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Descendants of original settlers help preserve beauty of Midhurs By CLAUDIA KRALSE Of The Examiner MIDHURST Their ancestors were among the original settlers in the Midhurst area during the early 1800s and now Dr Wallace Coutts lsabel Nash Hunter Russell and Marion Orser carry on to reserve the areas natural uty They are four of about 30 members of the Midhurst Historical Society most recent ly working to place plaques at key historical sites within the Village about km north of Barrie In September Simcoe County Historical Association will unveil plaque on stone near the Findlay Mill Road entrance to Midhursts milelong Willow Creek Nature Trail The stone marks the site of the former waterpowered mill that provided hydro electric power for the town of Barrie in the 1880s Plaques have already been set on stones marking the former saw mill and blacksmiths shop among others Russells family were originally farmers near Midhurst before they got into the sawmill business while Mrs Orsers family were blacksmiths WALL REMAINS All that remains of the hydro plant today is the lower masonry wall now overgrown with large trees and brush Russell local historian remembers the old mill wheel and suggests it may have been covered by earth from the high banks of Willow Creek or perhaps it was taken away dur ing construction of the latest ce ment bridge over the creek He points out how the slopes of the canyonlike formation housing Willow Creek have eroded large section of the high bank slid into the creek last year causing Russell to organize group of local Boy Scouts and Girl Rangers to help plant 700 shrubs and trees up the side of the embankment to prevent further erosion Conservation authority engineers have been called in to look at the problem which understandably worries some homeowners atop the northeast side of the bank Russell says the engineers proposed solutions were too ex pensive considering it is not yet known who carries the responsibility for stalling the erosion RESPECT FOR NATURE Walking along the nature trail contained within the 45 acre Doran Park owned by Vespra Township and connec ting with the Ganaraska Trail the four historical soc1ety members respect for nature is evident They regularly hold cleanup bees to clear the trail and pla que sites in Midhurst of gar bage left by visitors Russell has made cedar markings and posted them on 33 species of trees along the trail With router he has engraved the common name of each species and had their iden tification checked by local foresters Splitlog benches he has also made provide hikers with spot to rest and gaze into the gorge at the same time Along the trail and few feet to each side he uses spray to Kerry Horner at Bar and won Big Meal at photo send your name address Newsmakers Contest The Examiner be notified by mail Winners are set answers Examiner Photo kill poison ivy spare visitors any later discom fort regularly and As Mrs Orser and Mrs Nash Marion Orser examines T905 photo of the waterpowered Midhurst mill which provided hydroelectric power to the nearby town of Barrie in the 1880s She and Hunter Russell are standing on the bank where the mill was once situated Dr Wallace Coutts joins the cleanup bee organiz ed by Midhurst Horticultural Society to clear visitors garbage from historic plaque sites and the nature trail rie correctly identified last weeks photo in The 9wsmakers contest as an overturned tractor trai McDonalds it you know the story behind this week telephone number with your ntest 00 ler on Highway 400 ramp entry to Box 370 Barrie L4M 4T6 Winners will ected by random draw of all correct walk along the trail they in stinctively pick up the occa sional wrapper left behind by hiker Mrs Nash says she en courages organized tours along the trail for schoolchildren and explains that teaching the children to appreciate the area discourages vandalism Some of Russells tree markers have been pulled out and stolen but he diligently makes replacements whenever theyre needed Most of the local children are fine he says but one or tow are mischievous BOOSTER PLANT detour off the trail leads to the site of the former booster plant for the main hydro plant Again all that remains is the masonry foundation for what was once wooden structure Russell notes that booster plant was needed soon after the first was built to keep up with growing demand for electiricity in Barrie Both women look over the field and explain that in their romantic days there was skating pond here every winter which they travelled to by horse and cutter At first they dont want to say when that was but then they suggest it was almost 50 years ago Near the end of the trail steel pedestrian bridge over the creek was designed by Russell and built by Midhurst residents who volunteered their time and machinery TO STREET LEVEL Steps taking visttors back up to street level were completed last week After climbing up from the milelong nature trail its shock finding before you paved street of Midhurst On Sept 16 the day the pla que at the hydro plant site is unveiled guides will be provid ed for small groups to walk the trail On Sept 22 at the Autumn Fair Midhurst Historical Society will present color slide show every hour on the hour illustrating the societys accomplishments and pro viding some suggestions for the future 425 West St South Orilia 3256171 Midhurst residents work to preserve the natural beauty of the village few kilometers north of Barrie The townships nature trail and plaque the examiner Wednesday August 197g sites are maintained by members of the Midhurst Offer You CAVALIER BEVERAG no and the examiner serving barrie and simcoe county 16 Bayfield St Barrie 7266539 FREE SOFT DRINKS ix canal of soft drinks to ovary Examiner earrior otio obtain one new subsorlbor to Tho Exuninor Your choice of PepsiCola Orange Crush Up Dr Popper Itiies Root Boer bottled under franchise by Cavalier Beverages ltd 425 West St South Orillia PEPSI Historical Society Shown here left to right are Marion Orser Dr Wallace Coutts Hunter Russell and lsabel Nash Examiner Photo CARRIER APPLICATION £LP COUPON AND MAIL room OFHCIAL OIDR FORM AGREEMENT WITH THE EXAMINER horoby agrao to subscribe to The Examinor lar period of thirtoon weak and to pay thacarriar wookly Date Subscribers Signature Address Phone No vorbol groomont can lnvoltdoto tho conditions at this Date to Start Subscribers Signature Address It you an lntoroltod in subscribing to Tho Examiner ploau fill out the coupon on tho loft It you an intoroltod in homing tulltinio carrier at The Examinor II out tho coupon on tho rifllt Sand coupons to to Exninor WANT TO EARN MY VERY OWN REGULAR WEEK ME rum MY um AS AN EXAMINER cmth the examiner 7166539 serving barrio simcoe caunty