New Year’s Eve, Youbou Style
Shake off the old and shimmy in the new on December 31 at Youbou Hall. The Joints (aka Eagle Eyes) are back by popular demand, striking the first chords at 9 pm (doors open at 8) and continuing after the balloons drop. All the new year’s ingredients are included: noise-makers, party hats, non-alcoholic drinks and mixers, buffet at intermission, and free shuttle. (Alcoholic drinks will be available for sale at the cash bar).
All we need is you! Tickets ($50 each) are on sale at the Youbou General Store, Daly’s Auto Centre, Youbou Bar & Grill, and Arise Cafe. Youbou Community Association Board members are also selling tickets.
Free shuttle information: We will have two free shuttles, one for Lake Cowichan pick-ups, and one dedicated to Youbou. Lake Cowichan patrons will need to reserve seats for pick-up in Lake Cowichan, by calling This Ride’s For You at 250-732-5898 (by December 30 please, so they can plan their route and give you an accurate pick-up time). For Youbou guests, no reservation is needed as there will be three set pick-up points: Miracle Way mailboxes at 7:45, Little League mailboxes on Bremner Road at 7:50 and the Youbou General Store at 7:55. The shuttle will swing back once to pick-up anyone remaining at the pick-up points.
Youbou Christmas Craft Fair
Make your list, check it twice, then head for the annual craft fair at Youbou Hall on Saturday, November 30, to shop till you drop. You’ll find homemade treats, creative handmade crafts, and home-party show items. If you wish to sell your wares, call Lake Cowichan Recreation at 250-749-6742 to book a table ($20 each; $35 for 2 tables). Please specify whether you’re selling homemade items. Doors open for sellers at 8:30 am and for shoppers from 10 am to 2 pm. The Youbou Community Association will again be offering a concession for lunch.
Cowichan Lake Arts Centre (CLAC)
Step into our vibrant Arts Centre, where imagination meets expression and community thrives. Nestled in the heart of our small but spirited arts and culture community, our Youbou centre is not just a place – it’s an experience. Support local artist/artisans by doing some holiday shopping at our Art Shop at 10375 Youbou Road (next to Arise Restaurant). The Centre is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm. Classes scheduled for fall are Underpainting on November 5; Porcelain Jewelry on November 23; and Colour Mixing for Artists on December 9. For more information about the classes and to register, go to cowichanlakeartsandculture.org.
Witch’s Paddle Fun
About 30 witches convened at Arbutus Park on October 5 for our second annual merry-not-scary paddle around the bay. This year drew a cackle of spectators, many in costume, to take part in face-painting, spooky crafts, and other festivities. The weather was perfectly witchy: cloudy, calm, warm, with sunlight breaking through. Julie Madden of Intention Wellness Space organized the event along with YCA Board member Debbie Smith. Julie provided decorations, music, and yoga prizes. The Youbou Community Association served hot beverages and provided prizes from local businesses. Josh from Pristine Paddleboard Adventures was on hand to offer paddleboards to boatless witches. Only one swimmer took the fall this year, a warlock (he was fine, but his phone wasn’t). The event made the front page of the Lake Cowichan Gazette, with a full page of photos inside. See more photos in this newsletter. The winners were:
Best adult witches costume: Allison won a gift certificate to Arise Café; Curtis placed second earned a spot at an Intention Wellness Space yoga class; Connie was third is also joining a yoga class.
Best child witches costume: Monica won a gift certificate at Swordfern boutique
Best paddlecraft: Matt and Shawna won a gift certificate to the Youbou Bar & Grill; Miriam and Colleen earned a gift certificate to the Lake Mercantile; Sophia went home with a cuddly stuffed pumpkin for third.
Halloween at Youbou Hall
Well, shiver me timbers! Pirates and ghostly ships sailed the high seas at Youbou’s haunted house this year. Special thanks to Captain Connie Vaughn, First Mate Sandra McAfee and all the able-bodied swashbuckling robbers and renegades who spent day after day decorating, and to those donned costumes to scare you silly on Halloween night.
