Oral History Project DVD Launch of “The Four Jewels of Georgian Bay”

The communities of Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny Township and Tay Township came together with Newfoundland  film documentarian, Hugh Dimaline, in 2014 to capture the stories of people and places from North Simcoe in a DVD set for the community to share amongst themselves and with newcomers to the region.  Four years in production, the resulting DVD entitled, “The Four Jewels of Georgian Bay” will be unveiled at a special evening which will bring together the over 100 people interviewed for this project.

Penetanguishene Centennial Museum and Huronia Museum are especially pleased that all of the interview material, uncut and unedited, will become a permanent part of their respective archives for future researchers and historians.

The four communities are invited to come together to launch the DVD “The Four Jewels of Georgian Bay” at the Huronia Museum on Friday, May 25^th.  Midland, Tiny Township, Tay Township and Penetanguishene are all featured in this brand new Newfound History Films project for the cost of $20 per copy.

The evening event will take place on Friday, May 25^th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will include light snacks and a cash bar. This event is FREE and is sponsored by Heritage Tiny Township, Heritage Tay Township, Heritage Midland, Heritage Penetanguishene, Culture Midland, Huronia Museum and Penetanguishene Centennial Museum & Archives.

For more information, please contact the museum at (705) 526-2844.

The event will take place on Saturday, February 6th at 2:00 p.m. with a formal talk followed by a book signing and reception.

For more information, please contact the museum at 705-549-2150.

For media requiring additional information, please contact:

Huronia Museum
549 Little Lake Park Road
Midland ON L4R 4P4

Click on photos to enlarge  Proud of their new Canadian citizenship is the Dutch-born Arnold Van Pypen family of Port McNicoll. They received their papers in Barrie Thursday. Left to right are, front row — Wilma, 8, Henry, 3, Mrs. Van Pypen and Margo, Wilma’s twin sister; back row — Ria, 12, Mr. Van Pypen and Joky, 11. Henry was a jump ahead of his parents, having been born a Canadian citizen.

   Coming to Canada in May 1951, the Van Pypens and their four daughters settled first in Lowbanks, a little community on Lake Erie, near Dunnville. Then the Van Pypens moved to Toronto where Arnold became an agent for a life insurance firm. They had been there four years and might still be there until Arnold happened to see an advertisement of a store for sale in Port McNicoll. By the afternoon of the same day, Arnold was in Port McNicoll looking over Ted Biggar’s confectionary store, which was the one for sale. Arnold also looked over the village, liked what he saw, got Mrs. Van Pypen’s approval of the place, and was the new owner before the week was out. This was May 1, 1955. Mrs. Van Pypen took over the operation of the store, which has expanded to include general merchandise as well as confectionery. At the same time Arnold became an agent for the Robert Thompson real estate firm in Waubaushene. A short time later he took out his own licence and started his own business. As evidence of his progress, Mr. Van Pypen is now president of the newly- formed Georgian Bay Real Estate Board. 

German born Dietmar Wagner can put many native-born Canadian children to shame when it comes to the art of public speaking. In Canada only a few years, Dietmar is seen with Mrs. H. L. McIntyre and his Regent Public School Principal M. 0. Lewis, right, and some of the numerous prizes he has won in recent months. They were on display at Friday night’s meeting of the School Board, of which Mrs. McIntyre is a member. 

Pupils of St. Mary’s School, Midland, presented this nativity scene on one of the floats in the monster rosary rally in Midland Sunday. It was one of five floats in the religious procession which depicted the Five Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. One of the Sisters, lower left, puts a finishing touch to the float before it moved off in the parade.

   Parishioners from the parishes of Midland, Penetang, Lafontaine, Perkinsfield, Port McNicoll, Victoria Harbour and Waubaushene are expected to take part along with representation from the Knights of Columbus Councils of Orillia, Barrie, and Tottenham, in the third annual rosary rally in Midland Sunday. The famous St. Mary’s Boys’ Bugle Band will accompany the parade which will be under the supervision of the Huronia Council of the Knights of Columbus. 

