DEC/JAN 2012/13
Early Oliverite Margaret Green speaks at Historical Society’s AGM
New Book ‘The Cap’ by Gail Prior Osoyoos Photography Club Captures Autumn
www.oksun.ca
100% locally owned
FREE
Let’s work together to get you feeling your best!
Dr. Martha E. Collins B.A. (Hon.), D.C.
We are an authorized dealer of musical instruments and accessories. We also stock an assortment of strings, straps, slides and capos!
Health and well-being begin with a decision to take better care of yourself. Exercise, a well balanced diet along with regular chiropractic care can help you be at your best. Discover an energy boost, new vitality and heightened immunity through improved nerve function. See how chiropractic care can assist you in having a better day, every day. We’re here to keep you smiling from the inside out! You may be eligible for assistance for your Chiropractic care through Medical Services Plan. Depending upon your income, MSP contributes towards ten adjustments per year. Call us with your care card number and we will check to see if you qualify.
inside Elvis Fine Jewellery
Sunshine Valley Family Chiropractic Hours: Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday - 7:30 - 12:30 pm Tuesday & Thursday 12:30 - 5:30 pm Wheelchair/Scooter/Stroller accessible On site X-ray facilities 8507 - 74th Ave., Osoyoos, BC
250-495-4810 or 1-866-495-4810 “
Seasons Greetings Spend this holiday season and those cold winter nights, laughing and having fun with friends and family! Kids 6 and under bowl for free!
(250)495-6112 Hwy 97 Osoyoos,across from Buy Low
2 www.oksun.ca
ee the King for your Bling Come s !
FINE
RY
LLE EWE
J
nd ellery a w e J m o ises Cust n Prem o s ir a p Re
CASH FOR
GOLD!
Downtown Osoyoos
(250) 495-4484
OK SUN
IN THIS ISSUE Ready or not, the chill of winter is on the horizon. This edition of the Okanagan Sun celebrates the transition with the photographs of the Osoyoos Photography Club, who were busy snapping shots of the area this autumn. In honour of Family Literacy Day on January 27, ABC Life Literacy Canada is encouraging Canadian families to have “15 Minutes of Fun” learning together. Learning can happen at any time. Practicing literacy together for just 15 minutes a day has tremendous benefits for both children and parents. Congratulations to Carolyn Young of Oliver. Carolyn won free movie passes to the Oliver Theatre, simply by visiting www.oksun.ca and filling out the contest form. The December contest is underway, so head to the website to win. Also in this month's edition, we check in with the Okanagan Historical Society. They recently held their annual meeting, during which early Oliver resident Margaret Green spoke about her arrival in Oliver. Her speech is transcribed on page ten. A special
thanks goes out to Tracy Johnson and Bryonie Mahé at Dr. D. B. Robinson Memorial Archives in Oliver for selecting the photographs that help to bring Margaret's words off the page. To help us experience the joy of giving this year, we hear from local Kiwanians Donna Kelso and Beverly Adamack. On page six they tell us about their Share The Christmas Spirit campaign. We also learn about a new book by Oliverite Gail Prior. As well, Gail provides us with a sample of her creative writing on page nine. A visit to Charlie's Hair barbershop in Oliver and the Osoyoos Duty Free in Osoyoos round out this month's edition. Thank you for picking up this edition of Okanagan Sun Magazine. It is free to you thanks to the support of our advertisers. There is no January edition of the magazine, so we'll see you again in February. We look forward to celebrating more success stories from our region in 2013! brian@oksun.ca
250.495.3352
OKANAGAN SUN • DEC/JAN 2012/13 • 3
PUBLISHER
CONTENTS DEC/JAN
BRIAN HIGHLEY has run international campaigns with Adbusters magazine and published the OK Sun newspaper in Osoyoos. He is of course writing this, and feels strange referring to himself in the third person.
REPORTER & PROOFREADER
ANDREA DUJARDINFLEXHAUG has been living in
the South Okanagan and writing for newspapers for 25-plus years, ever since she graduated from the Journalism Program at Langara, VCC
8
SALES & AD DESIGN
15
33
6 Share the Christmas spirit
RONDA JAHN is a certified yoga instructor. She has been involved in graphic design and Geographic Information Systems for over 10 years.
8 New book ‘The Cap’ by Oliver resident
CONTRIBUT0RS
DEREK HIGHLEY is a Class A Member of the PGA of America. He is TPI Certified and is a full time Golf Instructor teaching over 1,500 lessons annually.
10 Margaret Green’s speech at the Historical Society’s annual meeting
JORG MARDIAN is a Certified
Kinesiology Specialist, Myoskeletal Therapist, Fitness Trainer and Registered Holistic Nutritionist. He specializes in injury/pain therapy, functional fitness, weight loss and holistic nutrition.
15 Charlie’s Hair barbershop in Oliver 33 Blue Coral Photography in Osoyoos
“
To read a poem in January is as lovely as to go for a walk in June” - Jean-Paul Sartre
ON THE COVER
Postmistress World War II in 1943 Margaret Green, Joan Walker, and Mona Topping. Photo Courtesy of Oliver and District Heritage Society Dr. D.B. Robinson Memorial Archives
4 www.oksun.ca
We welcome feedback from our readers. Send comments to brian@oksun.ca or mail to Box 177, Okanagan Falls, BC V0H 1R0 Tel 250.535.0540. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in whole or part by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Whilst every care has been taken with this publication, the author(s) and publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors it may contain. No liability is accepted for any loss or damage resulting from the use of this publication. © 2012 Okanagan Sun Publishing. We reserve the right to refuse any submission or advertisement.
Complete issues are available online at:
www.oksun.ca
Okanagan Historical Report 76th Edition Newly Released
The Oliver/Osoyoos branch of the Okanagan Historical Society had their AGM last month. Osoyoos's Mary Englesby (centre) retired as the longtime secretary of the group. She was presented with a special certificate and flowers for her many years of service. Alongside her are local OHS treasurer Mary Roberts and OHS branch president Larry Shannon, both of Oliver. Shannon said on making the presentation that "Mary did her job in a quiet and dedicated fashion."
By Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug The 76th Okanagan Historical Report has just been released, and it is available for purchase locally at the Oliver Archives and Osoyoos Museum. More accurately described as a book, it contains new original stories and accounts about the history of the south Okanagan, and as far north as Armstrong. This 2012 book has an ‘up close and personal’ article in the People And Events section about the South Okanagan Secondary School fire of 2011 ; and in
Tributes, one about Oliver resident Stanley Dickson (1913-2011), who was a daughter of the Tait pioneer family (with connections to Kaleden and Oliver). There is also a section on First Nations, which includes an article about The En’owkin Centre and ECOmmunity Place in Penticton. The Natural History section includes an article about the restoration of salmon in the Okanagan River, with references to Okanagan Falls, Oliver and Osoyoos. Also pertaining to the South
Okanagan in People And Events, is ‘Marron Valley and its Mystical Pull’ (west of Skaha Lake). With the purchase of this volume, and the return of the membership registration card enclosed, your name will be placed on the list of members that will be found in next year's publication. As well as locally, the latest OHS Report and past issues are also available for ordering online at the society’s website at www.okanaganhistoricalsociety. org
OKANAGAN SUN • DEC/JAN 2012/13 • 5
Share The Christmas Spirit By Donna Kelso and Beverly Adamack
T
he Kiwanis Clubs of Osoyoos and Oliver wish to provide Christmas assistance to needy families in the community again this year through the ‘Share The Christmas Spirit’ program. This program allows individuals, families, or businesses to sponsor a family in the community, and provide gifts for that family in order to give them a more memorable Christmas. The Kiwanis Club of Osoyoos will be receiving applications from families through agencies such as Ministry of Family Services, Victims Assistance, Osoyoos Food Bank, schools, etc. We then look for sponsors to match with the families. Sponsors do not know the name of the family they will be helping, and recipient families will not know the name of their benefactor.
Sponsors can help by either adopting a family or by making a cash donation to either the Kiwan-
is Club of Osoyoos, or the Kiwanis Club of Oliver. These cash donations are then used to provide for those families who do not receive sponsorship.
To make this program a success - and to provide a Merry Christmas for families in Osoyoos and Oliver - we need the help of many in the community. We realize that Christmas is still some time away, but wanted you to consider this opportunity before you decide where your Christmas benevolence will be channeled. If you, your family or your business would like to sponsor a family, we will provide the family information to you (number of family members, ages and sizes of children, special requests, etc.) Or you may prefer to make a financial contribution towards helping a family. Either way, please call Donna at 495-7701 or Condy at 495-4485 in Osoyoos, or Beverly in Oliver at 250-4850154. Thank-you for considering this very worthwhile project.
