HISTORY

History stories of Aylmer & Elgin County

Aylmer police and firemen face off in slo-pitch game

September 30, 2020

Sept. 3, 1980 – Aylmer Police and Aylmer Volunteer Fire Department played a fundraising ball game at Balmoral Park.  

1984 – 2,000 attend Port Bruce Day

September 6, 2019

Aug. 15, 1984 – About 2,000 spectators watched more than 50 entries in the boat parade Aug. 12 during Port Bruce Day. Wilf McKee, ratepayers association president, said “I thought it was a tremendous success. It was just the greatest thing I’ve ever seen.” “Golly, it was a lot of fun,” he added. He said…

1984 – House and shed are burned to reduce land assessment

April 24, 2019

Photo: Members of Yarmouth No. 2 Volunteer Fire Department hosed down a house after it was set ablaze by a Mount Brydges man who said he owned the property. Firefighters were on the scene until 4 p.m. and returned again at 6 and 9 p.m. Apr. 18, 1984 – John Robinson of Mount Brydges, was…

1994 – Davenport Public School Senior girls basketball team

April 24, 2019

1994 · Senior girls basketball team from Davenport Public School in Aylmer had a busy and successful season this year, winning East Elgin elementary school and Elgin County public school championships and two tournaments. Team members include front, from left: Karen McPhee, Sheri Dance, Nicki Black, Becky Sapezinskas, Meredith Noble, Mandy Willsey; back: coach Thom…

1994 – Aylmer Kinsmen all-star Ontario CC Peewee hockey champs

April 24, 2019

1993-1994 · Aylmer Kinsmen all-star players won this year’s Ontario CC Peewee hockey finals in a three-game sweep of Mitchell. Team members include front, from left: manager John Ungar, Trevor Kostyria, Matt Fruin, Mark Holmes, Tom van Kasteren, Jamie Dunn, Jason Reynaert, coach Scott Brooks; second row: assistant coach Jeff Haldenby, Mike Beringer, Ryan Laur,…

1994 – Scorn those who foul streets & roads

April 24, 2019

Express-O-Gram Apr. 13, 1994 – It is spring cleaning time and that means everybody should be taking his or her part in tidying the landscape. We can no longer depend on the snowman to cover our dirty habits. What will make things easier on our cleanup will be the participation of everyone in the community.…

2008 – Fun Run Flashback

October 12, 2018

10 years ago – 2008 · Calling themselves Tight and Bright, Class 0827 at Ontario Police College were colourful and enthusiastic participants in the annual Tornado Fun Run, Oct. 1. More than 800 participants braved chilling wind and threatening skies to raise about $15,000 for EESS’s “Lights On” campaign to illuminate the school’s athletic field,…

Farm Archives

March 12, 2018

Have you read the farm edition this week? There’s a full page of special archival farm photos and content, as well as a couple of Ron Allen’s timeless Oh! Oh! cartoons, like the one pictured here. Pick up a copy of the farm edition in stores before March  14, or call the Aylmer Express and…

2008 – Firefighters save 7-day-old infant

January 18, 2018

Jan. 2, 2008 · 10 Years Ago – It’s a parent’s worst nightmare and an experience Terri Steele of Springfield will never forget – her 7-day-old baby daughter Mackenzie, choking and going limp on her lap despite all her ministrations. But, she has no doubt the immediate response and actions of Springfield volunteer firefighters saved…

1982 – Tobogganing at Optimist Park

January 18, 2018

36 years ago • 1982 · Abe Martens, front of the toboggan, and Bill Forsdike of Aylmer chase a dog down the hill, enjoying the results of a recent snowfall in Optimist Park during the school Christmas vacation. Many school children appeared to enjoy last week’s snow, tobogganing, building snowmen and snow forts.

Eagles Win Oxford-Elgin Bowl

December 4, 2017

November, 1982 – The East Elgin Sceondary School senior Eagles won the match, beating Tillsonburg Gemini 45-14. Ten bus loads of Eagles fans went to the game at Annandale High School in Tillsonburg, despite the cold, wet weather. EESS senior football team members are, front row from left: John Lamers, Jerry Kerkhove, Charlie Roloson (captain),…