The Okanagan Historical Society has released its 76th Report. The Kelowna branch of the historical society will be holding a book sale at Rona on next Friday and Saturday

Okanagan History, the 76th Report of the Okanagan Historical Society, is now available. 
Articles of historical interest, stories of people, families and events in the valley, and tributes to the memory of our loved ones are all included in this valuable record of Okanagan history.
There are some outstanding articles in this edition of the annual report.
Bob Whitehead, one of the original team of five who designed the Hiram Walker Distillery, has written an article on the history of the Hiram Walker Okanagan distillery in Kelowna. Hiram Walker operated for 25 years, from 1969 until 1995, and by its peak production year of 1981, employed more than 210 full-time employees. It remains as the largest, most efficient and most expensive beverage production facility of any kind ever built in western Canada. The fascinating story of the beginning of Hiram Walker until its closure is chronicled in the 2012 annual report.
Moving Fresh Fruit by Steam Tugboat: the Introduction of Railway Transfer Barges in the Okanagan was written by Ian Pooley. This article tells the story of how and why the Okanagan Lake barge service came to be.
Kelowna has submitted tributes to the memory of Marion Bews, Ray Bostock, Herb Capozzi, Joan Chamberlain, Bob DeMara and Gifford Thomson.
There are also several articles on the First Nations, as well as many other stories submitted by the various branches of the Okanagan Historical Society.
The main objective of the historical society is to record in writing and pictures the history of the valley. Each year, articles and pictures are submitted by branches of the historical society from Oliver/Osoyoos, to the Similkameen, Penticton, Summerland, Kelowna, Vernon, Armstrong-Enderby and Salmon Arm. Since 1926, this collection of stories and histories of Okanagan personalities, institutions, businesses, places and events has been published by the society. 
The Kelowna branch of thesociety will be holding its annual book sale at Rona on Springfield Road at the following times:
• Friday, Dec. 7 from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The 2012 OHS Report, as well as the 2011 report, and Kelowna Street Names book, will be available at that time. Come and visit us at our book table and see this excellent source of local and Okanagan Valley history - a book you will treasure for years to come. This book would make a wonderful Christmas present.
You may also buy these books right now from Kelowna Director Bob Hayes (250-763-8859). The 2012 report will also be sold at the Okanagan Heritage (Kelowna) Museum and Mosaic Books.
The 76th Report of the Okanagan Historical Society has 224 pages, with 33 articles and many pictures. 
If you have an article on the history of the Okanagan Valley that you would like to submit, please contact the Kelowna branch editor, Ann Bostock at 250-764-4173.
Please visit the Okanagan Valley Historical Society website: okanaganhistoricalsociety.org.
Born in Kelowna, Judy Snowsell is the past Kelowna branch editor of the Okanagan Historical Society. She is a lifelong resident of the Glenmore area of Kelowna. This article is part of a series submitted by society. Additional information would be welcome at P.O. Box 22105, Capri P.O., Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 9N9.