“Christmas time is when people tend to go out in couples and it can be a very lonesome time of the year for many,” says Lionette Jean Smith, explaining why the club has been holding the dinner for more than 20 years.

In traditional fashion, the evening ended with a visit from Santa Claus who had a gift for everyone.

CLSC dumps Christmas baskets in favour of “store” for needy families: When her welfare cheque runs out, Denise (not her real name) has no choice but to turn to community services for help.

The 25-year-old single mom appreciates the Christmas basket she gets every year but admits that sometimes its hard to swallow her pride and ask for help for her and her two-year-old child.

As part of their Dignity Action project, the CLSC will instead be opening a ‘general store’ for needy families in St. Mary’s School on Dec. 21.

Coffee and donuts will be served and there will be a place for the kids to play when they come to pick up items they need at the “store”.

Dec. 17, 1969

50 Years Ago

Directors elected for Quebec Farm Association: The Quebec Farmers Assoc. is a pressure group and has been partially responsible for the reduction of tractor license costs, the removal of the need to license farm trailers and self-propelled combines.

This group was also instrumental in negotiations for the rebate on school taxes for farmers.

Chris Judd who has been the president of organization in this district brought all this to the attention of about twenty five farmers assembled at the annual meeting of the association on Thursday evening in the Pontiac High School auditorium.

Beginners played too: The Pontiac High School’s two band groups demonstrated great progress in their talents and the big band concert held last week in the McDowell Elementary School auditorium. Also on the program was a fresh young group of singers led by Mr. Force, also of the high school, which was absolutely delightful in harmony and round singing accompanied by three guitars.

The group that stole the show was the beginners instrumental group which meets Wednesdays: Allan Christie, Bonnie Sue Cruickshank, Georgie Stones, Andrew Dickson, Charles Main, John Rowat, Doug Hodgins, John Major, Bill Rowat John Gibson, JoAnne McDowell, Dwight Price and Dorothy McColl.

Dec. 21, 1944

75 Years Ago

Local News: The CGIT of the United Church held a beautiful Vesper Service on Wednesday with all members present and a number of the parents of the girls.

The business session was in charge of the president, Miss Marjorie Smart, with Miss Isobel Barber as secretary. The worship service was conducted by Mrs. J. Stavenow, the leader during which a number of Christmas carols were sung and scriptures read by Ino Fletcher, Ada Horner and Phyllis Smart.

The opening meeting of the Shawville Ladies Curling Club was held at the home of Mrs. C.J. Caldwell on Dec. 13.

Interesting revelations have been made regarding the bombing of Scotland by the Germans and it is surprising to learn that the most bombed city is Aberdeen which has suffered 32 raids, some of them very severe comments The Stratford Beacon-Herald. It would be interesting to learn why the Germans picked on the city of Aberdeen and the towns of Fraserburgh and Peterhead.

Christmas is our traditional feast day, a time for sincere good fellowship. Wars and rumours of wars throughout the centuries have not succeeded in dimming its brightness in our eyes. It is one of the things in our way of life for which our men and women are fighting and serving. In the deeper meaning of the greeting then, we offer the age-old wish to all our subscribers and friends: A Merry Christmas.

Dec. 18, 1919

100 Years Ago

Local News: As Christmas falls on our regular day of publication, next week THE EQUITY is issued a day earlier than usual. We take this opportunity to extend to all our readers and patrons the compliments of the Season.

A report has reached town on Thursday that the Coulonge Chute, a fine water power about four miles distant from Fort Coulonge, has been acquired by an American concern with a view to its utilization for a pulp or paper mill industry in the near future.

The consolidation of schools, it was urged would make it possible to secure better teachers, schools, equipment and a more complete grading of pupils and the community.

St. Paul’s Guild sale of needlework and food held on Saturday was quite a success and everything offered for sale was disposed of. The ladies served tea in connection with the sale and are most thankful to the public for the liberal patronage received.

The speech from the throne at the opening of the Quebec Legislature on Thursday foreshadows several important projects which the government has in contemplation. The chief of these is the construction of a railway through the Temiscaming district which is rich in agricultural possibilities and no doubt would become an important section of the province if its transportation facilities were improved.

Further large expenditures are planned for the development of agriculture and the improvement of highways.

A.J. McDonald, Barrister of Campbell’s Bay, will be at Shawville every Saturday afternoon and may be found at the Pontiac House.

Home for the holidays: Lloyd Thomson from Sask., Miss Beth Armstrong, Montreal; Miss Marguerite Barnett, Macdonald College; Lionel Thomson, Sask.; Miss Hilda Thomson, Ottawa; Miss Maye Horner, Macdonald College.

A gang of men engaged in constructing a water tank at the C.N.R. Station near Portage-du-Fort went into the village on Friday night and after imbibing a quantity of bug-juice which they got hold of somewhere, started to mix things up in a way that so alarmed citizens that they sent to Shawville in the middle of the night for the aid of constables. It is said the marauders entered Coyne’s store and proceeded to smash up things generally when they could not get what they were looking for.

Dec. 20, 1894

125 Years Ago

Local News: A conference of the late Sir John Thompson’s colleagues was held on Thursday last at which it was decided that in view of the comparatively poor circumstances in which Lady Thompson and family have been left by the awfully sudden death of Sir John, the people of Canada be asked to contribute to a national subscription for their support.

About 10 o’clock on Wednesday night Hon. Mackenzie Bowell was summoned by His Excellency the Governor General to meet him in his office in the Eastern Block of the parliament buildings which he at once proceeded and remained in consultation with His Excellency till 11.

The result was that His Excellency informed him, after carefully considering all the aspects of the situation, he had decided to ask Mr. Bowell if he was prepared to undertake and assume the responsibility of the formation of a new cabinet.

Hon. Mr. Bowell replied in effect that while fully realizing the difficulties and responsibility of assuming so important a duty, he could not, appreciating the mark of confidence reposed in him by his request, decline the responsibility of acceding to it and he would at the first possible opportunity consult with his colleagues.

Court Shawville I.O.F. no. 236 meets every second and fourth Wednesday of each month in Hobb’s hall.

Mr. W .G. Leroy is still confined to his room from the injuries he received a short time ago in falling from a ladder. His duties as secretary at the county council last Wednesday were discharged by J.A. Cowan of this paper.

Ad: Listen boys. H. Hobbs has just received a large consignment of single and double driving harness in nickel and rubber finish, also cork-faced collars from the well known firm of E.N. Heney and Co. They are dandies. When in town, step in and have a look.

Ad: Do you wish to spend a merry Christmas? If so, drop into my shaving parlour and get a good clean shave and have your hair dressed in the latest style. Silas Young.

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