Trip TOPS up commitment to weight loss efforts

Working at TOPS is Heavy Duty: That’s because TOPS stands for Take Off Pounds Sensibly. Founded in 1948 TOPS is the original weight-loss support organization with thousands of associate chapters in the US and Canada. Dianne Connerly has been representing the organization in the Valley for 31 years and for eight of those years she has been area coordinator serving chapters and members from Ladysmith south including Langford, Victoria, Sooke, Sidney and Mayne Island. Last month Dianne was invited to "Time to Shine ", an international recognition event at TOPS International HQ in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is quite an honour. In fact, according to TOPS President Barbara Cady, the Cobble Hill resident was part of a select group picked from among hundreds of field staff to participate because of her exceptional service to the organization. Congratulations, Dianne!

That 's Madam President to You: As of last month's CVCAS AGM when Kathy Wachs was sworn in as president of Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society. Also named to higher office: Neil Newton (Vice-President); Les Smith (Treasurer); Lynn Morrison (secretary) and board of directors Hilary Everitt, Philip Holmes, Karen Hopkins, Susan Martin, John Pimlott and Shelley Rouse. PS Congratulations, Shelley, on your new gig as co-publisher (with Warren Goulding) of Chemainus Valley Courier.

A Penny For Our Thoughts: Cowichan Historical Society members and friends of the museum will be decked out in pioneer costumes as they present traditions from Christmas Past Friday from 5:30pm- 7:45 pm at Cowichan Valley Museum. In the 1912 Kitchen, “Mrs. Castley” will be making a Christmas pudding. ”She might invite you to give it a stir for good luck, ” cautions museum curator Kathryn Gagnon, ”but make sure you stir it in the right direction! ” (Talk about stirring drama.) “Matron Talbot” will be tending to “patients” and telling stories about what Christmas was like at King’s Daughters Hospital, the first hospital in Duncan. “Mr. Jaynes” (or a reasonable facsimile) will be measuring out penny candy in the museum's Alderlea General Store exhibit. Enjoy old-fashioned treats for a great price with proceeds going to our Cowichan News Leader “Pennies for Presents” fund for families in need. Kathryn tells me there will be a one-horse open sleigh in the museum's Priscilla Lowe Gallery, full of toys and Christmas gifts, as well as crafts for kids and readings of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Admission by donation.

E-Mail Call: Vancouver Island University anthropology prof Helene Demers invites everyone to a lunch hour presentation of Traditional Felting Techniques and Designs of Kyrgyzstan featuring Zhanyl Baisheva (and translator Gulzhan Kudabaeva)Thursday in Building 602 Room 162 of VIU's Cowichan Campus. Ms. Baisheva is a member of Altyn Oimok (Golden Thimble), a non-profit organization promoting the work of women artisans in the village of Bokonbaevo in Kyrgyzstan (it's in Central Asia, west of China, in case you’re wondering.)