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 enlargeTogged out in new spring finery are Billy Beaton, left, in brown check continental style trousers and green sport shirt; Brenda Hebner, centre, in a mauve check sanforized cotton dress; and Nancy Biggar in an orange ice gingham and plain white dress with gingham appliqués on the skirt, and a straw roller hat. The outfits were modelled at Edwards’ fashion show. 

Crib champs – Les Scott, left, and Charlie Stewart hold trophies they won while representing Branch 80, Midland, at the Canadian Legion Zone E-4 cribbage tournament in Orillia recently. Since then the Midland team also took part in the district tournament in Newmarket, but did not get enough “15 two’s” to win it. 

Dedicated to the memory of Cecil Hopkins, a new worship service center has been termed “a wonderful inspiration to the pupils” by Kenneth Cowan, superintendent of the Sunday School of St. Paul’s United Church. Hand-made by Gunter Freund, a member of the congregation, the new center is located on the stage in the church auditorium during Sunday School services. In a natural oak finish, it has storage space for books at the rear. Dedication services were held some weeks ago, at which time J. W. “Win” Smith recalled the contribution which Mr. Hopkins had made to the Sunday School and to youth generally in Midland. Mr. Smith said Mr. Hopkins had already established himself as a “worker with young people in the community” when he became a member of the congregation of St. Paul’s at the time of church union. He served for more than 30 years as superintendent of the Sunday School. “He dedicated his life to work with young people, especially boys, and many hundreds of them will remember him as one who was ready at all times to help them in every way possible,” said Mr. Smith. “Familiarly known as “Pop” or “Dad,” he was in many cases actually that to a boy, often closer to him than his own dad.” Mr. Smith said Mr. Hopkins was also the one person, more than anyone else, who made the establishment of the work of the YMCA in Midland possible, back in 1919-20. “He kept the minutes of the meetings, so his own part was not played up and this was like him all through his life. He did the work and let the others have the glory,” Mr. Smith declared.

We wanted to find a photo of Mr. Hopkins and this one from 1955 was in the archive with the caption; Ronald McQuaig will represent St. Paul’s United Church Midland at the 35th session of the Ontario Older Boys Parliament which convenes in the Ontario Legislative building in December. Ronald is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Elwood “Red” McQuaig of 234 Manly Street, with him is Cecil Hopkins director of boys work at St. Paul’s. 

Trophy winners in Midland Ladies’ Curling Club 14th annual bonspiel last week, were Mrs. Don Argue’s Midland rink won the Midland Trophy event. Players were Mrs. Bruce Spicer (Dorothy), Mrs. Bill Kennedy, Mrs. Don Argue and Mrs. Clive Park (Mary). 

Latest spring fashions were modelled by this trio at Edwards’ fashion show last week. On the left, Mrs. Tom Henderson wears a red morlaine dressmaker suit, matching red straw hat and black patent leather shoes. Her handbag is also black patent leather. Centre, Mrs. Ross Irwin models a gold basket weave suit, boxy style wild mink stole and green and gold petal hat. On the right, Miss Doris Wainman wears a wool and angora Dior blue coat with dyed fox collar to match, and a blue flowered hat. 

At Edwards Fashion Show, Mrs. Stanley Taralko, left, wore a black barathea cloth suit with a sapphire mink stole. Her accessories included a black straw hat and tapestry bag. Arlene Armstrong, right, chose a wool and angora little boy coat, black lacquered straw hat with flowered trim and a pouch bag. 

There were many styles and fashions for little tots and teenagers as well at Edwards Fashion Show held in the store last week. This dusky pink locket dress of popular was modelled by Geraldine Koenig. Her accessories were a white hat and white gloves. 

A black and white tweed tailored coat with a black straw hat featuring a wide black bow trim would be Mrs. Leonard Parliament’s choice for spring. Mrs. Eric Paul, right, liked a grapefruit knitted Lensee suit with avocado green straw hat and accessories. This dress is completely washable and has a perma-pleat skirt. 

Barbara Spence (left) and Linda Stewart were two of the skaters in the senior group as Midland Figure Skating Association held it’s “Ice Capers of 1961” at Arena Gardens recently. Feature of the evening was two solo exhibitions by Joan Meloche, club professional for several years. 

These Elmvale teams won consolation titles in the Ontario Little NHL tournament for smaller communities held at Bradford recently. They also won the Georgian Bay District title in their divisions earlier. The NHL team includes, left to right — front row, Gary Turner, Carl Edwards, John Brown, Don Beardsall, Stewart McKenzie, Steve Crane; middle row, Jim Gilbert, Al Lambie, Ricky Myers, Bill Playfair, Ted McConnell, John Archer, Bruce Corbett; back row — Bob Ritchie, Bern O’Halloran, Brian Swan, Doug Lambie. 

Members of junior team are: front row, Mike Kelly, Del Frankcom, Gregg Patchell, Pat Grenier, Bruce Burnett, Paul Lambie, Don Columbus, John Crawford; back row — Bill Ritchie, Bob Crane, ‘Butch’ Ritchie, Ross Leonard, Ron Miller and Lyle McClung. 

