Community

Saanich residents Jordan Sherin, left, and his aunt Kelley Sherin were helped by the Salvation Army when they needed it the most. (Photo courtesy of Kelley Sherin)

Saanich woman back on her feet thanks to help of Victoria Citadel Salvation Army

Organization has made the world a better place for she and her nephew, she says

Saanich residents Jordan Sherin, left, and his aunt Kelley Sherin were helped by the Salvation Army when they needed it the most. (Photo courtesy of Kelley Sherin)
The 2021 Gingerbread Showcase will be on display from Nov. 20 to Jan. 2. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria’s 2021 Gingerbread Showcase set to launch

‘The Future of Home’ creations to be on display Nov. 20 to Jan. 2

The 2021 Gingerbread Showcase will be on display from Nov. 20 to Jan. 2. (Black Press Media file photo)
It seems a seal was just as interested in the spawning salmon as visiting humans at Goldstream Provincial Park on Wednesday, Nov. 11. (Courtesy of Ruban Rebalkin)

VIDEO: Sneaky seal spotted at salmon spawning site in Langford river

A Goldstream Provincial Park visitor caught an unusual guest along the river’s edge

It seems a seal was just as interested in the spawning salmon as visiting humans at Goldstream Provincial Park on Wednesday, Nov. 11. (Courtesy of Ruban Rebalkin)
The central meadow in Uplands Park is closed to walkers for the fourth consecutive year in order to protect at-risk plants. (Wylie Thomas photo)

Oak Bay asks Uplands visitors to stick to trails, stay out of central meadow

It’s up to guests to protect Garry oak meadow at risk

The central meadow in Uplands Park is closed to walkers for the fourth consecutive year in order to protect at-risk plants. (Wylie Thomas photo)
Sooke Harbour Players presented Blithe Spirit in 2017. The drama troupe is returning after a two-year pandemic hiatus with Treasure Island later this month. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Harbour Players returning after two-year absence

They’ll be performing Ben Crocker’s Treasure Island, on Nov. 26-28 and the Dec. 2-4

Sooke Harbour Players presented Blithe Spirit in 2017. The drama troupe is returning after a two-year pandemic hiatus with Treasure Island later this month. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Mary, from left, Margot and Megan Jameson collected the records of their uncle and Second World War veteran, John Bayard, following the discovery of his daughter and their first cousin, Ann, last month. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Victoria sisters discover long-lost U.K. cousin, the daughter of wartime casualty uncle

Jameson sisters to think of orphaned cousin and their uncle on Remembrance Day

Mary, from left, Margot and Megan Jameson collected the records of their uncle and Second World War veteran, John Bayard, following the discovery of his daughter and their first cousin, Ann, last month. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
A few hundred residents gathered with veterans outside Sidney Municipal Hall Nov. 11 to remember all those who have served Canada in war. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Hundreds remember the sacrifices of veterans at Sidney’s Remembrance Day ceremony

A few hundred residents paid their respects outside the Sidney cenotaph Nov. 11

A few hundred residents gathered with veterans outside Sidney Municipal Hall Nov. 11 to remember all those who have served Canada in war. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Ken Himes holds a photo of himself in his early 20s when he was doing military training in California. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Former peacekeeper proud of shifting gears, adding diploma to his toolbox

Ken Himes recalls tense moments in Cyprus as a young man trying to help keep the peace

Ken Himes holds a photo of himself in his early 20s when he was doing military training in California. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Veterans, Canadian Armed Forces members and the general public stand for O Canada during the 2021 Remembrance Day ceremony in Langford Thursday. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Langford Remembrance Day ceremony welcomes back in-person service

Wet weather doesn’t stop attendees from filling Veterans Memorial Park Thursday

Veterans, Canadian Armed Forces members and the general public stand for O Canada during the 2021 Remembrance Day ceremony in Langford Thursday. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
A photo by Frank Burrell shows military training exercises with horses at Willows Camp during the First World War. (Oak Bay Archives PHOT: 2005-020-001)

PHOTOS: A look at troop training in Oak Bay during the First World War

Garbage, sewer complaints dominate interaction between council, camp leadership

A photo by Frank Burrell shows military training exercises with horses at Willows Camp during the First World War. (Oak Bay Archives PHOT: 2005-020-001)
Second World War veteran Tom Burdge with one of the planes from ‘Tom’s Hangar,’ a gallery of Mosquito artwork and photographs hanging in his Victoria condo. The painting – of a 248 squadron Mosquito over Barnstable Bay, North Devon in 1945 – was created by friend Al Buckham, a retired Royal Canadian Air Force master warrant officer living in Courtenay. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Victoria veteran spent Second World War flying below the radar

