Huronia Museum – Looking Back 60 Years Ago in North Simcoe – November 23rd to 30th, 1958

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Just about the coldest job in Midland Saturday was tending the “Mile of Pennies” table set up in front of the Bank of Commerce by the Hi-Y and Unamotus Clubs of Midland YMCA. Despite the weather, however, Carolyn Miller left, and Gail Rankin managed smiles for the customers. Proceeds of the event will be used for youth work in the town. 

Fifty years of wedded life were marked by Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Tinney of Vasey Nov. 25. Residents of Vasey for most of their married life, Mr. and Mrs. Tinney are shown admiring the golden anniversary cake which was served to relatives and friends who called on the couple last Sunday during “open house”. 

Midland is losing a “good scout” this week in the departure of Dietmar Wagner for Ann Arbour, Michigan. Dietmar was presented with his Queen’s Scout badge a few weeks, in advance at a ceremony held in Knox Church Monday night. Four other lads seen with him will get their Queen’s Scout badges later, as will Lynn Johnston, not present when the picture was taken. Left to right are Rodney Todd, Harry DeVries, Dietmar Wagner, Iain Brownlee, and Jock Ambrose. Dietmar was also presented with a trophy as a memento of Third Midland Troop. 

As usual, the only people happy about the first real snowfall of the season in this area were the children. Enjoying a sleigh ride down a “big hill” on Midland’s Seventh Street are David Krochko and Patricia Abbott. 

President of Midland Curling Club, Wells Hartman, welcomes Bill Moss, president of MPDHS Curling Club, as the high school boys and girls commenced their curling season in the Midland Curling Rink Saturday morning. Looking on is MPDHS athletics director Wm. Setterington. 

Advisor to the schoolboy curling committee and a director of Midland Curling Club, Milt Irwin looks on as Betty Ann McCullough, treasurer of Midland-Penetanguishene District High School Curling Club, tallies up club dues Saturday. In the back row, left to right, are Bill Moss, MPDHS club president, Roger Henry, 1st vice-president, Doug Setterington, director, Keith Cleary, 2nd vice-president, Dave Bertrand, director, and standing behind Wm. Setterington, MPDHS athletics director. Absent was Lynn McAllen, director. 

This bevy of lads and lassies from Midland-Penetanguishene District High School launched the curling season for high school students at Midland Curling Rink Saturday morning. Here Wm. Setterington, athletics director at MPDHS, signs in one of the girls. 

Midland Y’s Men honored their secretary, Ko Huvers, at the club’s weekly meeting Nov. 18. Here, Mr. Huvers, left, receives a gift from ‘Y’ Secretary J. W. Smith, right. Mr. Huvers obtained his Canadian citizenship recently.  Club Director Walter Kluck also was to have been honored but because of business duties out of town, he was unable to be present. Mr. Kluck also received his Canadian citizenship papers recently. 

Induction service for Rev. Gordon Nodwell held at Victoria Harbour United Church Friday night was also something of a class reunion for the new minister, who also serves Port McNicoll and Ebenezer. Assisting in the service were Rev. Ewart Clark of New Lowell, left, and Rev. Wilson Morden of St. Paul’s, Midland, right, classmates at Queen’s University of Mr. Nodwell. 

Friday night was a happy occasion for members of the United Churches at Victoria Harbour, Port McNicoll, and Ebenezer as Rev. Gordon Nodwell was inducted as their new minister in services held at Victoria Harbour.  Rev. Nodwell meets church elders Albert Calvert of Port McNicoll, Nelson Jones of Ebenezer, and Clarence MacKenzie, Victoria Harbour.

Obituary – The Reverend Robert Gordon Nodwell.  It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gordon at the Warkworth Place Nursing Home on Sunday, August 13, 2017, in his 90th year.  This link is to a speech given by Gordon at his grandson’s wedding, his reflections on love at age 84. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb3aFwCEuhc 

Two former teammates came face-to-face, in “enemy” uniforms, in this action shot taken at the junior “C” opener at Midland Arena Thursday. Midland Red Wing goalie opposite was able to foil this close-in attempt by Whitby forward “Buzz” Deschamp. The two lads played together on Midland juvenile teams for several seasons. Wings host Brooklin here Thursday night.  

