The photos found in this blog post are the property of Huronia Museum, Midland, Ontario. Any reproduction for commercial use without permission is prohibited.  Any other distribution must credit Huronia Museum.  Please contact the museum with any questions you may have.  

Click on photos to enlargeTermed a “stamp collector’s dream” is this collection of more than 400 commemorative stamps issued by the Red Chinese government from 1949-59. It’s on loan to Midland’s Huronia Museum by Frank Ridley, well-known Toronto contractor and amateur archaeologist. Fred Hacker points out some of the more valuable specimens to Carolyne Brownlee as the Parkview School students visited the museum recently. 

More than $200 damage was caused to this truck, owned by James Anderson, Midland, when it backed too close to the edge of the town dump shortly after noon Friday. The smouldering dump fire blew out and completely destroyed the left rear dual tires. The electrical wiring was also damaged. Midland firemen were called to the scene and it took two tow trucks to pull the vehicle back up on to solid ground. 

Boys and boats go pretty well together on land or water. Bill Argue and Keith Craig cast critical eyes on two canoes on display at Huronia Museum Midland, now in the midst of another busy season. 

These lads formed the winning batteries in the finals of Midland’s Little League Baseball League Saturday. From the International League, front row, were, left to right, Raymond Dorion, Bill Smith, Doug Gagnon, Ron Henderson, National League, second row, were Bruce Cossar, Art McComb, Richard Duval and Bob Clayton. Helpers at back are Len Self, league director, Fred Scott and Frank Graham.

For a change, the weatherman provided perfect weather for the 96 golfers who took part in the Simcoe County invitation match in Midland Sunday. Players check their starting times with Don Argue and Ted Brodeur (at board). 

“Playtime is Here Again”, Photo from the editorial page. 

Anne Piette of Penetang who graduated from St. Michael’s Hospital School of Nursing recently. Anne attended public school in Penetang and Midland Penetanguishene District High School. She received an award for efficiency and bedside nursing. 

Keith Smith son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Smith, Midland, who has been appointed secretary of Midland YMCA. 

Rapidly nearing completion, this new addition to St. Mary’s Separate School provides four badly needed new classrooms to house some of the 250 children, school secretary F. S. Johnstone expects to be in attendance in September. Cost of the addition is estimated at about $80,000. 

Not unlike the ruins of some old English castle or abbey, these old stone walls are all that’s left of the old mill at Tannerville. The area which once resounded to the daylong whine of the saw mill, now is one of the better summer cottage sub-divisions in this area. The happy shouts of children bathing in Georgian Bay have replaced the song of the saws. 

This cottage on Yonge Street West, serving as an information bureau for the Midland Chamber of Commerce, has stolen the spotlight from the PUC’s Scott Street substation as the most controversial building in town at the moment. Some doubt exists whether the building can be relocated in time to serve this year’s influx of tourists.   

From Midland to Hudson’s Bay and back to Midland again, that’s been the experience of Bob Scott, youthful proprietor of Scott’s Sport Shop, which opened on King Street recently.  Son of Mrs. Scott and the late Harold Scott, Bob attended Regent and Central Public Schools and Midland High School before going to work for the Bell Telephone Company. He spent four years with the Bell, three in Toronto on installation work and one at Hudson’s Bay, on a defence contract. Always Interested in sports, as are his brothers Don and Charlie, Bob played OMHA and junior hockey in Midland. He also has been an ardent skier and this winter won the senior title at Midland Ski Club. This is some of the background that made the young Midlander decide to open a sporting goods store in the Ingram Block. [Then on the town dock] 

It was a big day for the ladies, as well their councillor husbands, when the new Simcoe County building was officially opened by Premier Leslie Frost in Barrie Thursday. Among the women in attendance from this area were, left to right, Mrs. H. J. Beauchamp and Mrs. William Orr, wives of Midland’s reeve and deputy-reeve, respectively; Mrs. Ray Atkinson, whose husband is Tay Township’s deputy-reeve; and Mrs. Montcalm Maurice, whose husband, reeve of Tiny Township, has been a member of county council for 15 years. 

We included this one because of the mosquito, that time of year again!

