How time flies! This month my column celebrates its 27th anniversary with the 香蕉视频直播. Huge 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. I appreciate all of you taking me into your confidence each week and certainly could not have made this milestone without your help.
Secure-Rite Mobile Storage is celebrating its 20th anniversary in business this year. Starting from a single container in 2005, to growing into a thriving business with six locations across Western Canada, Secure-Rite has redefined portable storage by integrating custom modifications, disaster relief support and industry leading innovation. Started by president Lucas Griffin, I remember meeting and writing an article for Lucas when he started. He began in a home office with a computer, cell phone, business plan and big dreams. Shortly thereafter, five containers were purchased, he rented a tiny yard for storage and contracted out the deliveries. Now his dreams have culminated, and Secure-Rite brings secure, flexible and innovative solutions to homeowners, businesses and industries. Today, they are not just a storage company, they are a team that has helped thousands of businesses, families and communities stay organized, mobile and prepared for whatever comes next. As Secure-Rite enters its third decade, the company is expanding its footprint, investing in technology, and exploring new partnerships to continue delivering top-tier storage solutions. To celebrate this milestone, Secure-Rite is inviting customers, partners and the community to join in the festivities being planned for May 28, 2025, for an in-person celebration.
Park Inn by Radisson, at 365 Mills Rd. and Highway 97, has rebranded its hotel, formerly a Microtel by Wyndam. Family owned and operated by Saug and Kamal Sekhon and their son Jason Sekhon, who is the general manager, the custom designed, contemporary hotel was built in 2020 with 62 rooms, including king rooms, suites, some kitchenettes and hot buffet breakfast daily. The hotel offers great amenities including an indoor pool and hot tub, large fitness centre, game room and one good-sized meeting room. Park Inn also provides a complimentary Grab & Go breakfast as well as the convenience of a Grab & Go market and good complimentary parking. Located inside the hotel is a small unique restaurant called Jeepney Republiq Bar & Bistro that serves authentic Filipino cuisine from noon to 11 p.m. along with Helenas Day Spa and Esthetic香蕉视频直播檚. Additionally, Saug and Kamal香蕉视频直播檚 son Jeeven and his wife Jas operate the Days Inn By Wyndam Kelowna with 92 rooms, next door to the Park Inn.
Living in Rutland his entire life and now a business owner, operating both OK Tire Rutland and Top Grade Tire Recycling, Justin Bullock is the new president of the Uptown Rutland Business Association (URBA). The executive board along with Justin is Indy Dhail, Pita Pit; Jassie Kakoschke, Valley First Credit Union; Brad McNaughton, LUX Quality Homes; Domenic Rampone, Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 Gospel Mission and Harjit Toora, Manohar Vietnamese Bakery. Ex Officio Directors are Mayor Tom Dyas, City of Kelowna and Birte Decloux, Urban Options Planning Corp. The next URBA After Hours is Wednesday, April 2, hosted by Aubin & Associates at 100-160 Dougall Rd. South from 5 to 7 p.m. Karen Beaubier is the executive director of URBA.
After 45 years of service with Save-On-Foods, Tracy Renner has retired. Tracy started her career with Overwaitea Foods in Fort Nelson in 1977. Her family relocated to the Okanagan in 1985, and she went to work for Overwaitea Foods in Spall Plaza. Their name was changed to Save-On-Foods and a new location was opened at Orchard Plaza, the store which Tracy is now retiring from. Tracy had many responsibilities over the years 香蕉视频直播� cashier, service desk, price change office, cash office and cashier trainer. Tracy has looked after the health and safety department for the last 11 years and has recently been working in the Ecomm Department, facilitating the online shopping.
Jock Tyre, general manager of the Kelowna Curling Club, has received the 2025 Ray Kingsmith Award, which is named after the man who played a leading role in bringing curling to the Winter Olympic family. He was a tireless volunteer in administration and management roles in the sport of curling. This award honours individuals who best demonstrate similar commitments and dedication to the curling sport that made Kingsmith the consummate sport executive. Jock has transformed the Kelowna Curling Club into one of the top and most innovative curling facilities in the world. He is constantly looking for new ways to do business and bring newcomers into the curling community and a tireless booster of the sport. Jock as also played a significant role in attracting numerous national and international curling events to Kelowna, most notably the recent 2025 Montana's Brier. This event has given the City of Kelowna significant exposure and generated millions of dollars in economic impact.
MoveMed Physiotherapy is a new clinic at 101-2040 Springfield Rd. Family owned and operated by Jean-Francois Esculier and his wife Bea Francisco, MoveMed specializes in physiotherapy services to treat people of all ages through all stages of rehabilitation and performance to lead healthier and more active lives. In addition to treating anyone who wants to recover from injury, perform better or live with less pain, they also offer specialized physiotherapy services. They are deeply passionate about supporting health and wellness and Jean-Francois is the only physiotherapist in the Okanagan region who also has a PhD Degree in running and knee pain. Both Bea and Jean-Francois are clinicians, researchers and educators which is truly a unique combination and reflects their commitment to clinical excellence. Other services offered by MoveMed are running assessment and injury management; pelvic health physiotherapy; pre-and-post surgical rehab; osteoarthritis management; exercise consulting and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) conditions/jaw pain.
