Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z3
2015 Business Review & Forecast
North Okanagan economy on the move Glenn Mitchell Morning Star Editor
The economy is a bit like the weather: you know, the old saying “everybody talks about it but nobody does anything about it.” Well, OK, except we can’t do much about the weather but there’s plenty of people and businesses doing their best every day to contribute and grow the foundations of the local economy. And, like the wonderful weather in these parts, too often we take those efforts for granted. Many of us may know and take pride in homegrown major companies like Kal Tire and Tolko, who continue to thrive and expand and boast landmark buildings in Vernon that are testaments to their success as well as inspire confidence in the local economy. It’s sometimes curious how politicians can go on and on about untested industries like LNG when it’s the resourcebased industries that continue to build and work and expand the economy, with barely a headline to speak of. And then there’s the expansion of successful local firms that go about their business and continually add to the economy by not only growing but inspiring confidence and appreciation in others. Family-owned Butcher Boys is launching a major expansion and renovation at its familiar location (since 1961) at the corner of Pleasant Valley Road and Silver Star Road to better serve its loyal customers. Okanagan Spring is also celebrating its 30th anniversary in Vernon by pumping $4 million into increasing capacity at the brewery to keep up with demand in a challenging market. “You need to stay ahead of the curve all the time,” said Mathieu Aubin, mar-
Lisa VanderVeLde/Morning star
Pierre Goyette (right) and ian Frison, of Speed Pro Signs, install the Okanagan Spirits sign at their new 24th Street location. keting manager for Western Canada. Okanagan Spirits is settling into its new facility on 24th Street which includes a massive 50-plate, 2,000-pot copper still, increased production capacity and a funky viewing area that’s sure to be a hit with locals and tourists alike. “It’ll be very much a jewel in the Vernon tourism crown,” said Rodney Goodchild, sales and marketing manager. “It will be a definite stop for visitors.” And then there’s the local film industry that continues to attract heavyweight Oscar winners like George Clooney and
Your YourFriends Friendsand andNeighbours. Neighbours.
Sir Anthony Hopkins to the area, to name a few. Hats off to the Okanagan Film Commission and its partners. And speaking of positive developments, kudos to the local Save-On-Foods and Rona outlets for winning top company honours recently, and the recipients of the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. “Each of our award winners represent dynamic organizations who have given back to the community in many ways,” said Jaron Chasca, GVCC president. Hear, hear.
And while we’re at it, three cheers for all the North Okanagan chambers, non-profits, community representatives, politicians, staff and volunteers who each day do their best to make this such a wonderful place to live on a daily basis. The residents of the North Okanagan know we have it good here and justifiably take pride in all it has to offer. This publication details just some of the reasons why. The weather is just a bonus. ....................................................................... Front page Predator Ridge photo courtesy of Colin Jewel
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Z4 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
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2015 Business Review & Forecast Kristin Froneman/ morninG star
Vernon Public art Gallery executive director Dauna Kennedy Grant shows Knave in the House of Cards by Wyoming artist Florence alfano mcewin, one of the prints juried into the okanagan Print triennial.
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It’s an old phrase, but an apt one, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” It rings especially true with the dilemma the Vernon Public Art Gallery has faced when pursuing a new building for its facility in time for one of its largest exhibitions to date. After the public referendum on the new gallery was put on hold in 2014, the VPAG staff and board had to come up with a way to facilitate the third Okanagan Print Triennial (OPT). A decision had to be made on how all the works by international artists would be housed in the existing gallery space under the Vernon parkade. The solution came in a big steel box – make that a few boxes– acting as a pop-up gallery at the proposed site for the new gallery at 31st Avenue and 31st Street, next to the old Vernon Flower Shop and across from Cenotaph Park. “In 2009 (when the first OPT exhibition was held) it was our intention to have
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the opening of the third OPT and the first international exhibition be the opening show of our new facility. That didn’t happen so we got creative,” said VPAG executive director Dauna Kennedy Grant. Fashioned similarly to the Vancouver Winter Olympics village, where artists showed their work in pop-up studios, the modular structures, supplied by Vernon’s BigSteelBox, with Modus supplying the interior walls, now serve as the VPAG’s satellite location for the OPT. “We approached the city about using the parking lot for the site, and said ‘let’s go for this idea’ and it came together,” said Kennedy Grant, adding the main bulk of the exhibition is at the main gallery, with the overflow of art in the boxes, which have been stacked atop another for height. “We could have left the exhibition as is in our current gallery space and downsized the show, but we wanted to showcase our community. We’re making a presence of where the art gallery will be,” said Kennedy Grant.
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2015 Business Review & Forecast
Art finds unique space Continued from Z4 With title sponsorship from KPMG and corporate sponsorship from Fraser Financial Group and Investment Planning Counsel, Kennedy Grant says there has been a slew of local businesses that have helped make the OPT a reality. “It’s overwhelming how many have stepped up to the plate by donating their professional services. The city and regional district have been incredibly supportive of it as well,” said Kennedy Grant. “We also received an Innovations grant from the B.C. Arts Council, who recognized the importance of this to the community.” The one-of-its kind juried exhibition hosted by the VPAG, Kelowna Art Gallery and the creative studies department at UBC Okanagan, officially opened March 19 and continues to May 21. The VPAG received close to 200 submissions, ranging from intricate wood block prints to large scale digital images, by artists from more than 30 countries for the juried event. In the end, the works selected came from 23 artists from 12 different coun-
tries, chosen by jury members UBCO fine arts professor Briar Craig, Kelowna Art Gallery curator Liz Wylie and VPAG curator Lubos Culen. The jury also selected a grant prize winner, who is given a solo exhibition. In 2012, that honour went to Mitch Mitchell, whose exhibition opens at the Kelowna Art Gallery in April. This year’s winner is Edmonton-based printmaker Sean Caulfield, who will have a solo exhibition at the VPAG when Kelowna hosts the OPT in 2018. “This is a real opportunity for the North Okanagan to capitalize on a show that will continue to grow,” said Kennedy Grant, adding, “The OPT is usually held in the shoulder season, so it’s a time for tourism and businesses such as restaurants to take this on as a potential economic driver in the future.” Besides new exhibitions by both regional and international artists, other events the VPAG is hosting this year include its annual fundraising auction, Midsummers’ Eve of the Arts July 15, and its popular alternative art party Riot on the Roof Aug. 22 as well as ongoing events such as Art After Dark, Vino and Van Gogh and Family Saturdays.
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Z6 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
2015 Business Review & Forecast
OC plants business Cara brady Morning Star Staff
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Okanagan College is there to help people get started in their chosen careers whether it’s local agriculture, trades and business, or going on to university. Amy Kermociev was the farm coordinator for the Patchwork Farms community garden at the college last year. This year, she and her mother, Maddy Fehr, have leased a piece of land at the college to start their business, Orchard Green Farms. “One of the biggest challenges for aspiring farmers like us is to find the land,” said Kermociev. “Here we can start with leased land at a reasonable cost and concentrate on getting things growing.” The plan is for a sustainable flower garden, with as many varieties of annual and perennial flowers as possible, and some bee hives to help their own blossoms and those in the vicinity. People will be able to order bouquets weekly or monthly, or as needed for special events, and choose handmade ceramic containers made by Kermociev and Fehr who
are both ceramic artists. “We think of it as slow flowers, like the slow food movement, appreciating what is fresh, local and in season,” said Fehr. Her brother Stephen Fehr will be growing organic vegetables at the site as well. Okanagan College has several new programs for people who want to work farther afield, in the area, or improve their skills in existing jobs. “We just finished a new program, Working Natural Gas, which was very successful,” said Jane Lister, Okanagan College regional dean. “We had 36 students apply for the 11 spots and had two women and nine men graduate the end of February. One person already had a job before graduation.” College staff and students have been working on an applied research project creating designs for outdoor natural playgrounds and there are plans for playground construction with the North Okanagan Childcare Society.
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Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z7
2015 Business Review & Forecast
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College courses grow Another new program works with employers in the community to help develop training for existing employees to upgrade for professional development and promotion opportunities. “The high demand for trades programs continues. We have just admitted a class of 40 electrical studies students. We continue to offer university transfer, trades, health and technical and continuing education certificate courses,” said Lister. “Numbers are slightly up with about 1,000 people taking part in a course or program last year. We have students of all ages with the average student age
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Cara Brady/ Morning Star
Continued from Z6
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about 25.” Okanagan College keeps involved with the community with community consultations planned for May and June. “We want to come up with a new strategic plan and it’s always good to talk to the community about what they need as individuals, organizations and businesses. People come up with all kinds of interesting ideas,” said Lister. She advises anyone who is considering any college program to get information and register as early as possible. Education advisors are available to help with planning. People who are interested in taking part in the Patchwork Farms community garden can contact the college.
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Z8 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
2015 Business Review & Forecast
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Operating a small business in a rural community can be tough. Community Futures North Okanagan (CFNO) has a number of programs that can help rural business owners. In fact, CFNO has recently set aside funds exclusively for business owners in Lumby, Armstrong and Enderby. “We believe that supporting business owners in small towns is good for the regional economy,” said Norm Metcalf, general manager. “We have designated $300,000 in community loan funds for each of these rural communities in an effort to provide the access to capital rural businesses need to grow and compete.” Community Futures has offered lending to start-up and existing businesses in the North Okanagan since 1984. In the last year, Community Futures assisted 23 businesses with loans totaling more than $1 million. This lending and additional business support services have created or maintained 51 jobs in the region. The Community Futures loan fund can be used to start or purchase a business, expand or modernize a business, provide
operating capital, purchase equipment, or acquire your business premises. Southward Medical Supplies is just one small business which has benefited from accessing the Community Futures loan fund. “Without the support, business advice, and guidance of Community Futures, we definitely wouldn’t have grown to our present size, sales volume or staff level,” said owner Phil Southward. “I have recommended CF to many potential new entrepreneurs and will continue to do so.” In addition to accessing capital, Community Futures assists with building business plans, marketing and sales, human resources, succession planning and a variety of business-focused workshops and seminars. “Budding entrepreneurs as well as established business owners come to see us every day to get help with all aspects of starting and operating a business,” said Leigha Horsfield, Community Futures’ business services co-ordinator. “Our role is to ensure local businesses are healthy and have all the tools and resources necessary to succeed.”
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Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z9
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Aberdeen Wellness Clinic
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Spring marks 30 years
Wellness Care
Jennifer Smith Morning Star Staff
Like a fine ale, aged to perfection, Okanagan Spring has flourished from the seed plant it started out as 30 years ago, to a staple brewery in the industry. The Vernon-born brewery marks its 30th anniversary this December. And what better way to mark its history and passion for brewing than with a special brew (to be released in December). It’s one of several new releases Okanagan Spring is bringing out in 2015. “In April we will launch new product, something later this summer and something later in the fall,” said Mathieu Aubin, marketing manager for Western Canada. W h i l e Okanagan Spring still maintains — Aubin its signature tastes such as 1516 and Pale Ale, new flavours are necessary in a competitive craft market. “You need to stay ahead of the curve all the time.” Still, Okanagan Spring has the edge, and sales are showing just that. “It’s a difficult business, beer business has been shrinking every year, so it’s good that we are growing especially in the west. B.C. is doing especially great,” said Aubin. Nationally, the Vernon-brewed beer is also spreading onto more shelves each year, including introducing product into the Maritimes. And the company is obviously confident numbers will only continue to grow, as it pumped $4 million into the plant this past year. The expansion will grow capacity by about 20 per cent. “We are about 70 per cent completed right now,” said head brewmaster Stefan Tobler, whose family founded Okanagan Spring. Increased brewhouse capacity and two new fermentation aging tanks
“We want to give back to the community that has supported us for 30 years now.”
jennifer Smith/morning Star
Okanagan Spring head brewmaster Stefan Tobler with the brewery’s addition of two new fermentation tanks, part of a $4 million expansion at the Vernon plant to increase production. were added to the existing three. Each tank holds about 150,000 litres, therefore volume is increased. “There will be more production going on,” said Tobler, once refrigeration electrical upgrades are complete. Upgrades in the brewhouse include modernized equipment, installing new controls and a new processor. “We rebuilt the equipment to the latest standards to produce more volume, more brews in the same time frame with increased consistency.” Therefore the plant, which already operates 24 hours a day, five days a week, with 136 employees, will be able to produce more beer in the same amount of time. “We’re one of the biggest employers of the region,” said Aubin. While a greater national presence is on tap, Okanagan Spring never forgets its roots. Sponsorship will continue for a third year of Funtastic. “It’s really a fun uncomplicated event just like Okanagan Spring,” said Aubin, of the brew which boasts a simple ingredient list. “We want to give back to the community that has supported us for 30 years now.”
Many think that health is merely the absence of pain or symptoms. A wellness approach to health means adopting a variety of healthy habits for optimum function on all levels - physical, mental, social, etc. Because of its focus on the nerve system, chiropractic care can be an important part of a wellness lifestyle. The nerve system controls the function of virtually every aspect of our lives. So, maintaining a properly functioning nerve system is essential if you want to be your very best. Few things, as complicated as your body, can be ‘fixed’ and then ignored. That’s why we will recommend chiropractic checkups to keep your body functioning the way it was meant to. Like maintaining your teeth, or your car, or your family, maintaining the integrity of your nerve system requires an ongoing investment. Some people say “I don’t want to get adjusted until I’m in pain”. Just imagine saying the same thing to your mechanic: “I don’t want to change my oil until my engine seizes”. Or your Dentist: “I don’t want to get my teeth cleaned until I have some cavities”. Those who want the very best, add regular chiropractic care to their other health practices. The pleasant result is often more vitality, endurance, and the capacity to enjoy life to its fullest. Good nutrition, exercise, chiropractic care, and other preventive measures are part of a wellness lifestyle. We know we can’t correct, or fix, every ailment on Earth but we are very good at correcting neuro(nerves)musculo(muscles)-skeletal(bones) disorders that result in aches and pains and decreased quality of life. The most common being lower back pain and head aches. Today, more and more of us are interested in a higher level of health called wellness. Beyond merely feeling better or preventing health problems, we want to fully enjoy life by being at our very best mentally, physically, and socially. True health is only possible with an optimally functioning nerve system. Aberdeen Wellness Clinic offers chiropractic, massage and laser therapy to help patients achieve their goals. Wherever possible, we work with your Medical Doctor, Physiotherapist, Naturopath etc, so we are all working toward the same goal, your health.
