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.  

COUNCIL APPROVES BYLAW TO CONTROL SUB-DIVISIONS
County Herald headline of February 2, 1962. 

    At a special meeting last night, Midland council gave third reading to a new sub-division control bylaw designed primarily to prevent the sale of small, scattered lots from large pieces of property not now on a registered plan. 

   At that same meeting, Midland council was given the cold hard figures on what the past month’s heavy snow storms have cost the town. Cost of snowplowing and snow removal for January, exclusive of sanding or salting, was $21,200, according to figures presented by Ulo Luksep, town engineer. By contrast the engineer said, total cost of plowing and sanding for the entire 12 months of 1961 was $24,000. The figure for last January was $5,000. 

    “Should high school students go steady?” This was just one of the questions given a thorough discussion by students and adults on a panel program at a meeting of the Regent Home and School Association, this week. Representing the adult viewpoint were Sol DeVries, Midland businessman; Lieut. William Johnston, Midland Citadel of the Salvation Army; Dr. Arvo Sauks, psychologist at the Ontario Hospital, Penetang; John Dalrymple, head of the mathematics department at MPDHS; J. W. Smith, executive secretary of the YMCA; and two mothers, Mrs. George Haskill and Mrs. Bryce Moffat.      Doug Haig acted as the moderating link between the adults and a group of MPDHS students made up of Kirk Weldon, Harry DeVries, Paul Davidson, Birgitt Brinkman, Nancy Higgs and Jane Campbell. Many of the adults learned from the student that in recent years ‘going steady’ has been redefined by them. The ’steady’, and this was agreed upon by both boys and girls, is someone you like better than other friends, yet there is usually no thought of the friendship ever developing into an engagement or marriage. There isn’t the deep feeling attached to “going steady” that parents think. 

    Fire early this morning totally destroyed the large barn on the farm of Tom Blair, in Tay Township, near Ebenezer. Five Midland firemen took equipment to the scene but could do little to save the barn in sub-zero temperature. Aided by neighbours Mr. Blair was able to remove 24 head of cattle and 18 pigs but 100 rabbits perished in the fire. Also lost were grain and vegetable crops. 

    A well known radio personality in the Midland area, John McCullough has joined the staff of H. J. Thompson and Sons, it was announced Wednesday by Ernie Mink, sales manager of the firm. Active in community affairs, Mr. McCullough is a member of the Y’s Men’s Club and the Georgian Bay Hunters and Anglers. During the past year he was one of the leading figures in the formation of school traffic safety patrols in Midland. Mr. McCullough was born and educated in New Liskeard and graduated in radio and TV arts from Ryerson Institute, Toronto, in 1959. 

BIRTHS 
BARREN — To Mr. and Mrs. Peter Barren, Waubaushene, at St. Andrews Hospital, Jan. 26, a son.
BERRIAULT – To Mr. and Mrs. Howard Berriault, 315 Princess Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Jan. 29, a daughter.
CADEAU — To Mr. and Mrs. Emery Cadeau, Victoria Harbour, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Jan. 20, twins, (a boy and a girl).
DESJARDIN — To Mr. and Mrs. Leo Desjardin, 86 Robert Street West, Penetanguishene, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Jan. 23, a son.
HENDRICKSON — To Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hendrickson, 137 Fourth Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Jan. 29, a daughter.
LE GARD — To Mr. and Mrs. Harold Le Gard, Coldwater, on Jan. 26, 1962, at Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Orillia, a daughter.
O’ROURKE — To Mr. and Mrs. Ray O’Rourke, 18 Noreen Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Jan. 27, a daughter.
 SMITH — To Mr. and Mrs. Donald Smith, 385 William Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Jan. 28, a daughter. 

OBITUARY
MRS. ROBERT CARSON – A lifetime resident of Midland and district, Elsie Sarah Carson, widow, of Captain Robert Carson, died in St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Jan. 3 following a brief illness. Daughter of Thomas and Eliza Smith and a member of one of this area’s pioneer families, she was born in Tiny Township Jan. 14, 1885. Although a Presbyterian most of her life, Mrs. Carson was the first baby on the first cradle roll of St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Midland, to be christened. She attended school in Tiny. On June 27, 1912, in Penetanguishene, she was married to Captain Robert Carson. He predeceased her in May, 1944. She was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church, of the Eastern Star, Midland Horticultural Society, the Midland Women’s Progressive-Conservative Association, and served several terms as a committee member of the flower section of Tiny and Tay Agricultural Society. She was active in the work of Knox Church W.A. Her main interests were her home and her family. Funeral service, conducted by Rev. J. L. Self, was held at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home Jan. 6. Temporary entombment was in Lakeview Cemetery vault. Burial will take place in St. Mark’s Cemetery, Midland. Pallbearers were William Salisbury, Frank  Doherty, Al Bremner, Charles Scott, Bert Smith and John Mackie. Mrs. Carson is survived by sons Robert, Midland, and Verne, Sault Ste Marie, a daughter Ann, Midland, brothers Oliver H. Smith QC, Midland, and Edwin A. Smith, living on the original family homestead in Tiny, and a sister, Dora A. Smith, Toronto. 