“Community with Every Cup”
✦ Gourmet coffee & espresso ✦ Hot and cold drinks ✦ Breakfast ✦ Sandwiches & wraps made to order ✦ Homemade daily soups ✦ Inviting, clean atmosphere featuring local artwork ✦ Friendly & helpful staff ✦ Now Open 7 days/week
Visit us in Okanagan Falls at 5121 9th Avenue Online at www.dogtowncoffee.ca Or call 778-515-5524
6 www.oksun.ca
...positive, upbeat stories from the South Okanagan
250.535.0540
Box 177 · Okanagan Falls, BC · V0H 1R0
COMPLETE ISSUES AVAILABLE ONLINE y Got a stor to tell? s! Contact u
www.oksun.ca
Where Oliver gets together to chat www.oliverdailynews.com
Sun Sightings
M ARIA T. G ONZALEZ D ENTURIST
250-495-6922 8522A M AIN S TREET O SOYOOS , B.C.
Randy’s Reviews The website that knows it all!
www.randysreviews.ca
This colourful fabric creation by Susan Evans makes for a cheery addition to the December exhibit ‘Festive Treasures’ at the Osoyoos Art Centre, where there are many Christmas gift ideas available for purchase. Photo by Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug
PENTICTON TOYOTA 2405 Skaha Lake Rd. Penticton, BC
dl# 6994
www.pentictontoyota.com
Martin Longmore mlongmore@pentictontoyota.com
1.9% *
250-493-1107 Toll free 1-800-493-1107
on select Toyota Certified USED VEHICLES * O.A.C
OKANAGAN SUN • DEC/JAN 2012/13 • 7
New Book ‘The Cap’ By Oliver Resident By Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug
S
ometimes Gail Prior of Oliver gets up in the middle of the night to write her thoughts down. Or when walking down the street she gets an imaginative idea and scribbles it on a piece of paper to develop into a short story later. “The stuff comes faster than I can write,” she says, “That happens to me quite
a bit.” Now that she has retired from a career in social work, Prior has pursued her love of writing by publishing her first book entitled ‘The Cap.’ A collection of fictional short stories, it has been selling well, and Prior is now working on her second edition. Prior’s stories cover the realm of relationships, loss and love, and explore the ways in which we carry the past into the present. “Startling, sentimental and funny,” reads the back cover of the book. “Gail’s stories land on target every time, capturing the pathos and comedy of the human condition.” Prior, along with her husband Ray, divides her time between Oliver, their summer home in Little Bear Lake, Saskatchewan and their ‘snowbird’ home in Bullhead City, Arizona. In the past, Prior produced a weekly cooking column for a small newspaper, and her stories and poems have appeared in various publications. Prior has been in a whirlwind of marketing activity since ‘The Cap’ has been released. It sold well at their summer residence of Little Bear Lake in Saskatchewan, where she held a reading and book signing. “Of course, it helps to have this lake on the cover,” she notes about the sunset photo of Little Bear Lake. The graphic artist for the cover is local Willowbrook resident Angela Hook. ‘The Cap’ costs $15 to purchase and is available through the author at (306) 426-2388 or by writing to her at gaileyprior@gmail. com She will make deliveries to the immediate vicinity of Okanagan Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos and Penticton.
8 www.oksun.ca
Going Home By Gail Prior
T
here he was smiling and waving. Now he was embracing her as if nothing had happened. She surprised herself by her feelings of how natural it felt to be in his arms again after all the intervening years. The Christmas season was approaching and he had called her to suggest a lunch meeting, peppering the invitation by using words like auld lang syne and all that entailed. She decided to accept, as she was going to the city to shop, and was intrigued by this phone call out of the blue. He had reserved at the restaurant they frequently had attended in earlier years. It was decorated for the holidays, and she found herself aching inside with the familiarity of it all. She saw the two of them decorating a Christmas tree and relishing the scent of fresh pine, which filled their home. They were reminiscing now about the time one of their dogs ran under the lower tree branches and peed on the exposed tree trunk. Laughing, they told themselves how lucky it was there had been no tree skirt or gifts there. How about the time they made a pate of ground fish and shaped it like a Christmas tree, then set it outside to be used later when their guests arrived. Upon retrieval, there sat the neighbour’s cat washing his face and paws. They decided to quickly reshape what was left of it, but none of their friends would try it. Later, that evening, the cat got lucky again! They had delighted in making Christmas cakes using an old recipe from her mother. He would methodically line the cake pans with tinfoil while she chopped
fruit and washed the raisins and currants. Once the cakes were in the oven, they would take the two dogs out for a long walk and return to the tantalizing scent of fruit baking. Such a homey smell, and they would each comment on how much this was part of Christmas. Popcorn was strung, and they wound these garlands through the cedar bushes outside for the birds and occasional squirrel that visited. They put stockings up for each other and two smaller ones for their dogs. This was fun as they filled the dog socks with chewy sticks, milk bones and an assortment of toys. They both remembered the rubber hotdog and hamburger toys, the squeaking noise when both dogs were playing and how nerve wracking it had been. She longed to hear it again. He queried whether she still made English puddings and her special cranberry sauce? She regaled him with the pudding incident, in which he had laced the pudding with brandy, and when triumphantly lit, he nearly set his
hair on fire! To douse the flames, she threw the nearest liquid, which happened to be a glass of red wine. What a dessert that was! She had never tasted one quite like it since. They were both laughing now and she wished she could turn back time. He walked her back to her car. She politely thanked him for lunch and all the laughs. She told him she would look for him, if he was ever over her way. He responded by telling her that he would be seeing her in every bright and sunny day, that he would always remember their good times and the way they were. A quick hug and it was over. She awakened to find her cheeks wet with tears. Why had her subconscious mind surfaced with Christmases long past? Were they the best ones of her life? Sighing, she came back to reality and would return to those special times another day. There are those who say you can never go home again. You can. But you will visit only in your memory.
GAIL’S GOING HOME CRANBERRY SAUCE *Note: Try this and you will never go back to the gelatinous canned stuff! 1 Cup Cranberry Juice ½ cup brown sugar 2 barely ripe pears, peeled, cored and diced. 1 – 12 oz. (375 grams) package fresh cranberries. 6 dried figs, stemmed and quartered. ½ tsp. ground cinnamon. Combine juice, brown sugar and cinnamon in a pot on medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until boiling. Add pears, cranberries and figs. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until sauce thickens and the berries have burst, stirring often, for about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Cover and chill until ready to use. Freezes well. Makes about 2 cups.
OKANAGAN SUN • DEC/JAN 2012/13 • 9
Early Oliver
T
he following are some memories as told by early Oliver resident Margaret Green (Szabo) to the Oliver/Osoyoos branch of the Okanagan Historical Society at their recent annual meeting. Leaving the prairies to head west In early August 1933, we left our farm home in Elk Point Alberta, all packed into an eight passenger touring car. This included the driver, the driver’s assistant, the driver’s daughter, who came along to keep me company, and my mom and my three sisters. Of course there was luggage to bring because we were moving, so we had suitcases tied to the fenders, on the roof and in a big trunk at the back. We had to cut back; I couldn’t bring all that I wanted to, but it was all we could fit. The trip took us maybe three or four days, because the driver didn’t want to push it. He wanted to take his time and not start too early in the morning, because it took us all time to get ready in the motel; and at nighttime we would stop for supper.
