We return to 1990 in this week’s reminder of Eldridgeville’s history. 

A Trivial Matter for Local Librarian

The Eldridgeville Gazette, October 16, 1990
Trixie Taylor, Entertainment Reporter

ELDRIDGEVILLE, Ontario — Eldridgeville Collegiate Vocational Institute librarian, Miss Paige Turner, surprised us all last night when she appeared as a contestant on the popular American game show ‘Jeopardy’. 

Miss Turner strolled into Wally’s Watering Hole just before seven o’clock and asked that the television set be tuned in to the game show. When patrons protested, she offered to buy them all a drink if they would oblige. The show began. Wally’s fell silent when Johnny Gilbert introduced the second contestant, “Miss Paige Turner, a school Librarian from Eldridgeville, Canada”. 

Now the biggest celebrity in the school community, Miss Turner takes the title away from drama teacher Miss Mary Dressler, who reminds us frequently that she is a second cousin of Frank Shuster, of Wayne and Shuster fame.

At the mid-point interview segment of the first round, host and fellow Canadian, Alex Trebek commented on the irony of the name Paige Turner for a librarian. Miss Turner, looking somewhat confused simply stated, “Yes, I suppose one could say that.  I’ve never thought about it.”

Miss Turner did us proud as she ran two categories that were right up her alley—“Huey, Louie and Dewey Decimal System” and  “Books by Unknown Authors”.  Having racked up a good lead with $7800 she landed on the Daily Double and risked it all. No one at Wally’s understood the clue, but luckily for our venerable librarian she got it right. For our readers who may have missed it, we repeat it here:

The clue: Dewey tried to shelve "Why Ducks Float” and “Why Are We Even Here?” in this 100s zone.

Answer: What is Philosophy and Psychology?

(More appropriately we could file this under the category “Things only a librarian would know!”)

Needless to say, our Miss Turner went on to win, betting it all on the Final Jeopardy category “Famous Misquotes”.

The clue: This famous phrase, associated with a fictional detective, was never actually spoken in any of the stories written by its creator.

Answer: What is “Elementary my dear Watson”?

Miss Turner achieved a very respectable win of $42,000 and a chance to do it all again tonight. She remains tight lipped about the results. Did she return home a one day Jeopardy champion? Or did she go on to win the five episode limit? The whole town, no doubt, will be tuned in.

Reservations will be required for anyone wishing to watch at Wally’s.

As a footnote for those who recall the mysterious circumstances of Miss Turner’s leave of absence in May. That mystery is now solved. At the time, she cited “personal issues” as justification for her request. The leave was granted, and Miss Turner went missing for the following week, returning with a golden tan and  suddenly  a very relaxed attitude regarding her wallet. When she left, there was speculation she had run off with the town’s archivist, Mr. Seymour Files, as he ‘coincidentally’ took the same week off for a ‘working vacation’. However, on her return a rumour spread that she had spent the week in Las Vegas, winning big at the blackjack table. The story of the two residents spending the week together was debunked when Mr. Files hosted an event in which he shared slides from his week visiting the Plains of Abraham. Miss Turner's mysterious absence was soon forgotten by the townsfolk.  

 Last evening she confirmed she was, at the time, recording the program.