Click on Photos to EnlargeMany of North Simcoe residents, who are tired of wielding snow shovels during the constant snow storms, will envy Pat Dutton as he clears snow from around the tracks with a miniature snow blower in the CPR yards at Port McNicoll. The machine is of special value as the deep snow is now hard-packed by recent . . .(Caption damaged) 

There will be elections in Victoria Harbour Monday for both council and school board. Several of the candidates are seen on nomination night as they watch Reeve Ernie Cadeau sign qualification papers. He was returned by acclamation. Left to right, standing, are Isadore Bressette and Theodore Bernard, who will seek election as councillors; Wilfred Savage, Charles Gillan and Cecil Walker, members of the 1958 council who will seek re-election and Lorne Bell, who will try for another term on the school board. Seated is village clerk Jack Westwood. 

Ending the year with a surplus of more than $4,000.00 the board of Victoria Harbour Public School will be able to open a new room and provide for the costs of an additional teacher starting January 5th without being forced to ask ratepayers for more funds. The financial position of the board was revealed by Lorne Ball as he addressed a ratepayers meeting Monday night. Receipts for the period Jan. 1 – Dec. 24, 1958 were given as $13,771.00 with expenditures for the same period amounting to $9,549.00. 

While it may not rival Maple Leaf Gardens, this open-air rink is a welcome sight as far as the children of Victoria Harbour are concerned. Above, flooding goes merrily on while Jim LaChapelle and Doug Brodeur engage in a bit of “shinny” in the foreground. Operation of the rink is in charge of a committee headed by Councillor Cecil Walker. 

“Working on the railroad” is not an easy task for the section men at any time, and it’s even less so in winter. Frank Taylor got himself well bundled up before going out to clear switches in Monday’s sub-zero temperatures. 

Midland postman Walter Scott felt a lot warmer when the thermometer on Jory’s Drug store read only 10 below around 10 a.m. Monday morning. It had been 26 below when Mr. Scott first poked his nose out the door at 6:30 a.m. that morning. It was one of the coldest mornings of the year in this area. 

This has been a wonderful holiday season for the children, with plenty of snow and ice to try out Christmas toboggans, sleds, skis and skates. This small hill in Victoria Harbour provided lots of fun for Joanne LaChapelle and her flying saucer as her young companions await their turn above. 

Winter fleet at Port McNicoll includes the three CSL freighters Nipigon Bay, Coverdale, and Hochelaga. It is the first time the Nipigon Bay, a converted oil tanker seen in the foreground, has docked in either of the Bay Ports.

 

 

• The County Herald headline of Friday, January 2, 1959; Open Main, Drains Tank, “Drought” Hits Village. Citizens of Waubaushene got a shock Wednesday morning when they turned on their water taps. There was no water, and the pipes in the homes remained that way until about 8:30 a.m. The main cause of the “drought” was said to have been a hydrant which had been left open during the night after a group of citizens had been preparing a cushion of ice for the village’s community rink.
• Free Press Herald headline of Wednesday, January 7, 1959; Damage Tops $3,000 in ‘Crack-up’ in Midland. Four persons were injured Saturday evening and property damage was estimated at $3,300 in one of the most severe two-car collisions on Midland streets in several years. Still in St. Andrews Hospital are Miss Violet and Miss Gladys Edwards, well-known Midland sisters who reside on Elizabeth Street. Violet Edwards suffered a broken collarbone and several fractured ribs. Her sister received broken ribs. The driver of the car in which the sisters were riding was Captain Dalton Hudson, Midland Ave. He suffered injuries to his ribs and back. His wife, also a passenger in the car escaped injury. The driver of the other vehicle involved, Clarence Hall, 27, of Quebec Street, received rib and leg injuries. A transport driver, he was travelling alone in his car at the time.
• “Perhaps it will serve as a lesson for other children,” said Mrs. Lloyd Delaney referring to the sleigh ride accident of her I5-year-old son John. He was sleigh riding on Easy Street, Midland, Friday when he crossed First Street and was struck by a northbound vehicle driven by Ken Cruise of William Street. The will be no charges laid according to Sgt. Ernie Bates who investigated the accident at 11:40 a.m. “He will be in a splint for six weeks and a cast for six weeks,” said Mrs. Delaney. She said her son had broken his right leg between the hip and the knee. Noting that he had come all the way from Fourth Street on his sleigh, Mrs. Delaney said: “We are lucky that it wasn’t any worse”.
• Births  BATES— To Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bates, 124 Donalda St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Sunday, Dec. 28, 1958, a son. * * * HAMELIN — To Mr. and Mrs. Alcime Hamelin, Perkinsfield; at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 1958, a daughter.  * * * IRONSIDES — To Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Ironsides, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 1958, a daughter. * * * KING —To Mr. and Mrs. Abraham King, Christian Island, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 1958, a son.  * * *  LATOUR —To Mr. and Mrs. Madore Latour, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 1958, a daughter.  * * *             PIITZ — To Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Piitz, 110 Donalda St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Saturday, Dec. 27, 1958, a daughter.  * * * PILON — To Mr. and Mrs. Percy Pilon, Victoria Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Monday, Dec. 29, 1958, twin sons (one died later). * * *        REYNOLDS — To Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Reynolds Wyevale, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Saturday, Dec. 27, 1958, a daughter.  * * *        THOMPSON — To Mr. and Mrs. Garnet Thompson, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Thursday, Dec. 25, 1958, a daughter. * * *                             TOBEY — To Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Tobey, Honey Harbour at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 1958 a son. * * *                VENT — To Mr. and Mrs. George Vent, Victoria Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 1958, a son.

