Each week, the Gazette looks back on stories from the past. Here is what happened this week, by year…
1937
– The Rossmore United Church was destroyed by fire after flames spread from Harold Thompson’s nearby home. The church was insured for $3,000. Its trustees indicated a desire to rebuild, but the cost to do so would far exceed that amount.
– Edward Taylor, the third of three men found guilty in a break-in at the Picton brewers’ warehouse, was sentenced to five years penitentiary time.
The 26-year-old Toronto man already had a long record of criminal activity and had been Kingston Penitentiary a year prior.
– McFarland Construction Company workers unearthed human remains on the O’Neil farm on Glenora Road. The site was thought to be an early Native burial ground.
1957
– The installation of artificial ice-making equipment at the County Agricultural and Recreation Centre continued to progress. Tiles were installed for drainage. A machinery room was expected to be finished that week and rink boards were to be installed. Several donations were still needed to ensure a planned Christmas opening.
– The congregation of Picton’s Calvary Baptist Church gathered to celebrate as church leaders burned a $20,000 mortgage once final payments had been made. The oldest charter member, Mrs. E.A. Brown, was called to light the match.
– Ross Gardner’s Picton Red and White Supermarket was featured in the October issue of International Super Marketing.
1977
– A former PECI student returned to the school with a concealed knife and proceeded to stab a 16-year-old student in the neck and face. The victim’s injuries weren’t serious. Detective George Wright indicated he was disappointed some older male students didn’t try to disarm the girl.
-The Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce voted 100 per cent in support of allowing A&P to build a larger Main Street location. Some business owners did, however, express concern over the size of the proposed supermarket development.
– Ameliasburgh council surprised Harry Bisdee, a former building inspector and museum curator, by naming him its nominee for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal.
1997
– Former MPP James Taylor won the first mayoral election in the amalgamated Prince Edward County. He defeated four rivals including Wayne Drake, his closest challenger who was 285 votes behind his 3,101 votes. Jim Dunlop, Laverne Bailey, and Alec Lunn rounded out the ballot.
– Three of seven female candidates, which represented 12.5 per cent of the names on the ballot, were elected. Michelle Gilboord, Deborah Ruston, and Peggy Burris would head to Shire Hall.
– H.J McFarland Memorial Home staff took just nine minutes to evacuate 42 “residents” in a mock disaster drill. Police, fire, and paramedics participated and joined in a constructive debriefing session.