The final draw for the 2013-'14 series of the Rotary 200 Club lottery was held at the weekly luncheon at the Howe Sound Inn on March 6. The winners were: Al and Rene McIntosh ($2,000), Elsie Stewart and Lillian Lyle ($1,000) each and ($200) to John Shevchuk. The first draw for the 2014-'15 series for $100/$120/$130/$150 takes place on April 3. Tickets are still available from local Rotarians and, the main Rotary project is to support the Squamish Hospice Society so they are able to increase services in our community.
A member of the Squamish Rotary Club, Jan Phelan, is also the mother of the late pioneering halfpipe skier Sarah Burke and following the luncheon on March 6, Jan gave a wonderful photo presentation of her trip to the Winter Olympics in Sochi. While in Russia, she was in great demand by the media, not only from Canada, but from other countries interviewing her about her talented daughter Sarah, who was also instrumental in promoting the halfpipe ski event for inclusion in the 2014 Olympics. Sarah's husband Rory Bushfield was also in Sochi. It was a proud moment for Jan Phelan and Rory when Sarah's fellow skiers paid a special tribute to her at the end of the Olympics.
As well, Flag Day in Canada is Feb. 15 and the flag on the Peace Tower in Ottawa is given each year to a deserving Canadian citizen. This year, Prime Minister Stephen Harper chose Sarah Burke. The flag presentation to Sarah's family will take place on the West Coast in the near future.
The Squamish Gardeners will meet at the Sandman Inn at 6:45 p.m. on Monday (March 17). The evening's speaker will be Rainer van de Poll of Van De Poll Garden Design and his topic will be "Designing for Small Gardens." Non-members are welcome for a $5 drop-in fee.
"The Science of Brain Developments: From Embryos to Seniors" is the topic at the monthly Quest University and Squamish Public Library series at the library tonight (March 13) at 6:30 p.m. The guest lecturer is Dr. Neal Melvin, who will discuss the general aspects of brain development and aging.
The Squamish Food Bank at the Alano Club on Third Avenue will open its doors on Wednesday (March 19) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for grocery distribution.
Many residents at Hilltop House Celebrate birthdays this month and those to be honoured at 2 p.m. on Wednesday (March 19) include: Azizah Tahery, Mark Wilson, Alfred Bosse, Orfeo Vanzella, Arthur Newton, Hazel Balison, Tania Borchert and Allan Leigh.
If interested in the upcoming 2014 Squamish Culture and Heritage Festival to be held on May 2 and 3, plan to attend the meeting at the Brackendale Art Gallery tonight (Thursday, March 13) at 7 p.m.
The Squamish Trails Society will meet on Thursday (March 20) at 7 p.m. in the Arts Council building on Cleveland Avenue. For more information, please phone Penny at (604) 898-5385 or Heather at (604) 898-3872.
This Sunday (March 16) the Squamish Farmers' Market is open for your perusal from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the CN Conference Centre at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park.
Shannon Falls Retirement Residence on Third Avenue is having a special St. Patrick's Day dinner on Monday (March 17) at 5 p.m. and if anyone is interested in attending please phone Ray at (604) 848-2000 ext. 5004 as son as possible as space is limited. The cost is $12 each and includes fine Irish music from top fiddle player Jocelyn Pettit.
The Geneology Club will meet at the Squamish Seniors Centre at 1 p.m. on Monday (March 17) and new members are welcome to attend. It will be a St. Patrick's Day theme at the monthly luncheon at the centre with shepherd's pie, salad and chocolate cake on the menu on Thursday (March 27).
Another evening of bingo is planned at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #277 on Monday (March 17) with doors open at 5:30 p.m.
The Shrove Tuesday pancake supper at St. John's Anglican Church was well attended on March 11 and the men of St. John's and Squamish United churches served up a delicious meal.
A new stock of gift-giving items for Easter and Mother's Day and other occasions has arrived at the Women's Auxiliary to the Squamish General Hospital gift shop. Drop by and consider a purchase or two as your support helps out the WA and the hospital.
The Over the Hill Hikers will meet at the Canadian Tire on Tuesday (March 18) at 9 a.m. for a Ring Creek hike. For more information, call Heather at (604) 892-9003.
The Tantalus Walking Club will meet at Fisherman's Park at the end of Brennan Road on Thursday (March 20) at 10 a.m. for a Judd's Slough walk. For more information, call Joyce at (604) 898-5594.
The Hearts in Motion Walking Club will meet at Extra Foods parking lot tomorrow (Friday, March 14) at 10 a.m. for a walk in the Estates. For more information, call Yvonne at (604) 898-5268 or myself at (604) 815-0152.
