Skaha Matters October 2024

Skaha Matters

Thanksgiving & Halloween

By Myleen Mallach, Owner/Publisher of Skaha Matters

Being thankful for the little things in life takes effort, both in time and in thought. Be thankful for what you have, who you are, and what you can do to make a difference for someone else. Being thankful for even the smallest of things, really does help put life back into perspective. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Halloween is just around the corner. Time to dress up and have fun! Be sure to watch out for kids walking at dusk on October 31.

Published by Myleen Mallach of Okanagan Matters Publications Monthly submission deadline is always between the 15-20th. skahamatters@telus.net | 250.490.6951 | SkahaMatters.com

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 SkahaMatters.com. Up To Date Weekly eCalendar! Sign Up Online

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. © 2024 Okanagan Matters Publications.

From The Hill

By Richard Cannings, MP South Okanagan-West Kootenay

Back In Ottawa

I’ve been in Ottawa the last two weeks, as Parliament resumes sitting after its summer break. It was a relaxing summer for most of us, but I want to acknowledge that for some it was full of anxiety and stress due to wildfires. The Slocan Valley in particular was on fire for many weeks, forcing several communities to evacuate for extended periods, and unfortunately some residents lost their homes. I drove through the Slocan as soon as the evacuations were lifted and the highway opened, talking to local elected officials and residents. I want to express my thanks to the many firefighters, including volunteers from all over the province, professionals from BC, Australia and other parts of the world, who worked so hard in extremely difficult situations to keep us safe and protect our homes.

As you have all heard, the NDP has ended its confidence and supply agreement with the Liberal government. Many have asked me why we did this and why we did it now. I think it would helpful to review why we entered into the agreement over two years ago. At that time, the Liberals had been governing from a minority position for over two years and had showed little interest in cooperating with other parties. But in early 2022, we were in the throes of the COVID pandemic, Russia had just invaded Ukraine, and both parties felt that Canada needed stability in government to benefit all Canadians. In return for support on confidence and supply motions - mostly select votes dealing with the budget and other fiscal matters - the government agreed to move forward with over 20 NDP initiatives that it had previously not supported. Initiatives that we knew would

change the lives of Canadians for the better, including dental care for those who couldn’t afford to go to the dentist; pharmacare so that every Canadian can afford to fill their prescriptions; affordable childcare; meaningful federal investments in truly affordable housing; and labour laws that prohibit the use of replacement workers in labour disputes.

So why would we exit this agreement? Simply put, almost all of these initiatives are well underway or complete, so extending it would not meaningfully benefit Canadians. At the same time, we are entering an election year and the NDP needed to be clear that they are a better alternative to the Liberal government.

As for the Conservatives, they would have never agreed to help Canadians in these ways and will do everything they can to undo all these new benefits Canadians now enjoy.

So, as far as parliamentary votes go, we are back to the situation we were in from 2019 through 2022, where the NDP and Bloc Quebecois chose whether to support the government on a voteby-vote basis. And, while we have little confidence that the Liberal government will significantly improve matters for Canadians, we have absolutely no confidence in the Conservatives in that regard. So it should be no surprise that we will not vote for any Conservative confidence games as we saw this week.

The Conservatives do not want Parliament to function and continued that mischief this week, blocking debate on legislation that would restore citizenship to “lost Canadians”, blocking debate on a long overdue bill to modernize our railways and ports, and blocking legislation to move sexual assault cases in the Canadian Armed Forces out of military courts and into civilian courts. These tactics are frustrating to everyone in the House of Commons, but I and my NDP caucus colleagues will continue working hard to make sure Canadians get all the supports they need and deserve in these difficult times.

Elections BC Information

By Myleen Mallach, Owner/Publisher of Skaha Matters

For residence in the Kaleden area, voting will take place on Saturday, October 19 from 8 am - 8 pm at the Kaleden Community Hall, located at 320 Lakehill Road.

For residence in the Okanagan Falls area, there are advanced polls on October 10-13 from 8 am - 8 pm, as well as final voting day on Saturday, October 19 from 8 am - 8 pm, all taking place at the Okanagan Falls Senior Centre, located at 1128 Willow Street. All registered voters will soon be receiving their “Where To Vote” cards in the mail. They should take these with them when they go to vote. They are considered one of the two pieces of ID required. With the new technology used for voting in this election, anyone can vote any where. If people in Kaleden would like to vote in advanced polls, they may vote in Okanagan Falls or Penticton during advanced poll dates. If people are in Vancouver or Prince George (as examples), they can vote there.

Check to make sure you’re on the voter’s list. The main website is elections.bc.ca and their phone number is 1-800-661-8683.

Subrina Monteith Director of RDOS Area "I"

From The Director For RDOS Area "I"

Recently, along with other RDOS Directors and municipal mayors and council, I attended the annual UBCM convention in Vancouver. "This provides RDOS Directors with an opportunity to speak directly with the province about issues and solutions,” said Mark Pendergraft, RDOS Chair. “With support from Jim Zaffino, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), and Christy Malden, Deputy CAO, meaningful discussions are taking place that will help the RDOS collaborate with the province on decisions that affect the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys.”

Some meeting topics included:

• Allowing Regional Districts to become taxing authorities - this would save rural tax payers up to 5% as the province charges to collect tax payments and distribute to the Regional District.

• Rural Volunteer Fire Department and Search and Rescue being allowed to use drones.

• Rural Storm Drainage Maintenance - Meeting with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure due to inadequate rural storm drain maintenance; under-maintained roads in rural areas; regional district/electoral area entrance signage; and speed limit signs.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me.

Subrina Monteith, Director of RDOS Area "I"

Direct: 250.460.0723 | smonteith@rdos.bc.ca | www.rdos.bc.ca

Kaleden Quilter’s Invitation

By Vivian King

Knitters, needleworkers and crochetters ... You are invited to join us every Wednesday from 1-4 pm in the Kaleden Community Hall. Ladies of all skill levels are invited to join us for an afternoon with other crafters. Coffee and tea are always available. The fall session runs from September 4 - December 4 for $35/person, which is just $2.50/day, or drop-in for $4/day. For more information, call 250497-1164 or email viv20king@gmail.com. We’d love you to join us!

Kaleden Community Association Update

By Glenda Livolsi

The South Okanagan Immigrant Community Services (SOICS) and the Kaleden Community Association unveiled a mural dedicating to the Syilx Four Foods Chiefs at the Kaleden Community Hall wall. This wonderful piece of art was designed and painted as a collaboration by Penticton Indian Band Artist Haley Regan and the SOICs Youth Crew Volunteers.

The residents and visitors of Kaleden can now enjoy the new bench installed at the Kaleden Library, near the bulletin board. Both the bench and board were funded through a Kaleden Community Fund grant. And, many thanks to Paul Murray for his excellent workmanship on the back stairs of the hall!

Kaleden Irrigation District News

By Bruce Shepherd, KID Trustee

A Never-Ending Drought? Picking up the Drought Story where we left off last month, the Provincial Drought Level for the Okanagan remained at Level 3 (Severely Dry), then was dropped to Level 2 (Very Dry) in early September. Long-range climate projections are discouraging: lower snowpacks, more spring flooding, and hotter, drier and smokier summers. But so far, the Okanagan has fared better than other regions, with the normally cooler and waterrich coastal and northern regions enduring more severe drought conditions.

KID Report Card ~ Unlike many other water utilities in BC, KID remained at Stage 1 watering measures throughout the summer, and we consumed just 2% more water in 2024 than in 2023. KID staff reported much better adherence to Water Conservation Measures this year. But in the face of ever-increasing water shortages, it seems unlikely that we will escape additional watering restrictions in future years. So, in the spirit of “One Valley, One Water (and indeed One BC)”, please think about ways that you might further conserve water in future years.

Did You Get Your Water Tax Bill? You should have received your 2024 Tax Bill by now. If you haven’t, please contact the KID Office ASAP to avoid a late-payment penalty, as payments are due in the KID Office by October 10

Closing Reminder ~ Irrigation Season ends on October 15 No sprinkling of landscaped areas is permitted after this date. Agricultural customers needing to irrigate past this date must complete and submit an Irrigation Extension Request (forms are available online at the KID website, or can be picked up at the KID Office) prior to October 15. Extensions are done on condition that, if your irrigation connection freezes, you are responsible for repair costs. This caution applies to all users, so be sure your residential irrigation system is completely drained!

Hard To Believe! By my reckoning, this is the 75th column that I have written for KID, starting back in July of 2018. I hope that you have enjoyed reading them as much as I have had writing them. But sometimes I wonder ... I had a friend compliment me on a particular column, and wanted to know how long I had been doing the column. To which I had to respond, “About four years” (sigh) ...

O ce Hours: 9-12 Mon/Wed/Thur 119 Ponderosa Ave | 250.497.5407 kaledenirrigation@gmail.com www.kaledenirrigation.org

Kaleden FireSmart Tip

By Linda Dahl

Kaleden FireSmart Is Looking For Help ~ Would you like to be part of a dynamic team that promotes FireSmart events and principles in your community? It is very rewarding work.

• Help organize a variety of events

• Help promote FireSmart throughout the community

• Help with Grant writing???

• Learn how to do home/property assessments

• Attend occasional planning meetings Please reach out to firesmart@kaledenfire.ca.

A Few Upcoming Events:

• November 16 ~ Pancake Breakfast with KVFD to promote Fire safety

• May 3-4, 2025 ~ Roving Chipper event (it’s never too early to start planning)

Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department

By Jean Dube

SMOKE ALARMS, MAKE THEM WORK FOR YOU!