Tonight’s the big night for young hockey players, both boys and girls, at Sacred Heart Public School, when they hold their ‘‘final night” at Midland Arena Gardens. Mike Robitaille drops the puck to set the gals in action. Three boys’ games, and one for the girls, are on the card for tonight. (Help us name the girls.) 

Joe Huston Jr. lines up some of the boys for their final practice session. Three boys’ games, and one for the girls, are on the card for tonight. 

In a few weeks now members of Midland’s Aqua-Divers Club hope to get out of the living room and into some real water, other than the pool at RCAF Edgar. Looking over some of their equipment are, left to right, Bill Mitchell, Doug Stephens and Don Gray. 

More members of Midland’s Aqua-Divers Club, left to right, Dick Wells, Bill Gallagher, Bob Argue and Gord Brand. 

These girls walked off with most of the silverware in women’s play as Midland Garrison Badminton Club held its championships March 11. Mary-Jo Hargadon, left, won the singles title, Fran Brodeur (center) and Bernice Bridges combined to take the ladies’ doubles crown. 

Mixed doubles was one of the popular events as Midland Garrison Badminton Club held its championships recently. Mr. and Mrs. John Bourgeois (left) won the consolation title but the club title went to Mary-Jo Hargadon (holding trophy) and Carson Brown. 

FIRE LEVELS FRAME HOUSE FAMILY OF SIX HOMELESS 

County Herald headline of March 17, 1961.
Hampered by freezing temperatures, biting winds and dense smoke, Penetang firemen fought a losing battle for several hours yesterday in an attempt to save the home of Mr. and Mrs. Herb Desjardins, Fox Street. The blaze which almost completely gutted the two-storey frame structure, left Mr. and Mrs. Desjardins and four children  homeless, and with only the clothes they were wearing at the time. Mr. Desjardins said he was outside shovelling snow shortly before three o’clock when he noticed something wrong with the curtains on a living room window. As he went toward the house, the plastic curtain fell, and he realized the house was on fire. When he opened the door, he said flames and smoke drove him back, and the whole interior seemed to be ablaze, particularly around an oil heater. He believed the fire started from the heater which he had cleaned earlier in the day. Mrs. Desjardins had gone to Midland only a short while before the fire broke out. It was some time before she could be contacted, and when she returned about 4.30 p.m., part of the roof had fallen in. All that Mr. Desjardins was able to save was the washing machine, clothes dryer, tubs and a few other items from the laundry room at the back of the house. He also managed to grab a few items of clothing from this same room. 

AWARD $56,000 CONTRACT FOR STEEL-HULLED FERRY 

Free Press Herald headline of March 22, 1961.
Some of the transportation difficulties experienced by Indians of Christian Island in the water passage between their reserve and the mainland, during late fall and early spring, will be removed when a new steel-hulled boat goes into service later this year. News of the awarding of a contract for the 50-foot vessel was Friday. The craft will have a beam of 14 feet and a rounded bilge capable of taking the  pounding it will endure breaking through thin ice. Power will be supplied by a single-screw 150 horsepower diesel engine. The lowest tender for the project was submitted by Russel Brothers Ltd. of Owen Sound. Cost of the combined tug and ferry is set at $56,000. This is the  first federal contract the company has received since it was reactivated in January of this year. Running between Christian Island and Cedar Point, the boat will ferry passengers and carry some freight and supplies for the Island. For hauling heavier items such as the annual cut of lumber, the new craft will tow a steel scow. The small wooden vessel now in service will likely be retired when the new boat is delivered, it was stated. It is expected work on the vessel will get under way in about three weeks time. An official of the company said some design work still remains to be completed, and drawings will have to submitted for approval. 

    Dozens of Penetang mothers have been working feverishly for the past two weeks, fashioning costumes for their offspring who will be appearing in the annual figure skating carnival next weekend. Mrs. Lorne Perrault, Chairman of the committee in charge of costumes, said more than 80 outfits are required for this year’s show. Hundreds of yards of net and other materials, as well as countless sequins and decorations have gone into the costumes.  Left to right Pauline Perrault, Judy Ross, Linda Ross, Mrs. Perrault and Loretta Perrault. — Staff photo. 

    There were very few motorists around Penetang and district who failed to meet the March 15 deadline for securing new licence plates, according to Boyd Hollister, Penetang issuer. The last week before the deadline was the busiest since the first of the year, with the final three days bringing out the largest number, be said. One or two vehicles, bearing 1960 markers, were visible around the town Thursday morning, but these quickly disappeared as the owners secured new plates. 

  “Everyone agrees that something is wrong with the divorce laws,” said Robert J. McCleave, to the members of Midland Canadian Club last week. “The reform will likely not be sponsored by any particular party, but by interested supporters which will cut across party lines,” he said. Mr. McCleave is the Progressive-Conservative member for Halifax and the chairman of the Commons private bills committee. A commission to study divorce reform was set up in Britain in 1920 and it was not until 1937 that a bill was passed, he said. Under the British North America Act, marriage and divorce became a federal responsibility, and in 1867 the grounds became that of the English law — adultery. Nova Scotia alone has cruelty, which is not set forth in the BNA, but was in effect in the province before 1867. In Sir John A. MacDonald’s time it was quite fashionable to have parliamentary divorce, and up to 1925 men could sue their wives for adultery, but a wife could only sue if the adultery grounds were coupled with bigamy, desertion for two years, incest or cruelty, the speaker said. In 1951-52 the Supreme Court made a very important decision which effected divorce — it was a rule of evidence. Up until then the evidence had to show beyond a reasonable doubt there had been adultery. The new decision found that when the balance of evidence was towards adultery having been committed, under circumstances that made it more probable, the grounds were established by inference. 

