Skaha Matters
Volume 14 : Issue 1 January 2022 Your FREE Monthly Community News!
“Bringing Community Matters To You”
The Okanagan Falls KVR Trestle Bridge was full of lights for the holiday season. Photo by Malibu Dreams Photography | To purchase photos, call 250.462.5513.
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“Building Community Spirit”
Honour Box Self Serve
The intention of this column is to share inspirational stories, or even a quick photo, to show that community spirit is alive and well.
FARM PRICES
Kaleden’s Progressive Winter Market
Farm To Table! Self-Serve Fruit Stand
Open 24 hours a day & 7 days a week! 598 East Side Rd & 6th Ave, OK Falls
APPLES, PEARS, SQAUSH, DRIED FRUIT, & FRESH APPLE JUICE During the Progressive Winter Market held in Kaleden on November 20, there were several hundred shoppers, 21 locations and over 50 vendors. Shoppers printed a map at home or picked one up at the Kaleden Hall and used the map to visit the vendor locations throughout Kaleden. The wineries were open, there was a roving performer, Yanti, who sang Winter Songs and Christmas Carols at several locations and it was a lovely festive atmosphere. The market is put on by the Kaleden Seniors Committee. Donations were accepted for Kaleden Cares, some vendors donated some or all of their proceeds to Kaleden Cares or the Princeton Flood Fund.
Wishing you all the best in 2022! Thank you for supporting your local grower! Enjoy Farm Direct Pricing
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From The Hill By Richard Cannings, MP South Okanagan-West Kootenay December 15, 2021 Press Release ~ NDP MP Richard Cannings introduces two environmental bills in the House of Commons This week, as MPs began tabling their Private Members’ Bills, local NDP MP Richard Cannings has wasted no time in his promise to take action to protect the environment. Cannings introduced two pieces of legislation, one that creates a new Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights, and another protecting local lakes and rivers.
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Monthly MLA Report “A healthy environment is an integral part of what makes Canadians proud of our country. We need to enshrine the right to By Roly Russell, MLA Boundary-Similkameen a healthy environment in our legal systems. The well-being of our As many of you might be a little too familiar with, Highway 97 safety communities - and ourselves - depends on it”, said Cannings. concerns have been top-of-mind for quite some time. And, recent Cannings introduced his Environmental Bill of Rights on Thursday, road closures have heightened the concern and the risks along December 16th. The Bill would bring Canada into line with more that stretch of highway. The good news is that the conversations than a hundred countries that have similar legislation and amends that me and my office have been having with regional staff for the the Canadian Bill of Rights to add the right to live in a healthy Ministry of Transportation and with Minister Fleming himself (as well and ecologically balanced environment. It would also provide as with Director Monteith and some local residents) have identified the right to public participation in decision-making regarding the actions going forward. The Ministry has committed to analyzing environment and the right to access information regarding the options to help address the left turning issues north of the Kaleden environment. turn-off, and has some concrete plans to address both the Pineview Earlier this week, Cannings introduced a Bill that would restore and Hwy 3A intersections. All of this will involve some stakeholder protection to lakes and rivers that were protected under the engagement, as well as risk and cost analysis for the region. Of Navigable Waters Protection Act, but were stripped of that under course, my number one loyalty is to support local residents on a the Harper Conservative government. The bill would restore path to being safe, supported, and happy, and so I’m pleased to protection for most waterways in South Okanagan-West Kootenay have helped advocate for this on behalf of those who have asked. riding, including the Okanagan, Kettle, Granby and Slocan rivers My work has been heavily focused, in the last month, on disaster and Osoyoos, Skaha, Slocan, Christina and Vaseux lakes. recovery support and planning with local communities. Helping “Canada is not taking bold enough steps to address the Princeton and rural areas around there navigate response and environmental crisis we’re facing. The government promised recovery issues has been my primary goal. We (the Mayor and action and I’m hopeful that will mean these two measures will be myself, primarily) have been working with all partners, including many of the Ministers, to resolve issues with transportation, water, embraced and passed into law”, said Cannings. Cannings ran on his strong record of fighting for climate action. His heat, insurance, mental health supports, Red Cross & Emergency Private Member’s Bill on the use of wood in government buildings Social Services, and that’s just to name a few. Similarly, I just has been, in a rare scenario, revived by Senate and is expected to returned last night from a visit to Lytton to discuss how to help that community navigate its way to a strong recovery. That work make it back to the House of Commons in spring. is done wearing my hat as BC’s Parliamentary Secretary for Rural To contact me about this or any other issue, please email me at Development, rather than as your MLA, of course. Those meetings Richard.cannings@parl.gc.ca or call 250-770-4480 (Penticton) or included some hopeful and passionate conversations with the 250-365-2792 (Castlegar). Mayor, as well as the Chiefs of the Kanaka Bar and Lytton First Nation; all advocating and dedicated to supporting community residents. We are lucky to have passionate local leaders in our riding and across BC, it makes me proud of this place. The recent data on vaccine effectiveness was just released, and the data clearly indicate that vaccinations dramatically reduce the risk of illness and hospitalization: unvaccinated people in BC are South Okanagan - West Kootenay 7x more likely to get Covid-19, 30x more likely to be hospitalized, and 50x more likely to end up in the ICU. Which reinforces the #202 - 301 Main Street notions that getting vaccinated is the best path we currently have Richard.Cannings@parl.gc.ca Penticton, BC V2A 5B7 to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community. 250.770.4480 I trust your holidays were full of joy and warmth. Continue to be safe.
Richard Cannings
Member of Parliament
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If you live in the Kaleden area and have needs during this time, please call the HUB. Our frozen meals (mostly soup) are available immediately. We can also provide grocery shopping - Please allow a few days advance notice. We are grateful for all the neighbours helping neighbours! HUB NUMBER: 250-460-3387
SkahaMatters.com | January 2022 | Page 3
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2021 - A Year To Remember? As that old Chinese curse goes, “May you live in interesting times”. What with heat domes, wildfires, atmospheric rivers and new Covid variants, 2021 should qualify as such. However, we Kaledenites can consider ourselves blessed. No fire or flood threatened our homes and forced us to evacuate. Abundant clean water continues to flow from our taps (well, except for that somewhat extended scheduled shutdown back in November!). We live in a location that most just get to visit on holidays (and many weren’t even able to do that in 2021). By and large, we are in a backwater that the Covid river has passed by. However, we shouldn’t get too smug or complacent. Global warming is here to stay, and so probably is the weather pattern that we experienced in 2021. Scientists predicted this pattern decades ago; too much water running off in the spring and fall, and too little during the summer. This new normal will present new challenges - will we be prepared? All The Rage ... sparked by recent wildfires? Perhaps you got a roof sprinkler system, maybe even as a Christmas gift? Plan to get one? Be aware that while setting one up could be a good precaution, please don’t leave it on, especially when fleeing a wildfire under an evacuation order. Doing so could drain our reservoirs of water needed for firefighting at the front line (this has happened in at least a couple of local communities). While short wetdowns could be okay while you’re at home, it’s best to let the firefighters decide to activate it. Having some prominent signage advising that a system is in place would be a worthwhile addition to your preventive measures package. How Green Was My Lawn ... And how attitudes have changed! Having a green lawn during summer watering restrictions has changed from a point of pride to a potential badge of dishonour, drawing extra attention from the water bailiff. But I managed to keep my lawn green last summer, despite cutting my sprinkling time in half. How? 1) I fertilized in the fall and again in the spring; 2) I let my grass grow longer; 3) I replaced my old sprinkler with one with a more efficient spray pattern; and 4) I used the good old tuna can test to determine when the lawn had received a half-inch of water, and adjusted my sprinkling time accordingly. So, despite what Kermit the Frog says, it’s actually not too hard to be green. New Year Wishes for a Healthy and Happy 2022 from the KID Board and Staff!
250.497.5407 | k.i.d@shaw.ca Office Hours: 9-12 Mon/Wed/Thur 119 Ponderosa Avenue V0H 1K0 www.kaledenirrigation.org
Kaleden FireSmart By Linda Dahl
Happy New Year! Kaleden FireSmart wants you to SAVE THE DATE! The annual Chipping Event will take place Saturday, May 7th from 10 am - 2 pm. We hope to have the very popular ‘Pick up Service’ in effect too. PLUS, we are planning a demonstration and sales of roof sprinkler systems. More information will be coming soon. Keep an eye out for posters around Kaleden and in future Skaha Matters. RI
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The HUB has a collection of used medical equipment ranging from large items such as a scooter, lift chair, wheelchair, etc. to bath and shower chairs, raised toilet seats, hoists, pillows, crutches and more. If you are looking for this type of equipment for the long or short term, please call the HUB at 250-460-3387 for more information. 250-460-3387
By Bruce Shepherd, KID Trustee
VISITS
I’ve been very busy advocating with the community around road safety. MLA Russell has joined our quest for changes to Highway 97 and Highway 3A after hearing from many residents and especially after the increased traffic due to the flooding around Princeton. A Community Road Committee was created and a small Subrina Monteith group of local residents worked hard Director of to collaborate and bring everyone's RDOS Area "I" concerns together through an online petition and through media interviews. We have been heard. MLA Russell has shared the following. The Ministry of Transportation and Roads has said that they are undertaking a review of the accesses through the Kaleden area on Highway 97 to determine what improvements may be effective and appropriate, as well as at the junction of Highway 3A. Currently, additional 'truck turning' warning signs have been placed on Highway 97 approaching the Highway 3A intersection, and increased patrols and monitoring are being carried out in this area. The Community Roads Committee will be presenting the petition to MLA Russell in the near future asking for support in making the road safe for everyone to use. Did you know that you can sign up on the RDOS website under 'Programs and Services' to receive both reminders and communication about disruption of services, i.e. missed garbage collection. Please sign up today, as it is a great reminder and communication tool. How to sign up: visit www.rdos.bc.ca and under the heading Programs & Services: • Select 'Landfill Links and Curbside Collection'. • On that page, select the 'Calendar' icon near the bottom of the page and enter your address. • When your address appears, click 'Get a Reminder' and select which method you would like to be contacted by. • If you do not want to receive the weekly curbside reminder, but want to receive just Service Alerts and Informational Updates Only - under the Get a Reminder - click on 'Service Alerts and Informational Updates Only'. Kaleden Parks & Recreation Commission is seeking new members to join the group. This group provides direct recommendations on parks, trails and recreation to the RDOS Board and myself to make decisions on service levels and projects. It is a critical committee within our community and we need members. Please contact me to get involved and have your say on Kaleden Parks & Recreation services. Wishing everyone a safe 2022! Subrina Monteith, Director of RDOS Area "I" Direct: 250.460.0723 | smonteith@rdos.bc.ca | www.rdos.bc.ca
Kaleden Irrigation District News
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FROM THE DIRECTOR For RDOS Area "I"
Need A Ride? If you live in the Kaleden Area and need a ride, please call 250-460-3387.
Kaleden Community Association Update RCMP Community Report By Glenda Livolsi
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design - Part 3
HAPPY NEW YEAR! All the directors of KCA hope that 2022 will bring you lots of love, laughter, joy, and good health for the upcoming year. Looking for something to do during the month of January? Walk down to Pioneer Park, build a fire in one of the fire rings (don’t forget the matches and wood, a thermos of hot chocolate and marshmallows to roast!) or put on your skates and enjoy the ice rink. Hopefully, we will get some very cold weather, and everyone can enjoy the ice rink over the winter! Even if you don’t skate, walk down and listen to the children’s laughter as they are having so much fun, it will warm your heart and soul! The bottle depot has been very profitable ... a special thanks to all who donate their time and effort to the cause, and thank you to the bottle donors! As of the end of November, the bottle and can proceeds to KCA were up to $4830! THANK YOU to the following business and organizations for their donations of products, materials, time, and labour to support the Kaleden Community Association - Murray Construction, ORL Kaleden Library, and Kaleden Elementary School.
