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.  

Click on photos to enlarge.Fourth Midland Scouts and their leader are grouped around John Cranston and Bob French, who received their Queen Scout badges last week. The rest of the troop appears to be proud of the accomplishment of the two boys. Calvary Baptist Church 

Three pert high school misses, Bev Scott, Jill Phipps and Mary Anne Nicholson (left to right) showed teenage clothing trends at Edwards’ fashion show Friday. Miss Scott and Miss Phipps are wearing classic and dressy shirtmakers styles. Mary Anne is modelling a beige linen jacket and sheath. 

The big event of the year for Midland curlers, the 11th annual mixed ‘spiel was held last week. In the top photo, John Fraser’s rink from Forest (front row) won the Orr Trophy and the main event. At the rear is Ernie Nicholson’s Midland rink, who lost in the final, and Alderman Bill Orr (right) who donated the trophy. Second event finalists are in the lower picture with the winners, Tom Gillespie’s Scarborough rink, in front. Harold McAllen’s Midland rink (rear) lost 10-9 on the last end. (Harold “Mac” McAllen, Marg McAllen and Jean and Jim Moss.) 

Finest in spring weather of the new season favoured the fashion show at Edwards’ Specialty Shop Friday. Here the audience watches Mrs. Eric Paul model a Glen-Cheek sports dress. Nearly 90 dresses, suits, sportswear and children wear items were shown, along with suitable accessories. The women apparently flipped over the new lids . . . er hats, they will wear this season. Are you listening dad? 

Spring fashion show attracted a large turn-out at Edwards’ Specialty Shop Friday. Here, Mrs. Bill Henderson (left), models the newest style in hats to go with her navy blue duster coat. Mrs. George Stephens wears a printed silk dress with a blue topcoat. Her handbag is white satin, plastic covered. 

An employee of the Walker Store in Midland for some 35 years, Miss Florence Hopkins was presented with flowers and gifts at a dinner Thursday night at the Georgian Hotel to honour her on her retirement. Miss Hopkins here receives a gift from Lome Craig, manager of the Midland store, while Mrs. M. Schram, left, and Miss N. Healey look on. 

Formed only recently, the Midland-Penetanguishene District Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society is already planning a campaign for April 28, to be known as “Torch-light Night.” Looking over the local unit’s charter are Mrs. W. L. Attridge, right, president, and Miss Margaret Wilson, Reg. Nurse, secretary. The first person in this world to hold many of us. 

Arlene Staruch, Elaine Binkley, John Delaney and Jim Cleaver hold the trophies they won as mixed double champions in the junior division of Midland Garrison Club badminton tourney. Tie playdowns were held on the weekend. 

Armour-plate glass door in Del Hastings men’s wear in Midland popped like a rifle Monday afternoon when, for some reason, it crystallized. 

“Say Fire Razed Buildings Struck by Lightning Bolt”

    Fire, believed to have started as the result of an electrical storm early Tuesday evening, completely destroyed two farm buildings on Conc. 9, Tay, south of Waubaushene early Wednesday morning. The blaze, which called an estimated $8,000, damage, levelled a combined driving shed and woodworking shop on the farm of Charles Cross. Destroyed in the conflagration was a considerable amount of woodworking equipment and tools and a heavy farm tractor. So far as is known the loss is only partly covered by insurance.     

“Flash Flood Hit Industry, Disrupts Greenings Work”

    Some half-dozen men were slated to start work in the new Greening Wire plant, Monday. Classes had been arranged where the men were to learn skills new to them in the field of wire rope manufacturing. Instead, employees found themselves doing a job that needed no particular teaching — on the end of a broom, sweeping up water. All this was the result of a flash flood that swept through the spic and span new plant Sunday afternoon, leaving behind a disheartening mess of silt and water. Hardest hit in the plant was the office section, where tiled floors became a sea of mud. Fortunately, according to officials, damage to the plant proper was small. Much of the water ran into pits and will be pumped out later. All electric motors are raised just a few inches off the floor — in this instance, barely enough. “We got some wonderful help from local authorities, who brought pumps and other equipment to the scene,” a company official told this paper. Midland PUC and town employees, and the contracting firm of Thos. G. Wilcox and Sons, all helped materially in lessening the damage done, he said. 

