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.  

Click on photos to enlargeAmong the many organizations which have contributed to the welfare of St. Andrews Hospital recently is the Midland Shrine Club. Shriner Tom Wilcox (left) presents a cheque for $1,063.10 to Gordon Moss, retiring president of the hospital board, at the annual meeting Monday night. Money is to be used to help equip a children’s ward in the hospital. 

Presentation of a plaque to Fred Reynolds, honouring 30 years of meritorious service to agriculture, was one of the features of a dinner held by Tiny and Tay Agricultural Society Saturday. Mayor Charles Parker of Midland (left) and Everett Marshall, dinner chairman, are obviously pleased with the lemon pie that came their way. Both men discovered they were born in the same farm home, on the old Parker homestead. 

Presentation of a plaque to Fred Reynolds, honouring 30 years of meritorious service to agriculture, was one of the features of a dinner held by Tiny and Tay Agricultural Society Saturday.  Mr. Reynolds (left) receives the plaque from Ellsworth Collins, society president. 

One of these girls may emerge as “Queen of Hearts” of MPDHS this year in contests to be held at the Roxy Theatre. Five of 10 girls will be eliminated in a preliminary contest Feb. 9. Above are, left to right, Margaret Spicer and Marie Cordes (seated), Bonnie Rourke, Robin Benson and Arlene Armstrong. Another contestant, not present when picture was taken, is Marlies Delori. 

Four more contestants for the title of “Queen of Hearts” of MPDHS are seen above. Holding  the record is Barbara Murday. Standing, left to right, are Bonnie Flotron, Pat Playford and Karen Mick. Five of ten girls nominated will be eliminated in a preliminary contest to be held at the Roxy Theatre, Midland, Feb. 9. 

These girls would seem to have a choice of two baskets in the junior game between MPDHS and Camp Borden Wednesday. Actually it was the one nearest the camera (with net) that counted and the MPDHS player (in white shirt) has just missed. Camp Borden emerged winners 23-21 in a tight game. 

It’s hard to beat the high school teams when it comes to the matter of spirit. Here the MPDHS cheerleaders mark a successful try for two points by a player on their junior girls’ team during a recent game. 

Fish Hut Burns on Bay Penetang Angler Dies 

Free Press Herald headline of February 2^nd, 1961.
Emery Cadeau, 33-year-old Penetang man, lost his life Friday night in a fire which completely destroyed a bobbing shack on Penetang Bay. Penetang police, who investigated said there will be no inquest into the tragedy. According to information available to police, Emery Cadeau, his brother Ted, and Raymond Martin owned the fishing hut in a partnership. The trio apparently had been fishing there Friday afternoon. Ted Cadeau and Raymond Martin are not sure what time they left the shack, situated at the lower end of the bay. Reports are that a number of people saw the hut burning about 9 o’clock Friday evening. The body of Emery Cadeau was discovered when Ted Cadeau and Raymond Martin went to the shack Saturday morning to resume fishing. Police say Emery did not return to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Theophile Cadeau, Sheridan Street, for supper, Friday evening. 

Harbour Hotel Destroyed in Early Morning Blaze 

County Herald headline of February 3^rd, 1961.
Fire which is believed to have originated in the beverage room completely destroyed the 60-year-old Royal Victoria Hotel in Victoria Harbour early this morning. Owners of the building, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Harvey (Midland surveyor) barely had time to escape from the blazing building in their night attire when they discovered the blaze, around 12.30 a.m. Within minutes the old, three storey frame building was a mass of flames. Only the fact there was little or no wind in the 15-below zero temperatures saved a number of adjacent buildings from sharing the same fate. One of them, the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Archie Bernard, appeared doomed. The Bernards and their three children, Edward, 16, Martha, 10, and Marian, 7, also left that building with what few clothes they could gather up. Later, firemen were able to save the Bernard home, only 18 feet to the east of the burning hotel, from complete destruction. In addition to the Harbour brigade, firemen from Port McNicoll and Waubaushene  also answered the call for help. One of their main concerns was saving the joint Victoria Harbour – Tay Township municipal offices, about 75 feet south of the hotel. Documents and other important contents of this building were removed safely but the building did not catch fire. Also threatened was an equally old large frame boarding house across the street to the north of the hotel and Eplett’s hardware store, across the corner from the municipal offices. The old hotel was originally built by the Waldie Lumber Co. in the days when Victoria Harbour was an important lumbering centre. The original hotel burned in 1900 (last numeral blurred, may not be a 0) and the present one was built immediately after, veteran residents recalled. 

One of the most spectacular fires in many years in this area was the one which totally destroyed the Royal Victoria Hotel in Victoria Harbour early Friday morning. At its height, some time before this picture was taken, flames were plainly visible in Midland, eight miles to the west. 

Only a few pieces of concrete and a few steel pipes mark the spot where the Royal Victoria Hotel stood until the 60-year-old frame building was swept by flames early Friday morning. House in the rear, occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Archie Bernard and their three children, was badly damaged by flames, smoke and water. 

