Brown Bag Lecture Series

The Brown Bag Lecture Series is held every Tuesday at lunchtime (noon to 1 pm) from September to April. Each week a guest lecturer speaks about a subject in their area of expertise. Topics include local history, travel, culture, and natural history. Admission is by recommended donation of $2 per adult and $1 for children.

Interested in sharing your passion or experiences in a Brown Bag Lecture? Contact us to find out how: 250-490-2454 or email.

Upcoming Events

There are many valid reasons for wanting to produce a book, some of them practical and some of them whimsical. There is good software out there to allow one to be creative to craft the book you have dreamed about producing; the trick is just to decide to do it! I will provide some encouragement and guidance from my own experience.
Gerald Buzzell is a retired Anatomy professor. He studied and taught in Alberta, Australia, England, Spain, Kuwait, and the UAE. This experience will be reflected in many of the self-published books he will describe.
The Brown Bag Lecture Series is an opportunity to spice up your lunch hour with interesting presentations and discussions on a variety of heritage and culture topics.
Museum Auditorium (785 Main St). Admission is by donation. Suggested donation is $2 for adults, $1 for children. For more information contact: 250-490-2451 or museum@penticton.ca
Born out of the Okanagan Summer School of the Arts in April 1994, the Penticton Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (PAMDA) has been inspiring and mentoring students in music education. Catherine Jones, PAMDA Executive Director will share her insights into the essential role of the arts to our human spirit as she presents about PAMDA.
The Brown Bag Lecture Series is an opportunity to spice up your lunch hour with interesting presentations and discussions on a variety of heritage and culture topics.
Museum Auditorium (785 Main St). Admission is by donation. Suggested donation is $2 for adults, $1 for children. For more information contact: 250-490-2451 or museum@penticton.ca
On the 10th of June, 1940, Benito Mussolini declared war on Britain and France. And suddenly, almost half a world away, neighbours here in the Okanagan were at war with each other. For Italians here in the Okanagan, it didn’t matter that you had lived here for a decade or more, had become a citizen or even had enlisted to fight for the Allies. You were still considered an enemy alien. Across Canada, over 700 Italians were gathered up and sent to internment camps. But only one of those came from the Okanagan Valley – Federico Lenzi from Summerland. We learn more about Fred Lenzi and this dark chapter in Canadian history.
After retiring from a career as a digital marketer, Gord has been telling the story of the Okanagan’s Italian Community. Together with Don Rampone, as chairs of the Kelowna Canadian Italian Clubs La Nostra Famiglia Italiana Heritage Committee (Our Italian Family), they have been gathering and sharing the story of Italian immigrants to the Okanagan Valley. Their award winning project has been recognized by Heritage BC and the Central Okanagan Heritage Society.
The Brown Bag Lecture Series is an opportunity to spice up your lunch hour with interesting presentations and discussions on a variety of heritage and culture topics.
Museum Auditorium (785 Main St). Admission is by donation. Suggested donation is $2 for adults, $1 for children. For more information contact: 250-490-2451 or museum@penticton.ca
In addition to the S.S. Sicamous Stern Wheeler, the S.S. Sicamous Society cares for the S.S. Naramata (the last surviving steam tug in the interior of BC), the SS Okanagan Stern Saloon, CN Tug #6, and the dredge shed. Find out more about these structures and what's required to care for them.
Five years ago, Robert moved to Penticton from Hong Kong, where he had lived for almost 40 years. He is a professional accountant, and since retiring more than 20 years ago he has pursued a number of interests, including genealogy and history. He has published six books (and is working on two more) and contributed to a number of journals on matters relating to European history in China, a subject in which he gained a master’s degree in 2018. Robert is also a member of the Okanagan Historical Society, the Royal Canadian Legion, and a director of the SS Sicamous Marine Heritage Society.
The Brown Bag Lecture Series is an opportunity to spice up your lunch hour with interesting presentations and discussions on a variety of heritage and culture topics.
Museum Auditorium (785 Main St). Admission is by donation. Suggested donation is $2 for adults, $1 for children. For more information contact: 250-490-2451 or museum@penticton.ca
As a part of their efforts of to build meaningful relationships among neighbours, the South Okanagan Similkameen Community Connections Volunteer Centre received a federal grant to support their Elder to Senior Project. This initiative focuses on building understanding and connection between Elders and Seniors through a series of community events. Chief Clarence Louie’s presentation as a Brown Bag Lecture is one of a number of community events being held throughout the Okanagan and Similkameen.