• Obituaries- SAMUEL DUNCLIFFE – Following an illness of three months, Samuel Duncliffe, formerly of 59 Virginia Ave., Toronto, died in Scarborough General Hospital Tuesday, Dec. 23. He was in his 65th year. Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John George Duncliffe of Waubaushene, he was born in Waubaushene Nov. 1, 1894, where he lived for 27 years. For the past 37 years, he had lived in Toronto. In September 1923, he was married to Ada E. Parkin and they resided in Toronto. He was an employee of the Sheppard and Gill Lumber Company for 37 years. Besides his widow, he is survived by one son, Robert James of Cooksville; four sisters, Evelyn Duncliffe of Waubaushene, Mrs. Melville Boyter (Nellie) of Little Current, Mrs. W. Max Parsons (Edith) of Little Current, Mrs. Carl Winch (Lillian) of Agincourt, and two brothers, George of Toronto and Ross of Fesserton. Two brothers, Walter and William, and one sister, Annie, predeceased him. * * * FREDERIC W. LAROCQUE Following a lengthy illness, Frederic William Larocque died in Sarnia Dec. 20. A resident of Midland for nearly 40 years, Mr. Larocque was born in Cumberland, Ont., in 1898 and served in both world wars with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. He was a member of the Midland branch of the Canadian Legion. He married the former Fannie Trewin Jan. 25, 1920, at Midland. Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. A. Garrett (Irene), Port McNicoll, and Mrs. J. Jordon (Helen), Wyevale, and two sons, Pte. W. G. Larocque, St. James, Winnipeg, and Bob Larocque of Fort William. * * * CATHERINE FITZPATRICK In her 91st year, Mrs. Catherine Fitzpatrick died in St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Dec. 18. She was predeceased by her husband in 1941. Two sons, Joseph and Herbert also predeceased her. Born in Ireland, the former Catherine Mahon, she had resided in Midland for the last 45 years. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. James Napier of Penetang and four sons, John of Midland, Basil and Arthur of Gatineau Que., and Austin of Burlington. * * * MRS. RUTH HARE nee Paul. Predeceased by her husband in 1954, Mrs. Ruth Hare died in a Toronto hospital, Dec. 18 in her 63rd year. Born in Midland, Mrs. Hare received her education and was married here. Mrs. Hare is survived by one daughter, Mrs. D. T. McDonald, Toronto; two sisters, Mrs. W. Speare, Lefroy, Ont., and Mrs. W. D. Brownlee of Welland, and two brothers, Mervyn C. Paul, Galt, and J. Edgar Paul of Midland. * * * OCTAVE GREGOIRE A lifelong resident of Midland, Octave Gregoire died at his home, 309 Russell Street, Dec. 24. He was in his 92nd year. His wife, the former Rosann Goneau and a son, William, predeceased Mr. Gregoire. Mr. Gregoire is survived by two daughters, Mae of Midland and Mrs. Raymond Belanger (Norma) of Port McNicoll, and one son, Howard of LongLac. One sister, Mrs. Josephine Dorion of Penetang, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild also survive.
• Citizens of Penetang and district will be paying $13.30 per day for standard ward care at Penetang General Hospital under the new method of charging which became effective Jan. 1^st. The announcement was made this week by Jerome Gignac, chairman of the hospital board. The semi-private rate is $15.30 and the private rate is $18.30 per day.
• Simcoe County now has a city within its confines. The former county town, Barrie, became a full-fledged city Jan. 1, 1959. The occasion was marked by a two-day celebration which commenced New Year’s Day with an unveiling ceremony at the city hall. The special civic holiday Friday, which featured a mile-long procession of public and high school students, Brownies, Guides, Cubs and Scouts, floats, Barrie Citizens Band and civic groups, was climaxed Friday evening when Premier Leslie Frost installed the new city council. Barrie first became a town 104 years ago.
• VASEY NEWS — Yuletide visitors of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Cowden were Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Smith and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Cowden, Mrs. Mary Brand and Gordon, Mrs. Jos. Greenlaw, all of Midland; Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Vasey of Penetang; Carl Vasey of Toronto; D. H. McFarland of S.S. Starbelle, Miss Betty Marcellus of Wyevale; Irene Davis of Toronto; Miss Norma Cowden of Toronto, and Bruce Edwards. Mrs. Bob Russell of Weston visited her niece, Mrs. Martin Strath, during the Christmas holiday. Mr. and Mrs. George McClay of Trenton were holiday guests of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Robinson. Mr. and Mrs. Morley Clement and family of Orillia spent the holiday with the latter’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan Edwards. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Brandon and baby son of Coldwater spent Christmas with Mr. and Mrs. George Robinson. Mr. and Mrs. Milton Train of Elmvale were Yuletide guests of Mr. and Mrs. Carson Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Cowden, Jimmy and Keith spent Sunday with their son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Cowden, Midland. Miss Marjorie Faint of Hornings Mills is visiting her cousin, Miss Pauline Robinson. Miss Norma Cowden and Bruce Edwards called on Mr. and Mrs. Harold Graham, Wyevale, and Mr. and Mrs. Eric Curry of Wyebridge, Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. G. Vasey and family called on the Duckworths of Angus Sunday. Visitors of Mr. and Mrs. Manley Edwards during the holiday were Miss Emmaline Edwards, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Harper and baby son of Toronto, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Johnston and baby daughter of Barrie, Mr. and Mrs. Eric Curry of Wyebridge. The Lloyd McDonalds and family and the Horace Vaseys and family spent Christmas with Mr. and Mrs. Jack McLean at Edgar. Miss Lorna Brown spent the holiday in Toronto.
• Ten Years Ago This Week Seventeen district mariners had enrolled in the marine school classes at Midland. Lectures in navigation were being held in the Midland YMCA and engineering students were being accommodated in the Orange Hall. * * * T. D. Robinson, clerk of Medonte Township for 55 years, had announced he would retire at the year’s end. He was the third clerk of the township, having served since 1893. * * * Midland Ski Club had completed arrangements for the first-weekend ski meet in more than a decade. Work on the new 30-meter jump was completed. * * * Circulation of books at Midland Public Library was up 8,000 in 1948 and set a new high of 52,000, Librarian Dawson Leigh reported. * * * The price of milk in Midland and Penetang had been increased from 17 to 18 cents. * * * Midland council took its first step toward introducing zoning in the town when it approved a draft bylaw restricting the commercial area and the types of businesses that could be located in that area. * * * By of vote of 282 to 193 against beverage rooms and 284 to 184 against a dining licence, Victoria Harbour voters turned down for the second time in eight years an attempt to have liquor outlets in the village. * * *  Guards at the Ontario Hospital for the Criminally Insane at Penetanguishene were to receive additional pay due to the “nature of their work”.
• Judges, viewing Christmas lighting decorations in Penetang Tuesday night had a difficult task selecting the winner from among those entered in the Jaycee sponsored contest. When all votes had been tabulated the home of Nelson Lalonde, Chatham Street, came out on top. Two homes, Bruce Stevens on Main Street, and Phil D’Aoust, Poyntz Street, were tied for the second spot, and the judges decided to split the prize.
• At a meeting in Midland Friday, Alderman Clint Smith was appointed Chairman of the Midland Arena Committee to serve at least until the new council, whose inauguration is slated for Monday, January 12, can make a permanent decision. In an interview with this paper, Alderman Smith said he would do his best to “get the arena situation straightened out by Wednesday of this week.”  Ex-mayor Charles Parker, who has acted as manager of the arena without pay for the four years the arena committee has been in existence, turned over the keys to the building Saturday night. Meeting as the arena committee Friday, the several members of council concerned approved a motion appointing Mervin Parker as manager/engineer at a salary of $100 per week. At the same time, they approved the hiring of Gordon Dyment as a general handyman at S50 per week to relieve Mr. Parker of some of his other duties. A policeman for the parks commission last summer, part of Mr. Dyment’s duties will be to police the arena.
• Residents of the area are beginning to wonder whether the thermometers have been telling lies about the subzero temperatures. Robins were seen in Penetang at Christmas and Monday of this week, Chas Beatty of Highland Point, spotted a pair of crows flying along the shore. Mr. Beatty said the crows appeared quite active, and when last seen were headed in the direction of the Penetang garbage dump.
• Ken Ellis of Midland, public school inspector for Simcoe No. 1 Inspectorate, received word this week that he had passed examinations for his master of education degree. The degree will be conferred in May at the Ontario College of Education convocation at the University of Toronto.

