Summerland Review, December 31, 2015 by Black Press Media Group

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VOLUME 68 • ISSUE NO. 52 • SUMMERLAND, B.C. • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015 • $1.15 INCLUDING GST

WHAT’S INSIDE:

Outstanding student

A Summerland graduate has received a high honour for her achievements.

Page 2

Motivational speakers

A series of speakers will bring their messages of motivation to Summerlanders.

Page 3

Chamber achievements

The Summerland Chamber of Commerce has an impressive list of accomplishments from 2015.

Page 6

A look at arts

Columnist Douglas Paton takes a look at the community’s arts scene.

Page 9

Hospital funds

A Summerland organization has contributed to the expansion of the Penticton Regional Hospital.

Page 10

Festive sounds

John Arendt Summerland Review

Summerland Secondary School band students Hayley Anderson, left, Leif Forge and Megan Avery were among the musicians who performed in the school’s recent winter concert.

Hampers distributed Food Bank provides assistance to more than 300 people John Arendt Volunteers at the Summerland Food Bank and Resource Centre distributed a total of 134 Christmas hampers this year, provid-

ing assistance for more than 300 people. While the number of hampers is down from the 143 distributed last year, more people were affected. Tara Hollas, resource coordinator at the food bank, said 194 adults and 110 children benefitted from the seasonal hampers.

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Two years ago, the number of hampers was lower, with 120 distributed. John Bubb, president of the food bank, said the regular food hampers were given out during the first two Tuesdays of December. On the third Tuesday, the holiday hampers included items such

as toothbrushes, toiletries, makeup, mandarin oranges and items the recipients might not normally buy. He said the need at the food bank has been increasing this year. “It’s going up quite significantly,” he said. See FOOD Page 2

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Thursday, December 31, 2015 Summerland Review

Providing presents

Students from Summerland Montessori School collected gifts for the Summerland Fire Department’s Toys and Toonies for Tots and Teens drive. From left are Rob Robinson of the Summerland Fire Department, Grade 2 student Serena Bakx, teacher Jenny Peters and Grade 3 student Marquez Gonzalez.

Outstanding student

Chris Van Bergeyk, principal of Summerland Secondary School, presents the Governor General’s Bronze Academic Medal to Janelle Rumball. The medal is presented annually to the graduate who had the highest average based on all Grade 11 and Grade 12 classes. Rumball’s average was 93.3 per cent. She is studying at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, in the dental hygiene program.

Food Bank need rises

Continued from Page 1

From Nov. 1, 2014 to Oct. 31, 2015, there were 272 households served by the food bank, with 581 people affected. A year earlier, 557 people received assistance from the food bank. “Our support system isn’t keeping up,” Bubb said. While the need at the food bank has increased, the community has responded with generosity.

A division of

Cash donations are up by 8.3 per cent over last year’s figures. Donations of food show an even more significant increase. Last year, the food bank received 1,230 kilograms of food. This year, that amount has more than doubled, increasing to 2,858 kilograms. Bubb thanks those who have helped to support the food bank this year, as well as the volunteers who have assisted with its operations.

Food Bank support

Thornhaven Estates Winery presented a cheque for $1,000 to the Summerland Food Bank. The cheque consists of more than $825 donated to the winery by patrons as well as a donation from Thornhaven. The wine shop does not charge a wine fee. Instead, patrons are invited to donate to the food bank. From left are Cortney (Fraser) Riep and Danny Evanishen of Thornhaven, John Bubb of the Summerland Food Bank and Jan Fraser of Thornhaven.

Summerland Review Thursday, December 31, 2015

Holiday train

www.summerlandreview.com 3

Carla McLeod Special to the Review

The Kettle Valley Steam Railway offered its annual holiday train rides in December. The locomotive and railway cars were decorated for the season. All train rides were sold out.

Motivational speakers present positive messages A series of motivational speakers will bring their messages to Summerland in the new year. Mary Ann Chartrand will bring her Try It Out Tuesdays series of speakers beginning Jan. 12. The series, for women in their 30s and older, is about taking on new challenges in the coming year.

“Challenge yourself and try someThey include a drumming circle, thing new,” Chartrand said. an introduction to pickleball, burThe first speaker, Linda Edge- lesque jazz dance, wine tasting, self You’re Invited The www.edwardjones.com combe of Kelowna, will present defence, and motivation. Really Good Life, explaining how to “TIO Tuesdays is an opportunity move forward in the new year. to take a night for yourself, where “She’s a catalyst, an energizer,” you’re not focussed on your to do list Chartrand says of Edgecombe. first. Who am I and what makes me have enjoyed helping Summerland residents Edgecombe describesWe herself as happy,” Chartrand said. achieve their financial goals over the past year. It a re-inventionis a strategist, For of the 16 years, Chartrand pleasure to be a member thispast community! motivational Please coachjoin us and has brought motivational speakers to for a holiday open house to meet and greet friends andworkplaces neighbours. and corporate functions. engagement expert. The first session, on Jan. To register, contact Chartrand at 12, will be held Sum1-866-494-0445. Friday, November 29th, 2013 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm When: at merland Waterfront Jones (by Nester's) Where: Resort from 6:30 toEdward #5 - 13604 Victoria Road North, Summerland 8 p.m. The rest of the sixfeel free to bring Please your family and Bank-issued, CDIC-insured to $100,000* sessions will befriends held and visit us during Lightup 1-year: .......................... 1.61% each Tuesday Refreshments until and light snacks will be served. Feb. 16. 3-year: ...........................2.00%

