Compiled by Bonnie Chevrier
Mar. 9, 1994
25 Years Ago
PPHS Drama Festival Opens: About 300 students in grades 7 through 11 have spent the past month working on productions to present during the high school’s annual drama festival.
Joan Conrod, head of the English department and drama coordinator was very pleased with the success of opening night.
The students are involved in all aspects of the production including stage crews, make-up, announcing, ticket sales and developing the programs.
“A Case for Two Spies” was the first of eight more productions to be presented during the festival. In one scene of the play, Agent 145 1/2 played by Robert McMunn, interrogates Gertrude Gorgeous, played by Angie Belsher during the presentation at Pontiac High School on opening night.
Wee 4-H Club studies horses: The Shawville Pee-Wee 4-H Club is devoting its entire year to horses.
This is the fourth year that elementary school-aged children have been meeting under the guidance of Joan Rusenstrom and Gail Tracy to learn more about farming.
Jane MacDougall and Jerry Barber are also on the schedule to talk to the club about quarter horses and standard breeds. Even heavy horses will be covered in the year’s programs.
On March 2, Cathy Lapointe from Pontiac Stables talked to the members about the various types of riding horses and showed them a video.
Mar. 12, 1969
50 Years Ago
Quyon Legion holds first snowmobile derby: Quyon Legion Branch 231 held its first snowmobile derby on Sunday at the Lions Grounds. The weather was perfect for watching such an event with an estimated crowd of 500 looking on and expecting thrills and spills at any time during the races.
The M.C. for the afternoon was Archie (King) Kingsbury who did a fine job but had a hard time keeping the spectators off the track. There were 42 machines registered for the race.
After the derby was over, the Ladies Auxiliary put on a bean supper and served over 150 plates of delicious beans, once again proving that the Ladies Auxiliary is just loaded with good cooks.
Other Legion branches present for the day were from Aylmer, Bell’s Corners, Hull, Gatineau Point and Campbell’s Bay. During the evening, the Quyon Legion had its orchestra in attendance and everyone had a ball.
Quebec championship won by Pontiac High: The Intermediate hockey team of Pontiac Protestant High School in Shawville has brought great honour to this area by capturing for the very first time, the Quebec Athletic Protestant Schools Association Championship.
Travelling by car, the boys returned home Saturday night beaming with pride and in possession of handsome red and white crests and a trophy about 18 inches high.
Those comprising the team were: Goaltender: Gordon Black and sub-goaltender Brian Thomson, Robert Grant, Mike Finnigan, Ralph Hodgins, Allan Bean, Vern Brownlee, Ross Taylor, Gary Russell, Pat Hahn, David Clouthier, Don Clouthier, Jim Fletcher, Charles Taylor (captain), Hugh Hodgins, Lorne Pirie and Billy Russett.
Mar. 9, 1944
75 Years Ago
Local news: A fire at Quyon on Monday morning destroyed a general store, owned by Ivan Mulligan and two dwellings belonging to Alec Lepine and George Murphy. Mulligan’s store and entire contents was totally destroyed while the furniture of the dwellings was removed to safety. Men from Shawville to Eardley went to Quyon to assist in fighting the fire. The loss was estimated at $43,500.
Word was received by Mrs. W.D. Campbell of Wyman of the death of her nephew, Flight Sgt. William W. Campbell, killed in action overseas on March 3.
Naval action against Japan to be supported by land and air drive. Far-reaching preparations are underway for support of naval action by aggressive land and air operations against Japan from the Chinese interior.
This is clearly the meaning of the statement which Lieut. Gen. Joseph Stilwell has just issued in Chungking.
“Admiral Nimitz has stated that the navy intends driving across the Pacific, breaking the Japanese blockade, landing ground and air forces on the Chinese mainland,” General Stilwell declared.
Mar. 6, 1919
100 Years Ago
Local news: The first winter carnival on the new Bristol rink was held on Wednesday. The event had been advertised for Friday but owing to abnormal weather conditions, a change of date was made compulsory. The night was perfect, the ice in splendid condition, the costumes numerous and varied and the people in a most decidedly social and happy mood, all factors together tending to a thoroughly enjoyable and successful night. Seven prizes were distributed for leading costumes, leading skaters and the most daredevil speed fiends.
It is most fortunate that our Seed Trade was well stocked with seed supplies on the outbreak of war. Home production of field root seeds was then in its infancy but as seed exports from Europe were curtailed in the interest of essential food production, the growing of field root seeds in Canada was encouraged by both Dominion and Provincial Departments of Agriculture.
British troops have begun taking back the civil population to their original homes.
Legislation is being put through at Quebec to change the name of Ottawa County to Hull County. The object of the change is to dissipate the wrong impression that Ottawa County is in Ontario.
Notice to farmers: the new Hinman milker is milking over 30,000 dairy herds in the country now, giving the very best satisfaction. Shawville Creamery.
Mar. 8, 1894
125 Years Ago
Local News: Times are rather dull around Bristol now, as the recent rain and soft weather has rendered the roads almost impassable.
Two hotels were recently burned in one day at White River, C.P.R., involving a loss of $15,000. Insurance $6,000.
The thaw which has prevailed during the past week, has played havoc with the calculations of a great many parties who counted on delivering a considerable quantity of supplies upriver yet.
The roads are practically done for drawing heavy loads and unless a very hard spell of weather sets in at once, several contracts will have to go unfulfilled.
On Friday the 23rd, chief McDermott of Renfrew received a telegram from Murrays and Tuffy of Cobden that on the proceeding night their store had been burglarized, the operators carrying off 10 watches (three of them gold) a lot of chains and gold rings and $10 in silver. A stranger who had been lounging about the C.P.R. Station there that night is supposed to have been the burglar.
Crows were seen flying about this neighbourhood last week.
Boys for farms: A large party of boys is expected at the Marchmont Home, Belleville about the first week in April. The ages will be from 7 to 14, some for adoption, the older ones for wages. Many a home would be the brighter for one of these youngsters.
Miss Ada McRae has gone to Ottawa to work with Miss McDonald to get ideas in the latest styles in millinery.
Railway work of 1893: The past year, says the Winnipeg Commercial, has been a quiet one in railway building all over the continent. In the United States there has been a great falling off in the mileage of new railways built during the year and the same is true of Canada. In Manitoba and territories the year past has also been quiet one in railway work.
The rule, however, does not apply to the pacific province of British Columbia where considerable activity has prevailed during the year in building new roads. In Manitoba and the territories the falling off in railway building is not traceable to dull times or to any connection with the decreased activity shown elsewhere in building railways. We need not therefore, expect any important railway work in the line of opening up new districts until the population of the country has been considerably increased and we begin to feel the need of throwing open more land to settlement.
