Click on photos to enlarge 

Choir comprised of Grade 5 and 6 pupils in Regent School, taught by Miss Jessie Carson, have been selected to sing at the graduation exercises for Grade 8 pupils in the Regent auditorium June 24. Wednesday afternoon they travelled by bus to Georgian Manor where they sang for residents of the manor. Teachers who have worked with the group and their music instructor R. C. Ireland consider the children to have “exceptional singing qualities.” 

Once a weekly visitor, the cruise ship South America made its lone stop-over for the season last Tuesday. On hand to greet Captain Harold Nelson, center, were Chamber of Commerce officials R. B. Moffatt, left, and Walter Woods. Mecca for most of the 150 passengers aboard was the Martyr’s Shrine. 

The first educational project of Midland Foremen’s Club, sponsored by the YMCA, was a course in blueprint reading. Those who completed the course are, front row, left to right; Jack Condon, Jerry Butineau; instructor Jim Murray, Richard Slanisky, Morie Whitcher; back row, Ivan McConnel, Fred Salmon, Russ Duncan and Roy Shakell. They received their certificates Monday. 

Near perfect weather, in contrast to cold, high winds later in the week, made things pleasant for delegates of the Ontario Historical Society who attended the official opening of Midland’s Huronia Museum Thursday. Many visitors were impressed by the excellence of the exhibits they found inside the building.

Son of the late Hon. William Finlayson, one of the town’s great figures in former years, R. M. Finlayson, left, officially opened Midland’s Huronia Museum Thursday afternoon for a new season. With Mr. Finlayson are Dr. Louis Blake Duff, famed Canadian literary figure, and little Debbie Yelland, daughter of museum curator Jack Yelland and Mrs. Yelland.

Delegates to the annual convention of the Ontario Historical Society held in Midland last week visited many points of interest in the district. Above, Dr. Wilfrid Jury explains some of the wonders of the Forget Site, an ancient Indian encampment on the banks of Wye Lake, southeast of Midland.

 

 President of the Ontario Historical Society, which held its convention at Midland last week, Miss Lillian -Benson of London took great interest in some of the costumes produced for the official opening of Penetang museum for the new season. Left to right are Miss Annette Brunelle, Donald Lavigne, Mrs. Benson, Miss Barbara Mead and Mrs. George Bryant. 

Here’s one fellow who appeared “well set for blades” at the opening of Penetang’s museum last Friday. Behind the whiskers is Urbain Moreau, seen with Pete Vaillancourt, Jacqueline King and Mrs. Moreau, left to right.

Here are some contractors and services you may remember.

 

A popular spot in Penetang.

 

 

