This week’s column is dedicated to long-time Kelowna eye doctor Don Lim. Since Dr. Lim’s passing, we have had many chats with long-time locals who knew him in his early practice. He was the DeHart family eye doctor and gave my husband Chris his first pair of glasses. He was well known for his patience and also his generosity to the community and especially to KGH. Personal condolences to Gloria, his family and many friends.
The new Sandhill Winery (next to Calona Vineyards) at 1125 Richter St. will host its grand opening May 31 and June 1, offering free tastings on those two days.
The new premises are absolutely breath-taking with 22-foot ceilings using all the original wood and incredible huge beams. The new centre offers a unique wine experience, boasting an urban feel in an industrial setting. I’m sure everyone will not see anything like this in the valley, let alone perhaps in all of B.C. Sandhill offers three wine experiences—The Power of Oak, Challenge of the Terroir and Sip n’ Snack. Sandhill is the only winery that grows Barbera (Italian) grapes in Oliver. The winery’s hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Howard Soon, who incidentally has been in the valley making wine for 34 years, is the master winemaker of Sandhill. Annika Cashmore is the manager of the wine boutique and hospitality. Call 250-979-4268.
After 25 years, Ron “Zippy” Gilmour has retired from radio. Gilmour has done everything from mornings with Rob Bye (The Breakfast Brothers) to Kelowna Today (with Rick Ball, play-by-play of B.C. Lions and Vancouver Canucks) and the afternoon drive programs. When he was originally hired, the station was FM 104. The station then became The Lizard 104.7 and now it is Power 104. A familiar voice that will be missed.
Karen Hawes, with Interior Savings Credit Union, has been elected to the board of the BC Chamber of Commerce for a two-year term. She also served as president of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce for two years.
Roberto Perez-Lagos is the new sales manager at Don Folk Chevrolet, 2350 Highway 97 N, having relocated from Winnipeg. He has worked in the industry for many years with many different dealerships, a good portion of that time spent dealing with the Chevrolet brand. Had a nice chat with Roberto and he says that not a day goes by without him thinking about how beautiful Kelowna is. But then, he did come from Winnipeg! Call 250-878-9447 or 250-860-600.
Pauline Weninger is the new bereavement and complimentary care coordinator for the Central Okanagan Hospice Association. This position is assisting with the management and development of programs offered by COHA with a focus on the Bereavement Services. Call 250-763-5511.
Tory Braun is the new communications coordinator at the Kelowna Yacht Club. Call 250-763-3310.
Jeremy Juypen is the new executive chef at Predator Ridge Golf Resort. Formerly he was with SMI Hospitality as the corporate chef and directly responsible for the performance of the Train Station Pub and Mission Taphouse. He was also previously with the Hotel Eldorado, Spirit Ridge Resort in Osoyoos and the owner/executive chef of Terrafina a Hester Creek in Oliver.
Interior Savings Credit Union is the sponsor of the YMCA Healthy Kids Day. This free community event is Sunday, June 1, noon to 4 p.m., both inside and outside of the Kelowna Family Y, at 375 Hartman Rd., in Rutland. Visit ymcaokanagan.ca or contact Erica Hudson at 250-764-9621 (316).
Steven Francis is now a tour guide/manager at Uncorked Wine Tours.
Lawyer Garry Benson, author Margriet Ruurs, software developer Raghwa Gopal and Jim Henderson from Penticton will take their place among an elite group as Okanagan College’s 2014 Honorary Fellows, the highest honour the college bestows.
Helmuts Sausage Kitchen celebrates its second year in business this month in Kelowna (Helmuts started in Vernon) at 105-1675 Commerce Ave., neighbours to the new 48 North Restaurant. Owned and operated by Helmut and Monica West, the store offers quality European sausage and smoked meats, with all of their products being gluten free and most are lactose free. Great selection of European condiment products, a full selection of cheeses and a fabulous deli. You need quite a bit of time to wander around in the store, as it’s full of wonderful products along with a 45-seat café and hours of business are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Call 250-861-3281 or email helmutwest@hotmail.com.
The new 48 North Restaurant and Concept Lounge has opened at 113-1677 Commerce Ave. Jason Poetschke is the general manager and Kevin Anderson is the executive chef. All the menu items, including sauces and breads are made fresh, in-house daily, with local B.C. seasonable fare with a French and Italian influence. All seafood is brought in daily as well, as they are supporters of the Ocean Wise Program run by the Vancouver Aquarium. The premises are bright and modern, with a division between the restaurant and lounge/bar area. There is a good variety of lunch items of salads, pasta, burgers, halibut and chips, Yorkie sliders and a daily soup and sandwich. Dinner offers appetizers (oysters, mushroom soup, beet salad and risotto) with main dishes of fresh seafood, lamb shank and steaks. Open Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. to midnight; and Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. for lunch, dinner and the lounge experience. Call 250-717-8833; see websute www.48north.ca.
