Community

Kristjan Marteinsson first built the Alexander Street little free library about eight years ago in Salmon Arm. (Chris Marteinsson photo)

Builder of little free library in Salmon Arm humble about helping community

‘I’m just one of many that takes care of something like this, so people can enjoy’

Kristjan Marteinsson first built the Alexander Street little free library about eight years ago in Salmon Arm. (Chris Marteinsson photo)
A Celebration of Life for John Mitschke, longtime portrayer of Santa Claus in Vernon, will be held Saturday, Sept. 9, 11 a.m., at the Upper Room Mission. (Morning Star file photo)

Celebration of Life set for Vernon Santa

John Mitschke will be remember at service Saturday, Sept 9, at 11 a.m. at the Upper Room Mission

A Celebration of Life for John Mitschke, longtime portrayer of Santa Claus in Vernon, will be held Saturday, Sept. 9, 11 a.m., at the Upper Room Mission. (Morning Star file photo)
Kelowna RCMP Media Relations Officer patrols in front of Raymer Elementary School as kids return to class on Tuesday, Sept. 5. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)

‘This happens every year’: Kelowna RCMP educating public as school’s back in session

School zones of 30 km/h are back in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Kelowna RCMP Media Relations Officer patrols in front of Raymer Elementary School as kids return to class on Tuesday, Sept. 5. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)
Shuswap 4-H Club members Emma and Sam Muddiman and Julianna Turner on horseback, and Sylvia Turner and Addison Reimer, pose for a photo at the Armstrong IPE, which ran Aug. 30 to Sept. 3, 2023. (Scarlett Hutchison photo)

Column: Shuswap 4-H Club at the IPE in Armstrong

By Shuswap 4-H Club reporter Scarlett Hutchison

  • Sep 5, 2023
Shuswap 4-H Club members Emma and Sam Muddiman and Julianna Turner on horseback, and Sylvia Turner and Addison Reimer, pose for a photo at the Armstrong IPE, which ran Aug. 30 to Sept. 3, 2023. (Scarlett Hutchison photo)
From the May 25, 1983 Observer: "A Fun Run race gets under way in front of the Jock Shop on Alexander on early Saturday morning. Organizer Dave Adams is planning another race in June." Image courtesy the Salmon Arm Observer collection in the Archives @ R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum.

Shuswap history in pictures: Go!

From the May 25, 1983 Observer

  • Sep 5, 2023
From the May 25, 1983 Observer: "A Fun Run race gets under way in front of the Jock Shop on Alexander on early Saturday morning. Organizer Dave Adams is planning another race in June." Image courtesy the Salmon Arm Observer collection in the Archives @ R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum.
Larry Evans, the ‘Indiana Jones of Mushrooms’, identifies and teaches about mushroom varieties at the 2014 Fungi Fest in Sicamous. (Fungi Fest photo)

Foraging fans to flock to Fungi Fest in Sicamous

Popular mushroom-themed weekend returns Sept. 15-17

Larry Evans, the ‘Indiana Jones of Mushrooms’, identifies and teaches about mushroom varieties at the 2014 Fungi Fest in Sicamous. (Fungi Fest photo)
The Okanagan Sun’s Burn Fund Classic Football game is set for Sept. 9, 2023. (contributed)

Charity football game to support Central Okanagan Fire Relief Fund

Country singer Dawson Grey will headline halftime

  • Sep 4, 2023
The Okanagan Sun’s Burn Fund Classic Football game is set for Sept. 9, 2023. (contributed)
The Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society’s Employment Services Team of Enzo Vera-Valencia (from left), Carly Gare, Harriet Gutang, Mackenzie Owens, and Jade Hinds report a 95 per cent employment rate with its programs. (Contributed)

Vernon immigrant society employment program a huge hit

Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society maintains 95 per cent employment rate

The Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society’s Employment Services Team of Enzo Vera-Valencia (from left), Carly Gare, Harriet Gutang, Mackenzie Owens, and Jade Hinds report a 95 per cent employment rate with its programs. (Contributed)
A Camosun College program is giving automotive technicians the skills the need to work on electric vehicles. (Photo courtesy of Camosun College)

QUIZ: In celebration of workers

Labour Day, on the first Monday of September, is a time to honour the achievements of workers

A Camosun College program is giving automotive technicians the skills the need to work on electric vehicles. (Photo courtesy of Camosun College)
One-year-old Olive Mattioli walks the runway with her dog Mia, dressed in a luxurious top, at the dog fashion show hosted by Polson Artisan Market in Polson Park Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Canine Couture: Dog fashion show a highlight of Vernon market

