by lakecountry | May 19, 2026 | Bloggers, D. Scott Forfar, Exhibitions, History of Lake Country, Lake country family history, Uncategorized
By D. Scott Forfar Life After the War In the first part of this article, we learned about Gonzaemon “Jack” Niihara’s early years in the Okanagan and his courageous service in the First World War, which earned him the Military Medal for bravery. Now, we continue the...
by lakecountry | May 2, 2026 | Bloggers, D. Scott Forfar, History of Lake Country, Uncategorized
By D. Scott Forfar, 2026. Introduction Jack Niihara is fondly remembered by the Japanese community in Lake Country as one of its earliest residents. Unlike many Japanese immigrants who settled and raised families in the district, Niihara was among the bachelors –...
by lakecountry | Oct 4, 2025 | Bloggers, D. Scott Forfar, History of Lake Country
John William Stephen, from Oyama, served as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during World War II. His service is commemorated on the Malta Memorial, a striking 15-meter-high Travertine marble column topped with a resplendent golden eagle, located just...
by lakecountry | Aug 29, 2025 | Backward Glances, Gibbons, Richard, Uncategorized
Lake Country is not only all about our beautiful lakes, orchards and vineyards, but also that craggy promontory that overlooks us called Spion Kop. Don’t take issue with this spelling as officially this name didn’t even exist until recently. This may come as a bit of...
by lakecountry | Jun 7, 2025 | Bloggers, Gibbons, Richard, Uncategorized
A recent stop for coffee at Starbucks on Bernard at Pandosy [in Kelowna] provided some nostalgia on the significance of that intersection. After all, the main landmark in downtown Kelowna used to be Fumerton’s Department Store, across the street where Mosaic Books is...
by lakecountry | Apr 26, 2025 | Animals, Bloggers, Uncategorized
By D. Scott Forfar When you browse the Lake Country Museum’s historical photograph collection, you will discover many photos of dogs puppies, pampered lapdogs, and working farm dogs all appear in the archive. Just like today, people loved capturing memories of their...
by lakecountry | Mar 17, 2025 | Backward Glances, Bloggers, Gibbons, Richard
Adventureland, the first park of its kind in the Okanagan, was the brainchild of two local residents Sam and Dorothy Pestes. Dorothy, a talented artist and Sam, a teacher with remarkable talents for innovation and building, created a perfect team. Their combined...
by lakecountry | Jan 23, 2025 | Backward Glances, Bloggers, Gibbons, Richard, Uncategorized
We all love our “stuff”. We accumulate “treasures” throughout our life and then ultimately wonder what will become of them after we’re gone. Both my parents and in-laws lived over fifty years in their homes. They didn’t throw much out…they had grown up during very...
by lakecountry | Mar 11, 2024 | Lake country family history, Thomson, Duane
I recently came across an unidentified photograph in my files, likely of an Oyama family. The only clue was five parts of names on the back left margin of the photo, indistinct and in pencil. The names appear to be Dorothy, ?alter, ?ura, ?lice, and ?on. I checked the...
by lakecountry | Feb 6, 2023 | Bloggers, Guest Bloggers, Pam Laing
Our valley is home to two jays, members of the corvid family, (which includes crows, ravens, magpies and so on). These are the Canada Jay, formerly called the Gray Jay, and the Steller’s Jay. I wrote an article about Canada Jays in the fall of 2017 for this blog.* ...
by lakecountry | Feb 6, 2023 | Bloggers, Guest Bloggers
Written by Asha Chloe CraigExclusive for lakecountrymuseum.com In Central Okanagan Public Schools, there is a program where young students can learn from the land of the Okanagan Valley. Here, indigenous students have the opportunity to celebrate and learn about their...
by lakecountry | Nov 8, 2022 | Bloggers, Uncategorized
By: Fred Larsen As I grew up in the Okanagan, in Woodsdale, during the 1950s, I was shaped largely by the examples of my 0.mother and father. My mother’s musical ability and sociability—as well as her love and respect for my dad and her willingness to work hard once...
Page 1 of 1812345...10...»Last »