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Z10 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
Historic
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2015 Business Review & Forecast
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The B.C. Open Gold Panning Championships return to Riverside Park in Enderby this year.
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Benefits for Season Pass Holders… As an O’Keefe Ranch Season Pass holder you receive access to special non-ticketed events and amenities which include the following: O’Keefe Ranch Treasure Hunt Access to all our exhibits Family Fun Days Swap Meet / Garage Sale Vintage Motorcycle Show Mother’s Day - Making Crafts for Mom Cowboy Summer Festival Victorian Christmas … and so much more! New this year: O’Keefe Dog Park and Dog Daze at the Ranch and, of course, our Family Daze in the Corn Maze and this year’s Field of Screams. A Season Pass will get you SPECIAL VIP ENTRANCE into the Haunted Corn Maze! For more information on Season Passes or a full list of events, visit www.okeeferanch.ca or call 250-542-7868
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Enderby fosters growth Jackie Pearase Special to The Morning Star
The Enderby and District Chamber of Commerce continues to streamline how it works to assist local businesses. General manager Corinne Van De Crommenacker said while things don’t change a whole lot in a small town, it is important for the chamber to look at how it can change things to enhance local progress. The chamber has seen several years of consistent growth in its membership, currently boasting 146 members and with the goal of reaching 175 this year. Van De Crommenacker’s aim is to educate all business owners on the advantages of a chamber membership, including those not experiencing its full benefits. “They’re seeing the value in it but they’re not quite sure they know the next step,” she explained. “A chamber membership should be part of any business and marketing plan.” Most members take advantage of the networking and advertising opportunities offered by the chamber, but many are unaware of some of the other benefits such as its merchant services program, hotel discounts and its group insurance plan. The beauty of chamber benefits is that businesses can select the ones that fit their needs and forgo ones that do not, added Van De Crommenacker. The chamber is just finishing up an inventory of recreation services and is undertaking a survey of recreation users to assess needs and collect information on program gaps. This project will also analyze facilities and amenities available for future growth of recreation services. The project is another step toward
separating recreation services from the chamber’s main objective of serving the local business community. The hiring of an office manager/recreation services administrator this spring will further that goal while streamlining the delivery of recreation services. “We need more information to be more effective,” said Madison Giesbrecht, program and recreation manager. “Once we expand our knowledge, we can put a recreation guide out for each season.” Giesbrecht said usage of recreation services has doubled each year for the past two years and she is eager to see more and better programs and usage in the community. Giesbrecht is also looking to have an organization take over the administration and operation of the River Ambassador program. This year, the program will operate as usual, with distribution of pocket ashtrays being part of this summer’s efforts to educate river users. Enderby has a busy summer season, with long-time annual events taking place along with some newer events like the accordion festival July 6-9 and the B.C. Gold Panning Championships returning on the May long weekend. Van De Crommenacker said the goal is to make the gold panning event more community friendly with better signage and seating while still attracting tourists during the shoulder season. The chamber applauds the fact that the city has attracted two new businesses to the industrial area – Vanko Services and Corbilt Industries – two welding-based businesses. “If we can start seeing some manufacturing in the city, it brings quality jobs and quality pay and attracts people to Enderby,” said Van De Crommenacker.
Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z11
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Vernon on the grow Morning Star Staff
Vernon’s economy is moving ahead. The total building permits issued by the City of Vernon in 2014 were valued at $93.1 million, up from $50.4 million in 2013. Housing starts also climbed from 133 to 255. “Last year wrapped up pretty good,” said Kevin Poole, the city’s economic development manager. And Poole is upbeat about local economic conditions in 2015 despite the slump in Alberta’s oil industry and the fact that many North Okanagan residents work there. “The low Canadian dollar is good for tourism and from the manufacturing perspective,” he said. “I can see this being a strong year for Tolko Industries. They have a strengthening U.S. market and that’s good for them.” Poole also speculates that individuals retiring from the oil sector or who have accepted corporate buyouts will be looking to relocate or invest in real estate. “We have to make them aware of Vernon and its opportunities.” As part of that, the economic development advisory committee has hired a consultant to review the city’s current brand and community messaging. The group is not looking to create a new logo but to consider co-ordinated promotion, consistency and possible tag lines for advertising. In an attempt to bolster the economy further, city staff have been meeting with prospective investors who may bring businesses to town. Those efforts have included attending the International Council of Shopping Centres conference in Whistler in January. The conference
attracts developers, retailers, property owners and realtors. Among the areas of interest is Vernon’s Anderson Way. “It has the last large commercial properties in Vernon,” said Poole. In February, Poole attended the Economic Development Association of Canada’s board of directors meeting in Ottawa. It was a chance to meet with various government and non-government organizations, including members of Parliament and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Poole is also looking at ways to attract manufacturing to the region but a major challenge is providing serviced land in communities such as Spallumcheen and the Okanagan Indian Reserve. “There has to be a will,” he said of bringing political and business forces together. “We are looking to Urban Systems (a consultant) to see what other communities have done to maximize industrial land.” Among the reasons investors are attracted to the North Okanagan is the outdoors and cultural amenities. “The international airport is huge for us,” said Poole, adding that through a short trip to Kelowna, local businesses can reach their customers globally. Poole has heard comments from local residents that the economy is struggling and Vernon is a difficult place to do business, but he says attendance at conventions reinforces his view that Vernon is heading in the right direction. “When I talk to people at conferences, they can’t believe how much Vernon has changed and developed. But they are seeing it from the outside,” he said.
richard rolke/ morning star
Kevin Poole, Vernon’s economic development manager, is confident about the local economy in 2015.
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Z12 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
2015 Business Review & Forecast
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City of Armstrong For over 100 years, Armstrong has prided itself in being a vibrant community to visit and live in. We offer a friendly environment with activities and attractions, and a strong sense of heritage. Our history is visible throughout the community. The significance of the rail line is recognized by the Spirit Square train station in our downtown core and by the caboose that welcomes you into town. You will notice the numerous heritage designated buildings in both commercial and residential areas and the Museum and Art Gallery retells history with wonderful displays and artifacts. Armstrong supports a variety of artisans: hand crafted cheeses, gourmet chocolates, deluxe oils and vinegars are a few to name. The small restauranteurs proudly showcase local products in their menus. One of the oldest farmers’ market in BC and the 2015 Farmers Market of the Year winner is found in Armstrong. There is no place like home when you live, work and play in the Heart of Country, Armstrong, BC. Come and experience “Pride of our Past, Spirit of our Present, and Vision of our Future.” Chris Pieper Mayor PO Box 40, 3570 Bridge Street, Armstrong, BC V0E 1B0 Tel: 250-546-3023 info@cityofarmstrong.bc.ca • www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca
The winner is...the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce and its members. Reaction to the revamped 2014 Business Excellence Awards, sponsored by the chamber, was so overwhelmingly positive, members insisted the board put on the once bi-annual awards again this year. The awards will be presented again at Centennial Theatre on Saturday, April 25. “Everybody really liked how we changed it up and did theatre seating and did away with the sit-down dinner,” said Patti Noonan, executive director of the chamber. “Everybody liked the show and we were asked by members to do it again.” Ten award categories and two special President’s Awards were handed out in front of a capacity crowd at the theatre. This year, the chamber also rented the adjoining Centennial Hall to host a business showcase to go along with the awards. “We’ll extend an invitation to members if somebody wants to set up and have a display to showcase their products to those attending the awards,” said Noonan, who is perpetually busy working on behalf of the 200 or so chamber members. Besides the business awards, a number of special events have been planned to help showcase local businesses. The chamber has partnered with Spallumcheen Armstrong Arts Council (SPARC) and the Armstrong Food Initiative Society (AFIS) to present the second annual Taste of Art in Armstrong in the downtown core on Saturday, June 6. The event celebrates art, music, food and beverage. “The first one was really well done and exceeded expectations,” said Noonan. “Most of our businesses in the historic downtown core want to take part.” Music In The Park will continue over the summer months in Armstrong’s Memorial Park, with touring bands from Ontario having already inquired about the possibility of performing. In November, the third annual Cheese Festival will be bigger and better, expanding to two days. The event is slated for the first weekend of the month but organizers haven’t decided on whether it will be a FridaySaturday event or held on the Saturday and Sunday. “We want to include some tours to farms and food producers and give peo-
ROGER KNOX/MORNING STAR
Winners received trophies, gift baskets and photo bombs from emcees Sean Newton (left) and Phil Hughes (right) during the 2014 Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. ple an opportunity to visit the cheesemakers at their place,” said Noonan. One thing absent this year is the annual trade show, usually held at the Hassen Arena. Instead, the chamber will hold smaller business showcases at all of its events. “We’ll review things at the end of the year, and if the members liked the opportunities we presented to them,” said Noonan. “That’s what we’re about. Doing what works for our members.” Speaking of members, the chamber is already halfway to reaching its total number of new members that signed up in 2014. In January, seven new businesses joined the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce. There were 14 total new members in all of last year. “Our members like the promotion we do and the opportunities we give them,” said Noonan. “They like what we’re doing in the communities, like that we’re doing events and doing things to attract people to shop here and visit here.” The chamber will be providing some new learning opportunities for its members. One is titled “curb appeal,” which will teach businesses how to make themselves appealing for people to stop in. Another is the “30-second intro,” where businesses will learn how to approach visitors coming into their shops. Noonan is also at work on the 2015 community brochure, expected to be ready by April 1. “It will have a highlight of events and information on the communities,” said Noonan. It will be accompanied by its companion brochure, Antiquing to Agritourism which highlights specialty shops and agritourism locations.
Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z13
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Lumby branches out roger knox Morning Star Staff
Some people had heard of Lumby and wanted more information. Some people had no idea where in the Okanagan the village is, but they do now, thanks to the Lumby Chamber of Commerce and its appearance at the annual B.C. Boat and Sportsmen’s Show in Abbotsford. “It was a three-day show and we gave out around 1,000 Lumby visitor guides and talked with more than 1,500 visitors in the three days,” said Lumby chamber executive director Stephanie Sexsmith. The chamber has been at one of B.C.’s largest outdoor recreation shows for the past four years, and visitors this year peppered Sexsmith with questions. “The people there are looking for information on outdoor recreation and they were impressed by the number of accommodations that we have and the potential for outdoor recreation in our area,” said Sexsmith. “When we first started there four years ago, we got lots of ‘Lumby? Where’s that?’ and we still got that but a lot of people also said, ‘Lumby, I know where that is. We’ve been there and we should come back.’
Or, ‘We’ve only had the chance to drive through but would love to come back and explore your area.’ “We gave out almost 300 real estate relocation information packages.” A good chance for visitors and locals to see what Lumby offers comes in April at the annual Lumby Business Showcase. This year’s event runs on Saturday, April 11, at the Lumby Curling Club and local restaurants are helping to kick things off with a special contest. “There’s going to be a Lumby Jack (official village mascot) Sandwich Cookoff,” said Sexsmith. “Each participating restaurant will do its own spin on a Lumby Jack sandwich. The sandwiches will be judged at the showcase and the sandwiches will also be available to the public.” Part of the Lumby chamber’s 2015 plan is to explore economic development initiatives, looking at such items as community tourism planning, business retention and updating the village’s community profile. Membership remains steady with about 100 businesses, organizations and individuals signed up. “We continue to look at ways to improve services for our chamber members,” said Sexsmith.
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At 14, Myles Johnson was an energetic bag boy at Spallumcheen Golf & Country Club. Today, a month short of his 34th birthday, Johnson is the new head professional at the same club. He replaces the dean of area courses, Al Pisch, who remains at Spall part time. Johnson, who gives major props to Pisch and former Spall associate pro Brad Kennell, for teaching him how the industry ticks, became an assistant pro at Spall in 2003. He earned his Class A pro licence in 2008. “Both Al and Brad helped me out a lot,” said the smiling Johnson. “My dad (the late John) bugged me to go out and play golf when I was 12. I thought it was a stupid game for old guys, but I went out and got hooked on it. I wasn’t very good, but I got a 30-game pass at Hillview and my baseball coach, Karen Mosure, taught me some things, and I started playing better. Johnson played on the VSS Panther golf team with the likes of PGA Tour regular Chris Baryla, Colin Bissell, Ryan Kuhn and Trevor Keenan before attending Camosun College in Victoria, He studied golf management for three years, getting hired by Pisch after his second year of college. One of the top money-makers on the Callaway Interior Pro Tour, Johnson went from a four handicap as a junior to a scratch as an adult after working hard on fundamentals with Pisch for a year. Johnson’s wife, Katrina, is normally the GM at the golf course but is on materni-
ty leave after having a baby boy, Carter, almost four months ago. Come the winter, Myles enjoys curling, skiing and squash. Pisch, meanwhile, enters his 28th year at Spall in a limited role. He will work three days a week as an associate under Johnson. However, Pisch says he gets to choose which days he opens early or closes late. “I told them: ‘I’ll retire, but here’s the rules,”” joked Pisch, named head pro in 1989. “I want to do this until I’m 80, just to keep hanging out with the boys here. It’s been a good run with lots of good memories, times and people. There have been a million members in 25 years.” Taking Johnson’s place will be Siegfried Schreve, a 28-year-old South African who went to high school in Chetwynd and then took business administration at UBC Okanagan. The only cosmetic changes at Spall are on the nine-hole executive course. Players no longer face a walk uphill to the seventh hole since the sixth hole is now a dogleg left par-4 instead of a short par-3. The seventh hole has been shortened to take the fence out of tee shots. Spall, which enjoyed a March 12 opening, will host the B.C. Juvenile Championships, Aug. 18-20. Shannon Glenesk begins his seventh season as head pro at the Vernon Golf & Country Club, in its 102nd year. Assistant pro Bradlee Jones has left to pursue a career in banking, but the rest of the crew is back.
