On Saturday November 18th the museum with be taken over by local artisans selling their wares for the holidays. Don’t miss out on this chance for a one of a kind shopping experience. Check out our vendors and all the details here:

https://huroniamuseum.com/events-2/3rd-annual-artists-take-over/

Click on Photos to EnlargeFree Press Herald reporter-columnist Barry Hughes prepares to eat the king-sized potato found by Lawrence Moreau of Victoria Harbour in potatoes he purchased from Joseph Gratrix, Rosemount. The big spud was nine inches long and fourteen inches in circumference. 

 

Cleaning out his old office in the Ingram Block before moving to the new Municipal Building, Midland’s clerk-treasurer Bill Hack came across three World War 1 medals and the number one dog tag for 1917. Awarded by the town to first war veterans, the three medals never picked up were intended for F/L, G. Black, Seaman R. White and Lieut. J. M. Watt. 

Where to put the sign, R. B. Moffatt, secretary-manager and Frank Bray president of the Chamber find the spot. The new office is on the ground floor of the new building. 

Prospect of getting into their new offices at the new municipal building seems to be making the task easier for police chief Bob Cameron and Constable Ross Willett. 

New office furniture being inspected at Midland’s newly opened municipal building on Dominion Ave. W. Showing one of his new filing cabinets is public works superintendent “Bud” Turnbull, right. Others are l to r, A. R. Brown, superintendent for Marino Construction Co.; J. A. Knox and T. L. Hawkins of Canadian British Engineering Consultants. 

Many local agencies were busy on the weekend moving their offices into the new municipal building on Dominion Ave. W. Unpacking a few of their law books are probation officer Bruce N. MacIntosh and his secretary Miss Diane Anest. 

 

“Apple Day” this year for Boy Scouts and Wolf Cubs of South Georgian Bay District netted the association more than $600.00. Starting out from their tent pitched on King Street (Beside A. Barrie & Sons, the location in 2017 of the Arcade & Jory Guardian Pharmacy 286 King)  are Midland Scouts, Paul Delaney, Ken Cleary, Andy Desroches and Frans Kes. 

Things are looking much brighter for the coaching staff of the MPDHS athletic department this fall, with the football teams undefeated to date. Obviously pleased with the way things were going at a recent practice are, left to right, Tom Cavanagh, assistant football coach and basketball coach; Doug Swales, head football coach, gymnastics and basketball coach; Bill Setterington, head of the Athletic Department; Ed Cable, junior basketball coach; Bill Kennedy, assistant football coach, in charge of the junior team; Perry Rintoul, track and field and volleyball coach. 

