By Lyonel Doherty, Times-Chronicle
As the Oliver Fire Department prepares to celebrate its 100th birthday, a local artisan has come up with a one-of-a-kind donation.
Guitar maker Terry Schafer has donated a “Pandemic Edition” for the fire department’s upcoming raffle.
“It’s not a concert quality guitar but more a time capsule, made with a lot of love and care,” said Schafer, who put 300 hours into the project.
As the global pandemic took hold in 2020, Schafer learned that the fire department wouldn’t be able to hold its annual dinner and raffle.
“So, I thought perhaps I could build a guitar that they could raffle off without the dinner and dance.”
Schafer started with a spruce top and a Spanish cedar neck that received a carbon fibre truss rod for support.
“As I installed the fan bracing, it occurred to me that it might be ideal for some comments between those braces that could embrace this bit of history, whether in praise of first responders, our local fire department in particular, or about the pandemic and how we might handle such a calamity.”
Area C director Rick Knodel was the first to respond with, “There is no greater valour than for those who move toward danger in service of others.”
Mayor Martin Johansen wrote: “The world has changed forever. Let’s spend our energy embracing it and working towards a better tomorrow.”
Former MLA Linda Larson wrote: “If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. It’s the hard that makes it great.”
Former Mayor Ron Hovanes chimed in and offered: “To give of yourself to protect others, there is nothing to match your service.”
Dr Bonnie Henry’s famous quote was also included: “Be kind, be calm and be safe.”
Osoyoos Indian Band Councillor Tony Baptiste had a different angle: After a two-week isolation period he wrote, “Danged quarantine.”
And Oliver Fire Chief Bob Graham wrote: “We adapt, innovate and overcome to assist in your time of need.”
Local historian Larry Shannon offered the following: “To be remembered by future generations for service to your community is a great honour. However, many people make positive contributions to their community without recognition. This has equal honour.”
After the guitar’s interior was filled with these comments, Schafer put everything together.
“I used a nice piece of wine soaked oak (from a local winery) for the fretboard and was delighted to have all the firemen sign the back of the guitar before lacquering.”
A mural on one side shows a fireman fighting a structure fire.
Graham was thoroughly impressed with the instrument and can’t wait to see the public’s response during the raffle.
“It’s a beautiful guitar,” he stated. “It’s nice that a lot of the firemen were able to sign it; some of the guys who’ve been here for a long time.”
The chief said the department is hoping to plan a few special events, including the raffle in honour of their 100th anniversary this year. But it will all depend on what’s happening with the pandemic, he pointed out.
Graham said unfortunately they will not be having their dinner (and dance) banquet or cash raffle due to COVID-19 restrictions. The popular spring training seminar in May has also been cancelled.
“Normally we would have somewhere in the order of 300 to 400 firefighters from all over the province come for the weekend, but that’s too many people to have an event at this point in time.”
Graham said they can’t risk preparing everything and having it cancelled at the last minute. This is what happened in 2020, he noted.
But the chief hopes they can have an open house with some displays for the anniversary this summer.
Graham said the raffle will likely be an online project where people from all over the country can purchase tickets to win the guitar.
“Those are just some ideas that we’re tossing around at this point because we don’t know what we’re allowed to do from week to week, so it’s pretty hard to plan too much.”
