Community

When his wife died of cancer four years ago, Larry Merritt felt an emptiness and heartache he could not have anticipated. He wanted to remember his lifetime partner Lois in a meaningful way and help other families who are coping with cancer. When a friend suggested he hold a fundraiser dinner, the Kordyban Lodge – a home away from home for people undergoing cancer treatments – immediately came to mind. March 16 is their wedding anniversary (this year they’d have been married 42 years)...

Shoppers Drug Mart and Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) will kick off Ride Don’t Hide at Cycle World, 1191 First Avenue on Wednesday. CMHA invites Prince George to join thousands of Canadians riding their bikes on June 21 in support of mental health. Representatives from Shoppers Drug Mart and CHMA will be on hand to talk about the ride and bringing out 6,000 riders across Canada, including 150 from Prince George. Their goal is to raise $100,000 for mental health programs....

   

Michael Antoine has returned to his roots and his art. “I was so busy for so many years with my daytime jobs – I worked as a roofer, carpenter and landscaper. And when I got home at the end of the day I was just too tired, physically, to get to my art,” he said. “For a long time, I left it alone. Now I have found time to come back to it.” Antoine was one of the First Nations artisans at Aboriginal Days held at CNC’s Gathering Place on Wednesday. He facilitated a workshop during the two-day...

An appreciative and emotional Don Basserman became the latest Prince George resident to be conferred with the Freedom of the City honour. “I’m so proud of this community, especially over the past few weeks for the support and leadership that you showed the Canada Winter Games,” he said to about 700 people gathered for the annual civic dinner, celebrating Prince George’s 100th birthday. Bassermann is known as one of the biggest community boosters in the city, and a mainstay in leadership...

Francis Garwe has a special reason for wanting to be part of an interdisciplinary Northern Health team going to Zimbabwe in southern Africa to provide medical care and education. He was born and raised in Zimbabwe’s capital city, Harare, where the team is headed, tasked with providing the community with the keystone and “building blocks” they can use to create a happier, healthier future. “I left Zimbabwe as a young man and I spent 15 years living and studying in the U.S. to improve...