Let’s start with a joke if that’s ok!
Joke of the Week 🤠
The Professional Hiker and the Bear
A guy is out hiking in the deep woods when suddenly, a massive grizzly bear steps out onto the trail about twenty feet ahead of him. The bear locks eyes with him and lets out a ferocious roar.
Terrified, the hiker drops to his knees, closes his eyes, and starts praying. "Please, Lord," he whispers, "let this bear be a good Christian bear."
After a few moments of tense silence, the hiker opens one eye. To his amazement, the bear has also dropped to its knees, clasped its paws together, and bowed its head.
The hiker is overjoyed. "It’s a miracle!" he shouts, looking up to the heavens. "My prayers have been answered! A truly peaceful, Christian bear!"
The bear opens its eyes, looks at the hiker, and says: "Shhh! I'm trying to say grace before I eat."
☀️ Positively Abbotsford
🏆 1. Sevenoaks Management Wins Community Matters Award
The Abbotsford Board of Education officially presented the 2026 Community Matters Award to Morguard, the management team behind Sevenoaks Shopping Centre. Since 2020, they’ve quietly stepped up by donating over $15,000 to local school meal programs. Now that BC's Feeding Futures program has taken over food funding, Sevenoaks is shifting its financial support toward district literacy initiatives, putting brand-new books directly into the hands of local students.
🍎 2. Local "Heroes in Education" Celebrated
The community came together to honour several incredible local school staff members. Among those recognized were Jan Koch, a learning support teacher at Abbotsford Senior Secondary who has spent nearly 40 years helping students unlock their potential, and Ben Gruber, the beloved 85-year-old crossing guard at Clayburn Middle School who has spent over a decade greeting students with a massive smile every single morning.
🏒 3. A Massive Celebration for the Abbotsford Canucks
The City of Abbotsford announced a major community celebration rally at the Abbotsford Centre to toast the Abbotsford Canucks' incredible season. To make a good story even better, the city kept tickets to the event at just $5, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the Canucks for Kids Fund to support children’s charities across BC.
🐙 4. Summer Reading Club Launches "Under the Sea"
The Fraser Valley Regional Library branches in Abbotsford officially kicked off their annual Summer Reading Club this week. This year’s theme is "Under the Sea," and it’s a completely free program designed to keep local kids engaged with reading over the summer break through fun tracking challenges, library events, and prizes.
📅 What's Happening This Week
💃 1. Xtreme Cheer and Dance Year-End Show
When: Friday, June 26, 2026
Where: Abbotsford Arts Centre
What: Local youth dancers and cheerleaders take the stage for their major wrap-up performance of the season.
🌮 2. Taste Around the World 2026
When: Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Where: Clearbrook Library (Dahlstrom High Density space)
What: A popular, delicious community cultural event celebrating global flavors and diverse cuisines right in the heart of town.
🎸 3. Live Music: Happy Birthday Fun Director!
When: Friday, June 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Where: Straiton Community Hall
What: A fun, local community concert featuring special guest Goodwife for an evening of live music up on Sumas Mountain.
👟 4. JAM Dance Studio Showcase
When: Sunday, June 28, 2026
Where: Abbotsford Arts Centre
What: Another fantastic local showcase celebrating the hard work of Abbotsford’s community dance students as they wrap up their June season.
🌽 Abbotsford Farm & Country MarketThe local market is a staple for weekend mornings, highlighting the best of the Fraser Valley's fresh produce and community makers.
When: Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Where: 2552 McCallum Rd, Abbotsford, BC
What: Drop by to support local growers, bakers, and artisans. It’s the perfect place to grab fresh seasonal ingredients, handmade treats, and unique local crafts to kick off your weekend.
For more events happening in the area visit Eventbrite
📚 Small Business of the Week:
Totally Book•ish Abbotsford
Located right in the heart of Downtown Abbotsford on Montrose Avenue, this charming independent bookstore is a paradise for local book lovers. It features a beautifully curated selection of reads, cozy bookish merchandise, and a welcoming community atmosphere.
Why we love them: It’s a wonderful alternative to big-box stores, perfect for discovering your next summer read while supporting local independent retail.
Where to find them: 2539 Montrose Ave, Abbotsford, BC.
Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Sundays from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM).
☕ Extra: Good Kid Coffee
This vibrant local coffee shop on McCallum Road is a fantastic hub for the neighborhood. Known for its excellent espresso, welcoming staff, and minimalist aesthetic, it makes a great feature.
