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 enlargeThe Midland Flyers open up a best-of-seven playoff series with Orillia intermediates this week and coach Vic Grigg’s Flyers’ will be looking forward to top efforts from these three forwards. Left to right they are Dave Cudbertson, Dalt Cruise and Harvey Jackson. Series gets underway here tonight and shifts to Bracebridge, where Orillia will play its home games, Saturday night. 

Old man winter Thursday night lashed out again at Ontario residents one week after he had whipped the province with the worst storm in 25 years. Here, a car is dwarfed by the snowbanks left along a countryside road after a rotary blower plow had cut its way through deep drifts. 

A new natural gas infrared heating unit has been installed in Midland arena, on approval of the Community Centre Board. The unit is suspended above a block of seats and warms them by a ray system. The board says if fans respond and support local hockey teams more of the same type will be installed for the comfort of spectators. 

(Missed this photo back in January.) Her bow etched with the silvery lines of ice and water she plowed through to get here, the ice-breaker Alexander Henry pulled into Midland dock last Thursday afternoon. She is now reported to be in Parry Sound but is expected to return to Midland.

Thick billows of smoke cast a pall over a large section of Midland this morning when fire completely gutted the 50 by 100-foot, three-storey brick building which housed the Peoples Store. Other nearby businesses, for a time, were seriously threatened by the leaping flames and intense heat. 

Thousands of gallons of water were poured on the flames and smouldering embers of Peoples Store by valiant firefighters of Midland and Penetang brigades. Rivers of water ran down King Street as the fireman fought to contain the blaze to one building. MORE PHOTOS NEXT WEEK 

Line-up of motorists behind this car blew their horns but it didn’t have much effect when this car blocked Midland’s King Street earlier this week. The car, on its own, backed out into the middle of the street from a parking space. A few minutes after this photo was taken the embarrassed driver arrived on the scene and moved it. 

Saturday was a big day for Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Brown of Sunnyside as they marked their 50th wedding anniversary. Long-time residents of Toronto, where Mr. Brown was a trainman with the CNR, the couple came to Midland in 1948.For you Mary Ann.

Request  Thorough Probe of Parking, Traffic Flow

Free Press Herald headline of March 2, 1960. “A thorough investigation of the municipal parking problem, traffic flow and one-way streets” was called for at a meeting of Midland council Monday night. These were put forward by Alderman Douglas Haig as urgent matters for Midland’s 1960 planning board to study. The planning board held its first meeting of the year last night.   “I am convinced personally that the only solution to our traffic problem is to make King Street, First Street and Midland Avenue one-way streets,” Mr. Haig told council. Mayor Charles Parker also expressed concern about parking problems, especially, if the rumored new federal building on First Street becomes a reality. Mr. Parker advocated amendments to the existing zoning bylaws providing for “set-backs” for all new buildings on main arteries, where such is not already provided. Mayor Parker included in this list First Street south from Elizabeth, Yonge Street, and King Street south from Yonge. “We should try to retain that wonderful boulevard of trees on King Street,” Mayor Parker suggested.  

Business  Block Gutted, Say Fire Loss $250,000

County Herald headline of March 4, 1960. Fire, discovered about 7:45 a.m. today swept through a King Street business block in Midland and at press time was believed to have caused a quarter of million dollars damage. The spectacular blaze, which completely gutted the People’s Store block, caused major smoke and water damage in Jory’s Drug Store, smoke and water damage to a lesser degree in H. J. Thompson and Sons, and in apartments above, the B-P Service Station, also attracted hundreds of spectators. About two hours after the alarm was first turned in by Mrs. Lillian Cripps, an occupant of a small apartment above the store, the 50 by 100-foot, three-storey brick structure was reduced to a steaming burned-out hulk. The full complement of equipment and men of Midland fire brigade and two pumpers and men from the neighbouring town of Penetang battled the roaring flames to a standstill. At times the vivid orange flames were leaping more than 100 feet in the air. A thick, black pall of billowing smoke blanketed a large part of the business and residential section to the south. Seven families, consisting of 15 persons, were driven from apartments above Jory’s, People’s, H. J. Thompson’s and the Ontario Cafe. Two Simmonds Transport trucks hauled away all the showroom stock and office records carried out of H. J. Thompson and Sons. Both Jack and Bill Thompson said they greatly appreciated the speed with which the trucking firm responded to the emergency. Contents were trucked away by Hanson’s Transport from some of the apartments and the remainder was carried by volunteers into the business offices of the Free Press Herald. Homeless for the time being are, the Isadore Arbours, Rose Mould, Marion Barnett, Mrs. Lorenz and son, Const. Tom Currie and family, and Mrs. Lillian Cripps. Built in the early 1900’s, the People’s Store block was once the site of the old “opera house”. In 1950 it was purchased from L. S. Wallace and N. Schaubel by Sarah and Patrick Patternick of Montreal. The store area was renovated in 1951 at a cost of about $20,000, it was stated. At one time it also housed Woolworths and some years ago the upper floor was used by the Masonic Lodge as lodge rooms. In recent years, the second storey was occupied by Midland Business College and the offices of the late Dr. C. N. James, dentist. It is understood the third floor was unoccupied at the time of the fire. Old-timers recalled that the building had been burned out once before about 40 years ago. Other major King Street fires were the Dudley Block, March 7, 1950, and the Royal Bank and Cross Country Cut Rate Store, Dec. 6, 1957 The Ontario Cafe and the Salvation Army served hot coffee to the valiant firefighters. 

