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Looking for summer work?
Work at one of the most beautiful venues in the Okanagan.
Linden Gardens is currently accepting applications for the 2013 season. Ideal for students interested in summer work in landscaping/gardening or at the Frog City Café. Applicants should possess a good work ethic, be dependable, presentable, upbeat, and energetic. Duties require physical work including some heavy lifting in the garden so, you should be fit. Suitable for male or female, experience an asset but not required, just a good strong work ethic and a 24 hour smile.
Please call Ken at 250-462-5281 or email
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Stunning Gardens and Incredible Pictures
There is something that impressed me when looking at photos of last summers weddings - the color green. Green shouldn’t surprise anyone when they are looking at photos taken in a garden, but when you look at the 2012 wedding photos at Linden Gardens, the colour really stands out. Not just in one photographers portfolio, the greens are stunning in all the photos. I’m sure any golf course in the Okanagan would be jealous if they looked at our website and saw the deep, lush shades.
Then I wonder, why so green? Probably a combination of the tender loving care that Karen and Tricia apply when planting and minding the gardens. Then too, we had a lot of rain early last spring, which was followed by months of enduring, nurturing sunshine.
I wonder if all of the love that is shared in the gardens has an influence. Families gathering to celebrate the joining of young lovers, fathers walking their daughters over our bridge to the ceremony, mothers proud smiles as the realization strikes them that junior now has another woman in his life; love and emotion nurturing the gardens. Welcome to our gardens where we celebrate life, love and rejuvenation. Check out some of last summers incredible wedding photos in our Gallery.
We have had over 259 weddings since the garden opened in 2007. That's a whole lot of love.
Wine Fest Pig Roast at Linden Gardens - Sept. 30 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm
Celebrate at Linden Gardens as Chef Heinz from Catering Done Right prepares his famous pig roast accompanied by the wines of See Ya Later Ranch and Wild Goose Vineyards. We will also be serving some exceptional beers from Cannery Brewing in Penticton. Ticket price includes dinner as well as beer and wine. Music for the afternoon will be supplied by Kyle Anderson and his Amazing Rubber Band.
Chef Heinz is sourcing his menu using local suppliers, from the pig to the accompanying Okanagan housemade Cherry Chutney. The pig is stuffed with fresh herbs, spices and local garlic. It is then infused with fresh made sweet apple juice and massaged with Hawaiian Red Clay Sea Salt and spices. On the bbq the pig is basted hourly with local blossom honey & grainy mustard. After about 7 hours you have a sweet and succulent roast pig ready for your enjoyment. Come on out to support local growers and enjoy a feast to celebrate the wine harvest.
Tickets are on sale at Frog City Café or call 250-497-6600. $87 per person includes dinner as well as beer and wine. Call now to avoid disappointment as Chef Heinz’ roast pig is always a sell out.
Cycling, Roads and Safety in the South Okanagan
It seems that some are concerned the rough road past White Lake might give the Southern Okanagan and The Axel Merckx Granfondo a bad reputation.
As a destination vacation spot we have much to learn. Aside from the Winery Experience, floating down the river or laying on the beach, there are few attractions for summertime visitors. There has been a lot of talk lately about activities for tourists during the “shoulder” months of our tourist season. Cycling starts in the Okanagan in April and runs through to October. Good, safe roads will encourage more cyclists to make Penticton a cycling destination instead perhaps of heading off to bicycle tours of Washington, Oregon or Utah. We should be doing everything we can to encourage the growing amount of road and mountain bikers to come and enjoy what the South Okanagan has to offer.
An article published in the Penticton Western News on June 28 “Rough road fix near Penticton grinds cyclists' gears”, stated that Penticton City Councillors Jakubeit and Litke had raised the issue with a letter and discussions with MLA Barisoff. The issue being that events like the Granfondo will draw visitors to the South Okanagan but conditions of our roads will ensure that they do not return. If you can go to the office of MLA Barisoff, you will find the pamphlet, “Transportation and You…” wherein there is not one mention of anything past or future to deal with cycling infrastructure. Those responsible for cycling infrastructure on highways in the South Okanagan disregard recommendations of local cycling groups; recommendations dealing with the safety of cyclists as well as establishing this area as a world class cycling destination.
The Penticton Triathalon Club met with MLA Barisoff two years ago regarding the lack of bike lanes on east side road and still there are still only delays to the start of construction. When it finally does start, the initial stage will only be a 1.5-kilometer section along a 13-kilometer stretch of road. Thinking small keeps us there.
It is time that Councillors Jakubeit and Litke meet with MLA Barisoff and more importantly MLA Slater, in whose riding Fairview White Lake Road and East Side Road exist. Let's sit down at the table and put some traction to this project and have someone, finally show some leadership. We need to see a list of improvements and a timetable for cycling infrastructure in the South Okanagan.
Midsummer
Coming soon: the Summer Solstice or more traditionally "Midsummer", with all its myths and celebrations. The tradition is celebrated, mostly in European countries on June 24 with bonfires and dancing around the Maypole. Although I hear that in some gatherings in Northern European countries, dancing has been succeeded by excessive consumption of alcohol.
