The photos found in this blog post are the property of Huronia Museum, Midland, Ontario. Any reproduction for commercial use without permission is prohibited.  Any other distribution must credit Huronia Museum.  Please contact the museum with any questions you may have.  

$111,577 HOSPITAL GRANT RECEIVES COUNTY APPROVAL
County Herald headline of Friday June 16, 1961. 

For the second time since last November, Simcoe County council has agreed to take over payment of the $111,557 in debentures still owing by the town of Midland on behalf of St. Andrews Hospital. At its November session, county council gave two readings to the bylaw, which then failed to obtain the approval of the Ontario Municipal Board. The board pointed out there was no authority under the Municipal Act for such a grant.  Again on Tuesday, council passed new bylaw providing for the payment of the $111,577 in 10 equal  installments,  without interest, beginning June 30 of this year. Once again there is the rider “that this bylaw shall not come into force and effect until approved by the Ontario Municipal Board. 

    Present plans call for an increased enrolment at Midland-Penetang District High School of more than 100 students in the fall, the MPDHS board heard at its June meeting Wednesday night. Present enrolment is 852 and already 955 have enrolled to start classes in the fall Principal R. C. Gauthier stated. This figure will be increased before the fall term starts, Mr. Gauthier added. At present 33 classes are anticipated in the fall and this figure is made up as follows: Grade 9, 10 classes; Grade 10, 8 classes; Grade 11, 6 classes; Grade 12 general course, 4 classes; Grade 12 special commercial 2 classes and Grade 13, 3 classes. 

    Penetang council, Monday night, vetoed a resolution which would have made left turns illegal at the intersection of Main and Robert Streets. Mayor Jerome Gignac commented, “I think the best solution for that intersection is to buy a pair of white gloves. The police should be out there directing traffic whenever things get plugged up.” 

   Midland Police Chief George Wainman has recommended that “the retail sale of all types of fireworks by merchants be prohibited except to an organized service club or organization for the purpose of a properly supervised fireworks display.” The chief’s recommendation  was contained in a letter addressed to police committee chairman Alderman Wm. Thompson, read at Monday  night’s meeting of Midland council.  Noting that for a week or more prior to the May 24^th holiday, “the normal peace and quiet of our community is disturbed by the setting off of firecrackers and other types of fireworks.” Chief Wainman added that his department has issued many warnings and seized quantities of fireworks without very much success in putting a stop to such activities. Chief Wainman’s letter continues: “Bylaw No. 1, section 30, passed March 14, 1879, prohibits the discharging of all types of fireworks within the corporation and bylaw No. 2301 passed March 17, 1956, amending section 30 of bylaw No. 1, prohibits the use of air guns, spring guns etc.” 

BIRTHS
LAGRANDEUR — To Mr. and Mrs. Rene La Grandeur, 298 Princess Street, Midland, at St. Andrew’s Hospital, Friday June 9, 1961, a son.
NEALE – To Doctor and Mrs. W. F. Neale, 240 Yonge Street West, Midland, at St. Andrew’s Hospital, Wednesday June 14, 1961, a daughter.
ADAMSON — To Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Adamson, 109 Scott Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Friday, June 9, 1961, a daughter.
ARCHER — To Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Archer, R.R. 1, Phelpston, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Sunday, June 11, 1961, a son.
DIXER — To Mr. and Mrs. Engelbart Dixer, 250 Charles Street, Midland at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, June 7, 1961, a daughter.
DESROCHES — To Mr. and Mrs. Peter Desroches, R.R. 3, Penetang at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Friday, June 9, 1961, a daughter.
HEBNER — To Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hebner, apartment 2-B, Queen’s Hotel, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Friday, June, 9, 1961, a daughter.
CADEAU – To Mr. and Mrs. Wade Cadeau, 592 Gorham St.,,Newmarket, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Sunday, June 11, 1961, a son.
LESPERANCE — To Mr. and Mrs. Hilaire Lesperance, Perkinsfield at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Saturday, June 3, 1961, a daughter.
MOREAU — To Mr. and Mrs. Eldege Moreau, R.R. 2. Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Friday, June 9, 1961, a daughter.
ROBITAILLE — To Mr. and Mrs. Harold Robitaille, 27 Leonard Ave., Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Wednesday, June 7, 1961, a daughter.
HARPELL — To Mr. and Mrs. Fred Harpell, Parry Sound Ontario, on Friday, June 16, 1961, a daughter.
SUNDAY — To Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Sunday, Christian Island, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Wednesday, June 21, 1961, a daughter.
THOMPSON — To Mr. and Mrs. Garnet Thompson, 360 William St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, June 20, 1961, a son. (Baby died June,20^th)
FLEMING — To Mr. and Mrs. George Fleming  (nee DiFrancesco),
at the Toronto Western Hospital, on Saturday, June 17, 1961, a daughter.
HILLER — To Mr. and Mrs. Eberhard Hiller, 299 Midland Ave., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Monday, June 19, 1961, a son.
KING — To Mr. and Mrs. Abraham King, Christian Island, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Friday, June 16, 1961, a daughter.
HAIG – To Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Haig, 345 King St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Thursday, June 22, 1961, a daughter.
DUPUIS — To Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Dupuis, Port McNicoll, at St.  Andrews Hospital, Midland, Thursday, June 22, 1961, a son.
DALZIEL – To Mr. and Mrs. Gary Dalziel, 201 Midland Ave., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, June 20, 1961, a son.
DORION – To Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Dorion, Victoria Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Friday June 16, 1961, a son. 

