Every Season is Pony Club Season – By Hellaina Rothenburg, District Commissioner
Horseshoe Pony Club
As we settle into autumn routines, children look forward to returning to many of the activities that have fall start-ups. Among them are Pony Clubbers from across Central Ontario, who are looking forward to stable management lessons and horsey projects to keep them busy over the fall, winter and spring months.
Canadian Pony Club is part of a world-wide organization, with local branches that offer volunteer-led programming for young equestrians. Horseshoe Pony Club is a local branch established in 2011 that provides opportunities for members from Oro-Medonte, Springwater and North Simcoe across a number of equestrian disciplines, with a focus on education in stable management.
Throughout 2025, Horseshoe Pony Club members have been kept busy with horsemanship lessons, participation in Regional Quiz, competing in Prince Philip Games, working on testing levels, and participating most recently in Le Trec, an event that includes several different mounted challenges. You may have even seen some members showing at local fall fairs! The Pony Club motto of “Loyalty, Character, Sportsmanship” is the foundation for each member’s involvement.Horseshoe Pony Club welcomes new members at any time throughout the year. The fall return to education activities is the best time to join and enjoy the benefits of being involved. Members do not need a horse or pony, and if they already take lessons, Pony Club is an additional activity to complement their journey with horses or ponies. Children are welcome to join from the age of six, and there is even a stream for adults called Pony Club Horsemasters.
Canadian youth have been involved in Pony Club across the country since 1934. Canadian Pony Club builds competent, confident and knowledgeable young equestrians in a safe, friendly environment brought together by their passion for horses. For more information on becoming involved with Pony Club, please contact horseshoeponyclub@gmail.com.
Craighurst Woman’s Institute October Meeting – By Sheila Craig, Oct. 22, 2025
Craighurst W I met Tuesday October 21. We started with our speaker, Wendy McLaughlin, on the topic Navigating Health Care. We discovered you need a GPS, a map and a compass. One big item is that the old CCAC is now called “Ontario Health atHome”. Another thing is the phone number (705 721 8010) that you need to call to access Home Care. Then there will be a “Care Coordinator” assigned to you to run your life – no wait – your care. Actually it sounds very organized. Of course all we really need is a DOCTOR. After much applause we let the speaker go home, and started the meeting proper with the Ode and Mary Stewart Collect. Roll call was answered by 10 members. We dealt with minutes and treasurer and business arising.
Then the fun began. One member has a sourdough starter in her fridge, and its name is “Bread Pitt”. She thought about Vincent van Dough, or even Marilyn Mondough. Don’t get us started we said
Another member had tried to visit the Oro Township Cenotaph. (corner 15/16 side road and the 7th). It was all locked up, no way in. There is a chain link fence surrounding the Oro-Medonte Works Yard which has somehow taken over the corner the Cenotaph is on, and of course we must protect our snow plows and keep the yard locked and too bad if you want to go visiting the war memorial. “Oh” cried some members, “How can that be”. “Oh” cried some other members, “That will not do”. We decided to write a letter to Oro-Medonte Council and express our brilliant idea of putting in a gate in the fence.
Then another civic matter was raised, that of traffic turning left at the Craighurst intersection of Horseshoe Valley road and the Penetanguishene Road. At times it is almost impossible to turn left; we must go on the red. “Unsafe” said some members. “What we need is an advance green arrow, like they have in big cities like Barrie”. We decided to write another letter, this time to Simcoe County Council, since our roads are County Roads. We might throw in our dissatisfaction at the CPR rail crossing on Horseshoe Valley Road, but it isn’t yet as bad as the Penetang Road one, which, if you remember, gentle readers, the CPR repaired. But it’s close!
Next month we are going to have a bread making lesson, and will go home with loaves to bake ourselves. It will be fun.
Bayshore Designs Brings Art, Memory, and Nature Together in Midland – By Melissa Laurence, Oct. 20, 2025
MIDLAND — What started as a creative side project at the kitchen table has quickly grown into one of Midland’s most inspiring small business success stories. Bayshore Designs, founded by local artist Melissa Laurence, has become a name synonymous with creativity, craftsmanship, and heart.
Melissa, a lifelong artist with a passion for drawing, painting, and all things handmade has a painting displayed in butter tart lane in midland. Her painting is of a unique tree at little lake park which was unfortunately cut down after the ice storm. She began exploring epoxy resin art while looking for something meaningful to do from home while her four children were at school. “I’ve always loved creating,” she said. “I started with Christmas wreaths and decorations, but when I stumbled upon resin, I realized there were endless possibilities.”
From that moment on, Melissa threw herself into learning the craft — and not just the basics. She taught herself to use power tools, saws, and even mastered the science behind flower preservation. The result is a unique mix of artistry and precision that shines through every one of her pieces.
At Bayshore Designs, Melissa creates everything from epoxy tables, memorial spheres, and decorative clocks to chess sets, jewelry, and pressed flower frames. One of her specialties is life event flower preservation, where she transforms wedding bouquets or memorial arrangements into lasting keepsakes. Each project is treated with care and creativity, ensuring it reflects the memory or moment it represents.
Her attention to detail hasn’t gone unnoticed. The supplier that provides her epoxy resin was so impressed with her work on a wedding bouquet table that they commissioned Melissa to create a showcase table featuring live edge wood with the company’s logo. “It was a huge honor,” she said. “To know that my work could inspire others to see what’s possible with this medium meant a lot to me.”
What truly sets Bayshore Designs apart, though, is Melissa’s personal approach. She makes a point to speak directly with her clients to understand what they envision — especially when creating memorial or wedding pieces. “Every detail matters,” she said. “I want each piece to tell a story.”
