William Barnett’s grade six class is seen rehearsing a play in the Parkview School auditorium, their goal is to raise money for the junior Red Cross. Barbara Day, Judy Crawford, Brigitta Dawe, Bernice Chapman, Peggy Jones, Kirk Weldon and Verne Kettle; front, David Simmonds, Peter Moss, David Magloughlin, David Lamb and Bill Doherty.

  Gymnasium of Parkview Public School, recently taken over by teachers and pupils of Midland’s Sixth Street School provides plenty of room for a grade four square dancing class, directed by teacher John Lyle. 

Former Sixth Street School students have a wealth of facilities in their new home, the former Midland High School on Yonge Street, the home economics room is great for sewing and knitting. June Elliot, Joy Elliot, Patsy O’Hara, Betty Kettle and Carol Weatherell.

  Formerly one of the science rooms in the old high school, this room is being used for art classes in the newly named Parkview School. Joyce Somers, Judy Somers, Jerry Witig, Charles Ward, Larry O’Hara, Barbara Stainton and Rose Windover.

  Winner of the spelling bee at the Port McNicoll public school was Sandra Lattimore, a grade six pupil at Old Fort School. Sandra outlasted seven other contestants, most form higher grades. Standing behind her, father Murray Lattimore, seated are spell master John Hart, and her teacher Miss Doreen Barrick. 

 Students at MPDHS were served hot meals from the kitchen of the new school in Tay Township for the first time this week. Sizzling cube steaks were on the first day’s menu and Mrs. Alex Pownell, head cook, is seen preparing a batch for hungry students. The exhaust system had not been connected yet and the smoke and odour filled the kitchen and the cafeteria.

  One of 59 Canadian Scouts and Cubs to be honoured for bravery, Brian St. Amand admires the letter of commendation he received from the Deputy Chief Scout of Canada, for saving the life of his eight year old brother Peter.

 Leap Year  Leap year baby, Capt. C. H. Webb, Victoria Harbour broom factory operator, points to the magic date on which he was born. Father of Ken and Dan. 

Several people in Midland have birthdays today, February 29th. This aunt – nephew combination of Phil Lemieux, Third Street and Bill Wright of Fourth Street are two of them. 

Ian Vasey, 2 1/2 years old, with his sister Hazel, 5, and his mother Mrs. Ted Vasey, who despite having four children is celebrating her ninth birthday today, February 29th. 

 David Kenneth Ritchie of Concession 7, Flos, has waited four years for his first birthday. Seen with his mom, Mrs. Ken Ritchie and his brother Paul Donald, 2 1/2. He has another brother, Robert John, who is only two months old. 

 Looking sharp for a rare birthday party is Brian McGrath, 8, of Flos Township, seen with his mother, Mrs. Rupert McGrath. Brian is one of three youngsters born on February 29th in the Elmvale area.

Balm Beach in its winter dress, all that is missing are a couple of polar bears swimming in the open pool in the foreground. Further evidence that Huronia is a beautiful place all year around. 

