HHHS reports $613,000 deficit

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December 9, 2021

Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) is in a precarious financial position according to board chair David O’Brien, who says the organization is waiting on nearly $3 million of COVID-19 related funding from the provincial government.

During a Dec. 2 board meeting, O’Brien said HHHS was “experiencing another very challenging year” in light of the ongoing pandemic. The organization is reporting a budget deficit of $613,000 as of Sept. 30, although O’Brien indicated that number is likely significantly higher today. He noted the third quarter financials, once in, were “not going to be pretty.”

Year to date the organization has seen lost revenues of approximately $372,000, while staffing expenses are way up, totalling more than $350,000. This is largely attributed to the use of staffing agencies to maintain services and miscellaneous recruitment costs, said Carolyn Plummer, HHHS president and CEO. A “significant” increase in housekeeping hours and security services has also impacted the budget.

O’Brien noted HHHS is experiencing cash flow issues, which is making things difficult operationally. As reported in the Nov. 25 Highlander, the organization is preparing to reduce services at its facilities in Haliburton and Minden in the near future, although that decision is being driven by staff shortages, according to Plummer.

“These challenges are particularly onerous on small rural hospitals who have very, very limited sources of external revenue that they can depend upon,” O’Brien said. “We’re going to continue to have serious issues going forward into the new year.”

The money HHHS is owed by the province is accounted for in the budget, meaning when it comes in the organization will still have a fairly substantial shortfall. In her report to the board, Plummer stated she was still waiting on reimbursements for pandemic-related expenses dating back to March 2021.

MPP Laurie Scott did not respond to questions surrounding the funding as of press time.

Emergency department closures

Plummer said an announcement on pending emergency department closures is coming, with the organization ironing out the details on a new long-term service plan.

It is unclear at this time whether those changes will impact the Minden hospital, Haliburton hospital, or both. Plummer has previously stated that HHHS will ensure at least one emergency department is available at all times.

“Work is still underway to analyze some information that we have available to us, and to seek feedback from various groups,” Plummer said.

HHHS physicians and clinicians have been involved in the process, she said. Other stakeholders such as Haliburton County Paramedic Services, Ontario Health, and community partners have also provided feedback.

Once a decision has been made, it will be shared at least 48 hours before any changes are implemented so as to give the community time to prepare.

“I don’t think any of us wanted to see this happen, but it is the reality [of our situation],” Plummer said.

Facility enhancements

HHHS has hired Thom Runciman to serve as environmental services supervisor. Plummer said he has a lot of experience in long-term care, and would be working to improve some of the organization’s cleaning and maintenance protocols post-COVID-19.

Work to bring HHHS up to standards through the Johnson Controls Energy Efficiency Initiative is close to completion, Plummer noted. Staff have recently finished upgrading LED lighting throughout all HHHS facilities, while a new building automation system has been installed.

“This system allows us to continuously monitor heating, cooling and ventilation trends in our main facilities, to help ensure our heating and air conditioning systems are functioning properly to maintain a comfortable environment for our patients, residents and staff,” Plummer said.

The planned long-term care nurse call system replacement project will be completed at Highland Wood this month, with work to begin at Hyland Crest early next year. Plummer says the old system was outdated and difficult for residents to use. The project was funded by the HHHS Foundation.

The magic of giving

The local hospital foundation reports it is off to “a very strong start” with its annual festive fundraiser. While she didn’t provide any numbers, executive director Lisa Tompkins said she was “very grateful for, and very humbled” by the generosity of the Highlands community, who has continued to support the foundation throughout the pandemic.

All money raised through the Believe in the Magic of Giving campaign is donated back to HHHS to fund equipment and facility upgrades and service enhancements.

Tickets for the foundation’s December 50/50 draw are still available, with an early bird draw taking place on Dec. 15 and grand prize draw happening Dec. 31.

Townships continue work on service review

By

Lisa Gervais

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December 9, 2021

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County of Haliburton CAO Mike Rutter says COVID has helped speed up the service delivery review (SDR) process and residents should see improvements and savings in the coming months.