Due to the holidays, we have combined the last two weeks of 1958 into one edition of our Huronia Museum – Looking Back feature.

Click on Photos to Enlarge Preparing for their Christmas pageant has been a lot of work but at the same time a lot of fun, for the First Midland Brownie pack. Seen during a practice session at St. Mark’s parish hall are, left to right, back row, Cathy Harrison, Margaret Hood, Lois Belsey; front, Margaret Shill, Elizabeth Taylor, Ruth Barber, Jay Ellis, Beverley Hanna, Carol Nalysnyk, Ruth Anne Battrick, Debbie Lawlor, Aura Finch. 

At this time of year, children in many lands will be enacting the old and loved Christmas story. The First Midland Brownie pack is one of these groups. They staged their play at St. Mark’s parish hall Saturday and will do so again Friday night. Taking part are, left to right, back row: Jan Worrell, Debbie Bertrand, Joyce Ferris, Carol Banting, Cynthia Lamorandiere, Anne Delaney, Beverley Lamorandiere; front, Barbara Lloyd (Joseph) and Sandra Nesbitt (Mary). 

 A miniature streetcar and the traditional reindeer and sleigh provided part of the transportation at Elmvale’s Santa Claus parade Saturday. In this picture, Chief Horace Elwell gives a few tips to the youthful driver of the “streetcar”. Santa in the lower photo, of course, needed no tips on how to drive reindeer.

Rather an odd pairing, these two “characters” provided fun for the spectators along the route of the Santa Claus parade in Elmvale Saturday. There were a number of other animal characterizations to enliven the parade. 

Saturday’s snowstorm subsided just long enough to permit reasonably good conditions for Elmvale’s Santa Claus parade. An hour earlier or later, and nobody would have been able to see the Three Little Pigs playing hide and seek with the Big Bad Wolf. 

Be it the Grey Cup or a Santa Claus parade, no event is complete without its scantily-clad majorettes. Snow and cold winds didn’t seem to dampen the enthusiasm of these young girls from Oakwood Beach (Wasaga) as they marched in front of Elmvale’s Santa Claus parade Saturday. 

Well known in Midland, where he received his early education Capt. John Wesley Scarrow of Hamilton, left, ended a 46-year sailing career when the Sir James Dunn docked at Tiffin elevator, Midland, Friday. On hand to wish him well in retirement was J. A. Hill, Tiffin superintendent. 

Now studying at MPDHS, these three girls received scholarships for their work in Grade 8 at Port McNicoll public school during a ceremony in Port McNicoll Friday night. Left to right are, Marlene Loney, Mary Kovolak and Helen Elliott. Making the presentations are board members Bruce Duncan (chairman), left, and Raymond Belanger. 

Port Legion President Russell Coughlin (who is also a member of the school board) presents prizes to these Grade 6 and 7 pupils. Left to right are Brenda Latondress, Annabelle Todd, Joky Van Pypen, Heather Hartford Judy Coughlin, Mr. Goughlin, and Francis Kelly, the lone boy among the nine winners. The presentations to top pupils were made Friday night. 

There’s nothing much colder than the top decks of the big bulk freighters at this time of the year; as numbed fingers fumble with icy ropes in the annual tie-up. Men in the foreground are placing a tarpaulin over a lifeboat on the Sir James Dunn. Other workmen in the background are performing a similar operation on the funnel of the Thunder Bay.  Both CSL ships will winter at Tiffin elevator, Midland. 

Battening down the big bulk freighters for the winter season was a tough, cold job last week in strong winds and near-zero temperatures. Covering over one of the lifeboats are M. J. Montgomery of Nova Scotia, left, and Walter Lacroix, Midland. On top of the lifeboat is Dave Dunning, also of Midland. 

One of the best places to find lots of snow in the Midland area is on “The Mountain”, along the county road to Balm Beach. Snow banks already tower high over the top of the car seen in the picture above. 

The thousands of letters and postcards seen in the picture above long since have reached the homes of Midland residents. Only a small part of Wednesday’s incoming mail, the letters are being sorted into carriers boxes by Fred Grigg, Roy Mitchell and Chuck R. Stelter, left to right. Many additional helpers are being employed by Postmaster W. F. Bourrie to assure prompt delivery of Christmas mail and parcels. 

Letter carrier John Hilliard is still able to muster a smile despite the evidence of heavy loads as he readied his carrier’s box in Midland post office Wednesday. By Wednesday night the Midland office had handled more than 165,000 pieces of Christmas mail. 

This giant Santa Claus made of snow has attracted a lot of visitors to 267 Lindsay Street, Midland, during the holidays. It’s the product of Ken McFarland and his younger brother, Albert. The huge figure dwarfs the brothers who made it. 

 Four CSL ships are now safely tied up at the winter berth in Midland for another season. They are the Goderich, Donnacona, Prescott (hidden from view) and the Lemoyne. Last in, the Lemoyne tied up Thursday, Dec. 18 after a four-day battle with the elements. 

Midland Indians wound up a successful baseball season last week when they received new jackets and the OBA intermediate “A” trophy they won on the diamond. Left to right are Reeve W. H. Keller, trying on one of the jackets for size and handing a cheque to John Power; players Larry Greene and Harold Jackson, with the trophy; and Alderman Herb Beauchamp, admiring both the jackets and the trophy. 

There was plenty of entertainment as well as gifts for children at the Shoe Corporation Christmas party in Roxy Theatre Dec. 20. Among the entertainers were John Geere and Marc Gignac, from Penetang’s Fern Shoe plant. 

Saturday, Dec. 20 was a lucky day for 3-year-old Randy Vincent, son of Mr. & Mrs. Dean Vincent. When his name was drawn from the box at the Shoe Corporation Christmas party, Randy won the huge panda bear. The man with the dual armful is William Axten, personnel manager at Fern Shoe, Penetang. 

Winning their certificates for feats on the gym floor, brought big smiles to these young members of Midland YMCA. Girls are Linda Duggan, left, and Barbara Ann Spence, boys are Gerald Jeanotte, Allan Cornell and Ronnie Jeanotte.

One of several hundred youngsters who attended a big family party, held by Shoe Corporation of Canada at Midland’s Roxy Theatre Saturday morning, Little Esther Duguay, 2, seems more interested in the camera than Santa at the moment. Esther is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nestor Duguay, Midland. Party was staged for families of Midland Industries, Midland Footwear, and Fern Shoe employees, Penetang. 

