Author: Tom

Huronia Museum – Looking Back 60 Years Ago in North Simcoe – April 1st to 7th 1957

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Click on Photos to Enlarge  Esther Lowes is skating one of the solo parts in the annual Midland Figure Skating Club’s carnival. Esther the “Angel Cake” is lured by the “Devil’s Food Cake” (Kennedy Self) and finally rescued by the “Gingerbread Man” (John Svoboda). There will be a cast of 150 local skaters. 

 Midland Skating Club is holding their annual carnival Friday and Saturday. Bonnie Leclair is the bride and Maureen Mohan portrays the groom. A giant wedding cake is one of the many props provided by the event’s sponsors, the Midland Lions Club.

 W.  L. “Billy” Logan at the wheel of his Imperial Oil delivery truck was awarded the Ontario Safety League award Saturday for 20 years of accident-free commercial driving. Only eleven other drivers in the province attained the award this year that was presented at Queen’s Park. 

 The right of way became a debatable question when these two Midland drivers, inspired by Wednesday’s sunny skies, went out driving and met on the Penetang road (Vinden Street). His arms folded defiantly, the younger driver had to be pacified with a sucker. 

This farm house was threatened by a fire that started in an adjacent garage on the property of Cecil F. Woods at Lot 10 concession 4 Tiny Twp. (not Cecil Wood the Tiny Councillor). Neighbours formed a bucket brigade and the Midland Fire Department arrived and finished the job. Lost were a tractor, feed chopper, tools, syrup pails and other equipment. 

 The 2017 CDN dollar equivalent is 1.25 million dollars.

 This was a popular item at the recent Edward’s fashion show. “Edna Arbour displays a two piece dress and coat ensemble in pretty tan and turquoise print. The full duster coat shows off her sheath dress to advantage.” This photo was used in a fashion advertising supplement promoting Edward’s Specialty Shoppe. It contained multiple pages and combined ad mattes from suppliers with photos of local models. 

 Photo from Edward’s Specialty Shoppe spring fashion supplement to the County Herald April 1957, the model is Mary Arbour. “This beige and black jacket dress was worn by Mary Arbour for the recent Edward’s fashion show created a great deal of interest. The jacket buttons up the back and the sheath dress features a cross over neckline.” 

Last Wednesday night was a big night for little Douglas Hook when he attended the father and son banquet at Knox Presbyterian Church under the sponsorship of the Men’s Club. Doug not only had a good dinner but also had a chance to meet Jimmy Morrison, a defenseman with Toronto Maple Leafs. Doug, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hook, also got the autograph of the NHL star, as did a host of other young lads who crowded around the popular Leaf player. 

Midland is making an early start on its roadwork this year, as witnessed by the scene above, taken on Dominion Ave., in front of St. Andrew’s Hospital. The block between Russell and Charles Streets is being excavated to a depth of several feet to provide better drainage before a permanent surface is placed on the road. 

 Brownie night at the Salvation Army Citadel, more than 30 members of the Second Midland Pack were present to receive awards or to be enrolled. Being enrolled were Linda Duggan, Linda Nopper, Karen Chapman, Eleanor Moffatt, Marie Louise Parker, Carol Launder, Marlene Douglas, Edith and Vivian Lowen, Janice Hawke, Sharon Howard, Barbara Ann Merkley and Cheryl Tyndall. Receiving golden stars and first year service stars were; Judith Reynolds, Patsy Dalziel, Linda Dagg, Gayle Langridge, Anne Davidson, Marilyn Vail, Becky and Patsy Paul, Jo-Anne Ambrose, Linda Bonner, Sharon and Connie Stelter, Judy Wilson, Laurie Young, Jan Worrell, Karen Greisbach, Peggy Krochko, Sally MacDonald. Second-year service stars went to Elizabeth Boldt and Nancy Wilson.

 Pausing on the stairway at Midland Armoury between dances at the Garrison Badminton Club dance Friday night are officers of the RCAC unit Grey and Simcoe Foresters and guests. Ladies are Mrs. Ed Brewer, Mrs. Jack Kennedy, Mrs. Jim Park (Shirley) and Mrs. J. S. Corcoran (Helen). Their partners are Lieut. Jim Park, Capt. J. S. Corcoran, Ed Brewer and Capt. Jack Kennedy. 

