Midland Sports Hall of Fame
527 Len Self Boulevard l4r 5n6 Midland, ON, Canada

RIP George Dunn. Heartfelt words from Tom Paradis: "As the news of Mr. Dunn's passing is quickly coming out, there will be many memories shared, and photographs of him passed around, to show his life, and the man he was. But for me, there is really only one...a single thought that holds everything else I knew about him: George Dunn was a true Dollartowner. No matter what he did, the success he and his family had, he always remained the same boy who grew up in that part of the... east-side of Midland where kids ran through The Grove (the true grove, not the ersatz one that is really a housing development off Yonge Street) at Playfair's estate, played shinny on Edgar Paul's rink, walked along the train tracks to the elevator at the town dock, and knew every house in the neighborhood by who lived there. My family was one of those. Joan and Art Paradis, 238 Bay Street. The Dunns were half a block up Bay Street, just past Lindsay. I remember George's father, Cec, living around the corner on William Street. There was an unspoken bond that grew, as the years passed, of coming from there. Whenever I went to the old Arena Gardens, and watched Mr. Dunn playing hockey in the rec league, I cheered extra hard for him. He captained the 1971 Waggs Laundry team to the championship, and this picture appeared in the Free Press. I remember feeling even more proud after I saw it..."That's Mr. Dunn! Steve's dad! I know him!" And that's what I always called him - Mr. Dunn. It started out with me having good manners as a kid, and continued until the last time I'd spoke with him. I never thought to change it. Lord, his words and actions sunk in. He told me a little guy could succeed at sports, like Ronnie Stewart of the Ottawa Rough Riders; I can still see him poised at the blue line, when the '75 Oldtimers faced the Swedes, and him almost scoring from the point; that black baseball glove, the one he wore while playing for the Branch 80 Legion fastball team; and how, in the '70s, he loved a show called "Ba, Ba, Black Sheep"...in fact, he always reminded me of the series' star, Robert Conrad. Then there were the rec league jackets. Even after he quit playing, he was always a fixture at the Monday night games. So, he'd still kept the gold, leather RCA coat, and the Waggs one (displayed in Midland's Sports Hall of Fame) that didn't fit. I will never forget, when my Mom and Dad passed away, George and Adrienne (Mrs. Dunn), came to the services. It meant so much. They were, and it was so wonderfully appreciated, the only people there from the old neighbourhood. But that wasn't what meant most to me; they were from Dollartown. Our friends and neighbours. The unspoken bond. And so, I need to say this: Thank you, Mr. Dunn. May God love you. And please, when you see Mom and Dad, have a drink together for me." See more

Congratulations to our newest inductees into the Midland Sports Hall of Fame. BUILDER CATEGORY: Doug Andrews, Thomas Wood,... Earl Scott, Gerard Asselin and Randy Butineau. TEAM CATEGORY: 1956 LNHL Provincial Champions SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: Jim Wallace HISTORIC VENUE: Midland Bay Sailing Club Unfortunately, due to the pandemic we are unable to have our scheduled ceremony this September. We have decided to wait until 2022.

Airing tonight at 8 pm on Rogers is a 30 minute show interviewing the newest inductees to the Midland Sports Hall of Fame.

In memory of Donald (Red) Urquhart who passed away on April, 23. Here, he is seen in the old Midland Arena Gardens in 1972 where he was involved as a manager for the Midland Jr. B Flyers. Special thanks to Jim and Fred Wallace for the pictures.

Congratulations to our newest inductees into the Midland Sports Hall of Fame. BUILDER CATEGORY: Doug Andrews, Thomas Wood,... Earl Scott, Gerard Asselin and Randy Butineau. TEAM CATEGORY: 1956 LNHL Provincial Champions SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: Jim Wallace HISTORIC VENUE: Midland Bay Sailing Club Unfortunately, due to the pandemic we are unable to have our scheduled ceremony this September. We have decided to wait until 2022.

In memory of Donald (Red) Urquhart who passed away on April, 23. Here, he is seen in the old Midland Arena Gardens in 1972 where he was involved as a manager for the Midland Jr. B Flyers. Special thanks to Jim and Fred Wallace for the pictures.

Ernie Mink wins curling bonspiel. Free Press photos: 1969 Thanks to Huronia Museum

This Free Press picture dates back to November 1971 as the Midland Sailing Club held it's annual banquet. Showing off their trophies in the back row are, l-r: John Daniells, Bill Snyders, Rob Weldon. front row l-r: Andy Zuidema and Ed McGrath.

