Community

Shelley and Shawn Desautels perform the Paso Doble for Dancing with the Shuswap Stars held at the SASCU Recreation Centre on Nov. 18, 2022. (Kristal Burgess Photography) Shelley and Shawn Desautels perform the Paso Doble for Dancing with the Shuswap Stars held at the SASCU Recreation Centre on Nov. 18, 2022. (Kristal Burgess Photography)

Dancing with the Shuswap Stars competitors raise more than $68,000 for hospice

Organizers on the lookout for next year’s slate of dancers

  • Dec 12, 2022
Shelley and Shawn Desautels perform the Paso Doble for Dancing with the Shuswap Stars held at the SASCU Recreation Centre on Nov. 18, 2022. (Kristal Burgess Photography) Shelley and Shawn Desautels perform the Paso Doble for Dancing with the Shuswap Stars held at the SASCU Recreation Centre on Nov. 18, 2022. (Kristal Burgess Photography)
Hillcrest Elementary students Theiadh Beaumont and Olivia Coyne singing vocals, Alexander Buchanan on bass and Alix Kraft on drums impersonate Canadian alt-rockers Sloan while covering the band’s song, The Rest of My Life, for the school’s video entry in this year’s Canadian Music Class Challenge. (Hillcrest Elementary video)

Salmon Arm students’ Sloan cover earns spot among finalists in CBC Music Class Challenge

About 150 Hillcrest Elementary students take part in video filmed at Song Sparrow Hall

Hillcrest Elementary students Theiadh Beaumont and Olivia Coyne singing vocals, Alexander Buchanan on bass and Alix Kraft on drums impersonate Canadian alt-rockers Sloan while covering the band’s song, The Rest of My Life, for the school’s video entry in this year’s Canadian Music Class Challenge. (Hillcrest Elementary video)
A snow blower is used to clear the sidewalk on a Chilliwack street. Do you know where the snow blower was invented? (Black Press file photo)

QUIZ: Are you ready for winter weather?

Winter begins later this month, but is already on the ground in many parts of the country

A snow blower is used to clear the sidewalk on a Chilliwack street. Do you know where the snow blower was invented? (Black Press file photo)
Pianist Jim Johnston, tenor saxophone player Sandy Cameron, vocalist Andrea Bajova and trombone player Rich Thorne pose for a photo before their Merry Kriz show on Dec. 22 2022. (Rebecca Willson/ photo)

SNAPSHOT: Salmon Arm Shuhorn Band jazzed for winter concert

Members of the jazz ensemble pose for a snowy shot

Pianist Jim Johnston, tenor saxophone player Sandy Cameron, vocalist Andrea Bajova and trombone player Rich Thorne pose for a photo before their Merry Kriz show on Dec. 22 2022. (Rebecca Willson/ photo)
Meredith and Calista Rusk buying sweet treats at the Tappen Tarts table at the Christmas A-Fair at the Salmon Arm Seniors Centre, Dec. 10 2022. (Rebecca Willson/ photo)

PHOTOS: First Christmas A-Fair held at Salmon Arm Seniors Centre

Donations collected for Canadian Mental Health Association

Meredith and Calista Rusk buying sweet treats at the Tappen Tarts table at the Christmas A-Fair at the Salmon Arm Seniors Centre, Dec. 10 2022. (Rebecca Willson/ photo)
Vernon’s Sharon Israelson (left) and Chase’s Darlene Siebert travelled to Calgary to help out at the Operation Christmas Child processing centre Dec. 8, 2022. (Frank King photo)

Friends from Vernon and Chase making Christmas merry for children around the world

Sharon Israelson and Darlene Siebert helped out at the Operation Christmas Child processing centre in Calgary

Vernon’s Sharon Israelson (left) and Chase’s Darlene Siebert travelled to Calgary to help out at the Operation Christmas Child processing centre Dec. 8, 2022. (Frank King photo)
The Red Barn in Sicamous has a heritage designation, so extra care will be taken when installing a Sea Can behind the property for storage. (File photo)

Sicamous council approves accessory building for historic Red Barn

Development permit fees waived for addition to heritage designated structure

The Red Barn in Sicamous has a heritage designation, so extra care will be taken when installing a Sea Can behind the property for storage. (File photo)
SAINTS farm in Mission is a sanctuary for animals deemed unadoptable due to age, size, disabilities, and medical issues. /Dillon White photo

Unadoptable animals find home in B.C. with SAINTS

The nonprofit provides shelter and medical aid to 127 animals of different backgrounds in Mission

