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.  

SCHEDULE TWO CONCLAVES TO STUDY BOATING SAFETY
County Herald headline of August 25, 1961.

Closer looks at pleasure boat safety measures will provide some concrete leads out of the dilemma currently facing federal and provincial governments with respect to regulations governing pleasure boats. Officials hope the two sessions will provide some concrete leads out of the dilemma currently facing federal and provincial governments with respect to regulations governing pleasure boats. Pressures (for and against) have been mounting from boat owners, cottagers, manufacturers and tourist resort operators as a result of recent recommendations made for improved boating safety. It is expected the Ottawa conference will be a stormy session.  Manufacturers of boat engines, boats, trailers and boating equipment will hold a national industry conference at Honey Harbour. Safety and boat licensing are said to be important items on the agenda. Many people, including government officials, manufacturers and tourist resort operators, say licensing is not the answer. They point out that experience of U.S. authorities in this field bears out this contention. 

These four men, all descendants of early pioneer settlers of the Midland area, took part in the unveiling of a plaque honouring the founding of Midland Tuesday. Left to right are Mayor Charles Parker, a descendent of William Buchanan, who obtained a crown deed to the land in 1841; Harvey White, CPR agent and grandson of Jabez Dobson; Richard Moore, grandson of Richard Murphy; and Robert J. Roberts, grandson of Thomas Hartley. Dobson, Murphy, Hartley and John Smith are generally credited with being the first four settlers of the town. 

These are busy days at Midland Golf and Country Club, where the ladies are battling it out for the Simcoe County golf title. Checking a few scores are left to right, front row, Mrs. Shirley Jeffery, Mrs. Janice Laking, Barrie, Mrs. Jack Moss and Miss Margaret Robinson; back row— Mrs. C. Webb, Barrie, Mrs. Ken Williams and Mrs. V. Wilson. 

Editorial page photo entitled; “Pastoral Scene Near Penetanguishene”. 

    Midland’s Junior Band has won top honours in its class in the Canadian National Exhibition competition. Word was received yesterday that the town’s junior band had won first place in the junior brass band class at the CNE with a mark of 172 compared with its closest rival, Meaford, which obtained 160 points. 

   A petition from the Midland Hairdressers’ Association asking Midland council to enact a bylaw to govern and regulate the operation of hairdressing establishments in Midland was considered by council Monday night. Clerk-treasurer Wm. A. Hack advised council that, in view of the petition, he had obtained a copy of an Orillia bylaw pertaining to the same subject. After discussion, council decided to forward a copy of the Orillia bylaw to the local hairdressers’ association for consideration.

     Midland has been asked by the federal government to aid that body in finding a location to construct a federal building to house the post office. The site discussed at the meeting is in the downtown area, off the the main street. Following the meeting press and radio representatives were asked to withhold information to the exact location of the site until more definite action is taken. 

S.S. IMPERIAL
Dear Editor: One of the old hulls removed from Midland Bay during the springr of 1961 was that of the side-wheel steamer (steel) Imperial,  length 300 feet, width 41 ft. 9 Inches outside guards and depth 7.6 feet, gross tons 1098, registered tons 578, Official No. 121945. She was built originally as the steel side-wheel steamer Queen by W. C. White, and launched in the Lachine Canal on Nov. 14. 1888. She was towed to the Tate shipyard where she was finished and renamed Sovereign, Official No. 131945. She had a vertical beam engine built by Eagle Foundry Co., of Montreal. On March 17, 1906, she burned in winter quarters at Lachine. Insured for S50,000 and underwriters raised her in the spring of 1907 and sold her to the St. Lawrence Canadian Navigation Co. She was rebuilt at Sorel to dimensions of, length 250 feet, width 41 feet 9 inches, outside guards and depth 7.6 feet, gross tons 1098, registered tons 578 renamed Imperial. In 1927 she was sold to the Georgian Bay Tourist Co. of Midland. She was never operated by this company, but was dismantled in 1929 and her registry was closed on Nov. 20, 1929.
—W. R. WILLIAMS 

DISCARD LAGOON SYSTEM FAVOUR TREATMENT PLANT 

Free Press Herald headline of August 30, 1961. 
Based on information it had received, Midland council at a special meeting Monday night decided in favor of a plant treatment system of sewage disposal rather than a lagooning system. The decision was made at the request of the Midland Planning Board whose chairman, J. E. Lawlor, requested council’s decision as to the type of sewage disposal planned. Mr. Lawlor, who appeared with planning board members Walter Kluck and Kenneth Cowan, said the decision was imperative so the board could advise its consultants, so they could proceed with the official plan on schedule. “The consultants work will be at a standstill until we get a decision,” Mr. Lawlor added. The board chairman pointed out it would be more costly to work on an assumption of one type of sewage system and then find it had been decided to use another type of system. “It is Imperative we get a final decision so there will be no additional cost.” Mr. Lawlor added. 

