Community

Mrs. Blair’s class at Ranchero Elementary performs Jolly Old Saint Nicholas at the Dec. 17, 2020 Winter Concert. (School District 83 image)

School concerts in Shuswap look different in 2020 but fans can still watch

School District 83 posts videos of student performances

Mrs. Blair’s class at Ranchero Elementary performs Jolly Old Saint Nicholas at the Dec. 17, 2020 Winter Concert. (School District 83 image)
Volunteers Sharon Thurston, Chiara Kuzmick and Alma Hamilton at the Shuswap Family Centre are ready for parents experiencing hardships to come and pick up donated gifts at the centre for their children, through to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24. Hours are 9:30 to 4 p.m. daily.

Still time for parents to pick up Shuswap Family Centre gifts for kids

Family-to-Family Christmas Gift campaign for families experiencing hardships goes to Dec. 24

Volunteers Sharon Thurston, Chiara Kuzmick and Alma Hamilton at the Shuswap Family Centre are ready for parents experiencing hardships to come and pick up donated gifts at the centre for their children, through to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24. Hours are 9:30 to 4 p.m. daily.
Sue Simpson is thanking everyone who sent a Christmas card to her son, Jessie. (Sue Simpson)

Kamloops man severely injured in 2016 assault receives 600 Christmas cards

Jessie Simpson’s mom asked for Christmas cards to lift his spirits this season

Sue Simpson is thanking everyone who sent a Christmas card to her son, Jessie. (Sue Simpson)
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Christmas displays are getting more and more impressive in Vernon. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

VIDEO: Check out Vernon’s Christmas lights display from home

Photos of approximately 20 homes turned into a video for all to enjoy

Christmas displays are getting more and more impressive in Vernon. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Reid and Company on Front Street (Lakeshore) decorated for Christmas. The store was owned by Mrs. Margaret Springer, nee Reid. Date unknown. Image from the Elsie Paterson Collection and courtesy the Archives at R.J. Haney Heritage Village.

Shuswap history in pictures: Decorated for Christmas

Salmon Arm’s Reid and Company on Front Street decorated for Christmas.

  • Dec 21, 2020
Reid and Company on Front Street (Lakeshore) decorated for Christmas. The store was owned by Mrs. Margaret Springer, nee Reid. Date unknown. Image from the Elsie Paterson Collection and courtesy the Archives at R.J. Haney Heritage Village.
Gary Baker and Stephanie Hermiston were two of dozens who received a hot turkey dinner at Baillie Avenue, from the Gospel Mission, Saturday night (Dec. 19). They said the meal was very much appreciated. Baker and Hermiston are currently experiencing homelessness in Kelowna. (Phil McLachlan - Capital News)

Christmas meals for Kelowna’s less fortunate a ‘silver lining’ amid difficult time of year

Gospel Mission staff took to the streets to feed approx. 500 on Dec. 19.

Gary Baker and Stephanie Hermiston were two of dozens who received a hot turkey dinner at Baillie Avenue, from the Gospel Mission, Saturday night (Dec. 19). They said the meal was very much appreciated. Baker and Hermiston are currently experiencing homelessness in Kelowna. (Phil McLachlan - Capital News)
The Pat Duke Arena change room renovation and expansion project is now complete, the Regional District of North Okanagan announced Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. (Angie Clowry photo)

VIDEO: An inside look at Lumby’s newly improved Pat Duke Arena

$3.5M in upgrades were completed at the arena, four years after the village was crowned Hockeyville

The Pat Duke Arena change room renovation and expansion project is now complete, the Regional District of North Okanagan announced Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. (Angie Clowry photo)
Knox Studio’s 2020 holiday mashup music video is now live. (Knox Studio)

Kelowna studio releases holiday music video

Knox Studio wanted to bring holiday cheer to people as they stay home this Christmas season

Knox Studio’s 2020 holiday mashup music video is now live. (Knox Studio)
Harold Noakes captured video of a wrestling match between two otters on Salmon Arm’s foreshore trail earlier this month. (Harold Noakes/Youtube)

VIDEO: Salmon Arm man captures video of wrestling otters

Harold Noakes got up close and personal with otters on a frozen beaver pond

Harold Noakes captured video of a wrestling match between two otters on Salmon Arm’s foreshore trail earlier this month. (Harold Noakes/Youtube)
Two more deaths were reported McKinney Place in Oliver. (File)

