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30,088 AREA RESIDENTS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE JUNE 18
County Herald, Friday, June 1, 1962 

Urban residents in Simcoe East riding will have their last chance, today and tomorrow, to get their names on the official voting list for the June 18 Federal election. Last revision date for rural lists was yesterday, returning officer Frank Doherty of Midland said. Revisions consist of additions, corrections and deletions, where necessary. The preliminary printed lists, Mr. Doherty revealed yesterday, shows a total of 30,088 eligible to vote in Simcoe East. This includes 14,252 rural and 15,836 urban voters. Total number of eligible voters in the riding in the last (1958) federal election was 29,152. 

Msgr. J. M. Castex, venerable “Pere” of the Parish of Penetanguishene, marked the 66th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood at a quiet dinner, held at The House of Kitchikewana Tuesday evening. Attending were three of his parish priests, Father J. Kelly, Father L. O’Malley and Father J. Keelor. Father G. Hamel was unable to be present due to illness. Looking well and fit following a several-month siege of illness, Msgr. Castex was his usual sharp self as he indulged in a jocular word sparring game with a County Herald reporter. Msgr. Castex has spent 41 of his 66 years in Huronia. Besides Penetanguishene where he has remained for the longest period, he served in parishes at Midland and Phelpston.  

“If the money is spent to improve the beach, I think it is a good idea.” This was the comment of Reeve Anthony Beck of Wasaga Beach on an announcement this week by the Department of Lands and Forests that admission fees will be charged for cars entering the beach for the first time this year. Fees will be 50 cents per car or $3 for season, the same fee that is in effect at all provincial parks. The department took over Wasaga Beach when the licences of occupation held by Wasaga Beach village and Sunnidale Township expired in 1959 and 1960. 

By a greater than two-to-one margin, Elmvale citizens Wednesday turned down cocktail bars and dining lounges in a liquor plebiscite. Seventy-eight per cent of the eligible voters went to the polls. The official count was: Cocktail bars “Yes” 133, Cocktail bars “No” 321. Dining lounges “Yes”, 141, Dining lounges “No” 315. The village now has a liquor store, a brewers’ warehouse and a beverage room.  

A bolt of lightning split the chimney of the F. W. Woolworth store in Midland and sent debris flying onto an adjacent store-owned by Ellison’s Electric, during the electrical storm yesterday morning. The bricks from the chimney punctured holes in both roofs. The damage to Woolworth’s roof was more severe and water, damaged stock on the floor below. 

Midland Indians beat the rain and Alliston Braves, 10-1, last night, for their second South Simcoe Baseball League victory of the week. Indians will play host to Orillia Merchants Monday night in their next outing. Last night’s game went only six innings before umpire Ken Stonehouse decided it was too dark for comfort. Two rains during the day made it doubtful the game would even start but the diamond was in good condition. Gord Dyment went the route for Indians and allowed only two hits.  

One of the oldest loops of its kind in this area, the Georgian Bay Rural Softball League got underway last week. Seven teams will take part in league activities this year, including last year’s champs from Victoria Harbour. Others are Port McNicoll, Vasey, Coldwater, Elmvale, Wyevale and Allenwood. Lee Wright, Wyevale, is president of the league, with Les Vollett, Elmvale, as vice-president. John Robertson, Elmvale, will serve as secretary-treasurer. George Lockhart, Hillsdale, is the past president. As in past years, games will be played Monday and Thursday nights. 

OFF-STREET PARKING PLAN GAINS SUPPORT OF COUNCIL
Free Press Herald, Wednesday June 6, 1962 

A major step toward the provision of off-street parking in Midland was taken at a special meeting of Midland council Monday night. Council has instructed town solicitor Douglas Haig to proceed with the preparation of an agreement with Loblaw Groceterias Ltd. for the rental of a vacant lot on King Street, located on the west side between Hugel Ave. and Easy Street. (This would be where the Guardian Drug store is now, Loblaws had proposed to build there.) In its report to council, the parking committee advised that it had received a letter from Loblaws, offering the King Street lot on a rental basis of $75 per month. Council also instructed town engineer Ulo Luksep to prepare the lot for parking purposes as soon as the agreement with Loblaws was signed. The parking advisory body further recommended that council seriously consider the acquisition of the Boyce, Lewis and Berriault properties on Dominion Ave. East for parking purposes. In the case of the Loblaw lot, the committee suggested 5-cent and 10-cent meters (one half  and one-hour register) be installed. On the larger parking area on Dominion Ave., it recommended that an attendant be put in charge of the parking for this year. In its third proposal, the parking body suggested that, if possible, council consider the immediate acquisition of property owned by Mid-Tay Land Ltd., for future use for parking facilities. (The group that built the Woodland Drive subdivision). Tuesday night, council decided to purchase the Boyce and Berriault properties on Dominion Avenues, and the Mid-Tay property back of the United Church on King Street. Total cost of the properties and levelling and other work required to prepare them for parking purposes is $36,000, half of which is to be levied this year and half next. In all, accommodation for about 80 cars will be provided. Purchase price of the Boyce property was $24,000. for the Berriault lot, $7,000 and Mid-Tay, $2,800.  

Acting on the advice of planning consultants, the planning board, and its own assessment of the request, Midland council Monday night turned down an application to have a lot on east side of King Street rezoned. Council was informed that the lot, formerly owned by Mrs. Mabel Hartman, is being purchased by Burrnie Boldt. At present it is zoned as residential. Planning consultants advised council the re-zoning proposal should not be “entertained” as they felt the proposed commercial use of the property put it in the industrial type of business rather than the retail or neighborhood commercial category. (Mr. Boldt eventually got his zoning change, aided by support from neighbours and the fact that his neighbour Armstrong’s Dairy was making the same application.) 

This Saturday, Cubs and Scouts of Midland’s five groups will hold their third bottle blitz. Funds raised in the blitz will be combined with proceeds of two similar ventures to purchase a 16 mm. projector for the children’s ward of St. Andrews Hospital. 

A total of 1,200 feet of dock space awaits summer cruisers at Phil Charlebois’ Penetanguishene establishment on the Northwest Basin of Penetanguishene Bay. Washroom and laundry facilities are available, along with picnic tables, shuffle board and other shore amenities.