OCTOBER 2016
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Oliver Landing
affordable housing for a growing community
CONTENTS Osoyoos bus hijacking hero fondly remembered
Page 14 PUBLISHER
ABERDEEN PUBLISHING INC. www.aberdeenpublishing.com
EDITOR
RICHARD MCGUIRE editor@oksun.ca
AD DESIGN
RONDA JAHN production@osoyoostimes.com
SALES
BRIAN HIGHLEY brianhighley@aberdeenpublishing.com
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.
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A bird’s eye view of conservation
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Affordable housing for a growing community
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Driven to Abstraction
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Resort, marathon nominated for tourism awards
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Potters prepare for empty bowls event
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Prison prepares to open this month
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Osoyoos Concert Series brings hot music
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SOCS plans season of musical adventure
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Around Town events calendar
“My dad was always my hero, but he became the hero for all of Osoyoos that day.” - Amber Lee, daughter of school bus driver Edgar Scheer, whose bus was hijacked with children in it 20 years ago. (Page 14) OCTOBER 2016
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Oliver Landing
ON THE COVER The Oliver Landing affordable strata housing project is getting underway. Oliver Landing is being built for working families in the growing community. (Dan Walton photo) Page 6.
affordable housing for a growing community
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.
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Sun Sightings Children play in a bouncy castle at the Rock Creek Fall Fair in September. The very popular fair bills itself as one of the last “true” country fairs and it draws visitors from throughout the Okanagan and Boundary Country. There’s judging of farm animals, midway rides, cow-pie bingo and much more. (Richard McGuire photo)
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Doug Brown, bander in charge, removes a captured bird from a net during Bird Migration Day at the Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
A bird’s eye view of conservation By Lyonel Doherty After seeing what goes on at the Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory, nine-year-old Liam MacPhail is hooked. The boy and his family took part in Bird Migration Day recently, when they saw wild birds being captured and banded for research purposes. Hosted by Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance, the Sept. 25 event offered the public a unique opportunity to see what is being done to conserve bird species, such as the yellow warbler and the common yellowthroat. With a keen curiosity, people followed Doug Brown, bander in charge, as he led them on nature walks on trails where nets were set up to capture the birds. The birds fly into the nets, and Brown untangles them and puts them inside a canvas bag. He then takes them back to a tent where he records the species and bands them before setting them free again. 4 www.oksun.ca
Approximately 25 to 30 birds are captured and banded each day. The program not only records their numbers, it gives biologists a snapshot at how successfully birds are breeding in this area. For Liam, it was the first time he saw the banding process, and he actually got to set some of the birds free, which was a thrill. “I like helping let the birds go … I’d like to be a bird handler because it looks fun.” Liam also said he learned a lot about different bird species that day. Wildlife biologist Jason Bieber coordinates the station at Vaseux Lake and has always had a passion for conservation. He said their goal is to improve public awareness and promote what they are doing to the younger generation. He encourages the public to visit their Facebook page (Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory) for weekly updates.
Wildlife biologist Jason Bieber shows off a warbler to the family of Amanda Erickson (mother), Anya MacPhail (daughter) and Liam MacPhail (son) on Bird Migration Day. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
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Oliver Landing president David Perehudoff says the first phase of his affordable strata housing project will be breaking ground by mid-October. The first phase will provide 12 units, growing eventually to about 40.
Oliver Landing:
Affordable housing for a growing community By Dan Walton Oliver Landing is nearly ready for takeoff. “We can’t wait to start putting pipes in the ground,” said David Perehudoff, president of the housing development. After spending all summer prepping the site, Perehudoff expects his attainable housing project will break ground by mid-October. “So hopefully by February we’ll have our first full units ready to move into.” Twelve units will been built to complete the first phase, and the entire project will see a neighbourhood of 40 housing units built over the old Forbes property at 210 Co-op Avenue, right along the channel. Units are expected to be priced around $310,000, and owning one means being part of a strata complex. “Twelve people own the property all together,” Perehu6 www.oksun.ca
doff said. “Basically a strata is a small little town – it has all the same roles a town does.” When strata owners encounter infrastructure problems, members of the corporation are responsible for dealing with it collectively, rather than relying on another municipal government. Oliver Landing was built for the community’s average workers, he said, citing vineyard employees, people in the mechanical industry, and “families that are making the sustained income to be able to afford it.” “Sustained income” is a detailed formula that compares local median incomes to the theoretical pricing of a housing project, and Perehudoff said it was the focus of Oliver Landing. “If you stay within those numbers, the foreclosure rate is almost zero,” he said. And to quell some homebuyers’ immediate challenge
Oliver Landing president David Perehudoff shows off plans for housing units in the Oliver Landing . The project will combine indoor and outdoor living. (Dan Walton photos) of amassing a down payment, Perehudoff said he’s in the process of working with the Canada Housing Mortgage Corporation to arrange a gifted down payment. “This way people who don’t have the big down payment required from the banks can get in.” The brick and mortar of a mid-sized unit will include 1,428 square feet, with another 788 square feet of outdoor living space, and the outside can be easily connected with the inside through large folding glass doors. “So you’re getting 2,200 square feet altogether,” he said. “We have the concept of indoor-outdoor living. If you’ve spent a year in Oliver you know that you can live outside pretty much seven, eight months of the year.” To get better idea of the scope of the project, anybody interested is invited to arrange to visit the site. The showroom was converted out of a shack that once housed the engineer who figured out how to install the local channel.