10 www.oksun.ca
Main Street Oliver in 1936 Courtesy of Oliver and District Heritage Society
Down Anarchist Mtn. to Osoyoos Descending down Anarchist Mountain ( it wasn’t paved, of course), we looked at the town of Osoyoos, which really wasn’t much at the time. The lake and valley were beautiful; we were really taken with them. Osoyoos wasn’t big; I remember there were board sidewalks there, very few stores, and orchards and groundcropping. It was hot, very hot. Coming through Bridesville, we all marveled at this young man sitting on the lawn without a shirt. We couldn’t figure that out, because we had never seen anyone in Alberta without a shirt. It was hot, and that was the thing to do in the country. Settling in Oliver We came down into Osoyoos, and then on to Oliver. Outside of Oliver, we met my dad who was staying with friends. He had come earlier in April of the same year. He came packed up in a box car with Paul Eisenhut Sr. They shared this box car, packed with their farm animals and machinery. Dad
brought his favourite team of horses; he wouldn’t leave without them. Paul Eisenhut even brought some chickens. They slept right with the animals. They said they had a compartment where they could put their mattresses, sleep and watch the animals. Anytime they stopped, they had to make sure they were right with the animals. Leaving the farm, dad just walked off the place. It was the depression years, so there was nothing they could do except walk away. We came later, because my sisters and I were in school. What was our impression of Oliver? Little things on Main Street. We had BC police then, and one RCMP in Osoyoos for the border. This was just before the war. The BC police headquarters was where the museum is. There was Foster’s Confectionery, and Tuck’s Café on the corner where the Subway is, a department store, along with the SO Supply. Oliver had board sidewalks then too. There were two pool halls, and they were quite busy. A lot of people would come to town for grocery shopping all on the Main Street. There was the Oliver Hotel, right on Main Street, and
iety
the Riopel Hotel, but that was built after we arrived. When we got to Oliver, my sisters and my mom had to look for jobs. There was only one packinghouse operating, and there weren’t any openings there. They got word that there was a cannery in Penticton that was hiring. It was doing soft fruit then of course. So my mom, my sisters and I moved up to Penticton. We had a little house, and they worked in the cannery. I started school in September, and it was quite a change for me. It was a large school as far as I was concerned, because I came from a one-room schoolhouse. This was really strange, but I made some friends, which was really nice. They seemed to be very friendly there. We were in Penticton until the end of October when all the soft fruit petered out, so we had to move back to Oliver. Gallagher Lake…one little house So we came to Gallagher Lake, where my dad got acquainted with a man and woman who had a cattle farm. There was nothing else but this one little house right by the lake. I remember I used to walk down to the lake; it wasn’t too far. There was no Stebnick house or the Pugh house; they came after. Dad was asked to look after the animals and the farm in the winter, so that’s where we lived for the winter. It was about five miles out from town, so I couldn’t go to school. I would just be at home, and I learned to milk cows then. Dad taught me to milk cows because that’s what he was doing then. We had a few visitors, and one outstanding one was Manuel Louie. He would come riding on his horse through the trees, and he wondered who these people were. I guess he was hunting or trapping. He came and got acquainted with dad. Rattlesnake with horns…tall tales He would come visit, and if it was near suppertime, mom would invite him in for supper. He would start telling his stories after supper. And they were great stories. If you knew Manuel, he could really string along a lot of stories. One was about the white rattlesnake with horns- and of course we believed all of this. Another was about the wolves and what they did. We would be in awe just listening to him, and of course he just kept going, until it would be midnight or one o’clock. Then finally I think he would get tired and we were too, so he would say, “Well, I guess I better get home before it gets dark,” and away he’d go on his horse. Manuel used to visit with us quite frequently, and was very friendly. I’m sure a lot of you knew Manuel; he was a great guy, and he went on to be the chief here for awhile too. When our time at Gallagher Lake was over, we moved to Tuc-el-Nuit Lake where there was a farm. Dad could have his horses there and I could go to school, because it was within walking distance, about two and a half miles. I started school in the 1929 school, maybe some of you remember that. It was a four-room school. Of course I was new. Starting in April, I was still in grade three. I was in grade
Eisenhut Insurance OSOYOOS a n d A r e a For Over 40 Years
Homeowner Insurance Commercial & Travel Insurance Motor Vehicle Licensing Office Drivers Licenses Open Saturdays Seniors Discount
495-6111
On All Policies
8308 Main Street Osoyoos Box 479 V0H 1V0
NT ESIDE NEW R UNTS DISCO
Visit Doug Eisenhut & Staff For All Your Insurance Needs
www.eisenhutinsur.com
dge .
If everyone is thinking the same thing.... then someone ISN’T thinking! Get your Edge up on the market, with R.Edge designs.
R. Edge Graphic Design / G.I.S ronda.jahn@gmail.com
250.689.0907 OKANAGAN SUN • DEC/JAN 2012/13 • 11
three in Penticton for two months, then in Oliver for the rest of the time. I was feeling very strange, but people were friendly and I always remember these two girls: they were the Fleming girls; Margaret and Dorothy Fleming. Margaret was Margaret Anderson, who later was Audrey MacNaughton’s mother. I always remember her as being so friendly. Both of them would take me under their wing and involve me in all the games at recess and lunchtime. We would do nothing but play all these simple little games, and they always got me involved to make sure I would meet some other kids. I will never forget that about them. That was the 1929 school, and later on when I went into high school, they put classrooms downstairs. It was a big playroom and big lunchrooms for the boys at one end, and for the girls on the other. I started high school in the basement, but they were building a new high school beside the one I was in. Walking to school along Tuc-el-Nuit Lake I walked to school most of the time on the east side of Tuc-el-Nuit Lake where there was a pasture full of the Indian cattle. My parents would walk with me sometimes in the summer, because the cattle were free range, and that worried me a bit. When I was in the second or third year of high school, they started buses. The buses didn’t have seats facing
straight ahead; they had benches along the sides so we could look at one another. We thought the buses were great. They didn’t come along the east side of the lake, where I lived, but they came to Roberts’ corner. We used to meet there. I would walk through the swamp where I lived, but sometimes it was wet. So I’d wear rubbers and leave them by a pole when I took them off to get on the bus. During that time, May Day was the big affair in Oliver. There were May pole dances, the May Queen and her attendants; it was a big affair for the whole town. One year I was chosen as one of the attendants. Everybody came. They brought their picnic lunches. Families would sit on the grass and spread out their blankets. It was such a wonderful time, so community minded. There was a stand there made out of shiplap where the dignitaries sat. The Board of Trade business people would watch the goings on down below. Of course, the May Queen would be on the stand too. At night, everybody came to the Big May Day dance. In the fall, there was the Elks Cantaloupe Carnival and Rodeo. That was a big affair on Labour Day. I remember there was a Cantaloupe Queen, one in particular was Irene Tomlin. On graduation, I couldn’t go on to further education because they were bad years, and mom and dad couldn’t send me to any university or college. I was picking up the mail one day after school and the postmaster, Harold Ede, offered me a job at the post office. I was quite excited
KNOWLEDGE is
Upgrade your academic courses for FREE*
ESL/Languages using Rosetta Stone
Complete your Graduation for FREE* Both Specialized and Academic Courses for High School Students - FREE* Basic Computer Classes - Windows 8 / Windows 7 and Internet/Email - FREE* Huge Selection of Distance Learning Courses
OLIVER | OSOYOOS | KEREMEOS & BEYOND 250-485-0303 or on the web
12 www.oksun.ca
School District 53
about that; it would be my first job. I went home and mom and dad agreed to it. Mona Topping, who is Mona Dede now, George Kelly and the postmaster were at the post office then. George was there for a little while after I started, but then he joined the army and went overseas. Phil Carlson came in after that. Eventually, Harold Ede decided to go back into the army and join the reserves in Lethbridge. Then it was just the women looking after the post office. The post office was private then; Harold owned the building next door to Collins department store and paid us. Our tasks were to sell subscriptions to the Vancouver Sun and the Province, do up postal notes and money orders, and sort the mail. Post Office open Christmas day…turkey? Alot of days we’d be lifting heavy bags, and one time, near Christmas, we dumped a bag, and a turkey tumbled out; it was rather loosely wrapped. We had to phone the addressee who came in to pick it up. We were always open for an hour on Christmas day. We also had to keep the furnace going in the winter, a sawdust furnace. We’d have to get there early to get it going in the basement, and sometimes it would blow back at us. Smoke would come up through the registers while we were with customers, so we’d have to run to the basement to fix it. There were lots of other tasks, shoveling snow and sweeping the sidewalk, but that was our job, and I was happy to have one. There was only one rural route courier then, Harold and Annie Potter. They would do up the envelopes with twine, very neatly, and put them in the rural route boxes. The postmaster returned at the end of the war, but we lost him soon after. Tender went out for the job, and Alex Wilson was the lucky one to get it. I left soon after because the wages weren’t good, and another opportunity came up. I went on a holiday to Quesnel to visit my sister. I rode all night on the bus. When I got there, she gave me a message that someone had referred me to the Co-op store. They were looking for someone in the office, so I had to turn around and go back to be interviewed. I was there for several years until after I got married. This was after the war, and my husband, a veteran, was working across the street at Trump’s. That was how I got acquainted with him. I left the Co-op store three or four years after we were married, and we started a family. We were building our home on the farm then. I didn’t work until the girls were old enough to get off the bus and look after themselves. I wanted to be there when they got off the bus, so I made sure I could be home at 3 o’clock.
We invite you to stay with us at Casa Del Mell Visit our website for more photos.
www.casadelmell.ca
WiFi, BBQ
d, Queen Be Cable T V
Reservations are encouraged! casadelmell@eastlink.ca
(250) 495-3936
Osoyoos Elks Lodge No. 436 8506 92nd Avenue
495-6416
Royal Purple meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month.
Elks meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.
Cribbage every Monday
Bingo every Friday
The post-war years The town was growing during the post-war years. Alot of stores were going up. At the north end of town there was the jewelry store, where my engagement ring was purchased, the stationery shop and the photography shop. Joe Schmidt, the electrician, built the building that is Echlin
Interested? Come join us!
OKANAGAN SUN • DEC/JAN 2012/13 • 13
Insurance now. There were two ladies wear stores, one called Fergie’s where I bought my wedding dress, and shoe stores. There was Scott and Park’s menswear and a big lumber-yard where the old Buy Low building stands today. It was really a booming time, when returning men, and some new ones, were going into business. Now that area hasn’t got as much there, and alot of the men are gone, but their wives are still living. There was also the Acquadel, built by the Goodmans. They had it going all summer and winter. It was always loaded with all kinds of people. Going to dances on the Acquadel was the thing to do, and they had great orchestras. St. Martin’s hospital was built in the 1940’s, and the high school also. I went back to work at the Credit Union part-time, where I kept all accounts on a bookkeeping machine, that’s now in the basement as an antique. I was there for 12 years, but I started to look for something with a bit more money, since I was the sole breadwinner after my husband took ill. There was an opening at the Haynes Co-op, and I worked there until it closed. I then went to work at the hospital for around 12 years. When I retired, I did some volunteer work. I have all these memories of growing up. It was a wonderful time in Oliver, and I wish it were like that now. The town was going strong. I hope I’ve brought to you some events that you remember, and memories that take you back to old Oliver.
