Things can feel a little overwhelming and sad this month, due to the havoc the pandemic is wreaking on our holiday plans.
But it is helpful to remember this too is but a moment in time.
Future generations will read about it and learn how the pandemic impacted Squamish — hopefully in the 2035 editions of The Chief.
A trip through old editions of The Squamish Chief for this week in history reminds us that time is fleeting and this too shall pass.
In the 43-paged Dec. 15, 1998 edition of the paper, the front-page story was “Full steam ahead for Garibaldi resort.”
OK, maybe the more things change, the more they stay the same? Then-premier Glen Clark backed the then ski-resort proposal, which had different proponents than today.
Other stories in that edition include negotiations with former UBC president David Strangway for a university. That would eventually be Quest University.
Businesses have come and gone, such as IGA-Plus, which had a sale on evaporated milk in 1998. (Two cans for $1.98.)
TV and movie listings fill several pages of that paper. (Northern Exposure was on at 9 p.m. Remember that show?)
Sports in The Chief included the Howe Sound Bunnies ringette team. Cute name that likely wouldn’t — er — hop today.
The robust classified section includes adverts for Squamish three-bedroom houses for rent at $700 per month. Yes, times do change.
On Dec. 17, 2004, the cover of The Chief was a little bleak. Two people had died on the highway and two banks had been robbed. Stories were written by now- District Coun. John French. Former District councillor and now cannabis dispensary owner Bryan Raiser penned a Cynical Sunshine column in the views and letters section.
Radio Shack announced a new local owner in an advertisement, which also promoted the latest answering machines, cassette players and camcorders.
A charming three-bedroom on Judd Road was a whopping $235,000 in 2004 and the editorial says “rapid development has been Squamish’s main story throughout 2004.” Little did we know.
All this to say that times are tough this December, but we will get through it, together.
Then we can look back and sigh at the times that were.
We would love to hear your memories of past Decembers in Squamish. Remember a big snowstorm or holiday plans gone array in a humorous way? Have pictures from that long-ago school Christmas play? Email [email protected].
