Highlands Summer Festival to make 2022 return

By

-

November 25, 2021

The Highlands Summer Festival will kick off its 2022 theatre season in July with a world-famous Richard Rodger and Oscar Hammerstein musical.

The announcement of the new season was made by artistic producer Scot Denton and festival president Brian Kipping Nov. 14.

“It will be an exciting year for the festival,” Denton said.

“The Highlands Summer Festival will be celebrating its return to the stage leading off with The Sound of Music July 4 for 10 performances, including three matinees,” Denton said.

Kipping added, “We are so excited to finally be presenting the season we promised you before our theatre, and the world for that matter, went dark. We knew from the enthusiastic response to the announcement in 2019 that we should make every effort to bring that season and we have.”

In addition to The Sound of Music, the festival season includes: Oscar Wilde’s satirical The Importance of Being Earnest, the touching Every Brilliant Thing and feature a rollicking performance from Marshall Button as Lucien and a memory evoking, toe tapping rock concert, Across the Pond (The British Invasion), with Leisa Way and the Wayward Wind Band.

The season will run from July 4-August 11.

Details for the shows can be found on the festival’s newly refreshed website, highlandssummerfestival.on.ca .

Included in the schedule are eight matinee performances with special youth pricing of $20 for those 18 and younger. Single tickets will still be available for $37.50 Season passes, which include all five shows, are now on sale for $160. Passes can be purchased online, by phone 705-457-9933, 1-855-457-9933 or by mail at Box 678, Haliburton, Ontario, K0M 1S0. Season passes will be on sale until Jan. 31, 2022.

Committee worries about IB+O bridge

By

Sam Gillett

-

November 25, 2021

0

Highlands East trail and outdoors committee will seek engineers to conduct a structural assessment of the IB&O rail trail bridge.

If the committee receives a suitable quote, they can forward the decision for Highlands East council’s approval.

“I think we’re doing the right thing by bringing this forward to council,” said chairperson Coun. Cam McKenzie.

Committee members raised issues with the bridge, located near Farr Road, in the summer of 2020.

McKenzie estimated the wooden foundation is original, and other committee members pointed out makeshift supporting structures under the bridge seem unsafe.

“It seems as though they’re comprised of partial sections,” said member Peter Wood.

“To me, I don’t know how secure that is, If that’s a normal bridge-building practice. I’d think a proper review is worthwhile.”

The IB&O bridge regularly sees snowmobile traffic and increased ATV and side-by-side traffic.

For board member Frank Meurer, the bridge is a concern to riders.

“Having now seen the underside of the bridge, I’m a little more concerned than when I was riding on top of it,” said Frank Meurer.

It’s estimated an engineer’s review of the bridge could cost $2,500. Highlands East council will make the decision whether to hire a third-party inspector.

Incentives for landlords to start renting

By

Mike Baker

-

November 25, 2021

0

After successfully piloting a new rental incentive designed to combat homelessness across the region last year, the Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Housing Corporation is kicking the program into overdrive this winter in the hopes of alleviating one of the region’s most serious and complex issues.

In its inaugural year, the rapid re-housing program found homes for 34 families from across Haliburton County and the City of Kawartha Lakes. Michelle Corley, manager of the regional housing authority, says that 85 per cent of those households remain housed 14 months later.

“We have seen a lot of success with this program since it was introduced. During the initial run last year, during the height of the pandemic, we did see a few landlords in the Haliburton area take advantage of it, and that helped some really vulnerable people find a home,” Corley said.

Through the initiative, the housing corporation offers landlords with vacant apartments a variety of supports and incentives, including funding to help prepare a unit for move-in, two months of pre-paid rent, and last month’s rent guarantee. Further security is provided to landlords in the form of compensation for damages beyond regular wear and tear and assistance in recovering any rent arrears. The housing authority also commits to carrying out weekly check-ins with tenants, and monthly check-ins with landlord to ensure things are going smoothly.

