Friday - November 21 - From stables to cellars

🌧 High 7C

Good morning!

Today’s issue features our profile of Whispering Horse Winery—a look at how a small Fraser Valley producer is carving out its own place in an emerging wine region.

We’re still experimenting with the right mix of news and features, so you may notice a few changes next week. As always, your feedback is welcome (and appreciated).

Have a great weekend.

– William

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Traffic & Weather

🌤 Local forecast: Langley | Chilliwack | Abbotsford | Hope | Mission

🚘 Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google, and find DriveBC’s latest updates.

🛣 Click here for links to road cameras across the Fraser Valley, including those for the Coquihalla, Highway 7, Hope-Princeton, Fraser Canyon, and Highway 1 in Langley and Abbotsford.

News + Features

From horses to hybrid grapes: The story of Whispering Horse Winery

This week, we’re taking you to Yarrow, where a former horse ranch has quietly become one of the Fraser Valley’s most distinctive wineries. Whispering Horse is the work of the Giesbrecht family and winemaker Laurent Fadanni, who has transformed his partner’s multigenerational ranch into an estate vineyard—and soon, a cultural hub for the region.

Fadanni’s path from poet and playwright to winemaker is an unlikely one, shaped by cool-climate experimentation, family legacy, and a philosophy that wine should bring people together. With a new tasting room about to open, Whispering Horse is betting on something bigger than bottles: community.

Read the full story →

Need to Know

🔧 Langley Environmental Partners Society is hosting a Repair Café on November 22 at Nicomekl Elementary School, offering free repairs by skilled volunteers for household items. [Langley Advance Times]

🏕️ The province shut down the Cole Road rest area encampment in Abbotsford with no notice, closing washrooms, cutting power and water, leaving residents including seniors and people with disabilities without services. [CTV News]

🤸 Langley Gymnastics Foundation athlete Aiden Gonzalez competed at the Junior World Cup Championships in the Philippines from November 20-24 as one of three Canadian athletes selected. [Langley Advance Times]

🔫 Two vehicles on Janzen Street in Abbotsford were struck by bullets before 4:00 AM on November 18 in an extortion-related shooting, with sleeping residents inside unharmed. [CBC News]

🏳️‍⚧️ University of the Fraser Valley hosted a Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil on November 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM to honour those who have died fighting for transgender rights. [Chilliwack Progress]

⛸️ Stars on Ice announced its first Chilliwack performance on May 16, 2026 at the Coliseum featuring Elvis Stojko and Olympic skaters, with tickets starting at $39.50 on November 21. [Mission City Record]

🎁 Chilliwack-area firefighters are hosting their annual Christmas Toy Drive on December 6-7 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Canadian Tire, collecting new unwrapped toys and cash donations for Chilliwack Community Services after raising $12,000 worth of toys last year. [Fraser Valley Today]

📺 AdvantageHOPE invited residents to Memorial Park on November 23 at 3:00 PM to film a community video supporting Hope's bid for HGTV's Home Town Takeover Canada after advancing to the next round of casting. [Agassiz-Harrison Observer]

🌿 New from Mateína: A zero sugar, organic yerba mate that delivers clean, balanced energy — no crash, no weird ingredients. Just plant-powered fuel that works.*

*Sponsored Listing

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In the Valley

Updated weekly: Your guide to Fraser Valley holiday events

Holiday magic is happening all across the Fraser Valley this season. From tree lighting ceremonies and festive markets to concerts, parades, and family-friendly celebrations, there's no shortage of ways to embrace the spirit of the season. We've just updated this list with even more events—check out the new additions and keep sending us your community happenings to include!

What’s coming up →

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🗓 Things to do

SPCA Pet Photos with Santa: A photo fundraiser on Saturday, November 22 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Minter Country Garden supports the Chilliwack SPCA with a minimum $20 donation, digital photos sent after the event, and new pet toy donations welcomed.

Adult Workshop: Grand Evergreen Urn: A hands-on workshop on Saturday, November 23 at 11:00 AM at Cedar Rim Nursery teaches participants to create a festive evergreen arrangement with fresh winter greens and decorative accents, priced at $100 with all materials included.

Perfect Homemade Croissants: A four-hour intensive baking class on Monday, November 24 at 9:00 AM at Rise Baking Lab teaches the full croissant-making process including mixing, laminating, shaping, and baking, priced at $194.25 with all ingredients and tools provided.

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Catch up

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