Community

(L-R) Les Folles Jambettes’ Vanessa Reyes-Golding, Sarah Leslie and Melanie Shenstone pose for a photo next to a family of snow people displayed at a home on 17th Avenue, near the intersection of 77th Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 18. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Grand Forks’ Can Can dancers trot out Christmas flash mobs

City residents with amazing Christmas displays were treated to the surprise dances

(L-R) Les Folles Jambettes’ Vanessa Reyes-Golding, Sarah Leslie and Melanie Shenstone pose for a photo next to a family of snow people displayed at a home on 17th Avenue, near the intersection of 77th Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 18. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
20 people gathered at the office of Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu for a candlelight vigil in honour of those who were affected by extreme weather events in B.C. during 2021. The vigil took place Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. (Submitted photo)

Activists hold climate vigil at Vernon-Monashee MLA’s office

Vigil held to honour ‘ lives lost and disrupted during the heat dome, wildfires and flooding of 2021’

20 people gathered at the office of Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu for a candlelight vigil in honour of those who were affected by extreme weather events in B.C. during 2021. The vigil took place Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. (Submitted photo)
Vernon van recipient Richelle Sequin (centre) and her sons, Braydon and Trey, along with Michelle Bogardis (centre), Jamee Moffit, with her sons Dawson and Levi, and on the left, nominator Tracy Leupin. (Submitted photo)

Vernon mother surprised with refurbished van

Kal Tire and Swan Lake Motors teamed up for a vehicle giveaway that’s set to become an annual tradition

Vernon van recipient Richelle Sequin (centre) and her sons, Braydon and Trey, along with Michelle Bogardis (centre), Jamee Moffit, with her sons Dawson and Levi, and on the left, nominator Tracy Leupin. (Submitted photo)
Clif and Terri Heinrichs celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Friday, Dec. 17. “We are eternally grateful to have gotten the opportunity to see what true love really looks like,” their children Josh and Justin said. (Contributed)

Vernon couple marks golden anniversary

50 years of love for the Heinrichs

Clif and Terri Heinrichs celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Friday, Dec. 17. “We are eternally grateful to have gotten the opportunity to see what true love really looks like,” their children Josh and Justin said. (Contributed)
In 1908, Summerland’s first curling rink was located on the community’s drinking water reservoir. The man with the bowler hat was Frank Osler. The Osler family is one of Canada’s most famous families. One of Frank Osler’s brothers was Sir William Osler, one of the world’s most esteemed medical doctors. Another brother, and Summerland land owner, was Sir Edmund Osler, national president of the Dominion Bank (later TD bank). Another brother was Britton Osler, a famous lawyer (Louis Riel trial). Another brother was Judge Fetherston Osler. (Photograph courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Curling in Summerland was once held outdoors

Drinking water reservoir was once used for curling

In 1908, Summerland’s first curling rink was located on the community’s drinking water reservoir. The man with the bowler hat was Frank Osler. The Osler family is one of Canada’s most famous families. One of Frank Osler’s brothers was Sir William Osler, one of the world’s most esteemed medical doctors. Another brother, and Summerland land owner, was Sir Edmund Osler, national president of the Dominion Bank (later TD bank). Another brother was Britton Osler, a famous lawyer (Louis Riel trial). Another brother was Judge Fetherston Osler. (Photograph courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
Sherry Demetrick (left), Archway Society for Domestic Peace co-executive director, received a bank draft for $3,445 from Epicor Software’s Danelle Sloboda and Susanne Lankhaar Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Software company employees lend a hand to Vernon’s Archway Society

Society for Domestic Peace receives $3,445 donation from Epicor Software

Sherry Demetrick (left), Archway Society for Domestic Peace co-executive director, received a bank draft for $3,445 from Epicor Software’s Danelle Sloboda and Susanne Lankhaar Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Joan Albert, JCI Vernon’s Citizen of the Year for 2020, was presented with the award at Polson Park Saturday, March 13, 2021. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Nominations sought for Vernon’s Good Citizen of the Year

JCI Vernon is accepting nominations until Jan. 17, 2022

Joan Albert, JCI Vernon’s Citizen of the Year for 2020, was presented with the award at Polson Park Saturday, March 13, 2021. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Salmon Arm resident Sara Mitchell was able to locate the intended recipient of a gift basket left at her house on Dec. 5. Now the recipient, Karen Whidden, is trying to find the person who made the initial delivery to say thanks. (Contributed)

Delivery mystery: Salmon Arm resident hopes to give thanks to sender

Bouquet, gift basket initially dropped off by mistake at neighbour’s house

Salmon Arm resident Sara Mitchell was able to locate the intended recipient of a gift basket left at her house on Dec. 5. Now the recipient, Karen Whidden, is trying to find the person who made the initial delivery to say thanks. (Contributed)
Sleep in Heavenly Peace Vernon members put together a bunk bed, which will be put to use in a North Okanagan home. The goal of the newly formed group is to make sure nobody sleeps on a floor or a couch. (Tom Skinner photo)

Vernon group builds a good night’s sleep

Sleep In Heavenly Peace made up of volunteers who build bunk beds for those who have nothing to sleep on

Sleep in Heavenly Peace Vernon members put together a bunk bed, which will be put to use in a North Okanagan home. The goal of the newly formed group is to make sure nobody sleeps on a floor or a couch. (Tom Skinner photo)
Hundreds line Penticton shore to welcome world record swimmer Ann Meraw in 1958. (BC Sports Hall of Fame Vancouver Public Library Historical Photographs Collection)