On her way into Roxy Theatre for a big family Christmas party Saturday, Sharon Forget gets a party hat from Miss Sheila Bechard, left, and Mrs. W. Jaeniseh. Sharon is the 4-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Forget, Penetang. 

Helping with the prize list at the Shoe Corporation Christmas party at the Roxy Saturday were the six young ladies seen above. Left to right are, seated, Arlene Vaillancourt and Mrs. Miles Blackhurst (Grace Edgar); standing   Margaret LaGrandeur, Doreen Cascagnette, Joyce Quesnelle, and Betty Anne Mayer. Several hundred youngsters from Midland and Penetang branches of the firm attended the party. 

After some 37 years in business in Midland, George Parr, right, has sold his battery and auto electric business on Bay Street. New owners are Les Cammerer, left, and his son-in-law, Bill Sutton. Mr. Parr will remain with the new firm for some time, he indicated last week. 

Finding a place to dump the thousands of tons of snow dumped on Midland streets during recent storms is almost as much a problem as clearing the streets in the first place. Midland harbour provides a convenient place but even this gets plugged eventually and must be plowed under by the CSL tug Tiffin. 

These four buoys recently came in to spend the winter in Midland, They got a snowy (more than 40 inches this month) and frosty (it was 20 below zero Saturday morning) reception. Before spring they may wish the Canadian government lightship (seen in background) had left them out in Georgian Bay. 

The photo below, although a poor copy taken right from the paper, was added because the family and the girls were so well known in Midland. Again there are many such photos that we do not have the negatives for.

• The Free Press Herald headline from Wednesday, December 17, 1958; Adopt Acceleration Plan in Three Midland Schools. The anticipated introduction of the acceleration program during the balance of this school year will only affect Grade 1’s of the schools this year. Normally a child in Grade 1 would complete three units of work but in the acceleration program the top group of children in Grade 1 (about 20 percent of the class) would com­plete four units of work, the report continues. “In other words” the principals’ report states, “those pupils would advance a unit into Grade 2, thereby completing one and one-thirds years’ course in one year. The following year they would go on with unit five in Grade 2. (This worked well for me until Bill Barnett sat me down at the end of Grade 10 and said, “You had a good time this year, I think you should do Grade 10 again, this time with more school and less fun.” Is that de-acceleration?)
• The County Herald headline of Friday, December 19, 1958; Say ‘58’ Grain Shipments up Four Million Bushels. During the summer prospects looked bleak indeed. There were as many as eight freighters tied up in Midland harbour alone, because of a lack of cargoes. Similar distressing sights were to be seen in every harbour on the Canadian side of the Great Lakes. It was not until well into the fall that business suddenly picked up and sailors were hastily called back to their ships. Unfortunately one of the earliest and most severe winters in several years appears to have ended this state of affairs. As late as Monday, however, several ships were still battling snow storms and thickening ice to reach elevators in Midland and Port McNicoll. As far as can be learned at the moment, this appears to be the winter fleet for the year: At Tiffin – Sir James Dunn and Thunder Bay. At Aberdeen – Algoway. At Port McNicoll – Nipigon Bay, the first time in Georgian Bay, Coverdale, Hochelaga, and the two CPR passenger ships, Keewatin and Assiniboia.  At CSL – Prescott, Goderich, Donnacona, Lemoyne. At Midland-Simcoe – Paterson, Senator of Canada, Quedoc and the barge Portadoc. 
• This is a link to the front page of The Free Press Herald of December 23^rd, 1958. The file was too large to include. (Click on the link to view, use the ‘Back’ button to return to this page.) Pages from Free Press Herald_1958-12-23  
• The Free Press Herald headline of December 31, 1958; Harbour Acclaims Reeve, Seeks Six Council Seats. While the village is still $5,000 “in the red”, the financial picture of Victoria Harbour has improved by $9,000 over last year at this time, according to Reeve Ernest J. Cadeau. Reeve Cadeau made this statement at the annual nominations in the Legion Hall Monday night, where he was accorded an acclamation for his second term as reeve of the village. Also nominated for the reeveship, Mrs. Florence Belcher, a former reeve, and former councillor Theo Bernard, both withdrew from the race. A goodly number of ratepayers attended the meeting, which proved to be much less controversial than has been the case in recent years.
• Clerk Wm. A. Hack informed Midland council Thursday night that E. (Red) McCuaig had paid $5,000 for the town garage and has obtained his deed. (On Yonge St. between Manly and Russell, north side.) 
• Persistence paid off for a Penetang girl when one of her ideas finally stumped the panel of “Front Page Challenge” a CBC-TV program. Monday night Miss Lorette Desroches, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Medard Desroches, suggested as a challenger, Leona Gates, the girl who was on her way to winning the Miss Universe contest last year before it was discovered she was actually a married woman. 
• The volume of mail handled through the Midland post office this Christmas will almost certainly constitute a record year according to W. F. Bourrie, the postmaster. Up until Dec. 17, inclusive, the Midland office had handled 11,000 more letters than for the same period last season. In order to speed up the work, Mr. Bourrie has hired 16 additional employees. Because of the heavy snow and poor weather conditions this year, extra helpers for the letter carriers were hired a day earlier than last year, Mr. Bourrie said. 
• Since Boxing Day, Dec.26, falls on the publication day of the County Herald, only one paper, the Free Press Herald, will be published next week.
• What might have been a serious fire at Dubbin’s Dairy, Dominion Ave., Midland, early Wednesday, was quickly brought under control by Midland fire brigade. Starting near the plant’s boiler, the fire burned a hole in the roof before being brought under control. Firemen were called shortly after 8 a.m. No estimate of the damage is available.
• In the recent death of Elmvale born Lewis L. Crawford, the ranks of Great Lakes mariners lost another old timer of the lakes. Born in Elmvale August 23, 1885, Mr. Crawford had sailed for the greater part of his life, and in July 1945, was made a chief engineer of the Upper Lakes and St. Lawrence Transportation Company’s fleet. He retired Sept. 27 this year.
• “I’ve been on council a long time but this is the first time that I have heard public expressions of tribute at the last regular meeting of the year.” So stated Ward 1 Alderman Clinton Smith at the last regular meeting of Midland council for the year. The statement was prompted by tributes paid to retiring Mayor Charles N. Parker by members of council. The expressions of praise from all members followed on the heels of prepared statement made by the mayor.
• BIRTHS – ARBOUR —To Mr. and Mrs. Jules Arbour, Penetang, at St. Andrews Hospital. Midland, Sunday, Dec. 21, 1958, a son. HENRY  – To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Henry, 142 Dominion Ave., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday. December 16, 1958, a son. MARSDEN—To Mr. and Mrs. Earl Marsden. Christian Island, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland. Thursday, December 18, 1958, a son. McINTAGGART—To Mr. and Mrs. Philip Mclntaggart. 92 Fifth St. Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, December 17, 1958, a son. PRENTICE—To Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Prentice, Port McNicoll, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Wednesday. December 17, 1958, a son.
• Coldwater and area residents quickly responded to a fund appeal for Mr. and Mrs. Walter Laughlin of Coldwater, who lost all their possessions in a fire in their home early Dec. 21. The parents and two of their children, Bobby, 3, and a twin daughter Kerry, one-year-old, escaped from an upstairs window. The other twin girl, Kim, lost her life by suffocation. The family was treated for injuries following the tragic fire, Mr. Laughlin being the most seriously affected. In rescuing members of his family, he suffered serious burns and severe cuts which have kept him in Orillia’s Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital. His wife and children have been provided with temporary accommodation at the home of relatives.
• According to a recent study made by the Canadian Life Insurance Officers Association, the first babies born in 1959 will in all likelihood, live longer. If the first New Year’s babies are boys, they can expect to live until they are 67.6 years of age—an increase in life expectancy of 7.6 years since 1931. If they are girls, they can expect to live until they are 73 years of age, a gain of almost 11 years since 1931, the study shows. (In 2017 those figures were 79 for men and 83 for women. For indigenous Canadians, the numbers are 69 and 73.)
• Basic hourly starting rates at Fern Shoe and Midland Footwear will be increased 8 percent Jan. 5, and employees of all divisions of Midland Industries Limited — Fern, Midland Footwear, and Plastics—will receive two more paid statutory holidays effective with the year beginning May 1, 1959. This announcement was made last week by Jerry Zabransky, executive vice-president of Midland Industries, in a Christmas message to the 365 employees of the shoe factories in Penetang and Midland.
• Motorists in Midland apparently behaved very well over the Christmas holiday weekend, with not a single arrest for drunk or impaired driving, according to Chief Robert Cameron.
• Ten Years Ago This Week – J. B. Roebuck, a veteran Midland merchant, was elected president of Tiny and Tay Agricultural Society. He succeeded Archie McArthur. * * * Forty percent of the eligible voters turned out for Midland’s 1948 civic elections. Elected were reeve, W. H. Taylor; aldermen, Clinton Smith, P. A. McKeown, W. L. Logan, and G. R. Stevens; PUC, Charles Stevenson, and David Hurrle. * * * A few hours after the home of Penetang Legionnaire George Beaudoin was destroyed by fire, Penetang Legion branch swung into action to aid the stricken family. At a special meeting, the Legion decided by unanimous vote to rebuild the Beaudoin home as soon as conditions would permit. * * * Midland Public Utilities Commission, at its final meeting of the year, decided to retire the remaining water debentures, amounting to $14,901 and interest. Electric utility debentures had been paid off for some years. * * * Orillia citizens voted down by a substantial majority a proposal that the town secedes from Simcoe County and become a city. The vote was 1,544 against to 1,053, in favor.
• 25 Years Ago This Week – A cold wave sent thermometers in Midland plunging to 30 below zero. At Alliston, 32 degrees were recorded, at Coldwater and Huntsville, 48 below, at Sudbury, 60 below, and in Toronto 21.2 below. * * * Magistrate Compton Jeffs of Barrie was named the successor to Magistrate Daniel McCaughrin at Orillia. * * * Wheat exports for the week ending Dec. 22, 1933, amounted to 2,347,673 bushels, an increase of 1,382,697 bushels over the preceding week. * * * J. B. Roebuck was re-elected mayor of Midland for his sixth term. He had a 140-vote majority over his opponent. Elected deputy-reeve was Jack Moore. * * * W. Parliament was elected worshipful master of LOL 947, Midland, at the lodge’s annual meeting Dec. 29. About 50 members were in attendance. Deputy master was H. Wiles. * * * A boys’ council, modeled on lines of the town’s municipal council, had been organized at Midland YMCA. The council was to meet every two weeks. * * * To provide winter work for the unemployed, the Ontario government proposed to widen a section of Highway 27 between the Midland cut-off and Penetang, and to straighten and widen a corner near the golf course. * * * As the first nomination meeting in Penetang had been unsuccessful in obtaining a mayor and three of the four aldermanic seats, a second nomination meeting was scheduled for January 15. * * * Midland public and high school teachers had asked the board of education to pay at least part of their back salaries before Christmas. Because of the town’s financial state, the board had been unable to pay teacher’s salaries since October. The board was able to obtain enough funds to pay them for the month of November.

