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.
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This week around the Cowichan Lake area…
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10 years ago
It was clear from the stories on the front of the Lake Cowichan Gazette of Dec. 3 2014 that folks already had Christmas on their minds.
"Chamber of Commerce president Ron McKenzie called bringing back the Christmas parade 'a gamble' though for the 400 residents in attendance, it was clear from th every beginning that that gamble paid off. Last Saturday (Nov. 29) marked the first Christmas parade in town since 2006. Making its way along South Shore Road, the parade was made up of 150 people and 24 entries, including floats, a choir of carollers on a flatbed, a decorated handyDART, and fire trucks. Residents lined the street and followed the caravan to Saywell Park, where the festivities continued."
"Cowichan Lake Community Services (CLCS) be continuing their annual Christmas hamper program this December, making sure every family have gifts under their tree and a Christmas dinner on the table, regardless of circumstances. CLCS recently celebrated their 40th anniversary, and have been running the Christmas hamper program for most of their existence.
Each Christmas hamper will contain a full Christmas dinner — turkey fresh produce and other fixings. Recipients with children will also receive an age-appropriate gift in their hamper."
25 years ago
"Provisional budget presented by Town" was a headline hidden on page 5 of the Dec. 8, 1999 Lake News.
"The Town presents its provisional Year 2000 budget during its inaugural meeting Monday. It shows a 2% increase in general revenue and a drop in garbage user rates, said the Town's administration.
"Taxes are expected to raise $839,837 in the Year 2000, up from $823,312 in 1999. At the same time, the Town will be collecting $1,095,851 for other governments (such as CVRD, the School Board and library) — more than its own tax revenue.
"Expenditures are projected to include: protection $151,700; public works and transportation $196,625; garbage $226,000; recreation and culture $142,000; library $67,623; waterworks $96,330; sewer $191,360."
Also in the Dec. 8, 1999 Lake News, the story about the "Most deadly accident in recent years" didn't actually include any deaths.
"Although his car was totalled it's expected a driver will survive one of the most deadly accidents in recent years, said air ambulance attendants. They transported the man by helicopter to Victoria General Hospital. They said the local ambulance crew did an 'excellent job.' The dramatic rescue began after the car, occupied only by the driver, was in collision with what early report said was a logging truck trailer. The accident happened about 6 a.m. on Highway 18 just west of the CLEC turnoff. The injured man's name had not been released at press time.
40 years ago
Our favourite retired Lake Cowichan reporter Lexi Bainas made headlines and wrote them too in the Dec. 5, 1984 edition of the Lake News.
"The phrase 'hot off the press' could not be used to describe the preparation of The Lake News during the power outage last Tuesday in Lake Cowichan. The first thought by staff members on waking to a world of snow and darkened buildings was, 'oh no, not on a Tuesday.' At The Lake News, every Tuesday is 'deadline' day, come rain, snow, sleet — or power failure. Luckily, the stories are first typed up on a manual typewriter, obsolete in more modern offices, but a godsend during the occasional power failures that afflict this district. Reporter Lexi Bainas, huddling near a kerosene lamp, was able to pound out her last minute stories — with stops in between to warm her hands around a cup of coffee."
And finally, "Yount School — a tricky problem" was a page 3 headline.
"One of the trickiest problems facing school trustees and administrators in the next year or so is: what to do about Yount School. The only school in Youbou, it is a facility with its own activity room-gymnasium, but the question of maintenance of the building is causing considerable concern among district officials. The school is not operating anywhere near capacity and it will soon be in need of some major repairs to the exterior siding. Schools superintendent Denis Therrien explained to trustees at the board's buildings and grounds committee meeting last week that the problem was a knotty one.
"The newest part of the building is the gymnasium which is built on one end of the facility, and the next newest section are some classrooms which are added at the other end of it. The original section which will need the most repair is in the middle, and everything passes through it, according to Therien, who with administrative assistant Lawrence White toured the school recently."