Four cars at Bourgeois Motors, Midland, suffered a total of $2,000 damage when a large tree toppled on them during Tuesday’s wind storm. The tree also knocked down the garage sign. 

This new staircase, located at the northeast corner of the building, provides ready access to the newly-renovated second floor of the Walker Store in Midland. The alterations have added some 1,200 feet of new selling space for the store. 

Greatly expanded facilities for the children’s wear department have been provided for on the newly-renovated second floor of the Walker Store in Midland. Mrs. M. Newton, who has been with the store three years, is in charge of this department. 

Official opening of the renovated Simcoe county court house attracted a large crowd of dignitaries at Barrie Wednesday. Warden Montcalm Maurice (centre) is giving the ribbon-cutting scissors to Chief Justice J. C. McRuer (left) while Judge J. G. Harvie looks on. 

POLICE CONTINUE SEARCH FOR THREE MISSING YOUTH
Free Press Herald headline of June 21, 1961. 

Members of the OPP detachment at Victoria Harbour resumed a search Tuesday for three persons who, it is feared, may possibly have drowned in Georgian Bay early Sunday morning. Search is also being made of some of the adjacent 30,000 Islands in case any or all of the young men concerned reached shore. It all started Sunday when Guy Hebner, Midland guide and boat operator, was taking a party out for a day’s fishing. Mr. Hebner said he saw a boat containing three young persons near the south end of Beausoleil Island, around 7:30 a.m. The other boat appeared to be heading for Penetang Bay. About half an hour later, Ray O’Rourke, 21, of Midland saw the same boat, this time capsized with only a few feet of the bow sticking out of the water. There was no sign of any occupants. Location of the boat was given as half a mile west of Brebeuf Light, on the north end of Beausoleil. Mr. O’Rourke towed the boat, a 12-foot moulded plywood model with 5hp motor, into Crescentwood Beach, across the bay from Beausoleil. It was later identified as being owned by Fred H. Daniels, 29 Lorraine Gardens, Toronto. Police were not notified of the incident until late Sunday. 

   A  special meeting of Midland council and the board of St. Andrews Hospital Monday night produced a half-mill gift for Midland taxpayers. At its last meeting, the board had decided to put a special grant of $7,800 received from government sources into a sinking fund for future expansion of the hospital, foreseen within “three to five years.” After an hour-long conference with council Monday night, the board agreed to give $4,104 of that sum to the town. This figure represents 60% of the interest ($6,840) the town will have to pay this year on debentures incurred on behalf of the hospital some years ago. Clerk W. A. Hack said the $4,104 represented very close to half a mill. 

   Cars will be cheaper throughout North Simcoe today as a result of an announcement made by Finance Minister Donald Fleming in his budget address in the House of Commons last night. Mr. Fleming said the 7 ½ percent excise tax on cars was removed, effective midnight last night. The tax amounts to about $140 on a S3,000 car. 

