Looking Back 60 Years Ago in North Simcoe January 1st to the 7th 1955

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First baby born in Midland and district in 1955 is a daughter born to Mr. & Mrs. Allen Kirkwood of RR#1 Victoria Harbour. At 8:30 PM Robert Michael Curry son of Mr. & Mrs. William Curry (nee Webster)  was the first born at the Penetang General Hospital.

Some things never change.
Reeve W.H. Keller’s austerity budget took a further beating Thursday night when Midland Council approved a salary increase for administration staff. The frugal budget already battered by wage increases given to police (ordered by an arbitration board), firemen and now public works employees will be holed to the tune of $650.00 more dollars. Prior to the increase “office girls” were earning from $1,600 to $2,400 per year.

Austin T. Johnston head of printing firm dies. Surviving him is his wife the former Eunice Hunter of Midland. A Midland resident for over 60 years Mr. Johnston worked for the Free Press for many years and later the Argus. Later still he established the Advertiser with the late George Osborne and upon his death William Hill became his partner. Hill died suddenly a few years ago and Mr. Johnston’s son William became involved in the firm.

Ads

  • “After stock taking sale” at the Beverly Ann Shoppe 287 King Street, phone 987.
  • Arthur J. Laley appointed by Filter Queen as District Sales Supervisor
  • 20 to 70% off, The Eleithia Shoppe
  • Sally Shop (Coast to Coast) King Street, January clearance sale
  • Jim Crawford Mens Wear, free pants with tailor made suit
  • Midland Motor Sales, used cars and trucks, Joseph Beausoleil proprietor, Bay Street.
  • Beck Co. Ltd, sale on Anthracite Blue Coal (pea size) $21.00 per ton
  • Warman Motors Limited, only a few left, tires for snow and ice, $29.50 per pair installed, Bay Street

 

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Ready for another years business, members of Midland Council for 1955 are seen at  the inaugural meeting held in the town offices Monday morning. They were chased out of their usual stand in the council chambers by the weekly police court on this occasion. Seated clockwise are Aldermen Ossie Downer, William Logan, Charles Onley, Mayor Charles Parker, Reeve W.H. Keller, Deputy Reeve Mel Holden and Alderman Clint Smith. Standing, left to right, Re. W.R. Auld, A.A. Ingram, barrister who administered the oath of office and William Hack, clerk-treasurer.

Public Works 15 cent raise not what it seems.
Public Works committee chairman Ald. Clint Smith explained that for over a decade public works staff have been paid 90c per hour for a 48 hour week but only worked 44 giving them an actual wage of 98.2 cents. Now they are being paid $1.05 per hour but for a straight 44 hour week, a less than 7 cent increase. If they work to the maximum of 48 hours they are paid time and half for the extra four hours.

 

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Happy with her new appointment, Miss Joyce Mitchener of Midland , with phone, is chief operator at the new Bell Telephone exchange opened in Port McNicoll Wednesday afternoon. Located in the former bank building at the corner of 2nd St. and 4th Ave., the new 2 position switchboard with five operators replaces the old one position board. With her are Mrs. W.H. Shaw, left, the former agent and still employed as an operator and Mrs. A.D. Currie, Toronto, district instructor.

News Items

  • Construction hits all time high, 1954 permits total $1,339,725.00
  • Combined total press run for the Wednesday Free Press Herald and the Friday County Herald has stood in excess of 10,000 copies for some time.
  • Largest turnout of voters in Tiny Twp history saw Arthur Downer unseat Reeve Montcalm Maurice
  • Tiny Municipal Telephone System hit by ice storm near Randolph
  • Early enrollment in Marine classes indicates a banner year
  • Delay in engineering reason for delay in Trans Canada Highway grading north of Port Severn states Lloyd Letherby MLA.
  • Choice Sites Still Available – Cottage sites north of Port Severn still available but drive to locations sold out, apply at the Lands & Forest office in Coldwater. Mainland parcels are 60 cents/ft frontage, islands from 1/2 to 3 acres are $100.00 per acre.

