Trailer4Rent.ca has launched in West Kelowna as the Airbnb of trailers. Owned and founded by West Kelowna local, Charles Lelliott, CEO, the company provides average residents the opportunity to create additional side-income to help with the higher cost of living, pay for figure skating lessons for the kids, or just to enjoy an evening out. Simply by utilizing an asset that many folks have just sitting in their driveways or back yards, including all types of trailers such as dump, utility, cargo, horse trailers, or flat decks, are all eligible to be rented out through the trailer4rent.ca website. Whether you are moving, hauling, cleaning up the yard or transporting livestock, Trailer4Rent.ca can help you get rolling. You will get convenience, insurance coverage and the trailer you need, all while renting from your neighbours, which is a win-win. Here is how it might work for you. Earn extra income by renting out your trailer. Trailer owners can possibly make $300 – $1,000 per month with just a few rental days each month. Find the perfect trailer for your needs without the commitment of ownership, maintenance, or storage costs. Yes, it works just like Airbnb, but for trailers. Visit Trailer4Rent.ca.
The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society (OWFS) has a new partnership with Edward Jones, who joins as a resenting sponsor for all three Annual Okanagan Wine Festivals beginning in 2026. This long-term collaboration brings together two organizations committed to community, connection and creating memorable experiences across the valley. Edward Jones brings a fresh and engaging presence to OWFS programming and will enhance three of BC’s most celebrated wine events. The partnership officially kicks off at the Winter Wine-derland, the Okanagan’s newest signature wine event taking place at the Laurel Packinghouse on February 7th, 2025. Tickets are now on sale. Matt Strawson is the Regional Leader of Edward Jones, and Annika Betts represents the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society. www.thewinefestivals.com
Local sculptor Geert Maas, one of the Okanagan’s most internationally recognized artists, is the subject of a new seven-part documentary now in production. The series, created in collaboration with local videographer Lorenz Pourde and composer Tony Koenen, blend Elly Maas’s narration with rare archival material, stunning footage of the Sculpture Gardens, and stories from Geert’s remarkable 60-year career. Part One is now available to watch online, with additional chapters being released throughout the winter. It is a beautiful tribute to an artist who has shaped the cultural landscape of Kelowna for decades.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRIMQ5lJHAM
CanScribe Career College is again running for the season its Carry Out Kindness Campaign for 2025, a heartfelt initiative designed to spread generosity and compassion through their community. Each participating staff member receives $250 to use in carrying out acts of kindness. Whether it’s paying for someone’s groceries or buying lunch for someone in need, these small gestures create ripples of positivity that extend far beyond the moment. All stories are submitted by a video explaining their act(s) of kindness. The stories will be shared at CanScribe’s AGM. Kindness is contagious. By empowering their staff to give back, they strengthen their communities’ uplift for those who need support and also remind us that even the smallest gestures can make a big difference. Colleen Chapman is the CEO of CanScribe Career College.
Kudos to the students and employees of Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School who presented the Central Okanagan Food Bank with 2,090 lbs. of food (a $7,607.60 value) on their Give Back (Giving Tuesday) Tuesday Campaign. The school encouraged their students and employees to bring a $2 donation in support of the food bank. Giving Tuesday reflects a much larger commitment that guides them throughout the year. Each division follows a thoughtful, annual community support and service plan designed to help students learn through action, build ethical decision-making skills, and strengthen meaningful connections beyond their campus. Wendy Comeau-Greenwood is the Associate Director of Development.
Mona Vision Optical in Lake Country have partnered with Leanne Isaak, who recently launched a registered Canadian non-profit, One Shared Future. Leanne travels to Cuba, bringing much-needed eyeglasses and medical devices. Mona Vision collects used eyeglasses, cleans and repairs them, verifies and labels their prescriptions and then provides them to Leanne. The company has collected over 100 pairs of gently used eyeglasses. In addition, they donated a supply of new eye drops. On a final note, inside one of the donated bags, Mona Vision found a car key with a house key attached. If these belong to you, please contact them so they can return them. Mona Vision is owned and operated by Marsel Ahmadzadegan. www.monavision.ca
Audrey Ballsrud and Charly-Mae Jacques, both 14 years of age, were chosen to represent Canada in Castellanza, Italy, with Team Canada’s Western Acro dance team. Both ladies dance and train with the competitive dance force at The Kore Dance Project in Kelowna. The gals did an amazing job representing Canada. Audrey and Charly-Mae’s large group placed 2nd, their small group placed 4th, their duet placed 5th, and their solos were 11th and 12th. Kudos to the gals, as none of the costs representing Canada were covered or supported by any organization in B.C. or Canada, and they raised the money to attend on their own.
