EARLY MORNING FIRE Residence in Cawston destroyed See page 3
HAMPER FUND DONATION
RECYCLED RELIC Sykes Crescent resident makes steam engine from scraps See page 11
Local business gives generously See page 5
Review E H
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www.keremeosreview.com PM Agreement #40012521
Vol.15 Number 50
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Serving the communities of Keremeos, Cawston, Okanagan Falls and Kaleden
$1.15 including HST
Ashton returned as regional district board chair By Steve Arstad news@keremeosreview.com
Photo by Steve Arstad
Similkameen realtor Tuesday McDonald found some Christmas treasures Friday evening at Keremeos’ annual Christmas Craft Sale in Victory Hall. Jenny Smith (left) was one of several vendors displaying tables of unique hand made Christmas items for sale.
Keremeos welcomes the Christmas season By Steve Arstad news@keremeosreview.com
Keremeos residents showed their true community spirit Friday evening with another highly successful launching of the Christmas season through the village’s annual light up parade. In spite of the almost instantaneous onslaught of winter weather earlier in the day, hundreds lined the streets as usual to watch the parade, which has apparently become a tradition in the community. Many were disppointed that the village’s street decorations
were not placed in time for this year’s event, something many cannot recall ever happening. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves nonetheless, in spite of that shortcoming. Throngs of residents also paid a visit to Victory Hall afterwards, to view and purchase a vast array of Christmas handicrafts, baking, homemade preserves and gift ideas. Tickets were selling briskly for a number of raffle baskets and free hot dogs, candy floss, popcorn and hot chocolate sprouted a number of line ups throughout the building. For the younger kids, a visit with Santa Claus rounded out the evening’s festive spirits.
It was anticipated to be a competitive contest for the chair’s position at the inaugural meeting of the regional district board of directors on December 6, but in the end it was an amicable challenge with predictable results. Oliver Director Ron Hovanes represented the only challenger against Penticton Director Dan Ashton for the chair’s position. There had been some speculation that the board would vote for a new chair, as Ashton’s future with the regional district is presently uncertain. Ashton told the board he would only miss a couple of meetings while campaigning for the Penticton MLA postion in next spring’s provincial election. In his speech, Ashton persuaded the other members of the board to vote for him by reminding them that the present board was successful because the directors worked together, adding that his regional perspective has made a difference. Oliver Director Hovanes made a spirited speech as well, but directors ultimately opted to allow Ashton to remain in the chair’s position, if only for a few more months. The vice chair’s position was also contested, as Electoral Area “E” (Naramata) Director Karla Kozakevich threw her hat into the ring against incumbent vice chair Mark Pendergraft (Electoral Area “A”). Pendergraft prevailed, winning the vice chair’s position for another year. Summerland Director Janice Perrino was also re-elected to her position as chair of the Okanagan - Similkameen Regional District Hospital Board, with Penticton Director Gary Litke also retaining the OSRHD vice chair position.
GIVE A HOLIDAY GIFT THAT DOESN’T END WHEN THE BATTERIES RUN OUT. Why not start a new holiday tradition? Make this the time of year that you save for a child’s post-secondary education. Edward Jones will work with you to develop a strategy to plan for university or college savings. One option is a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), where your gift now can have tax benefits in the future. To make your education savings gift in time for the holidays, call or visit your local Edward Jones advisor today.
Member Canadian Investor Protection Fund
Matthew Tolley
Financial Advisor www.edwardjones.com #3 9150 Main St., Osoyoos 250-495-7255 TF: 877-742-4007 matthew.tolley@edwardjones.com