Click on Photos to Enlarge 

Just about the coldest job in Midland Saturday was tending the “Mile of Pennies” table set up in front of the Bank of Commerce by the Hi-Y and Unamotus Clubs of Midland YMCA. Despite the weather, however, Carolyn Miller left, and Gail Rankin managed smiles for the customers. Proceeds of the event will be used for youth work in the town. 

Fifty years of wedded life were marked by Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Tinney of Vasey Nov. 25. Residents of Vasey for most of their married life, Mr. and Mrs. Tinney are shown admiring the golden anniversary cake which was served to relatives and friends who called on the couple last Sunday during “open house”. 

Midland is losing a “good scout” this week in the departure of Dietmar Wagner for Ann Arbour, Michigan. Dietmar was presented with his Queen’s Scout badge a few weeks, in advance at a ceremony held in Knox Church Monday night. Four other lads seen with him will get their Queen’s Scout badges later, as will Lynn Johnston, not present when the picture was taken. Left to right are Rodney Todd, Harry DeVries, Dietmar Wagner, Iain Brownlee, and Jock Ambrose. Dietmar was also presented with a trophy as a memento of Third Midland Troop. 

As usual, the only people happy about the first real snowfall of the season in this area were the children. Enjoying a sleigh ride down a “big hill” on Midland’s Seventh Street are David Krochko and Patricia Abbott. 

President of Midland Curling Club, Wells Hartman, welcomes Bill Moss, president of MPDHS Curling Club, as the high school boys and girls commenced their curling season in the Midland Curling Rink Saturday morning. Looking on is MPDHS athletics director Wm. Setterington. 

Advisor to the schoolboy curling committee and a director of Midland Curling Club, Milt Irwin looks on as Betty Ann McCullough, treasurer of Midland-Penetanguishene District High School Curling Club, tallies up club dues Saturday. In the back row, left to right, are Bill Moss, MPDHS club president, Roger Henry, 1st vice-president, Doug Setterington, director, Keith Cleary, 2nd vice-president, Dave Bertrand, director, and standing behind Wm. Setterington, MPDHS athletics director. Absent was Lynn McAllen, director. 

This bevy of lads and lassies from Midland-Penetanguishene District High School launched the curling season for high school students at Midland Curling Rink Saturday morning. Here Wm. Setterington, athletics director at MPDHS, signs in one of the girls. 

Midland Y’s Men honored their secretary, Ko Huvers, at the club’s weekly meeting Nov. 18. Here, Mr. Huvers, left, receives a gift from ‘Y’ Secretary J. W. Smith, right. Mr. Huvers obtained his Canadian citizenship recently.  Club Director Walter Kluck also was to have been honored but because of business duties out of town, he was unable to be present. Mr. Kluck also received his Canadian citizenship papers recently. 

Induction service for Rev. Gordon Nodwell held at Victoria Harbour United Church Friday night was also something of a class reunion for the new minister, who also serves Port McNicoll and Ebenezer. Assisting in the service were Rev. Ewart Clark of New Lowell, left, and Rev. Wilson Morden of St. Paul’s, Midland, right, classmates at Queen’s University of Mr. Nodwell. 

Friday night was a happy occasion for members of the United Churches at Victoria Harbour, Port McNicoll, and Ebenezer as Rev. Gordon Nodwell was inducted as their new minister in services held at Victoria Harbour.  Rev. Nodwell meets church elders Albert Calvert of Port McNicoll, Nelson Jones of Ebenezer, and Clarence MacKenzie, Victoria Harbour.

Obituary – The Reverend Robert Gordon Nodwell.  It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gordon at the Warkworth Place Nursing Home on Sunday, August 13, 2017, in his 90th year.  This link is to a speech given by Gordon at his grandson’s wedding, his reflections on love at age 84. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb3aFwCEuhc 

Two former teammates came face-to-face, in “enemy” uniforms, in this action shot taken at the junior “C” opener at Midland Arena Thursday. Midland Red Wing goalie opposite was able to foil this close-in attempt by Whitby forward “Buzz” Deschamp. The two lads played together on Midland juvenile teams for several seasons. Wings host Brooklin here Thursday night.  

