Still more to celebrate in Kamloops this month!
The Perfect Cribbage Hand at the Shores!: We received this note in the mail – “The odds of getting a perfect 29-point hand in cribbage are approximately 1 in 649,740 (according to Google). Many people play all their lives without ever having a perfect hand. Imagine the excitement around the cribbage table at the Shores Retirement Living Community when Larry Rigby let out an excited yell and showed his perfect hand. It was witnessed by Charlene Hitlson and Joan Uhrig who were playing a three-player game with Larry.” Well done Mr. Rigby!
From the amazing Wenda Noonan, executive director of the BC Interior Community Foundation: Holiday magic is returning to the heart of downtown as the BC Interior Community Foundation opens its 2025 Christmas Cheer Donation Station – a festive, interactive hub of community spirit running Nov. 24 to Dec. 19 in the atrium at the TNRD Art Gallery and Library Building.
More than a place to give, the Christmas Cheer Donation Station has become a joyful seasonal tradition where community members can celebrate, connect and make a meaningful difference. The annual Christmas Cheer Fund supports local charities working year-round to help families across our community. This year’s beneficiaries are the Y Women’s Emergency Shelter, Kamloops Immigrant Services and the Chris Rose Therapy Centre for Autism. Each will receive flexible funding to strengthen their programs and services.
Open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Donation Station transforms the TNRD building into a holiday wonderland filled with activities for all ages. Donors can have their keepsake photo taken in one of the whimsical Christmas scenes — their specialty being the Awkward Family Photo — and enjoy a lineup of magical experiences throughout the campaign, including: Tarot Card Tuesdays and Thursdays (by donation); Face Painting Fridays (by donation); Two Wreath-Making Wednesdays with Deeanna Dusyk; Live oil-painting demonstrations with local artist Yvonne Reddick.
7th Annual Cassie’s Charity Drive Christmas Light display: It’s hard to believe Cassie McNutt is only 19 years old. Supported by her wonderful parents, Don and Lisa, this amazing community leader has raised over $260,000 over the past seven years for Kamloops Hospice, and brought joy to Kamloopsians with their festive light displays. The lights are on again this year at 5215 Dallas Drive from 4:30–9 p.m. This year is a little more exciting with music on 99.5 FM — thanks to papa elf Don!
This year, Cassie has also initiated a Student Achievement Fund — a perpetual award that is intended to benefit charitable-minded students in the Kamloops-Thompson School District. If you wish to donate to that fund specifically, please visit https://www.bcicf.ca/fund/cassies-charity/
Wallet recovered intact: A senior citizen (okay, the Chronicle’s Exec. Director’s Mom) lost her wallet in downtown Kamloops. She looked everywhere to no avail. She started the unpleasant work of getting cards replaced and worked to make peace with the loss of some cash. Then, her son got a text from the awesome Percy Amaria from the Columbia Diner pointing to a post on a Kamloops Facebook page for people from India. A young man originally from India had posted he had found the wallet. The senior’s son contacted this young man and then went to retrieve the wallet. The young man refused any reward, and the wallet was returned completely intact. We feel very fortunate as a family for the goodness of this young man and his family.
The Kamloops Local News Society recognizes “Champions of Local News”: As we start a new year for the Kamloops Local News Society, publishers of the Chronicle, we were honoured to recognize departing board members Lois Hollstedt, Teresa Betts, and Casandra Karpiak. They each were awarded “Champions of Local News” plaques at the Chronicle’s first birthday party in late October.
Kamloops is an amazing community with a long-standing culture of kindness and looking out for one another. We need to talk about this more, give it more attention, and keep strengthening our collective goodness. We, at the Kamloops Chronicle, feel it’s so important to share good news regularly and that’s what this space is about. We encourage you to submit your good news by calling 250 851-9630, emailing us at [email protected] or sending us mail to PO Box 814, Station Main, Kamloops BC, V2C 5M8.