55 YEARS AGO:
Mike Ewashina of Barriere, fishing with Dick Hobson of Clearwater, caught a 26.5 pound spring salmon and on an 8 pound test line at that.
That big fish, with a tail nearly a foot wide, kept the rod bent double for about one and three-quarter hours — Ray Seredick, local conservation officer, said it must have just got curious and come close to shore — but that was the fatal move for Dick was out in the river up to his waist (hang discarded a trout net and a small gaff hook) and got both hands around and in the gills.
A fish like that had to be weighed in right as, not satisfied with their scales, or Mr. Seredick’s, they ended up at the where, before many witnesses (mostly admiring men), the scales were read at 26 pounds 6 ounces.
50 YEARS AGO:
A CHSA-approved horse show was held at Barriere on Saturday and Sunday, August 15 and 16, with horses competing from all over B.C.
As usual, Missy and Ted (McKenzie) were among the top competitors bringing home to Clearwater first prize in the senior quadrangle stake race; third in western pleasure; third in the barrel race; fourth in senior polebending; fourth in the take race; a trophy for trail horse class and the aggregate trophy for the day. Altogether three trophies and seven ribbons.
Missy’s winnings for the summer total six trophies and 19 ribbons, all won in top horse competition.
45 YEARS AGO:
It was decided to ask the Thompson-Nicola Regional District to postpone its proposed referendum, planned for Saturday, August 23, for at least one month in order to have the CBA obtain further information and costs for providing complete coverage to every home in Area A and investigate when Cable TV would be available.
The proposal, as set out costing $31,000, would, it is believed, provide much improved television on the two channels to those already receiving the service, but could not guarantee any increased coverage area.
The Clearwater Business Association, claimed past president Vi Mayer has spent more than $14,000 during the past three years to keep tv on the air, raise from the public by way of raffles, beef barbecues, sale of lottery tickets, beer garden, etc.
40 YEARS AGO:
Former Clearwater Senior Secondary band teacher Gordon Waters will be assuming his duties as director of the Kamloops Symphony and as a music instructor at Cariboo College in early September.
Replacing resigning director Robert Ryker, Mr. Waters will be presenting four concerts with the symphony this season. His plans include bringing in a dance company to choreograph one piece of the symphony’s work and playing a benefit concert with a guest bass singer. Mr. Waters says he hopes to increase the number of local Kamloops artists featured in the performances.
At Cariboo College, Mr. Waters will be working with both the department of Fine Arts and Continuing Education. He will teach university transfer courses in jazz history and brass techniques and will also instruct jazz and concert band.
35 YEARS AGO:
Former Times editor Keith McNeill put a callout for a canoeing teammate: I’m looking for a paddle-happy lady for this weekend to help me win the Clearwater Canoe Challenge. Only females with a knowledge of how to stroke correctly and a penchant for cold water will be considered. Apply in person or in writing. Ask for Keith. B.Y.O.P.
The Canoe Challenge promises to be the best thing since wet sneakers. A total of six events to give everyone a chance to demonstrate their overall conoeing skills or lack thereof.
Of primary interest will be probably the dual and solo slalom events, which will take place immediately above the Clearwater bridge, starting at 10 a.m. Saturday and running until 3 p.m.
30 YEARS AGO:
Clearwater residents are being asked to consider again the question of incorporation.
A summary of a study done on the consequences of forming a municipality was distributed to residents by the Clearwater Incorporation Investigation Committee. Copies of the original report, done by a consultant hired by the committee, are available a Clearwater Library and the Clearwater Improvement District office.
The report identified a number of advantages and disadvantages for people to weigh when making their decision. Major advantages would appear to be greater opportunities for economic growth, access to government grants and programs open only to municipalities and more effective representation to business and other levels of government.
25 YEARS AGO:
Clearwater Ambulance Unit Chief Robin Mann is one happy camper.
“When I heard, I just went, ‘Yipee! It’s going through,’” said Mann of the announcement that $49,000 in Closer to Home Funding (CTHF) has been approved to establish a First Responder program in the North Thompson Valley.
“I think it’s going to make it a lot better for the patient. It’s going to enhance our response time, guaranteed,” said Mann.
“Somebody will be there a lot quicker than we (the ambulance crew) are — because they live there.”
20 YEARS AGO:
Operators of the Darfield Building Products sawmill north of Barriere are crediting fast action by neighbours with saving the most of their business’ capacity.
“Thank goodness that this is such a close community,” said Sandra Burkholder, one of the business owners.
“People just started showing up, with shovels, tractors and water tanks…we just had so many hands to help while we waited for the big guns to arrive.”
15 YEARS AGO:
“We don’t have the legal authority to keep it running as it is now financially,” said Bert Walker at the meeting on Aug. 16. In order for the bus to keep running, the TNRD has to adopt bylaw 2057 or discontinue service.
The TNRD have proposed to raise taxes to cover for the increasing costs of running the bus. The raised cost are a result of higher fuel costs, higher lease fee on replacement parts and continued low ridership.
The bylaw gives the TNRD the right to increase the annual taxes, in order to cover for the increased operating cost, without going to a referendum. The ceiling for how much TNRD can legally ask for in taxes is $96,000 annually.
“But we don’t expect to go there,” said Sukh Gill, director of finance at the TNRD. Gill estimated an extra $60,000 in tax revenues would be sufficient.
10 YEARS AGO:
For $5 a hand you could buy as any hands as you liked to take part in the annual Poker Ride organized by the Clearwater ATV club.
Riders picked up a new card at five different stations throughout the trail ride, each hoping to have the best straight poker hand at the end of the ride.
At the end of the ride, the poker players met at Lolo Lake for a hot dog lunch and a chance to try out some demo machines sponsored by Aspen Auto Parts. “The ATV Club puts a big emphasis on promoting safety and awareness whle riding in the backcountry,” said club president Bruce Donnelly.
5 YEARS AGO:
Blue River Improvment District intends to ask proerty owners for permission to borrow up to $385,000 to purchase a new fire truck and apparatus.
According to a letter sent out recently by Dustin Deuling, improvement district chair, the borrowing would result in a tax increase of 69 per cent per year for the average property.