NEWS PENTICTON WESTERN
www.pentictonwesternnews.com
3
news
VOL. 49 ISSUE 23
www.jmins.com
267 Martin Street Cherrylane Penticton, BC Shopping Centre 10102 Main Street Summerland, BC
FRIDAY, March 20, 2015
9
Murder trial continues with testimony from RCMP
Insurance Agencies Group
entertainment Bentall and Legendary
Hearts reunite at Peachfest
19
sports
Series between Vees and Vipers now a best-of-three
25 YEARS AND LICKING
NEWS Mark Brett
PENTICTON WESTERN Western News Staff
For nearly a quarter century Tickleberry’s has been a staple of the ice cream and fudge (not to mention kettle corn) diets of thousands of visitors and locals alike. In fact, the opening of the Okanagan Falls business each year around this time is as much of a indicator of spring’s arrival as Groundhog Day and daffodils. But there’s a new kid on the block, actually a couple of new kids, Tickleberry’s founders, Jeanette and Dale Hoy’s kids to be exact, Kelsey and Aaron. Having managed the operations for the last five years the brother and sister have now purchased the business. Along with building on their parent’s success, they are putting their own stamp on the palatable products the shop has become famous for, and even inventing a few new ones. “It’s super important to do that (personalize the business)” said Kelsey, 27. “It’s been in the family for a long time but essentially it is a new business for us. “Especially with the trend of things like the farmer’s markets, people are wanting to invest in their community instead of going to the big box stores, and we want to be part of that movement.” One of the ways they hope to accomplish that is to start making their own in-store gourmet ice cream using ingredients from local fields, orchards, vineyards and, believe it or not, craft breweries. Renovations are already underway to build an ice cream lab where visitors can watch through a window as the chilled products are made from scratch. Facilitating that plan is the fact they
It is so amazing to think that this was once our house ... I literally grew up in an ice cream store. — Aaron Hoy
now have the production knowledge and skills from one of the best-known ice cream programs at Penn State University they attended in January. “My brother’s really focussed on incorporating some local wines and some local beers and I’m more interested in using local berries and fruits,” said Kelsey. “We both have different interests but it’s about the valleys.” Some experimentation work has already begun and she reports the initial results as “awesome.” Can you say strawberry rhubarb crumble and dark chocolate stout? Customers even have the option of chipping in a few dollars through a Kickstarter campaign to help build an ice cream manufacturing kitchen on the premises and in return get a token of appreciation from the Hoys. “I think people need to understand why we’re doing it (fundraising),” said Kelsey. “We make money for a few months of the year and have to survive for the whole season with that.” There is even an increment where those who want to donate into the project can leave an ice cream legacy of their own creation behind. See ICE CREAM on PG.3
Limited time sale
KELSEY HOY prepares to chow down on this monster cone at Tickleberry’s in Okanagan Falls that she now owns along with brother Aaron. The siblings have purchased the well-known business from their parents who founded the company a quarter century ago.
Mark Brett/Penticton Western News
Sale Ends March 31/15
super savings for you
THEN UNTIL QUANTITIES LAST
Save up to 80000 $
ea.
Beltone CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT:
Summerland Oliver Place Mall Osoyoos Call Toll Free Penticton 1-800-793-1787 250-492-5255 250-494-8778 250-498-4544 250-495-6535