The Kelowna 香蕉视频直播淐hinese United Association (KCUA) was officially registered in July, 2024 as a non-profit organization under the Societies Act. Run entirely by a dedicated team of volunteers, KCUA is committed to uniting the Chinese community, fostering mutual support, preserving and promoting Chinese heritage and culture, and encouraging active community engagement. Since its inception, KCUA has successfully launched a series of high-impact events, including Kelowna Tree Planting Festival; Adopt A Road 香蕉视频直播� Pioneer香蕉视频直播檚 Pathway Clean-Up; Chinese History Documentation and Commemoration Activities; Cultural Celebrations and Lecture and Training Series. The Okanagan is home to over 3,000 Chinese residents and KCUA香蕉视频直播檚 events have consistently attracted overwhelming participation, demonstrating strong community engagement. The KCUA seeks support from all sectors and aims to collaborate with diverse organizations and communities. By doing this, KCUA strives to make the Chinese community an integral and vibrant part of Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 multicultural mosaic. Check out their Facebook page Kelowna Chinese United Association.
Thanks to a generous donation from the Rotary Club of Kelowna Morningside, the YMCA was able to purchase 300 new car seats and booster seats for its child care programs. These seats are essential for safely transporting children to field trips, day outings, and other activities, providing enriching experiences and activities beyond the child care centres. The YMCA picked up the seats with a special thank you to Canadian Tire and their team.
The Kelowna Nordic Club香蕉视频直播檚 Fundraiser event was a huge success. You might have read that the club was turned down for a provincial grant to help them raise money for a new grooming machine. They have now raised $117,000 towards the grooming machine replacement. The $117,000 includes ticket sales, 50/50 draw, corporate donations and over 160 donations from individuals. If you would like to help further contact Lisa Howard, vice-president of the club at vicepresident@kelownanordic.com.
100 Women Who Care Kelowna had an outstanding year of giving in 2024.With four successful events and a growing membership, the organization continues to make a significant impact on local charities reinforcing its mission of collective philanthropy. In 2024, the organization welcomed 175 new members and at the largest meeting of the year hosted 104 in-person attendees, together donating $40,507 to local charities including an extra Christmas donation of $4,000 to the Okanagan Humane Society. In February, 2025, the winning charity was the Central Okanagan Search and Rescue, who will use the donated funds to support the training of nine new female ground search and rescue professionals, expanding their life-saving efforts in the community. The May meeting will take place on May 27 at Dunnenzies Mission location.
Join the Rotary Club of Lake Country at their Swing, Swank & Support event, a premier dinner experience that blends elegance, style, glamour and a sense of community. This is an evening of fine dining serenaded by the live music of Robert Fine and his band. The event is at the Creekside Theatre on May 9 and will include a silent auction, 50/50 and a balloon draw. Tickets $85/person with a no-host bar.
The Thrive Women香蕉视频直播檚 Health Summit is April 12 at 50th Parallel Estate Winery in support of the KGH Foundation, hosted by Anita Parker. This is a one-day event for women seeking to take control of their health and wellness. Beyond the learning experience, with leading experts in their fields, the summit provides an opportunity to connect with a supportive community of women. For tickets and more information visit or Eventbrite.ca
Birthdays of the week: Happy 65th Paul Moxness (Mar. 26); Happy 65th Russ Byth (Mar. 31); Happy 75th Richard Trager (Mar. 22); Pat Moxness (Mar. 26); Amy Nutt (Mar. 26); Lark Willms (Mar. 26); Anne Millsap (Mar. 26); Jennifer Park (Mar. 26); Avril Paice (Mar. 27); Dick Dummond (Mar. 28); Cam Forgues (Mar. 28); Ray Cottrell (Mar. 28); Jaden Large (Mar. 29); Don Jefferies (Mar. 29); Garry Zarr (Mar. 29); Francis Cheng (Mar. 30); Bob Mettlewsky (Mar. 30); Theresa Arsenault (Mar. 30); Gordie Abougoush (Mar. 31); Steve Geddes (Mar. 31); Jolene Grigg (Mar. 31); Karen Hill (Apr. 1); David Craig (Apr. 1); Carson Chan (Apr. 1); Doreen Crompton (Apr. 1); Karmjit Gill (Apr. 1).
The Specialty Bakery Birthday Cake Winner of the Week is Karmjit Gill. Karmjit, please pick up your birthday cake from any one of the four Specialty Bakery locations by noon on Tuesday, April 1.
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna city councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662, email max@maxinedehart.ca.
