Horseshoe Valley
Kaleidoscope
by Valerie Thornton
Two VERY important annual ‘events’ supporting the Orillia Salvation Army, who help those in need throughout the whole year, but especially at this challenging time when there are so many families and individuals in crisis and money is scarce and prices continue to rise. Both Start at the FIRE STATION on Line 4. There are many more people in need this coming festive season; I wonder how many families, seniors, young people, manage with the rising prices for important basics, let alone with rents and the high cost of housing so please help wherever you can. Thank you to the HVPOA for organizing these and all the community members for helping out.
6-8 p.m. Friday, December 5th
TOY DRIVE AND CANDLELIGHT GATHERING AND STROLL.
Drop off one or more unwrapped toys AT THE FIRE STATION where you will be given a candle to take to the new Simcoe Woods Community Centre. There you and your family can explore the charming holiday pathway, enjoy hot chocolate, pictures with Santa and other activities.
1-3 p.m. Sunday, December 7th
FOOD DRIVE AT THE FIRE STATION.
Drop off non-perishable food items/household paper products/items such as toothpaste etc.
Monetary donations via cash, cheque or tap will be gratefully accepted at both the Toy Drive and Food Drive. Cheques made out to Orillia Salvation Army or the Sharing Place.
Our mixed week of weather continues (snow, rain, ice) and while it appears to be a dull, dismal rainy day as I write, I feel grateful that I have my snow tires on and am ready for winter (admittedly making a mental note to get them on in late September next year). Yes, I know that for many this season would preferably be shorter, but for those who enjoy the numerous winter sports up here in Oro-Medonte the snow and cold is welcomed. And you must admit it is beautiful; the sunshine makes many appearances when the snow is on the ground and creates a winter wonderland. Please remember to drive carefully and leave a space between you and the car in front. So many accidents could be avoided if we weren’t always in a hurry; just give yourself extra time in inclement weather.
Both Horseshoe and Sugarbush ice rinks are looking for volunteers to maintain their rinks. Check the various Horseshoe/Sugarbush Facebook sites who will soon be asking for volunteers.
We are fortunate to have a new public school and community centre at Horseshoe Valley Road and Line 4. The school welcomed students who were previously at W. R. Best and Guthrie public schools, plus students from Coldwater, Moonstone and Warminster. The Principal, Dianna Wright-Drzazga has been principal at both W. R. Best and Guthrie and has worked in the community for the past eight years.
The school colours are pink, black and grey, the school’s mascot is a wolf, and the school’s team name Horseshoe Heights Trailblazers.
As many of you are aware, there is a major concern regarding speed and safety in this area around the school, which intensified after the school opened. There was a presentation to council early in November and local parent Brad Skillen voiced the concerns of residents. A crucial issue is the common walk zone threshold of 1.6 kilometres around the new school and community centre.
This is a maximum distance used by the school board to define an area in which walking is considered a reasonable expected mode of transportation. It includes over 300 homes whose residents are using the new school and community centre. We must not forget also there is the 4th Line Park, Fire Station, and Nurse Practitioners Clinic which add to the important community hub which has been developing over the years.
This is a busy area where even at normal times walkers have to be careful. Absolutely necessary were the sidewalk and pedestrian crossing which should have been put in years ago. I do concur with the suggested reduction in speed to 40 km in this school zone. When I last drove through that section, I felt it could be somewhat confusing with all the signs that were popping up (bearing in mind that extra ones were being proposed), so care has to be taken to not confuse drivers and distract them from the road as they are figuring out all the signs.
Too many vehicles, including large trucks, travel at excessive speeds along Horseshoe Valley Road (HVR) and especially up the hill where children and families may be crossing to get to/from the school and the community centre. It is especially dangerous for those living in Cathedral Pines, Pine Ridge Trail and Maplecrest Ct./Beechwood Road, whose residents have to actually cross the busy HVR. I couldn’t believe it when I heard that there had been instances of vehicles passing school buses that stop on the hill near Pine Ridge Trail (closer to the bottom of the hill).
The building of the roundabout at the Resort I am hoping will deter large trucks from using the hill as they need speed to manage to reach the top and a roundabout would substantially slow them down. This will hopefully necessitate them to find alternate routes. As we all know this speed is exceptionally dangerous as you cannot see them and other vehicles until they reach the crest so crossing can be extremely dangerous.
I do not know if they are still proposing a roundabout at Line 4; not sure that would work in that location. Thank you to Brad Skillen and his team for bringing this VERY important issue to Council. As he said, “Protecting children’s lives should be the top priority.” I couldn’t agree more.
The May Court Club of Barrie held its 32nd Annual Home Tour (Homes for the Holidays) on November 9. A self-drive tour with four professionally decorated homes in the Horseshoe and Barrie area and a visit to the Makers Market and Tea Room at the Heights Ski and Country Club where you could shop for gifts for family or yourself, plus have delicious refreshments.
The members worked on making most of the items, including delicious jams, pickles, baked goods etc. It was a wonderful display of items. A bonus this year was a stop at the historic Oro African Methodist Church on Old Barrie Road. All proceeds go to charitable donations such as the Nutrition Program in 21 local schools, scholarships, assisting in mental health programs, the Barrie Food Bank etc.
Wow, I even got myself a new neat Christmas decoration; I didn’t need it but I couldn’t resist. One jam I purchased (one of the many made by Bev Jackson), a new one called Carrot Cake jam, I am saving for myself to start when I have my Christmas decorating day. For more information on May Court check out www.BarrieMayCourtClub.ca and also visit their shop in Barrie for great second-hand clothing buys.
My book club’s recent selection was a book by a local author: “Behind The Pickle Jar” by Wendy McQuaig. Situated in our Township during two periods, 1900 and 2017, this historical fiction book deals with two families who lived in the same home built in 1875, in 1900 (Isabel) and 2017 (Amy) ; focusing on the two wives and their families who are dealing with very different periods in our history, each with the challenges of the times but some similar issues.
Contrasting the two periods was very interesting. The author Wendy was at our meeting which made it a very enjoyable afternoon. I loved some of the thoughts of Amy, especially, looking at issues like the cult of change (technology now in our world); when checking out a nursing home for a parent – wondering what they/the world would be in 40 years’ time: ”If we lose connection with our past, maybe we lose a sense of ourselves as well.”
Then later, “Where is our history – in time will we know who we are? History does not feel buried, it feels demolished.” It rather deals with where we are now in our lives with all the changes in our world. I really enjoyed the book and I could relate to it as my grandmother had an outhouse and wood stove etc. Having my copy of “The Story of Oro” was a bonus as there were many photos from the very early days.
Looking forward to visiting some of the local bazaars at the town halls and churches. I can generally pick up some interesting items including food and somehow it is so relaxing. Don’t forget to shop at some of our local stores: Dwellings, Chelsea Chocolates, Guardian and even the gas station. Don’t forget some local wellness/fitness venues which have some great reviews if you want to treat yourself: Vetta Nordic Spa on Line 3 and Vicki Tree Wellness on Line 5.
However you celebrate this season, Christmas, Solstice, Hanukkah, make it a season free from the stress of consumerism and over-consumption that appears to prevail as soon as Halloween is over. Appreciate the word “simple”. Stress is generally always around but it is how you deal with it so it doesn’t consume you that is important.
If you have any new groups starting and looking for new members, please email me at vmt4141@gmail.com.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and here’s to a New Year, 2026, where we seem some real positive change in our world.