January 1980 Scugog's newest citizen of the year was little Amanda Rosetta, born at Port Perry Hospital to Marci and John Redman, R. R. 3, Port Perry. Members of the Scugog council had their first look at the plans for the new Scugog Memorial Library, and approved of the plans. Brought on by the sky-rocketing demand for firewood, tree rustling became a concern for the ministry of natural resources and private landowners. A proposal by the Central Seven Organization to establish a group home for mentally retarded adults met with opposition from nearby property owners. February 1980 An Ontario Fire Marshall investigator said that a fire January 26 at a luxurious home just west of Port Perry was caused by arson. The seven elected members of Scugog council have decided not to increase their salaries this year. The official opening of the Scugog District Rape Crisis Centre took place on Friday February l5. The Durham Board of Education will make no decision on the future of Epsom School until after a local committee of parents and trustees meet again. March 1980 Scugog council has agreed to increase the Township grant to the Scugog Shores Museum from $2,000 to $4,000 this year, which will allow the museum to hire a full-time curator. An angry Scugog Council rejected efforts by several downtown business people to retain the angle parking on the north side of Queen Street. Scugog Township's bid of $71,000 for the purchase of the Brignall property east of the municipal buildings was accepted. Scugog Township council awarded the contract for the reconstruction of Queen Street to Ivan Hubbert Construction Limited, of Peterborough. At $405,336, Hubbert was the lowest of 11 bids. A proposal for a group home for mentally retarded adults received the final green light from the Township. April 1980 The Scugog Ratepayer's Association selected Bill Brock of Port Perry as its' "Citizen of the Year". After 13 years in the provincial legislature, Durham-York M.P.P. Bill Newman called it quits, citing health reasons. The ice-rental rates at the Scugog Arena are going up $5.00 per hour across the board for the 1980-81 season. A committee of local citizens and School Board trustees has been formed to examine the future of Cartwright High School, the smallest secondary school in Durham Region. The status of Epsom Public School will remain unchanged for another school year at least. May 1980 Port Perry High School teacher Russ Baird was named director of the County Town Singers. Mike Patton of Port Perry High School set a LOSSA record in the senior boys high jump competition by jumping 1.94 m. A writ was filed with the Supreme Court of Ontario for an injunction to stop a group home for the mentally retarded at Gerrow's Beach on Scugog Island. Robert DeShane of Port Perry has been awarded the licence for operation of the central ambulance in Lindsay. The Griffen family's Lake Scugog Lumber and Coal Co. Ltd. celebrated 50 years of successful business venture. June 1980 Scugog council agreed Monday afternoon to purchase a new fire truck for the Township at an extimated cost of $75,000. Durham Regional Council voted unanimously to ask federal and provincial governments to change legislation so that some welfare recipients would be required to work in the community in exchange for their benefits. Port Perry High School student Darlene Gibson scored the highest marks in a province wide shorthand contest. Her score was 97 percent. A temporary injunction against a group home for the mentally retarded on Scugog Island was rejected at an Ontario Supreme Court hearing held in Toronto. Scugog Township council wants the library board to "study the possibility" of relocating the library in Port Perry's Latcham Centre, and the Senior Citizens to study the possibility of moving to the present Library building. Stan Ploughman and Connie Glass were crowned Port Perry Senior Citizens King and Queen at a ceremony in the Latcham Centre. July 1980 The Port Perry Senior Citizens Club wants to remain at the Latcham Centre. Club members last week voted unanimously to reject a suggestion from Scugog council of moving to the Memorial Library Building on Queen Street. A report prepared for the Durham Region District Health Council recommends phasing out the maternity units of the Port Perry, Uxbridge, and Bowmanville Hospitals. The Ontario Municipal Board has approved a zoning change which will allow the Port Perry I.G.A. to expand its store area and parking lot, but at least one resident on Mary Street says there may be an appeal to the OMB judgement. A 19-year-old Oshawa man drowned in Lake Scugog Monday afternoon when he fell from a high-powered motor boat about 100 yards off the north shore of Seven Mile Island. August 1980 Planners for Durham Region have recommended that the hamlet of Seagrave undergo slow residential growth over the next several years, to insure there is no adverse effect on water supplies to existing homes. One of the finest historic homes in Port Perry and area, built by Joseph Bigelow in 1877 has been sold by its present owner William (Bill) Carnegie, to a Bank of Montreal executive. Scugog Township council has accepted the low tender of $148,000 from Edgar Brown of Scugog Island for a two-year contract for garbage collection in Wards two, three and four. September 1980 Round two of the battle over the lakefront site for the proposed library got under way in front of the Ontario Municipal Board with a request from the objectors that the hearing be postponed until after the November elections. This request however, was denied by the chairman of the OMB panel. October 1980 Yvonne Christie, former chairman of Durham Board of Education and at present, school trustee from Scugog Township, announced she will seek the Progressive Conservative nomination for the provincial riding of York Region. Work will get underway on a new $426,000 addition to the Prince Albert Public School. A number of dignitaries were present when the re-constructed Queen Street was officially opened by Robert Eaton, parliamentary assistant to Communications minister James Snow. The provincial Ministry of Transportation and Communications has refused to contribute anything towards drilling new wells in Manchester, despite the fact road salt run-off is responsible for contaminations of some of the wells. Mr. Gary David, manager of the Bank of Commerce, opened the doors for the first customers in the new building located at Queen and Water Streets. November 1980 Scugog Mayor Jerry Taylor was returned to office, but councillors Jerry Jackman and Richard Drew went down to defeat. In the race for Regional Council Lawrence Malcolm defeated Jerry Jackman and Robert Espey defeated Richard Drew for a Scugog council seat. Don Crosier defeated Ruth Mark for the area council seat, Neil Hunter won the seat in Ward 1 over Val Lovering, and Paul Saulnier. Presbyterian minister Stuart McEntyre won the seat on Durham Board of Education. The Ontario Municipal Board has ruled in favour of the proposed waterfront location for a new Scugog War Memorial Library building. The people of Scugog have sent a strong, clear message to Durham Region Health Council that the maternity unit at Community Memorial Hospital in Port Perry must not be closed. December 1980 Scugog Township council has gives approval to David Irvine and Keith Geer to build an open air skating rink on the site of the old arena. Breaking from tradition, the new Scugog council used the inaugural meeting to pass a by-law which rescinded the action taken a week earlier by the out-going council to re-confirm its financial support and the Water Street location for a new library building. Friends of John and Marion Rodway honoured the popular couple at a surprise dinner prior to the couple leaving for Australia on a teacher-exchange program. The old Master Feeds mill was purchased for an undisclosed price by Mr. Fred Burghgraef in December 1980. Scugog Township Council removed Chuck Preston from the Library Board. By a record vote of 5 to 2, council approved a motion from Lawrence Malcolm and John Wolters to appoint Joel Aldred to the Board. Durham Police winter snowmobile patrols will have two machines based at the Port Perry sub-station. Archie MacMaster retired after 34 years working at Beare Motors in Port Perry.