    Girls and Boys vocal results at the music festival; Boys’ solo, kindergarten, Jimmie Swales, Midland, 83; Charles Morden, Midland, 82; Craig Davidson, Midland, 80. Girls’ solo, kindergarten, Kathryn Downer, Midland, 84; Judy Cowdy, Wendy Biggar, Midland, 82; Karen Redditt, Midland, 81. Boys’ solo. Grade 4, Tommy Sweeting, Midland, 85; Danny Donaldson, Midland, 84; Charles Dyer, Kenneth McCaughen, Midland, 82. Boys’ solo, Grade 5, Blair Shakell, Ronald Henderson, Midland, 84; Dalton LeClair, Midland, 83; David Paul, Midland,’82. Double duet, boys, girls, or mixed Grade 5 – 6 , Pauline Keefer, Mary Jane Mohan, Ralph Battrick, Stewart McElroy, Midland, 83; Margaret Walker, Connie Stelter, Sandy Widmeyer, John Wilcox, Midland, 82; Anne Delaney, Debbie Bertrand, Carolyn Cowan, Pam Ellison, Midland, 81. Double duet, Grade 7 – 8 , Elaine Dorion, Anne Sauve, Geraldine Borsa, Carol Montgrain, Midland, 80; Vivette Asselin, Marie McLaughlin, Erna Vrhovnik, Madeline Butineau, Midland, 78. Boys’ solo, Grade 8, Robert Stanway, Midland, 83; Ricky Howard, Midland, 82; John Svoboda, Penetang, 81. Girls’ solo. Grade 8, Sandra Gung, Coldwater, 86; Robin Allsopp, Penetang, Sharon Benson, Midland, 85; Gayle Langridge, Midland, 83. Boys’ solo, Grade 8, Fred Hacker, Midland, 82; Ford Hegadorn, Midland, 81; Keith Craig, Midland, 80. Girls’ solo. Grade 1, Yvette Marie Quesnelle, Penetang, 84; Nancy Tomlinson, Penetang, 83; Leslie Pinchin, Janet Elrick, Lynne Harmsworth, Midland, 82. Boys’ solo. Grade 1, David Cooney, Midland, 82; Charles Glassier, Midland, 81; Raymond Leeking, Bill Jones, Midland, 80. Boys’ solo, Grade 2, Stewart Duncan, Midland, 85; Guy Asselin, Penetang, Timothy Adams, Midland, 82; Tommy Barber, Midland, 81. Girls’ solo, Grade 4, Mary Lea Rutherford, Midland, 86; Madeleine Robitaille, Penetang, 85; Sandra Brodeur, Midland, 84, Girls’ solo. Grade 5, Ardythe Boden, Midland, 85; Suzanne McFarlane, Midland, 84; Jay Ellis, Brenda Hamelin, Midland, 83. Boys’ solo. Grade 6, Bruce Wilcox, Midland, 84; Bob Montgomery, Midland, 83; Brian Clark, Midland 82. Girls’ solo. Grade 6, Beverley Hanna, Midland, Sheila D’Aoust, Penetang, 85; Sandra Sheriff, Midland, 83; Mary Jane Mohan, Midland, Linda Russell, Midland, 82. 

    Two years of hard work and a lifetime of savings were reduced to a few smouldering embers in less than an hour when fire levelled the Tiny Township home of Lucien Marchildon early this morning. The only thing saved from the nearly-completed new, five-room home, located on the county road between Penetang and Perkinsfield, was a small armful of clothing as flames raced throughout the structure with almost lightning speed. In the house, asleep when the blaze” started were Mr. and Mrs. Marchildon and their two children, aged 2 and 3 years. Lucien Marchildon said he was awakened by the fire about 5.15 a.m., and he immediately got his wife and children out of the house. He then tried to get some furniture out, starting with a television set. He managed to get the TV part way to the door when the extreme heat forced him to leave it and get out himself with an armful of clothing he grabbed on the way. “Then the front window blew out,” he said. 

    Although Midland harbormaster Dave Hewis has had “no definite word,” there is a possibility the Canadian government’s new ice-breaker, the Alexander Henry, may be operating in southeast Georgian Bay by the weekend or early next week. In recent weeks, Georgian Bay Development Association officials have contacted Hon. George Hees, minister of transport, on several occasions, requesting the Henry be sent as soon as possible to free the 14 ships waiting to clear Midland and Port McNicoll harbours. Also waiting access to open water is the S.S. Murray Bay, slated to start trial runs out of Collingwood. The GBDA received word April 4 that the Henry would proceed to Georgian Bay as soon as the U.S. Coast Guard ice-breaker Mackinaw finished its task of clearing a path through the St. Mary’s River and Whitefish Bay. This was reported to have been accomplished Monday. The Henry is expected to reach Georgian Bay “about April 8” GBDA officials reported. The latest survey of ice conditions locally disclosed heavy windrow formations around Giant’s Tomb, officials said. Severe frost conditions during mid-March added several inches to the thickness of ice in the Midland Port McNicoll area. Earlier in the month, it had been only 20 inches. 

