This week’s column is dedicated to a long-time, well-known retired pharmacist Ron Waller, who passed away suddenly on Aug. 31. I can still remember receiving a prescription from Ron at Lakeside Pharmacy (formerly Gant’s Pharmacy) in the Underhill Clinic in the mid 1970s. Whether it was in sports or Kinsman and K-40, Ron gave many years to helping his community. I was honoured to be at his Celebration of Life. Personal condolences to Wendy, his entire family and many friends.
Brett Millard, the former managing partner of Thom and Associates, along with Ryan Dawes, Diane Facciotti, Brenda Joyner and Kerry Griffith have started up their own financial business called Speir Wealth Management Inc. (Investia Financial Services).
Located at 4-757 KLO Rd., the company is now associated with MGA Wealthlink Financial Services (Terry Wardrop, Gary Wardrop and Mike Mervyn), along with Investia Financial Services. The company offers full service financial planning, life insurance and investment fund management. Call 778-478-4277; www.speirwealth.com.
A landmark in Glenmore, Corbin’s General Store has come alive once again at 525 Snowsell Rd. (former Glenmore Road junction). Now owned and operated by Bruce Brodowich and Karen McLennan, they have hired Jill Demers as store manager. She was formerly with the Tim Hortons location in Glenmore for 15 years. The entire store has been gutted and re-created to look like it’s going back in time with old Coke and Pepsi signs looking like an old fashioned neighbourhood corner store. Corbin’s offers Arcadia Bay coffee and also has a coffee club card for those who travel past the store every day. Also look for ice slushies, root beer floats, the large selection of old fashioned candy, selected groceries and lottery tickets. Parked in their large parking lot are two food trucks; Hermco Street Food (burgers, fries, Philly cheesesteak, tacos and brisket) and Gung Ho (Gyoza’s and poutine). Next spring, they plan to add a farmer’s market in the parking lot area. Check out their Facebook under Corbin’s General Store. Call 778-478-4258.
They sell trucks! Just opened this past week, The Buy Direct Truck Centre, a division of Kelowna Hyundai, specializes in a one stop Truck Centre, with all pre-owned trucks. The inventory of 100 trucks will consist of all makes and models of trucks, diesels and imports. The dealership will carry all trucks available and all the sizes you can think of. Located at 1638 Carey Rd. (formerly Parklane RV and Kelowna Auto Auction), the Truck Centre is being managed by Perry Papadogonas, who has worked for Kelowna Hyundai owner John Kot for several years in Alberta. Call 778-478-7057; buydirecttruckcentre.com.
Talk about a milestone! Peter Baker celebrates 40 years working for Acklands Grainger. He started his career in the Lower Mainland working in operations and sales. He then became a manager, sales manager, regional sales manager and now he is back in his element as a safety specialist in Kelowna, relocating here in 2007. This modest, affable and positive guy started with the company when he was only 18. Call 250-491-3181.
Well-known Kelowna-born realtor Hugh Mervyn is finally retiring (“finally” was his son’s word, not mine). After being licensed for 45 years, Mervyn was one of the first and longest standing members of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board and is also a past president of the organization. He was a managing partner with Lakeland Realty and spent the last 18 years of his career with Coldwell Banker. Mervyn was also very involved with Kinsmen and K-40. He now has three main goals in life—removing all the remaining fish from Okanagan Lake, skiing at Big White and working on his golf slice.
Nicolle Gomez de Sous and Julia Garner have joined the sales team at Tourism Kelowna to assist in efforts to sell Kelowna as a meeting, incentive travel and sport event destination. Gomez de Sous will be the new contract business development consultant in Calgary. Garner has replaced Alexa Creelman as sales coordinator locally. Nancy Cameron is the president and CEO of Tourism Kelowna. Call Julia Garner to discuss Tourism Kelowna’s events, trade shows and FAMS at 250-861-1515 (217) or julia@tourismkelowna.com.
Congratulations to Jim Milne and Pam Johnson, both formerly of TAC Mobility, who got married Sept. 6 at Whistler. Jim has been an instrumental and long-time volunteer in the Maxine DeHart-United Way Ramada Hotel Drive-Thru Breakfast collecting your donations as you drive through the breakfast line-up.
A new addition to Canadian Blood Services Interior is volunteer coordinator Catherine Buhr, who will be recruiting for in-community and in-clinic volunteers. Canadian Blood Services rely heavily on their volunteers, having about 14,000 across the country. For info on how to volunteer visit www.blood.ca or call Catherine Buhr at 250-448-8057; catherine.buhr@blood.ca.
Congratulations to Sarah Foss (manager, Perkins Restaurant, located in the Ramada Hotel) and Jeramie Cole on their pending marriage Sept. 14 at Benvoulin Church. Carrying out the marriage service will be marriage commissioner James Harnden.
