Community

A crane hauls the Schubert Centre’s new furnace to its roof Thursday, April 8. (Schubert Centre photo)

Vernon seniors facility warming up to new furnace

Schubert Centre gets new heating fixture after successful fundraising campaign, grants, donations

 

Albert McCormick has been gardening in Keremeos, and donating the excess, for several years. He is now spearheading a new community garden that would be put in place across from the under-construction Ambrosia affordable housing development. (Brennan Phillips - Keremeos Review)

Growing a community garden in the South Okanagan

Albert McCormick is spearheading the project to build a new community garden in Keremeos

 

The municipality of Summerland will repair a walking path along Okanagan Lake. The pathway was damaged during the floods of 2017 and 2018. (Monique Tamminga - Black Press)

Damaged lakefront path in Summerland will be repaired

Flooding in 2017 and 2018 resulted in erosion and concrete damage to popular pathway

 

Marj Plitt, a founding member of NeighbourLink Summerland, has retired from the organization after 16 years. She served on the board, including several years as president, until 2020. (Contributed)

Longtime member retires from NeighbourLink Summerland

Marj Plitt was one of the founding members of community organization in 2004

Marj Plitt, a founding member of NeighbourLink Summerland, has retired from the organization after 16 years. She served on the board, including several years as president, until 2020. (Contributed)
Joe Sommer of Chilliwack reaches toward a killdeer on its nest on his property, in March 2021. The red marking is to alert the neighbouring farm to avoid the area. (Submitted photo)

Chilliwack man has close encounter with killdeer after marking nest

Killdeer nest near farm fields and other high danger areas, but man is intent on saving birds

Joe Sommer of Chilliwack reaches toward a killdeer on its nest on his property, in March 2021. The red marking is to alert the neighbouring farm to avoid the area. (Submitted photo)
Community foundations from the North, Central and South Okanagan have teamed up with Canadian Mental Health Associaton and horse-assisted therapists across the valley to offer the Front Line Hero Appreciation Initiative as a way for the community to say thank you to frontline workers, by offering them a way to care for themselves. (Photo supplied)

Horse therapy offered to Okanagan frontline workers

Community foundations team up with mental health and horse-assisted therapists to offer program

Community foundations from the North, Central and South Okanagan have teamed up with Canadian Mental Health Associaton and horse-assisted therapists across the valley to offer the Front Line Hero Appreciation Initiative as a way for the community to say thank you to frontline workers, by offering them a way to care for themselves. (Photo supplied)
The 2020 Vital Signs report provides the opportunity to identify the areas of concern in the community, as well as initiatives and organizations that can help to make a positive difference.

Vital Signs 2020: Measuring Wellbeing to Create Change

Community Foundation North Okanagan’s Vital Signs initiative measures the vitality of our region.

  • Mar 15, 2021
The 2020 Vital Signs report provides the opportunity to identify the areas of concern in the community, as well as initiatives and organizations that can help to make a positive difference.
The Ministry of Health announced on March 9 that there would be a new urgent and primary care centre operating on Martin Street starting March 31. The facility will be an expansion to the existing Martin Street Outreach Centre. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

Penticton primary care a ‘model for the province’ says Minister Dix

The Martin Street urgent care centre and Ponderosa clinic are key parts of that model

The Ministry of Health announced on March 9 that there would be a new urgent and primary care centre operating on Martin Street starting March 31. The facility will be an expansion to the existing Martin Street Outreach Centre. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
Kerri and Kevin Black are highlighted for their volunteer work with the Carr's Landing Community and Recreation Association. (Contributed)

Lake Country couple’s passion to make a difference

Spotlight on Carr’s Landing Community and Recreation Association volunteers

  • Feb 27, 2021
Kerri and Kevin Black are highlighted for their volunteer work with the Carr's Landing Community and Recreation Association. (Contributed)
Greater Victoria high school student Josiah Plett, 18, unofficially broke the Guinness World Record for most Rubik’s cubes solved while hula hooping on Feb. 13 at Pacific Christian School in Saanich. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

B.C. teen unofficially breaks world record for Rubik’s cubes solved while hula hooping

Josiah Plett, 18, solves 1010 cubes in six hours

Greater Victoria high school student Josiah Plett, 18, unofficially broke the Guinness World Record for most Rubik’s cubes solved while hula hooping on Feb. 13 at Pacific Christian School in Saanich. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
The Community Foundation of the North Okanagan has created a partnership of giving with Nixon Wegner LLP and SilverStar Mountain Resort by matching each other’s $10,000 donations for a total of $30,000 awarded to the Salvation Army House of Hope Foodbank.

