This week’s column is dedicated to a good friend of our family, Bill Scutt who died suddenly April 27. Bill was a wonderful, unique individual with a huge smile and a great sense of humour. He had a huge heart to go along with that smile. Bill and my husband Chris have been friends for many years, enjoying their renowned Scotch club with many other long-time local friends. Bill will be missed by many in Kelowna. Personal condolences to Pamela, all his family, colleagues and many friends. Bill’s Celebration of Life will be June 2, 2 p.m., at the Kelowna Yacht Club.
Kelowna postwar contemporary artist Don Makela will host an art show/exhibition on Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Specialty Bakery, 833 Finns Rd. in Rutland.
You are invited to a showing of a series of landscape, contemporary and abstract paintings. Don grew up in Montana and studied painting and illustration at Denver University and the University of Kansas. After graduation he spent three years in the U.S. Army doing illustrations for the military. Don then went to Europe travelling and working in Italy, Switzerland and England. Back in North America, Don emigrated to Canada in 1975 and since then has been a self-employed artist in Kelowna. His paintings are shown in collections in Canada and the US, and in several European countries. Don has a collection of painted murals and public art works in venues throughout the Okanagan. Everyone is welcome to attend the art show and meet Don.
ArtframeR is a custom picture framing studio at 1125 Pacific Ave., just south of the Capri Centre off Gordon Drive in Kelowna. Owned and operated by Roger Lee, who returned home to the Okanagan from Vancouver to open the business last spring. Roger has 20 years of custom picture framing experience, a keen eye for detail and a personal interest in customer satisfaction. To celebrate, for the month of May all custom picture framing is 15 per cent off. For custom framing or inquiries you can visit the studio from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and until 5:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday. You can also call/text/email to arrange an appointment at 778-881-2102 or info@artframer.net. Another special note for arborists and flora-fans. In addition, the ArtframeR property features a cascading bloom of a gorgeous pink Leptospermum tree (from the Myrtle family or tea tree) in late May. Definitely worth a look and a good backdrop for selfies.
James Davison is the new branch manager of Scotiabank’s location at Orchard Place at 101-1835 Dilworth Dr. in Kelowna. James is not new to the banking industry as he joined Scotiabank in 2018 as a part-time teller. After one year, James became a financial advisor and then three years later became the assistant manager of Scotiabank’s Lakeshore Road branch. James received his degree in economics at UBC Okanagan.
Local law firm Pushor Mitchell Lawyers LLP has unveiled its new look. After recently celebrating 50 years in business, the firm is looking ahead to the next 50 years with a new corporate branding presents a fresh face to clients while representing a renewed and revitalized pledge to uphold Pushor Mitchell’s dedication to relationship-driven legal excellence. While the brand is new, the firm will continue to provide and enhance its wide-ranging legal services across their many areas of practice. In addition to providing trusted advice to clients, the firm has built lasting relationships with charitable, athletic and cultural organizations throughout the Okanagan helping the community to thrive.
Globally Fair, at 1789 Ross Rd. in West Kelowna celebrates its their 10th anniversary in business this month. Owned and operated by Kate and Cindy Henderson, the shop has many beautiful, fair trade, handmade items from 43 countries around the world as well as many sustainable products, Canadian and locally made. For the month of May, you can enter their draw to win a $50 gift certificate, or a beautiful Turkish blanket valued at $200. Five per cent of sales in May will also be donated to the Central Okanagan Food Bank.
Callahan Property Group has supported the Central Okanagan Food Bank by sponsoring the organizations fuel cost over the next three years, with a total huge contribution of $100,000. With the Callahan’s support, COFB can continue its vital food rescue effort, through the nutritional hamper program. The food rescue program redirects surplus perishable food away from landfills and transforms it into nutritious meals for those facing food insecurity. The program operates 365 days a year, forging partnerships with 18 local retail grocery partners and farmers to salvage all perishable food.