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Katelyn Beattie, seven years old, raised almost $100 making and selling Christmas cards to friends and family. She donated the money to the South Okanagan Women In Need Society. At right is Debbie Scarborough, executive director of SOWINS. Beattie is a student at Giant’s Head School in Summerland.

LEGALLY SPEAKING...

A public service message from Bell, Jacoe & Company

Shop Around! Legal services are not much different than any other professional services, except that the outcome of a legal problem can have a very profound effect on a person's life. At Bell, Jacoe & Company we encourage people to shop around for their legal services. Ask your friends and neighbours who they use. Why would a Law firm suggest such a thing you ask? The continuing confidence and trust that so many citizens of Summerland and the surrounding area have shown in choosing our firm for their legal needs tells us that we are providing the kind of professional, confidential and considerate legal services that you want. We are proud of our reputation in the community and thankful for your support. We look forward to the challenges that the future will bring and to providing the same expert level of affordable legal services that you have come to expect from Bell, Jacoe & Company.

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PUBLISHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shannon Simpson EDITOR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Arendt OFFICE MANAGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nan Cogbill SALES MANAGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rob Murphy SALES ASSISTANT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pat Lindsay

news@summerlandreview.com sports@summerlandreview.com ads@summerlandreview.com class@summerlandreview.com

SUMMERLAND REVIEW A PART OF THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1908

Thursday, December 31, 2015 Summerland Review

WWW.SUMMERLANDREVIEW.COM

Published every Thursday by the Summerland Review P.O. Box 309, 13226 Victoria Road North, Summerland, B.C. V0H 1Z0 Telephone: (250) 494-5406 Fax: (250) 494-5453

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Authorized as second class mail by the Canada Post Office Dept., Ottawa and for payment postage in cash. Publications mail registration no. 0147 The Summerland Review reserves the right to refuse publication of any advertising or editorial submission at its discretion. Material submitted by columnists does not reflect the opinions of the Review or its employees.

EDITORIAL Addressing poverty Each year, Summerlanders show their generosity as they provide food, gifts and cash donations to help those in need during the holiday season. These contributions came from individuals, businesses, schools, service organizations and groups of Summerland residents. The generosity demonstrated by this community is impressive and the donations are always appreciated. However, despite this show of compassion, the need in Summerland continues to increase. This year, the hampers distributed by the Summerland Food Bank and Resource Centre assisted more than 300 people within the community, and over the past year, close to 600 people from 272 households received assistance from the food bank. Officials with the food bank say the need has been increasing in recent years. Summerland has had a food bank in place since 1984 and each year the need for the food bank has increased. Similar trends can be seen elsewhere. In British Columbia, 100,086 people rely on food banks each month. One-third of these are children. This number represents a 2.8 per cent increase from last year and a 21.8 per cent increase from 2008. Nationwide, food banks provide assistance to 852,137 people each month. Again, the need is higher than in the past. While the outpouring of support is appreciated and necessary, it is not enough to provide assistance through food banks. It is important for our community, our province and our country to examine the factors behind poverty and to take measures to address those factors. The increasing demand on food banks, in Summerland and beyond, is a symptom of a problem which must be addressed. Poverty is an important issue which cannot be ignored.

YOUR VIEWS

If you wish to comment on anything you read in the newspaper, or any concern affecting Summerland, write a letter to the editor. We welcome diverse views and opinions. Letters must include your name and a telephone number where you can be reached. Please keep letters to 300 words or less. The Review reserves the right to edit letters for length, content or taste as well as the right to refuse publication of any letter. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

The problem with anonymous comments When the largest news gathering organization in Canada and the largest daily newspaper in Canada both make changes restricting online commenting on their websites, it’s time to take notice. A few weeks back, CBC disabled its comments sections on all stories about Aboriginal issues. The decision was a difficult one, but officials at the national broadcaster said it was necessary as comments on those stories too often took on a racist tone. More recently, the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest circulation newspaper, disabled all commenting on all stories on its website. Instead, the Star will promote signed letters to the editor and comments on social media sites, where users post under their own names. These news outlets are not the only ones to revisit their online commenting policies. In September, the Sun tabloid news-

