Click on photos to enlargeDaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lorne Ball, Victoria Harbour, Diane Ball placed second in upper school departmental examination results at Midland-Penetang District High School this year. Diane, who is working in her father’s drug store for the summer, will begin training as a nurse with another Victoria Harbour girl, Nancy Jardine, at Hamilton General Hospital in September. 

Robert Belanger top photo. A joint funeral service was held in Mount St. Louis Church recently for Robert John Belanger, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Belanger, and Kenneth King, son of Mr. and Mrs. Theophile King, all of Mount St. Louis. The two boys were killed by a car while crossing the busy intersection of Highways 103 and 501, at Port Severn. They had been visiting friends. Robert was conscious when his father, who was only a short distance away, arrived at the scene but he died in the ambulance en route to the hospital.  (It has been our policy to avoid tragedies in these posts but this one is so profound and moving we are compelled to include it.)

Heading the list of graduates at Midland-Penetang District High School this year was Sheila Catherine Armstrong, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Armstrong, Port McNicoll. Sheila, who hopes to attend Victoria College and later enter social service work, obtained six firsts, two seconds and one third in her upper school departmental examinations. She also obtained a first in music. During the summer Sheila is working in Edwards’ store. 

This “dinosaur” is now part of the equipment in the playground section of Little Lake Park, should enable local and visiting children to work off plenty of energy harmlessly. Erected only recently, the dinosaur was donated by Midland Rotary Club and is located at the south end of the playground area, now one of the best equipped in the district. 

“You’d never get me to holiday in a tent,” say many people who have never tried it. But many people still prefer tenting, as witness the line above. These are just a few of the more than 100 tents in Midland’s Little Lake still popular tourist park last week. And that’s only half the number that was there Civic Holiday weekend, said Harold McAllen, park manager.

Still another type of accommodation used by tourists in Midland’s Little Lake Park is this collapsible summer house, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Hunter Irwin of Mimico. It has canvas walls and roof, with plywood partitions. The Irwins have been visitors at Little Lake Park ever since their son and daughter, both now married, were babes in arms. They’ve been here all summer again this year. 

Besides tents, Midland’s Little Lake tourist camp always has many of the popular house trailers. Capacity for this type of tourist is 29 trailer sites — all of which have been taken every day since July with the exception of Monday of last week. They were all full again Tuesday. Trailer in the right foreground even has its own flower beds. 

Not many ocean-going cruisers find their way into Midland harbour, so the arrival of the Huborton on the weekend aroused much interest. Built in Halifax N. S. this 60-footer is owned by F. E. Newman of Montreal but was chartered to J. K. Crang, Toronto, when it visited Midland. In winter months the boat, which has a 16′ 6″ beam and a five-foot draft, is based in Florida waters. 

Enough to turn adult fishermen green with envy this 47-inch, 24-pound muskellunge was caught by two young boys at Sturgeon Bay Beach Wednesday afternoon barehanded! David Ireland, 10, Woodbridge, and Gordon Price, 9, of Cooksville found the big lunge in two feet of water, trying to swallow the 5 lb. carp being held by Terry Ireland, 8. Aided by some other young friends, the two older boys rolled the big fish onto shore. 

• Midland Free Press headline of August 19, 1959; Five Bogus Bills Passed, Arrest Woman as Suspect. The sharp eyes of Orville Ambeau, the cashier at Penetang liquor store, resulted in the arrest Monday of a woman who later was charged with passing counterfeit American money in Penetang and Midland. Acting Police Chief George Wainman of Midland said yesterday that four of the bills had been passed in Midland business establishments. A 29-year-old woman, who gave a North Bay address, was arrested by Penetang’ police, and lodged in the county jail on a charge of “uttering”. She will appear in Penetang court Thursday.
• County Herald headline of August 21, 1959; Find Pre-Ice-Age Fossils on Farm in Tay Township. A Tay Township resident, Nelson Bumstead of R.R. 1, Victoria Harbour, Wednesday made a unique discovery for this area. Mr. Bumstead was digging a hole for a septic tank at his home on lot 6, Con. 6, Tay, when he found several “stones” embedded about four to six feet below the surface. When the pieces were removed it was discovered they contained what appeared to be sections of bone of some unknown animal. He said he knew they were not human bones. Mr. Bumstead brought the stones to this newspaper office Wednesday afternoon. Thursday morning. Dr. W. W. Jury, the curator of University of Western Ontario’s museum of Indian archaeology, identified the strange objects. He said they were more than a million years old. Dr. Jury said this type of rock formation is found in glacial deposits and the three pieces found near the Harbour probably were left in this area when the ice-age receded. He termed them “pudding stones.” The outer shell he said was limestone and the inner pieces, which resembled bones of some prehistoric animal, were actually rocks.

Again we regret not having the original negatives of the hundreds of Tiny and Penetanguishene photos, including these below, but as each one holds a memory for someone we will continue to post them directly from the paper.

 

