2014 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Oliver and District Heritage Society

Wednesday April 16, 2014

7 pm 

Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, 5840 Airport St., Oliver

Join us to learn about the progress and victories of 2013, meet our new Community Heritage Manager, and learn about the history of “The Ditch” through the eyes of the Norton family. Greg Norton, a 5th generation resident whose family was instrumental in building “The Ditch” and shaping our community, will tell the ‘real stories’ of what happened in those early years – as recalled by his family.

Only Heritage Society Members in good standing may vote at the AGM. To become a Heritage Society member please drop by the Archives, 430 Fairview Road, on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday between 9am and 4pm or at the Museum, 474 School Avenue, on Wednesdays between 9am and 4pm, to renew or purchase a membership.

For more information please call us at 250-498-4027, e-mail info @ oliverheritage.ca or visit our website at www.oliverheritage.ca

2014 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Oliver and District Heritage Society

Wednesday April 16, 2014

7 pm 

Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, 5840 Airport St., Oliver

Join us to learn about the progress and victories of 2013, meet our new Community Heritage Manager, and learn about the history of “The Ditch” through the eyes of the Norton family. Greg Norton, a 5th generation resident whose family was instrumental in building “The Ditch” and shaping our community, will tell the ‘real stories’ of what happened in those early years – as recalled by his family.

Only Heritage Society Members in good standing may vote at the AGM. To become a Heritage Society member please drop by the Archives, 430 Fairview Road, on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday between 9am and 4pm or at the Museum, 474 School Avenue, on Wednesdays between 9am and 4pm, to renew or purchase a membership.

For more information please call us at 250-498-4027, e-mail info @ oliverheritage.ca or visit our website at www.oliverheritage.ca

by Marion Boyd

This Spring the Sage Valley Voices bring you “Moments to Remember”, a programme of past favourites sure to warm you heart.   Mark Saturday, April 26^th at 7 pm or Sunday, April 27^th at 2:30 pm on your calendar and join us at the Oliver United Church for some great entertainment.   Tickets available at the door for $10 include a social following the concert where you can meet with friends and chat with members of the choir.

Alice DeRoche is back to lead numbers that include “Come Follow the Band”, “Do Wah Days”, “Shenandoah”, “Bring Him Home” and a medley from Fiddler on the Roof and another from Hair.   Alice loves entertaining and she loves costumes.   This time she is creating a spring flower theme with women  wearing a rainbow of colour and men sporting new vests and shirts in bright hues.

Pianist, Sandy Andres, brings her exceptional talent to this 35 voice community choir.   When she arrives to accompany, she is frequently cheered.   She has a way of making us sound better than we are and she can exorcise errant notes when they appear.   Basses and Baritones pay attention and Sandy gives them the little cues that make all the difference.

Recently I read a Globe and Mail article about choirs.  It asked,  “What is it about singing in harmony with other humans that changes the way we feel and think?”

Apparently British scientists have found that choirs boost the mental and physical health of their members.   Researchers studied 375 people who sang alone, sang in choirs and played team sports and found the choristers experienced the greatest benefits by far.   One study even found that choral singers unconsciously synchronize their heartbeats with other choir members.   Our group is wondering if pacemakers help!?

“We’re always encouraged to sing as children,” said one member, “and then you grow up and unless you go to church, when do you sing?”   Singing in a group gives us something we have lost as a society.  In Oliver we sing twice a week preparing for the concerts and pursue harmony with those around us.   We sing together, laugh together, and entertain together.   New members are always welcome.   Those who regularly attend our concerts know the fun of lifting their voices and joining in for some finale numbers.   Together we create community!    Come and enjoy!

Photo Credit: Marion Boyd

Remarkable, breath-taking quilts are on display Friday April 11 and and Saturday April 12 at the Oliver Community Centre. Here is just a small sampling – and cannot  do justice to the colours, richness of the detail, dimensional elements, and tiny embellishments. See the bottom of the photo spread for the list of titles and fabric artists.

1. Maria Fontinha: “Stars and Tulips”

2. Margaret Helgeson with her chair

3. Lorna Fairbanks: “Under the Ocean”

4. Yvonne Crothers: “Lone Sunflower”

5. Darlene Chapman: “Drawer Flotsam”

6. Marilyn Cade: “Poppies on a Picket Fence”

7. Dianne Birnie: “Bottles”

8. Kathie Kirby: “Love-Lies-Bleeding”

9. Darlene Chapman: “May”

Photo Credit: Penelope Johnson

A warm spring day attracted a stream of visitors to the Spring Arts Faire all day on Saturday April 5. First booth at the Faire (above):  Board members Bernice Myllyniemi and Arleyene Farnworth say “Hello!” at the arts council’s welcome table. There was a flurry of spring arts events to promote, along with plugging the activities and specials of member arts groups  and businesses.

Three door prizes, donated by the Oliver Sagebrushers, Sally Franks,  and Okanagan Archive Trust Society (Brian Wilson) provided  a tempting display. Thank you, members!  Local Oliverites won all three prizes: a wine basket, a sepia-toned aerial photograph of Oliver in the 1930s, and a colourful print of burrowing owls.

Close to thirty artists and artisans demonstrated their craft and sold their works. Photography, painting, spinning and weaving, jewelry making, sewing crafts, preserves, woodworking, and more!

Whom do you recognize at the Faire?

Photo Credit: Penelope Johnson

A warm spring day attracted a stream of visitors to the Spring Arts Faire all day on Saturday April 5. First booth at the Faire (above):  Board members Bernice Myllyniemi and Arleyene Farnworth say “Hello!” at the arts council’s welcome table. There was a flurry of spring arts events to promote, along with plugging the activities and specials of member arts groups  and businesses.