The entire shack – just one room – was originally built to be the engineer’s garage, office and living quarters. “It was rough when we got into it. But the guys looked into it and said let’s do something neat.” The showroom has a new kitchen that’s identical to how they’ll look in each unit, and a backyard to the same proportion. The engineer’s old headquarters couldn’t retrofit anything as extensive as a garage or balcony, but each completed unit will include both, as Perehudoff said those features are very important to buyers. Oliver Landing is being built by an excellent crew, he said, which is led by a superintendent who has 40 years experience in construction. “We want to be the leader in attainable and affordable housing,” Perehudoff said. “We hope to establish their name and hopefully our name can be as reputable as Greyback.” OKANAGAN SUN • OCTOBER 2016 • 7
Osoyoos abstract painter Jennifer Farnell plans to participate in Driven to Abstraction. (Richard McGuire photo)
Driven to Abstraction By Richard McGuire Could you create a unique work of art suitable for display in a gallery? You’ll have your chance in January when the Osoyoos Art Gallery holds a public exhibition of work created by members of the community on the theme, “Driven to Abstraction.” Sue Whittaker, curator of the gallery, says the idea of a show that is open to works from the general public isn’t new, but it’s been many years since the gallery ran this format under the name “People’s Choice.” The gallery committee wanted to do a show about ab8 www.oksun.ca
stract art and it chose to give the open format another try. “A January show is hard to fill because most people know that if there’s a painting for sale, January sales are not going to be great,” Whittaker said. The gallery has been holding an annual show in January of children’s work produced through the schools, but in recent years the number of entries has fallen as students and teachers haven’t had the time to devote to the event. As for the name of this January’s show, Whittaker said it popped into her head as she contemplated a title for an abstract show. “The idea of being driven to abstraction rather than
driven to distraction was just a play on words,” she said. “I thought a play on words would be fun.” The show will run from Jan. 6 to Jan. 31. There will be an entry fee of $10 for accepted submissions. Although there is no formal jurying process, the gallery reserves the right to jury entries to maintain gallery standards. The show is open to abstract works of art in various media: painting, metalwork, photography, quilting, fabric art, pottery, woodcarving, glasswork, jewelry, encaustic, pen and ink or pencil. “Find your medium and get to work!” said Whittaker. The idea for an abstract show was inspired by work done by local artist Ivana Zita with Artists on Main, Whittaker said. “She has really got people very enthusiastic about doing some abstract,” she said. “Some of them already do abstract painting. I did one of her courses too and I felt like I really benefitted from it.” What exactly is abstract? It’s a question that led Whittaker to give a brief overview of the evolution of art, but in the end, the term “abstract” is subjective and evolving. For centuries, art was mainly portraits done for wealthy people or religious works done for the church, typically representing images that were more or less realistic. In the later part of the 19th century, the Impressionist painters in France broke that mould, producing art that was less realistic, but conveyed more an impression of the subject. “Impressionist painting came along and when people were freed from the idea that you only paint for wealthy people, they got into other ways of painting,” Whittaker said. From there, other forms such as Cubism developed,
becoming less and less representational. “As Ivana showed us, the first big abstract painters in the United States just started playing with colours,” Whittaker said. “They would put colour down on a paper so that your eye moved from colour to colour. They learned a lot about colour theory by playing with colours.” While many abstract works had no recognizable elements, unless you use your imagination, she said, the term “abstract” has become looser and some abstract works now contain recognizable elements. Whittaker said some details of the show are still being worked out, including commissions charged on sales. Initially, people will only be able to contribute one piece, though that could change depending on the number of works received. “We’re all pretty excited about it,” said Whittaker. “When I brought it up, eyes lit up and people said that sounds like fun.” People interested in submitting to the show can send an email to osoyoosartgallery@gmail.com, but submission itself doesn’t take place until early January.
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The Half Corked Marathon is so popular that participation is by winning a lottery. (Dan Walton photo)
Watermark Beach Resort, Half Corked Marathon nominated for tourism awards By Keith Lacey A luxury Osoyoos resort and a unique sporting event that has become a “must attend” event for wine lovers across B.C. – and many other parts of Canada – have been nominated for prestigious national tourism awards. The Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos has been nominated by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) Canadian Tourism Awards for the prestigious Air Canada Business of the Year Award. Meanwhile, the Half Corked Marathon, which is organized by the Oliver Osoyoos Wine Association, has been nominated for the Metro Toronto Convention Centre’s Event of the Year as part of the same awards. Ingrid Jarrett, the general manager and vice-president of business development for the Watermark Beach Resort, said she and the entire staff are thrilled to have been nominated for the prestigious national award. In a phone interview from England, where she is on vacation, Jarrett said this nomination is shared by every 10 www.oksun.ca
manager and employee at the Watermark Beach Resort. “Every year we have an employee evaluation and consistently we have 90 to 95 per cent of our employees who say they love working at the resort,” she said. “This contributes greatly to an outstanding resort experience for our guests.” Well-respected websites like Hotels.com and Trip Advisor have consistently praised the resort as one of the best in Canada and this surely caught the eye of the judges for the Canadian Tourism Awards, said Jarrett. Management at the Watermark pledged when it opened almost a decade ago to invest in the community and the resort consistently supports community events and has staff commit volunteer hours, she said. “Being named a finalist for the Business of the Year in the tourism industry in Canada certainly came out of the blue and we had no idea it was coming, but I can’t tell you how honoured, thrilled and humbled we are to be recognized by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.”