   Nearly 1,850 Tay Township residents will be eligible to cast ballots in the local option vote being held in the township, Sept 6, Clerk Ralph Dalton revealed yesterday. Residents will be asked whether or not they approve women’s beverage rooms, men’s beverage rooms, dining room licences, dining lounge licences and lounge licences. 

    Tempers flared at a special meeting of Midland council, Monday night when Alderman Wm. Thompson raised a question about gravel delivered  to the town pit by two contractors. Suggesting that some doubt had been expressed that the 4,000 yards of gravel contracted for might not have been delivered in full. Mr. Thompson said. “One ratepayer said that if there is any more than 2,700 yards in the pit at the present time he’d eat it.” Mayor Charles Parker, at last week’s meeting, said of the 4,000 yards delivered about 800 had been used leaving a total of 3,200 yards still in the pit. 

     Midland council at a special meeting Monday night, unanimously agreed to start negotiations for the employment of Ule Luksep, professional engineer of Islington, as municipal engineer at a salary of $8,000 per year, his employment to commence Oct. 1. Mayor Charles Parker pointed out that when terms of the engineer’s employment had been mutually agreed upon, town solicitor Douglas Haig would prepare a bylaw setting forth the terms of employment. Council’s decision in favor of Mr. Luksep followed many meetings and interviews when nearly 20 applicants were considered for the position. 

“A GREAT SUCCESS’’ was the verdict at the closing Saturday night of the “Festival of Flowers” held in Midland curling rink. A flowerless, but attractive arrangement of wood, leaves and cones, claims the attention of Carolyn Ann Burke, Sheila Scott and Jane Scott, left to right, in the lower photo. 

F. Hopkins and his year-old-granddaughter, Charlene Hutchinson of Wyebridge, admire a huge floral arrangement displayed by Midland YMCA. 

This resuscitator was presented to Wyevale District Fire Brigade, August 21, by Wyevale LOL. Left to right are, Lorne Caston, master of the lodge; Bill Marcellus, deputy-master; Howard French, township fire chief; Graham Webb, treasurer of the lodge; and Duke Caston, chief of the district brigade. 

The past week has been a busy one at Emmaus Baptist Chapel on Yonge Street East, Midland, where a vacation Bible school was held daily. Some of the 60 children registered are seen above, with Mrs. L. Wadge, Sunday School superintendent. 

An industry which hires only handicapped persons, Midland Reliable Ltd. is busy turning out souvenir chuck wagons for next year’s Calgary Stampede. Alf Tuttle, manager of the firm (standing) is seen with Stan Vincent (left) and “Mac” McFarland. With prospects of improved business ahead, other handicapped persons are being asked to register with the firm for possible future employment. [This two storey cement block building was on the south side of Colborne Street between Manly and Russell and was at times home to Lloyd Murday’s cement casting and contruction business, Wilson & Bell Plumbing, Harvey Benoit Landscaping, Barber & Haskill appliance warehouse, Dave Hudson Electrician and is now a private dwelling.] 

Happy smiles readily indicate these gals were the big winners in the Simcoe County ladies’ golf championships in Midland last week. Mrs. Cecil English of Midland (centre front), the new county champ, is flanked by flight winners Mrs. Elwood Webb, Barrie, left, and Mrs. Bill Hack, Midland. Consolation winners in the various flights in back row are, left to right, Mrs. R. E. Smith, Barrie, Mrs. Larry Smith, Collingwood, and Mrs. R. L. Ideson, Barrie. 

A host of friends and relatives greeted Mr. and Mrs. Herman Robinson, Con. 5. Tay Township, when they celebrated the 50th anniversary of their wedding recently.

[Caption and photos from 1960 article.] Truly a family business is the S. Reid and Sons grocery at Victoria Harbour. Founded by the late Samuel Reid 65 years ago, the store is still run by his sons, William, left, and Walter, and daughter Miss Eva J. Reid. The store has been in continuous operation on the same site since April 8, 1895. 

