70 Years Ago
June 30, 1948
-It was a time for celebration on Amherst Island as residents marked two milestones on the same day as the Amherst Island Consolidated School officially opened and the new ferry, The Amherst Islander, was christened. Several provincial officials were on hand for the school opening.
Later, at the Stella wharf, MLA Dr. H.A. Stewart had the honours of christening the rebuilt ferry. while officials from Canadian Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd. showed off their work.
-A recount of ballots for the Prince Edward-Hastings riding in the provincial election, scheduled to be held in Picton, was postponed until July 5. It was estimated the process would take at least three days to count the 14,000 ballots to determine if J. Donald Baxter had successfully defeated James Hepburn to claim the seat. The ballot boxes were secured in a locked room in the courthouse.
-The National Employment Service announced that 3,000 workers were needed to assist with the summer harvest in Ontario. The province expected a bumper crop of hay and grain, while farmers in Western Canada were suffering through drought and infestation, making it more important to harvest fields in Ontario.
Strong men and boys were advised they’d be placed on farms immediately to work.
40 Years Ago
June 28, 1978
– Sixty residents living in the vicinity of a former Graham Street dairy store and lunch bar brought a petition to Napanee council objecting to it being reopened as a fast food outlet. Spokesperson Byron Perry said the residents were concerned the building would become a hang-out for students and he also called it a fire hazard and an eyesore.
Councillors directed the building owners to submit plans regarding improvements to the building and the nature of their proposed business to the Napanee Planning Board for consideration.
-A $60,000 reconstruction of the Market Square was planned, with the Napanee Kinsmen Club pledging $10,000 to cover the cost of a parkette to tie in with the farmer’s market. It would have benches, picnic tables, walkways, and a fountain.
– The Town of Deseronto received just $40,000 from the Ontario Home Renewal Program, some $20,000 less than it had requested. The town received 42 loan requests related to the fund, but anticipated it could only serve 12-15 of them.
– The province designated Northbrook as an under serviced health area. Minister of Health Dennis Turnbull announced funding would be offered to secure a second doctor for the community.