Chief Clarence Louie is a sought-after speaker and a successful entrepreneur who has been Chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band for over 36 years. Chief Louie is one of six First Nations leaders to emphasize economic development in American Indian communities as a means to improve people’s standard of living. Chief Clarence Louie is one of the longest running chiefs in Canada, elected in 1984, leading his community for four decades. Chief Clarence Louie is known for focusing on economic and business independence to strengthen his community.
The Brown Bag Lecture Series is an opportunity to spice up your lunch hour with interesting presentations and discussions on a variety of heritage and culture topics.
Museum Auditorium (785 Main St). Admission is by donation. Suggested donation is $2 for adults, $1 for children. For more information contact: 250-490-2451 or museum@penticton.ca
Chandra Wong will be your Master of Ceremonies as the audience tests their knowledge of Penticton's heritage during this gameshow format presentation in recognition of BC's Heritage Week February 17-25, 2025.
Chandra Wong is the Penticton Museum & Archives' Assistant.
The Brown Bag Lecture Series is an opportunity to spice up your lunch hour with interesting presentations and discussions on a variety of heritage and culture topics.
Museum Auditorium (785 Main St). Admission is by donation. Suggested donation is $2 for adults, $1 for children. For more information contact: 250-490-2451 or museum@penticton.ca
If you’re planning a visit to Cathedral Park in B.C., chances are you already know of its rich biodiversity, breathtaking alpine vistas, and clear, cold lakes. But whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsperson familiar with the area or a beginner camper looking to check a new park off your list, there is no better manual than John Henry’s Guide to Backcountry Adventure in Cathedral Park.
Author John Henry, veteran hiker and outdoorsman, worked as a park facility officer in Cathedral Park for twelve years. He will share his knowledge and experiences in this backcountry park during his presentation.

