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 enlarge If I live to be 150 years old I’ll never be that lucky again,” said Wilson French, 149 Fifth Street, Midland, after he walked away from a crash with three CNR diesel engines on Saturday afternoon, which practically demolished his car. Unable, because of snow and ice, to get up the hill at the end of Yonge Street East, Mr. French was backing his car down to put on chains when he heard the train whistle and at almost the same instant felt the train hit the right rear of his car, spin it around and drag it along the track and off into the snow. Mr. French reported only leg bruises, but his car did not fare so well. 

Founded back in 1880, Midland Boat Works recently acquired new owners in John MacRae and Ken Thistle of Toronto. Mr. MacRae (seated) is seen going over plans for future improvements with, left to right, Len Cowdrey, superintendent, Mr. Thistle, and Ross Kennedy, a friend. 

No wonder skiing is so popular when there’s “Scenery” like this around to ease the aches and pains suffered on the hills. Enjoying near perfect conditions at Midland Ski Club Jan. 31 were left to right, Pat Woods, Dorothy Shaw and Shirley Wallace, all of Midland; Jill Hodgins and Jean Campbell, Toronto; and Jan Harvey, Victoria Harbour. Jan didn’t have a name for her pups as yet. 

While there are many fine homes in the new Ingram sub-division just west of Midland, this one is just a bit different from the rest. Owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ed Walker, it’s all-electric, including heating. The Walker home is located on the bend at the south end of Norene Street. 

“Queen of Hearts” at Midland-Penetang District High School for the coming year is Jill Phipps, a special commercial student who may switch to nursing for a career. Jill was the choice of a large audience at Midland’s Roxy Theatre last night. 

Blood flowed freely in Midland and Penetang this week as citizens turned out to donate to the Red Cross Blood Donors Clinic. Here an unidentified woman is kept under close watch by a Red Cross nurse at the clinic. 

Despite the fact they got a frigid reception when they gathered at the Victoria Harbour United Church Tuesday (the furnace went on the hummer), these ladies didn’t let this mar their enjoyment of the occasion. Members of the Woman’s Auxillary, they were helping to mark the 60th anniversary of that organization at the Harbour. Six past presidents were able to attend the afternoon tea. 

Diamond Jubilee of Victoria Harbour Woman’s Auxiliary brought these six past presidents and the current holder of that office, Mrs. W. B. Reid, together for a celebration tea at the United Church Tuesday; Left to right are Mrs. Gordon Gervais, Mrs. Jas. Sykes, Mrs. Clarence MacKenzie, Mrs. Reid, Mrs. J. Todd, Mrs. J. P. Schissler, and Mrs. William Dunlop. 

These men have been enshrined in hockey’s “Hall of Fame”, either for their abilities on the ice or in executive fields, such as Midland’s George S. Dudley. Left to right they are, seated — Herb Gardiner, W. A. Hewitt, Hugh Lehmann, Art Ross, Cyclone Taylor, Dickie Boon, Claude Robinson, Moose Johnson, Paddy Moore; centre row — King Clancy, Wm. Northey, Frank Foyston, Mr. Dudley, Frank Fredrickson, Lester Patrick, Newsy Lalonde, Frank Nighbor, Joe Malone, Duke Keats, Dit Clapper, Eddie Shore, Conn Smythe; back row — Red Dutton, Lloyd Turner, Frank Goheen, Ching Johnston, Aurel Joliot, Frank Baucher, Al Pickard, Bill Cook, George Hay. 

Victoria Harbour citizens have started a fund for Mr. and Mrs. Marcel Desroches, who lost their home and all their belongings by fire early Monday evening. Neighbours had already found a doll for Timmy, 20 months, and a pair of cowboy guns for Grant, 5 years old, when this picture was taken Tuesday. Donations of money, furniture or clothing may be left at the Village office. 

This was all that was left of the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Marcel Desroches following a disastrous fire early Monday evening. Mr. Desroches was working at the village’s open-air skating rink behind the firehall when the siren sounded and drove the truck to his own fire. The house is located on Bay Street, several hundred feet from the nearest hydrant.

If you remember Romper Room, do you remember, “I see Bobby, I see Suzie  – –

“Rubber Plugs Hose, Fire Guts Harbour House”
The Free Press Herald headline of February 10, 1960. A fund has been started at Victoria Harbour for a young couple and their two small children who lost their home and “everything they owned” in a disastrous fire early Monday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Marcel Desroches, whose home on Bay Street was gutted to the bare walls, are presently staying with Mrs. Desroches’ mother, Mrs. John Bernard, on Maple Street. With them are their two sons Grant, 5, and Timothy, 20 months. Loss of their home was the second tragedy that has struck the Desroches family in recent months? Two years ago next week they lost their son, Jimmy, then 2 ½ years. An employee of the bridge and building department of the CPR at Port McNicoll, Mr. Desroches had been laid off some time ago because of seasonal conditions. He is employed by the village, managing the open-air rink, just behind the fire hall. Mr. Desroches was at the rink Monday night around 6.30 p.m. when the fire siren sounded. He ran to the fire hall and drove the truck (a 1919 model) to the street. “Where’s the fire?” Mr. Desroches asked as the firemen quickly assembled. “At your place,” he was told. Arriving at the scene, Mr. Desroches said the fire didn’t seem to be too bad, at least from the outside. When he entered the house to save his TV set and other furniture, he found the building so full of smoke he was unable to enter. Things rapidly went from bad to worse at the scene of the fire, located nearly three blocks from the nearest hydrant. When Harbour firemen attempted to use the supply in their 500-gallon tank, no water came out of the small, high-pressure hose and the motor kept stalling. They were forced to stand by helplessly until the Port McNicoll brigade arrived to help. By this time the fire had already made great headway in the two-storey frame building. “We went back to the fire hall,” “Sib” Brodeur, assistant fire chief, told this paper, “where we found that a piece of loose rubber was plugging the nozzle of the high-pressure hose. When this was removed everything worked perfectly”. 

