16 • THURSDAY,
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December 3, 2020
Rare guitar found in Kamloops KAMLOOPS THIS WEEK
When Renee Latheur decided to take an old guitar into Lee’s Music in Kamloops, she didn’t expect the instrument that had sat in a closet for years to be worth thousands of dollars. “It’s in a ratty old guitar case,” Latheur said. “But I remember my aunt saying, ‘I don’t know what to do with this when I pass away.’” Sherrie Favell died in March, leaving Latheur wondering about the instrument and its connection to the woman she loved as an aunt,
even though they were not biologically related. It wasn’t until Latheur recently walked into the music store and saw the owner Mike Miltimore’s eyes sparkle at the sight of the case that she began to learn more about the guitar and its value to Favell’s father, who bought it nearly 65 years ago. Miltimore said the worn tweed and leather case was a telltale sign that it may contain a unique instrument. When he opened the case, he saw a Gretsch from the 1950s, featuring a big brass buckle
NICOLA VALLEY NEWS on the top and a leather studded belt around the outside. “It’s a played instrument, you know. It’s been loved. If it could talk, it would tell probably about hundreds of concerts played throughout its life,” Miltimore said. He said his research from the serial number revealed the electric Gretsch, or Roundup 6130, was made in 1955 and similar to the instrument later played by country legend Chet Atkins. “It’s a hollow-bodied guitar and a lot of com-
abattoir and butchery access in our province and I think that has become the basis for this decision for me. I’m no longer willing and able to put in the insane hours and work involved in producing meat at this level when at any time my business can be taken from me because we don’t have the supports we need to succeed in animal agriculture.” During the COVID19 pandemic, large processors, such as Cargill in Alberta, were affected by the virus, leading to supply chain disruptions and empty meat coolers at grocery stores across the country. While this may have caused more people to become interested in local food, SSMPA President and National Farmers Union VP, Julia Smith, says that the trend for buying local was
already well established and steadily increasing. “As is so often the case in crisis situations, they tend to highlight both strengths and weaknesses in a system,” said Smith. “We already had strong support and consumer demand for local food. COVID-19 only amplified this. By the same token, our meat processing system, which was already strained to the breaking point, has not been able to handle the additional demands placed upon it. It is critical that we address these issues if we want to take advantage of the many opportunities for economic recovery and food security that are offered by the growing demand for local food. We need a robust, reliable meat processing system in order to reap the benefits of a strong, regional food production system.”
kept it after her father died about 20 years ago. Miltimore said once the family decided to sell the guitar, he took it in on consignment and has already had multiple offers — not all of them in cash. “There’s one that is from a famous musician who wants to trade a private concert and memorabilia for it,” Miltimore told KTW. Miltimore was mum on the identity of the artist in question, but is excited about the idea. “As a musician, I’m like, that’s so cool!” he said.
With more attention than usual over the story of the guitar’s discovery, Miltimore said he’s been receiving photos from all over Canada of vintage guitars that might be the next big find. Asked what someone should do if they think their old axe might be worth something, Miltimore encouraged locals to stop by Lee’s Music for a chat, while recommending others peruse auction and used goods sites like eBay and Kijiji to determine their guitar’s value.
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Farmers facing shutdowns due to backlogs From Page 6
who played his beloved instrument in a band called McKinna Gold. “He caught his hand in a planer at a mill in Salmon Arm and he actually had to retrain to play the guitar,” Latheur said. Favell lost his thumb at age 21, but still managed to perform with it. However, Favell inexplicably sold his guitar at a pawnshop. It was later rescued by Sherrie Favell and her mother, Latheur said. Sherrie bought it back again when it was hocked a second time, Latheur said, and she
panies were doing solid bodies at that time,” Miltimore said, adding a hollow instrument was used for the country style of picking that Atkins popularized. The guitar Latheur thought may be worth $200 is actually valued at between $12,000 and $26,000, Miltimore said, noting about 400 of the instruments were made in the 1950s. “I was blown away,” Latheur said. She recently learned her aunt treasured the mahogany guitar that kept her connected to her father, Roy Favell,
POPPIES PUT ON VETS’ HEADSTONES /PAGE 3
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SAM TO RERUN HIS MEGA MARATHON /PAGE 19
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MERRITT HERALD THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS • www.merrittherald.com
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INSIDE... BUY A BRICK
Now that ground has been broken to rebuild the Murray Church, a new fundraiser allows the public to honour a loved one.
/PAGE 5
JOB WELL DONE
NEVER FORGOTTEN REMEMBERING THE PAST: A small gathering of members of the Legion, RCMP, firefighters and the Honour Guard laid wreaths at the Merritt cenotaph for Remebrance Day. PHOTOS /PAGE 10
A longtime volunteer at the Nicola Valley Healthcare Auxiliary speaks to the Herald now that she has decided to retire.
/PAGE 8
HOOD RENAMING
Residents are being asked for input as to if they are content with the name of their neighbourhood.
/PAGE 14
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