Lexi Bainas

Shirley Skolos

Shirley Skolos, former Citizen publisher, dies after battle with cancer

Well known for her enthusiasm and energy, Skolos succumbed early Aug. 21

Shirley Skolos
Left to Right: Deputy Chief Bill Robertson, 4th Lt Monroe Grobe, 1st Lt Steve Vatcher, 2nd Lt Steven Johnson, Billy Robertson, Tyson Smith, Wes Fowler, 2nd Capt. Greg Smith, Stephen Vatcher, Gary LaForge, Tyler Knott, Mark Johnson, Chris Nahirnick, Tyler Hieta, Cory Robertson, 3rd Lt Jim Segee, Fire Chief Doug Knott, Jr Firefighter Hunter Hieta. Kneeling: Ray Bourassa, 1st Capt. Brad Kochanuk, Elija Ellison, Gary Miller, Doug Callsen Absent: 3rd Capt. Bill Hieta, Tom Denninger, Greg Elliott, Adam Elliott, Al Fawcett, Dave Janzen, Devin Loewen, Jessica May, Jr Firefighter Kyle Hieta

Firefighters can’t burn down houses anymore, so they need a training facility

In the old days, everyone gathered to watch a 'practice fire', safety regulations won't allow that now

Left to Right: Deputy Chief Bill Robertson, 4th Lt Monroe Grobe, 1st Lt Steve Vatcher, 2nd Lt Steven Johnson, Billy Robertson, Tyson Smith, Wes Fowler, 2nd Capt. Greg Smith, Stephen Vatcher, Gary LaForge, Tyler Knott, Mark Johnson, Chris Nahirnick, Tyler Hieta, Cory Robertson, 3rd Lt Jim Segee, Fire Chief Doug Knott, Jr Firefighter Hunter Hieta. Kneeling: Ray Bourassa, 1st Capt. Brad Kochanuk, Elija Ellison, Gary Miller, Doug Callsen Absent: 3rd Capt. Bill Hieta, Tom Denninger, Greg Elliott, Adam Elliott, Al Fawcett, Dave Janzen, Devin Loewen, Jessica May, Jr Firefighter Kyle Hieta
Bobby Bruce’s ‘Nearly Neil’ show offers all your favourite Neil Diamond tunes. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)

‘Nearly Neil’ show is coming to Lake Cowichan Legion Aug. 24

Get the gang together and come out for a great night of Neil Diamond songs

Bobby Bruce’s ‘Nearly Neil’ show offers all your favourite Neil Diamond tunes. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
Wayne Montgomery has a busy weekend in the Cowichan Valley. He’s playing both the Chemainus Country Jamboree and Special Woodstock. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)
Wayne Montgomery has a busy weekend in the Cowichan Valley. He’s playing both the Chemainus Country Jamboree and Special Woodstock. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)
The pint-sized dynamo known as Malakai performs on a banjo that’s almost his own height, but that is just the beginning of the show. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)

VIDEO: Outstanding young performers come forward year after year

Valley's emerging talent never ceases to amaze local audiences

The pint-sized dynamo known as Malakai performs on a banjo that’s almost his own height, but that is just the beginning of the show. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)
Loose-talking Lucio (Bill Levity) tells the Friar/the Duke (Rien Vesseur) that he knows the Duke well. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)

VIDEO: Strong cast tells the story of how justice solves all problems in ‘Measure for Measure’

Plenty of passion with dollops of comedy to leaven the story as Shakespeare Festival continues

Loose-talking Lucio (Bill Levity) tells the Friar/the Duke (Rien Vesseur) that he knows the Duke well. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)
A dancer in regalia greets a group of elders just before the grand entrance at the Quw’ utsun Intertribal Pow Wow on Friday, Aug. 9. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)

VIDEO: Quw’utsun Inter Tribal Pow Wow attracts big crowds

Families, friends gather to celebrate First Nations culture in Duncan

A dancer in regalia greets a group of elders just before the grand entrance at the Quw’ utsun Intertribal Pow Wow on Friday, Aug. 9. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)
Everything’s happening at Saywell Park as Lake Cowichan celebrates its 75th anniversary Aug. 17-18. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette file)

Clear your calendar and get ready for our 75th birthday party on Aug. 17-18 in Lake Cowichan

With logger sports, skydivers, special guests, kids fun, entertainment and more, it's a busy weekend

Everything’s happening at Saywell Park as Lake Cowichan celebrates its 75th anniversary Aug. 17-18. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette file)
Some of the best times at Special Woodstock are when the entertainers, like Shelley Vaags, centre, encourage ‘special’ performers to join them on stage. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen file)

