Each week, the Gazette looks back on stories from the past. Here is what happened this week, by year…
1923
- The following interesting information is given in the latest annual report on the rural telephone systems of Ontario. The Sprague Line which connects at Belleville with the Bell and covers Prince Edward County, dates back to 1898. It has 455 telephones, 425 miles of poles, 500 miles of wire and the expended capital is $26,000.
- Mr. S. H. Carson, manager of the Dominion Grocery Store at Picton, was first prize winner in the December contest for increase of business in which the entire chain of 190 groceries took part. Twelve prizes were given but the greatest increase in December business was in Picton. Three times has Mr. Carson been 1st price winner in similar contests.
- There have been several recent changes in the personnel of the mangers of Prince Edward County canning factories. Mr Edgecombe retires as manager of the Old Homestead factory. His successor is Mr. George Ovens, a Picton boy, who for the last two years has made good as the manager of the A. C. Miller plant.
1943
- A golden eagle with a 6-foot 8-inch wing span was shot and killed on Friday by Ross Adams at his farm near Consecon. Mr. Adams, while walking through his barnyard, saw the eagle swoop down and seize one of the hens. He ran to the house, got his shot gun, and returned while the eagle was devouring the chicken. The bird made an attempt to fly with it but was shot as it started to rise.
- P/O George “Buzz” Beurling, Canada’s much decorated air hero of Malta, will visit the air station at Mountain View on Feb. 18th, according to advice from R.C.A.F. headquarters in Ottawa. He will visit Kingston on Feb. 17 and 18, leaving for Mt. View at 4:30 on the latter day.
- Hillier War Emergency Committee held their meeting with 13 ladies in attendance. Twenty-seven boxes were packed for Hillier boys overseas, also a quilt quilted. Twenty-five dollars was donated to the Aid to Russia Fund. Mr. Earl Burris, ex-reeve, had given the unit at a previous meeting $257.50 from salvage collected in Hillier township.
1973
- Picton Town Council has appointed Mrs. Marjorie Thompson to the post of member of a special committee for the County Museum. This was in reply to a request from County Council that in anticipation of the museum being open this summer, a committee, invited from local councils and various organizations should be formed to generate interest in it.
- A long range plan to expand the Picton facilities of Lake Ontario Cement, a subject of speculation for several months now, became official Wednesday with an announcement by L.O.C. President William Bateman following the annual meeting of shareholders in Toronto. In Picton, the news was announced formally Thursday morning by Mayor H. J. McFarland, who also serves as a member of the company’s board of directors.
- Despite a sudden snowfall Thursday morning, latest information on the scheduled Athol Township Snowmobile-a-thon remains obscure. At press time Thursday it was hoped that there would be sufficient snow for the Sunday afternoon event, sponsored by the Athol Township Recreation Committee to raise funds for improved playground facilities.
1983
- There was standing room only as residents of Picton and the area enjoyed the first presentation of County Capers staged by the Prince Edward Chamber of Commerce Saturday. It raised $1,450 for the Regent Theatre Foundation. People crowded into chairs and onto the bleachers in the gymnasium at Prince Edward Collegiate Institute to watch the performances by various groups and service clubs. John Henderson and Blair Howell of Picton emceed the evening show which began with a few selections by the high school’s senior band.
- Fair boards are in financial trouble across the country according to members of the Prince Edward Agricultural Society but its bank balance as of Dec. 31, 1982 was $9,467.50. “We’re down $2,500 from the bank balance one year ago,” said Director Charles Culmer at the annual meeting. “We’re lucky it was not a lot more,” said Director Creighton Carr.
- Isabella Shayne, 79, of Picton, is wearing a ring which is of no great monetary value but for her is a priceless link to her youth. It had been put away for many years along with other memorabilia but a recent visit from a friend, John Gendron also of Picton, who brought with him a picture of someone she knew long ago, prompted her to search for the piece of jewelry she had so carefully tucked away.