January 1981 The contentious issue regarding building of a new library for Scugog Township was finally settled at the first council meeting of the year when councillors Robert Espey and Don Crosier went along with Councillor John Williams and Mayor Jerry Taylor and voted in favour of the Water Street site. After 60 years of service to Port Perry and area in the same family, Storey and Bill Beare announced the sale of the GM business to Mr. Russell E. Gray effective Jan. 1, 1981. It had operated from the same location since 1919. Among dignitaries attending the official ribbon cutting ceremony, to open the Spruce Lawn Apartment building on Rosa Street for senior citizens were MPP Bill Newman, MP Allan Lawrence and Scugog Mayor Jerry Taylor. Resident Anne Mulligan was given the honour of cutting the ribbon. A new Blackstock-Cartwright Lions Club was formed with 24 members. Roy Turner was elected president. About 25 employees of the hospital set up picket lines as part of a strike by CUPE members at 65 hospitals across Ontario. February 1981 The Durham District Health Council has recommended to the provincial Health Ministry that the maternity unit of the Port Perry Hospital remain open. The 25 employees of the hospital who joined a province wide strike January 26th, reluctantly went back to work the following week. Miriam Price was elected president of the Scugog Chamber of Commerce at the annual dinner meeting held at the Port Perry Legion Hall with over 100 members in attendance. Ross Stevenson, a farmer from Udora won the Conservative nomination for the riding of York-Durham and Marg Wilbur of Scugog Township was unopposed in her bid for the NDP nomination for the riding of York-Durham. Gary Adamson, Markham will carry the Liberal banner in the upcoming provincial election on March 19. March 1981 Durham Region's 366 police officers have accepted a two-year contract which will boost the salary of a first class constable to $29,800 by January 1, 1982. April 1981 An average home in Scugog valued at about $60,000, will see a tax increase of about $130.00. That was the prediction as council adopted a local budget which is 23 percent higher than last year. Kim Harris of Port Perry High School was the winner of the Lions International District A-16 Effective Speaking Competition for English-speaking girls. May 1981 A crowd of 200 business people, friends, relatives and former employees honoured Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Brock on the occasion of the Brock's 100th Anniversary in business. A major expansion has been proposed for the Port Perry Plaza on Highway 7A. Harding Gate Developments which owns the plaza, has applied for a building permit for construction of a 12,000 square foot single storey structure for up to 12 new stores. Approximately 200 cubs, scouts and parents planted an estimated 5,000 white spruce trees at the Nonquon Conservation area north of Port Perry. A meeting between the Township, Health Department and a development company took place to prevent Poplar Park pool from shutting down. In recognition of 45 years of valuable service, the Ontario Roads Association presented John Maw with their Long Service Award. The Hon. James Snow, Minister of Highways presented the plaque to Mr. Maw. June 1981 Two Port Perry High School students, Laural Holtby and Mary McKelvey, will be touring Europe this summer with the Ontario Youth councert Band. John Gradish has been named the new principal of Port Perry High School, replacing Doug Williams who is moving to Donovan Collegiate in Oshawa. Manchester people received good news when test drilling for a new well was started. Many residents have been trucking in drinking water because their wells have been contaminated. July 1981 On June 29th, R. B. Smallman of Port Perry celebrated his 100th birthday with an Open House, at the Community Nursing Home. Since French Immersion classes began in three Durham Schools in l977, it has grown from 64 to a projected 673 students for September 1981. Larry Emmerson of Port Perry was one of 12 Ontario residents to receive the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship from Lieutenant Governor John Black Aird. In a surprise move, Scugog Township council all but abandoned plans of re-opening Poplar Park outdoor swimming pool in Port Perry. Construction of a new Scugog War Memorial Library moved forward when the Board agreed unanimously to award the building contract to Sherwood Construction of Oshawa. August 1981 The passenger group fighting the closing of VIA rail between Havelock and Toronto got another ally when Scugog Township council passed a resolution in favour of keeping the line in operation. The Region offered the Works Depot in Manchester to Scugog as Durham will soon have a new facility on Regional Road 21, near Utica. September 1981 Construction of the new library will likely start next week as final approval for the $325,000 building was given approved by Wintario. Scugog Township will operate a propane fueled snowplow on the roads this winter. All legal action against a group home which is used as a residence for mentally handicapped adults at Gerrow's Beach on Scugog Island, has been dropped. Len Goreski of Scugog Island won the Canadian Enduro Motorcycle Championship in the Junior 200 class. Kelly Goreski and Ross Carter were 2nd and 7th in their respective classes. October 1981 Chris Faint, a graduate of Cartwright High School was honoured recently as "newsmaker of the month" by B.C. Timber, a large forestry company in British Columbia. A 48-year-old drifter, John Alfred Thorpe from Alberta, with a lengthy criminal record, was found guilty in Provincial Court of attempted abduction of a ten year old Port Perry girl. He was sentenced to a 2 year prison term. November 1981 Durham Regional Police investigated a break-in at Port Perry Community Hospital which resulted in the theft of a quantity of narcotic drugs. December 1981 Durham Regional Police have laid two charges against Michael James McKegney, 37, of no fixed address, for attempted murder in connection with a stabbing incident early Sunday morning at a residence on Union Avenue in Port Perry. Durham Region council approved a 13 percent hike in the garbage dumping fee amid predictions by many Regional councillors that Durham could be facing a crisis in its operation of landfill sites. Scugog Township council has thrown its support behind a bid to bring GO Train service into Uxbridge.
January 1982 On the first day of January, 1982, the price for first class letters went up from 17 cents to 30 cents. Population growth in Scugog Township over the past seven years is higher than both Uxbridge and Brock Townships. Scugog population is 13,254, compared to Uxbridge 11,141 and Brock 9,096. Durham Police said radar will be used to step up enforcement of snowmobile speed regulations on streets in towns and hamlets in Scugog Township. Port Perry Community Hospital, converted its oil-fired boilers to natural gas and could see annual saving as high as $18,000. The new Scugog Arena operated at a deficit last year of $7,700, up almost $5,000 over the deficit in 1980. February 1982 The severe winter weather cost Scugog taxpayers a great deal of extra money. Works superintendent Ronn MacDonald told the Star last month the Township spent $20,000 more on snow removal than in January 1981. Marg Wilbur of Scugog Township was elected to the provincial executive of Ontario New Democratic Party. It was "over the top" this year for the annual Port Perry Snowarama as a record 322 snowmobilers participated in the 100 km ride and raised a total of $29,500 in pledges. After lengthy negotiations, the Durham Board of Education and more than 1000 high school teachers reached a new contract. Top salary for a teacher is now $37,200, and maximum salary for secondary school principals is $50,000. Despite protests from two councillors, Scugog Township agreed to changes in the development plans for Prince Albert to allow a maximum of 160 homes to be built in that community. March 1982 The cost of moving a 120 ton house three miles from Greenbank to Concession 9 in Scugog cost the proprietor, chiropractor Dr. Morley Pitts an estimated $100,000. Scugog Township building inspector Ray Penney warns there are a lot of improperly installed wood stoves in Township homes and "it is only a matter of time" before there is a fatal disaster. Quick thinking and some delicate work with a backhoe is credited with saving the life of Doug Coppins of Uxbridge Township who was buried under three feet of sand and gravel. An application by Van Camp Construction of Port Perry to open a gravel pit on Durham Road 21, west of Utica was approved by Regional Council. April 1982 The provincial government is awarding capital grants of $200,000 each to the hospitals in Port Perry and Uxbridge. May 1982 Over 30 firefighters from four departments in Port Perry, Caesarea, Uxbridge and Whitby battled a stubborn brush fire that rushed through fields and wooded areas on the east side of Durham Road 23, just south of 21. Lake Scugog is not suffering any damaging effects from acid rain pollution according to a study conducted by the Ministry of Natural Resources. After 17 years as minister for the Anglican Churches in Blackstock and Port Perry, Rev. Reg Rose announced his resignation and will take up new duties with a new church in Toronto. Damage could be as high as $25,000 following an early morning fire at Club Annrene on Scugog Island. June 1982 Despite strong pleas of opposition, Durham Regional Council voted in favour of an official plan ammendment to allow construction of a nine hole golf course and 76 homes near Chalk Lake. Central Seven Industries of Port Perry has recently acquired equipment for producing pressure sensitive or self-adhesive labels, and will be adding a photo-copying machine for high quality, rapid reproductions, along with stencil cutting and duplications. Greenbank had a special event in their park on June 24, to officially open their new field floodlights and washrooms. Scugog Township is experiencing the worst year in several for new construction. During the first months of 1982, building permits worth 1.9 million were issued compared to 4.3 million during the same period last year. Residents of Cochrane Street have made it clear to Scugog Township that they are opposed to any development proposals to the north end of the street, other than single family residences. July 1982 Mr. Robert Walker, a resident of Brooklin is the new postmaster of Port Perry Post Office. He replaces Bruce Hull who held the position for 24 of his 37 years with the postal organization. After several months of negotiations, the assets of Comco metal and Plastics have been sold, jeopardizing 150 jobs at the company plant in Port Perry. Higher costs for everything from fuel to drugs to lab supplies left Community Memorial Hospital in a deficit position. The condition of Birdseye Pool is deteriorating so rapidly that it's likely it will have to be replaced by the end of this summer season. August 1982 Hot air balloons flying low over the Van Kessel farm, R.R. 1, Port Perry, made the cattle in the field stampede. The Toronto-Peterborough-Havelock Association, which had been waging a gutsy, year-long battle to keep the commuter train on the rails from Havelock to Toronto, admit there is little chance it will continue beyond September. Dr. Beverley Smallman, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Smallman was honoured at Trent University in Peterborough when he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree. The 26 acre private estate known as Seven Mile Island on Lake Scugog, owned by mining magnate Patrick 'Paddy' Harrison, was offered for sale. Water samples taken this summer from swimming areas around Lake Scugog are much better than last year, according to the Health Unit. Mark Brown, a 14-year-old Scugog Township youngster placed first in two categories in gymnastic competition held at the Peace Games in Indianapolis, Indiana. September 1982 Officials with Durham Region's Social Services Department are projecting a $1,000,000 deficit in the welfare budget this year. A privately owned and operated nursing home with up to 100 beds is being proposed for Scugog Township on Concession Two near the Scugog-Manvers boundary line. The applications were filed with Scugog Township by William McGeoghan. A large reddish-brown coyote which viciously killed one dog and attacked two others in the western rural area of Scugog Township was positively identified as rabid. Port Perry Community Hospital is one of four in Durham Region under consideration by the provincial Health Ministry for construction of a proper helicopter landing pad. October 1982 The congregation of the Port Perry United Church got their first look at the new $94,000 memorial organ on Sunday, October 3rd, during the dedication ceremony held at the church. Scugog Mayor Jerry Taylor was acclaimed for another term. There were no challengers for the mayor's chair as nominations closed November 8th. A large crowd was on hand to hear Alan Reesor at the keyboards of the $94,000 Keates-Geissler pipe organ at Port Perry United Church. Mr. Reesor is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Reesor of Port Perry and is currently Associate Professor of Music at the University of Prince Edward Island. November 1982 Community Memorial Hospital in Port Perry will be receiving an additional $139,500 in operating funds from the provincial Health Ministry. Durham Region officials are now projecting that the deficit for this year in general welfare payments will be at least $1,125,000. Only 42% of eligible voters went to the polls November 8th to cast their votes. The following candidates take their seats in Scugog Township council for the next three years: Mayor - Jerry Taylor; Regional Councillor - Lawrence Malcolm; Area Councillor - John Wolters; Ward 1 Councillor - Neil Hunter; Ward 2 Councillor - Jack Cottrell; Ward 3 Councillor - Don Cochrane and Ward 4 Councillor - Harvey Graham. Stuart McEntyre returns as Scugog trustee on the Durham Board of Education. December 1982 Law partners Paul Fletcher and John McKay were found not guilty and cleared of fraud charges against them in a Toronto courtroom. The cost to Scugog Township for the November 8th election was slightly less than $14,000. The largest single cost was for printing the voters list, ballots and cards which came to $5,226. The Harrison Estate on Seven Mile Island was sold for $630,000, but who bought the unique property on Lake Scugog has not been disclosed.
