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 enlargeInaugural meetings are the order of the day for councils in North Simcoe at this time of year. Town solicitor Douglas Haig administers the oath of office to Mayor Charles Parker while Clerk Wm. A. Hack busies himself with affairs on the agenda. 

Town solicitor Douglas Haig administers the oath of office to Reeve Percy Crawford and Deputy-reeve Mervin Grigg at Monday’s inaugural meeting of Midland council. Listening at left is Alderman Albert Atkinson. 

Members of Midland Lions Club heard Dr. P. B. Rynard of Orillia, MP for Simcoe East, discuss Canada’s problems for 1961 at a dinner in the Georgian Hotel Thursday night. Seen with Dr. Rynard (centre) are club members Fred Grigg, Dan Nicholls, Bruce Armstrong and Arthur Tweedle, left to right. 

Monday evening, Charles Hanes and his wife, Mary, climbed into a horse-drawn cutter, just as they did 60 years ago when they set out to be married. Monday the weather was milder than on that day when they drove from Sturgeon Bay to Elmvale to be wed by Rev. A. Bedford. This time the drive took them from their home on Midland’s Quebec Street to the Georgian Hotel where there was a dinner for the family and a few of their brothers and sisters.

Residents of Midland since 1915, Mr. and Mrs. Hanes now make their home at 14 Quebec Street, where many members of their family, as well as friends, were on hand to wish them well on their diamond anniversary.

There were plenty of aches afterwards, but everybody was in gay mood before Monday night’s hockey game between the Barrie Radio-TV team and Midland “Selects,” which netted $300 for Midland’s Little NHL. In this picture, Bob Stanway, left, and Rev. Lloyd Delaney “help” Rev. Len Self struggle into his sweater. 

Three police laddies are, left to right, Ross Willett, Art Ambeau and Ernie Bates. 

Thousands of tickets were churned up in this drum before Mayor Charles Parker of Midland reached in and selected the winner of the Home of the Week contest. Looking on are Free Press Herald editor Wils Harrison and Advertising Manager Harry Brown.

Winner of the first of 12 Polaroid cameras to be awarded in the contest was Mrs. Jean Elsom of 324 Bay Street W., Midland. Here Mrs. Elsom who also won a $5 merchandise certificate earlier in the contest, receives her prize from Editor Wils Harrison.

Members of Victoria Harbour’s council for 1961 are seen above during their inaugural meeting Monday night, following a devotional period conducted by Rev, Charles Carter (standing). Seated, left to right are Councillors Oliver and Wilfred Savage, Clerk James Heels, Reeve Ernest Cadeau, and Councillors Albert Cameron and Don Eplett. Mr. Cameron is the only new member of this year’s council. 

Hydro inspector Ed Brewer, left, and a plant employee, watch temperature gauge during “run in” of new aluminum machine at the Canadian Name Plate factory in Midland Friday. Gauge shows a temperature of 800 degrees Fahrenheit being applied to the aluminum billets used in the new extruder.

Installed recently in the new addition to the Canadian Name Plate plant in Midland, and now in operation, is this aluminum extruder. Aluminum is heated 800 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven in the top picture… One of the 36-inch billets is seen coming out of another portion of the machine in the lower picture. The hot billett is then pushed through dies of various shapes under pressure of 900 pounds per square inch, emerging on to 115-foot long run-out tables. 

Installed recently in the new addition to the Canadian Name Plate plant in Midland, and now in operation, is this aluminum extruder. Aluminum is heated 800 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven in the previous picture. One of the 36-inch billets is seen coming out of another portion of the machine in the lower picture. The hot billet is then pushed through dies of various shapes under pressure of 900 pounds per square inch, emerging on to 115-foot long run-out tables.

Employees at the Canadian Name Plate plant rubbed their eyes in disbelief last week as they saw Bob Contois and Derek Spencer walk out on to the bay behind the plant with a lot of skin-diving equipment. They were even more startled when the two men calmly cut a hole in the ice and proceeded to enjoy their favorite pastime. Contois (with glasses) and Spencer are seen at the left as they checked their oxygen tanks. At right Bob is ready for first plunge as Derek watches. Heavy rubber suits kept out the freezing effects of the water. 

