Click on Photos to Enlarge  Esther Lowes is skating one of the solo parts in the annual Midland Figure Skating Club’s carnival. Esther the “Angel Cake” is lured by the “Devil’s Food Cake” (Kennedy Self) and finally rescued by the “Gingerbread Man” (John Svoboda). There will be a cast of 150 local skaters. 

 Midland Skating Club is holding their annual carnival Friday and Saturday. Bonnie Leclair is the bride and Maureen Mohan portrays the groom. A giant wedding cake is one of the many props provided by the event’s sponsors, the Midland Lions Club.

 W.  L. “Billy” Logan at the wheel of his Imperial Oil delivery truck was awarded the Ontario Safety League award Saturday for 20 years of accident-free commercial driving. Only eleven other drivers in the province attained the award this year that was presented at Queen’s Park. 

 The right of way became a debatable question when these two Midland drivers, inspired by Wednesday’s sunny skies, went out driving and met on the Penetang road (Vinden Street). His arms folded defiantly, the younger driver had to be pacified with a sucker. 

This farm house was threatened by a fire that started in an adjacent garage on the property of Cecil F. Woods at Lot 10 concession 4 Tiny Twp. (not Cecil Wood the Tiny Councillor). Neighbours formed a bucket brigade and the Midland Fire Department arrived and finished the job. Lost were a tractor, feed chopper, tools, syrup pails and other equipment. 

 The 2017 CDN dollar equivalent is 1.25 million dollars.

 This was a popular item at the recent Edward’s fashion show. “Edna Arbour displays a two piece dress and coat ensemble in pretty tan and turquoise print. The full duster coat shows off her sheath dress to advantage.” This photo was used in a fashion advertising supplement promoting Edward’s Specialty Shoppe. It contained multiple pages and combined ad mattes from suppliers with photos of local models. 

 Photo from Edward’s Specialty Shoppe spring fashion supplement to the County Herald April 1957, the model is Mary Arbour. “This beige and black jacket dress was worn by Mary Arbour for the recent Edward’s fashion show created a great deal of interest. The jacket buttons up the back and the sheath dress features a cross over neckline.” 

Last Wednesday night was a big night for little Douglas Hook when he attended the father and son banquet at Knox Presbyterian Church under the sponsorship of the Men’s Club. Doug not only had a good dinner but also had a chance to meet Jimmy Morrison, a defenseman with Toronto Maple Leafs. Doug, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hook, also got the autograph of the NHL star, as did a host of other young lads who crowded around the popular Leaf player. 

Midland is making an early start on its roadwork this year, as witnessed by the scene above, taken on Dominion Ave., in front of St. Andrew’s Hospital. The block between Russell and Charles Streets is being excavated to a depth of several feet to provide better drainage before a permanent surface is placed on the road. 

 Brownie night at the Salvation Army Citadel, more than 30 members of the Second Midland Pack were present to receive awards or to be enrolled. Being enrolled were Linda Duggan, Linda Nopper, Karen Chapman, Eleanor Moffatt, Marie Louise Parker, Carol Launder, Marlene Douglas, Edith and Vivian Lowen, Janice Hawke, Sharon Howard, Barbara Ann Merkley and Cheryl Tyndall. Receiving golden stars and first year service stars were; Judith Reynolds, Patsy Dalziel, Linda Dagg, Gayle Langridge, Anne Davidson, Marilyn Vail, Becky and Patsy Paul, Jo-Anne Ambrose, Linda Bonner, Sharon and Connie Stelter, Judy Wilson, Laurie Young, Jan Worrell, Karen Greisbach, Peggy Krochko, Sally MacDonald. Second-year service stars went to Elizabeth Boldt and Nancy Wilson.

 Pausing on the stairway at Midland Armoury between dances at the Garrison Badminton Club dance Friday night are officers of the RCAC unit Grey and Simcoe Foresters and guests. Ladies are Mrs. Ed Brewer, Mrs. Jack Kennedy, Mrs. Jim Park (Shirley) and Mrs. J. S. Corcoran (Helen). Their partners are Lieut. Jim Park, Capt. J. S. Corcoran, Ed Brewer and Capt. Jack Kennedy. 