Much of the work is being done behind the scenes by staff of the County, Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al, Highlands East and Minden Hills. However, the Haliburton County Home Builders Association (HCHBA) has been invited to the building, bylaw and septic working group.

Working groups are meeting regularly and report back to County council on a quarterly basis.

Rutter said since the pandemic began, the five CAOs have met once a week and that is continuing via Zoom.

“We simply did not communicate as often, or as well, prior to COVID. I would actually say we have come further, faster, on the service delivery review because of that meeting format,” he said.

The most recent SDR steering committee with County councillors was on Nov. 24.

Rutter is at the helm of the review, based on the 140-page report from consultants Strategy Corp., who identified 12 broad initiatives aimed at finding more than $900,000 in operational efficiencies and about $200,000 in productivity gains by getting the five corporations to work together better.

Rutter said it’s expected to take three years to complete, or into 2023.

“While not everything will be fully implemented by then, I do think the respective councils will have made decisions on many of the recommendations in that timeframe,” Rutter said.

However, he added, “That does not mean they will support every recommendation, but I do believe they will have all been debated and direction provided in that threeyear horizon.”

Rutter said he believes some changes will be implemented in the coming months. For example, the County has created, and now successfully recruited for, a director of economic development and tourism. Scott Ovell started Nov. 8, coming from the Town of Huntsville.

“As a result, residents should see improved service delivery/savings in those areas in the near term,” Rutter said.

County councillors also gave the green light to hiring a procurement coordinator. However, they have been unable to find a candidate so that remains on hold as of now. The other suggested positions, for which there has been no movement to date, include an in-house legal position and a communications officer and grant writer.

Building bylaw and septic

Referring to the building, bylaw and septic working group, Rutter said they will be reviewing bylaw enforcement and developing a recommendation on the potential for integration of that service in the near future.

The HCHBA declined to be interviewed, saying “we are very pleased to be included in the process with the County and the municipalities.”

According to meeting notes from Oct. 20, they asked that “given the level of activity in the building industry right now, is this the time to make monumental change like this?” They added if there is change, they want assurances service levels will not decrease during the transition.

The builders wanted to know if more municipal staff would be required. The answer was the model doesn’t include more inspectors, and it’s not yet known whether bylaw enforcement would be integrated.

The HCHBA also asked if changes would help the township attract more qualified staff. The answer was it was possible and there could be other benefits.

The builders said more discussion is needed on the pros and cons of having dedicated septic inspectors versus building officials who also do septic inspections. The four municipalities provide the services in a different way.

They said “consistency is critical” and were told an integrated model would result in consistent forms, interpretations, and approach.

The builders also wanted to know about maintaining connections with planning staff they are already dealing with at each township. According to the notes, it’s an area requiring more work.

The working group also had a number of questions for the builders. They wanted to know if it is important to have a physical office in each of the local municipalities. The HCHBA said that would be preferred. They said not everyone would be willing or able to submit plans electronically.

Councillor says towns must ‘work together’

Minden Hills Coun. Bob Carter, who has been keenly watching the process, said the need for change is crucial. “We have four different criteria for the minimum size dwelling in the area.

We have different rules for setbacks and little minor things like that, that drive builders crazy.

“I recall being in the office [Minden Hills] pre-pandemic and a builder came in and was showing the building department the plans for a garage he was building and they told him, ‘well, you can’t do that, and you can’t do that,” and he said ‘but I just took these same plans to Dysart et al and got approved’. And they said, ‘oh well, that’s Dysart’.

“That’s craziness and it’s hurting us all. I think that we have to work together.”

Doc head-hunter hits the ground running

By

Lisa Gervais

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December 9, 2021

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Wendy Welch hit the road last week, a potential doctor in tow, as she tried to entice the visitor to relocate to the Highlands.

The new physician recruitment coordinator said the female doctor and her family are considering moving to the area.

So, she and former coordinator Cheryl Kennedy drove in their car, and the doctor and her family in their car – for a tour, communicating via speaker phone.

“We made her feel very welcome,” Welch said.

She said it is just one area where pivoting and compromise has been required due to the pandemic.

Welch is into her third week as the County’s part-time physician recruitment coordinator.