Two more members of Midland’s winter fleet are pictured above. They are the Algosteel, nearest the camera, and the Algocen, both of the Algoma Central Steamship Line. They are berthed at Aberdeen elevator, where they make frequent visits during the navigation season. 

Midland has four new Queen’s Scouts in Tom Gordanier, Marvin Howard, Ken Cleary and Gregory Griesbach. They are seen in the top row along with four other lads on their way up the Scouting ladder. Other Scouts are clockwise from left, David Gosselin, sporting 13 proficiency badges; Paul Delaney, a 1st class probationer; the four Queen’s Scouts; and 1st class probationers Art Langley and Allan Bellchambers.

Editorial page photo entitled, “Span for Sportsmen”. 

 

Mayor Calls for Drive on Delinquent Taxpayers 

Free Press Herald headline of January 11, 1961.
In his inaugural address to Midland council Monday, Mayor Charles Parker called for a renewed drive to collect outstanding taxes for 1960 and tax arrears for 1959 and previous years. Council in 1960 authorized the registration of properties three years or more in arrears, the mayor continued. “This was done in some cases to clear up old estates and vacant properties.” “I am advised now that, of a tax levy for 1960 of $614,000, some $537,000 was collected or 90.65 per cent,” the mayor stated. “This is considered average for all towns in Ontario. However, we cannot overlook the fact that some $57,000 is still outstanding on 1960 taxes. Add to this arrears for 1959 and prior years of some $32,000 and it means a total of $89,000. “This is not alarming when compared with other Ontario towns but it is alarming when you consider a wholesale collection of these arrears could mean a possible reduction in tax levies for future years. These arrears pertain mostly to residential properties but on the other hand, the commercial area counts for some $29,000 of this amount. 

Need A New School by ’66 Board at MPDHS Hears 

County Herald headline of January 13, 1961.
Midland – Penetang District High School board, at its inaugural meeting Wednesday night, heard that a new high school would be needed by 1966. This was the opinion expressed by MPDHS-Principal R. C. Gauthier when the board was discussing a report on future enrolment, requested by the Ontario Minister of Education. The minister’s letter requesting future enrolment data said in part: “Secondary schools of the province will be faced with expansion during the next five years which will be of proportions unprecedented in our history. It is anticipated that by September, 1965, secondary school enrolment may have increased by 140,000 students or nearly 60 per cent over the September, 1959, enrolment. SEES MAJOR EXPANSION “In the next five years we face expansion in secondary school enrolment and construction relatively greater than that which has occurred during the past 15 years.” the minister’s letter stated, and noted that the enrolment figures were required so his department could review and revise their long-term financial plans. Mr. Gauthier reported that a conservative estimate of enrolment for the next five years, as of Sept. 30, was as follows: 1961, 939; 1962, 983; 1963, 1,050; 1964, 1,105 and 1965, 1,125. Present enrolment at the school is 908.

        Port McNicoll skating rink will be closed pending further investigation of its structural soundness, the village council decided at its inaugural meeting Jan. 3. Councillor John Kent, chairman of council’s recreation committee, said he would obtain information on the cost of transporting villagers to some other rink on a group basis. In a letter from Johnston Young, council learned he had inspected the village rink. Mr. Young did not consider it safe for public use until certain repairs were carried out. 

    At the inaugural meeting of Penetang council Monday night, Mayor Jerome Gignac made several suggestions for council action in 1961. With the chairman of the public school board sitting in the audience, Mayor Gignac dropped a bombshell when he said, “I am voicing a strong protest that the school board has forced duplication of Grades 9 and 10 on public school ratepayers. I was against it when it started and I am still against it” He was referring to the fact classes for Grades 9 and 10 students have been set up in Penetang Public School. “The board is going to ask us to debenture $420,000 for a new school. I can’t help but sympathize with the Mayor of Richmond Hill who today, recommended his council go to jail rather than collect money for school purposes.” Mayor Gignac said. He mentioned this would, be one way of bringing to the attention of provincial authorities the heavy burden which education costs are placing on the municipal tax payer. 

