The North Westside Community Association is here to support our local community. Please let us know of any community information that you would like to be shared. |
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Governance and Services Study Committee Appointed
First Meeting Thursday, March 17,
6:00PM - 8:30PM
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These committee meetings are open for public viewing at the Killiney Beach Community Hall and will be recorded/posted to the RDCO Youtube channel.
The Regional Board has appointed 12 volunteer members to serve on the Central Okanagan West governance and services study committee.
The committee members were recommended by Electoral Area Director Wayne Carson following a public call for applications from interested residents.
“I want to thank all those people who applied to join this committee for its important work over the coming months,” said Electoral Area West Director Wayne Carson.
“I encourage all Central Okanagan West residents and particularly those in North Westside communities, to become involved in upcoming engagement opportunities and to follow the progress of the committee.”
Committee Members:
Darryl Hordo
Callie Simpson
Kerri Cooke
Donna Green
Josh Galloway
Colin Copp
Brian Arquilla
Tim Jones
Eric Dennison
Dwain Johanson
Scott Graham
Rick Sanderson
The study committee will work with an independent consultant to engage residents in an analysis of the current regional district governance and service delivery in the Electoral Area. There will be a particular emphasis on the communities within the North Westside Fire Protection area. The study will explore residents’ governance concerns, common interests and provide options to address their most pressing needs within the regional district governance framework.
About 2,900 people live in the Electoral Area which includes the mostly rural, unincorporated area on the west side of Okanagan Lake, outside the municipal boundaries of the City of West Kelowna and District of Peachland. Westbank First Nation Reserves #9 and #10 are included within the boundary of the Electoral Area, however Westbank First Nation is an independent, self-sustaining government.
The study is funded by a $60,000 Provincial government restructure planning grant. It’s important to note that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs says this is not an incorporation study but rather it is an opportunity to further explore and understand the current regional district structure and the possibility of changing our electoral area boundaries to the Regional District of North Okanagan.
For more information about the study and to sign up for email updates, visit RDCO .
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OUR LOCAL BEACH HAS IRISH ROOTS |
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Sharing a wonderful Castanet article:
Vernon is home to a healthy Irish population, which is reflected in some of its place names. Killiney Beach, originally called Sproul’s Landing by the region’s settler population, is situated on Westside Road. Of course, long before the area bore either of these names, it was known to and used by the Syilx People of the Okanagan Nation.
The beach was named after Killiney Hill in Dublin, Ireland. Killiney Hill is a popular destination for hikers, drawn to its spectacular views of Dublin, the Irish Sea and the mountains of Wales.
The hill is also topped by an obelisk built in 1742 in remembrance of the victims of the Irish Famine of 1740-41.
Sproul’s Landing was a stop for the sternwheelers of Okanagan Lake. Some stops along the lake, including Sproul’s Landing, were unscheduled, and the ships would only halt at these smaller settlements on occasion.
In order to request the S.S. Sicamous to make an unscheduled stop during its trips between Penticton and Vernon, residents would need to stand on the shore waving a white flag during the day, or light two bonfires at night.
When Harry Percy Hodges decided to settle at Sproul’s Landing in 1903, he changed its name to reflect his Irish roots. In addition to running his own farm, Hodges also worked as a bookkeeper at the Coldstream Ranch.
He later married Arabel M. Ricardo, sister to W.C. Ricardo, the ranch’s manager. The couple had at least one child, a son named John.
Hodges passed away in Victoria in 1922.
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March 17 - St. Patrick's Day is known for parades, shamrocks and all things Irish. Here are a few facts that you may or may not know:
The Shamrock
The shamrock, which was also called the “seamroy” by the Celts, was a sacred plant in ancient Ireland because it symbolized the rebirth of spring. By the seventeenth century, the shamrock had become a symbol of emerging Irish nationalism. As the English began to seize Irish land and make laws against the use of the Irish language and the practice of Catholicism, many Irish began to wear the shamrock as a symbol of their pride in their heritage and their displeasure with English rule.
Did you know? The color traditionally associated with St. Patrick was blue, not green.
