May 1,1996
25 Years Ago
Mayors undecided on 9-1-1: Local municipalities are in disagreement about what type of emergency phone system is best for Pontiac.
Pierre Schaeffer of Bell made a presentation to Pontiac MRC at the March 25 meeting. He elaborated on the benefits of setting up a . . .
9-1-1 system throughout Pontiac.
A subscriber would be charged an additional 38 cents per phone line, with an additional 12 cents per line to be paid by the municipality.
Once the system is in place, all emergency calls would be answered at a centralized, computerized communications centre in Montreal.
Shawville-Clarendon fire Chief Bill Black who is also chief of the Pontiac firefighters Association thinks the system offered by Bell and Telebec has serious faults. A 9-1-1 system works great in the city, says Black but the system now in use is more efficient for his community.
New heart pumping for Royce: Thanks to an organ donor, Royce Richardson is going fishing this summer.
The Shawville councillor suffered from congestive heart failure last month and became only the second Pontiac resident to undergo a heart transplant.
The April 21 surgery was performed by Sheenboro native Dr. Wilbert Keon, head of the Ottawa Heart Institute and was televised as part of National Organ Donation Awareness Week. Richardson is doing very well, says Dr. Keon.
May 5,1971
50 Years Ago
First session for first warden from Otter Lake: Basil Quaile is the first warden of Pontiac ever elected from Leslie-Clapham-Huddersfield. Pontiac has had a member of the legislative assembly from there who eventually became the Minister of Revenue for the Province of Quebec but there was never a county warden from Otter Lake until Basil Quaile succeeded William Burke to that office this year.
Known as the County of Ottawa before 1855, Pontiac has been served by a total of 39 wardens, four of whom were present at this week’s meeting: Basil Quaile; William Burke, Mrs. Elsie Gibbons and S. Wyman MacKechnie, past wardens all of whom expressed their favourable opinions on the united stand being taken by Pontiac County mayors at present.
Arts and Crafts class: An art class under the Adult Education program of the Ottawa Valley Protestant School Board has been taking place at the Campbell’s Bay Protestant Elementary School and just wound up this week.
Tube painting has been the subject with Mrs. Basil Quaile, wife of the Warden of Pontiac County, as instructor. At work in the school library last Thursday evening were: Virginia Vibert, Mario Beauchamp, Mildred Gibson, Elizabeth Hahn, Kim Mercer, Mary Lohnes, Bernice Smith, Phyllis Black, Elmas Brown, Ina Poisson, Eva Brown, Helen Robinson and Mary Vibert.
May 2,1946
75 Years Ago
Local News: Shawville and Clarendon gave a hearty welcome to about 150 service personnel in a large “Welcome Home” banquet held in the Sunday School room of the United Church on Monday evening this week. Following the banquet, a large public gathering was held in the auditorium of the church with Rev. Cecil Randell in the chair. A minute of silence followed the reading of the names of the 15 boys from this district who made the supreme sacrifice, the reading being done by Corporal Enid Connelly, C.W.A.C., who had just returned last week from overseas.
Arriving on the Ile de France last week was L-Cpl. Enid Connelly, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James P. Connelly of this village.
Local dairymen listened with much interest to Dr. D.J. Campbell’s broadcast over C.K.C.O. on Friday. The program was sponsored by the Central Canada Veterinary Association.
Some 35 Ayrshire breeders of Pontiac county and several Holstein and other cattle breeders were in attendance at the Pontiac Ayrshire Breeders Club which took the form of a barn meeting at the Bonnieshade Farm of S. Wyman MacKechnie and Sons.
Price increases have been granted at the manufacturing and wholesale level for Canadian hardwood lumber except in the Vancouver Forest District, the Wartime Prices and Trade Board has announced.
Considerable quantities of potatoes are being imported into Canada from the United States tagged as “War Approved Seed” or “seed potatoes – not certified.” Such potatoes do not qualify for seed purposes in Canada and their sale is contrary to the Destructive Insect and Pest Act of Canada, stages the Dominion Department of Agriculture.
April 28,1921
100 Years Ago
Local News: After the big snow storm it was expected the weather would become settled, but so far indications are wanting.
Mr. J.J. Caldwell has just put the finishing touches on his new building (occupied by Dr. Klock) by the completion of an attractive veranda.
The G.W.V.A. Box Social and Dance on Wednesday evening was well attended and was generally regarded as successful. Mr. C.A. L. Tucker performed the duties of auctioneer but of course the boys were on to his dope, he acted once before.
The object of the G.W.V.A. in raising funds we learn, is to acquire a piece of property in town to make a small park, in which the central object of interest would be a war trophy of some kind. No question, this district is well entitled to one, if its contribution to the Canadian army and its sacrifices in the field are considered.
Mr. Fred Schwartz, the Maple Syrup King of the North Country who was in town a few days ago, says the season just closed was one of the poorest he has experienced. He says it took about double the quantity of sap to make a gallon of syrup this year to what it did last year. He attributes the poor quality of sap to the fact that last summer was a “see” season with the maples. When this occurs much of the strength of the sap is absorbed in producing the seed.
The tragic accident occurred in Renfrew on Monday of last week. The girls of the Renfrew Collegiate Rifle Club were practicing in the Collegiate gymnasium. In some manner one of the rifles was accidentally discharged and Margaret Millar, aged 17, was shot and almost instantly killed.
Buy your coal early is the advice which comes from a Toronto authority on such matters. Pray now, where?
April 30,1896
125 Years Ago
Local News: McLachlin Bros. water mills commenced sawing last week.
The thunder storms of Thursday and Friday are reported to have destroyed property in several localities in the sister province of Ontario.
Her Excellency the Countess of Aberdeen was driving alongside the Gatineau Point on Wednesday when the carriage swerved and horse, carriage and its occupants were thrown into the river.
Lady Aberdeen’s attendants rescued her and got out themselves, but the fine team was drowned.
Mr. Silas Young who has experienced considerable annoyance with the spring freshet this year has raised his dwelling house about three feet about the original foundation.
The steamer “Janet Craig” will leave Bristol wharf every weekday at 8.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., connections with the CPR east and west in the morning and afternoon.
The move to reorganize the 100th Regiment has reached this village, Dr. Lyon, (who is a son of an officer of the Old 100th Regiment) having received communications accompanied by forms of petition asking him to have the same signed in this neighbourhood with the object of assisting in the above mentioned project.
Messrs. Dugald McKillop and George Donaldson came before the Shawville board requesting assistance to the amount of $25 to enable the Shawville brass band to procure a cornet.
The Pembroke Observer says the small steamer Flora will be put on as a line boat between Fort William and Pembroke this spring. She was purchased last fall by Mr. W.J. Poupore. Capt. Hugh Mulligan will have charge of her. She is a fast boat and though small, is capable of doing a good business.
Here is a swindling scheme which is meeting with success in some localities. A traveling salesman visits a farm house and tries to induce the occupants to buy a bill of groceries to be shipped from some city. In the payment the man agrees to take eggs. To make it all right the farmer gives his note for the goods and the swindler gives his for the eggs. The goods and the salesman are never seen again, but the farmer’s note turns up at the bank.