“Simcoe County Council Plans Manor Addition” 
If approval of the Ontario Municipal Board is forthcoming, a start will be made this year on a 50-bed addition to Georgian Manor at Penetang. Meeting in Barrie Monday, Simcoe County Council approved a motion by Reeves Albert Deconkey of Matchedash and H. J. Beauchamp of Midland that the Home for the Aged Committee of council proceeds to seek the necessary approval. The project will likely be carried out in two stages starting with the erection of a new kitchen and dining room facilities and the tearing down of what was the old Penetang General Hospital. The latter is being used for kitchen and staff facilities at present. When the first part of the project is completed, work will get underway on the dormitory part of the project. This will not likely be before 1961. 
    Public affairs committee of Midland Chamber of Commerce believes it now has sufficient information as to costs, methods and available sites for construction to proceed on an aircraft landing field for this area this spring. This was revealed in the annual report of Hugh Blair, chairman of the chamber’s public affairs committee. At the request of a number of local industrialists and others who believed an aircraft landing strip would be a valuable asset to Midland, the public affairs committee made a preliminary survey of methods, costs and sites for such a field last year, Mr. Blair said. The committee feels it now has sufficient information available so the project may be proceeded with as soon as weather permits, if the 1960 chamber directors favour the move, he said.   
    In close co-operation with the mayor and council, the committee also had pressed for action on the installation of a traffic light at King and Yonge Streets, Mr. Blair revealed. 
    The most important project undertaken by the committee in 1959 however, was a study of costs and other factors involved in the proposed sewage disposal plant, which the Ontario Water Resources Commission indicated Midland would have to build. The committee was especially concerned about this more than one million dollar outlay as industrial, and commercial taxpayers in Midland would have to pay more than half this sum. As a result of information obtained by chamber secretary-manager R. B. Moffatt from the town’s consulting engineers, it was found that the preliminary estimate of $1,000,000 for the plant covered only the actual construction costs and did not include interest charges on the money borrowed nor maintenance and operating costs over the 20-year period of the loan. Mr. Blair’s report notes that the actual total outlay for this project over a 20-year period would be about $2,500,000 or more — a bill which Midland taxpayers would have to foot. 

   “The good old hockey game” COLDWATER — An East Simcoe Rural Hockey League game at Coldwater this week, in which Victoria Harbour defeated Coldwater 9 to 5, ended in a fight during the final minutes of the match. Only a few fans saw the rugged encounter. The climax of the fracas came when Coldwater player Art Insley’s stick was broken against the head of Allan Vallee of Victoria Harbour. Vallee was treated at the Coldwater medical clinic for what Dr. G. W. Hall termed a “nasty gash”. It required four stitches to close.  This appeared in the Friday paper; Aftermath of a Donnybrook during an East Simcoe Rural Hockey League game at Coldwater Feb. 1, a charge of assault is slated to be heard by Magistrate K. A. Cameron in Midland police court Monday. Arthur Insley, Coldwater, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assaulting Allan Vallee, a member of the Victoria Harbour team, in court last Monday. 

    25 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK – A Citizens’ Industrial Committee was organized to bring industries to Midland. Members were V. G. Edwards, George Ross, D. L. White, Jr., James Pinchin, Edwin Letherby, D. S. Pratt, David Hurrie, David Haig, and T. M. McCullough, (secretary pro tem). * * * A branch of the Junior Red Cross Society was organized in Midland, “following an enthusiastic meeting of Midland young ladies.” * * * Sinclair Lewis’ best-seller “Babbit”, in a motion picture version, was billed for the Capitol Theatre. Aline McMahon and Guy Kibbee had the leading roles. * * * A. J. B. Gray, the government supervisor, met with Penetang Council, to discuss among other things the problem of bringing new industries to town, “and a suggestion that this municipality and Midland work together to this end was favourably received.” * * * The leading editorial commenced: “There is cause for satisfaction in the announcement that two troops of Boy Scouts are due to be organized in Midland.” It concluded: “Bugles are still required for those boys who are practising regularly on borrowed instruments.” * * * A winter sports meet sponsored by the Penetang Kiwanis Club drew a large crowd to Payette Driving Park. Program comprised horse racing, dog races, and skiing events.

    Editorial – One of these days we are going to learn the true cost of pure water. So far in North Simcoe we have been lucky. At Tillsonburg, for example, they even have a separate municipal water system for their fire hydrant service. They believe, and rightly, that there is no need to fight fires with pure well or spring water. Over half our current water uses in Penetang, Midland, and the villages of this area do not require drinkable water either. 

