Chris Lowrey
SHAWVILLE Dec. 11, 2017
The employees of the Pontiac Archives gathered at Cartrites in Shawville on Dec. 11 to pay tribute to a 30-year mainstay.
Dorcas Sparling is in her 30th year at the archives and was presented with a certificate of appreciation from her fellow workers.
Sparling has an extensive record when it comes to volunteer service in her community. She served as vice president of the Golden Age Club in Bryson as well as helping to start the Campbell’s Bay Lionettes in 2004.

During a speech commemorating the occasion, local historian Venetia Crawford alluded to the fact that Sparling used to bring her granddaughter whom she was caring for to work at the archives, along with her rabbit.
“I don’t know if they allow rabbits in the archives anymore,” Crawford said with a laugh.
Sparling specializes in veteran, home children and marriage research at the archives.
Considering her expertise when it comes to history, some may find it surprising that she hasn’t always been this interested in the subject.
“I hated history in school,” Sparling said with a laugh.
But when she started looking into her family’s genealogy, she was hooked.
Although she enjoys engaging with history, Sparling said her favourite part of the job is the group of people she calls her co-workers.
“We do a lot of chatting instead of working some days,” she said. “It’s a fun place.”