The Watermark Beach Resort has been garnering rave reviews since it opened. (Richard McGuire photo) The South Okanagan is truly one of Canada’s most beautiful regions and this nomination will send a message to the rest of Canada that we live in a very special and beautiful part of this amazing country, said Jarrett. The annual Half Corked Marathon weaves racers through the beautiful vineyards of the Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country, sampling wines and fine food along the route. Created by the Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association, and inspired by the legendary Medoc Marathon in Bordeaux, the Half Corked Marathon pays homage to one of Canada’s most decorated wine regions; a celebration of the Golden Mile and Black Sage Road benches connecting the communities of Oliver and Osoyoos. “We take great pride in the Half Corked Marathon, our flagship event of the year and one of the hottest tickets in the country,” explains Tony Munday, executive director of Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association. “The race not only showcases our incredibly beautiful and diverse region but also shows what can be achieved, when tourism and wine industries collaborate to create an event that’s incredibly unique and special.” The Watermark Beach Resort has been garnering rave reviews since it first opened its doors on the shores of beautiful Osoyoos Lake a decade ago. Being nominated for Business of the Year, which many consider the most prestigious of all the awards that will be handed out in Quebec in November, is an honour, said Jarrett. The other finalists in the Business of the Year category are the Brentwood Bay Resort and Spa in Victoria, B.C. and Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C. The Canadian Tourism Awards are presented annually by TIAC to celebrate success, leadership and innovation in Canada’s travel and tourism industry and recognize those who go above and beyond to offer superior tourism experiences in Canada. This year, there were over 130 submissions and a panel of expert judges narrowed down the list of finalists
that were announced last month. Since its inception in 2003, this gala evening has become a highlight of the TIAC Tourism Congress. The Air Canada Business of the Year Award will be presented to a tourism business that exemplifies industry best practices in all aspects of its operations, and is thus an example of all-round business excellence in the tourism industry. The Event of the Year Award will be presented to an event or festival that exemplifies industry best practices in all aspects of its operations, and thus serves as an example of excellence to other events and festivals and the greater tourism industry. The nominee should be an event/festival that attracts visitors, participants and/or spectators, and may be (but is not limited to being) an event/festival of the following types: cultural, historical, musical, arts, sporting, culinary, literary, general interest, amusement, or other. Alongside the Half Corked Marathon, the two other category finalists are: The Canadian Soccer Association: FIFA World Cup Canada 2016; and Winnipeg’s Folklorama. “We are in fantastic company – congratulations to all finalists,” said Munday. The Canadian Tourism Awards recognize those people, places, organizations and events that have gone above and beyond to offer a superior tourism experience to travelers in Canada. On Nov. 30, The Canadian Tourism Awards winners will be announced in Gatineau, Quebec, at the TIAC Tourism Conference. For more details about 2017 Half-Corked Marathon, visit www.oliverosoyoos.com/events. 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. Founded in 2007 as the South Okanagan Winery Association, the Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association (OOWA) was renamed in 2011 to better reflect its geographical boundaries and now has grown to include 39 member wineries. OKANAGAN SUN • OCTOBER 2016 • 11
Osoyoos potter Lucy Stoppler “throws” a bowl in preparation for Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre’s Empty Bowls Fundraiser. Guests take home their unique bowls after the event. (Richard McGuire photo)
Potters prepare for Empty Bowls event By Richard McGuire Pottery wheels are spinning as organizers get ready for another Empty Bowls Fundraiser for Desert Sun, an organization serving Oliver and Osoyoos. Last year’s event for Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre was so successful that it will be returning this year. The event takes place on Friday, Nov. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos. Tickets are limited and are on sale now. Once again, the Osoyoos Potters Club is busy producing the one-of-a-kind bowls that participants will receive to sample soups made by some of the top chefs in the area. The event was inaugurated last year to replace the long-running gala A Grand Night, which was Desert Sun’s main fundraiser for the previous decade. Last year’s Empty Bowls Fundraiser brought in just under $20,000 to support Desert Sun’s programs. “I like the fact that it’s combining so many different artisans,” said Sandy Summers, who is again organizing 12 www.oksun.ca
this year’s event. “It combines the local artists making the bowls and putting their time and energy into it, it involves the chefs who are using produce from the fall harvest, and then the wines and ciders as well are all local and the breads are from local bakeries.” Tickets for the event are $49 and guests can keep the ceramic bowl they choose when they arrive. This year’s event will be similar to last year’s, but there are some minor changes, said Summers. There will be added seating, she said, noting that last year there was a shortage of seats and this was hard for some seniors. Guests sample their soups at a long communal table, getting up to fill their bowls and often finding a different location to sit and eat, meeting new people. “The room’s not that big so we can’t have complete seating,” said Summers. “It’s supposed to feel like more of a walkabout.” The event is also being shortened by an hour to three hours instead of four. “Last year it went on a little too long,” said Summers.
