Top Stories Category

by Adam Olsen Local small businesses are the lifeblood of every community, and the Saanich Peninsula is no exception. In fact, 99% of businesses in Canada are tiny by international standards. It’s an understatement to say that small business success is the most critical factor for a resilient economy, contributing jobs, innovation and diversity to our communities. The Saanich Peninsula has an incredibly diverse marketplace. Take a trip down any road in the Peninsula, rural or urban, and you may be surprised to find virtually any product or service youRead More

Among my earliest memories are bombs, rats in the air raid shelter, WWI servicemen, and the Poppy Factory. Until recently I thought the latter as much a myth as our family Homemade Cake Factory. Even though my mother pointed out a building not far from where we lived in Richmond, just outside London, as being “where the poppies are made.”For a week or two before Remembrance Day she would stand in the wind and rain selling those poppies to raise funds for veterans of both great wars.Read More

by Linda M. Langwith The early pioneers of Brentwood Bay were a hardy lot, carving farms out of the forest, caring for their families, raising livestock, growing grain, and selling such staples as eggs, butter, milk and other foodstuffs to a growing population in Victoria. Even in those challenging times of long hours and hard work, thought was given to creating and building a sustainable community. George Thomas and his family always made a point of inviting their neighbours to share in traditional Christmas celebrations. The names of guests are familiarRead More

The idea of coming together with friends and family during the holiday season creates a warm feeling inside most of us. Gathering to share a coffee, a cup of tea and a warm laugh is what this time of year is all about. The Village of Saanichton takes the gathering experience and goes one step further, by bringing the entire community together with their annual “Community Christmas Event.” This year it takes place on Saturday, December 14th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Saanichton Village slows down just a littleRead More

by Linda Hunter For Brentwood Bay’s Johnathan Smith and Kelly Sterling, “family” is number one. With five young children under 12 along with a 16-year-old nephew, raising six dependents is their first priority, with health and wellness a close second. Their journey has been difficult at times: the past two years have included trips to the local Food Bank, difficulties holding down full-time work due to serious illness and surgeries, and reliance on one unreliable family vehicle. Grateful for the love and support of a caring community, they have struggled toRead More