What a wonderful surprise! The Maxine DeHart – United Way, Ramada Hotel, Drive-Thru Breakfast has received a huge donation of $15,000.00 from major sponsor Scotiabank. The event has now raised over $75,000.00. The donation was received from the Scotiabank partners, including Scotiabank, ScotiaMcLeod, Private Banking, Scotiabank Roynat Capital, Private Investment, and the Financial Planning Team. The Scotiabank local/Okanagan team volunteered for the event including employees and management from Kelowna, West Kelowna and Vernon. James Davison, Manager of Scotiabank, Orchard Place Branch on Dilworth Drive was the lead organizer. James has been the Branch Manager of Orchard Place Branch since March, 2024. Larry Clements is the VP Southeast District – BC & Yukon Region of Scotiabank.
There will be a formal thank-you in the Kelowna Capital News for all the sponsors, businesses and volunteers that helped to make this event a huge success. On another note, a gal called me to say that she has won a major prize of a $500 gift card from Beards and Buckets Window Cleaning. It has now been several weeks since the call and I would appreciate the prize being picked up. Also, the Coastal Breeze Glassworks gift has not been picked up. If you received the certificate in your breakfast bag will you please give me a call at 250-862-7662. Again, thanks Kelowna!
The Habitat For Humanity Jingle Bell Build, sponsored by RE/MAX Kelowna was a huge success. Congratulations to the winners of the incredible gingerbread houses. They are Fun Makr’s, MAKR Group (1st); Wonka’s Whimsical Workers, Beem Credit Union (2nd Place); Candy Cane Crew, RE/MAX Kelowna (3rd Place); Team Gingerbox, Big Steel Box (4th Place) and Capital News Christmas Carriers, Black Press Media (5th Place). It was a pleasure, along with Mayor Tom Dyas, Councillor Cannan and several others to be on the judging panel. Jamie Tawil was the host and Emcee.
After 50 years of owning and operating the Rutland Dairy Queen at 570 Hwy. 33 W., Frank Gorges and the Gorges family have sold the business and are retiring. The Dairy Queen was started by Frank Gorges’ father Bill Gorges and his brother Pat Gorges in 1972. In 1974 Frank came into the business. He and Corinne were married in 1986. They have four boys; Matthew who is working in the business with Frank full-time and Francis and Johnathan who helped out part-time. Adam was off doing other things. Frank says that when he starred the Dairy Queen in Rutland, there were only a couple other fast-food outlets in Rutland, namely the Tastee Freez and Burger Baron. Later, McDonald’s and a few others opened. In his retirement, Frank said he is going to take some time off and figure out the next step. He will definitely be skiing at Big White this winter and will also keep volunteering where needed. Incidentally, his brother Pat Gorges still has the Dairy Queen on Gordon Drive and Hwy. 97, and his brother John Gorges has the Westbank Dairy Queen. It certainly was all in the family!
The 4th Annual Reel Christmas Market at Rustic Reel Brewing, 760 Vaughan is Saturday, December 14th 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 15th from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This year, Rustic Reel, owned and operated by Susi Foerg is knocking it out of the park. The outside event has a German European Christmas feel where they serve hot drinks including their awesome mulled wine in collector ceramic mugs, so you can stroll around the market as you sip. There are firepits, heaters, music, lights and definitely will have atmosphere and ambience. This year, they have custom wood-burning, over 40 vendors, a free DIY station for kids and adults, multiple drink stations and of course their food stations with hot pretzels and grilled sausages. They have three charities involved and would appreciate non-perishable food donations to the Food Bank. Entry to the market is free. Pet photos with Santa for a minimum of $10.00 with proceeds going to Fletcher’s Keep and Kelowna Gospel Mission will be on-site selling 50/50 tickets. www.rustsicreel.com
Happy 58th Anniversary Jerry and Lillian Moller (Dec. 12).
Happy 50th Anniversary Don and Susan Stobbart (Dec. 12).
