Organizers are looking forward to a “full” post-COVID Haliburton County Fair June 10, after a scaled back 2022 version that only had music and the horse pull.

Minden Agricultural Society first vice president, Cathy Fisher, said while it is a lot of work for directors, they are excited about the jam-packed day.

Music will again take centre stage. This year’s lineup includes: The County Hot Flashes from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; Louie Reynolds from 11:30 a.m. to noon; Barnard and Brohm from noon to 12:30 p.m. and The Todd Nolan Show from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. There will also be an open mic for the first time.

The other big thing, according to Fisher, is the horse pull at 3:30 p.m.

She noted they are also going to have an auction this year, just before the horse pull, at 3 p.m.

She said they have had some great donations. They include a load of logs from Roger Danilko Trucking and Logging; eight yards of 5/8 black granite from Fowler’s, donated by Harry Hutchings Trucking; a bush cord of split wood from CNC Wood Processing; 12 yards of 5/8 crush donated in memory of Ingram Wessell and sons; a lap quilt donated by Marylou Clark; a tri axle load of granular gravel from the Leveque Bros.; and a tri axle of 5/8 crush from Total Site Services.

One fun feature this year is a bouncy castle for adults. It’s a John Deere-themed combine.

Fisher added the curling club is going to have exhibits, a tea room, baked goods, demonstrations and woodworking.

Weather permitting, RE/MAX will host hot air balloon rides; Zoo to You will be on site; there will be a classic and antique car show; and free kids pony rides. Boshkung Brewing will be manning the beer tent.

“It is exciting to get back and keep building,” Fisher said, “because next year is our 160th year.”

With the onset of summer music festivals and concerts, and the passing of Gordon Lightfoot, the Yours Outdoors speaker series says it seems appropriate the theme of June’s offering is about the Mariposa Folk Festival, past and present.

The series wraps up another year of presentations with a look at Canada’s legendary music festival. On June 14, at 7 p.m., Michael Hill, Liz Scott and Thom Lambert will be sharing their stories and images of the Mariposa Folk Festival.

Hill, former artistic director, will reflect upon what has been. He is the author of The Mariposa Folk Festival: A History. Scott, current artistic director and no stranger to the Haliburton Highlands, will provide a contemporary perspective and a peek at what the future holds. Lambert, a local singersongwriter, who has attended the festival many times, will share his experience as an attendee and maybe even play a tune or two.

Organizer Barrie Martin said, “no doubt, Gordon Lightfoot will be front-ofmind during the presentation.” Each of the presenters have had their Lightfoot encounters. Lightfoot was an integral part of the festival from the shaky start when he and his then singing partner, Terry Whelan, were turned down from playing the inaugural Mariposa Folk Festival of 1961.

“We were hometown boys,” he stated, “but they said we sounded too much like the Everly Brothers. We actually took that as a compliment.” The next year though, Lightfoot was hired as a solo act and joined the likes of Oscar Brand, the Travellers and Ian & Sylvia. Since then, he performed many times at the festival.

Over the last several years, Mariposa has become an annual event on the Lightfoot family calendar. Lightfoot showed up most years to take in the festival vibe, see certain performers, renew old acquaintances, and give the audiences just a taste of his musical magic.

The presentation is at the HHOA Fish Hatchery. Admission is $15. Register in advance online at yoursoutdoors.ca (search Mariposa) or by calling 705-457-7557. A portion of the tickets sales will be donated and matched by Highlands Summer Festival to purchase tickets to the Early Morning Rain, The Legend of Gordon Lightfoot performances for families who might otherwise not be able to afford the cost of taking the whole family to a performance.

The doors are finally reopening at the Haliburton Scout Reserve.

The property, which boasts 5,000 acres set back from Kennaway Road, has been shuttered since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will welcome guests back next month, with a busy summer anticipated.

Kevin Anyon, national property operations manager for Scouts Canada, is expecting more than 800 visitors over an eight-week season, which he says is all about putting the country’s largest scouting reserve back on the map.

