125 YEARS AGO: DEC. 9, 1899
Curling: Everything is in order at the curling rink, and if W. Morgan can only procure frost in sufficient quantities, those of Scottish tendencies will be in a position to enjoy life.
Disgraceful: The early part of this week, the east end of the town was the scene of a most disgraceful row, resulting in damage to heads and furniture. A short visit with Government Agent Burr and a more extended one at Kamloops would be most beneficial to some parties.
Cariboo Road: The Journal of last week printed an article headed “Cariboo Roads Flooded”, copied from the News Advertiser and duly credited to that paper. The article in question was printed because of its reference to Cariboo mining men and their description of the terrible condition of the road. The Advertiser reporter must have been badly mixed when he wrote “A good part of that last 13 miles had to be made on foot over roads where the horses were frequently up to their bellies in mud.” Anyone at all acquainted with the Cariboo road knows that the last 20 miles to Ashcroft is the best part of the road and is seldom in bad condition.
Banquet: The banquet given by the local lodge of Orangemen at the Cargile hotel Thursday night was a most decided success in every particular. At 10:30 o’clock the members of the order and invited guests were seated in the dining room before a very elaborate menu, the like of which has never been excelled in Ashcroft and which is a matter of great credit to host Nelson and Mrs. Nelson, who spared no pains in the preparation of choice viands and appropriate arrangements in the dining room. MENU — SOUP: Ox Tail; Oyster.FISH: Boiled Salmon and Halibut with Oyster Sauce. BOILED: Leg of Mutton and Caper Sauce; Ham; Ox Tongue with Mint Sauce. ROAST: Beef; Mutton and Venison with Mushroom Sauce; Roast Pig with Stuffing; Duck with Jelly; Turkey with Cranberry Sauce; Chicken; Goose and Apple Sauce. SALAD: Chicken Salad. VEGETABLES: Potatoes, Green Pease [sic], Tomatoes, Celery. PASTRY: Plum Pudding and Brandy Sauce; Orange Pudding; Lemon Jelly; Mince Pie; Cream Pie; Green Apple Pie; Jelly Cake; Fruit Cake; Chocolate Cake; Cheese, Nuts, Raisins, Fruit, Candy, Tea and Coffee.
100 YEARS AGO: DEC. 6, 1924
Grand Opening Community Hall: A grand opening of the newly-fitted Ashcroft community hall took place on Wednesday evening at which a large number of citizens gave a very enjoyable initial warming. Cards were played in the lower room, while dancing went on in the upper floor. Refreshments were served by the ladies, and everyone enjoyed themselves to the utmost. Music for the dance was supplied by Mrs. Rolston and Messrs. Rolston and Graham.
Clinton Clippings: Skating on the lake about a mile out of town is excellent. Skating parties are quite numerous. . . The merchants here are displaying Xmas goods in their windows. Buy yours early while stocks are complete and avoid disappointment. . . If Clinton is going to put anything special on for the 50th anniversary ball, now is the time to make arrangements. Everyone in town should get behind the event.
New Radio: Mark McAbee has installed a radio set at the ranch, Eight-Mile Creek, for the boys, which is reported doing good work.
Christmas: Only a little over two weeks to Christmas and the stores of local merchants are commencing to take on a holiday appearance with the display of toys and kindred holiday goods. Ashcroft stores are showing excellent displays of Christmas gifts in their windows and counters. Look them up, and shop early and avoid the rush.
Labour Man Would Amend Motor Act: Mr. Frank A. Browne, Labour, Burnaby, has given notice of two amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act. One would give the municipalities power to define certain limits within their jurisdiction as “city, town, or village areas”, while the other would reduce the speed limit in open country from the proposed 35 miles per hour [56 km/h] to 25 [40 km/h], and in cities, towns, and villages from 20 to 15 miles [32 to 24 km/h].
