Community

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KCR: Volunteering provides health and safety services

KCR Community Resources shares stories of its volunteers in a weekly column

  • Dec 16, 2021
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Shannon Lake Elementary school in West Kelowna. (Contributed)

West Kelowna students facing middle school catchment shift

Graduating Shannon Lake Elementary students could be redirected to École Glenrosa Middle

Shannon Lake Elementary school in West Kelowna. (Contributed)
Salmon Arm resident Sara Mitchell was able to locate the intended recipient of a gift basket left at her house on Dec. 5. Now the recipient, Karen Whidden, is trying to find the person who made the initial delivery to say thanks. (Contributed)

Delivery mystery: Salmon Arm resident hopes to give thanks to sender

Bouquet, gift basket initially dropped off by mistake at neighbour’s house

Salmon Arm resident Sara Mitchell was able to locate the intended recipient of a gift basket left at her house on Dec. 5. Now the recipient, Karen Whidden, is trying to find the person who made the initial delivery to say thanks. (Contributed)
Staples Vernon manager Jamie Wattie (left) and Leo Campeau of Sleep In Heavenly Peace Vernon hope people will Fill the Bunks with new bedding accessories. Donations of new pillows, blankets, sheets and covers can be made at Staples. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Building a good night’s sleep: Vernon group ensures all kids have a bed

Sleep In Heavenly Peace made up of volunteers who build bunk beds for those who have nothing to sleep on

Staples Vernon manager Jamie Wattie (left) and Leo Campeau of Sleep In Heavenly Peace Vernon hope people will Fill the Bunks with new bedding accessories. Donations of new pillows, blankets, sheets and covers can be made at Staples. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu (second from right) thanks a Vernon Jubilee Hospital employee for their work with breakfast Tuesday morning, Dec. 14. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

North Okanagan hospital staff spirits boosted with burritos

Harwinder Sandhu, former nurse, sponsors breakfast for healthcare workers to say thank you

Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu (second from right) thanks a Vernon Jubilee Hospital employee for their work with breakfast Tuesday morning, Dec. 14. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Supt. Kara Triance of the Kelowna RCMP at the gala. (Impact Tomorrow)

First responders, frontline workers celebrated at Kelowna gala event

The Impact Tomorrow gala was the largest in-person event in Kelowna of 2021

  • Dec 14, 2021
Supt. Kara Triance of the Kelowna RCMP at the gala. (Impact Tomorrow)
In 1958, Vancouverite Ann Meraw swam Okanagan Lake non-stop, without a wetsuit from Kelowna to Penticton (88 kilometres) in 32 hours, 12 minutes — a feat that has never been matched. (BC Sports Hall of Fame Vancouver Public Library Historical Photographs Collection)

The woman who swam the entire length of Okanagan Lake in 1958

Many have attempted the 88 km swim, but no one has matched Ann Meraw

In 1958, Vancouverite Ann Meraw swam Okanagan Lake non-stop, without a wetsuit from Kelowna to Penticton (88 kilometres) in 32 hours, 12 minutes — a feat that has never been matched. (BC Sports Hall of Fame Vancouver Public Library Historical Photographs Collection)
James Dyck (sixth from left), with daughter Cadence Trottier, was the surprised and grateful recipient of a refurbished Jeep gifted to him with a year's insurance by Braby Motors, Fix Auto, Kal Tire and SASCU in the 4th annual Shuswap Christmas Car Giveaway. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

VIDEO: Salmon Arm businesses surprise former first responder with early Christmas gift

Braby Motors, Fix Auto, Kal Tire and SASCU unite for 4th annual Shuswap Christmas Car Giveaway

James Dyck (sixth from left), with daughter Cadence Trottier, was the surprised and grateful recipient of a refurbished Jeep gifted to him with a year's insurance by Braby Motors, Fix Auto, Kal Tire and SASCU in the 4th annual Shuswap Christmas Car Giveaway. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
The cold snap has opened more temporary shelter space for Vernon's homeless population. (Turning Points Society photo)

Vernon shelters full, but not turning away homeless

While space is not an issue, Turning Points is asking for Christmas donations

The cold snap has opened more temporary shelter space for Vernon's homeless population. (Turning Points Society photo)
Chains on the tires are required when one takes the shortcut to Naramata on frozen Okanagan Lake. In the early 20th century, the lake would sometimes freeze over in the winter. However, it has been many decades since the lake last froze over. At times there has been ice near the shore, allowing for some skating on the frozen surface. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Boats and cars have been seen on Okanagan Lake

Lake used to freeze over during the winter

Chains on the tires are required when one takes the shortcut to Naramata on frozen Okanagan Lake. In the early 20th century, the lake would sometimes freeze over in the winter. However, it has been many decades since the lake last froze over. At times there has been ice near the shore, allowing for some skating on the frozen surface. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
Shooting for the Stars is one of several artworks up for auction in support of the Okanagan Science Centre. (Roxi Hermsen photo)

Okanagan Science Centre shoots for the stars

Auction to purchase new projector in memory of founders

Shooting for the Stars is one of several artworks up for auction in support of the Okanagan Science Centre. (Roxi Hermsen photo)
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)
This historic photo is of a Volkswagon Rabbit crossing one of the KVR trestles in 1987. The photo was shared to the Old Kelowna Facebook page by Arlene Hildred, and features her and her husband in the car. She said the trestles are located just after leaving the parking lot of Myra Canyon. If you have photos of Kelowna’s historic past that you would like to share please send them to newstips@kelownacapnews.com to be featured.

A look back at Kelowna’s past

KVR trestles in 1987

  • Dec 9, 2021
This historic photo is of a Volkswagon Rabbit crossing one of the KVR trestles in 1987. The photo was shared to the Old Kelowna Facebook page by Arlene Hildred, and features her and her husband in the car. She said the trestles are located just after leaving the parking lot of Myra Canyon. If you have photos of Kelowna’s historic past that you would like to share please send them to newstips@kelownacapnews.com to be featured.
Cleo

KCR: Lake Country organization seeking board directors

KCR Community Resources shares stories of its volunteers in a weekly column

  • Dec 9, 2021
Cleo
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)

Vernon home to potentially tallest pickleball tree in the world

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)
KGH nurses and COHA nurses with hug scarves. (COHA)

Central Okanagan Hospice Association finds way to ‘hug’ healthcare workers

Hug scarves were created and made for Kelowna healthcare workers

KGH nurses and COHA nurses with hug scarves. (COHA)
The Central Okanagan Food Bank launched its Christmas hamper program on Wednesday, Dec. 7. (Paula Tran/Kelowna Capital News)

PHOTOS: Food insecurity in Kelowna a rising concern this holiday season says food bank

The Central Okanagan Food Bank saw an increase in registrations this year

The Central Okanagan Food Bank launched its Christmas hamper program on Wednesday, Dec. 7. (Paula Tran/Kelowna Capital News)
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.
Kettle Valley Santa Clause Parade (pixbay)

Annual Kettle Valley Santa parade in honour of son lost to fentanyl overdose

A mother has started a holiday parade to raise money for Bridge Youth Services in memory of her son

Kettle Valley Santa Clause Parade (pixbay)
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)