Looking Back 60 Years Ago in North Simcoe November 27th to December 3rd 1954

December 4, 2014December 11, 2014 / Tom / Leave a comment

(DOUBLE CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE)

Front Page News December 1st

“No Mayoralty Contest in Towns” Mayor Charles N. Parker of Midland and Mayor George Kerr of Penetang are both acclaimed.

Rural mail route soon to serve Champlain Road assures Federal member.

To open addition at Regent Public School.

Midland Kiwanians elect Stan Brooks president.

Carpenter’s Union drives to sign up contractors; Picket Midland Plant

Lafontaine Co-Op safe resists robbery try.

The IGA Foodliner in the Preston Block attracted hundreds of shoppers for its opening specials and prizes.

Midland Monarch stalwarts ready for a pair of engagements with the Bracebridge Bears this week. Playing coach Jim O’Hearn, forward Jack Lachapelle and goalie Bruce Hook, former Penetanguishene and Bracebridge star.

Websters Radio opens in new larger premises three doors further west at 24 Robert. St. W. Ed Webster proprietor, Eleanor Day phonograph records and Ted Light repairs. For over nine years our motto has been “Service”.

Arthur Gardiner president of the North Simcoe Crop Improvement Association presents prizes to members of the Lafontaine 4-H Potato Club at a dinner held at the Parkside Inn , Midland, Tuesday night. First prize is given to the youngest lad Gabriel Desroches. Front row, Richard Marchildon, Raymond Gignac, Donald Forget, Julien Maurice, Peter Laurin, Marcel Desroches, back row, Gabriel Brunelle, Mauril Laurin, Martin Maurice, Leo Forget, Gabriel Maurice, father of Martin & Julien, also Club Leader and Vital Vallee.

Official opening of the new addition to Regent Public School. Jamie Lounsbery shows his mom and dad, (Mr. & Mrs. Ted Lounsbery) what he has been doing in his work book. Looking on is his teacher Mrs. Ken Trew.
( Blanche Trew was the principal of the Huron Park School on Robert Street when it opened.)

Grew Boats is advertising their new “InterLock” prefabricated shelving system. Fabricated of finest Canadian hardwood they offer, Adaptable to any storage problem, Easy to rearrange, self supporting, built for use anywhere.

Inter club badminton tournament between Midland Garrison Club and Orillia at the Midland Armory. From Orillia in front row, Helen Richardson, Erma Trask and Shirley Acheson. Midlanders in the back row, Joyce Rutherford, Shirley Thompson, Helen Laidlaw, Grace Edgar, Aileen Shaver and Helen Lewis.

At The Roxy

“The Stranger Wore a Gun” with Randolph Scott
“Doctor in The House” with Dirk Bogarde – Kenneth More

At The Pen

“Jivaro” with Fernando Lamas and Rhonda Fleming
“You’re in the Navy Now” with Gary Cooper and Jane Greer

Ads in the local paper from out of the area;

“Bardi’s 400” Restaurant, Canada’s most beautiful and Modern Drive In Restaurant (Shell Station) Just 14 miles north of Toronto City limits on the Barrie highway.

Stratton Manufacturing Co. Toronto; advertising the Talking Trudy Doll 24 inches tall, $4.95 (Order form Attached)

Reeves Jewellers Barrie Simcoe Countys Leading Watch and Diamond Merchants

Toronto Telegram – Marmaduke Howls Every Day in the Telegram

Midland Curling Club season opens November 15th with member Bill Cumming throwing the first stone and it will not end until the big mixed bonspiel in April. Behind, Karl Bertrand club president, Emil Senkew, Ross Hastings, Del Hastings and Ted Lounsbery.

Looking Back 60 Years Ago in North Simcoe November 19 to 25, 1954

November 27, 2014 / Tom / Leave a comment

Grocery Chain Offers $45,000 for Town Hall Property
Loblaw’s Groceterias Limited was given a two month option on the current King Street Fire Hall and Council Chambers by Midland Council, the deal is conditional on the towns ability to obtain the Central School property on Dominion Avenue. Deposit $150.00

Central School Burns
Midland ‘s oldest school was completely destroyed in an early morning fire. Built in 1880 and enlarged in 1900 Central was recently condemned then repaired and reopened in September of 1953. Local taxi driver Bill Therrien reported the fire at 1.45 AM and the glow from the fire could be seen in Elmvale. Arrangements have been made to move the students to other schools and the new Midland Armory.

Bill Swann and L.D. Bowman offer coffee to firemen Doug Martin and Harold Hamilton

Bill Swan and L.D. Bowman offer coffee to firemen Doug Martin and Harold Hamilton

Photos 910 & 913

New School in Coldwater?
School Board and Coldwater Council cannot see eye to eye on the expenditure for a new school. Board has secured the services of an architect and chosen a site.

Photo 799

Farmer Dies of Burns
William Peden, 65, Rosemount area farmer dies in Orillia hospital of burns received when a coal oil lamp ignites gasoline fumes as a delivery truck fills the farms tank. His son Pat, 34, received burns to his hand trying to extinguish his father’s clothing. Concession 9, Tay Township.

Public Works and Firefighters seek wage increase at council meeting. Firefighters were requesting $200 annual salary increase while public works were asking for 15 cents per hour. Looking ahead to December 15th the firefighters got $125 and works staff 15 cents per hour.

Midland Monarchs Intermediate “A”
First line is ready for their season opener against the Parry Sound Shamrocks in Parry Sound Nov 24th. LtoR, Babe Deschamp, Roy “Mut” Collings and Chuck Edwards. Deschamp & Collings are veterans of the team, Edwards is a former Collingwood lad who played his hockey in Woodstock last year.

