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Local family-owned baseball team, Kelowna Falcons is celebrating its 25th Anniversary, marking a quarter-century of dedication, perseverance and passion for the game. The story began as Dan Nonis and Bill Featherstone agreed to help a struggling baseball team get back on its feet. What started as a one-year commitment ultimately led Dan and Bill to rebrand the team. After Bill stepped away, Mark Nonis returned home from college and stepped in to help manage the team. The Nonis family was determined to create something meaningful and understood the importance of community engagement, and building connections with fans being their success. From Dan serving as the team owner to their children and grandchildren stepping into various roles, the team has been a labor of love for the entire family. As the team celebrates its 25th Anniversary, the Kelowna Falcons have worked to expand their reach to an even wider audience through digital platforms, while maintaining the close-knit, family-oriented atmosphere that fans have come to expect. As the team enters its next chapter, the passion that the Nonis family has for baseball will continue to thrive for years to come.
Photo Credit: Contributed
Karen and Dan Nonis - Kelowna Falcons
Kelowna Toyota, 1624 Cary Road has been awarded the prestigious President’s Award for 2024. This recognition is a testament to their commitment to providing exceptional service at every touchpoint, going above and beyond for their customers. They have been honored to be recognized as one of the best of the best by Toyota Canada. Jamie Kaban is the General Manager of Kelowna Toyota. www.kelownatoyota.com
The Convair Café and KF Centre for Excellence are joining forces to bring you Summer Saturdays, an aviation themed café experience for the whole family, paired with a journey through the KF Centre’s award-winning interactive exhibit. Enjoy a free kid’s meal for ages 10, with a minimum $10.00 adult purchase, along with passport activities for participating families. Start your journey at the Convair Café at 5655 Airport Way and continue on at KF Centre for Excellence at 5800 Lapointe Drive. www.convair-café-kelowna; www.kfcentre.ca
Julian Pellicano becomes the sixth music director and conductor in the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra (OSO) in the OSO’s 65-year history. A percussionist as well as a conductor, Julian’s advanced music education took place at esteemed institutions including the Yale School of Music, the Peabody Conservatory and Stockholm’s Royal College of Music. Julian holds a degree in philosophy from Johns Hopkins University and his first appearance on the OSO podium will be February 2026 due to previous commitments, although he is actively engaged in his new role, adding his touches to the 2025/2026 season and finalizing programming in preparation for the launch of ticket sales in July. Judy Burns is the President of the OSO.
Photo Credit: Contributed
Julian Pellicano
Representing the Central Okanagan in this year’s Hall of Fame Class are Chef Roger Sleiman and Fishmonger Jon Crofts. Roger has served as the Culinary Director at Quails’ Gate Estate Winery for two decades and will be inducted in the Local Champion Category. Jon, who will be inducted in the Supplier Cateogry has owned and operated Codfathers Seafood Market with his wife Anne-Marie since 2002.
The Kelowna Liedertafel Choir came into being 55 years ago, and started with 12 singers, growing to 60 at its peak. Of those, only two members are still alive: Paul Fischer and Richard Person, both living in Kelowna. The longest serving President was Susie Kaul. Susie and her husband Axel sang in the choir for 36 years. The longest serving conductor was the late Kurt Kofer of over 30 years. Current conductor Rory Fader has been conducting German and Swiss speaking choirs since 1975 and completing his 50th year as an ethnic choir director. Sadly, this past February, the choir members had diminished to only eight and they could not continue and have now ceased to exist. Their last performance will be at the Gasthaus in Peachland on Saturday, June 21st starting at 4:30 p.m. The program will be between 30-45 minutes with a blend of German (some Oktoberfest-themed) and English songs. They would like to invite the public to join them by reserving at 250-767-6625.
The Big White Ski Club has announced the selection of two outstanding athletes nominated by Alpine Canada to the Canadian Ski team for the 2025/26 season. Finley Cashin and Sam Peters have been named to Team Canada, showcasing their exceptional skills and dedication to their sports. Both athletes began their skiing journeys at Big White. Most recently Finley represented Canada at the World University Games in Torino, Italy and finished the season off with a 15th placing at the World Junior Championships in Isola, France. Sam had a dominant showing at the Huntsman Cup in Park City capturing three gold medals in slalom and securing qualification for the World Cup in Switzerland, despite suffering a shoulder injury just weeks before.
Photo Credit: Contributed
Finley Cashin
Sharyn Fiwchuk is celebrating her 20th anniversary with the Kelowna Hostess. If you would like to join this wonderful volunteer organization, contact Roberta Withers at davebert@shaw.ca. Darlene Hass and Grace Naka are the co-chairs of Kelowna Hostess. Many organizations have used the services of the Kelowna Hostess as they bring sparkle to any event.
