Christmas

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. From left: Mark DuMez, Georgia Bennett and Randy Huber couldn’t be happier about the upcoming return to the stage at the Chemainus Theatre. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Holiday Jubilation a momentous occasion for popular Island theatre

First live performance on Chemainus stage since March 2020 to make the Christmas season shine

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. From left: Mark DuMez, Georgia Bennett and Randy Huber couldn’t be happier about the upcoming return to the stage at the Chemainus Theatre. (Photo by Don Bodger)
(File photo)

POLL: Do you plan to donate to charity this holiday season?

Question of the week

(File photo)
SOS Caring for Community at Christmas provides special gifts for local children and youth, and grocery store gift cards for low-income families and individuals. (Photo submitted)

SOS Christmas program removing stigma for children in Parksville Qualicum Beach

Initiative helps fill gap for low-income families

SOS Caring for Community at Christmas provides special gifts for local children and youth, and grocery store gift cards for low-income families and individuals. (Photo submitted)
Bonnie Brown, business manager of the Mount Arrowsmith Salvation Army, visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (Peter McCully photo)

PQBeat: Talking Christmas with Bonnie Brown of the Mount Arrowsmith Salvation Army

Podcast: Fundraising initiatives underway in Parksville Qualicum Beach

Bonnie Brown, business manager of the Mount Arrowsmith Salvation Army, visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (Peter McCully photo)
Moonlight Madness in the Town of Qualicum Beach features a variety of activities that include groups singing Christmas Carols. The event is slated to take place on Nov. 25. (PQN News file photo)

Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce hosts ‘Moonlight Madness’ on Nov. 25

Merchants to decorate their businesses and stay open late

Moonlight Madness in the Town of Qualicum Beach features a variety of activities that include groups singing Christmas Carols. The event is slated to take place on Nov. 25. (PQN News file photo)
Promotional poster for The Village Voices of Qualicum Beach’s fall afternoon concert, ‘Songs for a Winter’s Night,’ on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (Submitted photo)

The Village Voices of Qualicum Beach returns for fall concert on Nov. 20

Afternoon concert to be held at Christian Fellowship Centre

Promotional poster for The Village Voices of Qualicum Beach’s fall afternoon concert, ‘Songs for a Winter’s Night,’ on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (Submitted photo)
The SOS Christmas program provides grocery store gift cards so families and individuals can choose food that has special meaning to them during the holidays. Parents and grandparents can also access the program to get Christmas gifts for their children. (Submitted photo)

SOS Christmas program ensures PQB residents experience joy during the holidays

Gift card provides single mom with feeling of ‘incredible relief’

The SOS Christmas program provides grocery store gift cards so families and individuals can choose food that has special meaning to them during the holidays. Parents and grandparents can also access the program to get Christmas gifts for their children. (Submitted photo)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

POLL: Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

Question of the week

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Susanna Newton, left, SOS executive director, and Paul Drummond, general manager at Tigh-Na-Mara, stand in front of the gifts donated during the Tigh-Na-Mara Toy Drive last year. This year the resort will offer the same modified version of the Toy Drive. (Lissa Alexander photo)

13th annual Tigh-Na-Mara Toy Drive underway in Parksville

Event helps local families and individuals at Christmas

Susanna Newton, left, SOS executive director, and Paul Drummond, general manager at Tigh-Na-Mara, stand in front of the gifts donated during the Tigh-Na-Mara Toy Drive last year. This year the resort will offer the same modified version of the Toy Drive. (Lissa Alexander photo)
Promotional poster for Grandmothers to Grandmothers 14th Annual Christmas Extravaganza, to be held at Parksville’s Bayside Resort on Nov. 19 and Nov. 20, 2021. (Submitted photo)

Oceanside Grandmothers to Grandmothers to hold 14th annual Christmas Extravaganza

In-person event at Parksville’s Bayside Resort Nov. 19 and Nov. 20

Promotional poster for Grandmothers to Grandmothers 14th Annual Christmas Extravaganza, to be held at Parksville’s Bayside Resort on Nov. 19 and Nov. 20, 2021. (Submitted photo)
The Knox United Church will hold their 16th annual “Perfect Gift” Christmas Craft Fair, including 75 vendors from around the Island, on Saturday, Nov. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (PQB News file photo)

Knox United ‘Perfect Gift’ Christmas craft fair returns to Parksville

Event to be held on Nov. 6 from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

The Knox United Church will hold their 16th annual “Perfect Gift” Christmas Craft Fair, including 75 vendors from around the Island, on Saturday, Nov. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (PQB News file photo)
(Depositphotos.com)

Give your Christmas tree back to the wild by leaving it outside: nature conservancy

The trees can be a great benefit to local wildlife

  • Dec 29, 2020
(Depositphotos.com)
(The Canadian Press)

VIDEO: Treats children leave for Santa around the world

It varies country to country

(The Canadian Press)
Shawnigan Lake’s Kim Barnard displays “Happy Campers,” her entry in the 2020 Habitat for Humanity Victoria Gingerbread Showcase. (Submitted)

Christmas miracle leads to a gingerbread legacy for Cowichan’s Kim Barnard

Seasonal business celebrates Sweet 16 this year

Shawnigan Lake’s Kim Barnard displays “Happy Campers,” her entry in the 2020 Habitat for Humanity Victoria Gingerbread Showcase. (Submitted)
Sparke the Christmas Light’s mysterious backstory has been revealed after the creator Donald Shupe reached out to The News.

Do you remember Sparkle the Christmas Light?

Creator of popular 80s/90s light discusses item’s origin, wants to see it revived

Sparke the Christmas Light’s mysterious backstory has been revealed after the creator Donald Shupe reached out to The News.
(Pixabay, illustration)

Where’s Santa? NORAD is tracking the jolly old man around the globe this Christmas

As with all things, the Santa tracker will look a little different this year

(Pixabay, illustration)
The Edmilao family, including Apollo and his younger brother, Francis, moved to Canada in the 1970s. (Edmilao family/Special to the Langley Advance Times)

Code Name: Big Red – B.C. soldier with NORAD helps Santa get around the globe safely

The annual NORAD Tracks Santa program features a soldier who grew up in Langley

The Edmilao family, including Apollo and his younger brother, Francis, moved to Canada in the 1970s. (Edmilao family/Special to the Langley Advance Times)
Canada’s chief medical officer Dr. Theresa Tam chats with Santa Claus on Zoom in December 2020. (Twitter)

VIDEO: Santa Claus cleared for arrival in Canada

The jolly old fellow is an essential worker

Canada’s chief medical officer Dr. Theresa Tam chats with Santa Claus on Zoom in December 2020. (Twitter)
Santa flying with BC EHS to visit hospitals around B.C. on Dec. 22, 2020. (BC EHS/Twitter)

Nothing stops Santa from bringing joy to sick children – even with pandemic protocols

Santa sent gifts to Victoria General, Surrey Memorial, Royal Columbian and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital

  • Dec 22, 2020
Santa flying with BC EHS to visit hospitals around B.C. on Dec. 22, 2020. (BC EHS/Twitter)
(Pxhere.com)

VIDEO: 5 tips for wrapping your Christmas presents

Here’s a few tips

(Pxhere.com)