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

1910

• At the meeting of the Belleville Police Commissioners Edgar DeShane was appointed to the vacancy to the police force. The new officer is a likely-looking young man and ought to make an efficient officer. The new officer was born in PEC 29 years ago, and is a splendid specimen of manhood.
• On Wed. about noon, the barn, with all the feed, hay grain and straw of Fred Cole on Cole’s Island, in the Big Swamp, was totally destroyed by fire. Mr. Cole was preparing to drive to Picton, had just hitched his team and drove to the house. He went back for his mitts and found the barn in flames.
• On Thur. Evening a surprise party, consisting of about 30, made their way to Capt. Leroy Spafford’s, Pt. Traverse, where they were made welcome, oysters and lots of good things to eat, games and music.

1940

• Miss Filona Barker was hostess of a delightful bridge party at her home in Bloomfield. The three tables of guests enjoyed their favorite pastime in the living room where ferns and flowers made an attractive setting.
• Leon Heffernan has returned to his native Canada to enlist with the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment. For the past 13 years he has been a resident of Rochester, N.Y., but the call to arms resulted in his return to Prince Edward, where he was accepted by the local regiment.
• Another weekly meeting of the Jolly Glee Club was held at the home of Mr. And Mrs. George Alyea on Wed. evening with seven tables of progressive euchre in play.

1970

• The nationwide boom in snowmobiles is reflected in PEC, where as of early this week, just twice as many motorized snow vehicles (as they are officially called) have been licensed this season as last. The license bureau reports 280 snowmobiles licensed from Sept. 22 to Jan. 12. Last seasons total was 141.
• The growing population of coyotes (brush wolves) remained a major topic at the first meeting of 1970 for South Marysburgh Township Council. Reeve A.A. Ralley reported on his continuing efforts to organize a large scale hunt to cut down on the coyotes in the area.
• Athol Township evaluator Webb Walmsley and Thomas Walmsley paid a brief visit to Harry Evans’ barn. On opening the barn door, they discovered a 1,500 pound bull loose in the barn. The Walmsley’s quietly closed the barn door and left after a brief inspection.

1980

• Purchase of a four-acre property adjacent to the Wellington arena parking space holds speculative potential for the village, according to Doug Marvin, village clerk.
• Over $1 million in construction was undertaken in Picton in 1979 according to a yearend report presented by Building Inspector Doug Skinner. Total construction for the year amounted to $1,004,198.46.
• Prince Edward Air Cadet Squadron No. 851 Commander Mel Campbell says it has launched a campaign to recruit new members The present membership stands at 30 and Commander Campbell says they’re out to reverse the decreasing interest spreading across Canada in the cadet movement.