So many great photos over the years, always hard to pick just one. We didn’t. The first photo, #2006-0020-1210, is from June of 1955 and probably represents the last log drive to come down the Severn River to Georgian Bay. The caption in the newspaper read; “First large raft of logs to be put over the dam at Port Severn in more than a decade was run through by Ed Copeland, a Midland sawmill operator. Mr. Copeland is in the boat, foreground on the dock is Joe King of Port Severn, a veteran of many river drives years ago. The raft contained around 4,000 poplar, hemlock, pine and basswood logs cut in the Six Mile Lake area. They were towed across the bay to Port McNicoll for transportation to the mill.” The second photo, 2006-002-1237,  is also from June of 1955, a classic team photo taken at the “ball diamond”. The caption read; “Tops in their age group, members of the Richmond Virginians, winners of the International League title in Saturdays playoffs. Front, Bill Doherty, Ken Mackie, Arnold Belfry, Ron Church, David McLaughlin, Richard Mohan, Gary French. Back row, C.O. Marshall coach, Bob Matthews, Dick Matthews, David Lamb captain, John Dagg (Identified by daughter Jill Snider) and Rev. Len Self League director. (We would appreciate a first name for Mr. Marshall.)

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.  

As Good Friday, April 20, 1962, is a statutory holiday, the regular issue of the County Herald will not be published this week. News and advertising usually contained in the twice weekly papers will be combined in the mid-week Free Press Herald which is being distributed to bookstores and carriers today. Regular publication of the two papers, the mid-week Free Press Herald and the weekend County Herald, will be resumed next week. 

SEVEN AREAS SHARE HIKE OF $56,515 IN BUDGET
Free Press Herald headline of April 18, 1962. 

Seven municipalities will shoulder a $56,515.88 increase in the 1962 budget tabled Friday by the Midland-Penetang District High School Board. They will pay $307,612.80 of the school’s record high expenditure of $602,929.05, compared to $251,096.92 last year, according to T. M. McCullough, board chairman. Midland’s share is $133,282.47, an increase of $25,949.47 over last year. Penetang’s share amounts to $38,445.45, an increase of $5,285.59 over the 1961 levy of $33,159.86. The estimated provincial grant for 1962 amounts to $287,696.25. Sundry revenue made up of cadet grant, tuition fees from other boards, marine school, evening classes, etc., totals 87,710. 

    Wife of former Roxy Theatre manager Al Perkins, Mrs. Meeda Perkins died at Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Monday. Surviving are her husband, Allan W. Perkins, daughters Pamela, Elizabeth and Susan and a son, David. 

    Simcoe County Warden John C. McDonald, reeve of Orillia, told this newspaper Friday that the county road between Coldwater and Severn Falls is to be made a development road. Warden McDonald said the proposal was discussed with Ontario Department of Highways authorities when members of the county roads committee went to Toronto the latter part of March. He said the arrangement has now been confirmed. The warden said he could not at this time say when work on the road would get underway, or what costs would be involved. He said he understood the road would be paved after construction work and grading had been completed. The road serves an area that has witnessed substantial growth in summer cottage development during the last few years.    

    Second of two National Survival Courses slated for the Midland-Penetang area got underway Monday morning with 59 recruits on the parade squares of the Midland Armory. The numbers registered so far are down slightly over 40 from those of the first course. Lieut. W. D. Marshall of Brampton, O.C., said yesterday the recruiting will continue until Thursday afternoon. The training, lasting six weeks, will finish May 25. 

    Prime Minister John Diefenbaker announced yesterday that a federal general election will be held Monday, June 18. It is expected that the 24th Parliament will be dissolved by Governor-General George Vanier in Quebec City today or tomorrow. 

    Municipalities in Huronia region have been urged to undertake a thorough inventory of their tourist attractions and facilities, to determine what they now, Have and what still is lacking. The challenge was made by W. H. Cranston, honorary president of Huronia Historic Sites and Tourist Association, at the association’s annual meeting in Port McNicoll Friday. “We should be advertising and promoting new attractions not merely promoting the things we now have.” Mr. Cranston said. “For example,” he said, “to the best of my knowledge Huronia does not have a woodland park with nature trails and other items which would be of interest to tourists.”  

