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Flashback: Christmas cheer, a not-so-bright thief and holiday hours

A look back at the history of the Cowichan Lake area
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”Dave Campbell, Katrine Winia, Guy Paton and Scott Campbell were all sporting Christmas colours at the Honeymoon Bay Christmas dinner.” (Lake Cowichan Gazette, Dec. 28, 2011)

Welcome to Lake Flashback. Reporter Sarah Simpson has been combing through old newspapers with the assistance of the Kaatza Station Museum and Archives so we can jog your memory, give you that nostalgic feeling, or just a chuckle, as we take a look at what was making headlines this week around Cowichan Lake in years gone by.

This week around the Cowichan Lake area…

10 years ago

It seems former editor Dorian Geiger really liked writing about dinners back in 2011— or maybe it was just the time of year. Last week we learned of two holiday dinners put on around Lake Cowichan and this week the Lake Cowichan Gazette’s Dec. 28, 2011 edition features yet another, also prominently posted on page 2.

“Honeymoon Bay feeds entire town to warm up the holiday season” was the headline.

“Out of all the Christmas dinners unfolding this time of year, the Honeymoon Bay Christmas dinner is one of the most special. Home cooked food, Santa Claus, carols and children running rampant, the Honeymoon Bay Christmas dinner was a true holiday affair. Every child also received a toy upon arriving.

“President of the Honeymoon Bay Society, Dick Orman was pleased to host the event for the area. ‘The people of the community came together. It was excellent. It’s run by volunteers and our whole being is to help support the community and do things for the community. The Christmas dinner is designed to give back to the community for all the support we receive throughout the year,’ he said.

“Many people from Lake Cowichan, Mesachie Lake and Youbou were in attendance, as well. ‘Our aim is to try to get the whole community to come out. We don’t just restrict it to Honeymoon Bay. We are well supported by the community. We want to have as many people come as possible. We want you and your fellowship here and we want you to have a good time,’ said Orman.”

On page 3, “Town Hall sustains break and enter in early December” followed the mayor, Ross Forrest’s, and town councillor Bob Day’s recaps of the year.

“According to Mayor Ross Forrest, the culprits entered the premises after first attempting to break down the door and then later smashing the glass to the entrance. Several hundred dollars of damage was caused. Nothing was reported to have been stolen. The forced entry alerted Price’s Alarms in Duncan. As per routine, a Price’s Alarms service agent phoned Town Hall’s main office to verify if the alarm had been tripped accidentally. Apparently intoxicated, the culprit surprisingly answered the phone.

“Immediately picking up on the individual’s intoxication, the Price’s Alarms service agent notified the RCMP. ‘The alarm went to Price’s. The fist thing they do is phone and make sure somebody hasn’t gotten to their code in time or if it’s a literal person and the guy inside answered the phone,’ said Forrest. Upon arrival, RCMP subdued and arrested one male. It was suspected he had an accomplice but the authorities did not find anyone else at the scene.”

The suspect ultimately agreed to pay for the damages.

25 years ago

“Don’t drink and drive this holiday season. Make sure you and your friends and loved ones have a safe holiday,” urged a little boxed notice on page 3 of the Dec. 24, 1996 Lake News. There was also a little boxed note that you could “get your rubber stamp at the Lake News”. I wonder what was on the stamp. I’ll have to ask Lexi Bainas.

And it seems times did change. A third boxed noticed noted that the Lake News would indeed be publishing right through the holidays, unlike the miracle you’re about to read below:

40 years ago

It’s hard to believe there was a time when this happened because as they say, the news never sleeps, but there was no paper the week of Dec. 30, 1981 because, if you can believe it, the Lake News offices shut down, intentionally, from Dec. 23 through to Jan. 2, 1982 to give staff a holiday.

Happy New Year!



sarah.simpson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com

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