Christmas

In this photo provided by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, a 22 Wing member is seen showing how they track Santa on his sleigh on Christmas evening during a media preview at the Canadian Forces Base in North Bay on Dec. 9, 2021. In a Christmas Eve tradition going on its 66th year, a wildly popular program run by the U.S. and Canadian militaries is providing real-time updates on Santa’s progress around the globe — and fielding calls from children who want to know St. Nick’s exact whereabouts. (Sable Brown/NORAD via AP)

Yes, there is a Santa Claus. And no, COVID-19 won’t stop him

NORAD will provide real-time updates on Santa’s progress Dec. 24, pandemic or no pandemic

In this photo provided by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, a 22 Wing member is seen showing how they track Santa on his sleigh on Christmas evening during a media preview at the Canadian Forces Base in North Bay on Dec. 9, 2021. In a Christmas Eve tradition going on its 66th year, a wildly popular program run by the U.S. and Canadian militaries is providing real-time updates on Santa’s progress around the globe — and fielding calls from children who want to know St. Nick’s exact whereabouts. (Sable Brown/NORAD via AP)
November 10, 2021 - Items at Five Fields shop in Oak Bay for Christmas decor feature in Tweed magazine. Don Denton photo

Homemade for the Christmas holidays

Do-it-yourself decorating for a greener world

  • Dec 24, 2021
November 10, 2021 - Items at Five Fields shop in Oak Bay for Christmas decor feature in Tweed magazine. Don Denton photo
Santa Claus stops at the McKechnie subdivision with the Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department, collection donations for the food bank and spreading Christmas cheer Sunday, Dec. 19. (James Watt photo)

Armstrong helps Santa feed the need for Christmas

The Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department along with the Armstrong Ladies Club once…

Santa Claus stops at the McKechnie subdivision with the Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department, collection donations for the food bank and spreading Christmas cheer Sunday, Dec. 19. (James Watt photo)
People wearing face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19 walk past a Christmas display in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? What about eggnog – yay or nay?

On the plus side, more Canadians expecting the holidays to be less stressful than last year

People wearing face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19 walk past a Christmas display in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Olivia Jackson recounts her adventure with ‘a grinch’ Wednesday, Dec. 22. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Grand Forks girl finds the Grinch before Christmas

‘The Grinch hates Christmas,’ says six-year-old Olivia Jackson

Olivia Jackson recounts her adventure with ‘a grinch’ Wednesday, Dec. 22. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
A Grinch stole an important part of a Vernon man’s Christmas light display sometime Dec. 22. (Contributed)

Grinch steals Christmas spirit in Vernon

Theft dims lights on resident’s seasonal display

A Grinch stole an important part of a Vernon man’s Christmas light display sometime Dec. 22. (Contributed)
FILE - Robin Pecknold of the Fleet Foxes performs at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival on April 14, 2018, in Indio, Calif. The Fleet Foxes song “White Winter Hymnal,” written by Pecknold, and released in 2008, has become a modern holiday standard, sung by children’s choirs in countless school assemblies. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

Red snow? Song becomes a most unexpected modern standard for the holidays

Songwriter surprised at how ‘White Winter Hymnal’ has turned into a Christmas staple

FILE - Robin Pecknold of the Fleet Foxes performs at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival on April 14, 2018, in Indio, Calif. The Fleet Foxes song “White Winter Hymnal,” written by Pecknold, and released in 2008, has become a modern holiday standard, sung by children’s choirs in countless school assemblies. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)
(L-R) Les Folles Jambettes’ Vanessa Reyes-Golding, Sarah Leslie and Melanie Shenstone pose for a photo next to a family of snow people displayed at a home on 17th Avenue, near the intersection of 77th Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 18. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Grand Forks’ Can Can dancers trot out Christmas flash mobs

City residents with amazing Christmas displays were treated to the surprise dances

(L-R) Les Folles Jambettes’ Vanessa Reyes-Golding, Sarah Leslie and Melanie Shenstone pose for a photo next to a family of snow people displayed at a home on 17th Avenue, near the intersection of 77th Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 18. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
Lego has gone through considerable changes over the years. When was this toy introduced? (LEGO via AP)

QUIZ: How much do you know about toys and games?