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2015 Business Review & Forecast
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Big news is the Vernon Golf Spectacular, a benefit for Special Olympics Vernon and the Kindale Developmental Association, Saturday, June 20, and the Vernon Hyundai Open on the B.C. Day May long weekend. “This will be our new flagship event since we no longer have the Watkin Motors Pro-Am,” said Glenesk, of the Hyundai Open. “It will be a 36-hole stroke play tournament for men and women open to 120 players.” The Golf Spectacular will be a Texas Scramble format featuring the likes of Vernon assistant pro Justin Baillargeon, Vernon club champion Norman Kreutz and Kyle Grummett, a 2014 Special Olympic gold medalist in golf. The North Okanagan Community Life Society (NOCLS) tourney goes Friday, May 1. Predator Ridge Golf Resort remains a world-class destination with its 36 stunning holes and huge practice facility, entering its second season “We got nothing but positive feedback on the practice area,” said head pro Ryan Silverthorn, in his fourth year. “People said it was massive, the size of a CFL football field. We get lots of people buying a sea-
son’s pass to the range.” There will be two less bunkers on the Predator course, while the ladies tee on No. 10 on the same 18 has been bumped up. The Maple Leaf Junior Tour fundraiser goes Wednesday, June 17 with the Tour stopping at Predator in August. Charity events at Predator include the VJH Charity Classic May 24 and Wine, Women and Woods June 21 and 22. The new owners of The Rise Golf Club are excited about the upcoming season for the Fred Couples Signature Course that boasts spectacular scenery and a challenging 18 holes. It’s slated to open in May and general manager Ian Renton sees a bright future for the facility. “The new owners want to build a new destination-style clubhouse at The Rise,” said Renton. Ever popular Hillview, an 18-hole executive, is a good test for beginners and a perfect facility for company tournaments. North of Vernon is the challenging nine-hole Royal York in Armstrong and the par-3 Birchdale in Grindrod. Coldsteam has a nine-hole track, while Highlands on Buchanan Road has a gorgeous nine-hole, par-3 experience. River Ridge is a fun nine holes in Cherryville.
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Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z19
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Planet Bee all abuzz Jennifer Smith Morning Star Staff
Just as the warm spring sun has the bees stretching out their wings, Planet Bee is also expanding its presence. The local honey farm and meadery is busy as, well, a bee, between sweet sales, a growing team and an expansion. Mead (wine made from honey) is increasingly becoming popular among consumers. Therefore Planet Bee is expanding its mead tasting area, pushing the small corner back to take over owner Ed Nowek’s office. “We should be able to do groups of 10 to 15 easily,” said Nowek, as the bar top is expanded and another checkout is added. With that expansion, Nowek is also hoping to enlarge the outdoor washrooms, which often serve bus loads of visitors from Asia. “They love our stuff, they love our products,” he said, adding that it produces a lot of repeat customers which Planet Bee serves with mail orders. While expansions are underway at the hive, Planet Bee is also spreading its presence in the Okanagan with an
events and marketing representative for the company. “This year we’re going to take it up another step,” said Nowek, as production is up. The new staff member will be busy as a bee, attending events such as the Vernon and Kelowna farmers’ markets and just enhancing the local producer’s community presence. Nowek is excited to share the wide benefits of honey with even more people, as well as the popular mead. “We had an exceptionally big year last year, it was by far our best year ever. “Even the honey crop was good last year, it was above average.” A unique pocket in the Armstrong area was key as it produced honey above provincial averages. Hives were also well stocked in the Vernon and Lumby areas and an additional beekeeper was brought on board. Visitors to Planet Bee were also treated to an enhanced tour program thanks to Nowek’s son, who gave insidethe-hive presentations.
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“It’s not just about trying to sell them something, it’s trying to teach them something too.” In the meadery, the two new flavours, Seven Ciders Cyser and Blushing Cherry, were very well recieved. “This year we worked with Osoyoos and made the Blushing Cherry with wild cherries from Osoyoos,” said Nowek, who has three entries in Colorado at the
Mazer Cup. Planet Bee is also expanding the mead. “We’ll start doing regular distributions to the local liquor stores and restaurants. “I’m really looking forward to this year,” he said, expecting U.S. tourism to increase with the falling Canadian dollar. And Vernon has a lot to offer, said Nowek, noting the various attractions such as Okanagan Spirits, Okanagan Spring, his neighbour Davison Orchards and Silver Star, to name a few.
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Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z21
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Downtown goes live Kristin Froneman Morning Star Staff
Perhaps it was a bite of a just baked soft pretzel or a fresh peach offered by a local food vendor or farmer. Maybe it was the live music drifting into the evening air while perusing an artisan’s stall. It could have been the rare opportunity to navigate downtown Vernon’s main street without its usual vehicular traffic. Whatever the reason, Downtown Vernon certainly came alive last summer with the inaugural Avenue Market. A project of the Downtown Vernon Association, the market showcased the new vibrancy along downtown’s newly revitalized 30th Avenue, where rotating blocks were closed off to traffic Friday evenings from May to the end of September. The results saw locals, visitors, vendors and business owners connected to the downtown community in more ways than before, said DVA executive director Lara Konkin. “We had a 90 per cent in favour rate to the Avenue Market,” said Konkin. “It was impressive that in just its first year an event could bring on such community pride. There were so many nights that I would stand there during the market and just say ‘wow’.” The DVA is waiting for Vernon city council to approve this year’s Avenue Market and if given the go ahead, a few changes are in store. “It will look a little different this year with improvements,” said Konkin. The Avenue Market is just one of the ways the DVA has been selling downtown as a vibrant and accessible destination to shop, eat and enjoy local amenities as well as share in community pride. “It’s the connectivity of a community that brings people to a destination,” Look for ROGERS FLOUR and CEREAL products on your supermarket shelves or at our own
said Konkin. “We are connected to so many people as a community here from our merchants to vendors to the public. People know each other by name here.” That has translated into more people attending downtown events such as the Sunshine Festival in mid-June and the free concerts at Civic Sounds through the summer. “All our events saw a huge increase in participation this year,” said Konkin. “Our new events have also been about connecting people and our merchants.” Some of those events included Shop Local Days and UnWined, which featured food and wine tastings at selected downtown stores for late-night shopping. The DVA has also seen a positive response to its revamped and more cohesive branding. The modern circular motif, and vibrant colours, can be seen in the banners, signs, posters and other promotional materials around town. In addition, the city’s new directional signs also incorporate the new branding, said Konkin. “We have created a uniformity with our branding through the city of Vernon logo. It has created a vibrancy, which helps with the change.” The DVA continues to offer its member businesses and vendors a way to come together and share ideas through informal discussions at the monthly forum, Connect U. “Our first one was on social media and how businesses can use it for their benefit,” said Konkin, adding the DVA was also part of the second annual Business Walks survey, where data from more than 100 local companies was collected on the current state of business in the city.
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Z22 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Community at the core of downtown Vernon Continued from Z21 “From that we gleaned lots of information on how to sell our message of shopping local with our brand tied into that.” Community partnerships have continued with the DVA working with The Home Team, clients of the Kindale Developmental Association, who have once again been commissioned to do the landscaping downtown. That partnership has seen the DVA nominated this year by the Disability BC Alliance for employer of the year. “They have helped us out hugely in other ways too, by helping us set up our market and events. They do way more than pick up garbage and weed flower beds,” said Konkin. The DVA’s community service continues with staff
helping various fundraisers and campaigns including the Business Improvement Areas of B.C. and FortisBC’s Turn Down the Heat campaign, where sweaters were collected and donated to the Canadian Mental Health Association. The DVA also donated proceeds from its Chili Cookoff during Winter Carnival to the Vernon Community Dental Access Centre and collected makeup and personal hygiene products to donate to Charlotte’s Place, located on the main floor of the Upper Room Mission. The DVA is currently working with the Social Planning Council, the Vernon Public Art Gallery and the Thompson-Okanagan Respect Network on a new public art project, which will see panels created by various minority groups from the community.
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Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z23
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Tenant stands test of time at Polson Katherine MortiMer Morning Star Staff
A few minutes spent with Dave Haywood is a crash course in the history of hairstyling. The owner of Unicorn Hairdesign opened the shop Aug. 14, 1975 and is the only original tenant at The Shops at Polson Park, then called Polson Place Mall. Working at a high-end salon in downtown Vancouver, Haywood was drawn to Vernon by his former business partner. “I was an outdoors guy and Mike said ‘check out the Okanagan’, so we formed a partnership in Vancouver and then opened the shop here and I bought him out about nine or 10 years ago,” said Haywood. “When we arrived, I didn’t know what to expect, but we were the first shop in B.C. to open on a Sunday and we had cars parked up on the highway, it was so busy.” In those days, Sunday openings were not the norm but it was a short-lived experiment for the salon. “The city said if we opened again on a Sunday, they would shut us down.” Now in its 40th year of business, Unicorn opened up shop when Polson was brand-new, and Haywood has seen the mall undergo numerous changes over the years. When he opened up shop, Polson was home to a drycleaners, a Super-Valu grocery store and a government liquor store, with the movie theatre following shortly afterwards. “It was a thriving place, there was even an arcade, which really brought the young people out.”
A barber by trade, Haywood said in the early days of his career, hairstyling was strictly regulated by the provincial association. “When I took the barbering course it was a full year and I remember my instructor reprimanded me for using scissors — as a barber you were only allowed to use your clippers, not scissors. He said, ‘clippers or nothing.’ And then he said. ‘You will not make it in this business.’ “I started moving into men’s hairstyling, as they were getting into the longer look.” Men and women in the same salon is an every-day occurrence in 2015. But in the ‘70s, the unisex hairstyling movement was just beginning, and Haywood took advantage of it, moving into colouring and perming men’s hair, as well as women’s. “But in those days, barbering and hairstyling were two separate things so the head of the hairdressing association flew in from Victoria and told me I had no right to be doing men’s hair, but I showed him my barbering licence and that was that. “Now they combine hairstyling and barbering in the same course but in those days it just wasn’t done.” It’s a family affair for Haywood, whose daughter Tanya is now at the salon, while son Tyler pops in to maintain the short back and sides appropriate to his work as a captain with the Coldstream Fire Department.
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Z24 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Shop marks 40 years Continued from Z23 Polson has been something of a second home for the Haywood family; Judy, his wife of 35 years, has worked many years at longtime Polson tenant Parnell’s, which recently re-located to its current 27th Street location. The couple are now the proud grandparents of a nine-month-old granddaughter. “Tanya grew up with this, she was always here as a little kid and it’s really been a family thing because her grandmother was a hairdresser and her grandfather was a barber. She is a natural and it’s been great for young people to have her here. “It works out well, we are all easy going. I still love the job because of the people. Haircutting is just a little part of it — we are part psychologist as well. It’s a very positive business; most people who come in here are in a good mood.” With stylist Wanda rounding out the staff, Haywood has regulars who have been sitting in his chair for many
years, and whose children and grandchildren now come in for a cut and style. “We have lots of loyal customers,” said Haywood, who moved into his current spot in the mall six years ago, next to the doctors’ office. He’s conveniently located so customers can park at the back and pop in through the rear doors. “We are always upgrading and learning but of course we still do plenty of roller sets, too, just as we’ve always done.” While most of Polson’s tenants are now accessible from the outside of the mall, The Kiosk is conveniently located just inside the entrance and is the place to go for lottery tickets, newspapers, greeting cards and to get keys cut. Anchor tenants Coopers, Shoppers Drug Mart and Galaxy Cinemas are joined by store-front tenants Emma’s Nails, Bosley’s Pet Food Plus, Dollarama, RBC, Capri Insurance, Great Clips, Original Joe’s, Wok Now and Extreme Pita.
Katherine MortiMer/ Morning star
Dave Haywood, owner of Unicorn Hairdesign, does a touchup with the clippers on his son, Tyler Haywood. As the only original tenant, Unicorn shares its 40th anniversary of business with The Shops at Polson Park.
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Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z25
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Foundation funds help hospital go digital ROGER KNOX Morning Star Staff
The heck with the film. Thanks to efforts from local organizations and donations from the public, the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation was able to raise nearly $500,000 in 2014 to replace the hospital’s antiquated analog-style mammography machine with an upgraded digital variety. “The community came through and helped us raise just under $500,000 for that project in just over 18 months,” said Sue Beaudry, the founSue Beaudry dation’s director of development. “It’s been up and running since mid-December, and I’ve been talking to the technicians and they’re all saying the machine is saving lots of time.” With the machine, the techs no longer have to process film, like a photographer used to have to do with a 35-mm camera. And the pictures taken by the digital mammography machine are clearer. “If something is seen on the picture, the techs can immediately take more pictures if necessary,” said Beaudry. “The whole process is sped up. Women now don’t have to wait and fear getting a call back to come in for another appointment.” It was through events like Wine, Women and Woods, a golf event held annually at Predator Ridge, and sponsorship from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s B.C. branch that helped the foundation raise the funds for the machine.
And it’s through such efforts that the foundation is closing in on its goal of raising $2.5 million for equipment for the top two floors of the new VJH Polson Tower. As of March, $2 million had been raised. “We hope to be completed by late fall. Everything helps,” said Beaudry, in reference to such foundation fundraising events like the annual JCI Gala, slated for April 18. Golf is a big component of the fundraising efforts, thanks to the VJHF Charity Classic, set for Sunday, May 24, at Predator Ridge. The annual Wine, Women and Woods tournament will be held on Father’s Day weekend, June 21-22, at Predator. A tournament reception will be held Sunday evening with the golf tournament running Monday. All proceeds from these events, plus others (a full list of events can be found on the foundation’s website, www.vjhfoundation.org), go to the foundation’s campaign, which has also been helped out by a substantial $20,000 donation from the RBC Foundation. Another big event on Father’s Day for the foundation is the annual Do It For Dad Run/Walk at Coldstream Ranch. “That event helps fund the local prostate cancer support group to purchase educational materials, and also raises money to buy equipment for the urology department,” said Beaudry. A couple of other major events in 2015 involving the foundation are the annual Sun-FM Have a Heart Radiothon on April 30 for pediatric care, and Savour the Okanagan, which debuted in 2014. The inaugural event, at the Prestige Inn, featured about 20 wineries and their product. The 2015 event is set for Saturday, July 25.
VJHF PHOTO
Vernon Jubilee Hospital mammography technologist Laura Conzatti checks over an image on her department’s new digital mammography machine, purchased with funds raised by the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation.
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Z26 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
2015 Business Review & Forecast
History brought to life at O’Keefe Ranch Cara Brady Morning Star Staff
With 148 years of history, there is a lot to see and do at O’Keefe Ranch. “We’re two weeks older than Canada. We remind people of our slogan, ‘Come Visit the Ranch for the First Time Again,’” said Sandi LaFleche, events and marketing coordinator. “Some people think if they’ve been to the ranch once, they’ve seen everything but there are always the old favourites and new displays, activities and special events.”