    On the premise that they can’t very well tell where they are going without a map, the first thing Midland’s new planning board did Tuesday night was to ask for one — an up-to-date one at that. In asking Midland council to provide an up-to-date map of the plan of Midland, it was noted the one currently in use is dated March 20, 1917. Town Assessor Ian McClung said some additions had been made to the map in the early 1950’s. Even so, it is far from complete, the planning board felt. I hope you get it. I’ve been trying for a year-and-a-half.” said Mr. McClung. With only four of its eight members able to be present, the board was able to accomplish little of a concrete nature at its first meeting of the year. Present were last year’s chairman, L. H. Taylor and new members Walter Kluck, Jerry Therrien and Stewart Glassier. 

    March came in like a lamb this year in North Simcoe. Tuesday, March 1, was one of the balmiest days of the season. A major snowstorm, forecast for this area yesterday had failed to materialize by 6 p.m. last night. Weather office personnel had predicted one of the worst storms of the year would hit Central and Southern Ontario. 

 BIRTHS
 BOJTOR — To Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Bojtor, 216 Manley St.,
Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, February 23, 1960, a son,
BRESSETTE — To Mr. and Mrs. David Bressette, Victoria Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Friday, February 19, 1960, a daughter.
COURTEMACHE — To Mr. and Mrs. Edward Courtemache, 62 Ottawa St. Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Thursday, February 25, 1960, a daughter.
GONNEAU — To Mr. and Mrs. George Gonenau, R.R. 1,
Waubaushene, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Friday. February
26, 1960, a daughter.
GRANT — To Mr. and Mrs. Beverley Grant, 182 Fourth St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Saturday, February 20, 1960, a son.
 

    M.P.D.H.S. Hi-Sterics  By KAREN BLAIR    After the string ensemble played “The Arundel Suite” in Eaton’s Auditorium last Wednesday, Feb. 24, a group of girls from North Toronto Collegiate questioned some members from our ensemble in this manner: “Do you live on the Islands?” “Well, how do the kids that live on the islands get to school?” “Are there schools on the Islands?” and finally “Is Penetang a town?” They seemed to think we came from the backwoods and were amazed at how well we played. We found- this amusing but it is rather shocking to think that people living less than 100 miles south of Midland picture us as an uncivilized community with dog-teams and sleds as our only means of transportation. 

    Although sunshine prevailed during most of Penetang’s annual Winterama, the weatherman was responsible for a much smaller crowd than usual, officials say. The Saturday attendance particularly was affected by storms the previous two days in Southern Ontario, they said. Despite the small attendance, the Winterama committee carried on with all events through the two-day session.  

    This newspaper learned yesterday that the S.S. Dover, summer cruise ship in the 30,000 Island area, is being offered for sale. Lloyd Atkinson of Atkinson Machine and Marine, Midland, has been asked to act as a sales agent for Larry and John Bellmore and Mrs. J. Bellmore of Sault Ste. Marie, current owners of the ship. Mr. Atkinson said he believed the Dover could be obtained and put into operation for approximately $6,000 plus insurance costs. The figure would include the balance of the mortgage on the vessel, equipment owned by the Bellmores, drydock inspection and repairs. He said he hopes someone will take over its operation as there are indications the Dover will not be operated this summer by its present owners. He felt it was a valuable asset to Midland’s summer tourist trade.  

  Huronia Association for Retarded Children told this newspaper yesterday it now has firm hopes it will be able to open classes for retarded children in Midland in September. Present plans are to obtain space in Parkview School. It is expected that classrooms currently being occupied by pupils from St. Mary’s Separate School will be available at that time, as the construction of an addition at St. Mary’s will be completed, it was stated. It was pointed out, however, that in the meantime “a thousand and one things” have to be completed first. In this, the executive of the association asked for the co-operation of service clubs, Women’s Institutes, church groups and commercial and industrial establishments. The project must be financed, it was stated. Among the equipment and items needed for classes for the retarded are educational toys, cloth picture books, a portable record player, children’s records and so forth. 

   Funeral services were held yesterday for one of Midland’s oldest, and most highly respected citizens, Robert G. Nesbitt. In his 98th year, Mr. Nesbitt died Saturday at Beechwood private Hospital, Penetang, Rev. J. L. Self conducted the funeral service at Knox Presbyterian Church where, up until a few years ago, Mr. Nesbitt had taken a prominent and active part for more than half a century. A school teacher at Waubaushene and Midland in his younger days and former principal of Manley Street School, Mr. Nesbitt later was largely instrumental in keeping Tiny and Tay Agricultural Society’s annual fair in Midland a going concern. At one point, in 1934, the fair board had decided to cease operations. Mr. Nesbitt, who served as fair secretary for more than 20 years, played a large part in the fair’s revival. 