    What retiring president Gordon Moss said was the shortest annual meeting on record for the Corporation of St. Andrews Hospital, John Burke was named president of the board for 1961, at a meeting in Midland’s municipal building Monday night. Possibly because of the heavy snowstorm raging outside, it appeared there might not be a meeting at all. Eventually, after a half hour wait, enough qualified persons (15) showed up to permit the meeting to proceed. It took less than half an hour to finish the business from that, point. One of the features of the meeting was the official turning over of a cheque for $1,063.10, the gift of Midland Shrine Club. Shriner Thomas Wilcox made the official presentation to Mr. Moss, who noted that most of the money had been spent already. Donated in memory of George Ross, the money was used mainly to equip a children’s ward, in line with the club’s request Last year’s board of directors will continue to serve again in 1961. They include Mr. Moss, Mr. Burke, Frank Spence, W. H. Cranston, William Child, Edward Mechan, W. S. Struthers, Miss. Margaret Johnston and Mrs. R. Bell. In his report, Mr. Moss said St Andrews is now operating “to the limit of its capacity” and that there is a waiting list for elective surgery, averaging one to two weeks. “When the new section of the hospital was opened in 1955, it was anticipated that local requirements for hospitalization had been taken care of for years to come,” said Mr. Moss. He noted that things had changed greatly in Midland, as elsewhere, since the introduction of the Ontario Hospital Insurance plan in 1959. 

    The stork has been paying visits to Midland’s St. Andrews Hospital at an average of a little better than one a day, according to a report presented at the annual meeting of the hospital board in the municipal building Monday night. The report said there were 379 births at St. Andrews in 1960 compared with 372 the previous year. Increases also were noted in all other departments except one, where the number of physio-therapy treatments dropped from 4,073 in ’59 to 2,290 last year. 

    Lewis Jackson, chief of the Council of Chippewas of Christian Island Indian Band, has petitioned the Bell Telephone Co. of Canada to install telephone communication between Christian Island and Midland. The recent meeting of councillors, including Chief Jackson, Clarence Assance, Abraham King, Gerald Monague and Leo Norton, concluded that “It is not unreasonable . . . and if some of our people fall suddenly ill they have no way of reaching a doctor.” 

Ten Years Ago
Charles Carter was extended a call by the Presbyterian churches of Port McNicoll, Victoria Harbour and Coldwater, effective upon his graduation from Knox College, Toronto, in the spring. * * * Centennial of the townships of Tiny and Tay was to be celebrated by an anniversary meeting in Penetang council chamber Jan. 30, followed by an evening dinner at the Hotel Brule. * * * Simcoe County council, Jan. 26, ended a record-breaking noon-day session by setting a county rate which meant a 12 per cent increase in levy. CAS grant was cut from $117,000 to $102,000. * * * Midland police court reported a very light docket, requiring only one-half hour of Magistrate K. A. Cameron’s time, three charges were read. * * * Albert Hartman, Karl Bertrand, Alvin Steer and Dr. A. H. Pinchin were planning to leave for Quebec City, to take part in the Quebec Curling Club bonspiel.   

    Since the first land was purchased in the early 1920’s, Simcoe County Forest has increased steadily until it now (as of March 21, 1960) includes a total of 15,600 acres. (From the County of Simcoe website; “The Simcoe County Forest is the largest and one of the most productive municipal forests in Ontario, totaling over 33,000 acres.”) Oro Township stands at the top of the list with 2,545 acres of county forest, about 100 more than Vespra. Medonte is next in line with 2,101. Other North Simcoe townships have: Tay 490; Matchedash 100; Flos 1,763, and Tiny 1,763. Land, purchased over the years, according to a report presented in county council recently, has been generally of the marginal and sub-marginal farm land type. Land which will no longer support agricultural practices economically, usually light sandy soils not suitable for crops or pasture, but which can support good stands of coniferous trees.  

    Saturday, Feb. 11, will be a red-letter day for members of Penetang Legion and Legion Ladies Auxiliary. That day they will burn the mortgage on the large new addition erected several years ago. According to President Doug Rogers, at least one official from provincial command of the Legion, as well as two zone commanders and deputy zone commanders are expected to be present at the event. 

    Penetang Winterama has been responsible for bringing an invention of “Up The Shore” residents into a prominence which might not have occurred. Born through a necessity for a means of transportation for these island people who, otherwise are isolated through the long winter period, the “Scoot”, for many years went through a mundane “workhorse” existence. From the time Jack Frost put a solid cover on the waters of Georgian Bay, among the 30,000 Islands, until the warming sun of spring removed the cover once again and freed the restless waves, the snow-ice-water sleds carried their owners from island or shore homes to town, and back, for supplies. Then one day some enterprising men in Penetang tired of the hum-drum existence of living indoors during the cold months, decided to stage a winter carnival to liven things up and have an excuse to ‘let their hair down’ for a few days. Groping for a feature attraction to draw the crowds and provide some thrills, one of them remembered that scoots could put on some pretty fancy, displays of speed with the right driver at the controls. 

