25 Years Ago – July 15, 1998
“Red” Bennett dies: Popular country radio deejay Maynard “Red” Bennett died suddenly Saturday at CHIP-FM radio in Fort Coulonge.
A native of North Onslow, Bennett, 64, was speaking to station president James Newberry when he collapsed. Bennett died from a heart attack.
During the course of his 17 years at the station, Bennett became a virtual institution in the Ottawa Valley. His trademark introduction, “Hi to my friends in radioland,” was a salute to his many listeners in Quebec and Ontario.
Bennett seemed to be destined for radioland the first time he appeared at CHIP, says CHIP-FM’s Gille Gervais.
“The first time he ever did a show, I showed him a little about the studio,” stated Gervais. “He sat there with his guitar and harmonica, sang five or six songs, then he didn’t want to leave.”
Adventurers take it to the limit: In a competition designed to push the human body to the limit, 35 four-member outdoor adventure teams did just that on the weekend.
Taking part in the Toronto company Frontier Adventure Racing’s “Raid the North,” the 140 individuals set out Saturday to complete a grueling 150 kilometers of hiking, biking, rafting and canoeing on the arduous journey from Usborne Depot in ZEC Pontiac to the Equinox Adventures site on Calumet Island.
One of the unique challenges facing the teams, two of which competed recently in the world championships in Australia, was crossing the Coulonge Chutes on the overhead cable.
Equipped with only a map and a compass, the teams didn’t know the route of the next leg until they reached each checkpoint. Team members told Equinox Adventure’s river manager Andy Ross the toughest part of the course was the first leg from the Usborne Depot. In fact two teams got lost on the first leg and had to be evacuated by four-wheelers.
50 Years Ago – July 18, 1973
Ade Memorial has moved to Shawville: On Friday afternoon at the Pontiac Community Hospital, a large number of people enjoyed tea, a tour and a share of the optimism which has been generated there over the past few months.
Mrs. John Ade officiated at the ceremony of opening the new Ade Memorial Hospital, which is now annexed to the main hospital in Shawville. The fourteen patients from the Bristol Chronic hospital were moved to Shawville last week and are now established in their beautiful new quarters.
Other officials on hand for the memorable occasion included Mayor Orla Young and Mrs. Young, Centennial Chairman Rev. and Mrs. Ron Ellis, Hospital Board Chairman Ray Sheppard and Mrs. Sheppard, as well as past Hospital Board Chairman Bill Main, Mrs. Main and Leonard Horner and Mrs. Horner. Mrs. S.E. McDowell was a special guest.
Summer Sports Committee “Old Home Week” events: A very successful Centennial Play day was held Tuesday behind McDowell School.
The children were divided into age groups. The overall winner for the girls 6 and 7 category was Mary Finnigan. Boys 6 and 7: Bradley Barr.
Girls 8 and 9: Beth Rennick. Boys 8 and 9: John Crisostomo.
Girls 10 and 11: Marina Webster. Boys 10 and 11: Colin Smith. Girls 12 and 13: Ann Sparling and Helen Soucy tied. Boys 12 and 13: Danny Collins.
The first five winners in each category received Centennial Sports ribbons.
75 Years Ago – Aug. 5, 1948
Local News: In order to allow for the annual vacation of the staff, THE EQUITY will not be published for the next two weeks. The next issue will be on August 19.
100 Years Ago – July 19, 1923
Missing from our files
125 Years Ago – July 21, 1898
Local News: Last week was a great week for saving hay and the farmers were not slow to take advantage of it. The dry spell was broken by a few gentle showers on Sunday, followed by a thunderstorm on Monday. Rain was greatly needed, especially in localities injured by the recent frost.
The young man who took over the fancy goods store of Miss A.D. McCredie at Arnprior some months ago, skipped out last Thursday. Miss McCredie who, it seems got nothing for her stock, is at a loss for a considerable extent.
Mr. Silas Young reports business good since he began storekeeping at Starke’s Corners. Silas started right, that is, with an ad in the local paper.
A feature in connection with the opening services at St. Alban’s church, Parkman, on Sunday last was the baptism of four children.
A large number of people are summering at Norway Bay, Bristol, which is becoming a most popular summer resort of late.
Mr. H. Lothian of Bristol Corners, has sold out his store business, opened last winter, to Mr. Watt Mayhew.
The Misses H.M. and M.B. Campbell of Elmside joined Mr. and Mrs. A. Smiley of Shawville last week and spent the day berrying.
The panther story which appeared in these columns some weeks ago, is thus made light by our friend of the Quyon Times: “The panther scare has been dispelled by the appearance of the original himself. Some had described him as a low, stout, gray animal with very muscular paws and some agreed that for a terrible noise, it beat all. One fellow could swear his tail was four feet long. But all fear was relieved by a couple of men who got on his trail and hunted him to his den, and discovered it to be Mr. A. Richard’s peacock. No doubt many hunting parties have been abandoned and many a gun hung up for the present.”
The Quyon Maple Leaf Lacrosse Team defeated the “Star” of Eardley on July 12th at the Eardley celebration by a score of 5 to 0.
Wellington Boucher, son of Mr. George Boucher of Dunrobin stepped on a nail five or six days ago. The wound did not appear dangerous, but blood poisoning set in and death resulted.
The mica mines at Carman is still turning out the mica under the supervision of A. Bishop of Gatineau. There are also large quantities of phosphate taken out of the same mine and it is hoped that the price of the latter will raise, as they have about 100 tons of it already piled up.
Renfrew had a heavy fire on Monday of last week to which about $10,000 worth of property was destroyed. Mr. Drysdale lost all his buildings with three good horses and a cow and Mr. John Bridge had his carriage works destroyed. The fire had gained considerable headway before it was detected. The water works system was found to work well, but defective hose caused several delays in successfully combating the flames.
The Washington correspondent of the Montreal Gazette sends the following dated July 14th, regarding the terms on which Spain has offered to make peace: “independence of Cuba, the transfer of Porto Rico to the United States in exchange for the Philippines, a coaling station in the latter island for the United States. Spain is willing to make these concessions to obtain peace, according to a dispatch received by President McKinley from a semi-official source. A portion of the army had been infected with yellow fever and efforts will be made to separate those who are infected and those free from it and to keep those who are still on board ship separated from those on shore.
Ad: Do you want a waggon? If so, carefully examine the “Chatham” now on exhibition at A. Smiley’s, Shawville. It is made of the best seasoned wood and better ironed than any other waggon, while it has every point to ensure durability, strength and light draught. Nothing like it in the market.
Ad: The Wheelman’s Friend: no bicyclist should be without a bottle of Hagyard’s Yellow Oil. It takes out all the stiffness and soreness of the joints and muscles. Relieves pain and swelling in an instant. 25 cents.
by Shawn MacWha