TEN YEARS AGO
Grew Boats of Penetanguishene were putting a new launch through its paces on Penetang Bay. The craft was designed by Lloyd Butson of Grews. Initial tests showed it was capable of travelling at 40 mph while retaining a constant riding angle and creating virtually no wake. * * * At a meeting of service clubs, Women’s Institutes, firemen, legionnaires, board of trade members and fall fair society representatives, it was decided to petition Coldwater council to establish by bylaw a community centre council. The council was to consist of a representative of each group. * * * A heavy infestation of tent caterpillars was causing serious damage to trees in forest areas on Midland Point. Poplars and oaks in the area were stripped of their leaves, with sections’ of the woods taking on an October appearance. * ** Twenty-two of 32 municipalities in Simcoe County were faced with increased equalized assessment following council’s approval of the county assessor’s report at the June session. Equalized assessment of Penetang was up a quarter of a million dollars and that of Tiny Township $300,000. * * * Midland Rotary Club received its charter at a banquet in Parkside Inn. More than 250 guests, including Rotarians from Barrie, Orillia, Gravenhurst, Aurora, Leaside,  Brampton, Peterborough and Lindsay were present for the event. * * * The M.S. Midland City and the S.S. City of Dover had received the stamp of approval of the Department of Transport for a further season of operations on Georgian Bay. The Dover was running out of Midland and the Midland City was operating out of Penetang. * * * A third year student at Victoria College, University of Toronto, Robert A. Armstrong of Port McNicoll obtained first class honors in the mathematics and physics course and the H.S. Robertson Scholarship. His father, L. C. Armstrong, had been principal of Port McNicoll school for 25 years. 

RATES UP 1.4, 3.5 MILLS FOR MIDLAND RATEPAYERS
County Herald headline of Friday, June 23, 1961. 

The climax of several budget meetings was reached by Midland council at a special meeting Wednesday night when the town’s commercial and residential mill rates for 1961 were set. The 1961 commercial rate is 82.5 mills, compared with 79 mills last year and this year’s residential rate is 72.9 mills as against 71.5 mills in I960. 

    At Wednesday night’s special meeting of Midland council, Reeve Percy Crawford tendered his written resignation as chairman of council’s finance committee. Following the reading of Mr. Crawford’s resignation, the other members of council unanimously voted in favour of not accepting it. The situation arose when Mr. Crawford said he understood that salaries and wages for municipal employees had been agreed to when a motion was introduced by Aldermen Wm. Thompson, vice-chairman of finance, and Walter Woods, suggesting slight increases for two or three employees. Mr. Crawford said the schedule had been agreed to and as a matter of principle he was opposing any further increases. He contended that the overall increases originally agreed to, amounted to approximately eight per cent. 

        A fall from the high end of a park teeter-totter resulted in a badly broken right arm for 10-year-old Danny Donaldson of Midland. The boy spent five days in St. Andrews Hospital under the care of doctor D. C. Swan and Dr. Peter Brasher. They referred him to Sick Children’s Hospital because the fracture also involved a piece of bone broken off at the elbow. After toppling from the board he managed to get to the entrance booth where the attendant hailed a motorist to take him to hospital. The oldest child of Captain and Mrs. Norman Donaldson, he will spend the summer in a cast. 

    Midland Salvation Army Corps Red Shield appeal has nearly reached its $5,000 objective for 1961, Lieut. Wm. Johnston, corps officer, said yesterday. Lieut. Johnston said $4,384.72 has been subscribed so far. The amount is an all-time high for Midland, and we appreciate the generosity of the Midland and district residents, he said. 

TUG “RELIANCE”
Dear Editor:
The single-screw wooden tug “Reliance” official No 97115 was built in 1892 for Collingwood Dry Dock Co. (Stephen D. Andrews) and registered there. Her length was 124 feet, breadth 23 feet and depth 11.6 feet: gross tons 310.72, registered 181.54. In 1900 she was sold to the Midland Towing and Wrecking Co., James Playfair, President. In 1906 her registry was transferred to the Port at Midland and in 1910 she was sold to Joseph Ganley of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and in 1911 her registry was transferred to Sault Ste. Marie.  On July 10, 1916 she was sold to the North Shore Contracting Co. Ltd. of Sault Ste. Marie, and on July 28 she was sold to the Superior Paper Co Limited, of Sault Ste. Marie. On May 5, 1930, she was sold to the Abitibi Power and Paper Co. Ltd., of Iroquois Falls, Ont. On June 17, 1930, her registry was transferred to Toronto. On June 14, 1945, she was sold to Roderick Alexander McLean of Sault Ste. Marie. Ont., and John McLean of Sault Ste. Marie, joint owners. On March 28, 1947, she was sold to Donald Allan Clark, Port Arthur. Ont. Her closing entry reads as follows: “May 23rd, 1949, Registry closed. Vessel completely dismantled. Advice received from owner.
—W. R. WILLIAMS 

Below are a couple of pastes we missed from previous weeks.