 A leading businessman in Midland for 33 years and mayor for 3 years, J. S. McDowell of Manly Street observed his 80th birthday March 27th. Mr. McDowell was born on a farm at what is now Ebenezer in 1877. It was his father, the late Thomas McDowell, who donated the land on which the old Ebenezer Methodist Church was built. John is the last surviving member of that family. The old farm has since been the home of several generations of Fagans. Mr. McDowell received his early education at Ebenezer and then attended business college in Owen Sound. Coming to Midland in 1906, he became a partner in the Big Four stores. His associates were Silas Milligan, James Stafford, and W. W. Sneath. Mr. Sneath is still living and resides in Toronto. The “Big Four” operated three stores in the buildings now occupied by Livingston’s, Diana Restaurant and the Singer Company. They sold everything from meat to general furnishings. In 1906, Mr. McDowell bought out one of the stores (the one now operated by Livingston’s) where he ran a men’s furnishing store until ill health forced him to sell out in 1929. In 1933 he moved to Bradford where he operated another general store until 1940. Back in 1908, Mr. McDowell had married the former Katherine (Kate) Piggott. Mr. McDowell first entered municipal politics as a Midland alderman in 1915. He moved steadily up the ladder and was deputy-reeve in 1916, reeve in 1917, and mayor the next three years. “They were good years. Midland was a real good business town in those days, with the shipyard, smelter and the lumber mills still running,” said the former mayor. He also served on the library and school boards at other times. 

