Apr. 20, 1994
25 Years Ago
Pontiac working on Onslow dump: The municipality of Pontiac is working hard to conform to regulations established by the MInistry of the Environment regarding the North Onslow landfill.
Ministry officials have informed municipal council that changes have to be made to the operation of the site.
According to the permit, the North Onslow landfill site is only supposed to accept the garbage from 2,000 residents. At present, 4,800 people send their garbage to the site.
Councillor John Telford said the municipality was under the impression that it was acceptable to have 4,800 people use the site provided only household waste was dumped there. That is, no items such as leaves, brush and old refrigerators.
In order to conform to the established regulations, the garbage generated by 2,800 people must be trucked to another landfill site that is capable of accepting the additional waste.
Patro gets $42,000 community boost: An hour after launching this year’s fundraising campaign Saturday night, the Patro of Fort Coulonge and Mansfield had already surpassed donations raised at last year’s banquet.
Now in its eighth year, the summer recreation program for children kicked off its annual financing drive April 16. Over 275 guests filled the parish hall to hear representatives of all levels of government as well as local businesses, come through with more than just words of support.
By 8:30, local donations were already approaching the $42,000 mark, up a full $2,000 over last year.
Apr. 23, 1969
50 Years Ago
Last night for operators: At midnight last Saturday, the last calls through the local operators were made and Miss Gertrude Armstrong and Mrs. Benedict Allen flicked the keys at the switchboard while manager Dave Mulligan watched.
Simultaneously in the adjoining building the automatic apparatus took over and from that moment on, direct distance dialing was a reality for Shawville.
Numerous area people spent Sunday phoning long distance and the lines between Shawville and Quyon have been extra busy because at the same time as the DDD was inaugurated, Quyon was added to Shawville’s free calling area.
Victoria School marches again: Three hundred children in search of a school marched down Main Street in Shawville Tuesday afternoon chanting “we protest.” What they were protesting were the broken promises of their school board, the CSRO, Commission Scolaire Regional de l’Outaouais.
They say the CSRO promised them in November to keep the students informed about developments towards a permanent school for the English speaking Catholics of Pontiac and they have not done this.
With the large modern Pontiac High School newly opened in Shawville, it has startled many townspeople to see three hundred children parading down Main Street protesting.
Right now, the students occupy the rented premises on Victoria Avenue where facilities are not in step with modern educational practices and where conditions are very crowded.
Apr. 20, 1944
75 Years Ago
Local news: Grandson of former Weirstead couple dies in Italy: the death took place recently in Italy of Clarence Weir. He was wounded in battle and died the following day.
Warrant Officer George Beverley Howard was reported missing while on air operations over Germany on April 13, according to a telegram received by his father, G.A. Howard of this village on Saturday. Further particulars have not been received as yet, but Mr. Howard received a letter on Saturday evening from his son written several weeks ago.
He has been engaged in number of air operations over Europe in the past year according to letters his father has received.
Two years and nine months ago at dawn on June 22, 1941, the dive bombers and the armoured columns ripped arrogantly into the Russian frontier divisions. The new Napoleon had set out upon a conquest which was to be more colossal, as it has been infinitely more barbarous, than any which the actual Napoleon had ever attempted, asserts the New York Herald Tribune.
From a military standpoint, the campaign offers tremendous possibilities. It is the beginning of a drive into the Balkans which, if pressed fast enough, threatens to entrap the German armies now retreating from the southern Ukraine.
The Russian invasion of the Balkans represents not merely a military but also a political offensive of great importance. More than ever, the nations of Europe in general and those of the Balkans in particular are scanning the political horizon to learn what slogans the invading Russian armies carry on their banners.
Apr. 17, 1919
100 Years Ago
Local news: This being Holy Week, services are announced to be held at St. Paul’s Anglican on Wednesday and Thursday evening and on Good Friday morning and evening. On Easter Sunday there will be celebrations of the Holy Communion.
Dr. Henry Argue who holds the rank of Major in the army and who has been awarded several other marks of distinction for services rendered in the field and in the war hospitals in France and England arrived home on Saturday morning and seems to have lost none of his robustness in the gruelling experiences of the operating room.
Messrs. Allen and Robitaille’s mill is still very busy sawing at Murrells.
The Murphy House at Otter Lake has been purchased by John Moodie, formerly of Shawville. Whether the premises are to be utilized as business stand or summer hotel, we have not learned.
“Very much heap mud!” would express the condition of the roads since sleighing departed. Considerable rain has extracted the frost from old mother earth pretty well in the open and in some high sections plowing was commenced last week.
Apr. 19, 1894
125 Years Ago
Local News: Ad:G.Fred Hodgins has a complete stock of everything required by the good housewives to renovate their homes. All shades ready mixed paints, alabastines and calsomines, wall papers and decorated window shades at bottom prices.
A meeting of the county association of Patrons of Industry was held here on Monday at which there was a pretty fair attendance. One of the matters up for consideration was the opening of a Patrons’ store in this village.
Mr. Robt. Splane has resigned his position of section foreman on the P.P.J.R. which he has held since the road was built. Mr. S., who is a veteran at railroading and a most competent hand, intends going on to the Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound railway. Mr. John Richardson of Radford will take his place on the railroad here.
The Easter Vestry meeting of the Clarke’s School House congregation was held on April 11. Rev. W.H. Naylor was present in company with Rev. H. Plaisted. Satisfactory financial statements were presented. Much of the material for the new church is on the ground. It is hoped a beginning of work may soon be made and that the building may be sufficiently advanced to use when the Bishop makes his visit in the summer.
Ad: P. Nolan, Quyon, Que. I make any kind of boot or shoe you require. Perfect fit, best stock, prices right. Driving boots a specialty. Particular attention paid to custom work.
Ad: We are showing the best range of corsets ever displayed in Shawville. All qualities and prices. E. Hodgins.
A wedding is predicted to take place in this locality ere long. Prognostications are based on the fact that a dark cloud is observed to cross the mountain frequently and invariably terminates its course at the 9th range.
compiled by Bonnie Chevrier
