During the first week of March the papers were full of Winterama photos none of which are in our collection so we have decided to combine the first and second weeks of the month. 

Click on photos to enlargeFire which is believed to have started in a buffing machine caused more than $2,000 damage to equipment, stock and building at Gammon’s Tire Service, Dominion Ave. West, Midland, around the supper hour Monday. Smoke from the burning rubber caused heavy damage to the apartment above the shop, occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Gammon and family. Firemen above are working at the rear of the building. 

There’s evidence here that high school pupils can execute, and enjoy, other kinds of dances besides rock-and-roll. These young people are performing a ‘‘blue tango” as part of the Variety Show presented by pupils at St. Theresa’s High School recently. 

Although the weather was more suited for skin diving, Midland Ski Club had reasonably fair conditions for its annual ski meet Sunday. Admiring their trophies, are the winners, left to right, Mrs. John Gammell (Ruth), senior women; Stephen Bell, junior men; Dietrich Nebelung, senior men; and Paul Krochko, in the “under 12’’ division. 

Like the cigar-store Indian, or the five-cent cigar, the day of the hod-carrier appears to be a thing of the past. This fork-lift machine, at work on the new addition to MPDHS, can lift 2,500 lbs. of bricks at a time, to a height of more than 20 feet. A man carrying a hod would have to make many trips to accomplish what the machine can do in minutes. 

The removal of a number of old wrecks scattered around the north east shore of Midland Bay is providing winter work for a number of district breadwinners. Waubaushene Navigation Ltd. secured the contract early in December to remove the old hulls, and work began in February. So far six hulls have been removed and there are still three or four more. Officials are not sure whether two hulls are involved in an operation well to the east on Midland Point, or whether it is merely one large hull, broken in half. Probably the biggest job will be the removal of the old “Major”, which stretches far out into the water north of the CSL winter berth. It is an old grain carrier which was sunk and used as a temporary dry dock in the old days. Mel and Paul Tinney and Barney Tucker make cuts in ice prior to removing old hull. Much of the work is centered around the area in front of Gawley’s Beach. To the west of the beach, remains of a dredge, a tug and a scow have already been removed. Farther east two dredge scows and a tug have been taken out. One large old hull, believed to be that of an old sailing vessel, is still in the water. One of the old hulls provided some real ancient history in the form of copper pegs and spikes, with brass cores, probably not used in ship construction for close to a century.  

Typical of many Ontario fathers is Midland’s Capt. Norman Donaldson, who is helping his son Peter, 7, get ready for a Little NHL game. Some 500 lads, from seven to 14, will invade Midland and Penetang during Easter holidays for the provincial Little NHL championships. 

On this agenda at the 40th annual meeting of Midland YMCA last Tuesday night was the presentation of national leadership awards to the men and women above. Left to right are Hessel Pape, Mrs. John Gammell, Elmer Vuromaki, Miss Mary Lou Graham, Mrs. John Courtemanche and Richard Schmitz. Awards were presented on behalf of the ‘Y’ by Clarke Edwards for work carried on during the past year. 

A number of new directors were added to the board of Midland YMCA at its 40th annual meeting last Tuesday night. Seen with Vice-president Charles Walton (seated) are, left to right Miss Grace McMullen and Mrs. Neville Keefe (Nancy Keefe); standing — Doug Gerow, Alvin Gropp, Frank Spence, Lorne Craig and Jim Gamna. 

Presented by the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States, this handsome new trophy will be up for competition for the first time at the provincial Little NHL finals to be played in Midland and Penetang during Easter week. It commemorates the late George S. Dudley, Canada’s “Mr. Hockey” during the years he was CAHA secretary-manager. With the new trophy are, left to right, Rev. Len Self, provincial Little NHL director, Miss Shirley Ruby, Mr. Dudley’s secretary for many years, and Fred Grigg, secretary of the Midland Little NHL group. 

One of the features of the variety show put on recently by pupils of St. Theresa’s High School was numbers by the Grade 9 chorus, above, under the direction of Mr. J. McKeown. The school also has its own band and an accordion group. 

Ladies parlour at the YMCA was a hive of industry Thursday as the Midland unit of the Canadian Cancer Society staged a “blitz” to ensure a good supply of surgical dressings for patients in Midland, Penetang and Elmvale areas. Among the women taking part were, left to right, Mrs. H. Gosselin, Mrs. Alex Craig, Mrs. C. A. Talbot, Port McNicoll, and Mrs. Peter Brasher of the Midland unit. 

Other women taking part were, left to right, Mrs. Alex Campbell, Mrs. L. H. Taylor , Mrs. W. L. Attridge and Mrs. J. W. Dorion, Penetang. 

Officials of Branch 80, Canadian Legion, Midland, for 1961, left to right, are front row, Ken G. Williams, treasurer, Sol DeVries, 1st vice-president, George McLaughlin, president, O. Lesperance, 2nd vice president, Borden Parker, IPP; executive members in back row are Les Scott, Ted Ebdon, Howard Henderson, Fred Lemieux, Len Wiles, Charles Stewart, Bill Henderson, Jim Duncan, secretary. 

Nosed out by Syracuse Nats in a hard-fought series of Midland YMCA’s Little League basketball championship were the Boston Celtics, above. Left to right, the players are, front row, Al Mostyn, Max Morden, Colin Hamer, Chester Graham; back row, Paul Downer, Don Moffatt, Greg Somers, and Doug Taylor. 