From here

John Arendt papers closed comments on most stories, partly because of the negative tone in many comments. Other news outlets across Canada and beyond are also examining their policies on online commenting, for much the same reason. Racism and belligerent behaviour? It has to be a mistake. We’re Canadians. We pride ourselves on civil, compassionate behaviour. We’re the people who apologize when someone else steps on our toes. How is it possible that our media outlets are shutting down or restricting online

comments because of such vile behaviour? In face to face interactions, Canadians tend to be polite and considerate. Online, under the cloak of anonymity, it’s a different world. Locally, we’ve probably all read anonymous comments on a Castanet forum that makes us wonder who writes things like this. When writers do not have to own their words, it’s easy to spout talking points or ill-informed senti-

leads to complaints that a site will allow comments from only one political camp or from only one side of a controversial issue. If comments may be posted without moderation or site supervision, the comments section will become a haven for trolls. This has already happened at some sites, and it drives away those who are seeking information. Every credible news outlet wants to have interaction with

When writers do not have to own their words, it’s easy to spout talking points or ill-informed sentiments. ments, even if they have little or no connection with a news story. It’s easy to become antagonistic. For news sites allowing anonymous comments, a difficult problem will eventually arise. If the most offensive comments are deleted, commenters complain about censorship. This also

its readers. If someone has further thoughts about a news story, we want to hear about them. If someone agrees or disagrees with an editorial or opinion piece, we want to know their reasons. If a current event evokes strong feelings, we want to hear about it. This is the reason

newspapers print letters to the editor. It’s the reason online comments were introduced. The letters to the editor here at the Summerland Review tend to keep a civil tone, even when the debate becomes lively. Our letter writers are passionate people who care about the issues affecting them and affecting our community. Most will focus on the issues, not the character of those with whom they disagree. If this approach had been observed by those posting online comments at the CBC, the Toronto Star, the Sun papers and elsewhere, the recent commenting restrictions would have been unnecessary. Let’s share our thoughts and feedback, but remember we are speaking to our neighbours and friends. Be willing to stand behind your words. John Arendt is the editor of the Summerland Review.

Summerland Review Thursday, December 31, 2015

THE EARLY YEARS

www.summerlandreview.com 5

Happy New Year!

he new year often starts with lists of what we want to accomplish and change. Here is a top 5 list of great ways to keep your teeth for life.

Dr. Cindee Melashenko

1. Modify your oral hygiene rinses to increase the pH in your mouth. Acidity or low pH allows bacteria to do lots of damage to your teeth. Look into the pH of the mouthwash you use, it should be 7 or more. 2. Modify your diet to reduce sugar or combine it with a meal: sugars (often hidden) in our foods and beverages will result in tooth decay. What we eat/drink and how often we snack can be big culprits in our decay rate.

New Year’s wishes

Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum

In 1911 there were only four or five buildings on Granville Road (Main Street) in West Summerland. The Summerland Supply store, on the corner of Granville and Hastings (Victoria Road), created this charming display and cheerfully wished all “A Prosperous New Year.” It was fortunate that Mary Spencer, one of Canada’s first women photographers, had moved to Summerland that year. She captured the image of the window display on a glass negative and the simple greeting from the past continues on in posterity. Have a happy and prosperous New Year!

Move to Summerland a positive experience

Dear Editor: The move happened quicker than I could have imagined. In only three weeks I had everything packed and was trucking it down the mountain, in a snow storm no less, to the container waiting at the bottom. Living off the grid had its pros and cons, inaccessibility being one of its cons. The forest service road was rough, no moving company was coming up to help, and nothing less than a full on 4X4 with chains was making that trek in this weather. I have that, a full on 4X4 truck, and with good reason. Last winter I spent two weeks stranded on the mountain with no form of egress beyond walking the 18 kilometres to the main road. But choosing this life usually brings on a certain amount of preparedness. My pantry was stocked and so I sat back and enjoyed the peace. I had planned on staying longer, years longer actually. I enjoy solitude, living in nature, putting my hands to the earth and reaping the benefits. I take pleasure in my family, their company is enough for me. My husband developed Cauda equina syndrome, a relatively rare

but serious condition that describes extreme pressure and swelling of the nerves at the end of the spinal cord. It requires urgent surgical intervention and adverse results can include permanent paralysis, impaired bladder and/or bowel control, difficulty walking, and/or other neurological and physical problems. I had no idea this was even a thing, but it is, and he has it so we needed to deal with it. An immediate move to a suburban area where medical assistance was easily attainable was the solution. However essential this move was to us, in my heart I carried this deed with dread. I had never lived in a suburban area. I grew up on acreage on the outskirts of a small town. With the birth of my first child I moved to a remote island off the coast of B.C. where I remained, quite happily raising my three sons for 10 years. An opportunity to reside in the mountains with some form of income brought my family to our off the grid experience in the Kootenays, an adventure I will never regret embarking on. Now here I am, living in a prefabricated house, on a small square of fenced in land and I’m realizing just

how this square of land lends itself to the fabric of this patchwork quilt that creates this quaint little community called Summerland. I must confess, I’m liking it. I have never enjoyed the pleasure of being sought out by one’s neighbours merely for greetings or just to inquire on one’s health. They come by daily with offerings of help, advice and to disburse gifts of homemade commodities one might need when one’s possessions are hidden away in moving boxes. Christmas is a wonderful time of year to explore a new neighbourhood when all the homes are set alight with a twinkling array of colours. Front porches beckon a welcome, decked in sprigs of cedar and fir tied with ribbons. Orbs of red and gold still clinging to the trees as last autumn’s fruit provides a feast to the profusion of fowl loitering in snow beneath. Just a mere walk down my street brings a smile to my lips, and a fullness to my heart. This truly is an exceptional place to be. I ponder the epiphany that a pearl is formed from the irritation of a grain of sand in its shell. Tricia Olma Summerland

