On Wednesday, March 21, 2018 the Huronia Museum Film Series will be celebrating a landmark achievement at a special screening of the Canadian feature film “Porcupine Lake”.   The event will mark the 20 year anniversary of this important part of Midland’s cultural life.

The Film Series selected Porcupine Lake as their anniversary film because of its great relevance to our local area.  Set in Ontario cottage country, Slovakian-Canadian director Ingrid Veninger’s assured, affecting sixth feature follows two preteens dealing with their volatile desires and the chaotic emotional lives of their parents and older siblings.  Porcupine Lake uses Georgian Bay as a varied environmental stage for the halting summer transformation of Bea, a shy Toronto export spending some time in cottage country as her parents figure out what to do with their strained marriage and the family diner.  Audiences will recognize the settings of Port Severn and the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie and perhaps see some familiar local faces in the background characters.

To add to the excitement of the special occasion, the screening of Porcupine Lake will have a special guest.  Christopher Bolton, who plays the father Scotty in the film, will be in attendance at the screening.  He will take the audience behind the scenes in the making of the film and be available for a question and answer session at the conclusion of the movie.  Bolton has had an extensive career in movies and television.  He earned a Gemini nomination for his guest-starring role as “Joey Williams” on the award-winning series Cold Squad.

The two newspapers this week featured photos from the recent Penetanguishene Winterama and we are fortunate to have some of the original negatives of the event. 

Click on photos to enlarge Winning float in the Penetang Winterama parade was this flower be-decked entry by the Penetang Bottling Co. Catharine Dubeau is holding the rose bowl trophy presented following Saturday’s parade. Thousands lined the streets to view the parade. 

Huronia Motors hunting camp scene, complete with dog and washing hung out to dry was judged second best in a tie and will receive a trophy donated by a Toronto newspaper through Ralph Cowan, one of the parade judges.

All set for a journey into space, the P. Payette Co. entry in the Penetang Winterama parade took the judges fancy and was awarded a second-place, tie.

Most of the prizes at the Penetang Winterama went to out of town entrants, and the “mutt race” was no exception. Stephen Alexander from Toronto is shown here with his boxer who pulled him over the course to win the trophy. 

Don Mortimer of Mortimer’s Point, Lake Muskoka, is shown here with the scoot race championship trophy presented Saturday afternoon. Don had just completed building his scoot the previous night and brought it to Penetang on a trailer. (Need names for the gentlemen on the right) 

R. Livingston, Collingwood, holds the eight-inch perch that won him this boat and outboard motor, first prize in the Penetang Winterama ice fishing derby Saturday afternoon. Karen Robinson, Winterama Queen, presented the prize and holds the fishing stick while he displays the fish. 

The rod and reel, second prize in the Penetang Winterama junior ice fishing derby, was much longer than the six-inch perch which won it for Claude McMahon, Penetang. 

Ingo Schaus, Midland, shows the perch which brought him the first prize bicycle in the junior fishing derby Sunday afternoon at the Penetang Winterama. Rene Lesperance, Penetang Jaycee member, made the presentation.

Square dancing by pupils of Grades 2 and 3 was one of the features of Regent Public School’s open house in Midland Tuesday, March 4. Other youngsters gave a demonstration of “P.T.” work as part of the evening’s entertainment. 

This foursome from Elmvale won the CSL bonspiel Wednesday night at the Midland Curling Club. Tim Bate, Win Ellis, skip Fred Ritchie and Harry Rowley. They won all three of their games and had the highest point total of the 36 rinks entered.

Mrs. J. Bonner, right, was one of those attending open house at Sixth Street School. She discussed the progress of her son Billy with Grade 3 teacher, Mrs. G. Scott. 

 Thieves escaped with $1,100.00 after knocking this hole in the side of a vault at Walkers Store Ltd, Midland, early Sunday morning. The same gang is believed to have tried a similar theft at the Walkers store in Peterborough the previous night. 

Presiding at the tea table during ‘open house’ at Sixth Street School last week were these members of Midland Home and School Association: from left to right, Mrs. A. Herron, Mrs. A. Brooks, Mrs. L. Reynolds, Mrs. A. Bligh, and Mrs. E. Jardine. 

