Inside this New West Spotlight Newsletter…

 🌤️ New West Weather - Cold 🥶 

 Rain Riddle - Why did the rain cloud break up with the sun?

 (Answer at the bottom of the newsletter)

 🍩 Business Spotlight - Yum Gourmet Donuts 

 💝 You’re So Sweet - Thank you, Pat G.!

 🎀 Announcing Milestone Celebrations 🎁🎀 - New Feature Added - 😯 

  🗓️ New West Events - a little something for everyone

🕵️‍♂️ New West Local News - Groundhog + Blustry Fraser Canyon

 😀 Viral Meme

 📰 Advertise with New West Spotlight - Buy One, Get One Free

Read New West Spotlight Online

Yum Gourmet Donuts

Located at 468 East Columbia Street in New Westminster, Yum Gourmet Donuts has grown from a pandemic project into a wildly popular donut shop known for its artisan creations, innovative flavors, and commitment to quality. Co-founders Kim Collishaw and John McMahon officially opened their doors on March 19, 2022, drawing enthusiastic crowds eager to try their unique offerings.

The shop is open Thursday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., serving up a rotating menu of up to 14 flavors each week, and their signature Big Ass Apple Fritters. Yum's brioche dough, which takes 24 hours and four rises to perfect, is the heart of their donuts, lending a rich, buttery flavor that sets them apart.

Kim, a trained pastry chef, is the creative force behind Yum’s recipes. She focuses on creating donuts with balanced flavor profiles, perfect textures, and what she calls the “perfect bite.” This dedication to quality extends to every detail, from fillings and toppings to the meticulous preparation of the dough.

Yum’s menu changes weekly, offering customers a chance to explore new flavors alongside their favorites. Popular options like Carrot Cake, Raspberry Lime, Lemon Meringue, and Maple Bacon keep regulars coming back, while seasonal and citrus-inspired creations like Key Lime Pie and Strawberry Shortcake add variety.

“People love fruity and citrusy flavors, so we always make sure something like that is on the menu,” Kim explained. To keep things exciting, she’s constantly brainstorming new recipes, sometimes jotting down ideas in the middle of the night before heading to the kitchen to prepare 1,000 donuts daily.

Yum's Big Ass Apple Fritter is a standout favorite, and for those celebrating special occasions, the shop offers large birthday cake donuts that serve up to 10 people. These impressive creations require a 48-hour preorder and are ideal for anyone looking to wow their guests with a truly unique dessert. Additionally, Yum specializes in towering donut arrangements and customizable options, perfect for weddings, birthdays, and corporate events.

However, customers are encouraged to arrive early—once the donuts sell out for the day, they’re gone. Kim explained, “Our brioche dough is a long process, so we can’t just whip up another batch.

For John, who was born and raised in New Westminster, opening Yum in his hometown is a dream realized. While he handles the administrative side of the business, he’s quick to credit Kim’s expertise and creativity for Yum’s growing success. Together, they’ve created a shop that blends artistry with community, earning a loyal customer base along the way.

At Yum Gourmet Donuts, customer service goes beyond the basics—it’s about building meaningful relationships with the people who walk through the doors. The shop’s team prides itself on creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated.

A key priority for the staff is getting to know their regular customers by name, fostering a sense of familiarity and connection. Whether it’s remembering someone’s favorite donut or engaging in a friendly conversation, these personal touches are part of the bakery’s commitment to exceptional service.

“We want every customer to feel welcome here,” said John from the shop. “It’s important that our guests feel welcome and appreciated, whether they’re visiting us for the first time or the tenth.”

The team at Yum Gourmet Donuts believes that great customer service is just as important as the quality of their products. Their dedication to creating a warm, community-focused atmosphere has made the bakery a favorite spot for locals, who often stop by not just for the treats, but for the friendly and inviting experience.

Yum has become more than just a donut shop—it’s a part of the New Westminster community. The business sponsors players from the New West Junior Lacrosse Team and regularly engages with customers through contests and giveaways, such as their popular "Four-Pack a Month for a Year" contest.

Currently open four days a week, Yum will expand its hours to five days starting February 5, 2025, to meet the growing demand. March will mark their third anniversary, and the team has big plans to celebrate this milestone with special promotions and events.

For special occasions, Yum offers gift certificates in any denomination—perfect for the donut lover in your life. While their famous Big Ass Apple Fritter might not be easy to wrap, a gift card certainly will. Yum's Donuts makes excellent special occasion treats, and their customizable options ensure every celebration is uniquely sweet.

Visit Yum Gourmet Donuts at 468 East Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC, or call +1 604-521-2478 to place an order, inquire about flavors, or learn more about their special creations.

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Celebrate Life's Big Moments in the New West Spotlight!

Do you know a New Westminster resident (or a former long-time New West resident) celebrating an incredible milestone? Whether it’s a 90th (or more!) birthday or a 60th (or more!) anniversary, let’s honor them in style!

Nominate your loved ones or friends to be featured in our daily digital newsletter, the New West Spotlight, and share their joy with the entire community. It’s a wonderful way to make their milestone moment even more special!

Submit the details through our quick Google Form here, and we’ll include their celebration on their big day.

Let’s come together to celebrate the amazing people who make New West such a vibrant and cherished community. Start sharing those milestone stories today!

