Big Tim and Bigfoot

Tim Meissner has a secret. He has seen and even shot at the hairy, ape-like biped known as Big Foot, or as it's often called Sasquatch in the Pacific Northwest and the Yeti or Abominable Snowman in other parts of the world.
To many it's a myth of gigantic proportions, but to others, such as Meissner, the modest 42-year-old big-game hunter, fisherman and guide from the Armstrong area it was the real deal.
While others have exploited the legendary creature in films and books, it was almost like pulling teeth in trying to extract his remarkable story about his encounters when he was only 16 years old.
On April 28, 1979, Tim and his companions were bear hunting at Dunn Lake, near Barriere, B.C. when this "man-gorilla" creature could be seen a fair distance away. It had a deer thrown over its shoulders and uttered screams, which Meissner had never heard before.
On April 30, after returning to his home to retrieve a high-powered rifle, Meissner came almost face-to-face with the creature, who appeared to be about nine feet tall, and covered in black hair, and Tim shot at it, but apparently missed as he succintly said the other day.
Later, he was to discover the deer which the creature killed. "He had broken its neck," Meissner said.
For two years after the encounter, Meissner discovered there was a family of four, including the nine-foot male, in the area, but the only signs were tracks, measuring 16 1/2 inches, and broken branches that the tall creatures had knocked down.
Then Meissner moved on in life, unlike others such as Rene Dahinden, who Meissner considers one of the "obsessed" in their hunt for the elusive creatures. In fact, Dahinden, in the publicity blurb for "Sasquatch Odyssey -- The hunt for Bigfoot," reported:: "Heard about Bigfoot while working on a dairy farm in Alberta. Came out in search of an adventure, an encounter and perhaps live capture of the beast. He began his work in John Green's newspaper printing shop. He has no time for fools, hates hoaxes and, especially, pretentious PHDs (Rene calls them -- "Please Help Demented.")
While Dahinden, John Green, Peter Byrne and Grover Krantz continue searching, Meissner has certainly moved on, although he claimed there was a full account of his encounter in a museum in the Barriere area, however, the lone Internet account of his "sighting" in something called "The Bigfoot Casebook" gave little details. It read: 28 & 30 April 1979 -- Dunn Lake nr Barriere -- Tim Meissner (16) -- Fishing with friends, saw Bigfoot across lake; returned, saw it again and shot at it.
Although, it might be a story to tell on a dark, and stormy night, Meissner has certainly moved on in his life; and as he said he rarely talks about it now. To him it's just old news.
Besides still maintaining a fishing guide business, in which he takes clients to some of the richest fishing grounds including Shuswap, Mara, Adams, Kalmalka and Mabel lakes, Meissner has found a new adventure, which has some terrific rewards.
In fact, last weekend, he and his wife of 14 years, Jo-Anne, went whale watching off the B.C. coast as a reward for being in first place in a contest, sponsored by Bi-Tron's revolutionary line of automotive products, which he claims can dramatically improve the way your vehicle runs.
When visiting his home, an enthusiastic Meissner pointed to various vehicles in his yard and with zeal he would say something like: "See that vehicle I used to get 14 mph and now I get 22 ... or words to that effect."
He had learned about the Bi-Tron program from a friend over in Kamloops, who convinced Tim that this was a way to wealth. Apparently, the Bi-Tron engine treatment coats the metal in the engine with a protective layer of lubricant scientifically proven to reduce friction and wear.
A Russian scientist invented the substances for military use, however, Dick Simmonds bought the formula for an undisclosed amount. Simmonds, a lawyer and senior partner of one of the largest law firms in the Vancouver area, who also was involved in real estate and other ventures, has now set up a sales program which appears to be spectacular, according to Meissner.
For more information about Bi-Tron, contact Tim Meissner at (250) 546-9360; Cell: (250) 306-0222; Web site: www.tim.bitronglobal.biz

SPACEFILLERS: Sometimes the Ol' Columnists comes up short. This is one of those days, so we'll turn to the ever-reliable Bathroom Reader and some Stengel-ese. That's right the legendary New York Yankees and Mets manager offered a few confusing words of wisdom such as:
To a hitter with the bases loaded: "Let him hit 'ya; I'll get you a new neck."
"There are three things you can do in a baseball game. You can win. or you can lose, or it can rain."
"Now all you fellers line up alphabetically by height."
"You have to have a catcher, because if you don't the pitch will roll all the way to the back of the screen."
"I love signing autographs. I'll sign anything but veal cutlets, My ballpoint pen slips on veal cutlets."