May 28, 2014

Looking Back

As published in The Erin Advocate

From the Advocate – 100 years ago (1914)


British War Secretary Col. Seeley said the engineering improvements to create a stable “safety aeroplane” would be kept secret. The King was impressed with a demonstration flight and asked, “Why haven’t you a hundred of these in the army?”


From the Advocate – 45 years ago (1969)


Construction is starting on 43 new homes, two blocks east of Main Street in Hillsburgh. Up to 167 are planned. Real Estate broker P.J. Carney said the houses by the firm Two Oaks, starting at $20,500, are of a “revolutionary new type of construction”.


Wilfred Major, son of Olive Major in Hillsburgh, survived the crash of a small plane in a lake near Baie Comeau, Quebec. The four occupants had minor injuries and were able to swim to shore.


The Erin Chamber of Commerce held a dinner meeting, presided over by President Corey Herrington. Les Gray, General Manager of the village’s newest industry, Erin Steel and Wire, made a presentation about their production methods. The Chamber donated $50 to the Erin Seniors Club, and scheduled a meeting of their Recreation Committee at the home of Walt Keeler, planning to invite women and youth.


Fr. F.C. Elliott of St. John Brebeuf Church hosted an appreciation dinner at the Legion for the ladies of the Catholic Women’s League. The President, Mrs. Art Boucher, presented the past president pin to Mrs. Doug Petherick, who presented a cheque to Fr. Elliott for the building fund.


From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1979)


Perrin Beatty won his third term as a Progressive Conservative MP for the riding of Wellington-Dufferin-Simcoe with 62% of the vote. Liberal Harry Green got 27% while New Democrat Jeff Koechlin got 11%. Joe Clark will be Prime Minister of a minority government.


George Davis of Church Blvd. was out for a ride on his tricycle to celebrate his 96th birthday. He farmed at his birthplace on the Erin-Caledon Townline until age 75, and has been a member of the Erin Agricultural Society since 1922.


Brisbane Grade 7 students competed in a Track and Field meet at Erin District High School. In the girls’ 200-metre sprint, Mandy Green was first, Tracy Packer second and Cathy Portelli third. Laura Miller was third in the 400, Carmen Wilson was first in the 800 and 1500, and Darlene McEnery was second in the 1500. In the boys’ races, Brian Godsell was first in the 400 and 800, while Kevin Burnett was fist in the 100 and second in the 200.


From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1989)


Advocate Publisher Ted Lydan, along with Cindi Ross, Trish Petersen, Michele Keeler and Debbie Taylor of the Toronto-Dominion Bank in Erin drew the lucky ballot for a gas barbeque. Users of the new Green Machine were eligible for the draw, and the winner was J. Pinkney.


The baseball season started in Erin for more than 200 boys and girls. In the three-pitch division for 7-9 year olds, Stedman’s defeated TD Bank 20-11. Offensive game star for Stedman’s was Adam Schaper, including a home run. Defensively, Sarah Simmonds was a stand-out. For TD, the defensive game star was Ryan Laudner, and the most valuable player was Andrew Greggain.