Keremeos Review, June 18, 2015 by Black Press Media Group

THE www.keremeosreview.com PM Agreement #40012521

Review

We acknowledge the ﬁnancial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage

Vol.17

Number 25

Thursday, June 18, 2015

$1.15 including GST

Serving the communities of Keremeos, Cawston, Okanagan Falls and Kaleden

Suspicious fire guts vacant restaurant Tara Bowie Review Staff

It’s unclear where an investigation into a fire that destroyed a vacant building that housed a restaurant and guest suites will lead. The early morning blaze Monday that completely destroyed the Riverbed Bistro on 6th Avenue marks the third time firefighters have attended that location in four years. Cpl. Sean Hall from the Keremeos detachment said police are deeming the fire suspicious. “We are considering the fire suspicious and are investigating,” he wrote in an email to the Review Monday afternoon. The scene of the fire at 630- 6th Avenue was left unsecured overnight Monday. All that prevents people from accessing the site is plastic red tape that reads, “Danger Do Not Enter.” As listed in the Keremeos tax roll, the owner of the property is numbered company 0961380 BC Ltd. The numbered company was incorporated in February 2013. Keremeos Fire Chief Jordy Bosscha said the structure, which is located across the street from the fire hall, had to be taken down with an excavator for safety reasons and so volunteer crews were not on scene all day Monday dousing hot spots. In addition to being chief of the fire department Bosscha is also the local representative of the Office of the Fire Commissioner. He does not possess equipment to complete testing at the site and doesn’t think any will be done unless an insurance claim is made. It’s unknown if the current owner has insurance. Testing might also be undertaken pending police investigation. “Being as there is no security on scene, it’s not secure, there would be no value in anything found there now. Who knows who’s been at the site doing what overnight,” he said. The fire was called in at about 3:30 a.m. No injuries were reported. It’s been reported that neighbours

heard glass smashing at the site several hours earlier. “It’s unfortunate. I think it was burning for quite sometime,” he said. When Keremeos firefighters arrived on scene heavy black smoke was billowing out of the building on the upper and lower floor. “Within minutes after we arrived on scene the second floor exploded into flames. About a half hour after first arriving the roof and the second floor collapsed,” he said. After gearing up and hustling across the street, Bosscha said he knew the building was not safe to enter and that crews would be working to keep neighbouring properties safe and get the fire out as soon as possible. Fifteen members of the Keremeos department battled the blaze. Four members of the Kaleden fire department attended under the mutual aid agreement. The fire was deemed out at about 7:30 a.m. “Special thanks to Kaleden Fire Department, Fortis Power, Fortis Gas, RCMP and BCAS for their quick response and assistance,” Bosscha said. The Riverbed Bistro has been burned by fire before. A failed attempt to set the building on fire occurred in May 2011 when Submitted Photos former owner Inderjit Chema used a The Riverbed Bistro was completely destroyed by fire in a blaze early Monday morning. small jerry can to dump $10 worth of gas on the walls of the building and threatened to light it up. Although unsuccessful Chema was still charged with arson along with damage to own property, assault and uttering threats. He received a suspended sentence and 18 months strict probation. Last reported Chema was running a restaurant with his wife in Surrey. Almost three years later on February 1, 2014 a fire ripped through the top floor of the building. That fire was deemed suspicious but no charges were ever laid. The facade of the second floor was eventually rebuilt in spring 2014 but the business remained unopened Tara Bowie until Monday’s fire completely The Riverbed Bistro was reduced to rubble by a fire that broke out sometime in the early hours of Monday morning. The fire has been deemed suspicious and is under investigation. destroyed the building.

