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

1911

• Rev. C. J. McCombe and Rev. John H. McCombe, the noted Irish Evangelists are coming in Picton to conduct a series of evangelistic services, in the First Methodist church.
• After the inaugural meeting of Belleville’s new city council, Mayor Ackerman entertained the aldermen to dinner at the Hotel Tecumseh. Belleville’s new Mayor is Prince Edwarder, born and brought up at Milford.
• Apart from the international concern being taken in the tariff negotiations, at Washington, Picton has almost a personal interest. Hon. Wm. Patterson, who with Hon. W. S. Fielding represents Canada is well known in Picton. The Minister of Customs, is the father of Mrs. Morley Branscombe and has frequently visited here.

1951

• The home of Frank Wiggins at Cherry Valley, narrowly escaped destruction by fire early Saturday night. The family was in town at the time. The next door neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Handley, saw the fire through a window.
• Mrs. Dean Ostrander and young son, Robbie, arrived in Montreal from Amsterdam, Holland on Friday. They were met there by Mrs. Harold Ostrander and Donald Ostrander who motored back to Picton.
• Donations amounting to $1,674.41 have been acknowledged by the Prince Edward Tuberculosis Association. These represent returns from Christmas seals. More donations are expected and all will be used to fight this dread disease.

1971

• Norris Whitney, MPP for Prince Edward-Lennox expressed “regret” Tuesday at efforts made to smear the proposed Canadian International Paper Company’s proposed kraft pulp mill in Hillier Township. Mr. Whitney expressed optimism that the company will follow through to build the proposed $70 million plant at an optioned site in Hillier.
• The town of Picton will ask the postal department to make a new survey to see if the town qualifies for house to house mail delivery.
• Bloomfield Reeve Allan Anderson was acclaimed Warden of Prince Edward County for 1971 at the inaugural session of County Council Tuesday afternoon.

1981

• The Prince Edward Chamber of Commerce has agreed to examine means of providing better facilities for disabled persons living and working within the county. With 1981 officially designated the Year of the Disabled Person, a number of community groups have begun campaigns aimed at alleviating some of the problems encountered by the disabled in everyday situations.
• An attempt get a ski hill into actions on Macaulay Mountain fizzled out after a few ears of trial but it gave a boost to the excitement of dozens of rosy-cheeked tobogganers who can now be seen zipping down the hill at daring speeds.
• The Picton local of the Firefighters’ Association has suggested the last week of January as a starting date for negotiations on a 1981 contract.