Any homeowner with a vacant unit, or with one that will soon be available, can apply for the incentive. Corley says while it’s designed to subsidize standalone living units, they may also consider co-habitation situations, such as someone looking to rent out a room in their home.

“We won’t say no, initially, to anything. We’ll work with landlords as much as we can,” Corley said.

In an attempt to learn the full extent of the region’s homelessness problem, the City of Kawartha Lakes led a homeless enumeration exercise in September aimed at finding people experiencing homelessness. Staff surveyed 80 individuals and families experiencing homeless across Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County.

Delving deeper into the statistics, Corley said there are currently more than 150 homeless households in the area. In Haliburton County, the survey found 15 families, seven seniors and seven youth who were living without a fixed addressed, and a further 10 households considered unsheltered and sleeping either outside, in a vehicle or a seasonal trailer.

“The number of individuals and families who are currently sleeping outside or in vehicles is significantly higher than what we have previously experienced,” Corley said.

While she acknowledged some people experiencing homelessness suffer from mental health and substance abuse issues, there’s been an alarming growth in the number of working households who have found themselves without a home over the past 12 months.

“We are seeing rents significantly increase, and we are seeing the amount of available or advertised private rental units significantly decrease, so those are certainly very concerning trends,” she said. “In all circumstances, homelessness is often related to a lack of housing. And we know that there’s a significant lack of housing in the County.”

Corley said the strength of the local housing market was exacerbating the issue, with many landlords choosing to sell their homes to maximize their investment while prices are high.

“We have seen a lot of people dispersed because of that, and because there’s nothing available these people often have nowhere to go,” she said.

For more information about the rapid re-housing program, visit kawarthalakes. ca/housing, or contact Jessica Little at 705-324-9870 ext. 3427 or jlittle@ kawarthalakes.ca.

Library lands free streaming service

By

Sam Gillett

-

November 25, 2021

0

The Haliburton County Public Library is rolling out a new video streaming service.

Anyone with a HCPL library card will soon have free access to Kanopy, a streaming service used by more than 45 million library patrons worldwide.

The program was funded with a $2,200 donation from the Haliburton Rotary Club.

HCPL CEO Chris Stephenson said the program “strikes a balance between education and entertainment which is what libraries strive to do.”

It includes top-rated dramas such as “Call me by your name”, “Lady Bird” and deepdive documentaries such as “The Facebook Dilemma.” New titles are added regularly.

“More than 6,800 library users can get the app on their phone, laptop or on some smart TVs as well,” Stephenson said. “It’s actually considered a gold-standard platform for public libraries.”

Stephenson said the program is a low-cost alternative to Netflix and other services, offering Highlanders “things to do with their families that are low cost and brings them together.”

Users get a set amount of credits to redeem for Kanopy titles per month.

“You don’t have to pick up a DVD or worry about returning them. If your credits are out, you just wait until the next month when they are restored,” Stephenson said.

He said Kanopy means the library can host new events too.

Often licenses to show films in libraries by large producers such as Disney can cost hundreds of dollars.

“That’s impossible for many libraries,” said Stephenson.

With Kanopy, if all viewers have a library card the library can host movie nights, film clubs and more.

“It opens up the door for many possibilities,” he said.

After a short staff testing period, Kanopy will be available to library patrons within a couple of weeks. Those interested in a library card can now get one online through the HCPL website.

Stephenson said Kanopy is another step in continuing to build the library’s digital services, which already include free access to e-books, learning experiences offered by National Geographic and event online databases such as Ancestry.ca.

“The library has something for everyone,” Stephenson said. “We always tell people it’s probably changed if it’s been a year or five years since you’ve been in.”

Site plan for treatment centre approved

By

Mike Baker

-

November 25, 2021

0

Algonquin Highlands has provisionally given the green light to Dimensions Health Centres to demolish and reconstruct a twostorey building on land the organization owns fronting Maple Lake.