3. Healthy you=healthy teeth--ensure your acid reflux, diabetes and heart disease are well controlled. If uncontrolled they increase your risk for decay and/or gum disease. 4. See your dentist and hygienist regularly to remove active decay and gum disease--Don’t wait until it is “broken”, it might be too late. 5. Use preventative products: Xylitol gum/mints (natural sweetener that actually help protect your teeth) especially if you have xerostomia or dry mouth--saliva is protective, if you don’t have it, you need to make up for not having it!

Wishing you much happiness in 2016, and of course great oral health! We’re here to help in any way we can. Feel free to call, stop by, or send us an e-mail message. We are always accepting new patients and I’d be happy to answer your question in the next article (anonymously if desired). Have a great week!

10098 Jubilee Road West

250.494.8545

www.goldenpeach.net welcome@goldenpeach.net

6 www.summerlandreview.com

Thursday, December 31, 2015 Summerland Review

Reflecting on accomplishments from 2015 2015 has been an exceptional year of new projects and exciting opportunities for the Summerland Chamber of Commerce. Here’s a short list of some of those accomplishments: o Tourism Management: The Chamber has provided comprehensive Destination Management Services to the District of Summerland. We welcomed more than 12,000 visitors to our Visitor Centre in 2015, provided images, content and 2015 4

13-2

014-20

E TERIN AR

design for the Summerland Visitor Guide, managed the image bank and handled all tourism and related marketing. o Regional Bike Path Guides and Summerland Specific Hike and Bike Trail Map: Building on our region’s tourism and economic development focus on biking as an economic driver, we were a partner in the creation of a South Okanagan regional bike map and we also used that data as well as other

Full Service Small Animal Hospital

Summerland hiking material to create a new bike/hike map. o GoMedia: In 2015 Destination Canada hosted their annual international travel media conference in Penticton. We were exhibitors at this conference and also hosted more than 50 international writers through two half-day tours in Summerland. We have created a new media section with stories and images on the tourismsummerland.com website and the event has gener-

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♥

• Orthopaedic (i.e. ACL surgery, pattelar luxation surgery), soft tissue & surgical services with an emphasis on preventative medicine • In-house laboratory facilities provide serum chemistry, hematology, urinalysis and parasite testing • On-site, digital X-ray and ultrasound equipment • In-house pharmacy, flea & heartworm preventatives

West Kelowna

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250-769-9109

A division of

Monday – Friday 8am–5:30pm Saturday 10am–3pm 112-2476 Westlake Road www.kelownavet.ca

ated international media coverage for our community. o New chamber website: Our new Chamber website was launched in fall. A clean new look with important information front and centre helps us promote our members and the work of the Chamber, a new business directory makes local businesses easy to find and the site’s responsive design means it is user friendly on all digital platforms. This site is an important promotional tool for our business community. o Our Connected Community video: Launched in February, this video showcases the value of shopping locally. When we support local businesses, that money flows out to all the local organizations and non-profit groups that make our community vibrant. o Sector Meetings: This year we hosted a number of meetings within particular sectors to improve our connections to our

members and hear their issues. o Business Walks: The Chamber Board, joined by District of Summerland Mayor and Council, also made significant connections with our business community via Summerland’s first Business Walk. Seven teams, each made up of a board member and councillor were able to meet 66 businesses on Oct. 22. A survey was also extended to our membership. Ninety per cent of respondents said business was steady or improving and also shared their perspectives on what we can do to improve the business climate. The report, issued on Nov. 9, is available on the Chamber website. o Regional Economic Development: The Chamber represents Summerland on the South Okanagan Economic Development Consortium as part of our business retention, attraction and expansion portfolio. The group has focused on business solutions

Chamber Corner

Christine Petkau forums, labour market development and retention, regional airport promotion, ag sector growth and the development of a regional business directory. o Summerland Business and Community Awards Gala: Held the last Saturday of February, the gala celebrated the best of Summerland businesses and community supporters. Nomination are open until Jan. 20 for the 78th awards ceremony. o Festival of Lights: The 28th annual Festival of Lights, organized by the Summerland Chamber, celebrated a Country

#UsedHelps

Christmas theme and was bigger and better than ever. Attendance was excellent and the festival attracted new vendors and activities. We’re looking forward to more festival excitement in 2016. o Growing Web and Social Media Presence: The Chamber reaches thousands of visitors through our three websites at summerlandchamber.com; tourismsummerland. com and summerlandlightup.com. We also have more than 7,000 daily followers across three Facebook pages, three Twitter accounts, Instagram, Pinterest and blog. The Summerland Chamber of Commerce wishes you a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Please contact me at cpetkau@summerlandchamber.com or our Chamber President, Kelly Marshall, at president@summerlandchamber.com. Christine Petkau is the executive director of the Summerland Chamber of Commerce.

