The Villager 2020 December by Villager Community News

BUYING OR SELLING A HOME? CALL:

December 2020

Mayor’s message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 jeanpaullogiacco@rogers.com

Christmas on a farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Shop local business. . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Township news . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18, 19

A holiday season like no other. Make contact. Make a difference. By Ellen Cohen Here we go! Headed into a holiday season like none before, at least in our lifetimes. Sadly, there will be no large family gatherings and no special community events, Christmas concerts or large community art shows and bazaars. But there is good news indeed. Severn Township residents have always met, head on, whatever comes their way. They are formidable. Determined. Selfless. Completely focused on keeping their families and their community as free from Covid-19 as humanly possible. This is who they are. Our neighbours and our friends. This doesn’t mean the challenges for everyone are not significant. Most notably we have less or even no contact with those we love. But for the most resilient, during this most important time of year, there are many ways to maintain human contact with those we love. In fact, because of the pandemic, it is likely even the smallest of gestures will mean more this year than ever before. Perhaps we can pay particular attention to those most affected by isolation in 2020 – those who live alone, all seniors and anyone

who does not use a computer, tablet or cell phone for communication whose lack of technology adds to their loneliness and anxiety. But, whether you’re reaching out to someone with or without modern technology, a senior, or just your good friends and neighbours, there are many ways that might help make up for the lack of personal visits and loving hugs. Using Canada Post might seem ‘retro’ but the delivery of a ‘real’ card, a letter and maybe a few photos will brighten someone’s day. Gift cards inside a Christmas card, with a hand-written note will always be a hit. Have some flowers delivered or go to a local shop and ask them to help you make

up a nice gift box. Mail it or drop it off yourself. Phone calls, emails or contact through Zoom. If Zoom isn’t an option because of lack of high speed, Facebook messenger works quite well. Not perfect, but it is a good face-to-face option. The countdown is on. Make a list and follow through. Your contact, your kindness, will make the world of difference in these difficult times. On behalf of the team at The Villager our graphic designer, Cathy Cleary; our bookkeeper, Cheryl Lawder; and our printer, Georgian Bay Printers - I wish everyone the very best of health, and much warmth and love from family and friends during this holiday season and beyond.

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$10 million/year in ecosystem goods and services. On our doorstep. By Courtney Baker Our community has been given a once in a lifetime opportunity to protect Cedarhurst Alvar, a vast 1,362 acre property in the heart of the Carden Alvar. This property can be described as a very special puzzle piece, one that will bring a very valuable ecosystem picture into perfect focus. A parcel of land the Conservancy and its supporters have been looking for - for 25 years. We got to this place with the help of many, beginning in 1994. The Couchiching Conservancy created its Natural Heritage Action Plan, outlining the globally rare Carden Alvar as a special region on which to focus. The Conservancy was able to secure hundreds of community supporters as well as new partnerships with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ontario Parks, Ontario Field Ornithologists, Toronto Ornithological Club, the Carden Field Naturalists. Together, these government organizations, community groups, individuals and charities have since protected over 9,000 acres of land in the area. Now, it is time to protect Cedarhurst Alvar. If protected, this new nature reserve will provide Ontarians with $10 million a year

in ecosystem goods and services, including carbon storage, the removal of air pollution, and flood water storage. The property’s diverse habitats, including forests, wetlands and grasslands, act as sponges during spring run-off and major storms. By storing carbon and buffering local communities from the impacts of increasing severe weather events, the property provides an excellent example of the nature-based solutions needed to help combat climate change. Cedarhurst Alvar is an essential part of the link that connects Carden Alvar Provincial Park on the south, to Queen Elizabeth II Provincial Park on the north. It is home to a number of threatened species that urgently need protected habitat and corridors to maintain their genetic diversity. Examples of those species include moose, black bear, the common nighthawk (special concern), and the eastern Whip-poor-wills (threatened), and more. The property will be purchased by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), an

organization The Couchiching Conservancy has partnered with time and time again on the Alvar. In return, The Couchiching Conservancy has pledged to raise $220,000 of the $1,000,000 needed by spring 2021. When this happens, this special property will be under protection. Join us in celebrating this wonderful opportunity and please, if you are able, help by contributing to a brighter future for our region. Join us in protecting the Cedarhurst Alvar, a critically important natural and wild habitat. To donate to this campaign, please visit our website, http://couchichingconserv.ca/ how-to-help/cedarhurst-alvar/ or contact our Development Coordinator Tanya Clark, Tanya@couchconservancy.ca or by calling 705-326-1620.