“We have thousands of Scouts with marvelous memories of Haliburton Scout Reserve. I want to see this space reclaim its place as the crown jewel in the Scouts Canada portfolio,” Anyon said.

Camps have been running in the area for more than 70 years. The property features 13 lakes, with 23 wilderness sites scattered around the biggest – Lake Kennabi. Programming is accessible to Scouts, Girl Guides and Outward Bound members.

Chris Bulman, camp director, said it was almost like a homecoming when he returned to the site last fall. He and a group of other employees and volunteers have been hard at work getting the facility in tip top condition, with the first group of campers set to arrive July 8.

“I have such an attachment to the Haliburton Scout Reserve – so many good memories made over the years. I feel like I practically grew up here,” Bulman told The Highlander, saying he first attended as a guest in 2012, returning as an employee for the next seven summers.

This year he’s been trusted to lead – a huge responsibility that he’s preparing to tackle head on.

“My goal is to make this the best experience for every visitor. When I first came here, I made memories and friendships that will last me a lifetime. I also learned a lot of really important skills that will be useful for the rest of my life,” Bulman said.

Camps typically last for a week, with guests engaging in activities such as archery, rifle shooting, kayaking, snorkeling, rock climbing, rappelling, and sailing. Bulman said there are also special survival camps for older, more experienced members, and introductions to things like trapping and animal spotting for younger visitors. Bulman noted there will be international visitors this year, with three groups booked from the U.S.

Lucas Nicholson is another camper-come-worker, with the 23-year-old Toronto native returning as program coordinator after a four-year hiatus.

“I’ve been camping here for as long as I can remember. It’s been a real void these past four years not being able to come up here – I was really excited when I got the call we’d be returning,” Nicholson said. “The workers here are like one big family, and whenever we have guests they just become an extended part of that family. That’s just the way things are up here.”

Michael Nebesny, 21, will be back for his fifth year, serving as coordinator of staff and training. When he’s not working, he wants to take advantage of the reserve’s vast reach, planning excursions to some of the more remote lakes on the property.

Bulman, who recently turned 25, said Scouts places a heavy emphasis on youth leadership.

“We want youth to be in the drivers’ seat, we want them to take charge. All our staff are young – I’m probably going to be [one of] the oldest ones this summer,” he said.

“It’s almost like a cycle. We bring youth in to camp and see everything this amazing part of the world has to offer, then every season we have lots who want to return as workers the following year. It’s such a great organization to get involved with.”

For more information, visitscouts.ca/camps/ haliburton-scout-reserve.

Haliburton School of Art + Design’s new dean, Xavier Massé, jokes he’s still a “rookie” at the town’s Fleming College campus after only starting the post a few weeks ago.

“I’m still playing the rookie card, which sometimes can be very useful,” he quipped, adding someone told him at the HSA+D grad May 26, “play it as long as you can.”

While he may be a newbie to Haliburton County and its college, Massé brings a wealth of experience, both from his native France, to throughout his academic and nonacademic career.

That has included, most recently, 13 years at George Brown College, with a oneyear hiatus as interim dean of ECV Paris, overseeing three campuses and working on projects, including a campus in Mumbai. At George Brown, he coordinated undergraduate and post-graduate interaction design programs at the school of design and taught design courses. He was first attracted there by its Institute Without Boundaries, which focuses on collaborative design practice with the objectives of social, ecological and economic innovation through design research and strategy. Massé has also designed and lead international academic programs, workshops and design jams. Prior to academics, he had his own agency.

He said he moved to Canada after meeting his Toronto-based wife in Paris and was in advertising for a spell before getting into what is now called interactive digital media.

“I love technology, and I love design, and I love mixing both. So that’s why I embraced that field and have never looked back.”

Speaking from his new campus office, overlooking the green trees of Glebe Park, Massé said his impressions of HSA+D include “a very unique DNA that is quite special and we need to preserve that.

