April 29, 2014 - News Leader
NO LOCAL RACES PLANNED FOR 2014
A reduction in funding fed to interior horse race tracks in 2014 has effectively killed Princeton Racing Days Association's annual event. Live horse racing at Sunflower Down will not take place this June as a result. The BC Interior Horse Racing Association, of which Princeton is a member track, used to split a total of $150,000.00 in funding between four race tracks. In 2011 the responsibility shifted to a management committee and reductions started to take effects. For example, the total funding for interior tracks dropped to $25,000.00 that year and down to $20,000.00 in 2012. Last year the total available fell to $13,500.00 with only $11,000.00 available this year for three interior tracks. It cost Princeton Racing Days Association $50,000.00 to host their single-day live race meet last June. Racing Days President Karrie Crucil is not impressed with the constant whittling away at funding to horse racing outside of the lower mainland. "In my opinion, horse racing in the whole province is in serious jeopardy." Her statement is backed up with a lack of horses available to race in the province with numbers at Hastings Park (Vancouver) dropping from 700 to 200. Add to that changes in the Foreign Workers Policy by the provincial government, which has affected the pool of jockeys available, and Crucil says, "This is not just an Interior issue, it's an industry-wide issue." Another snag in the attempt to bring live horse racing to Princeton this summer is the lack of betting equipment. The company that usually provides the tote equipment doesn't see much profit when working single day events in the interior. "The interior tracks don't make as much as the larger tracks do," Crucil says so in order to cut costs and make a better profit, the tote company is not servicing interior tracks this season. "It actually costs them to operate, but we are hoping to change their minds." Former Racing Days President George Elliott says he's not surprised there won't be racing this year. "The Interior tracks have always struggled to be recognized as an important part of the provincial racing scene," he says. "I attended far too many BC Interior Horse Racing meetings in Kamloops where the smaller tracks were viewed as not much more than the black sheep of the family." Elliott was Racing Days President from 1990 to 1998. "Even back then we saw shortages of horses in the system. I was President the year we went from two full days of racing to a single day and it has never bounced back." Elliott says that the tradition of live horse racing has such a deep-rooted connection to the community that he believes things will be different next year. "The local committee has never stopped working hard to bring this fun event to Princeton and I doubt this will change that. It's just unfortunate that politics has had a hand in this which in turn has an adverse affect on a giant community event." The Princeton Racing Days Association will still do something this year and are planning different race events, family activities, a Saturday night dance and will host Little Britches Rodeo June 28th and 29th.
COUNCIL HEARS PLEA FOR NEW BYLAW
The April 22 Town Council meeting heard a presentation by Jenlyn Maki and Trish Hall meant to persuade Town Council to enact a bylaw making Princeton a town with smoke-free outdoor public spaces. Representing Interior Health Authority, they offered facts and figures to show the benefits of having a ban on outdoor smoking in public places. A study done in Ottawa showed people can be affected by second hand smoke even outdoors. The presenters stated that 30 percent of all cancer deaths and 85 percent of all lung cancer deaths are linked to smoking. Interior Health region has a higher percentage of smokers than the B.C. average of 85 percent non-smokers. The bylaw would ban smoking in all areas managed by the municipality, including trails, recreation facilities and all municipal property. Council has not made any decision on the matter.
