Excitement is building as the Squamish Torch Relay Community Celebration draws nearer. There is sure to be a large turnout (like in the thousands) of residents who won't want to miss this once in a lifetime event. All the excitement will take place on the grounds of Brennan Park and in the Recreation Centre on Thursday (Feb. 4) from 3:30 to 8 p.m.
Plan on attending the International hockey game between the Squamish Wolf Pack and the Minnesota Junior Hockey League team at 3 p.m. in the arena. This game is sponsored by the Squamish Rotary Club and all funds raised will go to Rotary's End Polio Campaign. Tickets for the game are $10 each.
During the Olympics, the Squamish Spririt Centre (Brennan Park Recreation Centre) will host the Squamish Historical Society, the Squamish Nation and the Squamish Writers Group to give locals and visitors a taste of Squamish Culture from Feb. 12 until Feb. 28. The contact person for the Squamish Nation is Alice Guss at 604-892-5195, for the Squamish Writers Group, please call Jude Goodwin at 604-892-4997 and for more information on the Squamish Historical Society, please call Bianca Peters at 604-898-8454 or email [email protected].
There is wonderful outdoor entertainment planned from 6 to 8 p.m. and during this event, the Squamish Torch Relay team will enter the arena and the Olympic cauldron will be lit. Congratulations to all our local residents who will have the honour of carrying the torch at different locations on its way to Vancouver.
A Family Pancake Breakfast will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #277 on Sunday (Jan. 31) from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. For just $5 each you get pancakes, eggs, ham, sausages and coffee or juice. The hungry man's breakfast (super sized) is $7 each. Also, phone some friends and attend Bingo Night at the Legion on Feb. 1 with doors open at 5:30 p.m.
The Women's Auxiliary to Squamish General Hospital recently donated $2100 for a Symphony breast pump with a trolley stand for the maternity ward at the hospital. In Dec. the Auxiliary donated $10 000 towards a CT scanner for the Dr. Kindree Memorial Fund. Along with managing the Gift Shop on Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., members also look after payment rentals for the televisions 9also purchased by the WA) in the wards. The Auxiliary with 25 active members much appreciates the continued support from the community.
Members of the Over the Hill Hikers are asked to meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday (Feb. 2) at he golf course parking lot for a Garibaldi Golf Course hike. Those wishing more information are asked to call Heather at 604-892-9003.
The Squamish Food Bank will open its doors from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday (Feb. 3) at the Alano Club on Third Avenue for grocery distribution.
The Tantalus Walking Club will meet at Highway 99 and Alice Lake on Thursday (Feb. 4) for a Wonderland Trail walk. For more information, please call Joyce at 604-898-5594.
The Squamish Valley Quilters Guild will meet on Wednesday (Feb. 3) from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Cup Bistro Restaurant at 40378 Tantalus Road in Garibaldi Estates. For more information, please call Colleen at 604-898-9240 or check the website at: www.members.shaw.ca/squamishvalleyquiltersguild/.
Julie Thorne, a former resident of Squamish passed away in Penticton on Dec. 30. Julie and her husband Irvine moved to Grand Forks in 1963 after living here for many years.
A Wing Ding featuring Valdy is happening at the Brackendale Art Gallery tomorrow evening (Jan. 30). It's your choice, Valdy and dinner $35 at 7 p.m. or just the concert at 8 p.m. is $20.
The annual fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon is ongoing until the end of February. Volunteers are easily identified and along with an identification badge, each volunteer carries a clearly labelled canvasser kit. The Heart and Stroke Foundation, a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke through the advancement of research, its application, the promotion of healthy living and advocacy.
This year, the annual Robert Burns Night Dinner and Social was held in St. John's Anglican Church on Saturday (Jan. 23) with approximately 150 in attendance. The evening was hosted by MT. Garibaldi Masonic Lodge #127 and the delicious Scottish dinner was catered by Chef Big D's. Rt. Worshipful Master Donald Christie introduced the head table along with members of several lodges in the Lower Mainland. Mayor Greg Gardner brought greetings from the Council and also praised the Lodge for its ongoing assistance to local charities as well as fundraising for the Haiti Relief Fund.
The Black Tusk Caledonia Pipe Band and dancers from the band entertained the large crowd and Irishman and lodge member, George Sloan snag the Star O'Rabbie Burns. All the ladies at the dinner each received a gift and many of those were gift certificates from our local restaurants. In the raffle, the top prize was three nights accommodation at the Alpine Lodge in Whistler. Later this year, the Lodge whose 55 members range in age from 21 to 94 will celebrate 70 years of continuous service in Squamish.
Good luck to Lynn Pasko, Liz Gruber, Claire Lucas and Tim Shoults who are taking The Chief Healthy Challenge over the next 10 weeks. My money is on you Tim to win this challenge as you have two gals out to beat you!
The Hearts in Motion Walking Club will meet at Tim Hortons on Friday, Feb. 5 at 10 a.m. for a trail walk. To join or for more information, please call Darleen at 604-892-2092 or myself at 604-815-0152.
