Huronia Museum – Looking Back 60 Years Ago in North Simcoe – November 8th to 15th 1956

Click on photos to enlarge

2006-0020-2899 Parkview School held a Remembrance Day service Friday morning directed by teacher Jack Yelland. Grade Eight student Charles Ward stands before the backdrop that was prepared by Mrs. (Joan) Wm. Barnett’s Grade Six class. Bugler Jim Ingram played the last post and Len Wiles, the caretaker and legion member, made the cross.

 1994-0132-0059-bracebridge-pipe-band The Bracebridge Legion Pipe Band led Legion members, Ladies Auxiliary and Penetang Firemen through the rain and sleet to the cenotaph on Monday, November the 12th. Under the guidance of Legionnaire W. H. Hewson, the groups, which included a small number of townspeople, joined in singing hymns, the National Anthem and O Canada. The names of those who fell in all wars were read by Auxiliary president Miss Kathleen Dubeau and G. J. Robillard was the bugler.

 2006-0020-2923 The new safety booklet issued Wednesday to Midland elementary school children by Branch 80, Canadian Legion, receives the serious attention of Chief Robert Cameron, Regent School principal, Morgan Lewis, student Barbara Dalrymple and legionnaire H. A. Wiles, past zone commander.

 2006-0020-2914Winner of the Branch 80, Canadian Legion scholarship, Ross Hindmand receives a cheque for $100.00 from Branch 80 treasurer Howard Henderson, Ivan McConnell, left, Branch 80 publicity director looks on. Ross plans to enter the University of Toronto  when he graduates from MPDHS and later enroll in law school.

 2006-0020-2924 Oratorical contest winner at Regent School Friday night was Winston Schell of Regent. He is receiving his prize from John Dalrymple of the Midland Lions Club. Winston gave a humorous account of his experience as a golf caddy. There were twenty entries this year which resulted in a marathon session lasting over three hours.

 2006-0020-2925 Arm waving is out at public speaking contests but these young contestants had some fun after the contest imitating the days of dramatic elocution. Betty Jean Walkinson of Parkview laughingly admonishes her listeners.

 2006-0020-2916  Diane Peutz of St. Mary’s school confronts the audience with a firm stand.

 2006-0020-1874 A bit of a quiz to see who is up on their barn identification. Clue, located in Tay Township.

  • John Powers reports in his column “Outdoor Diary” that “a few flocks of geese have been seen landing in the Lafontaine area”. Now in 2016 it wouldn’t be unusual to see a flock of geese in your back yard.
  • This week a party from Coldwater including Forester G. R. Lane ad MPP Lloyd Letherby motored up the new section of Trans-Canada Highway from Port Severn to the site of the new Six Mile Lake campsite and park being laid out by the Department of Lands and Forests. Good progress has been made and the park should be ready for visitors next season. Further graveling and other work is still to be done on the new highway before paving can be done.
  • At the Pen, “The Great Waltz” with Louise Rainer and Fernand Gravet. At the Roxy, “High Society” with Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra.
  • Midland Curling club members give the rink a fresh coat of paint before the season begins.
  • WEDDINGS, Rita Jean Martin, eldest daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Martin and Andrew Gauthier, son of Mrs. Zed Gauthier at St. Ann’s, October 6th.

    — Elaine Roselyn Gerow, only daughter of Mr. & Mrs. G. W. Gerow of Midland and David Frederick Milner, only son of Mr. & Mrs. Cam Milner of Midland and Honey Harbour, at St. Mark’s Anglican October 20th.

    — Bernice Florence Leonard, daughter of Mrs. B. MacDonald and the late Lorne Leonard of Wyebridge and Donald Roy Abbott son of Mrs. E. Abbott of Toronto at St. Mary’s Anglican Toronto.

    — Anita Patricia Gravelle, youngest daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Albert Gravelle Penetang and Robert F. Lamoureux youngest son of Mr. & Mrs. Fred Lamoureux Midland at St. Ann’s October 8th.

    — Helen Margaret Hounsome, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Charles Hounsome Wyebridge and William Crippin son of Mrs. Peter Crippin Penetang at the Church of the Good Shepherd Wyebridge on October 20th.

    — Marie Marchand daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Celestin Marchand and B. Johnson, son of Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Johnson Toronto at St. Ann’s.

    —  Rejeanné Marchildon daughter of Edmond Marchildon and Jean Baptiste Marchand son of Romeo Marchand all of Lafontaine at Holy Cross on October 6th.

