Community

Thirteen non-profits in the Thompson, Nicola and Okanagan received grants from Interior Savings. (Interior Savings/Contributed)

Okanagan non-profits receive Interior Savings grants

Thirteen non-profits shared $120,000 in grant funding

Thirteen non-profits in the Thompson, Nicola and Okanagan received grants from Interior Savings. (Interior Savings/Contributed)
Andrew Frederick spent his COVID-19 time off school cleaning up his neighbourhood Girouard Park, which is being expanded. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star file)

Vernon’s park gets more play space

1.3 acres of land to be added to Harwood area park

Andrew Frederick spent his COVID-19 time off school cleaning up his neighbourhood Girouard Park, which is being expanded. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star file)
The Districts of Sicamous has invited local kids to vote on the animal to be sculpted from a stump at 417 Main Street. (Zachary Roman-Eagle Valley News)

Sicamous kids invited to vote on animal sculpture

Votes can be cast online, or in person at 446 Main Street

The Districts of Sicamous has invited local kids to vote on the animal to be sculpted from a stump at 417 Main Street. (Zachary Roman-Eagle Valley News)
Salmon Arm ROOTSandBLUES veterans Sherman “Tank” Doucette and Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne are scheduled to take the Music in the Bay stage, with Doucette performing on July 15 and Wayne on Aug. 12. (File photo)

Musicians eager to play Music in the Bay stage by Shuswap Lake

Market and concert series take place Thursdays at Blind Bay’s Centennial Field

Salmon Arm ROOTSandBLUES veterans Sherman “Tank” Doucette and Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne are scheduled to take the Music in the Bay stage, with Doucette performing on July 15 and Wayne on Aug. 12. (File photo)
Linda Fedyniak is ready to pour coffee for the 27th annual Tim Hortons Camp Day next Wednesday. (Kevin Mitchell/Morning Star)

Coffee sales send Okanagan kids to camp

Tim Hortons Camp Day taking place Wednesday, July 21

Linda Fedyniak is ready to pour coffee for the 27th annual Tim Hortons Camp Day next Wednesday. (Kevin Mitchell/Morning Star)
The vigil will include an open mic period for those wishing to speak (via North Okanagan Labour Council/ Facebook)

Kelowna crane collapse victims to be remembered at vigil

Residents are invited near the crash site to pay their respects

The vigil will include an open mic period for those wishing to speak (via North Okanagan Labour Council/ Facebook)
On July 13, donations were made to Muscular Dystrophy Canada. From left are Billy Boerboom of the Summerland Fire Department and Windmill Garden Centre, Dan Bigelow of Nesters Market Summerland, 11-year-old Aleksander Filipovic, Danica Filipovic of Muscular Dystrophy Canada and Rick Leardo of the Summerland Fire Department. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

Summerland organizations support Muscular Dystrophy Canada

Fire department and two businesses provide $1,250 for organization

On July 13, donations were made to Muscular Dystrophy Canada. From left are Billy Boerboom of the Summerland Fire Department and Windmill Garden Centre, Dan Bigelow of Nesters Market Summerland, 11-year-old Aleksander Filipovic, Danica Filipovic of Muscular Dystrophy Canada and Rick Leardo of the Summerland Fire Department. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)
Students make a “tiny home” sign with their hands as part of the Tiny Home Challenge at John Paul II Catholic School. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Vancouver Island school gets visit from Netflix show hosts for tiny home competition

Pilot Tiny Home elective was offered for Grades 4-7

Students make a “tiny home” sign with their hands as part of the Tiny Home Challenge at John Paul II Catholic School. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
Kaitlyn Fraser was recognized as one the Shuswap’s outstanding community leaders in the 2021 Salmon Arm Top 20 Under 40 program. (Contributed)

Salmon Arm’s Top 20 under 40: Kaitlyn Fraser

Program recognizes the young community leaders in the Shuswap

  • Jul 14, 2021
Kaitlyn Fraser was recognized as one the Shuswap’s outstanding community leaders in the 2021 Salmon Arm Top 20 Under 40 program. (Contributed)
People gather at McGuire’s Grove, located approximately where the Prestige Harbourfront Inn is today. This undated image is from the Claire Carlin collection. We know cricket, tennis, lacrosse and other games were played in July and August, but the grounds were likely too wet in June! What was the occasion? Image courtesy the archives room at R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum.