Fire Protection Week is October 6-12, 2024

We have heard it many times, “check your smoke alarms”. But are we really making the effort to do so, or are we just taking this alert system for granted? A low battery chirp from a smoke alarm is a signal that it is time to replace batteries.

INSTALL smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, (like a hallway) and on each level (including basement) of the home.

TEST smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.

REPLACE all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or stop responding when tested.

MAKE SURE smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.

REMEMBER to practice your home fire escape plan at least twice a year. Make it a family event.

Matt Taylor Director for RDOS

From The Director For RDOS Area “D”

“It’s Elementary Watson” ~ While not very high tech or based on complicated analysis, changes in the number of kids enrolled at the local elementary school is an effective measure of growth in the community. This year there are 99 children and while that’s a significant increase from a few years ago - when things were looking quite bleak, we were in the low 70’s - it is down from the 113 enrolled this time last year! So the community is growing, but it’s a case of 2 steps forward and 1 step back. Factors suggested as contributing to the decline this year include: a lack of long term housing; access to amenities available at larger schools; and the normal progression beyond grade 7.

Vintage

Views Wastewater & Lakeshore Highlands Water Systems Going For Public Assent ~ The RDOS Board approved proceeding with the acquisition of 2 private systems (one sewer, one water), pending the outcome of a public assent process (referendum), which is required by legislation and following detailed engineering and financial assessments. These two systems serve the Skaha East communities of Lakeshore Highlands / Heritage Hills / Vintage Views. While substantial upgrades are needed to meet the required standard, these costs will be prioritized and spread over 5-6 years to be as cost effective as possible, and to the extent possible will be offset by grants. Like other RDOS services, costs are borne by users of the services in these communities. The next step is an engagement process, including open houses, leading to the public assent process. This means that the users of the systems must vote to provide authority for the RDOS to actually acquire the two systems. The two public assent decisions are anticipated by next summer. A majority decision is required for both services, for the acquisition to proceed.

Advocacy ~ The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) met during the third week of September and 6 of 9 RDOS Electoral Areas were represented, including Area “D”. Meetings set up in advance provided the opportunity to advocate on the following issues:

• Aster on the beach, requesting a dialogue about reducing the size of the Aster footprint on Christie Beach, while improving public awareness / understanding.

• Fire Departments responding to non fire related events, requesting compensation for medical first response calls and motor vehicle accidents. Okanagan Falls Volunteer Fire Department has almost as many callouts as the significantly larger halls in Oliver and Osoyoos serving an area with double or more the population, much of the difference resulting from non fire related events.

• Roadside ditching for stormwater, requesting that ditching be maintained in accordance with contracted minimums.

• Traffic in Okanagan Falls, supporting the just announced MoTI study to better manage traffic within Okanagan Falls.

• Sewer and Water systems, with 1 system having just transitioned to RDOS (water in Okanagan Falls) and 2 more ‘in process’ (see above), these systems are now being factored in to RDOS grant applications.

• New provincially mandated housing requirements, requesting additional funds to offset the costs of increasing densities and updating bylaws.

• Incorporation, supporting the process to allow residents the opportunity to decide if Okanagan Falls should be incorporated.

Make Your Voice Heard ~ Speaking of advocacy, residents are encouraged to advocate the level of government that is making the decision. Mine approvals are a case in point, as an application was made for a Gravel Pit southeast of Okanagan Falls approximately 5.5 km up ‘the 201’. Certainly concerns can be sent to me, and the RDOS too, for that matter. And I can and have voiced most of the concerns heard, to the Approving Officers.

Mines are approved provincially, however. Local governmentthe RDOS in this case - has minimal say in whether a mine is approved, other than to advise if it complies with zoning, which generally speaking they do. And, decision makers place greater value on direct comments, than hearsay from myself for example passing on comments heard in the community. Their decision will be based in large part on the technical merits of the application, the number of responses received during consultation, the nature and validity of concerns raised and whether these concerns can be mitigated.

The Electoral Area Director for Area “D” represents residents to the Regional District on local government issues. On mines and roads and healthcare and other services that are managed by the provincial government, these same residents are represented by their Member of the Legislative Assembly - that’s MLA Roly Russell (roly.russell.MLA@leg.bc.ca). On things like capital gains tax and Canada Pension Plan and other services managed by the federal government, the same residents are represented by their Member of Parliament - that’s MP Richard Cannings (richard.cannings@ parl.gc.ca). Both individuals are experienced and can provide appropriate direction on concerns regarding their respective level of government.

MLAs and MPs don’t get involved in zoning and other decisions that are managed by local government - the RDOS in this case - and Electoral Area Directors don’t get involved in decisions regarding services managed provincially or federally.

Director Information ~ Office hours are 1-3 pm on the first Tuesday every month at the RDOS Okanagan Falls Office.

Matt Taylor, Director for RDOS Area “D”

Direct: 250-460-0980 | mtaylor@rdos.bc.ca | www.rdos.bc.ca

Area “D”

Above - Premier David Eby addressing UBCM.

Below - Leader of the Conservative Party of BC addressing UBCM.

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Don’t Miss It ...

Incorporation Study Discussion Panel

By Rick Wilson, Chair of the Okanagan Falls Incorporation Study Committee

Thanks to everyone who attended one of the Incorporation Study Open House events on August 17 and September 11, as well as the people with whom we’ve spoken to at the Music in the Park events and outside Belich’s AG Foods.

As a reminder, the Okanagan Falls Incorporation Study began in 2023 with the purpose of evaluating how incorporating into a municipality would affect Okanagan Falls services, taxation, and governance. Community events have been taking place over the last few months and the Incorporation Study will conclude by the end of this year.

I encourage you to attend the Discussion Panel, final community information event about the Incorporation Study, taking place on Tuesday, October 8 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm in the Okanagan Falls Community Centre (gym). You can also attend the event virtuallyinstructions for how to do so will be posted on the project website about a week before the event.

The Discussion Panel will be facilitated by Allan Neilson, the lead consultant from the technical team that has conducted the Study. Allan will be joined by 3 guest speakers to share their experiences of incorporation from other communities. Guest panelists will be:

• John Smith - Chair of the Sorrento-Blind Bay Incorporation Committee and past CAO of a regional district.

• Mayor Merlin Blackwell - Current Mayor of Clearwater, a municipality established in 2007.

• Jason Johnson - The first CAO of the City of West Kelowna, following its incorporation in 2007.

These 3 speakers will share their experiences and thoughts on the pros and cons of incorporation and residents will have an opportunity to ask their own questions of the panelists.

Don’t miss this important event!

As a reminder: all Study findings are available on the project website at rdosregionalconnections.ca/okanagan-falls-incorporation-study; hard copies are available at the Okanagan Falls Library and the RDOS Community Services Office (1109 Willow St).

The Incorporation Study will affect the future of Okanagan Falls. Be informed. Be involved.

Maze

Okanagan Falls Community Association Update

By Colleen Simmons

It’s not how you feel, it is how you look and You Look Marvellous! Okanagan Falls is thrilled to welcome more exciting new businesses to our community! As we continue to grow and thrive, our town is becoming a vibrant destination for shopping and services, allowing residents to enjoy more local options without needing to travel to Penticton or Oliver.

Joining Colour Werks, we now have a “Beauty Row”. We are delighted to welcome Okanagan Nail Spa and Paradise Wellness Electrolysis. These businesses don’t just bring services - they bring a sense of community and personal connection. When you visit “Beauty Row”, you’re not only treating yourself, but also supporting local entrepreneurs who are invested in the heart of our village. It’s about creating a network of local businesses that help each other grow, creating jobs, and enhancing the overall wellbeing of our residents.

And to keep us clean and sweet smelling - we’re also excited to announce the opening of Gillamy Laundromat, which offers convenient laundry machines and will soon feature a wash-andfold option. This is yet another way our community is becoming more self-sufficient, providing all the essentials of a well-rounded village right here in Okanagan Falls.

As all of us have noticed, our roads have recently undergone major paving work. While the process may have caused some short-term disruption, we’re now enjoying the benefits of smooth, fresh pavement - a welcome upgrade for everyone traveling in our town. We have never looked so marvellous.

Additionally, it was heartening to see so many of you engaged in discussions about the proposed new gravel pit up the 201. No matter where you stand on the issue, your voice and input are vital in shaping the future of our community.

Let’s continue to support local, celebrate these positive changes, and grow together as a beautiful community.

RCMP Community Report

By Jo Anne Ruppenthal, Community Policing-Resortative Justice Coordinator

Fireworks & Halloween Safety

Boo! That’s a greeting from the Halloween Community Policing ghost! October is such a great month. Thanksgiving, cooler weather and lots and lots of candy! What can I say about Halloween that has not already been said 1000 times? Unfortunately, even though it’s been said 1000 times, it still keeps happening every year. Fireworks ~ You have to be 18 years old in BC to buy them. A minor can set fireworks off, if they have direct supervision by an adult. You can only do a public display of fireworks with a permit issued by the Fire Commissioner or delegate; and you can only sell, give, fire or set off fireworks between October 24 and November 1. (Fireworks Act Chapter 146).

