How time flies! Guess what everyone? This month my column celebrates its 19th year with the 琉璃神社. And, I鈥檓 still here! Thanks to all of you for your good wishes and congratulations. Many thanks to all of you, our readers, friends, colleagues and clients for supporting the newspaper, this column and me. Your loyalty and continued support and encouragement have made our success. Thanks for all the leads, faxes, e-mails, phone calls, letters, Facebook, LinkedIn messages, referrals, stops on the street and visits to the Ramada Hotel (where I hang my hat). Keep them coming. I appreciate everything, especially all of you taking me into your confidence each week. I certainly could not have made this great milestone without your help.
350 Bakehouse and Caf茅 has opened at 567 Bernard Ave. in the former Tripke Bakery location.
The cafe is open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Owned and operated by baker Ed Wouda and Lindsay Lapointe, the bakery and caf茅 has been gutted and renovated with a new semi-industrial/rustic look. The premises are bright with both booth and table seating. Along with Lone Tree Coffee from Summerland and other specialty coffee and beverages, the bakery offers some items from Ed鈥檚 great-great grandfather鈥檚 recipes. An experienced baker, Ed and his family owned the Cakebox Bakery in Summerland for 10 years. The caf茅 offers breakfast sandwiches, soups, sandwiches and salads. Look for all kinds of fresh breads, hot cross buns, pastries, cinnamon buns, cheesecakes, and donuts everyday made the old fashioned way. Their specialty is lemon tarts and New York style cheesecakes. Custom cakes can be ordered along with party trays of sandwiches and pastries. Call 236-420-0350; www.350bakehousecafe.ca
Well-known businessman and Rotarian Dennis Mitchell owner/operator of IGA in Rutland, is retiring April 5 after 28 years in business. I was both happy and sad to hear this as Dennis has been a good friend for many years and also a major sponsor of the Maxine DeHart 鈥� United Way, Ramada Hotel Drive-Thru Breakfast since its inception. But don鈥檛 fret; we are not getting rid of him entirely. Todd Roberts, Dennis鈥� son-in-law, and his daughter Dara will take over the store as Dennis will now come and go as he pleases. Not sure how Todd feels about this, but on the whole, great news for both of them.
Vertical Edge Window Cleaning, owned and operated by Preston and Nicole Hayden, is a home-based family-run business in West 琉璃神社. They service the area from Lumby to Okanagan Falls and everywhere in-between. Vertical Edge recently secured a top 10 spot in the B.C. Small Business Awards in the category of Best New Concept. Not new to the window cleaning business, Preston has been in the industry in the Okanagan for over 12 years. Services offered are cleaning windows inside and out for residential, commercial and high rises, moss removal, power washing, gutter cleaning and repair and they install and take down Christmas light displays. Check them out on their Facebook page or call 778-214-2481.
Carla Bond-Fisher, owner of Sticks + Stone Design Group at 50-1615 Dickson Ave. in 琉璃神社, has won the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC) Top in Technology Award.This award recognizes an ASTTBC member who has demonstrated qualifications consistent with the high expectations of a B.C. professional committed to serving the public and acting as a role model to other British Columbians.
The A.C.T/UCT 琉璃神社 West Club #1003 has a new board for 2017-18. Congratulations to Susan Warner (president), John Grant (vice-president) and Keith Preece (past president). On the executive are Dave Roseberry, Rick Warner, Lee Pearston, Penny Pearston, Sheri Melrose, Dick Melrose, and Sheila Falk. Phoning committee members are Pat McGivor, Sheila McClelland, Shirley Carter and Dorothy Richardson. At the President鈥檚 Dinner and AGM, Dave Roseberry was the recipient of the prestigious Member of the Year Award. Sheila Falk and Louise Gauthier both received Roses for the Living recognition for their tireless service to the club. The A.C.T./UCT 琉璃神社 West Council #1003 is a service club benevolently serving their members and supporting the community and charitable organizations financially and through volunteerism. Over the years they have donated approximately $1,000,000 to local charitable organizations.
Happy 45th anniversary Con and Phyllis Litz (March 30).
The Regional District of Central Okanagan board has appointed three new members to the Environment Advisory Commission. Serving three-year terms will be Rihanna Moghadas, Rick Simpson and Tanis Gieselman. The independent commission volunteers represent a diverse back ground of environmental professions, practice and experience which provides expert advice for the regional board on environmental issues relating to land use and development applications.