  • County Herald, Friday, April 5th – Headline- “Ten Orr Lake Cottages Entered – Police Charge Three Toronto Boys” A routine investigation by OPP Const. Ray Wilkinson of Elmvale last week resulted in finding two young girls missing from Toronto for 10 days, and charges of breaking, entry, and theft against the three Toronto youths found with them in an Orr Lake cottage.
  • Free Press Herald, Wednesday, April 3rd – Headline – “PUC Confirms Water Meter Order See Installation Completed by Fall” “Estimate Project to Cost In Neighbourhood of $40,000.00 Hope to Cut Water Wastage”
  • Notice: Parking Meters will be in operation in Midland, Monday, April 8th, 1957 R. J. CAMERON, Chief of Police, Midland.
  • St. Mark’s Choir, “A Lenten Cantata” Wednesday, April 10,  at 8 P.M. in St. Mark’s Church (Third Street) Soloists  Mrs. Frances Conacher (Soprano) Mrs. Emily Lloyd (Contralto)
  • Heavy fines, totalling $500, were meted out against three Penetang men who pleaded guilty to infractions of the Liquor Control Act when they appeared before Magistrate K . A. Cameron in Penetang police court Thursday. The owner of a taxi business was fined $300.00 or one month when he pleaded guilty to a charge of having liquor in a place other than his residence. Two men who drive cabs out of the same stand were each fined $100.00 and costs for selling liquor.
  • Three more Canada Steamship Lines freighters left Midland harbor this morning. J. G. Hendrickson, C S L manager at Midland, said the Sir James Dunn and the Thunder Bay left Tiffin elevator, where they had wintered, about 7 a. m. and 7.30 a.m. respectively. The Lemoyne which was at the coal dock about 9.30 a.m., was expected to clear at 10 a.m. Mr. Hendrickson said the Coverdale and Hochelaga, which, left Midland and Port harbors Monday night, spent most of Tuesday bucking their way through windrow ice between Hope Island and Giant’s Tomb. The ice was piled up 12 to 14 feet high, it was reported. The two ships finally made open water about 5.45 p.m. Tuesday and today were reported to be past Detroit on their way to Toledo for coal cargoes. Ships will be confined to the lower lakes for a time owing to heavy drift ice in Lake Superior, he said. He anticipated a busy season as most Bayport elevators have plenty of room for grain.
  • Ivan Vasey, 48, of Orillia, has been chosen the superintendent of the new county home at Penetang, at an annual salary of $3,800. He will take over his duties April 15 and will move his family to Penetang as soon as he can find a home. He is married, with two sons. The county committee also appointed Dr. Henry Marchildon of Penetang as the physician for the home which will have a capacity of 54, including 19-bed patients. Although the official opening will not be held until June, the home will be used as soon as furnishings are in place. There are sufficient persons already under county care to fill it as soon as arrangements for use are completed.
  • The introduction of two all-expense weekend cruises on the Great Lakes was recently announced by Canadian Pacific Steamships. The first cruise will leave Port McNicoll June 8, aboard the S.S. “Assiniboia” and arrive at Sault Ste. Marie the following afternoon. On the return voyage, passengers will sail aboard the S.S. “Keewatin” and arrive in Port McNicoll June 10. The second weekend cruise will leave Port McNicoll on June 15 for Sault Ste. Marie.
  • Huronia Council, Knights of Columbus, joined last week with more than a million members of the order in observing the diamond jubilee of their order, which now has more than 3,800 councils. It was 75 years ago, March 29, 1882, that the legislature of Connecticut confirmed by charter the organization of a fraternal protective insurance society by a small band of fewer than 20 men, called by their founders the Knights of Columbus.
  • Lawrence Curran of the Midland office of Bausch and Lomb Optical Co. Limited, Canada, was recently elected to the board of directors of the Canadian corporation. Mr. Curran, who was made foreman in charge of manufacturing at the opening of the plant in May 1949, is now branch manager in complete charge of the Midland branch, which started operations on a very modest scale in the Midland YMCA basement in 1947. He was the supervisor of 14 employees at that time.
  • Midland was spared a minor riot yesterday afternoon when a rumor that Elvis Presley was in town was discounted. Witnesses said they saw a big black limousine pull up to the Ontario Cafe early in the afternoon. Several youths with sideburns entered, and they said one of them was the spitting image of the popular singer with the palpitating pelvis. Presley had a singing engagement in Toronto last night. The County Herald reporter was unable to obtain any confirmation whatever to the rumour but uncovered an even more startling bit of information. One of the proprietors of the restaurant claimed he’d never heard of the rock and roll king!
  • The stones are stored away, the brooms stacked in the corner and the lights turned out on another season at Midland Curling Club. A big “do” Saturday night in which prizes for various competitions were presented, wound things up for 1956-57. It’s a cinch the ice couldn’t be used for curling again after a host of members enjoyed their annual end of the season skate on the smooth surface.
  • Bit of Fun – “For example”, said the teacher to her memory-training class, “let us suppose you want to remember the name of the poet Bobby Burns. Get a mental picture of a policeman in flames. Get the idea? Bobby Burns.” “I get the idea,” replied the bright student. “But how is one to know it doesn’t represent Robert Browning?”
  • Robert John Reynolds died at Novar, Ont. March 20, following a coronary thrombosis. He was 83. Rev. J. R. Fralick conducted the funeral service March 23 from St. John’s Church, Waverley. Pallbearers were Art Reynolds, Ivan French, Roy Whetham, Norman Reynolds, Albert Reynolds and Alvin Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds was born and educated in Wyebridge and married Sophia Darby at Elmvale in 1900. He farmed on the same farm at Waverley for 48 years but had spent the last two years in Novar. A member of the Anglican Church, he was a Conservative in politics. His record of public service includes 14 years on Medonte Township council and many years as a school trustee. He was also on the committee which helped to place the Waverley War Memorial in 1920 and served on the group until 1950. Predeceased by his wife in 1945, he is survived by children Mrs. Earl Brown (May), Mrs. Orville Snider (Edna), Mrs. Doug Martin (Bernice) of Midland, Mrs. John Cameron (Velma) and Mrs. Armon Tripp of Elmvale, and George Reynolds of Novar. There are two sisters, Mrs. Robert Grigg (Emma) and Mrs. Wm. Charles (Hannah) of Wyebridge; and four brothers, Frank of Waverley, Henry of Wyebridge, Fred of Midland and Ernest of Richmond Hill.

