silvergoldmagazine.ca
COMMUNITY
Simcoe Panorama
Back in 1959, a hush fell over the crowd as hundreds
gathered in Wellington Park, Simcoe, to witness the first
official light up of the Simcoe Christmas Panorama.
One by one, a total of six displays (original parade
floats) were lit to the ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhhs’ of onlookers.
Soon, strains of “Silent Night” could faintly be heard
from a nearby record player, and a new tradition was born.
Over the past fifty-plus-years there have been many
changes, but the charm of the first event still remains.
Now, there are over 60 displays in the park for people
to enjoy.
Simcoe Panorama has converted the entire park to
energy efficient light emitting diodes (LED technology).
Horse drawn trolley rides operate on many evenings
in December and it really is a lovely way to see the
lights. Thanks to a grant from the Ontario Trillium
Foundation, the adjoining Clifton Park is being re-lit
so that people can enjoy the show as they drive past
Hwy #24 and Hwy #3 in Simcoe. It’s getting bigger
and brighter all the time!
Designated “Top 100 event” by Festivals and Events
Ontario, Simcoe Panorama has not only become a
tradition for local residents but a “must do” for families
all across Southern Ontario, until January 3rd, 2016.
Visit www.simcoepanorama for details•
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At this time of the year, Royal Botanical Gardens’ (RBG)
resident turtles are tucked in tight for the winter, some species
buried in pond mud, while others are just holding close to
the bottom of a body of water. For those who bury in the
mud, it’s not just any mud they are looking for but mud in a
spring-fed pond, mud that won’t freeze, no matter how cold
the winter. This is only found in a few locations at RBG and
staff identified these areas during the background stage in
creating RBG’s turtle recovery plan.
2015 was the first year of implementing the turtle recovery
plan, and it was a remarkably good year both on-site and
for RBG partner organizations. Most famously they tracked
Blanding’s Turtles to nest sites, gathered and protected the
eggs, had 20 of the 22 eggs hatch and returned the young to
the wild. But there was much more — another 32 nests of
various turtle species were protected with temporary covers
and 10 other nests were gathered from hazardous locations
and incubated at RBG Centre. RBG volunteers helped by
sending information on where turtles were spotted.
Several new preferred nesting sites (sand piles) were created at
the back of Cootes Paradise, and turtles took to them straight
away. Most importantly, the marshy turtle homes of Cootes
Paradise and Grindstone Marsh are improving each year.
Complementing the marsh recovery work, a major initiative
to eliminate Phragmites (a large invasive reed) from the back
of Cootes Paradise began. This plant grows so large and dense
it smothers the native vegetation and becomes impenetrable
to animals like turtles.