January 1983 Durham Regional Police reported several break, enters and thefts throughout Scugog over the Christmas-New Year's period. A Toronto man, Michael James McKegney who pleaded guilty to two counts of wounding was sentenced in County Court to four years in jail. Scugog garbage dump on Durham Road 8 could be shut down one day per week. It would save the Region as much as $30,000 annually. Scugog Township paid $90,000 for a building on 2.5 acres on Durham Road 8 for a new garage and depot for the township roads department. Scugog Township experienced a $2.7 million decline in the number of building permits issued during 1983 compared to 1982. Ron Compton of Compton Cable TV announced Pay Television should be available by Sept. 1983. The Scugog Landfill site on Durham Road 8 will be shut each Wednesday in the near future. February 1983 In December 1982, 7,198 people in Durham received welfare, compared to 5,581 a year earlier. Motorists in the Scugog area were able to fill up their car tanks at the low price of 32.7¢ per litre. Lake Scugog was the site of a new world speed record as Tom Erhart of Grand Rapids, Michigan, pushed the needle on his Budweiser-Polaris sled to 154.5 MPH. Karen McKelvey, a grade 12 Port Perry High School student was accepted as a member of the Ontario Youth Concert Band. The band performs in England, France, West Germany and Austria. March 1983 March 18 will go down in history as the earliest that anyone has ever gone swimming in Lake Scugog, and Al Boumeester, 17, now holds that record. The temperature of the water was 8 degrees Celsius or 46 Fahrenheit. Scugog Township council has approved the 1983 roads budget of $1,285,000. Raglan Public School will be closed in June and students transferred to Prince Albert or Meadowcrest (Brooklin) public schools. Damage estimates are ranging as high as $300,000 in a fire March 22, which destroyed the interior of Insulose Products Limited, and for a time threatened to force the evacuation of numerous homes in the northwest corner of Port Perry. April 1983 Port Perry High School grade 13 student Carla Dempsey and Velvet Linton both received honourable mention in a national writing contest. There were 2,000 entrants in the contest from all parts of Canada. Kathleen Taylor was the winner of the essay contest, sponsored by Durham Branch of Canadian Mental Health Association. Scugog Township building permits showed a total of $2,494,000 issued in the first 3 months of 1983, compared to only $385,000 in the first three months of 1982. Use of the strap will officially disappear from school classrooms in Durham Region at the end of June 1984. Tony Bertrand, 13-year-old member of R.H. Cornish wrestling team won the all-Ontario championship in the Bantam heavy-weight class. May 1983 A 35-year-old Scarborough man was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of the second degree murder of Gary McKenzie, a Port Perry resident. Port Perry artist, Les Parkes won the award for the Best Watercolour, at an art exhibit sponsored by the Oshawa Art Association. After 39 years of perfect attendance with the Port Perry Lions Club, Lion Cec King was honoured at the 45th Anniversary celebration of the local club. June 1983 A group of Seagrave parents are demanding changes in the school bus route system following the tragic death of a seven year old boy who was killed May 27 as he stepped off a school bus in front of his home on Durham Road 2, south of Seagrave. After more than a century of educating young people, Raglan Public School closed its doors on June 18, 1983. Dr. Matthew B. Dymond using a bright silver spade started the construction of the new $750,000 addition to the Community Memorial Hospital. Present at the sod turning was about 100 people among them Hospital Chairman Sheldon Smith, Durham-York MPP Ross Stevenson, Regional Councillor Lawrence Malcolm and building chairman Howard Hall. July 1983 Disappointed there appears to be no financial assistance from the federal or provincial governments for clearing weeds out of Lake Scugog, and alarmed at the growth of weeds in the lake, Township council agreed to explore the possibility of getting a harvester for the municipality. Residents of Carnegie St. in Port Perry expressed strong reservations about a 150 unit apartment building proposed for a piece of land, east of the street and west of the Port Perry Plaza. Forty-eight teenage girls, all members of the Oshawa Festival Singers, including two Port Perry girls, Cathy Hall and Jennifer Baird, flew to Scotland to sing their way across the British Isles. Kevin Ash of Seagrave was the top 1983 grade 13 student with an average of 95 percent at Port Perry High School. In all, 23 students were recommended for Ontario Scholarships. Scugog Township has enjoyed a strong upswing in building and construction during the first six months of 1983. Total value of this year was $6,502,400, compared to only $2,558,000 in 1982. August 1983 The finance committee of Scugog Township has recommended that the Township volunteer fire department based in Port Perry be increased to 25 members, effective January 1, 1984. The highway construction project from Manchester through Port Perry was progressing well. The new owners of 'Paddy' Harrison's Seven Mile Island planned to turn the property into a high-class resort. Representative from the company disclosed plans at a council meeting. September 1983 The Port Perry MoJacks Pee Wee Fastball team competed in Ontario Summer games in Sudbury and returned with the silver medal. Fifty-seven people of all ages turned up at the High School to participate in the Terry Fox Run with $3,600 in pledges. Craig Taylor was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 34 minutes. October 1983 For the second time in three years, the Greenbank Gamblers were champions of Uxbridge Community Fastball League. The hamlet of Brooklin, just south of Port Perry, will remain a community of about 1,600 after plans to develop the area to a community of 10,000 were scuttled. Housing starts in Durham Region jumped 138 percent during the first 8 months of this year over the same period in 1982. In actual numbers, that is an increase of more than 1,000 units from 1,045 in 1982 to 2,490 in 1983. Les Parkes, Port Perry artist has again won honors in an Art Exhibition, this time in Toronto for his watercolour, "Beach Litter". November 1983 Scugog firefighters worked for an hour using the "Jaws of Life" to free two young men in a two-vehicle car crash on the Shirley Road. Dennis Gatchell, 20, of R. R. 2, Blackstock was flown by air ambulance to Sunnybrook Hospital. The cost of garbage disposal in Durham Region will be going up substantially January 1, if Regional Council endorses a recommendation from the Works and Finance Committees suggesting an increase of 14.7%. Pierre Leduc of Port Perry was honoured by the Adult Protective Services Assoc. of Ontario at a dinner in Toronto. Hanover Hill Holsteins of Port Perry continued its string of victories as it brought home the top awards at the Royal Winter Fair. December 1983 Following months of negotiating with Scugog Council, developer Bill Calderwood presented new plans for a six storey, 70 unit apartment building in the Carnegie Street area approved by council. Durham Region Police have started the roadside spot-check during the Christmas-New Years Season. Using the ALERT device, police will be taking breath samples from drivers at random locations through the region.
