Storm surge grounds Ennismore Eagles

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October 27, 2022

The U11 Highland Storm dominated the Ennismore Eagles C team 11-1 during an Oct. 22 tilt at the A.J. LaRue Arena in Haliburton.

The Storm came out and dominated the first period, with Grayson Park burying an unassisted goal within the first minute.

Shortly after, Chase Kerr added another goal, assisted by Park. With five minutes left in the first, Kelson Bagshaw’s unassisted goal gave the Storm a 3-0 lead going into the second period.

Ennismore wasn’t going down without a fight, however, scoring early in the second. Bagshaw retaliated with another goal assisted by Austin Cunningham.

Park followed with another goal with another assist by the Storm’s Cunningham.

Ennismore ended up in the penalty box, which saw the Storm’s Jaxon Hurd score a powerplay goal assisted by Nash Wilson. Bagshaw and Park added two more unassisted goals to finish the second.

The Storm wouldn’t let up, with Park scoring seven seconds into the third period, assisted by Kerr. With seven minutes left, the Storm’s backup goalie got his chance between the pipes, relieving Kolby Hogg.

Park and Bagshaw then sealed the deal with two more goals assisted by Cunningham, Wilson and Hurd.

The Storm’s defence held strong, finishing the game at 11-1 and lifting the team into third place as the season gets underway.

Wilberforce supports local fire crew

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Sam Gillett

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October 27, 2022

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Kelly O’Reilly, her family and some friends came together Oct. 22 to raise money for Highlands East volunteer firefighters and have some fun along the way.

The event raised $4,608 through donations, a bake sale, a silent auction, a 50/50 draw and more.

The money will be donated to Highlands East station 4.

O’Reilly experienced a house fire and her sons are both first responders, so O’Reilly said she values having a volunteer crew nearby. “

A lot of people think the likelihood of having a fire is small, but they don’t just do fires,” she said. “When you have a car accident, when you get hurt … it’s the fire department that comes through.”

She thanked volunteers, firefighters, auction donors and all the event’s attendees for making it possible.

Dancers reconnect as project comes full circle

By

Sam Gillett

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October 27, 2022

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A multi-year outdoor dance experiment concluded with performances and a roundtable discussion Oct. 22 at the Haliburton School of Art + Design’s main hall.

In 2021, seven dancers arrived at the Haliburton Sculpture Forest to dance without a schedule, incorporating the outdoor environment and works of art into their practise.

The project, titled ‘Re-emergence, Re-engagement and Re-connection,’ was hosted by Dance Happens Here Haliburton. Upside Brown Production Services was hired to film the project, and debuted a short film about the dancers’ experiences during the event.

“The whole idea was they had been spending most of this time alone, and not having community dance,” said sculpture forest curator and DH3 chairperson Jim Blake. He said the organization wanted to provide space for artists to re-emerge and re-engage with prior work after two long years of COVID shutdowns.

“This is our opportunity for re-connection,” he added, introducing the Oct. 22 event. “For them to re-connect with the community.”

The Throwdown Collective, a contemporary dance company that previously performed in Haliburton during two residencies at the sculpture forest, invited other dancers to join them in the forest.

“For me, it was really about reflection. Re-engaging with my work, my ideas, and coming back to ideas we had started a few years before the pandemic,” said Mairéad Filgate, of The Throwdown Collective, during the panel discussion.

She said the experience showed her how important community is in dance.

“What we do needs people, and we need to share that,” she said.

After the video’s premiere, the seven dancers performed.

The Throwdown Collective (Zhenya Cerneacov, Filgate and Brodie Stevenson) performed Liminal, the trio swaying into abstracted movements in the personas of backup dancers. brian solomon took to the stage for Thunderbird’s Transformation while Phylicia Browne-Charles explored a routine based on Pablo Neruda’s Forms poem.

Noriko Yamamoto did The Crane while Maddie Friel performed to Leonard Cohen’s Famous Blue Raincoat.

The artists all mentioned how the project emphasized community and the importance of dance’s communal nature.