• The Free Press Herald headline of October 23, 1957; Seek Taxpayers’ Approval of Two-Year Council Term. Midland ratepayers will vote this year on the question of a two-year term for future councils. The proposal was introduced by Alderman Douglas Haig at the tail end of a marathon session that finally adjourned at 2.30 a.m. Tuesday morning. The motion calling for the vote on the two-year term question was supported by every member of the council but Deputy-reeve R. J. Pinchin. The mayor did not have a vote. The motion reads as follows: ” That the question of a two-year term for council will be presented to the electorate in the coming election, to be effective for the council elected in 1958.”
• The County Herald headline of October 25th, 1957; Town Population 8,266 Assessment $7,254,410.00. Expansion of two of the town’s large industries, Ernst Leitz Canada and Midland Industries, has been a major factor behind a $247,63.50 increase in the assessment for 1958, Midland Assessor Lionel Diver told this newspaper yesterday. Mr. Diver said the total taxable assessment for 1958 for Midland amounted to $7,254,410. The 1957 assessment, prepared last year, was $7,006,775.
• The Free Press Herald headline of October 30th, 1957; Police Offer $100.00 Reward in Hit-Run Driver Search. A special meeting of Midland police commission Monday night authorized Chief Robert Cameron to offer a $100 reward for information leading to the arrest of a hit and run driver, involved in an accident in Midland Saturday night. Hit by an as yet unidentified car and carried 55 feet from the established point of impact was Mrs. John Jenkinson, 52, of 187 Charles Street, Midland. Jenkinson suffered two broken legs, a fractured pelvis, possible internal injuries, facial lacerations and concussion. It is reported that 30 stitches were required to close a cut on her face.
• Influenza sweeping Simcoe County was a factor in the deaths of two Midland children last week. Thursday, little Randolph Scott Grant, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Grant, 291 Dominion Avenue, died at the Ontario Hospital in Orillia. His parents said death was brought on when the child contracted Asian flu following a lengthy illness. He was three years, nine months old. Saturday, 13-year-old Julia Alderson died at Midland. A Grade 7 student at Sacred Heart School, she was the daughter of Mrs. Norman Alderson and the late Mr. Alderson. Her doctor said she had apparently been suffering from the flu for some time before she contracted both lobar and bronchial pneumonia.
• A 50 by a 90-foot lot on the east side of Eighth Street was sold to Mrs. Violet Latondress by Midland council Monday night. Mrs. Latondress is to receive the deed for the property when a satisfactory building is erected.
• Effective April 30, 1958, Midland citizens who have been keeping domestic animals such as cows and goats will have to dispose of the animals. At its meeting Monday night Midland council approved a bylaw prohibiting, within the corporation, the keeping of goats, cows, swine, mink, foxes and rabbits in excess of two on lands not assessed as farmlands. Although the bylaw’s original intent was to prohibit the keeping of chickens as well, the council declined to ban fowl when it learned many citizens were forced to keep chickens to augment their livelihood. However, the new bylaw stipulates that, where chickens or other domestic fowl become a nuisance and the subject of complaints from residents living nearby, the owner will have to dispose of them.
• 25 Years Ago This Week – Classes in violin instruction were to be held in Midland’s four public schools. The one hour sessions were to be held once each week after regular school hours. * * * The 466-foot “Midland Prince”, built in Midland Shipyard, ran aground on a shoal at the entrance to Key Harbour. Part of her 7,006-ton cargo of coal had to be removed from her bow before she could be freed. *  *  * More than 30 sheep and lambs had been killed on Tay Township farms by marauding bands of dogs. The township paid out more than $165 to recompense farmers for their losses. * * * Clergy of the Anglican Deanery of West Simcoe met in the rectory, Penetang. Rev. W. C. Stubbs of Elmvale was elected rural dean for a second term. * * * Approached by a large delegation of unemployed men, Victoria Harbour council set up a welfare committee to plan relief work. The committee was comprised of Reeve E. Dutton, Councillor Wm. Dunlop, Ed. Crooke, Hamilton Vent, Mrs. George Watson, Mrs. Thomas Lumsden and Miss Laura Gouett.  * * * Midland Public Utilities Commission, faced with street light vandalism on Fifth Street and in the Wireless Hill area, proposed to shift the standards to other areas requesting street lights. Bulbs and lamp sockets in the two areas were being broken as fast as they could be repaired.
• Junior girls’ track champ Lynn McAllen 13, broke both wrists Wednesday when she tripped during a gym class at Midland-Penetang District High School. Hospitalized overnight, she was back at school yesterday afternoon, in casts from her knuckles to her elbows. The fractures were described as clean breaks. A Grade 9 student, she is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold McAllen, 372 Russell Street.
• Richard Harwood, a Toronto industrialist, might not like to hear himself termed a philanthropist. So quite probably residents of the Wyevale area won’t call him by that name, although they may think the term entirely justified. Certainly, he could at least be termed a benefactor, without stretching any points. Haywood, in fact, recently stretched his own pocketbook to the extent of nearly $1,500 to make a gift of a badly needed fire engine for use in the Wyevale area. Heavily wooded, both naturally and in reforestation and Christmas tree projects, fire is an ever-present menace to the little Tiny Township hamlet.
• Two unidentified assailants jumped Sgt. Ernest Bates of Midland police force Saturday night when the officer attempted to arrest them for creating a disturbance. Chief Robert Cameron said Sgt. Bates was patrolling First Street when he heard some youths speaking profane language behind the YMCA. When he investigated four youths ran into the lane and Sgt. Bates fired a shot in the air to halt the foursome in their flight, the chief said. The Midland officer entered the shed behind Mostyn’s store and arrested two of the youths. As he was bringing them out and along the lane near the rear of the Ontario Cafe, the two jumped him and kicked him as he wrestled with them. In the scuffle Sgt. Bates had a tooth broken and several ribs bruised.