    Midland’s newest business, Georgian Bay Hardware, opened yesterday in the former Jeffery block at King Street and Dominion Avenue. Owners of the business are Ian Bowman, a lifetime resident of Midland, and Wm Crippin, a native and resident of Penetang. “This is our first venture in the complete hardware business,” stated Mr. Bowman. “We are carrying a full line of all hardware, electrical and plumbing supplies, housewear, paints and wallpaper.” Stating that they now had 3,000 square feet of floor space, Mr. Bowman said he and Mr. Crippin had purchased the entire Jeffery block for an undisclosed amount. He emphasized that their former painting and contracting business had “just moved across the street”. Eric Rankin will be in charge of the sporting goods, scaffolding and paints. Mr. Bowman said, noting that Ray Dilworth will be in charge of the painting and decorating contract department. Mr. Crippin will be managing the hardware departments and my job will be overall supervision, Mr. Bowman added. Mr. Bowman and Mr. Crippin have been in the painting and decorating contracting business for more than 14 years in this district. Mr. Bowman added that he expected two or three additional employees would be added to the new store staff in the not too distant future.

Five men employed by Bowman and Crippin on a tall scaffold painting the screen of the Midland drive-in theatre located on Angela Schmidt Foster Road west of Highway 93, Midland, May, 1954. 

    Made desirable by the rapidly expanding size of the congregation, 11 new elders were ordained at St. Paul’s United Church, Midland, Sunday, bringing their number to 45 in all. Rev W. L. Morden said the membership of the church now stands at close to 900, compared with less than 700 only a few years ago. New elders are Chesley Scovill, Ross Jones, Elwood Marcellus, James Short, Gunter Freund, Sills Denholm, Ira Rumney, A. J. Gardhouse, Keith Smith, Bryson McQuirter and Norman Shill. 

    A long-unused hotel in Hillsdale is again serving a useful purpose in that community. It’s now the home of a newly-formed branch of the YMCA-YWCA. Started largely through the enthusiasm of Tony  Eccleshall, a constable with the OPP detachment at Elmvale who makes his home in Hillsdale. It now serves some 35 young people of the village and surrounding area, along with some adults who are taking part in square dancing classes. 

    Fire Monday night caused an estimated $5,000 damage to the building and contents of a house at 188 Fourth Street. Midland, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert McLeod. When the fire broke out, around 10 p.m., the McLeod’s two sons, aged 7 and 4 and their eight-week-old daughter were sleeping. They were quickly removed to safety. At present the family is staying with Mrs. McLeod’s sister, Mrs. Donaldson and Capt. Norman Donaldson, Manley Street. Fire Chief Arnold Tippin said the fire is believed to have been caused by a rusted chimney stopper in an unused stove-pipe hole in the chimney between a workshop and the kitchen of the house. The fire ate its way through the ceiling and into the main portion of the house. 

25 YEARS AGO
The Midland Workers’ Association, representing the unemployed at Midland called a special meeting in protest against the cuts in relief announced by council. The action most likely to be taken by relief recipients was to refuse to send children to school, (illegible first name) Gauthier, association president stated. Midland prospector Archie Cameron flew 900 miles north to the Great Slave and Great Bear Lake country.  • • • The Grand Orange Lodge of Ontario West was in session in Midland, with approximately 1,800 visiting delegates. • • •Danny VanClief a former hockey star of Midland British Consols turned professional and signed to play with London in the International League. * * * One of Midland’s earliest citizens, Capt. R. Smith retired from command of the S. S. St. Heliers after 49 years sailing on the Great Lakes, 24 years of which he spent on Department of Marine ships. * * * A play entitled “Wild Ginger” was put on by a group of Elmvale young people under the auspices of the Young People’s Society of St. John’s United Church, Victoria Harbour. * * * W. H. Keller, was elected president of the Midland Curling Club. * * * Midland’s Ladies’ Madrigal Choir, under the direction of Douglas Major made its first public appearance before an audience at Knox Presbyterian Church.

During the first week of March the papers were full of Winterama photos none of which are in our collection so we have decided to combine the first and second weeks of the month. 

Click on photos to enlargeFire which is believed to have started in a buffing machine caused more than $2,000 damage to equipment, stock and building at Gammon’s Tire Service, Dominion Ave. West, Midland, around the supper hour Monday. Smoke from the burning rubber caused heavy damage to the apartment above the shop, occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Gammon and family. Firemen above are working at the rear of the building. 

There’s evidence here that high school pupils can execute, and enjoy, other kinds of dances besides rock-and-roll. These young people are performing a ‘‘blue tango” as part of the Variety Show presented by pupils at St. Theresa’s High School recently. 

Although the weather was more suited for skin diving, Midland Ski Club had reasonably fair conditions for its annual ski meet Sunday. Admiring their trophies, are the winners, left to right, Mrs. John Gammell (Ruth), senior women; Stephen Bell, junior men; Dietrich Nebelung, senior men; and Paul Krochko, in the “under 12’’ division. 