• Pete Pettersen, Midland’s Mr. “Ski,” told Midland Kiwanians at their luncheon in the Georgian Hotel Monday, that tentative plans are being studied for a summer ski jumping competition this year at the new 60 metre jump in Tiny Township.
• Arthur Gardiner, president of the Tiny and Tay Agricultural Society, told a meeting of the fair’s board of directors last week that the Midland fair ranked third in the province in total gate receipts and was one of the few Ontario fairs to show a profit last year.
• Special ice auger has been flown in from St. Paul, Minnesota, to drill the holes needed for the Penetang Winter Carnival ice fishing derby. Hundreds of lines are being prepared, which entrants will use, complete with hook, line and sinker, wound on a stick imprinted with “Penetang Winter Carnival, 1956”.
• Most North Simcoe Mayors and Reeves support the recent proposal to instate two year terms instead of one for all municipal councils in Ontario.
• The Coldwater News was sold this week by Frank Williams, publisher for the past 9 1/2 years, to youthful partners Norman Similas and Kenneth Jennings from the Toronto area.
• Wallace Hook, son of Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Hook of Midland, has been appointed a junior partner in the firm of A. F. MacLaren and Company, chartered accountants, Barrie. Wallace is married to the former Patricia Hodges of Midland.
• Oils and water colours, certificates, properly framed. J. W. Bald, 274 Fourth Street, Midland.
• Mrs. Adolph Hubert, nee Mary Louise Dube died February 18th of a heart attack. Born in Victoria Harbour, in 1910 she married Adolph Hubert in Penetang. Pallbearers were six nephews, George and Bruce Dunn, Thomas Davidson, Alfred Linton, Medas Boucher and Gordon Logan.
• The Third Company of the Penetang Girl Guides will be in charge of the first aid tent at the Winter Carnival Saturday. In addition they will operate a refreshment booth serving hot coffee and snacks.
• Rain, sleet, snow and ice caused the postponement of the Penetang Winter Carnival. Worst spot in North Simcoe Saturday was the “Angels Hill” on Hwy 27 just south of Penetang. From 1 PM until midnight hundreds of cars battled continuously to get in or out of town. Organizers re-scheduled for next Saturday.
• For the first time in six years a July 12th celebration will be held in Midland. Officers and members of Maple Leaf LOL No. 947 Midland, are completing plans to observe the 266th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.
• Four skunks were seen crossing King Street near the Roxy Theatre by Mayor Parker. “I am told they come to lick the grease pails at the back of Holders Bakery”, the mayor told this newspaper.
• Par Auto Electric at 244 Bay Street is advertising 45 plate car batteries, guaranteed for 48 months, installed for $11.95. Exchange price for most makes of generators is now $10.85 plus installation.
• Two Penetang couples, Mr. & Mrs. Basil McLaughlin nee Shirley Logan and Mr. & Mrs. Edgar Moreau were married on February 29th. The McLaughlin’s due to army red tape and the Moreau’s realized too late the significance of the date. Lost in love!
• The Department of National Revenue, Taxation Division, will be in Midland March 5 -9, to assist taxpayers in preparing their 1955 Income Tax Returns. You are invited to take advantage of this free service at the Midland Post Office.
• Federal transport minister George C. Marler predicts ” a major drop in rail grain traffic” through Georgian Bay and Lake Huron ports when the new Seaway opens. Currently the large lake boats cannot transit below Prescott.
• Lloyd Letherby pilots a bill through the Legislature that allows the township of Mara to exempt the Presbyterian Church camp, Glen Mohr from land taxes. The ten acre property was donated to the church by the late Mrs. James Playfair.
• Roger Brisbois and Len Carter buy the former Pete LePage service station business and re-name it Huronia Motors.

Click on photos to enlarge

 Jane E. Birchall nee Lippert,  a young Toronto artist, works on the huge mural that will decorate the main hallway of the new Midland Penetanguishene District High School in Tay Township. School board members Tom M. McCullough, chairman Clarke Edwards and Karl Bertrand look on.

 Sidewalk superintendents will be happy to see construction begin on the new Loblaw’s Groceteria as the Bell Telephone building is nearly completed. Note how little snow there is in February 1956.

Pupils of MPDHS were served their first hot meals from the kitchen of the new school Monday at noon. Barbara Piitz of Penetang, on the right, seems pleased with her meal of cube steak, potatoes, carrots, milk and ice cream. Mrs. Bryan Jones, the cashier, totalled the check up to 40 cents. Standard dinner is 25 cents, milk and desserts are extra. 

This rink will meet the Orillia – Muskoka winner this week for the right to enter the Ontario finals of the Colt’s Competition in Toronto, March 8th. Bill Shields, Ken Gauthier, skip John Scott and Dennis Mohan. Nine rinks took part in the play downs at Midland on Monday. 

Despite the Toronto Maple Leafs poor standing in the NHL at the moment, there was a warm welcome for defenceman Jim Thompson at the Father and Son Scouting Banquet at St. Mark’s Anglican Parish House. 

Consistent goal tender for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tod Sloan is seen here signing autographs for 1st Midland Cubs & Scouts at their annual Father Son Banquet at St. Mark’s Parish House.

 Elizabeth Holt, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Holt and a grade eight pupil at Parkview School was the winner of the spelling bee at Regent School Monday night. The event is sponsored by the Midland Home & School Association. Pictured are Elizabeth (left) with spelling master Jack Yelland and runner up Earla McCuaig, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. E. “Red” McCuaig, a grade eight pupil at Regent School.

