Huronia Museum – Looking Back 60 Years in North Simcoe – May 24th to the 31st 1955

June 4, 2015June 8, 2015 / Tom / 2 Comments

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Finley MacLachlan Construction Company of Toronto wins $800,000.00 contract to build nine miles of the Trans Canada highway from Port Severn to the McDonald River.
Perkinsfield girl, 14, unable to walk her whole life, begins to walk with the aid of a support, parents incredulous
Midland Police get new speed trap, offenders have no time to slow down after crossing the wires that are placed 11 feet apart and it works in both directions
Indian Nativity Scene will be a feature attraction at Huronia Museum which opens on June 1st. Donated by the National Museum in Ottawa the diorama was over a year in the making
Indians (First Nations residents) from Parry Sound, Rama and the Brantford Six Nations gathered at Christian Island over the long weekend to listen to provincial candidate George Johnston, Dr. P. B. Rynard and Progressive Conservative Simcoe Center president W. H. Morrisson speak. This will be the first time native Canadians will be allowed to vote in a provincial election in Ontario
Add to North Simcoe’s beauty spots the beautiful tulip beds at Taylor’s garage near the Shrine
25 years ago, 1930; the Penetang Road was closed at Wyebridge due to work on the railway subway, detour through Elmvale; The Woolen Mill on Hugel Ave which had sat idle for 12 years was leased to Otto Channell a European textile engineer, 35 to 40 staff will be needed

New Residential Area. Two years ago Midland’s Wireless Hill section was covered with thick bush and boulders now replaced by many fine homes. Those seen here were built by Nap Beauchamp Construction of Penetanguishene and are already occupied.

New Hammond organ sponsored by the congregation of the Wyevale United Church in memory of the late Rev. George Morrison. Mrs. Cecil Blow at the keyboard, her assistant Mrs. Emel Nerpin and current minister Rev. W. A. Glazer.

Town staff are attempting to pull a stump at the northwest corner of Dominion and Midland Avenues to make way for the widening of Midland Ave. It appears as though the chain has broken as part of it is trailing behind the truck. The Johnson home, residence of Bill Johnson owner of the Advertiser Press, white building in the background. Duplex on the corner is still there.

(Anyone know who the men are. Fellow in the hole might be Mr. Latanville?)

Every member of the North Simcoe girls 4-H Club made a dress during the past season and had it on display at achievement day at the Elmvale High School Saturday. Mae White RR #1 Elmvale; Joanne Dobson RR #3 Coldwater; Marie Pickering RR #3 Stayner; Harriet Elliot, Allenwood and Pauline Irish, Vasey. Mrs. Joseph Strath is supervising the judging.

Local Entertainment:

Show & Dance at The Parkside Inn, featuring Canada’s No. 1 Hillbilly show band, Cliffy Short and the Valley Ranch Boys, stars of Sunshine Jamboree, Toronto.

Odeon Theatre, Women’s Prison starring “no one I know”, Shotgun starring Sterling Hayden & Yvonne DeCarlo.

Embassy Theatre in Coldwater, Jesse James vs. The Daltons

Pen Theatre, The Cruel Sea, with Jack Hawkins, Donald Sinden and The Jungle Gents with Leo Gorcey, Muntz Hall and the Bowering Boys.

Tennis Exhibition at Penetang tennis courts, Lorne Main, Canada’s number one player and Jim Bentley ranked tenth in Canada, the pair will also give free instruction.

Second annual Dance Recital by the pupils of Jean Stanway assisted by Glenn Campbell, pianist John Arpin, guest performers Midland Tonettes at Knox Presbyterian Church auditorium.

Curtain Call Dance Review presented by Audrey MacLeod and pupils at the YMCA

Jaycee’s Victoria Day event at Little Lake Park includes sea flee racing, Midland Citizens Band concert and giant fireworks display.

Tribute to Murray G. Yorke (d. May 28, 2015)

(From October 1955 Free Press) Signing up for a new season with the Midland Intermediate “A” hockey team is Roy “Mutt” Colling of Penetang, Vic Grigg of Penetang and Chuck Woods. Looking on at left is Murray Yorke member of last year’s team and Hec Adams, secretary.

We treasure our history, whether it is our family history, local history or the history of things, we regret the loss of any part of it. They tear down our old school, the field where we flew our kites is now a subdivision, that secluded lane is now paved and the trees are gone.

Murray Yorke was an important part of our history, a participant in it, a family man, a friend to all, Midland has lost part of what makes this a great place to live.

The staff and directors of Huronia Museum join Pat and family in saying thanks Murray for all you gave us.