There were flowers for the visitors as the girls of Port McNicoll Public School entertained their mothers at tea Friday afternoon. Marion Hocken left and Mary Kovalak pins a flower on Mrs. D. N. Thorpe, mother of school Principal, L. Thorpe. 

Girls of the Port McNicoll Public School were hosts to the mothers at a tea Friday afternoon. Left to right are Mrs. W. R. Elliott, her daughter Helen, Marlene Loney (serving), Mrs. John Hartford, and Mrs. Wm. Tunnock, Helen’s grandmother.

 Flying high are these graduates of the first season of junior leadership training at Midland YMCA. Wynne Gilmore and Colin Hamer, tops in written examinations, are up in the air over their success; those with their feet on the ground are Lynda Duggan and Peter Berry, who were tops in gymnastics. 

Adding an improved note to the general scene at Ossosane Beach (Dault’s Bay), the old “River Store” has been completely renovated. Purchased some months ago by Cuth Annand of Midland, the building has undergone many changes, inside and out. 

Executive of the newly-formed Georgian Bay section of AMEU (Association of Municipal Electricity Utilities) is seen above following the inaugural meeting in Midland May 7. Left to right are, front row — W. G. Lane, Collingwood, vice-president; Robert Butter, Owen Sound, president; Stewart Holt, Midland, AMEU area director; back row S. R. Walkinshaw, Orillia, K. G. Baird, Hanover, R. B. Lackey, Orangeville, and E. D. Elwes, Paisley, directors.

 The inaugural meeting of the new Georgian Bay section of the AMEU in Midland last week provided a good opportunity for these old Penetang friends to renew acquaintances. Well-known in Penetang, Cyril Richardson, left, is now manager of the Uxbridge area PUC. Ed Nelson, centre, is superintendent and Ray Gauthier, right, manager of Penetang Water and Light Commission.

Newly elected officials, of Mount St. Louis branch of the Catholic Women’s League, are seen above with Rev. F. C. Robinson, the parish priest. Left to right, front row, are top executive members Mrs. Joe Drury, secretary; Mrs. Clarence Crawford vice-president; Mrs. M. J. Frawley, president, Mrs. John Drury, vice-president and Mrs. Maurice Fitzgerald, treasurer. Other executive members are, second row, Mrs. Eugene Belanger, Mrs. Phil King, Mrs. C. King, Mrs. Herman Bonneau; back row. Miss Margaret Sullivan, Mrs. Wm. Mooney, Mrs. M. L. Belanger, Mrs. Theophile King, Mrs. Clifford Crowe. 

Gift of Port McNicoll council, new swings and teeter-totters have been set up on the public school grounds, where they get plenty of use as can be seen above. Watching the children enjoy the new equipment are Councillor Jack Fisher and L. Thorpe, principal of the school. 

An important part of any army group is the junior NCO’s and the boys above fill this function with MPDHS Cadet Corps, which has its annual inspection Wednesday afternoon. Left to right are, front row — Cpl. Richard Wright, Cpl. Don Belfry, Cpl. Ken Ball, Cpl. Edward Bavington, Cp . Bill Laramey; second row — Cpl. Kevin Rogers, Cpl. Frank LeClair, Cpl. Frank Wice, Cpl. Don Popple, Cpl. Bob Rawson. 

Commanding officer of MPDHS Cadet Corps, Lieut. Col. John Hilliard is seen above checking over details of next Wednesday’s annual inspection with some of his top-ranking officers. Inspection is slated to get underway at 1:30 p.m. at the school. Left to right are Major J. Farmer, Major Glen Nicholls, Major Lloyd Farquhar, Lieut.-Col. Hilliard, Major K. MacEachern, Major Robert Megaw, Major L. Wood. 

