Perched on Mount Rose Swanson鈥檚 southern peak, where you can see Otter Lake, Swan Lake and the north arm of Okanagan Lake is a perfect spot to take it all in.
As the Armstrong Spallumcheen Trails Society was dedicating a bench constructed and erected on the mountain in memory of its former president Peter Rotzetter in October, five eagles soared overhead; a sure sign Rotzetter鈥檚 spirit was with them.
Rotzetter, owner of Chocoliro鈥檚 Finest Chocolates, died suddenly Jan. 30, 2020 at age 56 and his death left a huge hole not only with the society but in the Armstrong-Spallumcheen communities.
鈥淲e were trying to come up with a way to honour him,鈥� current society president Marge Sidney said. 鈥淗e was involved with the chamber, the (North Okanagan-Shuswap) rail trail, but he loved Mt. Rose Swanson.鈥�
Rotzetter鈥檚 widow, Jolanda, requested after her husband鈥檚 death that donations in memory of Peter be made to the trails society, which collected $1,327.75. The club decided to buy a durable bench, compose a plaque and install it at a semi-secluded viewpoint near the tower on Rose Swanson.
鈥淚t was an interesting field trip to put up the bench,鈥� laughed Sidney. 鈥淭he bench came in pieces and was close to 200 pounds. We had to bolt it into the bedrock so we had a dolly cart to move the pieces up the trail. We took turns wheeling the cart up and at one point, we had to have four members carrying it.鈥�
On Thanksgiving Monday, Oct. 11, 15 society members and guests 鈥� including Sidney鈥檚 mother and legendary Armstrong teacher, 98-year-old garbage-picker-upper Helen Sidney 鈥� took some crystal glasses and bubbly to the bench. And with Jolanda joining them, they toasted Rotzetter, told stories and shared some laughs and tears.
roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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