The board of directors, staff and volunteers of Huronia Museum wish everyone a  happy and safe holiday season and all the best in 2019!!

 

Click on Photos to EnlargeMidland’s King Street looked like a picture in a Christmas card after the weekend storm. Yuletide decorations have been erected by Junior Chamber of Commerce members, public works employees and PUC workmen. This view is looking north on King Street, the town’s main business section. (King Street before Percy’s Peaks.) 

He always seems to bring up the rear of the parade but no matter where they put him Santa always gets a warm welcome from the kiddies. Santa’s float in Midland’s annual parade Saturday was provided by the Midland Lions Club. The old chap in the red suit and long white whiskers stopped off at the CNR station long enough to distribute candies to the children. 

Two veteran Midland politicians made successful bids to return to public office in Monday’s elections. Getting the good news in the Free Press Herald office are mayor-elect Charles Stevenson, left, and James Mackie, a former mayor, who was elected alderman for Ward 3. Mr. Stevenson is a former PUC chairman. 

Midland constable Ray Atkinson had good reason to make sure the Free Press Herald’s Jim Lennox, left and Wils Harrison, tallied up the Tay Township returns correctly Monday night. Const. Atkinson was a candidate for the deputy-reeveship of Tay, opposing fellow councillor Lawrence Parker. Listed as a dark horse prior to the election, Constable/Councillor Atkinson emerged the winner by 89 votes. 

Midland Public Works Department was kept busy last week clearing away the snow from the season’s first big storm. They barely finished the job when a second storm hit Friday night and continued on Saturday. Here the snow loader can be seen clearing parking space along Hugel Ave. W. 

Supervised skating periods at the Midland Arena are proving popular with both parents and school children. Wednesday afternoons are set aside for the junior grades and Fridays for the upper classes. Acting as pilot for Debra Williams, left, and his own daughter, Nancy, is Lorne Craig. Teachers also help with the supervision. 

NEW MAYOR — Father of six growing children, RCAF veteran former councillor and chairman of the Penetang General Hospital Board, Jerome Gignac is mayor-elect for the town of Penetanguishene. He also operates a successful clothing business. 

Midland chapter of the Society for the Preservation of Barber Shop Quartet’ Singing came up with the top chorus in the Metro-Northern Area competitions held in Barrie recently. Club president Cecil Crealock is seen receiving the championship trophy from Roy Keys, left, of the Aurora Chapter, in a ceremony held at the club rooms in Midland Wednesday night. Choirs from Owen Sound, Midland, Orillia, Aurora and other district points took part in the event. 

