Anten Mills by Dennis Gannon
ANTEN MILLS by Dennis Gannon
April 21, 2024 – There is an old saying or proverb that goes “April Showers bring May Flowers’ ‘. Apparently the verbiage actually was “March winds and April showers bring forth May Flowers” was first recorded around 1886 and it comes from a poem written in 1610. Now that is history but what about our April showers and May flowers? To the date of writing this column, there has been 5 inches or 127 mm or 12.7 cm of rain recorded in Anten Mills this April. The month is not over and more rain is forecasted. Weather data indicates that in our area in April, approximately 1.51 inches or 38.48 mm of rain usually fall. Obviously we are way over the average. There has been more than enough rain but will May bring some warmth so that we can see some flowers? The weather forecasters are all over the map when it comes to what temperatures we will see for May but here’s hoping the rain will be the average and the temperature be above.
Tonight, Thursday, April 25 is an important time for the community. At 7:30 in the community centre, the Anten Mills Community Recreation Association will be holding the required General Annual Meeting. This is the opportunity for our community to come and discuss the recreation and social activities that happen in the village. Did you enjoy the Easter Eggstravaganza? How about the Christmas in the Village weekend? Knotty Knitters or Thursday night euchre? Want to play pickleball or corn hole? Do you remember the Family Fun Day or the summer movie nights? These are all events that the Anten Mills CRA runs through the volunteers like you who step forward. At the meeting volunteers will also step up to conduct the duties required by the municipality and the more who participate the easier it is. Be part of the future activities of the community and attend the meeting and learn more about the successes and what has been planned for the upcoming year. 7:30 PM at the community centre, no one is too young or too old to be part so see you there.
Back to May flowers for a moment. The anniversary garden planted in 2021 has bloomed and grown greatly since being planted. The gardens were purposely left with the stalks and stems and leaves over the fall to permit the insects that hibernate in them the opportunity to overwinter. The garden is a community project and is not looked after by the township. The gardens need to be cleaned up now and your participation is appreciated. If you are not sure and would like some direction, feel free to reach out to the CRA members or myself and let’s get the garden looking great for the coming year.
May is also No Mow month. The purpose is to again allow the insects who are hibernating the opportunity to get some nourishment as they wake up from the winter. There are some mixed reviews as to whether it is actually worthwhile but the anniversary garden certainly is helpful due to the native plants that are planted.
There are a couple of developments that the community might take an interest in. First, if you have traveled down Wilson you may have noticed poles installed in the new subdivision where work on houses has not begun. The poles are apparently for temporary hydro service so when construction begins, there is hydro. Next on the list is along Nursery Road. At the Council meeting last week there was a request from the developer for an extension to the draft plan approval. This is an addition to the industrial subdivision that is accessible from County Road 27 and is known as the Bertram Industrial Parkway area. The plan was approved in 2019 and calls for 8 more industrial lots as well as the interior road coming out onto Nursery Road. The third and last development was the public meeting for a new residential subdivision along Coughlin Road and Horseshoe Valley Road. The proposal is for 42 new residential lots of varying sizes along with a parkett and stormwater management pond. There are two internal roads both existing onto Coughlin Road and the area will be serviced by the municipal water system. Media reports indicate that there are concerns about the intersection of Coughlin and Horseshoe due to sightlines and the number of vehicles that would be turning onto Horseshoe. Traffic engineering information apparently has been applied indicating that the intersection would be safe as is. As circulation of the public meeting is determined by distance, most in the community would not be aware of this proposal. A report from the planning department will be forthcoming. For details on the industrial subdivision or the Coughlin Road development, they can be seen on the Township of Springwater website under agendas for April 17.
A reminder that the Hospice Simcoe, Hike and Bike for Hospice is next Sunday, May 5. There is still time to support two of our local fundraisers, Marjan DeJong Deller and Joan Gannon. Just go to the Hospice Simcoe website and search for their names and pledge your donation.
That’s all for this week. Looking forward to seeing you at the meeting tonight. THANKS for READING, BE WELL and STAY SAFE.