    — Joan Stewart daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Stewart Penetang and Marcel Maurice son of Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Maurice North West Basin at St. Ann’s October 13th.

    —  Erna Ostertag daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Donald Ostertag Penetang and Lionel Duquette son of Mr. & Mrs. Anthime Duquette Pentang at St. Ann’s October 20th.

    —  Jeanette Ruth Oliver daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Stan Oliver North River and Douglas Hebner son of Mr. & Mrs. Elmer Hebner Midland at Knox Presbyterian October 27th.

  • New 21 inch “big screen” Admiral TV can be seen at Eisenberg’s, 47 Main Street Penetang.
  • At Eplett’s TV and Appliance in Midland it’s a free turkey with every TV purchase.
  • Midland Council changes insurance company and saves $1,600.00 on Arena Gardens insurance. Coverage will be $184,000.00.
  • Barber & Haskill Limited opens their new store at 278 King Street, formerly McKinley Automotive. The store had been located on the east side of King ten years ago then moved to a new location on Yonge Street. The Owen Sound brothers-in-law now have a staff of five, electricians Bruce Spicer, Gordon Duggan and Charlie Spiker, salesman Clint Truax and heating specialist Dave Hudson.
  • TEN YEARS AGO — First new Cadillac to be seen in Midland since the war was on display at Bertrand Motors.  — Mayor Charles Vent unveiled a new memorial plaque at the cenotaph on Remembrance Day. —  Midland and Penetang hospitals recorded 54 births in the month of October.
  • At the Victoria Harbour cenotaph Cpl. John Bernard unveiled a bronze tablet honouring the dead of World War I and Sgt. William Quinlan another honouring those who died in World War II.
  • Three Hannah Street residents request sewers and will have them installed by the town at a cost of $200.00 each.

Huronia Museum – Looking Back 60 Years Ago in North Simcoe – November 1st to 7th 1956

2006-0020-2756 Four prominent figures who have been involved with the progress of St. Andrews Hospital since its inception in 1918 are seen following ceremonies to open the new James Playfair wing at the hospital Wednesday night. R. J. Pinchin, president of the board, Mrs. Emma Baker, superintendent for some 30 years and after whom a wing has been named; Stuart Playfair who unveiled a plaque honouring the contributions of his brother the late James Playfair, donor of the original building. Another plaque was unveiled honouring the services of Dr. J. Ross Parrott, right, and his associates, who did much of the planning  for the new building opened last year.

2006-0020-2757 New laundry facilities at St. Andrews are examined by John Burke, building committee chairman, W. A. Robinson, M.P., and former nurse, Mrs. John Burke.

 2006-0020-2921 Ground Observer Corps members Mrs. Don Tuttle and chief observer Alf Tuttle are proud of their new table for plotting aircraft flights over the area. Mr. Tuttle made it himself and it is an exact replica of the one used at the RCAF filter center in Barrie. The fifteen member group report that 48 sighting calls were made to the filter center last month, the largest since the group started. 

2006-0020-2743 Laying the section of the new Trans Canada Highway that runs from Waubaushene to Port Severn is a job that requires big machinery and big material. These large slabs of rock provide excellent fill for the many marshy areas.

 2006-0020-2759 Over 300 delegates attend the annual meeting of District 8, Ontario Secondary School Teacher’s Federation held at MPDHS on Friday. Students helping in the cafeteria to feed all the guests are, Karen Wilcox, Robin Benson, Gerry Geere, Allan Kirkup and Shirley Foster.

 2006-0020-2720 More than seventeen members of the Georgian Bay Hunters and Anglers were present at a building bee last weekend at the clubs new site back of the Martyr’s Shrine. Studying plans are president Bill Russell, Jim Duncan and Lloyd Wilson. 

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2006-0020-2936 Forty years of service as a volunteer fireman on Midland’s fire brigade was honoured Thursday night at the Parkside Inn. Henry Woods, 2nd Liet., watches as  Bill Crawford, center, is presented with a wallet and money by Jack Argue, chairman of the fireman’s finance committee.

In the bottom photo Earl Allsopp, secretary and 1st Lieut., on the left, and Dalton Jennett, captain, on the right, join in on congratulating Bill Crawford and presenting him a certificate.

 2006-0020-2881 2006-0020-2882S. C. “Bert” Hanly hands over his waterfront crane to Midland Machine Shop operator Lloyd Atkinson, who has purchased the historic equipment from its long-time owner and operator. Bert built the hand operated crane about 1917 at a cost of $1,100.00 but previous to that had performed the same function from an oak bottomed scow equipped with two cranes. There was no set fee, the charge was estimated by the “bigness” of the craft, beam and draft being as variable as length. He averaged about 300 boats per year. Tomorrow he sets off on the annual deer hunt, a tradition since 1896. Bert is 83.

