Ogos Ice-cream Parlour Penticton

I had just about come to the end of a glorious bike ride down the Okanagan River Channel, stopping in the Rose Garden for a water break and a chance to smell the beautiful roses. As I made my way home I spotted a sign that said Ogos.  I was drawn to the place and very happy to find it was an ice-cream parlour, because a cold treat was exactly what I fancied.
I chatted to Sharon the owner and found out some very interesting history about the beginnings of the place. It was started by a couple of university students a few years ago and the premises used to be an alley which has been very creatively transformed into a perky and inviting ice-cream parlour. One wall is home to a huge 50 ft. mural painted by Kelowna artist Luke Hunter.  There is also an impressive 8 ft ogopogo, standing guard in the foyer, which has tables to seat guests while they enjoy their icecream.

 

Eating my ice-cream in front of the mural

 Out of close to 60 flavours to choose from,  I chose a yummy orange one which always is the most refreshing to me on a hot Okanagan day.

Anyhow, as I chatted more with Sharon she happened to tell me that she had just received a phone call from a film company back in Ontario. Guess what?  They will be doing a documentary on Okanagan Lake and the Ogopogo and happened to see Ogos advertised on Urban Spoon. They are coming to Penticton on Sept 26th to interview Sharon and take shots of  Ogos Icecream Parlour.
I will be there to take some photos because after all this will be a pretty neat happening for Penticton.
By the way, Ogos is on the bead trail which I think is another fantastic Okanagan treasure. Naturally I bought the ogopogo bead for my bracelet so that completed my very happy bike ride today!

 I forgot to say that the ice-cream was delicious and really hit the spot.  There won't be too many summer days left now so go and experience Ogos before it beds down for the winter.

Sweetsingletrack.ca - Okanagan Trail Guide by Andrew Drouin of Penticton BC



Andrew Drouin with his sweetsingletrack.ca trail guide

I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Andrew Drouin, author of the SweetSingletrack.ca online + print edition trail-guide.  This publication features over one hundred non-motorized recreational trails encompassing much of the South Okanagan.  Andrew has over 20 years of experience exploring the valley and was motivated to compile a useful descriptor of the area’s recreation trails.

Each chapter of SweetSingletrack.ca is presented with a written description of the trail, along with details on cell-phone reception, potable water-access and maps - which Andrew created by carrying a GPS recorder in his back-pack over a period of several years.

The guidebook retails for $25 and provides both the physical print edition and three years of free access to the frequently-updated online edition.  This allows you to download Google Earth and GPS tracks for your GPS device or smartphone.

Though Andrew's employment is that of a computer technician, he confesses that his great love is the outdoors, where he thrives on hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and kayaking.

Andrew riding the trails on horseback

Improving and maintaining trails is very important to Andrew, which is why he and Rowena Tansley originally created the Penticton and Area CyclingAssociation (PACA) in 2008.  Andrew’s vision grew to advocate awareness for all avenues of trail use, including hiking, biking, equestrian and an environment for naturalists.  He was president of the bike club for three years, then it's trail manager for the following year.  The new president of PACA leaned toward bike racing, so Andrew branched off and started the SouthOkanagan Trail Alliance (SOTA): a trail-group dedicated to maintaining back-country trails, bridges and signage. 

As if this guy isn't already doing enough for our trails, he is also on a government committee (the KVR Working Group) dedicated to developing an equitable solution to motor vehicle traffic on the KVR.  I had no idea there was so much controversy surrounding this issue but it makes sense to me to keep motor vehicles off certain sections of the KVR.

Andrew is always discovering, creating and maintaining new trails - which are added to the companion website in ten new installments per year.  Each January, the SweetSingletrack.ca  print edition grows through reprints / updates of this new information. Partial profits from the sales go towards trail maintenance and signage.

Andrew's words, taken from the back of the guidebook, sum up his kinship with the outdoors.

"In using this guidebook, I ask that you act as stewards of the land.  Every effort you make in preserving and nurturing the environment leaves a legacy to be enjoyed by future generations"

Books can be purchased at Tourist Information Centers throughout the Valley or any of the following locations:

The Bench coffee shop - Penticton
Peach City Runners - Penticton
Both Downtown Book Stores - Penticton
The Bike Barn - Penticton
Freedom Bike Shop - Penticton
Dr. Hitch - Penticton
Wright's Beach Campground - Penticton
Mosaic Books - Kelowna

 VETERANS' TRIBUTE AT SELBY PARK - West Bench - Penticton - July 15, 2013

Saturday June 15th dawned sunny and warm, a perfect day for the West Bench inauguration of the Veterans' Memorial at Selby Park.