Ten Years Ago
An official award from the American Association for State and OraI History had been received by Huronia House Museum, Midland. It was one of the first Canadian institutions to be so honored by the American Association. * * * Nearly 500 attended the Newtonville SS No 10. Tay school reunion marking the 52nd anniversary of the school. * * * Joseph Victor Laderoute, an internationally known tenor, had returned to the Lafontaine haunts of his boyhood and presented a benefit concert in Holy Cross Church, Lafontaine. * * * Midland Public Utilities Commission was bringing into use its new high voltage transmission lines. * * * A joint meeting of representatives of the boards of Penetang General Hospital and St. Andrews Hospital, Midland turned down a proposal for new general hospital location somewhere between the towns. Following the joint meeting Penetang hospital board voted to transfer ownership of Penetang General Hospital to the Grey Sisters. * * * Garbage collection on the beaches, organized by Tiny Township council, was praised at the annual meeting of the Wymbolwood and Mountainview Beach Property Owners Association. There were three collections weekly at the beaches compared to one a week in the city, it was noted. * * * A joint meeting of the Kiwanis Clubs of Midland, Orillia, Barrie, Collingwood and Owen Sound was being planned the Midland club. * * * More than 200 costumed children joined in the parade which marked Penetang’s Youth Day. 

OBITUARIES
MORRIS W. T. DRINKLE
 A lifelong resident of WaverIey and Midland, Morris W. T. Drinkle died unexpectedly, August 20 at his Hanley Street home, Midland, in his 47th year. Funeral service was conducted by Rev. Howard K. Maison  of St. Phillips Church, Weston at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home Midland, August 22. Pallbearers were Garnet Drinkle, Norman Paul, Herbert Hornsby, Morris Darby, Dave Wilcox and Clarence Hall. Born August 31, 1914, in Tay Township, Mr. Drinkle was educated at Waverley Public School and on Jan. 9, 1937, at Elmvale, he married the former Sylvia M. Wood. An Anglican by faith, he was if a member of the Loyal Orange Lodge No. 947 and the Royal Black Preceptory  No. 552. He was a Conservative in politics and was interested in baseball and hockey. He was an employee of Simmonds Transport Ltd., except for the years 1942 to 1954 when he worked in the shipyards at Midland and Collingwood. Besides his widow, he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Paul Lalonde (Maureen) and Mrs. Eric Reynolds (Doris), both of Waverley, his mother, Mrs. Norman Drinkle of Waverley, and three grandchildren, Paul and Gregory Lalonde and Peggy Reynolds, all of Waverley. Burial was in St John’s Anglican Cemetery, Waverley. 
FRANCIS (FRANK) DUSOME
A Penetang resident for 50 years, Francis (Frank) Dusome died at his Jeffery Street home August 13, following a coronary thrombosis. He was in his 80th year. Requiem mass was conducted at St. Ann’s Memorial Church, Penetang, August 16, by Rev. G. J. Hamel. Pallbearers were Lawrence Ladouceur, Oliver and Norman Lapensee, Gerard Duquette, Howard Lacroix and Francis Roberts. A native of Alpena, Michigan,  Mr. Dusome came to Canada at an early age and lived in Midland for four years and in 1913 at Penetang he married the former Josephine Lapensee. Retiring as a south shore captain in 1957, Mr. Dusome was fond of fishing, hunting and boating. He is survived by his widow and four sons, Wallace, Highland Point; Leonard, Midland; Ronald, British Columbia, and Clarence, Toronto. Also surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Jim Colling (Elsie), Midland; Mrs. Jack Hood (Irene), Toronto, and Mrs. Art Booth (Marilyn) Orillia and 11 grandchildren.
TELESPHORE JUNEAU
A native of Lafontaine and a Victoria Harbour resident for the last 61 years, Telesphore Juneau died unexpectedly at his home following a heart attack August 20. He was in his 72nd year. Requiem mass was celebrated by Rev. J. S. Howe at St. Mary’s Church, Victoria Harbour, August 22. Pallbearers were Wilfred Vaillancourt, Lawrence Arbour, Gerald Juneau, John Carpenter, Don Eplett and Henry Lavereau. Born July 1, 1891, Mr. Juneau married the former Madeline Bourrie Dec. 26, 1951, at Victoria Harbour. He was a member of the Victoria Harbour Holy Name Society, a sailor who retired in 1956 and was interested in fishing and baseball. Besides his widow, he is survived by a brother, Eli, of Penetang and one sister, Mrs. Henrietta Dault, Victoria Harbour. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Victoria Harbour.