Community

Helen Watson, posing for a photo for her 100th birthday, turned 105 on Saturday (Nov. 21). (File photo)

B.C. woman who survived Spanish Flu turns 105

Helen Watson has packed a lot into life – including being in two pandemics

SOS executive director Susanna Newton holds a new fundraising calendar for SOS featuring area residents. It is now available for purchase in local stores. (Lissa Alexander photo)

SOS calendar celebrates Parksville Qualicum Beach area’s resiliency

Volunteers step forward to offer assistance

(File photo)

Firefighters 2020 Boots for Food drive raises more than $75K in Parksville area

Fire Chief Marc Norris: ‘It is truly amazing to see our residents come together to help’

Parksville’s Foster Park, located on Sanderson Road. (PQB News file photo)

Non-profit organization donates 200 native plants and trees for Parksville’s Foster Park

‘A great investment to the future of urban forests’

Parksville’s Foster Park, located on Sanderson Road. (PQB News file photo)
The 30th annual Parksville Qualicum Beach Christmas Bird Count is scheduled to take place on Dec. 20. (PQB News File Photo)

Volunteers needed for annual Parksville Qualicum Beach bird count

COVID-19 protocols to be observed

The 30th annual Parksville Qualicum Beach Christmas Bird Count is scheduled to take place on Dec. 20. (PQB News File Photo)
Local youth attending an SOS program in Qualicum Beach hold up a sign to remind the community not to forget about teens and tweens this Christmas. (Lissa Alexander photo)

SOS needs Christmas gifts for teens and tweens in Parksville Qualicum Beach

COVID-19 forces charitable group to make some changes this year

Local youth attending an SOS program in Qualicum Beach hold up a sign to remind the community not to forget about teens and tweens this Christmas. (Lissa Alexander photo)
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The Parksville Community and Conference Centre, 132 Jensen Ave East, Parksville. (Mandy Moraes photo)

Parksville Community Centre holds 2020 ‘Drive-through Family Friendly Christmas Celebration’

Event takes place Dec. 5, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The Parksville Community and Conference Centre, 132 Jensen Ave East, Parksville. (Mandy Moraes photo)
Bard to Broadway Theatre Society may stage shows outdoors next summer. (PQB News photo file)

Qualicum Beach’s Bard to Broadway group may stage shows outdoors

Theatre society plans smaller productions due to ongoing pandemic

Bard to Broadway Theatre Society may stage shows outdoors next summer. (PQB News photo file)
Hailyn Scott, 3, drops off a donation into the boot held by Parksville Fire Department firefighter Chris Frank. (Michael Briones photo)

Parksville Qualicum Beach fire departments begin annual food and toy drive

Donations being collected at various locations

Hailyn Scott, 3, drops off a donation into the boot held by Parksville Fire Department firefighter Chris Frank. (Michael Briones photo)
Arrowsmith Groundwater Alliance wants Town of Qualicum Beach to become a blue community. (PQB file photo)

Group urges Qualicum Beach council to designate town as a ‘blue community’

Alliance says initiative has support of residents, businesses

Arrowsmith Groundwater Alliance wants Town of Qualicum Beach to become a blue community. (PQB file photo)
G2G will host their annual Christmas Extravaganza online this year, due to the provincial health order limiting the amount of people allowed at a public event. These table placemats that can be purchased online through G2G's Facebook page. (Facebook photo)

Grandmothers to Grandmothers to hold annual extravaganza online instead of in-person

Anyone interested in purchasing items will need to make a scheduled appointment to pick them up

G2G will host their annual Christmas Extravaganza online this year, due to the provincial health order limiting the amount of people allowed at a public event. These table placemats that can be purchased online through G2G's Facebook page. (Facebook photo)
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 49, Mt. Arrowsmith, held a scaled-down Remembrance Day ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. (Peter McCully photo)

PHOTOS: Scenes from Remembrance Day ceremony in Parksville

Activities scaled back due to COVID-19 restrictions

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 49, Mt. Arrowsmith, held a scaled-down Remembrance Day ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. (Peter McCully photo)
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)
Renegade Prospectors co-founders Rick Curiston and Tina Francis pose near Cayoosh Creek. Former Agassiz resident Curiston recently celebrated one year sober from alcohol and eight years drug-free, loving his new lease on life, family and their love for treasure hunting. (Contributed Photo/Tina Francis)

Former Agassiz DJ turned prospector finds treasure, renewed life in Lillooet

Eight years drug-free, Rick Curiston reflects on his passion for agate, gold hunting

Renegade Prospectors co-founders Rick Curiston and Tina Francis pose near Cayoosh Creek. Former Agassiz resident Curiston recently celebrated one year sober from alcohol and eight years drug-free, loving his new lease on life, family and their love for treasure hunting. (Contributed Photo/Tina Francis)
Dwight Ballantyne started #WeSeeYou day to draw more attention to the plight of remote indigenous communities. (Special to The News)

B.C. man aims to bridge gap between remote communities and rest of Canada

Schools across country to send activity kits to isolated towns for Dwight Ballantyne’s #WeSeeYou Day

Dwight Ballantyne started #WeSeeYou day to draw more attention to the plight of remote indigenous communities. (Special to The News)
Cumberland resident Lorna Clark says she's going to treat herself to a roast beef dinner with all the trimmings, after winning $50,000 on a Bingo Blast scratch ticket. Photo supplied

Cumberland lottery winner says first purchase will be a roast beef dinner

Lorna Clark won the Bingo Blast grand prize

Cumberland resident Lorna Clark says she's going to treat herself to a roast beef dinner with all the trimmings, after winning $50,000 on a Bingo Blast scratch ticket. Photo supplied
MARS volunteer John shows ambassador owl Otis to visitors. Photo supplied

Merville avian rescue shelter seeing spike in victims of rat poisoning ingestion

Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society cautions against use of rodent poisons

MARS volunteer John shows ambassador owl Otis to visitors. Photo supplied
Jack Coles, a Second World War veteran with the Royal Canadian Air Force, turns 100 on Nov. 16. (Michael Briones photo)

Qualicum Beach veteran Jack Coles turns 100 on Nov. 16

‘Being active is the main thing’ when it comes to longevity

Jack Coles, a Second World War veteran with the Royal Canadian Air Force, turns 100 on Nov. 16. (Michael Briones photo)
An image of Lieut. Osborne Orr and a poster advertising opportunities to join the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War. (Images courtesy the Vancouver Island Military Museum)

Nanaimo’s other First World War ace remembered

Lieut. Osborne Orr credited with five aerial victories before he was shot down

An image of Lieut. Osborne Orr and a poster advertising opportunities to join the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War. (Images courtesy the Vancouver Island Military Museum)
The Parksville-Qualicum Beach and District SPCA and Mt. Arrowsmith Salvation Army joined forces to help pet owners and their beloved animals. (Submitted photo)

COVID-19: Groups set up program to help Parksville Qualicum Beach pet owners

SPCA, Salvation Army team up to provide for beloved animals

The Parksville-Qualicum Beach and District SPCA and Mt. Arrowsmith Salvation Army joined forces to help pet owners and their beloved animals. (Submitted photo)