Even those of us who have lived in Lynn Valley most of our lives don’t have many “back in the good ol’ days” stories about skating on local waterholes. The small ‘swamp’ off of McNair Drive in Mountain View Park would very occasionally freeze over enough to provide a destination for a few skaters, but there wasn’t room for many, and ‘skating’ was probably an over-generous verb to use to describe the experience of shakily navigating between the branches and logs frozen into the muddy ice.
There are lots of streets getting some love in Lynn Valley!
We recently received an email from NVD Community Beautification Coordinator Courtenay Fraizl (our lovely Adopt-a-Street boss!) It was an inspiring email for two reasons. First, as you can see from the map above (click on image for a closer look), the Lynn Valley neighbourhood is way out in the lead when it comes to the number of “adopted” streets – yay, LV!
But there’s lots of room for more participants, so call Courtenay at 604-990-3841 if you’d like to get in on the action. You’ll get some vests and picker-uppers, and a good excuse for a walk every month! We always learn something new about our neighbourhood when we’re out for a stroll.
Our second source of inspiration was this great quote she sent our way – it’s so true!
Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day what kind of community you want to live in. – Marjorie Moore
Win a romantic evening for two!
Most local drivers pass by the nearly windowless grey building on the corner of Lynn Valley Road and Harold without a second glance, it has long ago disappeared into the invisibility that comes with familiarity.
Walkers, though, travel at a different pace and have time to notice, and wonder about, this unique building that has housed Lynn Valley’s Masonic brotherhood since 1930. If he happens to be on the premises, Mason Phil Perry, a member of the Lodge since 2009, welcomes their questions.
At an interview with LynnValleyLife, Phil and fellow Mason Alphonse Quenneville explained that the talk about freemasonry being steeped in secrecy and intrigue is largely urban myth fuelled by Dan Brown-style novels.
There was certainly no hesitation shown in welcoming LynnValleyLife over the threshold, even to the point of allowing its female editor into the Lodge’s inner sanctum, camera in hand. While this windowless upper-floor room is obviously decked out for ceremonial use – complete with flags, ornately carved podiums, and throne-like chairs on a raised dais – the lower level consists of an ordinary kitchen and eating area that houses social gatherings and the Lodge garage sales.
The history of freemasonry is undeniably rife with intrigue and readers interested in its roots can find fascinating reading on the BC and Yukon Grand Lodge website.
According to Phillip and Alphonse, however, today’s modern Masonic Lodges simply seek “to make good men better men.” The Lodge does not recruit members – “we’re not Amway,” says Alphonse – but instead wants members to be attracted to Freemasonry for its values and fellowship. Masons must be men 21 and over, but beyond that, the Lodge says “to be one, just ask one!”
Alphonse says the Lynn Valley Lodge is “blessed with a great gang of high-energy guys,” and Phillip notes that a growing number of the members are in their 20s and 30s. Beyond age and sex, the only requirement for membership is that initiates believe in a Supreme Being – however they choose to define that. Lynn Valley Lodge’s members include people of all religions, and those who do not outwardly practice any religion. Membership in this cross-cultural group “is a constant, regular reminder that Freemasonry offers brotherhood and friendship across all of mankind,” says Phil.
In fact, discussion of religion and politics are forbidden in the Lodge, due to being potentially divisive. Values are instead imparted through the telling of moral tales, which Alphonse describes as universal allegories – similar to Aesop’s Fables, or Jesus’s use of parables in the Bible. The stories are only conveyed within the Lodge however, not to those outside it – not because their content is inflammatory, says Phillip, but because it allows Masons practice in maintaining confidentiality, an important life value.
Masons are also close-lipped – or modest, as Alphonse terms it – about their charitable deeds. According to the Lynn Valley Lodge FAQ page, Freemasons throughout the world give over three million dollars per day to a wide variety of causes, just some of which include Shriners’ children’s hospitals, learning centres for children with special needs, and the Masonic Angel Foundation, which helps needy individuals who do not fit other social services criteria.
Along with supporting other local causes, Lynn Valley and other B.C. Masons run the Freemasons’ Cancer Car Program in partnership with the BC Cancer Agency, providing free round-trip rides for people without transportation to their treatments.
For more information about the Lynn Valley Masonic Lodge, please visit their website.
When life gives you lemons, the optimistic make lemonade. So when Dana Kovanda and her son find broken glass in Hastings Creek, they don’t just pick it up – they make beautiful jewellery that’s unique to this neighbourhood.