    Weekend rains coupled with melting snow caused extensive damage to country roads in this area, and prevented many farm families from attending church services Sunday morning. A number of farm people in the Lafontaine area used tractors to get them through the washed-out areas, to attend church. One of the worst was at the intersection of 16th Concession Road, and the Cedar Point Road in Tiny where culverts washed out to the west and south of the corner. Approximately 150 feet of the sideroad, south of the concession, was washed out after water started pouring across it from a washed-out culvert in the concession road.    

    The annual meeting of Penetanguishene General Hospital postponed March 9 because it lacked a quorum was held at the hospital March 16. Jerome Gignac was again named president for I960. Mrs. Carl Williams is vice-president. With E.J. Moreau still on a slow road to recovery following a heart attack some months ago, the board named Felix Turcotte to act as secretary-treasurer pending Mr. Moreau’s return. Three directors were named for a three-year period. They are E. J. Moreau, Mrs. Chas. Sweet and Mrs. C.S. Wice. Other directors with portions of their terms of office remaining are Rev. A. J. Desaulniers, two years; Alf Cage, Mrs. Carl Williams, Lucien Marion and Jerome Gignac, one year. 

BIRTHS

METCALF — To Mr. and Mrs. Amos Metcalf, Port McNicoll, at St. Andrews Hospital, Thursday, March 17, 1960, a son.
CHARLEBOIS — To Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Charlebois, 70 Quebec Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Thursday, March 17, 1960, a daughter.
POLLARD — To Mr. and Mrs. Teddy Pollard, Broad Street, Penetanguishene, at St. Andrews Hospital, Saturday, March 19, 1960, a daughter.
SZIGETI — To Mr. and Mrs. Sandor Szigeti, 316 Fourth Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Sunday, March 20, 1960, a son.
DEMPSEY — To Mr. and Mrs. Jack Dempsey, R.R. 2, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Monday, April 4, I960, a daughter.
HALL — To Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hall, 110 Fourth Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, March 30, 1960, a son.
MacINTAGGART — To Mr. and Mrs. Basil Maclntaggart, 92 Fifth Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Sunday, April 3, 1960, a son.
MAHEU — To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Maheu, R.R. 3. Penetang, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Wednesday, March 30, 1960, a son.
MIXEMONG — To Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Mixemong, Christian Island, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Sunday, April 3, 1960, a son.
PELLETIER — To Mr. and Mrs. James Pelletier, Victoria Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Tuesday, March 29, 1960, a son.
RACHER — To Mr. and Mrs. Garnet Racher, R.R. 1, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Saturday, April 2, a son.
TODD — To Mr. and Mrs. Norman Todd, R.R. 1, Waubaushene, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland. Sunday. April 3, 1960, a son.
THAYER — To Mr. and Mrs. Edward Thayer, 99 Gloucester Street, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Monday, April 4, 1960, a daughter.
THOMSON — To Mr. and Mrs. Christie Thomson, R.R. 2, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, March 30, a son.
TILON – To Mr. and Mrs. Montfort Tilon, 100 Main Street, Penetang, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Wednesday, March 30, a son.
Lacroix _ To Mr. & Mrs. Herman Lacroix, 66 Robert St., E., Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Wednesday, March 23, 1960, a son.
QUESNELLE — To Mr. and Mrs. Maurie Quesnelle, 10 Brock St., Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Saturday, March 26, 1960, a son.   
MORIN — To Mr. and Mrs. Edmond Morin, Perkinsfield, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Saturday, March 26, 1960, a daughter.
BELANGER — To Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Belanger, 23 Brock St., Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital; Saturday, March 26, 1960, a daughter.
BRUNELLE — To Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Brunelle, 31 Peel St., Penetang, at
Penetanguishene General Hospital, Saturday, March 26, 1960, a daughter.
BRUHN — To Mr. and Mrs. Archie Bruhn, R.R. 2, Lafontaine, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Tuesday, March 29, 1960, a son.
TOWNES — To Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Townes, Elmvale, at
Penetanguishene General Hospital, Tuesday, March 29, 1960, a son.
St. AMANT — To Mr. and Mrs. Jerome St. Amant, 55 Maria St., Penetang, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Wednesday, March 30, 1960, a son. 

