The Rotary Club of New Westminster struck gold in Quesnel.
While attending a Rotary conference in Quesnel, the club was named the Most Outstanding Club for 2012/13 from the 51 clubs in Rotary district 5040.
District governor Rebecca MacPherson presented the winning banner to club president Kevin Gordon, who was joined by Rotarians Dr. Irwin Stewart, Del Paterson, Dr. Michael Kaburda, Laurie Stewart and Jeremy Perry.
Justine Novak and Sylvie Barton, who are both Rotex and Rotaractors in New Westminster, were also on hand for the presentation. Anais Gaulard, the Rotary youth exchange student from Belgium, who is being hosted in New Westminster, also represented the club.
"It's a great honour," Gordon told The Record. "Our club is 85 years old. We are the fourth oldest in the province. It's the first time they have been awarded that."
Gordon said the win builds on the good work the club has done through the years. "If it wasn't for the work they have done in the past years, there is no way we could ever have done it."
According to a press release, the Rotary Club of New Westminster was founded in 1928 and now includes a vibrant group of women and men ranging in age from their late 20s to their 80s.
While a contingent of club members traveled to Quesnel, they had no idea if they would come home with the award.
"It was a surprise. We knew we were nominated," Gordon said. "Some of the longer term members were ecstatic."
Gordon said the club had to meet certain criteria in order to win the Most Outstanding Club award.
For more information about the city's two clubs, contact the Rotary Club of New Westminster at www. rotarynewwestminster.org or the Rotary Club of New West Royal City at www. newwestroyalcity.org.
Bella Cakes sold
After five years on East Columbia Street, Fabio and Gina Cornale are selling Bella Cakes and Pastries.
The couple started the bakery at 459 East Columbia St. five years ago.
"I have sold it to my brother. He will take over July 1. He owns an existing bakery in Vancouver that we started in 1997.
It's called Fratelli Italian Bakery," Fabio said of the Italian bakery that's located on Commercial Drive.
"He is going to change it to Fratelli."
Fratelli will reopen in Sapperton in August, after Marco Cornale makes a few changes to the bakery.
"Financially it has been very difficult. I don't want to blame the road construction, but ever since the road construction we have never been the same," Fabio said of work done on East Columbia Street a couple years ago.
"I can't work any harder."
Fabio notes that Cornale brothers' bakeries have
"pretty similar" products, but his brother will have more variety and offer breads. While Fabio has been the lone baker at Bella, he said his brother has a larger staff and will be able to utilize kitchens at both locations.
"I really love this community," said Fabio, whose last day at the bakery is June 29. "I think Sapperton has so much potential."
Each Christmas, the bakery has held a gingerbread house raffle. Fabio created the masterpieces to raise funds for a variety of charities.
"Definitely the gingerbread house every year," he said of the highlight of running Bella Cakes and Pastries. "Five years in, it became an annual tradition."
Citizen science
Residents are invited to the inaugural event of the Uncover Your Creeks: Citizen Science program in lower Hume Park.
The city's parks, culture and recreation department is teaming up with Evergreen to offer a two-year parks stewardship program. Participants help manage invasive plants, plant native plants and monitor water quality in the Brunette River.
The official program launch takes place on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monthly citizen science training and activities will be offered on the third Sunday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon.
Those interested in attending should meet at the lower Hume Park picnic shelter (East Columbia Street/Holmes Street).
All ages are welcome. For more info, contact Sharon Johal at sjohal@evergreen. ca or call 604-689-0766 extension 226.