This month, I will discuss Defensible Space, the third of four basic principles of CPTED. Defensible Space is a term for a range of combined security measures that bring an environment more under the control of its residents. Good design can help a resident feel a sense of ownership and responsibility for the area around them, which will encourage them to defend it and thus give less to criminals to operate. There is a hierarchy of space in our built environment ranging from totally private and defendable space through to totally public. The theory suggests that the more private a space is, the more control and influence a resident has over it. For example, your back yard area surrounded by a 6-foot fence could then be described as totally private. It is fair to say that you would probably take some physical action to defend it. However, your unfenced front lawn could be called semi-private space, as there is also an implied invitation for people to walk onto it such as delivery people, mail delivery or such. However, if the delivery person decided on a sunny day to sunbathe on your front lawn, you would still have control of it and something to say about it. An open front lawn is not as easy to defend, as there is nothing in particular to define the changeover from public space to private and therefore nothing to stop people and dogs from walking on it. However, a All new website for all things Kaleden! simple low fence such as a simple white plastic chain about 100mm www.KaledenCommunity.com off the ground, loosely hung between plastic posts can reduce the amount of trespass on the lawn. The imposition of a boundary fence Courtesy of the Kaleden Community Association is an extension of one’s personal space, but the boundary does not need to be a physical boundary for people who obey behaviour Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department rules. The yellow police tape strung around a crime scene keeps people away, but it is hardly a real barrier. The less public space By Jean Dube there is around housing, and better the private space is identified, The Silent Killer the more defendable the space is by the residents. Signage, It is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, but it can be deadly. This lighting, landscaping, wider paths, and different colour paving ominous gas is CARBON MONOXIDE (CO), which is generated are other ways that can help to identify public and private space. by combustion fumes from cars, furnaces, fireplaces, grills, stoves Next month we will discuss the final principle, Maintenance. and even some heaters. These fumes can build up in an indoor Rick Dellebuur, South Okanagan Similkameen RCMP Community Police space and poison people and animals who breathe it. Direct: 250-490-2374 // Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477 or sostips.ca Common Symptoms of CO Poisoning are: headache; dizziness; weakness; upset stomach; vomiting; chest pain; and confusion. Central Ridge Veterinary Clinic - Okanagan Falls If the CO alarm sounds, DON’T IGNORE IT - GO OUTSIDE and Dr. Sylvia Tingson D.V.M. 250.497.7808 CALL 911! Open Mon - Fri 9-5 & Sat 9-12 Medicines Surgery Vaccinations How to protect yourself and your family: • Install CO detectors on every floor and outside bedrooms • Test the batteries in your CO detector at the same time you test your smoke detector batteries • Avoid running engines in enclosed spaces, like garages Meet Cleocatra • NEVER use gas-powered stoves or heaters indoors My name is Cleocatra and I am a DIVA! I • Check and clean chimneys every year was pretty opinionated when I first • Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil arrived, but as I let my guard down and or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician took a few deep breaths, I realized, I every year LOVE a great massage and the feel of a kind touch. I still have my moments of The start of a new year is a great time to take stock of your my way or the highway, but I know with safety! the right person, I will be eating out of Relax ... Rejuvenate ... Heal your hand in no time. If you would like to meet and get 250.497.8806 acquanted, please reach out to my booking agent, Alley Cats Alliance, as they take care of my appointment schedule for me. www. AlleyCATSAlliance.org
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FROM THE DIRECTOR For RDOS Area “D”
I am writing this on December 16, 2021. Happy New Year! Covid-19 continues to provide us all frustration. Omicron variant is emerging and we should know a lot more by January. I am hoping for a much better 2022. In the meantime, I encourage Ron Obirek all to continue to follow BC CDC Director of and Dr. Bonnie Henry’s advice and RDOS Area “D” recommendations regarding Covid-19. As we say goodbye to 2021 and hello to 2022, I want to provide a brief recap of the year gone by and a preview of the year to come, along with thanks and appreciation to many. We live in a wonderful community with countless quality people who step up, volunteer, participate and provide leadership in our community. The December 12 Christmas Fair at the school was a huge success attended by many including Santa Clause and too many elves to count. Thank you to the Fire Department and all of its members for all your service and especially for delivering Santa safely to and from the Christmas Fair. The magic show was spectacular; and the ice cream and cookies and treats were appreciated by all. A very special thank you in the past year to all in our community who have stepped up in their businesses providing much appreciated grocery and related services. Thank you to Sarbi for the wonderful renovations at the Esso adding in more floor space and grocery inventory. The increased selection is much appreciated. Little Falls Foods has stepped up in a big way providing grocery inventory selection and delivery service as well. Pharmasave and the Centex gas station and Falls Market and Heritage Market have all taken appreciated steps to provide our community continued and expanded groceries and sundries. Thank you to each of you for your service to our community. I encourage everyone to support local businesses as much as possible. By supporting local businesses, we build a stronger community. Thank you to Mr. Winter and RDOS staff for the lights on the Trestle Bridge and at our waterfront parks. And, thank you to all in our community for the beautiful Christmas lights on residences and businesses alike. The lights bring great joy to all of us. (The lights in Skaha Estates this year were especially spectacular!) I want to extend a special thank you and acknowledgement of appreciation on behalf of our entire community to the following organizations and their volunteer members. The Parks & Recreation Commission had a busy year and has done amazing work on our community parks master plan. The repaving of the tennis courts and providing a pickleball amenity were a much appreciated community improvement. Thank you to Linda Finner (PRC Chair) and commission members: Kelvin Hall, Jill Johnson, JoAnne Kleb, Judy Garner, Matt Taylor, Doug Lychak, Alfred Hartviksen, Shari Rowland, Phyllis Radchenko and Barb Shanksfor all your excellent contributions. Thank you to the Advisory Planning Commission Doug Lychak (APC Chair) and commission members: Kelvin Hall, Don Albright, Gerry Stewart, Navid Chaudry, Jill Adamson, Almyra Nunes, Kurt Hiebert, Norm Gaumont, Malcolm Paterson, Bob Pearce and Alfred Hartviksen. Your excellent input and advice is greatly appreciated. The impressive quality of your preparation for meetings and quality of questions, discussion, suggestions, recommendations, and advice to the RDOS Board is greatly valued by me and of tremendous benefit to the greater community. I always try my best to make sure the RDOS Board hears our communities concerns. Okanagan Falls Irrigation District had a busy year and has formally
requested a public process of review leading to a vote in 2022 related to conversion of the water utility to local government control. Watch for public meetings and information on this very interesting topic. Thank you to Randy Perret (Chair) and board members: Ted Lynch, Marjorie Bracconier, Catherine Giesbrecht, and Fred Van Elas for your excellent service to our community. The Okanagan Falls Community Association had a tremendously busy and successful year. Thank you to all who have participated and especially Matt Taylor (President) and board members, committee chairs, and officers including, but not limited to: Bob Daly, JAK Meyer, Jim D’Andrea, Judy Garner, Ron Crawford, Matt Kenyon and Robin Irwin. A very impressive organization that has achieved much in a short time. Thank you to the Heritage Hills Lakeshore Highlands Community Association for all the wonderful services provided to the community and special thanks to Doug Lychak (President) and board members: Susan Lychak, Charles Parker, Dale Fehr, Susan Bigue, Lyn McMullen and Rick Sauder. The Heritage Hills Park project (spearheaded and facilitated by the HHLHCA) is nearing completion and is a spectacular neighbourhood amenity enjoyed and appreciated by all. An organization that has been an inspiration to me and many members of our community. Thank you to the governance committee Matt Taylor (Chair) and committee members: Bob Daly (Vice Chair), Kurt Hiebert, Phyllis Radchenko, Eleanor Walker, David Forst, Kay Medland, Myleen Mallach, Vi Creasey and Kerrie MacLean. Watch for many public meetings coming in 2022. There will be a lot of interesting information available and questions will be answered. Special thank you to all the members of the Okanagan Falls Legion, Winery Association, Seniors Centre, Lions Club, South Skaha Housing Society, Museum Society, and to the Vaseux Lake Stewardship Association, the Skaha Estate’s Irrigation District, the Rolling Hills Irrigation District, the Vaseux Lake Irrigation District, the Okanagan Falls Fire Department. So many good people contributing to our collective good. Thank you to all. I know I have missed many community leaders and volunteers. Thank you, also, to all of those who I missed. I welcome calls or emails advising me of others who deserve acknowledgement, appreciation and thank you on behalf of our community (for future acknowledgement). The local champions, leaders, and community members listed above volunteer countless hours of their time and share their tremendously extensive experience and knowledge in a common purpose of community betterment for the benefit of us all. I extend a sincere thank you and note of appreciation to all who do so much in service to our common community experience. Watch for the public engagement meetings and opportunities coming in the New Year regarding both the Governance Committee and the Okanagan Falls Irrigation District conversion process. I encourage all who can attend to bring questions and take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about the choices available. Please also note that all meetings will be available for attendance by computer and in person in compliance with the then applicable Covid-19 rules. Most, if not all, of the public meetings will be held in the school gym. Watch for notices of dates and times. I have set water and sewer utility infrastructure as priorities for the 2022 fiscal year. Public meeting regarding budget will occur in February at the school gym. Watch for notices regarding time and date. All are welcome. Questions and suggestions are always appreciated. I plan to resume “Coffee Meetings with the Director” starting in February (Covid-19 rules permitting) and will post times and places in the February Skaha Matters article. Ron Obirek, Director of RDOS Area “D” Direct: 250.328.9800 | robirek@rdos.bc.ca | www.rdos.bc.ca
Okanagan Falls Community Association Update By Matt Taylor, President
Community Open House A Success ~ Over 100 individuals participated making this one of the biggest public meetings to be held in Okanagan Falls for a number of years! Thanks to all who took the time to attend! The meeting was intended to support the residents and businesses by sharing information on several issues affecting the community, so that everyone has a better idea of what’s going on. We learned about the following: • Work supported through the RDOS Okanagan Falls Economic Development Office and the Okanagan Falls Community Association, and building on the Economic Development & Recovery Plan; • Transition of water services to RDOS planned for January 2023, after public meetings in April 2022 and subsequent decision processes by Okanagan Falls Irrigation District and the Province; • The Area “D” Service & Boundary Configuration Study with Open Houses starting in February 2022 that lead to a recommendation setting out the area potentially being incorporated, as an early step in the larger process of incorporation; • And, how residents or businesses can make charitable donations to the Okanagan Falls Community Fund, enabling residents and businesses to support the community, while considering annual tax planning or estate planning. We also tested out the new ‘state of the art’ smartboard conferencing tools provided to the community by RDOS, through the efforts of our Area “D” Director. This allows for large meetings to be effectively held using a ‘hybrid’ format - people attending in person as well as online. It takes a bit of time to understand how to use it, as some will attest, but we got it all figured out in the end. I expect it’ll be widely used as we start to meet in person while still enabling online participation. As I’m writing this, it’s clear to see that 2021 has been a busy year ... and looking ahead it would seem that 2022 will be busier still! I hope the holidays have been good to you, your family and friends. A Happy New Year To All! If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to join the OFCA, please email okanaganfallscommunity@gmail.com. Drop Off Non-parishables
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Area “D” Service & Boundary Configuration Study Update Get Informed, Get Involved, Have Your Say! The purpose of this study is to assess the state of governance and service delivery concerns in Area “D”, gauge interest among citizens in pursuing incorporation, and identify the preferred boundary configuration for any subsequent incorporation study. Study Overview Watch your mailbox for the Study Overview being mailed to every Area “D” household! The Overview will share some highlights from the work completed so far, including Service Fact Sheets, and high-level information about how incorporation impacts services and governance. The Overview summarizes the more detailed analysis of services provided to Area “D” communities, available on the RDOS website. Open Houses - Save the Date! The Committee is hosting 5 open houses, each with the focus on a different Area “D” neighbourhood or community. The intention is to give residents in each specific area an opportunity to share and discuss issues relevant to their community, engage with their neighbours, and learn about the services and governance that impact their area. Open House meetings will be held: • Wednesday, February 16 - focus on Eastside Road South and Skaha Estates • Thursday, February 17 - focus on Upper Carmi and surrounding area • Wednesday, February 23 - focus on Eastside Road North (Vintage Views, Lakeshore Highlands and Heritage Hills) • Thursday, February 24 - focus on Vaseux Lake and surrounding area (Sun Valley and Rolling Hills) • Saturday, February 26 - focus on Okanagan Falls The time and location for the meetings has yet to be finalized. Meetings will be held in accordance with any restrictions at the time, but are being planned to accommodate residents attending both in person (proof of vaccination required) and online. Meeting details and online registration information will be provided on the RDOS Regional Connections website closer to the date, and in the February edition of Skaha Matters. Residents unable to attend the meeting for their community are encouraged to attend one of the other meetings, as everyone’s input will be recorded and considered. Come have your say! Where do I find more information? Learn more about the process, read the Fact Sheets and Incorporation Insights, submit your questions or sign up for updates on the RDOS Regional Connections website. Visit www.rdosregionalconnections.ca. SkahaMatters.com | January 2022 | Page 7
Economic Development Update By Gail Scott, Economic Development Coordinator 2021 was an exceptionally challenging year for everyone. Now that it is behind us, I want to express how impressed I am with how the whole community of Okanagan Falls has worked together to address so many challenges and still stay on top of what really matters to its citizens and its supporters. Fires, floods, health pandemics, staff changes at the RDOS, and cancellation of events did not deter Okanagan Falls from marching forward and keeping focused on what still needed to be done. Success came to our community because of many hard working and dedicated individuals that kept a very positive mind set that resulted in new highway signage and banners sponsored by our wine association and our new Visitor Information Centre being granted a new three year contract agreement that is supported by an annual $15,000 funding arrangement to help continue to grow our tourism economy and to attract more visitors and guests to our beautiful lakeside resort community. Several meetings were hosted late last year by the Okanagan Falls Community Association and the RDOS Area “D” Economic Development Office to communicate to interested real estate developers, local businesses, and residents where Okanagan Falls is heading this year. These public meetings were well attended, well received and they painted a positive picture for our future. I am looking forward to see what the next 12 months will produce for us. My goal is to continue to seek grant opportunities to support sound and smart economic growth projects and initiatives for Okanagan Falls and Area “D”. Top of mind will be affordable and accessible housing needs, attraction of new business operations that produce good jobs, reviewing clean and green transportation options and associated funding, and making sure we are ready and able to promote and market our little piece of Okanagan Sunshine to the rest of Canada and beyond should travel resume without the restrictions we are currently facing today.
