From the Advocate – 100 years ago (1914)
Total losses in the first six weeks of the war are estimated at more than 1,000,000, including those killed, wounded or taken prisoner among all combatants. The total cost in dollars is estimated at $2 billion per month. Turkey plans to enter the conflict, as an ally of Germany against Russia.
In Kingston, the Canadian Locomotive Company will employ 60 men to fill a large order for shrapnel from the Imperial Government. In Prince Rupert, the Grand Trunk Railway will build a new ship building plant, with a drydock capable of holding a 20,000-ton battleship, which will provide thousands of jobs this winter.
From the Advocate – 45 years ago (1969)
Participants at the Erin District High School Track Meet broke 31 records. The individual champions for the girls were Elizabeth Strokov (midget), Frances Hodge (junior) and Janice Brown (senior); and for the boys, Jim Marshall (midget), Laveen Parker (junior) and Tom O’Donnell (senior). Brown’s records included 8.0 seconds for the 60-yrd dash, while Gail Barbour set a record of 1:20.65 for 440 yards. O’Donnell set records in High Jump (5’10”), Long Jump and Triple Jump, while Doug Metler set records in the 100, 220 and 440 yard races, and Kent Miller set a record of 36’11” in the shot put.
The Hillsburgh Juvenile Girls baseball team, coached by Jack Hunter, is leading the series two games to one in the Western Ontario finals. The fourth game is Friday night in St. Mary’s.
The “As We Were” column reported from the Advocate of 1910 that Erin Township council had approved payment of $100, as the half-year’s salary for the municipal clerk. They also approved reconstruction of the Barden’s Mill Bridge on 22 Sideroad south of Hillsburgh. Jim Barden was one of the owners of the Lower Dam, originally built by village founder William How.
From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1979)Despite heavy rain about 20,000 people turned out to the Erin Fall Fair, up about 1,000 since 1978. The western horse show was the biggest ever, and the children’s pet show was a new event.
Terry Gregson, 25, son of Gord and Loreen Gregson, has signed a three-year contract as an NHL referee. Last Tuesday he was referee at an exhibition game in Kitchener between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Minnesota North Stars. He was a referee in Erin Minor Hockey, got his European qualifications in Holland and later worked in various North American Pro leagues as an NHL referee in training.
St. John Brebeuf, Erin’s new Catholic school, will have an official opening and blessing. But it won’t be the normal ceremony with politicians and Ministry of Education representatives, since it is only a temporary structure. Board Chair Richard Gazzola said it’s “not the ultimate” in a school, and suggested holding a more elaborate ceremony once they have a proper building.
From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1989)The Country Routes supplement carried an invitation for people to join the Caledon Handbell Ringers Club. Founded by Elizabeth Boreman, the club has two separate groups of seniors, and has performed at the Caledon Fall Fair.
Darren Tomkinson, 11, or Erin Village, recently caught a 40-pound salmon while out fishing with his father on the Credit River, south of Burnhamthorpe Road in Mississauga.
The Erin Fall Fair promises “more smoke and noise” than ever before. President Jim Reid said it’s the first year there has been a separate class for modified trucks in the Truck and Tractor Pull and the first year for them to host the Wellington-Waterloo-Dufferin Jersey Cattle Association Parish Show.
