Each week, the Gazette looks back on stories from the past. Here is what happened this week, by year…
1938
– Fifty miles of rural hydro lines were to be completed by the end of 1938, increasing coverage to over 200 miles of line in the county. Among the new lines being installed were those to South Point, Doxsee Road, the Wellington shoreline, Salmon Point and an extension along Ridge Road.
– The Ontario Car Ferry Company, of Oswego, NY, wrote a letter to the chamber of commerce requesting Picton businesses stay open on a Wednesday afternoon in August to accommodate 1,000 American visitors expected to arrive on the boat.
– The Wellington United Church dedicated a new communion table in honour of the late Cora Pettingill, a well-known and dedicated worker for the church.
1948
– Hard coal prices were up $1 a ton to $23 at all three Picton fuel dealers, the result of new wage and benefit packages for American coal miners. The dealers also said they were expecting reduced quotas and a possible coal shortage ahead.
– With rising costs, the Prince Edward County Hospital published a new rates schedule. Private rooms increased $1 a day to $6, while ward rooms increased by 50 cents to $3.50. Those requiring an operating room for major surgery would be charged $12. Minor surgeries were $6 each.
– The Gazette installed new technology to print subscribers’ names and addresses directly on their newspaper, saving time and reducing lost or illegible labels.
1978
– An Ottawa couple was rescued by commercial fisherman Roy Vancott after their 33-foot sloop Wind Spirit hit rocks two miles off Pt. Traverse during a thunderstorm. The storm jib was the only portion of the $45,000 vessel that remained above water. One of the survivors, Cathy McRae said “we were just happy to be alive.”
– Picton Mayor Donald King announced his intention to seek a third term in office. King said he had a number of projects he’d like to see through to completion, including a sidewalk overhaul downtown.
– A 46-foot seagoing scale model of the HMCS Haida, a Second World War Canadian destroyer, was docked in Picton as owner Jack Walker made repairs.
1998
– Each of the four Quinte-area hospitals being forced to amalgamate was expected to announce the names of its four designates to sit at the table during talks with the facilitator in advance of an Oct. 31 merger deadline imposed by the province.
– County council supported a request by the Picton BIA to make parking in Picton free on Saturdays and Sundays until the Labour Day weekend. The BIA board was hopeful the move would increase downtown shopping and encourage council to continue the practice throughout the year.
– At a barbecue in Picton, Ontario Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty promised if he was premier, he’d boost funding for education, hospitals, and agricultural research.