“But we need to bring it into the 21st century.”

Asked what he means by that, he envisions expanded programming, “user experience designs,” technology, and broadening outreach to the wider community.

Expanding on user experience designs, he explains, “where we actually make sure that what we do is going to be useful and used by our users. Not to say that every single artist has to design something with their users in mind, but bringing a bit of that into the process would not hurt. It would bring a more applied aspect to what we do here.

“And when we talk about technology, there are tools that we can use today that could speed up the process. So, an obvious one is 3D printing. So it demands a bit of knowledge in 3D and 3D design. I love to bring to the table the idea of using AI (artificial intelligence) tools and then learning to use them, not fight them because I think it’s a losing battle.”

He provides the example of visualizing tools, to help students get their creative ideas from their brain to the finished product.

Another exciting thing, he said, is student housing planned for the campus. He is already frustrated when hearing about delays but said, “I can’t wait to have it happen. It’s going to be a game-changer for us.”

Back to what is happening now, he is looking forward to collaborating with his staff and faculty. He said his leadership style is “to bring everybody with me” to establish a vision and strategic plan.

“I want to make sure the plan and vision comes from all parts of the school and not just from the top.”

Coming from, “the other side of the pond” and moving into a Haliburton condo, Massé said he’s had a friend joke with him that, with his French accent, “you’re going to be the exotic one.”

One of Canada’s favorite comedians, Ron James, is bringing his brand of funny with a distinctly national viewpoint to Haliburton County June 10, sticking around after the show to sign his bestseller, Ron James, All Over the Map. The marquee tent at Abbey Gardens opens its flaps at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments for purchase before the show.

James has been performing for 40-plus years. After years on television in Canada and the U.S., he is still going strong with his stand-up shows.

He spent years crisscrossing Canada, performing at comedy festivals and theatres until COVID. Even a lockdown could not stop this man from working. He started streaming original one-hour comedy specials, Live from My Living Room on Zoom and wrote his book.

When scheduling the summer series, Ashley McAllister, director of operations and strategic initiatives at Abbey Gardens, said it almost always comes down to a community connection. “Ron James had done an interview on CanoeFM, talked about how he fell in love with the area, expressed an interest in doing a show in Haliburton County, and the station connected him with us.”

She also said most of the events have a similar story. “Someone knows some band, or agent and recommended it to us, or rather us to them. Or what I call ‘cottage roots,’ when someone has a cottage, knows someone who does, a friend of a friend.”

McAllister said there’s a variety of people that come to the area in the summer, from seasonal residents to cottage renters and resort-goers and she wanted to, “create different opportunities for them to experience Abbey Gardens.”

On June 30, the marquee tent will be having a country hoedown with the Rob Watts Band. On July 8, there’s a little taste of the Maritimes when Shipyard Kitchen Party takes the stage.

More laughter comes in the form of Girls Night Out, a comedy trio, on July 15. If tapping your feet and clapping your hands is more your thing, then July 22 is the night for good old rock’n’roll with a tribute band that spans the decades. To finish the month, a Frankie Valli tribute band is featured July 29.

August 11-13 will close out the summer series with Music @ the Gardens. A showcase of musicians, and magicians, with Great Lake Swimmers on Friday night, John McDermott Saturday night, with Susan Aglukark on Sunday night. Brent & Sarah Comedy Magic Show provides fun for all in the afternoon.

McAllister said, “They are all so different and hopefully that gives everyone the opportunity to do something here at the Gardens.”

For more information, go to AbbeyGardens. ca/events.

The newly-formed Haliburton Highlands Volunteer Coalition is putting together a volunteer engagement fair at the Haliburton Legion June 16, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Brigitte Gebauer, volunteer coordinator for HHHS, is taking the lead. She said the coalition is composed of people from a variety of organizations that rely on volunteers.

“The coalition is new, and we are looking to create a strategy to build capacity and awareness across the board in terms of volunteerism in the community,” she said.