Question is, does this old cannon stand guard over Victoria Harbour, or is it a warlike gesture on the part of Port McNicoll residents? Seen in winter dress, the cannon has been photographed countless times by visitors to Port’s famed CPR gardens. It’s not likely it will ever fire a shot in the direction of Victoria Harbour, seen in the distance beyond Hogg Bay. 

One of the many phases of youth activity at the Midland YMCA, a newly-formed radio club. Some of the young members are seen above during a demonstration at Harwood Gosselin’s home on HugeI Ave. Left to right, standing, are Mel Moreau, club director, Paul Howard, Jock Ambrose and Ron Gosselin. Seated are Ken Langley and Mr. Gosselin, club assistant. 

Youngest men in the Midland political scene are Jack Thompson (left), and Thomas “Tim” Nesbitt, two of the successful candidates for seats on the public schools’ board Monday. Mr. Thompson is a member of the present board and Mr. Nesbitt was a member of the board several years ago. 

In “the good old days”, before the advent of the motor car, Midland children could go sleigh riding or tobogganing down almost any street. Now, of course, such fun is highly dangerous. The view above is an everyday one for residents of Montreal Street, who can look east across the new Pillsbury plant and the CNR yards and up Gloucester Street. On a good clear day, the southeastern shore of Georgian Bay is clearly visible many miles away. (The distortion in the photo is due to deterioration of the negative.) 

Forty years of service to the Canadian Pacific Railway’s steamship division came to an end this week with the retirement of John H. Bridges, supervisor of traction equipment at Port McNicoll. Mr. Bridges, a resident of Midland since 1923, was honoured by his fellow employees in ceremonies held in the CPR sheds at Port McNicoll Tuesday. The same evening, a number of members of Midland Y’s Men’s Club gathered at Mr. Bridges’ Colborne Street home to wish him well in his retirement. He has been a Y’s man for many years. Mrs. Bridges (Edna) stands beside him with the bouquet. John was also the go-to person at the Y’s Mens Indian Village now part of Huronia Museum. He was their person on the site for many years living only yards away on Colborne Street.

As the sign indicates, the dozen or so cats around the CPR sheds at Port McNicoll will miss Mr. Bridges about as much as the many friends he made there in 40 years service with the company. Mr. Bridges, who retired this week, is seen with his wife Edna and S. F. Malin, superintendent of the steamship division. 

Gentlemen in the picture above can look back on jobs well done as far as the CPR is concerned. All now retired, their total service in the various branches of the CPR at Port McNicoll totalled 319 years. Left to right, with number of years’ service, are W. S. Struthers (38), W. R. Mitchell (25), Tom Morgan (48), Reg Vosper (42), J. M. Frederick (34), J. W. Ball (14), J. H. Bridges (40), J. E. Heels (43) and John Bell, 35. The picture was taken aboard the S.S. Assinaboia at a luncheon for J. H. Bridges, who retired this week. 

Unidentified clowns in the Santa Claus parade.

  Several of the new floats this year drew favorable comment from spectators, and officials. Among them were Midland Industries “North Wind”, Beaver Lumber’s “Enchanted Forest”, Bausch and Lomb’s “Davy Crockett”, Midland Phalanx Club’s “Three Men in A Tub”, and Wagg’s Laundry. Several organizations used the same theme as last year while adding improvements here and there. Among these were Midland Planing Mills, Ernst Leitz (Canada), Canadian Legion, Knights of Columbus, Bev’s Marine, and the Free Press Herald. Also taking part in the parade were Midland Citizens and Sea Cadets bands, Midland Fire Department and Singer Motors. Midland Lions Club provided the sleigh and reindeer for Santa, mounted on a trailer. 

 We include this ad from Dunlop’s to highlight the pace of technology. The “Victrolas” or record players offered here sixty years ago are still usable today if you have the records and some do exist, do you have one? The proof is in the photo below that was forwarded to us. The irony is that we have also received a Palm Pilot 1000 for possible inclusion in our museum collection. The PDA or Personal Digital Assistant was first offered for sale in 1996 and is now obsolete.

That is a penny taped to the arm.