 Champlain’s Cross commemorates the arrival of the famed French explorer in 1608. 

 It won’t be long before summer returns to Little Lake Park. 

• The provincial Department of Health has advised Midland Public Utilities that it would have to install a water intake pipe beyond Midland Point before they would approve the bay as a source of water for Midland. The existing open reservoir system is proving inadequate and the town is looking for a new supply. Until a sewage disposal plant is build in Midland the bay water is contaminated by the sewage that empties into it.
• Where to buy a stamp after the Post Office closes is no longer a problem as a new vending machine has been installed outside the Midland PO. Although you cannot buy a single stamp the unit will dispense twenty five cents worth of postage.
• Pillsbury buys out its partner in the cake mix business, Kellogg of Canada Ltd. and moves the head office to Midland, states W. H. Pinchin, vice-president and general manager of Pillsbury of Canada Ltd. Mr. Pinchin will direct the cake mix plant in London Ontario and the two Canadian flour mills from his Midland office.
• A. Robinson, M. P. for Simcoe East, tells a North Simcoe audience that a nationwide health insurance program is close to reality.
• Y’s Men celebrate their thirtieth anniversary in Midland. Wells and Ange Hartman, Tom McCullough and George Ingram are charter members that are still in the club.
• F. Taylor, manager of the Royal Bank in Midland is being replaced March 5th by William Mutch from Paisley.
• Penetang business men set up a Jaycee Club
• Ladies of St. Mark’s Guild stage a vaudeville night to an audience of 300 in the Parish Hall.
• Canada sets a $490,000.00 budget for Lamprey Eel control including Georgian Bay
• R. McCarthy, assistant superintendent of elementary education in Ontario supported the demand of the Simcoe County Trustees and Ratepayers Association that children of five years of age are too young to be in the school system. Children are legally allowed to attend school at five in Ontario.
• PUC maintenance costs soar as 36 street lights are broken in the Regent School area by B-B guns
• Winterama (called Penetanguishene Winter Carnival) Saturday Feb 25th – Scoot Races, Ice Fishing Derby, Airplane Rides, Moccasin Dance at the Arena, Ski-Joring, Trap Shooting
• Experienced grocery store clerk wanted, apply in person to Ken’s Market, 170 Fifth Street
• W. Jones, Simcoe County’s engineer gives annual report, 3.8 miles of road east from Lafontaine to receive mixed mulch pavement. After twenty years on the job Mr. Jones recalls that in 1936 no attempt was made to snow plough county roads, road machinery consisted of four light motor graders and about 25 team graders, with no facilities for inside storage or repair
• Saturday, March 17th, Midland Firemen’s 45th annual dance at the Parkside Pavillion. Modern and Old Tyme dancing, admission 50 cents, Dress Optional. (interesting)
• Eight school pupils, Louis Jackson and Chief Leonard Monague attended Queen’s Park legislature in full regalia. After walking four and half miles to the mainland the group motored to the Royal Ontario Museum before lunch then were met at Queen’s Park by local member George Johnson and speaker A. W. Downer. The group was given an enthusiastic greeting when introduced to the house.
• Thirty cans of local milk were condemned and returned to the producers in January, reports the Simcoe County Health Unit. Careless handling and milking is the common cause
• Ed Webster announces the appointment of Urbain Moreau to the full time sales staff of Webster’s TV & Appliances 

10 YEARS AGO  – 1946

– Midland was having police problems, chief William J. MacDonald had submitted his resignation after 22 years on the force, 20 as chief  –  council had purchased the new Barber-Green snow loader for $7,950.00  –  35 boys from age 12 to 17 had enrolled in the Boy’s Band under the direction of A. J. Laley  –  140 carloads of ice were being shipped from Pot McNicoll to southern Ontario, 35 men were engaged in the work, the ice being 15 inches thick  –  the Perkinsfield correspondent reported a crow had been seen in the vicinity of the village.

 Recent deaths;

 Wilbert Stanley Moreau, Victoria Harbour.

Mrs. Octave “Rose” Gregoire nee Goneau, Midland.

 Miss Carrie Lovering, 57, Matchedash, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. George Lovering.

Joseph Peter Butineau, infant son of Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Butineau, Midland.

 Freeman Andrew Vail, CPR employee, survived by his wife Ann Helen Rumley, two sons and two daughters.

