This week’s column is dedicated to Derek Wojtula, of Solutions Print & Copy, who passed away suddenly at the age of 63. Derek and his wife Val were huge supporters of the Kelowna-Kasugai Sister City Association, members for over 15 years. A celebration of life for Derek will be held on Dec. 28, 2 p.m., at Springfield Funeral Home. Personal condolences to Val, daughter Lindsay and Derek’s many friends.
Audi Kelowna has opened its spectacular new building at 2621 Enterprise Way.
Owner Ed Turner purchased what is now Turner Volkswagen Audi at its 1717 Harvey Ave. location in 2002.With the dealerships’ recent growth it has become necessary for Volkswagen and Audi to be separated in their own showrooms dating back to 2011. The search for property went on for 12 months until Turner purchased the former Winn Automotive building on Enterprise Way in September. For renovations, the front of the existing building was removed to accommodate an eight-car showroom along with a state-of-the art delivery bay. With $1.4 million in renovations, the building’s footprint was changed from 12,000 to 16,000 square-feet. Most of the staff were already working for Turner at the Harvey location, so the ramp-up time was minimal and many staff have been promoted to management. Greg Hardy is the general manager of Turner Volkswagen Audi. The Audi slogan is “Vorsprung derch Technik,” which means “advancement through technology.” By 2015, Audi will have 60 automobile models, with diesel engines already available on many of them. Call 250-448-8277.
Marlise Mellett is the new communications coordinator at the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. Kevin Mitchell has also joined the team with the chamber’s goals now to attract young people into the organization and ensure the chamber reflects the programs and values for the younger generation of our business community. Call 250-469-7356
Jill Hotchkiss and Mairead Fitzpatrick have started the Brighten Their Day Gift Basket Company. They specialize in baskets geared towards seniors, but they are a great gift idea for any adult. The gift basket company’s goal is to support local independently owned and operated businesses whenever possible. A few of the products their baskets feature are Knights Chocolate, Arlo’s Honey and Teaberry’s Fine Teas. Free delivery in Kelowna. Call 250-317-9373; www.brightentheirday.ca.
Caroline Book is retiring from the Ramada Hotel after more than 30 years of service in housekeeping/laundry. She started as a room attendant and has worked in the laundry department for the past 28 years. Here are some fun facts about Caroline’s career—she has worked over 6,700 days (always with a smile); she has washed and folded over one million pounds of towels and over 1.2 million sheets (yes million!); if she placed those sheets end-to-end starting in Kelowna, she would be placing the last one down about 200 miles east of Thunder Bay; if she worked non-stop, 24 hours a day, she would be washing linen for over six years. Makes me tired just thinking about it. Caroline is a wonderful person and will be sorely missed at the Ramada.
Jeff Vander Zalm’s Kreater West Motorcycles has changed the name of the business to Konquer Motorcycles (Custom Rides & Rods). Vander Zalm is streamlining the company’s direction, carrying their vision forward and look to future expansion. Call 250-862-2424; www.konquer.ca.
A new business, All in One Meal Solutions, has been started by Jeanne and Torsten Kaminski and Christopher Cruz at Vineyard Bakery & Deli, 861 Anders Rd. in West Kelowna (formerly the location for the Old Country Bakery in Lakeview Heights Plaza). All in One is striving to make your home dining experiences easy, affordable and stress-free. All products are made from home-style recipes with no type of chemicals, preservatives or MSG, and delivered to you frozen with simple cooking/warm up instructions in the oven or microwave. What could be easier? They offer over 30 entrees with almost all of them priced at $5 and offer free delivery in Kelowna, Peachland and West Kelowna with minimum orders of $50. All the containers and wrapping is recyclable. We sampled the beef rouladen, turkey and stuffing, beef stroganoff and chicken pot pie. All were delicious. Call 250-575-7423; www.amealsolution.com.
V6B Design Group has opened their new unique Kelowna design office and showroom at The Factory (second floor), 1302 St. Paul St. The design group also has offices in Vancouver and Qualicum Beach. V6B Design Group’s focus is residential pre-planning to maximize functionality and aesthetic integrity in the home. Initially specializing in kitchen design, the company’s interest has since expanded to encompass other areas of the home. Laura Cruse, with more than 30 years experience, is the senior designer in Kelowna. She has worked on a variety of commercial award winning millwork and single projects and has seen more than 500 kitchen designs through to completion. Call 250-861-6824.
Cheryl Stone is the new residential campaign coordinator of the Canadian Diabetes Association for the Interior B.C. Region. The association is beginning telephone recruiting from December 2013 to April 2014 and is asking for volunteers to help fundraise in a residential campaign next May 2014. If you would like to volunteer call Cheryl at 250-762-9447.