Photo 904

Local advertisers this week – How Many Remain?

Harvey Ellison Limited – Wagg’s Laundry and Dry Cleaners Limited – Bourgeois Motors – H.J. Thompson & Sons Limited – Globe Restaurant – Leitch Motors Dominion Ave. – Shulman’s Furniture – Eleanor’s Beauty Shop 284 Fourth St. operated by Ruth E. Hornsby, formerly Vel Perrault – Strathearn’s Jewellers – Midland Photographic Supplies (Rolphoto ) – Midland Planing Mill – PMCL – The C. Beck Co. Ltd. – IGA – Nap Beauchamp Construction Penetang – H.S. St. Amant and Sons Penetang – Herb A. Wiles electrician – Hugh Blair contractor – Richard Matthews contractor Penetang – Warman Motors (Singer Motors, Roger Hunter, Adco Tire) – Pen Bowling Alleys – Olympic Sporting Goods – Gray Coach – Barber & Haskill – Loblaws – Lorne Watson photography – Midland Motor Sales, Joseph Beausoliel proprietor Bay & Second – Archie Attridge White Rose Service Station – Edwards Specialty Shoppe – Bev`s Marine – Roxy and the Pen Theatres – DeNure & Son Transport – J.E. Desroches 11 Simcoe St. Penetang – Blondin Sales and Service Penetang – P.H. Jory – Hebner`s Taxi – Penetang Bottling Co. Limited – Dominion Store Midland & Penetang – Gropp Motors – James Bath Plumbing & Heating – Orr`s Jewllers – Midland Coal & Wood Co. – Liggetts Rexall Drugs – Webster Radio Penetang – L. Livingston Clothing – Bryant`s Jeweller Penetang – Meads Penetang – Struthers Drugs – Peoples Store Limited -Doris` Snack Bar in the bowling alley – Gignac’s Children Wear Mens Wear Penetang – Canadian Tire – Beaver Lumber – Midland Frosted Food Lockers – Sanderson Monuments , Frank Doherty – A. Barrie & Sons – Morrisson’s Drug Store Penetang – V.B Strickland Realestate – Ralph R. Wilson Insurance – Canadian National Railways – Graham Swales – J.M. Wallace & Sons Ltd Fuel – Simmonds Transport – Tessier Planing Mill Penetang – Hackers Variety Store – Daniells Welding Service – Walker Stores

Free Press Herald and County Herald have paid subscriptions in 3,800 out of the 4,400 North Simcoe homes.

Midtown Motel a revelation in rebuilding. Karl & Keith Bertrand are inviting all to the opening of their renovated motel this Friday. Starting with a garage building they have transformed it into a modern motel and restaurant complex. Local trades and suppliers were used wherever possible. The appearance of the 50 by 150 foot structure has been so altered that many thought the old building must have been demolished.

Keith and Karl Bertrand

Photos 783 & 788

Looking Back 60 Years Ago This Week in North Simcoe

November 21, 2014 / Tom / 1 Comment

November 11th to the 18th 1954

Establish a Home for the Aged in North Simcoe
Penetang council offers the old town hospital to the County of Simcoe to be used as a home for the aged, no charge. New hospital on Edward Street is visible in the background.
Double click photos for expanded view.

Charles P. Stocking Pilots of Georgian Bay Airways find the body of veteran Waubaushene resident and former lumber mill executive floating one mile west of Potato Island. Mr. Stocking was 90 years of age and had taken his 25 foot launch to his cottage at Cognashene. Having stopped at Easton’s store (Picnic Island) for gas on his way home, his boat was discovered with a funnel in the open gas tank near Potato Island.
MPDHS
Wet conditions slow work on the footings of the new Midland Penetanguishene District High School in Tay Township at the end of Hugel Avenue. Contractor hopes to be well under way before the snow comes. Beverly Mahoney (Truax) editor of this weeks “Hysterics”
Community TV System Planned for Two Towns
Ottawa’s Department of Transport has issued a permit for a local firm to erect a 125 foot antenna structure on the farm of Bert Robitaille in Tiny Township and to install and operate a distribution system in Midland & Penetang. Test antennas have shown reception to be very good.
Bay Mills
E.H. Cerny president of Fine Silk Limited announced today a complete reorganization of the administrative set up of the rayon and fiberglass mill in Midland. Steven Cerny, 24, is the new general manager and Syd Nicholls will be in charge of industrial fabric sales. The operation will now be known as Bay Mills.

St. John’s Anglican Church Matchedash
Sunday saw the use of old fashioned lamps discontinued and new electric lighting dedicated.

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Canadian National Railways offering low rail fares to the Royal Agricultural Fair in Toronto between November 12th and 20th.
Barber & Haskill 166 Yonge St. Duo-Therm oil home heaters, self lighting, no matches or paper needed, just turn the dial.
Intermediate “A” Hockey Wednesday Nov 17th, Bracebridge Bears vs. Midland Monarchs at the Arena Gardens. General Admission 50 cents, Reserved 75 cents.
Roxy Theater The Caine Mutiny – Adult 75 cents, Children 50 cents.
Gropp Motors Limited Penetang – See the all new Buicks and Pontiacs on display. Dealers are not quoting prices on new vehicles but a used 1953 Chevrolet sedan was $1595.00 and a 1952 Pontiac was $1375.00.
Eleithia Shoppe Pre Christmas Sweater Specials – Pullovers $2.98, Cardigans $3.98. First quality nylons .98cents/pair, Taffeta Skirts $5.95.