An array of empty bowls greeted guests at last year’s event. It’s hard to choose. (Richard McGuire photo) “We were a little bit tired by the end and it is a lot of soup.” Instead of an auction this year, participants will have a chance to purchase a spoon with a number on it for $20. Afterwards, they’ll pick up a wine bottle corresponding to the number on the spoon. “Desert Sun was the recipient from an anonymous donor who donated some of his wine cellar to us,” Summers explains. “The wines come from across Canada.” There are wines from Ontario, Nova Scotia and of course B.C., and some are older vintages. Instead of bidding on an auction, or drawing for a raffle, everybody who purchases a spoon is guaranteed a bottle of wine – they just don’t know which bottle until they pick it up at the end of the night. Summers said it was decided not to charge more for the bottles in order to make it accessible to all and because guests are already spending nearly $50 to attend the event. There was a different demographic attending last year’s event than the gala Grand Night, where people were more willing to bid on an auction, she said. “It was a lot more people who came on their own and was a much more affordable event,” she said of last year’s Empty Bowls. Participating chefs have not yet been confirmed, but once again guests will vote on which soups they like the best. The winning chef will be awarded a Golden Ladle. People last year loved the handmade ceramic bowls and the fact that they got to choose their bowl, said Summers. They also loved the competitive element between the chefs and being able to sample different soups they had never tried before, vote on them and meet the chefs. “I think people liked the casual part of it that it wasn’t a sit-down dinner,” she said. “It was a nice way to sit because of the communal table and you get to meet new people.” When people take home their bowls, it’s a reminder of those in the community who have less, said Summers. “You go to some wine and food events and you may
get a wine glass and stick it in the cupboard,” she said. “But you know somebody took the time to make that bowl, it’s an artistic product and it’s one of a kind. Nobody else has that bowl. Mine sits filled with nuts on my counter, so every time I fill it up, I know the bowl was made with love from the community.” The number of tickets is limited to 200 due to capacity of the room. Summers said many tickets have already sold. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased on the Desert Sun website at desertsuncounselling.ca.
OKANAGAN SUN • OCTOBER 2016 • 13
Amber Lee holds up a photo of her father, Edgar Scheer, receiving the Medal of Bravery from then Governor General Romeo LeBlanc. In her other hand is the medal that he received. (Richard McGuire photo)
Bus hijacking hero fondly remembered By Keith Lacey The Osoyoos man who was deemed a local – and national – hero for his role during a frightening school bus hijacking 20 years ago is being fondly remembered. Edgar Scheer, 76, was the school bus driver who remained calm, cool and collected while two teenagers, armed with a loaded handgun and knife, hijacked a school bus in Osoyoos the morning of May 28, 1996. The four-hour hostage drama ended with officers 14 www.oksun.ca
arresting the two teens after a lengthy standoff near Bridesville. Scheer, who spent most of his life in Osoyoos, was laid to rest last month. His daughter Amber Lee, who knew both of the teenagers involved in the frightening hijacking, said her father was a humble man who continued his career as a school bus driver for 10 years after the incident that everyone involved will never forget. “My father was very modest and always said he was
just doing his job, but everyone involved called him a hero for what he did on that terrible day,” said Lee, who lives in Central Washington with her husband and four children. “He always remained modest and said that was his 15 minutes of fame.” The school bus hijacking in Osoyoos made national headlines, including a front-page article in theVancouver Sun newspaper. Scheer was given this country’s highest honour for bravery as a result of his actions on that spring day 20 years ago. He travelled to Ottawa and was given the Canada’s Medal of Bravery by then Governor-General Romeo Leblanc. On the day in question, Scheer was driving a bus with 14 school-aged passengers when he stopped to drop several of them off at Osoyoos Secondary School (OSS). Instead of getting off the bus, two teenagers, one armed with a loaded .357 Magnum handgun and the other with a large knife, jumped back on the bus and said they were hijacking the bus and wanted to go to Ontario. The RCMP and parents praised Scheer for staying cool and remaining with the children, even though he was given more than one opportunity to escape. Early in the ordeal, Scheer convinced the hijackers to let eight of the younger children go. Later on, as police negotiators tried to end the standoff, Scheer remained calm and continued to talk to the hijackers despite the fact the gun was pointed as his head. “I told them there wasn’t really any way out and it looked to me like it was a no-win situation,” Scheer was quoted in the Penticton Herald the day after the incident. Asked if he thought he was being heroic, Scheer responded, “No. I was just doing my job.” Scheer said the teenage hijackers never threatened him or any of the children, but he knew they were desperate and he feared for his life. “I felt I wasn’t going to come out of it alive,” he said. “It didn’t look good to me because they kept saying they had nothing to live for and nothing to lose. “What really scared me later on as they were talking, they said they only had three options and two of them were unspeakable. It meant killing us or killing themselves.” Sgt. Peter Montague of the RCMP said despite Scheer’s modesty, he was crucial in ending the hostage crisis. “I think what you’re hearing today is a very incredible story,” he said. “I don’t think there was any good luck involved. It was that everybody did the right thing, from Mr. Scheer who stayed cool throughout, to the action and support of the parents.” One of the parents made it very clear she believed Scheer was indeed a hero. “I was really proud of him for what he did,” said the woman, whose 13-year-old daughter was one of the kids on the bus throughout the four-hour incident. “I consider
Edgar Scheer (Contributed photo) him a hero.” Lee was a young teenager when the hijacking took place and even though she always had a very strong bond with her father, it became even closer. “My dad was my world and I told him how glad I was that he wasn’t hurt,” she said. “I was always his little girl and we became even closer after what happened on that bus. “My dad was always my hero, but he became the hero for all of Osoyoos that day.” One of the proudest moments of her life was accompanying her father to Ottawa to receive the Medal of Bravery, she said. “My dad invited me to go with him … it was something I will never forget,” she said. “I was so proud of him.” Her father would never brag about what he did that day, but also wouldn’t shy away from discussing it either, she said. “He didn’t like to bring it up, but if other people asked him about it, he would talk about it,” she said. “He never thought what he did was anything really special, but obviously everyone else disagreed.” Being honoured with the Medal of Bravery was a very proud moment for her dad, but it wasn’t his proudest moment, she said. “My dad used to just love the Super Dave Osborne show on TV and he got invited to appear on that show because of the hijacking incident,” she said. “Super Dave gave him a jacket and a small Super Dave medal and he was named Hero of the Week. My dad was always so OKANAGAN SUN • OCTOBER 2016 • 15
proud of that.” One of the two hijackers sent her a message on Facebook two years ago apologizing for his actions and she instantly forgave him, said Lee. “He seemed very sincere and I told him we all make mistakes and that I hoped he had learned a valuable lesson and would never hurt anyone again,” she said. “It was very honourable of him to apologize and I accepted. I’ve never heard from him again.” Tony Munday, best known as the executive director of the Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association, was one of the six children who were on the bus during the entire ordeal. “I can still remember everything about that day,” said Munday. “It’s not one of those things you ever forget.” Munday, who was in Grade 6 at the time, said he knew both teenage hijackers and was shocked by their actions. “Both of them had been travelling on the same bus with us for years,” he said. “One of the kids was always a little odd, but the other one was a nice kid from a nice family and we couldn’t believe he was involved in something like this.” They both shouted they were hijacking the bus and brandished their weapons, which was obviously frightening, said Munday. Scheer remained calm and cool throughout and was definitely heroic from that second on, he said. “At first he didn’t believe them and he tried to contact police,” he said. “Then the two kids started yelling and screaming at him and warned him if he tried that again they would kill him.”
