This week’s column is dedicated to a long-time well-known local Ken (Kenny) Wilson. Kenny was a great force in the Master’s Racquetball Association and was the oldest (and wisest) Masters Racquetball player for many years.

He was fondly known as Mr. Racquetball. Kenny will be missed by all his many long-time friends. Personal condolences to Ruth and his entire family.

Consolidated Supply (landscape, irrigation, golf) is a new landscape supplier that has opened a 10,000 square foot building and a 15,000 square foot yard at #103 – 1505 Hardy Street (off Enterprise).

The company provides sales, service and commercial grade parts to the golf, irrigation, landscaping and lawn and garden industries. They also have a good selection of tools and accessories. The company carries supplies of superior product lines of brand named manufacturers such as Rain Bird, Kichler Lighting, Toro, Lasco, K Rain and Atlantic just to name a few.

Established in Winnipeg in 1965 and with offices in Saskatoon, Calgary and Edmonton, Consolidated also provides hardscape items such as paving stones, retaining walls, pizza ovens, BBQ’s with outdoor kitchens and fireplaces. Shane Daerden is the president/owner and Chris Beuchler the CFO/owner of the company. Rob Heron is the local general manager.

Congratulations to partners Devon Murray and Jared Lee of Central Kitchen & Bar at 1155 Ellis Street who were awarded Best Employer at the 14th Annual Small Business BC Awards.

These awards are the largest small business awards competition in the province and recognize the outstanding achievements of British Columbia’s entrepreneurs.

They celebrate the contributions that new and existing businesses registered in B.C. with fewer than 50 employees make to their local communities and the global economy.

Congratulations to lawyer Sean Pihl of Pihl Law Corporation who was appointed to the 2016 Queen’s Counsel.

The QC designation is conferred each year on a small number of legal professionals to recognize exceptional merit and contribution. www.pihl.ca.

Peter Gillis is the new general manager of the Delta Grand Hotel relocating from the Delta Chelsea Hotel in Toronto. Peter will be assuming his new position in April.

After being closed since last summer, the iconic Burger Baron at 140 Rutland Road has reopened. Owned and operated by franchisee Karrin Morris, who relocated from Fort McMurray, the restaurant has been completely renovated and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Burger Baron is famous for its burgers and milkshakes and Karrin’s motto is to bring back the best burger in ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç while offering the same great pricing. On March 24, the president of Coca Cola Canada is coming to visit to see the great renovations.

To add to the atmosphere of the restaurant, they now have an original juke box with 45 records of old diner style music. You might remember this restaurant was a Tastee Freeze back in the ‘70’s. Call 250-765-3906.

Hampton Pools and Landscape has moved to a new location at 1525 Keehn Road (next to BCAA) with their new retail office and showroom open to the public.

Owned and operated by Tim Valerioti, they offer a bright and welcoming full design space to help clients decide on materials and features and now also offer retail sales and equipment displays.

Hampton and its team of pool and landscape professionals have been serving the Okanagan for over 13 years and is an award winning company who just recently was recognized as one of the top companies in the North America Landscaper Contractor Magazine. Call 250-860-3196 www.hamptonliving.ca.

Technology lawyer Paul Matthews, P. Eng. (AB) has joined the firm of Lawson Lundell LLP at their new office in ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç at 1100 – 1631 Dickson Avenue.

He specializes in the areas of technology development and licensing, strategic partnering, outsourcing and procurement, as well as oversight of capital and technology investments. pmatthews@lawsonlundell.com.

The Hotel/Motel Association has a new board of directors for 2017. The executive are Sean Coward, president (Hotel Eldorado); Carla Carlson, vice-president (Comfort Suites); Heather Schaub, treasurer (Casa Loma Resort) and Mel Atkins, secretary (Accent Inns). Directors are Don Culic, Holiday Park Resort; Brent Laverty, Holiday Inn Express; Rosemary Patterson, Best Western; Kelly Watt, Sandman Hotel and Liz Klingbell Fairfield Inn.

