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Mila (5) and Max (4) Keller had a special guest at their table when Smitty’s Family Restaurant in Osoyoos held its annual Toys for Tots & Teens event during Osoyoos Christmas Lite-Up. (Richard McGuire photo)
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IN THIS ISSUE 6
Tinhorn Creek’s CEO a powerful woman
8
Nk’Mip Cellars wins top wine award
10
Syrian refugee family plans to move on
12
Area 27 drivers antsy to satiate need for speed
14
Festival of Trees becomes a regional event
16
Restorative justice a ‘powerful’ program
20
Community Kitchen about sharing food, skills
23
Around Town events calendar
ON THE COVER DECEMBER 2016 www.oksun.ca
FREE
Festival of Trees
becomes a regional event
Trees decorate the lobby of Spirit Ridge at Nk’Mip Resort for Festival of Trees. Now, however, the event has spread to four new venues throughout the region. It runs until Jan. 4. (Richard McGuire photo) Page 14.
Syrian refugee family plans to leave Osoyoos in new year
Page 10
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CONTRIBUT0RS KELSI BISSONNETTE is a Certified Fitness Trainer and Instructor. She has been working in the fitness industry for 20+ years and has owned her own fitness studio.
We welcome feedback from our readers. Send comments to editor@oksun.ca or mail to Box 359, Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V0, Telephone 250-4957225. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in whole or part by any means without the written permission of the publisher. While 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. © 2016 Aberdeen Publishing. We reserve the right to refuse any submission or advertisement. ISSN 2291-2991.
OKANAGAN SUN • DECEMBER 2016 • 3
Moon Moment Light-Up the sky – The Oliver Christmas Light-Up committee did it again with an impressive fireworks show in the community park to celebrate the lead-up to Christmas. (Dan Walton photo)
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It is CHRISTMAS …and I ‘d like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to all of my clients this past year. It was a pleasure working with each and every one of you and I thank you for your continued support. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with health, happiness and prosperity.
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Sandra Oldfield, chief executive officer of Tinhorn Creek Vineyards. (Contributed photo)
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Tinhorn Creek’s Sandra Oldfield one of Canada’s most powerful women Recognized as Women’s Executive Network trailblazer, trendsetter By Lyonel Doherty Sandra Oldfield from Oliver doesn’t feel any different today despite being recognized as one of Canada’s most powerful women. Oh well, see how she feels tomorrow. The Chief Executive Officer of Tinhorn Creek Vineyards has just been named as a top 100 award winner in the Sun Life Financial Trailblazers & Trendsetters category of the Women’s Executive Network’s (WXN) 2016 Canada’s Most Powerful Women. The award highlights the incredible accomplishments of professional women across Canada. Founded in 1997, WXN is Canada’s leading organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of women in management, executive, professional and board roles. “I’m honoured to be recognized as a trailblazer and have the opportunity, as a female CEO in the wine industry, to act as a role model for younger generations and my peers,” said Oldfield. “At Tinhorn Creek we strive to be at the forefront of the industry; pushing boundaries and setting trends to promote Canadian wine.” The award recognizes Oldfield’s trailblazing in the wine industry, having been one of the few B.C. female winemakers when Tinhorn Creek Vineyards opened its cellars more than 20 years ago. Oldfield spearheaded the establishment of B.C.’s first winegrowing sub-appellation, the Golden Mile Bench, and has kept Tinhorn at the forefront of the industry by making it the first winery in Canada to move its entire production to screw-top closures rather than corks in 2003. She also started the province’s first wine club, shipping wine direct to consumers. In 2009, Oldfield tackled sustainability when Tinhorn Creek became Canada’s only carbon neutral winery. And just recently Tinhorn was recognized as one of Canada’s safest employers for outstanding accomplishments in promoting the health and safety of workers. Oldfield’s advocacy work promoting Canadian wines has garnered the attention of national press through her political acts highlighting problems with access to wine. For example, she proved it is easier in Canada to order and ship a 12-gauge shotgun online than a case of Canadian wine. Asked what her daughter Melody thinks of her big award, Oldfield said she seems more concerned about
missing her piano lessons. The winemaker said it is her hope to put the spotlight on B.C. wines and Canadian wines, and if this award does that, so be it. When asked about challenges, she said the wine industry has not presented her with too many hurdles. “Any struggles I have had in the industry are due to archaic laws and bureaucratic change,” she said. Of course, the weather is another struggle, but she can’t change what Mother Nature does. Any advice to other women wanting to make a difference? “Approach every stage in your life like it’s something that you can learn from and grow. Ensure to save time for balance in your life and keep persevering.” Oldfield encourages women to obtain more skills in how to deal with people because that’s what is really needed to run a business.