 Sarah Jane Stacey, nee Nicholson, Vasey and Honey Harbour, survived by husband John and six children.

William Harris, 97, former CNR employee, Midland and Beeton.

 William H. Johnston, Penetang, pensioned from Kodak in Toronto, he moved to Penetang ten years ago.

 George Charles Wilson, has lived in Coldwater for 65 years, was a skilled bricklayer and mason, predeceased by his wife Margaret Ann Lawson in 1917.

 Veronica Kvasnak, has lived in Port McNicoll for 25 years, survived by husband Steve, son Rudy and daughter Helen, Katie, Ann and Elaine.

 Frederick T. Stott, Tiny Twp. resident, 84, survived by wife Susan Parnell, sons, Victor and Jack, daughter Anne.

Under the title “Tiny Talks”, the author is not identified.

 “Sleigh Bells’ Song is Gone”

   As I stood outside on a cold sunny day in February I realized the sounds of winter have changed. A few years back on a day such as this I would hear the monotonous twang of the crosscut saws in the bush as they cut slowly through the big logs. Picture tired men on each end of them steadily sawing from day light till dark. Today I hear the much louder power saws as they scream their way through the logs in bushes to the north and west of us.

   Years ago, on this frosty day, you would hear the quick jingle of the string bells that hung across the driving horses backs and kept up a merry tune as they trotted along. Then there were the loud chimes nailed on the shafts of the cutters, and last but not least you could hear the steady ding, ding of the big bells that hung on the harness of the heavy horses, and kept tune as they plodded along with their heavy loads. Everyone knew the sound of their own bells and many a farm wife would listen to hear if their men-folk were coming home. As I write this I can only hear the hum and rumble of the cars and trucks on the highway a mile away.

 Click on photos to enlargeA. E. “Andy” Davidson has been appointed administrator of St. Andrew’s Hospital, relinquishing his position as secretary on the board to do so. Replaced on the board by Frank Spence. Mr. Davidson had been the office and personnel manager at Leitz since they opened in Midland in 1952 and prior to that was a senior systems analyst with the Steel Company of Canada. Previous to that he had seven years in the banking business and had served in WW11. Andy is married to Beulah Silvester of Midland and has four children. 

Despite the cold weather the brickwork is nearly complete on the new Bell Telephone exchange building on the corner of Hugel and Midland Ave. The building is scheduled to open early next summer.

No better site in Canada for a winter ice carnival than Penetang Bay, seen here from Highland Point looking into Penetang. February 25th the annual Winterama will take place here and will include scoot races, ski-joring (being pulled on skis behind a scoot) and trap shooting. 

Chimneys and rubble are all that remain of Grisé’s Store and dance hall in Honey Harbour after a fire early Sunday morning. The one story 70 x 150 foot structure was built by George Grisé Sr. eighteen years ago and George Grisé Jr. was in the process of converting it into a fourteen unit motel. 

Mary Wilson of Midland was the unanimous choice of the audience for the Queen of Hearts title held at the Roxy Theater. Among her many gifts was an all expense paid trip for two to New York city. Runners up were Marg Ambeau, Jeanne Sauvé, Annette Martin and Noreen Shiels.

Poster contest winners from Midland high school and public schools with two members of the WCTU (Women’s Christian Temperance Union). Seated, Ingabord Krauss, Mrs. C. V. Freeman, Carolyn Bath, Mrs. Wilfred Farquhar and Lynn Howard. Standing, Wayne Farquhar, Christian Rebhan, David Bertrand and Frank Okenka. Dawn Annand was absent when the photo was taken. 