Economic Development Office Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday ~ 10 am - 3 pm #1 - 5350 9th Avenue - Hwy 97, Okanagan Falls 778-515-5520
Okanagan Falls Visitor Info Centre Closed for the Season Reopens April 2022 #2 - 5350 9th Avenue - Hwy 97 Okanagan Falls 778-515-5520
Okanagan Falls Irrigation District News By Randy Perrett, Chair
New Year ~ 2022 could be a major game changer and result in our community taking on a different look and direction, depending on how things work out in the next few months. It is no secret or surprise that the Irrigation District has looked to the RDOS to give us a life line to keep us afloat and to look toward future development in Okanagan Falls. As we progress in a conversion process, there will be much more to share, and I will continue to keep everyone in the loop. In the mean time, we roll on. The boys, Travis and Liam, continue to upgrade their courses to keep their skills up to date and to comply From a community spirit side of things, I would like to thank Deb with Interior Heath. First Aid is the first one they have signed up Morrow in our Okanagan Falls Economic Development Office, for in the New Year. RDOS Parks & Recreation staff, and those small local businesses In the office, as well as assisting with the conversion process, that participated in our 2021 Holiday Season Business Light working with the engineers and her regular duties, Kim has been Up. We experienced a few electrical glitches this year, but are pouring through old files and documents that were boxed away in committed to resolving those issues in time for our 2022 Light Up a couple of old RCMP vaults in our building. Some documents are making it even bigger and better. A very big thank you goes out over fifty years old. She is trying to bring our system up to date and to the Okanagan Falls | Skaha Lake Winery Association, Black to rid us of a lot of stuff that should have been chucked out many Dog Cellars, South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce, and Baldy years ago. Mountain Resort for their support of our People’s Choice Awards Our engineers are sending out tenders for the first phase of our in association with Business Light Up. Master Plan, which is geared up for the early spring. Congratulations to all the businesses who participated. This The new washroom in Centennial Park is well in the works. We year’s winner are: in 3rd Place is Little Falls Foods; in 2nd Place should be open for business by summer at the latest. is The Apple Bin; and in 1st Place is The Southside. Winners can Lastly, two trustee positions are up for re-election this year, those claim their prizes at the Area ‘D’ Economic Development Office being Fred Van Elsas and mine. Fred and I are both willing to in Okanagan Falls, located in the OK Corral. Thanks again to put our names forward. A trustee term is normally for three years. everyone who participated, by either decorating or voting. In this case if conversion takes place, all trustee positions will Wishing one and all a very successful, healthy and safe New Year. expire after a transition period. If not converted, then we would consider our positions. If others in the community would like to put LOCKE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LTD. their names forward for a position on the board, however limited, applications and time lines to apply and closing dates will all be The South Okanagan’s preferred made available soon. Property Manager for over 40 years! Water We Thinking ~ Change is inevitable, except from a vending OFFICE 250-492-0346 FAX 250-492-6673 machine. ~ Unknown
528 MAIN ST. PENTICTON, BC V2A 5C7 www.lockeproperties.ca Page 8 | January 2022 | SkahaMatters.com
Office Hours: Tue/Wed/Thu from 9:30-4:30 1109 Willow Street, Okanagan Falls P: 250.497.8541 E: ofid@telus.net www.okanaganfallsirrigationdistrict.ca
Okanagan Falls Volunteer Fire Department By Colin Pickell
I could hear the ice crack with every step I took, threatening to plunge me into waters of subzero temperatures. I slowly walked on, quieting the voice in my head that told me this was crazy. Another step, another crack beneath my foot. The sound radiated out along the ice in every direction, and the quiet that followed was deep and pronounced. I was giddy with anticipation; awaiting the impending plunge that would drop me in like a dunk tank at a county fair, expecting the sudden change in temperature to attack me like a thousand needles all over my body. My instincts were screaming that this should be cause for real alarm. But today, it was all part of the training. We were a team of 6 Okanagan Falls firefighters on an Ice Rescue course put on by Rescue Canada, and we were on Vaseux Lake at the end of February. Perfect conditions for thin, unpredictable ice and exactly the conditions when we might be called upon to help. The lake was half open water, half ice. The following day we headed up to Yellow Lake, where the temperatures were lower and the ice, stronger. We used a chain saw to cut a hole in the ice the size of a door and practice our rescue training using 2-person and 4-person rescue techniques. With two lakes in our district that see varying degrees of ice cover each winter, we know the importance of having qualified members who can answer the call if someone falls through the ice. Though we hope these skills are never needed, we know that people can get themselves into situations they may be unprepared for, and we want to maintain a high degree of readiness in case that call does come. The most common reason a person might find themselves out on a frozen lake? Their dog goes out first and falls through. If this happens, your instinct is to go out and save it. The problem with that, of course, is that you likely weigh more than your dog, so now we’re coming to save you and your dog. If your dog does fall through the ice, the best thing to do is stay on land and call 911. You’ll keep yourself safe, be more helpful to first responders, and your dog will be saved faster, since the responders won’t have to save you first. In other news, congratulations, and a heart-felt thank you to Doug Atkins and Judy Morris for completing 40 and 30 years of service respectively. Our community and department both owe you a debt of gratitude! Here are the calls we responded to this month: medical first response - 16; motor vehicle accidents - 1; structure fires - 1; alarms - 4; and power line down - 1.
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that form the federally protected Vaseux Bighorn National Wildlife Area managed by the Canadian Wildlife Service. Under a proposal put forward by the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS), the bike path would run from Okanagan Falls south to the McAlpine Bridge on Highway 97 via the west side of the Okanagan River Channel and Vaseux Lake. The route is on the provincial government-owned KVR railway bed and would connect with bike networks to the north and south of Okanagan Falls. This new proposal is based on a 10-page, 2019 general field assessment from the same consultants who prepared the report a year earlier with a different recommendation. The report also details the RDOS’ priority to locate the bike route down the west side of the lake. The 10-page report failed to consult with key stakeholders even though a decision was made to move the bike path through a sensitive bird and wildlife refuge, and stakeholders are asking why environmental groups/experts were not consulted on such an important decision. They are also questioning whether there was a viability study showing that an eastern bike path route along the highway was not possible and why the 2018 proposed bike path recommendation was seemingly ignored by the RDOS. When completed, the trail will attract large numbers of people in all seasons, but especially during the spring and summer months with the resulting increase in stress on wildlife and birds when raising their young. While the proposal says hikers and cyclists must remain on the railway bed and not venture into federally protected areas adjacent to the bike trail, it will be impossible to totally stop people from going off trails. This has the potential to further destroy sensitive vegetation and stress wildlife, and in the worst case scenario, cause wildfires. We have yet to see successful strategies in other jurisdictions that control such behaviour and advocates of the bike path have yet to outline how this will be accomplished. Both the 2018 and 2019 report clearly state “a comprehensive field survey and assessment of potential habitat for federally listed species at-risk is to be conducted to determine the presence of a quality of habitat within and adjacent to the KVR”. The 2019 report included a three-day visit in April 2019 along the KVR and stated Proposed Hike/Bike Trail Through there were no sightings of endangered species. What the report fails to note is that these endangered species are often limited in Vaseux Lake Bird & Wildlife Refuge number and rarely sighted. The observation period also did not By Norm Gaumont, Chair take into account species migration and lifecycle emergence at A proposed hike/bike trail on an old KVR rail bed along the west that time of year, as well as weather factors. Spending 3 days side of Vaseux Lake poses a significant risk to endangered birds along the KVR in early April does not constitute a detailed study on and wildlife and ignores a government report that recommends an species at risk and their associated habitats; these observations alternate route on the east side of the lake, according to the Vaseux need to be completed over a much longer period of time. Lake Stewardship Association and several key stakeholders. The Vaseux Lake Stewardship Association is calling on the RDOS A 203-page environmental feasibility study was prepared for the and BC Government to conduct a meaningful and thorough BC Government in 2018, outlining the impacts of a Vaseux Lake consultation process with all key stake holders. This should bike trail on endangered species, other wildlife, fish and plants include the Osoyoos and Penticton Indian Bands, Canada Wildlife and their sensitive habitats. The report’s authors consulted with Service, Nature Trust of British Columbia, Ducks Unlimited land managers, biologists and other key stakeholders before Canada, Vaseux Lake Stewardship Association, South Okanagan recommending a bike route along the highway on the east side Naturalist Club and other South Okanagan environmental groups of the lake, away from sensitive habitat and precious nesting sites and home owners who will be affected by the hike/bike trail route.
