Straight From DeHart - April 15, 2026

MLGN Golf Co. an online golf apparel company entered the golf market in December 2024. Co-owned by business partners Ryan Hank, and Lucas Jacobson, MLGN focuses on the fun side of golf with a playful take on the “stuff” everyone else takes too seriously. MLGN offers high quality, performance, golf hats, polos, hoodies, t-shirts, tees, and golf towels, for both men and women. Avid golfers, both Ryan and Lucas have completely different styles. Ryan hits crosshanded, yes you read that correctly, and has yet to break 100. He dresses loudly, chats it up at the same volume and always has the best time on the course. Lucas has golfed for most of his life. He’s the better golfer in the group but is not immune to a bad round. Their tag line is “Hand me another ball.” Both raised in Kelowna; Ryan worked in sports retail for 10 years and had the bug to get his own offerings to golfers. MLGN had a great first year and now in its second season their products are being carried in pro shops including Tower Ranch Golf Club, Shuswap National and Tofield Golf Club, with more contracts in pro shops on the horizon. They also sell at golf tournaments by request and offer custom corporate apparel packages as well. MLGN makes sure every piece is fun, functional, and fits well. Check out www.mlgngolf@gmail.com

The Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Wade Peters and The British Columbia Dragoons (BCD) are hosting the 2026 BCD Regimental Spring Gala on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the KF Centre for Excellence. This year, the gala is extraordinary, distinctive, and celebratory, recognizing The Memorial Cup, which will be on display. The Memorial Cup was created in March 1919 as an award to the best junior hockey team in Canada, in honour of Canadian soldiers who died during the First World War. In 2010 the Cup was rededicated to the memory of all fallen Canadian military members, whose sacrifice won the rights and freedoms we all enjoy today. While we gather to enjoy the excitement of competition for the Cup, we also celebrate its legacy as an important reminder of the cost Canadians have paid for our freedom. The BCD welcome you to join them in celebration of hockey excellence, and the enduring connection between he Memorial Cup and the Canadian Armed Forces. I am honoured to be an Honourary Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) with the British Columbia Dragoons and will be attending the gala. For more information or to attend, contact Capt. Riley McLaughlin, Operations Officer, BCD, Canadian Armed Forces at riley.mclaughlin@forces.gc.ca or call 778-212-2227.

One World - One Breath World Tai Chi Day is being celebrated on Saturday, April 25th, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the West Kelowna City Hall Plaza, 3731 Old Okanagan Hwy. Join them in watching Tai Chi performances and free Tai Chi classes for beginners, all hosted by the Dragon Spirit Tai Chi Association.

Eder Reis of Boa Vida Coffee has opened a new coffee trailer at 2728 Pandosy Street (beside Original Joe’s). Boa Vida focuses on high-quality, locally roasted coffee, built around a “from us to us” approach, supporting local producers while creating a welcoming, community-driven space. Their goal is to keep things simple, approachable, and consistent, serving great coffee to both regular and new faces in the neighbourhood. The coffee trailer is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Boa Vida also provide private catering, either with the trailer or with Eder’s really neat coffee cart, which he has served coffee from for many years. That is how I first met him. www.boavidacoffeecart.ca

An Okanagan Screen Awards Social Impact Award for a documentary about the Okanagan Forest Task Force (OFTF) comes at a key time for the group as they celebrate their 10th Anniversary. Founded by Kane Blake, the volunteer organization has removed more than 1.3 million pounds of debris, including 579,581 pounds of garbage and 736,978 pounds of metal from the Okanagan wilderness over the past decade. They have grown from their first cleanup with fifteen volunteers at the Postill shooting range to now cleaning up mass areas in the backcountry around the Okanagan. Word is now spreading across the province about OFTF, with similar groups now popping up. Join them as they celebrate their anniversary on Saturday, April 25th at Rutland Centennial Hall, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. They will feature the documentary, offer hot dogs, popcorn, snacks, and shirts for sale along with raffle prizes.

Centre Culturel Francophone de l’Okanagan (CFOO) is hosting the 48th Kelowna Maple Fest on April 25th & 26th, 2026, inspired by traditional sugar shack celebrations. Visitors can enjoy live music, performances, family-friendly activities, an artisan market, and delicious maple treats. April 25th is family day at Stuart Park from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and April 26th is the Sugar Shack Brunch at the Laurel Packinghouse from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Marc-Andre Leveille is the President of the organization. For more information visit www.kelownamaplefest.com