• Midlanders should “batten down the hatches” in October when the town will be invaded by some 400 men who haven’t got together in 40 years. Veterans of World War I, the men were originally members of ” A”, “B”, ” C ” and ” D ” Companies of the 157th and 177^th Battalions, Simcoe Foresters, formed in 1915. Although the battalions went overseas intact, they were later broken up in England. The men who will gather in Midland in October were transferred to the 116th Battalion (Ontario County) which later saw much action in France. No active association of these outstanding battalions was formed after they were disbanded after the war. “But now, after 40 years, it seems worthwhile to reunite these old comrades,” O. H. Smith, QC, of Midland, told this paper this week. Actual plans for the reunion were laid at Branch 80, Canadian Legion, Thursday. Mr. Smith was appointed chairman and G. E. Hurl secretary. Also in attendance were Andy Tudhope, Orillia; Ed. Partridge and Bill Bradley, Barrie; Claire Trott, Wilbert Foreman, Frank Hewson and Ernie Dickson, Collingwood; George Cameron; Ottawa; Charles Stewart and George Parr, Midland.
• Nearly 5,000 persons have visited the Officers’ Quarters Museum at Fort Penetanguishene during the present season according to figures presented at a museum committee meeting last week. Dr. W. Jury, chairman of the committee, said it is the best year to date. In his report, Dr. Jury said a grant of $500 had been received from the Historic Sites Board, and this money is being used to improve the site of the naval establishment and the Bayfield Plaque.
• The operator of a barbershop at the foot of King Street, Bob Zuidema, 44, died suddenly in St. Andrews Hospital Sunday following a heart seizure. Funeral services for Mr. Zuidema, who emigrated from Holland only a few years ago, were held today. He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. Mr. Zuidema’s mother had left Midland only a few days earlier to return to Holland following a visit to relatives here and elsewhere in Ontario.
• BIRTHS – GADSBY — To Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gadsby, Ninth and Dominion Ave., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Sunday, August 16, 1959, a son. PALMER — To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Palmer Jr., (nee Doris West), 144 Fourth St., Midland at St. Andrews Hospital, Saturday, August 15, 1959, a son. WEYMAN—To Mr. and Mrs. Richard Weyman, 60 Ontario St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Friday, August 7, 1959, a daughter.
• Ten Years Ago This Week – Scarcity of ice forced district ice dealers to purchase artificially produced ice from Buffalo manufacturers. Hundreds of new cottages built in the area during the year and the hottest mean temperature in 110 years, combined to cause the dearth of natural ice. * * * After 22 years during which the office of secretary-treasurer of Gloucester Pool Cottagers Association was held by her late husband or herself, Mrs. W. B. Leatherdale of Coldwater resigned. She was extended a vote of thanks at the association’s annual meeting. * * * Owing to a shortage of water in the village reservoirs, Coldwater council decreed that water service to consumers would be cut off six hours each day, twice during the night, and once in the afternoon. * * * Work on the superstructure of the bulk freighter, S.S. Coverdale, under construction in Midland shipyard, had commenced. The aft deck of the freighter had been completed. * * * The Canada Year Book for 1948-49 gave the total number of Indians residing on the Christian Island Reserve as 342. The total for Parry Island Reserve was 349. * * * A Vasey aggregation won the North Simcoe Rural Softball League championship and the Tanner Trophy, defeating Penetang 9-1 on the Vasey diamond. * * * Officials, of the Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Co. announced their ship, S.S. City of Cleveland would make two postseason visits to Midland in the fall.  * * * Potato growers from New York and Ohio states and from Chile, South America, toured North Simcoe seed potato farms and cruised among the 30,000 islands during their visit.
• F. K. McKean, district marine agent, Department of Transport, Parry Sound, revealed this week that the average water level in Lake Huron during July was slightly lower than for June this year. He pointed but that the lake had reached a low point in February but emphasized that this level was not as low as levels recorded in previous years. A record low was, recorded in February 1926; Mr. McKean said that it is predicted the lake will subside slightly in the next few months, going to the usual low in January or February. But officials feel this will not be as low as it was last year. There are further indications, Mr. McKean said, that the cycle of low water is past and that a gradual increase in the lake level may be expected for the next few years. (We could use some of that “low water” right now in Georgian Bay.”)
• Milan Borysek, 8, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tony Borysek, 309 Yonge Street W., Midland, was seriously hurt last night when he was hit in the eye with a BB gun pellet. Milan was playing with Joell Voorzanger, 5, 301 Fourth Street, and Brian Morden, 11, 230 Yonge St. W., when the accident happened. The gun was owned by the Morden boy and was in the hands of the Voorzanger lad when it discharged. Milan was rushed to a Toronto specialist to have the pellet removed after he had been treated by Dr. W. F. Neale. It is not known whether the Borysek boy will lose sight in the eye or not. Acting Chief Wainman said that under a town bylaw, the use of BB guns or any other guns in town is forbidden. He said the gun owned by the Morden lad was confiscated. The accident was investigated by Cpl. Ernest Bates.
• Editorial – Wise & Otherwise – Although it has been a bitter pill for many segregationists, and uprisings in Little Rock the other day indicate that in some quarters it still has not digested too well, it now seems that at long last law and reason are to prevail in the integration of white and coloured students in schools in the state of Arkansas. This in spite of the raucous appeals of Governor Faubus and his misguided demonstrators.

 

Some items of interest from the August 18^th edition of the Midland Argus;

 

Click on photos to enlarge

A photo such as this was used in the masthead of the editorial page every week. They were mostly local images of area beauty spots. This one was entitled “Down a Lazy River” and we believe it is the Sturgeon River looking north from the highway bridge. 

Visit of some 40 ancient cars to Midland Monday aroused great interest among local citizens and summer visitors. Beverley and Rhoda Rotenberg, Toronto, pose with a 1912 McLaughlin owned by G. Edington, also of Toronto. 

When you and I were young, Maggie, this 1913 Ford roadster owned by Mr. and Mrs. D. Belfry, London, was pretty hot stuff. Kept spic and span, it was one of some 40 cars of the Horseless Carriage Club which stayed overnight in Midland Monday on their way to a tour of Muskoka centres. (The photo location is  the parking lot of the Midtown Motel on Hugel Ave.) 

Vasey made a clean sweep of Georgian Bay Rural Softball League honours this year, finishing first in the regular schedule to take the Dr. Garnet E. Tanner Trophy and then winning the playoffs and the J. B. Brown Memorial Trophy. Team members are, left to right, front row, Arley Taylor 2b, Ernie Cowden rf, Stan Robinson ss, Al Lumree cf, Carson Brown p; back row, Earl Widdes 1b. Grant Robinson of, Don Hawke of, Bob Rawson c, Clair Whetham of, Jack Banks 3b, Bob Todd If. (Played the elastic right out of their socks!) 

