Archives for March 21, 2020

Violins and COVID-19

I’ve read that the quality of sound from a violin depends a lot on the type of wood used to make the violin. Skilled violin makers look for wood from a tree that has endured exposure to storms and severe weather conditions. Such wood is not found inside protected forests but rather on exposed mountain heights. There the tree has been toughened, the resilience strengthened and the grain features improved. In fact some have gone so far as to use wood only from the exposed, windward side of the tree.

The quality of that kind of wood makes the difference in the musical tone of the violin.

Perhaps that can also make the difference in quality of character in people. Those who have endured and survived tough times have a resilience and strength of character not possessed by those who have sailed through life on easy street. Right now we are going through one of those very difficult times. We have a choice to make. We can decide to be kind, be calm and be safe, as we’ve been urged to do, or we can let it get us down. Will it make us better instead of bitter? It depends on what we’re made of.

I need that challenge too.

Henry Wiebe

P.S. I’ve decided to use Sunny Side instead of Sunnyside because there is a TV program with the latter title.

Pappas Firehall Bistro is open regular hours!

No table service –  but take out and delivery are still allowed

We are open 12 to  7  – seven days a week  for take out and curbside pick up . We are also offering free delivery for seniors and  the  handicapped.

Owner Fotis Sotiros

SOCIALIZING   ……   OR NOT                                                     

These are different times and we have different rules to adhere to, this doesn’t mean our life has to go on hold, it just means things are a bit different.

The new virus is very problematic but that doesn’t mean we have to go into immediate panic mode.  When we see pictures of panic buying and stripping store shelves of necessary goods, it makes us think that we also need to jump on the band wagon and also amass a mountain of supplies.  But just think about that for a while and you realize it is a rather foolish notion.

Toilet paper and other paper goods are made right here in B.C., and there is no reason to think our supply will dwindle.  This virus does not increase our toilet activities so why on earth do people want to gather a huge supply.

If, for any reason, there should be a shortage, we could manage without this commodity.  Many countries still use rags for self cleaning with a bucket of bleach-water to dispose of the rags, although not a pleasant way of dealing with our needs, would this really be so dreadful?

Surely a food shortage would be a much worse problem but if we have a few extra cans or boxes of staples, we can get by for a few weeks.  Most of us have a freezer to keep several weeks of protein safely stored, but gathering a year’s supply of meat is unnecessary, not to mention, ridiculous and downright selfish. 

Misinformation causes this bad behaviour and the rumour mill always stresses the worst possible scenarios, however any crisis also brings out the good side of people.  My condo block has phone numbers posted of people willing to shop for older residents who do not want to risk going out. This is such a simple act of kindness that each of us can manage to do.  If we are going to the store, ask a neighbour if they require anything to be picked up. This reduces the number of people needing to go into a store and cuts the risk of infection.

By reaching out to those who you previously only nodded to in the hallway, may also help us to get to know our neighbours a little better, if only by telephone.  Self isolating is not a comfortable thing for many of us, we are social beings and enjoy company so a phone call can make the long day less lonely.

Personally, I have a very busy life which I thoroughly enjoy, I usually go out to eat, with friends at least once a week and |I also belong to several groups so staying indoors for days on end is not my normal behaviour.  However, this past few days I have sat on my deck for several hours each day and enjoyed the glorious afternoon sunshine. I have time to read books, which is something I normally only do on vacation and I am really feeling the benefit of having some time just for myself.

Having a dog makes walks along the river dike not only a necessity but also a pleasure as we both enjoy our exercise and the fresh air.  I speak to people on passing but do not linger to share the same breathing space, so feel I am still self-isolating while enjoying being outdoors.

Working people can use the enforced leisure time to catch up on all the things they normally cannot manage, due to job commitments.  Work in the yard, clean out those overstuffed closets or work on an art project that you never have time to complete. Families can start a project like turning the rec room into a nicer place to hang out together, so many things we have been meaning to do but didn’t have time for.

Kids at home soon get bored so get out the family bikes and pedal the dikes, light a backyard fire and roast wieners, things you don’t normally have time for now can be shared.  Painting a bedroom is a great way to get your teenager to take an interest in his or her room and really turn it into a place they can enjoy. Let them be creative and do their own thing, if they want black walls, with glow in the dark butterflies painted on, let them do it, it is their space and do you really care?  Be the ‘coolest’ mom on the block and let them be creative.

Take this time to create meals that you can freeze for future use, so when you go back to work, you will have some ready made dinners.  Teach the kids to cook and bake, they will thank you for it when they have a home of their own. Restaurants are closed but do your own version of a Chinese buffet or a big Italian feast, you can even try your hand at Sushi

Self isolating is a new idea for us as we are basically a social group but if we treat it as a time to do things we want to do, it can be a bonus, not a chore. 

Lets make the most of it and enjoy being creative.

Tony Batista

OCTOBER 27, 1966 – MARCH 18, 2020

On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, Mr. Tony Mendes Batista of Osoyoos passed away peacefully at Mariposa Gardens at the age of 53 years.

“Tony’s spot was right beneath my perch on the stairs, and more times than I can count, I’d glance down and he’d be trying desperately to catch my eye to pose for the camera with a big old grin. He often called me his girlfriend, but I know that every pretty girl that caught his eye was called that, and I was simply one of The Boss’ harem.” – Jen Jensen, hockey action photographer.

Tony worked for many years at the Osoyoos Home Hardware with people making that visit just to talk to Tony. When not working he participated in many Special Olympics events..

Thanks to Nunes Pottinger for the photograph

Effective Sunday, March 22nd, Baldy Mountain will cease operations for the 2019/20 season.

Our lifts will operate 9:30am to 4pm Saturday the 21st and Sunday the 22nd, after which we’ll shut them down until next year. The cafe will be closed this weekend, please bring your own lunches/snacks!

The Staff & Management,
Baldy Mountain Resort

Flowers of spring attract more that sunlight