• Free Press Herald headline of Wednesday, December 10, 1958; Midland Has New Mayor in Close Municipal Vote. For the first time in eight years, Midland ratepayers Monday elected a new mayor. The winner Charles Stevenson obtained a 49-vote majority over Charles N. Parker, who has held the office since 1950. Mr. Stevenson, a former public utilities commission chairman and commissioner, swept every poll but Ward 1 where he trailed by 83 votes. In Mr. Parker’s own ward, Ward 2, he led by nine votes.
• County Herald headline of Friday, December 12, 1958; Repairing Plant Machine, Sand Mixer Mangles Man. The life of 37-year-old Theophile Cascagnette of Penetang was snuffed out yesterday morning in an accident at James Stewart Manufacturing Penetang, where he worked. As far as is known, the accident took place about 10:30 a.m. According to Chief Jack Arbour, who investigated, Mr. Cascagnette was doing some maintenance work inside the sand mixer when another workman inadvertently threw the machine’s starting switch and set the machine in operation. The sand mixer is used to blend moulding sand, preparatory to re-use in the moulds.
• Ren Moffatt, secretary-manager of Midland’s Chamber of Commerce, expressed it this way: “You wouldn’t think it possible we would get a day like this two years in a row.” Moffatt was referring, as mildly as possible under the circumstances, to the weather conditions which have plagued Midland’s Santa Claus parade these last two Decembers. Last year the weatherman dished up a heavy, wet snowstorm less than half an hour before the parade was slated to get underway! Everybody and everything was soaked. There was still plenty of snow in evidence for this year’s event, Saturday. It was a blustery, squally day that made a lot of people in the surrounding townships and villages decide there was no place like home, and the children on the various floats didn’t get wet. Because of the low temperatures, most of the children were placed aboard their floats seconds before the parade moved off, and removed as soon as possible at the other end.
• The students of MPDHS held their election for the Students’ Council for 1959 last week. House ALPHA BETA elected captain, Arlene Armstrong, the vice-captain, Bernard Arbour, secretary-treasurer, Louise Brand; boys’ athletics, Brian Dubeau, girls athletics, Ann Maher; director of arts, June Bannan. Executive members. Grade 9, Jane Campbell; Grade 10, Wayne Sinclair; Grade 11, Stan Holden; Grade 12, Sue Quinlan. House THETA KAPPA, captain, Ken Ball; vice-captain, Anna Mae Sweet; secretary-treasurer, Ken Mackie; boys athletics, Don Popple; girls athletics, Linda Riley; director of arts, Harry DeVries; Grade 9, Ken Leonard; Grade 10, Judy Hack; Grade 11, Ross Hebner; Grade 12, Faye Lavigne. House SIGMA CHI captain, Carol Van Luven; vice-captain, Paul McDonald; secretary-treasurer, Carol Fox; boys athletics, Bob Rawson; girls athletics, Mary Jane Gouett; director of arts, Bryson McQuirter; Grade 9, Keanna Boyce; Grade 10, Richard Blair; Grade 11, Elizabeth McGowan; Grade 12, John Adamson. House DELTA PHI, captain, John Daniells; vice-captain, Mary Lou Brissette; secretary-treasurer, Elmer Quesnelle; boys athletics, Don Zabzinski; girls athletics, Earla McCuaig; director of arts, Elizabeth Cowan; Grade 9 Brigit Brinkmann; Grade 10, Jill McKinnon; Grade 11,  Ardath Zimmer; Grade 12, Peter Gouett.
• VASEY — The Vasey Woman’s Association and Missionary Society met at the home of Rev. and Mrs. R. Dingwall Nov. 26. President Mrs. Orval Edwards conducted the meeting. Mrs. Nathan Edwards gave a reading entitled, “It isn’t the church, it’s you”. Members had been asked to make a crib quilt and it was decided to bring patches of flannelette to the next meeting in January. Roll call at that meeting is to be answered with a verse containing the word portal or beginning. Mrs. Harold Cowden, secretary, read the minutes of the last meeting and a report was given by Mrs. Charles Brown, the treasurer. Election of officers for 1959 was held. WMS officers elected were, president, Mrs. Orval Edwards; Mrs. Earl Jones, 1st vice-president; Mrs. Ross Faint, 2nd vice-president; Mrs. Frank Smitham, secretary Mrs. Charles Brown, treasurer; Baby Band, Miss Eleanor Edwards and Mrs. Ken Robinson; pianist, Mrs. Ross Faint; Mission Band superintendent, Mrs. Ted Vasey, with Mrs. Joe Lockhart and Mrs. Frank Smitham assisting. W.A. officers elected were president, Mrs. Wm. Irish; 1st vice-president, Miss Eleanor Edwards; 2nd vice-president, Mrs. Nathan Edwards; secretary, Mrs. Martin Strath; treasurer, Mrs. Fred Edwards; auditors, Mrs. Mervin Russell, Mrs. Joe Tinney; welfare, Mrs. Ross Faint, Mrs. Joe Tinney; parsonage committee, Mrs. Mervin Russell, Mrs. Nathan Edwards, Mrs. Wm. Irish. Light refreshments were served by Mrs. Charles Brown and Mrs. Stewart Belfry, assisted by the hostess. Next meeting will be at Mrs. Joe Tinney’s in January. The Sunday School held its Christmas tree end concert Friday evening in the church. Recent visitors of Mrs. Stewart Belfry were Rev. and Mrs. Ross Cumming and family, Coldwater, and Mr. Andrew Cumming, Barrie. Quite a number of friends and relatives called on Mr. and Mrs. Joe Tinney to offer congratulations and best wishes Sunday, Nov. 23, when they celebrated their golden anniversary. Mrs. Wm. Collins of Stayner is spending some time with her daughter, Mrs. Morgan Edwards.
• PORT McNICOLL- The W.A. and WMS of the United Church met in the Sunday School room last Thursday evening for a potluck supper. Their regular meeting followed, beginning with the WMS Christmas program, conducted by Vice-president Mrs. J. Duncan. Rev. G. Nodwell read the scripture. A brief business meeting of the W.A. followed conducted by the president, Mrs. M. J. Armstrong. The election of officers for both groups was held, with Rev. Gordon Nodwell in charge. The WMS officers for 1959 are President, Mrs. J. Duncan; vice-president, Mrs. D. Ramsay; secretary, Mrs. B. Adam; treasurer, Mrs. C. N. Callard; Christian stewardship. Mrs. B. J. Brownell; Christian citizenship. Mrs. M. J. Armstrong. The officers for the W.A. are president, Mrs. H. Loomes; vice-president, Mrs. B. J. Brownell; secretary, Mrs. E. N. Ramsay; treasurer, Mrs. D. Ramsay; flower fund and cards, Mrs. M. J. Armstrong. The Willing Workers of Bonar Presbyterian Church held their monthly meeting Thursday at the home of Mrs. A. McCullough, Sr. Mrs. L. Fair conducted the election of officers. The following are the officers for 1959: president, Mrs. D. Duncan; 1^st vice-president, Mrs. E. Lawes; 2nd vice-president, Mrs. A. Bremner; secretary, Mrs. J. D. McPhee; assistant secretary, Mrs. A. McCullagh, Sr.; treasurer, Mrs. L. Fair; remembrance fund secretary, Mrs. T. Lawler; assistant, Mrs. F. French. At the close of the meeting, the hostess served refreshments. * * * The Explorer initiation and red star ceremony was held Friday evening in the United Church. Many parents and friends attended. The opening ceremony was conducted by Sheila Dundas. Cheryl Lattimore and Lynda Miller were in charge of the worship service. Lynn Lattimore and Sally Spencer were initiated into the group by leader Sheila Armstrong and received their red stars. Blue stars were presented by the leader to Linda Adam, Linda Comber, Sheila Dundas, and Jane Lattimore. Gold stars were received by Cheryl Lattimore and Lynda Miller. Graduation certificates were presented to Joky Van Pypen and Gloria Waples by leader Sheila Armstrong. A Christmas story was read from St. Luke, chapter 2, with all of the Explorers taking part. A film was shown of the Christmas customs in countries throughout the world. Refreshments were served following the program. * * * Weekend visitors of Mr. and Mils. H. Loomis were Shirley Calhill and Henry Loomis, Jr., of Smiths Falls. Mrs. J. Calvert and Mary spent Saturday in Toronto. Raymond Sauve, Toronto, spent the weekend with his mother, Mrs. J. Sauve. Guests of Mr. and Mrs. A. McCullagh, Sr., were Mr. and Mrs. Orville Wood, Toronto.
