The Okanagan Home Center has just opened at 2A-2720 Highway 97 N. (beside Majestic Mattress).
Owned and operated by Marlowe Vogel and Derek Miller, their new business offers barbecues, hot tubs and are a fireplace superstore, with gas fireplaces, woodstoves and custom fireplaces. Look for the Saber Barbecues, which use 30 per cent less natural gas or propane with no flare-ups and free assembly, and the famous Green Egg briquette model. For a limited time, you can also trade-in your old barbecue. The Home Center can also modernize your current fireplace and update the look from wood to rock, provide fireplace inserts and wood and free standing gas fireplaces. The store also carries Artesian Spas from a four person spa to the new large swim spas. Call 250-448-0617; www.okhomecenter.com.
Greg Keenan is the new hospitality manager of the Kelowna Yacht Club, an experienced Red Seal Chef and certified culinary food instructor and consultant in the industry. Keenan will oversee the yacht club restaurant and banquet operations and is now helping to prepare for the move to the new clubhouse currently under construction.
The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce has welcomed a few new board members. Jon Summerland (Okanagan Film Commission) and Brian Bonsma (Speedpro Signs) will serve one-year terms. The advisory board has grown in members with Barry McGillvray (Okanagan School of Business), Corinne Shoranick (JCI Okanagan) and Ryan Letourneau (JCI Kelowna).
Linda Digby is the new executive director of the Kelowna Museums Society, relocating from Drumheller, Alta., where she ran the local mine museum. Digby has 14 years of experience as a museum executive director. She replaces Lesley Moore, who had taken over the top job at the Kelowna Museum in 2012 from long-time executive director Wayne Wilson.
Buck LaRoche has made an addition to his detail shop, Auto Trim Line Detail & Signs at 264 Leon Ave. TZ Auto Sales and Lease sells cars, truck, vans, SUVs and also offers on-site financing. Check out the website www.tzauto.com or call either 250-215-7220 or 250-899-5833.
Margaret White, formerly of Windward Travel and more recently with WestJet, has joined the team at Maritime Travel Kelowna, 109-1912 Enterprise Way. White has more than 25 years in the travel industry. Call 250-860-0633; email mwhite@maritimetravel.ca.
The Valley-Wide Business After Hours is on Thursday, May 8, from 4:30 to 7 p.m., at Father Pandosy Mission, 3685 Benvoulin Rd. There will be more than 75 vendors taking part and the public is invited to come check it out. Tickets $20. Call 250-861-3627.
What a golf deal! In support of the Kelowna Morningside Rotary Club and sponsored by Purolator and Kelowna Flightcraft, the 12th annual Hole-in-One Golf Tournament takes place Friday, May 23, at Kelowna Springs Golf Course. You have a chance to win $20,000 in prizes, with 18 holes of golf (Texas Scramble)—all par 3s. Two holes with hole-in-one prizes at $20,000 each and 16 holes with $300 cash prizes (per hole) for closest to the pin and men’s and ladies long drive for $100 cash each. Along with the hole prizes, there is a great steak dinner and silent auction all for $125. Call Graham Allcock to register at 250-470-4145 or email gallcock@shaw.ca.
If you have not visited this boutique style décor consignment store, you are really missing out, but make sure you have loads of time to browse. Home Again Consignment Boutique has expanded with a move to a new location 8-3046 Tutt St. (Tutt Street Square). Owned and operated by Marni Avery and Shanti Handley, the shop will accept gently used quality house wares, furniture, bedding (like new) miscellaneous linens, decorative pillows, kitchenware, dishes, mirrors, artwork, pottery, unique décor, select vintage and antique items, designer handbags, jewelry and much more. The store will also accept a limited supply of crystal, silver and select china. Their standard consignment terms are 90 days with discounts on unsold items at 30 and 60 days. Their prices are based on age, condition, style, brand name, comparable market value, original price and previous sale history of similar items. Item drop-offs are accepted Tuesday to Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you have large furniture or several items, call in advance to book an appointment at 778-484-5888.
Sassy Shoes has opened at 105-1851 Kirschner Rd., in the new Stewart Centre North (behind the new Women’s Place). A little off the beaten track, the shop is owned and operated by Bonnie Schadeck. The store has a different boutique feel, a little sassy with comfort, carrying all new brands to Kelowna of funky and comfortable shoes from all over the world. The majority of the brands are from Portugal, Spain, France and Italy, such as Gold Button, Neosens, Dkode, Felmini and Brako and OTBT. Also look for boots, purses and some other accessories. Call 778-478-7011.
URBA Uptown After Hours is May 7, hosted by Valley First Credit Union, 101-110 Highway 33 West, from 5 to 7 p.m. Everyone welcome $8 per person. Call 250-451-986 or email info@uptownrutland.com.
