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Yes, Zinchuk was ‘wrong about this’

Dear Editor The article authored by Brian Zinchuk as published in your Aug.
cochin days
Photo by John Cairns

Dear Editor

The article authored by Brian Zinchuk as published in your Aug. 9 issue of the Regional Optimist (Vibrancy of lake communities in decline) has people from the Battlefords and Cochin areas scratching their heads trying to figure out how Mr. Zinchuk could include Cochin in the broad brush “woe is me” condemnation of the state of “lake communities” considering that he has not been to Cochin for at least 18 years.   

Mr. Zinchuk asserts, “I am willing to admit I could be totally wrong about this.” This acknowledgement shows his comments are total blather and nothing more than an excuse to meet his publishing commitments. No self-respecting journalist trashes a community and then says, “I could be totally wrong”.  

Within 24 hours of the article coming to the attention of council of the Resort Village of Cochin, it extended an invitation to Mr. Zinchuk to come to Cochin over the weekend to witness the events of the 37th annual edition of Cochin Days and generally tour our village. He declined due to prior plans. A cynical person might think “cut and run.”

When determining whether these words (“vitality”  the state of being strong and active and “decline” become smaller, fewer or less) reflect an accurate assessment of Cochin one must look at facts, not perceptions of 18-year-old recollections.

In the past two years Cochin’s lighthouse (the only one in Saskatchewan) has been totally refurbished, roads (including Hunt’s Cove hill road) have been rebuilt (much to the pleasure of residents), construction, reconstruction and renovation of residences is at an all-time-high.The Lighthouse Cafe has reopened with seven-day-a-week, all-day and all-year opening. The Bigway store is a mini supermarket with groceries, fuel, propane, hardware, liquor store, laundromat and bakery and is open all year round. The Dairy Shoppe continues to be a seasonal gathering place for ice cream and beach food sales and Jackfish Lake Store, a First Nation food and fuel outlet, offers service to all.  

As noted, this past weekend saw the 37th edition of Cochin Days. The weekend included slo-pitch, volleyball and horseshoe tournaments, all of which were well subscribed. A movie in the park had about 350 attendees and the kids’ bike parade had more than 100 entrants. The day included the balloon man, Lakeshore Artists display and show, bouncy castle, an obstacle course enjoyed over and over by innumerable kids and a scavenger hunt. There was free-for-kids hotdogs in the park, children’s games and a sand sculpture competition. The spaghetti-eating contest was fully subscribed in all age categories from under two to adult with an audience which would have justified bleachers. The day included a boat parade, beer garden with band and dancing and fireworks. There was a children’s carnival, trade show, Saskatoon Shriners’ show and shine car show and a pancake breakfast attend by about 250 patrons, in spite of the ”iffy” weather.  

Add to the above the dozens and dozens of volunteers and organizers and the observation that this is a celebration organized by the people of Cochin and not by the council.  This hardly portrays a resort village whose vitality if on the decline. The only conclusion one may reach is that Mr. Zinchuk doesn’t now what he is talking about when he denigrates Cochin.  

Harvey Walker

Mayor of Cochin