The response from last week’s column about the beautiful 1951 flower beds in City Park has been strong, ranging from fond memories to an actual gift of a heritage geranium from Brenda Thomson.
I also got a call from the daughter of Herbert Woods who was working with the City of Kelowna in the late 1940s to mid-1950s.
This gentleman may have well been instrumental in beautifying the beds back then in City Park.
Thanks for all the feedback and thanks again to the folk who contributed so much to beautifying our city during those years.
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I lost a good friend recently, a passionate gardener and very nice person.
Olga Fahrun had so many gardening interests, including growing vegetables and fruit, as well as some exotics such as figs.
She loved to propagate her annuals for the garden and enjoyed trying something new every year.
She had a huge collection of named German iris and knew them all by name.
A few years ago, I wrote a Gardens West article about Olga and her garden and, of course, it included her dear partnerKurt, who shared her passion.
My condolences go out to Kurt and all the family.
Olga will be missed, however the gardens in Heaven will be thriving.
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I’ve written several times about how the drive and experience up to our mountain lakes has changed over the years and how it just isn’t as enjoyable as it used to be.
This past weekend, I decided to spend a day and a night visiting relatives at a lake I have never been to before and what a delight.
Not only is Echo Lake a natural spring-fed body of water nestled in a deep valley with the forested mountains towering on both sides, it is still in pristine shape with no dirt bikes and ATVs.
The resort is owned and operated by Gail and Georges Boucher, who keep the place so organized and clean it truly has the feeling of a resort with all the amenities and ambience of a fish camp.
I was thrilled with the containers full of annuals, perennials, conifers and even some tropical that Gail lovingly takes care of.
The water in the lake is so clear you can see 15 feet to the bottom, however after a short distance from the shore the bottom drops off to depths of 100 feet and more I’ve been told.
This time of year is not the best for fishing,
especially fly fishing, which is all I do; however, the lake produces some really nice fish in the two kilogram size and there are one or two with my name on them that I am going to catch this fall when the conditions are right.
This is truly a family lake and children are welcome. There are cabins available and, of course, nice clean camp sites.
It was so cool to see the clean-up person with her lawn rake going over the camp sites even before we left.
Check out the website for this fabulous place at www.echolake-fishing-resort.com or call toll free: 1-877-547-6434.
