Another story in the series Stories from Somewhere, by me, Ken Gray Case #1993-642 The blaring ghetto blaster is getting on Janet’s nerves. Joni Mitchell, whose music is a favourite around the police station, seems to be playing on an endless loop. Detachment Sergeant, Duncan Jaimeson, loves his 60s and 70s folk tunes – Joan... Continue Reading →
Skate Kamloops a huge success
They pulled it off. For the last ten years, Kamloops residents Nancy Bepple, James Gordon, and Steve Gainey, formed and managed Kamloops outdoor Skating Association. Amidst other projects, their goal was to bring an outdoor skating rink to downtown Kamloops. They attended budget meetings; they hosted ball hockey tournaments; they fundraised to help pay for... Continue Reading →
A Hymn of Praise — For E-Bikes
By Bill McKibben — This article appears in the January/February 2026 issue of Sojourners Magazine — Subscribe A no sweat, no hills, planet-loving bicycle seems pretty heavenly to me. THERE ARE A few things that seem like magic to me. One is ice—when water freezes, suddenly you can glide across the surface of the earth.... Continue Reading →
Crawford and Crossley do it again: Okanagan jazz group excited about release of latest tunes
Keith Lacey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for the Penticton Herald [Keith Lacey] Several of the region’s most accomplished jazz musicians have once again teamed up to release a new recording featuring their favourite vocal jazz compositions. The Crawford/Crossley Group has been performing and recording together since 2015. At the heart of the ensemble’s work are... Continue Reading →
Within a hair
Another in a series by me. For other chapters see below “What clipper did I use last time? Number three, or number four?” I had procrastinated long enough. Looking like a modern day Einstein, my hair scrambled madly off in all directions, a sort of Labradoodle look with a dry, scratchy beard attached. It was... Continue Reading →
Ashes to ashes
A short story by Ken Gray From a distance, the amber box on the shelf before me tells no story whatsoever. A beautifully crafted box of coloured strips is no mere bookend. Someone had taken a lot of time to assemble something beautiful for . . . God? Possibly hollow, I have no idea what... Continue Reading →
A sense of humour comes in handy after 40 years of ordained Anglican ministry
Two South Okanagan churches, St. Saviour in Penticton, and St. Stephen in Summerland recently helped the Rev. Canon Roger Cooper celebrate 40 years of ordained Anglican ministry. Asked if he had any wisdom to impart to younger ordinands, Roger suggested that “after 40 yrs of ordained ministry, you need a sense of humor, and a... Continue Reading →
Early Sunday morning
Another in a series of original short stories. Enjoy “Between the vestibule and the altar, let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep.” (Book of Job) I wasn’t weeping, but I felt a little funny. There I was, dressed in Alb and Stole, standard clerical dress for ministers of many Christian denominations, on a... Continue Reading →
The Way I see Street Photography
On my daily troll through online news, sports, and entertainment items I often check out Fstoppers.com, an excellent source for photographers of all abilities and interests. A recent blog talked about street photography and how photographers must practice care, discretion, and resilience to get good shots. For some persons appearing in public, the taking of... Continue Reading →
Meet my friend Ray
Ray Fletcher and I go back a long way, to the winter of 1983. We had both gone north to the Anglican Diocese of Yukon, Ray as a parish priest first in Atlin and later Dawson City. I arrived to join the Yukon Apostolate, an informal order of laity keen to serve the Church in... Continue Reading →