Nov. 4, 1992

25 Years Ago

Valley Farmer speaks to Holstein Club: The Pontiac Holstein Club held its annual banquet on Friday at the RA Centre in Shawville with the help of Paul Meldrum, host of the Valley Farmer on CTV.
The evening began with greetings from Pontiac Ag Society President Edgar Schwartz and MAPAQ representative Vincent McConnell, as well as comments about farming past and present from 50-year farmer and Pontiac Holstein Club President Donald Duff.
Following the banquet, awards were given out in the many categories for milk production.

Phase III apartments open: Shawville’s new senior citizens’ apartment building is ready to accept tennants.
After some final touches were completed, keys for the Shawville Apartments Phase III building were officially handed over to Director Jack Smith on Oct. 28.
Construction of the 11 unit building was begun last April by Norco Construction of Laval. The building contains five one-bedroom units each on the first and second floors, plus a two-bedroom unit on the second floor.

Nov. 9, 1967

50 Years Ago

New bridge now in use earlier than expected: Last weekend a heavy truckload of pulp proved too much for the already weakened and outdated 10 ton capacity iron bridge that has been in existence since about 1898 at Portage du Fort almost causing an accident when it went through the flooring, resting on the supporters beneath. No one was injured.
All traffic had to be rerouted onto the new 60 ton modern bridge that has been under construction about 200 feet below the old structure since early 1966. The road approaches are not all completed, but passable.
It is expected an official opening will take place when the contract is completed. This is the only inter-provincial bridge between Ottawa and Pembroke and traffic is heavy since the construction of the new Consolidated Kraft mill near Portage du Fort.
QAPSB Life Member: Dr. S. Earl McDowell was presented with an Honorary Life Membership in the Quebec Association of Protestant School Boards at its annual meeting at St. Adele on Oct. 19. Ken Musgrove, Executive Secretary of the Association presented the framed certificate to Dr. McDowell.
On hand to witness the honouring of Shawville’s senior physician who has been an educational leader in this province for many years, were his wife, Mrs. S.E. McDowell, Dr. and Mrs. Wallace Hodgins, Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Hayes, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Russell, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Kilgour and Mrs. Gladys Bottrill, Secretary of the Onslow School Board.

Nov. 12, 1942

75 Years Ago

Local News: About 200 young people gathered in the United Church, Shawville on Friday evening for the annual rally of the Y.P.U.’s of the county. The president, Leslie Dean was in the chair. Devotions were led by the Bristol society.
Shawville and Pontiac County went wonderfully over the top in the third Victory Loan drive passing their objective of $250,000 by over $50,000. The committee of canvassers and workers, led by secretary C. H. McLean are highly pleased at the result.
On Thursday evening of last week, a company of young people of the town assembled at Wilson’s Hall for a farewell party in honour of Miss Amy Barber who left on Monday to serve in the Women’s Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
With gasoline strictly rationed and heavier income taxes, Canadians will be making their own amusement more and more as the months roll along. Many church and patriotic groups will be thinking up new ways of raising funds from entertainment in their own localities.
Ad for Royal Canadian Air Force: A veteran at 20! Back from scores of bombing raids over a dozen countries, this young airman has found adventure in the skies! He’s a first-line fighting man, trained in the science of war at 5-miles-a-minute. He and his buddies in R.C.A.F. air crew are team-mates. Gunner, wireless operator, bomber, pilot, navigator all work together as a smooth, swift attack team in a giant bomber. The expanded Air Training Plan has room for more men who want to be with these fighting comrades of the skies.
The broadcast of an address by Field Marshal Jan Christian Smuts, Prime Minister of South Africa to the combined Houses of Parliament of Great Britain carried probably the widest and most authentic voice of the British Commonwealth.
“The war is a fight for man’s rights and liberties and for the personal ideals of man’s ethical and spiritual life.”
General Smuts said that he thought the war would continue for another two years and he added: “The spirit flames above the blitz. The same spirit is lighting the scene in China, in Russia, the brave little nations of Europe and last and greatest of all, America, but a rough and terrible passage lie ahead. A mortal struggle is on and it will be more cruel and desperate as the end draws nearer.”

Nov. 15, 1917

100 Years Ago

Local News: Missing from our files

Nov. 10, 1892

125 Years Ago

Local news: On Friday evening of last week, Mr. Joseph Leslie, who since the opening of the Pontiac Pacific Junction Railway has very efficiently filled the position of roadmaster and who has accepted a similar post on the O.A. and P.S. Railway, was tendered a banquet and presented with a beautiful gold watch and chain by the employees of the P.P.J. and other friends.
Otter Lake is having a real little winter and the roads are bad but our local weather prophets predict some very good weather yet before winter sets in in earnest.
Some of the Range A farmers lost some sheep lately by bears.
Mr. Messrs. Lawn of Calumet Island have received the second installment of the purchase price of their galena mine from Messrs. J. and C. Russell. A large staff of men are now engaged opening up and pumping out the main shaft.
The poles for the telephone line are planted through the village and telephonic communication between Coulonge, Campbell’s Bay, Calumet Island, Bryson and Portage du Fort will be made for the winter.
Work on the Calumet slides has begun under the superintendence of Mr. Wm. Thomson. That troublesome rock known as “rocher miner” is to get a bad shaking up with dynamite.
The Arnprior sawmills have shut down for the season and the men are flocking to the woods.
The Steamer Pembroke has been laid up for the season.
The men on the scows struck and refused to drive any further than Calumet Village owing to the coldness of the water.
Mr. J. Obalski, government mining engineer was here a short time ago and was surprised to see the numerous mineral specimens which the proprietor of the Forest House had collected and complimented him on his efforts to bring the mineral wealth of the county before the public.
Mr. H. Hobbs is erecting a building on Main Street to be used by Mr. Thomas Boyle as a harness shop.
Builders have experienced an unpleasant time of it this week, owing to unfavourable weather.