    Extremely cold weather continued throughout North Simcoe yesterday as mercury in thermometers continued to hover at sub-zero levels. Unofficial reports indicated that the temperature in Midland Wednesday morning was 17 below zero. It was said to have been 20 below yesterday morning. At Port Severn Wednesday morning, a 35-below zero reading was reported and Thursday morning it was reported to have been 40 below. A similar temperature was reported from Coldwater.  

Births
BROWN — To Mr. and Mrs. Edward Brown, R.R. 1, Waubaushene,
at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, February 1, 1961, a son.
COPESTAKE — To Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Copestake, 118 Donalda Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, February 1, 1961, a son.
HEELS – To Mr. & Mrs. Murray Heels, 374 Hugel Ave., Midland, at
St. Andrew’s Hospital, Friday, January 27, 1961, a daughter.
 KRHOBSKY — To Mr. and Mrs. Steven Krhobsky, 284 Dominion Avenue, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Thursday, January 26, 1961, a son.
LAMOUREUX — To Mr. and Mrs. Simon Lamoureux, Honey Harbour, at St. Andrews hospital, Sunday, January 29, 1961, a son.
ROACH — To Mr. and Mrs. Allan Roach, 120 Gloucester Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, January 31, 1961, a daughter. (Stillborn).
SHAKELL — To Mr. and Mrs. Roy Shakell, 345 Frederick Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, January 31, 1961, a son.
THERRIEN — To Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Therrien, 260 Third Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, February 1, 1961, a son.
TURNER — To Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Turner, R.R. 3, Elmvale, at Penetanguishene Hospital, Tuesday, 1961, a son. 

    Why not come out to the Midland Ski Club and try the skiing? Last weekend many who had previously come returned to ski. Skiers reported six inches of powdered snow on 20 inches of hard packed base. Both Saturday and Sunday were successful days for the Ski Club. No serious accidents marred the activities. The ski patrol were able to turn their attention to bettering their own techniques. Fifty or 60 turned out to the Club’s first night skiing party, first to ski under the lights and then to hold an evening at the club house with the usual after ski activities. Future nights are planned. 

We have gone back another thirty years to February 1931 for some news and articles of interest. Two of them will have meaning the next time you get into your heated car to travel in comfort to your destination.

 

 

 

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. 

Click on photos to enlargeLooking pleased at the prospects of taking part in the Ontario junior badminton championships in Niagara Falls next month are these young members of the Midland club. Left to right are; Ron Church, Jim Cleaver, Victor Heller, John Delaney and Bob McLaughlin. The Niagara Falls meet is slated for Feb. 3-5. 

New officers of Midland Chamber of Commerce examine some of the reports presented at the annual meeting Wednesday night. Seated are William Orr, left, the new president and R. B. Moffat’, general-manager. Standing are James Playfair, 1st vice-president and E. C. Christopherson, secretary-treasurer. 

These young girls are hard at work at Midland Garrison Badminton Club these days, getting ready for the Young Ontario junior badminton championships to be held at Niagara Falls, Feb. 3-5. Seated, left to right, are Marie McLaughlin, Arlene Staruch and Margaret Ann Kearns. Standing are Margaret Taylor and Elaine Binkley. 

No, it’s not stuffed, says Joe Huston Sr. of the big Arctic owl he’s holding at his home, 34 Victoria Street, Midland. Joe found “Jim”, the owl, at the bottom (inside) of the big smoke stack at CSL elevator some three months ago. “Jim” was in pretty bad shape, with one foot missing and a wing badly damaged. Now Jim has the run of a big shed at the back of Mr. Huston’s home, where he devours some two or three pounds of meat tossed his way daily. It doesn’t pay strangers to get in the way of his one good claw, or his equally powerful beak. Mr. Huston is thinking of turning Jim over to conservation officials later, when Jim’s bad leg heals. 

Winners of district honours in the Ontario Ladies Tankard playdowns at Midland Curling Club recently, these two Midland rinks will take part in the provincial finals at the end of the month. Two skips in front are Mrs. Ray Trew, left, and Mrs. Charles Walton (June). Standing, left to right, are Mrs. Lloyd Wilcox, Mrs. Stan Burton, Mrs. Jim Tully, Mrs. Bill Howard and Mrs. Ken Ellis. Mrs. Walter Wood, a member of Mrs. Walton’s rink, was not present when the picture was taken. 

We are adding an unidentified hockey team from 1961 hoping for some help with names. Thanks to Wayne Holden for supplying all the names listed below.

Midland Lions hockey team. Back row Dennis Abbott, Doug French, Keith Bath, Chester Graham, Ken Edgar and Bob Clayton. Middle row Mike Robitaille, John Sutton, Randy Small, David Brooks, Bob Weckman and Alan Mostyn. Front Row Joe Houston ( coach ), Wayne Holden, Art McComb and Rev Len Self. Players identified by Wayne Holden.

