Peachland Post July 24_2026 FINAL

LAST PITCH Ron Beharrell has thrown his final pitch after 54 years P.6

Peachland POST

The week of July 24, 2026

ELECTRIC VEHICLES Just how far can a fully charged ZEV take you? P.4

ABOUT TOWN Find out what’s going on and where it’s happening P.11

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

HELP THEM HELP YOU

Emergency responders’ jobs made easier if people prepare in advance

TBy Jeff McDonalD local JournalisM initiative reporter

he Okanagan’s emergency responders -- police, firefighters, ambulance and others -- are some of the best in the business. When a fire is threatening one of our communities, we see them deliver the highest level of expertise and professionalism.

But you have a role to play in the emergency response too. Emergency responders’ jobs are a lot easier if you’re prepared for those situations.

So if a wildfire is threatening your neighbourhood and the evacuation order comes, giving you and your family perhaps only minutes to get out, would you be ready to go?

You can be if you have a plan, or at the very least a list, said Alesi Zito-Larose, emergency program manager with the

Central Okanagan Emergency Management Program.

“The key to preparedness is making sure that you have a plan in place, that you have at least a list on your phone at the bare minimum. You have a couple of key items that you’re able to keep on you or in your bag in the summer, in your car, whatever that looks like for you,” said Zito-Larose.

Having only minutes to get out of your house might sound like something that would never happen, but Zito-Larose pointed to last month’s Kalamoir Park fire in West Kelowna where some residents had to get out before an evacuation order was even issued. The fire was moving fast and in one area, responders were knocking on doors -- called a tactical evacuation -- telling people they had to leave.

“Under the Fire Safety Act in B.C. we’re able to conduct a

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Sunday Tea at Peachland’s Little Schoolhouse

By eric Hall

For newcomers to Peachland, discussions about the historic schoolhouse will almost certainly be about the yellow schoolhouse on Beach Avenue. Saving the yellow schoolhouse is an interesting story but that location was not Peachland’s first schoolhouse.

The first schoolhouse, which is now called the Little Schoolhouse, is located at 1898 Brandon Lane, close to Highway 97.

The Little Schoolhouse operated as a school for ten years, from 1898 to 1908, so the street number was well chosen. In 1908, the bigger school on Beach Avenue was opened and the children marched from one building to the other. After that the schoolhouse on Brandon Lane became St Margaret’s Anglican Church until they had a new larger church built on an adjacent lot.

Thirty years ago the Little Schoolhouse was vacant and in disrepair. Peachland Council

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decided to demolish it but the community wanted to preserve the history in the building. It was the dedicated work of many volunteers that saved the building and demonstrated the true Peachland spirit.

Over the years the Little Schoolhouse (LSH) has served the community well. There have been weddings, group meetings and

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many art shows. Volunteers have managed the building and it has been self-financing. LSH has not asked for money from Peachland. 2009 was Peachland’s centennial year and a small replica of the building was constructed as a prize and raffle tickets sold. Tony Wright pulled the replica along Beach Avenue in the Canada Day parade.

In 2011 the Peachland Historical Society awarded a bronze plaque to LSH, as it was recognised as one of only three publicly-owned historic buildings in the town. The other two being the yellow schoolhouse and the museum.

For many years, it was a Christmas tradition for Peachland Elementary School children to visit LSH and hear Christmas stories. Seniors were also invited, so that the young and old could share time together. Both the children and the seniors enjoyed those events. Chris Byrd was the storyteller and Chris was also one of the key original volunteers that

worked to save the building. LSH has been a very popular place for art shows; the summer art programs were organised for many years by Sharon McPhee. During important art shows, LSH has operated as a second location to the yellow schoolhouse on Beach Avenue.

Sunday afternoon teas have been a regular fund-raising activity and sitting outside under the beautiful wisteria is quite a treat. This year English cream teas are offered for $10, which includes a scone from the Bliss Bakery. It was an easy decision for me to check this out last Sunday. The food was great and the service, by volunteers, was wonderful. If you haven’t been, I encourage you to make a booking for the next date which is Sunday August 16th. Reservation times are 12:00, 1:15 and 2:30 and you can book with an email to eventslittleschoolhouse@gmail.com

You’ll find Linda and Marv Norden at the tea; they manage the building and help as volunteers.

Peachland Climate Action Plan Focus: Energy (Part 2)

By JuDy Wyper

The 2026 Peachland Climate Action Plan includes nine sections of recommendations for the district and residents to take to reduce climate pollution. Part six is the second part of the focus on energy.

