Christmas

Kelly MacIntosh (standing) guides horses through a Spallumcheen field during Horse Drawn Okanagan’s Christmas Sleigh Ride event from 2019. The popular rides return in 2021 from Dec. 21-24, and 26-29. (Coralie Nairn photo)

North Okanagan horses help harness holidays

Harness the Holidays sleigh rides offered by Horse Drawn Okanagan after year off due to COVID

Kelly MacIntosh (standing) guides horses through a Spallumcheen field during Horse Drawn Okanagan’s Christmas Sleigh Ride event from 2019. The popular rides return in 2021 from Dec. 21-24, and 26-29. (Coralie Nairn photo)
James and Jamesy used the audience to their advantage on Wednesday and Thursday night in Penticton during the O Christmas Tea production. (Logan Lockhart, Western News)

REVIEW: James and Jamesy serve up O’ Christmas Tea to Penticton’s Cleland Theatre

When James and Jamesy are in the room, expect the unexpected

James and Jamesy used the audience to their advantage on Wednesday and Thursday night in Penticton during the O Christmas Tea production. (Logan Lockhart, Western News)
Catherine Crewe of Fernie with the card that she and Nancy Nester of Invermere have been sending back and forth to each other since 1964. Pictured here in 2021. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

60 years of good wishes: Two long-time Kootenay penpals keep a Christmas tradition alive

Catherine Crewe of Fernie, and Nancy Nester of Invermere have been sending the same card back and forth to each other since they were both five years old

Catherine Crewe of Fernie with the card that she and Nancy Nester of Invermere have been sending back and forth to each other since 1964. Pictured here in 2021. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
(Back row, L-R) Grand Forks’ Travis Tysick, wife Rena Bronstein, neighbours Karren Turner, Shirley and Ross Munro and Shane Zorn gather in front of a giant Santa on Valley Heights Drive Tuesday evening, Dec. 7. In the front row (L-R) are Cameron, Shannon and Blake Zorn and the Zorns’ dog, Marty. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Giant Santas come to Grand Forks neighbourhood

The Santas are massive and somewhat costly, but neighbours say they’re worth it

(Back row, L-R) Grand Forks’ Travis Tysick, wife Rena Bronstein, neighbours Karren Turner, Shirley and Ross Munro and Shane Zorn gather in front of a giant Santa on Valley Heights Drive Tuesday evening, Dec. 7. In the front row (L-R) are Cameron, Shannon and Blake Zorn and the Zorns’ dog, Marty. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in style with two elves on the wagon from the South Similkameen Museum to the Keremeos Light Up Parade last Saturday, Dec. 4. (Brennan Phillips - Review)
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in style with two elves on the wagon from the South Similkameen Museum to the Keremeos Light Up Parade last Saturday, Dec. 4. (Brennan Phillips - Review)
Santa is no stranger to taking his bicycle out for rides, having met up with children in Chilliwack in 2018 before coming to Penticton this year. (Jenna Hauck - File)

Santa will be cycling the Penticton bike lane Dec. 11

You can join Jolly St. Nick on a community ride with photos after at Gyro Park

Santa is no stranger to taking his bicycle out for rides, having met up with children in Chilliwack in 2018 before coming to Penticton this year. (Jenna Hauck - File)
With the arrival of December, Environment Canada officially observes the start of winter. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

This winter in the Okanagan is the hardest ever to predict, meteorologist says

To kick off the month of December, cities in the Okanagan set national heat records

With the arrival of December, Environment Canada officially observes the start of winter. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
Community Ministries Director at the Salvation Army in Penticton, Alan Madsen, says that his building is in dire need of more volunteers as Christmas approaches. (Logan Lockhart, Western News)

‘Desperately need more volunteers’: Salvation Army Penticton asks community for help

The non-for-profit organization says its workload amplifies during Christmas time

Community Ministries Director at the Salvation Army in Penticton, Alan Madsen, says that his building is in dire need of more volunteers as Christmas approaches. (Logan Lockhart, Western News)
The Town of Oliver is celebrating its Light Up Dec. 3 where they will once again light up the Christmas tunnel at Lion's Park as seen here last year with this photo taken by Chelsea Gillis. (Facebook)

Get ready to welcome back Oliver’s Light Up on Friday, Dec. 3

The fun begins at Triangle Park Gardens at 6 p.m.