Dana’s tumbled-glass jewellery – like beach glass, but tumbled via machine instead of waves – has just been introduced at the End of the Line store, where owner Connie Fay is confident it will be popular with neighbourhood residents and visitors alike.
The silver-wrapped green, clear, amber and blue pendants and earrings aren’t just lovely to look at, Connie thinks that some Lynn Valleyites of her generation will also get a kick wondering if the glass shard might be a remnant of one of their own evenings of youthful excess.
While the glass jewellery might evoke fond memories, the garbage that Dana and her son collect from the banks of Hastings Creek is a less romantic testament to human activity around the fish-bearing waterway. According to her sign posted by display case, glass isn’t the only thing they find – unfortunately, it’s not too unusual for them to have to haul out items as large as office chairs.
The family passion for environmental stewardship has found a lovely expression in this Hastings Creek line of jewellery, so have a look while you’re at the End of the Line. If you’d like to clean up your own neck of the woods, consider North Van District’s Adopt-a-Street program (bottle cap cufflinks may be the next big thing!). If you’d like to learn more about the interesting history of Hastings Creek, read this watershed profile. And if you’d like to learn more about local creeks and their protection, check out the fine work of the North Shore Streamkeepers.
And if you’d like to know more about Dana’s jewellery, you can contact her at [email protected]!
What could possibly be better than LynnValleyLife, your neighbourhood news source? That’s easy – LynnValleyLife 2.0, coming your way later this month.
We’re excited to be unveiling some major changes that will make the LVL experience even more user-friendly. We know that readers often visit our website when they’re on the go, whether it’s to check out the details of a community event listing or the address of an open house. So we asked the good folks at SplitMango (a web development agency headed by Lynn Valley’s David Miller) to build us a site that is “mobile responsive.” That means that regardless of what device you are using when you visit LynnValleyLife.com, the content will present itself in the most reader-friendly way. No more squinting and “zooming in” required!
We’re also introducing a bulletin board forum that will allow Lynn Valley residents to talk directly to each other. We know that if you’re selling household treasures, looking for a babysitter or hunting for a lost dog, it’s the people down the street you want to reach, not the citizens of Port Coquitlam or Richmond. We’ve really been looking forward to launching this “classified ads” section – because who doesn’t love a little buying, selling, and swapping, especially when you can shop local?
Another upgrade will be a re-organized Merchant Profile section that will make it easier to search out the shops and services you need. So if you operate a business here in Lynn Valley and haven’t yet gotten on board, now’s the time. Just contact us at [email protected] and we’ll send you all the info you need to have your own page in our business section – for free!
It’s thanks to readers like you that LynnValleyLife is able to help local businesses, individuals and non-profits spread the word at no charge. We’re able to stay ad-free because our site is sponsored by Jim Lanctot and Kelly Gardiner, the top two RE/MAX realtors in Lynn Valley,* so your continued word-of-mouth referrals and real estate business will keep LynnValleyLife thriving well into the future. But don’t just sign on with Jim and Kelly because you love your neighbourhood news website – take a look at what previous clients have said about their work. You can be confident you’re making a great choice when you go with the LynnValleyLife team!
(*based on MLS sales in Lynn Valley, Braemar, Tempe, Westynn, Westlynn Terrace & Princess Park between 01/01/13 – 10/15/13).
The Fitness Well – a public fitness studio within the North Shore Winter Club – is opening on January 13, just in time to help Lynn Valleyites with their New Year’s Resolutions. Up to three classes may be taken for free during the week of January 13 to 18; after that, classes can be taken in eight-week sessions. The schedule of classes can be found here.
LynnValleyLife caught up with Fitness Consultant Justine Simmons as she was in the final countdown to get the Fitness Well open for business. Here’s what she had to say about North Van’s newest fitness facility.
What is The Fitness Well, in a nutshell?
The Fitness Well is a brand new fitness studio based in the North Shore Winter Club. We offer yoga, pilates, Zumba® and dance to all ages including family classes.
Do you have to be a member of the North Shore Winter Club to join The Fitness Well (FW)?
No. Both members of the NSWC and the public can register for classes at the FW, although the FW is owned and managed by the NSWC.
What’s your background in the fitness biz?
I have been a personal trainer and fitness instructor for over 10 years. I have specialised in yoga for the last five. Before that I competed in international level skiing.
What prompted the NSWC to open up The Fitness Well?
