80 years ago
June 28, 1939
Speaking in a broadcast at Guildhall Lunch in London, King George spoke in glowing terms of his Canadian visit, which included a stop in nearby Kingston.
-Ottawa hinted Oct. 23 would be the date of the next federal election, though it was thought the threat of a looming war may halt or even expedite plans for an election. Law stated the election must be held on a Monday.
-Public School teachers made a presentation to principal W.J. Trenouth, who was retiring after 22 years. He was presented with a handsome black leather Gladstone bag.
30 years ago
June 27 1989
B.C. man Kartar Ahluwalia ran through Napanee as part of his cross-country trek to help children around the world.
Following in the footsteps of his heroes Terry Fox and Steve Fonyo, he was on a mission to raise $15 million through his run, which began March 4, 1989 at the Atlantic Ocean. He expected to reach Vancouver, B.C. by October of that year. His run would take him 9,110 km across Canada.
-More than 1,500 people attended the Shannonville Funny Car and Custom Car Show.
Turnouts were good despite the rainy weather. Napanee resident Jamie McQuaig placed third in the sportsman class division which earned him $200 in prize money. A track record was broken by Barry Paton of Nova Scotia with a mark of 6.6 seconds and 210 mph. This event marked the first time in the tracks 13 year history that alcohol powered funny cars had raced at Shannonville Motorsport Park.
-Steve Lemon of the Napanee Boxing Club won a unanimous decision over former provincial champion Doug Foster, in Ajax.
-The only submarine of its kind in Canada was tested at a quarry in Deseronto.
The tow man sub was a 10-foot craft built by Adventure Vehicle Dynamics in Vancouver. The designers said their intent was to offer submarine rides to resorts in places such as the Muskokas. Government agencies had also shown interest in using the submarine for OPP search and rescues. The sub was capable of diving to a depth of 150 feet and stay there for two hours.