Click on photos to enlarge; 

It must be wonderful to be young and full of the pep and vitality displayed by these Elmvale District High School cheerleaders at the recent Elmvale Fair. Girls of the school defeated the boys in a marching competition. Judges said they kept their mind on their work better than the boys. 

There’s always plenty to interest the ladies in the flower section of the many fall fairs now in this area. Mrs. Frank Robertson was interested in the gladioli display at Elmvale’s 99th annual fair this year. 

Coaching boys athletics at MPDHS is the (sometimes) happy task of the men above, seen lining up the week’s program. With track and field out of the way, for the time being, football and basketball now come into full swing. Left to right are Emile Blouin, assistant track coach; Douglas Swales, head coach in charge of senior football; W. C. Setterington, athletic director; Bill Kennedy, in charge of the junior football team and Perry Rintoul, head track coach. 

 Midland Jaycees held their first fall meeting under a new executive last week. Seated are president George McLaughlin and first vice-president Peter Matts; standing left to right, second vice-president Bill Bennett, secretary Cliff Ornsby and treasurer Ben Westlaken. 

Natural gas officially came to Midland Wednesday afternoon when Mayor Charles Parker turned a valve in front of the new municipal building. Looking on are F. W. Hurst, comptroller for Consumers Gas Company; C. R. Brewer, assistant to the general manager of Consumers Gas; Ian Hope, manager, Georgian Bay area; Reeve W. H. Keller and Alderman H. J. Beauchamp of Midland. 

Inside the new Penetang Arena work on the actual building and installation of the artificial ice making machinery is moving forward. The front of the structure has been improved in appearance by a coat of white stucco over the entire front. Windows cut in the front wall on the mezzanine floor level alleviate the blank look of the large expanse. In the interior, one finds sleepers already in place awaiting the arrival of the miles of pipe which will be laid to provide ice. Gravel has been added to the top level of the sleepers and, when piping has been installed, it will be covered with a layer of gravel, and sand. Future plans call for installation of a concrete floor over the whole surface. 

Hey, what goes on here, asked Midland’s Dan Dubbin, as he surveyed crystallized rear window of his car. The window was perfectly normal when Mr. Dubbin went in to work at 1 p.m. It looked like this when he came out. Damage was believed to be caused by a flaw in the glass. 

The top winner in Elmvale 4-H Calf Club’s achievement day at Elmvale Fair Sept. 23 was Mae White, right. Mae won the grand champion showmanship award and her calf “Sally” won similar honours. Other girls are Myrna Bell, left, who placed third in showmanship, and Anne Robertson, who placed second. 

Long tie-ups for traffic westbound on Highway 12 could result at the junction of the new Trans-Canada Highway at Waubaushene on weekends next summer. At present, the westbound traffic must await an opening to cut across the southbound lane of the Trans-Canada. That could be a long wait in summer traffic. It might also mean some bad accidents unless motorists take special care. 

It’s football time again and Midland – Penetang District High School is hoping for a repeat of the fine season enjoyed by both senior and junior teams last year. Two senior stalwarts above are Bill Offord, lower photo, who will do the passing, and Paul McDonald, who will handle the kicking chores this season for Coach Doug Swales’ Club. The team opens the 1958 season in Barrie this afternoon.  

They start them young at the Elmvale Fair, judging by the size of these children taking part in the calf club competitions for public schools. Left to right are John Archer, 10, Betty Strath, 8, and Greta Ruth DeGorter, 10. Greta won first prize in this division. 

This float, by pupils of S. S. 10 Flos (Crossland) won second place in the division for one-room schools in the Elmvale school parade Sept. 23. Children are left to right, front row – Paul Whitton, Wendy Lyons, Diane Handy, Bonnie Archer, Dougie Archer; back row – John Wills, Richard Anderson (hidden by horse costume) and Alice Archer. 

Keeping right up to date, Waverley Public School featured a space rocket for its float in the school parade at Elmvale Fair Tuesday. “Spacemen” are Dennis Brown, left, and Deanne Leonard. 