More local people are taking this advice with more season’s passes last year and overall attendance up 14 per cent from 25,957 in 2013 to 30,101 in 2014. The ranch is open for the season from May to September with special outdoor events throughout the year. “We celebrate our birthday June 14 with Dog Days at the Ranch, with cake, dog agility, breeders, dog services and other dog-related groups,” said LaFleche. “Our special guest will be Miss P, the Enderby beagle who won best in show
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at the Westminster Kennel Club Show in New York in February. That is, if she is not having puppies then.” Other special events over the year include the Treasure Hunt, Corn Maze, Field of Screams, Family Fun Days, Vintage Motorcycle Show, Cowboy Dinner shows and Victorian Christmas. Youth Camp, with kids bused from the Rec Centre will be on again this summer and Horse Trail Rides, no experience needed, are back. Look for new ranch-related exhibits. “We love to see how our visitors, particularly our European visitors are enthralled with the western theme, which is our heritage in Western Canada. People also like the animals, our resident donkey and the ancient breed Jacob sheep, as well as the goats, mini-horses, goats, bunnies and exotic birds,” said LaFleche. She thanks the volunteers for making everything work with keeping up the heritage garden and general store, helping with the horses and with general maintenance. Potter Burt Cohen has a studio at the ranch and blacksmith Patrick McIvor does demonstrations. “The ranch has a special energy about it, that it wants to continue being part of the community. People say they can feel it when they spend time here,” said LaFleche. Brittany Vis started as the new curator in February. “Everyone here is so enthusiastic about
what they are doing to keep the ranch functioning,” she said. “The artifacts are amazing. I’m looking at the huge clothing collection, most of it in storage, that belonged to the family and planning to make a display for the museum later. There will be new displays for the summer. This is such a great collection to work with.” Ken Mather, curator emeritus and historical oracle, has been associated with O’Keefe Ranch for more than 30 years. “It all comes down to the O’Keefe family, who had the idea of preserving the ranch and presenting it to the public. It first opened June 15, 1967. The ranch is not just the North Okanagan heritage but a very important piece of B.C. heritage. This is the real thing. It belonged to one family and it’s all still here together, an incredible museum collection. That’s really important,” said Mather. He treasures things like the 1886 receipts from what was the first general store in the North Okanagan and books and personal items from the O’Keefe and Greenhow families. “This is living history. The displays are always changing. People don’t just come to listen to a song or see one thing, they get something new each time they come. There is an intangible feeling here, the energy of the people and activities that have gone on over the years. Why in the world would one trip here do the job?”
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Brittany Vis, new curator at O’Keefe ranch, will be sorting through the museum clothing collection now in storage for a display. The ranch opens for the season Mother’s day.
Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z27
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Z28 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
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Real estate market has healthy outlook JACKIE PEARASE Special to The Morning Star
Local realtors are primed for a strong season. Solid prices and good sales have set the tone for a favourable market for buyers and sellers in the Okanagan, Shuswap and Revelstoke areas. Darcy Griffiths, Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board past president, said the local market is back at levels not seen since 2007, as 2014 ended smoothly with strong growth trends and steady sales and that trend is expected to continue. “We are expect- Darcy Griffiths ing a steady, balanced market this year,” she said. “Right now we are extremely confident.” While residential sales continue to be the main driver in the local real estate market, Griffiths said the low Canadian dollar has reinvigorated interest in recreational properties. Such interest often wanes in the shadow of a slow economy but Canadians are looking locally as simple economics make such purchases south of the border untenable. “There is now less appeal to go to the U.S. for recreational properties,” said Griffiths, a broker/owner at Royal LePage Downtown Realty in Vernon. The Shuswap is one of the busier areas for recreational properties, with Albertans leading the buying market, but the entire region is seeing interest. Griffiths said 50 per cent of buyers are local while first-time buyers made up 14
per cent of January 2015 sales, which is on track to meet last year’s overall of 20 per cent being first-time buyers. First-time buyers are crucial to the real estate market and local economy as they inject new cash, creating a domino effect – boosting sales in other sectors, creating more employment and thus impacting house sales as more people move to the area. Griffiths said townhouses and condos are good opportunities for first-time buyers but also as a “change-of-life” purchase for those wanting to downsize. Changeof-life purchases have the added effect of increasing the number of single-family homes on the market. “There are lots of buying opportunities where there is potential for long-term gain. That’s a balanced market.” A balanced market gives buyers and sellers a sense of security because they can have confidence that the bottom is not going to drop out. And with home purchases still being the biggest investment a person can make, such assurances go a long way to helping people make the decision to buy or sell. “It’s truly a balanced market and that’s the healthiest market to be in,” Griffiths added. Griffiths said realtors continue to be the best option for people because they bring so much knowledge about the process, the market and the region. The service they provide instills confidence and is added insurance that the right choice is being made. Griffiths stepped aside earlier this month for OMREB’s new president, Christopher Miller, a realtor at Royal LePage in Kelowna. He is joined by Anthony Bastiaanssen, from ReMax in Kelowna, as vice-president.
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Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z29
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Z30 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
2015 Business Review & Forecast
photo submitted
Local students take to the stage during a workshop at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre.
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Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z31
2015 Business Review & Forecast
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Continued from Z30 On March 28, the Kaha:Wi Dance Theatre presented Transmigration, but theatre members arrived in Vernon a week before to work with local students. Spring break is often filled with dancing or music or the visual arts. “Part of the performing arts society’s mandate is to promote artists and foster audiences,” said Pamela Burns Resch, executive director. A pizza party club puts local secondary school drama students together with actors taking to the stage. “After the show, they can speak to the artists,” said Kennedy. Kennedy programs about 25 shows a year with outreach activities that are attended by 3,000 people. “I try to find something for everyone,” said Kennedy. But beyond introducing local youth to a love for the arts or potential career opportunities, the centre is focused on providing a variety of performances for audiences. “We want to educate and entertain,” said Sigrid Ann Thors, Vernon Performing Arts Centre Society president, adding that the society attempts to fill a gap between public demand and a lack of commercial tours. But commercial shows are also critical as they rent the facility and pump much-needed revenue into the society’s operating coffers. “They bring in popular entertain-
ment the community wants to see,” said Burns Resch. Rave revues come from theatrical troupes, musicians and everyone who takes to the stage. “We hear from them that the audiences are warm and encouraging,” said Kennedy. “Vernon audiences have a reputation for coming out.” The society provides tickets to shows to non-profit agencies to give to their clients or volunteers. “We’re not just a theatre, we’re part of the community,” said Thors. The centre opened in 2001 and a critical part of its success has been maintaining the physical footprint, whether it’s the lobby or the sound system. “In partnership with the Regional District of North Okanagan, we have been attentive to maintenance,” said Burns Resch. “We have done major upgrades to the technology.” Another reason that the centre also continues to draw in the crowds and the performers is the army of volunteers behind the scenes. In 2014, 300 volunteers provided 7,000 hours of service, including ushers, ticket takers, putting sets together and moving crates. “We are very fortunate to attract and retain volunteers,” said Burns Resch, who envisions the centre establishing a relationship with Okanagan College to provide technical training for theatrical students. “It would be great if we could become a training ground.”
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Z32 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
2015 Business Review & Forecast
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Known for its flag waving patriotism, and one of the oldest stampedes in Canada, Falkland shows what a community can achieve when it pulls together. Whether spearheading major events, such as the upcoming 97th annual stampede, or volunteering for community causes, Falkland shows its pride as big as the Canadian flag that hovers above the townsite on Gyp Mountain. That support can be seen with one of Falkland’s newest businesses – Outbackjacks Horse Rescue Centre and Thrift Store. Run by Gena Sandli and Dale Christie, the private, Gena Sandli non-profit horse rescue centre has already attracted a lot of attention since moving to the outskirts of Falkland from Princeton last year. The centre offers horses and ponies refuge from neglectful, abusive and harmful environments and is reliant on community support to provide that crucial care. “They have a passion beyond all for horses and the compassion and care of their animals is paramount,” said Stacia Gladish, with the Falkland chamber. One of the ways the community has supported the rescue centre is through donating used goods to and shopping at Outbackjacks Horse Rescue Thrift Store, which has been located in a temporary location at the Sunday Morners Hall since December. “We sell everything and anything, and all the money goes to the horses,” said Christie, adding the thrift shop will be relocated down Highway 97 across from the Falkland library in May.
The Falkland Community Association has also helped Outbackjacks by donating proceeds from its coffeehouse, as well as raising funds from a dance, dinner and silent auction benefit held in the fall. Plans are currently underway for a major fundraising event to be held in July at Outbackjacks’ ranch. It will feature a number of bands performing all genres of music, as well as a cowboy church, and vendors from all over Western Canada selling their wares. Speaking of events, the town is planning for its most famous one, the Falkland Stampede, on the May long weekend. Falkland will show its hospitality as visitors from all over the world once again arrive for the largely volunteer-driven and fun-filled event, where professional cowboys participate for prizes worth more than $50,000. “The Sunday Morners volunteers will be out there doing pancake breakfasts all three days of the Stampede, while the Falkland Community Association will once again manage the Stampede dance, concession and beer gardens,” said Gladish, adding the flags will be waving at the annual Stampede parade. Also returning from last year is world renowned horse trainer Doug Mills, who will be bringing along some of his horses for a demonstration of his “whispering” techniques, May 16 at 11 a.m. Last year, Falkland also hosted the B.C. High School Rodeo finals and a bid is underway for the town to host the event again this year, said Gladish. As with any community, Falkland is always looking for new volunteers to help with events and with its service organizations and clubs. Among the groups in town are the Falkland Community Association, the Falkland First Responders, the Sunday Morners, the seniors association and the Falkland Historical Society, and all are an integral part of the community who need numbers to survive, said Gladish.
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Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z33
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Z34 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
2015 Business Review & Forecast
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Silver Star Mountain Resort is constantly evolving. The quaint community on the hill remains but there is always a need to tweak things to meet needs and embrace growing trends for winter and summer use. “We need to be somewhat innovative to keep people interested,” explained Anne Haight, director of sales and marketing at Silver Star. That means working all year to bring people to the mountain year round. A joint project with the Okanagan Indian Band constructed a new chalet at the top of the cross-country loop to Alder Point called Captik Cabin. The terrain parks are very popular, bringing in people wanting to emulate the likes of Kevin Hill, an Olympian and X Games gold medalist who got his start at Silver Star. Haight said Silver Star has benefited from its association with such talent. “We’ve reached out to people like (Kevin) and Elena Gaskell to work with them to get people to Silver Star.” It has added further dimension to what is offered, making it an ideal destination. “There is something for everyone here. It’s a good mix of terrain,” said Haight. There is also skating and tubing plus great deals on season passes, My1Pass and PowPasses. And fat bikes, with oversized wheels for snow riding now included in the My1Pass, are proving quite popular. Silver Star is the first Canadian resort to join the Powder Alliance, which gives season pass holders three free days at 12 American resorts and vice versa. “It is meant to drive business to Silver Star,” noted Haight. “We’ve seen people coming up and our pass holders are taking advantage of it as well.” This past winter had its challenges, with the weather giving and then taking away, which is hard on the grooming team but Haight said that goes with the business. “It is never good for the industry when one resort or one area has weather issues,” said Haight. The push to highlight Silver Star in the summer has resulted in a 17 per cent increase in summertime visits. The bike park, with 50 kilometres of downhill trails and over 30 kilometres of cross-country trails, is a big reason for the gain.
submitted photo
Silver Star enthusiast Kevin Hill rides a new fat bike while showing off his X Games gold medal. And its recent certification as a Silver Level Ride Centre by the International Mountain Biking Association is adding more interest. “The addition of our cross-country trails brought us to that level,” Haight explained. Silver Star’s summer attraction is enhanced by 16 kilometres of hiking trails, Skychair, nine-hole disc golf course, shopping, camping, dining and lodging. And summer events. There are several biking events including the Norco RAD Festival June 27 and the BC Cup July 4; the Mile High Wine Tasting Aug. 7-9; and the new 5K Foam Fest June 13, a family-focused adventure race that already has thousands of entries. There is even a beer fest planned for late August. Haight said the infrastructure at Silver Star makes it an ideal venue for community events and she is working on more innovative partnerships to add more animation and activity to the mountain. “We’re growing in the right direction. I am pleased,” she said. “The future is bright for us.”
Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z35
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Z36 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
2015 Business Review & Forecast O The pen For Sea son!
Jennifer Smith/ morning Star
Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce president Jaron Chasca (left) and general manager Dan Rogers are the leading forces for existing and new chamber members by advocating on their behalf with local and senior levels of government.
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At bat for business Jennifer Smith Morning Star Staff
The voice of Vernon business is louder than ever. With nearly 600 members, the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is a major force to reckon with. “We’re one of the 10 largest in B.C.,” said President Jaron Chasca of the 118-year-old chamber. Being a part of the chamber allows member businesses to join forces with others, not just locally, but provincially and federally as well. As a member of the B.C. Chamber and the Canadian Chamber, Greater Vernon members have an extended family fighting for change in the various levels of government. “I didn’t realize how strong of a voice they had until I went last year,” said
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Chasca of the provincial chamber. “It’s a strong voice and the government listens.” Chamber general manager Dan Rogers adds: “There’s tangible benefits that return on influencing government decisions.” The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce has and will continue to work on changes for its members. It did last year with a policy supporting arts as a driver of economic development. “For us to do that and have it approved was a big achievement,” said Chasca, one of the 14 board members. And this year, the chamber is going to bat with a couple resolutions at the B.C. Chamber AGM in Prince George in May. One is to get the provincial government more active in regional governance reviews.
See CHAMBER on Z38
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BRIAN WESTWELL General Manager
JERRIT LINDGREN
KEVAN WINSHIP Sales Manager
CHRIS BROWN
CHAD BACHELDER Sales Consultant
JURIS VINTERS Sales Consultant
JOE TOBIN
JACQUELINE BICKEL
Sales Consultant
Sales Consultant
Sales Consultant
LANE KENYON
STEWART McCULLOCH Service Manager
CAL SIEMENS
Assistant Service Manager
DAN MENDES
TED BLANEY
TOBY LACHUK
MANDEEP MANN
TAMARA LEWIS
Financial Services Manager
Service Technician
Service Technician
Service Technician
Financial Services Manager
Parts Manager
Sales Administrator
Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z37
Vernon Nissan is the home of “real time market pricing”.
