Compiled by Bonnie Chevrier
Mar. 2, 1994
25 Years Ago
Dry flood zones block development: Munici-palities along the Ottawa River are finding that some of their choice development land is off-limits. This problem resurfaced at the Feb. 28 MRC meeting. Paul Ryan, mayor of the municipality of Waltham and Bryson, says that there are two areas in Waltham that are ideal building areas if it were not for the fact that they lie in a designated flood zone.
The area in question only flooded once, Mayor Ryan says, in 1968 when something happened up-stream at the hydro dam at Rapides des Joachims.
Environment Quebec designated approximate flood zones years ago. They established a 20-year flood zone on which it is illegal to build anything. They also designated a 100-year flood zone on which some construction is allowed.
Wesleyan thanks firefighters: Shawville Wesleyan Church hosted an appreciation service and banquet for the Shawville/Clarendon Volunteer Fire Dept. on Feb. 20. The theme of the service was “Using our abilities for the Glory of God.” Chief Bill Black received a plaque from Rev. Stuart Marples expressing the appreciation of the congregation for the dedicated service of the department in the community.
One hundred and five people attend the service, 75 of whom stayed for the banquet served immediately after the service. Chief Black thanked the congregation for their thoughtfulness and the hard work that made the occasion so meaningful.
Mar. 5, 1969
50 Years Ago
Approval received for Old Folks’ Home here: Speaking at the regular meeting of the Shawville Lions Club last Thursday evening, the Hon. Raymond Johnston said that he had received word from the Minister of Health and Welfare that the application for building an old folks home in Shawville was approved.
After preliminary investigations are completed by the department, the Lions Club will proceed with the project and it is hoped that the home will be built in 1970.
Certificates presented to former PCH Candystripers: There is a girls’ service club in Shawville which involves youngsters aged 15 and over in one of the most useful activities known to women – giving to the sick.
Each day after school, four members of the Candystriper squad arrive at the Pontiac Community Hospital with service in mind. The hours they spend there each week are of such help to the rest of the hospital staff that last week, at a small ceremony in the Nurses’ Residence, beautiful certificates were issued to 25 past members.
In handing over the certificates, Hospital Superintendent Al Cunningham mentioned that the service the girls do helps them to make up their minds about following a nursing career and in fact a number of the girls who were not able to be present at the annual event were actually in training in district hospitals.
Mar. 2, 1944
75 Years Ago
Local news: The annual Women’s Day of Prayer service was held in the Wesleyan Church with an attendance that filled the building with representatives from all churches of the village.
In the second of the best three-in-five games in the play-offs for the Cahill Cup in the Pontiac League, Shawville Wildcats were defeated by Fort Coulonge on Monday night at the Shawville arena by a score of 6 to 4. The rink was packed with hockey fans with a large contingent from the Fort to cheer on their favourites.
The league leaders had a considerable edge on the play for the first two periods and although using 16 players and changing frequently, they appeared to tire while Shawville with only 12 players seemed to improve as the game advanced. H. Dale and White with two each getting all their scores in the third frame, the scores for the winners were made by St. Denis 2, Davis, Soucie, Proudfoot and Duke.
A delegation from Pontiac County Council journeyed to Quebec last week and interviewed the government with respect to two projects of interest to the county.
The committee, which consisted of Simon Downey, Mayor of Sheenboro; S.W. MacKechnie, Mayor of South Onslow and James Ward, Mayor of Fort Coulonge urged the continuation of the paving of No. 8 Highway during the coming summer and the construction of the Sheenboro-Temiscaming Road as a post-war project.
A pleasant time was spent at the Masonic Hall on Thursday evening of last week when a banquet was tended the Rev. K.C. Bolton who leaves this week to take charge of the parish of Knowlton, Que.
Canada’s butter ration will be temporarily reduced according to a prices board announcement.
Allies’ Anzio Beachhead withstands repeated heavy German attacks. Nazi legions are attacking the Anzio-Nettuno beachhead in force while Allied armies are seeking a breakthrough in the Cassino bulge. With the return of weather which permits the resumption of air operations, the Allies have renewed their offensive. The fighting is still indeterminate but the tide seems to be running in our favour.
Feb. 27, 1919
100 Years Ago
Local news: Some of our young people attended the carnival at Bristol rink on Wednesday evening which was postponed from the 14th to that date on account of unfavourable weather.
The dwelling house on the A.E. Posselwhite farm at the east end of the corporation was destroyed by fire on Tuesday afternoon last. The fire apparently started from a spark on the roof which was all ablaze before it was noticed by some parties who were driving along the 7th line. The loss is partly covered by insurance.
On Thursday evening over sixty friends and relatives of Rev. L.C. and Mrs. Whitelaw including a sleigh load from Shawville, by way of a surprise, gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Smart, Stark’s Corners. After a most enjoyable social time, Rev. Mr. McCallum on behalf of those present read an address of good will to Mr. and Mrs. Whitelaw and Miss Gladys Dean presented them with a purse containing $45 to be used by them as they desired.
The building of a bridge connecting lower Allumette Island with the mainland in the vicinity of Food’s Ferry at Waltham seems a certainty. In response to a heavily endorsed petition by the residents of this district, Mr. Wm. Hodgins, M.L.A., has secured the promise of a liberal grant from the provincial government and federal aid has also been assured. Engineers under the direction of the MInister of Public Works have made preliminary surveys and reported favourably.
Mar. 1, 1894
125 Years Ago
Local News: Mr. Wm. Schwartz is busy engaged painting Mr. J. Muldoon’s house in Eardley at present.
The Pembroke Standard office narrowly escaped being burned down Wednesday evening. A stove had been left burning in the composing room and it is supposed it ignited some kindling wood nearby. The flames caught on a galley rack filled with matter for the following day’s issue of the paper.
G.F. Hodgins is selling 7 gallons Best Canadian Oil for one dollar. This is the lowest price coal oil has every been offered in Pontiac.
Mr. Jas. Armstrong came down on a visit to his family from Mattawa on Thursday last. He reports all the boys from this section are getting along well, roads good and plenty of work for the teams. Mr. Armstrong is well ahead with his contract and expects to be through by the last of March.
Mr. Silas Richardson left there on Tuesday with his stock of horses, cattle and farming implements for Sandpoint where he intends loading them for his prairie farm, which is located at Pakan, N.W.T.
Two years ago Jack Allan, an engine driver on the C.P.R. gave $6 to an actor named Morris who was stranded at Calgary. Allan had almost forgotten the matter when he was reminded of it a few days ago by being informed that $1,000 had been willed to him by a party in New Orleans. The party in question was Mr. Morris who hadn’t forgotten Allen’s kindness.
