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25 YEARS AGO
Tillsonburg News
Wednesday, December 2, 1987
Papaioannou earns WO Sub-Sectional win
Great energy, great smile, great musicality are all expressions used to describe Tillsonburg’s Penny Papaioannou’s skating performances in the past.
Perhaps after this 10-year-old captured first place at the Western Ontario Sub-Sectional Figure Skating Championships on November 17 at Preston, the term great young skater should be added to the list.
Penny enjoys the challenge of competition and loves to skate before a crowd, and while she admits to some pre-performance jitters, “Once I hit the ice I’m fine.”
She measures her success in the will to win, working hard and finally, skating with a smile. “After all, I love what I’m doing.”
“Lately I’ve gotten a shot at pair-skating, and I love to be lifted and thrown into the air. It makes figure skating exciting.”
Tillsonburg News
Friday, December 4, 1987
BIA recommends no shopping December 27
The town’s Business Improvement Area promotions committee is strongly recommending downtown Tillsonburg be closed the Sunday after Christmas.
Committee chairperson Carol O’Neil said her survey of owners, made since the government’s decision Tuesday to allow shopping the Sunday after Christmas, showed an overwhelming majority were against opening that day.
“As far as I’m concerned, no one will stay open unless the mall does,” said O’Neil, citing Broadway Photo would feel pressured to open Sunday if Snap Shoppe in the mall does because of the threat of lost business.
Owner of the Snap Shoppe, Chuck Sangster, has already said he will not keep the store open Sunday.
Tillsonburg sports team drafts new reporter
With the departure of former sports editor Doug McKenzie, sports reporter Jeff Tribe, who has worked at The News for one year, has been promoted to the position of sports editor and a new sports reporter, Peter Kehoe, has been hired.
Tribe will continue to cover area high school sports, and the Tillsonburg Maroons.
Kehoe will be covering the Junior B Titans and minor hockey in the area.
Tillsonburg News
Wednesday, December 9, 1987
Fighting railway closing
Port Burwell Reeve Ron Bradfield is getting up a head of steam – and support, too – in his bid to alter Canadian Pacific’s proposal to tear up 24 kilometres of rail line between Tillsonburg and Port Burwell.
“Since CP made the proposal to close the line, I’ve had a few people call me to try to save the line,” said Bradfield. “Some local people think it is a shame.
“Right now is the worst time it (CP) could have picked to close that railway in the last 15 years.”
Bradfield said he does not want the rail company to totally abandon its plan to dismantle the system, but he would like to see the operation delayed a few years.
“CP should not spend any money on it, just leave it sit for five years (waiting) to see if something happens down here.”
Nix Sunday shopping
Tillsonburg Town Centre Mall businesses voted by a narrow margin to keep their doors closed the Sunday after Christmas, creating a three-day break from shopping for Tillsonburg residents.
The mall just missed being open by two votes. It would have opened if 40 per cent of the 48 stores were in favour, but only 35 per cent voted for opening.
Norfolk Mall will definitely be open for stores wishing to do business that day, said manager Linda Poirier. One store that has definitely decided to open is mall anchor Woolco.
50 YEARS AGO
Tillsonburg News
November 20, 1962
Sport Shot
By Dan Mahony
Most hockey fans in the area probably read the sports column in the London daily newspaper last Thursday in which a statement was made to the effect that junior hockey players in Tillsonburg are receiving salaries in the neighbourhood of $100 a week. It also stated that three players on the London club had gone on strike and would not play until they, too, were paid the same amount of money… Without disclosing actual figures, it can be stated that the amount paid to the players on a weekly basis often does not reach double figures, not to mention the triple figures quoted in the London paper. The rumour concerning the high salary figures was probably started as a joke, but the gullibility of some of those persons who picked it up is amazing. Strictly from a mathematical standpoint, it would be impossible for the Mavericks, whose largest crowd so far this season was about 800, to stay in operation any longer than a couple of weeks if they were paying players even half of the stated salary.
Tillsonburg News
Thursday, November 29, 1962
Ontario Launches Tobacco Inquiry
Provincial government efforts to revive the tobacco market were announced in the Legislative Assembly in Toronto yesterday by Agricultural Minister W.A. Stewart; including a government inquiry into the Ontario flue-cured tobacco industry, and a meeting arranged for tomorrow between the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Board and representatives of the tobacco buying companies.