Vacating the King Street site (constructed in 1901) that was their home for nearly 60 years, F. W. Jeffery and Sons Ltd. have opened a new store one block away, on Dominion Avenue west.   The store is now a part of the Independent Hardware Association, with some 50 stores operating in Ontario. Utilizing the very latest in design, the store features the self-serve, check-out type of operation that has become so popular in the grocery trade. There will be orchids for the ladies, door prizes and other features as the staff officially opened for business this week. Nap Beauchamp Construction Company was the contractor for the building, which also includes warehouse facilities not seen above. 

Dan Webb in charge of tool section at F. W. Jeffery and Sons new store. 

Bob Bell aids decorators at F. W. Jeffery and Sons new store. 

Bob Harrell shows customers fine china at F. W. Jeffery and Sons new store. (Note the angle parking across the road and the houses where the Federal Building is now located.) 

Ed Jeffery examines small arms at F. W. Jeffery and Sons new store. (Ed is a co-owner of the store with his brother William and his mother Mrs. Hazel Jeffery, president.) 

Bill  (Buck) Jeffery, co-owner, ready to serve at F. W. Jeffery and Sons new store. 

Midland’s new Parkview Terrace apartments are rapidly taking shape on Hugel Ave., at Seventh Street. Miniature elevator (left) has been installed to take building material to the second floor. The new unit will house 12 apartments when completed. (How many of us, girls included, have climbed at least partway up a telephone pole equipped with those steps?) 

Something new was added to the weekly wrestling at Midland Arena Monday night with the appearance of “Rocky”, the alligator, and “Tuffy” Truesdale, billed as world’s top alligator wrestler. “Tuffy”, who performed the trick himself, invited any of the ladies present to come in the ring and kiss “Rocky’s” nose. There were no takers. 

 

