The art of using apple boxes is being brought back for the public and designers alike.
Made and distributed by local resident Dave Harrison, these sturdy, old-fashioned apple boxes are constructed from pine and spruce woods, are made in 40- and 25-pound sizes. They have all types of beautiful apple logos displayed on them, which date back to the 1920s and ’30s reproduced from copies of original prints. Harrison sells them to B.C. Tree Fruits, many local orchardists and Paws and Claws Pet Stores throughout B.C. to display pet supplies. There is a Paws and Claws Pet Store in West Kelowna. Designers are now using them for side, end and coffee tables. Call 250-862-4844; email adharrison@telus.net.
DavidsTea has opened in Orchard Park Shopping Centre beside the mall entrance to Shoppers Drug Mart. Co-founded in 2008 by David Segal and retail pioneer Herschel Segal, there are now 107 stores across Canada and the U.S. with 18 in B.C. including Penticton and Prince George. You can choose from more than 150 types of tea, including exclusive blends, limited edition seasonal collections, traditional straight teas and exotic infusions from around the world. DavidsTea offers colourful modern packaging, sleek in-house designed tea accessories, and a friendly welcoming attitude that offers a tea experience that is fun, fresh and not intimidating. They also offer tea-to-go available hot or iced and a brand new tea is introduced every month. Some of the teas are white, green, oolong, black, pu’erh, mate/guyusa, rooibos and herbal infusion.
Sandhill Urban Winery has broken ground on Richter Street for a permanent home designed exclusively to showcase their unique single vineyard story. A part of their existing Calona winery is currently undergoing a major renovation to convert an 8,000 square foot space into the area’s wine destination. Soaring ceilings and 50-year-old beams will transform the space into an architecturally stunning experience that will be a must see for any wine visitor to the valley. An immersive wine experience is being created using state-of-the-art technology to provide guests with a virtual visit to each of the six Sandhill vineyards. The winery will attract an estimated 60,000 visitors annually who will participate in one-on-one personalized tastings and winemaker dinners held in the Small Lot Red Barrel Cellar. The project is well underway and is scheduled to be open in May 2014. Well-known winemaker Howard Soon is the Master Winemaker of Sandhill Wines.
Everybody Loves Ray Liquor Delivery is a new home delivery service, owned and operated by Daria and Ray Gagnon in West Kelowna only. Relocating from Chetwyn, the Gagnons offer home delivery for food, liquor, beer and cigarettes from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Be safe and let them do the driving. Call 250-718-9192 or 250-718-9190.
Had the pleasure of having brunch at The Blind Angler Grill and Lakeside Patio in Peachland, 5899A Beach Ave. (next to the Duck and Pug). Owned and operated by Nancy McDonald and chef Cherie Bokis, it is a great place to grab breakfast, lunch or dinner and the view is to die for. The restaurant is clean and bright and the patio is basically over the lake. We all had a good breakfast. Theresa Ellis was our server and she was delightful. It’s worth the drive or perhaps you can stop on your way down south to Penticton. Open Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 9.p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call 250-767-9264.
As our Canadian population ages, baby boomers have been recognized as the generation that changed the definition of retirement; its parameters now include a more challenging, healthy and productive way of life rather than the former vision of sedentary years, declining into old age. Agita Publishing has published a new book entitled Life, Lessons for Retirement, by local author Clair A. Hamer. This large print edition introduces 25 Canadian women, born in 1945 who have signed up for a writing workshop on “retirement” with a specific goal in mind with tasks outlined by the course moderator. All participants must submit their life story as it pertains to their newly acquired state, that of a retiree. From varying backgrounds, these 60-some-year-old women offer insights into their life choices, responsibilities, sorrows and successes. Retirement is no longer the dreaded final act, as it has become a time to challenge ourselves, contribute to our society, live with a purpose and perhaps, even fulfill our wildest dreams. Hamer has taught English for a better part of her 37-year career as a secondary school teacher. To purchase the book call Agita Publishing at 778-478-7896 or agitapublishing@gmail.com; writingaboutretirementblogspot.com ($27.95 plus shipping).
On Dec. 31, Bob Purdy paddled for the 1,096th consecutive day to draw attention to his public campaign to “change the way we live on the planet.” Purdy, the standup paddle-surfing, elder in training and founder of World Paddle for the Planet Day, invited paddlers from all over the Pacific Northwest to paddle in celebration at Rotary Beach last Tuesday. To offer your support to his continuing effort, contact Purdy at 250-215-0241 or email bobpurdy365@gmail.com.
The Kelowna Yacht Club has produced a video of a virtual tour of their new clubhouse currently under construction downtown on Water Street. The video is planned to answer questions that the public has been asking. The video also explains how the clubhouse was designed to blend into both the park and Kelowna’s downtown. It features interviews with Commodore Terris and two architects from Meiklejohn Architects explaining the building’s features. See www.KelownaYachtClub.com.
Floodlight is a marketing company that Donald Robichaud started and ran until his passing this past spring. Andrew Gregson joined Donald as a partner before he passed way and continues to build the firm by providing a strong financial presence with pricing and profit strategies. Dave Meidl has since been brought on as a partner and they have focused on helping firms in B.C. obtain better results. Gregson has changed the business from what was primarily a marketing company to its present purpose as an investment firm for companies wanting to go to the next level of growth. Floodlight has found investors willing to help Okanagan companies with sales over $1 million regardless of their lack of profit or debt. They are successful by dealing with pricing strategies, building pre-determined profitability, debt restructuring and a focus on marketing and sales plans. Call 250-859-0752.
Kelowna airport operations specialists/firefighters Peter Mazar and Kevin Vleeming attended the B.C. chapter of the North American Occupational Safety and Health Week Awards.
A fundraising event for hospice with Julie and Wolf Krieg takes place Jan. 24 at the Delta Grand. There will be a dinner, dance and live auction for a fun-filled evening. Entertainment is a flamenco dancing troupe and the Blues Brothers Too. Tickets are $80/person. Visit www.picatic.com/hospice.
Winter scene paintings by Emmy Bouma are on display at Molly’s Garden Café in the Towne Centre Mall until March 7.
The Central Okanagan Heritage Society is inviting nominations for their annual Heritage Awards to be presented during Heritage Week Feb. 17 to 23. The society will receive nominations for projects with the geographic boundaries of the Central Okanagan region in the following categories—distinguished community service; conservation project on a heritage building currently in non-residential use; conservation project on a heritage building currently in residential use; continued conservation of a heritage building; construction of a new building compatible with its heritage surroundings and preservation or restoration of a neighbourhood or area. Submissions due by Jan. 23 at 1060 Cameron Ave. Call 250-861-7188 or email cohs@telus.net for more infomation.
In one year and out the other. I’m on vacation and won’t have another column in the Capital News until Jan. 30. See you then!
Birthdays of the week: Lynda Gibbs, Phoenix, Ariz. (Jan. 9); John Estephan (Jan. 10); Nick Kardynal, my second dad (Jan. 11); Jack Hatanaka (Jan. 11); Todd Sanderson (Jan. 11); Mort Downey, TAC Solutions (Jan. 12); Mary Anne Livingston (Jan. 13); Andre Blanleil, Andre’s (Jan. 15); Gerry Ellchuck (Jan. 16); Dina Kotler (Jan. 17); Joyce Prowse (Jan. 17); Fred MacKinnon (Jan. 18); Early birthday wish (as I am away) to my sister Tracy Nyboe of Re/Max (Jan. 19). In memory of Mary DeHart, my mother-in-law (Jan. 9).
