Haliburton Restaurants relieved as doors fully open

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October 28, 2021

Capacity limits and distancing requirements at Haliburton’s restaurants and gyms were officially lifted Oct. 25 as Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled the final steps of the province’s reopening plan.

The move comes just two weeks after similar restrictions were lifted at athletic venues, cinemas and theatres across the province. Terri Matthews-Carl, owner of Rhubarb Restaurant in Carnarvon, said she was “thrilled” to be allowed to open back up at full capacity. “We’ve already put our tables back in, which gives us an additional 50 per cent capacity compared to what we’ve been able to have inside over the past year.

For us, this makes a huge difference,” MatthewsCarl said. “It’s definitely long overdue, but we’re just thrilled that the decision has been made.” With no capacity limits in place, MatthewsCarl estimates she’ll be able to have up to 25 additional customers inside the restaurant.

That’s particularly important, she said, given the changing of the seasons. “During the summer, the capacity limits weren’t such a big deal, because we were able to use our patio. We were able to add a lot of extra seating that way. But now that patio season is over, it really is going to be much more helpful to have the additional seating inside,” she said. While many restauranteurs were beside themselves early in October, after Ford said capacity limits would remain in place at provincial eateries even after lifting them at sporting arenas, Matthews-Carl said she appreciated the delay as it gave her and her staff time to adjust to the new vaccination requirements without having a full house.

“We really weren’t that angry. Throughout all of this, we’ve just wanted to make sure everybody was safe. And, honestly, with having to do the vaccination checks – opening up at full capacity and doing everything at the same time would have been a lot to handle. This way, everybody’s gotten used to checking for vaccines, and now we’re ready to go and be back operating at full capacity,” she said.

The best feeling, Matthews-Carl said, is knowing that she won’t be forced to disappoint people moving forward. “We’ve been turning away people every night, basically since the end of summer and we closed our patio,” she said. “Now we won’t have to do that anymore.” Venues such as barbershops and salons, museums, galleries and indoor areas of amusement parks have also had capacity limits lifted, providing they opt-in to the province’s proof of vaccination requirements.

During the announcement, health minister Christine Elliott informed the public that the province is currently planning for all remaining COVID-19-related public health and workplace safety measures to be lifted by March 2022.

Elliott said the province plans to begin a gradual lifting of vaccine certification requirements, chief medical officer of health directives and capacity limits in settings where proof of vaccination is not required. Other measures, like masking, will remain in place until March 28. “We know this is encouraging news for Ontarians who have sacrificed so much over the last 20 months,” Elliott said.

“Today is a milestone in our fight against COVID-19. We have a plan to safely manage this virus in the long-term and protect the health and well-being of Ontarians, while ensuring Ontario remains open and recovering.”

Dame Beatrice and Penelope are on their way

By

Lisa Gervais

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October 28, 2021

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Dame Beatrice will be making her return to the Highlands Nov. 27, this year en route from London, England and Ingersoll, Ontario.

Her alter ego, Mike Jaycock, said the Highlands Christmas Shindig is coming back in hybrid form for 2021.

The eighth annual festive offering will be staged from the Haliburton Legion this year.

While on many people’s calendars for its comedic and musical line-up, Jaycock reminded fans, “This is an important fundraiser for Fuel for Warmth and to date the event has raised over $100,000 in support of families and individuals in need of help during the winter months.”

Dame Beatrice and Penelope (Victoria Bingham) will be back to host the show, and Jaycock said both are “quite anxious to get back to the Highlands. As Beatrice says, ‘I miss my little chipmunks’.”

The show will have a limited live audience of 100 people in the main hall of the Legion, plus a watch party of 50 in the Legion’s Club Room downstairs.

The limited quantity of tickets go on sale Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. from tables at Up River Trading in Minden and the entrance lobby at Glecoff’s Family Store in Haliburton.