Courtney Baker is the Administrative Assistant at The Couchiching Conservancy, a local land trust dedicated to protecting nature for future generations.

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4 From the Publisher:

Light at the end of the tunnel

Publisher

thevillagerpress@rogers.com

705-717-0322 The Villager, a Severn Township community news magazine, is an independently owned and operated publication delivered to households and businesses on or before the first day of every month. It is mailed through Canada Post north from the Severn Township/Orillia border to Severn Bridge and includes parts of Ramara Township. In addition to Canada Post delivery, The Villager is distributed each month through high traffic locations along the Highway 11 corridor and in many other select locations in Orillia. For a complete list of locations email thevillagerpress@rogers.com. Editorial and advertising material is protected by copyright. Reproduction of any article, photograph or graphic is forbidden without the express permission of the publisher. The sentiments of our columnists do not necessarily reflect those of The Villager. The Villager’s liability to advertisers for errors is limited to the portion of the advertisement in which an error occurs and only if the error is the fault of The Villager. Community event submissions and prearranged editorial contributions must be received by the 10th of each month for the following month’s publication. Advertising space must be booked by the 10th of each month in order to appear in the following month’s publication, with 5 business days thereafter to complete the advertising artwork and proof approval process.

The Villager P.O. Box 5 Washago, ON L0K 2B0 Art director: Cathy Cleary

Ellen Cohen

My niece and her wonderful family moved from Vancouver to Orillia on November 12th. Yes, you read that correctly! Being able to work from home, they moved from a large city on the west coast to a small town in Ontario where family was overjoyed to welcome them. They are thrilled to be in this part of the world where life is quite gentle and the region offers an unbelievable abundance of outdoor wonders. My youngest great-niece is particularly excited about finding frogs. I haven’t had the heart to tell her she won’t see any until the snow melts. I saw them the first night they arrived. We met outside - at a social distance. It felt awkward and wrong and kind of sad. No hugs. No kisses. No sitting down for a meal together. But this is the right thing to do. We all know this. Thank goodness there is a light at the end of this tunnel called COVID-19. As of mid-November, two drug companies, Pfizer Inc. and Moderna, appear to have developed very effective Covid-19 vaccines. In the 3rd week of November a third drug company, AstraZeneca

announced progress with their version. Although it will be months before any vaccines are delivered, this is the best news we’ve had in a very long time. While we wait, if you find yourself in a dark place experiencing the inevitable results of COVID-19 fatigue, remember the tens of thousands of brilliant men and women around the world working day and night on your behalf, creating a vaccine that will change our lives. One day I’ll be able to hug my family and all will be good with the world.

Some words from our mayor The following is Severn Mayor Mike Burkett’s holiday greeting to be aired on Rogers TV: While everyone is seeking a bit of normalcy, I urge you to consider how your holiday plans can be modified to reduce the spread of COVID-19. It’s especially important this year to find safer ways to celebrate to keep our friends, family members and community healthy. See this as a chance to create new traditions with your loved ones! Hold Secret Santa online, face off against relatives in a Zoom Trivia Night, or join a virtual religious service. Enjoy the traditions you can still safely continue, like decorating your house, baking with your family, or mailing packages and thoughtful letters. Social media, email and phone calls can bring us closer to those we may not be able to spend the holidays with in person. If you’re searching for the perfect gift, look no further than the great local businesses we have in Severn. The pandemic has shone a light on the importance of small businesses in our community—and these businesses need your support this season. Together, we can turn uncertainty into resiliency. Tough times often foster greater appreciation for what we have. The pandemic has given us all a chance to slow down and experience the warmth of the holiday season by acknowledging things and people that make us feel grateful. Maybe it’s things we previously took for granted like a warm and safe place to live, good food to eat and caring loved ones in our lives. From all of us here at the Township of Severn, we hope you have a safe and happy holiday. Visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU), ‘winter celebrations and holidays’ tips and protocols: www.simcoemuskokahealth.org Letters to the publisher are welcome and may be emailed to thevillagerpress@rogers.com. Letters may be edited.