    OBITUARIES – Death came unexpectedly to GILBERT QUESNELLE at his Perkinsfield home when he suffered a coronary thrombosis, Sunday morning, Jan. 31. Born in Perkinsfield, the 37-year-old man had lived there throughout his life. He had been employed as a (rail) car cleaner in Midland. A Roman Catholic, Gilbert Quesnelle married the former Albertine Lesperance in 1944 at Perkinsfield. Besides his wife he is survived by five children, Paul, John, Marc, Pauline and Dennis, all at home. Also surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Quesnelle, Penetang; six brothers, Phil of Highland Point, Martial of Perkinsfield, Gildore of Rexdale and Donat, Gabriel and Richard all of Penetang. Funeral service was held Tuesday, Feb. 2, from the Beausoleil Funeral Home to St. Patrick’s Church, Perkinsfield, were Rev. A. J. Desaulniers officiated. Temporary interment was in St. Ann’s Mausoleum. Pallbearers were Doug Dubeau, Ken Tannahill, Gus Lacroix, Rene Lespérance, Remi Belcourt and Carl Cusson. Out-of-town relatives and friends attending the service came from Midland, Owen Sound, Rexdale, Toronto, Ottawa, Kitchener and Lafontaine.  –  A native of Lafontaine, SIMEON CHEVRETTE died in Toronto Wellesley Hospital Sunday, Jan. 31, following a heart seizure. He was in his 73rd year. Born in Lafontaine, Mr. Chevrette had lived in Penetang for 50 years. He had also spent six years in Collingwood, eight years in Barrie and had been living in Toronto since 1957. During his time in Penetang he had been employed as a moulder at P.  P Payette Co. He was a Roman Catholic in faith and a strong member of the Liberal party. In 1905 he married the former Caroline Legault in Blind River. She predeceased him in 1954. Surviving is one son, Arthur of Toronto, and four daughters, Mrs. Edna O’Hara, Ottawa; Mrs. Bertha Theakston and Mrs. Eva Law, Barrie; Mrs. Evelyn McCarthy, Toronto. There are 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Funeral service was held from the Beausoleil Funeral Home, Penetang, to St. Ann’s Memorial Church. Mass was sung by Father J. Kelly, assisted by Father J. Marchand and Father A. Louis Bourque.  Temporary entombment was in St. Ann’s Mausoleum. Pallbearers were Fred and Ernest Chevrette, Leonard and Charles Fournier, Philibert Charlebois and Francis Dumais. Out-of-town relatives and friends came from Ottawa, Toronto, Barrie, Midland and Lafontaine.  –  A resident of Midland for nearly 65 years, FREDERICK CHARLES BATTRICK of 312 Third Street, died at St. Andrews Hospital Feb. 4, after an illness of one month. He was in his 90th year. Funeral service was conducted at the A. Barrie and Sons funeral home by Rev. Wilson Morden of St. Paul’s United Church, of which Mr. Battrick was an honorary elder. Pallbearers were six nephews, Richard Gaunt, Alec Stott, Gordon MacLean, Watson Battrick, William Battrick, and Kenneth Battrick. Interment was in Lakeview Cemetery. Born in Cainsville, Ont., Nov. (date obscured) 1870, Mr. Battrick received his early education in Desoronto and Midland. In 1901 he married Annie MacDougall, who predeceased him in May 1955. He was closely associated with the early lumbering operations in Midland and vicinity, and at one time lived in Byng Inlet. He is survived by one daughter, Miss Marguerite Battrick, Midland; one son, Willard Battrick, Hamilton; two sisters, Mrs. S. S. Ropple and Miss Gertrude Battrick, both of Stratford, and one brother, Albert Battrick of Toronto. Out-of-town relatives and friends attending the funeral came from Stratford, Toronto and Hamilton. – RAYMOND CECIL BELCHER  Following an illness of a few months Raymond Cecil (Ray) Belcher, a well-known and esteemed citizen of this village, passed away in St. Andrews Hospital, Jan. 27, at the age of 67 years. The funeral took place from the Nicholls Funeral Home, Midland, on Jan. 30, with temporary entombment in Lakeview Chapel Vault, Midland. Rev. R. G. Nodwell conducted the service and the pallbearers were T. A. Armstrong, Ralph Dalton, E. Haughton, J. W. Wallace, Capt. Percy Beatty and Capt. Jas. Sykes. Out-of-town relatives and friends attending the funeral came from Toronto, Weston, Orillia and other points. Mr. Belcher, son of the late Mr. & Mrs. Robert Belcher was born in Victoria Harbour on Oct. 15, 1892, and lived his entire life in the village with the exception of the years spent overseas as a gunner in World War I. He attended public school and the United Church here and was a member of Victoria Lodge A.F. and A.M., and of Bayport Branch of the Canadian Legion at Port McNicoll. Surviving him are two brothers, Percy Belcher and Capt. Reginald Belcher, both of Victoria Harbour and two sisters, Lillian (Mrs. Albert Wilson) and Hazel (Mrs. Ray Smith) of Midland.  –  A citizen of Midland for 53 years, LOUIS DUNKLEMAN died in Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto, Feb. 1. He was in his 78th year. Born in London, England, Sept. 4, 1882, and educated there Mr. Dunkelman came directly to Midland in 1907. In 1913 he married Elizabeth Oliver. Funeral service, Feb. 3, was from the A. Barrie Funeral Home and St. Mark’s Anglican Church Midland, with the Rev. L. J. Delaney officiating. Interment was in Lakeview Cemetery. It was a Legion funeral, at which C. L. Wiles acted as Sgt.-at-Arms and Ted Mitchell as the bugler. Pallbearers, members of Branch 80, Canadian Legion, were Alex Heron, Ed Fox, Charles Stewart, Leslie Henderson, Herbert A. Wiles, and Charles Hounsome, Wyebridge. An Anglican, Mr. Dunkelman was a veteran of the First World War, having enlisted in the 157th Battalion, and served in France with the 1st Battalion. He had been a member of the Canadian Legion, since its founding in, Midland, a keen gardener, a member of the Horticultural Society for many years, and for 30 years was caretaker at Sixth Street School. He is survived by his wife, the former Elizabeth Oliver; two daughters, Mrs. J. Hawkesworth (Rose), Unionville, and Mrs. Ken E. Trew (Blanche), Midland; a son, Lewis Dunkelman of Meaford; two grandchildren, Betty-Lou and Bobby Dunkelman; and a sister, Mrs. T. Westworth, Midland. 