    Recalling the crowded conditions which arose last year when 1,200 parents came to collect Christmas reports and speak with teachers. R. C. Gauthier, principal of Midland-Penetang District High School, has decided to hold three parents’ nights instead of one. The first parent’s night will be held at the school Jan. 17 and will be for parents of pupils in Grades 9, 12, special commercial and Grade 13 only. For students of the honor club (those who attained 75 per cent or better the previous year) and who have attained at least 66 per cent on this year’s examinations, a supper for both students and parents is planned in the school cafeteria Jan. 24. Guest speaker at this honor students’ supper will be F. J. Clute, director of guidance for the Ontario Department of Education, Mr. Gauthier stated. 

    First official hint of the location of a proposed new 21-room public school to be built in Penetang came at Monday night’s inaugural meeting of council, when Board Chairman G. J. Robillard asked for a speed-up of approval on debentures. Queried as to the location, Mr. Robillard said the board had two locations in mind, “but we have now pretty well settled on a location at Lorne and Burke Streets.” (This is to the east of the old high school building which, at present, is being used by the public school.) Some indication that the entire board is not in complete accord on the location came when one of the members, Chas. O. Martin, said. “The location is not settled yet.” 

    (Reading a Charlie Noquet report on a hockey game is like sports poetry. Add to that the memories of familiar names from our communities.)     
With Murray York showing up as a big crowd pleaser with continued rink-long rushes, Penetang Hurons outplayed Stayner intermediates to the tune of 8-3 last Wednesday night. Originally scheduled for Saturday, the game had been moved up to accommodate a Saturday bonspiel. Hurons bulged the twine twice in the first period, with Dave Culbertson scoring first on an assist from Murray York and Ken Arbour. Terry Pike counted the second on a pass he had taken from Ed Trudeau. The homesters opened up again in the second, and before the visitors could get into scoring position, had racked up another pair. Charlie Scott tallied from a Terry Pike passout, and Alvin Robillard made it 4-6 with Terry’s assistance. Stayner got their only goal of the period at the six-minute mark when Groves beat Roger Gray on Irwin’s assist. Hurons put the score at 5-1 before the period closed when Martin Forget scored with the help of Trudeau and Scott. With the game still in a freewheeling state, Hurons came back in the third and scored shortly after the opening whistle with Alvin Robillard using Jerry Murphy’s pass. Martin Forget tallied a few minutes’ later on Robillard’s assist. Stayner’s Sly came along 66 seconds later in a three man rush with McKeen and Irwin, and put one past Gray. An excellent example of York’s work came at the 16-minute mark when he made another rink long rush, and lost the puck in front of the goal. Robillard picked up the errant rubber, slid it over to Murray who made sure of it in a rifle shot into the twine. Forget was sitting in the sin-bin at the time.
Penetang Hurons — Roger Gray, goal; Jack Dubeau, Jerry Murphy, Alvin Robillard, forwards; Ken Arbour, Dave Culbertson, defence; alternates Larry Merkley, Terry Pike, Martin Forget, Murray York, Ed Trudeau, Charlie Scott. Referee Mike Rains, linesman Buster Somers.

   Nearly 40 persons who attended the meeting of Huronia Association for Retarded Children in Midland ‘Y’ Monday night heard how retarded boys and girls learn by doing and by repetition the subjects taught to them. Principal speaker at the meeting was Mrs. A. M. Stocker, inspector of auxiliary education services, Department of Education. Mrs. Stocker, who obtained her teacher’s certificate in Edinburgh, Scotland, and taught there in the school for retarded children and mentally disturbed, holds her master’s degree in psychology. Mrs. Stocker was one of the founders of the school for retarded in York Township and was a principal in Toronto. She showed slides of classes for the retarded in other communities, depicting the work of the various age groups. Some of the same type of work is being taught in the Midland School for retarded. Mrs. Stocker inspected the morning and afternoon classes in Midland and commended the association and school authorities on the bright quarters that had been provided for children. 