A 2 www.keremeosreview.com Thursday, June 18, 2015 The Review COMMUNITY

Community Calendar

Are you a non-proﬁt organization? Do you have a community fundraiser coming up? Can we help get the word out? Call the Review today to have your event listed in the events section or the calendar section FREE OF CHARGE. Call 499-2653 Space is limited to time sensitivity, 1st come, 1st served & no guaranteed placements. OKANAGAN FALLS

2nd MON: Communities for Kids OK Falls Table Mtg., 2:45 pm at StrongStart Early Learning Ctr., 250-498-8433 for more info. TUESDAY: South Okanagan Toastmasters 7 - 9 p.m. at Best Western in Osoyoos. Call 498-4412, 499-2144. TUESDAY: Bingo at the Senior Citizenís Centre on Willow St. 1p.m. (except last Tues.). 3RD TUESDAY: Legion Branch #227 Gen Meeting 7 p.m. Jack Hill Room, OK Falls. WED. & SAT.: Carpet Bowling 1 p.m. Seniorís Centre. WEDNESDAY: Join the Stroke Recovery Club for stroke survivors and caregivers, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury Society ofﬁce, #2-996 Main Street, Penticton..Call Tina at 490-0613. 1st WEDNESDAY: OK Falls Legion - Ladies Auxiliary General Meeting 1:00 p.m., Jack Hill Room, OK Falls. 3rd WEDNESDAY: OK Falls Womens Institute meeting, Falls Community Centre. Call Betty for more info - 497-6665. THURSDAY: Bridge 1 p.m. Seniors Centre. THURSDAY: Crib 7 p.m. Seniors Centre. THURSDAY: Computer classes 9 a.m. Seniorís Centre. FRIDAY: Arts group painting 1- 3 p.m. FRIDAY: Whist 7 p.m. 2ND & 4TH FRIDAY: A Wellness Clinic is held at the Seniors Centre, on Willow Street, 9 to 11 a.m. Have your blood pressure, heart and weight checked by a retired registered nurse. Open to everyone. 1st FRIDAY: OK Falls Legion - Ladies Auxiliary Dinner and Entertainment 6:00 p.m. After the Meat Draw. 3rd FRIDAY: OK Falls Legion Ladies Auxiliary Steak Fry Dinner 6:00 p.m. After the Meat Draw. FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS: The Okanagan Falls Legion Branch #227 has meat draws from 5:00 p.m. SATURDAY: OK Falls Legion Branch #227, Dinner and Dance 6:00 pm. 1st SATURDAY: Ladies Auxiliary Branch #227. Drop in Bingo 1-4 p.m. Jack Hill Room. OK Falls. 3rd SATURDAY: Drop in bingo at OK Falls Senior Centre. 1128 Willow St.

