Although Inland Kenworth now spans from the Yukon all the way down to New Mexico, the company’s roots are in the Okanagan.
In the late 1940s, Inland’s founder Lloyd Parker launched Parker Industrial Equipment in Penticton. Parker found success selling U.S. war surplus vehicles for use in Canada. In 1957, he became intrigued by the premium quality logging trucks being built in Burnaby, by the Canadian Kenworth Company. This led to the start of Inland Kenworth, one of the first Kenworth dealers in Canada. By the 1970s, the company had expanded to 10 locations around B.C. Today, Inland Kenworth, now led by president Bill Currie, operates 22 dealerships in the Yukon, B.C., Southern California, Arizona and New Mexico. This summer, the company set its target for expansion back to the Okanagan, opening a 10,000 square foot parts and service facility in West Kelowna at 2485 Ross Rd. Sitting on 2.6 acres, the new dealership has six service bays and will stay well-stocked with quality Kenworth proprietary and TRP all-makes parts. Rick Datoff is the dealer manager of the new West Kelowna shop, with Aaron Sanders, fixed operations manager, and Mike Wakelin, service manager.
Iain Rennie has been appointed as the new executive chef of the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort. This award winning chef and 2004 Gold World Culinary Olympics recipient will be responsible for the hotel’s upcoming renovated restaurant and wine bar. The hotel is preparing for a significant renovation of its lobby and with that comes a new destination kitchen and wine bar. Chef Rennie has obtained 16 gold medals and five silver medals in world culinary competitions.
Norman Embree, chair of IHA (Interior Health Authority) and director David Goldsmith will both complete their tenures on the regional health board. Embree has served on the board since 2007 and has been chair since 2008. Goldsmith has served on the board since 2008. Board director Erwin Malzer, of Kelowna, will step into the role of board chair effective Jan. 1.
Sandra Sellick has been elected to represent the BC and Yukon chapter of the Canadian Evaluation Society on the national board. The society, established 35 years ago is the professional and credentialing organization for evaluators in Canada. Sellick served in the public education sector for 35 years, primarily in the role of a school and district principal.
Dr. Troy Wielgosz, of Okanagan Chiropractic, has relocated his office from Pandosy Street to Mill Creek Crossing, 105-1912 Enterprise Way. As a fifth generation chiropractor, Wielgosz has been serving Kelowna for 22 years, continually providing the highest state-of-the-art science to the healing art we all know as chiropractic. He began practicing with his Uncle Brian in his Great Uncle Gerald’s chiropractic office in Portage la Prairie, MB. His focus is to teach people where health comes from, how to get it and why keeping it will make your life richer. His wife, Judy Wielgosz, is the lead wellness expert in patient education in his office. Call 250-762-2888; online okanaganchiropractic.com.
Barry Lapointe, CEO and chairman of Kelowna Flightcraft, has made a $500,000 donation to the Bright Horizons Building for the Skills Fundraising Campaign to help complete the $33-million project to expand and renovate the trades training complex at Okanagan College. Lapointe’s donation brings the $7-million fundraising campaign over the $3 million mark.
Kudos to volunteer chiropractors Dr. James Whillans, Dr. Kevin Holroyd, Dr. Travis Pillipow and Dr. Vince De Jong for volunteering their services this past year at Kelowna’s Gospel Mission. They arrive Wednesday evenings, set up a table in the tiny staff room and perform free adjustments for the homeless. There are many people living in pain and discomfort and helping people get their health back on track can play a huge role in helping them start working again and regain their independence, says Dr. De Jong.
Urban Barn, at 504-1500 Banks Rd., is closing for major store renovations from Jan. 5 to Feb. 14. That means that the Christmas sales are starting early in the store, so watch for some great bargains to be had.
The Rotary Club of Kelowna- Okanagan Mission has made a donation of $1,000 to the Salvation Army children’s programs. Laurie Gaymer is the president of the Club.
