This is Leap Year and February has 29 days.
Balderson was the point of great attraction last Friday night when the Ladies' Aid of the Presbyterian Church gave a concert and social. Pork and beans for supper opened up the proceedings. Boston baked, shanty browned, and several other varieties offered tempting mouthfuls to all who cared. A good programme of music and speeches had been prepared, the pastor, Mr. Greig, assisted by Revs D.C. MacIntosh of Lanark and Alex Rintoul of Oliver's Ferry, delivering themselves with many touches of wit and humor. Mrs. Edith Tuck and Mr. C. Forbes sang two of their popular duets. Balderson is a magic name for these things, always drawing a large crowd from the surrounding prosperous countryside.
March 1st this year will be a red letter day - the Farmers' Concert. Mr. John McLean, treasurer of the Lanark Village and Bathurst Agricultural Society, has been successful in booking a list of eighteen performers. This is the first concert in years given by the Society in the winter season, and they are determined to make it a good one.
Mr. Chas Hollinger left for the west on Sunday night and will be away about ten days. During his absence arrangements for auction sales can be made at the Era office.
Middleville's progressive general store is holding its annual winter sale this week and is drawing large crowds of satisfied buyers.
The Clyde Hotel was the scene of a gay, jolly throng last Friday night, when Mr. and Mrs. Dobbie gave a delightful little dance in honor of Edmonton friends. About one hundred ladies and gentlemen were present, and with music of the finest quality, dancing glided along gracefully for some five or six hours. The Edmonton guests were Mr. and Mrs. J.H. McKinley, and Mr. and Mrs. Mell T. Watt.
Mrs. Richard Powell (nee Minnie McLean) and daughter of Syracuse, N.Y., are visiting the former's mother, Mrs. Allan McLean.
A house social at Mrs. J. Manahan's last Friday night was well attended. It was in connection with the Ladies' Aid of St. Andrew's. Games and sports of all kinds and a round of first class refreshments, combined to ring the bells of sweetest enjoyment.
Mr. C.M. Forbes was the recipient of two handsome gifts from Gowrie Camp No. 72, Sons of Scotland, Perth. One was a dozen solid silver tea spoons with his initials engraved on each, the other a pair of gold cuff buttons also with initials engraved thereon. The following note, signed by Chief Simpson and secretary Lyon, accompanied the gifts: "To the glad hand extended you by the patrons of the Scottish Concert on Burns' night, Jan. 26, in Perth, the committee in charge of the concert wish to add their hearty thanks for the valuable assistance you so cheerfully rendered them, and beg your acceptance of the accompanying gift as a slight token of their appreciation." It would be superfluous to remark that the Reeve is quite proud of his presents.
Miss Jennie Stead entertained the members of the Hopetown Snowshoe Club, on Friday evening.
There was a poor attendance at the song service given by the choir of the Congregational Church, Hopetown, on account of the very severe storm on Monday evening.
Mr. W.J. Drysdale has resigned his position as traveler for the Winn Shoe Co. of Perth and has secured a situation with the Ames-Holden McCready Co. He starts out next week - territory, Belleville to Toronto.
Birth:
Wilson - In Carleton Place, on Jan. 30, to Mr. and Mrs. Ernest S. Wilson (Eva Dunham) of Dauphin, Man., a son.
Marriage:
Sergeant-Ferguson - In North Sherbrooke, on Jan. 23, by Rev. A.J. McMullen, Catherine Jeanette, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Ferguson, to John Sergeant of Bathurst.
Currie-Wilson - At Elphin, on Dec. 27, by Rev. A.J. McMullen, Mabel Eleanor, daughter of Mrs. Thos Wilson, to Jas. Hall Currie, of Sovereign, Sask.
Death:
Greenley - In Bathurst, on Feb. 3, Rachel Greenley, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jas Greenley, aged 31 years.

75 Years Ago ~ 1937

Dr. E.H. Hewitt was re-elected chairman of the Lanark Village School Board.
A large number of friends gathered at the home of Mrs. John Walters to celebrate her 84th birthday on Feb. 8.
Three residences have changed hands. Mr. Charles M. Woods has purchased Mr. R.L. Drysdale's property on the corner of Clarence and Princess Streets, Mr. William Ballantyne has become the owner of the residence of the late Mr. Robert Beatty and Mrs. Amy MacIntosh has purchased from Mrs. C.F. Robertson, the Smith Property on George Street.
Births:
McIntosh - At the Rosamond Memorial Hospital, Almonte, on Jan. 26, to Mr. and Mrs. Maynard McIntosh, a son.
Quinn - At the G.W.M. Hospital, Perth, on Jan. 31, to Mr. and Mrs. James Quinn, a daughter.
Deaths:
Pepper - At Lanark, on Feb. 4, William Pepper, in his 87th year.
Pretty - At Hopetown, on Feb. 5, Thomas Pretty, in his 71st year.

60 Years Ago ~ 1952

The Cub Pack had a membership of 24. The Senior Sixer was Tommy Kear. Others were John Storie, Harold Reid and Carl Donaldson. The leaders were Mrs. Paul, Mrs. Christie and Mrs. Ramsbottom.
Cpl. Arnold McDougall of Lachine, Que, spent the weekend at his home.
Mr. and Mrs. Lorne Robertson of Oshawa visited with the former's father, Mr. H.S. Robertson, of Lavant Station.
A number of people were storing ice for the summer. The ice was good quality.
Birth:
Campbell - At the G.W.M. Hospital, on Jan. 27, to Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Campbell of Lanark, a son.

50 Years Ago ~ 1962

The Bell Telephone Co. of Canada has purchased the village lots that were, before the fire, Campbell's Sash and Door and the McCurdy brick block sites.The company has no immediate plans to build, but a new dial exchange for this district is "on the books".
Mr. Jerry Oomen, owner of Jerry's Restaurant in Lanark, has further improved his place of business in the past couple of weeks. The counter has been replaced by a modern and very attactive design. The entire interior has been repainted. A cement walk has been placed in front of the restaurant and a new window and door installed on the front. Mr. Ben James is now a member of the staff allowing for quick, efficient preparing and serving of customers' orders.
Mr. Andrew Easton of RR 1, Lanark, advised the Era that in 1958 he planted a seed from an orange sent to him by relatives in Florida. The plant has now grown to a tree 6 1/2 feet tall. Mr. Easton intends to plant it outside in the spring.
25 Years Ago ~ 1987

Connie Billings was chosen as Youth of 1987 at the Winter Carnival.
The Lanark Loppet attracted a record crowd with 56 skiers registered for the 10-km race. Tom Bowes of Perth recorded the best time at 33 minutes, 20 seconds.
Birth:
Raycroft: On Dec. 28, to Alan and Lynn (nee Creighton), a daughter, Katelyn Colleen.
Dobbie: To Dwayne and Carol Ann (nee Wright), a boy.