Today’s column is dedicated to two well-known local residents and dear friends who passed away last week.
Cowboy Russell (Russ) Ensign was a special person who had a huge passion for life and enjoyed every minute of it with family and friends. His big smile and warm approach will be missed by all.
Linda Born (nee Willms) and the Willms family have been long-time friends of the DeHarts for many years, the two families growing up together in what was known back then as the original Kelowna Mission neighbourhood. I was very lucky to be on the
receiving end of Linda’s wonderful baking. Personal condolences to both Russ and Linda’s entire family and many, many friends.
A new bookstore is opening in Rutland this weekend—Flip Flop Books, a used bookstore located at 150A Gray Rd., will celebrate its grand opening Friday and Saturday.
Owned and operated by Heather Friesen, her bookstore encourages you to bring in all your old books in exchange for credit on your next purchase. Friesen, an accomplished and passionate reader who really knows her books, accepts all books except comic books, magazines and text books. At this moment, 80 per cent of the shelves in the shop are full. She also has a few accessories and purses that are made out of used books. Call 778-753-0655.
Edward Jones investment advisor Konrad Pimiskern has relocated from Highway 33 in Rutland to the eighth floor of the Landmark II Tower. Contact him at Konrad.pimiskern@edwardjones.com.
Sherri Paiement, executive officer of the Canadian Home Builders of the Central Okanagan, has been honoured with the Executive Officer of the Year award for the province by the Canadian Home Builders of British Columbia. She received the award for demonstrating leadership, dedication, contributing to a higher degree of professionalism and her commitment to the building industry.
Congratulations to a good friend, J. Greg Peters, who has been appointed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper as the Usher of the Black Rod. Peters has had a wealth of experience in the area of ceremonial and protocol operations with the RCMP as well as an appreciation for our parliamentary institutions enabling him to serve with distinction. Peters has been with the RCMP for 32 years, most recently as director of the strategic partnerships and heritage branch. In 2013, he became a Member of the Royal Victorian Order for his police service. The Usher of the Black Rod is the most senior protocol officer in Parliament. The usher’s responsibilities include serving as the personal attendant and messenger of Queen Elizabeth and the Governor General of Canada when either is in Parliament; leading the daily Senate Speaker’s Parade; and directing all logistical, protocol and administrative details relating to official Parliament proceedings such as the opening of a new session of Parliament, the Throne Speech and Royal Assent.
Well-known artist Don Makela is showing his paintings at De Baker’s Kitchen, 101-1914 Glenmore Dr. Makela has 11 paintings, water colours, opaque watercolours and acrylics on display. The artworks are landscapes of the Okanagan and other places his travels have taken him, from California to Nova Scotia. De Bakker’s is a bakery and restaurant with wonderful breads and great food.
Tracy Read is a new director on The Central Okanagan Heritage Society board. Relocating here from the Alberta community of Strathmore, Read has written several books with a heritage/history theme, including Yukon Women, Acres and Empires and Celebrating the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede. She worked with the Calgary Stampede for many years, including managing the Stampede archives. The next COHS Fall Speaker Series is Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Reid Hall inBenvoulin Heritage Park, 7 p.m., titled “Colour Matters” (Benjamin Moore and the COHS). Limited seating with $5 donation.
It was a delight to be a judge at Iron Chef Okanagan at the Cabana Bar and Grille on Sunday evening. Ned Bell (executive chef Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver) and Paul Rogalski, owner of Rouge Restaurant in Calgary, went head to head in the cuisine competition. The two each had one hour to prepare two dishes for four judges with the black box ingredient of sea buckthorn berries from Vale Farms in Lumby. There were not many people in the room who knew what these were, including the chefs. They were bright orange/yellow in colour with small red spots, tasted sour and a little slimy. In the end the Iron Chef Okanagan title was won by Bell. It was a tight race to the end. Other judges were media personality Terry David Mulligan, Radio 1150 morning talk show host Phil Johnson and Sonia Sidu.
Working out of Kelowna, Dale Girard is the new regional manager of operations for the B.C. Interior and Fraser Valley of Rona. Girard has been with Rona for 19 years, most recently in a regional manager position in Saskatchewan. Rona is a major sponsor of the Maxine DeHart-Ramada United Way Drive-Thru Breakfast.
Congratulations to the Kelowna Lady of the Lake royalty, the Kelowna city float “Ogi” and float ambassador Clarence Johnson on winning yet another award—the Best Out Of Country Award at a parade in Leavenworth, Wash. last week. This year, along with many other awards, the float won the Grand Sweepstakes Award in Marysville (best overall among 18 other entries), one of the most prestigious awards that a parade float entry can win.
Charity Gerbrandt, principal creative lead at the Disney Interactive Studio, has been appointed to the Okanagan College Board of Governors for a one year term. Gerbrandt has worked as a creative leader in the gaming industry for seven years and formerly worked in health care, facilitating activity programs for seniors. She replaces retiring board member Lance Kayfish, who was the board chair from 2010 to 2013.
The Okanagan Travel Survey is underway right now, ending the end of October. Information about this important survey has been mailed to homes in the Central Okanagan and Vernon. Every household that completes the survey will be entered to win one of a number of prizes, plus every survey submitted will support the United Way. Acuere Consulting will donate $1 for every completed survey to the Local United Way, up to a maximum of $5,000. Each person’s input on the survey is important because the more people who complete the survey, the better the quality of information there will be to plan transportation needs. Higher participation rates provide a more accurate picture of how people travel in the region, allowing planners and engineers to design the most appropriate transportation system for the Okanagan. So, you get your say and you are also helping the United Way.
October is ADHD Awareness Month. Marilyn Strong, of Strongbiz, is a contributor in The ADHD Awareness Book Project: More Ways to Succeed with ADHD, a collaborative book aimed to provide unique one-of-a-kind resource for people with ADHD. More than 40 ADHD experts have come together to contribute their best tips and strategies to succeed in life. You can pick up a copy of this book on Amazon.com or by visiting www.morewaystosucceedwithadhd.com. Contact Strong at Marilyn@strongbiz.com or 250-870-6368.
October is also National Spinal Health Month, with Oct. 16 being World Spine Day. On Oct. 16, Forsythe Family Chiropractic in Rutland will provide all patient adjustments for $15, which will be donated to the Kelowna food bank. All new patients will get their initial visit consultation and exam for only a $20 donation during the month of October. Be a spine superhero by telling anyone with a back or neck problem to call 250-765-1466.
Way to go! Breathe of Life Day raised $43,044.46 for research and helping young Canadians with Cystic Fibrosis, hosted by Claude Uzelman and local A&W staff.
Les Miserables is showing at The Kelowna Actors Studio, 1379 Ellis St., from Oct. 23 to Nov.19. Directed by Nathan Flavel and music direction by Roslyn Frantz, tickets are as low as $54 or $83 which includes a four course plated dinner. The production is being presented by The View Winery (Jennifer Turton-Molgat).
The Kelowna Capri Rotary Club will host Harvest Feast on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Kelowna & District Fish and Game Club, 4041 Casorso Rd., starting at 6 p.m. Catering will be by Illichmann’s Deli featuring suckling pig and roast beef. This fundraiser for the Arion Therapeutic Farm will also include a silent auction. Tickets are $65 from club members or Whites BBQ & Fireplace Centre, 2000 Spall Rd.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 70th birthday Diana Warnock, my sister-in-law (Oct. 12) Virginia Pisio (Oct. 10); Irene Morrison (Oct. 11); Robert Tako (Oct. 11); Derek Bottomley (Oct. 15); Lil Noble (Oct. 12).
