New Tecumseth, ON

I must confess to borrowing the term "snowmageddon" from my friend Anya, who used the term yesterday referring to the same snowfall at her home in Tottenham, about six miles south of me. I saw pictures posted by my friends in the neighbouring villages of Beeton, Tottenham and other parts of New Tecumseth, and it seems we have all been hit hard. The interesting thing is that areas to the east and west of us seem to have been spared. Locally, the other area to be hit hard was from Lake Huron down to London ON.

That said, I found digging out yesterday to be much harder. By late Monday night, the new snow was sounding much more "crunchy" when it was hitting the ground and overnight the temperature dropped significantly. The result was a much colder morning with significant wind chill. This was topped of with what felt like much heavier snow.

With my snow blower in urgent need of repair (note to myself - remember the cost of procrastination next fall), my wife and I had to clear the snow the old fashioned way. Snow Scoop and a variety of snow shovels were our tools. Alec attempted to help with his mini-shovel, but I must confess to pleading with him to go back inside as he seemed to hinder progress more than help it. Again yesterday, our neighbour came to our rescue. As our muscles were fatiguing, the sound of his ATV brought us relief.

It seems we have received between 30" and 36" of snow, with drifts to about five feet. It seems we have had more snow already than we have had in each of the last three years. The snow seems to have ended this morning, though I hear on the morning news that Barrie, a city about fifteen miles north-northeast of us is getting blasted at the rate of about four inches per hour.

Have a great day all =)

SANTA CLAUS EXPRESS: Tottenham Steam Train

Join in the fun and magic of Christmas with a trip in the tottenham steam train, hosted by the Jolly Old Soul himself SANTA CLAUS, and his elves. Such an exciting family trip aboard the steam train, kids will truly enjoy the experience especially when Ol' Saint Nick arrives. Fun for the whole family!!!!

Santa Express trains run on December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19 with four departures daily at 10:00, 11:30, 1:00 & 2:30 (except December 4th, two departures only at 1:00 & 2:30).

Click Here to see a post on last years Santa Claus Express

Advance reservations available here

Special event fares apply:

Adults $14, Children $8 including all taxes.

Babies under 3, not occupying a seat, are free. Children's fares apply to age 15 and under

The villages of the town of New Tecumseth are hosting local services for Remembrance Day, please come out and support our veterans.

Beeton: There will be a Remembrance Day dinner hosted at the Rotary Hall on Saturday November 6th.

There will be a service/parade on Sunday November 7th starting at 9:30am, the parade will start at the Beeton Legion and march to Trinity United Church. After Church the parade will march back to the Cenotaph for an 11:00am service. Following the service light refreshments will be served at the Legion.

Tottenham: A remembrance day dinner will be served at the Tottenham legion on Saturday November 6th. tickets are available at the bar for $12.50 each.

On Sunday November 7th, there will be a parade starting in front of the legion at 10:30am and marching to the Cenotaph, the parade will then return to the legion.

Alliston: A service and wreath laying will take place at the Alliston Legion on Thursday November 11th, starting at 10:30am, Dinner to follow at 6:00pm. Tickets are $15.00 each and will be available at the Legion until November 8th. You may also call 705-435-7922 for tickets.

We were having breakfast when my son yelled "Its snowing" ... and with that, the excitement of Halloween day grew to an even higher level...

Five minutes later when I left...

We have had a little snow on the ground one other day earlier this month, but we woke up to it and it melted within the hour. I took some quick pictures and here they are...

Alec wants to build a snowman. I told him that it would have to snow a bit longer before he could try and that I might be able to stay till he makes his first snowball of Fall 2010.

I have a happy wife and a happy son, and a miserable mother-in-law,
She does not appreciate snow and the portent of winter as much ;-)

If this snow sticks around, might make for an interesting Halloween night...

Came home at 4:30 pm and this was what greeted me... looks like all of you who didn't want to hear or see that "4 letter "S" word" won out, for now ... Safe trick or treating tonight =)

Notice the difference in the clouds back to front...

The Town of New Tecumseth was created in January 1991 and encompasses the former municipalities of the Town of Alliston, Villages of Beeton and Tottenham, and Tecumseth Township.

Tecumseth Township

The name Tecumseth came from a famous Shawnee Indian Chief called Tecumseh who fought and died for the British cause in 1813. A derivation of his name, Tecumseth, was given to the township on April 14, 1821 when the bill was passed in the Ontario Legislature establishing the names of the Townships that would make up Simcoe County.

Tecumseth Township was surveyed, in part, by Gabriel Lount in 1819 and by his son, George Lount, in 1832. The first influx of settlers came in about 1820, with most settling in the southeast quarter of the township.

Municipal government was first established in 1842 and the first town hall was erected in Penville in 1858 at the cost of $450.00. The first Reeve was Robert Cross (1850-1855) and he was selected by the Councillors and not by the popular vote.