Hundreds of participants will descend on Haliburton Forest over the next couple of weekends, looking to push the pain threshold.

They will be competing in the trail race the Sept. 9-10 weekend, followed by Hurtin in Haliburton Sept. 15-16.

General manager tourism and recreation, Tegan Legge, said they are expecting 600 people for this weekend’s running races alone.

She added 2023 will mark the 30th annual occurrence of the event, which saw its inaugural race take place in 1993.

The race has grown steadily since its inception and once again offers racers the choice of 12K, 26K, 50K, 50 mile, and of course, their signature event, the Haliburton Forest 100 Miler.

“There is a certain primal beauty found along the trails at Haliburton Forest and the absolute best way to experience it is by foot as you run on the rugged trails. Heavily forested, hilly and filled with lakes and streams, it represents nature at it’s best,” the Forest’s website says.

For this year’s Hurtin in Haliburton, they have added a fat bike category. Participants that have a bike that has tires at least 3.8 inches wide are competing in this category.

It’s also now a weekend long event. Participants are expected to arrive Sept. 15 to pre-ride the course, pick up their race kit, meet sponsors and community partners.

Legge said on Saturday, after a long day in the saddle, participants can celebrate their accomplishments over food, beer and live music.

In its fifth year, the Hurtin in Haliburton gravel relay race has become recognized for its relaxed and beginner-friendly format featuring a 27km backcountry gravel loop. There are 330m of climbing per lap and people will be racing solo or in teams of two, alternating throughout.

“We offer a safe and social environment for our growing gravel community with the philosophy that all participants start together and finish together, encouraging participants to build friendships whether on the course, in the pits or at the post race celebration,” the Forest said.

Algonquin Highlands cottager Jimmy Holmstrom was one of dozens to stop by the Stanhope Firefighters Hall Sept. 2 as the station celebrated 50 years of fire and rescue in the community.

Volunteer firefighters were on hand at the station, located on North Shore Road, for the open house and BBQ Saturday, celebrating the special milestone. Robert Sargent, who has 18 years of service, took visitors on tours of the facility, showing off old and new firefighting equipment. He said the event was a nice way to honour the department and its members for the years of service.

“This is a major milestone, and we had no intention of just letting it pass by without some sort of celebration,” Sargent said. “When this department was launched, it was run by the community for the community, and I think that still rings true today.”

Holmstrom said he was visiting to show his appreciation after firefighters saved his property from certain destruction in 2020.

“A Hydro One transponder blew on the corner of Hwy. 35 and North Shore Road. The bush on three sides of my cottage was on fire – I got a call from a neighbour telling me my place was up in flames, and that I’d lost it,” Holmstrom, who lived permanently in Toronto at the time, told The Highlander.

He immediately hopped in his truck and made a beeline up Hwy. 407. He called the Algonquin Highlands Fire Department for an official assessment of the damage, but all firefighters were out tackling the blaze. When chief Mike French returned his call a short time later, Holmstrom was fearing the worst.

“I almost didn’t want to pick up, but when I did, the chief told me ‘we’ve saved your place’. They were able to contain the fire before it reached my property. I have no idea how they did it, but there wasn’t a mark on the place. The land all around was scorched, but the building itself was untouched,” Holmstrom said.

“I’m very grateful to the wonderful firefighters we have in this community,” he added.

A brief history

The department was established in January 1973 at the direction of the old Stanhope et al township council. The first chief was Dick Kinsman, who trained and worked with an initial group of 20 volunteer firefighters. By June, the first fire truck had arrived, and the fire hall finished.

Back then there was no 911, so an emergency fire dispatch system was launched, with phone lines put in at the fire hall, the township office, and five private residences – operated by a group of women who became known as the ‘fire phone ladies’. These women were never paid yet handled all emergency calls until 2004.

Former Algonquin Highlands mayor Carol Moffatt, whose husband, Tony Aymong, has been a volunteer at Stanhope for more than 40 years, has compiled an extensive history of the department, some of which is currently on show at the Stanhope Heritage Museum.

During her research, Moffatt found the township had been budgeting for fire services since 1968, committing $1,800 between then and 1971. The department’s first fire truck was purchased for just over $28,000, with a second three-quarter ton panel truck added for $2,950 in 1975. By 1985, the annual budget had grown to approximately $38,000.

That money covered operational expenses only, with the firefighters themselves raising additional funds to pay for equipment. Potluck dinners, fundraiser dances, and popular events such as the Stanhope Triathlon were held to bring in money for things like uniforms, helmets, and breathing apparatus.