At a meeting Nov. 18, municipal planner Sean O’Callaghan said the application complied with Algonquin Highlands’ official plan and bylaw provisions. The plan calls for the demolish of an existing building on the site, and subsequent construction of a new two-storey facility that O’Callaghan said will cover a “slightly larger” area.

The proposed building will boast a footprint of 6,400 sq. ft. and will be used, as per the application, for tourism purposes. It will include a spa, dining area, meeting rooms, gym, yoga studio, general reception area, sauna and float tank room. It will also include a walkout basement fronting the lake.

There was some public concern over the property in question earlier this year when, in a press release announcing its purchase of the site, Dimensions said the 40-acre property would be “the first of several destination retreat centres integral to [its] treatment model.” In the release, the company describes itself as a psychedelic treatment company focused on inpatient treatment, integrating neuroscience with traditional healing practices.

Some area residents approached local media in May, expressing concern that the site would be transformed into a drug rehabilitation centre. Dimensions has since refuted those claims.

Mayor Carol Moffatt said that while some remain skeptical over the company’s plans for the site, the municipality had no option but to approve the application.

“Let’s call a spade a spade. I know there are public concerns about this property. It needs to be stated, unequivocally, that the current zoning is being complied with and that we can’t make a decision on replacing a building about what may or may not happen on that property in the future,” Moffatt said. “We have to go with that it is today, and this is moving forward in accordance with our legislation.

Coun. Lisa Barry was concerned about the septic capacity at the site, especially in light of Dimensions’ proposal to increase the footprint of the main building. O’Callaghan said that the system on the site is large enough that it falls outside of municipal control, and is regulated by the province. He said the company would have to show that it is meeting ministry requirements when it submits an official building permit for the site.

Safety of Maple Ave. called into question

By

Mike Baker

-

November 25, 2021

0

Representatives from Dysart’s communities in action committee told council Nov. 23 the municipality needs to do a better job of establishing, and maintaining, a pedestrian system for residents walking in the downtown.

Sue Shikaze and Kate Hall presented on the state of sidewalks along Maple Avenue, saying they are not up to par with provincial safety standards. They took particular exception to conditions on the north side, just after the bend in front of the new Gardens of Haliburton retirement facility.

Only one side of Maple Avenue has a functional sidewalk that far out – leaving elderly residents walking along the side of the road, or crossing unsafely. When the Gardens was first proposed, Shikaze said the committee submitted several recommendations for improvements in the area.

“Now, two years later, with the Gardens fully operational, there has still been no improvements to the walking infrastructure,” Shikaze said. “This all leads to the question, what is someone who is a walker to do? There is no option for someone who wants to walk from the Gardens safely into town.”

She suggested council consider installing a sidewalk on the north side of Maple Avenue, in front of the Gardens, to connect to an existing sidewalk by Victoria Street, where a crosswalk would be installed. Shikaze also recommended designating Maple Avenue a community safety zone, which would lower the speed limit and result in higher fines for speeders, as well as implementing several other “traffic calming” measures, such as signs and pavement markings.

The committee walked Maple Avenue in September with Mayor Andrea Roberts, councillors John Smith and Larry Clarke and CAO Tamara Wilbee. Shikaze said participants admitted the walk “wasn’t overly pleasant” due to the high rate, and speed, of traffic.

It’s worse for the seniors who reside at the Gardens. Shikaze told a story of a 97-yearold man who goes for a walk early every morning as a way of getting some exercise and there is concern about him navigating snowbanks in winter.

She also referenced concerns with the safety of the York Street pedestrian crosswalk, disrepair of the fencing along the Drag River trail, and the condition of the existing pavement along some parts of Maple Avenue, crumbling in some areas and requiring extensive weeding in others.

She said the community has an excellent track record rectifying issues, such as the transformation along Highland and York streets. Now, there’s an “urgent need” to do the same to Maple Avenue.

