Community

The District of Sicamous Planning and Development Committee looked at provincial regulations for building a dock in lagoon water that is not affected by Riparian Areas Protection Regulation but that the province is now enforcing that legislation on for any new development. This image shows the required setback from the water that any new build would have to be placed at. (District of Sicamous image)

Permit requirements murky for properties along Sicamous lagoon

Resident says permits not required since 1970 now enforced in riparian areas

The District of Sicamous Planning and Development Committee looked at provincial regulations for building a dock in lagoon water that is not affected by Riparian Areas Protection Regulation but that the province is now enforcing that legislation on for any new development. This image shows the required setback from the water that any new build would have to be placed at. (District of Sicamous image)
(Submitted photo)

Vernon restaurant gone to the birds with mini Wings

A exact miniture replica of the Wings Vernon restaurant was created by Barnwood Birdhouses

(Submitted photo)
Nathanael Gaynor looks through a spotting-scope at a colour of a bald eagle’s eyes as his sister, Joy, waits for her turn. (Contributed)

Eagle-eyed youth conduct rewarding bird count along Salmon Arm Foreshore Trail

Kids spot 17 species during outing hosted by NatureKids Salmon Arm

  • Jan 11, 2023
Nathanael Gaynor looks through a spotting-scope at a colour of a bald eagle’s eyes as his sister, Joy, waits for her turn. (Contributed)
The cookbook Sharing Food Across Generations and Cultures is full of recipes from new immigrants to the Shuswap. The recipes were cooked by the newcomers and a senior citizen they were partnered with in the community to bond and share their home country’s food. (Contributed)

Shuswap seniors and newcomers bond over shared recipes, create cookbook

Book Sharing Food Across Generations and Cultures promotes multiculturalism, understanding

The cookbook Sharing Food Across Generations and Cultures is full of recipes from new immigrants to the Shuswap. The recipes were cooked by the newcomers and a senior citizen they were partnered with in the community to bond and share their home country’s food. (Contributed)
Sarah Tokarek of Shuswap Adventure Girl outdoor adventure and travel blog, along with her adventuring companions, took part in the popular New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim in the North Shuswap. But when most brave souls were back on shore warming up, the Adventure Girls were still enjoying the water because they cold swim nearly every day in the Shuswap. (Photo contributed)

Snapshot: Basking in the chill of Shuswap Lake on New Year’s Day

Shuswap Adventure Girls stay for a soak after Polar Plunge in North Shuswap

Sarah Tokarek of Shuswap Adventure Girl outdoor adventure and travel blog, along with her adventuring companions, took part in the popular New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim in the North Shuswap. But when most brave souls were back on shore warming up, the Adventure Girls were still enjoying the water because they cold swim nearly every day in the Shuswap. (Photo contributed)
A pair of Indigenous-styled salmon posters that were first displayed at Salmon Arm West Elementary School approximately 40 years ago by now retired teacher Linda McLeod are now framed and mounted on a wall in the school’s gym for all to see. (School District 83 photos)

Salmon Arm elementary school’s enduring illustrations given new home for all to enjoy

Story of artworks’ journey and connection to school shared in assembly at Salmon Arm West

  • Jan 9, 2023
A pair of Indigenous-styled salmon posters that were first displayed at Salmon Arm West Elementary School approximately 40 years ago by now retired teacher Linda McLeod are now framed and mounted on a wall in the school’s gym for all to see. (School District 83 photos)
First Link® Dementia Helpline can provide you with the support and answeres you need.

Stand up against dementia stigma this Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Jana Schulz of Cranbrook, B.C. – a registered social worker, working as…

  • Jan 9, 2023
First Link® Dementia Helpline can provide you with the support and answeres you need.
From left to right, Serena Caner, SFAS executive director, Melanie Bennett, SFAS project coordinator, Barry Delaney, president and CEO of SASCU, Dave Wallace, Askew’s operations manager and Erin Stagg, SASCU community lead. Askew’s and SASCU co-sponsor the Coldest Night of the Year in 2023 again, supporting local food programs and hungry and unhoused people in the Shuswap. (Contributed)

Salmon Arm’s Coldest Night of the Year walk supports food security in community

Walks around the city raise funds and awareness for local food programs

From left to right, Serena Caner, SFAS executive director, Melanie Bennett, SFAS project coordinator, Barry Delaney, president and CEO of SASCU, Dave Wallace, Askew’s operations manager and Erin Stagg, SASCU community lead. Askew’s and SASCU co-sponsor the Coldest Night of the Year in 2023 again, supporting local food programs and hungry and unhoused people in the Shuswap. (Contributed)
Joanne Benson (left) and Sandi Lightfoot rehearse their lines on Jan. 12, 1983 for Shuswap Theatre’s production, ‘A Flea in Her Ear,’ a French bedroom farce directed by James Bowlby. (R.J. Haney Heritage Village Museum photo)

Shuswap history in pictures: ‘A Flea in Her Ear’

Joanne Benson (left) and Sandi Lightfoot rehearse their lines on Jan. 12,…

Joanne Benson (left) and Sandi Lightfoot rehearse their lines on Jan. 12, 1983 for Shuswap Theatre’s production, ‘A Flea in Her Ear,’ a French bedroom farce directed by James Bowlby. (R.J. Haney Heritage Village Museum photo)
A trio of winter swans forage through the old corn maze at O'Keefe Ranch Jan. 5, 2023. (John Gallant Photography)