Costumes ~ Painted faces are best, as the plastic or rubber masks can be hot and often lead to breathing issues or can melt if close to flames. If you are trying to be dark or camouflaged at night, please use a glow stick, flashlight or something else that drivers can see, so that they can drive safely past you. Some younger children are very excited about going door to door and cross the street without too much thought; always ensure that the driver can see you or wait until it’s clear to cross. Impaired drivers are also a big concern, as there are a lot of parties, indoors and outdoors. Anyone out walking should be mindful of this and do not assume that the driver sees you, or that you have the right of way, because you are using the crosswalk. It’s better to be safe than right, if a driver is not paying attention.

My parting words ... if you see the Community Policing vehicle, wave at us, as we might pull over and share some of the candy we bought with us!

Comments On Proposed Gravel Pit

By Myleen Mallach, Owner/Publisher of Skaha Matters

There is a proposed gravel pit near Okanagan Falls, called the Allendale Quary. The regulation of gravel pits falls under the Mines Act and the application process is legislated under the Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in BC. For this application, the inspector chose to circulate this in the BC Gazette on August 22 & 29 and the Penticton Western News on August 16 & 23. The Statutory Decision Maker will receive comments until September 29 and will consider all comments received from the public as part of adjudication process. If you have comments, email skahamatters@telus.net for the public engagement portal link to ensure your comments reach the Decision Maker in time.

Okanagan Falls Volunteer Fire Department

By Colin Pickell

Next year - 2025 - marks the 75th Anniversary of the Okanagan Falls Volunteer Fire Department!

To commemorate this milestone, we have worked with local photographer Douglas Drouin to produce a very special, limited-edition 12-MONTH FIREFIGHTER CALENDAR for 2025, featuring our firefighters doing fun things at some well-known spots in our fire district. In the coming weeks, the calendar will be available for sale at local retailers and wineries, including Belich’s AG Foods and Tickleberry’s. We will update our Facebook page once it’s available with all the local businesses carrying it, so keep an eye out for where to buy yours. It will make a great gift! Stay tuned as we plan other special events to commemorate our Anniversary next year. This year, Fire Prevention Week is October 6-12. Check your smoke alarms and practice your fire escape plan with your family!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!

While we are very thankful to the new volunteers who recently joined, we are still in need of more volunteers to carry on our work.

If you can help and volunteer your time, please call 778-559-2412 today!

Join our next meeting on Thursday, October 17 at 4:30 in the Community Church Basement. Monthly meetings are now held on the 3rd Thursday.

Emergency Vouchers 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.

Okanagan Falls Music & Market In The Park

By Grant Henderson, Event Coordinator

This will be our last article for 2024. My, how the time flew through the summer. Tara and I exhausted ourselves coordinating and executing each of the six events. Once again, I would like to put out a plea for a few more volunteers to help us with the execution of the Music & Market in the Park program. Where we really need the help is to find a volunteer security guy and a grounds helper with the market. Do you know of anyone who could lend a hand? Our email is musicintheparkokfalls@gmail.com.

We are already considering ideas for 2025, being our 10th Anniversary of Music in the Park. The first performance occurred in May of 2016. It was still rather cold and windy at that time of year. Be that as it may, we got off to a roaring start in 2016 and the events have grown in popularity ever since. There are more bands wanting to play in our fine bandshell than I could possibly hire during the summer.

The final event of 2024 was so spectacular, with the Legion joining in, that I would really love to put together a real whiz-bang program for the year 2025. In order to do that, we will be seeking additional sponsors for entertainment, as it will cost considerably more than what we presently take in.

We are so grateful for the increasing participation and enthusiasm surrounding the Music & Market in the Park summer program. Too numerous to mention, let us express our gratitude to all the sponsors, vendors, musicians, and the public who contributed to a very successful 2024. See you all next year for our 10th Anniversary

A Good Night’s Sleep Is Critical For Health

By Dr. Tamara Browne, ND Naturopathic Physician, Licensed and Registered by the BC Ministry of Health

Insomnia affects one in three adults worldwide and is one of our world’s leading contributors to poor health, fatigue, loss of productivity and diminished joy. Research shows that this is a bigger problem than previously understood and should be taken seriously by anyone wanting to achieve optimal health and wellness. Chronic insomnia has clearly been linked with an increased risk of death and chronic disease. Sleep allows our minds and bodies to regenerate, revitalize, detoxify, and recharge for the following day’s activities. If your sleep is unrefreshing and you feel fatigue throughout the day, you may not be sleeping enough or obtaining quality sleep that is truly restorative. Ideally, we should sleep soundly for about 8 hours nightly, and feel vital and energetic for the remaining 16 hours during the day. So, although not all insomnia is created equal and various contributing factors can lead to this problem, the following natural solutions will benefit all with this condition:

1. Deal with underlying sources of bodily inflammation and pain such as gut dysbiosis, food and environmental allergies, blood sugar imbalances, toxins, and nutritional deficiencies.

2. Create good sleep hygiene practices: This means avoiding evening use of electronics and other sources of bright or blue light which inhibit your brain’s production of melatonin. Brain melatonin will naturally be produced when the daylight turns to darkness, inducing sleepiness at night. Relax in the evenings with a warm epsom salts bath, relaxing stroll, or other relaxing practices such as meditation or reading. Stay busy and active during the day and avoid napping. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and other stimulants, especially in the evening. Keep a regular sleepwake schedule. Lower your stress level and develop stressrelieving practices such as gratitude journaling, meditation, yoga, etc. And finally, sleep in a cool, dark, quiet room.

3. If required, take natural substances to help your mind settle down and your brain waves to adjust to a healthy sleeping pattern. The most effective of these are supplemental melatonin, L-Theanine, 5-HTP, and Valerian, plus the essential oils lavender and hops which can be dabbed onto your skin and inhaled.

4. Ensure your hormones are balanced and at adequate levels. Hormone imbalances, for instance the decline in hormones that occurs around menopause, are a major cause of tension and insomnia. Another sleep depriver, adrenal fatigue, a condition that occurs due to prolonged stress, also leads to lowered hormones. Adrenal hormones are responsible for regulation of the circadian rhythm, and when the adrenals run low, our 24-hour sleep wake cycle can be disrupted. If you suffer from insomnia and the resulting fatigue and lethargy that result from inadequate sleep, visit a Naturopathic Doctor to investigate the cause and to find safe, effective solutions. Adequate, restorative sleep is essential to preventing chronic debilitating illness. This article is for informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. For individualized evidencebased care, seek the help of a licensed and registered health care professional.

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• Chelation • Rejuvenation and Detoxification

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Creative Wellness Solutions

By Dee-anne Stone, Seniors Wellness Practitioner

I remember how much my mother enjoyed going to the salon to have her hair done. Her favourite part was having her hair shampooed. This was because the head massage one receives when getting a really good shampoo felt so wonderful and relaxing.

It turns out a head massage is not only incredibly relaxing, but it is also physically, emotionally and mentally good for our brains. There are many things we can do to improve our brain health and help how our brains actually work. It’s important to know how different areas of our brains control different things and that massage can help the different areas of the brain achieve their purpose.

Physically, a head massage increases blood flow, oxygen and neurotransmitters to the brain. It can also lower blood pressure and heart rate. Emotionally, it increases the serotonin and dopamine which are your happy and pleasure hormones, as well as helping to regulate mood. Mentally, the gentle, therapeutic stimulation to the frontal lobe, temporal lobes, parietal lobes and occipital lobe is deeply beneficial to brain function. With massage, we can help to stimulate and balance the brain.

There have been huge advancements in learning about how our brains work and some of the things that can improve our brains. Head massages have been used to significantly increase focus and productivity for people and children including those with ADHD, ADD, Executive Function Disorder and those on the Autism spectrum. A good head massage provides increased productivity, concentration and deep, long-lasting well being.

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). Group sessions and gift certificates are also available. 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 about our services, The Grease Cream, and where you can read any past articles you may have missed.

Creative Wellness Solutions

Providing a unique combination of Chair Massage & Wellness Coaching Call Dee-anne ~ 250-497-5974 www.CreativeWellnessSolutions.com

Need Medical Equipment?

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.

VENABLESTHEATRE.CA

South Okanagan Similkameen Community Connections Volunteer Centre Update

By Laura Turnbull, Board Chairperson

Looking at my October calendar, I am surprised that it is so full. There is time scheduled for helping a friend with a shared project for our church. The Thanksgiving weekend has me cooking and baking for 12 folk who will be joining us, so that they are not alone at this seasonal time. Then, I have a few meetings to attend as a Board member. And at the end of the month, I will be joining many of you at the Blanket Exercise Workshop (more information will be announced!). I imagine many of you have a calendar that looks something like mine.

Why am I so committed to volunteering and helping others? As a retired person, it helps fill time. As a person who loves to be around others, it feels good to be of assistance. As a woman who has developed a lot of skills over the years, it is great to share some of them. As a citizen, I see need and I try to respond.

Do you have time to spare? Would you like to meet new people? Gain confidence? Engage in meaningful community involvement? The SOSCC Volunteer Centre is the place to turn to.

Subrina Monteith, the Executive Director, would like to meet with you! Call for an appointment at 1-888-576-5661, info@volunteercentre. info or check out the website at www.volunteercentre.info.

Why not make the South Okanagan Similkameen Community Connections Volunteer Centre and one or more of its many organizations, community groups, and activities part of your October experience. You won’t regret it!

Got Bears? Here’s How To Keep Us And Them Safe

By Valerie Maida, WildSafeBC RDOS Community Coordinator

The weather is (finally!) starting to cool off, which means starting to prepare for the days of fresh powder and fireside hot chocolate. Bears and other local wildlife are preparing too! In the fall, bears develop an insatiable appetite called ‘hyperphagia’ that drives them to search out as much food as possible to fatten up before hibernation - they can eat over 20,000 calories every day! This obsessive behaviour, while helpful for winter survival, can also unfortunately lead them to venture further into our neighbourhoods than they normally might.

