Monday, December 4, 2017

Carved in Whonnock

The plaque reads:
THE THREE WATCHMEN CARVED BY ROBERT DAVIDSON OF WHONNOCK BRITISH COLUMBIA TO COMMEMORATE THE OPENING OF THE MACLEAN HUNTER BUILDING AT COLLEGE PARK, ON AUGUST 8, 1984, THE SESQUICENTENNIAL YEAR OF THE CITY OF TORONTO.

Friday, December 1, 2017

Driftwood Bay

Marcel Merks of Driftwood Bay is at the Granville Island market every weekend and sometimes (like today) on a Friday as well. His gallery at 27170 108th Avenue is open all year by appointment. Click here for his Web site.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Breakfast with Santa!

Our annual Breakfast with Santa is coming up fast! Come to the Ruskin Community Hall for a pancake breakfast on December 9th, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Santa will join us at 10:00 AM.

$3 for small ones and $5 for their adult companion. See you there Ho, Ho, Ho !

Monday, November 27, 2017

December 2nd and 3d

The 2017 Thornhill Artisan Fair will be hosted at von Hardenberg Candles Studio at 9730 Spilsbury Street on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd December from 10 am to 4 pm.  Click here to go to Web site of the Fair . 

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Whonnock Weavers & Spinners Guild --

The 37th Annual Sale and Show was busy as usual with people looking and buying the beautiful handcrafted quality pieces. Click here to see some of the treasures.  As always a great success. Thank you weavers, spinners and guests artist!

What would the annual sale and show be without Marie Slessor!  

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Help safe the Ruskin Hall!


Help raising money for the survival of this great building that has served the community for almost 100 years. How? Click here to read an article written by Mike Hall that appeared in today’s Maple Ridge - Pitt Meadows News

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Whonnock Neighbourhood Party


Jean and the fabulous coffee machine
Jean Davidson did great work in organising, hosting and presenting the event. Husband Allen made great coffee the old-fashioned way. Mary made the hall of the Church of the Holy Spirit available and provided unflagging assistance. Some 25 people were there to meet and greet and place a bid on the coffee maker. “John”, a new neighbour took the coffee maker home. His winning bid was $75. In addition there were donations: $195 in total. That makes the Whonnock Community Association $270 richer!  Thanks Jean and all! It was such a nice event.
Thanks also to Starbucks at Valley Fair Mall who donated this fabulous coffee maker to the Whonnock Community Association for fundraising.

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Service of Remembrance

Jan and Betsie de Zeeuw in 2011 
In 2011 Jan and Betsie de Zeeuw joined Phil Johnson to lay a wreath at the two plaques in front of Whonnock Lake Centre remembering those who gave their lives in the First World War and following wars and conflicts. 
There used to be a little-known small ceremony at this location for years but  attendance dwindled. Alan Springman and Phil continued to observe the tradition together until Alan passed away in 2007. The above picture illustrated an article by Maria Rantanen in the Maple Ridge Times about this intimate event in 2011. The article revived the interest in a simple local remembrance ceremony, without politicians and fanfare. 
Jan and Betsie were there again on 11 November 2017 but by now the attendance has grown to almost two hundred – many parents with their young children. Phil Johnson organized the event for the Whonnock Community Association assisted by Tom Brent, who was again an outstanding master of ceremonies. 
Click here for some pictures of the ceremony.  

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Whonnock Neighbourhood Party

Click on picture to enlarge 

We shall remember them !

Join us at the commemorative plaques in front of Whonnock Lake Centre to honour in particular the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace. The ceremony will start at 10:45.   

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Local Author Day at Black Bond Books

Click here for the day’s schedule and the names of other participating authors.

Friday, October 13, 2017

Fall newsletter is ready

The fall issue of Whonnock Notes will be distributed early next week. Click here to read or download the newsletter in full colours -- the printed version is black and white.

Monday, August 28, 2017

In the early 1980s Les Trask was one of the earliest presidents of the Whonnock Community Association and an active participant in the fundraising for Whonnock Lake Centre. 



Thursday, May 18, 2017

One Book Whonnock

Click on image to enlarge
One Book Whonnock readers met at the cozy hall of the Holy Spirit Anglican Church to discuss this winter's book choice: James Houston's Confessions of an Igloo Dweller.  Click here to learn more about the event.

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Who cares for groundwater?

