News Leader News for March 18, 2008
BCPB FINALS MOVE TO PRINCETON
Princeton Rodeo Club voted March 14th to host the British Columbia Professional Bullriders Association (BCPB) Finals in September.
This means the top 20 point earners in the province will appear at Princeton Rodeo Grounds in a two-evening event which will see the riders in two rounds both nights for a total of 40 rides per performance.
The BCPB has been looking for a new location to move the Finals and Princeton Rodeo Club pounced on the opportunity.
This is not a one-time event. The plan is to host the BCPB Finals each year in Princeton, in addition to the annual Rodeo in May.
Final dates have not been confirmed for the BCPB Finals, but will likely be in mid-September.
The event will feature no less than $10,000 in prize money (provided by BCPB) with additional prize money coming from sponsorships.
The Rodeo Club is also finalizing plans for a fundraising Trail Ride, the selection of the 2008 Rodeo Queen and pursuing Sponsorships for the upcoming BCRA Princeton Rodeo on May 10th and 11th.
MUSEUM PREPARES FOR NEW SEASON
The past and the future run together at any Museum Society meeting. On March 11, members and three Missezula Lake residents reviewed the budget for the coming year.
The museum has a new toll-free number: 1-866-582-7632 and a new email address: princetonmuseum@telus.net. The website needs modernizing and should be updated by tourist season. Opening date
Princeton Museum will be open to the public on April 26. The foyer of the building will play music from the Traditional Music Society and feature a display in celebration of 50 years since Princeton Museum Society was established. August is Heritage Month in Princeton, and the museum will be involved in displays in local shops. Nick Mills is writing articles for the News Leader about B.C. history as part of the province-wide 150th anniversary.
A new rack card was approved. The new card advertises the Traditional Music Festival to be held in August. The 6,000 cards will be distributed in a variety of locations. Princeton's music
Rika Ruebsaat reported the Traditional Music Festival has now confirmed nearly half of the performers expected to fill two downtown stages. In addition, the Traditional Music Society has applied to the Community Forest Corporation for money to produce a CD of Princeton's traditional music. The society has accumulated 27 songs and several poems from the Princeton area for the CD and will produce 1,000 copies. The CDs will be available to the public for a $20 donation. The proceeds will be split between the Museum Society and the Traditional Music Society. Learn to research
Princeton Museum Operations Manager Nick Mills will run a course at the Skills Centre on May 7 to show people how to research the museum archives for information about the past. Many people want to know about their family history, and this is one way to learn how to do the research. The evening course costs $20, and the proceeds go to Princeton Museum. Wonderful Hedley visitors
School children from Hedley were special visitors to Princeton Museum this winter. Nick Mills said they were "absolutely charming" and "one of the nicest groups of children ever to visit the museum". Tulameen Treasures
A booklet titled "Treasures of the Tulameen" is being produced this year. A lot of information has been obtained from the Hudson Bay Company archives as well as from Princeton Museum. This has been a project of Kelley Cook. On July 26, there will be a celebration at Jacobsen Lake and a hike to Palmer's Pond. Look for more information later this spring and perhaps plan an outing on the old Hudson Bay Trail.
The next meeting will take place on the second Tuesday of April (April 8) at 2:30 PM at the Chamber of Commerce meeting room (downstairs at the Tourist Information Centre).
FAMILY DONATES IN MEMORY OF DIANE
A cash donation worth $6,000 dollars on behalf of the late Diane Smith, her family, and her friends was handed over to Princeton General Hospital last week.
Smith's son, Justin, says the funds "are majority of what was donated by the citizens of the Similkameen valley during fundraiser's held at the Princeton Chevron, Chuchuwayha Hall and the Princeton Legion. The donation is on behalf of Mom, her colleagues at Princeton Chevron, and friends and family of the Smiths."
Justin adds, "Today's date (March 13) would've been Mom and Dad's 38th anniversary. We've asked that the funding be put specifically towards special air mattresses in palliative care that prevent bed sores (ulcers) from patients unable to leave the bed, thus providing more comfort to those in palliative care and to make their journey easier."
The donation comes with a stipulation.
"We've also asked that at least one mattress remain in the Palliative Care room at Princeton General Hospital at all times. With the help of the nurses, we've been able to determine what special mattress would be best suited for patient care at PGH."
Smith says, "It's the generosity of the people in Princeton, Hedley, Keremeos, Cawston, Tulameen, and Coalmont that have made this possible as well as the continued contributions from The News Leader and Giant-FM."
A Celebration of Life for Diane Smith will be held at the Hedley Community Hall on Saturday, March 22. It will start at 1:00 PM and go until 4:00 PM.
Refreshments as well as sandwiches, veggie plates, and desserts will be served. Any acquaintances, friend, or family, or anybody who knew Diane is welcome to attend and share in some laughs, some memories, and smiles!
Later that evening, a family only gathering will be held at the ranch.
