George Cooper, left, and brother Bruce, proudly display their 300-pound catch of sturgeon; netted in the narrows near Waubaushene. Fish in the center weighed 140 pounds, and the other two 95 and 65 pounds, respectively. The two obtained their licences Tuesday and the fish were caught Wednesday, the first day the nets were set. The fish sell at $1 per pound dressed and will be shipped to a market in New York City. 

In Dutch in Rome was Claudia Reynolds of Midland, who ran afoul of two members of the Praetorian Guard at the Roman dinner at MPDHS Wednesday. Soldiers are Don D’Aoust of Perkinsfield, left, and Arthur Patenaude of Penetang, grade 10 Latin students, they made their own costumes.

“PEEL ME A GRAPE,” cries Francis Cremer, and Robin Benson obligingly pops one into his mouth. The two Midland Latin students were among 150 who took part in a costumed Roman dinner at MPDHS Wednesday.

Hockey notables from far and near were present in this area Monday to honor George S. Dudley, CAHA secretary-manager and Midland’s “Mr. Hockey”. With Mr. Dudley, left, at Delawana Inn are Mrs. Dudley, Mrs. Foster Hewitt, Foster Hewitt of hockey night in Canada fame, and his father, W. A. Hewitt, for 56 years secretary of the OHA. 

Wednesday was a great day in the life of Midland’s “Mr. Hockey,” George S. Dudley, seen at right above with a group of prominent officials who attended the civic reception tendered delegates to the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association’s annual meeting, at Parkside Inn. With Mr. Dudley are, left to right, Robert LeBel, CAHA president; Lorne Cooke, OHA president; Tommy Lockhart, president of the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States. 

Just before the “battle”, three members of the staff enjoy a brief breather beside a tank used at the inspection of MPDHS Cadet Corps last Wednesday. Officers are, left to right, Capt. R. C. Gauthier, Capt. D. F. Powell, and Lieut. John Dalrymple. 

Annual inspection of MPDHS Cadet Corps drew a large crowd to the school campus last Wednesday. Capt. J. S. Corcoran of Midland, (on the stand) was inspecting Officer. Other members of the inspecting party included, left to rights Capt. H. Hutton, cadet training officer of Oakville; Lieut. K. J. Macdonald, Penetang; Sgt. Major David Bell, Midland; board members T. M. McCullough, Midland, and William Morrison, Penetang; and Lieut. L. M. Johnston, who is also principal of the school. 

It’s the traditional “eyes right” for cadets of Midland-Penetang District High School as they march past the reviewing stand in a column at the annual inspection Wednesday. Capt. J. S. Corcoran, Midland, is seen taking the salute as inspecting officer. Watching his men file past is Cadet Lieut-Col. John Hilliard. 

What better day than May 1 to erect a Maypole? That’s what Harold McAllen, parks superintendent, and his men were doing as they prepared to transfer playground equipment to its new site at the southeast end of Little Lake. Children will be well removed from the dangers of the main road which runs through the park. Many local residents and visitors have praised the new set-up and have commended the commission for its foresight. 

The newly-developed area at the east end of Little Lake was given its official send-off this past weekend. In the foreground, picnic tables have been arranged in a sylvan setting. In the background, the playground equipment waits invitingly for children. The area has been fenced off along the park road with a chain link fence to keep little folk away from traffic.

A section of the crowd which attended the rosary rally in Midland Sunday is shown standing for the congregational hymn singing. Hundreds more, who were unable to find seats, sat in their cars parked around the race course. 

Grouped around the altar in Town Park, Midland, are members of St. Margaret’s girls’ choir. At the organ is Ted Johnstone. In the background can be seen some of the boys who took part in the parade. 

Shirley King, Marie Gignac, Betty Juneau, Nancy Somers and Ed Trudeau, all of Penetang, members of St. Ann’s CYO, are shown on their float in the rosary rally procession in Midland Sunday. It was one of five in the parade.

Midland Girl Guides line up to board a bus, bound for a Guide and Brownie rally in Orillia last Saturday. More than 1,700 girls attended. Guides and Brownies from Penetang, Midland, Christian Island, and Waubaushene attended. 

Here a party of Midland Brownies line up for transportation while Mrs. Ed Lawler, right, directs another group to a waiting car.

 

 