A reduction in funding fed to interior horse race tracks in 2014 has effectively killed Princeton Racing Days Association's annual event. Live horse racing at Sunflower Down will not take place this June as a result. The BC Interior Horse Racing Association, of which Princeton is a member track, used to split a total of $150,000.00 in funding between four race tracks. In 2011 the responsibility shifted to a management committee and reductions started to take effects. For example, the total funding for interior tracks dropped to $25,000.00 that year and down to $20,000.00 in 2012. Last year the total available fell to $13,500.00 with only $11,000.00 available this year for three interior tracks. It cost Princeton Racing Days Association $50,000.00 to host their single-day live race meet last June. Racing Days President Karrie Crucil is not impressed with the constant whittling away at funding to horse racing outside of the lower mainland. "In my opinion, horse racing in the whole province is in serious jeopardy." Her statement is backed up with a lack of horses available to race in the province with numbers at Hastings Park (Vancouver) dropping from 700 to 200. Add to that changes in the Foreign Workers Policy by the provincial government, which has affected the pool of jockeys available, and Crucil says, "This is not just an Interior issue, it's an industry-wide issue." Another snag in the attempt to bring live horse racing to Princeton this summer is the lack of betting equipment. The company that usually provides the tote equipment doesn't see much profit when working single day events in the interior. "The interior tracks don't make as much as the larger tracks do," Crucil says so in order to cut costs and make a better profit, the tote company is not servicing interior tracks this season. "It actually costs them to operate, but we are hoping to change their minds." Former Racing Days President George Elliott says he's not surprised there won't be racing this year. "The Interior tracks have always struggled to be recognized as an important part of the provincial racing scene," he says. "I attended far too many BC Interior Horse Racing meetings in Kamloops where the smaller tracks were viewed as not much more than the black sheep of the family." Elliott was Racing Days President from 1990 to 1998. "Even back then we saw shortages of horses in the system. I was President the year we went from two full days of racing to a single day and it has never bounced back." Elliott says that the tradition of live horse racing has such a deep-rooted connection to the community that he believes things will be different next year. "The local committee has never stopped working hard to bring this fun event to Princeton and I doubt this will change that. It's just unfortunate that politics has had a hand in this which in turn has an adverse affect on a giant community event." The Princeton Racing Days Association will still do something this year and are planning different race events, family activities, a Saturday night dance and will host Little Britches Rodeo June 28th and 29th.
COUNCIL HEARS PLEA FOR NEW BYLAW
The April 22 Town Council meeting heard a presentation by Jenlyn Maki and Trish Hall meant to persuade Town Council to enact a bylaw making Princeton a town with smoke-free outdoor public spaces. Representing Interior Health Authority, they offered facts and figures to show the benefits of having a ban on outdoor smoking in public places. A study done in Ottawa showed people can be affected by second hand smoke even outdoors. The presenters stated that 30 percent of all cancer deaths and 85 percent of all lung cancer deaths are linked to smoking. Interior Health region has a higher percentage of smokers than the B.C. average of 85 percent non-smokers. The bylaw would ban smoking in all areas managed by the municipality, including trails, recreation facilities and all municipal property. Council has not made any decision on the matter.
News Leader Files Go The Museum!
Photo: Brenda Engel
Similkameen News Leader Owner/Publisher George Elliott presented Princeton Museum Operations Manager Robin Lowe with digital copies of the paper April 24th. PDF files of each and every page from each issue of the News Leader published from 2009 to 2013 were in the collection. "I know how valuable these files will be for researchers in future generations and I want to make the job easier for them if I can," Elliott said. They will be stored for archival research purposes.
Similkameen River Dike - Update!
April 22, 2014 - News Leader
ARTS COUNCIL PLANS SUMMER
Members of Princeton District Arts Council met April 12 to review plans for the spring and summer months. Arts & Culture Week features drop-in art at Riverside on April 23, teepee and drumming workshop on April 24 and movie night on April 25. Crimson Tine drama group will present 'Our Town' on May 29, 30, & 31. In
June, the Spirit Festival will re-focus on local First Nations culture with some activity each weekend at Veterans Square. On Aboriginal Day, Saturday, June 21, a free teaching, Women's Lodges of the Medicine Wheel, will be held at Riverside Centre. Sunflower Gallery is open three days a week and will be open longer in summer. An Arts Council program called Art in Public Places is seeking artists to paint murals on local commercial buildings downtown. Apply at Sunflower Gallery if you would like to paint a mural. Beginning July 12, local musicians will put on free concerts at Veterans Square at 2:00 PM. These concerts will continue every Saturday afternoon throughout the summer, except during the Traditional Music Festival on August 15, 16, & 17. While the free concerts are in progress, another Arts Council program
comes into effect: Art Attacks. Anyone who has any kind of artistic activity or display is invited to set up in Veterans Square to show people art work or to engage people in art activities. Earth Alive! is the final activity of the summer season. It is an art show scheduled for September 27 to October 1 at Riverside Centre. Art work may be in any medium and there will be a special display of children's entries. Entry forms and detailed information are found on the Arts Council website www.princetonarts.ca Entries may be sent to Box 1884, Princeton, B.C. V0X 1W0. Merrilyn Huycke is coordinator of the show and is looking for volunteers to help with the show.
