Holidays

Wiarton Willie sits in his cage in Wiarton, Ont., on Friday, Feb.2, 2018. Famed and furry forecasters of spring are set to make their predictions this morning. It's Groundhog Day, and as folklore goes, a groundhog will emerge from its burrow and if it does not see its shadow, then spring is just around the corner, while if it does and retreats, then we can expect six more weeks of winter. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Hannah Yoon

Groundhog Day: Fred is dead in Quebec, Willie and Sam at odds over spring’s arrival

Tragedy and discord reigns in the world of rodent winter weather forecasting

 

60 family photos were taken during the Dec. 15 Santa pics fundraiser hosted by the Maple Ridge Community Foundation and Tony Rodney Photography. (Kevin Nosworthy/Special to The News)

Holiday pictures fundraiser collects thousands of dollars for Maple Ridge charities

The Dec. 15 event was hosted by the Maple Ridge Community Foundation and Tony Rodney Photography

 

Luggage bags are amassed in the bag claim area at Toronto Pearson International Airport, as a major winter storm disrupts flights in and out of the airport, in Toronto, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Holiday passengers arriving without bags as Toronto Pearson airport luggage piles up

Passengers unsure how to reclaim bags as hundreds of pieces of luggage show up late to YYZ

 

Christmas lights account for much of the light bulb waste found in landfills, according to Product Care Recycling. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

One way to support the Earth this holiday season? Recycle old decorations

Product Care Recycling is urging British Columbians to take care of holiday waste responsibly

Christmas lights account for much of the light bulb waste found in landfills, according to Product Care Recycling. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Santa and Mrs. Claus take a well-deserved break after reading through all the Black Press Media papers in Greater Victoria to update the naught and nice list. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

10 questions with Santa and Mrs. Claus

Black Press Media staffers put together a line of questioning for the…

Santa and Mrs. Claus take a well-deserved break after reading through all the Black Press Media papers in Greater Victoria to update the naught and nice list. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Megan Mercier collected more than a carload of toys, food, and gifts with her Christmas display at 19640 Alouette Blvd. in Pitt Meadows. (Megan Mercier/Special to The News)

Pitt Meadows home doubles down on Christmas display

It’s the first year that Megan Mercier has created a big display at 19640 Alouette Blvd.

Megan Mercier collected more than a carload of toys, food, and gifts with her Christmas display at 19640 Alouette Blvd. in Pitt Meadows. (Megan Mercier/Special to The News)
Justin Eveline and his wife, Amy Bracken. The couple, known for their generosity, redirected GoFundMe donations given to Eveline after he broke his leg to fund a Christmas dinner for the homeless in Salmon Arm. (Contributed)

After breaking leg, B.C. man to pay kindness forward to people in greater need

Justin Eveline to host Christmas Eve dinner for those living rough

Justin Eveline and his wife, Amy Bracken. The couple, known for their generosity, redirected GoFundMe donations given to Eveline after he broke his leg to fund a Christmas dinner for the homeless in Salmon Arm. (Contributed)
This photo shows certified dog behavior consultant Gabrielle Johnson with her dogs on Oct. 11 in Richmond, Va. Johnson said a little preparation goes a long way for people bringing their pets along on holiday home stays with loved ones. (Josh Mark Rickey via AP)

Bringing a dog along for a holiday stay? Make sure to plan

Tensions can be dialed way down with a little preparation

This photo shows certified dog behavior consultant Gabrielle Johnson with her dogs on Oct. 11 in Richmond, Va. Johnson said a little preparation goes a long way for people bringing their pets along on holiday home stays with loved ones. (Josh Mark Rickey via AP)
ValleyFair Mall and Haney Place Mall will both be offering free gift wrapping, on Dec. 20 and 22, respectively. (Tracy Holmes/Special to The News)

Maple Ridge malls offer free gift wrapping for food bank donations

ValleyFair Mall will do gift wrapping on Tuesday, and Haney Place Mall on Thursday

ValleyFair Mall and Haney Place Mall will both be offering free gift wrapping, on Dec. 20 and 22, respectively. (Tracy Holmes/Special to The News)
This horse is more decorated for the holidays than many homes are. (Lisa Parker/Special to The News)

PHOTOS: Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows pets all decked out for the holidays

Our viewers shared some pictures of their furry friends in their most festive outfits

This horse is more decorated for the holidays than many homes are. (Lisa Parker/Special to The News)
Sunta Sem, seen in an undated handout photo, is a Toronto private chef and caterer who sells meals through the Cookin app. Sem will swap sweet potatoes for other root vegetables like parsnips or when preparing food with greens, opt for Boston lettuce, which she says hasn’t risen in price too much. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Cookin