Huronia Museum – Looking Back 60 Years Ago in North Simcoe – March 23rd to 31st 1957

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Click on photos to enlargeMidland Public Schools hockey league has five big games tonight at the Arena Gardens starting at 7 PM. Seen practicing is the Regent School squad. Goalie is Boy Wilson, others are Gerald Wotherspoon, Ken Archer, Vic Dalziel, Wayne Marchant and John Cowie. (Not indicated as being in any order) Representing the “East Side” they will meet the West team composed of boys from Parkview and Sixth Street Schools. The five games are Pee Wee, Junior, Girls, Intermediate and Senior in that order.

 Thirty five students from the special commercial class at MPDHS prepare to leave on a field trip to Toronto with their teacher Edwin Cable. A number of grade 12 students who plan to take commercial courses were also included. Visits will be made to the head offices of Bell Telephone and Confederation Life Assurance companies. Several of the boys sat in on the recording of the Elwood Glover show at a Toronto radio station. 

 Hardy anglers who probably sat in frozen ice huts all winter, now face freezing water on the dam of the Wye River catching suckers with large dip nets. Good success is reported. 

 New method of keeping ice clear is demonstrated by these bubbles in front of the Town House elevator. Compressed air is pumped at 35 PSI into 400 feet of plastic hose supplied by Midland Industries Limited. Developed in Sweden the method has also proved itself in an Eastern Ontario port. 

 New acoustic ceiling tile and new lighting is being installed in the dining room of the Keewatin. New tile should reduce the noise level in the dining room. Jack “Johnny” Bridges a CPR electrician and Mose Quesnelle, partly hidden, are seen completing the installation.

  Sure sign of a navigation season about to begin is the smoke billowing from the long idle boilers of local ships. Here work men are replacing a canvas transom cover on the CPR passenger-freight vessel Keewatin at Port McNicoll. It may be a while before she and sister Assinaboia leave as reports from the Lakehead tell of heavy ice in that area. 

 Unmistakable sign of spring is the steam rising from the many maple “sugar houses” in North Simcoe. This venerable building in Tiny Township on Hwy 27 belongs to Arthur Gardiner and has been producing maple syrup for 75 years. It has also been a favourite subject of many artists both professional and amateur. 

 Irwin “Sammy” Gardiner is seen collecting sap for his father Arthur on their farm just south of Wyebridge.

 Helen Laidlaw is all set for tripping in this sprightly sport ensemble she modelled at the recent Edwards Fashion Show in the Roxy Theatre. Her mauve-blue tweed skirt features side pleating with button trim, and is topped by a dyed to-match wool jersey blouse. She’s carrying a matching blue train case.

 Anne Shiels provided a glimpse of modern fashion based on the 15th century ‘Loden Plaids’ for the Edwards Fashion Show. This one is ‘Stewart of Appin,’ seen in the new detachable cape suit. 

 In 1957 TV is taking off. Every appliance dealer and hardware store in the area is selling TV sets from every manufacturer. Many of these names are gone, Dumont, CBS Columbia, Marconi, Admiral, Philco, Emerson, Zenith and RCA. 

 Leaders of the fund-raising campaign for the Midland Community Concert Association pictured at their kick off dinner Monday night. Front; Mrs. Ken J. Ellis, Mrs. William E. Hannah (Joan), Miss Margaret Johnston. Back row; president Ed B. Kendall, J. Stuart Nall and Jack Doughty. 

 Last big curling event of the season is the 8th annual mixed spiel held at the Midland Curling Club. The two rinks in the finals for the Orr Trophy are pictured. Midland rink; Mrs. Stan Burton, Stan Burton, Mrs. Jim Thomas and skip Reg Mulligan. The winning rink from the Toronto Granite Club is C. H. Bereton skip, Mrs. H. McCallum, George Stronach and Mrs. H. Whittldon. Final score was 12-7.