Huronia Museum – Looking Back 60 Years in North Simcoe – May 16th to the 23rd 1955

May 30, 2015June 2, 2015 / Tom / Leave a comment

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Penetang is advertising for police constables; state age, qualifications and experience, reply to W. H. Hewson, Clerk Treasurer.
Penetang Council refuses request to extend the time that juke boxes can be played in local restaurants beyond the current by-law of twelve o’clock
Mrs. Lawrence Reynolds died Monday of injuries received in a head on collision on Cty Rd 6 south of Wyevale
More than 20 MDHS students will receive medals & crests for their marksmanship in rifle competition during the school term
Rev. Don Noseworthy of the Midland Pentecostal Church complained of young children playing in the garbage at the town dump (Tiffin Park)
S. S. Scott Misener sets record for fastest turnaround between Port Arthur and Port McNicoll; left 6:30 AM Thursday returned 6:30 AM Monday. Also set a record by moving 2,126,000 bushels of wheat from the Lakehead to Port McNicoll between May 6th and 16th

Members of the Georgian Bay Insurance Agents Association hold a business meeting at the Midtown Motel Friday. William Shaver, Midland; B. J. Brownell, Port McNicoll; Mervin Corbett, Elmvale; Fred Helson, C.F. Moreton, Willard Bacon and L. H. Taylor all of Midland.

Last week we pictured the Non Commissioned Officers, meet the Midland and District High School Cadet Corps officers. Back row, Bob McIntyre, Jim Lemieux, Bob Wilson, Lloyd Scott, Gary Baker, Joe Huston and Gary MacMillan. Front row; Ken McFarland, John Hilliard, Jack Jones, Blake Ball, Ray Dwinnell, Bob Megaw, Dean Nicholls, Wayne Parker and Dennis Murphy.

High school athletes set 5 new records at the 34th annual Tudhope Meet in Collingwood. MDHS students set records, Ron Larmand cleared 9′ 11 1/2″ in the junior pole vault and Ralph Asselin vaulted 10′ 4 1/2″ to set a new intermediate mark. Jim Lemieux was the outstanding athlete of the meet with four firsts and a second in the intermediate events.
Twelve sewing machine operators wanted at once by Glen Mawr Frocks (became Fabulous Formals), experience desirable but not necessary, steady work under ideal conditions, good starting wage.
Birth – Mr. & Mrs. Fred Grigg wish to announce the arrival of a son, a brother for Peter and Jane on May 15th.
Midland Arena now open for roller skating, Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat evenings, skates provided
Expect 700 pupils at MPDHS next fall and 28 teachers
Plastic boats (Fiberglas) made by Midland Reinforced Plastics Ltd. will weigh about two-thirds that of a comparable wooden craft
Local Entertainment – Gone With The Wind – at the Odeon, full version 3 hours & 40 minutes. Opening dance at the Wagon Wheel Saturday May 21st. Holiday dancing at Mel`s, Honey Harbour, featuring Bob Stanway and Bill Jivcoff. Harness Races Wasaga Beach, five big events, wagering, refreshments and grandstand
Public Notice – a salesman offering Veteran`s Calendars for sale in the local area is not being sponsored by Branch 80 RCL or by Provincial Command
Prominent local grocer dies at 65, H. J. Kettle was born in Suffolk, England, coming to Canada at 17, worked for Dunlop Tire, Guerney Foundry and Sissman Shoes before coming to Midland in 1913. Forty two years ago he opened his own grocery store where Gianetto`s is now located, later moving to Yonge St. E. Survived by his wife Montalena Skinner and five sons, William, Harold & Bruce of Midland, Doug, Barrie and Tom in Bracebridge.

A stone used in the original construction of Fort Ste. Marie more than 300 years ago is being donated by the Midland Lions Club with the cooperation of the Martyrs Shrine to the Waco Texas Lions Club to be used in the construction of an ornamental gate. Stones from every country in the world where Lions operate will be used. President Bill Orr and R. B. Moffatt of the Midland Club are pictured.

Each of the girls pictured completed six units in the 4-H home making club work this season winning County honours. Shown during “Achievement Day” in Elmvale on Saturday are Marlene Strath, Sondra Robinson, Patsy Jones and Norma Cowden all of Vasey; Mildred Marcellus, Wyevale, Lorna Strath, Crossland and Margaret Goodfellow, Edenvale.

Looking Back 60 Years Ago in North Simcoe 1955 May 8th to the 15th

May 20, 2015May 20, 2015 / Tom / 1 Comment

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Children line up at the Midland Armory to receive their first Salk polio vaccine shots. Mrs. Grace Gillies and Miss Bessie Smith both of the Collingwood toxoid team of the Simcoe County Health Unit.

