June 30, 1993
25 Years Ago
River watchdog group formed: While loons called in the distance and geese flew overhead, 30 activists sat on the deck overlooking the expanse of the Ottawa River at Pointe Davidson Yacht Club and wondered why so few people are aware of the natural beauty of the Pontiac.
This was the June 23 founding meeting of the Friends of Pontiac’s Rivers, an organization formed to act as a watchdog for the welfare of the county’s waterways.
The impetus for the group’s formation at this time is the imminent possibility that a hydroelectrical dam may be built on the Black River. Canoe enthusiasts say that stretch of river contains two sets of “R2” rapids, ideal for novice and family excursions.
The faces of fete St-Jean: Eleven-year-old Lisa Lance and her two-year-old brother Jamie were among a crowd of children who enjoyed the St. Jean Baptiste festivities at Calumet Island on June 24.
A special mass with the traditional ringing of the bells started off the national holiday with golf, baseball, family games and a children’s play put on by the Theatre du Petit Loup rounding out the afternoon. Much more celebration of the occasion had already taken place on the island the previous weekend.
July 4, 1968
50 Years Ago
The end of an era of Protestant education in Fort Coulonge area: After nearly a century, Protestant education came to an end in Fort Coulonge with the annual closing exercises held in the school June 20. In future, the pupils will continue their studies in the Campbell’s Bay Elementary School.
New ideas of education and the implementation of Regulation One with its emphasis on the individual chid have made the small multi-graded school obsolete.
The principal, Mrs. Eileen Colton spoke briefly of the work done by the pupils during the past year. Then Mrs. Colton displayed an old minute book of the London (Davidson) School Municipality used between the years 1914-1939. The school commissioners in 1914 were Wm. Armstrong, F.W. Burman Sr., Thos. Barnford, John Anderson and Wm. Sharpe Sr. and the secretary-treasure J.C. Howard.
Green Lake swim lessons: Beginner swimming, survival swimming, water safety and stroke improvement will be taught by a McGill trained instructor at Green Lake starting next week.
Bryan Murray, who is the Physical Education instructor at the Shawville High School will be in charge of the program which is being sponsored by the Shawville Lions Club.
The fee for registration will be four dollars for one person and seven dollars for two from one family.
Ad: Hi-way Drive-in Renfrew featuring the film. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner which won an academy award, in Technicolor.
July 8, 1943
75 Years Ago
Local News: Sgt. Air Gunner Clarence Sparling has been listed as missing following air operations over Germany. Sgt. Sparling is the son of Mrs. Herbert Sparling and the last Mr. Sparling, and grandson of Mrs. Geo. T. Horner of Shawville. He had been on active operations against the enemy for the past several months, having gone overseas last October.
Two years ago, Hitler and his generals launched their “cataract of horrors,” as Churchill called it, upon Soviet Russia. Now, two years later, though they have looted and slaughtered their way across an immense territory and piled an incalculable toll of cruelty and misery upon that of which they were already guilty, they find themselves defeated and stalled by one of the greatest, most heroic defenses ever made by a determined people.
The majority of prisoners of war in Canada are Germans. The Italians were found satisfactory for farm work in Great Britain.
The Germans were not safe in England because they would have been freed to fight if the Nazis had made a landing in the British Isles.
To hold the coasts from Norway to Greece, Hitler needs 200 divisions. He is 60 short. His Luftwaffe is declining. His fleet and that of Mussolini no longer count in comparison with Britain’s, and bombing has carried the war to the doorsteps of millions of Germans.
July 4, 1918
100 Years Ago
Local news: Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Drum have taken up quarters at Norway Bay for the summer. The population of this fashionable resort is fast increasing these days.
The social given by the ladies of Clarendon H.M. Club at the home of Mr. J.D. Hodgins on Wednesday evening last, drew a large crowd from the neighbourhood and even from points some distance away. Among the items on the program was a very interesting talk by a returned soldier on scenes and experiences at the front, “going over the top”, etc.
A union basket picnic of the several Sunday Schools of the village was held at Green Lake on Monday (Dominion Day) and this event constituted all that took place in the direction of observing the national holiday, if we except the contingent who went from here to attend the celebration at Beachburg. At Green Lake, a goodly crowd assembled, and although the weather was rather forbidding, following a heavy night’s rain, the young people enjoyed the outing, the pleasure of which was contributed to by the cottagers at the lake.
Citizens of the county who live along the line of the C.P.R. (or Waltham branch) have felt that they have been unjustly treated by the company in the removal of the second daily train some time ago.
The carrying out of the registration ordinance throughout Canada seems to have been accomplished without much difficulty except in a few localities where it was not properly understood, or in others where a rebellious spirit exists toward anything and everything which emanates from the Union government now directing the affairs of the county at Ottawa.
July 6, 1893
125 Years Ago
Local news: Dominion Day in Shawville was allowed to pass without any local celebration, nearly all the sport-loving portion of the community striking out for other points, the greater number going to Portage du Fort where a very fair demonstration was held.
Jas. Hodgins and Son are handing a very large quantity of butter and eggs this season. The farmers seem to appreciate the convenience of trading at a store where they can buy anything usually kept in a first class general store, or get cash if required for their butter and eggs.
Our readers are requested to kindly overlook the shortcomings of THE EQUITY this week, on account of the amount of extra labour we have had, consequent on removing our machinery and plant to our new office on Court Street. We hope soon again to have things running smoothly when we shall be pleased to have any of our patrons call and have a look through our new premises.
Great crowds are attending the camp meeting which commenced in North Clarendon on Friday. Among others, Mr. J. Ralph is furnishing accommodation for visitors and their teams.
It was moved by council of Shawville that Wm. Elliott be appointed a special constable for this village at the rate of $50 per year to act during the pleasure of the council.
The water has kept up so long that some of the farmers will be late harvesting but considering all things, the crops look well.
The road work is being done which will surely leave the roads in better condition than they were.
The young people of Elmside with a few others, celebrated the first at Norway Bay. The amusements were sailing, croquet, ball playing, and various other games and although the heat was very oppressive, the ice cream was just as refreshing, everyone returning home seemingly well pleased with the day and hoping soon to be there again.