Watch for the Red-capped Finches By Ron Reid If you have a feeder with Nyger seed in your yard, this may be the winter when you are treated to flocks of Common Redpolls. As their name suggests, these northern finches have a splash of red on their foreheads; males also have a reddish vest but otherwise these birds are mostly brownish and white stripes with a yellowish cone-shaped bill. Redpolls are among the smallest finches, about the size of Chick-adees but with a shorter notched tail. You will only see Redpolls in the winter months, and even so, not every winter. There are birds that travel in flocks: you might get a half-dozen at your feeder, but if they stick around, that flock is likely to grow to 30 or more. They are aptly described as restless, for they bounce from tree to tree, and seem to buzz around a feeder in a frenzy of motion. As they fly, they call constantly with a nasal twitter that can brighten a winter day. Although Redpolls are easy to identify, there is actually a good deal of variability in their plumage. Some are noticeably whiter than others, some even somewhat larger. But the tricky challenge is that a few birds in a flock may be a whole different species, called Hoary Redpoll. These birds are “frostier” all over, with few of no brownish stripes on their backs and bellies; they are also slightly larger. That makes it sound easy to pick out the Hoaries; in fact, identifying one of them within a swirling flock of Common Redpolls can challenge the best of birders. Why do Redpolls show up in our area some winters and not others? They spend Treat someone to a nice, warm

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their summers north of the treeline up to the Arctic Ocean where they nest and feed on the seeds of Swamp Birch and various shrubs. Despite their small size, they are well-adapted to cold temperatures, so the Arctic winter does not scare them. One of their survival strategies in cold weather is to snuggle into snow tunnels a few inches below the surface, where they can take advantage of this natural insulation. They also have neck pouches where they store seeds to see them through stormy spells. But when the seed crop on birches is poor, these finches head southward in search of food. They will snack on birches and alders, as well as seeds in brushy fields. Best of all, from our perspective, they are quick to take advantage of bird feeders, where they can chow down on Nyger and other nutritious small seeds.

Redpolls have been largely absent from local feeders for the past few years; I think it has been at least a decade since the last irruption of these species into our area. The 2020-21 finch forecast suggests that this winter may bring them down in good numbers, and a few roving flocks have been seen in late fall, which is a good sign. Let’s hope those forecasts are correct; a great invasion of Redpolls would be a welcome gift for Christmas. Merry Christmas to all! A regular contributor to The Villager, Ron Reid is a natural heritage consultant and the co-founder and former executive director of The Couchiching Conservancy. He has written more than 30 magazine articles and co-authored three books. He lives in Washago with his wife, Janet Grand.

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$1 million dollar investment for Orillia & surrounding township businesses With files from Orillia Area Community Development Corp. (CDC) News Release, November 23, 2020 Businesses in Orillia, Severn, Ramara, Rama and Oro-Medonte may be eligible to benefit from an additional $1 million in funding through the Government of Canada’s Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF). This funding for these southern Ontario communities is a top-up to the $995,000 investment by the Government of Canada in May 2020, for a total funding allocation of $1,995,000. Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan has helped to protect millions of jobs, provide emergency support to families, and keep businesses afloat as they deal with the impact of COVID-19. A central part of this is the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF), which helps support those who may not be eligible for other programs. Since the Fund was launched in May, over 1,000 businesses have been assisted through the RRRF by the region’s Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs),

