Rain barrels capture and store rain water collected from roofs through downspouts.  They provide chlorine-free and fluoride-free water which is ideal for flowers, vegetables, lawns, shrubs and trees.  Rain barrels divert clean water from sewer systems and can provide cost savings for homeowners who currently pay to have water trucked in or who have a water meter installed.

Each rain barrel available through the MSS Horticulture Club is equipped with a mosquito and leaf debris filter basket, an overflow hose, an outlet to join rain barrels together in series and a spigot at the bottom which can be connected to a standard garden hose.  These environmentally friendly products were once used to import fruits and vegetables and have been refurbished and repurposed to offer years of reliable services as rain barrels.  They are available in three colours including grey, terracotta and black.  All orders must be placed online in advance at www.RainBarrel.ca/MSS or by calling 705-526-7817 ext. 41840.

Get your rain barrel today – compare ours at $60 each with those at the local home improvement stores at over $120 plus tax!  Support teens in growing their future.

Contest winnings would go toward creating outdoor classroom

MSS club in running for $20,000 prize. The Midland Secondary School horticulture club is the lone Simcoe County representative in the Majesta Trees of Knowledge contest, the winner of which will receive $20,000 to create an outdoor classroom. Submitted photo

MIDLAND – The Midland Secondary School horticulture club needs votes.
The club is one of 10 finalists for the Majesta Trees of Knowledge $20,000 outdoor classroom contest. The prize would help pay for items such as topsoil, loam materials, boulders/furniture (large rocks, logs and stumps), trees, shrubs and planters.
Teacher/librarian Wendy Bumstead said she learned about the contest after being sent an email last spring.
“We’re always applying for grants to help the club,” she said, adding the plan is to create a green space in front of the school between the driveway and Hugel Avenue.
“We thought it would be a high-profile spot,” she said. “It would be an outdoor classroom (that) could be used by students as a social place, and then we thought the community would end up using it by default.”
MSS is the only school in Simcoe County to make the top 10. Voting begins Wednesday at www.majesta.com.
“We are trying to improve the school – both inside and out,” said Bumstead. “We want to provide another area for learning.”