A former Minden Hills area cottager, she moved to the County full-time four years ago. Her background is in nursing.

At her last job, as an external nurse assessor with Veterans Affairs Canada, she said she met with physicians regularly. She also did sales and marketing.

“So, that’s why when I saw this job posting, it kind of popped out at me and I thought ‘ok, this seems like it would fit different parts of my background’.”

She said COVID cancelled a number of in-person career fairs at Ontario medical schools, but they are starting up again. They are for residents who are graduating, looking at where they’re going to practice. They have been virtual and on Zoom, “which is awkward and challenging,” Welch said.

However, she plans to attend one at Western University Jan. 28 with others at McMaster, Queen’s and the University of Ottawa scheduled.

“I’ll be there representing Haliburton County and be able to talk to them face-toface about what we can offer, there’s a lot of value in that.”

She said the County would like to recruit four doctors.

Being relatively new to the area, she said she understands some of the concerns around practising in rural and regional Ontario and housing.

“I can relate to people saying ‘there’s nowhere to shop here, what do you do? Or what about if you need the care of a specialist? Then what? Where do you go and how does that work’?”

She said she feels like she can help them problem solve.

The County has a home it’s renting the main floor of for physicians to stay in on a temporary basis.

Welch said she has been involved in developing properties since moving to the County. While not a real estate agent, she said she has her finger on the pulse and could help people in their search.

In addition to working with regional partners, she plans to connect with interns and residents, and doctors that have already worked in the local system for short periods of time. “Talking about their goals and see if practising in Haliburton County full-time could be an option.”

Welch said she is grateful that Kennedy – who was successful in getting two doctors – is showing her the ropes.

“My hope is to be just as successful as she has been.”

COVID outbreak declared at J.D. Hodgson

By

Mike Baker

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December 9, 2021

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A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at J.D. Hodgson Elementary School after three cases of the virus were identified among students last week.

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit says two cases were detected on Dec 4, with another identified over the weekend. Letters were sent to parents Dec. 6.

“Provincial guidance requires a school outbreak be declared when two or more linked confirmed cases occur within a 14-day period, where at least one case could have reasonably acquired their infection in the school,” Bill Eekhof, HKPR spokesperson, told The Highlander.

Eekhof said one classroom at J.D. Hodgson has been affected by this outbreak.

The situation is linked to an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak declared on school bus No. 32 in Haliburton County. As reported in last week’s edition of the paper, that bus was used to transport students to multiple schools in the area, including J.D. Hodgson, Stuart Baker Elementary School and Haliburton Highlands Secondary School. All individuals who rode the bus and were identified as possible high-risk contacts were instructed to isolate and get tested.

Two positive cases from that outbreak have been confirmed to be students from Stuart Baker.

The positive cases interrupted the Highland Storm schedule this past weekend.

While 13 cases of the new Omicron variant have been identified in Ontario since its emergence last month, Eekhof was keen to contain any worry, saying “at this time, the health unit has not been notified of any local cases of Omicron variant in its region. The Delta variant remains the dominant stream of COVID-19 locally and across Ontario.”

Anyone with questions or concerned are encouraged to contact HKPR at 1-866-888- 4577 ext. 1508.

Builders say tough to meet housing ask

By

Mike Baker

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December 9, 2021

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A new provincial report estimates about 1,200 new homes will have to be built in the County over the next decade to keep up with projected population changes. But officials from the Haliburton County Home Builders Association (HCHBA) say they’re not sure the target is realistic.

Canadian economist Mike Moffatt held a virtual webinar Nov. 25. He outlined a “desperate need” for more housing. He predicted by 2031 more than one million new homes will be required in Ontario.

In the Highlands, experts say the population is expected to grow by more than 10 per cent over the next decade, and with housing already in demand, it’s going to place enormous pressure on the market. Moffatt said there needs to be 1,190 new single-family homes built locally by 2031.

Aggie Tose, HCHBA executive officer, said a lack of buildable space, convoluted municipal planning and application processes, and resistance from existing property owners means the target will likely be difficult to reach.