   Tiny Township Planning Board has washed its hands of a proposed sub-division plan for Giant’s Tomb Island and turned over the proposal to council, with several recommendations. The plan has been partially draft-approved, and apparently the planning board had been unable to reach a conclusion with the sub-dividers. Objection had been raised to subdividing only a narrow strip of shoreline, and to community water supply and lack of provision for roads. Council agreed to consider the plan, and will invite the sub-dividers, Axler and Palmer, to attend its next meeting. 

    Lloyd LaPlume was appointed Chairman for 1961 of Midland Separate School Board at the board’s inaugural meeting. Mr. LaPlume is serving his final year of a two-year term. Allan Roach, elected this year for a two-year term, was appointed vice-chairman of the board. Others elected for two-year terms on the board were Howard Deschamps, Joe Lalonde and Larry Curran. Board members completing the final year of two-year terms are William Bourrie, Gerry Therrien and Father Ralph Egan. At the inaugural meeting, committees and chairman were appointed. In a motion, the board extended its appreciation to F. S. Johnstone for his services as secretary-treasurer. Wm. Murphy was re-appointed separate school representative on the Midland-Penetanguishene District High School Board.  Accounts amounting to $5,300 were approved for payment. 

Obituary
A retired farmer of the Lafontaine area, Telesphore Moreau died Wednesday, Dec. 28 in Penetang General Hospital following a lengthy illness. He was in his 78th year. Born at Perkinsfield, he had moved to Lafontaine with his parents while still a babe. After farming there through his active years, he retired in 1945. Mr. Moreau had served on the Lafontaine Separate School Board for several terms. Surviving besides his second wife, the former Delphine Bernard, whom he married in 1942, are five sons, Gerard of Penetang, Constant and Rosaire of Lafontaine, Laurent of Ajax and Gabriel of Norfolk, Conn.; and five daughter, Mrs. Gilbert Gignac, (Irene) of Penetang; Mrs. Sam Stone, (Giselle), Mrs. Gerry Gollob, (Cecile) and Mrs. Norm Brooks, (Joan), all of Toronto and Mrs. Al. Griffith, (Marie Jeanne) of Sudbury. He also leaves one brother, Bartholomie of Lafontaine. There are 37 grand-children and 11 great-grand-children. His first wife, the former Marie Marchildon, died in 1932. Funeral service was held Saturday, Dec. 31, from Beausoleil’s funeral home to Ste. Croix Church, Lafontaine, where Rev. T. Marchildon sang requiem high mass. Interment was in Ste. Croix Mausoleum. Pallbearers were Marcel, Gilbert, Raymond and Jean Moreau, Pierre Gignac and Gilbert Gignac, Jr. 

25 Years Ago This Week
Midland’s mayor S. W. McKinley was returned to office with a majority of 147 votes more than his opponent J. B. Roebuck. * * *  Daylight saving time was rejected by the voters 1,219 to 800. * * * Houses dotted the snow covered ice of Midland bay and fishermen, lowering their lines to the bottom reported several catches of perch and whitefish. * * *  Wm. Henry Bulger, Chatham Collegiate, was Appointed principal at the Penetang High School. * * * Nearly 2,500 hockey fans saw Midland British Consols defeat Camp Borden Flyers 7-5 in an intermediate “A” game at Midland arena. • • • Midland’s winter sports carnival, including skiing, horse racing, hockey, curling, dog derby, skating, tobogganing and dances, was being planned by a citizens’ committee for Feb. 1 to 8. • • • Dr. Morley Harvie, chairman of the Midland Board of Education in 1935 was re-elected chairman at the board’s 1936 inaugural meeting. • • • R. D. Keefe, former principal of Penetang High School, who had been appointed Inspector of Attendance for the Ontario Department of Education was honored at a meeting of the Kitchekewana Chapter of the A. F. and A. M. Mr. Keefe was a charter member when the chapter had been formed 27 years previously. * * * Building of a rink for youngsters skating on the cast side of Midland was being discussed by Midland council. 

