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December 5, 2012
Inside Faculty of Okanagan College make a donation to Little Women for Little Women of Afghanistan, founded by Lake Country school girl. ...............................
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A prayer offered up to a loved one does not have to be vetted by a clergy member to be heard up high. ...............................
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School trustees delay decision. Grade 7s will stay in elementary for now, despite increasing student numbers. ...............................
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Flyers ■ Home Depot ■ JYSK ■ K.M.S. Tools ■ Little Caesars ■ Rona
of the OKANAGAN
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Cram the Cruiser KEVIN PARNELL The Lake Country RCMP detachment has jumped into the spirit of giving with one constable organizing the first of what he hopes to be an annual event to support the Lake Country Food Bank. RCMP members will be out in force at the Cooper’s Foods in Lake Country this Saturday, Dec. 8, for the inaugural Cram the Cruiser event for the food bank. Police vehicles, members and RCMP and mascots will be on hand to meet the public and ask for donations to the food bank with the Christmas season fast approaching. “I wanted to do something for Lake Country and I thought a fund-
raising event for the food bank would be great,” said Lake Country RCMP Cosnt. Jesse O’Donaghey, the organizing force behind the event. “It’s the time of the year when the food bank has its greatest need. They serve 600 people and that number is growing everyday. “There is a huge need and anything we can do to help we are happy to.” O’Donaghey just started at the Lake Country detachment this summer, but while a member in Chilliwack, the RCMP detachment there hosted similar events. So when he was transferred to Lake Country, the officer thought it was a good chance to start what will become an annual event.
DOUG FARROW/CONTRIBUTED
LAKE COUNTRY RCMP officer Jesse O’Donaghey and Cooper’s Foods store manager Todd Ryder prepare
for the inaugural Cram the Cruiser event coming up this weekend at the Lake Country Cooper’s store. “We’re definitely going to make this an annual thing,” he said. “We have banners made up and there is going to be more to come. Everybody in our office is really eager to contribute to the event. They are coming up with ideas and ways to contribute so it’s been really good.” On Saturday, O’Donaghey and avail-
able Lake Country detachment members will be set up at Cooper’s Foods, meeting and greeting folks as they enter the shopping centre and accepting donations of cash, non-perishable food times as well as things like toiletries that are also in need at this time of the year. There will be many prizes to be given away
to people who make donations as well. “Everybody that gives a donation will get a chance to enter into a draw for prizes which have been donated from local sponsors,” said O’Donaghey. “It’s going to be a big event. We want everyone to know why we are there and we’re trying to make it a fun event.”
Along with the regular donations of non-perishable food items and money, the food bank is also looking for things like shaving cream, toilet paper, shampoo, diapers and other toiletries that people are in need of. The event is happening from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. this Saturday at Cooper’s Foods in Lake Country.
Lake Country, Tourism Kelowna to attract tourists together The District of Lake Country has made a new partnership that recognizes Tourism Kelowna as the official community destination marketing organization for Lake Country. “Tourism Kelowna has been working with Lake Country attractions for many years,” said Ryan Roycroft, Lake Country's economic development manager. "The District of Lake Country believes that a formal partnership will further enhance the marketing effectiveness for these and other Lake
Country businesses in a highly cost-effective manner,” Roycroft said. Lake Country and Tourism Kelowna have agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding that will allow the district to leverage the $2.5-million annual budget that Tourism Kelowna works with. This will dramatically expand Lake Country’s external marketing reach in the area of tourism, in addition to work done with local partners for local marketing, according to the district. Tourism Kelowna
president Nancy Cameron says the agreement is a natural fit. “The District of Lake Country will have representation on the Tourism Kelowna Society board of directors,” said Cameron, president and CEO for Tourism Kelowna. “Attractions and services located in our neighbouring communities are marketed within the Kelowna brand to leverage its high level of brand awareness and the resulting drawing power. “Those visitors attracted to Kelowna will
travel throughout the area, regardless of municipal boundaries, and through their exploration will discover neighbouring communities such as Lake Country and more fully understand the identity and sense of place of these unique communities.” The operation of the Lake Country Visitor Centre is not included in the scope of services defined in the MOU with Tourism Kelowna. District of Lake Country staff and council continue to work on visitor centre options and are
looking for a solution that will provide a high value per dollar spent on visitor services. “Considering the extensive cuts and staff workload impacts from the implementation of a business systems review earlier this year, efforts are being made to ensure that every proposition is a value proposition,” said Roycroft. Meetings are scheduled during December to work on an economic development strategy to explore and pursue opportunities for growth. The District of Lake
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Country remains committed to working together with Lake Country Chamber of Commerce, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and Tourism Kelowna to find sources of funding and ensure that valuable visitor services are available in the community so people are aware of the many tourist and recreational opportunities in Lake Country. The goal continues to be an increase in marketing exposure and visitation to Lake Country businesses.