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 enlargeNational survival is an important topic all over the world these days, and it formed a part of the demonstrations put on by MPDHS cadets at their annual inspection Wednesday. Here a group of cadets lower a “casualty” from the roof of the cafeteria. P.S. They got him down safely.

The “carnage” at the fifth annual inspection of Midland-Penetang District High School Cadet Corps Wednesday afternoon was terrific. Fortunately no blood was  shed, and the casualties quickly revived under the nearest shade tree. It was a combination of hot sun and nerves that proved too much for some 40 boys and girls, who failed to survive the long wait before the actual inspection began. Some fell on the wet field, others were led away by comrades when they started to sway too violently.

 Safe to say we will never again see a Sherman tank or a squad with Bren guns at the ready in the high school parking lot. (Photo from the 1959 cadet inspection.)

One of the highlights of the annual inspection of MPDHS cadets is this closing ceremony, known as the “feu de Joie”, in which each member of the party fires in quick succession. It’s an old British regiment tradition, denoting loyalty to King and country.

Big event of the year for Midland-Penetang District High School Cadet Corps is the annual inspection, which takes place this Wednesday afternoon. Above are the corps’ corporals, who are, left to right, front row — Larry Thompson, Eric Jennett, Bob Swales, Clarence Woods; centre — John Sweet, John Sibbald, Dave Edwards; back row — Bill Snider, Steve Bell, Bryson McQuirter and Alton Light.

Roman Catholics in North Simcoe honoured the Virgin Mary at their annual rosary rally in Midland Sunday afternoon. A statute of the virgin was transported to the Town Park in this convertible, guarded by 11 Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus of Huronia Council. The statue was placed on the outdoor alter erected in the park for the afternoon service. 

Annual rosary rally in Midland Sunday afternoon attracted hundreds of parishioners from Roman Catholic parishes in North Simcoe. The parade formed up at St. Margaret’s Church and wended its way along Midland streets to Town Park. In this photo, altar boys and Brownies and Guides were caught by the cameraman as they walked along Bay Street towards King. 

These four girls are mighty proud of their YMCA awards, symbolic of gymnastic championships in the ‘Y’ physical training program. Kneeling in front are Glenda Stewart and Barbara Spence, Back row, left to right, are Joyce Collins and Wynne Gilmour. 

This quartet was rated top gymnastic champions in Midland YMCA physical training program. Tests were completed recently and were under the direction of Lloyd Stackhouse. Holding championship crests are, left to right, Bobby Clayton, Paul Quesnelle, Blair Shakell and Paul Howard. 

Several MPDHS students took part in the Orillia Music Festival last week and these three boys placed first in their classes. Left to right are Dan Richardson, French horn, Doug Setterington, tuba, and Tony Moffat winner of a $25 scholarship proficiency with the clarinet. 

One of the popular events at Midland-Penetanguishene District High School this spring was the “School Days” fashion show which attracted a good-sized audience last Thursday night. Above are Bernadette Beausoleil, left, and Sharon McElroy. 

Gathered around the wishing well are three of the girls who took part in Midland-Penetanguishene District High School’s fashion show last week. Depicting the different types of costume worn by the active teen-ager of today are; left to right, Nancy Jones, Heather Scott and Mary Banks. 

Winners of $25 scholarships at the Orillia Music Festival last week were Robin Benson, left, and Lois Cowan, members of the instrumental class at Midland-Penetanguishene District High School. Robin plays the viola and Lois the cello. 

Former cancer patients themselves, Mrs. Frank Rourke and James Shaw, right, can well appreciate the success of the recent campaign for funds staged by the Midland-Penetang unit of the Cancer Society. Here Lester Gumb presents Brian Kilpatrick, representative of the Ontario division of the society, with cheque for $6,252, more than three times the objective originally suggested by Mr. Kilpatrick. 

That happy time of the year for young hockeyists —presentation of trophies, jackets and a big “feed” was enjoyed by members of Midland’s Little NHL teams Saturday night. In top photo 7160, in front of Mrs. A. Irish’s home where dinner was held, are the Robin Hood Trophy winners as most valuable players in four of the league’s seven divisions. Left to right are; Doug Atkinson, Tom Sweeting, Bobby Clayton and Keith Tippin. Lower photo 7180, manager Tom Scott admires some of the new jackets worn by four lads on the AHL team which lost out in the provincial final at Huntsville recently. 

Keeping the books is an important part of 4-H Club work, and here are a few of the many on display at the achievement day, held in Wyebridge Community Hall last Saturday. Holding the sign are Carol Graham, left, of Wyevale South club, and Rita Lalonde, North Wyevale. 

“Who cares about the rain!” say this happy trio, united again for the first time in 32 years. Ernest Barlow (left) and William Barlow are visiting their sister, Mrs. Wilhelmina McFarland, Lindsay Street, Midland. The brothers, who hail from Birmingham, England, are also visiting two other brothers in Detroit whom they have not seen in many years.

 

EDUCATION RATE UP .47 1960 LEVY IS 17.92 MILLS
Free Press Herald headline of May 18, 1960.
Gross expenditures in the 1960 budget are estimated at $227,758 an increase of some $10,300 over 1959. The main item of increase was in teachers’ salaries comprising some $8,000, it was pointed out. Increased revenues reduced the total net expenditure by $5,000. The total estimated revenues are $94,400 as against $89,400 in 1959. The increase is due primarily from additional tax levy from the Township of Tay after the board took over part of Union School Section No. 3, Tiny and Tay, and Union School Section No. 2, Tay, and through increased assessments from this area. Board Secretary W. A. Hack advised that provincial government grants are estimated to be $2,500 higher than last year but this is offset by a decrease in sundry revenue of some $2,000. 

PREDICTS NEW HIGH SCHOOL NEEDED WITHIN FIVE YEARS
County Herald headline of May 20, 1960.
C. Gauthier, Midland – Penetang District High School principal, told Penetang Chamber of Commerce Tuesday night that the school’s $454,000 budget “is one of the most important expenditures of your community.” Mr. Gauthier explained that only about 14% of this is collected from area taxes, the remainder coming in government grants. Mr. Gauthier foresees a total of 900 pupils registered next year with a staff, of 37 teachers. Recalling his days as principal of the old Penetang High School, the speaker said, “It has been quite an experience to take part in the operation of this school. Of course my period as vice-principal was of great help, but still the jump from a five-room school to what will be 45 rooms next year, is some leap.” Speaking of increased enrolment he said the last five years have produced some interesting figures. Populations of the towns has increased by four per cent and of the rural area by eight or nine per cent during that time. But population of the school has risen by 33% in that time.  “This means we are keeping students for a longer period than previously, and this has brought a large number of problems.” One of, the big problems is the fact that mass education can produce quantity. “But this does not always mean quality.” He named two factors which are keeping students in school longer; cessation of payment of family allowance when a child leaves school; and the lack of jobs for non-educated which tends to keep pupils in longer. 