• The County Herald headline from May 9, 1958; Missing Several Hours Searchers Locate Tots. Approximately 15 men, under Sgt. L. Robillard, of Penetang police, were successful in finding two small children who had been missing for several hours Wednesday afternoon. Wayne and Steve Ladouceur, two and four-years-old sons of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Ladouceur who live on the Ontario Hospital grounds, were reported missing by their mother early in the afternoon. Sgt. Robillard organized the search and when they found the boys tricycle at the Red Dock, were almost ready to start dragging. It wasn’t until nearly six o’clock that the lads were located on the bay shore near Fox and Broad Streets.
• The Midland Free Press headline from May 14, 1958; Hold Line on ’58 Rate Residential Levy 65.5. Midland Council at its meeting Monday night decided to keep the same commercial and residential tax rates as it set in 1957. Residential rate for public and separate school supporters will be 65.5 mills, the commercial rate has been set at 74 mills. Main reasons behind the ‘hold-the-line’  policy was a decision by council to provide additional funds for a supplementary public works bylaw for road and street improvements and to make provision for an installment on the new fire truck.
• To provide funds for its annual summer playground program, Midland Y’s Men’s Club will again sponsor a peanut sales drive in a house-to-house canvass. Drive will get underway in homes on the east side of Midland Tuesday night. West side homes will be canvassed the following Tuesday, May 20.
• Obituaries – S. R. LANGMAN – ELMVALE — After a lingering illness Mrs. Samuel Richard Langman, the former Bertha Mable Doan, died at her home at north half of lot 16, Concession 9, Flos Township, Friday, April 4. She was in her 68^th year. The funeral service was held Monday, April 7 at 2. p.m. at Allenwood United Church and was conducted by Dr. A. G. Reynolds. Interment was in Allenwood Cemetery. Six nephews acted as pallbearers: Grenville Doan, Lorne Doan, Lyall Doan, Murray Chapman, Donald Chapman and Elwood Langman. Mrs. Langman was born August 10, 1890, at Gibson, the daughter of Charlotte Pinch and James Doan. She resided there until her marriage on June 7, 1911, when she went with her husband to the 10th line of Flos, where she spent the remainder of her life. She was a faithful member of the Allenwood United Church and a life member of the Women’s Missionary Society and past president of the organization. Surviving are her husband, two daughters and one son. Mrs. Earl K. Parnell (Marjorie) and Gershom, both of Elmvale, Mrs. Clarence Carson (Joan) of Apto. There are ten grandchildren and two sisters; Mrs. Walter Houden of Point Edward, Mrs. Phon Sibbald of Elmvale and four brothers; Preston of Crossland, Edison of Wyevale, Morrison, and Emerson of Elmvale. Two sisters predeceased her; Mrs. Ernest Chapman of Elmvale and Mrs. Ewart Tucker of Picton. * * *  NATHAN RUMNEY, Tay Township, farmer Nathan Rumney died April 24 at his home on Lot 7, Con. 5. Rev. R. M. Dingwall conducted the funeral service held April 20 from Nicholls’ funeral home, Midland. Interment was at Vasey Union Cemetery. Pallbearers were Frank Rumney, Earl Jones, John Vancamp, Nathan Edwards, Manley Edwards and Leslie Edwards. Born July 17, 1875, at Westmoreland, England, Mr. Rumney settled at the age of seven on the farm at Lot 7, Con. 5, Tay, and it was in Tay Township that he received his education. He was married April 21, 1920, to Margaret Vancamp, at Wyebridge. Mr. Rumney was for many years the UFO livestock drover from Wyebridge and Melduf. A Liberal in politics, he was a member of Victoria Lodge No 470, Victoria Harbour. One of the first local supporters of the First Co-Operative Packers, Barrie, Mr. Rumney also enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was one of the first members of the Dutton Hunt Club. Surviving are his wife, son Harry at home, daughter Vera (Mrs. Bruce Grieder of Lindsay) and eight grandchildren. Predeceased by three brothers and four sisters, there are three surviving brothers; Lawson and Herbert of  Victoria Harbour and Ira of Midland; and sisters Emma, Mrs. Charles Beatty of Vasey, Mrs. Edith Yorke of Midland, and Mrs. Nelson Crooke (Mabel) of Victoria Harbour.
• Each mother who attends a certain grand opening on Mother’s Day will be presented with a lovely red rose, Mother’s Day, in case anyone needs a reminder, is Sunday, May 11. To get right down to cases, the opening concerned is that of the main dining room of The Big Red Rooster Restaurant, one mile south of Elmvale, on Highway 27. Chez Gros Coq Rouge is the Parisian name for the new restaurant.