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Assistant winemaker Justin Hall (left) and head winemaker Randy Picton. (Contributed photo)
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Nk’Mip Cellars wins top wine award By Keith Lacey Nk’Mip Cellars has consistently been praised for many years – and captured major awards in the process – but they’ve reached the pinnacle in the Canadian wine industry with a recent announcement that they have been named Canadian Winery of the Year in the 2016-17 InterVin International Wine Awards. Nk’Mip Cellars also finished second in the Winery of the Year against international competition from traditional wine markets in France, Italy and Australia. “It’s certainly a huge achievement and we’re very very happy with it,” said head winemaker Randy Picton, who has been the only head winemaker at Nk’Mip Cellars since the day it opened back in 2002. This award comes three years after Nk’Mip Cellars was named the Best Winery in B.C. and second-best winery in Canada in the same awards sponsored by InterVin. InterVin Head Judge Christopher Waters was impressed with Nk’Mip Cellars’ consistently high standards and superb new releases. Having secured a place in the InterVin International Wine Awards Top 10 Winery of the Year line up for the last five consecutive years, North America’s First Aboriginal Owned and Operated Winery consistently gains domestic and international attention and acclaim for its high quality wine, said Waters. Picton said he and his small team at the Osoyoos winery found out about being named Winery of the Year back in early September, but were asked to keep it a secret until recently. “We found out … ironically on the first day of harvest on Sept. 1,” he said. “That was a pretty good way to kick off the annual harvest.” You don’t make world-class wine without great employees, said Picton. “This was once again a great team effort from the people who work here at the winery to our people in the vineyards who do such an amazing job growing and harvesting the grapes,” he said. “They give us the amazing grapes and we do our best to turn that into something special up here at the winery.” Long-time assistant winemaker Justin Hall and cellar supervisor Aaron Crey deserve as much credit as he does for this prestigious national award, said Picton. Being the only First Nations-owned winery in Canada has always been a source of tremendous pride for all of the employees at Nk’Mip Cellars and Chief Clarence Louie and numerous band members with the Osoyoos Indian Band were quick to congratulate him and his team on a job well done, said Picton. The fact that 14 of 16 entries into the InterVin international awards garnered medals is perhaps his greatest source of pride, said Picton. “The consistency across our entire portfolio of wines
is very strong,” he said. “Winning major awards like this is always a great honour, but you’re never quite satisfied as a winemaker as you want every vintage to be excellent … that’s what we continue to strive for here at this winery.” Picton, who has been a winemaker since 1995, said he isn’t planning retirement any time soon, but will be handing the reigns over to Hall in the not-too-distant future. “From the very beginning, the plan was to have a First Nations leader running this First Nations winery and there will be one day when I’ll have to step back and let Justin take over and do his thing,” he said. Three of Nk’Mip’s new premium table wine releases gained recognition for excellence at this year’s competition with the 2014 Qwam Qwmt Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2014 Qwam Qwmt Merlot and the 2015 Qwam Qwmt Riesling Icewine all winning gold medals. In addition the winery also picked up six silver and five bronze medals for its various other wines. The InterVin International Wine Awards consisted of a three-day intense blind tasting, where the InterVin judges were faced with a collection of more than 1,300 wines from 16 countries, which resulted in awarding 48 gold, 222 silver and 555 bronze medals. “I’m extremely pleased with the results,” he said. “It’s fantastic to see Nk’Mip recognized as Canadian Winery of the Year, and to be ranked so highly overall is a great achievement for both the winery, and its wines. I feel very fortunate to be part of such a talented and innovative team. ” Having been with the winery since its inception in 2002, Picton never underestimates the importance of the attention to detail that goes into growing the best grapes and producing excellent wine. This philosophy of quality and care continues inside the winery, ensuring the expression of the vineyard is deliciously represented in every bottle produced, he said. The winery’s mandate is to produce wines made from grapes grown on indigenous native soils and the vineyards produces some of the most prized grapes in the Okanagan Valley. Nk’Mip Cellars produces its Winemaker’s Series that includes its Qwam Qwmt and Mer’r’iym tiers. The awardwinning portfolio includes favourites such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Talon, Dreamcatcher, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling Icewine. Nk’Mip Cellars story begins with the people of the Osoyoos Indian Band; strong, independent, and proud, with a rich history as the stewards of the desert landscape. The Osoyoos Indian Band owns the winery in partnership with Constellation Brands Canada. Picton said he’s proud to be part of the team at Nk’Mip Cellars that has created jobs, contributed to the diversification of the OIB’s development projects and has been instrumental in promoting tourism in the Osoyoos area. OKANAGAN SUN • DECEMBER 2016 • 9
Mohamad Rabee Tabanjat has recently obtained his driver’s license, giving his family more independence. With him are his daughter Fatima and son Samer. Not shown is his wife Aya Khantoumani. The family plans to move to Surrey in the new year for better job opportunties. (Richard McGuire photo)
Syrian refugee family planning to leave Osoyoos in new year By Richard McGuire The Syrian refugee family, who came to Osoyoos in January with community sponsorship, will be saying goodbye early in the new year. Mohamad Rabee Tabanjat has confirmed that his family hopes to move to Surrey, where there is a larger Syrian immigrant community and where there is a better chance of him finding work in his trade as a stone carver. The Tabanjat Karbouj family arrived in Penticton 11 months ago on Jan. 15 speaking almost no English. Since then, Mohamad and his wife Aya Khantoumani have been working intensively with teachers and tutors to become proficient in the language. And their two children, daughter Fatima and son Samer, have been attending Osoyoos Elementary School where they’ve picked up English while playing 10 www.oksun.ca
