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. 

 “SANITARY LAND-FILL PLAN AWAITS OWRC APPROVAL”
Free Press Herald August 1, 1962, headline. 

Introduction of Midland’s new garbage disposal system now only awaits the approval of the Ontario Water Resources Commission, Reeve Arthur Argue told council Monday night. Mr. Argue, chairman of council’s sanitation committee, said the sanitary land-fill garbage disposal site is to be located on property leased from Canadian National Railways north of Vindin Street. Simcoe County Health Unit officials have approved the site and are now discussing the project with the OWRC authorities, Reeve Argue said. RECLAIM LAND At the reeve’ recommendation the town will request the CNR to construct the necessary grade crossing over the tracks on the road leading to the new site. The sanitary land-fill method of disposal will be used, it was stated. 

-Midland’s newest Industry — KIL — will get underway slowly this week but should be really rolling in another week, an official said. KIL actually stands for two companies — Kitchen Installations Ltd., the parent company, and Kindred Industries Ltd., its subsidiary, president and general manager Robbert Hartog told this paper in an interview Monday. KIL began on a small scale in Toronto in November, 1946, making commercial kitchens. About ten years later the firm moved to a larger plant in Ajax. This spring work began on the new Midland plant. Why Midland? “We came here after extensive studies of 26 Ontario municipalities,” said Mr. Hartog. Midland won out on the rating system commonly used by most manufacturers looking for new locations. High on the list is the character of workers available, and good transportation. “We were looking for a small town with diversified industry,” said the Holland-born Hartog. Mr. Hartog came to Canada in 1940 and was soon snapped up in the intelligence service during the war. After hostilities ceased he entered University of Toronto where he got his masters degree in economics. Then he made his start in the manufacturing field. The firm now specializes in three fields — stainless steel sinks, restaurant pans, and ductless steel hoods. It is reported to be the largest company in Canada in the stainless steel sink field, most of the product being for homes. Restaurant pans are used for steam tables, refrigeration units, soda fountains and other restaurant operations. Steel sinks made in the Midland plant will find their way into many countries, as well as provinces in Canada. 

-Change site for new school union school. Construction began Tuesday on the new Union Public School, originally planned to be built in Wyebridge, announced board member Graham Jones. The new site north of the Arthur Gardiner property on Simcoe County reforestation land, has been graded already. Construction deadline is Jan. 1, 1963, said Mr. Jones. We had to give up the Wyebridge site because tenders were too high for our funds. No well could be dug and the water problems raised construction tenders,” Mr. Jones reported. “The school was originally supposed to open for September 1 but the change in site and other problems have delayed it until the new year.” he explained. The four-room cement-block covered- by-brick structure, costing $76,870 will make obsolete three former schools; MacDonald School No. 21; Evergreen School No. 3: and Wyebridge School No. 5. Approximately 100 students will attend the 120 by 60-foot schoolhouse, revealed Mr. Jones.

– POTATO BALLS POISONOUS SAYS FLORIST A number of readers have called at the Free Press Herald office to explain that the small, tomato-like objects which sometimes grow on potato plants are not tomatoes. The calls came after a recent picture in this paper of the odd-type growth in a garden at Paradise Point, Port McNicoll. Although the small, round objects look like tomatoes, and smell like tomatoes, they are known as potato balls, say the experts. Apparently they are fairly common to most area gardeners. If the potato balls are planted, and their seed replanted for two more years, they will produce potatoes, possibly a new variety, one expert told this paper. Ed Fox, Midland florist, advised Tuesday, potato balls are poisonous and should not be eaten. (Potatoes are part of the nightshade family) 

– Midland council passed its supplementary road by-law for consideration of the Department of Highways at a long session Monday night. It was 1 a.m. Tuesday before the council members decided they had had enough for one night. In all, the agenda included 16 items, eight of them by-laws. One of the latter authorized the borrowing of $100,000 to carry on town affairs until the taxes start coming in. Clerk W. A. Hack estimated enough taxes should be in within two or three weeks to retire the loan. Council spent until almost midnight going over prospective work on the roads, ward by ward, with town engineer Ulo Luksep. The bylaw will seek $150,000 from the Department of Highways. $30,000 for new construction and $20,000 for maintenance. The latter, has been pretty well used up by snow clearance costs, it was stated. Mr. Luksep recommended paving on a number of streets that are ready for permanent surfaces. Among them were Sixth Street, from Dominion Ave. to Victoria Street; Lindsay Street, between Hugel and Elizabeth; Hugel Ave., between George and Russell and Hanley and Scott Streets. 

