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Photo with Dr. B. P. Rynard, Progressive Conservative candidate for Simcoe East includes Judith Ruth Laity (Mrs. Ken Kiefer), her mother Mrs. G. B. “Bud” (Ilene) Laity and Mrs. Rynard. The event was a tea at the Midland YMCA on Thursday given by the Midland District Women’s Progressive Conservative Association. (Congratulations to Judy on her recent retirement from the Midland Public Library) (The lady to the right of Mrs. Rynard in the background I believe is Mrs. Don (Vida) Bridges.) 

At the closing dinner of Midland’s Little Hockey League at the Georgian Hotel Thursday night the captains of the three winning teams were presented trophies by Harold Butson. Ernie Boast (died Nov 6, 2014, Ottawa ON), left, with the Junior OHA trophy, Ernie Charlesbois the NHL trophy and Barry McIlvarey the AHL, all of the “B” section. 

 Midland has had its share of national political figures during the federal election campaign that is drawing to a close. Friday at the Midland YMCA the ladies committee supporting the Liberal Party held an event attended by Lester B. Pearson, Minister of External Affairs. Mrs. G. E. Tanner, Mrs. Fred H. Bell, Mrs. Charles Onley and Mrs. Frank Hartman (Jean nee Haig). 

 

Golden wedding anniversaries seem to be all the rage in North Simcoe this year, with much more than the usual quota of citizens having achieved a half-century of wedded life. The couple above, Mr. and Mrs. Freeman French, who live on a farm just west of Waverley, marked their anniversary at the home of his sister, Mrs. W. McConnell, in Elmvale May 29. The original wedding service was also held in Elmvale. 

Low water levels of Georgian Bay and the Muskokas is causing considerable financial and operational issues for resort and marina operators. The owner of Duck Bay Camp at Waubaushene, Sid Langley watches as a crane and bucket try to deepen the boat channel into his property, at $16.00 per hour. 

Ski enthusiasts will no longer have to crowd into the tiny shack which served as a chalet at Midland Ski Resorts when next season rolls around. There’ll be plenty of room for everybody in this 90-foot building which used to serve as the community hall at Little Lake Park. Cut in three sections, it was moved to its new site early last week. Plans are also underway to have the building serviced with hydro and water. 

There wasn’t much room for any other traffic as this section of the old community hall from Little Lake tourist camp rolled out Highway 27 early last week. 

Pete Pettersen, Jutta Keylwerth and Keith Bertrand manager of Midland Ski Resorts Ltd. admire a model of the ski jump as it will look this summer during the ski meet on the August holiday weekend. The model was built by Melvin W. Smile of Hamilton. 

Dr. Swan tries on his son John’s new jacket that he and his teammates received Thursday night at dinner in the Georgian Hotel. The team won the junior OHA Ontario Little League final and also received wrist watches. Other players in jackets are Dennis Abbott, Wayne Holden and Bob Weckman. 

Huronia Museum is open again for a new season and one of the first visitors is an avid local historian and Coldwater banker Ken Hamilton. Mr. Hamilton is also the treasurer of the Huronia Historic Sites and Tourist Association. Vic Grigg, a museum staffer, shows Ken an exhibit. 

 No doubt that June was the month for weddings. 

