With summer season in full swing, SilverStar Mountain Museum is geared up to host an impressive array of engaging events.
“There’s an activity for everyone in the family, from children to grandparents, artists to naturalists,” said Patti Shales Lefkos, PR chair with the museum.
Nobert Maertens kicks things off on July 2 and 8 with a two-part presentation on herbs used as healing throughout the ages, featuring a slideshow and nature walk to identify herbs that grow at Silver Star.
Join well-known Silver Star naturalist Roseanne Van Ee on July 9 at 1 p.m. at the pond for a tour around Brewer’s Pond while she shares fascinating stories of pre-skiing history and environmental changes over the years.
The rock hounds in the family will love geologist Warner Gruenwald’s mountain tour, The Rocks Beneath Our Feet, on July 15 at 9:30 a.m.
“Find out how Silver Star got its name, search for minerals sought by prospectors in the 1800s and learn about the history of the fire lookout,” said Patti Shales Lefkos, PR chair with the museum.
For a little bit of nostalgia, a lot of history and maybe even a bit of local gossip be sure to sign up to follow Norm and Nancy Crerar on a walk around the resort on July 16. Part of the consortium that brought Silver Star Resort back to life in the ’80s, the Crerar’s are ready to regale you with interesting stories of the history and development of our favourite resort.
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Grab your tickets through Ticket Seller July 22, then hike or catch the gondola to the summit for a special event sponsored by The Allan Brooks Nature Centre at 11 a.m. Linda Peterat of the Silver Star Museum Committee will give a talk on the fire lookout.
For those who love flowers and prefer a gentle walking pace, join Margaret McKenzie, a botany expert and member of the North Okanagan Naturalist Club on July 23 at Brewer’s Pond to discover interesting facts about the flowers and plants of the mountain.
The final outing in July will see Dr. Ward Strong lead an Insect Safari July 29, at Brewer’s Pond at 1 p.m. To identify your catch, nets and hand lenses will be provided for a close up examination, before the insect are released back to nature.
Get ready for a gondola ride and talk on Aug. 6 with Ministry of Forests expert Jim Wright,who is ready to regale you with tales of the history of the Silver Star Fire lookout and the role that fire lookouts played in wildfire detection and control over the years. Gondola pass required. Group rate available.
“Every wonder the names of all those trees you schuss or bike past at high speed?”
Slow down and take a look with Greg O’Neil as he heads up on Aug. 12 for an easy walk to learn how to identify those trees by their cones and bark and how a core sample can tell their age.
And, no, we haven’t forgotten about the kids. Local artist and author of three children’s books invites children of all ages to bring their sketch book and pencils to create a souvenir of Silver Star to take home.
Many, but not all, of the July events will be repeated in August. Meet museum volunteers at their tent on Main Street in the village close to the ticket office. Donations welcome to support the Silver Star Museum.
For advanced registration or any questions email Debbie Dell at dell6506@gmail.com. Maximun number per group is 12. All events start at 10 a.m. unless otherwise noted. Duration of tours is approximately two hours.
Come on up, enjoy the fresh air, celebrate the outdoors and learn more about Silver Star Mountain this summer.
For the complete schedule of events visit skisilverstar.com.
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