There will be booths for numerous organizations that rely on volunteers to continue to offer the events and services they do for the community.

“Such a variety of organizations, all under one roof, will give people a sense of what’s available,” Gebauer said. “Great for community connections, amazing opportunities that people may not be aware of, so many ways to get involved and feel good.

“Our community wouldn’t look anything like it does without volunteers,” added Gebauer. “They are part and parcel of having a vibrant and healthy community on so many different levels.”

County of Haliburton manager of tourism, Tracie Bertrand, said it’s a great idea as, “volunteers are the backbone of Haliburton Highlands. They are dedicated, passionate and amazing. Without them, the County would not be what it is today. They love their community, they’re very proud of it, and want to make an impact.”

Since COVID, however, she said a lot of people have stepped back from volunteering.

The fair will provide the organizations with an opportunity to re-engage with past volunteers, and connect with new people on a personal level who may not know much about how to get involved with their community.

There has been a change in how people and organizations work with volunteers, according to Gebauer, and that has, “opened up so many creative opportunities, volunteer lead positions, and event-based volunteering.”

Bertrand added, “this volunteer engagement fair is a step in the right direction in recognizing the significant impact volunteers make on all of the things we’re working on. They are indispensable to us.”

Shining a positive light on volunteerism, connecting with people who are new to the area, engaging seasonal residents, and re-engaging past volunteers is what the coalition is hoping to accomplish with the fair.

Bertrand said, “there will be volunteers talking to potential volunteers, about how amazing some of the events are, and how volunteering has positively impacted themselves and their community. We are looking to get previous volunteers involved again, looking for those new volunteers that want to try something fun and leverage their skill sets, strengths, and experiences.”

For more information, go to volunteering@ hhhs.ca.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) members picketed on Deep Bay Road, outside the Minden Hospital, June 1, claiming the ER closure was not done in accordance with collective agreements.

Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) did not respond to e-mailed questions as of press time June 7.

SEIU union rep, Cindy Seaton, said her union is against ER closures, as it not only impacts their members but the public.

“Especially this time of year, being June 1, and we all know that tourist season is coming. I don’t know why they would be closing an ER in the busiest time of the year.”

She claimed HHHS did not follow the process it was supposed to as per collective agreement.

“If they were going to do closures or something else that would adversely affect our members, then they were supposed to have meetings with us way before they implemented anything and we got notification a day or two before the community and the members did,” Seaton said.

“If they were going to do closures or something else that would adversely affect our members, then they were supposed to have meetings with us way before they implemented anything and we got notification a day or two before the community and the members did,” Seaton said.

“If they were going to do closures or something else that would adversely affect our members, then they were supposed to have meetings with us way before they implemented anything and we got notification a day or two before the community and the members did,” Seaton said.

Ed Peterson believes tiny homes are the answer to Ontario’s housing crisis.

The Kingston-based entrepreneur has been pushing the idea for years through his nonprofit Tiny Town Association. Launched in 2017, he started out as an advocate for small pocket communities, lobbying governments big and small to embrace change.

The Kingston-based entrepreneur has been pushing the idea for years through his nonprofit Tiny Town Association. Launched in 2017, he started out as an advocate for small pocket communities, lobbying governments big and small to embrace change.

With no proof of concept, Peterson found it tough going and so, in 2022, he switched gears and decided to use his background as a contractor to pitch projects directly, committing to designing and handling development of new builds himself.

“Our mission is to build affordable housing all across Ontario,” Peterson said, noting this mission is personal for him. “I have three kids who are all facing the same problem many young adults are facing today in trying to get into a home of their own. I just didn’t see that happening for them.”

The tiny home concept has been around for decades, but hasn’t taken off in Canada, Peterson said. He made a pitch to Dysart et al council last month to become one of the pioneers for the movement in Ontario.

The non-profit looks to partner with municipalities, which would put up land that can be built on. Peterson said the company could build between 16 and 20 residences per acre, with each unit featuring 384 sq. ft. of living space. There are options for one bedroom, two bedroom and open concept.

