LOOKING BACK - March 19, 2007
Muriel Sheldon, Columnist Ten years ago — 1998
The Salukis girls hockey team celebrated their OFSAA victory by riding through town on the St. Marys fire truck. The girls are the first DCVI hockey team to claim an Ontario title. They defeated Earl Haig (North York) in the championship final at York University.
St. Marys Memorial Hospital Foundation has given the Grand Trunk Trail a $15,000 boost.
The Thorndale Scouts are doing a roadside cleanup along Nissouri Road this spring.
St. Marys lawn bowler Jamie McLellan has been selected as one of the 12 Canadians to represent his country at the Commonwealth Games this fall in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia.
25 years ago — 1983
Town of St. Marys Tenders - Sealed tenders, clearly marked, will be received by the Clerk Administrator for the supply and installation of drapes and curtains for the Town Hall Auditorium. K. G. Storey, Clerk Administrator.
Concern about the lack of certain courses at St. Marys DCVI and about further program cuts have prompted three school board trustees to call an open meeting at the school cafeteria. The fear that as courses are cut students will turn to other schools which will necessitate further course reductions.
A citizen of West Nissouri Twp., has again brought pride and honour to the community. George Taylor was chosen “Farmer of the Year” at the awards
dinner at the London Chamber of Commerce. He was sponsored by Thorndale
Women’s Institute. (Nettie Hogg, Thorndale)
50 years ago — 1958
The members of the St. Marys District Collegiate Board are pushing ahead on
plans for the new eight-room addition at the school. Authority to go ahead
on the project has now been forthcoming from all municipalities involved.
St. Marys people were given additional reason to feel proud of their
community and its achievements when it was recently announced that a local
firm, Maxwell Ltd., and its subsidiary Marchand Furnaces Ltd., had received
awards for their productions from the National Institute Design Council.
We See: That CNR workmen are replacing the floor of the wooden bridge over
the tracks on Jones Street.
75 years ago — 1933
A fatal accident occurred at the Long Crossing, west of St. Marys. William
Hickman Whetstone, a respected Blanshard farmer, was the victim. Driving
home from St. Marys with horse and buggy he apparently did not notice the
oncoming train. The terrible accident was the first crossing fatality to
occur here for some years, and it seemed unfortunate indeed that it would
take place on the Long Crossing, where only a few trains now cross each day.
The Ontario Government has ordered the curtailment of all expenditures on
the transcontinental highways and other roads in New Ontario.
St. Marys Collegiate Institute Girls’ Basketball Team are to be
congratulated on the fine quality of their play this season. The girls
reached the Western Ontario finals and had the experience, for a second year
in succession, of taking part in the final games for WOSSA Championship at
Windsor. Members of the team are: Forward — Kae Teskey, E. Tuer, G.
Mountain, R. Henderson, H. Henderson; Defence — T. Nichol, M. Riley, E.
Stewart, M. Grieve and E. Oliver.
House and Lot for Sale - Fine brick house, with all modern conveniences on
Wellington St. South, St. Marys. This property belongs to the Estate of the
late James Gowan and must be sold. For further information apply to Miss
Sarah Gowan or Harold D. Lang, Barrister.
100 years ago — 1908
The St. Marys Western Ontario Railway C,o’s surveying gang, under Engineer
Hyde, began the third survey of the proposed St. Marys and Sarnia line. This
third survey will pass through Parkhill and Arkona, which were not touched
in the previous surveys.
For Sale - Having bought the whole output of flax seed of the Canada Flax
Fibre Company, we beg to offer the same to farmers and others in the form of
ground flax seed meal and whole seed. To be had at the St. Marys Flax Mill,
Weir & Weir.
Buy In Your Own Town: There are many reasons why it does not pay to send
money out of your community to bolster up mail order houses and like
concerns. Here are a few reason to shop locally: 1. It takes money out of
circulation where it is most needed. 2. It injures local business industries
and that injures you no matter what your occupation may be. 3. It helps to
build up other places at your expense. 4. It is always sound business policy
to spend your money where you make it. 5. If you are sick or out of work the
mail order house will not accept promise to pay until conditions change “No
cash, no goods” is their motto.
125 years ago — 1883
The following are the officers of the Downie Plowing Association: A. Hotson,
president; Wm. Rae, Secretary; F. Glown, W. Thistle, F. Steele Jr.; and B.
McBeth, directors.
Notice - Having purchased the Hearse and Undertaking Stock of E.R. James and
having added large amount of New Goods is now prepared to give the best
satisfaction to all who may favor him with their order in this line. Chas.
McCall - Water Street, Opposite Centre FIre Hall.