Okanagan Life’s editors are pleased to bring you a selection of some of our favourite people, places and things in the Valley. Remember, we have a tendency to get a little crazy with some of our picks. Here they are – the 4th Annual Okanagan Life Best of the Okanagan
Editors' Choice Awards

by Laurie Carter and Karen Slivar

Best Wine Fest
Okanagan Summer Wine Festival, Silver Star Mountain Resort

Here come the cards and letters … I know the Fall Wine Festival is rated among the best events in North America and the Spring Fest is all about food and wine, but I get to make the picks in this space, and for my money, the Summer Wine Festival at Silver Star Mountain Resort tops the lot. Here’s my thinking. I love the compact venue and limited time slot. Move into a comfy suite on the mountain for one August weekend and that’s it — no trekking all over the Valley to get to events — no worries about who’s stuck as the DD. You’d have to be in a coma not to be able to stumble back to your room after even the most rigorous of round tasting. I also love the camaraderie of the whole affair. At my first event (pairing chocolate and wine — I ask you, how divine is that — but I digress) I met a great group of women who had flown in from Saskatchewan on their annual high-school-best-friends reunion. At dinner that night — a rousing duel between two Okanagan wineries pitted one against the other over each of five courses presented at Bugaboos (see what I mean about stumbling) — one of the school friends sat at the table I’d randomly selected. We soon got to know the doctor and engineer couple from Edmonton who shared with us. Next day the whole crowd turned up for the guided hike from summit to village in search of local lore and wild berries. And so it continued through chocolate and wine pairing, coffee and wine pairing, cheese and wine pairing. By the time we got to the signature progressive tasting — think giant outdoor block party with awesome wine, cheese and bread — we just expected to get together. The Summer Wine Fest is one event that’s permanently blocked on my iCal. —LC

Best Inspiration to Study Science
Okanagan Science Centre, Vernon

Walking into the star room at the Okanagan Science Centre is like stepping back in time to when I was a kid visiting the Planetarium in Vancouver. Butt on the floor, leaning against hubby for support, we were invited to look up to the domed ceiling and view the heavens — very cool. Our tour guide, Kevin Aschenmeier, pointed out the constellations and told us the stories behind them: Greek, Native North American, Egyptian and Viking. The whole experience put a smile on my face. The mission of the Okanagan Science Centre is to inspire scientific exploration through dynamic and interactive educational programs and exhibits; and to encourage children and adults to appreciate the relevance and universality of science. In addition to the star room — my favourite — there are hands-on exhibits showing many scientific principles like sound, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and mechanics. Along with tours the centre offers school break camps, birthday parties and school field trips. The centre brings in travelling exhibitions so there’s always something new to explore. —KS

Best Place to Get Some Air
Apex Mountain Resort, Penticton

I’ve been feeling a little feverish lately, but don’t think I’m coming down with H1N1. Pretty sure this is just an early sign of Olympic fever. It hits me hard every two years and I’m anticipating a serious case in February (could be off work for a couple of weeks ). So what’s my health got to do with Apex and air? Easy connection. Apex is where multi-World Champion aerials sensation Steve Omischl trains. Steve was the first guy to pull off an FFdF — quadruple twisting triple back flip with two twists on the last flip (say that three times fast, and forget about trying to do it) — in competition. Apex is also the hill where World Champion and Olympic gold hopeful Kristi Richards learned to blast moguls and get spectacular air. She’s even got her own run. This resort has such awesome aerial and mogul courses that it hosts NorAm events and seven national teams, including the Canadians, come here to train. If you’re flexible and fearless enough to try a daffy or a Cork 720, a Rudy or (heaven forbid) an FFdF — Apex is your mountain. If not — just come along and hold your breath while the champs fly. —LC

