Jan. 18, 1995
25 Years Ago
Rain holds off for PSDA poker run: Those who wished for warmer weather while snowmobiling in -45 C weather during last year’s poker run should be careful what they wish for.
The Pontiac Snowmobile Drivers’ Association’s annual poker run certainly got . . .
warmer weather this year.
Saturday’s balmy six degree weather made the river treacherous to cross and caused many of the trails to soften up in the afternoon, said PSDA president Harold Storie.
But even with the spring-like weather, participation was up from last year.
Considering the weather, the trails were “exceptionally good,” Storie said after making the run which took snowmobilers to various checkpoints throughout the Pontiac.
This year’s winner with the lucky hand of four 9’s and one king was eight-year-old Tara Moloughney of the Luskville Snow-mads, who rode in a cutter behind her father’s snowmobile.
Bridge over troubled waters: The water levels in the Quyon River rose to dangerous levels on Monday.
Mild weather and record rain brought the water level up by about 25 feet.
Residents say they’ve never seen the water this high in January.
At the Ottawa River, fishing shacks floated away with the high water. Yesterday’s cold weather brought the water level down.
But the municipality may have to chip away some of the ice to avert a spring disaster.
Jan. 21, 1970
50 Years Ago
Pontiac schoolboys win three of four in Montreal bonspiel: Pontiac High School was represented in the city of Montreal School Boy Curling Bonspiel held Dec. 27-31, 1969.
The boys were completely on their own and represented their town and school quite reputably.
The rink made up of Eric Smith skip, Leslie Hodgins, vice-skip, Richard Hanna, second and Murray Hodgins lead, was coached by Mrs. Wm. Hanna and also given much assistance by the men of the Shawville Curling Club who practiced with them.
New Agriculture course: A whole new slate of candidates for the Agriculture course under the Adult Education and Canada Manpower and Dept. of Agriculture was indoctrinated on Monday into the whys and wherefores of operating a profitable farm.
Agronomist Doug MacMillan addressed the new class which met for the first time in the United Church downstairs hall on Jan. 19 and will meet afternoons every day there and evening at the Pontiac High School.
Those who attended the first session were Gerald Griffin, Maurice Lemay, Westburn Hamilton, Denzil Payette, Donald Graveline, Benson Moffatt, Brendon Sauriol, Peter Corriveau, Bob Young (Quyon), Grant Eades, Donald Corrigan, Erwin Beck, Lionel Telford, Hilton Crick, Donald Knox, Allan Smart, Earl Bretzlaff and Isidore Lance.
The teachers for the course will be Chris Judd and Gary Graham.
After a brief address from the agronomist on the subject of why the Quebec government wants farmers to make a profit and how it is working on their behalf, the first class of the session got underway.
Jan. 25, 1945
75 Years Ago
Local News: Word has been received by Mrs. Arthur Allen, the former Doris Twolan of Bristol Mines, that her husband, Pte. Arthur Allen was killed in action in Italy on Dec. 4. Pte. and Mrs. Allen were married in Barrie, Ont. in January 1944 and he went overseas the following March.
At the regular meeting of Canadian Girls in Training of Shawville United Church on Wednesday evening Jan. 17, the service of installation of officers was conducted by the leader, Mrs. J. Stavenow.
For 1945, the following officers were installed: president: Ena Fletcher, vice-president: Ethel Davis, secretary: Phylis Smart, treasurer: Marilyn Hodgins, stewards: Lois Barber and John Smart, librarian: Muriel Riley.
A very interesting and thrilling hockey contest was staged at Shawville arena on Saturday afternoon, between Shawville midgets, calling themselves “The Grizzly Bears” and a team of Quyon youngsters.
The local lads won out by a score of 5 to 4, which was a fair indication of the play.
Scorers for Shawville were A. Garrison, L. Devine, Carson (Buzz) Hodgins, A. Derouin and B. Sinclair. Quyon scores were made by F. Flake, C. Ross and E. Desabrais.
Shawville Juniors attended the hockey school at the Ottawa auditorium on Saturday. Alex Smith was in charge of the session with able assistance from Alex Connell, Harold Starr, Bill Touhey, Allen Shields and Bill Beverage.