Penetang’s new Curling Club got away to a good start Tuesday night with a large number participating in the “roarin’ game”. Lomer Dubeau, one of the more experienced curlers, is shown here getting his rock away in one of several games played during the evening. 

Two novices, Eugene Mailloux, back to camera, and Dick Matthews learned what it means when the skip shouts “S-w-e-e-p” during a curling session. Many newcomers to the game were present at the opening of curling in Penetang, Monday night.

 

 

• Free Press Herald headline of Wednesday, November 26, 1958; Oppose Freight Rate Hike Ask Province Join Fight. Request that the Ontario government join with the eight other provinces in opposing the 17 percent rail freight rate increase has been voiced by Ontario’s Georgian Bay Development Association. Representing 54 cities, towns, villages and townships in the counties of Bruce, Grey, Dufferin, Simcoe and the Districts of Muskoka and Parry Sound, the association has also made representations directly to the federal cabinet through the minister of finance.
• County Herald headline of Friday, November 26, 1958; Assessment in Midland Hits $7,421,382 Mark. Midland added 21 persons to its population and $273,692 to its taxable assessment this year, according to figures provided by its new assessor, Ian McClung. Midland’s population is now listed as 8,287compared with 8,266 last year. Going further back the population five years ago was 7,539 and ten years ago it was 6,887. That year, 1948, was the only one in the past decade which had shown a decrease over the previous year. Population in 1947 was 6,981.
• A 12-year old Christian Island boy’s attempt to start a car parked on the dock at the island turned into a fatal adventure Saturday. Drowned was Bernard Monague, son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Monague. Surviving, besides his parents, are four brothers, ranging in age from 11 to 15 years, and two sisters, aged two and four years. OPP Const. R. T. Donaldson of the Victoria Harbour detachment said no inquest would be held. According to police, the car was owned by Albert King, also of Christian Island Reserve. Minus ignition keys, the car was parked on the stem portion of the T-shaped dock at the island. It is believed the boy started the car by shorting the ignition wire. The car rolled off the west side of the dock into about five feet of water. Const. Donaldson said that until recently about a foot of water covered the area. It had been dredged to five feet to allow boats to be tied there.
• For the next few months, Penetang motorists will be able to save their pennies and nickels for other purposes than depositing in parking meters. Following the custom of past years, the council Monday night resolved to dispense with the meters for the winter months. The meter heads will be removed and stored in the town sheds immediately.
• Frank Harpell of Midland has pointed out that the Free Press Herald was in error recently when its news columns elevated him to the Commodore class of Great Lake captains. “I am appointed and am master of the steamer Frank A. Sherman, the flagship of our fleet (Upper Lakes and St. Lawrence Transportation Co. Ltd.),” said Capt. Harpell. His line does not have a captain appointed to commodore’s rank, the veteran Midland skipper explained.
• Sunday was an anxious day in a number of North Simcoe homes as the tug Helen M. B. of Waubaushene was reported missing for several hours on gale-lashed Lake Huron. Aboard the big tug with Capt. C. Courtemanche were fellow Midlanders Charles Paradis and Bill St. Amant; Garnet  Tucker of Waubaushene; Clifford Latondress of Victoria Harbour; Henry Stirling, Hamilton; and Cecil Swain, Owen Sound.  Owned by the Waubaushene Navigation Company, the tug, 108 feet long and 24 feet wide, was originally designed for ocean service. It was converted to diesel power at Waubaushene about two years ago. The Helen M.B. got into trouble early Sunday when high winds broke loose the barge she was towing from Goderich to Midland. The winds and waves also played havoc with her steering mechanism and generator. As a result, she had to be steered manually, and no radio contact was received from her from about 8.45 a.m. until 11 p.m. Sunday. Last Sunday night word was received that she had taken shelter behind an island near the Bruce Peninsula and that the crew was safe. The scow was found washed ashore on Manitoulin Island.