M.P.D.H.S. Hi-Sterics
by ARDATH ZIMMER – The honour roll for the Christmas exams is now posted in each room. The top students of each grade are as follows: Grade 9: Pat Morrison, 91.8%; John Jensen, 89.8%; Ricky Mahon, 87.1%; Doug Mutch, 86.8%; and Larry Brennan, 86.7%. Grade 10: Paul Davidson, 86.0%; Jane Campbell, 85.1%; Bonnie Brisebois, 84.8%; Sharon Robillard, 83.5%; and Wilfred Gay, 83:3%. Grade 11: Margaret Edwards, 94.1%; Betty Jean Watkinson, 88.9%; Bev Anne Keefe, 86.4%; Mary Loney, 85.0%; and Maisie Mount, 83.6%. Grade 12: Lorna Brown, 87.1%; Earla McCuaig, 82.1%; Karen Blair, 81.2%; Pauline Robinson, 80.7%; and Tony Moffat, 80.6%. Special Commercial; Sue Quinlan, 89.0%; Barb Hill, 84.0%; and Jill Phipps, 82.0%. Grade 13: Cleon Carruthers, 79.1% and Brenda Mead, 79.3%. It is also worthy of note that the three honour roll students in Special Commercial also received 100 in a recent national spelling contest.
by ELLEN BARBER –  MPDHS students may no longer bemoan the lack of money for further education. A fund to be known as “LIFE”, Local-Industries-Fund-for-Education — has been set up by several district industries. In conjunction with the YMCA, Fern Shoe, Midland Footwear, Midland Plastics, Pillsbury of Canada and United Shoe Plastics Ltd., have made available more than $2,500 in the form of student loans and scholarships for MPDHS students. A reminder to all students hoping to win back their parents’ good grace: The February report cards will be out March 4, so a little extra study for the coming tests might be a good idea. – To improve dances at the high school and to provide the basis for future student councils who will have to deal with more than 1,000 students, the following dance rules have been adopted. It is felt these rules plus careful planning and organizing will make the dances livelier and students will have a better time.
1 – Permission to have the dance must be obtained at least two weeks in advance of the dance.
 2 – Dance committee must meet with the Principal, having a written report of the plans for the dance one week in advance of the event.
3 – Senior students will be responsible for all phases of the dance.
4 – All teachers and members of the board will receive an invitation
to a formal dance. (This has been done in the past.)
5 – Guests must come with the person sponsoring them, having a guest card showing name, name of sponsor and staff member. (These may be obtained from Mr. Powell.)
6 – Once a person has left the building, he may not re-enter.
7 – School rules must be adhered to at all times.
8 – There will be no admittance after 10:15 p.m.
9 – Dances will end at 11.45 sharp with the exception of formals.
10 – Dance committee is to be responsible for cleaning up and
removing decorations.
11 – Dress is to be school dress unless otherwise stated as in the case of a formal.
by KAREN BLAIR – The string ensemble will be playing Handel’s “Concerto Grosso No. 2″ in the Kiwanis Festival Monday night, Feb. 15, and will appear again at Eaton’s Auditorium Wednesday, Feb. 24, for their performance of the “Arundel Suite.” Tonight, Feb. 12, the Students Council is sponsoring a Valentine dance in honour of the Queen of Hearts. It will begin at 8:30 and the doors will close at 10:15. School dress is stipulated.
by SHARON ARMSTRONG – The Camera Club has purchased an enlarger. The thirty dollars required for this was borrowed from the Students’ Council. Anyone wishing to obtain a picture from the Year Book will be able to buy it from the club. A “Library Club” under the supervision of Miss McMullen has been formed. Approximately 10 students are learning how to manage a library. The members of the Drama Club are “hard at it,” working on the “Jewelled Hand” which will be their presentation at the drama festival coming up shortly.
by GERRY WITTIG – BASKETBALL – One win, the juvenile game, and two losses at Orillia closed out the basketball schedule for this year. MPDHS Juniors and Juveniles tied for second in their respective leagues and will enter a home and home playoff with the other teams. Dates of games have not yet been set. The Senior team played well at Orillia and deserved to win. Better luck next year.
YEARBOOK – Work on this year’s “Memoirs” is well underway. Photography is almost completed and features and stories are proceeding quite well. Editor Tony Moffat hopes to have the book ready for the printers by the end of March.  

    Pastor at large for the Baptist Home Mission Board for two years and minister at Calvary Baptist Church, Midland, for 10 years. Rev. J. H. Olmsted died at his Yonge Street East home early Thursday. The veteran Baptist minister succumbed to a heart attack. He is survived by a son, Charles of Strathroy, a daughter Margery (my piano teacher, that didn’t work but she paid me to cut her grass) at home a sister in Toronto and a grandson in Strathroy. 

    Recommendations for provision of more adequate propeller guards and prohibition of enclosed cockpits on Georgian Bay scoots was brought in by a coroner’s jury at an inquest in Penetang yesterday. The inquest was held to investigate the events which led to the Jan. 31 death of Frank Parks, Toronto. The jury returned a verdict of death by accident. Evidence discounted earlier stories that Parks was attempting to jump on to the scoot after it started moving.

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 enlargeSpeaking at the annual meeting of the Tiny Tay Agricultural Society and referring to the Fall Fair, Mayor Charles Parker said, “Midland will continue to grow, and you will have to grow along with it.  He said he was somewhat disappointed to learn that the Tiny and Tay Society had abandoned the idea of setting up new, larger grounds at the end of Dominion Ave., west of town. “You are greatly handicapped by the limited area of the present site and will have to acquire a larger area sooner or later if you are going to carry on,” said Midland’s mayor. “With a little work and a little faith, we can have an even better fair.”  Mr. Gardiner explained that the property the board had purchased west of Midland had proved too rough and stony. It had been sold because it would have proven too costly to develop, Mr. Gardiner explained. 

The annual meeting of Tiny and Tay Agricultural Society, held in the Oddfellows’ Temple, Midland, Saturday night, drew a good turnout. Seen above are, left to right, Ellsworth Collins, re-elected president for 1960, and three past presidents, Victor Beatty, Arthur Gardiner and Ralph Dalton, now clerk-treasurer for Tay Township. All departments of the Society reported a good year in 1959. 

Wintertime is still a wonderful time for Canadian youngsters, despite what their disgruntled elders might say about the subject. Having a “whale of a time” in the snow at Midland Ski Club are, top to bottom, Nancy Gayle, Sharon Elizabeth and Wendy Louise Biggar, energetic daughters of Mrs. Don Simpson (nee Barb West), Midland. Mr. Biggar was killed in an RCAF flying accident before his youngest daughter Nancy Gayle was born.

Free Press August 18, 1954, Front PageCounty Herald, August 27, 1954, Front Page. 

Residents of the Midland and Penetang area will get a chance to bolster Canadian Red Cross blood supplies by attending blood donor clinics to be held in the Knights of Columbus Hall on Feb. 9 and at the Midland municipal building, Feb. 10.  Mrs. Venard LeCamp, the laboratory assistant at St. Andrews Hospital, carries out some blood typing operations. The clinic hopes to attract 600 donors. 

“Ernie Mink shows Bernie Willette the new EUREKA vacuum cleaner just arrived at H. J. Thompson and Sons Ltd. Of new design this cleaner has all the features of higher-priced machines — here are the main advantages.”

This copy and photo were used in an advertisement for H. J. Thompson and Sons Ltd, furniture and appliances.

(Ernie, seen on the left, had been a sales representative for the distributor of Eureka cleaners when he lived in Kitchener, his calls in the Georgian Bay area and his association with H. J. Thompsons and Sons Ltd. encouraged him in 1959 to move here and continue his sales career with Thompsons. Ernie died last August but his company, Mink Insurance, under the guidance of son David, continues to flourish in Midland.) 

Editorial page photo entitled “Winter at Macey’s Bay”. 

