Editorially speaking...
Anyone who grew up in Greater Victoria (Saanich, if you please) when I did should remember Peter’s Ice Cream. Made with real buttermilk or cream, it was nothing less than divine, pineapple my favourite flavour.
Peter’s was too good to survive in the harsh business world, of course.
Soon it was bought out by Palm Dairies who in turn were devoured by Island Farms which has since transmogrified into a faceless multi-national agri-corp that produces (compared to the good old days) watered-down products that barely stimulate the palate with their artificial colours, flavouring and additives.
Do I sound bitter? Well, let’s just say, so-called progress hasn’t always met my hopes and expectations.
I was reminded of Peter’s Ice Cream by this post on Lost BC about Armstrong Cheese. It’s the story of Peter’s Ice Cream all over again:
Armstrong Cheese Factory circa 1940's. —Royal BC Museum and Archives
"Armstrong Cheese was founded in 1902 in Armstrong by Canadian dairy farmers. In 1997, it was sold to Dairyworld Foods, the production and marketing arm of Agrifoods International Cooperative Ltd, which included the Dairyland milk brand.
“In 2003 Saputo Inc. purchased Dairyworld Foods including the Armstrong Cheese brand and in 2004, closed the plant in Armstrong.
“Many people still believe that Armstrong Cheese is produced in Armstrong, BC. In reality, they are mistaking an artisan cheese company called the Village Cheese Company, for the Armstrong Cheese plant.”
Need I say more?
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The steam tug S.S. Naramata in the foreground and the sternwheel Sicamous at Penticton at the south end of Okanagan Lake. —S.S. Sicamous Marine Heritage Park
I’m forever grumbling (to myself) that I get too much mail. But then a real nugget comes through, such as this one from Nanaimo bottle collector and author Bill Wilson. His tip about the historic paddlewheel steamer Sicamous should appeal to Chronicles readers:
“A buddy of mine sent this to me recently. As we all have an interest in BC history, I thought you might enjoy this clip... I was lucky to tour the Sicamous last summer. Enjoy!
“It shows Fintry and Okanagan Landing roughly 100 years ago.”
Unfortunately, I’ve misplace his link but you can do the next best thing by checking out YouTube and the Okanagan Archive Trust Society’s rare footage of the Sicamous under steam in 1932.
Many of us entertain romantic mental images of riverboats thanks to Mark Twain and the movies but aren’t aware that we had the real thing here in B.C., too. Sadly, of that romantic era before automobiles took over, only the S.S. Sicamous and Moyie survive as museum attractions. Seeing the latter underway via video is a joy. Thank you for the tip, Bill Wilson.
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Chronicles readers have a chance to save some local heritage, downtown Duncan’s venerable E&N Railway (our Cowichan Valley Museum) as explained in this press release by the Island Corridor Foundation, the building’s owners:
The Cowichan Valley Museum and Archives Needs Your Help!
The Duncan Train Station is owned by the Island Corridor Foundation and leased to the Cowichan Valley Museum and Archives. They have taken great care of our building and are looking for funding to keep the Heritage Building beautiful for the community to enjoy! Read below and make sure you vote every day!
Let's help them get the most votes to get the funding they need!
As shared by Duncan Mayor, Michelle Staples on Facebook:
Exciting news FROM the Cowichan Valley Museum and Archives below!! Let’s all cast our votes to support them - information below.
“We are thrilled to be a finalist in National Trust for Canada's Next Great Save competition sponsored by Ecclesiastical Insurance.
Our project, Duncan Train Station TLC, is one of only 10 chosen from across Canada. You can help us to win the prize of $50,000.00. Here's how:
1. Starting January 20 at 11 am PT, go online and visit National Trust for Canada Next Great Save.
2. Vote for Duncan Train Station. To confirm your vote, you will receive an email from the National Trust for Canada (check your spam folders too).
3. Click on the email link to register your vote.
4. Repeat every day until February 22.
The project with the most votes will be the winner of the $50,000 prize. Your support can help us to save the iconic Duncan Train Station”
Voting began Jan 20 and here's the link: https://nationaltrustcanada.ca/what-you-can-do/nextgreatsave
The Island Corridor Foundation is a non-profit society and federally registered charity established for the purposes of owning and managing the rail corridor on Vancouver Island.
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