“Our residents have a right to walk safely from their homes to services and amenities,” Shikaze said.

Roberts admitted the municipality had work to do. Council will discuss upgrading Maple Avenue during its 2022 budget deliberations set to begin Dec. 10.

Wallings Road development

A delegation representing a group of Halbiem Crescent residents expressed their opposition to a proposed 48-unit affordable housing development slated for nearby Wallings Road.

Tim Negus, president of the Haliburton By the Lake (HBTL) property owners’ association, and Derrell Stamp said they’re worried about the impact the potential Places for People project could have on their neighbourhood.

The group’s chief concern surrounds the possibility of a go-between road being built from Wallings Road to Halbiem Crescent, as touted by some council members and representatives from Places for People. That idea stems from concerns the project could be shelved unless alternate routes out of Wallings Road are identified. The County of Haliburton is worried the intersection at Wallings Road and County Road 21 won’t be able to handle the additional traffic flow.

Negus said Roberts told him in 2020 that Halbiem Crescent was not being considered as a potential thoroughfare for Wallings Road, so was surprised to learn the option is on the table.

He noted 94 per cent of residents along Halbiem “strongly opposed” any road way coming into the subdivision from Wallings Road. They’re worried about more traffic without proper infrastructure. Another concern is spillover parking with 63 spaces for 48 units.

Ward 4 Coun. John Smith chalked up many of the group’s concerns to NIMBYism, saying he hears the same thing every time a development is proposed. “There’s no greater, more urgent need in our community than additional housing. It seems every week I pick up a paper there’s a group saying ‘well, you can’t build housing in my neighbourhood.’ We’ve got to build it somewhere,” Smith said.

No decision has been made over the Wallings Road proposal, and the County, Dysart and Places for People are still talking. “We do intend to keep this project going forward, to keep you informed, and keep having these conversations,” Roberts said.

HHHS may be weeks from ER cutbacks

By

Lisa Gervais

-

November 25, 2021

0

County Warden Liz Danielsen said she’s “extremely disappointed” the County’s emergency departments could see reduced services in a matter or weeks following a Nov. 22 community update from the Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS).

HHHS CAO Carolyn Plummer and the board of directors wrote that if they can’t find adequate staffing, “We will have to close one of the emergency departments during a set number of hours and days. This situation may persist for some time and we may not be able to forecast when we can resume full operation at both emergency departments.”

Danielsen said if it happens, it “will have a ripple affect across the County, not only for patients in need, but on other services as well, like the County’s paramedic service.”

She added she was “particularly disappointed that there was so little notice of something that will have such an impact. The County will be discussing this to consider what we can do to help reduce that impact and try to ensure that there is no permanent closure.”

According to HHHS, there were 18,633 trips to emergency, including 10,426 in Minden and 8,207 in Haliburton.

In the community update, Plummer and the board outline some of the obstacles they say the organization is facing and its possible impacts.

She told The Highlander on Nov. 23 that they are facing a shortage of registered nurses, for which the average age is 47. They are also looking for an emergency department physician and registered practical nurses.

Plummer said although they have been trying to recruit, including help from staffing agencies across the country and other healthcare organizations in the province, personnel issues are prevalent across Ontario, Canada and the world.

She said it’s a particular problem in rural communities with retirements, injuries, parental leaves, health issues and pandemic burnout and stress further exacerbating a bad situation. She added “we know it has been a challenge for staff to find suitable and affordable housing in the community.”

She stressed the current staff shortage is not related to a vaccine mandate which took effect Nov. 15 with 97.4 per cent of staff either fully vaccinated or had received one dose, continuing to work with regular testing and proof of their intention to receive the second jab. “No Registered Nurses were placed on leave or resigned due to the policy, and the majority of the small number of staff on leave are in support areas rather than direct patient care,” she said.

