The Creemore
Echo
Friday, October 17, 2014 Vol. 14 No. 42 thecreemoreecho.com
Inside the Echo
Take refuge
Exchanging ideas
PAGE 5
PAGE 8
The Sanctuary offers yoga and pilates
Globe trotting teachers
Publications Mail Agreement # 40024973
Arson investigated at Collingwood high
Staff photo: Fred Mills
Huntsman John Harrison and whipper-in Rosslyn Balding lead the Toronto and North York Hunt field along Mill Street Saturday with the hounds in front.
Ride to hounds steeped in English tradition by Trina Berlo First come the hounds. Then come the huntsman and the whipper-in, followed by the horses with their mounts; men in red and the women in black, all are sporting the blue collar of the Toronto and North York Hunt. It has become an annual tradition to line the streets and await the hunt as it rides to hounds on Thanksgiving weekend against the backdrop of picturesque Mill Street’s fall colours. “It’s a thank you to all the people for their support of us being in the area because people have indicated they really enjoy seeing the horses and hounds,” said Constance Boldt, a 14-year-member of the hunt and area resident. “We’ve met with such enthusiasm.” The Toronto and North York Hunt, founded in 1843, is the second oldest hunt in Canada. It started in Toronto, on the shore of Lake Ontario, as the Toronto Hunt. The
original location is now a golf club of the same name. They had to move northward to escape development and vehicle traffic. The hunt’s stables are now located south of Creemore where it employs a full-time professional huntsman, whose job it is to care for the pack of English foxhounds, owned by the hunt. The hunt has about 30 active members of all ages who ride twice per week during the season, and another 30 to 40 associate members. In the spring and fall, members of the hunt head out on parcels of land where they have gained permission to ride, near Creemore, Singhampton, Maxwell and Thornbury. Riding to hounds is an English fox hunting tradition. Boldt said in England, riders would meet in a small village with their horses and hounds and go off to hunt. It became so popular that people formed hunts where the dogs would
be kept together in a kennel and cared for by the huntsman. It remains popular with riders who want to get out into the countryside. “It’s unbelievable how wonderful it is to go out in all weather and the countryside is so beautiful,” said Boldt. Those who don’t want to go through the rolling hills at high speeds or jump fences and streams can join the hilltoppers, who take the high road so they can get a good view of all the action. The hunters do not carry weapons. The hounds sniff out and kill their prey, usually coyotes in these parts. On the day of the Creemore ride, it is usually just a parade because time constraints and distance prevent the riders from having time to go hunting. The parade has become an annual community event and a tourist attraction. “We’re always thrilled, it’s just a really nice feeling to know that people enjoy the horses and hounds, it’s really fun,” Boldt. “We now see it as
A fire in the lavatory at Collingwood Collegiate Institute Tuesday afternoon is being investigated as arson. Representatives from the office of the fire marshal wrapped up an on site investigation at the school Wednesday morning. Collingwood Fire Chief Trent Elyea said he could not comment about whether or not there are any suspects or if charges will be laid. Fire crews were called to the school at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 14. The damage is contained to the washroom where the fire started. Elyea said a restoration company is cleaning up the area where the fire took place. The school was evacuated and one wing of the school remained closed during the investigation. The school had to be ventilated because smoke had poured into the hallway. Elyea said the smoke had to be ventilated through one of the shops. Students were asked to report to their fourth-period classroom 15 minutes early Wednesday to pick up their belongings left behind during the evacuation.
All candidates meeting in Mulmur
The Mono Mulmur Citizens Coalition is hosting an all candidates meeting at the Mulmur Township office in Terra Nova from 10 a.m. to noon. Coalition president John MacFarlane will moderate. He said all four candidates for council and the mayor and deputy mayor, both acclaimed, will be given three minutes each at the beginning of the meeting to introduce their platforms and another three minutes each at the end to sum up. The rest of the meeting is dedicated to an open mic format questions from the audience. The township office is located 758070 2nd Line East in Terra Nova. Turn to page 6, for a Q&A with those running for council in Mulmur.
Taking care of buyers and sellers in Mulmur and the Creemore hills for 38 years
RCR Realty. Brokerage
Ginny MacEachern
(705) 444-1414 10230 Highway 26 East, Collingwood E-mail info@collingwood.toyota.ca
B.A., Broker
The Town & Country Agent with the City Connections 1-800-360-5821• 705-466-2607 • maceachern.ginny@gmail.com www.ginnymaceachern.com