– Three-quarters of a mile of dust and washboard gravel was eliminated this week when contractors finished paving the southerly portion of the Champlain Road. Council recently instructed the engineer to call for tenders on the balance of four miles of this road which had been taken over by the Department of Highways as a development road.

– Busy as the proverbial bee and nearly as productive were Midland Indians of the South Simcoe Baseball League over the past weekend. The Tribe, in seeking to nail down the top spot in the loop’s northern section, packed in two “away games” and one home game within a space of 48 hours while grabbing off five of six points available.  

BIRTHS
AYOTTE — To Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Ayotte, 89 Main Street, Penetanguishene, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, July 13, a son.
BAKS — To Mr. and Mrs. Frank Baks, R.R. 1. Elmvale, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, July 12, a daughter.
DESROCHERS — To Mr. and Mrs. John Desrochers, 10 Maria Street, Penetanguishene, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, July 12, a daughter.
DESROCHES — To Mr. and Mrs. Paul Desroches, Perkinsfield, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, July 7, a daughter.
DUMAIS — To Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Dumais, 3 Victory Crescent, Penetanguishene,  at Penetanguishene General Hospital, July 21, a son.
LACROIX — To Mr. and Mrs. Marcel Lacroix, 29 Water Street, Penetanguishene, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, July 17, a daughter.
LAURIN — To Mr. and Mrs.  Maurice Laurin, 31 Poyntz Street, Penetanguishene, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, July 12, a son.
LESPERANCE — To Mr. and Mrs. Leo Lesperance, R. R. 1. Perkinsfield, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, July 10, a daughter.
MARCHAND — To Mr. and Mrs. Armand Marchand, 170 Main Street, Penetanguishene, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, a son.
MAURICE — To Mr. and Mrs. Remi Maurice, 155 Main Street, Penetanguishene, at the Penetanguishene General Hospital, July 10, a son.
PAUS — To Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Paus, 172 Main Street, Penetanguishene, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, July 11, a daughter.
RITCHIE — To Mr. and Mrs. Ken Ritchie, Elmvale, at Penetanguishene General Hospital,  July 15, twin sons.
THOMPSON — To Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Thompson, Hillsdale, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, July 14, a daughter.
VALLEE — To Mr. and Mrs. Armand Vallee, R.R. 2, Penetanguishene, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, July 15, a daughter.
CRAWLEY — To Mr. and Mrs. John Crawley, Vindin Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, July 26, a son.
HARTLEY — To Mr. and Mrs. Brian Hartley, (nee Anne Mackell), Toronto, at Wellesley Hospital, August 1, a son.
MCLAUGHLIN – Mr. and Mrs. Robert McLaughlin, 89 Scott Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, July 28, a daughter.
PILON – To Mr. and Mrs. James Pilon, Port Severn, at St. Andrews Hospital, July 28, a daughter. 

25 Years Ago – 1937
More than 10,000 spectators attended two performances of “The Pageant of the Jesuit Martyr Saints” staged under lights at the Shrine. A cast, more than 100 strong, acted their parts on a raised stage set among a grove of trees. The stage contained teepees, Indian long houses and a chapel built entirely of birch bark. Shrine officials commented the general level of production exceeded the 1936 performance. * * * Ontario Hospital patients, Penetanguishene, donated a scale model of St. James-on-the- Lines Church to Rev. R. T. C. Dwelly, rector. The presentation was made on the 101^st anniversary of the establishment of the church. * * * George White, an 83-year-oId “young” camper at Little Lake Park’s motor camp, besides being the oldest camper at the park had a claim to fame, he told the Free Press.  Mr. White, as a young boy in his native England, knew General Wm. Booth, founder of the Salvation Army. He recalled General Booth once dined at his parents’ home and that he had attended the first open-air meeting of the Salvation Army. * * * In the third remote broadcast aboard S.S. Georgian announcer Herb May, of “Happy Gang” fame, interviewed passengers arriving in Midland to take part in the Kiwanis carnival. Crowds estimated at 7,000 came from Toronto for the Civic holiday weekend. More than 500 tents were pitched in Little Lake Park, reported superintendent H. H. McGill. * * * Col. George Blackstock, “Admiral” of the fleet, staged a naval review of cottagers’ boats at Minnicognashene, complete with a one-shot cannon salute from flagship Cleopatra the ships of the line passed in review. * * * Fourteen Canadian Legion branches from Zone 12 drew nearly 1,000 members to Midland for a parade and picnic. Later that evening a banquet honoring the veterans was held in the newly opened Georgian Hotel. Midland soldiers triumphed over combined Orillia and Barrie opponents to take both the tug-of-war and softball laurels. * * * Little Lake Park drew 5,000 spectators to see local starlets perform in a Kiwanis Club sponsored amateur ‘hour.’ Before the regular program the crowd joined in a sing-along. * * *  Ocean-going luxury yacht “Bidou” out of New York, docked briefly in Midland to allow millionaire owner, J. W. Droll, machinery manufacturer, and his family to see the sights. The 124-foot craft had recently cruised the West Indies and had just arrived via the outside passage from Parry Sound. Capt. E. P. Rodstrom commented, “The scenery along Georgian Bay is as fine as any I’ve seen.” 