Last week I wrote about Peachland Climate Action Plan’s energy chapter. The section is comprehensive and includes examples of renewable energy projects being taken close to us.

Peachland residents and businesses used 37,000 MWh of electricity from BC Hydro in 2022. We used 220,000 GJ of gas from Fortis BC. Milder winters may help reduce heating costs but hotter summers are increasing electricity demand for cooling.

BC Hydro’s dams, powered by water flowing through turbines, are renewable energy sources. During peak times in the past three years, they’ve not been sufficient to supply demand. Up to 20% of electricity was imported from gas, coal, and solar sources.

Peachland is vulnerable to electricity outages. We have one power supply route, a 138 kV

transmission line that runs from the Nicola substation near Merritt, over about 120 km to the Westbank substation. There is no second line, and this makes our supply vulnerable to fire, floods, wind, crashes and trees. Power outages.

In 2025, Fortis BC asked and was granted permission by the BC Utility Commission to be able to temporarily shut down electricity in an area to reduce fire ignition during a period of extreme wildfire risk. BC Hydro has not asked for the same consideration, but it is a worrying thing.

Yes, it could be a matter of fire prevention and could save lives and dwellings, but it also jeopardizes the health of those on electrical medical equipment.

BC Hydro is promoting small scale renewable energy projects to reduce reliance on the grid, lower electricity costs, and promote renewable energy adoption. The BC Hydro Solar and Battery Rebate program “offers rebates on eligible solar panels and paired battery storage systems to help customers participate in self generation and reduce electricity costs over time.”

Locally, the District of Summerland completed the Summerland Energy Centre. It has 412kW solar power capacity and 1MW of battery storage and was funded primarily with

a federal grant as well as the district’s own capital funding.

In 2024, the West Bank First Nation and Innergex signed a 30year contract with BC Hydro for electricity to be generated by the K2 Wind Project, a 160 MW wind farm to be located in the Pennask Mountain area. The estimated annual generation is 500 GWh, and is expected to provide enough electricity for 40,000 households.

In 2025, BC Hydro launched power plant projects with the installation of 200 residential batteries in homes located in Sun Peaks, and Harrison Mills in Mission. These batteries will provide backup power during outages and supply stored energy during peak demand. Lessons

from this could help Peachland to prepare for outages.

In May 2026, BC Hydro announced it awarded a power purchase contract to the Upper Nicola Band and Nicola Wind Limited Partnership for the Nicola Wind Project, a proposed 496 MW installation in West Kelowna.

When I first looked at the recommendations promoted around energy, it seemed daunting. But projects are sprouting up all around us. I hope Peachland will have the foresight to consider possibilities.

Judy Wyper is with the Peachland Watershed Protection Alliance and the South Okanagan Chapter of the Council of Canadians.

PLUGGED IN

Electric vehicles: range anxiety not the factor it used to be

By Jeff McDonalD local JournalisM initiative reporter

Afew months ago, Canadians in the market for a new ride found it easy to choose good old gas-burning vehicles rather than new-fangled electric ones. Actually, in the industry they’re not even called ‘electric’ anymore. They’re ZEVs, or Zero Emission Vehicles, the sales of which slumped in 2025 in Canada when federal and provincial subsidies and rebate programs ended. While not exactly calling it ZEV death, industry analysts were predicting sales would remain weak for years to come. Familiar bumps in the metaphorical road – where to charge, vehicle range, cost to buy – had resurfaced in a big way. Those are still things to consider (more on that below). But it only took Donald Trump to make possibly the worst foreign policy blunder in U.S. history for Cana dians to jump back onto the electric car bandwagon. Sales of vehicles you have to plug in rather than fill up have jumped in 2026, driven (if you’ll pardon the pun) by a big jump in gas prices, driven by Trump’s failure to bully Iran into

opening the Straight of Hormuz, which had been open and free until Trump decided he felt like attacking Iran because he needed a foreign policy win because things aren’t looking so good for him at home. But let’s not digress.

If you’re feeling pump pain, but also experiencing ZEV sticker shock, it’s worth noting that in February the federal government introduced a rebate program (here’s where we sink into a swamp of abbreviations) called the EVAP (Electric Vehicle Affordability Program) which takes up to five grand off the price of Battery Electric (BEVs) & Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCEVs) and up to $2,500 off Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs). And you’ve got time –the EVAP is in place until 2031.