The more than 1,500 fans at the Midland-Collingwood game Wednesday night were on their feet most of the night cheering the torrid action, by both teams. A portion of the crowd is seen above as Flyers bombarded veteran Harry Lumley in the first period. Flyers won 6-4. 

“Stairway to the Stars”, editorial page photo. 

This huge “get well” telegram should help cheer up George Westfall as he recuperates in Oshawa General Hospital following eye surgery. One of the Midland Flyer’s most popular players this year, Westfall suffered a severe eye injury in a game in Midland three weeks ago. Watching CN telegraph operator Bill Mitchell send the seven foot long message are left to right, Norm Savage, “Rinks” Switzer and Clare Allsopp. 

    The February 7^th copy of the Free Press Herald is missing the first section and two pages from the second section. There are probably eight pages missing in total, including the front page. They are not on the micro-film and we have not pulled the original newspaper to see if it was just missed during the original photographing. The papers, now being 60 years old, do not like to be handled. If and when we digitize the newspapers in the collection that have not been copied, these missing sections will be investigated. 

Smoking ruins are all that is left of this big barn on the Tom Blair farm in Tay Township, near Ebenezer. Fire completely destroyed the barn and the field crops inside but neighbours helped Mr. Blair remove all the stock except 100 rabbits. The fire occurred early Friday morning. 

CUT COUNTY LEVY HALF-MILL, SEE FURTHER CUTS ‘63
County Herald headline of February 9, 1962. 

Meeting in Barrie yesterday, Simcoe County Council accepted general and road levies totalling 11.3 mill, a reduction of half a mill from the previous year. Based on an equalized assessment of $125,921,606 the 7.5 mill general levy will raise $944,412. The 3.8 road levy will raise $478,502, making a total of $1,422,914. 

    District students fared well in the Royal Conservatory of Music piano examinations held last week in Regent School. The results were announced yesterday from Toronto. A Penetang youngster, Anne Webster, copped honors in Grade 9 piano, and Gail Richardson and Eleanor Boden, both of Midland, were also awarded honors for Grade 8 piano. Other successful students were, Peggy Krochko, Grade 7; Fred Hacker and Andrew Zgudziak, Grade 6; Dianna Marcellus and Dorothy King, Grade 5; Julia Farewell, Grade 3; Mary Lea Rutherford, Michael Dragoman, David Webster and Michelle Gauthier, also were awarded honors in their class. 

     A six-week special militia training program will be held in Midland from Feb. 27 to April 6, it was announced yesterday by Canadian Army officials. The course, to be held in the armouries is open to men between the ages 18 and 50. They will be paid $40 a week while training. 

BIRTHS
HOOK — To Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Hook, 68 Church Street, Penetang, at St. Andrews Hospital, Jan. 31, a son.
PARRISH — To Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Parrish, 189 King Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Feb. 4, a son.
BELANGER — To Mr. and Mrs. Rheal (Ray) Belanger, 268 Eighth Street, Midland, at Penetang General Hospital, Jan. 22, a son.
DESROCHES — To Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Desroches, Elmvale, at Penetang General Hospital, Jan 26, a daughter.
DWINNELL — To Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Dwinnell, Elmvale, at
Penetang General Hospital, Jan. 28, a son.
DOWNER – To Mr. and Mrs. Gary Downer, 329 First Street, Collingwood, at St. Andrews Hospital, Feb. 3, a son.
DUNCLIFFE — To Mr. and Mrs. Frank Duncliffe, Waubaushene, at St. Andrews Hospital, Feb. 5, a daughter. 

    Watching carefully is Mrs. Salisbury as Mrs. Bill Cowan, left, and Mrs. P. Roberts fit the various pieces of leather together to make a purse. The three ladies are members of the Senior Citizens Club that meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons at the Y. Any senior folks interested in joining are asked to contact Ray Ruggles at 526-7528. The club was formed before Christmas and already has 18 members. 

Another of the many activities carried on at the Y is an art class Monday and Thursday afternoons under the direction of Duncan Armbrest of Midland. The course lasting six weeks is open to anyone who would like to learn the basic rules of painting. In the above photo Mr. Armbrest is showing Mrs. D. Leigh the proper way to touch-up some light shading. Anyone interested in art is asked to get in touch with Dave Docherty at the Y. 

Being taught to make several kinds of purses and other leather goods by instructor Mrs. H. J. Brown, centre, are two of Midland’s senior citizens, Mrs. E. M. Salisbury, left, and Mrs. Ray Ruggles. Classes are held every Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the YMCA. As well as leather work, several other courses are on the agenda including dressmaking, sewing and pattern making. 

Two Midland organizations got financial boosts from the Midland Rotary Club at the latter’s dinner meeting Tuesday night. Rev. Len Self is seen accepting a cheque for $50 to help carry on Little NHL programs from Rotarian’s “Chuck” Stelter left, and Bob Scott. 

Mrs. Jack Banks, president of the Huronia Retarded Children’s Association, receives $100 cheque from Rotary members, Jim Henry, left, and Lorne Garrow.

