Scoop Year in Review
By Jo Boxwell
Another year has gone by, which means another year of stories to reflect on here at the Scoop. We have compiled a few South Shuswap highlights for 2025.
Winter
It seems community halls never sleep. January 2025 was a busy one at Carlin Hall with renovations underway. Meanwhile, the volunteers at Eagle Bay Community Association were looking ahead to a busy 75th anniversary year with the release of a commemorative calendar.
Water was top-of-mind at the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD). New user fees were established for CSRD water systems to ensure adequate reserve funds. Other CSRD board decisions in early 2025 included putting Shuswap Tourism and the Columbia Shuswap Film Commission on hold.
K̓wsaltktnéws ne Secwepemcúl’ecw School District No. 83 moved forward with reconfiguration to remove middle schools over a three-year transition period. Sorrento Elementary School and Carlin Elementary Middle School will become Kindergarten to grade 7 schools, with students progressing to Salmon Arm Secondary School.
The Family Day long weekend featured Frosty’s Free Fun Day hosted by the Shuswap Community Response Network and Sorrento Retreat & Conference Centre. In March, the South Shuswap Chamber of Commerce, with other partners, hosted their inaugural EmpowerHER networking event and tradeshow at Shuswap Lake Estates. The King Charles III Coronation Medal was awarded to multiple Shuswap residents, including Sandi Reutlinger of Blind Bay.
Spring
The White Lake Turtle Festival returned for a third year in April. The fun continued over Easter, with kids tearing around Sorrento-Blind Bay Community Park searching for 7,000 eggs distributed by the Sorrento Lions Club. The Notch Hill Spring Homestead Market and Petting Zoo also drew a big crowd.
A federal election on April 28 saw Conservative Party of Canada candidate and incumbent MP Mel Arnold return to the Official Opposition. MP Arnold represents the new riding of Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies.
As the weather warmed, Sorrento Community Hall hosted their first Family Dance and the White Lake Volunteer Fire Department held their annual Mother’s Day Breakfast. The Sorrento Village Farmers’ Market celebrated 25 years, and the Carlin Elementary Middle School PAC hosted the 12th Annual Carlin Country Market.
The CSRD announced they were working with the Ministry of Transport and Transit around Trans-Canada Highway upgrades and seeking a grant for bank stabilization that would help address Newsome Creek erosion. The erosion threatens multiple homes and affects Sorrento Water System water quality.
Summer
A road rescue service was approved for the North and South Shuswap via an Alternative Approval Process. The service will be established in 2026 and will provide fire departments with the equipment and training to assist with the extraction of people from vehicles following road incidents.
On June 27, the Cpeqétkwe Landmark, part of the Secwépemc Landmarks Project, was unveiled at White Lake Community Park. An election for Skwlãx te Sewepemcúlecw Band Kukpi7 (Chief Councillor) took place on June 28. Lenore Dianne Francois was elected Kukpi7 for the four-year term.
NSSCR lake swimming lessons for kids were held at White Lake, Sunnybrae, Blind Bay and Scotch Creek. The Mount Baldy Lookout trail remained closed with repair work ongoing following damage caused by the 2023 Bush Creek East Wildfire.
It was a vibrant summer for arts and culture, with events such as the Blind Bay Painters Annual Art Show and Sale, the Blind Bay Arts & Gifts Show, the Music by the Bay concert series with Market by the Bay, the Sorrento Summer Pottery Sale and Art on the Green at Cedar Heights Social Centre. NimbleFingers Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival brought strings and toe-tapping tunes to the Sorrento Retreat & Conference Centre in July. Volunteers served over 600 breakfasts at the 75th Anniversary Eagle Bay Day in August (which also marked the completion of Eagle Bay Community Park).
Shuswap car culture shined with the Shuswap Cars and Coffee group, at the Notch Hill Father’s Day Show N’ Shine and during Canada Day celebrations in Blind Bay. Canada’s 158th birthday was celebrated with a free event at Centennial Field and fireworks after dark.
The establishment of a provincial Short Term Rental (STR) Registry complicated the summer for some STR owners who are required to have a Temporary Use Permit. Discussions at the CSRD board table around this issue are ongoing.
The South Shuswap First Responders, volunteers who respond to medical emergencies, celebrated their 25th anniversary. Renovations at White Lake Fire Hall included exterior and interior upgrades.
The 2025 wildfire season was mostly quiet in the Shuswap. Late August heat brought a few spot fires to the region as well as smoky skies.
Two local non-profit organizations were reestablished during the summer and fall. The South Shuswap Hospice Society (formerly the Sorrento & District Hospice Society) relaunched with a new board and fundraising events. Blind Bay Citizens Patrol also got back up and running.
Fall / Winter
On September 6, Electoral Area G residents voted to support the area’s five community halls with annual taxpayer funding to help with operating costs. In October, the CSRD contracted the Okanagan Film Commission for film services, and the Board also approved contracting services to maintain the Shuswap Tourism brand in 2026.
The Trans-Canada Highway Ford Road to Tappen Valley Road Four-Laning project saw significant progress in 2025. The new Tappen Overhead Bridge and frontage roads were completed.
Halloween was celebrated with dances in White Lake and Blind Bay, and fireworks in Sunnybrae. Remembrance Day was observed in Sorrento.
Local fire departments ran annual food drives in December. Community halls were busy with festive craft markets, bake sales and parties, and the Notch Hill Town Hall Association welcomed the CKPC Holiday Train. The Carlin Hall Community Association celebrated the completion of renovations with a Grand Reopening Coffee House event.
“From all of us at the South Shuswap Scoop, thank you for your contributions to our communities
and our publication in 2025. We wish you a healthy and happy 2026.”