The photos found in this blog post are the property of Huronia Museum, Midland, Ontario. Any reproduction for commercial use without permission is prohibited.  Any other distribution must credit Huronia Museum.  Please contact the museum with any questions you may have.  

OTTAWA OFFICIALS APPROVE DOCK IMPROVEMENT PLAN
County Herald headline of June 2, 1961 

Penetang dock should provide better accommodation for visiting cruisers and yachts this year, when scheduled improvements are completed. At a luncheon meeting yesterday, Penetang Chamber of Commerce heard that the Department of Transport is ready to call tenders on some requested improvements. 

    Continued interest in the welfare of St. Andrews Hospital by the citizens at large was evidenced at Monday night’s meeting of the hospital board. Alex Craig, hospital administrator, reported that a second food conveyor had been put into operation recently, at a cost of $686 to serve the first floor. “Since the conveyor went into operation we have received an anonymous donation amounting to approximately $560 to assist in defraying the cost of the equipment. I am sure you will agree that this is a gesture that is very much appreciated by all concerned,” said Mr. Craig. Later, board member W. S. Child, who also doubles as chairman of the Boy Scouts Committee for South Georgian Bay, said local Scouts, in looking for a worthwhile project, would like to do something for the hospital. “They are planning to buy a 35 mm projector so they can show films to young patients Saturday afternoons,” Mr. Child reported. Board chairman John Burke said it was a “very commendable idea.” 

    Well known around Great Lakes ports, Capt. R. A Simpell died at his Fourth Street Midland home Wednesday evening. He was in his 67^th year. Capt. Simpell, who had been an employee of the Paterson Steamship Lines for 31 years and was master on a number of ships, was also a prominent member of the Midland Y’s Men’s Club and of the Masonic Lodge. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 P.M. at St. Marks Anglican Church. 

    Sunday will usher in a new era of telephone communications in Port McNicoll and Waubaushene. About 3 a.m. the telephone systems in the two points will be changed from manual to dial operations. The change-over will take less than two minutes to carry out. At that time the dial tone will replace the “number please” of the local telephone operator. The old manual switchboards will cease operation, being replaced by new dial switching equipment. All telephone numbers in Port McNicoll and Waubaushene will change. Telephone subscribers in Port McNicoll will get all-figure numbers, each of which will start with the prefix 534 and will include four other figures. Telephone users in Waubaushene will find their new numbers start with 538. 

One chap who had more than a passing interest in this year’s running of the English derby was Marshall Gouett of Waubaushene. He had a sweepstake ticket on Prince Tudor. Mr. Gouett won $1,500, which will come in handy in extending his new marina, hard-by Highway 103. Mr. Gouett used his 10-month old son’s name as his lucky nom-de-plume.

 

TOWN GETS NEW INDUSTRY COMMENCE STAFF TRAINING
Free Press Herald headline of June 7, 1961 

Work started this morning on a training program which is expected to develop as many as 60 skilled employees for a new industry locating in Penetang. The announcement was made jointly by members of Penetang council industrial committee and Cyril Larkin of Port McNicoll. The training operation is being conducted in the lounge of the Memorial Community Centre where machines have been Installed during the past week.  Industrial committee members under Councillor Paul Raymond had been successful in securing about a dozen girls and women for commencement of the program. Cyril N. Larkin said he expected a dozen would be kept busy on the training program until permanent quarters are established. “We anticipate a labor force increasing up to approximately 60 persons within the next five years.” he stated.  “Plans are underway for construction of a suitable plant within the very near future.” Mr. Larkin continued. “This, of course, is provided we are satisfied ample labor is available within the town and surrounding area.” Lines to be manufactured in the Penetang operation of Cyril N. Larkin and Sons Ltd., will include baby dresses, rompers,  jodhpurs and play clothes, according to Mr. Larkins. He said his company, during the last six months, has turned away orders for a minimum of 9,000 dozens of children’s garments. 

    Bay Mills Limited, Midland, this week began construction on an 11,000-square-foot extension to its existing building, Steve Cerney, general manager told this newspaper yesterday. Contract for the new building has been awarded to Webster-Smallwood of Midland, Mr. Cerney said.  Mr. Cerney said the new structure would be separate from the main plant but would be connected by a covered passageway. This is the second expansion the firm has undertaken in less than a year. A small addition was completed last year. When completed, the extension will accommodate plant offices, warehousing space and some manufacturing processes, he revealed. 

