Enjoying Model T time in Trent Hills

Never ending summer offers great chance to get outside

First of all a correction: In my story on Thursday about the Sunny Life apartment building the email I sent out said the public meeting is this Tuesday, Sept. 24, but it is actually Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers. I spotted the error right away and fixed it on the website, but didn’t want to fill your inbox with another email.

One of the many Model Ts out on the road this morning.

Today, I decided to enjoy the continuing warm weather and take a break from researching a story about the somewhat controversial topic of on-farm-diversified-uses in Trent Hills and elsewhere. I hope to have that story ready this week or next.

So, I went off for a bike ride and was enjoying the leaves and quiet of Beaver Rd. when I met a Model T Ford, and another one, and then another one. I know several car collectors and T lovers so I realized I had stumbled onto the path of a fall rally. Realizing there were probably more cars coming I got off the bike and started taking some pictures. A few of them are here.

It was a great day for a bike ride and a great day for a T or Model A ride. Ford no longer makes passenger cars, other than the Mustang, so it was fun to see how the industry started out.

Just some of the smiling drivers and passengers enjoying the warm wind in their hair.

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Update on the end of Seymour swimming

The story I wrote last week about the Lower Trent Conservation Authority’s decision to post no-swimming signs at  Seymour Conservation Area attracted some comments from readers who thought it was silly to worry about liability concerns.

I think this story in today’s The Globe and Mail gives some insight into the Lower Trent’s actions. The family of Pari Nadim, a woman who was killed last summer when a tree branch fell on her while she was sitting in Trinity Bellwoods, one of the city’s most popular parks, is suing the city for $1 million.

The Globe story says: “The statement of claim names the plaintiffs as Parvin Nadimi, the sister of Ms. Nadimi, and the victim’s child, Alireza Rehmati Aghjeh. They are seeking damages to compensate for “loss of guidance, care and companionship” that they “might reasonably have expected to receive” had she not died.”

Lawsuits such as this one are why municipalities and conservation authorities are so cautious.

By the way, on my return bike ride I swung by Seymour Conservation to see if anything had changed. The signs warning of a steep drop are still up, but the no-swimming signs have not reappeared. There is a sign on one notice board.

But I looked a the green, turbid water and concluded that no one with any sense would want to go swimming in the pit, at least not at this time of year.