Gerald (Jerrold) Karch watches unflinchingly as Dr. G. E. Moodie of the Simcoe County Health Unit administers a Salk polio vaccine while nurse Grace Gillies of Collingwood prepares another dose. Hundreds of children received their first shots this week.

Midland City sits forlorn at Midland town dock after fifty years of plying the waters between Midland and Parry Sound, familiar to all cottagers, locals and tourists. No longer a viable business her fittings were sold at auction and the hull which was purchased by Arthur “Frenchy” Grondin was towed by Ernie Edwards and Bev’s Marine to the mouth of the Wye River and burned to the water line. Mr. Grondin plans to salvage her metal hull plates. Built in the British Isles in 1887 she was brought to Canada in sections and named the “Maud”. In the winter of 1894-5 she was rebuilt, lengthened and renamed the “America” and cruised the St. Lawrence under that name. Her dimensions were; length 149 feet, breadth 33 feet, gross tonnage 580 tons. The City of Dover was also sold out of the area in 1955.

Only the first week of May but the unseasonably warm weather has made Little Lake warm enough for Linda Discepolo and Roma Toutant, both of Midland, to swim. Editor noted elsewhere in the paper that the girls were reluctant to have their photo taken as they were swimming without their parents’ permission.

Midland and District High School Cadet Corps NCO’s. Front row, CQSM Jim Farmer, SSM John Deakos, SSM Don Anderson, RSM Bob Abbott, SSM Ken MacEachern, SSM Glen Nicholls, back row, Sgts. Hartmut Bezner, Len Woods, Bill Wagg, Paul Bissette, Rodger Gray, Ron Blair and Peter Brown.

Pouring new cement in front of the Penetang Midland Coach Line terminal on the southwest corner of Midland Avenue and Bay Street. Part of town engineer R. M. White’s plan to find work for men coming off unemployment. Six inches of reinforced concrete nine feet wide with two inches of cold mix asphalt on top along the west side of Midland Avenue from Bay to Yonge Streets. Parts of Elizabeth and Dominion are getting the same treatment.

Roxy Theater; Ma & Pa Kettle at Waikiki starring Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride
Gone With The Wind starring Clark Gable & Vivian Leigh

Midland Drive In; Abbott & Costello in Dr. Jekle & Mr. Hyde also starring Boris Karloff
Hell Below Zero starring Alan Ladd

Pen Theatre; Texas Trail with William Boyd
Valley of Head Hunters with Johnny Weissmuller
All Ashore with Mickey Rooney

Midland Citizens Band wins top honours at Grey County music festival, prepare for CNE competition
Largest Cadet Corps in MPDHS history, over 200 cadets will parade at May 18th inspection
H. Jory Ltd. is selling 16 various drugs needed around the farm, Scourex for Scours, Lax-a-Tex for constipation, Ringtex for ringworm, Fertilex for retained after birth etc.
Jeffery’s Hardware is offering the fully featured McLary refrigerator for $264.95
Beauchamp’s Electric is offering R.C.A. Victor refrigerators for $229.50
Mayor commends Y’s Mens Club on their new Indian Village project at the town park, “will be a big asset to the town”
$25,000.00 damage to Nap Beauchamp Construction shop on Church St. worst fire in Penetang since the skating rink burned in 1946
Jeffery’s Hardware ships order for four sets of #5 horse shoes and eight sets of #4’s to Dauphin Manitoba
25 years ago; the highway bridge over the Wye River at the Shrine collapses as an 18 ton shovel owned by King Construction crosses it on route to Midland, no one injured
To be ordained – 25 year old Joseph Marchand to be ordained at the Church of the Holy Cross, Lafontaine, by James Cardinal McGuigan. He obtained his B. A. in 1950, his PHL. in 1951 and his M. A. and Licentiate in Sacred Theology in 1955.
Harvey Ellison has nearly completed his new Motel (Shamrock) on Yonge Street West overlooking Little Lake
Willard Duquette, 18 year old grade 11 student wins top honours in the French speaking section of the Ontario – Quebec public speaking contest in Oshawa, Helen Henderson, Penetang, 14 year old grade 9 student took third place being bested by a 21 year old university student from Quebec City
Richard Moreau, 21, a graduate of the Lafontaine Secondary School in 1949 has graduated from Ecole Poly-technique with a B.A. Sc. and a diploma in electro-mechanical engineering
Midland public works superintendent R. M. White has tendered his resignation, will take a job with the Town of Aurora
new one room school opens just off Hwy 92 west of Elmvale, SS 19 Flos