Formerly the market manager for DAVIDsTEA, Lacy Molyneaux is the new membership and events coordinator at the Downtown ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç Association. lacey@downtownkelowna.com.

Quality Greens Farm Markets, owned and operated by Chris Holmes and Lisa Taylor have launched QG Points to reward their customers.

Customers can now earn 5 per cent of their pre-tax purchase in points to be used when they choose. It’s a simple program where you receive a QG Points Card with points for the initial transaction loaded onto the card. Then, go to www.qualitygreens.com to activate your card and redeem your points as a purchase discount. The points can be immediately redeemed or accumulated for a future date. Points will be rewarded on all purchases with the only exceptions being the purchase of gift cards or wholesale purchases. Products on special are also eligible. The card is valid in all Quality Greens stores, including ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç Spall and Lakeshore Road, Vernon, West ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç and Penticton.

The ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç Chamber of Commerce has a new board of directors for 2017. Returning directors include Tom Dyas, TD Benefits (president); Ken Carmichael, BDO Canada LLP (immediate past president); Carmen Sparg, Associated Property Management (executive vice-president); Jeff Robinson, Rush Ihas Harwick LLP (Vice President); Martine Hickman, BDC (vice president); Shelagh Turner, Canadian Mental Health Association (director) and Nikki Csek, Csek Creative (director). Re-elected directors are Una Gabie, Touchstone Law (vice-president); Stuart Grant, Norelco Cabinet Solutions (director); Al Hildebrandt, Luv N Hope Foundation (director) and Angela Nagy, GreenStep Solutions (director). Newly elected directors include Ron Cannan, Interior Savings Credit Union and Domenic Rampone, West Manufacturing Ltd.

The ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç & District Fish & Game Club’s Annual Sporting Shot Show is Sunday, March 12 at 4087 Casorso Road in the main clubhouse from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For sale are sporting good products along with fishing, hunting and camping items. Entry fee $2.

The Hudson’s Bay is hosting The Bag Stuffer Shoe Insider Gala all day, Thursday, March 16. Purchase your shoe insider ticket for $10 and you will receive $10 off your Shoe Insider Gala purchase and be entered to win a $500 Hudson’s Bay gift card, Karl Lagerfeld Handbag ($250), Nine West Necklace and earring set ($80) or cosmetic basket ($250). Donate your used shoes to the ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç Shoe Bank for a chance to win a prize. The footwear fashion show is at 1 p.m. along with refreshments and snacks. Call Kim Proulx at 250-860-2483.

Dave Stephenson and his wife Lisa are dancing in the Hospice Swinging with the Stars on March 18. This is a cause near to their hearts as Lisa’s mom Dianne passed away in Hospice. Dave and Lisa are not dancers but have worked hard for the past four months to learn their professionally choreographed routine. They set a hefty goal of raising $25,000 and have launched their final fundraising push Dancing for Dianne. If you are donating for a loved one you have lost, they will write their name on the leather jacket that Dave will be wearing in the dance. As an added incentive, your name will be entered into a draw for some fabulous prizes. To donate contact Lisa at lstephenson4996@gmail.com or call 250-864-1003.

Birthdays of the week – Happy 92nd Sid Tamaki (Mar. 10); Happy 92nd Ron Leroy (Mar. 8); Happy 60th Luke Stack (Mar. 12); Rob Willms (Mar. 8); Rudy Litz (Mar. 9); Marguerite Berry (Mar. 9); Karen Christansen (Mar. 10); Ryan Coome (Mar. 10); Helen Hut (Mar. 12); Linda Manoin (Mar. 12); Bill Justus (Mar. 12); Christine Romanow (Mar. 14); George Apostolidis (Mar. 14); In memory of Lise Sinclair (Mar. 13).

Maxine DeHart is a ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546, 250-862-7662, fax 250-860-3173, E-mail maxdehart@telus.net.