Archives for May 14, 2020

The Insurance Corporation of BC (which our readers own) suggests:t

During the period March 15 to May 2nd – 2020

* ICBC opened 46% fewer accident claims (including claims for both damage to vehicles and for injuries) compared to the same time last year, with an average weekly reduction of 7,200 claims. This drop in the number of claims amounts to approximately $158 million in savings for ICBC. However, claim numbers are on the rise again as more vehicles return to B.C. roads;

* more than 150,000 customers changed their insurance policies by cancelling their policy (103,700) or lowering their rate class (57,561), resulting in a projected $283-million decline in written insurance premiums compared to what would normally be received for that period; and

* ICBC has seen a decrease in the value of its investment portfolio due to the unprecedented downturn in the financial markets, putting pressure on its bottom line. Some of this has already been seen at the end of ICBC’s 2019-20 fiscal year, and early indications suggest the impact could exceed $1 billion in fiscal 2020-21, depending on the length and scope of the global market downturn. The final impact will be determined at the end of fiscal 2020-21.

“ICBC waiving cancellation and re-plating fees alone during the pandemic has saved customers around $5 million, and we will continue to work with those drivers facing financial hardship,” said Nicolas Jimenez, ICBC president and CEO.

Obituary for the late

William Stevens Ross

July 14, 1943 – May 10, 2020

It is with extreme sadness that we announce the sudden passing of William (Bill) Ross.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Francie; his children Stean, Stacie (Courtenay) and Scott (Mariana); four grandchildren Seneca, Quinn, Reed and Alexa (Bogdan) as well as great-granddaughter Ilinca.
Bill was a long-time resident of Oliver, BC where he was such an active member of the community. He was always eager to lend a helping hand and loved his countless connections with people. He could make new friends in any environment.

In their retirement, Bill and Francie enjoyed travel abroad and to the USA where his son Stean and granddaughter Seneca live. One of Bill’s favourite places to travel was Portugal where his other son Scott lives.
Even in his 76th year, Bill could never stop working. He loved having his finger on the pulse of the community, working and consulting with many local businesses.

He lived a happy, beautiful life, was loved and admired by his family and friends. His engaging conversations and flare for life will be deeply missed. One of Bill’s favourite pastimes was golfing. His long-time membership at Fairview Mountain Golf Club was very special to him as well as all of his friends and the staff there.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Fairview Mountain Golf Club Junior’s Program in memory of Bill Ross. We hope to have a large celebration for Bill later in the year so his many friends and family can attend. We will send out a notice at a later date.

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com

The Town of Oliver and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) wish to express condolences to the family and friends of Bill Ross. His sudden passing on May 10 is a loss for the South Okanagan. Bill was a long-time resident of Oliver and served his community for many years.

He was alderman with the Town of Oliver from 1990 to 1992. He later served as councillor with the Town of Oliver from 1993 to 1999. Bill was appointed as an Alternate Director on the RDOS board in 1996, and then as a Director later that year. He continued to serve on the board until 1999. Bill served as RDOS Vice-Chair in 1998 and Okanagan-Similkameen Regional Hospital District (OSRHD) Chair in 1999.

In addition to his many years of public service, Bill worked for Southern Okanagan Lands Irrigation District (SOLID) as the manager from December 1981 until it dissolved in 1989. His many contributions to the South Okanagan are appreciated by all who knew him.

“Bill always took time to speak with everyone and had lots of great stories to share,” says RDOS Chair Karla Kozakevich. “He was well-loved in the community, and respected by his fellow board members.”

“I was lucky to have spent some time with Bill a couple of months ago,” says Oliver Mayor Martin Johansen. “We spent the afternoon going for lunch and touring some of the farms South of Oliver. We spoke about politics, business, and the history of the South Okanagan. During our visits with residents, it was clear to me. Bill was respected for being a loyal, reliable and hardworking individual. I was very saddened to hear the news of Bill`s passing. Bill was a good friend and he will be missed in this community.”

Celebrating 110 years of Scouting in the South Okanagan

John and David go to Jamboree

Jamboree is a highlight of the Scouting movement for every youth member, but only a few are able to attend due to cost and timing. Every generation of Scouts should be able to participate in at least one of these large gatherings, since it enables the Scout to experience his membership in a large brotherhood, and at the same time brings the youth into contact with brother Scouts of other districts and other countries. It is a gathering of Scouts on an international, national or provincial level. Jamboree could be smaller like the one in 1966 on the West Bench in Penticton, where 2,500 Scouts attended, plus support volunteers. This was the first of many such gatherings organized by the B.C./Yukon Council. 

Jamboree was sometimes a massive undertaking, such as the American National Jamboree held in 1960 at Colorado Springs, Colorado, attended by 56,000 Scouts tented in a massive field for a week. One of the local attendees was Scout David Ogilvie from Oliver. Ogilvie was fortunate in that he was able to attend two Jamborees, the second one being the 3rd Canadian Jamboree in 1961 near Ottawa, where 2100 Scouts attended.

The 1st Canadian Jamboree, held in 1949 at Connaught Ranges near Ottawa, Ontario, attracted 2500 Scouts. Among them were a large group of Scouts from the South Okanagan, including, from Oliver, John Boone, Fred Collins and Ordie Jones.

Over the decades, Oliver has sent a large number of youth and adult volunteers to Jamborees all over the world. Today, cost can be a major factor, but logistics from the 1940s, 50s and 60s were a challenge. Most travel was done by bus and train. Imagine for a moment, before the days of the internet and email, assembling fifty or more Scouts from all corners of British Columbia, together on a specific train in the Sicamous area so they could travel together. That train then would collect more assembled Scouts as it travelled across Canada. Fortunately, they were easy to recognize since they gathered in uniform with large duffle bags over their shoulders. Many of the planning documents and letters from these earlier Jamborees have been preserved in our Museums and they offer a fascinating glimpse of those days.

Each jamboree was different, and each had its own memorabilia. Scouts would seldom wear the neckerchief (necker) from their own local Scouting Group. A Jamboree would often have a special necker worn by all Scouts in attendance, and we have been able to preserve many of these in our museums, along with the names of the local Scouts who wore them. Jamboree neckers varied widely in colour, but most had the unique badge from that Jamboree stitched to the triangular point at the back.  Sometimes a Scout would return with two special neckers as souvenirs. When Canadian Scouts traveled to a large jamboree in another country, they would often wear a red necker with a maple leaf logo on the back, and switch to the Jamboree necker when they arrived. Sometimes a special necker was worn by all Scouts from a particular province or region. These were often multicoloured, with imprints of eagles, kangaroos, or almost any image associated with a particular place in the world. Some are quite exotic.

Badges were distinctive in that there were the basic ones for each Jamboree, shared by all attendees, and then there were the collector items. Our local museums have been able to archive many of these pieces of historic memorabilia, and they are matched with names of the youths and adults who attended each event. The South Okanagan was certainly a busy place when it came to Scouts attending these special gatherings. Jamboree was an experience that stayed with them for the rest of their lives. We are grateful to John Boone and David Ogilvie for donating many items from their time in Scouting, including Jamboree memorabilia, to the Oliver and District Heritage Society, where they will be on display this summer. And thank you to all volunteers who helped our Scouts experience the truly wide world of Scouting!

 

Copyright Gerry Lamb 2020

Ogilvie photo courtesy David Ogilvie

Boone photo supplied by Gerry Lamb