“Once we have that first model community up-and-running that we can point to as proof of concept, we’ll have a lot of interest,” Peterson told The Highlander. “I want to change the way people think about housing in this province.”

Peterson noted he’s working with approximately 15 municipalities in Ontario on initial proposals, with four – for Elliott Lake, Mattice, South Dundas, and Tay Township – at an advanced stage.

Outlining the process, Peterson said once land has been identified and a design developed, he would apply for funding through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), which he estimated would foot around 45 per cent of a build’s bill. The rest would come from alternate sources, most of them would-be owners.

Homes could be bought for $127,500, with monthly maintenance fees of $450. Affordable rentals would be available for $780 per month, with rent-to-own programs running $1,180 per month.

He said tiny homes would largely cater to low-income workers, seniors, and young adults.

Tiny Town Association is actively working with four architects and builders in Ontario, with another dozen industry leaders in urban planning, project management, manufacturing, and landscaping also on board.

Peterson said a pocket community could be designed and constructed within months.

“We can have a tiny home coming out of a factory and going into a community every week. There’s no other housing option that can do that,” he said. “We design all our units to be built on a pad or pier foundation, which would enable us to build year-round.”

“We can have a tiny home coming out of a factory and going into a community every week. There’s no other housing option that can do that,” he said. “We design all our units to be built on a pad or pier foundation, which would enable us to build year-round.”

Dysart mayor Murray Fearrey said he was interested in learning how these communities can be built in rural areas.

“This hasn’t been tried and tested yet, so we need to be careful before getting too excited. There are some small lots around Dysart, but if land isn’t serviced, they want a minimum of four acres so they can put enough units in to make it financially feasible for them to put services in themselves. That could be tricky for us,” Fearrey said.

The mayor noted staff have been directed to identify potential development sites, which will be presented to council later this month.

Peterson said he’d love to work with Dysart to help alleviate the community’s housing needs.

“The beauty about tiny homes is we can scale this to local demand. If we have enough land, we can bring as many units online as are needed,” he said. “I don’t see tiny homes competing with traditional forms of housing.

We’re not saying this will be perfect for everyone. We just want to provide another option to people who are struggling.

“We’re not making money off this. I see it as a service. My focus now is on getting some of these communities up and running so we can show the rest of the province, the rest of the country that our model works and is easily replicable,” he added.

To learn more, visit tinytownassociation. com.

A month on from a pair of incidents that left two local women fearing for their safety, and with investigations still ongoing, Haliburton Highlands OPP is reminding people to be vigilant while out in the community.

Mike Melnychuk, a constable with the Highlands detachment, shared some safety tips with media recently in response to situations where women were followed or approached by unknown males in broad daylight.

On April 25, at around 4 p.m., a woman driving from Haliburton to Minden believed she was being followed by a gold-coloured cube van. The driver changed course and went to the OPP detachment on Hwy. 35, at which point the van fled the area.

Then, on May 9, at approximately 1:30 p.m., a white pickup truck followed a pedestrian in Haliburton village.

Melnychuk said in both cases the women did the right thing staving off their assailants.

“Do not drive directly to your residence if you think you are being followed. Consider driving to a well-lit business location that is open, [such as] a gas station, convenience store or restaurant, or a police station, to wait for police,” Melnychuk said.

He recommended people keep their vehicles fueled to prevent breakdowns that may leave them isolated. Always communicate travel plans and consider allowing a trusted family member or friend to track your phone location to monitor travel.

If you have had any suspicious incidents in the past, Melnychuk said it’s important to document dates, times, and locations to help police with any investigation.

Speaking to The Highlander, the woman involved in the incident in Haliburton village said while she’s trying to put the exchange to the back of her mind, she wanted to come forward to warn other women. Granted anonymity to protect her identity, the woman said she brushed off the initial exchange as, “just one of those things women have to put up with.”