  • For the first time ever, Tay Township has a building by-law. The bylaw decrees that building permits must be obtained from the township building inspector for the erection of new buildings, and repairs, alterations, additions or building removals which exceed $200 in costs. New homes cannot be less than 500 square feet on the ground floor.
  • OBITUARIES – G. STOTT – A well-known Wyevale resident, William George Stott, died March 3 in St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, after an illness of about nine days. Funeral service was held March 6 at his home with interment in Wyevale Cemetery. Rev. W. A. Glazer officiated. Pallbearers were Victor Stott, Wallace MacDonald, Cecil Blow, Cecil Marcellus, Albert Bell and Jack Whitton. Mr. Stott was born July 28, 1870, in Innisfil Township. He lived for 13 years in Stroud, three years on Con. 7, Tiny, and spent the rest of his life on Con. 6, Lot 13, Tiny. **** JOHN LARMAND Victoria Harbour – John Larmand, a highly esteemed citizen of this village for many years, died in St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, March 15 following an illness of several months. Mr. Larmand had one leg amputated 19 years ago and on October 1956, the other leg was removed. Pallbearers were Albert Savage, Fred Paris, Kenneth MacDonald, Herman Dault, Jas. Burgie and Oliver Geroux. Mr. Larmand was born in Perkinsfield, August 12, 1887, and came here with his parents at an early age. He had been a resident here for the past 64 years. He was married to Dehlia Arbour who pre-deceased him, and in 1925 he married Margaret Geroux. ***  MRS. JOSEPH KENNEDY Funeral service was held March 18 for Mrs. Joseph Kennedy who died March 14 at her home in Port McNicoll. She was 55. Service was held from the Beausoleil funeral home, Penetang, to Sacred Heart Church, Port McNicoll where mass was celebrated by Rev. F. E. Sullivan. Pallbearers were George Burns, Joseph Connelly, Mike Tersigni, John Bell, Charles Moreau and John Clark. Mrs. Kennedy, the former Celina Legault, was born in Port Severn, January 28, 1902. In 1926 she married Joseph Kennedy at Penetang, and had lived in Port McNicoll for the past 31 years.
  • According to town office statistics, Midland’s population is now 8,115, an all time high. At one time it was larger than Orillia or Barrie.
  • Midland – Penetang District High School Board management committee and teachers have reached an agreement on wages. New basic wage scale is as follows (with original board offer in brackets): non-specialists, $3,700 (unchanged); specialists, $4,000 ($3,900); department heads, $4,300 ($4,100). On the old salary scale non-specialists received a minimum of $3,400, specialists, $3,600 and department heads, $3,800. The new salaries, which go into effect Sept. 1, 1957, mean a $600 increase per teacher—$300 increase in minimum salaries and $300 annual increment. In addition teachers receive $200 per year for each year of teaching experience up to a maximum of $1,400. Total salary bill for teachers last year was $133,400. The new salaries will mean an approximate $19,000 Increase.
  • List of officers for the two Canadian Pacific steamships Keewatin and Assinaboia, for the coming season, is preponderantly dotted with names of district sailors. Names of the officers were supplied to this paper by S. F.  Malin, superintendent of the CP’s Great Lakes Steamship division. A Port McNicoll man, Capt. A. Campbell, succeeds Capt. Joseph Stewart of Victoria Harbour as master of the Keewatin. Other Keewatin personnel include; T. Swales, Port McNicoll, 1st mate; J. L. Delahey, Victoria Harbour, 2nd mate; L. McClung, Midland, 3rd mate; W. F. Irvine, Port Arthur, chief engineer; A. O. Rice, Port McNicoll, 2nd engineer; Elmer Yon, Midland, 3rd engineer; R. C. Rother, Port McNicoll, 4th engineer; W. A. Paxton, Galt, purser; H. W. Arbour, Victoria Harbour, chief steward; W. Graham, Port McNicoll, 2nd Steward. Capt. Ernie H. Ridd of Midland is again named master of the Assiniboia. His mates are R. W. Jarman, Victoria Harbour; W. J . Estey, Midland; and K. Guthrie, Elmvale. G. A. Gervais of Victoria Harbour is the chief engineer. The rest of the engineers, all from Victoria Harbour, are U. J. Lefaive, G. J. Garneau and Amos Mateff, M. C. Tracey, Port Arthur, is the purser, with Roy Smith, Aurora, as chief steward, and J. Slanisky, Port McNicoll, 2nd steward.
  • NURSES MAKE 1,737 VISITS TO HOMES – Simcoe County Health Unit nurses made a total of 1,737 home visits during the past month, a health unit report states. The visits included 198 to infants under one month, 320 to infants from one month up to a year old, 451 to pre-school children, 193 to school children, 56 to expectant mothers, 203 to mothers of new infants, 36 to tuberculosis cases and contacts, 23 to acute communicable diseases cases and contacts, and 23 to orthopaedic cases.
  • 25 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK 1932 – Influenza swept through the province of Ontario, missing very few communities. In London alone the cases numbered into the thousands. Most severe cases reported were in the Welland area. *** The steamer Midland City, veteran of many 30,000 island cruises, was improved by the installation of two new diesel engines, replacing the old steam power plant on the ship. ***  One of Hillsdale’s oldest landmarks, the Globe Hotel, was destroyed by fire. *** C. E. Nettleton moved his drug store to the building formerly occupied by the Ritz Restaurant. Damaged in a fire a few months previously, the store was to be remodelled into one of Midland’s most modern. *** Midland hockey team won the Georgian Bay trophy by defeating their long-time rivals, Collingwood, 3-2 on the two game round. Some of the team members were Alf Brodeur, Ed MacDonald, Carleton, Dobson, Thayer and G. Brodeur. *** Beds were quickly set up in halls and sitting rooms when St. Andrews Hospital’s 30 beds could not handle all the “flu” patients. Fifty beds were filled. *** As a result of a meeting with a Toronto radio station. Midland businessmen decided to broadcast over a 10-week period, advertising the tourist attractions of the town.
  • So many improvements are being made in Geiger counters and other types that officials have discussed the possibility of shooting them to the moon, where they might operate through automatic transmitter stations to indicate how strong the cosmic, radiation is up there.