www.summerlandreview.com 7

Summerland Review Thursday, December 31, 2015

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WHAT’S UP

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SUmmerlAnd And reGIOn

Thursday Al-Anon offers help to families and friends of alcoholics. Summerland Serenity Group meets Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. in the United Church hall. Call 250-490-9272 for more information. Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers meet at the Harold Simpson Memorial Youth Centre on Thursday evenings. Beavers meet from 6 to 7 p.m. Cubs meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Scouts meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Venturers meet from 7:30 to 9 p.m. For details call Trent at 250494-1990. Carpet bowling at the Summerland Seniors’ Drop-in Centre is held

every Thursday at 10 a.m. and every Sunday at 1:15 p.m. Euchre is played every second and fourth Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the Seniors Dropin Centre, 9710 Brown St. Lyme Disease support group meets on the first Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. at Theo’s Restaurant in Penticton. Everyone welcome. Recreational volleyball for all. Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 10 a.m. at the Harold Simpson Memorial Youth Centre. Contact Frank or Jane at 250494-4666. S u m m e r l a n d Caregiver Support

SUMMERLAND

Ministerial Association

Church Page ANGLICAN CHURCH OF ST. STEPHEN 9311 Prairie Valley Rd. (Stone Church in Summerland)

Sunday Services - 8:30 am & 10 am Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday - 9 am - 1 pm

250-494-3466 The Reverend Rick Paulin

www.summeranglican.ca modern clean banquet facility available

SUMMERLAND BAPTIST

Dec 24 Christmas Eve Services – 4:00 pm Dec 24 Family Service – 6:00 pm Sun. Dec. 27 – Reflective Service Jan 3 – One Service only at 10:00 am No SBC Kids (Nursery service will be available) Lead Pastor: Larry Schram Associate Pastor: Del Riemer For info or help call 250-494-3881 www.summerlandbaptist.ca

JULIA STREET COMMUNITY CHURCH 9918 Julia Street Worship with us, Sunday at 10:00 am with Kids Shop during the service Loving God, Loving People Lead Pastor: Rev. Don Huston

250-494-8248 summpent@shaw.ca Affiliated with the PAOC

SUMMERLAND UNITED CHURCH 13204 Henry Avenue (250) 494-1514

Happy new year!

Minister: Rev. Armand Houle

All The Best In 2016!

10am SUNDAY GATHERING

www.summerlandunited.bc.ca

SUMMERLAND ALLIANCE

Real Life... Right Now! Morning Worship: 10:00am Children's Church & Nursery Be.Free Christ-centered 12-Step: Wed. @ 7 pm Pastor: Rev. Rick Gay Church Office: 250-494-9975

Group meets the second and fourth Thursdays of every month from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Summerland Health Centre lower conference room. For more information call Cindy at 250-4048072. Summerland Masonic Lodge meets at the IOOF Hall on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. and meets for coffee every Wednesday at 9 a.m. at Santorini’s Restaurant. If interested in learning more, drop by or call Craig Brown at 778-479-3795 or Orv Robson at 250-4941504. Summerland Material Girls Quilt Guild meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month from September to May at 9 a.m. at the Harold Simpson Memorial Youth Centre, 9111 Peach Orchard Rd. For more information call Cathy Patterson at 250-494-8274 or Annie Smirmaul at 250-4942286. Summerland Sportsmen’s Association meets every third Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at Summerland Legion. The SSA focuses on fishing, shooting, hunting, archery and conservation and is affiliated with the B.C. Wildlife Federation. New members welcome. Summerland TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Thursday at 5:30 p.m., lower floor of Summerland Seniors Centre. For info call Vicki at 250-494-5484. The Summerland Multiple Sclerosis Group meets on the first Thursday of every month at 10:30 a.m. at the MS office, 3373 Skaha Rd., Penticton. Everyone welcome. For more information call Sherry at 250-4936564. The Summerland traditional rug artists get together at Summerland United Church every Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m. New members and visitors are always welcome. For more information phone 250-4941278.

Friday Bridge is played every Friday at 1 p.m. at the Seniors’ DropIn Centre, 9710 Brown St. Phone Irene at 250404-4562. Cribbage is played every Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the Seniors’ Drop-in Centre, 9710 Brown St. Ladies’ Drop-in

Volleyball every Friday, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Harold Simpson Memorial Youth Centre. Everyone welcome. For more information call Donna at 250-494-9718 or Debbie at 250-4947733. Pleasure Painters will resume Jan. 8, meeting every Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Harold Simpson Memorial Youth Centre, 9111 Peach Orchard Rd. Come and enjoy or check it out. Drop-ins welcome. Tai Chi beginner and intermediate, at the Summerland Seniors’ Drop-in Centre, Fridays 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. For further information call Susan at 250-4943370. The 890 Wing of the South Okanagan Air Force Association of Canada have a gettogether every Friday night from 4 p.m. at the clubhouse at 126 Dakota Ave. in Penticton. New members are welcome. For more information, phone Fred Monteith at 250-497-8490.