• The Midland Free Press headline of October 1, 1958; Modern Federal Building in Offing for Midland. This newspaper was informed that some time ago plans had been drafted for an addition to the existing Midland Post Office. However, it was learned that the steamship inspection service and the customs department now housed in the post office, desired more office space. Also under consideration was the fact that the Unemployment Insurance Commission offices on King Street north are in rented quarters. In view of these situations, it is understood federal officials felt a new building rather than an addition, would be required.
• The County Herald headline of October 3, 1958; Tay Presses Town PUC, Wants Pressure in Mains. On the basis of advice it has received, from the township solicitor, Tay Township council feels Midland Public Utilities Commission is not “living up fully to the terms of its agreement to provide water to the township.” Tay council has instructed Clerk Ralph Dalton to write to P U C officials, requesting that the Midland commission take steps to install necessary pumps and any other installations required to provide adequate pressure in water mains west of Midland. Tay contends that because of the lack of pressure in the high school area, the Midland commission is not “living up” to this section of the agreement, the Tay clerk said. Council feels that this section means Midland has agreed to supply water at a pressure, excluding fire protection, which will provide normal operation of toilets and other services in that area, Mr. Dalton said. Council cited the high school as an example where water pressure is inadequate for toilet facilities. A pressure pump installed in the high school to overcome this problem was not functioning properly and had been a bill of expense because of sludge in the mains, it was stated.
• Mr. and Mrs. Leo Edgar, Midland, announce the engagement of their only daughter Grace Annette, to Mr. Miles Blackhurst, son of Dr. and Mrs. A. O. Blackhurst of Tillsonburg, Ontario. Wedding to take place in St. Margaret’s Rectory, October 25.
• Ten Years Ago This Week – Coldwater council set its 1948 tax rate at 47 mills, three mills higher than the rate for the previous year. * * * Hillsdale United Church Women’s Auxiliary celebrated its 60th anniversary. Among those attending the celebration was Mrs. M. Howarth, who had been a member of the W.A. since 1888. * * * Barrie athletes, both boys and girls, won the major honors at the 28th inter-collegiate track and field at the Ontario Athletic Training Camp on Lake Couchiching, The Barrie boys retained the Tudhope cup which they had won in 1947,  and the girls won the H. J. Thompson trophy. * * * Midland firemen had to leave their annual benefit dance at Parkside to fight a fire which broke out in a double home at Bay and Fourth Streets. * *  * Midland Public Utilities Commissioner Gordon Morris submitted a notice of motion at the PUC’s regular meeting, calling for the installation of water meters on all town services. The meter system was to be implemented as soon as possible after Jan. 1, 1949. * * * Grain boat arrivals at Midland and Port McNicoll elevators were the heaviest in months; eight ships arrived at the two ports during a weekend.  * * * Clarence Moore of Victoria Harbour was elected president of East Simcoe Teachers’ lnstitute, at the annual meeting of the association in Coldwater. * * * Rev. A. B. Cathcart of St. Mark’s Anglican Church was elected president of Midland and District Ministerial Association.
• Natural gas was officially turned on in the town of Penetang during a noon-hour ceremony at Memorial Park, Wednesday. With officials of Consumers’ Gas Co., and the town of Penetang looking on, Mayor A. B. Thompson was accorded the privilege of lighting a huge jet symbolizing the arrival of the new fuel in the municipality.
• Midland and Victoria Harbour relatives are congratulating Harry Lidstone of Bracebridge, winner of the largest award yet given in a province-wide Hydro employee suggestion plan. The 39-year-old line foreman with the Bracebridge Rural Operating Area of Ontario Hydro was presented with a $1,500 cheque recently. His invention of certain tools enabling “hotline work” will save Ontario Hydro upwards $25,000. The maximum award under the suggestion plan is normally $1,000. A Hydro spokesman said municipalities all over Ontario will be able to avail themselves of the simple and inexpensive Lidstone technique for use on their own distribution lines. Eventually, it is expected, the idea will be taken up by electrical utilities around the world.
• A proposal that there be women school inspectors raised a few eyebrows at the convention of District 20, Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association September 19 at Martyrs’ Shrine.
• One of Canada’s leading herbalists E. Jefferis died Sept. I9 at St. Andrews Hospital following a coronary thrombosis. He was 91. Jefferis is best known in the Waubaushene area where he resided for many years and where one of his sons, Roy, still lives. He was born at Farnham England, March 7, 1867, and was the oldest of eight children of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Jefferis. He was around seven years old when his parents came to Canada. Settling first in Stratford, a short time later they moved to Orillia Township where he grew up. Later Mr. Jefferis was engaged in the lumber business at Gravenhurst, then at Rousseau Falls. While at Rousseau Falls he developed stomach trouble and found a prescription of an old Indian herbalist from Seattle which cured him as well as other people. The results were so favourable he decided to go into the business of producing herbal medicines. In the 50 years that followed, he became one of Canada’s leading authorities on the subject. Mr. Jefferis went to Waubaushene in I 895. Earlier in 1891 he married Sarah Anne McPeake of Dalrymple. They had six children, five of whom are living. The Jefferis’ had a general store on Pine Street in Waubaushene which Mrs. Jefferis ran while her husband looked after his herbal medicine business. When the store burnt in 1916, the Jefferis’ moved to Toronto. Mr. Jefferis continued to operate his business in Toronto for the next 28 years. It was there that the couple marked their golden anniversary Jan. 14, 1941. Three years later they retired and returned to Waubaushene where Mrs. Jefferis died in 1945. Mr. Jefferis was also well known throughout Muskoka and North Simcoe as the owner of some of the best driving teams or his day. They won many honors at fairs throughout the area.
• FOR RENT, Service Station and 5 Car Garage, $10 per week. B.A. at Apto, Highway 27, North.

Another one from the old files. No wonder there were so many disastrous maritime tragedies. This was before the lessons of Titanic.