helping them keep their employees, cover costs, and play a role in our economic recovery. Since the launch of the RRRF, CFDCs have provided critical support for southern Ontario’s rural businesses, maintaining 3,500 jobs in the region, including in Severn Township. An example of a local business that has benefited from the program is The Common Stove, a restaurant located in downtown Orillia. They opened up earlier this year before the pandemic hit. Simon McCrae, co-owner said, “We’re delighted to have brought back so many of our original team now that we’re back open. (The CDC) were quick to step up and provide guidance and help in applying for pandemic-related government support. And they also provided follow-up advice, loans, and promotions.” Through RRRF, the Orillia Area CDC

provided $995,000 in liquidity support to help 30 local businesses impacted by the pandemic to cover fixed operating costs and maintain jobs. Local businesses and organizations that have applied for but were unable to access existing federal COVID-19 relief programs are encouraged to contact the Orillia Area CDC for more information. Contact Wendy Timpano, General Manager of the Orillia Area CDC by email wtimpano@ orilliacdc.com, or call 705-955-1414.

A Reminder The Villager does not publish in January, so we’ll see you February 1, 2021.

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Christmas bake sale In November, the Ramona Agricultural Society hosted a very successful turkey pie, soup and chili take out feast. Now they are now preparing for a Christmas Bake Sale. It takes place on December 12th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Ramona Hall where you’ll find a huge array of homemade baked goods. Covid protocols will be in place, including the wearing of masks.

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Sarah Valiquette-Thompson recently resigned as councillor for Ward 5 in Severn. She did it for family. “Life can turn on a dime,” Sarah said. “We had such a well-laid out plan and so much energy. But what was being thrown our way meant we had to put on the brakes and do only what was best for our family. That’s what we did.” When the pandemic hit, business at the restaurant plummeted. Therapy and special care for their 3 year-old son who has Down Syndrome was no longer available, and Sarah was faced with home-schooling their 5 year-old daughter, Haley. Sarah resigned her position as councillor, the restaurant was sold, and they moved to small-town Wolfville, Nova Scotia, a 100 km away from Halifax, in a home close to Sarah’s cherished aunt and uncle. “I miss my friends and my colleagues but we did the right thing for our family. Hayley loves her new school; and Harvey has what he needs, including the amazing Smile Program, the same program he was in when we lived in Ontario,” said Sarah.

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Now we will all find a way to celebrate the holidays differently while remembering the true meaning of this season - peace, joy and love. This year, give all the love you have to your family and your friends, your colleagues and your community. Even if it has to be from a distance, words of comfort and love will mean more this year than ever before.

May everyone bring in the New Year safely.

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Celebrate local women The Young Woman of the Year nominees, chosen by their school, Every year, the Orillia Business Women’s Association (OBWA) celebrates the accomplishments of outstanding women and are Emily Hawton, Alyssa Mandarino and Julianne Pires. The link for the event and all nominee biographies are on the young women from Orillia and the surrounding townships. Nominations for the awards were sent to the OBWA much earlier OBWA website: www.orilliabusinesswomen.com. Since 1987, the Orillia Business Women’s Association (OBWA), this year and, as usual, a panel of judges made up of local business and community service women decided on the winners based on a non-profit, non-fundraising group, has gathered in a safe and a list of long-established criteria. At the same time, schools sent the welcoming space for the purpose of networking with Orillia and area women, those in business or those interested in learning from OBWA their choices for Young Woman of the Year awards. Sadly, any hope for hosting an in-person event was dashed other women and establishing important personal and business because, as the year moved on, the COVID-19 pandemic did not relationships. In each of those 33 years, a monthly dinner meeting brings disappear. However, through a virtual event, the OBWA will make sure these these women together to get to know each other, an evening that special women and young women will still be presented to the gives everyone an opportunity to grow their network within the community. community. It will take place at Women in Severn Township are 6:30 p.m. on December 9th. invited to search our website to The judges for Woman of the find out about our history, a list Year have chosen from nominees of current members, membership who work in the community, in the information, and a membership workplace or their own business, SMALL ENGINE REPAIR application. or from home. We specialize in ALL SMALL MOTORS: For 2020, the Woman of the Snow Blowers • Chainsaws • Lawn/Rider Mowers Year nominees are: Allana George, THE BEST PRICES ON CHAINSAW CHAIN SHARPENING & WELDING! Carolyn-Marie Goodwin, Jenna Green, Trish Holloway and Dale Call 705-689-5837 McKay. 5276 Dean Trail, Washago