Bears have a sense of smell that’s even better than a bloodhound’s, and they can detect garbage and other foods from at least a couple of kilometres away. That’s like being able to smell the food at the Gunbarrel Saloon from the top of Beaconsfield Mountain! If a bear finds food in a neighbourhood, even just once or twice, it will often linger looking for more and start associating humans with the presence of food. This is dangerous for both us and bears. Human-conditioned bears can be very persistent (and destructive) in their search for food, and these bears may also act defensively toward a person if surprised or threatened instead of running away like a non-conditioned bear might. Human settlements are not safe places for bears either, with hundreds of vehicle collisions and behavioural euthanisations each year in BC. Managing your garbage and other attractants doesn’t just keep residents safe, but also helps keep bears safe too.

Managing garbage to avoid wildlife conflict is as simple as storing garbage and recycling bins somewhere bears can’t access, and only ever putting them outside on the morning of collection. Ideally, this means storing bins in a garage or sturdy shed, but if none of these options are available, chaining bins upright to an immovable object (e.g. a tree) can also help stop bears from tipping them over and getting the garbage ‘reward’.

Fruit and nut trees, pet and livestock feed, birdseed, and dirty BBQs can also attract bears to an area. Fruit and nuts must be continually picked as they ripen throughout the summer or fall, and windfall should also be picked up. If you struggle to keep up with your harvest, talk to your neighbours about helping out in return for free fruit, or even post on a neighbourhood website or bulletin board. Alternatively, you could replace the tree with an alternative such as maple, aspen, or mock-orange. Even the most bear smart community will occasionally have bears wandering through - they were living here first after all! If you see a bear, whether in town or on the trails, do not panic and do not run. Black bears are not often aggressive and generally prefer to flee

rather than act defensively. Back away slowly, while speaking in a calm voice. If you have bear spray with you (and you should!), take it out of its holster just in case.

When hiking, biking, playing disc golf, or doing other outdoor recreation activities, remember to frequently make noise, whether through talking, calling out, or even singing to let wildlife in the area know of your presence. Avoid going out alone and always be aware of your surroundings (this means no earbuds!). If you are on a bike, call out when approaching blind corners or areas without sightlines. Bring bear spray and carry it on you, not on your bike or in your pack.

Just like with FireSmart, being bear smart is most effective when everyone participates. Talk to your neighbours and friends about bear smarts and preventing bear habituation. Let newcomers and vacationers know how important bear safety and management is during these snow-free months. If you rent your home out, ensure that there are clear wildlife-smart expectations set for guests. Keeping bears (and neighbours!) safe is all of our responsibility. If you have a conflict with wildlife, call the BC Conservation Officer Reporting Line at 1-877-952-7277. If you have questions about wildlife, safety, and attractants, you can contact the WildSafeBC RDOS Community Coordinator at 778-531-8040 or rdos@ wildsafebc.com. You can also visit www.wildsafebc.com for wildlife brochures, videos, and safety courses.

BARBER SERVICES

Bear Trim (Clipper Only) ................... $20

Beard Trim with Razor Cut-Out ... $25

Straight Razor Shave ......................... $50

Head Shave with Straight Razor ... $45

We are fully stocked with a great selection of everyday menswear & accessories. We have suits & dress shirts for weddings & all occasions. Tailoring also available!

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

Adult Programs:

• Crafting Circle ~ Every Wednesday from 1-3 pm & Saturdays from 10 am - 2 pm. Bring your creative talents and participate with like-minded individuals. Have fun while you create!

• Book Club ~ Wednesday, October 16 from 1-2 pm. This month’s discussion will be “Turtle Valley” by Gail AndersonDargatz. If you would like to join our club, please contact Lynn at the library for more information.

• Art Therapy ~ Saturdays during open hours. Come and experience the calming affects of adult colouring. We also have colouring pages for kids!

• Saturday Board Games ~ Come play your favourite board or card game at the library. We have Monopoly, Scrabble, Crib, Yahtzee, Skip-bo, Chess, and others! Drop-in every Saturday during open hours between 10 am - 2 pm for teens and adults.

• Author Visit ~ Join Eleanor Deckert for a Memoir Writing Method Workshop on Friday, October 4 from 10-11:30 am. Registration required.

• Alzheimer/Dementia Support Group ~ If you are interested in joining this support group, please pre-register by calling Lynn at the Okanagan Falls Branch or Glenda at the Kaleden Branch. Next group meeting on Monday, October 21 from 6:30-8 pm at the Okanagan Falls Branch.

Children’s Programs:

• Drop-In LEGO and KEVA PLANK Building ~ Every Saturday during open hours. Bring your family and your friends. Come and experience creative building with Megagontiles! These are magnetic tiles of different shapes and sizes. These will be available during our Drop-in LEGO and KEVA Plank Building every Saturday

• LEGO Club ~ Join us every Wednesday after school from 3-4 pm for some LEGO Building fun!

• Preschool Story Time ~ Join us every Tuesday from 1:30-2 pm for story time, songs, rhymes and more!

• Take & Makes ~ Don’t forget to pick up your monthly Take & Make from the library, while supplies last!

Friends of the Library ~ Thank you to our Friends of the Library for having a Book & Bake Sale! Thank you to our community for supporting us through donations of used materials and by purchasing books and baking!

Your local Friends of the Library are actively looking for new members who would support our library through fundraising such as book sales, bake sales, and raffles. If you would like to join our local Friends of the Library Group, please contact the branch for further information.

Programming Ideas ~ If you have a great idea or talent you would like to share with others, please contact Lynn at the library for a possible programming idea.

Puzzle Table ~ Come in to the branch and relax by working on our current puzzle! Adults and teens welcome. We also have a Puzzle Exchange where you can take out a puzzle and bring back when you are finished.

Okanagan Falls Grows ~ The seed library is currently looking for seeds from your summer planting. We also accept seeds you may have bought or acquired to add to our seed collection for next spring. “Let’s Watch Okanagan Falls Grow!”

Submitted by Lynn Warfield, Okanagan Falls Community Librarian

Kaleden Branch: 101 Linden Avenue - 250-497-8066

Tuesday 1-5 pm / Thursday 1-8 pm / Friday 1-5 pm

Preschool ~ Story Time for preschool children and their parents/ caregivers is being held on Tuesday mornings, October 1 to 29, from 10-10:45 am. Come join us in the library for stories, songs, crafts, and to meet new friends. Miss Glenda is planning a Halloween Storytime for October 29, so wear your costume!

School Age ~ LEGO AFTERNOON is being held on Thursday, October 17 from 2:30-3:30 pm. Bring a friend and have fun being creative! Your LEGO masterpiece will be put on display all week for residents of Kaleden to view and enjoy. Please register in advance for this program, as space is limited. Call 250-497-8066 or email kaleden@orl.bc.ca.

Tweens & Teens ~ Join fellow board game enthusiasts on October 17 from 6-7:30 pm for an evening of friendly competition, strategy, and fun with a variety of tabletop games. Snacks are included, bring a friend!

Kate was the first person to use our self checkout desk at the Kaleden Library.

The Kaleden library now has its own SELF CHECKOUT DESK. Ask Miss Glenda or Miss Rachael to show you how to check out your own items. Remember to bring your library card and your pin number!

Kaleden Jigsaw Puzzle Library ~ This is a big hit in our community. Stop by the library and pick up a puzzle to take home. The Kaleden Library is also accepting puzzle donations for all ages, up to 500 pieces. Please drop off puzzles during open hours.

Submitted by Glenda Livolsi, Kaleden Community Librarian

Thank you to Aviana, who so nicely raised $61 for the library by selling her handmade bracelets. Her funds raised are for the Summer Reading Program!

Highlights From Kaleden Elementary School

By Principal Ron Manning

The first month of the school year has come and gone incredibly fast. What a great start-up it has been. Gradual entry for our Kindergarten students turned to full time school after 7 days, we held our Terry Fox run on September 19, and we had our welcome back picnic on September 25.

October will be another busy month for us. It begins with two days of cultural presentations led by Sienna Gabriel, our Sylix Indigenous Education Cultural Coordinator on October 2 and 3. Our grade 4/5 students will also have the opportunity to participate in the Trout Creek Pumpkin run, as well as the Naramata Fall run this month. We will have many Thanksgiving activities, as well as our Pumpkin Carving activity on October 30 and our Halloween Dress Up Day on Thursday, October 31. We look forward to having another amazing month here at Kaleden Elementary.

Just a reminder to our community. Please refrain from having your dogs on our school field during school hours, as we do use the field all day long.

Kaleden Elementary PAC Update

By Trenna Fisher, PAC Chair

First month of school is already done! WOW! Time sure flies! Please be cautious in the community, while kids are walking to and from the school and bus stops. Friendly reminder that all the ghosts, goblins, and princesses will be out trick-or-treating on October 31, so be aware of kids in our community streets!

Our next PAC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 1 at 6:30 pm in the school library! We would love to welcome anyone parents who have a child going to school at Kaleden Elementary to join us at this meeting.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact PAC Chair Trenna Fisher via email to trennafisher@outlook.com.

School Trustee Report For SD67

By Karen Botsford, School Trustee

As I write this report (September 19) staff are busy with startup, establishing routines and bringing learners together in their community schools. This year, staff are also supporting the transition of Grade 8 students to our secondary schools, as we implement the Long-Range Facilities Plan (LRFP) over the next three years and change the district configuration to K-7 and 8-12.