 Georgian Bay passenger steamers were in their heyday at the turn of the century, and the steel propellor Majestic, flagship of the Great Northern Transit Co. (the “White Line”) was among the most select. She was built in 1895 by the Collingwood Dry Dock Company with a length of 209 feet, a width of 35 and a depth of 12.6 feet, gross tons 1,578, two masts and one stack. Her interior decorations were in elegant “Victoria and Albert” style. Her hull was originally painted white (hence the name “White Line”) cabins white, stack white with black top. In 1899 the Great Northern Transit Co. and the rival North Shore Navigation Co. (“Black Line”) and the Beatty Line of Sarnia were merged to form the Northern Navigation Co. As a member of the new fleet, the Majestic had her hull painted black as far as the main deck rail. Her cabins remained white. Her stack was painted red, with a black top over narrow white bands. As a member of the Northern Navigation fleet, she operated first on the Sarnia, Lakehead, and Duluth run. When newer ships entered the fleet she sailed in the Georgian Bay-Mackinac service. This fine old timer was destroyed by fire while in winter quarter at Point Edward Dec. 15, 1915. Her burning hulk drifted against the Saronic (ex-United Empire) and set her afire top. The latter was rebuilt as a barge, but the Majestic was a total loss. The Majestic arrived at Midland Dominion Day, either 1902 or 1903, with 2,200 passengers, the most dangerous load ever carried by a steamer on Georgian Bay. The occasion was a union Sunday School excursion from Collingwood. Skies were sunny and it proved to be a never-forgotten day for the children and their parents and teachers. At that time the Majestic still retained-her all-white paint scheme except for the black main wale streak.  (: any of a number of strakes usually of extra thick and strong planks in the sides of a wooden ship —usually used in plural) 

Click on photos to enlarge; 

Midland Indians search for the provincial baseball title that eluded them five years ago when they reached the threshold of the throne room ended here Saturday afternoon for coach “Bun” Deschamp’s tribe. Indians are newly-crowned champions of the Ontario Baseball Association’s intermediate “A” ranks following their 1-0 win over Simcoe Meteors after ten thrill-packed innings of action. 

The game was the second in a best-of-three final and the win for Deschamp’s Dandies gave them a clean sweep of the title set. They had edged Meteors 2-1 in the series-opener at Port Dover the previous Sunday.

Saturday’s victory also marked Indians’ fourth straight win without a setback since they set out on their playoff trek to the provincial crown. In semi-final play, they had ousted Bowmanville Harvesters in two straight games also. (The middle photo shows the winning run coming home and I’m sure it was included for the expression on Murray Yorke’s face.) 

Catcher Murray Yorke and Joe Faragher of the Midland Indians hoist team-mate Buzz Deschamp on their shoulders after the Midlanders won the OBA Title in town ballpark Saturday afternoon. 

Classes have begun at Midland YMCA again, with an ever-increasing number of children, boys, and girls, enrolling daily. Above, Peter Berry, a junior corps leader, demonstrates some mat work to a group of lads in the 9 to 11-year-old class. 

Walk from Toronto was a long one, but these young university students made it to Midland Thursday. It was the second such pilgrimage to Martyrs’ Shrine, and organizer Chris Wilson said he hoped it would become an annual event. They can be seen crossing the bridge over the CNR on the Old Fort Road, Concession #3, Tay Township. Lower: Rev. J. F. McCaffrey, Shrine director, leads young pilgrims up the hill to the shrine after their long walk from Toronto. For the last 10 miles of their journey, the students carried a heavy wooden cross.

This year’s group left Toronto Sept. 14 and spent the first night at the Augustinian monastery at Mary Lake. Monday night, they slept on the floor of the Bradford School and Tuesday night on the floor of St. Mary’s Auditorium, Barrie. Wednesday, the pilgrims found shelter at Joe Sullivan’s farm at Orr Lake. The girls were billeted in the farmhouse, while the boys slept in the barn. 

There was plenty of action on the sports front in Midland last week, with good crowds attending soccer and baseball playoffs. Midland Huronias (in dark shirts) are seen grouped around the Collingwood goal waiting for a corner kick to descend. Huronias won the game 3-2 but lost the round and the Carling Trophy by a 6-3 margin. 

Two Wyebridge girls, Delianne Forget, left, and Margaret Carruthers, look over some of the flowers on exhibit at the Tiny and Tay fair. While the flower show had numerous entries, the fruit and vegetable section appeared rather bare of exhibits. 

One of the smallest schools in the parade, Vasey School won the prize for best costumes in the big procession which opened this year’s Tiny and Tay fair in Midland Sept. 12. The tiny “majors and majorettes” received much applause from crowds lining the parade route. 

Little hand reaching for some fluffy pink candy floss typifies the magic of the midway for the hundreds of little youngsters who visited Midland Fall Fair last weekend. For what’s a fair without a dolly on a cane, candy apples, a merry-go-round and a happy little face all sticky with candy floss?

Teachers and pupils of S.S. 7 Flos chose the British Columbia Centennial, as the theme of their float in Elmvale school fair this year. The Elmvale fair will mark its own 100th year of operation in 1959. The float won two prizes and a trophy for the Allenwood school. 

Heading the Elmvale school parade this year was the Stayner pipe band, one of the few pipe bands in this area. Members are left to right, front row —Bob Hanson and Pipe Major Allan Lamont; back row — Jack Jefferis and Miss Dorothy Lament. In the center is 6-year-old Hughie Lamont. 

Set in the midst of a huge reforestation area, pupils of Wyevale Public School are well acquainted with the dangers of forest fires. It was a natural theme for their float in the Elmvale school fair Tuesday. 

Champions at their own local field meet, these boys and girls of MPDHS will be taking part in the big Tudhope and Thompson track and field meets in Collingwood Saturday. Boys are, left to right, Bill Binkley (junior), Bruce Bowen (senior). Bill Silvey (juvenile) and Gary Carr (intermediate). Girls’, titleholders are Karen Blair (intermediate), Ann Maher (senior) and Peggy Jones (junior). 