• Free Press Herald headline from June 18, 1958; Two Boats in Collision, Charge Severn Operator. Several Toronto area anglers narrowly escaped serious injury when their boat and another were in collision on the Severn River Sunday. A Port Severn boat operator has been charged under the Canada Shipping Act following the collision, police said.  Police said a Port Severn man has been charged with careless operation of a boat. OPP Const. H. R. Donaldson investigated. The other craft involved in the accident was an outboard motor boat operated by Elmer Burt of Brampton. Minor damage was caused to both crafts. No one was injured, police said. Passengers in the small craft were able to swim to shore.
• County Herald headline from June 20, 1958; $15,000 Concrete Dam Proposed for Orr Lake. The cost is to be shared by the province and the two townships, Medonte and Flos. The dam will control the flow of water from the lake to the Wye River. The cost would be amortized over five years. This will amount to approximately $5 per year for every $1,000 assess The addition to the lake will be a structure of engineering skill and hard work, suitably landscaped to make an attractive place to visit on a summer afternoon. Copeland Milling Company, present owners of the property surrounding the dam site, have also given approval to the project, this paper was told. At a meeting held In Orr Lake Sunday, Reeve Ganton and Reeve Trace said the need had existed for years for a more permanent type of dam. It is felt a dam is needed capable of withstanding sudden storms such as Hurricane Hazel, and which would not be in need of constant repair.
• A recent communication from headquarters of Ontario Provincial Police spells doom to the siren-screeching fast escorts for VIP’s. According to the bulletin, sent to all police departments, “In future, no high-speed escorts for visiting dignitaries will be provided. All escorts provided must move within the legal speed limits and in compliance with all laws. “In emergency cages for doctors and ambulances with critically ill or injured persons, the utmost care must be exercised at all times so as not to endanger the life of anyone.”
• Funeral service will be held at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home this afternoon for A. K. M. Gaviller, a teacher on the staff of Midland District High School and Midland Penetang District High School for 30 years. Mr. Gaviller, who retired two years ago from the MPDHS staff, died Monday at his home after a lengthy illness. He was in his 63rd year. Prior to coming to Midland, he taught one year in Simcoe High School. Mr. Gaviller specialized in modern history. Married to the former Kathleen McLaren. Mr. Gaviller was a member of Session and the Board of Managers of Knox Presbyterian Church and a past president of the Midland Kiwanis Club. Besides his wife, he is survived by sons, David with IBM in Toronto, and Fred, a second-year University of Toronto student.
• The Community Hall at Lafontaine was filled to capacity Sunday evening when graduation exercises were held for 11 Grade 12 students of Lafontaine Continuation School. Following a welcome by Irene Maurice, Augustin Desroches took charge as master of ceremonies for the program, consisting of speeches, presentations, and entertainment. Class valedictorians were Viateur Laurin, speaking in French and Vincent Marchildon In English. Honoured guests who were asked to speak during the evening included Rev. T. Marchildon, parish priest; Geo. Johnston, MPP, and Montcalm Maurice, reeve of Tiny Township.
• Two esteemed members of the teaching profession were honored by their associates at a dinner in St. Paul’s United Church hall, Midland, Friday evening. Guests of honor were Regent School teachers Miss Annie Ross and Miss Margaret Duffett. Seventy guests comprised of teachers, board members, public school inspectors and former teaching associates of the two women attended the event.
• 25 Years Ago This Week; Midland Little Lake Park had become so popular a camping spot that the park commission had to extend the camping area to include space for an additional 100 tents providing accommodation for a total of 600 tents. Indications were that every one of the campsites would be filled for the summer. * * * Members of the Midland Chapter of the Masonic Order extend congratulations to John Preston the occasion of his 88^th About 20 local members went to the Preston home and presented him with a bouquet of flowers. * * * Midland court of revision heard 22 appeals at their regular session. Of the appeals, assessments were sustained on eighteen and four were granted reductions from $100 to $150. * * * Dr. Herbert Bruce, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and Mrs. Bruce officiated at graduation ceremonies for St. Andrews Hospital School of Nursing students. Dr. Bruce presented the diplomas and Mrs. Bruce, St. Andrew’s pins. * * * Vernon Trott of Hamilton had been appointed the director of athletics for Midland Camp Kitchikewana. * * * Following on the heels of a 90-degree heat wave a severe wind storm swept across North Simcoe leaving a trail of toppled trees in its wake. Water levels in Midland Harbour were raised two feet by the gale force wind from the northeast. * * * Max Bear defeated German challenger Max Schmeling in a world heavyweight boxing match at Madison Square Gardens.
• Simcoe County’s 1OOth warden, Arthur Evans of Bradford, watched the unveiling of photos of all but three of the previous wardens last Wednesday at the council chambers in Barrie. Ex-warden Ernest Miller, now county messenger, removed the flag from the individually framed photos now hanging on a wall of the chamber. The ceremony was directed by B. Harvey, president of the ex-wardens’ association and two other ex-wardens, C. H. Eplett of Coldwater and J. T. Simpson.
• A blend of strawberries, old silver and pottery marked the annual meeting of the Simcoe County Arts and Crafts Association. Held at Midhurst Re-forestation Hall June 12, it was attended by arts and crafts enthusiasts from almost every section of the county. This year the program was unique in that two members of the association were featured as guest speakers,  Miss Violet Edwards of Midland, for many years manager of the silver department of Henry Birks and Sons, Hamilton, and Jozo Weider of Collingwood. Miss. Edwards’ topic was “Old Silver and Hallmarks” while Mr. Weider talked about his “Blue Mountain Pottery”.
• Midland Parks Commission at its meeting Thursday night instructed parks superintendent Harold McAllen to purchase aluminum roofing to completely renew the picnic canopy in the park. The commission also agreed to lease for one year approximately 100 square feet of parkland in the playground area to John Parker. Mr. Parker plans to set up a miniature golf course and a small ride on the land. A live pony ride (merry-go-round style) has been set up in the same area by Edgar Lawson.
• Both of Simcoe County’s homes for the aged have more applications for bed care than they can accommodate a report to county council showed last week. At Georgian Manor in Penetang, there are 28-bed patients and 24 ambulatory patients while at Simcoe Manor in Beeton there are 45-bed patients and 54 ambulatory residents.
• Parks Commission Chairman Bill Murray stated today that rumours of the park lake being unfit for swimming are not true. The Park Board has the county health authorities keep a close watch on the water condition throughout the summer. The last certificate from the health unit is dated June 11th and indicates that the water in Little Lake meets “the bacteriological standards for swimming”.

