Each week, the Gazette looks back on stories from the past. Here is what happened this week, by year…
1938
-Under the direction of foreman James Hicks, considerable sidewalk improvements were being made in Picton. Most recently, crews completed a rebuilt sidewalk on Main Street west of Ross Street.
– Picton’s fleet of skimmers, a new type of sailing craft, were catching national attention. Interested purchasers from British Columbia were sending letters to owners requesting plans and specifications for the crafts after a photograph appeared in a newspaper in Western Canada.
– Bloomfield’s Baxter Canning Company had a contract to produce 150 tons of tomato puree per week for a major Canadian food packing company for use in its retail products like soup or pork and beans.
1948
– A group of young people staged a parade in protest of the closure of the Picton Community Centre. With decorated cars, bicycles, and people on foot, they waved placards and raised their voices as they went down several town streets.
– Two hours of artificial respiration failed to revive Harry Morris, 21, of Hillier after he fell into a seven-foot hole in the Wellington channel. It was believed he was overcome by shock and could not get out. Allan Marvin, 13, managed to pull Morris out on his fourth dive into the channel.
– A.C. Cook was working in his garden in Ameliasburgh when he noticed a red balloon set off from Toronto’s Canadian National Exhibition had floated to his home.
1978
– The Prince Edward Historical Society acquired the late Willis Metcalfe’s collection of more than 1,000 Native artifacts. Society members were seeking a permanent home to display the artifacts in public.
– Speedhull Ltd. started work on a marina and boat repair facility at bottom of Picton’s Store Street, but councillors were concerned about the project’s impact on public access to the harbour. The town instructed consultants Totten, Sims, Hubicki Associates to do a feasibility study to find ways to support the development and improve access.
– Prince Edward Curling Club members approved an addition to renovate the lounge and bar, add an enclosed modern kitchen, and improve storage facilities.
1998
– The Ontario Municipal Board was to hold a one-day prehearing to determine how to proceed with an appeal of a Hallowell Township decision to amend its zoning bylaw to allow a Loblaw’s grocery store on the Loyalist Parkway.
– The Prince Edward OPP responded to nine incidents involving local teenagers over the course of one week. Incidents ranged from intoxication and disorderly conduct, to assault, to consensual fighting to loitering on private property.
– A woman walking down Mary Street was attacked by two pit bulls. A man armed with a baseball bat fended off the dogs. The OPP said reports of pit bull attacks in that area were becoming a regular occurrence.