Anten Mills by Dennis Gannon
August 25, 2024 – Wow, where did the summer go? Here it is the last weekend of the summer and already some college and university students have made their way to their campus. Tuesday morning the bells will ring for most of our elementary and high school students and a new school year will begin. September starts the busy season for many and here in our community it’s going to be a great one!
The euchre players have been missing their game but not to worry, they are back in the community centre starting next Thursday, September 5 at 7PM. All are welcome regardless of your skill and if you enjoy cards then you won’t want to miss joining in. Euchre will continue until mid December.
The Knotty Knitters are also ready to get back together. This group will commence on Tuesday, September 3 at 1PM. The knitters are a very social group. You don’t even need to knit or crochet to join this group. If you want to knit or crochet or learn to do either then this is where you want to be. If you wish to just be social and meet up with friends from the community you are welcome as well. The Knotty Knitters have been very generous as they in the short time together have made donations to the Elmvale and District Food Bank, Furry Friends and Victoria Village to name just a few of the groups they have supported. Recently the group received an extremely generous donation from the Anten Mills family of Wendy Krever. Wendy and her husband Bill haven’t lived in the community that long and sadly she passed away in July. Wendy had a lifetime history of working with Seniors and would have had a wonderful time with the knitters had it been possible. The community sends their sympathies to her family and thanks them for their generosity in her name and know that the knitters will do great things in Wendy’s memory.
Saturday, September 28 is going to be another day to remember in the village. That’s the day the now annual Anten Mills Artisans Craft and Food Fair will take place at the community centre. Roslyn has done a fabulous job of organizing this event and on top of that, she’s added a Chili Cook Off. New this year, Roslyn is looking for 8 local residents who think that they have the best chili.These can be any type of chili, meat, chicken, vegetarian and it’s going to be the tasters who decide the winner. Besides bragging rights, three winners will receive nice gift basket prizes. If you think that your chili is the best, then enter the contest. You need to email Roslyn at farmview@on.aibn.com for more details on how to enter.
The craft fair will also have the best pancake breakfast around where you can get 2 pancakes, 2 sausages for 2 Tonnies. The breakfast is in support of the Elmvale and District Food Bank so come hungry that day and get some fabulous treasures and filled stomachs. More details are available on the Anten Mills Community Facebook page so check it regularly for updates.
Accompanying this article you will see a photo that may look a bit strange. Anten Mills 150 and 2025 – 1875. Just what does that mean? Obviously the building on the left is our current community centre and the former Anten Mills school house. The building on the right is believed to be the original school house. According to the book, “ A History of Vespra Township “, in 1875 Anten Mills became a community with the construction of a school. It is believed that the school could accommodate up to 90 students. The original school was replaced by our current community centre in 1891 and the first students went to school there in 1892. As the village was part of the former Township of Vespra, the community was never incorporated but we know it as our community and next year we will celebrate 150 years.
In 2021 following a detailed assessment by the township Heritage Committee, the building was deemed to be of heritage significance and was designated a Heritage Building by Springwater Township and listed accordingly. Some of the assets which were seen are the school bell and tower, original trim throughout the building as well as random width tongue and groove wainscoting on the walls and ceiling.
In recognition of the 150th anniversary, the Anten Mills Community Recreation Association has requested that the bell and tower be restored to working condition, the drop ceiling be removed and the original tongue and groove ceiling be restored with period appropriate lighting and that the floors be replaced with a luxury vinyl, plank flooring replicating the hardwood below. It is understood that this request will be discussed at the next council meeting on September 4. The support of the community is needed and you are asked to reach out to your council member to encourage them to include the request as they work on the 2025 municipal budget. Our Ward 3 council member is Brad Thompson and his email is Brad.Thompson@Springwater.ca. You can find other members’ contact information on the Springwater website or their new app.
The true formation of our community for 150 years should be celebrated. What that celebration looks like is up to the community. Is it a one day reunion or is it included in all the events that the community holds throughout the year. Should there be banners and a logo and perhaps some swag? Could there be a dance or some other gathering? Perhaps it’s storytelling from some of the people who have made Anten Mills their home for decades. In order to think about this the CRA is inviting current and former residents young and old to a brainstorming session on Tuesday, September 10 at the community centre beginning at 7:30 PM. The purpose is to see what interest there is. All comments are welcome and your support is appreciated. Anten Mills is our community so let’s celebrate our community and the 150 years of being together.
That’s it for this week. Remember to watch for school buses and kids as they return to school next week. Enjoy the long weekend and as always, THANKS for READING, BE WELL and STAY SAFE.
