September 2023 Newsletter
SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER: School Soup, Farmer's Finale & Dark Skies Movie Night
Naramata School Soup Series
Thanks to some very dedicated volunteers, students have learned how to plant and tend to their very own school garden. Now, the crops are ready for harvest, from carrots to zucchinni and everything in between. Did you know the kindergarten students dug up 60 lbs of potatoes! The students then see how all this wonderful bounty turns into nutritious soup.
For the next few months, chefs/cooks from local establishments are invited to participate in the Soup Series. Each chef is paired with a class to help them harvest the produce they will use in their recipe. On the first and third Wednesdays of the month, soup and bread is served for lunch in the gym for all 78 students to enjoy. Truly a lesson in farm to table: knowing where your food comes from and celebrating local, seasonal, and fresh!
Neighborhood Small Grants
South Okanagan Similkameen
1. At our first event, the Laneway Flowering Project, participants learned about using low effort plantings to beautify forgotten laneways.
2. Our second event is the DARK SKY FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT, Wednesday, September 27 at 6:30 pm, Manitou Park, right after the last Farmer's Market. In our quest to become a certified Dark Sky Community, we are hosting an under the stars showing of "October Sky" with Jake Gyllenhall. Popcorn and drinks provided. BYO lawnchair and blanket. Register via Eventbrite here.
3. Our third event is the SCHOOL GARDEN PROJECT, Sunday October 1, 11-1 pm at Naramata Elementary School. Come pitch in and join your neighbors for a garden clean up and workshop on three different types of composting by Master Gardener James Young. Then celebrate your beautiful hard work with some light refreshments worthy of a garden party.
Naramata's Quest for Dark Sky Designation
Our Dark Sky Team has been working towards achieving the prestigious International Dark Sky designation by updating the existing street lighting bylaw and improving the new build bylaw to incorporate the latest advancements in the appropriate use of light. Here's what you can do at home:
5 Principles of Outdoor Lighting:
Principle #1: Useful
Does the Light Serve a Clear and Necessary Purpose? Consider how extra light impacts wildlife and the environment. Light only areas you need.
Principle #2: Targeted
Light should be directed only where needed. Use shielding and careful aiming to to target the direction of the light beam so that it points downward and doesn't spill beyond where it is needed.
Principle #3: Low Light Levels
Brighter is not better. You might be overlighting, putting more light into the night environment than you intended and wasting energy. Use the lowest light level required. Change your light switch to a dimmer, or use a LED lower-wattage bulb — you’ll be amazed at how little light you need for most nighttime activities! Check out the street light below and see the difference lower wattage and targeted lighting made.
By becoming a Dark Sky Community, we are committed to preserving our precious night sky environment
Naramata Community Farmers Market Finale
Join us for our last Farmers Market of the season, Wednesday, September 27, 3-7 pm at Manitou Park. Pick up local produce, artisan crafts, and wines and spirits. Why cook Wednesdays when you can get dinner from one of the local food trucks? Come celebrate the beginning of Autumn and all the bounty has to offer.
Plus. . .stay after the market to enjoy the Dark Sky Family Movie Night under the stars, courtesy of the Neighborhood Small Grants. See the details in the newsletter above or check out MyNaramata.
NaramataSlow Harvest Supper
Sunday, October 22, 2023
1-4 pm
Autumn is here, harvest is in full swing, and it is time to celebrate the bounty of the season. We are delighted to once again host our long table harvest supper at Columbia Hall, Sunday, October 22, 2023. The format will be weather permitting, outside on the lawn in front of the hall. We are planning an earlier start time to capitalize on the warmer temperatures but will move indoors in the case of inclement weather. As always, the star of the show will be Jay Drysdale's slow roasted pig with everyone bringing a potluck dish to share. The Open Air Wine Lab will be available for tastings 1-2 pm with supper from 2-4 pm. Get ready for food, wine, music, and friends and a chance to celebrate with gratitude together! Tickets are $20/adult and children under 12 are free. Tickets go on sale October 3, stay tuned for more details.
Naramata Community Christmas Market
December 1, 2023
HO HO HOld it. Is it too early to think about Christmas? The Naramata Community Christmas Market returns to main street Robinson Avenue, one night only, December 1st, 2023. We are actively seeking festive vendors to help us kick start the holiday season. If that is you, please email us atnaramataslow@gmail.com
