Cardiff and Wilberforce elementary school principal retires: lauds local ‘funraising’ group

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July 22, 2021

If you know how to find them, the creatures that live in a lake’s shallow water — leeches, mayfly nymphs, stonefly larvae and more — are valuable clues to a lake’s health.

U-Link’s first free public training program on monitoring benthic macroinvertebrates – creatures with no backbone that you can see without a microscope – wrapped up on July 18.

“We look at those species, and we look at the types of habitats they typically live in,” explained Brendan Martin, U-Link’s Environmental Program Coordinator.

“They’re an integral part of the aquatic ecosystem.”

The program was made possible through the Great Lakes Local Action Fund, a provincial grant. Martin said they hope to reapply for funding to train more citizen scientists how to sample and monitor these tiny creatures.

By monitoring the amount of macroinvertebrates they find in the shallow waters around the County’s lakes, U-Links gains insight into the area’s recent history. They also test for the electrical conductivity of the water, and the oxygen levels to get a sense of the health of the lake.

“It’s not a substitute [for water testing] — but it works very well with that data,” he explained.

U-Links returns to each spot they sample multiple times. Through comparing data, they can chart a lake’s history.

“These [species] are constantly in contact with the water, and if there’s, say, an algae bloom immediately after the ice goes out, that could impact the population of dragonflies,” Martin said.

Many of these creatures are staples in the diet of turtles and fish: if macroinvertebrates are under threat, that could impact fishing and recreation activities.

“Keeping tabs on how their populations are changing over time are very important for these industries,” Martin said.

At the in-person demonstration at Halls Lake, Martin showed attendees how to operate the specialized D-net, disturbing sand and pebbles to scoop up samples of the lake’s benthic population.

The group later sifted through the samples, collected in containers on the shore.

The training program also focused on how to report which creatures are found, marking the type of ecosystem and location of each sample.

Around the world, benthic macroinvertebrate monitoring has been used as a marker of lake health since the 1980s. In Ontario, it’s been common practice since the early 2000s.

Now climate change presents an everincreasing threat to the health of lakes, and the benthic macroinvertebrates U-links tests for.

“As temperatures rise, you lose the dissolved oxygen,” said Martin. “That decreases the ability for these organisms to function on a day-to-day basis.”

For more information on upcoming workshops and opportunities to get involved, visit ulinks.ca

Art coming to the docks of Lake Kash

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July 22, 2021

Inspired by the Art on the Dock event on Kennisis Lake, a group of Kashagawigamog cottagers has come together to organize a similar event — dubbed Kash Art on the Water — for Aug. 7.

Spokesperson Danielle Martin said she, Kirsten Sixt, Lesley Sahakian and Allison Barrow have collaborated on the venture.

Martin said they wanted to showcase artists on and around their lake in their own way. They had their first meeting in April, and started planning the logistics of hosting an art event.

They promoted the event with a call to artists through the Lake Kashagawigamog Organization (LKO) Facebook page, eblasts, the LKO Love You Lake seminar series, Kash Art Instagram, arts council eblasts and word of mouth.

A resident and artist herself, Martin said there are 17 artisans registered for the event “and counting.”

She added there is a variety of artists who practice a wide range of art forms, including pottery, jewellery, woodworking, painting, clothing and apparel, and digital arts.

“Exhibitors participating have properties on Kashagawigamog Lake, some exhibitors have been invited and are being hosted by lake cottagers or residents and local businesses on the lake,” she said.

Much like Art on the Dock, guests are encouraged to tour the lake by boat, or by environmentally-sound watercraft or by car to view, purchase and admire items displayed by artists.

Martin noted that they have also teamed up with local businesses on the lake, including The Bonnie View Inn and Kate’s Burgers.

Martin said they are set to go 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the day, with a rain date of Sunday, Aug. 8.

Stay up to date by following Kash Art on Instagram @kashartonthewater and following their Facebook page, Lake Kashagawigamog Organization.

