Grannie Kathie and I are back with Jack and his young parents in Nelson for a few days. When we last visited in person Jack was just five days old. Now at nine weeks he is bigger, longer, stronger, wide-eyed, physically reflexive, and, mostly, lots of fun. I say โmostlyโ as parents know that babies... Continue Reading →
Considering my assassin – Michael Lapsley
After Father Michael Lapsley was exiled by the South African Government in 1976, he joined the African National Congress (ANC) and became one of their chaplains. Whilst living in Zimbabwe he discovered he was on the South African Government hit list.ย In April 1990 he received a letter bomb in the post. As a result... Continue Reading →
Ceilidh Renaissance
[Ken Gray] When I hear the word Ceilidh memory takes me to three different places. First to the movie Local Hero to the scene where Russian fishermen arrive and a Ceilidh is planned for the town hall. To say that "a good time is had by all" understates the scene. Another experience occurred when Kathie... Continue Reading →
We have our work cut out for us now in BC politics
[Ken Gray] Weโve been here before and here we are again. Some will remember the first BC-Liberal government of Gordon Campbell who in 2001 defeated the Glenn Clark led NDP taking 77 of 79 seats in the legislature. This was the largest majority of seats and the second-largest majority of the popular vote in BC... Continue Reading →
Meet Ms. Rachel
[Ken Gray - In my never-ending quest to anticipate the needs and interests of my newborn grandson, Jack I was delighted to discover Ms. Rachel (Rachel Accurso) who uses her fame from her educational YouTube videos to be a passionate advocate for childrenโs rights. Admittedly, for me, two hearings of each episode will likely be... Continue Reading →
“Bring who you are: That is enough”
Andrew Scott With thanks to Kathie Gray I offer the conversation below between a young actor who asked actor Andrew Scott how to develop their acting career in light of mental health challenges. The conversation occurred after a recent HUMEN charity event. [Andrew Scott] I think we are in the embryonic stages of understanding mental... Continue Reading →
Hey there, Jack
This finally happened. On September 7, 2026 Jack entered the world of his parents and his grandparents. (Thatโs us.) Of course he was already present; ask his mother, who carried him through nine months of occasional discomfort and the typical events of labour and delivery. As the son of a redhead, there were other challenges... Continue Reading →
This is such a good news story — Well done Summerland Health Care Auxiliary
Summerland Health Care Auxiliary has raised $1M for a new medical hub in town through the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation. Planned for 13201 Victoria Road North, the Summerland Health Care Auxiliary Medical Clinic's goal is primary care, supporting physician recruitment and retention, and connecting more residents with ongoing medical care. The Auxiliary's gift will... Continue Reading →
Our children and our children’s children — Gifts abundant?
The newest member of the TakeNote team This piece by the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas is part of Sustainable Faith: An Interfaith Season of Creation, a series from Massachusetts Interfaith Power and Light (IPL) in which leaders from across Massachusetts' religious and ethical traditions write, in the first person, about how their faith connects with... Continue Reading →
The story of Orange Shirt Day โ Not everyone knows the story, until now
Published by the CBC Kids team | Last Updated June 04, 2024 Orange Shirt Day began in Williams Lake in 2013 and has since spread to schools across B.C. and Canada. (Orangeshirtday.org) Orange Shirt Day (September 30th) is a day when we honour the Indigenous children who were sent away to residential schools in Canada.... Continue Reading →