Looking Back 60 Years Ago in North Simcoe December 24th to 31st 1954

(Double Click Photos to Enlarge)
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Joseph and Maude Belfry celebrate 60th anniversary. Married December 26th 1894 and earning $12/mth for the first three years Joseph supplemented his income by shovelling gravel or other road work at 10 cents per hour. The Belfry’s were a pioneer family in the Vasey area, Joseph’s dad Jacob and uncle George were the first white settlers and Joseph and his 8 siblings attended Russell’s school in Vasey. When he was 10 the family moved to a farm on the 6th concession of Tay where not one tree had ever been cut. The couple lived on the homestead before moving to Midland  thirty years ago. Twenty two of those years he has worked for the Midland Park Commission and retired eight years ago. The Belfry’s had three children, one son Everton died in 1947, Eldon with whom they reside at 233 Dominion Ave and Hazel, Mrs. Sterling MacDonald of Vasey. 2006 0020 1608
No whiskers or red suits but these members of the Midland Lions Club did manage to brighten Christmas for thirty local families who needed some support. Pictured loading a truck with boxes of food are Jack Frame, Bob Stanway, Jim Moss, Bill Hack and Harold McAllen.  
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The most popular fellow in the country last week, Santa found time to pay a pre-Christmas visit to the Midland YMCA at a party sponsored by the Midland Y’s Mens Club. On Santa’s knee is John Thompson while waiting  from left to right are Karl McAllen, Ken Trew, Tommie Attridge and Betty Ann McCullough. News Items

  • Only one paper this week due to Boxing Day holiday on the 27th
  • Host of gifts await first babies in Penetang and Midland
  • Wm E. Root 81 dies of a heart attack in Mackie’s Tobacco shop
  • Long time friend of Mr. Root, Edmond Brodeur dies on the same evening
  • Candidates for local council place ads and photos in paper
  • Capt Mike Chretien catches 75 lb Sturgeon at Thunder Bay
  • 10 years ago Dr. Garnet Tanner sells the 19 yr old Georgian Hotel to manager William McArthur.
  • Vehicle licences go on sale Jan 3rd at 321 King opposite Boyd’s service station, Alex MacIntosh issuer.

Heart of Georgian Bay Kick Off celebration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

New Regional Tourism Brand Launches in January
The ‘Heart of Georgian Bay’ will serve to promote tourism in North Simcoe.

Tourism stakeholders from Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny and Tay have been busy during the past few months, creating a new regional tourism identity.
Working under the auspices of the Economic Development Corporation of North Simcoe, the Tourism Action Plan committee (TAP) has developed a tourism brand centered around the region’s greatest asset: Georgian Bay.
Chaired by Tay mayor Scott Warnock, the Tourism Action Plan committee is a collaboration between municipal government personnel and individuals representing various tourist-reliant businesses in the region, including stores, restaurants, hotels, attractions, and events.
“The ‘Heart of Georgian Bay / Au Coeur de la baie Georgienne’ distinguishes the region and its people.” says TAP branding committee chairman Eric Conroy of the S.S. Keewatin. “By pooling our efforts and operating under a unified banner, we’ll be able to make the region more visible.”
“Our region has so much to offer tourists.” says branding co-chair Ken MacDonald of Bay Port Marina. “Together we can we can help visitors discover the wealth of resources available here, not only events, attractions and natural assets, but also the shops and services that make travel rewarding.”
A kick-off celebration introducing the region’s new tourism identity is planned for Thursday January 22nd, 2015, at 10 a.m. at the Midland Cultural Centre. All are invited to attend and learn more about plans for the ‘Heart of Georgian Bay’ in 2015. For more information visit GOgbay.ca  join in the conversation on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/heartofgbay.

Inaugural Members Include:

The SS Keewatin
Huronia Museum
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons
Discovery Harbour

The Canadian Martyrs’ Shrine
The Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre
The Midland Cultural Centre
Midland Tours

Brooklea Golf & Country Club
Parkbridge Marinas
The Boathouse Eatery
Midland Inn & Suites