Beloved late editor’s book supports youth and adult mental health in Vernon

WARNING: This article deals with mental health and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to cmhavernon.ca or call the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 988 (text [...]

Beloved late editor’s book supports youth and adult mental health in Vernon Published 5:30 am Monday, July 13, 2026 WARNING: This article deals with mental health and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to cmhavernon.ca or call the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 988 (text option available)

The man’s words still speak volumes. And because of it, a Vernon organization will benefit. Proceeds from the sale of the book Mitchell’s Musings – compiled with late Vernon Morning Star editor Glenn Mitchell’s thoughts on the world from his beloved Sunday column of the same name – have been turned over to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Vernon Branch.

Mitchell’s widow, Rhoda Chapman, older brother, retired Morning Star sports editor Kevin Mitchell, and former Morning Star colleagues Colleen Hadland and Lisa Stensrude, presented a cheque for $4,624.24 to CMHA’s Vicki Proulx Friday, July 10. The book sold out its 400-print run.

The proceeds will go to CMHA’s Foundry project for youth, and to the Vernon branch’s Adult Integrated Services programs. “We are extremely pleased to receive these funds,” said Proulx. “Glenn was so well-known and so well-loved in the community.

His columns touched so many people.” Chapman gave praise to Hadland for spearheading the project. “Special thanks to Colleen, who went through all the columns,” said Chapman, “It was a two-year project and she did a great job keeping everyone in line.”

“We owe a sincere thank you to the many businesses whose support in selling Mitchell’s Musings was greatly appreciated,” said Hadland, thanking The Morning Star, Butcher Boys, Nolan’s Pharmasave, Shoparama (Ingrid Baron), the Vernon Vipers Hockey Club, and Natalie Appleton of Red Head Studio/Rose Moon Books. Glenn Mitchell died Dec. 17, 2020, at the age of 60, and his unexpected death hit the North Okanagan community hard. He wasn’t just an editor; Mitchell was a mentor to many, including current Morning Star editor Jennifer Smith, who said of the book in March 2026, “Glenn’s words of wisdom are not lost.

“Glenn had always wanted to put a book together after he retired, and had asked for help from long-time friend and former colleague Colleen Hadland.” “It was our last conversation,” said Hadland, who worked with Mitchell for approximately 20 years at The Morning Star. After his passing, Hadland took it upon herself to scour copies of the newspaper and put together a collection of top Mitchell’s Musings.

With the help of Kevin, and some former Morning Star colleagues now at Wayside Press (Lisa Stensrude’s graphic design skills and Trent Dansereau’s help getting it to print), the book became a reality. “So many people told me, after he was gone, they said they read his column every Sunday and loved it,” brother Kevin Mitchell said to Jennifer Smith in March. Mitchell’s Musings features 180 pages of columns.

“Living with a mental health or substance use challenge is hard enough; masking it can make it even harder,” the book’s afterword reads. “Living with mental health challenges often forces people to hide behind a mask to protect themselves from judgment and discrimination. But the heavier the stigma, the heavier the mask becomes, and the more isolated they feel.”

Mitchell is survived by Rhoda, his two sons, Justin and Lucas, his parents, Lloyd and Marion, brothers Kevin, Murray, and Craig, niece, nephews, a multitude of friends, and a plethora of adoring readers.