Happy New Year!
Most of us cannot remember a new year’s celebration when we’ve been so glad to ring out the old and toast the new. Good-bye pandemic and hello vaccine (and eventually returning to our pre-Covid normal routines). The new year in Youbou began relatively quietly with no grand Youbou Hall party to kick off the New Year with dancing and toasts, due to our diligence in following Covid safety precautions. A few fireworks around the lake made note of the midnight moment as we hunkered down in our homes.
However, the quiet beginning does not minimize the great hope we all feel as the vaccine makes its way through the province. We look forward to the day that most of our Youbou residents are innoculated and we can return to the many fun events we enjoy together, including a New Year’s Eve party next year like no other. The YCA has already booked Eagle Eyes for a triumphant return, so mark December 31, 2021 on your calendars now.
Thanks for Making the Holidays Bright
To everyone who hung a few lights outdoors or put their Christmas tree in the window, you brightened our spirits immensely! We hope you managed a night-time drive around the community to appreciate all the extra efforts made. Special notes go to the Vaughn family for their spectacular Snowman display, to the Fearons for the glowing heart of lights (to thank health-care workers), Cassy’s Coffeehouse for the Santa village, and to all of the Swordfern residents—what a spectacular neighbourhood show of lights!
The Youbou Welcome sign was decorated by Sally and Lesley, and included for the first time, holiday lights, thanks to CVRD installing electricity nearby. The elk was even wearing a red facemask! And the Mile 77 sign was decorated with red and gold and silver baubles, complete with a live Christmas tree, thanks to Eva and Garry, Jill, Debbie, and Julia.
A special shout-out goes to the Youbou Volunteer Fire Department for hosting Santa and Mrs. Claus. A break in the monsoonal rains on Sunday, December 20, allowed the fire trucks to drive through town, so Mr. and Ms. Claus could do a final count of all the good children in Youbou before the big sleigh ride on Christmas Eve.
CVRD Area I 2021 Budget Meeting
If you’ve always wanted to participate in the budget process for Area I, but never had time before, perhaps lockdown will allow you the opportunity to do so. The meeting for Area I (and F) is slated for Tuesday, January 12 from 5:00 to 6:00 pm and will be online. Each regional meeting will be tailored to address the services specific to the residents of those sub-regions of the Cowichan Valley District (north, south, east and west), as well as regional services paid for by all residents of the Cowichan Valley.
Each session will include a presentation by CVRD Finance staff, followed by a period of Q&A. For links to view and participate in these virtual public meetings, please visit https://www.cvrd.ca/2016/2021-Draft-Budget. In advance of the meeting, you have the opportunity to provide input online by going to www.placespeak.com/2021budget.
You can also contact Klaus Kuhn, Area I Representative, at Klaus.Kuhn@cvrd.bc.ca
YCA Annual Survey
The Youbou Community Association is planning to repeat its popular community interest survey, for a third year in a row. While we usually field the survey in January to guide our year-long planning, we decided to postpone the survey this year until February, when we all might have a clearer picture of what activities we might be able to do in 2021. Watch for notice of the survey in the next newsletter or on our facebook page.
YCA Annual Meeting
The Youbou Community Association plans to hold its General Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 28 at 2 pm. At this annual meeting, we usually elect new board members, share survey results, and discuss plans for the upcoming year. At this point in time, we do not know if the meeting can be held in person, but most likely it will be online, most likely on zoom. Watch for more information in the next newsletter or on our facebook page.
Are You a Member?
The Youbou Community Association is involved in helping community activities happen, such as the recent Halloween fun, hall dances, the garage sale, and many other events throughout the year. We’d love for you to join us. A family lifetime membership is just $10 and is a key to knowing what’s going on around Youbou. We’ll email you our colourful community newsletter every month. To join, reach out to cherylmtutor@gmail.com
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.comand 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
At large: Debbie Smith