• Residents of this area will probably get a good look at the new CF-105 during some of its tests next year if preliminary arrangements made Thursday night between Avro technicians and Tiny Township council are completed. Three Avro representatives asked permission to erect radio test equipment on the beach at the end of Con. 12 right-of-way, explaining they wanted to test fly their aircraft over water which provides a constant known quantity for this purpose. “We will be using Meaford as a checkpoint for the aircraft,” one of the men said.
• Ten Years Ago This Week – A heat wave, with temperatures hovering around the 80 mark, had citizens digging out summer clothes, raspberries ripening in gardens, robins singing and a few brave souls swimming on the south shore. * * *  A petition was being circulated in Penetang to raise $60,000 through municipal debentures for the construction of a new ice rink. * * * Shipyard workers in Midland, Collingwood and Port Arthur had ratified a new wage agreement. The employees were to receive a five cents per hour wage increase, retroactive to September 1947, holidays with pay, double-time for work on statutory holidays, an eight hour day and a 40-hour week. * * * Confronted by two large opposing bodies of ratepayers, Victoria Harbour council decided to close, to motor traffic only, the beach road from David Labatte’s cottage to the Stockhart – Richardson cottage.  * * * Husband of the former Eleanor Rose of Coldwater, journalist Bob Reeds of Toronto, missing in Northern Ontario for several weeks was found by Indians and taken to Moosonee. He was suffering from a severely injured leg. * * *  Tiny Township  Assessor Joseph D. Asselin was carrying out a re-evaluation of farm, beach and village property in the township, to bring their valuation more in line with those prevailing in other municipalities in Simcoe County. * * * One of the last wooden elevators in any Canadian port, the 1,000,000 – bushel frame unit of Midland’s CSL elevator was to be torn down.
• (Editorial) For some months now the editorials on this page have come from the pen of Wils Harrison and others associated with him on the news and editorial staff of this newspaper. In some ways, we wish they hadn’t because this is one of the most difficult editorials we have ever tried to write. Saying “goodbye” to friends, made on this printed page over nearly twenty-three years, is not easy. But this week we move down to the new plastics building just opened on Midland’s Elizabeth Street, away from the smell of ink and the noise of presses. Away too, from the visits of North Simcoe neighbours dropping in for a chat about community problems, about a story, or about something they thought the newspaper could do to help. We will miss the smell of ink, the noise of the presses and those visits with you and your friends and neighbours. We will miss them more than you know. A newspaper, when it performs its true purpose, becomes in many ways an integral part of the community it serves; and its editor becomes both servant and confidante of its people. He lives in the community and in a real sense, the community lives in him. It is a privilege and a trust to edit a weekly newspaper. We know it has been for us. There are few if any other jobs in this world we would rather have had. But there is a consolation. We are confident that the men and women carrying on this newspaper’s traditions will do a good job. We have been associated with them now for some years. They have a high sense of responsibility, of moral purpose, and of editorial trust. Probably, as you have oftentimes been annoyed at your old editor, you may at times become annoyed with them too. But we are sure of this: they will publish a newspaper of which both you and they can at all times be proud. — Bill Cranston.
• (Editorial) Few laymen probably ever realize it, but a newspaper is a very personal thing. The very nature of and sole purpose for its production make it so. From its conception on the typewriters of the editorial staff and in the layouts of the advertising department through its formative stage in the composing and printing plants to its birth on the press, a newspaper is the personal baby of the men and women who work to give it life.  Because of this fact, because it is the product of their thoughts and their craftsmanship, a newspaper’s staff from editor to printer’s devil becomes a closely knit group. Like a family. But a paper is a personal item from another standpoint, for it endeavours to mirror the life of the community it serves. It reports the good news and the bad, the births and deaths, the marriages and divorces, the gay times and tragedies, the successes and failures of the people whose interests are wrapped up in that specific area. Little wonder then, that the man who had been editor and publisher of this newspaper for the past decade, and was its general manager from 1935 to 1947, found it difficult to write the editorial which precedes this one. In a sense, it is like severing relations with every friend in the district. And in twenty-two years one makes a good many of them. For employees of this company, whose destiny has been in his guiding hands for a good part of those two decades his move to an executive post in one of Midland’s largest industries is somewhat akin to the loss of the paternal head of a family. Consoling factor is that he will be remaining in Midland where his counsel will be readily available. The Free Press Herald and County Herald, under his and his late father’s direction and editorial acumen, have attained an enviable reputation. They  have been adjudged the best all-around newspapers in Canada four times. The editorial page has won top awards on five occasions. This is the legacy he has entrusted to us. If we prove worthy of this trust, and we will make a sincere effort to do so, it will be because the qualities of who had been, editor and publisher of this newspaper for the past decade, and because the qualities of sincerity and leadership have rubbed off on us.

