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 enlargeSt. Andrews Hospital had a bit of the atmosphere of former years Monday morning when the first group of students commenced their enrolment and studies in the newly-instituted, school for certified nursing assistants. Some years ago, the hospital operated a school for registered nurses, under the direction of the late Miss E. Baker. Twelve of the 50-odd applicants for the course were accepted. Six of them have been on St. Andrews staff as nursing aides. When they complete the new course and are successful in written examinations conducted by the nursing division, Ontario Department of Health, they will receive CNA certificates. 

N.M. Paterson line’s Soodoc was tied up at Midland coal dock when this picture was taken Thursday afternoon. The ship’s crew, members of the Seamen’s International Union, went on strike against the Paterson firm. Other members of the Lake Curriers Association, except Canada Steamship Lines, said they would tie up their ships. The strike was settled last night. 

Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association held its annual convention at Martyrs’ Shrine Thursday. Here Vincent Noonan of Collingwood, Mrs. E. Smith of Barrie, Mrs. Corrie Hamelin of Midland, Sister Mary Stephen, St. Theresa’s, Miss M. Tipping, Orillia, F. J. Macdonald, inspector of public and separate schools, and Edward E. Stewart of the Department of Education, speaker at the convention, examine one of the many new books on display at the convention.

Bill Johnson of 12 Victoria Street, Midland, left, holds the 22-pound, 46-inch muskellunge he caught off Methodist Island Tuesday morning. His fishing companion, Bill Hebner of 115 Gloucester Street, holds an eight-pound, 30-inch pike he caught the same day. They were fishing with Guy Hebner.

One or the chief factors in Mr. and Mrs. John Lepage of Penetang attaining their golden wedding anniversary Saturday has been good health. According to one of their seven daughters, neither husband nor wife has ever had a serious illness. Both Mr. Lepage and his wife, the former Ella Mae Carriere, were born at Highland Point across the bay from Penetang. (Story on same page.) 

Frigid skies failed to chill the spirits of St. Theresa’s High School athletes as they held their field day in Midland Friday. In the top picture the three boys champions are, left to right, Mike Borsa, junior, Paul Tremblay, senior and Mike Duval, intermediate. Tremblay rolled up 79 points for his win. Top girls in lower picture were Susan Barron and Marie McLaughlin, who tied at 20 points each for junior laurels, Donna Contois, senior, and Delores Contois intermediate champ. 

Editorial page photo entitled, “Maze at Hog Bay” 

This Waverley combination of grandfather and granddaughter walked off with first and second prize with their senior yearling Jerseys at the Elmvale fair Sept, 21. “Grandpa” is well-known Bert French and the little girl is his eight-year-old granddaughter, Debbie. 

Still just a big hole in the ground, work is well under-way on the 14-room addition to Midland – Penetang District High School. 

Members of the Brooklea Golf and Country Club, and visitors, will have brand new club house facilities next season. 

Steel is already in place and the roof is going on for the new addition to the Canadian Name Plate plant in Midland. 

A long ten months of study lies ahead of these members of the new Certified Nursing Assistants course which opened at Midland’s St. Andrews Hospital this week. Left to right seated, are, Mrs. Mary Magloughlin, Miss Barbara McQueen, Mrs. Laura Steer, Mrs. Audrey Moreau, Mrs. Beverley West, Miss Joyce Leonard; standing – Mrs. Mary Okenka, Mrs. Gladys Marchant, Mrs. Jean Wilcox, Mrs. Nettie Grenier, Mrs. Marjorie Gibson, Miss Marie Reynolds.

 

Midland Population Up – Note 2.6 Per Cent Hike
Free Press Herald headline of Wednesday October 5, 1960 

Ian McLung, Midland assessment commissioner revealed yesterday that the town’s total taxable assessment is $383,010 more than in 1960 and the population had increased 2.6 per cent. The total taxable assessment as of Oct. 1 this year was $8,135,650 compared with $7,752,640 last year, Mr. McClung stated. Midland’s population is increasing, the assessor noted. As of Oct. 1 there were 8,625 people in the municipality compared with 8,402 in 1959, an increase of 223. 

Say 10 Per Cent Increase in Tourist Registrations
County Herald headline of Friday October 7, 1960. 

A report of operations of the Penetang Chamber of Commerce information booth during the past summer shows 3,421 persons from Canada, United States and four European countries registered at the centre. It is estimated that the figure represents a 10 per cent increase over the number of visitors in 1959. 

    The S.S. City of Dover is to sail again. Midland Chamber of Commerce announced this week that the passenger vessel has been purchased by Andrew Light of Midland. He plans to make the necessary repairs and alterations this winter so the cruise ship will be ready for the 1961 tourist season. 

    Nearly 300 persons have made application to take night classes at Midland-Penetang District High School this winter, Principal R. C. Gauthier revealed yesterday. 

