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.

This week around the Cowichan Lake area

10 years ago

“Stars sizzle at Sunfest” and a giant photograph of Carrie Underwood caught the attention of readers looking at the Aug. 3, 2016 Lake Cowichan Gazette.

The story went like this: “It was a lot of work but all worth it in the end say Sunfest organizers following the festival’s very first season at its new location.

“‘Right now we all feel this was a huge success,’ said Emmalee Brunt, Sunfest’s public relations and marketing manager. ‘January 17 we got the permits for this [site], and within seven months it turned into this. I think for all of us it was very mind-blowing.’

The weekend saw a steady increase in attendance with approximately 13,500 on Thursday; 15,000 on Friday; 17,500 on Saturday for Carrie Underwood; and slightly more for Dierks Bentley on Sunday. Brunt cited Bentley’s ‘massive following,’ and also said that Autumn Hill, which opened for him, was a huge draw too.

“Before Underwood took to the stage Saturday night, Sunfest announced its 2017 festival headliner: Toby Keith.”

“Horse rescue mission turns into growing family” was another headline in the same paper.

“A person doesn’t impulsively buy a horse online or wake up one morning to find a brand new one standing in the back yard. And yet for Lake Cowichan resident Patti Thomson, both those scenarios came to pass this year as her family of horses more than doubled in less than 10 months.

“‘We went from two horses to five horses,’ said Thomson. ‘I did not see this coming!’

25 years ago

“Town could be part of corridor trailhead” graced the right-hand side of the front of the Lake News of Aug. 1, 2001.

“Lake Cowichan could become a station for the Vancouver Island Recreation Corridor, which is proposed to stretch from Sooke to Cape Scott on the northwest tip of Vancouver Island.

“Jerry Reid, a consultant working on the project, told town council last week that if it wants to be part of what he describes as a permanent, flexible, multi-use recreation corridor that would run the length of Vancouver Island, ‘You’ve got it.’

“He said the suggested route would go from Sooke to the west side of Shawnigan Lake and then northwest to Lake Cowichan, then run along Cowichan Lake and over to Port Alberni along the old rail beds.

“Unlike most trails, noted Reid, the corridor would be open to five types of use: hiking, horseback riding, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and cycling.

“‘We have enough room for all these uses.’”

“Park golf in Saywell Park” was another story. “Fore. Park golf balls will soon be flying in Saywell Park.

“Town council last week has acted on Coun. Garth Sims’ suggestion that park golf be tried, on a temporary basis, in Lake Cowichan.

Park golf, an easier and much cheaper variation of regular golf, has been introduced to Lake Cowichan through its sister city Ohtaki, Japan. During exchange visits to Ohtaki over the last 14 years, local residents regularly play the game, which includes a larger plastic ball, bigger clubs and bigger holes.

“‘You don’t have to be a golfer to play and enjoy park golf,’ says Sims. ‘A lot of people drive by Saywell Park and they’re going to see people playing park golf and wonder what it is. They’ll want to try it.’”

40 years ago

The July 30, 1987 edition of the Lake News featured “TAL opens RV park” on the front page.

“TAL Developments Ltd. held its official opening of a recreational vehicle park at Honeymoon Bay Saturday with little fanfare. The TAL development was the first example of the implementation of new strict bylaws.

“Each of the 60 plus RV sites has a sewer, water and electrical hook-up and there are separate washrooms for vehicles not equipped for the hookups.

“Each site has been landscaped with sod and birch and fir trees.

“‘If we can get a few more campsites with this high standard 1 feel sure we’ll start attracting a lot more American tourists,’ said [Area F director Frank] Walker.”

And finally, “Seek $84,950 for park” wasn’t how we’d write a headline today but it seems to have passed back then.

“One of the most ambitious developments attempted in Lake Cowichan in recent years has been quietly going ahead in Saywell Park. It could be completed in a year, depending on funding. The plan would create an artificial extension to Beaver Creek winding through the park and spanned by two ornamental bridges leading to an island.

“The creek would be stocked with salmon and could become a focal point for village revitalization.

“The plan was unveiled in its entirety at a recent Council meeting. Ald. Jean Brown, who had proposed the idea of getting a grant of $84,950 from the Expo 86 Legacy Fund, hopes to arrange a meeting with provincial officials as soon as the Socred leadership race is over.

“Ald. Brown and Ald. Barry Budden presented the plan to Council.

“A watercolor sketch shows Park Place and the Kaatza Museum already installed and the site for the Bell Tower school, which has yet to be moved, behind them. Beaver Creek is not in view, but lies beyond trees and shrubbery at the rear. The artificial extension winds past the museum buildings, turns sharply to the river and empties there, creating a small island.

“‘The area of the island floods in spring anyway,’ said Ald. Brown.