Swans captured wintering in North Okanagan

Photographers get birds on camera and video

A trio of winter swans forage through the old corn maze at O'Keefe Ranch Jan. 5, 2023. (John Gallant Photography)
Grey Fox Brewing is the newest brewery in the Okanagan and is the first that is fully gluten-free. (@greyfoxbrewery/Instagram)

Grab a growler of gluten-free beer at new Lake Country brewery

Beers to be available at a number of local distributors

Grey Fox Brewing is the newest brewery in the Okanagan and is the first that is fully gluten-free. (@greyfoxbrewery/Instagram)
Sicamous Mayor Colleen Anderson reflects on 2022, saying the year held both successes and challenges. Anderson has been mayor since the October 2022 election. (District of Sicamous image)

Sicamous mayor reflects on successes and challenges of 2022

Mayor Colleen Anderson thanked businesses, community, excited to socially gather again

Sicamous Mayor Colleen Anderson reflects on 2022, saying the year held both successes and challenges. Anderson has been mayor since the October 2022 election. (District of Sicamous image)
Summerland resident Debi Johnson calms a busy Penticton Regional Hospital with the soothing sounds of her harp on Wednesday, Jan. 4. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

VIDEO: Soothing sounds of harp calm busy Penticton hospital

Debi Johnson said the sounds of her harp has a calming effect on both patients and staff

Summerland resident Debi Johnson calms a busy Penticton Regional Hospital with the soothing sounds of her harp on Wednesday, Jan. 4. (Monique Tamminga Western News)
The Shuswap Fire Department will hold a Christmas tree burn bonfire on Jan. 10 in Sorrento for community members to gather and enjoy refreshments and music while getting rid of their holiday trees. (Shuswap Fire Department/ Facebook)

Christmas trees to sizzle at Shuswap Fire Department’s first annual bonfire

Evening includes music and refreshments, donations collected for community aid fund

The Shuswap Fire Department will hold a Christmas tree burn bonfire on Jan. 10 in Sorrento for community members to gather and enjoy refreshments and music while getting rid of their holiday trees. (Shuswap Fire Department/ Facebook)
The Shuswap Pipes n’ Drums band will be performing at the Sicamous Legion Saturday, Jan. 21 at 5:30 p.m. (Shuswap Pipes n’ Drums/Facebook)

Sicamous Legion hosting Robbie Burns night

Evening includes dinner complete with haggis and Shuswap Pipes n’ Drums performance

The Shuswap Pipes n’ Drums band will be performing at the Sicamous Legion Saturday, Jan. 21 at 5:30 p.m. (Shuswap Pipes n’ Drums/Facebook)
Christine Burwell takes the throne as Kniven Cadden and Braydon Gauthier race the TP 4 UR PP to the finish line in the Lumby Outhouse Races Monday, Feb. 21, 2022 at the Salmon Trail. The second annual Lumby Outhouse Race is set for Sunday, Jan. 22. (Morning Star - file photo)

Lumby Outhouse Races ready to flow

Family, fun-filled event slated for Sunday, Jan. 22, at West Salmon Trail parking lot

Christine Burwell takes the throne as Kniven Cadden and Braydon Gauthier race the TP 4 UR PP to the finish line in the Lumby Outhouse Races Monday, Feb. 21, 2022 at the Salmon Trail. The second annual Lumby Outhouse Race is set for Sunday, Jan. 22. (Morning Star - file photo)
Enderby mayor and council presented longtime grocery store owner Seng Phung with a Lifetime Civic Merit Award on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. (City of Enderby photo)

Enderby honours longtime grocery store owner, volunteer

Seng Phung was presented with the Lifetime Civic Merit Award on Monday

Enderby mayor and council presented longtime grocery store owner Seng Phung with a Lifetime Civic Merit Award on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. (City of Enderby photo)
Golden is on the road to recovery. (AlleyCats/ Facebook)

Emaciated cat staggers the ‘Golden Mile’ to seek refuge at South Okanagan winery

Golden the tabby is now in the care of AlleyCats Alliance

Golden is on the road to recovery. (AlleyCats/ Facebook)
Colour returned to Highway 3A at the “S” curves over the holidays. The coloured icicles provide motorists with a startling blast of colour as they make their way in or out of the canyon. (Facebook)

Colourful ice returns to Highway 3A between Twin Lakes and Kaleden

The yearly tradition continues to brighten up the winter

Colour returned to Highway 3A at the “S” curves over the holidays. The coloured icicles provide motorists with a startling blast of colour as they make their way in or out of the canyon. (Facebook)
Kerry Fortier and Lyle Martin were among about half a dozen people who came to Canoe Beach on Jan. 1, 2023, hoping for a New Year’s Day Polar Bear Dip. However, the water was too low and the ice too thick, so the two hardy individuals tried farther down the lake. There they agreed to humour the photographer and strike a pose as they put their feet into a small pond in icy Shuswap Lake. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

Low water at Canoe Beach near Salmon Arm denies hardy swimmers a polar plunge

Two residents humour photographer by putting feet in icy pond in Shuswap Lake

Kerry Fortier and Lyle Martin were among about half a dozen people who came to Canoe Beach on Jan. 1, 2023, hoping for a New Year’s Day Polar Bear Dip. However, the water was too low and the ice too thick, so the two hardy individuals tried farther down the lake. There they agreed to humour the photographer and strike a pose as they put their feet into a small pond in icy Shuswap Lake. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)