Maxine Dehart

Straight from DeHart

Date: February 14/2007

After over 30 years, Wayne and Wendy Duchart have sold their well-known company “Photography West” at 3022 Tutt Street to Stephanie Tracy (nee Gorman) and Arik Broadbent. Both Stephanie and Arik are not new to Kelowna as both grew up in the valley and have strong roots here. Ironically, Stephanie received her photography degree at the Brooks Institute in California, the same place that Wayne received his 30 years ago. Arik obtained his business degree in Victoria. Wayne will be staying on with the new owners, complementing their wedding business. Photography West also specializes in camera’s, including SLR’s, accessories, studio equipment, printers, scanners, pro film, tripods, light meters and much more. Call 860-3563

Shawn Paduano is the new Director of Golf and Head Golf Professional at Predator Ridge Golf Resort. He was most recently the Head Professional at St. Eugene Golf Resort in Cranbrook and is currently on the board of directors for the B.C. Professional Golfers Association (BCPGA). Prior to that, he worked at a number of courses in Alberta including Kananaskis, D’Arcy Ranch Golf Club and Heritage Pointe Golf Club. Call 250-503-3400 or 888-578-6688

The roads in Kelowna are a lot safer now! After 42 years, Mike Skubiak, owner/operator of Mike Skubiak Trucking has retired. You will no longer see him driving his gravel truck down Highway 97. He's now going to fiddle around on his hobby farm and have fun with all his long-time friends.

Along with all their many other products and produce, the Tomato King on Casorso is now offering a great assortment of cheeses from around the world. Working with a distributor from Vancouver Island and well-known cheese maker “Lekker” they now have a huge assortment of goat cheeses with different flavours, along with Irish cheddar, Balderson Cheddar, Swiss, Smoked Gruyere, Applewood smoked cheddar and many more. They also have a new 24 hour spring water dispenser which offers a five gallon tank for only $3. They are open from 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday. Call 979-0001.

St. John Ambulance branch manager, Carol Pilon has moved on to a full time position as their Regional Manager. Vicki Kascak will become the new acting branch manager. Vicki and Carol have been working as a team for nearly six years and the transition to their new positions will enhance their service to our community. St. John Ambulance has a number of events coming up, including Therapy Dog Evaluations, Mock Disaster Training Exercises and a Brigade Recruitment promotion. If you’re interesting in any of the events, call 762-2840 or drop into their office at 1941 Kent Road.

Pioneer Country Market on Benvoulin Road has re-opened for the season.

The Kelowna Hotel Motel Association has elected their new board 2007 board of directors. Congrat’s to president, Rosemary Patterson (Best Western Inn); treasurer, Heather Schaub (Casa Loma) and secretary, Karen Stevenson (Accent Inns). Directors are Glen Standon (Royal Anne), Heather Schroeter (Manteo), Basil Zailo (Vineyard Inn), Brad Seiben (Eldorado Hotel) and Gavin Perry (Coast Capri). After nine years as president, Stan Martindale of the Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre did not put his name forward for re-election. He will still remain on the board as past president.

After selling her store “Earthly Creations Floral and Gift Gallery on Pandosy Street eight years ago, as well as her award winning Stonehaven Bed & Breakfast and moving to Calgary, Bernice Lambert is back in town and creating again. She has just opened “Chic Happenz” at 2978A Pandosy Street, a shop that offers gifts unique and a little antique. Her interior design background and artistic talents shine as you enter the warm and inviting shop. Specializing in redefined and restored turn of the century antiques, the store is also full of home décor items, hand crafted jewellery, custom all occasion gift baskets, candles, candle holders, picture frames, antique pottery, lotions and lots of unique gift items. You will also find Bernice’s hand crafted hat and stick pins, along with other jewellery, created and deigned under her artisan name of “AnnieB” Creations. There is also some clothing and along with her antique furniture, she also offers some new pieces. Give yourself a lot of time to browse in this shop – you won’t want to miss a thing. Her grand opening is February 17 and 18. Call 808-2188.

Jenine Minguad is now working at the Okanagan Estate Wine Cellar and Gift Shop at the airport. They offer a good variety of valley wines. Her daughter Natalie Minguad is working right next door at the Skyway News outlet. They have been friends of mine for over 25 years.

Okanagan Home Business is no longer offering formal evening meetings with speakers at the EDC on KLO Road. Instead, they are restructuring as a networking support group that meets for lunch on the third Friday of each month. There will no longer be annual membership fees. They now get together at the Sunrise Restaurant in the Comfort Inn on the Westside at 1655 Westgate Road. Their first luncheon will be Friday, February 16. The only cost is the $8.99 plus tax and gratuity for your own buffet meal. They will still have their summer BBQ party in June. To RSVP for the luncheons call 769-4028 or e-mail info@okhomebiz.org.