with other students. Last Friday, Mohamad spoke English without any interpretation during a 20-minute, one-to-one interview with the Osoyoos Times. He recently obtained his driver’s license after his second road test and managed to drive to Surrey with his family to look into opportunities. A couple times when he got lost, he was able to ask for directions and understand the answer. For former Osoyoos town councillor Michael Ryan and his wife Vera, who spearheaded the community-based effort to bring the family to Osoyoos and help them adapt, the news is bittersweet. It’s not unlike the feeling parents have when after raising children, they set off to be independent. Initially they worried about whether Surrey is the right place to go, whether winter was the right time to move
The Tabanjat Karbouj family arrived in Penticton on Jan. 15, 2016. (Richard McGuire photo) and what opportunities, housing and support services the family would find. “You have mixed feelings,” admitted Vera. “You know it’s important for them to stand on their own two feet, but you don’t want them to run into problems. So, it is like a child leaving the nest.” Michael admitted his initial response was emotional as he worried about practicalities the family would face relocating and whether it would be better for the children to finish their school year here. “We very quickly came around,” he said, adding that he discussed the move with a representative of their Catholic diocese who looks after the blended visa program. “They said, you know this is a really big success story,” Michael recounts. “You’ve got them to the point where they feel they can go out on their own. We thought about that and said, you know he’s right.” Mohamad brought in some income over the past year doing odd jobs and then found part-time work cleaning dishes at the Diamond Steakhouse on Main Street in Osoyoos. But he yearns for a steady income using his skills with stonework – something he’s been unable to find in the South Okanagan. On his trip to Surrey, he found an opportunity, but because the work shuts down in the winter months, they decided to delay the family’s move until spring. But more than that, the family has found it difficult not to have others around from a similar background, despite forming friendships with newly arrived Syrian families in Oliver and Cawston. Being devout Muslims has also been a challenge in Osoyoos where the nearest mosque is two hours away in
Kelowna and finding Halal foods has usually meant a trip to Penticton. Mohamad says he prays at home every day and has only been to the mosque in Kelowna once. He also wants his children to be able to study in Arabic, learn their religion and be both Canadian and Syrian. “I worry for my children maybe they forget reading and writing Arabic,” he said. “I’m not worried for English because my children learn English so fast.” While he marvels at the plethora of restaurants offering foods of different nationalities in Canada, he said his family sticks with Arabic foods. Vera and Michael admit that they didn’t fully understand the Muslim dietary restrictions when the family arrived. It’s not as simple as just avoiding pork. Halal meats must be sourced, killed and processed according to strict criteria. Nor is eating of foods that might contain certain ingredients such as lard or gelatine permissible. “There were some awkward incidents at first,” said Vera, adding that the language barrier made it hard for the family to ask what certain foods contained. “Aya would wonder what’s in it and at first she couldn’t ask, so she was afraid to have anything. It took us a while to figure all this out.” The family hopes to be joined soon, perhaps in a couple months, by Mohamad’s mother and sister, who were recently interviewed by Canadian immigration officials in Lebanon. But a bigger worry is Aya’s brother’s family, currently trapped in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo which is being continually bombed by the Syrian government and their Russian allies. “It’s very, very bad,” said Mohamad, explaining that sometimes they’ve been able to communicate with the family by cellphone and internet, but other times all communication is broken and the family doesn’t even have water. It was from Aleppo that the Tabanjat Karbouj family themselves fled, fearing sniper fire, after the city became engulfed in the civil war in the summer of 2012. Mohamad said they constantly worry about Aya’s brother and his wife, boy and girl. Despite the challenges of their first 10 months in Osoyoos, it is thanks to the generosity of people in this community that the family has achieved independence. Vera points to the dedicated teachers and tutors who have helped the family not only to learn a new language, but also a new writing system. Mohamad’s driving lessons and the donation of a car also were the result of local generosity. Other volunteers helped them find employment, or regularly took them shopping or on other errands before Mohamad could drive. Mohamad said the family has made Canadian friends in their time here. And the children’s teachers have done much to help them communicate and fit in. “Thank you so much for Osoyoos people,” he said. OKANAGAN SUN • DECEMBER 2016 • 11
Members are testing out Area 27’s new 4.83-kilometre track in Oliver, where drivers are getting their thrills doing laps. Racer Ryley Seibert says the track is “tricky and very technical.” (Dan Walton photos)
Drivers antsy to satiate need for speed at Area 27 By Dan Walton With the bulk of construction of Area 27 complete, adrenaline-seekers have finally begun pushing the limits of their high performance vehicles in Oliver. 12 www.oksun.ca
After turning his vision into reality, “It felt pretty good,” Area 27 president Bill Drossos said about being able to cruise along his new 4.83 kilometre racetrack, which became suitable for use on Sept. 13. “It’s not every day that these things happen. You work
for a long time and something finally comes together,” he said. His idea to build a track in Oliver began to build momentum in 2012, but the notion has been in Drossos’ mind since childhood. “I originally thought it was a possibility to have a track in the Okanagan when I was as young as 11-12,” he said. During a trip to Mount Baldy in 2012, Drossos learned about a suitable patch of land in Oliver – that’s when his idea gained serious traction. “I started to think about it then; how it would work, how to make a track in this day and age.” Drossos connected with Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie and was given a tour of the location that eventually became Area 27. From there, he began searching for partners who would be willing to back the idea. His business plan is similar to the model used by country clubs, which requires members to pay a significant initiation fee as well as annual dues. Memberships cost $35,000 and Drossos said there is a limit of 300 and about 200 have been sold already. Before ripping around the track, members have to book a time – the same way