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Surf and Turf Eggs Benny By Chef Becky There is no question - 2020 deserves something decadent and fun to make. This is an easy recipe that will impress your family and fill that gap for something a little different and definitely tasty. This recipe serves two. The surf and turf part of this recipe includes Ontario peameal or double smoked bacon, and wild caught smoked salmon, the amount based on your personal taste. Cook bacon ahead of time, and set aside with the smoked salmon to be assembled before serving. Also, for garnish before serving, use chopped green onion or capers. The first step is to make Hollandaise sauce from scratch. HOLLANDAISE SAUCE INGREDIENTS: • Dash cayenne pepper or a • ½ cup of butter, clarified pinch of dry mustard – or a • 3 egg yolks shake of hot sauce • 1 tbsp. lemon juice METHOD: • On top of double boiler, whisk all sauce ingredients together – except the egg yolks. • Once the ingredients are blended, slowly whisk in egg yolks. • Continue to whisk until the mixture has thickened – this takes about 6-7 minutes. NOTE: if the ingredients separate, beat another egg yolk in a separate bowl and slowly whisk in. If you think the sauce is too thick, it is okay to gently add a splash of water. • Set aside. WELCOME TO OUR NEW RM T,

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POACHING EGGS: Fill a sauce pan with water and add a splash of vinegar. Slowly stir water and gently sway in eggs until the whites are set. Scoop out with slotted spoon. ASSEMBLY: Toast English muffin halves, or you can use baguette pieces. Top with Ontario peameal or double smoked bacon and wild caught smoked salmon. Drizzle with hollandaise sauce and garnish with green onion or capers. Serve with your favourite mimosas. Cheers and Happy Holidays… Chef Becky Lennerton is the proprietor of Black River Food Company and a teacher in our region for Loblaw Companies Limited.

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Christmas on the farm Every weekend until December 20th Christine Jameson is the owner of Twin Maples Farm in Severn Bridge where she offers wagon rides and pony rides year round. This year, she and some of her most excellent friends/Santa’s helpers have put together an exciting Christmas event that, with the price of admission, includes wagon rides, pony rides, hot chocolate and cookies. To add a little more farm ambiance, goats and chickens have also been brought in to amuse the kids. The best news is Santa will be there. He has been convinced to spend every weekend until December 20th at this Christmas on the Farm event. The event actually began on Saturday, November 21st and that first weekend about 200 people showed up to take part.

“The wagon rides and pony rides are first come, first served but we have three teams of horses working every weekend so the wait time has only been about 20 minutes,” Christine said, adding that everyone has been following all the required Covid-19 protocols including wearing a mask and social distancing. “There is hand sanitizer throughout the venue and people have been terrific following the rules. They’re here to have fun - and stay safe.” Captain Cooke de Fries has set up their trailer on the site and are selling fresh, hot food including their famous fries, and local vendors are selling maple syrup, butter tarts, and honey. Black River Ranch will be there selling fresh Christmas trees, while supplies last.

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that is very fondly remembered by her and everyone who attends. Admission is $15/person. Twin Maples Farm is located at 1227 Baseline Rd., Severn Bridge.

