The mission of my trip to the Okanagan in early October was to taste, sip, and experience a bounty from the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society and its members but along the way I discovered a few more points of interest worth exploring the next time you’re in the area. One of said attractions is the SS Sicamous, parked at 1099 Lakeshore Drive West in Penticton, which is the largest surviving stern wheeler in British Columbia:
SS Sicamous in Penticton
100 years ago, before there were any highways in the region, the SS Sicamous transported passengers and cargo to remote communities along Okanagan Lake. It was originally assembled in Vernon after arriving on the Canadian Pacific Railway on 18 separate rail cars and it first set sail in 1914.
1932: SS Sicamous at the dock. Archives# CVA 447-2686. Photo by Walter E. Frost
The luxurious vessel would depart from Penticton before the crack of dawn, sailing the length of the lake and making 14 regular stops before reaching its northern terminus at Okanagan Landing (Vernon). Stops were also made if signal fires were lit along the lake and the boat could pull up almost anywhere nose-first, then back out with the power of its paddlewheel.
After 22 years in service it was retired and tied up to rest at Okanagan Landing Ship Yards. In the 1950s it was home to the Penticton Museum and throughout the decades it fell in and out of condition, underwent renovations, repairs, and modifications.
Today the ship is operated by the SS Sicamous Marine Heritage Society, with help from the City of Penticton, and it is one of the last surviving vessels from its era of travel throughout the distant corners of the British Empire.
On board you’ll find displays, a miniature Kettle Valley railway, and event rental space throughout. In fact they already have 14 weddings booked for 2015. The museum is filled stories about travel through the inland waterways of BC and the rooms are beautifully restored. Not only that but the outer decks provide lovely views of the lake and the Penticton waterfront.
The SS Sicamous is open Thursdays through to Sundays, from 10:00am to 5:00pm, and closes occasionally for private events and weddings. Family admission is $18, and children 6 and under are free. Check the website for accurate/applicable rates and hours, and follow along on Facebook and Twitter for the latest visitor info.
Last week I was on a trip to the Okanagan where I snapped colourful landscape photos of views and vineyards as far as the eye could see. To my surprise, none has garnered as much attention as a photo of a manhole cover I took upon my return to Vancouver. Locals, as I have come to learn over the years, appreciate three things that made this photo a success: Coast Salish art, autumn in Vancouver, and finding art in unexpected places.
There are thousands of these creatively designed cast-iron covers all across the city and thanks to the Ironclad Art project, new contributions are added to the mix.
The particular cover that I captured was designed by master carver Susan Point, who has created a variety of public and fine art works including several at Vancouver International Airport such as Cedar Connection and the Salish Welcome posts in the international arrivals area.
This photo was taken in Coal Harbour but there is another manhole cover at First and Commercial designed by Susan Point and her daughter Kelly Cannell, and another similar cover in the Olympic Village. You can view a full gallery of these designs and others submitted to the Ironclad Art project online.
Sometimes we’re so busy looking up in Vancouver, at the mountains, rain clouds, and construction cranes building up our City of Glass that we tend to miss some of the beauty that’s right under our feet.
This fall you can support KidSport, getting children active in organized sports, when you visit participating Triple O’s locations. Until October 24th, donations made at any of the 32 participating Triple O’s locations will support registration fees for children in BC.
KidSport BC is Triple O’s charity of choice and over the past four years they’ve helped raise nearly $93,000, so all kids can play! Funds raised October 6th to October 24th will help kids with financial barriers experience the benefits of sport participation by covering the registration fees for a sport season of their choice.
- KidSport believes that ALL children should be given the opportunity to experience the positive benefits of organized sport.
- Since 1993 KidSport Canada has given half a million kids the chance to play sports through KidSport grants.
- Last year in BC, 6700 kids played a season of sport thanks to KidSport assistance.
- For approximately every $200 raised, one child in a local BC community gets a chance to play sports for the year.
- Each KidSport chapter across the Province gives back to kids in their local communities.
- All of the money raised at our participating Triple O’s restaurants will go back to KidSport BC and kids in their local communities!
On the very last day of the campaign, Friday, October 24, 2014, Triple O’s will celebrate “KidSport Day” by donating $1 from every combo sold back to KidSport. You can also donate online anytime.
To promote this partnership and support KidSport, Triple O’s has also offered up a $50 gift card for a lucky Miss604 reader. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment with a sport or playtime activity that you loved as a child (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Follow Triple O’s on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information about this campaign. I will draw one gift card winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, October 24, 2014.
Update The winner is Tim!
Dust dances in the beam of light streaming from the projector. Your hand trembles as it reaches for another piece of popcorn that may or may not make it to your mouth as you pause with fear. You start whispering to the characters on screen, warning them of the danger they are about to put themselves in. The music picks up, goes silent, and here come the screams! The thrill of a scary movie is most welcome at this time of year and if you’re looking for a hair-raising good time, check out these 3 places to watch Halloween movies in Vancouver:
Rio Theatre
Location: Rio Theatre at 1660 East Broadway, Vancouver
Online: Twitter / Facebook
Rocky Horror Picture Show on Friday, October 17, 2014 at 11:30pm. All ages welcome in the balcony. Tickets $8 in advance or in costume, or $10 at the door. Bar service for those 19+. Audience participation is highly encouraged. $2 prop bags will be sold in the lobby prior to the show.
Night of the Living Dead on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at 6:30pm. Presented by The Gentlemen Hecklers. Tickets $6 in advance or $9 at the door. 19+ only with bar service. Join the Gentlemen Hecklers for a special Halloween edition of the show, when they are going to take you through one of cinema’s greatest, goretastic, zombies-want-to-eat-you classics. with their live, hilarious commentary.
Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice on Friday, October 31, 2014 at 11:00pm. All ages. Tickets $6 advance or in costume, or $8 at the door. Bar service for those 19+. All ages welcome in the balcony. Costumes highly encouraged.
The Cinematheque
Location: The Cinematheque at 1131 Howe St, Vancouver
Online: Twitter / Facebook
The Wicker Man on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at 6:30pm; Friday, October 31, 2014 at 8:30pm; Saturday, November 1, 2014 at 10:15pm. Also part of the Halloween Triple Bill ($21) on October 31st and November 1st.
Nosferatu the Vampyre on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at 8:20pm; Friday, October 31, 2014 at 6:30pm; Saturday, November 1, 2014 at 6:30pm; Sunday, November 2, 2014 at 4:15pm; Sunday, November 2, 2014 at 8:20pm. Also part of the Halloween Triple Bill ($21) on October 31st and November 1st.
Eraserhead on Friday, October 31, 2014 at 10:15pm; Saturday, November 1, 2014 at 8:30pm; Sunday, November 2, 2014 at 6:30pm. Also part of the Halloween Triple Bill ($21) on October 31st and November 1st.
Vancity Theatre
Location: Vancity Theatre at 1181 Seymour St, Vancouver
Online: Twitter / Facebook
On Wednesday, October 29, 2014 catch Faith Healer + clip talk: The Canadian Horror Picture Show at 6:30pm; Canadian Horror Show clip talk with Ernest Mathijs at 7:20pm; and Ginger Snaps II: Unleashed at 9:00pm.
On Thursday, October 30, 2014 get your tickets for Nightbreed – The Director’s Cut at 6:30pm; Prom Night (1980) at 9:15pm; and Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II at 10:50pm.
Vancouver is not immune to haunted houses and ghostly tales, and at this time of year eerie amusements and attractions with the sole purpose of scaring your proverbial pants off pop up all around town. I found five that will get your blood pumping this season:
North Vancouver
What: Belmont Haunted House
Where: 1006 Belmont Ave, North Vancouver (Edgemont Village)
When: October 15th to October 31st from 2:00pm to 9:00pm daily
About: Promising to be the region’s largest and spookiest independent haunted house. The elaborate mix of special effects and live actors is guaranteed to make you scream. Admission is by donation to Ronald McDonald House BC.
Surrey
What: Potter’s House of Horrors
Where: 12530 72nd Ave, Surrey
When: October 10th to October 31st from 5:00pm to 10:00pm
About: The House of Horrors is a professional presentation in a labyrinth like walk through of approximately 9,000 square feet. It consists of several rooms and displays connected together by dark twisty hallways. New for 2014, Potter’s has added a second haunted house. 5:00pm to 6:30pm every night is “Family Hour” when lights are brighter, sounds are lower, and there are no actors. After that, it all gets amped up and is not recommended for children from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Tickets can be purchased online in advance for $10 (plus taxes/fees).
What: Historic Stewart Farm
Where: 13723 Crescent Road, Surrey
When: October 25th 3:00pm to 4:30pm (5-7 years); 6:30pm to 8:00pm (7-11 years)
About: This one’s for the kids! Stop by the farmhouse in your costume and discover that it has been taken over by ghosts. Admission is $15. Pre-register by calling 604-592-6956.
Vancouver
What: Judge Dee’s Chinatown Haunted House
Where: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden at 578 Carrall St, Vancouver
When: October 21st to October 31st from 7:00pm to 10:00pm (closed October 27th)
About: Not suitable for children at any time. The Classical Chinese Garden transforms into a terrifying Haunted House featuring over a dozen actors, dancers and musicians. This one-of-a-kind experience is inspired by the gruesome stories of Judge Dee: China’s Sherlock Holmes. Tickets available online in advance for $12, $10 for students or on site.
UPDATE: Vancouver, West End
What: Barclay Manor Haunted House
Where: 1447 Barclay St, Vancouver
When: Friday, October 31st from 7:00pm to 9:00pm and Saturday, November 1st from 4:30pm to 6:00pm and 6:30pm to 8:30pm
About: Historic Barclay Manor is one of the West End’s oldest houses and being a Vancouver heritage home has its own natural creepiness. Make your way through the haunted house and see what surprises we have in store! This year promises to be the scariest yet, ages 8 and older recommended. Pre-registration at the West End Community Centre is recommended.
Burnaby
What: Haunted Village
Where: Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby
When: October 23rd to October 26th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
About: More than a house, the entire Burnaby Village Museum has been converted into a Haunted Village filled with Halloween haunts for young and old. The Village, the Farmhouse and the carousel will all be adorned in a ghoulish, spooky yet fanciful fashion. This year the decorations play with the theme of crows and Victorian steam punk. Admission is $14 for adults, youth and seniors and $9 for children 2-12 years old. Entrance includes trick-or-treating for the children, entertainment and carousel rides for all. Taxes included. Tickets available at the door; Members free. The Ice Cream Parlour will be open for ghoulish snacks and light meals.
UPDATE: Maple Ridge
What: Glenhurst Manor Haunted House
Where:11661 Glenhurst St, Maple Ridge
When: October 25th, 26th and 30th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm; October 31st from 5:00pm to 10:00pm.
About: Admission is by donation of cash or non-perishable food items for the Friends In Need Food Bank. 10 live actors bring the house to life. Guests will enter the haunted house through the hotel lobby, then walk along corridors from room to room. There will be a room decorated in red velveteen with flickering lights and candles and a children’s room with a brass day bed and fleur de lis decor. Upon exiting the hotel, guests will walk into an area filled with 30 jack-o-lanterns and where they will find a cemetery and mausoleum. On Halloween night from 5:00pm to 6:00pm there will be no actors in the house so that families with young children can visit.
