Christmas

Terry Campbell’s display of Christmas miniatures takes up the entire dining room of his Chilliwack home. He started the display in 2007 but it has been more challenging for him lately as he’s been legally blind since 2018. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

VIDEO: Legally blind B.C. man builds Christmas display that takes up entire dining room

Terry Campbell lost most of eyesight in 2018, but still adds to miniature Christmas village every year

Terry Campbell’s display of Christmas miniatures takes up the entire dining room of his Chilliwack home. He started the display in 2007 but it has been more challenging for him lately as he’s been legally blind since 2018. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Prompted by a cancellation, Finning driver Shawn Spain drove around Campbell River's neighbourhoods this weekend. Photo courtesy Jessica Colado

Campbell River truck driver makes Truck Parade still happen — sort of

Mom grateful her boys got to see a piece of what is special about Campbell River’s Holiday season.

Prompted by a cancellation, Finning driver Shawn Spain drove around Campbell River's neighbourhoods this weekend. Photo courtesy Jessica Colado
Police are warning the public about suspicious buyers on the Used Victoria website. (iStock photo)

Police warn of a spate of scams on Used Victoria site

Buyers give cheques for higher amount, asking people to send extra to a different account

Police are warning the public about suspicious buyers on the Used Victoria website. (iStock photo)
The Sooke Firefighters Association’s annual Santa Run is Saturday (Dec. 10) starting at 5 p.m. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

In Sooke, more folks in need of Christmas hampers

Christmas Bureau sees an increase of about 50 requests for hampers

The Sooke Firefighters Association’s annual Santa Run is Saturday (Dec. 10) starting at 5 p.m. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Langley Trappers, seen here during the previous regular season at George Preston, won’t be asking fans to toss teddy bears this season. Instead, trappers and arena mates Langley Rivermen are asking fans to throw “warmth items” such as blankets, socks, gloves and toques for the homeless. (Langley Advance Times file)

Instead of a teddy bear toss, 2 B.C. hockey teams are asking fans to throw ‘warmth items’ for the homeless

Langley Trappers and Rivermen are asking for socks, gloves, toques and blankets

Langley Trappers, seen here during the previous regular season at George Preston, won’t be asking fans to toss teddy bears this season. Instead, trappers and arena mates Langley Rivermen are asking fans to throw “warmth items” such as blankets, socks, gloves and toques for the homeless. (Langley Advance Times file)
A BC Hydro survey shows more British Columbians are planning to go all out with their Christmas displays this year, but the majority of residents will stick with more minimalist decorations. (Black Press Media file photo)

More ‘mega’ Christmas displays expected this year despite cost concerns: BC Hydro

Lower Mainland residents three times more likely to be mega decorators

A BC Hydro survey shows more British Columbians are planning to go all out with their Christmas displays this year, but the majority of residents will stick with more minimalist decorations. (Black Press Media file photo)
The 2021 Downtown BIA Big Truck Parade. Photo by Sean Feagan / Campbell River Mirror.

Cancellation of Campbell River Big Truck parade a ‘safety first’ decision

BIA executive director ‘disappointed’ after weather cancels event; hopes to bring it back in 2023

The 2021 Downtown BIA Big Truck Parade. Photo by Sean Feagan / Campbell River Mirror.
Severe weather such as the heat dome last year and the draught this summer has not only affected Christmas trees this year but will do so in future years . (Pixabay photo)

It’s beginning to look a lot more expensive for a Christmas tree this year

Variety of factors contributing, effect on Islanders will vary depending on where you shop

Severe weather such as the heat dome last year and the draught this summer has not only affected Christmas trees this year but will do so in future years . (Pixabay photo)
Chemainus’ Ken Lavigne has a huge following on the Island. (Photo submitted)

Lavigne generates Christmas spirit with his lone Island show

Chemainus singer returns from Alberta as the headline performer Dec. 9 in Nanaimo

Chemainus’ Ken Lavigne has a huge following on the Island. (Photo submitted)
Turkeys are shown in a pen at Root Down Farm in Pescadero, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)

Turkey shortage ahead of Christmas fuelled by avian flu: BC Poultry Association

‘It’s a terrible time of year for this to have to happen’

Turkeys are shown in a pen at Root Down Farm in Pescadero, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)
Fire trucks from three departments will roll through the communities during the Peninsula Firefighters Food Drive on Dec. 10. (Sidney Volunteer Fire Department/Twitter)

Local firefighters fan out to douse hunger on the Peninsula

Peninsula Firefighters Food Drive takes place Saturday, Dec. 10.

