Columnist

A beary beautiful day for a stroll. And yes, I did take this from the car, but I was the passenger. (Sarah Simpson/Gazette)

Sarah Simpson Column: The best family day out came when we needed it most

Our wild trip to Youbou

 

Members of the Cowichan High School graduating class of 1952. (Courtesy of Pete Kenyon)

Sarah Simpson Column: Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name

Seventy years. SEVENTY YEARS! Seventy years ago Elizabeth II became the Queen…

 

Water timers simplify gardening. (Mary Lowther photo)

Column: The ins and outs of watering your garden

Mountain Gardening

  • Jul 30, 2022

 

Volunteer Cowichan’s third Annual Aging Well Seniors Expo. We had over 250 attendees, 34 vendors, eight sponsors, eight donations and five presenters. (Courtesy of Volunteer Cowichan)

Column: It takes courage to be courageous

Life satisfaction comes from being your own hero

  • Jul 24, 2022
Volunteer Cowichan’s third Annual Aging Well Seniors Expo. We had over 250 attendees, 34 vendors, eight sponsors, eight donations and five presenters. (Courtesy of Volunteer Cowichan)
From bagpipers to clowns, from firetrucks to dancers and pups, there was so much to see at this year’s Panago Parade on Duncan Day, July 9. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

Sarah Simpson Column: Social interaction can be much like the weather: unpredictable

OK, OK, it happened. It’s kind of like bringing your umbrella. When…

From bagpipers to clowns, from firetrucks to dancers and pups, there was so much to see at this year’s Panago Parade on Duncan Day, July 9. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
Soup is for winter. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

Sarah Simpson Column: Summer weather leaves us craving soup

These days I’ve had a significant craving for soup. Not just any…

Soup is for winter. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
Nadia and Luka help to stock up the new book nook in Cowichan Bay. (Submitted by Al Vaisius)

Sarah Simpson column: Cowichan Bay community helping its own residents

Book-nook and community pantry now available to all

Nadia and Luka help to stock up the new book nook in Cowichan Bay. (Submitted by Al Vaisius)
Here is a photo of some random scooters. To protect my own privacy I don’t want to show you mine, even though I think it’s super cool. (Black Press file)

Sarah Simpson Column: Saving gas money leads to impromptu chats at the school fence

I looked back at my columns of old and learned it was…

Here is a photo of some random scooters. To protect my own privacy I don’t want to show you mine, even though I think it’s super cool. (Black Press file)
Raspberries send up shoots in paths. (Mary Lowther photo)

Mary Lowther column: It’s raspberry season and nobody’s complaining

If I only had room for one fruit it would be raspberries

  • Jun 18, 2022
Raspberries send up shoots in paths. (Mary Lowther photo)
(Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

Sarah Simpson Column: Neighbourhood skeleton’s gearing up for graduation

Decorated statues are one of life’s simple pleasures

(Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
Busted. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

Sarah Simpson Column: Mr. Bite: The gift that will never be given away (despite my best efforts)

Timber Houdini strikes again

Busted. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
Celebrating with cupcakes it a Peace of Cake. (Submitted by Cowichan Valley School District)

Sarah Simpson Column: You had me at cupcakes: no better way to celebrate an assembly

Pupcakes served at Alexander Elementary’s first full-school gathering in two years

Celebrating with cupcakes it a Peace of Cake. (Submitted by Cowichan Valley School District)
This is clearly the work of a ghost, or as least a sneaky kid with pretty tidy printing. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

Sarah Simpson Column: A mysterious note sends the children racing to school

A ghost story

This is clearly the work of a ghost, or as least a sneaky kid with pretty tidy printing. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
Sarah Simpson

Sarah Simpson Column: Some kids have all the luck, some have none at all

It was B.B. King’s 1967 classic ‘Born Under a Bad Sign’ that I remember the quote from

Sarah Simpson
Robin Brown was grateful to be rescued by four members of North Cowichan’s South End fire hall after the elevator at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre brown down earlier this month. (Submitted by Charlotte Brown)

Sarah Simpson Column: What goes up must come down…sometimes with a little help

There is still good news out there if you’re willing to look for it

Robin Brown was grateful to be rescued by four members of North Cowichan’s South End fire hall after the elevator at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre brown down earlier this month. (Submitted by Charlotte Brown)
Oliver Thompson and his friend Brodyn Mortimer dug the court out of the weeds early on in their project. (HUB community Centre photo)

Sarah Simpson Column: Basketball court bounces back thanks to dedicated teen

New life for court at Hub community centre in Cowichan Station

Oliver Thompson and his friend Brodyn Mortimer dug the court out of the weeds early on in their project. (HUB community Centre photo)
I got this close to the goose before I chickened out. (Sarah Simpson/Citien)

Sarah Simpson Column: The best date we’ve had in years

But bring your own drinks

I got this close to the goose before I chickened out. (Sarah Simpson/Citien)
“Dandelions bring up minerals from deep in the soil with their tap roots.” (Mary Lowther photo)

Mary Lowther column: Dandelions: Mother Nature’s cover crop

Weeds as cover crops

  • Apr 16, 2022
“Dandelions bring up minerals from deep in the soil with their tap roots.” (Mary Lowther photo)
Sarah Simpson

Sarah Simpson Column: A shift in perspective can change everything

What she saw as a strength I saw as a weakness

Sarah Simpson
George Brewster with his Spitfire during the second World War. (Submitted)

Sarah Simpson column: Naughty cat or no? Debating what’s best for show-and-tell

I got a call from my friend George Brewster the other day…

George Brewster with his Spitfire during the second World War. (Submitted)