25 Years Ago This Week

Store and office employees in Toronto presented a petition to Prime Minister R. B. Bennett. They were seeking the protection of an eight hour day bill and an unemployment insurance act. * * * A. B. Thompson, M.P., was one of the principal supporters of a federal government measure calling for an appropriation of some $200,000 to promote the tourist industry in Canada. * * * Midland Board of  Education decided, after an appraisal of buildings under its jurisdiction, to reduce the amount of insurance carried by $37,000. Public school teacher’s salaries were to be reduced by 10 per cent on those $950 and over, and by five per cent on salaries under $950 but over $800. Both moves were implemented to cut school costs, necessitated by the town’s financial difficulties. * * * A surtax ranging from two to 10 per cent on investment incomes over $5,000 and on all incomes over $14,000 was announced by Finance Minister E. N. Rhodes in his fourth federal budget speech. Corporation income tax was increased from 12% to 13% per cent. * * * A flock of nearly 60 Canada geese were seen flying in a north-westerly direction over Georgian Bay. The big birds were reported to be very low. It was said the geese were nearly two weeks ahead of their regular annual northern flights. * * * Midland parks commissioners were astounded by letters received from Toronto residents who had heard that Little Lake Park was to be sub-divided and the lots sold for housing. Several of the letters came from campers who had been using the park’s facilities for years. The commission took steps to squelch the wild report. 

    Effective yesterday, James Bath is the new issuer of automobile licences and drivers’ permits in Midland. New licence bureau will be located in the office of Mr. Bath’s plumbing firm, 198 Hannah Street. Life-long resident of Midland, Mr. Bath succeeds the late Alex Macintosh, who died earlier this year. Mr. Macintosh had sold the licences locally for the past six years. 

    Canadian Pacific Railway, steamship division, has announced the appointments of its officers for the 1960 sailing season on the Great Lakes. The officers are as follows: S.S. “Assiniboia”, captain. E. H. Ridd, Midland; 1st mate, J. L. Delahey, Midland; 2nd mate, K. Guthrie, Elmvale; 3rd mate, N. E. Edwards, Elmvale. Chief engineer, G. A. Gervais, Victoria Harbour; 2nd engineer, U. J. Lefaive, Port McNicoll; 3rd engineer, G. J. Garneau, Port McNicoll; 4th engineer, A. G. Rice, Port McNicoll. Purser, M. C. Tracey, Port Arthur; chief steward, E. J. Cadeau, Victoria Harbour; 2^nd steward, J. Slanisky, Port McNicoll. S.S. “Keewatin” captain, A. Campbell, Port McNicoll; 1^st mate, T. A. “Swales, Port McNicoll; 2nd mate W. J. Estey, Midland; 3rd mate, L. McClung, Midland. Chief engineer, W. J. Irvine, Port Arthur, 2nd engineer, Amos Mateff; Port McNicoll; 3rd engineer, Elmer Yon, Midland; 4th; engineer, R. C. Rother, Port McNicoll. Purser, W. A. Paxton, Port McNicoll; chief steward, H. W. Arbour, Victoria Harbour; 2^nd steward; W. Graham, Port McNicoll. 

Obituary

MRS. PAUL LAPENSEE Resident of the Northwest Basin area of Tiny Township for 56 years, and since then of Penetang, Mrs. Paul Lapensee died at Stewart’s Private Hospital March 23, following a lengthy illness. Born Oct. 25, 1879, Mrs. Lapensee was a Roman Catholic. Her favorite pastimes were knitting and quilting. Predeceased by her husband in 1941, she leaves five sons, Theophile, Napoleon, Celestin and Norman, all of Penetang, and Harry in Tulsa Oklahoma; and five daughters, Mrs. Henri Quesnelle, (Alice); Mrs. Albert Patenaude, (Helene); Mrs. Jos. Grisdale, (Florence), all of Penetang; Mrs. Archie Patenaude, (Albertine), Highland Point and Mrs. Bill Link, (Leona), Roach’s Point. There are 36 grandchildren and 37 greatgrandchildren. Funeral service was held Saturday, March 26, from Beausoleil’s Funeral Home to St. Ann’s Memorial Church where Rev. J. Marchand officiated. Temporary burial was in St. Ann’s mausoleum. Pallbearers were Oliver Lapensee, Herb and Eugene Mailloux, Harvey Beauchamp, Lawrence Ladouceur and Louis Duval. Flower bearers were Mrs. Marie Lapensee, Mrs. Shirley Staley, Mrs. Exilda Duval, Mrs. Lorraine Marchand, Mrs. Bernice Beauchamp and Miss Joan Link.