KEREMEOS

MONDAY: N.A. meets at 8 p.m. at the South Similkameen Health Centre. MONDAY: Keremeos Bellringers, 7:30 pm, Cawston United Church, for info call Herma @ 499-5292, Joan @ 499-2450. 2nd MONDAY: Similkameen COPS, 7 p.m., Upstairs at the Legion (Legion Hall). Ben Gumm for info 499-0216 4th MONDAY: Orchard Haven - Friends and family council monthly meetings. Making a difference to residential care. MON, WED, FRI: Boot Camp 6 - 7 am, Sim. Rec. Centre. For more info call Annette 499-2238 TUESDAY: Tumble Bumble, 10:00 - 11:30 am upstairs at the Legion Hall. AGes 0-6. For info 250-499-2352 ext. 106. TUESDAY: Every 2nd, Caregiver Group, Activity Room, Orchard Haven 1:30 - 3 p.m. For info 499-3020 TUESDAY: AA Meetings, 7:30 p.m., in the Health Center Activity Room, info call Diane 499-1177 TUESDAY: Handguns 5:30 pm Fly Tying/22 Shoot, 7 pm, KCSA (KCSA) Club House. More info call 250-499-7027. WEDNESDAY: Mother Goose 10:00-11:30 am, Strong Start at Cawston Primary. Ages 0-6. For info 499-2352 ext. 106. WEDNESDAY: Qigong exercise 9 a.m. Cawston Church Hall. 499-7852 for information. WEDNESDAY: Kyokushin Karate at Legion Hall from 5 - 7 p.m. Phone Lyle for info 292-8565. WEDNESDAY: Diabetes Clinic, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Similkameen Health Centre. RN & Reg. Dietitian in attendance. Dr. referrals or self referral. Appts. necessary. Phone 1-800-707-8550. WEDNESDAY: Yoga at Cawston Hall, 6 - 7:30 pm WEDNESDAY: Keremeos Search & Rescue meetings, 7 pm, little brown building behind the Village Ofﬁce. 1st THURSDAY: South Similkameen Museum Society Meeting, 7 pm, at the Ecumenical Church in Keremeos THURSDAY: Tumble Bumble, 3:00 - 4:30 pm upstairs at the Legion. Ages 0-6. For info 250-499-2352 ext. 106. THURSDAY: Positively Pregnant, 10:00 - 11:30 am at the Family Centre. For info 250-499-2352 ext. 106. THURSDAY: AA meetings at 7:30 pm Health Centre activity room. Info. call Eleanor 499-5982. THURSDAY: KCSA Monthly meetings the last Thursday of each month at clubhouse 7:30 p.m. THURSDAY: Afternoon dances at the Keremeos Seniors Centre from 1:30 - 4 p.m. Whist 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm THURSDAY: Similkameen Adult Badminton Club, Oct. 16th to Dec. 18th, 7 pm to 9 pm, For more info call Manfred at 499-5290. THURSDAY: Weight Watchers, 5 pm, Elks Hall. More info call Sarah at 250-499-2878. THURSDAY: Learning about Stroke by the SOSBI. FREE Starting April 24th. Call 250-490-0613 for more information. FRIDAY: Keremeos TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets at 9:00 a.m. at the Health Centre. Call Georgina at 499-0202 FRIDAY: Elks and Royal Purple bingo. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Keremeos Seniors Centre Bingo, 1:00 pm. SUNDAY: KCSA Trap Shooting, 11:00 am to ?, Weather permitting. SUNDAY: AA Meeting at 10:00 am in the Health Center Activity Room. Info call Eleanor at 499-5982. 3RD SUNDAY: Legion General Meeting. 2:00 p.m. Keremeos Legion Hall. 3rd MONDAY: Kars Under the K Meeting, 7:00 pm, Meeting Room at Health Center, Call Marcel Morin for info 499-7775. 2nd TUESDAY: Can-Do General Meetings. Everyone Welcome. Phone 499-2420 for more information. 1ST WEDNESDAY: Regular meeting of the Keremeos Seniors Centre, at 2 p.m. Keremeos. 1ST & 3RD WEDNESDAY: Search & Rescue meet 7-9 p.m., 8th Ave. & 4th St. Call 499-6067 or 499-5429. 2ND WEDNESDAY: The Similkameen Garden Club meets at 7 p.m. at the Keremeos Seniors Centre, 2ND AND 4TH THURSDAY: The Royal Purple Lodge meets at 1:30 p.m. at the Elks Hall. Info: 499-7073. LAST THURSDAY: KCSA Club meeting. 1ST AND 3RD THURSDAY: The Keremeos Elks meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Elks Hall. 1ST SUNDAY: Jam Session. Keremeos Seniors Centre. 1 p.m. Everyone Welcome. 499-0112.

Keremeos Branch #192

Saturday, June 20th 2:30 pm Meat Draw, Proceeds to El Faro Service Society for Migrant Workers LEGION WEEK: BBQ June 22, 23, 25 & 26 2 - 5 pm 1st Responder Dinner June 24th at 6:00 pm

Keremeos Cawston Food Bank 2334 Newton Road, Cawston OPEN June 18th

10:00 am to 12:00 noon

If you did not re-register in March you must register in April. Everyone must bring ID and proof of residency. 250-501-1010

~ No Registration or AGM Notices ~

Canada Day Vendors Required

MEAT DRAW

at the Keremeos Legion Sunday, June 28th 2:00 to 4:00 pm Proceeds donated to Residents of Orchard Haven and River Valley Lodge.

Did you know?

Bring all your own equipment (table/tents, etc.)

To Register: Call the Info Centre at 250-499-5225

The reason honey is so easy to digest is that it’s already been digested by a bee.

The Okanagan Falls Branch 101 - 850 Railway Lane Ph: (250)497-5886

There is always lots going on at the library. Check it out to see what free activities are coming up!

