This week in…
- 1863: An advertisement reads: “DAILY BOAT. The Royal Mail Steamer, Bay of Quinte, Captain F. A. Carrell, leaves Belleville every morning (Sundays excepted) at 6 ½ o’clock, for Picton, Kingston and intermediate Ports, arriving in Kingston about one o’clock, p.m. Returning, leaves Kingston every afternoon (Sundays excepted) at 4 o’clock, p.m. For the further convenience of Travellers and Shippers, the Bay of Quinte will also make occasional trips to Cape Vincent, and return the same day, calling at Kingston. Excursions and Pic-Nic parties to the Lake on the Mountain, and other favorite pleasure resorts, arranged for at accommodating rates. Omnibuses and Carriages always in waiting at Belleville, Picton and Kingston.”
- 1943: Reflecting the wartime shortage of labourers, the Prince Edward Chamber of Commerce publishes the following: “Realizing the extreme shortage of farm help and the great necessity for increased production of all food stuffs, Prince Edward Chamber of Commerce is organizing all available help in the town to assist farmers. The Picton and Mt. View air stations have been approached in order that airmen may also assist in their leave periods, as they did last year. Naturally these people are not fully experienced but they are most willing to do their part to the best of their ability.” Farmers are asked to send their requests to the Agricultural Office, Picton.
- 1983: A ministry study recommends developing the abandoned Lakeshore Lodge at Sandbanks into a $6,000,000 resort facility as a part of an effort to increase tourism to the County. (Lakeshore Lodge would burn to the ground later this same year, in a case of suspected arson.)
♦ The Gazette announces the move of its offices from King Street to Main Street.
♦ Council approves by a single vote the sale of beer at the forthcoming County men’s softball league tournament. One councillor said, “the tournament plays second fiddle and the beer fest is the major drawing card.” Another added, “Alcoholic beverages are just a fact of modern life.”
- 2013: The Gazette reports that the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital will end its obstetrical services as of August, a response to cuts in health-care funding (reducing the number of beds to 15) and declining birth rates in the County (35 per annum). This low rate means that PECMH nurses cannot gain enough obstetrical experience. Additionally, this change will have a negative impact on physician retention, as doctors practicing obstetrics are planning to relocate. Chair of the PEC Healthcare Alliance Sandy Latchford identified the need to encourage a broad demographic to live in the County, including young people, couples and families, in order to encourage physicians to practice medicine in the County.