Stewart told the Legislature that tomorrow’s meeting had been arranged in the hope of moving the tobacco out of the warehouses and ending the “crippling blow” to the economy, not only of this district, but of the province as a whole.
Langton Fire loss of $43,500
The estimated loss of $43,500 was caused in a barn fire on the farm of Julius Vermeersch on the 12th Concession Wednesday morning.
Pack barn and 29 kilns of tobacco – 21 of them stripped and ready for the market – were lost in the fire.
North Walsingham firemen, under Chief Blake Priddle, answered the alarm at 6:30 a.m. with both trucks, and were able to save the adjoining barn, which contained implements. The fire started in the strip room.
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 1962
WELCOME SANTA
A cheery wave from the jolly gentleman was directed at the estimated 3,000 people who lined Broadway Saturday morning for the “best Santa Claus parade ever presented” in the community. The bright, warm weather is credited with helping to bring out the large crowd. Ken Orton was chairman of the parade.
Thursday, Dec. 6, 1962
ANNEXATION FAILS
Tillsonburg’s unsuccessful bid to annex parts of Dereham and Middleton Townships was referred to – presumably for the last time – at the regular meeting of Tillsonburg town council at the town hall Tuesday night.
The multi-page report from the OMB, rejecting the town’s application, was among the correspondence received.
“I imagine you’re all familiar with this,” said town clerk Burt Neale. “I won’t have to read it, will I?”
Instead of reading the whole report, Neale read only the last paragraph – the one paragraph that spells out in stark essence the Municipal Board’s rejection of the town’s annexation hopes.
Neale read, “The Board has concluded that it has not shown that the present or the anticipated growth of Tillsonburg in the forecast period requires an alteration in the present boundaries of the town, and the application is dismissed.”
“Must you read that?” groaned Mayor E.S. Vance, who has devoted many hours to the annexation matter.
Apparently not hearing the mayor’s remarks too clearly through the groans, Neale began to read again, “The Board has concluded that it has not been…”
At this point, Reeve C.H. Esseltine, Councillor Dr. E.A. Quintyn, and several other members of council loudly interrupted Neale and explained that the mayor had not requested the report be read again, but rather had questioned why it should be read at all.
“Oh,” said Neale, putting the report aside.
Thursday, December 13
BUSINESS BRISK AT POST OFFICE
Assistant Post Master Morley Palen says that in one day this week postage stamp sales skyrocketed by as much as 20,000 in the two-cent variety, and by 4,000 in the five-cent type at the Tillsonburg Post Office.
On Monday, 15,000 two-cent stamps were sold, and 3,000 five-cent stamps. On Tuesday it was up to 25,000 two-cent stamps, 7,000 five-cent stamps, and on Wednesday 25,000 two-cent stamps and 3,000 five-cent stamps.
Parcel count for the two-day period was 214. On Wednesday, 208 holiday packages were handled.
To help with the load of Yule mail coming in now, four of the Christmas help began work earlier this week. Four started today, and by Friday, Dec. 14, 20 workers in total will be assisting behind the scenes in addition to regular staff.
90 YEARS AGO
Tillsonburg News
December 7, 1922
The Salvation Army will hold a bazaar of fancy aprons and useful articles for Christmas gifts on Tuesday, Dec. 12. Our Christmas entertainment is Dec. 20th.
DAVIS STORE COMPLETED
After nearly four weeks’ constant work, the remodeled Davis jewelry store is finished and business is in full swing.
Tile was brought from Wales, marble from Scotland, solid copper from Michigan, an all together more than 15 factories contributed products.
As much of the work as possible was done locally. In addition to the alteration of the front, the store is enlarged, completely re-decorated, and a lighting system of the latest type installed.
This store stands out as one of the town’s best show places.
HOUGHTON YOUTH KILLED IN EXPLOSION
Clarence Dawson, 20-year-old adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. George Edmonds, Kinglake, was instantly killed at 2:30 Tuesday afternoon when a flue, or some other section of the boiler, exploded.