HEDLEY

TUESDAY: Once a month Soup and Sandwich. Hedley Seniors’ Center on Scott Ave. THURSDAY: Library 2 pm - 7 pm Hedley Seniors’ Center, free computer use. 1ST MONDAY: Hedley Heritage Museum meeting, 6:00 p.m. at the Museum, Everyone welcome to attend. 2ND SUNDAY: Pancake Breakfast, Hedley Seniors’ Center, 8:00 am to 10:00 am. 3RD MONDAY: Monthly meeting at Seniors’ Center, 2 pm. 3RD MONDAY: Community Club meeting at 7 pm at the Club. DAILY: Coffee & good conversation at the Seniors’ Center 6:30 am - 8 am. Every Mon./Wed./ Sat. Exercise at 9 am. SUNDAY: Church Service at 9:30 am, Hedley Grace Church. SUNDAY: Hedley Farmers Market 9-1, July - Oct. DAILY: Hedley Heritage Museum open daily 9am - 4pm, Daly Ave. TUESDAY & THURSDAY: Exercise at 9:00 am.

NEWS

The Review Thursday, June 18, 2015

www.keremeosreview.com A 3

Life lessons, a 100 years on Jenna Hauck Black Press

For a woman who’s about to turn 100, Viola Manery is surprisingly independent. Up until October 2013, at the age of 98, she was still living by herself in her own house in Keremeos, cooking her own meals, keeping busy with friends, and playing bridge. Not much has changed since her move to Auburn Retirement Residence in Chilliwack a year and a half ago. It’s not an assistedliving residence, but they do offer meals, even though Manery’s apartment has a full kitchen that she uses every day. Manery has lived in B.C. her whole life. She was born in Merritt, moved to Penticton, then to Keremeos for 70 years, and finally to Chilliwack. “My childhood was very pleasant. I don’t remember anything bad about it,” she says. Being the youngest of five children by nine years, she spent a lot of one-on-one time with her mother as her siblings left home or entered their teenage years. She has fond memories of going to church every Sunday with her mother. In 1939, she married Frank Manery who was 20 years older than she.

“But you’d never know it,” she says. “He was very good-looking and it was love at first sight. When he told me how old he was, I couldn’t believe it. He wasn’t a complainer, and he was always well dressed and put together. It was really a love match.” Frank and Viola had two kids, Richard and Joan. In the 1940s, they moved to Keremeos and bought a 10-acre fruit orchard. To say her life was busy on the orchard and in the community is an understatement. She’d pick fruit and pack fruit. She ran two fruit stands, and kept up with the garden. She preserved countless jars every year of the fruit they grew and made pies from every one of them on the farm — peaches, apricots, pears, apples, cherries, and strawberries. She was president of the Anglican church women’s group for 40 years, involved with the Royal Canadian Legion ladies’ auxiliary, and got her fifty-year pin for her time with the Royal Purple Lodge. Manery stayed active by swimming, dancing, and walking — lots of walking. She never had her driver’s licence, so she’d walk downhill into town to run errands and to get to appointments, and

uphill back home again on a regular basis. After Frank died in 1985, she remained active. “I was still busy doing things. I always had so much support, like friends who would drive me places,” she says. “Mom has a lot of confidence in herself,” says daughter Joan Tremblay. She’s a social butterfly, she adds. “Mom is never short of words — she can talk at the drop of a hat. She has a pretty good outlook on life.” “If I have something wrong with me, I want to see the doctor. If I have a worry, I want to fix it,” she says sensibly. Manery is a breast cancer survivor of 21 years, but aside from that, she has had very few medical problems. She owes it all to the “good doctors” she’s had throughout the years. On June 20, her family is having a 100th birthday party for her at the Auburn residence. Everyone is going to write down and bring a memory of Viola and put it into a keepsake book for her, says her daughter. So what’s her secret to living to be 100? “You just keep going and try to look on the positive side of things,” she says.