Mana Jampala is 12 years old. Four months ago, she watched her dad’s workplace lose customers because no one could answer the phone. That’s when this 12-year-old realized every local business in Kelowna has the same problem. It could be the salon down the street, the HVAC company, or the winery up the road. They are all missing calls while they are busy with customers, and every missed call is money walking out the door. So, guess what? Mana built Voxa, an AI voice agent that answers every call 24/7, books appointments, takes messages, captures every lead, and makes sure that businesses never lose another customer to voicemail 24/7. No missed calls, and no missed revenue. Voxa also has other automations, including texts, emails, and follow-ups. It sounds like science fiction, but its already live and Voxa has a client in Cambodia using the system right at this time, along with an Okanagan biotech company. Mana is looking for local businesses in the Okanagan who are tired of hearing, “sorry we missed your all” turn into “I went with your competitor.” Voxa is perfect for any service business with high customer call volume. Mana is enrolled in eSchool, so she has time to do other things including academy soccer with KYSA, art, horse riding and swimming between writing code and cold-calling restaurants. I think anyone that needs this service should give this 12-year-old and her system a try. Visit www.voxaassistant.com or call her at 236-457-3400.

Congratulations so the 2026/27 Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. They are Patrick Bobyn, President (Pushor Mitchell LLP); Treena Piva, Vice President (Century 21Assurance Realty Ltd.); Laurel Hogg, Secretary (Heinrichs Richards LLP) and Derek Gratz, UBCO (Past President); Binny-Boparai-Gill (Farming Karma); Dobrila Braunstein (Sandhill Winery); Kristian de Pont (Good Sorts Property Services); Trevor Moss (Central Okanagan Foodbank); Narinder Nagra (Mission Group); Jessica Samuels (HUB Office Furniture); Rhona Stanislaus (Prep Academy Tutors); Andrew Shaw (BDO); George Marine (GMK Consulting); Manik Dhir (Stepping Stones); Joe Baker (Okanagan College). The Board also includes an advisory position representing the City of Kelowna, currently filled by yours truly, City of Kelowna Councillor Maxine DeHart. This year marks the Chamber’s 120th anniversary, an important milestone that gives the chamber the opportunity to reflect on their history, celebrate the businesses and leaders who have shaped our community, and recognize the lasting impact of the Chamber’s work over this timeframe.

Mark Kapiniak is the Chef at Lily’s Bistro in the Parkinson Senior Activity Centre. The Bistro is run by the Parkinson Senior Society, with membership age 50+ and is open Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. serving coffee and fresh baking. Lunch is served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and offers a selection of home-made soups, sandwiches, and mains daily. Each day offers a different menu item. Chef Kapiniak buys locally sourced products whenever possible and makes most of the menu items from scratch. I have had the good fortune to sample many of Chef Kapiniak’s menu items and was recently invited to the centre for lunch to try his signature classic pork schnitzel. It was not just a dish; it was a pure indulgence comforting moment. Nothing to say but incredible, with a more than generous portion and a must try. You will need to visit the website at www.parkinsonseniors.com to see what day the pork schnitzel on the menu.

Canadian wellness brand, Little Acre Farms is expanding its retail presence through a new partnership with Nature’s Fare Markets. Owned and operated by co-founders Matt and Kirsten Crowell, the company’s flagship product, Feel Good by Little Acre Farms, is now available in Nature’s Fare locations across the Okanagan. Little Acre Farms is a Canadian wellness brand focused on simple, plant-based supplements and functional foods inspired by the farm. The company’s, Feel Good supplement, blends turmeric, ginger, beetroot, broccoli, and black pepper into a simple daily capsule designed to support inflammation, gut health, and natural energy. Built as a digital-first company, they also ship products across Canada. The company stated that their strong digital growth has not only driven consumer demand but has also begun attracting attention from retailers looking to bring emerging, mission-driven wellness brands into their stores. www.littleacrefarms.ca

Birthdays of the week – Len Toepfer (Apr. 15); Doug Noble (Apr. 15); Umberto Cagnoni (Apr. 15); Shelley Sweeney (Apr. 15); Dave Rush (Apr. 15); Natalie Walstrom (Apr. 15); Marg Jeffrey (Apr. 16); Ben Klick (Ap. 17); Jamie Kaban (Apr. 17);Maria Johnson (Apr. 17); Mike Guzzi (Apr. 17); Carmen Weld (Apr. 17); Ashton Olsen (Apr. 17); MJ Bennett (Apr. 17); Nick Pisio (Apr. 18); Kendra Casey Stewart (Apr. 18); Pearse Walsh (Apr. 18); Cleo Curatolo (Apr. 18); John Gonclaves (Apr. 18); Shui Lee (Apr. 19); Dennis Treiber (Arp. 19); Sue Martin (Apr. 19); Miles Mattila (Apr. 19); Anita Clegg (Apr. 19); Ann Ellis (Apr. 20); Kathy Neufeld (Apr. 21); Joyce Ritchey (Apr. 21); Bill Winters, former Mickie’s client (Apr. 21); Pat Kennedy (Apr. 21).

The Specialty Bakery Birthday Cake Winner of the Week is Kendra Casey Stewart. Kendra, please pick up your Birthday Cake from any one of the four Specialty Bakery locations by noon on Tuesday, April 21/2026.

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