Patients at Midland’s St. Andrews Hospital might have a hard time recognizing these gals, all set for an old-fashioned sleigh ride and quite apparently enjoying the experience. In more sedate moments, they are all nurses at St. Andrews, where they assume more formal garb. Sleigh ride, held Thursday night, was made possible by the generosity of a former patient at the hospital. 

Work has resumed on Midland’s portion of the winter works program, sponsored jointly by municipal, provincial and federal authorities. Men above are installing a new cement curb on Ruby Street, despite wintry conditions. [Note the “Copeland & Strong plumbing, sheet metal, appliances” sign and the large display windows. The building later became Strong,s corner grocery store, then part of Armstrong ‘s Dairy stores.] 

Making model aeroplanes is still an exciting hobby for many boys, even with the advent of the rocket age. Displaying their DeHavilland Beaver at the hobby show held in Midland YMCA last week are left to right, Mervin English, Edo Wensveen, Tom Atkinson and Horst Jatzek, leader of the model aeroplane club. 

George LeMesurier asks, “How much am I offered?” as he held a stamp auction in connection with the hobby show at Midland YMCA last Friday and Saturday. “Clerk of the auction” is Peter Berry of Penetang. 

Next week is “White Cane Week” across Canada when residents of North Simcoe can join with other Canadians in helping their less-fortunate friends. At present, there are 56 blind persons under the jurisdiction of the Midland-Penetang District Advisory Committee of the CNIB. One of them is George Paterson, Yonge Street, Midland, seen above, enjoying a session with his “talking book” machine, one of several services provided through the local committee. One of the chief functions of the CNIB and its committees is in the preventative field. 

In one of the most horrifying accidents in this area in some years, Frank Parke, 27, of Long Branch was killed instantly Sunday morning by the whirling propeller of a “scoot” on Penetang Bay. According to police, the scoot was owned jointly by Ken Cote, Midland, and his brother Cliff, of Penetang. The three young men were setting out around 7.45 a.m. to go fishing near the Cote’s cottage, some miles “Up the Shore”, police said. Apparently, they had some difficulty with the scoot sticking to the snow and ice and Mr. Parke had been shoving the vehicle at the rear. When the scoot was some 20O feet offshore, Mr. Parke attempted to jump on the vehicle, it was stated. Either his foot slipped while he was doing so or he was sucked into the whirling blades of the propeller. Both blades of the prop were badly damaged but the craft proceeded another 200 feet out onto the bay before coming to a stop, police said. Dr. Roland Lauzon and Dr. A. D. MacKenzie attended the scene. An accountant, Mr. Parke was married but had no children. Mrs. Parke is a granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Gendron, formerly well-known residents of Penetang. 

Editorial page photo entitled “Spring’s Mill, Wyevale”. Spring’s Mill, later Withall’s Mill on the Wye River at Concession 4, Tiny Township, just east of County Rd. 6. A popular scene for photographers. 

“BUSTER” GIBSON flashes a big smile as he played his accordion for Wishart Campbell, music director for radio station CFRB, Toronto. “Buster” was one of a number of persons who took part in a “talent-hunt” staged by the radio station at the lOOF Temple, Midland, on Saturday. 

Midland electrician Ed Walker is presented with a Gold Medallion Award by Harry Foy, manager of the Electric Service League. The award is presented to owners of homes that have been built and equipped to meet a high standard of electrical excellence.

Representing the Electric Homes Association of Ontario, Ronald K. Pile discusses a feature of the control panel with Mr. & Mrs. Ed Walker. The Walker’s new home is completely electrical including the heating system.  [“Live Better Electrically” was the slogan of the day, now having electric heat is no longer a celebrated option.] 

Her reign now nearly over, Gisele Bezner, 1959 Queen of Hearts, will give up her crown to her successor on Feb. 11 in the Roxy Theatre when a new queen will be chosen. Red-haired Gisele who hopes to be here for the pageant, is now in residence at Whitney Hall at University College, Toronto, studying to become a secondary school teacher. Her course is Honor English. The contest is sponsored jointly by businessmen of Midland and Penetang and Roxy Theatre manager, Wilfred LaRose. Contestants for the Queen of Hearts contest are chosen on a popularity basis by students at Midland Penetang District High School. From grades eleven, twelve and thirteen, the girls aspiring for the Queen’s crown were the top ten in number of votes polled. By general agreement, the girls wear a sweater and skirt school outfit on the first elimination night (Thursday) and the following week the five finalists will wear the gown of their choice from a selection of styles by Celebrity Formals. 

 

MIDLAND HOME BUILDING REACHES PEAK IN 1959

   Free Press headline of February 3, 1960. For the second year in a row, the value of building permits issued in Midland exceeded the million-dollar mark in 1959, according to figures released this week by W. F. Turnbull, the building inspector. Included in the $1,472,050 grand total was $659,850 for residential construction, an all-time high in Midland, Mr. Turnbull said. Other figures for last year were $131,000 commercial, $532,700 industrial, and $148,500 government. The latter figure is largely accounted for by the construction of two schools by the Midland Separate Schools Board. June was the best month in 1959, with permits issued having a total of $537,000. September accounted for another quarter million. April had $216,200 and October $172,400. Last year’s total was made more impressive by the fact that no permits at all were listed under the first three months of the year. Helping to swell the total for residential construction were 57 permits, including 25 for September alone. July at 10 and April at 8, were the next best months. Another 36 permits were issued for renovations, etc. Commercial permits included two service stations, a hardware store and a warehouse. The new B. Greening Wire Co. plant accounted for all but $82,700 of the industrial total. By comparison, the total value of permits issued in 1958 was $1,268,760, and in 1957 it was $748,650, just a little better than half the 1959 total.  

PUC TO BARE NEW PLANS FOR NOISY SUB-STATION

    County Herald headline of February 5, 1960. The uproar arising out of the alleged unsightliness and loud hum rising from Midland PUC’s new Scott Street sub-station appears to have been stifled, for a month at least. At a meeting in the commission board room Wednesday night, the PUC agreed to have a design prepared setting out any future alterations and the final appearance of the sub-station. Copies of the design will be sent to Midland council and to Walter Kluck, representing a number of homeowners adjacent to the new station who have protested both the appearance and the hum.  

