Okanagan Sun Sept 2015 by Okanagan Sun Magazine

SEPTEMBER 2015

FLEEING

THE WILDFIRE ROCK CREEK FIRE

Social Media A Source Of Support

This Month At Osoyoos Art Gallery

FREE

www.oksun.ca

100% locally owned

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the fires in the Boundary and Okanagan regions. Thank you to all the amazing firefighters who run towards danger when most of us are running away.

On behalf of our Board, Funding Partners, Voting Stakeholders and Staff, Destination Osoyoos extends our appreciation and heartfelt thanks to all the men and women who have put themselves on the front line to protect our beautiful region.

8501 MAIN STREET, OSOYOOS

250-495-6534

www.osoyooshomehardware.ca

Since 1985

The South Okanagan Chamber Of Commerce would like to thank our firefighters and their families for everything they do for our communities, including tirelessly protecting our area.

Osoyoos Bottle Depot • • • • • • • •

Beer cans & bottles Pop cans & bottles Liquor & Wine bottles Juices & Water bottles Tetra-Brik (Juice boxes) Styrofoam Cardboard Paint - Batteries - Glass

8305 - 72nd Ave, Osoyoos

250-495-2399

THANK YOU, FIREFIGHTERS! • • • • • • • •

Paint - Batteries - Glass Cardboard Styrofoam Tetra-Brik (Juice boxes) Juices & Water bottles Liquor & Wine bottles Pop cans & bottles Beer cans & bottles

250-495-2399 Osoyoos 8305 - 72nd Ave,

Osoyoos Bottle Depot

Mon-Sat 10:00am-4:00pm, Closed Sunday 2 www.oksun.ca

OK SUN

IN THIS ISSUE By Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug Fall is almost upon us, and hopefully the end of the long BC wildfire season along with it. It has been a particularly busy few months for firefighters here in the South Okanagan, with helitankers a common scene dipping into Osoyoos Lake, and other lakes further north, to fight the various fires in the area. The Rock Creek and Oliver wildfires especially took centre stage, and our Okanagan Sun issue this month focuses on the stories and photos of those who were on the scene. The wildfire situation brought out a lot of good in many people. Rock Creek residents dealt with fallout from the wildfire by using social media to check on each other, offer help in getting animals and livestock out of the fire’s path and regroup afterwards. We have an article about that aspect of things in this issue, and how the group CDART played a part in animal rescue. Various fundraisers in neighbouring towns including Osoyoos, and further afield took place in short order, as did donations of clothes and household items. As things started to settle down with the Rock Creek wildfire, it was decided by organizers of the annual Rock Creek Fall Fair, that the show would go on. ‎Now entering its 70th year, we expect this major event will bring in more people than ever before, to support the town. Hopefully by the time this issue is published, the Okanogan Wildfire south of the border will have been stamped down substantially. It is now the biggest wildfire in Washington history, and was responsible for much of the weeklong heavy smoke ‘cover’ in the South Okanogan in late August. And of course lastly, we recognize and thank all of the intrepid firefighters who battled, and continue to battle flames on both sides of the border. We wish for only blue skies ahead.

BC Liquor Agency Cold Beer And Wine

910 Main Street, Okanagan Falls • 250-497-5194

Thanks to our area firefighters! BELOW GOVT PRICE DEALS EVERY MONTH! Largest Craft Selection in the South Okanagan!

Call for special orders of Chester’s Chicken

Open 9 am to 9 pm • 7 days a week

Anytime is a good time for Caitlin’s Breakfast All Day! MON & TUES 7AM - 4:30 WED, THURS & FRI 7AM - 7PM SAT 7AM - 4:30 CLOSED SUNDAYS

250-497-6555

Main Street, Okanagan Falls

OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2015 • 3

CONTENTS Susan McCarell At The Osoyoos Art Gallery

Page 26 PUBLISHER

BRIAN HIGHLEY has run international cam-

paigns with Adbusters magazine and published the OK Sun newspaper in Osoyoos. He is of course writing this, and feels strange referring to himself in the third person.

REPORTER & PROOFREADER ANDREA DUJARDIN-FLEXHAUG

has been living in the South Okanagan and writing for newspapers for 25-plus years, ever since she graduated from the Journalism Program at Langara, VCC.

A MOUNTAINSIDE ON FIRE

ROCK CREEK WILDFIRE

FLEEING THE WILDFIRE AT KETTLE VALLEY CAMPGROUND

CDART SUPPORTS EMERGENCY RESPONSE

RESCUING HORSES FROM THE WILDFIRES

KICKSTARTING YOUR CREATIVITY

THIS MONTH AT OSOYOOS ART GALLERY

“

I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.”

~William Shakespeare

CONTRIBUT0RS

PETER HOVESTAD has been an avid photographer since discovering the dark room tucked under the stairs of his high school in the 1970’s. He is the president of the Osoyoos Photography Club.

JORG MARDIAN is a Certified Kinesiology

Specialist, Myoskeletal Therapist, Fitness Trainer and Registered Holistic Nutritionist. He specializes in injury/pain therapy, functional fitness, weight loss and holistic nutrition.

ON THE COVER

Peter Whitfield with ‘Grandma’s cookies.’ Peter’s story of fleeing the wildfire at Kettle Valley Campground is on page 10. Photo contributed.

We welcome feedback from our readers. Send comments to brian@oksun.ca or mail to Box 177, Okanagan Falls, BC V0H 1R0 Tel 250.535.0540. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in whole or part by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Whilst 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. © 2014 Okanagan Brian Highley <brian@oksun.ca> Sun Publishing. We reserve the right to refuse any submission or advertisement. ISSN 2291-2991

4 www.oksun.ca

Complete issues are available online at www.oksun.ca

Sun Sightings

Determined beachgoers ignore the heavy smoky haze over Osoyoos in August.

Photo by Peter Hovestad

Spectacular sunset above Testalinden Wildfire‎, August 20. Photo By Roger Richardson

OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2015 • 5

Thank you to the brave men and women who protect our community day-to-day and the forestry service battling wildfires; the Town of Oliver appreciates the risk you face to protect people and property from devastation.Â Sincerely, the Town of Oliver.

The Okanagan Sun would like to thank the area firefighters, on the ground and in the sky, for putting their lives in front of wildfires to protect us all.