• Ten Years Ago This Week – The finance chairman of Port McNicoll’s 1948 council told a nomination meeting in the village that he believed a law should be passed, prohibiting a person from serving more than two consecutive years on council. He declined to let his name stand for reeve or councillor. * * * Temperatures were hovering in the fifties when Midland held its Santa Claus parade Dec,4. The parade was sponsored by Midland District Shrine Club. * * * For the first time in 15 years Port McNicoll had a new reeve. Albert Calvert was nominated to the post by acclamation, succeeding George Patterson. * * * Simcoe County council approved village status for the municipality of Elmvale. A census of the village revealed a count of 783 persons. * * * A proposal to establish a juvenile and family court in Simcoe county, advocated by Deputy-reeve Alex Macintosh of Midland was voted down by county council. The vote was 30 to 25. * * *  Only 298 out of 2,026 eligible voters cast ballots in Penetanguishene’s civic election December 13. Three members of the 1948 council and three new men were elected. * * * Waubaushene had completed a new cement block building to house its fire truck and snow plow. Ninety percent of the funds for the structure were raised in the village by the chamber of commerce. The building was erected in the main by volunteer labor. * * * After 35 years of service as lockmaster at Port Severn, Joe White retired. He was succeeded by his son Bob.
• An Orillia woman who took a strong sedative, then set out to drive from Midland to Orillia Nov. 7 was sentenced to 15 days in jail and her licence was suspended for 12 months in magistrate’s court in Orillia Dec. 2. She had been charged with impaired driving.
• The Canadian Girls in Training of St. Paul’s United Church, Midland, will be joining other CGIT groups across Canada in their annual Christmas vesper service Dec. 14. , The CGIT is an inter-denominational movement under the Canadian Council of Churches. Its activities are many and varied but its chief purpose is to present the Christian way of life to teenage girls, it was stated.
• Penetang-Midland Coach Line buses are now providing musical rides for their passengers. While passengers on town buses in Midland have enjoyed radio programs, only recently has the bus company installed the radios in other district buses. The newscasts and Christmas music are proving to be an enjoyable feature.
• A well-known and respected businessman, Harry Stephen St. Amant, Penetang, died unexpectedly in St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Wednesday night. Mr. St. Amant had been ill for the past three or four years and had been confined to the hospital for the last two weeks following the second amputation of a leg. He had been reported to be progressing favourably, and those who had visited him told of his happy outlook and healthy appearance. Members of his family had talked to him by telephone earlier in the evening. Born in Penetang 68 years ago, Harry St. Amant, often called “Steve” by his close friends, had lived all his life in Penetang. Married 41 years ago to Rebekah Laurin in Lafontaine, the couple had raised eight children. Mrs. St. Amant died four years ago. It was 25 years ago that Mr. St. Amant went into the plumbing business with four of his sons joining him as they completed their education. The present showroom and shop on Robert Street W. was built in 1942. A keen spectator at sports events, Mr. St. Amant followed the fortunes of his home teams with great interest. For many years he was an active member of Penetang Volunteer Fire Brigade. In public life, Mr. St. Amant had been a member of the public school board, and it was when he was serving in that capacity that bilingual classes were started at the school. A Roman Catholic, he was a member of Huronia Council, Knights of Columbus, and St. Ann’s Holy Name Society. Surviving are five sons, Bernard, Gerard, Richard, Lawrence and Oswald, all of Penetang, and three daughters, Mrs. Clair Edgar, (Margaret), Parry Sound; Mrs. Lionel Lacroix, (Marie), Penetang, and Mrs. Bernard Gravelle, (Betty), Thorold. There is also one brother, Herman Peter St. Amant of Toronto, and two sisters, Mrs. Robert Ovren, Orillia, and Mrs. Jonas White, San Salvador. The body is at the family home, Robert Street, W.
• Since the end of October this year no mail deliveries at Coldwater have been made by train. Post office service is now entirely dependent on trucks, this has been detailed as follows by Coldwater Postmaster Fred W. Brown. – One truck service between Orillia and Penetang leaves Penetang daily, except Saturday, at 10:25 p.m. serving Midland, Victoria Harbour, Waubaushene, Coldwater, Orillia, where it connects with Toronto and North Bay train 47. A return trip leaves Orillia at 2:45 a.m. after receipt of mail from Toronto and North Bay from train 47, serving the same offices on the return trip. All mail received via this service is sorted when the Coldwater post office opens at 8:30 a.m. daily. The second truck service is the Lindsay, Orillia and Midland one, which leaves Lindsay daily except Sunday at 8 a.m. delivering and receiving mail en route for offices between Lindsay and Orillia, arriving at Orillia Post Office at 10 a.m. and waiting there to receive mail from the Toronto and North Bay train 41 at 12:30 noon. Then it proceeds to Coldwater, Waubaushene, Victoria Harbour, Port McNicoll, and Midland. The return trip leaves Midland at 2:30 p.m. serving the same offices to Orillia, and connects with the Toronto and North Bay train 44, and then on to Lindsay serving the intermediate offices between Orillia and Lindsay, arriving at Lindsay at 6:45 p.m.
• EMMA MAUDE SHAKELL – After a prolonged illness, Mrs. Emma Maude Church Shakell died in St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Dec. 6. Born at Palgrave, Ont., in July 1884, she was educated and lived in Matchedash until her marriage on June 26, 1907, to George Shakell at Coldwater. She had lived in Midland for five and a half years. Funeral service was conducted at the Nicholls funeral home by Rev. Wilson Morden Dec. 9. Honorary pallbearers were Joseph Silk, George Silk, and David Haig. Active pallbearers were; Ernest Hurl, Douglas Church, Leslie Church, Haig Abbott, Wilford Abbott, and Pat (Doug) Roberts. Besides her husband, she is survived by two sons. Nelson and Roy of Midland, and three daughters, Mrs. J. Little (Anne), Mrs. E. Noland (Lillian) and Mrs. A. Romanchuk (Pauline); all of Toronto. A second son, William Albert, was drowned while his father was overseas in World War 1. One sister, Mrs. A. Knibbs (Gladys) of Toronto, also survives. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery vault.
• One of the few things that are not at an inflationary level these days is the percentage of eligible voters who turn out for elections. Municipal Affairs Minister W. K. Warrender said the other day that the provincial average so far this year has been about 30 percent. In one or two cases it dropped as low as 15 percent. In the village of Coldwater, the majority of citizens seem to value their franchise for 60 percent of them cast ballots during the village election two weeks ago.
• Orchestra –   For company dances, weddings, etc. Modern and old-time, Polkas, Rheinlanders, waltzes. Stuart Johnstone 183 Eighth St., Midland. Phone LA. 6-5158.
• Births – BROWN — To Mr. and Mrs. Everett Brown, Port McNicoll, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Tuesday, December 2, 1958, a son. BRISSETTE To Mr. and Mrs. David Brissette, Victoria Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, on Tuesday, December 9, 1958, a daughter. CORBIER—To Mr. and Mrs. David Corbier, Honey Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Monday, December 8, 1958, a daughter. FISHER — To Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Fisher, Christian Island, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Thursday, December 4, 1958, a son. GRANT — To Mr. and Mrs. Donald Grant, 291 Dominion Ave., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Tuesday, December 2, 1958, a daughter. HENDERSON — To Mr. and Mrs. John Henderson, 368 Manley St., at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Tuesday, December 9, 1958, a son. STRICKLAND — To Mr. and Mrs. Victor Strickland, 191 Yonge St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Sunday, December 7, 1958, a son. THOMPSON—To Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Thompson, 88 Dominion Ave, Midland, at St. Andrew’s Hospital, Midland, Monday, December 8, 1958, a daughter.