Recently appointed general manager of Midland Plastics, Lin Love of Toronto also retains his responsibilities as general sales manager and as such is currently dividing his time between Midland and Toronto offices. Mr. and Mrs. Love have two children, Carol (Gerow), who is in her last year of high school and Larry, 14. The Love family expects to move to Midland in mid-1961. A native of Toronto, Lin attended school there and served overseas with the Royal Canadian Signal Corps during World War II. (The Love’s built a home at the foot of Cornel Drive on Little Lake, later owned by Tom & Judy Hazel.)

 

See Early Opening Date for 1961 Shipping Season

 County Herald headline March 3, 1961.
Barring a sudden about-face by the weatherman, there is good reason to hope the navigation season in the Bayports of Midland and Port McNicoll will open two weeks ahead of last year’s dates. Superintendent of the CPR’s Great Lakes fleet at Port McNicoll, George Burns said three engineers and four other men would start work on the Assiniboia  Monday. Rest of the Assiniboia crew, and all of the Keewatin’s are to report March 20, he said. J. G. Hendrickson, CSL manager in Midland, said he had he had received no official word as to when any of the crews of the several ships of that firm berthed here, would report at Midland and Port McNicoll. Last year they reported March 21. First ships left the two ports April 8 last year. Several of them were among the 11 bulk carriers that brought a record 5,809,000 bushels of grain to Midland engineers and Port McNicoll over the weekend of April 15, 1960. 

Man Missing Four Years Nabbed in Barrie Hotel 

Free Press Herald headline of March 8, 1961.
Subject of a search which lasted almost four years, a local man, wanted by Penetang police on a charge of theft, was apprehended in a Barrie hotel yesterday. The man, whose age was given as 75 years when he disappeared June 2, 1957, had been working as a desk clerk at the Hotel Brule, Penetang.  A sum of money, estimated between $900 and $1,000 was missing from hotel funds at that time. At first, police worked on the theory that the missing man had been the victim of foul play, believing thugs had kidnapped him to delay detection. However, they later found witnesses who said they had seen him hitch-hiking on Highway 27. Some considerable time after his disappearance a report was circulated that a badly decomposed body found in the Niagara Whirlpool was that of the suspect. According to police, the missing man who was known at the time to be the recipient of a U.S. army pension, has been living in the United States since his disappearance. He was discovered in a Barrie hotel by police of that city, and they notified Penetang Police. 

Ontario Tax Payers Face 3 Per Cent Sales Tax 

County Herald headline of March 10, 1961 
 North Simcoe district municipalities will receive increased assistance from the provincial government this year, but they also will be helping to pay for it themselves. Hon. James N. Allan, provincial treasurer, bringing down the Ontario budget for the 1961-62 fiscal year, asked the legislature yesterday to approve a three per cent sales tax to become effective Sept 1, 1961. Provincial Treasurer Allan said he had carefully examined other possibilities of raising revenues such as added corporation tax, personal income tax, gasoline, liquor and other fringe taxes, and came to the conclusion that the sales tax was the only possible solution. Mr. Allan said it holds the advantage that, on the basis of present estimates, it would produce the $150,000,000 required by the government to meet its obligations. Not subject to sales tax are: Any purchase under the value of 17 cents. All food products with the exception of candy, confections and soft drinks, and candy, confections and soft drinks will be exempt where the purchase price is less than 17 cents. All children’s clothing will be exempt. All drugs, medicines and dental and optical appliances sold on prescription of a physician, dentist or optometrist, and artificial limbs, wheel chairs and hearing aids will be exempt. Any meals costing $1.50 or less in restaurants will be exempt. (What is that old saying, “this is the thin edge of the wedge”.) 

Engineers Urge Speed-Up on Sewage Disposal Plant 

Free Press Herald headline of March 15, 1961.
In another marathon session, lasting until 1.20 a.m. Tuesday, Midland council heard a letter from Canadian-British Engineering Consultants pointing out the urgency for council’s action on municipal sewage treatment projects. The letter addressed to Mayor Charles Parker and members of council said in part, “It seems probable that Midland will be required to proceed with a sewage treatment and trunk sewer project in the near future. The recently announced federal aid program for sewage treatment projects is intended as an incentive for communities to undertake such projects. “Central Mortgage and Housing  Corporation (CMHC) may make a loan to a municipality to assist in the construction of, or extension to, a sewage treatment plant or trunk sanitary sewer. Of greatest interest to municipalities is the fact that a portion of the loan may be forgiven by the federal government. This may be interpreted as indicating that the federal government will subsidize to a certain extent the cost to a municipality of such a scheme.” The letter continues: “The federal government originally set aside a sum of $100,000,000 for this aid program for construction completed before March 31, 1963. We have recently been reliably informed that some $60,000,000 to $70,000,000 of this sum has already been approved for expenditure. It would appear quite urgent therefore that CMHC approval of the Midland project be sought since further funds may not be made available for this purpose.” 

