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
“Logging trucks still an issue in Youbou” reported Tamu Miles in the May 9, 2012 edition of the Lake Cowichan Gazette.
“Pat Weaver, Regional District Director for Area I, says she wishes she had happy news to deliver to Youbou and Meade Creek residents. Since 2003, the town of Youbou has been trying to find a solution to the dust and dirt deposited by logging trucks passing through on their way to sorting facilities, etc., and she is still waiting for a solution to be found.
“George DeLure, a concerned resident, has been working hard to create such a solution on his own. His plan includes a study that would help to determine the costs involved in setting up a wash station in Youbou, the catching and disposal of contaminated water from logging trucks, and the time involved with washing down trucks before they pass through the town.
“But not everyone agrees that the logging trucks are an issue. Rose Steven, owner of Shop and Save in Youbou says she supports both the loggers’ and the truckers’ right to make a living. ‘They all stop here and they all shop here. I don’t want anyone to lose their job over dust.’
“Mike Marrs, chair of the local planning commission, agrees that something needs to be done about the dust, but also says that something needs to be done to boost the economy in Youbou.”
In other news of the day, the Lake Cowichan Secondary School Parent Advisory Committee announced they were raising funds for a sport court for the school.
“Students need a place to play,” said the story. For the past two years Jodi McKenzie, PAC chair, along with a core group of six other PAC members, have been raising funds to build a sport court for students at LCSS. So far the group has raised $3,000 out of the $15,000 they would like to raise before applying for any grants.
“The idea for the sport court was born out of necessity, says McKenzie. ‘Right now our middle school kids do not have a play area. They were using the old Stanley Gordon field and playground but that posed a huge safety concern when you consider that it takes the staff around 4-6 minutes to walk from the high school, up all the stairs and onto the playground,’ says McKenzie. The possibility that something could happen to the kids on their way to Stanley Gordon was stressful for staff and a concern for parents.”
25 years ago
“Election 1997” was teased on the front page of the May 14, 1997 edition of the Lake News.
“This week the Lake News interviews two of the candidates running in this year’s election for the Nanaimo Cowichan Riding. Other candidates will be in future issues, prior to the June 2 election. This week we talked with Mike Coleman, running for the Liberals and Garth Mirau, candidate for the NDP for the Nanaimo-Cowichan riding.”
The paper also went backstage with the Lakeside Players as they rehearsed for Nunsense and reminded residents that it was “a weekend to celebrate our heritage.
“It’s Heritage Days this weekend,” said the paper, which ran a full story and program for the event. In fact, the paper reminded folks not once but twice on the front page that it was Heritage Days.
It was also a celebration of love as the paper covered the 50th anniversary of Sam and Marg Beldessi.
“The couple were wed in Nanaimo on May 10, 1947 and although they’ve been through both good times and bad times, they have some advice for young couples today. Still in love, Marg says it doesn’t seem like 50 years, but on the other hand, she can’t remember a life without Sam…”
40 years ago
“$130 tax jolt rocks ratepayers” was the top headline on the front of the May 12, 1982 Lake News and no doubt residents were pretty unhappy to read it.
“The school tax bill for the average Lake Cowichan homeowner soared to $130 more than last year following juggling of policy by the provincial education ministry. A local property owner with an assessment of $51,939 will have to fork over $21 over and above his homeowner grant of $380 to cover his school taxes.
“Local homeowners are being asked to pay substantially more this year because changes in the tax base available to local school districts has been radically altered.”
And finally, it was announced on the front of the Lake News of May 12, 1982 that there would be 10 candidates looking to become the new Lady of the Lake.
The 10 included Lauri Bates, Dianna Bourassa, Katrina Chester, Sherry Hanson, Karen Gregus, Darlene Knott, Christina Oliver, Vickie Shields, Carol Sawatsky, and Cindy Thorpe.
