New Westminster MLA Judy Darcy and MP Peter Julian are over the moon about their recent Lunar New Year celebration.
In honour of the lunar New Year, which was Feb. 19, the pair teamed up to hold their first Lunar New Year event Feb. 14 at Royal City Centre. They’re hoping to make it an annual event.
“Lots of people wandered by. We were joined by people who were active in the Chinese Society. At one point there were 50, 60 or 70 people from the Chinese society. They sang a couple of songs. It was wonderful,” Darcy said.
The celebration included information about Lunar New Year and treats. It captured the attention of many of the folks who were going about their business in the mall.
“Lots of people were very curious,” Darcy said. “I think it provoked a lot of interest, a lot of curiosity. It was a lot of fun.”
Broadcaster alive and well - contrary to reports
A former news director at CKNW is alive and well, thank you very much.
The Record recently received a letter to the editor from a former CKNW employee who was concerned about the accuracy of facts in an article about the city’s budget, citing lessons learned from “the late Warren Barker” while reporting for CKNW in the mid 1960s.
“He is alive and well,” said Tony Antonias, former creative director at CKNW. “I worked with Warren for over 40 years. He was the first one to invite me to go and have a cup of coffee at the greasy spoons.”
Tony and friend Pat MacPherson, former traffic manager at CKNW, plan to visit Barker, who now lives in Langley. Longtime CKNW employees John Ashbridge, George Garrettand John McKitrick can vouch for Barker’s status, as he seemed “very much alive” when they visited him on Feb. 16.
Barker, who retired as CKNW’s news director in 1991, was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1998.
So, to paraphrase writer Mark Twain, it would seem that reports of Barker’s death have been greatly exaggerated.
Couple wins big at volunteer fest
Joe and Christine Stachura didn’t expect to win the $500 Royal City Centre shopping spree at the 2015 New Westminster Festival of Volunteers, but it’s well deserved.
The couple, who moved to New Westminster three years ago from Yorkton, Sask., have a long history of community engagement. They were foster parents for 25 years, during which time they opened their home to 42 children, including 19 newborns.
Joe was also a volunteer with the Boy Scouts for 19 years.
A press release from Community Volunteer Connections, organizer of the recent volunteer festival, noted the couple even saw hardships as opportunities to give back.
While living in Saskatchewan, the couple ran a cattle and grain farm for many years, and Joe lost his hand in the cattle feed hammer mill.
During Joe’s recuperation he got to know the Saskatchewan Abilities Council very well, and became a support person for many other injured farmers.
“Joe was especially helpful in explaining the chronic pain that can come with an amputation, as your nerves keep looking for a limb that is no longer there,” said a press release. “Joe also used his experience in farm safety workshops in schools.”
While attending the recent Festival of Volunteers, Joe and Christine learned about potential offerings in New West.
Hub New Westminster, a non-profit organization that advocates and educates people about cycling and walking opportunities, was a hit for the couple. They learned about the many bike and walking trails in New Westminster.
“Walking is my thing,” Joe said in a press release, “so that was very informative.”
Since arriving in New Westminster, Christine has already made an excellent volunteer connection at Century House, where she helps out at the health drop-in club and participates in their quilting and knitting programs, making crafts for Century House’s annual fall craft sale and tea.
Christine said that Century House has been the best way she’s found to meet new people and make new friends around town.
Pray together
New Westminster churches are inviting folks to join together in a day of prayer.
A number of New Westminster churches are inviting community members to join in the World Day of Prayer on Friday, March 6 at 1 p.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. The World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement that brings Christians of many traditions together to observe a common day of prayer.
“This year’s service has been prepared by the women of the Bahamas,” said a notice about the event. “By participating in this worship service, we will come to know and hear their concerns and be in solidarity with them as we pray with and for them.”
Everyone is welcome to attend the World Day of Prayer service, which will be followed by refreshments and fellowship. St. Peter’s Church is located at 330 Royal Ave., which is at the corner of Royal Avenue and Fourth Street.
Do you have an item for Around Town? Send ideas to Theresa McManus, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @TheresaMcManus.
