Community

Rona Tepper and Kristen Gribble are among six women who are active RCMSAR5 Crescent Beach crew members, out of a total 28. Tenures of the women range from eight months to 7.5 years. (Contributed photo)

PHOTOS: Number of women on South Surrey marine-rescue team ‘a bit of anomaly’

More than one-fifth of active RCMSAR5 Crescent Beach crew members are women

March 20, the first day of spring, is also International Day of Happiness. (File photo)

Strong social circles increase happiness and may increase life span

International Day of Happiness is March 20. Here’s what you can do to increase your happiness.

An all girl’s team takes first place at Jam Can. (Bernice Randrup photo)

Jam Can and Beavers close out children’s curling season in Barriere

Barriere Curling Club takes pride in encouraging life-long curlers

  • Mar 20, 2023
Shamrocks are associated with Ireland, but a four-leaf clover is much more rare. Do you know the odds of finding a four-leaf clover? (Pixabay.com)

QUIZ: How Irish are you?

St. Patrick’s Day, on March 17, is a celebration of Ireland and Irish culture

Shamrocks are associated with Ireland, but a four-leaf clover is much more rare. Do you know the odds of finding a four-leaf clover? (Pixabay.com)
Hats were mandatory under the threat of a $5 surcharge at the door this year’s Mad Hatter Tea party. (Margaret Houben photo)

Mad Hatter Tea Party raises funds for fall North Thompson fair and rodeo program

The annual event’s fourth subtheme was Robin Hood, organizer says

Hats were mandatory under the threat of a $5 surcharge at the door this year’s Mad Hatter Tea party. (Margaret Houben photo)
For her father’s birthday, Christine Fritz made a donation at the Canada Blood Services Clinic in Walnut Grove on Saturday, March 11. It was her eighth contribution. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

Daughter donates blood for dad’s birthday

‘If I’m out there donating, someone else is donating for him’ B.C. woman says

For her father’s birthday, Christine Fritz made a donation at the Canada Blood Services Clinic in Walnut Grove on Saturday, March 11. It was her eighth contribution. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
Tammy Young beams with excitement when she returns from her first call with the Salmon Arm Fire Department. (Photo contributed)

‘I fell in love with it’: Salmon Arm woman always wanted to be a firefighter

Fire department celebrates its female firefighters on International Women’s Day

Tammy Young beams with excitement when she returns from her first call with the Salmon Arm Fire Department. (Photo contributed)
Name the puppy contest press conference at BC RCMP headquarters in Surrey on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. The two dogs are Tuesday’s announcement- Rip and Rev- were some of the last German Shepherd puppies born at the Centre last year. (Photo: Anna Burns)

BC RCMP asks youth to help ‘Name the Puppies’

The RCMP is asking for help in naming 13 German Shepherd puppies that will be born this year

Name the puppy contest press conference at BC RCMP headquarters in Surrey on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. The two dogs are Tuesday’s announcement- Rip and Rev- were some of the last German Shepherd puppies born at the Centre last year. (Photo: Anna Burns)
Jessica James, who grew up in Nimpo Lake, B.C., is the star aviator in History’s reality show Lost Car Rescue, with Season 2 to be released this Spring. (Jeff Topham photo)

Nimpo Lake pilot happy to be right where she is, taking off in Season 2 of Lost Car Rescue

Female aviators might still be a rarity, but growing up in Nimpo Lake, it came naturally to James

Jessica James, who grew up in Nimpo Lake, B.C., is the star aviator in History’s reality show Lost Car Rescue, with Season 2 to be released this Spring. (Jeff Topham photo)
Ethan, 12, suffered damage to his leg after falling under a Kelowna transit bus on Feb. 28, 2023. (GoFundMe)

Fundraiser tops $10,000 for Okanagan boy injured after falling under bus

The GoFundMe says donations will help with cost of physiotherapy

Ethan, 12, suffered damage to his leg after falling under a Kelowna transit bus on Feb. 28, 2023. (GoFundMe)
Drummers sing as they walk into the Sts’ailes Lhawathet Lalem (Healing House) on Friday, March 3. (Adam Louis/Observer)

PHOTOS: ‘This beautiful work’: Sts’ailes First Nation welcomes 29 baskets home

Ancestral baskets repatriated to First Nation from Kilby Historic Site

Drummers sing as they walk into the Sts’ailes Lhawathet Lalem (Healing House) on Friday, March 3. (Adam Louis/Observer)
Adalyn McLean’s 24 cupcakes were gone roughly 47 minutes after sales began at the Barriere Farmers Market Feb. 25. See story page 5. (Photo submitted by Desiree McLean).

