Welcome back to 1975 when Pender was busy with organizing the Fall Fair, arranging picnics and dances. Yes, our Fall Fair was in full swing over 50 years ago and still remains a much loved event today; even as I write this, the plans for the 2025 Fall Fair are slowly falling into place.
Back in 1975, people were being requested to get their entries ready for the various competitions and reminded that winning is great but the true reward is the community participation in the Fair. Competitive events and trials were being organized by the Lions Club with a ladies’ “hit the nail on the head” competition, and golfers were being asked to show off their skills by hitting a ball into a cup placed some distance away. There was a chainsaw competition where contestants had to carve a piece of furniture out of a short log. Contestants had to supply their own chainsaw. The Lions were crowning the day with a dance at the Pender Island Hall.
There was an extensive article on gardening. It emphasized the importance of water on our island and ended with the admonition that when water restrictions are in place the garden is the last thing to get water. Immediately following that article was one advising that people were getting startled and annoyed by those sunbathing nude on our beaches. They were reminded that baring all is a criminal offence and requesting people abide by the law specially with children likely to come upon these bathers on the beach. This was followed by an article about three islanders turning 90, and I hope they were not the sunbathers.
One of the most interesting articles was a notice of a public hearing on a rezoning proposal. The purpose of the rezoning was, “to provide a breakwater, boat launch and mooring facilities, and distribution of petroleum products.” This was to take place in Thieves Bay and was the beginning of the marina we now have. I will keep you posted on the marina as it progresses.
There were many ads but one that caught my eye was for a furnished cottage by the sea on South Pender for the princely sum of $85 per month. Ahhh the good old days.
Hope you enjoyed your trip back in time. Next month we review the happenings in September 1975.