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Provincial government program updates By Jill Dunlop, MPP Simcoe North The task of writing a December article this year has been challenging as I reflect on the past months of COVID-19. Simple words cannot express my sincere appreciation for efforts made by our communities in dealing with this pandemic. I am proud to continue to work hard on your behalf serving Simcoe North into and beyond the recovery process. I encourage questions and recommendations from constituents and take this opportunity to share some of the many initiatives taken by our government to date. As we continue to take immediate action to respond to the changing environment of COVID-19, updates and

new thresholds through the “Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework” have been put into place. These necessary updates will continue to help limit the spread while keeping schools open safely, maintaining health system capacity, protecting the province’s most vulnerable, and avoiding broader lockdowns. Keep current by visiting Ontario. ca/COVID19. Our $17 million dollar commitment to support First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and urban Indigenous education partners will ensure safe learning environments for Indigenous students. In response to an urgent need within First Nations communities, the assistance will provide schools with the PPE at

no cost to them. For our business communities, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover promotes job creation by reducing taxes on employers. The plan could provide small businesses with as much as $385 million in municipal and provincial property tax relief. For many employers, this represents a reduction of 30 per cent. Ontario’s 2020 Budget proposes to make the Employer Health Tax exemption increase permanent, meaning an additional 30,000 employers would no longer pay this tax. Additionally, the government is helping main street businesses stay open safely by offering a grant of up to $1,000 for the

costs of PPE. Small businesses with two to nine employees in the retail, accommodations and food services, repair and maintenance, and personal and laundry services sectors can apply for this one-time grant. Lastly, lower priced seasonal day-use vehicle permits for Ontario parks makes it more affordable for families to spend time outside in so many beautiful locations. I find myself fortunate to live and work in such a vibrant region of Ontario and I look forward to sharing more announcements in the future. Have a very safe, healthy and happy holiday season.

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Year-end charitable donations Because 2020 has been so difficult, every non-profit charitable organization that serves our community is in dire need. Economic uncertainty slowed down donations while at the same time fundraising events were cancelled. It was the worst possible situation. Now, as the year comes to an end, those who are able must make the difficult decision of where to send their donations. How do you determine who needs your money the most? Do you send your money to those who provide the most immediate and basic needs of food, clothing and emergency shelter? Do you donate to more long-term causes such as health providers, suicide prevention or drug addiction support? Or youth organizations? Animal shelters? Decisions can be helped along by visiting what are most often comprehensive websites with details about specific services and areas served. All organizations listed here serve Orillia and all surrounding townships, including Severn. • Alzheimer Society, Simcoe • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orillia & District • Child Advocacy Centre, Orillia • Couchiching Jubilee House • Green Haven Women Shelter for Women • Hospice Orillia • Mariposa House Hospice • Orillia SPCA • Orillia Youth Centre

• • • • •

Salvation Army Food Bank, Orillia Simcoe County Suicide Awareness Council Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital The Lighthouse Soup Kitchen and Shelter The Sharing Place Food Bank The list above is not exhaustive and, because donating to a non-profit organization is such a deeply personal choice, may not include some critical services you may wish to support. Use Google to find many more choices. Lastly, if you feel you don’t have enough to give to make a difference, reconsider. Non-profit charitable organizations are very grateful for any donation, including small, monthly contributions.

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Honouring angels With files from Annalise Stenekes, Executive Director, Mariposa House Hospice For the 4th year in a row, local business owners Kristopher Orchard and Jamie Campbell of O C Emporium Inc / 6 Doors Up Interiors have chosen Mariposa House Hospice as the beneficiary of the Angel Tree event. The Angel Tree tradition enables donors to make a donation in honour of a loved one. A special angel ornament is placed on the tree along with a message about the loved one being remembered. In years past, Bob Willsey set aside space for the Angel Tree at Mariposa Market from midNovember to late December. In 2020, COVID has presented organizers with a challenge. To find a balance between tradition and safety, the Angel Tree will be presented “virtually” this year. Donations will be made online, and the tree will be set up at the hospice building where a team of volunteers will hang the angels several times a week. The group will post photo and video updates on social media so that community members can share in this beautiful tradition with a virtual twist. Each year, Orchard and Campbell have also chosen to bestow a special award to one recipient who has contributed to our community significantly. That person is invited to place

was chosen in recognition of her community spirit and her willingness to always step up and help when needed. To sponsor an angel, participants are invited to donate using credit card, cash, or cheque. To donate online, visit http://www.

mariposahousehospice.com/ donate, select “Angel Tree” in the drop down menu, and enter the name of the loved one being remembered. For cash or cheque donations, please contact Sue Morris at 705-3276191.