All life is energy, and you can think of your cells as a battery. When was the last time you charged them? When given the right environment, our bodies are designed to heal themselves. Gemini Wellness Centre, owned and operated by sisters Julie Pillon, RMT and Jen Obrigewitsch has opened at #132 – 1876 Cooper Road. Gemini offers an Energy Enhancement System (EESystem) that uses custom built and precisely installed units and screens to generate multiple bio-active fields including scalar waves that create an optimal energetic environment. Julie says that this allows your body to re-energize, rebalance, and revitalize so your body can heal itself which it was always designed to do. Their sessions are two hours, and you are not hooked up to anything, just relaxing in a room with healthy energy. It’s like plugging your entire body into a wireless battery charger. When the body has the right energy, it wants to heal everything and anything. To find out more about the EESystem, which is home to the only one in Kelowna, visit www.geminiwellnesscentre.com.
The Central Okanagan Food Bank (COFB) has unveiled a refreshed brand identity as part of its 40th Anniversary, celebrating four decades of service and connection to the Okanagan. The new look symbolizes COFB’s ongoing evolution and its deeper purpose to nourish community and feed hope while responding to the growing needs of those they serve. COFB now operate two branches in West Kelowna and Kelowna, serving over 11,000 individuals each month, 44% of whom are children and 20% are seniors. In the new year, their commercial kitchen will be ready, and the new space will allow them to expand their programming and better serve the community.
They Kelowna Legion Branch 26 now have possession of their new building at 1317 Ethel Street. Renovations are now taking place that will include adding a lift between floors, adding kitchen facilities and generally modifying the build to suit their needs. With construction underway, the building will be off limits to everyone except those that are involved in the renovations. There is not a firm opening date, but this is exciting times for the Legion, and they are looking forward to having a grand opening in the next few months.
Have you been inspired by someone making a positive impact on our community? Someone whose hard work, commitment and compassion to others deserves recognition. Celebrate their accomplishments by nominating them for the 50th Annual Civic & Community Awards at www.kelowna.ca/civicawards. The gala will be held on May 8th to honor the winners as well as celebrate past winners. Nominations are due Monday, February 10th, 2025. Nomination forms, award criteria, and past recipients can be found on the same site.
Black Rabbit Coffee House at 652 Cook Road in the Playa Del Sol building is celebrating their 2-year anniversary. Owner/operator Jenna Huartson brought her passion for coffee from Calgary packing up her belongings and two rabbits, Hank and Oliver to begin Black Rabbit’s journey in Kelowna. With 17 years of industry experience, Jenna serves Rosso Coffee Roasters from Calgary along with a diverse menu of coffee, espresso beverages, breakfast, lunch, pastries and desserts. To celebrate, on Sunday, December 15th from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Black Rabbit will be offering $2 – 12 oz. drip coffee and Americanos as well as 15% off when purchasing two or more bags of coffee. Every purchase throughout the day will be entered into a draw to win one of three prizes. www.blackrabbitcoffee.ca
Birthdays of the week – Anne Gilbert (Dec. 11); Gerry Fraser (Dec. 11); Lois Bennett (Dec. 11); Bob Levin (Dec. 11); Birte Decloux (Dec. 11); Donna Mitzel (Dec. 11); Bonnie Siddon (Dec. 11); Ken Firkins (Dec. 13); Gary Johnston (Dec. 13); Lucy Litz (Dec. 13); Gloria Sloan (Dec. 13); Larry McGuire (Dec. 13); Eric Falkenberg (Dec. 13); Helena Wyzykowski (Dec. 14); Jake Tang (Dec. 14); Melina Cunial (Dec. 14); Tim Allan (Dec. 14); Lawrence Nagy (Dec. 14); Frank Richter (Dec. 15); Hugo Morawsky (Dec. 15); Anna Stuart (Dec. 15); Sandra Sellick (Dec. 16); Tyson Irmen (Dec. 16); Jacqueline Schneider (Dec.. 16); Peter Wannop (Dec. 16); Lesley Pierce (Dec. 17); Rene Blanleil (Dec. 17); Dean Loverin (Dec. 17); Balzor Singh (Dec. 17).
The Specialty Bakery Birthday Cake Winner of the Week is Ken Firkins. Ken, please pick up your Birthday Cake from any of the four Specialty Bakery locations by Tuesday, December 17/2024.
It’s the time of the year for Christmas baking. Specialty Bakery has a great selection of freshly baked products for Christmas and New Years, including Christmas cake, short bread cookies, and mincemeat tarts, at all their four locations. Customized gift bags are also available.
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-862-7662. E-mail max@maxinedehart.ca
