Community

Pictured is the remnants of a parachute from a marine distress flare that exploded close to the ground on the evening of Dec. 12 and was found in a lower branch of a garry oak tree next to a home in Maple Bay. (Submitted photo)

Neighbours horrified as dangerous marine flares shot off near homes in Maple Bay

Illegal to use distress flares except in emergencies

 

EMS Parade

The annual EMS Parade rolls through Port McNeill

Families came outside and lined the streets to watch the parade.

 

The Christmas Tree being put back up in the Thunderbird Mall parking lot. (Thunderbird Mall photo)

Giant Christmas tree returns to Thunderbird Mall Parking lot

At the end of the 2019, extreme winds knocked over the community Christmas tree.

 

For over a year Loaves and Fishes Food Bank has been giving 5,000-7,000 pounds of food every week to help address the massive need in the North Island. This year, they have partnered with the North Island Gazette Hamper Fund by providing $15,000 in gift cards to help with their Christmas Hamper Program. “Loaves and Fishes believes that everyone deserves access to a reliable abundance of food barrier free, it’s a real privilege to further serve the amazing people in Port Hardy and Port McNeill by assisting the Gazette Christmas Hamper Fund,” explains Peter Sinclair, Loaves and Fishes Executive Director. Loaves and Fishes bi-weekly depot is at Saint Columba’s Anglican-United Church and bi-weekly deliveries to other organizations in Port McNeill will continue through next year. (Natasha Griffiths photo)

It’s been a unique 41st year for the Gazette Christmas Hamper Fund

‘This year has been very different than previous years due to the pandemic’

For over a year Loaves and Fishes Food Bank has been giving 5,000-7,000 pounds of food every week to help address the massive need in the North Island. This year, they have partnered with the North Island Gazette Hamper Fund by providing $15,000 in gift cards to help with their Christmas Hamper Program. “Loaves and Fishes believes that everyone deserves access to a reliable abundance of food barrier free, it’s a real privilege to further serve the amazing people in Port Hardy and Port McNeill by assisting the Gazette Christmas Hamper Fund,” explains Peter Sinclair, Loaves and Fishes Executive Director. Loaves and Fishes bi-weekly depot is at Saint Columba’s Anglican-United Church and bi-weekly deliveries to other organizations in Port McNeill will continue through next year. (Natasha Griffiths photo)
Shoebox Project logo

Donate now to the Campbell River/North Island Shoebox Project

There is just over a week to go in The Campbell River/North Island Shoebox Project campaign

Shoebox Project logo
A special Tree of Life pendant that ‘Rose’ purchased during a sabbatical to Victoria. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Island 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)
Duncan Fairfield, from Cowichan Bay, won $99,000 on Lotto 6/49

Vancouver Island resident wins lottery

Cowichan Bay’s Duncan Fairfield wins $99,000 on Lotto 6/49

  • Nov 4, 2020
Duncan Fairfield, from Cowichan Bay, won $99,000 on Lotto 6/49
Gazette hamper fund

Gazette Christmas Hamper Fund: Times have changed, but the need has not

This year hampers will be delivered/picked up on Saturday, December 12th, starting at 10 a.m.

Gazette hamper fund
The Port Hardy Twinning Society marching through the streets of Port Hardy. (Port Hardy Twinning Society photo)

Twinning society members burnt out, want District of Port Hardy to take over direction

‘The chair has acted and been responsibly involved for close to 25 years’

The Port Hardy Twinning Society marching through the streets of Port Hardy. (Port Hardy Twinning Society photo)
Avid walker George Doi of Langley celebrated a milestone on Sept. 17, when he completed a virtual walk around the world (Special to Langley Advance Times)

A (virtual) walk around the world by 88-year-old B.C. man

George Doi says it’s simple: ‘I like walking’

Avid walker George Doi of Langley celebrated a milestone on Sept. 17, when he completed a virtual walk around the world (Special to Langley Advance Times)
Vancouver Island family overwhelmed with 14 Lab puppies

Vancouver Island family overwhelmed with 14 Lab puppies

Litter may be one of the biggest ever

Vancouver Island family overwhelmed with 14 Lab puppies
Gurdeep Pandher visited Long Beach on Aug. 10, 2020. (Twitter screenshot)

Famous Yukon-based bhangra dancer brings movements of joy to Long Beach

Internet-famous dancer is exploring Vancouver Island, visiting the B.C. Legislature and more

Gurdeep Pandher visited Long Beach on Aug. 10, 2020. (Twitter screenshot)
Digital rendering of the new Woss library. (VIPL image)

Building contract announced for Woss’s new library

Prefabricated 1,400-sq.ft. building planned for small community library

Digital rendering of the new Woss library. (VIPL image)
View of Port Alice from the Frigon Islands. (Debra Lynn photo)

Over 108 properties sold in Port Alice and area since 2015

Written by Debra Lynn Port Alice residents wouldn’t be wrong to think…

  • Jul 24, 2020
View of Port Alice from the Frigon Islands. (Debra Lynn photo)
Nephew Bucky Chisholm gives Dorothy Adair a big hug during her 106th birthday in February. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Beloved Island woman dies at 106

Dorothy Adair adored by the many people she met in Chemainus in two short years

Nephew Bucky Chisholm gives Dorothy Adair a big hug during her 106th birthday in February. (Photo by Don Bodger)
A ‘welcome home’ signboard on a trail near the site of the gathering. (Photo by Binny Paul/Campbell River Mirror)

Inside the undefined world of a Rainbow Family gathering in B.C.

Celebrations are underway to mark the annual gathering of the controversial Rainbow Family of Living Light

A ‘welcome home’ signboard on a trail near the site of the gathering. (Photo by Binny Paul/Campbell River Mirror)
96-year-old woman scales B.C. butte with help of family, friends

96-year-old woman scales B.C. butte with help of family, friends

‘I did as I was told and I enjoyed every minute of it’

96-year-old woman scales B.C. butte with help of family, friends
Commemorative T-shirts have been keepsakes for Crofton residents celebrating a birthday during the pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Gina Fairbairn)

Considerations made to keep Island community’s drive-by birthday celebrations going

Trucks will tone it down or not use horns at all to bring some joy to kids and older folks

Commemorative T-shirts have been keepsakes for Crofton residents celebrating a birthday during the pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Gina Fairbairn)
Haircuts for Good is asking people to cut their own hair or someone else’s, and make a donation the usual cost of a cut to help health-care workers. (Submitted)

Haircuts for Good asking for donations through home haircuts

Donations can go to food banks or health-care foundations of your choice

Haircuts for Good is asking people to cut their own hair or someone else’s, and make a donation the usual cost of a cut to help health-care workers. (Submitted)
An emerging ecotourism destination in B.C., the small coastal town of Tahsis is well known for its sport fishing and community spirit. (File photo/Campbell River Mirror)

Island mayor confident of small community’s ‘resilience’ in ‘trial’

The mayor of Tahsis believes that nothing can dampen the spirit of this ‘strong’ community as it heads towards its 50th anniversary

An emerging ecotourism destination in B.C., the small coastal town of Tahsis is well known for its sport fishing and community spirit. (File photo/Campbell River Mirror)