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14-The anadian Champion, Fniday, March 22, 2002 '/Historian's new book delves into town's past By RICHARD VIVIAN The Champion Local hîstortan Jimn Dills is looking to breathe new life into Mfilton's past with 'Timne Capsules 1890 1894', a collection of news stonies. Tlhe book -released last month -is a compilation of news events from the archives of The Champion and other area newspapers. It's based on the 'Time Capsules' column Mr. Dilis com- piles for the Friday edilion of The Champion. "People had indicated somne interest in them (weekly colurmns) - people who have Iivcd here for a long timne aand peo- ple who are new to thse comimunity," Mr. Dilîs said. "Much has nos been written about Mi lton's past, s0 when I had a chance, 1 deided 1 would do what 1 could to bring aUicl of it to people's attention." Iresearching for thse book, Mr. Dilîs stemnatically scarched past newspa- peslooking for tidbits of information. As he reads, hie stores the information in his computer - making it essier to compile thse full story on big issues. -1They didn't play big ncws events like now. You have to search to find thse little references that make it interest- îng," he explained. "Most people find it (research) bor- ing. 1 find it interesting. There are many things that old newspapers reveal to us about communication, transportation and ail of those things that provide an interesting perspective on Milton's past." Passion hegan at paper Mr. Difis passion for the past began during his time as publisher of The Champion from 1951 to 1978. "Every lime 1 would try to gel a bis- torical reference, alI 1 would gel would be, 'Somnebody might remnember somne- thing.' 1 guess the news training lefs me wilh a dissatisfaclion of the inaccuracy of it ail," hie commented. "At the lime, 1 didn't have the time to do that sort of thing (in-dcpth history research)." With the book complete, there's stili a lot of history to bie told. But whether or not further books are published depends greatly on how well this one selîs. "tt's a realistic world we live in unfor- tunatcly," he Iaughed. "I keep research- ing - I'm in 1901 now. At one lime 1 thought I'd be satisfied if 1 did thse 1 800s, but then I found there were still issues l'd like 10 know more about. "If I make it 10 the 1930s, then l'Il have donc quite a bit." 'Time Capsules 1890 - 1894' can bc found at Harris Stationery, Spice O'Life, Global Genealogy and Coles. The book cosîs $7.50. Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Historian Jim Dilis shows off an aid copy of The Champion as weII as his new book 'lime Capsules'. Owhat a terrible night on that lonely higway What a nigbt. Il started off okay as I drove 10 Barrie Sunday night 10 report on Uic midgct AA lcam playing in Uic fi:rsl gamne of Uic OMHA finals. 1 was offéed a seat on Uic teain bus, bull1 had a stop 10 make on Uic way. Besides Uiat, in my own car 1 could smoke and listen 10 what I want- cd on Uic radio. TIse gaine was good, plenty 10 write about, Milton won, and 1 got tome information for a couple oUicr stories. I figurcd l'd be up late because Uic stories wcre duc Uic next moming, but Uiat didn'l boUier me. On Uic way back, wiUi no waming, Uic lights flaahed on my gauges and my car shul down. It was flnishcd for thc nighl, and for good as il tumcd ouI. 1 coastcd into a V-shapcd arca bclwccn Uic on- ramp and Uic highway on Uic 407, exactly 18 km away from home. 1 said Uic appropriate swcar words, switched on Uic four-way flashers and then calmed down and figured out my next move. 1 sat for a while Isoping a miracle would hap- pen quickly and a 10w truck or police car would be right behind me. Since everybody now seemns 10 have a cell phone, except me, 1 figured that maybe somcebody would stop. O; About Uic saine lime Uic freczing Lucky me. If you've ever seen Uic way carsd 407 you know there aren't a lot of police cars around, and I lhought maybe there wouldn't be many 10w trucks cither, especiaily if tbey had 10 psy 1011 charges. i-~Nobody was sîopping or even slowing dw n h solIfiguredî1 was on my.on I got out of thc car, witb the freczing rain pelt- loSe ing me in thc head, and made my way u h ramplto look for a telephone. I saw a strip mail a fair distance away but tIsas -i tre.was ail I made my way 10 it and was relicved asaed when I saw a big Pizza sign on the front of a store. e-e SANITY on page 15 [rive on the