• “All aboard for the last run of world’s best-loved train” (Orillia Packet and Times) The Canadian National Railway has served notice on the Town of Orillia that it plans to discontinue the passenger service of train No. 45 from Toronto to Orillia operating every day except Sunday. This train arrives in Orillia from Toronto about nine o’clock at night, turns in Orillia and proceeds back to Allandale. Dwindling use of the train has brought about the decision to cancel the service. Editor- There is no place for the little train now, in this age of the automobile and the motorbus. But as long as the English language is read and Stephen Leacock’s finest book is enjoyed, the little Train to Mariposa will live in the hearts of all.
• Balm Beach residents credited the sudden dropping of the wind with playing a major part in forestalling a serious fire loss there yesterday afternoon. Destroyed was a cottage, owned by Nick Pantos, proprietor of the Georgian Grill, a well-known Balm Beach establishment. The cottage was one of several located behind the big restaurant, in which waitresses and other help live during the summer season.
• Midland Rotary Club has elected its new officers and directors for 1958-59. President this year is Clive Park, active in reserve army circles and proprietor of Midland Flour and Feed. Others officers are Jack Duggan, vice-president; Jerry Therrien, secretary; Clint Truax, treasurer; Armand Robillard, Larry Curran and Verne Beatty, directors.
• Midland’s Community Centre building on King Street has been sold to L. H. Taylor. The offer to purchase the building was submitted in a call for tenders on the structure. Mr. Taylor’s bid, the only one in by the April 25 deadline, amounted to $12,000, $100 of which was to be down payment, $4,900 paid when the deal has been completed with deed, and the remainder in a seven-year mortgage. One other bid, submitted after the deadline, offered $5,500 for the building. (The building was on the East side of King Street across from Wilford’s service station. This is the best photo we could find of it, despite the double exposure with the Library.)
• Ten Years Ago This Week – At Port McNicoll workmen were busy installing a new cement foundation and full basement under Sacred Heart Church. Plans also called for changing the entrance from the northwest corner to the north end and a change in seating arrangements to provide for a center aisle. * * * With a majority of 28 votes, Charles Ball was elected to fill the vacancy on Victoria Harbour council, caused by the resignation of Percy Brown. Unsuccessful candidates were Hermos Larmand and W. J. Asselin. * * * Ontario Historical Society announced plans to hold its annual meeting at Martyrs’ Shrine June 9 and 10. The delegates planned to tour district historic sites. * * * Ontario Department of Lands and Forests announced it planned to establish fish sanctuaries in Georgian Bay—the waters east of Quarry Island, near Honey Harbour; the Cognashene and Go-Home Bay areas.  * * * A pictorial memorial of 37 young Midland and district men, former Midland District High School Students who lost their lives in World War II, was unveiled at the high school. It was the work of Principal J. J. Robins, assisted by Miss Mary House. * * *  Although gross expenditures in the Midland District High School budget for 1948 were $4,457 more than those for 1947, the mill rate for high school purposes in Midland had been decreased one mill. * * * Penetanguishene’s tax rate for 1948 was 11.7 mills higher than that for 1947. Mill rate for public school supporters was 72.89 and for separate school taxpayers, 60.73.
• Lafontaine News; Louis Brunelle, who had his fingers crushed while working in the mines about six weeks ago, recently recovered sufficiently to return to work. Mario Toutant, 8, is back from the hospital and has returned to school. Euzeb Moreau, who has been ill for several days, has been taken to the hospital. The outbreak of measles in the schools is now nearly over. A new cement dock has been built at Cedar Point. The tobacco farm on the 20^th Concession is not producing this year and the employees have moved out. Michael Laurin is cultivating Achil Marchildon’s farm on the 18th Concession. It is up for sale. Many in the district have transplanted strawberry plants this spring. Friday was a pretty sloppy day, with both snow and rain. Peter Paul Forget is employed at a summer resort in the islands for the season. Mr. and Mrs. Telesphore Forget had a surprise party on their 31st wedding anniversary. They received several gifts from the various relatives present. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Beauchamp celebrated their 24^th wedding anniversary May 8.

