With Thanksgiving approaching (Monday October 11th in Canada), we should be aware that the need for services at our food bank has increased by over 30% this year and that local food banks are in need of all basic, non-perishable foods.  The Good Shepherd Food Bank in Alliston is having its annual Thanksgiving Food drive and is looking for your non-perishable food donations and can and will also accept cash donations (providing tax receipts for cash donations). In New Tecumseth, drop off your food donations at the Cookstown Foodland, either the Zehr's or the Sobey's in Alliston, the Everett legion on County Road 13 (between 9 am and 4 pm) or to your local Church. Not local to Alliston?  Look around, food banks in every community are in dire need of supplies at this time of the year. Help... 10/01/2010

Time of Use Charges for electricity usage has been in place for different areas in Ontario for a while now, but today, October 1st, 2010 is the day that time of use periods and pricing will apply to residential properties in New Tecumseth.  Our old electric meter was replaced by a new digital electric meter last summer, but until today, it had been playing "dumb" ;-) As of today, all our meters become "SMART" Perhaps this is incentive enough for you to start making "better" choices resulting in less energy wastage and keeping more of your hard earned $$$ in your pocket. To find out more information of TOU periods and pricing as well as links to previous posts on Saving Our Planet, CLICK HERE 09/30/2010

Thinking of buying a home in the near future? Buying a home is a major decision.    What you do and what you have done can cost you.  Make sure that you are prepared.  This is a great short You Tube video illustrating five steps that every home buyer should be doing. If you are looking for affordable living close to the GTA, consider South Simcoe.  Conveniently located near good commuter travel routes, you might just fall in love with some of the family friendly towns in New Tecumseth. Like more information? Contact me and find out for yourself. 09/15/2010

I have known Tammy Nesbitt for about a year. Tammy owns and operates T.N. Hair Studio and Spa located at Kingsmere Retirement Community in Alliston. She is also an LNT and a PSW. Tammy has cut and coloured both my wife and my mother-in-law's hair for a number of years and at a point in time when I was unhappy with my haircuts, both Helen and my mother-in-law suggested I try Tammy. Tammy is an experienced professional and I haven't been happier with my haircuts in a very long time (way back to a time when I had a lot more hair ;-) A few months ago, I became aware that Tammy also offered hand and foot care services to people in New Tecumseth and surrounding areas in their own homes. I am a type II diabetic (have been for almost twenty years now) and have been told to take special care of ... 08/21/2010

Is your home TOO LARGE? Spending too much time maintaining your property? Want more freedom?Condominium Apartments are not for you?Consider Tecumseth Pines, a adult lifestyle community of detached bungalows!!! Detached Bungalow in Tecumseth Pines, an Adult Community north of Toronto Overview Maps Photos Features Description Neighborhood $179,000 Single Family HomeFor Sale Main Features 2 Bedrooms2 Bathrooms Location 6 Tamarack CourtNew Tecumseth, ON L0G 1W0 Chris Smith Prudential Ronan Realty, Brokerage1.888.936.4216chris@ronanrealty.comhttp://www.chris-smith.ca Listed by: Prudential Ronan Realty Our recent listings Adult Lifestyle Detached BungalowDetached Bungalow in Adult CommunityDetached Bungalow in Tecumseth Pines, an Adult Community north of TorontoEntertainer's Dream Home in Pre... 04/23/2010

Considering Downsizing? Condominium Apartments are not for you? Consider Tecumseth Pines, a adult lifestyle community of detached bungalows!!! Detached Bungalow in Adult Community Overview Maps Photos Features Description Neighborhood $214,500 Single Family HomeFor Sale Main Features 2 Bedrooms2 Bathrooms Location 9 Cedar CourtNew Tecumseth, ON L0G1W0 Chris Smith Prudential Ronan Realty, Brokerage1.888.936.4216chris@ronanrealty.comhttp://www.chris-smith.ca Listed by: Prudential Ronan Realty Our recent listings Adult Lifestyle Detached BungalowDetached Bungalow in Adult CommunityDetached Bungalow in Tecumseth Pines, an Adult Community north of TorontoEntertainer's Dream Home in Prestigious Glen Abbey Ravine Location Subscribe to our listing feed See more New Tecumseth, ON real estate for... 04/23/2010

Adult Lifestyle Detached Bungalow Overview Maps Photos Features Description Neighborhood Open House $234,900 Single Family HomeFor Sale Main Features 2 Bedrooms2 Bathrooms Location 77 Tecumseth Pines Dr.New Tecumseth, ON L0G 1W0 Chris Smith Prudential Ronan Realty, Brokerage1.888.936.4216chris@ronanrealty.comhttp://www.chris-smith.ca Listed by: Prudential Ronan Realty Our recent listings Adult Lifestyle Detached BungalowDetached Bungalow in Adult CommunityDetached Bungalow in Tecumseth Pines, an Adult Community north of TorontoEntertainer's Dream Home in Prestigious Glen Abbey Ravine Location Subscribe to our listing feed See more New Tecumseth, ON real estate for sale 04/23/2010

