Community

Crystal Hedlund (left) and Erica Beck with a van packed full of Christmas hamper gifts for sponsored families located in and around Vernon, Dec. 2020. (Contributed)

Shuswap baker fulfilling Christmas wishlists for families in need

Crystal Hedlund overwhelmed with ‘tidal wave’ of community support

A look back at the early days of Do Some Good when the team was first forming. Photo courtesy Do Some Good

Do Some Good Receives National Award for Social Impact

B Corp and tech-for-good platform Do Some Good is being recognized on…

  • Dec 2, 2022
Okanagan College and the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association have collaborated on a new 26 week program (Okanagan College/Contributed)

Reducing hospitality and tourism work shortages the goal in Okanagan College partnership

While the initial program has started, it will be offered three more times over the next two years

Chetwynd, B.C. artist Teigen Gayse cools down the audience with a cover of Harry Styles' Watermelon Sugar during her afternoon performance on day two of the Monashee Music Festival, Saturday, July 23, 2022. (File photo)

Monashee Music Festival organizer wants more camping options in Sicamous for 2023

Festival’s Andy Bowie addressed council about lack of accommodation, permits

Chetwynd, B.C. artist Teigen Gayse cools down the audience with a cover of Harry Styles' Watermelon Sugar during her afternoon performance on day two of the Monashee Music Festival, Saturday, July 23, 2022. (File photo)
Werner Karsten shows one of the two turtlepod prototypes he brought with him for display at the Walk With Me event in Courtenay, on Nov. 26. The insulated, mobile pods are intended to provide safe shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Photo by Terry Farrell

B.C. man designs ‘turtlepods’ – mobile personal shelter prototypes to assist the unhoused

‘I think of it as supporting urban nomadism.’

Werner Karsten shows one of the two turtlepod prototypes he brought with him for display at the Walk With Me event in Courtenay, on Nov. 26. The insulated, mobile pods are intended to provide safe shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Photo by Terry Farrell
Zoe Pauling won Black Press Media's contest to win tickets to the Vancouver Canucks game later this season. (Contributed)

Doubled-sided sign wins tickets to Vancouver Canucks game

The winners received two tickets to a future Vancouver Canucks game

Zoe Pauling won Black Press Media's contest to win tickets to the Vancouver Canucks game later this season. (Contributed)
Blind Bay author Randy Wagner and the cover of his new book, 4 1/2 Steps. (Contributed)

Shuswap author hopes to open conversations around grief, depression

Randy Wagner’s book details his life and struggles as a C5-C6 quadriplegic

Blind Bay author Randy Wagner and the cover of his new book, 4 1/2 Steps. (Contributed)
Silver Creek firefighters are collecting donations for the fire hall’s fourth annual community food drive. (Silver Creek Fire Department/Facebook photo)

Silver Creek Fire Department looking for nominations of food hamper recipients

Two hampers will be prepared for distribution in Silver Creek

Silver Creek firefighters are collecting donations for the fire hall’s fourth annual community food drive. (Silver Creek Fire Department/Facebook photo)
Sorrento-Blind Bay Community Park will have an outdoor rink developed and snow clearing maintenance provided by the Shuswap Trail Alliance. (CSRD website)

Ice rink returning to Sorrento-Blind Bay Community Park thanks to partnership

CSRD and Shuswap Trail Alliance teaming up to maintain outdoor rink, walking paths

Sorrento-Blind Bay Community Park will have an outdoor rink developed and snow clearing maintenance provided by the Shuswap Trail Alliance. (CSRD website)
Team members at Freedom’s Gate Horse Rescue with their $5,000 donation from the Horsey Ladies Okanagan fundraiser. (Contributed)

Shuswap horse rescue organization benefits from Horsey Ladies fundraiser

Horsey Ladies Okanagan hot to trot in-person again for fundraiser

Team members at Freedom’s Gate Horse Rescue with their $5,000 donation from the Horsey Ladies Okanagan fundraiser. (Contributed)
The three Salmon Arm Rotary clubs, First United Church and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church have teamed up, along with the food banks and social service agencies, to provide 600 Christmas dinners-to-go on Dec. 25 to members of the community. (File photo)

Rotary clubs in Salmon Arm step up again to provide Christmas dinners for all

Anyone who would like a Christmas dinner but won’t have one is asked to pick up free ticket