Nine-year-old ‘Cupcake Girl’ sells out in under an hour at Barriere Farmers Market

Colleen Christensen invited Adalyn McLean to join the Willow Acre Farms table

Adalyn McLean’s 24 cupcakes were gone roughly 47 minutes after sales began at the Barriere Farmers Market Feb. 25. See story page 5. (Photo submitted by Desiree McLean).
South Surrey Grade 3 student Zhiji Dong has been honoured by Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth as “one of the brightest students in the world.” (Contributed photo)

B.C. Grade 3 student ‘one of world’s brightest’

Zhiji Dong was among highest scorers in Center for Talented Youth assessment

South Surrey Grade 3 student Zhiji Dong has been honoured by Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth as “one of the brightest students in the world.” (Contributed photo)
Canadians are making their final Registered Retirement Savings Plan contributions, in advance of the deadline. (Black Press Media file)

QUIZ: How much do you know about money and savings?

In January and February, Canadians make their final savings contributions for the tax year.

Canadians are making their final Registered Retirement Savings Plan contributions, in advance of the deadline. (Black Press Media file)
Darin Underhill offering take-off tips to junior curlers. (Photo submitted)

Junior curlers rock six-week program

Thirty Junior Curlers from Barriere Elementary took part in Little Rocks program

  • Feb 23, 2023
Darin Underhill offering take-off tips to junior curlers. (Photo submitted)
The week of Feb. 19 to 24 is Freedom to Read Week in Canada. (Black Press file photo)

QUIZ: How much do you know about your freedom to read?

Feb. 19 to 24 is Freedom to Read Week in Canada

The week of Feb. 19 to 24 is Freedom to Read Week in Canada. (Black Press file photo)
Canada Place at night. (John Enman photo)

Dissecting elements of a good photograph

John Enman column

  • Feb 17, 2023
Canada Place at night. (John Enman photo)
Members of the 4-H Club recognize the long service of beef leader John Johnson. From left: Bobby-Raye Farrow, Grace Farrow, Logan Jones, Evelyn Pilatzke, Jeff Fennell, John Johnson, Owen Sim and Emily and Joy Rainer. (Photo submitted)

Yellowhead 4-H bids farewell to longtime beef leader

John Johnson retires from club after 25 years

  • Feb 17, 2023
Members of the 4-H Club recognize the long service of beef leader John Johnson. From left: Bobby-Raye Farrow, Grace Farrow, Logan Jones, Evelyn Pilatzke, Jeff Fennell, John Johnson, Owen Sim and Emily and Joy Rainer. (Photo submitted)
Assorted Vikings take a break after spending Saturday morning marauding around the Candle Creek Trails. Pictured are (l-r) Darren Coates, Carmen Smith, Barb Coates and Geoff Ellen. While attendance was down this year, it appears that a higher percentage than usual of those taking part wore Viking costumes. Photo by Keith McNeill

Wells Gray Outdoors Club Birchleg returns to Candle Creek trails

Nordic food, costumes part of the fun

Assorted Vikings take a break after spending Saturday morning marauding around the Candle Creek Trails. Pictured are (l-r) Darren Coates, Carmen Smith, Barb Coates and Geoff Ellen. While attendance was down this year, it appears that a higher percentage than usual of those taking part wore Viking costumes. Photo by Keith McNeill
Suhaandeep Gill spent last week delivering special treat bags to shelters in Abbotsford, Maple Ridge and Mission. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News)

Kid Cupid: Young Abbotsford boy delivers love to the streets with Valentine’s Day bags

Suhaandeep Gill, 7, created thoughtful bags of much-needed items to give to three city shelters

Suhaandeep Gill spent last week delivering special treat bags to shelters in Abbotsford, Maple Ridge and Mission. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News)