Penetang’s new Curling Club got away to a good start Tuesday night with a large number participating in the “roarin’ game”. Lomer Dubeau, one of the more experienced curlers, is shown here getting his rock away in one of several games played during the evening. 

Two novices, Eugene Mailloux, back to camera, and Dick Matthews learned what it means when the skip shouts “S-w-e-e-p” during a curling session. Many newcomers to the game were present at the opening of curling in Penetang, Monday night.

 

 

  • Free Press Herald headline of Wednesday, November 26, 1958; Oppose Freight Rate Hike Ask Province Join Fight. Request that the Ontario government join with the eight other provinces in opposing the 17 percent rail freight rate increase has been voiced by Ontario’s Georgian Bay Development Association. Representing 54 cities, towns, villages and townships in the counties of Bruce, Grey, Dufferin, Simcoe and the Districts of Muskoka and Parry Sound, the association has also made representations directly to the federal cabinet through the minister of finance.
  • County Herald headline of Friday, November 26, 1958; Assessment in Midland Hits $7,421,382 Mark. Midland added 21 persons to its population and $273,692 to its taxable assessment this year, according to figures provided by its new assessor, Ian McClung. Midland’s population is now listed as 8,287compared with 8,266 last year. Going further back the population five years ago was 7,539 and ten years ago it was 6,887. That year, 1948, was the only one in the past decade which had shown a decrease over the previous year. Population in 1947 was 6,981.
  • A 12-year old Christian Island boy’s attempt to start a car parked on the dock at the island turned into a fatal adventure Saturday. Drowned was Bernard Monague, son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Monague. Surviving, besides his parents, are four brothers, ranging in age from 11 to 15 years, and two sisters, aged two and four years. OPP Const. R. T. Donaldson of the Victoria Harbour detachment said no inquest would be held. According to police, the car was owned by Albert King, also of Christian Island Reserve. Minus ignition keys, the car was parked on the stem portion of the T-shaped dock at the island. It is believed the boy started the car by shorting the ignition wire. The car rolled off the west side of the dock into about five feet of water. Const. Donaldson said that until recently about a foot of water covered the area. It had been dredged to five feet to allow boats to be tied there.
  • For the next few months, Penetang motorists will be able to save their pennies and nickels for other purposes than depositing in parking meters. Following the custom of past years, the council Monday night resolved to dispense with the meters for the winter months. The meter heads will be removed and stored in the town sheds immediately.
  • Frank Harpell of Midland has pointed out that the Free Press Herald was in error recently when its news columns elevated him to the Commodore class of Great Lake captains. “I am appointed and am master of the steamer Frank A. Sherman, the flagship of our fleet (Upper Lakes and St. Lawrence Transportation Co. Ltd.),” said Capt. Harpell. His line does not have a captain appointed to commodore’s rank, the veteran Midland skipper explained.
  • Sunday was an anxious day in a number of North Simcoe homes as the tug Helen M. B. of Waubaushene was reported missing for several hours on gale-lashed Lake Huron. Aboard the big tug with Capt. C. Courtemanche were fellow Midlanders Charles Paradis and Bill St. Amant; Garnet  Tucker of Waubaushene; Clifford Latondress of Victoria Harbour; Henry Stirling, Hamilton; and Cecil Swain, Owen Sound.  Owned by the Waubaushene Navigation Company, the tug, 108 feet long and 24 feet wide, was originally designed for ocean service. It was converted to diesel power at Waubaushene about two years ago. The Helen M.B. got into trouble early Sunday when high winds broke loose the barge she was towing from Goderich to Midland. The winds and waves also played havoc with her steering mechanism and generator. As a result, she had to be steered manually, and no radio contact was received from her from about 8.45 a.m. until 11 p.m. Sunday. Last Sunday night word was received that she had taken shelter behind an island near the Bruce Peninsula and that the crew was safe. The scow was found washed ashore on Manitoulin Island.