    OVERCROWDING at Regent Public School will necessitate the shifting of some 40 pupils from that school, in September, to Parkview and Sixth Street schools. This was decided at the Midland Public Schools Board meeting Friday night. The board also decided that a few pupils from the Sunnyside area, now attending Sixth Street School, would have to be moved to Parkview School. Pupils would be from Grades 7 and 8, the board ruled. Noting that it was impossible at present to determine the areas from which pupils will be transferred to other schools, Board Chairman Frank Bray said, “There will be a hue and cry no matter who is chosen but it is the only thing we can do.” An additional classroom will be set up in both Parkview and Sixth Street Schools in September, the board ruled, and two additional teachers are being employed for the fall term. This will give a total of 36 classrooms in the three schools; 17 at Regent, seven at Sixth Street and 12 at Parkview.  The principals’ reports showed the following total attendance by schools with the daily average and percentages for the month of April shown in brackets: Parkview, 412 (367.33 – 95.50%) Regent, 639 ( 579.20 – 96.92%) and Sixth Street, 157 (149.13 – 94.99%).

        Member of one of Penetang’s pioneer lumbering families, George Arthur Beck died Saturday morning in Toronto General Hospital. Born in Penetang 72 years ago, he was a son of the late Charles Beck. He moved to Toronto in 1928, and was secretary of the lumber firm of C. Beck Manufacturing Co. A past master, and life member of Georgian Lodge, A.F. and A.M. Penetang, he was the recipient of his 50-year jewel last summer on one of his visits to Penetang. Prior to that time he had been ill for a period during which it had been necessary to amputate one leg. Since then he had enjoyed good health until shortly before his death. He is survived by his wife, the former Grace Cane; a brother, William F., and a sister, Mrs. Y. E. Eager of Hamilton. Funeral service was held Monday at the Morley S. Bedford Chapel in Toronto, and burial was in the Beck family vault in the Presbyterian Cemetery, Penetang. 

    The Raymond Robillards of Penetang likely will remember Friday, May 13, for some time, following the excitement they experienced on that traditionally unlucky day. While Mrs. Robillard’s father, G. Tersigni, was visiting the household Friday, he noticed smoke emerging from the television set. Grabbing a rug, Mr. Tersigni attempted to smother the set. When this failed, he picked up the set, carried it outside, deposited it on the lawn, and just managed to get out of range when it exploded. Only lucky part of the entire episode is that two days remained on the warranty period, although the firm from which it was purchased is no longer in business in this area. Damage to the house itself was confined to smoked walls, drapes and furniture. 

    A church parade, dinner and dance will be the main activities when the Grey and Simcoe Foresters (Active) hold their sixth reunion in Midland June 4 and 5. The event marks the 20^th anniversary of the unit’s mobilization, June 12, 1940 as an infantry regiment. At Debert, N.S. the unit became the 26^th Army Tank Regiment and went overseas as a regiment of Grey and Simcoes, June 16, 1943. They became part of the 26^th Armoured Brigade. In England, in July, 1943, the unit was split with members going to the Fort Garry Horse, the Sherbrooke Fusiliers, the 16th Hussars, the Governor-General’s Foot Guards, the Grenadier Guards, the Ontario Regiment, the Three Rivers regiment, the Calgary Regiment and the Governor-General’s Horse Guards. Members of the unit, which has a regimental mailing list of 700, are expected to come to Midland 250 strong, from such places as Haileybury, Timmins, Cobalt, Cochrane, New Liskeard, Sault Ste. Marie, Owen Sound, Orillia, Barrie, Penetang, Midland and the immediate vicinity.  

BIRTHS
ARGUE — To Mr. and Mrs. Robert Argue, King Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Monday, May 16, 1960, a daughter. Mother and daughter both well.
BEARDSALL — To Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Beardsall, George Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Sunday, May 15, 1960, a son.
EDMINSTON — To Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Edminston, Waubaushene,
at St. Andrews Hospital, Thursday, May 12, 1960, a daughter.
JORDAN — To Mr. and Mrs. George Jordan, Elmvale, at St. Andrews Hospital, Sunday, May 15, 1960, a daughter.
BELCHER — At Humber Memorial Hospital, Weston, May 10, to Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Belcher, a son.

    In conjunction with the 25^th anniversary of the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous which will be celebrated in Miami, Florida, in June, and which will be attended by A.A. members from all over the world, the Midland Group of the fellowship is planning an open meeting tonight (Wednesday) in the Orange Hall, Second Street at 8.15 p.m. Purpose of the open meeting is to give people an opportunity to learn something about the problem of alcoholism and the methods used by A.A. to arrest the sickness. With this in mind the Midland Group has circularized many members of the professions, the clergy, businessmen and industrialists, heads of educational bodies and others who might show an interest. The mayor and members of council also have been invited. While the success of A.A. in this immediate district has been spectacular, members believe that much more might be accomplished if more people understood the problems of the alcoholic. The very word “alcoholic” is repulsive to some people. They picture an alcoholic as someone who has lost all material and personal possessions, one who has no home, is destitute, and who drinks anything from liquor to rubbing alcohol, it was stated. 

25 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK – 1935

D. Tushingham, Midland manager of the Bell Telephone Company, completed 25 years’ service with that company and was made a life member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. * * *  The North Simcoe Softball League was formed with clubs from Hillsdale, Elmvale, Waverley and Vasey. * * *  On account of the small amount of lake and rail freight passing through Port McNicoll, council of that village found it necessary to give relief work to 71 men. * * * A. B. Thompson of Penetang, member of the federal house, was appointed chief executive for Ontario under the Canadian Farm Loan Act. * * * W. J. Attridge, local superintendent for an insurance company, saw a red deer while driving with his wife near the Midland Golf and Country Club. * * * F. R. Hodgkins, King Street butcher sold his Midland business to E. H. Price of Penetang. * * * Broadcasts advertising Midland were made daily for several weeks from a Toronto radio station. * * * There was only one case to be heard in Midland police court and that concerned a Coldwater man charged with illegal possession of liquor. * * * Total monthly accounts for Midland schools were as follows; high school, $2,297.08 and public schools $3,007.33. 

Editorial:
 The Department of National Defence reports it has 15,000,000 yards of cloth, enough for 3,000,000 uniforms. On the basis of the approximately 120,000 strength of the armed forces today, the department has enough cloth to provide each man with a new uniform a year for the next 25 years. However, some of the cloth has been spoiled because it has been in storage for at least eight years. If nothing else, this material should provide Ottawa politicians with a subject for chewing the rag. 

    Pupils at Midland-Penetang District High School aren’t the only ones to get good reports. “We have received a very favorable report from two high school inspectors about our teaching staff, the new principal and assistant principal,” stated MPDÍHS Board Chairman T. M. McCullough at the meeting last Wednesday. “It was a most acceptable report and for you, Dr. Parrott (chairman of school property) they mentioned that the school’s housekeeping was very good.” added Mr. McCullough. Noting that 14 inspectors had Visited the school since September, Principal R. C. Gauthier said, “Maybe I can take some credit but a principal has to have a good staff like I have to carry out his wishes.”   