Creative Wellness Solutions
Creative Wellness Solutions
By Dee-anne Jalava, Seniors Wellness Practitioner
Providing a unique combination of Chair Massage & Wellness Coaching
National Keto Day is January 5th. I’m sure many people have heard of the Keto diet and may have even tried it. The Keto diet is not just a fad diet, it is a way to improve your overall health by reducing carbs, sugars, and eliminating processed foods. But, will you lose weight? Absolutely! Will you feel a whole lot better? Absolutely! The history of the Keto diet is quite interesting. Nationaltoday.com explains the history of National Keto Day: The Ketogenic diet as a modern health strategy started in the 1920s, as a treatment for epilepsy in both children and adults. Later, with the introduction of effective anticonvulsant prescription drugs for seizures, Keto fell out of favour with the medical community. However, some providers still recommended the regimen of the 4:1 fat to protein intake ratio and reduction in grain-based foods, sugars, and high-carb fruits, instead of the medicines. Finally, in 1994, Hollywood producer Jim Abrahams, whose son’s epilepsy was controlled by the Keto diet, established the Charlie Foundation for Ketogenic Therapies. This led to broad media coverage including an interview on “Dateline” and a made-for-TV movie starring Meryl Streep directed by Abrahams himself. Soon after, his foundation published a cutting-edge scientific study of Ketogenics, and a renewed national and international interest began to grow. So, how did doctors in the early 20th century know that carb reduction would be of benefit to epileptics? The real history goes back to ancient Greece, where it was written by physicians in the “Hippocratic Corpus” that epilepsy was not supernatural as commonly believed, but a biological ailment that could be treated by severe fasting. In 20th-century treatments and studies, it was discovered by neurologists that a starch and sugar-free diet could replicate the results of the total fasting version, and that fine-tuning and experimentation of course led to today’s version of Keto, spurred on to a great extent by the national preoccupation with weight loss. Today, the brain-health benefits of the Keto diet are known to apply to Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, insomnia, and more. The Vitamin Shoppe founded National Keto Day on January 5,
2019, to educate and bring awareness to the Ketogenic diet and further highlight the many health benefits a Keto lifestyle offers. If you’re looking for a new health regimen for the New Year, the Keto diet is a great place to start. Add in a regular massage routine and you’ll be on your way to a healthier you! Our local Legion in Okanagan Falls offers low carb beverages and will often offer low carb alternatives when they serve meals. There are many groups on Facebook that provide a vast array of delicious and decadent Keto recipes. Two of my favourites are “Low Carb Recipes with Jennifer” and “All Day I Dream About Food”. There is a wealth of information available on following a low carb diet. The easiest way to begin is to start looking at the nutritional information on everything and try to limit your carb intake to about 20 grams of carbs per day. Creative Wellness Solutions provides a convenient massage with innumerable benefits on a comfortable massage chair. You do not need to climb onto a table or remove clothing and no oils are used. You can choose from a head and face, upper body, or legs and feet massage, or any combination. We are a mobile service, so are able to come to you in your home ($50 for a 30 minute appointment) or you can visit us at one of the locations that we visit weekly. Please call Dee-anne at 250497-5974 to arrange an appointment or to discuss The Grease Cream; which is an amazing, all-natural, cannabis infused pain management alternative that actually works. Be sure to check out our website at www.CreativeWellnessSolutions.com for more information on The Grease Cream and where you can find more information about our services, as well as to read any past articles you may have missed.
Your Grocery & Hardware Store
Order Online Walk In, or Phone Pick-up or Delivery 250-497-5077
www.LittleFallsFoods.ca
5129 10th Avenue
Come in to pick up a print catalogue, if you prefer not to shop online.
$5 off your next purchase of $40 or more. During the month of January, receive $5 off any purchase of $40 or more. One coupon per person. Sign in to your account to receive the discount (online, phone-in, or walk-in).
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Call Dee-anne ~ 250-497-5974 www.CreativeWellnessSolutions.com
Ideas For How To Eat Panettone By Dahlia Millington, Co-owner of Little Falls Foods Make it into French toast. Make panettone croutons for use in spinach, pear and other green/ fruit salads or atop a sweet potato casserole. Toss 1” cubes with olive oil and bake at 425° until lightly golden and crunchy (7-8 min.). Toast slices and serve on a cheese board or serve as a simple dessert with chocolate, caramel, maple or pumpkin dipping sauce. Serve in place of coffee cake at breakfast or brunch. Use in your favorite sweet bread pudding recipe. Toasted panettone slathered with butter, drizzled with Acacia honey or sprinkled with cinnamon sugar is a delicious snack any time of day. Smear panettone toast with mascarpone cheese, scatter with figs and rosemary, and drizzle with honey. Panettone makes a delicious savory sandwich. Pile it high with Havarti cheese, sliced apples, spinach and cranberry mayo.
“Love Your Lake” Micro-Grant Program By Pamela Mann
As you recall, there was a devastating flood in 2018. The Twin Lake Strata was hit very hard and the Provincial Government and the Armed forces came in to protect our homes from flooding. About 220 truckloads of rock and gravel were brought in and when the flood was over, the natural habitat was left barren. Just after the flood, the “Love Your Lake” program, run by the Southern Interior Land Trust (SILT), surveyed shoreline properties, and their professional biologists came up with reports for each property on our lake. At the Twin Lake Strata, we downloaded our free report and realized that we could restore our shoreline. With the help of findings and recommendations from the survey of our shoreline, a restoration plan was designed to restore 125 metres of shoreline in our small community that was ravaged by flooding.
Phase one of the plan included planting 60 native shrubs and trees along the degraded shoreline and surrounding area. Plants were purchased from a local nursery and planted by members of the Twin Lakes Strata. A Watersheds Canada “Love Your Lake” microgrant program made our project possible. The Twin Lakes Strata members are very excited for spring to come, when we can see the biodiversity we have added to our strata in an effort to invite nature back to our small community. We are very thankful for the “Love Your Lake” program and microgrant that was applied for and received. This November, a “Love Your Lake” restoration project also took place on private property at Skaha Estates on Skaha Lake. With funding from another Watersheds Canada micro-grant, from SILT’s “Love Your Lake” project, and with support from the property owner, an upland riparian section of the property was restored. Planting native vegetation on the steep bank will stabilize
the soil and improve the biodiversity of the riparian area, providing benefits for pollinators and other wildlife. The 145 native flowering shrubs and forbs planted will also reduce erosion, filter runoff into Skaha Lake, will increase the opportunity for people to see wildlife, and will look amazing! Any shoreline owner on Skaha Lake, Twin Lakes, Trout Lake, Vaseux Lake or Okanagan Lake in Summerland can access their own unique shoreline property report, free of charge. Property reports for shoreline owners on Tuc-el-nuit Lake will be available in Spring 2022. Each report includes locally-relevant links and a personalized assessment with suggestions on voluntary actions the landowner may choose to take that will help protect lake health, and reduce their flood and erosion risk. “It is essentially a free consultation with a professional biologist,” says SILT executive director Al Peatt. “Each report helps the landowner understand how their property-management decisions influence lake health and suggest actions to help improve lake health, while protecting views and property values.” Codes to access the reports have been mailed to property owners. As one of the property owners on Twin Lake Strata, I would like to share that our report was very valuable and helped us to find a way to, not only improve our enjoyment of the lake, but also improve the lake experience for the wildlife. The changes we have made will help keep the lake healthy for future generations. If shoreline property owners need help to get their personalized report, they can contact Al Peatt at office@siltrust.ca or call/text 250-328-4699. Neither the data nor the resulting reports are used for any regulatory purpose - they are meant only for the shoreline owner. More info at https://siltrust.ca/silt-project/love-your-lakes/. Financial support for the program is provided by the South Okanagan Conservation Fund, Canadian Wildlife Federation and Watersheds Canada, among others.
Maintaining a Strong Immune System: The Key to Fighting Infections By Dr. Tamara Browne, ND Naturopathic Physician, Licensed and Registered by The BC Ministry of Health This is a time we all need to refocus our efforts towards boosting our immune system to protect ourselves from viral and other infections. With a strong immune system, infections don’t have much of a chance to take hold. Certain diets, vitamins, herbs, and minerals have immune stimulating and antiviral effects, making them extremely useful for cold and flu prevention and treatment. Population studies show that most people are deficient in particular vital nutrients required to stave off viral respiratory illnesses, such as colds, flu, pharyngitis, laryngitis, and even pneumonia. These deficiencies are generally more severe in the winter and spring months due to a lowered exposure to sunlight, as well as other factors which may include lower mood and activity levels and perhaps less consumption of fresh foods. Some simple things everyone can accomplish to keep their immune system strong during this time are as follows: Supplement daily with: Vitamin D3 ~ Vitamin D deficiency may be the greatest cause of seasonal colds and flu. During the colder seasons and at higher latitudes, our bodies produce much less Vitamin D because of lowered skin exposure to direct sunlight. A large study involving 19,000 Americans showed that those individuals with the lowest Vitamin D levels reported having significantly more cold and flu episodes. The risk was even greater in those with chronic respiratory disorders such as Asthma or COPD. It is now known that adults can safely consume 5000 IU daily from September through June, and about 2000 IU during the summer, depending on sun exposure. (Arch Intern Med. 2009 Feb 23;169(4):384-90. Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and upper respiratory tract infection in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) Vitamin C ~ Vitamin C is a potent anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-parasitic agent. Oral Vitamin C helps protect the body from developing infections, and high-dose intravenous Vitamin C is an even more effective method of destroying and removing pathogenic microbes. Intravenous Vitamin C has cured viral infections, which can be debilitating and even life threatening such as swine flu, measles, mumps, viral encephalitis, chicken pox, shingles, herpes, viral pneumonia, colds, and flu. Orally, adults should consider taking 2000mg daily as a minimum for prevention and increase this to 3 times daily at the onset of any symptoms. Citrus or berry bioflavonoid compounds have added benefit towards immune stimulation and symptom prevention. • Special note for severe respiratory viral illness: Increase your dose to 1000mg every 30 minutes for 4 hours then every 2-3 hours after that during waking hours for 4 days. You should feel better and be able to resume the regular dose at this point. This will likely cause some loose bowels or diarrhea, which means you are at your optimal dose. If this develops, take a lower dose.
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Dr. Tamara Browne, Naturopathic Physician Unit 8B, 5350 Hwy 97, Okanagan Falls, BC
250-497-6681 www.drtamarabrowne.ca chelationokanagan Zinc ~ Taking supplemental Zinc at the first signs of a cold or flu can cut down the time of the illness significantly, as well as reduce the severity of symptoms. Take 75mg daily in a lozenge form once symptoms have started, or 30mg daily preventively. (Cochrane database review of 15 randomized control trials with 1360 participants: http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD001364/ ARI_zinc-for-the-common-cold) Selenium ~ 200mcg daily of Selenium which can met by eating 4 raw brazil nuts daily, elevates glutathione levels in the body, which helps boost the immune response to pathogens. Selenomethionine is the natural, active form of selenium. Vitamin A ~ This Vitamin also shows promise as an anti-viral agent. It inactivates viruses, stimulates the immune system, and protects the mucus membranes of the respiratory track from viral invasion. 10,000 IU daily is safe and effective. Single treatments with much higher doses (100,000-200,000 IU) have shown benefit in treating upper respiratory viral illnesses and childhood viral illnesses such as chicken pox and measles. Probiotics (and avoiding excessive use of antibiotics) ~ Ensuring a healthy population of intestinal bacteria is one of the best ways to keep the immune system strong and functional. We now know that about 80% of our immune function stems from these healthy bacteria. Overall, less inflammation and infection are observed in people with healthy bowel flora. Antibiotics can destroy the healthy balance of microbes and it is therefore recommended that with any course of antibiotics, probiotics be administered concurrently and for several weeks afterwards.
