35 YEARS AGO: Twenty-five members of the Finnish Dendrology Society, comprised of botanists, ecologists, geneticist, foresters and amateurs concluded a study tour of Wells Gray Park. They found the park to be similar to south/central Finland. One point of concern was the increased domestication of forest trees in Finland as the trend toward tree farming increases. There are several dangers and the group feared the same could be happening in B.C. A factor is the size of clear cuts as it changes the micro flora and climate.
30 YEARS AGO: Two Clearwater youngsters did extremely well at the B.C. Summer Games in Port Alberni. Michelle Hole, 15, came back with a gold medal in barrel racing and a bronze in flag racing. She also placed eighth in pole bending. This was her second trip to the Summer Games. She competed in 1990 when they were held in Prince George. Tara MacMahon, 16, won a bronze in key hole racing. Riding her quarter-horse Ringo Starr, she also picked up fourth spot in pole bending and in flag racing and a fifth in barrel racing. She had been riding competitively for eight years.
25 YEARS AGO: A resident, full-time probation officer would soon become a thing of the past in Clearwater and the North Thompson. Long-term plans for how the necessary service would be provided in the valley after that were still up in the air. The new Ministry for Children and Families was created by government not even a year prior. Gradually taking over all services for children, youth probation was transferred to the new ministry. Beyond that, family court services would now be handled by specialists.
20 YEARS AGO: The first ever Clearwater Revival Logging Sports event weekend was a great success, according to organizer Dennis Greffard. Several hundred locals and visitors came out over the two days to witness and participate in the friendly competitions. Activities included axe throwing, standing block chop, underhand chop, kid’s relay, hand bucking, a felling contest as well as modified, open and unlimited chainsaw classes. Competitors included Peter Colliver, a former log chopping world champion. Originally from Australia, he lived in Chase at the time. Other entries came from Seattle, Toronto and California, as well as Clearwater.
10 YEARS AGO: A total of 14 teams took part in Midget boys and Peewee provincial softball championships in Clearwater. Hundreds of family members accompanied the players and coaches, and local hotels, motels and restaurants reported a busy three days. Clearwater Peewees placed second in the U14 Boys Rep category. The boys had some shining moments during the weekend but were unable to overcome strong pitching from the first place winners the Cloverdale Hurricane. Clearwater Midget Crushers took first place in the U18 Boys C category. They beat out Prince George Selects, the only other team in the category, in a series of hard-fought games that went back and forth.
5 YEARS AGO: Many residents of the Little Fort to Clearwater area had a stressful time as fires created turmoil in the valley. A lightning storm passed through the area, igniting a fire southwest of Little Fort near Thuya Lake forest service road and a series of fires to the northeast of Little Fort and west of Dunn Lake. Little Fort was ordered evacuated that evening. A few days later, all areas around Dunn Lake, Hallamore Lake and East Blackpool were under an evacuation order. Interior Health also announced it would be evacuating Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital.
newsroom@clearwatertimes.com
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