Merry Christmas!! Postmaster Sue and side-kick Teresa and a pile of packages!

Just in time for the holidays: a perfect stocking stuffer

Sandra Wallin of Chiron's Way fame is a co-author of a lovely new book HORSE as TEACHER for sale at Sue's store or through Sandra's Web site.  Congratulations Sandra!

Whonnock History Calendar 2010

The Calendar for 2010 is now ready and available for $7.00. Ask Sue for your copy or copies next time you are visting our post office. Great Christmas present for all Whonnockians past or present!
Click here for a look of the calendar or download and print a copy of your own!

Whonnock Weavers & Spinners Open House

The 29th Annual Exhibition and Sale of the Whonnock Weavers & Spinners on Sunday, November 29th at Whonnock Lake Centre was popular as ever. Click here to look at some pictures taken at the event. Prints of the photographs are on display at the Centre.

The Blatters

With a dinner at the Gourmet Hideaway in Port Haney the Whonnock Community Association said farewell and gave thanks to Shirley and Jordy Blatter who took care of Whonnock Lake Centre for the last three years. We have been assured that they will maintain their contact with Whonnock even though they are living in Mission these days

1st Whonnock Group

The First Whonnock Cubs and Scouts meets regularly at the Whonnock Lodge (Camp Whonnock), on 27660 Dewdney Trunk Road. Contacts for the Cubs is Lisa Blanchard 604 462 0855 and for the Scouts "Scouter Doug," both at 604 462 0855. 

 For recent newsletters click: Scouts and Cubs. For photographs click here. 

New Years Eve at Whonnock Lake Centre

Be quick if you'd like to join the crowd at Whonnock Lake Centre for the annual dinner dance. Tickets are running out. Ask Sue at the post office!

Santa at Ruskin Hall

Annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa on Saturday December 5 from 9:00 to 11:30.

At Whonnock Lake Centre

Taking care of Whonnock Lake Centre

A warm welcome to the new managers of Whonnock Lake Centre: Cheryl West and Cliff Latter. They took over from Shirley and Jordy who retired after three years of hard work.

Dowco leaving Whonnock

The Dowco office building at the corner 272nd and 100th shows a "For Sale" sign. Ewen Dobbie, president of Dowco Consultants Ltd. kindly sent us the following note to explain why Dowco is leaving Whonnock.

As you may recall, we have three offices in the lower mainland. With the new Golden Ears Bridge opening it now make sense for us to consolidate our offices. To this end, we have transferred most of the Whonnock office staff to our Surrey/Langley office. A few staff have decided to relocate back to the Burnaby office.
The building is for sale, but we will still be permitting the free use of the gymnasium.

Dowco has been a wonderful corporate neighbour and volunteer right from the moment they opened their Whonnock office in the old school building. Making the gymnasium in their building available to the community is one example. Less known is that they hosted the Whonnock & Ruskin Website at no cost to us for many years and made sure that successors continued that courtesy.

Whonnock United Church

In the face of a dwindling congregation religiuos services in Whonnock's United Church have been suspended and the 1914 building and the adjacent community house are now up for sale. A sad moment for all who cherish memories of this important feature in the Whonnock landscape.

Bums on Allan's Bench.

As reported in May, one of the benches in the Rhododendron Garden carries Allan Springman's name. Neva Springman discovered the entry and took the trouble to send the following comment:

I am very touched by the kindness of the Whonnock Community Association and Phil Johnson in particular for providing this memorial bench. I know that it would please Allan greatly - though I suspect he would have some flip comment regarding the Whonnockian bums that might grace his bench.
Thank you so much for this remembrance.
Neva Springman

Dogs are allowed in Whonnock Lake Park but ...

Happy to report that the Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Parks Department has replaced the old signs at Whonnock Lake: "No dogs allowed in park area" with new signs reading "No dogs permitted on beach or lawn areas." Everywhere else in the park dogs on leash are permitted.

Thanks to the staff at the Parks Department for their prompt action to produce the new signs and replace the old ones!

Dogs allowed in Whonnock Lake Park

These old "No Dogs Allowed in Park Area" signs are interpreted by some to say that no dogs are allowed Whonnock Lake Park, but that is not correct--they are not allowed in some areas of the park.

We understand that Parks and Leisure will replaced the signs by the middle of July with signs reading: "No dogs permitted on beach & lawn areas."

Note that dogs should be kept on the leash at all times in areas where they are allowed.