Hosting a holiday dinner? Here are some cost-saving tips

‘It’s crazy, like you need a mortgage to go to the grocery store right now’

Sunta Sem, seen in an undated handout photo, is a Toronto private chef and caterer who sells meals through the Cookin app. Sem will swap sweet potatoes for other root vegetables like parsnips or when preparing food with greens, opt for Boston lettuce, which she says hasn’t risen in price too much. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Cookin
Voting to select the winner of the Haney Place Mall ugly sweater contest will run from Jan. 3 to 10. (Ann Marie Hak/Special to The News)

Maple Ridge mall takes fashion in strange direction for holiday photo contest

Haney Place Mall’s ugly holiday sweater contest runs until Dec. 31

Voting to select the winner of the Haney Place Mall ugly sweater contest will run from Jan. 3 to 10. (Ann Marie Hak/Special to The News)
Lesley Cook-Puls (left) and her husband Lewis Puls (right) have been creating vintage Christmas displays at their Maple Ridge home for more than a decade. (Lesley Cook-Puls/Special to The News)

Maple Ridge couple creates Christmas display straight from the ‘60s

The 12480 Klassen Place home only uses vintage and recycled decorations

Lesley Cook-Puls (left) and her husband Lewis Puls (right) have been creating vintage Christmas displays at their Maple Ridge home for more than a decade. (Lesley Cook-Puls/Special to The News)
Christmas display at 11776 Albertan St. in Pitt Meadows. (Special to The News)

Christmas displays to check out in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows

Submit impressive local holiday decorations to be included in annual list

Christmas display at 11776 Albertan St. in Pitt Meadows. (Special to The News)
Employees and their guests attend the holiday dinner and karaoke party for Ajinomoto Health and Nutrition North America employees Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, in Schaumburg, Ill. Say goodbye to virtual wine tasting, and practice your karaoke. Company holiday parties are making a comeback. After more than two years of working in pajama bottoms and clinking glasses over Zoom, many office workers are yearning for a bit of glamour, or at least a sense of normalcy. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Company holiday parties are back — but with some restraint

After two years of Zoom, many workers seem to be yearning for a bit of glamour

Employees and their guests attend the holiday dinner and karaoke party for Ajinomoto Health and Nutrition North America employees Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, in Schaumburg, Ill. Say goodbye to virtual wine tasting, and practice your karaoke. Company holiday parties are making a comeback. After more than two years of working in pajama bottoms and clinking glasses over Zoom, many office workers are yearning for a bit of glamour, or at least a sense of normalcy. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
The Better Business Bureau is warning shoppers of a scam involving barcodes being swapped on gift cards. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Gift card scam catching B.C. holiday shoppers off guard

Better Business Bureau issues warning after barcodes swapped on cards

The Better Business Bureau is warning shoppers of a scam involving barcodes being swapped on gift cards. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Doug Bried and Dorothy Bried dedicated their massive Christmas display at 19528 117 Ave. to their deceased neighbour. (Dorothy Bried/Special to The News)

Pitt Meadows family dedicates Christmas display to deceased neighbour

Santa, polar bears, and rescued Christmas trees at 117th Avenue home

Doug Bried and Dorothy Bried dedicated their massive Christmas display at 19528 117 Ave. to their deceased neighbour. (Dorothy Bried/Special to The News)
Ruskin Community Hall is offering a Breakfast with Santa event on Dec. 10, 2022. (Ruskin Community Hall Association/Special to The News)

Maple Ridge residents can share a meal with Santa

Ruskin Community Hall hosts Dec. 10 Breakfast with Santa event

Ruskin Community Hall is offering a Breakfast with Santa event on Dec. 10, 2022. (Ruskin Community Hall Association/Special to The News)
Christmas display at 19528 117 Ave. in Pitt Meadows. (Special to The News)

Christmas displays to check out in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows

Submit impressive local holiday decorations to be included in annual list

Christmas display at 19528 117 Ave. in Pitt Meadows. (Special to The News)
Christmas in Pitt Meadows provides an opportunity to get photos taken with Santa, and also has a station set up to write him a letter. (The News)

Thousands expected to attend annual Christmas in Pitt Meadows celebration

The Dec. 2 event will feature Community Service Awards, photos with Santa, live music, and more

Christmas in Pitt Meadows provides an opportunity to get photos taken with Santa, and also has a station set up to write him a letter. (The News)
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