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December 2020 Watershed Moments
Here is the latest newsletter installment of an image from the museum's award-winning book Watershed Moments – A Pictorial History of Courtenay and District. Photo credit: The Stewart Block building stands at the southwest corner of Duncan Avenue and 5th Street in Courtenay. At the time this photo was taken in 1932 it housed the Olympic Billiard Parlor and Barber Shop. Left to right: Unknown, Charles Rennicker (?), Cyril Newman. Charles Sillence photograph. Photo: CDM Sillence Collection. Page 146.
Christmas Crafts from the 40s
Are you looking for a way to re-use egg shells and cellophane? Then try your hand at fashioning this Christmas tree from the 1940 Stitchcraft magazine. The Results:
It’s All There in Black and White: A History of Mac’s Oysters
The December 30, 1970 edition of the Comox District Free Press gave a nod to Mac's Oysters, a longstanding Fanny Bay business run by the McLellan family. Check out the article to find out more about how Mac McLellan's oysters were his bread and butter. Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
Christmas Gift Ideas from Comox Valley Artisans
With Christmas arriving in just a few weeks, it’s a great time to promote the local artisans whose goods we carry in our shop. Do come in and support them, and us, by buying local. Ding Ding Dillio Crafts Coral from Courtenay is the creator of some of our amazing stuffies. She recently produced an adorable new baby Elasmosaur! Coral also makes regular-size Elasmos, dinosaur tails, giant squids and even Slugzilla the African lungfish stuffies. GypsyChic Stylish Artisan Jewelry Beautiful jewelry by Royston artisan Cheryl Webster. All jewelry is lead, nickel and plastic free. Beads and charms are purchased from artists both [...]
Historic Holiday Recipe for Fudge
CDM 997.510.1 Homemade fudge as a Christmas gift sounds divine! This recipe from Mrs. E. Evelyn Hilton of Royston notes that the fudge is “Specially good for Overseas parcels.” The recipe comes from a local cookbook with a nebulous history as it’s missing the cover and publishing information. What’s for definite is that it was full of much-loved dishes as the pages are worn and covered in splatters from repeated use.
Support Your Local Museum!
All royalties from the sale of Step into Wilderness go to the Courtenay and District Museum. By purchasing the book, you’ll be supporting a non-profit society that’s been going strong for almost 60 years. The hard cover coffee table book features more than 150 photographs from our collection and is available for $39.95 plus GST. More than just a volume of beautiful photos, these images illustrate a community’s evolving relationship with the natural wonders surrounding it, as well as the emergence of outdoor exploration on Vancouver Island. Make sure to pick up your copy soon.Click to Order
Members Only Christmas Special
Museum members are in for a treat with gift shop purchases from December 1 to December 24 as they will receive a 25% discount on most items. The museum shop has many fabulous things to choose from so be sure to take advantage of this membership bonus. This offer does not apply to items already marked down or on consignment. Your valid membership card must be shown at the time of purchase. Not a member? No worries! Purchase a membership and you immediately qualify for the special holiday period discount.
Remembrance Day 2020
This Remembrance Day, we are proud supporters of all our veterans and first-responders who have given their lives for the Canada we enjoy today. This poppy season will look different but you can still find a poppy: https://www.legionbcyukon.ca/what-we-do/2020-poppy-campaign Also, a reminder - we will be closed on November 11th, in observance of Remembrance Day.
It’s All There in Black and White: Rationing in the Comox Valley
Thoughts often turn to the holiday season come November. This article from the Comox District Free Press November 15, 1945 edition proves that year was no exception. But 75 years ago holiday menu planning also had to contend with rationing. Food rationing on the home front allowed for equitable distribution of scarce products like sugar and meat. In Canada, food rations started in 1942 and ended in 1947. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
November 2020 Watershed Moments
Here is the latest newsletter installment of an image from the museum’s award-winning book Watershed Moments – A Pictorial History of Courtenay and District. Photo credit: Sandwick War Memorial Cairn, ca. 1922. After the Great War, the community needed a symbol to mark the loss of their sons and a loss of innocence. In 1921, the newly formed Great War Veterans Association (GWVA) suggested a Celtic Cairn of rocks from the farms that each man had left behind. The work united the whole community in the common homage to all who had served. Photo: P90-99. Page 138.
October 2020 Watershed Moments
Here is the latest newsletter installment of an image from the museum’s award-winning book Watershed Moments – A Pictorial History of Courtenay and District. Photo credit: On October 17, 1929 delegates from the North Island Women’s Institutes met at the Native Sons Hall for a District Conference. Photo: CDM Sillence Collection. Page 142-143.
October 2020 Just For Fun
The Fanny Dunkers Ski Club kept their 1954 Halloween party planning short and sweet. Seventy-five copies of the invitation (see below) were made and distributed. The only tasks left were decorating the hall (assigned to the “older girls”) and ordering six pounds of butter from the Creamery. Done! Source: CDM 2003.3.1 Fanny Dunkers Ski Club Ledger Sept. 23, 1948 to Dec. 3 1959.
It’s All There in Black and White: A Profile of Joy “Babe” Woodrow
October is Women’s History Month so it is the perfect time to share this article about the life and dance of Joy “Babe” Woodrow from the April 1, 1977 edition of the Comox District Free Press. Joy Woodrow (1915-1977) was descended from early Comox Valley settlers. Her parents were Hughie and Birdie McKenzie and her grandfather was Johnny McKenzie, early Courtenay mayor and blacksmith. Click for Larger Image Click for Larger Image With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.