• The Midland Free Press headline of August 12, 1959; Midland Won’t Sponsor MPDHS Debenture Issue. Midland council, at a special meeting Saturday morning, turned down a request from Midland-Penetanguishene District High School Board to assume the responsibility of issuing debentures for the new high school addition. The motion, passed by council, was as follows: “This council regrets it cannot see its way clear to assume the responsibility of issuing debentures to cover the cost of the new addition to Midland-Penetang District High School due to other pending commitments facing the council. J. R. Parrott, chairman of the MPDHS board’s property committee, in presenting the request to council, said it had been estimated that the interest rate on the debentures for the $348,600, 14 – room addition would be from one-quarter to one-half a per cent less if Midland carried the debentures than if they were carried by Tay Township.
• The County Herald headline of August 14, 1959; ‘Pollution Not Sewage’ Health Officials Report.  Simcoe County Health Unit Sanitary Inspector Don Morrow told this newspaper yesterday he had received verbal confirmation from provincial Department of Health officials that pollution in a cove at Woodland Beach is not raw sewage. Mr. Morrow said he expected to receive a written report on the provincial laboratory tests within the next day or so. He said he had discussed the issue on the telephone with health officials in Toronto yesterday morning. He said the Woodland Beach Cottagers Association would be notified of the findings. NOT SEWAGE The district sanitary inspector said provincial authorities indicated that the sediment in the water near the shore was mainly organic matter comprised of decayed leaves, stems of plants and some sawdust. He said that last year, officials of the Ontario Water Resources Commission had taken samples of the sediment in the water in the same area. A microscopic examination had revealed the pollution contained plant and animal matter, the latter being decayed crustaceans. It was not sewage. It did have, however, a fairly high bacterial count, although similar tests made of the same sediment along the shore nearer Wasaga Beach had widely varied bacterial counts. Some were high and some were low, Mr. Morrow stated.
• Transient traders seeking to do business in Penetang will find things tougher in the future than they have previously, following the passing of a new bylaw, Monday night. One of the main features of the new bylaw is a $500 fee required of transient traders operating in the town. This fee is applied toward business taxes should the businessman remain long enough in a business that can be taxed.
• The second engineer on the CSL freighter Haggarty, Cecil Merkley of Midland suffered severe injuries to the back of both legs in an accident on Lake Superior July 21. Mr. Merkley was taken first to a hospital in Fort William when his ship arrived there, some 20 hours after the engine room mishap. Later he was transferred by ship to St. Andrews Hospital, Midland. Mrs. Merkley said her husband expects to be able to return home later this week but will not be able to resume work for some time.
• Only a short time before he was slated to lock up his King Street butcher shop, Jack Argue, prominent Midland businessman, suffered a heart attack and died Saturday afternoon. It was reported earlier in the week that Mr. Argue had sold his business and the new owners were to take over Monday. He was in his 49th year. Rushed to St. Andrews Hospital, Mr. Argue died en route. Funeral services were held yesterday from St. Paul’s United Church, with Rev. Wilson Morden officiating. Interment was in Lakeview Cemetery. In the butcher trade for nearly 30 years, Mr. Argue had worked in various grocery and meat stores in Midland and Collingwood before opening his own business here in 1948. He also opened a branch store in Victoria Harbour in 1954 but this was later sold. At the time of his death, Mr. Argue was assistant captain of Midland Volunteer Fire Brigade, where he had been a member for 18 years. He was prominent in IOOF circles, where he was past noble grand of his lodge, and also was a member of Caledonian Lodge, No. 349, Midland. Surviving are his wife, the former Evelyn Truax, sons Robert and William, and daughter
• The sudden disappearance of the mobile tourist booth south of Barrie on Highway 400 before the August 1 weekend caused some queries in communities in this area. ‘The booth was moved to Sault Ste. Marie where it was to attend a fair. It is unfortunate that the booth had to be removed just prior to the heaviest weekend of the season but the Department of Travel and Publicity had informed all municipalities earlier in the season the booth would only be on Highway 400 when it wasn’t booked for a definite appointment elsewhere, it was stated. The mobile unit was returned to the Highway 400 location August 5 but may disappear at intervals, during the next two months.
• “Years before the Mayflower sailed from Plymouth, these shores and the surrounding hills knew white men and white men’s dwellings, and heard the white men’s prayers.” So says Elsie McLeod Jury about Penetanguishene — the place of white rolling sand — in the opening chapter of her book, “The Establishments at Penetanguishene — Bastion of the North — 1814-1856. This is no story of sticks and stones, dimensions of buildings and dates of wars. It is the true story of men and women, their achievements and failures — hardships and frustrations as they built the naval and military establishments that were to guard Penetanguishene — ‘”the key to Upper Canada”. “Penetanguishene, home of the Hurons and then the Chippewa’s, fur trading centre, the base for Canada’s first explorers and missionaries, became the protector of a burgeoning nation, the hub from which has developed much of Canada’s story,” the author writes.
• Two years after its opening, Simcoe County council is already considering enlarging Georgian Manor, the senior citizens home at Penetang. Following approval given at the June session, the home committee this week authorized an architect to draw up preliminary plans and provide estimated costs for a 50-bed addition to the Manor. When preliminary costs have been ascertained the project will again be referred to the county council, likely at the January, 1960, session. Manor Superintendent Ivan Vasey said the trend in residents of homes for the aged is changing from ambulatory to bed care. He said at the present time ambulatory applications for admission are being maintained on a current basis. There is, however, a considerable backlog of applications for bed care admission. Work on the enclosed verandah addition to the Manor, started early this summer, is nearing completion. Painting is in progress, and the installation of screens and windows will complete the job. The enclosure of what was formerly an open verandah will provide a lounging space for residents where they may view the outside world, particularly in inclement weather.
• 25 Years Ago This Week – Nearly 400,000 bushels of wheat were brought to Tiffin elevator in two days. The grain was transported from the head of the lakes by the freighters Alexander Holly and the John Ericson. * * * The Saskatoon docked with 1,575 one hundred pound bags of sugar aboard. * * * It was estimated that weeds were costing western farmers $179,200.00 annually. The amount represented about $120 per person in the rural sections of the three prairie provinces. * * * Midland tourist camp at Little Lake Park broke all records with 552 tents pitched over the Civic weekend. The figure was 42 more than the same period the previous year. * * * Nearly 6,000 persons attended a Liberal picnic at Little Lake Park, Midland, honouring Dr. G. Tanner, newly-elected member for Simcoe East. Among the speakers at the picnic were Premier Mitchell F. Hepburn and Hon. E. C. Drury, former Ontario premier. * * * Midland Preceptory of the Black Knights won first prize in a parade in Barrie commemorating the 246th anniversary of the relief of Londonderry. Some 3,000 marchers, representing 89 lodges, took part in the Derry Day procession. R. E. Simpson was the worshipful master of the Midland Preceptory. * * * The proprietor of a dance hall at Triple Bay Park announced he planned to convert the hall into 14 large-size apartment with running water and all conveniences. * * * According to a hydrographic survey, Lake Huron was 8 ½  inches lower than in July 1933, and 40 3/4 inches lower than the average level for 74 years.
• Phillip Pillsbury, chairman of Pillsbury Canada Ltd., revealed this week that W. H. Pinchin of Midland had been elected president of Pillsbury Canada Ltd. Mr. Pinchin was vice-president of the Canadian firm. He is also a director of Viceroy Manufacturing Co, Ltd., Toronto and of Tower TV Ltd. Mr. Pillsbury said that with the completion of the million-dollar consumer goods manufacturing plant in Midland this year the firm will become more energetically engaged in the consumer market.
• A dozen Indian Reservations were represented at Christian Island this week when the 14th annual Homemakers Convention for the Southern Ontario region was held there Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The Homemakers groups on Indian Reservation are the equivalent of Women’s Institutes. For the convention, the more than 60 visiting delegates were accommodated in homes on the island. Meals were served in the auditorium by various groups of the Christian Island Homemakers. Overall chairman of the convention was Mrs. Nicholas Plain of Sarnia, Homemakers regional president for Southern Ontario. Assisting in preparation of the program were J. E. Morris, regional supervisor of the Department of Indian Affairs, and Miss H. Martins, social worker in the same department.
• PERKINSFIELD—While Marcel Marion was stooking grain in a field near here last Saturday, he was struck and stunned by a bolt of lightning, but remained on his feet. He said when he opened his eyes, he saw a sheaf of grain on fire a few feet away from him. 

News from the same week of August 1931;

