Editorially speaking...
I can’t remember when Birks Jewellers on Yates Street wasn’t a Victoria landmark.
But soon to be no more, it being reported that the “luxury” jeweller/retailer is closing its Victoria store.
I’ve never dealt there myself but the news report brought back memories of my parents. One of my father’s goals in life was to have an Omega watch. He was in his 50s before he achieved that dream but buy it he did, and I can picture that beautiful watch in my mind.
For my mother, it was a set of famous Rogers’ silverware. It took her several years to complete a four-place setting in Daffodil pattern as she bought one piece each payday. I then bought her an attractive hardwood case with red velvet lining to keep it in.
I can’t say what happened to Dad’s Omega but I still have Mom’s silverware, tucked away, unused, for half my lifetime now. I’m sure some Chronicles readers will have their own memories of Birks Jewellers...
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Speaking of memories, I see that Cowichan Valley Regional District directors are considering a total ban on fireworks. It’s been a long time coming but seems to be inevitable.
When I was a boy, back in the Dark Ages, fireworks were my highlight of Halloween. Sure, the trick-or-treating and the hot dogs cooked over an open fire (and staying out late) were great, but how I loved the fireworks, from teeny ‘ladyfingers’ to firecrackers to four-inch ‘bombs’.
Many parents today would freak out at the thought of their youngsters playing with what were, when all was said and done, mini-explosives. But, back then, it was as normal as a tree and presents at Christmas.
My only misadventure with them was when a neighbouring bully, Jimmy Robbins, set fire to the bag of fireworks I was holding. I only became aware of his dirty deed when they began to go off in my hand and I had to fling the bag to the ground. I lost them all in seconds.
His smirk told me what had happened. I wasn’t hurt but I’d lost my entire arsenal, bought with my allowance. I’ve never forgiven him.
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St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Cowichan Station. —www.templelodge33.ca
In our own neck of the woods, the Cowichan Station Area Association, operators of the Hub, is looking at taking possession of the deconsecrated St. Andrew’s Church. Negotiations are underway with the Anglican Diocese of B.C. Apparently the beautiful century-old church beside the Koksilah River needs serious and expensive repairs and funding remains to be determined.
Should a deal be struck the CSAA wants to use the former church as a non-denominational community centre; “a place for weddings and funerals or a quiet place for contemplation,” said spokesperson Melanie Watson. The fact that it comes with a wraparound cemetery obviously narrows down its recreational options.
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The Municipality of North Cowichan is working on plans for its 150th anniversary in 2023. That’s pretty old by provincial standards. How ironic that, when the City of Duncan was incorporated in 1912 after ‘seceding’ from the Municipality, many North Cowichan residents were convinced that they’d lose their charter.
Instead, they’re now the fifth oldest municipality in B.C. and just six years younger than Canada.
North Cowichan Council has to move quickly as the deadline for a ‘significant’ grant from Canadian Heritage is April 30.
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The good news provincially is that B.C. is about to have a real Chinese Canadian Museum, the province having bought what’s described as Vancouver Chinatown’s most historic building for this purpose.
Purchase of the ca 1889 Wing San Building at 51 East Pender Street, is part of a $27.5 million program to—finally—acknowledge our Chinese pioneers who contributed so much to the province. As many as 7000 Chinese labourers helped to build the transcontinental Canadian Pacific Railway then went on to settle here as workers and entrepreneurs. They’ve been among our most industrious and upstanding pioneers and deserve to have their heritage preserved and on public display.
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Hopefully, the announced anti-mandate protest in downtown Victoria will be called off now that masking and vaccinations are no longer mandatory.
The Chronicles’ just-completed four-part series on the On-To-Ottawa by Relief Camp Workers in 1935 was meant to highlight the day-and-night differences between the desperation of 1000s of unemployed men in the Great Depression to the siege of downtown Ottawa by truculent truckers and their allies.
I leave it to readers to decide how, what really came down to being the ‘right’ to party hearty, stacks up against the real hardships of the Dirty ‘30s.
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