• Midland Free Press headline June 5th, 1957; Bold Robber Enters Mill Rifles Till at Noon Hour. A daring thief entered Midland Planing Mill yesterday and rifled the cash register while the office staff was home for lunch at noon hour. Planing Mill Manager Frank Bray, who discovered the theft on his return, said the culprit apparently gained entry through a basement door. The front door to the office was locked.
• County Herald headline June 7th, 1957; 28,446 Eligible To Vote in Simcoe East Riding. A total of 28,446 people are eligible to vote in the four-way contest for Simcoe East Monday. In the 1953 federal election, 72 percent of the 27,479 eligible to vote at that time went to the polls. In 1949, the riding mustered 78 percent of its voters.
• Four anglers, fishing at the mouth of the Sturgeon River last week, caught four large pickerel. The fish were taken on a variety of plugs, flatfish, pikey-minnow and Canadian wiggler. Lucky anglers were Phil Mahz, Depew, N.Y., Bill Kepnser, Hamburg, N.Y., F. Keenan and son Frank of Sturgeon Bay. The fish weighed 11, 10, 9, and 7 pounds, respectively. (Sports fishing was a major tourist attraction in North Simcoe years ago, with hotels being booked far in advance of season openings. Many of the anglers were Americans. In the opening day photo below many of the cars parked near a popular local stream have New York state licence plates.)
• Reviewing his firm’s operations in Midland during the past five years, Guenther Leitz, president of Ernst Leitz (Canada) Limited, told his listeners Wednesday night one factor he found disappointing was the inability to induce more Canadians to join the staff. Addressing the fifth anniversary banquet at Parkside Pavilion, Mr. Leitz said the Canadian company had fallen far short of its original intention of employing six Canadians to one German to train them to become tradesmen.
• A sum of money, estimated to be between $900 and $1,100, said to be Saturday night’s receipts missing from the safe of Penetang’s Hotel Brule, has posed a problem for Penetang Police. A similar amount, receipts from Friday night’s business, still remain in the safe. Loss of the money was discovered by Bernard McDonald, a hotel employee, Sunday afternoon after he had been called at his home by manager Phil Robitaille to investigate the reason no one was on duty at the hotel desk. Police are also searching for Oliver Dyer, 75-year-old desk clerk who was supposed to be on duty at the time.
• Injured about the face and head when a hydro pole on which he was working broke at Little Lake Park, Midland, Monday morning, Kenneth Walker, 23, was transferred to a Toronto hospital for further examination by a specialist yesterday. Allan Walker, a brother, said Ken had been removing wires from a pole, located in the tent area of the park. Several of the old poles are replaced yearly as a safety measure, Allan said. Many of them, while otherwise sound, are worn thin around the base.
• Want Ad – For Sale – $18,500 OR OFFER — Owner’s new split-level home with wide picture window overlooking the lake and treed gardens; 29 ft. living room, work-easy kitchen, 3 bedrooms, finished recreation room with fireplace, large insulated attic, heated attached garage, patio, landscaped, air-conditioned, oil heating. 286 Fourth St., phone L A . 6-5840, Midland.
• Obituaries; A resident of Midland for forty years Mrs. Joseph Cripps died in St. Andrew’s Hospital May 23 following a coronary thrombosis, she was 73. Funeral service was held at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home Monday, May 26, with interment in Lakeview Cemetery, Midland. Rev. W. R. Auld officiated. Pallbearers were Alex Ingram, George Ingram, Marlowe Atkinson, Harold Humphries, Gerald McAvoy and Larry McAvoy. Cripps, the former Margaret Emma McAvoy, was born on the Second Concession, Flos Township Nov 12, 1884, and received her education in Flos and Hillsdale schools. In 1906 she was married to Joseph Cripps in Barrie. After spending several years in Hillsdale she moved to Midland where she continued to reside until her death. On Oct. 3. 