Aug. 23, 1995
25 Years Ago
Campbell Threshing Bee unique in all of Canada: Chaff flew on the breeze and the blast of steam whistles sliced through in the clear air Saturday morning.
At Eric Campbell’s farm on the Bristol-Clarendon town line, a crew of “neighbours” from all across Canada gathered for . . .
the family’s annual threshing bee.
For the past nine years, Eric, his wife Evelyn, and daughter Vera-Lynn have had no trouble finding help threshing their grain the old fashioned way.
Each year, enough antique machinery enthusiasts, helpful acquaintances and general onlookers drop by to make the day productive and enjoyable.
Eric had three of his own steam engines going at the same time, powering three of his own threshing mills.
Saturday’s crowd included visitors from as far away as BC and eastern Canada.
Chapeau Fair still young at 126: Even before all figures are in, organizers are already pleased with the 126th Chapeau Fair.
“It went really well,” says Chapeau Agricultural Society President John Lapierre. Society Treasurer Marie Sallafranque estimates that 5,000 people came through the gates over the weekend.
The warm, fair weather helped things out this year. “The fairgrounds were pretty well full even before the parade,” says Lapierre.
About 250 people came out for Friday night’s amateur night show, with a similar crowd the following night for a dance with Roll ‘N Thunder.
Aug. 26, 1970
50 Years Ago
Mackenzie elected Pontiac Liberal president: The Pontiac Provincial Liberal Association named Dave Mackenzie as their new president on Monday night in a special executive meeting held at Campbell’s Bay. Mr. Mackenzie replaces Jean-Guy Lariviere who had to step down from that position when he decided to run as candidate in the April election.
Mr. Mackenzie who is principal of Pontiac High School, promised to give his best to the association and proceeded forth with in the business of the meeting which was the selection of delegates to the 15th congress of Provincial Liberals to be held in Montreal in September.
Pontiac’s loss is Alberta’s gain: After ten months of service to the people in and around Campbell’s Bay, Sister Emma Castonguay is leaving Pontiac to take up duties in a government nursing post at Hay Bay in Northern Alberta.
Upon leaving Pontiac, Sister Emma holds many dear memories in her heart and considerable gratitude to the many people here who have assisted her in the work she undertook here.
Aug. 30, 1945
75 Years Ago
Local News: Latest repats: Arriving in Canada a couple of weeks ago, Pte. Bill Moffatt returned to Shawville last Tuesday evening and was welcomed by many friends.
Bill enlisted in the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1940 and went overseas the following year.
A recent Bristol repat from overseas was Pte. Ervine Ballantyne, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Ballantyne of Maryland.
Ervine enlisted in 1940 and served in the Royal Canadian Medical Corps. He was all through the war action in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.
The August meeting of the Shawville Women’s Institute was held at the home of Mrs. Gordon Brownlee with nine members and two visitors present.Letters were read from Mrs. Smallman from the Hospital Auxiliary regarding Tag Day. A spelling match was led by Mrs. E. Hodgins with prizes going to rs. Gordon Paul and Mrs. Brownlee. Delicious refreshments were served by Mrs. Brownlee, assisted by Mrs. Lawson Corrigan.
Manilla Bay with the harbour back to pre-war efficiency, is now teeming with ships bringing supplies for the invasion of Japan. Manilla has become the Pacific’s biggest and most vital base, serving purpose as did England in the European war.
The Farmers’ Bulletin announces ‘hungry Europe needs meat’. The shortage of food in liberated Europe is desperate. Meat is one of the most critical needs. As a great food-producing nation, Canada must, can and will help to meet this emergency. That is why slaughtering has been placed under strict control. That is why ration coupons will soon be used again by Canadians to buy meat.
Aug. 19, 1920
100 Years Ago
Local News: The weather of the past ten days has been of the broiling character, and very trying on men and horses engaged in cutting the harvest.
The C.P.R. Station at Waltham was burglarized on Friday night and a sum of about $200 taken from the till in the office. A detective is working on the case and early developments are looked for.
Tenders are being called by the Public Works Dept. for the erection of a clock tower on Pembroke post office building, the lack of which has been clamoured for by the citizens of that town for a long while.
Shawville has also a little grievance of this nature, the remedying of which would be appreciated. We would not mind the tower so much if that hole in the wall where the clock should be was filled with something to tell us the hour.
Ground has been broken at Campbell’s Bay for the erection of another Merchants Bank building, the ever growing business of that institution at the Bay.
Our cotem, The Advance, thinks it is about time, in view of what is going on in other constituencies that the Liberals and Conservatives of Pontiac were calling conventions to place candidates in the field for the next Federal election.
Doubtless our friend is not aware that they seldom do things that way in Pontiac. The county is so big that candidates would find themselves worn out kissing all the babies before the actual fight is staged.
The government of Quebec will soon take over the control of trading in alcoholic liquor in the province of Quebec was the announcement made today by the Quebec Telegraph, the local Liberal organ, as coming from a responsible party well informed on government projects. “The fact that revenues running into the millions should be obtained in this manner and that the observance of the law should be easier has influenced the authorities to take these steps.”
Shawville Fair: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 20, 21 and 22, 1920.
Ad: Ford: The standard touring car is now equipped with: one-man top, sloping double ventilating wind shield, demountable rims, tire carrier, non-skid rear tire, leather door grip, greatly improved upholstering, seating re-arranged to give greater comfort, electric starting and lighting equipment.
Aug. 22, 1895
125 Years Ago
Local News: Mr. O’Neil of the Quio boom had a very narrow escape from what might have been a fatal accident one day recently. He and a companion were paddling in a canoe when a gun loaded with shot was accidentally discharged. On examination it was found that one grain penetrated the skin in the forehead, another was forced through the upper lip and a third was driven under the nail of one of the fingers. Beyond a little painful suffering, Mr. O’Neil is alright.
Mr. Fetherston, M.P. of Peel has purchased over two thousand tons of hay in the vicinity of Ottawa for shipment to western Ontario. The price paid is $8.50 a ton on board train.
P.T.C. Dumas of Hull returned last week fro the Lake Temiscamingue district where he has been conducting the survey of a colonization road for the Quebec government.
He speaks very hopefully of the possibilities of that northern portion of Quebec becoming the best farming district in the province. The soil is the very best for farming purposes and all that is required is to make good roads for then these settlers will rush in of their own accord.
The district is experiencing a boom at present. Settlers are taking up land wherever they can get it.
Ad: Hot and cold meals for 15 and 20 cents each at R.H. Prendergast’s lunch counter, Main St. Shawville, opposite post office. Confectionery and canned goods on hand.