    Active in community and church work and a former prominent Midland businessman. Thomas John Campbell died at St. Andrews Hospital, March 5, after a lengthy illness, he was 87. Rev. W. R. Auld and Rev. Wilson Morden officiated at the funeral service held at St. Paul’s United Church, March 7. Pallbearers were Lorne Campbell, Toronto, Wm. S. Campbell and Edwin Campbell of Elmvale, James Allen, Waterdown, Ewart McLean, Sudbury and Jack Thompson, Midland. Mr. Campbell was born at Walter’s Falls, Ont., Feb. 1874. He received his education there and on Sept. 17, 1902, at Waterdown he married the former Frances Gertrude Allen. After short stays at Priceville and Sundridge, Mr. Campbell came to Midland in 1896, having accepted a position with Wm. Peters in his hardware store and contracting business. In 1903 when Mr. Peters sold his business to Hartman Bros. Mr. Campbell opened a plumbing and heating business on King Street in the building now occupied by Graham Swales. Shortly afterward he purchased the building now occupied by H. J. Thompson and Sons and continued in business until May, 1914. At this time the T. J. Campbell Co. Ltd., was incorporated, in which business Mr. Campbell remained president until March 1951 when the business was sold to Herman J. Thompson and sons. Mr. Campbell was superintendent of St. Paul’s United Church Sunday School for 34 years and he served on that church’s board for many years. He also served as president of the Midland Kiwanis Club and the Midland YMCA. He usually spent his summers at his Georgian Bay cottage where he took a keen interest in fishing. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, Sept. 17, 1952, at their home “The Gables”, 238 Yonge Street (now 556), Midland, which they built in 1908. Mr. Campbell is survived by his widow. Two sisters, Mrs. Norah Thompson, Midland, and Mrs. Wm. McLean, Walter’s Falls and a brother, Seymour Campbell of Elmvale, predeceased him several years ago. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery. 

    Applications will be made to the Ontario Department of Education to have Midland-Penetang District High School changed to a composite type of school, teaching technical subjects. This was decided at the MPDHS board meeting Wednesday night on a motion by Clarke Edwards, chairman of the board’s management committee, and J. Rumble. The motion was as follows: “That we change this school to a composite type of school whereby technical courses will be taught in Grades 9 to 12. There will be no change in the name.” 

     Sub-divisions consumed a major portion of the time spent by Tiny council at its regular meeting in Perkinsfield Saturday, March 4. Longest discussion was with Sid Palmer of the firm of Axier and Palmer, who reviewed both the mainland and Giants’ Tomb plans proposed by his company. Referring to the island plan Mr. Palmer asked council to approve release of 70 lots as the first phase of that sub-division. All lots required are shore properties on the eastern shore of the island. Future plan for Giant’s Tomb provides for a total of 1,830 lots interspersed with an almost equivalent area of park land. Total acreage under plan is 1,189. Mr. Palmer told council he felt this first phase would take several years to complete, as the only access is by water. Although the overall plan includes a number of roads, none will be developed under the initial phase since they will not be required.  

    Penetang post office is currently in the throes of obtaining a “new look”, with carpenters and others completely remodeling the ground floor. When completed about a month from now, it will present a completely changed appearance, as well as better working conditions for the staff. 

    A total of 90 streets signs will be erected on Penetang intersections in the near future, with each sign containing the names of both streets. Deputy-reeve Bernard St. Amant told Penetang council Monday night he and his committee had made a complete study of town streets and had found 90 signs were required. Cost will-run slightly over $1,200.00 plus the cost of standards on which to erect them, he said. Authorization for the purchase of the signs had been given at an earlier meeting and council Monday night approved the suggested quantity. 

    St. Nicholas Church, Sunnyside, has a new bell as a result of the generosity of N. R. Crump, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The bronze train bell was installed at the little church earlier this week and is to be rung officially for the first time Sunday. Mr. Crump donated the bell after he had received a request from Clare Edgar, formerly of Midland and now with the OPP detachment in Parry Sound. The church, built in I960, has between 40 and 50 members. It is served by Rev. Ralph Egan of St. Margaret’s parish, Midland. Land for the building was donated by Mrs. Nick Edgar. (Midland had three Catholic Churches at this time.)  

     Penetang citizens still are chuckling about a 43 ½ inch slip of the tongue made by a TV announcer early this week. In giving a report of the Winterama, the announcer mentioned that a bicycle in the junior fishing derby had been won with a “small four-foot perch. The actual measurement was 4 ½ inches. “We hope city folk don’t come up here this summer looking for some of these “small four-foot fish,” one Penetang merchant said. 

25 Years Ago
Midland tax collections, amounting to $93,870.08 to March 1 showed an increase of 33 per cent over the previous year, the town clerk reported. * * * An organizational meeting of the Midland Hobby Show executive was held to plan a Young People’s Fair. * * * The McGibbon Lumber Company, Penetang, announced that it would resume day and night operations at the mill in the spring. Sixty men were to be employed on the day shift and 40 at night. * * * Midland’s British Consols hockey team were champions of the Georgian Bay section of the OHA Intermediate “A” series and were playing against Oshawa to decide the Ontario semi finalists. * * * The Midland Branch of the Canadian Red Cross Society was conducting classes to show how a nourishing family dinner could be prepared for 35 cents. * * * Farmers in North Simcoe were investigating the possibility of growing soy beans as an annual crop. * * * Two Midland rinks and two from Penetang won prizes in the Ontario Bonspiel, Toronto, when 150 rinks competed. Local winning skips were W. L. MacKenie and W H. Keller of Midland and George Robinson of Penetang. * * * When deep snow blocked Midland’s side streets the fire brigade took no chances on being unable to reach the scene of a possible fire. They borrowed Dr. Morley Harvie’s “snowmobile” placed a light truck body on the back, loaded it with hose, ready any emergency. * * * A former rector of St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Midland, Rev. J. H. R. Warren died in Toronto. During his 12 years at St. Mark s a new pipe organ and new pews were installed in the church and the parish hall was built. 

    Seven persons were homeless when fire totally destroyed their Tay Township farm house early Monday morning. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Derks and their five children had been living in the two-storey frame home on the farm owned by Luther Van Camp, Lot. 4. Con. 3, Tay, not far from Ebenezer Church. The children range in age from eight months to school age. Fire Chief Arnold Tippin said the Midland brigade was called at 3.05 a.m. and was delayed somewhat by extensive fog patches over part of the route to the Derks’ farm. Meanwhile the Derks and neighbors had been able to remove most of the contents of the burning house.

