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.  

JOBLESS TOTAL DOWN 241, 1962 PROSPECTS “BRIGHT”
Free Press Herald headline from January 17, 1962. 

Fourteen per cent cut in unemployment. The number claiming benefits through the Midland office of the National Employment Service to the end of December shows a sharp drop over December Harold Humphries, NES district manager said yesterday 1,507 people were registered for work Dec. 29, compared to 1,748 a year previous. 

    Proposed change of firm name and major internal reorganization, announced several weeks ago by S. O. Greening, president of Greening Wire, Hamilton are to become effective Feb. 1^st. The firm is to be known in future as Greening Industries Limited, with divisions at Hamilton, Midland and Orangeville. The three divisions are Greening Wire and Perforated Metal Company, Hamilton; Greening Wire Rope and Cable Company, Midland; and Greening Metal Products and Screening Equipment Company, Orangeville. 

    Clerk W. A. Hack was empowered by Midland council this week to contact Tay Township officials concerning snow plowing of the sidewalk on Hugel Ave., beyond the town limit at Eighth Street, to MPDHS. Councillors said they had received several calls concerning the danger to both pupils going to the high school and younger ones coming in to Parkview Public School, when forced to walk on the roadway. 

    Town water for four residents outside the corporation limits on Wireless Hill continues to be a prime target for discussion at meetings of the Midland Public Utilities Commission. Although Commissioner William Beeton argued that supplying water to a few would open up the gate for other requests, other members disagreed. It was pointed out that most lines are privately owned. The four residents on Wireless Hill are apparently the only ones located on a commission owned main. The water main to which these houses could be hooked, serves the Greening Wire plant. 

    Wm. L. Logan was chosen for a second term as chairman of Midland Public Utilities Commission at the inaugural meeting held Monday night. There were no other nominations for the post.  Chairman Logan and Commissioner Les Barber were authorized as signing authority for the commission, along with General Manager Stewart Holt. Among correspondence were brochures from HEPC on campaigns for promoting electric heating and electric hot water. The commission authorized setting up of financing arrangements for wiring, re-wiring, supplementary or complete heating installations and purchase of major electrical appliances. The arrangements will be made with one of the local banks, with a maximum of $10,000 on finance at any one time being allowed. In the matter of hot water tanks, the commission agreed to a six-month trial period during which the commission will pay $50 for installation of a commission approved tank. Mr. Holt told the member’s considerable load is being lost to gas installations and the new campaign is designed to put a stop to this loss and encourage new growth. [This was at a time when more electricity use was being encouraged and utilities were advocating electric heat instead of gas.] 

    Well known as a merchant in Penetang, Midland and Port McNicoll for 44 years, Guiseppe (Joe) Tersigni died unexpectedly at his Penetang home Saturday. He was 66 years of age. Born in Sora, Italy, Mr. Tersigni came to Canada in 1911 and after a short time in Collingwood, moved to Midland where he worked at the Playfair sawmill. Shortly thereafter he opened a small grocery store in Midland, moved the store to Sunnyside, and four years later opened a store in Port McNicoll. In 1920 he opened a store in Penetaang which he operated until 1956. Surviving are his wife the former Teresa Vercelotti, and three daughters, Mrs. Domonic Martino, Toronto, Mrs. Raymond Robillard, Penetang and Mrs. John Pizzagalli, Miami. 

    Simcoe County’s warden for 1962, Reeve John McDonald of Orillia and its “first lady”, Mrs. McDonald, link arms following his election to the top county post in Barrie Monday. Mr. McDonald succeeds Reeve Montcalm Maurice of Tiny Township. 

Trying out their new desks in Simcoe County council chambers at the start of the January session Monday are Midland’s Deputy-Reeve William Orr (left) and Reeve W. A. Argue. At rear are Mrs. Orr, Reeve Ernest Cadeau, Victoria Harbour, and Mrs. Cadeau. 

School crossing patrols were put into force in Midland Friday for the first time at a number of dangerous intersections. In the top picture, Sgt. Ernest Bates adjusts belt on one young guard while the others are all set for action. In the bottom picture, Bill Jory holds up a line of youngsters until the way is clear at Yonge and Russell Streets. Uniforms were provided by the Ontario Motor League. Kettle’s store. 

Listening attentively to Sgt. Ernie Bates as he shows the proper way to control traffic at the Sixth Street and Dominion Ave., school crossing are Paulette and Lorne Antaya, captains of the St. Mary’s School Patrol. Supervision at dangerous intersections in the town started last Friday and is working out quite satisfactorily school officials stated. 