Here is a brief update.

The Board met in August and toured KVR and Penticton Secondary. Superintendent Manuel shared the key themes for the coming year and the board reviewed and reflected on the self-evaluation completed this summer.

At the Business Committee meeting held on September 16, the Audited Financial Statements for 2023-24 were presented, as well as the auditor’s report. Once again, the district had a clean audit, a credit to the Secretary-Treasurer and the Finance Department staff. The statements will be approved by the board and sent to the ministry by September 30 and will be uploaded to the district website. During the 2024-25 school year, the district will conduct a transportation review. There will be a public engagement period, anticipated to be held in early 2025, as well as an opportunity for feedback through the district website. The review coincides with the implementation of the LRFP.

The Education Committee meeting was held on September 17 and topics included a presentation from the City of Penticton on the upcoming City of Penticton Sports & Recreation Needs Assessment and the youth engagement component. The youth survey will provide feedback to the city for future planning and SD67 will support the process by providing oversight. Permission forms will be required to participate.

Superintendent Manuel presented the Enhancing Student Learning Report for 2024 (an annual requirement due to the ministry by October 1). I was really impressed with the data provided and the analysis of the student outcomes. There are areas to celebrate and areas to focus on moving forward. Superintendent Manuel and his team have done an incredible amount of work on the report, and I am excited about the areas that staff will be focusing on this coming year. The report will be posted on the district website. It has been an incredible summer, and we have enjoyed a beautiful September. I hope all families are settling into the busyness of the fall routine. Every new school year is an opportunity to begin again, to learn and grow, adapt, commit, and play, not just for our students but for parents, staff, caregivers and community members.

Happy New School Year!

For more information, please contact Karen Botsford, School Trustee for SD67, by sending an email to kbotsford@sd67.bc.ca.

Highlights From Okanagan Falls Elementary School

By Principal Katie Poole

We’ve had an incredible start to the school year, and the buzz of excitement and energy is palpable throughout our school! It’s wonderful to have our entire school community back together. A warm welcome to the new families who have joined us this year! On the topic of community, we want to extend our gratitude to Bev Van Uden and everyone who contributed bottles for the generous community donation. Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to invest in some new sports equipment, which will help promote healthy exercise habits, enhance social skills, and develop motor skills. Your generosity is greatly appreciated! We also want to give a big thank you to the Okanagan Falls Legion for their ongoing bottle donations, which will support our Grade 7 graduation activities throughout the year. Your contribution means a lot to us!

A huge shout-out goes to all the volunteers who helped at our Welcome Back BBQ. Special thanks to the Okanagan Falls Fire Department for grilling and serving hot dogs, and to Emilee, Zepher, and Tayva for their fantastic face painting skills. We’re grateful to all the families who came out and made the event a great success.

This month, we’re excited to launch our running club and soccer team. Participants will have the chance to compete in the district cross-country meet on October 3 and the district soccer meet on October 17. Best of luck to everyone who joins. We’ll be cheering you on! Go Falcons!

Okanagan Falls PAC Update

By Chantelle Bruwer

The new PAC Executive for the 2024/2025 school year: ChairKandis Lipsett; Vice Chair - Alisha Hardy; Treasurer - Erin Thorne; Secretary - Angela Mavety; Members at Large - Ivy Yoder and Chantelle Bruwer. Thank you all for taking on a role.

PAC is partnering with the Okanagan Falls Legion to help host their Meat Draws. Thanks to the Legion for their ongoing support of our little school. A special thank you to our parent volunteers. The next PAC hosted Meat Draw will take place on Saturday, October 19 at 4 pm. Come out and have some fun, while raising money for the PAC.

Save the date ~ Join us for our Annual Christmas Craft Market on Saturday, November 23 in the Okanagan Falls Elementary Gym. More details to follow next month!

The next PAC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 3 at 6 pm in the School Library. New ideas and eager helpers are always welcome. Free child minding is available.

Our PAC Executive can be reached year round via email at okfpac@gmail.com. If you’d like to get involved or donate to Okanagan Falls Elementary PAC, please reach out.

Go Falcons!

School Trustee Report for SD53

By Sholeh Pickell, School Trustee

We have had a smooth start-up to the school year and families have adjusted to their new routines. Students have joined teams and clubs and are settling into their new schedules. It’s hard to believe that we will be saying goodbye to 2024 in three months’ time.

To touch on something I mentioned last month, I attended the district’s Indigenous Professional Development Day and was very glad I was able to attend. We had the privilege of hearing a keynote from Dr. Dustin Louie. He gave the audience lots to think about when creating safe spaces for our indigenous learners and in turn improving the environment in our schools for all students. He gave us practical strategies for moving forward with reconciliation. For example, to keep in mind, we are all learning our way through reconciliation, including our indigenous brothers and sisters, and even they don’t have all the answers. He spoke about how we need to approach this with forgiveness, patience and openmindedness. Recognizing that change is built upon small steps and not to discount the small steps we are all making. Our district has been working to improve numeracy, literacy and creating safe spaces for all our learners this past year and we will continue down this path again this year with special attention to the learners in transition from elementary school into secondary. More of these details can be found on the SD53 website in our Framework for Enhancing Student Learning (FESL) report.

In early October, our board will be meeting with the other eight districts that make up our Branch, referred to as the Thompson Okanagan Region. During these meetings, we will increase advocacy and awareness to best support all student learning. We will discuss challenges felt throughout our region and look at ways we can support and learn from each other. Some of our findings will go on to be resolutions we will put forward as a united branch at our AGM later in the spring.

For more information, please contact Sholeh Pickell, School Trustee for SD53, by emailing to spickell@sd53.bc.ca.

Fall Dance Schedule 2024

By Brian Udal, DVIDA Master Instructor

Welcome back to dance classes with Brian. Fall classes will be the following:

• Intermediate Rumba ~ Every Wednesday from October 16 to December 4. You will learn some of the most interesting Rumba patterns on the planet. Rumba is the romantic dance style grooving to Cuban rhythms and/or Pop. The great takeaway is that many of these patterns are adaptable to Cha Cha, Salsa and Night Club 2 Step.

• Ballroom Basics ~ Every Thursday from October 17 to December 5. You will learn at least 5 essential dance styles. How you ask? The patterns and foot positions are the same, but the rhythm is changed. Now you are ready for a Christmas Dance Party or a Cruise or the next level class or to just dance around the kitchen to your favourite songs.

Note: All classes are mini group classes of maximum 6 couples in my Summerland home studio ballroom. The benefit of smaller classes is that you get the personal attention you need to learn faster and better. Bring your cell phone for a free video of your class to practice with.

Fees: $200 per couple for 8 weeks = $25 per one hour class. All classes require a partner, whether male or female. Be a lead and you will always be dancing.

Did You Know? Brian Udal is a certified professional ballroom instructor teaching many hundreds of students since 2004. Brian is registered with the Dance Vision International Dance Association. Brian is a also a Teacher Trainer, who is certified to teach individuals how to get their Associate and/or Masters degree in American Rhythm Dance. Turn your love into a career. Ask me how. Private Lessons & Wedding Couples ~ For the ultimate fast track to success, take private lessons. Wedding couples do it all the time and get fast results in only 5 lessons. They will learn a minimum of 5 dance patterns in a choreographed routine to the music of their choice. If you are just a single person or couple with a busy schedule, who want to learn dancing for personal reasons or an occasion, then give me a call and we will nail the time and place for your lesson(s) any time of the day/evening or week. Fee is $70 per hour or less in multiples.

Call Brian Udal, DVIDA Master Instructor, at 604.220.6256 (cell) or email Brians.dance.class@gmail.com. www.briansdanceclass.ca

Brians.dance.class@gmail.com

Swing, Latin, Country, Ballroom for Group, Private & Wedding Lessons Certi ed Instructor Since 2004 | Okanagan - 604-220-6256 cell

Thank You Ironman Canada

By Michael Livingstone, Bike Aid Station Captain

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the incredible volunteers who helped make the last Bike Aid Station for the Ironman race in South Okanagan a success. Despite having to adapt to a few challenges, we made it work. And, I couldn’t be more grateful for the dedication and teamwork shown by everyone involved.

It’s bittersweet to see Ironman leave the South Okanagan, especially considering its long history here since the first race in 1983. Over the years, it has brought countless tourism dollars and created lasting memories for our community. To all who have supported the race and our efforts, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Michael Livingstone, Captain for 2022 and 2024 Bike Aid Station #1 in Okanagan Falls.

Exhibitions & Coming Events

Submitted by the Penticton & District Community Arts Council

The Penticton & District Community Arts Council is excited to announce our fall exhibitions!

September 28th to November 23rd

• Comments on Our Times in Gallery I: Solo exhibition by Keith Funk. Throughout the centuries, art has chronicled the social history of its current society. These works are comments rendered in oil on canvas.

• The Many Faces of Cat in Gallery II: Feature wall by Lindsay Peltz. Come take a closer look at the feline friends we share our lives with, rendered in pen and ink and acrylic paint.

• Little Pop of Horrors in Foyer: Feature wall by Laura Sylvester. Taking inspiration from cinema and pop culture, Laura Sylvester adds a playful and vibrant twist on horror, creating a unique fusion of fright and fun. (See “Short Term Memory” to right.)

