Click on photos to enlargeThe congregation of St. Paul’s United Church was “at home” to citizens of Midland and district Sunday afternoon, at a reception to honor its retiring minister, Rev. W. R.  Auld. Receiving guests, left to right, Rev. Auld, clerk of session J. W. Smith and Mrs. Smith, recording secretary of the board Clarke Edwards, Mrs. McCullough and T. M. McCullough, chairman of the committee of stewards and Mrs. Edwards. 

Surprise party for Mr. & Mrs. Elmer Isaac (Ethel May Hamilton) of 3rd Conc. Tay, marked their 40th wedding anniversary at the Midtown Motel, Saturday. Married at Hillsdale in 1918, they had just returned from a trip out west. 

All dressed up in new uniforms, Midland Indians still have plenty of places to go despite their first defeat of the Bruce Baseball League season Monday night. Left to right are, front row – Ab Stainton, Bob Hendrickson, “Buck” Rodgers, coach “Bun” Deschamp, Paul Creighton, Larry Greene, Bill Kettle; back row-Harold Jackson, Murray Yorke, Vic Valentine, Jack Hendrickson, Jim Wilcox, Joe Faragher, Jim Lemieux. In front is bat boy Fred Jackson. Catcher “Buzz” Deschamp was missing when the picture was taken. 

Rosary pilgrimage took 40 residents of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 680 miles to Martyr’s Shrine near Midland. Among those on the 16-day tour of religious shrines were, left to right, Irene Strong, Anna Strong, Laura Meyer and Emma Drost, on a shopping tour in Midland. They left here Tuesday morning for Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec.  

There was a large turnout at Waubaushene, June 18, as Simcoe County fire brigades demonstrated their ability to render mutual aid in emergency actions. Chiefs from a number of municipalities are seen above. Left to right are; front row – Dick Columbus, Elmvale; Ed Gapp, Bradford; L. Edwards, Orillia; R.H. Irwin, Barrie, county-coordinator; back row – Lloyd Cameron, Port McNicoll; Herb Stevens, Coldwater; Joe Moreau, Waubaushene; Arnold Tippin, Midland; George Alexander, of the Fire Marshal’s Office, Toronto; A. E. Culham, Stayner; “Sib” Brodeur, Victoria Harbour; Bob Stewart, Penetang; Roy Ferguson, Stroud. 

Co-ordinator for Simcoe County’s mutual aid fire program, Barrie Fire Chief R. H. Irwin, is seen chatting with a member of the Waubaushene brigade during a demonstration in that village last Wednesday night. Chief Irwin said the mutual aid program is “working out splendidly,” with more than 300 volunteer and 25 permanent firemen available to combat major emergencies that might arise within the county. 

No, these people aren’t looking at some giant eel pulled from the waters of Waubaushene Bay. The picture was taken during a mutual aid demonstration held by a number of Simcoe County fire departments, Wednesday, June 18. 

Recession or no recession, there seems to be little letup in the building of new houses in Midland. Among the most active builders is Henry Bernick of Barrie, former Midland industrialist. The top picture shows two new houses under construction on John Street. The lower photo shows two more in a nearly finished state on Donalda Street. 

A typical scene at graduation exercises for Grade 8 pupils of Midland public schools Tuesday night includes Wm. Barnett, left, and schools board representative Frank Whiteman, right, handing out diplomas.

 

Merit award winners for Midland public schools were announced at graduation exercises Tuesday night. From left to right are Dietmar Wagner and Birgit Brinkman of Regent School, Charles Hamilton of Sixth Street School, Elizabeth Holden and Kirk Weldon of Parkview School. Sixth Street winner June Caston was absent. 

Production line techniques were implemented by Mid-Canada Contractors Ltd. crews as they commenced the installation of gas mains in Midland and Penetang Tuesday. The picture shows some of the crew at work on Bay Street W., Midland. About 25 local men are employed at present. It is expected this will be increased to 40. 

Big smiles above are in anticipation of the successful conclusion of another season of Little League baseball in Midland Friday night. Lads are Brian Berriault, left, and Jerry Beteau, captains of two of the league’s many teams. Center is league director Len Self, who is hoping for good weather for Friday’s big “final night”. All games will be played at Parkview Public School, starting at 6:30 p.m. 

Wet, gray skies attended the launching of the “Sea Owl” in Midland harbour Wednesday. Completed by Midland Boat Works the Sea Owl is the craft in which Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Wells will soon begin a tour or the Trent Valley waterway system. The launch coincides with the release of Mr. Wells’ latest book, “Cruising on Georgian Bay”.  The book was the result of a 1,000-mile journey through the Georgian Bay and along the eastern shore of Lake Huron last summer. (The museum would appreciate the names of the pipers in these photos.) 