Photo by Roger Richardson 6 www.oksun.ca

"The fire grew so intense we could hear the blaze from over a kilometre away." ~ Lee Thomas Baker, Assistant Winemaker, Church and State Winery, Oliver. Photo by Lee Thomas Baker

A Mountainside On Fire By Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug

he mountainside along Highway 97 between Oliver and Osoyoos became a spectacular display of flames that lit up the night sky on Friday, August 14. It was named the Testalinden Creek fire for its proximity to the creek, which became well known in June 2010 for a huge mudslide. The wildfire has continued to be feisty and, as of press time, it has grown to an estimated 3,717 hectares, with 60 percent contained. Homes in the immediate area were evacuated, highway use restricted and 11 helicopters and 232 fire fighting personnel came to fight the stubborn fire; and to try keep it from destroying homes and wineries. One such winery in the wildfire's path was Church and State Winery, and their assistant winemaker Lee Thomas Baker shared with the Okanagan Sun some photos he had taken, one of which we publish here. "We first noticed the flames around 5 pm and

reported it to the local fire department," says Baker. "We thought our production facilities that are located just west of Hwy.97 were going to be destroyed." "The fire grew so intense we could hear the blaze from over a kilometer away. I have never experienced anything like this before," he describes. " It made it so much more personal knowing all of our hard work was sitting so close to us. But there was nothing we could do to help it." A huge flare of fire surrounded the area, but fortunately the winery's building was spared from the flames, with fire trucks and police arriving shortly after the fire reached the building. Fortunately, no lives or buildings (except one structure) have been lost in the Testalinden fire so far, or in the much smaller Wilson's Mtn. wildfire one kilometre north of Oliver, although it did sadly see the loss of one home.

OKANAGAN SUN â&#x20AC;˘ SEPTEMBER 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ 7

Rock Creek Wildfire

Social Media A Source of Support For Evacuees By Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug Social media has allowed for easy and fast communication during difficult times, and this is certainly very evident during the 2015 summer wildfire season here in the South Okanagan. Important evacuation and wildfire announcements from government officials, travel with lightning speed to the public online, as do the many media reports and ‘on-the-spot’ observations from those dealing with the wildfires firsthand. The Rock Creek wildfire was particularly hard hitting this summer, with not only evacuations of residents, but also over 200 campers fleeing from the Kettle River Provincial Park campground on short notice. Fortunately, no lives were lost, although sadly 40 homes and 15 structures were either destroyed or damaged. In the aftermath, many evacuees soon found a source of support online, the ‘Rock Creek Fire and Evacuee Information’ Facebook page. Rock Creek resident Jenna Joyce Edwards set up the page on the night the fire started, as a result of being worried about her friends and neighbours in the small rural town. “ I had also worked in the Rock Creek campground for a season, and had heard it was gone but couldn’t find any information,” says Edwards. “I wanted to create a place for evacuees, friends and families to find information about their loved ones.” The page took off by storm, with 1,500 people joining the Facebook page in 24 hours. At present it is up to almost 3,000 members. “The things that are happening on this site are truly amazing,” says Edwards. “The night of the big flare-up in Rock Creek August 13 was the night I put together the page. That night everyone was posting accommodation options for evacuees.” “Because of that site we were able to house 13 people and a dog on our property in our B&B cabin, tent trailer and a tent. They had literally walked out of the Rock Creek Provincial (campground) that afternoon in their bathing suits, in order to escape the fire that had come so quickly.” On the evacuee page, there are posts on everything from lost animals ( cats, horses, dogs) to expressions of concern about the whereabouts of fellow Rock Creek residents. Several of the members allowed us to share their posts here.

8 www.oksun.ca

On August 16, Shelley May Couture, who had to evacuate her Westbridge home with her family, had lost track of her beloved cat Rusty. On the evacuee page she posted a photo of Rusty and wrote: “If anyone sees an orange and white cat in the Westbridge area near the cowboy ranch, his name is Rusty and is really friendly and we love him.” Other people posted words of comfort, but no sightings of the pet were forthcoming. Fortunately, Couture was able to report back with good news several days later upon returning to their unscathed house. “He’s back! Thank-you!” Betty Clark posted to the evacuee page on August 16 with the following: “Thank- you for sharing, even though I am on the other side of the country out in New Brunswick. My family live up in Beaverdell and I feel much closer to them because of your site, so surrreal yet you people are so amazing out there helping each other, and putting your lives on hold to come together as a community. Keep safe, my prayers are with you all.” Janet Poole , reminiscing about childhood days spent at the heavily fire damaged campground: “It was the Steel Bridge to us growing up long before there was a campground. Such a magical place, but nature has a way of recovering.” And this from Margaret Carter on August 22: “I would like to thank the two Telus guys who helped me in Rock Creek today. Was hard enough seeing that my place was gone for the first time, but then getting my car stuck on my hill was just too much to handle. So many people drove by and wouldn't stop, but you came to my rescue and got me out of there, and even drove the car back down to the hwy for me. Thanks so much for your kindness :). I would like them to know how much their kindness meant to me. It may have seemed like a small thing to them, but at that moment I felt like I had lost everything and now was stranded with no way out.” Note: As of press time August 29, the Rock Creek Wildfire was 4,417 hectares in size, and 75 percent contained.

Jon Logan of Rock Creek took the above photo of hope during the wildfire which hit his region hard during the month of August. It was taken across from Willow Springs Ranch in Westbridge.

The 'Welcome To Rock Creek' sign has never taken on more of a poignant significance than it did during the Rock Creek Wildfire, which started with a vengeance on Thursday, August 13. It took a tragic loss of 30 homes and an additional 15 structures which were damaged or destroyed. But perhaps surprisingly, it did not take the wooden welcome sign to this tight-knit friendly rural town. Daniel Peacock of Midway captured a photo of the sign, and shares it here with our readers. "This picture will always stay with me, the aftermath of such a tragedy," he says. The photo has also been posted online, where others have made comments such as, "I have to say, the sign is still standing strong, just like the community," "It sure hits home," "Resilient."