January 1984 First baby to be born at the Community Memorial Hospital in 1984 was a little boy, born to Rick and Sherrie Grieveson on January 3rd. A few hours later, a second baby girl was born to Wendy and Don Hockley. and only eight minutes later, a third baby was born to Kathy and Neil McLaughlin. A fire at the Myrtle Station destroyed the Kurz Food Plant, causing an estimated $800,000 damage. Durham Regional Police winter snowmobile patrols on Lake Scugog and the cottage country started, with two officers patrolling the lake Marilyn Hutchinson was honoured by Marg and Jim Lawrence on the occasion of her 25 years service to Bruton's Drug Store. February 1984 The Port Perry Rotary Club was seeking a meeting with Scugog Township Council to discuss the club's plans to put a bandshell at the lakefront. An early morning fire caused extensive damage to the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Sleep of R. R. 3, Blackstock. There were no injuries as the family managed to get out of the house unharmed. Merril Van Camp of Blackstock was named to a three year term on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Stock Yards. March 1984 The PPHS Midget Boys basketball team were gold medal winners in the LOSSA final and silver medal winners in the COSSA playdowns. The Junior girls volleyball team from PPHS won silver medals at both LOSSA and COSSA playoffs. All but two ice hut owners heeded warnings from the Ministry of Natural Resources and moved their huts by the March 15th midnight deadline. The levels in the water of Lake Scugog will be the subject of a public meeting to be held in Port Perry. The meeting has been organized by Scugog Chamber of Commerce and representatives from Trent-Severn Waterways Authority will be present. April 1984 Ontario Treasurer Larry Grossman paid a visit to Port Perry to listen and discuss the economic issues with a group of 75 invited business people from the York-Durham riding. Jody Luke and Max Daigle, two R. H. Cornish Public School students pulled off top honours in the most respected public speaking contest in the area. The second annual Lake Scugog bass derby will be held on June 30, and the grand prize for some lucky fisherman could be as high as $30,000. Scugog Township council has received two proposals for re-building the municipally-owned marina on the waterfront. One of the proposals was submitted by Chuck Preston, a Port Perry businessman, and one from 21 year old John Mackey, an Oshawa resident who was born in Port Perry, and has worked at the marina for the past five summers. A major expansion at the A. G. Simpson manufacturing plant south of Port Perry means an additional 40 or 50 jobs, according to company officials. May 1984 A new Separate Elementary School will open its doors to students in Port Perry in September 1986. Dowson's Red and White Store celebrated its 35th anniversary in Port Perry. Close to 400 people sat down to dinner at Scarborough's Renaissance Hotel to pay tribute to Dr. Matthew Dymond, one of Port Perry's best-known and respected citizens. Dr. Dymond spent more than 30 years of his life in public service. Donna Pearce figures it's about time Caesarea got some respect, not to mention more tax dollars from Scugog Township council. She read an angry letter to councillors citing streets are not paved, a lack of street lighting and drainage problems. June 1984 An invitation was extended to all residents of Scugog Township to attend the official opening and dedication to the new wing at the Community Memorial Hospital. About 35 residents of Scugog Island, crowded the council chambers saying they were opposed to plans by the Township to put in a road linking Sunrise to Aldred's Beach to the south. July 1984 For the second year in a row, the $30,000 first prize specially tagged bass in the Lake Scugog Bass Derby eluded fishermen. Scugog Township council selected John Mackey to operate a new marina under lease when a facility is built on the Port Perry waterfront. Port Perry Lawn Bowling Club received a grant from Wintario in the amount of $25,042 and plans are made to move greens from Queen Street to a new and larger site on Regional Road 8. Sixty-five merchants and friends honoured Sam and Ann Levinson at a dinner sponsored by the Port Perry Chamber of Commerce, at Emiel's Place. Mr. and Mrs. Levinson now live in Toronto. One of the major attractions for Western Days was a dance at Scugog Arena with the "Hawk", Ronnie Hawkins, who entertained about 700 people. August 1984 After swinging golf clubs for 30 years, Harry Golding of Port Perry finally had his first hole in one at Pine Ridge Golf Course. September 1984 As was expected, Conservative candidate Allan Lawrence was easily re-elected in the riding of Durham-Northumberland. Several cases of lice were reported at R. H. Cornish Public School, prompting an inspection of students. Scugog Township Council unanimously approved a re-zoning which would allow a small private school where developmentally handicapped will be taught "living skills". Dan McLarnon of Port Perry took second place in his division at the Canadian tunnel boat championship held at Gravenhurst. October 1984 Damage was estimated at more than $30,000 after an intense fire at the office of the Trailer Place at the intersection of Water Street and Highway 7A. By a vote of four to one, Scugog Township council gave approval to a scaled-down subdivision application for Stephenson's Point on Scugog Island. Twenty-two tons of Fred Knobbs prime alfalfa hay was shipped to England to feed the Queen's horses at the Royal Stables. An agreement between Scugog Township and Carlan Developments has been reached for a two-acre site for a lawn bowling green on Old Simcoe Street just north of Durham Road 8 at a cost of $23,000. November 1984 Six Scugog Township residents were awarded Ontario Bicentennial medals. Mabel Cawker of R.R. 1, Nestleton; Earl Martyn, R. R. 2, Port Perry; Armour McMillan of Greenbank; Percy VanCamp of Blackstock; Vin Walker of Port Perry and Glen Wannamaker of Port Perry. The medals say, "for service to the community". Scugog Township council will call tenders for the construction of a new municpally-owned marina on the waterfront. John Mackey will operate the new facility under lease with the Township. The population of Scugog Township continues to grow at a gradual rate and is expected to be just over 20,000 in the year 2011. In 1985 the population will be 14,500, an increase of just 1,000 during the past five years. December 1984 Two Hanover Holstein bull calves were bought for $480,000 setting a record for the Royal Agricultural Fair. The Ontario Municipal Board ruled in favour of a development for 76 residential properties and a nine hole golf course on the north side of Chalk Lake Road in the south-west corner of Scugog Township. Scugog Township council extended the garbage pick-up contract with Ed Brown for another year.
January 1985 A massive police investigation is underway after the partially clad body of 9-year-old Christine Jessop was found New Year's Eve, 16 km north of Port Perry. Chad Brown, 9, fell into the frigid waters of Lake Scugog and his brother Robbie, 14, and his uncle Dean Matthews, 23, pulled him to safety. Scugog Township council is seriously considering a by-law to force residents to clear the snow from sidewalks in front of their homes and businesses. J. Peter Hvidsten, publisher of the Port Perry Star was elected to a two year term as President of the Scugog Chamber of Commerce. Mersco Department store opened with a bang and all sorts of specials Saturday after moving from a shop beside Luke's Country Store to their new location beside House of Howard. The Port Perry Star presented Judy McColl, chief librarian at the Scugog Library and Yvonne Christie, president of the Historical Society with 63,000 pages of microfilm of the Port Perry Star dating back to 1857. February 1985 Marg Wilbur announced she will be seeking the NDP nomination for the provincial riding of Durham-York. A 43-year-old Scugog Island man, Robert Hobbs was treated for frostbite and hypothermia after falling from his snowmobile sometime during the night. Firemen pumped five feet of water from the basement of a home on Bigelow Street, caused by flooding from an ice-clogged culvert. The Holstein Association of Canada honored Seagrave farmer Harold Honey for his 54 year membership, the longest continuous one in Ontario. March 1985 Maxine Pedlar, a 56-year-old woman of no fixed address was killed when struck by a car on Highway 12 near Manchester, while crossing the highway with an armload of firewood. Marg Wilbur was acclaimed as the party candidate for the Durham-York NDP. A fire caused an estimated $100,000 damage at the DeLong farm on Highway 7A, just west of Blackstock. The local LCBO store in Port Perry received 2160 cases of American Stroh's beer last Friday, the first shipment since a lockout began four weeks ago. The Port Perry Lions Club took over the Manchester Hall to hold their meetings. The Scugog Chamber of Commerce "Beard Growing Contest" got underway at the Municipal Office with the faces of 18 contestants shaved. Les Parkes and Zoe Allan accepted the THEA award for best presentation of a Canadian musical for their work on Birdseye Centre. Guy Paul Morin, the man accused in the murder of Christine Jessop has been remanded in custody and will make a second court appearance in Whitby. May 1985 Bob Archer, president of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 419, presented Judy McColl of the Scugog Memorial Library with a cheque for $2,112.18 to pay for their new microfilm reader. Ross Stevenson won the Durham-York riding for the Conservatives. Student council president Lynn McLaughlin was named Cartwright High School's At-Home Queen at the annual formal dance. Former Port Perry Star publisher Per Hvidsten passed away on May 27th after a brief illness. Mr. Hvidsten was also the former publisher of the Uxbridge Times Journal from 1953 to 1963. A group of students under the direction of teacher Paul Arculus will begin work this fall to excavate the foundation of the old Port Perry Union School which burned to the ground in 1926 on the south lawn of the present high school. June 1985 A crowd estimated at 2,000 looked on Saturday as a team of six men attempted and succeeded in flipping the world's largest pancake. The pancake took over 100 pounds of Golden Griddle batter and was cooked in a seven foot, 250 pound frying pan. Seventeen-year-old Stephanie Butt placed fourth and second in two categories of the recent Miss Canadian Hemisphere Pageant in Toronto. One of the finest Holstein herds anywhere went on the block, and when the two-day sale ended, buyers had paid just over $7,000,000. for 302 animals at the Hanover Hills Farm south of Port Perry. August 1985 Former Port Perry Reeve J.J. Gibson passed away August 7th after a three month illness. Mr. Gibson spent over a decade in politics in Port Perry and the highlight of his life in politics came in 1965 when he became Warden of Ontario County. The company developing Cawker's Creek subdivision in Port Perry has refused to pay any more bills to the Township's firm of consulting engineers saying the fees are "way out of line". September 1985 Enrolments in both Port Perry High School and R.H. Cornish have increased significantly on the first day of school, as 1070 registered at Cornish and 1027 at the High School. October 1985 Construction of a new municipally-owned marina on the Port Perry waterfront got underway, with completion scheduled for the end of April 1986. Paul Milligan of Prince Albert became the new building inspector and by-law enforcement officer. The latest report from Environment Ontario shows that Lake Scugog fish continue to be the most contaminant-free in all the province. November 1985 Port Perry High School students set up a branch of SADD (Students against Drunk Driving) after losing several of their friends to alcohol-related accidents during the past year. Mayor Jerry Taylor was returned as Mayor for his third term defeating challenger John Wolters by 865 votes. Others elected were: Lawrence Malcolm, Harvey Graham, Howard Hall, Yvonne Christie, Don Cochrane and Neil McLaughlin. Joyce Kelly of Blackstock along with Debbie Tredway will represent Scugog at the Board of Education. Port Perry gained national publicity when "Ripley's Believe It or Not" featured last summer's 7 Foot Pancake Flip in one of its' weekly columns. December 1985 Scugog Council was asked for a re-count of the votes cast in the recent Board of Education election by Bobbie Drew of Port Perry who was defeated. Jennifer Geer of Port Perry will be honoured as a Junior Citizen of the Year, at the February Convention of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association. Jennifer bravely donated bone marrow to her three-year-old brother Matthew when it was discovered he had a form of cancer.
