We all know our hard writing newsman Lyonel Doherty. Armed with camera, pen and paper, I’ve tried to read his handwritting, not a chance, we see him everywhere there is a story to tell. But why does he write? How did he get started?

A poem by Lyonel Doherty written when he was 17.

Ripples

Ripples, ripples

Ringing there

On the lake

A child’s stare

Like china glass

A fish’s eye

A sailing leaf

Hurries by

Something calls

But is never seen

On forest trails

In evergreen

I throw a stone

In the blue

With troubled thoughts

That ripple you

Across the world

They cry to me

They come so far

By shallow sea

Until the shore

Of ancient sand

Ripples die

In someone’s hand

Lyonel Doherty

Uncork the Sun!

We rocked we rolled . . . again, to the sound of Jack and Jill! We do like to have community parties and the world is welcome! And that Jill can really belt out a tune! Nice!

The Downtown Browns, looks like they took a moment from their volunteering for a snuggle and a wee sip . Thank for volunteering!

Tony Munday takes and evening off, sort of, with the lovely Brooke and the little ones.

Who is that fellow with Councilor Petra?

Nice to see the guy who takes care of our Pets, Dr Grant performing a perfect full off the ground daughter swing-around!

The Volunteers who do all the hard work! Thank you!

The Artist are hanging out at the Oliver Roots and Fruits Expo today at the park. Sally, Luba and Arylene invite you to come on down to the park for lots of fun, lost of art, Bees, they have a Bee Station, got to check that out! Petting Zoo! Pie baking, now that means happy tummys!

Off to the Parade!

Check out this beauty a 1929 Model A Rat Rod!Custom built by Dennis Farnsworth form bits and pieces. Not one piece bought, all traded the ultimate in recycling. It took Dennis just over a year to build, he finished it in May of 2016.

Not let see if I get this right. Front end is from a 49 chevy pick up, breaks a 52 chevy, the rear end is a Nisson Pathfinder.

The engine from Seattle is a 66 mustang 289, you know how I feel about Mustangs!

The pitman arm is from a Corvette.

And the body is from a museum in Fort Nelson, via from my good friend Jaime Pacheco. Dennis’s wonderful wife, the street racer, she confessed to me, Arleyene is a fabulous painter! You can see her work at the Roots and Fruits festival on Saturday and the car will be in the parade.

I found out why it is called a Rat Rod. Because the metal is raw and the body is not painted.

I do love the details on these old cars!

The hood ornament is a copy of the original from the 1929 Model A. Dennis put a lot of time and love into this. He is selling it for $12,000. Runs like a top and the perfect accessory for scooting round town.

PS they are also looking for a car dolly.

Thank you so much for the ride and the fun. I love old cars! And some advice from Dennis when you are hot roding around. “Keep it between the ditches”.

The sound of a good engine makes my teeth Sweat!

We have decided on  “Social Column“.

Let’s give them something chat about! 2007

One definition of Social Column is writing about people who are fashionable. Well farmers are fashionable, so are artists and the people of Oliver are very fashionable. I think I am on the right track.

To my surprise most of you did not like “Gossip Column”. Okay!

Nothing is written in stone till Sept 1. The Dressmaker, Dianne and I were watching birds in the yard and I gave her a task to come up with the perfect word. A few Quail later she says “Social Column” I like it!

I am also working on the look. This is definitely fun!

What a night with Terance Jack and band at the Firehall Brewery. We rocked, we rolled and a few times I just wanted to listen. Nice! And just who is that beauty with the big blue eyes front and centre! More later on this mystery woman!

The feature Artist was Diane Gane. As always Diane see things from her own perspective. This sneak peek was brilliant. If you missed it she will be guest artist at the gallery on Main St. in September.

Pouring was Grant Stevely from Dubh Glas Distilleries. He made Margarete a little refreshing something, perfect for a hot summer night. I love his graphics and the story about Ceres the Grain Goddess.

Sid and his Mini Me ready to build houses styling in the latest work safe headgear!!

And here are those beautiful blue eyes again and again! Carol with her little Mini Me!

Snuggling to the music my Angel Lorraine and her hubby photographer, guitar maker, Ed. They are also the host of Above The Orchard B& B.

And the fashinista of the evening are Donald, left and Ed, right. Two dapper Irish gents, meet in Canada in 1973, been friends ever since. Donald in his 3 toned cobalt blue flowered shirt knows how to pick the perfect Tee for his friends birthday present. You did a  styling job Donald, Ed looks marvellous!

During some refreshing rain, Hélène put this beautiful little up cycled hooded sweater on. She looks – simply elegant!

Part of the hard working team behind the scenes Dermott and Danielle. Thank you and to the rest of the crew for a great night. Looking forward to Firehall Brewery Back Alley Concerts 2018!

Our MC tonight, Cal and the beautiful Trish celebrating 30 years of marriage. Smiling and enjoying Terence Jack and the band.

Diane Gane has a creative mind that is packed full with colours, shapes and lines. I have enjoyed this preview and look forward to really looking at the embellished body forms. They will be standing from Sept 7 to 31 at the Art Gallery on Main St, sharing space with Beyond Bliss with the new look.

A great night was had by all! Thank you to the Firehall Brewery’s 2017 Back Alley Concert Series. Great music, food, beverages and Art!

Best of all the great people of Oliver!

Come down to the Firehall Brewery for some Art from the amazing Diane Gane! Music from Terence Jack and Wine from Hidden Chapel Winery! Gates open at 6!

Diane has one of the most creative minds I have met!

During a Wild Woman Workshop Diane dressed up as Rosie the Driller!

This award winning sculpture is just a peek at what Diane will have on display tonight! You will have a second chance to see the collection as Diane Gane will be the first guest artist at Leza Macdonald Art Gallery on Main St.

And just how do the veggies get from the fields to your markets?

Hard working people like Kevin, 38 and Odane, 24 below, come to Oliver from Jamaica to work the fields. They stay outside till about two. When it is too hot they hit the packing house.

When not in Oliver working our fields Kevin grows yams, plantain and bananas in Jamaica. Odane farms and works as a security guard. What country do they like best? Jamaica they both smile.

Their boss Gary has been farming here for over 20 years. He invited me to visit the packing house after two in the afternoon.

I found Kevin working with Tanesha packing cherries. The first thing I notice was how cold it is in the packing house. No wonder Tanesha is styling in that hat in the middle of a hot summer day.

Jorge and Lucio are both from Mexico. Jorge has come up here for four years to work.

We thank all of you for coming up to Oliver and working the fields, cause with out you the food would just rot and not get to market.

Cherries all packaged to go overseas.

Taran, 12 is the son of Gary and Nimmi. He kindly gave me that beautiful bag of sweet cherries. Thank you! I asked him if farming was in his future. I got a big smile but no comment!

Colin from Calgary is wondering around Oliver on a totally different set of wheels.

He is cruising the streets of Oliver on a Hoverboard. They go off road too!

Love the shoes! Below the red runners Colin controls the speed, backwards, forwards, the blue tube, yuppers, I can hear music . . . and it lights up at night. All this with pressure sensors.

Colin likes our little town, he says there is lots to do. And the Hoverboard is a great way to cruise Oliver when vacationing with the parents, he smiles!