Courtesy of Oliver and District Heritage Society
Margaret Green, Joan Walker, and Mona Topping in1943.
May Day Celebration Maypole Dance in 1935 Courtesy of Oliver and District Heritage Society
14 www.oksun.ca
Charlie’s In Oliver Much More Than Just A Barbershop
Photo Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug
By Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug There are good memories to be found inside a little shop named Charlie’s Hair off of Oliver’s Main Street. More than just a place to get a basic haircut or trim, it is also a place to explore the collectibles and vintage wares within. A longtime purveyor of the past, owner Joyce Muckler says, “My father was an antique dealer. I grew up with this.” After spending a childhood in Manitoba, Muckler moved to Edmonton , “I started picking up things, putting it away for when I
have a shop,” she says. When Muckler later arrived in Penticton, she ran a salon/ shop there for several years, and three years ago moved it to the town of Oliver. The shop is not a mishmash of old items, it is well thought- out and organized into eye-pleasing displays. It is presently dressed up in Christmas finery, with seasonally dressed Barbie and Disney dolls, quality fabric storybooks and a
little Christmas tree on a counter surrounded with Santa and caroller figurines. Strands of necklaces and earrings hang in front of lace curtained windows, catching the sunlight. A good seasonal gift, Muckler notes, “Jewellery’s a big seller. Ladies like sparkle at Christmas.” There is a wide variety of brand name memorabilia (Coca-cola, Star Trek, etc.), hundreds of old comic books (Spiderman et al), and far too many other quality
OKANAGAN SUN • DEC/JAN 2012/13 • 15
Surrounded by collectibles, a regular client gets his hair cut by Joyce Muckler, owner of Charlie’s in Oliver. Photo by Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug items to mention here. “I carry a bit of everything,” says Muckler. “And prices are reasonable. I’m not asking an arm and a leg. I
want things to move.” Unexpected features such as the guppy aquarium (guppies one dollar each, snails 50 cents) bring a delightful quirky quality to the shop, along with the barber’s chair waiting at the ready. Sports afficionados may find what they are looking for in a little side room, and take comfort in the variety of NHL memorabilia during this non-existent hockey season (so far). Muckler also caters to the everincreasing popularity of natural products, carrying a full line produced by a couple in Kelowna. Once again, reasonably priced, with all-natural shampoo at $10 a litre, and refills of eight dollars. The nearby all-natural facial products include small Christmas
gift items such as fancy handmade soaps. “Especially for the older people, that you don’t know what to buy,” says Muckler. Muckler does take consignments, such as locally handmade ladies slippers, but she is not actively seeking them. She already has items stocked away that she says would fill her shop “three times moreso.” In keeping with the holiday season, Muckler has decorated her shop outside as well, with delightful decorations. Just look for the colourful lights and display on the corner back alley one block west of Main Street at 471 Fairview. Charlie’s Hair is open Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Phone 250-498-5502.
Okanagan Historical Society Essay And Video Contests With Monetary Prizes The Okanagan Historical Society (OHS) invites post-secondary students to enter its’ annual Student Essay Contest, with the winning essay possibly being published in the yearly OHS Report. There is also a $1,000 prize. The winner of the 2012 contest was Brian Stephenson, with his essay ‘A Closer Look at the Foundations: the Role of Freemasonry in Early Kelowna’ on page eight of the report.
The essay must depict history which occurred in the geographical area of the Okanagan, Shuswap and Similkameen valleys, and be at minimum 1,500 words and maximum 2,500 words. The deadline for submissions is March 15 of each year. For full details, go to www.okanaganhistoricalsociety. org or contact Diane Ambel at hipnitch@shaw.ca A new contest has been added by the OHS for 2013, the Student
Video Contest. It is for post-secondary students, and must depict the same historical area as the essay contest. It can be up to 10 minutes maximum in length, with the deadline March 15 each year. The prize is $500, notification in the report and possible installation on the OHS website. For more information, contact contest chairman David Gregory of Summerland at davidgregory@ shaw.ca
DINE IN OR TAKE OUT
11:30am - 7:00pm Mon-Wed 11:30am - 8:00pm Thurs-Sat Closed Sundays & Holidays
Try our Seafood Feast: 1/2 pound medley of Coconut Shrimp, Scallops Prawns and Cod. $17.45 Served with chips, coleslaw, dipping sauces and lemon slice.
(250) 498-0456 6240 Main St, Oliver BC
If o it wouuldr fish was a still be ny freshe in the o r, cean!
OKANAGAN SUN • DEC/JAN 2012/13 • 17
Osoyoos Duty Free Shop It’s Better At The Border
H
ere in the South Okanagan, for those local residents who drive the short trip across the border regularly, we often drive by the Osoyoos Duty Free Shop, without going in. But owner Cam Bissonnette says many Canadians don’t know that Canadian duty free stores are there for them to shop in before they go to the U.S. This is just one of the facts to be aware of when you take that next trip across the border, even if it is just for a day trip. If you head down there for 48 hours, Bissonnette says there again, many Canadians don’t know that anything purchased in his store, can be brought back to Canada after that time as part of their duty free allowance. A recent and welcomed change in the summer brought an increase to $800 from $400 in the duty free allowance for goods brought back to Canada after 48 hours. After 24 hours, the amount is $200.
Another fact that may be of surprise to some people, is that all Canadian Duty Free stores are independently owned and operated. They were started in the mid 80’s by the government to repatriate money that was being lost (spent) in the U.S. Also, there are tools on the duty free website to calculate how
much you can bring back. Bissonnette notes that on average people save 30 to 40 percent over Canadian domestic pricing, and you never pay GST/PST/HST. For more information, go to the local website at www.osoyoosdutyfree.com where you can also sign up for their newsletter and follow them on Facebook.
Seasons Change
Capturing Autumn In The South Okanagan By Peter Hovestad
A
utumn is arguably the photographer’s favorite season of the year. At no other time is the landscape so magically transformed as it is by the first few nips of fall frost. The landscape changes from a blanket of greens and browns into a patchwork of colour. The days start getting noticeably shorter; a blessing to the photog-
rapher who is chasing that magic hour just after sunrise and just before sunset. That’s the time of day when the light is warm and soft rather than the harsh bright sun of mid-day. It’s the perfect light for capturing the beauty of the newly transformed orchards and vineyards. This year’s Okanagan autumn was largely cloudy and damp but occasionally the sun
would break through the clouds and light up the valley, calling out to the watchful photographer to get out and grab the moment for the short time that it lasts. A few brief bright days over the course of a number of weeks was all we had until the winds came and blew all those reds, oranges and yellows that we love so much to the ground.
OKANAGAN SUN • DEC/JAN 2012/13 • 19
Bridging Seasons
Don Lilley “Through my participation with the Osoyoos Photography Club, and the sharing of photos within the club, I've discovered that every photographer has their own signature shooting style. I think that anyone who is considering photography as a hobby will increase their power of observation, as well as participate in a very interesting way of looking at the world. And every once in a while you get that lucky shot!�
- Don Lilley
20 www.oksun.ca
Orchard Hues
Pano Fall
Greg Reely
Road to Fall
250.495.2899
Open Monday to saturday
Dine in & Take Out
Fresh Asian Kitchen 8323 Main StreetOsoyoos
Best As Food ian in To w n!
OKANAGAN SUN • DEC/JAN 2012/13 • 21
Dog Going Home
John Nearing
A Frog Pond In Fall
22 www.oksun.ca
Osoyoos Sunset
Peter Hovestad
Osoyoos Veteran’s Park
OKANAGAN SUN • DEC/JAN 2012/13 • 23
Autumn Vine
Tracy McKay
Autumn Leaf
24 www.oksun.ca
Sean Peltier
Osoyoos in November
From jewels to tools, we’ve got the goods.
WE PAY T
OP PRICE
S!
6278 Main St Oliver
778-439-GOLD OKANAGAN SUN • DEC/JAN 2012/13 • 25
Fallen by Greg Reely
250-495-2310
8305 72nd Ave, Osoyoos,
Tues - Sat Winter Hours 10-5 Bring in this coupon and recieve
10% OFF your purchase!
No matter what kind of camera you use it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the spectacular colours of autumn. As an alternative to trying to capture all of that glory in a wide, all-encompassing photo try to zoom in on an interesting feature or detail in the landscape. It might be a building, a winding road, a grouping of trees or the pattern of the rows in an orchard but try making that the main subject of the photo. Have the colour in the scene be the magic that makes the photo special. And don’t forget to look behind you. More than one great shot has been missed because the photographer was looking the other way.
Support small business this season! You can purchase “Jo Dough” Gift Certificates in any denomination that suits your budget. Come downtown and warm up with us on Main Street, Osoyoos
We wish you the sweetest holiday ever!
