From the Advocate – 100 years ago (1914)
The Secretary of the Erin Agricultural Society, A.C. McMillan has received a letter from the Department of Agriculture: “Owing to the outbreak of war and the general financial conditions resulting therefrom, I am instructed to advise you that the Government will be unable to furnish Expert Judges for the Fall Fairs this year, and will also be unable to pay more than 50 per cent of the regular grant next year. You will agree that the situation is one unprecedented in the history of the Province and calls for sacrifices on the part of all."
The French city of Rheims is reported to be in ruins after three days of German bombardment, with the death 400 civilians. The famous Cathedral of Notre Dame has been destroyed, killing many wounded German prisoners who were being sheltered there.
From the Advocate – 45 years ago (1969)
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Leach paid tribute to early settlers as they hosted a celebration of the Centennial of the Binkham Schoolhouse, entertaining 75 friends. They bought the school house in 1963 and have renovated and decorated it in pioneer style. Mrs. Robert McEachern and Miss Shona McIntyre appeared on the lawn in costumes of the 1860s.
Terra Cotta Conservation Area had 15,000 campers and 73,000 day visitors this year, making it the most popular destination in the Credit River area.
Douglas Gregson of Hillsburgh won the Premier Breeder and Exhibitor Awards at the Holstein Breeders’ Black and White Show.
The Hillsburgh Girls, led by pitcher Barb Johnston, have won their semi-final match in the Western Ontario semi-finals. They also won the “Brampton Evergreen Trophy” in a tournament, defeating Streetsville 15-10, the Mississauga Millionaires 21-5 and the Dixie team 13-3.
The As We Were column recalled that in 1929, school was suspended two weeks for students of the Senior Room in Hillsburgh, so they could pick potatoes.
From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1979)
Housewife and former teacher Jean Denison has been appointed as the new public school Trustee, replacing Virginia Kennedy who resigned. She is on the Parents’ Council at Brisbane School, where her children are in French Immersion.
Toronto hockey legend Eddie Shack visited the Caledon Ski Club, helping Randy MacDonald and Tom Birchall with the Monte Carlo Night to raise money for Vietnamese refugees.
Christine Hallett, 19, of Orangeville has opened Christine’s Hairdressing Salon on Main Street in Erin. She is a native of Portsmouth, England.
The Hillsburgh Juvenile Boys’ team has won the championship of the Ontario Rural Softball Association. Down 10-3 in the deciding game, they scored 16 runs in the sixth inning. Member of the team are Roy Spear, Kirk Smith, Steve Barry, Barry Brown, Shawn O’Connor, Dennis Sherratt, Wayne Tarzwell, Scott Kennedy, Glen Cheyne, Stewart Chantler, Kent McArthur and David Wilson. The coach is John Wilson, the manager Dennis Barry and the scorekeeper Hanna Wilson.
From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1989)
Captain Wilf Moore and Lieutenant John Thompson of the Hillsburgh Fire Department organized a mock disaster in which the Hillsburgh Rest Home was evacuated as though it had an electrical fire, plus the rescue of a boy who pretended to be unconscious, with electrical burns and smoke inhalation. Fire Chief Wayne McIsaac was very happy with the exercise – except for the congestion of parked fire trucks.
The Hillsburgh Pee Wee Girls ended their season on a high note, completing a three-game sweep of Palmerston to win the Intercounty Fastball Championship with seven wins and no losses. The team consisted of Deanne Bayko, Angela Coxe, Jodi-Anne German, Pam Gorman, Angelina Heidbuurt, Shari Hunter, Robin Keeler, Tanya Kemp, Wendy McIsaac, Jody MacPherson, Tracey Noblett, Michelle Oliver, Melissa Petruniak, Krista Robertson, Jennifer Tocher and Cyndy Whaley. The coaches are Henry Heidbuurt, Wayne McIsaac and Gary Robertson.
