Ice Cutters

 

Michel Gosselin
On June 2, on the shore of Lac Deschênes, in Parc Bastien, a panel describing the importance of Ice Harvesting was unveiled. This activity employed dozens of workers, horses, sleighs and trucks which lasted almost 50 years. Adélard Bastien, Fasse Paquette, Dunn O'Dwyer and George Cadieux are some of the local names associated with this industry. Adélard Bastien’s granddaughter and daughter shared some of their memories with those in attendance. René Graveline described how much he enjoyed working with his uncle, Dunn O’Dwyer, delivering ice. A forgotten industry that thrived here at Lac Deschênes!