26 www.oksun.ca
With our deepest gratitude, we hope the New Year brings an abundance of joy and contentment your way! Happy holidays to you all. Love, Jojo’s staff
HOLIDAY HOURS Dec. 24 7am – 2pm Dec. 25 closed Dec. 26 closed
T Dec. 27 – Dec. 30 regular hours (7 – 5)
T
Dec. 31 closed Jan. 1 closed Jan. 2 7am – 5pm
Hi Ho Silver Initiates Work At Fairview Gold Property In Oliver Hi Ho Silver Resources Inc. is pleased to announce that it has initiated orientation field work and confirmation sampling on its 100% owned Fairview Gold property, near Oliver, in the Okanagan Valley of southern British Columbia, Canada. Historical production from three parallel quartz vein systems on the property totaled 512,000 tonnes grading 3.99 grams/tonne gold and 49.1grams/tonne silver (Barker and Trenaman 1987). Initial production was started in the 1890's with the majority of production undertaken by Cominco (now Teck Resources Limited.) between 1946 and 1961. The material was utilized as flux by Cominco in the Trail smelter. Sufficient material remained within the mines at the time of shutdown in 1961 to encourage Cominco to subsequently evaluate a plan of operations at a projected gold price of $400. That program,
as summarized in a 1980 report, was based upon a historical resource and envisioned a production scenario of 255,000 tons per year or 700 tons per day for a period of 10 years. This plan was not implemented, and subsequent exploration and evaluation work was conducted by Oliver Gold, but operations were not continued and the property has remained dormant. It is anticipated that a program of confirmation of historical results through the mining and processing of a bulk sample along with some drilling will be initiated when the appropriate land use permits are in hand, and when financing for renewed operations is obtained. Compilation of all data in a modern computerized format in order to create a 3D model is being undertaken with the ultimate objective to guide the location of the bulk sampling and drilling work. The intent is obtain a bulk sample
Randy’s Reviews
The website that knows it all! www.randysreviews.ca
and direct ship the material to a nearby smelter or mill for custom milling. The reader is cautioned that there are no known mineral resources on the Fairview Gold property and there can be no assurance that if any resources are established that any such resource could be economically recovered. The data in this release has been reviewed and approved by Mr K. Raffle, MSc, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. The Fairview Gold property is comprised of 15 mineral claims covering approximately 762 hectares (1,883 acres), located 6.4 kilometres west of the town of Oliver, British Columbia, in the Osoyoos Mining Division. Hi Ho Silver Resources Inc. is a Canadian exploration company dedicated to the exploration of precious metals deposits across Canada.
JOHN SLATER, MLA Boundary Similkameen
8312 - 74th Avenue Ph: 250 495-2042 P.O. Box 1110 2077 Fax: 250 495-2077 Osoyoos, BC Toll Free: 1 877 652-4304 V0H 1V0 john.slater.mla@leg.bc.ca www.johnslatermla.bc.ca OKANAGAN SUN • DEC/JAN 2012/13 • 27
More Improvements For Highway 97
OLIVER THEATRE
Enjoy your evening out, taking in a movie at the Oliver Theatre!
Work has begun on major improvements to Highway 97 between the towns of Oliver and Okanagan Falls. The current irrigation canal will be relocated in preparation for the addition of passing lanes in both directions for 1.5 Sat.kilometres. Showtimes at 7:00 &This 9:25 p.m. project was first announced by Premier Christy Clark at the most recent Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Conference. Located north of Gallagher Lake, the project started November 1, 2012, and is scheduled to be complete by March 15, 2013. “This project will make a huge difference to drivers between Oliver and Okanagan Falls.” said Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater. “Almost 70 per cent of the existing road has no passing lanes, which can be frustrating. These improvements will mean a smoother, safer, and less stressful drive.” Currently there are no passing lanes between Deadman Lake and Vaseux Lake over a 28 kilometre long section. The new highway will provide four lanes with paved 2.6 metre centre median, 2.0 metre wide shoulders, rumble strips and roadside barrier as required. The new passing lanes will provide assured passing opportunities between Oliver and Okanagan Falls, as well as reduce delays, traffic queuing, and driver frustrations. Wider shoulders will improve safety for all users of the highway including vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. The total cost of this project is $10 million.
December, 2012 Programme Visit our website
www.olivertheatre.ca
*
(Unless otherwise stated)
Phone 250-498-2277
*
Oliver, B.C.
Thurs. - Fri. - Sat., Thurs. - Fri. Dec. 20 - 21 - 22, 27 -28
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues, Thurs. - Fri. Dec. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4, 6 - 7 Showtimes on Fri. & Sat. at 7:00 & 9:15 p.m.
Violence.
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues, Thurs. - Fri. Dec. 8 - 9 - 10 - 11, 13 - 14 ONE SHOWING NIGHTLY AT 7:30 P.M.
May frighten young children. There will also be a matinee of this show on the Sat. at 2:00 p.m. All seats $6.00 for the matinee.
Sat. - Sun. - Tues. - Wed. - Thurs. - Fri. - Sat. Sun. - Mon. - Tues. Dec. 29 - 30, Jan. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 ONE SHOWING NIGHTLY AT 7:30 P.M.
Coarse language, drug use.
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues.
Dec. 15 - 16 - 17 - 18
May frighten young children.
28 www.oksun.ca
Regular Showtimes
Sun.-Mon.-Tues.-Thurs...7:30 P.M. Fri.-Sat.................7:00 & 9:00 P.M.
Violelnce, coarse language.
Subject to classification. Programme subject to unavoidable change without notice
Gifts For The Hard To Buy For Golfer
GOLF TIPS
By Derek Highley
S
ecuring that perfect gift for the golfer in your life can be a frustrating undertaking. Get the wheels turning now and get this gift out of the way early, so that you are not left searching in the late stages because you either had no idea what to get. Or you simply put it off in hopes that this challenging task would somehow have gone away. Waiting till the last minute puts you in danger of getting sucked into wasting your money on another useless golf gadget that will be greeted with the obligatory “thank you, just what I need,” then left to gather dust in the garage. Here are a few can’t miss gift ideas that are sure to satisfy any golfer. Give the gift of great golf by getting a foursome certificate at a top area course. There is nothing a golfer likes more than spending a day on a great course with a few friends. As a special treat, try to
pick the best course in your area. The extra expense will be worth it to the recipient. The one thing many golfers need but most will never buy for themselves are golf lessons. For this gift, I would suggest doing a little bit of homework. Visit a few of your local golf courses and ask about their available instruction programs. Whenever possible meet the teaching professional before your make your purchase. Do your best to get a feel for the personality of the instructor, and make sure that you think the professional will be a good fit and mesh with your gift recipient. With advancements in technology today, you can really look “cutting edge” and purchase lessons for your special golfer with a teacher that is not even located in their area. One example is Swing Pal. This company partners with the Golf Channel. It provides the ability for golfers to upload videos of
their swings to be analyzed by some of the best teachers in North America. Pricing starts as low as $29.95. You can find full details on the following website: www. swingpal.com If you are still in doubt, then I would suggest simply picking up a gift certificate from your nearest golf course ProShop. Golfers are a fickle bunch, so don’t knock yourself out trying to figure out what type of balls they play, clubs they use or shirts they like. A gift certificate takes the pressure off. Any golfer would love to find one of these gifts under the tree or stuffed in their stocking. If you would love to be the recipient of one of these great golf gifts, but you know that there is little chance your non-golfing gift giver will read this column; you may want to leave this list in a place where they will “stumble” across it. Like underneath their car keys.
D and L's
New, Used & Pawn • • “Mo Money” • • •
Furniture WE BUY, SELL, TRADE, CONSIGN Electronics dandlpawn@gmail.com Appliances 778-439-3331 Housewares Much, much more
6222 Main Street (old Alberto’s)
OKANAGAN SUN • DEC/JAN 2012/13 • 29
Small Steps To Hidden Savings You want to save more for retirement, but life and its expenses show no sign of slowing down, and you’re not sure where you’ll find the extra cash. You may be surprised to learn how much “hidden” money is available once you begin tracking spending. The next time you’re out with friends or travelling to work, look at the person on your left. Then, look at the person on your right. One of the three of you has absolutely no idea how much money he or she spends on a regular basis and is likely missing out on key opportunities to build-up retirement savings. According to a 2012 national omnibus survey commissioned by Edward Jones about one-third of Canadians do not keep track of their spending. The survey found 38.5% of the remaining respondents track every penny and about 30% at least monitor fixed expenses, such as utilities, car payments, housing costs and similar essentials. It’s no surprise young adults (ages 18-34) are least likely to track their spending, while those above age 65 are most likely. An interesting survey result, though, shows those earning below $40,000 annually and those making above $100,000 a year are both more likely to track expenses. This suggests good money management habits, such as tracking spending, are important
regardless of wealth or income levels. So, what difference does it really make to know how much you spend on discretionary items like lattes, clothing and vacations? If you add them up over the course of a year, you will see small choices you make with money can affect your ability to reach goals for later years. Try tracking your spending for a while, but don’t stress about money mistakes that have already happened. Once you have a fix on your spending, focus your attention instead on how you will spend going forward. For example, estimate every expense you expect over the next year, from your morning coffee to groceries to clothes to travel. Break those totals down to monthly amounts and start thinking about which expenses you can trim or eliminate. For example: Buy online versions of magazines, which may be cheaper than print versions Consider downgrading your cable subscription (do you really need all those channels?), Opt for a less-expensive cell phone package or get a family plan that shares minutes Switch to a slower Internet broadband speed at home Bringing lunch to work vs. buying lunch each day Choose the coffee over the latte Right away, you may see op-
Wellness is Waiting... 250-535-0510 bliss-pilates@hotmail.com www.osoyoospilates.com
30 www.oksun.ca
portunities to save $50 or more per week. That’s at least $200 a month and, if you kick in a little more, you are well on your way to contributing sizeably toward that RRSP or TFSA. Worried you will forget to do it and fall out of the savings habit? Set up a pre-authorized payment into your RRSP and or TFSA on a weekly or monthly basis. You likely won’t even miss that $50 a week and will be surprised to see how quickly it may accumulate. Armed with this knowledge of where your money is flowing, you can begin working with your Edward Jones advisor to take small steps to greater savings by identifying how you can redirect your discretionary cash to fund your future retirement or other life goals. A systematic investment plan does not assure a profit or protect against loss. Such a plan involves continuous investment in securities regardless of fluctuating price levels. The investor should consider their financial ability to continue purchases through periods of low price levels. Member Canadian Investor Protection Fund.