From long-lasting traditions to fads, there’s a lot of history to play and recreation.

Lego has gone through considerable changes over the years. When was this toy introduced? (LEGO via AP)
200 turkey dinners were given away in Penticton and Princeton combined on Saturday (Dec. 18), courtesy of Ideal Energy and RPR Heating. (Peter Verge photo)

‘A magical day’: 200 turkey dinners given away in Penticton and Princeton

Ideal Energy and RPR Heating owner Leanne Diack called Saturday (Dec. 18) a day of appreciation

200 turkey dinners were given away in Penticton and Princeton combined on Saturday (Dec. 18), courtesy of Ideal Energy and RPR Heating. (Peter Verge photo)
Holiday celebrations often include special meals and foods. (Pixabay.com photo)

COLUMN: Food a part of many holiday traditions

Delicious meals showcased during the festive season

  • Dec 18, 2021
Holiday celebrations often include special meals and foods. (Pixabay.com photo)
Santa Claus will be on display in a virtual session that is bound to shock many on Dec. 22. (Patrick Davies photo - 100 Mile Free Press)

Gear up for Christmas with behind-the-beard Santa Claus presentation

An instructor at Selkirk College is presenting an ‘origins of Santa Claus’ session on Dec. 22

Santa Claus will be on display in a virtual session that is bound to shock many on Dec. 22. (Patrick Davies photo - 100 Mile Free Press)
Revelstoke house decorated for Christmas. (Josh Piercey/Revelstoke Review)

VIDEO: Revelstoke’s Christmas light tour

Check out the festive lights around Revelstoke

Revelstoke house decorated for Christmas. (Josh Piercey/Revelstoke Review)
Vernon’s Village Green Shopping Centre has partnered with Kelowna-based Media Button to produce The Christmas Ornament, a short film featuring a 100 per cent local cast and crew. (Village Green photo)
Vernon’s Village Green Shopping Centre has partnered with Kelowna-based Media Button to produce The Christmas Ornament, a short film featuring a 100 per cent local cast and crew. (Village Green photo)

Vernon shopping mall creates short Christmas film to spread holiday spirit

The Christmas Ornament will air in a Facebook live premiere Wednesday, Dec. 15

Huber Bannister Chevrolet general manager Julian Smallbone, left, and sales manager Will Seguin are committed to helping a family in need this holiday season. (Logan Lockhart, Western News)

Going the extra mile: Penticton car dealership to give away vehicle this Christmas

Huber Bannister Chevrolet is committed to helping a family in need this holiday season

Huber Bannister Chevrolet general manager Julian Smallbone, left, and sales manager Will Seguin are committed to helping a family in need this holiday season. (Logan Lockhart, Western News)
George Harrison and Diamond Campbell enjoy a Christmas meal at the fifth annual Festive Street Lunch at All Saints' Anglican Church Saturday. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Vernon charities serve seasonal meals for less fortunate

Festive lunches, Christmas dinners on the menu, with a side of cheer

George Harrison and Diamond Campbell enjoy a Christmas meal at the fifth annual Festive Street Lunch at All Saints' Anglican Church Saturday. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
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)
People dressed in Santa Claus costumes take part in Christmas run in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Bah! Humbug! Italian bishop apologizes for telling kids Santa doesn’t exist

A Roman Catholic diocese in Sicily publicly apologized to outraged parents after…

People dressed in Santa Claus costumes take part in Christmas run in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Arlene Arlow (back row third from left) from the Similkameen Country Chamber of Commerce visited the Ntamtqensnma?maya?tn Band School on December 10th to present Principal Stuart Krestell (back row centre) with a certificate from Boboys Pizza and Donair in Keremeos for winning one of three youth awards. (Sydney Crow - Submitted)

Lower Similkameen Indian Band youth and chief recognized for Light Up entries

The Ntamtqensnma?maya?tn Band School’s entry picked up one of three prizes for youth in 2021’s parade

Arlene Arlow (back row third from left) from the Similkameen Country Chamber of Commerce visited the Ntamtqensnma?maya?tn Band School on December 10th to present Principal Stuart Krestell (back row centre) with a certificate from Boboys Pizza and Donair in Keremeos for winning one of three youth awards. (Sydney Crow - Submitted)