Photo by Daniel Peacock

OKANAGAN SUN â&#x20AC;˘ SEPTEMBER 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ 9

Fleeing The Wildfire At Kettle Valley Campground... An Evacuee's Story 'by Peter Whitfield

t was our first annual family camping trip to Kettle Valley, and family from the coast were joining us. There were 13 of us, two sets of grandparents, five kids, four adults and four dogs. We had quite the setup! We had been there only a day and half. We just came up for lunch, from a fantastic morning of swimming, floating and diving off the rocks at the river. Walking

10 www.oksun.ca

up the trail, I could smell smoke and couldn't believe someone would be having a campfire. My wife replied, “You’re on 'holidays, don't worry about it, it’s nothing.” Back at the campsite we could see some smoke and thought, ‘This could be from the Anarchist Fire that was burning,’ until a huge piece of ash fell on my sister-inlaw… and then panic set in. My brother-in-law and I decided to drive up and take

a look. We got to the highway, and they had the road blocked off 50 metres past the entrance to the park towards Rock Creek. I asked the flag person how far away (the fire) was, because we could now see dark black smoke. He said it was one kilometre away, and that it had jumped the highway. We drove back into the camp and stopped to talk to the host. We informed her that I was the Captain of the Lake Country Fire Department, and fire had jumped the road and people should start evacuating. We then headed back to our campsite and informed people on the way that we needed to evacuate right now! All of us at the campsite were frantically hooking up trailers and rounding up the kids and dogs to drive out of the park. But when we got out, there was a line of cars stopped and nobody was going anywhere. The gates were closed and we couldn't get out. My wife and kids were in tears, thinking we weren't getting out of here. Just then, you could hear the Rank 5 fire rushing towards us like a jet engine. The birddog swooped in over our heads. It was was so close you could almost touch it. The air tanker then laid a strip of retardant down to keep the fire from coming into the campground immediately. I told my wife to take the kids and to go to the other side of the bridge. So she gathered our kids and the rest of our family and went to the other side of the river. I said that I would be ok. The evacuees left on foot with just the clothes on their backs. There were elderly, kids, dogs, pregnant ladies… over a hundred people all evacuated the park over the bridge and down the back road to safety. I then went back to the truck and filled a duffle bag with drinking water and 'grandma’s peanut butter cookies'. I then went up to the washrooms where people were gathering, and that is where I heard a familiar voice, it was Lake Country Fire Fighter Paul Hipsey. We then talked to the host and asked what kind of tools they had, she gave us a shovel and one pump water can. We then set out

to scout the East Flank of the fire. When we got up to the sani-dump area we noticed a Rank 3 Fire with 3,000 ft. flank fire edge heading towards the campground. I started to dig a fireguard with the shovel, while Paul used the watercan to spray out the fire edge. Noticing that we would need more water, I proceeded back into the campground where I ran into Sean Reade, former Lake Country firefighter. Reade and another gentleman were clearing lots and vehicles, making sure people were evacuated. We disconnected Sean’s trailer and emptied his box out, and put every bucket we could find into the back of his truck. Sean and I went back to the fire’s edge and used the buckets of water, one of us cut fire guard and the other went to get more water. Firefighter Paul Hipsey worked 600 feet with the pump can north on the fires east edge all the way to the campground. At this time I received a call from my wife saying that they were walking out the path along the river towards Rock Creek. After several evolutions of running back and forth with water, about an hour and a half later my phone rang. Thinking it was my wife, it turned out to be the Midway Fire Chief telling us that the wind had changed and it was time for us to evacuate, which I told him we would do right away. Sean and I went back into the campground and picked up Paul Hipsey. As we were leaving we could see the north end of the campground going from a Rank 3 to a Rank 4 fire, which is a fire that travels on the ground and travels up trees. We proceeded down the pathway in Sean’s Truck to the bridge and evacuated the campground, and nobody was left behind. I talked to the host and the IA Crew from Monashee Fire and told them the ranks and where the fire was. Then we left Kettle Valley walking along the same path the other evacuees did. After a kilometre and a half we came across a junction with an RCMP member and other evacuees.We were then loaded into the back of pickup trucks and taken to Rock Creek to where the rest of

FINE JEWELERY FINE JEWELERY

elvisfinejwl@gmail.com DOWNTOWN OSOYOOS DOWNTOWN OSOYOOS

JEWELLERY REPAIR ON SITE GEMSTONES • ENGAGEMENT RINGS DIAMOND EARINGS • PENDANTS CUSTOM DESIGN BUYERS AND SELLERS OF GOLD & SILVER COINS

WE PAY T

OP PRICE

6053 Main St Oliver

778-439-GOLD

OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2015 • 11

my family were anxiously waiting for me. We were then taken to the evacuation centre in Midway, where we were fed and clothed by the local church. The evacuation centre and the people were set up in such a short time for such a large group of people. The caring and compassion of the Midway people were amazing. We spent quite a few hours there wondering what we were going to do next, when my sister-in-law starting talking to a couple from Greenwood (Ken and Sandy Medynski). They had come to Midway to help, and invited all of us into their wonderful home where they fed and clothed us, until we could find a way home. We can't thank them enough for what they did for all of us that day. We are forever grateful. Sandy's sister who owns the coffee shop (Deadwood Junction) in Greenwood also sent us on our way with amazing treats for our long trip home. These people have hearts of gold. The next day I phoned my father and he, my sister and a friend rented three vehicles to rescue us and bring us home. They had to drive through Nakusp and over the Needles Ferry 10 hours to get to us, as the other routes were closed due to fires burning. Theystories arrived pm toOkanagan get us. We didn't arrive home ...positive, upbeat fromatthe8 South until early morning the next day. We were all exhausted and traumatized from our family vacation. Our hearts go out to the people of Rock Creek and surrounding areas Box 177 路 Okanagan Falls, 路 more. V0H 1R0 who have lostBC even We will be donating clothes and items to give back to these wonderful people.

250.535.0540

COMPLETE ISSUES AVAILABLE ONLINE

250-535-0540 Got a story to tell? s! Contact u

ads@oksun.ca Box 177

Okanagan Falls, BC

www.oksun.ca

...positive, upbeat stories from the South Okanagan

250.535.0540

V0H 1R0

Box 177 路 Okanagan Falls, BC 路 V0H 1R0

COMPLETE ISSUES AVAILABLE ONLINE y Got a stor to tell? s! Contact u

FREE Double Movie Pass Giveaway Enter for your chance to win at www.oksun.ca under the Contests tab.