• by A. R. LAPERE – Goals and action were the order of the night as Penetang’s Little NHL swung into its first full season on artificial ice at the Community Centre Thursday night. Two of the games produced a total of ten goals each as Huronias trimmed Fern Shoe 6-4 in a senior OHA tussle and Detroit bombed Toronto 7-3 in a National League tilt.
• TEN YEARS AGO THIS WEEK – Penetang’s Court of Revision chopped $166,560 from the assessment of three of the town’s leading industries. However, even with the reductions, the assessments of the three firms were greater than the previous year. * * * Two Penetang residents were among the 15 men and one woman rescued from the rocks on the east coast of Manitoulin Island after the tug Patricia McQueen and the dredge Ella M. foundered in one of the worst storms of the season on the Great Lakes. The group had spent 60 hours on the rocks of Rabbit Island. * * * Simcoe County’ council ordered a census taken of Elmvale to determine whether the community’s population exceeded 750 persons. Purpose of the census was to verify an application by citizens of the municipality for elevation from police village to incorporated village status. * * * Midland Junior Chamber of Commerce, organized early in the summer, received its charter from Charles Ayers, Toronto, president of the Ontario region. Jaycees from Toronto, Barrie, Owen Sound, and Waterloo attended the charter night dinner. * * * A pupil at Mount St. Louis School, Dale Miller, won the county public speaking competitions at Barrie. Fifteen contestants from all parts of the county took part. * * * The mayor, deputy-reeve and all four members of Midland Public Schools Board were elected by acclamation following Midland nominations Nov. 27. Twelve candidates were seeking election to the four aldermanic seats and four were contesting the two public utilities commission posts. The vote was scheduled for Dec. 20.  * * * Simcoe County council authorized a grant of $12,250 to help county public hospitals meet losses incurred on indigent care. The grant was to be distributed on the basis of the number of indigent patient days for Simcoe County patients in each hospital.
• St. Ann’s Catholic Women’s League, at its November meeting, agreed to sponsor a new project in the publishing of a church bulletin to be distributed at Sunday masses. Rev. J. Kelly is assisting with the publication, and members have assumed the job of soliciting advertising, under the guidance of Mrs. Hugh Charlebois of the spiritual committee. After hearing a letter of appreciation from Sisters of the Holy Cross for the group’s offer to assist a local student in furthering her education in a religious order, the first payment of $100 was authorized. Mrs. Mac King told of the need for clothing for needy families in the parish and asked for assistance at sewing bees to be held Wednesday evenings in the parish hall. Mrs. King’s plans also include organization of a Christmas party for residents of Georgian Manor. Mrs. Alice O’Leary distributed cards on which members can register approval or disapproval of radio and TV programs, and asked that these be mailed to the stations when filled out. Reports on the fall bazaar indicated it had been a success with the following ladies in charge: convener, Mrs. Alice O’Leary; novelty table, Mrs. Orville Ambeau; bake table, Mrs. O. Lacroix; candy and plants, Mrs. H. Laplante; pick-my-pocket, Mrs. Murray Dubeau; tea table, Mrs. J. Gignac. December meeting will include a pantry shower. Members have been asked to bring food articles which will be presented to Father 0. Labelle for the Christian Island Mission.
