Summerland

The Polar Bear Dip, a New Year’s Day tradition in Summerland, will return for Jan. 1, 2022. The 2021 dip was cancelled because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press file photo)

Summerland Polar Bear Dip to return

Jan. 1 event at Sunoka Beach will welcome in the new year

The Polar Bear Dip, a New Year’s Day tradition in Summerland, will return for Jan. 1, 2022. The 2021 dip was cancelled because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press file photo)
In 1908, Summerland’s first curling rink was located on the community’s drinking water reservoir. The man with the bowler hat was Frank Osler. The Osler family is one of Canada’s most famous families. One of Frank Osler’s brothers was Sir William Osler, one of the world’s most esteemed medical doctors. Another brother, and Summerland land owner, was Sir Edmund Osler, national president of the Dominion Bank (later TD bank). Another brother was Britton Osler, a famous lawyer (Louis Riel trial). Another brother was Judge Fetherston Osler. (Photograph courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Curling in Summerland was once held outdoors

Drinking water reservoir was once used for curling

In 1908, Summerland’s first curling rink was located on the community’s drinking water reservoir. The man with the bowler hat was Frank Osler. The Osler family is one of Canada’s most famous families. One of Frank Osler’s brothers was Sir William Osler, one of the world’s most esteemed medical doctors. Another brother, and Summerland land owner, was Sir Edmund Osler, national president of the Dominion Bank (later TD bank). Another brother was Britton Osler, a famous lawyer (Louis Riel trial). Another brother was Judge Fetherston Osler. (Photograph courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
Since 1995, the Garnett Valley Gang has been staging train robberies at the Kettle Valley Steam Railway in Summerland. Proceeds from these robberies are donated to charities. The gang is now looking for new members to assist them. (Summerland Review file photo)

Summerland gang seeks train robbers

Garnett Valley Gang has been robbing tourist train passengers for charity since 1995

Since 1995, the Garnett Valley Gang has been staging train robberies at the Kettle Valley Steam Railway in Summerland. Proceeds from these robberies are donated to charities. The gang is now looking for new members to assist them. (Summerland Review file photo)
Chains on the tires are required when one takes the shortcut to Naramata on frozen Okanagan Lake. In the early 20th century, the lake would sometimes freeze over in the winter. However, it has been many decades since the lake last froze over. At times there has been ice near the shore, allowing for some skating on the frozen surface. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Boats and cars have been seen on Okanagan Lake

Lake used to freeze over during the winter

Chains on the tires are required when one takes the shortcut to Naramata on frozen Okanagan Lake. In the early 20th century, the lake would sometimes freeze over in the winter. However, it has been many decades since the lake last froze over. At times there has been ice near the shore, allowing for some skating on the frozen surface. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
Vancouver-based comedian Ed Hill is set to arrive in the Okanagan to perform after the release of his Amazon Prime special. (Brandon Hart photo)

Vancouver-based comedian Ed Hill ready to connect with Okanagan audiences

The comedian is set to go on tour after the recent release of his Amazon Prime special

Vancouver-based comedian Ed Hill is set to arrive in the Okanagan to perform after the release of his Amazon Prime special. (Brandon Hart photo)
Spectators watching Summerland’s ski jumping competition at the community’s ski hill in Meadow Valley in 1956. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Summerland had ski hill in 1940s and 1950s

Community’s ski hill was in Meadow Valley area

Spectators watching Summerland’s ski jumping competition at the community’s ski hill in Meadow Valley in 1956. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
The municipality of Summerland is revisiting the proposed solar and storage project as the costs of the proposed project have increased significantly. (Black Press file photo)

Summerland council to revisit scope of solar project

Latest cost estimates show significant increase in price of project

The municipality of Summerland is revisiting the proposed solar and storage project as the costs of the proposed project have increased significantly. (Black Press file photo)
Summerland residents have mixed views on allowing and regulating short-term vacation rentals in the community. (Black Press file photo)

Opinions mixed on short-term rental units in Summerland

Bylaw expected to come to council table for Dec. 13 meeting

Summerland residents have mixed views on allowing and regulating short-term vacation rentals in the community. (Black Press file photo)
Summerland’s Rotary Club was founded in 1946. From 1951 to 1956, the Rotary Club offered free swimming lessons at Powell Beach. In 1956, a portion of the shoreline of Summerland’s Lowertown was cleared. In 1957, the new Rotary Beach was officially opened. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Swimming lessons once offered at Summerland beaches

Beginning in 1950s, lessons were offered at Powell Beach and later at Rotary Beach

Summerland’s Rotary Club was founded in 1946. From 1951 to 1956, the Rotary Club offered free swimming lessons at Powell Beach. In 1956, a portion of the shoreline of Summerland’s Lowertown was cleared. In 1957, the new Rotary Beach was officially opened. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
The clock tower at the corner of Main Street and Victoria Road in Summerland was installed in the 1980s. The iconic landmark was set up when Summerland had a Tudor theme in place in its downtown. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Historic Summerland clock tower was part of community theme

