Community

Vernon residents Joell (rear left) and Nicole (front right) Friesen drove six hours with their daughters Nailah (front left) and Isabel (rear right) to help inspect Operation Christmas Child gift-filled shoeboxes at the Calgary headquarters of Samaritan’s Purse. (Contributed)

Vernon family goes the extra mile to support kids at Christmas

Friesen’s drove to Calgary to take part in Operation Christmas Child shoebox inspections

Vernon residents Joell (rear left) and Nicole (front right) Friesen drove six hours with their daughters Nailah (front left) and Isabel (rear right) to help inspect Operation Christmas Child gift-filled shoeboxes at the Calgary headquarters of Samaritan’s Purse. (Contributed)
A Penticton man found out he won a BCLC Keno ticket from a Nov. 16 draw, banking $60,000 in the process. (Photo courtesy of BCLC)

Penticton man banks $60,000 while waiting for windows to defrost

Jordan Hutton found out he won the Keno prize while waiting for ice to melt off his windows

A Penticton man found out he won a BCLC Keno ticket from a Nov. 16 draw, banking $60,000 in the process. (Photo courtesy of BCLC)
The Armstrong and District Garden Club has given multiple food and garden programs a financial boost using proceeds from its plant sale in May 2021. (Submitted photo)

Armstrong Garden Club donations dig up food security

The club has supported multiple food security programs with proceeds from its May plant sale

The Armstrong and District Garden Club has given multiple food and garden programs a financial boost using proceeds from its plant sale in May 2021. (Submitted photo)
Marco Longley from the Vernon Pickleball Association is dwarfed by the 12-foot pickleball Christmas tree he created with 350 broken pickleballs that now adorns the Okanagan Wealth Advisors Pickleball Complex on Okanagan Landing Road. (Anne Longley photo)

Broken pickleballs catalyst for Vernon Christmas tree

Vernon Pickleball Association member Marco Longley designs 12-foot tree for Vernon complex

Marco Longley from the Vernon Pickleball Association is dwarfed by the 12-foot pickleball Christmas tree he created with 350 broken pickleballs that now adorns the Okanagan Wealth Advisors Pickleball Complex on Okanagan Landing Road. (Anne Longley photo)
If the draw was made today for the Archway Society for Domestic Peace’s Merry Money 50/50 Raffle fundraiser, the winner would pocket $1,935. However, as society fundraising team members Cheryl Kaminsky (from left), Sarah Moorhouse and Jessica Nobrega will tell you, tickets are availble until Dec. 20, and the draw will be made the same day. (Archway photo)

Vernon domestic peace group looks to make Christmas merry

Archway Society for Domestic Peace holding Merry Money 50/50 raffle

If the draw was made today for the Archway Society for Domestic Peace’s Merry Money 50/50 Raffle fundraiser, the winner would pocket $1,935. However, as society fundraising team members Cheryl Kaminsky (from left), Sarah Moorhouse and Jessica Nobrega will tell you, tickets are availble until Dec. 20, and the draw will be made the same day. (Archway photo)
The Emily Dahl Foundation has donated $1,000 to Teens Count Too, an organization that helps to minimize the impact of youth poverty in the North Okanagan. (Submitted photo)

$1K donation supports struggling North Okanagan teens

The Emily Dahl Foundation will present a cheque to Teens Count Too on Dec. 14

The Emily Dahl Foundation has donated $1,000 to Teens Count Too, an organization that helps to minimize the impact of youth poverty in the North Okanagan. (Submitted photo)
Therapist Assistant Lab at Okanagan College.

Okanagan College Health Sciences Centre in need of funds

The centre is looking to raise $750,000 to reach their $5-million goal

Therapist Assistant Lab at Okanagan College.
Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation communications officer Bree Cawley (second from left) accepts a cheque for $5,310 from Desert Cove Homeowners Association members Marilyn Richardson (from left), Jim Horsford – the Recycling Elf – and Robert Huth. (Contributed)

New tree signals start of VJH Light a Bulb campaign

When you look atop Vernon Jubilee Hospital this holiday season you’ll notice…

Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation communications officer Bree Cawley (second from left) accepts a cheque for $5,310 from Desert Cove Homeowners Association members Marilyn Richardson (from left), Jim Horsford – the Recycling Elf – and Robert Huth. (Contributed)
The Ayuen family are refugees from South Sudan who are being resettled in Summerland. Back row, left to right: Amer (20), Angeth (18), Yar (16), Ajah (mother), Mach (13), and Jean Munro from the Summerland Refugee Sponsorship Group. Front row: Herjok (nine), Alior (two), and Abuk (seven). (Submitted)

Calling Summerland home after 18 years of living in a refugee camp

The Ayuen family of 8 were sponsored by the Summerland Refugee Sponsorship Group

The Ayuen family are refugees from South Sudan who are being resettled in Summerland. Back row, left to right: Amer (20), Angeth (18), Yar (16), Ajah (mother), Mach (13), and Jean Munro from the Summerland Refugee Sponsorship Group. Front row: Herjok (nine), Alior (two), and Abuk (seven). (Submitted)
Rob Hislop and his spouse Tammy were visiting family in Chilliwack for the weekend of Nov. 12 when they discovered with frustration they wouldn’t be returning to Salmon Arm. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)

