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 KamloopsBCNow.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?
Ray Hellmen
What do you always find yourself saying?
“Well.... eh?”
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select and why?
Dr. Leroy LeRiche, my 92-year-old father-in-law, who left South Africa ahead of his arrest for anti-apartheid activities during his student years. Nelson Mandela was his contemporary. Dr. LeRiche has the wisdom of a guru, enjoys some of the simpler things in life, like a good joke or a glass of port, and is able to show us a pleasant philosophical balance in life that is so easy to let slip away today.
If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
A Good Samaritan Award.
If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
Maybe Captain Cook on his voyages around the world discovering new lands and peoples, but not in the crew's quarters below decks.
Who inspires you?
My son, who lives with a medical disability, but has learned somehow to be largely independent and to manage his affairs so frugally.
What are three things on your bucket list?
Visit New Zealand before I need a walker, fly a small plane, and soak in the Blue Lagoon, Iceland, this winter.
If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
“What A Waste of Money”
If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
Tomorrow... the rest is too risky.
What are you passionate about?
Seeing people help other people less fortunate than themselves. Like “everyday heroes,” the antithesis of a Kevin O'Leary.
What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
Any of the many days when I've been high in the mountains, looked back, or crested a ridge and had my breath taken away by the beauty we have in B.C.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Being financially debt free twice in my life; but more practically, the installation of a major stained glass panel in the old Anglican Church in Enderby, a project that took the dedicated committee seven years to bring to fruition.
Where is your favourite place to dine in Kamloops? What do you like about it?
Tara. The service is outstanding but not pretentious, and the food is exceptional! Besides, it is a local gem, not one of the truck-it-in franchise restaurants.
What is your favourite activity or event in Kamloops? Why?
I've been skiing at Todd Mountain/Sun Peaks since 1970, and have enjoyed some epic, snorkel-deep powder days which we don't see any more. Still, skiing there every week during winter is special.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Creekside Cottage Stained Glass Works
What does your business/organization do?
I create detailed stained glass windows and decorative panels of all kinds, and I specialize quite a bit in skiers, where I seem to be number 1 in the world, mainly I suspect, because there aren't many others who do that. I ship many of my pieces to the USA.
Where can people find you or your business online?
www.creeksidestainedglass.com
Where can people find your business on Facebook?
Creekside Stained Glass
How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
By searching my name.
What is your mission?
To create the best creative glass panels of unique designs, using the traditional copper foil/solder technique.
If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
To emulate the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany.
Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
I'm a small, single-proprietor hobby/business, so I think if I remain busy and stable, I'll be happy to stay as I am. If I were to grow, I think that individual artistic quality would suffer.
Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
Tiffany.
What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Keep it small, retain its quality, and be happy!
What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
As the queen said, “Keep calm, and carry on.”
How does your business/organization impact the community?
Some of my work is on display downtown, in The Art We Are, and in The Red Collar, which enhances their area and exposes my art to the public. I believe this expands the awareness that art can be used in any business to enhance the decor.
If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
Businesses that involve the environment are more and more crucial to the world today. I would hope that a discussion about the impact of industry without adequate environmental controls would be fruitful.
If I could change one thing about Kamloops, it would be:
I would like to see the “anti-everything” crowd get less press, just because it fuels the media's belief that negative news and perceived controversy attracts more attention.
What do you think makes Kamloops great?
Beautification of the city generally is outstanding. I think the positive, proactive staff and council have a great vision for the future here.
My choice for the Kamloops In Focus spotlight is:
The “One Hundred Women Who Care” group, which is an incredible fund-raising group that takes no overhead expenses for their organization. Every penny the group raises goes directly to a city or regional charity. To date, the group has given about $27,000 to charities in Kamloops this year alone after three meetings. The fourth meeting of this year will take place in late August. This group is really worthy of a spotlight.
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, Kamloops!
