Quyon, Onslow step back: Snowshoes, furs, old photographs, and other pioneer-day paraphernalia were scattered in front of the stage at the Quyon Lion’s Hall for the re-enactment of old council meetings Thursday morning.

The show was organized by the Quyon/Onslow 125th anniversary committee as part of their celebrations.
Those representing the old councils from North Onslow, South Onslow and Quyon took their seats at the old wooden desk, dressed in garb characteristic of the early 1900’s.

Local history buff Armand Ducharme put on a show that proved both entertaining and educational in between council meetings. He made his first appearance between the North and South Onslow meetings as an early explorer and came back after the South Onslow meeting as a lumberjack.

McCrank’s marks fifth store closure: For at least 115 years, the small general store across the road from the church in Vinton was a lifeline to the community, whether as a dispenser of essentials or as a communications centre.

In the days when cars were still a luxury item and telephones were few and far between, villagers were able to depend on their general store for pretty well anything they needed on a day to day basis; from milk and baloney, to bullets and a plug of tobacco. And while shopping, people could catch up on the latest news. But those days are no more and another Pontiac general store, or dépanneur, closes its doors.

The closing of McCrank’s General Store in Vinton marks the end of an era. Run by the McCrank family since 1921, the popular meet place fell victim to 21st century economics.

“There is just no buying power. The big companies have choked us out,” says Michael McCrank, owner of McCrank’s Store.