Greetings,

There is one thing which we are certain we can all agree upon ~ Hemlock Valley has snow ~ a great deal of snow ~ and it just keeps falling!

The snow conditions on the slopes of Hemlock Valley, as well as the cross country and snowshoeing tracks in and around the Village, could not be better.  What a wonderful, splendid week this has been for all of us lucky enough to spend Christmas and the Holidays in this winter wonderland.  (Surely it is the gem of the Lower Mainland and one which is oft-times overlooked.)  The Directors of Hemlock Valley Homeowners Association could not be more pleased Hemlock Valley Resort opened to such wonderful snow conditions which happily have continued, non-stop, throughout the entire Holiday Season.  We look forward to continue working with Hemlock Valley Resort in promoting our ski resort and the community as a whole.

Thank goodness Santa made it to Hemlock Valley late on the 24th!  As usual, he was generous to a fault.  It's good he had his trusty sleigh though, not to mention the much needed glow from Rudolph's nose, as Emil Anderson worked hard that night.  They have continued to do so throughout the entire Holiday Season, working around the clock, often in blizzard conditions, trying their very best to keep up with what may become record snow fall amounts, as one weather system after another dumps powdery white stuff on the slopes and Village.  They are most certainly to be commended, not only for the wonderful job they are doing on the roads leading up to and in and around the Village, but as well, for trying their utmost to keep driveway entrances clear.  Thank you!

A big 'thank you' is extended as well to Carl Butler and his crew as they work around the community every day, plowing our driveways.  With the amount of snow we are receiving it is an endless (and no doubt thankless) task.  Aren't they doing a wonderful job!

Now for the news... 

We are very pleased to inform you the details have now been finalized for the Annual General Meeting which will be held on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express, 15808 - 104th Avenue, Surrey, BC.  This is the same location as last year and as was also the case then, coffee service will be provided.  The hotel is located at the corner of 104th Avenue and 158th Street.

We very much look forward to seeing you at the AGM on February 7, 2008.  Your participation is important to us and we are excited to hear your thoughts and suggestions regarding what is important to you and in particular, how HVHA can help.  Hemlock Valley Homeowners Association's goal is to continue moving forward in a positive, unbiased and neutral fashion, and in doing so, we hope to help not only our community as a whole, but each and every home and property owner who works and/or plays in and around Hemlock Valley. 

We will soon be sending out the upcoming AGM documentation including the Agenda, Minutes from last year's AGM, the financial statements, and the nomination and proxy forms.  Homeowners who are members of Hemlock Valley Homeowners Association will receive the documents via e-mail.  This saves the Association a considerable amount of money in postage, photocopying and paper, and is much less labour intensive.  Homeowners who are not yet members will have the documents sent to them by mail, however this year will be the last year where there is a paper mail out.  Next year all documentation will be sent via e-mail.  That we now have this ability is, of course, a major benefit to us, and is a result of the creation of our new website.  We are very pleased because not only will it be very cost effective for our non-profit association, but it is also a 'green initiative', which is something  HVHA feels strongly about.

Speaking of our new website, we would like to take this opportunity to warmly extend our gratitude and thanks for the overwhelmingly positive feedback Directors of HVHA have received from homeowners, (members and non-members alike), as well as from the public at large. We are very pleased.  As previously mentioned, we welcome any ideas you may have on how we can make it even better. 

With respect to information emails, the Directors of HVHA have decided that unless there is an emergency, an info-email will be sent out once every two weeks during the ski season.  The purpose of this email will be to provide you with an information bulletin so that home and property owners will know, on a regular basis,  what is happening 'up the hill'.   If something of a more urgent nature occurs, you can be assured an additional email will be generated to inform you of the important news.

A couple of days ago members of Hemlock Ski & Board Club were seen collecting and organizing the beer, wine, spirits and pop bottles left at the garbage drop-off site.  This is a very worthwhile fund raiser that helps the ski club in numerous ways which means, of course, that it helps our kids.  What could be more worthwhile than that?  We would like to remind you all to continue helping to promote Hemlock Ski & Board Club by donating your 'empties' from this Holiday Season instead of returning them to the LCB or grocery store.  For those of you who may be unaware of the drop-off location, it is located to the left of the garbage bin on Laurel Road, which is right beside the Hemlock Valley Volunteer Fire Department (on the right).  There is a covered wooden storage bin located there within which to place your empties.  Thank you.

In closing, the Directors of  Hemlock Valley Homeowners Association would like to extend their warmest wishes to one and all for 2008.  May it be a New Year that is kind and generous to both you and yours, and most especially, may it be a very happy one.