    The new county museum near Midhurst is to be ready by July 1. Warden John C. McDonald told the annual meeting of Huronia Historic Sites and Tourist Association at Port McNicoll Friday. Tenders for the construction of the 40 by 85-foot building, to be erected on a three-acre lot adjacent to Springwater Park, close April 24. The warden said bids submitted at that time would be given immediate consideration by county council so work could proceed on the structure as soon as possible. 

    A lighthouse keeper at Brebeuf Ranges for 31 years and commencing his 32nd year, Cliff Paradis of Midland has been presented with a long-service award by the federal Department of Transport. The presentation was made Monday by F. K. McKean, district marine agent for the department. Born in Port Severn 63 years ago, the son of Mr. & Mrs. Fred Paradis, cliff moved with his parents to Moon River while he was very young. His father was employed as an engineer on the Martin Lumber Co. tug. When Cliff was in his teens the family moved to Midland. It was in this community that he received his first education at the old Manley Street school. When he completed school he obtained work as a roller boy at the Manley Chew’s Mill, and remained there until he was old enough to work in a lumber camp. For a time he sailed on the C.G.S. Dollard under Capt. Patchell, later enlisting in the army during World War 1. Following his discharge from the army, Mr. Paradis went to Go Home Bay where he worked in a logging camp operated by uncle, Joe Moreau. Just previous to joining the Department of Transport staff, he operated a private boat at Honey Harbour. In 1930 he replaced Bill Baxter as lightkeeper at Brebeuf Ranges. He is married to the former Mary McNally, an Irish girl whom he met at Minnecog while she was working at the summer hotel. They have one daughter, Mrs. Herman Lacroix of Penetanguishene. 

    Huronia Historic Sites and Tourist Association would like to see provision made so the “Old Negro Church” in Oro Township near Edgar, would be more accessible to visitors during the summer months. 

    COLDWATER — If a fire which broke out in the Denison Hotel here Saturday afternoon had had a few minutes longer to take hold, the 110-year-old building would have been destroyed, Fire Chief Herb Stevens said this week. As it was, the dozen or so guests, and the family of the proprietor’s son, escaped without injury. Their household effects and personal belongings suffered damage by smoke and water. Damage to the building was estimated at $10,000. There are 27 rooms in the hotel.   The owner of the hotel, Wilton Howell, was in a grocery store across the street when the fire broke out. Recently Mr. Howell resumed management of the hotel after it had been operated for a time by his son Douglas. The latter, with his wife and family, lived in the hotel. Mr. Howell Sr., and his family live at Fesserton.   The Denison hotel, which was constructed about 1852, by William Borland, his son, Frank Borland, lives on the southern outskirts of Coldwater. 

25 YEARS AGO – 1937
St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church and four dwellings on Victoria Harbour’s main street were completely destroyed by fire, of unknown origin, which did damage estimated at more than $10,000. * * * Midland was to have its first trailer camp and it was to be located , at Firth’s Corners on the triangle of land owned by John Devine. * * * Midland council formed a special committee, headed by Alderman V. G. Edwards, to consider the question of refunding Midland’s debentures with the object of getting a refinancing program started as soon as possible. * * * Taximen in Midland held an organizational meeting in the town hall and agreed on a standard rate for fares both in town and by the hour. * * * The women’s Association of St. Paul’s United Church, Midland, were presenting the two act play, “The Strike at the Ladies  Aid”. * * * Municipal representatives from Penetang, Port McNicoll, Waubaushene, Orillia and other “distressed areas” of Simcoe County met with members of Midland council to discuss a possible works program which would employ labour from the ranks of relief recipients. * * * Penetang’s mayor, M. Gendron, announced that the Breithaupt Tannery in Penetang would be resuming operations and would employ 25 men. * * *W. D. Ross was elected president of the Georgian Bay Angler’s Association at its annual banquet when the guest speakers were Prof. Wm. Harkness and Prof. A. F. Coventry, both of the University of Toronto. * * * A membership drive by the Penetang Kiwanis Club resulted in 24 members being added to the club’s roster. 

