Vic Runtz, a long-time cartoonist for The Guardian newspaper in Charlottetown, had a large collection of phototgraphs from his time there. Through his position with the newspaper, he was able to get to know Elton Woodside, the Flying Farmer who delivered the newspapers across the province therefore allowing for highly-detailed aerial photographs of many of the communities at the time. Upon discovering this amazing collection, D. Scott MacDonald set out on the task to take photographs of the same communities today.

Together with photos from Vic's collection that shows his varied interest in the Island, Prince Edward Island Then and Now is a fascinating look at the way the Island has changed over the past sixty years.

D. Scott MacDonald is a native of Charlottetown and attended West Kent School, Queen Charlotte High, and Prince of Wales College. His early career was in the banking industry followed by a successful series of engagements as in-house accountant for a variety of firms. Although recently retired, Scott is actively involved in Zion Presbyterian Church and on local and national church committees. He is past President and an active member of the Seniors Active Living Centre.

Early publications of his include: From Humble Beginnings (a history of the credit union movement on Prince Edward Island 1936-2016); Prince Edward Island Then and Now, winning both a PEI Heritage Book Award and Charlottetown Heritage Award; as well as Charlottetown Then and Now, and his History of Zion Presbyterian Church titled Through the Grace of God both won Charlottetown Heritage Awards.

Scott MacDonald's profile page

Victor (Vic) Runtz was born in Arnprior, Ontario in 1922. During his navy career in WWII he visited Charlottetown and fell in love with an “islander? and “the Island?. After a career as editorial cartoonist at The Guardian, the family moved to Bangor, Maine, but the love of P.E.I. never diminished. Upon retirement he returned to P.E.I where he died at the age of 79.

Victor Runtz's profile page