Archives for February 10, 2019

by Marjo Koskinen

Dark-eyed Junco

The colour in this is so wonderful

Juncos are primarily ground feeders, and enjoy the millet found in mixed bird seed, sunflower hearts and cracked corn spread on the ground or in a platform feeder. … Juncos can sometimes be attracted to suet if it is offered low to the ground.

Apple

An apple is a tree fruit about the size of a baseball, bigger than a tennis ball. It tastes sweet and is crunchy. They keep well so became popular with our ancestors. Lots of vitamin C in an apple, so good for disease prevention. The apple is associated with health and even beauty. Thus the phrase ‘the apple of my eye’, meaning my favourite, the one I want to look at and maybe even be in love with.

New York city is referred to as the Big Apple. The origin of this tag is not completely clear but may have arisen in the early 1900’s in reference to the prize for winning a horse race. The idea was that horses love and would prize an apple, so if they win, that big apple is what they win. Even today the ‘big apple’ tag infers a prize, something good and a reward or even a title. Someone could be ‘the big apple’….

The apple was the premiere gift to give to a teacher. In the earliest of days it had real value, a sweet and healthy piece of food. It was said that a student was seeking extra favour by giving the apple. The expression ‘apple polisher’ referred to students who tried to influence the teacher, whether with an apple or in other ways. What do students give their teacher nowadays? Do you know?

 

Apple pie is a North American staple when it comes to desert for Sunday dinner. Still a favourite. The apple is a symbol of home and abundance and even safety. It is no wonder that one of the early computer inventing companies named themselves Apple Computer as one of the founders was on a fruitarian diet kick at the time and felt that particular fruit was an all-star. Who knew?

Did you know that there are about 7500 different varieties of apples grown in the world. About 30 varieties are common in North America. Names of varieties include Gala, Pink Lady, Smitten and Sweetie. Apples are rich in fibre, antioxidants and help the body defend against heart attack and cancer. Also a weight loss favourite, plus having an apple does a good job of cleaning our teeth.

Eat apples.

With some trepidation I wade in on the Federal Park proposed for the South Okanagan.  There are many concerns and some valid others not so much.  There are benefits to be had and a number of issues that need clarification as I see it.

I have heard it will bring more crime, well the fact is most of those using wilderness parks are people concerned about the world around them.  They are also outdoor adventurers and come to the park with proper equipment for survival.  Which on the surface would suggest they bring money into the area.

Often as not a major undertaking like this raises concern by people who resist change.    There are those who fear change or don’t want community growth when in fact growth is not a problem if it is managed properly.

The Mira Canyon section of the KVR in the mountains of the Central Okanagan brings millions into the local economy.  Yes there is a bit of crime but the exposure of the facility brings a lot of good people to a learning experience they otherwise would know nothing about.

Some of the drawbacks to the proposal are centered around agriculture, water, range land and human exposure to these lands that could diminish, land use, and loss of quality land use.

It is time for all all sides to find a compromise or concentrate on the reasons for Yes or NO positions.  Yes or No as a single word position is no longer enough to base an educated decision on.

The reason I have kept this as simple as possible is to have people think about both sides of the issue, and inform themselves before saying yes or no.

Fred Steele

 

 

Oliver’s Grandmothers for Africa gathered recently at the home of Christina Ruddiman to enjoy a meal together and to hear about Hilary Drummond’s recent trip to Africa.

Hilary was given a number of pillow case dresses, socks and some shorts for boys to distribute wherever they might be needed.  Although the Stephen Lewis Foundation we support is focused on grass roots community development and not ‘give away’ programs, we do occasionally ask friends going to Africa to distribute these cute dresses made with love locally by women in our community.

Hilary told of her experience.  “We drove down a long, red dust road in the middle of Benin, West Africa, looking for the small village where we were to observe a voodoo celebration. Our bus parked outside the village as the roads were not meant for driving.  As we approached, curious children gathered and we could hear drumming.  Soon we saw different groups gathered.  Some were on the drums, some were talking and some were involved in ceremony.  As the voodoo ceremony started, our guide approached me and suggested this was a good place to give some dresses.”

 “We went into a small building and there were about eight little girls between the ages of 5 and 8 waiting with excitement.  We were able to give each girl a dress and pair of socks,”  Hilary told us.  She added, “I wasn’t sure what they would do with the socks since none of them had shoes to wear but they were happy to receive them.  They put the dresses on over their shorts and t-shirts and smiled for the camera.

Hilary told us that she distributed similar clothing in several sites in bogh Benin and Togo.  Mothers and children clamoured to have them.  The new clothes gave the children something to wear besides simple school uniforms at play time.  School uniforms are treasured and handed down to others in each family.

Hilary and the local Grandmothers found they were soon engrossed in discussions of effective community development work in Africa.  What is the best way to support local institutions and initiates when we want to help?  Hilary had some good tips for other travellers.  She recommended that in future donated items such as clothing and school supplies be given to local organizations like the school or an orphanage rather than to individuals.

The evening ended with camaraderie and stimulating conversation.  If you are interested in the Oliver Grandmothers for Africa and learning more about the 140 community level organizations and projects in 15 sub-Saharan African countries we help support, give Eunice a call at 250 498 6840 and join us at our monthly meeting.