    Police came to the rescue in Penetang Monday afternoon when a small child became locked In the bathroom of an apartment in the Vimy Inn, Robert Street. The child’s mother had taken it to the bathroom, and on leaving for a moment heard the door shut and lock behind her. Unable to get back in, she contacted police. Constable Art Lizotte, on duty at a nearby corner, responded. After several attempts, he found it impossible to force the door without doing considerable damage. He then noticed an Emery Electric truck pull up in front, and commandered a ladder from it. Once he had the ladder it was a simple matter to force his way through the window by ripping off a screen. The child was unharmed. 

    Drowned in Georgian Bay nearly six weeks ago, the body or Baptiste Contois, 50, of Thunder Bay Beach, 15 miles north of Penetang, was found Friday afternoon. Theodore Robillard of Penetang saw the body washing up against a rock when he pulled his boat into the dock at Whalen’s Island, on the Inside Channel several miles north of Honey Harbour.  Mr. Contois was first reported missing to the OPP detachment at Victoria Harbour April 26. Caretaker of a large cottage at Cognashene, about 10 miles north of Honey Harbour, he had phoned his daughter April 20 to pick him up the following day at Honey Harbour. He was to make the trip by scoot, an aeroplane-motor driven sled commonly used by residents of that remote area during the winter months. 

TEN YEARS AGO
Rev. Charles Carter, formerly of Penetang was ordained and inducted as minister of Port McNicoll, Victoria Harbour and Coldwater Presbyterian churches at a service in St. Andrew’s Church, Coldwater. * * * According to a company announcement in the U.S. the S.S. North American was to make 11  trips to Midland on regularly scheduled passenger cruises that summer. * * * Nearly 20 tons of salvage was collected by the Midland Y’s Men’s Club and the proceeds used for the club’s boys’ and girls’ work program. * * * Chambers of Commerce of Penetang, Midland, Port McNicoll, Victoria Harbour and Waubaushene, the Midland Park Commission and the Huronia Historic Sites and Tourist Association sponsored an amateur photography competition with prizes totalling $275. * * *Plans for a new high school at Elmvale were being considered by the Elmvale High School board and the municipal councils of Elmvale and Flos Township. * * * Members of Tay Township council went to Toronto to meet Ontario Municipal Board officials who gave the Tay delegation approval for a township bylaw authorizing the extension of water service to the township area west of Midland. * * * Unemployment had hit a low ebb in North Simcoe. There were fewer workless seeking jobs in the district than at any time since mid-summer 1947, officials stated. 

These scouts from the North Simcoe area have been selected to attend the Canadian Scout Jamboree at Ottawa in July. Pictured left to right, are Bob French (4th Midland), John Allen (1st Midland), Stephen Gatehouse (1st Waubaushene) and Bert Mason (1st Penetang). 

TWO SHOE FIRMS, UNION,  SIGN ONE-YEAR CONTRACT
County Herald headline of June 9, 1961 

Threat of a strike in North Simcoe’s largest single resident industry ended Wednesday night with the ratification of a one-year contract between the Textile Workers’ Union of America and Fern Shoe, Penetang, and Midland Footwear. The Union was certified at Fern Shoe under a year ago and at Midland Footwear some six months ago. It was a first contract for the Textile Workers although the CIO Packing House union represented employees at both plants through most of the 1950’s. Negotiations had gone through Department of Labor conciliation proceedings, a conciliation board, and post  conciliation negotiations. 

    Penetang Boat Club has made a good start on cleaning up Whisky Island In the mouth of the Bay, and temporary docks have been Installed to aid in the work, according to President Len Carter. “We are going to continue the work until the Island is entirely cleaned. This week we are spraying the poison ivy.” he said. He also indicated plans are being prepared for a permanent dock. “There’s still plenty of cleaning up for our members to do and we hope they’ll all turn up this weekend.” he said. “Many people have asked how we managed to acquire the lease to this island,” Mr. Carter said yesterday. “I’d like to explain to them that most of the work was carried out through our federal member Dr. P. B. Rynard. 

Dear Editor:
The single-screw wooden tug “Shawanaga,” official No. 83389, was built in 1882 at Penetanguishene by Robert J. Morrill for Charles Beck, lumberman. She was named after the Shawanaga Passage near Parry Sound. Her length was 80 feet, width 17 feet and depth 8 feet 5 inches, gross tons 96. She was used each summer to tow log rafts from various Georgian Bay timber limits to the two Beck sawmills at Penetanguishene until the close of navigation in 1904. Then she was sold to Joseph Ganley of Sault Ste. Marie, because Charles Beck already had the 90-foot tug “Wahnapitae” under construction. In 1908 Joseph Ganley sold her to Alexander G. McKay of Owen Sound. In 1909 the Canadian Dredge and Construction Co.; Ltd., of Midland, purchased a half Interest. In 1910 the Canadian Dredging Co. Ltd., bought all shares. On Sept. 20, 1912, her registry was closed because she had been broken up at Midland.
—W. R. WILLIAMS. 

