns, and villages need and want. As my partner always said in his coffee paper, the Merritt Morning Mirror, “Have some fun, do some good!”. 

Last weekend, Community Futures Nicola Valley put on a great event showcasing the Merritt BC Non-Profits. The Nicola Valley has a lot of non-profit groups and the Civic Center was full of tables, volunteers, posters, pamphlets and sign up sheets…. 

Non Profits depend on volunteers….

Non-Profits depend on volunteers, the heart-blood of any organization. And that March Saturday was a congregation of well-doing individuals, committed to providing good works, and fun to young and old. General organizations and specific, from the Chamber of Commerce, to the Curling Club, to the Old Time Fiddlers, were represented at this successful event by dedicated volunteers.

Merritt BC Non-Profits

Merritt Dance Society

 

What Merritt BC Non-Profit group do you belong to?

Almost everyone I know belongs to one, or more, of the Merritt BC Non-Profits. So the Civic Center was full of friends and colleagues, all dispensing info and enticing passers-by to be a part of their organization.

I did my part at the Nicola Valley Community Arts Council tables, helping with set up. And I did my best to stay put at the table and tell people what we are up to and wave membership forms at potential participants. And as I wandered myself, I gathered info and stories from the reps at the tables. 

There were groups there I had heard of, but hadn’t chatted with. And groups I have participated with since I moved to town with my just-starting family in 1979!

I know a lot of these groups…

Merritt BC Non-Profits

Merritt Centennials Hockey

So I found that I know a lot of these groups, and the volunteers who run them and their events.

I attend Community Futures events. I am a Patreon for the Love to Dance Academy and their organization the Merritt Dance Society. The Old Time Fiddlers’ get-togethers at the Seniors Center get my support with announcements and posters. I encourage friends to spectate and cheer for the Centennials Hockey Team. I participate in Chamber of Commerce Friday Night Markets, send interested beginning entrepreneurs to CFNV, give kudos and items to the local Nicola Health Care Auxiliary.  Groups like the Search and Rescue, Scw’exmx Family Services, Nicola Valley Food bank, and the Citizens Patrol do so much good in the community! 

I bought my membership for the Canadian Country Music Heritage Society there, one of my favorite non-profits in the community. I have loved volunteering at and supporting the Country Music Hall of Fame over the years.

While I was wandering, taking photos for my personal no-profit endeavor, Creative Community, I was impressed with the time and energy all the groups took with their displays. Several groups even had technology set up…TV’s displaying videos and slide presentations, like the beautiful, so-local, and very-worthwhile Nicola Valley Fall Fair Association.

Merritt BC Non-Profits

Nicola Valley Fall Fair Association

Bricks for Sale…

Let’s stop for a moment here and let you know, if you don’t already – the Nicola Valley Fall Fair Association is fundraising for an Infrastructure and Washroom Facility. This is a much-needed essential for this organization, and for the whole town! I would like to encourage all of us to get behind this fundraiser, and look after the basic needs of all the visitors, local and not, attending one of the oldest and most beloved events in our community, and in so many rural communities. 

(A bracketed appeal…

A while back I attended a Chamber of Commerce Grant Writing Workshop, and really enjoyed being in the room with other groups detailing their needs in a grant writing session. From requests for bathroom facilities to setting up programs for kids with special needs, to support for young musicians and artists I was impressed with the dedication of these volunteers to our community well-being.

That workshop and this Community Futures Community Engagement Fair offered insight into the complex and worthwhile projects our community is willing to dedicate their time to and are willing to work on.

But let me say that groups in our community that are working to provide basic necessities like a place to pee, is needed as much as, OR MORE THAN (or at least BEFORE) the enhanced events and activities we are all working on. We can’t invite people to our events without providing the basics. So, if you hear of a group asking for bathroom facilities, perk up your ears and reach for your wallet.

Thank you. This has been a public service announcement…or a-pee-l.)

For this Fall Fair Association worthy fundraiser… buy a brick for $10! Call 250-378-7270

 

Merritt BC Non-Profits

Networking at the Community Engagement Fair

Merritt BC Non-Profits Opportunity to Network!