1956, Mr. and Mrs. Cripps celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. In a fall three years ago, Mrs. Cripps broke her leg but was able to get around in a wheelchair. Her hobbies consisted of knitting and quilting. She is survived by her husband, four sons, Dalton, Newmarket; Allen, Iron City; Albert, Midland and William, Willowdale; one daughter, Mrs. Lorne Faragher (Goldie), Midland; one sister, Mrs. Robert Humphries of Midland and 11 grandchildren. **** A resident of Midland for more than half a century, Harriet Ellen Bissette died May 10 at St. Andrews Hospital following a short illness. She was 82. The funeral was held May 14 from her residence at 292 Princess Street to St. Margaret’s Church, where Rev. F. Voorwerk celebrated mass, Pallbearers were John Bissette, Paul Bissette, Bernard Goneau, Murray Kearns, Gerald McNamara and Ernie Nicholson. Interment was at St. Margaret’s Cemetery. Born in England in 1875, she came to Haliburton as an infant and there received her education. She and Fred Bissette were married at Lindsay in 1889 and settled in Midland. Mr. Bissette died in 1948. A member of the Roman Catholic Church, Mrs. Bissette was active in church work. As early as 1924 she was a promoter of the Canadian Messenger and was interested in the St. Vincent de Paul Society when it was active here. Mrs. Bissette was the only woman on the Cemetery Board when it was first established. For at least 12 years she was president of the Catholic Women’s League. During the war years she convened for St. Margaret’s on the Red Cross, sewing in the church basement, reported deaths of servicemen to St. Michael’s Cathedral, assisted in blood clinics and at the soldiers’ banquet at the close of the war. *** Funeral service was held Friday, May 31, for Wilfred Martin who died unexpectedly at his Penetang home after suffering a heart seizure. The funeral was held from the Beausoleil funeral home to St. Ann’s Memorial Church where Father J. Kelly, assisted by Father J. Marchand and Father L. McGough, officiated. Pall bearers were Ed. Desrochers, Walter Spearn, Ken Tannahill, Gerard Bourgeois, Bob Stewart and Jos. Desrochers. Interment was in St. Ann’s Cemetery. Born in Penetang, July 17, 1892, Mr. Martin was a bachelor and had spent his entire life here. A butcher by trade, he was well known in town. A Roman Catholic, he was a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Holy Name Society. Surviving are one brother, James of Montreal; and five sisters. Miss Helen Martin and Miss Loretta Martin, Penetang; Mrs. Ada Bakewell and Mrs. Mary Marshall, Toronto; Mrs. Rose Russell, in North Bay.
• 25 YEARS AGO –  Masons, Odd Fellows, Orangemen and citizens paid tribute to Arthur Bugg, former mayor of Midland, at funeral services held at his residence. Midland Citizens’ Band headed the funeral cortege to Lakeview Cemetery. * * * Ontario Premier Henry had been served notice to appear as a witness in a Hydro probe which was being conducted by Mr. Justice Orde in Osgoode Hall. * * * Hannah Kennedy, one of the earliest residents of Penetang, died at her home. * * * Miss Hilda McDonald was appointed the superintendent of the Penetang hospital. Her duties were to commence June 1. Mrs. Mac Donnelly, the superintendent of the nursing school, remained in charge until Miss McDonald took over her duties. * * * Captain Robert Dollar, closely identified with Midland’s early days, died at his home in San Rafael, Cal. He was 88. * * * Midland’s lacrosse team was holding down top spot in the district league, after handing Stayner an 11-6 defeat in Stayner.  * * * Midland council had hit a snag in its public works program. Council held a special session to determine how it would finance the work planned for 1932. The problem was left in the hands of a special committee. *** Bessie Lovering of Coldwater, Elizabeth Ruth Carr Topping, Doris A. Trill and Mable Beatrice Baker, all of Midland, formed the graduating class of St. Andrews Hospital School of Nursing. Graduation exercises were held in the YMCA. * * * In a Georgian Bay League fixture, a ball team from  Penetanguishene defeated a Midland YMCA aggregation 17 to 11.
• Last week at a dinner attended by 325 persons, the management and 150 employees of Ernst Leitz Canada celebrated their fifth birthday in Midland. It was a happy occasion and an important one. In the past five years, Leitz Canada has not only made a major contribution to the up-building of the economy of North Simcoe but has become a by-word all across this nation and throughout the United States for top quality precision optical instruments. The reputation which was once enjoyed exclusively by the parent plant at Wetzlar has now been acquired in no small part by the Midland factory.
• Preparations for what Pete Pettersen is sure will be the biggest summer ski meet in the world are swinging into high gear. The three-day civic holiday event, which will feature top jumpers from Canada, the United States and Europe could draw as many as 50,000 people to Midland from August 3 to 5, Pete said Monday.
• Penetang tennis enthusiasts will concentrate on junior membership during this season, says Ted Light, newly named president of the Tennis Club. Miss Helen Dubeau is secretary-treasurer.

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.