• Pre-war conditions prevailed in the Midland Harbor over the weekend. In those days it was a common sight to see grain laden freighters waiting their turn to unload at one of the local elevators. Since the world tragedy elevator capacity of the town has of course been materially increased and the facilities for unloading have also been speeded up so that what a few years ago would have taken 2 or 3 days is now done in a few hours. But with four houses equipped to handle grain at a speed unthought-of a few years ago, several boats were compelled to wait their turn on Sunday and Monday. Most of the cargoes were wheat from across the border and it is estimated that two million bushels were discharged into the Midland elevators during Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
• Continuing its effort to reduce expenses, and in the absence of business, two more trains are to be cancelled over the Penetang Branch of the CNR next Monday. On and after that date there will be no afternoon train going south from Penetang and neither will there be any evening train to Penetang from Allandale. The morning train which up till Monday has been leaving Penetang at 7.30 will, starting on Monday, leave at 6.30, arriving at Allandale at the same hour as at present, 8.48.
• In an Interesting letter received by The Free Press early this week, one of Midland’s sons, Mr. H. Osborne at Churchill Manitoba, tells of the landing of Col. Chas, and Mrs. Lindbergh at Churchill while on their flight to Japan via Alaska. He says: “We were eating below in the dining saloon of the ship when the dredge alongside us sighted the plane and gave the signal. It didn’t take us long to come up out of the saloon. The plane circled around for some time before coming down, while hundreds of workmen raced for the docks. Every launch was filled with men going out to see the plane.” When the plane came to rest, the correspondent describes Mrs. Lindbergh as standing on one of the floats and the Colonel sitting on a wing looking quite boyish.
• The peculiar and stubborn fire which has for weeks been burning its way underground at the shipyards, is at last extinguished, as far as it can be learned from an inspection of the site. The Free Press was informed on Friday. Formerly the spot was the site of Mr. James Playfair’s Lumber Mill and is filled into a considerable depth with wood-chips, sawdust and other inflammable litter. When, in some unknown way, a fire was started in the material, it slowly worked its way downward. Being of a smouldering nature, it was difficult to trace and as difficult to extinguish. Frequently the fire would burst into flame. It occasioned considerable trouble during the hot spell a month ago. At the beginning of last week, the fire again broke out and necessitated a call to the department. Other trips were made on Tuesday and Wednesday, which resulted in the fire being thoroughly extinguished. As there could be detected no sign of it during the latter half of the week, Fire Chief Peter Grigg was on Friday hopeful that it had at last been conquered.
• Leaving their homes in the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie on Saturday afternoon, about 3,000 pilgrims arrived at the Martyrs’ Shrine at 6 o’clock Sunday morning, where all-day services were conducted continuing until 10′ o’clock that night. Two special C.P.R. trains carried the pilgrims, who were welcomed by Rev. Father Lally of the shrine. Right Rev. D. J. Scollard, Bishop of Sault Ste. Marie accompanied the pilgrims.
• One more highly successful boxing tourney was held in Midland last night when nine well-matched and well-fought bouts were put on in the Curling Rink under the auspices of the Royal Black Preceptory. The program was managed by Mr. Fred. Johnson, who also acted as Master of Ceremonies during the evening. The boxers were more happily chosen than in the last boxing meet, held ten days ago when it, unfortunately, happened that several bouts were badly matched. There were two technical knockouts, but one of these gave two rounds of good fighting, while the other, while it lasted, was of a whirlwind nature that caught the crowd’s fancy.
• Further evidence that the railways are finding it hard to finance is brought home to the Township of Tiny with the notice that the C.N.R. is applying for permission to close Wyevale station. The railway finds that there has been a considerable reduction in the revenue of the Wyevale station in the past few years. This is likely due in great part to the truck and car competition. Wyevale serves as a shipping centre for the southern part of the Township and the closing of the station will be a hard blow to that section. Shipping would still be made from there but arrangements would have to be made through Elmvale or The Township Officials are vigorously opposing the closing of the station and they hope that their effort will be successful. Should they win their case it is up to the farmers of that section to use the railway in preference to trucks or cars.

 

Click on photos to enlarge

It is a well-known fact there are lots of black bass in Midland’s Little Lake, of the big mouth variety. Wayne Guppy, Toronto, has evidence above that there are some good specimens of the smallmouth variety, too. This 14-inch, one lb., nine-ouncer was caught by his dad, Ted Guppy, around 8 p.m. Friday night using a frog as bait. The Guppy’s are staying at Smith’s Camp. 

One of the quietest, and often most rewarding ways to spend a holiday weekend is fishing. Three men and a young boy were trying their luck just off busy Highway 12, at the Wye River bridge, when the Free Press Herald cameraman snapped this picture Friday. 

There’s plenty of building going on in Midland right now, with a number of projects of major proportions underway. In the above picture, a start is being made on laying the footings for the new addition to the Bausch and Lomb Optical Co. plant on Lindsay Street. 

Victoria Harbour residents should have safer walking on some of the new sidewalks being laid around the village. Above, workmen have just completed a new section in front of Clarence MacKenzie’s dairy and ice cream bar. In keeping with the new sidewalk, the dairy has been extensively renovated as well. 

There’s hardly a boy living, even in these modern days, who hasn’t made like Michaelangelo with a piece of wood and a jack-knife. Albert Warner of 100 Sixth Street, Midland, progressed far beyond the boy-with-jack-knife stage. Now it’s a profitable as well as an interesting hobby with him. Mr. Warner, who came to Midland in 1900 from Prescott, gets a fairly good monetary return from lampstands, ashtray stands, flower stands, fern pedestals and similar articles. All are carved from single pieces of willow with no paint or stains. 

Flower gardens around Martyrs’ Shrine offer many fine studies for the colour film addicts. One of the many picturesque spots is this little pool, with statues, just to the west of the main entrance of the shrine. Grounds have been extensively renovated in recent years under the guidance of Rev. J. McCaffrey, shrine director. 

The hillside below the Martyrs’ Shrine church was a mass of colour on the weekend as a multitude of flowers were bursting into bloom. The church and its surrounding grounds, famed in history, are also one of this area’s beauty spots visited annually by thousands of pilgrims and visitors.

