Huronia Museum

Click on photos to enlargeDozens of congratulatory messages flowed into Midland’s new radio station, CKMP, as it went on the air for the first time July 1. Reading some of the telegrams are Stan Tulk, president, left, and Bruce Armstrong, general manager.

Dominion Day was a big day for the staff of CKMP, Midland’s new radio station. Filing records in the station’s library are Kim Maitland, left, and Arlene Armstrong.

Gathered around the teletype above are news editor John McCullough (left), program director Grant Forsythe and Madeline Vallee of Penetang, secretary.

Roy Goran adjusts the controls while Bob Vanstone, former Midlander serving as commercial manager, makes an announcement from the glass-fronted studio.

Midland’s new Salvation Army leaders, Lieut. William and Mrs. Johnston have arrived at the local Citadel, succeeding Lieut, and Mrs. George Swaddling posted to Halifax. Children are, left to right, Bobby, 8, Leonard 11, Dianne, 5, and Paul, 10. Mrs. Johnston is also a lieutenant in the corps, husband and wife having attended training college together in Toronto. Midland is their first charge.

First big fish of the bass season at Midland’s Little Lake reported to this office is this 5 lb., 3 oz. beauty. It was caught by Daryl Carson of Oakville using a Paul Bunyan 66 as the lure. Caught during last Wednesday night’s heavy rainstorm, the “big mouth” was 20 inches long. “We were trying out a brand new boat dad made. It got a good christening; with the rain and this fish” said Mr. Carson.

These two youngsters, Michael Borsa (left) and Frankie Reynolds have been chosen to play on the Simcoe County all-star juvenile soccer team which will play games in New York, Brooklyn, Jersey City and Schenectady this month. With them is Cal Simpson, sponsor of the Hustlers, Midland’s entry in the district boys’ league. Mike and Frank leave July 12 on their big trip.

One man was killed and three others seriously injured when this truck and a late model car were in collision on Highway 27 last week. The truck, driven by a Guelph man, was flipped over on its side in the ditch.

Police considered this car a total wreck after it was involved in a collision with a heavy track near French’s Hill on Highway 27 last week. One of the passengers in the car was killed.

Some 2,000 marchers from 60 different lodges representing more than 30 communities took part in the “Twelfth of July” Orange celebrations in Elmvale Saturday. It was estimated that nearly 10,000 people were in the village to see the celebrations, marking the 269th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. The procession in Elmvale was nearly two miles long. Midland Citizen’s Band can be seen in this photo.

Two women’s lodges, Waverley (this photo) and Georgian Lodge, Midland, presented a colourful spectacle in the Orange parade at Elmvale July 11. It is estimated 10,000 were in the village for the celebration of the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.

One of three “King Billies” in the Elmvale Twelfth of July parade is seen leading the over one-mile procession.

This photo was not used in the newspaper but is included to give a westward view down Queen Street and shows some of the traffic issues created by a large parade on a summer weekend at the junction of two busy highways.

After many weary months of waiting, Midland residents are at last driving on the brand new pavement on a number of streets. In this photo, workmen are completing the two-block stretch on Hugel Ave. West, between Sixth and Eight Streets.

Already finished and open to traffic is Mildred Street.

This 1954 model car was written off as a total wreck after it had flipped over on County Road 2, July 4. The driver, still dazed, stands between the boy examining the damage amid the group of spectators at right. The driver told police he was forced off the road by an approaching vehicle.

Just to keep the record straight and to prove to writer Ted Schrader that there is “money” in writing, the Free Press Herald photographed the cheque that is being mailed to him for his first article, which appeared on last week’s editorial page. In his feature Dateline: Port Severn, which appears on today’s editorial page, writer Schrader claims he lost money on the deal, contending that he received $1 for the piece while his out-of-pocket expenses amounted to $1.01.

Midland will be represented in the Ontario Baseball Association’s pee-wee playdowns this year by the team seen here. Sponsored by the Lions Club, the boys are left to right, front row – Keith Bath, Ken Edgar, Chester Graham, Keith Craig, Wayne Holden, Fred Hacker, Alan Mostyn, Earl Scott; back row – Murray Oliver, Morley Bath, David Brooks, John Quinn, Art McComb, Bob Clayton, John Webb. In charge of the boys are Frank Graham, Frank Webb, Tom Scott, Bill Brooks and Murray McComb.

This newspaper “Masthead” was included in every edition of the Free Press and County Herald. This one is from the April 22, 1964 paper.

