January 25, 2018

LOOKING BACK – Erin running low on coal

From the Advocate – 100 years ago (1918)
Erin running low on coal
Messrs Scott and Ramsden were fortunate in getting in two cars of coal recently – one furnace and the other nut coal. It relieved the situation here, which had reached the limit. Last month was the coldest December in 46 years, forcing closure of schools, and stores were closing early. In many homes there is nothing but wood left and very little of that. Both our dealers are doing their best to secure coal. The blockage of the railway, owing to the second storm again on Monday last, no doubt has much to do with the delay.
From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1983)
Direct long distance comes to town
Direct distance-dialing (DDD) for Erin (833) and Hillsburgh (855) is on schedule, said W.C. Salmon, area manager for Bell Canada. Subscribers in the Erin area will be able to call long distance beginning Jan. 25 without having to give their numbers to the operator in Orangeville, and Hillsburgh subscribers will begin the service on Jan. 27. The equipment called the automatic number identification (ANI) is now being installed.
DDD will be available for all subscribers, except those on a four-party line. Erin (833) will get the additional service of directory assistance by dialing 411, and repair services by dialing 611. Hillsburgh will get these services at a later date. Distribution of the 1983 phone book begins next week.
From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1993)
Village to meet Township over subdivision
Erin Village is getting ready to take on Erin Township concerning the surrounding municipality’s new official plan and an amendment that allows a large residential subdivision near the village. Village council is preparing a presentation, and may consult the ministry of municipal affairs, but Reeve Terry Mundell would not reveal the village position.
The citizens group Securing Erin’s Environment (S.E.E.) has expressed concerns to the ministry about the proposed Gulia subdivision. The township has approved the first two phases of the 89-lot development on 107 acres just south of Erin village. A third phase may bring the number of houses up to about 128.
The Erin-Hillsburgh Midgets won the championship at the South Muskoka Minor Hockey tournament in Gravenhurst on January 10, 1993. The squad defeated Niagara 7-1, Port Perry 4-1 and Stouffville 2-1. Team members are, L-R in back row: Manager Daryle Andrae, Brent Donnelly, Josh Bell, John Higginbottom, Tim Hebbes, Richard McBride, Travis Sharpe, Danny Swanston and Coach Brian Hebbes. In the middle are Jesse River, Chad Hughes, Jeff Corbett, Derek Hofricter, Jake Rivers and Tyson Briden. In the front are Jason Slater, Scott Corbett and Adam Reed.
From the Advocate – 20 years ago (1998)

Seniors’ drop-in centre proposed

A unique opportunity exists, which could be a godsend to seniors in Erin. The Seniors Committee of EWAG approached Council in December with a request that 109 Main Street in Erin, the former Village of Erin Municipal Office, be approved for use as a Seniors’ Centre. The building is close to parking, a drug store, banks, seniors’ apartment buildings, the post office and many stores.
The centre would provide social activities, and continue to provide meeting space for groups such as the Erin Horticultural Society. Studies now show that seniors who maintain an active lifestyle both mentally and physically are able to live a much better quality of life until late in years. The program will demonstrate that this is a community which values and celebrates the achievement of its elder citizens, not one which ignores and devalues them.