 A leading businessman in Midland for 33 years and mayor for 3 years, J. S. McDowell of Manly Street observed his 80th birthday March 27th. Mr. McDowell was born on a farm at what is now Ebenezer in 1877. It was his father, the late Thomas McDowell, who donated the land on which the old Ebenezer Methodist Church was built. John is the last surviving member of that family. The old farm has since been the home of several generations of Fagans. Mr. McDowell received his early education at Ebenezer and then attended business college in Owen Sound. Coming to Midland in 1906, he became a partner in the Big Four stores. His associates were Silas Milligan, James Stafford, and W. W. Sneath. Mr. Sneath is still living and resides in Toronto. The “Big Four” operated three stores in the buildings now occupied by Livingston’s, Diana Restaurant and the Singer Company. They sold everything from meat to general furnishings. In 1906, Mr. McDowell bought out one of the stores (the one now operated by Livingston’s) where he ran a men’s furnishing store until ill health forced him to sell out in 1929. In 1933 he moved to Bradford where he operated another general store until 1940. Back in 1908, Mr. McDowell had married the former Katherine (Kate) Piggott. Mr. McDowell first entered municipal politics as a Midland alderman in 1915. He moved steadily up the ladder and was deputy-reeve in 1916, reeve in 1917, and mayor the next three years. “They were good years. Midland was a real good business town in those days, with the shipyard, smelter and the lumber mills still running,” said the former mayor. He also served on the library and school boards at other times. 