The photos found in this blog post are the property of Huronia Museum, Midland, Ontario. Any reproduction for commercial use without permission is prohibited.  Any other distribution must credit Huronia Museum.  Please contact the museum with any questions you may have.  

Click on photos to enlargeIt’s a case of an old friend in a strange setting, as the venerable cruise ship, City of Dover, spends the winter in the Trent Waterway locks at Port Severn. Idle last summer, work is being carried out on the Dover by the new owner, Captain Andy Light, who will put the ship in operation again this season. 

Another season for Midland’s Little NHL will pass into history Wednesday night, when the second of this year’s “final nights” is held. Here Jerry Deschamp, left, and Stan Snyder help sort our sweaters and pads while league president Vern Sweeting gets a goalie’s stick ready for the fray. After Wednesday night, President Sweeting and other officials will concentrate their efforts on the provincial finals to be held here during Easter week. 

Winners of Midland YMCA’s Little League basketball finals Saturday night were the Syracuse Nationals, who outlasted Boston Celtics 35-29. New champs are, left to right, front row, Dave Carr, Morley Bath, Wayne Holden (Capt.), John Cranston; back row, Fred Hacker, Dalt Moore, Dave Belsey and Axel Duwe. 

Following in his dad’s, and grandfather’s footsteps is Charlie Belanger, 5, a familiar figure around the Belanger grocery store in Port McNicoll. Charlie is seen with his dad, Ray Belanger, operator of the store started by T. J. Belanger 50 years ago, and his aunt, Miss Agnes Belanger, who also works in the store. Mrs. Belanger Sr. is now one of Port’s oldest residents. 

Unknown photo?? The man on the left is Dave Walling, TV aerial salesman from Lindsay pitching one of our local TV retailers or servicers. Do you recognize the man on the right? 

Million Dollar Market Seen for Spud Growers 

County Herald headline of February 24^th, 1961.
The seed potato industry in the Lafontaine area, once valued at a half-million dollars annually, and now declined to less than half that amount, could conceivably be brought back and increased to a value of at least a million dollars a year. In a move designed to increase the lagging production, three meetings were held in Lafontaine this week under direction of the Department of Agriculture. The statement on the value of the industry was made by Harold Whiteside at a meeting yesterday afternoon. Mr. Whiteside is the officer in charge of seed potato certification for the Canadian Department of Agriculture. Mr. Whiteside said North Simcoe acreage of seed potatoes has declined from 1,032 acres in 1957 to less than 500 acres last year. 

Re-Assessment in Books for Penetang Ratepayers 

Free Press Herald headline of March 1, 1961.
Penetang’s assessment is scheduled for a complete revision in 1961, following a decision by Penetang council Monday night. The re-assessment work will be carried out by Paul Emile Mantha of Ottawa. Mayor Jerome Gignac and Councillors Maurice Legault and Leonard Ladouceur were absent from the meeting. Reeve Alf Cage occupied the mayor’s chair.  During the lengthy discussion on re-assessment, there appeared to be reluctance on the part of some members of council to reach a decision at this meeting. However, after it had been pointed out time was running-out, the resolution was finally tabled and passed. 

    Two Midlander’s caused a real flurry of excitement among Ottawa officialdom Wednesday morning when they landed their light plane on Dow’s Lake and parked it among the pleasure cruisers at the front of HMCS Carleton in the capital city. Aboard the plane were Lloyd Atkinson, pilot, and Arthur Argue, both of Midland. They landed in Ottawa about 10 a.m., secured the craft and went on about their business, little realizing the stir they were to create. A short time later RCMP officers arrived and stood guard around the plane, Mr. Argue told this newspaper yesterday that unknowingly they had landed in a restricted area. They chose the lake as it appeared to be a much safer landing spot than the river. The RCMP guard left the plane at noon after handing the case over to the Department of Transport. At one time, four police cruisers were parked near the aircraft, awaiting the return of its occupants. Department of Transport officials told an Ottawa newspaper that the regulations forbid a pilot landing in a built-up area, particularly within the confines of a city, unless an emergency occurs. It was indicated, however, that- no charges would be laid against the pilot this time. 

    Midland Public Library hit a new high in membership and book circulation in 1960, the annual report of Librarian Dawson Leigh reveals. He noted in addition that the “number of reference questions increased greatly both in scope and complexity”. In 1960 more than 630 people joined the library or approximately 150 more than the previous five-year average. The circulation figure was given as 81,448, or 10,486 higher than in 1959. Mr. Leigh said this was the largest circulation increase in 15 years and most of the increase was noted in the non-fiction field. 

    Midland council, at a special meeting Wednesday, approved the sale of town property at Queen and Bay Streets to the Midland branch of the Canadian Legion. At the Dec. 21 meeting of the 1960 council, a bylaw authorizing the sale to the Legion was given two readings and the Legion’s $2,000 cheque was deposited to the town account. The bylaw’s third reading was deferred pending a report from the town engineer. The Legion then gave the present council until Feb. 1 to reach a decision. 

    Midland Printers Limited and the Free Press Herald and County Herald have today become associated with the Advocate, the daily newspaper serving Red Deer Alberta and the Estevan (Sask.) Mercury, a leading weekly in southern Saskatchewan. This association has come about through the purchase of an interest in Midland Printers by Liverpool Daily Post and Echo (Holdings) Ltd. The Liverpool, England, publishing and printing company, which also has an interest in South Wales television, acquired the two western Canadian newspapers several years ago. 