     A native of Penetanguishene, Dr. Peter Spohn of Vancouver died last weekend as a result of an accident at his summer home on Paisley Island, near the west coast city. Dr. Spohn, 43, was assistant clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of British Columbia. An inquest held in Vancouver May 10 to investigate the circumstances surrounding Dr. Spohn’s death, was told that the doctor may have fallen from a log and struck his head while tying up his boat. 

   Neville Keefe, general manager of the Georgian Bay Development Association, last night proposed a vigorous campaign for development of the tourist industry in Midland. He spoke to the Midland Lions Club. He laid down 11 suggestions which he felt would correct this situation. They were: Promotion of special events, such as Barrie, Collingwood and Penetang do each year; Make Midland the convention centre of Georgian Bay (would require private capital); Consider shipyards and coal docks for bayside park area amusements, etc., to be installed; Consider other areas on Georgian Bay for recreation (at present lack of swimming facilities in Midland limits, tourists who want to swim in the Bay, although it is one of our chief advertising points); Sponsorship of a motor boat jamboree into the islands in co-operation with marine dealers in area; Eliminate half holiday during summer months, serve the tourists through the short season; Use of more garbage receptacles along the main streets to keep the town clean; Instruct and advise merchants and sales clerks in value of friendly smiles — use of gimmicks in the stores — give away folders for things to do and see, at all stores; Improve attitudes and advice on U.S. money exchange, discount it but do it nicely; Use courtesy parking tickets, warn the tourist by fake summons; Off street parking and canopies, try a two-day no-parking restriction on main street, advertise this trial and obtain public attitude through voting coupons in stores.

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 enlargeMuch of the work in the recent fund-raising campaign held by the Midland-Penetang Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society was directed by the officials above. Left to right are L. H. Taylor, campaign chairman, Mrs. Peter Brasher and Mrs. W. L. Attridge, unit president, all of Midland; Miss Annette Desroches and Terrence Donegan, who saw that the campaign ran smoothly in Penetanguishene. 

Credit for collecting 94 per cent of the $6,252 raised by the Midland-Penetang Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society in its recent campaign went to the women who conducted the door-to-door canvasses. Chosen at random from among those who attended a “thank you” party at Midland’s Roxy Theatre Sunday, these women received flowers and plaques. Left to right are, front row — Mrs. Jack Fisher, Port McNicoll, Mrs. Wilmot Wilson, Victoria Harbour, Mrs. Fecteau, Ward 4 Midland; back row, Miss Marjorie McMurtry, Ward 2, Mrs. R. A. Grigg, Ward 3, Mrs. Jack Wilson, Waubaushene, Miss Margaret Owen, Ward 1, Mrs. J. Trilsbeck, Penetang, Mrs. Allan Cameron, Wyebridge. 

No doubt as popular with the cadets as their counter-parts are in the regular services, these are the senior NCO’s of the MPDHS Cadet Corps, which holds its annual inspection May 18. Left to right are, front row — CSM Brian Hartley, RSM Paul Bellehumeur, CSM Don Popple; second row — Sgts. Peter King, John Daniells, John Edwards, Romeo Lalonde; third row — Sgts. Don D’Aoust, Rene Moreau, Hubert Charlebois, Paul Duquette, Dave Walker, Roy Marshall; back row — Sgts. Grant Robinson, Kevin Rogers, Bill Laramey, Ron McConnell, Julien Quesnelle, Len Quesnelle.  

The next few days will be busy ones as MPDHS Cadet Corps prepares for its annual inspection May 18. Officers of the corps are, left to right, front row — Cadet Maj. D. Smitham, Cadet Maj. G. Wittig, Cadet Maj. R. Scott, Cadet Lieut-Col. J. Parker, commanding officer. Cadet Maj. D. Belfry, Cadet Maj. R. Gauthier, Cadet Maj. M. Moreau; second row — Capt. R. Rankin, Capt. C. Whetham, Lieut. R. Wright, Capt. G. Waples, Capt. T. Kearns; third row — Lieuts. C. Rebhan, B. Rawson, P. G. Gignac, Ben Archer, N. French, Tom Marr, W. Hutchinson; back low — Lieuts. B. Schmidt, J. Wright, G. Ronald, P. Smitham, J. Rankin, J. Scott, W. Bonneville. 

Lending a dash of glamour to the MPDHS Cadet Corps annual inspection next Wednesday afternoon will be this color party composed of, left to right, Cadet Lieut. B. Arbour, Sgt. Don Tucker and Lieut. J. Roberts. Lieut-Col. Jack Symons of the Grey and Simcoe Foresters will be the inspecting officer. 

Canada’s “Mr. Hockey” — G. S. Dudley, QC — died in St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Sunday morning, following a stroke. He was in his 67th year. Prominent in many fields, Mr. Dudley was undoubtedly best known as secretary-manager of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association. Although poor eyesight prevented him from ever playing the sport he loved best, even as a youngster in Midland, his work on behalf of the game led to his enrollment in hockey’s “Hall of Fame”. In addition, he was also prominent in legal, municipal, fraternal and church circles, and had been a staunch worker in the Progressive – Conservative cause for just short of half a century. Born in Midland April 19, 1894, George Dudley came by his “stick-to-itness” naturally. His late father had served the town 40 years in all, Including 37 years on the PUC. It was typical of Mr. Dudley that he had arranged for flowers for both his deceased parents to be placed in St. Paul’s United Church on Mother’s Day. George Dudley received his early education in Midland public and high schools. Upon finishing high school, he was articled to the late Senator W. H. Bennett, known as one of the most effective debaters of his time. Training which no doubt was of great help to Mr. Dudley in his many arguments with NHL and world hockey heads from time to time. After graduating from Osgoode Hall in 1917, the young lawyer returned to Midland and entered partnership with the late Hon. William Finlayson, Minister of Lands and Forests at the time. Upon Mr. Finlayson’s death in 1943, Mr. Dudley took over the business himself. In his home town, Mr. Dudley was many things, including town solicitor for many years. He had served as master and district master in both the Masonic and Orange orders. He took an active interest in the welfare of St. Andrews Hospital and St. Paul’s United Church. As chairman of the last Victory Loan in Midland in 1945 he helped raise 1 1/4 million dollars, largest fund ever raised in local history. Mr. Dudley was first elected to the Ontario Hockey Association executive in 1925. Following in the footsteps of two other Midlanders, W. J. Turner and Albert Copeland, he was president from 1934 to 1936. He was made OHA treasurer in 1937 a position he held continuously ever since. 

Despite heavy rains, high dignitaries and ordinary citizens filled St. Paul’s United Church to capacity for the funeral of G. S. Dudley, Q.C., in Midland Wednesday. Here fellow Masons provide a guard of honour as the body is borne from the church. 

