Photo by Mike Beaulieu
Story by Pat Whalley
Many of our friends from the coast thought we were nuts when Dave and I chose to move here 23 years ago. We would not have access to the same wonderful activities that were available at the coast…the Vancouver Symphony, a huge range of movie theatres with all the latest movies, a wonderful variety of restaurants, quality entertainers on a regular basis and so much more.
They were right, there are so many things down there that we don’t have here….rush hours that last all day, the constant need to take an umbrella, taking an hour to drive to a destination 10 miles away, allowing for an extra hour every time we cross the US border, the high cost of entertainment, the list of things we do not have here goes on and on.
Our little movie theatre cost $4.50 and we can walk there and back. Not too many good restaurants within walking distance, but enough to satisfy us and, more importantly, we can afford to go on a regular basis. Music in the Park and so many other forms of local entertainment by talented artists, usually free or by donation. The almost guaranteed good weather for outdoor activities and, most of all, the friendliness of a small town. Whatever activities you are enjoying there is always someone who smiles at you and strikes up a conversation. I have learned of babies being born, neighbours who have had heart attacks and people who are listing their homes, just while waiting in line at the supermarket or picking up veggies at the farmers market. You can hear all the local gossip while you shop, and, when did you last get asked for ID in a bank or store, in Oliver?
The past weekend is just one marvellous example of small town fun. Starting with the duck race, so simple an activity but so much fun. The kids interacting with the firemen and then chasing the ducks, then the amusements in the carnival. We walked round with our grandchildren and saw so many friendly faces, all families having fun and local vendors selling their various foods and crafts. Saturdays parade was great, as usual. I think that Oliver is one of the only towns that still tosses out candy, without fear of getting sued that little Johnny may get hit by a flying candy or be run over by a tractor.
Sure we don’t have much privacy, that is the cost of everyone knowing everyone else, but that maybe keeps us honest. It doesn’t take long to find out who is cheating on his wife or who is suffering from some life threatening disease, but that is a small price to pay for living here. It is a caring community. Nearly everyone in town feels the pain of the residents of Park Place and the anger of the people in Tradewinds, who are being continually harassed by the property owner.
Will we ever move from Oliver??? Maybe ill health and the loss of a driving licence will eventually force us to move nearer to a larger hospital, but, otherwise, I cannot see us wishing to move away from our haven in the sun.