As published in The Erin Advocate
From the Advocate – 100 years ago (1914)
Canadians have cut back their smoking and drinking as a result of the war, the federal government reports. The total of the Inland Revenue Report, made up largely of excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol, was down by $316,000 to $1,726,197 for October. In August, a war tax on these products initially produced extra revenue, but cutbacks by consumers have more than erased those gains.
From the Advocate – 45 years ago (1969)
Anger over water rates that have skyrocketed from $36 a year to $84 a year has prompted residents of Mountainview subdivision to ask for annexation to the Village of Erin. The homes just south of the village are part of Erin Township and have a privately operated water system. Spokesman Fred Berry said a petition will be presented to the two councils, with 99% of homeowners in favour of annexation. If approved by the councils and the Ontario Municipal Board, the move would allow residents to be part of the village water system.
A Folk Service of old time spirituals and modern upbeat songs sponsored by the Erin United Church Choir was hosted by Rev. G. Howse and enjoyed by a large audience. Choir numbers included When the Saints Go Marching In and O Mary Don’t You Weep, with solo parts by Mrs. R. Sherwood, Mrs. C. Robinson and Mrs. L. Davidson. The trio of Mrs. C. Hull, Mrs. C. Justice and Mrs. N. Sinclair sang Rock-a-Ma-Soul and Just a Closer Walk with Thee, and Miss Linda McKenzie of Ospringe demonstrated her piano skills. The Friendly Four quartette from Hillsburgh, Harry Burt and the Graham brothers Howard, Donald and Ken, with their sister Mrs. Ruth Oliver as accompanist, did a series of gospel songs.
From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1979)
Cy Finn’s dog Rex was saved from drowning by the help of three residents who came to his aid. Rex was crossing the pond at Hull’s Dam on thin ice and fell through. Willie Hall, 13, heard his howls and called for help from high school student Rob MacKenzie and village employee Ivan Underhill. They brought a canoe and used a shovel to cut a path to the dog through the ice and coaxed it to shore.
Some Hillsburgh students at Ross R. MacKay school will lose their bus ride to school next year, the school board has decided. Bus service has been provided for younger children in the Armstrong subdivision north of the village for the past three years, even though it is within the walking area set by the board’s policy. Township Council is being urged to improve the sidewalks, the condition of which is forcing some children to walk on the highway.
From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1989)
Jim Craig, Community Affairs Officer for Canada Post, told Erin Village Council that he expects a Retail Postal Outlet to be operating in Erin by next year. He said while there are no plans to close the main Erin Post Office, it could happen eventually. Moving the functions of a post office to a retail store can only happen when a postmaster/mistress resigns. The Erin Post Office has 850 lockboxes, and about 400 people on general delivery. Some of the lockboxes are “gangloaded” for two or three families. Craig predicted that community mailboxes would come to Erin, since Canada Post wants to get people off general delivery.
The Wellington County School Board will hire a Race and Ethnocultural Equity Project Leader. The staff person will make principals, teachers and students more aware of the need to provide quality educational opportunities regardless of race or ethnicity. The cost of the project will be partly covered by a $35,000 grant from the Ministry of Citizenship.
