Royal City resident Stacy Ashton is taking on a new role with the Alzheimer Society of B.C.
Having served as the executive director of Community Volunteer Connections for more than a decade, Ashton is the new provincial program coordinator, volunteer resources for the Alzheimer Society of B.C.
“We are excited to have Stacy on board to enhance and formalize the society’s relationship with our dedicated volunteers,” said Bark Kong, the society’s director of finance and administration. “We have 400 volunteers, who, alongside our 85 employees, comprise a community of courage, supporting British Columbians affected by dementia as well as their care partners.”
Ashton, vice-president of Volunteer B.C., was recently nominated for the Administrators of Volunteer Resources B.C.’s 2016 Impact Award for Exemplary Leadership. She worked with the Alzheimer Society in a consulting role in 2015 to conduct a review of its provincewide volunteer program and developed recommendations for volunteer recruitment and recognition.
“Earlier this year I had the chance to speak with so many staff members about volunteer engagement and was struck by how enthusiastically everyone participated in the review, and by how passionately they spoke about the role of volunteers,” she said in a press release. “I am thrilled to join an organization so committed to excellence in volunteerism.”
Community Volunteer Connections oversees the annual Volunteer Fair at Royal City Centre.
A heritage Christmas
The New Westminster Historical Society is taking a look at Knox Presbyterian Church’s first Christmas service at this month’s event.
The presentation is taking place on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the New Westminster Public Library, 716 Sixth Ave. It’s free and everyone is welcome to attend.
“Knox Presbyterian Church in Sapperton held its first church service at Christmas of 1891, 125 years ago. This presentation will look at that event as it was noted in the newspaper as well as seeing how Christmas was celebrated throughout the City of New Westminster,” said a press release about the presentation.
Looking to the future
The New West Hospice Society is moving forward fast and furiously.
The newly formed society, which held its annual general meeting on Dec. 4., now has 51 members registered, with 10 of them elected to the inaugural board of directors at the meeting: Kay Johnson, chair; Brock Nicholson, vice-chair; Alix Cote, secretary; Antigone Dixon-Warren, treasurer; Dr. Charlie Chen; Dale Darychuk; Wendy Johnson; Lesley Sayer; Carolyn Unsworth; and Vivian Wong.
Johnson said the board will be meeting over the holidays to formulate an action plan and will be meeting with potential funders in the new year.
Pop in to community kitchen
A pop-up community kitchen is underway at Centennial Community Centre.
The free community kitchen gives folks a chance to learn new recipes, cook a healthy (and yummy) meal and meet with friends. Each week features a new topic such as on-pan meals, protein-rich vegetarian meals, meals under $5 and more.
The community kitchens are taking place on Thursday, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 9 and March 9 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at 65 East Sixth Ave. Childminding is available.
To register, call Centennial Community Centre at 604-777-5100 or Pat at 604-368-0906.
Top dog
Kudos to New West resident Brigette Mayer, who recently graduated with distinction from the Karen Pryor Academy and has been named a certified training partner.
Mayer, who has owned and operated mutt & moggy Training and Pet Care Centre for the past seven years, is committed to fear- and force-free training techniques. She’s the first trainer with this designation to live and work in New Westminster.
According to a press release, Karen Pryor Academy of Animal Training and Behavior is an innovative institution committed to educating, certifying and promoting the next generation of animal trainers. Through the program, Mayer completed an intensive education process and demonstrated a high level of skill in training dogs, as well as teaching dog owners, said the press release.
“Our graduates are not only skilled trainers, they are excellent teachers,” Karen Pryor said in the release. “I’m proud to be able to welcome Brigette to the growing family of KPA-certified dog trainers worldwide.”
Festive fun at St. Barnabas
St. Barnabas Church is inviting community members to celebrate a Latin American Christmas tradition.
The church is once again hosting a posada on Sunday, Dec. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. A posada (Spanish for lodging) is a traditional Latin American celebration re-enacting Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem.
“That’s just a wander around the neighbourhood looking for a place for Mary to have her baby and getting rejected everywhere and then coming back for a big Latino party here at the church,” said Rev. Emilie Smith. “Everybody is welcome.”
Call 604-526-6646 or email [email protected].
Families invited to early literacy program
An early literary program for families will get underway in New Westminster in January.
New Westminster Family Place is offering a free Parent Child Mother Goose Program at the neighbourhood learning centre at Qayqayt Elementary School in 2017. The interactive early literacy program for families with children from birth to five years of age focuses on the power of using rhymes, songs and stories with parents, grandparents and the children.
The program will take place on eight Thursday evenings from Jan. 19 to March 9 from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Registration is required by calling Gordana at New Westminster Family Place at 604-520-3666.
Businesses and residents recognized
Susan Grieg took home a top honour at this year Platinum Awards when she was named the Bernie Legge Artist of the Year.
Along with being an artist, Grieg owns 100 Braid Street Studios, which provides studio space for artists and space for events like weddings and fundraisers.
On the business front, several awards were handed out at the dinner at the Starlight Casino: Business of the Year (small) – Mindful Mutts; Business of the Year (medium) – Bosley’s at Columbia Square; and Business of the Year (large) – Fraser River Paint and Body. Dave Vallee, a Realtor with RE/MAX Advantage Realty, received the Business Person of the Year.
Donald’s Market in River Market received the Community Spirit award, Douglas College/Western Media Group/Acuity were named Creative Marketing and Innovator of the Year, and Royal Printers was selected as Green Business of the Year.
Other awards handed out included: Customer Service Excellence – Business: New West Wellness (Michelle Kegaly), Customer Service Excellence – Individual: Sarah Alicia Thomas (Sarah Alicia Thomas Hair Artist) and Inclusion Excellence in Business: Pacific Bolt Manufacturing. Mindful Mutts took home a second award as New Business of the Year – small, and El Santo was named New Business of the Year – medium.
Local non-profits were also recognized at the Platinum Awards with Westminster House winning the Non-Profit of the Year – over $1 million and the New Westminster Youth Ambassador Society taking the Non-Profit of the Year – under $1 million award.
Jen Arbo was previously profiled in the Record for being named 2016 Citizen of the Year.