It’s not bad luck to have a woman on board if she is a good cook. 

Find below Horrell’s Easter ad from The Midland Free Press April 5, 1917 and some local news from the same paper.

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. 

Click on photos to enlargeSponsored by Midland Kiwanis Club and Penetang Lions Club, the annual Easter Seal campaign for funds to assist crippled children is now underway in the two communities. Above, Mayor Charles Parker is seen with Betty Morin “Miss Easter Seal” in Midland and Douglas Mayer, Penetang’s “Timmy”. 

Editorial page photo entitled; “Still Riding High”. Stern view of the CSL ship Coverdale sitting empty in the ice at the Town House (CSL) elevator. (In the days when 10 to 15 ships wintered in the two ports every year, holding millions of bushels of storage wheat. Not one this winter!) 

A Hudson type royal class steam locomotive, one of few the CPR still has in operation, hauled the special train which brought members of a Toronto railway fan club to Port McNicoll Sunday. The engine is the same type as those which hauled the royal train during the visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1939. 

Members of a Toronto railway fan club chartered a special train and travelled to Port McNicoll Sunday. Here F. P. Tingley, Bolton, L. Saundercook, CPR agent at Port, and L. Bowes, Bolton, stand at the side of Port station. 

Frilly dresses and shining faces were the order of the day Monday as Midland Y’s Men’s 14th annual music festival got underway. The children above were among the early winners. Left to right, back row,  Ruth Davidson, Jean Charlebois, Helen Gignac, Sandra Nesbitt and Ann Garroway. Front row, are Judy Hamelin, Ann Cleaver, Ann Montgrain and Tony Svoboda.

The advisory committee to the Canadian National Institute for the blind is making plans for its annual fund drive in aid of sightless in North Simcoe. Members of the campaign committee are pictured following a meeting last week. They are left to right, back row, Bill Murdock, Ernest Cadeau of Victoria Harbour, Dan L. Nicholls, Midland, Herb Stevens, Coldwater, R. G. Gillies, Midland. Front row, left to right, Mrs. D. Bazinet, Mrs. A. Robillard, Penetang representatives, Mrs. M. Black and Mrs. A. Copeland, both of Elmvale. 

Harold McDonald and Fran Brodeur of the Midland Garrison Badminton Club won the men’s and women’s singles championships in the club’s tournament on the weekend. 

No wonder this lad and lassie are smiling. They won the junior singles titles in Midland Garrison Club badminton tournament on the weekend. Titleholders are Elaine Binkley and Jim Cleaver. They also figured in a mixed doubles win. 

Do you remember when smokers were able to roll a cigarette as nonchalantly as we check our cell phones? They would be perfectly formed and filled and I can see that motion as they licked the paper. Or the memory of the rolling machine on the kitchen table, the can of tobacco, the razor blade that cut them into individual “smokes”. Perhaps we should thank the marijuana smokers for perpetuating the art. 

(We reprint this wedding photo in memory of “Betty” Taylor, for those who knew her she was an inspiration, a shining example of the joy of life despite the terrible adversities she faced. A positive spirit, a caring heart, R.I.P. )

“BUSINESS FIRMS GROWTH HERALDS PENETANG BOOM”
County Herald headline of March 25, 1960. Present indications are that 1960 will show a substantial increase in commercial building permits issued in Penetang, with prospects looking bright for several ventures. Only two permits issued to date, according to building inspector Alf. Atkins, have been for commercial establishments. The first was for a renovation of Gignac’s Men’s Wear Store, where the floor space was doubled in a two-month remodelling project. The expanded store was officially opened yesterday and all-new display space filled with stock. The announcement was made this week and the building permit issued for a new store building for Webster’s on Robert Street, W. Owner Ed Webster said the new building will be attached to his present appliance store and will be used for displaying and selling furniture. The announcement also was made this week that arrangements have been completed for the installation of a ready-mix concrete plant at Penetang Concrete Products. Owner Louis Gignac said this will include elevated storage bins for sand, stone and cement, along with weighing, measuring and mixing equipment. Two mixer trucks will be used to deliver the material directly to jobs, he said. Fern Shoe Company, a division of Shoe Corporation of Canada, is “actively considering construction of a 6,000 square foot addition to its main plant in Penetang,” according to Jerry Zabransky of Fern Shoe. The additional space will be used for warehousing purposes. FIRM TO GROW Yesterday, Hubert Patenaude of Patenaude Electric announced he had purchased the adjoining building which has housed the Mohawk Restaurant. “It is our intention to move our appliance division into this newly-acquired store, and open up with furniture in the present store,” Hubert said. A number of years ago the two stores were connected by a passageway when The Club Shop was operating a furniture store and grocery. 

