Close to a hundred people turned up last Thursday to say goodbye to Lynn Whitehouse, and wish her well in her future endeavours.
After more than 30 years as the executive director of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce, Whitehouse has retired, handing over the reins to Colleen Clark.
But before she could escape totally, a crowd of people who have been touched by Whitehouse’s work and commitment to the community turned out to thank her, during a send-off at the Fort Langley Golf Course last week.
Those who spoke included MLA Peter Fassbender, retired B.C. Chamber’s John Winters, local mayors, past and present chamber staff, and past chamber presidents.
This woman has given a lot to this community, and not only should the business community be grateful for all that she has done, but the community at large.
Thank you Lynn, and best of luck in your next ventures.
Trucker takes vice seat
A Walnut Grove trucking company is celebrating its 25th year, with its founder taking on a leadership role in the provincial trucking association.
Ken Johnson Trucking is made up of a fleet of 30 tractors and 65 trailers that primarily transports fluids (chemicals, lubricating oils, and asphalt and dust palliatives.
The company namesake, Johnson, has been on the B.C. Trucking Association board of directors since 2006, and was invited to join the executive in 2011 as an alternate director.
During the recent annual general meeting in Kelowna, Johnson was elected to the executive as first vice-chairperson of the Langley-based organization.
The BCTA is a member-based, non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization. It is the recognized voice of the provincial motor carrier industry, representing more than 1,200 truck and motor coach fleets and more than 250 suppliers to the industry – representing more than 13,000 vehicles, 26,000 employees, and more than $2 billion in annual revenue in B.C.
Congratulations on your anniversary and your recent appointment Ken.
Seeking the ‘burn’
Another large fitness company, is getting set to open on the border between Langley and Surrey= this one focused on what it calls a 60-minute workout with a “burn.”
Earlier this spring, Orangetheory Fitness (www.orangetheoryfitness.com) signed a deal to open 70 studios in Japan. It already has operations throughout the U.S., and there’s an existing studio a little closer to home in South Surrey.
But in a few short weeks, a new studio also setting to open up in the former PoCo Military location along Willowbrook Drive.
Sharing knowledge
An Australian exchange student is gaining some “invaluable” and practical work experience helping build a “monster” house in South Langley this month.
James Thompson, a Queensland carpentry apprentice, is taking part in a four-week exchange program where he’s spending part of the time helping frame a home at one of Dalmor Construction’s residential construction site in South Langley.
He is also being given a chance to participate for a week in the carpentry training program at BCIT, and attend the Canadian Apprenticship Forum’s annual conference in Vancouver at the beginning of the month.
Thompson’s visit was made possible thanks to a collaboration between SkillSource BC and the Australian equivalent East Coast Apprenticeships.
““In Canada, different contractors take a building to different stages, so it will be interesting to see James’ take on that,” said Dalmor’s owner Dale Seatter.
“The house we’re working on is a little over 11,000 square feet (1,000 square metres) with two garages, a pool house, sunken living areas, theatre rooms, a golf room and a lot of exterior deck. It’s certainly not a normal house and when completed, in our dollar, it will probably be an $8-million house,” Seatter said, explaining the project Thompson was invited to participate in.
“The program is about sharing our knowledge around apprenticeships and traineeships, but it’s also about giving our young people opportunities to learn from other countries. We have such talented young apprentices who are engaged in this program that we can only benefit as a whole from these types of programs,” said attorney-general Yvette D’Ath.
When Thomspon returns home to Australia, he will complete his apprenticeship, and a deferred engineering degree.
G&F helping kids
Staff and members of a Willoughby credit union made a significant contribution to sick kids.
G&F Financial Group presented a cheque for almost $22,000 to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation during the live televised Miracle Weekend event recently.
The donation, collected through a variety of in-branch fundraisers at 13 locations – including the one on 208th Street – ended up being part of the $20 million collected during the telethon and will go a long way towards helping purchase life-saving equipment, conduct research into the treatment and prevention of childhood diseases, and support educational programs across the province.
Seeking nominees
Applications are now being accepted for this year’s Open for Business Awards.
This is an awards program that last year earned the City of Langley bragging rights and $10,000.
The City was recognized for local initiatives that support small business.
The provincial awards, started in 2011, recognize communities (local and First Nations governments) with a service-oriented philosophy that aims to foster a competitive, small business environment and grow local economies.
The deadline for submissions is Aug. 1, with the winners being announced at the end of September.