For the wee ones, who might not appreciate the skull-and-crossbones scariness, the YCA again offered the popular ghoul-fishing pond in the happy pumpkin-land downstairs.
Costume Contest: Over 100 daring souls entered the costume contest for all ages and sizes, with prizes awarded by the CVRD, the overall sponsor of the hall night. The Youbou Volunteer Fire Department served refreshments and masterfully staged the school yard fireworks.
Update on Youbou Lands
By Karen Deck, Area I Director
Just a short note regarding the recent land-clearing activity on Youbou Lands. A bylaw officer and environmental planner went on an extensive walkabout this fall and as a result, the owner’s representative has been instructed to cease all land alteration activities. So, for clarification, no tree falling, no big machinery, no disturbance of land at all is allowed at this time. The phased development is still in effect, and nothing happens without a permit. My thanks to the community members who reported their concerns to me and to the CVRD staff. It’s a privilege to represent the caring communities of Area I (Youbou/Meade Creek) at the Cowichan Valley Regional District.
Weir Update
The Province will soon consider an application for a water conservation license to allow for the construction of a new wier. Should the license be approved, the funding has been secured from both the provincial and federal governments to build the weir as designed, raising the level of the weir by 70 centimeters. As part of this license application process, a notification will be issued to all parties who might be impacted by the project, including lakeside property owners. This notification is designed to provide an opportunity for potentially impacted parties to provide feedback and identify concerns. More information about the water license process can be found on the Provincial webpage at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content//environment/air-land-water/water/water-licensing-rights/water-licenses-approvals
Are You a YCA Member?
The Youbou Community Association is involved in helping community activities happen, such as the monthly newsletter, Halloween, New Year’s Eve, and other events throughout the year. While we love our facebook friends, an official family lifetime membership in the organization is just $10 and involves filling out a form. It is a key to knowing what’s going on around Youbou as well as giving you a vote at our annual meetings. We’ll email you our colourful community newsletter every month. To join, reach out to cherylmtutor@gmail.com
Looking for New Board Members
Our busy Youbou Community Association board is looking for a three new board members. The board meets once a month to plan community activities throughout the year, and board members volunteer at events as schedules allow. Our Annual General Meeting is planned for Sunday, January 19 at 2 pm, so it’s a great time to get involved.
Got News?
If you’d like to contribute news for the newsletter about a public event happening in or around Youbou and Area I, please send particulars about date, time and place to julia@raedwulf.org, by the 20th of the month, please. You can also check our web site at youbouyca.com and our Youbou Community Association facebook page for the latest information.
Dates
Underpainting Class: November 5, 1 to 3 pm, CLAC Centre
Church Society Meeting: November 9, 10 am, Youbou Church
Remembrance Day Ceremony: November 11, 10:30 am, Youbou Church
Movie Night: November 16, 6 pm, Youbou Bar & Grill
Nerikomi (Porcelain Jewelry) Class: November 23, noon to 4, CLAC Centre
International Food Buffet & Live Music: November 23 and December 28, 5 to 8 pm, Youbou Bar & Grill (different themes each month)
Youbou Christmas Craft Fair: November 30, 10 am to 2 pm, Youbou Hall
Colour Mixing for Artists: December 9, 10 to noon, CLAC Centre
New Year’s Eve: December 31, 8 pm to 1 am, Youbou Hall
Sundays: Brunch, Pub, 11 am to 2 pm
Fridays & Saturdays: Open Bowling, Youbou Lanes
Your YCA Board
Chair: Julia Martinusen
Vice Chair: Sandra McAfee
Secretary: Randall Wilson
Treasurer: Steve Watt
Membership: Cheryl Morgan
At large:
Joelle Belanger
Adam Khomsi
Debbie Smith