“Like we’ve seen already [with existing proposals], nobody wants to see development in their backyard, and there’s really not a whole lot of space for us to build. Planning takes a long time to move forward. I think that’s a big number to hit over the next 10 years,” Tose said.

Local options

While the Highlands is home to some of the most expansive green spaces anywhere in the province, most of that land is untouchable, Tose says, either protected by provincial or federal authorities, privately owned, or within close enough proximity to a water source that it is already at maximum capacity.

Space for considerable developments, such as a new multi-home subdivision, is at a premium. Tose says there’s no indication that such a build is on the horizon anywhere in Haliburton County. Options within Minden and Haliburton villages are almost non-existent, too, she says.

Complex problem requires government buy-in

The responsibility, she believes, falls on the County and the four lower-tier municipalities to come up with a plan to tackle housing shortages.

“Something has to change, otherwise we’re going to be left behind,” she added.

CAO ‘shocked’ by stats

Haliburton County CAO Mike Rutter admitted he was shocked by some of the numbers presented in Moffatt’s report.

He said housing is a “complex problem” that requires buy-in from all tiers of government if it is to be addressed properly. He pointed to the County’s work with the Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Housing Corporation as proof the municipality is taking issues surrounding homelessness and housing affordability seriously

Many of the development proposals he has seen focus on multi-unit residential builds such as apartments and condos, which may not appeal to young families looking to enter the market.

Rutter says more needs to be done to encourage developers to invest in the Highlands.

“There are a lot of things we’re doing, either through the service delivery review or other avenues, that may result in people wanting to develop in the County,” Rutter said.

In a 2014 growth management strategy report adopted by County council, it was noted population increases would create a demand for 1,910 new residential units in the Highlands by 2036

Moffatt warns the projections outlined in his report Baby Needs a New Home are likely lower than the actual demand in some communities. He added many will be forced to look beyond the GTA if they want to buy a home of their own.

It’s happening in the County already, with many people relocating to the area since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“A housing shortage in Toronto is a problem for everyone in Ontario,” Moffatt said. “We’re starting to see population growth happening in smaller communities that hadn’t really experienced much population growth since the 1960s, and you’re getting higher housing prices that begin in the GTA and start to transmit all over the province.”

Housing numbers

While the County has the 2014 report, there’s real plan to bring a large supply of new units to the Highlands to sustain growth targets, Tose said.

Over the past 10 years, based on statistics provided by each of the four lower tier municipalities, there have been 1,360 new dwellings built in Haliburton County. A significant number of those involved demolition of an existing home.

While slightly different given their mandate is to support the development of affordable housing, the KLH Housing Corporation says it projects 750 new units will be needed across the County to support population growth over the next 10 years.

Manager Michelle Corley said statistics suggest if there are more apartment-type builds in the future, that could free up enough single-family homes to help offset some of the excess demand for that type of property.

“Our existing households are very small in nature. One and two person households in the County make up 77.2 per cent of the household population … however, in the County 92.8 per cent of the current dwelling type is single-detached homes,” Corley said. “This suggests that a lot of our households are ‘over housed’.”

People are leaving

Karen Morgan moved to the County with her husband and young child in 2019. At the time rental properties were already scarce, but they were able to get a place in Wilberforce.

Months later, after a separation, Morgan found herself in the unenviable position of trying to find another apartment on a fixed income. She had $800 per month for accommodation through ODSP, but that wasn’t enough. She eventually found a place in Highland Grove, where her landlord accepted significantly less than market value for a two-bedroom house.

“Things were great, then our landlord decided to sell,” Morgan said. She was given until Nov. 1 to find a new home for herself and her five-year-old daughter.

“I must have viewed more than 40 apartments, but they would go before I even had chance to get an application in,” she said.

In the end, Morgan was forced to leave the County. She is now in Orillia, though hopes to be able to move back to the community so that her daughter can be closer to her father.

What’s next?

Tose reiterated there’s a need for almost all types of development in the Highlands. She said the recent influx of new residents to the County, and an increase in the number of locals being forced away, suggests a change in approach may be required.