Ten Years Ago This Week

    Midland Shipyards announced there would be a sharp increase in the number of men employed at the yard. The firm had received an order to convert the bulk carriers, Collingwood and Martian, into package freighters. The work had to be completed by the time navigation opened. * * * J. B. Roebuck, who was named chairman of Midland Parks Commission for 1950, was serving his 25th year on the commission. He was a former mayor of the town. * * * Pumping tests taken at Midland’s deep water wells showed that their maximum capacity was 11 per cent less than when they were tested in 1928. Water consumption in Midland in 1949 reached an all-time of 37,055,000 gallons. * * * Penetang High School had to close its doors because of the combined efforts of an influenza epidemic and extreme cold weather. Nearly 30 per cent of the pupils in Midland’s elementary schools were absent through illness. * * * Penetang Water and Light Commission had signed a contract with a well-digging firm to drill a new well for the town’s water supply. It was expected to provide an additional million and a half gallons of water a day for consumers. Work was to begin about the middle of March. * * * Because of the necessity of completing several costly repair jobs, Penetang Library Board asked the council to increase its 1950 grant to the board. It was estimated that an additional $2,300 would be required over and above the 1949 grant. * * * Coldwater Telephone System was confronted with several major problems. At a special meeting, the telephone commission resigned and left the affairs of the system in the hands of the village council. As well, telephone operators were threatening to go on strike if they did not receive a day off each week and an increase in pay. * * * Under the joint sponsorship of Midland Kiwanis Club and North Simcoe Agrep Stewart L. Page, plans were underway to organize a boys’ and girls’ forestry club for the Midland district. Zone foresters agreed to assist with the project.     

   Midland AA’s now have 350 members second-largest group outside Toronto.   The most startling thing for guests of the Midland group of Alcoholics Anonymous at their 15th-anniversary dinner Thursday night was the absolute candour of the group’s members. Where else would one find a group of men publicly admitting they had been just plain ordinary “drunken bums” at one stage of their careers? These men weren’t proud of their past roles, nor unduly boastful of what must have been near-miraculous salvage of their lives. As one man said, “We are just happy to be here tonight — sober”. It was a tribute to the sincerity of these men, and the thankfulness of their wives, that some 140 persons braved a threatening snowstorm to attend the dinner, held in the auditorium of St. Paul’s United Church. There were AA’s present from Penetang, Elmvale, Gravenhurst, Port McNicoll and Collingwood, as well as Midland. During his 13 years with this paper, this reporter has covered a variety of events — sports, council meetings, weddings, funerals, fires, drownings — and heard a multitude of speakers on just about every subject under the sun. Quite frankly, we’ve never had an experience like this one before. We can quite safely say that the many guests who had never attended an AA meeting before had never had such an experience either. 

    WAUBAUSHENE — Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Gouett, Waubaushene celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, Saturday Feb. 27. More than 100 friends, neighbours and relatives called to extend their congratulations to the couple, both of whom enjoy good health. They were married in Waubaushene in 1900; Mrs. Gouett was Margaret St. Amand and was born in and attended school at Beaverton. She lived in Montreal and Midland before coming to Waubaushene. Mr. Gouett was born in Waubaushene and is believed to be the oldest living native of the village. During their married life they owned and operated hotels in Port Robinson, Port Severn and Waubaushene. They also operated a grocery store, ice cream parlour and cafe in Toronto and a livery stable and as well as farms at Perkinsfield and Duck Bay. Sixteen years ago they returned to Waubaushene after residing in Oshawa for three years. On retirement, they purchased a house on Pine Street, where they lived until the fall of 1959 when they took an apartment in the home of their son Harry. The couple had five children, three sons and two daughters — Albert of Elliot Lake, Harry of Waubaushene, and Arthur, deceased, Irene (Mrs. R. Pilon), Perkinsfield. Loretta (Mrs. M. Doyle), Willowdale. They have 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

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 enlargeWendake District Girl Guides and Brownies celebrated their golden jubilee birthday Tuesday at the Midland home of Mrs. J. E. Lawlor, district commissioner. Here, Bonnie Bray and her sister Peggy, examine the trefoil shaped cake which formed part of the celebrations. They represented the 323 members in the district as well as their sister Guides and Brownies in Canada. 

Baby, Joy Elizabeth, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Shannon of Victoria Harbour was born at 4 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19, and weighed seven pounds seven ounces. She is the Shannons’ eighth child. She was the third Victoria Harbour baby to be born on the same day as the prince. (Prince Andrew, the third child of Queen Elizabeth II.) 

One of two little girls born in St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Friday, the same day as the royal prince, was Elizabeth Marie, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Bressette of Victoria Harbour. The Bressettes’ second child, she was born at 3.30 p.m. and weighed 7 pounds 9 1/4 ounces. 

Friday night’s big snowstorm, while it did not hit Midland area as hard as it did Barrie district, still left plenty of work for North Simcoe residents before they could “dig themselves out.” Above, a Department of Highway’s plow widens a section of Highway 12 near Old Fort school. Owner of the truck at left has considerable digging ahead before the vehicle can make the 15 feet to the open highway. 

Although the snow had stopped falling by midafternoon Saturday, snow blowing across the highway from banks along the road made driving hazardous for North Simcoe motorists following Friday night’s big storm. Several stretches of Highway 27 were still reduced to one lane traffic as late as Sunday afternoon. 

Sides of the buildings in the lee of Friday night’s storm were piled high with snow the following morning. Here the snow reaches almost halfway up the side of this King Street store in Midland as it blacks out a first storey window. 

When Simcoe County’s Mutual Aid Association met in Penetang last Wednesday night, the evening concluded with a bean feed. Chief Bob Stewart, standing, makes sure his guests get plenty to eat. Clockwise in this photo: Ivan Eberhardt, Wasaga Beach; Chief Arnold Tippin, Midland; Bob Stewart; Chief Ed. Gapp, Bradford; Chief Tiny Hall, Creemore. 