Several dogs strutted their stuff at Polson Artisan Market Friday night

One-year-old Olive Mattioli walks the runway with her dog Mia, dressed in a luxurious top, at the dog fashion show hosted by Polson Artisan Market in Polson Park Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
The Whitevalley Community Resource Centre has launched a trishaw program in which volunteer pilots take seniors for a ride around town on a three-wheeled bicycle. The program kicked off in August 2023. (Jerry Mason photo)

Lumby seniors given gift of mobility as trishaw rides launch

Seniors can now sign up for a trishaw ride in which a volunteer pedals them around the community

The Whitevalley Community Resource Centre has launched a trishaw program in which volunteer pilots take seniors for a ride around town on a three-wheeled bicycle. The program kicked off in August 2023. (Jerry Mason photo)
Roughly 75 people showed up to help raise money for Parkinson’s disease research during the Parkinson Superwalk in Vernon, last year on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

SuperWalk paces Parkinson’s support in Vernon

Special flyover will honour warriors lost to the disease

Roughly 75 people showed up to help raise money for Parkinson’s disease research during the Parkinson Superwalk in Vernon, last year on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Ben Amos with bursary recipients, from left to right: Maya Halverson, Samuel Kliever and Ellia Schutz. (Photo- Submitted)

Bursary funds award close to $50k for students across South Okanagan-Similkameen

A total of 24 students region-wide find themselves on the receiving end of the awards

Ben Amos with bursary recipients, from left to right: Maya Halverson, Samuel Kliever and Ellia Schutz. (Photo- Submitted)
In four days, Vernon’s 100 Women Who Care raised $12,000 amongst members which, coupled with some private donations, became part of more than $21,000 raised to help evacuees and firefighters of wildfires in the Okanagan and Shuswap. (Contributed)

Vernon women spread care to evacuees and firefighters

100 Women Who Care group raised more than $21,000

In four days, Vernon’s 100 Women Who Care raised $12,000 amongst members which, coupled with some private donations, became part of more than $21,000 raised to help evacuees and firefighters of wildfires in the Okanagan and Shuswap. (Contributed)
Skyler Punnett’s new illistration, ‘The Crow That Ate The Wind,’ honours the first responders who fight wildfires. (Skyler Punnett)

Penticton artist honours firefighters nationwide

Proceeds from the work’s sales set to go to the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation

Skyler Punnett’s new illistration, ‘The Crow That Ate The Wind,’ honours the first responders who fight wildfires. (Skyler Punnett)
Connections lunches were donated to support wildfire workers, once the employee led event was cancelled. (OC)

Okanagan College steps up to support wildfire efforts

It was just one example of the many efforts the OC community has undertaken in their communities

  • Aug 29, 2023
Connections lunches were donated to support wildfire workers, once the employee led event was cancelled. (OC)
Clint Smith (centre canoe), assisted by his daughter Lindsay, instructs a class of beginning canoeists at Salmon Arm Marina. The three session mini-course runs for three consecutive Tuesday evenings. Image courtesy the Salmon Arm Observer collection in the Archives @ R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum.

Shuswap history in pictures: Canoe lessons

Clint Smith (centre canoe), assisted by his daughter Lindsay, instructs a class…

Clint Smith (centre canoe), assisted by his daughter Lindsay, instructs a class of beginning canoeists at Salmon Arm Marina. The three session mini-course runs for three consecutive Tuesday evenings. Image courtesy the Salmon Arm Observer collection in the Archives @ R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum.
The Subaru Ironman 70.3 Victoria is taking place on May 29 in Greater Victoria with much of the cycling course on the Saanich Peninsula. (Black Press Media file photo)

QUIZ: Preparing for an Ironman

The gruelling event involves swimming, cycling and running

The Subaru Ironman 70.3 Victoria is taking place on May 29 in Greater Victoria with much of the cycling course on the Saanich Peninsula. (Black Press Media file photo)
Elizabeth’s sketchbook features 10 years’ worth of art, with images from locations across the South Okanagan and Western Australia. (City of Penticton/Facebook)

Penticton artist ‘grateful’ after city staff find missing sketchbook on beach

City made a call to the public in an attempt to reunite art with owner

Elizabeth’s sketchbook features 10 years’ worth of art, with images from locations across the South Okanagan and Western Australia. (City of Penticton/Facebook)
Samaritan's Purse

Group helps Okanagan wildfire victims sift through rubble

Samaritan’s Purse in Kelowna and Kamloops helping with cleanup

Samaritan's Purse