Headline News
Town honours crossing guard King
January 22, 2020
Jan. 22, 2020
By Kristena Schutt-Moore
For 36 years he has been a constant companion, offering a cheerful smile to start the day as well as a watchful eye and a helping hand for those students crossing the streets to get to school. Now it’s time for the changing of the guard as Wally King puts his crossing guard sign down.
When Christmas vacation came for the students, King waved goodbye to them for the last time as he set his sights on retirement. “I’ll miss the kids the most,” he says. “But the weather is just getting too cold, so it’s time to go.”
As a crossing guard he has watched over generations of students and has seen to it that they have arrived safely at school, no matter which route they took, or which school they went to. King laughs saying, “I’ve been on every corner of this town at least once.”
Crossing guards are hired under the roads/public works department of the Town of Bancroft. “When I first started I was hired by Reeve Jack Hattin,” King explains. “Since then I have worked with four mayors: Lloyd Churchill, Charlie Mullet, Miss [Bernice] Jenkins and now Paul Jenkins.”
“It’s been fun,” King says. But now he says it is time to get out of the cold and do some things he’s been wanting to do. “I’m also looking forward to sleeping in past 7 o’clock. No more 4 or 5 a.m. mornings,” he laughs.
He told those in attendance at his retirement party that he was going to enjoy his retirement by just relaxing and not to worry, “I’ll see you around town, I won’t be leaving our little town.”
Headline News
South Algonquin issues letter of support for cell tower
By Mike Riley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter After abstaining for a vote on a cell tower at 3121A Hwy 523 in Madawaska at their last ...
Staff-student hockey game celebrates 49 years
By Bill Kilpatrick On April 12, members of the North Hastings High School staff and members of the 2024 graduating class held their annual TG ...
Students explore difficult topics in local exhibition
By Bill Kilpatrick On Friday, April 5 the opening reception for the third annual North Hastings High School Student Art Show was held at A ...
Elvis Stojko to perform in Bancroft April 6
By Nate Smelle For half a century, the Bancroft Skating Club has entertained the community with its annual Ice Show/Carnival. To help celebrate this milestone, ...
Maynooth Project Steering Committee debate continues
By Bill Kilpatrick In part one, published in The Bancroft Times on April 3, the letter from North Hastings Children’s Services executive director Jessica Anderson, ...
Bancroft reports $207,350 arena deficit in 2023
By Kaitlin Sylvester The North Hastings Community Centre stands alone as the only recreational infrastructure in North Hastings. Ongoing financial challenges have left the arena ...
Reserves down and taxes up in Wollaston Township
By Bill Kilpatrick At the March 27 special meeting of Wollaston council, the treasurer, Tracy Vader presented council with a revised draft budget that was ...
Carlow Mayo opts in as recyclingdepot to keep recycling out of landfill
By Mike Riley Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Carlow Mayo Township public works manager made a recommendation to council at their March 13 meeting that they ...
Walking for Gaza: A pilgrimage through Hastings Highlands
By Kaitlin Sylvester Amidst the serene landscapes and winding roads of Hastings Highlands, a pilgrimage for peace unfolds. Organized by Erin Crecelius and other local ...
First youth sports fair held at York River Public School
By Bill Kilpatrick On Wednesday March 20 from 6-8 p.m. York River Public School held the first North Hastings Youth Sport Registration Fair. The event ...