    It is said  that if you stand for a short time in London’s Trafalgar Square are bound to see someone you know no matter what part of the  world you come from. It happens in other places, too, such as a supermarket in Midland. Dave Docherty, program secretary of Midland YMCA, was in Loblaws one day a few months back with Mrs. Docherty, shortly after they came to Midland from Guelph. It was there they bumped shopping carts with Mr. and Mrs.  Jack Brownlee, also of Midland. Their acquaintance went back many years, and many miles to Port Glasgow, Scotland where the two men worked in the same shipyard following World War II. Both became managers (elders) of the same Presbyterian Church in Newark Parish where Dave taught the Brownlee children Ian and June in Sunday school. He also sang in the same choir with Mrs. Brownlee. Following the chance meeting in the store, the two friendly families were reunited again. Today they are next-door neighbors on Hannah Street. As they say, the world is getting smaller and smaller. 

    The 4-H Calf Clubs have been reorganized in North Simcoe for 1962. There has been an increase in the number of these clubs and in the number of members enrolled. We had six calf clubs in 1961 compared with nine this year. 

Midland’s first OMHA champions since 1951, these boys took the Bantam “A-Minor” title by trimming Leamington twice and taking the round by a 14-2 count. They were given the traditional ride on the fire truck Monday night and later posed for this picture in the municipal building. Cup at left is the Rev. Len Self Trophy, won in Little NHL play, and at right is the President’s Trophy they picked up in Leamington Sunday afternoon. 

UPDATE – Previous photo from March 28 1962 that included names. Midland Bantams are seen above, following their 5-2 win over Cobourg in the playoff game at Arena Gardens Monday night. They meet Burlington here Friday night in the first game of the semi-finals. Left to right are, front row—Mike Dion, Keith Bath, Fred Cousineau, Brian Merkley (set back no uniform), Ken Blackmon, Earl Scott, Mike Borsa, Rickey Leaney; back row—Rev. Len Self, manager, Pete Stuckey, Vincent Ellery, Art McComb, Bob Clayton, Bob Larmand, Neil Cote, Mike Robitaille, Doug French and coach Garnet Armstrong.

The annual meeting of Huronia Historic Sites and Tourist Association was held at Port McNicoll Friday night. Seen above, left to right, are Marcel Bellehumeur, Penetang, 1st vice-president; Hon. Bryan Cathcart, minister of travel and publicity, who was guest speaker; Mrs. Helen Gillies, Wasaga Beach, new president; Jack Yelland, Midland, secretary; and Reeve Albert Calvert of Port McNicoll, immediate past president.

For the first time in many years, Midland’s St. Andrews Hospital staff members are cooing over two sets of living twins this week. Darlings of the nurses and visitors are the twin daughters of Mr. & Mrs. Martin Fitzgerald (Barb), Midland and a son and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Seaton, Waubaushene. The Fitzgerald girls, top photo, named Barbara and Beverly, were born April 10. Soon they will be joining sister Kathy, 7, and brothers Michael, 5, and Patrick, 2, in the Fitzgerald home. Arriving five days later, on April 15, were the son and daughter, as yet unnamed, for Mr. & Mrs. Seaton. The Seatons are in some danger of running out of names. They already have eight children.

“Spring conference” of District 11 Jaycees drew 60 delegates to Midland’s Georgian Hotel on the weekend. In upper picture, left to right, are Jim Rigley, Collingwood, district president, John Bourgeois, Midland, Al Bowry, Huntsville, Yvon Gagne, Penetang. In lower picture  are Delmer Burt, Collingwood, Bob Beardsall, Orillia, “Chuck” Wadge, Barrie, and Bill Anderson, Coldwater. All are presidents of their local clubs. 

F. K. McKean, district marine agent, Department of Transport, Parry Sound, pins a long service award on Cliff Paradis, Midland, light keeper at the Brebeuf Ranges. Mr. Paradis has been with the Department of Transport for 32 years. 

Close to 150 members of the Midland Ski Club and guests, attended a banquet at Bourgeois’ dining room, Victoria Harbour, Saturday night. The big item on the program was the awarding of trophies won in club competitions. Left to right are: Dieter Nebelung, Ron Jeffery and Garnet Dick. 

 More trophy winners. Young skiers pictured are Kirk WeIdon, Peter Benjamin and Steve Bell. 

With youngsters like these coming up, Midland Ski Club is looking for big things to come in future years. Seen with trophies they won during the past season are, left to right, Karl McAllen, Paul Krochko and Bruce Pettersen. 