• Midland Free Press headline of August 5, 1959; 11 Premises Ransacked in an Epidemic of Break-ins. This past week saw a large-scale outburst of housebreaking in and around Midland, and also, in the Waubaushene, Six Mile Lake area, police reported yesterday. In Midland, there were break-ins at the homes of James Clark, K. J. Ellis and James Crawford; all in the Eighth Street, Hugel Avenue area. Also entered were the homes of Walter Lumsden, F. A. Salmon and Andrew Sedore, on the Tay Township extension of Hugel Ave., just west of Eighth Street. Acting Chief George Wainman of Midland said the Eighth Street break-ins apparently occurred, sometime before, midnight Saturday, Mr. Crawford was first to report his house entered, at 1:20 a.m., Sunday, and the discovery of the other entries followed. At Waubaushene, the W. H. F. Russell and Sons’ store was entered sometime Monday night or Tuesday morning and a quantity of cigarettes and other articles taken.
• County Herald headline of August 7, 1959; Say Filth Floats in Cove, Tiny Cottagers Alarmed. Woodland Beach Cottagers Association is becoming alarmed over pollution of water in their area of Tiny Township. A delegation asked Tiny council Saturday what steps should be taken to get some action toward remedying the situation. Various opinions were expressed as to the source of pollution. Some thought it came from Wasaga Beach, while others maintained it came from Collingwood. According to cottagers from Woodland, the pollution drifts into a cove and remains there. The summer residents are fearful of an epidemic developing from the water. “RAW SEWAGE” The statement made to the council was that the pollution is heavy, raw sewage, and the quantity leads them to believe it doesn’t travel any great distance before reaching Woodland. Complaints of pollution were registered last year with the Simcoe County Health Unit, and inspectors examined the condition. Nothing further was heard of the investigation either by the Woodland Association or by Tiny council.
• According to statistics “released by R. B. Moffat, secretary-manager of Midland Chamber of Commerce, this area is well on the way to setting a new record for summer visitors. Mr. Moffat said yesterday that, up to July 31, the two information centers operated by the chamber at the eastern and western approaches to Midland had served 5,983 people in the 1,845 cars that had stopped at the centers. He said these figures were almost triple the number served by the single information centre on King Street last year. He added that there was also a higher percentage of American visitors calling at the centers this year. Mr. Moffat explained that a survey revealed tourist business at district resorts was the best it had been in several years.
• Missing since the previous Monday evening, the body of Mimi Demuile was found floating in Nottawasaga Bay Sunday afternoon. Miss Demuile was 22 years old. The body was first noticed by a passing pleasure boat, approximately one-half mile from shore, and about three and a half miles from where the young woman had last been seen.
• Tiny Township councillors were forced to admit, Saturday they didn’t know whether the municipality is considered “wet” or “dry” by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. The question came up when a man approached council inquiring whether or not he would be given a permit to build a hotel at Wyebridge. He informed the council that one thing he would require before starting to build is an assurance that he would get a liquor licence. Council admitted they knew little of the requirements toward issuing a licence. It was pointed out that, if the municipality is listed as “dry,” a vote would be required.
• BIRTHS – CARDWELL — To Dr. and Mrs. R. J. Cardwell, 171 Hugel Ave., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Monday, August 3, 1959, a son. CARPENTER — To Mr. and Mrs. Allan Carpenter, Victoria Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Thursday, July 30, 1959, a son. DUNKLEY — To Mr. and Mrs. Ian Dunkley, Waubaushene, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Sunday, Aug. 2, 1959, a daughter. PROULX — To Mr. and Mrs. James Proulx, 129 Fifth St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, July 29, 1959, a son. ST. AMAND — To Mr. and Mrs. D. J. St. Amand, Victoria Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Wednesday, July 29, 1959, a daughter.
• COLDWATER — Previous records for traffic through Coldwater were exceeded civic holiday weekend. In addition to the peak volume of vehicles to district resorts, there has been a marked increase in autos and transports passing through Coldwater to head north on the new Trans-Canada Highway from Waubaushene. The Coldwater by-pass will not be completed and opened to traffic until later in the season, with the result that there are cars, many with boats on trailers, huge tractor-trailers, and other vehicles passing through the village. Tourist operators in Coldwater district reported business at capacity and in most cases, accommodation facilities were exceeded.
• TEN YEARS AGO THIS WEEK – Boat traffic “up the shore” reached its peak on August 7, with both the 30,000 Island Navigation Co. and Georgian Bay Tourist and Steamships Ltd. reporting excellent business. * * * The Hon. Lionel Chevrier had announced a $60 million, five-year shipbuilding program for Canada; to “maintain and develop the Canadian shipbuilding industry,” and it was believed that the Midland shipyards would benefit. * * * It was reported: “For the first time in many years, and for the first time in the history of Midland on such a large scale, the grain is being moved from Midland elevators to Montreal and the Atlantic seaboard by ship.” * * * Camp Kitchikewana, opened this week on Beausoleil Island with its biggest enrolment to date, Midland YMCA reported. There were 180 girls between eight and seventeen, mainly from Midland, Barrie, Toronto and Hamilton. * * * Sherwood Fox, former president of the University of Western Ontario, had recently published a book on the discovery of St. Ignace on the Sturgeon River. Material incorporated discoveries by Dr. Wilfrid Jury, “Western” archaeologist and expert on Huronia. * * * Plays, at the Midland Summer Theatre, held in the curling rink, included “Mr. Pim Passes By”, and “Arsenic and Old Lace.” Jack Blacklock was the producer and director. * * * Although net proceeds were lower than those of the previous year, the Midland Boys’ Band carnival was considered an outstanding success. There was a large draw prize list.