Walking alone down Maple Avenue, the woman said she was accosted by a man as she turned onto York Street.

“I thought it was cat calling initially, so I ignored him. Then the yelling grew louder and before I knew it, the guy was standing right behind me,” the woman said. “He just kept asking ‘do you want to make some money’, and telling me to get in his truck, or meet him in the park. I knew enough to say I wasn’t going anywhere with him.”

Panicking, the woman spotted a friend who chased the man away.

“It all happened so quickly, probably about a minute in total, but my heart was pounding. It was a very aggressive encounter. I could just tell the guy’s intentions weren’t good,” she said. “It made me think of those stories and reports out of the city about women being trafficked.”

John Hagarty, executive director of Kawartha/Haliburton Victim Services, said there have been no complaints of trafficking activity in the region since Jan. 1, 2022, though noted that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening, only that it’s not being reported.

The same can’t be said in nearby Simcoe County, where Kim Kneeshaw, executive director of North Simcoe Victim Services, said human trafficking is rife.

“We see more instances of labour trafficking (forced to work) than we do sex trafficking,” she told The Highlander.

In March, OPP charged a 59-year-old Orillia man with 11 counts of human trafficking after abusing 15 victims, ranging in age from 21 to 54.

“There can be a lot of shame and embarrassment for victims… that’s why a lot of times women who have been trafficked don’t come forward,” Kneeshaw said.

The Haliburton woman said she wasn’t going to report the May 9 incident before friends and family encouraged her to do so. She noted the experience reminded her of the need to be cautious while out and about.

“It’s scary for things like this to be happening here. I’ve lived in Haliburton my whole life, but this is something new,” she said. “I want to make sure other women know about the dangers out there. Hopefully by talking, we can raise awareness and make sure women know what they should do if they’re ever approached.”

Highlands residents have been put on alert after Environment Canada updated its air quality health index June 6, with conditions County-wide deemed to be high-risk.

Smoke plumes from forest fires in Algonquin Park, east of Bancroft, and Quebec have resulted in deteriorated air quality across much of southern Ontario this week, with the federal agency marking conditions in the Dorset area eight out of 10 in a special air quality statement released Wednesday. It’s expected to reach nine by Thursday evening.

“High levels of air pollution are possible… wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health even at low concentrations,” the statement reads.

Richard Ovcharovich, manager of environmental health with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (HKPR) district health unit, recommended seniors, children, and people with heart and lung conditions avoid strenuous activities outdoors while bad conditions persist.

“Stay inside if you have breathing difficulties. Find an indoor place that’s cool and ventilated. Using an air conditioner that cools and filters air may help,” he said. “If your home isn’t air conditioned, consider going to a public place like a library or recreation centre. Keep your indoor air clean by keeping doors and windows closed.

“For the general population, if you experience irritation of eyes, nose or throat, shortness of breath or other respiratory symptoms while outdoors, you should take action to reduce your exposure to outdoor air pollution,” he added.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s (MNRF) forest fire info map, as of 3 p.m. June 7 there are two active fires raging in Algonquin Park, totalling approximately 32 hectares, and a 50-hectare blaze burning roughly 40-kilometres east of Bancroft.

Environment Canada, in its air quality statement, noted, “people respond differently to smoke. Mild irritation and discomfort are common, and usually disappear when the smoke clears. Drinking lots of water can help your body cope with the smoke.”

The agency said running fans and HEPA filters at home can help air quality indoors, recommending against vacuuming, frying foods, or burning candles.

A complete fire ban remains in place across Haliburton County, after being implemented June 1. Forest fire danger ratings for the County, as determined by MNRF, are high, with some parts of Highlands East marked extreme.

Campfires, bonfires, fireworks, charcoal BBQs, outdoor candles and lanterns, tiki torches, propane fire pits, chimineas and the burning of leaves or brush are all prohibited County wide. Burn permits assigned prior to June 1 have also been suspended.