Community

Salmon Arm Minor Hockey Association (SAMHA) administrator Roy Sakaki recognized SAMHA volunteers Cindy Cameron-Cherry and James Inglis as hometown heroes. (Contributed)

Hometown heroes: Cindy Cameron-Cherry and James Inglis step up for Salmon Arm Minor Hockey

Duo recognized for volunteer work with minor hockey association

  • Jun 10, 2022
Salmon Arm Minor Hockey Association (SAMHA) administrator Roy Sakaki recognized SAMHA volunteers Cindy Cameron-Cherry and James Inglis as hometown heroes. (Contributed)
Skaha Beach in Penticton sees plenty of activity in the summer, but Penticton us more than beaches and peaches (John Arendt - Black Press)

Okanagan shows off in new collaborative videos series

You may be surprised with what local communities have to offer

Skaha Beach in Penticton sees plenty of activity in the summer, but Penticton us more than beaches and peaches (John Arendt - Black Press)
Members of the JL Jackson graduating class of 1957 are in this photo of the school’s Senior High Council. A 65th anniversary reunion is being planned for the grads of ‘57, with the event taking place in Salmon Arm in late August, 2022. (Contributed)

JL Jackson grads of 1957 seek to reconnect for 65th anniversary reunion

Committee wishes to get in touch with graduates living in Salmon Arm and area

  • Jun 9, 2022
Members of the JL Jackson graduating class of 1957 are in this photo of the school’s Senior High Council. A 65th anniversary reunion is being planned for the grads of ‘57, with the event taking place in Salmon Arm in late August, 2022. (Contributed)
The bike storage at Jack Knife was full of bikes for the Pride event (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

Pizza, bikes, love and diversity at Kelowna Pride event

The Bike March was a success that has folks excited for the upcoming week of Pride events in Kelowna

The bike storage at Jack Knife was full of bikes for the Pride event (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
Courtesy Photo, Public Health - Seattle & King County

Okanagan Nature Nut narrows in on bats

Bat season returns with a purpose

Courtesy Photo, Public Health - Seattle & King County
Sandy the cat

AlleyCats adoption: Save a senior

Sandy and Clogdha are both looking for forever homes

  • Jun 8, 2022
Sandy the cat
Editors of Okanagan Women’s Voices – Dr. Jeannette Armstrong, Dr. Lally Grauer and Dr. Janet MacArthur – present an online panel discussion June 16. (Contributed)

Okanagan women’s voices speak up for Indigenous History Month

Museum’s Reading for Reconciliation Series

Editors of Okanagan Women’s Voices – Dr. Jeannette Armstrong, Dr. Lally Grauer and Dr. Janet MacArthur – present an online panel discussion June 16. (Contributed)
Parkview Elementary student Hazel Spanke cuts the ceremonial ribbon on the school’s new Buddy Bench on June 6. She was accompanied by Sicamous Mayor Terry Rysz, SD83 director of instruction Carol-Ann Leidloff, SD83 assistant superintendent Ryan Brennan, PAC secretary Tracey Wiebe, Parkview principal Carla Schneider and PAC president Siobahn Rich. (Contributed)

Sicamous elementary school students have a new place to find a buddy

Buddy Bench installed with $2,000 donation from District of Sicamous

  • Jun 8, 2022
Parkview Elementary student Hazel Spanke cuts the ceremonial ribbon on the school’s new Buddy Bench on June 6. She was accompanied by Sicamous Mayor Terry Rysz, SD83 director of instruction Carol-Ann Leidloff, SD83 assistant superintendent Ryan Brennan, PAC secretary Tracey Wiebe, Parkview principal Carla Schneider and PAC president Siobahn Rich. (Contributed)
Volunteer swimming sport coordinators Donna Tyrrell, husband Dan Tyrrell, Wei Xiao and horseshoes coordinator Bob McCauley help celebrate the countdown to Greater Victoria’s 55-Plus BC Games, at Berwick Royal Oak on June 7.

PHOTOS: Days counting down for 55-Plus BC Games on south Vancouver Island

Cauldron lighting at Saanich seniors residence June 7 marks 99 days to the Games

Volunteer swimming sport coordinators Donna Tyrrell, husband Dan Tyrrell, Wei Xiao and horseshoes coordinator Bob McCauley help celebrate the countdown to Greater Victoria’s 55-Plus BC Games, at Berwick Royal Oak on June 7.
Gord Portman and his dog Zippy sit at Marina Way Park while holding a picture of a bench he would like to have installed in memory of those who have lost their lives to an overdose. (Mark Brett photo)

Local hero hopes for Penticton waterfront memorial bench for overdose victims

“You can come here, cry if you have to, think about friends we’ve lost,” said Gord Portman

Gord Portman and his dog Zippy sit at Marina Way Park while holding a picture of a bench he would like to have installed in memory of those who have lost their lives to an overdose. (Mark Brett photo)
Hundreds of runners participated in the five-kilometre and 10-kilometre courses of the Giant’s Head Run. The run, on Saturday evening, is a popular part of the Summerland Action Festival. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

