The New Westminster Downtown Residents’ Association is reaching out to the community.
The newly elected board is looking forward to continuing to grow its membership and increase its involvement in the community. Anyone living between Royal Avenue and the Fraser River is invited to attend meetings.
The association’s next meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 27 (today) at 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Cathedral parish hall at 514 Carnarvon St. Topics on the agenda include Bosley’s holiday pet photos, a children’s toy drive for the Salvation Army, a downtown business Christmas challenge, a new building proposed on Carnarvon Street and reports from various committees.
Active kids
Kids New West is inviting local families to celebrate National Child Day and Sports Day in Canada.
The Let’s Get Active event that’s taking place on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Centennial Community Centre includes hockey, soccer, lacrosse, cheerleading, crafts, a bouncy castle and a visit from the Vancouver Tumblebus. Snacks and free resource bags are available for all families who register to attend.
To register email [email protected]. Centennial Community Centre is located at 65 East Sixth Ave. (next to Canada Games Pool).
Royal City stories
Evelyn Sangster Benson’s love of the Royal City shines through in her newly released book.
The New Westminster native has been collecting – and telling – stories for most of her life.
“As my 80th year approached, I knew it was time to get them down in print and share them,” she wrote in a press release. “Every anecdote was either recounted to me, or I lived the event myself.”
A Century in a Small Town – One Family’s Storiesis being launched on Saturday, Nov. 30 at the New Westminster PublicLibrary. Benson will read from her book (as will some celebrity readers).
“As a former newspaper history columnist and a high school teacher, I’ve had years of positive feedback about my delivery of a good story, and it’s the teacher in me that needs to bring the past alive in an entertaining way,” she wrote.
“Although most of the stories take place in New Westminster, they are generic in nature to any small town in North America, and will resonate with anyone who lived in those times or were told about them by their families. Young people will learn something new.”
If you can’t make the Nov. 30 book launch, Benson will be holding a second reading and book signing on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. at Renaissance Books, 46 Sixth St.
MP pays tribute to regiment
Burnaby-New Westminster MP Peter Julian paid tribute to the Royal Westminster Regiment in the House of Commons.
In honour of the regiment that’s celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2013, Julian thanked all the men and women of the regiment for their “significant” contributions to peacekeeping, disaster relief and defence of Canada.
“The Royal Westminster Regiment served in the Boer War, in both world wars, with the UN and NATO in Korea, Bosnia, Croatia, Cyprus, the Golan Heights, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan.
“It has also been on the frontlines in disaster relief, including Okanagan wild fires, Fraser River floods and the 1898 Great Fire,” he said.
“Through it all, the Westminster Regiment has been a role model for courage, dedication and sacrifice. Many members of the regiment have given their lives for world peace.
“A few years ago, I attended the funeral of Master CorporalColin Bason, who was killed in action in Afghanistan. Today, we pay tribute to Master Corporal Bason and all of the other soldiers and personnel of The Royal Westminster Regiment who have served this country with honour for 150 years.”
Do you have an item for Around Town? Send ideas to Theresa, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @TheresaMcManus.