    The Grade 8 pupils of Midland’s Bayview Public School visited Ottawa on the weekend, accompanied by their principal Wm. H. Barnett. On Friday they visited the House of Commons and met Prime Minister John Diefenbaker in his office. At noon they were the guests of Dr. and Mrs. P. B. Rynard for lunch at the Dominion Experimental Farm. During their stay they also visited the mint, city hall, the Dominion Archives and witnessed a memorial ceremony which was attended by Governor General Vanier. “The pupils got a tremendous thrill out of the trip.” Stated Mr. Barnett, yesterday. “The students made it possible through their own systematic saving. They all were very well behaved and I received many compliments about their good manners.” 

    ”We figure it will enhance the main street,” commented Clarke Edwards, president of Edwards Specialty Shop Ltd., Tuesday when questioned about the new metal awning erected on the front of his store. Noting that the total length of the awning was 60 feet, Mr. Edwards said he believed it was the first of its size on a retail store in Midland. “Its main feature is its permanency,” stated Mr. Edwards., pointing out that it was made in steel sections covered with baked enamel in wide stripes of white and light blue. The awning which shades the whole front of the store bears the Edwards name at various spots along its length and was manufactured in Brantford.    

This new tower and vestibule will add greatly to the appearance of the United Church in Waverley. Workmen above are putting the finishing touches to the tower in readiness for special services to be held Sunday morning and evening. 

Getting a good look at the haircuts during the annual inspection of RCSCC “Huron” in Midland Wednesday night is Lieut-Comm. D. Wick of HMCS “York,” Toronto, the inspecting officer. Later, Lieut.-Commander Wick complimented the lads on both their turn-out and drill. 

It’s not often the celebrants of a 50th wedding anniversary are able to have their attendants on their wedding day, present for the festivities. This happened in Midland Saturday night when Mr. and Mrs. John James Ney of Hamilton met old friends at an open house at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Belfry, Dominion Ave. At right are Mrs. Leslie Ney and Mr. Ney of Midland, who acted as bridesmaid and best man back on June 7, 1911. 

Ontario Hydro Transmission Pylon at Waubaushene. 

Members of Tay Township council officially opened the new dial system at Waubaushene Saturday night by placing a call to an old friend, former Deputy-reeve Mrs. Minnie Mayhew. Now living with her sister in Chester, N.S., Mrs. Mayhew told Reeve Fred Kinnear she hopes to revisit her many Waubaushene friends this fall. Seen above left to right are Mrs. Peggy MacPherson, field worker for the Ontario Dept, of Public Welfare, Clerk Ralph Dalton (standing), Mrs. Knechtle and Deputy-reeve Walter Knechtle, Reeve Kinnear and Mrs. Kinnear. Call was placed from the Waubaushene Inn. 

1.02 MILLS LOPPED OF RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL LEVY
Free Press Herald headline of June 14, 1961

Midland Public Schools Board, at its June meeting Friday night, set the mill rate for educational purposes for 1961 at 18.63 mills commercial and 16.90 mills residential. The single rate last year was 17.92 mills. This year the Department of Education has authorized an additional grant to all school boards of $5 per pupil based on the 1960 average daily attendance. This school tax assistance grant is to apply to the public school residential taxpayers, hence the necessity of two mill rates for public school purposes. “This is the first year that the school board has been faced with two different mill rates, due to this special grant,” Wm. A. Hack, public school board secretary, said yesterday.  

After several months of extensive alterations, the Walker Store in Midland will hold its official re-opening tomorrow. A ten-year employee of the store, Mrs. L. Leitch is seen in the drapery department  arranging the new piece-goods display. in the lower picture. 

In happy mood at the dinner in her honour in St. Paul’s United Church Friday night is Mrs. Frances Bell, who retires this year after 33 years on the staffs of three Midland public schools — Sixth Street (now Bayview), Manley and Regent. Mrs. Bell was the recipient of a number of gifts from Midland Teachers’ Council and the Public Schools Board. 