www.oksun.ca 12 www.oksun.ca

Nutt brings comedy to Medicis

LOCKSMITH commercial • residential • automotive

A-1 Security Rene’s Lock & Key

Government Licensed And Bonded

250-495-3352 On Friday Sept 11, Medici’s Gelateria and Coffeehouse is bringing in a fantastic comedy show starring Just For Laugh’s and Montreal Comedy Fest star Tim Nutt. Tim NuttThurs. is a comic who can’t - Fri. – Sat. Sept. 4 – 5 -be 6 judged by his cover. Long-haired, bearded and “rough around the Showtimes on Sat. @ 7 :00 & 9:20 p.m. edges” audiences expect Nutt’s material to match. But he surprises with razored-down punch lines and well conjured-up premises that place him as one of the top comics working today. Closed His appearance at the 2006 Just For Laughs was so impressive he was named one of the “Best of the Fest” and reviewers asked “where have they Thurs. been - Fri. – Shiding at. Sept. this 25 – 2guy?” 6 - 27 The answer was, in comedy clubs across Fri. – Sat. – Sun. - Mon. – Tues. Canada where Tim has established Sept. 12 – 13 – 14 – 15 - 16 himself as a top-draw for the past 16 years. Tim Nutt has appeared in the folThurs. – Fri. – Sat. – Sun. – Mon. – Tues. lowing top comedy fesSept. 25 – 26 – 2clubs 7 – 28 – and 29 - 30 tivals: Winnipeg Comedy Festival Just For Laughs – Montreal, Just For Laughs – Toronto, Halifax Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs Road Show, Just For Laughs National Tour ’06, Hubcap Comedy Festival, Cat’s Laugh Kilkenny Festival, St. John’s Comedy Festival, , Comedy Now, and Stand Up in Kandahar (CBC) Tim started doing stand-up comedy in Vancouver in May of 1993. Showtimes on Fri. & Sat. @ 7:00 & 9:10 p.m. After moving to Toronto in 1995, Tim worked full time as a professional comedian. He now makes his home in Kelowna, BC.

OLIVER THEATRE Enjoy your evening out, taking In a movie at the Oliver Theatre!

September, 2015 Programme

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

Visit Our Website

Thurs. - Fri. Sept. 17 – 18

www.olivertheatre.ca Thurs. - Fri. Sept. 3 – 4 Showtimes on Fri. @ 7:00 & 9:10 p.m.

Coarse and sexual language.

Sat. - Sun. – Mon. – Tues. Sept. 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 Frightening scenes.

Sat. - Sun. – Mon. – Tues. Sept. 5 - 6 - 7 - 8

Coarse and sexual language.

Thurs. - Fri. Sept. 10 – 11

Violence, coarse language.

Back by popular demand!

Thurs. - Fri. Sept. 24 - 25

There will also be a matinee of this show on the Sat. at 2:00 p.m. All seats $6.00 for the matinee.

Sat. - Sun. – Mon. – Tues. Sept. 12 - 13 – 14 – 15 One Showing Nightly @ 7:30 p.m.

Frequent coarse language.

Violence, frightening scenes.

Sat. - Sun. – Mon. – Tues. Sept. 26 - 27 - 28 - 29 Showtimes on Sat. @ 7:00 & 9:15 p.m.

Violence.

Programme Subject To Unavoidable change without notice

OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2015 • 13

Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team There is always a team there to help animals, both domestic and wild, during wildfires. The Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team (CDART) was front and centre during the recent wildfires in both Oliver and Rock Creek.Requests for evacuation of animals included everything from horses, sheep, goats, pigs and chickens to cats, dogs, alpacas, llamas, donkeys and even a rabbit. All of the animals are temporary housed at local pet boarders, animal hospitals and community centres. “We are so grateful to places like TriLake Animal Hospital, Kelowna Riding Club, D-Bar-K Ranch, Whiskers & Woofers and private fosters for making the animals comfortable and understanding their levels of stress during these complicated times for them,” says Karen Silk,

CDART Command. “ The volunteers that care for these animals are absolutely remarkable at all levels of care. It is extremely difficult for them to be hauled away from their homes with fire everywhere, smoke everywhere.“ “We must also be mindful of the terrible suffering and loss of some animals, particularly in the Rock Creek fire,” notes Silk. “There was little that many folks could do if they were even at home. That loss of control, of utter helplessness wanting so badly for your animals to be okay and protected, is one of the most severe emotions that we will feel as human beings. “ “We saw and spoke with evacuees who had little or no sleep for days on end,” says Silk, “ Not knowing where or if their animals were even alive, not knowing if they still faced fire

peril. becomes a physical condition and causes great anguish for people who love their animals.” Silk adds “We spoke with many people who offered help at all levels and could only try and get them to be patient while we did what we could to get permission to get into the area and feed/water animals. The Ministry of Agriculture and the EOC John McLean were particularly helpful and respectful with the animal queries and notifications.” CDART suggests that animal owners always try to have a plan of some sort. Understand that when an Evacuation Alert is given, don’t leave your property or have someone else mind your property for you while you are away from it. Have livestock in an accessible paddock or corral for easy loading - practice loading

your horses, alpacas and llamas throughout the year; develop mutual aid agreements with friends in other communities. Take the CDART training so that you have a full understanding of how Incident Command works in these horrible times. And most of all, don’t beat yourself up because you weren’t as ready as you might have been. Remember how to be a good neighbour.

OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2015 • 15

“Hard times don’t create heroes. It is during the hard times when the ‘hero’ within us is revealed.” -Bob Riley 16 www.oksun.ca

Photo by Roger Richardson

OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2015 • 17

OSOYOOS

Ambrosia Watermark Beach Resort Buy Low Ella’s Greek Restaurant Dairy Queen Family Foods Elks Hall Shell Husky Sun Valley Dental Centre Waterfront Eyecare Mike’s Barber Shop Pharmasave Bonnie Doon Edward Jones Osoyoos Art Gallery Yore Movie Store Shoppers Drug Mart

OLIVER

T2 Market Buy Low A&W Super Valu Medicis Gelateria Ye Olde Welcome Inn Sabyan Automotive Service & Repair Canadian Tire Amos Realty Elite Jewellery Pizza Yum Yum’s Crucetti’s Macdonald Realty Oliver Art Gallery Shoppers Drug Mart

The Rock Creek and Boundary Fair Association (RCBFA) would like to inform everyone that the Rock Creek Fairgrounds have been untouched by the Rock Creek Wildfire and that the Rock Creek Fall Fair is on schedule for September 19 and 20. Our hearts and hands are with our friends and neighbours right now, but we are still working away to bring about another ‘best ever’ Rock Creek Fall Fair. Our line up of entertainment and activities has not changed. The Rock Creek Fall Fair is a yearly reminder to locals and visitors what a great area this is, full of great people - it will be no different this year. We have had many calls from people near and far that want to donate towards the relief effort in our community; the RCBFA is in contact with local service organizations and once a fund has been established, we will post this information on our website. We deeply appreciate the goodwill of our friends, family and complete strangers at this time of great trauma. A huge thank you to all the emergency responders and services; support crews and volunteers that have, and still are, working to help us stabilize and recover.

OKANAGAN FALLS IGA Pharmasave Caitlin’s Bear Bean Coffee Heritage Market Falls Market

18 www.oksun.ca

www.oliverdailynews.com www.okfallsdailynews.com www.osoyoosdailynews.com

Rescuing My Horses From The Wildfires By Jennifer Brock This is a firsthand account by Rock Creek resident Jennifer Lynn Brock of her horse rescue mission during the during the Sidley Mtn. (Anarchist) / Testalinden wildfires in August.

