Community

Skiers enjoy the Santa Cruise ski fundraiser at Larch Hills on Dec. 18 2022. (Larch Hills Nordic Ski Club photo)

Salmon Arm’s Larch Hills Ski Nordic Club hosts successful Santa Cruise fundraiser

Skiers dressed as Santa hit the slopes for local food banks, auction raises over $3000

Skiers enjoy the Santa Cruise ski fundraiser at Larch Hills on Dec. 18 2022. (Larch Hills Nordic Ski Club photo)
The “mischievous cow” in action Dec. 3. Photo courtesy Campbell River RCMP

RCMP on the lookout for a … ‘troublesome cow’

‘Cow’ left footprints, not hoof prints, in Island city after ringing doorbell earlier this month

  • Dec 20, 2022
The “mischievous cow” in action Dec. 3. Photo courtesy Campbell River RCMP
From the Dec. 20, 1989 Observer: Local youngsters share their Christmas wishes with Santa Claus as they wait for the big day to arrive. <em>Image from the Salmon Arm Observer collection, the archives at R.J. Haney</em> <em>Heritage Village and Museum.</em>

Shuswap history in pictures: Meeting with Santa

From the Dec. 20, 1989 Observer: Local youngsters share their Christmas wishes…

From the Dec. 20, 1989 Observer: Local youngsters share their Christmas wishes with Santa Claus as they wait for the big day to arrive. <em>Image from the Salmon Arm Observer collection, the archives at R.J. Haney</em> <em>Heritage Village and Museum.</em>
Leha Marshall and Crystal Wood of U-Grow Girl, and Kailee Amlin, Lindsay Wong and Gena Ginn of Shuswap Cider Co., collaborated on a fundraiser that involved partial sales from a haskap cider to support a retreat for women survivors of sexual abuse. (File photo)

Donations help Shuswap’s U-Grow Girl host first retreat for survivors of childhood sexual abuse

Seven Survivors were able to take part in free event

Leha Marshall and Crystal Wood of U-Grow Girl, and Kailee Amlin, Lindsay Wong and Gena Ginn of Shuswap Cider Co., collaborated on a fundraiser that involved partial sales from a haskap cider to support a retreat for women survivors of sexual abuse. (File photo)
Once again the Summerland Kinsmen will host the Polar Bear Dip at Sunoka Beach on Jan. 1. (Summerland Review file photo)

Summerland Kinsmen hold Polar Bear Dip on Jan. 1

Quick swim organized as fundraiser for service club

Once again the Summerland Kinsmen will host the Polar Bear Dip at Sunoka Beach on Jan. 1. (Summerland Review file photo)
The Shuswap 4-H Club recently had its awards day, an opportunity to celebrate club members’ accomplishments in 2022. (Contributed)

Shuswap 4-H club members celebrate achievements in 2022

Shuswap 4-H Club Report by Scarlett Hutchison

The Shuswap 4-H Club recently had its awards day, an opportunity to celebrate club members’ accomplishments in 2022. (Contributed)
Beloved Armstrong Grade 1 teacher and Vernon trash collector Helen Sidney with one of her many gifts from admirers at her (soon-to-be) 100th birthday celebration Thursday, Dec. 15, at Vernon’s Schubert Centre. Sidney officially becomes a centenarian Dec. 24. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Famous Okanagan trash collector piles up birthday wishes

Retired teacher Helen Sidney, who picks up garbage on her daily walks on a Vernon road, turns 100

Beloved Armstrong Grade 1 teacher and Vernon trash collector Helen Sidney with one of her many gifts from admirers at her (soon-to-be) 100th birthday celebration Thursday, Dec. 15, at Vernon’s Schubert Centre. Sidney officially becomes a centenarian Dec. 24. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Justin Eveline and his wife, Amy Bracken. The couple, known for their generosity, redirected GoFundMe donations given to Eveline after he broke his leg to fund a Christmas dinner for the homeless in Salmon Arm. (Contributed)

After breaking leg, Salmon Arm man to pay kindness forward to people in greater need

Justin Eveline to host Christmas Eve dinner for those living rough

Justin Eveline and his wife, Amy Bracken. The couple, known for their generosity, redirected GoFundMe donations given to Eveline after he broke his leg to fund a Christmas dinner for the homeless in Salmon Arm. (Contributed)
OHS looks back on the work of 2022. (Jordy Cunningham/ Capital News)

2022: Okanagan Humane Society’s busiest year

A look back on the rescues, volunteers, donations and love

OHS looks back on the work of 2022. (Jordy Cunningham/ Capital News)
A puppy chews on a tennis ball lying on a yoga mat at Sweet Freedom Yoga Studio’s puppy yoga class, Dec. 17 2022. (Rebecca Willson/ photo)