“Re-Awakening Waters” editorial page photo. Expansive stretches of open water can be seen in today’s editorial page photo of the bay off Midland Point. Remnants of winter’s icy bonds lie along the shoreline and further afield float idly along in the channel between the point and Beausoleil Island in the background. This beach scene can be found near Wm. McArthur’s cottage on Midland Point. 

 

Donated by the Ontario Motor League, this new magnetic traffic board was designed for the effective teaching of traffic safety and analysis of accidents. Valued at more than $100, it will be used to instruct school patrols in Midland and Penetang. Chief Jack Arbour and Sgt. Marcel Dorion (left) of Penetang police, and Chief George Wainman and Sgt. Ernest Bates of Midland try out the new board. 

Susan Woods and Douglas Gagnon were the winners of the St. Margaret’s Parish oratorical contest held recently. The event was sponsored by the Catholic Women’s League. Nineteen students from St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart Schools competed. 

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.  

RATIFY NEW POLICE PACT – CUT WORK WEEK SCHEDULE
Free Press Herald headline of April 11, 1962. 

Penetang council Monday night ratified an agreement granting a five-day 40-hour work week to the town police force. Its decision follows almost four months of bargaining between the two bodies. The force previously worked a 48-hour week. Other highlights contained in the agreement were classification of all men on the five man force and the hiring of an additional constable to implement the reduced work week. 

    Sharp differences of opinion arose at Monday night’s meeting of Midland council over the establishment of a parking authority. Ward 2 Alderman Bill Thompson withdrew his original motion  calling for the setting up of such body and submitted a second motion asking for the formation of a Midland parking advisory committee. Only Alderman Allan James voted against the proposal. The parking question arose following agreement at last Thursday’s Joint meeting between the Midland Chamber of Commerce and town council that, a parking authority be implemented. At that time council asked the chamber to submit a list of persons whom they felt suitable to sit on such a board. 

    Lake shipping season in Midland and Port McNicoll is slated to get underway this morning. J. G. Hendrickson, CSL manager in Midland, said four CSL ships are scheduled to move out this morning. They are the Coverdale, from the CSL winter berth, T. R. Mclagan and Thunder Bay from Tiffin Elevator, and the Whitefish Bay from Port McNicoll. Departure of the four vessels come four days later than last year. The first boat to dock in Midland inbound last year was the Golden Hind, at 6:30 p.m. April 12.

     An increase in circulation of 3,610 books over 1960 in the adult section highlighted the annual report of the Midland Public Library tabled recently by head librarian Dawson Leigh. A total of 46,837 books were borrowed in 1961 compared to 43,227 during the year previous. In the boys and girls division circulation dropped 1,628 from38,221 in 1960, to 36,593 last year.

 35 YEARS AGO
Midland council was advertising that it would receive petitions for street oiling and that no oiling of any street would be done unless petition received is sufficiently signed for that street. * * * Midland High School was holding its commencement exercises at the Model Theatre. Besides the presentation of awards the program included musical selections by the school orchestra and chorus, gymnastic displays and a playlet entitled “The Travellers”. * * * “The Land of Enchantment”, a film produced by the provincial government depicting the tourist attractions of Midland and district, was shown to the Midland Kiwanis Club prior to showings in the United Slates. * * * The choir of Calvary Baptist Church, Midland, under the direction of Joseph Reay, presented Stainer’s “Crucifixtion”. * * * The three act musical farce, “Our Wives” was presented by the Young People’s Guild of Knox Presbyterian Church, Midland. The production was directed by Lloyd Letherby. * * * Midland council increased the annual salary of its Medical Officer of Health, Dr. T. J. Johnston, from $150 to $225. It was noted the MOH had not had an Increase in 13 years. * * * Business  items confronting Midland council included the appointment of a person to ring the town bell at curfew time; erection of stop signs on all streets crossing King Street between Bay and Yonge Streets; caretaking at the town dumping ground and some committee estimates including public works $12,000; property, $10,940; charity, $3,500; Town Band, $1,400 and industrial, $2,000. * * * Engineers of the Provincial Department of Public Works, were calling for tenders for the raising of the schooner “Nancy” from the mouth of the Nottawasaga River at Wasaga Beach. It was stated, when raised, the “Nancy” was to be housed on the island at the mouth of the river. 