BOARD HEARS LITERACY PROGRESS
Literacy Coordinator Dierra Maynard attended the April 16 Board of Education meeting to update trustees on the community literacy program. The program is coming to the end of its second year and will once again engage the community in the Literacy Amazing Race, building on the success of last year's event. The 2014 Amazing Race will take place on Thursday, May 8. Veterans Square will once again be the center of activity. Fifty volunteers from the schools and community at large assist with the challenging event in which students use literacy skills to meet specified goals. Many corporate sponsors help make this event a success. During the year, Celebrity Reading Day was an in-school program in which people from the community read to students, but also explained to students how reading and writing were part of the community 'celebrity's' work, thus giving personal encouragement to regard literacy as important in everyone's lives. Maynard was successful in obtaining three grants, bringing in 1,181 books to Princeton for distribution. Gifts of books to those who had newborns at home were part of the program, and books were given to families to encourage
reading at home. During the routine vaccination programs, a book was given to each child after the child received a vaccination, making the unpleasant experience much less unpleasant. People from the community volunteered to go into the elementary schools to read to students, but students in secondary school went to the library to help non-students learn how to navigate their way through computer functions, which is another form of literacy. The local literacy program touched many aspects of community life.
Members of Princeton District Arts Council met April 12 to review plans for the spring and summer months. Arts & Culture Week features drop-in art at Riverside on April 23, teepee and drumming workshop on April 24 and movie night on April 25. Crimson Tine drama group will present 'Our Town' on May 29, 30, & 31. In
June, the Spirit Festival will re-focus on local First Nations culture with some activity each weekend at Veterans Square. On Aboriginal Day, Saturday, June 21, a free teaching, Women's Lodges of the Medicine Wheel, will be held at Riverside Centre. Sunflower Gallery is open three days a week and will be open longer in summer. An Arts Council program called Art in Public Places is seeking artists to paint murals on local commercial buildings downtown. Apply at Sunflower Gallery if you would like to paint a mural. Beginning July 12, local musicians will put on free concerts at Veterans Square at 2:00 PM. These concerts will continue every Saturday afternoon throughout the summer, except during the Traditional Music Festival on August 15, 16, & 17. While the free concerts are in progress, another Arts Council program
comes into effect: Art Attacks. Anyone who has any kind of artistic activity or display is invited to set up in Veterans Square to show people art work or to engage people in art activities. Earth Alive! is the final activity of the summer season. It is an art show scheduled for September 27 to October 1 at Riverside Centre. Art work may be in any medium and there will be a special display of children's entries. Entry forms and detailed information are found on the Arts Council website www.princetonarts.ca Entries may be sent to Box 1884, Princeton, B.C. V0X 1W0. Merrilyn Huycke is coordinator of the show and is looking for volunteers to help with the show.
BOARD HEARS LITERACY PROGRESS
Literacy Coordinator Dierra Maynard attended the April 16 Board of Education meeting to update trustees on the community literacy program. The program is coming to the end of its second year and will once again engage the community in the Literacy Amazing Race, building on the success of last year's event. The 2014 Amazing Race will take place on Thursday, May 8. Veterans Square will once again be the center of activity. Fifty volunteers from the schools and community at large assist with the challenging event in which students use literacy skills to meet specified goals. Many corporate sponsors help make this event a success. During the year, Celebrity Reading Day was an in-school program in which people from the community read to students, but also explained to students how reading and writing were part of the community 'celebrity's' work, thus giving personal encouragement to regard literacy as important in everyone's lives. Maynard was successful in obtaining three grants, bringing in 1,181 books to Princeton for distribution. Gifts of books to those who had newborns at home were part of the program, and books were given to families to encourage
reading at home. During the routine vaccination programs, a book was given to each child after the child received a vaccination, making the unpleasant experience much less unpleasant. People from the community volunteered to go into the elementary schools to read to students, but students in secondary school went to the library to help non-students learn how to navigate their way through computer functions, which is another form of literacy. The local literacy program touched many aspects of community life.
Family Fair Wins Again!
Copyright 2014 Bengel Publishing Inc.
The 63rd annual Family Fair was held April 17th in the gymnasium of Princeton Secondary School. It featured various games, concession food, white elephant table, baking and a lot more. The event ran for two hours and generated a lot of revenue which will be turned into bursary funds for the Grads of 2014 - all of whom 'assisted' with games and various other functions related to the fundraiser.
Similkameen River Dike Project!
