July 30,1997
25 Years Ago
Army worms devastate crops: It’s like something out of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. Millions of army worms have swarmed Pontiac, devastating farmers’ crops and in one case, infesting a house.
It was a little more than a week ago that Bill Russell drove past his lush corn field on the Second Line in Bristol. The 10-acre crop seemed to be progressing as it should on schedule. Two days later an infestation of army worms stripped it leaving little more than the stalks.
“One day it was fine and the next day it looked like that,” says Russell, pointing to his field of damaged crop.
Army worms have infested crops throughout the Outaouais and parts of Eastern Ontario. In Pontiac, cases have been reported throughout the county, but Bristol and Calumet Island seem to be hardest hit.
Fixed Link: Shawville councilors gathered at the town’s historic Mill Dam Park last week to officially open the new bridge that spans the creek there. The 26-foot steel bridge, complete with wheelchair ramps was built and donated by Sylvio Richard of Magnalum Inc. to replace . . .
the dilapidated old bridge.
“Boy do we appreciate it,” commented Councilor Randy Pitt. Accompanying Pitt at the official opening were Sylvio Richard, Councilor Eleanor Black, Mayor Randy Beattie, and Town Foreman Denzil Yach.
Caldwell Notes by Hermonie Sharpe: It has been beautiful cottage weather over this past weekend and anyone driving through Norway Bay will notice that the cottages were all open and it was a very busy spot.
It was also a great weather for all the garage sales and they seemed to be well attended.
At the Norway Bay Regatta which has been held every year, a triathlon was held for the first time this year.
There were close to 40 competitors and approximately 60 people involved, along with the volunteers. The winner was a seven-year-old girl, Stephanie Théoret.
Rick Cummings presented Don McCredie with a plaque of appreciation for his support through the many years they have been holding the regatta.
Aug. 9, 1972
50 Years Ago
Bill 65 and all that: Paul Leguerrier, general manager of the Conseil de Developpement Social de l’Outaouais explained the meaning of Bill 65 and how the public is to take part in its functioning last Thursday evening in Campbell’s Bay.
The act was drawn up and passed in the National Assembly of Quebec for the purpose of improving the state of the health of the population and the state of the social environment, to make accessible to every person the complete range of health and social services.
The first thing to be done, according to the bill is to establish a group which is referred to as the “C triple S”, or CSSS which stands for “Conseil de la Santé et des Services Sociaux” which in English translated to “Health and Social Service Council.
The government of Quebec has given the task of establishing this C triple S in the region of Outaouais.
Harness racing at Shawville Driving Club: “They’re off!” On Saturday, July 29th, at the Shawville Driving Club Farm in the Connaught Park Early Closer final, race was won by Armstead Eda, owned by Dr. Armitage.
The Shawville Community Band provided music for race fans.
George Filion of Angers drove his horse “Vesper” to double dash victories in the Invitation Class at the Shawville Driving Club Farm.
Aug. 14, 1947
75 Years Ago
Missing from our files
July 27,1922
100 Years Ago
Local news: Shawville won from St. Pats at Vinton on Wednesday by a score of 14 to 12. The visitors were most hospitably entertained by the home team who provided a most excellent supper after the match.
A large section of Clarendon, ranging from the 7th line north, has suffered greatly from the grasshopper pest this season. The crops, none too heavy at best, owing to drought weather, are in some instances completely destroyed, so parties report who have traveled through the district. The prevalence of the pest is due, it is said, to the existence of old pasture lands which remaining unbroken year after year, have become veritable breeding grounds for the hoppers and as soon as the insects are able to fly, they are carried by the wind to adjacent grain fields in the millions, and devour everything in their path.
Mrs. W.F. Drum and children, her mother, Mrs. Clayton, also Mrs. Guy French and sister, Miss McDiarmid of Renfrew, all of whom are holidaying at Norway Bay, were guests of Mrs. (Dr.) Powles Thursday afternoon last.
Free trip to Ottawa: many are taking advantage of the offer of Robertson, Pingle and Tilly Ltd., corner of Bank and Cooper Streets , Ottawa, to refund return railway fares to all out of the city buyers who buy a piano or a phonograph from them this month.
Parties here having relatives in Meyronne and McCord districts of Saskatchewan have received word that they have suffered the loss of their crops from a disastrous hail storm which recently swept over the country. John T. Hodgins, the Belsher boys and other former Clarendon people were in the path of the storm and have sustained heavy damage.
In the Shawville council minutes: motion was brought forward that By-law No. 103 be so amended as to include the graveling of Main Street west from the property of John B. Armstrong to the western limits of the corporation, estimated at 560 lineal yards, being a continuation of the work approved of in said by-law passed on Oct. 3.
Motion was also that a by-law be passed ordering the graveling of that street leading east from the junction of the road at Wm. Hodgins’ house to the line between lots No.s 7 and 8; thence south to the old Mill Creek, and east along the sixth range line to meet the already improved graveled road known as the Cheese Factory Road in the township of Clarendon, said by-law to include the building of bridge and approaches to same.
Aug. 12 ,1897
125 Years Ago
Local News: The carpenters are busily engaged on the roof of Mr. W.B. Crawford’s residence this week.
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Foote of Belleville have buried their 23rd child. The little one was but a few week’s old and its mother is 53 years of age.
Mr. Ralph Hodgins, in order to meet the requirements of his ever increasing trade, is putting in a steam-power tile and brick machine, which will shortly be in operation.
The annual camp meeting at Bristol Ridge (Lucas’ Corners) will commence on Sunday. A number of evangelistic workers will be present. All are invited to attend.
Ad: farmers, secure your binder twine at Dowd’s Quyon.
Ad: Grain cradles, harvest mitts, machine oils. J.H. Shaw.
Excerpts of Rev. H.A. Naylor’s letter: About the middle of January, I started up the Yukon to Dawson. On April 6th, Flewelling and I started for Klondyke with a load and three dogs and made the trip in two days. I wanted to see if the miners in the Klondyke would subscribe for a church being built. I interviewed a good many men and they all said they would help but that I would have to come later for they had not yet cleared up their dirt piles.
I met a man hauling boards with a team of dogs. I thought he was one of the men with a claim worth about $50,000 and was somewhat crest fallen when he said he would give $5 towards the church, however I found later that it was his brother who had the rich claim.
The men have camped in tents all around the mission house. They all seem at a loss what to do. Some of them come in expecting to pick up the nuggets on the river banks.
I told Ward we wanted to build a church and he said if he had no money, he would give a few days’ work.
One man has cleared up ninety-eight thousand dollars by sluicing his pile of dirt. Don’t let this excite anybody for all the known rich ground is occupied and no more may be discovered for years. Any man who comes to this country should bring a year’s supply of provisions with him and let him remember he will eat more here than at home.
