The Nota Bene makers help raise more than $30,000 for a scholarship in the late architect’s name.

It was a sad day in the Western Living office when we heard about the passing of Okanagan-based architect Nick Bevanda. We had worked with Bevanda in covering several of his projects: he won a Designers of the Year award in 2013 and we also wrote about the amazing work he did at Terravista Vineyards, and later at Oliver’s Black Hills Estate Winery.And now, in a fitting tribute, Black Hills has repaid some of the love by turning last Saturday’s Nota Bene release party into a chance to bid on live auction items, the benefits of which will help start a scholarship in support of top Penticton high school graduates and aspiring young architects in the South Okanagan. The event raised $21,430—and this was added to private donations of $8,000 from HDR|CEI Architecture (Bevanda’s former firm) and $1,500 from Penticton’s Greyback Construction.”We are simply blown away by the generosity of everyone who attended the party. It was truly awe-inspiring,” said Black Hills president Glenn Fawcett.Nick Bevanda

Neal McLennan

Neal McLennan

Neal McLennan is the wine and spirits editor for Vancouver and Western Living magazines, where he susses out the wonderful (and occasionally weird) options for imbibing across Western Canada.