NEW MENU !

The Angel Tree fundraiser is in support of Mariposa House Hospice, a new facility opening soon in Severn Township. the first angel on the tree and receives a Swarovski crystal dove as a personal gift. Heather Breckles is the recipient of the 2020 award, joining two other treasured community heroes Gini Stringer (2018) and Sue Peacock (2019). Heather

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This year, when Remembrance Day ceremonies were mostly virtual, the Washago Garden Club Lest We Forget signs along the Washago garden perimeter were more welcome than ever. Thank you to this local group of enthusiastic and motivated volunteers who made sure our community didn’t forget the veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country.

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By Sandra Crawford Galloway Although our club members continue to be in touch through email and phone calls, sadly we will close out the year without being able to announce any events for the New Year. We are hopeful that soon we will hear music and laughter in our hall and be able to host our many community events, especially Canada Day. On behalf of our club president, Jim Rice and all members, I wish you good health through the holidays and into 2021. We will have updates for the community in the next issue of The Villager which is February 2021.

15 TIPS FOR SHOPPING IN PERSON:

Give local businesses some joy By Ellen Cohen If none of what you see is exactly what you need, simply ask the staff or pick up the phone and call them. That’s the joy of living in a small community – you know who they are and they will be thrilled to help you, a far cry from the often frustrating task of shopping through one of those large, impersonal websites. Shopping local is all about supporting your community. Local businesses pay township taxes which helps the tax base – which in turn helps keep residential taxes in check; they hire local staff including your neighbours, your kids, perhaps even you; and they create a community atmosphere, a streetscape, one of the reasons you live here.

• Carry a small container of sanitizer and clean your hands before you walk in to a store and after you’ve touched merchandise or common touch points. • If you are looking for something specific, rather than wandering through the store, ask staff for help. • If you’re in the mood to browse, remember to keep 6’ away from other shoppers. • Whenever possible, pay with one of your contactless bank or credit cards. • Using cash? Canadian money is washable. Wash before you put it in your wallet.

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To encourage you to support local businesses while making sure you feel safe, local shop owners work tirelessly to keep their stores well-sanitized, creating the cleanest possible environment for customers and their staff. They are also working day and night to keep the shelves stocked with new and exciting merchandise. Because, for your own safety, it’s more important than ever to stay close to home, and before you log on to an online merchandise site or drive to another community, please have a look at the variety and quality local businesses offer. Almost all accept telephone orders and have curbside pickup. Many have their own websites and delivery is almost always an option.

• Masks are required inside all local businesses. Always keep a clean one in your coat pocket or your car.

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Township update Ward 5 Councillor vacancy Following the resignation of Councillor Sarah Valiquette-Thompson, on November 4, 2020, Severn council formally declared the Ward 5 seat vacant. When there’s a Council vacancy, the municipality can hold a by-election or appoint a person who agrees to accept the position. Council considered the cost and timeline of both options and unanimously supported filling the position by appointment. Through their website and local media, the Township of Severn invited communityminded individuals to apply by December 4 at 4 p.m. Candidates must be eligible to vote in Severn to qualify for the position. The selection will be made at a special council meeting on December 10 at 9:00 a.m. and the swearing in will take place at another special council meeting on December 16, also at 9:00 a.m. Due to the pandemic, the meetings will be held

Shown at the announcement for the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program are, left to right: Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop; Severn Township Mayor Mike Burkett; Oro-Medonte Mayor Harry Hughes; and Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke $100K for Washago Centennial Park Because the pandemic has resulted in decreased revenue for municipalities, the COVID-19 resilience stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is welcome funding. Severn Township will receive $100,000, 80% from the federal government and 20% from the province. To be used for shovel ready projects, Severn will use these funds to complete a universal washroom and renovate existing washrooms at Washago Centennial Park. This is another in a series of improvements that have been made to the park over the past several years and gives all park users the opportunity to safely stay active and to participate in one of the most beautiful parks in the region.