Kelowna is a leading provider of Systemic Therapy, a life-saving approach that combined chemotherapy with personalized drug therapies. To help accelerate a new systemic therapy suite, critical for improving wait time and increasing treatment capacity in the region, Crowe MacKay LLP has donated $50,000 to BC Cancer – Kelowna. Over the past 20 years, Crowe MacKay LLP has donated more than $200,000 to fuel progressive advances in care and treatment at BC Cancer – Kelowna. Dave Gautier is Crowe MacKay Kelowna’s office managing partner.
On May 19, Rob Siddon will ride in support of awareness for men’s mental health and prostate cancer research. The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride 2024 is a global event that has raised over $45 million since its inception. Last year, Rob raised over $7,000 and this year he is aiming to top $10,000. To donate gfolk.me/RobSiddon510123; www.gentlemansride.com.
Global music solo violinist Sophie Armstrong is set to make an anticipated comeback to the stage after a five-year absence, after suffering a major injury in a devastating car accident. With a new album in the works, she will grace the stage at the Rotary Centre for the Arts at the ASPIRE Gala & Reception presented by Central Okanagan Performing Arts Festival as a special guest with other performing arts professionals and festival winners. For more information, visit copafestival.com.
The Kelowna & District S.H.A.R.E. Society, located at 581 Gaston Ave., has an exciting new project to launch called the Tee-Tote Project. The society hopes this project will make an impact on the environment, the economy and our society with a commitment to reuse by selling and giving away clothing and household items. The Tee-Tote Project is about upcycling T-Shirts into Tee-Tote bags. Heather Makortoff is the program coordinator.
The Okanagan Xeriscape Association’s (OXA) annual spring plant sale is Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Wild Bloom Nursery, 840 Old Vernon Rd. There will be a pre-sale for OXA members on Friday, May 10, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the same location. Along with the OXA, Wild Bloom and XEN Nurseries, the Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer any of your plant questions. More than 30 drought-tolerant plant varieties will be available for sale, while native plants will be sold by XEN and other drought-tolerant plants by Wild Bloom.
May is Okanagan Heritage Month, celebrating the diversity of Asian cultures in our community. Along with many events highlighted at www.asianheritage.ca, the association will host Family Sundays at the Kelowna Art Gallery. Join them for Japanese Origami Flower Bouquet on May 12 by Luna Taniguchi, Korean Traditional Wrapping Style on May 19 by Yewon Yin, and Paper Plate Filipino Craft on May 26th with Bella Fermin. Fei Lin is the executive director of OCCA Communities Association.
The public is invited to join Mia’s Ride at Paynter’s Market on May 11, from noon to 7 p.m., a fundraiser for accessibility. Mia’s sister will be selling candy to support her sister’s cause and Paynter’s will be donating $1 from all ice-cream sales for the day.
Keep the date open to participate in the second annual Garry Benson Memorial Golf Tournament on Sept. 12, at Sunset Ranch Golf Club. Title Sponsors are Benson Law LLP Lawyers and Canco. For registration or sponsorship contact Marek Buryska at marekb@live.ca or 250-258-1793 or Kent Harris at kent.harris@arlingtonstreet.ca. Early Bird registration ends June 1. Proceeds to benefit BC Cancer – Kelowna.
Gerry Fraser and the team at Fraser Hawley Group of RE/MAX Kelowna hosted a Magic Night at The Village at Gallagher’s Canyon featuring magician and illusionist Ryan Michael. The Gallagher’s residents donated a whopping $2,585 to the Okanagan Food Bank in appreciation of the evening.
Birthdays of the Week
Happy 100th Ola Cassan (May 15); Lori Metcalf (May 7); Bonnie Redman (May 7); Rhonda Lindsay (May 8); Susan Johal (May 8); Becky Marks (May 8); Ron Cannan (May 8); Joanna Bernath (May 9); Melanie Hall-Szyszkiewicz (May 9); Kamlesh Patel (May 10); Grant Wolfe (May 10); Clair Jantzen (May 10); Michael J. Ballingall (May 10); Justin Lu (May 10); Sandi Deschner (May 11); Rick Essler (May 11); Rob Balsdon (May 12); Arnie Schneider (May 13); Joy Huculak (May 13); Marian Grimwood (May 13); Shane Osborne (May 14); Mike Schell ( May 14).
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna city councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662, email max@maxinedehart.ca.