Haliburton’s Tour de Forest back for 15th year with 23 artists

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July 22, 2021

An annual summer studio show is set to bring cottagers, tourists and locals into the galleries of creatives across Haliburton County.

The Tour de Forest Summer Studio Tour, in its 15th year, features 23 potters, painters, sculptors and jewellers.

It will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 31 to August 1. An online map displays the locations of all 12 studios which are involved, stretching from Tory Hill to Minden to West Guilford.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing people and welcoming them to the event,” said organizer Charlene McConnell. McConnell creates glazed pottery decorations and serving ware out of Purple Door Pottery Studio on Eagle Lake Road.

“I enjoy meeting the artists face to face — having conversations about the process,” McConnell said.

After an isolating year, she said she’s excited that people will be able to experience art in person throughout the tour.

From the vibrant painted landscapes of James Goodliff to intricate carved to molded creations by Renée Woltz, the tour is a celebration of the Highland’s artistic diversity and skill.

In a written statement, acclaimed painter Jane Selbie wrote that supporting artists through tours like this is important to the health of the community.

“The history of Haliburton County is built on family operations, often extending from one generation to the next. It’s what gives small communities their particular character,” Selbie wrote.

“The artist sector is alive in Haliburton County … each artist [is] a small business operator.”

Boundless continues to gain altitude: Haliburton Director scoops up awards

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July 22, 2021

Haliburton movie directed by Hannah Sadlier

Haliburton native Kate Campbell’s short film, Boundless, made its Canadian debut at the Female Eye Film Festival in Toronto in March and continues to screen across the globe – scooping up 11 awards at 15 festivals

Campbell told The Highlander she and her team wish they could have attended some of the festivals in person, but have been unable to due to COVID 19 which was made most of them virtual.

“But we are very grateful for the opportunity in the middle of this pandemic. Also, very grateful for all of the hometown support,” she said July 16.

The Haliburton Legion Branch 129 sponsored high school students and young adults from the community to help out the film set and the Haliburton County Development Corporation provided financial support.

It’s been quite a year so far for the filmmaker and her cast and crew.

The 10-minute short about Second World War female pilots had its international premiere in India in late 2020.

Campbell said, “I’m definitely enjoying the film festival tour so far. Very proud of our team. And it’s great to have such interest in the project from different corners of the world.”

Shopping the film to festivals was the first step in a much larger project to eventually produce a miniseries, Campbell told The Highlander in the fall. It’s been more than a decade of interviewing, travelling, writing and researching to get to this stage, she added.

Being from Haliburton, it was important for her to include the County in the production. Tammy Rea is one of the producers and Anabelle Craig, Joey Varga and Hannah Sadlier helped on set. The Haliburton County Folk Society and Nick Russell assisted with the soundtrack.

Campbell said she’s very excited to share the film and everyone’s hard work with the world, and ready for the next Boundless adventure.

The project was inspired by her grandmother, Betty Greply (nee Ward), who became a pilot to conquer her fear of heights in the 1950s at Buttonville Airport, flying with her husband. She was a member of the Ninety-Nines Flying Organization, which began in 1929, and for which Amelia Earhart was a president.

Dini Petty plays the older version of the lead character, Betty. The Canadian broadcast icon was the first woman in the world to pilot a helicopter while broadcasting over the radio at the age of 23.

“My grandmother and Dini flew out of Buttonville at the same time in the late 60s and early 70s,” Campbell, who is a student pilot and member of the Ninety-Nines, added.

Between 1942 and 1944, more than 1,000 female pilots flew a collective 60 million miles in service in a specialized training program to free the male pilots for battle. The program was based out of Sweetwater, Texas and was headed by famed aviatrix Jaquiline Cochran.

Campbell said, “As the war was ending, the women were abruptly disbanded, denied military status, shamed for taking the jobs of men returning from war, and were forced to pay their own way home.

“It’s a really important untold story that was not in our history books, so being able to share this education is significant.” Boundless continues to gain altitude

So far, the film has won:

• Gold award – The Spotlight Short Film Awards in Atlanta Georgia.

