Saturday, October 12, is the start of a weekend where many celebrate Thanksgiving. It is traditional that family and friends gather either Sunday or Monday to celebrate and have a turkey dinner.

Thanks to a local fisherman, you have an additional option. Our community is invited to come to the Aggie Hall, Ladysmith, at 5 pm, for a delicious salmon dinner. Freshly caught Haida Gwaii salmon will be cooked to perfection, along with a choice of locally grown vegetables and salads. This dinner followed by favourite desserts will be prepared by community volunteers.

This is an opportunity for old friends to connect and share their fishing memories from the “Gap” days and, for the general public, to make some new friends while enjoying fine food and music. The Nanaimo Community Concert Band will be there playing lively old-time favourites. There will be door prizes, draws and a silent auction.

A heritage slide show will update you on the progress made by the Ladysmith & District Historical Society’s Industrial Heritage Preservation group of volunteers, who have been working every Saturday morning at the original Comox Logging & Railway Co. heritage site for the past six years. Many of Ladysmith’s large “Heritage by the Sea” artifacts have been refurbished. See the amazing improvements to the 1923 Baldwin Locomotive #11, Humdirgen, Tube Tumbler and 1915 Box Car, all made possible through Town of Ladysmith Grants-in-Aid, donations and community fundraisers.

Also learn about our next steps going forward as our plans are to create awesome interactive and digital heritage experiences and displays that will excite both local residents and tourists.

All donations received at the Salmon Dinner will go towards our LDHS inclusive, activity-focussed project designed to make Ladysmith’s local culture and history come alive and be relevant to everyone.   – Shirley Blackstaff