Congratulations to Canadian Sports Legend, UBC alumnus and member of the UBC Sports Hall of Fame, Herb Capozzi who has been named Honorary Chair for the Second Annual Valley First/UBC Okanagan Athletic Scholarship Breakfast. Now in its second year, the event will be held on April 13 at the Coast Capri Hotel. The inaugural breakfast last year raised $25,000 to establish the UBC Okanagan Athletics Scholarship Endowment, with UBC matching the amount.

The Okanagan Chef’s Association is having their Annual Valentine’s Dinner for the less fortunate this Saturday, February 17^th at the First United Church Hall on Richter and Bernard from 4:30pm to 6pm. Created by Chef Reinhard Foerderer and the staff at Manteo Resort, the dinner is offered free of charge for seniors, families and anyone who is trying to stretch their budget. They serve hundreds of meals and having been doing so for over 16 years. When speaking with Chef Bernie Senuk, he says the dinner is for anyone who is hungry and they do not want any left over meals. He says “just show up and eat.” It’s a fabulous way to spend a special day and Chef Reinhard and Bernie should be commended along with all their sponsors and volunteers.

Congratulations to Jaime (RCMP) and Brandon Moffat (Burnco) on the birth of their son Brodie Owen. Two year old Tayleur is excited too. Also congrat’s to grandparents Gail Harrison (CIBC) and RCMP Superintendent Don Harrison.

The City is hosting an open house at the Capital News Centre at 4105 Gordon Drive (at Lequime) on development of the Aquatic Centre at Mission Recreation Park tomorrow evening, February 15 from 5-8pm. City staff will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. Also, Aquatic Centre public displays, which highlight the Aquatic Centre’s design and features will be in place for six weeks from February 19 to March 30^th for the public to review at various locations around the city. The Aquatic Centre will include a 50-metre swimming pool to accommodate a variety of recreational activities and all aquatic sports, a large leisure water park including a wave pool, three water slides, a children’s play area and river run, as well as a major new fitness centre. It is expected the facility will open to the public in December, 2008.

This is a neat story. Bruce Baron of Crime Stoppers is riding high these days. Their son graduated from the RCMP training academy this past Monday. Bruce was in the RCMP, his wife was in the RCMP and their oldest daughter and her husband are both in the RCMP and are currently instructors at the RCMP training academy. That just leaves their 16 year old daughter to decide what she wants to do. Any bets?

Team Scott is competing in Lethbridge, AB in the National Scotties Tournament of Hearts, February 17-25, trying to defend their Team Canada title and bring it back home to Kelowna once again. TSN will be televising three games a day, so you can catch Team Scott in live action and follow their progress throughout the week. Kelly Scott, Jeanna Schraeder, Sasha Carter, Renee Simons and Coach Gerry Richard will be in for some tough competition against past Olympic Medalists and Canadian & World Champions, but they are ready for the challenge.

“Lift What’s Draggin” Senior medal-winning Dragonboat team are holding their 2^nd fundraising dance called “A Fabulous Fifties Frolic” at the Water Street Centre on Saturday, March 3 at 7pm. They are hosting a live band, Johnny Thunder and the Hurricanes, which comprises of John McIntyre, Greg Murphy, Vic Sakala, Dave Friesen, Beryl Amaron and Marsio Manderioli. There will be door prizes, dancing, costume contests, a silent auction, snacks and refreshments. Tickets are only $15 and available to the public at the Centre at 1360 Water Street or by calling Chris Bischoff at 763-9332. Limited tickets are available to this great event.

The early stages of planning the Easter Seals 24 Hour Relay have started. The 24 Hour Relay is produced in conjunction with the Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs and raises funds for the Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs and BC Lions Society’s Easter Seals camping program for children with disabilities. They are having an information night on Wednesday, February 21 at 5:30pm at the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club’s Martin Centre location at 1434 Graham Street. Learn how you can become a part of this great event, how it works, who it helps and what you need to do. For more info call 762-3989, Ext. #107

The Okanagan College Home for Learning project received a Georgie award from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of B.C. in the category of Best Public-Private partnership at an annual award ceremony held in Vancouver. The College won gold for the Village of Kettle Valley home built by students in the Residential Construction program. In addition to winning the Georgie, the Home for Learning also won a gold Tommie Award in January in a different category, Outstanding Contribution to the Housing Industry.

The Rutland Arena lobby expansion has been completed at the Rutland Twin Arena. The new 2,200 square foot lobby features a new main entrance, a full concession, new windows and a brighter, more attractive décor. The new lobby will serve both rinks.

Had a reader ask me a question that I could not answer. Any help out there. They are looking for a location to host their 13 year old’s birthday party at the end of March on a Friday and were hoping to find somewhere in town that they could rent to have a bonfire and play some big “field” games. Any idea where they might go and who they might call. Let me know and I’ll pass it on.

Quote of the week – A smile is a passport that will take you anywhere you want to go.

Birthdays of the week – Happy 80^th Norma Tissington (Feb. 17); Rod Warnock (my brother-in-law) Monashee Consulting and Personnel (Feb.17).

Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna hotelier. Phone her at 979-4546, fax 860-3173, E-mail maxdehart@telus.net and web-site www.welcometokelowna.com (click on Business)