• The County Herald headline of May 16, 1958. Request Budget Increase for Industrial Promotion; the Industrial committee of Penetang Chamber of Commerce is asking for the largest budget ever for this year’s activities. While reporting on committee activities this Week, Chairman Jerome Gignac asked for $1,500 for the 1958 budget. In his report, Mr. Gignac said his committee is almost ready to produce one of the most comprehensive brochures ever published for the town. It will be designed that with a change of only one or two pages, it can be used for several years. “We will have something we can be proud to distribute when we receive an inquiry or a lead on industry,” he maintained.
• The Free Press Herald headline of May 21, 1958. Tay Man Loses 15 Sheep in Rabies Stricken Flock; Clerk Ralph Dalton announced this week Tay Township will rigidly enforce its bylaw which requires citizens to keep their dogs from running at large. The necessity of enforcing the bylaw was highlighted by the death of 15 sheep belonging to Walter Knechtle, Con. 13. Mr. Knechtle’s farm is along the new Trans Canada Highway, about twelve miles north of Waubaushene. Officials of the federal department of agriculture have confirmed that the sheep died from the effects of rabies. Mr. Dalton said only two of the sheep had died immediately as a result of the attack by a dog or dogs. The other 13 involved appeared to have escaped serious injury until Thursday when they died, the clerk reported.
• County Herald headline of May 23, 1958. Report May Bring Switch in Water, Sewage Plans; Recommendations made by Ontario Water Resources Commission engineers may result in a change of water and sewage system plans for Midland. They recommended that a report should be secured, from a consulting engineer on the “provision of a waterworks at the bay to augment the present supply.” They felt this was a better long-range proposal than continuing the search for groundwater and the provision of raw water industrial supplies. Secondly, they suggested the proposed industrial water system from the bay be chlorinated to minimize the hazard to the industries concerned and the municipality from the sewage discharge contaminating the water. Thirdly, they stressed that an evaluation of proposed sewage disposal plans should again be made in view of the fact that there is some possibility that a water supply may eventually be installed at the bay to the east of the town. (Midland never went to the bay for water but continued to find and develop well water which now provides all of the town’s supply.)
• Alderman Douglas Haig has agreed to meet with Albert Taylor and discuss the leasing or purchase of The Lookout on Wireless Hill. (What is now Tiffin Park off of William Street) Walter Woods, chairman of the chamber of commerce tourist committee, asked council in a letter to try to negotiate with Mr. Taylor for the Lookout property. It was pointed out Mr. Taylor had declined to renew the lease on the property in 1957 because it had been poorly maintained, and had been permitted to become a garbage dumping area. Mr. Woods said the Huronia Historic Sites and Tourist Association had urged that the town retain this natural beauty spot, and asked that council take steps to make the property a public park.
• Discussions are already underway on plans for a possible addition to the million-dollar Midland-Penetang District High School. At a meeting of the MPDHS Board last week, it was decided that before the board’s next meeting, a committee will go to Toronto to discuss the subject with Department of Education officials. At the board’s April meeting, Principal L. M. Johnston told members that MPDHS would need; one additional classroom and that his studies had indicated a total of 14 new classrooms would be needed by 1965.
• The first skirmish of what could develop into a full-scale gasoline price war in Midland and district was opened Saturday when regular grade gas went down about six cents. Friday morning, most service stations in the area were selling gas at 39 and nine-tenths cents per gallon. The action followed about six months of cut-rate prices at about half a dozen stations. District service station operators had met three times in an attempt to avert a price war, but decided to meet the lower price after, suffering serious gallonage losses, one operator stated. It was understood that the major oil companies had guaranteed the operators a certain profit per gallon, so prices could conceivably drop lower. This appeared unlikely, however, as the new price had not changed by yesterday.
• On May 10, Ann Mecham, the 6-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Mecham, 157 Elizabeth Street, suffered abrasions, bruises, and shock when knocked from her bicycle. The mishap occurred around 6:10 p.m. at Manley and Elizabeth Streets. Const. Tom Currie, who investigated, said the bike and a car driven by James E. Magloughlin, 182 Manley, were both proceeding north on Manley. Both were attempting a left turn onto Elizabeth Street when the accident occurred. No charges have been laid.
• 25 Years Ago This Week – Clifford Woodrow of Coldwater, fishing at the Coldwater dam, caught one of the largest speckled trout that anglers of the district had seen in some years. It weighed three and one-half pounds. * * * Under a new provincial regulation guide, anyone who during the year had violated or attempted to violate any of the fish and game laws and regulations, were to be refused a guide’s licence. * * * Tay council served notice that it planned to cut down on the amount of relief being distributed to unemployed persons in the township. Council offered to buy vegetable seeds for those who were unable, financially, to purchase the seeds themselves. * * * Stayner Board of School Trustees announced that its salary schedule for teachers would be $1,500 for the continuation school principal, $1,200 for teachers and $700 a year for public school teachers. * * * An epidemic of mumps had curtailed average daily attendance at Midland’s three public schools. Hardest hit was Manley Street School where daily attendance for the month was only 73 percent of the total enrolment. * * * In an address in Midland YMCA, Col. George Drew charged that the security of the world was being menaced by the manufacturers of war materials. He urged that these products be produced on a non-profit basis. * * * Midland Board of Education decided to close Manley Street Public School, effective Sept. 1, 1933. The school was being closed to economize on the town’s education costs. * * * Passenger steamers operating between Port McNicoll and the “Lakehead” had commenced their summer schedule. Making the run were the Keewatin, Assiniboia, and Manitoba.
