September 10, 2014

Looking Back – Training for war

As published in The Erin Advocate

From the Advocate – 100 years ago (1914)


Horace McArthur of Erin wrote to The Advocate from Valcartier, Quebec where he is training for the war, to say that he and fellow Erin boy Elmer Green are doing well with camp life. McArthur was just transferred from the Ambulance Corps to A Company of the 48th Highlanders.

A despatch from Ottawa says that 15 prominent Vancouver citizens have donated a carload of horses valued at $7,000, to be used as officers’ chargers. A despatch from London says the Germans are becoming demoralized, after whole divisions of their infantry had been “blotted out of existence by the deadly fire of the British.”

From the Advocate – 45 years ago (1969)

Mrs. Chester Burt will petition the Department of Highways to place a caution light at the corner of Dundas and Main Streets in Erin Village.

Village council received a proposal from Messrs. Carr, Angus and Rogers to build a new subdivision on Dundas Street across from the Legion.

Erin Reeve Roy Brown and Brian McFarlane of Hockey Night in Canada made the draw for NHL hockey tickets at the Final Tournament of Erin Minor Softball. The winners were Doug Cunningham and Murray Falconer. Brian Falherty sold the most tickets (455) and was awarded two tickets in the blue seats at Maple Leaf Gardens, plus a personal visit with Bobby Orr.

A Department of Transport hearing was held on the application by W.S. Leitch of Erin to operate a bus one day a week between Erin and Guelph. It was contested by the Georgetown Transportation Company, recent purchaser of Elliott Bus Lines. They were told at the hearing that they must provide five-day-a-week service to Erin if they want to protect their franchise.

From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1979)

Recent vandalism is prompting a group of 16 citizens in Erin village to plan street patrols. They say they will be observers, not vigilantes, and will report potential problems to the OPP with Citizens Band (CB) radios installed in their cars. Just last week, someone smashed the front window at Weddell’s Funeral Home.

Deputy-Reeve Bill Weber says the 50-year-old bridge over the West Credit on Dundas Street, slated for rebuilding for the last four years, will likely be replaced in 1980. The Ministry of Transportation has promised funding, and a design that includes a sidewalk has been approved.

Cliff Lougheed and Arthur Brecken were the winners of the Erin Horticultural Society’s “Street Beds” competition.

The Hillsburgh Seniors Women’s Baseball team were the winners of the Guelph Professional Firefighters Tournament. Pitcher Mel Rhynold won two games, while Pitcher Marilyn Eagles won one game and took home the Most Valuable Player trophy.

From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1989)

EWAG spokesman Ian McGibbon says the group will accept a zoning bylaw for its proposed building west of Erin village on Hwy 24 “under protest”. EWAG President Rick Bates says restrictions on rental of space for fundraising are a serious problem, and that they will seek changes to the bylaw.

Duncan Bull, organizer for the Ninth Annual Terry Fox Run, is hoping for more participants this year, compared to the 45 last year. Promotions are being done in the schools to promote student participation.

The Jim Dandies baseball team from Ballinafad are the 1989 champions of the Acton Ladies Powderpuff League, winning all four games in the final tournament. Marion Prowse was voted Most Valuable Player in the championship game. The team set a record of seven home runs in one earlier game thanks to Lisa Longstreet, Sharon Marshall, Marion Lumbard, Sandra Prowse (2) and Kathy Martin (2).