COMMITTEE GIVES OK TO ADDITION AT MANOR
Free Press Herald headline of March 30, 1960. Simcoe County homes for the aged committee, Friday, pressed the green light button and ordered architects Craig and Zeidler to proceed with preparations of working drawings for an addition to the Georgian Manor in Penetang. The first phase of the work is expected to get underway early this summer, according to Reeve Alf Cage of Penetang, one of the committee members. This phase will include the construction of a new kitchen and dining room. Following construction in the first phase, the old part of the building pictured below, which was originally Penetang General Hospital (new hospital visible behind), will be razed in preparation for more building. The second construction phase will be a wing designed for bed care residents only. Mr. Cage said the committee hopes it will be possible to tear down the old building and start the new wing as part of a winter work project. Committee consisted of Thos. Joslin, Alf Cage, Ivan Vasey superintendent, Jos. Belford, Fred Hunter, Montcalm Maurice and Warden George Lisk.

 

   When the century-old post office, courthouse and telegraph office at Craighurst was torn down last fall, a great deal of Simcoe County history tumbled to the ground with it. Some things were salvaged for posterity, however, including a “Seventh Report of the Bureau of Archives for the Province of Ontario. Printed in 1911, it contains the story of parliament in Upper Canada (Ontario) from 1790 to 1819. In poor condition from fire, water and mud, the paper-bound history was brought to this office by Joseph Lea of Hillsdale, retired Orr Lake forester. Mr. Lea has long been interested in historical matters, both in Simcoe and elsewhere. Early portions of the book, badly damaged, deal with the formation of the legislative assembly. One of the first things legible was the division of the country into two provinces, Upper and Lower Canada, in 1791. Among the names listed were those, of Alured Clarke, acting-governor; John Graves Simcoe, and Guy Lord Dorchester, knight of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath. George the Third, “by the grace of God,” was king of Great Britain, France and Ireland, “defender of the faith and so forth”, at the time. After the division, the book then becomes a journal and proceedings of the legislative council of the province of Upper Canada, starting Sept. 17, 1792. The first capital was Newark, in the Niagara Peninsula. Present were William Osgoode, James Baby, Robert Hamilton, Richard Cartwright Jr., John Munro, Alexander Grant and Peter Russell. Osgoode became the first speaker of the house. 

    Members of Simcoe County Mutual Aid Fire Association Wednesday night decided each individual brigade would approach its council with a request to purchase foam equipment. The consensus of the meeting, held in Midland’s municipal building auditorium Wednesday night, was that an earlier plan to establish a foam bank for county brigades would be too costly. Chief R. Irwin of Barrie, mutual aid co-ordinator, said he felt the establishment of the foam banks was too expensive for smaller brigades. Midland Fire Chief Arnold Tippin asked how many brigades in the association now possessed foam and foam equipment. A show of hands indicated there were five, including Midland. 

   “We are having a bit of trouble with dogs following children to school,” stated Midland Police chief George Wainman yesterday when he noted that Vickie, 8, and James, 7, children of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Charlebois, John Street, had been bitten by a dog on their way to Sacred Heart School yesterday morning. “The owner of the dog has been advised that he must pay any damages and must keep the dog tied up for two weeks,” stated Chief Wainman. “They were only minor bites and I gave the children anti-tetanus injections,” stated Dr. R. J. Cardwell, who saw the Charlebois children shortly after the incident. 

    COLDWATER — Highways Department estimates brought down in the legislature this week include completion of paving on the Crown Hill to Coldwater portion of Highway 400, with work scheduled for 21.9 miles of highway. Previously, it was announced that the department plans to extend Highway 400 from Coldwater to Huntsville. A new road will be built through Matchedash Township. (That route, of course, was changed and Coldwater to the new Trans Canada Highway at Waubaushene became the next section.  An excellent web site documenting Ontario’s highways can be found at “thekingshighway.ca”.) 