Like the cigar-store Indian, or the five-cent cigar, the day of the hod-carrier appears to be a thing of the past. This fork-lift machine, at work on the new addition to MPDHS, can lift 2,500 lbs. of bricks at a time, to a height of more than 20 feet. A man carrying a hod would have to make many trips to accomplish what the machine can do in minutes. 

The removal of a number of old wrecks scattered around the north east shore of Midland Bay is providing winter work for a number of district breadwinners. Waubaushene Navigation Ltd. secured the contract early in December to remove the old hulls, and work began in February. So far six hulls have been removed and there are still three or four more. Officials are not sure whether two hulls are involved in an operation well to the east on Midland Point, or whether it is merely one large hull, broken in half. Probably the biggest job will be the removal of the old “Major”, which stretches far out into the water north of the CSL winter berth. It is an old grain carrier which was sunk and used as a temporary dry dock in the old days. Mel and Paul Tinney and Barney Tucker make cuts in ice prior to removing old hull. Much of the work is centered around the area in front of Gawley’s Beach. To the west of the beach, remains of a dredge, a tug and a scow have already been removed. Farther east two dredge scows and a tug have been taken out. One large old hull, believed to be that of an old sailing vessel, is still in the water. One of the old hulls provided some real ancient history in the form of copper pegs and spikes, with brass cores, probably not used in ship construction for close to a century.  

Typical of many Ontario fathers is Midland’s Capt. Norman Donaldson, who is helping his son Peter, 7, get ready for a Little NHL game. Some 500 lads, from seven to 14, will invade Midland and Penetang during Easter holidays for the provincial Little NHL championships. 

On this agenda at the 40th annual meeting of Midland YMCA last Tuesday night was the presentation of national leadership awards to the men and women above. Left to right are Hessel Pape, Mrs. John Gammell, Elmer Vuromaki, Miss Mary Lou Graham, Mrs. John Courtemanche and Richard Schmitz. Awards were presented on behalf of the ‘Y’ by Clarke Edwards for work carried on during the past year. 

A number of new directors were added to the board of Midland YMCA at its 40th annual meeting last Tuesday night. Seen with Vice-president Charles Walton (seated) are, left to right Miss Grace McMullen and Mrs. Neville Keefe (Nancy Keefe); standing — Doug Gerow, Alvin Gropp, Frank Spence, Lorne Craig and Jim Gamna. 

Presented by the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States, this handsome new trophy will be up for competition for the first time at the provincial Little NHL finals to be played in Midland and Penetang during Easter week. It commemorates the late George S. Dudley, Canada’s “Mr. Hockey” during the years he was CAHA secretary-manager. With the new trophy are, left to right, Rev. Len Self, provincial Little NHL director, Miss Shirley Ruby, Mr. Dudley’s secretary for many years, and Fred Grigg, secretary of the Midland Little NHL group. 

One of the features of the variety show put on recently by pupils of St. Theresa’s High School was numbers by the Grade 9 chorus, above, under the direction of Mr. J. McKeown. The school also has its own band and an accordion group. 

Ladies parlour at the YMCA was a hive of industry Thursday as the Midland unit of the Canadian Cancer Society staged a “blitz” to ensure a good supply of surgical dressings for patients in Midland, Penetang and Elmvale areas. Among the women taking part were, left to right, Mrs. H. Gosselin, Mrs. Alex Craig, Mrs. C. A. Talbot, Port McNicoll, and Mrs. Peter Brasher of the Midland unit. 

Other women taking part were, left to right, Mrs. Alex Campbell, Mrs. L. H. Taylor , Mrs. W. L. Attridge and Mrs. J. W. Dorion, Penetang. 

Officials of Branch 80, Canadian Legion, Midland, for 1961, left to right, are front row, Ken G. Williams, treasurer, Sol DeVries, 1st vice-president, George McLaughlin, president, O. Lesperance, 2nd vice president, Borden Parker, IPP; executive members in back row are Les Scott, Ted Ebdon, Howard Henderson, Fred Lemieux, Len Wiles, Charles Stewart, Bill Henderson, Jim Duncan, secretary. 

Nosed out by Syracuse Nats in a hard-fought series of Midland YMCA’s Little League basketball championship were the Boston Celtics, above. Left to right, the players are, front row, Al Mostyn, Max Morden, Colin Hamer, Chester Graham; back row, Paul Downer, Don Moffatt, Greg Somers, and Doug Taylor. 

Recently appointed general manager of Midland Plastics, Lin Love of Toronto also retains his responsibilities as general sales manager and as such is currently dividing his time between Midland and Toronto offices. Mr. and Mrs. Love have two children, Carol (Gerow), who is in her last year of high school and Larry, 14. The Love family expects to move to Midland in mid-1961. A native of Toronto, Lin attended school there and served overseas with the Royal Canadian Signal Corps during World War II. (The Love’s built a home at the foot of Cornel Drive on Little Lake, later owned by Tom & Judy Hazel.)

