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. 

December in North Simcoe and the newspapers are full of election promises, campaign ads and thank-you messages. Most merchants are advertising heavily, churches are holding Christmas concerts and plays. Ships are laying up for the winter and the first snows have arrived.

PREDICT MILL RATE DROP FOR COUNTY LEVY IN 62’
County Herald headline, December 8, 1961 –Speaking at Tiny Township nomination meeting Monday, Reeve Montcalm Maurice predicted a drop in the mill rate for the county levy next year. “We are at the end of our building program, and this should reduce considerably the amount required by the county,” he stated. Reeve Maurice is also Warden of Simcoe County. 

TO EXPROPRIATE PROPERTY, OWNER REFUSES $500 BID
Free Press Herald headline, December 13, 1961 – Midland council Monday night ordered its solicitor Douglas Haig to start expropriation proceedings immediately against Joseph Kerbel of Toronto. Mr. Kerbel had refused council’s offer of $500 for property registered in his name on Borden Street, he is asking $1,650. The town sold the property to Midland Shearlings Ltd. for $1 plus $26.55 registration and bylaw costs in 1951. 

CHECK REVEALS BEAM ROT, CLOSED TILL REPAIRS DONE
County Herald headline, December 15, 1961 – Midland council was told by Town Engineer Ulo Luksep Monday the beam holding the easterly wall of the Huronia Museum has rotted away. The information was contained in a report made by the engineer after a preliminary inspection of the building December 5. He recommended the building be closed to the public until a detailed inspection can be done next year. 

    School safety patrols in Midland will not get under-way until January. This was decided at a meeting of the new safety council with school board, teacher, police and other representatives at the Municipal Building Tuesday. This decision was taken when Lou Hodgson, representative of the Department of Transport, said his schedule would not permit him to return to Midland before Dec. 18 to help set up the patrols. Members felt it would be better to leave the matter until the new term Jan. 2. Alderman William Thompson, who chaired the meeting, said 11 intersections had been decided upon as requiring school patrols. Three of these, Sixth and Hugel, Sixth and Yonge, and Russell and Yonge, will have adult guards as well as school-boy patrols. To be manned entirely by schoolboy patrols are the following: Seventh and Hugel; Russell and Elizabeth; Manly and Elizabeth; Elizabeth and William; Russell and Ellen; College and Ellen; Ottawa and Sixth; and Victoria and Fifth. [Girls were not included because ….?] 

    A University of Toronto graduate in civil engineering and a former construction superintendent with Toronto Township PUC, Ulo Luksep has recently been appointed Midland town engineer. Mr. Luksep came to Canada from Estonia in 1948. He is married and has a two month old son. His family is expected to take up residence here shortly. 

    Dear Editor: The Globe’ and Mail on Monday reported that there are now a dozen artificial and eighty natural ice rinks operated by the city of Toronto. Midland, as far as I know, has only one artificial ice surface and this must serve the needs of all the hockey players, figure skaters and pleasure skaters in town. This it cannot possibly do. There are many people, adults and children, who would like to make more frequent use of the arena but the time is not to be had. Some have been told already that the demands for ice have been so great that they will have to wait until the New Year before ice can be assured them. Surely, a town in the snow belt of Ontario and considered by many a winter playground can offer more than that. We believe it is up to the town council to serve all citizens, young and old. The reasons that justify public parks and swimming grounds should justify public skating areas. What better skating area can anyone suggest than Little Lake Park. Here is an ice surface to accommodate hundreds, if need be. In a setting of great natural beauty. With road access, change rooms, coffee shop already available we have a winter playground that could with little maintenance afford us considerable pleasure. Such a playground would, no doubt, on weekends attract as many visitors as our ski hills have been doing. The possibilities are enormous.
[Portion of a letter to the editor by Perrie Rintoul] 

    The quietness of the farm community of Vasey was shattered on the weekend with a lurid story of abduction and violent death. Earl Nash, 40, Toronto, a part-time car salesman was shot six times and died on the kitchen floor of a deserted farmhouse at the junction of Con. 7, Tay, and County Road 23. Wielding the gun was Mrs. Eileen Marshall, 40, who had been abducted from a Scarborough home Thursday by Nash and three companions. According to press reports, Nash, the father of six children and separated from his wife, and Mrs. Marshall, also separated, had lived together for some time. Later this year, Mrs. Marshall left Nash. In October, failing to get her to go back with him he struck her several times, breaking her jaw. Nash was to have appeared in court Friday on an assault charge, with Mrs. Marshall as chief witness. On Thursday, she was kidnapped by Nash and two companions who forced their way into her sister’s home at West Hill. The three men tied up the other woman, stole $7 and left with Mrs. Marshall. Leaving Toronto, the men drove north, stopping in Elmvale for groceries. From Thursday night until her escape Saturday morning, Mrs. Marshall told police she was in constant fear of being killed by Nash, who kept a revolver pointed at her most of the time. He also threatened to kill her by tying her to a tree, pouring water on her, and leaving her to freeze to death, the Toronto woman told police. On Saturday morning, police were told, Nash put the gun, a 32 caliber revolver, down for a moment to get something from his club bag. Mrs. Marshall made a desperate lunge for the gun, got it and kept pulling the trigger as Nash moved towards her. All six bullets hit Nash. 

