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

1938

– John Mitchell, 78, of Waupoos suffered a stroke while walking to visit friends. His daughter noticed he was missing about a half-hour after she had last seen him. About 30 neighbours searched until he was found helpless the next morning.

– Three local boaters were forced to buy new equipment for thier skimmers as thieves stripped their boats of ropes, pulleys, and other rigging materials prior to the Prince Edward Yacht Club’s annual regatta. The police were investigating.

– Brockville’s Merkley Air Service announced plans to establish a sightseeing tour leaving the Picton harbour using a five-passenger Beachcroft plane. The 35-mile sightseeing trip would cost $2 per person.

1948

– Though he did rule some ballots invalid because voters used ink rather than pencil, Justice W.S. Lane concluded that Bloomfield’s J. Donald Baxter still defeated James  Hepburn in Prince Edward-Lennox in the recent provincial election. He also ordered Hepburn to pay the cost of the recount.

– Four American visitors were badly injured when their Buick left the road, overturned and smashed into a tree near the West Lake brick factory. The driver was the most badly injured as the top of the car caved in on his head. He had a fractured rib, a displaced collarbone, and internal injuries.

– More than 150 Orangemen paraded through the street in Picton in celebration of their fraternal lodges.

1978

– The resignation of reeve Larry Richardson meant a shake-up for Picton council. Deputy-reeve Richard Byers moved into his position, councillor Charles Hepburn took Byers’ post and Joan Brant was appointed to fill the open council seat.

– The Eastern Lake Ontario Commercial Fishermen wanted the federal government to formally designate 10 acres of land for the fishery within the newly designated Pt. Traverse national wildlife area or commit to stable long-term leases for the land.

– Picton council supported a bid by developer United Counties Holdings Ltd. that would see the town annex 7.1 acres of land from Hallowell Township for a subdivision between Downes Ave. and Washburn St.

1998

– The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board reached an interim agreement with its 695 elementary and 409 secondary school teachers that would allow schools to open in the fall despite contracts ending Aug. 31 due to restructuring under Bill 160.

– Picton’s Bill Conley was among 200 victims of historic sexual and physical abuse at Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in line to receive up to $60,000 from the provincial government in a settlement for those wrongs.Conley was pleased with the progress toward a settlement and closure.

– North Marysburgh residents were looking for a co-operative solution to address strong odours originating at pig farms in Lennox and Addington County.