Entertainment, a leader of discounts and promotions for over 50 years, has been acquired by HSP-EPI Acquisitions LLC, a group led by Lowell Potiker, son of founders Sheila and Hugh Potiker. The Entertainment book for the Thompson Okanagan area, which was established in 1995, will enter its next phase of evolvement with the introduction of digital products. This will include both an on-line and mobile app components. Consumers will have the convenience of accessing offers through their mobile phone or computer. Tom Keitel, who has been in the company for over 18 years, is back in Kelowna after spending 10 years in Vancouver. As senior account executive for Western Canada, Keitel will continue to develop the business through this format. Entertainment continues to support schools and non-profit organizations through the sale of their products as a fundraiser and have been sponsors of the Maxine DeHart-United Way, Ramada Hotel Drive-Thru Breakfast for many years. Call Tom Keitel at 778-839-6208; tkeitel@entrtainment.com.
Start cleaning out your home and office and get your shredding ready for the 5th annual BMO Shredathon on Saturday, Sept. 21, at BMO Capri Centre branch, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All donations will benefit the Sunshine Dreams for Kids Foundation. Again, they are teaming up with Iron Mountain who donates their time and shredding trucks for the event.
Breakfast on the run? Drive, walk, blade or bike through the Ramada Hotel (Enterprise Way entrance) and pick up your Interior Savings breakfast bag filled with goodies and surprises valued at over $120 during the The Maxine DeHart-United Way Ramada Hotel Drive-Thru Breakfast on Thursday, Oct. 10, from 6 to 9 a.m. This year, Island Farms will provide something new. You will receive either their famous 237 ml chocolate milk or their 237 ml 2% milk. The 2% milk will go well with the Kellogg’s cereal also in the breakfast bags. Mary Krupa, of Morningstar Enterprises/Get to Know Program, is donating two Robert Bateman art prints with certificates of authenticity. Family Hike was created by Bateman to celebrate the historic launch of the Get to Know Program in the US. All the bags will have the famous Tim Hortons Tim Bits, along with Tim Hortons owners serving you their delicious hot coffee. You will also receive Sun-Rype juice and fruit bars, MarketPlace IGA breakfast bars, Kozy Shack Pudding, Solo Energy Bars and BC Tree Fruits apples, personally delivered by Colin Pritchard. Bring your dogs and get a treat from Purina. In the line-up to greet you will be Fortis, Beyond 50 Magazine and Princess Auto. Please support us as all monies raised stay right here in our community and no one cent goes into administration costs. Please open your hearts and your wallets. Call 250-979-4546.
Kelowna Waldorf School welcomes the following new faculty members—Michelle Townley (Grade 5 main lesson and physical education/games for Grades 1-8); Gary Badke (kindergarten); Iris Wagner (German teacher for all grades); Beverly Hunter (remedial teacher). The school is accepting registration for preschool and kindercare as well as kindergarten to Grade 8. Laurie Bartley is the development administrator. Call 250-764-4130. www.kelownawaldorf.ca.
Springfield Funeral Home will host Compassion in the Hard Places: Companioning the Bereaved and Understanding Presence, a one-day, six-hour workshop presented by Clair Jantzen, grief and loss therapist. It is for those who work with the bereaved and those who wish to deepen their understanding of the walk of sorrow after loss. To download a brochure of for more info visit www.clairjantzen.ca or www.springfieldfuneralhome.com or to register call 250-860-7077. Also, ask about their continuing education units for your organization/agency.
If you are out and about on Saturday, between 1 and 5 p.m., drop into Discover Wines at 2080C Springfield Rd. (Orchard Plaza). Owner Tracy Gray is celebrating the wine shop’s 10th anniversary. There will be tons of giveaway prizes and a cake cutting at 2 p.m.
Cabana Grille, 3799 Lakeshore Rd., has new hours now that fall is upon us. The popular restaurant is now open Tuesday to Saturday from 4 p.m. (closed for lunch) and also closed Mondays. The Sunday Brunch will continue from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Shane and Amanda Nevdoff, the bride and groom who were displaced from their wedding because of the Westbank Community Hall fire, wish to thank friends and citizens that might have been missed and made their wedding day a success, with help and contributions. They include Lance Helmmer, Ange Miller, Gail and Doug Thomas, Brenda Furman, Sheline, Keline, Suthie and Billie Grover and Marlene and John Nevdoff.
The inaugural Thrive Health Festival bringing local doctors, patients and the community together is Saturday, Sept. 21, at City Park, from noon to 4 p.m. It is open to the public and free to attend. For more info call Tommi Hanley at 250-808-9959 or tommi@shopthevalley.c.
Shine Model classes for girls ages 7-17 are fun and exciting with new classes starting the week of Sept. 16. Students learn life skills, posture, poise and presentation to build character and self-esteem. Call Sylvia Bourassa at 250-717-5819.
Birthdays of the week: Jim Lanyon (Sept. 12); Marj Roseberry (Sept. 16); Marilyn Hedman (Sept. 16); Greg Salloum (Sept. 8); Chris Jennens (Sept.18) and happy 60th Jeannie Russell, Capital News (Sept. 18).
