Synopsis: 100 years ago 11 people died when the Okanagan Hotel burned to the ground - this event remains the worst loss of life Vernon has ever suffered. However, one of the dead also saved three people before succumbing to smoke and flame; that person was Archie Hickling. The newspaper hailed him as a hero but today we know  little about Archie Hickling except that a cairn in Polson Park is dedicated to him. Using archival images and text resources, as well as interviews with a family historian, fire fighters and relatives of the hotel owner, a picture of Archie Hickling and his times comes to life. Viewers will also learn about  the difficulty of fighting fires at the time and why, despite the finding of the Coroner's Inquisition, no one was brought to trial for arson. Original music written and performed for this production; "Greater Love," by Rob Dinwoodie.

• The DVD contains the movie (43:44), over 15 minutes of extras such as deleted scenes, outtakes, videos about the Greater Vernon Museum & Archives & O'Keefe Ranch plus the two previously released trailers.

• For teachers and history buffs, a DVD-ROM section of the disc contains production resources such as newspaper articles from 1909 and other documents referred to in the movie. Some production images are also included

The DVD, is shrink-wrapped with the 24 page booklet of all the newspaper articles about the fire in 1909, and available at four locations in Vernon for $25 plus tax. (Shipping & handling is extra)

• The Greater Vernon Museum & Archives
  3009 32nd Avenue Vernon, BC. V1T 2L8
  Talk to Jean (250) 542-3142.

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