Editorially speaking...

Well, another year gone by. And what a year it was!

2020, which began with just whispers in the news of a new contagion in China became, by March, full-blown global pandemic. For the first time in a century since the infamous ‘Flu of 1918-19, we—all of us—are in the front lines of defence.

Not since the Second World War has Canada had to mobilize to face a common and deadly enemy; not for 75 years have we all had to make personal sacrifices and endure personal inconvenience for the common cause.

For some, of course, it has been far worse: illness, even death.

This time, our ‘soldiers’ are our front-line workers in the various health systems, 10s of 1000s men and women who’ve laid their own personal safety on the line to serve those in hospitals, nursing homes and other emergency services. We owe them more than we can ever repay them.

And the great battle, sad to say, is far from over...

For someone such as I, a so-called historian, it’s been illuminating to not just view history from a distance but to actually live it. These are, indeed, interesting times!

One of the immediate and totally unforeseen (by me) legacies of 2020 was the end, after 23 years and more than 2000 columns, of the Chronicles in the Cowichan Valley Citizen. Which is why you’re reading this ‘Child of Covid,’ the online version of the Cowichan Chronicles.

In truth, I’d always wanted to take the Chronicles online but never had the nerve to make the plunge. It was the old case of a bird in hand vs. two in the bush. I needed the push—and in March the Citizen certainly gave it to me.

In the weekly (for 22 years, twice-weekly) newspaper edition the Chronicles filled a page with a photo, the articles averaging 1,000 words each. Compare that to the online version, with as many photos as I can find for each post (plus 100 Years Ago) which average 4000 words and, I hope, you’ll agree that your 46 cents per week subscription is well worth the nominal cost.

And, as I can manage it, there’s much more to come. As it stands, with three jobs, 15-16 hour days and seldom a weekend, it’s a challenge for me to meet all weekly commitments, even one as dear to me as the Chronicles. I shall grin and bear as long as I must—while hoping that you, my readers, continue to come with me on the journey into the Cowichan Valley’s, Vancouver Island’s and British Columbia’s wonderful pasts.

There is no end of material. The more I dig, the bigger the hole!

I’ve been researching and writing B.C. history since I was 14—and I’ve barely scratched the surface. As the older detective used to say at the end of each week’s Naked City cop drama, “There are 8 million stories in the Naked City.”

There are probably 30 million stories in the Naked City today. Not quite that many here in the Cowichan Valley, on the Island and in the province combined, perhaps, but enough to keep me writing—and you reading, if you’re so inclined—for the rest of our lives.

That said, all the best to all of you and yours in 2021. Look on the bright side: It has to be better than 2020.

Please stay safe and stay tuned. —TW


Have a question, comment or suggestion for TW? Use our Contact Page.

Return to The ChroniclesWell, another year gone by. And what a year it was!