Penticton tree gets world stage

By Lorraine Renyard - Penticton Western News - March 23, 2008

A 90-year-old ponderosa pine tree felled in Skaha Park by a devastating windstorm last November will be a key part of a unique display ceiling to be erected in Robson Square for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The province of B.C., through its B.C. Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat, is developing hosting facilities at Robson Square in Vancouver to promote British Columbia before, during and after the 2010 Olympics.

A key design element for this structure will be a unique ceiling that will be created from a variety of wood planks gathered from communities around the province.

RONA dealers throughout B.C. will co-ordinate the collection of the planks and deliver them to a central point, where they can be finished and integrated into the display ceiling. LiveEdge Design in Duncan has been chosen to prepare the wood for the ceiling.

This was a great volunteer team effort initiated by Peter Ord of Penticton’s Spirit of B.C. Committee and assisted by Barb Sheppard of the Peach City Management Group.

He contacted Phil Rippen from the City of Penticton’s Parks Department who agreed to release a piece of wood from the fallen trees from Skaha Lake park to be part of history.

Dick Campbell, from Okanagan Wood Fibre, cut the wood to size and it was delivered to Rick Mielke, manager of Penticton’s RONA Store.

“The three pieces of wood are three inches, by 16 inches by 20 feet and have been delivered to the RONA Distribution Centre in Surrey and the 2010 LegaciesNow Team in Vancouver have already picked them up to take them to LiveEdge in Duncan,” said Mielke.

Penticton Spirit of B.C. Committee co-chairs Lorraine Renyard and Nora Hunt-Haft congratulated everyone involved for the team effort that will ensure Penticton is part of a unique 2010 project.

“The City’s Parks and Recreation Department should be commended for the extraordinary work they have done in ensuring this wood gets used in projects throughout the community,” said Renyard.

Supported by 2010 Legacies Now and the Province of B.C., Spirit of B.C. is a provincewide program that promotes community innovation, pride and excellence and involves British Columbians in opportunities arising from the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

About 100 Spirit of B.C. Committees, representing over 200 communities, tell a different part of B.C.’s story by working to inspire people of all ages to bring together people, projects and ideas that engage residents.

Penticton’s Spirit of B.C. Committee members include: co-chairs Renyard and Hunt-Haft; sport and recreation, Lori Mullin; volunteerism, Wendy Weisner; literacy, Peter Ord; arts and culture, Samarpan Faasse; inclusion, Kim Lyster; torch relay, Doug Nicholas; local Olympians, Kay Neale; live sites, Vanessa Jahnke; multiculture, Maiya Robbie; and communications, Sandra Vogel-Hockley.

New members

n Pat Deacon practices homeopathy, which is a form of alternative medicine. It is very well known and respected in Europe and other parts of the world. Deacon treats all forms of illness, from physical, emotional and/or mental illness using highly diluted individually chosen remedies. Deacon can be reached by calling 492-0336 Have a look at her informative website at .

n Shoppers Home Health Care, located at #709-1301 Main St., is a supplier of medical equipment and home health care items. They are focused on providing Canadians with the most complete selection of specialty home health care products and services, tailored to meet your specific needs for health recovery and maintenance. For more information contact Elaine Edmond at 492-7592.

n The LunchBox at 201 Martin St., serves homemade soups salads and sandwiches for people on the go. Take out for those 30 minute lunches or eat in for those who have more time. There are always daily specials and homemade baking. The LunchBox offers catering to office parties or business lunches. To book your catering services contact Cathy Tribbeck at 492-7689 or just drop by a quick bite to eat on your next lunch hour.

Upcoming Events

n Our next Business After Business is being held at Penticton Funeral Home located 501 Winnipeg St. on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.

n The monthly Breakfast Power Hour is being held on Friday at the Penticton Golf Course Club House starting at 7:15 a.m.

The topic of conversation will be: Effective Communication Strategies for Challenging or Confrontational Conversations.

Our speaker is Kerry Palmer, of South Okanagan Mediation Services. Kerry will discuss effective communication skills for Staying in the Moment of a Challenging or Confrontational Conversations.

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Penticton tree gets world stage

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