Wish Trail Ride 2009

The Wish Trail Ride held on Sunday 7th June was a great success. Pledges were collected by all riders and the proceeds all went to the Children's Wish Foundation. The approximately two-hour ride started and ended at the Popadiuk's. Thank you to all riders, their horses, and the volunteers and in particular Sue Schulze and Dina Popadiuk! Click here to see pictures taken of the event. (Courtesy Sue)

4th Annual Iron Mountain Traithlon

A reminder that the Iron Mountain Triathlon is coming up on June 21st at
Whonnock Lake. Olympic and Sprint distance triathlon races.

Web site: http://www.ironmountaintriathlon.com

or call 604.983.8433 for more information.

Field Trip

Today Brenda Pelletier's class visited the Whonnock Post Office and the Whonnock Cemetery to learn more about Whonnock's past. This photo was taken at the grave of pioneer settler Ole and Jorgine Lee, their son Teddy and daughter-in-law Olga (with the flowers) .

Click on the picture to enlarge. Moer photos on Picasa. Click here.

If you took pictures you'd like to share please send them to webmaster@whonnock.ca and I'll add them right away!

All Candidates Meeting May 5th

The weather and the hockey game tied many voters to their homes when the four candidates presented themselves at Whonnock Lake Centre. Phil Johnson (moderator) was assisted by Noreen Woods. Sitting at the table from right: Marc Dalton (Liberal), Mike Bocking (NDP), Mike (Green Party) and Ian Vaughan (Reform Party of BC). Click on pictures to see a larger version.

Allan Springman Remembered

It was Allan's idea to remember worthy Whonnockians with a small plaque on one of the benches in the Rhododendron Garden. Since last week the bench on the west end of the garden, carries his name courtesy Phil Johnson and the Whonnock Community Association.
(Click on the picture to see an enlargemament.)

Picture of the Rhododendron Society's Show and Sale at Whonnock Lake Centre

For this year's Sunday Show and Sale the weather was just perfect. Click here to take a look at this colourful event!

All Candidates Meeting May 5th

Come and join us for an All Candidates Meeting at Whonnock Lake Centre on May 5th at 7:30 PM. All Maple Ridge-Mission candidates have confirmed that they will be there:

Liberal: Marc Dalton.
NDP: Mike Bocking,
Green Party: Mike Gildersleeve,
Reform Party of BC: Ian Vaughan.

RCKC Web site Relaunch

On March 26th the Ridge Canoe and Kayak Club unveiled a new and improved look for their Web site--a fine looking site: informative and easy to negotiate. That's a good job.
Congratulations go to Sean Franklin!

Click here to have a look at the revamped site and please let Webmaster Sean have your compliments and comments: sean_franklin@telus.net

AGM Whonnock Community Association

The Annual General Meeting of the Whonnock Community Association will take place on Thursday, 14 May at 7:30. For nominations to the board please contact Noreen Woods at 604 462 8557.

Bobskoot was here

Bobskoot, who lives in Vancouver, has an interest in photography and introduces himself with the following words:

an avid motorcycle rider for many years during the mid 60's to early 80's. after an absence of nearly 20 years, recently re-entered the 2 wheeled world of scootering. i like to enjoy the scenery, the smell of flowers and taking the road less travelled; the back roads of British Columbia, and the Pacific Northwest with a camera by my side to capture memories of a lifetime. The adventure is the journey, may you never reach your destination.

Sometime last December he was at Whonnock Lake on a cold and windy day and took some great pictures. Click here to have a look.

Sunday 12 April: Easter Egg Hunt Whonnock Lake Centre

It was perhaps the wettest Easter Egg hunt but still some 50-60 kids and their parents braved the elemements for a good time and a claw-full (and more) chocolate eggs--courtesy of the Whonnock Community Association! Hot cocoa is always served!
Those who found the magic eggs and won a basket full of easter goodies were Angelina (under 4), Emily (5-7) and Taylor (8-10).
Click here for pictures.

Volunteer dinner, March 29, 2009

The dinner, thanking all volunteers in Whonnock and Ruskin for their contribution over the year 2008, was a great success. To look at the pictures click here.
Jean Ruttan's more than two decades of volunteering was recognized and she was nominated Volunteer of the Year 2009.

Donations in support of RCKC

As mentioned in the invitation to the 2nd Annual Fundraiser Dinner, donors to the Ridge Canoe and Kayak Club are requested to fill out a "Donor Declaration Letter." Click on the form to the right to enlarge and print the form. Thank you very much.

RCKC Fundraising Dinner

Ridge Canoe and Kayak Club cordially invites to their second Annual Fundraiser Dinner on February 28th. The gala event will be held at Whonnock Lake Centre. Reception & Auction Viewing 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Live Auction: 8:30pm | Dance to follow presentations.
Click on picture of registration form to enlarge and print.

Yoga & Fitness

New! New! @ Whonnock Lake Centre Yoga & Fitness
Wednesdays @ 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
For more information call Jaimee 604 377 2660