50 YEARS AGO:
Night skiing was being tried out in Clearwater.
A new long rope tow and new runs had been added.
The skiing/skating sports center was valued at $100,000. A CN spur line was to be added to the Pacific 66 bulk plant, according to manager Bill Mattenley.
Clearwater Search and Rescue, along with RCMP Cpl. Millhouse, went to rescue a hunter lost on the east side of the Clearwater River.
His shots had been heard by Ken Dunford.
45 YEARS AGO:
Twenty-seven snowmobilers took part in Vavenby Trailbreakers’ paper chase.
Winning the women’s ribbon for first place was Lynda King, while Fred Stein won for the men.
40 YEARS AGO:
Parents asked the school board that the Vavenby annex be re-opened to relieve overcrowding.
They also requested more primary teachers. Cecile and Mac McDiarmid, longtime Upper Clearwater residents, celebrated their 50th anniversary.
Bob McCracken was winding down his store in Birch Island, which had been in his family for many years.
35 YEARS AGO:
A Department of Communications representative demonstrated that cable television was not affecting the community TV signal by having the cable site turned off.
Clearwater Timber Products held an open house to show off its newly renovated office on Station Road in Clearwater.
Built in 1953, it had originally been a bunkhouse for employees.
30 YEARS AGO:
A referendum on forming a municipality of Clearwater was postponed until after Feb. 1, 1989, reported committee representative Edie Kinzel.
The provincial government was reviewing capital assistance for proposed municipalities.
25 YEARS AGO:
A former superintendent of School District 26 (North Thompson), was seeking $263,000 plus his job back in a dispute at the Human Rights Commission.
The former superintendent said the school board had discriminated against him because of his disability — alcoholism.
Five avalanche search dogs and their handlers were in Blue River to take part in an advanced avalanche rescue training course put on by Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog association (CARDA).
20 YEARS AGO:
Former Clearwater Improvement District administrator Edie Kinzel came out of retirement to temporarily take over at the CID. Board chair Lawrence Giesbrecht would not discuss the reasons behind the move.
The CID was on the verge of obtaining land near the Clearwater Hatchery for a second well, said Giesbrecht.
The district’s engineer had recommended the well as well as a 300,000 gallon reservoir above Archibald subdivision and a connecting waterline along the north end of Dutch Lake.
15 YEARS AGO:
Clearwater-Vavenby director Bert Walker was voted in as vice-chair of the TNRD.
Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing opened for the season with 70 guests plus 30 people attending an avalanche seminar.
Clearwater Chamber of Commerce re-elected Steve Pelton as its president.
Vice-president for another year was Rich Willan.
Vavenby landowners approved a proposal to construct a new water system.
10 YEARS AGO:
One hundred and twenty Christmas Shoe Boxes were collected at the New Life Assembly Church from Clearwater and area residents.
The boxes were shipped to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Vietnam and Jordan to needy children.
The provincial government gave $20,171 to District of Clearwater in partnership with Thompson-Nicola Regional District to support a community branding process and to establish an annual canoe regatta.
5 YEARS AGO:
Town council approved spending up to $2,000 to sponsor Clearwater’s annual Winter Festival.
“The Winter Festival is destined to become another signature event for Clearwater,” said Mayor John Harwood.
A full bus of 20 seniors travelled to Sagebrush Theatre in Kamloops to watch Les Miserables.
The Wells Gray Country Seniors Society group had two more events planned for the month of December, one to the Wildlife Park and one to a musical afternoon at Upper Clearwater Hall.
1 YEAR AGO:
Colin O’Leary, a consultant working for TNRD, took questions during a wildfire business recovery meeting in Clearwater.
One business owner estimated their revenue was down $150,000 and bookings for next year down 40 per cent.
A proposal by Simpcw First Nation to establish a culture education centre at the former Dunn Lake Bible Camp received enthusiastic support from town council. “That would be awesome,” said councillor Merlin Blackwell.
A 33-year-old man accused of hijacking a truck near Avola the previous month was to remain in jail for the time being.
Charges included kidnapping and using a firearm in the commission of an offense.
