What a Great Community!

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌨️ Weather - Mixed precipitation

 😜 Rain Joke - What did the raindrop say to the leaf? 💧 🍀 

 🗓️ New West Events - Lots to Choose From

 💝 You’re So Sweet - Thank you, Maria Isabel M.!

 🗞️ New West Local News - What a Great Community!

 😆 Meme of the Day

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December 25, 2025

⛪️ Christmas Day Service at New Westminster United Reform Church – 9:00 AM

⛪️ Christmas Day Service at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church – 9 AM & 11 AM

⛪️ Christmas Day Service at Mt Zion Lutheran Church – 10:00 AM

⛪️ Nativity of our Lord at Holy Eucharist Cathedral – 9:00 AM & 10:00 AM

⛪️ Holy Trinity Cathedral – Main Service – 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

⛪️ Christmas Day Service at Mount Calvary – 11:00 AM

💑 City LOVE Scavenger Hunt Date Night For Couples – 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

December 26, 2025

❄️ Frosty Adventures: Animal Adaptations Uncovered – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🧸 Boxing Day Sale at Collected Treasures Co – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

💑 City LOVE Scavenger Hunt Date Night For Couples – 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

🪡 Needle Felting Workshop – 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

🎲 Friendsday Night Board Games – 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Hitmix Bingo – 7:00 PM

🎙️ Howe Sound New West Karaoke Night – 7:00 PM

🎙️ Weekly Karaoke Every Friday – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🎸 Live Music at The Terminal - Mike Van Eyes – 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM

🎙️ Notorious Grey Fox Karaoke Friday Nights – 9:00 PM until Close

December 27, 2025

❄️ Frosty Adventures: Animal Adaptations Uncovered – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🧸 Boxing Day Sale at Collected Treasures Co – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

🗣️ Spanish Conversation Drop-in – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🧶 Knitting & Crocheting Circle – 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

🎨 Brush Hour Paint Night - Winter Bliss – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

💑 City LOVE Scavenger Hunt Date Night For Couples – 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

🚲️ Youth Cycle Express: $2 Drop-in for Youth Ages 13 - 18 – 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM

🎶 Live Music with Rocky Riobo at Flapper Lounge – 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM

🎙️ Karaoke Saturdays at Kelly O’Bryan’s – 9:00 PM

🕺 Saturday Dance Party at Georgie's – 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM

🕹️ Fighting Game Night – Phantom Alley

✨ Merry Christmas, New Westminster ✨🎄

With love from New West Spotlight

Today is all about Christmas cheer — and before the wrapping paper settles and the cocoa cools, we want to share one simple message with our community: thank you.

This Christmas marks New West Spotlight’s second holiday season, and we are so grateful to every reader, subscriber, and supporter who believes in what we do. You’ve welcomed us into your mornings, your inboxes, and your community conversations, and that means more to us than we can say.

New Westminster shines brightest at this time of year — in the kindness of neighbours, the warmth of small moments, the laughter echoing through homes, and the magic found in coming together. We’re honoured to be part of a community that shows up with generosity, curiosity, and heart.

Whether your day is filled with family, friends, chosen family, or quiet moments just for you, we hope it’s wrapped in comfort, joy, and a little holiday magic. Thank you for supporting local stories, local voices, and a platform built with love for this city.

From our hearts to yours — Merry Christmas, New West. 🎁❤️
With gratitude and cheer,
The New West Spotlight Team ✨🎄

What a Great Community! Irv Radatzke

What began as a simple idea — 100 Christmas cards for a 100-year-old veteran — has become one of the most heartfelt community efforts New Westminster has seen in years.

As of this week, Operation Irv has officially come to a close, and the final numbers tell only part of the story.

The original goal was 100 cards.
The final count? 713, more have come in since the CBC Radio show yesterday.

From One Friend’s Idea to a Province-Wide Response

The project was spearheaded by Moe Boyle, a longtime friend of Second World War veteran Irv Radatzke. After Irv spent his 100th birthday and Remembrance Day in RCH following a fall, Moe wondered how the community might lift his spirits.

The answer turned out to be simple — and powerful.

Cards began arriving almost immediately. First from New Westminster. Then from across British Columbia. Then from beyond the province. Children, veterans, families, new Canadians, schools, Legions, community organizations, and national groups all responded.

Among those who sent messages of gratitude were the Vancouver Canucks, Girl Guides of Canada, Legions across BC, Honor House, the Justice Institute, the RCMP, and even international military organizations connected to the Invictus Games. Irv also received formal birthday acknowledgements from King Charles, the Governor General of Canada and Premier David Eby.

A Hospital Room Filled With Gratitude

During the last month of Irv’s five-month stay at Royal Columbian Hospital, Moe delivered cards regularly, reading them aloud and decorating his room. Messages from children sat alongside letters from veterans and immigrants who credited Irv and others like him for the freedoms they now enjoy.

Adding to the sense of honour was a Quilt of Valor, which will be displayed in Irv’s new room — a visual reminder of his service and the respect held for him by his community.

As Moe shared during a CBC interview, Irv’s response to each card was simple and sincere:
“Oh, isn’t that nice.”

A New Chapter for Irv

In a meaningful development, Irv has now been placed in a long-term care home after months in RCH — a major transition at this stage of life. Moe will continue to visit frequently, bringing cards, photos, and familiar stories to help make the move easier.

The entire collection of cards is now being preserved in binders so Irv can revisit them anytime — a permanent record of how deeply he is valued.

More Than a Birthday

While the campaign centred on Irv’s 100th birthday, it quickly became something larger. It became about recognizing veterans while they are still with us. It became about neighbours looking out for one another. It became about kindness — offered freely, without expectation.

As Moe told CBC listeners, people wanted to take part. Sending a card gave them joy, connection, and a way to say thank you.

A Community Effort Worth Remembering

Operation Irv was never about numbers, but 713 cards speak volumes.

They represent gratitude across generations.
They represent community at its best.
And they represent a man who spent a lifetime quietly helping others, now surrounded by the love he never asked for.

As this project comes to a close, one thing is clear:
Irv Radatzke is deeply loved — and New Westminster showed up in a way that will not be forgotten.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌨️ What did the raindrop say to the leaf? 💧 🍀 

“You really know how to catch me!” 🫴 💮 

Meme of the Day

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