BIRTHS – ADAMSON — To Mr. and Mrs. Clare Adamson, Victoria Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Friday, January 29, 1960, a son.” BRANDON—To Mr. and Mrs. James Brandon, 261 Midland Ave., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, January 27, 1960, a son. DWINNELL — To Mr. and Mrs. Raymond DwinnelI, 289 Queen St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, January 26, 1960, a son. ESPEY — To Mr. and Mrs. Espey, Sunnyside, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, January 27, 1960, a daughter. GAGNON — To Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Gagnon, 382 Russell St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Friday, January 29, 1960, a son. IRVINE — To Mr. and Mrs. Earl Irvine, 326 Midland Ave., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, January 27, 1960, a son. ZARAWSKI — To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Zarawski, Victoria Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Monday, February 1, I960, a son. WILSON — To Mr. and Mrs. Paul Wilson, Perkinsfield, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Monday, January 25, 1960, a son. 

TEN YEARS AGO THIS WEEK – Continuing mild weather led to cancellation for the year of the annual winter carnival at Penetanguishene. Outstanding among the expected events were “scoot” races. It was feared ice would be unsafe for contestants and spectators. * * * A middle-aged Honey Harbour guide was seriously burned attempting to light a fire in the kitchen stove with kerosene. Flames shot out of the stove and entered the can, which exploded in his hand. * * * It was reported that losses encountered on the care of indigent patients had caused a deficit in St. Andrews Hospital finances. The deficit was about $5,000. * * * A speaker before the Ontario Municipal Board said, in part: “The town of Midland is a compact, homogeneous and progressive municipality. It has dynamic industrialism. It shows commercial enterprise and growth.” * * * Two Midland curling club rinks had visited the international bonspiel in Quebec City the previous week. One was composed of “Smoky” Wood, Ange Hartman, Karl Bertrand and Ernie Nicholson, skip; the other, Vern Johnston, Tom McCullough, Cy Ney, and Ab Hartman, skip. The two rinks came into competition and the Hartman rink won. “A good time was had by all.” * * * Al Perkins, manager of the Roxy Theatre, won a special showman award for ingenious promotion of the film “Father Was a Fullback.” To this end, he had enlisted the combined support of high school football [One of the few times we have composition errors in the paper, the balance of this item and the beginning of the next were missing] Harbour was selected as “Campus Queen.” * * * People were still talking about “the new look” in styles and hair-dos.

    Back in the Hills of Penetang – Operating a still without a licence cost two district men a $300 fine each, or three months in jail, when they appeared before Magistrate K. A. Cameron in Penetang police court Thursday. Forced to take the alternative to the fines were a 37-year-old North West Basin man and a 32-year-old man from Perkinsfield. Neither was represented by counsel. A. A. Ingram, Midland barrister, prosecuted the charges for the Crown. RCMP Const. W. H. Cascagnette of Orillia detachment said he and Cpl. J. Lougheed came upon the two accused in a bush lot near Cook’s Lake, north of Penetang, Dec. 31. The two men were carrying three vinegar jugs containing what later proved to be spirits. Tested in Ottawa, the contents of the jugs proved to be 94.4 per cent proof spirits, containing 53.9 per cent by volume of ethyl alcohol. Investigating further, the RCMP constable said they found a home-made, commercial type still in an old wooden shack. Also in the shack were several wooden barrels containing about 115 gallons of mash which tested out at 19.7 per cent proof spirits. Displayed in court, the “still” proved to be a portion of an old copper washtub, some copper tubing and a small oil drum.

   Winter seemed a little less bleak Sunday for two Perkinsfield residents. As they sat in their home and looked out the window at the deep snow in the fields, a robin suddenly flew up and perched on the limb of a tree outside the window. The first robin spotted in Midland was seen by Garfield Steer, 108 Quebec Street, perched in a russet apple tree behind his home on Wednesday morning. 

    Ownership of one of Midland’s oldest industries has changed hands. Announcement of the purchase of the Midland Boat Works, said to have been founded in the 1880’s, was made yesterday by John MacRae and Ken Thistle, two young businessmen in Toronto. Principal shareholders in the newly reorganized company, Mr. MacRae said the purchase was completed Jan. 25. The purchase price was hot revealed. The new owners stated their present plans call for an expansion of boat storage facilities, the extension of dock facilities to double the length of existing docks with “arms” added to provide extra accommodation. Gas pumps are also to be more conveniently located, they said. Both single men, Mr. MacRae is 30 and Mr. Thistle is 31. The parents of the two men own cottages at Wymbolwood and Balm Beaches, respectively, and have summered in this area for many years. Mr. MacRae has stored his 20-foot cruiser at Midland Boat Works for the past three years. Other members of the board of directors of the newly reorganized company, which will retain the name of Midland Boat Works, are Tom McCullough of Midland, J. B. Kennedy of Toronto and Balm Beach and Richard Perry, Toronto solicitor. Superintendent of the boat works since 1912, Len Cowdrey will remain in that capacity with the new company. Founded in the early 1880s by “Pop” Smith, a canoe builder, the boat works was later purchased by John Hacker. Mr. Hacker sold his interests to Capt. John G. Gidley and the firm became known as J. G. Gidley and Son. Shortly after World War I, Mr. Gidley sold the business to Ganton Dobson. In 1922, the Honey Harbour Navigation Company, headed by N. K. Wagg, bought the small pleasure craft division of the boat works from Mr. Dobson. In 1941 the same firm bought the remaining Dobson interests known as the Georgian Bay Shipbuilding and Wrecking Company. In 1945, Midland Boat Works became the official name of the firm. During World War 11, the plant produced seven Fairmiles and two minesweepers in addition to other smaller naval craft and army pontoons. Since the war it has built small pleasure craft and in 1957 completed a 96-foot coastal patrol boat for the Royal Canadian Navy. 