they would book a tee time at a golf course. And if they ever lose their sense of adventure, drivers are allowed to sell their memberships after five years. The track allows automobiles to travel up to 280 kilometres per hour, Drossos said, while high performance motorcycles can use the track to travel as fast as 300 kilometres per hour. Despite having his own racetrack, Drossos doesn’t yet have his own race car. He plans on shopping around during the offseason, in time for when the track opens for the 2017 season. Unlike public roads, Area 27 was designed for vehicles that handle very well, he said. “You want something that takes corners really well and has decent brakes. It’s really a handling track – it gets more challenging with more horsepower. So if you add power you need the skill set to manage that around the track.” When asked what his favourite section of the track is, Drossos couldn’t narrow it down to one. “There are so many parts – just the whole track in its entirety. All the signature corners; just the way it flows from one section to the next.” The track was only open for about seven weeks before closing last weekend for the winter. Although the track was drivable toward the end of the season, there is still a bit of outstanding construction that will be completed before the spring. To complete the project, vegetation needs to be replaced to keep dust levels down, and proper irrigation and drainage systems need to be installed. “Building a race track is not the same as building a highway,” he said.
Comprehensive safety features require vehicles travelling at high speeds to have enough run-off space in case of an accident. “Everything on either side has to be as level and smooth. There’s a lot of science and considerations that make it substantially more expensive than building a road.” Drossos said many racetracks are located out in the middle of nowhere, whereas Area 27 is just a few minutes drive from downtown Oliver. On top of its worldclass engineering and design, it embodies the character of the South Okanagan, situated on a shelf of the Monashee Mountains, surrounded by vineyards. Even wild horses will occasionally show up. “We offer a great climate and a track that’s unique – the design isn’t like any other circuit.” Once things are underway, Drossos said he’d like to see Area 27 hosting vintage races, and he believes there’s a big market for it in the Okanagan. Ryley Seibert, a racer who also helped to build the track, said Area 27 was designed to be “a driver’s course.” “It’s very tricky and very technical,” he said, adding that it takes a lot of laps before a driver can get comfortable. “The way our dad (co-founder Trevor Seibert) had designed it, that’s what he wanted to do. You can’t take a breath – you really have to focus on the entire lap.”
OKANAGAN SUN • DECEMBER 2016 • 13
Popular Festival of Trees has expanded to four new locations across the region Event now run by Oliver and Osoyoos Winery Association By Keith Lacey An event that has helped raise big bucks for the BC Children’s Hospital, while also helping generate Christmas spirit is expanding. The popular Festival of Trees has expanded from being held at the Spirit Ridge at Nk’Mip Resort to four new locations in the region. They include Nk’Mip Cellars Winery up at Spirit Ridge at Nk’Mip resort, Watermark Beach Resort in downtown Osoyoos, the Frank Venables Theatre lobby at Southern Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver and the Baldy Mountain Resort. The event is now being run by the Oliver and Osoyoos Winery Association (OOWA) and kicked off in November with trees being showcased at all four locations, said Jennifer Busmann, who was recently named executive director of the OOWA. “We just thought it was time to grow the festival … from a single location to various locations in both Osoyoos and Oliver,” said Busmann. “It will provide an opportunity for more businesses to get involved and for more trees to be shown in more locations. “We think it can only raise the profile of the Festival of Trees, which has already proven to be a great success since it started a few years ago.” For those who don’t know, the Festival of Trees sees businesses sponsor decorating a tree that is then put on display for members of the public to see. Those attending the Festival of Trees can vote for their favourite tree by donating $2 to cast a vote. The proceeds from the Festival of Trees are then forwarded to the B.C. Children’s Hospital. Last year’s event raised almost $6,300 and has raised more than $30,000 for the BC Children’s Hospital since it began six years ago. Staff and volunteers from the local businesses and organizations that sponsor the trees are all looking forward to decorating them in unique styles, from the wacky to the wonderful, said Busmann. Funds raised through Festival of Trees supports the hospital’s Excellence in Child Health fund (EICH). The 14 www.oksun.ca
EICH fund helps to provide clinical care, research and development, staff and family education programs, and the purchase of vital, lifesaving equipment for BC Children’s Hospital. Last year, BC Children’s Hospital treated more than 86,600 children and provided specialized care to children who otherwise may not have received the medical attention they needed. During the event, proceeds from the silent auction held at Watermark Beach Resort will support the BC Hospitality Foundation, which provides ‘last resort’ financial support for individuals within the hospitality community that are coping with a financial crisis arising from a medical condition or injury. “As a family-friendly community that also includes many hospitality workers, this is an event dear to all our hearts as it supports both BC Children’s Hospital and BC Hospitality Foundation,” says Busmann. “Festival of Trees is a special part of our annual Winter in Wine Country Festival that heralds the start of the holidays here.” The Festival of Trees began in Oliver on the same night as the Oliver Christmas Light-Up began and also works nicely with the beginning of the Osoyoos Christmas Lite-Up, said Busmann. This year’s trees can be viewed outside at the newly reopened Baldy Mountain Resort and inside at Frank Venables Theatre (5.30-8 p.m. daily), Watermark Beach Resort (8 a.m.-11 p.m. daily) and Nk’Mip Cellars (10 a.m. -5 p.m. daily). With four new locations now on board, Busmann believes the Festival of Trees can grow to have as many as 60 trees on display as soon as next year. Admission is free but a minimum $2 donation is suggested and donations over $25 are eligible for tax receipts. The Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association is a non-profit organization with a goal to develop the wine industry in Oliver and Osoyoos through education and promotion. For more information about the Festival of Trees, visit the OOWA website at www.oliverosoyoos.com/Events/ Winter-in-Wine-Country.