 

See Early Opening Date for 1961 Shipping Season

 County Herald headline March 3, 1961.
Barring a sudden about-face by the weatherman, there is good reason to hope the navigation season in the Bayports of Midland and Port McNicoll will open two weeks ahead of last year’s dates. Superintendent of the CPR’s Great Lakes fleet at Port McNicoll, George Burns said three engineers and four other men would start work on the Assiniboia  Monday. Rest of the Assiniboia crew, and all of the Keewatin’s are to report March 20, he said. J. G. Hendrickson, CSL manager in Midland, said he had he had received no official word as to when any of the crews of the several ships of that firm berthed here, would report at Midland and Port McNicoll. Last year they reported March 21. First ships left the two ports April 8 last year. Several of them were among the 11 bulk carriers that brought a record 5,809,000 bushels of grain to Midland engineers and Port McNicoll over the weekend of April 15, 1960. 

Man Missing Four Years Nabbed in Barrie Hotel 

Free Press Herald headline of March 8, 1961.
Subject of a search which lasted almost four years, a local man, wanted by Penetang police on a charge of theft, was apprehended in a Barrie hotel yesterday. The man, whose age was given as 75 years when he disappeared June 2, 1957, had been working as a desk clerk at the Hotel Brule, Penetang.  A sum of money, estimated between $900 and $1,000 was missing from hotel funds at that time. At first, police worked on the theory that the missing man had been the victim of foul play, believing thugs had kidnapped him to delay detection. However, they later found witnesses who said they had seen him hitch-hiking on Highway 27. Some considerable time after his disappearance a report was circulated that a badly decomposed body found in the Niagara Whirlpool was that of the suspect. According to police, the missing man who was known at the time to be the recipient of a U.S. army pension, has been living in the United States since his disappearance. He was discovered in a Barrie hotel by police of that city, and they notified Penetang Police. 

Ontario Tax Payers Face 3 Per Cent Sales Tax 

County Herald headline of March 10, 1961 
 North Simcoe district municipalities will receive increased assistance from the provincial government this year, but they also will be helping to pay for it themselves. Hon. James N. Allan, provincial treasurer, bringing down the Ontario budget for the 1961-62 fiscal year, asked the legislature yesterday to approve a three per cent sales tax to become effective Sept 1, 1961. Provincial Treasurer Allan said he had carefully examined other possibilities of raising revenues such as added corporation tax, personal income tax, gasoline, liquor and other fringe taxes, and came to the conclusion that the sales tax was the only possible solution. Mr. Allan said it holds the advantage that, on the basis of present estimates, it would produce the $150,000,000 required by the government to meet its obligations. Not subject to sales tax are: Any purchase under the value of 17 cents. All food products with the exception of candy, confections and soft drinks, and candy, confections and soft drinks will be exempt where the purchase price is less than 17 cents. All children’s clothing will be exempt. All drugs, medicines and dental and optical appliances sold on prescription of a physician, dentist or optometrist, and artificial limbs, wheel chairs and hearing aids will be exempt. Any meals costing $1.50 or less in restaurants will be exempt. (What is that old saying, “this is the thin edge of the wedge”.) 

Engineers Urge Speed-Up on Sewage Disposal Plant 

Free Press Herald headline of March 15, 1961.
In another marathon session, lasting until 1.20 a.m. Tuesday, Midland council heard a letter from Canadian-British Engineering Consultants pointing out the urgency for council’s action on municipal sewage treatment projects. The letter addressed to Mayor Charles Parker and members of council said in part, “It seems probable that Midland will be required to proceed with a sewage treatment and trunk sewer project in the near future. The recently announced federal aid program for sewage treatment projects is intended as an incentive for communities to undertake such projects. “Central Mortgage and Housing  Corporation (CMHC) may make a loan to a municipality to assist in the construction of, or extension to, a sewage treatment plant or trunk sanitary sewer. Of greatest interest to municipalities is the fact that a portion of the loan may be forgiven by the federal government. This may be interpreted as indicating that the federal government will subsidize to a certain extent the cost to a municipality of such a scheme.” The letter continues: “The federal government originally set aside a sum of $100,000,000 for this aid program for construction completed before March 31, 1963. We have recently been reliably informed that some $60,000,000 to $70,000,000 of this sum has already been approved for expenditure. It would appear quite urgent therefore that CMHC approval of the Midland project be sought since further funds may not be made available for this purpose.” 