Tickets are $25 for the live show and $15 for the watch party. Proof of second vaccination is required for each ticket at the time of purchase. This will also be the requirement the night of the Shindig for entry into the Legion.

The Dominion Hotel and Pub in Minden will also hold a watch party for people who book tables. Donations will be made to Fuel for Warmth.

Jaycock said the show will once again feature local talent: Jim Blake and Fay Wilkinson; Nick and Stan Russell; Slinky and The Boys; Tomorrow Never Knows; The Moontones and the Kowalksi Sisters with Ragged Company.

Special guests this year are David Archibald and Robin Duke, who played Wendy Kurtz, owner of the Blouse Barn, in Schitt’s Creek.

“Robin has a property in the Highlands and, on seeing Ron James’ support last year, said she would be delighted to lend her support to this fundraising event,” Jaycock said.

Duke teaches writing as a faculty member at Humber College in Toronto and, over the last year, the majority of her classes were done online from her Highlands cottage.

The show will be available for home viewing through YouTube, the Highlands Christmas Shindig Facebook page and at Fuel for Warmth’s website: fuelforwarmth. com. Donations can be made online through the website.

Jaycock added they will be using state-ofthe-art technology.

“Three cameras will be employed to capture the antics and entertainment and then to a mixer to send out a quality show. In behind the scenes, information regarding tech requirements for each act has been gathered and plans are underway for the three stages that will be required for the show. The entire undertaking will observe distancing and implementation of COVID protocols.”

Showtime is 7.30pm.

Teen collecting pop tabs to buy wheelchair

By

Mike Baker

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October 28, 2021

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Haliburton teen Kendra Korpela is working towards a goal of purchasing a wheelchair for someone in the community one pop tab at a time.

What started out as something of a hobby for the Grade 8 student has, in recent weeks, manifested into a full-fledged community movement.

“Kendra has been collecting these pop tabs since she was in Grade 4. Then, when she was in Grade 5, she decided she wanted to use them for something,” said her mother, Jennifer Korpela. “Pretty quickly she decided on using whatever money she’s able to raise through the pop tabs to buy a wheelchair.”

The inspiration for that, Kendra said, came from her great grandmother, who was wheelchair bound.

Over the past five years, Kendra estimates she has collected around 400,000 pop tabs. Her goal, initially, was to have enough to purchase a wheelchair by the end of her Grade 8 year. With that time quickly approaching – and Kendra some way shy of the approximately one million pop tabs it would take to achieve her goal – Jennifer threw out something of a ‘Hail Mary’ to the community in the hopes of pushing her daughter over the line.

She created a post in a community group on Facebook that drew considerable attention. In the weeks since that post went live, the Korpelas have received thousands of pop tabs from area residents.

“The support we’ve received has been amazing. People have been dropping off pop tabs at Haliburton United Church, and we’ve received big donations too – a lady from Norland brought an old ice cream bucket full of them,” Jennifer said.

Another substantial donation was set to arrive from Hamilton last week, only for the deliverer to be involved in a car collision en route. Jennifer said she is in the process of figuring out how to get those pop tabs to Haliburton.

When the Korpelas feel they have enough pop tabs, they plan to take them to an aluminum depository in Barrie, and then donate the funds to a local organization that can in turn purchase a wheelchair, either for someone in need, or for use at an area facility.

“We’re very proud of Kendra. She’s a good girl. She has always been someone who had a lot of compassion and a lot of empathy,” Jennifer said. “To even think of doing something like this when she was in Grade 4 or Grade 5… we’re just very proud.”

Linda Brandon encouraged athletes of all abilities

By

Sam Gillett

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October 28, 2021

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Without Linda Brandon, Haliburton’s sporting community would be missing some of its most dedicated and enthusiastic athletes.

Brandon was key in bringing the Special Olympics to the area, which led to the creation of curling, golf, shuffleboard, and softball teams.

She’s now inducted into the Haliburton Highlands Sports Hall of Fame.

