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Japan trip yields special treasure

The twinning of the two communities dates back to September 1989.
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On behalf of the Town of Lake Cowichan

Lake Cowichan Coun. Lorna Vomacka, recently returned from Japan, presented Mayor Ross Forrest with a beautiful blown-glass model of a samurai helmet: a gift from the people of the community of Ohtaki, Lake Cowichan’s sister city.

The twinning of the two communities dates back to September 1989 and is probably one of the longest-running of this kind of program still in existence in North America.

During the years since, many Cowichan Lake residents have visited Japan and many families have hosted Japanese students for a school year.

In fact, Coun. Tim McGonigle, who also visited Ohtaki this summer, reconnected there with his first homestay student again and will now be hosting the next generation in that family, ensuring the tradition continues.