But even the federal government bribing (sorry, incentivizing) people with their own money can’t take away what many drivers feel about electric vehicles, and that’s range anxiety. It’s not exactly a medical term, but it accurately captures what has been one of the biggest obstacles to going electric – uncertainty about how far a fully charged ZEV can take you. So, how far can they take you?

Generally speaking, 400 to 600 kilometres for mid-size sedans and trucks – a lot better than

a few years ago and really not much different than the range of vehicles powered by decomposed dinosaurs. Compact ZEVs built for the city might have a bit less range, and higher-end ZEVs like some Tesla models a bit more. Cold weather and how fast you like to drive will take that down a little.

And that nervous-making feeling watching your battery charge creeping toward zero? Will you be able to find a recharging station when you need one? The good news is finding an EV charging station is getting easier all the time, and it’s not hard to charge up around the Okanagan Valley. The District of Peachland offers one for public use at 4444 5th street, and two more at the municipal parking lot at 2nd Street and Waldo Way.

And on the highway you’ll find EV charging stations where no gas station dares to tread. If you’re heading to Vancouver, you can charge up at BC Hydro’s station at the Loon Lake rest area, in Merritt, at Britton Creek near the Coquihalla summit, and so on.

Also worth noting – BC’s building code requires almost all new residential buildings to be EVready. That means the building’s infrastructure is ready to install an EV charger when needed, quickly and relatively cheaply.

None of the above is likely to sway a gas-powered purist, especially people who started driving in the age of those beautiful muscle cars – Ford Mustangs, Dodge Chargers, Pontiac GTOs.

But Donald doesn’t look like he’s ready to abandon his Iranian misadventure anytime soon either.••

Candidates should post CVs for informed voting

Letter to the Editor,

As our municipal election campaign approaches, it is important that the Peachland electorate be in the best possible position to make the right decisions in electing or re-electing our mayor and council members.

In the weeks ahead, there will be an All Candidates Meeting. For some of us, the candidates will be familiar members of our community. For others, they will be new. Some may present election materials outlining their reasons for soliciting our support. Some may not. As in the past, the public may be left with the task of filling in the blanks.

Normally, when applying for any job in the private or public sector, you must present a curriculum vitae or c.v. outlining who you are, where you live, your education and your employment history. With respect to the latter, specifics are important.

In the past, many of us have left an All Candidates Meeting wondering, as Butch Cassidy once said, “Who are those guys?” Perhaps, candidates running for elections should be required to publicly post their c.v.’s.

After all, they are applying for an important job and we are their employers. And in the words of Dragnet’s famous Sgt. Joe Friday “Just the facts Ma’am, just the facts.”

Murray Trusler, Peachland, BC July 19, 2026

To share your thoughts about any issue, write to us at: editor@peachlandpost.net Drop us a line - we’d

AMUSINGS

I used to be addicted to soap. But I’m clean now.

Don’t spell part backwards. It’s a trap.

What did the Buddhist order at the ice cream shop? “Make me one with everything.”

My math teacher called me average; How mean!

POST LETTERS

We encourage readers to submit letters to the editor on appropriate subjects. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, brevity and legality. Keep your submissions under 250 words and they are more likely to be published. Send your submissions to editor@peachlandpost.net

DEVELOPMENTAL IMPACTS

Growth management should be a prime election issue

Last week readers had the opportunity to view illustrations on this page showing what the New Monaco project will look like if completed according to the developer’s vision. Unless things have changed since I last spoke with the lead development partner, the intent (ironically) is to make the project a model of sustainability in every possible respect. As explained to me, the starting point for construction comes when a contract is established with a large institution such as a hospital, a university or a health care complex. Staff and clients of the institution will need accommodation triggering the requirement for housing. The residents will need access to shops and services which spawns a commercial hub. Over time the

project will have 2,400 homes.

At the time of approval, New Monaco was the second “mega project” to be green-lighted, the first being the Ponderosa project which when approved in 2008, envisaged 2200 homes and a Greg Norman designed 18 hole golf course. Critics believed that Peachland’s small town character was under threat from unrealistic and unsustainable grandiose visions that would double our population and segment the community geographically.