“Linda modeled ways to create inclusive communities with open hearts and minds,” wrote the Hall of Fame committee. “She built a foundation of sport in Haliburton County for athletes of all abilities.”

Brandon said it was “a lot to process” when she learned she would be recognized.

“Expect the unexpected,” Brandon said. “It was an overwhelming honour and very humbling to be included in the ‘builder’ category.”

Brandon is known for her skill and passion for building community. Not only did she run weekly practices, organize tournaments, and partner with community groups, she nurtured her athletes with a practiced hand, earning level two national coaching certificates from Special Olympics Ontario. She started the Red Wolves five-pin bowling team in 1997 and was the club’s manager, coach and treasurer until 2007. Brandon’s team won gold at the 2004 provincial games and a player she coached, Carrie Crego, won bronze in Manitoba at the national level.

However, she said her greatest achievement wasn’t medals or tournament success.

“It was the coming together of a great team who shared similar inclusive values. A team that collectively promoted and built upon how we saw our athletes.”

“Focusing on athletes’ abilities encouraged our athletes to strive to improve their personal best standing,” she said.

Brandon said she’s seen the community embrace athletes with disabilities over the years.

“Through the tremendous efforts of our local communities: businesses, organizations, service clubs, and many volunteers, collectively their efforts have encouraged inclusiveness in sport,” she said.

As for her team and athletes, Brandon said she will always remember the way they came together to celebrate.

“Celebrations that not only honoured the achievements of our athletes, we also celebrated the dedicated contributions made by our coaches and significant others. Throughout the building of our Special Olympic Red Wolves team we took the time to have fun and enjoy the experience while engaged in a sport we loved.”

Brandon’s time with the Red Wolves will be commemorated at the Hall of Fame exhibit in the Haliburton Arena, opening in 2022.

“Whether in her role as an educational assistant, a Special Olympics coach, or a friend,” wrote the committee, “Linda modeled ways to create inclusive communities with open hearts and minds. She built a foundation of sport in Haliburton County for athletes of all abilities.”

Revered 1934 Huskies a lock for new Haliburton Highlands Sports Hall of Fame

By

Mike Baker

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October 28, 2021

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Highlands resident Roger Dart wasn’t around to see his dad, Glen, and uncle, Don, light up the ice for the 1934 Haliburton Huskies, but he has heard several, almost fantasy-like stories recounting the exploits of that historic team.

Playing at a time when organized hockey was, for the most part, restricted to more urban areas closer to Toronto, the Huskies were one of several rural outfits that proved the exception to the rule. Rather than competing in a league, the team would travel across the southern parts of the province to play in weekend tournaments – where the winner would take home a trophy or a cup.

That team, from 1934, is still remembered to this day as one of Haliburton’s most successful hockey outfits, having collected seven championships over a short four-month window. Now, those accomplishments will endure for generations to come with the squad set to be inducted into the inaugural class of the Haliburton Highlands Sports Hall of Fame.

“The 1934 Huskies really were like the rock stars of their generation … They were the team to beat in Ontario, that’s for sure,” said Dart. “We don’t know a whole lot about this hockey team, but we do know that they played during the [Great] Depression era, and that they were both prominent and successful. They gave the community something to cheer for, and something they could be proud of.”

As a 15-year-old high schooler, Glen Dart was in the early stages of his remarkable hockey career when he dressed for the Huskies in 1934. He and his brother, Don, were important members of the team, but were far from the stars, Roger said.

The leaders of the team were defensemen Ron Curry and Dick Logan. Other prominent players included Jas (Jimmy) Iles, Lyle Lucas, Harold Dean and goaltender Oswald (Ossie) Glidden. Together, that starting line-up were immortalized in the poem The Huskies, written by Burleigh Wallace.