 

Survey Points Way to Better Education
County Herald headline of June 24, 1960.
A group of executives of local industries have recently completed a study of educational opportunities and standards in this district. The voluntary survey also explored ways and means of improving these opportunities and standards. In a three-page brief, the group has set out an eight-point program of its findings and recommendations which it feels will improve educational facilities in the North Simcoe district. Among the recommendations made are vocational courses for students not suited to an academic curriculum in the high school; a stiffer attitude to be adopted toward apathetic students and parents; and increased emphasis in the high school curriculum on localized civics, history and geography. 

Forecast Boom in 1960 for Resorts in District
Free Press Herald headline of June 29, 1960.
A survey made by this newspaper yesterday indicates that another bumper year for summer visitors is in the offing for the district in 1960, commencing with the Dominion Day holiday weekend. The only factor that could upset the apple cart of the tourist boom, it appears, would be a prolonged period of inclement weather. Walter Woods, chairman of Midland Chamber of Commerce tourist committee, said there had been an unprecedented number of inquiries for all types of tourist accommodation in the area.  Many of these inquiries have come in the last six weeks, he said.  Apparently, owners of cottages at the beaches in the district have experienced no trouble in renting their accommodation. ln some instances the demand has been greater than the supply, it was stated. It seems most of them will be filled almost from the opening gun July 1, until the latter part of the season. 

        Two members of the staff of St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, were given promotions when the hospital’s board held its June meeting Tuesday night. Alex Craig, business manager of the hospital for several years, has been appointed administrator. Mrs. Jean Sutton, named director of nursing, has held that position on an “acting” basis for several months. Mrs. Sutton was asked to take immediate steps to appoint an assistant nursing director so she can take “a well-earned holiday.” She was told that her appointment by the board was at the full concurrence of the medical staff. In his monthly report, Mr. Craig said that the opening of the second floor of the Playfair Wing in January has increased the hospital’s patient days by more than 20 per cent over the budget estimate. This, he said affects the hospital’s per diem rate as set by the Ontario Hospital Services Commission for 1960 and means a completely revised budget will have to be submitted. 

    Recommendations that union and management join in a crackdown on employee absenteeism, and that management act more quickly to fire unsuitable employees, are highlights of an arbitration committee report dealing with union grievances at Midland Plastics. The report was unanimous, with both union and management nominees agreeing on all issues without the necessity of appointing a neutral chairman. Of the grievances submitted by the union, all but one was dismissed as unfounded and the other was amicably settled by the company and union representatives. 

    As Dominion Day, July 1, a statutory holiday, occurs next Friday, publication day of the County Herald, only the Free Press Herald and the Georgian Tourist will be published next week. The Free Press will be distributed to book stores and carrier boys (they did have girls as well) Wednesday. Regular publication schedules of the Free Press Herald and the County Herald will be resumed week of July 4. (This notice appeared before all statutory holidays that fell on a publication day.) 

    As store clerks are the most likely persons to leave first and lasting impressions on visitors to a town Penetang Chamber of Commerce has secured the services of a top-notch speaker on the tourist industry to give them a pep-talk next week. Under direction of George Bryant, chairman, the merchant’s committee has arranged to have John Fisher, familiarly known as “Mr. Canada”, speak in Penetang Wednesday afternoon, June 29. Arrangements have been made to hold the meeting at Fort Penetanguishene Museum. A conducted tour of the museum is planned. The talk is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.  

    For the second time in a year, this newspaper contains a full color insert, advertising a nationally-known product. Today’s insert features Certo, and contains recipes for using the product in modern jam and jelly making processes. The full color insert is a new field of advertising being pioneered in Canada by Class A. Weekly Newspapers, of which this newspaper is a member. 

    The United Church Simcoe Presbytery Camp (Simpresca) at Midland Point has embarked upon another busy season. Last week, June 17-18, a camp leadership training course was held for counsellors and leaders of the six camps being planned this summer. Forty counsellors and leaders were in attendance and the course included training in leadership planning, games, crafts, Bible study and resources. The staff of Simcoe County Recreation Services co-operated in conducting the training sessions. Those attending from Midland were, Karen Wilcox, David Walker, and Rev. Wilson Morden. Mr. Morden will be director of the junior boys camp, July 13-20; Karen Wilcox will be a counsellor for one of the CGIT camps; and David Walker will be a counsellor at the junior boy’s camp. Approximately 300 campers are expected this year.  

