Wild Winter in North Simcoe
By Linda Belcourt, Feb. 10, 2025
Winter can be so calm and peaceful. Strolling along with snow crunching under our feet with the large flakes slowly coming down creates a magical feeling. It can also be quite the opposite with biting winds and frostbitten fingers and toes that ache from the cold.
The large amount of snow that snowmobilers, skiers, snowshoe enthusiasts all rejoice over can also be back breaking amount of work that comes with shoveling.
Stormy winter weather affects various aspects of daily life. Roads become hazardous due to black ice and blizzards, causing accidents and travel delays. Power outages may leave homes in the dark and cold, and extreme temperatures can pose serious health risks, including frostbite and hypothermia. Damage can happen to our homes from too much snow on the roof. People are at a health risk if they can’t get medications or goods from the stores may run out.
On the other hand winter is good. As of February 10, 2025, school children of North Simcoe are enjoying the 14 snow days so far this winter.
When we experience a storm and people come together. I don’t know a single person that would not open their doors to someone stuck in the snow. Friendship and bonding happens when people help people. It makes us feel good.
On January 29th, 2025 there was an unexpected storm that blew through the Elmvale region. Highway 93 was suddenly closed from the beach to Elmvale. The alternate route of popular choice was the concession 10 west of Springwater. People should have stayed off the roads as warned but did not heed to the warning. As a result, there were an estimated 100 cars stranded. The locals came to the rescue and got every out safe. Martin Thiffault brought out his tow truck, Doug Graham got his loader into motion while Joe Moir attempted to stop people from going on the road.
Other local heros were Ward 1 Coun. Matt Garwood and Mayor Coughlin as they had the Elmvale Community Centre opened as a warming station and the stranded people were given refreshments and snacks.
There were many more local heros that day and that is a great example of what makes us proud Canadians that help neighbours without hesitation. Good or bad, winter is a big part of what makes us Canada.