Hospital Seeks Solution to Hospital Grant Fiasco 

Free Press Herald headline of January 25^th, 1961.
Efforts are being made to have Simcoe County council consider other ways and means to help the town of Midland in its recent loss of a proposed grant of $111,577 from the county, to retire debentures issued in connection with the building of the new St. Andrews Hospital some years ago. Early in its January session, county council was informed the Ontario Municipal Board would not sanction the grant, passed favorably by the county last fall. The OMB said it could not find any statutory authority which would enable the county to make the grant. On Friday, Reeve Percy Crawford of Midland introduced a motion asking for a review of the correspondence between the OMB and county officials, in hopes of finding some way to assist his municipality. Reeve Crawford asked, and was given, permission to discuss the matter with the finance committee during the interim until council meets again. Feb. 7. A special meeting of Midland council Monday night decided to submit photostats of all correspondence and documents pertaining to the proposed grant, to town solicitor Douglas Haig. Mr. Haig is being asked to study the proposal and to advise council what subsequent action and procedure should be followed to enable the town to defend its position. 

Barbs Hurled at Chamber Considered ‘Political Hogwash’

 County Herald headline of January 28, 1961.
Criticisms and “insults” hurled at Midland Chamber of Commerce in recent months were termed “political hogwash in the main” by its retiring president, E. H. Nicholson, at the annual meeting of the chamber Wednesday night. “I listen in absolute astonishment to the direct and ridiculous insults being hurled at the chamber, and have been severely criticized this year for not replying to these,” said Mr. Nicholson. “But I felt the good people of Midland knew this was only political hogwash in the main,” he said. “The people are not stupid, and they realize that the chamber has made every possible effort to encourage progress and make Midland a better place in which to live. “What could be more ridiculous than the chamber of commerce deliberately discouraging high wages? Everyone knows that higher wages mean more dollars in circulation, more for me and more for you,” he declared. The retiring president said no industrial or business lead has gone without a thorough investigation. 

   People who can afford to drive cars do not need relief. This was the gist of a motion approved by Midland council at a special meeting Monday night. Council has decreed in a motion that all persons on relief who own cars, must turn in their ownership certificates and licence plates to town authorities. The motion passed unanimously. The motion came on the heels of a discussion of welfare problems, during which it was revealed that at least one recipient of relief funds had been driving a car. Reeve Percy Crawford wondered whether council had the authority to take such action. Pointing out that he agreed with the principle of the motion, he asked if council could force a person to turn in the licence plates if he refused. Clerk Wm. A. Hack explained that council has the right to determine who will receive relief and in determining this it must consider all factors, one of which would be whether a person who can operate a car is in need of public assistance. It was the consensus of council that anyone who can buy gasoline and licences for a vehicle does not require relief. Since welfare payments are made in cash, it was decided that one sure way of preventing money being spent on gas would be, to require that markers and certificates be turned in. Mayor Parker told council that the town had the heaviest welfare case load in 15 years. “Now is the time to lay down the rules for relief recipients,” he said. Council was informed there are 223 persons on the welfare rolls. Of this number, 45 are heads of families, 155 are dependents and 23 are single persons. 

    A well-known resident of Midland for a number of years, Richard Alexander McCutcheon, 75, died of asphyxiation at his home, 317 Manley Street, Sunday morning. Coroner Dr. Charles Talbot of Port McNicoll, who attended the scene, announced a verdict of accidental death. Chief George Wainman said no inquest is likely. As was his usual habit, Mr. McCutcheon went out to his garage around 10.30 a.m. to let his car run for a while. Strong winds are believed to have driven the deadly carbon monoxide fumes back into the garage. He was found by his wife about an hour later when she went to call him for dinner. 

    COLDWATER — A tragedy was averted here last week when Betty Miller, 7, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Miller of Eplett Street, rescued her playmate, Terry Hamilton, also 7, after the latter had crashed through the ice of the Coldwater River. The Hamilton girl had ventured on to the ice after school, near the back of her home, to retrieve a plaything, when the ice gave way beneath her. She tried in vain to grab the jagged edges of the ice to pull herself out. Betty, who was standing on the river bank, disregarded her own safety to go to the aid of her friend and was able to get her out of the hole in the ice and back to shore. By this time, Mrs. Hamilton, who had heard cries, reached the scene and rushed her daughter indoors where steps were taken to offset effects of the chilling plunge. 

     Officers of Midland police department, in a brief submitted to Midland council, are requesting salary increases ranging from $628 for a sergeant to $517 for third class constables. The brief was discussed at council Monday night. New salaries proposed in brief are as follows (with current salaries appearing in brackets); sergeant $4,500 ($3,872); first class constables $4,300 ($3,765); second class constables $4,000 ($3,500); third class constables $3,700 ($3,183). 

