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.  

COURT APPROVES PLAN, TINY COUNCIL BAFFLED
Free Press Herald headline of October 18, 1961. 

With final court approval of the new plan concerning the Balm Beach area in Concession 9, Tiny Council has had a perplexing problem dropped in its lap. The new survey shows Findley Drive at its southern extremity to be located almost wholly on property apparently owned by J. Vassil. In turn, a greater part of the road allowance at that point is occupied by the fenced in property of Homer Spring, known as Shady Nook. 

   The “Pied, Piper of Midland”, a blond spectacled grade school teacher named Hessel Pape, charmed members of the public School Board Friday evening with a brief rendition on his flute. The spell cast by the lilting melody brought quick agreement to his request to give musical instruction at the three public schools in Midland. Lessons will be given by Mr. Pape to grade five students at Bayview, Parkview and Regent schools. 

The body of Fredrick Waller Bray, 46, of 20 Abbinger Crescent, Islington, was recovered Sunday nearly 20 hours after he had slipped from the grasp of his wife and drowned. Police said Mr. Bray had been fishing with his wife and friends and was pulling up the anchor of the 22-foot cabin cruiser when he fell overboard. Cpl. James Bradley and OPP Const. H. R. Banting found the body lodged beneath the boat where it had been pulled up on shore. Police said Mr. Bray’s foot became entangled in the anchor rope and he fell into the water. Mr. Hawkins and Mrs. Bray both had hold of the victim’s arms on separate occasions but he slipped from their grasp in the frigid water. On the last occasion, Mrs. Bray was left holding her husband’s wrist watch as he slid under the water. With Mr. Bray apparently tangled up in the propellor, unknown to those aboard, the boat drifted on to the rocks and was stranded there for three hours. The party was finally sighted by Hughson and Charles King of Honey Harbour, who had to take the three persons off the rock one at a time in a canoe to his own cruiser anchored nearby. 

Death — As the result of an accident in his car near Stroud, October 11, 1961. Douglas Garry McMann of Barrie, in his twenty-fourth year. Only son of Mr. and Mrs. Dave McMann, of Waverley, brother of Ena (Mrs. Frank Livingstone) of Ebenezer, and Evelyn (Mrs. Jack Banks) 177 Sixth Street, Midland. Interment was in Union Cemetery, Barrie. 

35 YEARS AGO
A heading on the front page of the Midland Free Press read “Alderman in bad humour, caused spirited debates” and the subhead was “Property committee storm centre — Building bylaw  enforcement, placing of insurance, grant to fair came in for criticism — No more paving this fall ’. * * *  Harry Shanacy was the outstanding athlete of the day at the provincial track meet held at Maple Leaf Stadium, Toronto. Shanacy of Midland High School won three firsts and one second in the senior events. * * * Midland Public Utilities Commission were having a third well drilled near the existing two water wells which had a flow of 200,000 gallons short of the stipulated amount. Drilling was being done by Layne-Bowler Co., of Chicago. * * * Wm. Toole had a steam shovel from Toronto working west of the Harmer-Knowles site (Vindin past Fifth)(Perhaps where the town works shed was located) loading material to fill Midland’s King Street dock site. Fifty teams of horses were also required on the project. * * * John L. Craighead was selling Pontiac Landau sedans at $1,125. * * * Penetang High School was hosts to students from Collingwood High School for exhibition games of girls’ basketball and boys’ senior and junior rugby. * * * Provision was being made for the installation of a new pipe organ in St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Midland. * * * Andrew Palmatier of Midland had sold his furniture and undertaking business to R. E. Simpson of Owen Sound. (Simply Country building) * * * Midland High School won the Tudhope Cup in competition with Barrie and Orillia schools. Lindsay and Collingwood dropped out of the competition that year. 

These members of Branch 80, Royal Canadian Legion, Midland, are smiling happily these days as their new hall on Queen Street rapidly nears completion. Seen on the big steel stair case are, left to right, George McLaughlin, president, Ken Williams, treasurer, Jim Duncan, secretary, and Oliver Lesperance, director. 

Deemed a success in its first year of operation last year, the Recorder Classes are to be continued again this year at all Midland public schools, under the guidance of Hessel Pape. Seen here are, left to right, Susan Hassell, alto recorder, Joey Fretina (s/b Tretina), tenor, and Barbara Jones, soprano. 

Members of Vasey 4-H Calf Club, these two lads have won more than their share of prize ribbons at fairs in Midland, Coldwater, Barrie and Collingwood in recent weeks. They are Brian, 15, left, and Jimmy, 14, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Scott, RR 1, Victoria Harbour. Calves are Lady Esther, with Brian, and Lady Perfection. 

Proud winner of a new bicycle for his essay on “What safety means to me”, is Douglas Atkinson, of Bayview Public School, Midland. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Atkinson, Doug is seen above with Norman Crane, Simcoe County representative for the Ontario Motor League, which sponsored the contest. Over 1,000 North Simcoe public school students submitted essays. 

COUNTY WELFARE CONTROL SUGGESTED BY MINISTER
County Herald headline of October 20^th, 1961.

Speaking to a crowd of more than 500 people at Penetang  Wednesday, Hon. Louis P. Cecile, indicated he would favour turning over more of the administration of welfare services to County Councils. The Minister of Welfare for the Province of Ontario was guest speaker at the opening of a new bed care addition to Georgian Manor, senior citizens home, built and operated by the County of Simcoe. “The County system seems to me the best way to carry on welfare services.” I hope soon to see more extensive administration of welfare service by the counties,” he said.  

A young Midland man will start a great adventure today when he sails from Montreal with 49 other Canadians for England. Frank Rynex is one of the first group of 50 young Canadians selected to help, for at least a two-year period, in the establishing of American style supermarkets in Britain.

Frank Rynex

Greatly increased facilities for Midland skiers this winter are not only a promise they’re actually under way. Owner of the property on which Midland Ski Club hills and clubhouse are situated, , Chris Foster has a bulldozer working this week clearing the way for another ski tow, on the opposite side of the hill to the one previously in use. He is also busy clearing a new hill for young skiers or beginners, also to the south of the large hill. 

Looking over the plans for Midland’s new Legion Hall, and obviously pleased with progress to date, are Mrs. Clare Holden, president of the Ladies Auxiliary, and George McLaughlin, president of Branch 80, Royal Canadian Legion. New hall was used for first time Monday night at a meeting sponsored by Huronia Retarded Children’s Association. 

Winner of the Midland Rotary Club’s motor boat draw this year was Jack Foster, Toronto. Mr. and Mrs. Foster, seen with Rotarians Jim Henry (left) and Clint Truax (right) will keep the boat in Midland, where they have a cottage on the south shore of Little Lake. (This photo is the west side of Russell between Ellen and Colborne, Clint lived across the road and a few houses to the north. Officer/Coucillor Jack Charlebois’ white house and Harold McAllens brick house.)

Tap, ballet and ballroom dancing are a new feature added to Midland YMCA’s fall and winter program of activities this year. A number of young district children are shown going through their paces at a dancing class Saturday morning. 

A native of Midland who has been away for several years, Ted Gerow returned to town recently to open up a new florist shop in the King Street store formerly occupied by the CN Express. Mr. Gerow is seen above arranging one of the stands in his new shop.