The Penticton Arts Council Galleries are currently open Wednesdays to Saturdays, 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, at 220 Manor Park Avenue in the Leir House Cultural Centre. To find out more about the Penticton Arts Council’s exhibitions, events, artists’ opportunities, the community calendar, and more, please visit www.pentictonartscouncil.com.

Do You Need A Realtor To Sell Your Home?

By Sergej Sinicin of neuHouzz Real Estate Group

With its beauty, weather, and vibrant communities, the South Okanagan is a desirable place to live. With a steady demand for real estate in desirable places, the question homeowners face is: do you really need a REALTOR® to sell your property? The legal answer is: no. There is no legal requirement to use a REALTOR® when selling your home, but there is always more to the story.

Hey Google ~ When asking Google how to sell your home on your own, it comes up with a straightforward process: Do Your Research, Prepare For The Sale, Decide On A Price, List Your Home, Market Your Home, Negotiate A Price, Close The Deal. What Google foregoes is that these steps are moving objects - they can go in a dozen directions on each occasion. Every time that happens, it impacts you - it increases the stress you experience or may force you to make an unwanted decision. Let’s highlight these Google steps and see how using a REALTOR® can make a difference.

Do Your Research

• A REALTOR® will extensively research the local market before listing your home, while interpreting and communicating the changing market conditions with clients. A strong REALTOR® will price a property correctly and develop a fitting marketing strategy.

• Here’s the challenge: not all resources REALTORS® use are publicly available. From the get-go, this sets you back to do an equal amount of research on your own.

Prepare For The Sale

• Getting a home ready to sell is time-consuming. It requires a serious time commitment. And while you’re doing that, your availability for other things is limited.

• Because a REALTOR® knows what potential buyers are looking for, they can help you focus on the most important aspects to sell your home. Plus, they have professional contacts to help prepare your house to its full potential.

Decide On A Price

• The hardest part! This requires your total objectivity on the VALUE of your home vs what you WANT for it. How does your home compare to others? What is/has sold in your area? How long was it on the market? Unfortunately, what a comparable home sold for 18 months ago won’t reflect the current value of yours.

• A REALTOR® provides an unbiased recommendation for the ideal list price based on comprehensive market analysis and a realistic 30-90 day market forecast. Pricing a home correctly is critical. A well-researched price will attract interest and avoids the pitfall of your property lingering on the market.

List Your Home

• All homes on Realtor.ca were entered into the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). This is the primary tool to search for properties. At a minimum you should list your home here, but you’ll need to list it through the exclusive access of a real estate brokerage.

• As a REALTOR®, listing your home on the MLS is just my starting point. I will also feature it on high-ranking websites, on the real estate board’s website, and on our strong social media channels. Plus, I will actively search my database for qualified buyers looking for properties like yours. All these additional steps lead to a larger visibility than you could personally achieve.

Market Your Home

• To market your home, you’ll have to decide on (and pay for) photography, video, virtual tours, floor plans, “For Sale” signs, brochures, advertising, social media, etc. These tools need to be done professionally to grab the attention of potential buyers. Are you ready to handle these costs, manage this process, or trust it to someone you may not know?

• I will cover the upfront costs for marketing materials, while working with a team of professionals to produce high quality photos, videos, brochures, etc. I can also tap into my network of other agents to increase your home’s exposure. There’s a great deal of strategic planning we do to create the maximum exposure.

Negotiate A Price

• Negotiating the best deal can be stressful and emotionally challenging. It requires skill and experience not to get ‘sucked in’ by how the process unfolds. Sales pressure, lowball tactics, or renegotiation will be yours to deal with and could quickly cloud your objective judgment. Next is all the legal terminology. Great if you understand this without help. Can you apply it without emotions?

• As a REALTOR®, I’ve been trained to maintain professional boundaries during negotiations. I bring merit and confidence even in the 11th hour of the negotiation by managing the relationships, detaching myself emotionally, and keep presenting possible resolutions. Without that patience and detachment, some of my past deals simply wouldn’t have happened.

Close The Deal

• Real estate transactions involve complex contracts that need the right wording to protect you. A standard contract could work, but when you hit a snag (e.g. home inspector finds defects) do you know how to amend it, or draw up an addendum for work that needs to be done? If you don’t possess the knowledge to put together a safe contract, you’ll likely end up paying for legal advice.

• Professional REALTORS® are well-versed in handling legal complexities of real estate contracts. It’s a key part of their role. And if any issues arise, they know the precise language to amend contracts and protect their clients. Additionally, REALTORS® carry errors and omissions insurance as an extra layer of security against legal challenges.

Conclusion ~ Yes, there are individuals that successfully completed a real estate transaction on their own. But, it’s crucial to weigh the potential challenges. Using your own time and knowledge may seem like a money saving option, but lacking the specialty skills to sell the home for top dollar means losing money. As a potential home seller, you should focus on maximizing profit rather than minimizing commission. If you’re struggling to sell your home, or are thinking about listing, please contact us at 778-7641373 for the best strategy.

Are We Alone?

By Tom Landecker

Is there life elsewhere, somewhere out there in the Universe? Are we closer to an answer?

The direct way to search for an answer is to look for planets around other stars (we call them exoplanets). The first exoplanet was discovered in 1988 by three Canadians, Bruce Campbell, Gordon Walker, and Stephenson Yang of the Universities of BC and Victoria. This was no accident - it was a deliberate and innovative search. The measurements were difficult with the technology of the time, and they were very cautious when they published their findings, but the discovery was confirmed in 2003.

As of today, 5,756 planets have been discovered and confirmed, in 4,297 planetary systems. 963 stars have more than one planet. Those searches have been concentrated in our `neighbourhood’, within a few hundred light years. That’s a tiny fraction of the Milky Way, which is 100,000 light years across and contains 100 billion stars.

About one in five of the planetary systems that have been found have at least one planet in the habitable zone, the place in a planetary system where liquid water can exist. Water is necessary for life - too close to the central star, water will boil away, too far from the central star water will freeze. There are reasonable guesses that there may be 10 billion habitable planets in our Milky Way.

Optical telescopes are the tools for searching for exoplanets. The best at this job was a special telescope in space, Kepler. The James Webb Space Telescope, which started operating in 2023, will probably be a powerful tool for examining exoplanets discovered by Kepler and by other instruments. There’s another tool that can be used to search for life elsewhere, radio. If there is life out there, about half will be in a much simpler state than life here on Earth, but the other half will be more advanced. The advanced civilizations will have invented radio long before we did, and will be using it, so we should listen for their conversations. This program is called SETI, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, and it has been underway for the last forty years, so far without a positive detection. To consider the chances, turn the question around - could a more advanced civilization detect us?

Yes, certainly. Every radio station, every TV station, and every cell phone on Earth is broadcasting to space. The energy sent out spreads across the land, but only a very tiny fraction goes into your radio or your TV or your cell phone. Most of it just keeps on travelling over the horizon and out into space. We have been advertising our presence to the whole Universe ever since radio was invented. Considering the quality of most radio and TV programs, you might think that we’re not advertising ourselves very well.

Interesting websites:

• www.seti.org

• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakthrough_Listen

• science.nasa.gov/mission/kepler/

• www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/science/lost-worldhow-canada-missed-its-moment-of-glory/article4290133/

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.

Twin Lakes Harvest Dance Success

By Daina Zilans

The first post-pandemic dance to be held at the Twin Lakes Golf Course clubhouse was a sold-out success! September 7 was a warm late-summer evening, as people gathered from the Twin Lakes area and beyond (as far away as Osoyoos). They danced, enjoyed a few drinks and snacks, and 17 lucky attendees went home with a door prize. They reconnected with old friends and acquaintances and got to know some new people.

After the dance, a community card and a bouquet of flowers, courtesy of South Okanagan Blue Organics, was delivered to Coral Brown who resides at the northwest end of Twin Lake. She and her husband Alec had bought tickets for the dance, but sadly, Alec passed away suddenly just four days before.

The Twin Lakes Social Club thanks Kate Trahan and the Twin Lakes Golf Course for loaning us their clubhouse for the dance and a special thanks to Kate for single-handedly operating the cash bar that evening. We are also grateful to Brayden McCluskey for a super job of DJing the evening (on short notice), providing us with a crowd-pleasing selection of dance music.

Proceeds from ticket sales will help fund a community winter event and Twin Lakes Community Day ’25. Thanks to all who contributed to make the Harvest Dance a success and to all who came out. It was a pleasure to host this celebratory, community building event.

Kaleden Museum

By Mike Gane

History of Hotel Kaleden - Part 5

Ad in the November 30, 1916 Penticton Herald for the auction of Hotel Kaleden items. After closing, the hotel served Kaleden in many ways through the decades. Around 1917, the basement was utilized as a packing house for several years. The Kaleden Bridge Club met there through the twenties, and for a time the CGIT (Canadian Girls in Training) used it for a retreat. During the construction of the railroad through Kaleden in the thirties, it housed construction workers.

The Kaleden Irrigation District used the lounge area of the Hotel as its office from 1922 right up until its purchase by Charlie Oliver in 1940. (In 1916, the hotel had gone into receivership.) The furnishings were sold at a good price and finally, after many rumours that it was to become a sanatorium or an old people’s home, Charles Oliver, an orchard supplies merchant from Penticton purchased it, caused some consternation within the community when he gutted the hotel completely, stripping it to the skeleton that remains today (the Second World War was on, and scrap materials were in demand). Oliver had intended to dynamite the outer shell, but when Jim Goodwin, who lived in the store across the street, expressed concern that the blast might have grave consequences for his building, Oliver was glad to sell it to him for a dollar, thus freeing himself from any liability claims.