• Best story, best costume design, best production design at the Women’s International Film Festival in Massachusetts.

• Best cinematography award for a war film and best cinematography award annual nomination at the Cinematography Awards – London, UK.

• Best director at the London Director Awards – London, UK.

• Remi award at Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival.

• Best super short film – International World Photography Awards – Slovakia.

• Best narrative short – Toronto Women International Film Festiva.l

• Best director – French Riviera Film Festival.

Updates can be found on the Boundless Film Facebook page and on Instagram @boundlessfilm or @ A scene from Boundless. Photo by Hannah katecampbellfilmmaker

Spotlighting the best in Haliburton Highlands business

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July 22, 2021

Did an organization, business, business owner or employee exceed your expectations last year?

You can recognize and spread the word about that excellence by nominating them for a Countywide award.

Nominations are open for the Business and Community Achievement Awards presented annually by the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s important to get the word out there about the amazing organizations, businesses, and individuals that enrich our community,” said executive director Amanda Conn.

“Especially with the difficulties that so many businesses and our community as a whole have experienced [during the COVID-19 pandemic], it’s essential to recognize the work, innovation, and commitment our local businesses, organizations, and individuals have shown. We all want to hear stories of those who have thrived, innovated, and made the lives of others better.”

Award categories include Innovation & Creativity, Customer First – Employee, Customer First – Business, Skilled Trades & Industry, Tourism & Hospitality, Business Achievement, New Business of the Year, Not-For-Profit of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, and Highlander of the Year.

This year’s awards presentation gala will be held virtually. Details will be announced when finalized.

For awards information and to submit nominations, go to haliburtonchamber.com/ nominations-now-open-for-the-businesscommunity-achievement-awards/. To arrange for offline nominations, email Conn at ed@haliburtonchamber.com or call the office at 705-457-4700.

Nominations close July 29 at 4 p.m.

Mould problems keep Dorset rec centre closed

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July 22, 2021

Despite relaxed COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the Dorset Recreation Centre will remain closed until further notice following the discovery that mould and moisture issues are more extensive than originally determined.

In a report to Algonquin Highlands council at the July 15 regular council meeting, AH staff noted that testing by an environmental consultant in March found mould on some basement surfaces. A remediation company was hired to address it, but test results on May 27 showed slightly elevated mould counts.

AH staff conducted further investigations on May 28 and found additional mould in the basement washrooms and changerooms. Staff removed the affected materials and the remediation company deep-cleaned those areas. Test results received July 6 indicated mould counts were still elevated. The remediation company recommended carpet removal downstairs and upstairs and additional cleaning.

While the environmental consultant had advised that the mould issue was caused by water filtration through the foundation and a pipe leak in the ceiling, staff reported that the latest discovery indicated those were not the only sources. Frequent ice damming on the roof has caused water to enter the building in the past, so on July 7 staff cut holes in ceilings and walls in the affected locations, finding mould in several areas.

Staff reported that $19,000 has been spent on the mould issue to date, excluding any restorations, and that the full financial impact of a final resolution is unknown, but will be substantial.

Council approved the staff recommendation that professional services be procured to assess the building and provide guidance to resolve the mould and moisture issues, and that a proposed HVAC works project be put on hold until the mould issues have been addressed.

Dysart seeks artists for sibling murals

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July 22, 2021

Dysart et al is seeking artists to paint two new murals on the A.J. LaRue arena.

Athletes and siblings Taly Williams and Lesley Tashlin will be depicted on the arena’s exterior, alongside five other murals of celebrated Haliburton County sports stars.

The project, estimated to cost $30,000 will be fundraised by public donations. As of July 16, a GoFundMe had raised nearly $6,000 and Dysart et al has collected $1,525. The Rotary Club of Haliburton also donated $2,000 to the project.

After receiving applications from artists, a review committee will select who will complete the project, bringing their decision to the cultural resources committee for a final decision. That committee will approach Dysart council for approval.