International Gateway Kelowna celebrates its 12th anniversary this month. IGK is Kelowna’s original language school and welcomes students ages 8-80 from over 15 countries. Owner Chonghe (Coco) Koh and director Dale Lockhart have over 35 years combined experience in international education. www.igcanada.com.
Athletes from Alberta and Washington joined B.C. racers for the inaugural Fresh Air Kelowna Cherry Blossom Triathlon. It featured a 700-metre pool swim at the H2O, then onto bikes for a three loop, 21 km ride to East Kelowna and ended with a 5 km run. The event was directed by local Olympians Malini Elmore and Graham Hood along with James Young, of the Kelowna Triathlon Club. Congratulations to locals Jake Van Allen, with his race best 17:47 run split to fend off fellow Kelownian Chad Reid who arrived in third, 18 seconds behind. Carmelle Guidi-Swan took the women’s title in a time of one hour, 12 minutes and 13 seconds. West Kelowna’s Claire Young arrived in third place with a scorching 20 minute, 28 second run split. Also kudos to Derek Edstrom, Ryan Smith and Jim Gabriel, with the City of Kelowna, who entered and won in the team category.
The Benjamin Moore In-Store Spring Seminars take place Saturday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join them for food, beverages and prize draws. Some of the seminars are Exteriors: Paint and Stain; Home Staging; Faux Finishing and Upcycling and the 2014 Colour Trends. Call 250-763-5333
The House of Caribbean’s 3rd annual fundraiser BBQ is May 24, from 3 to 8 p.m., at the store, 557 Bernard Ave. (beside Towne Centre Mall). There will be good food, music and good times. Music courtesy of DJ Shado and food is by donation, with all proceeds going to support the 3rd annual Okanagan Caribbean Festival slated for City Park in July. Call Jack or Melinda at 778-484-5520.
The 5th annual Spring Sale at Springvalley Elementary School, 270 Ziprick Rd. in Rutland, is May 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering a combination of garage sale and flea market with all types of treasures, a BBQ, playground and fames for the kids. The school’s parent advisory council would like to raise enough money to take the entire school to Atlantis Waterslides in Vernon for a special year-end celebration.
The grand opening of GolfTEC is Saturday, May 24. Located at 107-1851 Kirschner Rd., Golf TEC will have SUN FM broadcasting live on location starting at 9 a.m. Prizes up for grabs will include a complimentary assessment from GolfTEC’s best, including Andy Hilts (Master PGA professional, vice-president, instruction and education GolfTEC HQ and Golf Digest Top 20 teacher); Matt Carrothers (director of instruction, GolfTEC Canada) and Mike Soergel (GolfTEC Kelowna centre manager). There will also be golf conditioning exercise/workouts by GolfTEC partners and kids’ activities from 3 to 5 p.m. Sattu Mahapatra is the owner of GolfTEC Kelowna.
Speaking of golf, Marion Henselwood aced her first hole-in-one at Shannon Lake Golf Course—hole #4, 132 yards. Same foursome, same day, her friend Paul Butcher stole some of her thunder and got a hole-in-one as well—hole #16, 188 yards. What are the odds of that?
Congratulations to McDonald’s restaurants in Kelowna, Lake Country and West Kelowna for raising a whopping $24,253.52 on McHappy Day 2014. Rena Krell is the community relations representative and Tim Pink is the owner/operator of the franchises.
The Cops for Kids annual charity golf tournament is Friday, June 20, at Sunset Ranch Golf Club. This year, there is a new playing date, new pricing and some new exciting local sips and treats happening on the course. Cost is $135 per person before June 1 and $145 after that. For more info or to register call 250-801-4438 or email info@copsforkids.org.#mce_temp_url#
Birthdays of the week: Happy 65th Sandy Zimmermann (May 26); happy 102nd birthday to Kay Boyko (May 16)happy 50th to twins Andrew and Matthew Graham, Gorman’s Mill (May 26); happy 50th Lori McCormack, Home Depot (May 16); happy 60th Lynn Hamilton (May 17); Mike Mervyn, Wealthlink Financial (May 22); Pam Johnson, Vancouver (May 22); Ken McLaughlin, Re/Max (May 22); Dino Gina (May 22); Laureen Redman, City of Kelowna (May 22); Alan Tozer (May 23); Jake Runzer (May 24); Ken Harding (May 24); Ron Mattiussi, City of Kelowna (May 25); Ian Williamson (May 26); Richard Prowse (May 28).