• OBITUARIES – EDITH C. SALLOWS Predeceased by her husband last March, Mrs. Edith Catherine Sallows died suddenly at her home near Victoria Harbour, Nov. 9. Funeral service was held Nov. 12 at the Robinson funeral home, Coldwater, with Rev. R. A. Cumming officiating. Born Aug. 11, 1920, at Rosemount, the former Miss Gratrix married Stanley Sallows at Victoria Harbour Sept. 20, 1940. She had resided at Victoria Harbour since her marriage. Pallbearers were: Elmer Gratrix, Joe Gratrix, Pat Peden, Alvin Tucker, John Cronin, and Charles Sallows. Besides her father, Stephen Gratrix, Rosemount, Mrs. Sallows is survived by two sons, Bobby of HMCS Cornwallis, N.S., and Douglas at home; two sisters, Mrs. Allen McKay (Hazel) of Orillia and Mrs. Ted Archer (Betty) of North River; and a brother William Gratrix of Fesserton.   * * * MRS. ROY T. FRENCH A Midland resident for more than 51 years, Mrs. Agnes Barbara French died in St. Andrews Hospital Nov. 11 as the result of a stroke. At the funeral service at Nicholls funeral home Nov. 14, Rev. Ralph Wright was assisted by Rev. Roy C. Cook, Chatham, Ont., who is a nephew of the late Mrs. French. Pallbearers were William Mutch, Morie Whitcher, Willard Bacon, Donald French, Arthur Field, and Wesley McNeil. Mrs. French was born April 23, 1880, near Seaforth, Ont. At Brandon, Man., April 24, 1907, she married Roy T. French and following six months in Brandon she spent the rest of her life in Midland. Mrs. French was a member of the Senior Mission Circle of Calvary Baptist Church. Besides her husband, Mrs. French is survived by a son, Alden Neil French, two daughters Mrs. J. E. Ayres (Florence) and Helen, all of Midland; a sister, Mrs. William Cook, Clinton, Ont., and a brother, John McNeil, Monkton, Ont. Also surviving are six grandchildren. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery. * * * MRS. LAURENE MARTIN Solemn high mass was sung in St. Margaret’s Church, Midland, at the funeral service of Mrs. Laurene Martin held Nov. 8. Rev. F. Voorwerk was the celebrant assisted by Rev. M. Griffin, deacon, and Rev. Ralph Egan, sub-deacon. St. Margaret’s girls’ choir sang the mass accompanied by Mrs. Moriarty at the organ. The soloist was Charles Goodenough of Lindsay. Mrs. Martin, who died in St. Andrews Hospital Nov. 6, was secretary when the Catholic Women’s League was formed in Midland. She was also a  member of the Catholic Church Extension Society and secretary-treasurer at the time of the cardinal’s campaign. She was a member of Midland Golf and Country Club. Born in Midland, she received her public and high school training here. On Nov. 27,  1924, she married the late Edward Martin who predeceased her in 1942. For the past 41 years, she had been employed by the Canadian National Railways. Pallbearers were Herb Beauchamp, Jack Labrie, Frank Whiteman, Bernard McDonald, Bill Murphy, and H. A. Kilroy. Mrs. Martin is survived by one brother, Walter O’Reilly, St. Catharines and three sisters Mrs. Wm. Bourrie (Kay), Mrs. Alex Campbell (Beatrice), both of Midland, and Mrs. Joseph Saso (Helen) of Barrie.
• A fine program of band and religious music was presented last Wednesday evening by Midland Citizens Band and the choir of Knox Presbyterian Church in the church. In his opening remarks as master of ceremonies, S. L. Harman requested that there be no applause until after the final number but the audience could not be restrained when young Jim Cowden finished his cornet solo, “The Sunshine of Your Smile”, arranged by bandmaster Al Hume. The applause continued until Jim took a bow. He was accompanied by the band.
• On Thursday, citizens of Port McNicoll will trek to the polls to express their opinions on whether they are or are not in favor of the establishment of beverage rooms and cocktail bars in the village. It is not the first time the electors of this North Simcoe community have been faced with a liquor vote. Some years ago they approved the establishment of a brewers’ warehouse outlet, but to date none has been opened. And it is unlikely it ever will be. It appears, however, that such will not be the case if the four questions on the ballot receive the required majority vote this time. Plans, reportedly, are under way to renovate the old Inn and include in its facilities beverage rooms for men and women as well as a cocktail lounge.