Fire trucks from three departments will roll through the communities during the Peninsula Firefighters Food Drive on Dec. 10. (Sidney Volunteer Fire Department/Twitter)
Volunteers (from left) Adrian D’Silva, Alex Wright, Veronica Carroll, Mike Lukoni and Tracey D’Silva. (Courtesy of the Children’s Health Foundation)

Jeneece Place gets decked out for the holidays

Local couple steps up to spread holiday cheer in View Royal for the 11th Christmas in a row

Volunteers (from left) Adrian D’Silva, Alex Wright, Veronica Carroll, Mike Lukoni and Tracey D’Silva. (Courtesy of the Children’s Health Foundation)
Geoff Cram, co-owner of the Old Town Bakery in Ladysmith, shows this year’s gingerbread creation in the front window of the bakery. (Duck Paterson photo)

Ladysmith bakery’s gingerbread creations attract attention

Geoff Cram of the Old Town Bakery creates gingerbread bakery to celebrate business’ 20th anniversary

  • Dec 2, 2022
Geoff Cram, co-owner of the Old Town Bakery in Ladysmith, shows this year’s gingerbread creation in the front window of the bakery. (Duck Paterson photo)
Phoebe the pup gets a lift from her owner during Christmas Kick-off in downtown Duncan Friday evening, Nov. 25. The event was well attended and officially kicked off the season in the city. Check out more from the event on page 30. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

Christmas Kick-off packs Duncan

Event back full-force

Phoebe the pup gets a lift from her owner during Christmas Kick-off in downtown Duncan Friday evening, Nov. 25. The event was well attended and officially kicked off the season in the city. Check out more from the event on page 30. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
A serene group surrounds Scrooge (Louise Phillips) in the Chemainus Theatre Festival’s A Tiny Christmas Carol. From left: Yasmin D’Oshun, Jay Clift, Emma Slipp and Stephen Thakkar. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Small cast covers large number of roles in A Tiny Christmas Carol

New adaptation of a familiar Dickens classic opens at the Chemainus Theatre

A serene group surrounds Scrooge (Louise Phillips) in the Chemainus Theatre Festival’s A Tiny Christmas Carol. From left: Yasmin D’Oshun, Jay Clift, Emma Slipp and Stephen Thakkar. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Pharmasave Sooke’s Christmas Trees of Wishes is on again to support those in need. You can also get a photo of your child with Santa on Dec. 23 for $10 in support of the Sooke Food Bank. (File - Sooke New Mirror)

In Sooke, Christmas charities shine for those in need

Many businesses and organizations have stepped up with fund-raising initiatives

Pharmasave Sooke’s Christmas Trees of Wishes is on again to support those in need. You can also get a photo of your child with Santa on Dec. 23 for $10 in support of the Sooke Food Bank. (File - Sooke New Mirror)
The “eight maids a milking” display is one of a dozen 12 Days of Christmas installations at the Butchart Gardens’ Magic of Christmas. The garden-wide display opens Dec. 1 and runs to Jan. 6. (Black Press Media file photo)

Butchart Garden lights up for the holidays in Central Saanich, Sidney to sparkle with parade

Sidney Sparkles Parade returns Dec. 4, Butchart Gardens lights up Dec. 1

The “eight maids a milking” display is one of a dozen 12 Days of Christmas installations at the Butchart Gardens’ Magic of Christmas. The garden-wide display opens Dec. 1 and runs to Jan. 6. (Black Press Media file photo)
Santa Claus will be coming to town on Saturdays and Sundays for Winterfest and Gingerbread Village at the conference centre in downtown Nanaimo until Sunday, Dec. 18. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

Santa comes to town, heralds start of Winterfest and Gingerbread Village in Nanaimo

Jolly Old St. Nick flies in to Nanaimo waterfront morning of Saturday, Nov. 26

Santa Claus will be coming to town on Saturdays and Sundays for Winterfest and Gingerbread Village at the conference centre in downtown Nanaimo until Sunday, Dec. 18. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
Oak Bay resident Michael Hardiman reminds others to play it safe while hanging holiday lights after he fell, Saturday, Nov. 12 and returned home from the hospital the next Tuesday with a fractured vertebra. (Courtesy Michael Hardiman)

Oak Bay man with fractured spine warns of dangers in hanging holiday lights

It’s no day at the beach, as partner heads off solo for an already twice-delayed Mexican vacation

Oak Bay resident Michael Hardiman reminds others to play it safe while hanging holiday lights after he fell, Saturday, Nov. 12 and returned home from the hospital the next Tuesday with a fractured vertebra. (Courtesy Michael Hardiman)
Ladysmith’s Festival of Lights began with the Light Up parade Thursday, Nov. 24. (Sean McCue/News Bulletin)

Lights get switched on to start holiday season in Ladysmith

Festival of Lights begins with Light Up night

Ladysmith’s Festival of Lights began with the Light Up parade Thursday, Nov. 24. (Sean McCue/News Bulletin)