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
"Teachers look for public support to get back to class" was the Lake Cowichan Gazette's front page headline on Aug. 27, 2014.
"It’s the last week of August and teachers have had to take to the picket lines instead of the classroom. Out here in Lake Cowichan, teachers continued picketing on Monday, along with all other teachers in B.C.
"Mediation is in sight, as Vince Ready has said that he is prepared to sit down with the BCTF and the provincial government, but so far the minister of education, Peter Fassbender, has not made a move to begin talks. According to the CBC, BCTF president Jim Iker challenged the minister to make his move at a teacher’s gathering in Kamloops this past weekend.
"'My message to the minister today and his rhetoric of 24/7 bargaining, is let’s see it. How about tomorrow? Let’s get this deal done,' Iker said. 'The holdout has been government and their unwillingness to enter full-scale mediation and compromise. We’re ready to negotiate anytime. We’ve been ready all summer.'"
In other news of the day, "Ice bucket challenge arrives at lake".
"Country Grocer store manager, Jenn Pollner, accepted the ice bucket challenge this weekend, helping to raise money for Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS). Pollner, after being soaked down by front end manager, Janice Shand, and produce assistant manager, Troy Douglas, nominated all other department managers at the store: Bob Day, Bill Robertson, Janice Shand, Laurie Johnson, Wayne Callagher, and Dyllan Wiersma.
"'They put the bucket in the produce cooler for an hour and a half before it went on my head!' she says.'But you know what, it’s for a really good cause.'"
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25 years ago
The Lake News of Sept. 1, 1999 reported that "Two miles of trails [were] completed" in the Town.
"It is now possible to stroll, walk your dog, bike through Lake Cowichan's completed network of trails within the Town of Lake Cowichan. Imagine leaving your home and walking along the edge of a forest, along a well developed trail towards the downtown core and never seeing a residential street. It is now possible.
"Friday was the ribbon cutting for the work that has been completed by the Lake Cowichan's Environment Youth Team. This group of youth began work on the trail system on June 21 and within two months have carved this two-mile trail system through the community. The trails are as follows: From Greendale Park, one goes across the trestle to King George on old railway lands, along a 12 foot wide path with signage."
In other news from 25 years ago, RCMP were telling folks to check with them for lost bicycles.
"Lost your bike? Check at the RCMP" was the headline.
"If your bike went missing over the summer and you have written it off as gone forever, check with the RCMP. The Lake Cowichan detachment currently has 14 unclaimed bikes in holding. If you hope to claim your bike, you must take with you a complete description of your bike, and if possible, the serial number."
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40 years ago
"Village water emergency declared as pump fails" caught our attention on the front of the Aug. 29, 1984 Lake News.
"The main Lake Cowichan water pump has broken down and village residents are being asked to stop any garden sprinkling until they receive notice from the Village of Lake Cowichan. The emergency occurred Monday. Aug. 27. according to village works superintendent Don Bokic.
"He said that crew had to pull the pump out and have a look at it before he had any idea of the extent of damage or ant of repairs. 'It may be something we can fix in a couple of days ourselves.' he said. adding that repairs may take up to a week. if damage is more widespread."
Another headline was: "Mill hit by blaze".
"Fire caused an unknown amount of damage as it ripped through piles of logs at the R & R sawmill at Beaver Lake last week. Lake Cowichan police are investigating the fire and say that it was reportedly caused by sparks from the burner, at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. Aug. 21.
"Const. Ken Yaeger. who is in charge of the investigation said Tuesday that mill employees attempted to douse several spot fires using the mill's equipment. This became impossible after the fire spread to the power line and knocked out the power at the pumping station. The wind, which had been from the east veered around, causing additional difficulties in fighting the fire, he said. The pump and the pump house are burned out, but these were the only buildings affected.
And finally, "CN sprays line with 'agent white,' public kept in dark" was another front-page headline.
"Canadian National Railway has sprayed its Duncan to Youbou rail fine with "agent white" (Spike 80W) chemical herbicide, although Cowichan Lake district residents were given no notice that the spraying would take place. The spraying was carried out by a private contractor, Western Weed Control, Aug. 5, 6, 7, and 8, according to CN officials."