Click on Photos to EnlargeAnne Shiels and Mary Arbour model two Fabulous Formals gowns during a fashion show tonight in the Elmvale Community Hall. The fashion show will be jointly sponsored by the Woman’s Association of the Elmvale United Church and Edwards Specialty Shoppe, Midland. 

Misses and matrons ensembles will be modelled by Lynn Mills and Mrs. Isadore Arbour tonight in the Elmvale Community Hall. 

Participants in the fashion show are Dianne McKnight and Sharon Grant.

 

Beehives provided a feast for a passing black bear and were completely destroyed in the process. Keepers Dave and Ed Woods of Hillsdale inspect the damage. 

 The new municipal building is nearly complete after months of delay caused by a shortage of materials. Looking over the blueprints are, in front, Alderman Clint Smith, contractor Alfred Rei, clerk-treasurer Bill Hack, Reeve Bill Keller and in the back, Alderman Herb Beauchamp and to his right Alderman Bill Orr. 

Architect Robert Cripps, Mayor Charles Parker, Reeve W. H. Keller and alderman Bill Orr stand on the stairway which runs from the rotunda of the new building. The building was inspected by Midland council Wednesday afternoon. 

A victory over Alliston District High School in Alliston Saturday afternoon will send the MPDHS senior football team into the Red Feather games in Toronto later this season. Members are, front row, Gary Crowe, Martin Reynolds, Charlie Zummach, Bob Megaw, Ken Bell, Milt Budarick; center row, Wayne Morrison, Dale Smitham, Ed Thompson, Lorne Williams, Gary Neff, Vic Cupido; back row, Joe Huston, Bernie Arbour, Pete Gouett, Bob Thomson, Frank Holmes, Bill Offord and Glenn Nichols. 

This has been the best football season at MPDHS in many a moon and the junior team above is keeping pace with the seniors, neither team being defeated yet. Front row, B. Popple, Frank Okenka, J. Gignac, J. McKinnon, K. Ball, R. Lalonde, J. Kingsborough and W. Broad. Center row, B. Dubeau, Bryson McQuirter, J. Dubeau, F. Wice, Bill McQuaig, J. Bell, R. Attridge and D. Belfry. Back row, Don Zabzinski, R. Marchildon, Doug Setterington, D. Henry, G. Carr, G. Donovan, W. Dunn, K. Cleary and R. Rawson. 

 