Saturday Charity bottle drive at Summerland IGA each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Proceeds from the collections will go to support the Summerland Food Bank and Critteraid. Cribbage will take place at the Summerland Seniors’ Drop-in Centre every fourth Saturday until June, beginning at 1 p.m. Singles welcome. Refreshments will be served. Summerland Ladies Hockey takes place at the Summerland Arena Saturdays at 8:30 pm. All skill levels welcome. Contact Judy Beck at tachi88@shaw.ca.

Sunday DivorceCare, Single and Parenting, and DivorceCare for Kids (ages five to 12) will be offered Sunday evenings at Summerland Baptist Church, Oct. 18 to Jan. 24. The sessions start with dinner at 4:30 p.m., followed by the courses from 5 to 6:45 p.m. Call 250-494-3313 for more information or to register. Vintage Car Club, South Okanagan Chapter, meets the last Sunday of every month at 2 p.m. in the Youth Centre on Peach Orchard Road. Anyone interested in vintage cars (those 25 years or older) is invited to attend. For more information on the club phone 250-494-5473.

Thursday, December 31, 2015 Summerland Review

Monday

Brunelle, 250-4977180, or email dbrunelle@shaw.ca. Summerland Kiwanis Club meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Kiwanis Lodge on Quinpool at 6 p.m. New members are welcome. Contact Tom Jacques at 250494-4339. Summerland VIP (Visually Impaired Persons) members and friends meet the second Tuesday of the month at Parkdale Lounge. Tai Chi at the Summerland Seniors’ Drop-in Centre, Tuesdays at 9 a.m. for beginners and 10 a.m. for advanced. For more information call Nancy at 250-494-9802. The Mental Wellness Centre, Summerland Branch, will be open the first, third and fourth Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to noon at the Summerland United Church. Inquiries welcome. The Quest Society of Summerland is seeking new members who are interested in helping others in the community. Quest Society of Summerland meets at 9700 Brown St. (Parkdale Place meeting room) on the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. For further information contact Marilyn Topham at 250-4946434 or Joan Lansdell at 778-476-0596 or email questsociety@ shaw.ca. The Summerland Multiple Sclerosis Group joins the Penticton MS Group every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. for a coffee social at the Cherry Lane Mall Food Court. Whist is played every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at the Seniors Drop-In Centre, 9710 Brown St.

Birthright, serving the South Okanagan, has Monday drop-in from 10 a.m. to noon at 200 Bennett St. in Penticton. This weekly program provides light snacks and an opportunity to build friendships, share life skills and participate in baby item swaps. Please contact Sandy Mikkelsen at 250-4924901 for more info. Dabber Bingo is played at the Senior Drop-in Centre, 9710 Brown St., every Monday at 1 p.m. 16 regular games, Lucky 7, Odd/Even, Bonanza. Everyone is welcome. License #832873. Men — Love to Sing? Okanagan Christian Men’s Choir. This nondenominational choir invites you to join us, have fun, sing unto the Lord and enjoy the fellowship of other singers. Mondays 7 to 9 p.m. at Summerland Baptist Church, Fireside Room. For more information contact Hans at 250-494-7127. The South Okanagan Orchid Society meets the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Shatford Centre in Penticton. The group meets September to June. For more information, contact Joan at 250-494-4293. The Summerland Crokinole Club meets Monday nights at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Summerland Seniors Centre. Contact Darlene at 250-494-9310.

Tuesday Contract Bridge is played at St. Stephen Anglican Church in Summerland every Tuesday from 1 to 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun. Refreshments available. For more information, please call Sheila at 250-494-8996. Dementia Caregiver Support Group — Are you providing care or support for someone dealing with Alzheimer’s or another dementia? Please join us at our Summerland meeting to explore how we can assist you. The meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Summerland IOOF Hall, 9536 Main St. Call Laurie Myres at 250-493-8182 or email lmyres@alzheimerbc. org. Penticton Concert Band practices Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Intermediate to advanced players welcome to audition. Call Musical Director Dave

Wednesday Be.Free, a 12-step Christ-centred recovery program that is not addiction specific, meets every Wednesday at Summerland Alliance Church at 7 p.m. For more information contact the SAC office at 250-494-9975 and ask to speak to Pastor Rick. Did you know Summerland has a Garden Club? Meetings are casual. Gardening experience varies. All gardeners are welcome. Meetings are the third Wednesday of the month. Contact Jan Carlson at 250-494-5112 for more information. South Okanagan Genealogical Society is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Penticton Library Museum building.