“Sweetest music this side of heaven” for Mrs. Frances Bell (far right), retiring after 33 years on the staffs of Midland public schools, was undoubtedly the music provided by these pipers from Stayner at the dinner in her honour held Friday night in St. Paul’s United Church. Others in the picture, left to right, are Thomas Sweet, Mrs. Davidson and Leslie Davidson, president of the Midland’s Teachers Council, who acted as chairman for the dinner. 

Last Wednesday night marked the annual inspection of RCSCC “Huron” cadets at Midland Armory. A couple of young tars show model boats to two pretty visitors. Left to right are; Paul Charlebois, Ray Moreau, Donna Copeland and Sandra Moreau. 

   Most classes of Midland retail merchants will be permitted to have their stores open Wednesday afternoons during July and August. As the result of a petition from the Midland merchants, Midland council at its meeting Monday night gave three readings and approval to a bylaw amending bylaw 2200 which governed the closing of certain classes of retail stores Wednesday afternoons. The amending bylaw now permits these retail stores to remain open Wednesday afternoons, if they wish, during July and August. Optometrists were excluded from the amended bylaw. 

    A severe electrical storm, accompanied by high winds and driving rain, swept across the northern part of the North Simcoe district around 1 p.m. yesterday, leaving a trail of toppled trees, tree limbs, severed power lines and building damage in its wake. It was the second major storm to sweep through the area in a little more than a week. 

    Fire of undetermined origin did an estimated $2,000 damage to the home of John Lepage Jr., 310 Princess Street, Midland, early Tuesday morning. Midland Fire Chief Arnold Tippin reported yesterday. Mrs. Lepage was alone with her seven children when the fire broke out at 4.30 a.m. Chief Tippin stated and said he was unable at present to determine the cause of the fire which started in a clothes hamper in the bathroom. Mr. Lepage was away at the time and none of the rest of the family smoke, Chief Tippin said. He noted that the loss was covered by insurance.  The Lepages will be staying with relatives for a week or so, the Fire Chief said. 

25 YEARS AGO
Switches were swung and power for the first time flowed through the  new rural hydro extension from Sunnyside to Midland Point. * * * After hearing a deputation from the Midland Chamber of Commerce. Midland council agreed to a special day and night police patrol of the town docks in an effort to stop petty thieving from pleasure craft. * * * Rev G S. Lloyd of Knox Presbyterian Church, Midland, was elected a member of the senate and Board of Knox College, University of Toronto. * * * Members of the Midland Curling Club met to make arrangements for a cruise to Owen Sound on the S. S. Keewatin. * * * Victoria Harbour council set its tax role at 45 mills. * * * Truckers from Midland, Penetang, Waubaushene, Port McNicoll and Lafontaine organized and agreed on a price schedule. President of the new organization was Charles Stewart of Midland. * * * Conrad Hewson, publisher of the Penetang Herald, after announcing his intention to suspend publication of his paper, sold it to the owners of the Midland Free Press. * * * Rev. W R. Auld, minister of St. Paul’s United Church, Midland, was chosen one of the commissioners to the general council of the United Church. * * * For the second year in succession, Midland was the first municipality in Simcoe County to pay the county levy. D. H. Coleman, county treasurer announced. * * * Midland Mayor S. W. McKinley gave council a notice of motion which would reduce the number of aldermen from eight to four and limit the number of members on the Public School Board, Public Utilities Commission and the Parks Board.

The photos found in this blog post are the property of Huronia Museum, Midland, Ontario. Any reproduction for commercial use without permission is prohibited.  Any other distribution must credit Huronia Museum.  Please contact the museum with any questions you may have. 

Again we have no original negatives for this week and we will make do with copy and paste. 

MONTHLY TAX BILL PLAN UNDER STUDY IN PENETANG 

County Herald headline of Friday May 26, 1961.
Penetang council will study a proposal for monthly billing of taxes. Authorization for the study was given at Tuesday night’s council meeting after the suggestion had been made by Mayor Jerome Gignac.  The mayor’s proposal is to send out bills monthly, commencing with the beginning of the year. This would be done on the basis of the previous year’s bill.  When the mill rate for the year has been set, a 13th bill would be issued to provide for any adjustments necessary.  The study is to be carried out by the clerk and finance committee. 

