Holy Eucharist Church has lost a beloved member of its church community with the recent passing of Wally Komaryk.
Komaryk, a longtime parishioner and volunteer chef for Holy Eucharist Cathedral’s monthly perogy dinner, passed away Nov. 17, just days before his 78th birthday. He’s being remembered by friends and family for his love of life and hard-working personality.
“Wally absolutely loved being with people,” stated an obituary posted on the church’s website. “He loved his parish community, and it was important for him to involve people and make them feel welcome within the church. The perogy suppers were all about fellowship for Wally. He believed in serving through his work in the community, and he served with tremendous dedication.”
Komaryk spoke to the Record about the program, when it was featured in a 2013 issue of the paper. Along with a team of volunteers, he helped prepare about 6,000 perogies for the monthly perogy supper and said the best part was seeing people satisfying their appetite and going home happy.
“I just love cooking,” he told the Record. “I guess because I did a lot of cooking for myself at home. My wife wouldn't do this, the perogy-making, so I'd make the perogies, and I volunteered here once and never stopped.”
Santa needs your name
An item in the Dec. 3 Around Town column about the Fraternal Order of Eagles #20 New Westminster ladies auxiliary Christmas party, on Friday, Dec. 11 mentioned that pre-registration is required but failed to include contact information. Because Santa will be bringing gifts for the kids, if you’re planning to take the kids you need to provide their age, gender and name to Marge Ashdown at 604-838-2675 or marjorieam@shaw.ca. Space is limited for the event that takes place from 3 to 6 p.m., at 707 12th St. and is open to kids up to 12 years of age.
Attendees will enjoy a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus., Ralph the Elf and Happy and Yappy balloon clowns.
Westminster House raises funds online
Westminster House is going online to raise funds for its educational offerings.
The long-term residential treatment centre for women will be raising funds for its programs through an online auction that runs from noon on Thursday, Dec. 10 (today) to 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15.
“Lots has happened at Westminster House over the past 12 months,” said Susan Hogarth, development assistant, in an email to the Record. “The most newsworthy would be the implementation of the education bursaries for all clients who complete the full continuum of care. The continuum is including the eight-week aftercare group called On-Going Recovery. In addition, those who complete and use the bursary (and complete the course) are then encouraged to apply for the once per year Douglas College Women Do Recover Award of Distinction – an education bursary awarded to the client who writes the most compelling two-page essay.”
This award, funded in part by Douglas College and Westminster House for up to $5,000, is for one year of post-secondary education at Douglas College.
You can check out the online auction at westminsterhouse2015.eflea.ca.
Church on hunt for a donkey
If you happen to have a donkey to spare, St. Barnabas Church wants to hear from you.
Community members are invited to attend the church’s annual Posada on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m.
“This is a candlelit parade around the neighbourhood, looking for a place for Mary and Joseph to have their baby. We have a lady who is expecting to deliver her little girl exactly on the 25th. But we are still looking for a donkey!” Reverend Emilie Smith said in an email to the Record. “Seriously, we will be serving a Mexican meal that night, so we are looking for a few ingredients still (hot chocolate, sweet baked things, etc.), and we are looking for candies and small toys to stuff our pinatas.”
If you’d like to help out St. Barnabas or get more info about the Posada, call the church office at 604-526-6646 or drop by 1010 Fifth Ave., Tuesday to Friday between 10 a.m. and noon.
Fundraiser gets an upgrade
Key West Ford is upgrading its contribution to New Westminster Family Place.
The local auto dealer is donating a 2008 Ford Focus SE valued at $4,800 to a fundraiser for Family Place. That’s an upgrade from the 2003 Ford Focus SE it had previously pledged to the raffle.
Raffle tickets are $10 or three for $20. Tickets are available at Family Place at #101-93 Sixth St. or 604-520-3666.
Family Place has lost some of its grant money, so is relying on fundraisers like this one to keep its programs going.
Take a look back at Christmases past
The New Westminster Historical Society is sharing stories of Christmases past in this month’s presentation.
The topic of this month’s presentation is A Christmas Collection: Local Stories and Requested Favourites. Archie Miller will include a mix of Christmas information, images, stories, historical items, and seasonal readings that have been used in Historical Society evenings over the past decades in this month’s presentation, which takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the New Westminster Public Library, 716 Sixth Ave.
“Included will be interesting references to early Christmases in New Westminster from the city’s first in 1859, others in the 1870s, 80s, and 90s, up into the 1900s with a few notes from the 1940s. Also in the presentation will be a few readings of traditional materials that add to the heritage traditions of the season,” said a press release about the event. “This will be a fun way to get a break from the hustle and bustle of this time of year, while adding a bit of local history to your holidays.”
The presentation is free and everyone is welcome to attend.
Send items for Around Town to Theresa at tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca or find her on Twitter, @theresamcmanus.