    The obituary below is for Mrs. James Burke Sr., Jane Gegg born in Dublin 1843, who died May 8th, 1916 at Midland and it was published in the May 16th, 1916 Free Press. It marks the passing of the matriarch of one of North Simcoes important and prominent families, the Burkes. The article is also an excellent example of the type of prose used at the time. (click on the link)

Burke

Click on photos to enlargeThe winning design in a contest sponsored by Midland Foreman’s Club was submitted by Elizabeth Cowan, Regent Public School pupil. Program chairman Clayton Heath presents a cheque to the winner, while guest speaker Jack Purvis of Orillia watches, during a club dinner in the YMCA Wednesday, May 29. The design will become the official emblem of the Midland club. 

Much work has been carried out behind the scenes in Midland’s water reservoir area just north of Vindin Road. Brush and trees have been cleared over a large area, seen in these photos, which is now several feet deep with water as the new dam is in readiness. Beavers had already built their own dam about opposite the lone pine in the center background of the lower picture. 

Greeting parishioner was one of the first jobs for newly-ordained Rev. Bob Jackson, who preached his first sermon since his ordination last Sunday at St. Paul’s United Church in Midland. A native Midlander, he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Jackson. 

Pictured at a reception held Sunday at St. Paul’s United Church, Midland, for newly-ordained Rev. Bob Jackson, right, are Rev. W. R. Auld; left, and former Midlander Alex Docherty, center. Mr. Jackson was ordained in Toronto June 1. 

The handsome new building above is the realization of many years of dreams (and hard work) by the Odd Fellows Lodge in Midland. The building is located on Dominion Ave. West, near the heart of town and close to the old lodge headquarters in the Jeffery Building. Lodge rooms are on the second floor of the new building, which has a public auditorium on the first floor. (The hall was sold this year as membership has declined recently.) (Note the fine home where Jeffery’s Hardware is now located.) 

These women from Sturgeon Bay were among many groups of visitors who visited the new Odd Fellows’ Hall in Midland at its official opening Friday. Seated, left to right, around the table are Mrs. Gilbert Ball, Mrs. W. Wilson, Miss Joyce Ball, Mrs. John Todd and Mrs. T. Duffy. Mrs. William Baker is serving. 

Busy but happy were these members of Ideal Rebekah Lodge, Midland, as they served the hundreds of visitors at the official opening of the new Odd Fellows’ Hall Friday. Among the ladies in the picture are Mrs. Alex Herron, Mrs. Lorne Carruthers, and Mrs. Sid Thompson. 

Dear to the hearts of the ladies, this handsome center table was the center of attraction at the tea table held by Ideal Rebekah Lodge to mark the opening of the Odd Fellows’ Lodge in Midland Friday. Left to right are Mrs. E. B. Smyth, Mrs. Arthur McElroy, Mrs. Jack Argue, Mrs. Wm. Baker and Mrs. George Richardson. 

This brother and sister combination arrived in England by air yesterday and were reunited with a brother and sisters they had not seen since infancy. They are, left, William Goldsmith and Mrs. Charles Hall, the former Ann Goldsmith.