Residents of the Midland area felt they have all the snow and ice in North America on their doorsteps this winter, however, this provides fun for many, if not all. Jutta Bechmann and Dieter Bauer start out from the chalet for a spin up and down the hills of the Midland Ski Club.   

Some lads from Midland take on a Victoria Harbour team on the Harbour’s open-air rink. 

 We include the picture of this well known Midland couple to recognize Lillian who was a much loved volunteer at Huronia Museum for many years after retiring from a career at town hall that began in 1975.

“SUBSIDY OR NO BUSES” WARNS FRANCHISE HOLDER
Free Press Herald headline of February 14, 1962. 

Threatening to pull his buses off town streets unless paid an operating subsidy, Laval Dubeau, Penetang-Midland Coach Lines owner, appealed to Midland council Monday night for help in the face of dwindling revenues. He told council that 1961 was the worst financially the company has experienced since the service was inaugurated 14-years-ago. Revenue last year was $12,865 compared to $20,964 in 1949. “Unless some assistance is promised by March 14, bus transportation will cease in Midland,” Mr. Dubeau warned.  The company has operated the Midland service since 1948. Its 10-year franchise expired in 1958 and since that time it has continued without any formal agreement. In asking for financial help, Mr. Dubeau outlined in detail the operations from 1948 through 1961. Out of a total revenue of $12,865 last year, the company showed a balance of $840.12 after paying wages, gas and oil, passenger insurance, tires and licences.  

    Tribute to a fallen Victoria Harbour soldier was paid recently by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Pte. John Albert Belfry is being honoured by the government with the naming of a lake after him. To be known as Belfry Lake, it is located 15 miles northwest of Parry Sound. The announcement was received several weeks ago by his son Donald, and the former Mrs. Belfry, now Mrs. Alvin Wilson of Victoria Harbour. Pte. Belfry was born in Midland in 1920 and attended Victoria Harbour Public School. Prior to enlisting he sailed the Great Lakes. He joined the Royal Canadian Artillery March 24, 1943 and trained as a gunner at Simcoe and Petawawa Ontario, and Debert and Windsor, Nova Scotia. He went overseas in December of 1943. In May 1944 he was transferred to the Royal Canadian Army Service Corp as a driver. Pte. Belfry saw action in France and Holland before he was wounded Dec. 20, 1944. He died Dec. 22, 1944. He is buried in Bergen op Zoom Cemetery, Holland. 

25 YEARS AGO
David Hurrie, member of the Midland Public Utilities Commission, was elected Georgian Bay District Director of the Ontario Municipal Electric Association. * * * “Publicizing the Town of Midland” was the topic of John C. Kirkwood, internationally famous advertising expert, when he spoke to a joint meeting of Midland Kiwanis Club,  and Midland council and Chamber of Commerce representatives. * * * In appreciation of his many years of service to Knox Presbyterian Church, N. L. Playfair was presented with a purse of gold by T. C. Luke on behalf of the managers and congregation at the church’s annual meeting. * * * Following a petition signed by most Midland  merchants, the town council approved the Wednesday half-day closing of stores during the months of January, February, March, April, May, September, October and November. * * * Midland council passed a resolution calling upon the federal and provincial governments to take over the cost of relief. * * * St. Mark’s Anglican Church Dramatic Society presented the comedy play “The Jonah” in the parish hall. * * * Due to the lack of snow, Midland’s second annual winter carnival had to be cancelled indefinitely. * * * Midland Garments Limited, left Midland and moved their factory to Montreal. * * * Midland council voted themselves indemnities of $5 each per meeting with the mayor receiving, $375 per annum. Aldermen V. G. Edwards and George Tatham voted against the indemnities and announced they had no intention of accepting any. 

Visit of Montreal Canadiens’ famed Maurice “Rocket” Richard proved to be one of the highlights of last week’s sitting of Simcoe County Council. Councillors proved just as enthusiastic as school kids in getting his autograph. Line up, left to right are; Reeve Dalt Jermey, Medonte; Deputy-Reeve Bernard St. Amant, Penetang; Reeve Art Argue, Midland; Reeve Lawrence Devine, Coldwater, himself a former NHL player; and Reeve Montcalm Maurice, Tiny, who conveyed council’s greetings in French to the, “Rocket”. [The man on the right was not identified in the newspaper.]

Chosen to carry the Liberal banner in the next Federal election is John MacIsaac, right. Others attending the meeting were, left to right, Reeve Montcalm Maurice, Tiny Township; J. W. Pickersgill, M.P. and Mrs. Rose Manning, Coldwater. 

The five finalists in the Queen of Hearts contest are pictured here with Roxy theatre manager Wilf LaRose. The queen who will be chosen tomorrow night at the theatre, will receive many prizes from Midland merchants. Finalists are front row Pat Bate, Margaret Spicer and Bonnie Rourke. Standing beside Mr. LaRose are Sharon Dubeau at left and Betty Trace. 

“Out of Service” editorial page photo. A ’loiterer’ is the subject of today’s editorial page picture. It is one of the buoys that hangs around Midland dock from late fall until early spring. In the background is the Canadian government ship Alexander Henry.