Boy, you just never know who's going to pop into the Cherryville RV Golf and Roadhouse Caf茅 on Highway 6 east of Lumby for a bite to eat.
One day, Roadhouse owner Brian Gatzke and his staff are serving lunch to Academy Award-winning director James Cameron (winner for Titanic, Oscar-nominated for Avatar). He was in the region looking at property with local realtor Pat Duggan.
Canadian actor Kim Coates, who starred as Tig in the FX motorcycle gang series Sons of Anarchy, has enjoyed the food at the Roadhouse so much he's been there twice.
And now, the caf茅's Perogie Platter could become the subject of another hit record from American country music superstar Dierks Bentley, who stopped off at the Roadhouse with a large group Saturday, March 22.
Bentley and friends had been powder skiing in the Monashee Mountains with Kingfisher Heli-Skiing out of Revelstoke when they headed into Cherryville to get something to eat.
"I know who Dierks is, but I didn't recognize him," said Gatzke, who's owned the RV park, golf course, and restaurant for 18 years, of his latest brush with a celebrity in the rural community. "He was up admiring some of the things on our wall when a husband and wife and their two kids asked if he was Dierks. The cat was out of the bag."
Gatzke said Bentley was extremely friendly and polite, happily posing for pictures, including one with Roadhouse staffers Meg and Laura.
"He was cool with everyone," said Gatzke, who had a chance to have a good conversation with the multi-award-winning singer. Gatzke happened to have a couple of his guitars nearby, and he and Bentley chatted about that and other things in the restaurant.
Bentley ordered the 12-piece Perogie Platter, served up by the caf茅's owner. The delicacies are made with bacon and cheddar cheese, and comes with farmer's sausage.
"He couldn't finish it, but he loved it," laughed Gatzke.
Bentley is a five-time Male Vocalist of the Year winner, and six-time Album of the Year winner from the Country Music Association Awards. He's also been the Academy of Country Music Awards' Male Vocalist of the Year three times, a two-time winner of Male Artist of the Year, and a six-time collector of the Album of the Year trophy.
His Broken Branches Tour begins May 29 in Austin, TX, but the only Canadian stop so far is slated for June 12 in Toronto. There are currently no planned dates in Washington, Oregon, or Montana.
Bentley was in Nashville March 19 to celebrate 100 Years of the Grand Ole Opry radio program. He was part of a tribute to the late Charlie Daniels.
The Roadhouse will host local country superstar Lee Dinwoodie, and a five-piece country band, Saturday, May 17. Dinner and the show is $60. You can call or text 250-868-1709 for tickets or more information.