Article by Mrs. Victor Hall – Truth is stranger than fiction, they say. Let me tell you a little human interest story to prove this. It began in merry old England some 80 odd years ago when a blushing young bride took her marriage vows and a new family was established. This couple was blessed with four sons and five daughters. But when the father was still a young man in his forties, tragedy struck the little family. The husband died and his widow was left to struggle to support her growing family, the youngest of which was still a babe in arms. After much heartache and sorrow, the mother decided she would have to give up two of her children. She could take them to Dr. Bernardo’s Home in London. But how could she? Which ones would it be? The older ones could help a little. The two youngest girls were just babies. She would have to keep them with her. Finally, she made her decision. She would take the boy, William, aged seven, and the girl Ann (named after herself); aged five, to the home. They would receive care and perhaps a good foster home. Christmas Eve found the little group, mother, Will, and Ann on the doorstep of the great Barnardo Home in London. With tears streaming down her face and trembling hand the mother reached for the door knocker. The brothers and sisters were separated. A new life began for each of them. In a few years, Will was sent to Canada to a little country place (Allenwood) in Simcoe County. From there he went to Wyevale. One day he heard that a girl named Ann Goldsmith had come from England to Vasey. On the chance that it might be his sister Will took a bicycle and set out for Vasey. It was indeed his sister Ann. Later she went to Wyevale. Will went overseas with the Canadian Army in World War I. Ann married and went to a homestead in Saskatchewan. After the war Will returned to Wyevale, married and raised a family of two boys and two girls. Ann raised a family of three boys and seven girls. Her husband died following a car accident at Chilliwack, B.C., where they were holidaying. In the spring of this year, Will’s wife decided she would try to find out something about the rest of her husband’s family. After several letters of inquiry to the home and to people of Brighton (his birthplace), letters started coming to their Midland home. They had found their family. A brother and sister had died; a brother is in New Zealand, and another brother and three sisters live in Brighton. The brother still lives in the old home where the mother died in 1933, never having heard again of Will and Ann. Ann came to Midland from Saskatchewan. On Monday, June 9, Will, his wife and his sister Ann, took off from Malton airport for Croydon Airport, London, to see their newly discovered family.  This boy and girl, as many in this district will know, are William Goldsmith, and his sister, Ann (Mrs. Charles Hall) of Lucky Lake, Saskatchewan. The Parnell family was the family with whom Will stayed at Wyevale and the Roebuck family raised Ann. 

Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie graduated 26 nurses last week; six from North Simcoe. Here nurses are seen approaching Barrie District North Collegiate, where graduation exercises were held. 

The happy occasion for Nellie Rita Brabant of R.R. 3, Penetang, left, and Frances Eleanor Bracken of Penetang, came last week when they graduated from Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie. 

Prize winners at the Royal Victoria Hospital graduation in Barrie last week included two North Simcoe girls. Joy Speers of Elmvale, left, had the highest standing in nurses obstetrical nursing; while Jean Woodrow of Moonstone, at right, won the prize for medical nursing. 

Two Midland girls, Sally Ann Bowman, left, and Joan Marie McEachern, were among the 26 who graduated from Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie Iast Wednesday night. Graduation exercises were held at Barrie North Collegiate. 

Site of Ontario’s first stone quarry, near Port McNicoll, has now been marked by a cairn and plaque. Dr. Wilfrid Jury, noted archaeologist, left, explains the significance of the site to Marjorie Johnston of Brantford and Elizabeth Scantlebury, Toronto. Cairn was unveiled at ceremonies Saturday. 

Brothers-in-law recently formed a partnership in the plumbing and heating contracting firm of Wilson and Bell, at 255 Bay Street, at Second. Mr. Jack Wilson, a long-time Midland resident, bottom photo, spent the past four years with H. J. Thompson and Sons Ltd., while Mr. Bell was with Geo. Price Co. Ltd. in Coldwater for 11 years. The firm will also do oil burner service work. 

Close to tears, managing director Dortha Jackson of the Simcoe County Children’s Aid Society reads her letter of resignation at the CAS board meeting in Barrie last week. Seven board members voted to accept her resignation, four opposed the motion and seven abstained. 

Perfect weather helped Midland Public Schools’ athletes set 11 new records last week. Winners in their various age groups are girls, left to right, Elaine Stainton and Susan Swan, who tied for intermediate honors, Penelope Self, senior, and Nancy Higgs, junior girls’ champ. 

Perfect weather helped Midland Public Schools’ athletes set 11 new records last week. Winners in their various age groups are boy titlists left to right, John Jones, intermediate; Wolfgang Zingel, senior; and Barry McIlravey, junior. 

 

