Compiled by Bonnie Chevrier

Dec. 15, 1993

25 Years Ago

Quyon Lions ensure that singles enjoy a good Christmas dinner: Single people in Quyon don’t have to go without a holiday meal at Christmas time.
Each year, the Quyon Lions Club prepares Christmas dinner for the town’s single people, regardless of their age or financial situation.
When the supper for singles started more than 20 years ago, it was geared to single men. Lion member Bob Young, who was one of the cooks at this year’s event, explained that times have changed and the supper is open to anyone who is single.
Shawville braves bitter cold to take in annual Kinsmen Santa Claus parade: Bitterly cold winds didn’t discourage the people of Shawville who lined Main Street in Shawville on Saturday for the annual Santa Claus parade put on by the Shawville and District Kinsmen.
The live sheep on the Wesleyan Church float was the only member of the parade who wasn’t cold. Led by Rev. Stuart Marples, the wooly fellow helped the church win the award for best nativity scene.

Dec. 26, 1968

50 Years Ago

Pontiac Seniors top league assured of play-off spot: Shawville Pontiacs will enter the new year assured of a playoff spot and holding down the top rung on the ladder. The Pontiacs pounded their way to a 7-3 win Wednesday over Prescott and an 8-3 win over the Buckingham Aces.
The Pontiacs won a big one Friday night before 291 home town supporters in a hard fought contest in more ways than one. No less than 84 minutes in penalties were handed out.
Christmas dolls: Dolls of every description took part in the McDowell School Christmas party. Those taking part were: Gloria Hobbs, Charlie Fraser, Ann McCord, Steve Little, Mary Ann Horner, Lorne Bertrand, Donna Sparling, Ronnie Hodgins, Donald Main, Stephen Jodoin, Clay Horner, Dorothy Wickens, Bonnie Cruickshank, Rodney Rooney and Heather Brown.
A group from the Grade 3 rhythm band which performed in the concert at McDowell school gathered around their classroom tree afterwards. Among those performing were: Michelle Jodoin, Linda Russell, Maia Christie, Brian Genn, David Hodgins, Neil Dittburner, Tara Johnston, Andrew Dickson, Pauline Hodgins, Barry Elliott, Patricia Brandum, Valerie Thompson, Debra Arthurs and Blake Carson.

Dec. 23, 1943

75 Years Ago

Local news: At this war-time Christmas, THE EQUITY extends hearty greetings and sincere good wishes to all for a pleasant Christmastide. To those who have sacrificed much in the interests of decent livelihood for mankind, we pray that this Christmas may bring them peace of mind and release from worry.
Rev. A.F. Fokes has received word that his nephew, Pte. Ted Fokes, has been awarded the Canadian Efficiency Medal for his services overseas. Pte. Fokes enlisted the week war began in the 48th Highlanders of Toronto and sailed for overseas in Dec. 1939 on the first ship to leave Canada with troops. He later transferred to the Commandos and has gone through Dieppe and the Sicilian and Italian campaign without a scratch and has now completed four years of service overseas.
It happened on Christmas Day: Ironically enough, several strange and important war activities have taken place on Christmas day.
One which many of the British and German soldiers of the last world war remember is the strange Christmas day that took place on the 1914 front. The world war was definitely on but for a short time on Christmas day, there was a period of peace on earth between the fighting soldiers.
In the Flanders section, German and British soldiers ceased firing by mutual agreement and went over to each other’s trenches and dugouts to spend the day in feasting and celebration.

Dec. 19, 1918

100 Years Ago

Missing from our files

Dec. 21, 1893

125 Years Ago

Local News: The weather of the past week is regarded by the “oldest inhabitant” as being the most severe for this season of the year that has been experienced for many winters past. On Tuesday and Wednesday last, the mercury kept in the vacinity of 30 below zero. On Friday the weather moderated somewhat and with the change came an abundance of snow.
Owing to a snow blockade on the C.P.R. which delayed our supply of paper for this issue, the publication of THE EQUITY is a day later than usual this week.
The Grand Central Hotel at Bryson will be fitted up with steam heating appliances in the course of a few days.
A shooting match for turkeys will be held at Portage du Fort on Christmas Day under the management of Messr. Walter Paul and John Dunbar of the Rattray House.
Messrs. C. & J. Russell paid a visit to their silver mine on Calumet Island this week. It may be stated that operations have been closed down for the present with the prospect of resuming again on an enlarged scale. Recent tests of the ore having been particularly satisfactory.
Bryson Graham and Co: To buy Christmas and New Year’s present, where shall we go? Where but to Bryson Graham and Co.
You can buy: a good silk dress, a good fat turkey, a sleeping doll, a good overcoat, boy’s sleigh, fur coat, china dinner set, fur sleigh rug, set of stereoscopic slides, pair of moccasins, box of bon bons, box of toy bricks, wool shawl, silver tea set, rocking chair, cake stand, chest of good tea, baby rattle, a train of cars.
Member of the Anglican church of Quyon and vicinity have lately placed in their parsonage a handsome and useful coal stove (with stoveboard and pipes complete) costing in the neighbourhood of $40. The present incumbent appreciates the thoughtfulness of the donors and takes this opportunity of thanking them for their kindness.
Mr. John Brownlee expects to have his skating rink open to the lovers of the exhilarating exercise some evening this week.
Owing to the recent heavy snow falls, the ice on the Ottawa River has not had a chance to make sufficiently to permit the travelling between Bristol and the Ontario shore yet, although there is said to be crossing at Quyon.