Melatonin ~ Evidence shows that melatonin has anti-viral properties and is a hormone that our body produces less and less of as we age. It is a hormone produced by our pineal gland, which naturally increases in the dark hours at night and puts us to sleep. Sleep is very important for immune health! If you develop an upper respiratory illness with one or more of these symptoms; cough, fever, fatigue, and/or trouble breathing, consider taking melatonin 1-10mg before bed each night. It is interesting to note that children have the highest levels of melatonin production leading to better sleep and stronger immune systems for fighting viruses. In addition to the nutrients mentioned, the following herbs also help to prevent and treat colds and flu: Garlic, Echinacea, Astragalus, Elderberry syrup, and Oregano Oil. Take as directed on the labels. Finally, the food we eat contributes greatly to immune health. The most significant dietary contributor to seasonal viral infections is sugar. By reducing sugar (and grain carbohydrates that convert to sugar in the body), the immune system is much more likely to remain robust and highly functioning. Studies clearly show that refined sugar lowers levels of immune cells in the blood stream. And of course, as always, ramp up your consumption of fresh, raw or lightly cooked dark leafy green and cruciferous vegetables, natural healthy oils, and healthy protein. Home made bone broth (think Grandma’s chicken soup), naturally fermented foods, and staying well hydrated also keep the immune system strong. Eating less often and incorporating intermittent fasting by condensing food consumption to 10 or fewer hours per day, also shows great health benefits. There are many lifestyle measures people can take to protect and treat themselves from infections. However, if symptoms become severe, please seek medical help. For more information on this and other natural prevention tips, contact Dr. Tamara Browne at the Natural Family Health Clinic in Okanagan Falls at 250 497-6681 or visit www.drtamarabrowne.ca.
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Recognizing A Victim By Heather King
Winter conjures up warm feelings of being together with friends and family around a crackling fire, smiling faces, good food, and gifts for many of us. For others, the holiday season and other celebrations for that matter, stir up feelings of absolute dread. Survivors know that their abuser will manage to ruin every birthday and holiday celebration - unless, of course, it’s their own. Abusive relationships are also particularly prone to deteriorate during the winter holidays - cabin fever sets in, accompanied by aggravation, impatience, and increased stress. These, in turn, can lead to augmented drug and alcohol consumption and subsequently raging tempers. Combine all these things with an abusive personality, and you have a powder keg waiting to explode. While the abuser’s behaviour seems like it would be obvious, you are much more likely to notice the victim’s unusual behaviour: 1. Has her personality or interests changed dramatically? 2. Is she easily confused or forgetful? 3. Does she appear anxious, very emotional, or on edge particularly if her partner is around? 4. Has she seemingly cut herself off from everyone?. 5. Does she take responsibility for everything in her relationship? 6. Is she exhausted all the time or experiencing chronic illness or auto-immune disorders? On their own, these behaviours could mean something entirely different. But if you see a combination over time, it could indicate abuse. Please consider contacting me to discuss your concerns. If you decide to approach the woman in person, do so only when you are sure her partner is not around. Next month, we begin looking at the “Power and Control” wheel.
Shepherd My Sheep DV Ministries www.shepherdmysheepdvministries.com Educating communities on the issue of Domestic Violence Equipping communities to identify and support victims of Domestic Violence. Individual Advocacy for Victims/Survivors
Heather King
Lead Educator and Advocate
heather@shepherdmysheep.org SkahaMatters.com | January 2022 | Page 13
Free Wireless Internet!
www.orl.bc.ca
Kaleden Branch:
101 Linden Avenue - 250-497-8066 Tuesday 1 - 5 pm / Thursday 1 - 8 pm / Friday 1 - 5 pm
One of Kaleden’s local children, Emma (in photo to right), has attended Preschool Storytime at the Kaleden Library since she was a baby. She started Kindergarten in Fall 2021 and one of her reading goals was to finish the brochure of “100 Books To Read Together Before Kindergarten”. Congratulations to Emma for completing this program. We are so proud of her! Preschool Storytime will be starting up again on Tuesday mornings, January 19th at 10 am. Registration is required for this program. Luna who is 4 years old, was the winner of the Gingerbread House Coloring Contest for the Kaleden Library. She was so happy to win the Gingerbread Village to take home and make with her family over the Christmas holidays. We had over 18 entries from ages 3-11 years. Well done everyone! Thanks for your “art masterpieces”, I enjoyed seeing them all on the wall at the Kaleden Library. Check out all the Okanagan Regional Library featured events at www.orl.bc.ca/whats-happening. View the full events calendar to see what is happening in the branches and search online for at home programs too. For more information, please call the Kaleden Library at 250-497-8066 or email us at Kaleden@orl.bc.ca. Lynn Warfield has resigned from her position as Assistant Community Librarian at the Kaleden Library. Please welcome Alice Yaghi who will be working on Thursday afternoon and evenings at the Kaleden Library. Just a reminder that masks are MANDATORY the entire time you are visiting the Okanagan Regional Libraries. Submitted by Glenda Livolsi, Kaleden Community Librarian
OK Falls Branch:
101 - 850 Railway Lane - 250-497-5886 Tuesday 10 am - 6 pm / Wednesday 10 am - 4 pm Friday 10 am - 5 pm / Saturday 10 am - 2 pm
A reminder to anyone attending programs: You must preregister - No exceptions. Limited spaces available. All participants must wear a mask (under 5 years of age exempt). Contact the library for more information or to pre-register for any of our programs. Public Health Orders in place. • Book Club ~ Okanagan Falls Library Book Club Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 19th from 1-2 pm. We will discuss Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. If you are interested in joining our book club, please call the library for more information. • Crafting Circle ~ Crafting Circle is scheduled for Wednesday, January 12th and Wednesday, January 26th from 1-3 pm. Bring your crafts and perhaps share your talents in a group of like-minded individuals. • Creative Tile Night ~ Using only a few items you can magically create a beautiful coaster! This program is open to all ages, but children under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult. All materials supplied. Tuesday, January 11th from 6:30-8 pm. • Adult Colouring ~ Enjoy some colouring and relieve a little stress at the same time! All materials supplied. This program
is open to all ages, but children under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult. Wednesday, January 12th from 6:30 -8 pm. • Family Lego/Keva Plank Building ~ Make it a family fun night and use your imagination to create something awesome! Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Tuesday, January 25th from 6:30- 8 pm. • Silent Auction ~ Thank you to all who participated in our 2nd Annual Silent Auction. Your contributions go towards our children’s programming and are greatly appreciated. Thanks to our Friends of the Library Group for your dedication in making this possible. • Friends of the Library ~ Our F.O.L. Group is seeking new members from our community. If you would like to be a part of this great group and have a few hours to help this cause, please call the library for further information. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year! Submitted by Lynn Warfield, Okanagan Falls Community Librarian
Dy deVos
Travel Consultant Okanagan Falls/Vanderhoof, BC www.dystravelconsulting.com ddevos@tpi.ca / 250.567.0865 License #78814 Not all who wander are lost.
Travel In The New Year By Dy deVos
I hope you all had a fabulous Festive Season. My thoughts were often with those who have had a difficult time during the last few months. What with Covid and a very bad weather year, we have all had to make huge sacrifices and experience losses. I am hoping that this 2022 is going to bring happier and more peaceful times for all of us. Travel has been a challenge. Some of us have been separated from family and friends for way too long, the frustration and disappointment of not being “free” to travel has certainly brought out many feelings of despair and anger. The Travel Industry has taken huge knocks. I do wonder if this business is worth the pain of the long hours of work to only have to undo and experience the huge disappointment of clients. Regardless, I am optimistic that travel, whether it’s local or international for fun, sun or special family times, will recover and we will look back at this very difficult and odd time in our lives and hopefully find a moment to laugh. There are many restrictions due to travel. As I write this, I wonder if the new Omicron virus will cause more problems or if it will slowly settle down. There are many people that are travelling or have over the holidays and have adapted to the new rules and put up with long wait lines, delays and at times frustrating moment. But, I do think it is possible, depending on how determined one is to go and enjoy the sun, or just have a change of scenery. We just need to give ourselves more time getting to and from airports, have all the correct documents in paper form as well as on our phones, make sure you have good travel insurance and be flexible. As we have seen, everything can change in a moment and keeping up to date with your travel plans is very important. This is what we as Travel Agents do - try to keep all our clients’ travel plans running as smoothly as possible. We are here to help you, the traveller, to the best of our ability. You know where to find us. Safe Travels and wishing you all a Happy, Happy New Year!
School Trustee Report For SD67 By Kathy Pierre, School Trustee Business Committee of the Whole meeting on November 23, 2021:
December Highlights From Kaleden Elementary School By Principal Diane Haddow
Kaleden Elementary students have been busy this month! Secretary Treasurer Nicole Bittante reported on the SD67 • All classes participated in creating gingerbread houses! Capital Funds. Local Capital unchanged from last month with no Many creative chalets, castles and houses were built! And expenditures at October 31, 2021. Bylaw Capital (school repairs) consumed! is 58% spent at October 31, 2021. Ministry Restricted Capital • The Grade 4/5 class spent some time creating natural (funds set aside for Summerland Gym replacement) is 2% spent. Christmas tree decorations. Fun was had by all! Beautiful The Board received an update on the 2021-2022 enrolment. The decorations are being added to trees all around Kaleden! district is now out of funding protection resulting in an approximate Mrs. Mennell, our Fine Arts teacher, worked with the students increase of $1,000,000. Senior management is assessing the to create these decorations. needs of the district to determine where the funding will be utilized • KPAC organized a basket raffle this month. Seventeen to address cost pressures resulting from the increased enrolment. beautiful baskets were put together from the generous The Board reviewed the process for developing the preliminary donations of Kaleden Elementary families. The raffle draw budget for the next school year. Once again, a Budget Advisory took place on December 10th. Committee will be established to include representatives from all • Kaleden students have been bringing in non perishable stakeholder groups. The process will begin in January 2022 with at food items for the Kaleden Cares campaign. The goal was least 6 committee meetings from January to June 2022. to collect 200 items, but already over 250 items have been The Board reviewed and accepted for submission to the Ministry of brought in and there is still a week to go! Kaleden students Education, the Statement of Financial Information Report for SD67 have giving spirits! for the year ended June 30, 2021. The report contains information • On December 17th, the students and staff will be playing on all payments made to employees with remuneration exceeding Jingo Bingo virtually in their classrooms. Everyone is going to $75,000 and payments made for good and services exceeding be dressed up in Christmas wear. We are looking forward to $25,000. a fun spirit day before we dismiss for a well deserved break! Education Committee of the Whole meeting on November 23, 2021: Shaune Gowe presented on the Mental Health in Schools Strategies for 2021-2022. The Ministry of Education provided $122,845 grant to address and mitigate the health impact of Covid-19. Also, the District received a one-time ERASE School Mentorship grant of $21,000 to promote substance use awareness and counselling. Kelsey Allison provided a brief overview on the role of Early Literacy and Early Literacy Helping Teacher position. Kelsey provides in class support, training sessions, presentations, and resources to support teachers across the District. Rachel Peters and Bonny Lynn Donovan presented on the new District Learning Recovery Teacher positions. The teachers identify and work with student who are not yet performing at their current grade level to determine what supports are required. November 29, 2021 Board of Education Meeting: The Board enjoyed a musical presentation by the Penticton Secondary School Senior Jazz Band ... Well done PSS! The Board conducted their annual elections for the Board Chair and Vice Chair Position. James Palanio and Shelly Clarke won by acclamation and are returning to their respective positions as Board Chair and Vice Chair. Linda Van Aphen was elected the trustee representative for BCPSEA Association with Barb Sheppard as the Alternate Trustee. Shelley Clark was elected the trustee representative for the Associative Provincial Council and Kathy Pierre is the Alternate Trustee. The Committee representatives will be appointed at the December 13, 2021 Board Meeting.
