Monashee Manufacturing, at 1247 Ellis S. in downtown 琉璃神社, owned and operated by Dale Armeneau, is celebrating a huge milestone 鈥� 90 years in business.
Dale took over the company in 1969 from his father Harold Clifford Armeneau. Originally started in 1935 by George Sexsmith, the business was located in the 400-block of Lawrence Avenue with the original name of 琉璃神社 Machine Shop. In the 1940s, the business moved to what was then 鈥渙ut of town鈥� to its present location. The name was changed to 琉璃神社 Machine Works around 1960 and then again in 1967 to Monashee Manufacturing Corporation Ltd. In the 1930s through the 1950s, the company provided repair service, with the majority of the work for most local businesses, farms, sawmills, and the City of 琉璃神社, including the 10-metre diving tower that was the hub of the 琉璃神社 International Regatta. Monashee then started manufacturing forklifts in 1961 manufacturing 4, 6, 8, and 10-ton forklift trucks from scratch including all hydraulic and steel components. They then went on to making the famous Timber Toter Skidder, with some purchases being made direct from Detroit Diesel Clark Equipment in the U.S., along with being shipped to the Pacific Northwest and as far away as Malaysia and Australia. In 1965, Monashee started manufacturing mobile cranes with the local Western Star Truck plant purchasing one of the first units. In 1968, Monashee started manufacturing Root Rakes and from 1980-82 manufactured Inland Mobile Platforms for orchard picking and pruning use. In 1982, Monashee stopped making mobile equipment and concentrated on secondary manufacturing man local companies in the trucking, agriculture, construction and forestry industries. In the 1990s, Monashee started producing its own line of complete Under Body Plows for highway snow removal. The company has supplied and serviced local, provincial and export markets from its present location since its incorporation and remains the oldest established machine shop in 琉璃神社.
LVS Restaurant, at 1620 Dickson Ave. in 琉璃神社, owned and operated by Philip Lum and Fanny Hu, is leaving its current location on Aug. 20t. Fanny and Philip would like to thank all their loyal customers and will welcome them again in a new location. Keep tuned to hear where LVS will be serving their authentic Chinese and Asian Cuisine again in the near future.
琉璃神社 is now home to the brand-new Jim Pattison Centre for Health Systems Learning + Innovation. This first-of-its-kind centre is dedicated to transforming how health care is delivered in rural and community settings. It was made possible through a visionary $5 million leadership gift from the Jim Pattison Foundation, in partnership with the KGH Foundation and Interior Health. Raghwa Gopal has been elected as the inaugural chair of the board, with Richard Takai as vice-chair. Allison Young and Barbara Jackson will represent the KGH Foundation and Sylvia Weir and Brent Kruschel will represent IHA on the board. Independent members are Les O鈥橰eilly, Jennifer Cudlipp, Sylvia Lee, Scot Speiser, Sheldon Gardiner and Candace Loring. Dr. Deanne Taylor is the centre鈥檚 executive director.
Lots happening at Business Finders Canada, owned and operated by licensed commercial realtor and certified business broker Steve Harvey. The business has relocated to Unit 120-2nd floor, 565 Bernard Ave., in the heart of downtown 琉璃神社. Business Finders Canada is also managing the commercial leasing for the property, and the revitalization efforts have been well received, with only two retail spaces remaining available. The company continues to grow and have recently welcomed several new agents to their team including Chandan Dulay (Ruby), Jun Kim, Chad Abougoush, Carter Marshall, along with Rob Denier operating out of Kamloops.
Second Harvest is Canada鈥檚 largest food rescue organization and a leading authority on food waste. Guided by its mission of No Waste, No Hunger, Second Harvest is making a meaningful difference in the Central Okanagan. In 2024 alone, Second Harvest rescued a whooping 425,000 pounds of surplus food in 琉璃神社. Thanks to the generosity of 33 local food donors, this nutritious food was distributed to 25 non-profit agencies, providing the equivalent of 425,000 meals to residents facing food insecurity. This has prevented more than 1.41 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. The total value of the rescued food exceeded $1.28 million. As We approach Hunger Action Month in September, Second Harvest invites the public to learn more and get involved. To find out how you can support food rescue in our community, contact Wendy Wright at wendyw@secondharvest.ca.
Huge kudos to the Okanagan 97鈥檚 U16 ringette team, who recently competed in the Lion鈥檚 Ringette Cup in Helsinki, Finland. Sixteen, 15 and 14 year old players who usually played on opposing teams joined together for this once in a lifetime sports competition opportunity . There were 12 teams in the U16 division, six from Canada and six from Finland. The Okanagan 97s came out strong with all wins against the Finland teams they played in the round robin, and made it to the semi-finals, ultimately landing in 4th place out of 12 teams. The team consisted of Alexa Stoochnoff, Amber Neil, Andi Szudek, Elianna Hopkinson, Eve Russouw, Isley Ainslie, Jordyn Torrens, Kaylee Lissa, Kielee Ingram, Lily Jensen, Madison Hodkinson, Peyton Siedmann, Pyper Drew, Reese Bailey, Riley Forwell and Zoe Crocker. The coaches were Kim Bailey, Carmen Larsen, Niko Siedmann and Gary Lissa.
