From the Advocate – 100 years ago (1914)
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. McMillan received a letter from their son H. McMillan who was in the first contingent of Canadian soldiers going in England. He arrived safely in Plymouth after “a very enjoyable trip with many diversions, in the way of concerts, games and contests, one of the latter being climbing the rope up the mast which is sixty feet high, in which he and another young man were winners”. He was in a convoy of 40 ships, and was once riding right beside an 800-foot dreadnaught battleship, which he describes as a “fierce looking thing”.
A patent medicine advertorial: “Many people who have been reading the terrible war news from day to day, especially those who have relatives at the seat of war, have become so nervous that it is impossible for them to sleep. Milburn’s Heart and Nerve Pills will build up the unstrung nervous system and strengthen the weak heart – 50c per box, 3 boxes for $1.25.”
The Hillsburgh Beaver newspaper, defunct for several years, has been revived and expanded by the new publisher A.H. Steadman, formerly of Wiarton.
From the Advocate – 45 years ago (1969)
A sudden tightening of the mortgage money market has put a halt for now to a 160-lot subdivision that was expected to more than double the population of Hillsburgh. Only 15 homes have been built. All but four purchasers have been rejected by lending institutions even though the homes are selling for $21,495, thousands less than comparable homes in Metro Toronto. Because they are on septic tanks, they do no qualify for National Housing Act mortgages. Purchasers need a $9,000 annual income, a downpayment of $2,208 and must make monthly payments of $204 for principal, interest and taxes.
McClellan Motors in Erin, formerly known as Carney Bros. Ltd., has been sold to Mr. Ed Stewart of Ospringe. The business will continue to be operated as a garage, along with several dealerships.
A photo of Mrs. Bert Price of Cedar Valley appeared on the front page, with her holding a prize 12 lb., 32-inch pickerel that she caught last week in the Nottawasaga River near Stayner.
From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1979)
No one was hurt on Halloween in Erin, but at least three fires were set by vandals – two in derelict automobiles and one in a portable classroom at Erin District High School where a window was smashed. The Citizens’ Patrol and at least six OPP cruisers were busy in Erin, with a stop sign being pushed over, garbage cans dumped on the streets, eggs thrown and threats made against downtown businesses including The Advocate.
Ontario Lieutenant-Governor Pauline McGibbon will be the special guest of honour to kick off the Erin Village Centennial Village celebrations. Other participants at the event will be piper Dave Davidson, Rev. James Mackay, Reeve Larry MacKenzie, MP Perrin Beatty, MPP Jack Johnson, Township Reeve Bert Wheeler, Ruth Schatz of the Ontario Heritage Foundation, event chair Bill Higgins and Erin Senior Citizens’ President Mrs. S.S. Kiteley.
From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1989)
After months of interviews, Village Council has hired Jim Hunt as the new Works Superintendent. He was previously a construction supervisor and road repair worker for the City of Etobicoke.
The Erin District High School junior and seniors girls’ basketball teams both ended their season on a high note, advancing to the CWOSSA playoffs next week. The senior Raiders coached by Bill Hocken defeated the Norwell Redmen 47-31 with Diane Fisher scoring 18 points, Teriann Bratton 6 points and Janice Root 4 points.
