125 YEARS AGO Thursday, February 19, 1885

• A delegation presented a petition to Melancthon Council on Monday asking the Council to appoint Messrs. J. Huxtable, William August and D. C. Lamont as a deputation to the Ontario Legislature on behalf of Separation. The Reeve read the petition and remarked that he thought it would seem queer to send two deputation to the House — one against separation and one for it. Deputy Reeve Walker expressed the same opinion but Councillor Allin thought the deputation should be heard anyway. After hearing from the deputation Council approved a motion by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Allin, that the prayer of the petition not be granted.

• Friday evening last the benedicts of Shelburne and vicinity entertained their friends at a grand ball and supper in the Town Hall which was gaily decorated for the occasion.

• Primrose: The cattle fair of this place was well attended on Wednesday of last week. There was a large number of fat cattle brought to it and

few sales were made, but the market for cattle was dull. Although Primrose

a small place, yet it you want to sell or buy cattle, it is the right place to come to. There is also a hotel with good accommodation and general store.

100 YEARS AGO Thursday, February 17, 1910

• On Saturday, February 5, fewer than 200 of Mono’s ratepayers voted heavily against a bylaw to raise

21,000 for the purpose of building bridges. Only 195 people took the trouble to turn out and vote and of these 154 opposed the bylaw.

• Nineteen counties in the province have adopted the Good Roads system and plan the improvement of 3,000 miles of their leading highways. The Good Roads Association of Ontario consider the time favourable for a general advance in the construction of good roads throughout the province. With this in view they are arranging for a widely represented convention to be held in Toronto March 2 to 4.

• The annual meeting of the Dufferin Conservative Association was held in the town hall, Shelburne, on Wednesday afternoon of last week. The attendance was fair considering a convention was held December 10 to select a candidate for the House of Commons to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Dr. Barr. The meeting was a very satisfactory one and the greatest harmony prevailed. John Best, MP, was not present, having had to leave he previous night for Ottawa.

75 YEARS AGO

Wednesday, February 21, 1935

• The Victoria Literary Society of Shelburne High School held its 33rd annual “At Home” in the school building Friday of last week. The weather was favourable and despite the fact many were unable to attend because of sickness, the largest crowd ever filled he gymnasium to overflowing. With VLS President John Atkinson in the chair, the regular meeting of the society followed and the VLS Glee Club opened the program by singing Land of Hope and Glory. After President Atkinson had a few words of welcome for the guests, the “Dickens’ Sisters,” Helen Smith and Merle and Leona Rands, pleased the audience with their singing of “When I’m too Old to Dream.” President Atkinson then explained the Oratorical Contests which have for many years been at regular feature of the At Home and called on the Junior Contestants first.

A humorous play, “The Mock Trial — Jampot vs. Mudpuddle” written and directed by Mr. H. T. Pammett, of the school’s staff, was presented by the students. Judges of the oratorical contest were Judge W. T. Robb, Mr. C. A. Lamon and Crown Attorney R. David Evans.

• An Orangeville rink of curlers, with Dr. S. T. White, formerly of Shelburne, as skip, and E. Sproule, A. D. McKitrick and C. E. Irvine as its other members, gained the Ontario Senior Tankards Championship at the Thistle Club, Hamilton, Wednesday afternoon of last week.

50 YEARS AGO Wednesday, February 17, 1960

• An Institutional Committee for Retarded Children has been formed in Dufferin County, consisting of parents of children in institutions such as those at Orillia and Smith’s Falls. The committee’s purpose is to assist the parents of those children, who may contact Mrs. Wallace Rintoul of RR1 Shelburne.

• Dr. R. V Peters, Dufferin’s Medical Officer of Health, was elected President of the newly formed Dufferin County Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society at its initial meeting in Orangeville last week.

25 YEARS AGO Wednesday, February 20, 1985

• Preliminary plans for a $3.2 million expansion of the Dufferin County Court House were unveiled Monday.

• The departure of William Davis from provincial politics, has given Ontario Liberals a “tremendous advantage,” party leader David Peterson told a meeting in Orangeville.

• A severe winter storm Tuesday closed roads and caused at least one death.