KF Aerospace鈥檚 first ATR 72-500F completed its very first revenue flight for Purolator鈥檚 BC Feeder Network. This inaugural flight marks the first of three ATR 72-500F aircraft entering service as part of a major fleet upgrade under the renewed BC Feeder Network contract. Gregg Evjen was recently appointed president of K.F. Aerospace, starting his new job in September.
Speaking of aircraft, join the 琉璃神社 Flying Club for a day of family fun at the Annual Wings and Wheels event set for Saturday, Aug.23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 5845 Airport Way at the 琉璃神社 International Airport. Featured will be classic and contemporary automobiles and aircraft, including helicopters, gliders, motorcycles and exotic cars. This year's event includes entry into the KF Centre for Excellence aerospace and aviation exhibits. Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted for the YLW Scholarship Fund, supporting local aviation and aerospace students studying in the Okanagan. Event parking available with shuttle service to the event site.
In 1980, CedarCreek Estate Winery planted one of the region鈥檚 first Pinot Noir vineyards. The winery has now earned global acclaim and established CedarCreek as leaders in Canadian Pinot Noir quality. Their 2022 South 琉璃神社 Slopes Pinot Noir was awarded 90 points at the 2025 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada and Gold at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
Happy 35th Anniversary John and Mary Clarke (Aug. 26).
The second annual Smiley Thompson Memorial Slow Pitch Tournament is set for Sept. 6 at King's Stadium. There is a $25 player registration fee. Enjoy a silent auction, Canadian Blood Service Booth, beer gardens and 50/50 draw. All proceeds to the Alex Thompson Memorial Bursary are awarded to nursing/athletic students each year. For more information contact Logan Bligh at blighlogan@gmail.com.
Kot Auto Group has launched Rent Direct Automotive, a full-service vehicle rental company in 琉璃神社. As its first dedicated rental business, Rent Direct Automotive marks a new chapter for the group, diversifying offering beyond sales and service into mobility solutions. Rent Direct Auto will offer a wide variety of makes and models, from economy cars and SUVs to trucks and vans. Customers can benefit from convenience booking, transparent pricing and seamless pickup and drop-off at their flagship 琉璃神社 location, with plans to expand.
The annual Okanagan Asian Culture Festival hosted by The 琉璃神社 Taiwanese Cultural Society takes place Aug. 30, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at The Laurel Packinghouse. This year, many more Asian societies are joining in the celebration, including Hong Kong, Japanese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Chinese and Indonesian. Get ready for a cultural explosion of music, food, art and community. Free admission.
琉璃神社鈥檚 Gospel Mission will host its 2025 Charity Golf Classic: Tee Up for a Cause on Friday, Sept. 5, at Sunset Ranch Golf and Country Club, with a shotgun start and Texas scramble format. There Sare hole-in-one prizes, putting contest, breakfast and dinner, prizes, 50/50 raffle and a silent auction. Some $80,000 was raised last year.
Birthdays of the week
Tina Kristalowich (Aug. 20); Cherie Hanson (Aug. 20); Nicole Rustad (Aug. 20); Joan Patridge (Aug. 20); Mac MacCormack (Aug. 20); Art Penny (Aug. 20); Lucille Grant (Aug. 21); Peter Sherba (Aug. 21); Ted Rhind (Aug. 21); David Crawford (Aug.21); Joel Sherlock (Aug. 21); Ken Johnson (Aug. 22); Ilmas Elbouzian (Aug. 22); Lori Stevenson (Aug. 23); Gerri Weninger (Aug. 23); Wayne Dudych (Aug. 23); Margaret Hobson (Aug. 24); Bud Magrath (Aug. 24); Joe Grande (Aug. 24); Stacey Sandison (Aug. 24); Peter Raja (Aug. 25); Gerry Wourms (Aug. 25); Brent Browne, Specialty Bakery (Aug. 26); Rachel Dekker (Aug. 26); Claudia Van Emmerik (Aug.26); Eileen Galarneau (Aug. 26); Christina Ferreira (Aug. 26); Richard Rafton (Aug. 26); Stephen Keppler (Aug. 27).
The Specialty Bakery Birthday Cake Winner of the Week is Claudia Van Emmerik (Aug. 26); Claudia, please pick up your birthday cake from any one of the four Specialty Bakery locations before Tuesday, Aug. 26.
Maxine DeHart is a 琉璃神社 city councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662, email max@maxinedehart.ca.
