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Orange Shirt Day founder Phyllis Webstad and Olympic silver medalist Brigette Laquette take part in opening ceremonies at the Every Child Matters hockey game in Williams Lake Sept. 21. (Angie Mindus photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

VIDEO: Truth, reconciliation kicks off with Canada’s favourite game in Williams Lake

Every Child Matters hockey game part of week-long Orange Shirt Day events

Lori McCarvill and Ingemar Kallman at their Historical Rose Ranch that has been in Ingemar’s family since 1893. (Photo submitted)

CASUAL COUNTRY: Historic Rose Ranch spans four generations

The smell of wild mint and the mustiness from the creek, punctuated…

Bridge Creek’s trees near 100 Mile House show their fall colours as leaves fall into the water. (Patrick Davies photo)

QUIZ: Are you ready for the start of fall?

Autumn equinox is Saturday, Sept. 23, marking the start of the fall season

Phyllis Webstad started the Orange Shirt Society and is helping raise awareness of the generational impacts of residential schools. (Medicine Wheel Publishing photo)

Indigenous artist teams up with Orange Shirt Day founder for new children’s book

Phyllis Webstad works with Tsilhqot’in artist to bring story to life for children six and up

Phyllis Webstad started the Orange Shirt Society and is helping raise awareness of the generational impacts of residential schools. (Medicine Wheel Publishing photo)
One of the beautiful totem poles located throughout the park. (Fiona Grisswell photo 100 Mile Free Press)

South Cariboo Ice Caves offer visitors a unique recreation site

Highway 24 park offers trails, Secwepemc art

One of the beautiful totem poles located throughout the park. (Fiona Grisswell photo 100 Mile Free Press)
Riders with a view down Chilko Lake. Orrie Charleyboy, Aiden Squinas, Jonathan McEwan, Pacey Sulin, Kyle Squinas and Christian Sill Jack. (Photo submitted)

CASUAL COUNTRY: Ulkatcho youth on top of the world

Potato Mountain sets the stage for horseback adventure

  • Sep 24, 2023
Riders with a view down Chilko Lake. Orrie Charleyboy, Aiden Squinas, Jonathan McEwan, Pacey Sulin, Kyle Squinas and Christian Sill Jack. (Photo submitted)
American White Pelican (Jami Crego photo)

CASUAL COUNTRY: American White Pelican

This species is vulnerable for several reasons

  • Sep 23, 2023
American White Pelican (Jami Crego photo)
Elske Stadey, from left, inez Stadey, Tayden Murphy, and Oskar Tillotson, have fun playing with the watershed model at the Streams to Sea table on Sept. 9 at the Horsefly Salmon Festival. (Ruth Lloyd photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Cariboo classrooms can see, assist, in salmon life cycle

Stream to Sea Program provides direct experience of the salmon life cycle for students

Elske Stadey, from left, inez Stadey, Tayden Murphy, and Oskar Tillotson, have fun playing with the watershed model at the Streams to Sea table on Sept. 9 at the Horsefly Salmon Festival. (Ruth Lloyd photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Two views of the #DearTerry shirt designed by actor Ryan Reynolds in collaboration with Fox family members. (Photo: shop.terryfox.org/collections/2023-terry-fox-run-shirt)

QUIZ: How much do you know about Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope?

The run from 1980 continues to inspire a nation

Two views of the #DearTerry shirt designed by actor Ryan Reynolds in collaboration with Fox family members. (Photo: shop.terryfox.org/collections/2023-terry-fox-run-shirt)
Lona Washington is shown with her family in this photo circa 1953. Pictured are George and Lona Washington in front, and their children Marilyn and Gerald in back. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

Vancouver police find scrapbook with Summerland connection

Scrapbook from early 20th century had belonged to Lona Washington

Lona Washington is shown with her family in this photo circa 1953. Pictured are George and Lona Washington in front, and their children Marilyn and Gerald in back. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
It’s time to take stock of how important your feeder is to the local hummingbird population, such as this Anna’s in Greater Victoria. (Photo by Jon Moran)

B.C. hummingbird lovers asked to renew their commitment as winter nears

Anna’s hummingbirds wintering across the south coast of B.C. depend on people

It’s time to take stock of how important your feeder is to the local hummingbird population, such as this Anna’s in Greater Victoria. (Photo by Jon Moran)
Captain Guy Ridler stands in front of the RJ85 large airtanker firefighting plane he flies in his role with Con Air. (Ruth Lloyd photo - Casual Country 2023)

CASUAL COUNTRY: Airtanker pilot based in Williams Lake likes Cariboo life

Guy Ridler provides air support to firefighters in the summer, enjoys Cariboo ski trails in the winter

Captain Guy Ridler stands in front of the RJ85 large airtanker firefighting plane he flies in his role with Con Air. (Ruth Lloyd photo - Casual Country 2023)
Some of the staff at the Thompson Rivers University Williams Lake campus. From left to right: Alissa Clements, Community Education and Work Force Development Admin Assistant; Pat Biblow, Manager, Administration and Operations; Kylie Thomas, Academic Director; Alison Sutherland-Mann, Community Education and Work Force Development Community Coordinator; Meghan Atchison, Interim Campus Assistant; Sarah Shortreed, Academic Advisor; Rhea Clements, Admissions Records Associate; Rosalie McMartin, Interim Assessment Centre Clerk; Thea Telford, Nursing Program Assistant; Geraldine Bob, Coordinator of Indigenous Student Services; Dustin Batty, Tutor; Nic Suapa, Learning Commons & Student Support Coordinator; and Amy Carson, Interim Manager, Enrolment Services and Student Support. (Kim Kimberlin/Black Press Media. Aug. 2023)

