There are some long overdue congratulations in order for Burnaby’s Aruna Neela, the local knitter who won first place in a Debbie Bliss contest for best baby blanket.
Bliss is a giant in the knitting world, I’m told. The U.K. woman is considered one of the world’s leading knitwear designers, and she’s published dozens of books and has her own magazine and brand of yarn.
Neela’s Russian doll themed-baby blanket design won the contest and was featured in the fall/winter edition of Bliss’s magazine.
The top 10 blankets were donated to a charity that supports people who have lost a child or partner. Neela has been knitting for 10 years and sells her work at trade shows. (Check out Haberdash Couture by Aruna Neela on Facebook.)
Neela is also one of the regulars at the Tommy Douglas library branch’s Knit2gether club, which meets monthly.
Their next get-together is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 7311 Kingsway.
Rotary Club dinner
Local Rotary Club members put on a turkey dinner to help others during the holidays.
The annual volunteer-run dinner was held on Dec. 16 at the hall attached to the West Burnaby United Church on Sussex Avenue.
“This event is pulled off by many volunteers and a few sponsors,” said Rotary member Pamela Gardner in an email to the NOW. “Rotarians spend an evening wrapping the hundred gifts, which I shop for. Then, the night before, we set up Rotarian Hall for all our guests, and the night of the event, Rotarians and friends come over and serve the guests a sit-down dinner for 130 people.”
The attendees were people identified by the Burnaby Neighbourhood House, Maywood Community School and Burnaby Family Life Institute as people who would “benefit from a sit-down dinner,” according to Gardener.
Children were given gifts and the chance to sit on Santa’s knee, while the Firefighters Club provided the food (for a fee) and volunteered their labour. Local eye surgeon Michael Boyd donated to help cover the cost of the toys, and two other companies also donated, Gardner said.
The West Burnaby United Church donated usage of the hall, and a local coffee shop donated dessert, she added.
Swinging singles
If dancing is on your list of new year’s resolutions, you may want to check out the Swinging Singles Square Dance Club.
Starting Sunday and next week, the club is hosting a series of weekly classes on choreographed ballroom, and advanced and intermediate square dancing. Classes are $6 or $7, but new dancers only pay $5, and the first two trial lessons are free. Club member Ron Fleck said the club is about fun, fitness and fellowship.
“The instructor we got is a heck of a lot of fun, so you don’t even know you’re learning. That’s the best part,” said Fleck.
Just because the club is called Swinging Singles doesn’t mean couples aren’t allowed.
“We are a couples club, as well. We have got people who actually met, married, and are staying in the Singles Club as well, and that’s growing,” Fleck said.
The classes run till the end of May. For more information on scheduling or registration, call Fleck at 604-421-3266.