Two days ago, Bill got friends Sandra and Greg to come up and help move some of my horses, as the Anarchist Fire was within two miles of us, and blowing our way. Some of my horses, and one of Bill’s, were move to the Kilpoola area just west of Osoyoos. This afternoon, I read about the fire in the Kilpoola area, and called my friend where they were staying. “Yes, you might want move them,” is the response I got. I had nine horses there. That means three trailers. But I have only a 2 horse, and we borrowed a small stock trailer. But after a few frantic calls, I got a friend Trish, who gave me her stock trailer, to also call a friend Dan to come and help as he had a trailer also. By then, Bill (William D. Stewart) and I were on our way to Osoyoos, 30 minutes away. At the first road block the police didn’t want to let us past. But I think the one cop who got angry at me knew I was going to go crazy; and I was in a Dodge Hemi and Bill was in a big Dually, so we got to go through. Holy firestorm! We pulled in to the hobby farm, watching sagebrush burst into flames all around us, on three sides basically. I grabbed three halters and I ran to the field, which was about five acres. The horses were of course at the far end, grazing as if the conditions were normal. I kept calling “ponies”, “ponies.” I loved my guys for coming to me. The fire and 10 to15 foot flames were within 200 feet of Bill and I. Ash and smoke were all around us, and fire (lots of flames), no need for a flashlight. Yet incredibly, the horses were all calm at the heart of the firestorm.

I loaded all but three, and a boarder’s horse. Instead of leaving them, I got the landowner to drive my rig out to the highway. Bill followed him, and I walked three horses out in the dark over 2 km. We went past firetrucks and cops; and the roar and light of the raging fire. Several cars and trailers passed us as well, full of people being evacuated. The second friend Dan came along when the two rigs were at the highway, and he was allowed through. This was thanks to a horse loving female cop I talked to on the road. We got the last three loaded. At that time, the cops allowed us back to get the boarder’s horse. That was about the time CDART showed up (thanks Charlie), and we went back in. I got the boarder’s horse and then the cops asked us to rescue two more. We drove around trying to find the place for a few minutes, then after about five minutes, I caught the first horse. The female cop said to stay, as I would be the one to catch the other. While Charlie and his friend Jim held the one horse and worked the gate with the landowner, I did indeed catch the second horse. Just as we got all loaded up and started to drive them back home, we got a lovely rain. I can’t explain the horror of standing 200 feet from 10 to15 foot flames trying to catch and load horses; or walking down a road with three horses in a firestorm.

Kudos to horse Phyllis, and Windsor who was not spooky; and to my draft cross Duke, who was as solid as they come. That is Duke’s head in the photo. The close- up of Duke was blurry because Duke’s white blaze took the flash over on the camera phone. We were right at the base of this fire posted in the photo. Thanks to my mom who passed away about 11 months ago. I know she gave me the strength to step into hell and rescue my equine kids. And thanks to my friend Bill who went with me. Anyhow, I think my CDART audition went pretty good (LOL). And I got lots of exercise. I did it all on four hours of sleep last night, and my last meal today was at 2 pm. I had a bath and a drink and it was time for bed.

Kickstarting Your Creativity

By Peter Hovestad No matter what your medium, whether it's a visual medium like drawing, painting or photography; sculptural, like carving or ceramics; music, dance, poetry or whatever, there will invariably be highs and lows in your artistic energy. The occasional (or not so occasional) artistic slump can make the photographer feel like there's just no more pictures to be made and that it's time to find some other creative outlet. Sometimes it's just a phase that appears and disappears quickly without apparent cause or lasting effect but other times it can be overwhelming, frustrating and seemingly impossible to beat. There are ways to overcome this type of block and quite often it involves forcing yourself to try something new or challenging yourself with a project of some sort. Here are just a few ideas and projects that might make it a little easier to break out of your next slump. One Room - 100 Photos

It's not as easy as it sounds. Pick a room - bathrooms are a favourite for this exercise but a kitchen would be 20 www.oksun.ca

a good second choice - and take 100 photographs. Not snapshots. Composed, properly exposed, creative images. The first 10 or 20 should be fairly easy but before long you'll find yourself having to think hard to come up with creative ways to make an interesting image from mundane subject matter. The object of the exercise is to train your mind to look at things in new ways with the hope that the next time you're out shooting you'll start to see things that you hadn't previously considered photoworthy as a creative challenge. A photo a day One popular project is the "photo-aday" project, where the photographer makes an image every day for a year. This is a serious commitment that often includes posting the image online to one's personal site or to a community on a social network. It can have a theme of some sort, or not, that's not really important. What is important is to make that one image every day. Granted, some days that's not going to be a great shot. On the other hand, some of them will

be great and, the longer you keep working at it, every day, the more consistently those shots will be great shots. Just remember to do it every day. The bonus result of this exercise is that you'll be using your camera everyday which is going to improve your camera handling skills. One Camera, One Lens Pick a lens with a fixed focal length and shoot with just that lens for a specific period of time. It's easy to head out with a couple of zoom lenses in your bag, ready for whatever comes along, but that's the problem - it's too easy. It's too easy to just put the camera to your eye, zoom in to frame the scene and shoot. With a fixed lens you need to be more thoughtful composing your image. Since you can't zoom with the lens you'll have to zoom with your feet, moving closer or further from your subject to fill the frame. Invariably you'll find yourself moving around more when you're shooting, looking for the best angle or vantage point, and ending up with better images as a result.

Try Film If you've only ever shot digital then shooting with film can seem like walking a tightrope without a net. You can't just look at the screen on the back of your camera and check your shot so you'll never really know if your photograph is successful until it comes back from the lab (or until you develop the film yourself which is actually quite easy). Unlike digital, where you have hundreds, if not thousands of images on a single memory card, with film you only have a limited number of exposures on a roll and each shot you take has an actual, per shot cost for both film and processing. You'll quickly find yourself slowing down and actually thinking about each image you make. As it turns out film is a very forgiving medium and good prints and scans can be made from less than perfect exposures, unlike digital where correct exposure is more critical. As a bonus you'll get the "film" look from actually using film instead of applying an Instagram filter to make it look like it was. Once you try it you may discover that you prefer shooting film over digital which opens up whole new worlds of creative challenges and opportunity. Personal Projects Beyond simply focussing on a particular type or style of photography like landscape, street, portraiture, wildlife or that sort of thing, a