Obituary
The death occurred Feb 13 of Mrs. Newton K. Wagg following a heart seizure. Mrs. Wagg was born in the Township of Pickering in 1880 and received her education in Uxbridge. Her marriage to Newton Kirby Wagg took place in Toronto in 1908 and the couple subsequently came to Midland to live. She was a member of the United Church of Canada. Until the time of her death, she was the president of Wagg’s Laundry. Rev. Wilson Morden conducted the funeral service at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home, February 15. Pallbearers were Allan Gunn, Jack May, Tom O’Shaughnessy, Midland, Gordon Lightfoot,  Gilbert Smith of Orillia, and John Oakley of Gravenhurst. Burial was at Lakeview Cemetery. Friends and relatives attending the funeral were from Toronto, Orillia and Gravenhurst. Mrs. Wagg was predeceased by her husband in 1940 and is survived by one son, Murray, and three grandchildren, William, Betty (Mrs. Price Taylor) and Carol Anne. One sister, Mrs. Len Smith of Toronto, also survives. 

    Midland Chief George Wainman said there were a number of irate motorists in Midland Sunday morning, himself among them, who found the air had been let out of the tires of their vehicles during the night. Several of the drivers caused further damage to their tires by driving a short distance before noticing they were flat. The incidents occurred in several parts of town. 

    A vehicle which went through a stop sign at King and Yonge Streets, went up a lane between two homes and through an empty garage into another behind it, caused quite a stir in Midland around midnight Friday. The driver told police he had been travelling east on Yonge Street when his accelerator stuck as he approached King Street, a through street. Before the car came to a halt, it roared across King Street, up the driveway at Mrs. Alex Macintosh’s home, through her empty garage and into another behind it, where two other vehicles were parked. Police said a 17 year old Willowdale man has been charged with careless driving and with consuming alcoholic beverages  while under age. 

Ten Years Ago
The photographic story of the varied activities of the Grey and Simcoe Foresters from the time of their mobilization until they embarked for overseas service was being shown to Midland school children. * * * OPP Const. Jack Shepherd, stationed at Waubaushene and Police Chief William Beach of Coldwater both donated trophies for competition in the public schools in the “Elmer the Elephant” safety campaign. * * * Parents of Penetang High School students were stung into action at a meeting when Principal R. C. Gauthier rapped them sharply for lack of supervision over their children. A parents’ committee was formed as a result of the meeting. * * * Thirty thousand island cruise boats, the Midland City and City of Dover which once operated exclusively out of Midland and in 1949 and 1950 had Penetang as their home port started to serve both towns under an agreement between directors of the 30,000 Island Navigation Co., Ltd., of Midland and the Georgian Bay Tourist and Steamships Ltd., of Penetang. * * * Coldwater Lions Club had started a campaign to raise funds for a moving picture projector which was to be available to Coldwater and district groups for educational and entertainment purposes. * * * An editorial note stated “Canada has truly entered a new era. The A-bomb was a herald of things to come but the real convincers are the six cent ice cream cone and the seven cent chocolate bar. * * * Midland Sea Cadets of RCSCC Huron honoured their commanding officer, Lieut.-Commander Charles Scott who retired after three years as C.O. of the unit. He was presented with a ‘clipper ship’ mantel clock at a testimonial banquet in St. Margaret’s hall. 

    Sales of Japanese footwear to Canada were three times as great in the first seven months of I960 as in the same period of 1959. So Professor J. C. Cameron of Queen’s University told a recent conference in Montreal of the Shoe Manufacturers’ Association of Canada. The danger of imports gaining an even larger hold on the Canadian market, Professor Cameron pointed out is increased by reason of the fact wage increases have been much larger than the increase, in productivity. 

    Despite cloudy skies which threatened to pour down rain at any moment Saturday afternoon, thousands of visitors invaded Penetang and swelled the weekend crowd to what Winterama officials believe was a new high. Additional thousands took advantage of the sunny weather Sunday, and lined the parade route several deep for its entire length. Ice on the bay, where much of the activity centered Saturday, was wet, but entirely safe so far as thickness was concerned. Friday evening activities, centering around the Legion and Knights of Columbus Halls, and hockey games at the arena, forecast the record attendance. Dance halls were filled beyond capacity, and a better-than-average crowd attended the hockey games. Noon hour Saturday a group of residents from Christian Island performed a traditional welcoming ceremony at the main intersection. This appeared to be a real crowd pleaser, for hundreds of spectators wanted to have their pictures taken with the group following the ceremony. The annual Winterama parade, well over a mile in length, drew a total of 36 floats. Judges experienced difficult in picking the winners in three different classes.

We have no Winterama photos from 1961 but have reposted a favourite from 1957.

A giant pinwheel, that is what the fishing derby at Penetang’s recent (1957) Winterama looked like from the air. The arrangement of the holes and the anglers gives an appearance of a giant pinwheel. The photo was taken by Free Press photographer Vern Farrow from a Georgian Bay Airways plane.

The photos found in this blog post are the property of Huronia Museum, Midland, Ontario. Any reproduction for commercial use without permission is prohibited.  Any other distribution must credit Huronia Museum.  Please contact the museum with any questions you may have. 

Click on photos to enlargeVisitors to the fishing colony on Sturgeon Bay may be a wee bit startled when they see this shanty and its sign reading, “Dressing Rooms for Bathers,” then under it another sign “Women”. But the shanty is not what it appears to be. An ingenious angler is making use of it as a fish hut during the winter months. 