The woman who swam the entire length of Okanagan Lake in 1958

Many have attempted the 88 km swim, but no one has matched Ann Meraw

Hundreds line Penticton shore to welcome world record swimmer Ann Meraw in 1958. (BC Sports Hall of Fame Vancouver Public Library Historical Photographs Collection)
James Dyck (sixth from left), with daughter Cadence Trottier, was the surprised and grateful recipient of a refurbished Jeep gifted to him with a year's insurance by Braby Motors, Fix Auto, Kal Tire and SASCU in the 4th annual Shuswap Christmas Car Giveaway. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

VIDEO: Salmon Arm businesses surprise former first responder with early Christmas gift

Braby Motors, Fix Auto, Kal Tire and SASCU unite for 4th annual Shuswap Christmas Car Giveaway

James Dyck (sixth from left), with daughter Cadence Trottier, was the surprised and grateful recipient of a refurbished Jeep gifted to him with a year's insurance by Braby Motors, Fix Auto, Kal Tire and SASCU in the 4th annual Shuswap Christmas Car Giveaway. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
Canadian bestselling novelist Shelley Wood dropped by Vernon's Parkwood Retirement Resort for a book signing and speech. Wood's novel, The Quintland Sisters, landed in the No. 7 spot on the top 10 list of Canadian bestsellers in 2019. (Submitted photo)

Canadian bestseller visits Vernon book club

Shelley Wood is the author of the 2019 bestselling novel The Quintland Sisters

Canadian bestselling novelist Shelley Wood dropped by Vernon's Parkwood Retirement Resort for a book signing and speech. Wood's novel, The Quintland Sisters, landed in the No. 7 spot on the top 10 list of Canadian bestsellers in 2019. (Submitted photo)
The cold snap has opened more temporary shelter space for Vernon's homeless population. (Turning Points Society photo)

Vernon shelters full, but not turning away homeless

While space is not an issue, Turning Points is asking for Christmas donations

The cold snap has opened more temporary shelter space for Vernon's homeless population. (Turning Points Society photo)
The Roster is serving up support for two local charities by donating $5 from every entree for the month of December. (Roster Sports Club Bar & Grill photo)

Restaurant dishes up kindness for two Vernon causes

CMHA and Salvation Army served up support by local sports bar

The Roster is serving up support for two local charities by donating $5 from every entree for the month of December. (Roster Sports Club Bar & Grill photo)
Packman Opens Hearts serves Monday meals to those on the streets out of the back of their truck in the Mission Boutique parking lot. (Contributed)

Christmas dinner donations needed for Vernon’s homeless

Packman Opens Hearts volunteers looking for food and gifts to help serve up warmth and heart

Packman Opens Hearts serves Monday meals to those on the streets out of the back of their truck in the Mission Boutique parking lot. (Contributed)
Students and staff at Kidston Elementary School donated 1,100 pounds of non-perishables to the Salvation Army food bank during the RCMP and Coldstream Fire Department’s Cram the Cruiser event Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. (RCMP photo)

‘Overwhelming’ support: Coldstream students fill firetruck for food bank

Kidston Elementary students donated 1,100 pounds of food for RCMP, fire department food drive

Students and staff at Kidston Elementary School donated 1,100 pounds of non-perishables to the Salvation Army food bank during the RCMP and Coldstream Fire Department’s Cram the Cruiser event Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. (RCMP photo)
Vienna Demontigny (second from left) donates items for her annual Purse Project to Armstrong Food Bank representatives Jennifer Ciccone (from left), MaryAnn Setterstrom and Karen Harrison. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Armstrong Purse Project receives ‘overwhelming’ bag donation

Project receives 50 reusable handmade bags for annual Christmas donation program

Vienna Demontigny (second from left) donates items for her annual Purse Project to Armstrong Food Bank representatives Jennifer Ciccone (from left), MaryAnn Setterstrom and Karen Harrison. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Chains on the tires are required when one takes the shortcut to Naramata on frozen Okanagan Lake. In the early 20th century, the lake would sometimes freeze over in the winter. However, it has been many decades since the lake last froze over. At times there has been ice near the shore, allowing for some skating on the frozen surface. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Boats and cars have been seen on Okanagan Lake

Lake used to freeze over during the winter

Chains on the tires are required when one takes the shortcut to Naramata on frozen Okanagan Lake. In the early 20th century, the lake would sometimes freeze over in the winter. However, it has been many decades since the lake last froze over. At times there has been ice near the shore, allowing for some skating on the frozen surface. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
Local farmers, produce supplies and the community rallied to help the Good Food Box Society of North Okanagan fulfill its November orders when B.C.’s major highway routes were shut down due to flooding and landslides. (GFBSNO photo)

Community rally produces results for North Okanagan Good Food Box Society

November orders fulfilled even as B.C.’s major highway routes were shut down due to flooding, landslides

Local farmers, produce supplies and the community rallied to help the Good Food Box Society of North Okanagan fulfill its November orders when B.C.’s major highway routes were shut down due to flooding and landslides. (GFBSNO photo)
Vernon-based photographer Carla Hunt caught two great blue herons hanging out on Cool Pond in the BX on camera in March 2020. (Carla Hunt Photography)

Art to reflect North Okanagan pond’s delicate environment

Waterfowl, Western painted turtles among those who call Cools Pond home

Vernon-based photographer Carla Hunt caught two great blue herons hanging out on Cool Pond in the BX on camera in March 2020. (Carla Hunt Photography)