– For $10 each, hunters next month will get a chance to bag two pheasants in shoots to be held at Christian Island Indian Reserve. For another $6 the Indians will guarantee any hunter two birds, even if they have to sprinkle salt on the birds’ tail and wring their neck. Something like going to the fish market on the way home if you don’t have any luck with rod and reel. 

Workmen are busy this week installing machinery in the new Kindred Industries plant on Highway 12, in the south-east end of Midland. E. R. Measures, member of an equipment engineering firm, sets up a giant sized washing machine. This one uses chemicals to wash the buffing compound off sinks. 

Workmen are busy this week installing machinery in the new Kindred Industries plant on Highway 12, in the south-east end of Midland. Works manager Vic Wilcox examines one of the new GE tunnel ovens used in baking the undercoating on various products. The ovens will eventually hang from the ceiling.

A nightmare of wires and lights to the layman, this electronic panel controls the automatic polishers at the new Kindred Industries Ltd., plant in Midland. Maintenance supervisor at the plant, Ernest Pominville checks diagram during set-up operations.

Officials of Christian Island Indian Reserve (Now Beausoleil First Nation) have expressed the hope that someday some group will undertake the restoration, at least in part, of Fort Ste. Marie 11, site of a Jesuit Mission in 1649-50. As this Historic Sites and monuments Board of Canada plaque indicates, “here the Hurons made the last stand against the Iroquois”. Seen above are Councillor Ed Sandy, left, and Lewis Jackson, secretary of the Indian band. 

North Simcoe has another new dining room in Norm Haugen’s chicken bar-b-que, now open for business. The restaurant is located in Midland’s south-east end adjacent to the new Kindred Industries plant and Martyrs’ Shrine, on Highway 12. 

Editorial page photo entitled; “Vista at Midland’s Little Lake”. Mini golf or mini putt in this photo. 

These officials of the Christian Island Reserve, (Now Beausoleil First Nation) are standing in front of a pen containing some of the 4,000 pheasants which hunters will be able to shoot, for a fee, starting in September. Left to right are Councillors Ed Sandy, Lewis Jackson secretary of the band, Chief Riley Roote, Councillor Leo Norton and George Copegog, who helped raise the birds. 

There will be some pheasant shooting on Christian Island, starting in September. Some of the 4,000 birds the band has raised are seen above. Councillor Ed Sandy, is holding a five-week-old bird. Proceeds from the shoot will go to build up the Christian Island group’s finances. 

Chief Riley Roote examines some two-week-old hatchlings. 

 “KERR PIPING PREPARES SPECAIL QUEBEC ORDER”
County Herald headline of August 3, 1962. 

Two great changes in less than a year have taken place at Kerr Piping Ltd., Midland, on the former site of Midland Shipyards. Kerr Piping is one of few Canadian firms capable of tackling one of the toughest of welding assignments, the heliarc root pass technique, an official said. Inheriting a long unused factory where once Great Lakes ships were born, a tiny work force has grown to more than 100 employees since last summer, and part of the plant has been modernized. Superintendent Sven Strom says he is proud of the firm’s two-fold accomplishment. A shipment of the specially welded incoloy tubes headed for a Shawinigan Falls, Quebec chemical plant stood 20 feet high as they were placed on a railroad flatcar by crane, Thursday. In some cases the tubes will have as little as two inches clearance at railway underpasses, he revealed. Before any welding job is shipped by truck or rail it must be radium x-rayed for welding flaws. Accordingly a separate building with radiation warning signs sits apart from the rest of the factory, Mr. Strom noted. “If the radium pill is left out of its protective container it is dangerous to anyone within 200 feet,” added Mr. Strom. In the factory yard a jungle of twisted pipe meets the eye like a giant metal puzzle. How are pipes for one job separated from another? “Quite simple. Each pipe bears a painted color identification mark so it can be easily sorted out,” explained the superintendent. Inside the main shop torches flash and cutting machines whir. “We make a lot of our own equipment and we have adapted some of the old shipyard machines”, Mr. Strom said. 