• Obits – A little more than a month after the death of her husband, Mrs. Ed Burke died at her residence, 216 Manley Street, Midland. May 21. The former Estelle Maude Kerr, she was the wife of the late Capt. Edward Burke, former Midland harbor commissioner and well known Great Lakes mariner. The body is resting at Nicholls funeral home until Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held in St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Midland, at 2 p.m. Burial will be in St. James on-the-lines Cemetery, Penetang. * * *  A resident of Midland all his life, Cecil Leighton died May 9 at 291 Queen Street following a coronary thrombosis. Born June 11, 1905, in Midland, Mr. Leighton was educated in Midland and Toronto Bible College. He was married in November 1932, at Midland to Dorothy Belsey. A weighman at Tiffin elevator, Mr. Leighton was a member of the Alliance Church. Active in church affairs, he was treasurer of the church, pianist, elder and a tenor in the church quartette. Funeral service was held May 12 from his residence to the Alliance Church with Rev. R. J. Barker officiating. Burial was at Lakeview Cemetery. Pallbearers were Philip Boden, Cecil Belsey, Albert Hill, Leonard Webster, Donald Fox, and Jack Argue. Surviving are his wife, Dorothy, mother, Mrs. George Leighton, sister, Mrs. Charles Beman (Ann) of Midland. He was predeceased by his father. * * * Pearl Eva Beatty, wife of Capt. Percy Beatty, died In Toronto, May 18, following a stroke. Funeral service was held at Nicholls funeral home and interment will in Lakeview Cemetery. Frank Taylor officiated. Pallbearers were Horace Lawson. Frank Livingston, Harry Rumney, Cecil Smythe, John VanCamp, and Elmer Parson. The former Pearl Eva Chillcott, she was born August 26, 1891, and in July 1913, she married Percy Beatty in Parry Sound and came to Midland to live. Mrs. Beatty was a member of the Jehovah’s Witness. She is survived by her husband, Percy Beatty, two daughters, Irma, (Mrs. A. McKean), Oshawa; Naomi, (Mrs. H. Cotton) Elmvale; one son, Thomas of Waverley. Also surviving are two brothers, Phil Chillcott of Caledonia, and Gordon Chillcott of Vancouver. * * * A resident of this community for 65 years, Delia Dagenais died May 12 at Beechwood nursing home Penetang. Funeral service was held from A. Barrie and Sons funeral home to St. Margaret’s Church May 14. Burial was in St. Margaret’s Cemetery. Pallbearers were Edward Somers, Alex Somers, Marvin Woods, Orvil Ambeau, Bruce Murdock and Joe Machela. Mrs. Dagenais, the former Delia Somers, was born Feb. 11, 1894, at Port Severn and was educated at Midland. In 1901 she and Hormidas A. Dagenais were married in Midland. Mrs. Dagenais was a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Predeceased by her husband on May 16, 1957, she is survived by children, Mrs. Harvey Ambeau (Betty) of Midland, Louis Dagenais, Penetang; Fred Dagenais of Orillia; Mrs. Wm. Farrish, (Matilda), Listowel; Thomas Dagenais of Calendar; Mrs. Clara Nadjuion of Toronto. Also surviving are brothers; Charles Somers of Midland, Edward and Alex Somers of Toronto and Peter Somers of Midland; and one sister, Vena Reuther of Vancouver, B.C.
• Editorial – All too frequently men who give freely of their time and energies, and who gain international fame, recognition and respect in specific fields of endeavor go unsung in their own countries and communities. At Monday’s civic reception in Midland for the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association members, however, it appeared that there are exceptions to the rule — and Midland’s Mr. Hockey, George S. Dudley, Q. C., is one of them. For more than two decades Mr. Dudley has been a leading figure in provincial, national and international amateur hockey circles, guiding the destinies of the OHA, the CAHA and the players and teams under their jurisdiction. His travels on behalf of the two organizations and hockey, in general, have taken him across this nation, to the Orient, to Europe, even behind the Iron Curtain. And wherever he went, whether in his own or an alien land, he took men in this particular realm of sport as he found them. Perhaps it was this attitude as much as his ability to meet and solve the multitude of problems with which he was confronted that paved the way to the international recognition he has received and achieved for the country, his town, for himself and our national game. His success in this respect was attested to in his election a few weeks ago to the Hockey Hall of Fame. It was further emphasized in the sincere tributes of his associates at Monday night’s dinner. While in other lands hockey and Mr. Dudley are synonymous, for Midlanders this distinguished citizen also represents faithful work in the church of his choice since he was a youth of 18. It means more than 40 years of legal service and advice to the town’s elected representatives and its administrative personnel. It was most fitting that he was presented the town’s Award of Merit in the presence of his hockey associates and Midland friends. Although tangible evidence was not necessary to substantiate it, that gesture more than anything else that was said or done indicated he was not a “prophet without honour in his own land”.
• Recently traffic from Parry Sound district has had a choice of keeping to the heavily used routes of Highways 69 and 11 (via Bala and Gravenhurst) or choosing the partly-finished road from Footes Bay to Port Severn. The new road, slated for paving this summer is bumpy and sandy. At times visibility last weekend was almost zero as the increased volume of vehicles raised choking dust.
• Lockmasters on the Trent Canal system gave a lift this spring to pickerel on their way up the Severn River to spawn. The pickerel run was so heavy Lands and Forests Department officials report, that lock tenders were letting fish into their locks, closing the gates and raising pickerel over rapids in the same manner boats are locked through.
• Weekly the Free Press publishes reports submitted by their correspondents from all parts of North Simcoe, every village, and crossroad. This report from Wyebridge exemplifies the down-home nature of these. WYEBRIDGE — Sunday visitors of Mrs. George Parker were Bill and Mrs. Douglas Beacock and family of Richmond Hill, Mrs. Farquharson, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Bell and Ronnie of Orillia, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Burke and family of Churchill, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Leonard, and family and Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Archer and family, of Midland. Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Kirkup and family and Mr. and Mrs. William McCay and Kathryn of Toronto spent the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Murdoch. Sunday visitors of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Downer were Mr. and Mrs. Farnie Davenport of North Bay, Miss Marion Downer, Howard Downer, Lloyd Downer, Hugh Blair of Toronto, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Downer and family, Mr. and Mrs. John Parker and family, Mr. and Mrs. James Downer and family, all of Midland. Mr. and Mrs. Howard Toole visited Mr. Toole’s sister, Mrs. Alex Van Camp, at Balm Beach last Sunday. Sunday, May 11, a rogation (I had to look it up too) service was held at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Communion was also celebrated. Rev. A. Stubbs of Elmvale assisted the new rector, Mr. Fairhead. Mrs. Shaw of Elmvale was organist in the absence of Marilyn Robins Bumstead, who is on her honeymoon. Next Sunday there will be no Sunday School. Instead, there will be a family service at 9.30. Mr. and Mrs. J. V. Eakley were in North Bay recently, Mrs. Reg Dundas came back with them for a few days. Miss Joan Dundas and friend also of North Bay were here for a day and Mrs. Dundas returned home with them. Mrs. Fay Manross of Erie, Pa., has also been a guest of her sister, Mrs. Eakley. Mr. and Mrs. Eakley are driving Mrs. Manross home and spending a few days there. Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth Collins visited Mrs. Collins parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Edwards, at Vasey last Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Harold McClung and Murray went to Galt last Sunday to see Mrs. McClung’s sister, Mrs. Bob Reid, who has been ill. They came home by way of Toronto and called on their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Smutylo and girls. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Lauder and Heather of Edgar were guests of Mrs. Lauder’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. Wood, Mother’s Day. (Got them all connected Sheila?)