  • by A. R. LAPERE – Goals and action were the order of the night as Penetang’s Little NHL swung into its first full season on artificial ice at the Community Centre Thursday night. Two of the games produced a total of ten goals each as Huronias trimmed Fern Shoe 6-4 in a senior OHA tussle and Detroit bombed Toronto 7-3 in a National League tilt.
  • TEN YEARS AGO THIS WEEK – Penetang’s Court of Revision chopped $166,560 from the assessment of three of the town’s leading industries. However, even with the reductions, the assessments of the three firms were greater than the previous year. * * * Two Penetang residents were among the 15 men and one woman rescued from the rocks on the east coast of Manitoulin Island after the tug Patricia McQueen and the dredge Ella M. foundered in one of the worst storms of the season on the Great Lakes. The group had spent 60 hours on the rocks of Rabbit Island. * * * Simcoe County’ council ordered a census taken of Elmvale to determine whether the community’s population exceeded 750 persons. Purpose of the census was to verify an application by citizens of the municipality for elevation from police village to incorporated village status. * * * Midland Junior Chamber of Commerce, organized early in the summer, received its charter from Charles Ayers, Toronto, president of the Ontario region. Jaycees from Toronto, Barrie, Owen Sound, and Waterloo attended the charter night dinner. * * * A pupil at Mount St. Louis School, Dale Miller, won the county public speaking competitions at Barrie. Fifteen contestants from all parts of the county took part. * * * The mayor, deputy-reeve and all four members of Midland Public Schools Board were elected by acclamation following Midland nominations Nov. 27. Twelve candidates were seeking election to the four aldermanic seats and four were contesting the two public utilities commission posts. The vote was scheduled for Dec. 20.  * * * Simcoe County council authorized a grant of $12,250 to help county public hospitals meet losses incurred on indigent care. The grant was to be distributed on the basis of the number of indigent patient days for Simcoe County patients in each hospital.
  • St. Ann’s Catholic Women’s League, at its November meeting, agreed to sponsor a new project in the publishing of a church bulletin to be distributed at Sunday masses. Rev. J. Kelly is assisting with the publication, and members have assumed the job of soliciting advertising, under the guidance of Mrs. Hugh Charlebois of the spiritual committee. After hearing a letter of appreciation from Sisters of the Holy Cross for the group’s offer to assist a local student in furthering her education in a religious order, the first payment of $100 was authorized. Mrs. Mac King told of the need for clothing for needy families in the parish and asked for assistance at sewing bees to be held Wednesday evenings in the parish hall. Mrs. King’s plans also include organization of a Christmas party for residents of Georgian Manor. Mrs. Alice O’Leary distributed cards on which members can register approval or disapproval of radio and TV programs, and asked that these be mailed to the stations when filled out. Reports on the fall bazaar indicated it had been a success with the following ladies in charge: convener, Mrs. Alice O’Leary; novelty table, Mrs. Orville Ambeau; bake table, Mrs. O. Lacroix; candy and plants, Mrs. H. Laplante; pick-my-pocket, Mrs. Murray Dubeau; tea table, Mrs. J. Gignac. December meeting will include a pantry shower. Members have been asked to bring food articles which will be presented to Father 0. Labelle for the Christian Island Mission.