“We’re totally wired to be in community,” said solomon. “It’s a part of our evolution… there’s a ritual in dance that’s incredible, about immersing yourself and joking and primarily exchanging ideas. That’s massive, that’s always been the role of the artist in society, arts and philosophy.”

HCPL seeks to ‘build writing community’ with literary circles

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Sam Gillett

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October 27, 2022

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Lindsay Hobbs of the Haliburton County Public Library (HCPL) hopes the newlystarted writing circles for teens and adults will offer a “judgement free zone” for wordsmiths to hone their crafts and find community with others.

“It’s so beneficial to have people to bounce ideas off of or talk about aspects of craft,” Hobbs said. As well as working at the HCPL, Hobbs is a writer and editor.

“I spend a lot of my time immersed in the theory of writing craft and the practice of writing.”

She said the adult session will be tailored towards what attendees want to chat about.

Each night will have a discussion on an element of writing, such as revealing characters’ personalities through showing rather than telling, or talking about plot points on a “hero’s journey” or other common literary story structures.

“The whole driving force behind this is to help build a writing community,” Hobbs said.

The teen sessions will be similar, but might include discussions on diverse types of writing, such as video games, fan fiction and more.

“It’s exploring the nuts and bolts of writing craft they might not be learning in their English classes in school,” Hobbs said.

For writers who may feel discussing their own writing is daunting, Hobbs said, “feel free to come and sit quietly – there’s no expectation to participate or compare work.”

Eventually, she hopes to encourage writers to share their work with other group members for constructive feedback.

The writing circles will be hosted on the last Thursday of each month, with the teens meeting at the Dysart branch from 4-5 p.m. and adults in Minden from 6-7 p.m.

It’s free to attend and registration is not required.

Ripples of historic explosion reach Highlands

By

Sam Gillett

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October 27, 2022

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The Halifax explosion of 1917 remains one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in world history. More than 1,700 lives were lost and communities wiped off the map.

The story of what happened after the blast, however, is not often told.

Haliburton’s Radio Playhouse will do just that through a radio production of the critically-acclaimed play Shatter, written by Trina Davies, this November and December.

“We really are thrilled that she worked so closely to allow this to happen for our little community radio station, to have a calibre of play like this one to be able to be performed,” said Rita Jackson of Radio Playhouse, a CanoeFM show that stages plays on air.

Davies and Jackson both took part in re-orienting the play for radio.

“This was the very first time that one of her plays has been made into a radio production. So, it was an interesting kind of process that we worked through,” Jackson said. Originally produced by Ships Company Theatre in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia, in 2005, Shatter tells the story of Anna MacLean, a teenager whose life is upended by the blast. MacLean, her friend and her mother experience the aftershocks of a community processing tragedy.

“I was aware of the facts of the situation, and fact that the explosion occurred, and it was so dramatic,” said co-producer John Jackson, “But I had no idea of what it actually meant, in terms of the devastating impacts on the mental and physical lives of the people affected by it.”

Rita added that much of the play lingers on tension and suspicion that arose as the community attempted to find out how such a tragedy occurred.

“The play is focused on, not just the blast itself, it’s how it changed the culture and the society of Halifax.”

The audience will hear about these larger cultural shifts, however, through a teen’s eyes.

“I think that many people who will be listening to this will be able to identify and very, very easily identify with any of them on different levels,” Jackson said.

Shatter was named the Alberta Theatre Projects 24-Hour Playwriting Competition winner in 2003, and shortlisted for the Prism International Residency Prize, 13th Street Repertory Theatre New Works of Merit, and International Dramatic Literature Prize, Media Arts, Literature and Sound. The Radio Playhouse performance is produced by arrangement with Kensington Literary Representation.

Act 1 of the play will be aired Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. and act 2 Wednesday, Dec. 7 the day of the explosion, at 6 p.m.

New schools fund helps families out

By

Mike Baker

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October 27, 2022

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Trillium Lakelands District School Board has put out a call to the community to help support local families struggling to make ends meet.