January 23, 2025

👶 Babytime (0-12 months)  – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

🍼 Baby Social (0-23 months)  – 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🧑‍💼 BizRockit Business Networking Lunch – 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

🧸 Thrive Together Weekly Registered Playgroup – 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM

🎙️ Table 29 Karaoke – 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM 🪴 

 🪴 Gardening: Starting Seeds – 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

🎙️ Karaoke Night at Georgie's – 7:00 PM

📝 Massey Victory Heights Resident's Association Annual General Meeting – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎙️ Colossal Thursdays Karaoke at The Terminal Pub – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

January 24, 2025

🧒 Toddler Time (12-36 months) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

🗣️ English Conversation Circles – Friday Sessions – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🍔 Between 2 Buns  – 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM

📖 French Reading Buddies (6-9 years) – 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM

🦸 The Secret League of Extraordinary Kids – 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM

🎲 Friendsday Night Board Games – Doors open at 6:00 PM

🍔 🍺 Burger and a Beer Fundraiser – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🕹️ 2025 Vancouver Global Game Jam – 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎨 Brush Hour Paint Night - Sunflowers – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

🍣 Ladies Sushi Night – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

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

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

January 25, 2025

🧘 Gentle Yoga & Gratitude by Laura O’Reilly – 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM

⛰️ Blustery Fraser Canyon – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🏮 Lantern Making Workshop – 11:00 AM at Kinder Books

🍩 B2B + Donuts – 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🙋 Choc ou ajustement culturel? – 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM

🎆 Lunar New Year Art Workshop (6-8 years) – 1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

🎆 Lunar New Year Art Workshop (9-12 years) – 3:15 PM to 4:30 PM

🚲️ Youth Cycle Express: $2 Drop-in for Youth – (For youth ages 13 - 18) 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM

🍳 Perogies for Peace – 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🎲 Music Bingo – 5:45 PM / 6:30 PM / 7:15 PM

👑 The Grand Finals Night of The Miss Filipinas Worldwide – 6:00 PM Anvil Theatre

🤼 365 Pro Wrestling – 6:30 PM

 💃 Jazz Cats Social - Joe Abbott's Swing Team! – 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM

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

🎭️ Masquerade Ball – at Club Eden

🍻 Rotary Bevies & Bites - Early bird pricing ends January 31st

 🦫 Sapperton’s Giant Inflatable Groundhog Returns for Another Year of Fun

A five-metre-tall inflatable groundhog is once again drawing attention in New Westminster’s Sapperton neighborhood as Jeff Mottershead brings back his unique Groundhog Day celebration. The larger-than-life decoration has become a quirky tradition for Mottershead, who first erected the inflatable last year in his front yard near Alberta and Richmond Streets.

Mottershead’s journey to Groundhog Day fame began with the realization that holidays like Christmas and Halloween were "too competitive." Looking for a more low-key celebration, he decided to go all out for Groundhog Day. After some brainstorming and a challenging ski trip that made him want to embrace joy, he custom-ordered the giant groundhog – complete with lighting for an extra festive touch.

While initially met with skepticism from his wife, the inflatable groundhog quickly won over both his family and the community. Visitors last year left photos, cards, and even a child’s plea to bring the “hedgehog” back after it was packed away post-Groundhog Day.

One of the most memorable surprises came in the form of groundhog-themed carollers, who serenaded the Mottershead home with parody songs such as I’m Dreaming of the Great Groundhog. This unexpected moment cemented Groundhog Day as a celebration worth revisiting.

Now a full-fledged family tradition, the inflatable groundhog is back to mark the 2025 festivities. Mottershead’s wife has even joined the fun, creating custom T-shirts for the occasion. The decoration is already delighting locals, encouraging selfies, and sparking plenty of smiles in Sapperton.

Groundhog Day, celebrated on February 2, is a lighthearted event where folklore suggests that a groundhog’s shadow predicts either the arrival of spring or six more weeks of winter. While the Sapperton groundhog doesn’t offer weather predictions, it certainly brings the community together in celebration.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit the display, snap photos, and share their experience online using tags like #ExploreNewWest.

Check out the post on Tourism New West

 🌬️ Learn About the Fraser Canyon’s Powerful Winter Winds at Discovery Centre

This winter, the Fraser River Discovery Centre in New Westminster invites visitors to delve into the fascinating weather dynamics of the Fraser Canyon, a region known for its powerful winds. Taking place on January 25–26 and February 22–23, the interactive event will explore how the unique geography of the Fraser Canyon impacts weather patterns in the Lower Mainland.

The Fraser Canyon experiences some of the region's strongest winds, particularly during winter and spring. These gusty conditions are often caused by Pacific storms, which funnel through the canyon’s mountainous terrain, amplifying wind speeds and creating dramatic weather events.

Through hands-on science demonstrations, visitors can model how cold winter winds travel through the canyon. Families and children will also enjoy storytime sessions, windsock crafts, and the chance to create “windy” watercolor art to take home. These engaging activities provide a fun and educational way to better understand the role geography plays in shaping local weather.

Whether you’re a weather enthusiast or just looking for an entertaining family outing, the Fraser River Discovery Centre offers a memorable experience to learn about this most fascinating natural phenomenon.

Check out the information

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ Why did the rain cloud break up with the sun? 🌞 

🧊 It needed to cool down! 😎 

Meme of the Day

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