As Hayes describes it, “they have put into words some of their own experiences; some amusing, some unusual, but all interesting.” “They’re all true stories,” says Hayes. “There’s no fiction at all. I don’t write fiction, and I don’t really like fiction ...I like true things.” Hayes asked each author to send their favourite recipe along with their story as an added point of interest in ‘The Cucumber Tree.’ Most recipes are in keeping with their country of origin or story locale, from British Cornish Pasties to Merende (Italian farmers breakfast) to East African Samaki. Hayes’s newly written and original stories run the full spectrum, from her childhood years spent in wartime England from which the title of the book is taken, to ‘A Walk on the Wild Side,’ a delightful story about when she had met lion trainer Hubert Wells on the film set of ‘Living Free’ in Africa. Upon challenging the trainer to ride Thunder, the main huge lion in the film, Hayes writes in this book excerpt: “Hubert climbed onto Thunder’s back and all four of us….walked quietly along the summit of Crescent Island, Thunder’s paws, the size of dinner plates, puffing up thick clouds of dust at each step.” Hayes has kept up- to date with technological advances over the years in the reading world, including Kindle Fire digital books. But she says there is nothing like holding a real book in your hands, and seeing the words on a “crisp paper page.” “I do prefer a real book, I do,” she says. “I don’t want to take my little pad with me and read it from there. I just want to read a good story in a book with good print.” As always, 20 percent of her book proceeds go to Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital in Nairobi, which she has had a long association with since her years spent in Africa. ‘The Cucumber Tree’ can be purchased at Okanagan Falls Plus IGA or by contacting Hayes at 250-497-5011.
‘Rocky Bottom Sales’ in Ok Falls
W
hile her mother Margaret Hayes is busy writing books, Janey Volden recently opened up her own store on Main Street in Okanagan Falls. She explains how it all started in November with her husband Bruce, who operates his longtime auto repair business in the back of their building. “He arrived at the back door with a flatbed filled with fridges and stoves and furniture and chairs and stuff. And he said, ‘Here you are, darling, go at it, here’s your new store.’ “ Her reply? “Oh, thank-you, I said, thank-you very much.” Before she knew what was happening, Janey found herself the proprietor of a secondhand shop in a room adjoining Bruce’s business. She named it, aptly enough, ‘Rocky Bottom Sales,’ with shelves and tables of wares inside, and out front. “We’re selling everything from bikes to kitchen sinks(s), says Volden, who has taken her husband’s idea and run with it. She never knows what her husband is going to turn up with next from the various auctions he attends, which makes things all the more interesting. Volden has made a special room at the back of the small store for men, although women are welcome as well. “It’s the man cave, and inside we’ve got the tools
and the screws and the garage stuff and bathroom gadgets… ,” she says, and adds with glee “and I have ironing boards for men.” Everything is organized into categories, and Volden gestures towards a nostalgic item, an old record player with eight track and radio, which she plays in the store. “People are going crazy for records, and I sold two record players last week,” she enthuses, “and I’ve got two (more) people looking for record players.” The locals from Okanagan Falls are good customers, she says, and adds, “I get them from Oliver, I get them from Penticton, I get them from Australia, England,all over the world.” Volden is open to offers on any of the merchandise for sale, and in fact welcomes it. “We bargain. I bargained with one guy for half an hour. I love it because I’m from Africa. I know about bargaining,” she laughs. “That’s their main thing, Mexico and Africa.” “And I’ve got my today’s specials, everything between one and two dollars each,” she notes. One thing she doesn’t do is accept consignments or buy items from people. And she is not open on Mondays, that is her day off.
Margaret Haye’s daughter Janey Volden has not been idle either, and although she contributed to her mother’s book, Volden has also stepped into a little venture of her own, in the form of a secondhand store on Main Street in Okanagan Falls. Photo by Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug
Lidia Ferreira Your Osoyoos real estate connection
Lidia is a lifetime resident of the Okanagan Valley who has a vast appreciation and in-depth knowledge of all the Okanagan has to offer.
lidiasells@gmail.com
(250) 498-7097 lidiasellshomes.net
OSOYOOS, B.C.
OKANAGAN SUN • JULY 2012 • 19