Review
THE www.keremeosreview.com PM Agreement #40012521
Vol.15 Number 27-
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Serving the communities of Keremeos, Cawston, Okanagan Falls and Kaleden
$1.15 including GST
GRIST MILL TO HOST MUSIC AT THE MILL
Series of musicians coming to the mill this summer See page 9
CITIZENS HELP POLICE CATCH THIEF Photo by Steve Arstad
Jeff Lakey, accompanied at times by Portage residents, performed during Canada Day ceremonies in Memorial Park on Monday.
Heat wave results in more sedate Canada Day activities this year Car thief busted in Kaleden connected to other crimes See page 3
OFFICIAL OPENING FOR RESURFACED TRAIL
Local politicians on hand to cut ribbon on OK Falls - Kaleden portion of KVR trail See page 11
By Steve Arstad news@keremeosreview.com It was a casual affair at Memorial Park for this year’s Canada Day celebrations in Keremeos. Searing hot temperatures may have played a role in the smaller than normal crowd that turned out to the park Monday morning. There was no pancake breakfast this year, either, which may have also factored into the turnout, but nonetheless there were still 40 or so residents in the park to witness Canada Day remarks from Keremeos Mayor Manfred Bauer, and Area “B” Director George Bush. Master of Ceremonies Anna Bartlett invited kite flying expert Gurjit Gill to say a
few words as well. Immediately following the official ceremonies, a red oak tree was planted in the park, courtesy of former Keremeos Mayor Francis Peck. Residents cycling through the park throughout the morning and early afternoon were interested in more sedentary activities, it appeared, content to sit under the shade of the gazebo. A number of youth from the Portage facility braved the heat to play lawn games such as Bocci, rather than a Tug of War, which had been scheduled but never took place due to lack of entries. “It was slow until the cake was cut,” said Anna Bartlett, who headed up this year’s celebrations for Similkameen Country, who sponsored the event.
Bartlett wondered if the Canada Day events might be more successful by compressing them into a shorter day. “There are so many activities all over the region,” she said, adding that the park had periods of time where it was quite busy. “It filled up around noon, but it was slow for the children’s events,” she said. “I think people really enjoyed the music.” The Corner Turtles started the day with music in the park, followed by Jeff Lakey, who was accompanied by several Portage residents throughout the morning and early afternoon. Recording artist Rob Robertson also performed. Free swimming at the pool proved particularly popular on this year’s scorching holiday Monday.