COWBOY DROVERS PAGE A3
SENIORS DAY AT THE MARKET PAGE A13
FOOTBALL KICKOFF PAGE A15
OBSERVER QUESNEL - CARIBOO
SINCE 1908
Friday, September 13, 2013
VOL. 100 NO. 4
www.quesnelobserver.com
Farmers Appreciation Week
AUTUMN MacDONALD Observer Reporter
Farmer’s Markets across the province are celebrating the 4th annual Farmers Appreciation Week – and the Gold Pan City is no exception. The week runs Sept. 8 – 15, with a focus on fresh, fun and food. Quesnel’s own Farmers’ Market runs May through October, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. “This is an incredibly busy time for farmers,â€? Harvest president Rob Borsato said. “This recognition is very timely.â€? According to a study done by UNBC Dr. David Connell, at least 50 per cent of farmers selling at markets are well under the provincial age of farmers, 55 years. “I think we have one of the best markets in B.C.,â€? mayor Mary Sjostrom said. “What a great opportunity for our residents to buy and support local producers and artisans.â€? “B.C. farmers play an important role in our local economy and community and strengthen our local food system,â€? BC Association of Farmer’s Markets executive director Elizabeth Quinn said. “We want to make Farmers Appreciation Week an annual time to appreciate our farmers for growing beautiful fresh food close to home.â€? Fast facts: • 98 per cent of B.C.’s total farms are family-controlled, with the remaining two per cent accounted for by nonfamily corporations; • B.C. farmers’ markets contributed $170 million in economic benefits in 2012, a 146 per cent increase from 2006; • in 2010, B.C. farm operators spent an average of 89 cents in expenses (excluding depreciation) for every dollar of receipts in 2010. (Source, Statistics Canada)
Friday Sept. 13, 2013 - 6:00 pm Saturday Sept. 14, 2013 - 2:00 pm Sunday Sept. 15, 2013 - 1:00 pm
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Arson suspected
AUTUMN MacDONALD Observer Reporter
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Show support This young man was just one of many who participated in the FASD Walk for awareness Monday. Beginning at the Anglican Church, where the bells were run at 9:09 on Sept. 9, the crowd made their way across the footbridge to the Native Friendship Centre. Autumjn MacDonald photo
Good day, Quesnel. Thanks for reading — and that includes loyal subscriber J. Barr! To join the Observer family, please call 250-992-2121 and ask for circulation.
Shortly before 1 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, the Quesnel Fire Department and the Quesnel RCMP responded to a fire in a storage container at the rear of a commercial property in the 200 block of Anderson Drive. The fire was discovered by passersby who saw flames coming from the storage container and immediately called 911. The good samaritans, a 22-yearold male and his 18-year-old brother, then began to extinguish the fire with a nearby garden hose. “The RCMP and the Fire Department commend the fast action of the good samaritans who used a nearby garden hose to extinguish the flames,� Cst. and media spokesperson Krista Vrolyk said. “Their swift response prevented the fire from spreading and from causing severe damage to the building itself. � A second fire occurred during the same time frame and was ignited in a garbage can located outside a residence in the 100 block of nearby Lewis Drive. This fire was discovered after a resident heard noise and woke up to see a pickup truck depart northbound on Lewis Drive. It is extremely fortunate that neither one of these fires resulted in more substantial property damage or spread to nearby buildings. Investigation into these arsons continues. Quesnel RCMP are asking the public to be vigilant in reporting any suspicious activity in this area. Anyone with any information about these fires or any suspicious activity, vehicles or persons observed in the area prior to the fires is asked to call the Quesnel RCMP at 250-992-9211.
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