A threshing outfit was being used for shredding corn and it was this boiler which burst. Once piece was carried over the barn and killed a horse standing on the other side.
INGRATITUDE
A.F. Gerow bumped up against a case of real ingratitude last week. A young man who was apparently in hard luck was taken in, and given employment and board a few days ago. Shortly afterwards the lad borrowed money, and not satisfied with that he ransacked Mr. Gerow’s house, appropriating several pieces of jewelry. As soon as Mr. Gerow learned of the theft, he went in pursuit of the young man, and finally received a telegram from the head of the provincial police in Toronto that the boy and the articles had been apprehended in Dundas and taken to Toronto. Arriving in Toronto, the youth was removed to Whitby to answer a charge of arson.
BEAR TO THE RIGHT
A motorist should always keep to the right, not only when meeting another vehicle, but when rounding a corner, turn, or circle; approaching a hill-top, crossroads, or streets.
Never overtake and pass another vehicle either too fast or too slow. If too fast, you may surprise other traffic or pedestrians, and find yourself on the wrong side of the road without your car under sufficient control. If too slow, you tend to block the road to other traffic.
Williams’ Cash and Delivery Grocery
(Free Auto Delivery)
Mixed nuts for Xmas, per pound… 25c
Kellogg’s corn flakes… 11c
Special – California oranges, per dozen… 25c
All chocolate bars, 6 for… 25c
Choice breakfast bacon per pound… 39c
McLaren’s peanut butter per pound… 25c
Extra good carrots per peck… 40c
Tillsonburg News
December 14, 1922
CHRISTMAS CHEER
Mrs. J.B. Reid will receive and forward gifts of clothing, groceries, fruit, toys, books, candies, etc. Please send to her home not later than Wednesday, 20th. Boys’ pants, sweaters and stockings are very much needed. The Children’s Aid Society depends for support on voluntary contributions, membership fees, subscriptions, and grants from societies and municipal bodies. There are 20 little ones in the Shelter at Woodstock this Christmas. Let us try to help them have a Merry Christmas.
PORT BURWELL FIGHTS FLAMES
In the bitter cold of a 40-mile northwest gale, the able-bodied people of the entire village turned out a one o’clock this morning (Dec. 13) to save their homes from flames when a fire originating in the tug Wildrose, at the dock, spread to the nearby fishhouses and blazing brands were caught and hurled up on the business part of the village by the furious winds.
This morning the volunteer firefighters are still pouring water on the ruins of several buildings but the worst is over and the homes and stores are safe.
It is estimated that the fire destroyed property worth $50,000 to $60,000, including the tug Wildrose, the wharf, the fishhouse and freezing plant owned by Vanorder & Davis, nets and gear belonging to various fishermen, and 85 tons of frozen fish (worth $1,000 alone).
The barns of the American Hotel caught fire as well as the residences of Mrs. Tweedale and the Baptist parsonage. These were soon extinguished.
A steady patrol in spite of the zero weather was maintained all night to prevent any other fires from starting from the sparks which whirled up town from the water front.
This morning the scene was simply a mass of icicles and steam.
FIVE YEARS FOR BIGAMY
Dr. Herbert E. Service, formerly of Tillsonburg, was convicted of bigamy and sentenced to five years in Kingston penitentiary on June 14th last.
Dr. Service put up the defence that he had secured a divorce from his first wife in the courts of Wisconsin, and that made him free to marry a second time, which he did in Detroit. The prosecution held that the divorce was not valid in Canada, and that Dr. Service had transgressed the laws of bigamy by going to Detroit and having a second marriage performed there.
Dr. Service is appealing.
WALSINGHAM BARN BURNED
Mr. John Zimmer of Walsingham suffered a heavy loss on Tuesday evening when his large barn was completely destroyed by fire, together with 12 cattle, four horses, and all his season’s hay, grain, etc. Mr. Zimmer was in the loft throwing down hay for the stock when a board on the floor broke, throwing him to the floor below and rendering him unconscious for a short time. In his fall the lantern he was carrying ignited the hay and the stable was in flames when he recovered consciousness. The loss will be about $3,000, partially covered by insurance.