By now, our 2021 is well underway. With luck, the temperature is cold enough that we have been enjoying our favourite winter activities, but not so cold that February has frozen out our fun. In either case, February is the one month in the year when our changeable weather can make the shortest month feel like it is either zooming by or dragging on forever.
The new moon this month is February 12, and that marks the start of the Lunar New Year for those who are observing or celebrating during the first part of the month. For folks celebrating and observing the event, the HVCA sends our best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year! Although celebrations this year will probably be much different than in the past, we can all take a moment to think about those things we are thankful for, and our hopes for the next year.
During more normal years, we would be reminding you of our annual community Winter Festival. This year, with a smaller Board year and everything else on the go, the Winterfests we are used to are not happening. We are working to be ready to get together as a community as soon as we can with a large event, and will keep you informed, using our Facebook pages and bulletin boards, of what, where, and when that event will occur. In the meantime, we will cross-promote other online or in-person activities that are happening that we are aware of from residents and other nearby communities. We on the Board encourage you to keep following the provincial and city health requirements and guidelines as you participate in the activities important to your well-being.
For your HVCA Board, the business that is next most top-of-mind for us is our park space and playground revitalization. With a vendor selected for the playground work at Hidden Hills Way, our subcommittees have commenced the next round of planning and fundraising. The goal is to raise $11,000 to ensure that our planning partners and granting agencies have a strong foundation for working with us to get the work done according to plan. Our website at www.H2spaces.org has more details.
Given the current situation, the Board is working on new ways to make this essential activity happen for our not-for-profit business, when the people we serve cannot get together in groups. One idea we are considering is a drive-through donation event, where residents and neighbours can drop off items to donate, and members can receive a small thank you gift or coupon for their donation. If you’d like to join the planning, email [email protected], and if you’d like to volunteer in some way, email [email protected]. As soon as we have more details, we will let you know.
For now, we hope that you are enjoying the weather, staying safe and healthy, and finding moments of joy in your life and the lives of those around you. In the spirit of the season, I am very thankful that my community has people eager to take care, participate, and help make things better for all our residents and neighbours, and I’m looking forward to better times ahead for all of us.