A few pictures in honour of Gib Ormiston. In the first picture Chuck Stelter returns Gib's hat which was thrown in triumph when the bantam team won the title in Cobourg back in March of 1972. Mrs. Ormiston beside Gib. In the second picture l-r: Guy Ormiston, Bill Jones, coach of the bantam team, Gib, manager and Bruce Guthrie. photos by Ken Somers Thanks to Huronia Museum

Wayne King is shown here in a Midland Braves uniform back in November 1968. Photo by Doug Reed. courtesy Huronia Museum

Free Press negative from 1977. Thanks to Huronia Museum

This Free Press picture dates back to November 1971 as the Midland Sailing Club held its annual banquet. Showing off their trophies in the back row are, l-r: John Daniells, Bill Snyders, Rob Weldon. front row l-r: Andy Zuidema and Ed McGrath.

A few pictures in honour of Gib Ormiston. In the first picture Chuck Stelter returns Gibs hat which was thrown in triumph when the bantam team won the title in Cobourg back in March of 1972. Mrs. Ormiston beside Gib. In the second picture l-r: Guy Ormiston, Bill Jones, coach of the bantam team, Gib, manager and Bruce Guthrie. photos by Ken Somers Thanks to Huronia Museum

SUMMER OF 69 part 2: The Midland Indians took game one with a score of 4-3 in front of a home crowd in a best of three OBA final against the Thorold Athletics. Gord Dyment held a no-hitter for the first six innings. Ken Edgar was first to score when Rick Antaya hit one to deep centre. Antaya made it to third when "Chip" Graham had his first of three hits. Antaya made it home on a steal to give the Indians a 2-0 lead after the first inning. Edgar scored again in the third aft...er Graham hit a single into short centre. Keith Craig scored in the sixth when Terry Moore and Ron Marchildon hit singles. Game two in Thorold saw the Indians lose 4-3 after 11 innings. It was a heated affair with some questionable calls. Coach Murray Yorke was thrown out of the game and Ken Edgar had to be held back by teammates after trying to get at the umpire. Coach Paul Quilty had to call the team off the field to cool down. Game three was played back in Midland in front of one of the largest crowds in years. The Free Press said " it was one of the best exhibitions of baseball seen on a local diamond in many years". Gord Dyment not only pitched another strong game but he also drove in both runs giving Midland a 2-1 win and a second consecutive OBA title. This team was inducted into the Midland Sports Hall of Fame in 2004 and was nominated by Tom Paradis. Thanks to Huronia Museum and The Free Press archives. photo by Ken Somers

1969 Midland Indians OBA Intermediate "A" Champions

Part One: It was 50 years ago, on a labour day weekend, that the Midland Indians were in the middle of a best of three semi-final against the Chalk River Railroaders. The ball club were the 1968 Intermediate "A" champions and were on a quest to become back to back champions. Midland took the home opener 3-2 then suffered a 4-1 loss in Chalk River on the Saturday afternoon. Manager, Bun Deschamps went with his veteran pitcher, Gord Dyment for the third and deciding game and s...queaked out a 2-1 victory. Special thanks to Thomas Paradis for reminding Chester Graham of this occasion. The following pictures are from the Free Press archives. Courtesy Huronia Museum. See more

This team from MSS will advance to the provincial school boys curling finals in Welland. In front is skip Russell Howard. Behind him are: l-r Tom Hayward, Don Powell and Mark Ranson with coach Frank Powell standing behind them. Free Press archives, February, 1972 photo by Ken Somers Thanks to Huronia Museum.

These Free Press photos by Ken Somers date back to August, 1971. courtesy Huronia Museum

MIDLAND GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB This Midland Free Press photo taken by Doug Reed is from 1969. The Midland ladies, competing in the Finlayson Cup are in the lead by 13 points. 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of the Midland Golf and Country Club. courtesy Huronia Museum and Huron Ouendat Village

BRONZE MEDAL Midlands YMCA Volleyball team won a bronze medal in the Huronia Winter Games held at Barrie Eastview Collegiate. Team members were Ron French, Brent Gordon, Gerry Lane, Dan Lethbridge, Frank McLean and Rick Presse. Presse was quoted as saying "the tournament was well organized and it was a tremendous experience for us." Free Press archives: 1977 Thanks to Huronia Museum

Welcome to our revamped facebook page where we will share sport related pictures from Midlands past. We will also recognize Midlands up and coming athletes.

Inductee Introductions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZX0VOi2am8

2016 MSHF Induction Video https://youtu.be/5kscqoTQN94

2016 Inductee Nominations Open until March 31st. Forms available on the MSHF website. http://www.midlandonsportshalloffame.com//new_the_midland_

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNM_HkerFK8