Prosper Canada announced that $48.2 million in new funding to 97 community organizations across Canada that deliver financial empowerment to support people with low-to-moderate incomes has been awarded. The funds were given through the Resilient Futures Project, a national initiative funded by the Government of Canada, through the Social Development Partnerships Program – Children and Families. In British Columbia and Kelowna, the local initiative Launch Financial Education Society (Launch Okanagan) was awarded some of the funds to be distributed over the next four years. Jennifer Robins is the Executive Director of Launch Financial Education Society. launchokanagan.ca
The 2nd Annual Hits for Heritage Fundraiser with TROOPER headlining in support of the Central Okanagan Heritage Society was a huge success, with $32,000. raised. The event was an inspiring celebration of community, culture, and honouring the past. The Central Okanagan Heritage Society’s mission is to conserve and share local heritage by focusing on conservation, collaboration, advocacy, and education for people of all ages. Sarah Porter is the Development & PR Director of the Society. www.okheritagesociety.com
Artists throughout the Okanagan were asked a question: “What story do you tell and how would you use visual art to share it?” Eighty-six artists, who are members of the Kelowna Art Gallery at 1315 Water Street, responded to the call, which shapes The Story You Tell. The Story You Tell invites visitors to wander through a narrative-rich space filled with paintings, textiles, drawings, mixed media, sculptures, and digital works that reveal how stories can be expressed through the materials artists have chosen. The exhibition is free for the public to view in the Thomas A. Budd gallery space and runs until March 8/2026. Nataley Nagy is the Executive Director of the Gallery.
This January, the Rotary Centre for the Arts (RCA) launches a vibrant lineup of winter arts programs designed to spark new passions and build artistic skills. Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution to learn a new craft, connect with the community through singing or dance, or simply immerse yourself in the joy of creative expression, the RCA has something for everyone. This year’s winter schedule features 13 adult/senior courses and nine youth/family classes, including an exciting mix of brand-new workshops and cherished returning favourites. The RCA also offers gift cards redeemable for any RCA Arts program. Visit www.rotarycentreforthearts.com/learn/programs for a full schedule of arts programs and registration. Colleen Fitzpatrick is the Executive Director of the Centre.
The Habitat for Humanity 50/50 winning ticket was Sharon Babcock of Kelowna, which was 50% of the jackpot prize of $131,975.00.
Birthdays of the week – Happy 70th Marie Yvonne Cleaver (Dec. 25); Rob Vincent (Dec. 24); Genelle Davidson (Dec. 24); Joe Creron (Dec. 24); Rick de Jong (Dec. 24); Doug Gilchrist (Dec. 25); Mike McGuire (Dec. 25); Julie Krieg (Dec. 25); Chris Cleaver (Dec. 26); Dr. Wayne Lai (Dec. 26); Nick Csek (Dec. 26); Barry Carter (Dec. 26); Alex Fong (Dec. 27); Sharon Whiting (Dec. 27); Dwayne Hojnock (Dec. 27); David Burke (Dec. 27); Dino Padula (Dec. 27); Scott Emslie (Dec. 27); Jon Roung (Dec. 28); David Pihl (Dec. 28); Robert Smithson (Dec. 29); Indy Dhial (Dec. 29); Alexandra Little (Dec. 30); Randy Topham (Dec. 30); Guy Bird (Dec. 30); Deborah LeCavalier (Dec. 30); Pavneet Singh (Dec. 30).
The Specialty Bakery Birthday Cake Winner of the Week is Sharon Whiting. Sharon, please pick up your Birthday Cake from any one of the four Specialty Bakery locations by noon on Tuesday, December 30th/2024.
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662. E-mail max@maxinedehart.ca