The Stanhope department was amalgamated with outposts in Dorset and Oxtongue Lake in 2000 under the umbrella of the Algonquin Highlands Fire Services.

‘Making a difference’

The fire department is a much different place today than when John Hogg joined in 1978.

“I’ve seen lots of change, but it’s all been good. This station has always been very good in terms of maintaining staffing, and making sure it’s very well equipped,” said Hogg, who was chief in Stanhope from 1998 to 2000, and then of the amalgamated Algonquin Highlands department until 2013.

While he retired from regular service a decade ago, Hogg still maintains a presence at Station 80. He volunteers at open houses and will attend the odd medical emergency.

“My promise is I will not get in the way,” Hogg says with a chuckle. “I still enjoy being involved, and doing whatever I can to make somebody’s day a little better. Almost always, you’re responding to people in their greatest hour of need.”

Sargent said one of the better changes to have been implemented in recent times was the introduction of a new mental health program.

“Years ago, people were encouraged to deal with things themselves. You weren’t supposed to talk about the things you’d seen, how it might have impacted you. Now, everything is wide open. We tell all new recruits if they have any problem at all, to talk to us and we will get them the help they need,” Sargent said.

Earlier this year the township brought in a grief counselor after a former colleague passed away, which helped several people, Sargent said.

Captain Ken Cox has been with the department for seven years. He said being a volunteer firefighter is his dream job.

“I’m fortunate that I get to work with some amazing folks here – you open yourself up to a whole new life when you become a firefighter. It broadens your social bubble and, for me at least, has enhanced so many parts of my life,” Cox said.

He was more than happy to volunteer at the weekend open house, feeling it’s important to connect with the community and show them what goes on behind the proverbial curtain. He said it was mostly young families that attended. He felt it was important, too, to recognize the work of those who came before him and celebrate 50 years of fire services in Stanhope.

“It’s a lot of years of heartaches and bad times, but the fire department is here to make folk’s bad times a little less negative. I think we do a good job of that,” he added.

The Stanhope department is looking for new volunteers. Anyone interested can learn more at algonquinhighlands.ca/ourcommunity/fire-services.

After 15 years of advocating for seniors’ issues across the Highlands, the Aging Well Haliburton County volunteer committee has ceased operations.

The organization has struggled to attract new members in recent years, forcing the executive into a decision it didn’t want to make, says long-time volunteer Margery Cartwright.

“It’s been a struggle these past few years. Through the pandemic, we’ve been down to five or six members. We knew this was coming unless we could find some new people to join, who could bring some fresh ideas to the table,” Cartwright said. “We’re hoping the fire will go on elsewhere now, for someone else to pick up the baton.”

Aging Well Haliburton County was formed in 2008, and was initially a collaboration between the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) district health unit and the Haliburton Highlands Family Health Team. Its mandate was to tackle fall prevention in the community, but quickly morphed to include a slew of senior-related issues.

Cartwright joined in 2009, shortly after the group published a community survey looking for feedback on local issues that needed to be addressed. Even back then, a lack of housing was identified as a primary concern.

The organization made connections with non-profit Places for People (P4P) to see what work could be done collaboratively to boost the Highlands’ housing supply. The two groups joined forces to host a housing forum in Minden in 2018, which Cartwright believes was a success.

Because of that connection, Aging Well decided to donate the remaining balance of its bank account, almost $1,000, to P4P to assist with ongoing housing projects. President Jody Curry said the money would likely be used to pay off some of the organization’s debt.

The money was originally earmarked for a retirement workshop Aging Well was planning to host in the fall of 2020, but the event had to be cancelled due to the COVID19 pandemic.

Heather May has been an active member since 2009, telling The Highlander the organization led various educational and fundraising campaigns over the years, helping to bring money in to pay for outdoor rest benches in downtown Haliburton, encouraging organizations like LifeLabs to install automatic doors, and advocating for ‘stop the gap ramps’ and ‘assistance request’ buttons for downtown businesses.

The group is also responsible for the installation of handrails at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion, while Cartwright has helped shape new “senior-friendly” policies at the Haliburton County Public Library.

“We had our fingers in so many pies because the pie was broken,” May said. “We did what we could over the years to serve this community, and suggest improvements that would benefit everybody.”

While saying the dissolution of the group was bittersweet, Cartwright felt it was inevitable given the lack of community engagement in recent times.

“The community is moving on. There has been some backsliding with some of the things we’ve done, but I still look back at many, many things with a lot of pride. This community is full of movers and shakers, I have full confidence things will go on, and important issues will continue to be addressed,” she said.