April 15, 2014 - News Leader
MAN JAILED FOR DRIVING
Dylan Thomas Travers Davies appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton on April 10 to plead guilty to two charges of driving while prohibited. The 38 year old Princeton resident was ordered to serve 7 days in jail for the first offence and 14 days in jail for the second offence, for a total of 21 consecutive days. In addition, he must serve a nine month probation during which he may have no alcohol or illegal drugs and may not enter any premises dedicated to the sale of alcoholic beverages. He was ordered to pay a mandatory $100 surcharge.
MAN PLEADS TO BREACH
Douglas Andrew Roy, of Princeton, appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton on April 10 where he entered a guilty plea to a charge of breach of recognizance. The charge arose out of and incident at Brandlmayr Gate on March 15, 2013, when Roy yelled at Gordon Comeau and his wife, with whom he was to have no contact. Comeau filed a complaint against Roy and had evidence to prove the breach. Roy was given a conditional discharge, the condition specified as having no communication or contact with the Comeaus and not enter the strata title property where Comeaus reside.
TOWN EXTENDS LANDFILL CONTRACT
The current contract for Landfill Operation expires March 31, 2014 and the contract for Recycling Services expires September 30, 2014. Town Council formally extended both contracts with JR Contracting at their April 7th regular monthly meeting. The contract price for Landfill Operations has increased by $20,311.00 per year, which has been factored into the 2014 Financial Plan. There have been no other increases (other than CPI annual adjustments) over the past seven years. The Recycling Services contract price increases by $9,432.73 each year, which has been in accordance with past practice over the term of the contract. The increase has also been accounted for in the 2014 Town of Princeton Financial Plan. Both contracts were extended for five years, with the dates aligned,
following a motion made by Councillor Marilyn Harkness and seconded by Councillor Doug Pateman at the regular monthly meeting of Princeton Town Council.
Dylan Thomas Travers Davies appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton on April 10 to plead guilty to two charges of driving while prohibited. The 38 year old Princeton resident was ordered to serve 7 days in jail for the first offence and 14 days in jail for the second offence, for a total of 21 consecutive days. In addition, he must serve a nine month probation during which he may have no alcohol or illegal drugs and may not enter any premises dedicated to the sale of alcoholic beverages. He was ordered to pay a mandatory $100 surcharge.
MAN PLEADS TO BREACH
Douglas Andrew Roy, of Princeton, appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton on April 10 where he entered a guilty plea to a charge of breach of recognizance. The charge arose out of and incident at Brandlmayr Gate on March 15, 2013, when Roy yelled at Gordon Comeau and his wife, with whom he was to have no contact. Comeau filed a complaint against Roy and had evidence to prove the breach. Roy was given a conditional discharge, the condition specified as having no communication or contact with the Comeaus and not enter the strata title property where Comeaus reside.
TOWN EXTENDS LANDFILL CONTRACT
The current contract for Landfill Operation expires March 31, 2014 and the contract for Recycling Services expires September 30, 2014. Town Council formally extended both contracts with JR Contracting at their April 7th regular monthly meeting. The contract price for Landfill Operations has increased by $20,311.00 per year, which has been factored into the 2014 Financial Plan. There have been no other increases (other than CPI annual adjustments) over the past seven years. The Recycling Services contract price increases by $9,432.73 each year, which has been in accordance with past practice over the term of the contract. The increase has also been accounted for in the 2014 Town of Princeton Financial Plan. Both contracts were extended for five years, with the dates aligned,
following a motion made by Councillor Marilyn Harkness and seconded by Councillor Doug Pateman at the regular monthly meeting of Princeton Town Council.
Town Approves Dike Project!
Photo: Brenda Engel
Although the project was well underway at the time, Princeton Town Council proceeded with a formality related to it at their April 7th regular monthly meeting. A motion made by Councillor Kim Maynard and seconded by Councillor Doug Patemen officially awarded the construction contract to Princeton Redi Mix Ltd. (1993) of Princeton. In his report to Council, Director of Infrastructure and Parks Kevin Huey stated, "This project was tendered twice in 2013 and exceeded the budget in both instances." Two-thirds of the funding comes from EMBC. The project, simply described, as being necessary "to provide additional flood protection along Similkameen River" is valued at $183,216.00. It should be complete before freshet.
Skaters Celebrate With Awards!
Copyright 2014 Bengel Publishing Inc.