Through years of studying and data collection Vernon Nissan has been able to figure out the most advantageous way to price vehicles to sell up to 15 times faster than the industry average and save customers up to 25% from regular dealer pricing.
The secret is Vernon Nissan constantly monitors the current market conditions making sure their inventory is the best valued in the market place at any given time. The benefit to our customers is they save money right up front and can easily track the pricing by going on to autotrader.ca and typing in the year make and model and comparing them to other similar units. The process is transparent which has resulted in a massive increase in out of town customers, local customers and customer satisfaction. We only wish we could have figured this out sooner.
Real time market pricing. Only at Vernon Nissan.
BRENDA SPENCE Controller
LINDSAY BOUDREAU Concierge
VERNON NISSAN The Sentes Auto Group • www.sentes.com • 250-542-0371 • 6417 Highway 97N, Vernon • DL#30811
JAY LEBSACK Service Detailer
RICH NAYLOR Service Detailer
TREVOR RITCHIE Lot Manager
Proud Supporter of …
Z38 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Dr. Carey Keith
Visit our full service veterinary hospital where we strive to provide the highest quality of patient and Dr. Trinity Smith client care.
We’re moving to Kal Lake Road in June 2015.
2700 - 30th Avenue, Vernon (kitty corner to the Court House) 250-549-0402 www.centralanimalhospital.ca
Chamber a voice for all Continued from Z36 “There should at least be an examination of the pros and cons in that business case,” said Rogers, adding that it is a big issue across the province. But the request doesn’t necessarily mean a change in governance per se. “It might be some other change so there’s at least some clarity,” said Rogers, as many chamber members have expressed concerns about the current governance, and duplication. “That uncertainty in democracy can hamper development.” Another issue the local chamber will be asking its members for feedback on is the issue of Family Day not being in alignment with the other provinces. There are also local issues that the chamber works on. For example, Big Red, a sub-committee of the chamber made up of mainly developers, has brought an issue of red tape forward. “They’ve expressed some interest in making it more efficient to get permits and stuff like that,” said Chasca, who, through the chamber, has brought the concerns to city hall.
“They’re expressing their concerns and the city is listening.” The chamber is also active in politics. Strengthening its relationship with the new mayor and council of Vernon, as well as regional district and Coldstream politicians, is underway. Chamber members want to be a part of discussions when it comes to all issues, ranging from water and sewer to how to attract skilled employees or who should pay into the Okanagan Film Commission. The federal election is also on the chamber radar, as it plans to host a forum and play an active role. The chamber also keeps businesses connected with events, such as Business After Five and bringing notable speakers to town. It also celebrates those who rise to the top through the annual Business Excellence Awards. The awards, which were recently handed out, recognize community support, young entrepreneurs, small business, top employers, green business and more. And with such a diverse membership base, the chamber is looking at trying a few new things this year. Therefore businesses are urged to keep an eye out for some new events.
Celebrating 25 Years In Business! The newly expanded Hogarth’s Clinic Pharmacy invites you visit our updated space and enjoy our friendly old fashioned customer service. If you have questions or concerns about your medication, we’ll be happy to review it with you. We handle blister packaging, vaccinations, travel medicine consults and much more … we will even deliver your prescription to your door!
Still …
the Biggest Little Drug Store in Town!
Hogarth’s Clinic Pharmacy Ltd. 3310 - 32nd Avenue, Vernon
250-545-3660
Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z39
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Recreation plays leading role in lifestyle richard rolke Morning Star Staff
One of the busiest amenities in the North Okanagan is undergoing a transformation. It’s expected that renovations will begin in early April to the Vernon Recreation Complex lobby, entrances and main bridge. “It will have a more inviting environment,” said Doug Ross, the City of Vernon’s recreation services director. The facility, which opened in 1966, experiences about 350,000 user visits annually. The $1.3 million renovation project includes an outdoor lounge, a food kiosk and all entrance doors will also be made accessible for people with mobility issues. The bridge at the main entrance will be refurbished. “The bridge needs significant structural work so we are putting in a small bridge and reclaiming space for public use,” said Ross. It’s hoped the food kiosk will help encourage rental of the auditorium because some catering will be available. “With tea, coffee, cookies and muffins, maybe people will book meetings with us,” said Ross. Recreational opportunities are among the reasons why people call the North Okanagan home, and an array of activities abound. In Armstrong-Spallumcheen, activities gravitate around Memorial Park, the swimming pool and the skateboard park as well as Nor-Val Sports Centre.
“A fitness centre is part of the discussion for 2015 to be located in Hassen, and as far as programs we have bubble soccer that has just started to pick up,” said Byron Sayer, Armstrong-Spallumcheen Parks and Recreation Commission general manager. Lumby has the Salmon Trail and Oval Park, which includes a children’s spray area and outdoor exercise equipment for adults. Enderby’s Barnes Park is the place to be during the summer as crowds flock to the outdoor pool. Other highlights are the trail along the Shuswap River and Riverside Park’s ball diamonds, the Lions Gazebo and recreation complex. In Greater Vernon, residents can access Polson Park, the Grey Canal trail, the Lakeview Park and Lavington wading pools and Kal Beach. But public demands evolve, so the City of Vernon will initiate a recreation master plan process in 2015 that looks at facilities and programs. “There will be significant public consultation and that will be our road map to the future,” said Ross, adding that residents may suggest the need for some new amenities. “An aquatic centre may be mentioned or a new recreation facility.” The Vernon Recreation Complex will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2016, and major capital projects have occurred in recent years, including the electrical system and the roof. “We’ve taken good care of the house and it will be here for years to come,” said Ross, likening upgrades at the complex to
armstrongspallumcheen parks and rec
The Memorial Park pool in Armstrong is a popular attraction during the hot, summer months.
renovations many residents conduct in their homes. Another project that could also move ahead is possible twinning of Kal Tire Place if a borrowing referendum for an ice sheet is held in the spring. “We hope to get a positive response from the community,” said Ross. Staff is also looking at ways to bring more events to Kal Tire Place after the Bands on the Run concert in 2014. Drapes that cut the facility in half could allow for
more intimate concerts of 1,500 people. “There could be a niche market,” said Ross. Another focus in 2015 will be encouraging children and families to be more active, and the Park and Play program will hit the road. “We will be able to bring out the jump ropes and chalk to local parks,” said Ross. “It’s literally a battle we’re waging with people to keep active so we want to reintroduce play.”
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Z40 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Partnership part of Tolko’s bigger picture roger knox Morning Star Staff
There were other places Tolko Industries could have spent their money. But entering into a partnership with Pinnacle Renewable Energy Ltd. to build a pellet plant at its Lavington operation is part of Tolko’s “bigger picture scenario.” “By bringing this ancillary business to the sawmill, the future of the sawmill is great,” said Ken Thorlakson, Tolko’s co-products manager. “It creates a competitive advantage for the sawmill and supports the business well. It supports rail infrastructure. Rail traffic will now have the sawmill and the pellet mill and it should be a profitable line. But with the pellet plant and rail line secure, it attracts the right hosting conditions for further investment in the sawmill.” So what is a pellet plant and who are Pinnacle Renewable Energy Ltd.? The plant produces residential heating products that are 100 per cent natural. “It’s carbon neutral renewable fuel,”
VERNON
FRUIT CRAFTS PRODUCE
FARMERS
MARKET
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When construction is finished later this year, this is what a new pellet mill in Lavington, a joint partnership between Tolko and Pinnacle renewable energy Ltd., will look like. said Pinnacle president Leroy Reitsma, who is based in Prince George. “We
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make it by drying, hammering and compressing wood. We have long-term contracts with stable utility-based customers focused on converting to pellets from coal. “The use of Pinnacle pellets instead of coal has reduced global carbon emissions by two million metric tonnes per year.” Pinnacle started in 1988 in Quesnel, and have expanded to Houston (B.C.), Meadowbank (south of Prince George), Burns Lake, and bought the Armstrong mill in 2007. They also have port locations in Prince Rupert for northern customers, and Vancouver for the south. Now that all the building, environmental and developmental permits are in place, Pinnacle is going what Reitsma calls “full-throttle” on construction of the Lavington pellet plant. “We hope to be producing product by the fourth quarter, or early fall,” said Reitsma. The plant will operate seven days a week, 24 hours a day. It in anticipated to have 16-to-18 full-time operational positions, about five-to-seven fulltime trades positions and four fulltime management jobs. “We’re going to be creating some
“We’re going to be creating some good-paying jobs in the Lavington community.” — Leroy Reitsma
good-paying jobs in the Lavington community,” said Reitsma, adding he’s already had plenty of interest. “We’ve got applications from people in Fort McMurray (Alta.), saying they’ve lost their job and they want to be closer to home so can they come work for us. These are real jobs for people who want to live in the community, and the pellet plants creates that as well as supporting existing jobs at Tolko.” Pinnacle’s initial pellet production target is expected to be 700 tonnes per day (about eight rail cars full) and 260,000 tonnes per year. Truck traffic is anticipated to be about 625 trucks per year (less than two a day), though that could expand to four as production increases.
See PeLLeT on Z41
Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z41
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Pellet plant aids industry We WORK. Continued from Z40
The product is shipped by rail to Vancouver, where it’s loaded onto ships destined for Europe and Asia. Thousands of dollars have been spent to ensure the new plant will be env ironment a l ly friendly. Tolko and Pinnacle will use a cyclo-filtration Ken Thorlakson technology which is predicted to see a three micrograms/cubic metre decrease in the ambient conditions at neighbouring Lavington Elementary School. The companies have also addressed concerns about the potential for disasters like fire and explosions, and concerns over noise and traffic flow. “The process has been configured so that any energy from any unforeseen event is directed to the north side of the property which is away from employees and other equipment,” said Reitsma.
“The size of the structures in which dust, in a worst case scenario could concentrate, are not of a sufficient size to allow for an explosion that could extend beyond the property boundary.” An engineer report states the “traffic generated by the proposed pellet plant site will have minimal impact on the operation of the adjacent School Road (where Tolko and Lavington Elementary School are located) and Hill Drive intersections with Highway 6.” Trucks are slated to come down School Road, turn before the rail crossing to get into the pellet plant, get discharged, cross over onto the Tolko site, load up with hog or chip fuel, exit out Hill Drive – which was originally opened for the now defunct glass plant – and onto Highway 6. With the i’s dotted and t’s crossed, Thorlakson believes they have a great situation on their hands. “We know we have a very good, sound project based on experts who did all of the calculations,” he said. “The process itself really did work.”
We PLAY.
Footwear for your family needs!
RED TOP FOOTWEAR 3303 43 Ave., Vernon (Beside Safeway) • 250-542-3132
www.redtopfootwear.ca
WANT TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? When business decision-makers know a business is a chamber member, they are 37% more likely to think favourably of the business, 58% more likely to think positively of its reputation and 59% more likely to buy goods and services from it. *
Contact Tom Dyas at TD Benefits to tailor a plan suited to your needs. See what the Chamber Plan can do for you! 202-3295 Lakeshore Rd, Kelowna BC I admin@tdbenefits.ca I www.tdbenefits.ca
Advocacy ♦ Benefits ♦ Connections (* Based on 2012 study conducted by Schapiro Group, Atlanta, US)
Z42 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
2015 Business Review & Forecast submitted photo
The Coastal Express is among the models KingFisher, a Vernonbased company, produces
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KingFisher Boats continues to ride a wave of consistent growth. The Vernon-based company has positioned itself as one of the top brands of heavy-gauge welded aluminum sport fishing boats and shows no sign of slowing down. A robust recreational market is driving strong sales, mainly in California,
Washington and Oregon, but Canada also plays an important role. “Canada remains strong despite some uncertainty in the oil and gas sectors,” said Mark Delaney, director of sales and marketing. He said slowdowns in these sectors may affect some markets but that KingFisher’s core customer is not directly impacted by such layoffs so sales are not decreasing.
See BOAT on Z43
Dedication to
QUALITY and
CRAFTSMANSHIP … setting us apart as a leader in home construction.
phone 250-542-3245 • cell 250-308-7500 • www.landingconstruction.ca Providing renovations, general contracting and project management services for residential or commercial construction.
Market angling for more Continued from Z42 “We’re growing consistently to where we’re selling our 2016 model year already.” Delaney said the off shore angler market is active for a variety of reasons including an aging demographic with a growing disposable income, plus healthy fish stocks for salmon, halibut and even tuna on the west coast. There is also a growing desire to enjoy these large vessels for more than just fishing. “There are lots of ways and places to enjoy the west coast lifestyle,” noted Delaney. A KingFisher boat is the ideal way to do some destination cruising – visiting different marinas, discovering deserted shorelines, exploring new locales and creating unique fishing memories. Delaney said people are looking for an experience, not just a fishing trip. Boat customization – such as altered floor plans, unique colours and equipment modifications – is an aspect that is also seeing an increased demand. Anglers are seeking boats that meet their specific needs and boat manu-
facturers must rise to meet the challenge because it is the way of the future, Delaney noted. Such work can pose some challenges but it also gives the company an edge over its competitors. “Customization is not a major source of revenue,” he said. “We’re just meeting the needs of customers and dealers.” The consistent interest in KingFisher’s product means its 53,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility on the north end of Swan Lake has grown by 15 full-time employees, bringing the number to 100. CEO Byron Bolton acquired a second plant in Clarkston, Washington last year and that facility is also supporting a steady workforce and selling 2016 models. Delaney said KingFisher is especially proud of its workforce and its ability to put out a consistently superior product. He said finding skilled workers locally is becoming easier and that drives a positive outlook for the future. “The talent available in the Okanagan is certainly becoming more competent and that’s driving our success,” added Delaney. “It’s never been better.”
