1833: The Hallowell Free Press, which soon became the Picton Gazette, publishes another in a series of a correspondent’s travel descriptions of the county, in this case Wellington and West Lake: “Wellington was commenced only three years ago and it already possesses a population of upwards of 100 souls. The houses are neat, substantial, and well built. The great proportion of the inhabitants are tradesmen, and from all I could learn or observe, seemed to be in thriving and happy circumstances. Every branch of industry necessary to the comfort and enjoyment of life is cultivated in this young and flourishing village with the utmost assiduity and zeal.” To read the full account, click on “Culture” at pictongazette.ca.

1973: Popular columnist Harry Evans writes on a number of topics. A farmer’s meditation upon sand loam knolls in his field leads to an existential reflection upon the fleeting nature of human existence (“A city such as Toronto would crumble down to maybe a four-foot depth of soil…”); the energy crisis (“We are stuck with the automobile until we have polluted our civilization back to the dark ages again”); venereal disease education (“in the service, some guys were so full of mercury that you could see it rise and fall in their bodies as the temperature went up and down”); “Charlie Rodent,” the rat who likes garlic flavoured snacks. To read the whole column, click on “Culture” at pictongazette.ca.