This week’s column is dedicated to Captain (Ret’d) Ed Dickins, CD who passed on May 29 at the age of 97. Ed moved to Kelowna in 1937 and enrolled as a Trooper in the British Columbia Dragoons just shy of 80 years ago on July 27th, 1940. Ed has been a vital member of this community. As an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the B.C. Dragoons, my thoughts, personal condolences and prayers go out to his family, the regiment, many friends and colleagues.
The Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre has been open for business throughout the pandemic. Now, both food establishments in the hotel are up and running again. Mickie’s Pub inside and the beautiful outside patio are both in full operation, with all pandemic protocols in place currently from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with breakfast served from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturdays and Sundays. The new Smitty’s Family Restaurant in the hotel has also now re-opened for business with full protocols in place. Smitty’s is offering their full incredible menu from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily Monday to Sunday. Smitty’s also offers a beautiful unique patio. Please come join us. www.rpbhotels.com; www.smittys.ca
After releasing her line of baked goods in January, 2019, Trish Woodman of Trish’s Treats has rebranded and incorporated her business, which is now known as The Relentless Baking Company Ltd. Trish works out of a mini retail location at 2720 Tutt Street (Tutt and Osprey) and specializes in making the most delicious vegan, gluten free and nut free treats, catering to both wholesale and retail customers. Relentless bakes allergy sensitive treats based on traditional recipes and her commercial kitchen is IHA approved. Products offered are loaf breads, cookies, buns, squares, mini-donuts, muffins, custom cakes and cupcakes. Trish is well known for her signature Tree Hugger meal replacement cookie. She bakes over 500 per week of this delicious delight and if you have never tried one, you are really missing out. Relentless employs four staff and bakes for independently owned coffee shops and stores, including Third Space, Chaibaba, Giobean, Lake Country Coffee House and now out of her mini retail location. www.relentlessbaking.com
Total E’clips Salon/Spa at 107 – 3957 Lakeshore Road has reopened. Owned and operated by Diana Forbes who has been in the industry for over 10 years, she purchased the shop in September of 2018. With seven stylists and four aestheticians, the shop offers spa treatments of facials, lash lift and tints, waxing, pedicures, manicures, massage and bio sculpture nails. Stylists are Laura Leger, Nathalie Howie, Riza Lagade Eddy, Shawn Byrne, Jamie Holowko, Belinda Lucas and Georgia Peach. Spa gals are Irina Toker, Lindsay Morris, Megan Ellis and Theresa Jodin. Lauren Gibson and Jaden Ryder are the guest services agents. The salon is taking all precautions to ensure the safety of their guests and staff during COVID-19. www.totale-clips.com
Take 5 Oil Change has new paint on the building, has a new look, has a new name, but the same people with the same fast and friendly service. Owned and operated by Len Beaucage, The Pro Oil Change franchise has been rebranded into Take 5 Oil change at 101 – 1675 Commerce Avenue. Take 5 is also offering health care and first responders 25% off any oil change. www.take5oilchange.ca/locaitons/bc/kelowna
Carmen Remple is the new executive director of the Kelowna Gospel Mission effective June 15th. Formerly, Carmen has served as the founder/director of Youth for Christ Okanagan, a local non-profit based organization that works to support at-risk youth. She will be replacing Randy Benson who is retiring and has been with the Gospel Mission since 2001. Bob Evans is the board chair of the Kelowna Gospel Mission. www.kelownagospelmission.ca
After a 47 year career in the financial services sector and the last 25 of those with Valley First, Marion Henselwood is retiring from her branch manager position. Marion fondly looks back at the many incredible people she crossed paths with and a community she feels so connected to. She is looking forward to spending more time playing golf and exploring the Okanagan outdoors with her dog Diesel. Marion is currently serving as a director of the Central Okanagan Hospice Foundation. shad@shaw.ca
Sponsored by the Payton and Dillon Budd Memorial Fund by local philanthropist Tom Budd and in partnership with Virgin Radio and the Okanagan College Foundation, Brittani Sali was the winner of the tuition giveaway towards any health program at Okanagan College. Brittani had applied to the Therapist Assistant Diploma Program at the College. This two-year program was one of the first of its kind in Canada to be nationally accredited and recently earned a new and enhanced national accreditation. Budd’s gift is in support of the Our Students, Your Health Campaign for the new state-of-the-art Health Sciences Centre at Okanagan College of which I am honoured to be the Campaign Ambassador. www.ourstudentsyourhealth.ca
Seventy poems where submitted for the first RDCO, Okanagan Shines Spring Poetry Contest. Congratulations to Nicole G. (Celebration of Spring) who won the grand prize of a $100.00 gift card. Other category winners were Gwyneth L. (Spring), Makena S. (Springtime), Isabella S, (The Egg), Yvonne S. (The Owls of Woodhaven) and Carla J. (Spring Stands Still).
You won’t want to miss the live stream of Banding Together this Friday, June 5th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. (PDT) in support of our local food banks. Local musicians are asking you to join them for a Happy Hour Dance Party concert featuring The Strolling Bones with special guest appearance from Rick 'Poppa Dawg Halisheff and Gail and Karl Hourigan. There will be a live link to enable viewers to donate directly to the food bank who will issue tax receipts. Event link is www.cofoodbank.com/bandingtogether
Congratulations to both RE/AX Kelowna and West Kelowna and The Fraser Hawley Group and volunteers on their respective fundraising events for the Food Bank. Gerry Fraser and Paul Hawley, along with sponsor Shred-it raised $4,267.80 in donations for shredding and $750.00 in bottle returns. RE/MAX raised a whopping $17,125.55 in bottle drive, which was held at Trinity Church who was also a sponsor.
Authorized Canon Sales and Service dealership, Innov8 Digital Solutions has returned to its Alberta roots and expanded to Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer. President, Andre Brosseau, originally from Edmonton has a long history in providing office equipment solutions to the Alberta Market in a different capacity and now is entering that market again. www.myinnov8.ca
Kudos to Mayor Colin Basran and WFN Chief Chris Derickson, both raising more than $10,000.00 each in the Haircuts for Health Care Campaign for the new Health Sciences Centre at Okanagan College. The Centre will train students for eight frontline health care professions. Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton donated another $5,000.00 after the campaign surpassed $10,000.00. I am honoured to be the Campaign Ambassador for the new Health Sciences Centre.www.okanagan.bc.ca
Birthdays of the week – David McDougall (June 3); Jo-Anne Grove (June 3); Mark Lindsay (June 3); Tamara Joel (T.J.) 101.5 EZ ROCK; (June 4); Marie Ablett (June 5); Andrew Gaucher (June 4); Brent Stewart (June 4); Bill Winters, former neighbor (June 4); Jerry Pokorny (June 5); Barb Dumbovic (June 7); Pam Samaddar (June 7); Mary Sundquist (June 7); Terry Armstrong (June 8); Martin McDermott (June 8); Jan McArthur (June 9); Gilles Dufort (June 9); Zdravko Golubic (June 9); Laura Doncom (June 9).
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662 E-mail max@maxinedehart.ca or web-site www.maxinedehart.ca