Just about the happiest man in Midland over the weekend was “Ted” Boon, a constable with the OPP detachment at Victoria Harbour. After playing the game for some 15 years, Ted finally came up with a perfect cribbage hand — 29 points — while playing against Herman Livingston. Ted had the jack of spades and three five-spots in his hand and the five of spades was turned up, bringing about the maximum count. Const. Boon keeps telling his friends there was no significance to the fact he was the dealer on this occasion. 

BIRTHS
PARLIAMENT —  To Mr. and Mrs. Lionel Parliament at the Memorial Hospital, Sudbury, Ontario, Thursday, January 19, 1961, a daughter.
WOOD  – Karen, Susan, Glenn and Dale Wood of 289 First Street, Midland, announce the arrival of a new baby brother on January 17, 1961, at St. Andrews Hospital.
COPEGOG — To Mr. and Mrs. Willis Copegog, Christian Island, at St. Andrews Hospital, Monday, January 16, 1961 a son.
DUPUIS -— To Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Dupuis, 2 Robert St. Lane, Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Monday, Jan. 9, 1961, a son.
LARMAND — To Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Larmand, 85 Fox St., Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Monday, Jan., 1961, a daughter.
LEDUC – To Mr. and Mrs. Donald Leduc, 202 Ninth Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Saturday, January 14, 1961, a daughter.
LINDEMANN — To Mr. and Mrs. Victor Lindemann, R.R. 1, Waubaushene, at St. Andrews Hospital, Saturday, January 14, 1961, a daughter.
MOREAU — To Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Moreau, Victoria Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, January 18, 1961, a daughter.
PAUZE — To Mr. and Mrs. Eric Pauze, Perkinsfield, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Tuesday, Jan, 10, 1961, a son.
ROBITAILLE — To Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Robitaille, Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 1961, a son.
SANDY — To Mr. and Mrs. Francis Sandy, Christian Island, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, January 18, 1961, a son.
AYOTTE — To Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Ayotte, King St., Midland, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Tuesday, Jan 17, 1961, a son.
BEAUCHAMP — To Mr. and Mrs. Lionel Beauchamp, R R. 2, Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Saturday, Jan. 14, 1961, a son
CASCAGNETTE — To Mr. and Mrs. Omer Cascagnette, 27 Sheridan Street, Penetang, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, January 25. 1961, a son.
CHARLEBOIS — To Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Charlebois, 3 Broad St., Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 1961, a son.
FOURNIER — To Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Fournier, 27 Chatham St., Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Monday, Jan. 16, 1961, a son.
STACEY — To Mr. and Mrs. Edward Stacey, 293 William Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Sunday, January 15, 1961, a son.
WALKER — To Mr. and Mrs. Ken Walker, R.R. 1, Victoria Harbour, Saturday, January 14, 1961, a son.
HUGHES — To Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hughes, R.R. 1, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Friday, January 20, 1961, a son.
CERNY — To Mr. and Mrs. Steven Cerny, Yonge Street West, Midland at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, January 24, 1961, a daughter.
HUMMELINK — To Mr. and Mrs. Herman Hummelink, R.R. 3, Elmvale, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Sunday, Jan. 16, 1961, twins, a son and daughter.
LONGLADE — To Mr. and Mrs. Alcime Longlade, 120 Robert St, Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 1961, a daughter.
MacLEOD — To Mr. and Mrs. Robert MacLeod, 188 Fourth Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, January 24, 1961, a daughter.
OFFORD — To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Offord, 166 Fourth Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, January 24, 1961, a son. (Stillborn).
PARENT — To Mr. and Mrs. Marc Parent, Perkinsfield, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, January 24, 1961, a son (baby died). 

25 YEARS AGO
A public day of mourning was declared Jan. 28, to mark the funeral of King George V who died Jan. 20. * * * Midland Public Utilities Commission did not accept an offer of cheap power from Orillia at it was considered “impractical and impossible” by PUC commissioners. * * * In a report published of the Ontario government public accounts it was revealed that for the five months ending March 31, 1935 Midland had paid $90,510 in direct relief. * * * It was announced by Hon. David Croll, Ontario Minister of Municipal affairs that Midland and Penetang, whose bonds are in default, would make some interest payments to the bondholders. * * * Simcoe County had a deficit of $83,000 for 1935. Reeve W. J. Cunningham of Alliston reported to County Council. * * * Sponsored by the Victoria Harbour Athletic Association and the town council and financed by public subscription a new open air rink was officially opened at the Harbour. * * * Elk, two does and a buck were brought from Wainwright Sask., and placed on Beausoleil Island. * * * A Gray Coach bus and two cars carrying police court officials from Barrie to Midland were snow bound at Elmvale over night but were able to complete their journey the following day when the highway had been plowed. * * * The Chicago, Duluth and Georgian Bay Transit Co., announced that it had decided to include Midland as a regular port of call during the ten-week summer season for its luxury cruise ships the North and South American. 