Fred King of Kaleden remembered the old hotel as “an exciting place to get into” as a boy growing up in Kaleden.

Most of Kaleden’s youth spent their summers at the waterfront back then, he recalled. The girls used the basement of the hotel as a change room, and kids made regular forays into the lonely, empty building.

In 1920, the CPR built a spur line from Penticton to the head of Skaha Lake near the present location of Wright’s Beach Camp, and rails were laid from Okanagan Falls to Oliver. CPR rail car barges then journeyed between Penticton, Kaleden and Okanagan Falls. Because of heavy rockwork involved in portions along Skaha Lake, the railway was not completed through Kaleden until 1932. When this work occurred, the hotel was again pressed into service by housing CPR’s construction workers - convenient as the KVR line passed directly in front of its doors.

Let us keep Kaleden Community Spirit going and preserve this piece of our history and perpetuate Ritchie’s grand vision for future generations, please make a pledge at www.cfso.net/hotelkaleden.

If you wish to donate items to the Kaleden Museum, please contact Mike Gane at 250-497-5674.

Kaleden Seniors Committee Update

By Karla Avendaño, KSC Coordinator

We had fabulous weather for our Guided Nature Walk / Hike at Mahoney Lake on September 13. Hikers from 2 years old to 70+ years old were ready to hit the trail and enjoy the outdoors. A big thank you to Brian Stothard for guiding us on the trail and to Ron Neufield as well. And, thank you to everyone who came and adventured with us.

Our next gathering is Friday, October 4 at the Twin Lakes Golf Course from 2-4 pm, where a group of local bird enthusiasts will teach us all about the Blue Birds in the Okanagan. Refreshments will be provided. You don’t want to miss out on this!

Our Kaleden 5th Annual Progressive Winter Market is around the corner on November 16, and we are looking for vendors! If you are local to the area and interested in selling your amazing creations and/or products, send us an email at kaledenseniors@gmail.com. The deadline to sign up October 20.

Would you like to stay in the loop on what’s happening at KSC? Sign up for our emails: kaledenseniors@gmail.com.

OK Falls Heritage & Museum Society

By Grant Henderson, President

WE GOT THEM! The first order of Pioneer Pathway pavers has arrived. They were picked up on September 20 from Okanagan Stoneworks. We now have all the necessary items to install the first phase of the Pioneer Pathway. Orders are presently being accepted for Phase II of the Restoration Project and we are still very much in need of financial help to restore the Bassett House and improve our curb appeal. Remember, your paver purchases and donations will be matched, dollar for dollar, by our generous benefactor. Pavers and donations are also tax-deductible. We have accomplished a number of things during the first year of the fundraiser. Firstly, the Bassett House roof was replaced by Impervious Roofing out of Kaleden. Jordan did an awesome job for us and he also discounted his services, because we are a registered charity. We had to call him back in the spring to replace half the roof on the Kenny McLean log building, because it was leaking into the Thrift Shoppe.

While we were closed for the Christmas Holidays of 2024/25, the Thrift Shoppe entrance was completely renovated to reflect the rustic look of rough sawn lumber. The small bit of remaining drywall was painted with a much more complimentary colour. The doorway to the Kenny McLean room has been spruced-up. The floor of the Kenny McLean Trophy Room was stained to preserve the colour and texture of the wood. Since the passing of Verna Schreiber (Kenny McLean’s sister), the new family representative is Nancy Schmidt (Verna’s daughter) and she has done a terrific job of rearranging Kenny’s display to present his accomplishments in chronological order.

All of the above work, with the exception of the roofer and the painter, was performed by volunteers. To them, I wish to say how grateful I am for their service and commitment to the Heritage Society. Let’s keep the enthusiasm going.

On a sadder note, one of our last remaining founding members passed away in August. Donna May Thompson was well known throughout the community for her many years of service to a variety of worthy causes and community events. She will be sorely missed.

Thrift Shoppe

Open 10-3 Wed-Fri & 12-3 Sat

250-497-7047

Okanagan Falls Heritage & Museum Place - 1145

South Skaha Housing Society Update

By Michael Livingstone, SSHS Chair

Not a lot to report this month, but we’re continuing our efforts to make Phase 2 the best it can be. It looks like we’ll be breaking ground early next spring, setting us up for a smooth and efficient build through next summer.

The new building will be four stories high, with the ground floor dedicated to administration, mechanical and electrical systems, and amenities. There will also be parking under the building, while the top three floors will house the apartments, which include a mix of studios, one, two, and three-bedroom units. We’re paying close attention to ensuring the building meets all safety and environmental standards, including being flame-free. We’re excited to see this project take shape and we’ll keep everyone updated as we approach the start of construction!

Okanagan Falls Seniors Activity Society

By Donna Taylor

We are located at 1128 Willow Street in Okanagan Falls. The local bus stop is right across the street from our front doors.

We have a library and puzzles to loan out. If you would like to use the library when the hall is not in use, call Donna at 250-462-5233.

Remember, the Christmas Market will be held on November 23. To book a table, call Donna at 250-462-5233 after October 8.

Please Note: There will be NO activities held on October 10, 11, 12, 13 and 19 for Election BC.

Activities in OCTOBER 2024:

Canasta ~ Mondays at 10 am - Not on Thanksgiving Day Oct 14

Tuesday Bingo ~ Tuesdays - October 1, 8 & 15 at 1 pm

Evening Pool ~ Tuesdays at 6 pm

Mexican Train Dominos ~ Wednesdays at 1 pm

Scrabble ~ On hold for now - looking for players

Bridge ~ Thursdays at 1 pm

Cribbage ~ Thursdays at 7 pm

Line Dancing ~ Fridays at 1 pm

Pancake Breakfast ~ Saturday, October 5 from 8-10 am

General Meeting ~ Monday, October 7 at 1 pm

Drop-in Bingo ~ No Bingo this month for Election BC on Oct 19

Country Music Jamboree ~ Sunday, October 20 from 1-4 pm

Pot Luck ~ Saturday, October 26 at 5:30 pm

Carpet Bowling ~ On hold

Booking Agent - Heather at 250-497-1171

Are you over 50? Just $25/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 250.497.8199 or 250-462-5233.

Okanagan Falls Lions Update

By Bob Wilson, Past President

Into the fall we go once again, with all that comes with it; cooler weather, shorter days, Thanksgiving and Halloween, pumpkin pie and trick or treat. Be careful on those streets when the kids are out and about!

In the world of Lion’s Clubs, October brings a celebration of club charters with Penticton at 75 years, Oliver and Okanagan Falls at 45 years, which means a lot of community service, bursaries, and many projects completed and ongoing.

Okanagan Falls Lions were chartered in December 1979 and still has 1 member who was there at the beginning, our past District Governor Mike Livingstone. Thanks for all those years Lion Mike. The School Breakfast program at Okanagan Falls Elementary School returned in September. The early morning volunteers are at it once again and three days a week. Thank you to Belich’s AG Foods for your continued support and to all the volunteers helping. Eye glasses collection boxes keep filling up in the community locations and we keep sorting and shipping to keep the world reading and seeing. Thanks to all who contribute.

Our club had a good summer with Canada Day and Music in the Park activities. A big thank you to the community once again for your continuing support. We can’t do what we do without you!

We meet the 2nd Monday of every month upstairs at the Royal Canadian Legion in Okanagan Falls at 7:00 pm. Come out and visit us at a meeting.

POPPY CAMPAIGN

From Friday, October 25th - Monday, November 11th Your local businesses will have Poppy boxes available.

That’s about all for now. See you around town. ‘Til next time, stay safe.

Blood, it’s in you to give! The next Blood Donor Clinics will be held on October 21, 22 & 23 at the Penticton Senior Drop In Centre from 1:30-5:30 pm. The Canadian Blood Services needs both donors and volunteers, visit www.blood.ca or call 1-888-236-6283. If you would like to join us, call 778-439-2275. www.e-clubhouse. org/sites/okfalls/ or www.facebook.com/okanaganfallslionsclub.

Marcus is still looking for his

Marcus was found by the side of the highway when one of AlleyCATS volunteers was taking some other cats to the Vets. It was thought that he was deceased, but when they went to pick him up, he was breathing. Very shallow, but alive. Obviously, he survived, has some scars and a limp, but is super friendly and calm. If you think Miracle Marcus would be a good t for you, please visit www.alleycatsalliance.org

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #227

By Bill Jennings

from 2 pm to close. Open Sunday from 11:30 am to close. Everyone Welcome!

Beginner Line Dancing ~ Tuesdays & Fridays at 10 am. Use the 2nd floor entrance.

Burger Wednesdays ~ 4:30 - 6:30 pm, $15 gets you a burger with toppings and fries. Our cooks are amazing, and the burgers are the best.

The Branch 227 OK Falls Cruise-In Car Show ~ Will be here every Wednesday around 4 pm. Come out and enjoy! Cruise-In T-shirts are available.

Meat Draws - Fridays at 5 pm & Saturdays at 4 pm ~ Profits are donated to charities. THANKS to Belich’s AG Foods

Drop-in Darts - Every Saturday starting at 2 pm ~ Registration is at 1:30 pm.

General Meeting ~ Tuesday, October 15 at 7 pm.

Pancake Breakfast ~ Join us on October 20 from 8-10:30 am.

Buddy Coffee ~ Thursday, October 31. Open to all serving and retired CAF, Allied, and Retired RCMP Veterans. Coffee and a light snack will be supplied.