Salmon Arm puppy yoga class paws-itively perfect for dog lovers

Sweet Freedom Yoga Studio hosts first puppy yoga event, donates portion of fees to SPCA

A puppy chews on a tennis ball lying on a yoga mat at Sweet Freedom Yoga Studio’s puppy yoga class, Dec. 17 2022. (Rebecca Willson/ photo)
Byron Raaen, a Shuswap man who is asking the community for help raising funds for a new manual wheelchair. (Contributed)

Fundraiser launched for Shuswap resident who needs new manual wheelchair

Those close to Byron Raaen say he is an inspiration, always helping others

Byron Raaen, a Shuswap man who is asking the community for help raising funds for a new manual wheelchair. (Contributed)
(Submitted photo)

Okanagan outreach ‘swamped’ trying to help all

All Are Family Outreach hoping to raise $5,000 to get them through first six months of 2023

(Submitted photo)
Alex Lavoie was even able to feed cat food to a raven that flew alongside his Jeep on the Dempster Highway in Yukon. Youtube video screenshot

VIDEO: Raven flies alongside Quadra Island couple travelling frigid Yukon highway

23 minute video with Raven garners over 5,000 views on Youtube

Alex Lavoie was even able to feed cat food to a raven that flew alongside his Jeep on the Dempster Highway in Yukon. Youtube video screenshot
A custom 18-foot home from Your Tiny Homes Inc. was the model used in a presentation at the Dec. 7 Sicamous Planning and Development Committee meeting, about possibly allowing such homes at 1005 Riverside Ave. (Summit Tiny Homes photo)

Sicamous committee contemplates tiny homes on Riverside Avenue

Pros and cons of tiny home rentals discussed

A custom 18-foot home from Your Tiny Homes Inc. was the model used in a presentation at the Dec. 7 Sicamous Planning and Development Committee meeting, about possibly allowing such homes at 1005 Riverside Ave. (Summit Tiny Homes photo)
These are just some of the trees and woodland creatures adorned with lights at the Salmon Arm home of Kayla, Brandi and Rod Butts, mother and grandparents to four-year-old Jaxon, who died in July 2022. (Photo contributed)

Lights shine brightly at Salmon Arm home to share love generated by young boy who died

Family invites public to visit yard with sparkling woodland creatures, butterfly tree

These are just some of the trees and woodland creatures adorned with lights at the Salmon Arm home of Kayla, Brandi and Rod Butts, mother and grandparents to four-year-old Jaxon, who died in July 2022. (Photo contributed)
From left, Kent Kwasny (AIM Roads area 13 north superintendent), Meranda Dessault (Shuswap SPCA centre manager), Candace Bingham (CFP senior woodlands administrator), and Dale Ogston (AIM Roads area 13 senior foreman) pose for a picture after a $3000 donation was made to the SPCA. (Aim Roads/ Facebook)

Ministry of transportation, AIM Roads give back to Shuswap BC SPCA

AIM Roads, Canoe Forest Products, transportation ministry donate $3000

From left, Kent Kwasny (AIM Roads area 13 north superintendent), Meranda Dessault (Shuswap SPCA centre manager), Candace Bingham (CFP senior woodlands administrator), and Dale Ogston (AIM Roads area 13 senior foreman) pose for a picture after a $3000 donation was made to the SPCA. (Aim Roads/ Facebook)
The donation bin at 575 Gramiak Road is empty this year. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

Kelowna’s Candy Cane Lane seeing only 10% of donations compared to years past: Organizer

The collection bin at the centre of the light display is sparse

The donation bin at 575 Gramiak Road is empty this year. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
Julian Smallbone (right) and Will Seguin from Penticton’s Chevrolet Huber Bannister are giving away a 2010 Equinox SUV to one family in need this Christmas.

Penticton car dealership giving away vehicle to family in need this Christmas

Nominations open for a family to drive away with a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox on Dec. 23

Julian Smallbone (right) and Will Seguin from Penticton’s Chevrolet Huber Bannister are giving away a 2010 Equinox SUV to one family in need this Christmas.
Some of the toy donations collected for Shuswap Family Centre during the fire department toy drive, Dec. 2022. (Contributed)

Still a need for Christmas gifts for teens: Shuswap Family Centre

Successful Salmon Arm Fire Department toy drive provides gifts for children

Some of the toy donations collected for Shuswap Family Centre during the fire department toy drive, Dec. 2022. (Contributed)
White Lake firefighters stand next to the food donated to their fire department’s annual food drive on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. (Contributed)

White Lake residents generously support fire department food drive

White Lake Fire Department collects cash and food for Sorrento Food Bank

  • Dec 12, 2022
White Lake firefighters stand next to the food donated to their fire department’s annual food drive on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. (Contributed)