August 16, 1922 – Movie idol to do a mountain-climbing marathon
Charlie Chaplin wants to make a picture in the Canadian Pacific Rockies. In preparation for such a picture he plans to spend his vacation in tramping over the mountains; no little patch-worky climbing for Charlie, but a hike right across the Rockies.
He is convinced that in the Canadian Pacific Rockies he will find the ideal location for a big picture, something that will make the movie fans sit up on the edges of their seats.
While the Comedy King has not a personal knowledge of Canada’s wonderland, he is by no means ignorant of its possibilities and beauty. Among the books which he studies during his leisure hours are three huge volumes filled with Canadian data and pictures and with their contents he is thoroughly conversant.
The mirth-provoking Charlie has his serious hours, too, and a keen business sense that is put to work in seeing that the public gets what the public wants. He has a story in view in which the greater part of the action occurs in picturesque parts of Quebec and Manitoba.
Visitors to the Rockies during the next few seasons may expect to meet Charlie on out-of-the-way mountain trials. They may fail to recognize the knickerbockered, baggy-trousered, splay-footed screen favorite, but it will be Charlie Chaplin getting a close up of the wonders of the Northland, the wonderland that he means to put on the silver screen for the delight of the adoring public.
August 13, 1942 – An old Canadian custom
When our pioneer grandparents had a big job to do, they called in their neighbours. A barn raising brought help from miles around. Skilled barn framers took charge; sides were chosen and competition between teams lent interest to the work.
This old Canadian custom was revived when Canada’s National War Finance Committee was formed and went into operation. Under the leadership of the National and Provincial Committees – men experienced in the organization and conduct of financial operations – Local Committees were formed in all communities. Co-operation and competition characterized the work. The biggest “raising” in Canada’s history got away to a magnificent start.
August 16, 1972 – Poisonous plants from Idaho Peak hospitalize two
Don’t eat the plants. Two people were taken seriously ill and admitted to Castlegar hospital recently having eaten a plant found in the mountains. The pair had been climbing the meadows of Mt. Idaho out of New Denver.
The plant, according to Dr. R.T. Pagan of the Selkirk Health Unit in Nelson, is know as False Hellebore. The colloquial name is “death weed.” It is found in swamps and and moist meadows at elevations above 6,000 feet, and grows between two to eight feet with tassles of greenish and yellow blooms.
This plant contains a poisonous alkaloid (veratrum) which has a serious affect on the heart and blood vessels, and can cause paralysis, convulsions and death. Initial symptoms may be nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
People are warned to avoid eating plants of any kind unless they know what they are.