Champagne flew high and wide as Mrs. Ken Wells (Lucille Oille) christened the “Sea Owl” at launching ceremonies in Midland Wednesday afternoon. Onlookers in the background are Len Cowdrey of Midland Boat Works and Ken Wells, journalist and author. 

• Free Press Herald headline of June 25^th, 1958; Loot Midland Dock Area, Take Three Boat Motors. Police have estimated the value of the three motors at a total of $650.00, along with a five-gallon gasoline tank valued at $50. Loot from a break-in at Campbell’s Auto Parts nearby was placed at $69.00.
• County Herald headline of June 27^th, 1958; Bell Makes Second Bid For Phone Rate Boosts. The effect on Midland residents was to be; one party line, present rate $3.65, proposed $3.85; two-party line, present rate $2.95, proposed $3.05; multi-party rural, present $2.85, proposed $2.95; business one-party, present $6.50, proposed $6.95.
• St. Andrew’s Hospital had a cash surplus of $4,337 for the first five months of 1958, board members were told at their meeting Monday night. It was seen as a definite improvement in the financial situation, considering that during May $2,900 was collected in old accounts owing prior to the first of the year. Added to this was the news of the receipt of a $1,000 bequest from the estate of Miss Emma Baker.
• HILLSDALE- Misfortune seems to be dogging the fortunes of the Gerrad Jolie family here. A few weeks ago their house was destroyed by fire. Then one of the children swallowed an overdose of aspirin. This was followed by a broken arm suffered by young John Jolie in a fall. With his arm still in a cast, Johnny suffered an attack of appendicitis. He came home last weekend minus his arm cast and his appendix.
• Blair Construction and Supplies Ltd., Midland, has been awarded the contract for the erection of a new store in Midland for the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. Being erected at Bay and Queen Streets, the new store will consist of the main floor and a full basement, with a total floor space of about 8,000 square The building will be of brick and concrete construction. A number of Midland firms have successfully bid on the subcontracting jobs. Excavation for the building has already been completed by Thomas Wilcox and Sons Ltd. H. J. Thompson and Sons Ltd. will do the plumbing, heating and air conditioning work. Bowman and Crippin decorating firm will do the painting. Midland Planning Mills Ltd. will do the millwork and supply the lumber. Concrete and masonry materials will be supplied by J. M. Wallace and Sons Ltd.
• Ten Years Ago This Week – The village of Lafontaine opened its new continuation school. It was completed at a cost of $75,000. • • • The strawberry crop in North Simcoe was seriously hit by a prolonged drought. It was estimated that the bumper crop would be a total Ioss unless rain came within a day or so. • • Archaeologist Wilfrid Jury had uncovered a building at Fort Ste. Marie I of which there are no known records in existence. It was west of the old fort between the fort and the Wye River. • • • Mrs. James Bell of R.R. 3, Coldwater, was re-elected president of East Simcoe Women’s lnstitute at the annual convention at Crown Hill. • • • Midland‘s Police Chief A. D. McDonald issued summonses to two motorists for serenading a wedding party by blowing their horns. It was the first such incident since the town had put a ban on the practice a year previously. • • • Rev. J. L. Burgess of Elmvale was elected moderator of Barrie Presbytery of the ·Presbyterian Church in Canada, at a meeting in Ottawa. • • • More than 3,000 Medonte old timers and visitors from all over the continent attended a Medonte reunion and the tercentenary of the martyrdom of Anthony Daniel. A special religious service was held on the hilltop near Mount St. Louis. • • • A twister which swept in across Georgian Bay caused extensive property damage at Port Severn and left a trail of toppled trees, smashed buildings and damaged boats from there to North River.
• The Ontario government Hospital Care Insurance program provides unlimited standard ward care coverage as long as it is medically necessary for the insured to remain in hospital supervisor for the Ontario Hospital Services Commission told a meeting of North Simcoe employers at the Midland Municipal Building Tuesday afternoon. When the –plan becomes effective Jan. 1. 1959, there will be no limitation in the payment for hospital extras nor in the number of days of confinement, he said. (The beginning of OHIP)

For our look beyond 60 years, we have clipped a series of newspaper ads published by Midland’s famous photographer (before Budd) J. W. Bald.

Bald Ads PDF

 

We would like to thank all of you who have been saving your soup labels for us over the last few years. It has been a huge help and we are very grateful.
Sadly, Campbell’s has discontinued their Labels for Education Program so we will no longer be collecting them.
Thank you for thinking of us. Every single label made a difference!

