The Ice cream dream adopted by new owners

Mni Melts—The Ice Cream Dream, started by Bart Dilschneider, has been sold to new owners, Ian and Sandy Murray, formerly of Allied Lawn Care.

The Murrays are also the new franchisees for the B.C. Interior, operating out of a kiosk here in Kelowna at Capri Mall with new locations planned for Orchard Park by Sport Chek and at Aberdeen Mall in Kamloops. They also acquired a new mobile unit to service events throughout the Okanagan Valley. This exciting and delicious new product has been in Canada for years, and in Kelowna for one year. The ice cream actually looks like little coloured “dry pellets” and is flash frozen at -187 C and served at -40 C in a dish. When you put them into your mouth they melt instantly and taste delicious. The chocolate and mango are yummy. The product is all natural with no preservatives, except the “cotton candy” flavour, which is the most popular. A small dish is only 220 calories.

You know, sometimes I wonder just where I’m at (ha!). Last week I wrote about chairing the 12th annual Okanagan Family AIDS Walk, presented by Interior Savings Credit Union. I said the date was April 21. What a booboo! The correct date is Sunday, Sept. 21. I know most of you knew that, but for those who didn’t and thought it was funny that the walk was already over—it isn’t. I was in Victoria this past week and was honoured to see several government officials, including Premier Gordon Campbell and Lieut.-Gov. Steven L. Point, who is definitely attending our AIDS walk this year as our honourary patron, so we’re all pretty excited about that! So, mark down Sept.21 on your calendar and get out your walking shoes and be ready to join us for a special day. Call Aids Walk coordinator Stephanie Tissot at 250-862-2437 for more information.

After seven years with BMO Bank of Montreal, well-known banker Bob Brown, senior account manager, real estate lending, has joined Canadian Western Bank, 1674 Bertram St., as assistant vice-president, real estate lending. Give him a call at 250-979-6696 or e-mail bob.brown@cwbank.com.

The Appraisal Institute of Canada has awarded designation of CRA—Canadian Residential Appraiser—to Julian Mason, of Westside Valuation Services located in the Apollo Business Centre, 7-2424 Apollo Rd. Mason is a partner in the firm with Bob Mason. Westside Valuation Services are real estate appraisers and consultants. Call 250-878-8767.

Unique to the Okanagan, BDC employee Martime Hickman has a new position in the sub-debt area at the Kelowna regional office.  This is the first time they have had someone in a local role. Having someone available to do sub-debt financing locally is a reflection of the changing needs of the Okanagan marketplace. Subordinate financing is used where there is no security available for a project. Specifically, this type of financing can be used to support business acquisitions, management buy-outs, expansions, intangible asset financing and working capital for expansion purposes. Call 250-470-4812.

Hans Looman is the new chairperson of the Okanagan Valley Entrepreneurs Society. He is president of LCX Logic Circuits Inc. located on the Westside. Colin Parker, of Red Giraffe Strategic Marketing, is vice-chairperson. VODA Computer Systems Ltd. has become a corporate sponsor and accepted a seat on the OVES Advisory Council.

Una Florko has joined Pushor Mitchell LLP as an associate lawyer. She joined the firm as a summer student, returned in 2007 to article and was called to the B.C. Bar in May 2008. She practices in the areas of general litigation, employment law and business law. Call 250-869-1230. florko@pushormitchell.com

Beth Walls, of DotComMedia, 206-1441 Ellis St., will celebrate her 5th anniversary with the company on July 3. She has been instrumental in the steady growth of the company owned and operated by Nikki Csek.  

Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty has opened its second office at 101-3500 Carrington Rd. in Westbank. Call 250-768-8001 or www.kelownarealestate.com.

Had the pleasure and honour of attending the Order of British Columbia, Nineteenth Investiture at Government House in Victoria on June 26, to witness Mohini Singh and Herb Capozzi receive the Order of British Columbia. I had never been to Government House and it was fabulous. The Insignia of the Order of British Columbia is in the form of a medal, which each recipient received. The medal depicts a stylistic dogwood and features a crowned shield of arms; it is worn with a green, gold, white and blue ribbon. In addition to the medal, members of the Order receive a lapel pin and a Certificate of Appointment in the form of Letters Patent. The neatest thing is that members are also granted the right to have the letters O.B.C. placed after their names. Many of Mohini’s family and friends attended the ceremony from all over North America.  

Happy 25th anniversary Shel and Tracy Jacobsen on July 2.

Paragon Pharmacies has appointed pharmacist Gerry Martin to its board of directors. He is currently co-owner of Kra-Mar Investments. Peter Rose, interim chief financial officer, has resigned from the company effective July 31. Craig Cameron is Paragon’s president and CEO.

Chiropractor Dr. Nick Nimchuk has joined the team of iQuest Athletic Performance Centre, 1745 Spall Rd. Relocating from St. Louis, Nimchuk enjoys running, biking and skiing and will fit right into iQuest’s world class multidisciplinary health care and fitness facility. Call 250-860-3456.  