In July, the health unit reported six suspected drug-related deaths in the County of Haliburton, City of Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland County.

In addition, in the second week of August, on the border of Haliburton County, the HKPR health unit also issued a media release in response to increased drug poisoning activity in the City of the Kawartha Lakes.

Katlin Archibald was in Head Lake Park Aug. 31 as part of international overdose awareness day.

While she could not provide statistics related to Haliburton County directly, she said the Highlands, CKL and Northumberland are part of a trend of skyrocketing global overdose rates in the last 25 years.

In 2020, an estimated 184 million people worldwide had used a drug in the past 12 months, a 26 per cent increase from 2010.

Archibald said the intent of the now annual day is to remember those who have died or suffered due to drug poisonings and overdose.

She added it, “seeks to create a better understanding of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug use.”

Community members were invited to pay their respects and commemorate those lost to drug poisonings.

“By holding an event this year, the people of Haliburton County have joined themselves to a global movement for understanding, compassion and change,” Archibald said.

She added, “we stand together to say that more needs to be done to end drug poisonings in the community. We encourage members of the community to speak up and to stand in solidarity with anyone who has been personally affected by overdose.”

The day came about thanks to Penington Institute, an Australian not-for-profit. This year, for the first time, they announced a campaign theme; recognizing those who go unseen.

The institute said, “we honour the people whose lives have been altered by drug poisonings and overdose. They are the family and friends grieving the loss of a loved one; workers in healthcare, first responders and support services extending strength and compassion; and all the true folks out living on the front line.”

Sandra Dupret has left Fleming College to become the new senior vice-president, students at Loyalist College.

Dupret started her new role Aug. 28.

She was with Fleming for 17 years, including 12 as dean of the Haliburton School of Art + Design. After that, she worked at all three campuses as a vicepresident of student services.

While maintaining a home in West Guilford on the weekends, Dupret said she is renting in Prince Edward County for work during the week.

“It’s a nice college and the people and community are great,” Dupret said.

She added she made the career shift as she felt it was time for a change.

“I’ve been at Fleming for a long time. Of course, I’ll always have a piece of my heart at the Haliburton campus but it was just time for a change, and it’s an exciting time for Loyalist.

“They have a new president that just started this past spring and he’s got some really great community-focused ideas for the college.

She added the work itself has not changed; other than the way it gets done post-COVID.

“It’s changed for sure but it’s not like I’m learning a new job from scratch.”

She concedes it’s bittersweet.

“The campus in Haliburton is an amazing campus. I know the college is truly invested in keeping the campus here, alive and vibrant. And they’re starting to build a residence, which is a sign of their commitment to continue to offer programming here.”

Dupret added HSAD is lucky to happy Xavier Massé as dean.

“He’s got great experience and is a great people person. He has a design background but is excited to work within the visual arts and craft field as well.”

She said she’ll miss all of the staff at the Haliburton campus, saying they are some of the best people she has ever worked with.

“They’re really invested. It’s not just a job. They really care and they’re members of our community. Those are the fondest memories. But also, the way the community has really invested in Fleming, having a college campus here, donating the land, putting the infrastructure in and now extending those donations so the college can now build a residence.”

Dupret added, “that example of true community and college partnership is something that I think I’ve learned a lot from.”

She looks forward to many more years of great activity and arts happening in the Highlands. She’s looking forward to taking some courses herself.

“I learned so much about how to be a leader that embraces not just your workplace, but the community that surrounds where you work. I’m really looking forward to bringing all that I’ve learned into my new role.”

Loyalist president, Mark Kirkpatrick, said in a communique, “with a passion for fostering a nurturing and inclusive learning environment for all students, Sandra looks forward to working collaboratively across the college to support learners on their journey from application to graduation.”

Judy MacDuff, manager of the Haliburton 4Cs food bank, said after a bounce-back year in 2022, demand for service is on the rise again as inflation and high interest rates continue to hit Highlanders where it hurts most.

The food bank served 185 households in May, and MacDuff expects similar numbers for June and July once her reports are completed. That’s unusually high, especially when compared to pre-pandemic levels, she said.

“Normally, during the summertime, our numbers go down quite a bit. This year it hasn’t gone down an awful lot, and we’re starting to see our numbers climb again,” she said. “Before COVID, we used to help about 80 households per month. Now we’re way more than double that.”

Because of the need locally, the 4Cs moved to a twice monthly model. That has substantially driven up food costs, and demand, while bills such as gas and hydro have also creeped up.

