Community

“Youbou volunteer fire fighter Derrek Powell hoses off a vehicle, Monday, May 23, during a car wash fundraiser at the Youbou Fire Hall. The car wash helped raised funds for the annual June 18-19 Muscular Dystrophy Slo-Pitch Tournament, hosted by the Mesachie Lake Fire Department at the Mesachie Lake Skydome.” (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, June 1, 2011)

Flashback: No water, rocks thrown at RCMP, giant flagpole, water sport season

A look back into Lake Cowichan’s history

“Youbou volunteer fire fighter Derrek Powell hoses off a vehicle, Monday, May 23, during a car wash fundraiser at the Youbou Fire Hall. The car wash helped raised funds for the annual June 18-19 Muscular Dystrophy Slo-Pitch Tournament, hosted by the Mesachie Lake Fire Department at the Mesachie Lake Skydome.” (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, June 1, 2011)
Tubing on the Cowichan River is a popular summer pastime. A group of researchers is looking into how sunscreen is affecting the Cowichan watershed. (Gazette file)

Non-profit groups monitor for sunscreen contamination in Cowichan watershed

With all of these human bodies comes plenty of sunscreen

  • May 28, 2021
Tubing on the Cowichan River is a popular summer pastime. A group of researchers is looking into how sunscreen is affecting the Cowichan watershed. (Gazette file)
Andy Hutchins contributed to the Cowichan Valley in uncountable ways, including as vice chair of KidSport Cowichan for the last 10 years. (Submitted)

Cowichan’s Andy Hutchins mourned by sports community and beyond

Rugby, rowing, football, KidSport, Wall of Fame, Maple Bay FD all touched by community titan

Andy Hutchins contributed to the Cowichan Valley in uncountable ways, including as vice chair of KidSport Cowichan for the last 10 years. (Submitted)
“Long-time Wilmer Gold photograph steward Al Lundgren speaks to the history and the challenges related to taking care of the massive IWA 1-80 archive, which includes upwards of 6,000 photographs that Kaatza Station Museum curator Barbara Simkins is currently registering.” (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, May 25, 2011)

Flashback: Chronicling history, death, taxes, and housing

Welcome to Lake Flashback. Reporter Sarah Simpson has been combing through old…

“Long-time Wilmer Gold photograph steward Al Lundgren speaks to the history and the challenges related to taking care of the massive IWA 1-80 archive, which includes upwards of 6,000 photographs that Kaatza Station Museum curator Barbara Simkins is currently registering.” (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette, May 25, 2011)
Russ Ball (left) and another team member work to extract an ancient turtle fossil from along the Puntledge River in January 2021. (Credit: Derek Larson)

84-million-year-old turtle fossil being studied at Royal B.C. Museum

Discovery made by fossil hunter in Courtenay in January

Russ Ball (left) and another team member work to extract an ancient turtle fossil from along the Puntledge River in January 2021. (Credit: Derek Larson)
Michael and Isabel Philips are sharing their experience on the dementia journey to raise awareness for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s.

Island family sharing their story to support British Columbians affected by dementia

When Isabel Phillips crossed the finish line at her first Times Colonist…

  • May 17, 2021
Michael and Isabel Philips are sharing their experience on the dementia journey to raise awareness for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s.
“Keeping fit for Mother’s Day: Participants of Cowichan Lake Recreation’s Mother’s Day hiking event make their way down the Trans Canada Trail, Sunday, May 8. The morning event later wrapped up with snacks and prizes.” (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette May 11, 2011)

Flashback: Bears, elk, salmon, candidates, and lumber graders

This week around Cowichan Lake in years gone by

“Keeping fit for Mother’s Day: Participants of Cowichan Lake Recreation’s Mother’s Day hiking event make their way down the Trans Canada Trail, Sunday, May 8. The morning event later wrapped up with snacks and prizes.” (Tyler Clarke/Lake Cowichan Gazette May 11, 2011)
Sign up to fundraise to help those affected by dementia. (Submitted)

Not too late for Cowichan residents to join Alzheimer’s Walk

Set a walking or fitness goal for May and raise funds for the Alzheimer Society of B.C.

  • May 16, 2021
Sign up to fundraise to help those affected by dementia. (Submitted)
Can you dig it? Crofton In Bloom volunteers certainly can. From left: Trayci Lepp, Tony Lamley, Bonnie Lamley, Mary Patient and Jane Grueber. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Community pride grows from volunteer group’s beautification efforts

All ages contribute to Crofton In Bloom’s objectives

Can you dig it? Crofton In Bloom volunteers certainly can. From left: Trayci Lepp, Tony Lamley, Bonnie Lamley, Mary Patient and Jane Grueber. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Greyson Miller is loving the response to his campaign for gates to be installed on the gaga ball pits at Chemainus Elementary School and others across the school district. (Photo by Robyn Plumsteel)

Fundraising for gaga ball pit gates easily surpasses goal

People get on board with young student’s idea to make them accessible

Greyson Miller is loving the response to his campaign for gates to be installed on the gaga ball pits at Chemainus Elementary School and others across the school district. (Photo by Robyn Plumsteel)
Michael and Isabel Philips are sharing their experience on the dementia journey to raise awareness for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s.