What the hijackers didn’t know was Scheer had managed to keep the radio system on so police could hear everything that was being said on the bus and could easily trace its route through the town, said Munday. “Even though they threatened to kill him, he kept the radio on and police were able to know where we were going,” he said The hijackers ordered Scheer to stop the bus at an RV Centre in Osoyoos and were going to try and steal an RV, but they changed their minds when surrounded by police and ordered Scheer to drive up Anarchist Mountain, he said. Police had laid a spike belt on the highway near Bridesville and the bus pulled over to the side of the road, he said. Negotiations with police continued for about 90 minutes before both teens surrendered and were placed under arrest, he said. The ironic part is Scheer was never anything but ordinary until that memorable day, said Munday. “We would walk on the bus in the morning and say hello and he would say hello back,” he said. “If you stood up on the bus, he would tell you to sit down. He did his job, but after that incident you could tell there was a different connection between Mr. Scheer and the kids on his bus.” Munday said he would always consider Scheer a hero. “He certainly deserved that medal for bravery,” he said. “He stayed with us when he had numerous chances to escape. I’m just so glad no one was hurt.”
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Prison prepares to open this month By Dan Walton Five years after it was announced that the South Okanagan would be the home to a new jail, the $265-million facility is opening this month. A tentative grand opening date of Friday, Oct. 21 has been slated for the Okanagan Correctional Centre. “Everything’s on time and on target,” warden Steve DiCastri said in a recent talk about the status of the new prison at a South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce event. The facility will add about 300 new jobs to the community, said DiCastri, with 230 to 240 permanent and 50 to 60 contract positions. The new state-of-the-art correctional facility has just a dozen positions left unfilled. “We have one more recruit class to hire in January, but we have to see where our numbers land,” he said. Contract positions will be needed for the health care and culinary staff. Chiron Health Services will begin its hiring process in October or November and kitchen staffers will be recruited in October. New employees – the vast majority who will be correctional officers – are coming to Oliver from across the country, but mostly from the Okanagan corridor and Alberta, and a few from the United States, said DiCastri, adding that only a very small percentage of applicants declined job offers. After their fall start date, employees will undergo training until mid-January, when inmates will begin arriving. DiCastri noted that the Okanagan Correctional Centre attracted a more mature workforce than prisons closer to urban centres like Vancouver and Victoria. “We have four or five retired RCMP officers and we’re seeing more of an older population,” he said. “Down in the Lower Mainland, I would see mostly 22-35 year olds. Here it’s more 35-45 year-olds being hired. We think they’ll probably stay with us longer and stay in the community longer.” Late in December or early in January the prison will launch a program department that gives inmates a chance to be productive members of the community. “So we’ll see inmates in the community doing volunteer stuff,” he said. “There will be two crews out in the communities.” Part of the programming includes greenhouse work. Inmates will have the opportunity to grow vegetables and the food produced will sustain the prison’s kitchen and leftovers will be donated to the food banks in Oliver and Osoyoos. “We get out to give back to the community,” DiCastri said. “Our work programs consist of volunteering in old age homes, cleaning sidewalks, horse trails – those kinds of things.”