POLICY MATTERS

Keith Fielding

Fast forward 18 years (for Ponderosa) and 14 years (for New Monaco) and with the exception of

a handful of homes at Ponderosa, no ground has been broken on either site. The New Monaco site is listed for sale, and the Ponderosa project has long been in receivership with the current owners, Romspen, facing penalties of $100,000 /month for failure to start implementing a re-negotiated and vastly scaled back new agreement. Meanwhile, since 2008, other development has occurred. We now have Lakeshore Gardens, Eagles View, Island View Villas , the Phase One and Phase Two seniors housing project and an overall population increase of approximately 2,000. We also have plans for downtown revitalization

and approvals granted for many other projects still waiting to start. Despite climate change, drought conditions, concerns about water security, and unanswered questions about where our water will come from in the future, and at what cost, the prevailing council philosophy remains: “Grow and grow, it’s good for the tax base.” This is madness. The current hiatus in mega project progress is the perfect time to totally rethink how we can save ourselves from the consequences of a looming crisis. That should be the priority for the council we elect in November this year.

Keith Fielding is President of the Peachland Community Newspaper Society and editor of Peachland Post. He is also a former Peachland mayor and councillor.

FINAL PITCH

Slo-pitch legend takes the mound for the last time

Pitching in the last game of his storied 54-year career in BC slo-pitch last Thursday, July 16, 2026, Ron Beharrell led his Peachland Edgewater Classics team to victory over Peachland Wheels at Cousins Park.

The win clinched the league title for the Peachland Classics in the 27 game, 10 team, 6 community Central Okanagan Senior Slo-pitch league. It’s one of many league and tournament titles in Ron’s slo-pitch career

Ron Beharrell, 85 years young, is a former school principal in Abbotsford, who began playing competitive slo-pitch in 1972. He moved with his wife Gayle, a teacher’s aide, to Peachland in 2004.

Ron played for over 20 slo-pitch teams in his career and was the starting pitcher for his New Westminster Moonrakers Pub team in a World Senior Slo-pitch Tournament in Reno, Nevada in 2004, which his team won. That earned them the right to play in the Florida World Series Senior Slo-pitch Tournament later that year, where they finished in second place.

LOCAL COMMUNITY SPORTS

and won five regional tournaments that year, in Wenatchee, Kamloops, Langley, Spokane and Kelowna. They also finished in 3rd place at the World’s Se-

nior games in Utah, in 2011.

Ron then played for the Kelowna Ogopogos for 12 years, starting in 2006. The team entered

In winter, as a snowbird, Ron also played for both the Arizona Viewpoint Amigos and the Banditos for 24 years.

Ron has played for the Peachland Edgewater Classics for the

Peachland Climate Action Plan

Watch for part seven in this series on page three of next week’s edition

last 3 years, leading them to league championships in 2 of them.

Blessed with an uncanny ability to underhand slo-pitch to every corner of home plate, Ron has harassed and frustrated opposing batters for decades. A righthander, Ron also can hit at will to the opposite field, ensuring he regularly gets a safe base hit to first or second.

The Central Okanagan Senior Slo-pitch League (COSSL) allows 10 batters up per inning. Women can bunt and the last, 10th batter, is considered out, and the inning over, once the ball is caught at home plate. Runners can be walked, except for the last batter.

Taking advantage of the rule that the last batter can’t be walked, Ron used to lob frustratingly close non strikes at will to the last batter until, out of frustration, the poor batter would finally swing at anything close to a strike. This led to the COSSL implementing the “Ron Beharrell rule” last year limiting the number of pitches thrown to the last batter.

I asked Ron if I could do a story on him. His family sent me an outpouring of baseball memories. There’s a brimming photo album entitled “Ron: Memories Are Made of These” with 77 pages of slo-pitch pictures and articles on Ron’s 54-year career. His daughter Kari Lee sent me five emails containing articles and pictures of her father playing slo-pitch, pointing out her dad’s favourite slo-pitch picture of his Kelowna Ogopogo team winning the bronze medal in slo-pitch in the World’s Senior Games in Utah, in 2011.

So, if you are a young parent reading this, think for a moment on how someone, probably a parent, many years ago taught a young Ron Beharrell how to play baseball and what a lifelong positive difference

it has made in Ron’s life. And as one golden age Peachland slo-pitch player, nicknamed Silver, Ron Beharrell, leaves the pitcher’s mound for the last time, another Peachlander, 87 years young Orv Davies, remains the oldest player in the ten team, age 55+ male, 45+ female, Central Okanagan Senior Slo-pitch League, playing for the Peachland Wheels. With his permission, I’ll be doing a story on him, too….