Sometimes (perhaps most of the time) we just shouldn't listen to the news.  With trepidation anticipating the type of line-ups that all the local news broadcasters have been reporting, I, my wife and my son decided to have our H1N1 flu shot yesterday.   As we drove into the parking lot at Earnest Cumberland School, we were pleasantly surprised. After hearing all the fear mongering over the long wait times, to see a sparsely populated parking lot (in all perhaps 25 cars was very positive).  My wife, who is always a step or two ahead of us, brought a toy computer and other games to keep our five year old entertained for what we expected to be a long wait. It looked like we wouldn't need them. We were greeted efficiently and courteously by staff at the front door who made sure we fit the c... 11/08/2009

Thought for today.  Most everyone showers.  Have you considered a low-flow shower head?  They still produce excellent water pressure while using less water.  I have heard (but haven't bought) of one that also aerates the water.  A low flow shower head is a very cost-effective way to help conserve our water. Do you turn of the water when you soap up?  Studies have shown that that little step can save twenty-five to thirty-five percent of the water you consume while showering. Some shower heads have a convenient lever to shut off water flow. And saving that water has a far an even greater total conservation effect when you consider the overall environmental cost.  By that I mean the energy cost of bringing the water to your home and the energy cost of treating the water (if you are not on... 11/04/2009

When: Wednesday November 18th @ 7:00 pm Where: The Gibson Centre, 63 Tupper Street West, Alliston Join us for an informative evening featuring the following speakers: RBC: Patricia Warren, Jane Mackichan (Mortgage Specialists) Prudential Ronan Realty: Ingrid McNeill, Dave Sgro, Chris Smith, Elise Tomlinson and Joanne Urbanski (Realtors) No Drafts.com: Ken Barrett (Home Energy Evaluations) Lighthouse Inspections: David Cook (Home Inspector) Paul Gastaldi (Solicitor) CMHC: Adrienne Keyzer Presented By:                Our Goal is to provide you with the information to assist you in making an educated decision, whether you are planning to buy, sell, or renovate your home. RSVP Today to ensure your seat by calling: Paula Carney @ (705) 435-4336 or (905) 936-4216 11/04/2009

Prioirty Groups will be eligible for H1N1 flu vaccinations at Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit's first local H1N1 Flu clinic on: Friday November 6th @ New Tecumseth Recreation Complex fieldhouse (7300 Industrial Parkway) from 10 am to 8 pm Saturday November 7th @ Ernest Cumberland Elementary School gymnasium (160 8th Ave) from 10 am to 8 pm. other clinics will be held on Nov. 13,14,21,24 and 26th (see link below for details) Per the direction of Simcoe Muskoka Health Unit, priority groups include: people under 65 with chronic medical conditions children from 6 months up to 5 years old household members and care providers of people at a high risk of getting H1N1 but cannot get immunized themselves health care workers pregnant women For more complete information on local clinics, visit... 11/04/2009

November 11th, Remembrance Day, easy to miss the significance of this day in our busy lives.  This day, unlike so many others is not another contrivance of modern marketing, but a day set aside for us to pay tribute to the sacrifices so many made before us so that we can enjoy the freedom we take for granted. We buy our poppies and we honour our veterans on this day, even have a "moment of silence" ... but somehow it doesn't seem to be enough.  I was playing darts at the Port Credit Legion Hall years ago, and in between games I happened to sit at a table with a veteran of World War 2.  He had been there many times in the past, and I had never spoken to him more than perhaps a perfunctory greeting.  I am not sure what prompted our conversation that day, but I thanked him for choosing to ... 11/03/2009

The town of New Tecumseth is located in the southernmost tip of Simcoe County, northwest of Toronto, between Newmarket and Orangeville, New Tecumseth contains three larger villages, Alliston, Beeton and Tottenham and a number of hamlets located among rolling treed countryside dotted with many diverse farms. Easy access to Highways 9, 27, 50 (both leading to Hwy 427) and 400 allows great commuter routes to areas of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) and the GGHA (Greater Golden Horseshoe Area). Attractive home prices, community living, a more relaxed lifestyle and an aboundance of green space are some of the features that are pulling new residents to the areas to the south. First Time Buyers: Affordable homes in friendly communities with the amenities that young families need draw first time... 10/27/2009

Let me start by saying that you would definitely not call me a "tree hugger" ... I have come to this party much later than many of the pioneers proselytizing out there. For me, the genesis was pragmatism.  I could save money by wasting less. Simple. As I started to investigate, I realized there was much more to this.  To see how much we, collectively have destroyed in the last forty years jolts you.  To try and foresee the future of mankind on this planet if we continue to waste as we are doing right now, absolutely terrifies me. Its amazing how much of our behaviour has been modified by constant onslught of marketing and advertising in the various media?  ... and at what cost? Disposable anything and everything... Packaging ... chemicals ... The ideal might be life with a carbon neutra... 10/23/2009

View Larger Map 10/19/2009

Wanting to downsize?   Tired of all the maintenance involved with home ownership?  Want to take extended vacations? Consider Tecumseth Pines!! For a Google Map of Tecumseth Pines, click here: Tec Pines An established affordable planned adult community north of Toronto amid rolling hills overlooking forests affords you the opportunity to relax and enjoy life. Located off Highway 9, south of Tottenham, west of Schomberg, this small community boasts three basic 2-Bedroom bungalow models ("Birch", "Sycamore" and "Cypress").  Many have been upgraded to include a garage and a number of homes have basements. A Recreation centre offers home owners use of a Pool, Tennis Court, Shuffleboard, Bocce, Billiards,Exercise Room, Library, and a stocked pond. For more information, visit my website: www.c... 10/16/2009