Indigenous Peoples Day + Shred-a-Thon

Issue #264

Author

Carla McNeil
June 16, 2025

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌤️ Weather - Mainly Sunny

 😜 Rain Joke - Rain doesn’t fall.

 🔦 Business Spotlight - Inn at the Quay

 🗓️ New West Events - Lots to choose from

 🗞️ New West Local News - Indigenous Peoples Day + Shred-a-Thon

 📧 Did someone forward you our New West Spotlight? You can Subscribe Here!

Tucked along the scenic Fraser River boardwalk in New Westminster, the Inn at the Quay is more than just a hotel—it’s a community landmark with heart, history, and hospitality that runs deep. Since opening its doors in 1988, this independently managed hotel has offered locals and visitors alike a unique stay experience that blends comfort with an unbeatable view.

General Manager Kathy MacKerricher has been part of the Inn’s journey from the very beginning. In fact, her early start as one of the few female general managers in the region paved the way for the hotel’s warm and welcoming culture. “We’re not a family-owned business,” she explains, “but it often feels like one.”

That feeling of family is especially evident in the hotel’s long-standing staff, many of whom have worked there for decades. “The housekeeping team is our backbone,” Kathy shares. “Many come from diverse backgrounds, and they’re truly the kindest people. Their smiles at the end of each shift say it all.”

With 126 rooms—110 of them boasting private balconies—the hotel offers a refreshing alternative to chain accommodations. Guests regularly rave about the beds, the bedding, and the fresh air that flows in from the river. Its location is unbeatable: just 30 minutes to downtown Vancouver, the airport, the U.S. border, and major event venues, it’s a favorite for business and leisure travelers alike.

But beyond amenities and convenience, it’s the Inn’s deep connection to the community that makes it stand out. One particularly touching partnership is with the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation’s NICU program. Through a special agreement, families with newborns receiving intensive care can stay at the Inn at significantly reduced rates. “Some families stay with us for six to eight weeks,” Kathy explains. “It’s our way of helping them stay close to their little ones during an incredibly difficult time.”

That personal commitment took on even more meaning when Kathy’s own daughter experienced a medical emergency during pregnancy. Her grandson was born at just 27 weeks and spent 131 days in the NICU. “Having gone through that with my family, I understand how vital that support is,” she says.

As a longtime charter member of the Royal City Rotary Club, Kathy is also deeply involved in local fundraising efforts. The Inn proudly sponsors the Pot of Gold Golf Tournament and supports causes like Purpose Secondary School and the New Westminster Salvation Army. “Giving back is just part of who we are,” she says. “It’s not painful to the brain and close to the heart.”

This year’s tournament will take place on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the scenic Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club in Richmond. Whether you’re swinging clubs or just soaking in the atmosphere, there’s something for everyone:

  • 🎯 FOUR Hole-in-One contests—each offering a chance to win up to $50,000 in prizes (cash, a new car, and more)

  • 🏆 Competitions for longest drive, straightest drive, and closest to the pin

  • 🍴 Delicious food and refreshments are served throughout the course

  • 🎉 A buffet dinner and awards banquet to close the day

  • 💎 And yes, someone once won a $15,000 diamond ring—so it really can happen!

Can’t attend the tournament? There’s still a way to take part—the online auction from July 05 to July 27, 2025, lets anyone in the community bid on exciting items from the comfort of home.

In fact, the Pot of Gold tournament holds a special place in Kathy’s story—it’s where she met her husband. “We celebrated our 21st anniversary this year,” she says with a smile. “It all started at that tournament.”

For locals, the Inn offers more than overnight stays. From hosting weddings and celebrations of life to union meetings and conferences, it’s 3,500 square feet of river-view event space is designed to adapt. Plus, residents can take advantage of seasonal promotions like “Home for the Holidays,” a deeply discounted December rate for out-of-town guests—or in-laws.

Want to keep in the loop? Locals can subscribe to the hotel’s newsletter for 2–4 emails a month with exclusive offers and updates. And if you’re on Facebook or Instagram, you’ll find the Inn sharing everything from event highlights to behind-the-scenes stories.

So whether you’re booking a room for family, planning a celebration, or just strolling along the boardwalk, the Inn at the Quay is a local treasure worth rediscovering.

Supporting local businesses means supporting the heart of our community!