Hockey officials from many parts of Canada and the U.S. were in Midland Wednesday for the funeral of “Mr. Hockey”, G. S. Dudley, QC, for many years secretary-manager of the CAHA and treasurer of the OHA. Left to right, are, W. A. McArthur, Midland, Tom Lockhart, New York, president of the American Hockey Association; Walter Brown, president Boston Bruins; Frank Selke, general manager Montreal Canadiens; Clarence Campbell, president of the NHL; and Sam Pollock, head of the Canadiens farm club operations.  

More hockey officials from many parts of Canada attended the funeral of “Mr. Hockey”, G. S. Dudley, QC. Left to right are Bob LaBell, Chambly, Que., past president CAHA; Carl Palangio, North Bay, past president NOHA.; Lorne Cook, Kingston, past president OHA, W. A. Hewitt, Toronto, long-time associate of Mr. Dudley in both the OHA and CAHA; W. B. George, Kemptville, past president CAHA; and Pete Palangio, North Bay. 

More of the hockey dignitaries present for the funeral of George S. Dudley in Midland Wednesday are seen here. Left to right are Lloyd Doran, Belleville, who trained in Midland some years ago with the defunct St. Louis Flyers; Jack Devine, Belleville, member of the OHA referees’ committee; Gordon-Juckes,  Melville, Sask., CAHA president; Alfred Lockeridge, Wingham, secretary of the WOHA; Frank Moat, Toronto Hockey League president; and Bill Hanley, business manager of the OHA. 

No wonder she is smiling, Mrs. Doris Weeks of 175 Fifth Street is the first Midland winner of a prize in Dominion Stores’ Summer Family of Fun contest. Here she receives her prize, a motor rug, from Dominion’s location manager Howard Deschamp. The contest, which is to run for 12 weeks, expires July 2. Top weekly prize is a summer cottage and $500 in cash to purchase the lot. 

“Sleeping garments” was the theme of this year’s North Simcoe 4-H Homemaking Clubs, who held their achievement day at Wyebridge Saturday. President of Simcoe County District of the Women’s Institute, Mrs. R. Crosbie (left) examines work on a housecoat worn, by Rita Lalonde of the North Wyevale Club. Other girls are Carol Graham, Wyevale South, and Pauline Irish, Vasey. All three girls have completed 12, 4-H Homemaking Club units to win provincial honours. 

Winning a provincial award means a lot of work for the girls in North Simcoe 4H Homemakers’ Clubs, who must complete 12 units to be eligible. Miss Jean Irvine, left, Simcoe County home economist, is seen presenting certificates to Pauline Robinson, Vasey and Joyce Reynolds, Wyevale South, at the achievement day in Wyebridge Saturday. 

Nearly 150 members of North Simcoe 4-H Home-making Clubs held their achievement day in Wyebridge Saturday. Here three girls from the Coldwater Club, for Brenda Hawke, Carol Howell and Beverley Langman (left to right) get a few tips on making sleeping garments from Miss Jean Irvine, county home economist. This was the first year for the Coldwater club. 

 

ONE KILLED FIVE INJURED IN “WORST CRASH IN YEARS”
Free Press Herald headline of May 11, 1960.
    One young girl was killed almost instantly and another young woman is in critical condition in St. Andrews Hospital as a result of a head-on collision between two cars on the long curve at Jone’s Corner on Highway 12 about a mile south of Midland-shortly after midnight Saturday. Dead is Joyce Somers, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Francis J. (Bob) Somers, Dominion Ave. She was pronounced dead upon arrival at St. Andrews. In critical condition is Shirley Stamp, 22, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. Stamp, Queen Street. Miss Stamp suffered a fractured skull and had both legs broken. Four other persons were severely injured in the accident, one of the worst recorded in this area in some time. Both 1954-model cars were considered complete wrecks by police. Driver of the vehicle in which Miss Stamp and Miss Somers had been passengers was Marcel Lafreniere, 21, Poyntz Street, Penetang. He too, had both legs broken and suffered severe lacerations. A third passenger in the Lafreniere vehicle, Diana Dufty, 20, daughter of Mrs. J. C. Moreau, Donalda Street, was first treated for a broken ankle and dislocated elbow. Later it was learned she had also suffered a punctured lung. The Lafreniere car, returning from a bowling banquet at Victoria Harbour, and an eastbound car, driven by Christopher Denninger, 26, of 338 Frederick Street, were involved in the crash. The latter had only one passenger, Siegfreid Zingel, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Zingel, King Street. Denninger’s parents reside in Nuremberg, Germany. Valued members of Huronia Soccer Club, neither young man will see much action this year. Denninger had both bones broken in his right leg while Zingel has a badly-dislocated hip. Both men suffered severe facial injuries as well. 

PENETANG HOSPITAL GETS $26,000 IN TWO GRANTS
County Herald headline of May 13, 1960.
    Announcement was made this week of two government grants totalling $26,000, toward construction of a residence for nursing sisters at Penetang General Hospital, according to business manager, Felix Turcotte. Notice of a federal grant in the amount of $8,000 was contained in a letter from J. Waldo Monteith, minister of national heatlh and welfare. A communication from Ontario Hospital Services Commission tells of a grant of $18,000, based on $2,000 per bed for nine nurses’ beds. Total cost of the residence being constructed to the west of the hospital has been estimated at $112,000. This estimate includes complete furnishings for the building which will include 12 bedrooms plus one infirmary bed. The two-storey structure will be 92 by 46 feet, and besides the bedrooms, will contain an office, community room, chapel and reception room. It will be connected to the hospital by a canopied walk.

(Every week the paper includes some sad account of a car accident, drowning, fire, accidental death. We have tended to omit these, but this week it is up front in the headline, so we will list them all. In the last month there have been two small children drowned due to the spring run-off, another in an open well. All this when the population of the area was half of what it is now.) 

   Rainy weather, accompanied by high winds, has hampered the search for the body of Herman Sandy who drowned Saturday morning in Georgian Bay, near Christian Island. The 38-year-old man is the father of 10 children. They and his wife survive him. According to officials of the Christian Island Indian Reserve (Beausoleil First Nation), Sandy attempted to cross the channel between the Island and Cedar Point on the mainland, around 10 o’clock Saturday morning. A strong wind was blowing at the time, and according to the agent, R. W. Purser, the 12-foot outboard-powered boat was bouncing around like a cork. 

    Drivers of these vehicles were lucky to escape death when they collided in the CPR subway on Highway 12, about two miles west of Victoria Harbour, early Friday evening. Driver of the car in the top photo, Mrs. Sadie Turner, 72, of Coldwater, suffered a fractured right wrist, along with cuts and bruises about the face. Driver of the heavier car, below, Alric Robitaille, 56, of Belleville, escaped injury. Damage was estimated at $1,000 by OPP Const. William Mohan, who investigated. 

