150 years ago
December 17, 1874
Only a brave old maple
Shorn of its scarlet and gold,
And traced is the scroll of sunset
As a handwriting – black and bold.
A low, wailing wind frets the branches,
The dead leaves start up in surprise,
Till, at length, in the hush of the gloaming
The dryad’s sad monody dies.
And that never a breath of the storm-king,
And never a waft of the snow,
Can snatch the frail bud from its casket,
Or loose the firm anchor below?
‘Ride patiently, then, the bleak winter,
And change the sad wail to a song;
Bear up, for the robins and blue-birds
And south-winds are coming ere long.
125 years ago
December 21, 1899
VALLEYFIELD: Now that sleighing is on, the police should detail a man to arrest and have fined every driver who has no bells attached to his vehicle. It is time the town’s by-laws were enforced. The pedestrian seems to be an unknown factor in our town, for what between the bicycle fiend and the reckless coal-cart driver in summer life is still more endangered in in winter by bell-less sleighs.
100 years ago
December 18, 1924
BAD BLAZE SUBDUED BY BUCKET BRIGADE: Two Dwellings Burned and Summer Colony Section at Chateauguay Threatened – VILLAGES SENT AID – Three-Inch Ice Smashed to Dip Water From River 60 Feet Away From Blaze. Four hundred volunteers worked for three hours last night with buckets of water in a fight against flames which threatened to sweep the entire summer colony in the village of Chateauguay, including the boating club.
75 years ago
December 14, 1949
Mad Wars destroy in one year the works of many years of peace.
50 years ago
December 18, 1974
GEORGETOWN CHRISTMAS PAGEANT: … Candlelight in each window and lights on the towering tree warmly lit the sanctuary of the old stone church for the occasion which followed [a three-day] Trim-the-Tree party held by the Georgetown Presbyteens to finish the decorating begun by some ladies of the parish. The tree was a 16-footer and it took a great deal of ingenuity to complete the decorations. The challenge was well met and the results most satisfying.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN HUNTINGDON: As usual a giant tree on Chateauguay Street in front of the Bank of Commerce building was gaily lighted and decorated for the Christmas season. Another one was just at the eastern approach to Walker Street bridge giving the twon a festive air. Next Sunday outside decorations of private homes in the town will be judged for prizes of $25, $15 and $10.