District Commissioner Harvey Boyd, left, and Nancy Mahoney, right, admire an award for bravery which Scout Ian Dalrymple received from William Child, president of South Georgian Bay District Boy Scouts Association, standing behind the trio. Ian, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Dalrymple, has been awarded a gilt cross for rescuing Nancy from Midland harbour last Easter Sunday and is to receive it later this year from the Governor General, at a special investiture. Sunday he received the cloth badge which he will wear in lieu of the medal, and a letter from Deputy Chief Scout Nicholson. 

Setting up the pneumatic controls for the heating and air conditioning system in the new addition to MPDHS is the job of Pat Murphy. Many district tradesmen are being employed throughout the winter on the 14 room addition to the school. 

Work is going on inside the east wing of the new additions to Midland-Penetang District High School as fast as possible, in hopes of having this section ready for classes following Easter holidays. Here general superintendent Len Zinger, left, watches Morley Blow hook up part of the heating and ventilating unit in the east section. 

Mixing mortar is a tricky business on construction jobs during winter months. Here Jack Puddicombe, left, feeds sand into the machine under the watchful eye of Len Zinger, general superintendent for Laverne Assmusen Ltd., on the new additions to MPDHS. 

In the summer months, Wally Meisinger makes a specialty of kicking soccer balls into the nets for Midland Huronias. Above (foreground) he is seen laying bricks on the west section of the new addition to MPDHS. Other workman is Sig Walters. 

There’s great joy in Hillsdale, for Pat Playford Thursday night became “Queen of Hearts” for MPDHS in 1961 at the finals held in the Roxy Theatre. Pat is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Playford. 

Contented proprietor — The atmosphere is informal at Cornell’s in Coldwater. At intervals, between waiting on customers or making deliveries, proprietor Arthur Cornell relaxes in a rocking chair in the centre of the store and smokes a favorite cigar. The same family has operated the grocery store and bakery for 62 years.—Photo by Cyril Martin. [We did not have the negative that went with this caption but have used another photo we have of Ed with Dorothy Laughlin on the left and Edna Walker. Note the canned goods, the doughnuts beside Dorothy and the bare light bulb hanging down.]

Paul Dion is this year’s winner of the Roxy Theatre trophy. The award presented Feb. 16 at the Queen of Hearts finals, is made to the student at Midland-Penetanguishene District High School who is considered the most valuable football player in the senior division. 

Winner of he “Queen of Hearts title among MPDHS students this year, Patsy Playford (seated) and her four princesses have been invited to ride on one of the many floats which will take part in the parade which will open Penetang’s Winterama festivities this weekend. “Princesses” are, left to right, Bonnie Rourke, Arlene Armstrong, Margaret Spicer and Karen Mick. The girls took part in the final contest at the Roxy Theatre Thursday night. 

A small, neat home at Martha and Richard Streets, Victoria Harbour, was the mecca for literally dozens of friends from the village and surrounding Tay Township who came to pay tribute to Mr. and Mrs. William Grigg on their golden wedding anniversary Wednesday, Feb. 15. Tay and the Harbour have good cause to honour the Griggs. They have lived all their lives, with the exception of two years, in either the village or the township. In addition, Mr. Grigg served the township faithfully for more than 30 years as lineman and general manager of its telephone system. He retired only last year, although he marked his 75th birthday Tuesday, only one day ahead of his wedding anniversary.

Council Tempers Flare in Chamber Grant Talks 

County Herald headline of February 17, 1961.
Tempers flared and no decision on grants was reached when Midland council met as a finance committee Thursday night, Feb. 9, to consider grants to Midland Chamber of Commerce and the Georgian Bay Development Association.  Mayor Charles Parker explained that the chamber of commerce previously received a grant of $3,500 plus $225 for the information bureau as well as accommodation in the municipal building. The GBDA last year received 10 cents per capita amounting to $834.80 the mayor stated, pointing out that the GBDA also received $1,500 from county council which amounted to approximately 24 cents per capita. “It would be a grave error to take industrial promotion from the chamber of commerce and put it into municipal hands.” commented Alderman Wm. Thompson. He emphasized that companies considering a Midland location are reticent to let their names become public and don’t want to get involved in local politics. 

Tay, Harbour Councils Plan Joint Fire Force 

Free Press Herald headline of February 22, 1961.
Representatives of Victoria Harbour council met with Tay Township council at a special meeting, Feb. 17, to discuss joint fire protection for the area. Harbour representatives at the meeting were Donald Eplett, Fred Savage, Albert Cameron and Oliver Savage. A representative of the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office, Harold Hunter, who was present to give advice, suggested that any debentures that might be issued, should be issued by one municipality. Mr. Hunter also suggested that a member of the Victoria Harbour and Waubaushene brigades should attend the training school at Gravenhurst. Representatives of Tay Township and Victoria Harbour’s councils have verbally agreed to enter into an agreement on fire protection and tenders for a fire truck have been invited, Tay Township Clerk Ralph Dalton said yesterday. It was suggested that each council bear 50 per cent of the cost of the truck, hose, clothing, maintenance and insurance and Victoria Harbour council offered to provide the building to house the truck. Both councils would share equally the fire grants, it was agreed. 

    A number of patrons at the Tuesday night bingo held at Parkside Inn paid, or will pay, $7.50 for tickets, but it didn’t help them win any prizes.’ Instead, the money will go to provincial and Midland coffers in the form of fines for illegal parking. Members of the OPP detachment at Victoria Harbour wrote 30 tickets under Sec. 89-9 of the Highway Traffic Act against motorists who allegedly parked their cars in a manner which interfered with the movement of traffic and snowploughing. Members of the Midland police force added 10 more they found inside the boundaries of the municipality, each of whom will pay a $1 fine. Tile ticketing commenced after provincial police had received complaints from transport drivers who had difficulty moving their vehicles along the highway, lined both sides with cars. 

