Acknowledgements

I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with Harbour Publishing to produce this history of Kelowna. As I’ve written the stories, chosen the photographs and commissioned the maps to ensure this book is worthy of its topic, I’ve realized that publishing is akin to handing over your small child, expecting it to be returned to you well formed and looking good. It’s a daunting leap of faith, and I’ve taken comfort in Harbour’s standing as one of BC’s finest publishers.

An unexpected bonus of this connection with Harbour has been working with Pam Robertson, editor of this book. Pam’s familiarity with the area has bridged a gap that might have otherwise required more explaining. I am in awe of her skill and ability in finding the errors in pages I’ve read many times and am certain are perfect. Her perspective and her suggestions about reordering and reorganizing have made this a much more readable and entertaining story. I am grateful for her support and the insight she has brought to all the various stages of this project. It has been my great pleasure to have been able to work with her. There are so many people who have been interested in this book and involved in its preparation. The risk in mentioning any of them is that some will inevitably be left out. I apologize to them and thank them for sharing their recollections, books, photos and memorabilia. Many are local historians in their own right. Some, such as Dorothy Zoellner and Alice Lundy, are both wonderful repositories of information and friends. They have generously answered my questions and happily shared their recollections. I am indebted to them.

Connie and Mark W. Smith shared photos and documents about Kelowna’s Mr. Regatta, Mayor Dick Parkinson. Diane Knowles and Sylvia Knowles shared photos passed on to them by their father, Bill. Jerry Vansom shared his interesting collection of local files, photos and memorabilia. Jennifer Hindle remembered the Eldorado Arms with affection and great stories. Linda Brena-Ghezzi Ben-Hamida shared her father’s files about the early days at Calona Wines.

Bob and Bernice DeMara had stories and photos of the Willow Inn Hotel and Lodge from when they were among Kelowna’s finest facilities. Ruby Poonian shared photos and information about the Rutland School Legacy project. As I scouted locations for taking photos to showcase the seasonal beauty of our orchards, I encountered Ed Hoffman and his picking crew in Glenmore, who generously allowed photos to be taken of their apple harvesting.

Kathy Butler at Okanagan College provided OC Memories, which was a great and previously undiscovered source of information. Penny Gambell shared her remarkable recollection, her perspective and her experience in the valley’s apple industry. I appreciated Penny’s willingness to share her knowledge and her concerns about the future of the troubled industry. Senator Ross Fitzpartick has been involved in the valley’s wine industry from its early days and willingly shared his knowledge and views of the future. Harald Hall, a colleague from my city hall days, recalled the changes in Kelowna during the 1990s and agreed that these were the years when Kelowna built its heart: we had a wonderful time reminiscing. Brenda Fournier eased the way to finding photos of UBCO, while Judy Ohs and Kaye Benzer, who have encyclopedic knowledge of the Glenmore Valley, ensured I had both photos and stories to incorporate into Kelowna’s history. The staff of the Glenmore–Ellison Improvement District generously loaned photos and seemed unfazed when I took pictures off their walls.

Choosing, taking, scanning and placing the photos that are such an integral part of Kelowna’s story, and this book, has been a challenging task. I am grateful to those who helped make this happen. Peter at Kettle Valley Graphics, who took old photos and restored them so they could be used. The always affable and superbly organized Harry Brust at Quest for Success looked after photos from the Kelowna Public Archives and then generously made some of his own fine photographs available to me. Donna Johnson and Tara Hurley, the archivists at the Kelowna Heritage Museum, helped me find photos and made sure they were sent onward. Their assistance was invaluable and I am immensely grateful to them both. The Kelowna Public Archives are a rich and undervalued resource, and Kelowna’s story would be so much less without them. Kelowna artist Neil Thacker created the funky maps that make my recounting of the early communities come to life. I am grateful he agreed to add his talents to this book.

The support of my family over the life of this project has been crucial to its form, its character and its completion. My daughter, Catherine, has been interested and supportive and ensured I have had the space and time to write and to put this book together. My son, Stuart, has willingly shared his considerable knowledge about writing and editing, and then reminded me to back up the backup. Stuart has also organized and refined my photos so they can be included, and added his own—he is a superb and published photographer in his own right. He took most of the current photos found throughout this volume. I am grateful to them both for their support and encouragement. I’m also grateful to Payton and James, who have been patiently waiting for me to come out to play.