    A letter from Ralph Cowan, read to Penetang Chamber of Commerce executive Wednesday night indicated a sufficient number of pheasants will be on hand for a pheasant shoot on Christian Island this fall. Equipment now installed on the island which will be put into operation next year, is large enough to hatch 14,500 chicks in a season. 

BIRTHS
ALAIRE – To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Alarie, 347 King Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, September 28, 1960, a son.
BEAUDOIN – To Mr. and Mrs. Robert Beaudoin, 51 Bay Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Friday, September 30, 1960, a son.
BELLISLE – To Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bellisle, 194 Charles Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Thursday, September 29, 1960, a son.
GILBANK – To Mr. and Mrs. Jack Gilbank, 268 William Street Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Friday, September 30, 1960, twin sons. (One died later)
GRANT – To Mr. and Mrs. William Grant, Con. 1, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Saturday, October 1, 1960, a daughter
HUMPHRIES – To Mr. and Mrs. Robert Humphries, (nee Florence Spicer) Toronto, at Toronto General Hospital, Wednesday, September 28, 1960, a daughter.
MERKLEY – To Mr. and Mrs. Robert Merkley, 103 Donalda Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Saturday, October 1, 1960, a daughter.
PAUL – To Mr. and Mrs. Albert Paul, RR 2, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Saturday, October 1, 1960, a son.
PERRAULT – To Mr. and Mrs. Leo Perrault, 48 Fifth Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday , October 4, 1960, a son.
POTTER – To Mr. and Mrs. William Potter, R.R. 1, Waubaushene, at St. Andrews Hospital, on Wednesday, October 5, 1960, a son. 

    George H. Burns has been appointed superintendent of Canadian Pacific Railway’s Great Lakes Steamships, with headquarters at Port McNicoll, effective October 1, it was revealed yesterday.

Obituary
NAPOLEON (Poly) PERRAULT – Widely known throughout this area, and a resident of Highland Point all his life, Napoleon ( Poly) Perrault died unexpectedly Saturday, Sept. 2, after suffering a heart seizure at Parry Sound. Born at Highland Point, August 3, 1891, Mr. Perrault had spent most of his working years as a guide. In 1921 he married Delphine Trudeau at Penetang. Surviving besides his widow are two sons, Edgar of Chicago and Raymond of Toronto. There are five daughters, Mrs. Edward Gregoire (Rose) Parry Sound, Mrs. Fred Johnson (Agnes), Mrs. Carl Eikiland (Theresa), Mrs. Harry Burquist (Bernadette), and Miss Doris Perrault all of Chicago. There are 14 grandchildren. Funeral service was held from Beausoleil’s funeral home to St. Ann’s Memorial Church Wednesday, Sept. 28. Father J. Marchand sang requiem high mass, assisted by Father L. O’Malley and Father G. Bean. Burial was in St. Ann’s Cemetery. Pallbearers were Leonard Landrigan, Isadore, Andrew and Louis Trudeau, Frank Perrault and Jim McMillan. 

    For the first time in its 41-year history two schools finished in a tie for top honors in the Tudhope track and field meet, held at Barrie North Collegiate, Saturday. Deadlocked at 71 points each were Midland-Penetang District High School and Orillia DCVI. Climaxing a big day for MPDHS, the girls’ team finished second in the Thompson track meet held simultaneously, only three points back of the winning Barrie North team. 

    It’s a long jump from Penetang Hurons of junior OHA class ”C” ranks to the professional Sudbury Wolves but Midland’s “Buzz” Deschamp appears to have bridged the gap successfully. The 20-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. “Bun” Deschamp, Russell Street, “Buzz” inked a contract with the EPHL Wolves recently. Under it he will get a five game trial with the Wolves. If he shows coach Murph Chamberlain enough in that time he will remain in Sudbury. 

25 YEARS AGO
Hon. Harry Stevens, leader of the Reconstruction Party addressed a Midland audience, he also spoke at Coldwater, Elmvale, Barrie and Orillia. • • • A race for delivery rigs, open to all comers, was one of the features of the Tiny and Tay Agricultural Society’s fair. • • • A terrific electrical storm tangled the feeder lines of the Midland hydro system and cut off power for three-and-a-quarter hours. • • • A potato shortage on the Toronto and Midland markets was considered only temporary. This was confirmed by an official of the W. E. Preston Co., Ltd. •• • Hon. Duncan Marshall, Minister of Agriculture,  addressed a joint meeting of farmers and Kiwanians sponsored by the Midland Kiwanis Club. • • • A distinct upturn in business was experienced by Midland Wood Products as reported by its manager M. J. Bray. • • • About 3,000 persons participated in the official opening ceremonies of the new Midland docks. Mayor S. W. McKinley and Dr. G. E. Tanner MPP, officiated at the ceremony. • • • A. B. Thompson, retiring M. P. for East Simcoe and a native of Penetang was guest of honor at a banquet given by his fellow citizens.

News from  two July 1921 editions of the Free Press.