A tree at Nk’Mip Cellars Winery is elaborately decorated for Festival of Trees. (Richard McGuire photo) OKANAGAN SUN • DECEMBER 2016 • 15
Restorative justice coordinator Mark Provencal addresses the audience during a recent presentation at the Oliver library. The powerful program brings offenders and victims together to restore justice outside of the courtroom. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
Restorative justice shows offenders firsthand the harm they caused ‘It’s so emotional watching these kids turn around and connect with their true selves. It can fill you up.’ – volunteer By Lyonel Doherty The restorative justice program is so “powerful” that it brought one Oliver man to tears recently. “It’s so emotional watching these kids turn around and connect with their true selves. It can fill you up,” said 16 www.oksun.ca
Joseph Seiler, who is a restorative justice volunteer. Seiler was one of several people who attended an information session at the Oliver library recently. Restorative justice coordinator Mark Provencal chaired the meeting and showed a video outlining how the program works. He explained that it cures the harms that
people cause and finds a resolution that offenders and victims can live with. By doing this, it keeps offenders out of the courtroom and gives them an opportunity to see firsthand the harm they caused. The video showed a conference involving a group of teenage boys who vandalized property. They confessed and listened to the victims talk about how they were impacted by the crimes. At the end of the conference, the parties agreed on an appropriate resolution. Seiler said the process is very gratifying. “Teens get into trouble and do dumb kid stuff, and the court system is not there to help them.” Volunteer Glenn Bannon is a retired police officer who has witnessed people go through the program. “They appreciate it and are grateful to make things right.” Bannon stressed that everyone deserves a second chance. The boys in the video were very remorseful as they described what happened the day they skipped school and vandalized an old lady’s yard. They smashed clay flowerpots, destroyed a bench, and trashed a birdbath. They also broke another lady’s gazebo windows with bricks, and threw her bird feeders in a creek. “We thought it would be fun to smash the pots,” one boy said. The father of another boy said he was very disturbed by his son’s actions, and the boy added,” I’m disappointed in myself.” The elderly victim said she felt totally violated and was
afraid to leave her doors open. “It takes your freedom away,” she said. Another victim said she didn’t feel safe in her home anymore because of the boys’ “gang mentality.” The woman added that if her dogs had been home, she would have released them to deal with the culprits. One boy, who started crying, said, “I can’t believe I did this.” At the completion of the conference, everyone agreed that the boys would pay back $1,400 and perform 35 hours of community service work. In addition, they had to write a letter of apology to the victims. One father made a profound statement: “It’s one of the best things that ever happened to us (my son and I) because it brought us closer together.” Provencal said the program is a very powerful tool and addresses solutions within a few weeks as opposed to months in the court system. Pat Whalley from Oliver said the courts are so impersonal. “This (restorative justice) is face to face. The kids realize that they’ve hurt someone … like their own grandma. It brings it home to them.” Corporal Christina Tarasoff from the Oliver RCMP is a huge supporter of restorative justice, saying it has significant benefits because it involves the community. She noted that a restorative justice conference is coming up in Oliver. This involves a group of boys that recently vandalized playground equipment at the Oliver Preschool.