    Active in community and church work and a former prominent Midland businessman. Thomas John Campbell died at St. Andrews Hospital, March 5, after a lengthy illness, he was 87. Rev. W. R. Auld and Rev. Wilson Morden officiated at the funeral service held at St. Paul’s United Church, March 7. Pallbearers were Lorne Campbell, Toronto, Wm. S. Campbell and Edwin Campbell of Elmvale, James Allen, Waterdown, Ewart McLean, Sudbury and Jack Thompson, Midland. Mr. Campbell was born at Walter’s Falls, Ont., Feb. 1874. He received his education there and on Sept. 17, 1902, at Waterdown he married the former Frances Gertrude Allen. After short stays at Priceville and Sundridge, Mr. Campbell came to Midland in 1896, having accepted a position with Wm. Peters in his hardware store and contracting business. In 1903 when Mr. Peters sold his business to Hartman Bros. Mr. Campbell opened a plumbing and heating business on King Street in the building now occupied by Graham Swales. Shortly afterward he purchased the building now occupied by H. J. Thompson and Sons and continued in business until May, 1914. At this time the T. J. Campbell Co. Ltd., was incorporated, in which business Mr. Campbell remained president until March 1951 when the business was sold to Herman J. Thompson and sons. Mr. Campbell was superintendent of St. Paul’s United Church Sunday School for 34 years and he served on that church’s board for many years. He also served as president of the Midland Kiwanis Club and the Midland YMCA. He usually spent his summers at his Georgian Bay cottage where he took a keen interest in fishing. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, Sept. 17, 1952, at their home “The Gables”, 238 Yonge Street (now 556), Midland, which they built in 1908. Mr. Campbell is survived by his widow. Two sisters, Mrs. Norah Thompson, Midland, and Mrs. Wm. McLean, Walter’s Falls and a brother, Seymour Campbell of Elmvale, predeceased him several years ago. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery. 

    Applications will be made to the Ontario Department of Education to have Midland-Penetang District High School changed to a composite type of school, teaching technical subjects. This was decided at the MPDHS board meeting Wednesday night on a motion by Clarke Edwards, chairman of the board’s management committee, and J. Rumble. The motion was as follows: “That we change this school to a composite type of school whereby technical courses will be taught in Grades 9 to 12. There will be no change in the name.” 

     Sub-divisions consumed a major portion of the time spent by Tiny council at its regular meeting in Perkinsfield Saturday, March 4. Longest discussion was with Sid Palmer of the firm of Axier and Palmer, who reviewed both the mainland and Giants’ Tomb plans proposed by his company. Referring to the island plan Mr. Palmer asked council to approve release of 70 lots as the first phase of that sub-division. All lots required are shore properties on the eastern shore of the island. Future plan for Giant’s Tomb provides for a total of 1,830 lots interspersed with an almost equivalent area of park land. Total acreage under plan is 1,189. Mr. Palmer told council he felt this first phase would take several years to complete, as the only access is by water. Although the overall plan includes a number of roads, none will be developed under the initial phase since they will not be required.  

    Penetang post office is currently in the throes of obtaining a “new look”, with carpenters and others completely remodeling the ground floor. When completed about a month from now, it will present a completely changed appearance, as well as better working conditions for the staff. 

    A total of 90 streets signs will be erected on Penetang intersections in the near future, with each sign containing the names of both streets. Deputy-reeve Bernard St. Amant told Penetang council Monday night he and his committee had made a complete study of town streets and had found 90 signs were required. Cost will-run slightly over $1,200.00 plus the cost of standards on which to erect them, he said. Authorization for the purchase of the signs had been given at an earlier meeting and council Monday night approved the suggested quantity. 

    St. Nicholas Church, Sunnyside, has a new bell as a result of the generosity of N. R. Crump, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The bronze train bell was installed at the little church earlier this week and is to be rung officially for the first time Sunday. Mr. Crump donated the bell after he had received a request from Clare Edgar, formerly of Midland and now with the OPP detachment in Parry Sound. The church, built in I960, has between 40 and 50 members. It is served by Rev. Ralph Egan of St. Margaret’s parish, Midland. Land for the building was donated by Mrs. Nick Edgar. (Midland had three Catholic Churches at this time.)  

     Penetang citizens still are chuckling about a 43 ½ inch slip of the tongue made by a TV announcer early this week. In giving a report of the Winterama, the announcer mentioned that a bicycle in the junior fishing derby had been won with a “small four-foot perch. The actual measurement was 4 ½ inches. “We hope city folk don’t come up here this summer looking for some of these “small four-foot fish,” one Penetang merchant said. 

25 Years Ago
Midland tax collections, amounting to $93,870.08 to March 1 showed an increase of 33 per cent over the previous year, the town clerk reported. * * * An organizational meeting of the Midland Hobby Show executive was held to plan a Young People’s Fair. * * * The McGibbon Lumber Company, Penetang, announced that it would resume day and night operations at the mill in the spring. Sixty men were to be employed on the day shift and 40 at night. * * * Midland’s British Consols hockey team were champions of the Georgian Bay section of the OHA Intermediate “A” series and were playing against Oshawa to decide the Ontario semi finalists. * * * The Midland Branch of the Canadian Red Cross Society was conducting classes to show how a nourishing family dinner could be prepared for 35 cents. * * * Farmers in North Simcoe were investigating the possibility of growing soy beans as an annual crop. * * * Two Midland rinks and two from Penetang won prizes in the Ontario Bonspiel, Toronto, when 150 rinks competed. Local winning skips were W. L. MacKenie and W H. Keller of Midland and George Robinson of Penetang. * * * When deep snow blocked Midland’s side streets the fire brigade took no chances on being unable to reach the scene of a possible fire. They borrowed Dr. Morley Harvie’s “snowmobile” placed a light truck body on the back, loaded it with hose, ready any emergency. * * * A former rector of St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Midland, Rev. J. H. R. Warren died in Toronto. During his 12 years at St. Mark s a new pipe organ and new pews were installed in the church and the parish hall was built. 