Raspberry bush owned by Mrs. Dalton Ward, 288 Dominion Ave., is still bearing big luscious fruit despite the fact that most raspberry plants are finished in mid-July. Admiring the plant is neighbor Robert Brunelle. (We include the “fish and fruit” photos not for their value as news items but in the hope that we are raising fond memories of a relative or friend that you have known. )

 (The job is yours, you just need to be female, very young, single and good looking! We have come a long way, still more to do.)

• Midland Free Press headline of September 24, 1958; Council Abandons Move to Hire Assessing Firm. Mayor Charles Parker said council should decide now as to whether it wished to hire an assessing firm or proceed on a “do it yourself” basis. He pointed out that council had already set aside some money, around $2000, in its 1958 budget, to commence the re-assessing job. The town still has two years to run, legally, on the present assessment basis. After a long and sometimes bitter debate on its reassessment problem Monday afternoon, Midland council passed a motion by Aldermen Douglas Haig and William Orr that “council proceeds forthwith to hire an assessor and/or assistants for the town of Midland”.
• County Herald headline of September 26, 1958; Six-Year-Old Molested Police Hunt Sex Maniac. A six-year-old Midland girl, who had gone fishing at the northwest end of Little Lake with her nine-year-old brother and another boy, 7, was molested by an unshaven man late Wednesday afternoon. Ernest Bates, who is investigating the incident, said the children told him the man said they did not seem to have enough dew worms, and if they came with him, he would show them where to get more. The girl and the younger boy went with the man, the other said. Shortly after they had gone, the girl’s brother, suspicious of the stranger’s actions set off in search of them. A few minutes later, he came upon his pal sitting on a stump, but there was no sign of the girl or the man, Sgt. Bates stated. Thoroughly alarmed, the two boys ran to Tom Curry’s cottage on the shore of the lake west of the spot where they had been fishing and informed him of what had taken place. Police said the girl’s clothes had not been torn and a doctor confirmed that she had hot been criminally assaulted.
• Editorial – In every community there are men and women, too few it is true, who give unselfishly of time and energy to further the interests and welfare of the village, town or city in which they spend their lives. They look for no reward or recognition for their endeavors. Their satisfaction is derived from the progress or improvements that are achieved. Such a man was Penetanguishene’s John McGuire, whose unexpected death occurred in that town Sunday. A native of Almonte, Ontario, Mr. McGuire had spent most of his life in Penetang, serving as town treasurer for three years, as customs officer for nearly 32 years, and from 1946 to the time of his death managed the furniture store founded by his father more than sixty years ago. A bachelor, he devoted much of his time to the work of First Presbyterian Church where he taught Sunday School and was Clerk of Session for a number of years. Active in lodge work, he was a Past First Principal of Kitchikewana Chapter and a Past Noble Grand in the Odd Fellows. His fellow citizens, in recognition of his work in reviving the Board of Trade in 1911 and the service he gave to that organization during the years he was its secretary, named him president of the Chamber of Commerce when the association of businessmen assumed that status in 1947. Later he was made an honorary president. Occupied as he was with the church, civic and lodge affairs, John McGuire also devoted a great deal of time to the preservation of the history of Penetanguishene. As unofficial town historian, he played an important part in the development and expansion of the Officers’ Quarters Museum, whose fame has now spread throughout the length and breadth of the continent. Respected by colleagues and citizens alike, and one of the town’s most esteemed senior citizens, John Matthew Hendry McGuire lived a full and fruitful eighty-one years. The town of his adoption will miss him. (McGuire Park would be named after him.)
• Harry Deschamps, 44, of Robert Street east, Penetang, lost a third of his foot in an accident near the Angel’s Hill Monday. He was reported to be resting under less sedation yesterday at Penetang General Hospital. Mr. Deschamps was cutting wood with a circular saw mounted on his tractor when the blade cut into his foot.
• Several North Simcoe residents were among 29 new-Canadians who received citizenship certificates at a ceremony in Barrie Court House Monday. They were Almut Louise Batty of Midland, Antonius and Johanna de Groot of Phelpston, Herbert and Gertrud Eichler of Midland and Adolf Gaidies of Midland.
• Sixty-five members and guests of Midland Y’s Men’s Club gathered at Bourgeois’ Lakeshore dining room Monday night for a ladies’ night opening their current season’s activities. Past president Frank Powell presided at the dinner. The sing-song led by Charles Walton was highlighted by a song by a past presidents’ sextette which included Harold Boyd, Frank Bray, Jack Wilson, Jack Bridges, Clark Edwards, and Tom McCullough. Dancing was to the music of the Bob Powell Trio, and spot dance winners were Mr. and Mrs. Ken Ellis and Mr. and Mrs. Alex Owen. A special prize went to Mrs. Frank Bray. The floor show featured dancer Glen Campbell and a contest involving ‘hula hoops’. Winners were Jean Hartman, Nora Russell, and Bill Setterington. A number of Y’s Men announced their intention of attending a regional conference at Owen Sound Saturday and Sunday. First regular meeting of the club is to be held in the Midland YMCA Tuesday, where Walter Kluck will report on the international Y’s Men’s convention he attended at Santa Monica in July.
• Tenders are being called by the Department of Highways for grading, culverts, and structure on Highway 12, the Coldwater by-pass, a total of 1.6 miles, it was announced today by Lloyd Letherby, MPP. Mr. Letherby said that it was thought work would commence on the by-pass in about a month and was likely to provide employment during the winter. The by-pass, an extension of the Trans-Canada Highway, will be built roughly from a point below the Glen Dunlop residence on the southern outskirts of Coldwater, westerly across the Andrew Dunlop farm, Cecil Robinson farm, and the Leighton Dwinnell farm, joining up with Highway 12, near Fesserton.