Going further back to spring 1932, depression era, and 1832;

 

 

Click on photos to enlarge  Proud of their new Canadian citizenship is the Dutch-born Arnold Van Pypen family of Port McNicoll. They received their papers in Barrie Thursday. Left to right are, front row — Wilma, 8, Henry, 3, Mrs. Van Pypen and Margo, Wilma’s twin sister; back row — Ria, 12, Mr. Van Pypen and Joky, 11. Henry was a jump ahead of his parents, having been born a Canadian citizen.

   Coming to Canada in May 1951, the Van Pypens and their four daughters settled first in Lowbanks, a little community on Lake Erie, near Dunnville. Then the Van Pypens moved to Toronto where Arnold became an agent for a life insurance firm. They had been there four years and might still be there until Arnold happened to see an advertisement of a store for sale in Port McNicoll. By the afternoon of the same day, Arnold was in Port McNicoll looking over Ted Biggar’s confectionary store, which was the one for sale. Arnold also looked over the village, liked what he saw, got Mrs. Van Pypen’s approval of the place, and was the new owner before the week was out. This was May 1, 1955. Mrs. Van Pypen took over the operation of the store, which has expanded to include general merchandise as well as confectionery. At the same time Arnold became an agent for the Robert Thompson real estate firm in Waubaushene. A short time later he took out his own licence and started his own business. As evidence of his progress, Mr. Van Pypen is now president of the newly- formed Georgian Bay Real Estate Board. 

German born Dietmar Wagner can put many native-born Canadian children to shame when it comes to the art of public speaking. In Canada only a few years, Dietmar is seen with Mrs. H. L. McIntyre and his Regent Public School Principal M. 0. Lewis, right, and some of the numerous prizes he has won in recent months. They were on display at Friday night’s meeting of the School Board, of which Mrs. McIntyre is a member. 

Pupils of St. Mary’s School, Midland, presented this nativity scene on one of the floats in the monster rosary rally in Midland Sunday. It was one of five floats in the religious procession which depicted the Five Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. One of the Sisters, lower left, puts a finishing touch to the float before it moved off in the parade.

   Parishioners from the parishes of Midland, Penetang, Lafontaine, Perkinsfield, Port McNicoll, Victoria Harbour and Waubaushene are expected to take part along with representation from the Knights of Columbus Councils of Orillia, Barrie, and Tottenham, in the third annual rosary rally in Midland Sunday. The famous St. Mary’s Boys’ Bugle Band will accompany the parade which will be under the supervision of the Huronia Council of the Knights of Columbus. 

There were flowers for the visitors as the girls of Port McNicoll Public School entertained their mothers at tea Friday afternoon. Marion Hocken left and Mary Kovalak pins a flower on Mrs. D. N. Thorpe, mother of school Principal, L. Thorpe. 

Girls of the Port McNicoll Public School were hosts to the mothers at a tea Friday afternoon. Left to right are Mrs. W. R. Elliott, her daughter Helen, Marlene Loney (serving), Mrs. John Hartford, and Mrs. Wm. Tunnock, Helen’s grandmother.

 Flying high are these graduates of the first season of junior leadership training at Midland YMCA. Wynne Gilmore and Colin Hamer, tops in written examinations, are up in the air over their success; those with their feet on the ground are Lynda Duggan and Peter Berry, who were tops in gymnastics. 

Adding an improved note to the general scene at Ossosane Beach (Dault’s Bay), the old “River Store” has been completely renovated. Purchased some months ago by Cuth Annand of Midland, the building has undergone many changes, inside and out. 

Executive of the newly-formed Georgian Bay section of AMEU (Association of Municipal Electricity Utilities) is seen above following the inaugural meeting in Midland May 7. Left to right are, front row — W. G. Lane, Collingwood, vice-president; Robert Butter, Owen Sound, president; Stewart Holt, Midland, AMEU area director; back row S. R. Walkinshaw, Orillia, K. G. Baird, Hanover, R. B. Lackey, Orangeville, and E. D. Elwes, Paisley, directors.

 The inaugural meeting of the new Georgian Bay section of the AMEU in Midland last week provided a good opportunity for these old Penetang friends to renew acquaintances. Well-known in Penetang, Cyril Richardson, left, is now manager of the Uxbridge area PUC. Ed Nelson, centre, is superintendent and Ray Gauthier, right, manager of Penetang Water and Light Commission.

Newly elected officials, of Mount St. Louis branch of the Catholic Women’s League, are seen above with Rev. F. C. Robinson, the parish priest. Left to right, front row, are top executive members Mrs. Joe Drury, secretary; Mrs. Clarence Crawford vice-president; Mrs. M. J. Frawley, president, Mrs. John Drury, vice-president and Mrs. Maurice Fitzgerald, treasurer. Other executive members are, second row, Mrs. Eugene Belanger, Mrs. Phil King, Mrs. C. King, Mrs. Herman Bonneau; back row. Miss Margaret Sullivan, Mrs. Wm. Mooney, Mrs. M. L. Belanger, Mrs. Theophile King, Mrs. Clifford Crowe. 

Gift of Port McNicoll council, new swings and teeter-totters have been set up on the public school grounds, where they get plenty of use as can be seen above. Watching the children enjoy the new equipment are Councillor Jack Fisher and L. Thorpe, principal of the school. 

An important part of any army group is the junior NCO’s and the boys above fill this function with MPDHS Cadet Corps, which has its annual inspection Wednesday afternoon. Left to right are, front row — Cpl. Richard Wright, Cpl. Don Belfry, Cpl. Ken Ball, Cpl. Edward Bavington, Cp . Bill Laramey; second row — Cpl. Kevin Rogers, Cpl. Frank LeClair, Cpl. Frank Wice, Cpl. Don Popple, Cpl. Bob Rawson. 

Commanding officer of MPDHS Cadet Corps, Lieut. Col. John Hilliard is seen above checking over details of next Wednesday’s annual inspection with some of his top-ranking officers. Inspection is slated to get underway at 1:30 p.m. at the school. Left to right are Major J. Farmer, Major Glen Nicholls, Major Lloyd Farquhar, Lieut.-Col. Hilliard, Major K. MacEachern, Major Robert Megaw, Major L. Wood. 