Work is progressing rapidly on the new floating docks for Midland harbour. In photo 8293 a bulldozer unloads steel stringers from a railway flat car. Pictured here are a few of the all-steel floats that will be used. Only wood used in the construction will be the plank walk atop the docks. 

A packed hall greeted the appearance of Hon. George Hees as guest speaker of the Midland District P-C Association dinner held in Midland last week. Some of the “gals” got together for this picture following the affair. Left to right are Mrs. J. R. Boyd, Orillia; Mrs. Ann F. Shepherd, whose husband was Anglican minister at Coldwater for many years; Mrs. Hees, Mrs. P. B. Rynard, Orillia; Mrs. E. Mantelow and Mrs. James Caswell (nee Mary Dudley), Midland. 

It’s not often the gals get a handsome dish-dryer like George Hees, and a cabinet minister to boot. Mr. Hees, minister of trade and commerce, smiling, dries a few glasses for Mrs. Ira Rumney (nee Mary Ruth Crooke) following the big P-C Association dinner in the Odd Fellows Hall April 2. 

Annual bridge and fashion show held by the ladies auxillary of the Midland YMCA drew a large turnout last week. Among the ladies who helped serve tea were, left to right, Mrs. Walter Lumsden, Mrs. Gordon Moss, Mrs. I. T. Weldon, Mrs. Wm. Henderson, Mrs. Robert McLaughlin and Mrs. Vern Sweeting. 

Popularity of the annual spring bridge and fashion show held by the ladies auxiliary of Midland YMCA is evident in the picture above, showing only a portion of the turnout for this year’s event.

 FINANCE SEWAGE PROJECT ON TOWN’S GENERAL RATE
County Herald headline of April 13, 1962.
(Pages 7 & 8 are missing on the original 35mm film of this paper. The character recognition software was poor for this paper so we could not copy articles. Rather than type them out we are “copy and pasting” some of them.) 

    Wm. McArthur, Georgian Hotel owner, achieved one of the rare feats in a cribbage game the other day. He had a perfect crib hand. Mr. McArthur was playing with Capt. Alex Campbell master of the CPR ship Keewatin. Mr. McArthur was holding the jack of hearts, five of clubs, five of spades and five of diamonds in his hand when Capt. Campbell cut the cards and the five of hearts was turned up. It was the first perfect crib hand Capt. Campbell had seen in his years of playing the game. 

        Penetang council Monday night put an end to to the general sale and setting off of fireworks within the town limits. Under terms of a bylaw passed by council, anyone intending to set off fireworks must first obtain a permit from the chief constable. No permits will be issued to persons under 21 years of age. Except for the months of May, June, July and August, council must approve the issuing of any permit. Retailers may only sell fireworks to a person who holds a permit, and according to the bylaw, no person under the age of 16 shall have, purchase, set off fireworks.     

A happy smile wreaths the face of Midland Legion president George McLaughlin, left, as he accepts an $800 cheque from Mrs. Doris Holden, president of the Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary, at an executive meeting Wednesday night. Looking on are, Mrs. Lila McPeake and Branch 80 secretary, Jimmy Duncan. The money will be used for building improvements.

Elected recently for a one-year term to the executive of the Canadian Legion Branch 80, Midland, were: front row, left to right: Charles A. Stewart; Sol DeVries, 1st vice-president; George McLaughlin, president; Oliver Lesperance, 2nd vice-president; Jimmy Duncan, secretary. Back row: Len Wiles, Howard Henderson, Bruce Gilbert and Les Scott. Ken Williams, treasurer, was missing when picture was taken.

 

A start was made this week on the construction of the new Kindred Industries factory in the south-east corner of Midland. Footings are being laid for the building, which lies just across highway from the Greening Wire plant. 

Small boats docked in Midland harbor this coming season will get added protection from these steel booms, photo 8321, which will be placed across the entrance to the slips. Booms will keep rough water and debris from damaging the small boats anchored inside. In other picture are some of the big cement blocks that will be used to anchor the booms. 

Winner of the bicycle draw at the opening of the newly-renovated Canadian Tire store in Midland Saturday was Romeo Dubeuil of Penetang. Lending a hand is Aura Finch, daughter of store proprietor Dave Finch and Mrs. Finch.