– Sheep shears were handy at the official opening of Simcoe County Museum, five miles north of Barrie at Midhurst Provincial Park, Wednesday afternoon. Hon. B. L. Cathcart, Ontario Minister of Travel and Publicity, used 100-year-old sheep shears to snip a red ribbon officially opening the $29,000 structure before a crowd of 250. Set in a grove of pine trees facing Highway 26 on reclaimed that was once only just blow sand, the museum is a study of contrasts. It’s ultra-modern architecture houses’ some artifacts estimated to be 10,000 years old. Indian and pioneer life in the area comes to life in a contemporary setting. Simcoe County Museum Board Chairman Tom Joslin, introduced Mr. Cathcart and was master of ceremonies. 

– In recent years, Penetanguishene citizens have been proud of a new modern hospital without knowing that the town had the distinction of possessing the first hospital ever established in this area. This week, Dr. Wilfrid W. Jury and his crew of “diggers” located the site on which a hospital was in operation about 1819. Old plans and archives give proof that this was the hospital connected with a naval base located- here along with the naval establishment during the war of 1812. Dr. Jury said the structure was 25 by 21 feet. Its location on the hillside overlooking the bay waters indicates it stood alongside a road leading from a lime kiln on the shore to the Masonic Arms Inn. The inn stood close to the present residence of the superintendent of the Ontario Hospital. 

Penny sale conducted by the Order of the Eastern Star in Midland in recent weeks came to an end Friday night. Some of the “customers” are seen above making last-minute selections just before the sale ended. Funds raised are used for benevolent purposes. 

Relaxing in the clubhouse after a busy day, these ladies were all finalists in the women’s division championships at Midland Golf and Country Club last week. Left to right, seated are the winners, Ruth Shaubel, 1st flight; Mrs. Cecil English, club champion; Mrs. Charles White, championship consolation, and Mrs. A. J. Preston, 1st flight consolation. Runners-up at rear are Mrs. Ted Brodeur, Mrs. Ken Lewis, Mrs. Bill Hack and Mrs. H. L. Wilson. —Staff photo.  

 

Things in this pond in Midland PUC’s water area north of Vindin Street have improved greatly since this picture was taken early in July. At that time use of garden hose was discontinued entirely. The water level has risen considerably in the last two weeks, but use of hoses is still restricted to three days weekly, PUC officials confirmed yesterday. 

“O.K. $33,000 TENDER FOR ARENA RENOVATIONS”
Free Press Herald headline from August 8, 1962. 

Midland will have a renovated arena in time for Tiny and Tay Agricultural Society’s Fall Fair, council decided at a special meeting Thursday. A $33,000 tender from Webster-Smallwood, Ltd., Midland, was approved. The arena’s 30-year-old piping system will be replaced; a finished-concrete floor surface installed and armor glass placed at either end of the rink, among other improvements, council heard. 

– A steady publicity campaign has netted bumper tourist dollar crops for Midland so far this summer, revealed R. B. Moffatt, chamber of commerce presi­dent, yesterday. “We’ve been plugging brochures and folders across Canada for several seasons now and this has been a culminating factor in the increased trade this summer, he pointed out. Mr. Moffatt was quick to point to popularity of Midland’s two information booths as one indication of the upswing. We had 5,340 people requesting information to the end of July as compared with 4,899 in 1961,” he reported. Huronia House Museum, Mid­land, backed up their claim to increased popularity with fig­ures. Compared with the same per­iod last year, we’re up more than 1,300 visitors since the museum opened June 1. To date we have had 19,221 persons inspect our exhibits, com­mented lecturer James Robin­son. 

– Ontario community swine auction sales have been banned in a bid to contain the hog chol­era outbreak. R. H. Graham, Ontario livestock commissioner, revealed last week. All swine exhibits at stock shows and fairs have been can­celled during August. If the situation is not reviewed until the end of the month there will be no swine at the Canadian National Exhibition this year, he added.