One of three of Victoria Harbour’s “Leap Year Babies” is Fred Miller, Jr., who will have only five candles on his cake Monday, Feb. 29. Fred got a chance to work up an appetite as he cleared his laneway following this week’s heavy snowfall. Actually, Fred, employed in the Victoria Harbour area, will be 20 years old Monday.  

Midland has two new Queen’s Scouts in Ron Ellis, centre, and David Walker, right. Here Ron gets his Queen’s Scout badge from Jack Brownlee, former Scoutmaster for 3rd Midland Troop. 

The first boy in the South Georgian Bay District to attain his 13th Cub proficiency badge; Kennedy Self gets his award from Mrs. George Williamson, assistant Cubmaster for the 3rd Midland Pack. At the rear are Don Pringle, another assistant Cubmaster, and Kennedy’s father, Rev. J. L. Self. The ceremony was held at Knox Presbyterian Church Monday night. 

Monday night was a gala occasion for members of the Midland District Women’s Progressive-Conservative Association as they held their fifth birthday party at the lOOF Temple, Midland. Executive of the association; seen with their birthday cake, are left to right, Mrs. Ira Rumney (nee Mary Ruth Crooke), Mrs. Elmer H. Zimmer, Mrs. Ward White (nee Cora May Ferguson), Mrs. Hector Adams (nee Sarah Haughton), Mrs. Ben Cowie, Mrs. James Caswell (nee Mary Dudley), president, Mrs. S. Willman, Mrs. John Gillette (nee Gertrude Silvey), Mrs. Percy McMurtry (nee Alice Bernice Sharp), Mrs. Wm. Rutherford, Mrs. Sergeant Ruby (nee Meda Evelyn Singleton) and Mrs. Theo. Hook.

 

Expand Fire Protection – Tiny Seeks Truck Costs
The Free Press Herald headline of Wednesday, February 24, 1960.
The likely outcome of a series of discussions concerning fire protection for Tiny Township will be the purchase of two completely new firefighting units with 10-year debentures to cover the cost. Latest talks on the subject were at Thursday’s special meeting of council when Harold Hunter of the Fire Marshal’s Department spoke to council on the department’s survey and its recommendations. The debenture issue, which might run as high as $50,000, would cover the cost of purchasing two completely equipped trucks and provide funds for the construction of buildings to house them in Lafontaine. 

Two District Hospitals to get $13,350 in Grants
The County Herald headline of Friday, February 26, 1960. Two North Simcoe district hospitals will receive a total of $13,350 in special grants announced by Hon. James N. Allan, provincial treasurer, when he brought down the current Ontario budget in the legislature yesterday. The special basic grants of $75 a bed will be paid to all approved public general hospitals Mr. Allan said. Approximately $5 million of this year’s revenues to be appropriated for this purpose, he revealed. On the basis of the basic grants, St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, with a rated capacity of 105 beds will receive approximately $7,875. Penetang General Hospital with 73-bed capacity will receive $5,475. (With the population of North Simcoe at least doubled we now have 122 hospital beds compared to 178 in 1960)

    Eleven representatives from five North Simcoe municipalities learned at a dinner last week that the Ontario Department of Highways is giving serious consideration to a proposal to give the Evergreen Sideroad (connecting road between King St. and Hwy 93 past Wal-Mart) a hard-top surface. Tay Township council last year asked the department to take over the maintenance of the sideroad as a possible bypass route between Highways 27 and 12.  

    Tiny Township council, at a special session Thursday, held over a request for payment of its share of the subsidy to Midland-Penetang Ambulance service. The amount in question was $192. An investigation will be made into a question as to whether the Tiny share was based on the inclusion of calls from Christian Island. It was felt the Island share should be covered by the Department of Indian Affairs. Approval was given for a grant of $25 to the Salvation Army campaign for funds. Doug Holt was named township representative on St. Andrew’s Hospital Board. No action was taken on a complaint from Tondakea Lodge regarding dumping of garbage on Con. 9 road allowance. The investigation will be made into the complaint before any move is made. 

    Residents along highway 103 and 12, from Port Severn to Orillia, rubbed their eyes in disbelief last week as two heavily bearded men, dragging a canoe of all things, hove into view and later disappeared in the distance. At this time of the year, the sight of a canoe on a  North Simcoe road is almost as improbable as a return visit of the “Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow”. Yet it was not a mirage. The two men and the canoe were most certainly real. On Monday evening the two men, Al Welenofsky and Ted Nothaft of Nutley, N.J. (and their canoe) pulled into Otto Rawson’s Riverside Inn at Port Severn. They had just finished walking a stretch of 30 miles, from the Lake Joseph hotel, thereby breaking their previous record of 29 miles from Spanish, Ont., to Espanola. When the two men reached Port Severn they had completed 3,597 miles of a coast-to-coast trip by canoe which began April 5, 1959, at Hammond, Ore. They travelled up the Columbia River through Oregon and Washington, through the Pende Oreille River and lake to Idaho, and on to Montana via the Clark Fork River. First big portage took them over the continental divide to the Missouri River. They met their first taste of winter on the Souris River in North Dakota, forcing them to portage to the Assiniboine. They got as far as Portage La Prairie, Manitoba when the “big freeze” set in for keeps. There they loaded their aluminum canoe onto a two-wheel cart fashioned from bicycle wheels. Since then they have tramped their way through Manitoba, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ontario. At Sudbury, they cut south on Highways 69 and l03 to Port Severn. From Orillia, the two men will go to Barrie, Toronto and finally N. Tonawanda, N.Y., where they will again take to the water (they hope). The final portion of the journey will take them down the Erie Canal and Hudson River to New York City. Estimated overall mileage the two men will travel is 4,300 miles. So far, only 1,764 has found them able to have their canoe carry them, instead of having to pull it. The last “portage”, brought about by the severity of the Canadian winter has been a long 1,260 miles. Nothaft is a graduate of a mechanic’s school and Welenofsky has just completed a hitch in the U.S. Navy. Reason for the rugged hike? “We wanted to see a lot of the country and have some adventure at the same time,” they told reporters. 