The Revival Group (formerly Twisted Tomato Group) are now part of five new restaurants and bars in our city. Revival Group owners Jason and Michelle Troll named the company Revival as all their new and existing properties were in need of renovation. The Twisted Tomato, which has been closed due to a fire earlier this year, is due to re-open in May. The entire restaurant will be rebuilt/renovated except the patio, which is still intact. The new Italian Table and Fleetwood Public House at the Best Western Hotel have both opened. The Italian Table offers starters, pizza, salads, pasta and risotto, entrees and family style dining along with a kids menu and lunch available all day. The new Pilgrim and Pearl oyster bar and 27 Lounge will open Feb. 2 at the Prestige Hotel on Abbott Street. Gerry Jobe is the director of operations of the new Revival Group.
Robert Barr is the new executive director of the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra. He brings over 20 years of experience in arts management and operations in B.C. and Ontario. Join the OSO on Saturday, Jan. 17, for Winter Splendour or Friday, Feb. 13, for Shakespeare In Love. Both concerts start at 8 p.m. See more info online at okanagansymphony.com.
Cell Werx Kelowna has moved to a new, larger and easy to locate store-front location at 2640 Pandosy St. (next to Earthly Creations). Owned and operated by Kurt Berube and Ashley Simpson, Cell Werx specializes in providing knowledgeable and personable service for people looking to repair and/or unlock your cell phones and tablets along with selling accessories. Cell Werx also has locations in Vernon and Victoria. Call 250-215-3398.
The Sons of Italy will host a dance Dec 31 with a DJ starting at 7 p.m. Midnight snack and sparkling wine. For tickets ($20) call Ono Curatolo, president Galileo Lodge, at 250-862-7799.
The Kelowna & District Safety Council is organizing its 11th annual bus trip to the Vancouver Motorcycle Show at the Abbotsford TRADEX on Saturday, Jan. 24, 205. Tickets are now on sale. The Vancouver Motorcycle Show is BC’s largest motorcycle event. Call Tania Meyer at 250-765-3163
In an effort to better protect the safety and confidentially of the women and children who use the Kelowna Women’s Shelter, the shelter is asking members of the public to follow new donation drop-off guidelines. The public is asked to take all donations to its Thrift Store, 368 Industrial Ave. Call 250-763-1040. Karen Mason is the executive director of the Kelowna Women’s Shelter.
Research shows that at 63 years of age, Doris Kotscha is the oldest female in Canada to receive her first degree black belt in ITF style Tae Kwon Do. Passing the test, she is now referred to as a First Dan, which means first degree black belt holder. Practicing the martial art for more than six years, Doris highly recommends this kind of activity as a fantastic way to push oneself way beyond your own capability in stretching, strengthening muscles and equilibrium. She feels that anyone can take up this sport and the fun part about martial arts is that you are really in competition with yourself. Getting medals at competitions is always a bonus as Doris has won several over the years. She suggests that anyone interested in getting healthy and having fun, contact Sundance Martial Arts at instructor@sundancemartialarts.com. Doris is the president of Affordable Web Design Ltd. Call her at 250-762-5987; email doris@affordablewebdesign.ca.
Congratulations to Don and Loraine Richmond and all their many volunteers and sponsors for raising $50,000 for Kate Rosvold at the Christmas Concert for Kate. Kate has Wilson’s disease a multi-system genetic disorder, which is fatal unless detected and treated before serious illness from copper poisoning develops.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 103 Emma Kirschner (Dec. 31); happy 60th Deb LeCavalier (Dec. 30); happy 30th Heather Craine (Dec. 28); Genelle Davidson (Dec. 24); Peter Sebastian (Dec. 25); Marie Yvonne Cleaver, (Dec. 25); Julie Krieg (Dec. 25); Chris Cleaver (Dec. 26); Jim Ramsay (Dec. 25); Terry Balfour, San Juan Puerto Rico (Dec. 26); Alex Fong (Dec. 27); Barry Carter (Dec. 27); David Burke (Dec. 27); Vince Curatolo (Dec. 27); Christopher Miller (Dec. 27); Dino Padula (Dec. 27); Amanda Curatolo (Dec.28); Ute Freitag (Dec. 29); Randy Topham (Dec. 30); Donna Martin (Jan. 1); Wayne Pierce (Jan. 1); George Van Wilde Rode (Dec. 2); Barb Douglas (Jan. 6).
I will not be writing a column next week. So a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. I’ll be back in the Jan. 7 edition of the Kelowna Capital News.