personal project is something that typically grows from an idea, a thought or an observation that strikes a personal chord within the artist. As someone living in a resort community, I find it interesting to consider the contrast between the summer, tourist season and the remainder of the year, when the resorts and campsites empty and the resident population returns to it's regular day to day activities. This idea sparked a personal project of my own called Between Seasons, which documents the town that our vacationing guests don't see. Another ongoing project, Patterns in the Landscape, has me photographing vineyards and orchards, especially in the winter when the contrast between bare branches and the fresh snow offers all sorts of compositional opportunity. Both of these are long term, open ended projects but smaller projects can be good too. A popular short project is finding and photographing representations of every letter in the alphabet in nature, architecture or the landscape. Or, similar to the One Room exercise, shoot 100 images of a specific subject - 100 winery doorways for instance. Or pick a handful of locations and

try taking the same picture from the same spot in each of the four seasons. With a personal project or two on the go, there will always be something to shoot, even when there's nothing to shoot. Seminars, Classes, Retreats and Tours A great way to kickstart your creativity is to attend a photo seminar or retreat. While there are many great training resources available online, nothing beats attending a photo event with other photographers. Being totally immersed in photography, with other photographers for a day, or two, or a week can be very rewarding and inspiring. You'll learn new things and your photography is almost certain to improve. Some cities have private photography schools with specialized courses, such as the Vancouver Photo Workshops, which conducts classes and workshops at

OKANAGAN SUN â&#x20AC;˘ SEPTEMBER 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ 21

their facility as well as conducting regional and international photo excursions. Among the many photography professionals that conduct workshops are Canadian photographer Andre Gallant who conducts workshops in New Brunswick and at Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, and Jeff Curto, a retired photo history professor and large format film shooter who conducts several trips to Italy every summer. If street photography is your thing look up Peter Turnley's sessions in Paris, New York, Venice, Sicily and in Cuba. Interact with Other Photographers You don't need to travel far to enjoy meeting and shooting with other photographers. Local photography clubs often conduct field trips and photo walks and if your community doesn't have a photo club (and you don't feel like starting one yourself) check out the Canadian Association of Photographic Art. CAPA welcomes both individual members and organized photography clubs to their organization and have a variety of programs and contests to participate in. You can also check online to see if there might be some sort of virtual club that you can get involved in. Facebook has both local and international communities dedicated to all types of photography and photographic processes. There are groups devoted to particular cameras and camera brands, groups to buy and sell gear, groups to show off vintage camera collections, groups that process and print using all kinds of antique and alternative processes and practically any other photography related topic that you can think. There's no denying that it can be difficult to stay motivated if you're not in a creative frame of mind. Sometimes the best thing to do is just get your camera and start shooting. Much like an appetizer before a meal can whet your appetite for the courses to come, the simple act of picking up the camera, looking at the world through the viewfinder and pressing the shutter can convert your basic artistic hunger into an appetite to create new and interesting images.

22 www.oksun.ca

World Wide Photo Walk 2015 If you're interested in participating in an organized photowalk be sure to check out kelbyone/photowalk for information and to register for this year's World Wide Photo Walk. This is the eigth annual walk and will be the third year that a walk will be organized for Osoyoos. At least one walk will be taking place in Kelowna and more walks are announced as new walk leaders register. Open to photographers of all ages and skill levels, this event is a great way to meet and spend a few pleasant hours shooting with other photographers in your area.

Seniors Forums In Oliver And Osoyoos

The Wine Country Retired Teachers Association and other groups are sponsoring a forum to talk about and learn about seniors’ issues and concerns. Our federal election candidates for this riding will be present to listen, learn and to be advised about what matters to seniors and what seniors care about. These forums are for seniors to talk about issues and voice their concerns and debate possible solutions to problems that need Federal Government attention. These forums will be non-partisan and we will discuss a number of topics including: healthcare for seniors, long-term care, end of life care and transportation services for seniors. The forums will take place in Oliver and Osoyoos. They will be approximately 90 minutes in length. In Osoyoos the forum will be held at the Osoyoos Seniors’ Centre on Monday, September 14 at 1 pm. In Oliver, the forum will take place in room 2 of the Oliver Community Centre starting at 1 pm on Tuesday, September 15. Please mark your calendars and try to be at one of these events, so that you can ask the prospective polticians to hear your concerns.

Who do you listen to for advice on nutrition and health? (NC) Are you concerned about how the food you eat affects your health? Confused about all the conflicting information regarding nutrition? Do you ever wonder who can help you? Get your health questions answered Many Canadians are looking for a nutritional advantage to help avoid health issues, optimize athletic performance and provide healthy meal choices for our family. Registered dietitians are the professionals who are qualified to give you the safe, ethical and science-backed nutrition advice for healthy eating. A trusted source of information With so much information available at our finger tips, it's hard to know who to trust and what advice to follow. The high standards in place to become a dietitian includes an accredited four-year or equivalent degree with appropriate courses in sciences and human nutrition, administration and humanities; an accredited dietetic internship or equivalent supervised practical training; and, successful completion of the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination. Quality Assurance All members of the college, regardless of their employment status or area of practice participate in a quality assurance program. The program helps dietitians improve their knowledge and skills; identifies where they need to improve and supports ongoing learning to ensure quality dietetic care. Should you have an issue with the nutrition care you have received from a registered dietitian, more information is available at www.mydietitian.ca.

Coping with common

skin conditions

Acne

Acne is most common in teenagers and is caused by overactive sebaceous glands. Creams and lotions with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, Greg Wheeler, glycolic acid Pharmacist GREG or sulphur are available through PHARMACIST Remedy’sRx without a prescription. For serious acne, antibiotic lotions may help.

Rosacea

It’s not yet known what causes rosacea, a skin disorder that causes your face to become redder and appear inflamed. If it becomes severe, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics to reduce inflammation.

Eczema

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, features small, itchy bumps and is most common in babies and small children. It is best to stay away from creams, ointments, soaps or anything that will irritate the skin. A doctor will prescribe corticosteroids or antihistamines if necessary.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a severely itchy, chronic skin condition. There is no permanent cure, but there are many creams and lotions available, including coal tar, that help. Talk to your Remedy’sRx pharmacist or doctor about other treatments such as topical steroids, ultraviolet B light and calcipotriene.

These common skin conditions can affect the quality of your life. Ask your Remedy’sRx pharmacist for help coping with them.