MATTHEW R TOLLEY (250) 495-7255 #3-9150 MAIN STREET OSOYOOS, BC V0H 1V2
TRX strength training
pilates
SUP yoga online sign-up yoga meditation online schedule spinning
AND MUCH MORE
DECEMBER
Till Dec 22: Osoyoos Art Centre (formerly Gallery) Festive Treasures is an annual event at the gallery. It is a show and sale of art works by local Osoyoos and area artists. Paintings, pottery, woodcrafts, cards, textiles, jewellery and more. Refreshments will be served. Everyone welcome. Admission is free. December 2: Community Christmas Concert. 2:30 pm at the Oliver Alliance Church. Admission is free; donations gratefully accepted for the Oliver Community Arts Council and Oliver Food Bank. December 8: Osoyoos Coyotes battle Chase Heat. 7:30 pm at Oliver Arena. December 8: Biggest Little Craft Show at Tickleberry’s in Okanagan Falls from 12-4 pm. Local artisans showcase their wares including jewelry, recycled clothing, unique aprons, knitted hats, baby booties, hand woven scarfs,blankets, etc. Don’t forget fudge and other confections exclusive to Tickleberrys! Helping Hands will be there, taking monetary and food donations. December 9: Osoyoos Coyotes vs. Princeton Posse. 1:35 pm at Sun Bowl Arena. December 13: Osoyoos Concert Series presents The Sojourners. 7:30pm at the OSS Mini Theatre. Advance Sales: $23, Rush Seating: $25 tickets at Imperial Office Pro, Osoyoos or Sundance Video, Oliver. December 16: Winter Wonderland Family Skate. Oliver Arena is transformed into a winter wonderland on ice! Everyone welcome. Admission by donation & free skate rentals while supplies last. 6 pm - 8 pm. December 22: Osoyoos Coyotes take on Kelowna Chiefs. 7:35 pm at Sun Bowl Arena. December 29: Osoyoos Coyotes vs, Penticton Lakers. Sun Bowl Arena at 7:35 pm. December 31: Spectacular! NYE 2013 Masquerade Party at the Nk’Mip Conference Centre. Tickets are $30 per person and can be purchased by phone: 250-276-4501 online: www. paraisoevents.com or in person: at Imperial Office Pro. 19+
Every Monday Alcoholics Anonymous meetings 7 pm St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Every 3rd Monday Osoyoos Arthritis community group meets at 1pm Osoyoos Health Centre. Everyone welcome. For info call 4958041 or 495-3554 First Monday Parkinson’s Disease Support Group meets at 1 pm in Osoyoos Health Unit. Maureen 250-495-7978 Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday Kiwanis Club of Oliver meets at noon at the Community Centre. For info call Rosemary at (250) 4980426 Every Tuesday TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 4 pm - 5:30pm at the Oliver Search & Rescue Bldg. Call Norma 250498-8455 for more info. Third Tuesday Soroptimist Osoyoos meet at McKia’s restaurant at Best Western at 6 pm (no meetings July and August) Contact Doris at 250-495-4428. New members welcome. Third Tuesday Women of Oliver for Women (WOW) 250-498-0104. First & Third Tuesdays Osoyoos Quilters meets at Anglican Church Hall at 9 am For more info call 495-4569 First and Third Tuesdays The Oliver Royal Purple Lodge # 63 meet at 7:30 pm at the Oliver Elks Hall. For info call Annie at 4982170. Every Tuesday South Okanagan Toastmasters meet @7pm in Oliver. Call Bill 485-0006. First & third Tuesday Osoyoos Photography Club meets at 7 pm in meeting room above the Art Gallery. New members welcome! Please contact Peter at 250-535-
1278. First and Third Wednesday Osoyoos Royal Purple Lodge #240 meets at 7:30 pm at Osoyoos Elks Hall. For info 250-495-6748. First Wednesday and second Thursday O’s Own Writers meet at 10 am (Wednesdays) at 7:30 pm (Thursdays) above the Osoyoos Art Gallery. New members welcome. Last Wednesday of every month Osoyoos Reiki support group 7 pm at Holistic Desert Connections 250-495-5424 Every Thursday Bingo at 1pm Osoyoos Senior Centre First and third Thursday Kiwanis Club of Osoyoos meets at noon at Cactus Ridge Retirement Residences. For info call Donna at 495-7701. Second Thursday Multiple Sclerosis group meets from 10 am - noon in the basement of the Community Services Building in Oliver. Call Cathy at 250-495-6866. Thursdays The Rotary Club of Osoyoos meets at McKia’s Restaurant in the Best Western Hotel at noon. Visitors are welcome. Every Thursday Desert Sage Spinners & Weavers drop-in at Oliver Community Centre between 10 am and 3 pm. Info call 498 6649. First & Third Thursday Osoyoos Lake Lions Club meets at 7 pm at Jack Shaw Gardens Building. 250-495-2993 Every Thursday Oliver & Osoyoos Search & Rescue. 7 pm at Oliver SAR hall. www.oosar. org. Every Friday night, Osoyoos Elks invites you to play Bingo. Doors open at 5 pm Bingo starts at 7 pm.
Feature Artist: Shirley Freding The Oliver Art Gallery is proud to announce their Feature Artist for the month of December 2012, as Shirley Freding. She will be displaying her ceramics with special affordable Christmas pricing. Shirley is a self-taught professional artist, living in Princeton, who for the last 40 years has been experimenting with various techniques in ceramics, pottery, kiln fired glass, oil painting, acrylics, watercolours and more. She owns ‘Shirley’s Arts and Crafts’ in Princeton, where she operates a busy gift shop and teaching studio. Her belief is that anyone can learn to paint, or do any of her other crafts. Shirley’s goal some 40 years ago was to provide an alternative recreational activity from sports, and has been teaching a variety of arts to both the young and old ever since. Shirley will soon be teaching watercolours at the gallery. Please watch for postings in our window for her classes. Come to see Shirley’s works at the Oliver Art Gallery at 6046 Main Street during December, and do your holiday shopping there. See our special affordable prices for Christmas. Gift certificates are available for partial or full payment for future art classes; any art pieces from ceramics, paintings, prints or cards. Happy Holidays from Shirley and all the artists at the Oliver Art Gallery.
OKANAGAN SUN • DEC/JAN 2012/13 • 31
Volunteer Centre Makes It Easier To Get Connected In Your Communtiy
Although computer whiz John Hong is no longer with Desert Tech in Osoyoos, he has not completely retired. He says he still works out of his home, and is still available to help local residents with their computer woes. If you should need his services, phone him at 250-495-2728. The next South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce Business Promoting Business event will take place December 14 at Alberto’s Decorating Centre in Oliver from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. This year’s South Okanagan business excellence awards will be held January 18th at Walnut Beach Resort in Osoyoos. The ceremony kicks off with a wine reception at 5:30 pm, followed by the Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting. Dinner is at 7:00 pm, followed by the awards ceremony at 8:30 pm. $40 Per person or $350 for a table of 10. Please RSVP: manager@sochamber.ca Anyone can nominate a business or individual for a Chamber Business Excellence Award and selfnominations are accepted. A Chamber membership is not required. Nomination forms are available from the Chamber. You are invited to YLW’s Business After Hours event and to welcome the arrival of the inaugural United Airlines flight from Los Angeles. Hear what this new service means to the Okanagan economy from local businesses such as Disney Online Studio and the Vibrant Vine. The evening will be filled with great conversation, music and a few surprises. Bring your business cards for the chance to win tickets for two on United Airlines. Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 8:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. reception 9:00 p.m. program 10:00 p.m. flight arrival Kelowna International Airport � White Spot Lounge The Best Western PLUS Kelowna Hotel & Suites is offering a special rate of $109 plus taxes if you wish to spend the night. Breakfast is included. Call 1-800860-1212 for hotel reservations and refer to the “Kelowna Airport United” block.