    A motion passed by Midland Council Monday night stated no person receiving welfare benefits will be allowed to drive a car. Anyone applying for welfare assistance will be required to turn in their licence plates and ownership certificate for themselves or any dependent. 

   Stating that it was a recommendation of the Department of Municipal Affairs, Mayor Jerome Gignac Monday night asked council to pass a resolution calling for tenders to demolish the buildings on the P. Payette Co., property in Penetang. “I am very concerned with the condition of the building and the fact that children are playing in it and could get hurt.” he said. 

    Built in near-record time, the new $60,000 public school of SS 2, Baxter, Honey Harbour, was officially opened by J. H. Kennedy, assistant superintendent of Ontario elementary schools, Wednesday, afternoon. Chairman of the Baxter school board, J. Ross Birch acted as chairman for the opening program. Other members of the board are Ivan Schlegel and Tom Hewitt. Mrs. R. R. Wilson, Midland, is the secretary and Mr. Wilson the treasurer. Teachers at the two-room, electrically-heated school are Mrs. George Grise, principal, and Richard K. Rendle. 

    A record number of carloads of Christmas trees were shipped from the Penetang CNR station this year according to agent E. J. Levesque. Mr. Levesque said 89 cars of trees left here during the shipping season with practically all going to USA points. The three farthest points on the list were Gulf Port, Mississippi; Montgomery, Alabama; and Oklahoma City. Mr. Levesque said pulp shipments have also added to the local revenue this year with a large number of carloads being made to Thorold. [Christmas trees were also shipped from Midland.] 

    Dr. P. B Rynard, M P. Simcoe East, said yesterday that Midland Plastics Limited had been awarded $15,304.24 contract by the Department of Defence Production. It is understood the contract calls for the firm to supply more than 1,000,000 plastic buttons. The contract was awarded Dec 5.  

BIRTHS
DUSOME — To Mr. and Mrs. George Dusome, 48 Fifth Street, Midland, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Saturday, December 2, 1961, a daughter.
FORGET — To Mr. and Mrs. Martin Forget, West Street, Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Monday, December 4, 1961, a son.
LAURIN — To Mr. and Mrs. Marcellin Laurin, RR 1, Perkinsfield, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Monday, November 20, 1961, a son.
LeCAMP — To Mr. and Mrs. Leo LeCamp, 55 Poyntz Street, Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Monday, November 27, 1961, a daughter.
MAURICE — To Mr. and Mrs. Fernand Maurice, RR 3, Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Wednesday, November 29, 1961, a daughter.
NAHUIS — To Mr. and Mrs. Antonios Nahuis, RR 3, Elmvale, at
Penetanguishene General Hospital, Thursday, November 30, 1961, twin sons.
ROE — To Mr. and Mrs. Peter Roe, Wyevale, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Monday, December 4, 1961, a daughter.
SIBBALD — To Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Sibbald, Elmvale, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Sunday, November 26, 1961, a daughter.
MORRISON – To Mr. and Mrs. Robert Morrison, 56 Hambly Street, Toronto, at Toronto East General Hospital, Sunday, December 3, 1961, a daughter. 

10 YEARS AGO 
Dr. J. D. McPhee, Port McNicoll and George G. Johnston, Minesing, topped the polls for the Progressive – Conservatives in the provincial election in Simcoe East and Simcoe Centre respectively. • • • Despite ever-rising costs, Simcoe County Children’s Aid Society was meeting with success in its endeavors to live within its budget, according to Port McNicoll Reeve, Albert Calvert, chairman of the CAS finance committee. • • • Dr. Paul Scott, director of Simcoe County Health Unit, stated that neither Midland’s water supply nor milk distribution was responsible was for the “jaundice-like” malady which had brought sickness to many Midland children and some adults. • • • Three new switchboards had been installed at the Midland telephone exchange. • • •  Midland voters authorized a quarter million dollar debenture issue to finance new facilities at St. Andrews Hospital. • • •Elected to council were Charles Parker, mayor; W. Herb Taylor, reeve; Wm. H. Keller, deputy-reeve and Clint Smith, Charles Onley, Wm. Logan and Wm. Wilcox, aldermen. • • • Penetang Chamber of Commerce were requesting the town council  inaugurate one-hour parking on the streets in the business section. • • • In Penetang’s municipal elections, acclamations were given to George Kerr, mayor; Alf Cage, reeve and Archie Vernier, deputy-reeve.   • • • George Richardson was re-elected Worshipful Master of LOL 947, Midland. • • • Midland’s Santa Claus parade was sponsored jointly by Midland merchants and service clubs. 