Warden Steve DiCastri says everything is ready for the Okanagan Correctional Centre to open this month. (Contributed photo) While working in the Fraser Valley, DiCastri said inmates donated around 600,000 man hours to the community each year and the new facility will generate about 350,000 man hours of volunteering in the South Okanagan, he said. “We do not compete against taking jobs from the city or anyone else.” Shortly after the grand opening, tours will be offered to the public in the afternoon and then throughout the weekend. “We’re inviting communities and their families to come and staff will be on hand to take them on a tour through the entire centre,” he said. Oliver Mayor Ron Hovanes spoke after DiCastri and said the new prison helped accelerate local property development at a rate that hasn’t been seen in decades. “I have to second-guess myself if I need to drive to Penticton for something because you can probably get it right here,” he said. “I think we’re going to see less and less bleed out to larger centres over the next year or two.” OKANAGAN SUN • OCTOBER 2016 • 17
By Kelsi Bissonnette Health and Wellness Coordinator Watermark Beach Resort
With fall coming, we will start to change up our diets and eat more grounded, rooted and hearty foods in preparation for the cooler climate. Here are just a few examples of vegetables that are categorized as roots. Yams, beets, parsnips, turnips, rutabagas, carrots, yuca, kohlrabi, onions, garlic, celery root (or celeriac), horseradish, daikon, turmeric, jicama, Jerusalem artichokes, radishes and ginger are all considered roots. Because root vegetables grow underground, they absorb a great number of nutrients from the soil. Today you hear a lot about turmeric and its healing properties. When examining the research some professionals feel turmeric benefits can go beyond that of these 10 drugs: anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-depressants, chemotherapy, anti-coagulants, pain killers, diabetes drugs, arthritis medications, inflammatory bowel disease drugs, cholesterol drugs, steroids. This fall try turmeric tea to get the wonderful health benefits in a tasty warm beverage: Ingredients 1 tsp. cinnamon pinch of clove pinch of nutmeg tsp. fresh ginger (optional) pinch of fresh ground black pepper* As much turmeric as you can handle! Start with a teaspoon and go up from there. 1-2 cups of water raw honey to sweeten milk sub of choice (I went with fresh coconut milk, but almond and hemp would both be delicious).
Wellness Words
Getting to the roots of your well-being … *I have included black pepper in this recipe as studies show it aids in the absorption of curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric. Make it slow and steady stove top method: Simmer herbs and water together for 10 mins. Strain out and add honey and milk. Fast and furious blender method: Boil water in your kettle and add to blender (a blender with gradual speed increase will reduce likelihood of pressure from steam of boiled water exploding out of your blender). Add in spices and blend until smooth and unified in colour. Strain out tea and add milk and honey. In some yoga practices the chakras, or energy meridians in the body, are discussed and the poses are focused on these areas in the body. Of the seven chakras, the Root Chakra is the first chakra and is located at the base of the spine. It is the root of your being and establishes the deepest connections with your physical body, your environment and with the Earth. The Root Chakra is the most instinctual of all chakras - it is your survival centre. Your fight and flight response is initiated from this chakra. This is your primal, animal nature. The energy of the Root Chakra allows us to harness courage, resourcefulness and the will to live during trying times. It connects us with spiritual energies of our ancestors, their challenges and
their triumphs. Since Base Chakra carries our ancestral memories, basically everyone experiences challenges or blockages. War, famine, natural disasters, and any events that threaten our basic survival, are all recorded within energies of the first chakra. These memories are imprinted in the subtle body and are passed down from generation to generation creating unconscious generational patterns. It is our work to take responsibility for our own lives and bring to light that which is unconscious. Enjoy the root vegetables this fall and get grounded in your well-being. Wellness is built inside ourselves from the ground up. Happy Fall Everyone! - Kelsi
YOGA • PILATES • SPINNING • TRX • STEP • SUP • MEDITATION • WORKSHOPS • RETREATS • WELLNESS
15 Park Place Osoyoos BC 250-689-6020
Sign Up Online
www.osoyoospilates.com Email inquiries contact us wellness@watermarkbeachresort.com 18 www.oksun.ca
MEETINGS
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 more info, call 250-4950410.
Grandmothers for Africa meetings are the second Wednesday of the month, 1 p.m. at the Osoyoos United Church.
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.
Osoyoos Elks #436, 2nd Wednesday meet at 7 p.m., Elks Hall, 8506 92 Avenue. Call Annette at 250-495-6227 or
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 250-495-2170.
OLIVER THEATRE
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.
Enjoy your evening out, taking in a movie at the Oliver Theatre!
October, 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
Thurs. – Fri. – Sat. Oct. 20 - 21 - 22
Sat. - Sun. – Mon. – Tues. Oct. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 Sat. Sun. Mon. Tues. Oct. 1 2 3 4
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 250-498-4372 or Donna 250-4955001. Oliver & Osoyoos Search & Rescue. 7 p.m. every Thursday. 100 Cessna St., Oliver (beside the Air Cadet hangar) www.oosar.org.
There will also be a matinee of this show on the Sat. at 2:00 p.m. All seats $6.00 for the matinee.
Sun. – Mon. – Tues. Oct. 23 – 24 - 25 Sun. Mon. Tues. Oct. 23 24 25
Violence, frightening scenes.
Thurs. Fri. Oct. 6 7 Thurs. - Fri. Oct. 6 - 7 Showtimes on Fri. @ 7:00 & 9:10 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.
Coarse language, drug use.
Thurs. - Fri. Oct. 27 - 28
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 250-498-8804.
Coarse and sexual language.
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues., Thurs. - Fri. Oct. 8 - 9 - 10 - 11, 13 - 14 Showtimes on Fri. & Sat. @ 7:00 & 9:30 p.m.
Violence, coarse language, sexually suggestive scene.
Communities for Kids Osoyoos Table Meeting. 3rd Monday of month 4 p.m. at Sonora Community Centre. 250498-8433 for info.
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues. Oct. 29 - 30 – 31, Nov. 1 Sat. Sun. Mon. Tues. Oct. 29 30 31, Nov. 1 Showtimes on Sat. @ 7:00 & 9:10 p.m. Violence.
Sat. - Sun. - Mon. - Tues. Oct. 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 Tues. Oct. 15 Showtimes on Sat. @ 7:00 & 9:10 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.