• The headline from the Free Press Herald, March 12, 1958; Say Work for Over 500 on Gas Pipeline Projects.  Consumers Gas Company officials announced today construction of transmission lines and distribution systems to provide natural gas to municipalities in the Georgian Bay area will get underway early this summer. Officials said the projects will provide employment for more than 500 men in the communities concerned.  Communities to receive natural gas this year include Midland, Penetanguishene, Victoria Harbour, Barrie, Stayner, Collingwood, Thornbury, Meaford and Owen Sound.
• The headline from the County Herald, March 14, 1958; Rap Intersection Design, Groups Consider Protest.   Two North Simcoe municipalities and the Midland Chamber of Commerce may make a joint protest to Queen’s Park over what has been termed ‘‘alleged faulty design of the new intersection” at Firth’s Corners, a chamber announcement stated today. The newly-constructed intersection is at the junction of Highways 12 and 27, about one mile west of Midland.
• Effective September, every teacher at Midland-Penetang District High School will be receiving at least $600 more per year, following the salary settlement approved by the MPDHS board Wednesday night. The raises result from across-the-board salary increases, plus the $300 annual increment received by the teachers.
• Thieves who tried to break into the municipal building at Port McNicoll recently got nothing but exercise for their trouble. OPP Constables H. R. Banting and William Mohan, who conducted the initial investigation, said the thieves cut a hole in the roof over the main office of the building but did not enter. Slight damage was caused to the roof.
• An unexpectedly cold March wind chilled the ardor of thousands of visitors to Penetang Winterama Saturday afternoon. With an estimated 5,000 visitors in town, there was less than half of that number on the ice watching festivities at any one time. The small spectator crowd was evident in the fishing derby area where, in other years, there were at least two people watching for every person fishing.
• Mr. and Mrs. Robert Merkley Jr., announce the birth of their son, Timothy Peter, (9 lbs. 5 oz.), in St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, on Sunday, March 9, 1950, first grandchild of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Merkley, Sr.
• Auction sale of valuable farm stock and implements for Luther Van Camp and Son, at Lot 4. Con. 3 Tay, 1 mile N., 2 miles E. of Waverley, on Friday, March 20. Sale to include 49 Red and Roan Cattle and an exceptionally good line of implements. Terms Cash. Sale at 12.30 noon. M. A. Trace, Auctioneer. Phone Elmvale 174.
• 25 Years Ago This Week 1933 the depression years – A Sixth Street man reported seeing a robin perched in a tree outside his home. The robin arrived on the heels of one of the worst snow storms to sweep the district in years. * * * Sir Henry Thornton, former president of the Canadian National Railways, died in New York after pneumonia set in following major abdominal surgery. *  *  * Midland Board of Education was considering a further wave of economy. At its monthly meeting, the board discussed the possibility of closing one of the town’s public schools and of making further reductions in teachers’ salaries. * * * A public meeting was called in All Saints parish hall, Penetang, to organize a horticultural society in the town. Three of those present at the meeting agreed to canvass the town for memberships. It was expected this work would be completed by early April. *  * *  The federal government budget called for an increase in personal income taxes and a reduction in exemptions; a two-cent per pound tax on sugar; five percent special excise tax on car tires and tubes; special excise tax of 10 percent on toilet articles and preparations. * * * Coldwater citizens had organized a ratepayers association. Officers of the organization were C. G. Millard, president; C. H. Eplett, vice-president; Mord Millard, secretary; J. A. Locking and James Kitchen, executive. *  *  *  The Ontario government announced it was anticipating a deficit of about $6,000,000 for the fiscal year ending Oct. 31.
• H. A. Kilroy, Bell Telephone manager for Midland said that 200 telephones were added during 1957 bringing the total in service here at the end of the year to 3,293.
• Probably nowhere in Midland Wednesday was there an employee or employer happier to see closing time roll around than Alex Macintosh. As the issuer of motor vehicle licenses and drivers permits, Alex apparently had lots of company throughout the province, as tardy motorists sought to get in under the deadline. On several occasions Monday Mr. Macintosh had to close his doors temporarily because his office was already jammed to capacity. Many of the last-minute “shoppers” came from out-of-town points, where the line-ups were even bigger and longer than they were in Midland, Alex was told.
• According to advice received by the Midland Chamber of Commerce recently, the Department of Transport intends to move its wireless station from Midland to Wiarton. A letter from F. G. Nixon, director of the telecommunications branch of the department, said it was found that communications with vessels could be very greatly improved by a move to Wiarton, hence a decision has been taken to effect this change in location.
• Outstanding performers in the Midland Music Festival are to present a “Stars of the Festival” concert in Midland-Penetang District High School auditorium tonight. The twelfth annual festival, which concluded its activities Wednesday night, set a new high in entries and caliber of contestants, festival officials said.
• Hans Albrecht of Penetang Road was employed Monday night as Midland’s new dog control officer. Mr. Albrecht lives on the old Girard turkey farm in Tay Township. He explained that he has room to impound dogs, and for destroying animals he would use potassium cyanide. He is to be paid out of funds collected through the sale of dog tags and licenses.
• A request from the Manson J. Bradley Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, for permission to hold its annual penny sale on Easy Street on the evening of July 25 was approved by Midland council Monday night.
• From Dec. 1, 1956, to Dec. 1, 1957, Canada’s population increased by 552,000 to a total of 16,860,000; growth in the period was at the record high rate of 3.4 percent.