The Brown Bag Lecture Series is an opportunity to spice up your lunch hour with interesting presentations and discussions on a variety of heritage and culture topics.
Museum Auditorium (785 Main St). Admission is by donation. Suggested donation is $2 for adults, $1 for children. For more information contact: 250-490-2451 or museum@penticton.ca
Clint Morrish, researcher will speak on his journey through the Similkameen and Okanagan Valleys to follow the ancient trails of the lost Spanish columns in British Columbia, with guests Randy Manuel, retired Penticton Museum curator, and Grant Crooker, Keremeos historian.
Clint Morrish is a third generation Penticton resident. He worked as a heavy equipment operator and business owner in many locations throughout British Columbia. His love of history and southern British Columbia have taken him to many amazing places and meeting many Native Elders and Pioneers.
The Brown Bag Lecture Series is an opportunity to spice up your lunch hour with interesting presentations and discussions on a variety of heritage and culture topics.
Museum Auditorium (785 Main St). Admission is by donation. Suggested donation is $2 for adults, $1 for children. For more information contact: 250-490-2451 or museum@penticton.ca
Discover the surprising diversity of bird life in our neighbourhood, from large raptors and owls to tiny hummingbirds and flycatchers…where hundreds of species live, breed or visit during the passing seasons. Learn where to find them, how they live, feed, breed and survive.
Photographer Jodi Forster has been a bird lover most of her life. A move to an Okanagan ranch added another dimension when she followed a hummingbird family through hatching to fledge. As a member of the South Okanagan Naturalists, Jodi now explores far and wide for special bird sightings.
The Brown Bag Lecture Series is an opportunity to spice up your lunch hour with interesting presentations and discussions on a variety of heritage and culture topics.
Museum Auditorium (785 Main St). Admission is by donation. Suggested donation is $2 for adults, $1 for children. For more information contact: 250-490-2451 or museum@penticton.ca
The story of how Larry Kwong overcame all odds to make the giant leap from Vernon’s Chinatown to hockey’s big league is an incredibly inspiring one. Yet, the first NHL player of Asian descent didn’t get the chance he deserved, and he still hasn’t received his due as a hockey trailblazer and builder.
Chad Soon is a Vernon teacher who is campaigning for more recognition for his late friend and hero. He wrote an illustrated biography, The Longest Shot: How Larry Kwong Changed the Face of Hockey, which will be available for purchase at the talk.
The Brown Bag Lecture Series is an opportunity to spice up your lunch hour with interesting presentations and discussions on a variety of heritage and culture topics.
Museum Auditorium (785 Main St). Admission is by donation. Suggested donation is $2 for adults, $1 for children. For more information contact: 250-490-2451 or museum@penticton.ca
Utilizing stories, songs and poetry, Brakeman Jack brings you a whimsical and original slant on our heritage. Note! Specifically for this knowledgeable Brown Bag Lunch audience Jack will include topical local material in today’s program. An hour of history with humour plus a rousing singalong ending.
For 25 years Jack led The Kettle Valley Brakemen in entertaining audiences from the coast to the Kootenays. These days Jack has a solo show and he’s broadened his creative efforts to include poetry as well as song. Jack resides in Idyllic Naramata.
The Brown Bag Lecture Series is an opportunity to spice up your lunch hour with interesting presentations and discussions on a variety of heritage and culture topics.
Museum Auditorium (785 Main St). Admission is by donation. Suggested donation is $2 for adults, $1 for children. For more information contact: 250-490-2451 or museum@penticton.ca
This presentation will introduce some basic geologic concepts such as geologic time, plate tectonics and the forces of mountain building before highlighting some of the key geological events that have shaped the beautiful landscape that define the Okanagan Valley.
Craig MacDougall is a recently retired Mineral Exploration Geologist now residing here in the Okanagan Valley. His career spanned some 38 years exploring and evaluating projects for base metals (Copper, Lead, Zinc, Silver and Nickel) and precious metals (Gold, PGM’s) in over 18 countries from here in Canada to South America, Africa and Oceana (Australia, PNG, Indonesia).
The Brown Bag Lecture Series is an opportunity to spice up your lunch hour with interesting presentations and discussions on a variety of heritage and culture topics.
Museum Auditorium (785 Main St). Admission is by donation. Suggested donation is $2 for adults, $1 for children. For more information contact: 250-490-2451 or museum@penticton.ca

Mark Your Calendars: Spring Schedule

Date	Speaker	Topic
Jan. 14	Gerald Buzzell	Adventures in Self-Publishing
Jan. 21	Catherine Jones	Penticton Academy Of Music and Dramatic Arts
Jan. 28	Gord Hotchkiss	Italian from Summerland Interned during WWI
Feb. 4	Robert Nield	SS Sicamous
Feb. 11	Chief Clarence Louie	Building Understanding between Elders and Seniors
Feb. 18	Chandra Wong	Heritage Week Gameshow
Feb. 25	John Henry	Backcountry Adventure in Catherdral Park
Mar. 4	Clint Morrish	The Legend of the Spanish Mound
Mar. 11	Dianne Bersea	South Okanagan Extraordinary Birds
Mar. 18	Chad Soon	Okanagan & World Hockey Hero Larry Kwong
Mar. 25	Jack Godwin	Our Eclectic Heritage
Apr. 1	Craig MacDougall	Okanagan Valley's Geology

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Brown Bag Lecture Series

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Mark Your Calendars: Spring Schedule