The Kelowna Bonsai Club is celebrating their 40th Anniversary in June, 2023. The non-profit organization brings together like-minded Bonsai enthusiasts of all different skill levels and ages. Along with field trips during the year, the club hosts general meetings where they have Bonsai demonstrations and video presentations and during the spring through fall they meet for hands-on help with their own bonsai trees. The Bonsai club has many young members, the youngest being nine-year old Jonathan Kootenkoff and their oldest member is a charter member, Len Bidwell. To celebrate, they are hosting a couple of events. On Saturday May 27th and Sunday, May 28th, they will host a Bonsai show at Orchard Park Mall (Peach entrance). On Sunday, June 11th, the club will celebrate their 40th Anniversary at Kasugai Gardens from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. As well as highlighting their trees and past history, they have made it into a Japanese cultural event including different aspects of Japanese Culture including performances and food, partnering with Kelowna Kasugai Sister City and the Kelowna Buddhist Temple. Don Tamaki is the President of the organization and other members are Darren Hedstrom, Show Director; Martin Vincze, Sensei/Program Director; Sheila Lawrence, Public Relations; Debbie Mah, Treasurer; Lee Temple, Secretary; Led Bidwell, Historian/Librarian/Charter Member; Frank Teichmann, Newsletter; Tyler Wilson, Membership Director and Linda Tamaki, Social Media and Social Director. Facebook Kelowna Bonsai Club.
Kerry MacNaull, Senior Account Manager at Bell Media is celebrating her 25th anniversary with Bell Media. Kerry was originally hired by Paul Mann, and during this time, she has been through a few different owners including Telemedia and Astral before Bell Media. When she was hired, Kerry was able to offer their clients just radio, but now she works with radio, digital programs and CTV morning show segments. Kerry now focuses on the winery business and wine-based clientele as she is a certified sommelier.
Uptown Rutland Business Association is hosting their After Hours on June 7, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Studio 9 School of the Arts, 1180 Houghton Road.
Congratulations to Laurel D’Andrea, former Executive Director of the Uptown Rutland Association, and Charlie Struck on their recent engagement. Laurel is now residing in Kitimat, but I am hoping they will have their wedding in Kelowna. Beyond50@telus.net
Tourism Kelowna has a new Board of Directors for 2023/24. They are Annika Betts, Andrew Peller; Audrey Surrao, RauDZ Creative Concepts; Bobby Bissessar, The Cove Lakeside Resort; Dale Sivucha, Coast Capri Hotel; Delco McEvoy, Best Western Plus; Edan Fay, The Royal Kelowna; Jon De Bruyne, Kelowna Concierge; Kelly Watt, Sandman Hotel & Suites; Kimberly Hundertmark, Okanagan Wine Festivals; Michael J. Ballingall, Big White Ski Resort; Nataley Nagy, Kelowna Art Gallery and Natalie Corbett, Accent Inns/Hotel Zed. Appointees are Cedric Young, Kelowna Hotel Motel Association; Councillor Charlie Hodge, City of Kelowna; Jenny Money, WFN; Sam Samaddar, YLW; Thom Killingsworth, Past Chair and Councillor Tricia Brett, District of Lake Country. The board will elect executive roles at their May board meeting. www.tourismkelowna.com
Pamela Pearson of Sentes Automotive has received the Kelowna Women in Business Association, Woman of the Year Award. This award recognizes an individual who represents the organization’s values and mission, demonstrates inclusivity, is a champion for women in the workforce and is actively involved in the community. Pamela has been the Director of Operations for Sentes Automotive for the past 15 years with a focus on HR/team culture and overall dealership operations. Pamela is the past-president of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce.
More Sentes news. Automotive Shuttle Manager, Darryl Hazell is celebrating 10 years with the company. Sentes comments that Darryl is a well-liked, hardworking manager who, with his business background, has proven outstanding leadership, excellent judgment and is dedicated to moving his department in the right direction while performing at a high level. Darryl was formerly the owner /operator of IGA Glenmore for 17 years and during that time contributed to the community in many ways. Darryl has also officially retired from the Auxiliary RCMP program on May 1st after 23 years as a volunteer. www.sentes.com
Ilona Morrison is the owner/operator of Vertical Greens Kelowna. She has been sharing and teaching tower garden technology for eight years, empowering people to grow their own food within the community. Over the past few years, she feels it has become more and more relevant and necessary to be in control of our own food supply. Ilona decided to start the first indoor vertical aeroponic garden in Kelowna open to the public to purchase chemical free greens, seedlings, seeds and to educate on the aeroponic tower garden technology future of growing. Her vertical indoor garden has seven tower gardens and grows 224 plants in a newly renovated commercial garage. The tower garden aeroponic technology takes up 90% less space, uses 90% less water and produces three times faster than a traditional soil garden. There is no soil therefore no weeding, fertilizing, or tilling needed, and it is self-watering. Ilona is hosting a grand opening on Sunday, June 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at her commercial business space at #17 – 737 Stremel Road. Instagram and Facebook at verticalgreenskelowna.
