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

1911

• Attempt will be made to still the life of the library voting contest scheme, which was established in Picton about the first of July after having been worked out in numerous other towns throughout the province. Charges have been laid declaring the scheme illegal.
• A prisoner at 92. This is the remarkable record of David Gerow, sent to jail for four months by Police Magistrate Williams, because he kept a “blind pig.” It seems suspicion had centred on Cedar Island, off Massassaga, for some little time. It was here Gerow lived in a hut by his lonesome. It was said  that thirsty fisherman could go to Gerow’s and quench “thirst.”
• The social given by the Ladies Aid for the reception of our new minister, Rev. C. G. Williams, was a decided success. There was not room in the new church to hold the people, and many had to stand in the entry. The program given by Prof. Laugher and his accompanist was something extra.

1951

• Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Purtelle and son of Bloomfield, have returned after a holiday spent in Montreal. While there, Mrs. Purtelle was winner of a radio quiz, name a mystery tune. The prize was a course at Arthur Murray’s dancing school, which Mrs. Purtelle is giving to a friend.
• Five hundred people from Prince Edward County, along with thousands of other Canadians from Ontario and Quebec braved the weather last Thursday to take part in or watch the monster Orangemen’s parade in Watertown, New York. It is estimated that 50,000 people jammed into the city to celebrate the victory of William III again James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
• Egg prices took a downward trend over the week-end from a record high that sent the retail cost up to 93 cents a dozen in Montreal, Mr. M. S. Baker, owner and operator of Baker’s Egg Grading Station told The Gazette on Monday. He said dealers were now buying Grade A large eggs from the farmers for 68 cents.

1971

• The Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto recently held examinations in Belleville. The following pupils of Miss Evelyn Moore, Cherry Valley, successfully passed piano examinations: Valencia F. Drury, grade 8 with honors; Brenda L. Fennell, grade 6 with honors; Brenda L. Guernsey and Elizabeth Fox, grade 6 pass; Gwendolyn J. Thompson, grade 5 with honors; and Byrn P. Harris, grade 2, with first class honors.
• Because of the shortage of graduate nurses it has now become necessary to curtain the use if a number of beds in the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital. This action, which is for a limited period of time only, is the result of a recent meeting of representatives of the Board of Governors and there medical staff.
• Hay fever sufferers have hope. Dr. Peter Harris of the Canada Agriculture Belleville Research Institute thinks there’s a possibility that ragweed could be kept in check by biological control. The problem is to find the right insect for the job. It has to be one that will attack ragweed, but not economically valuable plants.

1981

• The town’s finance and personnel committee will study the question of gasoline retail regulations, leaving service station owners free to set their own hours of operation — at least for the time being. At a regular meeting Monday night, council heard a presentation by lawyer Donald Mowat, speaking on behalf of the Picton Retail Gasoline Merchants Association, a group recently formed to protect the interests on local retailers.
• Wheelchair marathoner Terry Scott, his 285-kilometre ride from Trenton to Ottawa now history, receives congratulations from Picton Mayor Don King at the home of his parents, Jim and Helen Scott. Mr. Scott and his wife, Sandy are taking a few days to rest up from the arduous journey intended to raise funds for the handicapped. 
• Senior Citizens in Prince Edward County are responding positively to the Senior Citizens Assistance Program. “Yesterday we had so many jobs that we couldn’t get them all done,” says Greg Bright, project manager. “At the beginning of the program there weren’t enough jobs to keep us busy but it’s getting better now. The program has been set up to assist seniors and handicapped adults who can not do certain tasks for themselves.