    Penetang council, Monday night, passed a bylaw engaging a private trucker as garbage collector for the municipality. For many years the garbage collection has been the responsibility of the town crew. With costs rising continually, council felt money could be saved by calling tenders for the work. Sanitation chairman, councillor Leonard Ladoucer reported that 11 tenders had been received, with bids running from S4,495. up to $12,000. Leo Mailloux, who submitted the lowest tender, was given the contract and will be asked to enter into an agreement before commencing work Feb. 27 Mayor Jerome Gignac offered some objection to employing an out-of-town man for the job. He said he felt a local man should be given preference, provided his price was close. Council learned that the lowest tender from a Penetang man was $5,200. Practically every member of council said they felt the contract should go to a Penetang man if at all possible. However, under existing conditions, they did not consider it justified in this instance. Over the objections of Councillor Ralph White, town foreman Ovila Cascagnette was appointed dog catcher for 1961. 

    There should be a lot of smashed clay, burned powder and spent lead pellets around the grounds of Penetang Gun and Rifle Club when the smoke clears following the Winterama trapshooting competition this Sunday. A little over two tons of clay birds and shotgun shells was received in a shipment this week, to be used for this special occasion. Shooting addicts will find things a little more comfortable around the Fuller Ave. range this year. Recently, the club erected an addition to its facilities which doubled the size of the club house. Two traps are expected to be in operation from 9 a.m. until close to dusk, with a record number of entries indicated. 

   Penetanguishene General Hospital will celebrate a half-century of service in the healing  of the sick, April 19, 1961. First move toward marking the event came at the last board meeting when J. D, Roderick, only surviving member of the original board, was named honorary member of the current board. Board President Jerome Gignac said this week a committee has been named to “dig up” as much Information as possible on the hospital and its operations through the years. 

    The summer home of Midland YMCA, Camp Kitchikewana, has proven as popular as ever, states camp director J. W. ‘Win’ Smith when he announced Monday that the camp is now filled for the summer. More than 70 applications from prospective campers had to be returned last week. Mr. Smith continued “Some children have applied now for two or three years, but because of the camp’s popularity with former campers the intermediate and senior sections are now filled so the applications  from new campers had to be refused” Mr. Smith stated. Kitchikewana handles 180 campers and 45 staff daily during July and August, the camp director noted. 

    Moose meat and vension were the bill of fare for 75 members of the Georgian Bay Hunters and Anglers and their guests at the club’s February dinner meeting at Bourgeois Dining Hall Feb. 15. Some of the moose meat was supplied by Stan Brooks and Jack Frame. The venison donated by Lorne Smokey Wood and Stan Brooks. Jack Frame showed a film of the moose hunt, so guests could see the moose that provided part of the main course of the meal. Maynard Thiffault also showed movies of his trip to Florida. 

BIRTHS
CADEAU — To Mr and Mrs. Thos. Cadeau, Port Severn, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Tuesday, Feb 7, 1961, a son.
ASSANCE — To Mr. and Mrs. Fred Assance, Christian Island, at St. Andrews Hospital, Monday, February 6, 1961, a son.
BELCOURT — To Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Belcourt, Robert St. E., Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Feb. 2, 1961, a daughter.
DAWE — To Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Dawe, 11 Montreal Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, February 7, 1961, a daughter.
DUSOME — To Mr. and Mrs. Peter Dusome, Vinden Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, February 7, 1961, a daughter.
GRAHAM — To Mr. and Mrs. Glen Graham, 208 Queen Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Monday, February 13, 1961, a son.
HANSFORD — To Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Hansford, 135 Yonge Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, February 8, 1961, a son. Baby died.
LeBLANC — To Mr. and Mrs. Leo LeBlanc, R. R. 3, Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Friday, Feb. 3, 1961, a daughter.
MAYER — To Mr. and Mrs. Martial Mayer, R.R. 2. Penetang, at St. Andrews Hospital, Monday, February 13, 1961, a son.
MIXEMONG — To Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Mixemong, Christian Island, at St. Andrews Hospital, Sunday, February 12, 1961, a son.
MOREAU — To Mr. and Mrs. Simeon Moreau, 82 Main St. Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Tuesday, Feb 7, 1961, a daughter.
NODWELL — To Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Nodwell, Victoria Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Wednesday, February 15, 1961, a son.
PLAYNE — To Mr. and Mrs. John Playne, Sunnyside, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, February 14, 1961, a daughter.
QUESNELLE — To Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Quesnelle, R.R. 1, Perkinsfield, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 1961, a son.
ROBITAILLE — To Mr. and Mrs. Cena Robitaille, 30 Fox St., Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Wednesday,  Feb. 1, 1961, a son.
ROBITAILLE — To Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Robitaille, West St., Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 1961, a son.
SIMMONDS — To Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Simmonds, 215 Russell Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, February 8, 1961, a daughter.
AMANT – To Mr. and Mrs. Philip St. Amant, Perkinsfield, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Monday, Feb. 6, 1961, a son.
VASICEK — To Mr. and Mrs. Vaslade Vasicek, 316 Fourth Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Monday, February 13, twins, a son and daughter. 