    Another serious motor accident, of the type which has plagued North Simcoe roads in the past week, occurred near Elmvale just before noon Wednesday. In serious condition in Penetang General Hospital is Charles B. Shaw, 47, proprietor of the Red Rooster restaurant just south of Elmvale. Mr. Shaw is reported to have suffered several bad fractures of the left leg, a broken left arm, two fractured ribs and possible internal injuries. He has been given several blood transfusions, police said. 

    A Midland resident, Mrs. Thomas Downer of Bay Street, was injured in a freak accident at the foot of Angels’ Hill, on Highway 27 south of Penetang, shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday night. Police said a truck driven by Guy Belcourt, 17, R.R. 2, Penetang, was proceeding south when the hood suddenly flew up. Mr. Belcourt jammed on his brakes but lost control of the truck which struck a northbound car driven by Thomas Downer, police said. Taken to Penetang General Hospital, Mrs. Downer was treated for her injuries. 

   Around 11.30 p.m. the same evening, OPP Const Tom Heels investigated a rear-end collision on Highway 27, about a mile south of Firths’ Corners. Involved were a station wagon driven by Mrs. Donald Wilson, RR 2, Midland, and an English-model car driven by Cecil Blow, Wyevale. Police said Mrs. Wilson’s vehicle was struck from the rear when she was making a right turn, causing $300 damage to her vehicle and $800 to the front of the Blow car. 

   Heaviest damage of the weekend, $2,200, resulted when a 1960 convertible driven by Robert G. Long, 29, of Burlington, plowed into a rock formation on Highway 103, 1.5 miles south of the Gibson River. OPP Const, Michael Chapman investigated the accident. 

   Following investigation, Penetang police said yesterday that a gunshot wound suffered by Mary Rogers who is being treated at Penetang General Hospital, was accidental. Chief Jack Arbour said the investigation disclosed Miss Rogers had been cleaning her .22 calibre revolver Sunday evening when it discharged, the bullet entering her abdomen. She is said to have told police, she believed it was unloaded. 

    Several ratepayers delegations brought their flooding problems to Midland council Monday night. First to be heard was a delegation from the southern end of Eighth Street. They asked what plans council had to remedy the flooding both on Eighth Street and in the “water hole” at the back of their properties. (The area between 7^th and 8^th streets just south of Hugel had been an open swamp for years.) Another delegation from the Gloucester, Manley and Russell Streets area also asked council what was going to be done about the water and street conditions in their area. They were told by Mr. Beauchamp that their situation would be taken care of. “Something drastic has to be done and done immediately,” commented Alderman James Mackie when a citizen complained of the condition of Hugel Ave., East.
NEED CANOE “What about Johnston and Donalda Streets” council was asked, “You have to have a canoe to get around there.” “I’ll take you on a boat trip for 25 cents at Bay and Eighth Streets,” stated Mr. Mackie. “There is work to be done in all wards,” admitted Mr. Beauchamp. 

    Council News. Pending the drafting of a bylaw to permit barbershops to remain closed on Mondays and open all day Wednesdays, Midland council passed a motion Monday night authorizing the change until such time as the bylaw is approved.
A recommendation from Police Chief Wainman that no parking be permitted on the east side of King Street from Yonge Street to 165 feet north of Yonge Street, was approved by council.
Council approved two bylaws authorizing the sale of lot 36, East Seventh Street, Plan 357 and lot 37 East Eighth Street, Plan 357 to Mary C. Gerow for $500 each.
Advice was received by council that the Liquor Control Board of Ontario approved their Midland store remaining open six days a week, except statutory holidays and Sundays between June 13 and September 17 inclusive. 

    A phone ringing in Victoria Harbour brought big news for a 16-year-old schoolboy of that village Tuesday afternoon. It informed Douglas Brodeur that he had been the winner of the CBC’s Talent Caravan show held in Windsor the previous Thursday. Doug will now appear in a later competition on the program which has George Murray as its master of ceremonies. A pupil at St. Mary’s School in the Harbour, Doug is the son of Mr. and Mrs. “Sib” Brodeur. 

BIRTHS
JONAK — To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Jonak, Hugel Avenue, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Saturday, April 30, 1960, a daughter.
MOORE — To Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Moore, Victoria Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, April 27, 1960 a son.
ROBITAILLE — To Mr. and Mrs. Martin Robitaille, R.R. 2, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 1960, a daughter.
DORIEN — To Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Dorien, R.R. 1, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Monday, May 9, 1960, a son.
KING — To Mr. and Mrs. Orville J. King, Port Severn, at St. Andrew’s Hospital, Tuesday, May 10, 1960, a son.
PFEIFER — To Mr. and Mrs. Fred Pfeifer, R.R. 1, Victoria Harbour, at St. Andrew’s Hospital, Saturday, May 7, 1960, a son.
ST. AMAND — To Mr. and Mrs. Norman St. Amand, Victoria Harbour, at St. Andrew’s Hospital, Sunday, May 8, 1960, a son.
ZIMMERMAN — To Mr. and Mrs. Walter Zimmerman, Victoria Harbour, at St. Andrew’s Hospital, Tuesday, May 10, 1960, a son.
DUMAIS — To Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Dumais, 64 Water St., Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Thursday, May 5, 1960, a son (stillborn).
BAZINET — To Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Bazinet, Val d’Or, Quebec, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Thursday, May 5, 1960, a daughter.
REID — To Mr. and Mrs. Neil Reid, Perkinsfield, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Friday, May 6, 1960, a son.
COPELAND — To Mr. and Mrs. Jack Copeland, R.R. 3, Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Sunday, May 8, 1960, a daughter.
VAILLANCOURT — To Mr. and Mrs. Gerrard Vaillancourt, Simcoe Lane, Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Saturday, May 7, 1960, a daughter.
LEFAIVE — To Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lefaive, Perkinsfield, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Sunday, May 8, 1960, a daughter.
TRIPP — To Mr. and Mrs. Paul Tripp, Elmvale, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Sunday, May 8, 1960, a son.
ASSELIN — To Mr. and Mrs. Venard Asselin, Perkinsfield, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, May 10, 1960, a son. 

   Tiny Township this summer may become the site of the first “Go-Cart Race Track” in this part of the province, if present plans of A. Leblanc materialize. Mr. Leblanc appeared at Saturday’s meeting of Tiny council asking permission to construct a track on 25 acres of property owned by his mother, north of Hugel Ave., on Highway  27. According to Mr. Leblanc, the “go-carts”,’ which can be purchased for a little less than $200.00 are becoming quite popular for a certain type of racing, called “class A, B and C” racing. They are powered by small air-cooled engines similar to those used on power lawn mowers. Council felt it didn’t have sufficient knowledge or information about the operation of such a track, and asked for time to study the matter. 