    A new telephone numbering system which eventually will eliminate exchange names is to be introduced gradually in Ontario and Quebec exchanges operated by The Bell Telephone Co. of Canada, H. A. Kilroy, Bell manager here, announced this week. The new plan — known as All Number Calling (ANC) — will eliminate exchange names from telephone numbers and substitute figures for the letters now used to designate exchanges. For example, a number such as UNiversity 6-3911 — dialed UN 6-3911 — would become 886-3911. Extensive studies indicate that ANC is the most practical numbering method for today’s condition, Mr. Kilroy said. An important advantage of ANC to the telephone user is that calls can be dialed faster and more accurately, using numerals only. ANC prevents misspelling and misinterpretation of office names and letter codes — of great significance where more than one language is spoken. It also eliminates the confusion between the figure 0 and the letter O and between the figure “1” and the letter “i”. Tests indicate that seven-figure numbers are as easy to remember as name and figure numbers and in practical use customers have not found it difficult to memorize frequently called seven-figure numbers, he stated. 

    COLDWATER — When Mr. and Mrs. Doug Miller and family returned to their Eplett Street home Sunday night after a visit to Tottenham, they were startled to see a horse waiting for them on the front verandah. The horse, being led by its owner, was left at the roadside while he made an inquiry at the door, but followed the latter onto the porch.  

   25 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK H. N. McMaster, president of the central division of the National Association of Marine Engineers, requested the federal government to take action which would protect the Great Lakes shipping industry and its employees from the toll-free competition of foreign ships on the lakes. He suggested that foreign vessels entering inland waters be forced to pay canal tolls. * * * A nine-man committee of Midland citizens was formed at the request of Mayor S. W. McKinley to promote industrial development in the town. * * * Fifteen ice fishermen were marooned on an ice floe in Midland harbour when the tug Strathbogie moved the freighter Mantadoc from Aberdeen elevator to the Century Coal dock. After the freighter had been moored, the tug returned and picked up the stranded fishermen off the floe. None suffered ill effects. * * * Dr. L. J. Simpson, Ontario minister of education, announced that all secondary school examination fees, including the charge for trying high school entrance examinations, would be abolished, effective June 1935. * * * The county tax rate for 1935 was three-tenths of a mill higher than the 1934 level. The general rate, struck by county council, was 6.5 mills and the road levy was eight-tenths of a mill, giving a total of 7.3 mills. The total amount to be raised by the levy was $435,591. * * * A new coin silver coin was to be introduced into Canadian currency in May 1935. The dollar was struck in commemoration of the king’s silver jubilee. * * * Penetang council decided not to take any action for the time being on a request from Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Nettleton, that all elementary school children in the town be forced to have a smallpox vaccination. One councillor said his family doctor had pooh-poohed the idea.   

OBITUARIES

THOMAS MASON – The death of Thomas Mason, well-known in this district as an electrician, and member of the Orange Lodge and Black Knights, occurred Feb. 6 in St. Andrews Hospital, Midland. Mr. Mason had lived in this community for 44 years, coming here in 1916. His marriage to Olive Wice took place in Barrie in 1907. Mrs. Mason pre-deceased her husband in 1948. Born in Grenfell July 1, 1884, he received his schooling there. He was a member of the Baptist Church. Rev. R. Wright conducted funeral services at the Nicholls Funeral Home Feb. 9. Acting as pallbearers were J. Borland, C. Allsopp, W. Edwards, George Parr, G. Elsom and E. Bates. He is survived by one son, Roy of Midland. There are two sisters, Mrs. Eva Reid of Toronto and Mrs. Gertrude Bagley of St. Catharines, and two brothers, George and Harry, both of Toronto. Relatives and friends attending the funeral services were from Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Toronto and Barrie.

LETITIA MAUGHAN – Funeral services were held Feb. 12 at Nicholls Funeral Home for Letitia Maughan, widow of William Maughan who predeceased her in September 1934. Her death occurred Feb. 9 at her home at 148 Yonge Street following a lengthy illness. She was born May 30, 1865, in Janettville and attended school there. Her marriage to William Maughan took place in Midland in December 1885. The couple moved to a farm in Tay where they lived for 30 years. Following this, she lived for 33 years in Port McNicoll before coming to Midland in 1947. She was a member of the United Church. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. W. Morden Feb. 12 with entombment in Lakeview Cemetery. Pallbearers were Ray Maughan, Bruce Duncan, Cal Duncan, Bill Walmsley, grandsons, Lorne Taylor and Gordon Vipond, a nephew. Surviving are two daughters, Gertie (Mrs. W. Foster) of Brockville and Florence (Mrs. A. Evans) of Kitchener, and one son, Oswald of Kingston.

