150 years ago
April 13, 1876
The Athelstan Flour & Oat-meal Mills HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN THE FIRST PRIZE AT THE COUNTY EXHIBITIONS. The subscriber having thoroughly repaired and introduced the latest improvements in the machinery of the above mentioned mills, and having a first-class miller, guarantees to customers GOOD WORK, LARGE RETURNS, & CAREFUL ATTENTION. Grinds for the Fourteenth. FLOUR, CORN, OATMEAL, & PROVENDER, always on hand, at the lowest rates. Highest Cash price paid for Grain. JONAS H. SPENCER.
125 years ago
April 11, 1901
ORMSTOWN: For 8 years in succession sugar-making has failed.
CHATEAUGUAY: Little sap has been gathered so far. As there is not much frost in the ground, it is expected it will be a poor sugar year.
BEAUHARNOIS: Little or no sugar has been made. What little was offered on the market brought a good price; syrup sells as high as $1.10 per gallon.
100 years ago
April 15, 1926
COW TESTING INCREASES MILK PRODUCTION … 1460 Cows Under Test Here. – Average Cow in Quebec Produces 4,800 lbs. Milk. – Canadian Average is 5,924 lbs. Milk. … Many a good cow has lost her life because her owner did not know what she produced, and many a good cow’s life is still in danger because her owner does not keep record of her production. Dairy Records will do away with the guess work and the farmer can easily select his best cows for breeding purposes. In this way Herd Improvement will be brought about, which is the REAL AIM of COW TESTING WORK.
75 years ago
April 11, 1951
The Canadian Red Cross Society is now supplying 80% of the hospital beds in your own town and community with free blood and plasma to all patients needing them. … You are needed as a Blood Donor if you are between the ages of 18 and 65. The whole process takes only half an hour of your time, including your enjoyment of refreshments provided by the Red Cross.
50 years ago
April 14, 1976
LIKE WE SAID – citizen band receivers and transmitters are becoming big in the community. “Handles” of a few local fans include Canon, Mother Goose; Buckeye; Diamond Lil; Monkeywrench; Can Am Farmer; Am Can; River Lady; River Man; Clay Digger; Billy Goat; Iron Ann; Blue Blazer; Cedar Base; Ole Yaller. And more, many more.
THAT SNOW – in the wee hours of Sunday morning – surprised most people. Almost two inches of the stuff. And cold! Would have been a bonanza for the maple syrup producers if it had arrived 10 days sooner, but we’re told that buds now adorn the trees. Producers who haven’t hung up their buckets may get a few good quality runs yet.
CARS FOR ’77 – will be smaller. Overall length will be shortened, also wheelbases, but the advertising will be that there will be as much room as ever inside. Cubic inch displacements and horsepower ratings will be cut, also tire sizes. That’s okay, but will prices be cut accordingly? We doubt it. In brief, we’ll be getting less but probably paying more. So little is new.