Next steps

As for next steps, Plummer said no decision has been made about which emergency department will need to reduce services. They’ll make that decision based on typical volumes of patient visits to each emergency department; staff schedules, gaps and staffing models; the geographic location of each emergency department in relation to communities and feedback from the Ministry of Health, Ontario Health East and Haliburton County Paramedic Service, among others.

If they proceed, Plummer said they would give the community at least 48 hours notice. She added they will continue to try to recruit staff and work with health care partners to assist patients.

She said the community can help by spreading the word that the help wanted sign is out, and people can contact hr@ hhhs.ca.

Plummer and the board are also asking the public to access care through their family doctor or nurse practitioner whenever possible.

MPP Laurie Scott was unable to do an interview but issued a statement to the paper the afternoon of Nov. 23.

In it, she said, “It’s unfortunate that Haliburton Highlands Health Services may have to make the difficult decision to adjust hours for one of their Emergency Departments. As we know, the human resource shortage in health care is not a new problem.”

She went on to cite a list of Ontario health care investments to boost the ranks of nurses, and personal support workers.

Meanwhile, Minden Hills councillor, Jennifer Hughey, expressed concern on her Facebook page. She said she recently took her nine-year-old daughter to the Minden emergency department for an allergic reaction. She added that she’s been treated there herself and was once airlifted to Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

“Time matters. It always will, and some won’t have time to get to another ER,” Hughey wrote.

Health unit to answer parents’ questions about COVID vaccines for kids

By

Lisa Gervais

-

November 22, 2021

0

By Lisa Gervais

With Health Canada’s approval of a COVID-19 vaccine for children ages five to 11, local health care providers say they are working together to help families understand why vaccination is safe, effective and recommended for kids.

Health Canada has given the green light for the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine to be provided to children ages five to 11 years. On Nov. 22, the Ontario government announced that parents can start booking appointments through the provincial booking system starting Nov. 23.

Locally, parents can book appointments for their children at COVID-19 vaccination clinics scheduled for Nov. 29 and onwards. Appointments are encouraged at all HKPR clinics for first, second or third doses, but walk-ins will also be accepted between 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at all clinics.

“Children can contribute to the spread of the virus at home and in other settings,” said Dr. Natalie Bocking, medical officer of health for the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit. “In order for us to most effectively build community protection against COVID-19, we need to get as many people across all age groups, including children, fully vaccinated.”

To help answer questions parents may still have about vaccinating their child, the HKPR District Health Unit is teaming up with local primary care providers to offer a virtual panel discussion entitled Fast Facts on COVID-19 Vacs for Kids.

“We know some parents are questioning the need and the safety of the vaccine and this information session is the perfect opportunity to talk about those concerns and help clear up some of the misinformation and fear that may be circulating,” said Dr. Bocking. “While children are less likely to get really sick from COVID-19, there are still many reasons why they need the protection offered by the vaccine.”

When: Thursday, Dec. 2 from 6 to 7 p.m.

What: A virtual meeting with a panel of local health care providers. The session will be live streamed on YouTube and the recording provided after the meeting.

Why: The panel will share information on COVID-19 and the vaccine for children.

Who: Panel participants will include: Dr. Sheila Mae Young – family physician in the City of Kawartha Lakes (moderator); Dr. Bocking; Dr. Emma Smith, family physician with Northumberland Family Health Team and Brooke Mountney, Public Health Nurse, HKPR District Health Unit.

How: visit hkpr.on.ca for information on how to view the session and pre-submit questions.

Dr. Bocking said she understands parents may have many questions about COVID-19 vaccines. The Dec. 2 information session is designed to provide information about the vaccine, how to prepare children for vaccination, potential side effects of the vaccine, and the ways to book a vaccination appointment. With the variety of panelists, parents can have their questions answered and will receive information from public health representatives, as well as family physicians, the health unit said.

