The 20 best good news stories of 2020

Though news about the pandemic seems never ending, there was plenty of good news stories this year.

Here are 20 stories that brought smiles to our faces.

Funding announced for Avalanche Canada

The federal government followed through on a $25 million promise to support Avalanche Canada that was previously unveiled in the fall budget update in 2019.

Surgical equipment purchased for hospital

Funds raised by the Revelstoke Hospital Auxiliary were used to purchase a Fluent Console System and the Omni Hysteroscope.

The two pieces of equipment are used in hysteroscopic surgeries, which specialist Dr. Nick Half, performs in Revelstoke on monthly basis.

Community musicals return after 11 years

Shrek the Musical, featuring 50 cast members from Revelstoke, opened Feb. 7 and sold out.

Volunteering to shovel snow

Sandra Gregory started Revelstoke Unstuck after seeing a need for volunteers to help seniors shovel snow.

Students sewing giant quilt for climate action

Between stacks of books elementary students sew vibrant patches of cloth. For a group of kids, the room is relatively quiet as they try to loop thread through needles.

The patches they sew are brightly painted with messages like reduce, reuse, recycle and we only have one earth. The crafting is for a giant climate action quilt.

Victoria Stange is one of the founders of LUNA and one of the organizers behind the climate action quilt. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)

Library celebrates 100th anniversary

The Women’s Canadian Club launched a petition in the spring of 1920 for creating a library. Even though there was interest earlier, the club could not meet due to a ban on gathering from flu and measles outbreaks

The original library was housed in the old city hall. When it opened it had roughly 600 books.

Resident nudges city to install new turtle crossing signs

The city recently installed two crossing signs at the top of Red Devil Hill on Airport Way.

The Williamson Lake/Airport Marsh is home to one of the most northern populations of the Western Painted Turtle.

Students work in the trades and earn high school credits

Eight Revelstoke high school students participated in the Youth Train in Trades Program as part of a partnership between Okanagan College, the Industry Training Authority and SD19.

The program allows students to earn their Level 1 technical trades training, while also getting credits towards their high school diploma; giving them an incredible opportunity to graduate high school with a head start in a career.

Highlanders Pipe Band play for long-term care residents on Canada Day

The Revelstoke Highlanders Pipe Band played outside Mount Cartier Court long-term care facility on Canada Day.

The group said it was to spread cheer on Canada’s national holiday.

Community celebrates RSS graduates

Revelstokians were invited to drive by the students and give them a honk and wave.

Many vehicles were decorated with signs, photos and celebratory messages.

Art Alleries adds new displays

Three artists were selected to bring Phase Two of Art Alleries to life.

The alley behind The Roxy Theatre has a metal work sculpture by Kyle Thornley, the alley behind the Revelstoke Dental Centre has photography by Bruno Long and a stained glass window by Kelly Hutcheson is installed in the Revelstoke Credit Union facing the alley.

Guerrilla Gigs pure magic

Last summer the Revelstoke Arts Council hosted Guerrilla Gigs, a concert series that is held in some of Revelstoke’s most iconic outdoor locations.

The first Guerrilla Gig, forestry museum riverside forest walk, July 8, Jared Wayne featuring Nik Winnitowy. (Jocelyn Doll/Revelstoke Review)

Significantly less wildfires

As of July 7, almost 99 per cent less land in B.C. burned this year, compared to the same period in 2018.

Snared eagle set free

The bird was snared upside down in a large cottonwood tree, roughly 40 metres high, near the Columbia River on Aug. 11.

Chris Delworth climbed the tree with spurs, ropes and pulleys. He sawed through the branch. As if fell the eagle broke free.

Women’s Shelter Society hires in-house counsellor

Funded through the shelter, counsellor Terri Forester (RTCC) will be available to women, and their children, who are fleeing abuse and staying at the shelter.

Community Connections buys second location

Community Connections expanded into additional space.

The non-profit organization recently purchased the building at 416 2nd St. West, which was previously used for Revelstoke Cable TV.

Teachers set up outdoor classrooms

A group of elementary students leave the school and head for the woods. No, it’s not recess. It’s time for math.

While they walk, kids banter about dragon flies and trees.

At the end of the path, stumps are set in a circle beneath large conifers.

This is one of Revelstoke’s outdoor classrooms.

Filmmaker makes cycling for mental health movie

When sitting down to brainstorm his next art-film project, Desrosiers kept coming back to biking and exploring how other people use their bikes.

One year later, Full Circle debuted at LUNA Re-imagined.

Shades for Mt. Cartier Court

Residents at Mount Cartier Court have a new stylish place to sit in the shade outside.

A shade sail was donated to Mount Cartier Court this summer.

Local films headed to film festival

The upcoming snowsports show at the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival may as well be called the Revelstoke show, as four of the five films have ties to this winter town.

One of the films premiering at the festival is Motherload, directed by Revelstoke’s Zoya Lynch.

@RevelstokeRevue editor@revelstoketimesreview.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Revelstoke Review

Myra Morrison and Denis Severino, July 22 (Mia Ehrler photography)

Practically Bros, Amy Burton and Maggie Davis, July 15. (Mia Erhler photography)

Shred Kelly, Revelation Lodge, Aug. 12. (Mia Erhler photography)

Old Soul Rebel's Lola Whyte gives the final Guerrilla Gig performance in August. The show was on the river flats, downstream of Revelstoke. Guerrilla Gigs was a concert series of secret shows held at some of our city's most iconic locations. There were eight concerts. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)

Motherload is about mothers trying to take their kids skiing. (Submitted)

An outdoor classroom near Begbie View Elementary. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Reviews)

Bruno Long’s A Friend of A Friend is three digital art pieces made using photographs of 50 Revelstoke residents. It was unveiled at LUNA RE-IMAGINED on Sept. 26 and is a permanent installation in Revelstoke’s Art Alleries. (Jocelyn Doll/Revelstoke Review)

Shrek The Musical is the first community musical production in 11 years and the first at the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre. Opening night was Feb. 7, 2020. (Jocelyn Doll - Revelstoke Review)

A Simple Joy by Kyle Thornely hangs at the back of the Roxy Theatre. Though it will be taken down to be completed, it is a permanent addition to Revelstoke’s Art Alleries. (Jocelyn Doll/Revelstoke Review)

A look at the stained glass piece by Kelly Hutchison in Revelstoke Credit Union’s alley window. Luna Art Fest photo.

The parade was lead by police, fire trucks and school buses. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)

The Revelstoke Highlanders Pipe Band played outside Mount Cartier Court long-term care facility on Canada Day. (Liam Harrap - Revelstoke Review)

Two new turtle crossing signs were recently installed by the City of Revelstoke on Airport Way. (Myles Williamson/Revelstoke Review)

Victoria Stange is one of the founders of LUNA and one of the organizers behind the climate action quilt. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)Victoria Stange is one of the founders of LUNA and one of the organizers behind the climate action quilt. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)

Sandra Gregory created the Facebook group Revelstoke Unstuck to connect volunteers to others in the community that need help. (Liam Harrap/Revelstoke Review)

Shrek the Musical, featuring 50 Revelstoke residents is opening Feb. 7. There will be seven shows including two matinees. (Rob Buchanan photo)

The 20 best good news stories of 2020

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