Bottle Returns ~ Drop off cans & bottles at the Legion.

Poppy Campaign ~ Wreath orders are being taken. Contact us for 2024 changes to size and price.

Membership ~ Elections are November 19, 2024 this year. You need to pay your 2024 dues to vote. Member Cards and Stickers must be picked up at the Branch. We do not deliver. Early Bird for Membership is from Sep 1 - Nov 30. Each month, we will have one draw for $50 (the membership cost). Renew for a chance to win!

House ~ Major upgrades and renovations have begun. Come on down and see what we are all about.

We are always looking for Volunteers ~ Stop on in and see if you can help us help the community.

For Updates ~ We have a Monthly Calendar available to take home at the Branch, a sign out front, and you can check out our Facebook Page at “Royal Cdn Legion - Branch 227 Okanagan Falls BC”. For more information, call 250-497-8338.

We are a Small Legion with a BIG Heart!

Legion Branch 227 Okanagan Falls

LOCAL CHURCH DIRECTORY

Kaleden Community Church

Sunday Worship at 10 am ~ in-person and online Visit kaledenchurch.ca for updates and the link to our live worship. 443 Lakehill Rd. | kaledenchurch@gmail.com | 250-497-5995

Okanagan Falls Community Church

Sunday Worship Service & Children’s Church at 11 am All services with Pastor Jon Manlove. Everyone is welcome! Services with closed caption live on YouTube and our website at okfcc.net. FB: Okanagan Falls Community Church 1356 McLean Creek Rd, Okanagan Falls | 250-497-5131

Okanagan Falls United Church

Sunday Service at 9 am ~ Speakers: October 6 - Rev. Paul James; October 13 - Rev. Laura Turnbull; October 20 - Rev. Dr. Donald Schmidt; and October 27 - Sarah Tupholme. Coffee fellowship after service. Visit okfallsunited.ca. 1108 Willow St, Okanagan Falls | 250-497-1171 or 250-488-8174

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Service

Sunday Mass at 11 am ~ All services held in St. Barbara’s Church. 1039 Willow St | Father Gabriel Chinnaperiannan | 250-494-3110

St. Barbara’s Anglican Church

Sunday Service at 9:30 am ~ Join Rev. Rick Paulin on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. Morning Prayer on the 1st and 3rd Sundays. Everyone welcome. Call for more information. 1039 Willow St, Okanagan Falls | 250-497-7844

KALEDENHUB

for knowing and responding to individual and family need in the community

If you live in the Kaleden area and have needs, 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.

HUB NUMBER: 250-460-3387

Alexander Brown

Alexander Brown, “Alec”, died suddenly on September 3, 2024, at the age of 81. He will be remembered fondly and sadly missed by his wife, Coral, of 57 years, his brother John (Valerie), his children Shauna (Darrell), Tyler (Anita), Travis (Jody), Alexander, his niece and nephew, and his 12 grandchildren. Alex was born in Scotland. He worked as a civil engineer, but his greatest accomplishments were the family that he and Coral raised and being the best Papa a kid could ask for. A Celebration of Life will be held on November 10, 2024 at 1 pm at the Similkameen Baptist Church, located on the Keremeos Rodeo Grounds at 3010 River Road in Keremeos. Alexander, helper of mankind. You were just that, to many. We miss you.

South Okanagan Loss Society Presents

Free Drop-in Support Group for: SENIORS LIVING WITH LOSS

This group offers a safe and welcoming space for seniors to reflect on their experience of loss (spouse, child, parent, sibling or death of a friend). Connect with others who are also grieving and learn tools that can help with the grieving process and improve their quality of life.

1ST & 3RD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH IN OKANAGAN FALLS SEPTEMBER 18 - DECEMBER 4

3:30 - 5:00 pm

Okanagan Falls Recreation Centre 1141 Cedar Street (Okanagan Falls Elementary School)

1ST & 3RD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH IN KEREMEOS 1st Tuesdays 10:30 - 11.45 am and 3rd Tuesdays 1:00 - 2:15 pm

The Gathering Place - Ambrosia Building 714 Veterans Avenue in Keremeos

SOLS South Okanagan Loss Society 110-535 Main Street, Penticton, BC V2A 5C6 p. 250-488-1320. Email: sols.penticton@gmail.com

Notes On Grief And Hope

By Angi Lobos-Taylor, PRC-C

Grief affects people at every level: emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually and socially. It can be exhausting and occasionally even disabling for a while. (The grieving brain is a real thing!)

Often, caring friends must continue their lives after some time. For seniors, it might mean ‘Grief’ plus ‘Loneliness’. Friends can provide excellent service connecting grieving loved ones with a support group.

A Grief Support Group Provides:

• Coping Tools: Learning about our strengths and coping abilities that gives us hope for the future.

• A safe environment to openly share feelings and thoughts with fellow grievers without scaring anybody, because let’s face it, many people find a heart-to-heart conversation with a grieving friend quite intimidating. (You can share some easy reading material with family and friends).

• The empathy and strength of a supporting and nonjudgemental community walking a similar path.

• Access to local and online resources.

Our Group Members Feel

• “This group was my lifeline.”

• “I didn’t want to come. My daughter signed me up, and now I look forward to our next meeting.”

• “It was heartwarming to learn that so many others were living with the loss of a loved one, and that I am not alone”.

Registration: 250-488-1320 Email: sols.penticton@gmail.com.

For more information about our services, visit solspenticton.com.

Flowers or Fish Heads?

Send yours to skahamatters@telus.net

Your full name and location area is required on any submission.

(Please Note: Some discretion on content inclusion may be involved.)

Flowers to the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for their fast response in putting out a truck fire. And, thanks to Leslie for taking such good care of my husband. And, also thanks to the person who had phoned it in. Thank you is not enough, as this could have caused a disaster. ~ From Louise S. of Kaleden

Flowers to the RDOS Recreation Team who put on a family fun Amazing Race at Pioneer Park, complete with trophies, snacks and prizes. Ages 1 to senior participated. Looking forward to the next one! ~ From Ray, Sandy, Josie N. and Jo of Kaleden

Credible Cremation Services

Call Lesley, our own Senior, Licensed Director Basic Cremation No Hidden Costs

$1240.00 + taxes (Penticton area)

$1440.00 + taxes (Kelowna area)

250.493.3912 (24 hrs)

110-1960 Barnes St, Penticton, BC V2A 4C3 Lesley@crediblecremation.ca

If Basic Cremation Is Your Choice

By Lesley H. Luff, Okanagan Falls & Osoyoos

Flowers to our Kaleden neighbours that donated to the Terry Fox fundraiser. Thanks to you, our girls raised close to $250 for cancer research.

~ From Karla A. of Kaleden

2024/25 Winter Vacations

By Diane Chatfield

Wow! Where has the summer gone? Now is the time to enjoy all your favorite fall activities, as well as to start thinking about and booking your winter vacation.

Cruises are hot again this winter. We only have a few cabins left on our 11-day Western Caribbean Cruise departing Galveston, Texas on January 29, 2025. This fantastic itinerary includes the ports of Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Roatan, Costa Maya, Belize City and Cozumel! Our Elvis Cruise is also very popular for 2025. This is a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise departing Ft. Lauderdale on April 26, 2025. Both of these cruises include Princess Plus in the pricing. If you are looking for a land vacation, Welcome to Costa Rica! This beautiful country is known for its stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and incredible wildlife. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, Costa Rica has something for everyone. Some of the top attractions include Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio National Park, La Paz Waterfalls, Papagayo Peninsula, Tamarindo Beach, Rio Celeste, Monteverde Cloud Forest and Corcovado National Park. You can enjoy activities such as surfing, snorkeling, fishing, ziplining and hiking. Costa Rica is also home to many unique and diverse animal species such as sloths, monkeys, birds, turtles and more. Mexico and the Dominican Republic are hot spots for all-inclusive vacations. Give us a call and we’ll help make your dreams a reality!

LOCKE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LTD.

The South Okanagan’s preferred Property Manager for over 40 years!

OFFICE 250-492-0346 FAX 250-492-6673

Note: Please be advised that Credible Cremation Services does not and cannot look after pet cremations. If your pet has passed away, kindly call your local Veterinary and they will advise you of the correct procedure. Thank you.

By the time this publication reaches our readers, October will be upon us and we will be into fall. The children will be settling back into school and with the days becoming noticeably shorter, we will all have to be extra alert in school zones and extra watchful at crosswalks.

Credible Cremation Services - always available by telephone or email for information on cremation - at need or pre-need.

It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to another of our Okanagan Falls residents.

Samuel Anthony “Tony” Wilkins

May 2, 1946 - August 30, 2024

Samuel “Tony” was born in Bowmanville, Ontario on May 2, 1946 to parents Roy and Annie Wilkins. His dream was always to move to British Columbia to live near his beloved mountains. In 1976, he moved his family to BC, where they made a brief stop in Penticton before making their permanent home in Okanagan Falls. Tony loved camping, fishing and hunting.

He was pre-deceased by his eldest son Tom in 2013 and is survived by his loving wife Brenda, son Steven (Paula), Tom’s wife Nicki, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, all of whom he was so proud. Greatly loved and so sadly missed by all whose lives he touched.

Final arrangements entrusted to Credible Cremation Services

Always available for consultation Office by appointment please 110-1960 Barnes St. Penticton, BC V2A 4C3 250-493-3912 or Lesley@crediblecremation.ca We offer “sensible prices for practical people”.