COVID-19: Two more deaths in South Okanagan long-term care facility

McKinney Place in Oliver currently has 56 cases of the virus

Two more deaths were reported McKinney Place in Oliver. (File)
A GoFundMe campaign has been created for Averi Armitage, 12, who was diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening medical condition known as aplastic anemia. (GoFundMe)

Relief fund started for Okanagan girl battling rare medical condition

A GoFundMe campaign has been created for Averi Morey, 12, diagnosed with aplastic anemia

A GoFundMe campaign has been created for Averi Armitage, 12, who was diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening medical condition known as aplastic anemia. (GoFundMe)
Ron Nicolaye and the pole on the Island Highway at the Campbell River bridge that a drunk driver crashed into in 1983, changing his life forever. Photo by Marc Kitteringham – Campbell River Mirror

Impaired driving survivor implores people to not drink and drive this holiday season

Campbell River man looks back on 37th anniversary of life-changing incident

Ron Nicolaye and the pole on the Island Highway at the Campbell River bridge that a drunk driver crashed into in 1983, changing his life forever. Photo by Marc Kitteringham – Campbell River Mirror
Parkview Elementary students sang carols for residents at a nearby senior care facility on Dec. 16. (Eagle Valley Senior Citizens Housing Society/Facebook)

Carols from Sicamous students brighten spirits for seniors

Grade 5 students at Parkview Elementary also wrote “dear grand-pal” letters to care home residents

Parkview Elementary students sang carols for residents at a nearby senior care facility on Dec. 16. (Eagle Valley Senior Citizens Housing Society/Facebook)
Restorative Justice Society – North Okanagan executive director Margaret Clark is pleased that the program can continue under the wing of CMHA. (Roger Knox/Morning Star file photo)

Restorative justice joins forces with North Okanagan agency

Canadian Mental Health Association adopts program struggling with financing

Restorative Justice Society – North Okanagan executive director Margaret Clark is pleased that the program can continue under the wing of CMHA. (Roger Knox/Morning Star file photo)
Teen Junction’s Sara Isaac accepts funds from Vernon Crime Prevention Coordinator Regan Borisenko and RCMP Const. David Brovold from the annual appreciation evening auction fundraiser. (Contributed)

Teens get a boost from North Okanagan RCMP

Volunteers spread holiday cheer with auction proceeds supporting youth

Teen Junction’s Sara Isaac accepts funds from Vernon Crime Prevention Coordinator Regan Borisenko and RCMP Const. David Brovold from the annual appreciation evening auction fundraiser. (Contributed)
Armand Flamand used to drive this semi-truck. (Flamand family)

West Kelowna retired trucker caps off career with one last ride

West Kelowna’s Premium Truck and Trailer Inc. took Armand Flamand for one last spin

Armand Flamand used to drive this semi-truck. (Flamand family)
12-year-old Averi is currently in BC Children’s Hospital waiting for treatment for her aplastic anemia. (Vanessa Micku - GoFundMe)

Okanagan girl’s family asking for support after rare condition diagnosis

Averi Morey and her parents are in Vancouver waiting for a treatment plan

12-year-old Averi is currently in BC Children’s Hospital waiting for treatment for her aplastic anemia. (Vanessa Micku - GoFundMe)
(hunt-er/Pixabay photo)

Column: Reflecting on Christmases, and Christmas trees past

Great Outdoors by James Murray

  • Dec 16, 2020
(hunt-er/Pixabay photo)
The Okanagan chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving want to show people what the consequences of impaired driving look like. (Twila Amato - Black Press Media)

Okanagan car crash campaign shows consequence of impaired driving

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Okanagan want people to be more aware of their actions

The Okanagan chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving want to show people what the consequences of impaired driving look like. (Twila Amato - Black Press Media)
In response to restrictions around COVID-19, Home for Christmas community dinner hosts Ken and Erin Fraser, pictured with their children Josiah, Eilidh, Lachlan, Rowan and Miriam, are hosting an afternoon event at McGuire Lake on Christmas. (Leah Blain photo)

Home for Christmas organizers plan safe events for Salmon Arm

Ken and Erin Fraser switch out annual community dinner for pizza and stroll at McGuire Lake

In response to restrictions around COVID-19, Home for Christmas community dinner hosts Ken and Erin Fraser, pictured with their children Josiah, Eilidh, Lachlan, Rowan and Miriam, are hosting an afternoon event at McGuire Lake on Christmas. (Leah Blain photo)