• The headline, Free Press Herald, October 16th, 1957; Launch Probe to Quash Bulb Smashing Epidemic. Midland police are investigating complaints by officials of Midland Public Utilities Commission that breakage of electric light bulbs and other PUC property has increased alarmingly in recent weeks. Such acts of vandalism now pose a serious, and costly problem for the PUC, police said yesterday. Boys armed with BB guns are apparently causing most of the damage. Area heaviest hit has been the southeast section of town. (Is that the Colborne & Russell Street area, couldn’t have been me, I had a pellet gun) Stones, however, were used to break two windows in the PUC’s Queen Street sub-station recently.
• The headline, County Herald October 18th, 1957; Enter Ten Area Cottages Break-ins Plague Police. Both the OPP detachment at Victoria Harbour and Tiny Township police said cottage owners up for the Thanksgiving weekend had reported a number of their cottages entered. In many cases, including nine in the Georgina – Bluewater Beach area of Tiny Township reported to Chief Fern Maurice, the intruders were apparently searching for liquor.
• Ninety-two years ago this month the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Robinson came to Tay Township and settled on a farm on Line 5, Con. 5, about two miles south of Highway 12. The old farmhouse, now one of the oldest settled in North Simcoe, has seen four generations of Robinson’s. After Thomas and Leticia Robinson came their son Herman and his wife. Now the farm is being taken over by Herman’s son and his wife, Thomas “Tommie”and Leticia “Leta” Robinson. Completing the roster is Herman’s granddaughter, Karen, who married David Bertram. It was in 1853 that Thomas Robinson came to Canada from Ireland. His wife arrived the following year after a six-week trip in a sailing vessel. Mr. Robinson purchased his land in Tay from the Crown, paying for it in sterling. The year was 1865. After clearing a small area of land and building a log shanty, Thomas Robinson returned to Cartwright Township to bring his wife and four small children back to North Simcoe. The only available bank in the area at the time was on his own property—a hole at the root of a tree. It was here he placed his money between two chips of wood and buried his most valuable possessions. One of the tales the earlier Robinsons told their children concerned the time the oxen strayed from home. Mrs. Robinson set out after them, and in the course of her search came upon some Indian huts. They obligingly sent some of their children out to follow the trail. The children found the oxen and when they returned Mrs. Robinson invited them home for lunch. The children had never seen chairs before, and she recalled them picking them up and turning them round and round with interest. Mr. Robinson belonged to the council which met in Penetang. To attend the meetings he would walk to Waverley and then up the Penetang Road, returning the following day. This was before there was any town of Midland or Victoria Harbour. The house, built in 1872, was long known as “the white house under the hill” but is now covered in Insul-Brick and modern appliances and machinery have long since replaced those which went to the Huronia Museum.
• Ten Years Ago This Week; Owing to a severe cement shortage, residents on several streets in Penetang were forced to forego new sidewalks for that year. * * * H. McGuire, president of Penetang Chamber of Commerce, warned more than 100 members of the chamber attending the annual meeting that lack of suitable buildings had cost the town four new industries during the year. He advised that a company be formed to construct buildings for rental to concerns. * * *  Reg. McPhee of Port McNicoll had been named recreational director for Kincardine. * * * Tenders for the proposed construction of a water system for Victoria Harbour had to be recalled. Shortages of pipe and other materials caused delays which made earlier bids useless. * * *  Although it was employing 370 men on its staff at the time. Midland Shipyard announced that it planned to expand its workforce week by week. The first ship of several to be built for the French government was scheduled to be launched the week of Oct. 20. * * * Tay Township ratepayers were planning to hold a special meeting following the township council’s announcement that telephone rates for the municipally owned system would be raised. * * * Col. T. L. Kennedy, provincial minister of agriculture, spoke to a meeting sponsored by Midland Kiwanis Club at Vasey. * * * Bausch and Lomb Optical Co. had taken a lease on a large room in Midland YMCA and planned to install machinery in it to train personnel for its new plant under construction in Midland.
• Midland contractor Alfred Rei turned over the keys of the town’s new municipal building to clerk Wm. A. Hack yesterday. The move signified virtual completion of the new structure at Second Street and Dominion Avenue. Officials said the official opening and ‘open house’ was not likely to be held until the latter part of November when the various departments are settled into their quarters. The building, on the old Central School grounds, will house a large auditorium which will double as the council chamber and courtroom, offices of the school inspector, Children’s Aid Society, the mayor, engineer, assessor and municipal departments. The Chamber of Commerce and the police and fire departments are also included.