Randey Brophy has coached youth soccer and baseball for 32 years. He spearheaded the drive for Turner Park to be redeveloped as a multiuse field in 2022 and formed the Peachland Youth Soccer club in 2023. He also manages and plays on a Peachland seniors slo-pitch team.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Cash,

clothing, prescription meds, phone chargers all good things to keep accessible

tactical evacuation if there’s life safety concerns. And so we were able to perform that tactical evacuation under that act to a specific set of households that were in harm’s way with that fire. It was a quickly developing emergency, and so that’s the action that was taken and we followed that up with an evacuation order as soon as feasible,” said Zito-Larose.

Even if those residents had signed up to receive emergency alerts on their phone, if they were at work or out of the house on an errand, they weren’t going to be able to go home to retrieve anything they needed, said Zito-Larose. Fortunately, the BC Wildfire Service and other emergency responders were able to quickly get that fire under control, so people weren’t without personal belongings for long.

The experts did their jobs, but Zito-Larose said that’s where residents’ personal responsibility comes in before and during an emergency. At some level, people need to step up so that outcomes during an emergency are better for everyone. “There is a piece of responsibility there for residents to take. Start thinking about that plan now so that you don’t have to do that in a time of stress,” she said. “We will always do the absolute best to provide the service across our region and work with our partners effectively to do so, but it always helps emergency services when residents have a plan.”

PreparedBC is an online resource to help people get prepared to grab and go, Zito-Larose said. “They have some really great resources to help you build emergency plans. They also have an online and interactive tool that I like to plug in for younger generations or for people who don’t have a lot of time, they can

supports like accommodation, food, clothing, perhaps some support with the pets or animals or livestock that they have on their property. So it really does expedite the process if you have that BC Services app,” said Zito-Larose.

Another important app to have on your phone is Alertable, which sends emergency public safety alerts and has a follow-me feature so that you’ll get them even if you’re in a neighbouring community. Other resources are available on the province’s Emergency Social Services website at ess.gov.bc.ca.

know, if something’s happening, I’m going to grab your animal, you’re going to grab mine, whatever that looks like,” she said.

The Central Okanagan Emergency Management Program is a partnership between Peachland, Lake Country, West Kelowna, Kelowna, West Bank First Nation, and the Regional District of Central Okanagan, which administers the program.

do this on their phone,” she said.

Easy items include cash in small bills in case bank machines or the internet is down, some clothing, extra phone charger, batteries and battery bank, prescription medicines, first aid materials like gauze and band-aids, antibacterial creams and a pen and notepad. Also, said Zito-Larose, write down a list of important family and friends’ contact information and have it accessible. “So having those available because you don’t remember phone numbers, especially when you’re in a moment of distress,” she said.

While acknowledging that not everyone can use a cell phone and applications, one thing that Zito-Larose wishes everyone who is able would do is download and set up the B.C. Services Card app. It gives you a verified online identity and the evacuation registration and assistance tool on the app lets you access emergency services easily. “We have that regional emergency support services model where we open up a muster center, a reception center, whatever that might look like based on the scale of the event, but then you might have thousands of people coming to this one location and trying to access services, basic

Planning with your neighbours is a good idea, and Zito-Larose said planning for animals during an evacuation is near and dear to her heart because, like many people, she has animals at home. “I’d be working with my neighbors just to establish a plan. You

“We partner to provide emergency response services in an aligned and multi-jurisdictional fashion, just to ensure that we are coordinating our resources in an efficient way, doing our planning initiatives, training initiatives, et cetera, through an all-season kind of approach in a way that makes best sense to coordinate response efforts in the time of an emergency,” said Zito-Larose.••

MOUTH-BODY CONNECTION

Neglecting oral health can affect more than just your smile

Our oral hygiene puts our overall health at risk if not addressed. We likely learned how to care for our teeth in our early years, based on how our parents or guardians took care of their pearly whites.

Even though the CDC recognizes that oral health has greatly improved since the 60’s, the WHO estimates that 3.7 billion people are affected by oral diseases.

Untreated tooth decay in permanent teeth is considered the most common health condition according to the Global Burden of Disease (2021).

Many low and middle income individuals don’t have sufficient services available to prevent and treat oral health conditions. Tobacco use, sugar consumption, alcohol use and poor hygiene all

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contribute to oral health concerns.

Dr. Victoria Simpson is a leader in integrative dentistry and a researcher on oral health. Dr Simpson is studying the effects of poor mouth hygiene and risks linked to breast and colorectal cancers. There is a link to many diseases, including heart disease and diabetes. Our oral microbiome fluctuates with our diet and habits.