Documentary coming as Special Woodstock celebrates its 20th birthday

To make the big two-oh extra special, Erin Rooke is making a film about Special Woodstock this year

Some of the best times at Special Woodstock are when the entertainers, like Shelley Vaags, centre, encourage ‘special’ performers to join them on stage. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen file)
Everything’s happening at Saywell Park as Lake Cowichan celebrates its 75th anniversary Aug. 17-18. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette file)

Clear your calendar and get ready for our 75th birthday party on Aug. 17-18 in Lake Cowichan

With logger sports, skydivers, special guests, kids fun, entertainment and more, it's a busy weekend

Everything’s happening at Saywell Park as Lake Cowichan celebrates its 75th anniversary Aug. 17-18. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette file)
Phillip Schneider performs on the Buckerfield’s Stage at The 39 Days of July. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)

VIDEO: Phillip Schneider wins $300 top prize in Duncan Has Talent instrumental category

The only contestant, he listened to the mentoring and then won the cash prize

Phillip Schneider performs on the Buckerfield’s Stage at The 39 Days of July. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)
Longevity John Falkner, Trevor Linde, and Ted Cadillac get a well-deserved round of applause for keeping the show on the road every day. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)

VIDEO: 39 Days closes with ceremony, celebration of Valley’s young talent

It was a special day at Charles Hoey Park for everyone who's enjoyed the 39 Days of July festival

Longevity John Falkner, Trevor Linde, and Ted Cadillac get a well-deserved round of applause for keeping the show on the road every day. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)
Dancing begins at the big party at Leonato’s house while the villain, Don John, right in black mask, plots to ruin Claudio’s wedding hopes. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)

VIDEO: Hilariously tangled plot, pair of stubborn lovers: ‘Much Ado About Nothing’

Every member of the family will enjoy this Shakespeare favourite presented by the Shawnigan Players

Dancing begins at the big party at Leonato’s house while the villain, Don John, right in black mask, plots to ruin Claudio’s wedding hopes. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)
Wine Down Wednesdays is great way to celebrate summer outdoors in City Square. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen file)

Lexi Bainas column: Some unexpected musical treats popping up

With Wine Down Wednesdays and more on the horizon, no one's thinking about back to school

Wine Down Wednesdays is great way to celebrate summer outdoors in City Square. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen file)
Families have simply been enjoying a good time on the water at Lake Cowichan this year, RCMP say. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette file)

Quiet year on Cowichan Lake, River, police say

So far, so good, with river and lake traffic: RCMP

Families have simply been enjoying a good time on the water at Lake Cowichan this year, RCMP say. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette file)
The sport court at the 100 Houses Playground could do with some TLC. (Google Maps photo)

VIDEO: 100 Houses families in Lake Cowichan ask for playground upgrade

The sport court could do with some TLC, three boys tell Lake Cowichan councillors

The sport court at the 100 Houses Playground could do with some TLC. (Google Maps photo)
Headliner Jason Aldean performs for a rapturous crowd at Sunfest 2019. For more from Sunfest, see page 17. (Kelsey McLean/Citizen)

Keith Urban to be back for Sunfest 2020 in Cowichan

A rainstorm Thursday didn't dampen anyone's spirits and Sunfest just got better from there

Headliner Jason Aldean performs for a rapturous crowd at Sunfest 2019. For more from Sunfest, see page 17. (Kelsey McLean/Citizen)
The Cowichan Lake Community Forest Co-op’s Bruce Ingram will be one of a committee of five who will decide where this year’s earning will be spent in the community. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette file)

Cowichan Lake Forest Co-op ready to share $500K: apply now

The new partnership has been logging, and that means the earnings are there to hand out as grants

The Cowichan Lake Community Forest Co-op’s Bruce Ingram will be one of a committee of five who will decide where this year’s earning will be spent in the community. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette file)
Cowichan Valley is ‘festival central’ in the summertimeCowichan Valley is ‘festival central’ in the summertime as seen by this cheery group from Sunfest last year. (Citizen file)

Lexi Bainas column: Cowichan Valley is ‘festival central’ in the summertime

With something happening on almost every available stage every week, it's time to get on out there

Cowichan Valley is ‘festival central’ in the summertimeCowichan Valley is ‘festival central’ in the summertime as seen by this cheery group from Sunfest last year. (Citizen file)
German charmer Hanne Kah and her band make a welcome return to Folk Fest. (photos by Lexi Bainas/Citizen)

VIDEO: Folk Fest continues to draw big crowds to enjoy great music in relaxed Cowichan ambience

Performers from many countries present music in a wide variety of genres at Providence Farm

German charmer Hanne Kah and her band make a welcome return to Folk Fest. (photos by Lexi Bainas/Citizen)