To the Editor:
This letter is about community spirit, that very special something that is vital to the health and happiness of our small Okanagan and Similkameen towns. Sometimes it’s difficult to pin down just what we mean by”community spirit” and where can we find it. Let me tell you about one such group that totally fulfills the definition of community spirit. For the last 10 years, The Sage Valley Voices Community Choir has worked together in the town of Oliver. Starting with 12 members it has now reached the grand total of 50 members. This choir requires no audition to join, just a joy of singing and a love of togetherness and friendship. Many people new to Oliver have found a place to belong with the choir. Everyone is welcomed with open arms. The choir itself is non-profit and money raised at their concerts goes out into the community to help support the soup kitchen, the food bank, some music students, and many others. We take part in many community activities such as the Christmas light-up, the Remembrance Day service, and where requested.
The choir is now facing a serious crisis which could put an end to this wonderful organization. At the end of the Christmas concert, with no previous warning, the choir pianist just quit, leaving us scrambling for a replacement. Surely there is someone out there who could accompany our choir for their spring concert in April. If you like laughter and fun and great friendship and would like to help out we’d like to hear from you. Let’s keep the community spirit strong.
Alice DeRoche, Penticton