Three door prizes, donated by the Oliver Sagebrushers, Sally Franks,  and Okanagan Archive Trust Society (Brian Wilson) provided  a tempting display. Thank you, members!  Local Oliverites won all three prizes: a wine basket, a sepia-toned aerial photograph of Oliver in the 1930s, and a colourful print of burrowing owls.

Close to thirty artists and artisans demonstrated their craft and sold their works. Photography, painting, spinning and weaving, jewelry making, sewing crafts, preserves, woodworking, and more!

Whom do you recognize at the Faire?

Photo Credit: Penelope Johnson

by Norberto Rodrigues de la Vega

I went last weekend to the Penticton Art Gallery for the Opening of their Styx & Stones exhibit. This exhibition explores the issue of bullying, but not only as a problem happening to our youth, but to anyone, regardless of age, profession, gender, social standing. It covers bullying at the schools, the corporations, the government, religions, the army. Bullying is everywhere, we can say that there is bullying in the whole “system” we live. This is a sad reality.

The exhibit is an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures and installations, from many artists that, in one form or another, have been victim or bully, have been a bystander, and so on. Some pieces will make you think, others may depress you, others may get you angry. But guaranteed, you will be shaken, maybe more than once, and hopefully you will get inspired to do something about this terrible problem that is affecting our society so much.

This show was inspired mainly by the tragedy of Amanda Todd that was cyber-bullied and committed suicide when no one could help her on time. This is a show every teenager should see and learn one lesson or two. At the same time, we adults should also see it, to understand bullying is a growing problem in our society, and we all need to participate in its healing.

This exhibit will continue until May 11, 2014. The Gallery is open from Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 5 pm. You can find more details at www.pentictonartgallery.com

Lubba Chpak, Dianne Bersea (pictured top) of Manzanita Muse Studio, and garcilazo (pictured above), all local artists, have pieces in this show.

This show is a good example of using art as a tool to increase awareness and understanding, to inspire and motivate taking action, to facilitate discussions and exchange ideas on social change.

Photo credit: Olena Lennox

by Norberto Rodrigues de la Vega

I went last weekend to the Penticton Art Gallery for the Opening of their Styx & Stones exhibit. This exhibition explores the issue of bullying, but not only as a problem happening to our youth, but to anyone, regardless of age, profession, gender, social standing. It covers bullying at the schools, the corporations, the government, religions, the army. Bullying is everywhere, we can say that there is bullying in the whole “system” we live. This is a sad reality.

The exhibit is an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures and installations, from many artists that, in one form or another, have been victim or bully, have been a bystander, and so on. Some pieces will make you think, others may depress you, others may get you angry. But guaranteed, you will be shaken, maybe more than once, and hopefully you will get inspired to do something about this terrible problem that is affecting our society so much.

This show was inspired mainly by the tragedy of Amanda Todd that was cyber-bullied and committed suicide when no one could help her on time. This is a show every teenager should see and learn one lesson or two. At the same time, we adults should also see it, to understand bullying is a growing problem in our society, and we all need to participate in its healing.

This exhibit will continue until May 11, 2014. The Gallery is open from Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 5 pm. You can find more details at www.pentictonartgallery.com

Lubba Chpak, Dianne Bersea (pictured top) of Manzanita Muse Studio, and garcilazo (pictured above), all local artists, have pieces in this show.

This show is a good example of using art as a tool to increase awareness and understanding, to inspire and motivate taking action, to facilitate discussions and exchange ideas on social change.

Photo credit: Olena Lennox

The Spring Arts Faire returns for a third year of ushering in the colour and creativity of spring. The Oliver Community Arts Council hosts this celebration of all things artistic on Saturday April 5 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Oliver Community Centre on Park Drive. Sales, demonstrations and displays will fill the hall. Admission is FREE but donations are always welcome in support of the arts council. Door prizes will be sure to tempt you, so your visit is worth it from the moment you arrive.

Among the vendors are a cross-section of many arts media: wood carving, etched glassware, leather work, gourd art, painting, photography, jewelry, paper crafts, fabric arts, and even the culinary arts with some truly delightful home preserves. In addition, the arts council’s friendly greeters host their own booth to showcase many upcoming arts events in Oliver. They will also promote the more than thirty member groups and businesses that make up the arts and culture sector in Oliver. Find out what’s happening in the arts!

A lunch menu is catered by the Oliver Bakery all day – aren’t they yummy? — so relax and enjoy some refreshments while you shop. Stop by with family or make it your gathering place for friends. Last year the hall had a warm, energetic vibe all day, and we hope to recreate that fresh spring feeling this year.

The Faire promises to be a great place to pick up some great décor items and gifts for friends and family. Art is all about the story. When you’re asked “Where did you find this piece of artwork?” how nice to be able to say “Well, I met this local artist at the Faire, and…. “ Give the gift that says “Made right here at home”.

Bob Cameron of Black Orchid Photography is familiar to most in Oliver through his landscape photography, which he shares regularly on Oliver Daily News, another arts council business member. Check out his latest shots from a hike up MacIntyre Bluff. Here’s what he had to say about the experience:

“Oliver Parks and Rec put on another fabulous hike to the top of MacIntyre Bluff, this early Spring and I was able to take a common picture that all residents of Oliver, B.C. have to know many times. As my first time on the climb and having to stop numerous times to catch my breath. reaching the top was fabulous. Although raining in the beginning extremely windy at the top, the View was worth it.”

Did you know Bob also does portrait photography? Check out his website for a selection of his work. www.photoartinature.com There you will find some lovely portraits of children and grandparents, young adults and parents, and family with pets. What a great idea when family visits this spring! Contact him to set up an appointment for some memorable portraits in the great outdoors or in his studio.  1-250-689-1351