Anten Mills has is first ever Dog Stick Library and Good Dog Biscuit Box!
By Jay Milne, June 2, 2025
Anten Mills is a small community just north of Barrie. Recently, one of the residents has installed an attraction that has become very popular with the local residents and their Dogs!
Shortly after its opening, the Anten Mills community Facebook page lit up with comments of overwhelming approval.
This has become a popular place to visit and destination for all the Dog Lovers in Anten Mills. It has added to the already amazing sense of community here.
The Eastern White Pine: Pineview Ave & Pinery – By Brian Keyes
June 2, 2025 – Dr Pinus Stobus commonly called the Eastern White Pine is a dominant feature of Anten Mills. A beautiful tree that can grow to 150 feet tall and live 200 years can sometimes have its downside. Residents are showered with a yellow haze each spring as pine pollen blankets the village. Each fall residents compete in a local olympics using rakes, lawnmowers and bags to remove the deluge of pine needles with the hopes they will win a gold medal for most bags at the curb. Late this winter we suffered a destructive ice storm that brought limbs from the mighty pines crashing down on electrical lines,poles and houses causing a memorable power outage adding significant damage to our mighty pines! Suffice it to say that the white pine remains a central part of our village culture even to the names of our streets.
Pineview Ave connects Alexander St and Ghibb Ave to Lawrence Ave. One of the earliest residents was Robert Van Nispen (Dutchy) and family on the corner of Lawrence and Pineview. Next door are the Norwood family, Claire, Norma, and children Brian, Keith, Shelley and Laurie. Norwoods had a window on the park and since their arrival in 1970 they have seen many changes to the park. Claire and Norma tell me that the park was just half the size it is now with an empty field owned by Lawrence Scott closest to Pineview. The original ball diamond was turned 180 degrees facing Horseshoe Valley Rd. Claire, Rufus and Darryl Skinner planted the evergreens (pine/spruce) in 1971 that now gloriously ring the perimeter of the park. Dale Boone, Brian and Keith Norwood would cut the grass at the park when needed. The skating rink as noted in previous stories was a priority in 1971 when the community association assumed control of the recently acquired school house and park. President John Shannon spearheaded the effort. Well drilling, plumbing, installation of lights, lumber for the boards and change room were the result of support from across the community. Our rink has evolved over the years with a new change house, backboards, basketball nets, skateboard park in the summer and now a pickle board court. The ball diamond has always been a hub in the summer months with ball games. Frankly in the 1990s the diamond was so busy that games were also played on the diamond at the former Ranger Camp down Horseshoe Valley Rd. A centrepiece of the park is the Edward’s pavilion which was built in the Spring of 1997 and officially opened on July 5 of that year. It was updated with a new concrete floor in the Summer of 2021 at the request of the community. The pavilion was named to recognize residents Dennis and Doris Edwards who made great contributions to the community but most notably their Christmas lights display. In more recent years the Anniversary Garden was built and planted in 2021 recognizing the 50th anniversary of a community association. It is maintained by community volunteers and is next to the pavilion. Springwater Township installed a 500 metre track with a screenings surface around the perimeter of the park in 2001 which provides a superb recreational feature for our residents. Year round community events are centred at our magnificent park including our upcoming Anten Mills 150 celebration on Saturday, September 13, 2025.
Pinery is a word recognized as the picturesque land and the stunning white pines that grew on this land which a good part of the village is built on. Pinery Ave reminds us all of the importance of the Pinery to this village.
Next time you are at a function in the park or out for a stroll using the track remember all the community minded residents who built this glorious part of the village.
ANTEN MILLS – by Dennis Gannon
June 2, 2025 – Here’s a record that we did not need to break. Meteorologists were suggesting just a week ago that the month of May would be the coldest seen since 1967. Whether this is a new record or not will have to be determined but let’s look forward to above normal temperatures for Summer which those same forecasters are predicting. For them Summer began on June 1.