TEN YEARS AGO THIS WEEK
  That Ontario Department of Agriculture intended leaving no stone unturned so North Simcoe could remain one of the prime sources of seed potatoes in the province was shown in a case at Penetang court. Two district growers were fined for failure to fight the spread of bacterial ring rot in tubers, produced on their farms. * * * Possibility of building a new high school at Elmvale was discussed at a meeting in the Flos village. * * * W. A. Robinson, MP, for Simcoe East, was named to a committee to review the policies of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. * * * Fifteen veterans who were prepared to build homes on a long-proposed development project on the former McCullough property in Tay Township, just west of Midland, were being sought so water could be supplied to the area. * * * Notice was given in the then current issue of the Ontario Gazette of the issuance of a charter to Midland Curling Club Incorporated. * * * Doubled production capacity of Copeland Flour Mills Ltd. was announced by R. J. Pinchin, president. * * * Possibility that Midland would have a new $60,000 telephone exchange was indicated at the town’s council meeting. * * * Wrecking of several buildings on the east side of King Street, Midland, was begun in preparation for the construction, of the new F. W. Woolworth Ltd. store. * * * Penetang council accepted with regret the resignation of Fire Chief Charles Kaus. * * * Reports that the shell of the American ship Scorpion was in the Northwest Basin were being investigated by J. H. McGuire, president of Penetang’s Chamber of Commerce. 

    COLDWATER — At the end of the school term in June, the Public School at Swift Rapids on the Severn River is to be closed. The school has served families of men employed with the Orillia Water and Light Power Commission at the Swift plant. The OWLP commission  approved the closing of the school at its April meeting. School board chairman Fred Alport reported that one family with six children is moving from the Swift. This leaves only one child who would be of school age next year, he said. 

Perkinsfield News
John and Raymond Marchildon of Toronto visited their parents over the weekend.
Mr .and Mrs. Robert Grenier are visiting relatives in Sudbury for a few days. Mr. and Mrs. Wilfrid McConnell, who visited the Greniers over the weekend, returned home to Sudbury with them Sunday morning.
Marcellin Laurin has just purchased the home next to Alcime Moreau, Penetang Road.
Omer Robitaille, Con. 11, Tiny, has moved his family to Lafontaine.
Twenty-seven, seven-year-old children, mostly from the Village, made their first communion here Friday.
Mrs. Jos. Robitaille has returned to her home in Toronto after looking after her father, Arthur Moreau, for a couple of weeks.
After visiting relatives and old friends here and in Lafontaine for several weeks, Mrs. Herve Lussier returned home the latter part of April. On her arrival, she found that eight inches of snow covered the ground when she reached her home in St. Boniface, Manitoba. During her absence two of her daughters had given birth to two baby girls.
Mrs. Arthur Moreau is home from St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto.
Paul Marchildon has secured a position in Port Hope.
Theresa and Bernadette Belcourt came up from Elliot Lake over the weekend to be with their mother on Mother’s Day.
Fernand Moreau has moved his family to Con. 11, Tiny.

    The slump in shoe manufacturing which has resulted in more factory layoffs this spring than at any time in the recent history of the Canadian shoe industry, has caught up with the factories in Midland and Penetanguishene. Midland Footwear has been on a four-day-week for some time and the California line in Fern Shoe, Penetang, is being sharply curtailed. “Until very recently we have fortunately been able to provide full employment, and even some overtime in the Penetang plant,” explains Jerry Zabransky, Shoe Corporation vice- president. “However, the manufacturing slump has now caught up with us and we cannot make shoes we cannot sell. “Midland Footwear’s stitchdown manufacturing lines have been cut back for more than a month and daily production is well below average levels over the past three years,” Mr. Zabransky said. Not only have a lot of new manufacturers come into this field especially in Quebec province where labor rates are considerably lower, but the whole men’s and boys’ shoe field has been operating on only a part-time basis. A number of Ontario plants have been shut down for several weeks at a time and some have been on only one or two days a week since early in 1960. We have been fortunate to be able to keep going as long as we have. “Now we are facing troubles.” 

    Midland Indians Baseball Club sought council’s support for the erection of floodlights at the ball park, at the council meeting Monday night. Pointing out that the club can’t finish many games because of darkness, and contending that more tourists would attend if lights were installed, Larry Curran, representing the club, asked for council’s support. Mr. Curran said he had been informed that, with council’s approval, the public utilities commission could be requested to use funds for such a project, if approval were given by Ontario Hydro. “Are we assuming the total liability?” asked Mayor Charles Parker. “My impression is that we have no authority for such an expenditure,” stated Clerk W. A. Hack. It was suggested to Mr. Curran that he should obtain information how other municipalities such as Barrie, Orillia and Listowel had arranged their floodlighting program. Mr. Curran agreed to do this and the matter was left in abeyance until a later meeting. 

    Long distance charges will be eliminated June 28 for telephone calls between Midland and Penetanguishene. In announcing the date, H. A. Kilroy, Bell Telephone manager for this area, said the change is being made under the company’s Extended Area Service (E.A.S. plan), he said.

STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY, FOLLOW THE RULES, BE PATIENT!

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 enlargeTenth annual conference of Region 9 of the Business of Professional Women’s Clubs of Ontario saw some 80 delegates “sign in” at Midland’s Georgian Hotel on the weekend. Left to right, are Mrs. Robert Hoffland, Mrs. Hugh Riesberry, Miss Shirley Ruby, Miss Jessie Bathgate and Mrs. R. McGrattan. All but Miss Bathgate, who comes from Simcoe, are members of the host Midland club. 

Friday was a historic day in Midland, marking the end of 80 years of steam on railroads serving the town. Here Conductor George Nicklee, right, signs register at the freight office prior to the departure of last steam train, on that line. Watching are Midland agent Harvey White, left, and Cy Ney, chief clerk. Starting Monday, diesel locomotives started to pull all trains into Midland; on both CNR and CPR lines.

 

This CPR engine 3632, was the last steam locomotive to pull a train out of Midland when it departed Friday afternoon. On hand to mark the end of an era were, left to right, W. H. Biggar former agent at Midland and Port McNicoll, Bud Taylor, Art Lumsden, conductor George Nicklee, R. B. Dockray, Cy Ney, Harold Jamieson, Midland agent Harvey White, Ray Asselin and Eric Heels. In the cab are fireman Chas St Amant, left, and engineer Doug McNabb. 

With the end of the steam era in Midland on the weekend, in future all trains, both CNR and CPR, will be pulled by unromantic-looking diesels. Here, four CNR diesels pull a long line of empties (they stretch out of sight). CPR trestle at Port McNicoll provided a good vantage point for this shot. 

Guides and Brownies in this district are staging their annual cookie sale this week. Here Donna Brophy of 1st Penetang Brownie Pack and Marie McLaughlin of 2nd Midland Guide Company make a sale to Mrs. Tom McCullough of Midland. Edwards Specialty Shop in Midland is featuring a display in the front of the store, promoting the cookie sale. 

This machine, being operated by Bud Todd in the Webb Manufacturing and Sales plant at Victoria Harbour is called simply enough a broom-making machine. However, making brooms isn’t all that simple. There are a number of processes that must be carried out carefully before the finished article is ready for market. 