    For the first time in the history of this district, a high school graduation will be held in June instead of October. This was revealed by Midland-Penetang District High School Principal R. C. Gauthier Wednesday afternoon, when he was commenting on the MPDHS graduation June 29 at the school. A total of $1,195 in scholarships and honor pins has been donated by industries, merchants, service clubs, individuals and the staff and Students Council at MPDHS, Mr. Gauthier stated. Explaining why the date had been changed from October to June, Mr. Gauthier said, by October a number of  the graduates have left the district and therefore the attendance is poor so we have changed it to June when most of the graduates are still here. We hope it will be more successful because of the increased interest of students and parents.” The principal had praise for his staff when he added, “It is much more work to have it in June because, as well as marking examination papers the staff has the added job of attending meetings to plan graduation. We hope it will be successful and worth the additional trouble.” Mr. Gauthier said he expects that approximately 300 students will “pass across the graduation stage” during the evening. 

   A Midland-owned horse figured in one of the most controversial finishes of a race at Connaught Track, Aylmer, last Saturday. The horse, Bomarwln, owned by George and Alex Ingram and driven by Bill Pyke, and the horse Robert Van, owned by Harold Berry and driven by Don Corbett, ended the sixth race in what judges termed a “dead heat”. A picture of the photo finish of this invitation trot of one mile for a purse of $600, which the Ingrams have in their possession, would seem to indicate the Midland horse won by the tip of his nose. 

BIRTHS
ADA — To Mr. and Mrs. George Ada, 360 Russell St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Friday, June 17, 1960, a daughter.
COUSINEAU — To Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Cousineau, Honey Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Saturday, June 18, 1960, a son.
HANMER — To Mr. and Mrs. Lionel Hanmer, 209 Elizabeth St., Midland, at St, Andrews Hospital, Thursday, June 23, 1960, a daughter.
MOLLOY — To Mr. and Mrs. Eric Molloy, 149 Hugel Ave., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, June 21, 1960, a daughter.
SMITH To Mr. and Mrs. Bennet Smith, Christian Island, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Friday, June 17, 1960, a daughter.
JIVCOFF — To Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Jivcoff, 96 Peel St., Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Friday, June 17, 1960, a son.
StAMANT — To Mr. and Mrs. Leo St. Amant, 29 Fox St., Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital; Saturday, June 18, a daughter.
MOREAU — To Mr. and Mrs. Doriste Moreau, 60 Harriett St., Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Saturday, June 18, 1960, a son.
STEELE — To Mr. and Mrs. Jack Steele, Elmvale, at Penetanguishene
General Hospital, Saturday, June 18, 1960, a son.
CLARKE — To Mr. and Mrs. Russell Clarke, 94 Hanley St., Midland, at St. Andrew’s Hospital, Tuesday, June 28, 1960, a daughter.
DESJARDINE — To Mr. and Mrs. Alex Desjardine, 210 Midland Ave., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Monday, June 27, 1960, a son.
YORK — To Mr. and Mrs. Charles York, Penetang Road, Midland, at St, Andrews Hospital, Thursday, June 23, a son.
MclNTOSH — Mr. and Mrs. Les McIntosh (nee Betty Spring) are happy to announce the birth of their son, Brian William, on June 26, 1960, at
Toronto Western Hospital. A brother for Ralph Bruce.
StAMANT — To Mr. and Mrs. Ossie St. Amant, Robert St. W., Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Wednesday, June 15, 1960, a daughter.
 
    SIMCOE – ONTARIO CANAL Dear Editor: The proposal to construct a canal to join Lake Simcoe to Lake Ontario was made about sixty years ago by Sir William Mulock when he was federal member for North York. Furthermore, he had a bill passed that authorized its construction. Construction was actually carried on. The concrete entrance piers were completed at Holland Landing and are seen by every passing driver. A long concrete lock was completed right in Newmarket, one block east of the main street, where it may still be seen today. From Newmarket the canal route followed the Humber River until it joined Lake Ontario. To build a seaway Canal by this route would be much shorter and less expensive than to build it along the Trent Waterway to the Bay of Quinte. Vessels could unload their European package freight at Toronto and steam straight ahead to the lakehead for a grain cargo, instead of being required to double back to the Bay of Quinte. W. R. Williams 