From December 1933 to March 1934, the Huskies, under the management of George Woods and Grenville Dart, won prominent titles such as the Durant Cup, the Bert Porter Cup, the Hughes Cup, the Felt Cup, the Renfrew Trophy and the FJ Carew Challenge Cup. While one of those trophies was won on home ice in Haliburton, the vast majority were claimed while on the road, oftentimes competing against teams from much larger communities.

Lindsay, in particular, was a favourite stomping ground of the Huskies. And, whenever they did travel south, they rarely did so alone.

“Back in that era, they had things they called ‘special trains.’ These were trains that weren’t usually scheduled that would be put on for the purpose of taking hockey fans down to games,” Dart said. “There was one time, and this was quoted in The Lindsay Daily Post from March 1934, where there was a train that started in Haliburton and went all the way down to Lindsay, stopping along the way to pick up more and more people. There were more than 400 fans from Haliburton in the stands that day.

“I think that right there shows you just what that team meant to the community,” Dart added.

Study to chart future of arts centre

By

Sam Gillett

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October 28, 2021

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The Haliburton Highlands Arts Centre Foundation (HHACF) has hired a consulting firm to study how a performing arts centre could best fit into County life.

Janis A. Barlow and Associates, a Toronto-based arts consulting firm, will complete a multi-staged feasibility study determining where a performing arts centre could be located, submit design recommendations and assist in developing a business plan for long-term sustainability. Previously, the board estimated the centre would hold 350-500 people. “

I believe Janis Barlow is the most experienced consultant in theatre working in Canada today,” said HHACF board member Drew Allan at the foundation’s Oct. 21 AGM. “They have researched, built and studied theatres for the past 40 years across Canada.”

The feasibility study will cost $90,000. Chairperson Dan Manley said the group hopes a Canadian Heritage funding application will cover up to $45,000 of the final cost.

Local fundraising initiatives have garnered $9,420 in the past year, with CanoeFM signing on as the foundation’s media sponsor and donating $15,000 raised through the station’s radio bingo in July.

That’s not enough to fund the study. However, the contract with Barlow indicates a four-stage study. The first stage of work is already paid for.

“Essentially if this doesn’t work out with Canadian Heritage, part of the contract is we can freeze or pause work when funds are a bit short,” Manley said. “Once we get some more then we can move to the next phase.”

According to the board, the consultants will reach out to board-selected community stakeholders late in 2021, and then explore possible site locations, followed by conceptual architectural and design work, estimated to wrap up by 2023.

Clinic taking care of ‘freshies’

By

Lisa Gervais

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October 28, 2021

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Looking for a fresh take on self-care and wellness? Consider the Fresh You Clinic, with locations in Haliburton and Bancroft.

“Fresh You centres the patient in an experience of renewal,” said Dr. Ashley White, who serves as medical director for both sites.

“We provide a space for clients to ‘feel like themselves’ or ‘feel how they want’ guilt-free … Our work helps women become informed about the options they have in the skin health, beauty and wellness space and ensures they direct their care in a gentle, progressive way that does not intimidate or exclude. Fresh offers a sense of brightness and hope, which is what we love about our work.”

Fresh You provides medical aesthetic and beauty services such as injections, laser treatments, hair removal, medical facials and nail care, as well as a wellness program called Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies, created for people with obesity. The clinic shop features numerous products by brands such as Vivier and Zo. Bookings and product purchases can be made traditionally or online through the Fresh You website.

Clients are known as Freshies, defined as people who want to be taken care of properly and to “feel refreshed in a modern, up-to-date, light, comfortable and fun atmosphere.” Services are available individually and in group events organized by Gillian Taylor, clinic coordinator and events lead.

“People love our events,” said White. “Gillian has such a great eye. We just hosted a bachelorette and the bride was so pleased. We had so much fun putting it together, and we hope to do many more.”

A family practice and emergency room physician, White opened Fresh You at the Bancroft site in 2017 and the Haliburton site in 2020. The two locations are staffed collaboratively by Taylor, four nurses, four estheticians, a lead for the Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies program and a COO. In addition, White runs her own sessions for injections and skin consults at both locations.

