From the Advocate – 100 years ago (1914)
Bosnian Serb Gavrilo Princip appeared before a magistrate in Sarajevo, expressing no guilt for assassinating Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie on June 28. The Yugoslav nationalist had read much anarchistic literature and said he had intended for some time to kill a prominent Austrian. Martial law has been declared to quell rioting in two towns where Serbian-owned buildings are being damaged in reaction to the shootings.
From the Advocate – 45 years ago (1969)
Three students at Erin District High School have earned Ontario Scholarships with averages over 80%. Bob McFee, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter McFee of Hillsburgh, who scored in the top 1% on the Ontario-wide Physics examination, will study engineering at McMaster. Nancy Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Smith of Waldemar, will take French and English at McMaster. John Finnie, son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Finnie of Erin, will take Geography and Planning at Waterloo.
The Vacation Bible School has started, under the direction of Rev. William Cook of the Church of Christ (Disciples). More than 100 pupils and 30 leaders registered at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Hillsburgh.
Ken Smith received the McEnery Agencies trophy as the top golfer for the second year in a row, with an average of 77 per round in the Hilltop Golf Championship.
From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1979)
Marauding dogs have been a problem in Erin Township, with council paying $980 to farmers for livestock damage last month. Clerk Clive Beardwood said the sale of dog licences helps cover the costs, but Hillsburgh licence collector Jane Bajona said only about 300 dog owner have sent in their fees – $5 for the first male, $8 for the first female and $15 for additional dogs.
Clerk Clive Beardwood is “hopping mad” about vandalism and harassment of seniors in Hillsburgh, and will explore the possibility of a local police force. He said in one morning there were eight incidents, including egg-throwing, pellet gun shots, kicking in doors and ruining gardens. They have not been reported to police for fear of reprisals.
K. Soo, owner of Erin’s Villa Restaurant, has joined with seven area families as part of the Save the Boat People effort. She can offer housing and a job for a husband and wife team. Norm Dawson said applications have been sent in to sponsor two Vietnamese refugee families.
From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1989)
Terry Johnson of Erin was praised for his quick action after he jumped into the Credit River to rescue a 13-year-old boy who was floating face-down, near a dam in Georgetown. He successfully applied mouth-to-mouth resuscitation after pulling the boy to a small island.
The Community Oriented Policing (COP) committee has been formed to enhance the OPP’s community policing strategy. Constable Jeannette Jedraszek said police calls to the Erin area are up by more than 300 this year, mainly related to speeders, dirt bikes and vandalism. “We have to open up the communication lines to the community,” she said.
Lions Club Treasurer Terry Austin told Erin Township Council that the club is planning a $250,000 renovation to the Erin Community Centre. They have started with a $10,000 donation and will be fundraising, as well as seeking municipal support for a multi-use area on the second floor of the facility.
Congratulations were extended to Diane Kendall of 8th Line Erin, who shot a hole-in-one on the third hole, a 95-yard par 3, at the Orangeville Golf Course.
Barry Rathbun, Muscular Dystrophy chairman for the Hillsburgh firefighters, reported that they raised about $3,000 for the MD Association, which has presented them with a plaque to show appreciation.
