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
What would a newspaper history recap in late June be without a nod to the graduating class of that year? The Lake Cowichan Gazette of June 25, 2014 rightly highlighted Lake Cowichan’s small graduating class this time 10 years ago.
“Lake Cowichan School grads take centre stage” was the front page headline.
On Saturday there were Limos, Collector Cars and Hot Rods dropping off grads dressed in suits and colourful dresses at the front entrance of Lake Cowichan School. After milling around meeting fellow grads, it was time to get into the cap and gown for the class photo on the front steps of the school. After the formal portrait had been captured, cameras and flashes go off as the grads toss their caps into the air in wild abandon. Then a reality check. All the caps come crashing down onto their heads and shoulders before hitting the ground. Things will never be the same again as this portion of their lives comes to a conclusion.”
Meanwhile, did we know a strike notice had been issued by Town staff last week 10 years ago?
“Town staff reach tentative deal” was also a headline in the June 25, 2014 paper.
“Despite a strike notice being issued, the Town of Lake Cowichan’s chief administrative officer is hoping the town’s workers will not go on strike now. That is because a tentative deal has been struck between the town and the unionized workers.
“'At this stage of the game we have a tentative agreement in place with them,’ said town CAO Joe Fernandez. ‘We’ve worked out a settlement and now the union has to get ratification from its members and the town from council. If the ratification vote fails, it is likely that the town’s workers will go on strike.’”
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25 years ago
“Whittingham — Mr. Youbou Regatta, dies at 96" was the top headline of the Lake News of June 30, 1999.
“Youbou’s little white church on the shores of Lake Cowichan was packed with mourners Sunday, attending a memorial service for one of the Lake district’s most beloved citizens, Clarence William Whittingham. He died Wednesday, June 23, two weeks and one day after his 96th birthday. Clarence, a great-great grandfather, once said he wanted to help usher in the year 2000.
“Despite Clarence’s age, his passing was unexpected. When he was admitted to Cowichan District Hospital it was not thought that his illness was so serious.
“He was Youbou’s unforgettable tugboat skipper. His tug originally hauled logs but in later years it more often took people fishing. Clarence never missed a Youbou regatta. His tug served as the marker for the 1/4 mile swim. He established the area’s first and only movie theatre in Lake Cowichan. The building is now remodeled as the North Shore apartments. For some years he flew his own plane. It was said there was nothing mechanical that his educated hands could not master.”
In the same paper, “Council receives complaints regarding Lake Days” caught my eye.
“As part of the fall out after Lake Days, Council has received a complaint about the condition of the floor in the Central Park band shell and about ‘bombing’ with water balloons. Betty Cooper complained about the band shell. The Cloggers from Duncan and the Lake Cowichan Line Dancers ‘were forced to dance on the cement because the floor of the band shell needs repair,’ she said.
“Council decided to repair the floor as soon as possible. The complaint about water balloons was brought in a letter by Norm Lorenz, president of the Seniors. Sam Beldessi, who was the parade marshal and reported that the Shriners didn’t bring their band this year because of damage to one of the members’ uniforms from a water balloon last year.”
Who knew water balloons could cause so much destruction?
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40 years ago
The front page of the Lake News of June 27, 1984 noted “Impressive grad ceremony marks sendoff for 67”.
“Lake Cowichan Secondary School said ‘goodbye’ to the graduating class of 1984 Saturday, June 23 with an impressive ceremony. Families and friends flocked to the school gym to see the grads in their finery and watch them receive certificates. LCSS principal Stephen Shaw acted as master of ceremonies, while teacher Robert Wilson introduced the members of the group.
“Shaw gave a short address, commenting on how the students had matured in their years at LCSS, and remarking on their sartorial elegance to the parents. He wished them well in the future.”
And finally, “Throngs take BCFP tour as doors open for public” was a secondary story but still made the front page.
“A brilliantly sunny evening, with a gentle breeze blowing in from Cowichan Lake — not the sort of weather that propels anyone into a sawmill, but throngs of visitors crowded into B.C. Forest Products Youbou mill Thursday as the facility opened its doors to the public. Age regulations had been relaxed to allow parents to bring their children as young as eight, so many families took advantage of the open house and made an evening of it. More than 200 guests took the tours, which lasted from 60 to 75 minutes.”