    A new method of displaying telephone numbers will be introduced in Midland and Penetanguishene coincident with the publication of the 1961 directory this summer, H. A. Kilroy. Bell manager, stated. The change will involve replacing the letters L and A of LAkeside and K and I of Klngsdale with the numerals with which these letters correspond on the dial. This means that all Midland telephone numbers will begin with the three-digit code 526, and all Penetanguishene numbers will begin with the code 549. All telephone numbers for both exchanges will appear in this seven-figure form in the next directory, he said. 

    Following a traffic survey made by the Ontario Department of Highways at the intersection of Main and Robert Streets, Penetang, a report submitted to Penetang council recommends against installation of traffic lights as a means of controlling the problem. The report states traffic movement through the intersection is impeded by: excessive parking close to the intersection, lack of access control to the service station on the southeast corner, poor approach alignment and stop sign placement on Robert Street, the waiting buses between Peel and Main Streets on Robert, and lack of pavement markings.

Every year as we try identify the photos from the Free Press collection we are left with negatives that were not used in the newspaper and faces we cannot identify. Please comment if you know any of these people photographed in 1960.

Martin Desrochers as identified by Waxy Gregoire.

 

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.  

For the first time in its long history, Simcoe County has a warden of French-Canadian ancestry. Above wearing his robes of office for the first time following his election Monday is Montcalm Maurice, – reeve of Tiny Township. Equally proud and happy is Mrs. Maurice. “Monty,” as he is familiarly known to his colleagues in county council, is the first warden from Tiny Township in 48 years. 

It was a long time between wardens — 48 years in fact — for Tiny Township. New Simcoe warden Montcalm Maurice (seated) hears congratulations from Tom Simpson, who was the last reeve of Tiny to win the warden-ship, back in 1913. 

Now starting his 15th term in county council, Reeve Montcalm Maurice was elected warden by 40 votes to 26 in a two-way battle with Flos Township Reeve Earl Trace. The first to congratulate the new warden, Reeve Trace moved that Reeve Maurice’s election be made unanimous, a motion that was greeted by sustained applause. As a number of people, including senior county judge, J. G. Harvie, mentioned, it is the first time a man of French Canadian ancestry has been named to the County’s highest post. 

Armand Levesque, 26, of Port Severn, its driver, stands beside the damaged dump truck involved in accident on Highway 103, near Waubaushene, Saturday afternoon. The truck, loaded with fill, was hit on the left rear corner. Other vehicle involved was a small European car (Volkswagen beetle).

In the first fatal accident of the new year in the North Simcoe area, John D. Cousins, 34-year-old Thornhill resident, was killed instantly in a collision involving a small European-type car and a loaded truck Saturday afternoon. The accident occurred on Highway 103, near Waubaushene. OPP Constables Michael Chapman and Glen Graham inspect car in fatal accident.

 Old-Timers who took part in the hockey game between Barrie Radio-TV All-Stars and the Midland Selects last Tuesday night were glad to find a place to sit down between periods — any place. Above are Ed Houle (front) and, left to right at back, Sib Brodeur, Jack Sager and Bun Deschamp. The game netted $300 for Midland’s Little NHL activities. 

Still looking as much alike as the proverbial “two peas in a pod” Mrs. Constant King and Mrs. Mary Belanger spent their birthdays together in the former’s farm home at Mount St. Louis Monday. Remarkable thing about this is it happened to be their 80^th birthdays. 

Accustomed to hard work all their lives, both look quite capable of chalking up another decade, at least, barring accidents. “We can’t complain about our health much at our age,” Mrs. Belanger told this paper. Born in Penetang January 16, 1881 Sarah and Mary Louise Bonneau were the daughters of the late Mr. and Mrs. Octave Bonneau. They were three years old when their father, a carpenter, moved his family of 10 children to Lafontaine. Still living besides the twins are; Mrs. Tom Fox (Rachael) Port McNicoll; Mrs. Andrew Moreau (Ida) Port Severn; Tom Bonneau, Prescott and Phillip Bonneau, Hastings. Mary Louise was the first to get married when she wed James Belanger in 1900. Her husband who died some six years ago worked in the bush or farmed all his life. After a year in Penetang when they were first married the Belangers then lived for various times in Midland, three years, at Madison in Northern Ontario for seven years, back to Midland for more than 15 years, and finally, a quarter century ago to Mount St. Louis, where they had a farm on Concession 3, Medonte. Mrs. Belanger brought a grand total of 20 children into the world, including two sets of twins. Nine children are still living, including twin sons Edgar Belanger of Midland and Phillip of Hillsdale, with whom she now lives. Other living children are George, Beamsville; Mrs. Alcide Pauze (Rose), Elmvale; James, Midland; Mrs. A. Belcourt (Margaret) also Midland; Roland, Peterborough; Arthur, whom she hasn’t heard from in years; Mrs. Francis Grenier (Bernadette) Elmvale and Eugene of Mount St. Louis. Two years after her sister, Sarah married Constant King and they too started their wedded life in Penetang, where they remained five years. A farm at Port Severn was their home for the next 32 years, and the last 18 years of their lives have been spent on a farm on Con. 4, Medonte, a half-mile north of the “Mount”. Mrs. King has three daughters and an adopted son, Robert King, who lives at Severn Falls. The daughters are Mrs. Earl Barber (Blanche) and Mrs. Fred Kibbel both of Buffalo; Mrs. Theo King (Lorrette) who with her husband, lives on home farm. Mrs. King still carries out the household duties in her home. Mrs Belanger still knits, sews, quilts and spins, skills she learned many years ago and has carried them on throughout her lifetime. 