CASUAL COUNTRY: Trades at TRU Williams Lake continue to take off

Women in trades growing at TRU

Some of the staff at the Thompson Rivers University Williams Lake campus. From left to right: Alissa Clements, Community Education and Work Force Development Admin Assistant; Pat Biblow, Manager, Administration and Operations; Kylie Thomas, Academic Director; Alison Sutherland-Mann, Community Education and Work Force Development Community Coordinator; Meghan Atchison, Interim Campus Assistant; Sarah Shortreed, Academic Advisor; Rhea Clements, Admissions Records Associate; Rosalie McMartin, Interim Assessment Centre Clerk; Thea Telford, Nursing Program Assistant; Geraldine Bob, Coordinator of Indigenous Student Services; Dustin Batty, Tutor; Nic Suapa, Learning Commons & Student Support Coordinator; and Amy Carson, Interim Manager, Enrolment Services and Student Support. (Kim Kimberlin/Black Press Media. Aug. 2023)
Ray Woods opens gates in the rough stock events at the Williams Lake Stampede, seen here in July 2023 at the 95th Annual Williams Lake Stampede. (Angie Mindus photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

CASUAL COUNTRY: Always a cowboy

Former bullrider, current rodeo volunteer Ray Woods

Ray Woods opens gates in the rough stock events at the Williams Lake Stampede, seen here in July 2023 at the 95th Annual Williams Lake Stampede. (Angie Mindus photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Joan Gentles of the Tl’esqox First Nation has received many awards throughout her lifetime but says sharing her truth - though filled with trauma - is what allows others to share their truth and begin healing. (Kim Kimberlin/Black Press Media)

CASUAL COUNTRY: Cariboo’s Joan Gentles overcomes obstacles, feels fortunate

Joan Gentles is a counsellor, teacher, rodeo competitor and more

Joan Gentles of the Tl’esqox First Nation has received many awards throughout her lifetime but says sharing her truth - though filled with trauma - is what allows others to share their truth and begin healing. (Kim Kimberlin/Black Press Media)
The Prest family of Williams Lake includes Maia (from left), Erin, Cam, Keith, Ethan and Caelan. (Photo submitted)

CASUAL COUNTRY: Family ties help Cariboo family through tough times

Prest family face adversity with humour, positive attitude

The Prest family of Williams Lake includes Maia (from left), Erin, Cam, Keith, Ethan and Caelan. (Photo submitted)
Cam Prest works at the Cariboo Fire Centre. (Ruth Lloyd photo - Casual Country 2023)

CASUAL COUNTRY: Williams Lake’s Cam Prest is taking life as it comes

Mountain bike crash left the young man paralysed

Cam Prest works at the Cariboo Fire Centre. (Ruth Lloyd photo - Casual Country 2023)
Vernon’s Allan Brooks Nature Centre is launching the first phase of its new online learning platform. (ABNC photo)

QUIZ: How much do you know about schools and education?

Students are in the classroom for another year

Vernon’s Allan Brooks Nature Centre is launching the first phase of its new online learning platform. (ABNC photo)
The Cops for Kids annual charity ride started in Kelowna on Friday, Sept. 8 and is going around the southeast of B.C. to raise money for kids dealing with a medical, physical or traumatic crisis. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News) The Cops for Kids annual charity ride started in Kelowna on Friday, Sept. 8 and is going around the southeast of B.C. to raise money for kids dealing with a medical, physical or traumatic crisis. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News) The Cops for Kids annual charity ride started in Kelowna on Friday, Sept. 8 and is going around the southeast of B.C. to raise money for kids dealing with a medical, physical or traumatic crisis. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News) The Cops for Kids annual charity ride started in Kelowna on Friday, Sept. 8 and is going around the southeast of B.C. to raise money for kids dealing with a medical, physical or traumatic crisis. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)

‘Not an easy ride’: Mounties turn the pedals on 10 day Okanagan excursion

The 22nd annual Cops for Kids ride started Sept. 8 in Kelowna

The Cops for Kids annual charity ride started in Kelowna on Friday, Sept. 8 and is going around the southeast of B.C. to raise money for kids dealing with a medical, physical or traumatic crisis. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News) The Cops for Kids annual charity ride started in Kelowna on Friday, Sept. 8 and is going around the southeast of B.C. to raise money for kids dealing with a medical, physical or traumatic crisis. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News) The Cops for Kids annual charity ride started in Kelowna on Friday, Sept. 8 and is going around the southeast of B.C. to raise money for kids dealing with a medical, physical or traumatic crisis. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News) The Cops for Kids annual charity ride started in Kelowna on Friday, Sept. 8 and is going around the southeast of B.C. to raise money for kids dealing with a medical, physical or traumatic crisis. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)
Tom Godin has been creating paintings since he moved to the Cariboo in the 1970s. (100 Mile Free Press historical photo)

Cariboo artist Tom Godin looks back on 45 years of his work

Over the years Godin has been motivated by passion to create his art

Tom Godin has been creating paintings since he moved to the Cariboo in the 1970s. (100 Mile Free Press historical photo)