CHARLES H. RUSSELL – A resident of Waubaushene for the greater part of his life, and postmaster there for 28 years, Charles Henry Russell died unexpectedly in St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Feb. 13 following a heart illness. He was in his 69th year. Born in Waubaushene August 13, 1891, Mr. Russell attended Waubaushene Public School, Orillia Collegiate and later the University of Toronto, where he graduated with his B.Sc. in electrical engineering. Following his graduation from the University of Toronto, Mr. Russell was employed for eight years by Canadian Westinghouse at Shawinigan Falls, Que. He had lived in Waubaushene from 1922 until his death. An Anglican, he was also a member of Victoria Lodge No.470, Victoria Harbour. He was fond of boating and was an enthusiastic curler. His interest in the latter sport was first stimulated in Shawinigan Falls in 1914. He continued to curl in Waubaushene and Midland after he returned to this district. For many years, he served as a trustee on Waubaushene Public School Board. He is survived by brothers Frank A. Russell, Port Severn, William Earl Russell, Toronto, and Clarence J. Russell,  Waubaushene. Funeral service at Nicholls’ funeral home, Midland, Feb. 15 was conducted by Rev. D. G. Churcher and Rev. Ross Cummings of Coldwater. Pallbearers were Curry Bell, Frank Cheetham, Bruce Lang, Ian Millar, Ross Millar and Dr. James Small. Out of town relatives and friends attended the service from Toronto, Collingwood and Port Severn. Temporary entombment was in Lakeview Cemetery chapel vault at Midland. 

    The urgent need for larger quarters has been reemphasized in the annual report of Midland Public Library, where circulation in 1959 hit an unprecedented high of 70,962 books. The figure represents about a 41 per cent increase over the circulation at the library 15 years ago. In 1945 the circulation was 50,391. The annual report notes that 15 years ago, patrons were impressed by the “cheerful, attractive and spacious atmosphere” of the library. Aisles were broad and encouraged browsing and tables were “conveniently located for reading in comfort.” “Today,” the report continues, “all one can say is the library is a place for housing many books. The building is crowded and cluttered and quite without its former pleasant atmosphere. In places, the aisles are so narrow that only one person can pass and, at best, there is room for two people only. Windows are blocked out by shelving. There are few places where one can sit and read in comfort.” 

    Nearly 60 teen-agers and teachers, some of them from Midland – Penetanguishene District High School, last Friday night slept in the gymnasium and classrooms of Camp Borden District High School. They used cots, mattresses and blankets provided by Brigadier R. L. Purves, camp commandant, and his aide, Major S. W. Lander. The army also provided food for the storm stranded students. The largest group were students from Collingwood and MPDHS schools who were in Camp Borden to take part in the annual secondary school drama festival. Elwy Yost, festival adjudicator, got as far as Cookstown when he was halted by the storm, said to have been the worst to strike Ontario in 25 years.

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 enlargeKeith Cleary, left, was awarded the Roxy Theatre Trophy by Rev. J. L. Self Thursday night in ceremonies held in conjunction with the Queen of Hearts contest at the theatre. The trophy is awarded annually to the senior student who best combines athletic, scholastic and other abilities. 

With only a little more than a week of February left, the winter’s back appears to be broken for another season. In a few weeks North Simcoe mariners will be returning to their ships and navigation will be underway for another year. Here Jess Handy, Ernie Quesnelle and Mike Ianosch do some repair work on the bow of the “Assiniboia” at Port McNicoll. 

Representing the four teams in Midland YMCA’s Little Basketball League, each of these lads is hoping his team will win this trophy during the playoffs slated to start Feb. 20. Lads are, left to right, Wayne Holden, Keith Craig, Morley Bath and Rickey Lemieux. 

“Safe Hunter” badges like these are the goal of a number of Midland youths attending classes sponsored by Georgian Bay Hunters and Anglers Association at the Midland YMCA. Left to right are; Leib Shulman, Jim McKinnon, Terry O’Dale, Richard Charlebois and Conservation Officers, Fred Bowes, Midland, and Sandy Ellis, Maple. 

Refreshments were provided donors at the Midland Red Cross blood clinic in the municipal building. Here a group of donors sample some of the fare provided those who gave blood. Midland Lions Club, St. Andrews Nurses Alumnae assisted at the clinic. 

Chosen to reign over the MPDHS campus for the coming year as ‘Queen of Hearts” Thursday night was Jill Phipps, seated right. Other finalists in the contest held at the Roxy Theatre were Mary Lou Brissette (seated left) and Jean Abbott, Catherine Burns and Pat Playford (standing, left to right). 

Co-owners of the general store at Wyevale which was robbed Saturday night, are Mrs. Wallace MacDonald, left, and Mrs. Ruth Marcellus. Only Mrs. MacDonald and one lone customer were in the store when a man entered around 10.10 p.m. and took around $150 at gunpoint. The money was later recovered.

This general store at Wyevale was the scene of an armed robbery Saturday night, shortly before closing time.  About $150 taken from the store, which also houses the village post office, was recovered later in a snowbank near Martyrs’ Shrine, some 10 miles away, by OPP Const. George Winter of the Victoria Harbour detachment. Two Midland youths have been arrested in connection with the incident. 