BIRTHS
ALLEN — To Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Allen, Sunnyside, Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, March 23, 1960, a daughter.
BOLT — To Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bolt, 80 Fifth St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Sunday, March 27, 1960, a daughter.
CARRUTHERS — To Mr. and Mrs. James Carruthers, 305 Midland Ave., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, March 29, 1960, a daughter.
CROWLEY — To Mr. and Mrs. John Crowley, 358 Midland Ave., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Tuesday, March 22, 1960, a daughter. (Stillborn).
KIERNAN — To Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Kiernan, 2300 Orleans
Ave. Montreal, Que., at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Saturday, March 26, 1960, a son.

    Mayor Charles Parker and Alderman Douglas Haig were authorized by Midland council Monday night to continue their exploratory moves to obtain a new garbage dump site for the town. Mayor Parker reported to council on a meeting held last week with representatives of Penetang, Tiny and Tay Townships. The mayor said Tiny Township officials did not seem to be opposed to Midland using a site in their area and indicated that the township might be willing to join in the move for a joint garbage area. Tay officials also looked favorably on the proposed joint dump site, he added. Mr. Parker pointed out, however, that Penetang did not feel it could support the joint plan at the present time, but that it might at a later date. The mayor said a 20-acre site is now under consideration. The question now is whether or not it can be purchased. He felt he should have a definite answer for the council by the end of the summer. (Became what was called the Pauze dumpsite.) 

TEN YEARS AGO THIS WEEK
Midland’s new zoning bylaw was not expected, to have any direct effect on assessment. Mayor Oliver H. Smith advised a special meeting of the council. Council commended the zone boundaries which had been drafted by the mayor. * * * Representations by Midland council and this newspaper resulted in amendments to the unemployment insurance regulations so that many lake sailors who were previously debarred by the seasonal nature of their employment became eligible for supplementary benefits. * * * J. Lance Rumble of Hillsdale was judged to be one of Canada’s best-dressed men. Award was announced at the annual Canadian Men’s Apparel Fair at Toronto. * * * Penetang’s three hotels, the Brule, Canada House and Northern were appealing their 1949 assessments to the Ontario Municipal Board, having been turned down by the local court of revision and the county judge. * * * Penetang taxpayers went to the polls to decide whether or not Beatty Bros. Ltd., (Spencer Division) should be granted a fixed assessment for general, tax purposes of $50,000 for the next ten years. * * * Medonte Township council received information on a proposal for reforesting part of North Simcoe in a brief prepared by W. H. Cranston. Council expressed its interest and agreed to attend further meetings on the subject. * * * Grew Boats Ltd. Penetang was re-organized and plans were laid to standardize boat models and add new product lines. * * * High commendation of the calibre of personnel in Georgian Bay’s newly-formed light anti-aircraft regiment was expressed by Major-General Chris Vokes, general officer commanding Central Command, when he inspected the unit composed of batteries from Midland and Parry Sound. 

DEATHS
HERBERT H. PARKER A Midland resident for 41 years, Herbert Henry Parker died at his Russel Street home, March 15, following a heart attack. He was in his 70th year. Funeral service was conducted by Rev. W. L. Morden at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home March 17. Pallbearers were Bert Megaw, Russell Robbins, Henry Mosley, E. Wilson, Norman Leclair and Albert Woods. Born and educated at Coldwater, Mr. Parker married the former Lena M. Moore Oct. 25, 1916, at Oshawa. He was a member of the United Church and a member of Canadian Woodsmen of the World. He had been employed by the Aberdeen Elevator Company for 35 years and in the elevator explosion July 8, 1944, although severely burned, he was the only one of seven employees to come out alive. Previously he had been employed as fireman on a freighter, at the Manley Chew mill and had worked as a young man in lumber camps where his father was employed as a cook. He is survived by his widow and one daughter, Mrs. Harold Clements (Jessie). Temporary burial was in Lakeview Cemetery vault.
WILLIAM SUTTER – Funeral services were held Monday for William Sutter, retired CPR employee who died unexpectedly at Port McNicoll Friday, following a stroke. He was 69. Mr. Sutter retired in October 1958, following 39 years service with the CPR, which he joined in 1917. He had worked in several departments at Port McNicoll for several years. In 1924 he became a bridge man in the bridge and building department and was promoted to a carpenter in 1954. In 1928 Mr. Sutter had served as a member of the village council. Surviving are his widow; two sons, Sylvester, a contractor at Port McNicoll, and Mark, Toronto; and three daughters, Mrs. Charles Henry and Mrs. Bernard Lesperance, Midland, and Mrs. E. F. Day, Port McNicoll. 