• Obituaries – MRS. BARTHELEMI MOREAU -Lifelong resident of Lafontaine, Mrs. Barthelemi Moreau died at her home in that village Sept. 8. She was 79 years of age. A quiet unassuming woman, Mrs. Moreau had been mainly concerned throughout her 59 years of married life with raising her family and looking after her home. She was a member of St. Croix Roman Catholic Church. Surviving, besides her husband are, four sons, Antoine, Penetang: Philip and Emile, Lafontaine, and Martin of Toronto: and five daughters, Mrs. Reginald Gignac (Anne) and Mrs. Chas. D’Aoust (Angele). Perkinsfield, Mrs. Eldege Quesnelle (Therese), R.R. 2, Penetang, Mts. Walter Robillard (Marie Rose), Lafontaine, Mrs. Jerome Lacroix (Agnes), Penetang. There are 48 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. Funeral service was held from the home of her son, Emile, to St. Croix Church, where solemn high mass was said by Rev. H. Marchildon. Interment was in St. Croix Cemetery. Pallbearers were Leonard, Lionel and Leon Moreau, Donald Robillard and Clement and Gerard Gignac. * * * MRS. JOHN ADAMS Funeral service was held Sept. 10 at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home for Mrs. May Florence Adams who died Sept. 8 at St. Andrews Hospital following an illness of three and one-half years. She was 70. Rev. J. L. Self officiated at the service, and burial was in Lakeview Cemetery. Pallbearers were Ken Ladouceur, Alf Ladouceur, Len Ladouceur, Wally Ladouceur, Orval Ladouceur, and Jim Matthew. Mrs. Adams was born May 26, 1888, at Victoria Harbour and was educated at Midland. In July 1909, she married John E. Adams. Mrs. Adams was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Besides her husband, she is survived by sons Jack of Midland, George of Lindsay, Bruce of Toronto; daughters, Mrs. R. Quinn (Rena) and Mrs. Elgin Douglas (Jane). Also surviving are seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. * * * MRS. CHARLES ROBINSON  — A resident of Coldwater for 62 years, Mrs. Charles Robinson died Sept. 10, while she was resting after the evening meal. Although she had suffered a heart illness for a number of years, Mrs. Robinson had been in her usual health during the day, and her death was unexpected. She was in her 82^nd  In June of this year Mrs. Robinson and her husband, who is 88, celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary. Mrs. Robinson was the former Blanche Nicholson and was born in Iowa, of Irish parents. She grew up -in Whitby and taught school in Matchedash Township and Coldwater, before her marriage. For 33 years she was organist at the United Church in Coldwater, where she organized the first choir. For a time she also served as organist at the Anglican and Presbyterian churches. Mrs. Robinson was devoted to her home and family and also found time to share in community activities. In recent years she has enjoyed reading. The funeral service was conducted in Coldwater United Church by Rev. Donald G. Churcher, assisted by Rev. Ross Gumming. Pallbearers were Lloyd Letherby, M.P.P., M. S. Millard, F. W. Brown, John L. Tipping, Cecil Robinson, and Steve Brodeur. Burial was in Coldwater Cemetery. Besides her husband, three sons and two daughters survive. They are Cyril Robinson of Windsor, John and Arthur, both of Sudbury; Mrs. Stan Tipping (Aileen) of Elmvale, and Mrs. Cliff Woodrow (Margaret) of Coldwater. * *  * MRS. EDITH BRITTON Funeral service was held at First Presbyterian Church, Penetang, Sept. 15 for Mrs. Edith Britton of Parry Sound who died in St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, in her 74th year. Rev. Charles Carter, assisted by Allan Ross officiated at the service. Burial was in Penetanguishene Presbyterian Cemetery. Pallbearers were Lester Letherby of Weston, Lloyd Letherby, MPP, and Charles Wadge, both of Coldwater, Wesley Tudhope, Oro Township, Sim Cotton and Percy Cotton of Barrie. Mrs. Britton, the former Edith Cotton was born in Orillia. She had resided at Jarratt’s Corners, Penetang and Parry Sound. Mrs. Britton had made many friends in her places of residence and was always active in organizations of the Presbyterian Church. She is survived by a sister, Mrs. John Letherby (Jessie) of Coldwater and a brother Garfield Cotton of Penetang. * * * ALBERT BARRY Funeral service was held on Sept. 16 at Beausoleil’s funeral home, Penetang, for Albert Barry who died Sept. 13 following a heart seizure in Toronto. Rev. J. Marchand officiated and burial was in St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers were, Wilfred Robillard, James Hamelin, Nap Hamelin, James Bellisle, Art Lizotte, and Alphonse Lacroix. Mr. Barry was born April 2, 1874, at Penetang and was educated there. He had married Phimene Cameron in 1904 at Penetang. He was a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Surviving is one son, Delbert Barry of Penetang, and two daughters. Flora of Toronto and Mrs. Art Beauchamp of Lafontaine. Also surviving are nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His wife predeceased him in 1943.
• An offer, submitted by Herb Carpenter, to purchase the west part of lots 16 and 17 on the east side of Charles Street, for their assessed value of $195.00 was accepted recently by Midland council.
• Midland’s planning board informed council Monday afternoon it was in favor of selling certain waterfront property to Bev. Keefe, after any needs of the Public Utilities Commission are met. Mr. Keefe plans to build a marina on the narrow stretch of land north of the CNR tracks, between the coal dock and the Canadian Name Plate plant. Sale of the property has been held up several weeks while the planning board ascertained the opinions of the industrial committee of the chamber of commerce, the harbor committee and the PUC on the matter. The PUC, acting on the advice of the Ontario Water Resources Commission, wishes to retain some 200 feet at the east end of the property to provide a site for a pump house and other needs should the town decide to “go to the bay” for its domestic water supply. The harbor committee reported it “had no serious objection to the sale of the property for the purposes stated”.
• 25 Years Ago This Week  –  Tay Township council paid nearly $50 in cash to farmers whose sheep had been killed or injured by dogs. * * * A Midland woman, Mrs. Wm. Gerow reported she had a tomato plant in her garden that was six feet tall. Her plant topped one in a Toronto garden that was five feet tall. * * * Penetang ratepayers were informed at a special meeting that the town’s relief bill for the first eight months of 1933 amounted to $36,000. * * * One of 11 buses bringing pilgrims to Martyrs’ Shrine upset in a ditch north of Craighurst. Ten passengers were injured. The remaining 20 escaped with a shaking up. * * *  The summery weather put a crimp in the opening of duck season. Several hunting parties returned without a bird after spending two days on marshes. Few ducks were seen in flight.  * * * Capt. James Mollison and his wife Amy had to postpone their non-stop flight from Wasaga Beach to Bagdad when their plane developed undercarriage trouble during take-off. Hundreds of district citizens had spent the night at the beach waiting for the spectacular event. * * * Midland Public Utilities Commission approved a motion calling for the reconstruction of one of two power lines between Midland and Waubaushene power station. * * * The president of the Toronto Medical Academy told delegates to the Academy’s annual dinner that the Ontario government either must make municipalities pay for medical services for their indigents or must establish state medicine.
• Feeling it had a moral obligation in this instance. Midland council made a special grant of $200 to the owner of a house on Olive Street at a special meeting Sept. 15. But the grant is conditional in that the owner must tear down the house concerned. It has been condemned. Mayor Charles Parker and Alderman Douglas Haig explained that the house owner was the only one in town to come to council’s assistance some two years ago when it had to find shelter for a family on relief. Rent paid by the town for the house was applied to taxes. Owner of the house claimed it was badly damaged during the two-year tenancy and asked financial aid to repair the building. Members of the council were unanimous in their opinion that the house should be torn down. “We have been subsidizing an immoral situation,” said Mayor Parker, during a lengthy discussion on the history of the house. “We have an obligation to unborn generations to prevent this sort of thing,” said Deputy Reeve R. J. Pinchin.