January 1986 Shawn Michael was the first baby born at Community Memorial Hospital in 1986 to parents Ron and Karen Parish. Harvey Kirck, one of the best known personalities in the Canadian Broadcasting industry was the guest speaker at the Scugog Chamber of Commerce annual meeting. The Port Perry United Church celebrated 100 years of service to the community. An 1886 atmosphere was recreated by the minister, and many of the choir and congregation were dressed in period costume for the dedication service. February 1986 "Transcending the Traffic", an 86 foot high sculpture depicting traffic through the ages, which was created by local artisan Bill Lishman, arrived at the Expo '86 site in Vancouver. The Durham Board of Education's Property and Transportation Committee agreed to keep Cartwright High School open for the next five years without review. March 1986 Scugog Township council accepted an offer of $115,000 from the Durham Board of Education to purchase seven acres of land at the fairgrounds for the site of a new elementary school. A 60-unit co-op housing project for Port Perry received the financial green light from the provincial and federal governments. Vin and Jean Walker of Port Perry are the proud new owners of a 1986 Cadillac Sedan deVille, thanks to a Super Lotto ticket win late in January. A $1.5 million, 18-unit condominium project by developer Alex Shepherd has cleared the final hurdles for construction. April 1986 Scugog Township hired Don Intine as a full-time by-law enforcement officer. The speed limit through Utica was reduced from 80 km/hr to 70 km/hr. Town Hall 1873 celebrated its 10th anniversary at a gala evening featuring Moe Kauffman. Sixty people from Port Perry and area, most of them children, required anti-rabies shots after coming in contact with a rabid dog. The Durham Board of Education received provincial grants for construction of a new elementary school in Port Perry. It gained approval for a construction grant of $2,062,000 plus an additional $90,000 for purchasing land for the school site. May 1986 Township councillors refused to support the local Chamber of Commerce to have Port Perry declared a tourist area, which in turn would allow stores in town to remain open on Sundays and statutory holidays. The Central Seven Association for the Mentally Handicapped turned the sod to start construction of Carlan House on a lot immediately to the east of the Central Seven workshop on the Durham Road 8. June 1986 The tennis courts are in need of repairs and estimates are as high as $27,000 to make the necessary repairs which include improved lighting. The Durham Board of Education pulled the plug on a new school for Port Perry in 1987, despite protests from Scugog trustees Debbie Tredway and Joyce Kelly. Trustees voted 17-3 to transfer the $2.1 million school to a school in Pickering. John Schewaga, a 51-year-old Scugog Township hog farmer was sentenced to 12 months in jail for defrauding the Bank of Commerce of $125,000. The mysterious Phantom has struck again with his famous calling card placed on the steps of local businesses. The calling card is a white rock, in a variety of sizes, painted white with the words "The Phantom" in black letters. July 1986 Port Perry was declared an "honourary island" by the government of the Bahamas for the upcoming Carribean Festival Days. Doctors in Port Perry re-opened their offices Monday, July 7th, ending an OMA sanctioned strike that began nearly three weeks ago. Farmer John Wolters is in intensive care at Oshawa General Hospital with serious injuries, after his tractor slipped into gear and ran over him. Plans for a small commercial plaza on Lilla Street, near the Herb Brooks farm, is rejected by Scugog Township council. Wintario Live packed the auditorium at Port Perry High School for its broadcast of the popular weekly show. August 1986 Thirteen people resigned from the Port Perry Fair Board due to on-going turmoil about the sale of the fairgrounds property to the Board of Education. More than 200 Prince Albert people were named on a petition when they learned Post Office in the local general store may close. The official opening of the new Port Perry Lawn Bowling Club took place. Township Council gave the Scugog Chamber of Commerce approval in principle to install Victorian-style decorative light standards along both sides of Queen Street, along with new benches and heavy-duty steel garbage containers. Total cost of the project is estimated at $40,000. September 1986 A 2,200 pound Belgian horse was destroyed Monday night at the Fairgrounds after a freak accident during the horsedraw competitions. The team of horses spooked and ran into the infield where they eventually crashed into a parked motorhome, causing a fractured skull and broken vertebrae. Filming of "The Arm" starring Matt Dillon took place in downtown Port Perry. Veterans of the Korean War re-dedicated the Blackstock Cenotaph to honour those who died in the war. October 1986 Kelly Goreski won a bronze medal in the toughest dirt bike race in the world, the International Six-Day Enduro held in Burgamo, Italy. Durham Health Unit warned about drinking contaminated water from a spring at Portview Beach. A new fire truck was delivered to the Caesarea Fire Department. The modern, fire truck was purchased at a cost of $112,000. November 1986 Scugog Council wanted to negotiate a cash buy-out of the lease on the Port Perry Fairgrounds, and to discuss a new proposal with the Fair Board. After 28 years in business, Eleanor Wood retired from her florist business. A massive commercial residential development, with plans for a 50,000 square foot enclosed shopping mall was proposed by developer Hans Moehring, on the north side of Highway 7A, where Bayshore Take-out and Conway Place now stand. (now Reid's Independent store) The Royal Bank celebrated 25 years of service to Port Perry and area. Former bank managers Tom Mullen, Bill English, Joe Draper and Al Pacey attended. December 1986 By a narrow margin of 22 to 20, Port Perry Fair Board members rejected a proposal to break the lease for the fairgrounds, forcing the Durham Board of Education to begin searching for a new site for a school in Port Perry. Don Murdock of Port Perry was among 41 Canadians presented with bravery medals for his part in helping rescue a 10-year-old girl from a burning home in Whitby. Reaction among local business people was generally favourable to the Supreme Court ruling upholding Sunday closings.