History in pictures

Shuswap history in pictures: Gathering at McGuire’s Grove

  • Jul 13, 2021
People gather at McGuire’s Grove, located approximately where the Prestige Harbourfront Inn is today. This undated image is from the Claire Carlin collection. We know cricket, tennis, lacrosse and other games were played in July and August, but the grounds were likely too wet in June! What was the occasion? Image courtesy the archives room at R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum.
A memorial tribute to Police Service Dog Gator is growing at a the foot of a flagpole in front of the Campbell River RCMP detachment on July 9, 2021. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

Memorial for Campbell River police dog killed in line of duty grows

VIDEO: Emergency personnel conduct vehicle parade memorial for Gator

A memorial tribute to Police Service Dog Gator is growing at a the foot of a flagpole in front of the Campbell River RCMP detachment on July 9, 2021. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
Students at Quigley Elementary will have access to the school’s library over the summer. (Contributed)

Kelowna elementary school library stays open to combat the ‘summer slide’

Quigley Elementary’s library will be open once weekly to keep them reading over the holidays

Students at Quigley Elementary will have access to the school’s library over the summer. (Contributed)
The iconic Red Bridge in Keremeos was turned into a surfers paradise by these two who were featured in a video posted to the Keremeos, BC Facebook page July 7, 2021. (Keremeos, BC/Facebook)

VIDEO: Creative kids in Keremeos surf the Similkameen River

Using just some straps and planks, these kids turned the river into a surfers paradise

The iconic Red Bridge in Keremeos was turned into a surfers paradise by these two who were featured in a video posted to the Keremeos, BC Facebook page July 7, 2021. (Keremeos, BC/Facebook)
Habitat for Humanity's upcoming bottle drive will help keep the affordable home ownership program running. (Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times)

Habitat for Humanity hosts Kelowna bottle drive

The fundraiser will help build affordable and safe houses for people in need

Habitat for Humanity's upcoming bottle drive will help keep the affordable home ownership program running. (Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times)
Pictured is an example of equipment the SKE PAC would like to install in the new playground at South Kelowna Elementary. (South Kelowna Elementary/GoFundMe)

Help a Kelowna elementary school get a new playground

The school is raising $50,000 for new equipment

Pictured is an example of equipment the SKE PAC would like to install in the new playground at South Kelowna Elementary. (South Kelowna Elementary/GoFundMe)
Tickets for the Paws It Forward raffle can be purchased up to midnight on Saturday, Aug. 31. (Lum3n/Pexels)

Kelowna dog shelter launches raffle to fund vet bills

All funds will go towards dog care at Paws It Forward

Tickets for the Paws It Forward raffle can be purchased up to midnight on Saturday, Aug. 31. (Lum3n/Pexels)
The BCAA’s new pilot program aims to keep dangerous child car seats off the road while supporting local non-profit organizations. (Kampus Production/Pexels)

Free child car seat recycling pilot program launches in Kelowna

The program aims to take dangerous car seats off the road while supporting local non-profits

The BCAA’s new pilot program aims to keep dangerous child car seats off the road while supporting local non-profit organizations. (Kampus Production/Pexels)
What a proud moment! Pictured left to right are George, Gordon, Louise, Robert, Art, and Sid Iwata. According to history buff Denis Marshall, the children were among thousands “removed” from the Coast at the onset of the Pacific War when residents of Japanese ancestry were deemed security threats. Their parents operated a berry farm on the old Suckling place on Merton Hill (Okanagan Ave.), but returned to Vancouver about 1950. This photograph was taken in 1942. Image courtesy Mike Nakagawa and the Denis Marshall Collection from the archives at R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum.

Shuswap history in pictures: The Iwata children

What a proud moment! Pictured left to right are George, Gordon, Louise,…

  • Jul 5, 2021
What a proud moment! Pictured left to right are George, Gordon, Louise, Robert, Art, and Sid Iwata. According to history buff Denis Marshall, the children were among thousands “removed” from the Coast at the onset of the Pacific War when residents of Japanese ancestry were deemed security threats. Their parents operated a berry farm on the old Suckling place on Merton Hill (Okanagan Ave.), but returned to Vancouver about 1950. This photograph was taken in 1942. Image courtesy Mike Nakagawa and the Denis Marshall Collection from the archives at R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum.
Pictured, from left to right, is Brenda Thomson, Steve Thomson Lenetta Parry and Gregory Parry. (Rotary Club of Kelowna/Contributed)

Former MLA helms Kelowna Rotary Club

The club’s new president, Steve Thomson, previously served as the Kelowna-Mission MLA

Pictured, from left to right, is Brenda Thomson, Steve Thomson Lenetta Parry and Gregory Parry. (Rotary Club of Kelowna/Contributed)
Lily Traynor (back) and sister Evelyn raised over $1,300 for the Oliver Osoyoos Search and Rescue with their lemonade sales on June 30. (Submitted)

Kids turn 45 C into fundraising opportunity for South Okanagan Search and Rescue

Lily Traynor raised over $1,300 for Oliver Osoyoos Search and Rescue on June 30

Lily Traynor (back) and sister Evelyn raised over $1,300 for the Oliver Osoyoos Search and Rescue with their lemonade sales on June 30. (Submitted)