Local Community Advertising
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.
What is your name?
Debbie MacMillan.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I’m was born in Ontario, moved West to Alberta in 1977 and have been here 27 years.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
I’m a Libra so it’s impossible for me to name favourites. I love being with positive, inspiring people and my chocolate lab Ruby.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Italy. We had a fabulous holiday there eight years ago and I long to go back. I love the food, wine and culture.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
I love searching second-hand and thrift stores for special treasures.
What is your favourite activity?
I like swimming, walking, gardening as well as eating and drinking with a focus on local food and wine.
If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Pizza and burgers. My son-in-law, Greg, makes excellent pizza and my husband, Keith, makes the best burgers.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
We showed up at a Stampede event in formal-attire. We hid behind the corner before taking another step and went home to quickly change.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I’m constantly inspired by friends, family and complete strangers. The world is a wonderful place.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Coming home from school to a kitchen full of goodies that my mom made. Mom also did some catering and I loved to watch and ‘help’ with all the fancy sandwiches by putting maraschino cherries or pickles in the middle. We still cook together in the kitchen. Mom is known as the devilled egg Queen! My dad was with the CNR so we travelled a lot on the train to visit our relatives. It always involved a stop in Union Station to change trains and we would go to the fancy Royal York Hotel for lunch, buy treats at Laura Secord and wander around in awe of the grandness of Union Station and the Royal York.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
When I moved to Kelowna, I found my first year here to be very lonely. I learned that the way to meet people, have fun and help others is to volunteer. I’ve volunteered many places over the past 27 years including: Rotary Centre for the Arts, Heart and Stroke, and Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and Central Okanagan Hospice Association. Currently, I chair Chefs in the Classroom – edible education which is a program of the Okanagan Chefs Association. We teach elementary school students how to grow, cook and eat local, healthy food. I’m also a director with British Columbia’s Knowledge Network.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Let there be peace on earth.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Enjoying all that it has to offer
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
This is a concept I am not familiar with.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
You may be sorry you asked. Communities are being overrun by the deer population. They are destroying neighbourhoods and the beautiful gardens that are the pride and joy of many homeowners and also a source of food. Current regulations do not allow you to build fencing high enough to keep deer out, not to mention the cost to do so.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Food, wine, culture, its charm and stunning, natural beauty.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Go to Haida Gwaii, which we are visiting this fall, go to Italy and I’ll think about the third option. Maybe a short-term one, like improving my time for this year’s Across the Lake Swim.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I played the accordion as a child, and it was a big accordion. I had to sit on a chair, and my brother, Bob, would put it on me. I would practice outside in the summer and all the kids on the street would come to listen. Our dog, Toby, would sit by my side and howl the whole time. It still makes me smile thinking about it.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
Facebook
What is the name of your business/organization?
MacMillan Events.
Why did you get into/start this business?
I organized events on a volunteer basis when I first moved to Kelowna and thought there was an opportunity to pursue this as a profession. My very first event was the Fantasy Auction for the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. I went on to create Heart of Gold, Evergreen, Homes for the Holidays, Pirouette and Flower Power as signature events for various organizations. All of my events include tremendous sponsors and an outstanding volunteer team, many who have been with me for over 20 years. I could not do this without the support of them and my family.
What is the goal of your business?
To create interesting, fun events that people like to attend and to raise funds for local causes. I currently organize the Flower Power garden tour which takes place on June 17th and helps support Chefs in the Classroom – edible education and Central Okanagan Community Gardens.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Balance.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
It’s easy to look back and find things you would like to change but the only place to go is forward.
What do you always find yourself saying?
'That’s amazing', 'So fantastic', 'Incredibly delicious', 'Absolutely fabulous', 'Truly outstanding'...
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
An inspiring chef, winemaker, artist or politician.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
To enjoy the freshest ingredients available. To support those who are supporting us, our friends, neighbours and fellow residents who are working to earn a living for their families, to provide the very best product and service they can and to reinvest their spending dollars in Kelowna to make it the successful, beautiful place it is. To reduce transportation costs and protect the environment.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Most recently, receiving the Okanagan Chefs Association President’s Award from Chef Bernard Casavant.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Chef Willi Franz exemplifies team spirit and is always giving back to the community. He is on the committee for Chefs in the Classroom – edible education and also leads the team at Bankhead Elementary. He has been a great mentor to culinary students and junior chefs. Chef Franz goes above and beyond the call of duty.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Chef Willi Franz
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna.
Local Community Advertising