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                   Vol #2     Issue #13

Anniversary Issue

Well, believe it or not it has already been a year!  Our Premier Issue hit the streets on July 2, 2001, and they have just gotten better ever since.  The main reason why the Express is so well-loved is because of you!  
    Your input and  advice has been just so valuable.  Sometimes your input comes in the form of a letter, which is lovely because then, if it's suitable we can publish it.  But, most of the time your advice is oral, given freely at the Husky, or around the horseshoe over a cup of coffee.  I value the spoken input as well because it gives me a direction.  
    Writing a newspaper is a lot like buying presents for people you don't know very well;  you just have to kind of guess what you think they will like.  I know most of my readers.  Well, maybe not most but lots of you anyway  and, from what you've told me, I think I've been doing OK choosing content.  
    The kids section, sponsored by  Hope Pharmasave, proved to be a huge hit with kids and adults alike (I keep the very best jokes for the kids section!).  
    "North Bend Recollections" by W (Bill) Young also proved to be a smash hit, one person even loudly exclaimed to me from the other side of Coopers, "When is the next Recollection? I LOVE it!".  In fact, some of my more inflammatory articles; ones that I figured would beg a public response, have been received with silence.  But "Recollections"  has never been printed without a subsequent phone call from one of my readers to offer comments, addendums, or enlightenment.  I  even received a call from Marion Peters, the current resident of Mr. Young's childhood home inviting us all to drive by and take a look, (more about this inside this issue)
    The "Letters" section is always popular, but we discovered that if you don't sign your name, people get mad at us, not you.  Hence, we are now publishing only signed letters.
    Surprisingly, few comments are received concerning the Wordsearch, which by the way, is custom made right here at my computer.  I try to use as many local, personally pertinent words as possible.  No small feat when one considers that each wordsearch has over 40 words.  I'd like to know, just out of curiousity how many people do the wordsearch, and how you liked some of the special name puzzles, but alas, no one phoned to comment.  Likewise, the "Horoscopes by Lili".  
    The website has been amazingly popular. No guess work there, I have a hit counter!  We are still looking for a local cartoonist. Send us a sample, we'll pay $25 every time your use your cartoons.
    I'm considering putting out a questionnaire, to see what you've enjoyed and what has been ho-hum.  If you get the questionnaire sometime in the future, would you please fill it out and send it back?  That would be great!  Like I said in Issue 1,  "We love to hear from the readers because, after all what good is a newspaper without people to read it?"
    So, Happy Birthday to The Fraser Canyon Express, here's hoping we will all be enjoying "A newspaper of Our Own" for many years to come.



NOTE FROM THE EDITOR - Many of my readers are probably very curious about which house in North Bend was the childhood home of W.(Bill) Young, the writer of "North Bend Recollections". I received a phone call from Mrs. Peters, the current owner of the house and she has graciously notified me and my readers that her home at 48803 Chaumox Road, is the house which Mr. Young describes in his articles.  Drive by and take a look, it's a beautiful heritage home. As you study the house, you gaze into the past. Let the aura of historical richness wash over you.  Imagine little Bill Young, trotting down the road to the General Store or to school, waving to neighbours as he passes by.  
    Ours is, naturally, a timed existence. As I see it , if we write about our life and our lessons for  those who are coming behind us, our lives need not be full of glamour or fame to have true meaning.  
    A lifetime of knowledge should be shared! I urge all of you to talk to your elders, learn what they know and ask about their life, where were they born?, and how did they grow up?  Ask them what was  the  best  advice  they  ever received, and what was the dumbest thing they ever did, ask about their first love.  Laugh with your elders,  maybe even cry with them, but the important  thing  is  to  talk  with  them   and  
learn  from  the  past.    Life doesn't  have to  
be a  guessing  game  when  you  are  young;
all of life's lessons have already been learned,
by  those who went before you.

Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage declares Canadian Rivers Day

PROCLAMATION
    Fresh water is essential to life on earth and Canada is blessed with more than one-fifth of the world's supply. Our rivers are a vital element of Canada's natural environment and Canadians' cultural heritage. Rivers are the lifelines to healthy oceans, forests and communities. Rivers are living threads of history that connect our communities and bind our country. The Canadian Heritage Rivers Board, jointly established by the Government of Canada and the Governments of the Provinces and Territories, has endorsed the concept of a national day of recognition as a means to celebrate, commemorate and preserve Canada's spectacular rivers. Therefore, I, Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage, declare that the second Sunday of June will be celebrated henceforth as Canadian Rivers Day. Canada's rivers represent an enduring spirit of adventure and discovery. They are a continuing source of beauty and joy for all Canadians. Let us ever preserve and be proud of them.

Surprise Party for Kimber's 40th Wedding Anniversary

    Sandra Kimber, the youngest daughter of Terry and Winston Kimber wanted to give her parents something really special for their 40th anniversary, something they would never forget.  She picked up the phone and delegated family members to get onto the computer and invited over 100 friends and family members to arrive at Boston Bar Hall by 5pm, June 29th.  Terry and Winston arrived with wide-eyed surprise and elation. What followed in the next three days was a touching tribute to a wonderful couple.  Some people travelled for up to a week to be here from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Dawson Creek, Alberta, and all across BC.  Food, music, dancing, funny and touching speeches and tears of joy marked the day as one to always remember.

  RCMP Report- Crash Claims Life of Alberta Woman

    June 25, about 10:30 am, Near the Alexandra Tunnel .  North bound traffic was stopped due to construction when a stolen Nissan pick-up truck plowed into the rear-end of a minivan.  The minivan was pushed into oncoming traffic and was broad sided by a semi.  The passenger , a 60 year old  Edmonton, Alberta woman was killed and the 63 year old driver, her husband, is recovering from non life-threatening injuries in Abbottsford Hospital.  The driver of the Nissan fled the scene and ditched the vehicle at Hells Gate Airtram parking lot.  He then fled on foot into the woods and eluded police for some time necessitating the presence of RCMP Dog Services and Air Services.  
    When a suspicious individual turned up in Boston Bar attempting to hitch hike out of town, police interviewed him and discovered that he was from Nanaimo and that he was the alleged driver of the stolen Nissan.  The vehicle had evidently been stolen  from Langley and charges have been recommended against a 20 year old Hope man for possession of stolen property.  On June 26, Benjamin Murray SMITH, 25, of Nanaimo appeared in Chilliwack court and was formally charged with one count of dangerous driving causing death, one count of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, one count of failing to stop at scene of an accident with intent to escape civil or criminal liability and one count of possession of stolen property in excess of $5000.
On June 24, at about 3:45pm, James MICHELL, 54 years old of Agassiz is reported to have fallen into the Fraser River 6 km North of Yale.  MICHELL, and his father had apparently gone to their fishing camp and were setting up ropes near the river in preparation for the fishing season.  James' father, Stanley, reported hearing a splash and turned around to see his son clinging to rocks near where he had fallen in.  Before Stanley could get a rope to his son, he was swept away by the surging current.  James reportedly reappeared downstream twice before disappearing into the river.  Boston Bar RCMP and Hope Search and Rescue were notified and responded.  An extensive search of the river, by boat and on shore was conducted.  James MICHELL was not found and he is feared drowned.  RCMP detachments downstream from the incident have been notified.

                                   Campbells Gather to Celebrate Family Ties

Almost 100 people from Peachland, Kamloops, Vancouver, Surrey, and beyond gathered at Anderson Creek campground for food and fun over the Canada Day weekend.  Fresh fish, salads and renewing friendships was the theme of the day.  Even a dozen campers from Edmonton were invited over to join in the festivities.  Everyone had a great time we are told.