Parents/guardians with questions about COVID-19 vaccine for children are also encouraged to speak with their health care providers. The SickKids COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service also offers appointment-based phone service that provides a safe, judgement-free space to discuss COVID-19 vaccine for children and youth. To book an appointment visit COVID-19 Vaccine Consult Service (sickkids.ca). As well, the Health Unit also has information, resources and videos on its website (hkpr.on.ca) for families to help decide what’s right for their child. Information on vaccination clinic locations, date and times for children is also available on the site.

Staffing challenges to impact ERs

By

Lisa Gervais

-

November 22, 2021

0

HHHS File Photo.jpg web — A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at the Haliburton hospital.

Haliburton Highlands Health Services announced late this afternoon that due to challenges around staffing and nursing capacity, it’s very likely they’ll need to reduce service at one of the County’s ERs – including closures during certain hours and days – in the coming weeks. See the full story in Thursday’s Highlander.

Fire chief says man saved by smoke alarms

By

Lisa Gervais

-

November 22, 2021

0

By Lisa Gervais

A hearing-impaired Minden man was able to safely escape his burning home this past weekend thanks to smoke alarms, fire Chief Nelson Johnson said.

Johnson said his fire department got a call to a Tennyson Road property at 12:30 a.m. Nov. 21.

The call from the 911 dispatcher said all occupants were out of the structure as volunteers headed to the scene.

Johnson said when the first crew arrived just before 1 a.m. they “encountered heavy smoke and flames. The roof was compromised and flames were spreading fast throughout the small, three-bedroom cottage.”

The department had an engine,water truck, rescue, two command units and 11 firefighters. The incident commander then called for mutual aid and the Dysart Fire Department brought two water trucks, a rescue, and 12 firefighters to assist. There was a total of 23 firefighters, one engine and three water trucks on site.

Johnson said crews began knocking down the fire and keeping it contained to the structure. The Minden Hills volunteers placed a portable pump in the lake to supply the engine with water.

Johnson said the occupant reported that he was sleeping in the cottage when insistent noise from the fire alarm woke him. He was roused to find flames and heavy smoke filling the cottage. He quickly ran out and called 911. Johnson said the occupant is hearing impaired and wears hearing aids.

“The occupant did not report any injuries, and the fire was considered out at 4 a.m.,” Johnson said. “The crews then switched to overhauling the fire to ensure that there were no hidden hot spots, leaving the scene at 5 a.m.

Johnson said no firefighters were injured either.

“The loss of a home can be difficult but we were very pleased that the smoke alarm functioned as it was supposed to and there were no injuries and the occupant was able to leave the building to call 911,” he added.

It was a busy weekend for the department. It had just finished extinguishing a large unattended brush fire when the structure fire call came in. Johnson said volunteers chocked up 37 hours of calls over Nov. 21 and 22. They included the structure fire, brush fire, a vehicle fire, medical calls, hydro lines down and the Minden Hills Santa Claus Parade.

“I am very proud of the volunteers that were able to assist this weekend and the long hours that were put in by all. The community should be proud of the volunteers that provide the township with the fire and rescue protection that they deserve, the volunteers always go above expectations when they are called upon.”

SIDEBAR: Fire alarms save lives

Johnson emphasized how working smoke alarms save lives. He said if they are properly installed and maintained, they play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. He said other tips include:

· Know the sounds of fire safety, hear the beep, get on your feet and get out, stay out.

· A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire.

· Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area.

· Install alarms on every level of the home.

· Smoke alarms should be interconnected, when one sounds, they all sound.

· Test your smoke alarms at least once a month, press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.

· Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years.

Johnson said modern smoke alarms are more technologically-advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions, yet mitigate false alarms and there are many types and devices for people with hearing difficulties, young children and for other situations.

He added when you are looking at replacing or upgrading any smoke alarm, you should consider having alarms with strobe lights. The flashing lights can assist with hearing difficulties. If the hearing difficulty is extreme there are devises that shake the bed or vibrate when the alarm goes off. There are also smoke alarms that connect wirelessly through the internet to your phone, this provides instant notification to you, even if you are not home.