• The County Herald headline from May 9, 1958; Missing Several Hours Searchers Locate Tots. Approximately 15 men, under Sgt. L. Robillard, of Penetang police, were successful in finding two small children who had been missing for several hours Wednesday afternoon. Wayne and Steve Ladouceur, two and four-years-old sons of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Ladouceur who live on the Ontario Hospital grounds, were reported missing by their mother early in the afternoon. Sgt. Robillard organized the search and when they found the boys tricycle at the Red Dock, were almost ready to start dragging. It wasn’t until nearly six o’clock that the lads were located on the bay shore near Fox and Broad Streets.
• The Midland Free Press headline from May 14, 1958; Hold Line on ’58 Rate Residential Levy 65.5. Midland Council at its meeting Monday night decided to keep the same commercial and residential tax rates as it set in 1957. Residential rate for public and separate school supporters will be 65.5 mills, the commercial rate has been set at 74 mills. Main reasons behind the ‘hold-the-line’  policy was a decision by council to provide additional funds for a supplementary public works bylaw for road and street improvements and to make provision for an installment on the new fire truck.
• To provide funds for its annual summer playground program, Midland Y’s Men’s Club will again sponsor a peanut sales drive in a house-to-house canvass. Drive will get underway in homes on the east side of Midland Tuesday night. West side homes will be canvassed the following Tuesday, May 20.
• Obituaries – S. R. LANGMAN – ELMVALE — After a lingering illness Mrs. Samuel Richard Langman, the former Bertha Mable Doan, died at her home at north half of lot 16, Concession 9, Flos Township, Friday, April 4. She was in her 68^th year. The funeral service was held Monday, April 7 at 2. p.m. at Allenwood United Church and was conducted by Dr. A. G. Reynolds. Interment was in Allenwood Cemetery. Six nephews acted as pallbearers: Grenville Doan, Lorne Doan, Lyall Doan, Murray Chapman, Donald Chapman and Elwood Langman. Mrs. Langman was born August 10, 1890, at Gibson, the daughter of Charlotte Pinch and James Doan. She resided there until her marriage on June 7, 1911, when she went with her husband to the 10th line of Flos, where she spent the remainder of her life. She was a faithful member of the Allenwood United Church and a life member of the Women’s Missionary Society and past president of the organization. Surviving are her husband, two daughters and one son. Mrs. Earl K. Parnell (Marjorie) and Gershom, both of Elmvale, Mrs. Clarence Carson (Joan) of Apto. There are ten grandchildren and two sisters; Mrs. Walter Houden of Point Edward, Mrs. Phon Sibbald of Elmvale and four brothers; Preston of Crossland, Edison of Wyevale, Morrison, and Emerson of Elmvale. Two sisters predeceased her; Mrs. Ernest Chapman of Elmvale and Mrs. Ewart Tucker of Picton. * * *  NATHAN RUMNEY, Tay Township, farmer Nathan Rumney died April 24 at his home on Lot 7, Con. 5. Rev. R. M. Dingwall conducted the funeral service held April 20 from Nicholls’ funeral home, Midland. Interment was at Vasey Union Cemetery. Pallbearers were Frank Rumney, Earl Jones, John Vancamp, Nathan Edwards, Manley Edwards and Leslie Edwards. Born July 17, 1875, at Westmoreland, England, Mr. Rumney settled at the age of seven on the farm at Lot 7, Con. 5, Tay, and it was in Tay Township that he received his education. He was married April 21, 1920, to Margaret Vancamp, at Wyebridge. Mr. Rumney was for many years the UFO livestock drover from Wyebridge and Melduf. A Liberal in politics, he was a member of Victoria Lodge No 470, Victoria Harbour. One of the first local supporters of the First Co-Operative Packers, Barrie, Mr. Rumney also enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was one of the first members of the Dutton Hunt Club. Surviving are his wife, son Harry at home, daughter Vera (Mrs. Bruce Grieder of Lindsay) and eight grandchildren. Predeceased by three brothers and four sisters, there are three surviving brothers; Lawson and Herbert of  Victoria Harbour and Ira of Midland; and sisters Emma, Mrs. Charles Beatty of Vasey, Mrs. Edith Yorke of Midland, and Mrs. Nelson Crooke (Mabel) of Victoria Harbour.
• Each mother who attends a certain grand opening on Mother’s Day will be presented with a lovely red rose, Mother’s Day, in case anyone needs a reminder, is Sunday, May 11. To get right down to cases, the opening concerned is that of the main dining room of The Big Red Rooster Restaurant, one mile south of Elmvale, on Highway 27. Chez Gros Coq Rouge is the Parisian name for the new restaurant.
• “All aboard for the last run of world’s best-loved train” (Orillia Packet and Times) The Canadian National Railway has served notice on the Town of Orillia that it plans to discontinue the passenger service of train No. 45 from Toronto to Orillia operating every day except Sunday. This train arrives in Orillia from Toronto about nine o’clock at night, turns in Orillia and proceeds back to Allandale. Dwindling use of the train has brought about the decision to cancel the service. Editor- There is no place for the little train now, in this age of the automobile and the motorbus. But as long as the English language is read and Stephen Leacock’s finest book is enjoyed, the little Train to Mariposa will live in the hearts of all.
• Balm Beach residents credited the sudden dropping of the wind with playing a major part in forestalling a serious fire loss there yesterday afternoon. Destroyed was a cottage, owned by Nick Pantos, proprietor of the Georgian Grill, a well-known Balm Beach establishment. The cottage was one of several located behind the big restaurant, in which waitresses and other help live during the summer season.
• Midland Rotary Club has elected its new officers and directors for 1958-59. President this year is Clive Park, active in reserve army circles and proprietor of Midland Flour and Feed. Others officers are Jack Duggan, vice-president; Jerry Therrien, secretary; Clint Truax, treasurer; Armand Robillard, Larry Curran and Verne Beatty, directors.
• Midland’s Community Centre building on King Street has been sold to L. H. Taylor. The offer to purchase the building was submitted in a call for tenders on the structure. Mr. Taylor’s bid, the only one in by the April 25 deadline, amounted to $12,000, $100 of which was to be down payment, $4,900 paid when the deal has been completed with deed, and the remainder in a seven-year mortgage. One other bid, submitted after the deadline, offered $5,500 for the building. (The building was on the East side of King Street across from Wilford’s service station. This is the best photo we could find of it, despite the double exposure with the Library.)
• Ten Years Ago This Week – At Port McNicoll workmen were busy installing a new cement foundation and full basement under Sacred Heart Church. Plans also called for changing the entrance from the northwest corner to the north end and a change in seating arrangements to provide for a center aisle. * * * With a majority of 28 votes, Charles Ball was elected to fill the vacancy on Victoria Harbour council, caused by the resignation of Percy Brown. Unsuccessful candidates were Hermos Larmand and W. J. Asselin. * * * Ontario Historical Society announced plans to hold its annual meeting at Martyrs’ Shrine June 9 and 10. The delegates planned to tour district historic sites. * * * Ontario Department of Lands and Forests announced it planned to establish fish sanctuaries in Georgian Bay—the waters east of Quarry Island, near Honey Harbour; the Cognashene and Go-Home Bay areas.  * * * A pictorial memorial of 37 young Midland and district men, former Midland District High School Students who lost their lives in World War II, was unveiled at the high school. It was the work of Principal J. J. Robins, assisted by Miss Mary House. * * *  Although gross expenditures in the Midland District High School budget for 1948 were $4,457 more than those for 1947, the mill rate for high school purposes in Midland had been decreased one mill. * * * Penetanguishene’s tax rate for 1948 was 11.7 mills higher than that for 1947. Mill rate for public school supporters was 72.89 and for separate school taxpayers, 60.73.
• Lafontaine News; Louis Brunelle, who had his fingers crushed while working in the mines about six weeks ago, recently recovered sufficiently to return to work. Mario Toutant, 8, is back from the hospital and has returned to school. Euzeb Moreau, who has been ill for several days, has been taken to the hospital. The outbreak of measles in the schools is now nearly over. A new cement dock has been built at Cedar Point. The tobacco farm on the 20^th Concession is not producing this year and the employees have moved out. Michael Laurin is cultivating Achil Marchildon’s farm on the 18th Concession. It is up for sale. Many in the district have transplanted strawberry plants this spring. Friday was a pretty sloppy day, with both snow and rain. Peter Paul Forget is employed at a summer resort in the islands for the season. Mr. and Mrs. Telesphore Forget had a surprise party on their 31st wedding anniversary. They received several gifts from the various relatives present. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Beauchamp celebrated their 24^th wedding anniversary May 8.