Tourism Kelowna Society has a new Board of Directors for 2025-26. They are Elected: Audrey Surrao, RauDZ Creative Concepts Ltd.; Clee Varon, Iconic Wines of BC; Dale Sivucha, Coast Capri Hotel; Daniel Ruel, PR Hotels; Edan Fay, The Royal Kelowna; Heather Courtney, Sandhill Winery; Jason Guyitt, Argus Hotels; Jillian Haller, Kelowna Concierge; Joanna Schlosser, Quails’ Gate Winery/Niche Wine Co.; Kelly Watt, Sandman Hotels & Suites Kelowna; Michael J. Ballingall, Big White Ski Resort, Tara Gerald, Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan. Appointed: Elyse Godard, President, Hotel Motel Association (Hotel Zed); Sam Samaddar, Kelowna international Airport; Thom Killingsworth, Past Chair (Kelowna Yacht Club); Councillor Loyal Wooldridge City of Kelowna; Councillor Tricia Brett, District of Lake Country and TBA, Westbank first Nation.
The Bubba Open Golf Tournament supporting Paws It Forward and AlleyCATS Alliance is at Sunset Ranch on Saturday, June 28th, 2025. Ken “Bubba” Coles has hosted this event for the past 15 years, and this year will be his final year as host. Ken’s friend, Stephanie Boyle, will be taking over the event. In the past 14 years, they have raised over $110,000.00. The are still looking for a few hole sponsors, silent auction items, or monetary donations. Ken and his friend Chazz actually started the tournament on their birthdays. You can reach Ken at bubba_948@hotmail.com or through their Bubba Open Facebook page. As Ken likes to say, “thank you for helping Kelowna’s furry family members.”
The City of Kelowna has received national recognition from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) for its Leadership Development Mentorship Program. Kelowna was presented with the 2025 CAMA Municipal Inspiring Workplace Award, in the Over 100,000 Population Category. The program is a fundamental component of broader career development and succession planning strategy at the municipality. It has raised employee engagement and fostered professional growth. www.camacam.ca/awards
Photo Credit: City of Kelowna
The public is invited to the Premiere showing of a powerful new documentary exploring the causes and consequences of B.C.’s escalating wildfire crisis, at the Mary Irwin Theatre on Tuesday, June 24th at 7:00 p.m. B.C. is Burning is a 45-minute film that delivers a sobering but hopeful look at what’s fueling today’s megafires and the science based solution that could protect our forests, our communities and our climate. The film was produced and written by retired forester Murray Wilson and initiated by Associate Producer Rick Maddison, who also played a key role in fundraising. It was directed with production support from Ryan Tebbutt of Edge Digital Media. The film combines expert interviews, government data and powerful footage from both B.C. and California. For tickets and more information visit www.rotarycentreforthearts.com
Congratulations to Bernie Ryan of FPS Fluid Power Solutions Inc. on raising $32,349.00 for Balding for Dollars and $27,668.00 for JoeAnna’s House in the Bands, BBQ, Beers and Balding event. The event was the top team outside of the main event for Balding as well as top individual for the province.
Kelowna Friends of the Library is hosting their annual book sale on Saturday June 21st and Sunday June 22nd from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Unit #114 – 2476 Westlake Road, West Kelowna. Unbeatable bargains with books for all ages with both cash and cards accepted. www.kelownafol.ca
Happy 65th Ken and Marlene Murray (May 21).
Happy 60th Anniversary Dale and Dorothy Briggs (June 19).
The word is out! Coming soon is Mr. Mikes Steakhouse Casual, located at The Ramada Hotel & Conference Center in the former Smitty’s location. Eat Locally, Enjoy Casually. Proudly Canadian since 1960. Stay tuned for the official opening date.
Photo Credit: Contributed
Mr. Mikes Steakhouse Casual
Birthdays of the week – Happy 75th Doug Findlater (June 18); Dave Stephenson (June 18); Wayne Wilson (June 18); Bill McKinnon (June 19); Trixie Gaymer (June 19); Bob Charron (June 19); Daren Williams (June 19); Lynn Deschner (June 19); Rose Topham (June 20); Tim Draper (June 20); Gareth Brown (June 20); Grant Stobbe (June 21); Gail Given (June 21); Samantha Wedlund (June 21); Michelle Nonis (June 21); Marlene Proctor (June 22); Berna Shoemaker (June 22); Karen Murphy (June 22); Pooya Ebrahim (June 22); Luke Atsawin Sumpantarat (June 22); Jay Corrado (June 22); Mo Bayat (June 23); Doug Gossoo (June 23); Meghan MacDonald (June 23); Ken Kilcullen (June 24); Dr. Fred Froese (June 24); Lorne Buna (June 24); Brent Waldherr (June 24).
The Specialty Bakery Birthday Cake Winner of the Week is Rose Topham (June 20) Rose, please pick up your Birthday Cake from any one of the four Specialty Bakery locations by noon on Tuesday, June 24/2025.
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
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