Click on images to enlargeTop dogs in the Midland Legion Bowling League include (seated), Bob Somers and Wm. Bryan, who tied for high single; and (standing, left to right), Doug Hebner, high single in playoffs; Les Marsell, high triple; Don Fox, high average; Bill Brooks, high total in playoffs. 

Playoff winners in the Midland Academy Bowling League were members of the Legion Blue team. Seated are Elmer Todd and Les Scott, and in the back are, left to right, Les Marsell, Mike Doherty, Legion president Chas. Scott, Chas. Spiker and Garnet Drinkle. 

Del Hasting’s team, winners of the Midland Academy Bowling League, are pictured at the annual banquet last Tuesday night at Bourgeois Lakeshore dining room. Left to right are seated, Don Fox and Dave Moore; standing. Bob Somers, Chas. Yorke, sponsor Del Hastings, Murray Yorke and Bernard Hamelin. 

There may be no promotion this side of the ocean for some types, but the lads above all moved up a notch in rank as members of RCSCC “Huron” last Wednesday. Promoted to able cadets from ordinary cadets were, left to right, front row —J. Bonnin, Penetang; Don Zabzinski, Midland; B. Grisdale and Ernie Miron, both of Penetang; back row — R. Belanger, R. Moffatt, N. Craig and S. Chambers, all of Midland. Lieut. Jack Sturgeon, commanding officer of the sea cadet corps, is at right. 

Senior NCO’s of MPDHS Cadet Corps, which will hold its annual inspection next Wednesday, are seen above. Left to right are — front row, S/Sgt. J. Vincent, SSM J. Wilcox, SSM P. J. McDonald, RSM J. Parker, RQMS V. Leonard, SSM R. Rankin, S/Sgt. G. Wittig; second row — Sgt. T. Kearns, S/Sgt W. Barber, S/Sgt. T. Geere, S/Sgt. J. Rankin, S/Sgt S. Ligowski, Sgt. J. Gignac, Sgt. J. Squire, Sgt. S. Campbell; third row — Sgts. T. Marr, B. Corriveau, P. Smitham, F. Cremer, H. Gouett, J. Brodeur, J. Rumble; fourth row — Sgt. R. Gauthier, M. Moreau, G. Rebhan, R. Wiggins, C. Whetham. 

Canadian singles champ Elmer Hohl of Wellesley, left, was beaten by Midland’s Wray Faint in the horseshoe pitching tournament held as part of the Jaycees’ Sports Show last week. Wray finished two points up on his noted opponent. 

Alderman Wm. Orr of Midland is shown presenting the town of Midland trophy to Wray Faint of Midland, winner of the horseshoe pitching competition at the Jaycees’ Sports Show. He defeated the Canadian singles champ to win the trophy. 

While her hubby chortles with glee, Mrs. Stan Harman seems all set to grab the $100 her spouse won at Midland Jaycees’ Sports Show Wednesday night. Ken Webb, left, is handing Stan the “C-note” for winning the hole-in-one contest. Mrs. Harman feels she has a moral right to a share of the booty. “He wouldn’t have come if I hadn’t pushed him out the door,” said Mrs. Harman. 

One of the most popular events at Midland Jaycees’ sports show last week was the hole-in-one contest. Mrs. Bruce Barrie wasn’t one of the six who turned the trick during the three-day show. Stan Harman proved the eventual winner. 

Winner of the fly-casting tournament at Midland Jaycees’ Sports Show was Bjorn Pettersen, seen receiving his trophy from Bruce Gilbert, right. The 13-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Pete Pettersen tied with Jack Yelland, left, in the regular competition but won the playoff (and payoff) round. Major prize was a two-week vacation at King Whyte’s Northern Ontario fishing camp. 