Their boats ice-bound, many sailors are taking advantage of the navigation classes held at Midland YMCA under sponsorship of MPDHS. In the top picture, left to right, are Eddie Sipala, Midland, Gary Richmond, Nobel, Lorne Rowe, North Bay, instructor William Esty, Penetang, and Art Cadeau, Midland. Boning up on logarithms in the bottom picture are (seated) Conrad Vaillancourt, Midland, Robert Blanchard and Bill Thoms, Waubaushene, George Potter, Midland, and standing, Cornelius Cadeau, Penetang, and Bob Tremblay, Midland. 

The old and the new in wardens in Simcoe County are seen in this picture. Reeve John McDonald of Orillia, the new, is seen between Tom Simpson, left, who was warden back in 1913 when he was reeve of Tiny, and Charles Eplett, warden in 1923 when he was reeve of Coldwater. 

Snow-blowers made their first appearance of the season in the Midland area last week following the severe storm of Monday night and Tuesday morning. This machine is throwing snow 40 feet into the air as it widens Highway 27 between Hugel Ave. and Yonge Street. 

Where to put all the snow that keeps falling this year is one of the big problems for Midland’s public works department. Typical is this bank on Sixth Street just off Yonge, already over eight feet deep. 

35 Years Ago – 1926
The rink on Chatham Street, Penetang, under arrangement with Leo Brissette, was opened for free skating. * * * N. K. Wagg was elected chairman of the Midland Public Utilities Commission. A member of the commission for six years, he was elected chairman on three occasions. * * * At the inaugural meeting of Tay Township council the following officials were sworn in, Chas. Gratrix, reeve; David Curry, deputy-reeve; and councillors George Sheehan, James Cowden and W. H. Montgomery. * * * A Canadian record was claimed by Midland Shipbuilding Company when two vessels, City of Montreal and City of Hamilton were launched on the same day into Midland Bay. * * * Midland’s Mayor Gooden asked for harmony and co-operation at the inaugural meeting of town council when Magistrate Frank Cook administered the oaths of office, and Rev. John McNab gave the  divine blessing. * * * At the annual meeting of Tiny and Tay Agricultural Society, President W. S. Robins noted that the society’s $2,000 deficit of five years previous had been turned into a surplus of $665.21. * * * After 14 years of operation in Midland, J. N. Graham had decided to return to Toronto with the National Whitewear and Costume Company. * * * It was announced that the Bon Marche Manufacturing Company of Peterborough was moving their operation to Midland. Space had been secured in the Midland Steam Laundry building. * * * The first checker match of the new year between residents of the east and west sides of Midland, held at the Midland Public Library, was won by the westerners. 

FACT -FINDING COMMITTEE URGES NEW “Y” LOCATION
County Herald headline from January 19, 1962. 

A special committee of Midland’s Y’s Men’s Club has tossed a challenging proposal to the board of directors of the Midland YMCA and to the community in general. The challenge was set out in a brief of the special committee which was presented to the Y’s Men and ‘Y’ directors at a Y’s Men’s Club meeting this week. The committee headed by Fran Hartman, made a study of all questions related to the construction of a swimming pool for the Midland YMCA. In the summary of the interim report it was suggested it would be desirable to investigate the possibility of obtaining new property, which would enable the organization to erect a new YMCA building with a swimming pool, allowing sufficient ground for outside activities during the summer months. 

    Two Toronto men who have been summer residents of this district on many occasions have formed a partnership and opened a retail business in Midland. The partners are Les Cormack and Bill Donaldson and their business, Midland Glass and Mirror, will be officially opened at 198 Hannah Street, Monday. 

    Eight accidents on a mile stretch of Highway 27, between the Wyebridge hill and Brooklea Golf Course, yesterday, resulted in serious injury to only one person. Arthur Handy, 104 Elizabeth Street, Midland, suffered a broken leg and ribs when he was struck from behind, while attempting to shove his car out of a snowdrift. 

Winter time is still a wonderful time for Canadian youngsters, despite what their disgruntled elders might say about the subject. Having a “whale of a time” in the snow at Midland Ski Club are, top to bottom, Nancy, Sharon and Wendy Biggar, energetic daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Don Simpson, Midland. [This photo was actually from February 3, 1960 and was used again here on the 19th. We also used it in the 1960 version of this blog, so yes, you have seen it before.]   

There were few patrons for Midland’s popular Little Lake Park following Monday night’s wild snow storm. And little chance of them getting into the cabins and cottages even if there had been any.