10 • THURSDAY, May 1, 2014
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Friends & Neighbours
Volunteering for 37 years — and counting
SIGNATURE MOVES Nicola Canford student Mackenzie Joyce had the audience clapping along as he busted the moves to Gangnam Style at the Nicola Canford talent show on Tuesday. Emily Wessel/Herald
Spring events for outdoor enthusiasts
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‘For me, passing our knowledge on to others is a big part of our hunting heritage.’
OTHMAR VOHRINGER The OUTDOORSMAN For me, May has always been a special month, and it has little to do with the fact that my birthday falls in that month. In May, the weather is pleasant enough to have a barbecue outside or go fishing without having to wear several layers of clothing. The spring hunting season for bears and turkeys also goes into May, although this year, I have to give that one a miss due to other commitments and work schedules. This year, I am particularly excited about May because of two great events coming up. The first event is the bowhunting course held from May 5 to 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Merritt Civic Centre.
The course is suitable for beginner to advanced bowhunters and covers topics such as equipment choices, bowhunting safety, shooting a bow under hunting conditions versus archery, scouting and hunting tactics, using calls and scent to attract game, plus much more. The course can be attended by anybody interested in hunting or archery, as there are several topics that are equally beneficial to all hunters to become more successful in pursuing game. The minimum age to attend is 16 years and you do not have to bring your own bow to the course. I am extremely proud to provide this course for the second time after the success we had in the previous
— HERALD COLUMNIST OTHMAR VOHRINGER
one. For me, passing our knowledge on to others is a big part of our hunting heritage and with that continues our hunting and conservation traditions into the next generation. The second event is also something that I very much look forward to. On May 24, the Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club is holding a big fundraising spaghetti and rib dinner event at the Merritt Desert Inn. Tickets are available at Ponderosa Sporting Goods or at Nicola Valley Outdoors. Dinner will be served at 5 p.m. and for adults, a Bone Beer will also be available. Bone Beer is brewed in Kelowna by the only brewery in Canada owned by hunters, and they pro-
vide a good portion of the money from the sale of beer to wildlife conservation programs. This is going to be a real hunter and angler event. Organizers ask that you bring your mounted trophies, be they game or fish, and display them at the event for everybody to see. The event also includes a special raffle for a brand new .30-06 Ruger American Hunter rifle. All in all, the Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club wants this to be an event to celebrate Nicola Valley outdoor heritage and raise money for their legal fund. So come on out, bring your family and friends to have a good time, share stories and meet great people. For more information call (250) 378-1909. With all that said, May is a great month with many things to be happy about, new things to learn about, and to celebrate. I hope to see many of you at both these events.
For 37 years, Myrna Jones has generously volunteered with the Nicola Valley Health Care Auxiliary. Throughout her time as a volunteer, she has filled many roles at the Nicola Valley Hospital and Health Centre and the Thrift Shop. Her most prominent role has been at the Thrift Shop, organizing the weekly window display. Jones has taken on this role for 35 years, always with great attention to detail. Her displays have brought many customers into the Thrift Shop. “I’ve loved the auxiliary and I’ve always done the window. I just love doing it because it’s for a good cause,” Jones said. Looking back, Jones has had many fond memories of her time with the auxiliary. She had a few laughs at a provincial auxiliary conference,
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Merrittonian Myrna Jones has volunteered with the Nicola Valley Health Care Auxiliary for decades and arranges the auxiliary’s Thrift Shop display window. Submitted
niece are also members of the auxiliary and she enjoys volunteering with them. Jones said her favourite thing about the Thrift Shop is working with all the different people there. “I’ve always loved all the people I’ve worked with,” she said.
where she and a few members of the local auxiliary participated in a hay ride. Little did they know that once attached to the wagon, the horse team would take off running with the members in tow. Jones loves spending time with her two daughters, three grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Her sister and
Submitted by Brittney Parks
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