Click on photos to enlarge;New trophies were provided for competition by school children marching to Tiny and Tay fair in Midland Friday. Penetang Protestant Public School won the urban class and S.S. 21, Tiny, (MacDonald’s School) won the rural division. Left to right are fair director Nels Jones, Clarence Cloke, principal of the Penetang school, Mrs. Viola Martin, S.S. No. 21 Tiny, and Arthur Gardiner, fair president.

The always popular Ferris wheel was again a favourite for children attending children’s day at the Midland Fall Fair. 

Pupils of S.S. 21 Tiny (MacDonald’s School) won the marching contest for rural schools held in connection with children’s day at the Tiny Tay fall fair. S.S. 21 serves a large area between Wyebridge and Wyevale. 

Ellsworth Collins of Wyebridge copped top honors in the bacon carcass competition at Midland fair. He is pictured here with the prize-winning carcasses, each of which won an ‘A’ grading in the outstanding exhibit. 

Ellsworth Collins of Wyebridge won the $12 prize for the best exhibit in the bacon carcass competition at Midland Fall Fair Saturday. All other winners in the competition were Grade A carcasses, and judge Les Allan of the Department of Agriculture in Barrie said the display was the best ever shown here. Purpose of the competition is to encourage the production of more and leaner bacon type hogs acceptable to the Canadian consumer. The Tiny and Tay Agricultural Society, assisted by the provincial Department of Agriculture and First Co-Operative Packers, Barrie, offer the competition to any bona fide hog producer. Winner of the $10 second prize was John Rumble of Hillsdale, and C. M. Carscadden of Stroud copped the third prize of $8. Winners of $5 prizes were Earl Jones, Midland R.R. 1; Roy Edwards, Vasey; Harry Slessor, Hawkestone; Mrs. Tom Blair, Wyebridge; G. D. Sproule, Stroud; Charles D’Aoust, Perkinsfield; and Irwin Gardiner, Wyebridge.

First such club formed in Ontario, Midland 4-H Strawberry Club sponsored this exhibit at Tiny and Tay fair in Midland last week. Pretty Barbara Shaw of Wyebridge is seen above with some of the plants on display. The club had 15 members in its first year. 

Champions all are these three boys and one girl, members of Vasey 4-H calf club. They were present with their prize year-old calves at Tiny Tay Fair in Midland Friday. Left to right are Blaine Edwards, reserve champion, beef calves; Pauline Robinson, reserve champion dairy calves; Bob Rawson, grand champion dairy and Lloyd Curry, grand champion beef. 