One particularly concerning bacteria is fusobacteria. This bacterium has been shown to increase tumour growth in laboratory mice. Poor hygiene is a contributing factor, but genetics, who we kiss and what we breathe in all add to this bacteria’s growth. Presently, more testing is needed to rule out the increased tumour growth of these two types of cancers in relation to fusobacteria, but Dr Simpson hypothesizes that it has a strong link.

In the meantime, how can we educate ourselves to pre-

ROAD NAME OF THE WEEK

vent associated risks of poor oral hygiene outcomes?

Saliva plays an important role as it is a cleaning agent in our mouth. Many medications add to the drying of the mouth. We need to stay hydrated and salivate or flush with water to decrease the acids. Green tea has been shown to kill fusobacteria and act as an antibacterial and anti microbial agent. It also has anti-inflammatory ef-

fects and decreases oxidative stress on enamel. Coffee hasn’t shown to have any negative effects, but it is drying. Honey is anti-microbial and a better option than raw sugar.

We often want to brush our teeth after eating something sweet,

This short cul-de-sac located at the top of Desert Pines Avenue is named for Harry Lever, longtime Municipal Clerk (equivalent to today’s CAO) for Peachland, who served in that position from 1975 to 1989.

Harry was born in Manchester, England and served with the Royal Air Force in World War II. After the war, Harry worked as a banker in India, which gave him a lifelong fascination with Indian culture and food.

He and his wife Katherine immigrated to Canada in 1954. Harry worked in the oil patch in the Peace River area and in Calgary until 1972.

but Dr. Simpson indicates that this actually grinds the sugar into the enamel and increases the decay process. You should instead swish water in your mouth and wait for 30 minutes before brushing. Hot tea with sugar is also a No-No. The heat pulls the sugar into the teeth. This is even worse if you sip sweet tea over a period of time. Instead, she recommends drinking it all rather quickly so the pH of the saliva can find homeostasis again, rather than fluctuating up and down every time you sip. Regarding our tooth brushing habits, too many people rush or avoid the inside of the molars. And when you spit toothpaste, she suggests not rinsing, so the mineralizing of the toothpaste can do its job. Ok…that seems gross, but it’s come from the horse’s mouth, and she’s the expert. In closing, if you haven’t yet, I encourage you to complete an application with the Canadian Dental Care Plan, or CDCP. Those eligible receive support to address dental health concerns and get a proper check up to see where they land in their oral health journey.

Dawn Boys is a IAYT Yoga therapist, Ayurvedic counsellor, personal trainer, student counsellor and outdoor enthusiast.

While in Calgary, Harry became involved in sailing, and helped found the Calgary Sailing School, which is still in operation today. In 1975, Harry and Katherine moved their family to Peachland where Harry became the Town Clerk, a position he held until his retirement. Harry championed many municipal developments and the building of cross-country ski trails in Peachland, teaching the sport in the winters. Harry and Katherine moved to Victoria in 1990. Harry was always busy with his many passions – sailing, golf, lawn bowling and fly fishing among them. He died in Victoria in 2024 in his 100th year.

HARMFUL SPECIES

How to protect against eco-invaders spreading in your community

Invasive plant species are not native to the area and have a negative impact on our ecosystems. These plants usually lack predators and diseases, which allows them to outcompete native species for space, nutrients, and water. They can inhibit wildlife, increase wildfire risk, and are a threat to our biodiversity. Peachland has many invasives that are out of control. Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) is found in roadside ditches and areas with high groundwater. It has prickly stems, white flowers with five petals, and edible fruit. It spreads vegetatively through rooting of the stem, as well as through seeds. When manually removing blackberries, be sure to take out the entire root system. It will take regular monitoring and dedication to eradicate. Because it grows in moist soil and near water, herbicides and pesticides are difficult to use.

with in the Okanagan. It has sky blue flowers summer through mid-fall, a taproot, and a milky sap when it is broken. One plant can produce up to 3000 seeds, which can be moved by vehicles, including roadside mowing, and spread by wind. It spreads forcefully, so it outcompetes native plants, and dried dense plants are wildfire hazards. Chicory can be controlled by hand pulling, as long as the entire taproot is pulled up.

