Can I take a mulligan on the start to 2017?There is an irony to it all, I’m sure. I’ve just not figured it out yet.Hopefully the scenario will resolve soon so I’m no longer tempted to sort it through. I’ve already amassed more potential angels in the first five days of this new year than all of last.In the big picture 2016 was a good year for Tez and I, and our spirits were bolstered for a positive 2017.Ouch. Our new year was less than a day old when the negative stuff blew in the door along with the coldest weather this winter. So far the furnace fixing fee is just over $500 – and does not include a new thermo coupler, replacing the rusty screw holding it in place, or lengthy labour involved. That task will start when it’s warm enough to spend the day without heat, again.When we awoke Jan. 2 our house was 12 degrees inside. Thank God for quilts.Still not sure if the no hot water in the hot water tank was connected, however we do know that the breakers tripped and wires fried (after we borrowed a portable heater from friends for use upstairs) are directly related. It has left the electrician baffled after two days.Stay tuned.


Charlie’s Angels List 2016

Regardless, 2016 thankfully had plenty of personal angels in it, folks who went out of their way to do kind things for us or others. Folks such as Mike Pearce, Gary Smyth, Curtis Tulman, and Dan McGauley have been true blessings in our world. Brothers come in all shapes, sizes, and disguises but brothers Josh Stilborn and Robert ‘Hotsands Beach’ Nerbus, have been game changers in my world this past nine months.I owe my life to Doctor Graeme McCauley and respiratory therapist Robin Carter. However, no one has helped my world better than my dearest friend Tez. I cannot begin to list the amount of amazing love and caring she selflessly shares each day with me.Meanwhile Tez says her angels include Deb Stone and Rich Jacobsen, neighbours Daphne and Cliff, and Judy a caring clerk at Lucky Bamboo whom Tez witnessed go above and beyond to help a client in need. Young Taylor Derksen of Rutland says her daddy Caleb is her Angel.Veterinarian Dr. Moira Drosdovech quickly responded that resident Helena Pohl is an angel to cats. “She is tireless in her efforts now for many years with the Okanagan Humane Society helping get feral cat populations under control,” Drosdovech explains.Mara Sprogis nominated all of the staff in the Cardiac Cath. Lab at KGH. “This is the first time in 26 years that I no longer have burning pain and a squeezing sensation in my chest due to the last three angioplasty procedures they did. I have 10 stents in my body and this is the first time I can breathe almost normally. All of the staff were exceptional during both of my procedures – courteous, efficient and friendly, yet professional at the same time. Thank you KGH.”Ruth Gerber’s Angel is Wendy Eiler of Kelowna. “Always giving to the homeless, random acts of kindness. Wendy makes this world a better place.”Meanwhile Larry Gray says Jan Woolsey deserves angel status. Woolsey. “She has been leading the Central Okanagan Hospice Association Dancing with the Stars for eight years and has raised, with the help of others, more than $1 million.”Singer Trudy Jane salutes, “My dear friend Dara who always asks how I am doing, invites me out for coffee and  makes dinner for me. Her boyfriend, Jens, took me to the hospital when I had my car accident and had to get crutches. Cliff Johnson, was a Facebook friend, surprised me with flowers on my birthday and gave me money as a gift  to pay for  some unexpected bills.”Trudy Jane also Angel identified OK Corral manager Tammi Weller  for asking Trudy to host an eight-week singing contest at the OK Corral. “I had many volunteer judges including Norm Strauss, Gorden James, Bob Gablehouse, James Avery, Trisha, Jamie Robins and more! I think that all these people are angels!”Nicely said Trudy.Okay 2017 can we start again please?

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Charlie Hodge is a best-selling author, writer, a current Kelowna City Councillor, and a Director on the Regional District of the Central Okanagan Board. He spent more than 25 years as a full-time newspaper journalist and has a diverse background in public relations, promotions, personal coaching, and strategic planning. A former managing editor, assistant editor, sports editor, entertainment editor, journalist, and photographer, Hodge also co-hosted a variety of radio talk shows and still writes a regular weekly newspaper column titled Hodge Podge, which he has crafted now for 41 years. His biography on Howie Meeker, titled Golly Gee It’s Me is a Canadian bestseller and his second book, Stop It There, Back It Up – 50 Years of the NHL garnered lots of attention from media and hockey fans alike. Charlie is currently working on a third hockey book, as well as a contracted historical/fiction novel. His creative promotional skills and strategic planning have been utilized for many years in the Canadian music industry, provincial, national, and international environmental fields, and municipal, provincial, and federal politics. Charlie is a skilled facilitator, a dynamic motivational speaker, and effective personal coach. His hobbies include gardening, canoeing, playing pool, and writing music. Charlie shares his Okanagan home with wife Teresa and five spoiled cats.

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