Christmas

A parcel of land on the Sahtlam Tree Farm is seen, in the Cowichan Valley area of Duncan, B.C., on Saturday, July 31, 2021. The effects of climate change are taking a toll on Christmas tree farms in British Columbia and beyond, and one forestry expert says the sector that’s already shrinking will need to adapt in the coming years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Climate change affecting Christmas trees in B.C. and beyond: expert

Drought, extreme heat making it difficult for seedlings to grow

A parcel of land on the Sahtlam Tree Farm is seen, in the Cowichan Valley area of Duncan, B.C., on Saturday, July 31, 2021. The effects of climate change are taking a toll on Christmas tree farms in British Columbia and beyond, and one forestry expert says the sector that’s already shrinking will need to adapt in the coming years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
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)
When the Santa Parade returns to Trail on Saturday, all parade spectators are asked to remain on the sidewalk to keep asafe distance from parade floats and vehicles. Image: Trail.ca

Santa Parade returns to Trail in a new locale

Christmas parade returns Saturday, Dec. 10 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

When the Santa Parade returns to Trail on Saturday, all parade spectators are asked to remain on the sidewalk to keep asafe distance from parade floats and vehicles. Image: Trail.ca
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)
Tom Verbrugge and his son Mica have the bonfire stoked and the hotdogs ready to roast when Tom’s Trees Christmas tree farm opens on Nov. 26, 2022. (PHOTO COURTESY TOM VERBRUGGE)

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

Tom Verbrugge and his son Mica have the bonfire stoked and the hotdogs ready to roast when Tom’s Trees Christmas tree farm opens on Nov. 26, 2022. (PHOTO COURTESY TOM VERBRUGGE)
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)
With the help of several local businesses, the Sinful Kings motorcycle riding club held its first Coats for Kids event at the Fieldhouse last month, providing families with much needed warm weather gear. Photo: Jeremy Brown

Riding club rallies ‘Coats for Kids’ drive in Trail area

Club will set up table at Breakfast with Santa at the Warfield hall, Dec. 4, 9-11 a.m.

With the help of several local businesses, the Sinful Kings motorcycle riding club held its first Coats for Kids event at the Fieldhouse last month, providing families with much needed warm weather gear. Photo: Jeremy Brown
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)

B.C. man with fractured spine warns of dangers in hanging holiday lights

‘Tis the season for decorations, ladders and the inevitable falls that go with them

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)
Shirley Bingley and Denzil Cooke were overseeing the Trail Lions Club raffle table this weekend at the Trail mall. Photo: Sheri Regnier

Trail Lions holding Christmas grocery raffle

First prize is a $200 grocery certificate

Shirley Bingley and Denzil Cooke were overseeing the Trail Lions Club raffle table this weekend at the Trail mall. Photo: Sheri Regnier
The annual Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign launched in downtown Trail this week, with Mayor Colleen Jones providing the first cash donation to the kettle and Ferraro Foods providing $500 in gift cards. L-R: Mayor Jones, Pastors Rachel and Eric Olson, and Danny Ferarro. Photo: Jim Bailey

Kettle alms needed to help Trail ministry fill 200+ Christmas hampers

Volunteers needed to oversee the kettle from Monday to Saturday, in two-hour shifts

The annual Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign launched in downtown Trail this week, with Mayor Colleen Jones providing the first cash donation to the kettle and Ferraro Foods providing $500 in gift cards. L-R: Mayor Jones, Pastors Rachel and Eric Olson, and Danny Ferarro. Photo: Jim Bailey
For the first time since 2019, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will make its annual journey through Canada and the U.S. to bring live music and raise holiday spirits across the regions. The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is shown in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Canadian Pacific/Neil Zeller **MANDATORY CREDIT**

CP Holiday Train returns to the rails for the first time in three years

Popular cross-country run will wrap up in Port Coquitlam on Dec. 18

For the first time since 2019, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will make its annual journey through Canada and the U.S. to bring live music and raise holiday spirits across the regions. The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is shown in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Canadian Pacific/Neil Zeller **MANDATORY CREDIT**
It’s beginning to look a lot more like Christmas as Santa’s elves, aka the Trail Smoke Eaters, all showed up at the Waneta Mall Sunday to unload a truck full of Douglas fir trees for the annual Kiwanis Christmas Tree sale. Photo: Jim Bailey

