55 YEARS AGO:
With hunting season now open and memories of lost persons and other tragic accidents in mind, the Clearwater Rod and Gun Club has discussed the possibilities of a Rescue Squad for some time and on Aug. 20, a meeting was called by President Glen Small.
The meeting proposed that an organization be formed to be known as the Clearwater Search and Rescue Association with Reg Small being elected as Searchmaster.
It was decided to obtain maps and necessary equipment together with all possible information so that the Search and Rescue Squad will be immediately ready should they be called out.
50 YEARS AGO:
Regional District received a letter from South Central Health Unit director Dr. Hugh Richards asking the body to provide funds to purchase the rubella vaccine for immunization of all preschoolers over one year of age against German measles.
Dr. Richards, in his letter states, “It is most important that all eligible children should be given this opportunity, so that the risk of pregnant mothers int he Regional District being exposed to the virus may be minimized and the risks to their unborn children reduced.”
Six thousand units of vaccine liquid have been ordered but it is not known how many children will be vaccinated.
All directors felt the program should go ahead as dast as it can and that funds be taken from Regional District funds.
45 YEARS AGO:
Wells Gray entered in an eight-team double knockout tournament at Fadear Creek over the weekend and came home with top honours.
The first game saw Wells Gray defeat Hewlitt Homes 4-1 in a very close game. Later on in the day saw Wells Gray against Steinke Development whom they had met in two other tournaments this year having one and one record against them. This game Wells Gray played a fine game behind the pitching of Chris Cleaveley and defeated Steinke 5-1.
Sunday saw Chu Chua with two wins and Wells Gray with two wins meet, the winner to go to the final. Chu Chua drawing the first run in the first inning but Wells Gray came back in the second with two runs. From then on under the persistent hard hitting of Wells Gray the final score was 9-2. Ken Lampreau taking the loss and Cliff Fedderson the win.
40 YEARS AGO:
The Clearwater Recreation Commission is looking for government assistance to provide a second diamond, bleachers and other items for the Clearwater ball park.
According to secretary-treasurer Tina Colborne an estimated cost of the complete works would be about $23,576 of which $4990 worth of work has already been carried out.
An application to the lotteries fund was referred to the Recreation and Fitness Facilities in Victoria which apparently will fund to the tune of one-third cost — but the community must show ability — either through borrowing or donations (in writing) — to raise the remaining two-thirds.
The money will probably have to be raised by the May Day Committee and Minor Ball groups.
35 YEARS AGO:
Carol McNeil, Joy-Ann Clearwaters and Janet Cooke headed out of Clearwater hauling their horses to the Interior Mini-Event Circuit, held at the Bar N Ranch, Monte Creek about 23 miles east of Kamloops. The weather was rotten, wet, damp, cold and muddy underfoot. It poured cats and dogs most of the night! The horses went into individual, enclosed, uncovered pens for the night on arrival.
It was a really fun weekend, friendly crowd. A no-host barbecue was held Saturday night. Nice scenery and camp-spot. Quite a few competitors, 40 or more, from all around, far and near, and quite a few from Kelowna.
30 YEARS AGO:
Clearwater’s Royal Bank should have its own banking machine by mid or late October, The Times has been informed.
Workers are beginning to make the necessary renovations now.
The machine, which will be located next to the bank entrance, will be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It will allow both local residents and tourist to make deposits and withdrawals, pay their bills, transfer money between accounts and access their client cards such as VISA.
The automatic teller will require a bank card to operate, so staff are encouraging potential users to apply. In order to make room for the device, the bank has taken over the former Barton, Black office next door.
25 YEARS AGO:
Barriere Cadets have been given a second chance.
Major R.A. Black, Deputy Regional Cadet Officer, has withdrawn his proposal to disband the 2924 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, following “a significant outpouring or community support” stated Black in a letter to the Corps, identifying “assorted letters, newspaper articles and petitions received from 2924 RCACC supporters.”
Earlier this summer, the Barriere Corps received a letter from Major Black that outlined Black’s proposals to disband the local Corps and suggested Barriere Cadets join with the Kamloops 2305 RCACC. Black’s reasons for disbanding included a shortage of acceptable members, the inability to maintain rank structure, an inadequate number of Cadet Instructor Cadre officers and “the population base and community at large are unable or unwilling to support the corps.”
20 YEARS AGO:
North Thmpson Indian Band and Fisheries and Oceans Canada are joining with The River Cafe and Interior Whitewater Expeditions to celebrate B.C. Rivers Day for the year 2000, according to Nikki Crowe, NTIB stewardship coordinator.
Rivers Day is celebrated on Sept. 24, the last Sunday of the month.
The cafe and rafting company have staged clean-ups along the Clearwater River on Rivers Day for the past several years. New activities for 2000 include: streambank planting on Raft River; garbage clean up on Clearwater River; Refreshments at North Thompson Park; and a contest for youngsters to test their river and fish knowledge and win prizes.
15 YEARS AGO:
Simpcw First Nation and Terasen Pipelines signed an important agreement in Chu Chua on Aug. 30.
“The Simpcw First Nation views this Memorandum of Understanding as the first step in establishing a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship between Terasen Pipelines and our community. We have a skilled workforce that, given the right training and opportunity, can assist companies in meeting their obligations to shareholders in building their assets,” stated Simpcw Chief Natham Matthew.
Rich Ballantyne, president of Terasen, said, “The signing marks a notable occassion for Terasen Pipelines’ ongoing relationship building with Aboriginal communities along our pipeline systems.”
10 YEARS AGO:
District of Clearwater has aquired five acres of land next to Dutch Lake Beach with the intention of enlarging the sandy swimming area and adjacent park.
“We recognize the importance of these lands to the people of Clearwater area and we fel that the acquisition of these lands will protect Dutch Lake and leave a lasting legacy to future generations,” said Mayor John Harwood.
Two lots totaling 2.02 hectares (4.98 acres) located immediately east of the lake have been purchased from the Bampton family, former Clearwater residents.
5 YEARS AGO:
Blue River Fire Truck has taken another step towards getting a new fire truck.
Out of 37 votes cast during a public meeting held Sept. 2, 29 were in favour of borrowing to buy a new truck, seven were against, and there was one spoiled ballot.
About 50 people attended the meeting, which was held in the Blue River Community Hall.
The present truck is a 1980 GMC and no longer certified to be the department’s first responding truck.
1 YEAR AGO:
After experiencing the loss of half of his horse team this summer, teamster Brad Cameron stepped back in the arena to compete at the North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo.
Cameron was taking his son and daughter for a morning ride on his team of two horses on July 27, Max and Duke, when a pickup truck decided to pass on the narrow gravel road, spooking the horses and resulting in Max dying of a heart attack.
On the weekend of Aug. 31, however, Cameron got back behind the reigns and competed in various heavy horse events at the rodeo, noting his successes at the event came in small increments, but ultimately led to him winning in the Novice Wagon Competition.
“I didn’t use my team for any of the wagon dragging events because I’m still a little gun shy about being on a wagon, so I went into the novice class with another teamster; I had a senior driver sitting next to me and I was the junior driver and got first place in the novice edition,” said Cameron.