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Z44 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
2015 Business Review & Forecast
New home care society fits in People Place Katherine MortiMer Morning Star Staff
From light housekeeping to companionship, Home to the End offers a wide range of services to allow aging adults to remain in their own home. When Leslie Wilson opened the non-profit society last fall, it was after years of experience in caring for her own aging mother. “I wanted to improve the lives of the aging population,” said Wilson. “We have a mission, and that is to make the last chapters of life as easy as possible, offering home care services to assist our aging adults with their activities of daily living.” Home to the End provides both nursing and non-nursing care such as home management, meal planning and something Wilson calls Peace of Mind Checkin Service. For snowbirds worried about their aging parents, Wilson’s staff can check in with a senior relative. Operating from the People Place, where it shares a spacious office with the Vernon MS Society, Home to the End opened in October and Wilson is making plans to open a branch in Winnipeg, her hometown. She is currently studying
Katherine MortiMer/Morning Star
Board member Leslie Wilson (left) and recreation therapist Lucia renk-Leckie look over a client’s schedule at home to the end, which recently opened its doors at the People Place. towards her certificate in gerontology from Ryerson University. “I used to go there fives times a year because my mom was in a nursing home so I’ve had 20 years of doing this stuff,” she said. “Everybody I know is in my age group, we all have aging parents and they are so vulnerable that someone has to stick up for them and watch out for them.” Run by a board of directors, Home
to the End has nurses, care aides and homemakers as well as paid employee Lucia Renk-Leckie, a certified recreation therapist with many years of experience in working with seniors. “What drew us to this is because of the caring model and our own experience of having aging parents,” said Renk-Leckie. Wilson wants to keep services as
affordable as possible and will work with clients to do just that. “It’s part of our flexibility,” she said. A popular feature of Home to the End is the driving service, where a client can be driven to a radiation appointment in Kelowna, and have the driver stay with them instead of simply dropping them off. “Or if that person wanted to stop for coffee afterwards, we can do that. So we are there to fill a gap if someone needs hand care or foot care or would like their hair done or they needed an LPN to check their diabetes. We also have male staff,” said Renk-Leckie. “We are collaborating with the community and we will bring you to the pancake breakfast at the Halina Centre. We will make sure clients aren’t isolated.” For Renk-Leckie, working with seniors has provided numerous rewards, not least of which is the conversations she has enjoyed over the years, from her time working with seniors in Kamloops to Bethany Home (now Heritage Square) in Vernon.
See aGenCieS on Z45
Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z45
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Agencies share resources Continued from Z44 “I have had a lot of personal gratification working with seniors, and trying to make sure that the people you are working with are understood and that there is respect for them and dignity for them. Home to the End is what I believe in, because it’s validating who they are.” Renk-Leckie said Home to the End offers services that allow aging parents some dignity. “With aging parents you have that reversal of roles but we can do personal hygiene for your mother and father so you don’t have to. We will do the other stuff so you don’t have to have that reversal of roles.” Home to the End is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Wilson plans on holding workshops at the office as well. The group’s easy proximity with the other non-profit groups at the People Place makes it easy. “We are pretty central, it’s affordable here and everybody is really friendly,” she said. Home to the End is one of 17 non-profit agencies housed under one
roof in the People Place. People Place manager Elaine Collison said agencies frequently share resources and information with each other, with one agency referring a client to another as the need arises. “The waiting list constantly fluctuates,” she said. “It seems we go for long stretches where we are completely full, then two or three changes happen at the same time. The challenge becomes trying to fit various groups into the spaces that open up. “Right now, we have one shared space available — a prospective tenant would have an individual office along with a shared common area.” And, while individual agencies are always busy with their own fundraisers, the People Place is also gearing up for its annual fundraisers: the garage sale April 25, the Garden Tour June 13 and the Clothing Sale Oct. 2 and 3. “We have a little storage space here so donations can be dropped off anytime Monday through Friday,” said Collison. For more information on the fundraisers, or space for rent, please call Collison at 250-558-6585.
Sometimes what’s good for business can be good for the community too … … we connect donors who care with causes that matter. • Consider making a gift* or setting up a fund** in the name of your business, your family, or a loved one • Naming an endowment fund after your business makes good sense: • It’s smart marketing; • You’ll be helping the community today, tomorrow … forever! • Your gift is placed in an endowment that is invested over time. Your gift — and all future earnings from your gift — is a permanent source of community capital, helping to do good work forever. *
gifts of any size are welcome
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named funds start at $5,000 divided over 5 years.
Z46 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
Rejoice & celebrate with us each week in His love and vision for humanity.
Vernon Canadian Reformed Church Come & Join us this Sunday or visit us online for more information. www.easthillcommunity.com
Worship Service Sunday 10AM Address: 3605 12 Street, Vernon, BC
St. John’s Lutheran Church (LCC) Welcomes you to worship with us Sundays
Worship Services every Sunday
10am & 2pm
5600 MacDonald Road, Vernon 250.545.1536 www.vernoncanrc.com
You’re always welcome at the
CHURCH OF GOD
9:00am Traditional Worship 10:30am Contemporary Worship 10:45am God’s Kids
The 4th Sunday of every month there is one integrated service at 10:00am (God’s Kids at 10:15am).
4312 - 25th Street, Vernon • 250-542-7894 Pastor Gary Glanz
SUNDAY SERVICES
250-549-2244
10:00am Sunday School & Adult Bible Fellowship 11:00am English Worship Service
5151 Alain Rd. Vernon (off Silver Star Road at Stussi Sports)
7pm Evening Service Wednesdays 7:00pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study
www.stjohnsvernon.com
Look for our weekly
Peace Lutheran
ELCIC
Church Directory
that runs every Friday Edition of The Morning Star!
10am Worship Holy Communion & Sunday School
Holy Communion 2nd & 4th Sundays 1204 - 30th Avenue, Vernon | 250-545-5787
www.peacelutheran.ca
Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z47
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Progress Briefs
Summit makes a difference
Summit Environmental Consultants has been in business for 20 years, since starting in Vernon in 1994. Since 2010, it has been a part of Associated Engineering, a Canadian, employee-owned company. Today, Summit has 80 environmental scientists, communications specialists and planners. Summit offers environmental science, assessment and monitoring, geoscience, hydrology, environmental management, information management, facilitation and communication support and community planning. Having their head office in Vernon affords Summit a competitive advantage of a local presence on the many Okanagan projects undertaken.
Meadows offer seniors choices
Coldstream Meadows is growing with options for local seniors as they age. The Bungalows, one and two bedroom and den strata homes, will be ready for occupancy this summer. The brand new Terraces are now ready to rent. Choose between beautifully-designed studio, one, or two bedroom suites. Coldstream Meadows offers choices for seniors with many different accommodation and hospitality options.
EXCLUSIVE DEALER
Old trend finds a new Twist
A Twist of Yarn is seeing the once-essential skill of knitting growing in stitches. More than grannies sitting in a rocking chair, knitting and crocheting is a growing trend especially in the last five years. So popular even Ray Liotta came to the local shop while in town filming last year. Knitting, termed the new yoga, is not just a trend, it’s an addiction. And the products used are growing with it to include all kinds of yarns: merino, silk and linens and more luxury fibres such as possum, yak and bamboo.
Dealer driving ahead
Vernon Nissan, purchased in 2008 by the Sentes auto group, is outpacing the market for growth. The dealership has grown from 11 employees to 21 and is one of the top pre-owned car dealers in the Okanagan. New car sales increased more than 40 per cent in 2014 alone. Vernon Nissan is one of only three dealers in B.C. to achieve the top tier of the Nissan Loyalty Rewards program in 2014.
Mead or Honey Wine, the oldest alcoholic beverage known to man, is made from fermented honey and water. By using unique British Columbia floral sources of honey, by adding specific fruit concentrates, herbs and spices, mead can be finished in many delightful ways.
• Mead Tasting & Sales • Country Store & Gift Shop • Educational Tours & Presentation • Honey Health Boutique
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A helping hand
5011 Bella Vista Rd., Vernon
Help is here for those struggling with aging, whether their own or others, with Montgomery Care Counselling and Consulting.
250-542-8088
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CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IS OUR #1 PRIORITY, and we are proud to announce our NEW TEAM! Elaine Morneau - General Manager JR Muncaster - General Sales Manager Jeff Ryan - Sales Department Garet Leger - Parts Department Mike Ross - Services Department Come In TODAY & Meet Our Award-Winning Team Proudly serving the North Okanagan for 16 years
3-3001 43RD Avenue, VERNON, BC • 250-542-0418 bannerrec.com
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Z48 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Safety drives Kal Tire richard rolke Morning Star Staff
kal tire photo
Safety is a priority at the 150 mining sites Kal Tire operates at around the world.
Doug Cuthbert Professional, personalized guidance Cell: 250 550 4203 Bus: 250 549 4161
dougcuthbert@remax.net Vernon • 5603 27th Street, Vernon, BC V1T 8Z5
"Building Community Participating Locally" Become a Memb er today! 3550 Bridge Street, Armstrong, BC 250-546-8155 aschamber.com
You can’t completely eliminate risk on the job site, but Kal Tire is on the road towards that goal. The Vernon-based global corporation has established safety as a priority among its managers and employees. “The company has always had a strong focus on safety and we wanted to take that to the next level,” said Tracy Cobb-Reeves, director of communications. Reaching that next level falls under the Journey to Zero campaign. “It takes time to go on a journey and people do it at their own pace,” said Robert Foord, president. “We provide the resources and environment so people can look after their own safety and the safety of team members.” Risks can occur anywhere, whether it’s in a retail store, on a mine site or in the head office. “There are potential hazards we need to be aware of and we need to train people and make them aware of them,” said Foord. “We are worried about the health and safety of our team members. We want an attitude that says, I care for others. It goes from just complying to believing. It takes an attitudinal shift.” But doing so isn’t easy when the company has 5,500 employees across 17 countries, including more than 150 mine sites and retail outlets. Foord admits that promoting safety in Africa or South America may take a different approach than in Canada, especially because languages vary. “There are different cultures that view safety differently than Canada but we’re trying to work within those cul-
“It takes an attitudinal shift.” — Foord
tures,” he said. “We are ensuring leaders in those areas are trained and aware of the cultural aspect in that area so they can deliver the message.” As a result of Journey to Zero, lost time incidents have decreased as have doctors’ visits for employees. “Our absolute objective is to operate as safe as we can,” said Foord. As part of the campaign, team workers have been asked to treat safety as a puzzle by providing feedback and filling in the pieces that improve conditions. “Everyone has embraced this,” said Cobb-Reeves. “There have been incredible stories of team members and their journey to zero.” Kal Tire has also gone as far as amending its company aims to reflect the significance of the campaign. “The aims are our guiding principles and health and safety is mentioned specifically,” said Foord. “We want it to be the foundation of what we do for our team members and our customers.” Foord says the goal of reducing potentially dangerous situations will be a success because everyone at all levels of the company gets involved. “If you see someone not working safely, speak up and say, ‘Let’s take a look at it,’” he said.
2
The Leader in Community Theatre for 5 Seasons CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE for Current & Future Productions, Audition Online, Become a Member, Enter Contests, Rent the Powerhouse and Watch for News on the Okanagan Zone Festival!
Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z49
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Tastes entice tourists richard rolke Morning Star Staff
Ange Chew brings a unique perspective to her role as Vernon’s tourism manager. She just moved to the North Okanagan from Vancouver in November and is exploring everything Vernon and the region has to offer first-hand. “I love the amount of diversity with the outdoors and the food variety,” she said. “I love the fresh produce and the heritage vegetables. There’s good ethnic diversity. I’m trying to eat my way through Vernon.” Chew easily rattles off the names of her favourite restaurants and insists that cuisine plays a vital role in Vernon trying to attract tourists. “Food is a big part of the visitor experience.” Visitors have an opportunity to check out farmers markets during the height of harvest as well as during the off-season. On top of this, food-related specialty attractions are proving popular such as Bella Stella Cheese in Lumby, Triple Island Cheese Farm in Cherryville,
Village Cheese in Armstrong and Davison Orchards in Vernon. And while the Okanagan has an international reputation for wine, the north end of the valley has the BX Press cidery and the meadery at Planet Bee in Vernon. Okanagan Spirits is also proving popular. “Because of their expansion into whisky, it brings in someone different to the area,” said Chew. When not tempting her taste buds, Chew is impressed with the recreational opportunities that abound, including vast trail networks, skiing, golfing and snowboarding. Her goal is to try stand-up paddling on Kalamalka Lake this year. “It’s about learning what we have,” she said, adding that her experiences can be passed on directly to tourists who are wanting to enjoy the Okanagan lifestyle. Chew has also kept herself busy visiting various attractions and future stops will include O’Keefe Ranch in Spallumcheen and Mackie Lake House in Coldstream.
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Z50 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
2015 Business Review & Forecast
City central to array of Greater Vernon amenities Continued from Z49 Within a short drive are six wineries in Lake Country and the zipline in Oyama and the Shuswap River in Enderby, as well as outdoors experiences in the Monashees and near Falkland. “Vernon is very central,” said Chew, pointing out that the city has many of the amenities tourists require, such as accommodations, restaurants and retail shops. “There is ease of access to everything.
You can be at Silver Star or catch a flight in Kelowna.” Marketing is critical in the tourism sector and Tourism Vernon has been able to use hotel tax revenue to promote the community far and wide. It’s anticipated that there was about a 20 per cent increase in hotel tax revenue in 2014. As part of marketing, Tourism Vernon has held three media familiarization tours in the last two months by working with Sparkling Hill Resort’s winter wellness
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program. Out-of-town media were taken to Silver Star and introduced to food producers and shown around the downtown core. As a result, journalist Nathan Fong will feature Vernon in two magazines and in an online publication. “The media exposure will reach an audience of more than 100,000 in Western Canada and has an advertising value of $10,000,” states the City of Vernon. Understanding visitor needs is also important. Tourism Vernon is partnering with Destination B.C. to pilot an accommodation survey that collects visitor infor-
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mation, including length of stay, visitor origin, purpose of visit and visitor type. Staff are also collecting hotel information — average daily rates, occupancy rate, total room nights available and total room nights occupied. Chew says this information will help her office identify key market segments. Part of 2015 will also be spent focused on reviewing Vernon’s marketing plan and moving the community towards the next stage as a destination. “We have really aligned ourselves with the provincial and national tourism boards and with the ThompsonOkanagan Tourism Association,” said Chew. “TOTA has been supportive as we grow as a destination.”
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Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z51
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Morning Star file photo
Enderby Entertainment’s production of Go WIth Me saw stars Julia Stiles and Anthony Hopkins filming in the area in late 2014.