Established in 2020 at a time when people were experiencing job loss and food and financial insecurity, the Feed All Four fund is a confidential accessible way for the school board to offer resources to families in need. The brainchild of director of education Wes Hahn, money raised goes towards purchasing gift cards for essential items such as food, gas, clothing and toiletries.

Since its launch, the fund has distributed over $70,000 to 168 families across TLDSB’s coverage area.

“We’re really proud of that… When you look at our equity journey and what we’re trying to do as a school board, this has been a wonderful addition. This fund is another way for our school board to take part in actively supporting families experiencing difficulties at different times of the year,” Hahn said.

School principals have been one of the main driving forces behind the fund during its formative years. They identify families who may need assistance, make contact and then organize pick up or drop off of gift cards and other supports. They also consider any requests that come in from the community.

Outside of regular, everyday supplies, Hahn said the board has also helped finance new hearing aids and glasses for some students.

“Some of the testimonials we’ve heard have been touching. I’ve had principals call me and they’re almost in tears with the experience they’ve had,” Hahn said. “This is making a big difference in people’s lives.”

With inflation driving up the costs of most products and services in recent months, the board is preparing for an influx of requests. While the fund has been largely supported in-house by TLDSB staff and select community partners, Hahn said the board is now looking for assistance from the community to meet demand.

During a recent board meeting Alexia Evans-Turnbull, a Grade 12 student from Huntsville High School and a member of TLDSB’s G7 Student Senate, said she’d like to see students getting involved, bringing up the idea of hosting a clothing drive boardwide.

Hahn said staff already had a few fundraisers organized for the fall, with a buy-in jersey day to be held Nov. 18.

“TLDSB will continue to grow the fund as needed… we ask anyone in the community who has the means to do so to support us. We’ve already had people call up and ask to donate,” Hahn said. “We will continue to promote the availability of the fund and raise awareness in our school and communities…. We’re here to support [our families].”

For more information or to contribute, contact feedallfourfund@tldsb.on.ca.

Volunteers needed for HHHS programs

By

Mike Baker

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October 27, 2022

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Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) is searching for volunteers willing to offer their time, kindness and compassion to support several community-based programs operating across its facilities.

Over the summer, HHHS relaunched many of its in-person volunteer programs at Highland Wood and Hyland Crest senior homes following two years of shutdown during the pandemic. Brigitte Gebauer, HHHS volunteer coordinator, said start-up has been successful, and the organization needs to find more people willing to lend a hand.

“We’re really trying to repopulate our volunteer base. Volunteers add so much to residents’ lives… whether it’s just going in and spending time with folks, helping with different activities, and providing some form of entertainment,” Gebauer said. “Even if it’s just playing cards, or leading workshops on something you’re passionate about. We’re really keen to explore different opportunities.”

Most popular among initiatives currently running are the coffee and colouring program, walking club and social active senior program.

HHHS is also looking for additional support in its hospice department. Staff recently launched a hospice day program and caregiver support program, which have been popular.

“We’re looking for volunteers who can help in a more informal way. They don’t need to be hospice trained, but just assisting staff who are leading those programs,” Gebauer said.

“Our adult day program that supports seniors who are still living in the community could use a few new faces, too,” Gebauer said.

Presently, HHHS has a volunteer pool of around 250 people, though many of those are seasonal residents who, with borders having reopened, will soon be flocking south to escape the cold. Others have been hesitant to get involved again given COVID is still prevalent in the community.

One area Gebauer said she needs immediate assistance is the door-to-door transportation service. The program matches clients with volunteers, who will drive them to medical appointments. While not free, the service is operated at a low cost.

The program has between 10 and 15 active drivers, but with an increase in demand recently Gebauer said she would like to double that number.

“The majority of our drivers are making regular trips to Lindsay, Peterborough and Bracebridge. We’re looking for folks who would be willing to make trips like that, sometimes even down to Toronto,” Gebauer said. “We also need people who are willing to do local drives, because that frees up some of our other volunteers who are willing to do the longer trips.”

Potential volunteers would need to go through a screening process before they’re approved and must be vaccinated against COVID. Masking protocols remain in place across all HHHS facilities.