Kaleden Elementary PAC Update By Brad Nunes
Happy New Year Everyone! Hope you all have your resolutions ready to go. Mine is to get after the kids less (Hey! Stop hitting your BROTHER!) and get my KPAC update in ahead of time (Sorry Myleen). So, I am off to a rockin’ start! Not too much to tell everyone about. Our meeting this month has been changed to Monday, January 10 at 7 pm. We will meet in the Please contact Kathy Pierre at kpierre@SD67.bc.ca, if you have school library, because all the books make us feel smart. any questions regarding this report. Board meetings are live If you have any awesome fundraising ideas, please bring them forward. We love working with local businesses for mutual benefit steamed and can be accessed at www.sd67.bc.ca. (like our friends at Fairview Liquor). What do we do with the funds we raise? Well, this year the school is going tubing up at Apex and KPAC is able to fund it all! And, that is because of your amazing HUB support. Thank you Kaleden (and many others)! We would like to welcome you & provide you with a package That is it from us at KPAC. Ciao! of community information. Please call 250-460-3387. SkahaMatters.com | January 2022 | Page 15 DE
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School District No. 53 Board Report
from the same school: Indoor - 50 individuals or 50% operating capacity, whichever is greater; and Outdoor - 5,000 By Janice Stevens, SD53 School Trustee individuals or 50% seated capacity, whichever is greater. Happy New Year to all our Staff and Families in School District 53. Schools cannot require proof of vaccination for participation in Following are some items that were discussed at the recent Board extra-curricular and social gatherings and events. However, we strongly encourage all visitors to be fully vaccinated. of Education Meeting held on November 24, 2021. Staff reported to the Board that the six-year Indigenous student OPERATIONS completion rates reached 74.4%, which was a 5% increase from 2021/22 Enrolment ~ As of November 30th, 2021, schools the previous year, is 2% higher than the provincial average and reported enrolment of 2,380.875 FTE (full time equivalent), is the highest in 7 years for the District. The 5-year completion which is an increase of 21.375 FTE from September 29th, 2021 rate has also shown an increase to 67% and is 3.5% higher than enrolment of 2,359.50 FTE. the provincial average. While these results are encouraging and November 2021 YTD Financial Statement ~ Total revenue for are an indicator of moving towards equity, other supports have the 5 months ended November 30, 2021 was $9.65 million. Total been added to the District for this year as well. 2 new positions expense for the same period was $10.48 million, resulting in a have been added in the areas of guidance and counseling to move deficit of $828,918. forward in meeting the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Finally, the Board held elections for the position of Chair, ViceCommittee and moving the District closer to addressing the goals Chair, BCPSEA rep and alternate and BCSTA rep and alternate. in our Equity Action Plan. The results are as follows: Chair, Rob Zandee; Vice-Chair, Casey Staff also reported on the initiatives being undertaken through the Brouwer; BCPSEA rep Rob Zandee, alternate Janice Stevens; one-time Covid-19 Recovery Grant and the on-going Early Actions BCSTA rep Deb Marten, alternate Casey Brouwer. Initiative Grant. The usage of both grants revolves around mental For more information, feel free to contact Janice Stevens, School health impacts and challenges for both youth and adults by way Trustee for SD53, at 250-307-4245 or jstevens@sd53.bc.ca. of contracted counsellors, workshops, presentations, and training. One of the activities that is encompassed is the Equine Therapy Volunteer Spotlight Program, which is a 6-week program available to nominated students in various schools. Okanagan Falls Cookie Volunteers The Board was advised that we have received an additional $209,099 in transportation funds. These additional funds will be used to support many initiatives including crossing guards, extra bus runs, funding for late buses as needed, transport vouchers for early learning programs, safety cameras and DVRs for buses and additional school budget for extracurricular activities. As the Province is transitioning Childcare to the Ministry of Education, the Ministries of Children and Family Development and Education want to hear from a broad range of childcare partners including providers, parent organizations, indigenous families, local governments, school districts and childcare advocates. Covid-19 Update: The Interior Health Gatherings and Events Order was lifted on December 1, 2021. As such, Interior Health Medical Officers have removed the additional recommendations that were in place for Interior Health Schools. Our schools will now A big thank you to The Spoke, Kelly, Kate and Grace for donating follow the guidelines for gatherings and events outlined by the their time and all the supplies to make festive cookies in Okanagan Falls. They held two nights of baking for children in the community, Ministry of Education: • There are no capacity limits for school gatherings and events and both nights filled up very fast and were wait-listed. Thank you for bringing a little extra holiday spirit this winter for the children. that bring together students and staff from the same school; •
Volunteers ... Making A Difference Capacity limits apply to school extracurricular activities, social gatherings, inter-school and other events that include If there is someone you would like to see honoured in this column, individuals beyond staff, students and necessary volunteers please call 250-497-8188 or email to rdosrec@rdos.bc.ca.
December Highlights From Okanagan Falls Elementary School By Principal Karen Sinclair
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Okanagan Falls Boys and Girls Volleyball Teams - Fun at the District Playday! 2. What’s with the purple tongues? Homemade snow cones! 3. Learning the history of Okanagan Falls with Mrs. Walker. 4. Falcon Challenge: Building a class chain with positive messages for our Christmas Tree. 5. Cheers and Hurrahs ... for what? Everything! 6. Reindeer ... ready for Christmas! HAPPY NEW YEAR from all the staff at OKF!
Made In Canada - Fabriqué Au Canada By Tom Landecker Made in Canada - we don’t see that very often on high-tech products; but there is an exception. When the James Webb Space Telescope was launched on December 22nd, two major components had the Canadian red maple leaf on them. A Canadian team built the fine guidance sensor, which points this huge telescope precisely at its target, and also built one of the main scientific instruments. By early January, the mirror, 6.5 metres across, will be in place, and the first performance tests will have begun. With a bigger mirror than the famous Hubble Space Telescope and much greater sensitivity, the JWST will be the most important space telescope of this decade. Twenty five years from concept to launch, this is an international effort, from NASA in the United States, and the Canadian and European Space Agencies. Canada’s brilliant engineering contributions have come from the University of Montreal, from the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Victoria, and from Canadian industry. Canada’s contribution gives Canadian scientists from across the country access to this new telescope. We have earned membership in the project through our engineering expertise, and the spin-off into Canadian industry and Canadian skills is large. That’s better than simply sending money. The same strategy is playing out with Canada’s part in an international radio telescope. 250 radio dishes, each 18 metres across, will be built in South Africa. The signals that they pick up will be turned into images by a massive digital processing machine, called a correlator, really a special-purpose computer. That correlator is being designed at our Observatory, here in Kaleden. It will be built by Canadian industry, and will be tested here, in our laboratories and on one of our radio telescopes. Again, Canada’s engineering contribution to the Square Kilometre Array will open the door for Canadian astronomers to work at the forefront.
Okanagan Falls PAC Update By Kandis Lipsett, PAC Chair
Thank you to the Okanagan Falls Lion’s Club for hosting a modified Pancake Breakfast. Your support of our little school is recognized. Thanks to the staff and support staff at OKFES for the hikes, the skating trips, and the various many other outings at the school. Thank you for the safety you have provided to our community in being careful and diligent with staying true to the pandemic measures. Thanks to Chelsea for yet another great Craft Fair. Thanks to Robyn for another successful Coffee Fundraiser. Even during these unique times and unique year, we all have each other to be thankful for. Have a safe and happy time with your families.
How did this high technology come to the Okanagan? At our observatory we have been building digital correlators for more than 50 years, and machines that we designed and built are now on international telescopes. 25 years ago we built a correlator for a Japanese mission that launched a radio dish into orbit around the Earth. Our correlator linked the orbiting antenna to ground-based dishes. In 2008, we delivered a correlator to the Very Large Array, in New Mexico, currently the largest radio telescope in the world. That machine is still working perfectly, pushing scientific frontiers every day. Here are a few helpful website addresses: •
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/solutions/facilities/drao.html
•
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/publications/nrc_pubs/tapping/
•
https://chime-experiment.ca
The Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory is operated by the National Research Council Canada and is located at 717 White Lake Road in Kaleden. For more information, please call 250-497-2300. SkahaMatters.com | January 2022 | Page 17
Kaleden Museum ~ A History Tid Bit By Meredith King The next series of articles will include the histories of some of the founding families who arrived in the decades starting in the 1920s. These are recorded from the memories of the descendants of these families. They are written up by me and I take responsibility for any errors. The run-on sentences are also all mine, though the tendency is undoubtedly inherited.
The Hayter Family - Part 5
In 1995, there were two tragic events which devastated the Hayter family. In April, Christina, the youngest child of Marvin and Sandy passed away just shy of her 20th birthday. Then in September, Ken and Margaret’s only child, Myron, was killed in a motorcycle accident just before his 21st birthday. The loss of these two cousins, bosom buddies, punched a big hole in the lives of the family. The 10 acre parcel which has been home to the Hayter family and the Prestons before that, has changed drastically over the past 100 years. It began as rolling grasslands, then in the twenties it was planted in fruit trees - apple trees with small soft fruits between. When the apple trees grew into large, producing trees, the soft fruits were pulled out. It functioned like that until the 1940s, when fruit fell in price and the trees grew too old. Smaller trees were planted, more to the acre so production was increased and easier to pick, thus picking was quicker and costs were lowered. In the 60s, 70s and 80s, the trees grew even smaller and orchards were planted and replanted to increase yields and decrease costs - all in an effort to sustain a liveable income for the producers. Ken and Margaret had faithfully farmed the family orchard and the additional leased acres since 1977 and done well, but things had changed. The family orchard had decreased in useable land for fruit production. There were now 4 homes, a shop and a cabin on the ten acre parcel and fruit prices were continuing to fall. Something needed to be done. Ken and Margaret decided to develop a more commercially viable option on the land. In 2002, they began planting a garden. Each year they tore out a section of the orchard and planted a garden, all the while maintaining the remaining orchard and the garden they had planted the year before. By 2006, the useable part of the orchard had been replanted, and construction on the cafe building began. Linden Gardens was finished (that term should never be used, since the place is ever changing) and was open to the public on the May long weekend of 2007. The cafe has become the Frog City Cafe and if you have ever been around the place in the early evening, you would know why it is named that. The Gardens are a very busy place May to September, catering to lunches, weddings, memorial services, church services, birthdays, events and much, much more. It is the pride and joy of Kaleden. This close knit family, who, all except for Valerie, live within 10 miles of each other, 4 on the farm itself, have found this place to be a godsend, since the facility can hold all of the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, for the myriad of events and celebrations that happen throughout each year. Currently, there are the great grandchildren of the original Preston family
Nunes ~ Pottinger Funeral Service and Crematorium 250-498-0167
info4@nunes-pottinger.com JOHN NUNES
www.nunes-pottinger.com 5855 Hemlock Street, PO Box 788, Oliver V0H 1T0
DARYN POTTINGER
carrying on business on the original land purchased in the 1920s. Evelyn (Preston) Hayter lived to see all of this transpire. She had always said she had her own Garden of Eden and it must have been a joy to see it come to fruition. Evelyn passed away in June of 2014 just weeks before her 95th Birthday, although she was convinced she was already 95. A true Matriarch, stalwart pioneer and treasured community member. Join us each month for more ramblings on the intricacies of Kaleden life. To donate an item to the Kaleden Museum, please contact Meredith at 250-497-6995.