• Obituaries – MRS. HANNAH M. CHARLES — An active member of the Presbyterian church Ladies Aid, Mrs. Hannah May Charles, died in St. Andrews Hospital, July 24 of a heart attack. She was in her 75th year. Funeral service was conducted by Rev. Alan Ross at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home, July 27. Pallbearers were Dave Douglas, Arthur Gardner, Lorne Carruthers, Marvin Grigg, Bert Reynolds and Alvin Reynolds. Mrs. Charles was educated in Wyebridge and in 1916 married Wm. Charles at Midland. She lived on a Tiny Township farm until moving to Wyebridge 13 years ago. A member of the Wyebridge Women’s Institute, Mrs. Charles was fond of flowers and gardening. Besides her husband, she is survived by two daughters. Mrs. Kenneth Hounsome (Margaret) of Wyebridge and Mrs. A. Blair ’Jean’ of Haileybury; four brothers, Frank of Waverley, Henry of Wyebridge, Fred of Midland and Ernest of Richmond Hill. Two grandchildren, Connie and Billie Blair also survive. Burial was in Wyebridge Anglican Cemetery. MISS MABEL G. JEFFERY An active member of Knox Presbyterian Church throughout her life. Miss Mabel Gertrude Jeffery died, July 25, after a lengthy illness. She was in her 82nd year. Funeral service was conducted at Knox Presbyterian Church July 28 by Rev. J. L. Self. Pallbearers were Ron Cooke, George Cooke, Fred Jeffery, Jim Tully, Bob Bell and Dean Todd. Miss Jeffery was the second eldest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Jeffery and spent all her life in Midland. She is survived by two sisters; Mrs. A. T. Hunter (Olive), Toronto, and Mrs. H. B. Adams (Anne), Orillia and a brother C. C. Jeffery, Midland. Also surviving are a niece, Mrs. James Wright (Judy) of Midland and a nephew, Jeffery Baxter of Toronto. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery. WILLIAM E. CASTON – A lifetime resident of this district, William Ellsworth Caston died at St. Andrew’s Hospital July 24 following a coronary thrombosis. The funeral was held from his home, 361 Russell Street, Midland, July 27 and was conducted by Rev. J. L. Self. Honorary pallbearers were Albert Arsenault, Norman Gagnon, Lloyd Stephens, Ted Caston, Bud Caston and Con Caston. Active pallbearers were Frank Caston, Duke Caston, Don Arsenault, Gil Arsenault, Herb Trollope and Cliff VanLuven. Mr. Caston was born in Midland July 15, 1911, and received his education in Wyevale. On October 1940, at Elmvale, he married the former Therese Emond. He was a lifetime member of the Presbyterian Church. Besides his wife he is survived by five daughters; Mrs. Alex Desjardins (June), Barbara, Doreen, Clara and Patricia and two sons, James and Dave. Two sisters, Mrs. Mary Black and Mrs. Rosebell Chambers, and five brothers, Clarence, Frank, Ted, Duke and Bud also survive. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery. JAMES ROBERT LONEY – A school trustee of S.S. No. 18 Tay for two years, James Robert Loney died in St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, July 27, following a short illness. He was in his 73rd year. Funeral service was conducted by Rev. Charles Carter at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home, July 30. Pallbearers were Dalton Loney, Thomas Seymour, John Calhoun, Milton Montgomery, Frederick Allsopp and Earl Allsopp. A lifelong resident of Tay Township. Mr. Loney was a Conservative in politics and a member of the Loyal Orange Lodge. In 1920 at Victoria Harbour, he married the former Vera Calhoun. Mr. Loney is survived by five daughters; Mrs. D. McArthur (Joyce), Orillia. Mrs. F. Kectch (Vera), Victoria Harbour, Mrs. H. Starr (Iona), Oro Station, Mrs. R. Douglas (Mildred) Moonstone, and Miss Muriel Loney, Midland, and two sons. Goldy of Timmins and Burton of Goderich. Three sisters. Mrs. T. Seymour and Misses Edna and Hazel Loney of Coldwater, and two brothers. Harvey of New Liskeard and Ernest of Charlton, as well as eight grandchildren also survive. His wife predeceased him in 1945.  Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery.
• A complete survey for a protected channel through the 30,000 Islands of the Georgian Bay was this week submitted to the hydrographic section of the dominion government in Ottawa by the Georgian Bay Development Association. The association has been endeavouring to entice the hundreds of yachts now visiting the harbours and channels north of Manitoulin Island to the southern end of the Georgian Bay but has been handicapped by the lack of proper charts for these waters.
• As Midland summer playground at Little Hake Park closes August 14, a final week of activity has been planned, Monday afternoon will see the entire playground take part in a giant treasure hunt. Tuesday afternoon a mammoth field day will take place, with prizes for those taking part Wednesday evening a playground variety show for parents will be staged in the YMCA basement. Thursday will be the summer playground baseball league finals and Friday is the day for the all-day party for playground members, with final awards and presentations. Morning programs will continue as usual with crafts and swimming instruction. Advance swimming work will also take place in the morning during the final week. The playground is open to all children age 6 to 12 from 9:30 daily. Recent activities have included all-day hikes for the various sections with meals being cooked on the hike. Some 30 members of the playground have taken part in special overnight camping trips this season. The summer playground is sponsored by the Y’s Men’s Club of Midland. During this season some 425 children have taken part.