Click on images to enlargeTop dogs in the Midland Legion Bowling League include (seated), Bob Somers and Wm. Bryan, who tied for high single; and (standing, left to right), Doug Hebner, high single in playoffs; Les Marsell, high triple; Don Fox, high average; Bill Brooks, high total in playoffs. 

Playoff winners in the Midland Academy Bowling League were members of the Legion Blue team. Seated are Elmer Todd and Les Scott, and in the back are, left to right, Les Marsell, Mike Doherty, Legion president Chas. Scott, Chas. Spiker and Garnet Drinkle. 

Del Hasting’s team, winners of the Midland Academy Bowling League, are pictured at the annual banquet last Tuesday night at Bourgeois Lakeshore dining room. Left to right are seated, Don Fox and Dave Moore; standing. Bob Somers, Chas. Yorke, sponsor Del Hastings, Murray Yorke and Bernard Hamelin. 

There may be no promotion this side of the ocean for some types, but the lads above all moved up a notch in rank as members of RCSCC “Huron” last Wednesday. Promoted to able cadets from ordinary cadets were, left to right, front row —J. Bonnin, Penetang; Don Zabzinski, Midland; B. Grisdale and Ernie Miron, both of Penetang; back row — R. Belanger, R. Moffatt, N. Craig and S. Chambers, all of Midland. Lieut. Jack Sturgeon, commanding officer of the sea cadet corps, is at right. 

Senior NCO’s of MPDHS Cadet Corps, which will hold its annual inspection next Wednesday, are seen above. Left to right are — front row, S/Sgt. J. Vincent, SSM J. Wilcox, SSM P. J. McDonald, RSM J. Parker, RQMS V. Leonard, SSM R. Rankin, S/Sgt. G. Wittig; second row — Sgt. T. Kearns, S/Sgt W. Barber, S/Sgt. T. Geere, S/Sgt. J. Rankin, S/Sgt S. Ligowski, Sgt. J. Gignac, Sgt. J. Squire, Sgt. S. Campbell; third row — Sgts. T. Marr, B. Corriveau, P. Smitham, F. Cremer, H. Gouett, J. Brodeur, J. Rumble; fourth row — Sgt. R. Gauthier, M. Moreau, G. Rebhan, R. Wiggins, C. Whetham. 

Canadian singles champ Elmer Hohl of Wellesley, left, was beaten by Midland’s Wray Faint in the horseshoe pitching tournament held as part of the Jaycees’ Sports Show last week. Wray finished two points up on his noted opponent. 

Alderman Wm. Orr of Midland is shown presenting the town of Midland trophy to Wray Faint of Midland, winner of the horseshoe pitching competition at the Jaycees’ Sports Show. He defeated the Canadian singles champ to win the trophy. 

While her hubby chortles with glee, Mrs. Stan Harman seems all set to grab the $100 her spouse won at Midland Jaycees’ Sports Show Wednesday night. Ken Webb, left, is handing Stan the “C-note” for winning the hole-in-one contest. Mrs. Harman feels she has a moral right to a share of the booty. “He wouldn’t have come if I hadn’t pushed him out the door,” said Mrs. Harman. 

One of the most popular events at Midland Jaycees’ sports show last week was the hole-in-one contest. Mrs. Bruce Barrie wasn’t one of the six who turned the trick during the three-day show. Stan Harman proved the eventual winner. 

Winner of the fly-casting tournament at Midland Jaycees’ Sports Show was Bjorn Pettersen, seen receiving his trophy from Bruce Gilbert, right. The 13-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Pete Pettersen tied with Jack Yelland, left, in the regular competition but won the playoff (and payoff) round. Major prize was a two-week vacation at King Whyte’s Northern Ontario fishing camp. 

