by lakecountry | Nov 4, 2016 | Bloggers, History of Lake Country, Thomson, Carol
In these days of modern secondary education it’s almost impossible to visualize a high school with all grades in one room. It’s equally difficult to imagine one teacher instructing about 25 students in every subject in that classroom. Such was the...
by lakecountry | Oct 31, 2016 | Bloggers, Community Events, History of Lake Country, Shannon Jorgenson, This Day in History
The Westbury Hotel, built in 1908, was one of two hotels in Okanagan Centre in the early 1900s. On Halloween day in 1947, fire broke out and the hotel burned to the ground. Although no one was injured, the guests and the seasonal packinghouse workers who boarded there...
by lakecountry | Oct 14, 2016 | Announcements, Bloggers, Community Events, Exhibitions, History of Lake Country, Thomson, Carol
Applebox Belles presents the stories of the pioneers, the Summer Girls, and the champion Apple Wrapper Flappers of Lake Country’s early apple packing industry. These determined women quickly became the workforce of the packinghouses, sorting, wrapping, packing, and...
by lakecountry | Oct 7, 2016 | Bloggers, History of Lake Country, Jim Taylor
Long before electric carving knives and boneless pre-stuffed turkeys, carving was an art form. My mother would call us into the dining room. The turkey, golden brown and aromatic, steamed on its platter at the head of the table. We sat at our places, unfolded our...
by lakecountry | Sep 30, 2016 | Guest Bloggers, History of Lake Country, Natural History, Pam Laing
Which birds might I see today? Loons There is very little common about the Common Loon! This iconic bird of northern lakes is remarkable, supremely adapted to living on and in water. They are large, fish-eating birds that capture their prey by diving and chasing them...
by lakecountry | Sep 23, 2016 | Bloggers, History of Lake Country, Shannon Jorgenson
If you’re looking for an interesting way to spend an hour in Lake Country try taking the Heritage Driving Tour. The tour features thirteen heritage locations as well as optional stops at wineries and points of interest. The tour can be accessed online at...
by lakecountry | Sep 9, 2016 | Bloggers, Thomson, Carol
Tom [Carney] was always generous in allowing recreational use of the land. In the past it was used by horseback riders, cross-country skiers and others. Rutland Senior High School’s auto shop classes held auto rallies there and the natural amphitheatre below the...
by lakecountry | Sep 2, 2016 | Bloggers, Thomson, Carol
At one time, the TC Ranch range land extended from what is now the Pier Mac gravel pit and Highway 97 on the east, to Okanagan College1 on the south, the Tutt Ranch on the west and Dry Valley Road on the north. The land upon which Quail Ridge now stands, was sold to...
by lakecountry | Aug 26, 2016 | Bloggers, Thomson, Carol
One of my most memorable and nostalgic games of golf was played last fall1 at Quail Ridge. The land on which the Quail Ridge course has been so carefully and skillfully sculpted was previously owned by my father, Tom Carney. He was a pioneer of the Ellison district,...
by lakecountry | Aug 19, 2016 | Bloggers, History of Lake Country, Thomson, Carol
Oft on a clear, fresh summer morn I’ve stood as one deep-rooted to the ground And gazed and gazed upon its loveliness; Taking a deep draught to my thirsty soul. It was the lake of many colors and I thought No man can rob me of this gem – all else may go; Sports,...
by navigator | Aug 5, 2016 | Community Events, Douglas Broome, Guest Bloggers, History of Lake Country
This post concludes the Camp Kopje reminiscences by Douglas Broome. “Back to camp. The buildings went down the bay from the Panabode. The beach was clear the entire distance, edged by a 20 foot wide green area of bushes, pines, and deciduous trees through...
by navigator | Jul 29, 2016 | Community Events, Douglas Broome, Guest Bloggers, History of Lake Country
This post continues the Camp Kopje reminiscences by Douglas Broome. “The main body of camp was laid out along 1,200 feet of pebble beach. At the northern end was a modern PanAbode cedar log home with large verandah and a lawn down to the lake at a spot where a...
by navigator | Jul 22, 2016 | Community Events, Douglas Broome, Guest Bloggers, History of Lake Country
“Summer camp. The horse shivers to shake off the horseflies, snorts as girls handle tackle and Western saddles, old leather, hay and muck. A salt lick. The barn looks cool in the shadow of the cottonwoods and pines. Hot high sun. One girl goes into the orchard...
by lakecountry | Jul 8, 2016 | Bloggers, History of Lake Country, This Day in History, Thomson, Carol
THIS DAY IN HISTORY – 60 years “Don Arnold and Wayne Pretty went east to St. Catharines to the Olympic Trials in July 1956. Don stroked a crew of four, to break the world record by 30 seconds, and the Eight[s] broke the record and qualified them both to enter...
by lakecountry | Jul 1, 2016 | Announcements, Bloggers, Community Events, History of Lake Country, Thomson, Carol
This song “Canada” was written by Jack Kenny. The song, an ode to Canada, was sung by Oyama Elementary School children in 1990.1 Happy Birthday Canada! 1 #2014.86.1. One Cassette and two compact disks; also available in WAV format. Lake Country...
by lakecountry | Jun 24, 2016 | Guest Bloggers, History of Lake Country, Natural History, Pam Laing
Which birds might I see today? Bluebirds I was asked a question recently regarding some small birds seen last summer. The questioner said, in some surprise, “They were blue!” I replied, “They were probably bluebirds”. Indeed. To the non-birder, the sight of the first...
by lakecountry | May 27, 2016 | Announcements, Bloggers, Community Events, History of Lake Country, Natural History, Thomson, Carol
The vision of a recreational corridor depends on residents digging deep. Fundraising for the Okanagan Rail Trail between Coldstream and Kelowna began Tuesday, May 17, 2016 with the launch of a $7.86 million campaign. “This is a lot of money. However, if we each...
by lakecountry | May 20, 2016 | Bloggers, Hayes, Bob, History of Lake Country
Promoting the Okanagan Valley is not new. Various local governments, Chambers of Commerce, and Tourists Boards eagerly expound the virtues of living in this wonderful part of British Columbia. However, it is important to acknowledge that this promotion is not a recent...
by lakecountry | May 13, 2016 | Bloggers, Gibbons, Richard, History of Lake Country
“Everyone should believe in something; I believe I’ll go fishing.” (H.D. Thoreau) Our particular part of the Okanagan Valley affords myriad opportunities for recreation. One of the most pleasant, enjoyable and affordable, enjoyed by residents and visitors alike, is...
by lakecountry | May 6, 2016 | Announcements, Bloggers, History of Lake Country, Natural History, Thomson, Carol
Washrooms higher priority than paving for respondents to city survey on Vernon-Kelowna trail amenities1 By Ron Seymour, The Daily Courier Paving the Vernon-Kelowna railway path is both the most popular and the least popular idea among respondents to a City of Kelowna...