Summerland once had a Tudor theme in place in its downtown

The clock tower at the corner of Main Street and Victoria Road in Summerland was installed in the 1980s. The iconic landmark was set up when Summerland had a Tudor theme in place in its downtown. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
Emma Scholefield, left, and Thea Scholefield show a banner of their great, great uncle, Charles Edward Russel Hall. He is one of Summerland’s fallen soldiers from the First World War. (Contributed)

Banners recognize Summerland’s fallen soldiers

Two names of fallen soldiers from First World War added to community’s banners

  • Nov 2, 2021
Emma Scholefield, left, and Thea Scholefield show a banner of their great, great uncle, Charles Edward Russel Hall. He is one of Summerland’s fallen soldiers from the First World War. (Contributed)
Renovation work has been completed at the George Ryga Arts and Cultural Centre in Summerland. The work at the building on Wharton Street cost just under $600,000. (Contributed)

Summerland arts centre now has a new look and name

Facility has been named George Ryga Arts and Cultural Centre

Renovation work has been completed at the George Ryga Arts and Cultural Centre in Summerland. The work at the building on Wharton Street cost just under $600,000. (Contributed)
Diamonds, a proposed development north of Summerland, would allow 106 residential units overlooking Okanagan Lake. (Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen image)

Large development proposal near Summerland defeated

Diamonds would have had 106 residential units, built in two phases

Diamonds, a proposed development north of Summerland, would allow 106 residential units overlooking Okanagan Lake. (Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen image)
According to the earliest maps of the Okanagan Valley, the Summerland area was called Nicola Prairie. This name meant the land of Nicola; Grand Chief Nicola. In 1845, Chief Nicola was protected by eighty bodyguards. In 1902, when Summerland was founded, only three Indigenous families remained: the Johnny Pierre, Antoine Pierre and William Manuel families. The children of these three families attended Summerland’s first official school in 1904. This photograph shows William Manuel’s home in the lower left corner. The road, left of the home would become Rosedale Avenue. The home was surrounded by Alf Richardson’s lumber yard. Today, the Manuel house would be located close to the Summerland Animal Clinic. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Summerland was once known as Nicola Prairie

Downtown Summerland was once Penticton Indian Reserve #3

According to the earliest maps of the Okanagan Valley, the Summerland area was called Nicola Prairie. This name meant the land of Nicola; Grand Chief Nicola. In 1845, Chief Nicola was protected by eighty bodyguards. In 1902, when Summerland was founded, only three Indigenous families remained: the Johnny Pierre, Antoine Pierre and William Manuel families. The children of these three families attended Summerland’s first official school in 1904. This photograph shows William Manuel’s home in the lower left corner. The road, left of the home would become Rosedale Avenue. The home was surrounded by Alf Richardson’s lumber yard. Today, the Manuel house would be located close to the Summerland Animal Clinic. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
Penticton’s Courthouse. (File)

Summerland brothers’ neighbour dispute with fungus farm ends in 9 months probation

Conflict with neighbouring mushroom farm dates to at least 2019

Penticton’s Courthouse. (File)
In past years, the Summerland Festival of Lights attracted around 10,000 people to downtown Summerland. This year, a three-weekend event has been scheduled in December to launch the festive season. (Summerland Review file photo)

Summerland’s light-up to extend over three weekends

Event in December marks start of festive season in the community

In past years, the Summerland Festival of Lights attracted around 10,000 people to downtown Summerland. This year, a three-weekend event has been scheduled in December to launch the festive season. (Summerland Review file photo)
A COVID-19 exposure event has been reported at Summerland Unisus School. The dates of the potential exposure are Sept. 27 and 28. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

COVID-19 exposure reported at Summerland Unisus School

Exposure took place in late September at independent school

A COVID-19 exposure event has been reported at Summerland Unisus School. The dates of the potential exposure are Sept. 27 and 28. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)
When the Summerland Development Company sold land in 1906, the company created a map to show the route to Summerland. The company president was Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

1906 map created to show how to get to Summerland

Many early settlers came to Okanagan from the Prairies

When the Summerland Development Company sold land in 1906, the company created a map to show the route to Summerland. The company president was Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
Madeline Carlson, left, Kira Nilson and Emilia Tolnai show a mural with a National Day of Truth and Reconciliation theme. The mural is at the tennis courts at Summerland Middle School. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

Summerland mural has truth and reconciliation theme

Students at Summerland Secondary School leave hand prints on mural

Madeline Carlson, left, Kira Nilson and Emilia Tolnai show a mural with a National Day of Truth and Reconciliation theme. The mural is at the tennis courts at Summerland Middle School. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)
Summerland bylaw officers Darren Krell, left, and Dan Maja, right, were honoured on Friday after assisting Al Klar, at centre. On June 21, Klar had a heart attack. Krell and Maja were at his business at the time and were able to provide assistance until paramedics arrived. (Contributed)

Quick action by Summerland bylaw officers save man’s life

Officers were at business when founder had a heart attack

Summerland bylaw officers Darren Krell, left, and Dan Maja, right, were honoured on Friday after assisting Al Klar, at centre. On June 21, Klar had a heart attack. Krell and Maja were at his business at the time and were able to provide assistance until paramedics arrived. (Contributed)