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OKANAGAN SUN • DECEMBER 2016 • 17
WELLNESS WORDS
The Power of Gratitude
With the festive season coming, it is a time that we focus on giving and receiving. We enjoy the feeling of giving to our loved ones, and helping those in need. We also enjoy the receiving of family meals together, great memories together and a few gifts under the tree. TV commercials started weeks back about deals, savings and that it is time to Buy…. Buy…. Buy…. Black Friday is a perfect example of consumers beyond balance who are fighting in the line-ups at Walmart to get the newest toys for their child, which will in a few months likely be in pile of other toys that have lost their excitement. We are a nation of consumers, always wanting more, then when we get it the emptiness is still there waiting for the next want. One way to help improve this is through practicing gratitude. Gratitude is our emotion that relates to our ability to feel and express thankfulness and appreciation. Traditionally, the study of this emotion has been relegated to the fields of theology and philosophy. In 2007, Rob-
ert Emmons began researching gratitude through a psychological lens. He found that expressing gratitude improves mental, physical and relational well-being. Being grateful also impacts the overall experience of happiness, and these effects tend to be longlasting. “True happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you already have” …. Anonymous Taken from the Huffington Post on gratitude here are a list of benefits of practising gratitude: • Improved physical, emotional, and social well-being; • Greater optimism and happiness; • Improved feelings of connection in times of loss or crises; • Increased self-esteem; • Heightened energy levels; • Strengthened heart, immune system, and decreased blood pressure; • Improved emotional and academic intelligence; • Expanded capacity for forgiveness; • Decreased stress, anxiety, depression, and headaches; • Improved self-care and greater
likelihood to exercise; • Heightened spirituality — ability to see something bigger than ourselves. Ways to practice gratitude daily are very easy and effective. Each morning and evening at the start and end of your day write down five things you are grateful for in a journal or say them to yourself. Everyone has at least five things they can be thankful for. This simple exercise has major influence on how your day starts and finishes. Even in times of challenge or pain and suffering this exercise can help immensely. Be well, Kelsi Bissonnette Health and Wellness Coordinator Watermark Beach Resort
YOGA • PILATES • SPINNING • TRX • STEP • SUP • MEDITATION • WORKSHOPS • RETREATS • WELLNESS
15 Park Place Osoyoos BC 250-689-6020
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www.osoyoospilates.com Email inquiries contact us wellness@watermarkbeachresort.com 18 www.oksun.ca
MEETINGS
Grandmothers for Africa meetings are the second Wednesday of the month, 1 p.m. at the Osoyoos United Church. O’s Own Writers meet the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m. at the Osoyoos Arts Centre. New members welcome. Call Jody 250-4952170.
Osoyoos Photography Club meets the first and third Tuesday in Room 1 downstairs at the Sonora Community Centre. Informal meet at 6:30 p.m. regular meeting at 6:45 p.m. For more information 250-495-4960 email: osoyoosphotoclub@gmail.com. The Multiple Sclerosis group meets the second Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. at the Interior Health office, 4816 89 Street, Osoyoos. Call Ron at 250-4984372 or Donna 250-495-5001. Oliver & Osoyoos Search & Rescue. 7 p.m. every Thursday. 100 Cessna St., Oliver (beside the Air Cadet hangar) www.oosar.org.
T.O.P.S. meets every Thurs. at 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Osoyoos Baptist Church (lower level). We are a support group interested in eating healthy and losing weight. New members welcome. For
Communities for Kids Osoyoos Table Meeting. 3rd Monday of month 4 p.m. at Sonora Community Centre. 250-4988433 for info.
Osoyoos Elks #436, 2nd Wednesday meet at 7 p.m., Elks Hall, 8506 92 Avenue. Call Annette at 250-495-6227 or Ken Thibault at 250-495-3936. AA meetings every Monday 7 p.m. St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Every Friday 7 p.m. St. Christopher’s Anglican Church. Call Louise 250-495-1627.
OLIVER THEATRE Enjoy your evening out, taking In a movie at the Oliver Theatre!
December, 2016 Programme Visit Our Website
www.olivertheatre.ca
Regular Showtimes Sun. – Mon. – Tues. – Thurs…7:30 p.m. Fri. – Sat………….……….7:00 & 9:00 p.m. (unless otherwise stated)
Phone 250-498-2277 Oliver, BC
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues. Dec. 17 - 18 - 19 - 20
Thurs. Fri Dec. 1 - 2
Frightening scenes.
Thurs. Sat. – Sun. – Mon. – Tues., Thurs. – Fri. Dec. 3 - 4 - 5 - 6, 8 - 9
Showtimes on Fri. & Sat. @ 7:00 & 9:30 p.m.
Osoyoos Quilters meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. at the Elks Lodge, 8506 92 Ave. at 9:30 a.m. Call 250-495-2254 or 250-495-4569 for more info. Evening quilting every first and third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Vera at 250-495-2738. Double O Quilters Guild meets on the 2nd Monday of the month, September through May. 9:30 a.m. at the Oliver Community Hall. Contact Lynda at 250498-8804.
more info, call 250-495-0410.
There will also be a matinee of this show on the Sat. at 2:00 p.m. All seats $6.00 for the matinee.
Mon. – Tues. – Wed. – Thurs. – Fri. Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Dec. 26 - 27 - 28 - 29 - 30 Showtimes on Fri. @ 7:00 & 9:15 p.m.
Violence, may frighten young children.
Sat. – Sun. – Mon. – Tues., Thurs. – Fri. Sat Sun Mon Tues., Thurs. Fri. Dec. 10 - 11 - 12 - 13, 15 - 16 Showtimes on Fri. & Sat. @ 7:00 & 9:15 p.m.
Parkinson’s Support Group meets on Monday from 1 - 3 p.m. at Sunnybank Lodge in Oliver. Call Maureen at 250495-7978 for more info. Toastmasters... “Where leaders are made”. Drop in any Tuesday 7 p.m. at 5876 Airport St. in Oliver. Contact Shauna 250-485-8465 or meandwine@ gmail.com.
Violence, coarse language.
Coarse language, violence.