TEN YEARS AGO
Penetanguishene OPP made a saving of $I,000. after suggestions of police committee head G. V. Martin were adopted. OPP Barrie headquarters agreed to accept emergency calls and then radio patrol cars in the vicinity to speed up service. * * * Col. George Drew, Progressive Conservative’ opposition leader, visited Midland aboard the converted Fairmile cruiser Osceola, owned by G. C. Leitch. Edward Johnston, father of Mrs. Drew and famed Metropolitan Opera star was also In the group. * * * Waubaushene bathers were ordered to dry themselves thoroughly after swimming to avoid the “swimmer’s itch”, snail parasites carried to Waubaushene Bay by ducks were reported by Simcoe County Health Unit officials to be the cause of the skin irritation.” * * * Midland and Port McNicoll grain elevator officials reported the “biggest July grain movement in their history”. Officials blamed the United States steel strike for the grain-carrying boom. Lakers ordinarily carrying iron ore had switched instead to grain for the duration of the strike. At the normally slow period of the year, all five elevators reported being filled to capacity. * * * Employees of Ernst Leitz (Canada) Ltd., Midland, held a traditional German “richfest” to celebrate reaching the highest point of construction of their new plant. More than 200 residents turned out to witness the ceremony. Guenther Leitz, head of the firm, greeted guest Dr. Werner Dankwort, Republic of Germany’s ambassador to Canada. * * * According to Department of Highways announcements, the southern Ontario route of the TransCanada Highway would brush close to three North Simcoe communities, Coldwater, Waubaushene and Port Severn, all expected to benefit from the new road. From Port Severn north the road would strike into virgin territory until it   reached the Muskoka railway town of MacTier, it was reported. * * * Midland, armory construction neared completion. It was estimated the Nov. 11 official opening would give the 166^th Light Anti-aircraft Reserve Army unit headquarters before winter set in. Major Leslie H. Taylor said present strength of the unit was 40 men. * * * More than 1,000 chicken dinners were made by the women of St. Patrick’s Church, Perkinsfield, or their sixth annual garden party. Rev. A. J. Desaulniers, pastor, thanked workers and donors of prizes. 

– The clincher that Midland Indians have been seek­ing of late to nail down top spot in the northern sec­tion of the South Simcoe Baseball League finally came Sunday afternoon at Barrie as playing-coach Gord Dyment’s Tribe chalked up a 4-2 win over coach Howie Bush’s home-town Flyers. 

“What’s next?”, was the query these tireless youngsters posed weary counsellors at the field day held Friday in connection with Midland Y’s Men’s summer playground program at Little Lake Park. There were all kinds of races, both land and out of the water. Program ends Friday afternoon. 

Among the girls who won lots of prize ribbons at the field day held in conjunction with Midland Y’s Men’s summer playground program Friday were, left to right, Susan Hutton, Toronto, and Susan and Karen Markham of Midland. There were events on both land and water. 

Big sign telling of the Canadian ski jumping championships to be held in Midland next winter dwarfs Gail Salmon, Ottawa, and Lynne Baril, Toronto, guests at a tourist camp on Little Lake. Bathing suits were dandy this week, but officials hope for a little colder weather, with snow, for March. 

“Signs, signs, everywhere a sign” Tourists coming into Midland on Yonge Street get a lot of visual information before visiting the Chamber of Commerce booth.  Sign pollution!! 

All lined up and ready to go are the 17 youngsters, all 16 years of age or under, who took part in the “Cross Lake” swim at Little Lake Monday afternoon. 

Hundreds of spectators, from tourist camps, beach and town, greeted each arrival at the finish line with a big cheer. All but one of the 17 boys and girls who started, finished. 

Seen here are the boys and girls who took part in the “Cross Lake” swim at Little Lake Monday. Left to right are, front row  –  Bob Stanway, Midland; Bill Sauve, John Horvath, Angus Roy and Ian Fairley all of Toronto; Karen Muir, Hamilton; Valerie Somers, Midland; Keith Fairley and Dave Horvath, Toronto; back row – Dave Venone, Niagara Falls, N.Y; Ron Elliot and Jim Roy, Torornto; Brian Haley, Hamilton; Ken and Bob Garbutt, Oakridges; Murray Ritch and George Woods, Toronto.

Editorial page photo entitled; “Road to Happiness at Triple Bay”.