July 8, 1992
25 Years Ago
Canada’s 125th, what a party!: There is no doubt that Pontiac went all out to celebrate Canada’s 125th anniversary.
Organized by countless volunteers, attended by enthusiastic crowds and supported by the good will of police forces, business people and government, the 1992 festivities will certainly go down in history as celebrations to remember.
Festivities began on Friday with the opening of the Friendship Days Festival, the Quyon Fair and Shawville’s week of activities and went right through to July 5.
From Chapeau to Luskville, a distinct Canadian flavour prevailed and strong national ties were evident.
All over the county, people enjoyed neighbourhood parties, community barbecues and traditional family picnic activities.
Shawville teen selected for award: For two years, the Canada Day Youth Award has been presented to outstanding young Canadians for their contribution to their communities to Canadian values and to the environment. This year, 20 youths under the age of 18 received the award. Shawville’s Heather Hodgins was one of them.
Lion Lloyd Perry, who submitted Heather’s name, presented the award along with MP Barry Moore at a special ceremony held Canada Day at the Shawville Lions Club.
July 13, 1967
50 Years Ago
Pontiac’s eldest: Cesar Paul, 103, Pontiac county’s oldest citizen shook hands with Shawville Mayor Orla Young and received a Centennial tray in appreciation of his visit here during the Confederation Picnic on July 1.
The Rotary Club was responsible for bringing Mr. Paul to Shawville for the celebration.
C of C press for new route for Highway 8: Hon. Raymond Johnston addressed a meeting of members of the Chamber of Commerce regarding improving Highway 8. “And it is the squeaking wheel which gets the grease,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the needed replacement of a large section of Highway 8 were Hubert McCauley, C of C president, Shawville. Also present were representatives from Quyon and Campbell’s Bay.
Mr. Johnston had been invited to the meeting of the joint chambers to hear the case for a highway by-passing Quyon and other smaller villages and eliminating many of the present dangers associated with travel into and out of Pontiac County.
July 16, 1942
75 Years Ago
Local News: Many friends and relatives in Shawville will be pleased to learn that Lieut. Sanford Hodgins has been promoted to the rank of Captain in England. The young officer is the son of the late Harold S. Hodgins of Shawville and Mrs. Hodgins, now residing in Edmonton, Alta.
Mr. Dawson Armstrong of Radford section, reports that a holstein cow on his farm has given birth to a heifer calf weighing 127 pounds.
United Nations in agreement on plans for conducting war: the translation of the broad allied plan into action has had to wait on time, time to gear relatively unprepared economies to total war. In a sense, the military effort of the United Nations everywhere has been a delaying battle until the aggressors’ headstart in building armies and arms could be overcome.
It seemed clear that last week’s weighty discussions in the White House whether the threat to the Middle East could be countered by the opening of the promised second from against Germany.
Free French authorities said not long ago that 40,000 children died on the roads of France in June of 1940 in the exodus of refugees fleeing the Nazi terror. The newspaper Petit Nicois was quoted as saying that the figures made public at the assembly “leave us dumb with horror.”
Adolf Hitler has said “the decision lies in the East,” and in that direction last week, a grand German bid for advantage appeared to be shaping, according to the New York Times. A long-foreseen pincers drive toward the Middle East, the upper prong through the Ukraine and the Crimea, the lower prong across Libya and Egypt seemed to be passing from a preliminary stage.
Every time Spitfire pilots stationed at an airfield near London shoot down an airplane, they literally “take the cake.” The Czech mess caterer bakes a special cake for every successful pilot.
July 12, 1917
100 Years Ago
Local News: Miss Mildred Olmstead, daughter of Mr. David Olmstead of Starks Corners, died suddenly on Sunday morning. She had been working in the munitions factory at Renfrew where she contracted rheumatism which apparently led to heart affection.
A night session of the Magistrate’s Court was held here on Wednesday last. The menu consisted of some alleged infractions of the liquor law at Coulonge.
A record was probably set at the Lily Cheese factory on Monday of last week when 18,000 lbs. of milk was received.
During the past week, the council has had a number of teams employed hauling gravel on to the sand hill east of town. Those having occasion to travel this road, will appreciate the improvement.
A number of our young people attended the lawn social at Mr. James Fulford’s, Starks Corners on Friday evening last, held under the auspices of the Ladies’ Aid of the Presbyterian congregation. There was a very good attendance and the evening being fine was pleasantly spent. The program included several musical numbers, a flag drill and also addresses by Rev. Mr. Ball and Mr. Wm. Hodgins, the local member. The Presbyterian ladies’ quartette contributed appreciably to the problem.
July 21, 1892
125 Years Ago
Local news: Mr. Charles Mitchell went up last week to try and bring down the drive of Gilmour and Hughson, which is stuck in the Cruchet Rapids, but finding the water too low, he abandoned the project.
Hay commenced in this neighbourhood on the 13th. The crop is an exceedingly abundant one.
Some of the boys had quite a time fishing last week but did not meet with much success.
Mr. Jas. Jamison had his good neighbours assisting him in raising a new barn on Monday last.
Mr. John Bryson, M.P., left by train on Tuesday morning for Nova Scotia on a business trip.
On Wednesday last, several cases of selling whiskey without a license were tried here for Messrs. Robinson and Edward Hodgins, J.P.’s. The charges were clearly proven and the delinquents were fined $120 and costs or in default of payment, 3 months in jail. Two of the accused, we believe, took leg bail before the trial came on.
Mr. John Elliott of Clarendon is the proud possessor of one of the handsomest and largest Clydesdale colts in the province.
Mr. Thos. Lang of the Union House, Quyon, is about to commence the interior finishings of his new hall, which will be the most commodious in the county when completed. The building is 26 x 90 feet.
A very pleasant private picnic was given here on the 12th inst. through the kindness of Mrs. A.C. Davis. The sailing yacht “McGinty” having been procured for the occasion was very skillfully managed by Capt. H. Davis with the able assistance of Mr. R.S. Dowd as mate. The boat left the wharf at 8:30 a.m. with the grand old Union Jack floating from her mast. The run to Sand Beach was made in about two hours, the wind and weather being all that could be desired. On arriving there, a very sumptuous spread was prepared on the green, which it is needless to say was liberally dealt with by the crowd. The afternoon was spent very pleasantly, some picking berries, others strolling on the sands while some availed themselves of a plunge in the seething waters of the Ottawa.
About five o’clock, the party got together again and once more partook of the luscious viands, after which the boat left the beach on the return trip. Music instrumental and vocals formed a very pleasing feature of the excursion. About 8:30, the boat landed at the wharf when all hands disembarked with the feeling that they had spent such a pleasant day with many thanks to Mrs. Davis and Miss Ritchie for the same.