    Port McNicoll — The Annual Mariners Service was held in Bonar Presbyterian Church, Sunday evening, with a capacity crowd in attendance. The church was decorated with flags and various other items of marine equipment, including a bell, ship’s wheel, starboard and portside lights, a miniature lighthouse and model ships. The service began with the sounding of the ship’s bell and the hoisting of the colours by Wayne Garrett and Jim Zummach. Rev. C. H. Carter welcomed the congregation. He especially mentioned those from a distance. The Scripture lesson from St. John, Chapter 3, was read by Capt. Fred Harpell of Midland. The guest preacher was Rev. Cameron Orr, of the Welland Canal Sailors’ Mission. The theme of his sermon was “Life”. The music was under the direction of Mrs. J. D. McPhee. Special guests were the Midland Quartet — G. Ingram, R. Bell, W. Steer and P. Smith. They sang “The Solid Rock” and “The Harbour Lights”. The choir’s anthem was “If With All Your Hearts”, by Mendelssohn. The service was closed with the singing of the National Anthem and the lowering of the colours. An hour of fellowship followed the service with refreshments served by the ladies of the church. The ushers were Capt. A. McCullagh, and Engineers C. Ward, C. Rother and A. Mateff.

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 enlarge“Bull in a china shop” might be a good title for this picture, taken at the hobby show held at the Midland YMCA last week. Here Mary Lou Graham, director of a girls’ craft class at the ‘Y’, admires the collection of cattle gathered by Gene Crawford. 

Hobbies run in the family for Mrs. George Smallwood, Eighth Street, Midland, and her granddaughter, Jane Sheriff, 10, who lives on the same street. Here they compare some of their prized items at the “Hobby Show” held in Midland YMCA last week. Mrs. Smallwood collects china shoes and little Jane goes in for birds. 

If Midland’s George S. Dudley seems to be staring out into space these days, blame it on the miniature “sputnik” which decorates his desk. Presented to him by the touring Moscow Selects hockey team, it’s a replica of the famous space pioneer sent into orbit by the Russians. It even has a music box in the base, which plays Moscow radio’s theme music and also emits the famed three “beeps” by which scientists traced sputnik’s progress through outer space. 

Chosen from among the many competitors who took part in the “talent hunt” conducted by radio station CFRB in Midland recently were Bob Stanway of Midland, left, and Vola Leroux of Penetang. Seen with Wishart Campbell, the station’s music director, they’ll be heard over the Toronto station Feb. 5. 

 

PENETANG COUNCIL HEARS ARENA FINANCIAL STATUS; Free Press Herald headline of January 27, 1960. Reporting to Penetang town council, Monday night, councillor Clarence Sinclair, newly appointed chair of the Penetang Community Centre Board of Governors gave a rundown on the financial situation as he sees it to date. Mr. Sinclair said that although the rink is faced at present with a debt of $10,000 in one note plus a number of current accounts amounting to less  than $2,000, he felt there was no reason why it shouldn’t eventually stand on its own feet. 

NEW TELEPHONE SERVICE WILL BEGIN THIS JUNE; County Herald headline of January 29, 1960. Postponed because of a delay in building construction, toll-free calling between Midland telephones and those in Penetanguishene will be introduced this June. It had previously been announced that the new plan would start earlier this year. This was revealed by H. A. Kilroy, Midland Bell Telephone manager when he said this week that construction of the extensions to the dial exchange building in Midland and in Penetanguishene is now progressing on schedule. 

     Meeting Monday night, Midland council accepted the tender of Bourgeois Motors Ltd. for rental of a police cruiser at $145 per month. The only firm submitting a tender, the Midland firm will supply a four-door vehicle at the above rental, starting Feb. 1. At an earlier meeting this month, council had decided to try the rental proposition for the remainder of this year, at least. A number of other communities in the area are also using the rental plan, it was noted. 

    “We must make parents understand that pupils must get their required percentage or they will have to repeat,” Midland-Penetang District High School principal R. C. Gauthier told 1,000 parents at the high school’s annual parents’ night last Wednesday, “I think it is to their (the parents) advantage to get the accurate picture,” continued the principal, suggesting that the parent should accept such a disappointment as it was better for the student in the long run. Mr. Gauthier in telling of his proposal for promotion, which was the result of a four-year survey of students’ marks, noted that his recommendations had yet to be discussed with the high school Inspector and the MPDHS board. For promotion from Grade 9 to Grade 10, the principal proposes that a student with, an average per cent of 66 and not less than 60 per cent in any one subject, would be promoted to Grade 10 and permitted to take five options in Grade 10 as is presently the case. The student, with an average of 60 per cent and not less than 50 in any one subject, would be permitted to take four options and thus have more time and more, help for each subject. 

    Penetang town council took no action Monday night on a brief submitted by all members of the police force with the exception of Chief Jack Arbour. The submission was shelved for a special meeting to be called later when it will be placed on the agenda. The three constables and one sergeant are asking for an increase in salary of $300 per year. In addition, they are asking for a 40 hour week, which, according to Chairman Alf Cage, would necessitate hiring an extra constable. Another requirement is one and one-half days per month sick leave, accumulative to a total of 180 days. On termination of employment, after five years, they ask full pay for accumulated sick leave up to the maximum, and payment to the widow should an officer die. 

   BIRTHS – BARRON — To Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Barron, Port Severn, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Tuesday, January 26, 1960, a son. DONALDSON — To Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Donaldson, 120 John St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Monday, January 25, 1960, a daughter. GRAY — To Mr. and Mrs. Melville Gray, 311 Russell St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Friday, January 22, I960, a daughter. HENDERSON — To Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Henderson, 133 Hugel Ave., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Saturday, January 23, 1960, a daughter. NICHOLSON — to Mr. and Mrs. Nevin Nicholson, Port Severn, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Monday, January 25, 1960, a daughter. THOMPSON — To Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson, Port McNicoll, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Thursday, January 21, 1960, a son. 

    OBITUARIES – MRS. ALDEN N. FRENCH On January 18, the victim of an unexpected stroke, Mrs. Alden N. French died at her home, 315 King St., Midland. She was in her 50th year. Born in Penetanguishene Dec.  18, 1910, the former Irene Beauchamp, married Alden French of Midland. Nov. 7. 1938. After two years’ residence in Bala, they moved to Midland where they had resided ever since. Requiem mass was celebrated at St. Margaret’s Church by Rev. F. Voorwerk, Jan. 20. Pallbearers were Leo Beauchamp, Pat Beauchamp, Alfred Beauchamp, J. E. Ayres, Murray McEachnie and M. Gignac. Mrs. French is survived by her husband, Alden N. French, one daughter, Betty; five sons, Neil, Bobby, Douglas, Billy and John; her mother, Mrs. Julien Beauchamp of Toronto; three sisters, Mrs. Hugh Melville (Jenny), California; Mrs. Don Jaeger (Theresa) California; Mrs. M. Gignac (Marie) Penetanguishene; four brothers, Leo and Alfred, Toronto, Pat, Windsor, and Ernest, Hamilton.  – ALMA ALFRETTA GANTON A lifelong resident of Medonte Township, Miss Alma Alfretta Ganton died at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Dec. 14. She was in her 79th year and death resulted from a stroke. Funeral service was conducted at the Bishop Lynn funeral home, Elmvale, by Rev. Robert Dingwall, Dec. 16. Pallbearers were Jack Rumble, Joseph Lea, Cliff Porter, George McFadden, William Douglas and James Barr.  Miss Ganton was born in Medonte Dec. 14, 1881, and attended Hillsdale public school. A member of the United Church of Canada, she was a past president of the local Woman’s Association. She is survived by a sister, Violet, and a brother, Fisher Ganton, former warden of Simcoe County. 

