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

1923

• A Despite the stormy weather a goodly audience witnessed the Athletic Exhibition by Collegiate students at the Regent Theatre. The programme was varied in character and entertaining throughout, consisting of apparatus work, tumbling and boxing by the boys and folk dances by the girls, as well as club and wand drills. The width and depth of the Regent’s large stage lent themselves admirably to the various numbers of the program.
• The eleventh annual meeting of Prince Edward County Poultry Association was held in the local office of the Ontario Dept. of Agriculture. Almost a full board meeting was on hand, the President, J.A. Wear, occupied the chair. The minutes of the last annual meeting and the financial statement was read by the secretary, which were approved. The liabilities of the Association have increased somewhat over last year, owing to having purchased lumber for table tops and stands, also an extra one hundred and fifty standard coops, these were much needed. This expenditure amounted to over $350.
• Barley escaping with their lives, the family of Thomas Kimmerly, living near Albury, sustained heavy losses when their home was burned to the ground. They owe their lives to the alertness of their dog, which barked and growled and finally broke a pane of glass in its effort to warn its master and his family of their peril. The origin of the fire is a mystery. It appears to have started in the east wing of the house which was not used in the winter time. The family live in the west side, and were able to escape by putting on the few clothes they could gather as they woke from sleep. Very little else was saved. Neighbors are looking after the family, comprising Mr. And Mrs. Kimmerly and four young children.

1943

• The search still goes on for the aircraft which is missing from Mountain View air station, but so far there has been no trace of the plane or its crew of three. It is quite possible the aircraft may have crashed into the lake. Names of the missing men have been released. They are Sgt. Pilot Jack Findlater of Winnipeg, LAC. Garrard, B.S., of England; LAC. Goodwin, T. J., of England. The latter two are members of the RAF in training at that station with Sgt. FIndlater as instructor. Planes of the district are keeping a lookout for any trace of the aircraft.
• At the last meeting of the local Salvation Army Red Shield Women’s Auxiliary, the following report was made of good sent to Toronto for shipment overseas, during the past six months: 9 tuck-ins, 255 pairs of socks, 44 pairs mitts, 18 scarves, 8 pairs gloves, 88 quilts, 58 sweaters, 22 layettes, 5 helmets, 5 blankets, 2 baby sets, and 309 articles of children’s clothing. This was in addition to a number of ditty bags filled for the sailors and a number of boxes sent to local boys, now overseas, for their Christmas gifts.
• A “Music Appreciation Evening” was enjoyed by Tennyson Club members as the final programme of the 1942-43 series. In former years it has been the habit of the Club to bring in outside speakers from the universities at Toronto and Kingston; this year, reliance entirely was placed upon Club members for arranging and creating the programmes. Commenting on this procedure, the president, Dr. Wilmot B. Lane, praised the creative talent and ability which has made the present season one of the most successful the Club has known.

1973

• Complete surprise, some concern, but an overall note of optimism has greeted the news of the Provincial Government’s decision to expropriate the Lake Ontario Cement lease near the Sandbanks. The announcement came at a time when leading officers of Lake Ontario Cement Limited were on holiday, and therefore not available for comment. However, two spokesmen at the Picton area plant expressed the belief that providing the final settlement is fair, the company should be able to continue normal operations.
• Tenders are likely to be called next month for construction of a new county home for seniors citizens, with construction tentatively scheduled to commence in June. The statement came shortly after council passed its budget for 1973, which includes an expenditure this year of $360,000 for this year, comprising a one-mill levy raised for three consecutive years including the present one.
• Bolstered largely by what is believed to be the largest surplus in the history of Prince Edward County, County Council Tuesday night returned most of it to taxpayers in the form of a tax rate cut of about two-thirds mill. Despite the cut, the 1973 budget remains a “biggie” with total expenditures set at $2,093,963.

1983

• One hundred and twenty five years ago, the outlet between West Lake and Lake Ontario was located midway along the sandbanks, opposite Garrett Island. The 1867 atlas of Hastings and Prince Edward Counties also shows numerous islands as separate land forms, independent of the mainland. Clearly, silt has bridged the narrow gaps during the last century and reduced the size of the lake.
• Prince Edward County Horticultural Society held their monthly meeting at the Senior Citizen Hall, Picton, with an attendance of 100. President Harold Bartman welcomed the members and gave information re forthcoming events and displayed the County Capers 83 award presented to the Earthtones. The Executive will make 10 $50 donations to Community groups for planting tree and shrubs.
• Tenders are now being called for the construction of a new activity building at Prince Edward Heights, Picton, for the Ministry of community and Social Services. “Through this project, modern and expanded accommodation will be provided to better serve 172 residents of Prince Edward Heights,” said Douglas J. Wiseman, Minister of Government Services.