Community

The Penelakut mini pitch will be painted by late spring 2022 to bring it to completion. (Submitted)

First mini soccer pitch ready for play on Penelakut Island

Grand opening Monday marks a special occasion for Indigenous youth

“And they’re off… At the starting signal, 150 runners begin Sunday’s Terry Fox marathon”. (Lake News/Sept. 16, 1981)

Flashback: Chickens and dogs, amalgamation woes, Terry Fox run, house prices

A look back into the history of Lake Cowichan and area

An otter family during the pandemic. (Cim MacDonald photo)

New display at Duncan museum looks at wildlife during the pandemic

In the summer of 2020, scientists coined the term “anthropause”

  • Sep 6, 2021
“United Church Worship and Education Team members Lilien Kerr, Mikki Welsh, and Audrey Towle, from left, with reverend Greg Darjes. Behind them is the cross from the old United Church, which was saved from fire in 1990.” (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, Sept. 7, 2011)

Flashback: Back to school, Church anniversary and Coronation Street soap opera

A look back into the history of Lake Cowichan and area

“United Church Worship and Education Team members Lilien Kerr, Mikki Welsh, and Audrey Towle, from left, with reverend Greg Darjes. Behind them is the cross from the old United Church, which was saved from fire in 1990.” (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, Sept. 7, 2011)
Some residents held a counter-rally at the North Island Hospital Comox Valley campus Thursday afternoon, showing their support for health care workers. Photo supplied.

Counter-rally sends messages of thanks to Vancouver Island hospital workers

Residents hold support rally one day after COVID restrictions protest at Comox Valley hospital

Some residents held a counter-rally at the North Island Hospital Comox Valley campus Thursday afternoon, showing their support for health care workers. Photo supplied.
Two-time heart transplant recipient Robbie Thompson, seen here with the family dog, Oreo, explains why mass vaccinations are important for immuno-compromised people like himself. Photo supplied.

Two-time B.C. heart transplant recipient urges COVID vaccine opponents to reconsider

Vancouver Island man asks people to consider the greater good

Two-time heart transplant recipient Robbie Thompson, seen here with the family dog, Oreo, explains why mass vaccinations are important for immuno-compromised people like himself. Photo supplied.
A 12-day alumni tour of community-based teams will ride different legs of the Tour de Rock for 2021. (Courtesy Cops for Cancer)

Tour de Rock embraces community teams for annual Vancouver Island cancer fundraiser

Tour starts Sept. 20 in Port Alice, winds up with finale in Sidney on Oct. 1

A 12-day alumni tour of community-based teams will ride different legs of the Tour de Rock for 2021. (Courtesy Cops for Cancer)
“Mai and Emi Ikemura hug the cuddly and patient dog Eva, at Honeymoon Bay’s Central Park. The two Duncan youngsters played with with Eva during a visit with their Honeymoon Bay grandfather, Mitsu, earlier this month.” Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, Aug. 24, 2011)

Flashback: Late Christmas card, toy tank used in assault, drama on Coronation Street

A look back in history at the Cowichan Lake area.

“Mai and Emi Ikemura hug the cuddly and patient dog Eva, at Honeymoon Bay’s Central Park. The two Duncan youngsters played with with Eva during a visit with their Honeymoon Bay grandfather, Mitsu, earlier this month.” Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, Aug. 24, 2011)
Organ technician and builder Jason Barnsley hands one of the 541 pipes in the pipe organ at Duncan United Church to Connie Masson, the church's music director, for cleaning. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Expert flown in to give Duncan church’s 120-year-old pipe organ a tune up

Instrument has been at Duncan United Church since 1933

Organ technician and builder Jason Barnsley hands one of the 541 pipes in the pipe organ at Duncan United Church to Connie Masson, the church's music director, for cleaning. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
The Malahat Legion is presented with a cheque from the Bottle Depot Company in Victoria for their bottle and can collection efforts. (Submitted by Malahat Legion)

Guest column: Malahat Legion continues to thrive, support community through pandemic

We were able to work with the Young Seniors Activity Group to distribute more than 3,000 masks

  • Aug 22, 2021
The Malahat Legion is presented with a cheque from the Bottle Depot Company in Victoria for their bottle and can collection efforts. (Submitted by Malahat Legion)
“Left – Celebrating his 71st birthday the day after the race, Spaniard Bernard Hewitt beat out a group of much younger competitors during the annual Youbou Regatta 1/4 mile swim race, Saturday, Aug. 13. ‘This is the third time I’ve entered. It gives me something to aim for,’ Hewitt said. Spending winters in Spain and summers with a friend at Marble Bay, Hewitt has taken to swimming Cowichan Lake on a daily basis. While in Spain, he stays in shape by swimming in a pool. Hewitt was the oldest participant to complete the swim, while local youngster Emily Vaughan was the youngest. Middle – Local athlete Grace Fox placed second, followed shortly thereafter by fellow local swimmer Alyssa Porter, right.” (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, Aug. 17, 2011)