Sue Gibbons, daughter of navy veteran Bob Jenkins, must have been so proud to see the fruits of her labor finally realized, after conceiving the idea back in 2009 to honour her Dad and the other Second World War vets who made the West Bench settlement their home.

Sue Gibbons with veteran Les Roberts

The design, created by local architects Chris Allen and Cal Meiklejohn,  includes a walking path that winds its way through the charming park and leads you past a large metal table which depicts a plan of all the original lots.  Back when the subdivision was created there was a lottery system and it really was the luck of the draw if you ended up fortunate enough to own one.  Further along the path is a plaque with all the original owners names and lot numbers. 

Veterans Jack Harlock and Les Roberts admire metal table

 

Les Roberts points to his name on the plaque

The metal sculpture as you begin the walkway, depicts a soldier back from war, holding hands with his family, as he makes the transition to a new life of peace and hope.  Sue Gibbons quoted her father as saying "The Okanagan is God's country, but the West Bench is heaven"  Today, the West Bench is still an amazing place to raise a family, as MC Steve Devito confirmed. Naturally there is a children’s playground that was well used during this event.

 

 

There are not many of these brave Canadian Vets around these days and it was touching to see my Dad, along with 11 other Vets, being piped up the walkway, still standing proud and surrounded by families, friends and neighbors. We were all gathered together with a common purpose, to pay tribute to our soldiers and leave a legacy for the residents of the West Bench that will last for years to come.

Veterans on left - Geordie Young, pipe major with Okanagan Caledonia Pipe Band

After the ceremony, which included speakers from the various levels of government, there was a highland dance presentation by Meredith and Ivy Allen and then sandwiches, fruits and sweets were served… a nice touch.  This social became a bit of a mini reunion, as old friends and neighbors swapped stories and caught up on each other’s lives.

Pat Anderson shakes hands with Shirley Moore, long time neighbor

 

Julie Roberts, Donna Roberts, Pat Anderson, Les Roberts, Shirley Moore

 

 

Les Roberts with fellow veteran and friend Ed Cormier

 

 

 

It was a memorable occasion,  thanks to the hard work of many volunteers and I felt privileged to be a part of this very special day.  Kudos to Sue Gibbons for all her efforts over the past 4 years to make her dream a reality.  Dignitaries at the event included MP Dan Albas who represented Steven Blaney, minister of veteran's affairs, Dick Knorr, Michael Brydon (rural area director for the West Bench) and Ed Findlater.

 

Highland dancers Meredith and Ivy Allen

 

Congratulations to the original West Bench Veterans, listed below, who attended the ceremony. 

Robert N. Bailey, Edmond Joseph Cormier, Leona C. Gladish, Roy Hamilton, John Stephen Harlock, Douglas Robert Leake, Lyle Thomas Oliver, Leslie Thomas Roberts, Ronald William Rutherglen, Harry Taylor, Kathleen Agnes Thom, John Allen Ward.

Not able to attend the ceremony were Gordon Nelson Parker and James Raymond Stewart.

This article was written by Pat Anderson, daughter of veteran Les Roberts, in collaboration with Julie Roberts, wife of veteran Les Roberts.

Okanagan Vacation Rentals

The Okanagan Valley of British Columbia is becoming one of the most sought after destinations for memorable vacations with family or friends. Over the last few years many Okanagan vacation Rentals have sprung up in this area, famed for its sunny weather, pristine lakes, beautiful beaches, cottage wineries, and some of the best recreational opportunities on the continent. This all seasons playground offers hiking, mountain biking, boating, water sports for summer activities, and skiing in winter. In Penticton, home to Ironman Canada, you will find many vacation rentals which are ideal for families who want a laid back beach vacation away from the stress of city life. A glorious 20 minute drive through orchards, vineyards, and many cottage wineries will take you to the charming village of Naramata, where you will find many more Okanagan vacation rentals. Osoyoos to the south, also has a lot of vacation homes and guest houses to offer, or if you travel north from Penticton, you will come to Summerland, Peachland  Kelowna and Vernon all great locations for Okanagan vacation rentals.

If you have not yet discovered the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, put it at the top of your list for great places to visit.