Huronia Museum – Looking Back 60 Years Ago in North Simcoe – March 16th to 23rd 1957

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Click on photos to enlarge  Wet heavy snow this week brought grumbles from drivers but was great for making snow sculptures. Patricia Puetz, 5, and her sister Susan, 3, ride the giant lion in their yard at 242 Sixth Street Midland. Daughters of Mr. & Mrs. Nelson Puetz.

  The mark on “Red Chiefs” forehead symbolizes all young colts, to their race horse owners. Will he be a winner or just a feed burner, only time will tell. His owner Roy Lawson of Midland hopes this big rangy sorrel three-year-old will more than pay his share of the keep.

  A graduate of a Barrie modelling school, Josie Tersigni will return to her home town to act as fashion commentator for Penetang Parent – Teachers Association fashion show.

  March 14th was the last day to renew your licence plates, even so, this motorist paused on his way up the steps, no doubt thinking of something else he could be doing with the money.

 Isolette incubator acquired by Penetang General Hospital at a cost of nearly $1,000, gives babies more than a fighting chance. Plastic top allows child to be seen from any angle, an alarm goes off if the temperature is too high, an analyzer checks oxygen piped in from outside and “open and close” armholes permit nurse Dorothy Duncan to move the baby without exposing it to outside air. Weighing can be accomplished without removing the child from the incubator.

  With another winter rapidly drawing to a close, Midland Lions Club’s skating revue will just about wind up activities at Arena Gardens for this season. The carnival has improved every year and the Lions are planning on this one being no exception. Getting in a spot of practice above are Mary Louise Parker, left, and Linda Revard.

 The body of Gordon Williams was to be transported to the Native cemetery near Wa-Wa-Taysee from Penetang by Albert Lepage. Gordon was killed in an accident at the Century Coal Dock in Midland Saturday. After several attempts the trip had to be postponed due to sticky snow, poor visibility and open water conditions.

 The domestic science course is popular at the new Midland Penetang District High School. Mrs. William Bartlett watches students Barbara Johnstone and Eva Koenig create an apple pie.

  Raising money for the world service work of the YMCA is one of the projects of Midland’s Cataracts Gra-Y Club. Seen sorting the candy they are selling are Ken Archer, Gerald Wotherspoon, Tom Davis and John Carpenter.