  • OBITUARIES – EDITH C. SALLOWS Predeceased by her husband last March, Mrs. Edith Catherine Sallows died suddenly at her home near Victoria Harbour, Nov. 9. Funeral service was held Nov. 12 at the Robinson funeral home, Coldwater, with Rev. R. A. Cumming officiating. Born Aug. 11, 1920, at Rosemount, the former Miss Gratrix married Stanley Sallows at Victoria Harbour Sept. 20, 1940. She had resided at Victoria Harbour since her marriage. Pallbearers were: Elmer Gratrix, Joe Gratrix, Pat Peden, Alvin Tucker, John Cronin, and Charles Sallows. Besides her father, Stephen Gratrix, Rosemount, Mrs. Sallows is survived by two sons, Bobby of HMCS Cornwallis, N.S., and Douglas at home; two sisters, Mrs. Allen McKay (Hazel) of Orillia and Mrs. Ted Archer (Betty) of North River; and a brother William Gratrix of Fesserton.   * * * MRS. ROY T. FRENCH A Midland resident for more than 51 years, Mrs. Agnes Barbara French died in St. Andrews Hospital Nov. 11 as the result of a stroke. At the funeral service at Nicholls funeral home Nov. 14, Rev. Ralph Wright was assisted by Rev. Roy C. Cook, Chatham, Ont., who is a nephew of the late Mrs. French. Pallbearers were William Mutch, Morie Whitcher, Willard Bacon, Donald French, Arthur Field, and Wesley McNeil. Mrs. French was born April 23, 1880, near Seaforth, Ont. At Brandon, Man., April 24, 1907, she married Roy T. French and following six months in Brandon she spent the rest of her life in Midland. Mrs. French was a member of the Senior Mission Circle of Calvary Baptist Church. Besides her husband, Mrs. French is survived by a son, Alden Neil French, two daughters Mrs. J. E. Ayres (Florence) and Helen, all of Midland; a sister, Mrs. William Cook, Clinton, Ont., and a brother, John McNeil, Monkton, Ont. Also surviving are six grandchildren. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery. * * * MRS. LAURENE MARTIN Solemn high mass was sung in St. Margaret’s Church, Midland, at the funeral service of Mrs. Laurene Martin held Nov. 8. Rev. F. Voorwerk was the celebrant assisted by Rev. M. Griffin, deacon, and Rev. Ralph Egan, sub-deacon. St. Margaret’s girls’ choir sang the mass accompanied by Mrs. Moriarty at the organ. The soloist was Charles Goodenough of Lindsay. Mrs. Martin, who died in St. Andrews Hospital Nov. 6, was secretary when the Catholic Women’s League was formed in Midland. She was also a  member of the Catholic Church Extension Society and secretary-treasurer at the time of the cardinal’s campaign. She was a member of Midland Golf and Country Club. Born in Midland, she received her public and high school training here. On Nov. 27,  1924, she married the late Edward Martin who predeceased her in 1942. For the past 41 years, she had been employed by the Canadian National Railways. Pallbearers were Herb Beauchamp, Jack Labrie, Frank Whiteman, Bernard McDonald, Bill Murphy, and H. A. Kilroy. Mrs. Martin is survived by one brother, Walter O’Reilly, St. Catharines and three sisters Mrs. Wm. Bourrie (Kay), Mrs. Alex Campbell (Beatrice), both of Midland, and Mrs. Joseph Saso (Helen) of Barrie.
  • A fine program of band and religious music was presented last Wednesday evening by Midland Citizens Band and the choir of Knox Presbyterian Church in the church. In his opening remarks as master of ceremonies, S. L. Harman requested that there be no applause until after the final number but the audience could not be restrained when young Jim Cowden finished his cornet solo, “The Sunshine of Your Smile”, arranged by bandmaster Al Hume. The applause continued until Jim took a bow. He was accompanied by the band.
  • On Thursday, citizens of Port McNicoll will trek to the polls to express their opinions on whether they are or are not in favor of the establishment of beverage rooms and cocktail bars in the village. It is not the first time the electors of this North Simcoe community have been faced with a liquor vote. Some years ago they approved the establishment of a brewers’ warehouse outlet, but to date none has been opened. And it is unlikely it ever will be. It appears, however, that such will not be the case if the four questions on the ballot receive the required majority vote this time. Plans, reportedly, are under way to renovate the old Inn and include in its facilities beverage rooms for men and women as well as a cocktail lounge.

 

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