Why we love them: They serve top-tier specialty coffee and offer a fantastic, bright space to catch up with friends or get some morning work done.
Where to find them: 1975 McCallum Rd #111, Abbotsford, BC.
Hours: Open daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM).
Abbotsford History Moment
✈️ The Wartime Birth of YXX: How a Military Field Became Our Hub
If you’ve ever caught a budget flight out of the Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) or spent an August afternoon watching the Snowbirds tear through the sky, you’re enjoying a direct legacy of World War II.
In 1940, with tensions rising globally, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) quietly purchased a massive tract of land in the valley. By June 1942, formal approval was given to construct a military airfield using a distinct triangular runway layout. The project moved at lightning speed, opening in 1943 to train Royal Air Force and Canadian pilots under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Heavy Avro Lancaster and B-24 Liberator bombers regularly rumbled over the valley's farms during intensive pilot training.
When the war ended, the base was put on "caretaker status," but its massive infrastructure quickly became a literal lifesaver for the community. During the devastating Fraser River Flood of 1948, the airport barracks served as the primary evacuation centre for hundreds of displaced Matsqui residents and their livestock. Later, in the winter of 1956, the base opened its doors again to provide emergency housing for 3,000 Hungarian refugees fleeing the Soviet invasion.
The airfield officially transitioned to civilian hands in 1958, setting the stage for the very first Abbotsford Airshow in 1962. What started as a local Rotary Club fundraiser quickly grew into a world-famous, world-record-breaking aviation event. Today, YXX stands as a vital aerospace hub and one of Canada's fastest-growing airports—built completely on a foundation of wartime history and community resilience..
🧺 How to Shop the Abbotsford Farmers' Market Like a Frugal Pro
With grocery prices continuing to pinch our wallets, a trip to the local market can sometimes feel like a luxury. But if you know how to navigate the stalls, the Abbotsford Farm & Country Market can actually be a goldmine for stretching your food budget while supporting Fraser Valley growers.
Here is how to shop the market like a seasoned pro this Saturday:
Ask Vendors for "Seconds" 🍅 — Don't be afraid to ask farmers if they have any "seconds" or "b-grade" produce behind the counter. These are fruits and veggies that are slightly bruised, misshapen, or oddly sized. They taste exactly the same but are often sold at a massive discount—perfect for weekend baking, freezing, or making large batches of homemade pasta sauces and jams.
Embrace a Strict Cash Limit 💵 — It is incredibly easy to get swept up in the beautiful displays and overspend. Decide on your grocery budget before you leave the house, hit the ATM, and leave your debit cards in the car. When the cash is gone, your shopping is done.
Stick Heavily to What’s in Season 🍓 — Buying greenhouse-grown goods out of season gets expensive. Instead, focus your meal planning strictly around what is overflowing in the Fraser Valley right now. When crops are at their peak harvest, supply is high, and you'll snag the absolute best price-per-pound.
Pro-Tip for this weekend: Check out the market this Saturday (June 27) from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 2552 McCallum Rd. Grab a coffee, bring your reusable bags, and see how much you can save!
The Man Behind the Curtain: Who is Jim, Anyway?
Lately, I’ve had a handful of readers asking who the heck is writing this newsletter every week. Fair enough. If you’re going to let me into your inbox, you ought to know who you’re dealing with.
Here is the unfiltered truth:
The Origin Story: I’m originally an Ontario transplant, but I came to my senses and have spent the better part of the last 22 years living right here in Abbotsford.
The Track Record: I didn’t just wake up yesterday and decide to start a newsletter. I’ve been in the media and marketing trenches since 1990. I started in the high-stakes world of Newspaper Advertising Sales, before transitioning into Radio Advertising Sales and Copywriting across Ontario and New York State. In short: I know what makes a good story, and I know exactly how to spot real value.
The Present Day: In 2013, I convinced my wife to marry me, and we settled down here for good. These days, I manage online sales for companies straight from my home office—a setup that gives me the absolute freedom to pursue the projects I actually enjoy (like building this very publication for you).
The Side Hustle: When I'm not writing or handling digital sales, I run a local computer repair business. If your Computer is acting up, I fix it.
I don't just live in Abbotsford; I study it, I work in it, and I know how to separate the noise from the news that actually matters to your wallet and your weekend.
Thanks for reading. Now, let’s get back to business.
Be good to yourself and each other - see you next week!