SAINTS farm in Mission is a sanctuary for animals deemed unadoptable due to age, size, disabilities, and medical issues. /Dillon White photo
South Broadview Elementary students Ava Knowles, Kaitlyn Williams and Elena Abdallah admire Brett Sherwood’s large, animated and musical Christmas village display. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

‘I like to share Christmas with people’: Village displays bring joy to Salmon Arm school students

South Broadview Elementary custodian Brett Sherwood happy to share extensive collection

South Broadview Elementary students Ava Knowles, Kaitlyn Williams and Elena Abdallah admire Brett Sherwood’s large, animated and musical Christmas village display. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
A chair painted by artist Margaret Kyle for the 2020 Art Walk in Lake Country was recently damaged. (Facebook/Penny Smith)

Art Walk chair vandalized in Lake Country

The chair had been placed on the Rail Trail in Oyama

  • Dec 8, 2022
A chair painted by artist Margaret Kyle for the 2020 Art Walk in Lake Country was recently damaged. (Facebook/Penny Smith)
Hillcrest Elementary teacher Tyra Menzies’ Grade 5 students show the gifts they brought with them to Fire Hall 3 for the Salmon Arm Fire Department’s Fill the Fire Truck Toy Drive on Thursday, Dec. 8. The drive takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at halls 1 through 4 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

Students play Santa for Salmon Arm Fire Department toy drive

Hillcrest Elementary Grade 5 students drop gifts off for Fill the Fire Truck Toy Drive.

Hillcrest Elementary teacher Tyra Menzies’ Grade 5 students show the gifts they brought with them to Fire Hall 3 for the Salmon Arm Fire Department’s Fill the Fire Truck Toy Drive on Thursday, Dec. 8. The drive takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at halls 1 through 4 on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
(YMCA of Southern Interior BC/Submitted)

Childcare coming to Kelowna Airport, opportunities to study early childhood education

KF Aerospace donated $50,000 to the YMCA of Southern Interior B.C.

  • Dec 8, 2022
(YMCA of Southern Interior BC/Submitted)
PLAY Shuswap facilitates activities that promote physical literacy. (PLAY Shuswap)

PLAY Shuswap focused on getting people moving, staying active

Scavenger hunt planned for upcoming Unplug and Play Week

PLAY Shuswap facilitates activities that promote physical literacy. (PLAY Shuswap)
A pair of goats were brought to downtown Penticton by a man from Summerland on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 7.

Photos: Pet goats go for a stroll in downtown Penticton

Summerland man decided to tour the downtown with his 2 companions

A pair of goats were brought to downtown Penticton by a man from Summerland on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 7.
Chelaine McInroy’s new prosthetic leg will allow her to return to her active lifestyle. (Contributed)

Benefits brighten young Armstrong woman’s life with prosthetic

Bands, businesses and individuals gave greatly to cause

Chelaine McInroy’s new prosthetic leg will allow her to return to her active lifestyle. (Contributed)
(Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Vernon Band beats to third generation drum

Girls Trumpet Band is in its 75th year with new drum major

(Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Okanagan College hosted a candlelight vigil in honour of the National Day of Action on Violence Against Women Monday, Dec. 6. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Okanagan College Vernon, Salmon Arm campuses host candlelight vigils

Events open to the community commemorating 33rd anniversary of Montreal massacre, missing local women

Okanagan College hosted a candlelight vigil in honour of the National Day of Action on Violence Against Women Monday, Dec. 6. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Christmas displays are getting more and more impressive in Vernon. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Vernon homes light up for Christmas

List compiled of 20 best-dressed spots to visit

Christmas displays are getting more and more impressive in Vernon. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
From the Dec. 15, 1982 Observer: “Michael Shaver is a high flying young man as his mother, Marilyn, swings him through the crisp fall air. Shaver teaches dance at Dance to Life.” Jim Shaver photographer. Image from the Observer Collection in the archives @ R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum.

Shuswap history in pictures: Winter flight

From the Dec. 15, 1982 Observer: “Michael Shaver is a high flying…

  • Dec 6, 2022
From the Dec. 15, 1982 Observer: “Michael Shaver is a high flying young man as his mother, Marilyn, swings him through the crisp fall air. Shaver teaches dance at Dance to Life.” Jim Shaver photographer. Image from the Observer Collection in the archives @ R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum.
For three days in a row a cougar has been filmed visiting John Michaud’s Eagle Bay property. (John Michaud video)

VIDEO: Security camera captures repeat visits by cougar on Shuswap property

Eagle Bay homeowner alerts public to large cat in the area

For three days in a row a cougar has been filmed visiting John Michaud’s Eagle Bay property. (John Michaud video)