“Until now, we’ve been able to get by on donations that come into the food bank, and money raised at the Lily Anne Thrift Store to cover our regular ongoing expenses… Now, with demand going up, we have no choice but to turn [to our community],” MacDuff said.

She was at Todd’s Independent Grocer Sept. 2 to support a food drive organized by Haliburton resident Mark Savin. He partnered with Purolator, his employer, to run ‘fill the truck’ events at Todd’s and Haliburton Foodland Sept. 1 and 2. The event was a “tremendous” success, Savin said, bringing in 4,246 pounds of non-perishable food and $2,104 cash to the 4Cs.

Savin told The Highlander he organized the event after watching a dozen or so people queue in the rain to get into the Haliburton food bank in April.

He reached out to MacDuff to see if she was interested in the event. The answer was unequivocally yes, Savin recalls, so he applied to Purolator to have the food drive sanctioned. The company sent two delivery trucks to Haliburton over the weekend to carry and store the donated food.

Such is the current need, MacDuff and other 4Cs volunteers unpacked donations received on Friday in time for people to stop in on Saturday.

“We had seven clients through on Saturday before noon, which is busy for us… they took some of the stuff we had just stocked home. We’re seeing that a lot now, as soon as something comes in, we’re sending it right back out the door,” MacDuff said.

While Savin is hoping to make this an annual event, he isn’t finished yet. Again, partnering with Purolator, Savin will join volunteers in dropping off red bags at 660 homes in Haliburton village Sept. 23, encouraging locals to fill the bag and then leave it on their porch for pickup Sept. 30. That’s part of a nationwide Purolator Tackles Hunger effort.

“When you hear from Judy how great the need is, we just have to keep going. It’s been overwhelming already seeing the response to this first drive. I’m excited to get out there and do it all over again,” he said.

When Cam Green spent summers at the family cottage on Balsam Lake, he and his friends built tree houses using found materials.

“That was something that was a big part of my childhood,” the co-owner of Fort Treehouse Co. says.

Now, he and wife, Lauren, are embarking upon building a multi-unit treehouse lodge in the Haliburton Highlands.

Minden Hills council approved their rezoning request at an Aug. 31 meeting. The Greens can now apply to build three tree houses around a lobby building that is close to completion. The lodge is on Geeza Road, abutting the Dahl Forest. It will be off-grid, with a propane back-up generator.

“All the sites have been chosen, and we’ve done advanced tree assessments for all the trees we’re building in, so we’ve got everything set up and ready to go,” Cam said. The Greens hope to start construction this fall, with the lodge being slated to open Autumn 2024.

Cam said it is a different concept that will bring great benefits to County tourism.

“It’s unique in that they are tree-supported structures of significant size, which is uncommon, especially in Canada. We’re placing these structures in the forest canopy with special care taken to avoid damaging the natural landscape and ecosystem. Rigging and mechanical advantage pulley systems are used in place of heavy machinery to help protect the trees.

‘You’re in the canopy of trees’

“We can’t risk damaging the roots by using heavy machinery, or anything that might compact the soil. There are some challenges that come with that but finding creative solutions is something we enjoy. We really have to think through how we’re going to get the materials, the building, and the people working on it, safely into the trees.”

Cam added they view the lodge as an access point to everything that Haliburton County has to offer.

Cam moved to the Highlands permanently in 2007, and he and Lauren bought a home in 2011. They’ve since had two children. They completed their first treehouse build in 2020 and have maintained full occupancy ever since.

After moving to Minden Hills, their friends came from the GTA year-round to visit, and in winter were surprised at how much there was to do outdoors. “That really sparked a realization that this is something that could be beneficial to everybody. As much as treehouses are a passion of ours, they’re truly an access point to everything else we have available here. We’re building unique places to stay but from the treehouses you can get out and hike, bike, ski and get onto the lakes.” Cam said.

Two of the units will be one-bedroom, the other twobedroom. Two will be accessed via ramp or bridge and another by spiral staircase. They will range from 15-feet to 40-feet above the forest floor. There is also the 900 sq. ft. ground level lobby building.

Cam said they’re excited about the modern design they’ve developed with architects from Toronto. They’ll feature single story green roofs, with rooftop decks, “so you’ll be right up in the canopy on the open-air deck.” He added that they will incorporate abundant glazing and openness, sunken living rooms and the main viewpoint will offer floor to ceiling windows.

“They are architecturally-fascinating structures. The most unique and exciting component is that you’re in the canopy of the trees, immersed in nature, wholeheartedly. It’s a pretty wild experience. I think people walk away with a feeling of calmness and having had the chance to slow down and relax.”