“Our college wants to expand, our businesses want to grow, and people are moving here, so we really don’t have any option other than to build. Where we’re going to build though, I don’t know. Looking between [Haliburton] and Minden, there’s not a lot of good land. And wherever we do build, it can’t be too far outside of the centres because of infrastructure and transportation,” Tose said. “I don’t love the idea of apartments, and I know the word subdivision is almost a foofoo here in Haliburton County … but as has been pointed out, the growth is here today. It’s very clear. It’s not going away, so we have to make a plan for the future.”

49 Greek letters and chewing gum

By

Dr Nell Thomas

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December 2, 2021

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What does RNA live to do? Make copies of itself. The coronavirus genome (the genes that make up the virus), is a twisted strand of nearly 30,000 letters of RNA. (The human genome is over three billion.)

When the virus finds a cell it likes, it injects it with a strand of RNA containing its entire genome. It uses the machinery inside the host cell to replicate its 30,000 sequenced letters, copying and copying and copying. With each new infection, in each new cell, inevitable copying errors occur (mix-ups in the letter sequences).

Most of these make SARS-CoV-2 a less effective virus. But some have the opposite effect, shaping the virus to more efficiently do the only thing that RNA really wants to do – make more copies of itself.

We call this evolution. It is how variants like Omicron (B.1.1.529) – the most recent variant of concern – are born.

On Nov. 9 in Botswana a sample of the Omicron letter sequence was collected, sequenced by South African researchers, and uploaded to a central site on Nov. 23. On Nov. 24, South Africa reported to the WHO. Omicron cases have now been identified in more than a dozen countries including Germany, the UK, China, Australia, Canada, the list growing as you read this.

Omicron is scary because it has a large number of mutations in its sequence for the spike protein, which is the major target of our vaccines and is the entry point for SARS-CoV-2 to access our cells.

Omicron appears to be highly transmissible. Data from South Africa show test positive rates from Gauteng province jumped from around one per cent to 30 pe cent last week. (About 25 per cent of the population is vaccinated.)

A traveler from South Africa to Hong Kong who tested negative before his flight Nov. 11 then tested positive while quarantining in a Hong Kong hotel on Nov. 13. Someone across the hallway then tested positive for the new variant. Both individuals had high viral loads. Of 539 travelers from South Africa to the Netherlands last Friday, they identified 61 cases.

Unvaccinated individuals are more likely to become sick when exposed, have a much higher viral load, and are far more likely to transmit to others. In this way, unvaccinated people pave the way for the virus to achieve its mission: making copies of itself, leading to more mutations.

Ponder this: There are countries in Africa with two per cent vaccination rates.

How effective are vaccines against Omicron variant? Tracing the RNA sequences of the variants of concern shows Omicron to be more similar to the original Alpha than to the Delta lineage. So far, among vaccinated people, there have been no serious cases.

Viruses don’t want to become so deadly they kill off their hosts. They mutate to increase the amount of their genetic code circulating.

Mild diseases like the common cold keep hosts alive to spread more virus. But the number of spike protein mutations in Omicron is significantly more than in the other variants, including mutations that allow more efficient cell entry (increasing transmissibility), show resistance to neutralizing antibodies and evasion of innate immunity (making previous infections and vaccines less effective protection).

And then there’s gum. A new experimental chewing gum could reduce the amount of coronavirus particles in saliva and help slow transmission, according to a study in the journal Molecular Therapy.

The gum contains a protein that “traps” virus particles, reducing the spread of virus-laden droplets when infected people are talking, breathing, or coughing. The viral load in the samples fell by more than 95 per cent, the researchers said. The gum feels and tastes like conventional gum and meets FDA requirements.

Downtown tree ripe for decoration

By

Mike Baker

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December 2, 2021

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Residents are once again being invited to bring a personal touch to Christmas in Haliburton this festive season, by helping to decorate the downtown tree.

Put up Nov. 21 by volunteers from the Dysart Fire Department, it’s the biggest tree the community has ever had, according to Haliburton & District Lions Club member Jim Frost, measuring in at more than 30 feet.

