I’m proud to be a Kamloopsian all year round. And, in the past month, Kamloops has really been shining. Today, I just want to tell the story of some of my personal experiences.

With all the craziness and challenges in today’s world, my hope is that you will also reflect on the positivity that is around you. This column is a bit of an expansion of the Good News section we regularly feature in the Chronicle. Here we go:

I’m going to start at the end of June. The amazing Wenda Noonan, Executive Director of theBC Interior Community Foundation, called. The Foundation is celebrating 40 years of “quietly giving” and for all of July, they’ve created a pop up community centrein the foyer of the library / art gallery downtown, featuring dozens of interesting interactive displays and performances showcasing some of our best non profits, musicians, and artists.

On a hot Canada Day, Tom Dickinson, chair of the Kamloops Local News Society, and I chatted with many people in Riverside Park about the importance of more local journalism. Lots of great support and feedback there. Tom is one of the best people I know.

Greg Unger and Deanna Hurtsfielddo an incredible job running our Wednesday and Saturday  farmers’ markets. I want to thank them for allowing community groups to set up table spaces. The Chronicle table, in early July, was next to the “Old Coots Giving Advice” booth. With the subtitle “It’s probably bad advice, but it’s free”, this Tom Rankinorganized effort has brought both light heartedness and earned wisdom to the market. Tom had some super story advice for the next issues of the paper.

Community energizerWayne Richardson, owner of Runners Sole, led the huge team effort to bring together all the different running groups in Kamloops to host the July 6th Kamloops Trail Festival at Harper Mountain.  Thank you, Wayne, for including the Chronicle as one of the event sponsors! Over 60 volunteers supported 200 runners and partial proceeds from the event went to the Miles for Smiles charity.

If you know Patti Phillips from the North Shore Business Improvement Association (NSBIA), you know what a force for good she is in Kamloops. Patti spearheaded the organization of Overlanders Dayson July 20. Great performances, food, business booths, Corgi races, charity dunk tanks, and much more. A vibrant fun summer festival! The Chronicle booth featured a news quiz, candy, and branded pens.

Local businessperson and community builderZainab Oladipowas sponsored to study at TRU, graduated, and decided to pursue her cooking passion by opening the Afrofusion Restaurant downtown.

She is hoping to break the Guiness World Record for continuously cooking for 300 hours, cooking dishes from 195 countries from July 29 to Aug 12. She has two hours each day for rest.

She is hoping to give back by offering meals and specifically supporting 10 families to help them get a hand up.

What I’ve experienced, yet again, in Kamloops fills my cup. I encourage everyone to reflect on the positivity all around us.