His and hers garage doors in King City

Photo by Barry Wallace

Taking art to the streets on Clearview Heights

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Barry Wallace

Legend of John Deere is everywhere

 Photos by Barry Wallace

Here's the the latest addition to a collection of old vehicles and implements (including an airplane) that are to be found on a property on the north side of the 15th Sideroad, west of Bathurst Street.   It is a John Deere Model A General Purpose tractor.   John Deere began making this tractor in 1934.   It featured a 3-wheel (actually 4 wheels) tricycle design, to improve maneuverability and reduce the efforts of steering between market garden plants.   Eight versions of the John Deere Model A GP tractor were built during the twenty years of its production, between 63 and 83 years ago.   Notice in particular the narrow, multi-spoked rear tires.

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Barry Wallace

Maple Syrupfest a big hit at Cold Creek

                                                                                                                             Photos by Barry Wallace

Making maple syrup

Nigel Hussey, a Cold Creek Executive Committee member, was busy for four hours this past Sunday, showing 'Syrupfest' attendees, adults and children, how to make maple syrup.   Nearby, a volunteer was serving partially frozen maple syrup on a stick that was a big hit with adults and especially the children.   Below are the heavy horses, and one of their handlers, that were providing dozens and dozens of rides for the hundreds of folks and kids.   The horses, Bailey (on the right) and her daughter, Chase (on the left) were gentle giants, as every kid going for a ride just had to pat the horses' noses.  

One of the big highlights of the day for the kids and their parents, was a reptile collection of snakes and turtles (including a Snapping Turtle) from a herpetological preserve in Orillia.   It was a hands-on experience that the kids loved and there were hundreds of pictures taken of the interaction by parents.   The snakes in these photos were Corn Snakes (with the orange bands) and a very big black Rat Snake.   One of the Corn Snakes tried to tie itself into a bow (see below), much to everyone's amusement.

This lad from Aurora, who was completely taken with the snakes, just had to have a snake when asked by a face-painter what he wanted her to paint.   His younger brother also then had to have a snake painted on his face also.   While the snakes were a big hit at the Visitors Centre, the Education Centre was packed as every person in attendance had a plateful of pancakes, maple syrup and three strips of bacon.   All in all, pretty darned good for just $10 per vehicle! 

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Barry Wallace

Bell's Lake ~ Hwy. 27 ~ north of Nobleton

                                                                                                                               Photo by Barry Wallace

Canada Geese awaiting thaw

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Barry Wallace

Near King City...

Photo by Barry Wallace

  Bent by decades of north-west winds

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Barry Wallace

West of Temperanceville...

Photo by Barry Wallace

Advent of spring soars in many forms

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Barry Wallace

What of Keele Street proposals in King City?

 Photos by Barry Wallace

The status of 12,800 Keele Street, the original site of the Watson Potato Chip factory, is currently described by the Township of King Councillor Cleve Mortellitti as moving through the normal process but GO Train railway issues and King Township issues with Keele Street access and egress have yet to be resolved.   He also told me that this proposal could be ultimately resolved by the end of the year.   The proposal, as posted on a sign on the property, calls for 60 stacked condominium townhouse units in three 3-storey buildings plus 270 square metres (2,700 sq. ft.) of commercial space.

Meanwhile across the street, and a wee bit south, the old Clearview Motors property, recently sold, has a sign (see bottom photo) which states that a site plan development application has been submitted for 48 stacked townhomes (at a density of 109 units per hectare) and measuring four storeys high.   The proposal is shortly to be presented to anyone interested, at a public meeting arranged by the developer, not the Township of King.   Again Councillor Mortellitti commented to me that from what he knows of the proposal, it fails to measure up on many counts and that the process will be long and drawn-out.   Overall, it seems nothing is imminent.

Please comment if you wish. 

Barry Wallace