Trying out the driving tests at Midland Jaycee’s Sports Show proved to be fun as well as instructive for these young Midland matrons. Mrs. Gerry Gerow is trying her hand with the wheel while Mrs. Allan MacMillan, left, and Mrs. Dave Milner lends moral support. The instructor is Art McLean of London. 

Archery was a popular feature of Midland Jaycee’s Sports Show this week. Scoring a “bull’s eye” is Shirley Hebner, while John Power looks on. 

The ill wind that has cottagers all over the Georgian Bay area wondering how they are going to get their boats in the water this year will, conversely, be a boon to the sunbathers, as witness the wide beach area at Balm Beach this year, above. Only a few years ago it was impossible to drive along famed Wasaga Beach because of high water. Now the beach is more than 200 feet wide again in most places. Experts say it’s part of a seven-year cycle. 

Seen above with Rev. F. C. Robinson is the new executive of Mount St. Louis branch of the Catholic Women’s League. Left to right are Mrs. Joe Drury, secretary; Mrs. Clarence Crowe, 3rd vice-president; Mrs. M. J. Frawley, president; Mrs. John Drury, 2nd vice-president; Mrs. Maurice Fitzgerald, treasurer. Mrs. Reg Morrison, 1st vice-president, was absent when the picture was taken. 

When September rolls around again, Gary Valcheff will be one of the new pupils at Port McNicoll Public School. Gary, 6, is being “signed in” by Mrs. Herb Carpenter of Midland, Simcoe public health nurse, while his mother, Mrs. Henry Valcheff, and sister Gail, 3, watch. 

 

