Keeping up with Cancellations
This issue may be remembered as the “cancellation” newsletter due to all the closures in and around Youbou, occurring as a result of the Covid 19 virus. Below is what we know as we enter April. Please stay tuned to facebook and the news media for the latest on closures, and hopefully re-openings. At this point, it is difficult to know how the schedule for spring will unfold.
Youbou Community Hall: CVRD closed on March 17 until further notice. This means bowling, pickleball, meetings, and Euchre at the hall have been cancelled until it’s safe to resume.
Youbou Community Church: Services were suspended on March 15 until further notice. This means no services, coffee, or potluck lunches. The TOPS meetings at the church have also been put on hold.
Youbou Community Association: The YCA has cancelled Euchre for March 29. At this point, we are still planning on the May 23 Garage Sale and the May 30 Spring Clean-Up, but will share more news on that in the May issue of the Connector.
Beyond Youbou: Lake Cowichan schools and 50+ activity centre are now closed. For updated information on local closures and cancellations and safety recommendations, go to lakecowichangazette.com. The situation changes day by day.
Youbou Businesses Remain Open
One of the most difficult roles of this societal shutdown is being a business owner who is committed to serving those of us who live in Youbou. We salute Rose and Cary of our Shop & Save, Grant at Daly’s Auto Centre, Pat and Cassy at Cassy’s Coffee House, and the management at the Youbou Bar & Grill for keeping their doors open as best they can. We also offer a big shout-out to the staff at all of these places who show up every day, no matter what. In these days of staying as close to home as we possibly can, we feel incredibly lucky to have you so near! Here is what we know about our local businesses for the foreseeable future, but as we’ve learned, changes can happen overnight.
Cassy’s Coffee House: As of Monday, March 23, Cassy’s Coffee House will be closed until further notice.
Daly’s Auto Centre: The gas station and garage are open for business during regular hours, according to Grant, so if you do want to go somewhere, you can get gas.
Shop & Save: The grocery store is open for business as usual. As Rose says, the one-at-a-time nature of their business is right in line with social distancing.
Youbou Pub & Grill: In the midst of changing management teams, the plan is for the restaurant to remain open for take out only. One switch is that the Maude’s Diner side will be open, rather than the pub side, which has closed in accordance with the latest government recommendations. The diner is on the side closest to Daly’s.
Euchre Sunday Cancelled
We enjoyed playing Euchre with our neighbours in January and February but are
sorry that the March 29 Euchre event must be cancelled out of an abundance of
caution surrounding Covid-19 prevention. We’ll try again next fall.
Church Annual Meeting Postponed
Please note that the General Annual Meeting for Youbou Community Church Society (YCCS), scheduled for Saturday, April 18 has been postponed. A new meeting date will be announced once the crisis has passed.
Youbou Cares
In these days of social distancing, it’s challenging to know when someone might need help. If you know of a neighbor or friend who is vulnerable, in isolation, or needing assistance, figure out a way to check on them without compromising your health or theirs. Perhaps, it’s a daily email or phone call, or a sign in a window. It’s often the little things that can make a difference. It may be as simple as picking up a neighbour’s mail or delivering a few grocery items, but in the long run, safe acts of kindness will get us all through this difficult time. And if you’re ill or in isolation at home and need something, please reach out to a neighbor or friend via phone or email or facebook and ask for help. We’ll all do the best we can, while keeping our family’s and ourselves safe.
Got News?
If you’d like to contribute news for the newsletter about a public event happening (or not happening) in or around Youbou and Area I, please send particulars about date, time and place to julia@raedwulf.org. You can also check our web site at youbouyca.com and our facebook page for the latest information.
Your YCA Board
Chair: Julia Martinusen
Co-Chair: Lori LaFave
Secretary: Randall Wilson
Treasurer: Spencer Day
Social: Eva Fearon, Garry Fearon
Publicity: Allan Gott
Membership: Cheryl Morgan
At large: Jill Bradley, Debbie Smith