Cowboy Christmas Rides Into Wyevale for 2025 Santa Claus Parade – By Donny Woods, Nov 19, 2025
WYEVALE — The holiday season kicks off in festive style as the Wyevale Santa Claus Parade returns on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 7 p.m. The beloved community event, organized by the Township of Tiny, Wyevale Parks and Rec Committee and its dedicated volunteers, will feature more than 30 participants, making it one of the largest parades the village has hosted in recent years.
This year’s theme, “Cowboy Christmas,” was selected by last year’s parade champion, the Vandervoort family and friends. Spectators can expect a lively blend of western flair and holiday spirit throughout the floats and displays.
Participants will include walkers, riders on horseback and other animals, decorated trucks and cars, and traditional floats, promising a colourful and diverse procession for all ages. As always, the evening will conclude with the much-anticipated arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Claus, bringing festive cheer to the community.
Visitors from near and far are known to line the streets, with many families setting up driveway watch parties complete with warm fires as they enjoy the show.
Organizers encourage everyone attending to bring a non-perishable food item to support the Elmvale Food Bank. These donations will be collected by the Wyevale Volunteer Firefighters along the parade route.
Anyone interested in participating in this year’s parade can contact Donny Woods at dwoods@factoryrecreation.com for more information.
Residents are encouraged to bundle up, arrive early, and enjoy one of Wyevale’s most cherished holiday traditions.
Springwater News at the 112 Grey Cup
Hal Leadlay with his daughter Rachael and the Springwater News at the 112th Grey Cup in Winnipeg. The game was won by the Saskatchewan Roughriders over the Montrèal Alouettes by a score of 25 to 17. Here is hoping the Toronto Argonauts are in it next year!
His daughter had remarked how she remembered the owl from First Light. When she was little, Barn Owls were her favourite animal! It was a real treat to meet him and falconer Linda Belcourt, Editor.
Greetings Minesing Moments Readers – By Lorrie Norwood, Nov 24, 2025
Fast approaching is the cold weather and snow that won’t melt away until Spring. Are you ready for it? Have you got your snow tires on, your shovel at the ready for clearing paths? It may also be a great time to pack a few extra items in your car. As you know our winters are unpredictable and you may end up stranded on the side of the road. A few items that are good to have in your car are: Booster cables, first aid kit, blankets, mitts, hats, shovel, scraper, matches, emergency flares, bright/reflective clothing, candles, flashlight, bottled water and protein/granola bars, non-clumping cat litter, fix a flat, necessary medications. It may seem excessive but each of these items will certainly come in handy should you find yourself in a ditch or snow stayed on the side of the road.
Minesing Annual Tree Lighting will be held on Friday December 12th at 6:30. Come out and enjoy some hot chocolate and music at the Minesing Community Centre. Following the tree lighting we invite everyone to safely line the streets of the village at the Annual Christmas Tractor Parade starting at 7 p.m. The amazing work that our local farm families and neighbours have created to deck out their tractors and machinery is always such a great sight to see. A special request has been sent to the North Pole to see if Santa can send a few of his favourite elves to help collect food for the Food Bank during the parade and word has it that some of members of the Minesing Blues Baseball team will also be helping out to load up one of the Rowland Brothers moving trucks the Food Bank during the parade. Swampy has the parade on his calendar too so you may be able to see him and the jolly old elf Santa himself! All food and cash donations are appreciated and will be delivered to the Elmvale Food Bank to help those in our area. If there is anyone interested in entering a tractor, please reach out to Shannon Giffen prior to the 12th on Facebook. A very important request from the participants driving the machinery/tractors in the parade is that everyone watching the parade is to stay well off the roadway to allow plenty of room for the tractors. Also please be sure to park on the streets that are not part of the parade route or at the school.
Minesing has always had such great community involvement in everything that goes on in our area. Many hours of volunteering and elbow grease goes into events that take place. As you know, many hands make light work, so if you are looking to help out for upcoming events or have time to spare, the Minesing Recreation Committee can always use volunteers. The Minesing Community Page is a great place to reach out as the committee members run the page. Our Facebook page is also a great place to look into small businesses, upcoming events and items for sale. I’ve seen scrap metal collectors, lost and found pets/items, services offered or services being sought out. Be sure to check out the page as there is always lots to read.
On a sad note, we became aware of the passing of Jackson Thomas Parker (13 Mar 2022 – 15 Nov 2025). Jackson will be deeply missed by his parents, Christine Jackson (Tony) and Adam Parker (Carolyn) and by his sister Peyton Parker. A devastating heartbreak to the Parker/Jackson families and friends. Please know the Minesing Community sends our deepest condolences to you all and hope that fond memories of Jackson will help you through this most difficult time. Jackson left one last gift of love, his five gifts of organ donation brought hope and healing to four families, a legacy that mirrors the compassion he showed every day. They will gather to celebrate Jackson’s life on Saturday December 20, at the Tiffin Centre for Conservation (8195 9th Line, Utopia, Ontario L0M 1T0) from 1-4 p.m. At 2:30 p.m. they invite anyone who would like to share a story or memory of Jackson, as these moments will bring comfort, a smile and help keep his spirit alive.
If anyone has any items to be entered into the Minesing Moments section, please forward them to my at LorrNor71@gmail.com.
Until next time, let’s light up the village with Christmas lights and displays and get into the festive season. Take care.
CWI Members Rise to the Occasion with Bread-Making and Local Advocacy – By Sheila Craig, Nov 18, 2025
Craighurst Women’s Institute met early Tuesday, because we had some big business to attend to. Our member Siske led us in a bread baking class, a task that might daunt the average chef. But not Siske. She had the flour measured, the sugar and salt ready, the shortening cut, the instructions printed. She explained the finer points of mixing with a wooden spoon. And she brought her daughter as a resident expert. We twirled and kneaded and then rested. While the dough rose the CWI had the working meeting. Our efforts to have Oro’s Cenotaph unlocked during weekends caught the Mayor’s attention. We’ll see how the Township fixes the problem. Also our request to have the speed limit lowered on Horseshoe Valley Road is on his radar so to speak. Then word came that the dough was calling, so we declared the meeting over and went back to punch it down, shape two loaves, pack up our kit and go home to our own ovens. There’s nothing like a hands on session to learn fine points. We did have fun.
Our North Simcoe 4-H Team Stands Out at the Royal’s TD Classic – By Melanie Giffen, Nov 18, 2025
The North Simcoe 4H club sent an eager team to the Royal Winter Fair to compete in the TD Classic 4H dairy show. Some of the calves were placed and went onto final heats. This year, our display placed top ten out of many clubs in attendance. This is a new accomplishment for North Simcoe and we are very proud. We would like to thank our many sponsors and chaperones Jackie McCallum and Owen Wright.