105-291 Fairview Rd Oliver

250.485.4007

OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2015 • 23

Great Response To Request For Greenwood Food Bank Items Thanks to everyone who responded to the request on our website and others regarding stockup of the Greenwood Food Bank in the wake of the Rock Creek Wildfire. Organizer Jennifer Brock reports below.

o the other day the Greenwood Food Bank, which actually covers the entire West Boundary area, put out a desperate call for help. I posted and made some calls, made a large personal donation in shopping and delivered stuff. I have more stuff at my Real Estate office to pick up as there have been other donations from private people around Osoyoos and Oliver - as well as AG Foods, Shoppers Drug Mart and Osoyoos Credit 24 www.oksun.ca

Union. No one ever should have to go hungry. Del Dickin, you driving in with stuff from Grand Forks was so awesome! I want to show you the before and after as I saw it in person when it was empty. Sadly in these times and conditions this will only last about a month. So please help make a difference to someone and give even one can of food each time you shop. Thank-you to all.

“It has taken me a few hours this afternoon and a lot of tears to process the outpouring of support to the people of Rock Creek and area and the amount of food, bath supplies and cash that came pouring in when I asked for west boundary food bank support. So when I went down to my office at Macdonald Realty in Osoyoos, I didn't expect what I saw. My Ford Explorer SUV was packed to the max. I actually filmed the vehicle being unloaded to show how packed it was by the loving and caring folks of Osoyoos. A special thanks to the residents of Mariposa Manor and the $250 cash donation also. After we loaded up I took a last photo and selfie ... WOW ... what the camera showed was truly heart melting. It has been 11 months since my mom died, and I know she's been with me through this whole fire journey. This selfie proved that to me. Thank you all for helping out our little community food bank.”

OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2015 • 25

Beyond the Brush

Susan McCarrell At Osoyoos Art Gallery

By Roy Wood

26 www.oksun.ca

t’s been a long, twisting road for Susan McCarrell in her journey from 20-year-old wouldbe art teacher to full-time multi-media artist. This month her show Beyond the Brush graces the walls of the Osoyoos Art Gallery. And she couldn’t be happier. “I just love that little gallery,” she said in a recent interview. “They asked me to have a show there… something a bit outside the box. I’m so excited to be involved with the Osoyoos Art Gallery. I’ve always loved it.” The feeling goes both ways. Curator Sue Whittaker said the gallery has been trying to expand its horizons and McCarrell helps do the job. “I really appreciate the different approach to art. This is definitely different and funky,” Whittaker said. About 35 years ago McCarrell set about to become an art teacher, taking a two-year program at the (then) Capilano College in North Vancouver. “I always thought I’d go into the arts,” she said. But she took a bit of a detour and studied to become a paralegal. She practised that craft in Vancouver for 15 years. Then she and husband Peter decided another radical lifestyle change was in order. They moved to Oliver and purchased a dormant vineyard and, as was the practice in the early 1980s, pulled out the old vines and replaced them with new varietals. The Black Hills Estate Winery was born in its soon-to-be familiar quonset hut on Black Sage Road. After 13 years as vintners the couple sold, and since then McCarrell has been a full-time artist. “I had always dabbled … always been involved in the arts. But now I could seriously sink my teeth into it,” she said. McCarrell describes herself as self-taught, although she has taken a number of workshops. Her mixed media works are becoming well-known in the Okanagan Valley. She shows mainly at the Tumbleweed Gallery in Penticton, but has also taken part in shows in Kelowna, Peachland, Summerland and Oliver. She said she recently has aroused some interest in Vancouver and plans to follow up that lead. Her marketing experience at the winery has carried over nicely into her work as an artist. “Instead of selling wine, I’m selling art,” she said.

Open 7 days 7:00 am - 4:00 pm www.jojoscafe.ca

8316 Main St Osoyoos 250.495.6652 OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2015 • 27

PUZZLE PAGE STR8TS

SUDOKU Medium

8 7 9 6 7 5 4 6 2 3 3 2 5 4 1

2 1

3 5 2 9

5 2 6 9

You can find more help, tips and hints at www.str8ts.com

3 4

8 3

5 4 6 4 3 1 5 2 9 1 3 7 2 4 8 5 6 8 1 9 7 8 9

er 1 to 9 can 28 repeat in any row www.oksun.ca umns are compartments. 2 1 4 5

3 2

Very Hard

5 4

4 7 6 1 3 8 9 2 5

6 9

9 1

6 7 8

5 7 6

8 7

How to beat Str8ts – Like Sudoku, no single number can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. These need to be filled in with numbers that complete a ‘straight’. A straight is a set of numbers with no gaps but can be in any order, eg [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to The solutions will be published here in the next issue. see how ‘straights’ are formed.

6 2 6

7 4

4 8

SUDOKU

Tough

Each Sudoku has a solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit, as must every column, and every 3X3 square. Solutions available at www.oksun.ca

2 8 6 3 7 5 3 2 4 2 3

5 7

9 8 6 9 7 5 8 4

9 4

Easy

1 7 4 7 8 2 6 5 7 1 5 6 8 9 3 1 6 7 3 8 9 6 8 5 To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

Never Miss An Issue! Subscribe to the electronic version of Okanagan Sun by clicking ‘Subscribe’ at

No. 238

Stay up to the minute with Okanagan Sun Magazine on Facebook and Twitter

No. 238

Previous solution - Easy

2 9 8 5 4 7 6 1 3

To co boar such 3x3 uniq

For m tips,

If yo book muc

PUZZLE PAGE WORDSEARCH

Old TV Shows ADDAMS FAMILY BATMAN BEWITCHED CHINA BEACH COACH DEAR JOHN DOCTOR WHO FRASIER FULL HOUSE GUNSMOKE HAZEL HEE HAW

HOWDY DOODY I SPY LAUGH IN MANNIX MAVERICK NIGHT COURT ROSEANNE TARZAN THE NANNY THE WALTONS TWIN PEAKS

Never Miss An Issue! Subscribe to the electronic version of Okanagan Sun by clicking ‘Subscribe’ at

www.oksun.ca Stay up to the minute with Okanagan Sun Magazine on Facebook and Twitter