Trail Kiwanis Christmas tree fundraiser set for holidays

Kiwanis celebrates more than 70 years of raising charitable funds via annual Christmas tree sale

It’s beginning to look a lot more like Christmas as Santa’s elves, aka the Trail Smoke Eaters, all showed up at the Waneta Mall Sunday to unload a truck full of Douglas fir trees for the annual Kiwanis Christmas Tree sale. Photo: Jim Bailey
Comic artist and illustrator Erin Shuttleworth has a great gift idea for the holidays; her colouring book called <em>Birdur</em>. She’ll be selling her book, and “colour yourself” postcards at the Last-Minute Christmas Market this weekend at the Trail mall. Photo: Submitted

Purrfect gift: Trail artist launches colouring book at weekend market

Last-Minute Christmas Market goes Saturday and Sunday at Waneta Plaza

Comic artist and illustrator Erin Shuttleworth has a great gift idea for the holidays; her colouring book called <em>Birdur</em>. She’ll be selling her book, and “colour yourself” postcards at the Last-Minute Christmas Market this weekend at the Trail mall. Photo: Submitted
“We encourage everyone to support Light-Up on December 2, and donate to our local healthcare sites to ensure your contributions improve patient care right here in the Kootenay Boundary,” says Lisa Pasin, KBRH Health Foundation. Photo: Diego PH/Unsplash

Light Up The Hospitals! Pledge Day returning live to Trail mall

Who’s ready for children fa la la’ing, fiddlers a fiddlin’, dancers a…

“We encourage everyone to support Light-Up on December 2, and donate to our local healthcare sites to ensure your contributions improve patient care right here in the Kootenay Boundary,” says Lisa Pasin, KBRH Health Foundation. Photo: Diego PH/Unsplash
At the Friday launch of Stuff the Bus 2022, staff at the Trail branch of Kootenay Savings Credit Union jumped right in with a generous contribution. Big kudos Kootenay Savings staff! Photo: Submitted

Help ‘Stuff the Bus’ today in downtown Trail

The event runs at Trail Ferraro Foods from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

At the Friday launch of Stuff the Bus 2022, staff at the Trail branch of Kootenay Savings Credit Union jumped right in with a generous contribution. Big kudos Kootenay Savings staff! Photo: Submitted
Sign up for the Adopt a Senior campaign and make a difference this Christmas.

Share the Greater Trail holiday spirit, Adopt a Senior

Seeking donations of a gift valued at no more than $50 per senior

Sign up for the Adopt a Senior campaign and make a difference this Christmas.
The Knights of Columbus annual nativity scene atop Terrace City Hall on Dec. 14, 2021. (Ben Bogstie/Terrace Standard)

Nativity scene banned from B.C. town’s city hall after decades-long run

Volunteer group hoping to get Terrace to change its mind after annual tradition rejected

The Knights of Columbus annual nativity scene atop Terrace City Hall on Dec. 14, 2021. (Ben Bogstie/Terrace Standard)
A recent survey finds that Canadians will spend an average of $675 this holiday season. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)

Survey shows Christmas bells will be ringing on Canada’s cash registers

One in five Canadians have not paid off last year’s holiday purchases

A recent survey finds that Canadians will spend an average of $675 this holiday season. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)
L-R: Rotary Club of Trail President Bruce Fawcett; Salvation Army Officers Andrew and Olivia Sweet; Richard Fish, Rotary President Elect; and Rotary Carol Festival Co-ordinator Ardith White with the $2,270 presentation cheque for the Salvation Army in lieu of the Carol Festival. Photo: Submitted

Rotary Club of Trail hopeful to carol this year

In the meantime, Rotary Bingo raises money for locals in-need

L-R: Rotary Club of Trail President Bruce Fawcett; Salvation Army Officers Andrew and Olivia Sweet; Richard Fish, Rotary President Elect; and Rotary Carol Festival Co-ordinator Ardith White with the $2,270 presentation cheque for the Salvation Army in lieu of the Carol Festival. Photo: Submitted