Continued camaraderie is key as marking Remembrance Day comes full circle for nonagenarian

Second World War veteran Tom Burdge with one of the planes from ‘Tom’s Hangar,’ a gallery of Mosquito artwork and photographs hanging in his Victoria condo. The painting – of a 248 squadron Mosquito over Barnstable Bay, North Devon in 1945 – was created by friend Al Buckham, a retired Royal Canadian Air Force master warrant officer living in Courtenay. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
From left: Brylee Apted, Everly Apted, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 91 President Norman Scott and Maylin Apted show off the girls’ 2020 donation from Remembrance Day painting sales. (Photo courtesy of Dani Dwinnell)

Metchosin sisters selling paintings in support of Langford Legion for 6th year in a row

Branch president says reliable contribution espescially appreciated as donations down overall

From left: Brylee Apted, Everly Apted, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 91 President Norman Scott and Maylin Apted show off the girls’ 2020 donation from Remembrance Day painting sales. (Photo courtesy of Dani Dwinnell)
Von Rywaczuk laughs as he cradles Halo the Swan in his arms after rescuing her from Elliot Lake. (Photo submitted)

Swan gets ‘second-chance at life’ after being rescued near 100 Mile

The swan was unable to migrate south due to an injured wing

Von Rywaczuk laughs as he cradles Halo the Swan in his arms after rescuing her from Elliot Lake. (Photo submitted)
The Royal Canadian Legion Prince Edward Branch 91 in Langford is one of several in the region managing to survive the pandemic. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Greater Victoria legions surviving, but have long-term concerns

Pandemic, dwindling membership lay blows to community organizations

The Royal Canadian Legion Prince Edward Branch 91 in Langford is one of several in the region managing to survive the pandemic. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Valerie Noyes, who chairs the poppy and Remembrance Day committee for the Royal Canadian Legion Saanich Peninsula Branch #37, stands in the branch’s temporary office where the poppy campaign is headquartered. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Saanich Peninsula Legion still looking for a new home

In temporary digs at SHOAL Centre since move out of Mills Road home of 90 years in 2020

Valerie Noyes, who chairs the poppy and Remembrance Day committee for the Royal Canadian Legion Saanich Peninsula Branch #37, stands in the branch’s temporary office where the poppy campaign is headquartered. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
In Victoria’s Ross Bay Cemetery, rows of granite headstones commemorate those lost in the First and Second World War. (Tegwyn Hughes/News Staff)

‘Dignity and grace’: How Greater Victoria cemeteries honour veterans

The history and legacy of Canadian heroes, engraved in granite

In Victoria’s Ross Bay Cemetery, rows of granite headstones commemorate those lost in the First and Second World War. (Tegwyn Hughes/News Staff)
President of the Langford branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, Norm Scott salutes after laying a wreath at the Remembrance Day ceremony at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Langford in 2020. (Black Press Media file photo)

Remembrance Day ceremonies: Pay your respects in person or virtually around Greater Victoria

Modified events see some in-person services resuming, while many remain virtual

President of the Langford branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, Norm Scott salutes after laying a wreath at the Remembrance Day ceremony at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Langford in 2020. (Black Press Media file photo)
Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary is expanding thanks to land acquisition by the District of Saanich. (Photo courtesy of the District of Saanich)

Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary expansion to further preservation of area

Another 1,089 square metres acquired on the west side of the lake

Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary is expanding thanks to land acquisition by the District of Saanich. (Photo courtesy of the District of Saanich)
Nicholas and Peggy Abkhazi in their garden in Fairfield. Abkhazi Garden is opening for two separate public events this month, including a first-time Nov. 11 marking of the wartime heritage of the former property owners. (Courtesy of The Land Conservancy of British Columbia)

Wartime heritage, volunteer efforts part of November tours at Victoria’s Abkhazi Garden

Remembrance Day opening a first for Fairfield site

Nicholas and Peggy Abkhazi in their garden in Fairfield. Abkhazi Garden is opening for two separate public events this month, including a first-time Nov. 11 marking of the wartime heritage of the former property owners. (Courtesy of The Land Conservancy of British Columbia)
Avid volunteer Kurt Holstein stands at his station at Great Canadian Superstore in Langford, where he’s been selling poppies every day between 4 and 6 p.m. for the past two weeks. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

94-year-old Langford resident selling poppies every day

Kurt Holstein expects to keep giving back, as long as his health holds up

Avid volunteer Kurt Holstein stands at his station at Great Canadian Superstore in Langford, where he’s been selling poppies every day between 4 and 6 p.m. for the past two weeks. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)