Contact Nola Reid at 250-492-0751. Summerland Art Club meets every Wednesday, September to June, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the lower level of the former library building on Wharton Street. Painters of all levels are welcome. Workshops available. For information call Mary at 250494-5851. Summerland ATV Club meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the lower level of the former Summerland Library building on Wharton Street. The club promotes responsible ridership including registration, insurance, safety certification and scheduled pleasure rides. Membership includes orchardists, farmers, ranchers and fun seekers of all ages including those with disabilities. S u m m e r l a n d Badminton Club plays every Wednesday at 7 p.m. For information call Shaun at 250-4941513. The Heritage Advisory Commission meets the third Wednesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in Council Chambers of the Municipal Hall. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Upcoming Oldtimer Hockey Group for ages 55 to 85+ plays Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 8 to 9:30 a.m. For registration and details contact Wayne at 250-494-7460. Pickleball begins Wednesday, Jan. 6 and continues to April 27 at Trout Creek Elementary School. The game is held Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. All are welcome to participate. A small drop-in fee will be collected. Summerland Bakers is a new, fun baking club where it doesn’t matter if it didn’t turn out perfectly; we’ll eat it anyway! We meet monthly to share our creations, eat, laugh and take home heaps of leftovers. Email Sophia at pleasebringcake@ gmail.com for more info or join Summerland Bakers on Facebook. Summerland Singers and Players have postponed their production of The Butler Did It until April 21 to 24, 2016. They are still looking for an actress to fill the role of Vickie, who is in her 20s. Rehearsals begin in the spring. Contact Bob Read, at bob.will@ hotmail.ca, if interested in trying out.

Summerland Review Thursday, December 31, 2015

www.summerlandreview.com 9

Family settles in to Summerland life Carla McLeod

special to the Review

In Arabic, the holiday greeting the Albetar family would give is “Eid Saeed,” literally translated as ‘holiday happy.’ This was the first Christmas season the Syrian family has spent in Canada and although the customs are very different from their own, they have made every effort to embrace them. “We like to adopt the culture and traditions,” said Hussam Albetar, speaking through an interpreter, Ayman Kanaan. “That way there is more communication and unity.” The family is familiar with Christmas, having celebrated it with Christian friends in Syria. Those same friends also celebrated Muslim holidays the Albetars, explained Kanaan. “We have two holidays,” he said. “One is Eid al-Fitr and the second is Eid ul Hajj.” Eid al-Fitr lasts three days, coming after the annual 30 days of fasting from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Arabic calendar. The purpose for the fasting is to remind people of the less fortunate and

teaches self-control. At the end of the fast they buy grain and meat and those who are able give two per cent of their income to charity as part of the celebration. The second holiday, Eid ul Hajj, lasts four days and is held in the twelfth month of the Arabic calendar, honouring Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son to God and the Hajj, the traditional pilgrimage to the location of the event in Mecca. During this holiday a lamb is sacrificed and eaten with family and friends. A second lamb is given to the poor. During this time people go from house to house visiting. “There is a lot of family visiting,” said Kanaan. “The Arabic culture is very family and friend-oriented.” It is these very families, left behind in Syria that the Albetars miss the most. “I am always thinking of people back home,” said Nadya Alsagher, Hussam’s wife. “I am constantly thinking about their situation, not knowing how they are doing or how they are living day to day.” “It is not easy, especially knowing they leave family behind,”

said Kanaan. “They have pictures of their stationery store that was completely destroyed, bombed. Their livelihood, their work, their history, everything is gone. They had to pack up and leave.” Hussam has been working 10-hour shifts, six days per week at a local tree nursery. His wife is attending Okanagan College to learn English, earning an A+ grade. Their two daughters, Bayan and Razan, along with their son Ghassan, all attend school and are starting to learn the language and make friends. “We are adjusting really well. The weather is similar to Syria and for the town itself it always has felt like home. People were very accommodating and kind right from the beginning,” said Hussam. He also expressed how thankful his family was to the government and the people of Canada for going “above and beyond” to help the Syrian refugees and being sympathetic to their situation. “What they are doing is more than you can imagine,” he said. “What they are doing is bringing them to the land of safety.” What Hussam really

Carla McLeod Summerland Review

Hussam Albetar (left) brought his family — (l-r) daughter Razan, wife Nadya Alsagher and daugther Bayan along with son Ghassan (front) -- to resettle in Summerland almost a year ago.

needs now is a full-time job, as his job at the nursery is only seasonal. In Syria he was a sign maker, hand-painting traditional décor. His ultimate dream is to one day have a stationery store again. The family’s sponsorship through the Summerland United Church is approaching the 12-month mark. Private sponsors are expected to fund refugees for either 12 months or until they are self-sufficient, whichever comes first. While the Albetars are fitting in to Can-

adian life and embracing local customs, happily they were able to go to the Kelowna Mosque for Eid prayers and celebrate with the Muslim community there. “You don’t have to change who you are just because you adopt the new culture,” said Kanaan. “I’ve been in Canada for 27 years and as Canadian as I may be I still have my traditions. I would never change them. For more information on the sponsorship of Syrian refugees go to www.summerlandrsg.ca.