This is always a special time of the year for Frost, and his wife Marilyn, who often take the lead in organizing festive events across the community, most notably the annual Santa Claus parade. Last year though, with COVID-19 causing many popular events to be cancelled, the couple came up with a creative way to spread Christmas cheer around the community, asking residents to help spruce up the downtown tree. Now, they’re hoping to do it again.

“We had so much fun with this last year, and I know lots of kids did too. By Christmas we had a lot of decorations on there – the tree looked great,” Frost said. “So, even though things are getting back to normal now, we thought ‘why not make this part of what we do [in the lead up to Christmas]’.”

The Lions are partnering with the Haliburton BIA on the initiative, and BIA administrator Angelica Ingram was on hand with her two children, four-year-old Evangeline and two-year-old Abigail, to apply the tree’s first ornaments – a pair of blue reindeer.

“This is a good, nice way for us to kick off Christmas, and for the community to feel like they’re a part of the downtown celebrations,” Ingram said.

Residents can stop by the tree, located outside the Village Barn on Highland Street, anytime between now and Dec. 25 to hang a decoration. Ingram says the tree will remain in place until the first week of the new year. Residents will be required to pick up their decorations if they want them back.

12.

Give the gift of food this Christmas

Haliburton Highlands OPP is encouraging residents to get into the spirit of giving this festive season.

The local police force is hosting its annual Fill-A-Cruiser event again this year, with officers scheduled to be at several locations across the region over the next few weekends to collect food, toys and monetary donations for three area food banks.

On Dec. 4, officers will be at Foodland in Haliburton from 10 a.m. to noon, and at Todd’s Independent Grocer from 1 to 3 p.m. On the same day, police will also be at Easton’s Valu-Mart from 10 a.m. to noon and the Minden Foodland from 1 to 3 p.m. On Dec. 18, officers will be at the Wilberforce Foodland from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All donations will support the Minden Community Food Centre, Haliburton 4Cs Food Bank and the Central Food Network, which offers food and supplies to residents across Highlands East.

“The Christmas season can be a really hard time for some families financially; to be able to afford to put food on the table for their family on top of [buying] toys and taking care of all the other things they’re responsible for at this time of the year, so this event is really about our community coming together to help people out during a time of real need,” said OPP Constable Michelle Scanlan.

Officers will be accepting non-perishable food items such as canned meats, soups and vegetables; cereals; meat alternatives such as peanut butter, soy and assorted nuts; sanitary items such as toilet paper and diapers; and personal hygiene products. Most participating locations, Scanlan said, have put together pre-packaged bags that residents can purchase and drop off with officers on their way out of the store.

As it has done for several years, the local force will also be collecting toys. Scanlan said they would be passed on to families that are most in-need to ensure all children across the county have something to open up on Christmas day.

All money raised will also go directly to area food banks to help purchase in-demand items such as eggs, milk and meat.

“I was a part of the event last year, and even then, during a pandemic, it was amazing to see how quickly the cruisers were filling up,” Scanlan said. “Every single person was walking out of the store with a bag in hand to give to us. We’re fortunate to live in a very giving, very generous community. I’m sure this year’s event is going to be [a] huge [success].

CanoeFM paddles through pandemic year

By

Sam Gillett

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December 2, 2021

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In the months after Canada went into lockdown, CanoeFM developed a new slogan.

“Remember that in good times and difficult times, community radio brings us together.”

Paul Vorvis, the station’s new board chair, said the saying rings true.

“People have always responded to CanoeFM,” he said. “During the pandemic, we went from concern over what the future would bring to being so grateful for what the community has given to let us continue to do what we do.”

The annual radiothon raised a record high in 2021, and the station’s radio bingo became a Highlands tradition.

It raised an unprecedented $106,000, half of which is being gifted to 23 community groups.

Vorvis, who calls the bingo numbers, said he heard countless stories of cottagers bringing bingo cards back home with them, making the game a Canada-wide affair.

While the lottery, which raised $54,000, and bingo proceeds can’t go to salaries at the station, it can fund production expenses and purchases.

“It’s allowed us to really expand what we want to do to give back to the community,” Vorvis said after the station’s Nov. 23 annual general meeting.