“We find our volunteers build real connections with the clients they serve. They like to know that they’re making a difference,” Gebauer said. “Without our volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to operate these programs – many of which people, mostly seniors, rely on to get to appointments, but also for emotional support too.”

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can contact Gebauer at 705-457-1392 ext. 2927 or volunteering@hhhs.ca.

A long night in Minden Hills

By

Sam Gillett

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October 27, 2022

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The last hockey players had long since trundled smelly gear out of the Minden arena and the Zamboni engine had cooled. It was about 10 p.m. Oct. 24. and on a normal night, the arena’s lights would be flicking off by now.

This wasn’t a normal night.

A gaggle of locals stuck around. They stood, they paced, they joked, they laughed.

They were waiting for election results.

It was a reassuring sight to see after observing council, and Minden Hills politics in general, from behind a computer screen since I began work at The Highlander.

I saw candidates who had campaigned for the same seat on council smiling and sharing memories, overheard longtime municipal politicians sharing insights with hopefuls and a whole bunch of tongue-incheek instructions to “hurry up and wait” for the results, which were to be posted on the lobby’s television screen.

Results from other municipalities filtered in first through the glow of cell phones. Talk shifted to results in the south: Hamilton, Toronto, the City of Kawartha Lakes.

It seemed to me – and perhaps others too – that Minden Hills was the very last to know its future leaders (at least, those who weren’t acclaimed).

More than two hours after most candidates arrived, at about 10:25, the township’s election officials plugged in a USB stick and the results flashed onto the screen.

It was quiet.

And then handshakes, smiles and more than a few more jokes. Winners congratulated those who weren’t elected. Those who weren’t elected congratulated those who were. Loved ones smiled and hugged.

And then they filtered out of the arena into the cool October evening, most heading over to the Minden Hills Legion.

Not just the winners, mind you. Many of those who weren’t successful came too.

They shared tables and hoisted beverages with those who will be sworn into office. Outgoing mayor Brent Devolin was there. So was Coun. Jean Neville.

They celebrated together.

I expected a fair bit of apprehension, but also a bit of tension that night. This was an important election after all, the stakes are high. Inflation is too. It’s a difficult time for many local residents. Minden Hills has a range of contentious issues both in the rearview mirror and on the road ahead. Many don’t like where the road seems to be leading. The Highlander looks forward to asking these councillors – new and old – the hard questions, challenging their assumptions and ensuring residents’ voices reach council over the next four years.

We’ll do that. But we recognize that smalltown politics is special and even refreshing. It isn’t always a debate in council chambers or flashy campaign slogans. Sometimes it’s winners and losers shaking hands in the community arena. Sometimes it’s councillors new and old sharing a table and good conversation long after the last vote is cast

Low voter turnout a concern

By

Lisa Gervais

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October 27, 2022

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It was hard to get excited about the 2022 municipal election in Haliburton County.

After all, the mayors and deputy mayors of the most populated centres – Dysart et al and Minden Hills – had already been acclaimed. mayor-elect Murray Fearrey and deputy-mayor-elect Walt McKechnie were in months ago, as were Bob Carter, mayor, and Lisa Schell, deputy mayor of Minden Hills.

Granted there were still some races in Dysart, for ward 1 with four candidates; ward 2 with three contenders; and ward 4 with four wannabes. However, with the top two jobs already spoken for, voter turnout was low, at 31.47 per cent.

Minden Hills also featured races for councillor-at-large, ward 1 and ward 2 but without a mayor and deputy mayor on the ballot it was a bit ho-hum there as well, at 24.76 per cent.

And while there were mayoral races in Algonquin Highlands and Highlands East, turnout in Algonquin Highlands was 28.9 per cent and Highlands East 21.26 per cent.

We know that competitive races usually result in higher voter turnout. In the County this time around, one half of all candidates were acclaimed. That is 12 of 24. That isn’t good.

And, sometimes incumbents get back in on name recognition alone, not necessarily performance. Studies estimate incumbency increases a candidate’s winning percentage by 30 per cent in municipal races, compared to about 10 per cent in federal races.