OBITUARY
XAVIER THERRIEN  – A native of Lafontaine and resident of Penetang for the past 50 years. Xavier Therrien died ‘Saturday, Feb. 11, at the home of his son, Leonard Therrien. He was in his 82nd year. Retired since 1945, he had  married Albina Martin at Lafontaine in 1900. He was fond of fishing and was a Liberal in politics. Surviving besides his widow are seven sons, Gilbert of Port Colborne, Leonard of Penetang, Oscar and Norman in Toronto, Lawrence and Denis of Barrie and James of Ottawa, and three daughters, Mrs. Russel Baker (Leona), Ottawa, Mrs. Lou St. Germain (Marie) and Mrs. Jos. Hawkins (Margaret) of Toronto. There are 41 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Funeral service was held Monday, Feb. 13, from Beausoleil’s funeral home to St. Ann’s Memorial Church. Father J. Kelly officiated, assisted by Father L. O’Malley and Father J. Marchand. Pallbearers were Robert, Ronald, Stanley, Allan, Jack and Danny Therrien.
ROCH PILON
A former chief constable of the Tiny Township police force and well-known throughout this district, Roch Pilon died at Penetang General Hospital, January 18. He was in his 62^nd year. Requiem mass was conducted by Rev. A. J. Desaulniers at St. Patrick’s Church, Perkinsfield, Jan. 21. Pallbearers were Lawrence and Isaac Pilon, Albert Gouett, Joe Lalonde, Julien Bourgeois Henry Quesnelle. A lifetime resident of Perkinsfield where he was born April 9, 1899, Mr. Pilon married the former Irene Gouette at Penetang in September 1940. He is survived by his widow, two sons Gerald of Toronto and Ron of Perkinsfield, a stepson, Larry Curran of Midland and eight daughters, Mrs. Russell Ladouceur (Doreen), Perkinsfield, Mrs. Bernard Mastronadeo (Lorraine), Jean, Mrs. Gordon Forfar (Terry), Mrs. Fred Richardson (Bernadette) and Mrs. Eric Kennedy (Gloria) all of Toronto. Mrs. Jack Lloyd (Margaret) of Barrie and Mrs. Fern Maurice (Marian) of Lafontaine. Surviving also are 31 grandchildren. Temporary entombment was in St. Ann’s Mausoleum with burial later In St. Patrick’s Cemetery. 

25 YEARS AGO
Nutrition classes were started by the Midland Red Cross Society and were held in St. Mark’s parish hall. • • • Announcement was made that the Letherby and Son Lumber Mill would open in the summer and it was expected to employ 125 of Midland’s unemployed. • • • Miss Norma McKinley was crowned “queen” of the Midland skating carnival at Midland arena when more than 200 citizens took part in various skating activities. * * * Midland curlers retained the Shaw Cup, donated by ex-president Shaw of the Port McNicoll Curling Club, for annual competition between the two clubs. The majority for the six Midland rinks was 35 shots. * *  * Elmvale’s second annual Board of Trade banquet was held with lion Dr. I. J. Simpson and D. F. McCuaig, MP, as guest speakers. * * * Penetang Horticultural Society spent $60 beautifying Memorial Park, Huronia Park and the General Hospital grounds. * * * The provincial government reduced its relief contribution to Midland and as a result the town had to raise $60,000 as its share of relief in 1936 or cut relief. * * * Midland Orange Lodges were preparing for the annual convention of the Grand Lodge of Ontario West when more than 1,200 visitors were expected. 

    The number of farm wagons showing up in factory yards and elsewhere in Penetang during the past several days could lead a stranger to think the town is seriously considering the possibility of becoming engaged in agriculture. The wagons, however, are going to be used for a purpose never dreamed of by their manufacturer. They will be the base of floats in the Winterama parade next  weekend. A bit of “snooping” around reveals that six years of parades have given Penetang people considerable education and originality of ideas in producing floats. Each year, floats in the parade are becoming more unique, and display even greater amounts of creativeness on the part of their builders. 

    More than 200 people attending the annual Warden’s banquet in St. Joseph’s Hall, Barrie, Thursday night heard Judge J. L. Harvie complimented Montcalm Maurice on being the first French Canadian to be named Warden of Simcoe County. Later, in his short speech, Judge Harvie said. “Mrs. Maurice has done something very close to my heart in making certain her children can speak both French and English. I have felt it very deeply that I couldn’t talk in French to Montcalm while he is able to talk to me in English. Judge Harvie mentioned that the average French Canadian can speak French. I learned French in University, but I cannot speak it now.” he added. The speaker urged the two Provincial members present to take back to Premier Frost a recommendation that French be taught in our public schools. 

   As the mortgage on the auditorium addition was being burned Saturday evening, members of Penetang Legion revealed further major improvements and additions to their building at Simcoe and Peel Streets are contemplated. President Doug Rogers mentioned plans are underway to purchase and install a new heating system for the entire building. Preliminary consideration also have been given to a project which would add a second floor to the auditorium extension. This addition would be used as a recreation area, he said. The actual mortgage burning was carried out by President Doug Rogers, Harry Turner, one of the older members of the branch, and Fred Locking, zone commander, Legion Zone E4. Past President George Scott presented the specially engraved lighter, used for the ceremony to Harry Turner. 

   Application for permission to open a second-hand store in Penetang was held over for two weeks, when council will hear the bylaw concerning the matter. The application was signed by Herb Secord who said he wanted to open such an establishment at the corner of Wolfe Street and Simcoe Lane. Mayor Jerome Gignac told council he was certain there was a town bylaw which would prohibit such a store being opened. Clerk A. Doucette is to bring the bylaw to the next meeting of council. (Shades of the movie “Needful Things”)