We believe in a vibrant, flourishing, and sustainable artistic community for all.
pentictonartscouncil.com
250.492.7997
An Invitation To Creativity
Submitted by the Penticton & District Community Arts Council A new year is an excellent time to try something different. Consider creativity. It is something that is innate to all people - a natural gift of being human. You just need to tap into it for it to blossom. The Arts Council is happy to assist you on this journey. We have a wealth of free offerings from local artists on our website with Arts Matter Online. Looking to make new friends while trying something new? Consider one of the weekly or monthly drop-in groups. Check out our website for art classes starting in January. Everything from painting with Diana Skelhorne to improv with the Peach Gravy Theatre Cooperative. Our “Invitation to Creativity” guide is a perfect starter to set you on a creative path. With prompts and ideas, it is also a lot of fun. Plus, you don’t need much just to get started. All the prompts use everyday items you have at home. Thank you to the Kaleden or Okanagan Falls Libraries for your support with this project. Get your copy of the Invitation to Creativity here: • Kaleden Library - 101 Linden Avenue • Okanagan Falls Library - #101-850 Railway Lane • Leir House Cultural Centre - 220 Manor Park Avenue, Penticton • Email info@pentictonartscouncil.com PDCAC Exhibitions: November 20th to January 30th Down the Rabbit Hole Open Group Exhibition in PDCAC Gallery I: Down the Rabbit Hole is an open group exhibition featuring local artists with paintings, sculptures, pottery and more. Elegance & the West Wall in PDCAC Gallery II: This solo exhibition features a variety of works from PDCAC Artist in Residence, George L. Traicheff. Visit our website to find out more about the Penticton & District Community Arts Council, our programs, and events: www. pentictonartscouncil.com Happy Holidays from Bethany, Serena, McKaila, Ben, and the PDCAC Board! All the best for 2022.
Start The New Year With Creativity And Connection! By Kim Palmer, Executive Director
The Okanagan School of the Arts has a full calendar of programming scheduled to begin in January 2022. On January 6, rehearsals will begin for Showtime! Community Theatre, our adult musical theatre group. Showtime! aims to provide a vibrant outlet and training ground for adult amateur performers. Join us as we produce a fully-staged musical using existing songs and an original script. Sing your heart out and set your jazz hands free! For more information, email info@osarts.ca. We’re excited to be partnering with Artables, a pottery studio on Main Street in Penticton, to offer a series of classes for preschoolers, children, and teens. Spaces are extremely limited, so register your aspiring clay artist soon. Do you know a young person with big plans? They’ll love our Juniorpreneur program, which starts on January 11. During this five-week workshop, children aged 10 to 18 will learn a stepby-step process for creating and launching their own business. The facilitator for this program will be Sarah Tucker, founder of Graphically Hip, a local business success story. Preschool Performers is back! Our first class of young thespians told us that they had a huge amount of fun in our acting class for 3.5 to 5-year-olds, so instructor Renee Iaci will again be offering this series of interactive classes on Wednesday mornings, starting January 12. New for January 2022 is our Pre-Teen Performers program, which will run on Wednesday afternoons. In a relaxed and supportive environment, children aged 9 to 12 will be encouraged to find their own unique voices through the exploration of movement, mime, characterization, and improvisation. Deliberate mindfulness has wonderful, healing benefits at any age, which is why we’re piloting journaling classes for teens. Certified art teacher Susy Randell will take participants aged 11 to 15 on a journey of self-expression, while teaching the foundations of visual art techniques. A one-day introductory class on Saturday, January 15 will be followed by a four-week session on Mondays after school. If you missed our ever-popular needle felting workshops, why not try wet felting? On Saturday, January 22, Nikki Marshall of Okanagan Dye Works will teach the unique characteristics of this amazing medium, while each participant creates their own beautiful scarf. No experience is necessary, and supplies are included with this adult class. To register or for more information, please visit can be found on our website at www.okanaganschoolofthearts.com. Questions? Message us on Facebook, or email us at info@osarts.ca. We look forward to creating and connecting with you in 2022!
Providing creativity and connection for Penticton and surrounding communities
778-718-5757 or info@osarts.ca www.okanaganschoolofthearts.com
Kaleden Seniors Committee Update By Eryn Wiedner, KSC Coordinator Hello and Happy New Year from your KSC Committee - Sarah, Paula, Rita, Jaynie, Margie and Randy! We send our very best wishes for health and happiness in 2022! We look forward to organizing many fun activities this year. Our first event of 2022 is going to be super fun and interactive - Music Bingo provided by Okey Dokey Entertainment out of Okanagan Falls. They promise a very fun time with lots of prizes and appetizers will be served. See the poster for all the details. If you are on the KSC email list, watch for information about a Broom Making workshop in early February and a series of Barn Board Quilting sessions beginning in mid February. Finally, I can’t forget to mention Wreath Making in December what a fun evening! The wreaths were outstanding and we had a full house to kick off the holiday season. The best part is we raised $184 and 14 grocery bags full of non-perishable food for Kaleden Cares. Way to go Kaleden!
OK Falls Heritage & Museum Society
Okanagan Falls Seniors Activity Society
By Marla Wilson
By Donna Taylor
We have had a very busy December, as our Shop Manager Noreen fell at home in the first week of the month. She was rushed to Penticton Hospital, as it appeared she’d had suffered either a stroke or a heart attack. It was determined there that she had an aneurysm, or bleeding in the brain. She was put on a plane and sent to Vancouver Hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery to repair the damage. At the writing of this note, we do not know when she’ll return to Okanagan Falls or what her health will allow in the future. A staff meeting was held to determine who would do what for the next two weeks that we had to finish the (shortened) month of December. Treasurer Karen agreed to swing by the shop at the end of each day to pick up the cash that was generated for that day, and Sue took on staffing to assure there were people to cover each shift. The shop will re-open after the holiday closure on Wednesday, January 5th. We haven’t had many reports, so I cannot pass on any other information. Prayers go out to Noreen, Rick and family from all of us.
Happy New Year! The Senior Centre is open with an almost full calendar. We are hoping to see more of our old and new members coming out for activities soon. We follow all Covid safety procedures as laid out by Dr. Henry. Everyone’s vaccination status is checked at the door and masks are required in the building. Please note - The Pancake Breakfast will be held on January 8th this month as the 1st Saturday is New Year’s Day. We are looking for people to join our activities and run the Carpet Bowling/Exercise program or we are happy for other suggestions.
Did’ja know? Mr. and Mrs. John McLellan and their large family arrived in Okanagan Falls about 1890, and took up residence a few yards off the Highway from the now present bridge over the river. Their home was the first Post Office in Okanagan Falls. A small room was built on the front of the home in which to serve the public and also to have a little visit, as people in those days seemed to have the time to get to know their neighbours. This family brought a great honour to the community when in 1919, the Prince of Wales (Later the Duke of Windsor) while on a tour of BC was given a wonderful reception and dance in the Arena in Penticton. The Prince had a keen eye for beauty and chose to dance with the beautiful Okanagan Falls girl, Jessie McLellan, or “Charlie” as she was known to all. He also danced with her girl friend, the pretty Hilda Heaton of Penticton. Jessie’s sister Margaret McLellan married Mr. Richard Bassett ... But, that’s another story. Many thanks to Mrs. Andrew McLean and her great book, “Early History of Okanagan Falls”. H&M Thrifty Boutique
H&M Thrifty Boutique Open 10-3 Wed-Fri & 12-3 Sat 250-486-6371
Okanagan Falls Heritage & Museum Place - 1145 Main St
Accepting Clean & Gently Used Clothing & Accessories In Person When Open Please!
South Skaha Housing Society Update By Michael Livingstone, SSHS Chair The South Skaha Housing Society has had a roller coaster year and we are currently relaxing as we wait for Phase 2 to hopefully begin. We expect that there will be another BC Housing proposal opportunity coming in another year or so. We continue to ensure that we are ready with the application when that time comes again. As we wind down this year, please drive carefully on our winter roads. The Board of Directors wishes everyone the very best in 2022. Have a Happy and Safe New Year!
Services for the Heart & Home Now Offering Snow Removal!
House Cleaner, Support Worker, Lawn Maintenance ... and much more!
For more info, call Kris at 250.809.3414 Page 20 | January 2022 | SkahaMatters.com
Activities in January 2022 General Meeting ~ Monday, January 3 at 1 pm Canasta ~ Mondays at 10 am Tuesday Bingo ~ Tuesdays - January 4, 11 & 18 at 1 pm Evening Pool ~ Tuesdays at 5 pm Music & Coffee ~ Wednesdays & Fridays from 9-10:30 am Scrabble ~ Thursdays at 10 am Bridge ~ Thursdays at 1 pm Cribbage ~ Thursdays at 7 pm Pancake Breakfast ~ Saturday, January 8 from 8-10 am Potluck Dinner ~ Saturday, January 29 at 5:30 pm Drop-in Bingo ~ Cancelled until April 2022
Are you over 50? Just $20/yr to join! Enjoy activities. Meet new people. Get out and have FUN! Become a member of the OK Falls Seniors Society! For more information, call Grethe at 250.497.5669.
Okanagan Falls Lions Update By Bob Wilson, Past President Welcome to another New Year 2022, not a bad poker hand, so let’s hope it’s a winner! Then again, it could be deuces wild and we’d have 4 “0”s. By the time this goes to print, we’ll be through Christmas and New Years Eve/Day and we as a community service club truly hope that all is going to get better this year. We are going into the third year of Covid catastrophes, not to mention the floods, tornadoes, earthquakes and fires all around the planet. Someone once hypothesized that all our experiential existence was created by mass thought processes? If this is true, whomsoever out there that is contributing the negativity, will you please stop! We really need positive contribution, if we are going to get out of this mess. So on a positive note, everyone have a Happy New Year - you deserve it. School Breakfasts at Okanagan Falls Elementary are continuing twice a week and by all reports are doing well. Thank you so much to Helping Hands for their aid and to the Walker/Vader Corp. for their ongoing support, which enables us to continue this program. A big thank you also goes to the people who volunteer their time and efforts, especially in these trying times. All be well, see you next month. Blood, it’s in you to give! The next Blood Donor Clinics will be held on February 14, 15, 16 at the Penticton Senior Drop In Centre from 1:30 - 5:30 pm. The Canadian Blood Services needs both donors and volunteers for their clinics. To become a donor and/or volunteer, visit www.blood.ca or call 1-888-236-6283. The Okanagan Falls Lions Club meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday, face to face if all goes well. If you would like to join us, call 778-4392275. Okanagan Falls Lion’s Club is online at www.e-clubhouse. org/sites/okfalls/ and www.facebook.com/okanaganfallslionsclub.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #227 By Beverly van Uden
ReliableTravel.ca 250-488-9313
We hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Years. WOW 2022, where have the years gone? We would like to thank Dave Kerr for his years of service as Bar manager, and Dee-Anne Stone Jalava for doing sports . General Meeting ~ First one in a very long time, will happen on the third Tuesday of the month, being January 18 at 7 pm. Everything depends on Covid and any changes. Meat Draws ~ Fridays at 5 pm and Saturdays at 4 pm. Pancake Breakfast ~ Sunday, January 16 from 8-11 am. Pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee & juice for $7 per person and kids under 3 are free.