• The Free Press Herald headline for June 11, 1958; Find Boat Upset in Bay Owner Search Continues. Late last night, members of the OPP detachment at Victoria Harbour were still trying to locate the owner of a capsized boat found floating in Georgian Bay early Sunday morning by Herbert Mailloux of Northwest Basin, opposite Penetang. Sgt. Blake Ball said Monday that Mr. Mailloux found the boat about 6 a.m. Sunday. It was floating upside down midway between Beausoleil Island National Park and the mainland at Pinery Point. Sgt. Ball said the throttle of the 5 1/2 hp. outboard motor was in the open position, indicating the boat may have been in operation when it capsized. A pail was dragging behind the stern, attached by a rope to make a rude sea anchor, used by many fishermen to slow the drift of their craft while trolling. (From the next paper comes this report – Sgt. Blake Ball said yesterday the 14-foot boat apparently belonged to Harry Rosen of Toronto, who has a cottage at Sandy Bay. According to information given to Sgt. Ball, Mr. Rosen and another Toronto friend had to swim a short distance to shore when the craft upset Saturday evening as they returned  from a fishing trip.)
• The County Herald headline for June 13, 1958; County Levy Shares Cut for Eleven Municipalities; Eleven North Simcoe municipalities will pay a lower percentage of the 1959 county levy if Simcoe County council accepts the report of its county assessor, slated to be discussed in Barrie today. Midland, which paid 7.1972 percent of the 1958 levy, would pay 7.1201 percent of the 1959 levy. Penetang, which paid 2.1459 percent this year, would pay 2.0776 percent next year.
• Gold and blue government plaques commemorating the Penetanguishene Military and Naval Establishments of the last century will be unveiled at the museum park, Penetang, this Friday afternoon. In conjunction with the unveiling, the museum’s committee is staging its traditional garden party and the Officers’ Quarters Museum will also be officially opened for 1958. At 3 p. m, opposite the Red Dock on the park’s shore road, there will be unveiled the plaque to the Naval Establishment.
• A verbal slug-fest between Tower TV officials in Midland and CKVR-TV owner Ralph Snelgrove of Barrie continues, pending the CBC Board of Governors’ decision Friday on the Barrie station’s request for a power increase. Commenting on press and TV news reports that officials of the Barrie television station had “ordered” Tower TV to stop distributing its signal, Tower manager L. H. Taylor said yesterday: “We would be most happy if we could do so. Indeed that we cannot is the whole trouble. “We would like nothing better, as would all our subscribers and most private set owners in the entire district, if it were possible, to stop carrying CKVR-TV signal on channels 2, 4 and 5. “If we could eliminate the channel 3 signal from channels 2, 4 and 5 merely by cutting off CKVR-TV on channel 3, we would have done it long ago. The point is that the best equipment commercially available has not been able to eliminate the interference from CKVR TV signals on other channels,” he said.
• Midland solicitor George S. Dudley, Q.C., is being asked by Midland council to draft two bylaws regulating future subdivisions and sub-dividers in Midland. One bylaw is to specify the requirements which a sub-divider must meet to gain approval of council for the registration of a subdivision plan. The other will prevent owners of large blocks of land in the corporation from selling small lots on the property before the land has been registered as a sub-division.
• Under the direction of Cecil Dunn employees of the Century Coal Co. have constructed a building to house a much-needed facility for the workmen. The Insul-brick covered building on the coal dock property contains space, where the men may eat their lunch, also available, showers with hot and cold running water.
• Ten Years Ago This Week – Four passenger cruise ships of the Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company were scheduled to make a total of 25 calls at the port of Midland during the season. * * * Moonstone Presbyterian Church was celebrating its diamond jubilee. One of the events marking the 60th anniversary year was a tree planting ceremony when a number of maples and spruce were planted on the church grounds by members of the congregation. *  *  * Kenneth E. Kidd of the Royal Ontario Museum staff revealed that archaeological excavations at the Ossossane bone pit on the D’Aoust farm near Wyevale would resume July 1. * * * A chick with four legs was hatched at the Girard poultry farm near Penetang Road. Another oddity — three tulips growing on a single stem — was reported by a Midland gardener. * * * Dr. D. McPhee of Port McNicoll and George G. Johnston of Minesing were re-elected to the provincial legislature; Dr. McPhee represented Simcoe East and Mr. Johnston, Simcoe Centre. * * * The four Midland Protestant churches, Anglican, Baptist, United and Presbyterian, and the Salvation Army had completed plans to hold joint Sunday evening services during the summer. * * * Three hopper barges were launched at Midland Shipyard. The barges were built for the French government.
• The highest honor his church could bestow was accorded former Knox Church, Midland, minister Rev. John McNab, D.D., last week in his election as moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. That he was the unanimous choice of the more than 1,000 delegates attending the sessions of the General Assembly in Toronto, bespeaks the esteem in which he is held as a man, as a churchman and editor of the church’s principal publication for the past 12 years. This newspaper joins in the congratulations being extended to Dr. McNab in this his most “shining hour.”

And from the June 24th, 1897 Midland Free Press, the shipping news of that week.