Floodwaters in Chilliwack bring inspiration for Salmon Arm couple

A shift to ‘smelling the roses’ while stranded changes a week away

Rob Hislop and his spouse Tammy were visiting family in Chilliwack for the weekend of Nov. 12 when they discovered with frustration they wouldn’t be returning to Salmon Arm. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)
The Vernon Community Arts Centre’s 16th Artsolutely Artisan Sale and Fundraiser is drawing record numbers of people from around the Okanagan. (VCAC photo)

Public flocks to Vernon Arts Centre for Artsolutely

16th annual Artisan Fundraiser and Sale proving again to be huge hit at Christmas time

The Vernon Community Arts Centre’s 16th Artsolutely Artisan Sale and Fundraiser is drawing record numbers of people from around the Okanagan. (VCAC photo)
Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy has achieved top marks in the field of registered massage therapy education in their 2021 accreditation. (Submitted photo)

Vernon massage therapy college gets perfect marks in 2021 accreditation

Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy received a perfect 380 score from the CMTCA

Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy has achieved top marks in the field of registered massage therapy education in their 2021 accreditation. (Submitted photo)
The John Christmas Light Tour is back for its third year in Vernon in 2021. Local realtor John Christmas has created a map of 21 festive properties to take in over the holidays. (DARRAN CHAISSON PHOTO )

Vernon realtor brings back Christmas light tour

The John Christmas Light Tour is on for a good cause in its third year

The John Christmas Light Tour is back for its third year in Vernon in 2021. Local realtor John Christmas has created a map of 21 festive properties to take in over the holidays. (DARRAN CHAISSON PHOTO )
The first Lumby Mistletoe and Holly Christmas Market – which will include Santa Claus in attendance along with the annual Lumby Fire Department’s Toy Drive – will be held Dec. 11 and 12 at the Whitevalley Community Hall. (Black Press file photo)

Lumby set for holly jolly Christmas market

First Mistletoe and Holly Christmas Market goes Dec. 11 and Dec. 12; Santa included

The first Lumby Mistletoe and Holly Christmas Market – which will include Santa Claus in attendance along with the annual Lumby Fire Department’s Toy Drive – will be held Dec. 11 and 12 at the Whitevalley Community Hall. (Black Press file photo)
Members of the Lake Country Fire Department will be collecting cash, cheque or gift certificate donations instead of physical donations this year due to limited space at the Lumby Food Bank. Firefighters will be at Save-On Foods and IGA Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Lake Country firefighters collecting cash instead of cans for food bank

Firefighters will be at Save-On Foods and IGA Sunday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Members of the Lake Country Fire Department will be collecting cash, cheque or gift certificate donations instead of physical donations this year due to limited space at the Lumby Food Bank. Firefighters will be at Save-On Foods and IGA Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Greta on the day she was brought 'home' at four months old, only to run away that very night. (Submitted photo)

Born to be wild: Goat finds family with herd of deer

Greta the Goat sought freedom from the start

Greta on the day she was brought 'home' at four months old, only to run away that very night. (Submitted photo)
Brett Smith (left), Vernon-based rep for the John Brooks Company, presents Neil Thompson of the Vernon Salvation Army with a cheque and donation for $2,300 on behalf of his company Wednesday, Dec. 1. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Vernon Salvation Army pumped over donation

John Brooks Company donates more than $2,000 which will help feed people in the community

Brett Smith (left), Vernon-based rep for the John Brooks Company, presents Neil Thompson of the Vernon Salvation Army with a cheque and donation for $2,300 on behalf of his company Wednesday, Dec. 1. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
She’s making a list, she’s checking it twice. O’Keefe Ranch manager Sherrilee Franks and her cousin, Cindy Palazzo, are collecting items for the Upper Room Mission’s Blessing Backpack program, and more items are needed to help fill the backpacks. (O’Keefe Ranch photo)

O’Keefe Ranch rounds up blessings for Vernon’s less fortunate

Spallumcheen ranch is a drop-off for items for the Upper Room Mission’s Blessing Backpack program

She’s making a list, she’s checking it twice. O’Keefe Ranch manager Sherrilee Franks and her cousin, Cindy Palazzo, are collecting items for the Upper Room Mission’s Blessing Backpack program, and more items are needed to help fill the backpacks. (O’Keefe Ranch photo)
Vernon Jubilee Hospital pharmacy technician Hollie Garwah (left) and VJH Ladies Auxiliary director at large Pat Brkich show the 10 gift baskets donated by the auxiliary that will be raffled off to one staff member in each of 10 hospital departments. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Vernon hospital staff saluted with gift baskets

VJH Ladies Auxiliary donate gift basket prizes to 10 departments for staff to win through raffles

Vernon Jubilee Hospital pharmacy technician Hollie Garwah (left) and VJH Ladies Auxiliary director at large Pat Brkich show the 10 gift baskets donated by the auxiliary that will be raffled off to one staff member in each of 10 hospital departments. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Two moms and eight kids aged five to 15 took advantage of the record-setting temperature Wednesday, Dec. 1, to take a dip in Kal Lake. (Contributed)

Warm North Okanagan weather results in December lake dip

Two moms, eight kids use beauty day to go for brief swim and pier jump in Coldstream’s Kal Lake

Two moms and eight kids aged five to 15 took advantage of the record-setting temperature Wednesday, Dec. 1, to take a dip in Kal Lake. (Contributed)