Vi Creasey
vicreasey@shaw.ca
Diane Chatfield BC Business Licence #48999
dchatfield@tpi.ca
Happy New Year & Travel In 2022 By Vi Creasey
Happy New Year to all from Reliable Travel! If you have been putting travel on hold, 2022 may be the time for you! Life is short and you never know what tomorrow will bring. Recycling Donations ~ If anybody has cans, bottles, or water Where should you go? Hawaii and Mexico are still favorites for bottles, please call or text Bev at 250-809-5537. Canadians, but there are many wonderful, safe places to go. Call Sports ~ Come check out the guys playing pool. Get into a game us at Reliable Travel for the hottest destinations. with the regulars. They love to see new players. The shuffleboard How about a “long stay”? Mazatlan can be very affordable and is is waiting for players too. a fast-growing resort city with beautiful beaches, wonderful music, and it is culturally stimulating. Volunteers Always Needed! Things are always changing due to Covid ~ Always check the There are still a few cabins available to join us on our Greek Island Facebook page “Royal Cdn Legion - Branch 227 Okanagan Falls cruise in October 2022. Contact us soon if you are interested in BC”, the sign outside, or come into the Branch. We are located at joining Vi on this amazing holiday! 5009 Veterans Way in Okanagan Falls. For more information, There is no doubt that Travel has changed since Covid, call us or please call 250-497-8338. We are a small Legion with a big heart! visit our website at www.reliabletravel.ca to get the latest updates. On the home page click on “Travel Advisories and Tips”, enter what country you are travelling from and to, and your citizenship. Introduction To Stick Curling All the rules for your desired travel destination will come up. We are always here to help you with your travel needs. By Larry Martin If you used to be a curler or just want to give it a try, “Stick Curling” may be an interesting sport for you to consider. The significant differences from traditional curling are: only two players per team; no sweeping of rocks between the hog lines; and most (and I recommend it) players use two grippers at all times, as no sliding is required during delivery.
Better at Home offers non-medical support services to anyone 65 years of age or older in the Okanagan Falls area. Delivery of Rock
Delivery Device
Rules of Play can be found at https://canadianstickcurling.ca. All Curling Clubs in our area have Stick Curling leagues. The Penticton Club curls on Friday afternoons, Summerland on Friday mornings, Oliver on Friday nights, and Osoyoos on Wednesday mornings. All clubs have a mix of newcomers and old pros. Penticton Curling Club has a second season starting in January and an open Stick Spiel in February. Call your local club now, so they can arrange for practice times or lessons. Perhaps, visit one of the clubs to watch a game. Please call ahead as all clubs have Covid protocols in place that require prior notice to attend, wearing a face mask in common areas, and proof of full vaccination to enter even as a spectator. Let’s stay active. For more information, contact Larry at fs-lemartin@shaw.ca.
We are currently offering: • Housekeeping • Transportation Please contact 250-495-6925 or email bah@desertsun.ca to find our more information. We look forward to assisting you soon!
LOCAL CHURCH DIRECTORY Kaleden Community Church (KCC)
Sunday Service at 10 am ~ Held at the church for the foreseeable future. Please check our website for the latest Covid-19 protocols. 443 Lakehill Rd, Kaleden / Pastor David Ohori - 250-497-5995 Email: kaledenchurch@gmail.com / FB: Kaleden Community Church Website: kaledenchurch.ca - for up to date event information
Okanagan Falls Community Church
Sunday Service at 11 am ~ Children’s Church also available Tuesdays at 9:30 am ~ CC&C (ladies group) in lower auditorium Thursdays at 10 am ~ Men’s Study, Women’s Study Thursdays at 6:30 pm ~ Prayer Meeting FB: Okanagan Falls Community Church. Everyone is welcome! 1356 McLean Creek Rd, Okanagan Falls / Office: 250-497-5131
Okanagan Falls United Church
Sunday Service at 9 am ~ Speakers: Jan 2 - Rev. Laura Turnbull; Jan 9 - Victor Ince; Jan 16 - Rev. David Sparks; Jan 23 - Rev. Donald Schmidt; and Jan 30 - Rev. Paul James. All ages are welcome. Masks are required and vaccine passports are checked. Please visit www.okfallsunited.ca or call us for more information. 1108 Willow St, OK Falls / 250-497-1171 or 250-497-2560
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Service
Sunday Mass at 11 am - Service held in St. Barbara’s Church 1039 Willow St, OK Falls / Father Thomas Kakkaniyil - 250-498-3934
St. Barbara’s Anglican Church
Sunday Service at 9:30 am & 4th Sunday each month at 1 pm. 1039 Willow St, OK Falls / Rev. Dr. Guna Vaddadi - 250-899-0163
South Okanagan Similkameen Volunteer Centre By Mike Potgieter, Board President Wishing Everyone The Best For 2022 Our Vision ~ A Community that provides the ultimate Volunteer experience. Our Mission ~ The Volunteer Centre is committed to building a vibrant community by connecting people through meaningful involvement.
Toast to You in 2022 Be Noble in Wine ... and Life
Visit our website for hours & events 250.497.7945 | nobleridge.com
Page 22 | January 2022 | SkahaMatters.com
In 2006, Wendy Weisner, along with Sandra Dean and Bob Gwilliam, founded a community organization to encourage the growth of volunteerism. The Board of Directors, thousands of volunteers, and hundreds of non-profits participated to establish a regional Volunteer Centre. Many highly valued partners including Bob’s wife, Madeleine, also contributed. At the end of 2021, our Volunteer Centre’s Executive Director, Wendy Weisner, moved on to pursue other opportunities. A community resource that fulfilled the vision and mission set forth early on was now in need of new Executive Director. The Board set out to fill this position. We were seeking an entrepreneur with exceptional collaborative skills. After an exhaustive process and interviews with highly competent candidates, we are pleased to announce Subrina Monteith as the new Executive Director for the South Okanagan Similkameen Volunteer Centre. Most will know Subrina from her extensive volunteer work in the community. We are fortunate to have her vision and ability to achieve impactful results. We thank Wendy for her commitment and leadership in the last 10+ years, and look forward to working with Subrina. Register on the SOSVC website, www.volunteercentre.info, as a ‘Volunteer’ to receive updates on volunteer needs. Register as a ‘Leader’ in to receive board training and opportunities. ‘Like us’ on SOSVC Facebook. Before volunteering, read the “The Volunteer checklist - Volunteering during Covid-19”. For more information or to speak with a staff member, email info@volunteercentre.info or call 1-888-576-5661.
Flowers or Fish Heads?
Credible Cremation Services Ltd.
Send yours to skahamatters@telus.net Your full name and location area is required on any submission.
Sensible Prices for Practical People - At need / Pre need.
Call Lesley, our own Senior, Licensed Director
(Please Note: Some discretion on content inclusion may be involved.)
Total - Basic Cremation ... No Hidden Costs $1190.00 + taxes (Penticton area) $1390.00 + taxes (Kelowna area)
Flowers to Noreen Fowler for all the work she does keeping the H&M Thrifty Boutique a positive place to volunteer, as well as maintaining quality goods at affordable prices! ~ From JoAnne P. of Okanagan Falls Flowers to the Okanagan Falls community for their patience during the road closure on Eastside Road for the culvert replacement. ~ From MOTI & AIM Flowers to Lynn Warfield, we will miss you on Thursdays! Thank you for all your support, it has been an honour working with a wonderful colleague like you over the past 5 years at the Kaleden Library. ~ From Glenda L. of Kaleden
250.493.3912
BC Lic# 49382
(24 hrs)
110-1960 Barnes St, Penticton, BC V2A 4C3 www.crediblecremation.ca
If Basic Cremation Is Your Choice By Lesley Luff, Okanagan Falls & Osoyoos
By the time this issue reaches your home, 2021 will be over and what a year it has been. Residents of BC it seems have weathered just about all that Mother Nature could throw at us. First, the spread Fish Heads to the individual(s) who cut down numerous trees on of Covid-19 and its variants, then the fires, the heat, and to top it Nature Trust land off of McLean Creek Road and close to the old off, the floods on the Lower Mainland. quarry. This is not your private woodlot! It is a nature preserve! With a brand New Year, let us endeavour to look forward with Shame on you. ~ From Ann R. Okanagan Falls anticipation and hope that 2022 will bring us all a more normalized Fish Heads to MOTI for not installing a stormdrain on the bottom year. Perhaps with our continued dedication in wearing our masks of 10th Avenue and Maple Street. The constant water puddle in public and taking advantage of vaccinations wherever possible, and frozen ice is going to lead to a huge accident one day. This we can make the very best of this situation. You know the old intersection is in dyer need of a storm drain! saying that “Necessity is the Mother of Invention” could not be ~ From Brent R. of Okanagan Falls (a daily user of this road) more true than right now. It is surprising how inventive human beings can be when faced with disaster. We can all learn to do with Don’t forget to review us on TripAdvisor & Facebook! less, learn not to waste. Learn to recycle, and learn to travel only when necessary. We can all contribute to lesson global warming, Wishing you all a Happy New Year! if we all do our bit! Thank you for supporting our business this past year. 5121 9th Avenue, Okanagan Falls
Any inquiries, email kjcoffeebar@gmail.com
778.515.6502
Happy 100th Birthday Genevieve Smith Friday, December 17, 2021 Members of Okanagan Falls United Church sang Happy Birthday to Genevieve from her lawn and extended warm birthday wishes. Handyman & Custom Finish Carpentry
Helping the Do-It-Yourself Homeowner
Jay Mallach 250.490.6343 Up To Date Weekly eCalendar! Sign Up Online
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LetsFinishIt.ca
Quick Facts: Skaha Matters is published every month. All residents and businesses in Kaleden, Heritage Hills, Okanagan Falls, Skaha Estates, St. Andrews, and Twin Lakes receive an issue via Canada Post on the last business day of each month. Limited locations also carry copies. For full advertising details, please visit www.SkahaMatters.com.
Please Note: No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. No liability is accepted for any loss or damage resulting from the use of this publication. We reserve the right to refuse any submission or advertisement, and retain the right to edit all copy. Every effort has been made to make this publication as accurate as possible. All authors and advertisers are provided with a proof of their submission and their final approval must be received to be published. © 2021 Okanagan Matters Publications.
In the meantime, we extend our very best wishes for a “Happy and Healthy New Year”. May we also convey our condolences to all those who have lost a beloved family member, or a very best friend in 2021, and may we all move forward with hope in 2022. Credible Cremation Services 250-493-3912 or Lesley@crediblecremation.ca
Helping Hand Update By Carmen Dixon, Helping Hand Chair Happy New Year! Despite this being the 2nd year of Covid, our families in need received assistance this Christmas season. Thank you to all in the residents and businesses for your generosity and time to make this a realty during another challenging year. Please remember that those in need will continue to be able to apply for an emergency food hamper. Okanagan Falls Helping Hand is a registered non-profit charitable organization. Donations can be sent to Okanagan Falls Helping Hand at P.O. Box 640 Okanagan Falls, BC V0H 1R0. Tax receipts will be issued for all donations of $20 or more. We are always looking for volunteers to join our organization. If you would like to volunteer or have any questions, please call us at 778-559-2412 and leave a message. Your call will be returned.
Emergency Hampers can be made available from Okanagan Falls Helping Hand throughout the year with proper qualifications. To apply, please call 778-559-2412 and leave a message. Your call will be returned.
The Okanagan’s Only Fully Mobile Hearing Aid Clinic
Home visits and evening appointments available Free Hearing Tests
Hearing Aid Sales and Repairs
Hearing Aid Demos
Batteries
Accessories
Programming and follow up care
For an appointment, call 778-531-5213 Or email adam@sahearing.ca
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