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.  

BOARD TURNS DOWN LOAN FOR FOUR ROOM ADDITION
Free Press Herald headline of April 25, 1962. 

I feel confident the Ontario Municipal Board will give us approval for the $50,000 debenture loan once they have considered all the facts. They’re telling us to save money. And we’re showing them how this can be done.” This was the statement made yesterday by G. J. Robillard, Penetang Public School Board chairman, when questioned regarding the board’s refusal to grant the loan. The school board had asked permission to issue a $50,000 debenture to cover the cost of a four-room addition to the new 17-room school now under  construction in Penetang. According to Clerk-treasurer A. Doucette, the municipal board refused permission on the grounds that Penetang had reached the limit of its borrowing. He said no consideration had been given to the new assessment completed last fall. Mr. Doucette said he had been assured yesterday that the municipal board is again considering the matter and will take the new assessment into consideration. 

     A Willowdale man who tempted fate by riding on the unprotected back end of a motor scoot, is in St. Andrews Hospital with a badly gashed right arm. Police who investigated the accident said that Harry Millman, 41, was lucky he wasn’t decapitated. 

        Midnight Friday is T-Day for fishermen all over Ontario. It’s the day they get back on their favorite streams, in search of the wily trout. Around North Simcoe, fishermen will find the streams ice free and normal, verging on low, as far as water is concerned. A gradual run-off of winter snows and lack of spring rains has eliminated the hazard of flood conditions. The Sturgeon and Coldwater Rivers will again be the mecca for the Isaac Walton’s in search for the big fellows, the rainbows or steelheads. Many smaller streams in the area will have their complement of fans trying their luck for speckled trout. 

    Five ships which were stalled in heavy ice in Whitefish Bay, Lake Superior, were freed by the ice-breaker Alexander Henry last week. F. K. McKean, district marine agent, Department of Transport told this newspaper. Mr. McKean said the Coverdale, Sir James Dunn, T. R. McLagan, Fort Henry and Georgian Bay were the freighters stalled in the pack ice. The Fort Henry was headed for the Lakehead for wheat and the other bulk carriers were up bound for cargoes of ore. 

    At a recent meeting of the Georgian Bay Hunters and Anglers Association, an anticipated addition to the club house was announced by Harold Kettle, president of the association. Members were told that the addition would include kitchen, washroom and cloakroom facilities. Estimated cost is around $1,500.00. The club owns 100 acres of Ogden’s Beach Road, east of Midland. 

    Bob Scott was named the new president of Midland Hurons Baseball Club at a meeting held in the municipal building, recently. About 20 persons turned out for the meeting, which saw Al Jensen named treasurer, Doug Reid secretary, and Bruce Armstrong placed in charge of publicity. Gord Dyment and Buzz Deschamp will represent the players on the executive. Big problem at the moment is the securing of a coach. Practices have already started at Town Park. 

BIRTHS
QUINN — To Mr. and Mrs. “Bud” Quinn (nee Nancy White), Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, at St. Paul’s Hospital, March 31, a daughter.
MOREAU — To Mr. and Mrs. Donat Moreau, 120 Sixth, Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital April 7, a son.
NOACK — To Mr. and Paul Noack, 126 Fourth Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, April 11, a son.
BELCOURT – To Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Belcourt, Robert Street, East, Penetang, at Penetang General Hospital, April 5, a daughter.
CASCAGNETTE — To Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Cascagnette, 12 Robert Street Lane, Penetang, at Penetang General Hospital, April 8, a daughter.
COLUMBUS – To Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Columbus, Elmvale, at Penetang General Hospital, April 1, a son.
DESROCHES — To Mr. and Mrs. Norbert Desroches, Lafontaine, at Penetang General Hospital, April 12, a son.
EDWARDS — To Mr. and Mrs. Neil Edwards, Wasaga Beach, at Penetang General Hospital, April 2, a daughter.
DONALDSON — Carol and Ted are happy to announce the arrival of an 8 pound 15 ounce daughter. Heather Caroline, at the General Hospital, Parry Sound, on Tuesday, April 17, 1962. A sister for Paul, Mary Jane and Susanne, and a granddaughter for Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Megaw.
OAKLEY – Glenn-Robin is happy to announce the arrival of his baby brother, Bradley Warren Oakley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Oakley, Midland, on Thursday, April 19, 1962. 

