A life-long love of swimming places focus this month on a senior who is eighty-five years young and continues to enjoy an active lifestyle. 'Whiskey Bill' Dowin passed through Osoyoos in 1955 and fell in love with the sun-drenched, water-filled valley.

In 1985, after ensuring his children were on their own as productive adults in the Hamilton area, Bill moved to and retired to the Osoyoos area. Retirement is a relative term with many a senior; so it was with Bill. Exchanging a regular paycheque in cramped quarters with foul air 'Whiskey Bill' Dowin came to beautiful BC to work the Similkameen and Tulameen Rivers and Rock Creek. He had decided to enjoy the great, green outdoors, the sunshine and the pine freshened air while he panned for gold.

After twenty years of hard work and eking out a marginal living in the South Okanagan Bill has finally really retired and has settled down to enjoy his home, the town and the Lake in Osoyoos. Bill rejects the chlorine polluted indoor pools and instead swims daily (except for the colder winter months) in the beautiful Osoyoos Lake.

Bill is recognized for his quick wit, infectious ever-present smile, and a nimble sprightly gait. For those of us who can remember Bill has the look, the feel and the humorous, engaging charm of a modern day George 'Gabby' Hayes.

A respectful well-done goes to Billy Dowin of Osoyoos who continues to enjoy good health and the fitness benefits of an active, participative lifestyle.

2006-04   Jerry Flaman      This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it