 

(Pictured above left to right:  Steve Marice; Nahanni Born; Howard Walker; Rachel Pendlebury; Barbara Rowlandson; John French; Peter Davis; Isobel Ball’ Trevor Howard)

The board of directors awarded John French a lifetime membership to Huronia Museum on November 21, 2018 for his many years of volunteer service at Huronia Museum.  John joined the board of directors in 2009, first as Treasurer and then in later years, took on the responsibility of Chair.  During John’s time with the museum, the Finance Committee implemented an investment policy and ensured annual financial stability for the organization.  Later on, as Chair, John provided the leadership to finalize lease and partnership agreements with the Town of Midland, re-opened the renewed art Gallery, chaired the Native Gallery exhibit committee which opened the new Native Gallery in Spring of 2014 and provided the leadership to see Huronia Museum successfully implement a 3-year strategic plan.

John is moving on to focus his efforts on Brookside Museum Association, as Artistic Director but will always be a friend to Huronia Musuem.  The staff and Board of Directors are grateful for John’s dedication to Huronia Museum and wish him well in the future.

Click on Photos to Enlarge

Members of Midland Council and Harbour Committee surround the flagpole at the town dock on which council has had a plaque mounted in honour of the late Capt. E. F. Burke. Left to right are Aldermen Wm. Orr and Herb Beauchamp, Clerk Wm. A. Hack, Alderman Clinton Smith, Jack Blackburn of the harbour committee, and Reeve W. H. Keller.

From the April 1958 newspaper; There will always be a part of Capt. Ed Burke on his beloved Midland waterfront as long as this flagpole stands. The flag was flying at half mast in honor of the veteran mariner, who died last week. Capt. Burke had erected the valuable pole, and enclosed it in a suitable base, at his own expense.

(I’m not sure how long “there will always be” is, but it has come and gone for the Captain’s flagpole.) 

This musical pair is comprised of Mary, 10, and Lloyd, 14, children of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Preston, Wyebridge. Mary was Lloyd’s accompanist when he won the amateur division at Peterborough’s first annual old-time fiddlers’ contest Friday night. Mel Lavigne of Honey Harbour won the professional section. 

This handsome trophy presented for competition at Peterborough’s old-time fiddlers’ contest, will have the name of Lloyd Preston, 14, of Wyebridge inscribed on its base. A representative of Dow’s brewing company, donors of the trophy, George Gilmour of Peterborough is seen above with the young Wyebridge fiddler, who won the amateur section of the contest. Lloyd gets a smaller replica to keep permanently. 

Annual damage to their chalet is getting past the joke stage to members of Midland Ski Club. Ross Irwin is seen retrieving tow rope that some persons started to lug off the property. Damage to windows and other parts of the building will cost nearly $300 to repair, Mr. Irwin estimated. 

Among the improvements planned by Midland Ski Club for the coming season is a smoother-operating tow. Ross Irwin is seen adjusting an automatic tension device recently installed at the club. The club also hopes to open up a new trail this winter. 

Another improvement at Midland’s ever-expanding Little Lake Park is the clearing of the section of land at the southeast end of Little Lake. Last year at this time the entire area was over-run by tag alders and other brush. Program of improvements is to run for several years, as money becomes available. 

Formerly of Sarnia, Ian McClung is shown at work in his new office in Midland’s municipal building. He has been active in lacrosse circles for some years. 

Sentries standing, with heads bowed and, their rifles reversed, the crowd standing in respectful silence, two mothers march to the cenotaph in Midland to place their wreaths on the steps of the memorial. Hundreds attended the special service of remembrance. 

These three rows of boxcars, parked in the CNR’s Tiffin Yard, were later hooked up to make the longest grain train (more than 90 cars and 4,000 feet long) ever to leave Midland. Three big diesel units (visible near the top of the picture) were used to haul the train 200 miles to Belleville. Total weight of grain in the cars was more than 7,200 tons.