Remembering old friends and old words This has always been one of my favourite times of the year. Christmas is over, most of the insanity has died down, guests have returned home and it’s quiet. It’s the perfect time to catch up on things missed during the month of December and to reflect on how the year went. I’m not normally the kind of person who looks back and takes stock of the year, but this was an interesting year for me as I had a chance to revisit some things that had a large impact on my life as a younger writer. The first happened on a cross-country drive early in the year with my family. As I was leaving the house, I grabbed an old writing book I had read back in university called On Writing

Well, by William Zinsser. Reading this book again was an interesting experience and often brought a smile to my face. It helped me realize where a lot of my little quirks of writing have come from, or what helped cement them in place and, more importantly, it reminded me of a lot of things I loved about writing. Not just writing, but writing non-fiction. The best thing about rereading this book was that it ultimately led me to do some of the most satisfying writing I’ve done in a long time, both for this column and other publications, and has led to readers actually reaching out and letting me know how they feel about what I’ve written, for better or for worse. There are copies of this book

ARTS PALETTE

Douglas Paton available through the Okanagan Library system and I encourage anyone with an interest in writing, young or old, to read it. The second thing that happened this year was not nearly as pleasant, but also brought back a lot of great memories from earlier in my career and that was the death of Paul Kropp. I was 21 when I met

Paul and took a job with him as an editorial assistant. Paul was a writer known best for his work on the Series Canada books, a series of books aimed at reluctant readers, and, although I had never read any of his books, I recognized them the moment he showed them to me. Without missing a beat, he started asking me to work on projects that were way more interesting than anything I was doing in school. He was getting ready to relaunch the Series Canada books and I helped out with most aspects of the project for the first couple of years. It was the kind of experience that really shapes a person and is the reason why, on days when I can actually spare the time, I’ll still dig out my notebooks and

plug away at one project for younger readers or another. When news of Paul’s death reached me, I was shocked. I hadn’t even known he was sick. I spent a few days thinking back to my time with Paul and being eternally grateful I’d had the chance to work with him. Despite the loss of Paul, this was a great year. The chance to look back and remember a few of the reasons I am where I am today and have accomplished what I have, was much needed and helped guide me as much today as it did back then. Douglas Paton is a Summerland writer and musician. If you know of a local arts and culture event, contact him at dgpaton80@gmail. com.

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Thursday, December 31, 2015 Summerland Review

Medical donation Band concert

Students from the Summerland Middle School Band, under the direction of Rick Papineau, performed Christmas music at their winter concert, which was held earlier this month.

Wess Campbell, president of the Summerland Health-Care Auxiliary, presents a cheque for $100,000 to Janice Perrino of the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation. The donation stems mainly from proceeds from the Summerland Thrift Store on Victoria Road. It represents the second instalment towards the Auxiliary’s five-year $1-million pledge to help the foundation’s $20-million campaign to provide medical equipment for the new patient care tower at Penticton Regional Hospital. The presentation was made at the Summerland Auxiliary’s Christmas reception to celebrate the contributions made by its volunteer members over the past year.

Passages of 2015: Bill Bennett

The death of former B.C. premier Bill Bennett on Dec. 4 prompted the traditional round of polite tributes. He was the man from Kelowna who remade Vancouver, with SkyTrain, BC Place stadium and Expo 86 to put the city on the world map. He won three majority governments before handing over the steering wheel of a smoothly running Social Credit Party to Bill Vander Zalm. Outside B.C., the

wire service obituaries ran to a few paragraphs, defining Bennett first as the “architect of financial restraint in the province.” It seems an ordinary notion today, but when Bennett unleashed his “restraint program” on the B.C. government in 1983, it was presented as a right-wing coup on a socialist utopia. I was in journalism school in Vancouver when unions organized a general strike and mass street dem-

onstrations under the banner of Operation Solidarity, appropriated from the struggle against Poland’s communist dictators. Their goal was to bring the recently reelected government to its knees. The newly tabloid Vancouver Province, itself largely controlled by some of B.C.’s most militant unions, was a screeching banshee of the big-labour left. “Socred hitmen swoop on rights workers,” its front page declared after

Food bank support

400 layoff notices were issued to provincial staff. This propaganda was the public’s guide and my professional role model. A bit of background: the B.C. economy was in the grip of an international recession, hitting resource industries and government revenues hard. Bennett had ousted the Dave Barrett NDP government in 1975, but the legacy lived on. During its three-year reign, for example, education

Legion President Mike Brazeau, left, and Legion member Ken Bazley, at right, present Food Bank President John Bubb with a $500 donation and food and toys donated by Legion members and attendees of the Legion’s annual Lunch with Santa.

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Tom Fletcher know could visit a business agent and hand over $500 cash. Within days, the lucky winner would be “name requested” to join the crew, vaulting over those who thought paying dues and working their way up the seniority list would be enough. This struggle over public construction continues today, with BC Hydro’s decision to make the Site C dam an open shop. The main contract was awarded to a consortium working with the Christian Labour Association of Canada, an alternative union known by more colourful names among old-line build-

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