The Dominion Bureau of Statistics reported Wednesday that Canada’s domestic merchandise export trade reached record proportions in 1944.
In closing his two-hour speech, which was broken by time out for lunch, Prime Minister Churchill brought the House of Commons to its feet, cheering when he asserted: “We seek no territory, we covet no oil fields, we demand no bases for the forces of the air or of the seas. We do not set ourselves up in rivalry or bigness or might with any other community in the world. We have given and we shall continue to give everything we have. We ask nothing in return except that of consideration and respect which is our due, and if that were denied us, we shall have a good conscience. The British Commonwealth and nation may rest assured that the Union Jack of freedom will forever fly from the white cliffs of Dover.”
Jan. 15, 1920
100 Years Ago
Local News: The Ottawa Winter Fair takes off this week and is expected to be a big event from all reports.
A demonstration is going on all this week at the Shawville Garage which should be of considerable interest to farmers of this neighbourhood. It is being held by the Cleveland Tractor Company of Cleveland, Ohio, and is for the purpose of showing the capabilities of the “Cletrac Tractor” which is built on the caterpillar or tank principal. The Quebec government it may be explained, has arranged with the makers for purchase of a large number of these machines with a view to assisting agriculture by re-selling them to farmers at cost.
The box social and dance held last Thursday evening in aid of the Shawville Hockey Club came off very satisfactorily and the substantial sum of $115.00 was realized from admissions and sale of boxes in which latter there was lively bidding in some instances. J.J. Turner wielded the hammer on the occasion and worked up considerable “pep” among the bidders.
Mr. Ernie Meldrum of Wyman had his foot very badly jammed while pressing hay at Mr. Ellard Hodgins’ on Tuesday last.
People in England, especially of the poorer classes are suffering acutely from a shortage of fuel.
The Rotary Clubs of Northern Ontario have joined forces with the Canadian Automobile Association in urging the construction of the important link of the trans-Canada Victory Highway lying between the great lakes and Winnipeg.
Recently, eighty delegates representing the district extending from Fort William to Winnipeg met in conference at Dryden and formed the Canada Colonization and Highway Association.
Canadian Pacific Railway Co. Timetable: Shawville: daily except Sunday: Going east 8:05 a.m., 2:15 p.m. Going west 10:20 a.m., 7:04 p.m.
Jan. 17, 1895
125 Years Ago
Local News: On Wednesday morning last, the house of Mr. Wm. Sturgeon narrowly escaped being destroyed by fire. It appears that Mr. Sturgeon, after having kindled the fire, went out to feed the stock but in a short time was called in to see what was causing such a smoke in the house. Mr. Sturgeon soon discovered a fire beside the stovepipe. He called for assistance from Mr. A. Draper’s, but still the fire was making rapid progress and it was only by the timely arrival of a large number of neighbours that the fire was extinguished, but not until it had damaged the building to such an extent that a new one may be necessary. It will be remembered that after the cyclone of June, ‘92, Mr. S. had to rebuild all his outbuildings except his house, which was much damaged by the storm. Miss Maria Hodgins has started a dressmaking shop in this village.
Several of the young people of Portage du Fort attended the Carnival at the skating rink here on Friday evening last. It was slimly attended, which was rather discouraging to Mr. Brownlee who had the ice in the pink of condition for the occasion.
Is there enou gh businessmen in Shawville and vicinity to warrant the establishment of a bank here, is a question which our businessmen are asking each other.
Mr. Ben Judd informs us that two teams have started up the Coulonge to break the road through to Bryson and Fraser’s depot. They expected to reach the depot by the 15th. It is expected that one hundred and seventy tons of supplies will be delivered at the depot this winter.
Mr. W. D. Harris, C. Engineer of the P.P.J. and G.V. Railways has, we learn, been appointed managing director of the Pontiac road and as this gentleman is said to be in favour of an express service on the line, would it not be well for the many businessmen interested to take some action in bringing the matter before his notice.
The Swalwell building in Portage du Fort, owned by Mr. James Hart, was destroyed by fire on Friday last and it was only by the most determined and herculean efforts of the villagers that the adjoining buildings of Messrs. Reid Bros. were saved.
Ad: Goat robes at cost price during remainder of January at G.F. Hodgins.
Compiled by Bonnie Chevrier