   Frank Ridley, a member of the Humber Rod and Gun Club, the group which sparked the proposal to turn Tiny Marsh into a game and wildlife sanctuary, presented an engineer’s report to Tiny council Monday. It had been prepared for the Department of Lands and Forests. According to the report, produced by W. G. McGeorge of Chatham, estimated cost of the entire project is $110,000. The report indicated the rural basin covers an area of some 1,500 acres. The drains, which were originally constructed to provide agricultural lands with drainage, are not now in proper condition to do the job for which they were intended, it was stated. 

    Penetang fireman had a lengthy session Wednesday night when they were called to the residence of Mrs. Sim Dumont, Park Street, where they found part of the kitchen wall and ceiling ablaze. According to Chief R. Stewart, the fire is believed to have started from an overheated stove. Flames then got into the walls and ceiling of the tinder dry wooden structure. It took almost two hours before fireman were certain the blaze was extinguished. Furniture was removed from the home by neighbors and passersby. Fire damage made the structure unfit for habitation, and the household effects were not returned after the fire was extinguished. 

    Condition of four-year-old Michael Huvers was said to be satisfactory yesterday afternoon after he had been struck by a car on Yonge Street Wednesday afternoon. Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Huvers, 319 Queen Street, Michael sustained a slight concussion and a cut on the head, police reported. He was rushed to St. Andrews Hospital following the accident, which occurred at 4.50 p.m. According to police, the little lad came out from behind a snowbank on the north side of Yonge Street, near Simmonds Transport offices. He ran into the side of a westbound vehicle driven by Harold Cleaver 48, of Midland. No charges were laid by Const. Arthur Ambeau, who investigated. 

    The Dominion Freightways group of transport companies announces with pleasure that Simmonds Transport Ltd. is now associated with them, and the appointment of Mr. Cecil W. English as general manager. Mr. English is well known locally and in the  industry, and has been with Simmonds Transport Ltd. for 25 years. Simmonds Transport will continue its same operations and by this new association will be able to offer wider service to its many customers. (Advertisement) 

Births
EDWARDS — To Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Edwards, Vasey, at St. Andrews Hospital, Friday, January 6, 1961, a son.
LOWES — To Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lowes, Wyebridge, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, January 11, 1961, a daughter.
McCONNELL — to Mr. and Mrs. Ivan McConnell, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, January 10, 1961, a daughter.
ANDROSS — To Mr._and Mrs. Chester Andross, Midhurst, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Saturday, January 7, 1961, a son.
FORGET — To Mr. and Mrs. Edward Forget, Penetang Road, Penetang,  at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 1961, a daughter.
HAMELIN — To Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hamelin, 141 Hannah St., Midland, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Thursday, Jan. 5, 1961, a son.
MARION — To Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Marion, R.R. 2, Midland, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Saturday, Jan. 7, 1961, a son.
WOOD — To Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Wood, R.R. 1, Wyebridge, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Friday, Jan. 6, 1961, a daughter.
 

Further Back 40 Years to 1921 

Justice was swift in 1921.

On Thursday last a young man named Frederic * * * * hired a horse and buggy at Edmund Bourgeoise’s livery barn at Victoria Harbor to come to Midland. Upon arriving here he attempted to sell the horse for $100, claiming he had bought it from Charles Robinson at Coldwater. He was entertaining an offer when further negotiations were stopped by Chief Wright on Saturday morning, who placed the young man in custody. Three hours later he appeared before Police Magistrate Cook, and, upon pleading guilty, was sentenced to six months at Burwash prison farm. 

Forty years later….

It’s a case of an old friend in a strange setting, as the venerable cruise ship, City of Dover, spends the winter in the Trent Waterway locks at Port Severn. Idle last summer, work is being carried out on the Dover by the new owner, Capt Andy Light, who will put the ship in operation again this season. February 1961.

Forty Four Years Later ….

The old Georgian Bay steamer City of Dover was beached high and dry when the level of Gloucester Pool was dropped six feet last week to enable repairs to the dam at Port Severn. The Dover’s owners, Mr. and Mrs. Byron Sheffield, hope to make a more permanent berth for the vessel when the water rises again. Their plan is to use her as a novel recreation centre for their resort. October 1965.