Best Collection of Up-and-Coming Classical Singers
Candesca, Kelowna

Candesca is an award-winning singing ensemble composed of young women, aged 14 to 27, based in Kelowna and selected by audition. The singers come from as far away as Vernon and Penticton to study under the direction of internationally known soprano Alexandra Babbel, the choir’s founder and artistic director. This is a group of serious overachievers who, in addition to formal voice training, maintain high grades in school and have all attained Grade 8 in some instrument. Did we mention they can sing? Candesca’s repertoire includes Gregorian chant, classical art song from a variety of cultures and medieval arrangements of contemporary music. Dressed in couture gowns the group makes a striking vision on stage. While they won’t all go on to become professional opera singers, Alexandra hopes to instil the value and discipline of classical training through their weekly practice sessions. The ensemble toured Europe in 2008 where they performed to sold-out crowds and brought audiences to their feet wherever they went. Currently Candesca is working on its second CD with Emmy-winning composer Stu Goldberg of Penticton. Watch for Candesca’s performance with the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra in January 2010. —KS

Best View From an Orchard Ladder
Dickinson Farm, Summerland

Who knew? The world’s tallest tripod orchard ladder is standing among the cherry trees on Dickinson Farm, right here in the Valley. Well, if you’re a dedicated reader of the Guinness Book of World Records, you knew. At over nine metres tall and weighing in at a whopping 227 kilograms, this red giant deserves its spot in the hallowed book. Dwane Dickinson designed the super ladder. It was built locally and attracts lots of attention from visitors to the historic Summerland farm that’s been in the Dickinson family since 1912. Think up your own creative photo arrangement and immortalize your visit. Take a walk among the cherry and pear trees, pick some fruit and turn the kids loose to make believe on the vintage farm tractors. If Dwane’s around he’ll gladly talk about the farm and family history. Dickinson Farm, and that enormous ladder, are easy to find in the pretty Garnet Valley, 10 minutes from downtown Summerland. —LC

Best Dancers on Tippy-Toe
Ballet Kelowna, Kelowna

I was taken aback by the ballet performance I saw this fall. I must confess my experience with pointy-toed dancers is spotty. My first time out, I saw Swan Lake in Vancouver, and for me it was awful. From the back of the house the flaws in the dancers’ timing was cringe inducing. I do, however, have fond memories of my niece in a tutu. But when Ballet Kelowna’s dance troupe (Tiffany Bilodeau, Christina Cecchini, Raelynn Heppell, Cai Glover, Eloi Homier and Davin Luce) took to the stage I was immediately struck by their grace and energy. With each number we were treated to a different style from classical to modern in what David LaHay, artistic director, calls his, “Something for everyone menu.” The modern jazzy blues piece blew me away. The choreography showed off the dancers’ flexibility, grace, sex appeal and strength. Bravo. The company, whose dancers hale from across Canada, produces two shows a season and does 50 performances around the province, inspiring young dancers along the way. Ballet Kelowna has set itself up as one of the first professional gigs in a dancing career. When troupe members move on David holds auditions in Vancouver where he assesses how well replacements will fit in with the group. Spring 2010 audiences are invited to see groundbreaking works by Canadian choreographers from 1949 to the present. —KS

Best Place to Get Wet and Scream
H2O Adventure and Fitness Centre, Kelowna

Checking out Kelowna’s new H2O Centre gave me a severe case of superlative overload. How about this for drowning (not my best metaphor? Read on, I think you’ll agree it’s apt) in numbers. Consider one million gallons of water; 75,000 square feet of tile and enough glass to build a city of greenhouses. The day I was there the bright blue cast on my leg and the wheeled walker I was pushing around kept me from trying out all the waterful goodies, but I can tell you where I’m headed when my grandson gets here for Christmas. Oh yeah! We’ll be hoppin’ and boppin’ in those metre-and-a-half wave pool rollers. I can see some bumper-boating in my future on the river run tube ride and you better believe there’s going to be some high speed riding on the 60-, 80- and 90-metre water slides.
Not wanting another blue cast, I’ll be taking a pass on the FlowRider ocean wave surf simulator. And the kid’s still too young for the boogie board, but stand back when he loads up the water cannons in the play area. See what I mean about superlatives. This place is the biggest, wettest funhouse … and I haven’t even mentioned the 50-metre pool and diving area or the largest fitness space in the Valley. Honestly, you’ve got to see this place. Get out the Speedo and go for it. —LC