    Seven persons were homeless when fire totally destroyed their Tay Township farm house early Monday morning. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Derks and their five children had been living in the two-storey frame home on the farm owned by Luther Van Camp, Lot. 4. Con. 3, Tay, not far from Ebenezer Church. The children range in age from eight months to school age. Fire Chief Arnold Tippin said the Midland brigade was called at 3.05 a.m. and was delayed somewhat by extensive fog patches over part of the route to the Derks’ farm. Meanwhile the Derks and neighbors had been able to remove most of the contents of the burning house.

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 enlargeIt’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, Captain Andy Light, who will put the ship in operation again this season. 

Another season for Midland’s Little NHL will pass into history Wednesday night, when the second of this year’s “final nights” is held. Here Jerry Deschamp, left, and Stan Snyder help sort our sweaters and pads while league president Vern Sweeting gets a goalie’s stick ready for the fray. After Wednesday night, President Sweeting and other officials will concentrate their efforts on the provincial finals to be held here during Easter week. 

Winners of Midland YMCA’s Little League basketball finals Saturday night were the Syracuse Nationals, who outlasted Boston Celtics 35-29. New champs are, left to right, front row, Dave Carr, Morley Bath, Wayne Holden (Capt.), John Cranston; back row, Fred Hacker, Dalt Moore, Dave Belsey and Axel Duwe. 

Following in his dad’s, and grandfather’s footsteps is Charlie Belanger, 5, a familiar figure around the Belanger grocery store in Port McNicoll. Charlie is seen with his dad, Ray Belanger, operator of the store started by T. J. Belanger 50 years ago, and his aunt, Miss Agnes Belanger, who also works in the store. Mrs. Belanger Sr. is now one of Port’s oldest residents. 

Unknown photo?? The man on the left is Dave Walling, TV aerial salesman from Lindsay pitching one of our local TV retailers or servicers. Do you recognize the man on the right? 

Million Dollar Market Seen for Spud Growers 

County Herald headline of February 24^th, 1961.
The seed potato industry in the Lafontaine area, once valued at a half-million dollars annually, and now declined to less than half that amount, could conceivably be brought back and increased to a value of at least a million dollars a year. In a move designed to increase the lagging production, three meetings were held in Lafontaine this week under direction of the Department of Agriculture. The statement on the value of the industry was made by Harold Whiteside at a meeting yesterday afternoon. Mr. Whiteside is the officer in charge of seed potato certification for the Canadian Department of Agriculture. Mr. Whiteside said North Simcoe acreage of seed potatoes has declined from 1,032 acres in 1957 to less than 500 acres last year. 

Re-Assessment in Books for Penetang Ratepayers 

Free Press Herald headline of March 1, 1961.
Penetang’s assessment is scheduled for a complete revision in 1961, following a decision by Penetang council Monday night. The re-assessment work will be carried out by Paul Emile Mantha of Ottawa. Mayor Jerome Gignac and Councillors Maurice Legault and Leonard Ladouceur were absent from the meeting. Reeve Alf Cage occupied the mayor’s chair.  During the lengthy discussion on re-assessment, there appeared to be reluctance on the part of some members of council to reach a decision at this meeting. However, after it had been pointed out time was running-out, the resolution was finally tabled and passed. 

    Two Midlander’s caused a real flurry of excitement among Ottawa officialdom Wednesday morning when they landed their light plane on Dow’s Lake and parked it among the pleasure cruisers at the front of HMCS Carleton in the capital city. Aboard the plane were Lloyd Atkinson, pilot, and Arthur Argue, both of Midland. They landed in Ottawa about 10 a.m., secured the craft and went on about their business, little realizing the stir they were to create. A short time later RCMP officers arrived and stood guard around the plane, Mr. Argue told this newspaper yesterday that unknowingly they had landed in a restricted area. They chose the lake as it appeared to be a much safer landing spot than the river. The RCMP guard left the plane at noon after handing the case over to the Department of Transport. At one time, four police cruisers were parked near the aircraft, awaiting the return of its occupants. Department of Transport officials told an Ottawa newspaper that the regulations forbid a pilot landing in a built-up area, particularly within the confines of a city, unless an emergency occurs. It was indicated, however, that- no charges would be laid against the pilot this time. 

    Midland Public Library hit a new high in membership and book circulation in 1960, the annual report of Librarian Dawson Leigh reveals. He noted in addition that the “number of reference questions increased greatly both in scope and complexity”. In 1960 more than 630 people joined the library or approximately 150 more than the previous five-year average. The circulation figure was given as 81,448, or 10,486 higher than in 1959. Mr. Leigh said this was the largest circulation increase in 15 years and most of the increase was noted in the non-fiction field. 

    Midland council, at a special meeting Wednesday, approved the sale of town property at Queen and Bay Streets to the Midland branch of the Canadian Legion. At the Dec. 21 meeting of the 1960 council, a bylaw authorizing the sale to the Legion was given two readings and the Legion’s $2,000 cheque was deposited to the town account. The bylaw’s third reading was deferred pending a report from the town engineer. The Legion then gave the present council until Feb. 1 to reach a decision. 