    If Councillor Leonard Ladouceur has his way, Penetang may soon see an end to the garbage scattered around the streets as a result of containers breaking or being torn apart by dogs. Monday night the councillor tabled a resolution providing for preparation of a bylaw which would require garbage to be kept in covered metal containers. He explained that garbage is being put out in all sorts of open cardboard cartons and paper bags. “When it rains these break and present a horrible mess.” Following some discussion, the councillor agreed to change the resolution to one which authorized the clerk to present a proposed bylaw at the next meeting of council. Some members of council felt requirement of metal containers was a little stiff. One suggested properly tied cartons served the purpose adequately. Building Inspector Ernest Marcot was authorized to have a condemned house on Fox Street demolished. It was stated the house has been condemned by health authorities for some time, but no attempt had been made by the owner to remove it. Councillor Ralph White reported that Sgt Marcel Dorion is going to re-activate the school patrol system, which operated quite efficiently for several years. He asked that crosswalks be painted at certain locations where the patrol would work. 

    A petition signed by 75 percent of Midland merchants covered by the present retail store hours bylaw, has been forwarded to Midland council by the chamber of commerce. Confirming receipt of the petition, Wm.  Hack, town clerk-treasurer said that it would be presented at the next meeting. The petition asks for the repeal of the section requiring stores to remain closed Wednesday afternoons during the months of July and August. It is understood that the result of the petition will be that stores can observe the half holiday if they wish or can remain open six days during the summer if they think it advisable. 

    Workmen made an unusual discovery recently while digging a grave in St. Mark’s Anglican Cemetery, west of Midland. Only a few inches under the top soil, they hit a heavy stone wall, which took considerable work to cut across. With a steel bar, it was easy to follow the outlines of the foundation. It measured roughly 10 by 15 feet. Best guess seems to be that it may have been the foundation for a mausoleum, which was not completed. Chairman of the cemetery board, Percy Hopkins said no one can remember any building being demolished on the site, which was opened as a cemetery in 1911. If, as and when the grave immediately to the north is opened, it will be necessary to dig out the full 10 feet of the heavy foundation. 

BOARD EARMARKS GRANT FOR HOSPITAL EXPANSION 

Free Press Herald headline of Wednesday, May 31, 1961.
The town of Midland will not be receiving a grant from St. Andrews Hospital this year to assist in the repayment of debenture interest incurred on behalf of the hospital. Hospital Administrator Alex Craig reported to the May meeting of the board Monday night that St.  Andrews recently had received a grant of $7,875 from the provincial government. Last year, this grant was turned over to the town for the purpose mentioned above. This year, however, the board decided the money will be retained for capital requirements and passed a motion to that effect. Feeling a further addition to the hospital is inevitable within a few years, the board has already started a fund for that purpose and the current grant will be added to it. 

    For the first time in the history of the Ontario Hospital at Penetang, a large group of patients journeyed beyond the confines of the institution for an evening’s entertainment Thursday night. Approximately 70 men and women were transported by bus to the public school auditorium where they saw a shortened version of the YPC Capers. The event was arranged through the group of volunteer workers who make regular visits to the hospital. 

  

Some two thousand parishioners of St. Margaret’s Church, Midland, and from Roman Catholic parishes in the North Simcoe district Sunday took part in the sixth annual rosary parade and rally. Although heavy clouds threatened to pour down rain shortly before parade time, a bright sun broke through and shone during the entire service. Escorted by Midland and provincial police, and preceded by flag and cross bearers and altar boys, the procession of men and boys moved off from St. Margaret’s on schedule. Midland Citizens’ Band and St. Theresa’s High School Band, the latter under the direction of F. S. Johnstone, provided music for the marchers as they wended their way along Midland streets to Town Park, the scene of the rally. The high school band preceded a large float bearing a statue of the Virgin Mary. Fourth degree Knights of Columbus formed an honor guard for the float. Two cars, equipped with public address systems, carried reciters of the rosary prayers. One group spoke in English and the other in French. Also represented were Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Holy Name Society members, pupils of Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s Schools, Midland, and many clergy and novitiates from Martyrs’ Shrine, accompanied by Shrine Director Rev. F. J. McCaffrey. St. Margaret’s Church choirs led the congregational singing at the park. Master of ceremonies was Rev. G. Bean of St. Margaret’s Church, who welcomed those present and introduced Rev. T. Marchildon of Lafontaine, who addressed the congregation in French. 

    Midland Indians started the new South Simcoe Baseball League season on an auspicious note at Town Park Monday night when they blanked Collingwood Lions 3-0 behind the combined four-hit pitching of Gord Dyment and Joe Faragher. The few fans who braved the 40-degree weather saw a well-played game under the existing frigid conditions. Indians next game is tonight when they move to Orillia to help Merchants open the season there.