A three-year voyage

“In my crystal ball I see that CanoeFM will make many changes in the coming few years,” station manager Roxanne Casey wrote in her AGM letter.

Many of those changes hinge on the station’s new three-year plan.

That includes focusing on financial stability, staff succession plans, volunteer recruitment, honing in on local content, and building the station’s tech infrastructure.

Vorvis said he’s particularly enthusiastic about cultivating local talent.

“We have a really rich musical community,” he said. The station will apply for funding to hire a production coordinator and mentor to help artists professionally record their work in the station’s Malcolm MacLean radio hall. “We want to make this an incubator,” Vorvis said.

CanoeFM is also working on increasing its listenership in remote areas of the Highlands.

“We want to represent Haliburton County but geographically there are places that don’t receive our signal as well as others.”

2021 fundraisers have helped reimburse volunteers who’ve spent hours driving Haliburton roads to map out signal strength from Dorset to Kinmount.

“We’re going to be able to analyze those results and find out what we’ll need to do to increase the signal,” he said. “We say we want to be the voice of Haliburton County… but people need to be able to hear us.”

Vorvis said CanoeFM is unique because of how board members often volunteer under the supervision of hired staff.

“You can see the impact of what you’re doing,” said Vorvis. “It allows us to see and then modify the policies and what CanoeFM does.

The station is built on the work of three staff members and 119 volunteers just like Vorvis, who spends about 20 hours a week hosting shows, bingo and now fulfilling the duties of board chair.

He said he encourages anyone looking to expand their skills or meet new people to get involved: no prior experience is necessary.

“I heard an ad they were looking for volunteers,” said Vorvis. “I never had any experience in the industry but I thought ‘ok I’ll give it a shot.’ I’ve never looked back, I enjoy every aspect of it.”

Board appointments

Ron Evans, John Ewing, Gabrielle Holmes and Simon Payn joined the station’s board of directors in November.

Past-president Tim Hagarty, Linda Heeps and Dan Sullivan finished their time on the board.

“Every one of you should be proud of our accomplishments this year and you, our volunteers, continue to make the magic happen,” wrote Hagarty in a letter to CanoeFM members. “We are the true voice of Haliburton County and a welcoming caring setting to volunteer.”

Community ‘go-getter’ touched lives

By

Sam Gillett

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December 2, 2021

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Margaret “Jane” van Nood (nee Mailloux) always made time to help people.

Whether volunteering with the Haliburton Lions Club, Friends of the Library, Abbey Retreat Centre, or the County’s Community Kitchen, Jane’s passion for her family, friends and the Highlands community shone through say many who knew her.

She passed away Nov. 22 at the age of 61. Her sister-in-law Shelley van Nood said Jane’s personality “sparkled” wherever she went.

“She was really engaged in life,” said Shelley.

“If you needed help, Jane was there,” said friend Linda Heeps, who also served with van Nood on the Friends of the Haliburton Public Library board.

“She would be the one driving people to doctors appointments in Lindsay,” said Heeps, mentioning fond memories of the “Six Super Sisters,” a group of friends who started out as a book club.

Jane was renowned for her love of Christmas and her decorations. The super sisters plan on taking down her Christmas decorations after the holidays.

She loved creating elaborate greeting cards and colourful jewelry; replacing customer’s lost earrings for free.

Shelley van Nood said her family loved getting Holiday cards from Jane. “When you got a Christmas card from Auntie Jane, you knew it was made special, just for you,” she said.

Heeps and many others also found solace in Jane’s company through a breast cancer support group she helped start. Jane also volunteered at the Abbey Retreat Centre as a retreat facilitator.

“She touched everybody’s lives,” said Heeps.

She was also a dedicated member of the Haliburton County Lions Club. A tribute page on the club’s website shows Jane helping out at a variety of Lions functions; never without a beaming smile.

“She was the most giving person there is in the world,” said Lion Marilyn Frost. During a Lions’ lady club retreat, Frost remembers Jane bringing “half the kitchen:” supplying all the kitchen equipment for delicious meals she helped cook for her friends. “That was Jane,” said Frost.

