Each week, the Gazette looks back on stories from the past. Here is what happened this week, by year…
1928
– Hallowell Canners Ltd. a co-operative owned by growers, was sold to the Associated Canners of Windsor for $140,000. The factory had the largest pack of corn, peas, and tomatoes of any independent factory in Canada in 1927, paying $59,000 to its growers and $21,000 to staff.
– The officers of “C” company of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment were planning a fancy ball at the Picton Armouries to mark the 10th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. A well-known orchestra from Toronto had been secured to perform at the event.
– Acting on behalf of Imperial Oil, Trenton real estate broker Harry Corey purchased Picton’s Belch block properties for $11,000.
1948
– Branch 78 of the Royal Canadian Legion had its first meeting in the Ross- McMullen House with more than 100 veterans present. The branch received a piano as a gift from George Tobey and H. Duffill in memory of their late mother.
– The County’s roads committee awarded the tender for the Milford bridge to John Chisholm, of Alexandria, for $35,965. Four companies had submitted proposals, including Picton’s McFarland Construction Company. McFarland’s prices were higher for concrete and rock excavation.
– The Women’s Hospital Auxiliary bought a new Aga food conveyor for the hospital. Installed on the second floor, it could carry meals for between 25-30 patients.
1978
– Picton council approved in principle a request to designate downtown as a business improvement area. A tax levied on area businesses would support beautification improvements like benches, flower boxes, and decorative light fixtures.
-Picton was to replace its dated parking meters with new units at a cost of $165 per meter or $340 for double boxes. It would also raise parking rates in prime areas from 10 cents an hour to 15 cents. Councillor Russell Alexander was concerned higher prices would drive people out of town.
– Town council asked for a Prince Edward County Board of Education representative to visit a meeting to explain a tax increase of $45 per every $15,000 of assessment.
1998
– More than 300 people attended the first Women’s Institute-sponsored meeting about the impact on the Health Services Restructuring Committee decision to force Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital to amalgamate with others in the region.
– The Stephen B. Roman arrived at the Essroc docks March 14 to gain the top hat as the first ship in Picton’s port. Acting captain Dan Bielby said it was the first time in almost 20 years there was less than three feet of ice awaiting the ship. He noted high winds on Lake Ontario were a concern.
– Interested business people launched co-operative marketing initiative Taste The County during the Prince Edward Federation of Agriculture’s annual banquet.