Marking the 31st anniversary of The Kelowna and District Share Society, the following board of directors was recently appointed. Congrats to Kip Butler, Cathie Harnett, Gary McLaughlin, Shirley Hutt, Ken Parker, Brenda Jensen, Stan Nisbet, Rita Chisholm, Kerry Lomax and Bruce Hollett. Call 250-763-8117.

Happy 20th anniversary Lani (Bogie & Bacall) and Mike Rout (City of Kelowna) on July 2.

If you haven’t been to Predator Ridge Golf Resort lately, you should take a drive and see what’s happening up there. Now owned by Wesbild, the property has really changed and is spectacular. The new lodge/hotel facility is in full swing and the rooms are incredible. They offer lovely studio suites with soaker tubs and a huge shower; full kitchen facilities with modern appliances; dining room; living room with fireplace; bedrooms with king size beds and down duvets and a good size balcony looking onto the golf course. They also accommodate visitors in the cottages or villas. Their newly renovated clubhouse is spectacular and the food prepared by executive chef Jeff O’Neil was exceptional. Rituals Aveda Spa and Salon is in full swing and guests of the Lodge and Spa have full access to the resort amenities including pools, hot tubs, steam bath, state-of-the-art fitness centre, BBQ areas, tennis, biking, practice facility and a wide variety of unique resort events. They also offer meeting rooms for large groups. The 2008 TELUS World Skins was nothing short of spectacular and I had the opportunity to visit with renowned golf course designer Doug Carrick, the designer for Predator’s new 18-hole course opening in early summer 2010. We even took at tour of some of the new holes under construction and it certainly was impressive. Predator Ridge offers accommodation and golf all summer long with reasonable rates and prime golf times with accommodation. They have just opened the Wesbild Centre. Predator is a perfect short-drive get-a-way for anyone. Thom Killingsworth is the director of resort operations, Rod Cochrane, general manager—golf and resort, and Jennifer Strachan, the community relations specialist. For reservations call 1-888-578-6688.

Sad news that long-time businessman Walter Block has passed away after a battle with cancer. Block owned and operated JD Commercial Appliance Ltd. for 30 years and was well respected in the food service industry. The business is now owned by Walter’s son Chris, and his wife Angela, who have had it for the past few years. Condolences to all family and friends.

Sleep Country has let loose another flock of Serta Counting Sheep for adoption at any Sleep Country location in Canada. You can adopt a loveable, plush Serta Sheep toy for a minimum donation of only $10. The Adopt-A-Sheep fundraiser goes on June 12 to July 22, supporting Children’s Miracle Network. This year’s sheep is a baby sheep with a soother and this year’s number is 1/16, not big enough for a whole number. Drop into Kelowna at 2031 Harvey or 3550 Carrington in Westbank.   

Enquiro is hosting their 7th annual Stampede Pancake Breakfast in support of the Kelowna Women’s Shelter on Friday, July 4, 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., at the corner of Dickson Avenue and Dayton Street, across from Landmark III. Gord Hotchkiss and Bill Barnes, co-founders of Enquiro Search Solutions, who are both from Calgary, will bring the free breakfast here with the added twist of helping out a charity. No registration is necessary and guests are encouraged to dress up in their western attire.

On July 31, the Sudbury Secondary School Alumni Association is planning a reunion celebrating the first high school graduating class 100 years ago. Lots of activities are planned and they are looking for anyone who attended the school to go to their official website at www.sssreunion2008.com where alumni can pre-register, contact classmates and view photos. Call Cathy DiPietro at 705-674-4000 or cathydipietro@persona.ca.

Big thanks to Carson Maxted, at Pearle Vision in Orchard Park Mall, for his great service in giving me a quick sunglass fix-up.

TaylorMade Golf Tip of the Week by Jon Kadin: “Are you purchasing golf equipment the right way? Years ago, when you entered a golf shop, the local professional would have a large assortment of equipment in stock ready to purchase. The consumer basically looked at something being displayed and if they liked it, they bought it; no questions asked, no demonstration and certainly no custom fitting session. This is no longer the case. When you are in the market for new equipment at least do the following:

• Research new products. There are so many options today, make sure you choose something that is appealing to you. Best way to do this is on the Internet.

• Ask questions. CPGA professionals are knowledgeable in the latest and greatest golf equipment.

• Demonstrate with more than one manufacturer. Even though you may really enjoy one brand, trying them all may have surprising results.

• Most importantly: Make sure you are custom fit. Proper shaft length, shaft flex and lie angle will be determined during a fitting and more often than not, a player is currently using product not right for them.”

Jon Kadin is the director of golf at Gallagher’s Canyon (jkadin@golfbc.com) and Greg Murtland is the territory manager of TaylorMade (greg.murtland@tmag.com).

Birthdays of the week—Happy 50th Derrik Johanneson, TAC Mobility (July 2); Happy 55th Finbar O’Sullivan (July 4); Happy 60th Les Humphries, Bullseye Packaging (July 2); Happy 75th Jean Busch-Hocken (July 4); Don McArthur (July 4); Lianna Asselstine, Costco (June 27); Cam Dick, Rambow Mechanical (July 5); Happy 17th Ashley Peters, OKM School (June 26). 

Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546, fax 250-860-3173, e-mail maxdehart@telus.net .