It was a lively, colorful, noisy-with-talk event, and afterward the feedback about it was…great! A GREAT opportunity, not just to inform and invite the general public to participate in the non-profits, but to network and exchange possibilities with like-minded groups populating the room at the Civic Center. 

After cruising the room, taking photos, enjoying the chats, listening to the music by the Community Choir, the Old Time Fiddlers, the Strings Plus, and watching the dancers from Love to Dance, I settled in at the Nicola Valley Community Arts Council table, the non-profit where I spend most of my volunteer hours. 

NVCAC’s Nicola Valley Talent Network project…more info coming!

We talked to lots of people about our Nicola Valley Talent Network project. So exciting! Got a talent? Are you an artist? A musician? A performing artist? Into theater? Or aspiring…? Get in touch with us at nvcac.talent@gmail.com 

Merritt BC Non-Profits

Nicola Valley Community Arts Council

By the way, at the Nicola Valley Community Arts Council’s home, at the old Courthouse, 1840 Nicola Avenue we have basic facilities. Come and visit us there! We are busy reaching out to the community for interaction, memberships from individuals, groups, and businesses at the Courthouse, and also at events like the Community Futures Community Engagement Fair. 

  • Visit us at the Courthouse Arts Gallery! Thursday to Saturday 12-6pm
  • Want to put on an art show? (Booking almost a year ahead!) Email nicolavalleyartsgallery@gmail.com
  • Got an arts program you want to develop? Email nicolavalleyartscouncil@gmail.com
  • Want to know more about the local Arts Council? Visit our website!
  • Want to Plan and Relax with creativity? Tuesday mornings with me (Jano) at the old Courthouse. Call 250-315-3437
  • Visit my Creative Community facebook page.

Have a creative, satisfying day! 

Your Arts and Culture…and Non-Profits fan Blogger, Jano Howarth

Let’s get out there and…. Have Some Fun, Do Some Good!

Merritt BC Non-Profits

Jen from Creature Comforts and Mischelle for Nordic Ski Club, networking

Merritt BC Non-Profits

Nicola Valley Search and Rescue

Community Futures Nicola Valley

 

by
, , , , , , , , ,

Country Christmas – Things to Do in Merritt, BC!

​Country Christmas Week Here in Merritt, BC!

Country Christmas delivers fun and community spirit…

​With a Festival of Trees, a Community Choir event, the Love to Dance Performance, our fabulous Christmas Parade, and shopping til midnight!

“We keep having to paint more little festive canvases as people buy them right off the tree!​”

Country Christmas

Tiny Painted Canvas Decorations

Our Country Christmas week is spectacular! It takes place during the last week of November and is one of the best things to do in Merritt.

My own experience started a few days before the week of celebration with the arrival of our tree at the Courthouse Gallery. For several years the Festival of Trees has involved an inspired number of businesses and non-profit groups. The groups each decorate a tree in their own fashion, from classic to creative, 

This means we have trees decorated with hockey pucks, ballet slippers, and peacock feathers-and everything in between. One year I decorated our Pop Up Shop tree with little dolls and teddy bears (all with sparkle halos on their heads) and rainbow feather boa garlands.

Festival of Trees 

Country Christmas

Festival of Trees Past at CMHF

For the first years of Country Christmas, all the trees were set up on the main street of town, in the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. It’s a beautiful building with hard wood floors, high ceilings, and western-style chandeliers. The venue attracted locals and visitors from neighboring towns to see our Festival of Trees.

This year for the Festival of Trees event, all the decorated trees are spread out around the town, and people head out to do the tree tour. We adorned our tree at the Courthouse Gallery with tiny canvases, painted by local artists and interested Creatives. We keep having to paint more little canvases as people are buying them right off the tree! And all the money supports the Gallery.

Love to Dance Performance

Country Christmas

Love to Dance “Museum of Art”

This year, for the Country Christmas festivities, the Love to Dance Academy​ presented “Museum of Art”. Dance teachers Lizette Nel and Vanessa van Rensburg choreographed the dances which involved dancers of all ages, from adorable tots to graceful seniors. 