The NSWC was lacking in non-“sports” fitness. They have very active tennis, hockey and curling programs, but not a lot aimed at women and girls, nor people who enjoy non-competitive fitness. We hope the studio will be an inviting space for females mostly, but men are encouraged to join in as well.
What do you think FW clients will most appreciate about your facility?
I think they will appreciate the convenient location and free parking, the variety of classes for all ages, and the hand-selected instructors.
What’s ‘different’ about the The Fitness Well?
We’re the only public studio within a private club setting. It is a little exclusive, but not excluding, if that makes sense!
Do you have a target market for whom you think the FW would be a great fit?
Locals will enjoy the accessibility of the location, and we expect mostly local women and girls of all ages. We have surveyed our female members in detail and hope we are offering the classes, times and levels that they are looking for. That said, we also offer classes such as “strength and stretch” which are provide a great balances for hockey players and other athletes who need to minimise injury and protect their joints and muscles.
What words of encouragement/advice do you have for fitness newbies embarking on a healthier 2014?
Sign up with a friend, it makes it easier not to back out. You will look forward to seeing your friend even if you don’t feel like working out. Also, try out our free classes in our January opening week – there is no excuse not to!
Thanks, Justine! Anything else you’d like to add?
Those who have never been to the North Shore Winter Club may like to take a tour of the facility when they stop in. They may be surprised at how enormous the Club is, and what a great family environment is provides. Please speak to the front desk for more info and to sign up for the free classes: 604-985-4135.
A big tent kept merry-makers dry and bales of hay provided the seating at the wrap up of the Lynn Valley Christmas event in Lynn Valley Village.
Those who braved the evening weather were treated with holiday barbershop tunes from the Afterglow Quartet, kids’ activities in the community room, and even the chance to chat with Santa about last-minute wishes.
The big tent was full to overflowing by 7 p.m., when event organizer Dave Bruynesteyn took to the stage to announce the winner of the Best Decorated Christmas Tree, a people’s choice award tallied from votes taken from the big red mailbox in the village square.
This year’s winner, by a landslide, said Dave, was Team Finn, the ongoing Lynn Valley-based team that has raised over one million dollars for the B.C. Cancer Foundation since three-year-old Finn Sullivan succumbed to the illness in October 2008. (To learn more about their amazing efforts, have a look at this previous post.) A good number of Team Finn’ers were on hand to accept the engraved plaque, which had been removed for the occasion from its usual location on display in Delany’s.
Next it was LynnValleyLife’s turn to announce the winner of the Good Neighbour Award for 2013. It gave us a huge amount of pleasure to recognize Gord Trousdell of Burrill Road, and to read out this nomination sent in by an admiring neighbour. Gord had been invited to the event by his friend, so was on hand to accept the surprise honour. He received a plaque from LynnValleyLife’s Kelly Gardiner and Jim Lanctot, and a gift basket that included a Black Bear Pub gift certificate, a card, scarf and four tickets to Friday Night Live from Lynn Valley United Church, yoga passes to Laughing Chakra yoga, Christmas CDs from Rave On Studio, and a personalized tour of the RCMP detachment from press liaison officer Cpl. Richard De Jong.
Gord was touched by the recognition, as was his family – from his young kids all the way up to his mom – who were on hand to watch him receive the well-deserved honour. We hope you keep an eye out for other wonderful friends of the community in the days and weeks to come – we will be starting to ask you for nominations for the 2014 award in just a few months!
The neighbourly evening wrapped up with a carol sing with the BYOV (Bring Your Own Voice) choir out of Lynn Valley United Church, a community choir that anyone is welcome to join. Director Mary Yan invited people in the crowd to consider coming out to join the group – all you need is a love of singing.
Once again, our thanks to Dave Bruynesteyn, Gillian Konst and other hardworking helpers in the Lynn Valley Community Association and the Lynn Valley Lions who turned Lynn Valley Village into a Christmas wonderland for the holiday. If you’d like to give your neighbourhood the gift that keeps on giving, please consider joining your community associations so that there is enough people-power to keep these and other great events going strong into the future.
From all of us on the LynnValleyLife team, we wish each of our readers, clients and friends the blessings of joy and peace at Christmastime and in the year to come.
LVL publisher Jim Lanctot and editor Peggy Trendell-Jensen call up Gord Trousdell, winner of the Good Neighbour Award for 2013
It was a pleasure to read your stories of the good folks of Lynn Valley who were nominated for this year’s Good Neighbour Award. You can read some of the top stories in the “Notable Neighbours” category of our Front Porch blog, here – they are happy reading for this time of year!