Address: 900 Quayside Dr, New Westminster, BC V3M 6G1

Already know, like, and trust this business? Be sure to support Inn At The Quay and leave them a Google Review

🍁 Shop Local 🍁 

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 21.6 2015 - Record low 9.3 2016

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

June 16, 2025

🧘 Peace, Be Still Monday Meditation – 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM

👶 Mom + Baby Meet Up at Cove Indoor Play – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

🏊️ Net-Zero Aquatic Centre Tour – təməsew̓txʷ – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🕺 Groove and Move – 3:15 PM to 5:15 PM

🧩 Puzzle Mondays at Steel and Oak – Starts at 5:00 PM

🎶 Quayside Voices Free Pop-up Show – 7:00 PM at Quayside Drive

🎙️ Begbie's Open Mic – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🎸 Eagles Tribute – 7:30 PM at Massey Theatre

📚️ Summer Reading Club Starts (3-11 years) – All Day @ New West Public Library

📖 Teen Summer Reading Club Starts (12-18 years) – All Day @ New West Public Library

June 17, 2025

✏️ Sketch For Fun (50+ years) – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

💃 New West Moms Bellydance & Stretch – 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

📚️ Young Readers Book Club (9-12 years) – 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

🍺 🎲 Beer and Board Games – 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM

❓️ Trivia Tuesdays at Howe Sound New West – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

June 18, 2025

🤸 Gym Program – 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

💰️ Financial Aid (Welfare) Worker at NWPL – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

👶 Mom + Baby Meet Up at Cove Indoor Play – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 CaRT Peer Navigators – 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

📝 Work BC Employment Services Drop-In – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

📝 Retail Strategy Implementation Workshop – 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🩰 NWSS Dance - Outside In – 6:30 PM @ Massey Theatre

🏃 Run Club  – 7:00 PM

🎭️ DRAG TRIVIA with Scarlett Rose – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

👦👧 Connect Youth (13+) – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

🎤 Open Mic Jam at Bully’s Studio – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

❓️ Trivia Night at Frankie G’s – 7:30 PM

Music, Dance, and Joy

Get ready for a day full of heart, culture, and celebration! 💫 On Saturday, June 21, 2025, the community is invited to gather at Moody Park in New Westminster for a joyful celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day — and everyone is welcome! 🎶🧡

From 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the park will come alive with the sights, sounds, and spirit of Indigenous cultures. Bring your friends, family, a cozy blanket or lawn chair, and settle in for an unforgettable experience filled with live music, traditional dance, local food, and vibrant community connections.

✨ Headlining the stage is Juno Award-winning artist Logan Staats, whose soul-stirring voice and storytelling promise to captivate. But the magic doesn’t stop there...

🌟 Live Performances Include:

  • 🐺 Coastal Wolf Pack – Coast Salish drumming & singing

  • 🔵 Jane Wiley – Mesmerizing hoop dance

  • 🪶 Garrett Currie – High-energy Chicken dance

  • 🎸 Murray Porter – Blues rhythms from another Juno-winning talent

  • 🌈 Dysphoria (šxʷʔáləqʷaʔ Youth Hub) – Youth voices and expression

  • 🔄 IndigiCree – Dynamic hoop dancing company

🎨 Shop and Taste: Enjoy food trucks with tasty treats and explore a variety of Indigenous vendors offering art, crafts, and goods that celebrate tradition and creativity.

🤝 Hosted With Heart
This special day is brought to life through the collaboration of the Spirit of the Children Society, Qayqayt First Nation, and the City of New Westminster. The celebration is made possible thanks to support from the Government of Canada, the New Westminster Teachers’ Union, and Key West Ford, which is powering the stage.

💛 Admission is FREE — just bring your good vibes, curiosity, and a big smile!

Shredding with Purpose: Join the Firefighters for a Day of Giving

Got old papers piling up? Declutter and do some good at the same time! The New Westminster Firefighters invite you to their annual Shred-a-Thon, happening right outside City Hall. Safely dispose of your confidential documents—on site, no fuss—and support meaningful causes right here in our community.

📍 Where: New Westminster City Hall – 511 Royal Avenue
📅 When: Saturday, June 21
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

🗂️ Bring your sensitive paperwork, tax files, or personal documents and let us handle the shredding, securely and efficiently. Every dollar raised supports the New Westminster Firefighters’ Charitable Society, with funds going directly into local programs and initiatives.

✅ Why Participate?

  • Protect your privacy with secure document disposal

  • Clear out unwanted clutter

  • Support community causes with every shred!

Let’s come together for a cleaner home and a stronger community. Whether you bring one box or several, every shred makes a difference.

📣 Save the date and spread the word—we’ll see you at City Hall on June 21! 

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ Rain doesn’t fall.

💧 Raindrops! ☔️ 

Groan O' Meter

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