Off the Cuff 2006-07

It is Just Not Funny Seniors Choice July 2006 - Joel Rickard - Usually I like to take a humorous look at serious stuff, like the positive results of a triple by-pass. This time, however, I find it difficult to place anything but frustration at the doorstep of our community. When I was eighteen years old, I came to Kelowna to pick cherries with a friend of mine. My folks had taken holidays in British Columbia several times and Kelowna was one of the places I remember the most. The beaches and that wonderful experience called a Regatta. I wanted to show my friend just what a great place Kelowna was and we had two weeks to enjoy all the neat things that were going on. I never forgot the feeling of never running out of things to do and it had a lot to do with moving lock, stock and barrel to Kelowna fifteen years later and we have been here ever since. Kelowna is now our hometown and I can say that I am proud to be part of; I felt, one of the nicest places on earth to live. Sure it is growing up. All secret places are found out and are enjoyed the way we did. The entire Okanagan is now a magnet for the entire world to enjoy. But?Yes but. I read in the local paper that our famous Kelowna Regatta is...again...going to be canceled. This time not because of the rowdies and riots but for the "lack of volunteers" and, of course, money owed for a loan from the city for last year's event. Through the years and by working within the media, I also got to know many wonderful people (families) who tried their best to keep this wonderful event going. Hundreds of pictures of past Regattas show this event was important both to visitors and locals alike. Locals could strut their stuff - boats, water sports and the simple opportunity to have a picnic at City Park. Personal tourism was very important and free. What happened? Does the liability of holding such an event cost too much? Have we built too much into what a Regatta is supposed to be? Are we becoming to high-hatted to help out in the volunteer department? Have businesses and chambers forgotten why they moved here and silenced the financial help that would overcome many of the hurdles? Have our beaches and water became so unhealthy that the water quality in one of the most pristine lakes in the world has begun turning into a version of "the Sultan Sea" or is it the new definition of "safe"? To me the word Regatta means "let's all go down to the beach" and watch all the water sports...especially those neat boats and water skiing. Bring the kids because the Regatta is for them and the child in all of us. Most of the volunteers I remember were young folks or seniors helping their elders and visitors alike with their huge, proud smiles; being honest ambassadors while giving directions to thousands of things to do (usually free) in all our wonderful Okanagan valley. The Kelowna Regatta was the Okanagan in the summer. Have Kelowna, and the Okanagan, changed that much? Is the (not our) new bridge just a small indication of things to come? Are we going begin showing our kids and grand kids how we must turn everything fun into a commercial enterprise? Just a short time ago business folks would reach into their pockets and donate what they could to help out in a parade or build a diving board. Kelowna was just one big Bed and Breakfast. Now it falls under "what's in it for me"? I guess the world is simply going too fast to allow us to slow down and have the opportunity to smell free flowers any more. We now worry about needles or getting a ticket for parking. The word embarrassed comes to mind. One of the warmest traditions and innocence that drew me here years ago has been canceled...again. The next thing you know they will try and tell me there is no Ogopogo.

 

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