    Midland Printers Limited and the Free Press Herald and County Herald have today become associated with the Advocate, the daily newspaper serving Red Deer Alberta and the Estevan (Sask.) Mercury, a leading weekly in southern Saskatchewan. This association has come about through the purchase of an interest in Midland Printers by Liverpool Daily Post and Echo (Holdings) Ltd. The Liverpool, England, publishing and printing company, which also has an interest in South Wales television, acquired the two western Canadian newspapers several years ago. 

Obituary
The death occurred Feb 13 of Mrs. Newton K. Wagg following a heart seizure. Mrs. Wagg was born in the Township of Pickering in 1880 and received her education in Uxbridge. Her marriage to Newton Kirby Wagg took place in Toronto in 1908 and the couple subsequently came to Midland to live. She was a member of the United Church of Canada. Until the time of her death, she was the president of Wagg’s Laundry. Rev. Wilson Morden conducted the funeral service at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home, February 15. Pallbearers were Allan Gunn, Jack May, Tom O’Shaughnessy, Midland, Gordon Lightfoot,  Gilbert Smith of Orillia, and John Oakley of Gravenhurst. Burial was at Lakeview Cemetery. Friends and relatives attending the funeral were from Toronto, Orillia and Gravenhurst. Mrs. Wagg was predeceased by her husband in 1940 and is survived by one son, Murray, and three grandchildren, William, Betty (Mrs. Price Taylor) and Carol Anne. One sister, Mrs. Len Smith of Toronto, also survives. 

    Midland Chief George Wainman said there were a number of irate motorists in Midland Sunday morning, himself among them, who found the air had been let out of the tires of their vehicles during the night. Several of the drivers caused further damage to their tires by driving a short distance before noticing they were flat. The incidents occurred in several parts of town. 

    A vehicle which went through a stop sign at King and Yonge Streets, went up a lane between two homes and through an empty garage into another behind it, caused quite a stir in Midland around midnight Friday. The driver told police he had been travelling east on Yonge Street when his accelerator stuck as he approached King Street, a through street. Before the car came to a halt, it roared across King Street, up the driveway at Mrs. Alex Macintosh’s home, through her empty garage and into another behind it, where two other vehicles were parked. Police said a 17 year old Willowdale man has been charged with careless driving and with consuming alcoholic beverages  while under age. 

Ten Years Ago
The photographic story of the varied activities of the Grey and Simcoe Foresters from the time of their mobilization until they embarked for overseas service was being shown to Midland school children. * * * OPP Const. Jack Shepherd, stationed at Waubaushene and Police Chief William Beach of Coldwater both donated trophies for competition in the public schools in the “Elmer the Elephant” safety campaign. * * * Parents of Penetang High School students were stung into action at a meeting when Principal R. C. Gauthier rapped them sharply for lack of supervision over their children. A parents’ committee was formed as a result of the meeting. * * * Thirty thousand island cruise boats, the Midland City and City of Dover which once operated exclusively out of Midland and in 1949 and 1950 had Penetang as their home port started to serve both towns under an agreement between directors of the 30,000 Island Navigation Co., Ltd., of Midland and the Georgian Bay Tourist and Steamships Ltd., of Penetang. * * * Coldwater Lions Club had started a campaign to raise funds for a moving picture projector which was to be available to Coldwater and district groups for educational and entertainment purposes. * * * An editorial note stated “Canada has truly entered a new era. The A-bomb was a herald of things to come but the real convincers are the six cent ice cream cone and the seven cent chocolate bar. * * * Midland Sea Cadets of RCSCC Huron honoured their commanding officer, Lieut.-Commander Charles Scott who retired after three years as C.O. of the unit. He was presented with a ‘clipper ship’ mantel clock at a testimonial banquet in St. Margaret’s hall. 

    Sales of Japanese footwear to Canada were three times as great in the first seven months of I960 as in the same period of 1959. So Professor J. C. Cameron of Queen’s University told a recent conference in Montreal of the Shoe Manufacturers’ Association of Canada. The danger of imports gaining an even larger hold on the Canadian market, Professor Cameron pointed out is increased by reason of the fact wage increases have been much larger than the increase, in productivity. 

    Despite cloudy skies which threatened to pour down rain at any moment Saturday afternoon, thousands of visitors invaded Penetang and swelled the weekend crowd to what Winterama officials believe was a new high. Additional thousands took advantage of the sunny weather Sunday, and lined the parade route several deep for its entire length. Ice on the bay, where much of the activity centered Saturday, was wet, but entirely safe so far as thickness was concerned. Friday evening activities, centering around the Legion and Knights of Columbus Halls, and hockey games at the arena, forecast the record attendance. Dance halls were filled beyond capacity, and a better-than-average crowd attended the hockey games. Noon hour Saturday a group of residents from Christian Island performed a traditional welcoming ceremony at the main intersection. This appeared to be a real crowd pleaser, for hundreds of spectators wanted to have their pictures taken with the group following the ceremony. The annual Winterama parade, well over a mile in length, drew a total of 36 floats. Judges experienced difficult in picking the winners in three different classes.

We have no Winterama photos from 1961 but have reposted a favourite from 1957.

A giant pinwheel, that is what the fishing derby at Penetang’s recent (1957) Winterama looked like from the air. The arrangement of the holes and the anglers gives an appearance of a giant pinwheel. The photo was taken by Free Press photographer Vern Farrow from a Georgian Bay Airways plane.