Review
THE www.keremeosreview.com PM Agreement #40012521
Vol.15 Number 14
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Serving the communities of Keremeos, Cawston, Okanagan Falls and Kaleden
WATER ALONG WHITE LAKE ROAD
More surface water than has been seen in years along White Lake Road See page 11
PROVINCIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY
Liberal candidate Linda Larson visits Keremeos See page 5
ENJOYING THE SUN IN MEMORIAL PARK
Spring weather comes to the Similkameen for the last half of spring break See page 11
$1.15 including HST
New operator brings new optimism
By Steve Arstad news@keremeosreview.com
The new Grist Mill site operator, Chris Mathieson of Mathieson Heritage Services, was chosen through a request for proposal process. Mathieson has an extensive and successful background as a 14-year veteran of the B.C. museum community. Most recently, he helped increase visits to the Vancouver Police Museum from 4,000 to 21,000 visits annually. Mathieson’s Photo by Steve Arstad skills and experience will help to ensure the long-term sucChris Mathieson discusses plans for the Grist Mill in Keremeos. The new operator recently moved to cess of the historic the Similkameen and is hard at work preparing for a May long weekend opening. Grist Mill site. The site operalong weekend. He’s planning a work in the restaurant, sell local products tor term runs April wherever possible, “ he said, “we’ll party for a weekend late in April or 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014, with an source everything we can locally.” early May for interested residents. option to renew for an additional Mathieson will operate the tea year. This term provides the Heritage Participants will be awarded with a salmon barbeque following the clean room beyond mill operating hours Branch time to explore new business and has plans to expand on its offerup event. model options with the operator and ings. He also has a goal of doubling Mathieson comes to the Grist to consider the recommendations of the site’s visitor count this year over Mill with ideas and enthusiasm, the conservation management plan. last. tempered by the understanding that Chris Mathieson spent a busy On this sunny, warm last day of the restoration and rebuilding effort Easter holiday weekend moving the Easter long weekend, the posis not going to be complete in one his family to Keremeos and getting sibility of positive change seems acquainted with the Keremeos Grist season. as bright as the sudden change in He’s planning modestly for this Mill and Gardens. weather. With cautious optimism, year, hoping to get the mill operatThe excellent early season weathMathieson talks about the Grist ing again, and build up the visitor er might also be a harbinger of Mill as having endless possibilities count. Mathieson sees the mill as better things to come for the historic - noting that an improving economy a complementary enterprise to property, which has struggled since wouldn’t hurt either. other Similkameen offerings such as the turn of this century as provincial “I’m looking forward to doing wineries and the area’s agricultural budgets were cut and the tourist whatever we can do,” he concluded, enterprises, and he is emphasizing economy weakened. “it’s a great site, located in a great “local” in everything the mill will Mathieson is making preparaplace - it’s going to be great, regardattempt to do. tions to open the property - includless.” “I want to get local food served ing the campground - on the May