Council needs more info before taking sides on fence painting Tara Bowie Review Staff

There’s always two sides to every fence especially when it comes to who should paint it. Council requested more information before they make a decision on whether they will direct staff to paint a fence that faces village property. Walter Despot, former Keremeos Mayor and current chairman of Lower Similkameen Community Services requested the village paint the side of a fence facing the village office between the office parking lot and Tumbleweed Terrace. The fence is approximately 88ft long and requires a clear coat to stop sun and weather beating. Despot guessed the fence would only need to be painted every two years. “Sixteen people live in low income housing. We keep it neat. That fence needs a second coat now or

we’re going to lose the fence to damage,” he said. Mayor Bauer said the request would have to be received in writing before council could make a decision. He also requested staff to investigate the number of other properties owned by the municipality that are adjacent to land that is fenced. “It is precedent setting. I don’t think it’s something we can give a verbal yes to off the hip,” Bauer said. Despot referenced the municipality’s recently enacted Good Neighbour Bylaw and implored the village to be good neighbours themselves. “I realize this is precedent setting but how many of your properties that the next door property is fenced are next to not-for-profit societies?” Despot asked. “”Again let’s go to being a good neighbour.” A report about fences adjacent to village property will be prepared for a subsequent council meeting.

Bluegrass festival ready to rock

The first Keremeos Bluegrass Country Jamboree will be held June 19, 20, 21 at the rodeo grounds. Musicians are expected to descend on Keremeos throughout the week leading up to the festival and throughout the weekend. The Elks are putting final touches on the rodeo ground and a specially designed stage for the event. A schedule of performers will be determined after campers start arriving.

Former longtime Keremeos resident and volunteer Viola Manery is getting set to celebrate her 100th.

celebrate in style

Celebrate any special occasion with beautiful fresh flower arrangements from your local Cooper’s Foods. Whether it’s a graduation, wedding, birthday or just because, our floral team will be happy to help you celebrate in style.

To camp for the weekend with a rig is just $35 for two people. A camping per day fee per person is $5. A concession booth will be open Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. A roast beef dinner is being held Saturday night. Tickets are $12 a person. Breakfast is served Saturday and Sunday morning starting at 7:30 a.m. A day pass for the public is $5 or a weekend pass is $10.

Summer Art Show Opening: Saturday, June 27th 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Featuring local artists Amber Herbison and Wendy Provins. Wine Pouring by Rustic Roots. Now Open: 8 am - 7 pm, Thur - Mon 9 am - 5 pm, Tues - Weds

1217 Hwy 3A, Keremeos 250-499-9271 www.treetome.ca

258 Bridge Street, Princeton • (250) 295-6322 Photos are for illustrative purposes only.

OPINION

A4 www.keremeosreview.com

THE

Thursday, June 18, 2015 The Review

PuBlisHED THuRsDAys By

Review

in Keremeos & Okanagan Falls 605 7th Avenue, Keremeos BC Box 130, Keremeos BC V0X 1N0 website: www.keremeosreview.com email: editor@keremeosreview.com Phone: 250-499-2653 Fax: 250-499-2645

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) of the Department of Canadian Heritage. Publications Mail Agreement No. 4002521

