The Quebec police force would only say that the fire is still being investigated but other sources say it may have been a break and entry. Cut locks were found at the scene.

It took Shawville- Clarendon Fire Department approximately three hours to douse the fire, which completely gutted the inside of the home.

The Bristol Fire Department was also called to a cottage fire on June 19. The fire, which completely destroyed the 12th line cottage may have started outside in a garbage bin, the QPF says.

Otter Lake church dedicates monument to parish history: The main street in Otter Lake was filled with people Sunday for the dedication of the new monument at St. Charles Borromeo Church.

Plaques set into the bricks of the monument bear the names of the families of the parish and names of all the parish priests. The centrepiece of the structure is the century-old bell that hung in the original church on this site.

The first Catholic church in Otter Lake was a log chapel built in 1871 on the Pelletier Line, four miles from town.

In 1882, the church was moved to its present location in the centre of the village.

June 30,1971

50 Years Ago

Trip for volunteer firemen: The Campbell’s Bay Volunteer Fire Department travelled by Pontiac Bus to Lyn, Ontario on Saturday to attend the Eastern Ontario Firefighters Association 59th Annual Convention and competitions.

They participated in a parade of firefighters through the village of Lyn and attended a chicken barbecue at Lyn Fire Hall.

Members of the Campbell’s Bay Volunteer Fire Dept. who went to Lyn were: Noel Kelly, Milton Crawford, Chief Athol Smith, Lionel Gravelle, Raymond Shea, Joseph McGahern, Rolly Lance, Roy Newman, Lionel Laporte, Charlie Burke, Billy Ranger, Harvey Smith, Rene Paré and Mervin Baird.

River cruise by Quyon Ferry: Just before the school holidays began the Quyon Ferry was used for another purpose. The owner, Ed McColgan, in full cooperation with his comrades of No. 231 (Quyon) Branch, The Royal Canadian Legion took over 300 children from St. Mary’s and Onslow schools on a cruise. Such a number made it essential to make the run in three parts.

This was both educational and enjoyable because the travellers saw Quyon with its neighbourhood in full summer beauty from an entirely new angle.

Ashore, afterwards, Pam Komm, president of the Legion Auxiliary and her committee served hot dogs in an endless stream to which president Tony Kilbride of the Quyon Branch and his associates added many, many cases of soft drinks.

June 27,1946

75 Years Ago

Local News: Among service personnel of Shawville and district arriving on the Ile de France last week and reaching their respective homes on Sunday were: Ben Judd, William Farrell, Osborne Smith, Cedric Elliott, Kenneth Bean, and Percy Russett. All of them had a long stretch and some have seen action in Italy and continued service in France, Belgium and Holland.

Dr. C.F.C. and Mrs. Powles entertained members of the Pontiac Medical Association at their cottage at Green Lake on Thursday evening.

At an assembly of the high school staff and pupils the day before the final examinations began, presentations were made on behalf of the student body to the three teachers who will not be on the staff next year, Miss Corrigan, Miss Beattie and Miss Boyce. Principal Tolhurst in commenting on the cooperation he had been given by both the students and teachers, made special note of the outstanding loyalty of the staff.

No. 3 School closed here on Monday and its teacher Miss Lois Sparling plans to spend the summer months with her parents Mr. and Mrs. Roy Sparling at Campbell’s Bay and to attend Macdonald College in early fall.

A resolution has been launched in the House of Commons as a prelude to the introduction of a bill for the control of atomic energy in Canada.

The bill will incorporate an atomic energy control board providing for “public control and supervision of development, application and use of atom energy.”

On Thursday evening Mrs. A. Manary, Mrs. M. McNeely, Mrs. R. Carswell and Miss Isobel Sly were hostesses to a cup and saucer shower at Sand Bay in honour of Miss Patricia McDowell, a bride next month.

June 23,1921

100 Years Ago

Local News: On Wednesday last, the sporting element in town divided its patronage between the picnics at Quyon and Beachburg. Some visiting one town and some the other. The Shawville baseball team formed part of the contingent who went to Quyon and got pretty well trimmed in a game with the local nine.

The instruments for the reorganized Citizen’s Band arrived last week. The collection includes all the old instruments which were sent away to be repaired and a number of new ones, some of which are of a kind never before used here, the whole combing to make a first-class outfit.

The annual garden party given by the ladies of the congregation of St. Paul’s Church on the rectory grounds last Thursday evening came off very enjoyably, although the attendance fell somewhat short of that previously seen at these gatherings.

This was possibly due to the weather not being altogether promising in the evening, it being rather cool for outdoor amusement and the prospect of rainfall imminent. As the hours advance, however conditions improved and the wind died down and the temperature became warmer, thus rendering the outing under the trees quite pleasant.

Tables were set on the lawn and after a dainty tea was served,to the complete satisfaction of the guests, the gathering was called to order.

Rev. Mr. Phillips performed the duties of chairman for the choice and well appreciated program which was then presented.

Aeroplanes travelling between Petawawa and Ottawa have been sighted quite frequently of late, passing either south or north of the town, the drone of the motors attracting people’s attention, as the mechanical birds pass far overhead and soon become lost in the distance.

The echo of thud of that drop int he price of sugar last week in New York does not seem to have been heard by the dealers on the Canadian side of the border and sound is known to travel at fairly good speed.

The King and Queen have definitely decided to attend the formal opening of the Ulster parliament at Belfast on Wednesday of this week. It is pointed out that His Majesty is exposing himself to serious danger but he has determined to take the risk in recognition of the fealty of his loyal subjects in the turbulent isle.

July 2,1896

125 Years Ago

Local News: On Sunday last, a fire started in the shingle yard of Stanley Bros. Mill in Charteris and destroyed a considerable quantity of shingles before being extinguished.

The hay crop in general throughout the county will be considerably below the average this year. Many new meadows are a complete failure and have been ploughed up. The grain crop, however, promises exceedingly well.

A large number of the Clarendon and Bristol people attended the camp meetings at Bryson on Sunday despite the warm weather and dusty roads.

The many friends of Mr. Hector McLean throughout the county will learn with deep regret of the heavy loss he sustained on Saturday morning last by the destruction of his roller mill and elevator. The fire occurred about two o’clock in the morning and was so far advanced when discovered that absolutely nothing could be done to save the fine establishment from complete destruction. The fire is supposed to be the work of an incendiary.

The schools closed on Friday for the summer vacations.

The Conservative government has met an honourable defeat.

The daily average of milk received at the Lilly cheese factory for the month of June was 6,600 pounds.

Although it cannot be stated that any extraordinary boom has struck the village of late, it is pleasing to note that many of our citizens are displaying commendable enterprise by the manner in which they are adding to the appearance of their respective premises in Portage du Fort. Mr. James Gaudry has bitted up a tidy ice cream parlour in connection with his bakery and confectionery business.

A barn belonging to Mr. Joseph Brownlee of Radford was blown down by the storm on Sunday last.

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