Advice for the Legion
No matter what city I’ve worked in as a journalist, for years I’ve heard a battle cry from the Royal Canadian Legion that they need more volunteers and members.
In Penticton, B.C. Yukon Command comes in and pulls the rug out from under the executive. In six years they’ve sacked two executives and told another president that he was wanted as a member and volunteer, just not as the president.
My advice to Branch 40 members... if you have a problem with someone, go and talk with them. Maybe they have a problem with you. Nine times out of 10, it will be resolved with a friendly conversation, you will both feel dumb, and will never bring it up again.
Thanks to my new friend Willem VanGurp, sales and lease consultant from Skaha Ford. I drove with him in a kick ass car at last night’s Lake to Lake Cruise. Thanks also to everyone who screamed “Miller” at me along the route. It was good to see everybody.
There are seven former mayors in Penticton. There are seven spots on city council.
How would this be for a city council? Dan Ashton, Beth Campbell, Jake Kimberley, Garry Litke, Mike Pearce, David Perry and Dorothy Tinning.
It looks pretty good to me. You can decide in another six weeks. The Penticton Herald’s “In Conversation” feature is presently interviewing all of the former Penticton mayors.
If you want to read a truly touching article, one that was published in a competing newspaper, check out John Arndt’s recent column in the Summerland Review where he talks about unexpectedly finding love for a second time. John opened his heart and shared his thoughts on his wedding day to his new bride Kim Lawton. It was Beautiful writing.
The dragonboat community mourns the passing of Otmar Laehrm, who was an active paddler well into his 90s. A Golden Dragon, he was born in Austria and is described as a retired engineer and businessman, winemaker and pastry chef. His exquisite Viennese pastries were legendary.
He was fondly remembered by Penticton Dragonboat Festival president Don Mulhall on Facebook.
“Otmar exemplified the spirit of participation... with a preference to win,” Mulhall said. “He was diminutive, wiry and agile. He never gave up. He never minded the wind or the rain that might mess up the otherwise beautiful conditions for practices or races. He viewed all paddlers from the last seat in the boat, so he knew exactly what was going on.”
Elvis Presley was gone far too soon.
James Miller is valley editor for the Okanagan Newspaper Group and editor of The Kelowna Daily Courier.