The ice surface at Penetang arena got a king-sized shave Tuesday when two inches were taken off the surface with an ice-shaver. This operation will level the surface which becomes “saucered” from skating and hockey. It took four sweeps over the ice-surface to cut the depth by two inches. Each cut was a one-half inch in-depth, and it required a little more than two hours to complete a cut. Don Shave, (not a pun) arena manager, estimated several tons of ice was removed during the operation which brings the level down close to the freezing pipes. A jeep snow plow, a front-end loader and half a dozen men were used to remove the shaved ice from the arena and pile it alongside the building. 

 

“Hold Two Midland Lads on Armed Robbery Count”

    Free Press Herald headline of February 17^th, 1960.  Two Midland youths are awaiting trial on charges of armed robbery following the hold-up of a general store in Wyevale Saturday night. They were picked up through the quick co-operation of members of the OPP detachment at Victoria Harbour, within a half an hour after the robbery was reported. Mrs. Wallace MacDonald, co-owner of the Wyevale Store, said the robbery occurred at 10:10 p.m. Saturday, shortly before the store was to be closed for the night. The other owner, Mrs. Ruth Marcellus, had already left for home. Last male customer, Douglas Hill, had also left a few minutes prior to the hold-up, she said. When a lone man entered the store, the only other person present besides Mrs. MacDonald was Mrs. Brent Moreside, a customer. Wearing a section of nylon hosiery, doubled over his face, the man told Mrs. Marcellus — “I want the money out of the till — get it.” He was carrying a revolver, the I owner said.     

“Want Board’s Power Cut – Taxation Scheme Ended”

     County Herald headline of February 19th, 1960. Midland Chamber of Commerce industrial committee has recommended that the fight against edicts laid down last year by a special committee set up under the Industrial Standards Act, be continued even more vigorously this year. The Midland officials want a formal resolution placed before the Ontario Chamber of Commerce convention this year, requesting the latter organization’s support in a move to halt what has been termed “taxation by government officials and not by Parliament.” Industrial committee spokesmen in Midland, said Ontario Department of Labor officials last year had kept up an unrelenting pressure on firms in the ladies dress and sportswear field, “to persuade, threaten or cajole them into accepting regulations which permit government officials to collect a one percent levy each  from the payrolls of firms and from wages of employees.” The labour department body also has powers to control the operations of these industries and their employees. 

    A Midland woman was among the passengers on a Canadian National Railways passenger train which collided with a 39-car freight train 32 miles west of Hornepayne Saturday. In the wreck, which killed Albert Prairie, 50, the engineer on the CNR’s crack Super Continental, was Mrs. L. E. Thomas of 298 Manly Street, Midland. She was not seriously injured. Mrs. Thomas said there was no panic among the passengers, many of whom were napping after lunch. They gave assistance to one another and to the train crew. 

BIRTHS

BRAND—To Mr. and Mrs. G. Brand, 380 King St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Friday, February 12, 1960, a daughter.
DECAIRE — To Mr. and Mrs. Robert Decaire, 20 Poyntz St., Penetang; at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Monday, February 1, 1960, a daughter. (Baby died.)
GORDON — To Mr. and Mrs. Ross Gordon, 297A Russell St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Saturday, February 13, 1960, a daughter.
MAXWELL — To Mr. and Mrs. Donald Maxwell, R.R. 1, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Thursday, February 4, 1960, a son.
MONAGUE — To Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Monague, Christian Island, at St. Andrews Hospital; Midland, Saturday, February 13, 1960, a son.
MOREAU To Mr. and Mrs. Baptiste Moreau, Port Severn, at St Andrews Hospital, Midland, Monday, February 15, I960, a son.
SANDERSON — To Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Sanderson (nee Halliburton) at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, on Saturday, February 13, 1960, a son.
SANGSTER — To Mr. and Mrs. Karl Sangster, Port McNicoll, at St. Andrews Hospital; Midland, Saturday, February 6, 1960, a daughter. 

    Tay Township residents on the outskirts of Midland have reservations about the merits of Ontario Hydro’s slogan “Live Better Electrically.” It seems every time they receive their power bills, issued on a quarterly basis, they find these HEPC bywords an exceptionally bitter pill to swallow. Why? Because these homeowners know their urban counterparts just a hoot and a holler away in the town pay only half as much for the same service and the same power. A resident who lives in the new sub-division on Hugel Ave, about 150 yards west of the corporation limits, the other day compared his electrical bill for the three-month period covering November, December and January with rates for residential consumers in Midland. He found that, if his home had been in the corporation, his net cost for electricity would have been less than half the $48.86 he had to pay in the suburban location, classified by the HEPC as “rural” area. To be specific, he would have paid only $26.06.

