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
Your Lady of the Lake was crowned this time a decade ago according to the Lake Cowichan Gazette of June 11, 2014.
“Frost crowned as Lady of the Lake for 2014/2015” was the front page headline under a photo of the new royalty.
“A jubilant and emotional Lauren Frost was crowned the new Lady of the Lake for 2014/2015 this past Saturday. As the sun shone down gloriously on this year’s Lake Days weekend, Frost took to centre stage to receive the crown from last year’s Lady of the Lake Megan Berry.
“’Thanks so much to everyone who has supported me, to all my family and friends,’ said Frost on Saturday. ‘Thank you also to the eight other girls for making this experience so amazing. And to my amazing sponsor Country Grocer, without them this would not have been possible. I’m so thankful for everything and I’m excited to continue the friendships with my fellow candidates.’
“Also, Madisyn Young sponsored by the BPO Elks was crowned 1st Princess and Marigold Arbic, sponsored by Island Savings Credit Union, was crowned 2nd Princess.”
In other news, “Town to purchase speed reader board, yet to determine location” was a page 2 headline.
“The Town of Lake Cowichan is to purchase a speed reader board following confirmation of available financial support from ICBC. The board would cost $5,900 and ICBC would pay 75 per cent of that thus a total of $4,425, chief administrator Joe Fernandez confirmed. ‘Council has been talking about getting a speed reader board,’ said Fernandez. “The superintendent has been concerned about the speed through town with the new construction and for the safety of students.”
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25 years ago
“McQuinn announced as 1999 Lady of the Lake” was the front page news of the June 16, 1999 edition of the Lake News.
“And the 1999 Lady of the Lake is…. Miss Royal Canadian Legion and Auxiliary, Kristal McQuinn, daughter of Cindy Witt and John McQuinn, of Lake Cowichan.”
Many of us would later come to know her as Kristal Mayo, one who would always be there to support events around the community.
“So overcome with the moment, upon winning the title, McQuinn’s appreciation speech consisted of ‘thanks guys’ through a river of tears and a voice chocked with emotion. First princess went to Miss Co-op Laura Edgar, daughter of Barney and Shannon Edgar of Lake Cowichan and is there were a contest for tears — Edgar would have won that as well — although no title exists, Edgar did qualify for being granted the entire box of Kleenex upon hearing her name for first princess.”
Alicia Blatchford was second princess. McQuinn also won Miss Congeniality and Blatchford won for Miss Blossom.
In other news of the day, “Former resident offers $12,000 year for CLEC” was a headline.
“Barry Gill, Vancouver investment banker, electrified an audience at the Seniors’ Centre when he slapped down $50 in front of Mayor Jean Brown. He also released to the press a letter addressed to Mayor Brown, from Ambra Resources Group Inc., of Vancouver, offering to lease the CLEC for $1,000 a month for two years. The meeting had been called to allow representatives from VisionQuest, of Victoria, to outline their plan to lease the CLEC as a recovery centre for addicts. VisionQuest has offered, in a letter to Council, to pay $1 a year for a 25-year lease on the CLEC. However, representatives said the terms were negotiable.. Gill said he was putting on the table twice as much as VisionQuest, and would promise twice as many local jobs.”
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40 years ago
“Kim Baird Queen for a year” was the top headline of the June 13, 1984 Lake News.
“The crowd stood silent in anticipation Saturday afternoon, but their feelings were nothing to the almost unbearable excitement shown by the girls onstage as they awaited the verdict of the judges, and learned the answer to the question that was on everyone’s lips: ‘Who will be Lady of the Lake for 1984?’
“Tension mounted as last year’s second princess Shelley Bergstrom opened her envelope. ‘The second princess is Miss Curling Club, Brenda Larson,’ she said, as the spectators cheered. Then it was first princess Sharon Towle’s turn. Necks craned and spectators leaned forward as she opened the envelope. ‘The first princess is Miss Kiwanis, Gina Mueller,’ she cried, to more applause. Finally, the crowd subsided and silence returned as Denise Carpentier came forward to crown her successor. Opening the envelope, she announced that ‘the Lady of the Lake for 1984 is Miss Riverside Inn, Kim Baird.’ Pandemonium then reigned in front of the platform as friends and family tried to Surprise and delight shine from the face get pictures of the happy trio and offer congratulations.”
Lake Days was also heralded a great success according to the organizers.
“Lake Days shows record profit in ‘84: $15,000 tally seen” was the headline.
“Cowichan Lake Days is expected to turn a record profit this year, brightening the faces of organizers who worked hard to present the huge crowds with three days of fun despite grey skies. An estimated total of $15,000 was made at various events and Lake Days chairman Rod Peters said Tuesday that he thought there might be as much as $8,000 to divvy up among the community groups that took part in getting this year’s show on the road.
“The concession at the park grossed $3,100.85 this year, compared to $2,495.50 in 1983. The games booths raised $1,133.53 this year, compared to $989.14.”