    COLDWATER — Frank Russell, who died at his Port Severn home last week in his 79^th year, was widely known in the Severn River area. He operated a general store and post office at Port Severn for many years. Surviving besides his wife are two brothers, Clarence of Waubaushene, and William E., Toronto. 

TEN YEARS AGO
In its war against stray dogs and determined not to do things by halves. Penetang council appointed six dog catchers instead of the usual one. * * * John L. Tipping was elected president of Coldwater’s first horticultural society when interested citizens met in St.  Matthias parish hall. * * * Copeland Flour Mills Ltd., Midland and Renown Mills Ltd., Calgary, were merged with Pillsbury Mills, one of the largest U.S. milling corporations. * * * Midland council authorized a new warning system for its firefighters when it approved the purchase of a transmitter base station for the fire hall and 23 receivers to be placed in the homes of the town’s volunteer firemen. The cost was $3,144.80 installed. * * * St. Mark’s Anglican Church Young People’s Group presented the comedy “Here Comes Charlie” for three successive nights to capacity audiences in their parish hall. Midland. * * * Leamington Falcons defeated Midland Merchants, 79-46, in the last game of the Intermediate “C” Ontario basketball finals at the Midland YMCA. * * * Midland council authorized the purchase of the old Legion hall on Midland Ave., from Midland Branch 80, for the sum of $5,500. * * * Dr. James Small was elected president of the Midland Curling Club and E. H. Nicholson 1st vice-president.   

Top girls at Midland Ski Club this past season were, left to right, Fran Brodeur, Lynn McAllen and Jane Edwards. They were presented with trophies won in downhill and slalom events in club competitions during the busy season just ended.

Although the temperature reached the 70’s during the Easter weekend, there was still snow around to the delight of some sport fans and the reverse to others. Murray Yorke has found a new kind of hazard in the form of a snow bank at Midland Golf and Country Club. 

Well over 60 delegates attended the spring meeting of the Georgian Bay Waterworks Conference, held in the Legion Hall, Midland, last week. In TOP picture, Frank Holmes, left, and Stewart Holt, of Midland PUC, examine one of several types-of water meters on display. Three Penetang delegates, Martin Quigley, Jerry Kaus and R. J. Gauthier, are looking over a new-type valve in bottom picture. 

“Churning Water Marks Season’s Opening” editorial page photo. 

Construction of this new 17-room public school building at Penetang is progressing rapidly with the advent of spring weather. Work was held up through the winter when heavy snows prevented workmen from installing roof. 

These happy girls are members of the Regent School team which won the Midland Public Schools basketball title. Left to right are, front row—Lois Belsey, Renate Matthias, Lesley Longworth, Valerie Harmsworth, Marilyn Jackson; Second row—Joan Fish, Lee Gilmore, Penny Vaillancourt, Carol Banting; Third row—Jo-Ella Courriere, Susan Heels, Mrs. Doris Barrett, coach, Valerie Somers, Ruth McQuirter. Not present when picture was taken was Judy Wilcox. 

Regent public school won two basketball titles this year. Boys’ team includes, left to right, front row, Ian Dalrymple, Rickey Leaney, Calvin Todd, Herb Chapman; Second row—Brian Merkley, Laurie Thomas, Dennis Brabant; third row—Gerrit Huvers, Gary Crawford, Doug Langley, Bill Fish; Back row—Jurgen Baumann, coach Ken Trew, and Art McComb. 

A lot of hard work was lost as well as the building, when this large home, being re-modelled into three apartments, was destroyed by fire Thursday night. Located on the south-east corner of Bay and Sixth St. Midland, it was owned by Mr. and Mrs. George Haskill. Fire Chief Arnold Tippin said yesterday the financial loss has not been determined. The building will have to be demolished.

Midland firemen spent several hours fighting the worst fire in town in several months Thursday night and early Friday morning. Several members of the brigade are seen above at the height of the fire which destroyed the building owned by Mr. and Mrs. George Haskill at Bay and Sixth Streets. 

DEFICIT HITS $27,380 BLAME BUDGET PLANNING
County Herald headline of April 27, 1962. 

Miscalculations in budgeting combined with over-expenditures created a deficit of $27,380 in 1961 for Penetanguishene, according to an auditor’s report released to mayor and council this week by A. F. MacLaren and Company, Barrie. An unexpected increase of $8,000 in revenue prevented the deficit from going higher. A review of the figures would indicate council had budgeted for a deficit of $21,751. Once a budget is set, the general rule is that there is no authority to spend beyond this amount. A look at schedule “D” shows that all departments, with two exceptions, overspent by various amounts. 