County Herald headline of July 10, 1959; Nine-Year-Old Girl Drowns, Sister and Pal See Tragedy. Penetang Bay claimed its first drowning victim of the year Wednesday afternoon when 9-year-old Evelyn Grozelle drowned. Currents are believed to have swept her into deep water while she was swimming. The same current came close to claiming the lives of her two companions, her sister Lucille, 14, and Jeannette Boucher, 15. The dead girl is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willie Grozelle of Highland Point on the west shore of Penetang Bay. The three girls apparently went swimming at a beautiful little sand spit known locally as Piitz Point. The sandy bottom at this point drops off sharply about 75 feet from shore.

Midland Free Press headline of July 15, 1959; Boatmen Make New Bid For Water Skiing on Lake. Concerned about possible liability for damages in the event of an accident, Midland Parks Commission Thursday night decided to obtain an opinion on this item from its solicitor, G. S. Dudley, Q.C., before making it makes any decision on water skiing on Little Lake.
Appointment of John Evans as a third-class constable on Midland police force was confirmed Monday night by Midland council. Const. Evans was made a third class rather than a probationary officer because of his previous experience in police work. Starting salary will be $3,090.00. In recommending the appointment, Alderman James Mackie, chairman of the police committee, said the force was short-staffed at present owing to the resignation of Const. Ray Atkinson and Chief Cameron.
The considerable experience in banking, accounting and municipal affairs of Charles Vent played a large part in his appointment as secretary-treasurer of Midland-Penetang District High School Board, Board Chairman T. M. McCullough pointed out at the regular board meeting Wednesday evening. Mr. Vent, whose appointment is effective Sept. 1 at an annual salary of $3,600, succeeds Roy S. King who is retiring from the position. Mr. McCullough told the board that Mr. Vent normally would be retiring from his present position with Pillsbury Canada Ltd., in a few months and that under the circumstances arrangements could be made for his early retirement from his present position so that he can accept the board’s position.
Citizens of Penetang are taking pride in the fact that the guest book signed by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip and the table on which it rested were handmade by local people. An employee at Grew Boats Ltd., Reg Hyde used mahogany to build the special table. The table shone like a mirror due to the flawless finish given it by Rolland Desjardins, another Grew employee. Plans call for the table and guest book, the latter made by Sister Paul Rene CSC, to be put on display in the lobby of Penetang’s proposed new municipal building.
An 18-year-old Penetang lad faces a charge of car theft in connection with a car reported stolen by his father, according to Chief Jack Arbour.
WASAGA BEACH — More than 300 years ago a Jesuit priest, making his way from the land of the Petun Indians was tomahawked and tossed into the Nottawasaga River. Sunday, June 28, on a piece of ground not more than a mile from the spot where Father Noel Chabanel met his martyrdom, a mass was celebrated by Father Myers in a new church, the Church of St. Noel Chabanel.
by VERN FARROW Last Wednesday the editor doled out his orders for the coverage of the royal tour in Penetang and Midland. When he suggested I cover the departure from Midland as well as the arrival in Penetang, I didn’t take kindly to the idea, but orders are orders. Today, I wouldn’t have missed the experience for anything. Along with thousands of other people, some of whom had waited for hours, I stood at Penetang dock anxiously looking forward to the scheduled arrival of the royal barge bearing Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. This was not the first time I had seen royalty. While serving in England the present Queen, then Princess Elizabeth and her sister, Princess Margaret, had stood beside my desk. When Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Canada, previously, I saw them in North Bay. But this was different. Saturday I had to look, observe and photograph this reigning Queen and her husband. I was to be the eyes which would give those unable to be there a word and picture story of the event.
Obituary – PERCY HOAG – A life-long resident of Midland, Percy Hoag died at St. Andrews Hospital July 1. He was in his 57th year. Funeral service was conducted by Rev. W. L. Morden at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home July 3. Pallbearers were Ernie Hamilton, Jack Gerow, George Thompson, Charles Stewart, Alfred Clute and Fred Norwood. Mr. Hoag, who was born in Midland and attended Regent School, injured his arches in a fall in his late teens and this injury eventually took him off his feet for the rest of his days. He is survived by a brother, Fred, and a sister, Mrs. Lena Sager, both of Midland. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery.
COLDWATER—Many Coldwater and area residents will retain happy memories of the trip through the village of a reigning monarch. Numerous incidents are being recalled of the afternoon when the royal train passed through Coldwater’s CNR station at a snail’s pace. An estimated one thousand or more people were gathered in the bright sunshine to greet Queen Elizabeth who waved and smiled radiantly from the observation platform of the royal train. Village stores closed for the occasion, and numerous patriotic decorations were displayed.