(This year the Canadian Pacific Railway will be operating 8,500-foot trains of 147 cars weighing 15,000 tons.) 

A Great Lakes mariner since 1917, Capt. Cecil Clarke has been appointed Commodore of the Paterson Steamship Co.’s fleet. Capt. Clarke succeeded Capt. T. C. Jewitt formerly of Penetang. Only two other Midlanders belong to the exclusive “Commodores club.” They are Capt. Frank Harpell, Commodore for Upper Lakes and St. Lawrence Navigation Ltd., and Capt. Alex McLennan, who was Commodore of the Canada Steamship Line’s fleet until his retirement a couple of years back. Commodores of Great Lakes’ fleets being as scarce as they are, Midland may be unique in Canada. There are few towns with three living Great Lakes Commodores. 

• Free Press Herald headline of November 19, 1958; Grant Firms in Midland $30,000 Assessment Cut. Reductions in assessments totaling approximately $30,000 and abatements or write-offs of taxes amounting to $4,643.65 were approved by Midland’s Court of Revision Tuesday. Hugh Blair was chosen the chairman of the court, which also included Gordon Boyd, R. S. McLaughlin, William Jeffery, and Herbert Carpenter. The first appeal was from Odeon Theatres, on assessments on the Roxy and Capitol Theatre properties. Roxy Theatre assessment was sustained but the building assessment on the Capitol was reduced from $13,130 to $8,810. The $4,320 reduction was based on present use factor. Howard Markham was granted a reduction of $950 on the building assessment of his Bay Street property. Mr. McClung recommended a reduction on the older portion of the building, bringing it to $5,825. Acting on the assessor’s recommendation, the building assessment on the new Pillsbury Canada Ltd. plant was reduced from $82,905 to $71,945, a reduction of $10,060, and the business assessment fell accordingly from $49,745 to $43,165.
• County Herald headline of November 21, 1958; Forecast Major Decrease in Midland Hydro Rates. A one-cent cut in the per 100 watt flat rate for water heaters, effective Dec. 1, and a possible eight to 10 percent reduction in hydro rates next spring was announced Wednesday by Stewart Holt, secretary-treasurer of Midland Public Utilities Commission. Mr. Holt said he had been informed by HEPC (Hydro-Electric Power Commission) officials that the basic rate for flat rate water heaters of 40 cents per 100 watts had been reduced to 39 cents.
• Plans are now underway for a new Sacred Heart Separate School to serve Midland’s east end, following completion of negotiations which have been underway for some time. Tied in with the new school will be vastly improved recreational facilities for that area. Secretary of the Separate School Board, Ted Johnstone disclosed that completion was made recently of the purchase of approximately nine acres of land from Orvil Kitching. The property will provide a site for a 14 or 15 room school and ample playground facilities. The property is bounded roughly by William, Yonge, Elizabeth and Fitton Streets. Flat in nature, the ground is already being used for rugby and soccer by pupils of Sacred Heart School and nearby St. Theresa’s High School.
• An extremely close battle for North-South honors featured last week’s session of the duplicate bridge in Midland YMCA. Only two points separated Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Holt, who were the winners, from Mr. and Mrs. Dave Haig, who placed third. “Win” Smith and Ken Somers were sandwiched in between, one point back of the leaders. Mrs. R. S. McLaughlin and Mrs. C. H. White came out on top of the East-West pairs, with Mrs. Todd Jeffery and Mrs. Ray Smith runners-up; Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Martin were third. Six tables were on hand for the event.
• TV star Juliette endeared herself to a large audience at Penetang Nov. 9 when one of the many numbers she sang was in the French language. Idol of many in her TV appearances, the CBC star appeared to be more at ease on the stage than she does on television. One of the reasons was explained by the star herself when she told the crowd attending Penetang Jaycees’ variety show that everything is very exacting when one appears before a TV camera. “You have to stand in particular spots because of the lighting and microphones. I like to move around,” she said and move around she did, covering the entire length of the Pen Theatre stage. Probably the most thrilled person in the theatre was little Ann Montgrain who had appeared earlier on the program and was seated near the front of the theatre. Juliette walked to the end of the stage and sang directly to her for a minute or two. Later she complimented Ann on her numbers and urged her to continue the work.