Acclaimed Reeve of Port McNicoll for his 14th term, Albert Calvert is seen (right) in the top picture, signing papers for clerk B. J. Brownell.  Council and school trustee nominees seen in the lower picture,  include Tim Lewis and John Kent (seated) and (standing) Robert J. Young, John Maxwell, Robert Smith and Henry Valcheff. There was a good turnout for the nominations despite poor weather. 

Smiles were much in evidence, Monday night, when Midland Aldermanic candidate William Thompson celebrated his Ward 2 victory. Seen here are some of the people who helped Mr. Thompson achieve success at the polls. They are, (left to right), Doug Gerow, Mrs. Ron Mink, Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Ernie Mink, Ron Mink and Ernie Mink. 

Eleven-year-old Ruth Reynolds answered the door to Eileen Marshall after she had escaped from her abductor Saturday morning. Mrs. Marshall waded through knee-deep snow to reach the Reynolds’ home and blurt out her story. Willis Reynolds told police when they arrived minutes later at his neighboring farm looking for kidnapper Earl Nash and two companions, that Mrs. Marshall was safe.                      Eileen Marshall, 40. Toronto, is led from OPP office in Orillia by Det. Sgt. Irvine Alexander of Metro force after telling police she shot Earl Nash (inset), 40, six times. He and two other men kidnapped her last Thursday. Nash held her prisoner in farmhouse near Vasey for three days under the threat of death. She escaped through bathroom window to a neighbouring farm after shooting Nash.

“LOOK OUT BELOW, here we come,” say Norman Launder, front and Brian Hobbs, as they enjoy the first tobogganing of the year at Midland’s Little Lake Park. Hundreds of kiddies were out with sleighs, skis and toboggans on the weekend. 

Before yesterday’s rain, there was some pretty good skiing around Midland, following Friday’s snow storm. Pushing their way through about a foot of snow above are Sandra Nesbitt, left, and Joan Howard. 

First heavy snowfall of the season hit North Simcoe Friday, bringing, as it always does fun for the kids and work for their elders. There is no doubting how Jennifer and Jim Jeffery feel about the foot-deep white mantle.

There were more ‘players than fans’ at the Victoria Harbour nominations Monday night, when only 13 persons turned out. Some of the candidates seen above include, left to right, seated — Mrs. Mel Robertson, Ernest Cadeau, returned by acclamation as reeve, clerk James Heels, Wilfred Savage, 23 years a member of Harbour councils; standing Oliver Savage, William Grigg, Mel Robertson, Don Eplett, Herbert West and Dickson Brown. 

Most of the fire-works at the nomination meeting at Port McNicoll Wednesday night were provided by Cyril Larkin (seated), seen talking with councillor John Kent. Mr. Larkin threatened an injunction against the village if his nomination for council was not accepted. 

This big, three-panel mural, lends an attractive Christmas touch to the lobby of Midland’s Roxy Theatre. It’s the work of pupils of Regent Public School. The theatre hopes to make it an annual event, with different schools participating each year.

The young voices of Brownies will ring out in carols during Christmas week at Edwards Specialty Shop and over radio CKMP. Under ‘Brown Owls’ Mrs. Jim Lemieux and Lieut (Mrs.) William Johnston, the girls are the combined packs of 3rd and 4th Midland Brownies. Back row are the leaders of both groups. 

Built in near record time, the new $60,000 public school,  SS 2 Baxter, Honey Harbour, was officially opened by J. H. Kennedy, assistant superintendent of Ontario elementary schools, Wednesday afternoon. Chairman of the Baxter school board J. Ross Birch acted as chairman for the opening program. Other members of the board are Iven Schlegel and Tom Hewitt. Mrs. R. R. Wilson, Midland, is the secretary and Mr. Wilson the treasurer. Teachers at the two room, electrically heated school are Mrs. George Grise, principal, and Richard K. Rendle. 

There’s little resemblance between the spanking new SS 2 Baxter and the “Little Red School” Dr. P. B. Rynard, MP (seated) went to as a youngster. “Or in the books, either.” added Dr. Rynard. Looking on are Lloyd Letherby, MPP, and Mrs. Letherby, Coldwater, and Mrs. Rynard. They attended the official opening of the new school at Honey Harbour Wednesday. 

Almost everybody likes money, but there is a special treat for the rare or old coin fans at the Midland branch of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce this week. The circular “coin” on this panel, for instance, is made of stone and is called Yap money. Some of these Caroline Island coins measured as high as 12 feet across and weighed up to five tons each. 

Mrs. Verna Marchant, Bell Telephone employee, is featured in an advertisement reminding subscribers that staff will be on duty to handle their holiday phone calls. 

First invitation bonspiel of the season was held by the ladies of Midland Curling Club this week. Winner was a Midland rink skipped by Mrs. Fred Hobbs. Left to right are Mrs. J. E. Maseles, Mrs. Ken Ellis, Mrs. Hobbs, and Mrs. Don Simpson. They defeated Mrs. Frank Bray’s rink of Mrs. Bruce Holt, Mrs. Frank Powell and Mrs. Ross Thompson 7-4, in the deciding game.