• Board Cuts School Rate Four Mills Lower in ’58 – County Herald headline of May 2, 1958. While complete details of the high school budget will not be available until next week, Midland council was informed at a special meeting Wednesday evening that town taxpayers will be paying 4.71 mills less on the Midland – Penetang District High School levy this year. Midland’s share of the total levy for high school purposes amounts to $51,316.03. Based on the 1958 assessment of $7,204,230. This means a tax rate of 7.13 mills for Midland ratepayers. Last year the levy was 11.84 mills. Council received the information during a semi-final review of its own budget. The preliminary review of the town budget, which is to be finalized tonight revealed there was a possibility of a three-mill cut in the overall tax rate for the town this year.
• Century-Old House Razed Elderly Woman Burned – Free Press Herald headline May 7, 1958. Fire destroyed one of the oldest homes in Penetang Monday morning when the Main Street residence of Mrs. Emma D’Aoust was razed. The house is believed to be more than 110 years old. The blaze is believed to have started from an overheated stove in which Mrs. D’Aoust had lit a wood fire a short time previous to the fire breaking out. The 84-year-old woman suffered severe burns to her arm, back, and shoulder when the dressing gown she was wearing caught fire. Wakened by the cries of her mother, Miss Louise D’Aoust managed to extinguish the flames on the burning clothing and get her out of the house. Following treatment by a doctor, she was taken to the home of her son, Phil D’Aoust. Firemen said they experienced considerable difficulty in battling the flames owing to the construction of the building. Part of the house was a log structure, and the entire building had been insulated many years ago with tanbark.
• Following the resignation of Ed. Dilworth as building inspector for the town, Penetang council experienced less difficulty than had been anticipated in securing a replacement. Monday night, council approved the application of Alf. Atkins and appointed him to the position. His duties will commence May 1. Remuneration will be the same as for the last inspector, which is a percentage of the permit fees collected.
• Midland Y’s Men next Tuesday night will embark on a tree planting spree at the Forget site, following their dinner meeting. This week a work party headed by Frank Bray brought in wood from the Forget site for use in the Indian village. Trucks for hauling the wood were provided by “Toots” Wallace and Lloyd and Harold Wilcox.
• A 22-year-old Midland man will likely be charged with criminal, negligence, drunk driving and careless driving following the death of Caleb A. Truman, 84, last night, police said this morning. Mr. Truman was struck and killed a few yards from his Bay Street home between Second and Third Streets by a car. Sgt. George Wainman said Mr. Truman, who was said to have been returning from a choir practice, appeared to have been crossing from north to south on Bay Street. [See “Looking Back April 1^st 1955” for a photo and biography of Caleb Truman.]
• The McMurray Beauty Salon, Penetang, wishes to announce that on May 12th, Miss Denise Marchand will take over the business.
• Obituaries – Native of Penetang, Andrew Odesse died unexpectedly April 2, in Penetang General Hospital. Born Valma M. Boucher, March 15, 1898, she had lived in Penetang all her life. She married Andrew Odesse in 1918. A Roman Catholic, she was a member of St. Ann’s Society. Surviving are two sons, Philip and Paul, Penetang, and two daughters, Mrs. E. Gauthier, (Lenai), St. Hubert, Que., and Mrs. T. Gignac, (Elaine), Penetang. Her husband predeceased her by 11 months. * * * A resident of Midland for the past 43 years, Mrs. Adeline Davis died April 15 at St. Andrews Hospital following a lengthy illness. Funeral service was held April 18 at Nicholl’s funeral home with Rev. W. E. Auld officiating. Burial was at Lakeview Cemetery.  Born in 1893 at Lundy’s Lane, Ontario, Mrs. Davis was educated at Newmarket. In 1913 she and Earl Davis were married in Toronto. She had resided in Lundy’s Lane for five years, Aurora 15 years, Orillia one year and Midland for the past 43 years. * * * Funeral service was held April 9 at Robinson’s funeral home, Coldwater, for Claude Bolyea, a lifelong resident of  North River, who died unexpectedly April 7 following a coronary attack. Rev. Ross Gumming conducted the service. Interment was in Coldwater Cemetery. Born Dec. 1, 1914, at North River, Matchedash Township, Mr. Bolyea was educated there. On April 201 1946, he and Lois Page were married in Orillia. Residing all his life in North River, Mr. Boylea built a new home following his marriage and had lived there until his death. * * * Funeral service for Mrs. Clara Boyer was held April 16 from, her residence to St. Mary’s Church where Rev. J. S. Howe conducted the service. Pallbearers were six of her sons: John, Joseph, Stanley, Andrew, Edward and Donald. Mrs. Boyer died unexpectedly April 13 from thrombosis while in the Toronto, General Hospital, where she had undergone eye surgery. Born Clara Belle Meyers April 3, 1887, in Bradshaw, Lambton County, she received her education in that place. She was married Nov. 25, 1907 in Penetang to Peter Boyer, who predeceased her in March, 1950. They had lived in Penetang 10 years, then in Moon River previous to coming to Victoria Harbour where Mrs. Boyer had resided for the past 41 years. * * * * Funeral service was held April 17 for Annie Violet May Hebner who died at St. Andrews Hospital following a coronary thrombosis. Pallbearers were Guy Hebner, Elmer Hebner, Bill Hebner, Neil Brandsen, John Lepage and Bernard Hamelin. Mrs. Hebner, the former Annie Smith, was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Smith. She was born in Midland and lived here all her life. Besides her husband Bert, she is survived by three sons. Bill who is in the Canadian Army stationed at Winnipeg, Man, Marvin on the ship Alexander Leslie, and Ross at home. Mrs. Hebner is also survived by four sisters, Marjorie (Mrs. Fred Contois), Myrtle (Mrs. M. Dubeau), Grace (Mrs. Art Parizeau) and Minnie (Mrs. James Bremner).