If you check out Midsummer on Wikipedia here’s some of the info you’ll find:
“Because Midsummer was thought to be one of the times of the year when magic was strongest, it was considered a good night to perform rituals to look into the future. Traditionally, young people pick bouquets of seven or nine different flowers and put them under their pillow in the hope of dreaming about their future spouse”.
One of William Shakespeare’s most popular plays is, “ A Midsummer Nights Dream”. This is the story of a daughter unwilling to follow her fathers wishes who she should marry and the comical goings on that follow, as magic potions are employed and Fairies stir the plot. Of course in the end, the father is overruled and Hermia marries her true love Lysander.
We have a lot of weddings in the gardens every summer and perhaps Linden Gardens is indeed a magical place. You are welcome to come to the gardens and dream of your future spouse, but we would prefer you don’t pick the flowers as they are there for the enjoyment of all lovers who wander in our forest. If you do see a donkey running through the gardens don’t be too concerned, it is probably just a dream.
Madison versus Jefferson
The battle between those who believe government should tread lightly in the economy and those who think same government should be a participant, is heating up. Canada is not immune and over the years has swayed from one side to the other with the gradual acceptance of greater dependence on government. In their youth, most baby boomers felt responsible for themselves and their families. Aside from the need for government to provide infrastructure, such as roads, water and sewer, voters of that time were satisfied without the plethora of agencies now sponsored by the state. A quick view of the "blue" pages in a telephone book quickly reminds that we are not in the 1950's anymore. With the current implementation of the federal budget, the next version of the telephone book should look much thinner. As Canadians, we will get fewer government services, while our politicians are also delivering less. Take for instance Mr. Albas’ current crusade against the antiquated yet ignored wine laws.Wouldn’t it be nice if he could spend less time chasing windmills and more time looking at ways to partner with local government to build better tourism infrastructure in the Southern Interior.
Raisond'etre
As the population ages maybe we should be thinking more about our individual quality of life. Latest research indicates a raison d'être may be even more important than just an active mind in forestalling the demons of dementia. Dementia in all its forms is possibly, as the baby boomers near the susceptible age, the greatest threat to our state run health care system and overall well being.
I was talking recently to one of my friends who has just turned 60. Doug is a fanatical music lover, yet he has never played an instrument. I asked him why he didn't learn to play the guitar considering he is now retired and his love of Rock 'n' Roll. After thinking about it he agreed to sign up for classes, just as soon as he completes his french lessons.
Give me a sense of purpose
A real sense of purpose now
Give me a sense of purpose
A real sense of purpose now
With thanks to Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders
If you'd like to drop by Frog City Cafe for a cup of coffee and ponder your next bold steps in the quiet of the gardens, feel free.
Nature's Diversity
In 1953, the year I was born, the flood control channeling of the Okanagan river was completed. Reacting to previous decades of flood and water storage problems, engineers believed they had tamed the river and put it to work. Wetlands at the time were thought of as nothing more than mosquito infested mud holes, which could be put to better use growing hay. With time comes a better understanding of our environmental options and now these extinct wetlands remind us all, of the pluses and minuses of development. Although it may not be too late to retrieve some wetlands as experienced by Ducks Unlimited purchase of marginal farmland north of Vaseaux Lake, habitat in the South Okanagan continues to be lost in favor of agriculture and urbanization. Don't forget to check out the Meadowlark Festival this weekend at Meadowlark Nature Festival Website.
Mom
My mother came to Kaleden with her parents in the spring of 1926 after making the last leg of their journey to Penticton on the SS Sicamous. Except for a brief sojourn during the war, she spent her life on the family farm in Kaleden, where I write this note. After the early and untimely death of her husband, with five children still at home my mother, who had rarely even bought groceries on her own, proceeded to finish what the two had started. She did what had to be done in a magnificent manner that has left myself, my siblings and their children forever grateful.
Superstitious?
You bet. I met my neighbour on the driveway last Wednesday and mentioned I might turn on some irrigation, so she better be prepared for rain. Well, you know what happened Thursday, the sky opened up, creeks swelled and basements flooded. Saw her again on Sunday last and was advised not to turn on that many sprinklers next time.
New cake at Frog City Café, Pear and Fresh Ginger. Reviews are rave.
Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds and Ribes (red currants) go together like Canadians and hockey. The hummingbirds follow the blooming of the currents north on their migratory trek and this week they arrived at Linden Gardens. To greet them, along with the currants, are the flowers of cherries, tulips, plums and magnolia. After soup and a sandwich at the Frog City Café you can tour the gardens and discover what the tiny birds already know.
Meadow Lark Festival
Join us to celebrate the 15th Annual Meadowlark Nature Festival at the Frog City Café Friday, May 18 from 7 to 10 pm. We are planning a fun evening with live music from Kirk Dixon, an auction and prize draw. Meadlowlark Nature Festival supporters, friends and special guests will all be on hand to answer your questions. Joyce Road Catering will also be here with a wonderful selection of their delightful appies.
Come early if you’d like to tour the gardens. |