• New Arrivals – MARION — To Mr. and Mrs. Tom Marion, Donalda St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, November 14, 1958, a son. McINTOSH — To Mr. and Mrs. Les McIntosh 216 Soudan Ave., Toronto, at the Toronto Western Hospital, Sunday, November 16, 1958, a son. MOREAU — To Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Moreau, Honey Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Monday, November 17, 1958, a son. TREMBLAY—To Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tremblay, 345 Manley St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Sunday, November 16, a daughter. WADGE. — To Mr. and Mrs. Russell Wadge Jr., of Long Branch, at Oakville General Hospital, Friday, Nov. 7, 1958, a daughter.
• 25 Years Ago This Week – Frank Reynolds of Waverley had a bumper crop of potatoes. Eight of them filled a six-quart basket, and when weighed tipped the scales at 12 pounds. One large potato weighed a pound and three-quarters. * * * Benito Mussolini ordered all bachelors holding executive posts in the Fascist party or who were candidates for the Italian legislature to marry or resign. * * * A new oil tanker plying the Great Lakes, whose 379-foot hull had been electrically welded throughout, was being hailed by mariners as the forerunner of new developments in shipbuilding methods. She had been built in Tyne shipyards in Britain. * * * A $38,000,000 public works program, designed to employ about 61,200 men, had been announced by the Ontario government. * * * The hydrographic service reported that the water level of Lake Huron was the lowest since 1860. Lack of snow during the winter and of rain during the spring and summer was said to be the cause of the low water. * * * Winter invaded the district with a bang. During the week of Nov. 16, 10 inches of snow fell. By the weekend, however, temperatures had moderated and the snow had disappeared as rapidly as it came. * * * District chambers of commerce and boards of trade had given their support to a resolution calling for the speed limit on highways to be increased from 35 to 45 miles per hour. Several dissenting groups in Southwestern Ontario contended that 40 mph was fast enough for any driver. * * * A meeting of parents and Sunday School teachers in Waubaushene lOOF hall endorsed a resolution calling for the formation of a parent-teacher association. The meeting was sponsored by the Tay-Medonte Religious Educational Association.
• Work is expected to get underway next week on a ten-room addition to Midland’s Midtown Motel. The new addition will bring accommodations at the motel to thirty rooms. Included in the plans is a new central lounge for use by the guests. Measuring fifty by fifty-two feet the new second storey addition will be placed in the middle of the building well back from the street.
• Dear Editor: After 46 years I have had the pleasure of visiting my old hometown, and I am sorry to see it has changed so much. I do miss the old fire hall and the town bell that rang out the hours and at nine at night sent all the children flying home off the streets. Believe me, it is needed today. I took a walk up and down the main street. It made me lonesome for all the good folks who once were there and now are around no more. First I missed the Playfair Preston store near the town docks. W. E. Preston was a friend to all. There were others like the Big Four, McCartney brothers, E. H. Piggott, Jack White, A. Osborne, the last operated one of the finest stores Midland ever had. There were others like the Horrell family, Watt Gladstone for many years postmaster, and J. F. Goodfellow, one-time owner of the Free Press; dear old Dr. McGill, one of the best doctors Midland ever had. One thing pleased me; Knox Presbyterian Church is still standing. I sang in the choir when I was a very young; Rev. J. J. Elliott was the minister, a fine saintly man who was loved by all. I see there is a United Church on the main street. The old town has certainly changed and is not home anymore. There are so many new faces. -Mrs. E. Worthall.