Herman Nel looked after the creation of the sets designed by Vanessa and Lizette, as well as the lights and music. Over a hundred colourful and gorgeous costumes and dresses were designed and sewn by talented members of the Merritt Dance Society. And there were plenty of volunteers, parents and dance lovers, who helped pull off the beautiful event. 

The two-hour long performance was presented at both an afternoon matinee, with classes of children arriving on school buses, and a stellar evening performance. 

Michelle Etchart, local songstress, performed two moving pieces while dancing continued around her. 

Country Christmas

Michelle Etchart

The night performance was captured on video, with CD’s available. I attended the matinee, and will be sure to acquire the evening performance CD. Worth watching again! And kudos to all those involved, with special recognition to the dancers showing such professionalism in putting on the two events in the same day!

Thanks to the Love to Dance Academy!

Christmas Concert!

Talk about things to do in Merritt! The night after the dance performances, several choirs and singing groups, duos, and soloists, provided a soul-satisfying musical evening to a large crowd at the Merritt Civic Center. (That’s the farthest away from the doors I have ever had to park in my many years of Merritt living!) 

Country Christmas

Merritt Community Band

The Merritt Community Band was there, the Community Choir, and more…

Also, Cecilia Dyck and Caitlyn Stephanie Walsh played piano duets, the four Snees entertained, and Michelle Etchart again performed with her spot on renditions.

And not only did the groups and soloists perform their own pieces, but the collaborations amongst them, and even the audience, brought the community together in inspired evening of music.

Well done! Bravo!

Then the Santa Parade…

I have heard that our Santa Parade is the largest in the world! The country? Our province? Well, I’ll wait to be informed properly but I do think the Nicola Valley Santa Parade is one of the best things to do in Merritt!

​The Merritt Country Christmas Santa Parade’s success shows what stuff our community is made of. We are tough, determined, hard working, creative, and ready to have fun…and all in support of our businesses and organizations.

And this year’s parade tested all of those qualities because it started to rain as the parade entries were lining up, started to pour as it got going, and the rain didn’t quit until near the end, when big fat snowflakes started to fall. People knew they’d get soaked, but they didn’t stay home. The floors of the shops, open for business until midnight after the parade, had puddles from the rain soaked customers….

Open Mic Night, one more thing to do in Merritt during our Country Christmas week!

Country Christmas

Donna Dixon, a regular at Open Mic night

On the Friday night of the Santa Parade, I jut got wet running out to my car, and then dashing in to Kekuli Cafe. We put on a special Open Mic night that night! And we watched the rain come down, then the snow, and then mopped up the puddles that our audience left on the cafe floor when they poured in after the parade and settled in to the cozy venue.

 Mugs of hot coffee, tea, and hot chocolate were in high demand! And we invited our musicians to warm up the crowd. Al and Denise, Robert Bertrand, Willard Wallace, Quade Lindgren, Jim West…

And regulars like Doug and Donna Dixon were there to enjoy the live music.

 

It was a special Country Christmas 2018 

Pouring rain during our Santa Parade only adds to the memories!

I hope there are always Country Christmas planners and volunteers. This week is a highlight in our community. It gets all of us who participate in any way, from young to old, in the mood for the holiday season, whatever our beliefs. We come together, show off our talents, have fun, support each other and are inspired to be thankful for each other. 

So kudos to the people in our community who plan Country Christmas, who put on the events, and who participate in them to make them all worthwhile. 

Let’s recognize each other for the contributions to community that Country Christmas brings!

Country Christmas

Painted Canvases on our Gallery tree

Now, does anyone want to come to the Courthouse Gallery to paint a little canvas for our tree? I found some empty spaces again! All welcome!

And you can wave to the LTD dancers while you are there. We share the Courthouse space.

Life as I know it, Jano Howarth

Creative Community

Nicola Valley Community Arts Council

 

 

 

Country Christmas

Phyllis Laage’s Tree Decoration

by