After a week of rain it was easy to pull weeds from the garden. And that’s what a small group of volunteers did down at the community centre in the 50th Anniversary Garden. Since planted just 4 short years ago, the garden has flourished. Many of the plants have taken up significant space and weeding and thinning was required. The group did an excellent job creating space between the plants and more will need to be done. Monthly maintenance is required and the more help the better and quicker it’s completed. While the work has been generally performed on a Saturday, there is no reason that it cannot be another day. The gardens are a beautiful place in the community and the people who keep them in great shape are appreciated. If you have any suggestions regarding the gardens please feel free to reach out to me.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words and that is so true. When people gather and photographs are on display there is always much conversation about the memories they bring back. With the Anten Mills Celebrating 150 on Saturday, September 13, the committee wants to bring back the memories of our community’s past. Inside the hall there will be displays featuring the history of our community. Photos are so easy to take now as everyone has a camera on their cell phone. Back 20 to 50 years ago it wasn’t as easy. We had our Kodak camera or Polaroid and waited for the film to be developed to see the pictures. Many of you who have lived in the community for years or have in the past no doubt have photos of the Strawberry Social, the dances at the Pinecrest or the community centre. Construction photos of the pavilion or hall extension. Maybe it was the baseball games for the kids or the annual Fun Day or Santa Claus parade. The 150 committee asks that you dig through the photos and either scan them or take a photo of them and send them to antenmills150@gmail.com so that they can be included as part of the 150 years of our community. Everyone loves pictures, just check the Facebook page and see how many likes a post with photos has. Please go through yours and let’s share them with everyone.
There have been several reports over the past couple of weeks that Yogi or Cyndy or BoBo bear have made their presence known in the village. They are looking for food and bird feeders are a great source for them. If you can take yours down at night that would be a great idea. Fortunately whichever one of the bears are making the rounds hasn’t become a nuisance yet and hopefully they will stay in the forest and not the backyards.
There are two events in the village this month everyone should be aware of. First is the annual community wide garage sale next Saturday, June 14. A map is prepared indicating the homes participating and it’s easy to get on. You will find a link on the Anten Mills Community Bulletin Facebook page to join in and you are encouraged to register.
The second event is the End of School Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, June 24 from 5:15 until 6. This is a great time and all Anten Mills Elementary School students are welcome perhaps to say see you in September to their friends. There is a nominal $1 fee and to be able to have appropriate supplies on hand you are asked to sign up on the link on the Facebook page.
There seems to be a significant amount of real estate transactions happening in the village this year that hadn’t been seen in many years. For many reasons families are relocating and new families are moving in. If you know a family looking to reside in a great neighborhood let them know to check out the listings here. The community wishes those leaving all the best for their future. For new families coming in, welcome! You will find the Anten Mills community welcoming and one with a true sense of community. The First View project now has 4 homes occupied and there are new foundations for several more. To those residents living in the neighborhood, you are part of Anten Mills, get on the Facebook group and join in the community activities.
Our Springwater volunteer firefighters want to hose down your vehicle and make it sparkle. Next Saturday, June 14 after you have done your garage sale shopping, head to the radio station on Bayfield Street in Midhurst and get your car washed at their annual car wash. The South Springwater Firefighters Association raises funds for local charities and this is a great way to support them and their causes.
Simcoe County has declared that June is Seniors Month. Many in the village may not think that they belong to that group as they are extremely active,healthy and supportive to many. As part of that group it’s an honour to be able to contribute to the community and share experiences. Next time you come across a senior in the community, thank them for all that they have contributed over their lifetime. Remember, not all Seniors have grey hair and ride scooters.
It’s Father’s Day next Sunday. From the community, thanks Dads for all you do for your family and Happy Father’s Day.
That’s it for this week. Check out Brian’s story on Pineview and till the next time, THANKS for READING, BE WELL and STAY SAFE.