Region a star in film Jackie Pearase Special to The Morning Star
Hard work is paying off for the Okanagan Film Commission. “It’s been a great year with quite a few clients in animation and film,” said Jon Summerland, film commissioner. Summerland has worked tirelessly for the past seven years honing relationships, building networks and wooing Hollywood and beyond. The region’s profile has been raised because of this effort, bringing in big stars like Anthony Hopkins and Julia Stiles for the Enderby Entertainment production of Go With Me and highlighting locations like Sparkling Hills Resort, used in the shooting of the Lifetime movie, A Wife’s Nightmare. Summerland said such shoots provide additional marketing opportunities for communities wanting to take advantage of their Hollywood exposure. “It’s a great opportunity to take it way beyond filming and capitalize on it.” Recent films continue to generate interest, with Summerland perusing several scripts at any one time and Enderby Entertainment eying the area for another production this year. But it is not just Hollywood movies. The commission is attracting animation productions, commercials, television shows and lots of independent productions. “Top Gear was the most surprising shoot I’ve had,” Summerland noted about the BBC television show about cars and driving. “It was the first and only Canadian time the show was filmed here.” The show shot a segment in the South Okanagan and West Kootenays in a Hennessey VelociRaptor because it wanted to encounter a wide variety of
terrain. Recognized as the world’s most viewed factual television show, it provided an incomparable opportunity to showcase B.C. to the world. “Where else can you get in front of 250 million people and say you have the cleanest water in the world like they did in Greenwood,” asked Summerland. Independent studios are very interested in the region and Summerland spends a lot of time wooing them to film here – scouting locations, wining and dining them. “These ones are our bread and butter but it costs money to get them.” Such studios generally work with budgets under $10 million and rarely have upfront funds like a Hollywood studio. Much of the preliminary work to secure a production is done on speculation, with the OFC picking up the tab initially. Large studios are likely to bring their own infrastructure for shoots whereas smaller companies often look to the OFC for crews, trucks, accommodations and food, which adds to the economic impact and the benefit of bringing in such productions. The OFC has developed an inventory of such infrastructure available in the region so it is available with a simple phone call. “We have all the infrastructure and that makes us appealing,” Summerland said. “We’re really getting a reputation as being a great place. The Okanagan is the only place outside the Lower Mainland you can crew a film – and a good crew.” Summerland expects things to continue along the current trend but hopes to see an increase to OFC’s $180,000 annual budget so he can continue to be as effective for the next seven years.
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Z52 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Family-owned grocer on the grow again roger knox Morning Star Staff
RogeR Knox/MoRning StaR
Tamsen guidi (left) and her brother raymond (right) join fellow employees Judy Mallett (second from left) and Angie Simpson at Butcher Boys. Founder, the late Pete guidi, pictured in front of his store in 1986, 25 years after he opened for business.
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As Butcher Boys founder, the late Pete Guidi, would say: “Here we grow again.” The Vernon grocery institution, located at the corner of Pleasant Valley Road and Silver Star Road, the exact same spot where Guidi opened the shop for business in 1961, is expanding. “He would also say ‘If you don’t keep up with it, get out,’” laughed Guidi’s granddaughter, Tamsen, who works in the family store with her brother, Raymond, and which is run by her father, Paul, Pete’s son. “My dad says that’s why there is six different roof lines up there from six different renos.” The Guidi family, which also includes Paul’s wife, Laura, has gone through Plans A to Z for the current expansion over the past three years and, as the family jokes over lunch, they’re now starting on Plan AA. The store, which also includes a liquor outlet at the back, is currently at 15,000 square feet. The new expansion, which is expected to take a couple of years to complete, will see 3,000 square feet added to both Butcher Boys and its liquor store, along with more parking. “We had maxed out in size, elbow room and electricity,” said Laura. “If we add one more piece of equipment, we have to unplug something else to plug it in.” When completed, the renovations will include Butcher Boys’ aisles being flipped from their current east-west configuration to north-south. Each department will be larger and there will be items added such as a chicken roaster, a bigger bakery oven, extra deli and produce cases, automatic meat wrapper, a mini-express checkout and lottery tickets will be available for purchase. During the renos, there will be no disruption to the operation. “First step is the parking lot, second step is the liquor store, third step is Butcher Boys,” said Tamsen who, along with her younger brother, are carrying on in the business founded by their grandfather and their grandmother, Irma. Known to the kids as Poppy (Pete) and Darling (Irma), Tamsen and Raymond love being part of the business.
Tamsen works in the bakery and deli, foreshadowed early in her life when she would sit in Darling’s kitchen and dream of being a professional sandwich maker. “I would dream of setting up a table outside Butcher Boys and sell my sandwiches,” said Tamsen. Added Raymond, a budding hockey star who joined the family business upon graduation from high school, and is currently training to be the manager of the store’s signature department, the meat department: “When I realized hockey wasn’t for me, I knew this was a great business and I wanted to learn more about it.” It’s been more than 50 years since Pete opened the doors at Butcher Boys (actually, the original name was The Butcher Boys). It started as a corner market, has always had the meat department (hence the name) and once housed gas pumps outside its front doors. What’s kept Butcher Boys going has been its customer service. “We work with family and we feel like family to our customers,” said Tamsen. “If I wasn’t related to the business, I’d be shopping here,” said Laura. “The staff know me, they greet me with hello, the lineups are short – in-out – and they help you with groceries to your car. They’re just so friendly.” The store employs more than 50 part- and full-time employees. Some, like Judy Mallett, have been there for more than 40 years. Some, like Chris Huculak, are fondly remembered by the Guidis and current staff. A fundraiser is held at the store every year in memory of Huculak, who died in 2008. Huculak began working at the store as a high school student, moved away, and came back to work at Butcher Boys. “He was so there when Pete died and was a super-big help to Paul,” said Laura. “We love him. One of the alltime greatest staff members.” And while he stays quietly in the background, Paul Guidi draws praise for continuing the family tradition of superb service. “When he walks in a room, everything stops and that’s a sign of such a deep respect and a lot of love from everybody,” said Tamsen.
Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z53
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Village Green marks 40 years in Vernon Katherine MortiMer Morning Star Staff
From a visit by Hollywood royalty to winning a national award, the Village Green Centre has plenty to celebrate in its 40th year of business. Oscar winner Sir Anthony Hopkins caused a stir back in November when he was spotted enjoying a coffee at Starbucks and then shopping at one of the kiosks in the centre while he was in town filming a movie. “It was so great to have Anthony Hopkins here,” said Village Green general manager Scott Adam. “It was a nice bit of publicity for us, that’s for sure.” Another highlight for the centre was winning a 2014 silver award from the International Council of Shopping Centres in its Shopping Centre Awards Programme, to honour the industry’s brightest and best. Village Green was honoured for its Pop for PINK campaign, where Pink’s concert in Vancouver was used as a tie in to drive Facebook fans, eclub membership sales and loyalty to the centre. Open since Aug. 3, 1975, The Village Green Centre is proud of its long history in the community, and Adam said there is plenty to celebrate. “Sales for December were up over the previous year by more than three per cent so we ended last year on a very positive note — we haven’t seen those numbers since 2011 so it’s a very positive outlook for us.” While the closing of Target came as a shock, Adam said contracts are close to being signed for several new retailers that will be welcome additions to the centre which is also home to The Bay, Save-on Foods, B.C. Liquor Stores and Sport Chek. “Going forward, we’re working very hard with each of our independent owners in coming up with plans for our tenants,” he said. “We’ve got some exciting new retailers in the works.” Adam said he fields questions on a daily basis about what will become of the 104,000-square-foot space that has been Target’s home since May 2013. “Target still owns the building and so we just don’t know at this point, but not a day goes by that I don’t get asked what it’s going to be and we have had every suggestion you could imagine,” said Adam. Customers will have noticed several others changes at the centre, such as the closing of longtime retailer Boutique Canadiana. After 18 years in business, owners Dean and Penny Perry made the
“Although we have a fashion component, we are a place for the whole family.” — Darren Robinson
decision to retire. As well, the owners of Orange Julius have also retired and shut down the popular smoothie spot in the food court. “We are sorry to see them go,” said Adam, adding that Edo Japan has also decided not to renew its lease at the food court. One of the newer tenants that continues to bring in the punters is Brown’s Social House, a busy restaurant and bar that has been a great asset to the centre, said Adam. “Brown’s has been a fabulous addition — we really needed that full service restaurant,” he said. Also new to the centre is women’s wear retailer Eclipse, which is next door to a temporary retailer selling jade pieces and jewellery. “That’s been great for the shopping centre because it’s something new.” Marketing manager Darren Robinson has been busy planning a wide variety of events for all ages, beginning with the Kids Club. At spring break, a number of activities were organized for youngsters, from a St. Patrick’s Day party to a mini concert with Kiki the Eco Elf. “The focus is on bringing in as much foot traffic as possible,” he said. “We are a family centre, so although we have a fashion component, we are a place for the whole family and we have something for everyone.” Robinson is looking ahead to the fall, when the centre will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a number of special events. Meanwhile, his current focus is on the spring campaign, Love is Alive. “So there’s a focus on love for the community, love for the environment and love for one another,” he said. Love for the community is done with the construction of 10 play houses that will be sold to corporate sponsors and then decorated, displayed and auctioned off, with proceeds given to the Vernon Women’s Transition House Society, this year’s charity of choice for the centre. Adam said it’s a worthy cause that Village Green is happy to support “It has to be a hand-in-glove fit for us
and this really works,” he said. “They are also charity of choice for The Body Shop, so it’s a great tie-in.” Love of the environment will take the
form of electronic waste collection as part of Earth Day, with all of the shopping centres owned by Bentall Kennedy collecting e-waste. And for love of each other, shoppers can win a $250 gift card for themselves, and one for a friend. The Village Green Centre is wellknown for its fundraising initiatives and in an average year plays host to more than 150 non-profit groups, providing free space and tables to help them fundraise and to increase awareness of their cause.
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2015 Business Review & Forecast
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Vernon Women in Business president Sue Beaudry kept meeting people who told her how much they received and were able to give through being members of the organization. “I enjoyed meeting these women and learning from them and about what they are doing in the community,” said Beaudry, who is director of development of the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation. “It is a valuable opportunity for all women, whether they own businesses, work in a business or profession, have home-based businesses or who are thinking about starting businesses or careers. We also value our semi-retired or retired members for their expertise and experience.” Vernon Women in Business, which has about 100 members, including corporate memberships, with more than 60 showing up for each meeting, has a lunch meeting with a speaker once a month. There are also other educational and social activities. “We have members from around the North Okanagan, including from Armstrong and Enderby. Not all the members are directly involved in business. They find they can take the information and contacts from the groups and adapt it for not-for-profit and service organizations,” said Beaudry. Vernon Women in Business hosted its first leadership conference, Embracing
Change, last fall. “It was very successful and well-received. We’re already planning the next one for Oct. 23 at Sparkling Hill. This is open to the community.” Members are also busy organizing the Vernon Woman of the Year Gala to be held May 7 with the nominees first presented at the lunch meeting April 8. “It’s wonderful for the community to hear about the amazing things the nominees do,” said Beaudry. “That kind of knowledge, the networking piece, is something that is really beneficial for all members. It’s the opportunity to talk to other women who have similar lives and learn how they manage to balance their lives and deal with the situations that come up. There is good mentorship. “Another thing I really like are the coffee dates. At each meeting those who want to put their cards in a draw. You will be invited for coffee and you invite someone for coffee. You get to know more members and learn a lot. It’s very interesting.” Prospective members are encouraged to come to a few meetings before making a decision about joining. “I think it’s worth looking into for any woman who is in a business or organization. It will help you in whatever you do. I enjoy and benefit from my involvement in Vernon Women in Business. I felt it was important to be on the executive to contribute back to something that has provided me with so many benefits,” said Beaudry.
Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z55
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Science Centre celebrates silver anniversary Katherine MortiMer Morning Star Staff
When Jim Swingle left New York City for Vernon, he may have left behind the ability to order Ethiopian food at 3 a.m., but as the new executive director of the Okanagan Science Centre, a whole new world has opened up for him. Swingle arrived in Vernon eight years ago after meeting and falling in love with his wife through a web site devoted to the TV show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He moved here a year later and the couple now has a six-year-old son. Taking over from longtime executive director Sandy Dixon, Swingle took on the job in December and he said it’s been a wonderful adventure so far. “It’s great and I just love it,” he said. It’s been an interesting journey from his career in the financial industry in New York City to running a non-profit science centre in the North Okanagan. With a master’s in computer science, Swingle said there are parallels between Wall Street and the world of science. “Instead of moving atoms around, it’s moving money around,” he said. “And I’ve always read Scientific American so it feels comfortable for me.” When he first arrived in the Okanagan, Swingle commuted from his home in Vernon to Kamloops, where he taught in the business department of Thompson Rivers University. He’s happy to not have to make the long drive to get to work, and son Malcolm thinks it’s pretty cool that his dad works at one of his favourite places. “He loves it here, so that is a big part of it, he thinks it’s great that I’m coming to work here every day,” said Swingle. In 1990, the Interior Space and Science Centre began in the basement of the Tolko building in downtown Vernon. In 1997, it moved into its current home in Polson Park, in a registered municipal heritage site that was built as a school in 1893. The non-profit centre is run by a board of directors and relies on income from a variety of sources, including school field trips, with Scotiabank sponsoring the Summer of Science Camps. The OSC offers a collection of handson exhibits that are based on scientific principles including sound, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, mechanics, astronomy and space science. “We’re creating a culture of science, but learning and having a good time
with science,” said Swingle. “Carla (Glessing, program coordinator) and Kevin (Aschenmeier, the OSC’s original staff member) come up with ideas and we have developed a freewheeling brainstorming approach,” said Swingle. “We are always looking for three things when we plan camps: that it’s of interest to people, that it ties in to science, since we are a science centre and not a play centre, and that it is deliverable. “I want to grow on our strengths, we have great science programming and I want to continue to deliver those and grow new ones, I want to make sure we have regular turnover of exhibits.” Swingle said in the first hall, the plan is to turn it into what he calls a safe room, where parents can hang out and enjoy a coffee while their little ones can safely play and explore. “Parents want to be able to interact with their kids, but also to have the chance to just sit down and get a little break as well,” he said. “I want to continue to make little changes. As much as possible, we want to hit all the age ranges.” There are a number of projects in the works at the OSC, but the big one is the Amazonian biotope, spearheaded by volunteer Gene Bryant. A longtime employee of BC Hydro, Bryant retired and decided to spend more time at the OSC, where he has been a volunteer for the past three years. “I have done just about everything here, including looking after the small fish tank, which leads us into the Amazonian biotope,” said Bryant. “I don’t have a science background, but I have been a life-long National Geographic subscriber and it’s just something I have an interest in and once I retired, the centre was the first place I thought of to give back. The volunteers here are fantastic and very diversified and I think that’s what the centre needs.” Thanks to funding from the Silver Star Rotary Club, the new Amazonian biotope exhibit is well under way, with opening set for June. “Basically we’re using a large donated aquarium to re-create an Amazonian ecosystem, and then tying that in with educational materials about ecosystems in general, including our local Okanagan Lake ecosystem,” said Swingle. Bryant said the general theme of the exhibit is stewardship and the environment, with the biotope a true representative of a world found in nature.