  Members of the Midland Lions Figure Skating Club prepare for their annual carnival to be held at the Midland Arena Gardens April 5-6. Suzanne McFarlane, Angela Magnus and Barbara Spence.

  There is work for the women too in the harness racing game during the off season. Mrs. Keith Waples is seen doing a repair on her noted racing husband’s “silks”, little Gordon aged one seems more interested in the button on daddy’s hat. Mrs. Waples, the former Eileen Devitt of Orr Lake and the other three children, Barbara 8, Donna 5, and Karen 3, accompany Keith to the Montreal tracks, where they live in a 41 foot trailer home.

Keith’s best day on the track came last June in Montreal. There, one Saturday night, he drove eight straight winners at Blue Bonnets. Next day at Richelieu he also came up with a winner in the first race. That mark of nine straight wins is a world’s record, at least for the big tracks where they have pari-mutuel betting.  

  • TEN YEARS AGO THIS WEEK *** March, 1947, in North Simcoe as recorded in the pages of the Free Press Herald, will go down in history as one of the most contrary months in the history of the district. Although the month came in and went out like a lamb, the weeks between were just the opposite. Not one seven day period from the first to the last week passed by without at least one severe storm, and snow was piled to the rooftops. *** Choirs of all three Penetang Protestant churches combined to present a Cantata, “The King of Glory”. * * * A $10,000 blaze damaged a two-storey brick building on the grounds of the Ontario Hospital at Penetang. The structure was used chiefly as a work shop with a bake shop in one end. *** A pontifical blessing from Vatican City was awarded to W. W. Jury for his extensive research in Huronia and in particular his work at St. Ignace II. The scroll bore a picture of Pope Pius and the Vatican seal. Mr. Jury was one of the few Protestants in Ontario to be so honored. *** The district was hit by the winter’s worst gale, with winds to 70 miles per hour lashing the area. Freight traffic was suspended, buses from Toronto did not reach Midland and Owen Sound was isolated. The highway to Barrie was completely blocked between Waverley and Elmvale. *** Shirley Player, Elmvale, now Mrs. Jim Gleadall of Coldwater, was voted head girl at Elmvale High School. (Shirley is a good friend, she is in good health, still driving, sits on the board of the Coldwater Mill, still lives in North River and has an encyclopedic knowledge of Elmvale and Coldwater.)
  • CSL aft-end crews were called to return to their ships today. Paterson Line freighters at the Simcoe Elevator already have steam up.
  • Jane Lippert, the artist who executed the mural in the main hall of Midland – Penetang District High School, recently completed another for the new Juvenile and Family Court building of Metropolitan Toronto. Her work, depicting happy family life, is one of the features of the ultra-modern, $1,300,000 building. Located at 311 Jarvis Street, the building was opened Monday. (Will the mural at MSS be saved, it has been the backdrop for high school life in Midland for over 60 years?)
  • An insight into operations of Midland parks was given to Midland Kiwanis Club at its meeting March 11. Chief speaker was Parks Commission Chairman W. J. Murray. Parks Chairman Murray explained that the major source of revenue for the parks came from the 90 cabins and 12 cottages, amounting to more than $20,000 last year. However, he pointed out that when all expenditures for labor and maintenance costs are met, that a little over $7,000 profit remains from this venture. He explained that the commission had adopted a policy of replacing its sub-standard cabin accommodation with modern cottages, comprised of two bedrooms, kitchen, living room and bathroom equipped with a shower. He said the demand for these cottages was increasing. All were booked up for this year. Mr. Murray revealed that the maintenance of the public park and Town Park absorbed most of the profit derived from the  tourist camp section. He spoke of commission plans to extend the beach area, of the excellent bass fishing in the lake and of the pleasure that district citizens derive winter and summer.