If these chaps look a little weary – they were, after three tough 12-end games in the Governor-General’s competition in Midland Wednesday. Although you’d hardly know it, these two Midland rinks emerged the winners of the double-rink event and will advance further in the play­downs. Seated are the two skips, Karl Bertrand (left) and Al Steer. Their mates were, left to right, Marty Fitzgerald, Harold McAllen, Stan Burton, Harold Wilcox, Lloyd Wilcox, and Dennis Mohan. 

The proof readers at the Free Press rarely missed an error in the newspaper but “Skating Ring” may have been one of them.

Municipal Board Vetoes County Grant to Hospital 
Free Press Herald headline of January 18, 1961.

Midland ratepayers got a $111,577.50 sock in the eye as Simcoe County council assembled for its first real day of business of the new term at Barrie Tuesday morning. One of the first communications read by Clerk Fred Hunter was one from the Ontario Municipal Board. Over the signature of B. Vickers, acting secretary, it said, that in view of information deceived from County Solicitor J. G. Currie it could not give approval for county council to assist with the payment of debentures issued on behalf of St. Andrews Hospital, Midland. Which means, the town of Midland will have to pay the $117,577.50 in hospital debentures. 

Future May Be Brighter for Boat Building Firms 
County Herald headline of January 20, 1961.

A trend in preference toward wooden boats, indicated in several U.S. surveys, could have far-reaching effects on the Canadian boat-building industry this year, Andy Morrison, general manager of Grew Boats, Penetang, told this newspaper yesterday. Mr. Morrison said American previews indicate a trend back to the wooden boat. Trade magazines have published interviews with many men in the industry, and all seem to agree the wooden boat is coming back into its own, he said. Mr. Morrison said that people who have purchased molded fiber glass and aluminum boats are now showing a preference for qualities offered in boats constructed of wood. 

    A former member of Port McNicoll council and a barber in that village for 14 years, Jack Fisher died unexpectedly Wednesday evening at his home. He was in his 62^nd year. Besides his widow, he is survived by two sons, Jack of Midland and William of Rochester, and two sisters, Mrs. Sadie Turner of Coldwater and Mrs. Edna Taylor of Fort Erie. Funeral service will be held at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home Saturday afternoon. 

    Dr. P. B. Rynard, M.P. for Simcoe East, revealed yesterday that the government wharf at Victoria Harbour is to be repaired this winter. Dr. Rynard said the contract for the work had been awarded to Lloyd Murday of Midland. The Midland contractor’s bid on the project was $3,600. The wharf was built about eight years ago. 

    Announcement was made week that the reward offered for information leading to conviction of the murderer of Oliver Forget has been doubled and now stands at $2,000. Chief Jack Arbour of Penetang said the additional sum is being offered by the CIB (Criminal Investigations Branch) of the OPP. The Town of Penetang originally had put up $1,000 reward in an attempt to assist police in solving the Oct. 22 slaying. 

    The year-end financial report of Penetang Memorial Community Centre, submitted by Chairman Clarence Sinclair, showed the large debt had been reduced to $3,800 despite the fact a $3,640 capital expenditure had been necessary during the year. Still owing is $2,700 on the ice machinery and $1,100 on the rear wall repair work. Total  payments made during the  year ran to $17,231.98. Curling was the big revenue producer for the year. The men’s club turned in $3,425 and the ladies $2,165. Scheduled hockey produced $779 and industrial hockey $328: General skating accounted for $1,138, and ice rentals brought $650. Almost one-half of the total $24,616 revenue came from donations and fund-raising projects, with a combined total of $12,276.  

TEN YEARS AGO
Action of the Midland Public Schools Board in withdrawing from the central accounting of Midland town office was termed “unwarranted’ “arbitrary” and “precipitate” in a formal resolution passed unanimously by Midland council. * * * Largest bulk freighter of the Upper Lakes and St. Lawrence Transportation Company fleet was under construction in the Midland Shipyards. * * * It appeared unlikely members of council would agree with the proposal of County Assessor Eric Simpson that there should be a 25 per cent reduction in rural land assessments. * * * New councillor George Kerr, who headed the polls at the elections in Penetang was elected chairman of relief and welfare after councillors Archie Verriere and Jerome J. Gignac had refused the positions at council’s inaugural meeting. * * * Midland council authorized a grant of $500 to be used in organizing a civil defence headquarters in Midland. * * * Victoria Harbour residents were talking about their newly formed Boys and Girls Band which was conducted by Arthur Laley, bandmaster of the Midland Boys Band. * * * Fred Brown, Coldwater Postmaster and Past Master of Karnak Masonic Lodge Coldwater, had the distinction of installing his son William as master of the lodge. Six members of the Brown family had been masters of the Coldwater lodge. * * * Alfred Andrew Thompson, first clerk and treasurer of the united townships of Tiny and Tay which were to celebrate their 100th anniversary, Jan. 30, 1951, was also the first mayor of Penetang when it was incorporated as a town in 1881. 