We are not going to announce the winner of this year’s Good Neighbour, drawn from among these entries. Not yet, anyway – that special presentation will take place down at Lynn Valley Village at about 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22, just before community carolling with Lynn Valley United Church singers kicks in. (There’s super entertainment both Saturday and Sunday – check out the schedule here, but be sure to come down for the grand finale on Sunday night!)
In the meantime, though, we’d like to make brief mention of a few other great neighbourhood contributors, who have been recently recognized in other contexts than our annual Good Neighbour Award.
“Mortgage Dave” and Bob McCormack, just two of Lynn Valley’s very good neighbours.
We’d first like to say a big thank you to Dave Bruynesteyn, who is the hard-working mastermind behind the Christmas in Lynn Valley event, now in its third year. There are innumerable tasks to be done to make a decorated Christmas tree forest come alive in our village square, as well as the light-up and wrap-up events, and Dave is the organizing force behind it all. We know he has help from other fine folks in the Lynn Valley Community Association, but from searching out tree sponsors to carting off the heavy concrete tree stands once Christmas is over, Dave is in the thick of it all. Thanks so much, Dave, for lighting up Lynn Valley!
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We’re also happy to pass on word that longtime community volunteer and Lynn Valley native Bob McCormack was awarded the Jeff Ehlert Award by the North Shore Disability Resource Centre (the award is named for the first executive director of the NSRDC).
Each year the Board requests submission from the members and employees as well as the community. The Board then selects the volunteer who best demonstrates the values of service, support and community. This year the award was presented to Bob, who works tirelessly to support NSDRC’s cause of “working for a community for all.”
Bob’s dedication to the community isn’t news to LynnValleyLife; we featured him in a ‘Notable Neighbour’ profile in our first year – have a look and learn more about this fine fellow!
Bob has volunteered for a huge number of local non-profits, including North Shore Neighbourhood House, North Shore Recreation Commission, North Shore Arts & Cultural Commission, Silver Harbour Senior Centre, Mollie Nye House, the Lynn Valley Seniors Association, and the Lynn Valley Community Association.
Highlights for Bob include being the co-chair of Valleyfest (the district-wide celebrations that took place in LV Village during the 2010 Winter Olympics) and being an Olympic torchbearer at Lynn Canyon Park.
Congratulations Bob, and many thanks for the immense benefits you have brought to all of us in your community.
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Finally, in response to a community request, we would like to take a moment during our Good Neighbour campaign to honour Mike Cregan, a Lynn Valley Elementary School teacher who passed away suddenly two months into the school year.
“Every time I saw Mike he was always upbeat and friendly, and seemed to have lots of energy for all the kids. He always had something positive to say and was always encouraging them on,” said local resident Bill Newman.
We were so sorry to learn of Mr. Cregan’s death, and know his loss was felt tremendously at the school.
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We are fortunate to live and to work in a community filled with good neighbours such as these – and many, many more we have yet to hear about! Please come out and share some Christmas spirit with us on Sunday evening in Lynn Valley Village, and help cheer on the Good Neighbour Award recipient for 2013!
Do you know someone in Lynn Valley who would make a good candidate for this year’s Good Neighbour Award? Please send us your story about the person in our community who has made our world a better place, in ways large or small (whether they live next door to you or not!) Over the upcoming season of peace and goodwill, we will share our favourites on the website and draw from amongst them the recipient of the 2013 Good Neighbour Award and prize package. Details are here; deadline for entry is Wednesday, December 18. We look forward to hearing from you!
Megan is a very kind and caring person. Apart from looking after her husband and two daughters, she also cares for her grandparents who live in her basement suite, with a lot of patience and understanding.
She is always one of the first people in the street to welcome new residents. Every summer she organizes a block party for all the neighbours. The last couple of years she has successfully applied for a grant from North Shore Neighbourhood House to host the block party.
We asked Megan once to feed our dog, as we were only getting home late. There was a thunderstorm and Megan was concerned that our dog would be frightened. She took the dog to her house where they cuddled her until the thunderstorm had passed. She left a lovely note to let us know that they loved having our dog over and love caring for her.
Megan always has a friendly greeting for all the neighbours. We are so lucky to have her as our neighbour!
– submitted by Lise Pitt