  • OBITUARIES *** W. J . STEGGLES A well-known Midland resident William James Steggles died March 8 in Penetang General Hospital following a coronary thrombosis. He was in his 78th year. Funeral service was held March 11 at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home with interment in the Necropolis, Toronto, the following day. Mr. Steggles was born in Toronto, July 8, 1879, and received his education there and in Allandale. He married the former Minnie E. Drury in Barrie. She was a cousin of E. C. Drury, former Ontario premier. The couple moved to Midland in 1907 and took up residence in the house now owned by Clarke Edwards. A year later they moved to 347 King Street where they spent the rest of their lives. A member of the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Steggles was a life member of Caledonian Lodge No. 249 and was a charter member of the Toronto Railway Club. He was fond of curling and served as secretary treasurer of the Midland Curling Club for seven years. He served on the Park Commission for many years and was fond of carpentry.*** J . A. BALDWIN A well-known sports figure of former years in Midland, John Ansley Baldwin died March 11 in St. Andrews Hospital, from a cerebral hemorrhage. He had been ill about a week. Funeral service  was held March 14 at Nicholl’s funeral home with interment in Lakeview Cemetery. Rev. J. Leonard Self officiated. Pallbearers were Charles Flowers, James Clarkson, Sam Bell, Cliff Laughlin, J. J. Robins and Linwood Magee. Joseph Dunlop was a non-active bearer. Mr. Baldwin was born in Victoria Harbour in 1881 and was educated at Manley Street School in Midland. In 1914 he married the former Margaret Moody in Midland. He was 75. While in Midland, he was chief engineer at Tiffin elevator. He had also worked as a contractor and as engineer at Proctor and Gamble, from which firm he retired.*** MRS. J. L. CRAIGHEAD A resident of the Wyebridge-Midland area all her life, Mrs. John L. Craighead died March 7 in St. Andrew’s hospital in her 88th year. Funeral service was held March 9 at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home with interment in Lakeview Cemetery. Rev. W. R. Auld officiated. Pallbearers were Ernest Robins, Charles  Hounsome, Cecil Fagan, Charles Robins, Lorne Carruthers, and James Haughton. Mrs. Craighead, the former Mary Esther Robins, was born in Wyebridge, March 28, 1869. In 1900 she married John L. Craighead at her home in Wyebridge. She spent all her life before her marriage, except for one year in Ingersoll, in Wyebridge, and her married life in Midland, except for three years in Wyebridge. A member of the United Church, she was predeceased by her husband in 1942. *** MRS. J. E. STEWART Funeral service was held March 4 for Mrs. Joseph E. Stewart who died March 1 in St. Andrew’s Hospital. She was 68. Service was held at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home with interment in Lakeview Cemetery. Rev. C. V. Freeman officiated. Pallbearers were nephews Ivan Burke, George Parker, Mervin Parker, Boyd Beacock, William Colville, Jr., and Clarence Leonard. Mrs. Stewart, the former Margaret Colville, was born May 11, 1889, in Tiny Township and was educated at Wyevale, In September, 1913, she married Joseph E. Stewart in Midland.
  • A little Midland girl who must have had a terrifying experience Saturday morning has apparently suffered no bad after effects. She is Susan Lalonde, 7-year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Lalonde, who reside in the veterans’ development at the west end of Yonge Street. Susan apparently went for a walk through the fields across Yonge Street from her home, accompanied by her dog. In some manner she fell into either a small pond or bog near the west end of Little Lake, possibly through some rotting ice. Susan’s cries were eventually heard by Mrs. Reg Gibson, who lives in the area. Investigating, Mrs. Gibson found Susan, minus shoes and rubbers, wet from head to foot and covered with mud, crawling along on her hands and knees.
  • All dogs must be kept tied every Monday from the hours of 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. in the Village of Victoria Harbour and female dogs must be kept tied at all times. VILLAGE COUNCIL (we would appreciate knowing why Mondays only, garbage day maybe?)
  • Monday, Mr. Lambert D’Aoust brought into this newspaper office a medal struck by the city of New-York to commemorate the anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. The year the medal was struck has been obliterated by time, but the month “October” still remains legible. Badly corroded, the medal is two and one-quarter inches in diameter and about three-sixteenths of an inch thick. Mr. D’Aoust said he found it while working a field on his farm last fall. He said the field had been pastureland for at least 100 years. Lying beside the medal, as it was turned over by the plow was an equally corroded brass rifle butt plate, bearing the date 1837.