Click on photos to enlarge 

Choir comprised of Grade 5 and 6 pupils in Regent School, taught by Miss Jessie Carson, have been selected to sing at the graduation exercises for Grade 8 pupils in the Regent auditorium June 24. Wednesday afternoon they travelled by bus to Georgian Manor where they sang for residents of the manor. Teachers who have worked with the group and their music instructor R. C. Ireland consider the children to have “exceptional singing qualities.” 

Once a weekly visitor, the cruise ship South America made its lone stop-over for the season last Tuesday. On hand to greet Captain Harold Nelson, center, were Chamber of Commerce officials R. B. Moffatt, left, and Walter Woods. Mecca for most of the 150 passengers aboard was the Martyr’s Shrine. 

The first educational project of Midland Foremen’s Club, sponsored by the YMCA, was a course in blueprint reading. Those who completed the course are, front row, left to right; Jack Condon, Jerry Butineau; instructor Jim Murray, Richard Slanisky, Morie Whitcher; back row, Ivan McConnel, Fred Salmon, Russ Duncan and Roy Shakell. They received their certificates Monday. 

Near perfect weather, in contrast to cold, high winds later in the week, made things pleasant for delegates of the Ontario Historical Society who attended the official opening of Midland’s Huronia Museum Thursday. Many visitors were impressed by the excellence of the exhibits they found inside the building.

Son of the late Hon. William Finlayson, one of the town’s great figures in former years, R. M. Finlayson, left, officially opened Midland’s Huronia Museum Thursday afternoon for a new season. With Mr. Finlayson are Dr. Louis Blake Duff, famed Canadian literary figure, and little Debbie Yelland, daughter of museum curator Jack Yelland and Mrs. Yelland.

Delegates to the annual convention of the Ontario Historical Society held in Midland last week visited many points of interest in the district. Above, Dr. Wilfrid Jury explains some of the wonders of the Forget Site, an ancient Indian encampment on the banks of Wye Lake, southeast of Midland.

 

 President of the Ontario Historical Society, which held its convention at Midland last week, Miss Lillian -Benson of London took great interest in some of the costumes produced for the official opening of Penetang museum for the new season. Left to right are Miss Annette Brunelle, Donald Lavigne, Mrs. Benson, Miss Barbara Mead and Mrs. George Bryant. 

Here’s one fellow who appeared “well set for blades” at the opening of Penetang’s museum last Friday. Behind the whiskers is Urbain Moreau, seen with Pete Vaillancourt, Jacqueline King and Mrs. Moreau, left to right.

Here are some contractors and services you may remember.

 

A popular spot in Penetang.

 

 

