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
Granted a little early for the season. "Christmas parade returns to the Lake this year" was the top headline on the front of the Lake Cowichan Gazette of Oct. 1, 2014. But you know, planning these things does take time.
"After a seven-year hiatus, the Cowichan Lake Christmas parade will return to the community this year.
"'It seems like Christmas has been a nonentity in the past few years, but we want a resurgence of it,' says Ron McKenzie, President of Cowichan Lake Chamber of Commerce. McKenzie said that two years ago there was little interest in Christmas celebrations, but things are changing.
"'What happened last year surprised all of us. Because Santa Claus was here we had well over 200 people and it was fantastic.'
"And there was even more interest this year.
"'We’ve had several people and businesses in town ask about getting the parade back,' says McKenzie. 'And we got a number of people asking about bringing back the Christmas tree. We’re going to try it and see what happens.'"
In other news of the day, "It was a sight to behold as the Gazette reported that "Hydro poles replaced by helicopter" on a page 2 story.
"Residents of Lake Cowichan gathered in Saywell Park last Wednesday to watch a rare spectacle. BC Hydro used a helicopter to replace aging hydro poles near the weir in the middle of town. Saywell Park was blocked off with barricades, and Hydro workers cordoned off the area to keep residents out of harm’s way.
"In windy, cloudy conditions, the helicopter pilot skillfully carried the concrete blocks and tall power poles to their specific positions on the small island at the town’s weir. The pilot deposited the tall poles in the appropriate holes with exceptional speed and accuracy, manoeuvring around the old power poles and lines with expertise."
^
25 years ago
A harrowing account of a young girl's bravery graced the cover of the Oct. 6, 1999 Lake News. Ironically, it was the same edition as the news outlet's fire and crime prevention supplement.
"Firemen credit 11-year-old Crystal Lang, who lives at 61 Pine Street, with preventing what could have been a serious fire. Crystal, a Lake News paper carrier, answered the door when a woman shouted: 'There's a fire next door. Call 9-1-1.'
"Crystal didn't waste a second. She made the phone call instantly and Lake Cowichan firemen say it was just in time. A few minutes more and the house could have been engulfed in flames. There was no one home at 61 Pine, where the fire was, only the family dog, Bob, a black Labrador, on a chain outside. Firemen had to get in and douse the flames as best they could.
"The tenants, Beth Leeworthy, and her nine-month-old baby, had just moved in. The fire had started in some cardboard cartons in the kitchen. Leeworthy later told the Lake News she had gone to Duncan and to a birthday party. 'When I got to the party they said: 'Your house is on fire', so I rushed home,' she said."
"Three run for council" was another story on the same edition's third page.
"Three residents have announced their candidacy for Councillor and all three are running together on a slate supporting Jack Peake for Mayor.
"Claude Ruggieri, principal of LCSS, Garth Sims of Lake Cowichan Furniture and Dave Gonyea, tax consultant confirmed Monday morning that they all support Peake, his issues and will support him in their candidacy.
"'We are offering the voters a good cross section of this community; an educator, a businessman and a tax consultant,' Sims said."
^
40 years ago
"LOST HISTORY — IN PICTURES" was a neat story on the front of the Oct. 3, 1984 edition of the Lake News. Capital letters and all.
"A chance drive through Lake Cowichan by a Shawnigan Lake man has resulted in a set of fine old photographs coming back to its original home. Rod O'Driscoll, owner of the Riverside Inn, was contacted recently by a tradesman who lives in the Shawnigan Lake district.
"As O'Driscoll tells its, the man had been involved in a renovation job at the Empress Hotel in Victoria several years ago when he discovered a montage of photos taken around Lake Cowichan in the 1920s. Passing through Lake Cowichan, the Shawnigan Lake man happened to notice the Riverside Inn and thought the hotel's owner might like to have the old pictures, according to O'Driscoll.
"He accepted them gladly, had them framed and will display them in his hotel. He has said he is interested in collecting other old photos of the hotel for an historical display and would be interested in hearing from residents who have any."
And finally, "CHALLENGE ISSUED" New-look village council in cards?" was in the same Oct. 3 newspaper.
"Some municipal and regional district candidates are already out of the starting gate as the campaign season opens for local politicians. Others are still making up their minds, and at least one has decided to step out of the public eye for a while. There are two openings on Lake Cowichan village council this year.
"The seats held by aldermen Hazel Beech and Earle Darling are up for grabs. There are also two school board seats available this year as trustees Jean Brown and Bill Routley come to the end of their two-year terms. In addition, the two-year terms of regional directors John Ward and Frank Walker expire this fall."