Comedian Joe Avati is bringing his new World Tour; When I was Your Age to Kelowna on June 2nd at the Mary Irwin Theatre. Hosted by the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club, Avati is one of the original ethnic comedians. Akin to his unique brand of comedy, the show takes its focus in generational and cultural differences one step further by putting a hilarious spin on the complexities of modern-day parenting. One thing that sets him apart is the fact that he keeps his show clean, which means that all generations can enjoy his comedy. For tickets www.kelownaitalianclub.com/joe-avati.html
Dr. Halia Valladares Montemayor will assume the role of Dean, Science and Technology at Okanagan College starting July 1st. Dr. Halia was a former special projects advisor to the Vice-President Academic at Capilano University and the former Dean of the Faculty of Business and Professional Studies at Capilano. Most recently she was the Academic Dean at Quest University in Squamish, looking after the innovative Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree program. www.okanagan.bc.ca
The Kelowna Paddle Centre at 3020 Abbott Street is hosting an Open House on Sunday, May 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Paddle Centre is a non-profit society operating in cooperation with the City of Kelowna to provide the community of all ages with a safe, accessible, paddling sport for families, individuals and competitors. They will be showcasing their programs and the benefits they provide to the community. Natasha Elliott is the President of the Kelowna Paddle Center and members of the board are Jean French Boulianne, Kelly Cairns, Lyndell Levitt, Deb Ruggiero, Mike Ching and Murray Chalmers. Tamlyn Bohm is the manager of the center. www.kelownapaddlecentre.ca
Impressions Art in the Garden Show and Sale is Sunday, May 28th at 428 Hobson Crescent. From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Artists are Lizann Allan, Cindy Smith, Liz VanGolen Vincent, Laura Salisbury, Suzanne Anderton, Deb Martin, Brenda Thomson, Jane Ritchie and Yolanda De Villiers. Along with art there will be a selection of cards, jewellery, and painted pillows.
Along with sponsors Lift Auto Group, a member of CSN Collision Centres, the Child Advocacy Centre of Kelowna is hosting their yearly raffle. This year, the grand prize is a 2012 Dodge Challenger SXT, with a 300hp and a 3.6L V6 VVT engine. The grand prize draw is June 18th, 2023 on Father’s Day. Tickets at https://cackelowna.rafflenexus.com/a/localmedia
Operations Manager of Four Points by Sheraton, Zoey Dryden has been named Operations Manager of the Year – Four Points Sheraton (Canada and US). Zoey was selected from a huge pool of candidates. Jason Guyitt is the General Manager at the Four Points by Sheraton and Rudolf Heider is the Director of Hospitality at Argus Properties, the owner/operators of the hotel.
Around town...
Kelowna Community Music School, A Midsummer Night’s Gala is Saturday, June 24th at 6:00 p.m. at the Metro Hub, 1265 Ellis Street. Tickets and info at www.kelownacommunitymusicschool.ca
First Kelowna Screening of award-winning Camino Documentary, “Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago” is Friday, May 26th at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Church. Film features two local seniors Wayne Emde and Jack Greenhalgh. Tickets at kelowna@santiago.ca
Mission Dance is hosting Swan Lake Ballet at the Rotary Centre for the Arts on Saturday, June 10th, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 11th, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets at https://rotarycentreforthearts.com/events/event/122802/
Birthdays of the week – Happy 50th Mike Mervyn (May 22); Joan McEwan (May 24); Jeremie Dyck (May 24); Travis Hackl (May 24); Lou Blais (May 25); Lani Rout (May 25); Dave (Teapot) Dunscombe (May 25); Riley Crawford (May 25); Ron Mattiussi (May 25); Lynn Pedde (May 25); Deb Dunnigan (May 25); Don Shafer (May 25); John Guidolin (May 26); Dena Barabash (May 27); Stephen Fuhr (May 27); Irene Thomas (May 27); Lucas Griffin (May 27); Tom Macauley (May 27); Jessica Kokan (May 27); Richard Prowse (May 28); Stewart Turcotte (May 28); Carmen Lobsinger (May 28); Cindy Atkinson (May 29); Ron Manoin (May 30); Bob Stewart (May 30); Craig Prystay (May 30); Jim Meiklejohn (May 30).
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
