This week, high school and elementary students, faculty and staff – as well as parents, guardians, siblings, aunts and uncles and grandparents – are busy attending graduation ceremonies and clap-outs.
It’s an exciting time of year. Not only does it mark the end of the school year, but the beginning of summer here in cottage country.
Starting today, we’ll see thousands of seasonal residents return to their cottages for the Canada Day long weekend. There’ll be a fair contingent of visitors, too.
We welcome them.
For those who have not read The Highlander from afar, it is timely to remind our seasonal residents and visitors of a few things.
Like all of Ontario, indeed Canada and the world, the cost of living has impacted Highlands’ residents and businesses. While our accommodators, tourism providers, restaurants, and retailers generally head into summer with a jump in their step, this year sees them more nervous about what the season will hold. Even our usually buoyant real estate market is off to a slow start.
While we know you already contribute to the local economy via your tax bills, we do encourage you to buy your groceries, alcohol and gas at local outlets. We ask you to patronize County restaurants, craft breweries, support tourism, and other service providers.
Many of you already know that Haliburton County shares the dubious distinction – along with Manitoulin Island – of being one of the poorest counties in Ontario. You’d hardly guess that in the summer as the Teslas pepper the streets of Haliburton, Minden and Wilberforce. However, the tale of the haves and have nots in our County has been a sad one for too many years. Some say we have invested too much in tourism, and the cottage industry, and not enough elsewhere. That may be true.
This weekend will feature a cornucopia of Canada Day events in which seasonal residents and visitors can get a taste of what Haliburton County’s small communities are all about. In addition, Dorset is hosting its heritage days and arts and craft show on Saturday.
While out and about, have a close look at our main streets and storefronts. Ask yourself if you think they are thriving? Do they look as prosperous as they did when you first arrived 10 years ago, or 20, or more?
In an age of online shopping, and access to big box retail stores, it’s easy to order online or stock up on supplies before coming to the Highlands. We have no doubt it would also be cheaper. However, for our towns to thrive – Haliburton, Minden, Wilberforce and all of those other hamlets, we need you to shop local.
Stop into Robinsons’ General Store in Dorset and Agnew’s in Wilberforce. Patronize the West Guilford and Eagle Lake country markets. Stop by the Lucky Dollar in Gooderham. Grab take away from the River Cone, or a scoop from Kawartha Dairy or Cool Licks. The list goes on and on. Each of our towns boast small businesses that will not only welcome your hard-earned dollars, but greet you with a smile and a friendly chat. You won’t get that from Amazon or Costco.
Welcome back. We’re here to support you, just as we know you’re here to support us.
