Community

The objectives of the Vancouver Island Down Syndrome Society include peer support for parents and caregivers, as well as developing support services, projects, educational and employment opportunities for people with Down Syndrome. Photo supplied.

Vancouver Island Down Syndrome Society offers support for families in the community

New non-profit seeking directors in cities across Vancouver Island

Rod Alsop and the LSS band had a great day holding class outdoors at Transfer Beach. (Cole Schisler photo)

Ladysmith Secondary School band takes class outside to mark the end of academic quarter

The band took advantage of a sunny January day to play outside

Jessica Lowry created a series of videos to engage Ladysmith Intermediate School students in mindfulness. (Submitted photo)

Ladysmith Intermediate teams up with local artist to introduce students to mindfulness

Ladysmith artist Jessica Lowry created a series of 36 videos to help students practice mindfulness

The Regional District of Nanaimo collected approximately 10,000 old waste and garbage bins to be repurposed or reused. (PQB News file photo)

10,000 old Nanaimo-area garbage bins repurposed elsewhere on the Island

Used containers donated to school districts, communities to be reused

The Regional District of Nanaimo collected approximately 10,000 old waste and garbage bins to be repurposed or reused. (PQB News file photo)
Bonna Gulak and her dog Hobbes enjoying Rutti Park on a sunny January day. (Cole Schisler photo)

Town dedicates Russell Road park as Rutti Park

The name honours the Rutti family who originally owned and farmed the property

Bonna Gulak and her dog Hobbes enjoying Rutti Park on a sunny January day. (Cole Schisler photo)
Carter White (14) and Vinny White (8) braved the icy waters of Transfer Beach. (Tanya White photo)

Ladysmith polar bear swimmers took icy dips in their own bubbles

The 2021 Ladysmith Polar Bear Dip was a non-event, but people still took part in the tradition

Carter White (14) and Vinny White (8) braved the icy waters of Transfer Beach. (Tanya White photo)
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The monolith showed up in the Courtenay yard just before Christmas. Photo by Mike Chouinard

Monolith appears in Vancouver Island yard

Item in Courtenay showed up on Wikipedia list for a little while

The monolith showed up in the Courtenay yard just before Christmas. Photo by Mike Chouinard
Kelly Frenchy, Muriel Jack, and Katherine Aleck were excited about their vacations. (Cole Schisler photo)

Looking back at the biggest news stories of 2020

Before we say good riddance to 2020, let’s take a look back on some of the year’s biggest stories

Kelly Frenchy, Muriel Jack, and Katherine Aleck were excited about their vacations. (Cole Schisler photo)
Helping hand is provided to Casey by Chemainus Public Market patrons. (Photo submitted)

Contributions help to cover some of the considerable recovery costs for Casey

Krazy Kritter Kookies donations provided to December’s Pet of the Month

Helping hand is provided to Casey by Chemainus Public Market patrons. (Photo submitted)
The cedar weave was mounted to the western wall of the Ladysmith Secondary School foyer on Dec. 23, 2020. (Cole Schisler photo)

LSS nutsamuut syaays project enters new phase with completion of foyer

Plans are underway to build an outdoor classroom space for traditional Coast Salish teaching at LSS

The cedar weave was mounted to the western wall of the Ladysmith Secondary School foyer on Dec. 23, 2020. (Cole Schisler photo)
Among many other things, the Ladysmith & District Credit Union makes the Light Up Fireworks Spectacular possible every year. (File photo)

Ladysmith District Credit Union is ‘woven into the fabric’ of the community

Over the last 15 years, LDCU has donated more than $1 million to support Ladysmith

Among many other things, the Ladysmith & District Credit Union makes the Light Up Fireworks Spectacular possible every year. (File photo)
Shawnigan Lake’s Kim Barnard displays “Happy Campers,” her entry in the 2020 Habitat for Humanity Victoria Gingerbread Showcase. (Submitted)

Christmas miracle leads to a gingerbread legacy for Cowichan’s Kim Barnard

Seasonal business celebrates Sweet 16 this year

Shawnigan Lake’s Kim Barnard displays “Happy Campers,” her entry in the 2020 Habitat for Humanity Victoria Gingerbread Showcase. (Submitted)
Students pictured left to right: Ella Wyndlow, Ally Segreto, Bianca Steele, Michaela Segreto Bottom row: Ava Smith, Skyla Thomas. (Submitted photo)

Ladysmith Secondary School brings Christmas Cheer to families in need

LSS raised over $2,200 for the Ladysmith Resource Center Christmas Cheer Fund

  • Dec 22, 2020
Students pictured left to right: Ella Wyndlow, Ally Segreto, Bianca Steele, Michaela Segreto Bottom row: Ava Smith, Skyla Thomas. (Submitted photo)
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
Valerie Sinclaire won $5,200 in the Save On Foods Win Win Event. (Submitted photo)

Ladysmith woman wins ‘Groceries for a Year’ from Save On Foods

Valerie Sinclaire is looking to share her winnings with friends and family

Valerie Sinclaire won $5,200 in the Save On Foods Win Win Event. (Submitted photo)
A Varied Thrush, a common winter garden bird, searches for food in the snow. (John Gordon photo) A Varied Thrush, a common winter garden bird, searches for food in the snow. (John Gordon/Special to the Langley Advance Times)

Volunteers needed for Ladysmith/Chemainus Christmas bird count

Local birder Robert Hay is looking to conduct a Christmas bird count, but needs a bit of help

A Varied Thrush, a common winter garden bird, searches for food in the snow. (John Gordon photo) A Varied Thrush, a common winter garden bird, searches for food in the snow. (John Gordon/Special to the Langley Advance Times)
Santa Roy McKee flicked the switch to light up the Oyster Harbour courtyard. (Submitted photo)

Oyster Harbour brings Light Up home for their residents

Staff at Oyster Harbour lit up their courtyard so residents can enjoy Light Up in their own way

Santa Roy McKee flicked the switch to light up the Oyster Harbour courtyard. (Submitted photo)
Kindergarten classes at Ladysmith Primary School put together toiletry kits for Ladysmith most vulnerable, and raised $928 for the LRCA Food Bank. From Left to Right, Janelle Mould (back- K teacher) Leanne Sanford (front K teacher), Andrew, Quinn, Lili, Cooper, Freya, Rocko, Pam Puska (K teacher). (Submitted photo)

Ladysmith kindergartners show compassion for their community

LPS kindergartners made 60 compassion bags to be given out to Ladysmith’s most vulnerable people

Kindergarten classes at Ladysmith Primary School put together toiletry kits for Ladysmith most vulnerable, and raised $928 for the LRCA Food Bank. From Left to Right, Janelle Mould (back- K teacher) Leanne Sanford (front K teacher), Andrew, Quinn, Lili, Cooper, Freya, Rocko, Pam Puska (K teacher). (Submitted photo)
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

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)