Dr. Kathy Marchildon • Dr. Sandy Drury 3843 Soules Road, Severn L3V 0V3 www.lakecountryanimal.ca 705-326-4800

Mon., Thur., Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. • Tues., Wed. 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Call us for details about our curbside/no contact service.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

to our wonderful patients and their ‘parents’! PLEASE KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE: Holly, mistletoe and poinsettia are poisonous to cats and dogs. Candles, tinsel, electrical cords and broken ornaments are dangerous.

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We are pleased that we are now fully operational, with some protocols for keeping everyone safe. Please be prepared to wear a mask and use hand sanitizer when arriving for your appointment. We look forward to treating you soon. Put Your Face First!

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electronically. The public may attend meetings by phone or video. For more information, visit townshipofsevern.com or call Alison BEAM Serenity Fall 2020 Limited Edition Gray, Clerk at 705-325-2315, ext. 232.

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With Bonus Storage Bag Year-end news from the Mayor Fall 2020 Limited Edition Fall 2020 Limited Edition “The pandemic has put a major Choice of An strain on Severn residents as well as Air or Electric our staff and council.” said Mayor Mike Cleaning Set UP TO with 35 ft Hose and Bonus Burkett. “But everyone, residents, staff Dust Mop and Mini-Tools and council have worked together, understanding the stress and extra IN ONLINE Choice of a CONSUMER REBATES work everyone has.” 600 or 650 AW In spite of the pandemic, township Power Unit With Bonus Storage Bag staff has juggled COVID-19 with necessary township work. They’ve completed over $4 million in major road projects as well as keeping the township infrastructure Choice of An up-to-date and safe. Air or Electricof a Choice Covid-19 has meant no in-person council meetings. The Cleaning Set UP TO with 35 ft Hose Bonus 600 orand650 AW chamber is simply not large enough to accommodate all council, Dust Mop and Mini-Tools the required staff and visitors. The public can and has attended Power Unit virtually, in some cases resulting in a larger pubic audience. Virtual With Bonus Storage Bag meetings means council and staff don’t have to travel back and IN ONLINE CONSUMER REBATES forth for various meetings and there is never a need to cancel with the purchase of a power unit and a cleaning set because of weather. To further conform to safety protocols, staff has been divided Choice of An into two teams so that only half the staff are in the building at any Air or Electric given time, while others work from home. This will continue into the New Year. Cleaning Set Next to Covid-19, the number two issue is the installation of high with 35 ft Hose and Bonus speed internet. Although the Highway 11 corridor, Coldwater, and Dust Mop and Mini-Tools all the larger, easier to access areas of Severn have it, there are a large number of residents who don’t. The mayor is cautiously hopeful. “We’ll know more in early 2021. But we have to remember this is a huge, multi-year project. Covid puts more urgency on high-speed internet, especially since so many people are working from home and students doing online learning.” In other news from the township, an additional planner has been hired to help tackle several major residential projects – on Soules Rd. and on Turnbull Rd.; the construction at Lock 42, a federal We continue to follow COVID-19 protocols advised by health officials. project, will not be completed this year but the good news is the Please remember your mask before you enter our store. Thank you! bridge will not have a weight limit, enabling the road and the bridge to handle large trucks during an emergency detour; and it is likely the 2021 budget will be ratified in at the first council meeting in December. Mayor Burkett is optimistic about 2021. He said he is so proud that Severn residents have followed Covid-19 health and safety protocols so well, and he is buoyed by the announcements regarding the vaccines produced by three different drug companies. “A vaccine may not be the be-all and end-all, and I know the world has changed as we knew it. But I am confident that if we all pay attention, follow the protocols to keep each other safe, we can come out of this strong.”

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Canoe Signature Sandwiches

Turkeys Available for your Christmas Dinner!

Great Variety of Vegetables and Fruit

Salads, Take-to-Bake Pizzas & Rotisserie Chicken

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Muskoka Roastery Coffee Enjoy a fresh cup with a fresh bakery item or lunch from our deli. Ask for Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte, Shag Fog, Chai Tea Latte, Green Tea Latte