The Camilla intersection is a dangerous one at the best of times, and now that we are entering into cottage season, it will become even more so.
After visiting family on old Hurontario Street, one road east of Hwy 10, I have spent my time waiting to turn left (south) at that intersection. Eventually, in the good weather, I gave up the death-defying act and instead wound my way down old Hurontario to Hockley Road, and then headed to the Hockley Road/Hwy 10 intersection to use the traffic lights. Most drivers do not realize that this road twists and turns its way all the way to Hockley in the good weather (it's not maintained in winter), but it was my route of choice instead of making that trecherous left-hand turn.
Mono Council is considering what to do with the intersection, and is being lobbied by the Camilla's Womens Institute to improve the situation. Good work, ladies. Let's hope Mono Council hears from the MTO soon - The Orangeville Citizen reports that they have not responded to the Mono Council for YEARS on this issue.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Take your butts elsewhere, please
Smoking on public properties and what to do with the air offenders has been an issue with Orangeville council lately. Proposed designated smoking areas are being rejected, and instead, Orangeville municipal staff have been directed to investigate the cost of a smoking cessation program for town employees. This will be an interesting story to follow.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Feeling pesty?
Won't it be nice to know that the green lawns of your neighbours and the grass in our public parks will be a little bit healthier for all of us, now that we are accepting our pesticide bylaw? What, if anything, did you put on your lawn last year? nothing bothers me more than walking by a greenscape and 'smelling' it after a fresh spraying...what is that that I am inhaling?
Congratulations to Orangeville council for pushing this bylaw through.
Congratulations to Orangeville council for pushing this bylaw through.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Who will you vote for?
The Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association just opened up the nomination process for the 2008 Tourism Awards. The Awards recognize businesses "that have provided superior customer service in a manner that promotes our spirit of community and that is respectful of our extraordinary natural environment and rural heritage."
Visit the site to vote for:
Attraction/Event of the Year
Retailer of the Year
Restaurant of the Year
Accommodation of the Year
Professional Service of the Year
Artisan of the Year
Tourism Ambassador of the Year
Good luck to all businesses!
Visit the site to vote for:
Attraction/Event of the Year
Retailer of the Year
Restaurant of the Year
Accommodation of the Year
Professional Service of the Year
Artisan of the Year
Tourism Ambassador of the Year
Good luck to all businesses!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Xeriscape!
It sounds like such an exciting word! I love it.
I have been thinking about xeriscaping ever since the snow began melting and the little irrigation tubes began to show in my garden.
The former owner of my house was a passionate gardener and spent many years lovingly building this property into a spring, summer and fall oasis. Waves of colour and green greet me when I look out from the windows to my backyard. Underneath the surface though, lies a twisting labyrinth of irrigation tubes. They basically look like earth-coloured hoses, that have tiny holes in them, which drip water out based on how I set my timer to do so.
When I first moved in, the system seemed to be on all of the time! I could hear the water turning on from the garage area and it made me crazy! I love my gardens, but I was not loving my water bill. Orangeville has metered water systems, and wow, it is expensive to irrigate a large garden. Not to mention, environmentally insensitive.
This year, I am removing one large garden. I will replace it with seed for now and hope that the little ground cover that is other parts of my "lawn" (I believe it is called "Ajuga") will creep up and take over the grass. Ajuga grows like mad, is great in shady areas it seems and is lovely to walk on. Plus, I found out last summer it doesn't need cutting!
I have also become really interested in Xeriscaping while I ponder my water-loving gardens. On a recent walk, I discovered a series of homes that have some great front yards very creatively xeriscaped. Xeriscaping just means "An environmentally friendly form of landscaping that uses a variety of indigenous and drought-tolerant plants, shrubs, and ground cover." These homes, located on Woodvale Court, feature scrubby trees and grasses, dry "streams", driftwood, stone pathways and sitting areas. They are lovely and interesting, and not a patch of turf is to be found. I will take a photo the next time I am by; this is an interesting stretch of street in Orangeville to be sure.
I have been thinking about xeriscaping ever since the snow began melting and the little irrigation tubes began to show in my garden.
The former owner of my house was a passionate gardener and spent many years lovingly building this property into a spring, summer and fall oasis. Waves of colour and green greet me when I look out from the windows to my backyard. Underneath the surface though, lies a twisting labyrinth of irrigation tubes. They basically look like earth-coloured hoses, that have tiny holes in them, which drip water out based on how I set my timer to do so.
When I first moved in, the system seemed to be on all of the time! I could hear the water turning on from the garage area and it made me crazy! I love my gardens, but I was not loving my water bill. Orangeville has metered water systems, and wow, it is expensive to irrigate a large garden. Not to mention, environmentally insensitive.
This year, I am removing one large garden. I will replace it with seed for now and hope that the little ground cover that is other parts of my "lawn" (I believe it is called "Ajuga") will creep up and take over the grass. Ajuga grows like mad, is great in shady areas it seems and is lovely to walk on. Plus, I found out last summer it doesn't need cutting!
I have also become really interested in Xeriscaping while I ponder my water-loving gardens. On a recent walk, I discovered a series of homes that have some great front yards very creatively xeriscaped. Xeriscaping just means "An environmentally friendly form of landscaping that uses a variety of indigenous and drought-tolerant plants, shrubs, and ground cover." These homes, located on Woodvale Court, feature scrubby trees and grasses, dry "streams", driftwood, stone pathways and sitting areas. They are lovely and interesting, and not a patch of turf is to be found. I will take a photo the next time I am by; this is an interesting stretch of street in Orangeville to be sure.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Feeling mushy
The gorgeous spring weather had some areas of town feeling mushy, as thawing ice flooded playfields and yards everywhere. The footpaths in open areas such as the one that leads from ODSS to Amelia Street were still icey and a bit treacherous on foot. Soon this will be a distant memory though...
However, a mere 8 months from now, we will once again be facing obstacles as we walk through our town. The Town of Orangeville council has recently put in place plans to clear all sidewalks in town limits. Right now, there is no by-law in place for residents to clear their own piece of sidewalk if they have one in front of their property. (More about the demise of the by-law in 1992 here.) Mayor Rob Adams said that this item should have been up for more discussion in the context of the overall town budget, as this will equate to an approximate 1 per cent increase in your yearly tax bill.
However, a mere 8 months from now, we will once again be facing obstacles as we walk through our town. The Town of Orangeville council has recently put in place plans to clear all sidewalks in town limits. Right now, there is no by-law in place for residents to clear their own piece of sidewalk if they have one in front of their property. (More about the demise of the by-law in 1992 here.) Mayor Rob Adams said that this item should have been up for more discussion in the context of the overall town budget, as this will equate to an approximate 1 per cent increase in your yearly tax bill.
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