Old News

Five Years Ago

February 13, 2003

HOSPITAL HELPERS: "A group of Westmount children who set out to decorate a doctor's office at Ste. Justine's Hospital are seeing their efforts become part of a full-scale project to embellish the rest of the children's hospital. Last year, during an annual block party on Roslyn Avenue, 20 children aged three to 15 years got together to paint murals for the Cote Ste. Catherine Road hospital under the supervision of their parents. Within a few hours they had painted three. Dr. Catherine McQuaig, a resident of Roslyn and a dermatologist at the hospital, was happy to accept the works, which she said would enhance her otherwise plain semi-basement office."

Fifteen Years Ago

February 11, 1993

RECYCLING BEGINS: "The management of two large apartment buildings on de Maisonneuve Boulevard have so far refused to come on line with the latest phase of the recycling program, according to public works officials. Wednesday last week was the first pickup of recyclables in apartments of nine units or more, so all the bugs are not worked out of the system yet, said senior City engineer Marianne Zalzal. About ten buildings do not yet have their bins in place, she said. 'Considering the short period of time we had to advise the building administrators and residents, and to distribute the bags and bins, we're extremely satisfied with the response and participation we had,' said one of the project organizers, Maureen Lafrenière. 'In our first week of pickups, we came close to covering 90 per cent of the buildings.'"

Twenty-Five Years Ago

February 10, 1983

NEW THRONE: "The Speaker's throne from the Quebec legislative assembly which Monday night took its place in the Westmount council chamber is somewhat of an oddity in government tradition. J. Richard Hyde, who represented Westmount at the assembly from 1955-70 and donated to the city the majestic oak throne which he occupied as Speaker, was on hand for its inauguration here. 'I thought it should be in a public place. Since I represented Westmount, I offered them the chance of first refusal.' Westmount accepted, however, and the heavy chair was moved into the council chamber two weeks ago, where it occupies the place of honour, becoming the mayor's seat."

Forty Years Ago

February 8, 1968

HOMES DEMOLISHED: "Wooden steps lead up to nothing along Selby street's sidewalk. At dusk, the lights of Montreal's soaring buildings can be seen past the rubble that is all that remains of the street's Victoria row houses. They are making way for the construction of the downtown section of the Trans-Canada Highway. The last of the 239 families has moved out, into various accommodations, many of them found with the assistance of a special office set up by the City of Westmount. Eventually the entire area of Westmount south of St. Catherine street is slated for urban renewal, according to plans now being discussed with the Quebec Housing Corporation."