Trying out the driving tests at Midland Jaycee’s Sports Show proved to be fun as well as instructive for these young Midland matrons. Mrs. Gerry Gerow is trying her hand with the wheel while Mrs. Allan MacMillan, left, and Mrs. Dave Milner lends moral support. The instructor is Art McLean of London. 

Archery was a popular feature of Midland Jaycee’s Sports Show this week. Scoring a “bull’s eye” is Shirley Hebner, while John Power looks on. 

The ill wind that has cottagers all over the Georgian Bay area wondering how they are going to get their boats in the water this year will, conversely, be a boon to the sunbathers, as witness the wide beach area at Balm Beach this year, above. Only a few years ago it was impossible to drive along famed Wasaga Beach because of high water. Now the beach is more than 200 feet wide again in most places. Experts say it’s part of a seven-year cycle. 

Seen above with Rev. F. C. Robinson is the new executive of Mount St. Louis branch of the Catholic Women’s League. Left to right are Mrs. Joe Drury, secretary; Mrs. Clarence Crowe, 3rd vice-president; Mrs. M. J. Frawley, president; Mrs. John Drury, 2nd vice-president; Mrs. Maurice Fitzgerald, treasurer. Mrs. Reg Morrison, 1st vice-president, was absent when the picture was taken. 

When September rolls around again, Gary Valcheff will be one of the new pupils at Port McNicoll Public School. Gary, 6, is being “signed in” by Mrs. Herb Carpenter of Midland, Simcoe public health nurse, while his mother, Mrs. Henry Valcheff, and sister Gail, 3, watch. 

 