Flashback: Garden gnome games, ambulance blackout, strike end nears

What was making headlines this week around Cowichan Lake in years gone by

“Left – Celebrating his 71st birthday the day after the race, Spaniard Bernard Hewitt beat out a group of much younger competitors during the annual Youbou Regatta 1/4 mile swim race, Saturday, Aug. 13. ‘This is the third time I’ve entered. It gives me something to aim for,’ Hewitt said. Spending winters in Spain and summers with a friend at Marble Bay, Hewitt has taken to swimming Cowichan Lake on a daily basis. While in Spain, he stays in shape by swimming in a pool. Hewitt was the oldest participant to complete the swim, while local youngster Emily Vaughan was the youngest. Middle – Local athlete Grace Fox placed second, followed shortly thereafter by fellow local swimmer Alyssa Porter, right.” (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, Aug. 17, 2011)
The Cowichan Valley Alano Club needs help preparing their new location at 450 Whistler St. (Submitted photo)

Cowichan Valley Alano Club needs help preparing new location

Group that assists people with addictions needs to raise $15,000

  • Aug 22, 2021
The Cowichan Valley Alano Club needs help preparing their new location at 450 Whistler St. (Submitted photo)
About 40 people took part in the Parkinson’s SuperWalk along Spadina Avenue in Chilliwack on Sept. 17, 2016. This year’s walk is virtual and takes place on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

Folks step up to raise money for Parkinson Society of B.C. with SuperWalk

Annual event goes virtual for 2nd year in a row, funds go to Parkinson’s research, programming

About 40 people took part in the Parkinson’s SuperWalk along Spadina Avenue in Chilliwack on Sept. 17, 2016. This year’s walk is virtual and takes place on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)
Ayden McKillop in the shirt he designed in support of the Osoyoos fire department (Junction 3 Coffeehouse/Facebook)

Osoyoos boy sells homemade shirts in support of wildfire crews

The shirts will be sold on Saturday (Aug. 21) at Junction 3 Coffeehouse

Ayden McKillop in the shirt he designed in support of the Osoyoos fire department (Junction 3 Coffeehouse/Facebook)
The BC SPCA is raising funds for Toki, an injured dog who was found abandoned outdoors in Port Alberni. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

SPCA raising funds for injured dog found abandoned in Port Alberni

Toki, a one-year-old Golden Retriever mix, was recently brought into the BC SPCA’s care

The BC SPCA is raising funds for Toki, an injured dog who was found abandoned outdoors in Port Alberni. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Cowichan-Malahat-Langford MP Alistair MacGregor meets with members of the Climate Hub and concerned citizens to talk climate change and government action on July 29, 2021. (Submitted by Climate Hub)

Guest column: Citizens press Cowichan MP to sign climate emergency pledge

We need government to govern as if we are in a climate emergency, because we are

  • Aug 15, 2021
Cowichan-Malahat-Langford MP Alistair MacGregor meets with members of the Climate Hub and concerned citizens to talk climate change and government action on July 29, 2021. (Submitted by Climate Hub)
“In happier times, Brittany Dycke is a frequent visitor to Community Services. Now that she is in hospital, her friends are trying to help her family by setting up a fund for her mother as she visits her daughter in Vancouver”. (Lake Cowichan Gazette, Aug. 14, 1996.)

Flashback: Alcohol-swigging rowdies, Youbou Regatta and a heat wave

Take a look at what was making headlines this week in Lake Cowichan history

“In happier times, Brittany Dycke is a frequent visitor to Community Services. Now that she is in hospital, her friends are trying to help her family by setting up a fund for her mother as she visits her daughter in Vancouver”. (Lake Cowichan Gazette, Aug. 14, 1996.)
The Alzheimer Society of B.C. has two free webinars coming up to help people with tips to find the right care home for a senior. (Submitted by Alzheimer Society of B.C.)

Do you know how to find the right long-term care home?

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. provides support for area residents through free weekly webinars

  • Aug 12, 2021
The Alzheimer Society of B.C. has two free webinars coming up to help people with tips to find the right care home for a senior. (Submitted by Alzheimer Society of B.C.)
Cowichan Life Cyclers Mary Hof, David Pope, and Danna Lyngard Hadden raised more than $37K for Hospice in 2021. (Submitted)

Cowichan cyclists raise almost $38K for Hospice

Due to COVID-19, the event had to go virtual

Cowichan Life Cyclers Mary Hof, David Pope, and Danna Lyngard Hadden raised more than $37K for Hospice in 2021. (Submitted)
“One way was the wrong decision according to many people who have complained about the new traffic flow on Coronation Street by the post office in Lake Cowichan. Village crew were busy last week setting up concrete medians and traffic signs warning drivers that Coronation has become a one way street. All traffic is now forced onto South Shore Road off Coronation.” (Lake News, Aug. 7, 1996)

Flashback: New campsites, school district amalgamation complete, unemployment insurance battle rages on

Remember these stories from Cowichan Lake?

“One way was the wrong decision according to many people who have complained about the new traffic flow on Coronation Street by the post office in Lake Cowichan. Village crew were busy last week setting up concrete medians and traffic signs warning drivers that Coronation has become a one way street. All traffic is now forced onto South Shore Road off Coronation.” (Lake News, Aug. 7, 1996)