“Ideally, we want to have something up before the snow flies,” said Jim Blake, chair of the cultural resources committee. The window to submit applications closes on August 13.

Williams and Tashlin will have input into the murals as well. “We want the mural to be something they are proud of,” Blake said.

Grade 7 and 8 students at J.D. Hodgson Elementary School sparked the effort to honour the athletes. Inspired by William’s football career and Tashlin’s record-setting track and field stint, they said they were disappointed that the legacy of the Black athletes didn’t seem to be recognized in the County.

“I’m hoping that this opens up the conversation and starts allowing others who feel left out and not a part of Haliburton to start connecting to it,” said Williams, who now operates a water infrastructure investment firm in Los Angeles.

“[Haliburton] is our home and we are forever connected to it,” added Williams in an email. “But being recognized with a mural in your hometown is a completely different type and level of connection. It’s no longer just about me being connected to my hometown. It feels like a two-way street now. My hometown is acknowledging and connecting to me.”

Dysart et al’s events and recreation coordinator, Andrea Mueller, was impressed by how quickly the project has progressed.

“I think it’s amazing — they brought this forward in March and it’s July,” Mueller said, mentioning how the students played a key part in the project’s momentum. “Their dedication to it really sparked that desire and that attitude to make it happen quickly.”

Of the five other murals, three were donated privately. Mueller said the municipality is unsure how the first two murals were funded.

For more information or to donate, visit hertrackhisfield.ca or dysart.ca/muralwall The murals of Lesley Tashlin and Taly Williams will be painted on panels and fastened to the side of the A.J. LaRue Arena. If all goes to plan, they could be finished by late fall.

Emotions run high as Haliburton County gyms reopen

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July 22, 2021

Heather Seabrooke opened the door to Step of Grace training and conditioning studio for the first time in more than three months July 16.

“For me it was super emotional,” said Seabrooke, who co-owns the gym with Brittany Burton. Seabrooke said her first class was filled with happy cheers and a “crazy” energy.

“I’ve been staring at people on a piece of glass for 16 months, and now they’re walking through the door.”

Under Ontario’s reopening plan, indoor fitness facilities can run at 50 per cent capacity for the first time since March 31.

Burton hasn’t worked in the gym since March — she said she’s excited to get back to training.

“I was getting texts midway through [lockdown] saying ‘when do you think we’ll get back? I really need to get exercising’,” Burton said.

Working out, added Burton, isn’t all about physical fitness: “we’re a little bit like therapists.”

Seabrooke agreed, mentioning how important fitness has been for her client’s mental health.

“A workout isn’t just lunges — it’s a whole mental rescue,” Seabrooke said.

Her online classes were popular with clients, but Seabrooke said it’s hard to teach and monitor workouts through a Zoom screen.

“There’s delays online — it’s not live, there’s no feedback. They can’t feel my emotion.”

Sonya Smith, who takes classes at Step of Grace, said it feels “great” to get back into the gym.

Smith said workout class online during the pandemic motivated her to stick to her fitness routine.

“I at least have to have one class a day, and I walk as well, so it’s very important to me.”

Capacity limits mean that some gyms, such as Meghan Cox’s Just Movement Fitness, are remaining outdoors.

“Opening the doors actually limits the amount of people I can have,” Cox said. She runs outdoor fitness classes, which typically have five to nine people, at her property between Haliburton and Minden.

With multiple lockdowns forcing massive pivots for her business, she said she’s hesitant to switch indoors in case rules change again.

“The fitness industry has been through very traumatic experiences in the last months,” Cox said.

Despite being limited to the outdoors, getting together with her “people” is a refreshing experience.

“In losing our ability to get together as a fitness family, it’s been really challenging for them,” she said.

Those challenges haven’t impacted her desire to help others reach fitness goals.

“My passion is more important than the shutdowns, than the discouraging things that are happening in the world.”

Trailer theft related to drug, weapons charges

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July 22, 2021