Programme Subject To Unavoidable change without notice
OKANAGAN SUN • DECEMBER 2016 • 19
The Community Kitchen program is offered through Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre. From left are Stan Wolter, Nancy Aatelma, Lucia Marin and Nora Ferguson. (Keith Lacey photo)
Community Kitchen about sharing food, cooking skills and meeting new friends By Keith Lacey When you walk into the basement of the Osoyoos Baptist Church every Thursday morning, you can smell the aroma of good food, while hearing the joyous sounds of children laughing and playing. The combination of good food, friendship and community spirit has proven to be a recipe for success for the Community Kitchen program that has been offered to residents of Osoyoos and Oliver for the past five years. The program involves having volunteers from the community cook a lunchtime meal for young mothers and their children, said Nancy Aatelma, the Community Kitchen program coordinator for the Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre. Desert Sun runs the program in conjunction with the federal Community Action Plan for Children (CAPC), which has been helping run community kitchen programs across Canada since the 1970s, said Aatelma. Even though the Community Kitchen program has been offered in Osoyoos for close to five years, the sad reality is that most local residents don’t know anything about it, she said. “We certainly would like more people to know about the program because we think it’s a wonderful program and 20 www.oksun.ca
the people who do come out just love it,” said Aatelma. “We are averaging six to eight families every Thursday, but we certainly have room for many more.” There are numerous benefits to the Community Kitchen as it provides an avenue for volunteers who want to contribute to helping others in their community, allows members of the community to share a healthy meal once a week, teaches cooking skills to young mothers and it allows young mothers and children to meet other young mothers and children to forge lasting friendships, she said. “A lot of the young mothers aren’t able to get out of the house very often, but this allows them to come down here once a week and make some friends,” she said. “The children also have a great time meeting other kids and have some fun. “Once the food is prepared, we all sit down a share a great meal.” Many of the volunteers with the Community Kitchen program are excellent cooks and love to share their knowledge of how to prepare healthy and nutritious meals with young mothers, she said. The menu changes from week to week. “Everybody has input on what goes on the menu,” she said. “The volunteers make suggestions, the young mothers make suggestions and even the kids tell us what
they want to eat.” A minimal cost of only $3 per family is charged for the meal, she said. The majority of the funding to pay for the food is shared between Desert Sun, CAPC and by donations, she said. A couple of weeks ago, the Community Kitchen introduced a new Inter-generational kitchen component, which allowed seniors from the community to prepare the food and share their experience in the kitchen with young mothers. The program started in late October and runs until the end of November. “I had read about funding available through the New Horizons For Seniors program, so I applied and got some funding to start up this Intergenerational kitchen,” said Aatelma. “Osoyoos has a lot of seniors living in isolation and many of them happen to be fantastic cooks. “I thought it would be a great idea to try and recruit a few of them to come out and share their experience in the kitchen with the young mothers in our program. We have brought the two groups together for the past few weeks and it has worked out great. A lot of seniors have a lifetime of experience cooking and preparing food and they love being able to share their secrets.” Aatelma hopes to continue the Inter-generational kitchen as part of the Community Kitchen program in future years as long as she can continue to access funding. “This is the first Inter-generational kitchen program anywhere in the South Okanagan and I think it’s been a great success,” she said. “Hopefully we can bring it back next year.” The Inter-generational kitchen also helped create employment in town as Aatelma was able to hire two people for 10 weeks and one other for five weeks of work. The Community Kitchen program runs from September until June and is suspended during the summer months, when most young families are busy and many out of town on vacation, she said.
Aatelma thanked Pastor Phil Johnson and the congregation from the Osoyoos Baptist Church for generously donating use of their kitchen and downstairs community room to run the program. While the majority of volunteers and participants are from Osoyoos, Aatelma made it very clear volunteers and participants from Oliver are more than welcome. “We would like more people from Oliver to get involved,” she said. “I even have funding available to help pay for gas money for anyone from Oliver who wants to be part of the Community Kitchen.” All participants must register for the program and can do so by contacting Aatelma at 250-485-7499. Kate Shull, a young mother of three young children, has been attending the Community Kitchen program for the past two months and can’t say enough good things about it. “It’s fantastic,” she said. “It’s a great way to meet other young mothers and for our kids to meet other kids. You don’t get a lot of time to socialize with three young kids, so I really look forward to this every week. “Then we get to sit down and enjoy a wonderful meal and the volunteers go out of their way to share their tips on how to cook great food.” Jenna Wood, another young mother, agreed. “I come down here to get out of the house, but I’ve also met some really nice people who have become friends,” she said. “My daughter (Tamela, 4) just loves it too. “I’ve learned a lot about cooking and we get to enjoy a great meal for next to nothing, so it’s a pretty awesome program being offered.” The program has made such a positive impact on her and her children that Shull says she is constantly recruiting other young mothers and their children to join. Aatelma said she is looking forward to having more people jump on board and get involved in the Community Kitchen program.
