Part of the meeting was a trip to the Culbute locks and dam, located on a channel where the Ottawa River flows between Chichester and Allumettes Island.

Gil Dupuis of Chapeau guided the mayors through the rotting ruins of what was once a vital link between the upper and lower sections of the river. The locks and dam at Culbute rapids were built in 1873 as part of the Georgian Bay Ship Canal project.

NCC, Pontiac open Luskville Falls trail: As a child, Diane (Lusk) Aldred used to climb the Eardley escarpment to pick blueberries around the fire tower.

Little did she know, one day part of that escarpment would be named after her ancestors. The Lusk and Pontiac lookouts, along with the Luskville Falls trail were officially opened by the National Capital Commission Wednesday.

Aldred and her daughter Katherine, along with MP Robert Bertrand and Municipality of Pontiac councillor Helene Belisle and NCC officials were on hand for the opening ceremony held at the gateway of the trail located about 2 km north of the town hall.

Sept. 30, 1970

50 Years Ago

World acclaim for three Bristol grain growers: Did you know that the first occasion on which the excellence of Canadian grain attracted wide attention in the markets of the world was at the Vienna exhibition of 1853? Three prominent Bristol farmers, John Meldrum, Robert McJanet and John Duff sent each a bushel of wheat, peas and oats respectively and each won a medal for the combined entry which was awarded first prize for the best assortment of grain in open competition against the world.

It was through the annual Shawville Fair that the three Bristol grain growers came to the attention of John Egan, the then member for Ottawa, which included Pontiac in the Upper and Lower Canada Legislature and it was he who was instrumental in having them exhibit at Vienna.

Bear Lake Association first annual picnic: The Bear Lake Conservation Assoc. held their first annual field day and picnic at Bear Lake on Sunday.

The day was a complete success thanks to the generous support of the merchant of this area as well as those of Ottawa and Hull.

Races were held, as well as a watermelon eating contest. Other events included an egg throwing contest and a tug of war.

Oct. 4,1945

75 Years Ago

Local News: The United Church choir reorganized for their fall and winter work at a largely attended meeting held in the Sunday school room after practice Thursday evening.

The officers elected were: Hon. pres. Rev. A.F. Fokes; president Gordon Paul; secretaries Misses Ruth Hodgins and Beverley Harris; treasurer Glenn Hodgins; Choir leader Miss Kay Woodley, Katie Elliott and Mrs. Bland Little; library committee Messrs. Albert Manary, Everett McDowell, Walter Kilgour; social committee Mrs. T. Shore, Mrs. W.J. G. Gibson, Mrs. A.D. McCredie and Mrs. S.E. McDowell.

Farmers of this district who have been casting envious eyes at military motor vehicles will soon have an opportunity of securing surplus four wheel drive vehicles through the Quebec Council of Farm Forums.

In all ranks of the Canadian army, university and college students are now eligible for immediate discharge to return to their scholastic studies provided the university has accepted their application.

Golfing enthusiasts from Canadian Military headquarters, London, forget the tribulations of army problems for a while as they held a golf tournament at Sandy Lodge Golf Club, Moor Park in England.

Britain, which happily welcomed sparkling lights when Germany was defeated, now watches the blackout creep back.

Darkened streets are part of the austerity program the British people have been told they must expect to continue in greater or less degree for perhaps two years. After the splurge of bright lights in celebration of peace, shortages of electrical power and gas have made, in the opinion of the government, conservation essential.

Sept. 23, 1920

100 Years Ago

Local News: A most successful meeting of the Victorian Order of Nurses was held at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Powles on Saturday.

Although the Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada was founded as far back as 1897, it is only recently that our district has had the privilege of having a local branch of the profession and we should not lose sight of the wonderful privilege of having a trained nurse whom we can call upon should we need her at so small a charge.

Mr. George B. Campbell, ex-member of the legislature has recently purchased the farm property of Michael Lawn near Campbell’s Bay. If our esteemed friend quickly develops into a farmer, as the natural sequence of this step, the problem of getting a “farmers candidate,” which is perplexing some people, might not after all, be a difficult solution.

The corn crop in Pontiac this year has far exceeded the early expectations of farmers. From what was regarded as a rather poor prospect in the early summer favourable weather conditions during the past month wrought a marvelous change in the cereal crop generally, but especially in corn which took on a luxuriance in growth that has seldom been equaled.

Ad: Pontiac Wool Growers’ Agricultural Association: Notice: The elevator is now open to receive all kinds of grain and highest market price will be paid for all grain of good quality. Cash paid in full for all grain received. We will also be buying potatoes shortly. C.H. Hodge.

Ad: Stoves and stove furnishings of all kinds at G.W. Dale’s, Centre St. Shawville. The old long-established house where you can always get nearly any article you require to furnish your kitchen in either tin, agate, granite, enamel or aluminum.

Sept. 26, 1895

125 Years Ago

Local News: No. 1 Society directorate and all interested in the success of the annual Shawville Exhibition have had special grounds this year for an interchange of congratulations upon the fine weather which the fates booked should prevail on that occasion. Passing on to the show itself, we remark that the usual disadvantages of a one day exhibition were again exemplified by the volume of labour thrown upon the shoulders of the directors and judges during the morning hours. In several of the classes, notably the horses and ladies’ departments, it was impossible to get through with the judging and the exhibits in the hall had a hurried passing inspection. The only way to get over this difficulty, in the opinion of a good many level headed people, is to hold a two day show and it is to be hoped the idea before long may come into general favour.

Ad: Reid Bros., at the arcade store on Friday and Saturday and following days: All the most fashionable shapes in hats and bonnets, trimmed and untrimmed, also feathers, wings, ribbons, and newest novelties will be here for your inspection. Remember our dressmaking department is now open and we will be pleased to make your fall dress, cape or jacket.

The first occasion for the Shawville band to make its appearance in public and the general concensus of opinion regarding that organization was that it acquitted itself very creditably, considering the very short time that it has been in existence.

A concert in aid of the band took place in the Masonic Hall in the evening. The hall was comfortably filled and a very entertaining program was presented by the amateur talent of the village.

The Canadian militia force is to be armed with the Lee-Metford rifle.

The statement of imports and exports for August, which will appear in tomorrow’s Canada Gazette, shows that the trade of Canada is increasing in a very healthy manner.

The price of wheat has advanced four cents a bushel at several of the provincial markets in the province today and 50 cents per bushel was paid an increase of six cents over Wednesday’s quotation.

B.C. Steel of New York, boring for coal oil at High Falls on the Rideau River is sanguine that the oil will be discovered in paying quantities. The drill is down 400 feet and the prospects of getting the oil are very encouraging according to Smith’s Falls News.

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