According to White, the Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies program differs from many wellness offerings in that it “considers that obesity is a real disease, genetically rooted and mostly brain-centred.” The program offers evidence-based care combined with supportive wellness coaching, pharmacotherapy and group support (healthymindshealthybodies.ca).

“We want to help people with obesity own the space they’re in, and self-advocate, and feel entitled to good care, in beauty and in medicine,” said White.

As with similar services, Fresh You was shut down under pandemic regulations seven months out of 18. White said the team used that time to plan and clarify the clinic’s focus and “trained like crazy.”

“We are serious about skin health, and we are going to make a name for ourselves in the industry by ensuring that our patients know that they are in charge, and we can equip them with the information they require to make empowered decisions about health and beauty.”

The Fresh You Clinic sites are 17 York River Dr., Bancroft and 187 Highland St., Suite 5 (lower mall level), Haliburton. Call or text 705-417-2084, email info@ freshyouclinic.com or visit freshyouclinic. com.

Library services remain on hold in AH

By

Sam Gillett

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October 28, 2021

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New library CEO Chris Stephenson said he’s examining all options to bring interim library access to Algonquin Highlands residents “before winter.”

A mold problem in Dorset and ongoing accessibility upgrades at Stanhope library have cut Algonquin Highlands residents off from easy access to Haliburton County Public Library (HCPL) services.

It’s estimated work at Stanhope will be completed before 2022, however supply chain issues have slowed construction to date.

“It’s unfortunate that we have these two branches in one municipality that are both closed,” Stephenson said.

While HCPL cardholders can access Lake of Bays libraries for free, Stephenson said “restoring library service is one of my important acts since I got here,”

In a September library board meeting, member Curry Humphreys said directing library cardholders to neighbouring municipalities is not an acceptable solution.

“The citizens of this municipality pay taxes to Haliburton, and we should find solutions for them,” she said.

Stephenson’s investigating a number of ideas including a drop-off and pick-up location, perhaps a locker with access keys.

“I’ve also been asked to explore a private-sector arrangement,” Stephenson added.

“I’m not sure what that looks like yet but I need to spend some time asking questions about who might be a good partner.”

“Really, we need a space where people can meet someone or retrieve books or resources,” he said.

Mold at the Dorset rec centre, initially discovered in March, has forced the closure of the building since the end of May. Possible fixes being discussed at AH council range from exterior waterproofing to demolishing and reconstructing the building at a cost of $4-5 million.

Stephenson, who just stepped into his role at the end of September, said he hopes to do a branch tour on Nov. 3, in order to “have a visual on what the community looks like.”

Programs’ end could lead to more jobs

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Submitted

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October 28, 2021

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After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced last week that the federal government would not be extending the Canada Recovery Benefit, HaliburtonKawartha Lakes-Brock MP Jamie Schmale said this could encourage more people to return to the local workforce.

CRB benefits ended Oct. 23. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said as of Oct. 10, the program had paid out $27 billion to more than two million applicants. The program was launched in September 2020 to replace the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy also ended Oct. 23.

“We really think that the CERB and the recovery benefits did what they were supposed to do,” Freeland said. “We think now that the public health and economic circumstances of today are quite different, and so we think it is an appropriate time to transition away from these broader measures to more targeted support and to more … regional lockdown support for businesses and workers.”

She announced $7.4 billion had been set aside to support a slew of new programs, including the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit, which will assist those whose work is directly impacted by governmentimposed lockdowns. That program will run until May 7, 2022 and will provide $300 per week to eligible workers.

Freeland also announced a new Tourism and Hospitality Recovery (THR) program, and Hardest-Hit Business Recovery (HHBR) program, which will both be available until May 7. THR applies to operations such as hotels, restaurants, bars, festivals and travel agencies that recorded average monthly revenue losses of at least 40 per cent for the first 13 months of the old Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) program. HHBR applies to businesses that don’t fit under the tourism and hospitality umbrella, but are still facing financial hardships relating to the pandemic. To be eligible, businesses would have to show an average monthly revenue loss of at least 50 per cent over the first 13 months of CEWS.