Maria鈥檚 Hair Fashions, owned and operated by Tammy Lloyd at 1695B Burtch Rd. (behind Brown鈥檚 Social House) in 琉璃神社, has a new stylist that has relocated from Germany. Adina Heide is fluent in English, German and Russian. She has seven years of training and experience as a hair stylist and specializes in colour and foils. Adina also does bonded hair extensions and can turn short, thin hair into gorgeous long, thick luscious locks. Tammy previously worked for Maria鈥檚 for 20 years and then took over the shop, but did not change the name. She has now owned the hair salon for nine years and has been a stylist for 30 years herself. For appointments call 250-763-3375.
The Central Okanagan Hospice Association (COHS) has relocated to 200- 1890 Cooper Rd. in Orchard Plaza. Call 250-763-5511.
Adrienne Staley has joined the 琉璃神社 law firm of Pihl Law Corporation at 300-1465 Ellis St. She practices primarily in the area of personal injury and employment law. Call 250-762-5434
Canada鈥檚 Garden Destination of the Year was awarded to the Okanagan Lavender &Herb Farm, at 4380 Takla Rd., by the Canadian Garden Council at the 2017 Garden Tourism Awards. The Garden Tourism Awards are presented to organizations and individuals who have distinguished themselves in the development and promotion of garden experiences as tourism attractions and motivators. The farm boutique reopens on May 1 and the garden opens on May 20 for guided or self-guided tours of the xeriscape gardens. The peak bloom time for lavender is during the first three weeks of July. Call 250-764-7795; www.okanaganlavender.com
Summerhill Pyramid Winery has won a gold medal at France鈥檚 Chardonnay du Monde Competition for their 2014 Chardonnay Ice wine. The Ice wine is a vibrant desert wine with notes of honey, apricot and poached pears. Eric von Krosigk is the winemaker and viticulturist at Summerhill Pyramid Winery.
Andrew Portwood, a private practice counsellor and behaviour specialist with School District 23, will host a two-night workshop, Transforming My Tribe: Reducing Anxiety and Anger in Kids and Teens on April 12 (Park I) and April 17 (Park II) from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the Pacific Boardroom of the Rotary Centre for the Arts. The workshops explain the essential elements seen in kids and teens who truly thrive and how a break down in these elements can lead to anxiety, anger, frustration and a host of other critical symptoms. For tickets and more information visit www.clarowellness.ca or call 250-862-2673
The Uptown Rutland Business Association Uptown After Hours is Wednesday, April 5, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Aubin &Associates, Notaries Public, 202 -125 Highway 33 East.
Congratulations to Paul Philips and Libbie Lineker (CupCasions) on their April 1 wedding.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan board has appointed four members to the Agricultural Advisory Commission. Bob Fugger, Aura Rose, Salvatore Tangaro and Andreas Wins-Purdy will serve three year terms. The Agricultural Advisory Commission provides advice to the regional board, other commissions and staff regarding agricultural issues and the potential impact of land use and planning decisions on agriculture.
B.C. Liberal 琉璃神社-Mission incumbent candidate Steve Thomson and his campaign team will host an official opening of their campaign office on Saturday, April 1 (no fooling), from 3 to 5 p.m., at 1769 Harvey Ave. in Central Plaza.
The Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1091 Coronation Ave.,will hold their Easter Food Sale on Saturday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The church will offer their pre-sale day on April 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. Available for pre-sale is perogies, cabbage rolls, garlic sausage and pies (apple, apricot, plum, strawberry and rhubarb). To order pre-sale items call Alice Pelechaty at 250-763-4870 or joestetch@yahoo.com by April 3.
The Rutland United Church Spring Ham Dinner and Silent Auction is April 8, 5:30 p.m. Tickets $20. For information and tickets call 250-765-5141.
Birthdays of the week: Don Jeffries (Mar. 29); Mike Rout (Mar. 30); Tove Sorenson (Mar. 31); Bob Hoffman (Mar. 31); Donna Basran (Mar. 31); Carson Chan (Apr. 1); Diane (Dee) Essler (Apr. 4); Karen Hill, 琉璃神社 (Apr. 1); David Craig (Apr. 1); Jake Jacobsen (Apr.1); Cynthia Waldek-Peters (Apr. 2); Amber Firkins (Apr. 3); Rick Methot, 琉璃神社 (Apr. 3); Ken Bessason (Apr. 3); Lyle Shoemaker (Apr. 4); Steve Stecko (Apr. 4); Savannah Bagshaw (Apr. 4).
Maxine DeHart is a 琉璃神社 City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662, fax 250-860-3173, E-mail maxdehart@telus.net.