GOOD GARDENING

Megan

Gooder

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is another intrusive plant we deal

Myrtle Spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites) is another common invasive plant that I regularly see in our community. This succulent has leaves in a spiral pattern, and bright yellow braces in spring. Brace roots develop from the aboveground stem and help stabilize the plant. Seed pods burst once mature, spreading seeds up to 15 feet away. They can remain viable in the soil for up to 8 years, requiring persistent management. It also spreads through root fragments, so it is important to remove the entire root system, like with all invasive species. Myrtle spurge contains a toxic milky sap called latex, which can cause blistering and major irritation if it touches skin. When removing it, be sure to wear nitrile gloves, and throw the entire plant out in the garbage -- do not compost. It is more manageable to pull these plants in spring, before seed production. Many invasives are sold at local garden centres, so it is vital to research before planting anything. Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans), baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata), and English ivy (Hedera helix), have all been seen for sale this year, and will take over your

garden and threaten native species. As a community it is important to do our part in maintaining these aggressive spreaders, for our native plant and animal species to thrive. Regular monitoring and disposal before seedset is crucial to keeping these plants manageable. Once these aggressive plants are removed, densely planting the ground with native and drought tolerant species will help prevent the spread. These will promote our local wildlife and once established can outcompete the troublesome invasives. For more information, including more species and how to deal with them, Invasive Species Council of British Columbia is a great resource.

Megan Gooder lives in Peachland and is a Production Horticulturalist with a background in Permaculture and Landscape Design.

NO HISTORY? KNOW HISTORY!

by RICHARD SMITH

Peachland War Canoe team at their boat house south of town, near present boat launch area.Their canoe was a C13 Canadian racing class boat with a crew of 13. When summer came, so did racing against the other towns from Kelowna to Penticton. Local crews held their own and often won races. Their name is on trophies held at the museum. In the millennium year 2000 all four surviving war canoes were brought together in Peachland, to race from Cousins Park to Doggy Beach. The overall winner was Kelowna Fire Dept. crew.

Canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddle boards are popular today but War Canoes are only a distant memory replaced by the excitement of Dragon boats!

CROSSWORD SUDOKU

the grid so that every column, every row & every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.

Across

Arrived (4)

Yellowish edible seed (8)

Unfasten (7)

Customary practice (5)

Reticent and secretive (12)

Encrypt (6)

Sum of money demanded to

captive (6)

Strengthen; confirm (12)

Imitative

TCEJORPNAECOEHT

WDOIHTWLORAGLTW

QUESTIONS:

1. What is the only U.S. state that can be typed in using only one row of a standard “QWERTY” keyboard?

2. What do you call the visible part of the rivet commonly found on the pockets of jeans?

(7)

(5) Anxious

(8)

(4)

Keyword:

3. In human anatomy, what does the “hallux” refer to?

4. What is the name for the plastic or metal tube found on the ends of shoelaces?

5. What is the only planet in our solar system to rotate clockwise on its axis?

6. Which freezes faster: hot or cold water?

7. Weighing around eight pounds, this is the human body’s largest organ?

8. Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” hangs in what museum?

9. How many states does the Appalachian Trail cross?

10. What is the name of John Travolta’s character in the 1977 lm “Saturday Night Fever”?

11. What do you call a group of amingos?

POST EVENTS

JULY 25-31

We invite you to post your group’s meeting times. Registration may be required. Please contact the organization for more details.

SATURDAY

PEACHLAND ART GALLERY

Hours Wed. to Sun. 10 AM-4 PM

Oasis Exhibit

Demonstration artist: Dian Postman

10:30 AM-1:30 PM

PEACHLAND LEGION

Tues. to Sun. opens at noon

Smash Burgers 3 PM

Meat Draw 50/50 3 PM

PEACHLAND LIBRARY

Summer Reading Program

Magician Leif David

10 AM Register

Under the Sea Magic show

PEACHLAND MUSEUM & VISITOR

CENTRE 250-767-3441

Open Tues. to Sun. 10 AM-4 PM

Train exhibit is operating

SUNDAY

PEACHLAND ART GALLERY

Oasis Exhibit 10 AM-4 PM

PEACHLAND COMMUNITY CENTRE

Swim Bay Adult

Swimming Lessons

See rec guide for details or visit website

Swim On 10-11 AM

Learn to Swim 11:00 AM- noon

PEACHLAND LEGION

Steak Sandwich

MONDAY

50 PLUS ACTIVITY CENTRE

50+ Fitness 8-9 AM

We Art Here 12 PM

Bridge 1-3:30 PM

PEACHLAND COMMUNITY CENTRE

Indoor Walking 8-9 AM

Swimming Lessons

10 AM-12:30 PM

See rec guide for details or visit website

Summer All Play Drop-In

Pickleball 10:30 AM-12:30 PM

Summer All Play Drop-In

Pickleball 1-3 PM

Fitness Blast 6:15-7 PM

Events listings are free to non-profit and community groups. Submit by Friday, 3 PM for publication the following Friday at info@peachlandpost.net

