Horseshoe Valley Kaleidoscope
—by Valerie Thorntone
Victoria Day weekend arrived with a heat wave. It had earlier seemed that spring was finally here, but summer suddenly took over, and the landscape turned every shade of green. With bright yellow dandelions and an abundance of bugs—some more welcome than others—the season felt fully underway. This sudden transformation was a welcome sight, especially since our country roads still showed clear signs of last year’s winter ice storm, with damaged and dead trees and fallen branches scattered across the ground. The beautiful birches were hit particularly hard, and many still have bent limbs that look as though they could break in a storm. A note: Please remember, especially in subdivisions, not to dump broken branches on empty lots, as they can quickly build up and become an eyesore.
It is hard to believe that North Simcoe Life is celebrating 20 years in business this year. We moved to Oro-Medonte 22 years ago, and the publication has played an important role in helping me get to know this wonderful part of Simcoe County. On May 14, the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce held its 2026 Business Achievement Awards at Casino Rama Resort, where North Simcoe Life received the “Strengthening Orillia and Lake Country Award”. Earlier in April, North Simcoe Life received the “Customer Experience Excellence Award” from the Oro-Medonte Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations to co-owners Anna Proctor and Steve Caston and their team. While I really enjoy (prefer) sitting down with a printed paper, I am gradually adjusting to reading online—about time, I know! And thank you to Anna for her patience when I have had any technical challenges. You are an amazing editor!
I wrote my first column in the August/September 2010 issue—hard to believe that was 16 years ago. At that time, the 4th Line Memorial Park was awaiting a few finishing touches, and the Ladies of the Night (LON) golf group had raised money towards the lights for the ice rink. I remember this time very well as the park was a joint venture between the Township and locals, something which many people in the Township did not realize. Community members put a lot of support into this park and worked with Council to help. Oro-Medonte’s Shawn Binns who is now the Township’s CAO (he was director of operations and community services for the previous 19 years) was especially astute and met with residents on many occasions to seek their input. There is talk now about putting pickle balls courts into the park. I will attend a meeting shortly to see where this is planned.
The Horseshoe Valley Property Owner’s Association (HVPOA) was very important to us when we came here. It was a very effective/vocal/ social group. It published a quarterly “Valley Voice” full of information and happenings/issues in our immediate area and all of the Township. There were special events/activities including golf, bridge, curling etc., the HVPOA annual road clean up (then it was between the 6th Line and the cloverleaf at Hwy 400, which I particularly remember as John and I did the 400 section one year), annual food drive, yearly social wine and cheese gathering at the Club house on Highland Drive (when the golf course was open up there) plus the fun annual golf and dinner. It was a great ‘voice’ for newcomers and so helpful in getting involved in the community. Amazing sometimes how much information there was in 12 or so pages. I am glad that I don’t throw everything away. Amazing what one finds sometimes when sorting through boxes!
The HVPOA has had more difficult issues in recent years regarding the old Highland course; its closing and possible building on the land, plus a change in ownership of Horseshoe Resort, but it is again implementing some of the old favourites, such as a yearly Golf tournament. HQ has now successfully opened its restaurant in the old club house and I believe the driving range has also opened.
Regarding the development in Craighurst, at Horseshoe Valley Road and 93, the land has now been totally cleared, except for several large piles of wood chips and we can see that it is a sizable piece of land. There is definitely going to be a much larger Foodland, plus a Tim Horton’s. Sadly, the old schoolhouse is no longer there but I realized as I saw it going down that it was in poor shape. I reiterate my earlier comments re the importance of the recognition of the history of this Township and its buildings in a main central museum, plus the importance of plaques on buildings that are still in use. I do hope that Loobies remains as it has been a favourite of ours since we came here at the end of 2004.
I hope that some of you are using our new community centre as there are several activities/classes there, plus an opportunity for pickleball. Don’t forget our many community halls as they also have many activities going on. It is great that we don’t always have to go into Orillia or Barrie.
All our golf clubs are open now, so if you are a golfer, enjoy. We certainly have a lot to choose from and many very close to us.
We are in a challenging time in the world, so let us all see if we can help those in need as we go about our daily lives. Every time I go into a grocery store, I wonder how young families manage with the continually rising prices. Think how you can help: donate to a food bank, visit a thrift store with good clothing that you don’t need, etc. and smile and chat if you encounter someone you think would like some communication.
“Our lives begin to end
the day we become silent
about things that matter.”
—Martin Luther King Jr.