MARK WAHLBERG
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. T.O.P.S. meets every Thurs. at 10
Ken Thibault at 250-495-3936.
Violence.
Sexually suggestive scenes, violence.
Programme Subject To Unavoidable change without notice
OKANAGAN SUN • OCTOBER 2016 • 19
The Derina Harvey Band kicks off this year’s Osoyoos Concert Series on Oct. 27. From left are Matt O’Connor, Ed Smith, Derina Harvey, Scott Greene and Steve Pinsent.
As weather turns cold, Osoyoos Concert Series brings hot music By Richard McGuire As the weather starts to turn colder, the long-running and popular Osoyoos Concert Series warms up the colder months with hot music. The series once again offers four concerts starting in late October and concluding in mid March. The concerts are held at the Osoyoos Community Theatre at Osoyoos Secondary School (OSS). For a while this year, when the future of OSS was up in the air, organizers worried they might lose the use of the theatre and plans were made for an alternate location. “As it turned out, we’ve got our theatre,” said a relieved Pat Philpott, the longtime secretary of the all-volunteer Osoyoos Concert Series Society. The Osoyoos Concert Series offers an eclectic mix of popular music styles ranging from folk to country to pop with sometimes a taste of blues or jazz. 20 www.oksun.ca
It contrasts with and complements the highly popular South Okanagan Concert Series in Oliver, which tends more to classical music. The Osoyoos series tends to bring in B.C. musicians, but often performers come from other provinces, said Philpott. That’s the case this year, with two bands from Alberta and one from Ontario. This year’s series kicks off Thursday, Oct. 27 with the Derina Harvey Band. The five-piece Celtic rock group is headed by frontwoman Derina Harvey and they offer a fresh take on traditional tunes, interspersed with original jigs and reels. The Edmonton-based band is made up of transplanted east-coasters who have earned a reputation with their high-energy live show. Then on Thursday, Nov. 24, Everything Fitz does a show of high-energy fiddling and percussive Ottawa Valley step dancing.
When Laryngitis Leaves You Speechless
Everything Fitz performs their fiddling and step dancing on Nov. 24. The family band consists four 20-something Fitzgeralds – Julie, Kerry, Tom and Pat – along with parents Pam and Paddy. They draw their influence from the unique style of Irish, Scottish and French immigrants, but their show includes elements of bluegrass, jazz, swing, Celtic and gospel. Philpott acknowledges that Everything Fitz is the only one of the four bands she has seen herself, but she says she’s very excited about that concert. “It’s going to be fantastic,” she said. “We’re hoping to get a big turnout for that one.” The third concert, on Thursday, Feb. 9, features The Travelling Mabels, a folk/country female trio of spirit, spunk and laughter. The Alberta-based group draws influences ranging from Dolly Parton, The Eagles, and Bob Dylan to Cheryl Crow. The Travelling Mabels were voted 2011 Group of the Year at the Association of Country Music in Alberta (ACMA) awards. The final concert of the season takes place on Thursday, March 16 and features an Eva Cassidy Tribute by Cayla Brooke. Eva Cassidy, who died in 1996 at the age of 33, was an American vocalist and guitarist who played jazz, blues, folk, gospel, country and rock and pop classics.
The tribute is performed by two Vancouver vocalists – Brooke and Tom Pickett and a four-piece band. Included in the 25-song performance are such different audience favourites as Stormy Monday, Over the Rainbow, Wayfaring Stranger, Fields of Gold and Danny Boy. Philpott says most people buy concert tickets only for the shows they can attend, but season tickets are available. “Many people aren’t here for the whole four concerts,” she said, noting the popularity of the series for snowbirds. Surprisingly, despite the calibre of the music, most people coming to the concerts are living permanently or temporarily in Osoyoos. Philpott is puzzled why the series doesn’t draw more people from Oliver and other communities in the Okanagan. Some people are especially attracted by certain instruments or music genres, Philpott said. There’s enough variety at the annual concert series that most people should find music they like at some of the concerts. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $23 in advance or $25 at the door. Students are $15 and season tickets are $80 for the four shows. Tickets are available at Imperial Office Pro in Osoyoos and Sundance Video in Oliver.
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the larynx (voice box), which is located in the upper part of the respiratory tract. Usually your throat Greg Wheeler, gets hoarse and Pharmacist you may partially or totally lose your voice. Fever, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing may also occur. Common causes: Colds or flu GERD (acid reflux) Straining your voice, such as prolonged cheering or yelling Irritation, such as from allergies or smoke Treatment tips: Try not to talk as much. Whispering is harder on your vocal cords than normal speaking. Inhale steam from a bowl of hot water or from a warm shower. Drink warm, soothing liquids (not alcohol). Use a cool-mist humidifier; avoid air conditioning. Take over-the-counter pain relievers and throat lozenges. Quit smoking until you’re better If laryngitis is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Your Remedy’sRx pharmacist can suggest ways to relieve the discomfort of laryngitis.
