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It’s All There in Black and White: Annual Christmas Dance
Party towns. There's no getting around it – the Comox Valley really knew how to enjoy the holiday season in the 1940s. Dancing until the wee hours in Union Bay, Courtenay AND Cumberland on Christmas DAY. Check out the details from this Comox District Free Press ad of December 19, 1946. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
Holiday Hours
The museum will be open regular winter hours, Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm except for the following holiday closures: December 24th closed at 1:00 pm Closed December 25th and 26th December 31st closed at 1:00 pm Closed January 1st
Christmas Décor
Here's one for all of the crafters out there... From the 1950s booklet "Glamour and the Hostess, a Guide to Canadian Table Setting" by Marie Holmes, comes these easy to follow directions for a Christmas Yule – Log table decoration. Best of luck in sourcing those foam reindeer!
Courtenay’s 100th Birthday Bash
2015 is a huge year in the City of Courtenay’s history as it marks the 100th anniversary of incorporation. Events are scheduled throughout the year with the first set to begin on New Year’s Eve. To Find Out More Click Here
Gifts that Bring a Smile
Say Happy Holidays by taking a bite out of history with the museum’s new milk and dark chocolate “Elasmobars” made by our good friends at Hot Chocolates. You can find our Elasmobars in the gift shop, along with Royston Roasting Company, Elasmosaur Coffee. Put these in one of our Janet baskets, along with other specialty gifts and you’ll have everyone smiling on your reindeer team. Proceeds from gift shop sales go to museum programmes and operations. To thank all of our members for their support throughout the year, we are offering 25% off through Christmas Eve. Happy Holidays!
Holiday Wishes
This cute little card (only 3 ½ by 4 ½ inches) from 1926 made the perfect keepsake for a child. The inside inscription reads: “This Christmas card is small, but here’s to you, A world of cheery wishes warm and true. With Hearty Greetings for Christmas and may the New Year bring you every happiness.” As the festive season approaches, the Courtenay and District Museum board and staff would like to extend wishes to all for a wonderful and safe holiday. Seasons Greetings and Happy New Year to you and yours!
It’s All There in Black and White: Wet Blankets
There was no calling those Comox Logging and Railway men "wet blankets" back in the '40s! Have a read through this article from the Comox District Free Press of November 10, 1949 to discover a clever example of "reduce, reuse, recycle". With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.
Curious Kids Club
The Courtenay and District Museum is creating a Curious Kids Club on Saturdays for children between the ages of 5 and 12 years. Starting November 29th children will meet at the Museum from 10:00 am -12:00 noon (a perfect time for mom and dad to scout out the Farmers' Market across the street at the Native Sons Hall). The first three sessions will uncover some of the mysteries behind Christmas. November 29th- Old School Entertainment: Making Pioneer Toys December 6th - Christmas Crafts: Decorations Then and Now December 13th- Lighting Up the Past: Tin Can Lanterns These are drop-in classes on a first come, [...]
Tales of Kona the Guide Dog
On Saturday, December 13, from 12:00-3:00, Paul Horgen, Retired Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto and active community contributor will share his new children's book, Tales of Kona the Guide Dog. Kona will accompany Paul. This is a great opportunity to meet Paul and Kona, to learn more about guide dogs and to find a perfect gift for children. A portion of the proceeds from Paul's book sales will go to BC & Alberta Guide Dog Services and to Project Watershed Society. Here's a review from William Thornton, Founder & CEO, BC Guide Dogs "I am quite certain, the Tales of Kona will [...]
Members Only Gift Shop Sale
Members Receive 25% off for "25 days of Christmas" The Museum gift shop is well stocked and ready for the Christmas Season! Our members usually receive a 15% discount but during our Christmas Special we are giving a whopping 25% discount for 25 days – running Saturday, November 22nd through to Wednesday, December 17th. If you are looking for gifts that are little unusual we have a wonderful variety of reasonably priced items to choose from. Janet Baskets Small $23.00, large $30.00, lids $8.00 Vancouver Island Maps $16.00 - $21.00 Elasmosaur Coffee from Royston Roasting ½ pound $7.50, 1 pound $13.00 Kanata Blanket [...]
Lecture: Tofino and Clayoquot Sound
Time and Date: 7 pm, Tuesday, November 25, 2014 Location: Rotary Gallery of the Courtenay & District Museum Speakers: Margaret Horsfield and Ian Kennedy Tickets: $5 for Historical Society members; $6 for general public (plus GST). Advance tickets recommended. Tickets can be purchased over the phone by calling 250-334-0686 ext 5. Clayoquot Sound, on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, is not only a place of extraordinary raw beauty, but also a region with a rich heritage and fascinating past. Click Here to Read More
Elasmosaur Birthday & Christmas Party
Two celebrations equals twice the fun! On Saturday, November 22nd from 11 am – 4 pm, the museum is inviting the community to drop by for a visit and share some cheer. Elasmosaur and fossil related activities will include dinosaur movies, fossil exhibits and a chance to talk to paleo experts for fossil identification. For those in a more Christmas frame of mind there will be a chance to make children’s Christmas crafts and enjoy a reading of "The Dinosaurs' Night Before Christmas". Or maybe you’d just like to come by for some cake or Christmas goodies and enter your name for [...]
It’s All There in Black and White: Military Camps and WWII
A further call to arms for men of the Valley in this rather interesting article about military training from the Comox District Free Press of October 10, 1940. With legacy support from the Bickle Family and the Comox Valley Echo.