January 1987 Scugog Township enjoyed its best construction year ever in 1987 with the value of building permits topping $20 million. Council ordered a traffic study for the congestion problems along Highway 7A and Water Street. Roads Superintendent Ronn MacDonald had a brush with death when his snowmobile plunged into an open stretch of frigid water south of Port Perry. After seven years as secretary to the Chamber of Commerce, Earl Cuddie stepped down turning it over to past president Bill Barr. Elgin Knopp was elected president. February 1987 Melanie Lee, 17, was robbed by two men wielding a sawed-off shotgun, while working at the Seagrave store. Policeman Greg Heasman has been credited with saving the life of five-year-old Erin Hoekstra after the young girl plunged 30 feet into an old well. Donna McIntyre has been chosen the 1987 Heart Queen at the annual Cartwright High School Heart Dance. Runners-up were Kelly Hart and Joy Werry. About 100 people gathered at the site of the new Borelia Co-op Housing Project for an official sod turning ceremony by Allan Lawrence, M.P. A team of consultants have recommended the township hire a full-time recreation director and begin development of a major recreation area called Scugog Centre on lands at the Scugog Arena. March 1987 Six-year-old Dustin Kellesteine had a terrifying plunge down his grandparent's 40' well, but Marion Menichuk, the youngster's grandmother was able to pull him free. Little Lisa McClure, with virtually no modelling experience, used her natural charm to win the Miss PeeWee Sunburst pageant in Oshawa. Scugog Community Care celebrated the opening of their new offices at 175 North Street in the Triport Building. April 1987 Jennifer Blackburn, of Port Perry won first place in Highland Dancing in both Scarborough and Ajax. After 40 years in the propane business, Gord and Harry Carnegie sold their business on North Street to Ted and Joanne Blanchard. May 1987 Handi Transit is now operating in Scugog and Uxbridge Townships. Leisa James was chosen At Home Queen for the annual Port Perry High School "At Home". King for the event was Doug Arculus. The building housing the law offices of Harris, Fletcher, Tesluk, located on the west side of the IGA, was moved along Queen St. to Water St. and south to Shanly Street at a cost of about $10,000. June 1987 A 40 unit Senior Citizen apartment complex proposed for the southerly portion of the land owned by the Catholic Church was turned down by council. Council has ordered the law firm of Harris, Fletcher, Tesluk to either remove their building from an un-opened portion of Shanly Street, or enter into an agreement to up-grade the road to municipal standards, including sewer and water services. It will cost $1.7 million to relocate the Port Perry Fairgrounds to municipal land behind Scugog Arena, according to a consultants' report handed down to council on Monday. Port Perry High School Reunion committee members were thrilled at the 3,000 former students and teachers who attended the reunion activities. July 1987 Storey Beare was presented a plaque by the Ontario College of Pharmacy during the Golden Anniversary of his graduation from the College. The streets of Port Perry bustled for three days, during the Bahama Festival Days. It is estimated that 20,000 people attended the extravaganza. Miss Bahama, Betty-Ann Hanna and her entourage flew in from the Bahamas. High bacteria levels at the beach in Palmer Park made the area unfit for swimming and signs were posted to warn the public of the danger. New Victorian style street lighting installed, along with benches and waste recepticals along Queen St. at a cost of close to $50,000. Automatic banking has been introduced to Port Perry with the CIBC announcing their new Instant Teller at the local bank. August 1987 An OMB decision has given the green light to the 22 lot Stephenson's Point subdivision. A combination of a severe rainstorm and construction of the Victorian Village subdivision was blamed for the flooding of at least three backyards and a basement in the Arrow/Scugog Streets area. Scugog Board of Education trustee Joyce Kelly said she expected the Board's expropriation plans for a school site at the Port Perry Fairgrounds will be officially dropped at their next meeting. Many dignitaries were on hand in Blackstock to help the Post Office celebrate its 100th year of postal service in the community. September 1987 Community Memorial Hospital will undergo a major expansion in 1990 with the provincial government providing funds for 22 chronic care beds. The project is estimated to cost over $2 million. The newly-formed Scugog Canoe Club gave demonstrations and displays to introduce residents to the sport of canoeing. Sam Cureatz managed to survive the red tide that rolled across Ontario as the Liberals swept in with 95 seats. Cureatz retained his seat in the riding, one of just 16 Ont. PCs to do so. Nestleton Country Store owner Peter Fitton says the future of Nestleton Post Office is in doubt since he turned down an offer from Canada Post. Three merchants at the Port Perry Plaza asked the township to get traffic lights installed at the entrance to the plaza. Store owners are hiring off-duty OPP officers to direct traffic on weekends. October 1987 Lori Risebrough, a ten-year-old Blackstock girl was attacked and mauled by a neighbour's German Shepherd. She managed to pull herself 1000 feet to the nearest home after the dog wandered off. The Port Perry Downtown Merchants Assoc. was formed with Carolyn Bridgewater, chairman; Bill Brock, treasurer,; Jean McDermott, secretary. Workers at Flamingo/Vachon reacted with anger and tears when top officials with the company broke the grim news that the plant would be closing. Council got its first look at a massive $25 million development plan which includes 90 condominiums, 100 seniors apartments, and a large indoor shopping plaza, on the old Conway property. Larry and Fran Taylor officially open Ford Dealership at the west end of town. November 1987 A Scugog landmark for nearly a century was destroyed when fire raced through the barn owned by Cliff and Helen Redman on Scugog Island. Chief Jon Jenkins announced he will be retiring next November after a 35 year career as a police officer, 15 as chief of police for Durham Region. Port Perry Lions Club celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Charter at the Lions Hall in Manchester. Mr. Bill Carnegie, one of the original charter members was presented a special commemorative medal. December 1987 The new Nestleton Post Office, located in the PetroCan garage on Highway 7A owned by Mr. and Mrs. Mark Malcolm, was officially opened with Mayor Jerry Taylor cutting the bright red ribbon. Judge P. Lawson has ordered the law firm of Fletcher, Tesluk to vacate their law offices on Shanly Street by December 31. Norm Ball took his turn at hoisting the olympic flame in the historic Olympic Torch Relay on Monday, Dec. 22.
January 1988 Scugog Mayor Jerry Taylor believes that l988 must be the year in which the Township starts to make serious plans to build a large community hall. The hall should be large enough to seat 300-400 people comfortably. The Flamingo Pastries Plant on Simcoe Street has been sold to a Scarborough company, Tech Star Plastics. They produce plastic products and hope to employ about 100 persons. The Port Perry Goreski Bantams hosted a team from Mora, Sweden in an exhibition game New Years' Day at the Scugog Arena. About 600 fans were treated to a good all-round game with Port Perry coming out on top by a score of 7-3. Captain Steven McIntyre, 27, of Prince Albert was one of four Canadian Armed Forces officers killed last Thursday in a helicopter crash near Timmins, Ontario. February 1988 Parking in downtown Port Perry was one of the topics of conversation of the Port Perry Downtown Merchants Association. There was concern about business people who park in front of stores. About 40 hand-hewn logs, which formed cribs in the water at the lakefront since about 1884, were removed from the lake. The logs are 40' long and measure 16"x16". Fifty or more low-income families in this township are expected to use a food bank at the Operation Scugog Store when it opens this month. Durham's finance and works committees have recommended that the dumping fee at Regional landfill sites, including the one in Scugog be increased from $18 per tonne to $50 per tonne. March 1988 Scugog Council has agreed to support an application for an Official Plan ammendment at the Region of Durham for the Brooks Farm Project. The proposal is for 119 homes on septic systems. Three men from the Port Perry area were in Calgary for the Winter Olympics. Norm Nicol, Garry Beechey and Steve Rensink were among the thousands of people who helped work "backstage" at the games to insure their success. Work is nearly completed on the seawall being constructed along the lakefront. It is the first stage in the construction of the Conway Development, a massive residential and shopping complex planned for the corner of Highway 7A and Water Street. The CIBC celebrated its 100th anniversary of service to customers in the Port Perry area. Several people took part including manager Jeff Fell and customer services officer Grace Pargeter who has been with the bank for 25 years. It was standing room only at the Scugog Arena as the Port Perry MoJacks swept the Lakefield Chiefs four games straight to win the Division title. Recycling is on its way to Port Perry, and the blue plastic containers will be supplied to every Port Perry household by Durham Recycling. The company will be recycling cans, glass bottles and jars, and newspapers. April 1988 Scugog Township council has officially told Metro Toronto that there is no site in the Township suitable for a garbage dump. Metro Toronto is currently facing a garbage crisis and has sent letters to all communities within 300 km. asking for a suitable site to devlop as a landfill site. The Port Perry Petites won the B Division Crown in the Provincial Ringette Championship Tournament held in Sudbury over the Easter weekend. The Port Perry Midget Eagles are the all-Ontario BB hockey champions. The Eagles won the crown in front of a large and vocal crowd at the Scugog Arena in which they nipped Beamsville 5-4. The Port Perry MoJacks defeated Wellington Dukes 5-1, winning the Central Ontario League championship trophy. Leanne Philip, 15, won the grand prize in the Durham Regional Science Fair for the second year in a row. For the second time in just six years, the Borelians of Port Perry have won the top award at the annual ACTCO Thea Awards banquet. The award was for the Borelian's production of "Nobody Loves A Dragon". May 1988 Former Deputy Chief David John Edwards has been named new chief of the Durham Regional Police Force effective September 10th. Durham Region