We are working on the 1938 editions of the Midland Free Press, 80 years ago, and wanted to include a couple of items. 

This ad shows that Wagg’s have been in business for 116 years in our area. The list of businesses that old is short, I can think of H. S. Stamant & Sons, Penetang, and Sanderson Monuments of Orillia.

Click on photos to enlargeSore shins and aching backs were a dime a dozen around Midland last week following this broom ball battle between Branch 80, Canadian Legion, and the Midland Lions Club. The Legionnaires emerged victors 2-O. The game was part of the big “final night” for Midland’s Little League hockey youngsters. 

 

“Open House” at four Midland schools this week drew exceptionally good attendances, according to the principals of the schools. At Regent Public School Tuesday, Principal M. O. Lewis noticed one especially encouraging note in the attendance of around 600 visitors. “It was noticeable that there were a lot more fathers out than usual,” said Mr. Lewis. A short program of square dancing and “P. T.” was provided, along with classroom tours. James Robinson, the principal at Parkview Public School, termed the turn-out at his school Wednesday “very excellent.” “We had around 400 visitors, considerably more than last year,” said Mr. Robinson. No special entertainment was provided this year, giving parents the opportunity to interview teachers. Principal L. M. Johnston said he was very pleased with attendance Wednesday at the first open house ever held at the new Midland Penetang District High School. About 750 persons registered in the afternoon and more than 400 visited the school in the evening. [We would appreciate receiving the names of people in the three photos above. Known, in the second photo are chemistry teacher Warren Jacklin with the couple to the left being Harold and Ann Humphries. Dr. John S. Corcoran and Mrs. Corcoran (Helen) in the first.]

 

Tiger mascot didn’t prove lucky for Miss Kay Gawley as her Midland rink dropped a 7 – 6 decision to Mrs. Jean Murphy’s Orillia four in the finals of the main event in Midland Women’s 11th annual bonspiel this week. Midlanders in the front row are, left to right, Miss Gawley, Mrs. R. Newton, Mrs. Stan Burton and Mrs. Jack Moss. Seen in the back row, the winning Orillia rink was, left to right, Mrs. Murphy, Mrs. M. Holmes, Miss L. Mulcahey and Mrs. F. G. Barton. 

 

“Signs of spring” welcomed visitor to Mrs. Robert (Francis) Bell’s Grade 2A room at Regent Public Schools open house Tuesday. One of her pupils, Diane Rutherford, explains the exhibit to her parents Mr. & Mrs. Harold Rutherford. 

This apron counter attracted both attention and customers at Regent Public School’s “Open House” Tuesday night. Proceeds from the sale of the aprons, made by girls of the Grade 8 class, went to the Junior Red Cross. The students are, left to right, Peggy Jones, Kay McMann and Elizabeth Cowan. (Names are needed for the three parents on the left. 

 