Katherine MortiMer/ Morning Star
Volunteer Gene Bryant (left), and executive director Jim Swingle are excited about the new amazonian biotope exhibit, opening in June at the okanagan Science Centre, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in october.
Congratulations to area businesses for their successes in the past year and
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Z56 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
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Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z57
s Honour
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Small business is the backbone of our community. These businesses all started small, built themselves up and continue to provide quality service to the North Okanagan.
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Behind every small business, there’s a story worth knowing. These small businesses contribute to the local economy by bringing growth and innovation to the community. They provide vital employment in the development of the progressive community we are today. Please continue to support these fine businesses to show your commitment to their success.
Congratulations for your many years of service to the community!
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Since 2010, over $758,000 net has been raised for medical equipment needs at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. The 2015 Charity Classic will assist in furnishing the 6th and 7th floors of the Polson Tower at the Hospital.
VJH FOUNDATION • 250-558-1362
For information about how you can participate, go to www.vjhfoundation.org or call 250-558-1362
At Predator Ridge Golf Course Vernon, BC
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Claire Radford, Predator Ridge sale specialist, looks over the Ridge fairway at the Gateway homes being constructed in the new Whitetail neighbourhood at Predator Ridge.
Wesbild builds lifestyle KRistin FRoneman Morning Star Staff
There’s something new popping up past the greens at Predator Ridge and atop the hills overlooking Vernon. Wesbild Homes is building brand, new communities at both its locations in Vernon, with the addition of the new Whitetail neighbourhood at Predator Ridge and a new cul-de-sac at Turtle Mountain. Overlooking the fairway at Predator’s Ridge Course with a backyard view of the sparkling hills above Okanagan Lake, the homes currently being constructed at Whitetail come in varying sizes and styles, said Predator Ridge real estate specialist Claire Radford. “This area is all about lifestyle. The homes are located close to hiking trails and the resort with a pathway right to the village and all the amenities, including the fitness centre, Commonage Market, and club house,” said Radford. “We also have a new dog park. This is a pet-friendly community. Many of our homeowners have dogs and our resort guests are also welcome to bring dogs.” The fully landscaped neighbourhood, which is hooked to the City of Vernon’s sewer and water and is now serviced by the new firehall at the resort, is a change in direction for Predator in that it features new modern, contemporary-style homes. That new style can be seen at the Gateway, six homes located in a private enclave at the entrance to Whitetail. Gateway offers 1,928 square feet of living space with large outdoor decks overlooking the second and third holes of the Ridge Course. Whitetail also features Predator’s well known Prairie-style homes, which
feature big windows, flat soffits and different roof slopes. “There are also opportunities for rancher-style homes at our new Patio homes, which feature one-level homes built on a crawl space,” said Radford. Visitors to the new neighbourhood will be able to wander through two showhomes on the site in a couple of months, said Radford. “At the moment we have 37 home sites with plans that more can be developed,” she added. There’s also something new to see at Wesbild’s Turtle Mountain community, located above Vernon. Currently under construction are 10 new custom homes, with six on Painted Turtle Lane and an additional four homes on Turtle Pond Place. “This enclave is one of our premiere low density cul-de-sacs,” said Trevor McMorran, sales agent with Turtle Mountain. “The lane services only six homes in total and has a green space adjacent to it. The curve of the street allows for a range of open views from the City of Vernon to some unbelievable Okanagan Lake perspectives.” Featuring new interior colour designs, the new homes have been planned under Wesbild’s philosophy of designing high-end homes of sizes that can be flexible for many needs. “This section has some of our largest homes we have built in recent years to some of our smallest,” said McMorran. “All have our unmistakable Wesbild quality and character. Since this cul-desac is a rare opportunity we wanted to make these homes truly custom in their designs but also with their interiors. We have new and fresh colour schemes on the way.”
Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z59
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Dealerships a driving force in community Morning Star Staff
The start of a new year in the auto industry can be an exciting time, with new models, new colours and all the technical advancements driving forward at an incredible pace. It is also a time to reflect and remember those who are less fortunate. That is especially true for the New Car Dealers Association of Vernon, whose members have always been willing to give their time and financial resources to help others. “This dedication is repeated year after year with the association and individual dealerships supporting this fine region of the North Okanagan,” said Association president Pat Loehndorf, also Bannister Honda general manager/partner. “The dealers bring the same entrepreneurial drive to their community support that they do to their business.” A major drive of the association is its annual golf tournament. Last year’s proceeds exceeded $16,000, which was presented to KidSport and Teen Junction. Individual dealers also do their part on the side, with contributions to organizations such as Vernon’s SPCA, B.C. Cancer Society and United Way, to name
Watkins celebrates 100th anniversary
jennifer smith/morning star
Pat Loehndorf, president of the New Car Dealers Association of Vernon, says manufacturers are having a hard time keeping up with demand as sales are going so well. a few. While the community remains at the heart of local dealers, sales are what drive them. “The automotive sector had an amazing 2014, setting many new records for sales,” said Loehndorf. “Some of the dealerships were actually running out of some specific models to sell throughout 2014.”
Watkin Motors Ford has been a driving force in the local automotive industry for a century. Watkin Motors was established as a dealership in 1915 and is the longest serving Ford Dealership in Canada. Joe Watkin was the original owner and laid the foundation for a promising future. Watkin and his three staff specialized in cars, trucks and tractor sales and would do whatever it took to put the deal together. It wasn’t uncommon for sales staff to deliver a new vehicle to the customer at his ranch or farm, returning with two or three cows used as the down-payment. Three generations of Blankley’s have run Watkin Motors, starting when 14-year-old Jack Blankley got a job at the Vernon garage, and learning from the ground up.
Now Vernon dealers are left wondering what 2015 will bring, but it already looks promising. “All indications are pointing to another strong year with the Canadian economy stabilizing, along with the U.S. economy picking up,” said Loehndorf, adding that interest rates and fuel prices will factor in. “I truly believe that 2015 will be a
great year to consider purchasing a new vehicle from one of your Vernon dealers, and we invite everyone to come in and shop locally.” Approximately 350 people combined work at the eight member dealers: Watkin Motors, Vernon Volkswagen, Vernon Toyota, Vernon Nissan, Vernon Hyundai, Hilltop Subaru, Bannister GM and Bannister Honda.
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Z60 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Support keeps Hospice house going 30 years cara brady Morning Star Staff
The North Okanagan Hospice Society says, “Thank you,” to the community for 30 years of dedicated support. The organization, which started in 1984 as the Vernon and District Hospice Society, offered community education and support services while fundraising to build Hospice House. The house, with six beds for end-of-life and respite care, opened in 2001. It was expanded to 12 beds and the society name changed to North Okanagan Hospice Society in 2008. “Up to 2001, we didn’t have any government funding, it was all community support,” said Ruth Edwards, executive director. The society had a summer party to thank as many donors, family members, staff and other contributors as they could track down. Former board members were recognized at the AGM in September. Hospice House, which now receives some funding from IHA, provides services for about 180 clients each year, including those who come for respite
Cara brady/ morning star
North Okanagan Hospice House care aide chad chambers with the new adjustable jet bath tub recently installed for the comfort of clients.
care (pain management) and return home. More people are served in family, grouping programs and in the community through home programs and open workshops. “Our community presentations, Living Well: Dying Well, were received well,” said Edwards. “People appreciated the frank conversations that came out when they were able to talk about living as well as they could until the moment of death. They wanted to be able to ask and get answers to specific questions, as well
as where to look for more information as it is needed. “They were also interested in what Interior Health and the community has for residential care for people with various needs. There is definitely a need for this kind of information and a way to be sure that people get the kind of resources they are entitled to and we hope to be able to offer this again.” The workshops were part of a larger initiative, REACH (Resources Education Advocacy to Champion Hospice) in
partnership with the UBC Okanagan Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention. One project will be a series of webinars on all topics of end-of-life care. The Hospice Society also worked with Hospice of America to create webinars for youth. “We have also done a community needs assessment on bereavement support for children and youth and what we could do to support the social workers and counsellors who help them,” said Edwards. The society also wants to encourage advance care planning advice and information to the community. Edwards credits much of the success to the volunteers and staff of the society. “We have the most amazing staff who contribute to every area of the operation of the house and programs and we appreciate all that the volunteers bring to us. We have volunteers from all backgrounds, from their 20s to their 80s and all so valuable,” she said. “On our 30th anniversary, we are proud of our legacy to the community and we will be here for many years to come,” said Edwards.
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star Z61
Spirits high for Vernon distillery Jackie Pearase Special to The Morning Star
It’s a new place with an old look and new equipment using an age-old process. Okanagan Spirits is settling into its new, larger home on 24th Street this month, unveiling a spectacular, shiny and massive 50-plate, 2,000-pot copper still. After much searching, the Europeanmade still was purchased in the U.S. from someone who realized it was too big for his use. It is just the right size for Okanagan Spirits owner Tony Dyck. He saw it as a wise investment for the oldest craft distillery in western Canada, even though it meant more renovations to the 16,000 square foot facility. The front of the building already had its 12-foot roof raised to match the 20-foot ceiling at the rear of the building. But the new still required a skylight of sorts be installed for the 24-foot pipes that soar upward between two gleaming copper pots, tubing and other strange and wonderful equipment. Copper-pot stills are not used com-
mercially and Okanagan Spirits upgraded from a three-plate copper-pot still with this move. “It is a very exciting project. It is hard to imagine just how big it really is,” said Rodney Goodchild, sales and marketing manager. “It’s a great opportunity to put craft distilling on the map. It is a growing industry but few are at this level.” The new still did not come with an instruction booklet and what information that was there was in German so staff put their knowledge to work in getting things working smoothly. There was a bit of a lull as they changed production from the old facility to the new one in early March, but things are going full steam ahead now. Goodchild said their Laird of Fintry blended whisky and Final Proof Master Distiller Series whiskies are very popular, with each batch quickly selling out, but production has always been limited until now. The new facility and equipment is allowing the distillery to increase its production of 25 varieties of liqueurs and spirits significantly while being more efficient.
The public is welcome to watch the still in action from an area that has been transformed into a prohibition-era, backwoods gin joint. A cozy space is created using a custom-made rusted corrugated roof over timber beams salvaged from the Fruit Union Packing House. Thick glulam beams from M.V. Beattie Elementary School form the bars, seats and tables, supported by old-looking piping. Customized rusted doors, hanging light bulbs and a 1932 Ford complete the look. There is also a screening room where people can watch videos of the distilling process on the off times that production is not underway to be viewed. Goodchild said the new facility allows for more walk-in traffic while also being a destination. “It’ll be very much a jewel in the Vernon tourism crown. It will be a definite stop for visitors.” Goodchild said the Dyck family’s investment in the future and commitment to a superior product will allow the business to continue growing. “The quality of our product carries us.”
Lisa VanderVeLde/Morning star
Rodney Goodchild, of Okanagan Spirits, stands next to the distilling columns in their new building.
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Z62 Sunday, March 29, 2015 - The Morning Star
2015 Business Review & Forecast
Armstrong IPE gears up for udderly great year Jackie Pearase Special to The Morning Star
Truck Stage and adding new events. “Every year we evolve it and change it.” Burns hopes to bring back the rabbit agility trials again this year, an event that drew big crowds with hilarious long jump, high jump and agility events. Work is ongoing to expand the blacksmithing and farrier competition, the lumberjack show is returning and the ever-popular dog agility events are always growing. The youth talent stage draws almost 40 competitors each year and is a well-at-
tended event. “It has been a great addition for the youth of the valley to showcase their talents,” added Burns. Details are still being worked out for this year’s Wrangler Rodeo Tour but Burns expects another great turnout as it is very popular with both competitors and the crowds. “It is one of the best rodeos in North America. Not many people know that. It’s world class.” With seven events every night, there
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The Interior Provincial Exhibition and Stampede runs Sept. 2-6, 2015 in Armstrong.
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The 116th annual Interior Provincial Exhibition in Armstrong promises to be a moo-ving event. IPE General Manager Bryan Burns thinks this year’s theme of “Udderly Awesome: Party Till the Cows Come Home” is sure to create some memorable experiences. The theme, recognizing the Dairy Division, will be reflected throughout the fair and at the parade. “The parade should be outstanding with this year’s theme,” said Burns. “It will be easy to be creative and decorative.” The parade generally draws about 100 entries each year and thousands of people to watch. Burns said all divisions at the fair are going strong, with over 7,000 entries last year and going up steadily. And each division leader examines their classes every year to make adjustments – adding a new theme or removing an unpopular one. Burns said these tweaks are crucial to keeping the fair interesting and current, like changing entertainment on the Ram
is plenty to keep the crowds entertained including mini chuckwagon races, bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling and more. The midway is a huge draw, bringing people from all over, but Burns says the IPE’s goal to educate people about agriculture is never hard to accomplish because of the sheer amount of things to see and do at the fair. “City folk come for the entertainment then we expose them to agriculture.” The focus on agriculture also brings in hundreds of commercial dealers wanting to highlight their products and hundreds more who want to exhibit their animals. “Everyone wants to come and showcase their animals,” Burns said. “People come from all over B.C. to exhibit.” The exhibits cover a wide range of divisions beyond animals, with photography and hobbies being most popular. People can get their first look at the 2015 IPE entry book in May and deadlines for entries start in July. Burns said the fair appeals to a wide variety of people and it remains an ideal family event. “It’s great family fun.”