• Special school grant from the province of $2.00 per pupil will cut local school taxes by $10,000.00
• Employment at Midland Reinforced Plastics on Ellen Street has increased to five full time and five part time employees, orders for the 8 foot sport outboard boat, the Flying Flivver are strong
• Penetang town clerk W. H. Hewson and his wife report seeing a robin in their yard Saturday morning
• United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners withdraw pickets from the Orillia Collegiate and Midland Bell Telephone building sites to allow other trades to continue their work. The pickets have been on the two sites since September 21st
• In the want ads we see three ads with chicks for sale, standard varieties, broiler chicks, special hybrids, Pilch, White Rock, Ames in-Cross, Arbor Acre
• Waitress wanted, apply Globe Restaurant, Elizabeth Street, still a nice place to eat 60 years later
• Re-organization of Midland Police unanimously decided by council. Council admitted there had been insufficient liaison in the past two years between the chief and the chairman of the police committee. Constable Ed Armstrong will be retired on pension, Chief William Nicholas has been asked to submit his resignation as of March 15th, and the remainder of the force will also be dispensed with on March 15th. Advertisements have been placed for a new chief, constables and probationary constables with applications to close March 1. Members of the present force are free to apply.
• Knox Church will host the Mariner’s Service this year, the lesson will be read by Captain Frank Harpell, other officers and sailors will be ushering, including Mel Buckland, Norm Donaldson and Dick Tuck
• MPDHS senior and junior basketball teams score a double win over Collingwood
• Glen Mawr Frocks Limited are holding a sale of Remnants, Mill Ends and Seconds, assorted Trimmings and Material, corner of Manley and Hugel. (In 1956 Manly Street was always spelled with an “e”)
• Mr. & Mrs. Walter Patchell, well known in Midland and Tiny Twp. were injured in an auto accident at LeFaive corner Wednesday morning. Mrs. Patchell is hospitalized in Penetang with her injuries. The Patchell’s operated a grocery store on Yonge St. E. Midland for many years and in recent years operated a store and summer post office at Nottawaga Beach
• At the Pen, James Stewart in Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Rear Window” and James Stewart in the “Man from Laramie”
• At the Roxy, Cary Grant and Grace Kelly in Alfred Hitchcock’s “To Catch a Thief”. Filmed in Monaco where she will soon live and reign as a princess
• St. Margaret’s Parish Credit Union has, since its inception in 1945, made 487 loans valued at over $100,000.00
• Why run for the phone when you can have an extension anywhere in your home for less than .05 cents per day
• Midland council calls for tenders to build a new municipal building
• Between 900 and 1,000 entries expected for the tenth annual Midland Music Festival, under the joint auspices of the Midland Y’s Men’s Club and the Midland branch of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association, to be held in the YMCA
• Penetang Council asks Chief of Police, John Power, for his resignation
• Remember TV Snack Tables? Only $1.59 with every $5.00 purchase at the Red & White Food Stores
• McNamara Construction of Toronto (summer home at Thunder Beach) has been awarded the $702,135.00 contract for the next section of the new Trans Canada highway between the MacDonald River and the Muskoka River (Musquash maybe)
• Winterama fishing derby prize to be a new boat and motor

 Weddings

January 28th, Yvette Marie Moreau, daughter of Mrs. Willie Moreau, Perkinsfield and John Frederick Kaus, son of Mr. & Mrs. Fred Kaus, Penetang, at St. Patrick’s in Perkinsfield.

January 28th, Barbara Helen Dillon, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J. V. Dillon, Penetang, and Gerard Gabriel Genier, son of Mr. & Mrs. Honore Genier, Lafontaine, at St. Ann’s Memorial Church.

January 14th, Lucille Dumais, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Albert Dumais, Penetang, and Alvin Gravelle, son of Mr. & Mrs. Albert Gravelle, Penetang, at St. Ann’s Memorial Church.

January 14th, Annette Sauvé, daughter of Mrs. Joseph Sauvé of Port McNicoll, and Joseph Lewin, son of Mr. & Mrs. William Lewin, Toronto, at Sacred Heart Church, Port McNicoll.

 Obituaries

Emily Adelaide Beatty, died at St. Andrew’s Hospital, February 3rd. Born in Wyebridge in 1874 and married there to John Beatty on June 11, 1902. Related to the Drummond-McCaul smelter family and moved here when the smelter opened. Pall bearers were a “who’s-who” of Midland. V. G. Edwards, Capt. Ed Burke, J. J. Robins, Albert Hartman, James Clarkson, George Dudley Q. C., Dr. T. J. Johnson.

 David Bell Sr. died February 1st in St. Andrew’s Hospital of a heart attack, aged 76. Rated as one of the top boxing and running trainers of his day. Born in Scotland Mr. Bell came to Canada in 1907 and lived in Midland for 42 years. Shipbuilder by trade, David married Mary Jane McWha at Peterborough in 1911. Father of Davie Bell of Midland.