June 18,1997
25 Years Ago
New ultrasound a first: A new ultrasound machine at the Pontiac CLSC means many firsts for this Fort Coulonge clinic. The CLSC is the first among clinics in the province to provide general ultrasound procedures.
The CLSC is also the first owner of a new Canada. Its digital imaging is state-of-the-art technology
The public was invited to view the new machine last Sunday. Its $65,000 price tag was paid for by the CLSC Pontiac Foundation which has been raising money for the equipment since ‘94.
Fire Department turns 40: When the school on Calumet Island went up in flames Jan. 30, 1957, it was the first major fire for the newly formed Campbell’s Bay- Litchfield Fire Department.
Although he was only a youngster of 16, still a year below the department’s age limit, Raymond Shea was there fighting the fire. So were Atholl Smith and Rémi Paré. On Saturday, the department celebrated its 40th anniversary and honoured its three firemen who have been there since the beginning.
“We were young and aggressive,” says Shea when asked why he was so eager to join. “We had no t.v.’s to watch at home.” Paré, too, was young and looking for action when he joined. He continued to stay with he department when he saw how much is helped the community.
For Smith, it was a family tradition. His father, Asa Smith was chief from ‘39 until ‘56.
Although the history books show Father Murray as being the first fire chief in the area in 1920, the department wasn’t officially formed until it bought its first truck on March 15, 1956.
June 21, 1972
50 Years Ago
Three Pontiac men plan to be active on Social Service: On Saturday, in the basement of the Eglise Sacre Coeur de Hull, a meeting of the Service Social de l’Outaouais was held. Several people from Pontiac County attended the meeting and André Pilon of Waltham, Danny Ryan of Fort Coulonge and Octave Vallee of Campbell’s Bay were elected members of the Board of Directors to represent Pontiac.
First, they hope to obtain the services of a pharmacist in Pontiac before August first at which time only registered pharmacists will be entitled to give out medications.
Second, they will request school social workers for Pontiac County.
Third, they intend to protect the allocations for a medical officer of health and two public health nurses for Pontiac, which positions are vacant but are very much needed.
Among these are other issues they are addressing and the Pontiac members of the board now want to hear from the public and will do everything in their power to improve things.
Hilton has best Quebec safety record: The Quebec Metal Mining Association has again awarded the F.J. O’Connell Safety Trophy to the Hilton Mines for the best safety record of all Quebec mines in the year 1971.
The trophy was presented by Rod Gosselin of the Quebec Metal Mining Association to W.A. Brandum, Mine Manager at the annual meeting on June 5.
Members of the Union Management Safety Committee were present in a flag raising ceremony to commemorate the outstanding achievement.
July 3, 1947
75 Years Ago
Local news: About ninety people from various parts of the country attended Shawville High School’s Grade Eleven banquet at Pine Lodge on June 25. Guests included the parents of the students, the members of the school board and their wives, Dr. and Mrs. McDowell, Rev. and Mrs. Patterson and the teachers.
Jean Neville acted most efficiently as toastmaster. After the toast to the King, each grade eleven student and teacher read a rather humourous biography of another student or teacher.
In a variety concert sponsored by the band committee in the theatre on Friday, the Shawville Community Band gave a very pleasing performance before a large audience that left the hall believing that in its band the community had a distinct asset. During the evening, the band played eleven numbers. Other items on the program included a coronet duet by Mary McDowell and Billy Horner; coronet solos by Mr. Finlayson and Davis Hodgins; two number by a mixed quartette consisting of Miss Kay Woodley, Mrs. Evelyn Little, Mr. Gordon Paul and Mr. Glenn Hodgins and a piano duet by Erma and Joan Kelly. There was also a delightful little skit entitled “The Romance of the Alice Blue Gown”.
Dr. F.C. Cowley opens office: a graduate of McGill University, Montreal, who recently completed his internship at Ottawa Civic Hospital, Dr. Cowley has opened an office in the Woodley residence on Centre Street.
Viscount Bennett, a former Prime Minister of Canada died suddenly Friday night at his lavish Juniper Hill home in the quiet countryside of Surrey, England. Lord Bennett, Conservative Prime Minister during the depression years from 1930 to 1935, apparently died in his bath, his butler said. At 76, he would have celebrated his 77th birthday next Thursday.
Shawville Bowling Club held a banquet to close their seasons’ league games at Pine Lodge, Bristol with a large attendance of the players on Friday night of last week.
The winning team was from the new Calumet Mines captained by K. Duggan and consisted of T. Mathers, D. McLean, E. Keon, D. Hennessey, D. Tait and A. Cahill.
June 15,1922
100 Years Ago
Local news: A fire alarm was phoned to Shawville from Green lake on Thursday afternoon and in a very few minutes later a score of cars loaded with men were burning up the road between here and that quiet resort, the impression having got abroad that the cottages were in danger. Arriving at the scene however, it was found that the fire was at the east end of the lade and had burned over about an acre of bush land there but prompt action arrested its further spread. The fire is said to have started up from some parties fishing on Saturday who had a smudge which was not thoroughly extinguished before they left. Fortunately no serious damage was done.
This section experienced a continuous gale on Monday which must have done considerable damage to growing crops of a tender nature, judging from the appearance of some garden stuff in town.
In the Bristol council meeting, it was suggested by the members present that the council be asked to appoint a chairman of the Board of Health.
The Rev. Isaac and Mrs. Strowbridge left this week to spend the summer months with relatives in Newfoundland.
Mr. J.A. Moorhead, government fire ranger was in town on Friday and favoured this office with a call. John was here making inquiries as tot he origin and extent of the fire at Green lake, having been told that it was more serious than the facts warranted.
July 1,1897
125 Years Ago
Local News: The rain storm on Thursday caused a small washout on the track near Clarke’s Station.
Judge Gill held sessions of the Circuit and Superior Courts at Bryson on Wednesday night. The next day he held a session of the Circuit Court at Portage du Fort.
A tarantula, a very large and vicious spider, the bite of which invariably proves fatal, was discovered in a bunch of bananas at Mrs. D. Wilson’s confectionery on Monday. The insect was destroyed, in fact annihilated. Pity! We should have liked the carcass to place on exhibition.
Dr. L. Mulligan, Veterinary Surgeon who removed from here some months ago, has opened an office at Amm’s livery stables, Quyon.
Photographer Green will be at Pontiac House Gallery in Shawville on July 1, Dominion Day and will remain til Friday evening.
A spark from the smoke stack of McCredie and Hodgins’ factory ignited some refuse in Mr. John Hodgins back yard on Monday afternoon and made good progress towards a very serious conflagration when it was happily discovered and drowned out by the usually responsive bucket brigade.
A grand picnic will be held in John Isabell’s grove, Chichester on July 3 in aid of the school.
The road between Ashel Smith’s corner and Blackwell’s, leading to Bryson was operated upon last week by the Syndicate Road Maker in charge of W.J. Eades and a fairly good job of work was executed, but unfortunately, a deluge of rain on Thursday impaired the road materially.
The labour performed on our streets during the past eight days has been of more thorough character than for several years past, but much remains to be done yet before the semi-annual quagmires that we have been accustomed to wade through during spring and fall weather become things of the past.
Duncan Cameron, William Croskery and Stephen Kenny, farmers of Pembroke, took shelter under a balsam tree during the storm yesterday afternoon at Beachburg, Ont. Lightning struck the tree. Cameron was killed instantly. The others were badly stunned but will recover. Duncan Cameron was formerly deputy reeve of Westmeath township and in his fifty-first year. There was also a horse killed by lightning at Beachburg.