 2006-0020-2909 Delegates to a boys’ rally, sponsored jointly by the Boys’ Work Board and the Christian Education Committee of Simcoe Presbytery of the United Church, register at St. Paul’s United Church, Midland. The rally Saturday afternoon featured games, stunts by the boys and their leaders, talks and films.

[This photo was on the front page of the Free Press on November 7th 1956 but none of the names were included, please comment if you recognize anyone.]

It has been suggested that the the lad in the plaid shirt is Harry DeVries, the one in the leather jacket is Frank Okenka and the one on the extreme left is Winston Schell. Looking at other photos of these young men I would agree except Frank is hard to judge without a better look at his face. (Tom at the museum)

 2006-0020-2887 2006-0020-2888 2006-0020-2910 Major damage in the fire at St. Mary’s Separate School early Friday morning occurred in the class room which was occupied by grades 5 and 6. The room was completely destroyed. The students have been accommodated in surplus rooms at Parkview and Sixth Street schools. Four other class rooms were badly damaged by smoke and water. 

2006-0020-2911 Wendy Howard of the MPDHS junior girls volleyball team gets ready for a smashing serve over the net at the high school tournament Saturday morning. Orillia won top place of the four teams entered. 

  • In a letter to the editor a local group seeking liquor outlets in town has turned down any request for beverage rooms, their objective is to have a liquor and beer store only in Midland. They also want organizations to be able to obtain a liquor license for special events so that groups would be less likely to take events outside of Midland.
  • The first two of the Ontario government’s historic site markers were unveiled last week in Toronto. Midland’s W. H. “Bill” Cranston, chairman of the Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board opened the ceremonies with remarks. Premier Frost paid tribute to Midlander J. H. “Herbert” Cranston whom he described as a “great Canadian” in pioneering the preservation of the province’s historical heritage.
  • Every week there is a “gossip column” in the paper called “Did You Hear, The Midland Social Week”. The Penetang column is called “On Dit”. In the County Herald, November 2nd we learn that Mr. & Mrs. Nap Laurendeau will leave Malton by plane Saturday to fly to Winnipeg for a few days. — Mrs. Charles Hardy entertained members of Lady Parkhill Lodge, LOBA (Lodges of the Ladies Orange Benevolent Association) after their meeting of October 19. — Miss Marion Evans, to be married to Arthur Argue tomorrow at Knox Church, has been the guest of honour at several miscellaneous showers. On Oct. 25, thirty five friends and neighbours were present at the home of Mrs. F. E. Lowes, Fifth Street, which had been decorated with pink and white streamers. The previous Monday, 25 employees of Wagg’s Laundry gathered at the home of Mrs. Roy McConnell. — Miss Pat Perrin will be in Toronto until the end of this month. She is working and studying florist work  in the shop of Eunice Denby. — Mrs. Jack White, Mrs. Flora Banting and Mrs. Edward Jeffery Sr. are leaving Tuesday morning for the south. They will spend the next six months in St. Petersburg, Fla. — Miss Joan MacEachern, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Donald MacEachern, who is a nurse in training at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, visited her parents Sunday, prior to leaving for Toronto where she will spend three months affiliation training at the Hospital for Sick Children.
  • Beaver Lumber is advertising everything the handy man needs to create that new room in the house called the “Recreation Room”. They suggest you “Start now in your after supper hours -“
  • Cinema usherette in the dentist chair when asked which tooth was giving her trouble replied, “Second from the left in the balcony” —– “I don’t like the look of your husband” said the doctor gravely. “Neither do I” the wife replied “but he’s kind to the children.” These little bits of humour, used as space fillers are found in most of the Free Press and County Herald papers.
  • Singer Sewing Center, machines rented by the week or by the month.
  • In Penetang police court , 19 year old Leo Patrick Dier, giving his residence as Penetang, pleaded guilty before Magistrate K. A. Cameron on a charge of obtaining liquor while under age. Unable to pay the $25.00 fine he was remanded in County jail for the alternative 10 days. Sometime later in the Penetang police office next to the court, Provincial officer Mervin Robinson noticed a wanted poster on the wall for a Leo Patrick Deir, also 19, of Brockville. Despite the difference in spelling it turned out to be the same person and he was returned to Brockville. [I included this article wondering how often, before we had our sophisticated computer systems, criminals were able to get away from officers undetected.]