OBITUARIES
ESTHER PATENAUDE
After a lengthy illness, the death occurred Jan. 3 in Penetang General Hospital of Esther Patenaude. In her eighty-ninth year. Mrs. Patenaude leaves eight children and a large number of descendants, including 35 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Born Sept. 17, 1872, in Lafontaine, she was married there in 1894 to Peter Patenaude. The couple moved to Penetang after the wedding and she had lived there ever since. Her husband predeceased her in 1917. In politics, she was an active supporter of the Liberal party. A Roman Catholic, she was buried from St. Ann’s Memorial Church, Penetang. Rev. J. Marchand and Rev. A. O’Malley conducted the service, assisted by Rev. Kenneth Robitaille. Pallbearers were Ron Robitaille, Jim, Peter, Albert, Larry, and Marc Patenaude. Temporary burial was made at St. Ann’s mausoleum. Surviving are five sons. Ed of Washago, Archie and Lawrence of Highland Point, Harry of Penetang and Francis of Vasey; and three daughters, Geraldine (Mrs. Ernest Robitaille) of Midland, Annie of New Brunswick, and Helen (Mrs. Stanley Moreau) of Penetang.
JOSEPH BROOKS
Life-long resident of Penetang and Midland, and a well-known chief engineer on Great Lakes ships, Joseph Brooks died at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Jan. 9. Rev. John Barclay conducted funeral  services at Nicholls funeral home, Jan. 11, with temporary interment in Lakeview Cemetery vault. Pallbearers were Alex McCullagh, Omery Caudle, George Richardson, Robert Munro, Andrew Morrison and Edward Brooks. First four years of Mr. Brooks life were spent in Brentwood, where he was born Aug. 1. 1876. He received his education in Penetang, where he was a resident for 59 years. On Dec. 31, 1912, Mr. Brooks was married in Midland to the former Margaret Ellen Elliott, who survives. He resided in Midland for 21 years. Employed on many boats, Mr. Brooks finished his career with the CSL. Member of the United Church, Mr. Brooks also belonged to the Masonic and Loyal Orange Lodges, and was a member of the Royal Black Knights. His favorite sport was hunting, and in political matters he was a follower of the Conservative party. In addition to Mrs. Brooks who resides at 81 Ottawa Street, Mr. Brooks is survived by daughters Mrs. Otto Cordes (Florence), of Pickering, and Mrs. Douglas Swann (Peggy) of Midland; and sons Robert, Alfred, William and Douglas, all of Midland. There is also a brother, Hiram of Midland, and two sisters, Mrs. David Nicholson and Mrs. M. Machesney, Toronto.
EUDGERE QUESNELLE
Eudgere Quesnelle a well known citizen of this area, died unexpectedly in St Andrew’s Hospital Sunday. Jan 8 after suffering a coronary thrombosis. Born at Perkinsfield Feb 1, 1901, Mr. Quesnelle had lived there until he married Celina Robitaille at Lafontaine in 1934. After spending seven years in Lafontaine, the couple moved to Midland 25 years ago. At the  time of his death, Mr. Quesnelle was employed by Midland public works department. A Roman Catholic, he was a member of St Margaret’s Holy Name Society. He was fond of hockey, and was a staunch Liberal in politics. Surviving besides his widow are three brothers. Eugene of Penetang, Leo of Wyebridge and William of Perkinsfield, and three sisters, Mrs. Arthur Pauze (Clairice), Penetang, Mrs. Armand Beauchamp (Delia), Perkinsfield and Mrs. Andre Duquette (Marie), Estaire, Ont. Funeral service was held Wednesday, Jan. 11, from the Beausoleil funeral home to St. Margaret’s Church, Midland, where Rev. L. Tamas officiated. Temporary entombment was in St. Ann’s mausoleum. Pallbearers were Urgel, Albert and Martin Pauze, Maurille and Gabriel Robitaille and Leonard Quesnelle. 

    Colour television will probably come to Canada within the next year or so. This was the prediction of Carlyle Allison, vice-chairman of the Board of Broadcast Governors, who was the principal speaker at the Midland Canadian Club meeting in Regent Public School last Tuesday evening. The high cost of color television was one of the main reasons for the delay in the arrival of this medium, Mr. Allison contended. He noted that a color television set in Canada would cost in the neighborhood of $795.