Not much escaped the attention of Eden Armstrong of Armitage, heavy horse judge at the Midland Fall Fair. With him is Everett Marshall of Midland, chairman of the heavy horse competition. 

“Why do they do it?”, muses Mrs. Charles Shaw, as she looks over a collection of hats, sweaters, sunglasses and other articles left in her Big Red Rooster restaurant at Elmvale during the summer. One of the oddest articles was a bag full of bingo chips! 

 

• Midland Free Press headline of Wednesday, September 17, 1958; Ask Area Municipalities Back $300,000 Addition. Municipalities supporting the Midland-Penetang District High School are being asked this week to approve a 14-room, $300,000. Addition to the million dollar structure on Hugel Ave. Opened only two years ago, the modern district high school is already feeling the strain of overcrowding. Eight hundred and twenty-nine students are now registered.
• The question of supporting the proposed addition to Midland-Penetang District High School went before the first municipal council Monday night — and met its first public opposition. At a meeting in Perkinsfield, Tiny Township Deputy-reeve Eldege Quesnelle moved support of the $512,000 (gross cost before grants) undertaking. But he failed to find a seconder, and the motion failed to come to a vote. Councillors Normand Marchand and Etienne Marchildon were most vocal in their opposition to the proposal. Mr. Marchand said he felt Penetang should have kept its own high school in the first place, instead of entering into the district school. Another factor to be considered, he said, was the rumor that a continuation school for Penetang is under consideration. Mr. Marchildon queried the accuracy of the prediction of the number of students expected in the future. “When they built the school, they told us it would be okay for 10 years. Here it’s been only two years and they want an addition. How do we know those smart guys aren’t going to be wrong again?” he queried. The councilor cited Elmvale District High School, where he said the number of future students had been overestimated, causing rooms to lie idle.
• County Herald headline of Friday, September 19, 1958; Town Officials Explore New Slum Clearance Plan. Midland, municipal officials will explore the possibility of obtaining provincial aid for slum clearance in the town under the new policy set down by Premier Leslie M. Frost Wednesday. The Ontario premier announced that the provincial government would contribute 25 percent toward the cost to municipalities of acquiring land before redevelopment of depressed areas. “We now feel it is a reasonable area for us to enter because of the importance of public housing enterprises,” said Premier Frost. The change in government thinking means that with the federal contribution of 50 percent a municipality will pay only 25 percent of the cost of land acquisition. Until now the province’s only contribution to housing developments has been on the basis of so much per unit for buildings erected, it was stated.
• Midland Curling Club can proceed with plans to commence construction of an addition to the curling rink this fall. At a meeting Monday, Sept. 8, Midland council gave its approval to a recommendation from the parks commission that the club be granted a 25-year lease on the building. Under the new lease, the club is to maintain the interior and exterior of the existing building and the addition it hopes to complete this fall. As well the club is to pay an annual rent of $500, and the insurance premium on the addition. The parks commission agreed to pay the insurance premium on the existing building and to maintain the wooden floor installed each spring when the ice is removed from the rink, as the club uses the building roughly about six months a year. The current lease expires in 1962. Alderman Douglas Haig, who represented the curlers and refrained from voting on the issue, said the agreement will bring a net profit to the municipality. He said the club was anxious to have a decision on the lease so it could proceed with the construction of the addition and have it completed by the start of the curling season. He said the club directors were opposed to purchasing the building, erected in 1919 through funds provided by the town, Tiny and Tay Agricultural Society and citizens because they felt council would be setting a dangerous precedent. Since the building’s completion 39 years ago, various leasing arrangements had been made with the club and in the original lease the club was to have the rink without any charge whatsoever, he said. The club, a non-profit organization, has, “well fulfilled its pledges” and is one of few clubs in Ontario that has provided these facilities at so low a cost to members, Mr. Haig said. Since the one-storey brick addition entails a considerable expenditure; club directors wanted a secure lease. He assured council that ownership of the addition, designed to complement the present building, would be vested in the town.
• COLDWATER—Wilcox Sheppard, associate professor of physiology, University of Tennessee School of Medicine, Memphis, Tennessee, and his wife are visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Sheppard, Reinbird Street, Coldwater. Professor Sheppard teaches two physiology courses each year, to approximately 250 medical students and 125 dental students. Coldwater residents, in general, take pride in the fact that a student who attended public and secondary schools in this village has advanced to the point in his professional field where his findings have received international recognition. He has been the co-author of about 100 publications and contributed a chapter in a recently issued compendium prepared by the Atomic Energy Commission of the United States, for use at the second Geneva Conference, meeting in Geneva on the peaceful uses of atomic energy.
• Ten Years Ago This Week – 1948 – Unless drastic cuts in consumption were effected immediately, Midland consumers were to have daily power cut-offs. The situation was created by a general power shortage throughout Ontario. Hydro officials in Barrie told the Midland utilities commission that a further 10 percent cut from the town’s previous low quota would be made. * * * Farmers in the Barrie district had won the first round in their battle to keep the municipality from using the town square for other purposes than a farmer’s market. An injunction restraining the municipality from putting the square to other use was upheld by an Ontario Supreme Court justice. * * * Cold, cloudy weather plagued both Tiny and Tay Agricultural Society’s fall fair and the Christian Island Indian fair. * * * George Doucett, minister of highways, officially opened the new North River bridge. The structure replaced one destroyed in 1947 by an over-loaded vehicle. * * * St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Coldwater, was preparing to celebrate its 50^th anniversary. First minutes of a congregational meeting were dated June 24, 1898. Rev. Geo. Arnold presided over the meeting and secretary was Dr. J. A. Harvie. * * * Two Penetang fishermen Tommy Thompson and Godfrey Trilsbeck, spotted the 20-foot white oak rudder of a ship while fishing near Minnicog. They towed it behind their 28-foot launch to Penetang. It was believed to be the rudder of the three-masted schooner J. C. Woodruff, which ran aground and was burned on Whale Back Shoal more than 50 years previously.
