Highland Optical

If you have followed me at all, you know my favourite part about autumn is that we move into Pumpkin Pie Season! Delicious, fragrantly spiced, homemade pumpkin pie... It needn't follow a turkey dinner either! If it's in the house, it makes a perfect breakfast... and is a winner of a snack! Of course, pumpkin pie often comes with Thanksgiving and all the trimmings, as well as with myriad wonderful, warm memories. Family gatherings; eating at the kids’ table; collecting coloured leaves for decorating; love, hugs, laughter — and being totally happy, surrounded by friends and relatives.

This year, gatherings will feel much different for most of us — especially with senior members in care facilities, or family who would have to travel. However this holiday is reshaped, we must remain grateful for where we live, and for what we have.

So, whatever pumpkin pie means to you, let it be a holiday weekend of reflection, kindness, sweet memories and love for one another.

Highland Optical will be closed Saturday, October 10th, and remain closed through to Tuesday morning, October 13th, when we reopen for business. We couldn't be more grateful for your continued support, your amiable compliance in these challenging times and for caring about us.

We are still working by appointment and with abridged hours, so please call ahead if you wish to see us.

Highland Optical will be closed this Saturday, September 5th — and remain closed through to Tuesday morning, September 8th — while we take the time off to celebrate summer’s last gasp and indulge in our favourite pursuits. Let there be no labour done, in lieu of leisure and good times. 

We waited a long time for it, but summer has arrived — hot and ready for anything! It’s BC Day and this year, we have much to celebrate as residents of our beautiful province. Though we may have to limit our socializing to our families and those we have added to our bubble, there is still a long weekend to be enjoyed. Make the most of it, but be smart and stay safe. 

Highland Optical will be closed Saturday, August 1st and remain closed through to Tuesday morning, August 4th, when we reopen for business as usual.

During this difficult and worrying time, the World Health Organization has issued significant information, and advisories.

Due to the nature of our business and the close contact we have with our clients, we feel it necessary to make some practical adjustments to how we service you. We will limit the number of clients in the store at one time, so that we may clean the products, counters and hard surfaces upon their leaving. We ask that you please use the sanitizer we have provided, upon entry to the store, and any eyewear handled or tried on be left on the counters for cleaning. We would prefer to limit physical contact as much as possible, and resume full, unlimited customer care, when safe to do so.

If you have any health issues, or are unsure about your current health, please refrain from visiting our store until you/we know it is safe to do so. We must all be good citizens at this time and be very conscious of our interactions with others.

Feel free to call and book a time with us, if that makes you more comfortable and confident. We appreciate your thoughtful and kind consideration of our wishes.

I expect many of you are still swooning from the effects of Valentine’s Day. Well, now you have a further chance to spend more time with those you love, and to celebrate right through a holiday weekend.

BC Family Day falls on the 17th, so we (love a long weekend and) will be closed from Saturday, February 15th, right through to Tuesday morning, February 18th, when we return for business as usual.

We are so blessed in every way, so privileged to live the lives that we do, and owe tremendous gratitude to those who have served & guarded our freedom so selflesslessly.

As November 11 reminds us to acknowledge both our veterans, and those who serve us today, we need not look very far to see what horrendous outcomes can be the result when our interests are not being attended.

That we enjoy freedom of movement, in the most elemental ways; freedom of speech; freedom to love who we love; freedom from persecution — whether racial, gender or religious. That we can wake up in the mornings knowing that we are free from political tyranny, and that we can walk safely down our streets without fear. We have been well looked after.

We do remember. We thank you.

Highland Optical will be closed Saturday, November 9th, and remain closed through to Tuesday morning, November 12th, when we reopen for business as usual.

Over the three decades I have been here, I have made numerous friends via our optical relationships. What we do for a living has a certain intimacy about it; and because we need to know details about our clients, conversation is a big part of our interaction.

It's through these conversations that we build many relationships/friendships, with some that become more meaningful than others, and some that touch the heart. I was super excited when Rick Staehling first came in; having been an avid CBC fan, who followed his thoughtful and enthusiastic movie reviews for years.

As it turns out, Rick brought that same enthusiasm along with him everywhere; whether photographing something, travelling, writing or lecturing; and even when eyewear shopping. Wanting to be sure I was keeping current, we would discuss what he had found by doing some research; who of my suppliers I had seen; and what new collections were on the horizon. He was always interested in any optical history I shared with him — and he developed a fondness for small independent manufacturers. Subsequently, he would happily wait months for newly ordered product to arrive, in order to get just what he wanted.

I think he shared not a dissimilar eyewear obsession to mine, so having bonded on that, this delightful client/friend shared with me his wry sense of humour, his keen eye for style and design, and his expansive and observant worldview.

His recent passing leaves me deeply saddened. We have lost a true gentleman, a lovely human being, and an eloquent raconteur.

My sincere condolences to his wife, Lori, and immediate family, as well as his numerous friends and colleagues.

Sharyn

Well folks, it’s looks as though we get one more crack at summer tomfoolery, before we have to knuckle down and acknowledge that Autumn is tapping on our shoulders. 

The weather gods appear to be smiling, too, so whatever you get up to this holiday weekend... make it fun! 

Highland Optical will be closed this Saturday, August 31, and remain closed through to Tuesday morning, September 3rd, for business as usual.

(If I may; let there be zero labour this last gasp of summer!!)

Like you, The Optigals relish any opportunity where we get to enjoy a few extended summer days in our gorgeous province. Whether it's a barbeque, or a hike, or just hanging out with friends or family. Maybe it's taking in some music, or going to museums, or the movies — just be sure to savour every moment.

Highland Optical will be closed Saturday, August 3rd, and remain closed through to Tuesday morning August 6th, when we reopen for business as usual.