Princeton Skating Club wrapped up their season April 9th with their annual Awards Ceremony. Winners were: Most Improved Canskate Junior - Avery Laidlaw, Most Improved Canskate Senior - Kabrie Hartwell, Most Improved Starskate 1 - Tallis Dixon, Most Improved Starskate 2 - Shianne Hillebrand, Canskater of the Year - Charlize Blank, Powerskater of the Year - Jaiden Mullin and Starskater of the Year - Alexia Boyd (pictured at left with Coach Diane Blank).
April 08, 2014 - News Leader
CITIZENS RALLY FOR HEALTH ACCORD
Approximately 60 citizens of Princeton attended a noon hour rally March 31 to demand reinstatement of the Canada Health Accord which ended that day. If the Health Accord is not renegotiated with the provinces, the federal government will cut $36 billion from health care in Canada after the 2015 federal election. The loss of the Health Accord is not simply a loss of money, but a loss of the concept of universal health care which has entitled every Canadian to receive health care regardless of where in Canada that person lives. Regional Director Brad Hope, Mayor Frank Armitage, Walter Hogg and Ed Staples of the local Health Care Steering Committee, were speakers at the rally, and Lily Zekanovic, Executive Assistant to Alex Atamanenko, read a letter by our local Member of Parliament. Everything said emphasized the need to have the Health Accord in place. The rally was well-organized, a cooperative effort of our local SOHC, CUPE across Canada, the regional Health Coalition, and the national Council of Canadians. The local rally was part of a national day of protest. Those attending the rally wore red, as a red umbrella is the logo of the campaign to reinstate the Health Accord. There were information packages for those who attended. Everyone was urged to write a letter to Stephen Harper and to Alex Atamanenko saying the Health Accord must be restored. The address of Stephen Harper is: The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, House of Commons, Ottawa ON K1A 0A6. Write to Alex Atamanenko, MP, BC Southern Interior, House of Commons, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6. Also write to The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, at the same address as the others.
LOCAL STUDENTS SHINE AT FAIR
Princeton area students did well at the Caribou-Mainline Regional Science Fair held April 3rd and 4th in Kamloops. There were a total of 197 participants in the event hosted at Thompson Rivers University and Princeton¹s Eric Holland returned with one of 23 Gold Medals awarded at the event for his 'Combustible Dust 2' project. Holland, a Grade 9 student, was attending his second regional science fair and also won the Best Overall Engineering Project Trophy. Marcus Brodie (Grade 8) won a Bronze Medal for his 'Can We Clean It? Yes, We Can!' project. Miranda Crucil (Grade 8) earned a Silver Medal for 'The Impact of Oil and Tanker Spills' and Megan Mintzler (Grade 8) also won a Silver Medal for her 'Music Mix-Up' project. The Princeton Secondary School students are part of Ms. Barchard's science department. This year two elementary school students went to the regional event as well. Vermilion Forks teacher Mrs. Cleven selected Talia Easy and Holly Atkinson to represent the school at the Kamloops event and both brought home Merit Awards. Talia Easy (Grade 6) submitted her science project titled 'Warm Toes' and Holly Atkinson (Grade 5) participated with her 'Stuck Like Glue' project.
Approximately 60 citizens of Princeton attended a noon hour rally March 31 to demand reinstatement of the Canada Health Accord which ended that day. If the Health Accord is not renegotiated with the provinces, the federal government will cut $36 billion from health care in Canada after the 2015 federal election. The loss of the Health Accord is not simply a loss of money, but a loss of the concept of universal health care which has entitled every Canadian to receive health care regardless of where in Canada that person lives. Regional Director Brad Hope, Mayor Frank Armitage, Walter Hogg and Ed Staples of the local Health Care Steering Committee, were speakers at the rally, and Lily Zekanovic, Executive Assistant to Alex Atamanenko, read a letter by our local Member of Parliament. Everything said emphasized the need to have the Health Accord in place. The rally was well-organized, a cooperative effort of our local SOHC, CUPE across Canada, the regional Health Coalition, and the national Council of Canadians. The local rally was part of a national day of protest. Those attending the rally wore red, as a red umbrella is the logo of the campaign to reinstate the Health Accord. There were information packages for those who attended. Everyone was urged to write a letter to Stephen Harper and to Alex Atamanenko saying the Health Accord must be restored. The address of Stephen Harper is: The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, House of Commons, Ottawa ON K1A 0A6. Write to Alex Atamanenko, MP, BC Southern Interior, House of Commons, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6. Also write to The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, at the same address as the others.
