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South Okanagan Photos

In the top five in BC

PREMIER’S PEOPLE’S CHOICE

•Firehall Brewery – Oliver
•SO Country Radio – Penticton

 

a a dennis22

 

Congratulations to Dennis Walker (left) and Syd Ruhland below

Photo by Kim Lawton Marie-Eve with Sid
Photo by Kim Lawton Marie-Eve with Sid

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sidney built the Firehall Brewery from the ground up (literally) 2 1/2 years ago after attending Okanagan College’s School of Business, in the old firehall basement in Oliver, the Wine Capital of Canada. “The beer of wine country”. Full story on web site. Recently released You Tube video called Craft Beer Revolution, featuring a song written, played & sung by Sidney, about the craft beer industry in B.C. Won gold award for BEST STOUT at Fest of Ale in 2013 & 2014. Sponsors & provides beer tastings for many community & charity events in Oliver & the Okanagan. Hosts Back-Alley Concert series in the back alley of the Brewery. Spent grain goes to local farmers. Very eco friendly, Sidney’s passionate about his beer, and his community. Employs his younger brother. . Uses as many local ingredients as possible, with no preservatives in his beer. Sid is married with a 8 month old son, and another baby on the way.

Penticton’s “Man of the year” from 2003 ventured onto the internet to talk to a loyal audience he has always called his country music family. His personal family roots are from the heart of the Kootenay’s in Creston, where his broadcasting career started when he was 14 calling KIJHL hockey games, and high school basketball for community TV. A full time radio gig started after high school graduation at the then privately owned CFCK radio.

When one of the last family owned radio stations in the country was sold in 2012, the close-knit hard working staff at GIANT FM in Penticton was let go. The programming was changed and the true local flavour was gone. 3 weeks later Socountry.ca arrived on the scene.
Dennis took a true local element and put it online on his internet station: So Country

As a truly community-minded business owner, you’ve seen & heard Dennis at countless local events. A genuine kind soul, his well known voice and personality deserves serious recognition in our region.