• As an escape from the civic reception, handshaking and other rigors (often boring in the extreme) of a Royal tour, the Georgian Bay Development Association is investigating the possibility of extending an invitation to Queen Elizabeth II to tour the Georgian Bay by boat during her Canadian tour next summer. The decision to issue the invitation was made at a recent meeting of the directors of the GBDA. One of several such associations formed in Ontario in recent years, the Georgian Bay Association is also one of the largest in terms of area. It embraces 55 member municipalities from the Counties of Bruce, Dufferin, Grey and Simcoe and the Districts of Muskoka and Parry Sound. Its sphere of influence includes any subject for the advancement of the area in the fields of industry, tourism, and agriculture. “We feel that a cruise in Georgian Bay Waters would be a relaxation and inspiration to the Royal Family after so many arduous civic receptions in the southern part of the province,” said Neville Keefe, general manager of the association. Mr. Keefe said it “would be a shame if the royal yacht, visiting Canada’s inland lakes for the first time, “should not be routed to the best waters we have to display the beauties of her Canadian Dominions.”
• Jerome Gignac, president of Penetang General Hospital Board, said this week the board is somewhat concerned about one group of people in particular, so far as the new hospital insurance scheme is concerned. “We believe that many recipients of old age pensions do not realize they will not be automatically covered under the insurance scheme,” he said. According to the chairman, people of 70 years and over who are receiving the pension must pass a means test before they will be automatically covered. Anyone who cannot pass the test must enroll in the standard way. Those persons under 70 receiving old age assistance, since they must pass the means test to receive the pension, will be covered under the scheme without any further application on their own part, he said.
• A 9,000 square foot warehouse north-west of the existing Midland Footwear plant on Elizabeth Street E. is to be started this week.
• Members of Midland Public Schools Board, at their first fall meeting, last- Friday night, evidenced a desire to keep a firm hand and a watchful eye on matters under their control. Noting an increase of four teachers in the number wishing to direct extra-curricular sports (for which extra pay is given); they decided 12 directors would be too much for the present budget. Further, they will ask for a monthly report on sports activities from the chief director; containing the proposed program, expenditures and a breakdown of what each teacher is doing.
• Eldon Fallis, 24, of Toronto, formerly of Midland area, died in St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, yesterday two hours after he was hit on the head by a brick that fell from the 12th floor of a building under construction at Bay and Temperance Streets. Mr. Fallis, a truck driver, had made a delivery in the area and was putting a tarpaulin over the back of the truck when the brick fell.
• Father of four children, Gordon Perryman, 40, was killed Wednesday morning in a fall from the roof of a building under construction on the southern outskirts of Coldwater. A carpenter employed in building a small industry on the east side of Highway 12 for Dennis Athron of Waubaushene, Mr. Perryman had been working on the roof and dropped 13 feet to the ground when a facing board on which his foot was braced, gave way. He struck his head and died instantly. (Even our most basic safety procedures of today would have prevented both of these accidents.)
• You think you have troubles? Shed a tear for this chap, “Mr. X”, who underwent the following harrowing experience during the men’s field day at Midland Golf and Country Club Sunday. Mr. X wasn’t doing too badly until he came to the long 5th hole. There’s an out-of-bounds fence along the right side of the fairway and Mr. X drove four balls over it before he got off the tee. That meant ten shots before he even got started. More trouble lay ahead. Enroute to the green Mr. X put another ball over the fence and lost still another. By the time he finally holed out he had used up 19 strokes, 12 of them on penalties! And you think you have troubles!
• Two Great Lakes shipping companies have signed a new agreement with the Seafarers International Union for a five percent wage increase retroactive to June this year, with an additional five percent effective next season. The agreement was signed Wednesday by Hal C. Banks, Canadian SIU head, and officials of Upper Lakes and St. Lawrence Transportation Company and N. M. Paterson and Sons Limited. Crew members will also get time-and-a-half for Sunday work.
• Planning board member Cecil Moreton of Midland has suggested that the town should give serious consideration to acquiring land for a municipal parking lot. Mr. Moreton contends there is land available in the central part of the municipality which is ideally situated. It is readily accessible, could provide space for a substantial number of cars, is close to the main business section and, he feels, could be obtained at a fairly reasonable price.
• Editorial – In a little more than a week’s time, the Free Press will observe the 76th anniversary of its founding, for it was on Sept 27, 1882, that the first issue of the Midland Free Press was published by Peter J. Ryan. Actually, its roots go deeper than that for Mr. Ryan purchased The Argosy that year and changed the paper’s name to the Free Press. The Argosy, published by Reeve Lorenzo McFarlane, was founded in 1875. The Penetanguishene Herald, which was incorporated with this newspaper in 1937, was established by the late A. C. Osborne in 1876. It would be interesting to know how many North Simcoe citizens will be celebrating their 76th birthday on or about the same day as this newspaper.