Horseshoe Valley Kaleidoscope

— by Valerie Thornton

“You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.” I don’t know who came up with this, but it is very true. There is a lot of good but focusing on the negative all the time can be depressing and harm you.

Exciting times with the new public school, Horseshoe Heights, and community centre, Simcoe Woods, opening in September on 4^th Line and Horseshoe Valley Road. There are concerns regarding how busy that intersection will be, especially for children who live in Cathedral Pines at the crest of the hill where they would have to cross, and I can understand why. They are close enough to walk but they have to cross Horseshoe Valley Road which is busy now but will be more so with the traffic to/from the new school and community centre. I am assuming that those who live in Pine Ridge Trail, Maple Crest, Beechwood and High Vista Drive will probably be bused but the parents will be informed in plenty of time.

How fortunate my three girls were when we lived in Mississauga all those years ago; not only could they walk to their junior school (with 250 pupils) they could also walk to their senior school.

I must admit I am looking forward to seeing what the community centre will be offering.  I am also happy to see that the memorial for Private Kevin McKay does not have to be moved and the beautiful red maple planted there in June 2010 will continue to mature in that location. Interesting that this piece of land the school is being built on, the previous council nearly missed purchasing. 

At a recent Township meeting on June 18 our Oro-Medonte Council approved a motion tabled by Deputy Mayor Peter Lavoie and seconded by Councillor John Bard, that would approve the Township’s mayor and deputy mayor to enter into discussions with the County of Simcoe to explore ways to safeguard the Oro Moraine and what would be necessary to recognize the moraine as a core municipal green infrastructure asset.

The moraine, which is 14,200 hectares (35,000 acres), is an important area of forests, wetlands and groundwater recharge formed by the deposition of silts, sand and gravel during the last ice age.  The moraine essentially collects, filters and cleans our storm water, replenishing its aquifer and provides drinking water to thousands of Simcoe County residents, including all of Oro-Medonte. Long time resident Irena Lawrenson has been concerned (like many other residents) for many years about the effects that growth is having on the moraine.  Sadly, nothing appears to have been done previously, so it is great news that our present council is at last taking some action. 

Wayne Doyle, a reporter with Orillia Matters, did an excellent report on this, plus another one regarding our Council’s decision that it would not support changing the composition of Simcoe County Council.  On June 18 the mayor, deputy mayor and the majority of councillors voted against reducing the composition of County Council from its current 32 members to 16, plus a full-time warden.  Councillor Schell was the lone voice in favour of the reduction. He did present a chart and his concern was that the top six municipalities (Innisfil, New Tecumseth, Bradford, West Gwillimbury, Wasaga Beach and Collingwood) control 46 per cent of the vote. The majority at the top is largely comprised of urban communities and his concern was that rural communities would be silenced simply because they did not have the votes;  also that there could be unethical dealings among the councillors. 

Some good points. I realize that I have been focused on Oro-Medonte, and my knowledge is somewhat limited on Simcoe County which we are a part of (although I have driven through most of those areas). Time for me to expand my knowledge! If you didn’t read Wayne’s reports on these two issues let me know and I can forward you a copy of them.  vmt4141@gmail.com.

The Boulevard garden at Line 3 and Highland Drive has had a makeover. Many thanks to Laurie Forbes, Debbie Palmer and their team of volunteers that worked on this transformation.  The HVPOA approved money for nine boulders, garden soil and additional plants. The garden volunteers dug in the new plants, weeded, fertilized, trimmed shrubs etc. They are always looking for volunteers but you can also help if you when you pass by and see a weed or two, you can pull it/them out.

Sadly, the Summer Solstice festivities planned for June 21 had to be cancelled because of rain.  Definitely the inclement weather we are having this year is having a huge effect.  As  I write we are desperately waiting for rain, as everywhere is so dry, plus the air quality is poor.  I also noticed when I was driving around the Township that there are several trees, especially birches,  that are hanging over the roads and need to be taken down as I can see them breaking onto a car or person.

A rather misleading heading that Horseshoe Valley residents are eager to tap into the Township water system appeared in Orillia Matters in June. Perhaps some but not all. None of the Zone 1 residents were against meters and the installation of these is now beginning in the Cathedral Pines area, followed by the Pine Ridge subdivision. This whole matter was poorly handled by the Township, past and present. I realize how difficult it was for a new council to take this over, but I expected more. 

A BIG thank you is needed to the team of avid researchers, led by Tim Taylor and Tom Kurtz, who delved into so many old records to find facts. All I know is that when we moved here there was NO mention of the resort on our bill for a few years. The Skyline representative said they had no proof it was owned by them, but they had been told by the Township that it did. 

At the end of June, I attended the graduation of our granddaughter from Twin Lakes Secondary School in Orillia.  It was held at the Casino Rama on the land of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation.  I found it very meaningful as we had an Indigenous group with their drums and also later another Indigenous woman taking part in a special greeting. 

Chief Ted Williams was there and gave a wonderful encouraging speech (he was one of the first pupils at the school there many years ago). I felt…this is Canada! Many meaningful speeches; lots of space in the auditorium so that there was no limit on family and friends. Our group included some family from New Brunswick and Calgary. Re drums I have to make sure that I get into one of Deb Brown’s drumming sessions.

Lots happening in and around our Township, including several summer markets and local produce; I had some delicious early corn the other day, I couldn’t believe how good it was. I have to admit that I love sometimes just getting into my car and just taking off, exploring, stopping off now and then. Meandering is one of my favourite words. It reminds me of many years ago, when I flew to Florida to supposedly  look for a place where we might buy a condo.  I went on my own and spent two weeks walking the beaches of the Gulf Coast from Marco Island to Cedar Key.  It was marvellous, and I never felt nervous. It was then I truly realized that I only really liked beaches where there weren’t many condos and crowds. I went into lots of parks and found some of the real Florida. I never did decide on a condo as I never wanted to be tied to one place.

So, my thoughts now, as I am nearly back in circulation after two fractures which have immobilized me for some time, is what do I want to do? Actually, just a walk around Tudhope Park sounds great…and I must play Anne Walker’s “Horseshoe Valley Road”.

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art……
It has no survival value;
rather it is one of those things that give value to survival”.  —C.S. Lewis

Enjoy the rest of summer!