105-291 Fairview Rd Oliver
250.485.4007
OKANAGAN SUN • OCTOBER 2016 • 21
Pianist Sergei Saratovsky will be performing Dec. 2 at an SOCS concert in Oliver. (Alexei Gaidin photo)
SOCS plans season of musical adventure By Marion Boyd Imagine yourself the evening of Nov. 11 arriving with friends to the bright lights of the Venables Theatre and hunkering down to the virtuosity, musicality, elegance, sensuality and humour of Quartango. Four highly accomplished musicians and two tango dancers evoke deep emotions as they share their passion for this Argentinian musical tradition. Then imagine an evening of this calibre available at only $16.15 until Nov. 10. The South Okanagan Concert Society, very close to full capacity audiences, has created this “on-line incentive” as we join the modern age and use the new technology of online ticketing in our own new theatre. You can now be confident that when you arrive with your ticket you will have an assigned seat and no anxiety at the door. Tickets will also be available at the theatre box office on Mondays from 11 am to 3 pm and at the door. If you need assistance during the transition from our old flex pass system call Janet at 250-495-6487 or Bob at 250-498-8889. Ticket prices after Nov. 10 are $22.50 with those under age 17 free. The season this year brings lots of musical adventure. The Nov. 11 performance will undoubtedly be a sellout, so don’t sit on your hands. Get your tickets and hear Quartango shed new light on the music of the tango with its international take on an Argentinean musical tradition. 22 www.oksun.ca
Then on Dec. 2 come to hear Russian-Canadian pianist, Sergei Saratovsky, show off his skills on our new grand piano. Sergei has been recognized with awards from Russian President Putin and Governor General Michaëlle Jean. Coming to Canada in 2002, he now has a doctorate in Piano Performance from UBC. His younger brother, Nikolai, is coming from Moscow to join him in a dynamic concert of well-known, one-piano, four-hand repertoire. When we enter the new year, Remi Bolduc, one of Canada’s best jazz saxophonists, will be on stage. Mark down Jan. 27, when his ensemble will captivate our audience with stunning virtuosity in “A Tribute to Dave Brubeck”. Acclaimed from New York to Paris via Geneva, Tokyo and Beijing, this performance will lift any winter blues sky high! For over 15 years, critics have praised the “artistry, poetry and impeccable technique” of Duo Concertante. Partners in life and in music, Nancy Dahn and Timothy Steeves are Canada’s premiere violin and piano duo. They will come to us Feb. 24, 2017 to close yet another satisfying South Okanagan Concert Society season of music. Tickets for all concerts are on sale now. Don’t wait to secure yours and get dates on your calendars. All concerts are at the beautiful Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver and start at 7:30 pm. Those requiring bus transportation from Osoyoos can call Maureen at 250-4957978 to make arrangements.
OCTOBER Osoyoos Coyotes Junior B hockey team plays October home games on Saturday, Oct. 8 (Princeton), Friday, Oct. 14 (Chase), Friday, Oct. 21 (Summerland), and Sunday, Oct. 30 (Kelowna). Game times at the Sun Bowl Arena are at 7:30 p.m. The Artists of the South Okanagan-Similkameen would like to invite the public to their show at the Nest and Nectar restaurant in the cannery building at 1475 Fairview Road in Penticton. Show runs until Dec. 19. Legendary blues and boogie woogie piano master Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne performs on Friday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver. Tickets at www.venablestheatre.ca. Artists on Main present an exhibition of their work from Oct. 8 to Nov. 5 at the Osoyoos Art Gallery, 8713 Main Street in Osoyoos. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Wine Country Racing Association hosts the last drag race of its 2016 season on Sunday, Oct. 9 at Osoyoos Airport. Gates open at 9 a.m. Racing starts around 1 p.m. Go to www.winecountryracing.ca for more information.
munity Rec Centre from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Presented by Valley Discovery Learning Community. Oliver Grandmothers for Africa Fall Frenzie will be at Medici’s Gelateria in Oliver on Friday, Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sale of exotic African handicrafts. Proceeds support the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Frank Venables Theatre presents the Lorne Elliott Comedy Show on Saturday, Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at venablestheatre.ca, or in person at Beyond Bliss or at Frank Venables Theatre on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Osoyoos Royalty Fall Fair and Tea is Saturday, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the upper hall at the Royal Canadian Legion. Free admission and tea is $5. Osoyoos Concert series starts the year off with the Derina Harvey Band on Oct. 27. Season tickets now available at Imperial Office & Sundance Video for $80 for all four concerts. Individual tickets $23 in advance or $25 at the door. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. at the Osoyoos Community Theatre. SOAP Theatre presents Boeing, Boeing at the Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver from Thursday, Oct. 27 to Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. This is the first of three plays in SOAP’s 2016-17 season. Check www.venablestheatre.ca for ticket information.
The Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen is very pleased to invite you to the 17th Annual Community Foundation Comedy Festival on Oct. 15 at the Barking Parrot in Penticton. Tickets are only $65 including dinner, an amazing auction and all three shows. Get your tickets at the Lakeside Resort front desk.
Art and Music Night at Jojo’s Café is Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. Open mic.
Oliver Market and Kids Swap Meet is Saturday, Oct. 15 at Oliver Com-
The Empty Bowls Fundraiser for Desert Sun Counselling and Re-
source Centre is Friday, Nov. 4 from 6 – 9 p.m. at the Watermark Beach Resort. Gourmet soups prepared by local chefs, artisan breads, regional beer, wine and cider. Tickets are $49 and are available online at www. desertsuncounselling.ca or by phone at 250-498-2538. 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. Need help with math, biology, chemistry, physics, English, socials? Certified teachers are volunteering their time and expertise for school after school tutoring. Monday to Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Osoyoos Baptist Church. For further information call David Adamson at 604-352-0076 or email schoolafterschool@gmail.com. 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. Send your events to: events@osoyoostimes.com
OKANAGAN SUN • OCTOBER 2016 • 23
starting under $300,000
24 www.oksun.ca