10 Years ago
Reopening the abortion debate?
The Review, May 23, 2012 – BOURGET – Although the Conservative government has sworn it will not reopen the controversial abortion debate, Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MP Pierre Lemieux is causing some controversy of his own on this exact topic. Last week, Lemieux circulated an anti-abortion petition at the parishes of Sacré-Coeur in Bourget and Saint-Pascal-Baylon. The petition calls for the government to modify article 233 of the Criminal Code and declare the fetus a human being, thus opening the door to the criminalization of abortion.

25 Years Ago
Alexandria landmark threatened with demolition
The Review, May 28, 1997 – ALEXANDRIA – The owner of the Hub of Glengarry Restaurant has asked the Town of Alexandria for permission to demolish the Priest’s Mill behind the restaurant. The owner owes $39,007.59 in municipal taxes and is unable to repair the landmark stone building. Councillors agreed to hold off on a decision on the designated heritage site and also proposed to look into whether funding to fix the stone exterior might be available from other levels of government. Repairs on the structure are estimated to cost as much as $90,000.

50 Years Ago
Cassburn neighbours protest long-distance charges
The Review, May 24, 1972 – CASSBURN – Cassburn residents are threatening to withhold payments to the Bell Telephone Company of Canada, unless Bell rectifies an unjust situation. Due to service area boundaries, Cassburn residents are split into two separate telephone exchanges – 65 per cent in L’Orignal (675) and the remainder to Vankleek Hill (678). As communications between these exchanges is classified as ‘long distance’, those in the community feel unfairly treated. With farms spread well apart, long-distance charges are assessed between neighbours. Bell Telephone has the situation under study.

75 Years Ago
Four false alarms sounded at Legion dance
The Review, May 29, 1947 – VANKLEEK HILL – The local volunteer fire brigade was given unpleasant fire drills on Friday evening last, when some young people attending the Legion dance at the town hall sounded four false alarms by ringing the fire bell. Two alarms were sounded a few minutes before and after 10 p.m. and two between midnight and 1 a.m. One of the firemen had to run from his home on Stanley Avenue North to the fire hall in the rain did not feel any too happy over the situation. False alarms sounded during dances at the town hall have been frequent during the past year. Provincial Constables Rose and Barker are investigating.

100 Years Ago
Magistrate defines when a man is drunk
The Review, May 26 1922 – RENFREW – “I will plead guilty to being intoxicated, but deny that I was drunk,” said a young man in police court the other day, after Magistrate Devine had read the complaint. His plea was accepted and he paid a fine. In a later case, the magistrate gave an elaborate explanation of the difference between intoxication and being drunk. Intoxication does not necessarily imply the victim has indulged in, or even tasted liquor. He may be excited by the sudden receipt of good news or be depressed by bad tidings. Provided he acts in either case other than his in his accustomed manner, he is intoxicated, but immune to the operation of the Ontario Temperance Act, so long as he abstains from liquor. A man is drunk only when rendered helpless by indulgence.

125 Years Ago
Earthquake damages only nerves of the timid
The Review, May 28, 1897 – VANKLEEK HILL – A heavy earthquake was felt here Thursday night. The earthquake struck a few minutes past ten o’clock and lasted several seconds. No damage resulted, unless perhaps to the nerves of some of the timid ones, but it caused quite an excitement at the time.