  • In the PMCS News column, Judy Quesnelle reported that an election was held on Oct 8th to elect new officers for the Port McNicoll Continuation School for 1957.
  • Alfred Simon, a twenty year old roofer from Toronto, died in Penetang hospital from injuries received when he fell from the roof of the new Simcoe County Home for the Aged in Penetang.
  • A lifetime spent in the lumber business came to an end Monday when Marcel Tessier died following a heart attack. Owner of Tessier Planing Mill in Penetang, which he has managed since the death of his father 25 years ago. The only other sibling, Father Phillip Tessier is returning from Brooks Alberta to attend the funeral.
  • Established in Orangeville 36 years ago by A. J. Grigg, the Grigg Company will open a new branch store in Midland Friday. Termed a junior department store, the new addition to Midland’s downtown will be located in the building formerly occupied by Loblaws Limited.
  • Thirty-eight teams in Midland and Penetang have been organized for Little League and Midget hockey this year.
  • 25 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK — Fire of unknown origin destroyed a boat storage building owned by Gidley Boat Company of Penetang. Thirty-three boats including several launches stored for the winter were lost. Damaged was estimated at $50,000.00. — A football tournament at Beck’s field in Penetang went on despite heavy rain that made the field a sea of mud. Both Midland’s junior and senior teams were defeated by Orillia, but Penetang juniors carried home town honours by defeating Balmy Beach 3-0. Some of the Penetang players were, Trilsbeck, Don & Ed Copeland, O’Hearn, Crippen, Grise and Quigley. Penetang juniors were Ontario semi-finalists in 1930. — Three adjacent cottages in Waubaushene that had just been completed in the summer, were destroyed by fire. The cottages were owned by Toronto residents and had been vacated for the winter. — Exactly one year after the Ontario Cafe and adjoining beauty parlour were destroyed in an early morning fire, flames devoured a two-story frame building on Bay St. near the Canadian Department Store. The blaze was discovered by a Mr. Byrne, who also discovered the fire the year previously. [Is that a coincidence or is his name an even bigger coincidence.] — Nine helpless inmates of the Ontario Hospital in Penetang died when a men’s sleeping cottage was destroyed by fire. The cabin destroyed housed aged cripples, who could do little to help themselves.
  • In 1911 the Roman Catholics of Midland had no church or meeting place large enough for their growing congregation to celebrate Mass. Father Laboreau of Penetanguishene was the priest in charge of a large parish that extended to the Coldwater area. The Reeve of Midland at the time and Master of the Orange Lodge, Lorenzo MacFarlane, offered Father Laboreau the Orange Hall for services. After overcoming his surprise Father Laboureau accepted the offer.
  • Fire destroyed a 30 by 14 foot boathouse on Picnic Island owned by Cecil Shaw of Welland. Two sixteen foot boats and a canoe were lost in the blaze. One was the first of its type built by Alfred H. Gidley of Penetang and the other was the last boat built by Mr. Gidley, who is Mrs. Shaw’s father.
  • Midland Brass Band requires boys 10 years old and up, instruments available.

Back by Popular Demand – An Evening of Murder

 

 

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Our first ever Murder Mystery evening was such a success at the museum we will be hosting a second night of murder and suspense and tickets we have already sold half of our tickets.

Join Huronia Museum for a night of mayhem, mystery and murder, where the audience has a role in solving the case! This murder mystery isn’t a single, unchanging theatre piece – it’s an event that plays out through the museum throughout the evening. Keep your eyes out for whispered secrets, dropped notes, and knowing glances. Work alongside others to compare what you have seen and heard, or just enjoy the plot as it unfolds. Will you be the one to paint us a picture of the Munchausen Murder? A night of fine art, fine acting, and fine dining.  Dinner courses served throughout the evening.

The Munchausen Murder –

A Murder Mystery written for Huronia Museum by Brendan Main

“Who cares if your three-year-old could do it? What matters is that I did it first!”

Aaron Munchausen is the hottest thing in the art world right now, even if his paintings are just canvases painted a single, solid colour. He also has a list of enemies a mile long, from jilted lovers, embarrassed art critics, and frustrated art collectors. So when he makes plans to auction off his latest masterpiece at the Huronia Museum, there’s no telling who will show up… or what they have in store for him.

 

Tickets are $55.00 and available at  Huronia Museum or click here to buy online.  

Cash Bar

Dinner is catered by ELM Catering and  courses served throughout the evening.