Island family sharing their story to support British Columbians affected by dementia

When Isabel Phillips crossed the finish line at her first Times Colonist…

  • May 10, 2021
Michael and Isabel Philips are sharing their experience on the dementia journey to raise awareness for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s.
“He’ll be bowling for dollars — $30,000 to be exact. Matt Hancock, 15-years-old of Lake Cowichan won in the Coca-Cola B.C. championship finals and will now bowl in the international championship with a chance to win a $30,000 scholarship. Hancock will go to the international competition in Columbus July 10. He is coached by Karen Smith of Cowichan Lake and plays on the T.G.S. bowling team.” (Lake News/May 8, 1996)

Flashback: Taxes, school district amalgamation, logging licences and student news

A look back through the pages of Lake Cowichan’s history

“He’ll be bowling for dollars — $30,000 to be exact. Matt Hancock, 15-years-old of Lake Cowichan won in the Coca-Cola B.C. championship finals and will now bowl in the international championship with a chance to win a $30,000 scholarship. Hancock will go to the international competition in Columbus July 10. He is coached by Karen Smith of Cowichan Lake and plays on the T.G.S. bowling team.” (Lake News/May 8, 1996)
Michael and Isabel Philips are sharing their experience on the dementia journey to raise awareness for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s.

Island family sharing their story to support British Columbians affected by dementia

When Isabel Phillips crossed the finish line at her first Times Colonist…

  • May 4, 2021
Michael and Isabel Philips are sharing their experience on the dementia journey to raise awareness for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s.
Barb de Groot. (Citizen file)

New Barb de Groot grant to forward the cause of literacy in Cowichan

De Groot a founding member of Literacy Now Cowichan

  • May 3, 2021
Barb de Groot. (Citizen file)
Garden Club volunteers with new gardening tools for use at Cairnsmore Place and Cowichan Hospice House. (Submitted)

Cairnsmore Garden Club looking for new members

With the addition of new garden territory around Cowichan Hospice House, new blood needed

  • Apr 28, 2021
Garden Club volunteers with new gardening tools for use at Cairnsmore Place and Cowichan Hospice House. (Submitted)
QMS Head of School, David Robertson, addresses students and staff during the school’s Centennial Founders’ Day event in 2021, a special day to honour the school’s 100th birthday. (Light Work Photography photo)

Queen Margaret’s School celebrates 100th birthday

On April 4, 1921 Queen Margaret’s School opened its doors in Duncan

  • Apr 28, 2021
QMS Head of School, David Robertson, addresses students and staff during the school’s Centennial Founders’ Day event in 2021, a special day to honour the school’s 100th birthday. (Light Work Photography photo)
Gerry Hof is thrilled to share his joy in the restored 1951 Mercury truck with his four grandsons, Nash, Nixon, Vann and Rivers Taylor. Maybe they will be lucky to do their driver’s test in it, just like their Opa did nearly 60 years ago. (Mary Hof photo)

Retired Cowichan dairy farmer brings truck back to life

“You’ve got to be kidding,” I remember saying in 1998

  • Apr 26, 2021
Gerry Hof is thrilled to share his joy in the restored 1951 Mercury truck with his four grandsons, Nash, Nixon, Vann and Rivers Taylor. Maybe they will be lucky to do their driver’s test in it, just like their Opa did nearly 60 years ago. (Mary Hof photo)
The Jubilee Community Garden’s first-place entry in the “Inspired by Dr. Bonnie Henry: Collage” category at the Cowichan Exhibition’s “UN”FAIR 2020. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Cowichan Exhibition to host second annual ‘Un’Fair

COVID conditions prevent traditional fall fair

The Jubilee Community Garden’s first-place entry in the “Inspired by Dr. Bonnie Henry: Collage” category at the Cowichan Exhibition’s “UN”FAIR 2020. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)
“DOCKSIDE DUNKERS, these youngsters wet their lines during holiday weekend following opening of trout season Thursday. Warm weather greeted opening-day river fishermen in Lake Cowichan area but the trout were wary and, among those that were caught, mainly cutthroat, few were trophy sized. However, advent of the trout season for these young anglers means plenty of lazy days ahead, especially when school’s out.” (Lake News/April, 22, 1981)

Flashback: Hockey, beavers, trout oh my!

Remember these stories from Lake Cowichan?

“DOCKSIDE DUNKERS, these youngsters wet their lines during holiday weekend following opening of trout season Thursday. Warm weather greeted opening-day river fishermen in Lake Cowichan area but the trout were wary and, among those that were caught, mainly cutthroat, few were trophy sized. However, advent of the trout season for these young anglers means plenty of lazy days ahead, especially when school’s out.” (Lake News/April, 22, 1981)
An otter takes some shelter under a car in the Royston area. Screenshot, Kate and Sarah Stromquist video

Island family surprised to see otter visitor under car

The Stromquists did not expect to see the animal so far from water

An otter takes some shelter under a car in the Royston area. Screenshot, Kate and Sarah Stromquist video