John Teljeur, Jane’s cousin through marriage, remembers her as a devoted friend with a dedication to friends, family and community projects.

“She dove into things,” said Teljeur. At Teljeur’s Canadian National Pond Hockey tournament. Jane was one of the first to volunteer. “I’m not going to let you fail,” Teljeur remembers her telling him.

“You look back in time and piece it all together: the way that she was. She was just a go-getter, and she would take things on probably when she didn’t even have the time,” he said.

Teljeur said he hopes to host the tournament again this year, in Jane’s honour.

“Her family should be so proud,” Teljeur said. “She was only on the earth for 61 years but she impacted so many.”

Principal outlines plan to improve student reading levels

By

Mike Baker

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December 2, 2021

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Archie Stouffer Elementary School (ASES) principal Dawn Sudsbury admitted reading levels among her students are “a bit alarming” in a presentation to TLDSB board trustees Nov. 23.

Since beginning her new role in September, Sudsbury has been working hard to create a new School Improvement Equity Plan (SIEP) at ASES after being surprised by some of the reports coming in from teachers regarding individual student reading levels.

“Currently, 15 per cent of our students in Grades 2 to 8 are reading at a grade equity level. Our goal, by June, is we want 100 per cent of our students to demonstrate growth in reading, which includes accuracy, fluency and comprehension. We have a goal to have 51 per cent of students reading at a grade level by June,” Sudsbury informed trustees.

“I can’t say I was shocked, but I found that 15 per cent was a bit alarming,” she added, after being asked to reflect on the numbers by trustee John Byrne.

Through her analysis, Sudsbury noted that some of the problems are different throughout the various age groups. Students from Grade 2 to 4, for example, are having a hard time looking at words and being able to properly sound them out, while some of the more junior and intermediate students are struggling with comprehension.

Improvement begins and ends in the classroom, Sudsbury said, and she’s been leaning on her teachers to implement individualized plans to try to get the best out of each of their students.

“Guided instruction is a great tool, and what that means is having instruction that is very specific for each student,” Sudsbury said. “All students can achieve … we just need to think a little differently to tap into their potential.”

Return to regular semesters

Director of education Wes Hahn said secondary schools have been given the go ahead to return to regular semesters starting in February.

“There are definitely benefits to moving back to a regular semester. Over the next week or so, we will be working with staff to iron a few things out and then hope to have an announcement about what we’re going to do,” Hahn said. “We’ll be making the best decision possible for students.”

He said there were a number of factors to consider before making the jump back, most notably how staff would deal with transitioning to a regular schedule from the quadmester system the board has been using since September.

While those conversations are at an early stage, Hahn believes teachers have shown how versatile they can be throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Every time we’ve gone to a different model we’ve been successful to the best of our abilities. Even when we were working in octomesters, which weren’t ideal, staff and administrators made that work,” Hahn said. “Staff have done an extraordinary job under extraordinary circumstances.”

Outbreak at Stuart Baker

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Stuart Baker Elementary School last week after two students were found to have contracted the virus.

TLDSB spokesperson Sinead Fegan says a positive case was identified at the school on Nov. 24 and a number of students were sent home to isolate. Then, on Nov. 26, the board was notified of a second positive case. Fegan said the two cases are linked, with bus No. 32, which transports students from SBES, J.D. Hodgson Elementary School and Haliburton Highlands Secondary School, identified as the source of the outbreak.

As of press time, no further cases had been confirmed. Fegan noted that some students were still isolating at home.

Director award

It was a busy meeting for Sudsbury, who was also presented with a director’s recognition award for her early work as principal at ASES. She was nominated for the award by vice principal Mike Gervais.

“Dawn is a highly passionate leader who prioritizes the need of all learners at her school, and makes plans to support their learning and enhance their educational experience. When staff and students walk into ASES, it’s clear they’re stepping into a community focused on student achievement and equity,” Hahn said.

Since her arrival, Sudsbury has worked with staff to streamline and enhance their teaching practices, and placed an increased focus on individualized learning for students.

Hahn noted her efforts have “created a strong team environment” at ASES, making it a great place for staff to teach and students to learn.