A driver in a red Pontiac Sunfire struck a wall in front of the Down East Mall and fled the scene mid-afternoon on Thursday. Several witnesses said they heard a bang and felt the building shake as a result of the impact. One of the witnesses reported the incident to police as well as to the mall manager. The impact cracked a portion of the cement at the front of the building. David MacDonald photo  ...

This year marks an impressive 78 years of marriage for one couple on the Machon Point Road in Murray Harbour. Thomas, whose 100th birthday was on Tuesday, and Mary Trenholm, who were raised in the fishing and shipping community of Louisburg, Nova Scotia were married in 1932. They began dating a year earlier, when Mary was 15 and Tom 20. "At the time I was working on a cargo ship. I used to see Mary walking around town and thought she was a very pretty girl," Thomas, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, said. "We started going out and soon fell in ...

The leader of Montague Area Cub Scouts has concerns about policies regarding bookings at Camp Riverdale. PEI Scouts recently booked the group of youths on the same weekend as a senior's group. The group of nine youths ages eight to 10 along with leaders and volunteers had planned to go to Camp Riverdale, located in Queens County near Strathgartney, this past weekend for their annual winter camp. However, Cub Scout leader Nancy Collier discovered on Thursday they would be sharing the site with PEI Sociable Singles. The camp is owned by Scouts Canada but is rented to both Scout groups and ...

The Egg Producers of PEI are no longer pursuing new regulations on producers who aren't registered, but some small egg producers in eastern PEI fear the egg board may raise this issue once again. The egg board had planned to change regulations to force small egg producers who own between 50 and 300 hens to register their operation, and make changes including putting in an egg-grading station. The changes were subject to approval by the provincial cabinet, but last week the egg board withdrew the request for the changes. Michael Cummiskey, general manager of the Egg Producers of PEI, said while there ...

It is a big year for seals making their way inland, at least in eastern PEI where the mammals have been seen in fields, on roads and as far inland as 2.5 kilometers. Twenty wayward seals, double the number compared to last year, have already been reported to Conservation Officers. Seals that aren't in any danger are typically left to find their own way back to water. However if they pose a threat to children, pets or become a road hazard they will be picked up by Conservation Officers. The fact that seals wander away from water isn't unusual, according ...

This past week Wes Sheridan admitted that the Harness Racing PEI concept wasn’t working and changes were necessary. Hopefully he won’t compound the error by turning things over to Atlantic Lotto. And BTW, I’m not taking credit for anything, but perhaps we have at least helped clarify some of the issues.
The general manager candidates and those involved in his/her hiring, might even want to check out some of the columns we have written since 2005 on the subject. They are archived online at www.maritimeclassics.net

Montague Intermediate School Storm and Montague Regional High School Vikings won nine of a possible 10 medals recently at the Atlantic High School Wrestling Festival in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia.  More than 400 wrestlers competed in the event which was open to wrestlers in Grades 7 - 12, making it the largest school tournament east of Toronto. The Montague schools were the only two participants from PEI. Montague High Vikings Garrett Robbins, Malek Sahouli and Phil Lanthier combined for enough points to place second as a team in the Senior Men’s division, just three points shy of the overall team title.  ...

While he admits there's a lot of work ahead, Island Party interim leader Jay Gallant is looking to the success of parties in other Canadian provinces in the party’s efforts to give Islanders an alternative to the Liberals and Conservatives. The new party gained official status Friday as representatives signed the necessary documents in Charlottetown. The party paid a $1,000 registration fee, and received "well over 400" signatures to receive official status, Mr Gallant said. Mr Gallant said the party’s next step is to come up with policies and a platform in anticipation of a leadership convention which he hopes will ...

Chile has joined Haiti in suffering through a horrific natural disaster. Canadians and Prince Edward Islanders should not be complacent. We are susceptible to a similar event. PEI was affected by a magnitude 7.2 quake on November 18, 1929.
Known by several names such as the Grand Banks earthquake and the South Shore disaster, this earth shaker’s epicenter was situated about 250 miles due south of Newfoundland. It was felt as far away as Montreal and New York City.
Souris and the surrounding area were affected. My dad and his oldest brother had experienced the Halifax Explosion of December 6, 1917. Uncle Russell was in school and dad at home. Dishes rattled and fell. A window pane cracked in the house. The initial thought was since this war, Souris was being shelled by the enemy.

The Village of Murray Harbour recently hosted an outdoor Olympic celebration in honour of Heather Moyse and all the Canadian athletes. In addition to games and races, there was a Snowman Contest, and medal presentations, followed by hot chocolate and cake which was enjoyed by all. The cake was donated by the PEI Street Rod Association, and refreshments were served by the Murray Harbour Drama Club. Medals and prizes were presented to, from left, Keaton Bushey, Christian Howe, Kody MacKay, Madison Pollard, Bailee Sentner, Arielle MacKinnon and Kaitlin Mackay. Submitted photo The winners of the snowman contest in the photo ...