Anten Mills – by Dennis Gannon
A question for you. If you have about half a dozen kids, six adults and three snowblowers what do you get? Don’t know? Well the answer is a skating rink! On a clear and cold Thursday night, the group got together and cleared almost 2 feet of snow off of the multi purpose pad at the community centre and started the ice season for the year. Last year the rink had a very limited season due to Mother Nature deciding that we should have warm temperatures. This year hopefully it’s not the same and a quick look at the long range weather forecast indicates that while we may get snow, the temperature for the most is going to remain on the colder side in the foreseeable future. That means that the ice should be good for at least the month if not more. The rink is open to all with no scheduled time for shinny hockey or recreational skating. For many years courtesy and consideration for all has worked out well at the rink. If there is a mixture of recreation skaters and shinny players they are asked each to stay on one half of the ice surface. That way everyone can enjoy the time. The rink is looked after by volunteers and the community thanks Chad for looking after it for a number of years. This year Casey is doing her best to help out and it can’t be limited to her family only. There is a Facebook post on the Anten Mills Community Bulletin page and if you can assist it would be appreciated. If you are using the rink and it needs the snow removed, there are shovels available and you are asked to do your part. Watch for updates on the Facebook page.
With the snowy conditions we have this is a reminder that other than in parking areas, motorized vehicles which include snow machines and atvs are not permitted in the parks. There were reports that some machines had made their way onto the rink which obviously will damage it. Please have consideration for others if you ride a machine and follow the rules.
We live in a reasonably safe community where crime rarely rears its ugly head. There was a report that unfortunately unknown individuals made their way into a home one evening recently and removed items not belonging to them. If you see or know of criminal activity the first contact should be to the OPP as they are and have the best resources to deal with these problems. If it is an emergency then call 911. Otherwise they can be reached by cell by dialling *OPP or *677. While the community Facebook page is a great resource you are reminded that sharing information on criminal activity that could possibly identify individual(s) is not allowed and should be left to the proper authorities to deal with.
The Knotty Knitters kicked off the year with a great turnout these past couple of weeks. They support many community projects with their knitting and are in need of some supplies. If you have yarn that you no longer need they can use it. It can be dropped off any Tuesday afternoon between 1 and 3 at the community centre. If that is not possible then send Joan an email at sweetgannon@gmail.com. There are knitters in Snow Valley, Minesing, Orr Lake and Anten Mills who are able to assist.
Have you noticed that the days are getting a bit longer? Every day we are receiving more than a minute of daylight to the day. By the end of the month the sun will set around 5:30. Spring is only 63 days away.
The Anten Mills Celebrate 150 group met this past week working out some logistics and budget. Last fall they asked for logo submissions and soon you will be seeing the results. Saturday, September 13 is the day that the village celebrates our 150 years so mark your calendars now.
Brian Keyes did a great article on our community history in the last edition of the paper and he continues the story this week on Hendrie, the community we almost became. Be sure that you read it.
That’s all for this week. As always THANKS for READING, BE WELL and STAY SAFE.
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Anten Mills 150 Years 2025-1875
Hendrie … a village that wasn’t? – by Brian Keyes, Jan. 12, 2025
In 1878, the railroads were spreading across Canada including Simcoe County. William Hendrie was a railroad contractor who had been tasked with building the North Simcoe Railway (NSR) from just west of Barrie running north to Penetang. Just over the Vespra/Flos Townline (Horseshoe Valley Road), a railway station was built near the Coughlin Sideroad beside the Michael Coughlin farm. It was named in honour of Mr. Hendrie and was known as Hendrie Station.
The impact of the railroads (eg. NSR) in those years were very important as roadways were not developed or were in such condition making them impassable except in the summer months. Local lumber and pulpwood were a primary resource that was transported by rail to market. Agriculture products such as grain and livestock were also moved by rail. The local general store received goods by train including fresh bread daily from a bakery in Barrie. The postmaster collected incoming mail and delivered outgoing mail each day at the station house. Local children who wanted to attend secondary school took the train to and from Barrie each day.
The Hendrie name became important locally as we see today. The Hendrie Forest (story in next edition) is a well known local landmark. Hendrie Road is now the official name of what was previously 5/6 Sideroad. The lake on Golfcourse Road is Hendrie Lake. The hill on Townline (Horseshoe Valley Road) below the old railway line is called Hendrie Hill. In the late 1800s a plan was drawn to build a road off the Townline at the bottom of the Hendrie hill and this would be called Hendrie Village. This never came to pass!
The NSR became the Grand Trunk Railway which was bought by Canadian National Railway (CNR). In March of 1978 the last whistle blew as the final train passed through Anten Mills (Hendrie Station). In 1992 the tracks were removed and the rail-bed property was sold to local government by CNR for a recreational trail.
The next time you go for a walk, take photographs, walk your dog or ride your bike on the North Simcoe Rail Trail section in Anten Mills, listen carefully to see if you hear the whistle of the train as it pulls into Hendrie Station.