Category: Bill Hamilton’s Tantramar Flashback — Series 1

Recently, while waiting in the lineup at a local bank, someone tapped me on the shoulder. A stranger asked: What’s the subject of the next Flashback? Since having my photo in the Trib is much like being depicted on a police most wanted poster; I was not surprised. I welcome such contacts, as they often… Continue reading…

This column, unlike many others, is not based on a single interview. Eunice McCormack has, since the beginning of this column, been one of my major sources of information on local history. Whenever I reach a roadblock on a topic, more often than not, it is to Eunice that I turn for help. She has… Continue reading…

The village of Port Elgin and surrounding area can lay claim to three important reformers in provincial education. The first two, originally from Murray Corner and Baie Verte, were to play key roles in establishing a new consolidated school in Port Elgin; a school that was destined to be described as like no other. The… Continue reading…

Last summer history made the front pages of Canadian newspapers. Heres two examples of headlines from July 2001: Canadian Kids Flunk History Test screamed one; while another concluded: Our Young Show Dismal Ignorance of History. What caused this sudden interest in the past? Results had just been announced of a Canadian high school test on… Continue reading…

In the June 19, 2002 centennial issue, the history of this newspaper was featured. During the course of researching the topic, information concerning earlier Sackville newspapers was uncovered. Although The Tribune and The Post dominated the local scene from 1902 through to amalgamation on June 3, 1946; their predecessors also merit attention. Two interesting nineteenth… Continue reading…

Who was Nicolas Denys? (a) an Acadian settler at Tintamarre, (b) once commandant at Fort Beausjour, (c) a 17th century visitor to Cap du Torment (Cape Tormentine), (d) the first New Brunswicker to play in the NHL. What landmark was destroyed by fire on Ground Hog Day, Feb. 2, 1957? (a) Mount Allison Academy, (b)… Continue reading…

The Christmas season was anything but merry on the Tantramar in 1776. During the previous autumn this region had been directly involved in the American Revolution. Although the Eddy Rebellion was over, its impact was still in evidence. A recent snowfall masked the remains of torched homes and farm buildings. These could be found not… Continue reading…

The 1930s and 40s were difficult years for Canadian universities. A depression that tightened traditional sources of funding was followed by the Second World War. Both had a deep impact upon Mount Allison. As if this were not enough, in the same period, the university suffered a series of catastrophic fires. It all began in… Continue reading…

A rollicking chorus from Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance rings down the years: When constabulary duty’s to be done to be done The Policeman’s lot is not a happy one. Dating from 1880, this well-known musical portrayed popular opinion of policing both then and now. Respect for law and order is a hallmark… Continue reading…

Sometimes dates become automatically etched in our memories. Where were you when you heard news of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11? Will you ever forget the television coverage that immediately followed? Few people will have difficulty remembering the date that changed the history of the world; to use an overworked description of the tragedy…. Continue reading…