    Frank Doherty of R. R. 2 Midland will be one of the busiest men in Simcoe County between now and June 18 when the federal election will be held. Mr. Doherty has been appointed returning officer for East Simcoe. The riding includes Midland, Penetang, Orillia, and the townships of Tiny, Tay, Matchedash, Orillia, Oro, Medonte and part of Baxter. At his headquarters on Highway 27 near Midland, Mr. Doherty will be responsible for appointing enumerators, drawing up voter’s lists and posting proclamations. 

    A Pembroke, Ont., woman who gave her life trying to save a mother and child from drowning in the MacDonald River last July has been awarded a post-humous award for heroism. Noreen Anne Harvey, 38, a non-swimmer, jumped into 10 feet of water to help Mrs. Rachael Wright, another non-swimmer, and her four-year-old son. All three drowned. The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission will send a bronze medal to Miss Harvey’s father. 

    Treatment of a 12-year-old partially crippled polio victim has sparked an inquiry into living conditions in a North Simcoe home Simcoe County Children’s Aid Society. Magistrate K. A. Cameron ordered the investigation after being told that the boy was found tied to a kitchen stove with an extension cord. He was taken from his parent’s home late yesterday afternoon by CAS officials and placed under government care in Orillia. 

    Two Victoria Harbour area men were given further jail terms when they appeared for sentence Wednesday before Magistrate K. A. Cameron in Midland police court after a two-week remand in custody. Robert 20, was given three months and Fred, 28, one month. In court earlier, the two men admitted stealing two pigs from Bert Waples and a pure-bred steer from Nelson Jones in April. The animals had been shot and cut up for meat. 

“If we want to keep our tourists, we must fill the role of good hosts at all times.” So said Willard Kinzie, ex-Barrie mayor and now Zone 3 chairman of the Georgian Bay Development Association in an address at St. Paul’s United Church, Wednesday evening.  Mr. Kinzie was speaking to a joint meeting of United, Presbyterian and Anglican Church Men’s Clubs. Walter Lumsden (Knox), Willard Kinzie, Clint Truax (St. Paul’s) 

Midland will have two teams in the Little NHL Ontario finals at Cobourg this weekend. Seen above is the junior “A” team. Left to right are, kneeling, Brian Phillips, Bill Deschamp, Jim Holden, Dale Simpson, Ted Edgar, Mike Dragoman, Stephen Stanway: standing: John McLaughlin, Wayne King, Doug Cable, Gary Valcheff, Larry Sauve, Danny Willette, Doug Hamelin and Mike Laurin, team captain. At rear is Henry Valcheff, manager, and coach Dennis Anderson. 

Public school pupils at Victoria Harbour will move to a brand new building next September. Still under construction, the new school is in a safe location, well off the highway. Old school, located on busy Highway 12 at the west end of the village, caused both motorists and parents much concern for the safety of the children. 

“Last Signs of Winter” editorial page photo. This range marker on Midland Point is a familiar sight to small craft going to and from Honey Harbour. Across the water in middle background is Present Island. 

When I saw this ad it reminded me of a previous post from February 1961 when the store opened. That caption read; The small corner grocery store that used to be known as Ken’s Marketeria at 170 Fifth Street is no more. Now three times as large it has blossomed forth as Ken’s Carload Marketeria, a greatly enlarged and remodelled building. Born and raised in Midland, Ken Crawford operated the old store on the same site for the past nine years. Last fall Burke Construction Co. began the work which has resulted in the sparkling new retail store on Fifth, at the corner of Montreal. In keeping with the larger building, Mr. Crawford has extended his lines to include meats, groceries, fruits, candy, drugs and sundries— “all the things you can get at the big stores downtown.” the proud owner pointed out. Ken was just a boy when he began learning the meat business under the late W. J. Bowman in the store now occupied by Gianetto’s. He served 9 1/2 years with Mr. Bowman. This happy story had a grim ending as related to us by Ruth Jeanotte. ” Ken and his wife never had any children, they were in a terrible car accident in 1975, their car was hit from behind and the gas tank blew, he fought to get his wife out of the car and he was badly burnt, his wife died of her injuries, he later worked at Loblaws store on King St. and Elizabeth.”

Just a reminder from County Herald staffer Cathy MacAllister to set your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night. Daylight saving time starts officially at 12:01 a.m. Sunday and continues till Oct. 28.