Letter to the editor: Who cares about groundwater?
Maple Ridge News, May 6, 2017,
Re: Parties percolate on clean water (The News, April 28).
I attended two all-candidates meetings, one in Whonnock and one at Maple Ridge city hall, which highlighted the importance of water issues.
The effects of Tantalus Pharmaceuticals on the available drinking water for the affected residents on the Grant Hill aquifer (Whonnock,Thornhill and Ruskin) was the subject of both meetings, along with the protection of groundwater.
What has become clear is that no level of government has accepted responsibility for the inappropriate placement of this facility on ALR land on a vulnerable bedrock aquifer.
Blame and responsibility have been shifted from one level of government to another as though their part played in the placement had nothing to do with them.
It is discouraging at best to realize that the residents have been ping-ponged back and forth without out any level of government admitting that their flawed decisions have the potential of seriously impacting the affected communities.
B.C. Assessment has already devalued area properties by 20 per cent because of the location of this facility.
It is the residents, who tirelessly, individually and collectively, brought this concern to the fore.
The residents paid for a highly respected hydrogeologist to review the original hydrology report.
They met with the federal MP, both provincial MLAs and consistently with city staff and mayor and council.
Since 2015, residents had frequent contact with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources to ensure consistent monitoring of water extracted by this facility.
It was the residents who fought for themselves and continue to do so.
When the water and infrastructure the residents paid for is gone, collective heads will turn away and leave the affected residents who had no say in this decision, high and literally dry.
No one is developing half of the Coquitlam nor Seymour watersheds.
Betty von Hardenberg
Maple Ridge

Monday, April 24, 2017

Country Garden Tour 2017

A self-guiding tour through seven  spectacular Maple Ridge gardens including two gardens in Whonnock. Date: Sunday, 11 June. Time: 9:00 – 4:00. Rain or shine
Tickets: $20 will include a guide map to the gardens and the addresses for each garden.
Buy tickets at Amsterdam Garden Centre, Grow & Gather Nursery, and Triple Tree Nursery.
Tickets also available from the coordinators Gayle (604 467 2956) and Margret (604 467 1885).
All proceed go to the Sunshine Foundation "Dreams for Kids."
Click here for brochure.

Noreen Woods: Volunteer of the Year

Yesterday, at their Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, the Whonnock Community Association recognized the many, many years of volunteering of Noreen Woods by nominating her Volunteer of the Year 2016. The photo shows her holding the plaque showing the nomination. Noreen is  surrounded by members of the board of the Whonnock Community Association. On her right is Sandra Rossington and to her left are Helmi Braches and Phil Johnson.


  

Sunday, April 16, 2017

Easter Egg Hunt pictures

A splendid day and many children hunting for treasures.
A warm thank you to Shelly and all her volunteers for making this a great success.
Click here to look at some pictures.

Friday, April 14, 2017

Thornhill Plant Swap

Fifth Annual Thornhill Plant Swap in the parking lot of Thornhill Hall. 
Sunday, April 23rd,  10:00 AM - 12:30 PM – Rain or shine!
No sales or early birds. 
Now that spring has finally arrived, gather up your extra perennials, bulbs, garden tools, garden books, etc. and join us for the plant swap. If you don’t have any plants to exchange bring some cookies.  Bring a mug to share a cup of coffee and some treats with your neighbours and fellow gardeners.
For more information call 604 462 8778

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Easter Egg Hunt

A reminder that our Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 16th starts at 11:00 o’clock in the morning!
See you there! Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed !


Water!

Click on image to enlarge

We encourage you to attend this event held at the City Chambers on Wednesday, April 26th, the day after the All Candidates Meeting at Whonnock Lake Centre. From our perspective, we are most concerned about the protection and enhancement of groundwater, for example. We have been told on numerous occasions that groundwater issues are under the Provincial domain. Thank you and hope there will be an excellent turnout! Sincerely, Betty von Hardenberg

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

All Candidates Meeting

Meet the 2017 Provincial Candidates at Whonnock Lake Centre, Tuesday, 25 April 2017. Starting at 7:30 PM.
Marc Dalton - BC Liberal
Bob D'eith - BC NDP
Peter Tam - BC Green

Monday, March 20, 2017

Still time to register and read!

Click on image to enlarge! 

Monday, March 6, 2017

Welcome to Driftwood Bay !

Click here to open the Website of Driftwood Bay Designs. Welcome to Marcel Merks, new member of the growing number of skilled craft workers in our area.
Marcel writes: "We recently moved to Whonnock and have artisan products available at our new gallery.” The gallery is at 27170 108th Avenue. Phone: 604 362 2112
To the right is a picture of one of his squirrel-proof bird houses with a ceramic front that keeps squirrels from chewing the holes bigger.

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Ruskin Review Hafla

Troupe Al Majida and the Ruskin Community Hall Association present an evening of belly dancing. Please join us at the  “Ruskin Review Hafla” on Saturday, February 25.

Doors open at 5:00, Dancing begins at 6:00.
ADDRESS: 28395 - 96th Avenue, Maple Ridge, BC (Ruskin Community Hall)
COST: $5.00 per person
BRING: Potluck nibbles, items to donate to the Women's Transition House such as children's books or toys, toiletries for the adults. For more info call Elaine at 604-462-9641 or send an E-mail. 

Al Majida is a joyful troupe that shares their creative and inspiring dance stylings with each other and audiences throughout British Columbia. Calling the Fraser Valley home, Troupe Al Majida is unique, versatile and creative in their performance.

Saturday, January 7, 2017

One Book Whonnock

One Book Whonnock is starting up again, with the following title chosen for this year:

Confessions of an Igloo Dweller: The story of the man who brought Inuit art to the outside world.  by James Houston

Go here to read more about the book and how to join!