Council has voted against any extension of Sunday retail shopping in the Region. The proposed Honey Heights subdivision north of Port Perry has been given "approval in principle" by Scugog Township, but the number of lots have been scaled down from 74 to 47. Hank's Pastries celebrated its 25th anniversary this month, and owner Ken DeJong and his wife Angie held an open house. Anna Forder-McLaughlin was inducted into the Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame, at the Third Annual Induction Ceremony held at the Oshawa Civic Auditorium. Anna and Richard Stevens became household words around the area during the 1960's as they competed in national and international skating competitions. June 1988 The Port Perry IGA has re-opened after a major expansion. The new store has now 21,000 square feet, or nearly half an acre. The strike by 11 Scugog Township office employees is now in its second week, and there is not a lot of optimism from either side that the dispute will be settled quickly. Employees are asking for a $4,000 annual wage increase across the board while the council has offered $2,000. Matt's Sooter, a three-year-old pacer is currently rated the top money winner in North America and nobody could be happier than his owners, Charlie Jurabinski, and Gord Rumpel. Matt's earnings so far this year are $320,000. The Victorian Village subdivision held its opening ceremonies on June 15th. Construction of phase one of the project is almost complete, and already 70 percent of the 88 homes are sold. July 1988 Scugog Mayor Jerry Taylor is retiring as mayor to devote more time to his insurance business. He has been in the local government for 17 years, and has been mayor for the last ten. The Durham Region Works Department is recommending that the Scugog Landfill site be closed next year as it is reaching its maximum for garbage. August 1988 Scugog Regional Councillor Lawrence Malcolm will be retiring from municipal politics this year. It was 30 years ago this December when he was first elected to council in the old Cartwright Township. Councillor Howard Hall announced he will be running for mayor in the next municipal election. He is the fourth officially declared candidate. Randy Dowson, owner of Dowson Water Haulage reports that this is the worst year in 80 years for wells going dry. September 1988 A.G. Simpson's automotive parts assembly plant is purchased by Johnson Controls of Milwaukee. Ross Stevenson was the winner of the P.C. nomination for the riding of Durham. Bill Henshall is hired as the new by-law enforcement officer for Scugog Township. Despite heavy rains over the Labor Day weekend, Lake Scugog's water level remained at the minimum for navigation in the lake and river. Fire Chief Jack Cook of the local fire department, took delivery of its new $122,000 Emergency Rescue vehicle with state of the art technology. The Port Perry Star published a special 56 page historical edition on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of the newspaper. Mayor Jerry Taylor accepted the position of Chairman of the $2 million Community Memorial Hospital building fund campaign. October 1988 Community Memorial Hospital recieved a grant of $150,000 from the Provincial Health Ministry to help defer the hospital's $272,000 deficit, delaying the need to shut down beds and lay off staff. Marg Wilbur was acclaimed as the candidate for the Durham Riding NDP in next month's federal election. The Lord's Prayer in Scugog's public elementary and secondary schools is banned following a ruling from the Ontario Ministry of Education. The Lindsay Parks Department brought its new 48' tour boat, the Skylark VIII, to Port Perry to test Lake Scugog as a possible destination for tours. Nominations closed for the municipal elections with 22 candidates in the race for the six seats on Scugog Council. About 40 Port Perry's downtown business merchants met at Emiel's Restaurant to discuss the possibility of forming a Business Improvement Area. Doug and Marilyn Hillier, and their children Barb, Steve and Nancy closed their Bayshore Take-Out on 7A Hwy. after operating the successful business for 15 years. Work on the new Pentecostal Church across from Scugog Arena is well underway. Author Bill Graham of Greenbank completes his indepth history of Greenbank and the Township of Reach, which he has researched and written over the past eight years. November 1988 Port Perry High School valedictorian was David Burnett. Durham Region reports the cost of properly closing the Scugog Landfill Stite, just west of Port Perry will be $1,125,000. Fundraising for an exapansion of the hospital reached the half way mark with over $1 million now raised or pledged. Howard Hall won the race for Mayor of Scugog Township polling 2512 votes. His closest rival was Harvey Graham who received 2025 votes and John Wolters was next with 1566 votes. Other members of council are: Regional Councillor Yvonne Christie and councillors Don Cochrane, Marilyn Pearce, Neil Hunter, Alan Goreski and Glenn Malcolm. Zoecon, who have been operating a 20,000 sq. ft. manufacturing plant at the west end of Port Perry on 7A Hwy. for the past 16 years, announced it would be closing. They manufactured animal health products. Conservative Ross Stevenson swept to a decisive victory over opponents Liberal Doug Moffatt and NDP Marg Wilbur, to take the seat for the new riding of Durham. Mike Haigh and Garth Carlson won gold medals in their weight categories at the World Armwrestling Championships held in Hollywood, California. Catherine Millar had her lifelong dream come true when she successfully auditioned to perform with the 160 voice world-renowned Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. December 1988 One of the communities best known businessmen, Mr. Arthur Brock, 83, passed away after spending almost 60 years working at Brock's Dept. Store on Queen St. Council approved the enacting by-law, bringing the formation of a BIA for downtown Port Perry a step closer to reality. Gary Herrema was elected to a fourth term as chairman of Durham Region. The new chiropractic offices of Drs. Helen Peel and Reva Bathie were opened in a new building constructed on Casimir St. Members of Scugog Council expressed outrage on learning the construction project on the Blackstock Arena and Recreation Centre was $135,000 over budget. The $225,000 project ended up costing 60% more than original estimates.
January 1989 Red Cross Homemakers Service announced they are not accepting any new cases in rural areas like Scugog. Two local snowmobilers went through the ice into Lake Scugog about 3:30 a.m. New Year's Day. Tom Laroche and Don Darncey were able to walk to a nearby house after the icy spill. A large "folk art" cow valued at $400 was stolen from Queen Street in front of Settlement House between Christmas and New Years. The Rotary Club presented former Mayor Jerry Taylor with a framed portrait painted by local artist Les Parkes. Following a one-day strike, high school teachers reached a settlement with the Durham Board of Education giving them an increase of 4.8 per cent the first year and a further 4.9 per cent the second year. Doctors were swamped by flu cases over the past week, with 220 students missing from R.H. Cornish during one day. After a dramatic rescue from an ice storm, which included township sander trucks, police, ambulance and friends, Carolyn Irwin safely gave birth to a baby girl at Community Memorial Hospital. Snowarama was cancelled for the second year in a row due to mild weather and a lack of snow. February 1989 Unseasonably mild temperatures are causing problems on Lake Scugog as a number of fish huts sunk in the ice and are now frozen over again. More than 600 public school students have been given preventative medication after one death and nine confirmed cases of meningitis were discovered in Peterborough, Victoria and Durham areas. Librarian Judy McColl was honored at an open house at the Scugog Library before taking up her new position with the Central Library System. Judy was with Scugog Library for 15 years. The Hospital Fund Raising committee appeared before council requesting $400,000 from the township towards the $2.7 million expansion project. An early morning fire in the Reach Industrial Park completely destroyed a 40'x140' building and its equipment owned by Jerry Taylor. Total value of the loss was in excess of $400,000. Durham Region's long-time Sherriff, Morley Bain announced his retirement after 31 years with the Sherriff's office. Work got underway on twinning the sewer line along Water Street to the new condominium and commercial project on the old Conway property. March 1989 Scugog Township council announced Monday that the Scugog Landfill site will be closed in three weeks, and the cost of getting rid of garbage is going to increase dramatically. Present tipping fee at the dump is $28 per tonne, but the new charge at an outside dump could be as high as $85 per tonne. Firefighters from the Caesarea Department have signed a petition asking for the retirement of Chief Len Scott. The Scugog Chamber of Commerce has issued a statement opposing a four-way stop sign at the corners of Water and Queen Streets in downtown Port Perry. After 10 years of problems with wells in Greenbank, Durham Region will spend $1.6 million on a communal water system for the village. Harry Poulton of Utica was named Horseman of the Year by the Canadian Standardbred Association for his work with three outstanding horses, Matts Scooter, Stargaze Hanover, and On The Road Again. Local grocery stores removed crates of Chilean produce from their shelves following the governments ban, caused by the finding of the deadly poison cyanide in two grapes in the United States. Work began on demolishing the old Creamery Building on Water Street to make way for proposed condominiums or a seniors housing project. Water wells throughout the township are drying up as one of the worst dry spells in history continues. April 1989 The last load of garbage was dumped in the Scugog Landfill site on March 31, 1989. It has now been officially closed by the Region of Durham. Cousins of the late Reuben Crandell, the original white settler in Reach Township, visited Port Perry to research the family history. Canada Post announced that "super mail boxes" are coming in the fall. There will be about 125 of the boxes located throughout the urban Port Perry area. Paul Saulnier attended the annual Blood Donor Clinic in Port Perry and donated his 75th pint of blood since he began the practice in 1953. Scugog Township was informed their application for a PRIDE grant of $125,000 for the reconstruction of Water Street was approved. The new Community Memorial Hospital wing will be named after former resident Stephen B. Roman. The Roman Foundation donated $500,000 to help finance the hospital's