Reprinted from Jordan Copp-Local Journalism Initiative Reporter-Coast Reporter (via Penticton NOW) BC bookstore uses music ties to aid suicide prevention A Gibsons bookstore named Reasons to Live has been raising money for suicide prevention. Last year, they raised over $60,000–more than their store earns in a year. For more than a decade, the owners of Reasons... Continue Reading →
On righteous indignation
A SERMON FOR THE 3RD SUNDAY IN LENTSunday, March 3rd 2024St. Saviour Church, Penticton BCThe Very Rev. Ken Gray I feel so righteous in my indignation today. And I am not alone, for today’s Gospel text takes into the heart of the temple of Jesus' day, where we see our Lord acting in a similar... Continue Reading →
Creating Homefulness in Summerland
Another in our “Life in our little town” series I was expecting a battle as I took my place in the viewers gallery of the District of Summerland council chambers a couple of nights ago. Someone told someone who then told me that NIMBYism was again exploding in our little town. (Don’t get me going... Continue Reading →
66 — More than just a number
It’s just a number, couched between 65 and 67, not one of the “big ones” where birthdays are concerned, not yet 70, but certainly no longer 50. Today is little different from yesterday, but today I turn 66. No song today like When I’m 64, but the music—and my life— goes on. Thankfully. The number... Continue Reading →
Three Long Weeks — A Stress Bucket Diary — by Juno
Juno is an increasingly famous dog blogger. She has followers now from three continents, and a few from the Twilight Zone. Enjoy. Welcome to my personal stress-bucket diary. I know, I know; you see me prancing around and cannot imagine that stress is part of my four-pawed life. But apparently it is. Change it seems,... Continue Reading →
How will I use an extra day this year?
A few days prior to February 29, 2024 I want to think out loud about how I might use this quadrennial leap year gift. Once every four years, a day is added to compensate for approximations within the calculation of time, as earth continues its spatial and temporal riot through the cosmos. So help me... Continue Reading →
Anything to declare? The Hawkins Cheezies story
This post has been corrected from an earlier version. Only in Canada you say? That used to refer to Red Rose Tea, whose Canadian brand touted a quality tea product, superior to the favoured English varieties, but only available in Canada. Well move over Red Rose Tea because you now have another exclusively Canadian contender,... Continue Reading →
Connections
Sixteen squares each occupied by a single word. At first glance, they are simply words, seemingly unrelated to each other. The challenge--in this popular New York Times e-game--is to group these sixteen words into four connected clusters. The clusters are grouped supposedly by difficulty. Much depends however on how aware I am of pop culture,... Continue Reading →
Juno REDUX—Five favourite 2023 blog posts
If it’s good enough for The Guardian and for The New York Times, each running selected stories and opinion pieces between Christmas and New Years presently, it’s good enough for me, Juno. Welcome to Juno REDUX, a look back at my canine journalistic parlance par excellence during 2023. I must start with Therapy Dog Team,... Continue Reading →
Christmas Cards 2023
A version of this material will form my 2023 Christmas Eve Sermon at St. Stephen’s, Summerland. 7 p.m. is you’re in the hood. Everyone likes receiving Christmas cards—at least most people do. See my comments elsewhere. For many, the traditional Christmas card is now replaced by the annual newsletter—my own tend to go on a... Continue Reading →