Community Update from Ward 1 Councillor Matt Garwood
Hello Springwater residents. I’m pleased to share updates on recent decisions and developments that are shaping our community. My goal with these columns is to inform, not to offer opinions, so you can stay connected with what’s happening in Springwater.
58th Annual Elmvale Maple Syrup Festival:
The 58th Annual Elmvale Maple Syrup Festival once again brought our community together to celebrate a proud local tradition and our rich maple syrup heritage.
From the pancake house and fresh local syrup to vendors, entertainment, and visits to Lalonde’s Maple Syrup sugar bush, the festival showcased the very best of Elmvale and our local producers.
This event would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteers, the generosity of our sponsors, and the continued support of our community. Your efforts ensure this tradition not only continues, but gives back through support of local initiatives, organizations, and community spaces. Thank you to everyone who played a part in another successful festival.
Donation to Hospice Simcoe:
The Elmvale Community Recreation Association was proud to present a $4,000 donation to Hospice Simcoe, made possible through the success of our St. Patrick’s Dance.
This contribution helps support the vital services Hospice Simcoe provides, ensuring individuals and families across our region have access to compassionate care, dignity, and comfort during some of life’s most difficult moments.
We are deeply grateful for the work of Hospice Simcoe and the impact they continue to make in our community.
Sponsor a Flower Basket:
Help enhance the beauty of our downtown by sponsoring a hanging flower basket in Elmvale. For $80, your sponsorship will provide a vibrant basket displayed on a local lamp post, adding colour and charm throughout the season.
This program is a simple and meaningful way to show community pride while contributing to a welcoming and attractive downtown for residents, visitors, and local businesses alike.
New Lift at St. John’s United Church:
Congratulations to St. John’s United Church on the dedication and opening of their new lift, an important community milestone and a project decades in the making. This addition marks a significant step forward in accessibility, ensuring more people can fully participate in worship and community life. It reflects a strong commitment to inclusion and creating a welcoming space for all. Well done to everyone who contributed to bringing this meaningful project to life.
2026 Springwater Swing:
Join us for the 18th Annual Springwater Swing Golf Tournament on Wednesday, June 24 at Vespra Hills Golf Course.
This event brings people together for a great day on the green while supporting a meaningful cause. Every birdie, bogey, and bunker shot helps raise funds that are reinvested into local community initiatives that benefit residents across Springwater. It’s a fun and impactful way to give back while enjoying a day of golf with friends, neighbours, and colleagues.
We Lend a Hand – The Forgotten Story of Ontario Farmerettes:
Springwater Library, in partnership with other community organizations, is hosting a screening of this documentary at the Elmvale Community Hall on Friday, May 22 at 7:00 PM.
This film shares the remarkable story of more than 40,000 teenage girls who worked on Canadian farms, primarily in southern Ontario, between 1941 and 1952. While many men were enlisted in the war effort, these young women played a vital role in maintaining the country’s food supply for both soldiers overseas and communities at home. Despite their significant contributions, their efforts have often gone unrecognized.
The documentary features archival photos, interviews with former Farmerettes (many now in their 90s), visits to the original farm locations, and more, bringing this important chapter of history to life.