• When Mr. and Mrs. William Archer, Elmvale, celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary recently they received messages of congratulations from Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister Diefenbaker, Heber Smith, P., and the Grand Lodge of Ontario. The Archers, who have farmed in the Elmvale area all their lives, are now living with her brother, William Reid of Elmvale. Mr. Archer was 94 in September and his wife, who has been blind for 14 years, was 79 two weeks later. Mr. Archer comes from a long living family, with three of his sisters living nearly a hundred years. The couple who were married in the Anglican Church, Barrie, have six living children, Mrs. E. Beardsall of Elmvale, Mrs. G. Dean, Mrs. William Murray, and Mrs. Tom Hobson, all of Toronto, and Blain and Lawrence, also of Toronto. A son, Harold, was killed in a car accident 16 years ago. The Archers have 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
• In failing health for the past few years, Mrs. Mary Annie Elsom, wife of the late George C. Elsom, died in her 88th year Nov. 8. A life-long resident of this area, she was born at Randolph, Ont., July 22, 1871, and was married June 4, 1893, in Penetang. The funeral service was held at A. Barrie and Sons’ funeral home Nov. 11 and was conducted by Rev. Wilson Morden. Pallbearers were Ellwood Marcellus, Vernon Sweeting, Jack Fallis, Ray Atkinson, Garry Robinson, and Elmer Ellison. Mrs. Elsom is survived by one son, George of Midland, and seven daughters: Mrs. C. Marcellus (Mabel); Mrs. Ray Atkinson (Nellie); Mrs. F. W. Whiteman (Lillian), all of Midland; Mrs. Gerald Sweeting (Hazel), St. Catharines; Mrs. C. Fallis (Ethel), Toronto; Mrs. Ted Robinson (Grace), Willowdale, and Mrs. A. Whiting (Vema), Aurora. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery.
• Concerning the non-attendance of students under 16 years of age, Mr. Johnston stated that four students had been reported to the probation officer and the juvenile court. “The students have just not returned to school,” continued Mr. Johnston. “It would appear to me that the parents and students are defying the laws of the province. In each case, the family allowance cheque has been cancelled for the particular child. The biggest problem we are facing is the disinterest of pupils and parents.” Asking if drop-outs were due to financial reasons, board members Dr. A. H. Pinchin said he understood 40 percent of provincial bursaries were not being used. Mr. Johnston replied that he did not feel the drop-outs were for financial reasons. While he felt it might be true, province-wide, that 40 percent of the bursaries were not used, he added that two-thirds to three-quarters of the value of bursaries for Simcoe County were being used by MPDHS alone.
• Judging by the enthusiasm of the 25 members present at the annual meeting in Midland YMCA last Wednesday night, Midland Ski Club is in for another banner season given good weather conditions. Jack Harvey, of Victoria Harbour, was named the president of the club succeeding Ray Smith. Mrs. Miles Blackhurst will be one of the vice-presidents, with another still to be appointed. Mrs. Gordon Wallace is secretary and Mrs. Enya Keylwerth is treasurer. Don White heads the publicity committee and Miles Blackhurst the social. John Moss is the junior club’s representative on the senior body. Captain of the ski patrol will be appointed later. Provincial ski authorities have already allotted one date to the club — Jan. 18 — for a junior and senior invitation meet. Other events are planned by the club for later in the season.
• LAFONTAINE NEWS— Teachers from Ste. Croix school here attended a convention last week.  * Citizens in this district are complaining of the effects of the sonic booms being made by super-sonic speed aircraft flying over the area. The worst yet was Nov. 11.  * Lionel Beauchamp’s car caught fire on the road and was completely destroyed. * Martial Marchildon is drawing loads of Christmas trees to his yard.  * H. Beaudoin is busy repairing the home he bought on Con. 16.  * Among those attending the Royal Winter Fair are Mrs. Irene Marchand and Honore Genier. Mr. Genier prepared the Lafontaine potato display at the fair. * Dandelions are still blooming in this area. * Miss Lea Toutant celebrated her 50th, birthday Nov. 11 and her uncle, Arthur Marchildon of Perkinsfield celebrated his 70th birthday the same day.