Irish Music
Music is often associated with St. Patrick’s Day and Irish culture in general. From ancient days of the Celts, music has always been an important part of Irish life. The Celts had an oral culture, where religion, legend and history were passed from one generation to the next by way of stories and songs.
After being conquered by the English, and forbidden to speak their own language, the Irish, like other oppressed peoples, turned to music to help them remember important events and hold on to their heritage and history. As it often stirred emotion and helped to galvanize people, music was outlawed by the English. During her reign, Queen Elizabeth I even decreed that all artists and pipers were to be arrested and hanged on the spot.
The Snake
It has long been recounted that, during his mission in Ireland, St. Patrick once stood on a hilltop (which is now called Croagh Patrick), and with only a wooden staff by his side, banished all the snakes from Ireland.
In fact, the island nation was never home to any snakes. The “banishing of the snakes” was really a metaphor for the eradication of pagan ideology from Ireland and the triumph of Christianity.
Within 200 years of Patrick’s arrival, Ireland was completely Christianized.
Leprechauns
One icon of the Irish holiday is the Leprechaun. The original Irish name for these figures of folklore is “lobaircin,” meaning “small-bodied fellow.” Belief in leprechauns probably stems from Celtic belief in fairies, tiny men and women who could use their magical powers to serve good or evil.
In Celtic folktales, leprechauns were cranky souls, responsible for mending the shoes of the other fairies. Though only minor figures in Celtic folklore, leprechauns were known for their trickery, which they often used to protect their much-fabled treasure. Leprechauns have their own holiday on May 13, but are also celebrated on St. Patrick's, with many dressing up as the wily fairies.
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New Fire Chief Named for NWFR - Ron Ewert |
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Ron has been with the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service for 28 years and served as an acting battalion chief and was the captain in charge of disaster and emergency planning.
He also brings experience and knowledge of interface firefighting, he was a task force leader with BC Wildfire during the 2021 White Rock Lake wildfire and participated in firefighting efforts in the 2018 Quesnel and 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park wildfires.
Welcome to the North Westside and thank you to all our firefighters for the amazing support you provide our communities.
WE LOVE YOU!
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Familiar with WordPress or computer savvy and willing to learn?
We have a paid position available, for the right person, to maintain our website content and keep it looking sharp!
We anticipate the tasks of this position would take a couple hours/month.
Please contact us for more details.
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The NWCA is looking for Volunteers. |
We believe in making a difference and are dedicated to serving our communities.
We are looking for a few passionate community members wishing to give back.
We are currently recruiting for the following positions:
Secretary
The secretary manages and maintains our permanent records, prepares for, and documents our monthly board meetings and ensures we are up to date with our annual filings.
Communications
Create our electronic monthly newsletters, submit NWCA events & news to Westside Post, maintain Facebook/community updates, liaise with 3rd parties for website changes.
Hall Rentals/Maintenance
Organize & coordinate hall rentals and maintenance
Events
With COVID restrictions lifting we really want to get community events rolling again.
You would organize & recruit volunteers to assist with events such as:
- Community Dances
- Easter Egg Hunt
- Canada Day Celebration
- Children's Christmas Party etc.
We welcome all community engagement ideas!
If you are creative and energetic we would love to hear from you!
Not interested in the above positions yet feel you would like to volunteer, we would still love to hear from you.
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We are looking for volunteers to help kick off 2022 with this spectacular family event! Please contact Michelle for more information on how you can help.
Additional event details to follow in the coming weeks.
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Have you always wanted to learn to knit? |
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Local Westsider, Kathleen Nessel, is offering beginner Knitting 101 seminar March 23 & 30th 7:00pm - 8:00pm at the Killiney Beach Community Hall.
Cost is $20 for both nights which includes yarn, needles & refreshments.
Limited space - please contact Andrea for further information.
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Successful First Paint Night! |
Fun evening had by all.
Thank you to Carolina Sanchez De Bustamante for her guidance and encouragement.
Check out some of Carolina's amazing artwork here.
Keep checking in with the Library for more events to come!
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Spring Book Club is Now Full!
Fall/Winter Book Club starting in September with limited space available.
Please contact Andrea for more information and to reserve your spot today.
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