Congratulations to Brandy (Tom Harris Cellular) and Dustin Isagawa (Isafin) on the birth of their twin boys Milo and Linkoln on April 23.
The Kelowna & District Genealogy Society will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Wednesday, June 18, at the downtown library. The society is trying to contact former members from K1 to K100 to invite them to the celebration event. If you are a part of this group, contact Marie Ablett at dougmarieablett1@shaw.ca or 250-763-7159.
Happy 65th anniversary Dick and Bernice Sanderson (May 5).
Jim Belshaw and Soles4Souls invites you to have dinner at Montana’s Cookhouse on Tuesday, May 6, as part of Montana’s Community Nights fundraiser. Once a month throughout the year, Montana’s donates 10 per cent of all food sales to a local charity or not-for-profit group. Montana’s general manager Rob Rand feels it is their responsibility to do as much as they can to support local charities that do so much for our community. Montana’s will also be a drop off location for your gently used shoes. This year, the shoe demand is even greater as Soles4Souls is now supporting 100 BC Homeless Shelters.
The Kelowna General Hospital Auxiliary’s 62nd annual Blossom Time Fair is fast approaching on Friday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Cottonwoods, 225 Ethel St. Over the past 62 years, volunteers have raised more than $250,000. At the fair you will find numerous items to purchase, including plants, ice cream, fresh baked goods, china, jewelry, purses, antiques, books, puzzles, collectables and treasures. There will be a barbecue, fish pond for the kids, face painting, raffle tickets, 50/50 draw, entertainment by Just Us and The Old Time Fiddlers and lots of laughs with the Caring Clowns.
Okanagan College returned home from the Skills BC competition with 11 medals (three gold, four silver and four bronze). Winners of the provincial competition are eligible to compete at the nationals held in June in Toronto. Kelowna students who will represent the province are Ken Anderson in automotive service (gold) and James Webber in electronics. Other Kelowna medalists are Jay Kendrick, automotive collision repair (bronze); Christopher Dalton, carpentry (silver) and Alex Pelton, electronics (bronze).
Speaking of Okanagan College and if you have a soft spot for aspiring chefs, join the Dairy Farmers of Canada and the Culinary Arts Centre at Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus for the Cheesiest Sweet and Savoury Competition taking place May 7, 7 p.m. Apprentice chef teams will create their own cheesy dessert and savoury cheese dishes, all of which will include delicious Canadian cheese paired with sumptuous Okanagan wines as part of the Spring Wine Fest. Every guest will cast a vote to determine the cheesiest culinary creation and wine pairing while entertained with live music, all held at Infusions Restaurant on the campus. Cost is $40. Register for tickets with Linda Dyck at ldyck@okanagan.bc.ca or 250-762-5445 (4426).
The Kiwanis annual Hanging Basket Sale will be held at the Mission Creek Alliance Church parking lot (corner of Springfield and Cooper) on Saturday, May 10, just in time for Mother’s Day, from 9 a.m. to noon. Baskets are from Bylands Nursery and for pre-orders call Chris Thatcher at 250-860-9921. Net proceeds to local children and youth Kiwanis projects.
It has been one year since Ellen Mathew’s son Chris passed away from colon cancer. As part of their journey, the family, together with the Rotary Club of Summerland, has initiated the Giants Head Grind—Christopher Walker Memorial Race, which will take place May 17 in Summerland. Their goal is to raise awareness and funds for the battle on colon cancer. Participants are welcome to register for the race or donate. Go to www.giantsheadgrind.com or call Ellen at 250-809-9290.
If you have not visited The Mountie Shop (Official Retailer of the RCMP) you should take a look for a gift or perhaps some memorabilia for yourself. Net proceeds from the sale of all officially licensed RCMP products support the RCMP Foundation in its efforts to create a better life for Canada’s youth at risk. To learn more about the foundation, visit www.rcmp-f.ca or take a look at www.themountieshop.ca. There are some really neat items on the site and free shipping until May 16. I am proud to be on the national board of the RCMP Foundation.
To Celebrate Asian Heritage Month the Kelowna Art Gallery will feature Japanese Original Paper Craft (May 11), Chinese Pellet Drum and Dragon Toy Crafts (May 18) and Korean Paper Kites (May 25). Contact 250-762-2226 to register.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 101 Gertie Johnston, IODE (May 5); happy 60th Wanda Toepfer (Apr. 11); happy 65th Len Toepfer (Apr. 17); Bill Traverse (May 1); Susan Steen, Central Okanagan Hospice (May 3); Dale Adamoski (May 3); Gary Wardrop, Wealthlink Financial (May 3); Verna Burnell (May 3); Lorina Dick (May 4); Chris Cowan, Kelowna Flightcraft (May 4); Brenda Bell (May 7).