While Schmale was pleased to hear that CRB would not be extended, he criticized Trudeau for implementing further relief programs without input from the other parties.

“This should have been done in Parliament, not at a podium during a media conference,” Schmale said.

Federal politicians are still, essentially, on a break until Nov. 22, when they will return to Ottawa for the first time since last month’s election.

Schmale acknowledged CRB was an important program when it was introduced last year, supporting Canadians who lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Now that it’s over, he expects the local workforce to receive a much-needed jolt over the coming weeks.

“I think this will get some people back into the workforce. Recent unemployment rates shows that levels are coming down quite dramatically, so people are getting back in. But we all know how bad the labour shortage is in many parts of the country, including Haliburton County,” Schmale said. “Long-term, we need to be addressing this, looking at what does it mean and how we go about getting those who aren’t in the workforce back in safely, and responsibly.

“But I do believe, with CRB gone, our businesses may start to see more people coming through their door [looking for work],” Schmale added

Restaurants relieved as doors fully open

By

Mike Baker

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October 28, 2021

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Capacity limits and distancing requirements at Haliburton’s restaurants and gyms were officially lifted Oct. 25 as Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled the final steps of the province’s reopening plan.

The move comes just two weeks after similar restrictions were lifted at athletic venues, cinemas and theatres across the province.

Terri Matthews-Carl, owner of Rhubarb Restaurant in Carnarvon, said she was “thrilled” to be allowed to open back up at full capacity.

“We’ve already put our tables back in, which gives us an additional 50 per cent capacity compared to what we’ve been able to have inside over the past year. For us, this makes a huge difference,” MatthewsCarl said. “It’s definitely long overdue, but we’re just thrilled that the decision has been made.” With no capacity limits in place, MatthewsCarl estimates she’ll be able to have up to 25 additional customers inside the restaurant. That’s particularly important, she said, given the changing of the seasons. “During the summer, the capacity limits weren’t such a big deal, because we were able to use our patio. We were able to add a lot of extra seating that way. But now that patio season is over, it really is going to be much more helpful to have the additional seating inside,” she said.

While many restauranteurs were beside themselves early in October, after Ford said capacity limits would remain in place at provincial eateries even after lifting them at sporting arenas, Matthews-Carl said she appreciated the delay as it gave her and her staff time to adjust to the new vaccination requirements without having a full house.

“We really weren’t that angry. Throughout all of this, we’ve just wanted to make sure everybody was safe. And, honestly, with having to do the vaccination checks – opening up at full capacity and doing everything at the same time would have been a lot to handle. This way, everybody’s gotten used to checking for vaccines, and now we’re ready to go and be back operating at full capacity,” she said.

The best feeling, Matthews-Carl said, is knowing that she won’t be forced to disappoint people moving forward.

“We’ve been turning away people every night, basically since the end of summer and we closed our patio,” she said. “Now we won’t have to do that anymore.”

Venues such as barbershops and salons, museums, galleries and indoor areas of amusement parks have also had capacity limits lifted, providing they opt-in to the province’s proof of vaccination requirements.

During the announcement, health minister Christine Elliott informed the public that the province is currently planning for all remaining COVID-19-related public health and workplace safety measures to be lifted by March 2022.

Elliott said the province plans to begin a gradual lifting of vaccine certification requirements, chief medical officer of health directives and capacity limits in settings where proof of vaccination is not required. Other measures, like masking, will remain in place until March 28.

“We know this is encouraging news for Ontarians who have sacrificed so much over the last 20 months,” Elliott said. “Today is a milestone in our fight against COVID-19. We have a plan to safely manage this virus in the long-term and protect the health and well-being of Ontarians, while ensuring Ontario remains open and recovering.”