• Free Press Herald headline from June 18, 1958; Two Boats in Collision, Charge Severn Operator. Several Toronto area anglers narrowly escaped serious injury when their boat and another were in collision on the Severn River Sunday. A Port Severn boat operator has been charged under the Canada Shipping Act following the collision, police said.  Police said a Port Severn man has been charged with careless operation of a boat. OPP Const. H. R. Donaldson investigated. The other craft involved in the accident was an outboard motor boat operated by Elmer Burt of Brampton. Minor damage was caused to both crafts. No one was injured, police said. Passengers in the small craft were able to swim to shore.
• County Herald headline from June 20, 1958; $15,000 Concrete Dam Proposed for Orr Lake. The cost is to be shared by the province and the two townships, Medonte and Flos. The dam will control the flow of water from the lake to the Wye River. The cost would be amortized over five years. This will amount to approximately $5 per year for every $1,000 assess The addition to the lake will be a structure of engineering skill and hard work, suitably landscaped to make an attractive place to visit on a summer afternoon. Copeland Milling Company, present owners of the property surrounding the dam site, have also given approval to the project, this paper was told. At a meeting held In Orr Lake Sunday, Reeve Ganton and Reeve Trace said the need had existed for years for a more permanent type of dam. It is felt a dam is needed capable of withstanding sudden storms such as Hurricane Hazel, and which would not be in need of constant repair.
• A recent communication from headquarters of Ontario Provincial Police spells doom to the siren-screeching fast escorts for VIP’s. According to the bulletin, sent to all police departments, “In future, no high-speed escorts for visiting dignitaries will be provided. All escorts provided must move within the legal speed limits and in compliance with all laws. “In emergency cages for doctors and ambulances with critically ill or injured persons, the utmost care must be exercised at all times so as not to endanger the life of anyone.”
• Funeral service will be held at A. Barrie and Sons funeral home this afternoon for A. K. M. Gaviller, a teacher on the staff of Midland District High School and Midland Penetang District High School for 30 years. Mr. Gaviller, who retired two years ago from the MPDHS staff, died Monday at his home after a lengthy illness. He was in his 63rd year. Prior to coming to Midland, he taught one year in Simcoe High School. Mr. Gaviller specialized in modern history. Married to the former Kathleen McLaren. Mr. Gaviller was a member of Session and the Board of Managers of Knox Presbyterian Church and a past president of the Midland Kiwanis Club. Besides his wife, he is survived by sons, David with IBM in Toronto, and Fred, a second-year University of Toronto student.
• The Community Hall at Lafontaine was filled to capacity Sunday evening when graduation exercises were held for 11 Grade 12 students of Lafontaine Continuation School. Following a welcome by Irene Maurice, Augustin Desroches took charge as master of ceremonies for the program, consisting of speeches, presentations, and entertainment. Class valedictorians were Viateur Laurin, speaking in French and Vincent Marchildon In English. Honoured guests who were asked to speak during the evening included Rev. T. Marchildon, parish priest; Geo. Johnston, MPP, and Montcalm Maurice, reeve of Tiny Township.
• Two esteemed members of the teaching profession were honored by their associates at a dinner in St. Paul’s United Church hall, Midland, Friday evening. Guests of honor were Regent School teachers Miss Annie Ross and Miss Margaret Duffett. Seventy guests comprised of teachers, board members, public school inspectors and former teaching associates of the two women attended the event.
• 25 Years Ago This Week; Midland Little Lake Park had become so popular a camping spot that the park commission had to extend the camping area to include space for an additional 100 tents providing accommodation for a total of 600 tents. Indications were that every one of the campsites would be filled for the summer. * * * Members of the Midland Chapter of the Masonic Order extend congratulations to John Preston the occasion of his 88^th About 20 local members went to the Preston home and presented him with a bouquet of flowers. * * * Midland court of revision heard 22 appeals at their regular session. Of the appeals, assessments were sustained on eighteen and four were granted reductions from $100 to $150. * * * Dr. Herbert Bruce, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and Mrs. Bruce officiated at graduation ceremonies for St. Andrews Hospital School of Nursing students. Dr. Bruce presented the diplomas and Mrs. Bruce, St. Andrew’s pins. * * * Vernon Trott of Hamilton had been appointed the director of athletics for Midland Camp Kitchikewana. * * * Following on the heels of a 90-degree heat wave a severe wind storm swept across North Simcoe leaving a trail of toppled trees in its wake. Water levels in Midland Harbour were raised two feet by the gale force wind from the northeast. * * * Max Bear defeated German challenger Max Schmeling in a world heavyweight boxing match at Madison Square Gardens.
• Simcoe County’s 1OOth warden, Arthur Evans of Bradford, watched the unveiling of photos of all but three of the previous wardens last Wednesday at the council chambers in Barrie. Ex-warden Ernest Miller, now county messenger, removed the flag from the individually framed photos now hanging on a wall of the chamber. The ceremony was directed by B. Harvey, president of the ex-wardens’ association and two other ex-wardens, C. H. Eplett of Coldwater and J. T. Simpson.
• A blend of strawberries, old silver and pottery marked the annual meeting of the Simcoe County Arts and Crafts Association. Held at Midhurst Re-forestation Hall June 12, it was attended by arts and crafts enthusiasts from almost every section of the county. This year the program was unique in that two members of the association were featured as guest speakers,  Miss Violet Edwards of Midland, for many years manager of the silver department of Henry Birks and Sons, Hamilton, and Jozo Weider of Collingwood. Miss. Edwards’ topic was “Old Silver and Hallmarks” while Mr. Weider talked about his “Blue Mountain Pottery”.
• Midland Parks Commission at its meeting Thursday night instructed parks superintendent Harold McAllen to purchase aluminum roofing to completely renew the picnic canopy in the park. The commission also agreed to lease for one year approximately 100 square feet of parkland in the playground area to John Parker. Mr. Parker plans to set up a miniature golf course and a small ride on the land. A live pony ride (merry-go-round style) has been set up in the same area by Edgar Lawson.
• Both of Simcoe County’s homes for the aged have more applications for bed care than they can accommodate a report to county council showed last week. At Georgian Manor in Penetang, there are 28-bed patients and 24 ambulatory patients while at Simcoe Manor in Beeton there are 45-bed patients and 54 ambulatory residents.
• Parks Commission Chairman Bill Murray stated today that rumours of the park lake being unfit for swimming are not true. The Park Board has the county health authorities keep a close watch on the water condition throughout the summer. The last certificate from the health unit is dated June 11th and indicates that the water in Little Lake meets “the bacteriological standards for swimming”.

    The obituary below is for Mrs. James Burke Sr., Jane Gegg born in Dublin 1843, who died May 8th, 1916 at Midland and it was published in the May 16th, 1916 Free Press. It marks the passing of the matriarch of one of North Simcoes important and prominent families, the Burkes. The article is also an excellent example of the type of prose used at the time. (click on the link)

Burke