Community Foundation committed to local partnerships

Donations tripled to the Salvation Army House of Hope Food Bank

  • Feb 15, 2021
The Community Foundation of the North Okanagan has created a partnership of giving with Nixon Wegner LLP and SilverStar Mountain Resort by matching each other’s $10,000 donations for a total of $30,000 awarded to the Salvation Army House of Hope Foodbank.
A long and happy life in Chemainus has been very good to Ejlif and Anna Mose. (Photo by Don Bodger)

B.C. couple celebrating nearly 70 years of Valentine’s

Chemainus pair Ejlif and Anna Mose still very much in love after nearly 70 years of marriage

A long and happy life in Chemainus has been very good to Ejlif and Anna Mose. (Photo by Don Bodger)
The search has concluded for Keno, with a happy ending. He was found on Mount Prevost in the Cowichan Valley on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. (File photo)

Keno the dog found on B.C. mountain 2 weeks after going missing

Husky/shepherd cross enticed by the smell of bacon frying in the dead of night

The search has concluded for Keno, with a happy ending. He was found on Mount Prevost in the Cowichan Valley on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. (File photo)
Violet Farrow of Summerland is celebrating her 101st birthday on Jan. 30, 2021. (Contributed)

Summerland pioneer celebrates 101st birthday

Violet Farrow and her husband constructed homes along Purvis Road

Violet Farrow of Summerland is celebrating her 101st birthday on Jan. 30, 2021. (Contributed)
Alexandra “Annabelle” Lee and her grandpa Bryan Weightman enjoyed a shopping spree at the Sicamous Askew’s foods location after Weightman won a draw for a gift card. (Submitted)

Sicamous seven-year-old fills grandparents’ shopping cart after contest win

When her grandparents won an Askew’s Foods gift card, Alexandra Lee got to handle the shopping

Alexandra “Annabelle” Lee and her grandpa Bryan Weightman enjoyed a shopping spree at the Sicamous Askew’s foods location after Weightman won a draw for a gift card. (Submitted)
Penticton Bylaw officer Glenn Smith, as well as resident Zak Laycock (not pictured), received the Governor General Award from the Royal Canadian Humane Association to recognize their heroism in a summer 2019 incident. (Contributed)

Bylaw officer and Penticton resident given awards for intervening in sexual assault

Bylaw officer Glenn Smith said he was simply in the right place at the right time

Penticton Bylaw officer Glenn Smith, as well as resident Zak Laycock (not pictured), received the Governor General Award from the Royal Canadian Humane Association to recognize their heroism in a summer 2019 incident. (Contributed)
Quinisco Blue Coyne was born Dec. 20, 2020, at Penticton General Hospital. Photo contributed

Princeton’s ‘first family’ grows by eight pounds, eight ounces

Quin Blue Coyne already has at least 1,000 relatives

Quinisco Blue Coyne was born Dec. 20, 2020, at Penticton General Hospital. Photo contributed
Gord Portman, 47, was awarded by the Royal Canadian Humane Association for his role in helping to save two people from a Penticton house fire in March. (Jesse Day - Western News)

Penticton man recognized with Canadian bravery award for intervening in house fire

Gord Portman will look to continue his life-saving ways after the fire inspired him to get sober

Gord Portman, 47, was awarded by the Royal Canadian Humane Association for his role in helping to save two people from a Penticton house fire in March. (Jesse Day - Western News)
In 2020, the Community Foundation of the North Okanagan has distributed more than $1 million in grants to local charities.

Community Foundation distributes $1 million in grants

Collaborative approach leverages funds for the North Okanagan

  • Dec 14, 2020
In 2020, the Community Foundation of the North Okanagan has distributed more than $1 million in grants to local charities.
After living with cystic fibrosis his entire life, Nick Kanaan required a double-lung transplant. Today, he honours Dr. John Yee and the medical team at VGH who helped save his life.

Double-lung transplant saves father after lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis

This holiday season Angel donations will help fund the most urgent health care needs

  • Dec 14, 2020
After living with cystic fibrosis his entire life, Nick Kanaan required a double-lung transplant. Today, he honours Dr. John Yee and the medical team at VGH who helped save his life.