First some business, then some fun.
The New Westminster Heritage Preservation Society is inviting community members to attend its annual general meeting and get-together on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. After what’s being billed as a “brief but informative” annual general meeting, the gathering includes a special presentation by Michael Kluckner.
The topic? Could New Westminster's heritage stock follow Vanishing Vancouver?
“We are very pleased to have Michael Kluckner, acclaimed writer and artist illustrator of Vancouver The Way It Was, Vanishing Vancouver, Paving Paradise and British Columbia in Watercolour, join us to talk about his take on heritage issues and their historical significance and his art, immediately following the 30-minute AGM,” said a press release from the heritage preservation society.
The meeting is taking place at Nelson’s Folly, a home at 127 Queens Ave.
Hyack serves up tea
The 2018 Hyack Ambassador candidates kicked off a busy year at the annual President’s Tea.
More than 100 guests and community sponsors attended the tea that was held on Jan. 29 at Dunwood Place Seniors Centre, where the candidates were officially introduced to the Hyack Festival Association’s new president Bryn Ward and Hyack’s board of directors.
Guests included Mayor Jonathan Cote, city councillors Lorrie Williams and Patrick Johnstone, New Westminster-Burnaby MP Peter Julian, members of the city’s May Queen Suite, school trustees Jonina Campbell and Mary Lalji, Honour House vice-president Larry Kerr, visiting youth ambassadors from White Rock and luncheon sponsors Save-On-Foods New West. Following tradition, the ambassadors served tea at the event.
Seven young women, who have been in leadership training since September, presented their community sponsor speeches, which were prepared in conjunction with Tillicum Toastmasters. This year’s Hyack Ambassador candidates are: Jasmine Rattan (sponsored by Westland Insurance); Emma Canil (sponsored by Roma Hall); Talia Monno (sponsored by Team Dave Vallee); Chanel De Capite (sponsored by Key West Ford); Ishriit Sandhu (sponsored by Royal City Rotary Club); Sierra Pitkin (sponsored by Save-On-Foods New West); and Leah Binns (sponsored by New Westminster Firefighters’ Charitable Society IAFF 256).
The Hyack Ambassador leadership/scholarship program includes a focus on community service with Honour House, various local senior homes, reading with elementary schools. In addition to volunteering at many city and community events, the young women will learn a variety of skills aimed at helping them to become future leaders.
Through the year, the New Westminster Hyack Ambassador leadership team travels through B.C. and the Pacific Northwest, bringing Royal City greetings to other communities and festivals while representing the Hyack Festival Association on this year’s “Rooted in Tradition - Blossoming Into the Future” themed parade float.
The Hyack Festival Association’s Evening of Stars awards gala weekend takes place on April 13 at the Justice Institute of B.C. and on April 14 at Douglas College, when all seven candidates will be installed as the 2018 New Westminster Hyack Ambassador Leadership Team and one of the candidates will be named Miss New Westminster 2018. Various ambassador awards will also be presented during the gala weekend.
Tickets for the Evening of the Stars gala weekend will be available on eventbrite.ca on Feb. 15. For more information, call the Hyack Festival Association at 604-522-6894.
Have your say
The City of New Westminster is holding a public open house regarding a preferred location and design features for a new skate park. The open house is on Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Centennial Lodge in Queen’s Park. With redevelopment of New Westminster Secondary School set to take place, the existing skate park at Mercer Stadium needs to be relocated elsewhere in the city.
Remember Toque Tuesday
Toques being sold around town to raise funds for homelessness initiatives on Toque Tuesday – Tuesday, Feb. 6, are $15 and ball caps are $20. The Record was provided with incorrect prices for an article in the Jan. 25 issue. Volunteers will be selling toques at locations around the city on Toque Tuesday, but people can also buy the items at Greens and Beans Deli at 143 East Columbia St. and Lookout Housing and Health Society’s administration office at 544 Columbia St.