The first week of July 1931;

• Three drownings in one afternoon was the terrible toll exacted by the waters of the Georgian Bay yesterday. A young man was the first victim and his life was extinguished from a freighter at the Tiffin elevator. About the same hour, a double tragedy occurred at Little Beausoleil Island, where William Douglas, six-year-old son of Mr. John Douglas McCarter and the family’s Scotch maid, Christina McLean, 30 lost their lives while bathing. Both bodies were recovered by the child’s father and were brought to Midland, where they were met by Coroner Dr. Johnston and Provincial Officer Harry Wrights. They were taken to the Barrie Undertaking Parlors and were forwarded this morning to Toronto. Miss McLean had been in the employ of the family for about 3 months, she is of Scottish parentage. From the information available it appears the child got beyond its depth and in her efforts to save it, Miss McLean lost her own life.      

• All previous records were broken at the Little Lake Camping Grounds last weekend when the largest number of motor tourists in the history of the Camp was accommodated. The Camp population reached the almost incredible figure of just under the 1,800 mark. Monday was a Civic Holiday in Toronto and other large centres, and early on Saturday, the tourists began to flock to the Camp in ever-increasing numbers. The usual staff at the registration office was hopelessly inadequate, to cope with the greatly increased flow of tourists, and was reinforced by members of the Park Commission, who gave generously of their time. By Saturday night the books showed no less than 424 camps on the grounds, and still, the cars were driving in. Not until midnight did the last tourist arrive, and on Sunday morning the flow began again. A number of the regular campers, whose week had expired on Saturday night, had returned to their homes meanwhile, but the additional influx of tourists on Sunday raised the number of tents pitched to the peak figure of 433.
• PENETANG, Aug. 6. — Penetang citizens turned out by the hundreds. Midland sent a contingent of almost as many more, and the country surrounding this town co-operated in making the Kiwanis Street Carnival here last night one of the most successful ever staged in this town, in spite of subnormal conditions. By seven o’clock when the night’s program was scheduled to start with a parade through the town, the crowd lined both Main and Robert streets; by nine o’clock, when the amusements were well underway, the block on Robert St. in front of the fire hall, which was reserved for the Carnival, was almost completely filled with merry, milling, jostling throngs. Mr. Phil Charlesbois was generalissimo of the Carnival and from very early in the evening, long before the program was scheduled to commence, until the last booth had been cleared away, he was here, there, and everywhere, an indefatigable mine of energy. The success of the Carnival this year must in justice be credited largely to his efforts, and to those of his equally efficient lieutenants. Unfortunately, through one of those unavoidable hitches that occur in spite of the most careful preparations, there was a misunderstanding as regards to transportation and the Midland Band was late in arriving. As a result, the parade began half an hour or more behind schedule. But when it came, it was apparent that it was worth waiting for. The variety of the attractions, their number, and the novelty and ingeniousness of them, were remarkable. Mrs. J. T. Payette, mounted on a saddle horse and dressed in a flashing cowboy costume, at first headed the procession. Before the parade reached Robert St., however, she dropped out and the Midland Citizens’ Band, led by Bandmaster Fraser, led the way. The parade formed up in front of the Station, at the foot of Main Street, and proceeded south of Simcoe street, thence to Church St., and south on Church to Robert St. Crossing Main St., the procession passed in front of the judges, near the fire hall and doubled back on itself to pass the judges the second time before breaking up.
• The Sinclair Oil Co., which a few months ago established offices in town with Mr. R. S. McLaughlin as the manager, is building two 10,000-gallon gasoline supply tanks here to service dealers in this district. The tanks will be located at the foot of Queen St., in the vicinity of the Midland Engine Works. Both tanks are already up, and being put in condition to receive gasoline. A pumping machine is now on the way and it is expected that it will be installed and the tanks ready for use in about two weeks’ time. It is not the Intention of the Sinclair Oil Company to operate a service station, but purely a warehouse for supplying dealers in this district. Their warehouse is 20 ft by 60 ft and the Company will feature prompt deliveries of their oils, and other products. (This company declared bankruptcy in a short period of time and the tanks were sold.)
• On Tuesday the laying of rails commenced on the recent extension to the Government dock, at the foot of King Street, which will doubtless prove a great convenience in handling of traffic to and from the boats. It is understood a considerable addition to the shed will be also erected. The extension has already justified the expenditure on it as a unique source of revenue to an enterprising citizen. On Saturday morning a man was observed taking a picture of an extensive ’Field’ of grain from this vantage point. To anyone who may be sceptical of the fact, we have the “Bald” truth.
• The number of visitors to arrive here on Saturday was not entirely confined to those who had as their objective the motor camp, but a large crowd passed through on their way to different points up the lakes. The special tourist train was made up of many extra cars that carried large companies of American as well as Canadian visitors. Most of these were transferred to the Midland City and other boats here and distributed to different place among the islands while a large number passed on through to Parry Sound and Point Au Baril. The Midland City carried its largest crowd of the season and handled a tremendous amount of baggage. Many people from the city also took advantage of the lake trip and were able to return on Monday so as to get home again in time. Traffic up the shore thus far this season has been particularly good and much better than expected in view of the widespread depression. Many people are making shorter trips while others are cutting down on the length of their vacation, but with all the talk of hard times, people seem to be spending money in liberal quantities for anything they require. Looking down King Street on Saturday night one might well ask the question “where is the much-talked-of hard times?” Motor cars lined both sides of the street while a continuous stream of these vehicles passed up down the pavement for several hours. The sidewalks were crowded with well dressed and apparently happy people. There was no semblance of poverty in the crowd and one was led to the conclusion after watching the passing throng that this “hard time” cry is to all appearances being overdone.
• Business is beginning to hum. Better than a million and a half bushels has come to the local houses since the last writing and according to word, it has not yet finished. Three-quarters of a million bushels of corn was the cargo of the Perseus which put in an appearance on the last day of July at 6:00 p.m., following the McLaughlin with 406,000 of wheat which had arrived an hour and a half previously, both having come from Chicago. They cleared light for the same port. On August the 2^nd the A.E. Clarke arrived at 11.15 a.m. with better than 537,000 bushels from Chicago and the Sheardale from Milwaukee at 7:15 p.m. with 380,000, both cargoes of wheat. From Fort William on the fourth came the Anna Minch at 12.30 a.m. having 200,000 bushels of wheat. She cleared light for the head of the lakes at 2.30 p.m. The five C.P.R. boats are running and full cargoes of mill stuffs are being carried. The Athabasca arrived on Sunday morning and finished unloading on Monday morning clearing immediately, light for Port Arthur where she will go into dry-dock for the periodical inspection. The Manitoba, Keewatin and Alberta followed the Assiniboia since the last writing with capacity loads on eastbound trips and while the westbound traffic is not heavy, there is no reason to complain.
• The shades of evening are falling considerably earlier now and shortly after 8 o’clock, even on a clear night it is becoming dark. It will not be very long before things will be taking on a fall aspect. In fact, it sounds that way already, with the coal barons unloading the black diamonds into the bins of the stores and private residences.