Take a virtual tour of historic Keene through this YouTube video

The hottest show in Keene is the Zoom presentation about structures here and then on Main and High Streets. It is a fascinating history with lots of old pictures, some I have never seen before, which is always a thrill for me.

Hosted by Learning and Leisure at Keene United Church and presented by Kathryn Campbell, head of the OSM Historical Society, it is on YouTube, youtu.be/vsFl1_8gbvc. It is well worth the watch if you are fond of Keene.

Fish fry

The popular Keene Lions Fish Fry returns July 30 at the Keene Lions Den from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

It is takeout only and all COVID-19 protocols will be in place. Guests are encouraged to wear masks.

Two-piece meals are $15 and one-piece meals are $12. Each meal includes fish, cold drink, bun, coleslaw, tartar sauce and fries.

Otonabee Farmer

John Graham Weir (1844 — 1925) kept daily journals from 1880 until his death. They were donated to Trent Valley Archives by his great nephew William Mitchell and his wife Juanita, the historian of the family.

1880 Sunday July 19

George Johnston and pair of horses came here to board while working at the Grand Junction Railroad. Board for himself $2.50 and hay for his horses $1.50. I and Jim Campbell came home from fishing and picking berries at Stoney Lake.

1880 July 20

Sent Jim Campbell and horse and cart at noon to work on the Grand Junction Railway.

1880 July 24

Stewart Cox of Campbellford, time keeper of the Grand Junction Railroad came here and commenced to board. Bargain $10 per month.

1880 July 28

Jim Campbell and our team and wagon began to work on the G.J.R. opposite Jim Jackson’s house.

1880 July 29

Jim Campbell and team continues to work on the G.J.R. and I took Dobbin and the other cart on to work at noon. That makes two horses and carts and two horses and a wagon. Victoria Gleeson commenced to work here today.

1880 July 30

I worked on the G. J. R until noon and then Lovina and I went to town with George Davis’s horse and buggy. Sold with Mr. Fowld for the right of way for G. J. R Road through this farm for two hundred and seventy three dollars. 1884 July 29, Tues.

This morning after reaping three acres of rye Lovina and I with four others went to the Back Lakes. There was Mrs. Reynolds, and Fred, Old Richard Johnston and Henry Johnston. We went on the cars to Lakefield and on the steamboat to Juniper Island. It was about an hour after dark when we landed on Juniper Island.

1889 Thursday July 18

Hamlin was ploughing in field No. 7. Sawyer was mowing the lawn. We came home from Stoney Lake after spending three days very pleasantly and we have chosen an island in a very desirable place on Dummer section Island No. 33. It commands a fine view of the lake and had good landing for steamboat. 1889 July 25

In the forenoon Smiley and I were binding rye. Hamlin was ploughing but he had wasted so much time that I would not let him plough any longer and I set him at mowing some barley in the orchard. After dinner Lovina went to town and I commenced to reap barley in field No. 2.

1889 July 26

I cut some hay for Duffus and cut some barley north of the barn. Smiley and John were mowing.

1889 July 27

In the afternoon the three of us finished binding and stooking the rye. Smiley and John went to town in the evening in the buggy.