32 www.oksun.ca
A new searchable database now makes it easier for volunteers to get connected across the region. The Volunteer Centre currently has more than 50 volunteer opportunities listed. The database can be accessed via the Volunteer Centre’s website at www. volunteercentre.info, and by clicking on “Volunteer Opportunities” Opportunities exist in Osoyoos, such as volunteering with the English as a Second Language Settlement Assistance Program, in Oliver, volunteering with the Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre and Community Centre, and in Penticton volunteering with the Hospice Society, Meals on Wheels, Medical Foundation, and Royal Canadian Legion, to name a few. To help prepare non profits and charities for the hundreds of volunteers they need, the Volunteer Centre held a “Best Practices for Engaging Volunteers” Learning Event on November 15th. The Learning Event, attended by representatives from 20 different non profits in the region, provided support for developing excellence in volunteer programs. The event covered topics from Planning, Policies and Recruitment, through to Evaluating a Volunteer Program’s effectiveness. “Volunteerism is the glue that holds our community together, and volunteers should expect to have a good experience when they volunteer. Non profits with welcoming environments, and who provide additional support for volunteers, are more successful in finding and keeping this valuable resource. Volunteers can expect to receive a clear understanding of what they are being asked to do, and they can expect to be appreciated and thanked” said Sharon Evans, President of the South Okanagan Similkameen Volunteer Society. Wendy Weisner, Director of the Volunteer Centre says “There isn’t a more exciting time to volunteer in our community, the need for volunteers is greater than ever and volunteers have the skills to meet the challenge. Today’s volunteers are diverse with a range of experience and interests. They are needed on the front lines, in leadership positions in developing programs and initiatives.” The Volunteer Centre welcomes all those interested to register at www.volunteercentre.info and click on “I Want to Volunteer”. If you would like more information on volunteering in our community please contact the South Okanagan Similkameen Volunteer Centre at 250-476-5661, toll free 1-888-576-5661 or visit our website at www.volunteercentre.info. Please feel free to email us at info@volunteercentre.info
New Family Business In Osoyoos… Blue Coral Photography There is a new young family in town, and they are bringing with them an expertise in photographing any special occasion or event that you may have. Blue Coral Photography’s Todd, Alison and one-year-old Dominic Armstrong made the move from Chilliwack to Osoyoos in October, and they are glad they did. “The main reason we moved to Osoyoos is the sunshine,” says Todd. “We loved the Fraser Valley, but we were getting a bit tired of shooting weddings in the rain.” He adds that they also moved here because of proximity to the U.S. border, which they need for their other online camera business. Blue Coral Photography specializes in weddings and engagement sessions. However, when they have time, they also do portraits, fashion and commercial shoots. The Armstrongs built up their portfolio mainly around Chilliwack, throughout the Fraser Valley, Vancouver and into the Okanagan. “We cannot wait to start shooting weddings in Osoyoos,” says Todd. “My wife and I have been driving around and picking out some stunning locations to bring couples.” He adds, “A few weeks ago we shot an engagement session in Osoyoos when all the orchards were vibrant red, yellow and orange.” The Armstrongs appreciate the friendly welcome they have received from the local community. They invite you to check out their website and contact information at www.bluecoralphotography.com or via e-mail directly at bluecoralphotography@gmail.com
OKANAGAN SUN • DEC/JAN 2012/13 • 33
Losing Weight Doesn’t Mean Losing Body Fat By Jorg Mardian A lot of people are in the business of losing weight and many of them are pretty good at it. However, they generally lose weight from lean muscle mass as well as fat, and that’s the biggest difference from someone doing it right by losing body fat only. Why? Because when you’re focused on losing weight, you only look at the numbers and not what the numbers represent. So initially it may seem like you’ve achieved more by losing more weight, but in the long run you’re actually on the yo-yo cycle. Straight up – losing weight is NOT equivalent to losing body fat. So if you’re one of those people who hits the treadmill for endless hours and think you’re losing fat, you couldn’t be more wrong. The treadmill has become synonymous with fat loss and sadly it’s what most people resort to when they begin their fitness regimen. To add fuel to the speculation that it’s effective, you will actually lose some weight for an initial period of time. However since you’re not building muscle, this phenomenon is temporary and you’ll hit the proverbial wall pretty fast. Conversely, when you incorporate strength training into your fitness regimen it’s not uncommon to see temporary (lean muscle) weight gain, which causes many females to abandon this regimen as useless. Then they hit the familiar treadmill again and the cycle continues. Now I know many females will say, “So what if I lose some lean muscle mass? I’m a female, I’m not supposed to have that much muscle, and at least I’m losing weight right?” That may be partially true, especially if you’re in the
obese category and you have a lot of weight to lose. But as you slim down, like most, this way of thinking becomes proportionally wrong. You can slim down, but you run the risk of becoming "skinny fat." The medical term for this is "MONW," or metabolically obese normal weight. It means you are under lean but over fat -- not enough muscle and too much fat (especially belly fat). A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows nearly 1 in 4 skinny people have pre-diabetes and are "metabolically obese." What's the cure for being overweight or skinny fat? Having lean muscle mass looks great, and it’s also been shown to greatly improve insulin sensitivity. Lack of insulin sensitivity not only causes you to gain weight and increase your body fat, but it also makes you susceptible to diseases such as Diabetes type 2, as well as other serious metabolic disorders. Combine this with a diet lacking in whole foods, too many carbohydrates and too few protein sources, not enough vegetables and healthy fats, inadequate rest and too much stress and it’s easy to see why the rate of diabetes and obesity has exploded in modern times. Preventing serious metabolic disorders is serious
business, which is why effectively losing body fat is a big part of achieving optimal health. Lean muscle gain is achieved by performing compound movements using challenging loads to stimulate your muscles. You don’t want to go too easy, say perhaps heavy enough that you can perform between 6 – 12 reps without compromising your form. You want your body to be under tension for at least 20 seconds to as long as 2 minutes to maximize muscle activation. You also need to perform the exercises with enough intensity to elicit fat burning hormones so you can build lean muscle and burn fat at the same time. Your body weight may actually not change much at all, but you will dramatically improve your physique. Rather than focus merely on what the scale says, (though it is part of the process), shift your focus on losing body fat and gaining lean muscle mass as an accurate measure of your health, fitness and physique. If you have trouble putting a routine together, see a competent Personal Trainer who will guide you on the fastest route to your goals.
you out?
Let us manage your stress and your weight!
34 www.oksun.ca
250-495-7237 Hwy 97 Osoyoos Across from Buy Low
maintain
unwind
feel great
achieve
Sweat
Stressing
manage
Happy Holidays...
Stop Inflammation... & stimulate tissue repair with these 6 foundational nutrients Inflammation is a protective attempt by the body to initiate the healing process. Without inflammation, wounds and infections would never heal. However, chronic inflammation can lead to a host of conditions, and is the reason inflammation is so closely regulated by the body. Inflammation can be classified as either acute or chronic. Acute inflammation is the initial response of the body to harmful stimuli, and creates a cascade of biochemical events that propagates and matures the inflammatory response. Prolonged inflammation, known as chronic inflammation, leads to a progressive shift in the type of cells present at the site of inflammation and is characterized by simultaneous destruction and healing of the tissue from the inflammatory process. Carefully selected formulations can provide the body with exactly what it needs to halt inflammation & stimulate tissue repair by providing your cells with nutrients needed to reinforce elasticity and strengthen connective tissue such as ligaments, cartilage, tendons, synovial, bone, fascia, dermis of the skin and blood vessel walls. The synergistic effect of these 6 nutrients improves the integrity of the protective epithelial mucosal lining found in the respiratory, genitourinary and digestive tract and help to maintain youthful elasticity and cell fluidity. As a result, the inflammatory process is greatly reduced or diminished. Bioflavanoids: Powerful inflammatory inhibitors! Extracts from grape seed, grape skin and green tea extracts embed in the cell membrane and inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory enzymes. These compounds reinforce the matrix structure of the cell maintain the connective tissue of the skin and improve the overall ability of the cells receptivity to hormones such as thyroxin, insulin, and IGF that are necessary for growth and healing. MSM: is known to block the formation of and eliminate lactic acid and other toxins. Studies show the correlation of elevated lactic acid levels and depressed immunity and disease. Toxins of any kind, whether internally generated or externally introduced, create cell damage resulting in inflammation. Glucosamine Hydrochloride: It is a building block for connective tissue, increases fluid content of joint lubricating fluids and decreases joint stiffness and pain induced friction. The efficacy of Glucosamine Hydrochloride far exceeds that of Glucosamine Sulfate. Hyluronic Acid(HA) soothes irritated nerve endings, increases circulation, nourishes articular cartilage and is essential to synovial fluid by providing inflammation-modulating properties & additional lubrication
5.TMG (trimethylglycine hydrochloride), also known as anhydrous betaine, is best found in plants and is used in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine, therefore important for a healthy cardiovascular system. Research on TMG supports its ability to protect the liver and raise Sadenosylmethionine (SAM-e) levels. Antioxidants: from berries, such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and cranberries provide the widest possible array of beneficial powerful antioxidants that protect our cell from reactions with free radicals
A powerful synergistic formula.