TEN YEARS AGO THIS WEEK

    St. Andrews Hospital officials reported that, in spite of rising costs in 1949, the average cost of caring for patients in the hospital was lowered from $6.53 to $3.29 per day. * * * Mayor O. H. Smith of Midland asked the council to make a thorough study to determine the advisability of the town seceding from Simcoe County. He pointed out that the town paid seven per cent of the total cost of county government services, a share which represented 15 percent of the tax levy in the corporation. * * * An influenza epidemic had cut school attendance in district schools from 15 to 35 per cent. In some classes, less than 50 per cent of the pupils were in attendance. Hardest hit of all schools was Victoria Harbour where 60 of the 175 pupils enrolled were absent. * * * Penetang ratepayers were to be asked March 15 to approve a fixed assessment of $50,000 for Beatty Bros. Spencer division. The fixed assessment was to be for 10 years. * * * Midland branch of the Canadian Red Cross Society decided to disband. It was felt since so few persons were taking an interest in the organization that it might as well be terminated. There were seven women and four men at the annual meeting of the group. * * * Deputy-reeve of Vespra Township, Roy Hickling told Midland Kiwanis Club that homes in the county were being wrecked faster than new ones were being built. Deputy-reeve Hickling said this fact was borne out in the $122,000 budget which county council had approved for the children’s aid society. It was the highest amount ever approved for the county organization, he stated. * * * In the first major storm of the year, Ontario Department of Highways snowplows battled wind-packed drifts on district roads and highways to keep thoroughfares clear for traffic. Highway 27 between Midland and Barrie was blocked for several hours. 

    Coach of Penetang Hurons Junior C hockey team and an active member of Penetang’s volunteer fire brigade, Lomer Dubeau, 37, died while being rushed to a Toronto hospital yesterday morning. This newspaper was informed that Mr. Dubeau was stricken while removing snow off a roof. It is reported he had suffered a somewhat similar attack at a hockey game recently. He was one of the so-called “Old-timers” scheduled to meet radio, TV and pressmen in a minor hockey league benefit game in Penetang next week.

   According to Harvey Beauchamp, Fox Street, Penetang, at least one bear has decided to come out of winter hibernation and seek the warmth of the town. Mr. Beauchamp said he found bear tracks around his home when he went to church Sunday morning. Further investigation indicated the animal had come from the direction of Church Street, walked along his driveway and out on to Fox Street. 

    Harold S. Howes, a man who already has been “workin on de railroad” for more than 40 years, is Midland’s new CNR agent. Mr. Howes began his railroad career with the old Grand Trunk Railroad back in 1918 at Vankleek Hill, near Ottawa. He spent eight months there and followed up with many more years in a variety of Ontario communities, mostly as a telegraph operator.  

    Orillia Chamber of Commerce has donated $100 to the Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board in a move to have the site of the Indian village of Cahiague authenticated. The late Leslie Wise of Coldwater, during his lifetime, took a great interest in establishing the importance of Cahiague. The mysterious Huron Indian capital has been variously claimed as being located near Warminster, Bass Lake, Hawkstone or north of Lake Couchiching. The Orillia Chamber anticipates that a plaque eventually will be erected marking Cahiague as situated at the Warminster site. Champlain’s notes contain references to Cahiague. 

    That extension of highway 400 to Coldwater is a great boon to motorists travelling between North Simcoe and Toronto. It is an excellent road and when the final surfacing is applied next spring — even though it may be closed temporarily for that action — it will be another excellent industrial and tourist asset for this entire area.  

    Midland’s contentious “hairdressing” problem seemed to be settled amicably at a special meeting of Midland council Saturday morning. Officially on the agenda for many months, the problem concerned the alleged operation of hairdressing parlours by certain persons in residential areas, and the non-assessment for business tax purposes. Hairdressers established in commercial zones and paying business tax were thus being discriminated against, it was charged. Enquiring as to how many establishments were affected. Alderman James Mackie was told there were three. A member of the hairdressers’ delegation present said she knew of six. The exact number was not confirmed. Mayor Parker told council that new provincial legislation, to become effective in March and requiring the licensing of all hairdressers in the province, would largely take care of the problem. The fee, a member of the delegation said is $5 per operator, with a deadline of March 31. After that time it will be $7. Council then passed a motion that hairdressers operating in residential zones must cease operation by Sept. 1. This, however, does not affect persons whose businesses were established in residential zones before the zoning bylaw came into effect. Such bylaws cannot be made retroactive, it was stated. A spokesman for the delegation said this would be satisfactory. 

    A large delegation attended the Tuesday night meeting to ask the Tay council to rescind, in part, the controversial “No Shooting” bylaw it passed last fall. The group consisted of the president and two of the executives of the Georgian Bay Hunters and Anglers Club, cottagers, resort operators, farmers, businessmen and interested sportsmen. Included in the group was a good representation of the 55 property owners in the Little Lake area who signed a petition asking that the bylaw be rescinded. The delegation indicated a willingness to leave the areas mentioned in the original bylaw closed to hunting with the exception of the west shore. With but one dissenter, the property owners in this area want Little Lake left open for hunting. The majority of council sympathized with the owners’ request and expressed their agreement that the bylaw should indeed be amended, but the property committee is to submit a report first. (This is about duck hunting on Little Lake.)  

    The traditional hearts and streamers decorated the auditorium of St. Theresa’s High School in Midland last Saturday night for a Valentine dance held by the pupils of the school. During the evening, Doreen Moreau was chosen “Queen of the Ball” from a group of St. Theresa’s girls. She was the recipient of a number of prizes donated by Midland merchants. There were also prizes for the princesses, Pat Knicely, Sharon Moreau, Sheila Parent, Beth McNamara and Joan Chambers. Ronald Belanger acted as master of ceremonies. Spot dance prizes went to Brian Berriault and Elaine Dorion. Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Cadeau and Mr. and Mrs. Sib Brodeur of Victoria Harbour acted as chaperones.