PEACHLAND WELLNESS CENTRE

Adult Day Service 9 AM

TUESDAY

50 PLUS ACTIVITY CENTRE

Yoga 8:30-9:30 AM

AA 12-1 PM

Mahjong 1-4 PM

Passion 4 Art 1-4 PM

Line Dancing 4:30-5:30 PM

Cloggers 6-7 PM

OKANAGAN FOLK SCHOOL

Suntan Oil 1-3 PM $5

PEACHLAND COMMUNITY CENTRE

Flow Yoga 9-10 AM

Summer All Play Drop-In

Pickleball 9-11 AM

Intro to Dance 9-10 AM

Swimming Lessons

10 AM-12:30 PM

See rec guide for details or visit website

Beginner Jazz and Ballet

10:15-11:15 AM

Remedy Yoga 10:30-11:45 AM

Fitness Blast 12:30-1:15 PM

Summer All Play Drop-In

Pickleball 1-3PM

Cycle Fusion 5:45-6:45 PM

PEACHLAND LEGION

Catch the King 5 PM

Darts 7 PM

PEACHLAND WELLNESS CENTRE

Men’s Coffee & Crib 1 PM

PEACHLAND WHEEL NUTS

Show and Shine at Heritage

Park 5-7 PM

WEDNESDAY

50 PLUS ACTIVITY CENTRE

50+ Fitness 9 AM

Chair Yoga 11-noon

Bridge 1-3:30 PM

PEACHLAND ARTS

Art Gallery “Oasis”

Drawing with Terry Moore 1-3 PM $5

PEACHLAND COMMUNITY CENTRE

Indoor Walking 8-9 AM

Yoga for Your Back 9-10:15 AM

Swimming Lessons

10:00 AM-12:30 PM

See rec guide for details or visit website

Summer Pickleball All Play Drop-in 10:30 AM-12:30 PM

Summer Pickleball All Play Drop-in 1-3 PM

PEACHLAND LEGION

Wings Special Karaoke 3-6 PM Sherry

PEACHLAND LIBRARY

Summer Reading Program

Under the Sea Maker Tour 11 AM Register

PEACHLAND MODEL TRAIN

GROUP 6:30 PM Museum

THURSDAY

50 PLUS ACTIVITY CENTRE

Art In Peachland 10 AM-2 PM Ukelele 1-2:30 PM

PEACHLAND ARTS

Art Gallery “Oasis” Drop In Painting 10-3 $5 All skills

PEACHLAND COMMUNITY CENTRE

Swimming Lessons

10:00 AM-12:30 PM

See rec guide for details or visit website

Yoga Strength 11 AM-12:15 PM Fitness blast 12:30-1:15 PM

Summer All Play Drop-In Pickleball 1-3 PM

Kata Flow Tai Chi Cousins Park 6:30-8 PM

Heritage Park free concerts 6:30-8:30 PM

Johnny Carwash & The Desert Dawgz

PEACHLAND LEGION Liver & Onions

Meat Draw 50/50 3 PM

PEACHLAND WELLNESS CENTRE

Adult Day Service 9 AM

FRIDAY

50 PLUS ACTIVITY CENTRE

50+ Fitness 9-10 AM

Chair Yoga 11-12

Canasta 1-3 PM

Pancake Breakfast Setup 3 PM

OKANAGAN FOLK SCHOOL

Woven Panels

10:30 AM-12:30 PM

PEACHLAND ARTS

Art Gallery “Oasis” Paint with Wally 10 AM-noon Register for space 250-801-0416

PEACHLAND COMMUNITY CENTRE Indoor Walking 8-9 AM Flow Yoga 9-10 AM

Swimming Lessons

10:00 AM-12:30 PM

See rec guide for details or visit website

Myofascial Yoga 10:30-11:45 AM

Summer All Play Drop-In Pickleball 12:30-2:20 PM

PEACHLAND LEGION

Fish & Chips

Glory Days 6-9 PM

PEACHLAND LIBRARY

Cozy Stitch Group 1 PM Drop in adults

For information on more programs at Peachland Community Centre search on-line at peachland.ca/recguide or phone 250-767-2133.