• County Herald, Friday, April 5th – Headline- “Ten Orr Lake Cottages Entered – Police Charge Three Toronto Boys” A routine investigation by OPP Const. Ray Wilkinson of Elmvale last week resulted in finding two young girls missing from Toronto for 10 days, and charges of breaking, entry, and theft against the three Toronto youths found with them in an Orr Lake cottage.
• Free Press Herald, Wednesday, April 3rd – Headline – “PUC Confirms Water Meter Order See Installation Completed by Fall” “Estimate Project to Cost In Neighbourhood of $40,000.00 Hope to Cut Water Wastage”
• Notice: Parking Meters will be in operation in Midland, Monday, April 8th, 1957 R. J. CAMERON, Chief of Police, Midland.
• St. Mark’s Choir, “A Lenten Cantata” Wednesday, April 10,  at 8 P.M. in St. Mark’s Church (Third Street) Soloists  Mrs. Frances Conacher (Soprano) Mrs. Emily Lloyd (Contralto)
• Heavy fines, totalling $500, were meted out against three Penetang men who pleaded guilty to infractions of the Liquor Control Act when they appeared before Magistrate K . A. Cameron in Penetang police court Thursday. The owner of a taxi business was fined $300.00 or one month when he pleaded guilty to a charge of having liquor in a place other than his residence. Two men who drive cabs out of the same stand were each fined $100.00 and costs for selling liquor.
• Three more Canada Steamship Lines freighters left Midland harbor this morning. J. G. Hendrickson, C S L manager at Midland, said the Sir James Dunn and the Thunder Bay left Tiffin elevator, where they had wintered, about 7 a. m. and 7.30 a.m. respectively. The Lemoyne which was at the coal dock about 9.30 a.m., was expected to clear at 10 a.m. Mr. Hendrickson said the Coverdale and Hochelaga, which, left Midland and Port harbors Monday night, spent most of Tuesday bucking their way through windrow ice between Hope Island and Giant’s Tomb. The ice was piled up 12 to 14 feet high, it was reported. The two ships finally made open water about 5.45 p.m. Tuesday and today were reported to be past Detroit on their way to Toledo for coal cargoes. Ships will be confined to the lower lakes for a time owing to heavy drift ice in Lake Superior, he said. He anticipated a busy season as most Bayport elevators have plenty of room for grain.
• Ivan Vasey, 48, of Orillia, has been chosen the superintendent of the new county home at Penetang, at an annual salary of $3,800. He will take over his duties April 15 and will move his family to Penetang as soon as he can find a home. He is married, with two sons. The county committee also appointed Dr. Henry Marchildon of Penetang as the physician for the home which will have a capacity of 54, including 19-bed patients. Although the official opening will not be held until June, the home will be used as soon as furnishings are in place. There are sufficient persons already under county care to fill it as soon as arrangements for use are completed.
• The introduction of two all-expense weekend cruises on the Great Lakes was recently announced by Canadian Pacific Steamships. The first cruise will leave Port McNicoll June 8, aboard the S.S. “Assiniboia” and arrive at Sault Ste. Marie the following afternoon. On the return voyage, passengers will sail aboard the S.S. “Keewatin” and arrive in Port McNicoll June 10. The second weekend cruise will leave Port McNicoll on June 15 for Sault Ste. Marie.
• Huronia Council, Knights of Columbus, joined last week with more than a million members of the order in observing the diamond jubilee of their order, which now has more than 3,800 councils. It was 75 years ago, March 29, 1882, that the legislature of Connecticut confirmed by charter the organization of a fraternal protective insurance society by a small band of fewer than 20 men, called by their founders the Knights of Columbus.
• Lawrence Curran of the Midland office of Bausch and Lomb Optical Co. Limited, Canada, was recently elected to the board of directors of the Canadian corporation. Mr. Curran, who was made foreman in charge of manufacturing at the opening of the plant in May 1949, is now branch manager in complete charge of the Midland branch, which started operations on a very modest scale in the Midland YMCA basement in 1947. He was the supervisor of 14 employees at that time.
• Midland was spared a minor riot yesterday afternoon when a rumor that Elvis Presley was in town was discounted. Witnesses said they saw a big black limousine pull up to the Ontario Cafe early in the afternoon. Several youths with sideburns entered, and they said one of them was the spitting image of the popular singer with the palpitating pelvis. Presley had a singing engagement in Toronto last night. The County Herald reporter was unable to obtain any confirmation whatever to the rumour but uncovered an even more startling bit of information. One of the proprietors of the restaurant claimed he’d never heard of the rock and roll king!
• The stones are stored away, the brooms stacked in the corner and the lights turned out on another season at Midland Curling Club. A big “do” Saturday night in which prizes for various competitions were presented, wound things up for 1956-57. It’s a cinch the ice couldn’t be used for curling again after a host of members enjoyed their annual end of the season skate on the smooth surface.
• Bit of Fun – “For example”, said the teacher to her memory-training class, “let us suppose you want to remember the name of the poet Bobby Burns. Get a mental picture of a policeman in flames. Get the idea? Bobby Burns.” “I get the idea,” replied the bright student. “But how is one to know it doesn’t represent Robert Browning?”
• Robert John Reynolds died at Novar, Ont. March 20, following a coronary thrombosis. He was 83. Rev. J. R. Fralick conducted the funeral service March 23 from St. John’s Church, Waverley. Pallbearers were Art Reynolds, Ivan French, Roy Whetham, Norman Reynolds, Albert Reynolds and Alvin Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds was born and educated in Wyebridge and married Sophia Darby at Elmvale in 1900. He farmed on the same farm at Waverley for 48 years but had spent the last two years in Novar. A member of the Anglican Church, he was a Conservative in politics. His record of public service includes 14 years on Medonte Township council and many years as a school trustee. He was also on the committee which helped to place the Waverley War Memorial in 1920 and served on the group until 1950. Predeceased by his wife in 1945, he is survived by children Mrs. Earl Brown (May), Mrs. Orville Snider (Edna), Mrs. Doug Martin (Bernice) of Midland, Mrs. John Cameron (Velma) and Mrs. Armon Tripp of Elmvale, and George Reynolds of Novar. There are two sisters, Mrs. Robert Grigg (Emma) and Mrs. Wm. Charles (Hannah) of Wyebridge; and four brothers, Frank of Waverley, Henry of Wyebridge, Fred of Midland and Ernest of Richmond Hill.