expansion program. Police are searching for the driver of a car that struck down six year old Christie Trotter, leaving her in critical condition with head injuries in Sick Children's Hospital in Toronto. Council voted themselves a raise, which will increase salaries paid to the mayor by $1,500 for the next two years; and a councillors by $1,000 per year until 1991. A motion to prohibit U-turns at the corner of Water and Queen Streets was defeated by the tie breaking vote of Mayor Howard Hall. Durham Public School Board officials are upset with amount of capital grants handed down in which they received $39.5 million and the Separate School Board received $58.7 million. Zakeana Reid won a "THEA" award for the Most Promising Young Actress in Central Ontario at an annual gala held in Toronto. Fire Chief Len Scott of Caesarea was bitter over councils request for him to resign or be fired. Chief Scott had served 43 years on the department. May 1989 Durham Board of Education approved a $266.7 million operating budget, which will increase the average taxes in Scugog by about 15 per cent. Molly Morris and Mark Brobbel were chosen as the 1989 Port Perry High School "At Home" Queen and King at the students annual gala. Bell Canada announced that toll free dialing to Oshawa for homes and businesses in the 986 exchange would come into effect this fall. Councillors have agreed to put the wheels in motion to have the four ward system presently at place in Scugog changed to a five ward system. Leanne Philip, 16, won a gold medal at Canada's most prestigious Science Fair held in Newfoundland. She will now go on to compete in London, England at the International Science Fair. Port Perry High School's vocal group Jazzmerize came home with two golds and two silvers at Musicfest Canada held in Toronto over the weekend. Durham Region has approved spending approximately $144,000 to develop a parking lot for the popular Chalk Lake watering hole. Susan Haslett-Scholfield of Port Perry was named the executive director, secretary for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Association of North Durham. Seven Port Perry High School teachers and staff members retired. Shirley Barr, Bill Brock, Larry Burt, Gerry Cole, Diane Lackie, Stan LeFort and Bernie London. June 1989 It was a thrill of a lifetime for Sherri Lee Hvidsten when she took part in the official opening of Toronto's new SkyDome. Scugog Township council designated two parking spots on Queen Street for handicapped parking only. Andrew M. (Andy) Lawrence was presented with a Diamond Anniversary Certificate as a 60 year graduate of the Ontario College of Pharmacy. A garbage strike was averted in Durham Region when Metro workers responsible for the Brock West Landfill site reached a tentative agreement. After 23 years as manager of Scugog Hydro Commission, Larry Mabley retired. Taking over his post is Port Perry native, Terry Adderley. Doris Armstrong was honored at a retirement tea at Epsom School after 40 years as chief custodian at the school. July 1989 The newly formed Citizens Against Unjust Taxes (CAUT) held their first public meeting in the Nestleton Hall and over 300 people jammed the hall, all of them angry over recent tax hikes on the property taxes. Former Mayors Jerry Taylor and Lawrence Malcolm were honored by friends and political colleagues at a testimonial dinner. Over 200 people attended a farewell dinner for the two politicians, whose combined years of service to Scugog Township totalled over 40 years. Durham Region council gave approval to a concept that would lead to the construction of two new Regional administrative buildings by an overwhelming margin of 25 to 4. Marva Collins and Cindy Ellis enjoyed their "thrill of a lifetime," when they were on hand at Fort York to meet the Queen Mother. Over 5,000 enjoyed the Golden Griddle Pancake breakfast during Festival Days, and many visited with guest celebrities Dwayne Ward and John Cerruit of the Toronto Blue Jays. Sculptor Bill Lishman, who spent three years raising Canada Geese and training them to fly along side of his ultra light aircraft released a new video entitled "C'mon Geese." After 20 years selling live bait and tackle, Mae Troski will close her popular shop at the corner of 7A and Queen St. August 1989 Damage and loss of equipment and stock topped $1.25 million in a spectacular fire near Blackstock which destroyed a 500' long chicken barn and over 40,000 laying hens. About 85 homes in Greenbank were without water for nearly eight hours when the communal well "ran dry." As a result, the region slapped a total ban on all non essential uses of water for the homes affected. Premier David Peterson was the special guest at the Durham Region Liberal Assoc. picnic held at Camp Samac. His two hour stop was his third of the day. Durham Regional Police have moved to their new offices at 520 Simcoe Street beside S.A. Cawker Public School. The office will accommodate about 18 officers and detectives. Durham MP Ross Stevenson has come out in support of the new nine per cent GST. Port Perry was turned into Hollywood North as actors and crews were in town to film a portion of the Anne of Green Gables sequel, "Road to Avonlea." In a last ditch effort to try and save the Toronto, Peterborough/Havelock VIA rail service, the passenger association has requested a meeting with federal transport Minister Benoit Bouchard. Council regretfully terminated Edgar Brown's Sanitation contract for garbage pickup in Scugog and accepted the low tender bid of Pederson's of Uxbridge. D.J. Taylor Insurance Brokers purchased the business of R.J. Fralick. Mr. Fralick is retiring after 22 years in the insurance business. September 1989 S.A. Cawker Public School opened its doors to 505 students on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 1989 with Harry Kiezebrink as its first principal. Scugog Township council passed a bylaw which prohibits homeowners from burning leaves, grass, brush or rubbish on their property. Don and Ralph Swain were honored at the annual Police Awards night for their actions which saved a man from a burning car. Detective Carl Fitzgerald and Sgt. Ken Hudson of the Durham Region Police, received their 20 year exemplary service awards. The Ontario Municipal Board ruled a Scugog bylaw for a seniors apartment building is invalid because ratepayers were not notified of the bylaw before it was passed last March. Joel Aldred acted as moderator for a public meeting organized by the Citizens Against Unjust Taxes. Over 300 people attended the meeting to vent their anger at municipal, regional and school board officials. The Port Perry Star received an award from Crime Stoppers International for a story which dealt with the re-enactment of a hit and run accident in the township which left a six-year-old girl with serious injuries. Arthur and Maude Edmonds, residents of the Port Perry Nursing Home celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary on Thursday, Sept. 21, and exchanged vows for a second time. Bud Heard of Scugog received his thrill of a lifetime, when he suited up and took to the ice to play hockey against NHL greats Gordie Howe and Bobbie Hull. Durham Region council is looking into the possibility of purchasing the CN rail line between Stouffville and Lindsay, with the hopes of leasing it to GO Transit. October 1989 Scugog Township's new bylaw dealing with snowmobilers got the blessing from the executive of the Snowmobile Club, and will even get their support in enforcing the bylaw. Ken Jackson, owner of Mother Jackson's Open Kitchens unveiled plans for a major expansion of its Simcoe St. plant. When completed they will hire about 50 more employees. Due to lack of funds to cover the Scugog Landfill Site, the site will not close in 1989 as originally planned. Bill Barr stepped down as chairman of the Palmer Park bandshell after three years service to the community. The region has finished construction and the moving of the Chalk Lake water spring. There are now five outlets at the new location for which to fill containers. Two Toronto area men, out for a days fishing, drowned in Lake Scugog when their small boat capsized. Renovations were completed and the Scugog's administrator and staff, along with the bylaw officer moved into their new offices at 208 North Street. Jason Dawson, 14, of Prince Albert received the highest award in Scouting, the Chief Scout Award, from Mayor Howard Hall. The badly decomposed body of a man was found by Scugog Island resident Jack Kane as he was walking along the ditches of the Ghost Road in search of bottles. Durham and other Ontario College teachers commenced their third week of strike action, which has resulted in the cancellation of classes for 110,000 full-time students. November 1989 The body found on Ghost Road was identified as Alfred Meitner of Whitby, and police are requesting assistance from the public with their investigation. Premier David Peterson made a brief stop in Port Perry for a tour of Scugog Shores Museum and to meet with delegates of the VIA Rail Passenger Association. Dr. Robert McClure, a missionary surgeon and former moderator of the United Church of Canada was the guest speaker at the Nestleton United Church anniversary service. George Burnett accepted the job of new head coach with the Niagara Falls Thunder, resigning his position of assistant coach of the Oshawa Generals. Angry Victorian Village residents met with council and the developer to try and come to a solution to correct the serious drainage problems in the new subdivision. Over 2,000 people signed petitions throughout Port Perry Plaza, asking for traffic signals to be installed at the entrance to the Plaza and 7A Highway. After 28 days, Ontario's 9,000 striking community college teachers returned to classrooms, along with 110,000 full-time students. The Port Perry Yacht Club celebrated its 50th anniversary at a banquet at the Greenbank Hall. Phil Orde, one of its founding members, was guest speaker. Most Port Perry residents began picking up their mail from one of the 88 new community "super mailboxes." There has been much confusion over the new system, but it is here to stay. Miraculously no one was seriously hurt when a gravel truck went out of control and ran into a Nestleton gas bar, knocking off the pumps and starting a fire. December 1989 An early morning fire over the Settlement House shops claimed the life of an elderly woman, and caused considerable smoke and water damage to the building. Police laid charges of murder in the death of Alfred Meitner. Meitner's body was found five weeks ago along the Ghost Road. Scugog council has banned snowmobiles from using the Apple Valley subdivision walkway which comes out to 7A Highway. Due to a serious shortage of hydro, Ontario Hydro has asked Ontario residents to cut back on consumption of power.