From the Advocate – 100 years ago (1914)
After the people of Hillsburgh raised $800 for Belgian war relief, a correspondent identified only as Uncle Dan issued a challenge in The Advocate: “Come, Erin, come, get in the race, you have no need to hide your face; you’re just as loyal as the rest, it’s up to you to do your best. Come, Erin’s Reeve, pull up your sleeve, and then throw off your sweater; you lead a town that’s sane and sound, come on and lead one better. You’ve citizens of worth and wealth, who all enjoy the best of health; they’ll do their duty, bet your pants, if you will only give the chance. Don’t let the little Hillsburg street, your patriotic spirit beat; your ladies have been good and true, come Erin’s men, now do your do.”
From the Advocate – 45 years ago (1969)
4H Achievement Day was held at Erin District High School recently. Receiving Provincial Honours were Susan Burt, Donna Ismond, Elizabeth Jackson, Barbara Smith and Marilyn Winters. County Honours went to Jeannie Simpson, Elaine Winters, Nancy Millson, Karen Sutton, Lillian Hindley, Carolyn Slote, Phyllis Bayne, Diane Beatty, Teresa Morrison and Lois Marshall.
The long-awaited time clock in the Erin arena has become a reality, to the delight of players and fans. Donated by the Erin Lions Club, the clock is painted in their colours and displays the time, score and penalties.
From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1979)
The Down Memory Lane column recalled the Christmas of 1954, when the residents of Erin village got a new water system as a “present”. Reeve Stanley Leitch made the announcement with Councillors P.J. Sinclair, Cecil Carney, Fred Steen and James Robertson. Leitch said he hoped the system would serve as many as 150 customers by the end of 1955.
Erin Township Council will urge the Wellington County Board of Education to reconsider its decision to cancel bus service for students in the new Hillsburgh subdivision. They do not qualify for transportation under the board’s policy. Council will also ask the province for sidewalks when it resurfaces Highway 25, but Reeve Bert Wheeler said he wants to bus service to continue, regardless of whether sidewalks are built.
From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1989)
Bill Dalley, a former publisher of the Erin Advocate and the Orangeville Banner, died Tuesday night of a heart attack at the age of 67. He came from England in 1954 and worked about 12 years for the Thompson newspaper chain before taking over the Banner in 1962. After five years there, he operated a dress shop in Orangeville for several years. In 1976 he joined The Advocate as publisher and sales manager. He retired in 1987, but continued to do occasional work for the paper until last spring, along with running a photography and framing studio in Orangeville. Friends described him as a happy-go-lucky guy who was dedicated to helping the Big Brothers organization.
The EWAG Toy Lending Library may be asked to vacate the space it now uses at the Township Public Library. Library Board CEO Anne Higginbottom told council that while they appreciate having the toy library in the village of Hillsburgh, the regular library has cramped quarters that limit the services they can offer to the public. Currently, they cannot open the library to the public while Storyhour is in progress. They could also use the space for an Audio Visual Centre, and a Reading and Study Area.