Editorial – Wise & Otherwise – Tay Township might try using a grader a little more frequently on the back road from Midland to Penetanguishene. (Fuller Avenue) Last week the humps and hollows on this route were well beyond the “washboard” stage.
Some 2,000 marchers from 60 different lodges representing more than 30 communities took part in the “Twelfth of July ” Orange celebrations in Elmvale Saturday. Combined with hundreds of motorists trying to get to Wasaga, Tiny, Tay and Muskoka resort areas, they brought about one of the-biggest traffic tie-ups seen in this area for many a year. Village Police Chief Horace Elwell tried in vain to cope with the situation alone for a considerable time. Eventually, he received help from members of the OPP detachment and the parade route was cleared. But, not before a half-hour tie-up on Queen Street, in which neither the marchers nor motorists, headed west on Highway 92 could proceed. It was estimated that nearly 10,000 people were in the village to see the celebrations, marking the 269th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. The procession in Elmvale was nearly two miles long.
One of the oldest freight runs in the province, that between Midland and Lindsay, has been discontinued by the CNR. A. J. Cohen; who is relieving CNR agent Frank Whiteman while the latter is on holidays, said present plans call for a through freight daily from Midland to Toronto, via Orillia and Barrie. The big grain trains, which used to run over the same Midland-Lindsay run, may be re-routed via Toronto, too.
A fire of unknown origin Monday evening completely destroyed the farm home of Robert Mosley, Sr., at Lot 85, Con. 1, Tay, just east of Highway 27 and about two miles south of Wyebridge. Mr. Mosley had just finished having his supper at the home of his son, Robert, Jr., about a mile away, and was watching television. Mrs. Mosley, Jr., happened to look out and saw smoke rising in the direction of her father-in-law’s home. At first, they thought the pine plantation which surrounds the farm might be on fire. But arriving at the scene the Mosley’s soon found it was the farm home itself that was ablaze.
An inter-denominational community chapel at Severn Falls will be dedicated at a service, August 9 at 3 p.m., conducted by Rev. Oswald J. Smith of Toronto. The chapel, which was finished recently and completely paid for, has been built by the local residents and donations have been received from interested friends. Land for the chapel, which is near the station and overlooks the river, was donated by the late Walter Dean. (Still in use)
by CHARLIE NOQUET – Ace of Midland Indians’ mound staff, Gord Dyment is giving the lie to the popular belief that pitchers can’t hit. Latest tabulation of the Tribe’s batting averages shows the tall right-hander with the sparkling eight won and one lost pitching record leading the team in hitting no less. At bat thirty times Gord has collected 13 hits for a gaudy .433 average. There’s only one percentage point separating Dyment from his nearest teammate, versatile Murray Yorke who can play every position on the team with, ability plus. “Rudy” as he is known to his club mates, has pounded out 16 safeties in thirty-seven plate appearances for a mighty .432 average.
25 Years Ago This Week – Midland and Penetang veterans planned to send a contingent to the Canadian Corps reunion in Toronto the first three days of August. * * * A severe electrical storm, accompanied by heavy rains, high winds and hail, left a trail of wake and caused disruption to hydro and telephone service throughout the North Simcoe district. * * * A bill passed in the House of Commons empowered the government to seize all sweepstakes and raffle winnings of Canadians effective Sept 1. 1934. Included under the terms of bill were motor cars won in raffles sponsored by local organizations. Enforcement of the statue was vested with the Attorney-General of the province. * * * The Ontario Department of Agriculture reported that the total value of farm property, implements and livestock on Simcoe County farms in 1933 amounted to $69,580,557. * * * A young Englishman who was among the many put out of work by the depression in 1932, capitalized on an eclipse of the sun that year by investing his last 15 cents on sets of coloured glasses. He sold them at a small profit to spectators, bought more glasses, and by this system of selling and re-investing built up a brisk business. When the eclipse was over, he began selling a special rubber device for opening fruit jars. Eventually, he built this business into a comfortable living for himself by travelling through the length and breadth of the province. * * * Little Lake Park set a new record for campers on the weekend of July 14 and 15. The park board reported there were 298 tents — 100 more than for the same period the previous year. * * * Fifty lodges took part in the Orange Walk at Penetang, July 12th. The procession took 40 minutes to pass a given point.
The heatwave last week gave the Department, of Lands and Forests an opportunity to test its new, traffic regulations at Wasaga. The beachfront recently has been declared a provincial park and the Department has made some renovations. Loose sand has been moved out into the water, leaving an inner road for two-way traffic, a centre lane for parking, and an outside lane, nearest the water, where the sun and water bathers have the beach to themselves without fear of traffic.