Plenty of action at Summerland festival

Summerland Action Festival on June 3 to 5 was held for the first time since 2019

Hundreds of runners participated in the five-kilometre and 10-kilometre courses of the Giant’s Head Run. The run, on Saturday evening, is a popular part of the Summerland Action Festival. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)
Jim Miyashita loads his truck with boxes of expired food placed at the back door of the Salmon Arm Save-On-Foods by supervisor Rick Dion. Jim and Debbie Miyashita and Save-On-Foods are part of Loop, a program that partners farms with grocers to see that expired food gets used as feed, and not sent to the landfill. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

Salmon Arm farmers and grocer partners in program keeping expired food out of landfill

Debbie and Jim Miyashita and Save-On-Foods part of Loop program

Jim Miyashita loads his truck with boxes of expired food placed at the back door of the Salmon Arm Save-On-Foods by supervisor Rick Dion. Jim and Debbie Miyashita and Save-On-Foods are part of Loop, a program that partners farms with grocers to see that expired food gets used as feed, and not sent to the landfill. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
Larry Brewster was a 25-year employee of Vernon Esso/Tim Hortons Express on 32nd Street who never missed a day of work. He died at age 78 in a Vernon care home, and his friends are trying to raise funds for an appropriate tribute. (Contributed)

Vernon gas jockey never missed a day

Larry Brewster worked a quarter-century at Vernon Esso without missing a day of work

Larry Brewster was a 25-year employee of Vernon Esso/Tim Hortons Express on 32nd Street who never missed a day of work. He died at age 78 in a Vernon care home, and his friends are trying to raise funds for an appropriate tribute. (Contributed)
In mid-April, Miracle came into the care of Shuswap Paws Rescue Society volunteer Siobhan Rich. When found, the rescued dog was gaunt and weighed about 26 lbs. (Contributed)

‘Worst condition I’ve ever seen:’ dog rescued in the Shuswap given the name ‘Miracle’

Shuswap Paws Rescue Society volunteer encourages donations for ongoing efforts

In mid-April, Miracle came into the care of Shuswap Paws Rescue Society volunteer Siobhan Rich. When found, the rescued dog was gaunt and weighed about 26 lbs. (Contributed)
The crowd at the 2018 Okanagan Vinyl Festival. The event runs on Sept. 22 at the Penticton Senior’s Drop-In Centre from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Photo courtesy of Brenda Smith)

Okanagan Vinyl Festival spinning back into Penticton

The Sept. 25 festival will feature the selling of records and audio gear

The crowd at the 2018 Okanagan Vinyl Festival. The event runs on Sept. 22 at the Penticton Senior’s Drop-In Centre from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Photo courtesy of Brenda Smith)
When burrowing owls are born they weigh seven grams and within six weeks they can fly. (Burrowing Owl Conservation Society Facebook)

Hoot, hoot! Burrowing owl babies born at Okanagan breeding centre

Burrowing owls are endangered species in Canada

When burrowing owls are born they weigh seven grams and within six weeks they can fly. (Burrowing Owl Conservation Society Facebook)
"Cool end to a hot day, competitors in Saturday's loggers' sports took to Fletcher Pool following the event and decided to share the water with spectators within splashing range," reads the caption included with this photo from the June 4, 1975 Observer. Image courtesy the Salmon Arm Observer photograph collection in the Archives at R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum.

Shuswap history in pictures: Spectator sport at Fletcher Park pool

“Cool end to a hot day, competitors in Saturday’s loggers’ sports took…

  • Jun 6, 2022
"Cool end to a hot day, competitors in Saturday's loggers' sports took to Fletcher Pool following the event and decided to share the water with spectators within splashing range," reads the caption included with this photo from the June 4, 1975 Observer. Image courtesy the Salmon Arm Observer photograph collection in the Archives at R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum.
Youth between 12 and 19 years old and living in BC or the Yukon are invited to participate in the 2022 Youth Innovation Showcase by submitting a 45-second selfie video about themselves and their latest innovation.

Youth Innovation Showcase calls for innovative student submissions

The Youth Innovation Showcase is back for its fourth year in 2022.…

  • Jun 6, 2022
Youth between 12 and 19 years old and living in BC or the Yukon are invited to participate in the 2022 Youth Innovation Showcase by submitting a 45-second selfie video about themselves and their latest innovation.
Will and Wanda Bierman celebrate their 70th anniversary on June 7. (Barb Brouwer photo)

‘I captivated him’: Restaurant encounter leads to 70-year journey for Salmon Arm couple

Will and Wanda Bierman’s 70th anniversary celebration to follow Will’s 90th birthday

  • Jun 6, 2022
Will and Wanda Bierman celebrate their 70th anniversary on June 7. (Barb Brouwer photo)
Will and Wanda Bierman celebrate their 70th anniversary on June 7. (Barb Brouwer photo)

‘I captivated him’: Restaurant encounter leads to 70-year journey for Salmon Arm couple

Will and Wanda Bierman’s 70th anniversary celebration to follow Will’s 90th birthday

  • Jun 6, 2022
Will and Wanda Bierman celebrate their 70th anniversary on June 7. (Barb Brouwer photo)