Keene CORRESPONDENT 3March 2014

Keene Correspondent

News Views ReviewsKeene to Margaret Mein in 1895. Daughter Agnes LOOKING BACKdied in 1944, and Eleanor in 1954. McCrea By D. Gayle Nelsonpurchased land from Dr. Gilchrist, and built the light grey brick home, on the east side of High Street The second doctor in Keene was Dr. Amos today, the colour unusual amongst its red brick McCrea, who ministered to district pioneers over a neighbours. The one storey part of the home was his very large area, travelling by horseback at a time office.roads were far from passable. His father came to The doctor faced many problems in treating Canada from Albany, N.Y., he was of United Empire patients: saw mill accidents, many children died in Loyalist stock, and in 1813 married Mary M. Knapp epidemics of scarlet fever, or from being scalded by in Merrickville, where they raised a family of ten. boiling water, many died from a type of summer Their fourth son Amos was born July 2nd 1821, and cholera, and from falling into open fireplaces. began studying medicine in 1846, graduating with Homemade lye and soap caused casualties when honors in 1851. Practising first at Stoney Creek, used carelessly, and was fatal to little children. Norwood and Kitney, he came to Keene in 1853. In Homemade remedies sometimes poisoned .June of that year he married Agnes Read, who came His brother Dr. James McCrea practised at to Keene with her brother George from Brockville.Roseneath and Warkworth, and was as well known Amos kept several saddle horses and visited in Percy township, as his brother was in Otonabee. patients on horseback, in all kinds of weather and James Amos was credited with restoring the sight of conditions. Reportedly Indian River flooded often, two labourers, who were digging and blasting post leaving some roads impassable, and he was forced holes. When one didn’t explode when expected, to go to Westwood to reach Hastings. Deep winter they began to examine it, it went off with broken snow often caused him to leave his horse and go on stone and debris showering the men, injuring their foot. He came to be known as “ the saddle-bag heads and faces, leaving them blind. Several trips doctor.” According to Dr. John Martyn’s history, “The were made by boat to Roseneath, with the blind men Past is Simply a Beginning”, McCrea had an office in rowing the boat while a friend guided them. Dr. Hastings and another across the Lake at Dummett’s McCrea over time removed the grit and stones and Landing, reached by canoe. Coroner for the area, their sight was restored.he was involved in church and masonic work, In his early years in Keene and Otonabee, the enjoyed gardening and his hobby was astronomy.doctor set out when needed at all hours of the day Neighbours and friends were allowed to gaze at the and night, his bride had many anxious hours waiting heavens through his telescope, possibly the only his return. In April of 1882 the family moved to one for miles around.Peterborough, but returned to Keene in 1884. The The doctor and Agnes had seven children, the doctor died there October 15th, 1886, and is buried first two boys died as infants, a daughter died at in the Lower Cemetery in Keene, with his wife Agnes three and a half years, when her clothing caught fire, who died in 1895, and their children. Amos McCrea a common accident of the era. Their next son James served the area for 33 years, the longest of any Reid became a druggist, married Elizabeth Bryce of doctor in this area.Keene, and died in Winnipeg in 1919. Elizabeth died Next time………a year after their marriage. James remarried and Old newspaper dates Keene’s first schoolhad four children. Son William was a teacher, and died aged 32 in Ashburnham. He was married in

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A Rice Lake family erected an osprey pole/nest on their property and in April 2013 a pair of Ospreys laid claim. When the Ospreys left in the fall a camera was installed, which looks directly into the nest, complete with night vision. It links directly to a website where you can get a bird’s eye view of what is going on in the nest. Hopefully the same pair of Osprey return to the nest, and we will have the privilege of watching them lay and raise their young. If you wish to view the Osprey Nest, log in thru Internet Explorer – http://welchnest.myddns-flir.com User is – user1 (lowercase, #1), Password is – 123456. The camera will be up and running again by March 15th.( Although birds will probably not arrive before first or second week of April.) Thank you to Sue for sharing your birds with us!

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46TH ANNUAL KID’S CORDWOOD CURLING BONSPIEL In Keene

The Keene Lions are making final preparations for the 46TH ANNUAL KID’S CORDWOOD CURLING BONSPIEL on Sat. March 29 2014 at the Community Center. For a $1.00 entry fee, each player gets lunch and curls 3 games. There will be prizes for all participants as well as many door prizes for the spectators. Each Team will consist of four student players (girls or boys) attending one of the following schools: North Shore, King George, Monsignor O’Donahue, St. Joseph Douro and South Monaghan. If you don’t have a full team we will find other players to complete your team for you. Students wishing to participate can make up their own teams with players as follows: Lead in grade 2 or under Second in grade 4 or under Vice in grade 6 or under Skip in grade 8 or under. Form your own team by 27 March and register with: Marion Dumoulin 295-4693 Peter Pogue 295-6748 or the Lions will assign a partial team or an individual to a Team

The Lions are seeking teens wanting to volunteer as Scorekeepers; contact one of the Lions listed above.

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