OKANAGAN SUN • SEPTEMBER 2015 • 29

SEPTEMBER Aug 29 - Sept 19: Susan McCarrell is the featured artist at the Osoyoos Art Gallery. McCarrell is a mixed media artist from the South Okanagan. She is interested in exploring the sentimentality of the past and uses emerging techniques made possible by technology to express her vision. Sept 5: Fre Join the Oliver-Osoyoos Naturalists Society on their next hike along the McKinney Snowshoe Trail. This is a fairly strenuous hike following a rudimentary trail with some route finding challenges.The road to McKinney is unpaved gravel. Meet at the Oliver Visitor Centre at 9.30 a.m. For more details, please call hike Leader Skip King-250-485-0263 Sept 11-13: 2015 Annual Skaha Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show. Held at the Nk’Mip Campground. Conformation, Obideience, Rally Obedience, Canine Good Neighbour Testing, Baby Puppy Sweeps, and Puppy Sweeps Classes. Skaha Kennel Club Show is the traditional way to wrap up the summer show season for over 30 years! Famous Baron of Beef Club Dinner and 50/50 draw on Saturday Night. www.skahakennelclub.ca/show.html for more info. Sept 11-13: The Lake Osoyoos Sailing Club hosts their annual Invitational Regatta and North American Seaspray Championship. All classes of sailboats are welcome. You can enjoy seeing the colorful sails starting their races in front of the clubhouse located at 8015 Spartan Drive. Friday features the Seaspray sailors demonstrating their skills in a group of competitive veteran sailors. The Invitational portion of the event including other classes of boats begins Saturday morning with the first race set to start around 10 am. For further information contact: 30 www.oksun.ca

sailosoyoos@live.ca Sept 12: The Trews Live - Tinhorn Creek Amphitheatre. Gates Open - 7 PM All Ages Sept 12: Rotary Lobster on the Beach. 6 pm at Gyro Beach in Osoyoos. Tickets $65 at Office Pro in Osoyoos or Beyond Bliss in Oliver. Sept 13: Highway To Healing Fundraiser ‘Ride To Provide’. 9 am at Oliver Lions Park. Information or to register please visit www.highwaytohealing.org Short ride: 5K or 10K $10 per person. Long ride: 30K $25 per person. Registration includes: Pledge Form, BBQ lunch & drink, T-Shirt (first 100 registrants), chance to win prizes, hydration & energy at 2 fueling stations. All funds raised go to Highway to Healing for Oliver families. Sponsored by Double 0 Bikes. Sept 16: Vaseux Brush Clearing. Oliver-Osoyoos Naturalists Club annual brush clearing of the Vaseux board walk. Bring loppers, gloves etc. as well as lunch and binoculars for afterwards. Meet at Vaseux parking lot at 10 a.m. Skip King- 250485-0263 Sept 19: Considered by many as the most grueling of adventure races around, athletes race through lush fields and vineyards, wild grasslands of the neighbouring mountains and down to the Okanagan River on the valley floor below. Throughout the race course obstacles re-create the tough jobs that are required for working on a farm. Come join us for a day of fun, adventure, great food, and Okanagan wine and craft beer. 20 and 10 kms, 5km Half Plowed Farmer, 3k Little Freak’n Farmer, mini Freak’n Farmer, or just come out and be a spectator! At the Freak’n Farmer After Party there will be wine and beer tasing, a BBQ Lunch and Live Music. Covert Farms provides a bbq lunch, wine/ beer tasting coupons (more availabe for purchase at the event), a clean shirt, and water on the race course. Visit www.thefreaknfarmer.ca for more information. Sept 19-20: Rock Creek and Boundary Fall Fair. All day wristbands Saturday $35, Sunday $33. 11 am-10

pm. www.shootingstar.ca Sept 20: Grist Mill and Gardens at Keremeos hosts the second annual Heritage Fall Fair. Almost seventy exhibit categories to see or compete in, as well as a midway full of heritage games of skill, concessions, entertainment and much more. The whole site will be filled with familyoriented activity for the day. Admission to the Fall Fair is $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. Sept 20: Wine Country Drag Racing at Richter Pass Motorplex in Osoyoos. 1/8 mile side by side drag racing. Gates open at 9 am. Time trials at 10 am. Racing at 1 pm. Spectators bring a lawn chair so you can relax and enjoy the action! Keep in mind the location is a natural habitat for cactus, so wear appropriate footwear. Any alcohol is prohibited. Held at the Osoyoos Airport parallel to Highway 3 and Osoyoos Industrial Park. West of the intersection of Highway 3 & Highway 97. For more information visit www.winecountryracing.ca Sept 20: Oliver-Osoyoos Naturalists Club Hike. Willowbrook to Covert Farm passing Rattle Snake Lake. A moderate walk with cars on both ends. Meet Oliver visitor centre 9:30 am. Leader Marianne Hutterli-250-498-2743 Sept 26 - Oct 10: Artists On Main: Featured at the Osoyoos Art Gallery. Noon to 4 pm, Tuesday thru Saturday. Artist on Main has been an active part of the Osoyoos arts community since 1950. From ten original members their roster has grown to over fifty in 2015. The Artists display their fine art during their independent shows at the gallery as well as in the gallery’s Summer and Winter Shows Oct 3: Oliver-Osoyoos Naturalists Club Hike. Manuel Creek. Many creek crossings on a steady but moderate uphill walk, leading to a nice waterfall. Meet at the Osoyoos lake Plaza at 9.30 a.m. For more information contact leader Dwayne Flexhaug 250-495-7645

Add your event to the Around Town Calendar by emailing info@oksun.ca It’s FREE!

Known around the Okanagan for fresh food & excellent service! Set under the dramatic landscape of McIntyre Bluff (Indian Head), the historic Ye Olde Welcome Inn has been a long-time favorite place for people to relax and dine by the real wood burning fireplace. Enjoy a barbeque on the patio or play a game of pool or darts.

39008 Hwy 97 Oliver at Gallagher Lake

250-498-8840

Our extensive menu features most meals for under $10 or up to $20.95 for a New York Steak and Lobster. You can depend on Dale or any of the eight year-round staff to give you “old school service” every day of the year, with a chef on duty until 10:00PM seven days a week. Come savour fresh, homemade food served by well trained staff in our warm, friendly and comfortable establishment! Eat in or take out.

Known around the THANK Okanagan for fresh food & excellent service! Set under the dramatic landscape of McIntyre Bluff (Indian Head), the historic Ye Olde Welcome Inn has been a long-time favorite place for people to relax and dine by the real wood burning fireplace. Enjoy a barbeque on the patio or play a game of pool or darts. Our extensive menu features most meals for under $10 or up to $20.95 for a New York Steak and Lobster. You can depend on Dale or any of the eight year-round staff to give you “old school service” every day of the year, with a chef on duty until 10:00PM seven days a week.

YOU FIREFIGHTERS!

PRIZES! 39008 Hwy 97 Oliver at Gallagher Lake AWARDS! 250-498-8840 SPECIALS!

September 20, 2015

Call 250-498-8840 to register!

Family Friendly! All Are Welcome!!

Come savour fresh, homemade food served by well trained staff in our warm, friendly and comfortable establishment! Eat in or take out.

Lidia Ferreira

Your Osoyoos Relocation Specialist

250-498-7097