Each week, the Gazette looks back on stories from the past. Here is what happened this week, by year…
1928
– An unidentified company secured a 15-day option to purchase 72 feet of frontage at the corner of Main and Elizabeth streets at a value of $11,000 from Belch Bros. the owners of a grocery store at that site. It was suggested the purchaser, believed to be Loblaws Groceterias, was to take down the building at the site and rebuild.
– The Kiwanis Club of Picton sponsored a free skate for local public school children. Some 500 attended, participated in races for prizes, enjoyed free hot dogs
– Judge Evan McLean sentenced local car dealer R. H. Raynor was sentenced to four years in jail for bad deals where he didn’t pay creditors. His lawyer argued the issue was careless practices, not criminal intent.
1948
– Some 117 dairy farmers from Prince Edward County signed up 1,100 cows for a regional artificial breeding program. Regionally, it was estimated 600 farmers would need to pledge $15,000 to start the program. Drives in Consecon and other areas were being planned to encourage more farmers to join the project.
– The Regent Theatre building settled, causing a large plate glass window on the building’s north-east side to shatter. The settling was thought to be the result of deep excavation on William Street.
– New H.J. McFarland Construction Co. estimates of cost for 996 lateral connections to Picton’s sewerage system suggested the average cost per household would be $74
1978
– The Prince Edward County Board of Education granted a sabbatical request from PECI art teacher Jerry Putnam. He planned to spend time travelling in Greece studying art. The board would pay 70 per cent of his salary for the year.
– Patricia Goodman, of Milford, was hired by the Prince Edward County boar of Education as its attendance counsellor from a pool of 19 applicants. Goodman was a Wilfrid Laurier sociology and psychology grad with experience as a day care counsellor and a correctional school worker.
– The Prince Edward County Board of Education agreed to pay the Ontario Public School Trustees Association $15,000 for use of negotiator Alan Westwell in contract talks.
1998
– The Rotary Club of Picton kicked off its 50th annual Easter Seals campaign to raise money for local children with physical disabilities. The face of the campaign that year, the “Timmy” was Matthew Maguire, of Wellington.
– Through Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program funding, Prince Edward County had its own prenatal nurse. Barb Remington would be offering local clinics and education programs related to pregnancy and caring for newborn babies.
– County council affirmed its support for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital to remain autonomous. Councillor Paul Morris suggested a merger with L&A County General could be viable, but the Napanee hospital was not interested.