    (From the “Other Papers Say” in the editorial section comes this report from the Detroit Free Press. Not local news but interesting!)     Plans for a startling hospital of the future — in which patients would be kept under anesthetic for their entire stay, and watched over by electronic equipment — were presented at a preview in the International College of Surgeons Hall of Fame, in Chicago. The plans, with models and drawings of other conceptions of modern hospitals, were on public display in the Hall of Fame June 8 in observance of National Hospital month. The strange hospital of the future is the work of E. Todd Wheeler, of Wilmette, an architect who has designed or served as architectural consultant in planning 70 hospitals throughout the United States. Wheeler envisions an institution in which patients rooms, as they exist now, will disappear. Instead, each patient would be anaesthetized for his entire stay, and except when undergoing treatment, would occupy a wheel chair equipped with pneumatic pads on the seat, back, arms, and foot rests which would move rhythmically to stimulate the body. In his chair, the patient would occupy an air conditioned chamber 3 feet wide 4 feet deep, and 5 feet high — or 60 cubic feet instead of the 1,200 cubic feet of today’s average hospital room. Attached to his body would be electrical devices to measure pulse, respiration, evaporation, skin color, brain waves, heart activity, and other bodily functions. Instead of making “rounds” physicians would check on their patients by watching control panels. Feeding would be done intravenously or by stomach tube. “The patient enters the hospital sick, goes to sleep, and wakes up well,” said Wheeler. “No bother, no worry, no food complaints, no noise, no glare, no odors, no incompatible roommates no visitors, complete privacy, and complete concentration on getting well.” Other models and plans on display feature an underground hospital supposedly safe from nuclear fallout and a drive-in hospital with a circular automobile ramp spiraling up its sides so visitors could call on patients without leaving their cars. 

    Midland Arena Gardens will be the horseshoe pitching capital of the world Saturday — well, of Canada, at least, when, the Gardens will be the site of the Ontario championships. “It should be the best Canadian tournament yet,” said Wray Faint, one of Midland’s most, enthusiastic and most successful, horseshoe pitchers. Wray maintains the event should be even better than a Canadian championship “because the best pitchers in Canada are from Ontario. There will be lots of local interest too, with the four-man team Canadian champs of 1958 hailing right from North Simcoe. Faint, one member of the team, defeated the Canadian champ at a local sportsmen’s show held at Arena Gardens a year ago. Also from Midland is Logan Cruise, who placed seventh among Canadians at the CNE tournament last fall. 

    Alfred G. Tuttle, former head of the Ground Observer Corps in Midland, last week set out a proposal to establish a small factory in the town which would employ physically handicapped persons in the town. Mr. Tuttle submitted his proposal to Midland council and requested council’s co-operation in the move. He explained that a similar plant has been established in Toronto and employs 30 persons. He said the proposed Midland factory would employ three at the start. Mr. Tuttle said there were many types of work which physically handicapped could do effectively and they could earn a steady income while doing it. He submitted work could even be subcontracted from larger Industries. 

    Bright, sunny weather contributed considerably to the color of the annual Corpus Christi procession in St. Ann’s Parish, Penetang, Sunday, when an estimated 1,500 persons took part in the ceremonies. The procession formed up at St. Ann’s Memorial Church at 1.30 p.m. with the processional cross, carried by Ronald Condren and two scarlet vested acolytes. Rover Brunelle and Francis St. Amant, in the lead. As the parade made its way through the town’s streets, the papal flag and the Canadian ensign followed closely behind the cross. Girl Guides and Brownies from St. Ann’s were immediately next in the line-up. Most of the children of the parish who had received their first holy communion a short while ago were in attendance, dressed in white veils and uniforms. School children were also included in the parade, accompanied by their teachers, both secular and religious. The Sodality of the Blessed Virgin was out in full force with their blue and white banner, adding to the color of the ceremony. Another banner-carrying group was the Ladies of St. Ann. Boy Scouts and Wolf Cubs took part, and a large number of men marched under the Holy Name Society’s banner. They were joined by other men of the parish. Women parishioners joined forces with the ladies of the Catholic Women’s League. Brothers of the Sacred Heart, Sisters of the Holy Cross and Grey Sisters of the Holy Cross and Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception were well represented by members of their orders.