The three Salmon Arm Rotary clubs, First United Church and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church have teamed up, along with the food banks and social service agencies, to provide 600 Christmas dinners-to-go on Dec. 25 to members of the community. (File photo)
Christmas Bake Sale Dec. 10. (Pixabay) Christmas Bake Sale Dec. 10. (Pixabay)

Buy cookies, support the animals during Kelowna BC SPCA bake sale

The Kelowna BC SPCA will hold its Christmas Bake Sale Dec. 10

Christmas Bake Sale Dec. 10. (Pixabay) Christmas Bake Sale Dec. 10. (Pixabay)
The Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation is looking to raise the remaining $900,000 needed for an urgently needed second CT scanner. (Submitted photo)

Donations for new CT scanner at Vernon hospital doubled on Giving Tuesday

VJH has an urgent need for a second CT scanner, Galbraith Foundation gives big today

The Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation is looking to raise the remaining $900,000 needed for an urgently needed second CT scanner. (Submitted photo)
From the Dec. 15, 1982 Observer: “Christmas music fills Centenoka Park Mall as South Broadview students perform yuletide songs Friday evening.” <em>Images from the Observer Collection courtesy of R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum. </em>

Shuswap history in pictures: Christmas music at the mall

From the Dec. 15, 1982 Observer: “Christmas music fills Centenoka Park Mall…

  • Nov 29, 2022
From the Dec. 15, 1982 Observer: “Christmas music fills Centenoka Park Mall as South Broadview students perform yuletide songs Friday evening.” <em>Images from the Observer Collection courtesy of R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum. </em>
The documentary Fracking the Peace will be shown in a presentation titled Fracking our Future: the Costs and consequences of LNG development for B.C., on Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 7 p.m. at The Nexus/Salmon Arm First United Church. (Fracking the Peace/Youtube)

Fracking concerns front and centre in Salmon Arm presentation

Documentary Fracking the Peace to be shown at Nov. 29 event

  • Nov 28, 2022
The documentary Fracking the Peace will be shown in a presentation titled Fracking our Future: the Costs and consequences of LNG development for B.C., on Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 7 p.m. at The Nexus/Salmon Arm First United Church. (Fracking the Peace/Youtube)
The Christmas tree at Rutland Centennial Park was lit up at a community event on Nov. 27, 2022 (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

A snowy good time at Kelowna’s Rutland Winter Light Up

Organizers estimate 3,000 people attended throughout the day

  • Nov 28, 2022
The Christmas tree at Rutland Centennial Park was lit up at a community event on Nov. 27, 2022 (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
Canada’s Scott Kennedy, left, and El Salvador’s Nelson Bonilla compete for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

QUIZ: How much do you know about world cup soccer?

Soccer is enjoyed around the world and is played by people of all ages

Canada’s Scott Kennedy, left, and El Salvador’s Nelson Bonilla compete for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Chhristine Muller and Donna Sloan of C and D Recreations take thrifted decorations and repurpose them to bring them new life. They sold their Christmas and fall decorations at the Christmas Gift and Craft Sale at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Salmon Arm, Nov. 26 2022. (Rebecca Willson/ Salmon Arm Observer)

PHOTOS: Popular craft fair returns to Salmon Arm church

Vendors and shoppers excited to have markets back, able to socialize

Chhristine Muller and Donna Sloan of C and D Recreations take thrifted decorations and repurpose them to bring them new life. They sold their Christmas and fall decorations at the Christmas Gift and Craft Sale at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Salmon Arm, Nov. 26 2022. (Rebecca Willson/ Salmon Arm Observer)
A Salvation Army kettle donation stand with no volunteer on a busy Saturday morning at Peavey Mart in Salmon Arm. Volunteers have been hard to find for the organization. Nov. 26, 2022. (Rebecca Willson/ Salmon Arm Observer)

Salmon Arm Salvation Army recruiting kettle campaign volunteers for the holiday season

Great opportunity for social people at 7 locations in the city

A Salvation Army kettle donation stand with no volunteer on a busy Saturday morning at Peavey Mart in Salmon Arm. Volunteers have been hard to find for the organization. Nov. 26, 2022. (Rebecca Willson/ Salmon Arm Observer)
Thousands of people from Summerland and beyond gathered in the downtown for the 35th annual Festival of Lights. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

Crowds out for Summerland Festival of Lights

Full celebration of start of festive season had last been held in 2019

Thousands of people from Summerland and beyond gathered in the downtown for the 35th annual Festival of Lights. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)