Message From Mayor, Jim Hughes

As we celebrate Souris' 70th Birthday let us show pride in our rich heritage, and look courageously into our bright future. This anniversary year we are jubilant about our endurance and accomplishments, while mindful of the many tragedies and hardships along the way. It has been this sharing of hardships and accomplishments that has bonded our community into one kinship.

This Souris profile will serve as a celebration souvenir marking our past, while describing the present and forecasting the future. l hope it is enjoyed by all those who call Souris their home and received as a welcoming introduction for newcomers.

On behalf of the Town, I extend our appreciation to those who contributed their time in preparing this profile, which will long serve the Town, marking our progress over three score and ten years. May the next life-time be as rich and fulfilling for those who follow.

Sources and Acknowledgements

The historical material in this profile of the town of Souris is derived chiefly from notes prepared by Ray Leard (particularly his manuscript copy of an address delivered in 1968), George Mullally, Adele Townsend, and Gerry MacCormack. it should be noted that the es— says prepared with the assistance of this material do not constitute a history of Souris, which would require much additional research. Sources for the section on the Souris churches were found in the Charlottetown Guar- dian for May 7, 1954, the Reverend Jack Spencer’s Our Corner of the Vineyard, published in 1978, and my Gothic Dreams, Dundurn Press, Toronto, 1978. The old pictures of Souris were selected from Ray Leard’s remarkable collection of photographs, which he keeps in his W.B. Leard Estate store on Main Street, Souris. Most of the present day pictures, including those in the colour collage on the front and back covers, were taken and processed by Alan lndge. He also designed the collage. Pat lndge created the title used on the front cover. The material on Souris today was prepared by William Buell and Urban Carmichael, assisted by Mrs. Mildred Ehler, Gregory MacNevin, Neil Kinsman and Lloyd Soloman. The Hon. Bruce Stewart was fully involved in planning the publication. The colour separations were done by Maritime Photo Engravers, and the profile was printed by Island Offset, Ltd., of Charlottetown.

Robert C. Tuck, November, 1980

Greeting From Bruce Stewart

We hope this Profile of events and developments during the past seventy years, since the incorporation of Souris, may prove timely and thought provoking. May it serve to recall accomplishments of a period that is now passing, and remind us all that much remains to be done. It appears at a time when there may be more ques- tions than answers, particularly in the minds of our young people who call Souris their home. Judging from the standpoint of what existed when the town was incor- porated and what now exists in the way of administrative structures, the period has been one of progress in social and economic achievements.

May the message of the Profile reinforce the awaken- ing of natural desires on the part of our citizens to have a greater say in the running of their own affairs, and find continued expression in local administration.

We are proud of our heritage, our distinction and our differences, which have roots in different geographical, historical and cultural backgrounds, which need to be fully recognized through sensible accommodation. It is the careful blending of our diversities that sets us apart, and continues to be an essential characteristic way of doing things.

The cover depicts a panoramic view of Souris, cap- tured by camera, the boundless beauty of our landscape and harbour while the contents touch upon education and cultural development, sports, health and social ser- vices, and of course fisheries which is so synonomous with Souris, dating back to the first French Map of our harbour prior to 1745.

On behalf of our Profile Committee may I take this op- portunity to wish you all a happy anniversary, and invite each one with determination, good-will and patience to participate fully in the process of achieving even greater strides forward in the decade which lies ahead.

Bruce L. Stewart, Chairman Souris Anniversary Committee

You who purchase this Profile of Souris make a constribution to the preservation of the memory of the 10 men of Souris who lost their lives in the sink- ing of the dragger Iceland II in Nova Scotia waters

in February 1967. Proceeds from its sale will go towards the erection of a memorial to them in Souris

‘n 1 1. I 98 BL. Stewart Chairman, Anniversary Committee.