An estimated crowd of 8,000 – 80 times the village’s population, walked through the gates during the three-day celebration. That’s up by about 2,000 from last year.

“It was absolutely perfect,” said director Clara Steinke with a huge smile on her face as Sunday’s party was beginning to wind down.

Trailers began coming a week and a half before Oktoberfest began. By Friday night, 50 trailers were on site.

Steinke has no explanation as to why the 11-year-old party continues to grow. “People are so relaxed and enjoy the music, the dancing, the food and the crafts.”

Premier classical concert draws raves in Coulonge: The sounds of Mozart, Gershwin and Von Weber filled the auditorium of St. Pierre’s Catholic Church Friday night. About 80 people took advantage of the rare opportunity to hear live chamber music in Pontiac when a classical quintet performed in Fort Coulonge.

And judging by the response of the crowd, there may be future concerts in the area.

“I enjoyed it thoroughly,” said concert-goer Katherine Fletcher. “I would like to see this kind of thing in the Pontiac more often.”

The group was made up of four students and one recent graduate of the University of Ottawa’s music program.

Oct. 20, 197

150 Years Ago

Meritorious Service Medal to Rev. E. McColl of Quyon: For the first time in Pontiac County, the highest honour of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Meritorious Service Medal was awarded to a local resident. This was arranged through No. 231 (Quyon) Branch.

The investiture was held at the annual banquet when the District Commander, Comrade Sylvio Gueillerier, in the regrettable absence of the provincial president, pinned the medal on Comrade the Rev. E.N. McColl who received it for community services and interests.

Comrade Paul Komm presided and introduced the head table guests who included the Mayor of Quyon and Mrs. William Burke.

It was also a happy occasion for six past presidents of the auxiliary: Edith Marion, Theresa Cummings, Doris McKnight, Karen McCann, Annie O’Shaughnessy and Adeline Coyle, whose active participation and hard work merited awards.

New winners for 1971 Plowmatch: The 1971 edition of the Annual Pontiac Plowing Match is now history and like history, it repeats itself year in and year out.

As always, those who venture forth to enjoy the day outdoors and to treat themselves to the good home cooked supper had a day to remember but contrary to timeworn custom, Bob Crawford did not win all major prizes, in fact he did not compete.

With this all-time champion plowman of Pontiac out of the running, other champions were pronounced.

Mrs. Beverley Stewart was the only lady plowman at the match and with a three furrow hydraulic plow she won the Poisson Trophy.

The only plowman with horses was Ross Stewart and as always he drew an interesting group of spectators as he plowed back and forth on his alotted patch.

Oct. 17,1946

75 Years Ago

Local news: The autumn convention of Women’s Institutes of the county of Pontiac was held in Wesley United Church with the members of Beechgrove branch under the presidency of Mrs. Elwood Hamilton, as hostess.

Representatives were present from the branches at Beechgrove, Bristol, Elmside, Fort Coulonge, Quyon and Wyman.

The Misses Audrey Fulford and Rosaland Smith of the high school, attended the teachers’ convention in Montreal on Friday, later going to Quebec City to visit Miss F. Boyce formerly of the high school staff here.

The entertainment committee of the Wesleyan Methodist Church along with Rev. Mack, the pastor, wish to take this medium to thank the merchants of Shawville and the many friends who opened their homes to guests, for aiding in a most successful Young People’s Convention.

The October meeting of Clarendon Women’s Institute was held in the Household Science room of Shawville High School on Wednesday afternoon. An apron parade was held and aprons sold.

At the close of routine business Miss Smith, Household Science teacher, gave a very interesting talk on “salads” which was later followed by a demonstration on their preparation and service in a menu.

Ad: Aladdin mantle lamps: burns 50 hours on a gallon of kerosene; lights instantly with a match; is absolutely safe; can’t explode; requires no pumping or pump. Sixty candle power of modern white light, sanitary, no smoke, no odour.

Oct. 6,1921

100 Years Ago

Local News: By the change in train service on the Waltham branch now in effect, the Sunday train is canceled and the regular daily express reaches Shawville going east at 8 a.m. returning at 6 p.m.

Beachburg and Chapeau Fairs which were held on practically the same dates last week, had the advantage of fine weather and both events are reported to have been very successful, both in attendance and the character of the exhibits.

Friday afternoon’s terrific wind storm is reported to have been general throughout the country and in some localities was apparently a great deal worse than in this neighbourhood, judging from the accounts of destruction wrought in many places, especially towns and cities. Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal all suffered damage from the violence of the abnormal gale.

The annual Thanksgiving services of St. Paul’s congregation were held on Sunday last and the attendance both morning and evening was larger on that account that has been the rule for some time. Rev. Mr. Allan, the new incumbent had, therefore, an opportunity of meeting quite a number of people to whom he will minister during the months to come.

Oct. 15, 1896

125 Years Ago

Local News: They say everything points to a cold winter. The burrs on the chestnut trees are unusually large and hard. The ants are constructing their winter homes deeper in the ground than usual and the old inhabitants will forthwith order an extra blanket.

The McMillan family of entertainers showed in Portage du Fort on Friday night to a good-sized house.

An absconding book-keeper of Mr. H. Moss of Renfrew was arrested at Athens and brought back to Renfrew by Chief McDermot. He was tried subsequently before Judge Deacon and sentenced to three months at hard labour in the common jail.

The telegraphers strike on the C.P.R. was declared off on Tuesday evening, a settlement having been effected between the company and the operators by means of conciliation, which had it been adopted before the strike began, would have saved a deal of trouble to the parties concerned and much inconvenience to businessmen and the public generally.

The farmers around Bristol Mines are all through with their threshing and the late rainy weather has been very unfavourable for fall ploughing.

Business here is now on the boom in Quyon as the farmers are all through threshing. By all reports of foreign markets, the prospects are that all grain, especially wheat will be a high price before many months.

Bicycle riding is now the rage here not only by the boys but we see one of our 230 pound men spinning around on one. We learn that he had what might have been a fatal fall the other day, while riding in the park and going down a path on a side hill, the machine, from some cause unknown, left the track and landed rider and all in a terribly mixed up heap at the bottom of the hill. No bones were broken but “badly shook up” was the verdict. Don’t give up, Tom, you will be a professional yet.

The erection of the flour mill in Quyon is being rapidly pushed forward by Mr. H.S. Dowd and will be ready for operation by Christmas.

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