Derrick Thornhill is once again inviting residents to get into the Halloween spirit at his pumpkin patch.
Thornhill, a Realtor with Park Georgia Realty, is holding his annual Queen’s Park pumpkin patch in support of Monarch Place. This year’s event is taking place on Saturday, Oct. 19 from noon to 3 p.m. at the picnic shelter in Queen’s Park.
Community members are invited to drop by and pick a pumpkin, while enjoying hot chocolate, coffee and Timbits being provided by the Tim Hortons Community Cruiser.
The event also features pumpkin carving, a colouring contest, popcorn and grab bags. People are invited to wear their cutest, scariest or most original costume as prizes will be awarded and complimentary photos will be taken.
The event will run rain or shine. The event is free, but donations are gratefully accepted in support of Monarch Place, a local transition house that helps women and children fleeing violence.
Halloween history
Halloween is one of the topics being tackled in the upcoming New Westminster Historical Society presentation.
The topic of the society’s next event is In The Fall: Halloween, Thanksgiving and the Fair. The event is being held on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the New Westminster Public Library at 716 Sixth Ave.
One part of the presentation will look at the agricultural fair in Queen’s Park and its importance to the city.
“The highlight of this program however, will be a look at the various activities and hijinks that were part of early New Westminster Halloweens,” stated a press release. “The day was colourful, fraught with major pranks, some of which were potentially serious, and for the many partygoers and costume-clad participants, a time of great excitement.”
For this presentation, local historian Archie Miller will weave the stories together from the early city. Longtime Sapperton resident Carol McMeekinloves fall and has generously made much of her research about Halloween available for this presentation.
Life as a journey
The Douglas College Foundation is teaming up with the Wildlife Rescue Association on a new education series – Life as a Journey.
Life as a Journey is a free education series that’s open to all community members. The first session is on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Douglas College Coquitlam campus.
“The series came about because we realized there are many issues – from travel to housing, from estate planning to healthcare – that change over one’s lifetime,” saidHazelPostma, associate vice-president, external relations at Douglas College. “It’s a way for us to offer some educational sessions to the community, beyond our students.”
The first session features Marivic Cregan of Carlson WagonLit, along with information from Tilley’s Endurables Western, a travel-clothing specialist. Future sessions will address issues such as tax tips through the ages, general insurance, health care and housing options, pet care, estate planning and more.
Admission is free, but registration is required by calling 604-526-2747. The Coquitlam campus is located at 1250 Pinetree.
Do you have an item for Around Town? Send ideas to Theresa, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @TheresaMcManus.