ANDREA DEMEER Associate Publisher

TARA BOWiE Editor

TAMMy HARTFiElD Production

sANDi NOlAN Sales

Facts belie transparency Guest Opinion – Dermod Travic, IntegrityBC It may look like one at night, but the B.C. legislature isn’t a movie set, even though some government staffers seem to be living out their own screenplays along the corridors of power. This after former government staffer Tim Duncan blew the whistle last month on a propensity in ministerial offices for the delete button. Duncan claims that when he hesitated to delete a dozen or so emails back in 2014 – and his superior stepped in to do so – he was told “This is Fight Club. And the first rule of Fight Club is we don’t talk about Fight Club.” Frankly, the only thing that’s shocking about the reaction to Duncan’s revelations is that it’s a shock to anyone. At least now, there’s a starting date. Fight Club hit theatres in 1999. And it didn’t take long after for the B.C. government, under Gordon Campbell, to turn that movie line into standard operating procedure. In 2003, then deputy minister to the premier, Ken Dobell, created a ruckus at a conference on freedom of information and accountable government when he boasted that he deleted emails as fast as he could and didn’t write down meeting notes. It became known as the “Dobell Doctrine.” Amidst the furor, he promised to mend his ways, but didn’t. According to a 2004 access to information request filed by the Dogwood Initiative, Dobell retained all of 11 email messages on his system in the two months following the conference. And while the government said Dobell’s practices shouldn’t set an example for other staff, that was for public consumption. The government didn’t take it to heart. A day after the 2005 provincial election, ministry officials in the health department were warning regional authorities: “not to put sensitive information in writing” to prevent the NDP and others from accessing that information. In an interview with journalist Sean Holman, the executive director of communications at the health ministry, Carol Carman, claimed that the advice was given because “the director was concerned some government emails may have incomplete information in them that could be misinterpreted. So it would be better not to have that information make it into the public domain.” When the ministry’s edict was raised in the legislature, then Minister of Labour and Citizens’ Services Mike de Jong said: “In my view, freedom-of-information and privacy protection legislation should not be used as a shield and an impediment to people receiving information that otherwise should be made available. Disclosure and transparency should be the norm...” But again the government was speaking out of both sides of its mouth. All open publicly, all secrecy in practice. Fast forward through all the issues surrounding ‘oral government’ and the 2012 multicultural outreach strategy to December 2014 and Marcia McNeil’s report on the 2012 health ministry firings. It drives home an important point in regards to what Tim Duncan was evidently told. McNeil noted that “This case is lacking the reports, briefing notes, meeting notes or other documents which are frequently prepared in situations where discipline may be contemplated. This dearth of documents has granted the decision-makers...an opportunity to avoid taking ownership of the decision.” Following the report’s release, Government House Leader Mike de Jong said: “It is deeply troubling to learn that Ms. McNeil found there was lack of due process and lack of understanding of existing procedures...” Unintentionally, McNeil’s report came smack in the middle of Tim Duncan’s Fight Club warning in November and his West Wing – you do whatever it takes to win – warning in January. Neither McNeil’s conclusions nor Mr. de Jong’s reaction to them fazed a soul. Back to business as usual. No surprise then that a “dearth of documents” is hardly the exception when it comes to access to information requests in B.C. According to a 2013 report by B.C.’s Information and Privacy Commissioner, 25 per cent of 3,182 requests filed in 2011/12 were met with “no responsive records.” For the premier’s office, the numbers more than doubled from 21 per cent of 144 requests in 2009/10 under Gordon Campbell to 45 per cent of 373 requests under Christy Clark. Now what was someone saying about leading “the most open and transparent government in Canada?”