     A group of local sportsmen Sunday night sat in on what was only the second screening of King Whyte’s new film “Weekend in the Woods”, featuring a Midland father and his three sons. Taken at the well known Toronto TV commentator’s Shoe-Fly Lodge in Northern Ontario, the film tells the story of Pete Pettersen and his sons, Bjorn, Jon and Bruce, on a typical weekend on the crystal-clear Shoe-Fly Lake. Both the scenery, and the huge speckled trout netted by the youngsters, their dad and their host were mouthwatering to the snow-bound anglers who watched the film in the Georgian Hotel. Even tiny Bruce was pulling in four-pounders or better. Mr. Whyte said the record for this particular lake is 7 3/4 pounds. 

    25 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK – After ten years in business in Midland, the partnership of Roebuck and Sharp was dissolved. T. Sharp retired and J. B. Roebuck continued in the furniture, linoleum and tent-making business. * * * Midland’s civic elections returned S. W. McKinley as mayor, Wm. Hartman as Reeve and Oliver Smith, deputy-reeve. Returned as aldermen were: Ward 1, Wm. Offord and Stan Sturgeon; Ward 2, Wm. Wilford and Harry Wright; Ward 3, Alfred Argue and D. L. White, Jr.; and Ward 4, R. D. Preston and James Trew. * * * The steamer Waubic which operated along the eastern shore of Georgian Bay between Penetang and Parry Sound was offered for sale by its owners the Rockfort Navigation Co. of Kingston. * * * Installation of officers was conducted for the newly formed branch of the Canadian Legion at Coldwater. T. Langdon was the charter president. * * * Elmvale Clerk T. E. Smith was instructed by council to write the Department of Highways requesting that no snow ploughing or sanding be done on a reasonable portion of Highway 26 so that sleigh hauling on this road may not be interfered with. * * * Mystery surrounded the sinking of the Patterson Line freighter, Mantadoc, which, filled with water arid sank at the Aberdeen Elevator dock. She held a storage cargo of 230,000 bushels of grain. * * * Announcement was made that Midland and Owen Sound would be points of call for the new 276-passenger steamer “Cape Eternity” operating between Windsor and Sault Ste. Marie.  

     Ten of the 400 boats to be exhibited by 130 manufacturers at the Canadian Boat Show, Toronto, Feb. 5 to 13, will be from Penetang, the product of Grew Boats Ltd. This announcement was made yesterday by Andy Morrison, general manager of the Penetang plant. Grews will be showing in competition with exhibitors from coast to coast of Canada, from various parts of the United States and even from as far distant as England. The Grew exhibit, which is being arranged around a black and white theme of decoration, will include both inboard cruisers and runabouts as well as outboard models. With models ranging from a $500, 14-foot outboard to a $32,000 31-foot cruiser, the Penetang firm, will be showing a retail value of $112,000 in watercraft. They include three cruisers two of 31-feet and one 26-foot. Three other inboards will be of 23, 21 and 18-foot lengths in the runabout class. The outboard models will be two 14-footers and one each of 16 and 18 feet. With exception of the 23-footer which is a solid mahogany smooth skin, the boats are all of lapstrake construction. The 31-foot cruisers are the last word in luxurious boating, with all the comforts of home included in the construction. First Impression is one of roominess. Even a tall man can walk around comfortably in the six-foot two-inch headroom. Wall-to-wall broadloom and lovely drapes add a homey touch to the beautifully finished interiors. Accommodation is provided for six persons in the sleeping quarters, with daytime seating accommodation converting into night-time beds. A full galley is provided for the cooking duties, and at the extreme forward end, there is a bathroom that would do credit to any small home.  

     Wise & Otherwise – Editorial – For the life of us, we can’t understand why $42,000 of public funds had to be spent on a television program before CBC officials suddenly realized the drama would not be suitable for public reception. This type of irresponsibility on the part of allegedly responsible individuals would not be tolerated in a privately-owned system. It should be no more condoned in a publicly-owned corporation.

    In wartime, the slogan was “Join the navy and see the world.” The same effect can be obtained, in peacetime, following George S. Dudley around for the next few weeks. “Mr. Hockey” as he is known wherever the game is played, begins a busy schedule today when accompanied by Mrs. Dudley, he flies to Calgary as the guest of TCA. There he will take in the game between the Moscow Selects and a Calgary club. On Sunday the scene shifts to Winnipeg for another game in the cross-country tour of the Russian team. Following this Mr. Dudley will have just about time to stop off at his Midland home for a clean shirt before hopping a plane again for New York. There he will help set up the schedule for the hockey portion of the winter Olympic Games at Squaw Valley, Cal. He’ll be in Squaw Valley himself, starting Feb. 10, where he will be in charge of the hockey program. There his dual roles in the hockey world may cause him some embarrassment. As secretary-manager of the CAHA, and a good Canadian, he will want to cheer the Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchies along the way as they attempt to regain the Olympic title from Russia. This, however, may not win the favor of his cohorts in the International Ice Hockey Federation, of which he is also an executive member.  

    The rumour mill is talking about the end of one of Midland’s original and important businesses. Benson & Bray, Midland Wood Products, Midland Planing Mills Limited, Midland Buildall, Timber Mart, many names through 117 years of operation. We actually find the name of Benson & Bray, contractors and builders as far back as 1903. A book could be written.

  Below are some photos from the museum archives of those years.

Right click to enlarge the print