• 25 Years Ago This Week – Rev. A. J. Eagle, who had been minister of St. John’s United Church, Victoria Harbour, for six years, had accepted a call to Gerrard Street United Church, Toronto. * * * The Ontario Department of Education announced that it planned to conduct summer courses for teachers. Subjects being offered were agriculture, art, health, domestic science, manual training, physical training, commerce, vocal music and vocational guidance. * * * Groceterias in Midland were offering back bacon at 17 cents a pound; sirloin steak roasts at 18 cents a pound, pork roasts at 12 cents a pound and butter, 24 cents a pound. * * * * According to a Swiss beauty expert, women who had their hair tinted to match the color of the gowns they were wearing were complying with the latest fashion edict. * * * E. W. Beatty, president of the CPR, urged the government to enact legislation which would force all motor vehicles to come to a halt at railway crossings. * * * A party of British biologists, who had explored the inland regions of British Guiana, reported they had found a species of fish that preferred to breathe through their mouths at the surface of the water, instead of through their gills under the surface. * * * Pens of pheasants, the gift of the Department of Lands and Forests to Midland Parks Commission, drew record crowds to Little Lake Park. Children especially were said to have been captivated by the colorful birds. * * * Nearly 2,000,000 bushels of grain had been transported from the head of the lakes to elevators in Midland in less than four days. The largest cargo — 360,000 bushels of wheat was carried by the Gleneagles.
• A Little Bit of Fun; He: “Will you marry me?” She: “No, but I will always admire your taste.”
• George Johnson of Minesing, MPP for Simcoe Centre, revealed this week that the contracts had been let for grading on Highway 400 from Crown Hill to Craighurst and for the approaches and structure of the new CPR overhead bridge at Craighurst. Mr. Johnson said he had been informed by the Highways Minister that the contract for grading Highway 400 from Crown Hill to Craighurst had been awarded to King Paving Co. Ltd. Oakville.
• Acting on the advice of its engineer, S. N. Keyes of Orillia, Midland Public Utilities decided Monday night to use clay fill to repair its washed-out reservoir dam rather than more costly steel or cement methods. The dam was the most westerly of two earth-compacted dams which the PUC has used successfully to boost the supply of water for its artesian wells. The easterly dam was built in a hard clay area and it is this clay which Mr. Keyes proposes to strengthen the westerly dam.
• Ontario Department of Lands and Forests has plans underway to provide locations in Honey Harbour district of the Georgian Bay where guides with fishing parties and the boating public generally can have shore dinners. The need for such lunching out spots was first brought to the attention of Lloyd Letherby, MPP for East Simcoe, last year by Didace Grise of the Delawana Inn, Honey Harbour, and later by the Honey Harbour Cottagers’ Association. It was pointed out that available cottage sites are being taken up so rapidly that unless some provision is made for guides and their fishing parties, and the public, to land for shore dinners, it would not be long before the shoreline would be closed to the many tourists who look forward to holidaying in this popular resort area.
• submitted by Mrs. P. Toutant,  Lafontaine;  Seeing the picture of Mr. Proulx and the ox shoe calls to mind the emigration of some Lafontaine people to Manitoba, some 70 years ago. (In the April 23 edition of this newspaper, Dave Proulx of Penetang was pictured showing half a shoe worn by a working ox in days gone by, turned up in a Poyntz Street garden.) My father was one of those who went to the Manitoba town of Ste. Leon, where I was born 77 years ago. Some years before, several Lafontaine families had established themselves there, where the only farm power was that of man and oxen. We were proud to have the largest pair of oxen, called Bright and Brown. The shoes were of two parts, to fit the cloven hoofs, so it took eight pieces to make the set. Our men had learned the trade of making the shoes from their forefathers in Quebec. They kept their oxen shod the whole year round, for it was a protection on the icy roads. So 70 years ago the sight of an ox shoe was a familiar thing for us. They were using the same pattern in Manitoba as had been used in Quebec, and my husband believes what Mr. Proulx has is more than 100 years old and possibly came from Quebec originally. Relatives of the emigrants might be interested in hearing some of their names. Among them were Ovide, Oliver and Charles  Lafreniere and families; Gereme and Eugene Rondeau and family; Napoleon and Phillip Moreau; John and Charles Toutant and  Adrienne Toutant; George and Ovide Maurice. Counting the children, the group numbered about 50. They travelled by boat and train to Duluth and then to Emerson, Manitoba, near the United States border. From there they went by foot and oxen to Ste. Leon, where all have since died and are now buried. 

• One hundred years ago the Free Press recorded the weekly death toll as the war and the Spanish Flu claimed both young and old. This clipping represents the first week of November 1918.