Ten years ago — 1998
Perth County Crime Stoppers has initiated a measure that could possibly affect efforts to reduce domestic violence. Effective immediately, Perth County Crime Stoppers will accept calls to their “TIPS” line regarding domestic violence.
We See - That Milt Betteridge was the recipient of the OPSTF Occasional Teacher of the Year Award. The presentation was made recently at the Harbour Castle Hotel, Toronto. Mr. Betteridge received the award for dedication and contribution to the educational system, will be teaching Grade 4 at Prince Charles Public School in London in September.
The Lucan Village council took a look at the proposed new Lucan Library and unanimously approved the project in principle.
Top winners at the 1998 St. Marys Horticultural Flower and Garden Show were: June Gevaert, winner of the Walter Cull trophy; Janice Maciver, winner of the Charles Vessey trophy and Reta Standeaven, winner of the Curly Wilson trophy.
At the Kirkton Horticultural Show, winners were: Best flower design, Gertrude Willis; Best rose Elaine Stephen and Best Gladiolies Olga Hern.
25 years ago — 1983
A recent brochure put out by the Canadian Government Office of Tourism mentions several important and interesting facts about the value of tourism to Canada. For instance, the industry earns about $16.5 billion a year and contributes over five percent of the nation’s gross national product.
Advertisement - Cheese Made for Over 100 years! Visit our factory 2 miles South of St. Marys. Cheese made “The Old Fashioned Way - Natural Wellburn Cheese” — Blanshard & Nissouri Cheese & Butter Co., Ltd.
The 14th annual Flower Show was presented by the St. Marys Horticultural Society. Due to the hot, dry summer there were only 16 exhibitors and 104 entries, compared to 25 exhibitors and 184 entries in last year’s show.
50 years ago — 1958
J. A. Coombs, Perth County Engineer, reported last week that a new $150,000 bridge of 30 or 43 feet width will be built over the Thames River on the Blanshard-West Nissouri town line. Construction will start next spring and the Highways Department, which have plans for a traffic diversion bypass along that road, will subsidize the construction. The present steel bridge is unsafe for heavy traffic.
75 years ago — 1933
The shorter evenings and the crickets songs remind us that Autumn is near.
The worst electrical storm known in years was experienced in this district recently. For 7 hours frightful peaks of thunder and lightning glances alarmed even the bravest. Torrents of rain fell. Mr. Wesley Hudson lost four valuable horses, killed during the storm. Mr. Delmar Hartwick also had a fine barn with a year’s crop completely destroyed. (Devizes)
Mr. F. G. Sanderson, MP and C. E. Richardson MLA were among those guests speaking at the commemoration service in honour of Tavistock and East Zorra pioneers held at the McTavish Cemetery, Tavistock.
100 years ago — 1908
Trade in Kirkton improves as the years go by. The introduction of the telephone has been a great boon. The extension of the system has been away past the highest expectation of the original promoters. From ten users when the line was installed three years ago, the patronage has increased to 232 users at present. The installation of a phone brings to a farmhouse a measure of comfort and convenience that cannot be had in any other way. Once used it becomes a permanent member of the family. (News About Town)
Notice - Hereafter passengers between Wildwood and St. Marys will be charged twenty-five cents for round trip or 15 cents one way. Parcels or Messages 10 cents each. Signed, John Bolton, Mail Contractor.
125 Years Ago - 1883
A number of men have been engaged for some time back putting new ties on the local London Railway Bridge, in addition to other improvements. The work will soon be completed.
Persons having balsam shade trees would do well to examine them. The trunks of the trees are said to be infected with millions of small black insects, and those who know something about the insects say that if the insects are not destroyed they will destroy the trees. Tobacco juice, it is said, will kill them.
Our trustees have put a new roof on the school house and are also renovating it within. (Motherwell)
Potatoes are being blighted in some parts of the township and will likely be a small crop. (Lakeside)
The reeve of West Nissouri has been instructed to borrow the sum of $6,000 to repair bridges destroyed by the recent flood in the township.
Alexander Beattie & Co., request that their customers who may require Dry Goods will visit their sale at the Market Hall, when their stock will be exposed for the next two weeks.
Mr. Richard Furness, who is engaged at Mr. D. Miller’s carriage shop, had the misfortune, while working with an axe, to cut the index finger of his left hand, severing the cord. It will be some time before Mr. Furness will be able to resume his work.
Mr. John Sutherland, grain buyer, leaves today with his family for Tavistock where has rented a flour mill. His many friends in St. Marys wish him success.