The combination of her artistic skill, dedication, and perfectionism has fueled rapid growth. What began as a small side hustle has blossomed into a thriving business — so much so that Melissa’s Christmas orders are already full, and it’s only October.
Her success has also been amplified through social media. By sharing her work on Facebook Marketplace, hosting contests, and engaging directly with followers, Bayshore Designs has built a strong and supportive online community. When she reached 1,000 followers, Melissa marked the milestone by giving away one of her handcrafted pieces as a thank-you to her loyal supporters.
“It’s been amazing to see how far it’s come,” Melissa said with a smile. “Every message, every order — it means something to me.”
With her boundless creativity and growing local fanbase, it’s clear that Bayshore Designs is just getting started. Whether it’s a handcrafted table, a preserved bouquet, or a simple piece of art that brightens a room, Melissa’s work captures what makes Midland special: heart, craftsmanship, and community.
Tim Miller – (416)809-6455 – Melissa Laurence – (905)503-1378
Largest modular building to date arrives in Barrie – By County of Simcoe
40-bed facility brought to community will add to local capacity in coming weeks
Midhurst/November 4, 2024 – Late yesterday afternoon, a convoy of trucks rolled into Barrie carrying the County of Simcoe’s latest modular purchase to date, a 40-bed facility that will ease system and capacity pressures locally for those living unsheltered in the community.
This facility will form part of the Campus of Care, announced by Barrie Cares and the County of Simcoe in October. The modular building will immediately be utilized to support the County of Simcoe’s winter response strategy; providing a 24/7 40 bed program for those currently living unsheltered. This supportive bridge housing program will also provide 24/7 on-site supports and services for unsheltered individuals to secure sustainable and permanent housing outcomes. This facility is expected to open in the coming weeks after installation has been completed.
Supporting vulnerable individuals in our community
The County’s 10-Point Homelessness Prevention Strategy is a strong, data-driven strategy created to help the most vulnerable in our communities through initiatives that have been proven effective in other regions and across the communities we serve. It makes affordable housing even more attainable by increasing supply, creating “deep rent subsidies”, increasing eviction prevention services, and improving available shelter. It commits the County to find new opportunities, enhance community shelter services, and improve safety throughout the community.
The goals identified in the plan use proven methods that create a safer community for all, with the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness at the forefront. They take a collaborative approach to build up communities, understanding the important relationship that is established when working together with all levels of government, service providers, the business community, and residents from all walks of life.
Springwater Township Public Library Wins Georgian Bay Reads for the First Time! – By Jodie Player Delgado Oct. 27, 2025
Brian Adduono, a patron of Springwater Township Public Library, brought home both the Georgian Bay Reads and the People’s Choice Awards for his defence of the book Estates Large and Small by Ray Robertson, published by Biblioasis. This is the first Georgian Bay Reads winner for Springwater, although the library has won the People’s Choice Award at other GBR events.
Georgian Bay Reads was held on Saturday, October 25 at 7:00 p.m at the new Wasaga Beach Public Library. Even though there was competition with the Blue Jays World Series game, over 120 audience members cheered throughout the four rounds for their preferred defender and book. Defenders from each library advocated for their chosen Canadian title and debated the merits of the other books. At the end of each round, one book was voted off until Estates Large and Small was the winner.
The People’s Choice award is voted on by the audience. Each member was given a ballot to place in the box for the book of their choice before the event or during intermission. The ballot boxes are provided by the libraries and artistically showcase the theme of the book. The People’s Choice Award was presented to Brian Adduono at the beginning of the third round by Springwater Township Public Library’s CEO, Jodie Delgado.
Brian has this to say about the evening. “I am happy for Springwater Library and Ray. Thanks to Katie and Jodie at the library. I was nervous, but I think my prep really helped me relax and have fun; it was a great night for literature. Read Ray Robertson’s books!”
The other defenders and participating libraries were:
Clearview Public Library: Beth Seaborne Harte defending Washington Black by Esi Edugyan;
Collingwood Public Library: Amy Arsenio defending How to Survive a Bear Attack by Claire Cameron;
Meaford Public Library: Bill Loucks defending The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway; and
Wasaga Beach Public Library: Melanie Case defending The Birth House by Ami McKay.
The Moderator was Jeffrey Snape, the Georgian Bay Reads Champion for 2024 from Wasaga Beach Public Library.
The 2026 Georgian Bay Reads event will be hosted by Springwater Township Public Library on Saturday, October 24 at 7:00 p.m
From One Night, Big Impact: Gbay Gals Give Raises $45,050 – By Michelle Mink , Oct. 30, 2025
Our recent Gbay Gals Give event occurred at Restaurant St Marie on Monday, October 20th. Restaurant St. Marie generously donated the space for us to host and Yvonne and Ashley from Simply Country and Simply Home donated the amazing spread of food prepared.
We are terribly proud to give this money raised to the Midland Chapter of the OSPCA and We are the Villagers this time around. Total amount combined for both charities was $45,050!
To date our membership have donated $593,625 to various charities in our community! Incredible right!?
Although I wasn’t able to be present the night of, I am told the evening was a huge success. Many of members were present. We now have over 250 members!
We can’t begin to thank our community for their support. Our members are outstanding and so very generous. Without them we could never have helped so many charities since our inception in 2018. I want to also thank you for your support and for helping me spread this good news.
If anyone wants any more information on what we are all about or just have questions in general, feel free to direct them to our website gbaygalsgive.com or have them send us an email at gbaygalsgive@gmail.com