Each week, the Gazette looks back on stories from the past. Here is what happened this week, by year…

1909:

• Mr. Cook, manager of the theatorium, has after a few weeks trial, decided that vaudeville is not what the people want, especially the cheap kind that has been sent to him by the booking houses and discontinued this feature of his business on Saturday evening last. He is preparing now to give his patrons the very latest and best moving picture subjects that are being produced throughout the world. He has again secured the services of Mr. Smith whose singing so pleased the patrons of the Theatorium when he was there before. Those who patronize this place of amusement hereafter are assured of a most pleasing and refined half hours entertainment at the small cost of half a dime.
• One of the oldest and most prominent residents of Picton, a man who for more than 50 years has been closely associated with the commercial life and upbuilding of the town’s interests, generally, and a man respected by every class in the community, passsed away at 2 o’clock on Friday afternoon, at the family residence “Cranberry Croft”, in the death of Mr. Almon Bristol, the senior partner of the firm A. Bristol and Son.
• Picton will be visited on Monday by several of the Grand Lodge Officers of the Royal Arch Masons, who are coming to conduct a chapter of instruction in connection with the Royal Arch Masons of Prince Edward District No. 13. The function will take place at the Chapter Room, followed by a banquet at the Royal Hotel.

1939:

• The telephone first came to Picton over 60 years ago – only three years after its invention at Brantford, Ontario, by Alexander Graham Bell in the summer of 1874. Picton was the scene of one of the earliest experiments with the “new gadget” as it was called. In 1877 a conversation was conducted between Picton and the Deaf asylum at Belleville over the Montreal Telegraph Company’s wire. Those present sang in to the mouth piece and rang bells in its vicinity, and expressed great amazement on learning the sounds could actually be heard at the other end of the line.
• Consecon Young People’s Society held their annual banquet in the Masonic hall, Consecon, on May 19th, with a large attendance of members, the County Y.P. Executive and guests. A splendid supper was served. Rev. H.F. Sanders made a capable toastmaster and welcomed the guests. Albert Carter and Warren Chase proposed the toast to the church. Warren Chase, County Y.P. President, called upon Clare Campbell to read an address of appreciation to Allan Dempsey who has resigned as Cultural Convener of the County executive and he was presented with a fine pen and pencil set.
• This morning, May 26th, at seven o’clock telephone subscribers in Picton and surrounding area were able to call “central” by lifting the receiver off the hook. The hand ringer is a thing of the past, and will no more be used. This change-over and improvement of the service given locally by the Bell Telephone Company operates the local telephone exchange now, under what is known as the “common battery” system, which enables telephone users to call the operator by merely lifting the receiver off the hook. During the past few months as many as 40 technicians and linemen have been employed in this area making ready for this morning’s change-over.

1969:

• In an armed hold-up of the Consecon branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia Monday morning, between three and five thousand dollars was secured by two young men. Shortly afterwards, all exits from the county were sealed and armed policemen from a wide area organized in an intensive search.
• An ornate, heavy concrete flower container at the home of Mrs. Myrtle Ruttan, 92 Mary St., was moved from the lawn beside the residence, and later found smashed on the sidewalk after midnight Friday. It is believed the thieves got it as far as the walk before letting it fall. Neighbours heard a noise and also heard a car take off. Mrs. Ruttan had purchased the container about three weeks ago from a firm near Deseronto. Picton police are investigating.
• Cherry Valley Western Horse Club is holding their horse show on Sunday, June 1 at Art VanMeer’s, Cherry Valley Road, at 1:30. There will be two open games for any ponies outside Athol. These events will be $.50 an entry. There will be prizes for these games.

1979:

• Development of an outdoor education and recreation facility at Little Bluff Conservation Area will be assisted by a $20, 350 Ontario grant to the Prince Edward Region Conservation Authority. The 28 hectare (69.7 acre) area is six kilometres west of Long Point on Lake Ontario’s Prince Edward Bay.
• Mrs. Dorothy Marisett opened the meeting of the East Lake United Church Women (UCW). A poem, “Thoughts on Mother’s Day” was read. Mrs. Joan Sarley gave the devotional, “The Love of God”, and then she read the life of “Coryten Boom”. Lunch was then served by Mrs. Georgia Parks and her helpers.
• Prince Edward County needs to secure $50,000 in insurance coverage each day it conducts herbicide spraying along county roadways, according to engineer Don Clark. Responding to questioning Wednesday evening from Picton Deputy Reeve Roy Wight about vegetation control programs planned by the county this year, Mr. Clark suggested herbicide spraying is not the best method to control roadside underbrush.