One longtime Arnprior resident says he can remember the days when this sleepy suburb was buzzing with activity.
Douglas Scheel has spent 85 years in Arnprior, almost half his life working for a hydro company literally electrifying the town.
He said he remembers a time when downtown's John Street would be buzzing.
"People would take their cars down in the afternoon and leave them there," he said. "Then come back after supper and walk around, John Street would be full."
He has seen people get around the town on horses, then come in on the railway. Today, he said things have changed to be more convenient, but not necessarily better.
"(Things are) faster, yeah," he said. "But we don't have the same togetherness."
Still, Scheel said he still has his memories of what he calls a special place.
"I know so many people, my wife worked at the hospital for 35 years - it makes you feel at home," he said. "I remember walking on John Street. . . and the odd beer before the dance."
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Graham Richardson
