Community

Bellybutton Hedgehog. (Photo courtesy Royal BC Museum)

Travelling exhibit on B.C.’s marvellous mushrooms visits Cowichan Valley Museum

Royal BC Museum display on until March 11

  • Jan 16, 2022
Canadian astronaut Cmdr. Chris Hadfield relaxes before launch, ahead of a past trip to the International Space Station. He spoke to Black Press Media this week about his time at Royal Roads Military College. (Courtesy Cmdr. Chris Hadfield)

B.C. university ‘renames’ stairway after alumni Chris Hadfield

‘For me it all started there, just up the hill from Hatley Castle,’ Canadian astronaut says

Male varied thrush in Cassidy, taken after the count. (Photo by Bob Hay)

More species seen in second annual bird count

Wilson’s warbler spotted in Ladysmith a rarity in the winter; this is a male varied thrush

Jessica Lewinski, community engagement and development manager for Cowichan Women Against Violence, makes one of the two winning prize draws in front of the fundraising display at Rainforest Arts. (Photo by Rainforest Arts)

Rainforest Arts fundraiser benefits Cowichan Women Against Violence

A total of $667 in cash donations, plus items, collected

Jessica Lewinski, community engagement and development manager for Cowichan Women Against Violence, makes one of the two winning prize draws in front of the fundraising display at Rainforest Arts. (Photo by Rainforest Arts)
Allyson Prescesky, left, senior manager of community and communications for CCCU presents cheque to Kristina Gebhard, fundraising and donor relations manager, corporate relations for United Way British Columbia. (Photo submitted)

Coastal Community donates $25,000 for flood relief

Credit Union supports United Way British Columbia and Canadian Red Cross initiatives

  • Jan 8, 2022
Allyson Prescesky, left, senior manager of community and communications for CCCU presents cheque to Kristina Gebhard, fundraising and donor relations manager, corporate relations for United Way British Columbia. (Photo submitted)
Volunteers from River Wrangler Sportfishing in the Mission Hills community deliver donations by boat after the floods affected dairy farms in Abbotsford in November 2021

BC Dairy thanks the community for over $850,000 flood relief donations, and shines a spotlight on local community heroes

British Columbians have come forward with an incredible show of support for…

  • Jan 10, 2022
Volunteers from River Wrangler Sportfishing in the Mission Hills community deliver donations by boat after the floods affected dairy farms in Abbotsford in November 2021
The last thing you’d expected to see is a piece of pizza carved out of the snow. (Photo by Richard Craig)

Slice of pizza a unique yard display

You’d have to say it’s quite unusual to see something like this

The last thing you’d expected to see is a piece of pizza carved out of the snow. (Photo by Richard Craig)
The nine participants in the Crofton New Year’s Day polar bear swim, led by Aidan Carey, head for the water at the Crofton boat launch. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Chilly dip

Nine make a fine start to the new year at Crofton polar bear swim

The nine participants in the Crofton New Year’s Day polar bear swim, led by Aidan Carey, head for the water at the Crofton boat launch. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Frosty barnacles at Cook Street park. (Photo by JoHannah Knight)

Winter Wonderland

Snowy scenes captured by readers

Frosty barnacles at Cook Street park. (Photo by JoHannah Knight)
Videos from throughout 2021 capture Vancouver Island’s top animal encounters. (Black Press Media file photos)

Vancouver Island animal videos we watched in 2021

Look back at a year of adorable, breathtaking and unusual footage

Videos from throughout 2021 capture Vancouver Island’s top animal encounters. (Black Press Media file photos)
Otters can often be spotted in Victoria, but they’re usually playing in the grass – not the snow. (Courtesy of Lisa McPhail)

VIDEO: Vancouver Island otter spotted frolicking in fresh snow

A Victoria resident caught the adorable moment on video

Otters can often be spotted in Victoria, but they’re usually playing in the grass – not the snow. (Courtesy of Lisa McPhail)
Santa’s big day is just around the corner. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas

Santa Claus coming to town in a couple of more sleeps

Santa’s big day is just around the corner. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Ronnie Lee, left, holds three turkey platters ready to be delivered to West Coast homes. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Tofino restaurant serves over 1,300 free takeway turkey dinners in one night

Lil Ronnie’s Beachside BBQ keeps community Christmas tradition alive

Ronnie Lee, left, holds three turkey platters ready to be delivered to West Coast homes. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Jack Frost and his cast of Christmas characters. (Photo by Don Bodger)

The real Jack Frost legendary in Chemainus

It’s his real name and has always made life interesting

Jack Frost and his cast of Christmas characters. (Photo by Don Bodger)
The Fyffe dinners pre-COVID have always been well-attended and a great chance for camaraderie in the community. (File photo)

Fyffe dinner plans change to takeout only

Community event features dinner on Christmas Day, soup on Boxing Day

The Fyffe dinners pre-COVID have always been well-attended and a great chance for camaraderie in the community. (File photo)
It’s a crazy busy time of the year at the Cowichan Neighbourhood House in Chemainus. Sorting out the abundant items, from left, are: Arlene Robinson, Melvene Hill and Kathryn Asp. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Neighbourhood House working diligently to meet community needs

COVID restrictions make things more difficult, but crucial services still being provided

It’s a crazy busy time of the year at the Cowichan Neighbourhood House in Chemainus. Sorting out the abundant items, from left, are: Arlene Robinson, Melvene Hill and Kathryn Asp. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary’s executive for 2022, from left, includes: Nadi Bottomley (public relations); Linda Lendrum (liaison); Donna McCasky (president); Dawne Grant (personnel chair); Wendy Shaplow (assistant membership); Betty Guild (treasurer); Marlene Hayes (assistant treasurer); Laura Burgess (vice president); Olga Spensley (membership); and Diana Lenihan (past president). Lois Greenhill (personnel) and Ian Hardy (secretary) were unable to attend. (Photo by Morna McNair).

New executive determined for health care auxiliary

McCasky assumes the president’s role from Lenihan

Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary’s executive for 2022, from left, includes: Nadi Bottomley (public relations); Linda Lendrum (liaison); Donna McCasky (president); Dawne Grant (personnel chair); Wendy Shaplow (assistant membership); Betty Guild (treasurer); Marlene Hayes (assistant treasurer); Laura Burgess (vice president); Olga Spensley (membership); and Diana Lenihan (past president). Lois Greenhill (personnel) and Ian Hardy (secretary) were unable to attend. (Photo by Morna McNair).
You never know what you’re going to see for Christmas decorations these days. Here’s a prime example. (Photo by Craig Spence)

Peace be with you

A Christmas message via a cool Volkswagen van

  • Dec 21, 2021
You never know what you’re going to see for Christmas decorations these days. Here’s a prime example. (Photo by Craig Spence)
(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
Chemainus United Church is offering a longest night worship service for the community. (File photo by Don Bodger)

Dec. 21 service a chance to deal with burdens and await the coming light

Chemainus United Church offers a meditative time for those not feeling so merry

Chemainus United Church is offering a longest night worship service for the community. (File photo by Don Bodger)