The Town of Oliver is celebrating its Light Up Dec. 3 where they will once again light up the Christmas tunnel at Lion's Park as seen here last year with this photo taken by Chelsea Gillis. (Facebook)
The Scoop: Top headlines in Revelstoke. (Josh Piercey/Revelstoke Review)

VIDEO: The Scoop: Revelstoke’s headlines for the week of Nov. 21-27

Josh Piercey recaps the top news items in Revelstoke this week

The Scoop: Top headlines in Revelstoke. (Josh Piercey/Revelstoke Review)
The hall for the Keremeos branch of the Royal Canadian Legion #192. (Brennan Phillips - Keremeos Review)

Keremeos Legion gathering donations for Christmas hampers

Any non-perishable food goods are welcome

The hall for the Keremeos branch of the Royal Canadian Legion #192. (Brennan Phillips - Keremeos Review)
The Stocking Stuffers for Seniors tree is back up at the London Drugs in Cherry Lane Mall in Penticton. (Jenn Waid)

London Drugs’ Wish Tree for Seniors is back across the Okanagan

Pick a gift tag from the tree with a local senior’s name on it this holiday season

The Stocking Stuffers for Seniors tree is back up at the London Drugs in Cherry Lane Mall in Penticton. (Jenn Waid)
The last time the Santa Parade took place in Penticton was 2019. (Brennan Phillips Western News)

Penticton goes another year without the Santa Parade

Surrounding communities are going ahead with outdoor Christmas parades and events

The last time the Santa Parade took place in Penticton was 2019. (Brennan Phillips Western News)
Visitors take photos in Toronto’s Distillery District, on Saturday, December 19, 2020. Almost half of Canadians plan to abandon social distancing during holiday gatherings and hug, kiss and shake hands with friends and family, a poll shows. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

45 per cent prepared to ditch social distancing at holiday gatherings: poll

Only 35 per cent said they would invite someone who is not fully vaccinated into their home

Visitors take photos in Toronto’s Distillery District, on Saturday, December 19, 2020. Almost half of Canadians plan to abandon social distancing during holiday gatherings and hug, kiss and shake hands with friends and family, a poll shows. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Darcy Martin is the grandmother of Traci Genereaux, a Vernon teen whose remains were found on a farm on Salmon River Road near Silver Creek in October 2017. In honour of her memory, Martin and the family are sponsoring families in need with presents and food hampers this Christmas season, 2021. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Fundraiser honours woman found dead on Sagmoen farm in Shuswap 4 years ago

Family of Traci Genereaux sponsors those in need over Christmas season

Darcy Martin is the grandmother of Traci Genereaux, a Vernon teen whose remains were found on a farm on Salmon River Road near Silver Creek in October 2017. In honour of her memory, Martin and the family are sponsoring families in need with presents and food hampers this Christmas season, 2021. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Santa Claus at the 2019 Keremeos Light Up Parade. (Brennan Phillips - Keremeos Review)

Light Up parade returns to Keremeos this December

Following the parade will by events at the rec centre including frozen turkey curling

Santa Claus at the 2019 Keremeos Light Up Parade. (Brennan Phillips - Keremeos Review)
Hillview Elementary students Emma Li and Mina Nadeau were awarded by the Premier’s office for winning the annual holiday card contest. (Karen Rogers photo)

North Okanagan students’ art featured on Premier’s cards

Hillview youth chosen for annual holiday card contest

Hillview Elementary students Emma Li and Mina Nadeau were awarded by the Premier’s office for winning the annual holiday card contest. (Karen Rogers photo)
Jason Smith shows some of the elaborate holiday lights display at his home on Beavis Place. Houses in Summerland have been decorated with lights and other displays for the festive season. On Friday, Nov. 27, a drive-by lights tour was organized by Paul Biro, directing people to numerous homes and streets in the community. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

YEAR IN REVIEW: Summerland celebrated lights despite festival cancellation

While the Festival of Lights was cancelled, two drive-by holiday lights events were organized

Jason Smith shows some of the elaborate holiday lights display at his home on Beavis Place. Houses in Summerland have been decorated with lights and other displays for the festive season. On Friday, Nov. 27, a drive-by lights tour was organized by Paul Biro, directing people to numerous homes and streets in the community. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)
(Depositphotos.com)

Give your Christmas tree back to the wild by leaving it outside: nature conservancy

The trees can be a great benefit to local wildlife

  • Dec 29, 2020
(Depositphotos.com)
Members of the three Salmon Arm Rotary clubs, First United Church, Broadview Evangelical Free church and Second Harvest teamed up, following pandemic protocols, to provide more than 600 individual meals to those in need on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2020. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

Over 600 Christmas dinners-to-go provided to Shuswap residents in need

Volunteers from three Salmon Arm Rotary Clubs, churches create a pandemic protocol-friendly meal

Members of the three Salmon Arm Rotary clubs, First United Church, Broadview Evangelical Free church and Second Harvest teamed up, following pandemic protocols, to provide more than 600 individual meals to those in need on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2020. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)