One of the last operations in the making of a broom is the stitching, here being done by Ken Webb, co-owner with his father Capt. C. H. Webb, of Webb Manufacturing and Sales, Victoria Harbour. The company turns out around nine dozen brooms a day. 

Thursday will be a big day for Douglas Brodeur of Victoria Harbour when he journeys to Windsor to appear on the CBC television program Talent Caravan. The 16-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Sib Brodeur, Doug hopes to win recognition with his banjo-ukulele. The Grade 10 pupil at St. Mary’s School in the Harbour won an audition at Barrie recently. 

Photo used on the editorial page with this caption; “Pulling an Elevator’s Leg”. The Murray Bay at the Tiffin elevator.  

New queen of the Canada Steamship Line fleet, the SS Murray Bay is seen at Tiffin elevator, Midland, as she completed her maiden voyage. Said to be capable of holding a million bushels of grain, the Murray Bay had “only” 720,000 bushels aboard this trip.

 Navigation opening is always a big occasion at Port McNicoll, and there was the usual large turnout April 16 when Capt. J. W. Lenckie of the John O. McKellar was presented with the traditional topper. Above, left to right, front row, are Chief Engineer James Henderson, Miss Dorcas McCannell, Toronto, whose father is also a lake captain, Capt. Lenckie, Wiarton, with Carol Crock, 8, of Toronto, and Harbormaster Alex McCullagh; back row, Capt. Alex Campbell of the CPR’s Keewatin, Capt. E. H. Ridd, of the Assiniboia, Reeve Albert Calvert, F. Crock, Toronto, and Cyril Larkin. 

Visiting those in jail and others in mental institutions is all part of the daily routine of a Salvation Army officer. Here Lieut. Wm. Johnston brings a friendly greeting to a prisoner in one of the police cells in Midland. The same afternoon he visited mentally ill persons in the Ontario Hospital, Penetang. 

Late spring break-up is still causing trouble on a number of roads in and out of the urban municipalities. One of the worst spots is on Con. 3, Tay Township about a mile south of Old Fort School, on the north side of a long hill. (This is the Old Fort Road just before you reach the Elliot Side Road, going south, which has now become a very busy 80 KM/H paved shortcut to Midland from the south.) 

‘Hurry, Hurry”, says Norman Launder, centre, as Bob Voorzanger (left) and Blair Shakell pull him along during a relay race as part of the “Star Dust” program at Midland YMCA last week. The boys were in the 8-11 year class. The show drew good crowds both nights. 

On the ground or in the air, the new back tower for the Midland navigation range is an impressive chunk of galvanized steel. It was erected Wednesday at the back of the Midland Public Utilities building on Fourth Street.

Sylvester Sutter’s crane picks up this huge tri-leg tower on which will be mounted new type day and night back markers for the Midland navigation range. Night light features intense narrow beam. Day marker is designed to show up plainly regardless of the position of the sun. 

 

New Midland chiropractor John Taylor stands beside a chart of the human body and a scale model of a section of a human skeleton. Mr. Taylor, who is a graduate of the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto, practiced in Oshawa for a year. 

Motorists entering Midland from the west on Highway 12 (Yonge Street) have been more than a little puzzled by the speed signs near the Chamber of Commerce information booth. Department of Highways sign in foreground lists new 35 mph zone in effect as far east as Seventh Street. Town of Midland sign about 50 feet further east says 30 mph. It will be removed. 

If Midland parents detected some whopping, but unexplained, tummy aches in their youngsters Saturday, they can blame it on Paul Noack and Lionel Hanmer. Paul and Lionel staged the official opening of their renamed “Meatland 277” meat market on King Street Saturday. To mark the occasion, they gave away 650 ice cream bars, 30 gallons of orangeade, and 350 balloons. They were cleaned out by mid-afternoon. By a conservative estimate, about 90 per cent of the “stock” was carted off by the youngsters, who literally can smell a free bargain like this 10 blocks away. “It was quite an event,” laughed Mr. Noack, who doubtless got in the same line-ups himself not too many years ago. 

Staff members of Midland’s “Meatland 277”, above, are cleaning up after a busy day. Left to right are; Diane Annand, Arthur York and Lois Puddicombe. “Meatland” is the former Argue meat market. (Located at 277 King Street.) 

King Street shoppers can now look in the windows, instead of at their feet, at least on the west side of the block between Hugel and Elizabeth. Here Jim Stewart (my godfather) watches Stan Buttineau and Jack Gilbank put the finishing touches to one section of the new sidewalk. It’s one of Midland’s winter works projects. (A group of public servants who often go unnoticed in our lives, literally digging the ditches, cleaning the streets, all night on the snow plows, rain, cold, weekends, a big thanks to the men and women of our public works departments.) 

Although the weather for the trout season opening this year was not the best, these two Midland youngsters had no complaint. This 28-inch, 5 1/2 lb. rainbow was caught by Cecil Merkley, right, with help from Peter Contois. They landed the beauty in the Sturgeon River Sunday afternoon, using an artificial lure. 

UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN 34 PERCENT IN APRIL
Free Press Herald headline of May 4, 1960. Slowly but surely the employment picture is improving in this area, according to figures released this week by Harold Humphries, manager of the Midland office of the National Employment Service. “As of April 28, we had 892 unemployed males and 211 unemployed females listed on our records,” Mr. Humphries told this paper. While these figures are not quite as good as they were one year ago, they are an improvement over those in effect at the end of March of this year, representing  about a 34 per cent drop. The April 30 figures in 1959 were 866 males and 185 females on the unplaced list. Figures as of March 31, 1960, were 1,422 males and 255 females. Opening of the navigation season, and the return to work of sailors, longshoremen, elevator employees and others connected with the water transport industry, accounted for the large drop in the male unemployed list, Mr. Humphries said. 

SAY STUDENT ABSENTEES COST THIS DISTRICT $7,000
County Herald headline of May 6, 1960. Mr. Gauthier explained that $7,000 more would have been received in government grants if there had been no absenteeism and if these grants had been received the seven municipalities concerned would have had to raise just that much less for high school expenses. The principal pointed out that the situation at MPDHS was, no different than at other schools in the province and that on an average there were 35 pupils away every day.  “For every day the average pupil is away, he loses three days of mental, development,” stated Mr. Gauthier, who contended that one-third of our absentees could be at school because they are not absent for educational reasons or sickness.” 