Read Canadian Books: This is “home products week” for Canadian literature, during which Canadians are asked to read and patronize Canadian authors as far as possible. It is a movement that should be extended to cover not one week each year, but 52 weeks every year. The idea of encouraging Canadian authors and making their work profitable is to retain good literary brains in this country and stop the exodus of Canadian intelligence towards the United States. Reading and buying Canadian books in preference to the output of any other English-speaking county is just as good sound business sense as to choose Canadian table products in preference to those of other countries. To lose our native-born brains to the United States is even more serious than to lose our raw natural resources to that country.
75 YEARS AGO: DEC. 8, 1949
Highway Closed: The Fraser Canyon Highway is closed to through traffic owing to repairs being made at Alexandra and other bridges. Anyone wishing to go to the coast by car will have to go via Merritt and Princeton to Hope. All trains are running on schedule after the recent washouts.
Skating Rink: There will be a work bee at the Ashcroft skating rink this Saturday afternoon and Sunday to get the rink ready for flooding. All boys and girls please turn out.
Ticket Missing: Ashcroft Branch of the Canadian Legion wish to announce that the ticket No. 65 has not been claimed. This was a ticket on the recent turkey draw. If this ticket is not forthcoming by Dec. 15, 1949 the turkey will be given to a family that is in need of a good Christmas dinner. We have a member of the Legion that this will go to.
Clinton Courthouse: The Provincial Government building and the courthouse, now used as a school, is looking very spry with a new roof cover of red hevagon mineral shingles.
Clinton Sale: The Women’s Auxiliary to St. John’s United Church held their annual sale of work in the community hall last Friday. The prettily-decorated stalls were laden with dainty merchandise, the work of many weeks of preparation. Eager buyers were on hand before the W.A. president, Mrs. C.E. Robertson, declared the bazaar open. Bob. Robertson proved a good guesser when he guessed that there were 359 lumps of sugar in a Pyrex casserole dish, thereby winning the dish. Miss Emily Delong won the doll, whose name was “Wilma”. The remainder of the evening was spent in card playing.
Narrow Escape: Mr. and Mrs. Don Ferguson had a narrow escape when their car skidded and turned over on an icy road on top of Kamloops hill. The car was badly damaged, but no one was injured, except for the “shiner” Don is sporting.
50 YEARS AGO: DEC. 4, 1974
Drylands Arena Now Going Full Blast: Due to a minor malfunction in the ice plant on Wednesday last, no skating was enjoyed that day. Youngsters who had arrived at 6 p.m. with their skates left disappointed, as water still covered the ice. But Thursday was a different story. We understand some youngsters even played hooky to try out the ice during the day. As soon as school was out the arena was filled with jubilant skaters, young and old. There were close to 300 skating at 7 p.m. during the public skating period. At 9 p.m. two adult hockey teams took to the ice for a practice workout. It is quite evident that the whole town has been waiting patiently for the arena to get operational, and by the smiling faces while skating everyone is happy. Friday was largely public skating, and Saturday morning the youngsters had the ice from 8 to 10 a.m., following which hot dogs and freshie were served. Our arena has been operational for only a few days, but anyone who has been to the Drylands Arena this week will agree that this facility has been a long-felt need. We are now learning just how much we have been missing. A pat on the back to our maintenance caretaker, Percy Minnabarriet, who puts in a long day, seven days a week, and is doing a fine job.
Official Opening Of The Ashcroft O.A.P.O. Centre: The Ashcroft Old Age Pensioners Centre in the Ashcroft and District Community Resources Building [now the Village Office building] was filled to capacity for the official opening on Thursday evening last. Sam Kincaid, chairman of the finance committee, opened the meeting, with Mrs. Caville, president, Mrs. Thies, secretary, and Mrs. Farquhar, treasurer, also at the head table. A guest book on the desk recorded the names of those attending, with W. Carruthers of Ashcroft having the honour of the first signature. Sam gave a resume of the costs of operating the centre. The rent is presently paid for a year-and-a-half. Rent is $150 a month, with other facilities $40, which includes the modern kitchen and large meeting room. It is hoped to gain some revenue by renting the centre for smaller groups not needing a large area.
1975 Car Stolen At Ashcroft Motors: Two 15-year-old youths stole a brand new 1975 car from the Ashcroft Motors parking lot on Monday night. They were apprehended at Lytton and were returned to Ashcroft the same night.