Marriage is just a little like a sinking ship It’s not the big things in a marriage that get to they say; 90% of the berg is underneath the water you. It’s the little things. where you can’t see it.) We’ve survived 30 years, A few years ago there was a popular self help sometimes holding hands in the water, trading places book: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, and it’s ALL in the lifeboat and occasionally applying mouth-toSmall Stuff. mouth resuscitation. We are survivors. After three Good general advice. However, in a marriage decades and four kids I will do everything possible when the “small stuff” IS “the big stuff” it can to see this relationship through if for no other reason sometimes feel like you live in a sauna. than no one else but a funeral director will ever see Perhaps it has something to do with how we preme naked. ANDREA DEMEER pare for “big” issues. It’s easy to identify a potential The small stuff, those little swells in the water, old dog threat when it’s huge; debt, kids in crisis, how much they still irritate me a bad itch. For example Mr. new tricks you flirt with the neighbor. We brace ourselves for DeMeer is hopelessly slow and he lies about it. I’ll these discussions. We know they may hurt. We do it in a minute. I’ll be right there. Just let me finish know our partner may be hurt. We get ready to this. It will only take a second. protect each other and ourselves. More choppy water? Mr. DeMeer is forever giving the kids Think about the Titanic going down, and all those married peo- money for no reason. Dad, can I have a dollar for some gum? Dad, ple clinging to each other, wives refusing to leave their partners’ will you buy me a Slushie? It’s only two dollars. Mr. DeMeer must sides and save themselves, men physically forcing their sobbing waste $25 a week on these requests. He throws money out the brides into lifeboats. Chances are those same people were desper- window all while positioning himself as the kids’ favorite. Mom’s ately unhappy right up until the ship hit the iceberg. He snored and the meanie. she drank too much and they couldn’t afford to be on that ship anyWeathered another storm just this morning. Mr. DeMeer how and he was going bald and she was getting fat and they were thanked me politely for rinsing my mug and putting it in the dishboth fantasizing about shoving their beloved off the boat deck. washer. This was blatant sarcasm and completely uncalled for. I What happens? Smash. Crunch. Glug. Glug. Everyone decides never leave my dishes on the counter. To hear him complain, he they are desperately in love and they come together in heroic style. is the only person in our family who ever loads the dishwasher Why, it sounds just like a movie. and that is just wrong. He also deludes himself that he is the only Marriage is like that. (Now that’s a comment that may qualify person who cleans the bathroom or vacuums. me for Cynic of the Year: Marriage is like the Titanic.) It’s a small thing, I reminded myself, while wondering what it Mr. DeMeer and I have hit our share of icebergs. (It’s true what would feel like to push him off the boat deck. The Keremeos Review is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, PO Box 1356, Ladysmith,B.C. V9G 1A9 For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to the website at www.bcpresscouncil.org. This publication reserves the right to refuse any material—advertising or editorial—submitted for publication and maintains the sole right to exercise discretion in these matters. Submissions by columnists and guest writers do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this newspaper. All material contained herein is copyright.

NEWS

The Review Thursday, June 18, 2015

www.keremeosreview.com A 5

Celebrating the beautiful lessons of music and love

could no longer hide the pain. Even when he grew too weak to hold the cello, he continued to say, “let’s go to the piano.” Several nurses counselled me to tell Dad it’s okay to die. I did tell him if he chose to let go, the family would be ok. He fixed his clear blue eyes on me and said, “I still like to live.” This reminded me of a time when I watched him on the big bulldozer, cutting in a road along the side of a steep ravine. A mistake would have sent him and his machine hurtling down. Now, white haired and no longer able to even get in or out of bed without assistance, this was just another difficult challenge. As long as he had music and his faith in God, his life had meaning. When he was no longer strong enough to sit in his chair, I stood beside his bed, holding his hand. Sometimes, when the pain in his beleaguered body caused him to twitch and groan, I turned away, knowing my tears would trouble him.

Art Martens’ father always dreamed of playing music with his family. Art Martens livingsignificantly.ca

My Dad grew up on a remote, infertile Manitoba farm. During the Great Depression of the 1930’s, his father had difficulty feeding and clothing a wife and nine children. Their soul wrenching poverty didn’t encourage expressing thoughts such as “I love you.” When Dad fell at age 89 and broke a hip, it was the beginning of a relationship adventure for him and me. In my early years, Dad worked as a logger in the steep mountainous terrain back of Hope. Strong, skilled and rugged, he was away two weeks at a time and I didn’t get to know him well. Eventually he brought his big bulldozer back to the Fraser Valley. Then, in summer he took me along to his jobs and taught me to operate the dozer, front end loader and backhoe, use a chain saw and blow huge stumps out of the ground with dynamite. Although this wasn’t what I wanted

for a career, it provided an opportunity to know and respect Dad. He enjoyed music and played the violin. I was about eight when he bought a 12 bass accordion for me, then later upgraded it to a 120 bass. He hoped I would make music with him. I didn’t share his enthusiasm for music though and when I moved out of the family home, I left the accordion and the music behind. In mid-life, Dad bought a bass fiddle and joined a seniors’ orchestra. Years later, just prior to his life altering fall, he bought a cello and taught himself to play it. When he fell, his head struck the floor hard and erased his memory of music. For two years my white haired Dad spent many hours, hunched over in his wheelchair, awkwardly grasping the instrument in a futile attempt to revive his skill. When I engaged a cello instructor to teach him, Dad devoted hours to practising. In his many sleepless

nights, he mentally rehearsed musical scales. Making music with his children was what Dad had dreamed of from the beginning. Now he needed someone to play with so I sat down at the piano in the common area and began to apply what I’d learned on the accordion. It wasn’t pretty, but I learned a few tunes. Each time I came in he’d say, “let’s go to the piano.” We learned old time songs like “You’re Cheatin’ Heart,” “You are