Best Troupe of Multi-Tasker Actors
Many Hats Theatre Company, Penticton

What happens when a bunch of experienced theatre people hear that Penticton’s Cannery Stage is suddenly available? The Many Hats Theatre Company is born. With Eric Hanston as the driving force, the group jumps into action and forms an actor-driven co-op. That was November 2007. Just three months later they took to the boards with their first production, Maggie’s Getting Married. It was a sell-out. All 17 members of the troupe pitch in and do a variety of jobs — hence the moniker “many hats.” All the actors come from different backgrounds and contribute a variety of theatre experience. Take Ed Schneider; he wasn’t exactly born on the stage but got his feet wet at the tender age of four when he appeared live-to-air on The Johnny Lane Show in his native Texas. What all the actors share in common is a passion for theatre. The Many Hats gang has gone on to stage an astonishing five productions a year. Most have been on the lighter side including the recent comedy I Hate Hamlet (bet that one appealed to a bunch of high schoolers). Their coming line-up includes mystery, romance, nostalgia, a parable and more comedy. The season kicks off in February with the romantic comedy The Love List.—KS

Best Place to Meet a Toad
Desert Centre Osoyoos

Every family has its dirty little secrets. One that we Okanaganites don’t like to admit is how seriously we’ve endangered most of our unique desert-like habitat. Lucky for us that a group of concerned citizens managed to set aside a 67-acre parcel of this precious resource just north of Osoyoos. This summer the Desert Centre celebrated its 10th year of showcasing the dry antelope brush ecosystem, rehabilitating grazing-degraded land and giving endangered species like the spadefoot toad a fighting chance for survival. I’ve taken the guided walk along the 1.5-kilometre boardwalk several times (you can also do the walk solo) and each time I’ve had a different experience and learned something new. I won’t soon forget the day renowned scientist Geoffrey Scudder introduced our group to a black widow spider and last summer I met my first little toad. In its debut decade, the centre has developed a native plant demonstration garden; begun to host an annual native plant sale; launched a yearly lecture series on local ecology and residents like burrowing owls, bats and snakes; and expanded its hands-on indoor exhibits. This is a must-see attraction for every Valley resident who cares about our natural spaces. Word of caution — in mid-summer, go for the morning tour. I did the 2 p.m. walk last August and came away feeling like a living mummy. —LC

Best Way to Celebrate Spring
Meadowlark Festival, South Okanagan

When those spiffy little birdies with the bright yellow bellies, pointy bills and fanned out tails come fluting back to the Valley, you don’t need a thermometer to tell you it’s spring. These cheery songsters love the grasslands and sagebrush of our South Okanagan “pocket desert.” Sadly, their habitat is under serious threat, so the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance got the bright idea of using this easily recognizable symbol as the calling card for an annual get-to-know-your-environment fest. Join thousands of nature lovers for guided tours, workshops and talks and explore the unique (and highly endangered) flora and fauna of the South Okanagan and lower Similkameen. With more than 90 events staged over five days around the May long weekend, you’re biggest problem is priorities. Cyclists can go for a guided desert backcountry ride while keeners can hike to the summit and see McIntyre Bluff from a whole new perspective. Build a bat box, learn First Nations traditions, go bird watching (duh). The festival is a great way to get up-close-and-personal with so many of the things that make our region unique. Tickets go on sale in April. Just a warning, popular events sell out faster than a meadowlark can spot a tasty bug, so get yours early. —KS

Best Place to Get a Hit of History
O’Keefe Ranch, Vernon

“Hi, my name is Laurie and I’m a history addict.” Actually, I’m not trying to kick the habit, I just think confession is good for the soul, in fact, I think a good dose of history is, too. Not having an over abundance of heritage attractions in the Okanagan, people like me are grateful to be able to make an occasional pilgrimage to O’Keefe Ranch. What remains today is the nucleus of a former 20,000-acre cattle empire founded in 1867 by Cornelius O’Keefe. Centred on the family mansion, the ranch was a small community with its own post office before Vernon could be called a town. You can wander on your own or take one of several tours. Meet a shopkeeper in the General Store and maybe a teacher holding class in Balmoral School. Mrs. Schubert could be baking scones and, if your timing is right, you might get to hear the one-person choir in St. Anne’s church. It’s tough to pry the kids away from the paddocks where heritage breed sheep and cattle hang out and forget about going anywhere but the arena when the real working cowboys show their stuff during the Cowboy Festival in August. Check out the website for a full calendar of events including Friday night cowboy dinner shows. —LC