    Midland youngsters made a good showing at the second annual Georgian Bay District junior badminton tournament held at Orillia recently. Held for the first time in Midland last year, with 80 entries, this year’s event attracted 110 youngsters, making it one of the largest in the country. It outdrew both the Canadian tournament, to be held in Winnipeg this week, and the Ontario championships, held at Stratford earlier in the year. The success of this year’s tournament will make it necessary to stage the event over two weekends next year, Midland’s Brian Wood reported. Highlighting the 1960 championships from a Midland standpoint was Mary Taylor’s win in the girls-singles in the 15-years and under class. Mary downed an Orillia opponent 11-6 10-11 and 11-1 in the final. Jim Cleaver and John Delaney also reached the finals in the boys’ doubles, 15 years and under. They lost to Dave and Don Moon of Bracebridge in three games. Teamed with Susan Wood, Mary Taylor also went to the semi-finals in the girls’ doubles before losing 15-18, 15-6, 10-15 to an Orillia pair. 

    Gabriel Maurice was named chairman of Tiny Municipal Telephone System at the system’s annual meeting in Lafontaine March 10. Other commissioners are Gilbert Robitaille and Robert Gignac. The manager is P. G. McNamara. Reports presented at the meeting showed the system has 66 subscribers and 146 renters. There are 42 miles of poles, three miles of cable and 250 miles of open-wire. The auditor’s report, certified by George Reynolds, showed the system’s total assets at $46,235, made up of $15,239.24 in current and $30,995.26 in capital assets. Earned surplus to date was listed at $35,514.21 and current liabilities at $48.49. 

   Annual spring fashion Supplement, sponsored by Midland and Penetanguishene merchants will be published with Friday’s issue of the County Herald. The 12-page tabloid-style supplement will contain news and advertising messages of the latest trends in fashions for men and women, and boys and girls. 

EDITORIAL 
Midland council has been asked and the town’s public utilities commission is being asked to supply water for a major housing sub-division on King Street South in Tay Township. The 150-acre property is known as the Brandon farm. (The Brandon home was the current Heritage Animal Hospital at 687 King Street, the property extended along Galloway Blvd.) While it is quite true that Midland is not oversupplied within its present boundaries with land suitable for residential development, its main shortage is in industrial sites. And new housing without new industry to support it makes no sense for any municipality. Alderman Douglas Haig and a number of the members of the town planning board have recommended that no action be taken on supplying water to the Brandon development unless and until that land becomes part of Midland, and unless and until a substantial acreage of its highway frontage is zoned for industrial use and a firm option price placed on it so the Midland Chamber of Commerce and the Georgian Bay Development Association may have an opportunity to merchandise it. To permit a new housing development without adequate compensating industrial assessment, or to encourage either development without ensuring that the new assessment will bear its fair share of the cost of future water, sewer and road development costs would be a disservice to Midland, to Tay and to all the property owners concerned. Before Midland council or its utilities’ commission agrees to provide utility services to any new area, they will be more than wise if they first decide what role that new area will play in the overall future growth of the community. And they can and should decide it promptly. The Brandon farm area seems worthy of development for both industrial and” residential purposes and the water can be made available.

Thank you very much for thinking of the museum. Unfortuntaely we cannot accept donations left at the door.

Even in the best of times, we cannot accept donations that are left on the front step. The value of artifacts is the story they tell. Items left on our doorstep are neither safe nor of heritage value unless we are knowledgable about the chain of ownership and what role the artifact(s) played in the story of our community and its citizens.

If you are home and going through your house, as you self-isolate, and come across an item or a document that you feel will contribute to the museum’s mandate to preserve our heritage, send us an email at huroniamuseum@gmail.com,on facebook or even in the comment section here. We will get back to you as soon as we can.

If there is one thing we know for sure, it is that history doesn’t have an expiration date. We have been keeping it for 73 years and don’t plan on stopping any time soon. It is best if you can hold on until we are all safely able to document the incredible stories that go along with every donation that comes into our community’s museum.

Thank you for your understanding.