25 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK
Port McNicoll residents learned of the tying up of the Canadian Pacific Steamship Keewatin and the paying off of her crew because of a longshoremen’s strike in Montreal. The Assiniboia was in drydock at the head of the lakes for repairs. * * * After months of  correspondence in an effort to eliminate or improve the low, narrow subway at the Wye River, Dr. G. E. Tanner, MPP, succeeded in getting together highway engineers and representatives of the CPR and CNR and the railway board to look over the site and consider possible improvements. * * * Midland town council sharply reduced salaries of town employees, for a saving of approximately $1,000. * * * Midland citizens were honored during the silver jubilee celebration of the accession of King George V to the throne. Presented with the king’s medals were: Mayor S. W. McKinley, St. Andrews Hospital Superintendent Miss Baker, Manley Street School Principal R. G. Nesbitt, Dr. G. E. Tanner, MPP and Police Chief W. J. MacDonald. * * * Penetang officials were predicting better days ahead because, at the end of April, $12,000 more in local taxes had been paid than up to the end of June in the preceding year. * * * Girl Guides of Penetang commended Mrs. W. F. Beck for her leadership and valuable assistance in the Guide movement. Mrs. Beck was forced to relinquish her connection with the Penetang Guides when she moved from that community. * * * Thomas Duncan, Midland Park Commission member, was urging the tourist towns of Simcoe County to combine in a publicity campaign to attract tourists. * * * Midland was chosen as the site for a summer school for men and women teachers to enable those with second class certificates to complete their upper school requirements.  

BIRTHS
ROBERTSON — To Mr. and Mrs. Donald Robertson, Phelpston, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Friday, April 15, 1960, a daughter.
RIDOUT — To Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Ridout, Balm Beach, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Saturday, April 16, a daughter.
LICHTENFELD — To Mr. and Mrs. Rolf Lichtenfeld, 305 King St., Midland, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Sunday, April 17, 1960, a son.
RITCHIE — TO Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Ritchie, Elmvale, at
Penetanguishene General Hospital, Sunday. April 17, 1960, a
Daughter.
PATENAUDE — To Mr. and Mrs. Francis Patenaude, Vasey, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Tuesday, April 19, 1960, a daughter.
MARION — To Mr. and Mrs. Celestin A. Marion, R.R. 3, Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Tuesday, April 19, 1960, a son.
ROSS To REV. and Mrs. Alan Ross, 32 Robert St. W., Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Tuesday, April 19, 1960, a son.
ARTHUR — To Mr. and Mrs. John F. Arthur, Hugel Avenue Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, May 4, 1960, a daughter.
CHARLEBOIS — To Mr. and Mrs. Philip Charlebois, 189 Queen Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, May 3, 1960, a daughter.
CRAWFORD — To Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Crawford, Dominion Avenue, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, May 4, 1960 a son.
COPEGOG — To Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Copegog, Christian Island, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Thursday, April 28, 1960, a daughter. 

Editorial – Probably the surest sign of spring in these parts is the annual scarifying and grading of the county road to Balm Beach. This work now has been completed and the road is about as rough as it can get. 

OBITUARIES
CHARLES HENRY FRENCH – A resident of North Simcoe for almost all of his 86 years, Charles Henry French died at Waverley April 23, following a stroke. Pastor G. A. Greaser conducted funeral services April 25 at Waverley United Church. Burial was in the church cemetery.  Pallbearers were Freeman and Archie Bumstead, John Miller, Owen French, Garfield Brown and Elmer French. Born at Craighurst March 28, 1874, Mr. French received his early education at Waverley. On March 2, 1904, he married the former Mary Jane Reynolds at Hillsdale. Until his retirement some 20 years ago, Mr. French operated farm at Waverley for 46 years. He had also spent eight years at Outlook, Sask., and two years in Midland. An honorary elder of Waverly United Church, he also had served as school trustee for a number of years. He was a Conservative in politics.  Surviving are his wife, four sons, Ivan, Waverley, Eldon and Harold of Midland, and Morley, Brantford; and two daughters, Mrs. Reg Drinkill (Zaida) and Mrs. Morris Darby (Marjorie), both of Waverley.
FREDERICK RUTHERFORD – Following a lengthy illness, Frederick Rutherford died April 17 in Penetang General Hospital. Funeral service, conducted by Rev. W. L. Morden, was held at the Nicholls’ funeral home, Midland, April 19. Pallbearers were Ernie Bath, Joseph McKinley, Joseph Huston, Ernie Bates, Wm. Keller and Herman Weinreb. Mr. Rutherford, who was born and educated in Midland, was married twice, first to the former Myrtle Morrison and following her death, to the former Alice Huston. Besides his widow, he is survived by daughters Mrs. George Sauve (Olive), Mrs. Ed Peachy (Ethel), Mrs. R. Morrison (Dorothy), Rita, Elizabeth and Theo., and sons Harold, Paul and Robert. Also surviving is a brother, Jack, and two sisters, Mrs. J. McKinley (May) of Midland and Mrs. H. Kempton (Ethel) of San Diego, Cal. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery.
MRS. BARBARA M. LAND – A lifelong resident of Midland, Mrs. Barbara Margaret Land, the former Barbara Howard, died in St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, April 26, following a lengthy illness. She was in her 3lst year. Requiem mass was celebrated at St. Margaret’s Church April 28, with Rev. F. Voorwerk officiating. Pallbearers were: Clarence Gagnon, Norman Savage, Thomas Gilbert, Alex Crawford, Wm. Rankin and Douglas Martin. A member of the Roman Catholic Church, Mrs. Land was married in Midland May 29, 1948, to Rodney R. Land. Besides her husband, she is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Howard three daughters, Shirley, Karen and Donna; two sons, Rodney and Randolph, and a sister, Mrs. Jack Lizotte (Joan) of Newmarket. Burial was in St. Margaret’s Cemetery.
HERBERT G. RUMNEY – Life-long resident of Tay Township, Herbert Gladstone Rumney died suddenly in St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, on April 22, following a coronary attack. He was in his 68th year. Rev. R. G. Nodwell conducted funeral services at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home, Midland, on April 25. Interment was in Lakeview Cemetery. Pallbearers were Les Edwards, Nathan Edwards, Verne Rumney, Harry Rumney, Frank Rumney and Fred Rumney. Born in Tay Township on Jan. 8, 1893, Mr. Rumney went to school there and was married in 1919 at Victoria Harbour to the late Gladys T. Crooke. Mrs. Rumney predeceased her husband in January, 1958. They were members of the United Church. Mr. Rumney served in World War I from 1916-18 with the 4^th and 177th Battalions. Upon his return he had served several terms as school trustee for SS 10, Tay. Until his retirement in 1958 he had farmed on Con. 6. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. R. Bidwell (Kathleen), Orillia, Mrs. E. R. Knecht (Muriel), Winnipeg, and Mrs. W. E. Widdens (Eva), Richmond Hill; and two sons, Keith of Walkerton, and Robert, Victoria Harbour. 

   Tender for the construction of three new cottages at Little Lake Park, Midland, was awarded to Norman Polmateer by Midland Park Board at its meeting earlier this week. Mr. Polmateer’s tender of $5,700 was one of six received by the board. Three tenders were received for the cottages plumbing contract and the board awarded this contract to Bell and Wilson, whose tender was $1,618. Barber and Haskill were awarded the electrical contract for the three cottages with their tender of $354. There was only one other electrical tender. The new cottages are to be built at the western end of the cottage area, near where the old cabins used to stand, board secretary, W. A. Hack advised yesterday.