Recovery:
Beyond Pain Relief
• Overcome pain, swelling and spasm • Heal as you did in your youth • Breathe with ease • Increase circulation • Relieve inflamed skin • Protect your body from injury • Feel more youthful
Have a Healthy Holiday Season! from all of us at
Bonnie Doon Health Supplies 8515-A Main St, Osoyoos
(250) 495-6313
OKANAGAN SUN • DEC/JAN 2012/13 • 35
ey
JU C DY W O ith R ’ Ju N S dy E H R ar v
Last month we promised to share Anna Olson’s sweets with you. Here we go.............. Salted Orange Toffee Slices – Makes about four dozen cookies. Anna says that they have become their household favourite – sophisticated and elegant but ultimately a comfort food cookie. ¾ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature ½ cup granulated sugar ½ cup packed dark brown sugar 2 tsp. finely grated orange zest 1 egg, room temperature 2 cups all-purpose flour ½ tsp. baking soda 1½ cups crunchy toffee bits (such as Skor bits) Fine sea salt for sprinkling • Beat the butter, sugar, brown sugar and orange zest together until smooth. Add the egg and beat until combined. • Sift in the flour and baking soda and stir until blended, then stir in the toffee bits. • Shape the dough into two logs about nine inches long and two inches across, and wrap each in plastic wrap. Once wrapped, gently flatten the dough on all four sides to create a square shape. Chill the dough for at least two hours before baking. Note: Raw cookie dough maintains its quality and texture for six months when frozen. Cookies with a great deal of sugar freeze poorly. Frozen cookie dough takes a lot less room in your freezer than baked cookies. Label and date the dough. Write baking instructions on labels so you don’t have to look the recipe up again once the dough is thawed. • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line three baking sheets with parchment paper. • Slice the logs into cookies that are ¼” wide and place onto prepared trays, leaving two inches between each cookie as they spread when baking. Sprinkle the top of each cookie with a bit of sea salt. • Bake the cookies for about 13 minutes until they have browned just lightly on the bottom. Cool on the tray and then store them in an airtight container. Cookies will keep for up to a week. Note: I make these cookies without the sea salt as a drop cookie. Add ¼ tsp. salt to the dough Leave the dough in the fridge overnight. Drop from spoon and bake on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper at 325 degrees F for 13 minutes. Cool on rack before storing.
36 www.oksun.ca
Maple Pecan Squares - Makes one eight inch square pan and cuts into 25 or 36 squares. These squares are very much like butter tart squares, but the addition of chocolate makes them easy to slice and store. Base: 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour ½ cup sifted icing sugar ¼ tsp. salt ½ cup cool unsalted butter Filling: ½ cup packed dark brown sugar 1 tbsp. cornstarch ½ tsp. baking powder ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon 2 eggs ½ cup pure maple syrup ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. white vinegar or lemon juice 2 cups pecan halves, toasted 1 cup chocolate chips Method: • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and line an eight inch square pan with parchment paper so that the paper comes up the sides. • Prepare base by stirring flour, icing sugar and salt together. Cut in the butter till the mixture is an even, crumbly texture (this can be done by hand, with beaters or in a food processor). Press the mixture into the prepared pan. • Bake for 15 minutes, just until the edges start to turn golden. Cool crust while preparing filling • Stir the brown sugar with the cornstarch, baking powder and cinnamon in a large bowl. Whisk in the eggs, maple syrup, butter and vanilla and vinegar or lemon juice. Stir in the pecan halves and chocolate chips and pour this over the cooled crust. • Bake for about 25 minutes, until the outside edges of the filling are bubbling and the centre only has a little jiggle to it when the pan is moved. Cool the square to room temperature, and then chill completely before slicing. • The squares can be stored refrigerated for up to five days. Anna’s cookbook “Back to Baking” reads like a tutorial on the science of baking. She is constantly throwing out suggestions on the theory of baking that you probably didn’t learn at your Mother’s apron. Ingredients are expensive these days so why not learn to do it right. This book is readily available at Osoyoos Home Hardware. It would make a wonderful Christmas gift for those near and dear to you.
PUZZLE PAGE
Each Sudoku has a solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit, as must every column, and every 3X3 square.
WORDSEARCH FURNITURE
Baby bed Bookcase Buffet Bureau Cabinet Chair Chest Closet
Drawers Dresser Etagere Hall stand Lamp Seat Sideboard Table OKANAGAN SUN • DEC/JAN 2012/13 • 37
Garden Talk With Lloyd Park Plant Your Garden 2013 How to plant your garden:
S A L E
First, you come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses. For the garden of your daily living... Plant three rows of peas: 1. Peas of mind 2. Peas of heart 3. Peas of soul Plant four rows of squash: 1. Squash gossip 2. Squash indifference 3. Squash grumbling 4. Squash selfishness Plant four rows of lettuce: 1. Lettuce be faithful 2. Lettuce be kind 3. Lettuce be patient 4. Lettuce really love one another
No garden is complete without turnips: 1. Turnip for meetings 2. Turnip for service 3. Turnip to help one another To conclude our garden we must have thyme: 1. Thyme for each other 2. Thyme for family 3. Thyme for friends Water freely with patience and cultivate with love. There is much fruit in your garden because you reap what you sow.
S Lloyd and Veral Park at the A Home of Every BloomingThing L E
Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you in 2013!
xxxx
38 www.oksun.ca
Known around the Okanagan for fresh food & excellent service! Set under the dramatic landscape of McIntyre Bluff (Indian Head), the historic Ye Olde Welcome Inn has been a long-time favorite place for people to relax and dine by the real wood burning fireplace. Enjoy a barbeque on the patio or play a game of pool or darts. Our extensive menu features most meals for under $10 or up to $19.95 for a New York Steak and Lobster. You can depend on Dale or any of the eight year-round staff to give you “old school service� every day of the year, with a chef on duty until 11:00PM seven days a week. Come savour fresh, homemade food served by well trained staff in our warm, friendly and comfortable establishment! Eat in or take out.
39008 Hwy 97 Oliver at Gallagher Lake
250-498-8840
PENTICTON TOYOTA Get Ready for Winter! $ 24,864
$ 15,800
$ 36,856
$ 39,984
2006 FORD F-350 KING RANCH 6.0L turbo diesel, leather heated seats, tow package, alloy wheels, canopy, steering wheel audio.
2007 MAZDA B4000 4X4, 5 speed manual, air conditioning, cd player, alloy wheels, ext cab.
2012 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Leather, 7 passenger, climate control, alloy wheels, 4wd, back up camera, heated seats, amazing vehicle!
2011 TOYOTA TUNDRA LTD Double cab, 5.7L v8 engine, navigation, heated seats, tow package, toneau cover, back up camera, power seat.
$ 16,744
$ 16,900
$ 9,999
$ 22,458
2006 HONDA PILOT EXL Full load, leather, tow package, 3.5L v6 engine, 4wd system, automatic transmission.
2002 TOYOTA TACOMA TRD Double cab, auto, 4wd on demand, power windows & locks, canopy, 3.4L v6, alloys wheel, bfg all terrain tires.
$ 23,858
$ 23,851 2006 TOYOTA TACOMA access cab trd One owner, low kms, tow package, cd player, keyless entry, air conditioning, rear diff locker.
2008 TOYOTA TACOMA Power group, alloy wheels, 4x4, bush bar, block heater, double cab, air conditioning.
2009 TOYOTA TACOMA TRD Leather, doublecab, billstein shocks, tow package, heated seats, fog lamps, 17” alloy wheels, bed power outlet.
2007 BMW X3 Pure luxury! All wheel drive, automatic, fully loaded, leather heated seats, power moonroof and much more!
$ 29,764
$ 33,778 2010 TOYOTA TUNDRA SR5 Double cab, 4.6L v8 engine, leather interior, heated seats, tow package, toneau cover, alloy wheels.
$ 30,980
$ 35,851 2012 TOYOTA TACOMA TRD Double cab, 3” rev tek lift kit, rock star alloy wheels, skid plate package, running bars, back up camera.
1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 5 speed Manual transmission, 4x4 on demand, power windows & locks, rugged all terrain tires, alloy wheels, tow hitch ready.
2010 TOYOTA TACOMA SR5 Back up camera, running bars, alloy wheels, touch screen stereo system with usb input, honey comb grill.
$ 23,858 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
4X4, crew cab, automatic, running bars, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and locks.
$29,999 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 2Wd, 6.7L cummins turbo diesel, exhaust brake, tow package, running boards, automatic.
Larry Pidperyhora Jr.
FINANCIAL SERVICES MANAGER
2405 SKAHA LAKE ROAD
PHONE: 250-493-1107 TOLL FREE: 1-888-493-1107
DL. #6994 40 www.oksun.ca
www.pentictontoyota.com
PRODUCT ADVISOR / FINANCIAL SERVICES
Rod Harries