• The headline, Midland Free Press, March 5, 1958; Two Hospitals to Receive $33,600.00 from Province.  Two North Simcoe hospitals will share to the tune of $33,600 in the $6 million being granted by the provincial government to Ontario hospitals this year. The grants $21,000 to the 105-bed St Andrew’s Hospital, Midland, and $12,600 to the 63-bed Penetang General Hospital — were contained in the budget tabled in the legislature by Premier Leslie M. Frost Feb. 26.
• The headline, the County Herald, March 7, 1958; Province Boosts Grants for Elementary Schools.  Increases in provincial education grants for approved  1957 expenditures may mean in this area increases of at least 12 percent for most elementary schools in towns the size of Midland, and a minimum of 10 percent for most rural and urban municipalities with populations under 6,500.
• Eighty-four-year-old Septimus Lowes of Midland, employed at Midland Simcoe elevator, reported that he saw a crow at the elevator about 7.30 a.m. Saturday. He said it is the earliest he has seen crows return in years. The bird apparently had been feeding on grain spilled about the elevator. [My backyard crows returned on the second week of February this year, they sat in the oak tree and demanded their handouts.]
• Midland – Penetang District High School students copped three firsts, a second and a third in the recent Kiwanis Music Festival in Toronto, instrumental music director Wm. Bartlett announced yesterday. “I was very pleased with their showing”, he said. Bill Bates won first in the open bassoon class, with 80 marks; Danny Richardson, with 82 marks was first in the French horn competition for students under 19. Another first went to Lois Cowan in the cello class, under 17. She had 85 marks. Robin Benson, with, 79 marks, was second for viola under 17. The MPDHS string quartet, with 80 marks, was third in the open class. It is composed of Catherine McAllister and Marion Miller, violins; Robin Benson, viola, and Lois Cowan, cello.
• Ten Years Ago This Week; A booklet, outlining the elementary principles of magic, written by Midland’s Chris Gardner, had been accepted by the Grand Council of the Magic Circle, with headquarters in England, Mr. Gardner was notified of the honour in a letter from the Duke of Somerset, president of the Magic Circle. * *  *  The National Employment Service office in Midland reported that, as of Jan. 31, 1948, there were 437 unplaced male workers registered for employment— 125 fewer than for the same period in 1947. * * * Simcoe County Assessor Eric Simpson urged Midland council to have a re-assessment made of town properties. He held there were many inequalities and discrepancies in existing assessments. * * * After many years of effort by various Penetang organizations, federal government officials announced that a lighted buoy would be placed at Pinery Point as a navigation aid for boat operators entering and leaving Penetang Bay. * * * Victoria Harbour council accepted the tender of Sylvester J. Sutter, Port McNicoll, for the construction of the Harbour’s water system. Mr. Sutter’s bid amounted to $49,196. * * * Following a six and one-half inch snowfall, temperatures throughout the district plunged to a low of 36 below zero March 5 and to 27 below the following day. * * *  Canada Steamship Lines announced that it had equipped four of its older ships with radar.  The new equipment, a later adaption of the type installed on the Lemoyne in 1947, was fitted in the Gleneagles, Stadacona, Donacona, and Goderich. The work was completed at the Midland Shipyard.
• Obituaries; [These notices are abbreviated; more information is available from the museum.] A veteran of World War II, Raymond George Denis died Feb. 5 at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland. Born March 8, 1914, at Penetang, Mr. Denis was educated at Sixth Street School and Midland High School. In 1934 he married Norah Dowling in Toronto. After joining the Canadian Navy Feb. 6, 1941, and serving on convoy duty in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean, he was discharged Nov. 15, 1945, with the rank of CPO. A mariner on lake freighters, he held a first mate’s ticket and had sailed until he became ill on the S.S. Laketon in November 1957. * * * A well-known resident of Port Severn, Joseph Cadeau died at Penetang General Hospital Jan, 14 after a brief illness. Born at Port Severn 78 years ago, he was the eldest of a family of eight children of whom only three survive. He married Florence Bressette 53 years ago. * * * One of Elmvale’s pioneer citizens Charles Grigg, died Jan. 25 at his residence in Elmvale. Funeral service was held Jan. 28 at the home of his son, Clifford, of Allenwood. Mr. Grigg was born Feb. 24, 1882, at Con. 6, Flos. He was the only son of the late Edward Grigg and Mary Ann Chapman. Mr. Grigg was instrumental in founding the first Co-operative Packers of Ontario. He was the first president of the Copaco board of directors from 1930 to 1936. Besides his wife, the former Eva Webb, he is survived by one son, Clifford, and one sister, Mrs. Percy McConnell of Flos Township. * * * Godfrey Moreau, a resident of North Simcoe district all his life, died Feb. 17 at Penetang General Hospital following a stroke. He was in his 74th year. Mr. Moreau was born May 15, 1884, at Perkinsfield. In 1904 he married Josephine Asselin in Penetang. Predeceased by his wife in 1944, he is survived by children, Elzear and Marshal of Midland; Mrs. Elmer Kelly (Delvia) and Norbert, both of Toronto. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren.
• Second Street near Yonge, good brick house, 3 bedrooms, oil heating, hardwood, garage, beautiful kitchen. $8,500 or best offer. Phone LA. 6-67??, Midland. [We removed the phone number so that a gentleman on William Street with that same number wouldn’t receive any unsolicited offers.]
• There are growing indications that Ontario motorists will soon be compelled to purchase auto insurance before they will be permitted to obtain drivers licences and licence plates for their vehicles. Additional evidence that the move is underway is provided in the requirement this year for drivers, who cannot show proof of financial responsibility, to pay $5 instead, into the unsatisfied judgment fund. Its effect has been to induce the uninsured to take out the necessary protection, returns from insurance companies reveal. Compulsory auto insurance, while a novel departure as far as Ontario is concerned, is far from new in many parts of the world.
• At the annual meeting of the Midland Community Concert Association Tuesday night, it was decided to disband the 10-year-old music group. In spite of an extra membership campaign this season, the number of members dropped to 302 adults and 76 students—barely enough for a three-concert season. Of this number, only five attended Tuesday’s meeting.
• From the March 3rd, 1927  Midland Argus we have two public notices regarding work to be done on town streets. The first notice informs us that to have your street oiled required a petition from the residents of that street. The second notice is regarding the paving to be done on the streets listed and how much the residents will be charged on their taxes over a twenty-year term to cover their share of that paving.