ICE STORM 2025
Andy Forrest washed his hair – not once, but twice – April 7 as he luxuriated in his first shower in 10 days at the Minden Hills warming centre.
The East Moore Lake resident was on day 10 of no electricity and although he has a generator, it is not hooked up to his hot water heater.
He did have a couple of bird baths at the sink, but was not keen on a cold shower, saying, “I’m allergic to them, I break out in goosebumps.”
Emerging from the front doors of the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena, which has housed a 24-hour warming centre since the afternoon of March 31 – and is still going 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. as of press time – Forrest said he’d been advised by Hydro One his power would be on by 9 p.m. April 8. However, he had heard that before with messages to his spotty cell phone service. He said he had yet to see a Hydro One truck on his road. He admitted we was “getting tired of it.”
They have a woodstove, and a generator, but it only runs in six hours-on, six hoursoff shifts. Propane is running low and they’d already shelled out $1,100.
But, at least, he felt clean for the first time since the ice storm on Monday – hoping he would not have to come back for a warming centre shower.
Angelique Short usually comes to the rec centre to use the walking track, but was this week using Wi-Fi. She has been without power, internet and phone service for a spell and it was cold. She was having a coffee and eating a snack. Philosophically, she thought the experience was about “learning to know what it is like to have less. Sleeping in a place like this makes you appreciate you have a little more, and if you can get through this, you can get through anything.”
Centre still open 14 hours a day
Staff bonding
Nabanita Mondal, a Minden Hills planning technician, is one of many municipal employees who have been staffing the centre. She’s been there every day with the exception of Sunday. She has done it all: greeted people and signed them in; given them shower tokens; aided in the kitchen; provided food and beverages; helped people get clean drinking water; and pointed out places to connect devices.
A new employee, Mondal said it was a unique way to get to know other township, as well as County of Haliburton, staff. “We all came together. It gives a sense of community service as well.” She said she would look back and say, “remember that time we were making soup and chopping garlic?”
In the kitchen, Mondal joins Krista McAlpine, Donelda Smith, and Kerrah Folls.
“A lot of cooking,” McAlpine, “the head chef,” said of the experience, including vats of soup and chili, sandwiches, waffles, French toast and eggs.
McAlpine said she now had new friends in a township that has scattered departments. “We don’t cross paths, so when you all get thrown into this, you get to know each other’s personalities.”
Amanda Dougherty, the township’s planner by day, added, “obviously nobody wants to be in a situation where the community needs a warming centre, but it’s been pretty rewarding to be able to be here. We’re seeing a lot of community members. We’re getting good feedback. It’s nice to be able to help them in a different way.”
In the hall, Lisa Bjorkquist of Hydro One was busy at a table. She was asked for an interview, but declined, saying she was too busy, and The Highlander believed her.
Director of community services, Candace McGuigan said that as of April 6, 444 people had utilized the warming centre since opening.
