The Year in Review – January

The strife continues
Premier François Legault announced that he would be re-imposing a nightly curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., as of Dec. 31, 2021 in an effort to help curb the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
Other restrictions included the closure of restaurants except for take-out and delivery, a ban on private gatherings in homes except for caregivers. All indoor sports were prohibited and all places of worship were closed, except for funerals with a limit of 25 people.
The curfew ended Jan.17.

Bristol Auto donates
$5,000 was donated towards the Bristol Fire Department’s goal of purchasing the water rescue boat by Riley McGregor of Bristol Auto Performance. The fundraiser started on July 3, 2021 and as of Jan. 10, 2022, the fire department has reached its goal of $30,000 for purchasing the rescue boat.
The department already has people who are fully trained and waiting to get on the water.

Fire engulfs home
At 5:25 a.m. the Shawville Fire Department rushed over to 230 Centre Street. A duplex was engulfed with flames by the time the firefighters were on the scene. It was a particularly difficult job because it was minus 23 when the firefighters were called.
MRC Police confirmed that one man was sent to the hospital for smoke inhalation. The fire was not caused by any criminal activity.
The only thing that needed rescuing was the owner’s cat, who was later found.

SADC produce another Ag video
Highlighting agrotourism in the Pontiac, the Sociétés d’aide au Développement de la Collectivités (SADC) created a video series featuring agricultural businesses in Pontiac.
“I wanted to find a way of really defining our region and showcasing what is special about entrepreneurship here in agriculture,” said Brittany Morin, Marketing and Communication Specialist at SADC.
The videos are posted to the SADC YouTube channel. Since 2018, they have produced a video every year featuring local farmers.

Closing the business
Tom and Leona Murdock closed their Quyon-based business, Murdock Glass Window and Doors.
Having served up to 4 generations of families across the Pontiac, “We have been very successful,” said Murdock, “right from the get-go.”
Tom attributes the success of his business not only to hard work and the good reputation that he built, but also to his wife. “We’ve always been equal business partners.

Connection with murder
OPP charge two men in connection with the death of 39-year-old Gregory Slewidge in the Township of Beckwith that took place in September 2020.
The two men Michael Clairoux, 47 of Nepean, Ontario, and Lee Marrazzo, 38 of Luskville, Quebec, were arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
On Sept. 24, 2020, Lanark County OPP officers responded to a 9-1-1 call in the Township of Beckwith. They found the body of Slewidge with sustained blunt force injuries and there was no forced entry at the apartment.

Ski for free
Ski Pontiac and Cooperative Adventure Helianthe teamed up with Ski at School, who provided equipment, free of charge every Saturday morning.
Lead Program Administrator Benoit Hudon at Ski at School, highlighted that these collaborations were made possible because of funding from Loisir Sport Outaouais, MRC Pontiac and Desjardins Rivières-du-Pontiac.
This activity allowed people to try out skiing without buying the equipment.

Giant Tiger donation
Shawville Giant Tiger made a donation of $1,300 to the Shawville District Minor Hockey Association.
The sizable donation was graciously accepted by SDMH board member, Craig McCormick, who said: “We appreciate and need every amount of money we receive, especially since the pandemic began, because we’ve had a lower registration rate but the cost of registration has gone up.”
The fundraising efforts hosted by Giant Tiger included a ‘round-up’ campaign, where customers could round-up the amount of their purchases to whatever amount they wanted,” said the store manager, Brandyn Gauthier.

Potvin bids adieu
Dr. Earle Potvin, a long time resident of Shawville, retired from medicine at the age of 85. Working almost 55 years as a surgeon at the local hospital.
“I wouldn’t change one day,” said Potvin.
When it came time to retire he felt it was the best decision for him. “I decided that I’m at that age, and it’s time to hand the reins over eto somebody else. Really, that was fun.”

After interning at the Ottawa Civic Hospital, he moved to the Shawville Hospital as a general practitioner for seven years. He returned to the Civic for four years to become a general surgeon.
Back in Shawville he bought a home and raise a family with his wife of 54 years, Bonnie.

Deploys to the Seas
Nathan Lance of Campbell’s Bay joined a crew of 240 aboard the HMCS Montreal and set sail on a six-month deployment.
HMCS Montreal, a Halifax-class frigate joined Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) on Operation Reassurance.
Lance, a second-generation sailor is following in the footsteps of his father, retired Petty Officer 2nd Class, Mark Lance.
“He always enjoyed working on engines, now he works on engines the size of a house,” said Mark, “but his other duties on board the ship might include firefighting, weapons handling and everyone on board is trained in advance first aid.”