LOCAL STUDENTS SHINE AT FAIR
Princeton area students did well at the Caribou-Mainline Regional Science Fair held April 3rd and 4th in Kamloops. There were a total of 197 participants in the event hosted at Thompson Rivers University and Princeton¹s Eric Holland returned with one of 23 Gold Medals awarded at the event for his 'Combustible Dust 2' project. Holland, a Grade 9 student, was attending his second regional science fair and also won the Best Overall Engineering Project Trophy. Marcus Brodie (Grade 8) won a Bronze Medal for his 'Can We Clean It? Yes, We Can!' project. Miranda Crucil (Grade 8) earned a Silver Medal for 'The Impact of Oil and Tanker Spills' and Megan Mintzler (Grade 8) also won a Silver Medal for her 'Music Mix-Up' project. The Princeton Secondary School students are part of Ms. Barchard's science department. This year two elementary school students went to the regional event as well. Vermilion Forks teacher Mrs. Cleven selected Talia Easy and Holly Atkinson to represent the school at the Kamloops event and both brought home Merit Awards. Talia Easy (Grade 6) submitted her science project titled 'Warm Toes' and Holly Atkinson (Grade 5) participated with her 'Stuck Like Glue' project.
Princeton Student Wins Big!
Copyright 2014 Bengel Publishing Inc.
Princeton Secondary School student Eric Holland scored well at the Caribou-Mainline Regional Science Fair held April 3rd and 4th at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC. The Grade 9 student brought home a Gold Medal and was also awarded with the Best Overall Engineering Project Trophy.
Meet Megan Pateman!
Copyright 2014 Bengel Publishing Inc.
18-year old Megan Pateman was crowned Princeton Youth Ambassador for 2012/13. She is now representing the Town of Princeton in the British Columbia Youth Ambassador program. She hopes to bring her hometown a great deal of positive publicity as a result of her decision to seek the provincial title. You can follow her journey by following (or adding a LIKE) her online Facebook Page which is located at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Megan-Pateman-British-Columbia-Ambassador-Candidate-2014/1425425801039038
April 01, 2014 - News Leader
FIRE DESTROYS THREE HOMES
A fire that started at around 10:00 PM on Thursday, March 27th destroyed three homes and two outbuildings. No one was injured in the blaze that was believed to have started in a small shed near the back of one home. It quickly spread to two neighbouring homes in the 300-block of Fenchurch Avenue. Keremeos Volunteer Fire Department was called to assist Princeton Fire Department and arrived on scene later in the evening and stayed until after 4:00 AM the following morning. Speculation and rumours ran rampant on social media in the hours that followed but RCMP told the News Leader that 'it looked like arson' and the cause continues to be under investigation. In the meantime, residents wishing to make donations to assist the residents of the three homes can do so by contacting Princeton Crisis Assistance Society at 250-293-1136. Two single men and an older couple were affected by the incident and have lost all their belongings. Donations of every kind to help will be accepted. Various fundraising efforts are also being planned to assist the victims of the fire. Although there were no injuries, three pets perished in the blaze.
FALL FAIR REVIEWS IDEAS
Many bright ideas for this year¹s Fall Fair, to be held September 6 and 7, were put forward at the March 25 meeting. President Dan Kastor is negotiating with a team of youths who do a show featuring tricks on bicycles. Shirley Freding presented a proposal for a mural for the flower area. She will paint the background and members of the public will be invited to fill in the outlines of various animals and birds. The name of each participant will be painted at the bottom of the mural. She also suggested a collage of photos of families who have participated in the fair during its 49 years of history. These ideas were approved. Freding presented another idea, a mini-chuck wagon races for children. A child would turn a little toy wagon into a covered wagon, then pull it while riding a stick horse. This idea will be explored further. A call for a hillbilly band is under consideration. This band must consist of homemade instruments played by band members to make actual music. If enough bands come forward, there could be not only performances, but a contest. There will be a dunk tank, local musicians, and other regular features of the fair. New member Karin Green is looking into square dance and line dance demonstrations. The Fair Board will invite the troupe of young riders from the South Okanagan to do their drill team performance and trick rides again this year. A livestock manager is needed for the fair, but the other convenors have been appointed. Cheryl Ferguson is in charge of arts and crafts, Rose Flegel is looking after vegetables, fruit, canning and baking, and Laila Bird is in charge of the flower show. Dawn Johnson is head convenor again and will do sponsorships. The next Fall Fair Association meeting will take place at the fairgrounds office on April 22 at 6:30 PM. Anyone interested in participating in the fair is welcome to attend.