• Board Cuts School Rate Four Mills Lower in ’58 – County Herald headline of May 2, 1958. While complete details of the high school budget will not be available until next week, Midland council was informed at a special meeting Wednesday evening that town taxpayers will be paying 4.71 mills less on the Midland – Penetang District High School levy this year. Midland’s share of the total levy for high school purposes amounts to $51,316.03. Based on the 1958 assessment of $7,204,230. This means a tax rate of 7.13 mills for Midland ratepayers. Last year the levy was 11.84 mills. Council received the information during a semi-final review of its own budget. The preliminary review of the town budget, which is to be finalized tonight revealed there was a possibility of a three-mill cut in the overall tax rate for the town this year.
• Century-Old House Razed Elderly Woman Burned – Free Press Herald headline May 7, 1958. Fire destroyed one of the oldest homes in Penetang Monday morning when the Main Street residence of Mrs. Emma D’Aoust was razed. The house is believed to be more than 110 years old. The blaze is believed to have started from an overheated stove in which Mrs. D’Aoust had lit a wood fire a short time previous to the fire breaking out. The 84-year-old woman suffered severe burns to her arm, back, and shoulder when the dressing gown she was wearing caught fire. Wakened by the cries of her mother, Miss Louise D’Aoust managed to extinguish the flames on the burning clothing and get her out of the house. Following treatment by a doctor, she was taken to the home of her son, Phil D’Aoust. Firemen said they experienced considerable difficulty in battling the flames owing to the construction of the building. Part of the house was a log structure, and the entire building had been insulated many years ago with tanbark.
• Following the resignation of Ed. Dilworth as building inspector for the town, Penetang council experienced less difficulty than had been anticipated in securing a replacement. Monday night, council approved the application of Alf. Atkins and appointed him to the position. His duties will commence May 1. Remuneration will be the same as for the last inspector, which is a percentage of the permit fees collected.
• Midland Y’s Men next Tuesday night will embark on a tree planting spree at the Forget site, following their dinner meeting. This week a work party headed by Frank Bray brought in wood from the Forget site for use in the Indian village. Trucks for hauling the wood were provided by “Toots” Wallace and Lloyd and Harold Wilcox.
• A 22-year-old Midland man will likely be charged with criminal, negligence, drunk driving and careless driving following the death of Caleb A. Truman, 84, last night, police said this morning. Mr. Truman was struck and killed a few yards from his Bay Street home between Second and Third Streets by a car. Sgt. George Wainman said Mr. Truman, who was said to have been returning from a choir practice, appeared to have been crossing from north to south on Bay Street. [See “Looking Back April 1^st 1955” for a photo and biography of Caleb Truman.]
• The McMurray Beauty Salon, Penetang, wishes to announce that on May 12th, Miss Denise Marchand will take over the business.
• Obituaries – Native of Penetang, Andrew Odesse died unexpectedly April 2, in Penetang General Hospital. Born Valma M. Boucher, March 15, 1898, she had lived in Penetang all her life. She married Andrew Odesse in 1918. A Roman Catholic, she was a member of St. Ann’s Society. Surviving are two sons, Philip and Paul, Penetang, and two daughters, Mrs. E. Gauthier, (Lenai), St. Hubert, Que., and Mrs. T. Gignac, (Elaine), Penetang. Her husband predeceased her by 11 months. * * * A resident of Midland for the past 43 years, Mrs. Adeline Davis died April 15 at St. Andrews Hospital following a lengthy illness. Funeral service was held April 18 at Nicholl’s funeral home with Rev. W. E. Auld officiating. Burial was at Lakeview Cemetery.  Born in 1893 at Lundy’s Lane, Ontario, Mrs. Davis was educated at Newmarket. In 1913 she and Earl Davis were married in Toronto. She had resided in Lundy’s Lane for five years, Aurora 15 years, Orillia one year and Midland for the past 43 years. * * * Funeral service was held April 9 at Robinson’s funeral home, Coldwater, for Claude Bolyea, a lifelong resident of  North River, who died unexpectedly April 7 following a coronary attack. Rev. Ross Gumming conducted the service. Interment was in Coldwater Cemetery. Born Dec. 1, 1914, at North River, Matchedash Township, Mr. Bolyea was educated there. On April 201 1946, he and Lois Page were married in Orillia. Residing all his life in North River, Mr. Boylea built a new home following his marriage and had lived there until his death. * * * Funeral service for Mrs. Clara Boyer was held April 16 from, her residence to St. Mary’s Church where Rev. J. S. Howe conducted the service. Pallbearers were six of her sons: John, Joseph, Stanley, Andrew, Edward and Donald. Mrs. Boyer died unexpectedly April 13 from thrombosis while in the Toronto, General Hospital, where she had undergone eye surgery. Born Clara Belle Meyers April 3, 1887, in Bradshaw, Lambton County, she received her education in that place. She was married Nov. 25, 1907 in Penetang to Peter Boyer, who predeceased her in March, 1950. They had lived in Penetang 10 years, then in Moon River previous to coming to Victoria Harbour where Mrs. Boyer had resided for the past 41 years. * * * * Funeral service was held April 17 for Annie Violet May Hebner who died at St. Andrews Hospital following a coronary thrombosis. Pallbearers were Guy Hebner, Elmer Hebner, Bill Hebner, Neil Brandsen, John Lepage and Bernard Hamelin. Mrs. Hebner, the former Annie Smith, was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Smith. She was born in Midland and lived here all her life. Besides her husband Bert, she is survived by three sons. Bill who is in the Canadian Army stationed at Winnipeg, Man, Marvin on the ship Alexander Leslie, and Ross at home. Mrs. Hebner is also survived by four sisters, Marjorie (Mrs. Fred Contois), Myrtle (Mrs. M. Dubeau), Grace (Mrs. Art Parizeau) and Minnie (Mrs. James Bremner).
• 25 Years Ago This Week – Rev. A. J. Eagle, who had been minister of St. John’s United Church, Victoria Harbour, for six years, had accepted a call to Gerrard Street United Church, Toronto. * * * The Ontario Department of Education announced that it planned to conduct summer courses for teachers. Subjects being offered were agriculture, art, health, domestic science, manual training, physical training, commerce, vocal music and vocational guidance. * * * Groceterias in Midland were offering back bacon at 17 cents a pound; sirloin steak roasts at 18 cents a pound, pork roasts at 12 cents a pound and butter, 24 cents a pound. * * * * According to a Swiss beauty expert, women who had their hair tinted to match the color of the gowns they were wearing were complying with the latest fashion edict. * * * E. W. Beatty, president of the CPR, urged the government to enact legislation which would force all motor vehicles to come to a halt at railway crossings. * * * A party of British biologists, who had explored the inland regions of British Guiana, reported they had found a species of fish that preferred to breathe through their mouths at the surface of the water, instead of through their gills under the surface. * * * Pens of pheasants, the gift of the Department of Lands and Forests to Midland Parks Commission, drew record crowds to Little Lake Park. Children especially were said to have been captivated by the colorful birds. * * * Nearly 2,000,000 bushels of grain had been transported from the head of the lakes to elevators in Midland in less than four days. The largest cargo — 360,000 bushels of wheat was carried by the Gleneagles.
• A Little Bit of Fun; He: “Will you marry me?” She: “No, but I will always admire your taste.”
• George Johnson of Minesing, MPP for Simcoe Centre, revealed this week that the contracts had been let for grading on Highway 400 from Crown Hill to Craighurst and for the approaches and structure of the new CPR overhead bridge at Craighurst. Mr. Johnson said he had been informed by the Highways Minister that the contract for grading Highway 400 from Crown Hill to Craighurst had been awarded to King Paving Co. Ltd. Oakville.
• Acting on the advice of its engineer, S. N. Keyes of Orillia, Midland Public Utilities decided Monday night to use clay fill to repair its washed-out reservoir dam rather than more costly steel or cement methods. The dam was the most westerly of two earth-compacted dams which the PUC has used successfully to boost the supply of water for its artesian wells. The easterly dam was built in a hard clay area and it is this clay which Mr. Keyes proposes to strengthen the westerly dam.
• Ontario Department of Lands and Forests has plans underway to provide locations in Honey Harbour district of the Georgian Bay where guides with fishing parties and the boating public generally can have shore dinners. The need for such lunching out spots was first brought to the attention of Lloyd Letherby, MPP for East Simcoe, last year by Didace Grise of the Delawana Inn, Honey Harbour, and later by the Honey Harbour Cottagers’ Association. It was pointed out that available cottage sites are being taken up so rapidly that unless some provision is made for guides and their fishing parties, and the public, to land for shore dinners, it would not be long before the shoreline would be closed to the many tourists who look forward to holidaying in this popular resort area.
• submitted by Mrs. P. Toutant,  Lafontaine;  Seeing the picture of Mr. Proulx and the ox shoe calls to mind the emigration of some Lafontaine people to Manitoba, some 70 years ago. (In the April 23 edition of this newspaper, Dave Proulx of Penetang was pictured showing half a shoe worn by a working ox in days gone by, turned up in a Poyntz Street garden.) My father was one of those who went to the Manitoba town of Ste. Leon, where I was born 77 years ago. Some years before, several Lafontaine families had established themselves there, where the only farm power was that of man and oxen. We were proud to have the largest pair of oxen, called Bright and Brown. The shoes were of two parts, to fit the cloven hoofs, so it took eight pieces to make the set. Our men had learned the trade of making the shoes from their forefathers in Quebec. They kept their oxen shod the whole year round, for it was a protection on the icy roads. So 70 years ago the sight of an ox shoe was a familiar thing for us. They were using the same pattern in Manitoba as had been used in Quebec, and my husband believes what Mr. Proulx has is more than 100 years old and possibly came from Quebec originally. Relatives of the emigrants might be interested in hearing some of their names. Among them were Ovide, Oliver and Charles  Lafreniere and families; Gereme and Eugene Rondeau and family; Napoleon and Phillip Moreau; John and Charles Toutant and  Adrienne Toutant; George and Ovide Maurice. Counting the children, the group numbered about 50. They travelled by boat and train to Duluth and then to Emerson, Manitoba, near the United States border. From there they went by foot and oxen to Ste. Leon, where all have since died and are now buried. 

• One hundred years ago the Free Press recorded the weekly death toll as the war and the Spanish Flu claimed both young and old. This clipping represents the first week of November 1918.