But low voter turnout isn’t just a Haliburton County story. Other townships, including the City of Toronto, have seen record low voter turnouts.

Some have speculated it is voter fatigue following a federal, provincial and now municipal election in 13 months during COVID.

Incidentally, the provincial election in June recorded its worst-ever turnout, while last year’s federal election saw its lowest turnout in a decade.

The sociologists will likely have a field day with this, but it does speak to the state of democracy in our country and across the world.

Closer to home, could the municipalities themselves have done more to attract candidates and voters?

The answer is yes.

Municipalities in general don’t do a good job of promoting the nomination period and explaining what the election is about and what people’s options are.

It is commendable that a candidate information session was put on by the townships, featuring Fred Dean, a municipal coach and former municipal solicitor, back in April. To my knowledge, nothing like that had been done before locally.

The session provided an overview of the roles and responsibilities of municipal council members and explained how public office will impact would-be councillors’ lives.

Researching this week’s editorial, I came across a CBC interview with Dave Meslin from Grey Highlands. He launched the nonpartisan Grey Highlands Municipal League earlier this year with support from a dozen volunteers across the municipality.

They organized election information sessions at cafes and libraries. They mailed out postcards in the style of job ads to recruit council candidates. And when the nomination period closed, they sent out a candidate ‘menu’ to residents.

They had 23 candidates this year for seven positions. They had never had more than 15 in the past. There were three for mayor, three for deputy mayor and 17 for council.

Those worried about the future of democracy in the Highlands might take a look at what Grey Highlands Municipal League is doing for our 2026 election

Public getting say in County’s future

By

Lisa Gervais

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October 27, 2022

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The County of Haliburton is continuing to work on an economic development strategy, launching a survey Oct. 11.

The County hired Strexer Harrop Consulting Group (SHCG), based in Bridgenorth, in June to develop a five-year strategy for the municipality. Director of economic development and tourism, Scott Ovell, brought the idea to council last January, securing just under $50,000 for the plan from Safe Restart Funds.

“An economic development strategy will create a road map for economic transformation and growth, with the goal of yielding long-term prosperity for the County,” Ovell said.

He added it will include steps that will require the participation of the business community, institutions and citizens.

“While the County has had tremendous success developing and marketing tourism, the challenging realities of today’s economy call for new directions, ideas and approaches to enhance economic growth, attract investment and ensure the opportunity continues to be a significant part of the County’s quality of life,” Ovell said in unveiling the survey on the County’s website and various online platforms, including wadein.haliburtoncounty.ca.

SHCG put together the survey to help the municipality “actively monitor changes taking place within our community, and ensure we work hard to support the local economy,” Ovell said.

He added responses will help develop ongoing COVID-19 recovery efforts to support the business community and, “provide vital information we can use to create initiatives and programs to support businesses and our local economy.”

In addition to background information, the survey asks questions such as: in the past three years, has your opinion about doing business in our community changed; how would you describe the current economy in Haliburton County; what should Haliburton County focus on to grow jobs and the economy; and what is Haliburton County’s biggest economic challenge for the next five years?

Ovell said SHCG has a strong background working with small rural townships, such as City of Kawartha Lakes, and with organizations within Haliburton County, such as the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce.

He said the first phase of the project will include a look at current realities, an economic profile of the County as well as a situational analysis using strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and results (SOAR). There will be the public survey and talks with stakeholders followed by a report to council early in the new year for their feedback.

After getting input from council, the project will move into the second phase where the strategy will begin to be developed based on the feedback and information collected during phase one.

In his initial pitch Jan. 12, 2021, Ovell said he’d been hired to develop a more diverse and resilient economy, while still recognizing the importance tourism plays in the Highlands’ continued growth.

He said while there is an overarching tourism plan, the implementation of the Destination Management Plan was impacted by COVID-19, and there currently isn’t a strategy for the broader economy.

Ovell said in an interview it’s about creating a vision with council and the community and identifying how to achieve that collaborative vision with a five-year departmental budget and business plan.

The survey can be found at wadein. haliburtoncounty.ca under the economic development strategy project page.