A fire that started at around 10:00 PM on Thursday, March 27th destroyed three homes and two outbuildings. No one was injured in the blaze that was believed to have started in a small shed near the back of one home. It quickly spread to two neighbouring homes in the 300-block of Fenchurch Avenue. Keremeos Volunteer Fire Department was called to assist Princeton Fire Department and arrived on scene later in the evening and stayed until after 4:00 AM the following morning. Speculation and rumours ran rampant on social media in the hours that followed but RCMP told the News Leader that 'it looked like arson' and the cause continues to be under investigation. In the meantime, residents wishing to make donations to assist the residents of the three homes can do so by contacting Princeton Crisis Assistance Society at 250-293-1136. Two single men and an older couple were affected by the incident and have lost all their belongings. Donations of every kind to help will be accepted. Various fundraising efforts are also being planned to assist the victims of the fire. Although there were no injuries, three pets perished in the blaze.
FALL FAIR REVIEWS IDEAS
Many bright ideas for this year¹s Fall Fair, to be held September 6 and 7, were put forward at the March 25 meeting. President Dan Kastor is negotiating with a team of youths who do a show featuring tricks on bicycles. Shirley Freding presented a proposal for a mural for the flower area. She will paint the background and members of the public will be invited to fill in the outlines of various animals and birds. The name of each participant will be painted at the bottom of the mural. She also suggested a collage of photos of families who have participated in the fair during its 49 years of history. These ideas were approved. Freding presented another idea, a mini-chuck wagon races for children. A child would turn a little toy wagon into a covered wagon, then pull it while riding a stick horse. This idea will be explored further. A call for a hillbilly band is under consideration. This band must consist of homemade instruments played by band members to make actual music. If enough bands come forward, there could be not only performances, but a contest. There will be a dunk tank, local musicians, and other regular features of the fair. New member Karin Green is looking into square dance and line dance demonstrations. The Fair Board will invite the troupe of young riders from the South Okanagan to do their drill team performance and trick rides again this year. A livestock manager is needed for the fair, but the other convenors have been appointed. Cheryl Ferguson is in charge of arts and crafts, Rose Flegel is looking after vegetables, fruit, canning and baking, and Laila Bird is in charge of the flower show. Dawn Johnson is head convenor again and will do sponsorships. The next Fall Fair Association meeting will take place at the fairgrounds office on April 22 at 6:30 PM. Anyone interested in participating in the fair is welcome to attend.
Jessie's Art Show Success!
Photo: Alan K. Parsons
It was the 'must attend' event of spring 2014 - an Art Show and Sale at New Beginnings in Princeton hosted by local artist Jessie McIvor. McIvor has been receiving a lot of attention resulting from her amazing artistic talent. The Art Show and Sale, held March 25th, saw a packed house and just about every piece of art offered for sale sold by the end of the event.
Ninety Years Young!
Photo: Dawn Johnson
Friends and family of Norma Kraetor gathered at the Legion Hall last week to wish her a happy 90th birthday. Norma was born in Vernon and came to Princeton when she was 12 years old. She has lived here ever since. She married Dan Kraetor in 1943, when he was in the Canadian army. They had two daughters, and Norma is proud of them and three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Norma retired in 1978 after serving 21 years on the custodial staff at what was then known as the Princeton Elementary Secondary School. She has volunteered with the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, is a member of Senior
Citizens Branch 30, and helps at the Fall Fair each year. Norma took up painting pictures after she retired and is well-known locally for her artistic talents, although she says she does not do much painting these days. Looking much younger than her 90 years, Norma admits she has no idea what she did to live so long. Perhaps it is her personality, her desire to be involved in life and to enjoy life as much as possible.
Citizens Branch 30, and helps at the Fall Fair each year. Norma took up painting pictures after she retired and is well-known locally for her artistic talents, although she says she does not do much painting these days. Looking much younger than her 90 years, Norma admits she has no idea what she did to live so long. Perhaps it is her personality, her desire to be involved in life and to enjoy life as much as possible.