Community

A new campaign is reminding people not to abandon those in their lives due to a diagnosis of dementia. (Submitted)

Don’t abandon friends with dementia

Alzheimer Society of B.C. awareness campaign this fall: “Don’t change. Even if they do.”

  • Dec 18, 2020
A new campaign is reminding people not to abandon those in their lives due to a diagnosis of dementia. (Submitted)
Thomas Payne, 3, and Ronald Choley, 9, chat with Santa through their car window during a socially distanced visit in Honeymoon Bay on Sunday afternoon For the full story, see page 13. (Kevin Rothbauer/Gazette)

Socially distanced Santa a success in Honeymoon Bay

24 families take advantage of COVID-safe visits in Honeymoon Bay

Thomas Payne, 3, and Ronald Choley, 9, chat with Santa through their car window during a socially distanced visit in Honeymoon Bay on Sunday afternoon For the full story, see page 13. (Kevin Rothbauer/Gazette)
Ron Nicolaye and the pole on the Island Highway at the Campbell River bridge that a drunk driver crashed into in 1983, changing his life forever. Photo by Marc Kitteringham – Campbell River Mirror

Impaired driving survivor implores people to not drink and drive this holiday season

Campbell River man looks back on 37th anniversary of life-changing incident

Ron Nicolaye and the pole on the Island Highway at the Campbell River bridge that a drunk driver crashed into in 1983, changing his life forever. Photo by Marc Kitteringham – Campbell River Mirror
From left, Norm Wills, president of the Mill Bay Community League, Traci Waite CMS Food Bank coordinator, and Shane Ryan, vice president of the Mill Bay Community League and CVRD alternate director for Mill Bay/Malahat. (Submitted)

Mill Bay Community League donates party money to food bank

Many Mill Bay/Malahat residents will avail of this community support

  • Dec 17, 2020
From left, Norm Wills, president of the Mill Bay Community League, Traci Waite CMS Food Bank coordinator, and Shane Ryan, vice president of the Mill Bay Community League and CVRD alternate director for Mill Bay/Malahat. (Submitted)
“Lake Cowichan Fire Department members, outside Country Grocer during their third annual Christmas Hamper Toy Drive event, Saturday, Dec. 11 [2010], wherein they collect non-perishable foods, monetary donations, and toys, for Cowichan Lake Community Services’ Christmas Hamper program. Throughout Friday evening and Saturday, the firefighters collected $1,419 and four truck loads of toys and food. The Christmas hampers will be put together by volunteers at the Centennial Hall, throughout the day, Wednesday, December 15, and distributed to recipients the following day.” (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette/Dec. 15, 2010)

Flashback: Singing sweetheart, an ice storm, new emergency leadership

Remember these stories from Lake Cowichan?

“Lake Cowichan Fire Department members, outside Country Grocer during their third annual Christmas Hamper Toy Drive event, Saturday, Dec. 11 [2010], wherein they collect non-perishable foods, monetary donations, and toys, for Cowichan Lake Community Services’ Christmas Hamper program. Throughout Friday evening and Saturday, the firefighters collected $1,419 and four truck loads of toys and food. The Christmas hampers will be put together by volunteers at the Centennial Hall, throughout the day, Wednesday, December 15, and distributed to recipients the following day.” (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette/Dec. 15, 2010)
Humpback whales seen frolicking near Comox, Dec. 5. Photo courtesy Peter Hamilton/Lifeforce Ocean Friends

VIDEO: Half a dozen humpback whales have play day near Vancouver Island shoreline

Peter Hamilton, founder of Life Force Ocean Friends, submitted this video of…

Humpback whales seen frolicking near Comox, Dec. 5. Photo courtesy Peter Hamilton/Lifeforce Ocean Friends
You can wave back to Santa at 2952 Severne St. in Chemainus on weekday afternoons and weekends from late morning until early afternoon. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Visiting hours set for socially-distanced Santa greetings in Chemainus

Walkers and drive-bys welcome at 2952 Severne St. in Chemainus until Dec. 20

You can wave back to Santa at 2952 Severne St. in Chemainus on weekday afternoons and weekends from late morning until early afternoon. (Photo by Don Bodger)
A special Tree of Life pendant that ‘Rose’ purchased during a sabbatical to Victoria. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Chemainus woman warns of scams on dating sites from personal experience

Rose gets her $1,500 back, but most aren’t as fortunate

A special Tree of Life pendant that ‘Rose’ purchased during a sabbatical to Victoria. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Comox Valley resident Gogs Gagnon book will be distributed to new prostate cancer patients in B.C. Photo supplied.