• Work started this week on the new brewers’ warehouse building In Midland, to be located on Bay Street beside the temporary quarters of the municipal fire, police and public works departments. Of brick construction, the new building will have overall dimensions of 30 by 100 feet. The retail store portion will be 32 by 20 feet, with the rest used for storage. Space for about 30 cars will be provided in the parking lot, which will have a macadam surface.
• Boyd’s service station, Midland, was one of several Chrysler agencies across Canada honoured recently with long service awards. Boyd’s have been in the automobile business since 1923 and became associated with Chrysler in 1925. Gordon and Harold Boyd took over the dealership after the death of their father Bert Boyd.
•  A promotional idea for his Sunday midnight show gave Bill Belrose, manager of Pen Theatre, quite a surprise when he got more than he had bargained for out of the project. Bill purchased 10 chickens to be given away as door prizes and had them on display in the lobby of the theatre Friday night. When he opened the door Saturday morning he found one of the hens had produced a ready-made breakfast in the form of an egg. Before the fowl were given away they had presented Bill with three extra dividends.
• First of what will shortly be thousands of truckloads of Christmas trees was seen going through Penetang yesterday afternoon. Plantation owners say this is the ideal time of year to start cutting Scotch pine trees in order to have them at their prime for Christmas selling. When cut too late the trees tend to turn somewhat yellow. Spruce and balsam trees are generally left for later cutting.
• Chris Gardner of Midland, M.M., IBM., AMAS, known in magic circles as the Mystic Marvel, attended the Canada and New York state conclave of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, held in Buffalo, N.Y., Oct. 10. 11 and 12. Chris, well known to those who practice feats of legerdemain, received several gifts for magical inventions he has completed recently and was made a fellow of the Academy of Magical Arts and Sciences. Mr. Gardner has been invited to lecture to several magic clubs in Canada and the U.S. during the forthcoming season.
• A widely known and respected resident of Penetang, Dr. B. A. Blackwell died at his Water Street home yesterday afternoon, following a lengthy illness. Dr. Blackwell served for many years on the Penetang High School Board. He also served on the building committee when the new Midland-Penetang District High School was being constructed. For many years, he was MOH for Penetang and still held that appointment at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife Grace Thompson.
• Mr. and Mrs. Oswald St. Amant are happy to announce the arrival of their son, a baby brother for David, at the Penetanguishene General Hospital, Saturday, October 8, 1957. Weight 9 lbs. 2 oz.
• Obits – An employee of the Midland grain elevator for nearly fifty years, Sidney English died Oct. 3 at St. Andrews Hospital of pneumonia. Funeral service was held Oct. 5 at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home. Rev. L. J. Delaney conducted the service. Interment was in Lakeview Cemetery. Pallbearers were five sons, Hubert (Dede), George (Mon), Bill, Ross, Doug and one nephew, Harold English. Mr. English was born Dec. 8, 1883, at Omemee and educated there. At Penetang, Sept. 3, 1913, he married Gertrude Marshall. He had lived 14 years in Omemee and 60 years in Midland. * * * A resident of the Victoria Harbour area for 50 years, John Holm died Sept. 29 at St. Andrews Hospital. Funeral service was held Oct. 1 at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home with Mr. E. J. Parsons officiating. Interment was in Union Cemetery, Victoria Harbour. Pallbearers were Harry Beckett, Clarence Mount, Wm. Potter, Wm. Burnie, Jack Low and Elmer Tucker. John Holm was born Dec. 1, 1886, in Sweden and was educated there. On June 29, 1914, he married Lavina White at Victoria Harbour and had resided in that area until his death. He had spent 20 years in Sweden prior to coming to Canada. He was a farmer and a Jehovah’s Witness. * * * Funeral services were held in St. John’s United Church Monday for Robert R. Morris, a respected resident of this village for many years who died in Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, Orillia, Oct. 3, following a prolonged illness. Rev. N. B. McLeod conducted the service. Bruce Brown, W. B. Crooke, W. B. Reid, Walter Lumsden, L. A. Ball, C. H. Webb were pallbearers. Interment took place in the family plot in Union Cemetery, Victoria Harbour. Born in Vasey, April 4, 1873, Mr. Morris attended school in Vasey and lived his early life there. He was married March 25, 1896, in Hillsdale to the former Lena Morris who predeceased him in 1951. They lived nearly all their married life in the village, being here 48 years and seven years in Orillia. * * * Wilfred Peter Clute died Saturday, Sept. 28 at Penetang General Hospital in his 81st year. The funeral service was held Monday, Sept. 30 in Elmvale Presbyterian Church, where he had been an elder for 20 years. Rev. J. C. Cooper conducted the service. The pallbearers were Nelson Simpson, W. S. Campbell, George Graham, Howard Spring, Mervyn Beacock and Eldridge Spence. Mr. Clute was born June 22, 1877, on lot 11 Con. 3 Tiny Township, son of the late Peter Clute and Frances Errington. After spending 44 years there, he moved to Wyevale and for nine years he worked with his brother. In 1930 he moved to Elmvale where he conducted a successful insurance business.
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