Meadow Vista Honey Wines, 3975 June Springs Rd. (off McCullough Road), owned and operated by founder and co-owner Judith Barta, is opening its newly constructed modern artisan farm in South East Kelowna to celebrate this holiday season and preview its sparkling new location inspired by nature and a passion for honeybees. Their opening weekend preview event is on Dec. 14 and 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You will get the opportunity to tour the new grounds, tasting room and wine shop while sampling delicious honey wines, discovering unique art and bee-inspired artisan gifts. Call 250-862-2337.
Andrew Cudmore has joined the law firm of Kimmitt Wrzesniewski, 202-433 St. Paul St. Born in Prince Edward Island and having studied law at UBC, he practices in the areas of landlord-tenant law, real estate law and wills and estates. 250-763-6441.
After more than 35 years, Sue Rogers has retired from The Bay Kelowna with over 30 of those years in the jewelry department.
Campion Marine has added four new dealerships to their line-up—RM Sport Marine in Val-d’Or, Que.; Shawinigan Marine in St-Gerard-des-Laurentides, Que; Marina Sabrevois in Ste-Anne-de-Sabrevois, Que. and Moose Jaw RV and Marine in Moose Jaw, Sask. have now taken the Campion brand. Brock Elliott is the president of the company. For the full Campion line-up of more than 50 models, visit www.campionboats.com. Call 250-765-7795.
Alice Arsenault has been appointed as a community-at-large member of the Community Heritage Committee for the balance of the 2012-14 term. Leanne Spanza is retiring from the CHC.
The Westbank and District Chamber of Commerce have received final approval of the organizations name change to the Greater Westside Board of Trade. The process has taken almost a year to complete and they will be launching their new rebranding efforts soon. The rebranding will include a new logo and mission statement which will be unveiled at the AGM in January 2014. Co-chairs of the organization are Norm LeCavalier and Marek Buryska.
The City of Kelowna celebrated employees with Long Service Awards. Congratulations to the following who work at the City’s waste water treatment facility. Robert Mandryk and Adrian Weaden (both 25 years) and Michael Gosselin and Donald Kosy (both 20 years). Joe Creron is the divisional director of civic operations.
MacKay LLP has a star in the firm. Graham Moir, out of 457 students, was the only Kelowna student to pass the chartered accountants exam in B.C. and make the national honour roll. Congratulations to the following Kelowna students who also passed and are now chartered accountants: Meghan Amann and Ruth Fukumoto (McKay); Laurens Breugem, Brett Terrillon and Rachel McAllister (KPMG); Cooper Harrison and Tyler Krenz (Grant Thornton); Tori Keiffer, Marli Kosta and Ameilia Ashraf (Meyers Norris Penny); Jamie Ward and Annette Thomas (BDO) and Jamie Schram (Andrew Tse. Inc.).
The Kelowna Farmers & Crafters Indoor Market has taken up residence in the Parkinson Recreation Centre. Christmas market hours are Saturday, Dec. 14 and 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a huge selection of fall veggies, fruit, dairy products, honey, eggs, artisan breads, Christmas baking, crafts and preserves. Farmer Bob will be handing out apples to the children.
The email address for poet Fern G. Z Carr who was in last week’s column is ferngzcarr@shaw.ca.
If you are looking for some unique Christmas gifts go to www.themountieshop.ca. You will be pleasantly surprised. Net proceeds from the sale of officially licensed RCMP products support the RCMP Foundation in its efforts to create a better life for Canada’s youth at risk. Learn more at www.rcmp-f.ca. Call 1-877-241-818.
La Belle Boutique Fashions and Accessories, owned by Marie-Yvonne Cleaver in the Towne Centre Mall, collected $500 from their recent event along with many gently used purses, all of which are going to the Kelowna Women’s Shelter. Along with this, Elke Kaminski, owner of the Towne Centre Mall, matched the cash donations of $500 and a $1,000 cheque was delivered along with the purses. Thanks also to Central Square Investment Corp.
Birthdays of the week: Ken Firkins (Dec. 13); R. J. Bennett (Dec. 14); Melena Cunial (Dec. 14); Tim Allan (Dec. 14); Anna Stuart (Dec. 15); Grant Fletcher (Dec. 15); Frank Richter (Dec. 15); Lesley Pierce, Creative Mortgage (Dec. 17); Dave Willms (Dec. 17); Katja Oldendorf, Mickie’s Pub (Dec.18); Deb Doig (Dec.18).