B.C. man’s book will be distributed to new prostate cancer patients throughout the province

Gogs Gagnon’s book to be included in Prostate Cancer Foundation BC’s kits

Comox Valley resident Gogs Gagnon book will be distributed to new prostate cancer patients in B.C. Photo supplied.
‘Eileen Pilkington, right, and her daughter Brenda, in an entranceway to their Lions Christmas House yard, which is sprinkled with decorations. Every room in their house is covered with Christmas decorations, and Santa Claus may even pay them a visit. The house will open to the public Dec. 4, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. through to Dec. 12.’ (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, Dec. 1, 2010)

Flashback: Christmas, ICBC relents, and a BCFP fine

Remember these stories from Lake Cowichan?

‘Eileen Pilkington, right, and her daughter Brenda, in an entranceway to their Lions Christmas House yard, which is sprinkled with decorations. Every room in their house is covered with Christmas decorations, and Santa Claus may even pay them a visit. The house will open to the public Dec. 4, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. through to Dec. 12.’ (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, Dec. 1, 2010)
The Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary is taking a pro-active approach and closing the thrift shop as a precautionary measure as of Saturday. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary Thrift Shop closing again as a precautionary measure

Second closure this year will last at least six weeks due to the COVID situation

The Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary is taking a pro-active approach and closing the thrift shop as a precautionary measure as of Saturday. (Photo by Don Bodger)
The Santa’s Workshop fundraiser being put on by Camosun students on Dec. 5, 2020, will benefit Providence Farm. (Submitted)

Camosun students harness spirit holiday season with Providence Farm fundraiser

The next event, coming up on Dec. 5, is a virtual “Day in Santa’s Workshop”

  • Dec 3, 2020
The Santa’s Workshop fundraiser being put on by Camosun students on Dec. 5, 2020, will benefit Providence Farm. (Submitted)
12-year-old Ella Smiley captured some video of orcas on a sea lion hunt on Nov. 28 at Kitty Coleman Park, just north of Courtenay. Photo by Ella Smiley

VIDEO: Orcas hunt sea lion near Vancouver Island shoreline

Twelve-year-old Ella Smiley, of Comox Valley Wildlife Sightings, caught up with a…

12-year-old Ella Smiley captured some video of orcas on a sea lion hunt on Nov. 28 at Kitty Coleman Park, just north of Courtenay. Photo by Ella Smiley
The Needlers set up a craft display in conjunction with the Nov. 8 downtown sidewalk sale as an alternate revenue generating option for the Auxiliary. (Submitted)

Hospital Auxiliary assessing how to help after lean COVID period

HATS was the first operation to return

  • Nov 29, 2020
The Needlers set up a craft display in conjunction with the Nov. 8 downtown sidewalk sale as an alternate revenue generating option for the Auxiliary. (Submitted)
Lacey, a palomino paint, is in “amazing” shape now, compared to when she was rescued in August 2015. (Leanne Peniuk photo)

BC SPCA’s horse-rescue program offers equine intervention

Book Rescue Me raises funds, awareness for animal-welfare agency

Lacey, a palomino paint, is in “amazing” shape now, compared to when she was rescued in August 2015. (Leanne Peniuk photo)
Kimberly Feeny, left, rescues, fosters and homes cats with the Kootenay Animal Assistance Program. She and friend Lisa Valenta, right, spent Friday, Nov. 27 nursing seven rescued kitties at Feeny’s home in Grand Forks. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Kootenay women working to rescue 20 cats in feral colony

Kimberly Feeny and Lisa Valenta are nursing seven cats rescued east of Grand Forks, B.C.

Kimberly Feeny, left, rescues, fosters and homes cats with the Kootenay Animal Assistance Program. She and friend Lisa Valenta, right, spent Friday, Nov. 27 nursing seven rescued kitties at Feeny’s home in Grand Forks. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
Bhagwan Mayer. (Photo submitted)

Organizer of transporting the World’s Largest Hockey Stick to Cowichan remembered

Bhagwan Mayer a “hard-working fellow who cared about his community.”

Bhagwan Mayer. (Photo submitted)
Damien Smith, with father Thomas Smith, is “frozen” with joy as he watches a special message Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds recorded for Damien’s 9th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020. (Contributed)

Shuswap boy celebrates 9th birthday with family, community and Ryan Reynolds

People from around the world send birthday cards showing young Canoe resident he’s not alone

Damien Smith, with father Thomas Smith, is “frozen” with joy as he watches a special message Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds recorded for Damien’s 9th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020. (Contributed)
Kendra Thomas from Warmland Women’s Support Services invites Cowichan residents to find out more about youth sex trafficking with an online event Nov. 16, 2020. (File photo)

Learn more about youth sex trafficking with ‘Love Bombing 101’

Nov. 22-28 is Victims and Survivors of Crime Week

  • Nov 24, 2020
Kendra Thomas from Warmland Women’s Support Services invites Cowichan residents to find out more about youth sex trafficking with an online event Nov. 16, 2020. (File photo)
Pnina Benyamini loved to be around people and people loved her. (Photo submitted)

Many facets to energetic Chemainus woman’s legacy

Benyamini taught yoga, belly dancing and more to an adoring public

Pnina Benyamini loved to be around people and people loved her. (Photo submitted)