Agriculture co-op holding first event Review Staff

The first of several events planned this year for seasonal agriculture workers will take place at the Cawston Hall June 26. The Western Harvest cooperative is holding the Harvest Bun Hoe Down and Variety Show between 8 p.m. and 12 a.m. “It’s a costume party. People are encouraged to dress up and or down. We’re running with the theme of bring and be an ingredient to the harvest sandwich,” Matthew Winlaw, member of Western Harvest said. Western Harvest is a group of about 10 seasonal farm workers that rent a house in town and are working on ways to improve conditions for

labourers, farmers and citizens. The idea of the event is to bring all those involved in the agriculture industry together for a night of fun and entertainment. Four bands will play throughout the night including local band Wild Organic Humans, The Nobodys and Car Sick Bill from Oliver and the As Is band made up of Western Harvest members. People who have skits or comedy acts are also encouraged to perform. Tickets to the event will be $5 at the door. The proceeds will be used to buy another car for the cooperative so members can use it to get back and forth to work.

my Sunshine,” and “The Tennessee Waltz.” He had a deep faith in God, as did some of the residents, so we included such numbers as “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Amazing Grace.” Some residents drew close to us in their wheelchairs. Others quietly sang or tapped fingers on a table. At the end they applauded with their frail aged hands. In time, holding the cello became difficult and Dad wearied more rapidly. His strong, rugged face

One day, overcome by his helplessness and discomfort, I took his big hand and said, “I love you Dad.” He fixed those blue eyes on me and quietly said, “I love you too.” One night, in his 95th year, the phone rang at 5:05 a.m. A nurse said, “your father has just passed away.” I was deeply saddened, but comforted by the thought that we had learned to say “I love you.”

U ANN

CORNER

Strawberry Tea Keremeos Seniors Activity Centre 421 7th Avenue Friday, June 19th 1 - 3 pm $4 Come and enjoy an afternoon of Tea and Strawberry cake. Everyone Welcome!

Important Notice From Alex Atamanenko

your Federal Member of Parliament Do you need help with a passport or have a problem with a federal government service or issue?

Meet with M.P. Constituency Staff

Thursday, June 25th

NAVIGATE plan the route

Similkameen Insurance Agencies Ltd. Main Street, Keremeos

This is the LAST VISIT

Princeton: 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm Community Skills Centre, 206 Vermilion

1-800-667-2393

alex.atamanenko.c2@parl.gc.ca

499-5714

A6 www.keremeosreview.com

THE

Review

TV GUIDE

Keremeos Review Thursday, June 18, 2015

T V L i s t i n g s - Page 1

June 18 - June 24

Weather History Average Temperatures Precipitation Frequency 35% Max. 24.5°C Min. 10.3°C Greatest Precipitation for June 16

Worship Directory

2012

Highest & Lowest Temp. (1941-2011) 36.7°C (1961) 3.4 mm total precipitation 3.9°C (1971)

High 21.1°C Low 12.5°C

SIMILKAMEEN CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Across from Bear’s Fruitstand Pastor David L. Kelly

250-499-0153

THE

Worship Service - 10:30 a.m.

RATES Review

Local Regular: Local Senior: Out of Town:

$46.35 + tax $38.10 + tax $56.65 + tax

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Sunny High 28 Low 10

Mix Sun/Cloud High 22 Low 12

Sunny High 24 Low 12

605 - 7th Ave., Box 130, Keremeos, BC V0X 1N0

Phone: 250-499-2653

www.keremeosreview.com THURSDAY EVENING JUNE 18, 2015 7 PM 7:30 8 PM

FRIDAY EVENING JUNE 19, 2015 7 PM 7:30

9 PM