The $1.7 million project which began in the fall of 1995, also included renovations to the existing part of the building. The new section is made up of spacious double and single rooms with specialized fixtures and cheery ambiance, decorated with Studio Andrée photos and other . . .

familiar Pontiac scenes.

After Sunday’s official blessing of the new building, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held, followed by a guided tour, a lunch and music by the “Legionaires”.

Ladouceur elected: Pontiac Warden Robert Ladouceur won a landslide election to be one of two regional representatives on the board of the Union of MRC’s of Quebec.

Votes come in the form of resolutions from local councils anywhere in the Outaouais recommending the candidate to a seat on the board.

Ladouceur moves into the seat vacated by Gérald Durand of Val des Monts who lost his office in a recent by-election.

Feb. 23, 1972

50 Years Ago

Pontiac High tops Ottawa Valley League: The winning combination of a basketball team consists of strong skillful players sportsmanship and th will to do your best. This year’s Pontiac Protestant High School Senior Boys’ team have proved to have all these combinations.

Team member Garry Russell rates in the top ten scores of the league with 172 points in 9 games. The league which consists of nine schools teams is nearing the finals.

Mr. J. Woodland, who doubles as basketball coach and referee in the league has done exceptionally well with this young team this year. With 9 wins and 0 losses they are in the top position in the Upper Ottawa Valley High School League.

Shawville wins at Deep River Tournament: The PeeWee All Stars went to the Deep River tournament on Feb. 12 and played their first game against Renfrew winning 7 to 0. In their second game they defeated Barry’s Bay 4 to 3 in a very close match.

Deep River had defeated Petawawa 5 to 4 and Pembroke 6 to 3. Shawville blanked their hosts to the tune of ten to nothing and received a trophy for their fine playing and each player was given a crest for his jacket.

Mar. 6, 1947

75 Years Ago

Local news: Heaviest snowfall in history hits Shawville and District: In keeping with other places in Easter Canada, Shawville and district was still digging out after the worst storm in history on Wednesday.

The storm began on Sunday morning and continued all through the night, accompanied by high winds causing huge drifts in many places. Snow continued to fall all day Monday and Tuesday but the wind had subsided and mild weather prevailed. Not in the memory of Shawville’s oldest citizens has the town experienced such a heavy snow fall. Main Street has never been in such a condition, mounds of snow eight to ten feet high line both sides of the roadway and only in the main business section sidewalks have been cleared. The main highway east of Shawville, previously in a terrible condition, is now completely blocked. The Calumet Mines snow plows have opened the road west of Shawville but the going is very tough. Monday morning’s train was about twenty minutes late and the evening train did not reach Shawville until about nine o’clock and the regular evening mail was not sorted at the post office until Tuesday morning. The school snowmobiles did not attempt to make their trips on Monday morning but made their rounds on Tuesday with about half their regular number of scholars.

Despite the storm and the difficulty getting along the streets, there was a large attendance at the Fancy Dress Carnival at Shawville Skating arena on Monday night. There was a surprisingly large number of costumed skaters and the outfits, varied from the sublime to the ridiculous. Ladies prize: Miss Joyce Horner; Men’s prize: Mr. H.M. Turner; Girls’ prize: Sylvia Gibson and Doris DeGuire; Boys’ prize: Billy Horner and Donnie Burton.

A fire of unknown origin destroyed the farm home of Ivan Hodgins and all the contents in a blaze that lit up the sky for miles on Tuesday evening. It was first noticed by some neighbours who hurried to the scene but could do little to check the flames. The outbuildings were saved. On account of impassable roads, few could get to the scene of the fire quickly. At the time of the blaze, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Hodgins and their child were away.

Feb. 16,1922

100 Years Ago

Local news: Mr. Marcotte’s brick dwelling house at Waltham, formerly owned by Robert Campbell, now of Foxwarren, an. was recently destroyed by fire. It was occupied by the Methodist minister who suffered some loss in books and furniture. The fire occurred during the day time and was caused by an overheated stove.

On Monday evening, the Methodist Church’s business meeting banquet was held and so well pleased were the participants that it was unanimously agreed to make it a ‘fixture’. In no other way could so much in the way of sociability, mutual interest in the work of God and pleasant and agreeable associations be formed than at a supper of this kind.

The merger whereby the Merchants Bank of Canada became absorbed by the Bank of Montreal was ratified at a meeting of the shareholders of the former held in Montreal last Wednesday.

Mr. P.C. Larkin of Toronto, a well-known business man and founder of the Salada Tea Company, has been appointed successor to Sir. George Perley as Canadian High Commissioner in England.

The first settlers in Clarendon were a Mr. Hall and his wife. They had the first baby boy and they called him John Hall. He was born in 1826, on lot four, range two. Hannah Telfer was the first girl, she was born on August 10, 1831.

Mr. Heath built the first sawmill and gristmill in 1827. Before this people had to take their grain to Pakenham to be ground.

The hardships of the early settlers were very strenuous. The township was all bush at that time with no roads, only trails. One heroic deed, worthy of mention was when Annie Telfer and her little brother John, eight years old, saved Robert, Thomas and Willie Macfarlane who were in a birch bark canoe when it overturned, from drowning by taking an old leaking log boat with just a piece of board for paddle. The Macfarlane brothers were after a deer for a banquet served by Dan McLaughlin of Arnprior in honour of the Prince of Wales who visited Canada in 1860.

Feb. 18,1897

125 Years Ago

Local News: Destructive fire at the parliament buildings: The most destructive fire that has ever occurred in the Ottawa Parliament buildings began about 4 o’clock on Thursday afternoon and continued throughout the entire night despite all that could be done to arrest its progress.

As a result, the front part and east wing of what is known as the Western Block has been entirely despoiled of its magnificent roof and top storey, the ruined portion extending over an area of about 600 feet in length. The new wing, containing the Mackenzie tower, built about 20 years ago, escaped the flames thanks to the existence of a fire proof wall, which divided the old from the new part of the huge structure. An immense amount of damage has been done and a great many records and documents were consumed but the most valuable of these have been saved, although it will take months to restore them to any kind of order, so great was the confusion that attended the work of salvage. The fire originated in a duct not far from the elevator and its precise origin is not known, but the supposition is that it came from a spark dropped by someone smoking.

Prof. Beal is at present conducting a singing school in Bristol under engagement of the Presbyterian congregation. Classes are held alternate nights at the Brick Church and the Knox Church.

The carnival held at the rink in Shawville on Tuesday evening was a very successful affair. The most delightful weather prevailed which induced quite a number from outlying points to favour the rink with their presence. The costumes worn were numerous and some of them very attractive. The ladies’ prize was awarded to Miss Thompson of Bristol who appeared as a highland lassie.

While at work with Mr. Andrew McCredie’s sawing machine at W. Graham’s on Friday last, Kenneth McDonald, son of Mr. Andrew McDonald had the misfortune to have the second finger of his left hand so badly lacerated that it became necessary to amputate it. Dr. Stewart performed the operation.

Dr. Stewart of Bristol, who paid a professional visit to Dr. Knox on Tuesday night, reported his condition somewhat improved. Dr. Kidd of Ottawa paid a professional visit to Dr. Knox on Tuesday evening of last week, as did also Dr. Hurdman of Bryson on Thursday.

Ad: Beef for sale. Good quality $2.00 to $3.00 per hundred. J.H. Shaw.

Ad: He was not a thief, though he stole away her heart after getting that “catchy” suit from McGuire the Tailor

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