Mental Health Check Up
Mental illness is surprisingly common. One in every five Canadians will have a mental health problem at some point in their lives. Mental illness Greg Wheeler, is not a single Pharmacist disease but a term for many disorders, including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, personality disorders, eating disorders and organic brain disorders. The good news is that all mental illnesses can be treated. To assess your own mental health, answer these questions: Ability to enjoy life – Can you live in the moment and appreciate the “now” without dwelling on things from the past or worrying about the future? Resilience – Are you able to bounce back from stressful events and hard times without losing your optimism? Balance – Are you able to juggle the many aspects of your life? Self-actualization – Do you recognize and develop your strengths so that you can reach your full potential? Flexibility – Do you feel, and express, a range of emotions? If you or someone you know is concerned about mental illness, be sure to contact a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.
105-291 Fairview Rd Oliver
250.485.4007
OKANAGAN SUN • DECEMBER 2016 • 21
Barb would like to Thank her Clients for their patronage, kindness and for another successfull year of business. May the joy and peace of Christmas be with you now and the entire year through!
P.S. Wouldn’t it be great to feel like it’s Christmas the whole year? Take my holiday challenge - keep love in your heart, kindness in your words, peace in your mind and a smile on your face as long as you can this year.
The best in 2017!
BARB PASTERNAK 250-485-8081
seebarb@gmail.com www.osoyoosrealestatehomes.com 22 www.oksun.ca
DESERT OASIS REALTY LTD. This office is independently owned and operated. All listings MLS© unless otherwise indicated.
DECEMBER Every Thursday come to the Osoyoos Senior Centre for bingo. The fun starts at 1 p.m. Soup ‘n bun from 11:30 – 12:30 for only $4. Sunshine Ridge, 9107 Main St. Osoyoos is holding the 5th annual PJ Drive from Nov. 15 – Dec. 12. New PJs only. Infant – 12 years. Children always look forward to a new pair of pajamas. Info: Connie 250-4952783. The Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association Festival of Trees runs until Jan. 4. Browse through the holiday displays at Nk’Mip Cellars Winery, Watermark Beach Resort, Frank Venables Theatre Lobby, Spirit Ridge and Baldy Mountain Resort. This is a free event but a $2 donation is requested to vote for your favourite.
Oliver. Bring the family for handbell and choral selections in the spirit of Christmas.
Ring in 2017 at the Osoyoos Legion. Tickets available for $25 at the canteen.
Christmas Tales is back by popular demand at the Osoyoos Baptist Church on Monday, Dec. 12. Songs and stories from the first Christmas with storyteller Justyn Rees. Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets available at the church office by donation.
Monday afternoon dances start at the Osoyoos Seniors Centre on Jan. 9 at 1 p.m.
Healthy Living at the Osoyoos Library on Dec. 14. Essential Oils 101 will be the topic. Drop in at 10 a.m. Rockin’ with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 17 at the Sun Bowl Arena. Christmas fun for all ages from 2 – 4 p.m. at this free event. There will be games, crafts and a turkey dinner raffle. Bring your skates and helmet. No hockey sticks.
The Okanagan International Chorus is having its annual free Christmas concert on Dec. 9 at the Osoyoos Community Theatre starting at 7 p.m. It will also be in Oroville at the Free Methodist Church on Dec. 10, also at 7 p.m.
Blue Christmas service on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m., Oliver Lutheran Centre, 6431 Okanagan St. A quiet, ecumenical candlelight service for those feeling “blue” at Christmas time. All welcome. Info: 250-4980183.
A ‘December to Remember’ a free family Christmas concert is being held on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Osoyoos Legion. Donations accepted at the door. Music, fun and prizes with performances by Rusty Copeland, Dawn McRae, Chris Bromage, Cindy Doucette and Roland Berg.
Don’t miss the annual Osoyoos Art Gallery Christmas Artisan Market featuring many local artists. Come check out the paintings, jewelry, pottery and more until Dec. 22.
On Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. the Oliver Handbell Ringers present “Bells Ringing, Angels Singing,” at Christ the King Catholic Church,
Blood donor clinics at the Penticton Seniors Drop-in Centre at 2965 South Main Street. Dec. 28, 29 and 30 from 1:30 - 5:30 p.m. Download the GIVE BLOOD APP, book online at www.blood.ca or call 1-888236-6283. Check your eligibility to donate.
The South Okanagan Concert Society starts the new year off with Remi Bolduc, one of Canada’s best jazz saxophonists. Mark Jan. 27 on your calendar for this concert. Tickets available at www.venablestheatre.ca, the theatre box office on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and at the door. Bingo every Thursday (changed from Fridays) at the Osoyoos Elks Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m. early bird starts at 7 p.m. Crib on Tuesday nights 7 p.m. 8506 92 Ave., Osoyoos. The Osoyoos Wellness Clinic is now open on Thursdays. Come and get your health monitored at the Cactus Centre (off Kingfisher Dr.) from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. Cost is $1 with refreshments available. Storytime is free at Osoyoos Library on Thursdays starting at 10 a.m. from Sept. 22 and running until Dec. 15. There will be lots of stories, puppets, songs and crafts. Beginner bridge lessons have started Mondays at 1 p.m. at the Osoyoos Seniors Centre. Send your events to: events@osoyoostimes.com
OKANAGAN SUN • DECEMBER 2016 • 23
starting under $300,000
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